Prologue

“Needleflower. Needleflower! Go! GO!”

A dark brown cat pounced onto a white one, his golden eyes sparkling in the faint moonlight. “Needleflower!” he yowled. “Go! You can do it! Save yourself!” The white cat struggled underneath him.

A pale brown shape crouched in the trees. “No, Birdclaw,” she whimpered. “I’m not going without you.” She winced as blood seeped out of a deep cut in her shoulder.

The white cat growled as Birdclaw dug his claws into his shoulders. “No, Needleflower!” he mewed. “Go! Now!”

Needleflower hesitated for a moment. Then, with a screech, she threw herself onto the ground and slashed the white cat’s throat.

“No!” a snarl came from above them. “Whiteclaw!” He leaped down onto the forest floor gracefully. The dark red tom peeled back his lips and glared at Needleflower. “Codebreaker!”

Birdclaw immediately stepped off Whiteclaw and padded to his mate’s side. “Needleflower’s no codebreaker,” he spat. “In fact, you are, Branchstar. You killed my sisters, Mosspaw and Robinpaw! And that was three moons ago. Just a few days earlier you killed Bramblefur!” Needleflower shivered at the mention of her brother. “You’re a bad leader, Branchstar,” Birdclaw went on. “You’ve led your Clan into countless moons of bloodshed. Now hand over the leadership to Heatherfur. She seems like a better leader than you.”

Branchstar growled. “I am no codebreaker,” he snarled. “Heatherfur is too weak. My Clan is loyal to me. They will kill her on my command. That should get rid of her. Then I’ll appoint Darkpelt as my deputy. But first, I shall make you suffer.” Branchstar flung himself at Birdclaw.

“No!” Needleflower shrieked. She stepped in front of Birdclaw, her hind legs pushing him back with such force that he stumbled back.

No! Birdclaw thought. No! Needleflower! He stepped forward to help his mate, but he was too late. Branchstar crashed into her exposed belly, crushing her to the ground. Birdclaw heard her neck snap. It was the worst sound he’d ever heard.

“No!” he shrieked, filled with grief and rage. He threw himself at Branchstar before the evil leader could even taste his victory, digging his claws into his scruff. Birdclaw clung to Branchstar and leaned forward, sinking his fangs into the red tom’s throat.

There was a last shriek below his chin, and then everything went quiet.

“No,” Birdclaw whimpered, crumpling to the ground, his teeth still stained with blood. “No, no. Needleflower.” He pressed his nose into her lifeless body, hoping to find just a tiny bit of warmth left in it. But she was cold as stone. He let out a yowl of grief.

The bushes rustled beside him, and Heatherfur, SkyClan’s deputy, stepped out. “I’m so sorry, Birdclaw,” she murmured, crouching down next to him. “I should have stopped that. But I was too late.”

Birdclaw sighed and sat up, his heart aching. “It’s alright,” he gasped. “It’s not your fault, Heatherfur. It’s Branchstar’s.” He glanced at the red tom’s lifeless body. “I guess that was his last life.”

Heatherfur shifted closer to him and licked his cheek. “I’m so sorry,” she meowed. “I know you really loved her.”

Birdclaw nodded sadly, and the two cats sat together in peaceful silence, staring up at the stars. Eventually a feeling began to grow inside Birdclaw. He breathed in Heatherfur’s sweet scent. … No. He couldn’t have feelings for Heatherfur. He couldn’t, not right now, not when he still needed time to mourn Needleflower. But… what if I start a new life? he wondered. I can be mates with Heatherfur, and we can have kits together. I’ll name one of them Needlekit. He glanced at Heatherfur. If she feels the same about me. He held onto the thought as they sat silently for several moments.

“Birdclaw,” Heatherfur finally whispered. “Look up.” Birdclaw glanced at the sky. “Which star do you think is Needleflower?”

Birdclaw studied the stars for a moment. “That one,” he breathed. “The big one, because I’ll remember her with all my heart.”

Heatherfur stifled a laugh. “The really bright one must be my mother, Breezeheart, glaring down at me for putting fire ants in Grasspelt’s nest when we were apprentices.” She looked at Birdclaw. “Birdclaw,” she began hesitantly, “is it okay if I… come to ThunderClan? SkyClan is a real mess right now because of the damage Branchstar has done. Is it all right if I come to ThunderClan to stay with you… until SkyClan gets back to normal?”

Even though Heatherfur had only said until SkyClan gets back to normal, Birdclaw knew what she really meant. Can I stay with you forever because I love you? “Of course,” he breathed. “You can stay as long as you want, Heatherfur.” He curled his tail around her shoulders.

Heatherfur nuzzled his shoulder. “Thank you,” she breathed. “Thank you so much.”

“But…are you sure?” Birdclaw breathed. “You’d be giving up your place in SkyClan…you’d be leaving you family, your friends, and you’d be giving up your place. You won’t be leader if you come to ThunderClan! Are you sure you want to give up so much? Just for me?”

Heatherfur smiled and licked his shoulder. “I never wanted to be leader anyway,” she mewed. “My kin are safe with the stars. I want to be with you, Birdclaw,” she added. “SkyClan isn’t safe anymore….But ThunderClan might be.”

Birdclaw pressed his muzzle into her shoulder. “I love you,” he breathed. I don’t need her to say it back. I already know she loves me. Suddenly the trees around them glowed. A cat, her fur sparkling with stars, slipped out from the trees.

“Birdclaw,” she greeted him.

Birdclaw turned and gaped at her, his heart swelling with love and joy. “Needleflower!” He padded up to her and touched noses with her.

Needleflower purred happily. Then looked over his shoulder. “Your future is with Heatherfur, then. It is bright and clear, right before my eyes. You two will have beautiful kits, and they’ll grow up to be healthy and strong.” She smiled. “You and Heatherfur are a great pair.”

Birdclaw gasped. “You approve?”

Needleflower licked his shoulder. “Of course I do, Birdclaw,” she mewed. “Your heart is in the right place, and I must go now.” She gazed at him, her beautiful green eyes glowing with love.

“I love you,” Birdclaw choked.

“I love you, too.” Needleflower swept her brown tail. “I will be waiting for you.”

And she was gone.