Post by stone on Mar 11, 2009 18:02:53 GMT -5
What if Leafpool Did It?
Prologue
A powerful wave of sadness and guilt washed over Leafpool as she was tending to the burnt paws of Graystripe. What’s wrong with Squirrelflight? “There you go Graystripe”.
“Thanks, Leafpool, it already feels better.” Graystripe mewed.
Ashfur was just getting to the twoleg-place when a few fox-lengths behind them she saw Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, and Jayfeather walking together looking dejected, sad, and angry. They’re her but where is Squirrelflight? Leafpool started pacing for what seemed like moons before her sister finally arrived.
“Squirrelflight! What took you so long?” Leafpool saw great sadness in Squirrelflight’s grass-colored eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Ashfur was going to let them burn…so…I told them.” Squirrleflight was shaking heavily.
“No!” She hissed.
“I didn’t tell them everything…th-they don’t know who their real mother, or father is.”
Chapter 1
Leafpool was sorting out some herbs when Squirrelflight pushed her way through the ferns into the medicine cat’s den.
“Hi, Squirrelflight, we’re running low on our yarrow, there’s some by the Shadowclan border.”
“Okay, but I need to tell you something first.” Squirrelflight’s voice was trembling and troubled.
This doesn’t sound good, Leafpool thought.”What?”
“…Ashfur is going to tell everyone at the gathering!”
Leafpool’s eyes burst.”He can’t!” she hissed frantically.
“Squirrelflight, where are you going?”
“To get the herbs.”
Leafpool knew there was no stopping her. “No…”she said breathlessly.
Jayfeather walked into the medicine den, “I got the poppy seed and thyme you wanted.”
“Thank you, Jayfeather… can you finish sorting out these herbs?” She asked nicely” I just realized we’re low on horsetail.”
“Sure.”
.::.
As she walked through the forest, Leafpool sadly remembered how she had left Thunderclan for Crowfeather right before the badger attack. “Why did I…?”, she wondered aloud, “No one else can know.”
“Leafpool, is something wrong?” Hollyleaf’s concerned mew came from a few tail-lengths away.
Leafpool jumped out of her trance. “No!” she said quickly. ”I’m fine.”
“Hmmmm…okay, I thought I heard you mumbling—“
Leafpool cut her off. “Just thinking of herbs, you know. Looks like you caught a vole; you should bring it back to camp before it gets cold.”
“Okaaaaay…bye, Leafpool”, Hollyleaf studied her curiously as she padded away.
“Bye”, Leafpool could tell her voice was shaking with nervousness and anxiety. “Just relax, Leafpool, Its for your kin.”
Soon she neared a river next to the Windclan border. There he is! “Hi, Ashfur!” She tried to look and sound as friendly as possible.
“Hello, Leafpool.”
He doesn’t sound very excited…
“Can I help you, are you looking for herbs?” Ashfur asked.
“Y-yes, thank you, Ashfur, over there by the rocks…”
Chapter 2
As he turned to look at Leafpool, Ashfur felt a sharp pain across his throat, and collapsed immediately. He tried to get but he saw his blood flow from his neck as did the water in the stream. "Wha...Leafpool...?" He struggled to get the words out through the blood running out of the large gash in his throat.
"I'm sorry, Ashfur..." Leafpool said, her voice filled with sorrow and regret,"This is not your secret, it's ours, and I couldn't let you..."
"Ugghhh..." Was all Ashfur was able to cough out before he convulsed once, and died. Leafpool wedged him between the rocks, and stared and the river until she could see her, guilty reflection and quickly padded away. What have I done?!
Chapter 3
Hollyleaf was anxious to go to the Gathering. I’ve got to calm down, uh-oh I think, Cloudtail‘s looking at me! Oh, it was Brightheart, phew. Maybe just getting some fresh-kill will--
“All cats going to the Gathering come to the camp entrance.” Firestar announced.
Hollyleaf suppressed a groan of annoyance as she walked towards her brothers. Come on, I was about to eat!
“Where is Ashfur?” Firestar wondered.
“Yeah, where is he, the fox-hearted, crow-food eater.” Hollyleaf spat with disgust. They dug their claws deep into the ground thinking about what was going to happen.
“I’m not sure, but have you seen Leafpool?” He said with concern.”She’s all jumpy and nervous; I thought she was going to claw my ears off when I asked her if she wanted any fresh-kill.”
“Now that you mention it, I passed her in the forest and she said I should bring my prey back before it gets cold…why don’t you look into her mind, Jayfeather?”
“Ugghh…is that all I’m good for”, He said quietly.”Nothing, just the usual fog.”Jayfeather said disappointed.
“She’s always like that?” Lionblaze asked.” It’s probably because she’s a medicine cat.”
“Let’s go!”Firestar Jump off the High Ledge and led the way out of the cam and to the Gathering.
“Maybe, but she’s had her head down and has been silent since we left camp.” Hollyleaf pointed out.
Everyone looked over when they heard some bushes rustling and Squirrelflight came out. "Where have you been, Squirrelflight?” Brambleclaw said with concern.”You’re covered with mud!”
“Getting herbs for Leafpool,” she said between licks, cleaning her pelt.”Let’s just go.”
.::.
Lionblaze was telling Hollyleaf and Jayfeather about what happened to Berrynose today.”He was watching Honeyfern and then walked right into the fresh-kill pile and fell right on his face!” They all let out a mrrow of laughter at Berrynose.
Everything stopped. What’s happening…? Hollyleaf wondered. She went to the front to see what was holding them up.
