CHAPTER SEVEN

There was something serene about ShadowClan territory at night. Thick brown pines grew in ranks, their grey-green needles soft and slender. Snow fell gently through the dark sky, powdery flakes drifting lazily through the air. Bright moonlight, reflected off the pale ground, illuminated the undergrowth. The air was filled with the sharp scent of pines and the musky scent of the marsh, and the forest was silent save for the occasional call of a wandering owl, high-pitched and filled with longing.

Sootclaw made his way through the woods, unbothered by the cold. Snow dotted his pelt and muzzle, and his amber eyes glittered in the moonlight. The air was still, with no biting wind to nip at his skin. He revelled in the calmness of it all; the mild night reminded him of Dawnpaw, with her tenderness and patience. From somewhere far behind him, the owl hooted again, its voice echoing through the empty sky. It sounded lonely, and for some inexplicable reason, the thought made Sootclaw sad.

Everything was different now. He was alone in his mind, in his body, with only the constant ache to remind him that Dawnpaw had once been there. Nights like this were bittersweet now. He wished he could share them with her, and Sootclaw found himself constantly wondering if she was looking up at the sky as well. Emotion coursed through him and suddenly the pain was strong again. Sootclaw held back a sob and forced the ache to die down again, reducing it to a dull throb. He had learned to put the pain away, to forget about her, to distract himself with his duties. But Dawnpaw was gone.

It had been seven days since her disappearance, and he couldn't find her.

The ground sloped beneath his paws. Sootclaw followed it down toward the lake. Ice covered the shallow waters near the shore, but toward the middle was an expanse of shining black water. Stars glittered off its still surface. Tonight was so beautiful, it could have been perfect. The corner of his mouth twitched with the thought. Almost, he thought ruefully. He should have known that balancing two she-cats couldn't have lasted forever.

Sootclaw's feet brought him to the RiverClan border. The Twoleg halfbridge rose before him and he scrambled underneath it, trying to avoid slipping on the ice as the ground disappeared from underneath his paws. Then he was on the RiverClan side, and there was solid earth underneath his paws once more.

RiverClan was just as beautiful at night, if different from the forest. Reeds stretched out in front of him, and beyond them were grassy knolls and large grey stones interspersed with the bracken. Everything was open, the only trees spread-out and small. The salty scent of fish was heavy and thick in his mouth, but Sootclaw had gotten used to it during his nightly meetings.

The reeds across from him rustled and Lilystream stepped out. She was just as beautiful as he remembered, slender, with sleek grey fur and beautiful amber eyes. Her face was small, with elegant features and a long, graceful neck. She had grown since her apprentice days, becoming longer and more fluid, turning from a pretty apprentice into a beautiful queen.

Then it hit him. Slender?

"Lilystream!" he gasped, rushing toward her, burying his muzzle into her neck. After reassuring himself that she was real, Sootclaw stepped backward, confusion and panic churning in his chest. "But...where are they? What happened? Why are they gone? Are you alright?"

A purr began to vibrate deep within her. Lilystream met his gaze, her eyes filled with laughter. "Sootclaw," she said, and his name was so beautiful in her voice. "It's okay. Nothing's happened to them. They've just been born, that's all."

"Been...born?" he repeated, stunned. His kits had been born. They were born! Part of him felt like crying out in joy. He was ecstatic beyond belief, exalted, so tremulously, beautifully high. He was a father! His kits might be in another Clan, it was true, but no matter what happened, he was determined to be a better father than Falconswoop.

He would always love them.

Lilystream nodded and pressed herself against him. Sootclaw purred as he felt her body warm against his. He swept his tail over her flank protectively and placed his chin on the top of her head. Lilystream felt right against him, her body fitting perfectly against his. She made him feel like a warrior, like he was strong, muscular, intelligent, brave. He had felt guilty hiding this from Dawnpaw, but he didn't want to share these feelings with anyone.

She pulled back to look at him. The love in her expression sent shivers through him, and Sootclaw leaned forward to draw his tongue across her cheek as she spoke. "I haven't named them yet," mewed the she-cat softly. "I was thinking we could do that together, now. They're not old enough to visit yet, but I'll bring them soon."

"I'd like that," Sootclaw told her, and he had never meant anything half as much as he meant that now. He remembered the way she had made him feel as an apprentice, like he was normal. She had teased him, trained him, shared tongues with him, and had truly listened to him. All his life, he had wanted to be the very best. But with Lilystream, he could be normal, himself.

"There's two toms and a she-cat," she mewed. "One of the toms has already opened his eyes. They're the same shade of amber as yours. He has a white pelt, and already I can tell that he's going to be big. I was thinking Icekit, if that's okay, because he was born during leafbare."

