Flames of Blood

First topic message reminder :

This is a fanfic I started a long time ago, but I was too busy with my other stories to write this one much. I recently started writing it again, and I decided to post it here to share it. I hope you enjoy and please give constructive critism!

Fan List:
Icetail
Rainfeather
Sunbeam

Chapter 1
Brambleclaw felt as if his lungs were filled with ice, freezing all of his emotions inside him. Could I really do this? Brambleclaw asked himself, Can I really kill my own leader? Firestar lay with his neck caught in the trap, the life fading in his eyes with every second.
"Well? What are you waiting for? I don't want to become leader when I am an elder!" Hawkfrost spat beside him. Before Brambleclaw could respond, a voice whispered in his ear, "This is what I have been training you for, my son. Power over everything, without any pitiful loyalties to stop you." Tigerstar's voice echoed like rumbling thunder in Brambleclaw's mind, and Brambleclaw thought of all he could be capable of. Exiling or killing any cat that dared question him, having the territories under the rule of his claws.
Brambleclaw smirked at the thought and stepped forward. Quick as a flash, he tightened the trap around Firestar's throat. Firestar gasped and coughed up blood, the shock and betrayal in his eyes cut short as the life evaporated from his body. After a long moment, Firestar finally stopped twitching, and Brambleclaw swore he could see Firestar's lives rise out of him like a fine mist, until vanishing into nothingness. Even Firestar's once awesome coloured pelt seemed dull, his once bright green eyes defeated.
Hawkfrost stood still for a moment, his expression blank, then he yowled his joy to the gray sky.
"You did it, Brambleclaw! The clans is ours!" Hawkfrost was almost bouncing up and down like a kit.
"But it isn't over yet. The other leaders are still alive. Quick, you need to get Firestar out of that trap and make his death look like an accident." Tigerstar's voice was so urgent Brambleclaw felt like his head would burst open. Hawkfrost slowly stopped his escastic victory dance, and Brambleclaw knew he heard Tigerstar's voice too.
The two half brothers never worked faster before in their lives. As Hawkfrost wrestled the knot out of Firestar's neck, Brambleclaw rinsed the blood of his paws in the lake. Once Hawkfrost tossed the fox trap into the lake, he helped Brambleclaw scratch his pelt into a nearly shredded mess.
Before they knew it, pawsteps approached, and Hawkfrost dived into the lake, quickly swimming away from the shore and under the surface.
Ashfur, Squirrelflight and Leafpool burst out of the bushes, and Squirrelflight and Leafpool gasped in unison.
"What happened? Oh, Firestar, please wake up!" Leafpool sobbed, crashing to her father's side.
"Hawkfrost killed him. I tried my best, but he was too strong." Brambleclaw explained, doing his best to make his voice sound sad.
Squirrelflight sniffed the air, and her eyes stretched wide with horror.
"I knew something was wrong with that flea bag, but why would he do this?" Squirrelflight mewed, her usually strong and confident attitude shaken.
"I am sorry Squirrelflight." Brambleclaw whispered, surprised at how convincing his voice sounded.
"It's not your fault, Brambleclaw. I can tell you tried." Squirrelflight said, licking the mock wounds on his flank.
After a moment of shocked silence, Ashfur finally spoke.
"I guess we should get him back to camp."
"We'll carry him, Ashfur. Sandstorm will want to hear the news from us first." Leafpool offered, and without a word, she and Squirrelflight began to drag Firestar's body back to camp.
Once they were out of earshot, Ashfur grinned evilly.
"So the plan went well, I assume?" Ashfur asked, unusually polite.
"It did." Brambleclaw responded, careful not to say anything more. Ashfur may have been happy to help them here, but he was still loyal to ThunderClan, and that meant he wouldn't like what was going to happen next.


Unsurprisingly, ThunderClan had been in chaos when Brambleclaw and Ashfur got back. Brambleclaw could hear from ten fox lengths away the yowls of shock and grief and the promises to get revenge on Hawkfrost. It had been easy for Brambleclaw to take charge.
The next day it was hard to leave to get his nine lives. ThunderClan was hesitant to be without a leader again.

