hey guys! so, i'm also a Warriors fan...Jayfeather is my favorite character too, this take place befroe Alderpaw leaves on his quest, kind of a different reality, so...yeah! i hope you enjoy!
It was morning, before he opened his eyes Jayfeather was running all things things he had to do that day though his head, he had to check up on briarlight, he needed to check the marigold stores, there was talk of a battle with shadowclan, again. He was going to be training Alderpaw, putting up with Leafpool, maybe he should check the three moon old kits for a cough, it was rainy, the elders needed mouse bile, but Sparkpaw could do that, then the grey tabby stiffened. Light was penetrating his eyelids, turning his vision red, his vision. His pale blue eyes snapped open.
There...there was light across the medicine den floor, warming Brairlights pelt as she slept, the neat piles of herbs by the pool were stacked perfectly, good job Alderpaw, and Leafpool, Jayfeather's mother, slept soundly in her nest. Jayfeather shook his head, wondering if this was a vision, when someone poked their head in.
"You awake Jay?" it was Lionblaze, "are you ok?"
"Y-yeah!" Jayfeather said, getting shakily to his feet, which he could now see, "I'm fine Lionblaze." the golden tom looked skeptical, looked skeptical.
"You seem a little...off."
"Well…" Jayfeather tried to put it into words, "what brings you here so early?" he asked instead, Lionblaze looked embarrassed.
"I think Dovewing has a cold." He admitted, "I couldn't sleep all last night because if her sniffling." Jayfeather frowned.
"Ok, I'll check on her when she gets up." He replied, "but why did you have to come in here so early just to tell me that?" replied, "but why did you have to dome tell me that this early? I'm not usually awake by now." Lionblaze glanced around, then sighed.
"You were talking in your sleep." he sighed, "i was already awake because of Dovewing, and then i heard you muttering about something, i dunno what, i just heard your voice, so i came in here and you were awake." Jayfeather frowned, he talked in his sleep?
"I was probably dreaming." he shrugged, "nothing big." the grey tabby tom glanced around the den again, it was so strange, seeing things for real.
"What is it?" Lionblaze asked, "Jayfeather, i've known you all my life i know something's bothering you." Jayfeather shrugged.
"Must just be tired." he said, walking to the herb piles, so that's what comfrey actually looked like. Huh.
"I know that's not it!" Lionblaze insisted, but stopped when Leafpool stirred. Their mother lifted her head and yawned.
"Oh, good morning Lionblaze." she said cheerfully, "are you alright?"
"Er, yeah." Lionblaze replied, "i was just telling Jayfeather i think Dovewing has a cold."
"She was sniffling yesterday." Leafpool sighed, "we'll check on her when she wakes up."
"Yeah, Jay said that." Lionblaze said, Lashing his tail, then he shrugged. "I think i hear Squirrelflight in the clearing, i'll see if she wants me for patrol."
"Good idea." Jayfeather said, narrowing his eyes as his brother left. Leafpool seemed to pick up on Jayfeather's anxiety and walked over.
"Are you alright?" she asked in concern, "do you feel ok?"
"I'm fine!" Jayfeather insisted, turning to her, he had seen her before, in his dreams, but seeing her like this was different, she was just awake and her pelt was ruffled, her eyes glittered in the morning sunlight. "I'm a medicine cat! Why do people think i'm incompetent!"
"I don't think that." Leafpool said, hurt, "you just seem anxious." Jayfeather shook his head and clamped his eyes shut.
"I think i'm going for a walk." he decided, "we need more marigold and i want to check on the catmint, when Alderpaw gets here have him sort the herbs and get rid of old ones, we don't need them to rot in here."
"Alright." Leafpool said, still looking skeptical, looking skeptical. "When Briarlight gets up i'll help her with her exercises."
"Thanks." Jayfeather meowed gratefully before slipping out of the den, the camp was waking up and he could hear mews coming from the nursery, he reminded himself once more to check on them when he got back. Trying to not draw attention to himself, Jayfeather walked out of camp, once in the forest he sighed, closing his eyes again, he knew every bump and tree of this forest, and now he could see them as well. He could see the leaves, and he knew he was nearing the abandoned twoleg nest, though he'd never seen this part of the forest in his dreams. The blue eyed tom walked along his rows of plants, until he got to the marigold plants, which he recognised by the smell. After taking a few of the stems and picking them in his jaws he walked briskly back towards camp, suddenly anxious to check on the kits. Leafpool said one was a dark brown tom, one was a golden she kit, and one was a tabby mix of the two, he wanted to see them firsthand.
