This takes place after River Of Fire, which came out April 10Same allegiance, all five clans, but this is going to be a what if : ) a.k.a. not cannon
Enjoy!
CHAPTER 1
The faint sound of the other medicine cats rising startled Alderheart. The dark ginger tom stood still, waiting for the others to talk first. I can't share what Cinderpelt told me. He thought. It doesn't matter, Velvet can't even be my friend.
Leafpool was the first to break the silence. "Did StarClan share anything with you?" She asked the younger tom.
Alderhert hesitated for a couple of heartbeats, then shrugged. "I met Cinderpelt." He answered. "She um… just wanted to say she's glad all the clans are finally together."
Jayfeather let out a snort of disbelief, and Leafpool stared at him intently, her amber eyes searching his own.
"Fine." She agreed nonchalantly.
"I didn't receive anything important." Puddleshine added with a sigh. "Maybe the clans just need to wait for ShadowClan to fully recover?"
Leafpool let out a small sigh and glanced at Alderheart and Jayfeather. "We should go back, then." She murmured. "I wouldn't like to leave Ivypool and her kits alone for too long."
Alderheart carried the thyme tenderly between his jaws, not wanting to harm the leaves. He wondered guiltily if he would ever be able to see Velvet again, then scolded himself for even caring about the beautiful kittypet.
His paws were sore by the time he reached camp, but he forced himself to place the plants carefully besides his herb store. Jayfeather was facing him, his blue eyes narrowed as if he could actually could see him.
Just then, Alderheart wondered nervously if the older medicine cat would be able to smell Twolegplace scent on him.
"Is something wrong?" Alderheart asked as evenly as he could. "I'll plant this tomorrow." Without looking back at his former mentor, he headed back into his nest. "Goodnight." He added.
Jayfeather sniffed before Alderheart heard his nest shift as the gray medicine cat settled besides him.
"Goodnight." He said with a sigh, and Alderheart tried not to wince. The medicine cat knew already. He tucked his muzzle beneath his tail and fell asleep almost instantly.