warriors: the new prophecy

I really struggled with this series. Actually, I feel like the series is in two halves. The first half/three books, I felt, were really long and drawn out with nothing really happening to move the plot forward. It was a long journey to the lake and then a long journey back home with lots and lots of empty filler. I was starting to get worried that the first series was it and I wasn't going to enjoy another Warriors book ever again and that all subsequent novels were just riding on the coattails of success from the first series. The second half/three books, however, proved me wrong by actually being really good. Those books covered Brambleclaw's struggle with his relationship with his father, sister, and half brother. Moreover, it introduced the Place of No Stars/Dark Forest, which was a really interesting alternative to StarClan, as well as gave a fascinating, manipulative, and devious villain in the form of Hawkfrost, who I really enjoyed (and still believe he was lying about never having been to the Dark Forest before). I was disappointed by how quickly Hawkfrost was written off, however he did have a respectable story arc and I did get to see his return later on. Also, this book series as a whole gave Brambleclaw the opportunity to grow and become more then just Tigerstar's son - which was very obvious as the story went on but was very clear when he chose a dying Firestar over everything else. And, it set up a great twist for Ashfur later on. It also gave us perspective from the cats of other clans - which while I wasn't in love with this, it was good to see things from a point of view that wasn't ThunderClan.

Warriors: The New Prophecy

1. Midnight
2. Moonrise
3. Dawn
4. Starlight
5. Twilight
6. Sunset

twilight: part five

Leafpool and Crowfeather continue to journey away from the clans. Leafpool is upset, but she keeps trying to remind herself they made the right choice. She misses Squirrelflight and as they find a lake to drink from she misses the Moonpool too. As they settle down for the night she dreams of the prophecy, of blood spilling blood. In the darkness she hears an attack. She sees blunt claws slashing and small, malicious eyes. She wakes up and Midnight is there. Midnight assumes they are running away from the upcoming attack. Leafpool and Crowfeather have no idea what she is talking about. She says her kin are coming to attack the cats and exact revenge and that she herself is on her way to warn the clans. Leafpool wants to turn back but Crowfeather insists they cannot, assuring her that Midnight will get there in time. They try to go back to sleep but Leafpool dreams of Cinderpelt calling out to StarClan. She wakes up and tells him they must return.

Back at camp Squirrelflight is missing her sister. She checks in on Cinderpelt who is still upset. She overhears Brightheart tell Berrykit that she is not a medicine cat and wishes Leafpool was there to hear her. She hears Firestar order Brambleclaw to take a patrol by WindClan the next day and to keep an eye out for Leafpool. Neither Brambleclaw or Squirrelflight hold out any hope that he will find her. Squirrelflight goes to lie down but as she is about to doze off she hears an odd noise. Badgers flood the camp, attacking the cats. Brambleclaw seeks her out, asking for help getting Daisy, her kits, and Sorreltail out of the camp. Brightheart and Cloudtail show up to help but Sorreltail is going into labor. Cinderpelt is fetched and Brackenfur is left to guard the nursery. Squirrelflight decides to take the cats out the way Leafpool was sneaking out. As they make their way there they cross the elders den and try to bring the elders with them but they won't go since Longtail is blind. Squirrelflight instead suggests they hide in Firestar's den since it is on a ledge.

After getting Daisy and her kits safely out Brightheart and Cloudtail get into a fight over who will stay with them - both of them insisting the other cat should so they can go back to the fight. Squirrelflight tells them that they are both going back to the fight and Daisy will have to stay on her own. When they get back to camp they show Ferncloud and Birchpaw (who is badly injured) the way out and task them with guarding Daisy. They go back to the fight and Squirrelflight worries that this might be the last time she sees Brambleclaw. She goes to follow him Sootfur needs her help. A badge kills Sootfur before she can save him. She looks around, realizing they might lose when she hears a cat in the nursery calling out to StarClan.

