Hello! I hope that you are ready for a new instalment of the 'Heart of Fire' series! I love all your reviews! And another thing I learned is that I have made a mistake in the last chapter when I made 'Mosspaw' Barkface's apprentice of WindClan when I should have done her for RiverClan! I am really sorry about that and have just figured it out! And yes, I have read Gravity Falls Au's where Dipper is Bill Cipher's apprentice! (Also love the ones where Bill takes Dipper in and raises him as a son!) And I hope you enjoy!

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Allegiances

ThunderClan

Leader Bluestar-blue-gray she-cat, tinged with silver around her muzzle.

Deputy Fireheart-pretty ginger she-cat with jade green eyes. Also active nursing queen and warrior.

Apprentice, Fernpaw.

Medicine cat Spottedleaf-beautiful dark tortoiseshell she-cat with distinctive dappled coat.

Warriors

Whitestorm-big white tom.

Apprentice, Brightpaw

Darkstripe-sleek black-and-gray tabby tom.

Frostfur-beautiful white coat and blue eyes.

Longtail-pale tabby tom with dark black stripes.

Swifttail-black-and-white tom.

Mousefur-small dusky brown she-cat.

Apprentice, Thornpaw

Fireheart-pretty ginger she-cat with jade green eyes.

Apprentice, Fernpaw

Brackenfur-golden brown tabby tom.

Cinderpelt-dark gray she-cat.

Dustpelt-dark brown tabby tom.

Apprentice, Ashpaw.

Goldenflower-pale ginger coat. (Although prefers to stay in nursery and helping Fireheart and the other queens)

Sandstorm-pale ginger she-cat.

Apprentice, Cloudpaw.

Apprentices

Cloudpaw-long-haired white tom.

Brightpaw-she-cat, white with ginger splotches.

Thornpaw-golden brown tabby tom.

Fernpaw-pale gray (with darker flecks) she-cat, pale green eyes.

Ashpaw-pale gray (with darker flecks) tom, dark blue eyes.

Queens

Speckletail-pale tabby, and the oldest nursery queen.

Willowpelt-very pale gray she-cat with unusual blue eyes.

Fireheart-pretty ginger she-cat with jade green eyes.

Elders

One-Eye-pale gray she-cat, the oldest she-cat in ThunderClan, virtually blind and deaf.

Smallear-gray tom with very small ears; the oldest tom in ThunderClan.

Dappletail-once-pretty tortoiseshell she-cat with a lovely dappled coat.

ShadowClan

Leader Tigerstar-big dark brown tabby tom with unusually long front claws, formerly of ThunderClan.

Deputy Blackfoot-large white tom with huge jet-black paws, formerly a rogue cat.

Medicine cat Runningnose-small gray-and-white tom.

Warriors

Oakfur-small brown tom.

Littlecloud-very small tabby tom.

Darkflower-black she-cat.

Boulder-silver tabby tom, formerly a rogue cat.

Russetfur-dark ginger she-cat, formerly a rogue cat.

Apprentice, Cedarpaw.

Jaggedtooth-huge tabby tom, formerly a rogue cat.

Apprentice, Rowanpaw.

Queens

Tallpoppy-long-legged light brown tabby she-cat.

WindClan

Leader Tallstar-black-and-white tom with very long tail.

Deputy Deadfoot-black tom with a twisted paw.

Medicine cat Barkface-short tailed brown tom.

Warriors

Mudclaw-mottled dark brown tom.

Webfoot-dark gray tabby tom.

Tornear-tabby tom.

Onewhisker-brown tabby tom.

Apprentice, Gorsepaw

Runningbrook-light gray she-cat.

Queens

Ashfoot-gray queen

Morningflower-tortoiseshell queen

Whitetail-small white she-cat.

RiverClan

Leader Crookedstar-huge light-colored tabby with a twisted jaw.

Deputy Leopardfur-unusually spotted golden tabby she-cat.

Medicine cat Mudfur-long-haired light brown tom.

Apprentice, Mosspaw

Warriors

Blackclaw-smoky black tom.

Heavystep-thickset tabby tom.

Apprentice, Dawnpaw.

Stonefur-gray tom with battle-scarred ears.

Mistyfoot-gray she-cat with blue eyes.

Shadepelt-very dark gray she-cat.

Loudbelly-dark brown tom.

Graystripe-long-haired gray tom, formerly of ThunderClan.

Queens

Greenflower-tabby she-cat.

Elders

Graypool-dark gray she-cat.

Cats outside Clans

Barley-black-and-white tom that lives on a farm close to the forest.

Ravenpaw-sleek black cat who lives on the farm with Barley.

Princess-light brown tabby with a distinctive white chest and paws; a kittypet.

Smudge-plump black-and-white kittypet who lives in a house at the edge of the forest.

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Fireheart's sleek fur rose in disbelief and the impact of the new leader of ShadowClan sitting ideally on top of the Great Rock. She watched as the cat swung his massive head from side to side. Muscles rippled under his gleaming pelt and his amber eyes seemed to glow with triumph and an air of importance.

"Tigerclaw!" Fireheart meowed in surprise, echoing the name as if to connect it to this powerful new leader of ShadowClan.

The full moon rode high above Fourtrees, shedding its cold light over the cats of the four Clans, assembled there for the Gathering. They had all been shocked to learn of the death of Nightstar, the ShadowClan leader. But no cat in the forest had expected that ShadowClan's new leader would be Tigerclaw, the former ThunderClan deputy.

Beside Fireheart, Darkstripe was rigid with excitement, his eyes glittering. Fireheart wondered what thoughts were going the mind of her black-pelted Clan mate. When Tigerclaw had been banished from ThunderClan, Darkstripe had watched him go with silent sulkyness. Was he regretting not going with him now?

