Hi everyone! c: I'm sorry this comes a day late, I meant to post it yesterday, but I was exhausted because I had to help my friend with some homework thing at the last minute and I also had riding and stuff. But anyway, here we are, chapter nine! I've just realised that this book's probably going to be really short, but I want to try and make it a bit longer, so when you leave a review, if you have any questions that I haven't quite answered in my writing yet, just let me know. But if not, this might only be a couple more chapters. In fact, I just checked my special Blue Moon notebook, and there's supposedly only one more chapter after this... But I want to make this at least 15 chapters, so that probably won't happen. ^^'
Anyway, go check out the Blue Moon website (link in my profile) and leave me loads of questions on the Q+A page, I love answering your questions! Also, if you go check the fun stuff page, there's a Blue Moon playlist with lots of songs that fit the series, particular characters or shippings. :3
I just want to take a moment to thank all of you, my lovely readers, my loony moonies. xD I probably would have given up on this story without your support and lovely reviews! I was looking back at Untold Secrets, through all the reviews and I just couldn't quite believe how many reviews and views I get now compared to then. And I really hope my lovely little group of readers has further to grow! If you read my stories and have never left a review, please do drop by and say hi! You don't even have to say anything about the story, I'd just love to get to know you all, to say hi and thank you for reading my stories. Thank you everyone.
Random fact ~ Seedflight's warrior name was originally Seedfall.
Disclaimer ~ I do not own Warriors.
~ Review Replies ~
FrostOfTheWarriorCats ~ xD Thank you! Their kits, I can assure you, are going to be adorable. 3
Blazerkitty129 ~ Aw, Applekit is the most adorable name! I can just imagine a really fluffy, fat little kitten called Applekit. xD
amberleaf4273 ~ Haha, capital letter overload! xD I'm guessing you're a little excited?
KatieK101 ~ :3 Thank you! I literally can't wait until Redflower and Dewclaw's kits are born, I can't wait to see what you think of them! :D
WyldClaw ~ Hopefully! Fingers crossed! Onestar and Crowstar are both a bit iffy about the whole situation though. :/ Thank you! I love their names, especially little Tricklekit and Splashkit. :3
XtremeBlaze ~ ^^ Yup, the father of Icecloud's kits is from another clan, you can actually tell quite easily which clan from two of their names. -cough-splashkittricklekit-cough- Oh my gosh, Ivypool's one of my fave characters too! :D Virtual high five! -virtually high fives- Thanks! :3
Alwayssearching2012 ~ Well, you never know, maybe Seedflight and Snowfall will have kits? ;) Yup, one of Dewy Claws and Redflower's kits is named in honour of Sharpclaw, I sort of had to. I thought I owed it to Sharpclaw, after killing him before he could even become a leader or meet his grand-kits. My internet has returned randomly, so I can update now! Yay! Thank you! -hugs-
Sienablaze88 ~ How on earth did you guess?! Dang, I was hoping it would stay a secret. Although you left out that they also have mint green muzzles, but otherwise you got it bang on.
Shadewind of WindClan ~ Hallo there! I love your name, Shadewind... It's awesome. Ooh, it could be, I hope not though. I wouldn't want that to happen to Dewclaw and Redflower. That would be very sad.
Silkbreeze-Of-ThunderClan ~ Aw, Darkkit and Cherrykit would be adorable! c:
Clearfeather ~ Aha, no worries. ;) Brothers and sisters can be very annoying sometimes! I have two little sisters (twins) and I swear, they enjoy annoying me. xD Aw, you introduced Blackfur to my story? That's so sweet, I'm touched that someone would show my story to someone else. ^^ Thank you! Replying to reviews takes quite a while, but I feel like I owe it to you guys and I enjoy answering your questions and talking to you. :3
Blackfur672 ~ Hai! :3 I must say, the moustache really suits you and I'm glad you like the cookie (it was homemade). :3
Clearfeather ~ xD Seriously, this story is awesome! I love the idea of writing about Rock's life, it never really occurred to me that he had once actually been alive and not sitting in a cave, stalking the lives of cats. xD
Nightfeather ~ Hi Nightfeather! Thank you so much! -huggles- Thank you so much for reviewing! OH MY GOSH! You have unicorn too! :D I have a mint green and white polka dot unicorn! We can go flying together. xD
Spottedmoth123 ~ Yup! They certainly will be the cutest tiny ninjas in fur coats. Thank you! :D
OoJayfeatheroO ~ Thank you! Haha, I'm a bit lazy, so cliffies are quite good and they encourage everyone to review. xD I don't think this chapter ends on a cliffie though. ^^
Stunna13 ~ Haha, I actually meant to spread it out into two chapters originally, because so much happens. xD
Guest ~ I love fat cats. One of my cats, Jake, is also a fatty fatso. But I love him really. xD
Dovewing66 ~ Thank you! I am so excited for the RedxDew kits to be born, I hope you'll like them! They're gonna be adorable. c: Thank you so much! -hugs-
Cupcaketail-Of-WindClan ~ 'tis I, your loyal deputy Cookiesplash. I present you with pie, of the apple variety, freshly caught from the wide, open PastryClan ovens. xD Ooh, the father could be Oakfur... But... It's not... I'll give you a hint, he is in another clan and you can probably guess which clan from the names of two of the kits. -cough-splashkittricklekit-cough- xD Cookiekit and Cupcakekit. Yes. YES. -sigh- I must educate the clans in the food of twolegs so they can name all their kits Cookiekit and Cupcakekit.