Leafpool and Crowfeather reach clan land. Crowfeather insists on escorting Leafpool safely home before returning to his clan. They get there but it is too late, the attack is already underway. They dive into the attack when Leafpool hears a scream from the nursery. Fearing for Cinderpelt she races there. She and Crowfeather fight off the badger and leave Squirrelflight and Ashfur on guard. Cinderpelt is dying and she tells Leafpool that she knew this was her fate. Leafpool asks her how she could have let her going knowing that this was going to happen. Cinderpelt tells her because Leafpool had to choose the medicine cat path with all of her heart. Cinderpelt dies and Crowfeather tells Leafpool that she never would have been truly happy with him. Leafpool realizes he is right and is determined to do the best for her clan.

Midnight reaches the clan and Squirrelflight asks her what she is doing there. Midnight responds bringing help and suddenly WindClan is there. The two clans successfully drive the badgers out and Squirrelflight is relieved to see that Brambleclaw is safe. Everyone is shocked at Onestar's help but he has come to realize that the clans helping each other is not a bad thing. Crowfeather asks to return home and Onestar allows it. A shocked cry sounds out at the arrival of Stormfur and Brook.

So, obviously, I am glad Leafpool returned home. Crowfeather was right, Leafpool would have never been happy as anything other then a medicine cat.

It was also nice to see Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw working together without the constant fighting. Hopefully this fight will bring them back together. I pity Ashfur.

And Onestar seems to be over his hissy fits and wants to be friends with Firestar again.

I never saw Cinderpelt being the cat who was speaking to StarClan. Which, I suppose, is foolishness on my part. Clearly they would have been speaking to a medicine cat.

The return of Stormfur shocked me. I wonder what is up with that.

When Leafpool had her vision of the attack it did seem obvious to me that it was badgers (blunt claws, small eyes) but now I wonder what will happen in the next book with Hawkfrost? I imagine his story has to be resolved then. I was hoping for redemption, but I suppose both Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost can't be redeemed - and this is ThunderClan's story, not RiverClan's.

twilight: part four

At the Gathering Leafpool worries about both Crowfeather and Brambleclaw. As the leaders give their reports there is some grumbling about Firestar taking in Daisy and her kits but the real arguing starts when Onestar gets angry with both ShadowClan and RiverClan for recently accepting the help of ThunderClan. As the cats argue Leafpool sneaks off with Crowfeather. He hints that maybe they should run away together but Leafpool insists that is not the answer. She returns to Cinderpelt to find the medicine cats discussing their shared dream. She is upset as she now realizes Mothwing is not the only cat cut off from StarClan.

Squirrelflight hears Brightheart calling for Daisy - while she was out practicing fighting moves with Cloudtail her kits got into Cinderpelt's supplies making a huge mess. Looking to avoid a fight between Cloudtail and Brightheart, Squirrelflight offers to help clean up the mess. While doing so Ashfur comes around to ask her what she is doing. She tells him how the kits made the mess and he responds that clan born kits would have never done such a thing. Squirrelflight gets upset, feeling Ashfur sees kittypets as less. As the two exchange heated words Cinderpelt and Leafpool return. Leafpool is abrupt in her manner and offers to go collect more supplies. Squirrelflight realizes that Leafpool is feeling guilty and unhappy. She offers to help Leafpool collect more herbs and Ashfur leaves to go hunting. She wants to confide about her fight with Ashfur but feels she cannot since Leafpool is so clearly miserable. She tries to find out what is wrong with her sister but Leafpool brushes her off and then insists they split up to collect the herbs. That night Squirrelflight wakes up and sees Leafpool sneaking off. She follows her but loses her and settles down to wait. She catches Leafpool returning to camp but Leafpool is furious with her for following. The sisters fight and Squirrelflight asks her what is wrong but Leafpool won't confide in her. Knowing the something is wrong Squirrelflight resolves to say nothing to anyone since Leafpool is so upset. When they get back to camp Brambleclaw sees them return. He asks where Leafpool was but Squirrelflight covers for her. She blows him off by saying she is going hunting. He starts to say he is going hunting too but she does not invite him and implies they should hunt in other areas. As she leaves she thinks how once she would have confided her concerns for Leafpool in him.

