What if Brambleclaw killed Firestar?

[berry]

Chapter 1
Every hair on his pelt stood on end as he heard Tigerstar whispering in his ear. Kill him. No cat will know. You can be Clan leader. You can have everything you have ever wanted.

Hawkfrost gave him a vicious nudge and his tail lashed angrily from side to side.

"What are you waiting for, kill him now! This is what we've wanted all along!"


He can't kill his Clan leader. Its against the warrior code! But then again, no cat would ever know its him. He could be Clan leader, then take over WindClan. Him and Hawkfrost could rule the whole forest.

"Are you going to kill him do I have to?" Hawkfrost meowed angrily, raising his voice.



Then, Brambleclaw grabbed the noose and pulled tight.



**************************



Firestar chocked and started spitting blood. He tried to do anything to get air into his lungs. Firestar kept coughing up blood and chocking. Eventually, he lay still.

You did well, my son. He heard Tigerstar murmer in his ears.

"Step one of our plan is completed." Hawkfrost mewed, then ran up through ShadowClan territory, back to RiverClan. Brambleclaw ran off, off towards the old abandoned Twoleg nest to hunt




When Brambleclaw came back loaded with prey, cats were running around the clearing. He dropped his prey on the fresh-kill pile and padded over to Squirrelflight.

"Whats going on?" he asked.

"Its Firestar. We can't find him!" Squirrelflight mewed, her voice cracking. Sadness filled her eyes, and he couldn't help but feeling guilty. But now, he was the leader of ThunderClan. And that was all he really wanted.

"What?" He mewed, playing stupid.

"I found him, I found him!" Rainwhisker yowled, bursting through the thorn tunnel. Cats crowded around Rainwhisker to hear what he had to say.


"Where'd you find him, why isn't he with you know?" Goldenflower called out anxiously.

"Hes by the lake. I think hes dead." Rainwhisker said quietly. Brambleclaw had to strain his ears to hear the last part.

"What!" Sandstorm yowled, then pushed herself to stand face-to-face with Rainwhisker. Brambleclaw shouldered his way to the front.

"Show us where he is." Brambleclaw demanded, even though he already knew where the dead


ThunderClan leader lay.


Almost the whole of ThunderClan ran behind Rainwhisker as he raced through the forest. Only


Ferncloud, Sorreltail, Daisy, and Longtail stayed back.

When they got there Sandstorm wailed louder than a lost kit.

"Firestar, Firestar." She murmered, prodding his side with a paw, hoping that he'd life his head and not be dead. Brambleclaw tried not to look pleased that his leader was dead. Squirrelflight dug at the stick and once it was out the noose immediatly loosened. Leafpool grabbed his scruff and pulled his neck out of the fox trap. Cloudtail ran over to stand beside Leafpool, Sandstorm, and Squirrelflight. Brambleclaw went to stand beside them. Leafpool pushed her nose into his fur, then murmered something too low for Brambleclaw to pick up. The rest of the Clan looked on in silence.




"Sandstorm, Squirrelflight, help take Firestars body back to camp." he said, delibriatly chocking on the words.

The Clan walked on in silence back to camp, with Brambleclaw in the lead.



"Oh great StarClan, why?" Ferncloud yowled when Firestars body was put in the middle of the clearing.

Dustpelt licked her ear and pressed his body close. Brackenfur ran into the nursery to tell Sorreltail what has happened.

"I guess that means your our new leader, Brambleclaw." Cloudtail said behind him.

"I guess it does." he mewed sadly.

"I remember when Firestar took me into the Clan. He was the bravest, most loyal warrior a cat could ever want."

Brambleclaw expected a thorn sharp stab of guilt, but it never came. Brambleclaw jumped onto the Highledge and called a Clan meeting.

"As you all have heard, Firestar is dead. We shall sit vigil for him tonight, and by moonhigh I shall choose a deputy, and I'll go to the Moonpool tomorrow." Brambleclaw mewed, his voice weak.

"Oh Brambleclaw." Squirrelflight mewed when he jumped down from the Highledge.

"I'm so sorry Squirrelflight. I don't know how this happened. I'm not ready to be leader, I've only been deputy for one day. How could StarClan take away our leader right when we need him most." Brambleclaw meowed in despair. He pushed himself close to Squirrelflight and twined his tail with hers.

"I love you," Brambleclaw murmered in her ear. "And I'll use every one of my lives to protect and defend my clanmates."

"You'll be a great leader, I just know you will." Squirrelflight purred.



A few cats congradulated him on becoming leader. Most were grieving for Firestar. Brambleclaw was in Firestars, now his, den. His head was on his paws and he was lost in thought. Who should he choose as Clan deputy. He should choose someone who supports him.