Icebreath ~ Thank you! Well, we'll just have to find out, won't we?
Willowdream of ForestClan ~ Haha, yes. I enjoyed writing his reaction very much. :3
Aspenstar7 ~ Huh?
Orangeflight of ShadowClan ~ Thank you! He's trying to act more like the Guardian, very blunt and straight to the point, which is why he's that way. But indeed, not the nicest of cats. I love him though. He's my baby. 3 Aw, all those names are so adorable... One of those names is actually what I was going to name one of them, but then I changed my mind. :3
Skystar of the Ancients ~ :3 Yup, one of them is named Sharpkit.
dovewingforever22 ~ Thank you so much! 3
Blackoak791 ~ Thank you! Yeah, Molespots, you need to get a move on and ask her. xD
Dawnflight ~ Thank you so much! -hugs- 3 Ooh, those names are really adorable. :3
Right, on we go. I present Chapter Nine! Hope you like it! as much as I loved writing it! c:
Dewclaw
"I'm expecting kits."
It was quite extraordinary how that simple sentence, those three small words, could have such a great effect. Dewclaw didn't process the information right away, staring blankly at the dappled tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat. Even when they did register, the dark grey tom was numb with shock and completely unsure how to handle this news. "I'm expecting kits." Her words echoed throughout his mind, his heart a little light. Kits… Kits… Redflower, Redflower was expecting kits, his kits. Redflower was expecting his kits. He was going to be a father, Redflower was going to be a mother. He still wasn't quite sure how he felt about that.
"You're…. You're expecting kits?" the words came out as a kit-like squeak as he gazed at the SkyClan she-cat in disbelief, "I… You're… Kits?"
Redflower nodded slowly, a slight smile starting to appear, though her leaf-green eyes were clouded with concern. The confirmation did nothing to steady the sudden stream of thoughts racing through Dewclaw's mind. Kits… Kits… I'm going to be a father. I'm going to have kits. Kits…
He realised he'd been staring at his paws and he lifted his gaze to Redflower once more. He gave an unsure smile, "You're expecting kits," he repeated.
"Yes, that is what I said," there was a hint of amusement in Redflower's bright green gaze, "I, Redflower of SkyClan, am expecting kits," she paused, before suddenly adding, "They are your kits, in case you didn't quite process that."
The dark grey tom nodded slowly. He stared at her for a moment more, until the sudden rush of joy suddenly came flooding through. Kits. I'm going to be a father! The dark grey tom had never in a million years imagined he'd ever become a father, he'd never really considered it and therefore found it surprising how the news delighted him so much, he touched his tail-tip lightly to Redflower's belly, "Kits," he murmured softly, "A little piece of you and a little piece of me," he purred brightly, his heart light and dizzy with happiness, he nuzzled the dappled tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat. That was when he felt something, movement in Redflower's belly, only very soft and gentle, but movement, "Oh my StarClan! I felt something! Something moved!" he pressed his ear against Redflower's side, "I swear, I felt something."
The pretty SkyClan she-cat immediately burst into laughter, "I believe that would be the mouse I ate earlier," she laughed, "Definitely not a kit. They'll only be tiny, Frecklewish said they won't be born until two moons time."
Ears hot with embarrassment, Dewclaw slowly moved away. He smiled sheepishly, "Two moons time?"
It seemed like hardly any time at all. In just two moons, there'd be new, tiny lives in this world. Tiny little lives, what would they look like? Would they have his dark grey pelt? Or would they be tortoiseshell like their mother? Perhaps they'd have little tufted ears and amber eyes? Half SkyClan, half ThunderClan.
That was when reality suddenly sunk in. Redflower was SkyClan, so these kits, his kits, would be born in SkyClan. They'd never know their father, they wouldn't even recognise his face in a gathering. He'd be nothing more than a misty blank in their lives. As far as they were concerned, they wouldn't even have a father.
He swallowed, pressing close to Redflower, "You're… You're going to raise them in SkyClan?"
Redflower's smile slowly faded and she gave a solemn nod, "I'm sorry. I just couldn't ever leave my clan," she told him, green eyes clouded, "My mother needs me, my brother and sisters, especially after Sharpclaw's death," she had to steady herself for a moment, "I'm sorry, I just can't."
For a moment she searched his gaze, then she added, voice hesitant, but light with hope, "You could join SkyClan you know?"
