There was an anxious buzz in camp. They had run into warriors from this supposed WindClan.

One anxiety for Mothwing seemed to leave. Tigerstar had been wrong and Tawnyclaw had come back!

"I'll tell Tigerstar," Hawktalon rose to his paws. Leopardstar shook her head.

"Not yet." Hawktalon gave her a confused look. "I know what he wants to do. I'll take a patrol back out and meet them." Her voice was quiet as she continued. So only Hawktalon and Mothwing could hear. "He needs his rest. He was sleeping, the last I saw. He needs to heal." Mothwing nodded as Hawktalon's tail twitched.

He resigned himself, sitting back down. Leopardstar raised her voice again, calling together a patrol.

Mothwing was surprised as neither she nor Hawktalon was chosen for it. Leopardstar looked to her brother.

"You're in charge while I'm gone." Her voice was quiet. Hawktalon dipped his head.

As the patrol left, Mothwing realized for the first time that all the warriors chosen were RiverClan. Mothwing was puzzled, why had Leopardstar done that?

Her attention was pulled away as Hawktalon rose, heading to where Brambleheart was watching. Goldenflower lay beside him. Mothwing couldn't tell whether he was pleased or not with this news. Mothwing also was not sure what would happen next. Tigerstar had been certain they had continued on without TigerClan. How were they going to get Tawnyclaw and the others back and keep Brambleheart?

She took a breath, settling down to groom herself. She closed her eyes as her tongue went over her belly.

Things would work out. They had to.

When Leopardstar returned, cats rose to meet their leader. A troubled look had come across her face.

"What are we going to do?" Asked a ShadowClan she-cat Mothwing did not recognize. "Are we getting Tawnyclaw back?" Voices rose from the ShadowClan warriors. Leopardstar raised her tail.

"I need to speak with Tigerstar first." Leopardstar announced, "We have set up a meeting. You will learn with time." She looked across the gathered Clan.

"I assure you; we are getting our warriors back. TigerClan will remain strong no matter what they do." Leopardstar turned away, beckoning Hawktalon and Mothwing to follow as she started toward Tigerstar's den, leaving Blackclaw with the rest of the Clan.

"What is it?" Mothwing asked. Hawktalon had raised his tail.

"I want to talk to Tigerstar alone but I wanted to give you a heads up." The tabby looked at the littermates. "Rusty is their leader now."

Mothwing turned to Hawktalon, whose eyes had widened. Another wave of uneasiness overcame her.

This changed everything.

Ashfur rose at the approach of another cat, turning his attention away from where he was talking to one of their guards – Cloudtail, Crowpaw recalled.

"Firestar wanted you to know," the brown tabby set half a fish down in front of the TigerClan cats. "We've spoken with your Clan. We meet at dawn." Crowpaw shifted, something between relief and fear seemed to fill him. They would finally be returning to their Clan.

He did not know what he would be facing there.

"Thank you," Tawnyclaw said, beginning to pull apart the prey.

Crowpaw glanced up again as the tabby had paused, looking at him. He shifted.

"What is it?" Dustpelt asked, his tail twitching.

"You're Ashfoot's kit, aren't you?" The tom asked. Crowpaw nodded. He looked WindClan. He had to have lived in WindClan before everything. "You've grown, haven't you? My name's Onewhisker. Ashfoot's my sister."

Oh. He had heard that name before. "She's mentioned you," Crowpaw replied. The tabby nodded.

"You look like Deadfoot," Onewhisker commented. "I said the same when you were born but it's only truer now." He looked to Cloudtail, "You can go. Firestar sent me to replace you. He wants to speak with you." He looked at the other two cats that were guarding them. "Bounceheart and Clovertail will be over soon to replace you."

Cloudtail nodded, rising to his paws. A few more words were exchanged between him and Ashfur. Crowpaw looked back to Onewhisker as the white tom stepped away.

Squirrelpaw's tail was lashing as she took another bite of trout. She looked up as Cloudtail walked by, swallowing. "Why do you keep talking to Ashfur?" She asked. Leafpaw gave her sister a look but she couldn't help but be curious as well.

