Bit of a shorter chapter, but it's honestly one of the ones I'm more satisfied with. Thanks for the reviews/favorites! I'm always open for more ;-)
Reviews:
Embers—You aren't here for the cringe? Then what's the point?
Kuroimori—Duskpaw (Dusk in this story), Frost and her kits, Thorn, Ash, and Stone were accepted for Divided Future. Thank you so much for the submissions!
Chapter 6:
Hawkpaw's pads thudded against the rocky ground as he bounded up to the top of the gorge. Grunting, he pulled himself up to the grassy plains that separated him and the clan from the Twolegplace. The sun had just started to set, sending rays of golden light across the land.
However, Hawkpaw didn't notice the beautiful sunset, with other things on his mind. The words Jayfeather had spoken to him almost a moon ago now rung in his head, and he couldn't help but wonder if that was what the starry gray tom had meant.
Poison will spread, and the sky will flee. Star and dark shall fall in the river's path.
Poison… did that mean the rogues? Was Jayfeather meaning to tell him that the cats who had killed Bouncefire today posed a serious threat? If 'sky' meant Skyclan, then were they the ones in trouble? Star and dark and were more vague, and he wasn't sure what they meant yet. It wasn't like the stars could just start falling out of the sky or something.
Or could they?
Hawkpaw lashed his tail at the absurd thought. What was he thinking?! This was all so confusing. He had been given no abnormal dreams since the one with Jayfeather a moon ago, and he was still no nearer to figuring out what the Starclan cat had meant by the prophecy and his "powers." He was still skeptical if he even had powers! Tawnypaw sure thought he was off the deep end, and had gone out of her way to avoid him after he had tried to convince her of what he had heard.
"Having trouble, Hawkpaw?"
The brown tabby nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise, letting out a cry of surprise. Whipping around, he came nose-to-nose with none other than Billystorm. The senior warrior tilted his head, and Hawkpaw flattened his ears in embarrassment.
"Oh, B-Billystorm!" He stammered. "Sorry, I didn't see you there. You scared me."
"My apologies," The ginger-and-white tom apologized. "I was on my way home for the night, and I noticed you up here and went to check on you. You did seem deep in thought."
"It's nothing," Hawkpaw quickly defended himself. "I'm just… a little taken aback after everything that's happened."
"I think we all were caught on the wrong paw," Billystorm agreed. "Bouncefire's death was tragic." He bowed his head, and Hawkpaw blinked in sympathy. He had known the ginger tom a lot longer than he had.
"Who were these cats?" He found himself asking after a moment. "Why did they attack us? It's not like we've done anything wrong!"
Billystorm shook his head. "Some cats have different ways of thinking, young one. And in some cases they think everyone has to be like them because their way is best—in their point of view. Often, they'll resort to violence to get what they want. It's a danger you have to accept in becoming a clan cat."
"Point of view?" Hawkpaw felt lost. "But how can they not see that attacking us is wrong? We're the ones in the right; clan life is the best way to go, isn't it?"
Billystorm shrugged. "It all depends on how you view things. Say, if you were a loner, and suddenly, you hear of a group of cats who are taking all of the prey nearby and attacking everyone in their territory, how would you feel?"
"But we don't attack every cat who crosses our borders! That's stupid. How would get new cats to join the clan?"
"Hawkpaw, just put yourself in that cat's paws. Rumors can change over time. How would you feel?"
The brown tabby frowned, and looked to the now rapidly disappearing sun as he thought.
"...Threatened, I suppose."
"And what if you wanted to keep your territory, and hear that this group of cats might want to take it over? What would you do?"
"But we don't—"
"Hawkpaw. Humor me, here."
"I'd be scared. And I'd want to protect my home."
"Well, there's your answer. The trick is that you have to put yourself in someone else's paws. What do we know about these cats?"
"That they're evil! They kill cats by attacking them unfairly!"
"Not what we assume, what we know. Facts."