The dark grey tom wasn't sure how to respond. Join SkyClan? He explored the idea for a moment, but he couldn't help feeling a nagging doubt. Leaving ThunderClan? Leaving Ambersky, Snowfall, my mother and father? There was a tiny whisper in the back of his mind, I doubt they'd even notice if you left, you'd hardly be missed. It's not as if you have many friends either. Here he was, presented with two choices, his family and his love. How was he supposed to choose between the two things that meant the most to him?
"I don't know… I can't… I'll think about it," he told Redflower, smiling a little, unable to just give her a solid 'no'. I'll think about it… I'll have to, it's not a decision I can make just like that. And clearly things can't stay the way they are, either one of us leaves our clan, or we both leave our clans and make new lives for ourselves, free of the clans and all the laws and rules that bind us.
Redflower smiled, nuzzling him softly, leaning against his shoulder, "Thank you," she purred, "I… You know, this doesn't have to change anything, I still love you… But if you don't want to be at all involved with me now that I'm expecting kits or"-
Dewclaw rested his chin on the top of her head lightly, "Don't be a mouse-brain, I love you and I'll love our kits," he promised, "The only problem is our clans."
Redflower let her gaze rise to meet his, green eyes swimming with troubles. It pained Dewclaw to see her so concerned. She hesitated, before opening her jaws and confessing, "The truth is, I… I'm scared, Dewclaw. I don't know if I can do this without you. I need you," her gaze was pleading, "The Queens say kitting really hurts, like really, really hurts," she swallowed, "Frecklewish had a friend once who died kitting, what if I die too?"
The dark grey tom could feel his heart breaking, seeing her so sad. He pulled her close to him, curling his tail around hers, licking her ear reassuringly, "I'm always going to be here for you, I promise, even if I'm not in SkyClan. Of course you're going to be scared," he rubbed against her cheek, "I'm scared too. It's going to hurt, I won't lie," his mind flashed back to when, as a young apprentice, he had to assist in Cinderheart's kitting. The dark grey tom thought his ears were going to fall off with all queen's yowling and screeching, "But, I promise you, it'll be worth it," with a fond smile, he could almost see Cinderheart's face, as her eyes met with her new-born kits, so tiny and vulnerable, the intense love in her gaze, "You're not going to die, because I won't let you, I need you, I love you. Life without you is unimaginable. Millions of she-cats have kitted before you, it's a natural process, you'll be fine, promise."
The spotted tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat held his gaze, uncertainty flickering in her leaf-green gaze, yet she managed a little smile, "Thank you, I love you too," she murmured softly, her eyes briefly flitting to the moonlit sky, "I… I have to get back to camp, I can't stay too long," she told him.
Dewclaw nodded, "I won't keep you then, you need your sleep, especially with the kits," he rose to his paws.
The dappled warrior chuckled lightly. She indicated with a tip of her head for the dark grey tom to lead the way out of the clearing. The dark grey tom smiled, touching his tail-tip to her side, before padding forwards, disappearing through the undergrowth. Consciously, he cast a glance over his shoulder at Redflower every few seconds. They burst free onto the pebbled beach, the moonlight casting pale light down onto the forest, giving their pelts a silver hue.
The dark grey tom indicated towards the tree-bridge, "If you go first, I'll be right behind you."
Redflower rolled her eyes, padding forwards to the tree-bridge, "Just because I'm expecting kits doesn't mean I suddenly have to be all slow and cautious," she sprung up lightly onto the fallen tree, using her tail to balance.
Dewclaw fell in behind her, stepping onto the tree-bridge, "Still, be careful."
They crossed it without problems and spilled out onto the shingle shore, stirring the pebbles and sending them rolling down the shore, into the inky, dark water. Dewclaw rubbed against the SkyClan she-cat, giving a rumbling purr, his heart flooding with joy, "Take care, love. I love you."
Redflower batted at him playfully, "I'll be fine," she assured him, grinning brightly, green eyes glowing with warmth, "I suppose I should probably say it back, shouldn't I? I love you too, grumpy, old Dewy Claws."
The dark grey warrior was about to give her a shove, then he remembered the kits and he settled for just a poke in the side, "Hey, I'm not that grumpy any more," he protested.
"I suppose."
For a moment, the two of them just held each other's gazes, neither particularly wanting to leave. Then Redflower broke the eye contact, turning away, "I should go," she mumbled.
Dewclaw stepped forward, nuzzling her lovingly, "May StarClan light your path," he murmured softly, touching his nose to her ear, his words tickling lightly at her.
The pretty dappled she-cat touched her muzzle to his, "G'night Dewy Claws, may StarClan be with you too."
"Where have you been?"
The dark grey tom, upon trying to return to his nest, found himself opposed by a cat blocking the entrance to the Warriors den. Snowfall stood defiant, suspicion sparking behind his pale amber gaze as he glared at his brother. Dewclaw was too shocked to respond, mouse-dung! He'd hoped no one had noticed his comings and goings at night when he went off to visit Redflower, but it seemed that Snowfall was one step ahead of him.
"Well, are you going to stand there all night or are you going to answer my question?" the small white tom demanded. It was unusual to see Snowfall in such a way, usually he was so soft-spoken, level-headed and calm, this was a completely different side of Snowfall.
