"What happened to your face?" Firestar demanded, tilting Brambleheart's muzzle so he could get a look at the scar that had been left.

"I-Tigerstar," Brambleheart began. Firestar did not allow him to continue as his eyes rounded.

They had stepped away from the rest of the Clan. Sandstorm sat not far from them.

"He hurt you," There was a tone to Firestar's voice that Brambleheart had never heard before. "Is he still alive?" Brambleheart nodded.

"Why wasn't he at the meeting, then?"

"He's unwell," Brambleheart replied. "He's lost a life recently – he's still recovering from the injury."

"Did you inflict that injury?" Firestar demanded. Brambleheart was confused. Why would he ask that?

"No."

Firestar let out a breath of relief. He pulled the younger warrior's head against his chest. Brambleheart could feel his leader's heart beating fast. Firestar tensed and Brambleheart knew he had caught sight of his side. "Great StarClan," His voice was so hushed Brambleheart had a hard time hearing him. "He beat you."

"I'm okay," Brambleheart began quickly. "That was a bit ago – I-I'm okay." Firestar let go of the warrior's head, looking at Brambleheart as he pulled back a bit. There was a look on Firestar's face he had never seen before.

"I'm sorry." Surprise jolted through Brambleheart. "I'm sorry for what drove you away. This should never have happened." Brambleheart looked at him, confused.

"You didn't drive me away." Why did Firestar think that? "I'm sorry I lied to you." Surprise lit up Firestar's face.

"He doesn't know." It was so quiet that Brambleheart could not hear it truly. He was unsure if Firestar knew he was speaking. Sandstorm rose to her paws, ears pricked. Firestar spoke louder, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Feathertail –" Firestar cut him off.

"Do not blame her." A serious glint came to his green eye, "This is on you. Why did you choose not to tell me – or Tallstar?" It took Brambleheart a moment to respond.

"We decided as a group not to," His voice was quiet. He really had no other answer. "I didn't intend to break my promise to you. I'm sorry." Firestar gritted his teeth.

"Why did you bring Squirrelpaw with you?" He asked. Brambleheart tensed. They hadn't discussed that with her yet?

"It wasn't purposeful," Brambleheart replied. "She-she followed us! We were days into the journey before we found her." His tail twitched. "It was too late."

"You could have brought her back." Brambleheart's ears went back.

"There was a set time to meet Tawnyclaw and Crowpaw – Stormfur refused to leave us!" Firestar's ears were flattened.

"Do you know how much danger you've put all of them into," Firestar's voice was low, "with your choice not to talk to me?" It took everything in Brambleheart to keep his fur flat. "Look at what happened to Feathertail – almost to Squirrelpaw. You left her alone for over a quarter moon, for StarClan's sake!"

"Firestar!" Sandstorm chastised, "You know why that happened. It is not his fault. She kept herself safe." The leader took a deep breath as he looked back at his warrior.

"Look at what happened to yourself. This could have been prevented had you talked to me like you said you would."

"I know," Brambleheart looked down. "I'm sorry but we're going to safer territory! Our actions – they've helped the Clan." That's why it was worth it, he reminded himself. They would be helping WindClan get someplace safe!

"No, you haven't," Firestar's tail lashed as he growled. "We were facing a danger back in WindClan – different to what TigerClan faced, it is what killed Tallstar and what we needed was four more warriors!" Brambleheart felt his heart drop. He wanted to pull away.

"Firestar," Sandstorm began again, stepping forward. Firestar sighed.

"Brambleheart, our territory is intact." Brambleheart stared at him, confused.

"What…What do you mean?" He asked. "Why are you here then?"

"Because StarClan wills it," He was surprised by how cold Firestar's tone was. "Anyway, I refuse to keep four cats prisoner – especially while one of my warriors is being held. It would have been nearly impossible – just the amount alone!" The fur on Firestar's back was rising. "We had no other choice but to follow their will. We came here to get you."

Brambleheart's mind spun. His Clan had exchanged their safety and four TigerClan warriors for him.

