Leafpaw looked back to Squirrelflight, alarmed.

"Do you know what that's about?" The warrior shook her head.

"They were acting strange, though." Squirrelflight shifted. They were in the medicine den, alone but for Berry. The kit was sleeping in a nest near the front. They had had to removed his tail. Leafpaw was sorting herbs as her sister spoke. "I guess Blackfoot has some power because there was a tension between them – as though they were trying to one up each other."

"Good thing Tawnyclaw won, then." When the warriors returned with Berry, they had told Firestar how they had had to cross the border. The leader was not pleased.

"So, when were you supposed to meet Crowpaw again?" Squirrelflight asked.

"Tonight." She nosed some marigold away from the pile.

"I wouldn't," Squirrelflight meowed. "If there's something going on…" She trailed off. Leafpaw slowly nodded.

"Let me know what happens when you all meet them." Squirrelflight nodded.

"Of course."

Both she-cats fell silent at movement at the entrance. Barkface stepped in.

"You don't need to stop talking on my account," He meowed, sniffing the tom-kit.

"How's Daisy doing?" Leafpaw asked. Barkface shook his head.

"She's distraught," he said. "The other queens are trying to settle her. Once she realizes that Berry will be fine without his tail, she will settle down."

"I still don't get how he got that far," Squirrelflight muttered, looking at the kit. "Little adventurer." Barkface shot the warrior a look.

"It was certainly risky for you all."

"We were hoping to go in and out without being caught," Squirrelflight responded. "They were just watching him – he could have gotten more hurt!"

"Does Firestar know you're in here?" The medicine cat asked. "He's not going to like it if he thinks you're gone, Squirrelflight." Firestar had ordered her, Stormfur, and Brambleheart to stay around camp. They were only allowed to leave for patrol.

"I'm in camp."

"Go," The tom ordered. "Before you frighten your father. StarClan knows we already had too much going on before today." Squirrelflight sighed, rising to her paws.

"Bye, Leafpaw."

"See you later," Leafpaw responded, watching after her sister as she left.

"What does Tawnyclaw think?" Mothwing asked. Hawktalon scoffed.

"What she thinks doesn't matter," his tail lashed. "She just let Bramblepaw get dragged back to his captors – she doesn't get a say in this!" They had all heard about the predicament with the kit. Hawktalon had been with Tigerstar, Leopardstar, and Tawnyclaw for a meeting. He and Mothwing were seated outside her den, the kits were asleep inside. She knew that Tigerstar was less than pleased.

"From what I heard, he wasn't dragged," she said. "Wasn't one of them his mate?"

"He's half-Clan," Hawktalon responded. "He's definitely using him or something – I spoke with Bramblepaw recently, and he said he wasn't out on patrol because he was building camp. That doesn't make sense. They're making him lie! We need to tell Tigerstar how deep this is. His heart is healed."

"I still think we should talk to Tawnyclaw first about this."

"Why?" Hawktalon's lip curled back.

"Because she knows Tigerstar better than us," Mothwing responded.

"He's our father," the tom replied. "Have you not –" He was interrupted by snarls sounded.

Mothwing rose to her paws as she saw two warriors brawling. Her gaze went to Tawnyclaw.

The tortoiseshell remained seated, watching on. Typically, when things like this happened, she was the one who broke it off. It was Tigerstar who had to break them apart. Mothwing recognized them as Applefur and Runningbrook. Her ears went back. Tigerstar did not look pleased. Both warriors shrunk back as he stood between them.

"We have rogues at our border who have not only taken precious territory but disregard borders," His voice boomed through the camp. "They are the enemy, not each other!"

"She was –" Tigerstar interrupted.

"I don't care," He looked across camp. "Tawnyclaw, Jaggedtooth – deal with them." Tawnyclaw rose to her paws, flicking her tail at the ShadowClan warrior as Jaggedtooth approached Runningbrook. Mothwing looked at her warrior. She would have to talk to her later.

"She didn't even help him!" Hawktalon hissed into Mothwing's ear. "That's whose opinion you want to have?"

"It's alright," Brambleheart meowed. "I'm fine." Firestar shook his head.

"Only it's not." The tabby was still as the leader licked him again. "I overreacted." A serious glint was in his gaze. "Though I expect you and Squirrelflight to resolve this." Brambleheart mewed his agreement.

"I already spoke with Sandstorm about this."

"Good – listen to her. She is always right." Firestar's tail rose as he turned suddenly. Sandstorm was looking at the toms.

"Brambleheart, let's go." The warrior dipped his head before trotting over. It was sunrise and the tunnels were deemed safe. It was time to go out. Firestar seemed more subdued than he was the day prior. "What caused that tail raise at the end?" She asked as they started out.

