Fireheart
Some cat's nose woke him, prodding sharply into his side.
"Leave me alone," Fireheart hissed, rolling over and opening one eye. Graystripe was standing over him. Of course. Figures.
"Wake up!" Graystripe hissed back. I'm already awake, you idiot, Fireheart mentally replied.
"We're not on patrol," he muttered, rolling back over.
"Bluestar wants to see us in her den, now."
Still feeling fuzzy-headed, Fireheart got to his feet and left the warrior's den. The air was chilly and there was frost on the trees. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon.
The two cats bounded across the camp to Bluestar's den and made announced their arrival in hushed voices.
"Enter." It was Tigerclaw's voice that hailed them.
Instantly alarm swept through Fireheart. He remembered his conversation with Bluestar before the Gathering and wondered if she had told Tigeclaw about his accusations. She didn't believe me in the first place… she might have told Tigerclaw to see what he would say about it… if he knows, everything is ruined!
Graystripe pushed his way into Bluestar's den, and Fireheart followed him uneasily.
Bluestar was sitting up in her nest, blue eyes shining brightly. Tigerclaw stood in the middle of the den, regarding the visitors coolly. Fireheart tried to read his expression, but the dark tabby's yellow eyes were as calm and steady as ever.
Bluestar began speaking at once. "Fireheart, Graystripe, I have an important mission for you."
"A―a mission?" Fireheart echoed. Relief spread through him, brushing away the anxiety.
"I want you to find WindClan and bring them back to their territory," announced Bluestar. Her blue gaze leveled on Fireheart and there was a clear message in her eyes: This isn't just about WindClan. Fireheart understood immediately, and he gave the tiniest of nods. Bluestar nodded back. She would talk to him in private afterwards.
"Before you get too excited, bear in mind this could be very dangerous," Tigerclaw reminded them. "We don't know where WindClan has gone, so you will have to follow what is left of their scent―probably into hostile territory."
"But you've been through WindClan territory, when you traveled with me to the Moonstone," Bluestar pointed out. "And WindClan's scent will be familiar, as will the Twoleg territory beyond the uplands."
"Will it be just us?" Fireheart asked.
"Our other warriors are needed here," Tigerclaw answered. "Leaf-bare is coming, and we need to gather as much fresh-kill as possible. Many hungry moons lie ahead."
Bluestar nodded in agreement. "Tigerclaw will help you prepare for the journey."
Fireheart nodded, flicking his ears. Bluestar seemed to have as much faith in her deputy as ever. What does it take to convince her someone is evil? If only Spottedleaf were here… Shaking away those thoughts, Fireheart turned his attention back to the meeting.
"You must leave as soon as possible," Bluestar finished. "Good luck."
"We'll find them!" Graystripe promised. Fireheart nodded.
Tigerclaw followed them as the two left Bluestar's den. "Do you remember how to get to WindClan territory?"
"Oh yes, Tigerclaw, we were there only―"
"Only a few moons ago," Fireheart finished quickly, flashing a warning glare as Graystripe. Mouse-brain! You nearly gave away our journey with Ravenpaw!
Tigerclaw hesitated, and Fireheart felt a prickle of fear. Does he suspect something?
"And can you recall WindClan's scent?" Tigerclaw mewed, causing Fireheart to let out a quiet breath of relief. That was close.
The two warriors nodded and assured Tigerclaw that yes, they could recall WindClan's scent. Fireheart felt a shiver of excitement run down his spine.
"You'll need herbs for strength and to keep your hunger away," Tigerclaw reminded them. "Fetch them from Yellowfang before you leave." Tigerclaw paused. "And don't forget that Nightpelt is planning to travel to the Moonstone tonight. Keep out of his way."
"Yes, Tigerclaw," Fireheart replied.
"He'll never know we were there," Graystripe promised.
"As I would expect," Tigerclaw mewed. Fireheart thought he heard a hint of pride in the large warrior's voice. "Now, go!" Without another word, he turned and headed for Bluestar's den.
"He might have wished us good luck," Graystripe complained.
"He probably thinks we won't need it," Fireheart joked, trying to keep the other young warrior placated.
It didn't take long to cross the clearing and reach Yellowfang's den. Graystripe enthusiastically announced their presence, and the thick-furred grey she-cat quickly emerged from her den.
The sight of a she-cat pushing through the curtain of moss that hung over the entrance called up more memories of Spottedleaf in Fireheart's mind. Again, he replayed his memory of the sleek tortoiseshell emerging from her den. The sunlight dappling her perfect coat, her amber eyes gleaming in the light, her perfect paws padding softly along the ground…
"I said, where are you going, Fireheart?"
Yellowfang's irate voice broke through Fireheart's daydream and he looked up suddenly. Yellowfang was glaring at him with annoyance in her orange eyes. Her thick fur was fluffed out and her shoulders were hunched. She obviously didn't appreciate having to get up at this hour of the morning. Well, welcome to the club, Fireheart thought sourly.
"We've got to find WindClan and bring them home," Fireheart explained, resisting the strong urge to match the annoyance in the old medicine cat's voice.
"Your first warrior mission," Yellowfang rasped. "Congratulations! I thought it'd never happen. Wait a moment and I'll fetch the herbs." All signs of annoyance gone, Yellowfang turned and squeezed back into the den. A few moments later she returned, carrying a small bundle of dried leaves in her mouth. "Enjoy," she purred, setting them down. "Burnet, sorrel, daisy, and ragwort. They ought to be just delicious at this hour of morning."
Fireheart and Graystripe obediently chewed up the herbs and swallowed them. Fireheart had to really try not to gag.
"Yuck!" spat Graystripe. "Just as bad as last time!" For once, Fireheart had to agree. The herbs were terrible. Though at least last time, there had been Spottedleaf to take him mind off the taste.
Graystripe swallowed the last bit of herbs and nudged Fireheart's shoulder. "Come on, slow slug! Let's get going! Bye, Yellowfang," he added as he sprinted towards the camp exit.
"Wait for me," Fireheart called, following his friend.
"Good-bye! Good luck, youngsters!" Yellowfang yowled after them.
Fireheart raced up the slope leading out of the camp and into the forest. But before he could take another stride, a blue-grey she-cat stepped into his path.
"Hello, Fireheart," Bluestar mewed. "I need to talk to you."
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