Seasons ago, Bluefur refused to give up her kits, and Thistleclaw became deputy in her place. Thistlestar leads his clan cruelly, greedy for land. In a territorial rage, he chases away young kittypet Rusty. RiverClan rescues Rusty and accepts him into their Clan. Rusty wants to learn the ways of his Clan and become a warrior - but first, he has to survive a desperate war.