People have been yowling for a sequel to Forest of Purity, which made me very happy. That's the first story here that I've ever finished and had people ask me for more. I never knew there were so many other Tigerstar fans out there.
Tigerstar: Well, when you're as handsome as I am, there's no stopping the inevitable.
Sasha: Get over yourself, Tiggerstar. (bats his ear) It wasn't just you in that one. Keep in mind, you were sharing a spotlight with—
Ravenflight: (pops up behind them) Me!!
Sasha: Well, yes, you, and also—
Starshine: (appears over her other shoulder) Me!
Sasha: (lowers ears) You two hairballs mind shutting up long enough to let me finish my sentence? Yes, Tigerstar shared the spotlight with you, Ravenflight, and you, Starshine, but he also shared it with (pauses and looks over her shoulders) me.
Naturally, dear. I wish Erin Hunter'd given you more show that she really did. You're just so cool...you really should've had more to do and say. Plus, I like you and Tigerstar better as a couple. Much better than him and...her...
Goldenflower: (appears) Well, I never!
Ravenflight: Oh, please don't. (shoves her into a cave) Begone!
Good on ya, Ravenflight! XD Yeah, so without further ado, I give you the Sequel to Forest of Purity: FourClan's Perils. Featuring Sasha, Ravenflight, Starshine, and—who else—
Shadepaw: Me!!
—Tigerstar.
Tigerstar: YEAH!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Tigerstar, Ravenflight and Starshine (although I own their warrior names), Sasha, Frostfur, Shadepelt, or Loudbelly—however much I may wish I did. I also do not own anything that came from the original Warriors books. Okay? Trust me, if I owned them, Tigerstar would be leader of ThunderClan and he would put all his ambition into being a good leader. And Firestar would be dead. Hate you, Firestar. XP
Tigerstar eased his hindquarters into the air in a slow, easy stretch. The dark tabby's pink tongue curled out of his mouth in a yawn. He gave his head a few quick shakes to scatter the sleepy dew that had settled over his mind and started to wash, putting his fur in careful order. As he groomed, his mind reviewed what he had done with himself in the past moon.
The huge tom still couldn't believe that it had only been a moon since he'd returned to the forest. He'd found Sasha, his old flame, as well as a group of her rogues and three Clan elders. After some persuasion, the cats agreed to unify under the name of FourClan, and nearly every rogue took on a warrior name. FourClan was strong and growing well.
Newleaf was pushing up, fresh green against the dingy gray-brown of leaf-bare. The snows had melted and the ground was soft and moist, just as it should be. What remained of the old forest was sending out new sprouts. FourClan was growing as well.
Fishbelly had had her kits: Sparrowkit, Songkit, Wetkit, and Featherkit. They were big and healthy, showing great promise for FourClan. Sandpelt claimed she'd had a dream telling her to take up the duty of healing cats—and Tigerstar had not hesitated to give her the title of medicine cat. Her kits, Shadepaw, Cloudpaw, Leafpaw, and Whitepaw, were learning well under their mentors; the four warriors were being coached by Shadepelt on how to be Clan warriors. But probably the best news Tigerstar had was something no cat had told him. He had noticed it himself on morning.
The forest was coming back.
The prey, it seemed, was gaining an immunity to whatever the Twolegs had poisoned it with. No longer did hunts produce skinny, foul-smelling, inedible fresh-kill. Those days were behind them, it seemed. The dark tabby tom padded around the FourClan camp, his amber eyes flicking left and right as he took in the sight of his new home.
At the head of the camp sat Greatshard, the largest remaining piece of the Great Rock, where Clan leaders had once addressed cats at Gatherings. Tigerstar had made his den on the lee side of it, where another few pieces of the Rock had fallen to make a rather large sheltered spot. The earth was fertile, and moss that Tigerstar had pressed into it during a thaw had quickly multiplied. It covered the entire floor now, and was starting to creep up the walls.
Across from the Greatshard was a halfnest: the warriors den. A sleek, black shape slipped out from the Twoleg construction. Tigerstar dipped his head in greeting towards his deputy, Ravenflight. The black tomcat returned the nod. "Good morning, Tigerstar," he meowed.
"Good morning, Ravenflight," Tigerstar returned. "How goes Shadepaw's training?"
Ravenflight's amber eyes gleamed proudly. "He's wonderful," he breathed. "I've never seen a cat pick up on hunting so quickly. He's bringing down prey like no tomorrow."
"Tell him to ease up then," Tigerstar murmured. "We want the prey to replenish itself so there will be enough for later moons. Other than that, good work." He gave the deputy's ear a lick and headed back on his walk around camp.
