Chapter 26

Tinyclaw's stomach clenched in anxiety as he led the RiverClan cats down the ravine and towards the thorn tunnel. Cats of different Clans rarely met in this sort of way – Tinyclaw could only imagine what this meeting was going to be about.

The Clan, alerted by Cloudpaw, was prepared for the stranger's arrival. Tinyclaw glanced back, noting with admiration that Leopardfur and her companions seemed to ignore the hostile, suspicious looks thrown their way by ThunderClan. Some cat muttered something about Graystripe, making Tawnypelt's ear twitch – but that was the only reaction the RiverClan cats gave.

Tinyclaw swallowed when he reached Tigerstar. His leader was settled beneath the Highrock, his tail curled over his paws. Bluefur sat to one side, and Yellowfang was at the other. Tinyclaw flicked his ear – if Bluefur and Yellowfang were here, then that meant that Tigerstar, too, knew what this meeting was about.

In the distance, Cloudpaw was heading for the elder's den with her fresh-kill. Tinyclaw guessed by her lowered tail that Tigerstar had sent her away only a moment ago. Tinyclaw stopped before Tigerstar, stepping to the side to allow the RiverClan cats room to speak.

Leopardfur stepped forward. "We have come to your camp in peace," she declared. It did not settle ThunderClan's warriors, but Leopardfur went on regardless: "There is something we must discuss."

The ripple of muttering that went through the crowd betrayed the fact that every cat in the Clan knew what RiverClan was here for, and none were too happy about it. Graystripe was almost pushed through the crowd to the front, getting glares and spits from those who didn't want him anywhere near. Graystripe settled near Tinyclaw, who laid his tail along his friend's flank protectively.

"I know why you're here," Tigerstar rumbled, "but what's done is done. Graystripe's punishment will be taken care of by his own Clan."

"We're here for Silverstream," Tawnypelt spoke up. "We want to make sure she's safe, and we want to take her and the kits home."

Tigerstar's eyes flashed at his daughter's voice. He stared at her, then looked fixedly at Brambleclaw, who stood almost as his double beside Leopardfur. Tinyclaw feared for a moment that Tigerstar would get lost in them - then, Tigerstar seemed to pull himself together.

"Silverstream was greatly hurt by the kitting," he meowed. "Yellowfang has been taking care of her."

The RiverClan eyes slid to Yellowfang. The crotchety she-cat grunted, "Silverstream is alive, but she can barely move outside the medicine cat's den, let alone the camp. There's no way she's going anywhere, for now."

"How long until she can cross the river?" Leopardfur wondered. The dappled she-cat regarded Yellowfang with a hazy respect. Tinyclaw sensed that even she wasn't so arrogant that a medicine cat's words meant nothing to her.

"Not long," Yellowfang admitted. "She gets stronger every moment, but rest is what she needs most of all. I give her until tomorrow… or the next day, at least."

Leopardfur grunted. She wasn't satisfied, but she seemed to accept it. Tawnypelt let out a sigh of relief, and Brambleclaw looked rather ambivalent either way.

"The kits?" Brambleclaw wondered, his voice low and deep and very much like Tigerstar's.

"I am nursing them," Bluefur answered coolly. She commanded the RiverClan cat's attention. "My own kits don't need milk anymore, but I have some to spare yet. They are safe and well."

Leopardfur didn't look pleased, but she grunted, "I suppose, then, our tails are tied." She looked back to Tigerstar. "We will return and discuss this when things are more favorable. Good day."

"To you, as well," Tigerstar rumbled. "Give Crookedstar my regards."

Leopardfur didn't look too happy about that statement, but she tossed her head and turned away, gathering her warriors around her. Tawnypelt and Brambleclaw followed her out of the camp, watched all the while by ThunderClan cats. Only when they were utterly gone did any cat let out a sigh of relief.

Tinyclaw turned to Tigerstar. Bluefur and Yellowfang were leaving, heads down together in discussion – probably about Bluefur's or the kit's welfare. Tigerstar was alone below the Highrock.

"Are you going to let them take the kits?" Tinyclaw wondered quietly. Graystripe stiffened beside him, but said nothing.

Tigerstar gave Tinyclaw an even look. "Unless I wish to start a war, I haven't much choice," he replied. "Had things turned out differently, we might be able to make a case to keep them – but Silverstream is alive just as much as her kits are, Tinyclaw. Crookedstar will not suffer us holding her. He'll see it as us keeping her hostage."

Tinyclaw pinned his ears, glancing at Graystripe – but his friend had scampered off to the nursery, as if he didn't want to hear this conversation. He leaned forward to Tigerstar and insisted, "You know you can't let this happen to Graystripe – it will destroy him!"