"Um…" His mind blanked. "They unfairly attacked Bouncefire and Honeypaw, and killed Bouncefire by ganging up on him four to one."
"Do we know why they attacked? Really know why?"
"No…"
"Then should we really jump to conclusions without thinking first?"
"But shouldn't we stop them?" Hawkpaw flattened his ears. "Bouncefire is dead because of them! Why should we sympathize with them?"
"I'm not saying we should!" Billystorm shot back just as harshly. "But it's critical that we try and figure out why a cat does something than go in blindly. Honestly, you're just as bad as your mother. It's how the twolegs—" He suddenly cut himself off, looking hauntedly into the distance. "Nevermind that."
Hawkpaw frowned, but didn't press any further. What had he meant about his mother, and why had Billystorm acted so oddly?
"Don't you need to get back to your twolegs?" He asked instead, noting that the sun had practically set already. "It's late."
"I suppose I can do one night without them," the senior warrior shrugged, tapping Hawkpaw with his tail. "I'm sure Leafstar will be happy to know you're safe as well. She's very proud of you, you know."
"Really?" Hawkpaw questioned, surprised. He'd been moving at the usual rate of an apprentice. Nothing really special.
"Of course," Billystorm replied. He began to pad back towards the gorge. Hawkpaw quickly followed him. "She's very impressed with how quickly you're progressing in battle training. You're almost able to take on Hollypaw, and he's three moons ahead of you."
"Thanks," Hawkpaw murmured, licking his chest fur self-consciously. A swell of pride moved in his chest. He had impressed his mentor!
The two began their descent down to the bottom of the gorge. It was now dark, and most of the cats had gone to bed, though Sandyclaw had started his vigil. Hawkpaw blinked in slight surprise as he noticed Tawnypaw and Echosong conversing with Stormheart and Harrybrook. Why were they still up?
"It's the half moon tonight," Billystorm murmured, seeming to sense Hawkpaw's silent question. "Which means that Echosong and Tawnypaw will be going to the Whispering Cave."
"The Whispering Cave? What's so special about that?" Hawkpaw found himself confused. The Whispering Cave a small cave that fed the river that flowed through the gorge. It was a great place to find moss; he had just been there that morning collecting some for Featherpaw and Juniperpaw to use in the nursery.
"It hasn't come up in conversation?"
Hawkpaw shook his head.
"Well, the Whispering Cave is the place where our medicine cats speak with Starclan every half moon. It's a very important tradition, as they receive insight from our warrior ancestors and warning of possible threats to our way of life."
"Woah," Hawkpaw breathed. "That's so cool." So maybe tonight Echosong or Tawnypaw would be visited by Jayfeather. Maybe he would tell them about that weird phrase that he kept on telling him.
"Yes. Tonight will be especially important, as it's Tawnypaw's first time to the cave. There, Starclan will accept her formally into their ranks and she'll become a true apprentice."
"Why are Harrybrook and Stormheart with them?"
"Another tradition. The newest warriors of the clan will accompany the medicine cats to the cave and guard them as they speak with Starclan. We started it around two leaf-bares ago, when Echosong and Frecklewish were almost attacked by a fox."
Hawkpaw blinked. "Who's Frecklewish?" he asked. "I've never heard of him before."
Billystorm's eyes clouded, and regret seeped from his pelt. The brown tabby flattened his ears as he felt this, instantly knowing he had brought up a bad memory.
"Frecklewish was Echosong's first apprentice," he sighed. "Long before you were born. She was a daylight apprentice first, and Echosong had to fight hard to get Leafstar to let her become a medicine cat. She got her full name, but…" He paused for a moment, then went on. "Soon after, she was out collecting herbs with Rabbitleap, then an apprentice, and I. We had gone down the grassy flats up above the gorge, farther than usual in search of yarrow. When we found a patch, Frecklewish was so excited, she didn't watch where she was going. She accidentally stepped in a snake's burrow and was bitten. I sent Rabbitleap back for help, but by the time he made it back, she was gone."