The dark grey tom blinked calmly, sitting down and letting his tail curl around his paws, "I needed to make dirt, then I decided to go for a little walk," he meowed smoothly with surprising confidence. He'd had time to come up with excuses, to find which ones were believable and which one you could poke flaws in.
Telling his brother he'd been hunting would come across rather obviously as a lie as he hadn't returned to camp with prey, so Dewclaw found that stating he'd been for a walk was most realistic. If you thought about it, really, he had just been for a walk, a walk to see Redflower and then back again.
Snowfall eyed him suspiciously, he didn't seem convinced, "You went for a walk? Come on, Dewclaw, I saw you down by the WindClan border, that looked like a pretty long walk to me," he held the dark grey tom's gaze, lowering his voice a little, "Look, you can tell me, okay? I just want to know what's going on. You're never in your nest, where have you been going?"
One look at the long-furred tom and Dewclaw knew that lying would get him nowhere. Snowfall was determined to get an answer and he wasn't going anywhere until he got the truth. He sighed, if I tell him, he won't tell anyone. I know my brother, he may be a bit of an annoying furball sometimes, but he won't betray me, "Fine. But I'm not telling you here."
Snowfall relaxed a little, his neck fur laying flat, "We can go just outside camp if you like," he nodded to the Thorn Barrier, "Foxleap and Toadstep are on duty. They won't ask any questions if we leave."
Dewclaw nodded reluctantly, amber gaze shifty. As Snowfall led the way towards the Thorn Barrier, the dark grey tom's mind was still reeling with the events of the night. He couldn't quite get it into his head that he was going to be a father within a couple of moons. It just seemed so unreal, it'd happened so fast.
They ducked under the Thorn Barrier and, sure enough, Foxleap and Toadstep stayed mute, simply dipping their heads to the two brothers as they went on their way. Dewclaw waited until they'd reached a little clearing, not far from camp, before at last speaking.
"If you really want to know, I've been meeting Redflower," he told the white tom honestly, "Okay? I've told you now, so, if you don't mind, I'm just going to go back to"-
Snowfall's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and disappointment, "Hey, you're going nowhere until you answers a few questions for me."
The dark grey tom felt a streak of guilt pass through him and he lowered his head, his gaze lingering on his paws. Snowfall was a firm believer in the warrior code and following it closely, then Dewclaw had just completely ignored it, breaking the code to meet with a she-cat from another clan. It wasn't that the dark grey tom regretted meeting with Redflower, he could never regret that, but he didn't like disappointing his brother, he valued Snowfall's support and, even when Dewclaw had been a bit of a mouse-brain, he'd always been there for him. Even if he didn't particularly want him there.
"You know this is breaking the warrior code, right? How long, exactly, have you been meeting her?" Snowfall's tone was persistent, concern in his pale amber gaze. Dewclaw wished he could tell the white tom he'd only been meeting the dappled tortoiseshell SkyClanner for a moon or so, but he couldn't bring himself to lie to his brother.
"I've been meeting her since SkyClan first settled by the lake," he confessed, "So about four or five moons."
Snowfall simply shook his head in dismay, "You've kept this a secret all this time?"
Dewclaw nodded sheepishly. He wasn't sure whether he should mention about the kits, that might make things worse. I'll tell him later, not just yet. I'll let him get used to everything.
"Are you mates?"
"I, I…" Dewclaw stammered, unsure of what to say, she's expecting my kits, that counts for something? "Yes, I, I think so."
Snowfall blinked, his gaze lowering to the forest floor, "I promise I won't tell anyone, but you can't keep going on like this," he met the dark grey tom's gaze, "This is wrong, you're breaking the warrior code, you've got to either break things off or work out some other way out."
"Actually, uh," Dewclaw confessed, "I'm… I'm thinking of leaving ThunderClan, to join SkyClan, so I can be with her…" he didn't mention the kits.
Snowfall's jaw hung open and he stared at the dark grey tom, amber eyes wide with complete and utter disbelief, "You… You're not being serious, right? Dewclaw? You're joking right? Tell me you're joking," when Dewclaw shook his head, the white warrior turned away, too shocked to speak.
"Snowfall, I," Dewclaw took a deep breath, "Look, I know it's a huge decision and, believe me, not one I'm going to rush into, but I love her. I do, honest. I've never felt this way before and I just want to be with her, to be there for her whenever she needs me. Being apart from her breaks me, you can understand, imagine only being able to see Seedflight every two nights, imagine the pain of not being able to see her every day," for a moment, Snowfall met Dewclaw's gaze.
He'd touched a sensitive subject and now the white tom was listening. Slowly, Snowfall turned to his brother, his gaze lingering on his paws, "I… I can't imagine it," he mewed quietly, turning away once more.
Dewclaw gave a little smile, "Do you understand now why I must be with her?"
Reluctantly, the white tom nodded.