Leafpool sneaks out to meet Crowfeather again. She is upset over the fight with her sister, upset that Crowfeather keeps asking her to run away with him, upset that she can't confide in Cinderpelt, and upset that Cinderpelt suspects the truth. She finds Crowfeather - but Cinderpelt finds the two of them. Crowfeather leaves as Cinderpelt and Leafpool argue it out. Harsh words are exchanged as Leafpool accuses Cinderpelt of not knowing her pain and Cinderpelt argues that Leafpool has no idea what she has sacrificed. Cinderpelt forbids Leafpool from seeing Crowfeather again but Leafpool refuses and runs away. She finds herself racing towards the Moonpool, and when she reaches there she drinks from the water and falls asleep. She dreams of Spottedleaf, who tells her to follow her heart. When she wakes she seeks out Crowfeather. She tells him she must follow her heart. He thinks that means she must be a medicine cat but instead she says she wants to run away with him. He insists they leave at once, and although she is brokenhearted is agrees.

The next morning Squirrelflight is out hunting with other warriors when Cinderpelt tracks her down. She tells her Leafpool is missing and never slept in the camp last night. Squirrelflight is upset and slips out that Leafpool always returns. Cinderpelt tells her that Leafpool and Crowfeather are in love, but Leafpool does not realize what she is actually giving up. Cinderpelt wants to go to Firestar but Squirrelflight asks her to wait so she can look for Leafpool herself. While looking along the WindClan border she runs into Brambleclaw and confesses everything. To her shock he offers to help her. When they can't find a trace of Leafpool on their side of the border they realize she must be in WindClan territory and enter it after her.

A patrol finds them demanding to know what they are doing there, but Brambleclaw insists they must speak to Onestar. Much to Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight's confusion the patrol says they can guess why they are there. When they reach the WindClan camp Onestar accuses them of stealing one of his warriors but as they talk both clans realize the two cats have run off together. Onestar allows Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight to look with some of his warriors. They follow the scent trail but lose them beyond WindClan's border. The cats are forced to admit defeat and go home. Squirrelflight despairs at never seeing her sister again and tells Brambleclaw she doesn't understand why all the cats who made the journey are leaving them. Back at the camp Brightheart is devastated that she might be the reason Leafpool left. Squirrelflight assures her it wasn't her fault even though she knows Brightheart was making Leafpool unhappy. Brambleclaw reports to Firestar and Cinderpelt is crushed that Leafpool really is gone. Squirrelflight wonders how much Leafpool must have loved Crowfeather to leave everything behind for him. She realizes that she herself would never do that for Ashfur, but she has no answer when it comes down to Brambleclaw.

Okay, finally, Squirrelflight is admitting to herself that it is Brambleclaw she loves, not Ashfur. So yay for that. But that is not the important thing here - I never dreamed Leafpool would run away! I feel like she is making a huge mistake. No matter how much she thinks she loves (or does love) Crowfeather this will never make her happy. She is a medicine cat through and through and no other path will make her happy. I understand completely the ache she feels when she sees other kits in love or with their kits - that must truly hurt so deep. And I think it is a silly rule that says medicine cats cannot have kits - though, I do understand the reasoning behind the rule. A medicine cat with kits would have divided loyalities - and would be in need of a medicine cat herself when most clans only have one. But leaving her sister, her clan, and her way of life will never make Leafpool happy and I think she is going to deeply regret this. The two choices before her now are returning home admitting her mistake or staying away to prove she was right - and both of those are going to hurt.

As for Cinderpelt, I have always wondered if she had feelings for Firestar, and there was a bit of jealousy on Sandstorm's part in the previous series. It would be understandable if Cinderpelt grew up to fall in love with her closest friend. She spoke to Leafpool of not knowing her own struggles and desires - the desire to be a warrior was certainly strong and it is not a far stretch for love for her closest friend either.