Sootclaw purred. "Icekit fits," he mewed, trying to visualize the kit in his mind. It was a good name, strong and fierce. I'll love him even if he isn't a fighter, he promised, even if he isn't as fierce as his name.

Lilystream paused for a second before continuing in a hesitant voice. "The other tom...he looks like how you described your mother, with light brown fur and long legs. Very slender. I thought maybe..."

"Cricketkit," said Sootclaw automatically. There was no question about it. He wanted to preserve the memory of his mother, and this was the ultimate gift he could give her. He wondered if Kitetail would know, the first time that he saw Cricketkit at a Gathering. Will you know what I've done? Would his brother be angry at him? Sootclaw knew he was breaking the Warrior Code, but Lilystream was far more important. Dawnpaw always said that love could conquer all. "The she-kit?"

"She's the most rambunctious," said Lilystream affectionately. "Seven days old and she won't ever be still. She's your daughter, Sootclaw. A beautiful little tortoiseshell kit, but she has your spirit."

"Thornkit," he suggested. It was another fierce name, stubborn, resilient. Lilystream's eyes brightened at his words and she nodded fervently, leaning even closer toward him. With that, it was settled. Sootclaw was the father of three wonderful kits.

Thornkit. Icekit. Cricketkit. He wanted to tell Dawnpaw about them more than anything. But the emptiness surrounded him, leaning in towards him, and he was scared that if he pushed it, it would collapse and destroy his whole mind.

"I love you," he told Lilystream, putting the ginger apprentice out of his mind.

She purred and nuzzled the underside of his chin. "I love you too."

They sat like that for what seemed like an eternity, just watching the moon.

.

On the way back to camp, Sootclaw tried not to think about the Warrior Code. But like any attempt to put something out of one's mind, it just made it even more present in his thoughts. He was breaking it. It was as simple as that. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan. The very first rule.

Was his loyalty to ShadowClan or to his kits? It had to be to ShadowClan. It was his home. Yet there was nothing there for him: Dawnpaw and Kitetail were in ThunderClan, and his mate and kits were in RiverClan. The only cat waiting for him back at camp was Pigeonpaw, and Sootclaw couldn't stand his petulant apprentice.

Then he remembered Hailkit, and he knew why he would always be loyal to ShadowClan. The Clan had been there for him when his father had failed him. Hailstripe and Eaglestar had cared for him. Even Birchcloud talked to him now; after Sootclaw had proven himself different than his father, the medicine cat had warmed up to him significantly.

The grey warrior had a duty to his Clan. He would make sure that Pigeonpaw learned the value of the Warrior Code, that Hailkit grew up to be a brave warrior, that Birchcloud never ran out of herbs, that Eaglestar's rule was never challenged, that their claim to the territory was never challenged, that none of his Clanmates was ever in danger.

That was more important than his kits, and he could live with that.

As for having to face them in battle...no honourable warrior would kill another in a skirmish. He might have to scrap with them at the border, but it would just an excuse to test their skills. Sootclaw wouldn't be the most openly affectionate father, but he would be there, and he would love them just the same.

Thornkit. Icekit. Cricketkit. He wanted to meet them so badly it hurt. Soon, they would be old enough, and Lilystream would be able to bring them to the border. Sootclaw wondered if Icekit really had his eyes, or if Cricketkit really was the spitting image of his namesake.

Soft, powdery snow fell from the sky and began to speckle his pelt. A gentle breeze began to whistle through the trees. The moon lit a path through the forest, and Sootclaw felt comforted by its light. This serenity had to mean that StarClan approved, right? He wasn't hurting anyone with his decision. Surely, they had to respect that.

He reached the boulder that marked the camp entrance and slipped by it, feeling weariness begin to overtake him. The sooner he was curled up in the warriors den, the better.

Flowerpelt was waiting by camp entrance, obviously unlucky enough to have drawn guard dity. She looked like she was ready to fall asleep on the spot. When the tortoiseshell saw him, she glanced up. "Out for a walk, Sootclaw?"

Sootclaw nodded. "Just getting a little bit of alone time."

She twitched her whiskers sympathetically. "Pigeonpaw still too much for you?"

"You have no idea," mewed the warrior, scrunching up his face. The others made fun of his relationship with Pigeonpaw, but in all honesty, it never ceased to wear him out. They didn't understand just how tiring it was, especially Flowerpelt. He liked her well enough, but she had never had to deal with a disobedient apprentice.

"Go to sleep," Flowerpelt told him, and he sighed in relief, pulling himself towards his den. Once he reached it, Sootclaw collapsed into the moss, buried himself in the rich, familiar scent of ShadowClan, and fell into a dreamless sleep.

.

The next morning, he was fortunate enough to land the dawn patrol. Redfur kicked him out of bed, voice teasing but firm. "Get up, lazy-bones! We need you to defend our borders! You're on the morning patrol with me today."