Brambleclaw had no idea who to choose. It was nearly moonhigh and he had no idea who the new deputy would be.




Brambleclaw walked out onto the highledge and called a Clan Meeting. Most cats were already in the clearing, knowing that moonhigh was not far away.

"It is time to name ThunderClans new deputy. I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve my choice." Brambleclaw paused and looked around the clearing.

"Thornclaw will be ThunderClans new deputy." Brambleclaw meowed loud and clear. Gasps of astonishment went up around the clearing.
"Why me?" Thornclaw yowled.

"Because I believe you are the right choice." Brambleclaw meowed. Thornclaw looked about to burst. The Clan gathered around Thornclaw and called out his name. Then the cats went back to grieving for Firestar.


I will do Chapter 2 soon.

[Swifty]

Good job on the story! ^^

[berry]

Chapter 2
Brambleclaw padded along silent towards the Moonpool. Tigerstar must be proud of him now. And now they could continue with the plan of taking over the forest. Before long he came up the glistening Moonpool. Stars shined down on the water. He'd never been here before. Brambleclaw padded up to the Moonpool and settled down beside it. Slowley, he lapped at the water and waited to be visited by StarClan. Would Firestar be there?




Brambleclaw opened his eyes and saw his sleeping body beside the Moonpool, then cats with stars in their paws started to form around the edge of the Moonpool.

"Welcome, Brambleclaw," Bluestar said.



-ThunderClan camp-



The camp was eerily silent. No cat stirred or made a sound. All you could hear was the steady breathing of sleeping cats. Cloudtail silently stood guard at the camp entrance. A cat got out of the warriors den and stretched. It was Dustpelt. He padded over to the camp entrance where Cloudtail sat. They exchanged some quick words and Cloudtail padded back towards the warriors den and curled up beside Brightheart.



Birchpaw came out of the warriors den, Dustpelt was still on guard, and went to the dirtplace tunnel. A few moments later and he came out again and padded over to the thorn tunnel. He said a few words to Dustpelt and padded out into the forest.




As dawn approached, Birchpaw came back with a mouse and wood pigeon. He quietly dropped the prey on the fresh-kill pile and went towards the apprentices den for some rest.




-The Moonpool-


Bramblestar woke up from his leadership ceremony. He had earned his nine lives and his new name. He padded on quietly through the forest. When he finally got back to camp it was nearly dawn. The dawn patrol would be leaving soon.

"Welcome, Bramblestar." Dustpelt said from standing guard.

He flicked his ear to signal he'd heard. The cats were just beginning to stir.

"Hello Bramblestar." Spiderleg said as he walked back.

"Hi Bramblestar." He hard a familier voice behind him say. He turned around to see Squirrelflight.

"Hello Squirrelflight." he meowed.

"Hows ThunderClans new leader?" she asked.

"Great. You?" Bramblestar asked.

"Good. You should go get some rest. You must be tired from your long trek to the Moonpool and back." she advised.

"I'm fine" he assured her.

"Okay, okay." she mewed.


-Medicine den-



Leafpool couldn't stop thinking that Brambleclaw was responsible for her fathers death. She kept picturing her father lying dead in the fox trap. His limp body, his neck caught in the noose, his eyes staring at nothing, his mouth open in a wordless cry. Her heart ached when she thought of him. She also couldn't stop remembering seeing Tigerstar with his two sons in the dark forest, with Tigerstar teaching them how to be a good leader. But in the waking world Bramblestar seemed like a strong, loyal, responsible, ThunderClan cat. And what about the horrible prophecy, Before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red. What could that possibly mean?




Leafpool went back to sorting herbs. She was running low on juniper berries. She'd go out and collect some to try and help get her mind off of it.



Leafpool ran through the forest and found herself looking out at the lake, and where her father had died. A picture ran through her mind, of Firestar and her. Oh, how she missed him. Firestars scent was still there. She bowed her head and grieved for a few heartbeats. She got up and ran back into the forest to collect some juniper berries.





Bramblestar layed down in his nest, dreaming. He saw him and Hawkfrost by the lake. Firestar was lying in the fox trap, struggling for air. His pelt stood on end as he heard Tigerstar growl in his ear "Kill him. NO cat will know it was you. You can be Clan leader, you can have everything you ever wanted. He watched himself tighten the noose, and Firestar choked for air. Firestar coughed up mouthfulls of blood, and scrabbled his forepaws. He closed his eyes shut tight. He couldn't watch as his Clan leader, mentor, and in the end trusting him enough to make him Clan deputy. He owed a lot to Firestar, and this is how he repays him. By killing him to become Clan leader. How could he do something like that? He opened his eyes and was back in his den. Was being leader really worth it? he wondered suddenly.