Now, back to Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, I do hope that Squirrelflight taking a closer look at her feelings resolves this storyline soon.

twilight: part three

Leafpool tries to concentrate on her duties but isn't doing so well. Mosspelt arrives, asking her to help Mothwing. Leafpool seeks out Cinderpelt who tells her she may go if Firestar gives his permission. Firestar does and Cinderpelt comments that ThunderClan is lucky to have two medicine cats - but she seems off as she says this. Brightheart offers to help Cinderpelt in Leafpool's absence. As Mosspelt leads Leafpool to RiverClan they pass through WindClan territory. A patrol sees them but gives them no problem. Crowfeather is there and asks Leafpool to meet him that night on the island. Leafpool agrees. At the RiverClan camp she helps Mothwing with the sick cats. They discover the source of the poison and Hawkfrost implies that it is Mistyfoot's fault the cats are sick - his argument being that since she is deputy she should have known about the poison. Leafpool is shocked both at Hawkfrost's unfair comments and that he would be so bold as to say them publicly for anyone to hear. Back at the camp the sick cats are all recovering, though one kit dies. Leafpool also meets Willowkit who enjoys helping Mothwing. After everything settled down for the night Leafpool realizes she forgot to meet with Crowfeather.

Ashfur and Squirrelflight go to take Birchpaw training, which causes yet another fight between Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw. Ashfur goes on alone to train Birchpaw and Squirrelflight heads off to clear her head. She sees Tawnypelt fighting with one of the kittypets they got into a fight with when they were first scouting the area. She helps Tawnypelt out and, after getting more information from her about how the kittypets are terrorizing her clan, offers to help. She goes back to Firestar who agrees to let some cats offer Blackstar help. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight are among the cats picked - but Ashfur is not since he is supposed to be training - and they leave for ShadowClan.

They arrive at the ShadowClan camp and at first Blackstar is mad at Tawnypelt for turning to ThunderClan for help, but his warriors quickly speak up in her defense. The kittypets are terrorizing them and have already killed an apprentice. Some of the ShadowClan cats want to kill the kittypets but ThunderClan objects, pointing out how this will only anger the Twolegs. Blackstar sends some of his cats with the ThunderClan warriors and places Russetfur in charge of their group. The decision is made to use Tawnypelt as bait since she is already injured. The other cats hide and when the kittypets come out to attack Tawnypelt the clan cats corner them. The fight is over quickly with the clan cats winning and the kittypets agreeing to leave them alone. Squirrelflight goes up to Brambleclaw to tell him how he fought well but he is distant and cold. After reporting back to Blackstar the ThunderClan cats go home - with Squirrelflight upset that she and Brambleclaw can't seem to get along.

Leafpool finally leaves RiverClan for home. As she passes through WindClan territory she hopes to see Crowfeather but never does. She reports to Firestar and then excitedly hurries to Cinderpelt's den, but when she gets there she sees Brightheart acting like Cinderpelt's new apprentice. Upset, she goes off to eat where she finds Squirrelflight and Ashfur returning from hunting. She is upset by the closeness between the two cats, knowing she can never have anything like that with Crowfeather. That night Leafpool dreams of a shadowy world. She calls out to Spottedleaf but no one answers. Fearful that StarClan is punishing her for her love for Crowfeather she runs around trying to find anything. Seeing a sickly light ahead she follows it and comes across a clearing with Hawkfrost, Brambleclaw, and Tigerstar in it.

Leafpool listens on as Tigerstar gives his sons advice on how to become leaders. Hawkfrost's enthusiasm scares her. She runs away and wakes up to Brambleclaw standing over her. He tells her Firestar wants her for the Gathering that night. After Brambleclaw leaves she wonders if he chose to visit his father - and just what Tigerstar will make Brambleclaw do to become leader. As Leafpool goes about her duties she is upset by Brightheart helping. Cinderpelt asks her what is wrong and she responds that there are too many medicine cats. Cinderpelt sadly tells her that sometimes courage is needed to accept what StarClan sends, no matter how hard it is. Leafpool wonders if those words are meant for Brightheart - since Cloudtail is spending so much time with Daisy - or for herself, meaning that Brightheart is going to replace her. As Mousefur goes to Brightheart for help Leafpool is afriad that ThunderClan no longer needs her.

So, I can't help but wonder if Cinderpelt fears Leafpool leaving the life of a medicine cat - and that is why she made the comment about ThunderClan being lucky to have two medicine cats. And, later on, Leafpool echoes those thoughts when she realizes that Brightheart might be replacing her.

