Cinderpelt agrees to look in on Snowkit, but only after she meets with the other medicine cats during the new moon. Fireheart escorts her to Fourtrees where they meet up with Runningnose and Littlecloud. Runningnose confesses to Fireheart that Nightstar never actually received his nine lives, causing Runningnose to speculate it was because Brokenstar was still alive. He seems slightly unsure of Tigerstar but unwilling to say anything more.
Back at camp Fireheart dreams of a dangerous forest and Spottedleaf refuses to come to him when he calls. Dustpelt wakes him and he goes off with Sandstorm. They run into first Princess (who Sandstorm is leery of), then Graystripe (who brings the news that Tigerstar has been visiting the ailing Crookedstar - but mostly Leopardfur) and Mistyfoot (who cannot find Graypool, who has been losing her mind, anywhere).
They all part ways to look for Graypool. Fireheart finds her but before he can call out Tigerstar approaches her. In her confused state Graypool thinks Tigerstar is Oakheart, and proceeds to talk to him about the ThunderClan kits he gave her. Tigerstar's responses and attitude cause her to realize she is not talking to Oakheart. The terrified elder becomes afraid and falls off of a rock, dying. Tigerstar leaves and Fireheart rushes over but it is too late. Mistyfoot and Graystripe find them but Fireheart leaves out the part about Tigerstar, unsure what to do or say. Fireheart heads back to the camp to find Bramblekit had just hunted his first mouse. With visions of Tigerstar standing over a dead Graypool, Fireheart forces himself to congratulate Bramblekit.
Cinderpelt realizes that Snowkit is deaf. Bluestar decrees that he can never be a warrior and tells Cinderpelt to deal with Speckletail. Fireheart is disappointed that Bluestar doesn't seem to care.
Out on patrol with Mousefur and Thornpaw they discover traces of a dog. Back at camp Fireheart tells this to Whitestorm then goes to report to Bluestar. In her deteriorating state she insists this is a WindClan attack. Suddenly a hawk swoops down over their (still unprotected from the fire) camp. Cats run for cover but Snowkit doesn't hear. The hawk snatches him before anyone can save him. Brackenfur takes off after the hawk, Swiftpaw following, but no one has any real hope. Bluestar sees this as a sign that StarClan is at war with their clan, and loudly announces this to everyone.
After retreating to her den Fireheart calms everyone down, also warning them to be on the lookout for danger when they are out of the camp because of the dog. Speckletail decrees she will live with the elders now and never have another kit. Fireheart tries to talk to Cinderpelt about Bluestar's wild accusations against WindClan but he feels she is not listening to him. Cinderpelt feels that there is nothing she can do, Bluestar's problems are in her mind and in her eyes Bluestar's word is law.
As sad as Graypool's death was, it was good for Fireheart to see that Tigerstar has not changed at all. And Tigerstar's visits with the ambitious Leopardfur cannot be a good thing.
As for Bluestar, I really feel that this is the beginning of the end for her - especially now that she has publicly declared StarClan at war with ThunderClan.
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