“It’s Ashfur!”Dustpelt yowled, his fur and hackles raised.
Chapter 4
Jayfeather was relieved but shocked at the sight. Good-riddance, the flea-ridden scum is dead…but who did it? Wait, what does Leafpool have to be worried about? It couldn’t be about my new name…
Leafpool noticed Jayfeather’s ice-blue staring at her, so she quickly went over to where Ashfur had been placed by the river and confirmed every cat’s worst fear.”H-he’s dead.” She said sorrowfully.
Jayfeather detected something else in her voice and decided to try and get into her mind one last time. I can see…I made it! Wait, Leafpool’s looking down at me! But, I can’t move, where and what am I?
“I deserve to be in there, not him,” His mouth was moving with hers. He could start to hear a gurgling noise. Is that sound coming from me? Am..am I a river? Ahhh! Get me out of here I hate water!
He was thrown into an open field, his tail entwined with Leafpool. “Is it right?”
“Of course”, he said.” How can our love be wrong Leafpool?” ,He was gazing deep into her deep, amber eyes.
“You’re right,—“
He’d been taken from his vision by Lionblaze hissing in his ear. “Jayfeather! Jayfeather!”
“What?”
“I’m going back to camp.”
“Why?”
“Because I need to look like I care about the fox-heart.” He said as he turned away from Jayfeather.
“R-right”, he said, still shaken and scared from his vision.”He was your mentor, good idea. But, why’d you wake me up?” Lionblaze had already left to catch up with Graystripe and Dustpelt.
Chapter 5
Jayfeather came padding up to Hollyleaf right before the Gathering started and said.”Watch Leafpool; see if she does anything suspicious.”
“Like what? Wait, why?”She asked.
“I want Lionblaze to hear it too.” He explained.”I’m going to go join Flamepaw; he was just made Littlecloud’s apprentice medicine cat.”
“Okay.”This must be serious. Hmm...she’s all by herself and she still has her head down.
“…and Sol has been thrown out of our territory.” Blackstar finished.
Yeah, right, more like kindly asked...I wonder where he went after I last saw him…hopefully not Windclan.
Firestar took his place and as he started talking, she noticed Leafpool nearly jump out of her fur and her eyes jolt open like a canyon, but kept looking down. She’s definitely hiding something.
Leopardstar looked up and yowled confusedly while Firestar was talking.”Clouds…clouds are going to cover the moon!”
Every cat was looking up at the moon as its light was drowned out by dark clouds, every cat except Leafpool.
Chapter 6
It’s all my fault, I know it. She looked up at where the moon used to be. I’m sorry Starclan! I’m sorry…my kits…
“What’s happening?”,”Why is the moon covered?”Frightened and confused yowls rang throughout the island.
Leafpool wanted to yell out that it was her fault, that she killed Ashfur, and that she had lied to to her kits.
“Obviously this gathering is over…” Onestar said his voice filled with anxiety.
Leafpool sighed with relief.
.::.
When she got back to camp Lionblaze was still with Ashfur. Leafpool thought he must’ve realized how late it was because he went to the warriors den once he saw the cats coming back. “I won’t let him go to Starclan like this.”She started to lick his fur dry when Jayfeather saw her and started to help her.
She had just got to the neck when Jayfeather said.”Is that a gash in his throat?”
Leafpool acted shocked.”…It is…it looks like a warrior did it…go tell Firestar…”
Jayfeather went to Firestar’s den and was back with him a couple of heartbeats. He studied Ashfur quickly, jumped to the Highledge and announced a clan meeting. “It appears that Ashfur’s death was no accident, he has a gash through his throat only a warrior could make, and there was no Windclan scent on him.”
Uncertainty and tension ran through the camp.”Are are you saying one of us killed him?” Cloudtail yowled suspiciously.
“This must be why Starclan covered the moon!”Brackenfur yowled.
“But why would someone do this?”Daisy wailed wrapping her tail around her kits.
“Yes, why? Did anyone have a reason to kill Ashfur?”Firestar yowled angrily his fur bristling.
End of Long Shadows
Cruel Season
Chapter 1
It had been a quarter-moon since the Gathering and no cat would go out unless there were two others with them, they couldn’t find a reason to trust each other. But, more importantly it had been a quarter-moon since his vision. They knew she had killed Ashfur, but who was she talking to in the field, and why? Today was the day they decided to confront her. How are we going to ask her? Will she even answer us?
He saw Lionblaze and Hollyleaf get out of the warriors den together and with a flick of his tail motioned them over to him. They stared at Jayfeather expectantly.”Today.”
“Let’s get some fresh-kill and then we’ll talk to her.”Lionblaze suggested.
Both cats nodded agreement. “How should we start?” Hollyleaf wondered.
“We’ll calmly tell her we need to talk.”Jayfeather continued.”We don’t want her to get angry at us and use that as an excuse to leave.”
.::.
They walked through the medicine cat’s den entrance and saw Icepaw leaving with a stick that had mouse bile on it.” But it smells nasty!”She complained.
Jayfeather could see bright amusement in Leafpool’s eyes. It quickly went away when she saw them.
Chapter 2
“J—“. Leafpool had just opened he mouth when Jayfeather stopped her.
“Leafpool,” Jayfeather started.”We—“
He was quickly cut off by Lionblaze’s sudden mew.”We know you killed Ashfur!”
“What happened to staying calm!” Hollyleaf scolded. Lionblaze licked his chest to cover his embarrassment over his outburst.
“I had to,”Leafpool was choking out her words.”He was going to tell everyone! I did it for you and Squirrelflight.”