"I'm sorry…" Hawkpaw responded at the story's end, regretting having asked the question. Sadness was practically pooling around the senior warrior. "I didn't know."
"It's quite alright. It was long before your time. Anyways," Billystorm shook himself out. "I'm going to get to bed, as should you. We both have a long day tomorrow."
Hawkpaw nodded, glancing back towards Echosong, Tawnypaw, Harrybrook and Stormheart as they began to quietly leave camp. I wonder what it's like to be able to dream with Starclan every moon. I'd sure like to ask Jayfeather what he meant in my dream. Lucky Tawnypaw…
However, his paws carried him back to the apprentices' den as he shared goodnights with Billystorm, who moved towards the leader's den. Squeezing past Birdpaw, who had moved her nest closer to Juniperpaw and Firepaw's since Honeypaw and Sandyclaw were no longer there, he laid down in his nest. Soon, he found himself asleep, still thinking of Tawnypaw and her meeting with Starclan.
Hawkpaw blinked open his eyes, and instantly realised he was dreaming. It was kind of obvious, actually, considering the forest he had abruptly found himself standing in. The moon was shining brightly overhead, despite the late hour and the fact that it was only half-full.
He looked around, trying to find any sign of cats nearby. This wasn't any normal dream, that was for sure. Had Jayfeather come back to talk with him? However, he couldn't see anyone, making him frown in confusion. Abruptly, his ears twitched to the right as a soft murmuring reached him. He raised his head in that direction, and slowly made his way towards them.
"...danger is coming. Greater than anything Skyclan has ever faced, greater than even your predecessors…"
Hawkpaw's ears angled forwards as he heard the voice form into words. Ducking under a large brush, he squeezed through the branches, stopping when several cats came into sight through the leaves. Suddenly, he had the feeling that he was not supposed to be here, and was very grateful for the branches covering him.
In front of him, he saw Echosong and Tawnypaw, side by side. Talking to them was large dark tom with thick fur, a dark brown tabby tom, and a ginger tabby she-cat. Stars flecked the three unknown cats' fur. Echosong was very nervous and worried, while Tawnypaw was still rather confident, though undercurrents of fear betrayed her. The Starclan cats were also worried, though they held certainty close to them.
"Does this have anything to do with the rogues who attacked today?" The tabby medicine cat questioned, shuffling her paws.
"Is Bouncefire alright?" Tawnypaw asked as well.
"Yes, to both of your questions," the brown tabby answered. He lowered his voice, and Hawkpaw frowned as he couldn't make out the tom's next words. "You must find them in order to save the clan," he finished, raising his voice again.
"What, Spiderstar?!" Echosong exclaimed. "We haven't had one in moons!"
"The time has come for another," the gray tom spoke. "You have well exceeded in you calling, Echosong; Tawnypaw, we are sure you will fill her footsteps admirably. We know that you will find the cat who has received this foretelling."
"Can't you tell us who it is?" The young tortoiseshell protested. Echosong hurriedly hushed her, embarrassed.
"I apologise for my apprentice, Skywatcher," she apologised, though agreement flashed through her. The tom shook his head.
"It's quite alright," Skywatcher purred, while Hawkpaw had to stifle a gasp at the name.
Is that… Skywatcher? The Skywatcher from all of Patchfoot's stories?!
"Skyclan has grown the roots it has needed to survive," Spiderstar announced. "And now it is time to use them. It has been given to the one who holds the power of the stars in his paws. It is up to you to find this cat."
"Can you tell us anything more?" Echosong replied.
"No. But they will reveal themselves in time. The roots you have planted will prove critical in the moons to come. Stay safe. We believe in you."
Hawkpaw tensed as Echosong and Tawnypaw faded out of existence, alarmed. That was supposed to happen, right? The Starclan cats sure were acting normal about it. He kept himself pressed flat against the ground, hoping to Star—no, not Starclan. To anyone else who could be watching—that he wouldn't be scented or seen.
