Chapter eight, a live legend
Rainstar stared. He couldn't believe it. Hollyclaw had taught him about the most famous leaders, and here was one of them standing in camp. He shook himself. It couldn't be. I mean... she's long dead. Long gone.
"Hello, Rainstar. I have heard much of you in the ranks of StarClan."
Hollyclaw stared at the legendary leader. She couldn't believe it. Icestar, the best fighter since the beginning of the clans, was staring her mate in the face. When she had been an apprentice she had wanted to be just like Icestar. But ever since Rainstar had become deputy she had lost interest. Being a normal warrior was enough for her. She served her Clan. That was all that mattered.
Rainstar gaped at her. "I-icestar?"
"Yes, Rainstar." Her green eyes looked at him coolly. It was as if they were equals, but Rainstar knew they weren't. He would never be as good as Icestar. He could almost sense Hollyclaw next to him, thinking, You might not be as good as her at fighting, but you, my love, are best at your strengths. He looked over to see her bright green eyes glowing as they always did when she looked at him.
He finally spoke. "How- why are you here?"
"StarClan always has it's reasons."
Rainstar looked at her, making his expression show that he wanted more of an answer than that.
Icestar gave in. "I was sent here. By a cat in your Clan."
Rainstar was bewildered. "Who?"
The answer was simple. "Dawnheart."
Everyone gasped.
Sunflower strode up to Dawnheart. Rainstar winced at the look in her eyes. He looked at all of their faces. They were filled with bewilderment, shock, and some of their faces shadowed anger at the thought of being betrayed. Sunflower said, "Dawnheart? Tell me this isn't true."
Dawnheart said, "What? I didn't send anyone anywhere. I..."
Hollyclaw could have SCREAMED, No! you can't tell them about trying to kill Leafstar! You may be a traitor but you're still my sister! I can't let you tell them! No, Dawnheart, no!
"I made contact with... a cat from the past. Shadowfire, your deputy, Icestar."
"Yes. Shadowfire spoke of you. She said you got a... special... what was the word she used? Dispensation from StarClan, to go to the past."
"Dispensation?" The words were out of Rainstar's mouth before he could stop them.
Dawnheart said, "Dispensation? That isn't right. StarClan helped me, to help my Clan. She must have been confused."
As Dawnheart looked away, Rainstar could see that she was lying. He glanced to Hollyclaw who also looked away. The hurt in his chest grew. She had kept a secret from him. He would ask her about that later.
Right now, he had to do what he was here to do.
Lead his Clan. It was what he did best.
"Icestar, you may sleep in the-"
"Medicine cat den," Pinepool offered quickly. Icestar, legend of all the Clans, was not going to like being told she could sleep in the warriors den.
"Thank you," she mewed curtly, her green eyes flicking to the spot.
Rainstar looked at Hollyclaw, light dancing off the walls of his den as the sun set. "What did Dawnheart do?"
Hollyclaw looked at him with regret. "Rainstar..." her voice cracked with pain.
"Tell me, Hollyclaw." His voice was so full of love and hurt it was impossible for her to resist.
"Before Leafstar died... Dawnheart tried to kill her. She thought it was for the good of the Clan..."
Rainstar spun, without saying a word, towards the warriors den. Hollyclaw lay on the floor, tears flooding out of her eyes as she pictured the look on his face.
He was hurt, there was shock in his face. He was angry at her. Sheer disbelief had been the most common across his face. Sheer disbelief that she would keep a secret from him, or sheer disbelief that Dawnheart would kill Leafstar? Hollyclaw bent down to the ground.
She was broken down. The code wouldn't help her now.