Fireheart caught sight of Sandstorm weaving her way toward her. "What's going on?" the pale ginger she-cat hissed as she came into earshot. "Tigerclaw can't lead ShadowClan. He's a traitor!"

"But ShadowClan don't know about all that," Fireheart reminded Sandstorm, her voice low as she gazed up at Tigerclaw, no, Tigerstar. "None of the other Clan know."

"Then you should tell them!"

Fireheart glanced at Tallstar and Crookedstar, the leaders of WindClan and RiverClan, respectively, who stood beside Tigerstar on the Great Rock. Would they listen if she told them what she knew? ShadowClan had suffered so much from Brokentail's bloodthirsty leadership, followed by a devastating sickness, that they probably wouldn't care what their new leader had done, as long as he could forge them into a strong Clan again.

Besides, Fireheart couldn't bring herself from feeling a guilt bit of pride for him. She always knew he would make a powerful leader, and she had no doubt in her mind that even though ShadowClan must be in terrible conditions right now. If anyone could raise them back to a newer and stronger force it was Tigerstar, she wondered though, would he use his new power as leader against ThunderClan? She was conflicted with her emotions, no matter how much Tigerclaw had done to ThunderClan, a part of her knew she would always love and care about him. But that didn't mean she was going to forsake her Clan.

"Fireheart!" She turned to see Cloudpaw, Sandstorm's long-furred white apprentice and her nephew, padding quickly toward her with the wiry brown warrior Mousefur just behind. "Fireheart, are you just going to stand there and let that piece of fox dung take over?" Cloudpaw demanded.

"Cloudpaw," Sandstorm gave him a rebuke warning, although she seemed to agree with her apprentice. "You shouldn't-" She broke off as Tigerstar paced to the front of the Great Rock, Fireheart following his every move warily.

"I am pleased to be here with you at the Gathering this night," The huge tabby spoke with quiet authority. "I stand here before you as the new leader of ShadowClan. Nightstar died of the sickness that took so many of my Clan, and StarClan have named me as his successor."

Tallstar, the black-and-white leader of WindClan, turned to him. "Welcome, Tigerstar," he meowed, nodding respectfully. "May StarClan walk with you." Crookedstar meowed agreement as the new ShadowClan leader dipped his head in acknowledgement.

"I thank you for your greetings," Tigerstar replied. "It's an honor to stand here with you, although I wish the circumstances could have been different."

"Wait a moment," Tallstar interrupted him. "There should be four of us here." He peered down at the crowd of cats below. "Where's the leader of ThunderClan?"

"Go on." Fireheart felt a cat nudge her, and glanced around to see that Whitestorm had joined the other ThunderClan warriors. "You're taking Bluestar's place, remember?"

Fireheart nodded to him, suddenly to nervous to speak. She bunched her muscles and got ready to spring. A heartbeat later she was scrambling to the top of the Great Rock to stand beside the three leaders. For a moment the somewhat familiar viewpoint took her breath away. She seemed to be far above the hollow, watching the changing patterns of light and dark on the cats below as the moon shone through the branches of the four massive oak trees. Fireheart shivered as she caught the pale gleam reflected from countless pairs of eyes.

"Fireheart?" She looked up as Tallstar spoke. "Why are you here? Has something happened to Bluestar?"

Fireheart dipped her head respectfully. "Our leader breathed smoke in the fire, and she's not yet well enough to travel. But she'll recover," she added on calmly as she flickered her gaze on Tigerstar, wondering what he was thinking as his pale amber eyes focused on her. "It's nothing serious."

Tallstar nodded, and Crookedstar broke in testily, "Are we ever going to start? We're wasting moonlight." Without waiting for a reply, the pale tabby RiverClan leader gave a yowl that signaled the beginning of the meeting. When the murmuring of the cats below had died away, he meowed. "Cats of all Clans, welcome to the Gathering. Tonight we are joined by a new leader, Tigerstar." He beckoned to the massive warrior with a flick of his tail. "Tigerstar, are you ready to speak now?"

Thanking him with a courteous nod, Tigerstar stepped forward to address the assembled cats. "I stand here before you by the will of StarClan. Nightstar was a noble warrior, but he was old, and he did not have the strength to fight the sickness when it came. His deputy, Cinderfur, died also."

Fireheart felt her sleek fur prickle with surprise and slight unease as she listened. Clan leaders received nine lives when they went to share tongues with StarClan at Mothermouth, and Nightstar had become leader only a few seasons ago. What had happened to his nine lives? Had ShadowClan's sickness been so violent that it had taken all of them?

Looking down, Fireheart caught sight of Runningnose, the ShadowClan medicine cat, sitting with his head bowed. Fireheart could not see his face, but his hunched posture suggested that he was lost in misery. It must be heard for him, Fireheart thought, to know that all his skill had not been enough to save his leader.

"StarClan brought me to ShadowClan when its need was greatest," Tigerstar continued from on top of the Great Rock. "Not enough cats survived the sickness to hunt for the nursing queens and the elders, or to defend their clan, and no warrior was ready to take on the leadership. Then StarClan sent an omen to Runningnose that another great leader would arise. I swear by all our warrior ancestors that I will become that leader." Out of the corner of her eye, Fireheart noticed Tigerstar send her a subtle look his eyes serious as he spoke.

Fireheart's tail twitched at the mention of the omen. If StarClan had been the ones to Tigerstar as ShadowClan's new leader, who was she to question the wills of their warrior ancestors? "Thanks to StarClan," Tigerstar went on. "I had other cats to bring with me who have proven themselves willing to hunt and fight for their new Clan."

