Rosethorn couldn't remember the last time she had ran so fast.
She felt like the wind was carrying her as she sprinted across the territory, Hazelfrost running steadily at her side. Her chest was tight and her paws hardly touched the ground with each stride. Far behind her she could hear the yowls and shrieks of fighting cats, and they only pushed her to move faster.
"What are we going to do once we get to the border?" Hazelfrost panted.
"Dunno." Rosethorn didn't slow down to think about it. "We'll figure that out when we get there."
"They might not help us," Hazelfrost reminded her, not for the first time.
Rosethorn didn't reply. Hope that FireClan would assist them was the main thing keeping her going. She had to try to stay positive.
Back when she was an apprentice, she recalled, staying positive was the easiest thing in the world. But so much had happened to her and her Clan that, now, being an optimist seemed to be one of the hardest things to do. She had been forced to grow up quicker than many cats, forced to carry a responsibility that weighed her down as if an enemy was pinning her. This forced maturity had changed her—she was the same cat as before, but somehow in a much different way. Whether this change was good or bad, she wasn't sure. And she wasn't sure she'd ever be sure.
All of a sudden she wondered if Pineclaw was watching everything unfold from Silverpelt. Would he tell her he agreed with what she was doing, if he was still alive?
He was always there for me, she thought. Whether I wanted his protection or not, and whether he was upset with me or not, he was always there. I don't think I gave him enough credit for that.
Something told Rosethorn that, if he was alive, Pineclaw would be the one running beside her, instead of Hazelfrost. Even if he disagreed with her idea, she knew he'd still be here, watching over her. Protecting her. Loving her.
She supposed he was doing all that anyway, just from StarClan instead of beside her. But it wasn't the same, because she couldn't do the same for him like she had when he was alive. And that was one thing that had made Pineclaw so special to her—he was never ashamed of asking for help. He was okay with being defended instead of the defender once in a while.
Rosethorn, on the other hand...she was always caught up in her pride. She had grown up telling herself to fight her own battles, to strive to prove her individual strength to the Clan every day. She'd tried to tell herself she didn't need anyone to help her, that she was strong on her own. And she was—she still knew that—but it didn't mean she had to be strong all on her own.
Over time her Clanmates helped her realize that she was never alone in anything, even if she wanted to be. Her sister, Nightshade, her parents, Grayleaf, Pineclaw—they'd all stuck by her even if she told them she didn't need their help.
They knew me better than I knew myself, she realized. Every time I said I didn't need their help, they knew I really did. And I was just too stubborn to admit that.
But the truth was, being in a Clan meant no cat was ever on their own. The point of the Clans was that cats were stronger together. And her friends and family were the ones that made her truly strong. She had been blind to that truth for so long, but they had helped her see.
That was one change in Rosethorn that she knew was good.
She and Hazelfrost slowed down as they approached the FireClan border, eventually skidding to a halt right at the scent line. The markings were fresh—well, with FireClan they were always fresh, but fresher than usual—but there were no patrols in sight.
"What are we supposed to do?" Hazelfrost growled. "Just sit here and hope another patrol stops by? We don't have that kind of time."
Rosethorn stared across the scent line, sending a quick prayer to StarClan. Then she meowed, "You're right. We don't." And with that, she sprang over the border and raced into FireClan territory.
"Rosethorn! What in StarClan's name are you doing?" Hazelfrost sounded horrified.
"Trying to save SunClan!" she yowled back rebelliously. "Are you helping me or not?"
Hazelfrost muttered something that Rosethorn didn't hear because she was too far away. Moments later, the dark brown she-cat was running alongside her, though discomfort radiated from her.
Rosethorn pondered how long it would be before some cat, or cats, caught them. There were only two of them, but they were still breaking one of the oldest rules of the warrior code. But did that really matter, if it meant saving one of the Clans who had helped to create that code?
Considering neither her nor Hazelfrost actually knew where the FireClan camp was, she assumed it wouldn't be long. It was around sunhigh, after all, so patrols would be out and about. Perhaps the patrol that had marked the border would be the ones who—
Something slammed into Rosethorn's side out of nowhere. She didn't even have time to yowl or fight back before she was shoved into the ground, the breath driven out of her.
Some cat's muzzle was against her ear, and an unfamiliar voice hissed, "Did you really think you could get away with trespassing? You SunClan cats must be even more arrogant than Maplefang says you are."
That's not good, Rosethorn thought. She heard Hazelfrost's muffled curses and assumed there was another cat holding her down, too.
"Wait, please," she gasped. "Give us a chance to explain. We—"
She was interrupted by the loud rustling of grass. Then a familiar voice mewed, "Rosethorn? And Hazelfrost? What in StarClan's name are you doing here?"
Shadetail! That's perfect. I was hoping I'd find him.