It was nearing sunset. Tornear's patrol had returned from Highstones not long before. They would be meeting with TigerClan at dawn. The white warrior paused in his step.

"He's my brother," Cloudtail responded. The sisters exchanged surprised looks. "What's it to you?"

"How's he your brother?" Leafpaw asked.

"We were littermates," Cloudtail explained. "He and our sister. When Firestar brought me to ThunderClan, their mother nursed me." Leafpaw nodded.

"Then why isn't Firestar bothered by you two talking like he is with me?" Squirrelpaw asked. Cloudtail looked at her.

"Firestar can sometimes be ridiculous," He began. "I've certainly seen my fair share of it. But at the same time, they're enemy warriors and we need to be careful. I'm not saying don't talk to them – you certainly know those two the best out of all of us! – but take heed." Squirrelpaw's ears went back as Cloudtail looked away. "Now, I have been summoned by our leader. I'll talk to you later."

As Cloudtail stepped away, Leafpaw turned to Squirrelpaw. "Why are you so caught up on this?" She asked.

"Because he's acting like we're still in the nursery!" Squirrelpaw finished chewing the bite of fish she had taken. "As Cloudtail just said, I know them the best out of any of us. Dustpelt's been a jerk and so has Crowpaw – both he and Tawnyclaw have been annoying but they get better once you know them." She shifted, "Ashfur's nice." Leafpaw almost choked.

"What are you saying?" She gave her sister a bewildered look.

"Just listen to me!" Squirrelpaw exclaimed. "Look – all I'm saying is they're the way they are because of Tigerstar. We're gonna deal with him, right? So, once that's done, I imagine the Clans will separate again and everything will settle down. It's not a crime to have friends in other Clans."

"It is when it's TigerClan," Leafpaw hissed. "Remember what Firestar said."

"Remember what Cloudtail said! He can be ridiculous sometimes. Sandstorm thinks so too!" Squirrelpaw's words came out slow. "I'm not going to do anything. I just think things will get better once Tigerstar's gone." Leafpaw wasn't sure if she believed her.

"Don't do anything stupid," Leafpaw warned. Squirrelpaw licked her ear.

"I won't," She promised.

Brambleheart awoke to a prodding paw.

As his eyes opened, a voice hissed into his ear. "Be quiet and be quick." That was Leopardstar.

Brambleheart rose. It was still dark out. They would be leaving to meet with WindClan. Something in him twisted. He looked around as a guard came to either side of him, surprised by the lack of Tigerstar. He had assumed that he would want to be part of whatever plan they had. Most of the Clan was still sleeping.

It was when he had been forced out of camp and Leopardstar spoke to the sentry – Blackclaw, that Brambleheart realized. These were all RiverClan warriors.

"Be prepared for anything," The leader's voice was quiet. She looked back to camp, her tail twitching. "When we return, things are going to happen."

"Are you sure –" Blackclaw began.

"We need our warriors back." She glanced at Brambleheart. "Not an unwitting prisoner. I will deal with Tigerstar when I return." The dark tom dipped his head as realization dawned for Brambleheart. He paused in his quick groom.

Tigerstar did not know.

They continued on. There were three warriors with them. One behind Brambleheart and the others on both sides of him as Leopardstar stayed ahead. Leopardstar slowed in her step as they approached Highstones. The light of dawn was just beginning. The golden tabby looked back at her captive.

"Have you heard?" She asked.

"Heard what?"

"Tallstar's dead." Brambleheart's eyes rounded and the warriors on either side of him shifted, surprised. "It seems Firestar is leader now." Brambleheart did not know what to think.

This made something that was already going to be difficult so much harder.

The wind blew as they made it over the hill. Something between relief and anxiety rose in Brambleheart as he caught sight of the WindClan patrol. His gaze focused on Firestar, who looked right at him.

They stopped a few fox lengths away. Leopardstar and Firestar had to be talking but Brambleheart was not paying attention. He looked to where Tawnyclaw and the others stood.

Three warriors and an apprentice for one warrior.

This was not a fair trade.

But WindClan had been in danger just as TigerClan had and Brambleheart cared about WindClan. Everything that had happened was worth it, he told himself.