Fireheart knew exactly which cats Tigerstar meant-the band of rogues who had attacked the ThunderClan camp! She could see one of them just below the Great Rock, a huge ginger tom, sitting with his tail curled around his paws. The last time Fireheart had seen him, he had been grappling with Brindleface, trying to break into the ThunderClan nursery. Ironically, some of these rogues had grown up in ShadowClan and had supported the tyrannical leader, Brokentail. They had been driven out with their leader when ThunderClan had come to the aid of the oppressed Clan.

Tallstar stepped forward, a doubtful look in his eyes. "Brokentail's allies were cruel and bloodthirsty, just as he was. Is it really wise to let them back into the Clan?"

Fireheart could understand Tallstar's misgivings. Since these very cats had driven WindClan from their territory and had almost destroyed them. She wondered how many ShadowClan warriors Tallstar's concern. After all, Brokentail's own Clan had suffered almost as much as WindClan had from their murderous leader's rule; she was surprised they would take the outlaws back.

"Brokentail's warriors obeyed him," Tigerstar replied calmly. "Which of you wouldn't do the same for your own leader? The warrior code says that a leader's word is law." He swiped his tongue around his muzzle before continuing. "These cats were loyal to Brokentail. They will be loyal to me now. Blackfoot, who was Brokentail's deputy, is my deputy now."

Tallstar still looked suspicious, but Tigerstar met his gaze steadily. "Tallstar, you are right to hate Brokentail. He did great harm to your Clan. But let me remind you that it was not my decision to take him into ThunderClan and care for him. I spoke against that from the beginning, but Bluestar insisted on giving him sanctuary, loyalty to my leader meant that I had to support her."

The WindClan leader hesitated and then bowed his head. "That's true," he meowed.

"Then all I ask is that you trust me, and give my warriors a chance to show that they can honor the warrior code, and prove their loyalty to ShadowClan once more. With the help of StarClan, my first task is to make ShadowClan well and strong again," Tigerstar vowed.

Fireheart listened intently when Tigerstar spoke, and a growing seed of hope that what he had said about the outlaws deserving another chance, could also relate to Tigerstar himself. If what he was saying was genuine, then he really would become a great leader. But she still planned to make it clear to Tigerstar that ThunderClan was not his for the taking if he ever got the thought to try.

She was so deep in thought that she hardly realized that Tigerstar had finished addressing the assembled Clans. "Fireheart?" Tallstar meowed. "Do you want to speak now?"

Fireheart snapped out of her thoughts and swallowed nervously as she padded forward, the rock cool and soothe beneath her paws. Below, she could see the other ThunderClan cats looking up at her expectantly; her eyes wandered over to Swifttail, the white-and-black warrior was looking up at her with a hint of admiration as he nodded his head in silent encouragement. Feeling better due to her Clanmates support, Fireheart began to speak. She wasn't going to pretend that the ThunderClan camp had not been devastated by the recent fire, but she did not want to give the impression that the Clan was weak. Leopardfur, the RiverClan deputy, was listening intently. As Fireheart glanced at her she narrowed her eyes as if she were measuring her words carefully. RiverClan had helped ThunderClan escape from the fire, and no cat knew better than Leopardfur how vulnerable they were.

"A few dawns ago," Fireheart reported, "fire started in the Treecut place and swept through our camp. Halftail and Patchpelt died, and the Clan honors them. And we especially honor Yellowfang. She went back into the burning camp to rescue Halftail." She bowed her head, memories of the old medicine cat threatening to overwhelm her. "I found her in her den, and I was there with her when she died."

Wails of dismay broke out among the listening cats. Not only ThunderClan had reason to grieve for Yellowfang's death. Fireheart noticed Runningnose sitting erect and gazing upward, his eyes clouded with sorrow. He had been Yellowfang's apprentice when she was ShadowClan's medicine cat, before Brokentail drove her out.

"And Brindleface, unfortunately, has died from an adder bit," Fireheart went on, more wails of dismay. "Bluestar suffered from breathing in smoke, but she is recovering. None of our kits were harmed. And we are rebuilding our camp, we even have a new warrior here today, Swiftpaw has taken the name Swifttail." Fireheart skimmed over the shortage of prey in the burned stretch of forest, or the way that the camp was still open to attack in spite of their efforts to rebuild the walls. "We must thank RiverClan," she added, with a respectful glance at Crookedstar. "They gave us shelter in their camp during the fire. Without their help, more of our cats might have died."

As Crookedstar acknowledged her words with a nod, Fireheart couldn't resist glancing down at Leopardfur again. The RiverClan deputy hadn't shifted her amber gaze from her.

Pausing to take a deep breath, Fireheart squared her shoulders and turned to Tigerstar. "ThunderClan accepts that StarClan has approved your leadership," she meowed. "As rogues, your followers stole from all four Clans while they roamed the forest, so it is good that they have their own Clan again. We trust that they will be bound by the warrior code and will keep to their own territory." She thought she could see a gleam of surprise in Tigerstar's eyes, and continued firmly, "But we will not tolerate any invasions into ThunderClan territory. In spite of the fire, we are strong enough to drive out any cat who sets a paw over our borders. We have no fear of ShadowClan."

One or two yowls of agreement rose from her own warriors below. Tigerstar gave a slight dip of his head, and spoke in a low rumble that carried no farther than the other cats on top of the Great Rock. "I understand, Fireheart. You have nothing to fear from ShadowClan."

Bowing her head in acknowledgement, she stepped back again, a trickle of doubt at Tigerstar's words still in her mind as her turn to speak was over, and listened while Tallstar and Crookedstar gave the news from their own Clans-word of new apprentices and warriors, a warning of extra Twoleg by the river. But Fireheart couldn't concentrate when Tigerstar's eyes were discreetly on her the entire time.