“Are you sure you don’t need a patrol to accompany you?” Squirrelflight fussed, licking a healing wound Hawkfrost inflicted on Brambleclaw’s flank.
“It’s tradition for the deputy and medicine cat to travel alone to the Moonpool; trust me, we’ll be fine.” Brambleclaw said, but he felt strangely empty. Squirrelflight would never have been so clingy on him before, and her loss of spirit disturbed him. When Brambleclaw stared into Squirrelflight’s dull green eyes, he felt his own confidence drain into a black pool of infinity. Firestar’s death must have affected Squirrelflight and the clan more than Brambleclaw thought.
“Brambleclaw, we should get going.” Leafpool mewed. Brambleclaw turned to face the medicine cat and nodded, and without another word, followed her out of the camp.


The journey to the moonpool was silent; even the birds seemed to have stopped their singing to grieve in the gray, still evening. The only sound in the forest was Brambleclaw and Leafpool’s paw steps, their eyes blank as they each turned inward to their own thoughts.
After what seemed like a lifetime, they arrived at the moonpool just as the sun disappeared over the horizon. After Leafpool’s brief instructions, Brambleclaw crouched on the rock and dipped his nose in the icy water, and was swept into sleep immediately.

This is StarClan? Brambleclaw thought as he looked around. This is kind of a dump for StarClan territory. The forest around him was dark, the trees gray and twisted with sickness. The bushes seemed to reach out at him like enormous claws, and the dwindling sunlight above was strangely cold on Brambleclaw’s fur. Brambleclaw looked left and saw a much darker forest, and the scents blowing from it’s depths betrayed it’s identity right away to Brambleclaw.
That’s the place where Tigerstar visits me! So this must be the border between this forest and StarClan! Brambleclaw thought.
He turned his head in the other direction to head into StarClan for his nine lives, only to find Bluestar in his way. Bluestar looked furious, his fangs curled back in the fiercest snarl he’d ever seen.
“You.. you traitor!” Bluestar spat.
Before Brambleclaw could respond, Bluestar swiped at him, and Brambleclaw stumbled backward.
“I thought you were the worthy choice to find a new home for the clans, but now you.. you expect us to give you nine lives just to fill our clans new homes with.. with.. blood?!” Bluestar growled, advancing on Brambleclaw.
Terrified and confused, Brambleclaw backed away from Bluestar, going further and further into the dark forest.
“I can’t belive you betrayed yourself and your clan so much.” Bluestar snarled.
“How, how did I betray me!?” Brambleclaw yowled in fear.
“Your whole life your own clan looked down on you because you were Tigerstar’s son, and you proved them right!” Bluestar spat, raising her paw, claws fully unsheathed.
“Wait! Bluestar, I can deal with this.” Another cat appeared, his bright orange pelt badly standing out in the black undergrowth.
“Firestar!?” Brambleclaw gasped, ashamed of himself that he was quickly losing control of the situation.
“You killed me, why are you surprised I am here?” Firestar hissed, raking his claws across Brambleclaw’s face.
“Get your claws off my son!” A voice roared, a brown blur slamming Firestar against a tree. Five other cats Brambleclaw didn’t recognize surrounded Bluestar, and Bluestar’s eyes quickly filled with fear.
Wait, Brambleclaw thought, I recognize one of those cats. That one is Darkstripe!
The cat that attacked Firestar pinned him down, digging his claws into Firestar’s scruff. Brambleclaw saw the V- shaped scar on his ear, and knew it was Tigerstar.
“Don’t even try getting away, Firestar. I’ve always been more stronger than you.” Tigerstar said as Firestar struggled weakly in his grasp.
Being smashed into that tree must have left him weak. Great technique! Brambleclaw concluded.
“You can’t do this!” Bluestar yowled, and Brambleclaw tilted his head in confusion. What did Bluestar mean?
Tigerstar narrowed his eyes and smirked powerfully.
“You’re trespassing on our territory, I think that’s a good enough reason to… keep you here for awhile.” Tigerstar said smoothly.
Bluestar’s eyes widened with panic and she tried breaking away from her captors, but a cat with a crooked tail chased her back in, hissing fiercely.
“Darkstripe, wait at the StarClan border and tell them that if they want Bluestar and Firestar back, they won’t warn the medicine cats at what were up to.” Tigerstar ordered, and Darkstripe dashed off.
Bluestar wailed in terror, and Brambleclaw woke with a start.
“Brambleclaw-er, star! You were yowling in your sleep! Did something go wrong?” Leafpool’s mew was dripping with concern.
“Er, no. Everything’s fine. Come on, let’s get back to camp.” Brambleclaw said.
No. I don’t care if StarClan refused my nine lives, it’s Bramblestar
now. Bramblestar thought, smiling to himself.


