Chapter 5

Tigerstar was well ahead by the time Tinyclaw had broken away from Cloudpaw. He scrambled to the top of the ravine, ignoring the stones digging into his pads. Tigerstar was padding through the undergrowth as if he'd never asked Tinyclaw to come along at all, too lost in his own thoughts to even really notice when Tinyclaw caught up, sides heaving.

He seems relaxed, at least, Tinyclaw thought, looking at his leader. Much better than before. Maybe all he needed was fresh air? Perhaps this trip to the Moonstone would help fix Tigerstar's problems. Tinyclaw hoped so.

Yet Tinyclaw had to suppress a comment at his leader's choice of direction – this was not the fastest way to Fourtrees. Tigerstar was padding towards the RiverClan border, and soon enough the river would be in sight. Tinyclaw tensed as the river came into view, glittering in the hot sunlight. The urge to jump in an cool off was surprisingly strong.

The river bent away, and Tigerstar led the way along the border. Tinyclaw felt a little disappointed – he had wondered, for a moment, if he might see Graystripe somewhere in his new home. Not that they could talk – but just seeing him would tell Tinyclaw that at least one of his friends was doing all right.

Briefly, Tinyclaw wondered if Tigerstar was hoping to see Graystripe, too – but then he recalled that yesterday Tigerstar had forgotten that Graystripe had even left ThunderClan. It didn't take much more thought to figure out who Tigerstar had been hoping to see – his own kits, by the old RiverClan queen Goldenflower. The two were born outside of Tigerstar's knowledge, and when Tinyclaw had figured out who their father was, a great weight had been lifted off of Tigerstar's shoulders.

He's taking a risk, though, Tinyclaw thought. For one, the kits don't know he's their father… for another, if any cat catches us this close to the border, there's going to be trouble. He tensed himself in preparation to make a quick escape.

His worries were not unfounded. On the other side of the border, the undergrowth swished with movement. Fresh RiverClan scent washed over him. Tinyclaw hissed, "Patrol!"

To his relief, Tigerstar listened. The big warrior veered off his current path immediately, and Tinyclaw followed. Instead of heading deeper and forgetting it had happened at all, though, Tigerstar lingered behind a clump of brambles. Tinyclaw suppressed a sigh and crouched down beside him.

Peering through the tangled bush, it was hard to make out who had padded out of the undergrowth on the other side – but a flash of tawny fur and the sheen of dark spots told him that it was Leopardfur, without a doubt. The RiverClan deputy's mottled coat was practically unique.

Leopardfur lingered near the border, but not for long. She hared away, back into the reeds, her belly low to the ground. Tigerstar lifted his head, grunting in what seemed like disappointment, then turned away.

"We should head deeper into our own territory," Tinyclaw offered evenly. He feared Tigerstar might snap at him and draw Leopardfur's attention if he'd suggested it any gentler.

Tigerstar only nodded and headed away from the border. Tinyclaw let out a small sigh of relief before following.

"She moves so loudly," Tigerstar grunted. "Leopardfur was too busy looking for a rabbit than scouting for enemies."

He seemed amused. Tinyclaw sighed and nodded – but despite Leopardfur's distraction, a slight change of the wind would have led them into deep trouble.

Tigerstar was looking up at the sunbeams that pierced through the leafy canopy. He sighed wistfully. "These days are like the day you came to us, Tinyclaw. Warm."

"You're right," Tinyclaw agreed. The heat on his pelt was more intense, but he would never forget the day he had bounded through these woods for the first time. "Has it really been that long?"

Tigerstar nodded only slightly. "I've never regretted taking you in," he meowed. "You were a fast learner, and you earned our respect quickly." He glanced over at Tinyclaw with pride in his eyes.

"Not only that, but each Clan has something to thank you for," Tigerstar went on. "You drove Brokentail out of ShadowClan, helped WindClan come home from exile, fed RiverClan when they were starving… and saved us from Bluefur." Tinyclaw's pelt prickled uneasily at the praise, but Tigerstar went on, "I've never met a cat with your sense of duty and loyalty and courage…"

Tinyclaw swallowed a lump forming in his throat. He did not like where this was going. "Every ThunderClan cat respects the warrior code as I do," he told him carefully. "Any of them would have done the same; any of them would lay down their lives for you or the Clan."

Tigerstar frowned and stopped in his tracks. Tinyclaw halted, too, in time to hear him growl: "It was you who saved me from Bluefur! You were the only cat who dared oppose her!"

"I was the only one who knew," Tinyclaw reminded him.

"Graystripe knew," Tigerstar snapped back. Resentment flashed in his eyes. "He did nothing!"

"Graystripe was…" Tinyclaw did not get the chance to finish. Tigerstar thrust himself onward, his paws slamming against the earth with his anger. Tinyclaw's heart ached, and he followed his leader. It was clear now that he needed far more than fresh air – the battle with Bluefur had shaken what faith and trust he had in his Clan.

He doesn't trust any of us except me… and perhaps Whitestorm, Tinyclaw thought. A pit of unease grew in his stomach. What happened to him? What can I do to bring the old Tigerstar back?