Tigerstar's eyes flashed. He replied, "I know, Tinyclaw; I know – but please… think for a moment. How many cats will rise up to defend Graystripe, should it come to battle? You, and maybe a pawful of others? In the end we would be fighting and losing blood for someone most of the Clan does not want near them… but unlike with Brokentail, I won't be able to sweep away their anger."

He got to his paws. "Graystripe has as much rights to see the kits as Silverstream, but we can do nothing about it until Silverstream recovers. It's not much time, but I've bought us at least a day."

Tigerstar turned away and padded towards his den. Tinyclaw sat on his haunches and sighed. What would he do if Graystripe lost the kits, lost Silverstream? His friend had already lost the respect of his Clanmates – how could he stand losing all that was important to him as well?

Graystripe was silent as the stars rose and the Clans' opinions divided – some cats wanted nothing more than to be rid of the half-Clan kits and Silverstream, but others wanted to fight for nothing else but to prove that RiverClan had not won. Through it all Graystripe said nothing, leaving the warrior's den only to see Silverstream or the kits – Tinyclaw brought him fresh-kill, but he suspected that Graystripe was just giving it away. He hadn't eaten since the kitting, and he was looking strained and sick.

"Is there nothing you can do?" Tinyclaw wondered to Yellowfang the next morning. His voice was down, with Silverstream not far. Brackenpaw was tending to her, pushing some herbs towards her to eat. Silverstream seemed to be doing well, standing on all fours and moving about well enough.

Yellowfang only shook her head. "There's no herb for his kind of stubbornness," she rasped. "That fool won't do anything for himself until this is all over, Tinyclaw – we both know that."

Tinyclaw flattened his ears and sighed. She was right – Graystripe was stubborn as stone when he put his mind to it.

Finally, once Brackenpaw was done with Silverstream, he hobbled over to Yellowfang. There were more herbs in his jaws, and he laid them at Yellowfang's paws. "Are these the right ones?" he asked.

"Perfect," Yellowfang rumbled, looking at the leaves. She looked at Brackenpaw and added, "You can't eat before the ceremony, but StarClan won't begrudge an old cat like me a few strengthening herbs to keep me going!"

Tinyclaw's ears twitched. "Herbs?" he echoed. "Ceremony?"

"I'm going to Highstones tonight," Brackenpaw replied, as Yellowfang lapped up the leaves. His eyes shone with excitement. "It's the ceremony for me officially becoming Yellowfang's apprentice! I'll get to see the Moonstone under the half-moon!"

Tinyclaw blinked in admiration. Brackenpaw was a whole world away with his medicine cat duties, but he seemed happy. His eyes held a new wisdom to them, a thoughtfulness that added on to his normal studious self. He had grown quite a bit since he'd been Tinyclaw's first apprentice.

"Remember now," Yellowfang mewed as she finished off her herbs, "you're not allowed to talk about what you see."

"Of course," Brackenpaw agreed.

"I could come with you," Tinyclaw offered, "as far as Fourtrees, anyway." His paws itched to be away from camp, and he had a sinking feeling that this might be the last time he'd see Brackenpaw this way – as his former apprentice. After tonight Brackenpaw would be Yellowfang's apprentice, fully and truly in the eyes of StarClan.

Yellowfang's eyes narrowed. "Fine," she grunted. "But only to Fourtrees. Any further is medicine cat business."

"Of course," Tinyclaw agreed.

Brackenpaw gave Tinyclaw an excited look. Yellowfang gave herself a shake and led the way out of the ferns. Tinyclaw followed, keeping up with Brackenpaw's pace.

Outside, the camp looked like it did almost any other day – the only difference was passing by the guard posted just outside the medicine cat's den – Runningwind, who nodded at the cats as they passed. Tinyclaw thought it unnecessary, since Silverstream couldn't run off – but Tigerstar had done it to ease the fears of the Clan.

A white shape caught his eye – Cloudpaw was washing just outside the apprentice's den, looking bored. The moment she spotted Tinyclaw she was on her paws.

"What's up?" she wondered. "Can I come?"

Tinyclaw frowned, part of him wanting to do this himself – to pass off Brackenpaw to Yellowfang in private. But he knew he couldn't ignore what was in front of him in the present, and when Yellowfang only grunted in agreement Tinyclaw flicked his tail. Cloudpaw joined with them and out the thorn tunnel they went, into the forest.

They scrambled up the ravine carefully, giving Brackenpaw ample time. When Brackenpaw was at the top, Cloudpaw wondered, "So what's all this about?"

"I'm going to Mothermouth, to see the Moonstone," Brackenpaw replied. Their pace was slow and steady through the trees, Brackenpaw being able to keep up nicely. No cat seemed to be upset about it.

Cloudpaw's eyes widened. "Why?" she wondered.