Sootclaw struggled to his paws. His legs felt lead, and he found himself wondering if last night's trip had been worth it. Then he remembered the names of his kits and the joy in Lilystream's face, and decided that yes, it would have been worth anything. "Who else is coming?" he asked the deputy, trying not to yawn.

She looked at him as though he were a kit. Sootclaw groaned. Did I really think I should be deputy instead? That had been rather arrogant, come to think of it. I can't even get up on time. Come on, Sootclaw, you have boundaries to mark. Realizing that she was still watching him, Sootclaw tried to straighten up. Redfur hesitated a moment before replying: "Seedfur and Tanpaw."

Sootclaw felt his heart soar. "No Pigeonpaw?"

"Pigeonpaw is out hunting with Greywing and Nightpaw. They're doing some sort of competition. Eaglestar is assessing them," the spotted she-cat replied.

He frowned. "Assessment? I'm Pigeonpaw's mentor, I should be there if there's an assessment..."

Redfur shrugged. "Eaglestar didn't think you would be that interested. If you're worried, though, you'll still have all afternoon to spend with him."

He didn't have to train Pigeonpaw this morning. Sootclaw knew he should feel relieved, but part of him just felt like he was letting Eaglestar down. What kind of mentor didn't care about his apprentice's assessments? He would have gone if he had known about it, but Eaglestar thought he didn't care, and while that was partially accurate, it still stung.

The deputy's expression softened. "Come on, Sootclaw," she mewed, and for a moment, he wanted to fall into her words and seek reassurances. Being a mother had changed Redfur. She was both more strict and more caring, and it made her a better deputy.

"Right," he mewed, and they padded over to the camp entrance. Flowerpelt had been replaced by Milkyfur, who looked bored, but at least awake. The former queen had easily readjusted to her warrior duties, and whenever Sootclaw saw her, she had nothing but kind words to offer him. Occasionally, he would see her sharing tongues with her mate, Eaglestar. The two seemed so happy together, and it made Sootclaw wish he could have such a public relationship with Lilystream. He wanted to shout his love in front of the Clan, but he knew he could never do that.

Tanpaw and Seedfur met them by the boulder, and silently, the four of them entered the forest, head toward the ThunderClan border. Tanpaw took the lead, with Redfur close behind. Seedfur and Sootclaw trailed at the back, enjoying the fresh morning scents.

"Tanpaw's a good kid," noted Sootclaw as they walked. Above them, a starling began to chirp, fluttering its wings against the pale pink sky. The morning was warm, with barely the hint of a breeze. The skies were clear, the snow beneath his paws crisp and fresh.

"Better than yours?" asked Seedfur wryly.

Sootclaw narrowed his eyes. Why did everyone feel the need to point out that he had trouble controlling Pigeonpaw? The smoky grey warrior shook his head. "Pigeonpaw's good too, just in a different way." The kid had spunk, he couldn't deny that.

"You don't mean that," said Seedfur. She sighed. "Look, Sootclaw, it's not easy to train an apprentice. I know how you feel."

"No, you don't," Sootclaw told her, irritated.

"Kitetail was my first apprentice," she mewed, ignoring the testiness in his voice. "I was determined to do it right, but all he wanted to do was be a medicine cat. Birchcloud told me that it wasn't my fault, that there was nothing I could do. But I still felt like somehow, I was to blame. It was my duty to train him as a warrior, and I had failed him."

Sootclaw was silent. He had never really considered this from Seedfur's point of view. His brother had always wanted to be a medicine cat, and Sootclaw had always blamed Falconswoop for preventing him. The grey tom was surprised that Seedfur hadn't recieved one of Eaglestar's kits as an apprentice, and immediately felt bad for her. "I'm sorry."

"I don't want you to be sorry," she told him softly. "I want you to realize that being a mentor takes a special kind of maturity. You have to be even better than your best. Pigeonpaw isn't the only one who will learn from this partnership."

He shrugged off her words, but they struck something deep within him. Sootclaw turned away from the senior warrior, trying to pretend that he didn't care. He was trying so hard to be a good mentor to Pigeonpaw, but it always felt he was never being rewarded. Maybe he had to forget about that, to only care about the young tom, but...how could he learn anything from Pigeonpaw? That was mouse-brained.

As they reached the border, Sootclaw trotted forward to renew the scent marking. As he finished his duty, another scent caught his attention, strong and familiar. It was coming from the ThunderClan side of the border, and he recognized it instantly.

"You go ahead," he told the others, searching his mind for an excuse to stay behind. "I'm going to do some quick hunting. I thought I heard something in the bushes."

"Alright," mewed Redfur, striding forward. "Tanpaw, Seedfur, let's go."

Sootclaw watched as they walked into the bushes and out of sight before letting out a huge sigh of relief. He padded over the border, eyes scanning the trees on the ThunderClan side of the clearing. "Thickfur? Thickfur!" His words were a hiss.