Why?

"I'm sorry," Brambleheart's voice came out quiet. "We could go back, can't we?" The gorge certainly couldn't support all of TigerClan! No matter what Tigerstar tried, they could not support that many cats there.

"We've come too far," Firestar replied. "If we go back, they know where we live. Tigerstar could easily try to take the territory – he will try something. It's too late." Brambleheart's ears flattened. He didn't know what to say.

"What happened?" Firestar demanded.

"What?" His leader's gaze was like ice.

"Did he do anything else? What has been happening."

"Mostly Tigerstar's been trying to convince me that he's in the right."

"How so?" Firestar asked. Brambleheart hesitated. He's not right. Brambleheart had to remind himself as Tigerstar's voice entered his head. Everything he had said about the fire, the days following Brambleheart's injury seemed to flood him. Firestar is. He didn't know if he believed himself.

"Just…surrounding Bluestar's death. The fire. Things like that."

"Do you believe him?" Firestar's voice was tense. Brambleheart almost thought he was afraid. He shook his head.

"I know you didn't murder Bluestar." Brambleheart wanted to believe that. Firestar let out a breath of relief.

"Brambleheart," He looked to Sandstorm as she spoke. "Did you find out anything else?"

"They're starving. Leopardstar's scared." He looked up at his leader. "They're not in a place to fight."

"I imagine that's why they gave you up so easily," Sandstorm commented. She glanced back toward TigerClan. "I am surprised he did, though."

"He didn't." Brambleheart looked at her again, "I don't believe he knew what happened. Leopardstar snuck me out." Both warriors looked surprised. A troubled look came across Firestar's face.

"Then he might act," He murmured. Firestar licked the top of Brambleheart's head. "Is there anything else?"

Brambleheart wavered as Fireheart rested his muzzle on the younger warrior's neck. He began to groom his shoulders, purring. "He was asking about Squirrelpaw."

Both older warriors tensed. Firestar froze.

"What about her?" Fireheart's voice was hushed.

"Asking what she's like," Brambleheart licked his muzzle. "He seemed to what to know how she turned out, being half kittypet." Firestar's tail bristled. "Called her a waste of ThunderClan blood."

"Did he say anything else?" Brambleheart looked to Sandstorm, hesitant. She nodded and Brambleheart spoke.

"I think he was trying to provoke me but he called her pretty." Firestar's fur rose against him. Sandstorm's claws extended, her ears going back.

"She isn't going near any TigerClan warrior," Firestar's voice was low. He looked at Brambleheart. "Neither are you or Leafpaw. Do you understand?" Brambleheart opened his mouth, readying to protest. They needed to work with these cats. He needed to work with them! He was all for keeping Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw away but Brambleheart was part of the prophecy. "I don't want her to know this."

"Firestar, that isn't practical." Both toms looked at Sandstorm. She regarded her mate. "None of this is. She should know what dangers she is facing." Firestar scoffed.

"We should be trying to protect her – all of them!"

"And we can do so more easily if she understands what she's facing." Sandstorm's voice was stern. "She will be a warrior sooner than later. None of them are kits anymore. She can handle it and Brambleheart needs to be able to talk to TigerClan warriors. We've talked about this." Brambleheart glanced at Firestar. They had?

"He's part of the prophecy. He and Feathertail will need to work with Tawnyclaw and Crowpaw. They were all chosen. Squirrelpaw and Stormfur know them, too! As we are moving, forbidding them from being near TigerClan warriors is near impossible without even considering Squirrelpaw is an asset – Leafpaw is, too given her status! She will need to interact with her fellow medicine cats. By now, they have got to know who Leafpaw is. Separating them is not going to do anything. What's done is done." Sandstorm repeated, "We have talked about this." Firestar's tail was lashing. He let out a pained noise. Brambleheart licked him.

"Firestar," Sandstorm looked at him intently. "This is StarClan's will – this all is! This is what we need to do." Anger flashed across Firestar's face. Brambleheart's chest tightened. The leader nodded.