[berry]

Suggestions for chapt 3?

[Swifty]

Cool! Hmm. Nope i got nothing for chapter 3 :/ sorry lol.

[berry]

It's okay should I wait for more people to respond or just make chapt 3?

[Presea]

That chapter is good.

[berry]

Thanks here is chapter 3

Bramblestar walked along the lake with his clanmates following him. When they got to the tree bridge, WindClan and RiverClan were already there. He slowly walked across and his clanmates followed. Hawkfrost bounded over to him once he made his way out into the open.

"Hello Bramblestar."Hawkfrost said loudly. Cats within earshot looked over at him curiously, but no one approached them.

"Who'd you make deputy?" he asked.

"Thornclaw," Bramblestar answered. Then he jumped away and up onto the branches of the tree where the leaders sat. He raised his head proudly and looked down at all the cats moving around and happily talking to each other.

"Wheres Firestar?" Onestar asked, but at that moment Blackstar arrived and weaved his way through the cats to sit up on the tree.

"Shall we get started?" Leopardstar asked after a few moments of silence.

"Sure." Onestar said, casting a curious glance at Bramblestar. Leopardstar yowled loudly.

Blackstar, Leopardstar, and Onestar mostly just talked about new warriors, or apprentices.

Finally, it was Bramblestars turn to speak. He gazed out at the cats below, suddenly self-conscious(sp.?")

"I have some very sad news." Bramblestar meowed loudly. "Firestar is dead." Gasps of astonishment rang out around the clearing.

"What? How?" Onestar asked urgently. Bramblestar knew that Onestar and Firestar had been close ever since Firestar brought WindClan back to their home in the Old Forest. Bramblestar flicked his tail for silence but still it was awhile till he could finally speak.

"His neck got caught in a fox-trap."

"But he still had six lives left!" someone yowled from below.

"I know." Bramblestar admitted. "I don't know what happened, but when we found him he was dead."

Bramblestar bowed his head in fake grief before saying, "Thornclaw is ThunderClans new deputy."

Some congratulated Thornclaw, but most hung their heads in grief. Bramblestar felt a thorn-sharp stab of guilt. Firestar was a hero, and deserved many more seasons of life, but Bramblestar had took that all away from him. And he'd made all these people sad.

Bramblestar told the Clans of the badger attack and Sorreltails kits, but many were not listening, too tied up in their own thoughts to actually listen. Even Blackstar looked sad and his head was bowed.



Bramblestar looked around sadly, all these people were shocked and sad because of him. It was his fault Firestars dead. Firestar didn't deserve to die when he did because of one bad mistake. But it was that one big mistake that cost him his life.




Bramblestar had his head bowed the whole way back to camp.

"Whats wrong." Squirrelflight asked as they padded along through WindClan territory. Bramblestar shrugged.

"Its not your fault Firestar died. It was StarClans choice to take Firestar to StarClan then."

It wasn't StarClans choice. Bramblestar thought angrily.

"Besides, your a great leader." she meowed, pressing close to Bramblestar.

Bramblestar smiled weakly at her.




That night Bramblestar had another one of those terrible dreams. This time it was in the future. He had just lost his ninth life and looked around. Wheres StarClan? Bramblestar thought. Then a figure appeared before him. It was Firestar. Bramblestar gulped loudly.

"You chose to live a life of evil. You do not belong in StarClan. You will now spend eternity in the Dark Forest." Firestar meowed.

"I trusted you Brambleclaw." Firestar continued, using claw instead of star. "But you decided to kill me when you could. I guess its right what they say, that anyone with Tigerstars heritage cannot truely be a loyal Clan cat."

"No Firestar! No, I'm sorry, I didn't mean too." Bramblestar said meaningly.

"I'm sorry Bramblestar. You do not belong in StarClan." Firestar said, then he turned and walked away.

"Please Firestar, noo. Give me another chance." he yowled after him.

Firestar turned and said. "Life doesn't give out second chances. You got one chance, and you blew it." Firestar meowed coldly, then walked away.

"Noooo!! Please." Bramblestar begged as he walked away.

"Bramblestar?" a voice asked.

"Firestar!" Bramblestar meowed hopefully. He felt someone poke his side.

Bramblestars head shot up and he looked around. He was back in his den, with Squirrelflight at his side.

"You okay. You looked like you were having a pretty crazy dream there." she mewed.

"I'm fine. Thanks anyway." Bramblestar said, licking her between the ears.

"Now try to get some sleep." she said.

[berry]

Chapter 4
Bramblestar walked along, sniffing around the shadowclan border.

"Should I renew the scent marks?" Ashfur asked.