"I'm becoming Yellowfang's official apprentice in the eyes of StarClan!" Brackenpaw explained. There was a skip in his step. "I'm not allowed to talk about the ceremony itself, though," he added when Yellowfang threw him a warning look.

"Oh?" Cloudpaw murmured.

"Every cat knows he'll receive special powers from StarClan tonight," Tinyclaw offered.

"Powers?" Cloudpaw repeated. She narrowed her eyes at Brackenpaw. "What kind of powers?"

Brackenpaw purred in amusement. "Nothing weird, really!" he insisted.

The four cats made their way to Fourtrees with Cloudpaw's persistent chatter to fill the air with noise. Beyond that, birdsong and the chittering of squirrels filled the air, stirring Tinyclaw's stomach. The walk was otherwise uneventful, giving Tinyclaw too much time to think about their current predicaments:

RiverClan could start a war with us, he thought, not to mention how angry WindClan and ShadowClan are at us. His spine stiffened. We've got every Clan having a reason to hate us! With Bluefur's business tacked on, that puts us in the worst possible position! ThunderClan was in grave danger, and every cat seemed to be doing their best to put it out of their minds for now.

Despite his worrying, they reached Fourtrees without incident. Tinyclaw stayed back as the others passed through the bushes – and Brackenpaw hung back, looking at Tinyclaw quizzically. "What's wrong?" he wondered.

"Nothing," Tinyclaw insisted. He stepped forward and asked, "Is this what you really want, Brackenpaw?"

Brackenpaw's eyes set. He meowed, "Of course, Tinyclaw – this is what StarClan wants me to do, and I'm happy to do as they ask. I'm going to learn as much as I can, so that no cat suffers in ThunderClan… or any Clan."

Tinyclaw's heart beat at such a lofty goal. This cat, one who would have made an amazing warrior, was on his way to becoming one of the greatest medicine cats of his time. Tinyclaw purred, "You couldn't have a better teacher."

Brackenpaw purred. He pressed his muzzle against Tinyclaw's, and meowed, "You were always my first mentor, Tinyclaw; I'll never forget that."

Tinyclaw purred, and the two sat still for a moment. Then, Tinyclaw licked Brackenpaw between the ears. "Good bye," he breathed.

Brackenpaw's eyes flashed. "I won't be going away forever," he insisted. "You'll see – I'll be back tomorrow."

"I… I know," Tinyclaw mumbled. He didn't want to say what they both knew – yes, Brackenpaw would be coming back, but he wouldn't be the same. There would be a new light in his eyes, a new purpose. Voices would ring in his mind and when blood spilled he would be there to clean it up. StarClan would place their paws on his heart, guiding him and telling him what he needed to do – and such a responsibility was nothing like what a warrior knew.

Side by side Tinyclaw and Brackenpaw padded through the bushes and into Fourtrees. They crossed the clearing until they reached Yellowfang and Cloudpaw, who sat at the edge of the neutral border. The land rose up here to form the moorlands where WindClan lived, and Cloudpaw looked anxious.

"Won't you be attacked?" she wondered, her tail fluffed.

"No Clan would dare attack a medicine cat," Yellowfang hissed. "StarClan give us permission to go where we're needed."

Cloudpaw swallowed, still looking nervous. Yellowfang turned to Brackenpaw. "Ready?" she wondered.

Brackenpaw gave Tinyclaw one last glance, then turned to look at Yellowfang. "Yes," he meowed, "let's go."

Tinyclaw and Cloudpaw watched as they walked away, up the slope and into the moors. His heart was clenched as all his memories with Brackenpaw swam before his eyes, from the moment of apprenticeship to now. He swallowed his regrets, knowing that his life now was what he wanted – yet Tinyclaw couldn't help but wish that the life he could have had was what he was living now.

Good bye, Brackenpaw.

"So, Bluefur wants me to take Cloudpaw on a solo hunting mission," Tinyclaw meowed to Graystripe. The sun was climbing the sky behind the treeline, a fine mist just gently covering the forest floor.

Graystripe looked up at Tinyclaw quizzically. "That's a little early, isn't it?" he wondered. "She's barely been made an apprentice."

Tinyclaw nodded. "I know," he agreed. "But orders are orders, and Bluefur seems to think she's ready. I'll be following her to see how she does – do you want to come?"

What little hope Tinyclaw had died when Graystripe shook his head. "I'm going to be helping Silverstream see the kits. Their eyes are opened now," he meowed with a touch of pride. "Brackenfur and Yellowfang are still tired from last night, so they want me to keep an eye on her."

It was the night after the medicine cats had made their way back to camp from their ceremony. Brackenfur had been tired, but not too tired as to announce his medicine cat name, given by Yellowfang at the Moonstone. Tinyclaw wished he could have gotten to see it, but he'd promised they'd celebrate when Brackenfur was more rested.