I do not think Leafpool going to the shadowy realm is a punishment - I think StarClan wants her to see it. Brambleclaw needs help so he does not follow down his father's dark path - a path that Hawkfrost has clearly decided to accept - and I think StarClan is trying to arm her with this knowledge. Which, about Hawkfrost, I feel like this is so wrong. He is turning into another Tigerclaw when he was so determined to be so different. However, Brambleclaw too is falling under the sway of trying to find the good in Tigerstar. But I really do think Brambleclaw sees this as a way to be a better warrior whereas Hawkfrost only sees his own ambition.

As for Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight - those two seem to be willing to fight over anything, no matter how trivial. I really wish they would stop and actually talk about things.

twilight: part two

Squirrelflight and her clan head to the island for their first Gathering. Squirrelflight is excited and wants to explore. She sees Brambleclaw go off to talk to Hawkfrost and feels upset and lonely. Suddenly Ashfur is there, ready to explore the island with her. Ashfur tells Squirrelflight that Brambleclaw is a loyal ThunderClan cat - no matter who his brother is.  They attend the Gathering and listen to what the clans have to report, as well as the rules for traveling in other clans lands. Leopardstar claims the marshes where they held their last Gatherings as her own and with Firestar's support she gets them. As the cats break up to leave Blackstar makes a snide comment about ThunderClan still not having a deputy. Squirrelflight fears that Brambleclaw might want to be deputy - and might kill, just like his father, to become leader.

As the Gathering breaks up Leafpool tries to talk to Crowfeather but Cinderpelt stops her. Later she dreams of Feathertail. Feathertail says that Mothwing's dreams are closed to StarClan so she needs Leafpool to carry a message that Twolegs are going to bring danger to RiverClan. Leafpool can't figure out how to sneak off and warn Mothwing until Squirrelflight tells her about some cat mint she found. After getting permission from Cinderpelt to collect it she goes off to gather some and take it to Mothwing. She sneaks off to the RiverClan camp where she is welcomed for her gift. She tells Mothwing the truth of why she is there. Though Mothwing does not believe in StarClan she does trust Leafpool. Together they go looking for something that the Twolegs could have done that will bring danger to the clan but they find nothing. Mothwing insists Leafpool spend the night and she guiltily does.

Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw, Ashfur, and Sandstorm are out together. Squirrelflight accidently crosses into ShadowClan territory causing yet another fight between her and Brambleclaw. When Ashfur leaps to her defense Sandstorm is shocked that Squirrelflight would let another cat answer for her. Squirrelflight feels a mixture of emotions over Ashfur's behavior. The cats start to head back to camp and Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw argue even more - with Squirrelflight saying that Ashfur is the only cat she can trust. Brambleclaw is upset but Squirrelflight throws his friendship with Hawkfrost in his face. Ashfur interrupts their fight and the cats all head back. Back at camp Firestar names Ashfur as mentor to Brichpaw. Squirrelflight is happy for her friend but also notices Brambleclaw's disappointment. She wonders again if Brambleclaw could kill to achieve his goals and reminisces about her old friend who would have once accepted the loss of being picked for an apprentice and moved on.

Leafpool and Cinderpelt head to the Moonpool - it is time for the medicine cats to gather. Cinderpelt is upset with Leafpool for staying away overnight - Firestar had even sent out a search party to look for her. Cinderpelt suspects she also snuck off to see Crowfeather, causing Leafpool to be even more upset. At the Moonpool Leafpool meets up with Mothwing. Mothwing tells her that there still is no sign of the coming danger. The cats drink the water and dream. Leafpool dreams of a dark, windy place with the voices of cats crying in the distant. She races through the trees towards a light ahead but when she reaches it she awakens. When the other cats wake up they decide to discuss the dream. Leafpool is relieved but as they start talking of claws and jaws attacking Leafpool realizes she had a different dream. Leafpool despairs that she wasn't shown the same vision and fears it is because of her feeling for Crowfeather. She decides not to admit having a different dream. Leafpool and Mothwing leave together and Crowfeather waylay her, asking her to meet him soon. She agrees.