When the formal part of the meeting was over, Fireheart sprang down to the group of ThunderClan warriors at the base of the rock. "You spoke well," meowed Whitestorm.

Cloudpaw's whiskers were twitching as he came to nudge her shoulder playfully. "That's Fireheart for you!"

Fireheart gave her kin a lick to the ear. "It's time to go," she meowed. "Say your good-byes, and if any cat asks, tell them that ThunderClan is doing fine." Throughout the clearing, the groups of cats were breaking up as all four Clans prepared to leave. Fireheart began looking around for the rest of her warriors. She caught sight of a familiar blue-gray shape and bounded across the hollow to join her.

"Hi, Mistyfoot," she meowed. "How are you? How's Graystripe? I didn't see him here tonight." Graystripe had been Fireheart's first friend in ThunderClan; they had trained together as apprentices. But then Graystripe had fallen in love with Silverstream, a young RiverClan warrior, and she had died bearing his kits. Graystripe had left his own Clan to go with them to RiverClan, and though seasons had passed, Fireheart still missed her old friend.

"Graystripe didn't come." The RiverClan queen sat down and curled her tail neatly around her paws. "Leopardfur wouldn't let him. She was furious about the way he behaved during the fire. She says in his heart, he's still loyal to ThunderClan."

Fireheart had to admit that Leopardfur was probably right. Graystripe had already asked Bluestar if he could come back to ThunderClan, but she had refused. "So how is he, and the kits?" Fireheart meowed.

"He's fine," Mistyfoot replied. "So are the kits. He asked me to find out how you were doing after the fire. Bluestar's not seriously ill, you say?"

"No, she'll be better soon." Fireheart tried to sound confident. It was true that Bluestar was recovering from the effects of breathing smoke, but for some moons now the ThunderClan leader's mind had been clouded. She had begun to doubt her own judgment, and even to question the loyalty of her warriors. The discovery of Tigerstar's treachery had shaken her to her core, and Fireheart couldn't help worrying about how she would react to the news that the deputy she had exiled was now leader of ShadowClan.

"I'm glad to hear that she is recovering." Mistyfoot's mew broke into her thoughts.

Fireheart twitched her ears. "How's Crookedstar?" she asked, changing the subject. The RiverClan leader had seemed frail when he had allowed ThunderClan to shelter in his camp, and tonight, next to Tigerstar, he looked even older than Fireheart remembered. But maybe that wasn't surprising. The RiverClan leader had to cope with floods that had driven his cats out of their cmap and with a shortage of prey because Twoleg rubbish had poisoned the river. More than all that, Graystripe's beloved Silverstream had been Crookedstar's daughter, and her death had caused him much grief.

"He's okay," meowed Mistyfoot. "He's been through a lot recently. Mind you, I'm more concerned about Graypool," she added, naming the cat who had raised her from kithood. "She seems so old now. I'm afraid she'll go to StarClan soon."

Fireheart would have liked to give the queen a comforting lick, but she was not sure how the RiverClan cat would take that from a cat of another Clan. Apart from Graypool, Fireheart was the only cat who knew that the frail RiverClan elder was not the real mother of Mistyfoot and her brother, Stonefur. Their father, Oakheart, had brought them to RiverClan when they were tiny kits, and Graypool had agreed to take care of them. Their real mother was Bluestar.

As Fireheart murmured sympathetically and said goodbyes to Mistyfoot, she couldn't help feeling that trouble was still in store for both Clans because of Bluestar's secret. Fireheart around planning to join her Clanmates when out of the corner of her eyes she spotted Tigerstar, his pale amber eyes glowing from the shadows as he eyed Fireheart.

Fireheart stared back, her gaze unwavering. Subtlety his tail twitched and padded around the Great Rock, conflicted Fireheart casted a glance at her Clanmates that were still talking to the lingering cats before following the new ShadowClan leader. When she rounded the rock she was meet with Tigerstar standing in the shadow of the Great Rock, his eyes bright with gratitude that Fireheart had followed him.

"What is it?" Fireheart meowed, going on the defensive. She shuffled her paws awkwardly when he didn't answer right away, simply observing her and taking her into account. "Whatever you have to say, say it now. My Clanmates will be leaving soon." that seemed to snap Tigerstar out of whatever trans he was in.

"All I wanted to say was...that I meant what I said, you have nothing to fear from ShadowClan. I really have changed, and I hope that one day I could prove that to you." Tigerstar looked for a moment as if he wanted to say something totally different, but Fireheart was unsure if she wanted to know to ask.

"I'm glad to hear that," she replied, relief coursing through her to have a private declaration from the new ShadowClan leader. "I should join my Clanmates now…" Fireheart turned to go, but a brush of Tigerstar's tail halted her.

"Fireheart, I know I have done a lot of things that are wrong. And I would like very much to see you again." Tigerstar had a hopeful look in his eyes as he said this, but Fireheart shook her head, her heart heavy as she replied.

"I can't do that, and you know it. We're from two different Clans now Tigerstar, that's how things are now, goodbye." Fireheart padded briskly around the Great Rock, not wanting to see Tigerstar's downcasted look as she rejoined her Clanmates.

"Fireheart, there you are!" Sandstorm called out to her as she padded up to them. The pale ginger she-cat looked ready to go along with the rest of her Clanmates.