The stocky grey warrior rose to his paws, "You know that you and Ambersky, Brightheart and Cloudtail; you're my family, you mean a lot to me, and so does Redflower. I know if I do join SkyClan, it would be the most difficult decision I've ever had to make. Leaving you is unimaginable, but so is going on like this," he swallowed, "Now, I'm exhausted, I don't really want to talk any more. Can we go back to camp now?"
Snowfall nodded, "Of course, c'mon, let's go."
Snowfall
After Dewclaw's revelation, Snowfall's head was still reeling the next day. He'd been a little suspicious of his brother for a moon or so, but he never could've imagined what Dewclaw told him. Not only was he meeting Redflower, a cat from another clan, breaking the warrior code, but he was also considering leaving his birthclan and family so that he could be with her. The white tom got the sense there was something else his brother wasn't telling him, but he decided not to press him any further, he needed to get his head round things first.
As sunlight seeped in through the thick bramble walls of the Warriors' Den, the white tom rolled in his nest, extending his weary limbs, making the most of the extra space, Seedflight having just left on the Dawn Patrol.
He wasn't too tired as he stretched out in the moss, he'd gotten a considerable amount of sleep the night before, surprisingly. All this sudden information, Dewclaw and Redflower, the arrival of the twolegplace cats and the threat of war, had zapped his energy, so he'd somehow managed to grab some sleep.
Lying lazily in his nest, the white tom eventually decided to get up and make a use of himself. Letting one last deliciously refreshing stretch ripple through him, the young warrior got to his paws and crossed the den, carefully picking his way around the sleeping bodies of Rosepetal, Birchfall and Blossomfall.
Stepping into the light of day, he embraced the sun's warmth on his pelt, smiling quietly to himself. It was a beautiful day, he had to admit, it did brighten his spirits a little. It didn't melt the many thoughts clouding his mind though.
Crossing the clearing, he spotted Lionblaze mulling by the entrance along with a group of warriors, consisting of Brackenfur, Bumblestripe, Cherryflower and Mousewhisker. The golden tabby deputy briefly met Snowfall's gaze, before calling the long-furred white tom over with a motion of his tail.
Snowfall joined the ThunderClan deputy and his clanmates, dipping his head politely to each of them individually, "Morning, Lionblaze, Mousewhisker, Cherryflower, Brackenfur, Bumblestripe."
Lionblaze smiled, amber gaze warm, "A beautiful morning, isn't it?" his gaze drifted to the sky above, then he cleared his throat, continuing, "Anyway, I don't suppose you'd be okay joining the ShadowClan border patrol? I was going to go, but I'm going hunting with Cinderheart," he grinned, if a little sheepishly.
Snowfall nodded, "Of course," he purred.
Lionblaze dipped his head gratefully, "Thank you," he sat up a little taller, his tail flicking from side to side in a snake like motion, "Bramblestar also told me to inform you that at the meeting with the other clan leaders and deputies, he'd like for you, Dewclaw and Ambersky to attend, due to the prophecy and your journey, to return SkyClan," he told him, "If the other clans start to propose driving SkyClan out, you might be able to persuade them against it as StarClan have told you, first-hand, that the fifth clan belong by the lake, it should act as strong evidence for them staying and might make them lean more towards an alliance."
Snowfall couldn't help but feel his heart swell with pride a little at being chosen to attend such an important event, but he kept it quiet, giving a solemn nod, "I'll let them know, thank you."
Lionblaze blinked gratefully, "Thank you," he dipped his head, giving a flick of his tail before padding off to join Cinderheart, who'd been waiting patiently just across the hollow. Snowfall's gaze followed the ThunderClan deputy before he turned to the rest of the patrol expectantly.
The patrol leader, Brackenfur, smiled politely, mewing, "Right then, shall we get going?"
Mousewhisker led the way, ducking under the thorn barrier, motioning for the rest of the group to follow with a curt flick of his grey-and-white tail. Snowfall waited to one side, letting Cherryflower, Bumblestripe and Brackenfur go before him until at last following the patrol into the dappled shadows of the forest. The sun churning out warm rays and splashing through the canopy, warming Snowfall's back, the white tom smiled, simply admiring the world around them. Sometimes it was just nice to appreciate the little things, such as the way the sunlight played upon the world or how the ferns and flowers grew, as if reaching towards the sun, as if they wanted to just touch it.
His head a little clearer, the small white tom picked up the rear of the patrol, alone with his own thoughts, deciding not to partake in any of the discussions that were occurring around him. Instead he quietly observed the world around him.
Brackenfur had taken the lead of the group, flanking his left side was Bumblestripe, then, behind them was Mousewhisker and Cherryflower, involving themselves in a light, friendly conversation. Bumblestripe was rambling on to Brackenfur about his little kits and Snowfall couldn't help but give a little smile. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever be like that. Would he ever have kits? He knew Seedflight wanted kits, as did he, but he couldn't help but wonder. He wasn't sure if he was quite ready for such a responsibility just yet, but perhaps in a couple of seasons?