Chapter 2
Squirrelflight listened to the crickets in the distance. There was no signs of any clouds in the sky, so it would probably be a good night for a gathering.
Two quarter moons passed since Bramblestar became leader, and ThunderClan was preparing to go to the gathering soon. Leafpool was still tending to the last of Bramblestar’s wounds, so Squirrelflight knew ThunderClan would be the last to arrive.
The rest of the cats chosen to go were already waiting; Ashfur, the new deputy, waited near the entrance. Longtail, Mousefur, and Daisy sat outside the medicine cat den, chatting about the recent gossip in the clan.

I am so sorry for double posting guys, but I don't have any choice. The SD card I am using to save this story just failed, so I need to copy the entire story, except for the parts I know are here, somewhere safe until I can copy it back onto another card. There's also a new chapter too. Hope you Enjoy!

Flames of Blood





Chapter 5
As soon as all of the clan cats were gone, Squirrelflight checked to see if the kits were all right, and immediately, she felt dread fill in her heart as she realized one was missing.
“Jayfeather! They got Jayfeather!” She yowled, her wounds stinging more painfully than ever. He wasn’t her kit, but she felt the same void in her heart as any mother would.
The thought reminded Squirrelflight of Leafpool, and when she turned to look at her sister, her pain only intensified. She tensed her muscles as she tore at the grass under her in a blind fury, but her muscles were already sore from the fight and they crumpled into a spasm. Squirrelflight screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground, breathing deeply to calm herself down.
Your going to get yourself killed at this rate. Calm down! Squirrelflight scolded herself.
Forcing herself to swallow her emotions, she slowly got up and limped to her sister, who lay spread out on the grass, blood pouring like a river.
“L-Leafpool?” Squirrelflight whimpered, her paws quivering.
For a moment she didn’t move, but then Leafpool slowly blinked and lifted her head.
“S-Squirrel-flight… you fought so hard… thank you.” Leafpool gasped, barely able to speak.
“Oh Leafpool, I am so sorry I tried to pressure you to tell your kits about the clans… please forgive me.” The thought of Leafpool dying without forgiving her was unbearable to the ginger she cat, and she slowly flopped down beside her sister.
“No, I am sorry.. it wasn’t fair to hide their past from them… but.. Squirrelflight…” Leafpool broke off, trying to catch her breath.
“Yes?” Squirrelflight mewed, slipping her head under her sister’s paw so she could look into her eyes.
“I am.. I am not giving up yet. I heard you yowling that they had captured Jayfeather.” Leafpool sighed.
Squirrelflight felt guilt squeeze her tightly. She shouldn’t have upset Leafpool when she was so badly injured.
“Get.. get me back to the den.. I’ll instruct you... and when I heal, we’ll come up with a plan.” Leafpool whispered, and she closed her eyes, unable to fight exhaustion anymore.
Squirrelflight breathed a sigh of relief, and she felt one weight lift off her neck, but she had to remind herself that she might not make it if she wasn’t careful.
Squirrelflight let Leafpool lean on her shoulder while Stormfur supported her on her other side, careful to make sure Lionblaze and Hollyleaf stayed close, and thankfully, they made it back to the den without any more trouble just as the sun disappeared behind the trees.


For the first quarter moon, Squirrelflight was in constant war with panic, wondering what Bramblestar could have done to Jayfeather, but Stormfur finally managed to convince her that Jayfeather would be safe; Bramblestar wouldn’t let anything happen to his only hostage. After another quarter moon, Leafpool recovered enough that they could move to another location; they all knew it would be foolish to stay in the same area after ThunderClan found them. But the journey had taken it’s toll on Leafpool, and she was exhausted by the time they found another den. This left Squirrelflight and Stormfur alone to make the dangerous treks back to recover Leafpool’s herbs, which took about three sun cycles. Once they had transferred all of the herbs, the severe storms of leaf-bare had eased a little. It wouldn’t be long before the harsh season had over stayed it’s welcome.
Throughout all this time, Lionblaze and Hollyleaf always pestered them about who had attacked them, and where Jayfeather was, but Squirrelflight wanted to respect Leafpool’s wishes, and she always told them that it was just some rouges.
After another half moon, Leafpool was almost as good as new, and Lionblaze and Hollyleaf were nearly six moons old. As Leafpool recovered, she grew more anxious about Jayfeather, and this too reopened Squirrelflight’s worries, but Stormfur assured them that the longer they waited, the more Bramblestar would think they wouldn’t come, and the bigger chance they could sneak in with the element of surprise. But they all knew however, that this would also make Bramblestar think that he has no need for a hostage.