The ThunderClan warrior emerged from the forest, looking very disgruntled. "I was hoping you would be here," he admitted, and the words sounded like they were being pulled forcefully from his chest. Sootclaw knew that Thickfur hated the idea of the mind-link, and he didn't blame him.

"Is it about Dawnpaw?" Sootclaw asked, the words rushing from his mouth. Seeing Thickfur made him worry even more – something bad must have happened in order for Thickfur to come see him. Yet at the same time, he felt a flicker of hope. He wasn't alone in this anymore.

Thickfur's amber eyes flashed. "You know?"

"I can't..." Sootclaw trailed off, not sure how to describe this. He had never talked about his mind-link with another cat, never tried to put his emotions into words. "It's hard to explain, but I can't find her anymore. She's not there. It's empty. Why, what happened?"

Standing amidst the bushes, Thickfur looked almost dishevelled. His fur was messy, his expression even more irritable than usual, and his posture had a certain unease to it that Sootclaw had never seen in him before. Only his eyes were the same, hard and flat, carefully guarded. "Dawnpaw's in a coma," he said roughly. "I thought you might... that she might have said something to you."

Despairingly, Sootclaw shook his head. Coming to see him had obviously been a difficult and uncomfortable decision for Thickfur, and he wished he could have rewarded the tabby with more information. "Look," he began, dreading the answer that would follow his words. "I need to get back to my patrol, but can we meet up again soon?"

Thickfur's gaze met his, and for a horrible, gut-wrenching moment, Sootclaw thought that the ThunderClan warrior would say no.

X X X X X X X

A/N: You know what they say: better late than never! Here's the Sootclaw chapter in which we are introduced to his kits, in a way. Some of you seemed to be expecting a Lilystream chapter, but unfortunately, I already have half a billion POVs, so I can't really fit her in. Sorry! Sootclaw will get to meet his bundles at one point, though it won't be for awhile, as they're still too young to be travelling. Anyway, writing uncomfortable Thickfur feels weird. I'm not used to him not being in control. I doubt he's happy either.

Apart from the SootxLily and Sootclaw learning what happened to Dawnpaw, nothing overly exciting happens in this chapter. Next is Dawnpaw, though! She's still wandering through the Dark Forest with Shredtail and Worm.

Kartlin: Wow, what a hunch! I can't confirm or deny any of it, but you may be on the right track with the idea of an exorcism.

The Last Clan: Oh gosh, that was confusing, now that I read it over. Baron wants Russet to kill Alder, and if he does, he'll give him Needle's position, haha. Hope that makes sense!

KittyKat8888: I love Russet, and I plan to give his story lots of attention, since his tale is far from over. He definitely has a lot of feelings leftover from his exile, as well as a desire to prove himself. That being said, I won't reveal whether he redeems himself and lives happily ever after, or dies in the attempt. Maybe leopards really can't change their spots.

ScourgexScarlet: Thanks!

frostfeather: Yay, someone appreciates my music choices! :) I've read a bit of Homestuck, but never really got into it. Sorry to disappoint about Lilystream; I never meant to imply that she was the next POV. Since you're curious, though, she doesn't know about Dawnpaw or the mind-link.

Hannah: Haha, that's right, I rose above the materialism of your pen name! I do like the new one, though :D As for Russet's Redemption (New spin-off novel! Catchy title! On sale now!), you can read my above remarks.

Thistlethorn of Shadowclan: Yeah, good call about there a lot of POVs and a lot of time between each one. It's necessary for this story, but I'll try to return to more of the Soot/Dawn alternating POV chapters in the next.

Kartlyn: Hey, you again! Seriously, go write a story. It's the best feeling in the world, and I would be happy to give you some feedback on it :)

CinderblazeFan: Wow, thanks so much for all of your praise! You read everything really quickly, haha. I'm glad you like Fogpaw, too, and good luck on your own story!

iPinkNinja: What, no! Don't feel horrible at all! I wouldn't write such dark undercurrents if I didn't want you to enjoy them ;)

Oh geez, I spent too much time not writing. I'm starting to get emotional whenever I see one of you write Dawnpaw's name. There's just so much attached to it and it's hard to explain. D: I promise to update more quickly now! I took a slight break and it worked wonders to restore my muse, so I'll hopefully see you all soon.

Thanks for all the Fogpaw love, by the way! I'm really happy that you guys have taken such a liking to her. Her next POV chapter will have her meeting an unlikely ally, plus a big secret (or plot point) will be revealed. That's still a little bit away, though. Stay tuned!

How did you guys feel about Seedfur's little spiel? I've always felt bad for her, having the apprentice that never wanted to be a warrior...

Thanks for reading and please review!

- PV :)