"What?" Thornclaw sprang to his paws. "Have you got bees in your brain?"

"After what Rowanstar said to you?" Dustpelt challenged.

Daisy was looking up at Bramblestar with outrage in her eyes. "Must mothers watch their kits die again?"

More angry yowls rose up from the rest of the Clan. Bramblestar felt as if he were standing in the blast from a storm, and he dug his claws deep into the mud as if he was afraid of being swept away. For a moment he was tempted to start justifying himself. No, he thought, the word of the Clan leader has to be obeyed. It is part of the warrior code.

But Bramblestar was still worried that he was wrong. This was the first decision he had made as Clan leader that was unpopular with all his Clan-except for Squirrelflight, standing silently supportive above the tunnel entrance, and Jessy, who was watching him with bright eyes and ears p.r.i.c.ked. I respect each one of these warriors, he thought unhappily. I don't like it when they challenge me.

"We will begin training at once, so we can be ready," he finished curtly, and jumped down from the mudpile.

His paws had scarcely touched the ground when Daisy pushed her way through the crowd of cats. "I chose to stay with ThunderClan because I trusted that my kits and I would be kept safe," she told him, her normally gentle voice deepened to a growl. "I thought I could trust you, too, Bramblestar. Why do we need to face danger again so soon?"

Before Bramblestar could reply, Jessy skirted the nearest group of cats to stand at his side. "You're a Clan cat through and through," she told Daisy with a respectful nod of her head. "You've had courage to survive in the past, and you'll survive again."

Daisy twitched her ears, as if she wasn't sure if she should be offended by a kittypet telling her how to behave. "But that doesn't mean we have to go looking for trouble," she protested.

"Sooner or later, trouble will come to you," Jessy meowed. "I've learned that much about living in a Clan! Bramblestar's right to deal with the badgers now, before they try to take over ThunderClan territory."

Daisy was silent for a moment. At last she raised her eyes to gaze directly at Bramblestar. "You're our Clan leader," she mewed. "I trust you. But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Thank you, Daisy." Bramblestar dipped his head. "No warrior should enjoy going into battle. But sometimes we have no other option. Thanks, Jessy," he added when Daisy had walked away. "You said exactly the right thing." He let out a long sigh. "I wish I felt as certain about this as my Clanmates think I am," he confessed. "Would Firestar have done this? Probably not," he answered his own question. "He had no kin in ShadowClan. Oh, for StarClan's sake, why does this have to be so difficult?"

"Well, you can't change your mind now," Jessy pointed out.

Murmuring agreement, Bramblestar turned toward the rest of his Clanmates. They were cl.u.s.tered around Squirrelflight, who was organizing them into groups to train for the battle.

"I don't see why we're doing this," Mousewhisker grumbled. "The badgers are ShadowClan's problem."

"And I'm your problem," Squirrelflight flashed back at him. "So just get on with it."

She continued quietly dividing up the groups. Bramblestar noticed that she was choosing cats who had taken part in the battle against the badgers in the hollow, so many seasons ago, to lead the training. Graystripe, Brackenfur, and Cloudtail gathered younger warriors around them, and Squirrelflight led another group herself, including all three kittypets.

"Remember that some of us have fought badgers before," she reminded them when the groups were ready. "We know what works and what doesn't. The badgers are a lot bigger and stronger than you, so you should focus on what you do better than them: moving swiftly, darting in to strike, and getting out of range before they can retaliate. Work in pairs, with one of you distracting the badger while the other gets a blow in. And don't forget that you can jump onto their backs. It's far harder for them to throw you off than it would be for another cat."

Bramblestar joined Brackenfur's group, with Ivypool, Snowpaw, Poppyfrost, and Lilypaw. Brackenfur took a pace back, prepared to give up the leadership to Bramblestar, but Bramblestar shook his head and gestured with his tail to tell Brackenfur to go on.

Brackenfur led his group up toward the ridge until they found a clearing. "Right," he meowed. "We'll start with the move Squirrelflight mentioned, leaping onto the badger's back. It's a good tactic, because up there the badger can't get at you. Snowpaw, do you want to start? I'll be the badger."