"You okay there, Snowfall?" Mousewhisker fell in beside the little white tom, green eyes warm, "You're rather quiet today. Everything okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine," Snowfall mewed softly, smiling, "Just thinking."
The grey-and-white tom nodded. He was quite for a moment before turning to Snowfall once more, "You got picked to go the meeting I heard, that must be quite an honour," he cast a brief glance over his shoulder at the rest of the group, before continuing in a slightly more hushed tone, "Do you think those twolegplace cats will actually start a war?"
Snowfall swallowed, he'd been hoping to avoid this subject. He simply didn't want to even think about the threat of war, especially when he'd just managed to cast his mind away from it. He took a deep breath, "No, I think they're just trying to scare us into submission."
Mousewhisker studied him thoughtfully, "Really? I mean, I hope it doesn't come to war, but I don't think they'd just make that stuff up. They would've known we wouldn't just hand the lake over like that. They're probably already prepared for war."
Although the white tom had stated his disbelief in there being a war, he couldn't help but find himself unsettled by Mousewhisker's words. What if there was a war? What would become of the clans? Did the twolegplace cats, like Night had said, really outnumber all the clans? They'd be slaughtered!
Taking a deep breath, Snowfall at last came out with a response, "Maybe. I don't know," his gaze trailed away from the grey-and-white warrior to the forest around them, "I just want everything to be normal. Just normal, peaceful. I don't even what to think about those twolegplace cats."
Mousewhisker nodded, seeming to understand that the white tom wanted space and he dipped his head, padding ahead to speak with Cherryflower once more.
The patrol continued onwards, slowly making their way up towards the ShadowClan border. Snowfall remained silent throughout, instead letting his mind wander back to the subject of his brother and Redflower. If Redflower were in ThunderClan, the white tom would certainly be happy for Dewclaw, but it was impossible to be so joyful about a forbidden relationship. In a way, it did make Snowfall a little happy, as Dewclaw was at last opening up his heart. He'd always been a bit of a closed door, so Redflower was obviously opening him up quite a bit. But the white tom was also impossibly scared for the two cats' relationship; what if their clans found out? They'd surely be exiled. Then there was also the possibility of Dewclaw joining SkyClan.
Snowfall swallowed nervously. Surely his brother couldn't leave behind his birth clan, his family, friends, for Redflower? Did she really mean that much to him? Perhaps he wanted a fresh start in a new clan? It hurt the white tom that his brother was considering leaving, didn't kin mean anything? Sure, Dewclaw could be a right grumpy pain in the tail, but at the end of the day, Snowfall loved his brother.
He'd been so lost in thought that the small white warrior almost didn't notice when they reached the border that divided ThunderClan and ShadowClan. It was just as the patrol began to break away to inspect and re-mark the border that Bumblestripe suddenly meowed, "I think you need to see this."
Snowfall and the rest of the patrol quickly joined the striped grey tom, following his voice to find the warrior staring down at the scattered remains of a pigeon. Feathers lay astray across the clearing, clinging to them the thick, heavy scent that Snowfall immediately distinguished as the twolegplace cats. His heart began hammering in his chest.
"What the StarClan happened here?" Cherryflower exclaimed, her gaze picking over the dead pigeon and feathers scattered about. Her eyes were wide with what Snowfall could only describe as utter shock.
Brackenfur's gaze was pooling with concern and disgust, "Those… Those cats… How could they do this? Firstly trespassing on ThunderClan territory," he looked rather appalled, shaking his head in dismay, "Then stealing prey and treating it so horrifically," he nodded to the shredded pigeon, to the many scars and bites that flecked its crimson-stained feathers, "They let it suffer slowly, then they didn't even eat it."
"Their hunting skills are certainly rather poor," Mousewhisker remarked.
"You should definitely mention this at the meeting," Bumblestripe suggested to Snowfall, "Why should we just give our territory over to cats who treat prey with such little respect?"
"We should bring this back to show Bramblestar."
Snowfall nodded in agreement, but didn't speak. Brackenfur nodded to Mousewhisker, Cherryflower and Bumblestripe, "Why don't you three mark the rest of the border, Snowfall and I will get this back to camp. Bramblestar needs to see this."
Ambersky
ThunderClan were the first to arrive at the gathering place, just before sun-high. Ambersky had been rather surprised to be chosen to attend such an important meeting, but all that had now bubbled away to pure apprehension. What if the other clans decided that, actually, driving SkyClan from the lake and giving their territory to the twolegplace cats was the way forward? She dreaded even to think what would happen.
Of ThunderClan, Bramblestar and Lionblaze were of course attending, as was Leafpool, but Jayfeather had chosen to stay behind at the stone hollow in case of any accidents, then Dewclaw, Snowfall, herself and Brackenfur, Greystripe and Sandstorm had been chosen for the gathering. They were some of the wisest cats in the clan, even if they were elders, they would certainly aid in the decisions that would be made today.