“We don’t want to hear about Squirrelflight!”Lionblaze’s pelt was bristling with rage. Leafpool was taken aback by his anger.
“Why do you do that, Jayfeather!?”Leafpool hissed at him, he stood his ground, and then she sighed. He got in…what do I do?”I’m guessing this happened on our way to the gathering…tell me everything you saw…”
Jayfeather told his entire vision to Leafpool and asked.”Who was that cat?”
“W-was he our real father?”Hollyleaf sounded almost scared to ask further.
“Was he a kitty-pet?” Lionblaze spat with anger.
“He was not a kitty-pet, rogue, or loner,” Lionblaze settled down a little.”However, he was not Thunderclan,” Lionblaze’s pelt began to bristle again.”It was…Crowfeather.”
Jayfeather looked towards Windclan territory disappointed.”Really? What was so great about that crow-food eater?” He almost yowled.
“Him…” Hollyleaf said through her breath, and looked down disappointed.
“No!” Lionblaze managed to choke out.
“I tried to tell him, but he wouldn’t listen!”She exclaimed.”I wanted you to have a future in Thunderclan!”She was trying to apologize.
Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather walked out of her den without a word.
“Don’t go…” Was all Leafpool could manage.
Chapter 3
Life had gone on more normally for Leafpool since her talk with her kits. Jayfeather walked into the medicine
cat’s den.”Bye, Cinderheart!” He meowed.
“Hello, Jayfeather…tonight we go to the Moonpool.” She hoped she sounded normal.
“I know…are you sure you want to go?”
Is he mocking me?”Why wouldn’t I? I have to see Starclan. Besides, everyone would get worried or susicious if I didn't go.”
“Ok…just checking, you sound so nervous and after what you did…”He trailed off.
“No I don’t!” She knew she sounded worried.”I—“
“Relax, Leafpool…I was just pulling your tail.” He let out a mrrow and went over to sort the herbs before they left. “Oh and we’re low on dock leaves.”
He’s not so prickly today…she thought.”I’ll go get the dock leaves and then we can go.”
“Ok, see you later, Leafpool!” he called after her.
.::.
It had been raining since Leafpool got back from collecting dock leaves. Jayfeather had been talking to Kestrelpaw when he padded over to Leafpool.”Don’t worry, Leafpool, you’ll be fine.”He said softly.
“I don’t think so, I murdered a cat…” she whispered seriously into his ear.” Do you really think Starclan won’t be angry?”
“Just don’t worry about it, and you will be fine.”He encouraged.
“Okay…”
.::.
It had stopped raining now. I hope Jayfeather is right…she thought solemnly as she walked the familiar pawsteps of the many cats before her by the Moonpool.
She lay down and lapped at the Moonpool cool water and slowly drifted away. When she woke up she was standing right above herself and could see starry cats surrounding and glaring at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by Bluestar.”You killed Ashfur!”
“But I had to!” she tried to explained.
“We do not agree with what you did at all, Leafpool!”Redtail yowled at her.”But…it seems it was for the best…”
“W-what do you mean? How could it be for the best?” she was confused more than ever.
“Blood will spill with the truth…”Was all Redtail said before the cats from Starclan started to vanish.
She and the other medicine cats were getting up when she opened her eyes. I can’t tell anyone…
Chapter 4
Jayfeather was lying by the shore purring, wondering why he had come here. He couldn’t get her out of his mind recently. When she brought him to the forest nearly a moon ago he was confused. “Jayfeather…”Cinderheart started.
“What?” Jayfeather said in his usual flat tone concealing his curiosity.”Why’d you bring me out here? ”
“Well…”She paused.”…I think I like you, I mean really like you, I—“
“It can’t happen, Cinderheart, I’m sorry.”He said, barely covering his joy and disappointment. He licked her ear, then walked away not looking back.
Then a quarter moon ago after what he had learned from Leafpool he decided. If Leafpool can break the rules so can I.”Cinderp-heart,” he had brought her back to the same place she had brought him. “I like you, too.”He said trying to brush his pelt against hers, but she stepped aside.
“What changed you mind?”she asked warily.
“Does it matter?”He returned. With that they twined tails.…I better head back now.
He suspected he wasn’t the only one who had been affected by what Leafpool had said. Jayfeather had noticed that Lionblaze was always tired and woke up late. Not only that, he had a strange, yet familiar scent on him.
I better get some herbs…He picked up the first plant he saw and started back towards camp with Cinderheart in his head the entire way.
.::.
When he got back to camp Cinderheart wasn’t there, so he asked Brackenfur if he knew.”She just left on a patrol, why?”
“Um, just wondering.”He said. He then headed into the medicine cat’s den where he saw Honeyfern laying down in a bed of moss with looked like an injured paw.”What happened?” Jayfeather asked through a mouthful of leaves.
“I was jumping towards a rabbit when a bird gave an alarm call, then I lost my concentration and there was a cliff and I fell on my paw…Leafpool do I have to be in here…”she started to complain.”It's just my paw.”
“Honeyfern, “Leafpool mewed sternly from the back of the den.”You saw how oddly twisted it was, I need to make sure it sets right.”
Jayfeather strolled to where Leafpool was and dropped his leaves, then she said.”Jayfeather, what are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”He asked.
“I mean, why did you bring maple leaves?”She sounded annoyed.
He looked down.”Oh, um I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”He made up quickly.
“Obviously, for that, you’re going to have to watch Honeyfern for the rest of the day.”She said.
“What? I’m a full medicine cat now!”He started to get angry.”Why should I have to watch her?”