"Yes." Bramblestar said.

Ashfur and Spiderleg started renewing the scent marks, and Bramblestar walked down the border, not knowing what he was looking for, just knowing that something was missing. Him and Hawkfrost were still meeting with Tigerstar, trying to figure out how he could take over WindClan and how Hawkfrost could become deputy.



Bramblestar walked along the border, thinking, looking.

"Where are you going, Bramblestar?" he heard Spiderleg ask.

"Go on without me, I have to do something." and Bramblestar bounded ahead. His paws ended up carrying him down towards the lake. He sat and looked at the water. Then, the water showed a picture. It showed Sandstorm, then Squirrelflight and Leafpool, Cloudtail, then at the end it showed Firestar, when he was still alive. It showed him and Firestar training, him teaching Bramblestar things when he was very small still. It showed Bramblestars warrior ceremony, with Firestar giving him his warrior name, Brambleclaw. Then, it showed something that he remembered, but it was real fuzzy and in the back of his mind. It showed him, as a kit, stuck in a tree with a burning forest all around him. He was very frightened and wouldn't stop mewling, but then Firestar jumped up onto the tree and grabbed him, jumped down and the tree fell. Then Yellowfang was just behind the burning tree, stuck in the burning camp. She had One-eye in her mouth, and he was limp and unconscious.



Did Firestar seriously save him, but in doing so, trapping Yellowfang inside the burning camp, with no means of escaping? Bramblestar thought.

"No, no, no no no no! That cannot be true. It isn't, I know it isn't." Bramblestar mumbled. Bramblestar staggered to his feet and clumsily ran off. He stumbled every now and then, but eventually made it back to camp. He jumped up the rocks to the Highledge and layed down on his nest, shaking, and slowely fell into an uneasy sleep.



It was another one of his bad dreams, the dreams that he's been having so often it was starting to become normal to him. It was like what he saw in the lake, except way more real, and more vivid. He could feel the heat from the fire, and felt Firestar grab his scruff. He could tell Firestar really never wanted Yellowfang to die. They were close, he could tell, just by the breif words that were passed between him and her. Yellowfang wanted Firestar to go, back to the Clan, but Firestar didn't want to leave Yellowfang there to die. This made Bramblestar feel even more guilty than before.



Bramblestar woke up in a sweaty heap of fur, startled, but okay. Squirrelflight stirred beside him but didn't wake. He curled back down and fell back asleep, and luckily didn't have another one of his annoying, scary, dreams.

[berry]

chapter 5
"Thornclaw, Spiderleg, Ashfur,Dustpelt, Brightheart, Squirrelflight,Whitepaw, and Sandstorm can go to the Gathering." Bramblestar announced.



Sandstorm bounded up to the waiting patrol, ready to get going.

"Sorry." Sandstorm apologized.

"Its okay." Bramblestar said, then they started off. Bramblestar walked quietly on, with Squirrelflight at his side.

"Whats wrong?" Squirrelflight suddenly asked.

"Huh?" Bramblestar asked.

"Don't act like you don't know. I can tell when you wake up in the middle of the night. I know you've been having nightmares."

Bramblestar felt hot under his fur. He didn't know Squirrelflight had known about that. "I don't know, I've just been having some bad dreams lately. I wished I could've been there to help Firestar." Bramblestar lied.

"Oh that, Bramblestar, its not your fault. It was nobodys fault. It was a total freak thing. Could've happened to anybody, so stop thinking it was your fault." Squirrelflight mewed.

Thats where you're wrong. Bramblestar thought sadly, It was my fault.




When they arrived at the tree bridge, Bramblestar could smell everybody there except them.They were last to arrive. Bramblestar crossed, and jumped up onto the tree with the other leaders. Leopardstars head was bowed, and the RiverClan cats didn't seem as happy as normal.


Bramblestar yowled for the meeting to begin. "Leopardstar, would you like to go first?" Bramblestar asked.

"Sure. A terrible thing has happened. Mistyfoot has died." Yowling broke out in the clearing. Leopardstar waved her tail for silence, even so, it was a while before the yowling died down. "We found her floating in the stream, dead. Our new deputy is Hawkfrost." Leopardstar said.

Now all we need to do is kill Leopardstar, and then I take over WindClan and Hawkfrost take over ShadowClan. Bramblestar thought. Hawkfrosts head and tail were raised proudly. The rest was mostly about prey being well, and new apprentices and warriors.

As Bramblestar passed Hawkfrost, he whispered. "Phase two complete."




As Bramblestar lay in his nest, he dreamed another bad dream.



Firestar was laying in his nest below the Highrock back in the Old Forest, and he could hear his thoughts. I will me Bramblekits mentor, then he will never become evil like his father, Tigerstar. He will be a loyal and brave warrior of ThunderClan.