"Sorry, let's go." Fireheart meowed as she set a fast pace out of the hollow, her Clanmates streaming behind her. The sky was growing pale with the first light of dawn when Fireheart and her warriors returned to the ThunderClan camp. Although Fireheart knew what she would find, it was still a shock to reach the top of the ravine and gaze down at the devastation. All the covering of gorse and fern had been stripped away by the fire. The earth floor of the camp was left exposed, surrounded by the blackened remains of the wall of thornbushes that was shored up with branches where the Clan cats had begun to repair it.

"Will it ever be the same?" Sandstorm meowed softly as she came to stand beside her.

A wave of exhaustion flooded over Fireheart as she thought of how much time and work it would take before the camp was fully rebuilt. "One day," she promised. "We've been through bad times before. We'll survive." She pressed her muzzle against Sandstorms flank, taking comfort from her friend's assuring purr, before she led the way down the ravine.

The bush where the warriors slept was still there, but the thick canopy of twigs had been burned away. Only a few charred branches remained, the gaps between them interwoven with sticks. Brackenfur and Cinderpelt crouched close together outside, while Longtail sat on watch near the entrance to the nursery, and Dustpelt paced back and forth in front of the elder's den.

Brackenfur and Cinderpelt sprang to their paws at once as Fireheart and the others appeared, only to relax a moment later. "It's you," Brackenfur meowed, relief in his voice.

"Scared our fur off!" Cinderpelt put in, her blue eyes betraying her casual tone showing concern. "We thought you might have been some intruder, like Tigerclaw."

"Well, you can stop worrying about him," Fireheart meowed. "He's too busy to worry about us. Tigerstar is the new leader of ShadowClan."

Cinderpelt openly gasped as Brackenfur said with astonishment. "Great StarClan! I don't believe it!"

"What did you say?" Fireheart turned to see Longtail loping across the clearing. "Did I hear you right?"

"Your ears are working fine," Swifttail meowed to his former mentor who had shock written plan across his face. "Tigerstar has taken over ShadowClan."

"And they let him?" meowed Longtail. "Are they mad?"

"Not mad at all," Whitestorm replied, coming up to stand between Swifttail and Fireheart. The elderly warrior scraped the bare earth with his paws and settled down on his haunches with a tired sigh. His thick white fur was stained with soot after the journey back through the forest. "The sickness almost destroyed the ShadowClan cats. They were desperate for a strong leader. Tigerstar must have seemed like a gift from StarClan."

"It sounds like that's just what he was," Fireheart agreed heavily. "Apparently StarClan sent an omen to Runningnose to tell ShadowClan that a great leader would arise."

"But Tigerstar is a traitor!" Brackenfur protested, his tail lashing in anger.

"ShadowClan don't know that," Sandstorm meowed as she came to stand next to the golden brown tabby and licked his ear affectionately, efficiently calming him down.

By this time other cats were appearing. Brightpaw and Thornpaw ran over from the apprentices den; Dustpelt padded up with Fireheart's apprentice, Fernpaw; Speckletail peered curiously out from the nursery. As they pressed around Fireheart with their questions, she had to raise her voice to make herself heard.

"Listen, all of you," she meowed. "There's something you need to hear." And I have to tell Bluestar, she added silently, bracing herself for the encounter. "Whitestorm will tell you what happened at the Gathering," she went on. "And then I want a dawn patrol." She hesitated, looking around at the assembled cats. All the warriors were tired; those who hadn't been to the Gathering had stayed awake to guard the camp.

Before Fireheart could decide who to send, Dustpelt spoke. "Ashpaw and I will go." Fireheart dipped her head gratefully. The brown warrior had never been friendly toward her, but he was a loyal cat to ThunderClan, and he seemed to accept Fireheart's authority as deputy.

"I'll go too," Mousefur offered.

"And me," meowed Cinderpelt, her eyes gleaming with an unreadable expression. Was she thinking about the first time she found out about Tigerstar's treachery when he killed Redtail?

Fireheart let out a sigh at her former apprentices ambitions. She was pleased that she was one of the best warriors in camp and was helping build ThunderClan back to the way it was, with extra intuitive and thought. "Dustpelt, Mousefur, Ashpaw and Cinderpelt, then," she meowed. "The rest of you get some sleep. We'll need hunting patrols later on."

"What about you?" asked Darkstripe.

Fireheart took a deep breath as she replied. "I'm going to speak to Bluestar."

The curtain of lichen had been burned away from the entrance to Bluestar's den at the base of the Highrock. As Fireheart approached, Spottedleaf, ThunderClan's medicine cat, emerged into the clearing and paused to stretch. Her dark tortoiseshell fur was ruffled, and she looked worn out from the strain of caring for the Clan in the aftermath of the fire, but the strength of her dedication to her Clan in her amber eyes reminded her that Spottedleaf kept her commitment to serving her Clanmates as their medicine cat with utmost respect and pride.

Fireheart padded up to her. "How is Bluestar today?" she asked quietly.

Spottedleaf turned her head back towards Bluestar's den behind her, before telling Fireheart in a quiet voice. "She didn't sleep last night," she said. "I've given her some herbs to help calm her down. But I don't think she has taken them, she doesn't really trust me these days."

Fireheart blinked sympathetically at her friend. "I need to tell her what happened at the Gathering," Fireheart meowed. "And she's not going to like it."

Spottedleaf's amber eyes narrowed questingly. "Why not?"

As quickly as she could, Fireheart told her about Tigerstar and what happened at the Gathering.

Spottedleaf listened in shocked silence, her amber eyes widened briefly in amazement before settling back into a more thoughty look. "What will you do?" she asked when Fireheart had finished.

"There isn't much I can do. Besides, it could be a good thing for ThunderClan. Tigerstar's got what he wants now, and he said he meant it so I don't think we'll see much trouble, he would be gar too busy working his new Clan into shape to bother us." Seeing Spottedleaf cast her a suspicious look. "We'll have to keep a watch on our borders of course," Fireheart was quick to add. "But I don't believe Tigerstar will be much of a threat, for awhile at least. I'm more worried about how Bluestar is going to take it."