Squirrelflight goes out with a hunting patrol and they find Daisy (from the horse place) with her kits. Daisy ran away because she was afraid the Twolegs would take away her kits like they took away Floss's. They bring everyone back to camp. Cloudtail reports to Firestar while Squirrelflight seeks out Leafpool - but Leafpool is short tempered and Squirrelflight can't figure out the emotions she feels coming from her sister. Squirrelflight heads over to hear Cloudtail's report and hears Brambleclaw point out that the cats are kittypets and don't belong with the clan. Cloudtail gets upset and Firestar steps between the two warriors before the argument escalates. Firestar says the cats may stay as long as they like. Cloudtail goes off with Daisy to help her settle in. Brightheart is upset with how close Cloudtail seems to be with the new cat. She offers to help too but Daisy is horrified when she sees Brightheart's face and instead of helping Brightheart leaves.

First of all I am going to be very upset if Cloudtail decides he loves Daisy more then Brightheart. The concept of the cats having a single mate and marrying didn't really exist until Firestar/Sandstorm and Dustpelt/Fernpaw. Before that it wasn't always known who the father of the kits were and it was implied that cats did not have to mate for life. Now, cat marriage seems to be a thing and I will be upset if Cloudtail picks someone over Brightheart - after him being so desperately in love with her for so many novels.

But, I do hope Daisy will stay. The clan could use her kits. And as Firestar and Cloudtail have proved over and over being clan born isn't everything.

And, I will give Squirrelflight some credit here. I think she is completely wrong about Brambleclaw and is overreacting but she does have some valid points. Mainly, the old Brambleclaw would have accepted being passed over as a mentor and not been upset. I think she is way out of line with her fears that if Brambleclaw is made deputy he could kill Firestar. Brambleclaw cares very much for Firestar and when Firestar was his mentor the two cats were very close. He looks up to, respects, and admires Firestar - I don't think for one moment he would ever consider killing him for power. However, I am also sure that Tigerstar is going to wish for that and is grooming Brambleclaw to do that exact thing. But I think Brambleclaw is good and Squirrelflight is wrong. But, like I said, old Brambleclaw would have accepted being passed over for an apprentice - he would have also blamed it on his father, but he would have accepted it.

As for Leafpool, I feel she is a mess. Between Mothwing's secret and Crowfeather's love she is everywhere but where she should be. I foresee her doing something stupid - even more stupid then staying the night at RiverClan.

twilight: part one

A young cat meets with StarClan. They tell the cat that the time to join StarClan is coming soon. The cat objects, but Bluestar tells the cat that even StarClan cannot prevent destiny, no matter how much they might wish it. The rest of StarClan assure the cat that they will always be remembered, and the cat accepts their fate.

Squirrelflight wakes up to Firestar calling a clan meeting. She meets up with Leafpool but when she sees Brambleclaw entering the camp she tenses up. She admits to Leafpool that she is upset that Brambleclaw believes Hawkfrost's version of events. Leafpool points out to her that there is no proof who was lying - and that Squirrelflight should not judge Brambleclaw by his father's - or his brother's - actions. Squirrelflight asks if she is being unfair, but Leafpool does not get to answer that question. Instead, as they talk, Ashfur comes over to sit beside her. She realizes that Brambleclaw was on his way over to sit with her but turned away, upset, when Ashfur sat down. She is unsure if she is relieved or disappointed. Firestar names a patrol to carry the dead ShadowClan warriors back to their camp. After those cats leave he says he will lead a patrol to WindClan to make sure that Onewhisker is now Onestar. Cinderpelt prevents him and he instead sends Brambleclaw. Spiderleg is annoyed, feeling that Brambleclaw is trying to be deputy. Ashfur points out to him that Brambleclaw is a good warrior, that wishing to be deputy is not a bad thing, and Graystripe is still not returned. Squirrelflight worries what Brambleclaw wishing to be deputy could mean. A decision is made that the cats need to train more and Brambleclaw offers to take over that duty, leading to words exchanged between him, Squirrelflight, and Ashfur (who was also going to volunteer). Firestar puts a stop to that fight but before the cats leave they get into another argument with Brambleclaw insisting Squirrelflight dislikes him because of his father and Squirrelflight insisting Hawkfrost is evil. The cats leave on their patrol with Squirrelflight trying to accept that things are over between her and Brambleclaw.

