Elsi: So, I meant for this chapter to mainly about Doveheart and Willowpaw, but...if you read it...that doesn't really happen. It mainly surrounded around a certain set of ceremonies.

Trek: I'm just really amused by the name Greyheart. It makes me think over to your punny chapter later called Sky Bright, Heart Light. That's it, right?

Elsi: That's right. Good chapter idea for that one. Anyways, welcome, LIONSTAR! I know so many people are Lionstar fans. I'm more of a Bramblestar fan myself, mainly because I love the name Lionblaze. But Lion will make a good leader, until my favorite OC EVER comes in to the spotlight.

Trek: Knowing you, it's going to be Willowpaw.

Elsi: :D We'll see. Happy reading!

Trek: By the way, Elsi only owns this plotline, and some of the newer characters.

Chapter 2: Inquiries

Doveheart's paws itched to get out of camp. She understood that it was absolutely essential to gather the strength of the Clan before worrying about anything else, but Bramblestar's death had terrified her. What was that shaking that had taken five lives from their leader? Would it come back? Had StarClan cursed them?

"Hey, Doveheart!" Doveheart looked up, bounding over to where Mousewhisker and Whitewing were tugging aside a huge pile of lichen to repair the elder's den. "Can you make sure that there aren't any rocks where this needs to go?" Nodding, Doveheart hurried over, scraping out rocks from the remains of the elder's flattened nests. It was terrifying to think of the cats she looked up to as senior warriors (but were elder's, she reminded herself) could have been killed. Had Ivypool been a little slower, they may have been crushed in their beds by a piece of ledge that had collapsed. Now, as a substitute, Cloudtail had instructed them to hang up lichen as a curtain. It was a good idea. Doveheart signaled to Mousewhisker, who gave her his thanks. She hovered over by the two cats, trying as best as she could to position the lichen along with them. When they were finished, Whitewing sighed with relief.

"Now we can start getting the apprentices to round up new bedding," Whitewing began, relieved. "Hey! Bluepaw!" Mousewhisker turned to Doveheart, gratitude in his eyes. Doveheart resisted the urge to shift in discomfort; she hadn't spoken to Tigerheart in many moons. Maybe she could forget him. He had other things to worry about, anyways. So did she. Letting Mousewhisker love her would be so much easier.

"Thanks a lot, Doveheart," Mousewhisker said.

"No problem," answered Doveheart. She flicked her tail, smiling softly. "Let's go see if the senior warriors want us to do anything else."

Lionblaze had left instructions to Sorreltail, Cloudtail, Squirrelflight, and Thornclaw. They were not only his three most senior warriors, but also the ones that had been beside him during Bramblestar's death. He had left Doveheart instructions as well, but she couldn't let the Clan know that she had them. She had to wait until he and Jayfeather returned from the Moontree.

Sorreltail was supervising the rebuilding of the apprentice's den when Mousewhisker and Doveheart approached her. The tortoiseshell she-cat seemed surprised to see them.

"We finished hanging lichen over the uncovered bit of the elder's den," reported Mousewhisker. "Is there anything else we can do?" Sorreltail took a breath, checking quickly to make sure that Foxleap, Skypaw, and Berrynose hadn't caused anything to fall over yet.

"Stealthstep is helping Birdpaw to clean up the medicine den and check for loose rocks. Go help them out, Mousewhisker."

"Yes, Sorreltail," Mousewhisker said. He gave Doveheart a soft glance, and dashed out. Doveheart sat beside Sorreltail; the senior warrior knew very well that Doveheart wasn't exactly permitted to do tasks out of sight. Lionblaze had made this very clear, and Doveheart understood his reasoning. It would be just like her to sneak out and go find Fountain, even when he had asked her to wait. What else did he need her to wait for?

Doveheart tried to help Sorreltail to the best of her ability, but it was only a few minutes before the branches past. Grinning, Doveheart skidded up to Lionblaze – no, he was Lionstar now – and Jayfeather. There was a conflicted look in Lionstar's amber eyes, but Jayfeather showed no emotion.

"What's the matter?" asked Doveheart. Lionstar shook his head.

"I want to talk to you and Ivypool," he said quietly. "But first, there are a few things I need to do." With all the strength Doveheart knew he had, Lionstar bounded to the center of camp, calling out a loud cry.