"She won't take it well," Spottedleaf replied, her eyes still suspicious. "But it sounds like you had and up close conversation with Tigerstar, and it seems our Clanmates didn't see it…"

"It's complicated," Fireheart replied with a nervous shuffle of her paws under the scrutiny of the medicine cat. "Tigerstar wanted to speak to me in private, and told me that he wouldn't harm ThunderClan, and," she lowered her voice, her eyes boring into her friend's eyes. "He wants to meet me again."

"And what did you tell him?" Spottedleaf inquired.

"I told him no of course," Fireheart was quick to add, watching as Spottedleaf gave a quiet hmmm. "You think I made the right choice?"

"I think you should trust in your heart," Spottedleaf replied, her pretty amber eyes blinking in sympathy. "It has never lead you astray, Fireheart."

"But what if it leads me to Tigerstar?" Fireheart meowed, her ears twitching nervously as Spottedleaf's expression stayed the same.

"You know the right thing to do," Spottedleaf gave her a comforting lick on her shoulder as she began to pass by. " You should go and talk to Bluestar. I'll look in on her again a bit later on."

"Thank you, Spottedleaf," meowed Fireheart.

"Be strong for her, Fireheart," she urged when she turned her head around to face Fireheart. "She needs you more than ever." Fireheart watched the medicine cat walk swiftly away, and then turned toward Bluestar's den. Taking a deep breath, she called a greeting and entered through the gap where the lichen used to grow.

Bluestar was crouched on a pile of bedding at the back of the ave, her forepaws tucked under her chest. Her head was raised, but she was not looking at Fireheart. Instead her blue eyes were blank, fixed on something far away that only she could see. Her pelt was rough and unwashed, and she was so thin that Fireheart could see every rib. Fireheart's heart twisted with pity for her and fear for the rest of the Clan. Their leader had diminished into an old, sick cat, broken by trouble and unable to defend herself, let alone her Clan.

"Bluestar?" Fireheart meowed hesitantly. At first she thought that Bluestar had not heard her. Then, as she padded farther into the den, she turned her head. Her cloudy blue gaze focused on Fireheart, and for a heartbeat she looked puzzled, as if she couldn't remember who she was.

Then her ears pricked and intelligence flooded back into her eyes. "Fireheart? What do you want?"

Fireheart dipped her head respectfully. "I'm must back from the Gathering, Bluestar. I'm afraid there's bad news." She paused.

"Well?" Bluestar sounded irritable. "What is it?"

"ShadowClan has a new leader," Fireheart mewed. She plunged straight on. "It's Tigerclaw-Tigerstar now."

In an instant, Bluestar leaped to her paws. Her eyes blazed cold fire, and Fireheart flinched at the reminder of the formidable cat she had once been. "That's impossible!" she hissed.

"No, it's true. I saw him myself. He spoke from the Great Rock, with the other leaders." Maybe that's why he was in ShadowClan territory! Fireheart thought on.

For a few moments Bluestar did not reply. She paced from one side of the den to the other and back again, her tail lashing. Fireheart backed toward the entrance, not at all sure that Bluestar wouldn't attack her for bringing this terrible news.

"How dare ShadowClan do this?" she spat at last. "How dare they shelter that cat who tried to murder me-and make him their leader!"

"Bluestar, they don't know-" Fireheart began, but the ThunderClan leader was not listening to her.

"And the other leaders?" she demanded. "What did they think? How could they let this happen?"

"No cat knows what Tigerstar did to ThunderClan." Fireheart struggled helplessly to make Bluestar think logically. "Crookedstar didn't say much, although Tallstar was unhappy at first that Tigerstar had taken Brokentail's old followers back into the Clan."

"Tallstar!" Bluestar spat. "We should know by now that we can't trust him. After all, it didn't take him long to forget what we did for his Clan, after you and Graystripe risked your lives to find them and bring them home."

Fireheart started to protest, but Bluestar ignored her. "StarClan have abandoned me!" she went on, still pacing furiously. "They told me taht fire would save the Clan, but fire has almost destroyed us. HOw can I ever trust StarClan again especially now? They have granted a leader's nine lives to that traitor. They care nothing for me or for ThunderClan!"

Fireheart's insides clenched. "Bluestar, listen-"

"No, Fireheart, you listen." Bluestar padded over to her. Her fur was fluffed up and her teeth bared in anger. "ThunderClan is doomed. Tigerstar will lead ShadowClan to destroy us all-and we can expect no help from StarClan."

"Tigerstar didn't seem hostile." Fireheart meowed, remembering how he seemed serious as he made the promise. "When he spoke, all he seemed to care about was leading his new Clan."

Bluestar let out a crack of harsh laughter. "If you believe that, Fireheart, you're a fool. Tigerstar will be here before leaf-fall; you mark my words. But he'll find us waiting for him. If we're all going to die, we'll take a few of ShadowClan with us." She began pacing rapidly back and forth again, while Fireheart watched with dread.

"Double the patrols," she ordered. "Set a watch on the camp. Send cats to guard the border with ShadowClan."

"We haven't enough warriors for all that," Fireheart objected. "Every cat is exhausted with the extra work rebuilding the camp. It's all we can do to keep up the regular patrols."

"Are you questioning my orders?" Bluestar whipped around to face her again, drawing her lips back in a snarl. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Or are you going to betray me too?"

"No, Bluestar, no! You can trust me." Fireheart tensed her muscles, trying to keep her fur flat as she watched Bluestar warily.

