My nose scanned the den. Then the sweet scent reached my nose. Just what I wanted Catnip. Reaching forward I grasped it in my jaws and tuned to where Cinderheart sat impatiently. Placing the leaves at her paws I ordered her to eat the leaves. Bending down she quickly swallowed the leaves then turned back to her nest in the back of my den. "Thanks Jayfeather. When do you think I'll be able to return…" her voice trailed off as her body shock with coughs. "…to warrior duties?" she finished. Thinking for a moment I finally answered cautiously. "By the case of Whitecough that you have. Since its mild I want to say maybe the next couple of days." Feeling her spirit brighten I turned back to my herbs. "It's more boring than watching Shadowclan cats try to swim." She meowed. Purring I noticed a hint of Cinderpelt in her tone. "That would be pretty funny though. I mean since they can't swim they would be calling out for help and clambering over each other. You could swim better than them." Hearing a purr rumble in her throat I padded to the back of my den and returned with a mouth full of a honeycomb. Dropping it over by Cinderhearts nest I motioned for her to eat them. "It will sought your throat." I explained before padding out of the den and into the sunlight.
It seared at my pelt and seemed to soak up every bit of coolness in the air. It happened every Greenleaf. It would be the hottest day of the year then rain the next couple of days. "Jayfeather, Dovepaw and Lionblaze want to talk to you." Brambleclaw called over to me as I turned my head in his direction. Smelling them out I padded over to the old Oak tree. "Yes." I asked impatiently. "Dovepaw saw and scented Riverclan cats cross the border." Lionblaze answered back. "Who were they?" I asked flatly. Thinking back the gray apprentice answered. "Mistyfoot and Mothwing and they looked worried and smelt of sickness." Nodding I turned my head as the brambles to the clearing rustled and Mistyfoot and Mothwing emerged.
Firestar greeted them warmly with a curt nod and a respectful lick. "Why have you come?" he finally asked. "We have come to tell you that Leopardstar has died and I am now Mistystar." Firestar was silent for a moment before gesturing for them to follow them into his den above the rocks. As Brambleclaw followed I could almost feel Squirrelflights longing to follow. Ever since Hollyleaf had reveled that Leafpool and Crowfeather were our parents Brambleclaw had been mad at Squirrelflight for lying to him. I almost felt bad for her but I shock it away. She had lied to him and his littermates. Plus the whole clan. I might never forgive her.
The bramble rustled again as the evening patrol walked in. In the patrol were Cloudtail, Ivypaw, Graystripe, Foxleap, and Leafpool. Cloudtail carried two mice and a shrew, while Graystripe had a raven and mouse. Foxleap and Ivypaw each had two mice and a starling, but Leafpool had nothing. Shaking my head I thought to myself she shouldn't be a warrior, she should be in the medicine cats den helping me. Her pelt brushed mine and snapped me out of my thoughts. I felt her soft eyes rest upon me. They were filled with regret, grief, and sorrow. I turned my head away and avoided her gaze. Hearing her head drop she padded off toward her sister who greeted her with a smile and purr. I felt better knowing Leafpool had someone.
Dragging my paws in the dirt I made my way back to my den. Curling up in a ball I rested my nose on my paws and fell into a restless sleep.
Sunlight blinded me as I awoke in Starclan. The sweet scent of Spottedleaf reached my nose, turning my head I noticed the tortoiseshell she-cat with a pelt covered in twinkling stars. Gently walking forward I nuzzled the former Thunderclan medicine cat. She gestured with her tail for me to follow her into the woods. Nodding we walked in silence until we reached the clearing. It was filled with tons of cats from all clans. A new face shone from the crowd. Leopardstar was now sitting among the ocean of cats. She sat next to Bluestar and Raggedstar.
Stepping forward the spotted she-cat sat next to me. "Why have you called me here?" I asked with concern in my meow. Purring she pressed closer and answered my question. "I have called you here to tell you of a story I believe you should know." Mummers of surprise echoed through the forest. Once the noise had died down she began again. "I would like to tell you why Leafpool and Squirrelflight did what they did." Rolling my eyes I listened. "I want you to know that you were always loved no matter who your parents were. They did what they did to protect you from the truth. They didn't want you to be exiled. That very well could have happened. I would also like you to tell Brambleclaw to cool down and understand Squirrelflight." Nodding she began to fade and called out. "We are always with you!" with that I woke with a start.
Sadness crept through me as I remembered I could not see any longer. Darkness had replaced the light and I now would rely on my nose and ears.
Couple moons later
Sniffing the air I smelt fear creeping off of Purdy as he entered the den. "What do you need?" I asked the elder gently. "It's Mousefur she hasn't been the same since Longtail had died." Nodding I took in his concern. "I understand your concern, but all she needs is some rest and comfort." Still uncertain he reluctantly left the den. Cinderheart had returned to warrior duties and back to Ivypaws training. I was kind of lonely now that the medicine cats den was empty. I still had Brightheart who came to help me and keep me company every now and then, but it wasn't the same. I almost missed having Cinderheart around. The thought taste bitter on my tough as if I had swallowed Mouse Bile. I'm a medicine cat I don't fall in love. No! Not like Leafpool had. Then the dream I had reminded me I ran straight to Brambleclaw and pulled in aside. "What is it I really have to get…" I interrupted him. "That's just it you are always working. Open your eyes and see Squirrelflight still cares and didn't mean to hurt you. I'm blind and even I can see that." I finished as I felt his muscles tighten at the sound of her name. As he went to speak again I stopped him. "Even Starclan told me to tell you to cool down and understand Squirrelflight more."With that he had relaxed and set across the clearing over to where Squirrelflight was sitting alone. He murmured something before they ran off into the woods.
Now my heart was set on one thing. I needed to find Lionblaze and Dovepaw. I could hear cats laughing and sharing tongues. There they were! My heart gave an extra skip as I neared the two. Fear scent trailed from their pelts. "What's wrong?" Lionblaze turned to me and spoke of the recent Gathering since I was unable to go for I had to tend Mousefur after she had a needle imbedded into her pad. "Well, I saw Heathertail and Breezepelt nearly ripped my pelt off when I said a friendly hello. Then Shadowclan and Riverclan fought saying Shadowclan had scented Riverclan scents on their territory. The Gathering was broken up when clouds covered the moon." Nodding as darkness covered my gaze as I looked into my brother's thoughts. Why did he hate us? We share the same dad! "He hates us because we share his father. He also thinks his dad praises us more than him." I answered his thoughts before scampering off to the fresh kill pile.
Grabbing a newly caught thrush I headed off toward my den where I nearly tripped over Molekit and Cherrykit. "How do you know where you are going if you can't see?" Molekit piped up. "Well since I can't see I rely on my nose and ears to guide me." I answered patently. "Molekit! Cherrykit! Get back for your nap!" I heard Poppyfrost call from the nursery. As the two cats scampered off I picked my thrush back up and headed into the shade and began to eat.