Not far from the warriors den was the nursery, a tangle of bushes that had been cleared out inside by the combined efforts of Honeypelt, Fishbelly, Sandpelt, Frostfur, and Shadepelt. As he passed by, Tigerstar pricked up his ears. He caught the faint mewls of kits as they nursed blindly at their mother's belly. His eyes softened, and he wondered if Honeypelt would join Fishbelly in there in a few moons.
Across from the nursery was the apprentices den, a bramble-covered bush that had been burrowed under by Shadepaw and his littermates. Small piles of dirt around the entrance showed just how tedious the work was—and the den wasn't even finished yet! Tigerstar watched two white paws poke out over the lip of the tunnel, and a few heartbeats later, Whitepaw appeared. Tigerstar dipped his head in greeting to the young apprentice and turned towards the elders den.
The elders slept in another halfnest not far from the Greatshard. Tigerstar narrowed his eyes thoughtfully at the trials of keeping the elders content. Frostfur in particular, for she had been in ThunderClan to witness the full extent of the old Tigerstar's treachery. Tigerstar was grateful to Shadepaw, who seemed to be able to control the cranky old she-cat, in particular her rages. The elders were still asleep; Tigerstar could hear the muffled snores from their den.
The massive tom turned to the camp entrance...or at least, what would be the entrance once a few more plants came up. He wondered briefly if he should gather a few warriors and apprentices and transplant some of the new growth. Maybe I will, he thought. After all, if we plant it now, it will only keep growing and multiplying. Maybe we should try and build the camp that way.
"Tigerstar!"
Tigerstar turned at the sound of his name. A deep purr hummed through his body, buzzing down to his paws. He touched his nose to the she-cat approaching him. "Honeypelt," he rumbled. The tawny queen licked his cheek fondly, then batted his ear like a kit.
"Come on, you big furball!" she mewed. "Cloudpaw says she wants take a patrol around the territory, and she wants you to come with her."
"Honeypelt, apprentices don't decide what their mentors do," Tigerstar reminded her. Honeypelt rolled her eyes.
"Fine, you win. Really, I want to take Cloudpaw on patrol, and I want you to come with us," she admitted. "It'll be nice...you can show her all the old boundaries. I don't know half of what you do about this place, Tigerstar."
Tigerstar looked down at the fluffy white ball of fur that was Honeypelt's apprentice, Cloudpaw. The young cat's yellow eyes blazed with excitement. Tigerstar touched noses with her gently. "All right. We'll head down near the river first and look around there."
The three cats headed to the entrance of the camp. Tigerstar was silent, thoughtful. He couldn't help thinking about the sad state of the forest. There was almost nothing left of the old Clan territories. The river had been diverted and now cut past the clearing at Fourtrees—renamed Fourstumps by a few apprentices. The ThunderClan camp had been flattened and leveled to match the rest of the land. WindClan's lands were cut in ragged chunks. Seemingly nothing had been done to alter ShadowClan's swamps.
Tigerstar stopped, flicking out his tail to keep Cloudpaw a safe distance from the roaring water. He nodded to Honeypelt, who picked up her cue. "This is the river," she explained. "Before the Twolegs came around, it flowed past what we now call High Land—the old RiverClan camp. Can you tell me where the river's source was?"
Cloudpaw's face screwed up in thought, her eyes narrowed. "Uh...Thunderfall Gorge," she mewed at length. Honeypelt nodded, her eyes warm. "But when the river was diverted, it left the gorge high and dry."
"And a good hunting spot, too," Tigerstar commented softly, his whiskers twitching. "Perhaps Honeypelt will show you there someday. It's a very nice place, Cloudpaw." He dipped his head to the tawny she-cat to continue the lesson, but Honeypelt gave his flank a nudge.
"I want you to show her the old borders, remember?" Tigerstar nodded and flicked his tail for the two she-cats to follow him.
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"And that's the territory," Tigerstar meowed, nodding to Cloudpaw. The white queen looked tired and a little muddy, but her yellow eyes blazed with excitement. She butted her head against his flank affectionately.
"Thank you, Tigerstar," she mewed. Tigerstar gave her an approving rumble, then started off towards his den.
The dark tabby passed the fresh-kill pile, which was swelling with each passing day. As he walked, Tigerheart padded up and deposited a mouse on the pile. Tigerstar nodded, and the other tabby warrior returned the nod. Shadepaw approached the pile. "Frostfur says she wants something to eat," he explained, placing a paw defensively on a thrush.
"Good work, Shadepaw. How's your training coming along?"