"I don't want you alone with them," Firestar whispered. "Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw, too! Always be with other warriors. Do you understand?" Brambleheart nodded.

"I do, Firestar."

Firestar took a deep breath. Brambleheart could barely hear his leader as he leaned against the younger warrior, continuing his grooming.

"You smell like TigerClan."

"I'm sorry." Brambleheart glanced at Sandstorm. Firestar sighed. He pulled him closer as Brambleheart rubbed against Firestar's cheek.

"Don't leave me again." Brambleheart nodded.

"Yes, Firestar."

"They say Tigerstar wants to go through the mountains." Leafpaw's ears pricked at Tornear's report. There had been back and forths with TigerClan all day. It was not long past Sunhigh. So far, no one had seen Tigerstar.

"Any particular reason?" Firestar asked. His tail was moving from side to side.

"They said they got a sign." Firestar looked surprised.

"From StarClan?" He asked. As Tornear nodded, Leafpaw felt just as surprised. Why would they send the sign to TigerClan and not them?

"It makes sense for where to go." Attention went to Brambleheart. He sat next to Firestar. He had lowered his head. "We've gone through them before – know what's in them. Upriver, it's back to the gorge and they should know it can't support their Clan. Not to mention both of ours. On two sides it's Twolegplaces and then the mountains. We'll be able to pick up Feathertail and Stormfur, too." Barkface was nodding.

"He's right, it does make sense." The medicine cat looked at his leader. "We should move – closer to TigerClan so communication can be easier." Firestar's ears went back.

"I don't want to open ourselves up to attack," He began.

"They know where we are," Tornear pointed out. "If they were going to attack us, they've had plenty of time."

"They're not in the place to attack right now," Leafpaw spoke up. The apprentice shifted as attention went to her. She looked at Brambleheart. "You said they were in tough shape, right? Between lack of food and that attack from those BloodClan."

The warrior nodded. "They're starving," He replied, shifting where he sat. "And they were pushed out easily by BloodClan. I don't believe we have anything to fear until they have their strength up. Especially with Tigerstar incapacitated." Brambleheart had told them earlier what had happened to the TigerClan leader. It was hard for Leafpaw to believe that the cat she had been hearing stories of since she was in the nursery could be brought down so easily.

Firestar did not look pleased but sighed, looking at the young tom next to him. "Fine," He rose to his paws. "We will move to Highstones."

Thistlefoot let out another hiss.

"I don't like that," he said. "What gives them the right?" Brambleheart shook his head, not having an answer. Whitetail glanced at the black and white tom.

"It's understandable for it to happen," Her muffled voice came. "Where else would they set up camp?" Thistlefoot shrugged.

"Who's using Tallstar's den?"

"Tigerstar," Brambleheart replied. Thistlefoot's ears went back as he scoffed. Whitetail looked at the young warrior.

"You were young when we left. How much do you remember of that camp?" Brambleheart slowed in his step, allowing the others to continue as they conversed.

They had set out quickly. Brambleheart's tail twitched as he watched the Clan move. Firestar had said this was StarClan's will – which it was! But there was nothing wrong back in their territory.

It almost felt like they were here for him. Guilt clung to him. Brambleheart never wanted to endanger these cats. He did not understand why they would endanger themselves for him. Brambleheart had not been wanted.

"Hey." Brambleheart turned at Cloudtail's muffled voice. The white tom trotted up on his shoulder. "How are you doing?"

"Hey." Brambleheart shrugged. "I'm fine." Cloudtail regarded the younger warrior.

"He didn't do anything, right? While you were with him and Sandstorm." Almost on instinct, Brambleheart gritted his teeth.

"No, we just talked." Why did Cloudtail get like this? Firestar would not do anything to him.

He stole me. Brambleheart forced that voice away. He had not been wanted. That was not purposeful. Firestar would also not purposefully do anything to him. They were here at StarClan's will.

"Good," Cloudtail said. There was a serious look in the older warrior's eyes. "Look, you can't put up with that. Alright? If he does anything, you stop it." Brambleheart scoffed.

