Tigerclaw smirked wickedly as his Clanmates scurried around the camp, their claws sheathed, battling off the rogue “intruders

Tigerclaw smirked wickedly as his Clanmates scurried around the camp, their claws sheathed, battling off the rogue “intruders.” This is going to be too easy, he thought blissfully to himself and began to stalk toward the leader’s den. He peeked in through the lichen curtain and snarled as his heart skipped a beat.

He hated how much the beautiful leader captivated him. She had never loved him, no matter how hard he tried to change that. So why did his heartbeat quicken whenever he laid eyes on her gorgeous, sleek fur. She turned to look at him, causing him to lose his train of thought momentarily. He shook his head as Bluestar opened her mouth to speak. “Tigerclaw, w-what’s going on out there?”

The dark tabby tensed his muscles and padded into the den; his eyes were mutinous. “Bluestar,” he growled, sheathing his claws. The she-cat narrowed her eyes and continued to watch her deputy stalk toward her.

“Tigerclaw, what is the meaning of this?” she hissed. “Get out there and fight with your clan!” Tigerclaw halted. It wasn’t like Bluestar to sit out during a battle; she must still be weak from having greencough. “Tigerclaw,” Bluestar growled, irritated now, “that was an order!”

He growled, the fury in his blood boiling. “You are through ordering me around, Bluestar.” He slowly took another step toward her, his amber eyes gleaming with hate and anger. Suddenly, Bluestar’s fur began to prickle with anxiety.

“T-Tigerclaw?” Tigerclaw lifted his paw, his long claws shimmering in the dim light. Bluestar’s eyes widened with alarm and she backed away from her deputy. “Tigerclaw? What are you doing?”

Tigerclaw launched himself at the fragile she-cat, pinning her to the ground. He was surprised that she didn’t struggle; she just stared up at him with terror-filled eyes. He raked his claws down her stomach and smirked, pleased to see that he had caused her so much misery. She let out a wail of agony, but continued to stare into her attacker’s amber eyes. The dark tabby tom touched his muzzle to her ear and whispered, “I love you, Bluestar.”

He nuzzled his face into her chest, her rapid heartbeat pounding in ears. Giving her one last tender lick along her jaw line, he lifted his head, watching the life drain slowly out of his only true love. He locked eyes with her, savoring the moment. She opened her mouth and took a gasp of air. “Tigerclaw…?” she wheezed, her blue eyes now closed.

“Yes, my beloved?”

Bluestar opened her eyes into thin slits so she could look at him with warm eyes. “I love you, too.” Tigerclaw’s heart began to race rapidly as the beautiful queen went limp, all the life drained from her. He closed his eyes, fighting the tears that flooded them. She loved him. She actually loved him. And he had…

His eyes shot open with panic. Bluestar did love him, and now she was dead. She was dead, killed by his claw. iNo!/i He tilted his head and let out a tortured yowl of grief. He buried his face in her bloodstained fur and sobbed hysterically.

“Tigerclaw, the rogues are gone!” Darkstripe bounded happily into the leader’s den, Longtail close behind him. The two toms stopped dead in their tracks as they saw their friend huddled over the broken leader. “Tigerclaw! What happened?”

He ignored him. There was nothing that could be said. His love had died, and because of him. He heard Longtail murmur something about fetching Yellowfang and the two toms scampered out of the den, leaving Tigerclaw alone with Bluestar, again. He stroked her soft pelt, wiping away the tears he had left there. “My beautiful Bluestar, I am so sorry.” He curled himself around her mangled body and drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Tigerclaw’s pelt shone in the dim light of the moon. With Yellowfang close behind him, he padded in the direction of Highstones. His head hung low as he scrambled up the steep slope. This wasn’t right. He wasn’t the rightful leader of ThunderClan, Bluestar was. He wouldn’t be surprised if StarClan refused to accept him as a clan leader.

He sulked up the remainder of the hill and peer warily into the dark cave that opened up before him. His heart sank as he recalled the last time he had journeyed here; it had been with Bluestar. He had retreated out of fear as the cave closed in on him; he had left when Bluestar needed him. Now, more than anything, he wished to have Bluestar pad next to him, leading his through the maze of tunnels.