Shadepaw shrugged. "Well, I'm not really doing anything today," he meowed. "Ravenflight's off with Starshine—he says it's just for this afternoon. They're going to be doing...something." He glanced at the ground uncertainly. "He didn't say what." Tigerstar said nothing, but he caught the idea. I did tell him to wait until we were settled.
"That's fine. I have a feeling I know what it is."
"Will you tell me?"
Tigerstar looked down at the scruff black apprentice. Shadepaw's green eyes were blazing expectantly. His whiskers gave an amused twitch. "When you're older," he promised. The apprentice did not reply, but the excited fire in his eyes died down a little. Giving the young cat a lick on the head, Tigerstar continued his rounds.
So Ravenflight is finally mating Starshine, he mused. Good. That means we'll have Fishbelly's litter, then Honeypelt's, and Starshine's. Three litters of kits. Three litters of apprentices. He nodded decisively. Good. Very good. His amber eyes glowed happily. FourClan was growing very well.
The dark tabby tom looked around. Cats were sharing tongues in the warm afternoon light outside their dens. The fresh-kill pile was well-stocked. Shadepaw was caring for the elders. Faint scents around the camp told him Joey and Arrowstripe had taken their apprentices out. He probably had time to grab a quick nap. The thought pleased him, and Tigerstar padded into his shadowy den. He sighed contentedly and laid his head on his huge paws, slipping quickly into a light sleep.
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Yowls of alarm wailed around him, ringing through his ears in a chorus of terror and panic. He opened his mouth and tasted sour fear-scent. Familiar pelts whirled around him in a confusing tornado of color and scent and sound. Tigerstar was bewildered, unable to make sense of the raging current that surrounded him. He yowled angrily, hoping that his voice would frighten the scared cats into obedience. His voice was lost in the thunderous, rumbling howl that answered it. His hackles rose stiffly along his spine.
The FourClan leader darted towards the sounds, his ears pressed flat to his skull. He glimpsed shattered brambles, flickering shapes, and huge fangs all around him. He was utterly lost and confused, a stranger in his own Clan camp. Darkness and death surrounded him. Tigerstar gave a loud gasp and jolted awake.
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"A nightmare," he breathed as he paced before his nest. "That's all it was: a nightmare. I've looked outside more times than I can count, and the camp is fine. It was just a dream. Get a grip on yourself, Tigerstar! Get a grip!"
The dark tabby glanced wildly around his den. Just a dream, he told himself over and over again in his mind. Just a dream. Just a dream. But it didn't feel like just a dream. It had felt real, bloody, and alive. Tigerstar poked his head out of his den another time, seeking the peace and relief of his Clan's camp. The relief evaporated as he saw Sandpelt padding towards his den. He sighed and trotted out to greet her.
"Tigerstar, I've had—"
"A terrible nightmare? Yes, so have I." Tigerstar sat down hard, and gazed around rapidly. His heart fluttered against his ribs like a pinned hawk—too hard and furious to be any other bird. His paws were still shaking. "Cats were running around, mad with fear. And there was something in the shadows...something terrible." He stopped, locking gazes with his medicine cat. "Has StarClan shown you anything more?"
Sandpelt shook her head. "No, only what you described," she replied. "I'm worried...I still don't know if this is what StarClan wants me to do. I had that dream, yes, but I don't know if I can deal with whatever else they can throw at me. Maybe this isn't what I'm meant to be..."
Tigerstar gave her a comforting lick. "You are the medicine cat," he assured her. "I saw how well you handled Fishbelly's kitting; no ordinary warrior could have done that as well as you did. Something you should know is that because I have shared tongues with StarClan to receive my nine lives, they also share dreams with me. You're not totally alone in this, Sandpelt. I'm here to help you."
Sandpelt dipped her head into her furry chest. Her sky blue eyes narrowed, her whiskers twitched uneasily. She looked stressed and afraid. Tigerstar pressed his flank against hers, murmuring soothingly into her ear. He felt her bury her muzzle in his thick pelt and licked her ear. "The whole Clan wants you to do well," he told her gently. "No cat's being critical of you. You are strong, and you can do this. I'll help you through as best I can."
The pale ginger she-cat nodded, pulling away from the embrace. "Th...thank you, Tigerstar," she mewed. "I got a little overwhelmed there. I'm all right now." She looked up into his eyes. "Being medicine cat is so hard."
"StarClan wouldn't have chosen you if they didn't think you could handle it," Tigerstar soothed. "Whatever these dreams mean, I'm sure it's important. StarClan is warning us of some danger that is approaching. But now we have some idea of what we need to be alert for." He stared into her eyes. "I saw huge teeth in my dream, and dark fur. Badgers, perhaps?" Sandpelt nodded. "Head back to your nest. You won't be bothered by the dream again, I promise."