"Cats of ThunderClan, gather around me!" He demanded, using his deputy voice – well, it was his leader voice, now. There was nowhere to make an announcement, so his call had been enough. "I have gone to the Moontree, and I have received my nine lives."

"Hooray for Lionstar!" cheered Mouseclaw supportively. The Clan echoed his support, and Doveheart let out a howl of approval of her longtime friend and partner becoming leader of ThunderClan. Something was wrong, however, and her cheers stopped short. Lionstar didn't even miss a beat, smiling politely at his Clan.

"ThunderClan must rebuild after the rocks fell," Lionstar went on, still using his leader voice. "I have assigned my senior warriors to rebuild the dens that have been destroyed from the rocks. It is my hope that StarClan will not send the Clans another disaster. And, to celebrate our rebuilding, I have two ceremonies to perform."

Two? Dovheart raised an eyebrow. One was the deputy ceremony…what was the other?

"The time has come for me to choose a deputy," Lionstar called out. "I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may approve of my choice." He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as if to make sure he had made the right decision. Doveheart knew that he had, whatever his decision would come to. The spot of deputy belonged to someone Lionstar knew and trusted, a hard-working warrior. Cinderheart would make a good deputy, or maybe even Foxleap. "My deputy will be Doveheart."

Doveheart froze, staring at Lionstar in disbelief. Maybe he didn't know what he was doing. Lionstar smiled supportively at her, and Doveheart found herself smiling back, honored. She would love to be deputy to Lionstar, if she thought about it. She was kind of his go-to, wasn't she? But still…she didn't have a deputy voice!

"I am honored to serve you, Lionstar," Doveheart answered, bowing her head. Ivypool purred her approval from Doveheart's side, and Mousewhisker began to lead the Clan in another chant. Doveheart's head spun: how had she suddenly become deputy of ThunderClan?

"Secondly, I want to make two new warriors as my first service to ThunderClan," Lionstar continued, once the chanting had died down. His amber eyes swept the crowd. "Greypaw and Bluepaw, step forward."

Murmurs of excitement passed through the apprentices and young warriors, and Doveheart looked at Ivypool, grinning. Her sister's eyes were full of pride, and she puffed out her chest. Had it really been twelve, thirteen moons ago that these beautiful kits were targets of the Dark Forest? Lionstar cleared his throat, preparing his first real ceremonial words.

"I, Lionstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turns." He was doing well. "Greypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Greypaw meowed, his blue eyes glowing. The young tom had been in the medicine den less than a moon ago; his recovery was amazing. He really was a fighter.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Greypaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Greyheart. StarClan honors your determination and thoughtfulness, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan." He stepped forward, placing his muzzle on Greyheart's head. The newest warrior licked his leader's shoulder, and both leader and warrior glowed. Now, Lionstar turned to Bluepaw, who sat in amazement.

"Bluepaw. Do you also promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," vowed Bluepaw. Lionstar nodded in approval, welcoming her forward.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Bluepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Bluemoon. StarClan honors your cleverness and strength, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan." Bluemoon eagerly licked her leader's shoulder, and Lionstar's eyes were glowing. Bluemoon joined her brother, who licked her ear supportively.

"Greyheart! Bluemoon!" The cry came first from Dustfur and Brackenheart, Bramblestar's sons and the last two warriors he had ever named. Lionstar sat back, relieved, as the chant took over his Clan. Doveheart made her way towards her new leader, knowing that he needed to speak with her. She wanted to beckon Ivypool, but her littermate was beside her kits and her mate, speaking energetically to Bluemoon and Greyheart.

"You needed me?" Doveheart murmured to Lionstar, passing through her Clan-mates, who wanted to congratulate both the new leader and the new deputy. Doveheart understood Lionstar's reasoning: he had needed to name Bluemoon and Greyheart warriors in order to distract ThunderClan from the two of them.

"And Ivypool, but I can explain to her later," Lionstar answered. "I know you want to go to find Willowpaw." Doveheart's stomach churned with excitement. "There's…something's gone wrong. Come talk to me, and I'll explain." Doveheart nodded, something grim taking over her heart. The two of them passed into the medicine den – it was an unexpected place for their meeting. Jayfeather was keeping Birdpaw away, apparently. Lionstar took a deep breath, as if terrified to admit this.