Meanwhile and just after the battle: Dovepaw flattened her ears as the kit wailed for the fifth time; “Let me go! I didn’t do anything to you, you rotten fleabag!” Dovepaw couldn’t respond with the kit’s scruff in her mouth, but thankfully her sister was there to do the talking for her. “You’re lucky we decided to bring you with us; some clan routine will teach you some displine.” Ivypaw snarled, and that seemed to scare the kit into being quiet. But as the patrol carried on, Ivypaw’s tactics proved to be ineffective, because the kit began to complain again.
“I am so cold! And hungry! Leafpool would never have made me stay outside for this long!” The kit said pitifully, his stomach growling to add an extra effect.
“Oh, just shut up already, or we’ll make sure you stay cold and hungry for even longer!” Spiderleg snapped, and the kit mewed in fright.
When they entered RiverClan territory, Dovepaw sensed that it wasn’t long before the rest of the patrol started wailing like kits. They were all cold from the inhospitable weather all day, but the marshy habitat they had to trek through soaked their pelts even more than the rain ever could. At first Ashfur continued to lead his party without any signs of slowing down, but after awhile even he couldn’t summon enough energy to hide his weariness from the group. He opened his mouth to announce that they would rest for the night when the undergrowth ahead rustled, and Bramblestar, accompanied by a large patrol.
“Bramblestar! What are you doing this far from camp?!” Ashfur exclaimed in surprise.
“You forget, Ashfur, I am perfectly capable of defending myself. Besides, it’s the full moon tonight. Hawkstar is expecting me to drop by and exchange notes between our clans.” Bramblestar reminded him coolly, and Dovepaw and Ivypaw exchanged nervous glances. Everyone in the clans knew that if Bramblestar and Hawkstar found anything sloppy or disloyal in their clans activities, they made sure to check that everyone was offering their best services to their clanmates, often in very harsh ways.
Bramblestar eyed the apprentice’s nervousness and purred with amusement.
“Do not worry, young ones. You seem to have been working harder than anyone else in the clan since you became apprentices. And I see you have a new friend with you. Who is this?” Bramblestar leaned in closer to sniff at the kit, and he hissed and batted him on the nose.
“Get your dirty face away from me, fox dung!” The kit spat. Dovepaw widened her eyes in horror. Berrynose once spoke to Bramblestar like that, and she had never seen him again.
Contrary to her expectations, Bramblestar mrrowed with laughter and turned to Ashfur, not giving any silent signal to have the kit dealt with.
“So, I still don’t know this kits origin.” Bramblestar asked, starting to sound impatient. Even as cloudy as the sky was, Dovepaw could tell that the sun was beginning to set.
“We have found Leafpool with this kit. Squirrelflight, Stormfur, and two more kits are with her.” Ashfur reported.
At this, Bramblestar’s eyes flashed with keen interest. “Go on.” He urged.
“We delivered your message, and Leafpool refused. She gave away a lot of information before her sister and Stormfur came to back her up. This kit and his siblings is her litter, and their father is a member of WindClan. She has also kept her kits heritage a secret from them until she spilled the fresh kill just earlier.” Ashfur said.
“How peculiar. I can’t possibly imagine which WindClan tom could have given this kit such a short temper.” Brambleclaw murmured with a smirk, and all of the adult cats chuckled. It was painfully obvious that Dovepaw and Ivypaw’s clanmates knew exactly which tom was the kit’s father, but to the apprentice’s, they had no clue what was going on.
But Bramblestar didn’t seem too interested in enlighten them, because he stood up and flicked his tail in an order to follow.
“Well, come along with us, then. You all look like rats that have nearly drowned in the lake. You can rest in the RiverClan camp, and it won’t hurt to mingle with your neighbour’s.
The terrain got more and more muddy as they went along, and Dovepaw felt like the swampy land itself was draining her energy. By the time they reached the RiverClan camp, the stream surrounding it swollen from rainwater, Dovepaw felt like collapsing where she stood, using the heavy kit as a pillow.
Almost immediately Hawkstar emerged from the undergrowth, easily swimming through the stream to greet his guests.
“Hello, Bramblestar, it’s great to see you again. I see you’ve brought more clanmates than usual this time.” Hawkstar meowed, looking over Bramblestar to gaze at the dozen ThunderClan cats staring back at him.
“I sent Ashfur and his patrol out on a mission three days ago and met them on their way back not far from here. They probably haven’t got much rest in this weather, so I figured it would be better if they accompanied me here to get some rest.” At the end of his sentence, Bramblestar’s tone raised so it almost sounded like he was asking a question. He knew he must be making an imposition on his half brother.
“I guess it will be fine. There have been fewer kits than usual this season, so there’s extra room in the nursery.” Hawkstar said, turning to lead Bramblestar and his ThunderClan cats over to a part where the steeping stones haven’t been submerged under water yet. The cats all drooped their tails in disappointment to hear they would be bunking with queens and kits, but secretly, Dovepaw was relived. The kit would be in a safe environment there. Guiltily she remembered that the kit would still be with his mother if she didn’t snatch him.