Now it was later. It was when Bramblestar had said no to being part of ShadowClan, under Tigerstars rule.

"Then you are mouse-brained. Your sister made the right choice." he said. Bramblestar could feel the pride coming off Firestar in waves.

Again he could hear his thoughts. Now I know he will never be like Tigerstar. He will be a great and loyal warrior of ThunderClan.


Now it was when they were leaving the Old Forest, and Sasha was trying to persuade her kits to stay with her. Firestar was saying how Tigerstars kits had never failed to be loyal warriors. It was obvious he wasn't only talking about Hawkfrost and Mothwing. He was talking about Bramblestar and his sister, Tawneypelt, also. He then, watched Firestar announce the new deputy, him. Firestar was thinking, I know he will be a cat I will always want by my side. He will be a great deputy, and later, a great leader of ThunderClan.


"How could I have done this to him, when he's done so much for me?" Bramblestar thought aloud, opening his eyes to see him back in his den back by the lake.

"What?" Squirrelflight mumbled, half-asleep.

"Nothing." Bramblestar said.

[berry]

chapter 6
Bramblestar padded through the Dark Forest confidently. He could find his way to Tigerstar with his eyes shut he knew this place so well.


"Greetings Bramblestar. Now, where is Hawkfrost. He's late. Again," Tigerstar growled.

"I don't know, Tigerstar."

Then Hawkfrost puffed into the clearing, he had clearly run all the way here.

"Sorry, I got caught up in deputy duties." he grumbled.

"Now, how are we going to get Hawkfrost to be leader. Doesn't Leopardstar still have quite a few lives left?" Bramblestar asked.

"Four," Hawkfrost said.

"We could kill her four times. Or we could drown her. Something like that," Bramblestar suggested.

"You should get a bunch of followers, then get them to help you kill her, while no one is around."

"Maybe we could try what you tried, Tigerstar." Bramblestar said. "We could get a bunch of rouges, or something, to break into the RiverClan camp and attack, and while that is happening we kill Leopardstar in secret. IN her den or something."

"Except this time we succeed," Hawkfrost mumbled.

Tigerstar glared at him, then bunched his muscles and pounced on Hawkfrost. They rolled around on the ground in a flurried heap. Bramblestar joined the fight, on his brothers side.






Together, they overpowered Tigerstar. "Good job, both of you. You're training really paid off."

Then, something jabbed his side and he woke up.

"Are you all right, you, were like, twitching in your sleep. And I think your bleeding." Squirrelflight said. "Are you all right."

"yeah, there must be a thorn in my bedding," Bramblestar lied quickly. Squirrelflight just looked at him. Bramblestar licked her between the ears.

"I'm okay, honestly." he assured her. He walked out into the clearing. He looked up at the sky, and saw no stars. Were no StarClan warriors watching over them? he thought.

'No, no StarClan warriors are watching over you.' a voice said.

'No, NOO.' he thought.

[berry]

chapter 7
"Bramblestar, you must stop. Stop thinking about Firestar. That fool had to die, and you know it." Hawkfrost growled in his ear. "If Tigerstar found out about that he'd kill you. Just stop thinking about it."

"Okay okay. I'll stop thinking about it. Sorry," Bramblestar said.

"You better. We have to think up a way we could kill Leopardstar." he said quietly. They had meet up at the same spot they did many moons ago, back when he killed Firestar. He flinched, just thinking about that made him flinch or something.

"Stop and listen to me!" Hawkfrost meowed, louder than he should've.

"I don't know how I would be able to help. RiverClan is all the way around the lake and I couldn't get away from my Clan that long without being spotted, I mean, I'm leader."

"At least help me think of a way." Then Bramblestar heard a twig crack behind them.

"Hurry, hide!" he hissed, shoving Hawkfrost into a nearby bush.

"Bramblestar, is that you?"

"Yeah, over here!" he called.

"Isn't it a little cold to be sitting out here?" Leafpool asked. Bramblestar just noticed how fat Leafpool was getting. He'd have to do something to help her loose all this weight, seriously.

"I just love looking out at this beautiful lake at night, especially when its snowing. It makes everything more...oh, I don't know. Beautiful, I guess you'd call it. Yes, its beautiful," Bramblestar lied quickly.

"I guess, but as your medicine cat, I'm telling you you have to go back to camp. You'll get greencough or something if you keep sitting out here like this," she said.

"Fine, I'll go. Why are you out here?" he asked.

"I was looking for some herbs, but didn't find the ones I needed." she said.

"Oh. Well, lets go back."

"Okay."