“Are you talking about me?”Honeyfern asked drowsily.
“No!’They both said in unison.
Leafpool went on.”Jayfeather, I’m still your mentor.”Then whispered softly”…and your mother.”
He didn’t respond.
“Why haven’t you been angry with me like you have been with Squirrelflight?”She sounded confused.
“Who says I’m not angry with you?!”He snapped. With that he stomped over to where Honeyfern was fast asleep.
.::.
After what seemed like forever, his eyes lit up when Cinderheart walked in with two mice hanging by their tails in her jaws, dropped one in front of him. “Hello, Jayfeather. Why are you sitting here doing nothing?”She asked then started to eat her mouse.
“I have to watch Honeyfern and make sure she doesn’t move…”he said bored.
“Oh, that sounds terrible…I’m sorry.” she said.
Hollyleaf came in and saw them talking.”Oh, hi Cinderheart.” Then came over and whispered in Jayfeather’s ear.”We’re meeting in our new secret meeting place tomorrow at sunhigh.”Then walked out.
Chapter 5
Lionblaze and Hollyleaf had been waiting outside the medicine cats den for couple heartbeats when Jayfeather walked through entrance.”Let’s go.”He said.
His pelt was bristling with anxiety when they walked through the camp entrance and then explained to Jayfeather what they wanted to talk him about; soon they were in their new secret meeting place inside the tunnels. “Do I smell…Windclan?”Jayfeather said with curiosity.
“Yeah I think I can smell it too.”Hollyleaf said.
Lionblaze started to panic.”Huh?”He made a quick sniff.”I don’t smell anything…your probably just smelling things…”I hope they suspect that I’m seeing Heathertail again.
“Doesn’t matter.”Hollyleaf said.
Phew…
“Let’s get down to business”, she started.”I think Brambleclaw deserves to know.”
“Agreed,” Lionblaze said.”I feel horrible not telling, him…how does Squirrelflight do this?”
“But what will happen if—“Jayfeather was cut off by Hollyleaf.
“Not, only that something like that has to be against the warrior code!”She sounded frightened.
“So it’s settled, we go tell Brambleclaw tomorrow at sunrise!” Lionblaze announced.
“Wait…”Jayfeather started but Hollyleaf and Lionblaze were already halfway out the tunnel.
.::.
Jayfeather had been grumbling since they left the tunnel, so Lionblaze asked him.”Jayfeather, is something wrong?”
“No! Why would you think that?”Jayfeather growled.
“Okay, don’t be such a jerk about it.”He said then went to catch up with Hollyleaf.
They then walked back into camp and saw Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw sharing tongues looking happy than they seen him in a while.
Chapter 6
Squirrelflight looked up when she saw Leafpool’s kits staring at Brambleclaw guiltily. Why are they looking at him that way?
“You want to go on a patrol with me later, Squirrelflight?”Brambleclaw asked bringing her out of her thoughts.
“No.”She said sadly.
“Why not?”He sounded hurt.
“I’ve been feeling weird the last few days.”She admitted.
A sparkle seemed to grow in Brambleclaw’s amber eyes.”Maybe you should go see Leafpool.”
Does he think…?”It was probably that crow I ate, I was late for that patrol and I didn’t even look at it, there was probably something in it.”She said hopefully.
“Well, I’m sure some herbs will help.”He said.
“Okay,” She walked into the medicine cat’s den alone.”Hi, Jayfeather, I think I ate a bad crow, but…”
“But what?”He almost sounded worried.
She continued.”I think Brambleclaw thinks I’m going to have kits…”
When she look at him she thought she saw guilt in his eyes but then called, ”Leafpool!”
Leafpool padded over from the back of the den.”What?”She asked, and then Jayfeather told her.”Oh…okay well, ”She padded to the where the herbs were, then came back with some leaves and said.”Just eat these and you will be fine.”She could here doubt in her sister’s mew.
Chapter 7
Jayfeather was walking back to camp with Cinderheart, purring loudly.“You better get some herbs; just don’t get maple leaves this time.”
“Okay.” said Jayfeather.”I’ll see you later Cinderheart.” They split up to go their own ways. What would I do without her? He scented some yarrow then picked it up. This will work.
.::.
He had just gotten to the medicine cat’s den when he heard Daisy calling for help from the nursery. “Whitewing’s kits are coming!”
Jayfeather and Leafpool rushed over to the nursery as fast as they could and pushed through Graystripe’s and Millie’s kits. “Just stay calm, Whitewing.”Whitewing was obviously panicking, and Leafpool was urging her to relax.”You have to stay calm or else you may hurt the kits.”That immediately calmed down Whitewing.”Ok, now push.”A few heartbeats later a white tom with a orange tail-tip emerged, and not long after that another tom came out.”He looks just like me.”Whitewing started to purr as her mate came to see her kits that were nestled on to her.
“Looks like we can go now Jayfeather,” Before she left Leafpool said.”If anything strange starts to happen, come get us.”
“Of course, Leafpool.” Birchfall said not even looking away from his kits.
Jayfeather couldn’t help but purr at what had happened. Birchfall looked as if he was the happiest cat around the lake.
“Jayfeather?”Leafpool said once they were in the medicine den.”Why are you purring so loud?”
He didn’t know what to say.“It’s, uh, um…it’s always great when the clan gets new kits.”
“It sure is…”Leafpool said remorsefully.
“I’m going to go get some fresh-kill.”Jayfeather said feeling awkward, but comfortable, then walked out of the den and heard Hollyleaf and Cinderheart talking.