"you're out early." a voice remarked as Jayfeather trotted into camp. He jumped and looked over, Squirrelflight was sitting under highledge. "Collecting herbs already?"
"I woke up earlier than usual," Jayfeather replied, putting the herbs down for a moment, "and i decided to get a head start on the day."
"Good for you." she said, "Alderpaw just went to the medicine den, but i heard leafpool giving him the chore of sorting herbs."
"It's not a chore, it's a job." Jayfeather said, a little annoyed, "his job, there may be three medicine cats now but what happens when leafpool or i die or retire?"
"I know." Squirrelflight soother, running a tial over his spine, "you seem jumpy today Jayfeather, are you ok?"
"Fine." Jayfeather said, "but i need to give alderpaw these herbs and then go check on the kits."
"Alright." squirrelflight agreed, "your brother is on the morning hunting patrol by the way, he said he was going to catch you a squirrel, i think he's worried about you for some reason."
"Well i fhe is that's his problem." Jayfeather snapped back, picking up his herbs, "see you." squirrelflight watched him go into the den and Jayfeather shivered, seeing all the time was a little strange.
"Hi jayfeather." Alderpaw said, "hey! It's marigold! We're running low."
"I know that." Jayfeather told the brown apprentice, "that's why i collected it."
"I know," Alderpaw said, "i was just saying."
"Just talking to hear your own voice more like." Jayfeather said, turning to leafpool and brailight, "how are you Briarlight?"
"I'm fine Jayfeather!" the warrior said, "my chest isn't stuffy at all!"
"That's good." Jayfeather purred, pleased, "get your own prey today even if it's muddy, i want you moving around so that when leaf bare gets here you're healthy."
"Ok." Briarlight said, "and i wanna see the kits again, they're so funny!" jayfeather nodded.
"I'm actually going to go check on them right now." he said, "it's getting chilly and i want to catch any sickness before it comes."
"Good idea." Leafpool agreed, she looked at Jayfeather carefully. "Jayfeather...are you alright?"
"Yes." Jayfeather snorted, "seriously! I'm fine!" Leafpool shrugged as Jayfeather walked out and across to the nursery.
"Mom! mom! Watch this!"one kit squeaked, "i can fly!"
"Very nice." Daisy purred in amusement as Jayfeather walked in, Leafpool's description had been very good, two little she cats, one completely golden and one with dark stripes, and their brother, who was all dark brown with a black spot on his forehead, this one was currently jumping into the air as high as he could go. "But Treekit, be careful not to land on your sisters."
"Greenkit is fast." the tiny tom pointed out, Jayfeather saw, saw that the golden she kit ahd startlingly green eyes.
"Hi jayfeather." Daisy said, "these ones are reckless today, say hi to Jayfeather kits."
"Hi Jayfeather." the kits chorused.
"Did you see me fly?" Treekti asked, Daisy sighed, but Jayfeather nodded.
"I saw you treekit."
"He saw me Fernkit! That's funny! He can't see!" Jayfeather smiled at his rambunctiousness, but Daisy was looking at Jayfeather curiously.
"How are they?" Jayfeather asked, "any sniffling or coughing?"
"Not yet." Daisy fretted, "but i suppose that comes with leafbare."
"True." Jayfeather conceded, then he turned to the kits, "if you start feeling ill, or cold, come tell your mom," he pointed his tail at daisy, "ok? We don't want you to get sick."
"We will!" Greenkit promised, "and if Treekit starts to cough i'll make him tell! Even if he doesn't want to!"
"Good." Jayfeather said, rolling his eyes, "now i have medicine cat duties to attend to, be careful."
"Yes jayfeather!" they called again, Jayfeather slid out of the nursery, those three kits had been discovered by a border patrol, alone on the edge of the territory, Jayfeather had been with them looking for herbs and brought them back, nursing them to health.