Suddenly the old leader relaxed. "I know, Fireheart. You've always been loyal, not like those others." As if the strength of her fury had exhausted her, she limped back to her bedding. "Set the patrols," she ordered, sinking down in the soft moss and heather. "Do it now, before ShadowClan makes crowfood of us all."

"Yes, Bluestar." Fireheart saw no point in arguing any more. She bowed her head and backed out of the den. Bluestar's gaze was once more fixed on something unseen. Fireheart wondered if she was looking into the future, and watching the destruction of her Clan.

As she padded into the clearing, Fireheart was instantly met by Whitestorm. The senior warriors looked at Fireheart questionable, and Fireheart didn't hesitate to tell him what Bluestar had said. Whitestorm nodded, his whiskers twitching as Fireheart finished.

"We'll have to tell let all the hunting parties do border duty as well, we don't have many warriors for double patrolling separately." Whitestorm remarked, making Fireheart nodd.

"It will be hard work, I just hope that Bluestar will rethink it later once she is sure enough that ShadowClan won't attack." Fireheart meowed, her green eyes troubled, unsure if Bluestar would ever be reassured.

"Who do you want to do a hunting patrol?" Whitestorm asked, changing the subject.

"Sandstorm, Brackenfur, and Cloudpaw will do." Fireheart replied back, watching the white warrior nod.

"I'll go and tell them, get some rest," Whitestorm meowed over his shoulder. "You're going to need it."

Fireheart turned toward the nursery, her paws dragging as exhaustion overtook her. When she entered the nursery her kits were sound asleep, Tawnykit was flopped overtop Leafkit, while Mothkit and Spottedkit curled together. Bramblekit, Squirrelkit and Hawkkit were piled on top of each other in a messy bundle of ginger and tabby fur. Looking at them, Fireheart couldn't help but feel her anxiousness and stress melt away. Fireheart maneuvered herself into the nest, curling protectively around her sleeping kits, closing her eyes and hoping that things would go more smoothly in the morning.

It felt like she closed her eyes for just a second before the harsh light of morning streamed into the nursery, making Fireheart flinch away from its harsh glow. The nursery still was under repairs and she couldn't get used to the light coming straight through. And neither did the other queens.

"I can't wait till the forest starts growing back," Willowpelt muttered from across Fireheart, turning her blue eyes to hide under a paw. "We could get some decent sleep then."

"It won't be long now," Fireheart yawned out, watching as Speckletail hide underneath her tail. "We just have to be patient." Fireheart stepped out of her nest, watching as her movement caused her kits to steer.

"Is it morning already?" Bramblekit meowed as he disentangled himself from Squirrelkit and Hawkkit.

"Yes, but you can still sleep if you want." Fireheart told him, watching as he flopped back down.

"Already on it," Squirrelkit moaned, her fluffy tail drooped over her eyes.

"Not me," Mothkit meowed drowsily, sluggishly getting to her paws. "I promised Spottedleaf that I would help her sort out herbs today."

"Want me to walk you there?" Fireheart offered, but her daughter was shaking her pretty golden head.

"I'm fine," Mothkit scampered in front her her and exited the nursery, Fireheart slowly following after her as she glanced at her still sleeping kits. Promising later to spend more time with them.

When Fireheart walked into the clearing, activity was already underway. Whitestorm's group were repairing the walls while Sandstorm's hunting party came to drop their prey onto the dwindled fresh-kill pile. Fireheart meowed a greeting to them, but made her way toward the apprentice's den, thinking it was high time that Fernpaw work on her battle moves.

When Fireheart called into the apprentices den, Fernpaw came out shaking scraps of moss from her pelt. Blinking away the sleepiness from her pale green eyes. "Ready for some battle training?" Fireheart asked, watching Fernpaw nod her head. When they were halfway across the clearing the thought that maybe Fernpaw was hungry struck her. "Are you hungry? You can eat if you want."

"I'm fine," Fernpaw replied, and they carried onto the sandy hollow. Even here the trees were badly scorched, but besides that, it remained the same.

"Alright Fernpaw, attack me." Fireheart ordered as she came to stand opposite of the surprised pale gray she-cat.

"Alright," Fernpaw said a hint of nervousness in her voice, but she charged forward with surprising speed. Fireheart dodged out of the way, watching Fernpaw skid to a halt a rabbit length away.

"You have speed," Fireheart called as Fernpaw turned around. "Use it, try to avoid me." Fireheart kept her claws sheathed as she rushed Fernpaw, the young apprentice dodged out of Fireheart's way, but Fireheart hooked her paw under the apprentices legs, making her fall forward.

"Remember, Dodging isn't everything, try to attack as well," Fireheart meowed as she watched Fernpaw shake sand from her pelt.

"Yes, Fireheart," Fernpaw called back, waiting as Fireheart once again came at her. This time as Fernpaw dodged out of the way, she made sure her paws were out of Fireheart's reach and when she was behind Fireheart she slashed sheathed claws along her back leg.

"Dodge and attack," Fireheart called to the apprentice, once again lunging at the apprentice who jumped out of the way and once again shot a paw down Fireheart's side. "Better than I thought on your first try!" Fireheart praised the apprentice, coming to shake sand and ash out of her pelt. She wanted to assess her apprentice, so she wasn't really hard to attack.

Fernpaw was panting when she was done shaking out her pelt, but her eyes were shining with excitement and pride at her mentors praise. "Why don't we try hunting a bit? There is plenty of daylight left." Fireheart looked up at the sky, the sun was overhead already and prey should be out, if there was any.