Leopardstar looked back at him as his guards gave him more room. Brambleheart padded forward, glancing at Leopardstar. She stopped him, her shoulder against his chest.

He looked ahead, seeing that the patrol had eased up on the TigerClan cats. Brambleheart started forward as they moved and Leopardstar stepped aside. Tawnyclaw glanced at him as they passed.

Brambleheart turned away, his gaze landing on Firestar. The shock of this news still whirled around his head as much as grief did. How could Tallstar be dead? He lowered himself as he drew closer, carefully licking Firestar's shoulder before pressing his forehead against his leader's chest.

Firestar looked down at his warrior. Eventually, he licked the back of Brambleheart's head before resting his muzzle on it. A tension in Brambleheart's shoulders eased. There was a pause before Firestar spoke.

"Go, we'll talk later."

"Yes, Firestar." He stepped away.

Tawnyclaw let out another hiss. Crowpaw's ears folded back.

"You're just throwing him to them?" Furious green eyes glared at Leopardstar.

"Settle yourself, Tawnyclaw." Leopardstar's tail twitched. They had just left that patrol behind. They were just past the first hill. The others had to have crossed the Thunderpath by now. "He did not want to be here."

"He has been manipulated since he was a kit!" The fur on Tawnyclaw's back was rising. The warriors shuffled behind the two leaders. Shadepelt and Ashfur exchanged a glance. "He doesn't know better! Did Tigerstar approve of this?"

"Tigerstar does not know," Leopardstar replied. Crowpaw looked at her, shocked. How couldn't he know? Was this all done behind Tigerstar's back? "He's been badly injured. I'm dealing with this the way I can." Crowpaw's eyes widened. Tigerstar was injured?

"By giving my brother back to the kittypet that stole him?" Leopardstar regarded the young warrior.

"He is not worth four of our warriors," Leopardstar's voice came out low. "He is not worth you, Tawnyclaw." The tortoiseshell snarled. Crowpaw's heart stopped as she launched herself at the TigerClan leader.

The patrol scattered; hisses and growls were exchanged between the warriors as the leaders brawled. Should they break this up? Was that allowed?

Leopardstar slammed her back paws into Tawnyclaw, sending her back. She sprang to her feet. Tawnyclaw growled as she crouched, tail lashing. Leopardstar glared down at her warrior. Both she-cat's fur was on end. The golden tabby took a step toward Tawnyclaw and she hissed. Leopardstar hissed right back. Blood dripped from wounds they had both dealt.

"You are better than this, Tawnyclaw." Sharp amber eyes glared at her. "I expect so much better of you! You're being irrational." Crowpaw's eyes flitted between the two cats. Tawnyclaw was breathing deeply. To his surprise, she rested her head down. "I understand that you are upset but this was necessary. I would hope you'd understand the need." Tawnyclaw was silent.

Leopardstar turned away as the tortoiseshell rose. "They are about to come with us. Everything can be dealt with once we are settled in this new territory. For now, we need you, not Bramblepaw."

Leafpaw ran her paw over the ragged fur on Brambleheart's side. An uneasiness overcame her. These wounds were healing but they had been vicious. Whoever had dealt them had had a powerful blow. Brambleheart blinked at her.

"I'm good," He mewed, shifting. "That was a bit ago now – Runningnose and Littlecloud took care of them."

"I can tell," She replied. Leafpaw pressed her paw against his side. She could not see it through his long fur but his ribs pushed back against her paw. "You should eat."

"I could get him something." Both tabbies turned at Squirrelpaw's voice. She looked at the tom and Leafpaw could tell she was distressed by the state he was in. Brambleheart curled closer in on himself.

"Hi, Squirrelpaw."

"Hey," She responded. "We haven't got any sparrow but we got plenty of fish – I could get you part of a trout." Brambleheart began to shift onto his paws.

"I can get it myself," He grunted. "It's no problem." Squirrelpaw opened her mouth and Brambleheart continued, "Squirrelpaw, this isn't your fault. You don't need to do anything for me. I'm glad you made it back to WindClan safe – Tawnyclaw and Crowpaw weren't too mean to you, were they?"