"Hi Jayfeather." Berrynose said, trotting up. "Just checking on the kits?"
"No, i was checking on their tics." Jayfeather said dryly, "yes i was checking on the ktis!" Berrynose sighed.
"Ok, ok, i get that was a stupid question, sheesh." Jayfeather looked around, looked around as the cream colored tom walked away, he spotted Lionblaze back from patrol, talking to Bramblestar and walked over.
"Hi Jay." Lionblaze mewed, a little guiltily.
"Jayfeather." Bramblestar said, nodding to him, "lionblaze thinks you might be sick."
"I'm a medicine cat." Jayfeather said slowly, "i can take care of myself if i'm sick." Bramblestar thought that over and nodded.
"Ok, but he thinks there's something wrong." the amber eyed tom mewed, "do you have anything to tell us?" jayfeather frowned and sat next to his brother and foster father.
"Yes…" he said slowly, "but this isn't the best place to do so." he decided, "let's go out into the forest."
"Alright." Bramblestar sighed then called, "Squirrelflight! I'm going out for a bit, ok?"
"Alright Bramblestar!" Squirrelflight replied from where she was sitting with Graystripe, a clan elder. Jayfeather led the way out until they reached the edge of the lake, and he stared across the expanse of water.
"What is it?" Lionblaze asked anxiously, "are you ok?"
"I'm fine." Jayfeather said, "more than fine, actually."
"What do you mean?" jayfeather sat and stared at the water for a bit longer and then turned to his two family members. He took a breath,
"This is impossible to believe but...i can see."
"What?" Lionblaze blurted, "what are you talking about?" jayfeather was unable to keep in his excitement any longer.
"When i woke up this morning i could see, i can see everything! I can see the waves on the shore of the lake, i can see every rock on the shore, i can see the individual blades of grass….i can see!"
"this -this is-" Bramblestar stuttered, "impossible!"
"I know!" Jayfeather said, looking around, "but i've been able to see all day! I actually know what everything looks like now, sure i saw them in my dreams but...i can see them for real now."
"Are you serious?" Lionblaze asked skeptically, "is this some kind of joke Alderpaw talked you into doing?" Jayfeather rolled his eyes in exasperation. \
"No Lionblaze! I'm serious!"
"You can see?" Bramblestar was starting to understand, "how?"
"I dunno." jayfeather shrugged, "I'll go to the moonpool tonight if you want, maybe starclan knows." Bramblestar nodded.
"Yes please, and ask them about shadowclan, i feel like this upcoming battle isn't quite right." Jayfeather nodded, glancing at the sky.
"Ok, remind leafpool to check on Dovewing, Lionblaze thinks she has a cold."
"You're going now?" Lionblaze asked in alarm, jayfeather twitched his ears.
"If i don't i'll get there in the morning." he pointed out, "i'll see you tomorrow Lionblaze."
"See you." Lionblaze said, still in awe, jayfeather got to his paws and walked up the bank, towards the windclan border. He couldn't believe what was happening, and part of him was afraid this was all a dream.
Jayfeather trotted down the slope to the moonpool, he felt the familiar whisper of ancient cas and his paws slid into indents made long ago. He settled down beside the pool and lapped a drop of the water onto his tongue. Jayfeather closed his eyes and fell asleep, waking up in starclan.
"Hello Jayfeather." an achingly familiar voice said, Jayfeather opened his eyes.
"Hollyleaf!" he exclaimed, "how are you?"
"I'm fine." his sister meowed, "i'm in starclan Jay, not the dark forest." jayfeather nodded.
"Hollyleaf you'll never guess what happened to me!" he exclaimed, "i woke up this morning with sight! I can see now!" Hollyleaf nodded slowly.
"I know that, we all do."
"Of course!" Jayfeather said, laughing at himself, "i knew that!"
"Jay…" hollyleaf said softly, "follow me, they want to talk to you." Jayfeather nodded and bounded after his black pelted sister to where a large group of cats were waiting, they were all starclan cats.
"Jayfeather." Firestar spoke, stepping forward, "we were aware of your new ability before you were-"
"Isn't it great?" Jayfeather asked, "i can't believe it!" he looked around at the gathered cats, all with somber faces. "What?"