While Snowpaw faced up to Brackenfur, Bramblestar spotted a gap between the trees and padded over to gaze across into ShadowClan's territory. I wonder what's happening over there? What are the badgers doing? Is Rowanstar able to deal with them after all?

Turning back into the clearing, he saw that Snowpaw and Lilypaw were having trouble learning the move. They should have been able to use their speed to spring up and balance on the badger's shoulder, to claw its fur, or even topple it off its paws. But they couldn't stay on Brackenfur's back for more than a couple of heartbeats before they fell off. Their waving legs and exposed bellies made them vulnerable before they could scramble upright again. Even though Lilypaw was older and more experienced, she was so small that she had the same difficulties as Snowpaw.

"I'd have eaten you both by now," Brackenfur meowed frustratedly.

Bramblestar was about to offer his help when Ivypool stepped forward. "Listen," she hissed. "The badgers are going to tear you apart if you don't shape up. When you leap, dig your claws in hard. Bite down on their neck, and if you can get close enough, rip their eyelids and claw out their eyes."

Ivypool's voice was low but powerful, and for a moment Bramblestar was shocked by her ruthless advice. Then he remembered the many moons that Ivypool had spent being trained in the Dark Forest. She had learned more savagery there than most warriors could imagine. Thornclaw, Blossomfall, and Birchfall must know how to fight like this, too, he thought. At least their experiences will be useful here.

When the apprentices tried the move again, Bramblestar could see the effects of Ivypool's advice. They kept their balance, their claws digging into Brackenfur's back. Lilypaw bent over Brackenfur's shoulder until her ears almost brushed the gra.s.s and hooked his paws out from under him. As he fell onto his side, Snowpaw flexed his claws, aiming for Brackenfur's eyes.

"Hey!" Brackenfur yowled. "Don't do that for real!"

Snowpaw leaped back, giving Brackenfur the chance to haul himself back onto his paws. "Sorry," he mewed. "I got carried away."

"No harm done," Brackenfur responded.

Ivypool gave an approving nod. "Much better. That was fierce."

When his patrol returned to the camp, Bramblestar noticed that the atmosphere had improved. All the cats were discussing the battle practice, the younger warriors especially pleased with what they had learned. Even though Bramblestar figured they were still not thrilled about going into battle on behalf of another Clan, there was a new sense of purpose and pride in their skills.

"I think they'll be okay," Squirrelflight remarked, padding up to him where he sat at the foot of the mudpile.

"How did you get on with the kittypets?" Bramblestar asked.

"Frankie and Jessy did well," Squirrelflight replied. "But Minty has no confidence at all."

Bramblestar nodded. "She's not bred to fight. And they're kittypets: Can we even ask them to take part in this battle at all?"

"Jessy and Frankie are keen to join in," Squirrelflight told him. "I can't stop them."

Daisy poked her head out of the tunnel; clearly she had overheard what they were discussing. "Minty could stay behind with me and the other cats who don't fight," she meowed. "You can't risk the lives of your entire Clan. This isn't the battle against the Dark Forest all over again."

Bramblestar nodded. "Who else do you think should stay behind?"

"Enough warriors to defend the camp," Daisy meowed. "Maybe Brackenfur and Spiderleg, for a start." She gave her whiskers a twitch. "I'd ask Graystripe and Dustpelt, too, but it's no use expecting those gray muzzles to listen to me!"

While she was speaking, Leafpool emerged from the bushes with a mouthful of chervil and padded up to Bramblestar. She set down her bundle of herbs and waited patiently for a chance to speak.

"Do you need something?" Bramblestar mewed.

"It's about Cinderheart." Leafpool looked troubled. "I think she should stay here in camp, too."

Baffled, Bramblestar exchanged a glance with Squirrelflight. Was there a problem with Cinderheart that he didn't know about? Squirrelflight shrugged. "Why do you think that?" Bramblestar prompted.

Leafpool hesitated. "I just don't think you can expect Cinderheart to face badgers."