Don’t be ridiculous! Dovepaw scolded herself. You were being loyal to your clan. Besides, if we came back without a hostage, Bramblestar probably would have sent us to go all the way back to ThunderClan camp for not taking Leafpool and the rest of her friends instead.
Once they were inside the camp Bramblestar sent his cats to the nursery right away, but to Dovepaw’s surprise, he ordered her and Ivypaw to stay with him.
“So, Dovepaw, you’re the one who secured us this kit, huh? I am sure your sister helped out too.” Bramblestar guessed. Ivypaw looked away in embarrassment, not used to being addressed by her clan leader.
After a moment, Dovepaw realized Bramblestar and Hawkstar were waiting for her to speak, so she gently put down the kit and said, “Yes, I did. I saw he was alone when we had to retreat, so I grabbed him as I was running by.” Dovepaw told, trying not to sound like she was bragging.
“You’ve both done very well for your first mission. I won’t forget this when we return to our camp tomorrow.” Bramblestar praised, and Dovepaw and Ivypaw stood up strait in pride.
“Don’t join your clanmates just yet. We want you to give a full report on what happened, then you can get some rest.” Hawkstar ordered, and with that, him and Bramblestar turned and headed toward Hawkstar’s den. Not wanting to keep them waiting, Ivypaw lifted up the kit to give Dovepaw’s neck muscles a rest and hurried after them.
After Bramblestar and Hawkstar listened to the apprentice’s telling of the mission, Mothwing entered the den with a mouthful of herbs.
“It doesn’t look like these apprentices were injured to badly in that fight. Just take these poultices and you should be fine.” Mothwing paused to scoop some herbs out of the pile and push them toward the kit.
“Feed these to the kit so it won’t get sick from being out in the rain for so long. It would be a shame if this kit died.” Mothwing said, and Dovepaw blinked in confusion. Did she detect a note of bitterness in her tone?
“Thank you, Mothwing. You are dismissed. Dovepaw, Ivypaw, you can go back to your clanmates too.” Hawkstar said, but his gaze was snagged on Mothwing’s. There seemed to be a tension between the medicine cat and leader, bitterness and rivalry barely disguised. Eventually, Mothwing turned away and muttered a respectful farewell, and Dovepaw and Ivypaw were forced to bottle up their curiosity, take the kit, and leave Bramblestar and Hawkstar alone.
Outside, the rain had stopped, but the clouds still remained, blocking out the stars. Dovepaw and Ivypaw could barely see their own paws as they edged toward the nursery, nervous that they might head into the wrong den.
"Don’t you think it’s weird that Bramblestar and Hawkstar chose us to give the report? Ashfur was leading the patrol.” Ivypaw said.
Dovepaw nodded, unable to respond with fur in her mouth as they entered the nursery.
Inside, dozens of eyes watched them enter, and they knew that none of their clanmates had fallen asleep, despite their exhaustion. It was bad enough that they had to sleep in another camp, but with a bunch of noisy kits?
“Here, I’ll take that kit for you.” A queen mewed, and Dovepaw walked toward her voice and dropped the kit by her belly.
“Be careful. He can be very crabby.” Dovepaw cautioned.
“I have a name, you know!” The kit hissed.
“Case in point.” Ivypaw snorted, who was curling up beside Spiderleg.
“Fine, then. What is your name, kit?” Dovepaw asked.
“Jayfeather.” He sniffed.
Dovepaw remembered someone crying that name when she first took the kit, but she wasn’t paying any attention at the time.
“You seem to be a little young to have a warrior name.” Dovepaw remarked, hoping Jayfeather would give away more information.
“I don’t even know what a warrior is!” Jayfeather sneered, and Dovepaw turned away, too tired to deal with him anymore. She plopped down beside her sister and put her head on her paws, preparing to fall asleep.
But she just couldn’t force her eyes shut. The strange conversation with the two leaders left her curious. Why was there so much tension between Hawkstar and Mothwing? Why did Bramblestar seem so cold to Ashfur when they met him in RiverClan territory, his own deputy? Finally, she knew she couldn’t leave her questions unanswered anymore. “I think we should spy on Bramblestar and Hawkstar.” Dovepaw whispered, lifting her head and turning toward her sister.
“Are you insane? Do you have any idea what they would do if they found out? And I was just about to get some well deserved rest, thank you very much!” Ivypaw hissed crossly.
“I guess, but I just feel like they’re may be something important that they’re not telling us.” Dovepaw argued, feeling doubtful.
“We’re apprentices. They’re leaders of the clans. Why would they tell us anything?” Ivypaw growled.
“I know that. But they’re must be a reason why they chose us to give the report. They must have trusted us to rely on information from inexperienced apprentices.” Dovepaw retorted.
Ivypaw sighed and got to her paws, stretching carefully as too not awake the others.
“Fine, if it will shut you up, I’ll go. Just don’t blame me if we get sent to StarClan for this.” Ivypaw grumbled, but Dovepaw secretly knew her sister was just as eager for answers as she was.