"How can you be so sure?"
"StarClan has gotten their message across now. We know that something will happen to us—we don't know when or what, but we know it will." His amber eyes softened. "If StarClan thinks we need to know anything else, they will send you dreams or perhaps a sign. Go back to sleep, Sandpelt."
He watched the pale orange shape make its way back to the shadowy corner of the camp, trying to keep his cool. Huge fangs...a broken camp...cats out of control in their fear...What does it mean? A shiver parted his pelt, and. Standing to his paws, Tigerstar turned back towards his den. Before he slipped into the dark shelter, his amber gaze sought Silverpelt. Redtail, FourClan is my destiny. You and all of StarClan put these cats under my care. What am I doing wrong?
A cold, distant star twinkled, almost mockingly. Tigerstar had never felt more alone in any of the twelve lives he had lived. He stared up at the star, his eyes wide and pleading. Suddenly, his dark den looked like the mouth of a monster, black and gaping, ready to swallow him up as soon as he went near it. His tail bristled fearfully. The dark tabby sidestepped away from the small cave, heading for the warriors den.
He slipped in quietly and stealthily, mouth open as he searched for that one soothing scent. Honeypelt. He needed her now. His eyes spotted her tawny fur curled up beside Ravenflight. Tigerstar touched his nose to her ear gently. The former rogue awoke. "Tigerstar?" she whispered sleepily.
"Honeypelt, I..." Tigerstar trailed off, uncertain of what to say. "I...I need you." He hoped she would smell his growing fear, see the light of desperation in his eyes, and hear the plea in his voice. Honeypelt blinked dreamily, her sharp white teeth baring in a small yawn. She studied him for a few moments, then nodded.
"Sure." The tawny-furred queen slowly rose to her paws and crept out of the den, following after her mate. Outside the den, Tigerstar buried his muzzle in her fur, breathing in her sweet, calming scent. "Are you going to tell me what this is about, Tigerstar?"
"StarClan sent me a dream," Tigerstar explained softly. "There was fear and cats crying out...I can't bear to be in my den alone right now..." He sighed hopelessly.
"Like an apprentice on their first night out of the nursery. So excited to finally sleep in their own nest, but once they get there, they cry for their mother the whole night," Honeypelt remarked. Tigerstar looked into her eyes, only to see faint amusement mingled with love. "But I don't see any reason not to obey. After all, you are Clan leader, and I do love you."
Tigerstar rasped his tongue over her ear. "Thank you, Sasha," he murmured, forgetting to use her Clan name. Honeypelt said nothing, but pushed her muzzle into her flank.
"Come on, my little Tigerpaw," she teased. "Let's get you back into bed."
The two cats curled up together in a warm furry bundle. Tigerstar felt Honeypelt's head resting on his shoulder and gave her forehead a loving lick. Their tails twined together in the shadows, and Honeypelt gave a dreamy purr. "I hope we do have kits," she mewed. "I really do."
"If it doesn't work out this time, we can always try again," Tigerstar told her. His head was slowly filling with her scent and warm fur and voice. Honeypelt purred again, batting his ear affectionately. Tigerstar licked her paw on its way down.
"Yes...we always can."
Outside the den, moonlight scorched the ground silver. High above the forest, the celestial home of StarClan gleamed like chips of white ice. Owls and other night animals slipped through the new growth in search of prey and companionship. Newleaf was there, sending its blooms through the soft, moist earth. The forest was rising again.
There. First chapter done! (dances around with Tigerstar)
Tigerstar: I enjoyed it. Ah, so good to be back on FFN. Hopefully I'll get more than just one chapter.
Oh, trust me, hon, you'll get a lot more. People like your stories. They like you.
Tigerstar: As I said in the beginning of this chapter: When you're as handsome as I am, there's no stopping the inevitable.
Sasha: You called me Sasha in there. XD
Actually, that was my fault. I kept wanting to write you as Sasha...and I finally gave up, which stopped the urges quite quickly.
Starshine: So I'm going to have kits now?
Maybe. I might do a third one after this story...with Tigerstar and Sasha's kits. So naturally, yours would be in there. But I don't know if they'll appear in this one because if they did, that would mean that Sasha's kits would be born, too, and that would be really confusing...(deep breath) Maybe not this time around.
Ravenflight: I don't care. I'm gonna be a daddy!!
Yep. (turns to readers) Well, here's the first chapter of the long awaited Forest of Purity sequel. Review and keep a sharp eye out for the next chapter. Ruthie, over'n'out. :) (does the anime peace sign and walks away)