"StarClan only gave me five lives." The words were hollow, terrifying to Doveheart. She stared at Lionstar, awestruck. He nodded, hurt. "They told me I'll find out later, and that my job was just to find them the leader they needed." He shook his head. "I don't know who that cat is."

"Why five?" demanded Doveheart. "Why so few?"

"I don't know," Lionstar answered. "Apparently, Bramblestar had four lives randomly stripped during his lifetime. He was told after losing the first today. He really only had two lives today. Three were stripped today, and another had been taken many moons ago."

"Why would StarClan do that?" Lionstar shook his head, looking just as bewildered as she felt.

"I don't know, Doveheart," he admitted. "But I want you to find Willowpaw. Now. StarClan told me that what happened today was called an earthquake. They're natural disasters, but these are brought on by something…I don't know. They said something about the afterlife shattering."

"That's like what Ivypool said about StarClan splitting up," Doveheart gasped. Lionstar nodded. "You think that only the Great Five can stop the…earthquakes."

"Right," agreed Lionstar. "And I know that it has to be all five of them. It's like what Bramblestar said. StarClan needs five. Which…is also why I think I have five lives left."

"I'll go now," Doveheart decided, trying not to think about what Lionstar's lack of lives meant. She looked over at her new leader. She was deputy of ThunderClan now – she had to be quick. Fountain the wolf had better be waiting for her.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After following her senses for what seemed like ages, Doveheart huddled in the open jaws of a small cave. It was more of a burrow made of rock, really, but Doveheart let it lead her into the earth. This was where Fountain had told her to come – this is where he was waiting for her. The majestic he-wolf was sitting regally on a small crop of rocks, bracken, and moss, watching her.

"I was expecting you, Doveheart of ThunderClan," Fountain informed her. Doveheart dipped her head in respect. "Congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you," Doveheart answered. She didn't even want to know how Fountain knew every event in ThunderClan. "Can you help me find Willowpaw?"

"I can answer all of your questions," agreed Fountain. "I am very connected to the spirit world. I know their ways."

Doveheart hesitated – maybe she could ask a question before asking about Willowpaw.

"Can you tell me why Lionstar was only given five lives? And why Bramblestar's were taken from him?"

"When the Clans find their true leader," began Fountain steadily. "You will learn the truth. The eight lives stripped from your past two leaders, plus one that was given to the Clan's leader many moons ago, represent the nine that hold the balance of the Clans."

"Who would that be?" demanded Doveheart, puzzled.

"The Great Five and their path-makers," explained Fountain. "Littlepaw, Skypaw, Mountainpaw, Birdpaw, Willowpaw. Jayfeather, Lionstar, Doveheart, Ivypool." Doveheart stared at him, puzzled. Had she been gifted another life? Was there a spirit of Lionstar hovering around her now, guiding her? "You are under protection from your future leader. The lives will belong to him or her, when the time is right."

"Who is this future leader?" asked Doveheart. Fountain shook his head, his eyes closing.

"One of the Great Five, but that is all I know," he began. "I thought it was Mountainpaw, like your past leader did. Now, I see that it could be another."

"It isn't Birdpaw," Doveheart said, shaking her head. "Could it be Willowpaw?"

"I would not bet on Willowpaw becoming a great leader," he answered. "But she could grow and surprise us all." Doveheart nodded, taking this in. Skypaw or Littlepaw, then.

"Now, can you tell me where I will find Willowpaw?" she inquired again. Fountain stood from his bed, stretching. His mouth opened in a yawn, and Doveheart forced her fear under control at the sight of his predatory teeth. His claws clicked against the cavern floor as he approached her, and he passed her. Doveheart followed Fountain out of his den, and the he-wolf flicked his tail towards the trees, heading towards the Moontree and beyond.

"Follow the scents of your healers and find the tree where your ancestors live," he told Doveheart calmly. "After that, head towards the setting sun. The kit you seek lives with a troubled group of rogues, a band living in the Twoleg place nearby. There is an abandoned shack; find it, and you will find Willowpaw."

Doveheart nodded her thanks, and Fountain's eyes glowed his wish: good luck, Doveheart, third of the Four. Do not fail me. She knew that's what he was saying.