"Okay," Fernpaw replied, following her mentor as they padded out of the hollow and into the forest. Fireheart veered off toward RiverClan territory, unconsciously avoiding ShadowClan's border, Tigerstar's words repeating in her mind whenever she thought about that side of the territory. "Now, Fernpaw what can you smell?" Fireheart asked as they reached Sunningrock's.

Fernpaw made a show with opening her jaws and inhaling deeply, looking to impress the Clan deputy. "It's kind of hard with all the ash," Fernpaw sheepishly after a moment.

"That's okay, I can't really tell that much through it either. Even the most trained nose can't concentrate with ash in their nose." Fireheart assured the apprentice, making a light joke to lessen the apprentice's disappointment. "Let's see if we can't find something hiding under the rocks?"

Fernpaw stalked on ahead, ears pricked cautiously as sniffed along with hole's and crevices of the Sunningrock's. Fireheart watched her, feeling proud at how dedicated and how fast the pale gray apprentice's training was coming along. It wasn't long before Fireheart heard a low scrambling sound and a small broken squeal, and Fernpaw rounding the bend holding a small vole in her jaws.

"Well done," Fireheart praised the apprentice, who put down the vole to lick her chest fur embarrassingly.

"It's nothing really, just look how small it is? It wouldn't even fill a cat as small as Sorrelkit."

"Prey is prey," Fireheart replied, shrugging her shoulders. "No matter how small or how big, we need all the prey we can right now." Fernpaw dipped her head, while Fireheart came to renew the scent markers. While she was renew the border a scent that came down stream flowed towards her, turning her head she saw a RiverClan patrol coming her way. Fireheart recognized Stonefur, Blackclaw and Mistyfoot along with what seems like an apprentice.

Fireheart acknowledged them with a twitch of her ears, Stonefur acknowledged her with a small respectful dip of his head as he renewed his side of the border. It was Mistyfoot who broke the silence between the four of them. "How's the prey running?" Mistyfoot as casually, ignoring the look her brother shot her.

"It's returning," Fireheart replied evasively, but their was no hostility as she looked at the gray RiverClan she-cat, who had helped Fireheart in the past.

"That's good," Stonefur rumbled, his eyes flickering behind Fireheart. Fireheart followed his gaze as Fernpaw stood a tail-length away, holding up a decent size squirrel proudly, her paws shifting under its weight but it seemed mostly due to her unease at seeing the RiverClan patrol.

"Nice catch, Fernpaw," Fireheart called to her apprentice, feeling relieved that she caught something. Showing it in front of the RiverClan cats to let them know that ThunderClan is thriving.

"Apprentice?" Mistyfoot observed as Fireheart dipped her head in confirmation.

"We should go," Blackclaw meowed, gesturing the patrol onward.

"See you at the Gathering," Mistyfoot meowed as she followed after her brother and patrol.

"See you," Fireheart replied, as they padded out of sight Fireheart turned around to see Fernpaw watch the RiverClan patrol walk away. "Came at just the right time!" Fireheart told her, making her pale green eyes jump in amusement.

"And this one has some meat on it," Fernpaw meowed through a mouthful of squirrel, her eyes shining.

"Let's see if we can't find some more?" Fireheart said, watching as the apprentice came to bury the squirrel alongside the vole as they padded further along the border, in the opposite direction the RiverClan cats went.

"Have you noticed that RiverClan seems more interested with Sunningrocks then the border?" Fernpaw piped up after a moment of silence, making Fireheart look at the apprentice with surprise.

"Really?" Fireheart mused out loud, Stonefur did seem to be more focused on their side of the territory. Were they planning something?

"It could be nothing," Fernpaw put in. "But you never know about RiverClan." Fireheart made a sound of agreement, thinking back to her own suspicion about Leopardfur. She was so deep in thought about it that she almost missed Fernpaw call out a greeting. Startled, Fireheart looked up to see Sandstorm and Brackenfur padding towards them, eyes bright as they called out to mentor and apprentice.

"Hope you had better hunting," Sandstorm called out, her pale ginger fur rippling over hard lean muscle.

"Fernpaw here caught a vole and a squirrel," Fireheart replied proudly, making her apprentice's whiskers twitch under the praise.

"This cluts here cost me a mouse," Sandstorm replied, flicking her tail towards an amused Brackenfur.

"Only because I was so amazed at you catching that rabbit," Brackenfur contoured. "Goes to show that you're still the best hunter in all of ThunderClan." Sandstorm's eyes were glittering at the praise, her fur brushing against his.

"I don't think you'll be able to catch anything else now," Fireheart meowed, looking up at the sky. They lost the time with their hunting to notice that the sky was reaching the setting point. "You should fetch that rabbit, while me and Fernpaw go get our own prey. See you back at camp." Fireheart meowed as Sandstorm and Brackenfur flicked their tails in departure, going back the way they came. As Fireheart and Fernpaw digged up her catch, Fireheart couldn't help but think on to what she said.

Back at the ruined camp.

0o0o0o0o

I really hope that this was good enough for the wait! I am really sorry for the delay and I am so happy that xXxRavenXDameonxXx had updated two of her stories, one being 'When It Rains' and the other 'From the Ashes' (From the Ashes is actually a continuation on one of her series, so a shout out to the series!) also review, follow, favorite, make some fan-art, etc! And look out for the next chapter! Also I really hope you liked some Fernpaw and Fireheart mentor and apprentice bonding time! I really wanted to show that Fernpaw/cloud is more than just a kit maker, and is so as much a warrior as Dustpelt or Cloudtail and Ashfur! I mean, have we all forgotten that she outran a pack of dogs? I want more of that to show for her! She is a great, comforting character that reminds me of Goldenflower honestly! But anyway, yes, Fernpaw is awesome!