"Okay." Bramblestar was still puzzled. "If she wants to stay behind, that's fine by me."

"No, I want you to tell her-" Leafpool began, then broke off.

Bramblestar had a feeling that his medicine cat knew something she wasn't telling him. "I can't force Cinderheart not to fight," he meowed. "She is a warrior, after all."

Leafpool sighed, shaking her head, then picked up her bunch of chervil and headed into the tunnel. A cold trickle of apprehension crept down Bramblestar's spine, and after a heartbeat's hesitation he followed her.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Have you had a bad omen about this battle?"

Leafpool stopped and faced him, her blue eyes clouded with distress. In a rush Bramblestar remembered the last battle against the badgers, in the hollow. Leafpool had returned to find the whole camp in torment and her mentor, Cinderpelt, dying in the nursery, torn apart by a badger as she protected Sorreltail while she gave birth. Mouse-brain! he scolded himself. No wonder the thought of fighting badgers frightens her.

"It won't be like the last time," he promised. "These badgers won't come anywhere near where we live. I will keep our Clanmates safe."

"Thank you, Bramblestar." Leafpool's response was quiet, and Bramblestar sensed that for some reason she still wasn't rea.s.sured.

When he headed out of the tunnel again, the sun was setting, the long shadows of the trees already covering the clearing. Above the topmost branches, scarlet light was fading from a sky barred with cloud, and a single warrior of StarClan shone overhead. Bramblestar spotted Jessy choosing prey from the fresh-kill pile, and padded over to join her. As he drew closer he noticed that one of her ears was scratched and she had lost a tuft of fur from near her tail.

"You look a bit battered from the training," he commented as he joined her. "You know, you don't have to fight."

Jessy looked up from her blackbird and narrowed her eyes. "If I choose to fight, will you stop me?"

"Of course not," Bramblestar replied. He felt a warm glow of admiration for her courage, her readiness to fight on behalf of cats she had known for barely a moon, and he leaned closer to her until his shoulder rested on her flank. Jessy jerked backward, wincing and drawing in a sharp, hissing breath.

"Sorry," she mewed. "I've got a ma.s.sive bruise there."

"I hope your opponent has one, too," Bramblestar responded.

Jessy's eyes glinted with amus.e.m.e.nt. "Let's just say that Birchfall will take kittypets more seriously from now on!"

The sun had cleared the tops of the trees by the time Bramblestar ventured into ShadowClan territory at the head of a border patrol. Two sunrises had pa.s.sed since his decision to go into battle, and there had been no more news from ShadowClan. Previous patrols had found more fresh scent, more traces of blood, but no sign of cats or badgers.

Something has to happen soon, Bramblestar thought.

The forest was silent as he brushed through the long gra.s.s, with Dovewing, Cherryfall, and Molewhisker behind him. His ears were p.r.i.c.ked and his jaws parted to taste the air. At every paw step his gaze darted around to make sure that nothing unexpected was creeping up on them. Dovewing looked strained and anxious, and Bramblestar guessed that she was still trying to hear as far as she had before the Great Battle. I'd love to know what's going on in ShadowClan, Bramblestar thought. But I'm not going to tell her that!

He halted as he breathed in a familiar scent. Tawnypelt! "You go on ahead," he told the others. "Dovewing, take the lead."

When the rest of his patrol had vanished into the undergrowth, Bramblestar followed his sister's scent trail until he spotted her pushing her way out from a clump of ferns, with a mouse hanging limply in her jaws.

"Tawnypelt!" he meowed in a low voice.

His sister stiffened, then whipped around to face him, so startled that she dropped the mouse. "Bramblestar! Get out-there's a patrol in the trees over there."

Bramblestar beckoned with his tail. "Come here, then."

Tawnypelt s.n.a.t.c.hed up her prey and sped toward him; together they slid under the low-growing branches of a holly bush.

"ThunderClan will help ShadowClan attack the badgers," Bramblestar told his sister, his voice rapid and urgent. "But we need to know what's happening. Has Rowanstar planned a strike?"