They had perhaps been waiting a couple of minutes when RiverClan arrived. Mistystar led the way, bursting through the ferns into the sunlight, following, her deputy, Grasspelt, and her medicine cat, Mothwing, then a few selected warriors, Reedwhisker, Pebblefoot and Mintfur. The cats spilled into the clearing, but didn't mix with the ThunderClanners, choosing to sit by themselves. They did acknowledge the other clan with friendly dips of the heads however. Mistystar crossed over to where Bramblestar sat, amongst the roots of the great tree and immediately opened up discussion with the dark brown tabby ThunderClan leader.
Ambersky let a yawn part her jaws, shooting a brief glance over at Dewclaw. The dark grey tom sat by himself just a couple of fox-lengths away, seemingly content, his tail flicking from side to side. The pale grey-and-white she-cat decided to go join him.
Rising to her paws, she crossed over to the stocky grey tom, "Hey Dewclaw."
He glanced up at her briefly, before letting his gaze return to the roots of the great tree where the two clan leaders were discussing, "Hi."
Ambersky sat down beside her brother, her gaze flickering over him, she wasn't quite sure of what to say. It wasn't exactly easy to maintain a conversation with Dewclaw. She paused, before meowing, "So, how's life?"
The dark grey tom slowly let his gaze drift back to her. He obviously didn't want to be at this meeting and he wasn't making an effort at hiding the fact, "It's good, I suppose," he was silent for a moment before adding, "You?"
Ambersky smiled, "I'm good, really good," an image of a certain brown-and-cream tom flickered into her mind and she couldn't help but give a little purr. She eventually shook it away, focusing on Dewclaw instead, swallowing. She hated how things had gotten between her and her brother, they were so… distant. Ever since returning from the journey, their paths had split and they just hardly ever seemed to see each other any more. Ambersky wished that wasn't the case.
The dark grey tom lifted his gaze to the sky. That was when Ambersky realised that it wasn't boredom or disinterest clouding his gaze, it was worries, anxieties, troubles. Is something wrong with him? Is he okay?
She confronted him, "Dewclaw, are you okay? Is there something wrong?" she tried to meet his gaze, but the dark grey tom simply turned away, refusing to make eye contact.
He opened his jaws, about to respond, when his gaze was caught by something.
WindClan had arrived and, shortly behind them, SkyClan.
The two clans filed into the clearing, splitting off into their separate groups. Ambersky noticed that Leafstar had only brought her deputy, Frecklewish, and two warriors; Billystorm and Shrewtooth. The pale grey-and-white she-cat's gaze followed them as they settled themselves around the great tree.
As the cats waited for the arrival of ShadowClan, several cats attempted to spark up conversation. Ambersky wasn't in a mood for talking though, she was still trying to get her head around all the events of the last half-moon.
She was thankful when the ShadowClan party arrived just moments later, lead by Crowstar and consisting of Toadfoot, Berrywhisker, Snaketail, Smokefoot, Applefur and Ratscar. Silence rippled through the clearing until the only noise was the song of birds in the distance. The cats spilled into the clearing and Crowstar strode ahead of his clanmates, to stand before the other four clans leaders. He acknowledged each of them with brief eye contact before leaping up into the branches of the great tree.
Leafstar, then Bramblestar, Mistystar and Onestar, followed pursuit. When all the clan leaders were gathered together in the branches, the meeting at last began.
Bramblestar was the first to speak, "Before we even start, I'd like to make it clear that a truce is to be held throughout this meeting, no fighting is to occur," his meow was firm, challenging anyone to oppose his words.
"That sounds reasonable, of course, no fighting," Leafstar agreed. The other leaders all nodded in approval.
Mistystar took a step forward, letting her gaze wash over those gathered, "Now, I know we all have conflicting ideas on how this situation can be dealt with, so let's either try to all come to an agreement, or at least make a compromise," she took a deep breath, before meowing, "I, personally, and I think that most of my warriors as well as Leafstar and Bramblestar, believe that handing SkyClan's territory over is not the way forward, if the twolegplace cats want the lake, they're not going to settle for just a small bit of territory, besides, won't it make us look weak to attack?"
The SkyClan and ThunderClan leaders both gave a nod, smiling ever so slightly. But Crowstar shook his head, "It's a peaceful way forward. I would've thought, with ThunderClan mainly being made of soft kittypets, that you'd want peace? If there are as many cats as Night said there were, I don't want to risk war."
Ambersky frowned. She found it a bit odd that suddenly Crowstar was seeking peace. Since when had the black-and-white tom been a peace-loving cat? He'd tried to steal ThunderClan territory several times, leading to battle. That wasn't peace. So why was he so eager for peace now? The pale grey-and-white she-cat suspected that, like Onestar, he wanted an excuse to drive SkyClan away. He'd always been rather hostile towards the fifth clan, claiming they might steal territory or prey.
"I've got to agree," Onestar was speaking now, "Surely it's better to try for peace first before resorting to war?"
