Enjoy. Please R&F.

"Fox dung! Bramblestar, I need help!"

I darted in between a Twoleg's legs and raced toward Snowwhisker. The white warrior was pinned underneath a Twoleg's foot. The Twoleg had a long stick pointed at Snowwhisker's head. I began to run faster. The last time a Twoleg had pointed a stick at someone's head, it had ended with Stormcloud's head getting blown apart.

I jumped toward the Twoleg and raked my claws down its leg. It swung around and slammed the stick against my head, sending me flying. I slammed into someone, although I wasn't sure if it was a Twoleg or a cat. My head spun, and I was vaguely aware of Snowwhisker calling to me, a loud roar, and Snowwhisker falling silent.

I struggled to my feet just as a Twoleg's foot connected with my side. I fell with a groan. It was the Twoleg from before, who had used his fire-stick on Snowwhisker. I looked up helplessly as he pointed his fire-stick at me. I knew in the back of my mind that this would be a wound StarClan couldn't heal.

Lead ThunderClan well, Brightheart...

However, the Twoleg never fired.

Someone tackled him, knocking him to the side before he could fire. As I staggered to my feet, I saw that it was Rowanstar.

"You piece of fox dung!" Rowanstar spat. "Stay away from them all!" He tore at the Twoleg with his claws. Blood splattered his fur, and the Twoleg screamed.

I took that as my chance and ran to wherever else it was that I was needed. I was a whirlwind of fury, slashing and biting, kicking and screaming. I didn't see anything but blood and fury for the next hour or so.

Then it all came to a grinding halt. Mistystar and Onestar almost simultaneously called for their Clans to retreat. Rowanstar spat some insults around before calling for ShadowClan to retreat as well. It took me a few moments to come out of my haze and call out for ThunderClan to retreat.

My warriors began swarming around me. I picked up the first idle cat I saw, then dropped them when I realized they were ShadowClan. I eventually found one of my own to carry, and I began to run. A hole appeared in the ground near me as a Twoleg used his fire-stick. One of my warriors was hit as he tried to flee. Fortunately, everyone but him made it out.

Once we were safely back in our own territory, we stopped to get a count of who had died and who was still alive. Snowwhisker, Stormcloud, Smokepaw, and Brightheart hadn't made it. Millie had been grievously wounded and had to be carried by Lionblaze.

"Brightheart! No!" Cloudtail limped quickly over to where Thornclaw was carrying Brightheart's body. The white warrior nudged his mate. "Brightheart, please. Don't leave me..."

I moved toward the warrior, but Ivypool was faster. She rested her tail comfortingly on Cloudtail's shoulder. "It's okay, Cloudtail. She died a hero's death, defending her Clan."

"That doesn't change anything!" He wailed. "She- she's still dead!" He buried his face in Brightheart's blood-stained fur. Ivypool bowed her head. "I know she is, Cloudtail. And I know what you're going through. I went through the same thing when I lost Dovewing." Her voice caught in her throat, and she had to pause for a moment before continuing. "Let's go home, Cloudtail. This isn't the place to grieve. Bramblestar won't let Brightheart's death go unjustified." She glanced pointedly at me.

"Ivypool's right, Cloudtail." I said. "Brightheart and the others we lost today will get their justice. I promise." I started walking away. "We need to get ourselves home. There are injuries to treat."

LATER THAT DAY

"You can't blame yourself for what happened, Bramblestar." My mate pressed herself against me. "This isn't your fault, or anybody else's."

I sank my claws into the ground. "I still feel responsible. It was stupid of me to go and fight today. I was blinded by grief and a desire to avenge my sister's death. Now four of my Clanmates are dead. They would still be alive if I hadn't forced them into the battle today."

"You didn't force them, Bramblestar. They followed you because they wanted to."

I ignored her and sank my claws further into the ground. "It's my fault. All of it. Four ThunderClan cats, one of them an apprentice, dead. Millie is laying in the medicine den as we speak, barely clinging onto life. Cloudtail a depressed lump of bloody fur after losing his mate and son."