Chapter 8
Hollyleaf flicked her tail her best friends ear.”Cinderheart?”
“Huh? Wha…?” She asked.”What was that for?”
“You dozed off, again!”She was starting to get annoyed.”You are going to finish that chaffinch, right?”
“Yeah…”She said as if she wasn’t even paying attention.
Hollyleaf flicked her friends ear again.“Did you even hear me?”She questioned.”It’s Mousewhisker, isn’t it?”
Now she had Cinderheart’s attention.”No! Why would you think that?”
“Well, first, you are so distracted, second, the way he’s been looking at you lately, there’s got to be something going on between you two. You mean you haven’t noticed?” She was surprised.
Cinderheart finished her chaffinch.”I have not noticed him at all…”She sounded a little embarrassed.
“You mouse-brain” she said with a slight mrrow.”You must be blinder than—“She broke off as she saw Jayfeather stroll over to them.
“Blinder than what?”He was glaring at her.
“Nothing, nothing.”She said quickly. Wow, this is really awkward…
.::.
Both Hollyleaf and Cinderheart had been chosen for the hunting patrol. Hollyleaf had already missed a squirrel, but she was looking at a plump mouse nibbling on some seeds and she was determined not to miss it. It hadn’t even noticed her even though she was barely a tail-length away. I’m not going to miss this time. She jumped towards it, paws outstretched and landed on its neck killing it without out even squeaking. She covered the mouse’s lifeless body with dirt and went to look for more prey. I wonder how we should tell Brambleclaw…wait, is that a mouse? She breathed in its scent and started to stalk the scrawny mouse, launched herself at it, but missed.”Mouse-dung!”She spat.
.::.
Both Cinderheart and Hollyleaf did poorly hunting. Hollyleaf had her mouse, while Cinderheart had what looked like a starving pheasant. She would be so relieved when they had told Brambleclaw.
Chapter 9
“I couldn’t wait so I came here early!”The pale brown she-cat padded up to him to against his golden fur.
He started purr.”It’s good to see you too, Heathertail. It's great that we’re both warriors now!”
She started to purr.”We’ll be the best ever, as long as we have each other…”
.::.
He had just come out of the tunnels after his time with Heathertail when he turned around and almost walked right into Hollyleaf.”Oh…uh, hello, Hollyleaf, why are you here?”
“I could ask the same of you, but I already know…”She sounded disappointed, then said accusingly.”You’re seeing Heathertail again!”
“So what if I am! I love her and I can see her if I want!”He snapped.
“It’s against the warrior code, but obviously I can’t stop you…”She tried changed the topic.”What should we tell Brambleclaw?”
He still hadn’t calmed down.”We’ll talk about it tomorrow!” He said.
All she did was sigh. Lionblaze then stomped off towards camp with Hollyleaf trailing slightly behind him.
.::.
“Where were you?”Dustpelt asked at the camp entrance.
“Just talking…”Lionblaze said, he was so tired he was about to fall over where he stood.
“Okay.”Dustpelt said suspiciously.
Lionblaze headed to the warriors den and accidentally stepped on Poppyfrost’s tail.”Hey!” She complained.
“Sorry…”He yawned.
“Better be…”She trailed off mumbling.
Lionblaze fell asleep quickly but didn’t dream. When he woke up it was nearly sunhigh and Hollyleaf was poking him in the stomach.”Get up. It’s time to tell Brambleclaw.”
Chapter 10
Jayfeather walked out of the medicine cat’s den and saw Hollyleaf and Lionblaze coming out of the warriors den. Hollyleaf was wide awake with a nervous look on her face, but Lionblaze looked like he was still asleep. Heathertail! He thought with disgust. Jayfeather hit him with his tail to wake him up. “Hey, what was that for?” he asked.
“We need to look serious, not half-dead!”Jayfeather hissed at his brother. “Okay, this is what we’ll do: We’ll ask him to go hunting, and I need to look for herbs, then—“
Brambleclaw padded up to them.”Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, do you want to go hunting?”Then he looked disappointed when he looked at Jayfeather.”Sorry, Jayfeather, you don’t hunt.”
“We’re low on comfrey.”Jayfeather lied.”I was about to go get some.”
Brambleclaw immediately perked up.”Great! Then let’s go!”He said excitedly.”I haven’t been with all three of my kits at the same in a while.”
The three exchanged a guilty glance. Brambleclaw seemed confused at this, but flicked his tail towards the camp entrance, and they headed out.
.::.
“Have you gotten anything from Starclan recently, Jayfeather?” Brambleclaw asked trying to make conversation.
“No.” He responded flatly. But Leafpool has. He had snuck into her dream the last time they went to meet with Starclan at the Moonpool not long ago. He could tell they delivered a prophecy, whenever one comes from a Starclan cat’s mouth a wave a power comes with it.
Brambleclaw’s meow broke him out of his thoughts.”Where should we go for the comfrey, Jayfeather?”He asked.”We can hunt in that area.”
“Over here!”Hollyleaf called from a that looked big enough for all four cats.
“Hollyleaf, I don’t see any herbs.” he said confused as Jayfeather, Hollyleaf, and Lionblaze sat down. Jayfeather noticed Brambleclaw had realized that they hadn’t brought him out here for hunting or herbs. “Why did you really bring me out here, do you know who murdered Ashfur?”He asked with hope, but Jayfeather could detect that he could care less about who had murdered him.
“No, we don’t know that.”He lied again.”This is more important. Uh, um…”
"What?"
His sister picked up where he had been too scared to continue.”Squirrelflight lied. We are not your kits.”