Bramblestar's gaze flickered from Crowstar to Onestar, then back to the gathered cats below, "Of course, Onestar, but in this situation, I believe an alliance of all the clans would be far better," he swallowed, his gaze briefly catching Leafstar, "Just this morning, one of our patrols found a dead pigeon near the ShadowClan border. It had been completely shredded to the point that it was inedible and it was thick with twolegplace scent," his gaze washed over the clearing, "It's clear that it was the twolegplace cats were the ones who did this and it only highlights their lack of respect toward prey and the warrior code. They trespassed on our territory, stole prey and then didn't treat it with respect. Do we really want to hand over territory to these cats?"
Onestar looked a little shifty after that, but Crowstar still held firm his views, "The clans are separate for a reason, ShadowClan refuse to join an alliance," he turned up his nose, refusing to lay eyes on any cat, "If it comes to war, it should be every clan for themselves, ShadowClan doesn't need the protection of any other clan."
"Well, I support an alliance," voice loud and clear, Leafstar was now speaking, "Times of trouble approach and in times like these, we need to support each other. If there is to be an alliance, SkyClan will be a part of it."
Mistystar shot a glare over at Onestar and Crowstar, "Your two clans may not want an alliance, but RiverClan believe in an alliance," her gaze drifted over to Leafstar, "My clan will also join the alliance."
"As will ThunderClan," Bramblestar took a step forward, "An alliance of three clans is better than none at all. Although before we hastily leap into battles, I would like to try and meet with the twolegplace cats and see if we can come to a compromise."
"That would certainly be wise."
Leafstar's gaze flickered to Onestar, "Onestar?"
The brown tabby's gaze shifted from the clearing below to Leafstar. He blinked, "No, WindClan will not be joining any alliances. It's our individual strengths that make each of the clans strong, I don't believe an alliance will work."
"You can't just do nothing," Lionblaze pressed from the roots of the tree below.
The WindClan leader's gaze drifted from the RiverClan leader to Crowstar, "I am going to meet with Night and his cats and come up with a compromise," for a moment Ambersky thought she detected a flicker of an idea behind the brown tabby's gaze, then he veiled his eyes, smirking a little, "And if that doesn't work, then WindClan will fight, a united clan not tied down by any alliances."
"You have to be stubborn don't you?" Mistystar sighed, her gaze lingering on Crowstar and Onestar before shifting to the other two leaders, "Leafstar, Bramblestar, I believe another meeting would be in order to discuss the terms of this alliance?" she glanced back at Crowstar and Onestar, "If you change your minds, don't hesitate to let us know.
Crowstar turned his head away, whilst Onestar took a deep breath, boldly holding her gaze. Neither spoke.
"A meeting in two sunrises perhaps? Same time," Leafstar suggested, "In the meanwhile, I will try to find and speak to the twolegplace cats and organise a meeting."
The three clan leaders nodded.
Bramblestar lifted his head to the pale blue sky for a moment before letting his gaze dip to the clearing below once more, "This meeting has been shorter than expected, does anyone have any other suggestions or ideas?" he directed his words at the small group of warriors from each clan and the medicine cats and deputies.
Most shook their heads, remaining mute, but the ShadowClan medicine cat, Berrywhisker, slowly rose to her paws, her movements stiff and nervous, eyes wide, "Surely war is avoidable," her words were quiet and softly spoken, "We could always find a new home."
The idea was immediately cast away by meows of protest. Ambersky didn't find it surprising, this was their home after all and although she didn't love the idea of war, she was no coward. If it came to it, the pale grey-and-white she-cat would fight for her life to defend her home and the cats she loved.
"I think we've established that wouldn't be a supported idea," Crowstar snorted, rolling his eyes, "We're not that weak. We're not just going to give in like that," his gaze shifted to the other clan leaders, "I believe this draws this meeting to a close, I must get back to my clan," the black-and-white tom rose to his paws and sprung down into the clearing.
"Yes, meeting over," Mistystar agreed. She leapt down from the branches of the great tree, followed shortly by Leafstar, then Onestar and Bramblestar. There were no further words, the cats simply branched off into their own clans and began filing out of the clearing. But as Ambersky glanced over her shoulder, she just caught Onestar's words to Leafstar and her clan and she couldn't help but feel a little un-nerved by the smirk and tone to his voice, "May StarClan light your path."
Please excuse how rushed it is towards the end there, I was (and still am) super hungry and just want to eat. xD Anyway, I hope you liked it! :3
What did you think of Dewclaw's reaction? And Snowfall's found out about Redflower and Dewclaw! -le gasp-
Don't forget to check out the Blue Moon website, I've updated the fun stuff page and the Q+A page, go leave some questions for me to answer, I'm pretty bored right now. ^^
Anyway, next chapter we have:
~ Molespots and Ambersky Fluffiness
~ Snowfall and Dewclaw have an argument
~ Something dramatic involving a fox.
~ Probably some other stuff
Questions of the Day ~ What do you think will become of Redflower and Dewclaw? Will they leave the clans? Will Dewclaw join SkyClan or vice versa.
Also, which character do you consider yourself to be most like?
Live, Love, Read and Review!
Love Leafy x