Chapter 2: Coming Home
AN: !SPOILERS! I haven't read Warriors for 3 years. I tried looking up stuff, so if I'm not accurate, don't flip out. Sandstorm in this chapter reflects my thoughts on the Warriors series. I personally don't like Bramblestar. He's a Gary Stu in my eyes and I believe "Greystar" would be a great impact on the Warriors fandom. Imagine this, he'd see his family and friends for his 9 lives, including Firestar. Firestar's death made me not read Warriors anymore because he was important in the original series. For them to write him off that way made me angry. But that's me. The humor is coming soon. Don't worry. Enjoy.
Scourge and Hollyleaf woke up near the Shadowclan border, according to Hollyleaf. She stood up, a bit wobbly at first. She didn't have the scar on her throat, and she looked beautiful with her raven fur gleaming in the sun. Her green eyes looked towards him, hinting that he should stand up.
Scourge tried, but fell flat on his face. Something didn't seem right until Hollyleaf told him that he looked more... matured. He didn't look like an apprentice like he did when they first met, but a newly named warrior. He had a slim build, fuzzy, soft fur, and no scars at all. His whole body was restored and even improved. He had the hardest time relearning how to walk, but he eventually remembered. While walking to the Thunderclan camp, Hollyleaf brought up the subject of his name.
"We need a fake name for you. Some cats will remember you and that wouldn't end well. Especially since Sandstorm is alone now. She wouldn't want to see someone who caused Firestar to lose a life"
Scourge nodded and Hollyleaf asked for a name to use.
"My mother called me 'Tiny', but that's an insult in my eyes"
"You aren't exactly 'tiny' anymore, but that can help us give you a name. How about 'Tinywhisker'? You can say you were a half clan cat. Your mother tried to keep the warrior tradition alive and progressed your name and such."
"That sound good. They'll probably buy it... I hope. Let's go."
They walked for a while until they neared the clearing. That's when a "hunting" patrol arrived. Or so they thought.
Sandstorm was hissing at Bramblestar, and it was evident that she wasn't happy at all. Greystripe was trying to keep her back but she broke free. Hollyleaf pushed Scourge aside so she could watch.
"Damn it, Brambleclaw! I'm no elder! I'm fucking fine as a warrior. I can damn well hunt. You are lucky you're leader as of now! Greystripe would of been a better choice. You have a horrible ambition, just like your father! You pushed Greystripe aside for your selfish desire of power. Firestar will always be ten times the leader you are, Brambleclaw!"
Bramblestar was visibly annoyed, but with a calm voice said, "That's not my name."
Sandstorm growled.
"How dare you treat me like this?! You have no respect for my family. You allowed Firestar to lose a life, you treat Squirrelflight like shit, and Starclan knows why she's still holding on to an ungrateful idiot like you. You know what? You deserve this!"
Sandstorm clawed him in the face, getting his nose and damaging it badly. Greystripe begged for her to stop. He restrained her and was trying to keep her from getting exiled from the clan for hurting Bramblestar. When he escorted her away, she was sobbing.
Bramblestar stormed off towards the medicine cat den.
Hollyleaf felt conflicted. She saw the obvious pain that Sandstorm was in, but felt anger for the fact she clawed her foster father on the nose, hurting him badly. Sandstorm looked like she wanted to kill him.
Scourge told Hollyleaf that he needed to talk to Sandstorm.
"What? Are you mad? You just saw what she did! I don't want her hurting you."
He gave her a look, a look that said "No way. I'm not listening to you".
He ran after the scent of Bramblestar. Hollyleaf trailed after him.
They tried to sneak into the camp, but the entrance was to obvious and bringing unwanted attention to them was the last thing they needed. They waited for an opportunity, when a lot of cats would be distracted. Luckily, five kits were having their apprentice ceremony.
"Now is our chance!"
Hollyleaf nodded and they went to the elders den. They slipped in effortlessly and luckily, Greystripe and Sandstorm were the only ones in there.
Sandstorm's eyes were filled with happiness when she saw Hollyleaf. An audible gasp came from her and she reached her paw out to Hollyleaf, touching her shoulder to see if she is actually real.
"How did you-How are you alive? I saw your body before it was buried. There was no way you could of survived."
Sandstorm was quivering.
"I'm glad you're back. I don't know how, but I don't care. I thought I lost both Firestar and you. Now, I have you back"
She buried her face in Hollyleaf's fur and wept. Hollyleaf calmed Sandstorm down. Greystripe, however, was on edge.
"Who is this stranger?"
Sandstorm wiped her tears and looked towards Scourge. Her fur was starting to rise, fear was brewing within her.
"Sandstorm. I'm sorry for your loss."
She just stared. After a few moments of silence, she spoke.
"Scourge, I don't know what business you have with Hollyleaf. She's your kin. You can't corrupt her. She's loyal to the Warrior Code and won't sway easily. I strongly suggest you get away now. You're not fooling me or Greystripe."
Calmly, Scourge asked her what she ment.
"Firestar met his father in a dream. He told him about 'Quincy'. Firestar's mother was named 'Nutmeg'. I know that ment that was your mother. If you look down Hollyleaf's bloodline, she's the daughter of my daughter, Leafpool. Meaning, you're related to her"
Scourge looked at her and corrected her.
"Was. My name is Tinywhisker now. In my past life, I was Scourge. My past bloodline has no effect now. I'm completely different because Starclan gave me a chance."
Sandstorm growled.
"And how in the world did you deserve that second chance? Why not Briarlight?"
Hollyleaf interrupted.