Jayfeather could feel many emotions shooting off of Brambleclaw’s pelt, but was unable to single out any. Brambleclaw then stood up and headed in the direction of the Thunderclan camp.
They all looked at each other confused. This was a mistake. He shivered. They couldn’t see Brambleclaw anymore.
Chapter 11
Brambleclaw pushed his way through the Thunderclan camp entrance. Squirrelflight was at the other end of the clearing and called to him.”Hello, Brambleclaw!”He stared at her.”What are you waiting for? Come over here!”She said cheerfully.
He started slowly towards her; he started to pick up his pace, then he got faster, now he was sprinting.”Brambleclaw?”Her scared mew barely came out.
Rage was surging through his body when he slammed into Squirrelflight full force knocking her over a few feet away from him. He hurried over to her side where she was gasping with pain, the breath knocked out of her. “Why, Brambleclaw?”She barely choked out.
“You know exactly why!”He spat angrily. He could still see the long scar that stretched across her belly from a couple moons ago, even though most of her dark ginger fur had grown back. Before he could respond he dug his claws into where the scar began and ripped through to where it ended. She yowled in pain louder than any other cat he had heard. She deserves it! She never loved me! Just played with me!
Every cat in the Thunderclan camp had heard what was going on but Firestar and Sandstorm were the first out hearing their daughters’ screams. When Firestar saw Brambleclaw standing over Squirrelflight’s near lifeless body, his face, chest, and paws covered in her scarlet blood, he ran and jumped at Brambleclaw who sidestepped him and slashed at Firestar’s ear. He hissed then quickly turned on him and tried to hit him on the muzzle but was too slow, Brambleclaw had ducked and went for Firestar’s throat.
Firestar then jumped about a tail-length back and still shocked asked the same question as his daughter.”Why Brambleclaw?” All the other cats were confused at the sight of their Leader and Deputy fighting.
Brambleclaw had noticed while he had been fighting that Squirrelflight’s body was gone and there was trail of blood leading to the medicine cat’s den. Don’t expect to save her after all the blood she’s lost! He started to grin. She will die!
Brambleclaw leaped on top of Firestar and hooked his claws into flesh on Firestar’s back. That was too easy; his age must be getting to him. Firestar was starting to get white on his muzzle. Once he was stable, he slashed across Firestar’s throat repeatedly as blood gushed from the large wound. He jumped off Firestar as soon as he collapsed then yowled.”Tigerstar was right! This clan is made up of nothing but unloyal kitty-pets and mixed-blood scum!”All the cats watching gasped at the sight and his cruel words.
There was plenty more of them in the nursery. He was there before all the kits and queens could get into the nursery safely. He landed on Bumblekit who let out a squeak and died. Daisy was the only cat left at the nursery’s entrance and she was frozen with fear, he took advantage of this and sunk his throat deep into her neck then let go when her sticky blood had filled his mouth, more blood was covering his pelt and was pooling around his body.
He was about to go into the nursery when Berrynose charged him. "Have you come to lose the rest of your tail, Berrynose?”He asked intimidating. He paused obviously scared at the thought of it. Brambleclaw then jumped behind him and bit down hard at the base of his tail. Berrynose yowled and hissed in pain, struggling to get Brambleclaw off, but to no avail.
When he looked over, Brambleclaw saw that every cat was staring at him with shocked, wide eyes. He cut Berrynose’s flank then let him run off with his tail hanging limply and yelping in pain. Dustpelt and Cloudtail came forward, claws unsheathed and baring their teeth at him, but Brambleclaw could tell how scared they were of him.
“I’ll kill you!”Yowled Cloudtail with rage as he and Dustpelt leaped at him but he ducked, quickly turned around and brought his claws along Cloudtail’s snow-like pelt. He slammed him against the camp’s wall and fell to the ground, barely breathing.
Brambleclaw was just about to turn around when Dustpelt knocked him onto his back, jumped on top of him, and then clawed his muzzle. “What is wrong with you?”He demanded. This hesitation allowed Brambleclaw to start raking his hind claws on Dustpelt’s stomach and the kicked him about a fox-length away.
He took one last look at the crowd of frightened cats and then turned his attention to the medicine cat’s den. There was a second trail of blood towrds it. I’ll make sure they’re dead… He started to charge towards the den when he saw Leafpool poke her head out.
She froze with fear and then he jumped, but he didn’t feel his claws ripping into flesh and fur, but instead he fell to the ground with the worst pain he had ever felt coming from both of his sides. I can’t breathe! He looked to his sides to see Graystripe and Brackenfur standing at his sides looking shocked. He then realized why they were looking at him like that, he had three ribs that were almost coming out of his body. He started to cough up blood and the Thunderclan camp faded to black.
Chapter 12
Firestar’s kin, Sandstorm, and Graystripe had been waiting with Squirrelflight and Firestar since Brambleclaw’s vicious attack. They had both lost huge amounts of blood. Leafpool had been able to get them into her den in time to patch up their wounds, but Firestar had lost at least three lives, and Daisy and Bumblekit were being mourned by the other cats in Thunderclan. Both injured cats were sleeping, barely breathing.
Suddenly Firestar snapped his head up, but immediately dropped it. He looked up at his kin, mate, and best friend, then took a quick look at Squirrelflight, when he saw she was asleep he turned his head to where they were padding over to greet him.
Graystripe walked outside to the rest of the camp and announced that Firestar had awoken and then went to comfort his mate where their dead kit was lying, the mood lightened a little bit, but they weren’t sure of Squirrelflight’s condition. Not only that, no one was sure what had happened with Brambleclaw or what to do with his body, their former deputy, who had seemed to be a good cat until his attack.
