A/N: Another chappie!
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Heartbranch sat down her catmint, taking a few puffs of breath. She stared at Fernclaw. She twitched her ears. "Heading towards VineClan or DarkClan?" Heartbranch asked. With catmint in her mouth, there had been no time to talk.
"VineClan," Fernclaw mewed, sighing. She knew DarkClan would be the hardest of all to convince, especially since Darkstar died along with Stormheart.
Heartbranch nodded, picked up her catmint, and began walking again. Fernclaw led the way, but suddenly, she heard pawsteps. She whipped around, hissing and spitting. She saw a pure white tom; it was Puresoul!
"Puresoul! What are you doing here?" Fernclaw asked, feeling strangely comforted inside. Heartbranch had a weirdly knowing look on her face.
"I came to journey with you," Puresoul mewed, nuzzling Fernclaw. He sent shivers down Fernclaw's spine, and she suddenly wondered why.
"Did Gingerstar send you?" Fernclaw hissed warningly.
"No, she didn't. I came on my own. She tried to stop me," Puresoul purred.
"Oh. Well, then, I won't send you on your way. It's not like I can." Fernclaw sighed, flicking her tail-tip with slight irritability. "Well, come on, then. We're heading to VineClan."
Heartbranch fell a couple mouse-lengths behind and let Fernclaw and Puresoul walk side by side. Fernclaw's tail longed to twine with Puresoul's for some unknown reason; Fernclaw shook it off. She was off on a journey to save her Clan.
Soon, the moors were under Fernclaw, Puresoul, and Heartbranch's paws. Fernclaw opened her mouth; she scented no VineClan cats, as if their hadn't been a patrol since dawn. Fernclaw's eyes looked to the sky. Dusk would be here soon, but she couldn't rest at DarkClan. She decided to ask the leader of VineClan to let the traveling cats rest for the night, and they'd be off in the morning.
"I hope they'll welcome us," Puresoul mewed bitterly. "I know DarkClan won't."
"Let's hope so, otherwise, we'll be traveling the night through," Fernclaw mewed bitterly back.
Fernclaw slipped through VineClan's entrance. The leader of VineClan, Robinstar, ran fast to the entrance.
"Fernpaw! Why are you in VineClan's camp?"
"It's Fernclaw." Fernclaw launched into the explanation.
"Well, you're brave, admitting your Clan's weaknesses to the Clans," Robinstar purred quietly. "I wouldn't. You are braver than I, Fernclaw. On you go, to the medicine den."
Fernclaw dipped her head, then rushed past Robinstar. Puresoul and Heartbranch stayed at the entrance, talking quietly to each other.
"Shaggyfur! I have a question," Fernclaw called out. Shaggyfur approached. Fernclaw explained.
"Why should I leave my Clan to go to yours?" Shaggyfur asked.
"Because StarClan would want you to save lives if you had the opportunity," Fernclaw begged.
Shaggyfur's lips looked as if they would pull back in a furious snarl that Fernclaw seemed to be using StarClan against Shaggyfur. "Fine, I'll come. Let me gather some of my own catmint." Shaggyfur quickly entered and came back out. "Let's go."
Quickly, Shaggyfur walked to the entrance/exit of VineClan. Puresoul nuzzled Fernclaw gently. "I'm glad you're going to save the Clan," he whispered. Fernclaw felt fuzzy inside, and she nodded curtly, worrying something silly and stupid would come spilling out of her mouth.
"Actually, Shaggyfur, can we rest here for the night?" Fernclaw begged.
"If Robinstar says yes." Shaggyfur gave a shrug.
"Sure," Robinstar meowed. "I have deep respect for your boldness, Fernclaw."