"Bramblestar-"

"I almost died today, Squirrelflight. If Rowanstar hadn't been there, that Twoleg would have used his fire-stick on me and taken the eight lives I have left. I would have left you without a mate and my children without a father. Firestar never would have been so reckless. He wouldn't have put his Clanmates in danger just to avenge his sister's death."

"Bramblestar, that's enough!" Squirrelflight sounded irritated. "Firestar wasn't perfect, and neither are you. You did what you thought had to be done, and you can't change that. It's a warrior's duty to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the Clan."

I stood up. "I'd better call the Clan together. Now that we know how dangerous those Twolegs are, we need to make sure everyone knows about it."

Squirrelflight nodded. "I'll check on the kits. They were pretty shaken up over what happened."

I turned and started padding up to Highledge. I was about to call the Clan together when I noticed movement inside my den. Unsheathing my claws, I called out, "Who's there?"

A moment later, Hollyheart poked her head out. "Sorry, Bramblestar. I just needed to speak with you, and I figured-"

"Fine." I interrupted. "Out with it, then."

She twitched her ears. "Maybe we should talk about it inside."

I shrugged. "Alright, but it'd better be important."

I followed her into my den. As soon as we were inside, she blurted out,

"I'm expecting kits."

I blinked. "So? What's so secret about that?"

"They're Ratscar's."

"Oh. Well, then, that is a bit more of a problem."

She lowered her gaze. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I swear I didn't. But I met him at a Gathering, and he was so helpful during those first few days without my sisters..."

I sighed. "You realize that you have broken a major law in the code, Hollyheart."

"I understand that. But it was only for a little while. We aren't seeing each other anymore. Not after... not after he said he didn't care about me or the kits at all."

"And what about you? Do you care at all for him?"

"I thought I did. Until I realized he was only using me for his own gain."

"Well, I'm sorry. But you have to understand that I find it hard to sympathize with law breakers."

"Are you going to throw me out of ThunderClan?" Her eyes were pleading as she looked at me. "Please don't. I didn't mean to get pregnant, it just kind of happened."

"I'm not going to throw you out. But I do hope you've learned your lesson, and that you've got a tom ready to name as the father when asked."

She nodded. "I've got someone in mind. Thank you, Bramblestar."

I grunted. "Don't let it happen again."

"I won't." For the first time since her sisters died, Hollyheart's eyes shimmered with happiness.

I followed her out of my den and yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting!"

The cats of ThunderClan were slow in gathering. I had to admit, I was disappointed in Hollyheart. I understood her motives, but there were still plenty of single toms in ThunderClan. Still, Squirrelflight had been right when she said what had been done was done.

"Cats of ThunderClan, a terrible thing has happened today. We lost four courageous warriors, and that will leave a scar that will last forever. We will avenge their deaths. But our Clan needs time to recover, as do the other Clans. So for now, we are going to lay back and let things carry out. There is a possibility that these Twolegs will leave soon enough. Until that happens, however, things are going to be changing around here. Until further notice, kits and elders are to remain in the camp at all times. No exceptions. Apprentices are not to leave camp without at least two warriors to accompany them. Patrols must have at least three warriors on them, and warriors are not to hunt alone."

I paused for a moment to let what I had said sink in.

"Additionally, the camp entrance is to have two cats guarding it at all times. The deputy, medicine cat, and myself are to have no fewer than two cats guarding us at all times. I will personally assign these guards each day. We also need a new deputy to replace Brightheart and serve as my second in command until Squirrelflight is able to return to her duties. I say these words before Squirrelflight and the spirit of Brightheart, so that they may hear and approve of my choice. Ivypool will be the new temporary deputy of ThunderClan."

I paused as ThunderClan chanted Ivypool's name. Their cheering was half-hearted; I didn't blame them. I wasn't expecting this to be a joyous occasion. Not after what had happened.

I cleared my throat and went on to say the final thing I needed to say before ending this meeting. "For the rest of the day, Birchfall and Thornclaw will guard myself, Molewhisker and Thornsting will guard Ivypool, and Mousewhisker and Firelight will guard Jayfeather. That is all."

I retreated into my den.