“Firestar,” Leafpool started.”I know it isn’t a really good time for this but it is nearly Moonhigh, and Starclan dictates you must choose a new deputy by then.”
Firestar nodded grimly then, paused for a few seconds to think. He opened his jaws and appeared to try to say something but nothing came out. They all were confused by this, they were all hoping that maybe he had just been yawning. Firestar shut his mouth then opened it again, but nothing came out. He put his head on his paws, looking down scared and confused. Sandstorm buried her head into Cloudtail’s thick white fur.
Firestar stood up then started to tremble, but Lionblaze and Hollyleaf were there in a heartbeat to hold him up, but sort of looked guilty, then Firestar started to walk towards the exit. Before they could get out, however, jumped in front of them, ”Firestar,” she said with concern in her eyes and voice.”You need to stay here, you wounds have barely started to heal. Great, now we have to change your bandaging again because you moved too much, you need to sit still, okay?” He mouthed something.”Did you say something?”He nodded.”What did you say?”
He mouthed it again.”I think he said ’Deputy’.”Jayfeather meowed. Firestar nodded and looked happy that he had found a way to communicate. Graystripe had just walked in and Firestar pointed his tail at him. “You want Graystripe to become Deputy?” Jayfeather checked. Firestar nodded again.
Graystripe shook his head.”I’m sorry Firestar, I just can’t.” He said sorrowfully. Firestar looked hurt, but seemed to understand. He then mouthed something else. Graystripe seemed to start to pick it up,”B-Br.” Firestar nodded then continued to mouth it.
Then Jayfeather spoke up again.”Brackenfur?”Firestar flicked his tail at Jayfeather to indicate he was right, he couldn’t nod because Leafpool was changing his cobwebs.
“I will go announce this to the rest of the clan if this is okay Firestar.” said Graystripe. Firestar showed no objection then Graystripe also asked nervously, shuffling his paws.”Should I tell them you can no longer speak?”Firestar looked up, and then down slowly and finally nodded. He then left and told the clan to some shocked yowls.
“Who…me?” Brackenfur’s surprised mew came from the middle of where the cats had crowded around Daisy’s and Bumblekit’s bodies. “What about you, Graystripe?”
“I declined.”He said.
.::.
In the morning Squirrelflight woke up. “W-where am I?” Sandstorm, Firestar, and Leafpool had stayed with her the entire time, the other cats resuming their normal duties, somewhat. Brackenfur had seemed to be doing a good job so far keeping the clan working despite the down mood.
“My den.”Leafpool informed her. “You need to eat Squirrelflight, it will help your wound heal.”She sent Jayfeather and Sandstorm out to get some fresh-kill with a flick of her tail.
“My wound?”She looked at her sister, then side and seemed to remember what happened and fur started to bristle. “My wound.”
Jayfeather and Sandstorm returned with enough prey for all the cats in the den, but when a plump mouse was set in front of Squirrelflight, she batted it away.“Squirrelflight, you have to eat.”Leafpool encouraged her sister then moved the mouse in front of her again, but without hesitation bat it away again.
“What’s wrong, Squirrelflight?” Sandstorm asked deeply concerned.”Your sister is right, you have to eat, you have to get better.”In response, Squirrelflight put her head on her paws and closed her eyes. Firestar stared at his daughter frightened, and his eyes clouded with grief.
.::.
The next day Squirrelflight still hadn’t eaten. Leafpool had sent Jayfeather to inspect her and Firestar’s wounds and came back with a grim look on his face. “Squirrelflight’s fine, at least, physically, her wound is healing well.”He paused then said anxiously. “But, Firestar, his wound is infected…”He said quietly.
Leafpool’s eyes immediately grew with panic and her tail was all over the place. “Are you sure?” Jayfeather nodded. “That explains why his wounds aren’t healing.” She went to the back of the den and came back with leaves and cobwebs and gave them off to Jayfeather. “You know what to do.” She tried to say calmly for Firestar’s sake. She turned around and closed her eyes, and whispered, “Please, Starclan, please…”she prayed with all her heart, but deep down she knew Starclan would never answer to her, because once again, it was all her fault.
Chapter 13
Leafpool and the rest of Firestar’s and Squirrelflight’s kin had been staying with them ever since Brambleclaw had attacked Thunderclan with no explanation. “Firestar? Firestar?” Sandstorm jumped up to lick his fur because he was not moving. “Firestar!” She yowled.
“Sandstorm? Firestar?”The other cats in the den rushed over from where they had been sleeping , except for Squirrelflight, who had a blank stare in her eyes
“He’s not moving!”Sandstorm quickly yowled, then went back to licking her mate’s fur when he started to cough up blood and shiver heavily.
“Just keep licking.”Jayfeather encouraged.”Kep licking until he stops shaking.”je said, barely keeping his cool.
After a while, he stopped shaking and began to breathe normal. “Firestar—“Cloudtail started before coughing himself.
“Cloudtail, I told you you’re ribs are still badly bruised, so take it easy.” Leafpool warned him.”The more you move, the longer it will take for you to recover.”
Cloudtail glared at her for a second before finishing.”Are you awake, Firestar?”
He nodded and slowly opened his eyes, there was pain throughout their green depths. “What is it Firestar? Here, have this honey it should help soothe your throat.”
He swallowed it then looked over at Squirrelflight. Her empty eyes and pelt were dull along with her ribs starting to show from not eating in a few days. He licked her ear, but she didn’t move and kept staring at nothing.