"You received sight from one of your warrior ancestors." Bluestar explained, stepping up next to firestar, jayfeather cocked his head.
"What? How?"
"As one of the oldest starclan cats faded they wanted to give you sight, as a final parting gift, they watched you for so long and, well, they gave part of their spirit to you so that you would see."
"Really?" Jayfeather asked, deeply shaken, "that's-"
"Generous." Dustpelt said, narrowing his eyes, "but also dangerous."
"Dangerous how?" Jayfeather wondered.
"Thunderstar was old." Firestar murmured, Jayfeather felt a thrill of excitement, he had received Thunderstars sight? "And he wasn't very...social recently, we don't know if anything else may have been passed to you with his sight, so you must be careful."
"It's not like i chose it." Jayfeather said, slightly put out. "And i want to see, it's so…"
"Amazing." Longtail agreed from where he sat, "i understand jayfeather, but we still want you to be careful."
"Of course!"
"Make special note of any and everything that might be different, aside from you being able to see, and be careful, don't tell anycat how you receive your sight, just tell them it was a gift from starclan." bluestar instructed, "and Jayfeather?"
"Yes?" Jayfeather asked as starclan began to fade into the surface of the water.
"Congratulations."
"Say hi to lionblaze for me!"
Jayfeather padded back into camp, spirits considerably light, Lionblaze spotted him instantly and walked over to him.
"Hi jay." he said, "how'd it go?"
"Fine." jayfeather said,s canning the clearing, Bramblestar was watching them, so he waved his tail to beckon the leader over. Bramblestar joined them and lowered his head.
"Well?"
"My new sight is a gift, and i will have it for the rest of my life." Jayfeather recited, "and Hollyleaf says hi." Lionblaze beamed, as did Bramblestar.
"So, should we tell the clan?" bramblestar asked, "Squirrelflight and Leafpool knows, and Daisy came to me and asked specifically about it, so she knows."
"Yes!" jayfeather said, "you can tell them! But, i want to tell Alderpaw ok?"
"Go on, he's in the den." Lionblaze said, pointing his tail to the medicine den, Jayfeather nodded and Trotted briskly to the den, he made a mental note that Briarlight was currently at the fresh kill pile with Dovewing.
"Alderpaw?" Jayfeather called, walking in, the brown apprentice and Leafpool both looked over.
"Your back." Alderpaw observed, "watch for the herbs." jayfeather had already stepped over a pile of the leaves and nodded.
"I need to tell you something…" he said, "yesterday i woke up with sight." Alderpaw's jaw dropped.
"Really? How?"
"That's why i went to the moonpool." jayfeather said, dipping his head. "It was given as a gift."
"Oh. cool." Alderpaw sounded confused, "So, you can see all the time now?"
"Yes." jayfeather said, Alderpaw nodded.
"That's why you weren't so grumpy yesterday." he said, jayfeather frowned.
"I'm not grumpy!"
"Ok." Alderpaw said, turning back to the moss balls he was soaking, "if you say so."
"Don't sass me!" Jayfeather said in alarm, "i'm still your mentor!"
"I'm kidding!" Alderpaw said, equally alarmed, "sorry!"
"It's ok./" jayfeather sighed, "i need to go, Bramblestar is going to tell the clan, you can take a break from that if you want to." Alderpaw frowned disbelievingly, but followed jayfeather out of the den.
"Cat's of thunderclan!" Bramblestar yowled, "i have a clan announcement!" Jayfeather sat at the base of the highledge as cats gathered around. "Yesterday Jayfeather awoke to find he could see-" shocked yowls and gasps of surprise echoed through the hollow as people looked at him, jayfeather looked levelly back. "Starclan has granted him sight, and we don't really understand why...but we thought everyone should know."
"You can see me?" Sparkpaw asked, running up to Jayfeather, "can you see it when i do this?" she twisted her face into a strange looking snarl.
"Yes."
"Awesome!" cats all seemed too stunned to approach him, except for Sparkpaw of course. Jayfeather got a feeling that they would warm up considerably pretty son, and until then it wouldn't be much different, he would just have to learn to live with Sight.