Bramblestar kicked the bush Hawkfrost was in while he walked by. It was sort of saying, Just leave once its clear. He just hoped he'd understand what he meant. It wasn't all that clear of a sign.






He was back inside his den now, all nice and warm. Squirrelflight licked him between the ears, purred, then curled up beside Bramblestar. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but it wasn't until a while did he finally fall asleep.

It was another Firestar dream. These came almost daily now, so it wasn't much of a surprise. This one was different, new. He saw this camp, with his father on a pile of bones. Leopardstar sat beside the pile of bones, watching out on the cats around her. It looked like RiverClans old camp, but he couldn't tell with all the extra cats and bone piles. He saw Tigerstar ordering Darkstripe to kill Stonefur and saw a mini version of Stormfur and Feathertail cowering in fear a few feet away. Stonefur was fighting to protect Stormfur and Feathertail, because Tigerstar was trying to kill all Half-Clan cats.

He'd heard this story many times before, how Firestar and Graystripe had rescued the Half-Clan cats and get them to saftey in ThunderClan. But never before had he actually see the scene fold out in front of him.

Blackstar killed Stonefur after Darkstripe couldn't do it, then took Stormfur and Feathertail into this cave-type thing. Ravenpaw managed to distract the guard, Jaggedtooth, Bramblestar thought, away from the entrance. Then Firestar and Graystripe snuck in, then snuck out Stormfur, Feathertail, and Mistyfoot.

He'd saved those Half-Clan, risking going into a Clan who listened to whatever his worst enemy, Tigerstar, told him too. And he risked getting caught. Firestar really was a true hero.

[berry]

chapter 8
"Fine, tell them. I can't keep this secret a secret for much longer anyway."

"You fool! Your not worth my time you worthless excuse for a cat!"

"I'm going to tell everybody," a third cat snarled. "You don't deserve to be living in a Clan, nice and warm, with your three kits."




~~~~~~~~~~


A blizzard was blowing through the ThunderClan camp. All cats were curled up in their nests, nice and warm, while Bramblestar sat there worrying. Squirrelflight and Leafpool left right before the storm hit, and they got stuck in it. Bramblestar hoped that Squirrelflight would be all right, that when she got back she'd be unharmed.

"She'll be okay, Leafpool's with her," his mother, Goldenflower, said. She'd been up there when the storm hit and Bramblestar forbidden her to leave in this weather.

"How do you know?" he snapped. "For all we know she could have froze to death already! Its all my fault for letting her out of camp."

"I know because I know Squirrelflight. She's not going to die in a snowstorm. She's probably going to die in a battle or something."

"Thank you Goldenflower, that helps so much," Bramblestar said sarcastically.

"You know what I mean. Now lay down and get some sleep. Calm down. I promise I'll tell you if she comes, right away." Bramblestar knew this tone. It wasn't a suggestion, it was a command. Kind of like, Go to sleep or I'll make you, kinda tone.

"Fine." And he curled up and closed his eyes and almost immediatly he fell into unconciousness. It felt like not even a moment later, Goldenflower was prodding his side anxiousy.

"Wake up, wake up now!" Something was wrong, he could tell. She didn't come back. he thought. Oh StarClan what have I done?! Bramblestar scrambled to his paws and ran out of his den, almost falling over the Highledge on his way out. He nearly passed out in surprise. Squirrelflight had three tiny little kits at her feet.




~~~~~~~~~~~



"Squirrelflight, what are those?" he asked.

"Hurry, we have to get them into the nursery before they freeze to death. Bramblestar, could you help," Leafpool asked, picking up a kit. It mewled in pain as she did. Obediantly, Bramblestar picked up the remaining kit and rushing it over to the nursery behind Squirrelflight and Leafpool.

Fernclouds eyes widened as they rushed in.

"What the...." her voice trailed off. "Squirrelflight, Leafpool, what are those?"

"Their kits!" Leafpools outraged yowl sent Ferncloud five feet in the air, waking up her newest litter, Icekit and Foxkit. They were born not to long ago, very young.

"Their my kits," Squirrelflight said, putting emphasis on the my. "Unfortunatly, I had them when me and Leafpool were out." the kits mewled in hunger.

"They need milk! I'll be right back." Leafpool said anxiously before rushing out. Bramblestar pulled her a little ways from Ferncloud, so she wouldn't hear.

"How long have you been.." he whispered.

"A while, I didn't tell you cause I...I didn't think you'd want them."

"Are you crazy?! I love them all already. Their beautiful!" he cooed.

"I'm sorry. Thank StarClan." she whispered back.

"Bramblestar, can you leave. I need space to work."

"Of course," Bramblestar said.