"He heard your voice," Brambleheart replied. At least, that was what he thought had happened. The she-cat looked like she had not expected that answer and there were some chuckles from their Clanmates. Whitepaw's tail rose as she looked up at her mentor.

"He's always been smitten with you," Onewhisker nudged the other warrior, teasingly. "It was worse before you joined the Clan – you remember that, right, Brambleheart? You were the one he talked to the most about her." The younger warrior nodded.

"He can be easy to please sometimes." Sandstorm cleared her throat, "There's a rabbit trail – is anyone hungry?" Brambleheart opened his mouth, taking in the scent she had smelled.

"A meal sounds good," Clovertail meowed. Sandstorm flicked her tail at Whitepaw and the two took off.

They returned, the rabbit in tow. It was split between the tunnelers before they split off. Brambleheart opened his mouth as he entered the tunnel. It still smelled damp.

Though, that was normal. It was wet in general down there. They set to work. Some time passed before Tinywing let out a hiss.

"What is it?" Brambleheart asked, turning to face the younger warrior.

"This is heavy," she said. "Heavier than usual. Could you help me get the dirt out?"

"Of course." He touched his tail to Onewhisker's back and the warrior tapped him back. The dirt was divided between the two younger warriors. Brambleheart went first, heading toward the closest exit.

Tinywing's tail hit him suddenly and the tom turned, his ears flattening. Suddenly the ground shook. Terror gripped him and Tinywing whipped back around. They bolted for the entrance.

"We need to get Onewhisker," Tinywing exclaimed as they burst out.

"Go," Brambleheart ordered, peering back into the tunnel. "Get the others – send someone to get Firestar and Barkface." The white cat took off. The tunnel hadn't collapsed all the way here. Where was Onewhisker? Had he been trapped?

Tinywing returned, Clovertail and Sandstorm with her. "Is there any sign of him?" Clovertail asked. Brambleheart shook his head.

"Not that I see – I can't hear anything."

"Tinywing, come," Sandstorm ordered, stepping into the tunnel. "We'll pull him out." She nodded, following the older warrior down. Clovertail's tail lashed as she stepped toward the entrance of the tunnel, her ears pricked.

Brambleheart turned, meeting Firestar as he appeared with Tornear, Whitepaw, and the medicine cats. Tornear disappeared into the tunnel. "What happened?" The leader demanded.

"We were bringing dirt out," Brambleheart explained. "I felt a rumble – I think Tinywing heard it first. Onewhisker hasn't appeared." Firestar looked to Clovertail; she must have said something.

"You should have waited a few more days," Barkface shook his head. Firestar looked like he wanted to respond but attention turned to the tunnel.

Brambleheart let out a breath as they returned, Tornear in the lead. Onewhisker was being hoisted out. The medicine cats rushed to him as he was set down. He was breathing.

"How is he?" Firestar asked, moving to his friend's side.

"He's alive," Barkface responded. Leafpaw had stretched out one of his back legs which the tom was feeling now. "He's dislocated a hip – and there's something up with his paw, possibly broken. We'll need to take a further look at him. Leafpaw," He looked up. "Help me locate it." The apprentice meowed her agreement and the pair repositioned themselves.

As it was popped back into place, Tornear spoke.

"The dirt was muddy – it seems it did not dry enough." Firestar nodded.

Clovertail asked, "Firestar, what do you want to do?" The leader glanced at his warriors.

"You are going to have to wait a few more days before continuing." Brambleheart was surprised, he wanted to continue after this? "It's been hot – let's hope that dries out the ground quickly. I thank you all." He waved his tail, "Let's head back to camp."

Brambleheart stepped toward Onewhisker as he was signaled to. He and Sandstorm picked up the unconscious warrior between them. Barkface was looking after their leader, a troubled look in his eyes.

"Where is he?" Feathertail demanded. It was midnight now. They were on WindClan territory, just out of sight of the TigerClan border. Tawnyclaw was here but Crowpaw was not.

Today had already been eventful with the collapse, though Onewhisker was expected to heal. This was bound to be even more so. Feathertail was already scared to find out what it was the TigerClan warrior wanted to say, but Crowpaw's absence made her even more so. Tawnyclaw's head was raised high as she regarded the WindClan warriors.

"I thought you had the right to know," She began. "Crowpaw's dead." Meows rose. Brambleheart rose to his paws, cursing. Feathertail hissed.

"You said he was doing fine!" They should have done something more. Squirrelflight was right, they should have gotten him out of there. Tawnyclaw held Feathertail's gaze.

"He was," She replied. "This – was unexpected." Feathertail opened her mouth again, only pausing as Stormfur touched his tail to her side.

"What happened?" He asked.

"Tigerstar says he found him along this border," Tawnyclaw responded. Of course, it was Tigerstar. Feathertail had heard what had happened when they got to TigerClan after leaving Feathertail and Stormfur behind.