Though the world was hot and bright, it felt as if things were cold and dark. Tigerstar walked stiff, his tail fluffed in agitation. Tinyclaw hung back a pace, trying not to keep his tail low. What he wouldn't give for the strong, confident, Tigerstar back!

They reached Fourtrees, the sun bursting out through the opening in the leaves. Down into the little valley they went, passing the four great oaks and the Great Rock, where the Clans met for Gatherings, and soon enough they were up the other side.

The grassy hill grew steeper and rockier, wind howling up ahead. It took a moment for Tinyclaw to realize that he was ahead of Tigerstar. A quick look back showed him that Tigerstar was struggling to make it up, his limbs trembling at the steep climb. Tinyclaw turned back and kept pace with his leader. Each step seemed like a mountain to climb, and Tigerstar took each one slowly and carefully.

"Are you all right?" he asked when they were finally at the top.

Tigerstar had flopped down, wheezing. "Not… so… young," he admitted.

Tinyclaw sat beside his leader, waiting for Tigerstar to catch his breath. Where had this sudden weakness come from? Was it the heat? Tigerstar's pelt was thicker than Tinyclaw's, sure; but Tigerstar had always been able to make journeys like this seem like nothing. He was such a strong cat… if his wounds had healed, then what was making him slow down so suddenly?

Finally, Tigerstar heaved himself to his paws. Together, they padded out into the moorland. Now they were in WindClan territory – and WindClan was not exactly friendly at the moment. Brokentail had driven them from their home by force, and they were still not happy with ThunderClan for sheltering him.

"We need to be careful," Tinyclaw called to Tigerstar. The wind was howling hard today, blasting Tinyclaw's pelt with hot air.

"What?" Tigerstar wondered.

"I said, we need to be careful!" Tinyclaw roared back.

"Why?" Tigerstar wondered. "We're going to the Moonstone – WindClan cannot stop us!"

Tinyclaw swallowed his argument. It would not be worth it to have a shouting match with Tigerstar. They were on the last leg of their journey, and if they weren't caught this would all be over soon. "I'll lead the way," he offered instead.

Tigerstar voiced no objections. Tinyclaw took the lead. He knew the moorlands far better than any other ThunderClan warrior, thanks to his traveling them many times – to find WindClan, to see Ravenpaw, to go to the Moonstone himself… He and Graystripe could walk this place better than any ThunderClan cat should.

Stinky peat, gorse, and heather seemed to be all that the moorland had to offer. The grass was short and scrubby, the wind was almost deafening most days, and even the rabbits that WindClan cats were famous for hunting were scarce. The territory seemed to go on and on, but Tinyclaw knew that there was a Twoleg barn at the far end, and the Thunderpath bordering the other side. Beyond that Thunderpath was Highstones, with the Moonstone itself deep inside.

The sun was at its highest point now. Tinyclaw kept them close to patches of heather – the sweet scent would help mask their presence where high winds would bring all of WindClan out. It was a vain hope to be sure, but Tigerstar made no complaints.

Despite it all, a flick of Tigerstar's tail at his shoulder and the yowl that rose over the wind told Tinyclaw that they were not alone. Tinyclaw stopped and turned to find a small patrol of WindClan warriors racing towards them from behind, their eyes bright with anger.

Mudclaw, a dark-pelted and aggressive warrior, was at the patrol's head. He skidded to a stop before them and growled, "Intruders! What are you doing here?" His patrol fanned out behind him – Tornear, an older warrior and an apprentice - in a defensive line, and the way that Mudclaw's eyes flashed to and fro told Tinyclaw he was expecting more ThunderClan.

Tinyclaw did his best to stay calm. "We are only passing through to -"

"You are on our land!" Mudclaw interrupted with a snarl.

Why ask if you won't let me answer? Tinyclaw wanted to spit – but these wiry cats had them outnumbered. It was not worth it.

Tigerstar's eyes were blazing with fury. "You cannot stop us!" he snarled. "We are on our way to Highstones! StarClan grants us safe passage."

Mudclaw did not seem perturbed. He snapped, "You gave up those rights when you sheltered Brokentail!"

Tinyclaw flinched, but he didn't let much of it show. WindClan would probably never get over that slight – the Clan who had brought them home, sheltering the one who had driven them out and hurt and killed so many. Whatever friendship between them that Tinyclaw had helped foster was most likely gone now, for good.

"Brokentail is dead," Tinyclaw told Mudclaw evenly. "There is no need for this."

"You killed him?" Mudclaw questioned, eyes glittering.

Tinyclaw sighed and wished he'd said nothing. Tigerstar stepped up and growled back, "Brokentail died of his own doing. ThunderClan are not murderers."

"Of course not," Mudclaw sneered. "You just shelter them." He arched his back, teeth bared.

Tinyclaw's mind whirled. What could he do? Was there a way to convince him?

Before Tinyclaw could think of any ideas, Tigerstar thrust himself forward. His huge, hooked claws were unsheathed, his amber eyes a forest fire. At his full height, Tigerstar was twice the size of the skinny WindClan cats. The growl in his throat was thunderous.

"You will let us pass!"