.::.
Cloudtail and Graystripe were shuffling their paws nervously while Sandstorm and Leafpool’s tails were twitching around them. After last night, no cat in the medicine cat’s den would fall asleep. They had been watching the ginger pelts of Firestar and Squirrelflight to make sure nothing bad happened.
Sandstorm was starting to nod off and placed her head in Graystripe’s thick coat when Firestar started to cough uncontrollably. Her head instantly shot up and they all except for Squirrelflight yowled.”Firestar!” Sandstorm used her rough, pink tongue to lick him, hoping that once again he would be fine. By now, there was blood covering Firestar’s bedding and the ground in front of him.
His coughing started to slow and his breathing became less irregular. He opened his eyes but this time they looked regretful. But then he pointed his tail up and closed his eyes once again, His tail fell and his body went cold. “No! Don’t go Firestar!”Sandstorm wailed with the cats around her echoing her pleas for him to stay with them, and not go to Starclan yet.
Hollyleaf looked over and saw her eyes flooding with tears, even though she had the same blank stare she had been holding the last few days. She walked over to her and rested her tail on Squirrelflight’s shoulder when she hissed. She walked away scared to where the other cats were by Firestar’s body. The cramped den seemed even smaller now that it was about to explode with grief.
.::.
Lionblaze and Graystripe carried Firestar’s body to the center of the Thunderclan camp where Daisy and Bumblekit had been lying a few days ago. The rest of the clan was sleeping. Firestar’s flame-colored pelt seemed to sear the darkness surrounding him. Sandstorm let out a mournful wail and rested her muzzle on his body as the rest of Thunderclan came out of the dens where they had been in an uneasy sleep. They had been dreading this the entire time he had been in Leafpool’s den. When they saw his body they let out shocked and sad gasps as they gathered around his body.
Chapter 14
Lionblaze was padding alongside his littermates on the way to the Gathering, just behind Cloudtail, Thornclaw, Sorreltail, and their new leader, Brackenstar, who was leading the Thunderclan cats. He had yet to receive his nine lives and after the Gathering his new deputy would be going with him to the Moonpool. He whispered something into his deputy’s ear, the cat then returned what he said by shaking his head. “I’m glad you agree,” Brackenstar said slightly louder, then raised his voice so all the cats with him could hear.”I can’t stress this enough, don’t tell anyone about what happened. That’s why I didn’t bring any apprentices.” He then sighed and let his head and tail droop as the rest of the cats had been doing the entire way there.
Lionblaze was anxious along with all the other cats, the crowd of them crackling with it. But another emotion came from the three cats, they tried hard as could to cover up their guilt, but Lionblaze couldn’t shake the feeling that every cat in the forest could feel it flowing from their pelts. Make this go away! This feels worse than before we told him…it’s our fault they’re dead! Why did we do it? He closed his eyes. I wonder where he is…Starclan, or would he be in the Place of No Stars with Tigerstar and Hawkfrost? No, he must be with Starclan. Another thought came into mind. Heathertail is going to want to know. But I can’t tell her, I hope she understands, but maybe she won’t be there, otherwise—
“Lionblaze!” He just realized that he had stopped. “What are you doing back there?” Jayfeather called from a few fox-lengths ahead of him. “Come on!” he said bluntly before carrying on. Lionblaze heeded him and caught up with the rest of his clan.
.::.
When Thunderclan reached the tree-bridge, half of the clearly distracted cats nearly fell into the lake, but none did. They had been the last of the clans to arrive and when Brackenstar stepped into the clearing followed by the rest of the cats, there were a lot of confused looks and then the other three clans burst into chatter speculating about what could’ve happened.
Lionblaze went over to a shrub and sat down, closed his and prayed Heathertail wouldn’t be here tonight. Her sweet scent filled his nostrils and dread started to creep into him as he opened his amber eyes. “Hello, Lionblaze.” She sounded worried.”Where are Firestar and Brambleclaw? Why aren’t they--“
She was cut off as Onestar started off the Gathering with a loud, but rather shaky yowl.”Windclan has good news; Sunpaw has earned her warrior name, and is now known as Sunpelt.” She received congratulations from all clans and her sun-like pelt was glowing, but she didn’t seem to notice how the cats from Thunderclan said it without even looking at her, and without emotion.
With that Leopardstar took Onestar’s place.”Riverclan does not have good news, Mistyfoot has taken ill. Mothwing is tending to her right now. Also, Blackclaw has retired. That is all Riverclan has to announce this Gathering.”She walked back to where she had been not long before.
Blackstar stepped up and announced, ”We have driven out a badger, but it did not come without a cost, “He swallowed.”Russetfur is in Starclan now; the cat to take her place will be Rowanclaw.”He looked down then said.”Shadowclan have no more to announce.” With that he took his original place.
Brackenstar walked up to where the leaders made their announcements for the first time. He was clearly nervous, shuffling his paws, and practically about to fall from where he stood from his shaking.”Um, Whitewing has given birth to two healthy kits named, Snowkit and Oakkit.” He paused, and looked around the clearing, Firestar and Brambleclaw have died, I have taken the position of leader and I have named Thornclaw deputy.”
Heathertail looked over at Lionblaze with a sympathetic look in her eyes, rested her tail on his shoulders and licked his ear.” I’m so sorry, Lionblaze.” He didn’t look up, he barely heard her with all of the things running through his mind.”I’ll see you when you are ready, Lionblaze.”She mewed then left with the rest of her clan.