"You don't believe that," Squirrelflight was eying the warrior. Tawnyclaw did not respond.

"Why did you let him kill him?" Feathertail asked. The tortoiseshell's ears were flattened.

"Tigerstar says it was your warriors," She answered.

"Oh, that's a loud of fox dung," Feathertail rose to her paws.

"Tawnyclaw, our Clan has no reason to kill Crowpaw." Brambleheart did not look pleased, "Why did Tigerstar kill him?"

"I messed up," Her voice was quiet when she finally answered. Feathertail did not believe Brambleheart actually heard it. Anger burned in the silver tabby as much as grief.

"What did you do?"

"My Clans business is none of yours," Tawnyclaw rose to her paws. "I thought you all had the right to know about this. That is all." She turned toward the border. Squirrelflight sprang to her paws, moving in front of the enemy warrior. Tawnyclaw hissed.

A furious snarl rose from Brambleheart as they surrounded the TigerClan she-cat. Feathertail's claws extended, her heart beating against her chest. She had yet to get in a fight since losing her leg. Tawnyclaw's ears were flat.

"How did you get Crowpaw killed?" Squirrelflight took a step toward the enemy warrior.

"It's Clan business," Tawnyclaw repeated.

"You called us here," Stormfur spoke up. "You owe us this much." Tawnyclaw's fur was beginning to bristle.

"Do you believe us now, at least?" Squirrelflight asked. "Tigerstar killed a cat in cold blood and you know it!" Tawnyclaw hissed and a low growl rose from Brambleheart. Squirrelflight glared at him.

"Tawnyclaw, what did you do?" Feathertail stared intently at the warrior. Something had to come out of this. Tawnyclaw had to do something right for once.

"We…had a disagreement." Green eyes went over the WindClan warriors, "Leopardstar and I are dealing with it."

"She's finally doing something?" Bitterness was growing in Feathertail's chest. Tawnyclaw glared at her.

"She's not the cat you should be angry with," the tortoiseshell's voice was low.

"And I'm sure you think I shouldn't be angry with you, either." The tortoiseshell did not respond. "Who should I be angry with?" Feathertail pressed.

"What do you want me to say," Tawnyclaw's tail lashed. "That everything I know is a lie?"

"That's what Tigerstar wanted me to admit," Brambleheart spoke up. Feathertail looked at him, surprised. She still did not know much about what had happened to him in TigerClan. "That's what you wanted me to believe." The enemy warrior bared her teeth.

"Tawnyclaw," Stormfur spoke up. "We can help you – WindClan can help you. You just need to work with us." The others glanced at him. Feathertail was not sure how much help Firestar would be willing to give Tawnyclaw right now. She did not know how much help the warriors would be willing to give.

"We are dealing with it."

"Let us help you," Squirrelflight was staring up at the tortoiseshell. "It's more warriors – how many of Tigerstar's warriors are willing to turn on him? Is it enough to take over?" Tawnyclaw did not respond but did sit. The other warriors did not move.

"Wait," Feathertail meowed. "I want you to say it."

"What?" Tawnyclaw snarled.

"I want you to tell us who murdered him." Crowpaw was owed this. Tawnyclaw's tail lashed.

"Tigerstar," She finally answered.

"What did he do?" Feathertail asked. Stormfur shot her a look. She ignored it, staring intently at the enemy warrior.

"Tigerstar murdered Crowpaw." Feathertail sat.

"Why did he do it?" The tortoiseshell stared her down.

"Because I threatened to find evidence that he was the one who took one of Leopardstar's lives." Huh, Feathertail thought. That's what she gets. Tawnyclaw regarded them.

"You know, I'm going to have to run this by Leopardstar. She might not agree."

"We're gonna have to run it by Firestar," Squirrelflight replied. Stormfur looked to Brambleheart.

"Do you think he would agree?" A troubled look had come across the tabby's face.

"Let's start with Tornear," he answered. "Just – until we have something truly formulated." Tawnyclaw tilted her head.

"Oh, so he's actually crazy?" She asked. "Tigerstar tends to be dramatic about him. I thought this was that." Hisses rose.

"My father isn't crazy," Squirrelflight glared at her.

"Then why not go right to him?"

Feathertail spoke up. "What Tigerstar did to him – do you know much about that?" Tawnyclaw looked at her.

"No."

"It was horrible," She meowed. "And it can have lasting effects."

"Leopardstar doesn't trust him."

"He's trustworthy," Stormfur answered. Tawnyclaw glanced at him.

"Which is why you're going to Tornear first."

"Firestar wants to see Tigerstar gone." It was Brambleheart who responded. "He might not trust you." Tawnyclaw nodded.

"Then go to Tornear." She meowed, "I'm going to need to convince Leopardstar of this. Let's give it three days – I think I should be able to convince her of it by then." Feathertail mewed her agreement.

"Three days."