His face, though tired, had been full of rapture, and his eyes seemed to glimmer with stars. The Brackenpaw that had left had not come back, not fully – Brackenfur he was now, ThunderClan's medicine cat apprentice. His new life had truly begun, and his journey was on a path Tinyclaw could never follow.

Tinyclaw finished up his shrew, while Graystripe poked at his magpie. He still hadn't eaten, it seemed, and Tinyclaw wondered if Graystripe would just be giving it to Silverstream or Bluefur. Deciding not to fight it, Tinyclaw swallowed his last portion and bid his friend farewell, promising to see him later.

Cloudpaw was waiting for Tinyclaw outside the apprentice's den. The young she-cat had sense not to blurt her excitement, but the questions didn't seem to stop until they were at the training hollow and Tinyclaw had to stuff his tail into her jaws.

Bluefur had sent out a lot of patrols today, he thought as he removed his tail. Sandstorm to Snakerocks, Whitestorm along the WindClan boundary, Oakheart on the ShadowClan border… She didn't tell me where to take Cloudpaw, but she sure emptied out the camp!

Something about that thought made his tail bristle, but he hid it from Cloudpaw. "You can head for Twolegplace," he decided. "That won't put you in the way of any patrols. We can see Fiona when we're done – but only if you've caught a good amount of prey, got it?"

Cloudpaw's eyes widened at the thought of seeing her mother. "Yes!" she breathed. "Of course!"

"Then go," Tinyclaw ordered. "We'll meet at Fiona's fence by sunhigh."

Cloudpaw shot off. Tinyclaw frowned, hoping she wouldn't have such a rocketing pace throughout the assessment. He waited a while, until the last of the morning mist cleared, then got up to follow her.

To his pleasure, Cloudpaw was not rocketing through the forest. It wasn't long until Tinyclaw, following her trail, found her first kill – a sparrow, buried beneath a pile of damp earth. Tinyclaw followed her trail into Tallpines and discovered another – a mouse, buried right where the Tallpines began.

Tinyclaw was impressed. He followed her trail more quickly, hoping to catch her in the act – he was halfway to Twolegplace before he spotted Cloudpaw speeding back along her own scent trail, blue eyes wide and cloudy tail fluffed to its ends. She nearly crashed into Tinyclaw.

"What's wrong?" Tinyclaw demanded, smelling her fear-scent.

Cloudpaw breathed, panic in her voice, "I saw Darkstripe!"

Tinyclaw's hear immediately began pounding. "Darkstripe?" he repeated. "Near Twolegplace? Doing what?"

"I… I…" Cloudpaw took a moment to catch her breath, then she meowed, "He was talking to some really nasty looking cats! A bunch of them, Tinyclaw! They all looked mangy and nasty and…"

Tinyclaw narrowed his eyes. "And they were talking to Darkstripe," he finished darkly. Now he could make a guess, he felt, of the cats Darkstripe had been talking to – for Bluefur, it seemed. They had to be Brokentail's rogues, still wandering about without their leader. It could be no other group!

Cloudpaw nodded furiously. Then, she insisted, "I think they're gone!" She bristled. "I think they left!"

Tinyclaw growled, "And Darkstripe with them?" he wondered.

Cloudpaw nodded again.

Tinyclaw flicked his tail. "Stay close," he insisted. Cloudpaw stuck to him like sap as Tinyclaw cut across the Tallpines. He had a rough estimate as to where Darkstripe was leading the rogues, and, knowing Darkstripe, he wouldn't be doing too good of a job of it. It was better to keep Cloudpaw close, though – if he sent her back to camp, it was possible she'd just run right into Darkstripe.

Keeping low the two took it slow through the sparse undergrowth – but sooner rather than later they both heard the tell-tale sounds of cats moving through the pines. A foul smell washed over Tinyclaw, and he signaled for Cloudpaw to hide behind one of the trees. She obeyed, pressing close to its trunk to hide her bright coat.

Meanwhile, Tinyclaw sulked into a patch of brambles, his black pelt more apt to blend into the dark ground. He could see them now – a group of ragged cats, most of which he recognized, being led through Tallpines by Darkstripe. As they passed they gave no indication they saw their watchers – and Tinyclaw counted each rogue.

Too many! There are more than just Brokentail's ilk here. He thought. Too many for who is left in camp! Bluefur seemed to be making her move – but why now?

He didn't have time to think on it – Darkstripe was in the forest now, his small army behind him.

Tinyclaw turned around. To Cloudpaw he growled, "Run!" When she looked at him in confusion, he snapped again: "Run!"

They both got to their paws and ran as fast as they could – but even so, Tinyclaw knew that they wouldn't be fast enough. Darkstripe would beat them to camp, and Tinyclaw trembled at the thought of what he might find…