Taking a determined breath, Doveheart began her trek towards the Moontree. She walked for a while, stretching her senses back towards ThunderClan. Cats hadn't noticed her absence yet; Lionstar had instructed the senior warriors to keep everyone very busy while he met with Jayfeather, Ivypool, Icecloud, and her. She was supposed to be there, listening to his story about the five lives. But she was on this mission. Everything was going to be fine. Instead of focusing on the Clan, Doveheart stretched her senses forward, seeking out any sort of cat-scent that wasn't from a Clan. She caught a faint whiff of something, but it was too far away for her to focus in on it. How far away from the Clans had Willowpaw travelled?

It was nearly sunset by the time Doveheart arrived at the Moontree. To her relief, Bluestar sat on the edge of the Moontree, watching her.

"You've spoken to Fountain the wolf," she meowed. "He's an interesting influence for a deputy."

"I just want to find Willowpaw," sighed Doveheart. "I probably won't talk to Fountain ever again. But he knows where she is, and I need to find her. If we're ever going to stop the earthquakes, we need Willowpaw back in the Clans. And he says that I can find her."

"Do you trust a wolf?" asked Bluestar. Doveheart sighed, exhausted. She just wanted to find the apprentice and go home. She didn't want to have to spend the night somewhere neither Doveheart nor Willowpaw knew. It would be best to find Willowpaw's temporary home and seek shelter there.

"A friend who seems an enemy will pave the way for the path-makers," recited Doveheart, hoping her explanation was sound. "If Fountain doesn't seem like an enemy, no one does." Bluestar flicked her tail, amused. She looked over towards the sky, where Silverpelt was starting to appear.

"I suggest you hurry, then," she advised. "Good luck, Doveheart." Doveheart murmured her gratitude to her StarClan guide, and turned her eyes to the barely-visible sun. Willowpaw would be this way. Away from the Clans. Taking a deep breath, she set off into the thin forest, hoping that her warrior skills wouldn't be put to too much use in this unknown place.

By moon-high, Doveheart sat down. She was exhausted – how would she find Willowpaw now? There were so many scents and sounds to be found here! It all seemed terrifying to her – there was the scent of fox and Twoleg everywhere. She couldn't even find the cat between it all, which was terrifying based on her sense of smell. Doveheart settled into a tree, using it to ensure that nothing would sneak up on her, and took a few deep breaths. She had to sort out everything before she got too overwhelmed to focus on what was a threat. And plus, she had to find Willowpaw soon. Doveheart closed her eyes, thinking hard. Willowpaw. Cat scent. Clan scent. There had to be some somewhere.

Cat scent! Relieved, Doveheart opened her eyes, relieved when the scent didn't disappear. There was a Clan of cats nearby, no doubt the rogues that Fountain had described. Overjoyed, Doveheart sprung to her feet, hurrying off again. The scent of cat grew stronger, and Doveheart's heart began to race. She needed to hunt soon, and sleep, but she didn't want to take anything away from cats she hadn't met. Finding Willowpaw and her group of rogues had to happen before Doveheart ate.

A noise brushed by her ear, and Doveheart ducked instinctively as a dark form flew over her head. It was a cat, a tom, and he crashed into the ground. He hadn't been expecting her to notice him. Doveheart turned towards her attacker, shocked. Were there more? She scented the air, not wanting to attack if he was one of Willowpaw's friends. The tom turned, spitting, and his amber eyes glowed. There was a huge white streak down one of his eyes, but other than that, the cat was completely black.

"I don't want trouble," Doveheart called before he could attack again. "My name is Doveheart. I'm looking for a friend of mine. Her name is Willowpaw. She's small, grey fur, white paws. Have you seen her?"

The tom sneered, unsheathing his claws. Reluctantly, Doveheart crouched to attack.

"Don't be a fool, Strike," growled a voice. Another tom flew to her rescue, much younger. Strike hissed in protest, and the black tom looked at Doveheart. "I'm Ocean. Please come take the demon away from us. We wish to be rid of her as soon as possible.

Elsi: Willowpaw's a DEEEEEMON now? What do you think happened to make that happen? We'll find out...after returning to ThunderClan for a chapter (or two). Ivypool has POV next!

Trek: So, which cat do you think is the next big leader?

Elsi: I'm not actually going to tell you the answer, because it is FAIRLY obvious. Also, if I gave a gender away, I'll beat myself with a stick. Although, I guess gender doesn't REALLY give things away.

Trek: Really? I thought you were going to tell them.

Elsi: Yeah, in like Book Four. Way later. When things are all revealed and stuff.

Trek: ...Typical.