"They were fine. Brambleheart –"

"Hey, listen to me." The warrior's voice was stern. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'd do anything for you." He glanced at Leafpaw, "Both of you. None of this is your fault, Squirrelpaw." Squirrelpaw looked ready to respond when Firestar's voice sounded.

"Brambleheart." The three young cats turned at their father's voice. He had been talking with Barkface and Tornear. Both cats followed, as did Sandstorm.

The leader looked to the tom. There was something to his gaze that Leafpaw had not seen before. "Come. Let's talk." Brambleheart dipped his head.

Brambleheart came to Firestar's side and Sandstorm started after them. She glanced back at Barkface, who nodded. Leafpaw looked at her mentor, puzzled. They all were tense.

What was happening?

A hiss sounded as the three warriors stepped away from the rest of the Clan. Leafpaw turned, surprised as Cloudtail approached. His angry blue gaze was on Barkface.

"You're just gonna let them be alone?" He demanded.

"Sandstorm's with them," Barkface replied. Squirrelpaw shot Leafpaw a confused look. She shook her head.

"Firestar's calm," Tornear looked at the warrior. "As calm as he could be considering everything. They'll be fine. Sandstorm can handle him if it comes down to it." Leafpaw's ears went back. What was Cloudtail expecting?

"Hang on, what's going on?" Squirrelpaw asked. Tornear looked at her.

"I know Onewhisker is looking for you because I assigned you both to a hunting patrol."

"But –"

Tornear ordered, "Go. Now."

The apprentice's ears flattened but she stepped away. Cloudtail's tail still lashed as he took a step back. "I'm not letting him do that again," he said, turning away. Leafpaw watched after the white warrior as he headed to where he had been.

Mothwing's claws dug into the dirt beneath her as the patrol returned, Leopardstar in the lead. Hawktalon rose, icy blue eyes ablaze as he let out a hiss. He seemed angrier than Tigerstar.

The Clan had awoken to find that Leopardstar, as well as a few other warriors, were gone. They had taken Brambleheart to be exchanged. Blackclaw lay at the base of the Tallrock. His blood stained the ground and his eyes were closed, sides heaving. Most of the Clan was huddled along the edges of camp. The fear of Tigerstar's anger was heavy.

Mothwing's eyes widened as she realized Tawnyclaw and Leopardstar were bloody. Had there been a fight? Why was it just them? Leopardstar had her head held high as she looked up at Tigerstar on the Tallrock. He rose, eyes burning.

"You went behind my back," The leader's voice was low. "And threw my son right to them."

"I did what you couldn't," Leopardstar began.

"Silence!" His howl echoed through the dip. Mothwing's ears folded back.

Suddenly a pained look came across the great leader's face. Mothwing sprang to her paws and voices arose as Tigerstar staggered, taking a ragged breath.

The medicine cats are still worried about his heart, Mothwing remembered as Tigerstar collapsed onto the Tallrock.

"Tigerstar." A look of sheer terror came across Tawnyclaw's face. She rushed past Leopardstar to where Tigerstar had collapsed. "Father!"

Crowpaw rushed forward as more cats approached. What was happening? Leopardstar had said he was injured – that he had lost a life! But what was this? Tawnyclaw jerked her head up, looking to Littlecloud who stood not far away.

"What are you doing?" She demanded. "Help your leader!" The medicine cat shook his head.

"He's losing a life," he said. "We told him not to go up there – he didn't listen." Tawnyclaw looked back down at Tigerstar, who was still.

"Is it the same injury that caused him to lose his last life?" Tawnyclaw ordered, "Fix whatever it is!"

"We can't," Runningnose spoke from where he was eying the leader. "It's internal. He's in StarClan's paws."

The Clan was silent.

Eventually, Tigerstar's side moved. His eyes fluttered open. He took ragged breaths.

When he spoke, his voice was so quiet that Crowpaw almost thought he was mistaken. "The mountains."

"What about the mountains?" Tawnyclaw asked, urgently.

"We go through the mountains," The leader seemed dazed as his eyes closed again.

Tawnyclaw stepped back, allowing Runningnose and Littlecloud to approach. She looked at Crowpaw. Midnight's words echoed in his head.

Tigerstar was the dying warrior.