Rosethorn struggled momentarily, trying to twist herself so she could see the FireClan cats, but the one pinning her growled and dug his claws deeper into her fur. He wasn't drawing blood, but his grip was tight.
"Just let us go and we can explain," she pleaded. "Please, it's urgent. We need your help."
"Not a chance," her captor sneered. "We're not falling for your stupid tricks."
"Thornear, wait a moment," Shadetail said. "Look at their pelts. Those scratches, you didn't make those. They're telling the truth. Something's going on."
"I couldn't care less if something's going on with SunClan," the warrior called Thornear hissed. "It doesn't mean they can just waltz onto our territory and expect us to help them!"
"I told you they wouldn't be very polite," Hazelfrost grunted to Rosethorn's left.
"Shut up," said the she-cat that was holding the senior warrior down. She didn't sound familiar to Rosethorn, either. But Hazelfrost's answering hiss definitely did.
"They wouldn't have done this unless it really was urgent," Shadetail insisted. "They're good cats!"
"Oh, come on," Hazelfrost's captor growled. "'Good cats?' What's next, you saw a flying hedgehog? If you ask me, Shadetail, you've always been a little too fond of SunClan."
"Tell me about it," chirped Thornear. "A little is an understatement."
"I'm keeping an open mind, which is more than you can say," Shadetail snapped back. Rosethorn didn't think she'd ever heard him angry before—she also detected a note of hurt in his voice and felt sympathetic. "Okay, they're trespassing. So we need to take them to Amberstar, right? And while we're at it, they can tell her why they need our help so badly. Deal?"
We don't have time for all that! Rosethorn's heart sped up as she fought back panic. Her Clan was depending on this; she and Hazelfrost couldn't waste any time talking about pointless trespassing issues when cats were dying.
But she forced herself to lie still and calm as Thornear sighed, "Whatever. But if anything happens, it's all on you. I still don't trust a hair on these trespassers' pelts."
"Great." Shadetail sounded relieved. And Rosethorn was relieved that he cared enough to convince his Clanmates to hear them out.
She staggered up once Thornear had slid off of her. She glanced at Hazelfrost, who was also back on her paws, and held her gaze for several heartbeats.
Then, praying she would be fast enough to outrun the FireClan warriors, Rosethorn took off running deeper into the sparse forest.
Hazelfrost groaned, "Not again!" just as Thornear snarled, "Look at what you've done, Shadetail! Get her!"
Adrenaline coursed through Rosethorn, and she pushed harder against the ground, her chest burning as she ran as fast as she could. I have to find their camp before they catch me. Amberstar has to help us.
Despite being in a forest completely unfamiliar to her, she still found it easy to pick her way through it. Unlike in SunClan's forest—or how it had been before the fire, at least—there was hardly any undergrowth to trip over or brambles to get stuck in, and pale leaf-bare sunlight illuminated everything. None of it was familiar, but the terrain was easy to cross nonetheless.
As she ran, Rosethorn thought the overwhelming scent of FireClan was getting even stronger. Could their camp be up ahead? She hoped it was; Thornear, Shadetail, and the unnamed she-cat sounded just a couple tail-lengths behind her. They were all shouting at her to stop. Even Hazelfrost was running with them, trying to get her to stop before things got even worse. Rosethorn didn't listen.
The quiet sounds of relaxed meows up ahead told Rosethorn she was getting close to the FireClan camp. She suddenly realized she was running along a worn path dotted with countless pawsteps leading in all different directions. Just like our path. This is where their camp is. There was a line of thorny bushes in front of her, thicker than any other undergrowth in the forest. A narrow tunnel on the right side revealed a way through, and she darted towards it.
"Intruder! Look out!" Thornear screeched. His voice was startlingly close by.
Fear gave Rosethorn a final burst of energy that she used to barrel into the camp. As she slid to an abrupt halt, her legs buckled exhaustedly, and she collapsed.
After a series of stunned gasps, the first thing she heard was, "You call that an intruder?"
She was too tired and winded to be irritated or embarrassed.
Hazelfrost was at her side a few heartbeats later. "What is wrong with you?" she hissed.
"Didn't have a choice," Rosethorn managed in a breathy voice. She lay on her side, wishing she could sleep right then and there but knowing she couldn't. Her Clan was depending on her—plus, she had also ran straight into the camp of a rival Clan without permission. That too.
Hazelfrost rolled her eyes. "You're the most reckless cat I've ever met. You know we won't be doing much good if we become prisoners, right?"
"We won't," coughed Rosethorn.
By the look on Hazelfrost's face, she was pretty sure her Clanmate would have slashed her ears by now if they weren't in the same Clan.