Chapter 7
Lionblaze lifted his muzzle to the breeze, breathing in the stale scents it brought to his tongue. He barely caught the smell of an old mouse, and he followed it to a flat creek bed, its waters almost frozen completely. He heard a quiet rustle, and dropped into a crouch instinctively. The mouse was a stark black compared to the red of the reeds, and it paid no mind as Lionblaze crept up on it. Almost a whisker length from the rodent, Lionblaze pounced, biting through its neck before it could even squeal. He trotted back to the den with his catch, feeling curiosity prickle through his skin when he smelled the anxious scents of Squirrelflight, Stormfur, and Leafpool. Hollyleaf, his crafty sister, crouched just outside the entrance, her fresh kill close to her stomach.
“What’s going on?” Lionblaze mewed, after he dropped his catch.
“Ssh! They’re talking about something they don’t want us to know about.” Hollyleaf hissed, shooting her brother a dirty glare.
“How can you tell they’re keeping it secret?” Lionblaze asked, lowering his voice.
“As I was coming back from the den, I heard them talking, but I could only catch tidbits thanks to this wind,” Hollyleaf explained, shifting a little farther away from the entrance, “However, I could hear them saying, ‘Jayfeather’, ‘Clans’, and ‘It isn’t time’.”
Lionblaze immediately fell silent, stepping in to sit beside his sister. For once, he didn’t care that Hollyleaf was talking like a know it all senior warrior. Their mother, Squirrelflight and Stormfur never told them anything about their missing brother, and didn’t talk about the Clans anymore ever since Leafpool stopped telling them stories about them. Squirrelflight and Stormfur always insisted that Jayfeather wandered off by himself and got lost, but they knew that wasn’t true; sometimes the adults forgot that they were there during the rouge fight. Secretly, Lionblaze and Hollyleaf resented that they weren’t trusted with the truth, but they didn’t show it. If they did, Squirrelflight, Stormfur, or their mother would sit them down and miserably interrogate them about what was troubling their lives.
“Leafpool, I’ve kept your wishes alive so far, but I won’t continue to do so anymore!” Squirrelflight was saying, Lionblaze imagining her stiffening her paws in her stubborn stance.
“I am their mother, Squirrelflight, don’t forget that. I’ll get to decide if they know about the clans!” Leafpool hissed, her words pelting Lionblaze like stones.
“Just because you birthed them Leafpool, doesn’t mean you know what’s best for them,” That was Stormfur’s voice, calm and demeaning compared to the she cats, but Lionblaze knew the tone he used when he was really, really angry. “You were given the prophecy yourself. They can’t run from their destiny forever.”
“It’s too soon for them to go back! It’s too dangerous! StarClan knows what they did to my little Jayfeather!” Leafpool wailed, barely holding back sobs.
“Get a hold of yourself, sister. As long as your kit’s destinies go unfulfilled, the clans will always be dangerous. You know as well as I do it’s probably more risky for them to return full grown rather than as kits.” Squirrelflight snapped.
“And if we wait too long, what will Bramblestar think? If he decides we won’t come, he’ll have no use for Jayfeather. He’s safe as long as we return in time.” Stormfur added.
Leafpool sniffled, and for a heart stopping moment, Lionblaze thought she was going to agree, but her raised voice almost knocked him backward. “No! I’ll never surrender the rest of my kits to that monster! He’ll kill them on sight, along with Jayfeather! I won’t lose them! Not like I lost Crowfeather…” Leafpool’s screeches finally faltered, and there was a silent thump as she crumpled back to the floor.
Lionblaze listened to Squirrelflight’s paw steps as she moved forward, each one like a clap of thunder.
“Leafpool, we all know you miss Crowfeather, but there’s nothing we can do for him now. But we can do something for our home, and I know you well enough that you’ll never forgive yourself if we don’t even try…”
Squirrelflight’s soothing voice droned on for awhile, but Lionblaze and Hollyleaf tuned out. They had heard enough. For a long time, they just stood there, not feeling the cold wind on their shoulders. Everything they had been told was a lie; not only were the fabled Clans of old real, but they were on the brink of destruction, and Jayfeather was being held captive in their midst. Considering the time of Jayfeather’s disappearance right after the battle, and their warrior style names, it was all cruelly obvious now. The fact buzzed around them like a wasp, mocking their stupidity and lack of logic; how had they not guessed sooner? But to their frustration, even more mysteries were revealed than answers. Who was this Crowfeather they talked about? From the sound of it, Leafpool obviously loved him very much… could he have been a lost kit, an unknown littermate to them? But what disturbed them the most, was what they said about the clans. They were not the same as when Leafpool, Squirrelflight and Stormfur left them. Something was gravely wrong… and they, supposedly humble, tiny, helpless rouge kits, were destined to stop it.
After a long time, they finally moved, but didn’t reach for the warmth and safety of the den. Instead, the walked in the opposite direction, toward the creek.