The three Starclan cats murmured to each other lowly, before the tabby she-cat shook her head disapprovingly and walked off. Sharing a look, Skywatcher and Spiderstar padded off together, fading into the landscape.
Hawkpaw let out a breath. In some strange stroke of luck, Starclan hadn't noticed him. He relaxed, sagging into the dirt. Now, he just needed to find a way to wake up and act like this had never happened. He probably wasn't supposed to have heard any of that conversation, and he didn't want to get into trouble for it. Sharpclaw's punishments were bad enough; he could barely imagine what Starclan was like when angered. If they were anything like Jayfeather, he was doomed.
"Hello, Hawkpaw."
The brown tabby tom let out a shriek in terror, leaping up into the bramble bush. Immediately, his fur caught in the branches, sticking him in place. He quickly tried to escape, but it was no use. He was trapped.
"Now that is one of the best reactions I've seen to someone meeting a Starclan cat. Definitely going down in my memory."
Hawkpaw burned under his pelt. Reaching out behind him, he could sense amusement coming from a cat behind him. He tried to get out of the bush again, but his fur was just refusing to let him move. He hissed to himself. He didn't even have long fur! Why was he getting stuck now of all times?!
"Who are you?" He asked. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop! Honestly! I won't tell anyone about this!"
"I know," The voice chuckled. The bush shifted, and the branches were slowly untangled from his pelt. After a couple minutes, Hawkpaw found himself untangled from the bush, and he slowly wriggled backwards and out of it to find himself face to face with the ginger tabby she-cat he had seen earlier. He ducked down, flattening his ears submissively.
"Don't act like that," the she-cat rolled her eyes, flicking her tail to his side. "Skywatcher and Spiderstar only asked me to guide you home. We're off the chart. No formalities needed."
"Oh… okay, then," he shifted his paws awkwardly. "Who are you?"
"Honeyleaf," the she-cat answered. "The last deputy of Skyclan before it disbanded seasons ago. You are Hawkpaw, son of Brambleclaw and Cherrytail. Why did you make your way here?"
"I came here on purpose?"
"Of course. We were surprised to see you here when we were delivering our message to Echosong, but not much damage has been done."
Hawkpaw nodded, relieved he wasn't in trouble. "I really didn't mean to end up here. It was an accident."
"You were thinking about Tawnypaw, weren't you? That would explain why you entered her dreams. It's quite astonishing you could do it from such a distance, honestly. Jayfeather will be impressed."
"Wait, you know Jayfeather?!" Hawkpaw exclaimed, standing up. "Where is he? He visited me in a dream a moon ago and I've been wanting to ask him questions about it for ages!"
Honeyleaf flicked an ear. "You've come at a bad time, then. You see, Jayfeather walks two different skies. Though he does stay with us most of the time, sometimes he has to leave for a little bit. You've caught him at one of those times."
You have got to be kidding me! "Can't you call him here or something?" He pressed, desperate.
"I could…" Honeyleaf shrugged. "But then I'd be ruining more than one plan. You're going to have to figure out this by yourself. You can't always rely on us to solve your problems, you know."
"But you're Starclan!"
"And you are a disrespectful apprentice who doesn't know his place. I think we balance each other out."
Hawkpaw frowned, feeling beaten, then decided to try for at least one of the things that had been bothering him. "Well, I do have powers, right? Jayfeather said I did, but Tawnypaw is convinced I'm just crazy."
Honeyleaf laughed shortly, shaking her head as disbelief and amusement flowed off of her. The Skyclan apprentice raised his head slightly, wondering if he had said something wrong. She wasn't making fun of him, was she?
"Dear, dear Hawkpaw," she chuckled, touching noses with him. "How do you think you found your way into Starclan in the first place?"
Before he could answer, everything faded into black.