Tawnypelt's green eyes widened in astonishment. "You'll do that with your whole Clan?"

Bramblestar gave her a terse nod. "Don't try to talk me out of it. I know you need help-and we don't want badgers settling in these woods either."

Tawnypelt rested her tail-tip on his flank. "I asked for your help. I'm not going to turn it down now."

"Tell me what's going on," Bramblestar prompted.

"Rowanstar plans to attack tomorrow night," his sister meowed, "before the moon gets any brighter."

"Okay. We'll be there."

"Tawnypelt!" A cat yowled in the distance.

"I've got to go," Tawnypelt muttered. "Thanks, Bramblestar." She wriggled out on her belly from under the bush and disappeared.

Bramblestar tracked down the rest of his patrol and returned to camp, where he found Squirrelflight and his other Clanmates returning from battle practice.

"I saw Tawnypelt," he told his deputy. "She says that Rowanstar is planning to attack the badgers tomorrow night."

"This is it, then." Squirrelflight flexed her claws. "Well, we're as ready as we'll ever be."

In the clearing outside the tunnel, all the talk was of the forthcoming battle as Bramblestar's Clanmates discussed different moves, arguing about which ones worked best. Suddenly feeling in need of some s.p.a.ce, he headed down the slope toward the lake.

"Hey, Bramblestar!" Lionblaze called after him. "Can I come with you?"

"Sure." Bramblestar waited while the golden tabby tom bounded across the clearing. "I'm just going to check the water levels."

Companiably the two cats trotted through the trees side by side.

"I've got something to tell you," Lionblaze confessed as they skirted the top of the cliffs that surrounded the hollow. "Cinderheart is expecting my kits."

Bramblestar halted. "That's wonderful! I can't say I'm surprised."

Lionblaze scrabbled in the leaf-mold with his front claws, ducking his head in embarra.s.sment. "Uh . . . well . . . Cinderheart's such a great cat."

"And she'll make a great mother," Bramblestar meowed. "Lionblaze, this is the best news I've heard in moons. Kits are the future of the Clan."

"I need to ask you something," Lionblaze went on as they continued toward the lake. "I don't want Cinderheart fighting the badgers. Will you tell her not to come?"

"I'm not sure any cat can tell Cinderheart what to do," Bramblestar replied. "But I'll do my best."

Of course-Leafpool must know about this, and that's why she was so worried about Cinderheart fighting! Bramblestar realized. But he was still puzzled. Why couldn't she just say so?

Lionblaze's eyes were shining and his paw steps were light as he brushed through the undergrowth. Bramblestar felt his heart warmed by the happiness of the cat he still thought of as his son, and yet concern about the battle hung over him like a stormcloud in an otherwise clear sky.

I must keep Lionblaze safe as well. These kits deserve to grow up with both their parents.

Lionblaze picked up the pace, so that he was the first to burst out of the trees on the sh.o.r.e above the lake. "Look!" he yowled.

Bramblestar hurried to catch up with him, and found him standing next to one of the sticks they had positioned to check the change in water level. Now it stood high and dry several fox-lengths away from the edge of the flood.

"See how far the water has gone down!" Lionblaze exclaimed. "It won't be long before we can go home. Our kits will be born in the nursery!"

Bramblestar nodded. "Let's reposition the sticks, and then we'll go look at the hollow."

When they had retrieved the sticks and driven them into the ground at the water's edge, the two cats climbed the slope again until they reached the cliff top. This time they padded right up to the edge and peered over. The water had dropped down far enough to reveal dark shapes rising up, th.o.r.n.y and misshapen by the weight of the flood.

"Look, those branches must be the top of the warriors' den." Lionblaze pointed with his tail. "And over there's the nursery-I can just see the roof with the interwoven brambles."

Bramblestar crouched beside him, scanning the cliffs where the marks of the flood still remained, and the debris thrown among the tumbled rocks that led up to the Highledge. "It's going to take a lot of work to rebuild," he murmured, thinking of how the surging water must have torn all of the nests away, and how much mud and litter would have been swept in on the flood. "But we'll do it, however long it takes," he added.