"No, I'm serious. Don't let him hurt you."

"He didn't mean it," Brambleheart muttered. Brambleheart had provoked Firestar that day. It made sense; he was not wanted.

"That doesn't make it right." Brambleheart stopped in his step, turning to face the older warrior.

"He wasn't well!"

"He still isn't, in case you've missed that." Brambleheart was silent. He had noticed. Cloudtail looked at him sharply, "And that's still not an excuse."

"It's not his fault."

Cloudtail looked ready to respond when Tinywing called out.

"Cloudtail, Brambleheart." Both toms looked over to her. "We're moving – you're going to get left behind."

"We'll catch up," Cloudtail responded before turning back to the tabby. "I understand that there are other factors but his actions are his fault. You can set him off –" Tigerstar's voice seemed to fill Brambleheart's head. He took a deep breath. "– but that's not your fault. It's not your fault you look like Tigerstar. He's tried to kill you! Don't put up with this again. We've talked about this before."

"Alright." Brambleheart resigned himself. They had but it had been seasons since then. Yet the same thing was happening. Brambleheart glanced toward the rest of the Clan.

Maybe he should have just killed Tigerstar. That might have helped settle Firestar.

It was the least he could do.

The toms started after their Clanmates. As they walked, the white warrior pressed his nose against Brambleheart's ear. The tabby eyed him, shoving his shoulder against the older cat as Cloudtail's mouth opened.

Cloudtail shoved back against Brambleheart and despite the stumble it caused something akin to joy bubbled over any annoyance.

"Since when have you been so heavy?" Brambleheart asked. He was pushed over as the other tom leaned further against him.

"Sayin' that like you're not skin and bones right now." Cloudtail's grunt was muffled. "Think again when we get some muscle back on you!" This joy disappeared as Cloudtail pressed him further against the ground. He stilled.

Cloudtail got off of him quickly, blue eyes narrowed. "You good?" He asked.

Brambleheart shakily rose. "Yeah. Just tired." That drag had come on so quickly. He was surprised. They had played like this for as long as Brambleheart could remember.

"Sure," Cloudtail did not look like he believed him. The warrior's tail rose. "Did you know Whitepaw's an apprentice now?" Pride showed in his eyes.

"I didn't." It made sense. It had to have been enough time for Whitepaw to be made one.

"Come on," The older tom sped up. "let's go see her." Brambleheart could do nothing but follow.

They went around the farm. Opposite to the old territories.

Leafpaw looked down the Thunderpath as her father spoke with Ravenpaw and Barley. With the danger of BloodClan, they had been unable to see the old territories.

"It's a shame," Firestar commented. "That Stormfur and Feathertail also aren't here." Mistyfoot glanced at him.

"We'll find them soon enough." All the warriors that had spent time at the barn were here. Barley nodded, speaking.

"If they end up down here, we'll point them back toward the mountains." Ravenpaw mewed his agreement.

Goodbyes were exchanged. Ravenpaw blinked at Leafpaw as he pulled away from Graystripe.

"I'm glad to have met you," he said.

"You too," She replied. "Firestar and Graystripe always talked about your time together." The black tom nodded.

As they started out again, Firestar with his tail held high, the leader paused. He regarded the two loners.

"Tallstar's offer still stands," he meowed. "You have done so much for our Clan and we thank you. You have a place in WindClan." Leafpaw looked to the loners. "I hate to leave the dangers of BloodClan at your paws."

Ravenpaw and Barley looked at each other. An agreement seemed to pass between them. Barley spoke.

"This is our home," Determination lit in his blue eyes. "We're not losing our home. We've evaded TigerClan this long – there's no reason to think we won't avoid BloodClan. We will defend our home to the last claw." A feeling of deep respect overcame Leafpaw. After all they had been through, they were still willing to hang onto what was theirs. Firestar dipped his head. Admiration colored his gaze.

"If you ever change your mind, you know which direction to head."