"Look. Tigerstar screwed his life up as well as his family. Cinderpelt got a chance as well because of Tigerstar. Can we please hurry? I don't want to be spotted yet. Plus, I trust you the most with his secret. Can you promise not to say anything?"
Sandstorm thought for a long time and agreed as well as Greystripe. "Protect her, Scourge."
Sandstorm didn't just say it. It was an order.
They ran off at a bad time. Dovewing could sense something was off. She nudged Lionblaze and whispered," I think there's trespassers on Thunderclan territory."
They excused themselves from the ceremony and ran off. Dovewing caught the unfamiliar scents of the cats. She began to run.
Lionblaze was in front of her, believing that his heart was right. This seemed way too similar to something, but what? His paws were acting on their own. He sped off to the clearing. Faster and faster, his heart would beat. 'Why?' was a question repeating in his head. The repetition of the question was buzzing in his head, like a busy bee hive until he was going mad from the buzzing of the question. He stopped in the clearing, and the question stopped. He was catching his breath and listened after each breath. It was like everything went silent and still, but for what? He looked behind him just as Dovewing came into the clearing.
"Why does this feel so familiar?"
Dovewing looked at the first time in a while, he looked so fragile,so heartbroken, so cofused and so sad. But why?
"Why does it feel like my heart is going to shatter? Do you feel it too?"
She shook her head. She couldn't relate to him right now, and didn't feel heartbroken feeling.
"Maybe you remembered something sad that happened here?"
" must be it..."
He paused in thought, then turned to Dovewing.
"Can I just check one thing. I have a hunch that we'll find what we were looking for. What was it again?"
Dovewing could smell them and walked briskly toward the source. Suddenly a black figure appeared.
Lionblaze ran up and tackled his sister, laughing and holding her. When Scourge walked out, the laughing ceased.
"Hey, Hollyleaf? Who's this?" Asked Lionblaze warily.
"This is Tinywhisker. Starclan allowed me another chance to live. When I woke up near a twoleg place, he helped me. His mother was a Shadowclan warrior and kept the traditions alive with him. He wanted to join the clan, actually."
Lionblaze was happy that she was alive again, but was suspicious of Tinywhisker. What if he was a spy from another clan? Also, why would he choose Thunderclan and not Shadowclan? He was thinking about of this when Hollyleaf started to tell how she was happy for a second chance.
"Lionblaze, can we go to camp? I'd like everyone to meet Tinywhisker."
"Sure," He said. He smiled at the thought of having his sister back, and a happy one too.
When they entered the camp, cats were shocked and ran to Hollyleaf when they saw her. They couldn't wrap their heads around the fact that she's alive. They were mostly happy. Some cats, however started to whisper and point at Scourge. Bramblestar also noticed and was trying to mask his uneasiness.
Hollyleaf came to his side and licked his ear.
You'll be fine. Stay calm, okay?"
Bramblestar jumped down from the Highledge and walked towards them. He greeted Hollyleaf with a smile, touching noses with her. During that simple transaction, he glared at Scourge's direction.
"So, who is your friend?"
Hollyleaf fed everyone the bogus story, and everyone believed it. Some cats even thanked Scourge for helping Hollyleaf.
He felt happy. It was rocky at first, but it's getting better. He was loving the clan life already and looked forward to it.
5 Moons had passed. Scourge actually grew very fond of his new name and asked for her to personally call him that as well. She taught him everything he needed to know. Turns out, he's a pro at hunting. Sandstorm joked that he could rival her hunting records... if he tried really hard that is.
Life was great for the both of them. Hollyleaf loved her nieces and nephew. She was touched that one of Lionblaze's kits was named after her. Although, they're not "kits" anymore, but warriors as well.
She and Tinywhisker were on patrol with Squirrelflight, Hollytuft, Cinderheart and Cloudtail when she suddenly collapsed. Jayfeather and Leafpool were worried that Starclan was sending an omen through Hollyleaf. They were frantic when they realized she wasn't breathing. When she recovered, she refused today eat or drink.
Thing got worse. She was getting skinny and lethargic. Jayfeather was scared he'd fail her again. He tried everything he knew about. It was Leafpool who figured it out.
"Something is killing her from the inside. A parasite".
She gave her moss and told her to eat it. When she did, a mass of worms came up.
Jayfeather yelled at her for doing that. He pointed out that she's already dehydrated enough, that could set her to critical condition.
It would take a full moon for her to get back to herself. Jayfeather wanted to let her go back in the warrior den, but Leafpool refused. Jayfeather started to get angry. He demanded Leafpool to get out of the den. She refused and fired back that it's her kit, and she's going to take care of her.
"Besides! You didn't notice the worms were killing her!"
"Leafpool. Get. Out.
"No! You're overlooking an important factor. Even a flea can understand what's going on!"
"Really? What am I missing? Because I'm pretty sure I'm in charge. I should know what's going on."
"Jayfeather! Her stomach isn't swollen with with worms anymore!"
He sat there in an awkward silence, mouth slightly open.
"Oh..." "I'm not sure how I feel about that."
Leafpool tensed.
"What do you mean? Aren't you happy for your sister?"
"I am, but... I'm afraid about a dream I had. It makes sense now."
"Twilight and Midnight will walk beside each other until Dawn"
He took a breath.
"I'm scared it's Hollyleaf's kits. Twilight and Midnight. That could be Tinywhisker and Hollyleaf and Dawn being their kits."
Leafpool put her tail tip on his shoulder.
"We don't know that for sure. Come. Your sister needs to hear the great news.
As they left the herb patch, Jayfeather looked back. He felt like Leafpool was wrong.