Bramblestar left, feeling slightly confused. How could he have not known that Squirrelflight was going to have kits? Why would she think he wouldn't want them? He loved them, of course, and couldn't wait to see what they turned out to be when they grew up.

[berry]

chapter 9
Bramblestar gazed at his beautiful, new, three kits. Their names were Jaykit, Lionkit, and Hollykit. He couldn't get over the fact at how beautiful they all were. Squirrelflights milk hadn't come, even when Leafpool gave her some herb he couldn't remember the name to, and it was supposed to help the milk come, but it hadn't. Ferncloud agreed to milk them. She only had two little kits, and she loved all kits.

"Hey, Bramblestar, whos going to the Gathering?" Thornclaw, his deputy, asked.

"I'll announce it in a second," he said. He turned back to his kits for a second, then raced out and jumped onto the Highledge.

"Dustpelt, Brightheart, Birchfall, Cloudtail, Sandstorm, Sorreltail, and Berrypaw are going to the Gathering." he announced.



Bramblestar and the rest of the Gathering party sat there, waiting for Sandstorm. After Firestars death, she'd never been the same. She'd gone from best hunter, to nearly the worst hunter. She never talked anymore, actually, pretty much avoided any cats. She was always depressed, and Leafpool didn't know what to do about that.

"Sorry," he almost forgot the sound of her voice, she barely ever used it. "I was fetching Leafpool some yarrow."

"Its okay," he said. Slowely, he walked them towards the island where the Gatherings were held. They were second to arrive. RiverClan were there, that was it. He jumped up onto the Tree Bridge, walking slowely, careful not to fall into the churning, black water beneath him. His paw slipped on the water, and he dug his claws into the tree trunk. The paw that slipped shot back up to the trunk, digging those claws into the trunk. This time, even slower, walked across.



"Bramblestar, I've got a plan. Follow me," Hawkfrost said in a hushed whisper. Hawkfrost led him to the edge of the water, where most cats didn't go. "Okay, so I've got a big bunch of followers. Then, one of them will tell them theres ShadowClan scent over by the Greenleaf Twolegplace. No RiverClan cat really goes over there, and since its the beginning of Leafbare, its going to be extra quiet. We corner her, and kill her over and over until she dies for good. You think its a good plan. Then you will have to start gaining control of WindClan, you have to stop putting that off."

He merely nodded, not wanting to talk.

"I'm planning on doing that exactly one moon from now, right after the next Gathering." Again, he only nodded. He smelt ShadowClan and WindClan on the breeze, and raced out into the clearing and jumped up onto the tree where the leaders sat.



~~~~~~~~~

It was a week before the Gathering.



Bramblestar stalked quietly through the Dark Forest. The Dark Forest was the place where all bad cats went, where there was no StarClan, and no light. It was always dark, and you were always alone. This was where Brokenstar, Darkstripe, and his own father, Tigerstar, walked.

"There you are, Bramblestar." Tigerstar said. He saw his half-brother, Hawkfrost, sitting below the rock where Tigerstar sat.

"Yeah, I kind of wanted to talk to you. I don't think I can go through with this."

"What do you mean?" Tigerstar growled.

"I mean, I don't want to take over WindClan. I just want to lead my Clan peacefully."

"What!?" Tigerstars outraged yowl rang around the little clearing.

"Let me talk to him," Hawkfrost said. "Don't be so mouse-brained Bramblestar. Think this through. You can lead WindClan. You could lead half the forest."

"I know, but I don't want that. Their are supposed to be four Clans in the forest. I don't want to mess that up."

"You'll have more territory."

"I like my territory."

"Fine, you do this, and I'll tell everybody your secret at the Gathering. How you killed the beloved Firestar. You'll be a rouge."

"Fine, tell them. I can't keep this secret a secret for much longer anyway."

"You fool! You aren't worth my time you worthless excuse for a cat!" Tigerstar hissed.

"I'm going to tell anybody," Hawkfrost snarled. "You don't deserve to be living in a Clan, nice and warm, with your three kits."





~~~~~~~~~~




"Leopardstar," Bramblestar said. Again, only RiverClan and ThunderClan were there, and Hawkfrost was ignoring him.

"Whats wrong Bramblestar?" she asked curiously.

"Okay, you have to believe me, he told me this last Gathering. Hawkfrost is planning to get him and a bunch of his followers and lure you to the Greenleaf Twolegplace and kill you over and over again. I know you won't believe me, but you must. I wouldn't lie about something like this. Even after what you'll hear at the Gathering tonight, you must believe me."