"I'd love to know what's going on here," said an authoritative voice. Rosethorn lifted her head. Amberstar was perched gracefully atop the trunk of an old fallen tree that had, seemingly, become a part of the camp itself. She was all ginger fur and blazing eyes, like a fire about to consume the tree. Rosethorn pushed away the disturbing thought, and stood up with as much grace as she could muster. I already look like a fool.
"Amberstar." Thornear addressed his leader with a respect that seemed very uncharacteristic of him, from what Rosethorn had seen. "I'm very sorry about all this. We found them on our territory, saying they needed FireClan's help. But after Shadetail's bright idea—" he shot a reproachful look at his flustered Clanmate, "—to let them stand up, they fled from us and managed to find the camp."
"Well, you did," Hazelfrost muttered under her breath.
"Shush." Rosethorn nudged her exasperatedly.
To Amberstar, she meowed, "I know this wasn't exactly the best way to ask for your help, but we don't have much time. SunClan is in grave danger."
Amberstar's gaze sharpened curiously. After a moment she nodded. "Go on."
Rosethorn hated having to admit her Clan's weakness, but her only other option was to let them be slaughtered by the rogues, who outnumbered them five to one. "The rogues that began trespassing on our land moons ago have invaded our camp. They could be winning the battle. My Clanmate and I came seeking your help. If you could lend us your warriors, we would have a much better chance of defeating them."
An uproar broke out just as she finished speaking.
"What reason do we have to risk our lives for you?"
"There's no way I'm fighting for SunClan cats!"
"Why does SunClan always want our help?"
"Settle down," Amberstar called, lashing her tail. As her cats quickly quieted, her eyes returned to Rosethorn. "They do make a valid point. FireClan has no reason to help you. In fact, we have reasons to do quite the opposite. Why do you expect me to risk the lives of my warriors for a rival Clan?"
Rosethorn sighed inwardly. There are no cats in the world more stubborn than FireClan. But she kept her tone steady and respectful, as she responded, "But that's just it. We don't have to be rivals. SunClan and FireClan became enemies over one border incident that happened countless moons ago. Is it really necessary for us to keep holding on to that grudge? For each side to keep blaming the other when, really, they were both at fault? It doesn't seem necessary to me."
There was a low murmuring among the crowd of warriors that had surrounded her and Hazelfrost, but no one spoke out directly. Amberstar looked thoughtful. She leapt down from the fallen tree and strode purposefully toward the two SunClan warriors.
"What you say makes sense," she conceded. "But I still don't see a reason to assist you."
"Would you truly have a clear conscience if you refused to help us, even though we pleaded for your assistance?" Hazelfrost challenged. "If any of our warriors died, part of the blood would be on your paws. And you know it."
Amberstar's eyes narrowed as she stopped a fox-length away from them. Rosethorn hoped Hazelfrost hadn't gone too far.
But the FireClan leader's head lowered a little, and she sighed. "No, I would not," she mewed. "And my warriors are healthy and fit to fight. We are as strong as we've always been." Her eyes raked over the crowd. "Are we not?"
The FireClan warriors began to nod, albeit hesitantly. Rosethorn knew what most of them were thinking: Just because we're strong doesn't mean we need to use our strength to help another Clan.
Well, she thought, the word of any Clan leader is law. They'd be fools not to help if Amberstar said they would.
"Does that mean you will lend your warriors to our Clan?" Hazelfrost asked. Her face was calm, but her voice betrayed how hopeful she was.
Amberstar nodded. Her own voice was hard but sincere. "Yes. But I will only bring a small amount; I will not leave my camp unguarded."
"Of course," Rosethorn meowed, limp with relief. "Anyone you can spare will make a difference. But we must be quick."
"I'll go, Amberstar!" Shadetail stepped boldly out of the crowd. "I'm ready to fight."
Many of his Clanmates gave him disapproving looks. But another cat, a light gray she-cat with eyes the same color as Shadetail's, padded to stand beside him. Staring at them side by side, they looked a little like siblings to Rosethorn. "I'll come, too," the gray cat said. She looked at Shadetail and added, "If he goes, I go."
"Thank you, Lightstripe," Shadetail said under his breath.
"Well," Amberstar meowed, "anyone else that wants to fight is welcome to volunteer."
Rosethorn watched happily as, slowly, several other cats moved to stand around Lightstripe and Shadetail. She was touched that they were risking their lives to help her Clan—even if some of them were only doing it because Amberstar wanted them to. Assistance was assistance.
FireClan's leader stalked up to her and Hazelfrost, nodding briskly to the latter. "You can lead the way. I'll be with you."
Hazelfrost dipped her head. "Your generosity will not be forgotten soon."
"Your decision will save our Clanmates' lives," Rosethorn added.
Amberstar's gaze flitted between them. "It may also cost lives," she said icily. "And if any of my warriors are killed, remember that you instigated their deaths."