The tense atmosphere continues as they make their way toward WindClan. They see a patrol and find out that Onestar did receive his nine lives - but the WindClan cats are clearly hostile and don't want them there. Squirrelflight is confused and upset - WindClan has always been friends and now they are acting like ThunderClan has never helped them in the past. Brambleclaw takes his patrol away and tries to calm Squirrelflight down by pointing out that WindClan is probably trying to stand on their own now, but Squirrelflight is still upset. They scent a badger and watch it. It is a female with her kits and they decide to attack her to drive her off. Brambleclaw gets knocked down in the fight and Squirrelflight is afraid he is seriously hurt, but he is fine. They drive the badger off and return to camp.

Leafpool is trying to do her work but her thoughts are elsewhere, causing her to make mistakes. Cinderpelt asks her to confide in her but Leafpool insists everything is fine. But inside all she can think of is Crowfeather and how he loves her. She feels she cannot confide in Cinderpelt because that love is forbidden. Brambleclaw and his patrol come back and Leafpool is desperate to ask after Crowfeather but knows she cannot. Everyone has mixed feelings about Brambleclaw's report and, even though Leafpool feels it is a bad idea, Firestar resolves to visit Onestar as soon as he can. Leafpool dreams of Crowfeather and Cinderpelt wakes her to ask if she wanted something. Leafpool denies it, and offers to go collect herbs. She finds herself by the WindClan border searching for Crowfeather. Instead she hears Brackenfur and Whitepaw approaching so she hides to avoid them. After they pass she tries to exit the bush she was hiding in but Sorreltail finds her. Brackenfur comes back for Sorreltail, who is a bit tired, and Leafpool watches the two cats walk away. Her heart aches since she knows she will never have a love like that.

Squirrelflight and Ashfur are out collecting moss for the elders. They play and toss the moss at each other. Brambleclaw catches them, causing another fight between him and Squirrelflight. Squirrelflight asks him who died and made him deputy but immediately regrets it. Ashfur calms everyone down and after Brambleclaw leaves he reminds Squirrelflight that everyone is stressed out - including Brambleclaw. Squirrelflight angrily takes off and Ashfur chases after her. They wind up in unexplored territory and Squirrelflight startles a fox. They fight it and Brambleclaw shows up, having overheard them. But after chasing the fox off Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight get into another fight. Squirrelflight angrily tells him she doesn't know what she ever saw in him. The three cats follow the fox to the WindClan border and then go home. Back at camp Cinderpelt and Leafpool treat everyone's wounds. Leafpool tries to ask after Crowfeather without being too obvious but Squirrelflight is confused by her questions. Firestar decides to warn WindClan of the fox. Taking Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw, and Ashfur with him they travel to the WindClan camp. Onestar clearly does no care to see them and is indifferent to the news that they bring. Firestar is throughful but Squirrelflight is angry. The cats leave and Crowfeather tries to talk to Squirrelflight but both Onestar and Firestar put a stop to it.

So, first of all, I am wondering who the young cat is who StarClan is speaking to. At first I thought maybe it was Graystripe but then I rejected that idea. We haven't found out what happened to him yet so I can't imagine that is who it is. It seems to me it must be someone from ThunderClan - since that is who the stories follow - but I can't figure out who. I wonder if there will be more clues as the story progresses.

I am glad that Leafpool finally voiced that Squirrelflight is judging Brambleclaw by his father's - and even his brother's - actions. I was hoping this would cause them to make up but instead the gulf between them seems to be widening even more. Ashfur is clearly in love with Squirrelflight which is going to cause big problems since she is clearly in love with Brambleclaw - because if she wasn't then they wouldn't be fighting like this, instead they would have just parted ways. Ashfur is speaking up in Brambleclaw's defense - which is a smart thing to do when you are a rival - but since I think Squirrelflight will ultimately pick Brambleclaw that has the potential to make Ashfur bitter - especially if Squirrelflight does not make it clear to him soon that she is not in love with him.

Leafpool being in love with Crowfeather is a bad idea for so many reasons. Even if she wasn't a medicine cat he is from a different clan. The longer she drags this out for the more painful it will be when they part ways - which is the only end result I can see.