I know many of you are wondering what happened to Flightwing, but I won't tell you yet! –Laughs evilly- Anyway, this chapter is from Hazelpaw's point of view.
"Bind the rushes tighter!" ordered Cinderstream, going to the back of her den to get more poppy seads.
"Ready?" asked Skypaw. Hazelpaw nodded and he cried out as Skypaw tightened the long pieces of rushes around his broken leg. Cinderstream ordered Skypaw to get Hazelpaw some fresh-kill and the gray she-cat hurried out.
Cinderstream placed some poppy seeds in front of Hazelpaw and he quickly gobbled them up. She chuckled before beginning to prepare a mixture of some herbs. Hazelpaw watched her work, noticing how her fur color was close to the deceased Flightwing. He sighed. He knew he was confined to the medicine cat den until his leg healed. Hazelpaw heard a commotion coming from outside. He strained to see what was going on but he couldn't.
Skypaw entered Cinderstream's den and dropped a vole in front of Hazelpaw before saying, "Auraclaw has come to see you but a couple of cats were complaining about it. They think she might be a sky for Treeclan."
"Nonsense!" huffed Cinderstream, "Auraclaw is not that kind of cat! And Lionstar is extremely grateful to Nightclan. He would not have attacked us."
Hazelpaw nodded in agreement. He glanced over to the entrance and saw Auraclaw coming in, flanked by Sparrowtail and Owlfeather. He was about to get up to greet her, but Cinderstream forced him to sit.
"How are you?" asked Auraclaw, "Is it broken?"
Hazelpaw nodded but he knew Auraclaw wanted to talk about something else with him. "Umm. Can we talk alone?"
"How can we trust her?" hissed Owlfeather, "She might try to kill you once we leave!"
"Owlfeather!" scolded Cinderstream, "Leave. Come on Skypaw. Let us leave as well."
Auraclaw made sure they were gone before saying, "Pebbletail ran away from camp with Thornheart, Tigerstripe and the three apprentices. I think…I mean I think…"
"He's coming for me," finished Hazelpaw glancing over at his broken leg, tied up in rushes, "He wants to kill me. To get revenge for Flightwing's death."
Auraclaw shook her head, "He doesn't understand. Flightwing knew she was going to die. She accepted that and hoped all of us that are still alive would be able to live in peace. She would not want Pebbletail to try to kill you."
"Is that all you came to tell me?"
"No. I have permission from Lionstar. I'm going to stay here until Pebbletail comes. I know he will come."
"But most of the clan thinks you are a spy," pointed out Hazelpaw.
"Not everyone," corrected Auraclaw, "Cinderstream knows I'm okay. As well as Scarstar and Bramblepelt. I'll be fine. Just work on getting better."
LInelinelineline
Hazelpaw was in a dark forest. Stars could be faintly seen through the thick leaves. Hazelpaw took a step forward and something crunched underfoot. He looked down to see leaves. Large colored leaves. "What's going on? Has leaf-fall come early?" Hazelpaw walked through the forest however there was no one, not even a breeze. "Hello?" he called, "Is anyone here?"
"Hazelpaw…"
"Yes?" Hazelpaw looked around, up at the dark trees but there was no one.
"Hazelpaw."
Hazelpaw whirled around to face a familiar cat. "Darkpaw! It's great to see you again! How is Flightwing doing?"
Darkpaw hesitated for a second, "She…she is in danger. And there is nothing any of us can do to help her."
"What!" cried Hazelpaw, "Where is she? What happened?" Hazelpaw unsheathed his claws. Whatever happened to her, he was going to save her.
Darkpaw shook his head, "There is nothing you or I can do. That is not the reason for my visit. I need you to deliver a message to Skypaw."
"Why can't you just visit her?"
"Cinderstream," answered Darkpaw, "She has lost faith in Starclan and her hatred is blocking our access to Skypaw. Cinderstream learned something that she was not to know."
"What is the message?" asked Hazelpaw. He was wondering what Cinderstream knew. What could make a medicine cat lose faith in Starclan?
Darkpaw was about to answer when he glanced behind him. "Oh no…" He turned back to Hazelpaw, "I'll tell you later. I must go."
Before Hazelpaw could protest, the black tom was gone.
Linelinelineline
Hazelpaw groaned and opened his eyes. The forest was moving! Hazelpaw realized a second later that someone was dragging him by the scruff through the forest. His broken leg pained every time he hit a bump. He squinted and saw a cat approach them. Whoever was holding him dropped him to the ground and said, "I brought him."
Hazelpaw's eyes widen as he recognized the voice. He looked up and saw Owlfeather in the moonlight. "Why?" asked Hazelpaw.
Owlfeather ignored Hazelpaw and backed away as a familiar tom with scars came closer. "Hazelpaw," hissed Pebbletail, "This time I will send you to the Dark Forest for killing Flightwing."
"How?" asked Hazelpaw, "Why didn't Auraclaw stop you?"
"I drugged everyone," hissed Owlfeather, "Poppy seeds in fresh-kill."
Hazelpaw's eyes widen, but they become cold, "How could you Owlfeather? How can you do something like this?"
"Pebbletail offered me a deal," answered Owlfeather, before stepping back.
Pebbletail unsheathed his claws and lifted them above Hazelpaw's head, "This time there will be no interruptions!"