Chapter 8
The morning was cold and crisp, the wind whistling eerily. It pressed on the den walls, searching for a way in, and hissed through the cracks in the ivy occasionally, chilling me to the bone. Disturbed by a rustling from outside, I stirred. I slowly got up, blinking sleep out of my eyes, and then walked toward the entrance.
Lionblaze and I had made it to our first home last night, somehow managing to navigate back to a route we barely knew. Stormfur would have said our “heart sense” had led us. He had occasionally told us about when he and his mate had travelled. She had belonged to a tribe of mountain cats, and when they were unjustly exiled, they immediately set course for the Clans, even though they had no idea where or how far they were. One time, I was extra curious and asked about who his mate was. Stormfur had turned away, his eyes darker than night, and said it wasn’t important.
Did Stormfur’s sensitivity on the subject have something to do with the clans? I let my claws slide out and pierce the soft ground under me, hanging on tightly as wild thoughts circled like hornets in my head. The overheard conversation had let loose theories and imaginings run rampant in my thoughts, wailing and screeching at me to find a solution, at least a loose knit of what really happened. But what I put together so far did not encourage me; from all of the tales and legends Leafpool had told us, loyalty was a big element in clan life, maybe the biggest. To abandon their clans like that would be unthinkable… unless something truly horrific happened. Something too terrible to make staying an option. And from how upset Leafpool sounded, I knew I had to be right. But according to them, there was still a clan to go back too… and it was highly dangerous for Lionblaze and I to visit. What could have happened to the glorious, honourable warriors that Leafpool had described so with valour? I just couldn’t put my paw on it. We would just have to be cautious when we got there.
Lionblaze woke up soon after I went back into the den, chased by the freezing wind. We each ate a piece of fresh kill from the leaf sacks and quickly set off again. We couldn’t give them a chance to catch up with us. As we marched on, the wind died to a breeze, but it got colder and colder, until each breath felt like inhaling a frozen pine needle. The clouds above gathered quickly into a jumbled grey mass, and fearing what was coming, we started to trot across the plain. The scenery didn’t change as the sun reached it’s low peak, and the clouds didn’t seem to grow any meaner, either. Just as I began letting my guard down, the first snowflakes began to fall. The wind howled ominously, just once, and then the sky tore itself open, letting a torrent of snow fall over our heads.
“Still think running away was a good idea?” Lionblaze shouted over the wind as we dashed in a mad search for shelter.
“Yes!” I replied, deciding to focus on the grass ahead of me instead of my brother’s scowling face. No amount of snow or rain was going to change that answer. I had to know the key to our past, and maybe our future if the prophecy they were talking about wasn’t a lie, and I knew Lionblaze needed it too.
For every layer of snow that covered the ground, we started to panic a bit more. We would die if we didn’t get out of this storm.