I sank down into my nest with a huge sigh. I could see Birchfall and Thornclaw sitting on either side of the entrance. They had their heads close together, clearly gossiping. I shook my head. No matter how old they got, they could never stop spreading unnecessary gossip and exaggerating the truth.

My eyelids were just beginning to grow heavy when an argument started outside.

"Bramblestar doesn't want to be bothered right now." Birchfall growled.

"I'm his deputy. I have the right to speak with him when I want." That was Squirrelflight.

"You're not his deputy. Ivypool is."

"Ivypool is his temporary deputy! If I wasn't in the nursery, I'd still be his full-time deputy!"

"I'm sorry, Squirrelflight. Only high-ranking Clan members may see Bramblestar at this time."

"For StarClan's sake!" I heard a small scuffle outside, and lifted my head just as Squirrelflight barged in.

Birchfall ran in after her. "Hey, I said-"

"Be quiet, Birchfall." I ordered, sitting up. "She can speak with me. It's fine."

"But-"

I glared at him. He slunk back out of the cave.

I sighed, shaking my head. "Incompetent. Sorry about that, Squirrelflight."

She didn't acknowledge my comment, instead launching right into what she was here for. "We don't have enough warriors for these new decisions, Bramblestar. We lost four warriors today, and even if Millie does recover, Leafpool said she won't be able to return to her duties for a long time. We can't afford to sacrifice six warriors daily for guarding cats, along with an additional two for guarding the camp."

I flicked my tail. "I understand why you are concerned, Squirrelflight. However, I have the safety of my Clan in mind. What we are facing now is potentially even more dangerous than the flood or the Dark Forest. We are facing Twolegs with fire-sticks powerful enough to kill a cat with one hit. I can't take any chances."

Squirrelflight lashed her tail. "Running us this thin will not help us, Bramblestar! You're only going to make it worse on all of us!"

"I know what I'm doing, Squirrelflight. I wouldn't do this if I didn't have confidence that it will help keep all of us safe."

"I know you wouldn't, but you don't seem to be understanding how we don't have enough warriors for this!"

I stood up. "We will just have to send out fewer patrols a day. The other Clans are exhausted and wounded from this battle. They are of no danger to us."

"You know firsthand how desperate they can get when things get bad!"

"I know what I'm doing, Squirrelflight!"

"No, you don't! If Firestar were leader, he would know better than to do this!"

I stood up. My voice was icily calm as I said, "I am the leader of ThunderClan. Not Firestar. The warrior code says that a leader's word is law, and must never be challenged. I will uphold that law, even if it means turning against my own mate. Now get out, and don't come in here again unless you have something productive to say."

She bristled. "You're kicking me out!?"

I lashed my tail. "No warrior of mine speaks to me like that and gets away with it. You've always been arrogant, Squirrelflight. Thinking you could get away with anything. Well, you used to. Daddy's little girl could always get away with anything. But Firestar is dead now. I am ThunderClan's leader, and each of my warriors is to be treated just as harshly as the next. Now get out before I have Birchfall and Thornclaw drag you out."

Her gaze glittered angrily. "Fine." She spat. "I reprimanded Berrynose for claiming leadership had changed you for the worse. Now I see that he was right." She whipped around and stalked out.

The minute she was gone, I felt a flash of guilt. What had I done? I'd just yelled at her for trying to prove a point. Sure, she had been disrespectful, but she was my deputy and my mate. She was supposed to be my equal, and I had just acted like she was nothing compared to me. I knew I should go after her and apologize, but I also knew she wouldn't accept my apology.

Part of me knew that she was right. It had been wrong of me to try and issue these new tasks when we didn't have enough warriors for them. I prayed to StarClan that my decision wouldn't cost more lives. When I had made it, I hadn't really stopped to consider that we might not have enough cats for the job. I also wasn't too sure on my choice for a replacement temporary deputy. Ivypool was suffering from severe depression, which could cloud her judgment and make it a lot harder for her to do her duty properly. But I had wanted to show her that she was still needed around here, as more than just another warrior. Still, I wasn't sure if a depressed, half-functional deputy was really what we needed right now. But regardless, it was like Squirrelflight had said.

What was done was done.