“Ready?” Yellowfang rasped, her voice soft and sympathetic. She didn’t know what was really bothering him, but Tigerclaw appreciated her concern. He nodded and led the way into the cavern.

The walls immediately seemed to be closing in on him, as if any wrong move would cause the rocks to come crashing down on him. His lungs tightened with worry as he shuffled through the cold tunnel.

Finally, the passageway opened into a spacious cave. He let out a sigh of relief and glanced over at the elderly medicine cat. She gave him an encouraging nod and he padded down to the Moonstone. He touched his nose to the cold stone and his body went rigid. Coldness washed over him as he felt the life being ripped out of him. What was happening to him? Was he dying?

Suddenly, his eyes shot open and he sat up. He was sitting in the middle of the clearing at Fourtrees. A thin layer of mist began to form and he saw the faint outlines of cats pad toward him. His heart began to thump with anxiety as the members of StarClan began his leader ceremony.

As his mother, Tawnyclaw padded away, he stood hunched over, gasping for breath. No one had told him becoming a leader would be so hard. His body was trembling from the eight new lives that were now flowing through his body. iOne more/i, he told himself. iJust one more./i

“Tigerclaw,” a soft voice whispered. Tigerclaw’s ears shot up excitedly; he knew that voice. He knew it like he knew the back of his paw. His heart fluttered as he saw the slim figure of his beloved pad toward him. No longer bloodstained and broken, Bluestar walked with her tail held high, her blue eyes gleaming with pride. Tigerclaw took an involuntary step forward.

“Bluestar,” he purred, his voice thick with grief. “Bluestar, I-I’m so sorry. I just…I didn’t…I…” He stopped as she pressed her cheek to his.

“Hush, love,” she mewed. Tigerclaw sighed and closed his eyes, embracing his love’s closeness. “You have no need to be sorry, my precious Tigerclaw. StarClan has laid down a path for you--a path that had been chosen before you were kitted. I have faith in you.” She pulled back to look into the tabby’s amber eyes, love burning into his fur. She tilted her head to the sky and spoke clearly, “I, Bluestar, give you the gift of love and compassion. With this, lead your clan through times of plentiful hunting and help them through times of hardship.” She looked back down at Tigerclaw and smiled, stretching her neck to touch noses with him. Tigerclaw eagerly stretched forward, sooner to feel Bluestar’s love pulse through him. Their noses touched and Tigerclaw’s paws kneaded the ground with pleasure. It was like nothing he’d ever felt before. A feeling of pure passion and love pounded through his veins, mixed with an emotion of pure power, ready to take on anyone who threatened those he loved.

Then, as quickly as it began, it was over. Tigerclaw gasped with shock and drooped his head in exhaustion. He lifted his eyes to glance up at Bluestar who was smiling warmly down at him. He smiled back and lifted his head. “Thank you,” he purred, dipping his head in respect, though his eyelids were still threatening to close.

Bluestar rested her tail on his shoulder and nodded briefly. “I, Bluestar, former leader of ThunderClan, do now accept Tigerstar as the new leader of ThunderClan. He has received each of his nine lives, and is ready to guide his clan with the help of StarClan.” She looked down at him, her eyes gleaming with pride. “Tigerstar!” she yowled happily. Soon, the whole of StarClan was yowling in honor of the newly made leader.

Tigerstar’s heart beat with excitement, ready to return to his clan. His eyes rested on Bluestar. So beautiful she was, stars lingering in her fur by his claw. She seemed happy, but most importantly, she loved him. She had given him the strength to carry on. Her blue eyes met his amber ones and the narrowed with a tinge of sadness. She padded up to him, and rasped her tongue over his head, sending tremors through his spine.

“I will always be with you, my precious. And we will live the life we were destined to lead as I walk in your dreams.” And with that, Tigerstar found himself back beside the Moonstone. He looked around slowly and found Yellowfang sitting patiently at the edge of the cave. He rose to his paws, staggering slightly, and padded over to her.

Her eyes gleamed as she dipped her head. “Welcome back, Tigerstar,” she purred. “Come, your clan awaits.” She turned and padded out of the cave. Tigerstar gave one last look at the Moonstone, then a glance at the starry sky. He sighed, picturing Bluestar’s warm gaze upon him and padded after his medicine cat.