Leopardstar looked at him curiously, and she opened her mouth, but closed it again. "What are we going to hear tonight that would make me not believe you. Your a noble Clan leader and loyal cat. I knew something like this was going to happen. After Mistyfoot, oh, I don't know. Hawkfrost told Mistyfoot to come see something, and she did. It was at the Greenleaf Twolegplace-" she broke off as the ShadowClan cats arrived and talked faster and quieter. "Blackclaw also went with, and when they came back they were both carrying her body. Mothwing found claw marks across her throat, telling us it was a murder that killed her, not accident." Blackstar was crossing the tree bridge now. "I knew there was something fishy about that, they told her to follow them somewhere, and they show up with her body." Blackstar jumped up onto the tree and Leopardstar stopped talking.




"Wait, Leopardstar, I have to make an announcement." Hawkfrost yowled when Leopardstar was about finished reporting RiverClan.

"Fine. Speak."

"I know who killed Firestar." Bramblestar got ready to jump off the tree and run across the clearing once he told them. Gasps went up around the clearing.

"Who!?" he hard someone cry.

"Tell us."

"Whoever it is, we should kill 'em!" someone called. Bramblestar shivered.

"Then you'll all be surprised. The one you all trust, the one cat everyone thought was loyal, noble, well he's not. The cat who killed Firestar was Bramblestar." The minute Hawkfrost said his name, he jumped of the tree and ran around the astonished cats, who were to shocked to stop him. He ran across the tree, amazingly not falling.

"Bramblestar!" he heard someone call. He ignored is, and ran on. He ran towards the mountains.

"Bramblestar, wait!" the voice was closer, and more familiar. He glanced over his shoulder, still not slowing down, and saw Tawneypelt. He stopped and spun around, quick.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean too. Hawkfrost said if I didn't he would, then kill me! Tigerstar kept whispering in my ear, kill him, kill him. I was confused. I've been having nightmares ever since, I'm sorry! I know you hate me and I don't blame you." Bramblestars words were fast, and when he was done he spun back around and raced back towards the mountains.

Tawneypelt appeared in front of him and stopped him. "Bramblestar, I'm really ashamed of you. But your my brother and I'll never stop loving you. I'll never forget you, and I'll always be on your side." she rubbed up agains him and purred, licked him between the ears and let him run on.

"Can you please tell Squirrelflight that I love her. And that I don't blame her for hating me, and I know that it won't matter but, I'm really, really sorry."

"Of course." she whispered.




~~~~~~~~~~




Bramblestar ran for days, passing the Tribe of Rushing Water, but never stopping in. He ran until he saw the big stretch of land and memories flooded into his brain. He remembered seeing this when himself, Squirrelflight, Stormfur, Tawneypelt, and Crowfeather were coming back to their homes. He could almost see where the Old Forest once was. In its place were Twoleg dens. He walked down the small, narrow path. He came to the jump where the one little ShadowClan apprentice had falled to its death. Bramblestar had thought about Squirrelflight, and Firestar. How he should've had a much, much longer life. He never deserved to die when he did. The guilt nawed at his heart, and he couldn't live with it anymore. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and murmered "I'm sorry Firestar. I can't believe I let myself live as long as I did after your death. I don't deserve to live" and jumped off the cliff.






~~~~~~~~~~




No matter what, Squirrelflight still loved Bramblestar, and taught her "kits" (remember their Leafpools) to remember Bramblestar for the good things hes done, not for the fact that he killed Firestar. She ended up with Ashfur, and Hollyleaf never killed Ashfur and Leafpools secret was never spilled. Hollyleaf didn't die and the prophecy there will be three didn't exsist. Their were no powers and Jayfeather wasn't blind. Hawkfrost was figured out and him and his followers were exiled, and the new RiverClan deputy ended up as Stormfur. After Stormfur figured out about Bramblestar killing Firestar, he raced back to the Clan and RiverClan welcomed him back with open arms.

Thornclaw was never granted his nine lives, and only Leafpool knew about that. Graystripe came back and was named deputy. Then a terrible sickness spread from one tainted rat, how the rat came to ThunderClan, no one knows. ThunderClan got the really bad sickness that ShadowCland suffered from. Littlecloud gave them the cure, but it was too late for Thornstar. He died, the Clan believing the sickness killed him nine times over.



Now ThunderClan's leader is Graystripe, now Graystar. Graystar named Brackenfur deputy. After Brackenstar died Hollyleaf was Thunderclan's new leader and she was known as Hollystar. The Clan was never the same again. Sandstorm helped Squirrelflight get through the whole Bramblestar thing, and in the process cured her own depression.

StarClan have forgiven Bramblestar for killing Firestar and allowed him into StarClan because of the fact he gave away his life because of the death of his long-time leader and mentor, Firestar.

Firestar has forgiven him and most of ThunderClan has forgiven him.




THE END

[Swifty]

Awesome!! ^^