Its okay, they are 24 hours apart Also, I absolutley LOVE this story, you write JUST like the Erin's! I was always wondering what would happen if Brambleclaw obeyed his evil father and Hawkfrost.

I love how you used first person though. None of the Erins ever did that. And they definitely weren't as detailed! Keep writing

Awesome! Love the story Stareye! I agree with Sparkpaw. ^-^ You write just like the Erin Hunters do.

Can you put it in spoilers? It made my computer lag and took awhile to load...

Sure thing Gingerblaze!
Here you go, guys! This is a little bonus scene, to introduce the alternate universe Dovepaw a bit better, and give the reader's some important information for late in the story. WARNING: This scene is very graphic, do NOT read if you are not one for volience. (Then again, if you're against voilence, why are reading Warriors, anyway? )

Spoiler:

Aww! Poor Molekit! I like the description and general story. Great chapter! I wish I could write as well as you...

Don't feel bad, Sunbeam! All it takes is a lot of practice. It also helps if you read a lot of books, that way, you can learn what style best suits you and what doesn't and does work in a story.
Here you guys! The rest of chapter 8, and a bit of the next chapter! The scene with Molekit will start to be taking effect for Dovepaw. But the worst is yet to come...

Spoiler:

I read a lot. . Just a heads up: In chapter nine you you wrote "a sturdy pas pressed into her lower back" instead of "a sturdy paw pressed into her lower back".

You must be my official editor by now, Sunbeam! I appreciate your help. And don't worry, you'll have plenty to proof read in the rest of chapter 9! This is where everything starts to unfold for our main characters, and secrets begin to bash right open! I worked hard on this chapter (I am wet with sweat right now! ) so I hope you enjoy it! Be sure to point out any mistakes for me so I can correct them! (If Sunbeam leaves you any to pick over anyway! )

Chapter 9

Spoiler:

Just a few mistakes:

In the first section: Ivypaw says: "If you even hint at what you told me in the open, your (should be you're) for sure to be executed. I don;t (should be don't) ...

None other mistakes I could see! Keep up the Awesome work, Stareye!

Whoa awesome update Stareye! ^-^ I spotted a spelling mistake at, "Anyone who questioned Tigerstar's methods were immideatley removed from the territories." It should be "immediately." Other than that, perfect!

Wow, Stareye, your chapters are really long! I wouldn't have been able to write that much. Can't wait for the next update!

Here you go, guys, Chapter 10! We finally get to see Lionblaze's take on the story, and I switched to first person for this one. I haven't managed to fit Dovepaw with first person yet. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Spoiler:

Wow...For chapter 1, what's up with Brambleclaw-star anyway?

I am not exactly sure what you mean, Doveshine. Since the whole story is based on a "What if" factor, I had to tweak Brambleclaw/star's personality so it would actullay happen.
Here's the first part of Chapter 11, guys! I hope you enjoy it, and I worked hard on proof reading, so there shouldn't be too many errors!

Spoiler:

Awesome! No mistakes that I could see. In this chapter things become to come together!
@Doveshine: Like Stareye said, this is a "What if" story. "What if" Brambleclaw actually killed Firestar?

Sorry this took so long, guys! I hope you enjoy the next chapter! We'll see what Graystripe has to say to our young heroes, and maybe we'll find out more about that Ashfur plot twist? Enjoy!

Spoiler:

EDIT: Sorry for the long wait you guys, but trust me, it's worth it! This is a long chapter, and I worked hard to get it done, so I hope you enjoy it!

Spoiler:

I know this took a LONG time, but the story derailed a bit. But I think I got it figured out. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 13, Part One:

Awwww, did you have to leave it on a cliffhanger?! I just read the rest of the story... Wow. It's really good apart from a few spelling and punctuation mistakes here and there, but they have been pointed out by people. I haven't actually read the book that this time is set in, but at least it doesn't give too many spoilers. Not as many as reading up to Forest of Secrets and then reading, say, The Last Hope. Well done Stareye! This is a brilliant fanfiction!

Oh, I know, it was a terrible thing to do, but I ran out of time! Hopefully I can make it up to you with this entry; it's really short, but at least you won't be in the dark anymore. I hope you like it!

Chapter 13; Part 2: