Hello, Hello, another chapter is uploaded! I hope, of yes I do, that you'd love this one too! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter! Hopefully it would be worth the wait! Also, as I said last time, there is a poll up on my profile. I would really appreciate it if you would take the time, and, oh I don't know? VOTE! Anyway, review, favorite, follow, love you my dear readers! (Oh, geez! I got to say this! Ivypool will definitely be getting with Fernsong people! Mate's I tell ya! Its weird cause I never imagined her actually getting with anyone, then 'Vision of Shadows' Thunder and Shadow happened! Implied!)
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"You did very good today," Fireheart commented to Fernpaw through her mouthful of squirrel. The pale gray she-cat apprentice brightened at her mentors praise, Fernpaw was becoming an expert hunter, and her fighting skills rival that of her brother. Who was more leaner and bigger than she was. The pale gray apprentice followed after Fireheart through the gorse tunnel and back to camp.
Fireheart instantly headed toward the pile of fresh-kill. It was almost sunhigh, but though the rays poured down brightly into the clearing there was little warmth in them. Leaf-bare had come to the forest.
Days had passed since Willowpelt had been killed and Spottedpaw has gone into recovery. Fireheart had just checked on her, and found her once again asleep. Spottedleaf had informed her of Spottedpaw regaining her strength and that sleeping as much as she could was good for her. Swifttail spent nearly every moment with her; Fireheart had excused him temporarily from warrior duties so that he could safeguard her daughter. Beside's, Fireheart would bet that Swifttail would put up such a fight that Fireheart wouldn't be able to persuade him otherwise.
As Fireheart crossed the clearing, she saw Graystripe emerge from the warriors den and approach the fresh-kill pile. Darkstripe overtook him before he reached it and shouldered him aside to snatch up a rabbit. Dustpelt, already choosing his own meal, gave Graystripe a hostile glare and the gray warrior hesitated, unwilling to go any closer until the other two warriors had withdrawn to the nettle patch to eat.
Quickening her pace, Fireheart camp up beside her friend. "Ignore then," she muttered through a mouthful of squirrel hair. "They keep their brains in their tails."
Graystripe flashed her a grateful glance before picking a magpie out of the pile.
"Let's eat together," Fireheart suggested, putting her squirrel on the fresh-kill pile and choosing a vole instead. Turning to look at her apprentice, Fernpaw was shifting on her paws her prey still in her jaws. "Give those to the elders, then you can eat." Fireheart mewed, and Fernpaw happily scampered away.
The two warriors settled down to eat. Across the clearing, Bramblepaw and Leafpaw were playing with Willowpelt's three kits. Fireheart felt a pang of grief as she remembered the pale gray queen, who would never see her kits apprenticed or even made warriors. She also felt a pang of sadness of how her daughter would play with Sorrelkit, Rainkit and Sootkit, but she was still recovering in the medicine cat's den. Being looked after by Spottedleaf and Swifttail. Would Sorrelkit, Rainkit and Sootkit even remember their mother?
"I can't get over how much Bramblepaw looks like his father," meowed Graystripe after watching them for a moment.
"Doesn't mean that he behaves like his father," there was a defensive edge to Fireheart's voice. Her eyes drifting towards Bramblepaw, who she saw bowl over one of Willowpelt's smaller kits, but wasn't concerned as the tiny tortoiseshell sprang up and hurled herself joyfully on Bramblepaw.
"I didn't say that," Graystripe remarked. "Wasn't too long ago that they were kits? So they haven't been apprenticed long, Bramblepaw and his siblings are older than-" He broke off, and a distant, sorrowful expression clouded his amber eyes.
Fireheart knew that he was thinking of his own kits, left behind in RiverClan. "Yes, but their growing into fine courageous and loyal cats already," Fireheart kept talking, hoping to distracted her friend from his bittersweet memories. "Bramblepaw spends almost all his free time with the kits, between his apprentice duties and his own siblings. I truly believe he might turn out to be a wonderful father." Fireheart finished with a warm purr.
"Like Tigerstar?" Graystripe's blunt reply made Fireheart stiffen.
"I don't know about that," Fireheart began, taking a bite of her vole to avoid continuing.
"Tigerstar maybe a lot of things," Graystripe said dryly, taking a mouthful of his magpie and swallowing. "But there was no denying he was a good father. And it seems he still wants to be."
"What? By demanding them over? By wanting to take them from m-ThunderClan? There home is here, not ShadowClan." Fireheart said defensively, her sleek fur beginning to bristle, but not at her friend but at Tigerstar.
"I don't think Tigerstar believes that," Graystripe replied, eyes looking wistful and far off. "He cares a lot for his kits, had since they were born. And I would know, I been to the nursery almost everyday since-anyway, what I'm saying is, Tigerstar's not going to be content just to see them at Gatherings. He wants to be apart of their lives, seeing them grow up, training them, talking to them, and being proud to have them in his Clan."
"Well, that's not going to happen." Fireheart snorted, uncomfortably shifting where she stood.
"Do you think he'll just give up just because you say so? I think he meant what he said at the Gathering." Graystripe said solemnly.
Before Fireheart could reply, the call of her name made her head snap up. "Fireheart! Fireheart!" Looking up she was surprised to see all of her kits, excluding Spottedpaw and Mothpaw, gathered together their tail's bristling in excitement as Cinderpelt stood in the lead. "Come join us!" Fireheart quickly scrambled to her paws, her half eaten vole forgotten, as she hoped that Graystripe would finish it.
"And what's all this?" Fireheart purred as she saw her kits frisking around each other.
"It's a patrol," Cinderpelt replied for them, her whiskers twitching in amusement. "They all wanted to go together, so I saw no harm. Want to come with us?" Fireheart instantly agreed, following after Cinderpelt and the apprentices.
Walking along, Fireheart wondered which place they were patrolling. It didn't take her long though, to tell where Cinderpelt was heading. Her stomach rolled as the stink of the Thunderpath washed over her and the patrol. "Hey, It's the ShadowClan border!" Hawkpaw mewed, nudging Leafpaw' shoulder. Their eyes transferring the same thought. One that put Fireheart on edge.
"Bramblepaw, get back from there!" Fireheart's panicked mew made her son real back, from where he had wandered to close to the Thunderpath. And not a moment to soon as a monster flashed past, buffering his fur with hot, stinking wind. He was quivering with shock.
"Didn't Brightheart teach you not to get to close?" Cinderpelt demanded, coming up to scold the dark tabby.
"I just wanted to see if I could scent our father," Bramblepaw mewed back, his amber eyes widened at Cinderpelt's reproach. Cinderpelt looked taken back, and turned her concern blue eyes on Fireheart.
"Darkstripe brought them out here," Fireheart meowed, keeping her tone milled and covering the annoyed and slight anger towards the dark warrior. "I spotted them." Fireheart wanted Cinderpelt to know that this wasn't news to her. "I suppose we can't blame Tigerstar for wanting to see them," she added, forcing herself to be charitable.
Cinderpelt didn't reply, but she looked faintly worried, as if she shared Fireheart's misgivings about Tigerstar's relationship with these ThunderClan apprentices.
"Can we go over there now and see our father?" Tawnypaw asked eagerly.
"No!" Cinderpelt sounded shocked. "Clan cats don't go into each other's territory's, you know that! If a patrol caught us, they would claw our ears off!"
"They won't if we tell them Tigerstar's our father," Hawkpaw insisted. "He wanted to see us last time."
"You will do no such thing," Fireheart snapped. "And if I catch any of you setting one paw across the border, I'll have your tails off!" Leafpaw jumped back as if she thought Fireheart would honestly going to cut off their tails. Squirrelpaw's own fluffy tail lowered down between her legs, while Tawnypaw, Bramblepaw and Hawkpaw looked shocked and confused at their mother's reaction.
It was Bramblepaw, insightful and curious. Just like you, Fireheart. Is what Tigerstar would have said. His amber eyes, just like his father's, searched Fireheart's face for several heartbeat's. "Mother," he meowed hesitantly, "there's something else, isn't there? Why will no cat talk to us about our father? Why did he leave ThunderClan?"
Fireheart's breath hitched as she stared back at her son. She couldn't see any way of avoiding such a direct question. Long ago, she had promised Goldenflower that she would tell her kits the truth about their father when she thought the time was right. And now, if she didn't tell them now she probably never would. But she had hoped for a bit more time to think out exactly what she would say.
She exchanged a quick glance with Cinderpelt, and the younger warrior murmured, "It's best to do this now Fireheart, better to come from you then someone else."
She was right, Fireheart realized that. Then younger warrior only echoing her resolve. Clearing her throat, she meowed, "All right. Let's find a place to rest and I'll tell you." She retreated several rabbit-hops from the Thunderpath until she came to a dip in the ground sheltered by a few clumps of fern, brown and broken now in the frosts of leaf-bare. The apprentice's followed, their eyes wide and curious.
Fireheart checked that there was no smell of dog before settling down in a patch of dry grass, tucking her paws under her chest. Cinderpelt remained at the top of the slope, keeping watch for danger from the dog or from ShadowClan territory so close by.
Fireheart took a moment, watching her kits settle around her. They didn't know what was coming, and with a pang. She realized that she would have to retell all what she was going to say to both Mothpaw and Spottedpaw. This will break her kits heart, just like it was going to hurt Fireheart to tell them. "Before I tell you about your father," Fireheart began, "I want you to remember that ThunderClan is proud of you and so am I. You all will make fine warriors. What I'm going to say now won't make any difference to that."
The apprentice's curiosity changed to uneasiness as they listened. Fireheart knew they must be wondering what was coming next.
"Tigerstar is a great warrior," she went on, the honest truth ringing in her voice. "And he always wanted to be leader of a Clan. Before he left ThunderClan he was deputy."
Hawkpaw's ice-blue eyes glowed excitedly. "When I'm a warrior, I'd like to be deputy too."
"Not before me!" Squirrelpaw interjected, swatting at her brother.
Fireheart's fur prickled with unease, Hawkpaw certainly takes after Tigerstar in the ambition and Squirrelpaw certainly has his determination. "Stop messing around, and listen." Squirrelpaw and Hawkpaw stopped playing immediately, there attention once again on their mother.
"As I said, Tigerstar has always been a great warrior," Fireheart continued, forcing each word into the cold air through a tightening throat. "But there was a fight with RiverClan over Sunningrocks, and Tigerstar used the battle to kill Redtail, who was the ThunderClan deputy then. He blamed a RiverClan warrior, but we found out what really happened." She paused. Watching as her kits stared at her with disbelief and horror in their eyes.
"You mean...he killed a cat of his own Clan?" Tawnypaw faltered.
"I can't believe it!" Hawkpaw cried out, his tail bristling in shock.
"It's true," Fireheart meowed gently, feeling sick with the effort of telling her kits the truth about their father's treachery in a way that was loyal to Tigerstar's memory and true to the point, and would not alienate their kits from their birth-clan. "He hoped he would be made deputy in Redtail's place, but Bluestar chose a cat called Lionheart instead."
"Tigerstar didn't kill Lionheart as well?" Leafpaw asked, her voice quavering as a visible shunder ran through her tabby fur.
"No, he didnt. Lionheart died in a battle with ShadowClan. Tigerstar became deputy then, but that wasn't enough for him. He wanted to be leader." She paused to take a shaky breath of air, wondering how much more to tell. Should she soften things over, tell them how kind and caring Tigerstar had been? How they would hunt together when she was just an apprentice. How he accepted Cloudkit without a second thought even though he was born a kittypet? How worried for Fireheart during her kitting and how proud he was to see his kits for the first time? She decided against it, now wasn't the time for that. "He gathered a band of rogues from the forest," she continued. "They attacked ThunderClan, and Tigerstar tried to kill Bluestar."
"Kill Bluestar!" Tawnypaw gasped. "But she's our leader!"
Fireheart's kits looked around at each other, their eyes huge with swirling emotions. "So our father was a traitor?" mewed Bramblepaw softly.
"Yes," Fireheart replied softly. "But I know it's hard to think about that. Just remember that all of you can be proud to belong to ThunderClan. And the Clan are proud of you, just as I said. You're not responsible for what your father did. You can be the great warriors I always known you'd be, completely loyal to your Clan and the warrior code."
"But our father wasn't loyal," Tawnypaw mewed. "Does that mean he's our enemy now?"
Fireheart met her daughter's gaze. "All cats from other Clans have to have their own interests at heart," she told her quietly. "That's what Clan loyalty means. Your father is loyal to ShadowClan now, just as it is your duty to be loyal to ThunderClan."
There was silence for a few heartbeats, and then Tawnypaw drew herself up and gave her chest fur a few quick licks. "Thank you, for finally telling us. Is it...is it really true that the rest of the Clan are proud of us?"
"It really is," Fireheart assured her, licking the top of her head, between the ears. "Nothing that relates to Tigerstar is your fault, never has and never will. Understand?" Tawnypaw blinked gratefully up at her. Leafpaw looked reassured as well. Glancing at her other kits, Bramblepaw was gazing up at the sky between the arching fronds of fern. There was no reading the emotion in his amber eyes. Glancing at Hawkpaw who was gazing down at his own paws. And finally Squirrelpaw…
"It's not far!" Squirrelpaw burst out, her ginger fur spiking out. "We just saw him not to long ago! He didn't seem like the kind of cat to do such things! I don't believe it, no, I won't believe it!"
"Squirrelpaw," Fireheart began, but stopped from the venomous green glare she received.
"I don't care what anyone says! I won't believe that he would want to harm us or anyone!" Before Fireheart could reply, Squirrelpaw took off like a spooked rabbit, heading back the way they had come, but luckily away from ShadowClan territory.
"Squirrelpaw, wait!" Leafpaw meowed in alarm, getting up to follow. Hawkpaw wasn't a paw step behind, his fur prickled with unease as the two rushed after their fleeing sister.
"Mother," Bramblepaw finally spoke, his voice quiet making Fireheart strain to hear him. "Why do you still love our father, despite the things he has done?" it was a simple question, but left for a hard answer.
"Every cat deserve a chance," Fireheart told him, her jade green eyes shining with wistfulness. "Your father needed one, and when I gave him that one. We became close, and things like love don't simply vanish all at once. I try, but I just can't."
Bramblepaw stared at her for a moment, then dipped his head. Stumbling to his big paws, her blundered through the ferns to the top of the hollow, where Cinderpelt was waiting. Tawnypaw cast one concerned look at her mother and scurried after her brother.
Fireheart heard Cinderpelt meow, "Is your siblings okay?" the concern was somewhat comforting. Fireheart's friends cared for these kits, but she couldn't help but feel like it was all a lie. Was the Clan completely supportive of her kits? Or was some hoping that they would leave? "Fireheart, are you ready?" Fireheart violently shook the thoughts away, now wasn't the time to get lost in them.
"Coming," Fireheart called back. Her heart was heavy as she rose and followed her two remaining kits. Had she managed to explain to them the true meaning of loyalty, or had she simply succeeded in pushing them further away from ThunderClan, and from her?
As she and Cinderpelt led Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw back through their territory, Fireheart kept watch for any signs of the mysterious evil in the forest. All the while fretting over Squirrelpaw and her two siblings that chased after her. She saw nothing; there were no unusual scents, and no signs of scattered prey. The evil, whatever it was, had gone to ground again, and somehow that made Fireheart more afraid. What was it that could wreak such terrible damage, and then fade into the depths of the forest as if it had never been?
I have to speak to Spottedpaw as soon as she's better, she decided. The cats were still being hunted, she was sure of that, and it was only a matter of time before another one was caught.
Early the next morning, Fireheart emerged into the clearing to find the dawn patrol getting ready to leave. Graystripe and Sandstorm along with her apprentice, Squirrelpaw, were waiting beside the entrance to the gorse tunnel, while Dustpelt was calling Ashpaw from the apprentices den. Fireheart hurried toward the entrance, but before she reached it she heard Squirrelpaw meow loudly to both her mentor and Graystripe. "I'm tired of hanging about. I'll meet you at the top of the ravine." WIthout looking at Fireheart she whipped around and disappeared.
Sadness almost overwhelmed Fireheart, and she halted at the mouth of the gorse tunnel, tasting the last of Squirrelpaw scent as she retreated.
"She'll come around," Sandstorm meowed reassuringly. Blinking sympathetically at Fireheart. "All she needs is a little time."
"Then you heard?" Fireheart dared to ask, her friend nodded her head. Signalling that she had found out about Fireheart's conversation with her kits about their father.
"Squirrelpaw likes to rant," Sandstorm replied, her attempt at humor going over Fireheart's head. "It's a lot to take in right now. Finding out what Tigerstar did and everything."
"She's in denial." Fireheart meowed solemnly.
"Truth be told, a lot of cats where when it was first revealed." Graystripe added, whiskers twitching.
"I know," Fireheart sighed, even now she also felt that same small spark of trust in the ShadowClan leader. Even though he had done such unforgivable deeds.
"Squirrelpaw will come around," Sandstorm repeated. "She's a great and cunning apprentice, although a pawful and reckless I might add." Fireheart perked slightly at Sandstorm's praise. More quieter, Sandstorm added. "I'm sort of jealous actually."
"Jealous, Why?" Fireheart was surprised and generally baffled. What could Sandstorm possibly be jealous over? But Sandstorm didn't answer, instead she said a quick farewell and headed after her apprentice. Leaving Fireheart confused. It was only till Graystripe nudged her side that she got her answer.
"Sandstorm's been wanting kits." the gray warrior supplied. "And I think she's jealous of you having seven when she doesn't even have one. I think she thinks she can't have any, like Dappletail."
"I'm sure she'll have kits," Fireheart said confidently. "It will just take some time, is all."
She looked up as Dustpelt and Ashpaw hurried up, and stood back to let the rest of the patrol follow after Squirrelpaw and Sandstorm. At least, Fireheart told herself, Dustpelt seemed to be reconciled to Graystripe's return, to the extent of going on patrol with him. Perhaps time was all her friend would need to truly be part of the Clan again.
Fireheart padded across the clearing ot Spottedleaf's den. Spottedpaw was seated in a patch of sunlight with Swifttail beside her, gently washing her. The wounds to her tail and sides were healing cleanly, and her daughter's dark ginger fur was beginning to grow back out, and as she approached Fireheart thought her daughter was back to her old self.
But when Fireheart started towards her, overturning leaves and crunching twigs under paw. Spottedpaw jumped up like a scared rabbit, her claws sliding out as she huddled closer to Swifttail. Her amber eyes wide in terror. It broke Fireheart's heart to see her daughter in a state of fear like this. Deep anger coiled in her stomach at the evil that plagued the forest, and vowed to destroy whatever it was that would reduce her daughter to this scared kit.
"It's okay," Swifttail mewed softly. "It's only Fireheart, your mother." Looking up at the Clan deputy, her explained, "you should make more noise. She gets scared when you creep up on her like that, but she's getting better every day."
"That's right," Spottedleaf agreed, padding out of her den loudly. Mothpaw not a step behind, causing a racket out of her cheerful 'hello's' that settled Spottedpaw. Spottedleaf came padding over to Fireheart so she could speak to her without Spottedpaw and the others overhearing, s he went on, "She's healing fine, terrified, but coming along in physical healing. It's just the mind that needs healing now."
"Is there anything I can do?" Fireheart asked hopefully, her eyes searching Spottedleaf's amber ones.
"Just be there for her is all I can say," Spottedleaf shrugged. Turning her head to look over her shoulder at her apprentice and Spottedpaw and Swifttail. "Mothpaw and Swifttail have helped her a lot, under their care she has come a long way."
"Do you know how long that will be?" Fireheart whispered, she would like to know when exactly her kit would be herself again. She didn't want her to end up like Bluestar, always looking over her shoulder. "I need to talk to her- and it's time Swifttail was going back to his warrior duties. I know Longtail wanted him on patrol." she casted a glance once more as Mothpaw gently rolled some bright blue berries towards Spottedpaw, one's that Swifttail took a sniff at and nodded his head encouragingly at Spottedpaw. Who licked them up.
Spottedleaf made a humming sound deep in her throat. "I'll have to let Spottedpaw decide when she feels ready to leave my den. And when she wants to begin apprentice duties again."
"I wish this never happened," Fireheart meowed, some nagging thoughts echoed in her mind. Would this have happened if Tigerstar was still in ThunderClan? Would he have stand for one of his kits to be harmed by this evil. Would Spottedpaw be safer in ShadowClan? She shook her head, ridding herself of these thoughts. ThunderClan is where her kits belonged.
"But it had," Spottedleaf interjected, her eyes shining. "Not even Tigerstar could do anything else then what you have." Fireheart stared at her in shock, but Spottedleaf continued on. "Bluestar was right to make Swifttail, Spottedpaw's mentor. He care a lot for her and understands her more than most cats, he can easily teach her everything she needs to know about being a warrior."
"Swifttail still needs to do his warrior duties," Fireheart said.
"But she also needs someone to watch over her, and I need to train Mothpaw," Spottedleaf pointed out.
"I think she could go and live with the elders, at least till she's feeling better." It was Swifttail who spoke; he had padded over to join Fireheart and the medicine cat. "Cloudtail had said Speckletail is still grieving in the elder's den for Snowkit. It would do her good to have another cat to look after."
"That's a brilliant idea," Fireheart meowed warmly.
"What will Speckletail think though?" Spottedleaf interrupted, her eyes narrowing. "You know how proud she is. She wouldn't like the idea that you were doing her a favor by trying to distract her from Snowkit's death."
"Leave Speckletail to me," Fireheart meowed. "I'll tell her that she's doing me a favor by looking after Spottedpaw." although I wish I could.
"That might work," Spottedleaf agreed, her eyes turning thoughtful. "And when Spottedpaw is feeling better, she could help the elders and free up the apprentices for other duties. Until she's ready to take on being a full apprentice again."
"Lets ask her," meowed Swifttail. His white-and-black fur fluffing up with satisfaction of their plan. He stomped back to Spottedpaw's side, making noise to draw her attention and pressed close to her. "Spottedpaw, your mother wants to talk to you."
Fireheart followed. "Spottedpaw, it's Fireheart," Spottedpaw turned her head slowly to face her, the fear vanishing when her eyes landing squarely on her own. "Would you like to go and stay with the elders for a while?" she suggested softly. "It would be a load off my mind if you could help look after them-the apprentices have too much to do as it is."
Spottedpaw looked nervously at her paws, then to Swifttail, and then back to her mother. "I don't have to, do I? I mean, I'm not an elder."
Swifttail pressed his face into her side, a gentle rumble coming from his throat as he said. "No one is making you do anything you don't want to do."
"But if you accept, you'd be doing me an important favor," Fireheart added, her words coming out soothingly as she talked to her daughter. "Speckletail's still grieving for Snowkit, and it will do her good to have a young, energetic cat around." As Spottedpaw still hesitated, she went on; "It's just until you're feeling better."
"And when you're ready. We'll be back to training," Swifttail added gently. "Back to hunting squirrels in trees and beating Hawkpaw in battle sessions in no time."
Spottedpaw perked up at Swifttail's promise, and she nodded slowly. "All right, I will. If that's the best way I can be useful."
"It is, I promise. And Spottedpaw-" Fireheart crouched down beside her daughter and gave her a reassuring lick- "is there anything you can tell me about that day in the forest? Did you see what attacked you?"
Spottedpaw's flicker of confidence died, and she shrank back into herself. "I-i-" she seemed choked on her words as she whimpered helplessly.
"Shhh, you don't have to talk about it now." Fireheart was quick to assure her, while Swifttail tucked Spottedpaw closely to his side. Licking her head comfortingly. "You only have to say anything when you're ready."
"I'll tell you one thing," Swifttail growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously as he laid his tail over top Spottedpaw's. "When we find out who attacked her and Willowpelt, I'll make crowfood of them. I promise you that." Fireheart didn't rebuke the young warrior, how could she when she felt the exact same way. Fireheart dipped her head to Swifttail and Spottedleaf, gave Spottedpaw one last lick on the head. And nuzzled the top of Mothpaw's, telling her how great a medicine cat she was coming along before she left.
A full moon crossed the sky behind thin wisps of cloud as Bluestar led her warriors to the Gathering that night. Fireheart was already uneasy. In spite of her declaration of war against StarClan, Bluestar had insisted on going this time. "How can I trust you to lead the Clan?" she had spat at her deputy when she had asked her which warriors she should take. Fireheart had simply bowed her head in obedience, but she could still feel the pain of knowing that her leader was convinced she was a traitor.
She also had her doubts about including Graystripe, but her friend had begged desperately to be allowed to come. "Please, Fireheart! I'll be able to get news of Featherkit and Stormkit," he had meowed. Fireheart knew that Graystripe was inviting hostility from RiverClan by appearing so soon after the battle at Sunningrocks, and had half hoped that Bluestar would refuse. But the ThunderClan leader had merely flicked her tail dismissively. "Let him come. You're all traitors, so what does it matter?"
What made Fireheart most on edge now, was Tigerstar's demand of wanting their kits. Bluestar had said nothing about it when Fireheart had pleaded with her. And so it alarmed her when Spottedleaf, despite Fireheart's protests, decided to bring Mothpaw to this Gathering. "It's her first Gathering as my apprentice Fireheart, She'll be fine. No one will take her." but really, would Tigerstar stoop that low as to take Mothpaw from the Gathering?
Now Fireheart bunched together with the other ThunderClan warriors to follow Bluestar down the slope. As they emerged into the hollow, the first thing she saw was Tigerstar sitting beside his deputy, Blackfoot, and a dark ginger she-cat. They all three talked together, their eyes watching approvingly as some of their apprentices scuffled playfully. She saw no hostility in Tigerstar's eyes, trained solely on what appears to be the growth of his new Clan.
"You've brought ShadowClan back to the way it's supposed to be," The dark ginger she-cat meowed to her leader, her eyes shining with appreciation and admiration. A spark of jealousy ran through her as the dark ginger she-cat flicked her tail friendly across Tigerstar's flank.
A purr rumbled in Tigerstar's chest. "We've made some progress," he agreed. "But there's a long way to go yet."
"You'll get us there," Blackfoot reassured, eyes catching the green one's of the dark ginger she-cat. Each sharing a knowing look.
"It will be an effort of us all," Tigerstar corrected. "Not just me."
A pair of tumbling apprentices rolled right up to their leader's paws and the dark ginger she-cat shifted backwards to give them more room. The young ShadowClan cats were certainly muscular and well fed, Fireheart thought; she could hardly believe they were the same scrawny creatures who had almost died when the sickness swept through their Clan. She exchanged an uneasy glance with Graystripe; sooner or later, she feared, ThunderClan would have to meet these skilled fighters in battle.
At a word from Tigerstar the apprentices stopped their playful skirmish and sat up, licking their ruffled fur. With a nod from Tigerstar Blackfoot and the dark ginger she-cat went off to talk with a group of RiverClan cats. Fireheart looked at the group, and found Mothpaw among them. A shot of fear going to her spine as the dark ginger she-cat came to sit right beside her. Mothpaw looked up in surprise as the ShadowClan cat began to engage into conversation with her. But settled when she found Spottedleaf sitting just across from her, keeping one eye on her apprentice while talking quietly with Runningnose.
Fireheart could spot Bluestar at the base of the Great Rock, eyeing Tigerstar before the dark tabby disappeared into a sea of RiverClan and ShadowClan cats. Fireheart caught sight of Leopardstar, already seated on top of the Great Rock, looking down on everyone. No doubt Leopardstar was feeling hostile towards ThunderClan after her Clan's defeat at Sunningrocks. And their was no sign of Tallstar, WindClan leader.
As the ThunderClan warriors mingled with warriors in other Clans, she noticed Graystripe hurrying up to Greenflower. Who Fireheart met on a number of occasions when she had fed RiverClan during a flood, and who was also the foster mother of Featherkit and Stormkit. Fireheart felt a pang of anxiety as she watched her friend. She trusted Graystripe absolutely, even though he would always have one paw in RiverClan while his kits were there. But several ThunderClan warriors would doubt his loyalty if they saw him so eager to talk to a RiverClan cat.
"Greenflower, how are you?" Graystripe greeted the she-cat. "How are Featherkit and Stormkit?"
"Featherpaw and Stormpaw now," Greenflower replied proudly. "They've just been apprenticed."
"That's great!" Graystripe's yellow eyes were glowing as she turned to Fireheart. "Did you hear what Greenflower said? My kits are apprenticed now." Fireheart purred in agreement, remembering the small scraps of fur that she had only fostered for a short time. But she still felt proud as though they were her own. "They're not here, are they?" Graystripe added.
Greenflower shook her head. "They're too newly apprenticed for that. Maybe next time. I'll tell them you were asking after them, Graystripe."
"Thanks." Graystripe excitement faded and was replaced by anxiety. "What did they think when I didn't come back from battle?"
"Once they knew you weren't dead, they coped well," replied Greenflower. "Come on, Graystripe; it wasn't much of a shock. Every cat in RiverClan knew you would go back eventually."
Graystripe blinked in surprise. "Really?"
"Really. All the time you used to spend mooning around on the border or looking across the river. All the stories you told those kits about what you and Fireheart used to get up to when you were apprentices...It wasn't hard to see that your heart had never left ThunderClan."
Graystripe blinked again. "I'm sorry, Greenflower."
"Nothing to be sorry for," retorted Greenflower briskly. "And you can be sure that your kits will be well cared for. I'll keep an eye on them, and Mistyfoot and Stonefur are mentoring them."
"They are?" Graystripe's eyes lit up again. "That's great!"
Fireheart felt a pang of misgiving. Mistyfoot and Stonefur were both fine warriors, but she wondered why they had agreed to mentor Graystripe's kits. Mistyfoot had been a good friend to their mother, Silverstream, and sho she might be expected to take an interest. But she and her brother had reacted with such hostility when she told them that Bluestar was their mother that Fireheart was surprised they wanted anything to do with kits who were half ThunderClan. Or was it possible that they wanted to teach the kits to be especially hostile toward the father's Clan? Or maybe they wanted the kits to know that they aren't alone.
"You'll tell them how proud I am, won't you?" Graystripe meowed urgently to Greenflower. "And remind them to do what their mentors tell them?"
"Of course I will." Greenflower let out a reassuring purr. "And I know Mistyfoot will help you keep in touch with them. Leopardstar might not like it, but...well, what she doesn't know won't hurt her."
Fireheart had her doubts about that, after her rejection of bluestar, Mistyfoot might not want anything more to do with ThunderClan. She suspected she would feel more loyal than ever to RiverClan and Graypool, the cat she had always loved as her mother.
"Thanks, Greenflower," mewed Graystripe. "I won't forget all you've done." he looked around as yowling sounded from the top of the Great Rock to signal the start of the meeting.
Turning, Fireheart saw that all four leaders were now assembled, their pelts shining in the moonlight as they stood looking down at the cats below. She paid little attention as the leaders formally opened the meeting. Instead, she wondered to the front and stood near the base of the Great Rock. She wanted a front row seat as to hear what Tigerstar had to say about his demand on their kits. She came to stand beside Stonefur, RiverClan's deputy. Stonefur acknowledged her by a single twitch of the ears. And Fireheart returned the gesture. Stonefur didn't show hostility towards her, although his eyes bore into Bluestar with such disdain that Fireheart could almost smell it.
She also wondered if Bluestar was going to mention the terrible assault on Willowpelt and Spottedpaw, an whether any of the other leaders had similar news. Fireheart almost hoped that they had, not a threat to ThunderClan alone, and so had not been sent by StarClan to punish Bluestar's challenge to them. Fireheart couldn't help thinking it was something greater even than that, a huge shadow that encompassed the whole forest; something that did not know the warrior code and regarded the cats merely as its prey.
When Tallstar had finished, Tigerstar stepped forward. Fireheart was on edge throughout his quick summary of how ShadowClan's training program was progressing, that another new litter of kits had been born, and that three apprentices had been made into warriors. And Tigerstar paused and was gazing down at the assembled cats, looking. And for a brief moment she wondered for what, and followed his line of vision to Mothpaw. Who sat quietly beside Spottedleaf, listening with wrapped attention to her very first Gathering.
"At the last Gathering," he began. "I had made a request to Fireheart," his eyes caught her own from where she sat in the front. "For my right to my kits, and for them to join me in my Clan. Bluestar, Fireheart must have told you already, and I ask that you give me my kits."
The yowls of protests from ThunderClan was almost deafening. Fireheart whipped her head around to stare at Mothpaw, who was shuffling nervously beside Spottedleaf. Spottedleaf herself didn't seem fazed, but shifted so that her tortoiseshell fur brushed against Mothpaw's golden one. Runningnose also shifted closer to Mothpaw, and Fireheart wondered darkly if he was simply trying to get in her good graces for when Tigerstar stole her away. But the concern was real on his face, and Littlecloud. Who sat on Runningnose's other side, also looked concerned for the small apprentice.
Fireheart knew this was coming, she mentally prepared for it all along. But it still hurt to know that Tigerstar was willing to take away her kits.
Bluestar drew herself up and waited for the noise to die away before she replied. "Certainly not," she meowed. "These are ThunderClan kits. They are apprenticed now, and they will stay where they belong."
"In ThunderClan?" Tigerstar challenged her. "I think not, Bluestar. The kits belong with me, and my warriors will take care of their apprentice training."
Fireheart felt anger surge through her, but was relieved to see that Bluestar was not going to back down easily. "Your concern is natural, Tigerstar. But you can be sure that the kits will receive the best possible training in ThunderClan."
Tigerstar paused again, his gaze sweeping around the clearing, and rested solely on Fireheart. When he spoke, it seemed like it was directed straight at Fireheart. "The ThunderClan leader tells me how well my kits will be trained under her guidance-but ThunderClan have a poor record in looking after their young cats. One kit carried off by a hawk. A queen savaged to death while still nursing young kits and leaving them orphaned and-" here he paused, his eyes flashing dangerously. "My own kit, Spottedpaw, was almost killed along with her as she was not protected enough with only a nursing queen to protect her. Does any cat wonder that I'm concerned about the safety of my kits?"
Gasps of horror came from all around the clearing. Fireheart gaped up at the ShadowClan leader. How had Tigerstar learned about Willowpelt and Spottedpaw? It was too soon for news to have traveled to ShadowClan, except...Darkstripe! Fireheart thought, flexing her claws in anger. That treacherous warrior must have gone straight to tigerstar and blurted out everything!
In her fury Fireheart missed Bluestar's reply, and when she made herself concentrate Tigerstar was speaking again. "I don't see what's so difficult," he meowed smoothly. And as I said once before, it won't be the first time that ThunderClan has handed over kits to other Clans. Will it, Bluestar?"
Frustration coiled in Firehearts body. Tigerstar was referring obliquely to Mistyfoot and Stonefur. Graypool had told Tigerstar that they had been born in thunderClan. Fireheart wondered in fear if Tigerstar had finally guessed that Bluestar was their mother.
Fireheart glanced beside her at Stonefur, who was sitting right beside her. The blue-gray tom had drawn himself up, his head erect, and he was staring up at the Great Rock. His gaze was not fixed on Tigerstar, Fireheart noticed, but on Bluestar once again, and the expression in his eyes was one of pure hatred. Fireheart wondered if her kits would hate her the same way if she had ever given the up.
Digging her claws into the ground, Fireheart waited for the ThunderClan leader's response. She could see how shaken she was, and when she managed to reply every word seemed to catch in her throat like thorns. "Fireheart had consulted me, regarding the kits. And as I have said. They are part of ThunderClan just as there mother is."
"Is that your final thought?" Tigerstar's words were guarded, unreadable expression, and his sentence left room for a change of mind. Fireheart thought.
"Yes," was Bluestar's reply.
"Then you give me no choice," Tigerstar's voice came out stone-cold, distance past memories of that tone of voice from her past life freezing her in place. It took only a split second before he continued for Fireheart figured out what he was going to say. "I declare war on ThunderClan."
Meows of all kinds surrounded her, angry, concerned, fear, challenging, joyful, and encouraging. But Fireheart felt deaf to it all as she brushed past Stonefur and made a straight line to Mothpaw. Her daughter was visibly shaking beside Spottedleaf, Fireheart came to press against her side. Nudging her to her paws.
"Come on, we're leaving." Fireheart told her, shuffling her towards the trail ThunderClan used to go to Gatherings.
"But the Gatherings not over," Spottedleaf said, her voice filled with surprise.
"I don't care," Fireheart snapped over her shoulder. "I'm taking Mothpaw home, and to where she belongs." Fireheart didn't turn back to face her friend, and when Graystripe tried to speak to her she just snapped at him too. Fireheart led her daughter quietly through the forest, her ears alert for any sign of danger. When they made it back to camp, she refused to speak to any of her warriors. She shepherded her to the medicine cat's den. That was empty, Spottedpaw must have moved to the elders den already. And helped her daughter into her nest, when Mothpaw was comfortable. Fireheart found it hard to just leave her there by herself, and decided to curl up next to her. Their fur pressed close together, and Fireheart felt as though Mothpaw was once again a kit, seeking comfort from her mother.
What am I going to do, Fireheart thought restlessly, her mind swirling with fear. Mothpaw finally sound asleep beside her. Tigerstar has declared war! And over the kits! Do I dare risk the lives of my warriors against ShadowClan's new found strength? Fireheart always knew the answer, she would fight a thousand battles to protect her kits. But does the rest of the Clan feel the same way? Or does some find it easier just to give the apprentices away?
Tomorrow will be a new day, and then-then I'll show my kits just who they are. And not just Tigerstar or ThunderClan and ShadowClan, Fireheart thought, tomorrow she decided. But for now, she would rest.
The next morning Fireheart had rounded up her kits, along with Cloudtail and tagging along Swifttail. Who refused to leave Spottedpaw's side. Fireheart took them towards Tallpines, padding warily through toward the Twolegplace. Heavy rain had fallen the night before, so that wet ash and burned debris clung to her paws. ALl her senses were alert, not for prey, but for any sign that the dark threat in the forest would emerge to attack her small group of cats as it had attacked Willowpelt and Spottedpaw.
She she-cat in question was following her mother now, with Swifttail at her side, while Cloudtail brought up the rear, watchful for anything that might come upon them from behind. They were on their way to visit Cloudtail's mother, Princess. Swifttail had insisted on coming along with them.
"Three warriors are better than two," he had meowed. "And I been in the Twolegplace before. I'll make sure Spottedpaw and the others are safe."
Fireheart was amazed at how loyal Swifttail had become to Spottedpaw. Her daughter obviously terrified by the thought of venturing outside the shelter of the camp. She jumped at every sound, every crackle of leaves under her paws, yet she kept going when Swifttail brushed his fur reassuringly against her own, and Fireheart thought she saw in her a fraction of courage return of her previous ventures into the forest.
"Are you going to tell us who we are going to meet now?" Tawnypaw asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"We're going to visit your aunt," Fireheart called back to her, watching her daughter tilt her head in confusion. "Cloudtail's mother." Fireheart explained, watching her daughter make a silent O.
"Your sister?" Leafpaw meowed in confusion, exchanging a baffled look with Hawkpaw.
"The kittypet?" Squirrelpaw ventured, eyes wide with wonder.
"Yes, and I want you to be polite." Fireheart added, giving a stern look to each of her kits in turn. Except for Spottedpaw, who had already met Princess.
When they came in sight of the fence at the end of the Twoleg gardens, Fireheart signaled with her tail for her companions and kits to stop. She could not see Princess, but when she opened her mouth to taste the air, she caught her scent.
"Wait here," she told the others. "Keep a lookout and call me if there's trouble."
Checking again to make sure there were no fresh scents of dogs or Twolegs, she raced across the stretch of open ground and leaped up to the top of Princess's fence. A flash of white among the bushes in her garden alerted her, and a moment later her sister appeared, picking her wa fastidiously across the wet grass.
"Princess!" she called softly. Princess halted and looked up. As soon as she saw Fireheart she bounded over to the fence and scrambled up to sit beside her.
"Fireheart!" she purred, pressing herself against her. "It's so good to see you! How are you?"
"I'm fine," Fireheart replied. "I've brought you some cats that you'd be happy to finally meet-look." She pointed with her tail to where the other's were crouching on the edge of the trees.
"There's Cloudpaw, and Spottedkit!" Princess exclaimed delightedly. "But who are the others?"
"It's Spottedpaw now, she's been made an apprentice. The bigger dark tabby tom is Bramblepaw, my first born son. The pale ginger tortoiseshell she-cat is my daughter Tawnypaw. The ginger she-cat with the fluffy tail is Squirrelpaw another one of my kits. The tabby she-cat with the white chest and paws is Leafpaw, she looks a lot like you," the comment earned a purr from Princess. The tabby tom with the white belly is Hawkpaw, my other son. And lastly my daughter that is a golden dappled tabby is Mothpaw." Princess eyes were shining as her gaze flickered from one to the other, warmth clear as day in them as she looked at her nieces and nephews. Fireheart wondered if she had ever meet any of their other siblings kits. Or not, seeing as they either had been to the cutters or their kits were taken away.
"They look so strong and beautiful," Princess purred, making Fireheart swell with pride. "But who is that other cat next to Spottedpaw?"
"Oh, that's Swifttail," Fireheart told her. "He's Spottedpaw's mentor. He came with us." she didn't add in why he had come with them. Best to leave out Spottedpaw's attack and Willowpelt's death so she didn't scare Princess.
"Come and meet them," Fireheart meowed, jumping down from the fence, Princess followed. Both she-cats padded across to where the nine cats waited.
Cloudtail ran out to meet his mother, leaving Swifttail with Fireheart's kits, and touched noses with her.
"Cloudpaw, it's ages since I've seen you," Princess purred. "You're looking wonderful, and haven't you grown?"
"You've got to call me Cloudtail now," her son announced. "I'm a warrior."
Princess let out a little thrill of joy. "A warrior already? Cloudtail, I'm so proud of you!"
While the tabby queen eagerly questioned her son about his life in the Clan, Fireheart beckoned her kits closer towards their aunt. Slowly, with a bit of either nervousness or reluctance her kits fairly padded forward. Spottedpaw in the lead with Swifttail right beside her.
"Princess," after a few seconds of Cloudtail and Princess catching up. Fireheart directed her attention to Fireheart's own kits. Fireheart had to be mindful of the danger still running loose in the forest. "Do you want to meet my kits?"
Princess eyes stretched wide as she remembered that they were there. And briskly came forward to gaze at them up close. "My aren't you strong and healthy," Princess warm purr relaxed her kits somewhat, but they were still wary of this strange new cat.
"Is it true that you're our aunt?" Leafpaw asked, pressing close to Hawkpaw as she looked Princess over. Looking at the two, Fireheart found a likeness in appearance. Both a brown tabby and both having a white chest and paws and the only difference that Fireheart could see where their eyes. Leafpaw's was amber while Princess's was green.
"Why yes, yes I am." Princess replied, her eyes instantly going to Leafpaw. Eyes shimmering as Princess seemed to also compare herself with Leafpaw. "You know," Princess addressed Leafpaw. "You look a lot like mine and Fireheart's mother, Nutmeg." Leafpaw seemed taken back, her whiskers twitching in embarrassment.
"And both Squirrelpaw and Tawnypaw have her green eyes," Princess added in, not drawing attention to the fact that herself had green eyes or that she looked like Leafpaw as well. Tawnypaw looked surprised, while it seemed Squirrelpaw stretched her eyes wider, suddenly looking proud of her eyes.
"And Spottedpaw," Princess purred. "You and Squirrelpaw are looking more and more like your mother everyday." Although Princess hadn't seen Squirrelpaw until now, she had met Spottedpaw who shied away and closer to Swifttail.
"And your two sons and Mothpaw must take after their father," Princess declared. Fireheart wanted to correct her sister, that they were nothing like Tigerstar. But Princess was simply noting on their appearance not their father's deeds. Princess only knew about what Fireheart told Princess about Tigerstar, the good things and not his treachery and betrayal. For all Princess knew, Tigerstar was still Tigerclaw and living happily in ThunderClan.
"Bramblepaw looks the most like him," Fireheart meowed, blinking warmly at her son. "An exact copy in fact, with his courage and determination. But he's his own cat as well." She added on quickly. "And Hawkpaw is brave, but also mischievous. Put ticks in Mousefur's nest not to long ago."
"And Mothpaw is a great medicine cat already," Princess once again purred, and Fireheart wondered if she understood what exactly a medicine cat was. "And Spottedpaw is doing great with the elders, cleaning up after them and keeping comfortable."
"They're all wonderful," Princess declared, bending down to touch noses to the closest apprentice. Which was Squirrelpaw who squeaked in surprise but didn't pull away. "And knowing that their your kits Fireheart. Their going to do great things." the look in her sister's eyes made Fireheart take a second to look over her kits, really look over them. They were strong, brave and courageous already. But each had their own personality and traits. And each of their paws were leading them on different paths, but yet still intertwined by being siblings and kin.
"You know Princess," Fireheart replied, "I believe that you're right." Fireheart looked up at the sky, they have already stayed too soon. "We should be getting back. Princess, have you heard anything about a dog loose in the forest?"
Princess looked up from where she was touching noses to Hawkpaw, when she looked up Hawkpaw wrinkled his nose. Princess eyes were wide and scared. "A dog? No, I don't know anything about that."
"I think that might have been what the Twolegs were looking for that day Cinderpelt, Sandstorm and I met you in Tallpines," Fireheart went on. "I don't think you should come into the forest alone anymore, not for the time being, anyway. It's too dangerous."
"Then you're in danger all the time," mewed Princess. Her voice rose in distress. "Oh, Fireheart…"
"There's nothing for you to worry about." Fireheart tried to sound confident. "Just stay in your garden. The dog won't bother you there."
"But I worry about you, Fireheart, and Cloudtail and now your kits. You haven't got a nest to go too for safety, what if the dog gets you? And harms you? Oh, what's the matter Spottedpaw?" Princess broke off as Spottedpaw started trembling and whimpering slightly. Mothpaw had come up to press herself against her side, while Swifttail did the same on her other. Fireheart didn't like the way that Swifttail glared at Princess, as if it was Princess fault that Spottedpaw was now acting this way.
"She's just a little shaken up is all," Mothpaw supplied quickly, her eyes boring into Princess as if to tell her to keep quiet. "From the-journey here." the last part came out lame, but Princess bought it without question.
"Poor dear," Princess whispered.
"We should get going, don't you think?" Swifttail interrupted, abruptly turning to Fireheart. "I don't think we should be out here any more, we'll be missed back at camp." the I don't want Spottedpaw to be uncomfortable and scared out here, went unsaid.
"Swifttail is right," Fireheart agreed. "Cloudtail just wanted to give you his news. And I wanted you to finally meet your kin. You'd better get back into your garden."
"Yes, of course. I don't want to be keeping you," Princess replied, although she looked sad for a moment at them having to leave. "You'll come and see me again, Fireheart?"
"As soon as I can," she replied, and for a moment if she should possibly bring her kits around as well. Princess blinked once more at her kin and Swifttail before retreating back to her garden, when she climbed to the top of her fence she called out, "Good-bye! I hope to see you again!" before vanishing into the safety of her garden.
"Well, that went well." Swifttail snorted, ushering Spottedpaw back along their trail. Fireheart and her kits following behind.
"You can't blame Princess," Fireheart told him in a warning voice. "She doesn't really understand what Clan life is all about. Nor the dangers we face."
"Cause she's a kittypet?" Tawnypaw asked, her voice filled with distaste.
"Because we live in two different worlds, she doesn't realize what the forest has to offer and kittypets don't like straying from their nests and getting into danger." Fireheart corrected, trying to get her kits to understand.
"But you were a kittypet once, right?" Bramblepaw asked, his nose scrunched up in confusion. "But you came to the forest and joined ThunderClan."
"Well, yes," Fireheart backtracked. "But what I'm getting at is some kittypets don't like the hard life when the have the alternative to live in comfort."
"Then why didn't you stay as a kittypet? If it was so easy." Leafpaw asked, generally curios.
Cause of a dream I had, Fireheart thought. "I lived close to the forest, and I always stared off into it. I wanted a new life of adventure and a purpose beyond my Twoleg's nest. When I had the chance to join ThunderClan, I did."
"Did you ever regret it?" Squirrelpaw asked, wonder filling her voice as she was in wrapture at her mother's explanation of why she joined ThunderClan.
"Not even once," Fireheart told her proudly. Her kits seemed to let out a breath that Fireheart didn't realize that were holding, were her kits really that worried about what Fireheart thought about the Clan?
"I'm glad you stayed!" Hawkpaw meowed, his blue eyes shining. "ThunderClan would have lost a great warrior and deputy, and Cloudtail wouldn't be apart of it or a warrior."
"And we wouldn't have been born," Tawnypaw added, rolling her eyes at her brother.
"Or maybe we would, and have become kittypets!" Bramblepaw added. "But then we'd be split up, I heard that, that's what happens to kits that come from kittypets."
Leafpaw looked unsettled by this fact, and looked up frightened at Fireheart. "You wouldn't have let the Twolegs give us away, would you?"
"I'd rather become a rogue before that happened!" Fireheart said strongly, and that she meant it.
"Can you imagine us as rogues?" Mothpaw joked, coming to bat playfully at Hawkpaw. "All seven of us with just Fireheart, with no Clan to go to? I'd never want to live like that over living in ThunderClan! I wouldn't be able to be a medicine cat or have met Spottedleaf!"
"And we'd probably have different name's," Hawkpaw added in jokingly. "Like Squirrel, Bramble, Tawny, Hawk, Leaf, Moth, and Spotted! Ridiculous! I can't wait for my warrior name!"
"Did that mean you had a kittypet name?" Bramblepaw wondered out loud, looking over his shoulder at Fireheart.
"Yes," Fireheart told him. "My kittypet name was Star."
"Like, after the leader's?" Hawkpaw gasped, his ice-blue eyes widening in surprise.
"Sort of," Fireheart shrugged. "It's the Twolegs that name us."
"So, your own mother wasn't allowed to." Tawnypaw asked in horror.
"Like I said, Life as a kittypet is very different than a Clan cat." Fireheart reminded them.
"I'd rather be a rogue," Hawkpaw snorted, nudging his brother playfully. "We'd be unstoppable."
"We might have made our own Clan!" Tawnypaw meowed with glee.
"Ya, HawkClan!" Hawkpaw declared, his eyes shining.
"Or better yet, SquirrelClan." Squirrelpaw butted in.
"SquirrelClan is a dumb name." Hawkpaw retorted, glaring at his sister who glared back.
"So is HawkClan!" Squirrelpaw shot back, fluffy tail puffing out with annoyance.
"HawkClan actually sounds better than SquirrelClan," Bramblepaw admitted, coming between his two siblings.
"Oh, who asked you!" Squirrelpaw snorted, rolling her eyes.
When they arrived back to the camp, things were silent. It was so quiet that it made Fireheart instantly on alert. When her presence was known, Whitestorm padded towards his face solemn. "What happened?" Was the first thing out of her mouth as she signaled for her companions and kits to leave the two warriors alone. "What's wrong?"
"We have a visitor," Whitestorm told her, "he's in Spottedleaf's den, he wants to talk to you." Fireheart drew herself up, surprised to find out that someone has come to see her that was not apart of ThunderClan. But who could it be? It couldn't be Princess, they just saw her. But who?
Fireheart briskly walked towards the medicine cat's den, over taking Mothpaw and telling her to wait outside. Padding inside, Runningnose, ShadowClan's medicine cat was the last cat Fireheart expected to see.
"Runningnose?" Fireheart said in surprise. "What are you doing here? Has something happened in ShadowClan?"
"Nothing bad," Runningnose said quickly, shaking his head. "Well, nothing yet anyway."
"What do you mean?" Fireheart asked, her voice suspicious and careful.
"Runningnose had a vision," Spottedleaf told her, her voice quiet. "About an unnecessary battle and we believe it's going to be over your kits."
"And what do we do about it?" Fireheart demanded. "Does the vision declare that I just give up my kits? Shouldn't you be telling Tigerstar that he should just back off already."
"I had the same dream, Fireheart," Spottedleaf admitted, her tail drooping with guilt. "And when Runningnose told me about it, we knew we had to do something."
"And what would that be?" Fireheart asked, voice coming out more cold then she could imagine.
"We think," Runningnose shared a look with Spottedleaf, before the ShadowClan medicine cat continued. "That since the leaders will fight and not compromise, that it should the kits that decide where they belong."
"What does that mean?" Fireheart asked, completely stunned at how these two medicine cats have come up with such a thing.
"Let the kits decide which Clan they want to be apart of," Runningnose stressed. "That way both Clans won't have to fight, and Tigerstar will be satisfied with his kits choice. Even he wouldn't want to force them to join him if they tell him plainly that they want to stay in ThunderClan."
"If you agree, Fireheart," Spottedleaf meowed. "Then Runningnose will speak to Tigerstar, and get him to agree to a meeting between you and him and the kits, the medicine cats included."
"Shouldn't it include Bluestar?" Fireheart asked desperately, trying to delay this conversation. But Spottedleaf was already shaking her head.
"This is between you and Tigerstar, Fireheart. And the lives of your kits, no one else should decide their fate."
"I-I'll think about it." Fireheart meowed, taking in a shaky breath of air. "J-just give me a day or two."
"Very well," Runningnose dipped his head, sharing a look with Spottedleaf. "When you decided, you can send Spottedleaf to come talk with me. I'll tell the others not to harm her while on our territory. But I highly doubt that they will, seeing as she is a medicine cat." he hastily assured.
"I'm sure I'll be fine," Spottedleaf said reassuring to Fireheart's hesitant look. "I think it's time for you to go, Runningnose. Before the sun sets."
"Do you need an escort?" Fireheart asked, worry for the gray-and-white tom taking over her mind for a moment. Worry that the evil in the forest might get him.
"No," Runningnose shook his head. "Oakfur and Littlecloud are waiting for me on the other side of the Thunderpath. I told them about my meeting here with Spottedleaf. They said they would wait for me. I should go now." He rose to his paws. "Thank you, Fireheart. For speaking to me, I know it's not easy, what with you being their mother. But I strongly believe that this meeting with avoid a war between our two Clans." without another word he padded out of the medicine cat's den, while Spottedleaf gave her friend a sympathetic look then disappeared into the rock. leaving Fireheart to her concerns.
Should I do what Spottedleaf and Runningnose suggested? That thought plagued Fireheart throughout the night, making her restless in her nest. She hadn't consulted anyone else, no one but Spottedleaf, not Cinderpelt, not Graystripe, not Sandstorm or her kits mentors and not even her own kits. Her fears overcoming her as to think they would choose their father's Clan over their birth Clan. What should I do? What should I do? It was a whirlwind of emotion, ranging from fear at losing her kits, to anger that the medicine cats would go behind her back like this.
When she woke up that morning, she felt more tired than she should. When she padded out of the den, the first thing she saw was Bramblepaw, playing softly with Sorrelkit. His big paws dabbing her softly in the side, flickering his tail back and forth for Rainkit and Sootkit to chase and pounce on. Looking at her son, how in the world could she give him up? The rustle of the gorse tunnel caught her attention, and waltzing in, heads held high were Hawkpaw and Leafpaw each carrying a piece of prey each. The pride in their eyes made Fireheart own eyes glisten with pride.
She couldn't possibly give them up! But Runningnose was right, Fireheart thought. It's their life, and so it should be their choice. It was that thought that brung her to her decision, padding briskly towards Spottedleaf's den, she stuck her head inside the crevice in the rock. Spottedleaf was sorting herbs and looked up in surprise as she saw Fireheart.
"I made up my mind," Fireheart said, her voice strained but forced herself to continue. This needed to be done. "Tell Runningnose that well meet him and Tigerstar at Fourtrees at sunhigh tomorrow."
"Are you sure Fireheart?" Spottedleaf asked, her voice serious as she came to stand in front of her friend. "There is no going back. Whatever choice your kits make, you have to respect that. And you will have to live with their choice. You won't be able to see them unless it's at Gatherings, and they will be loyal to ShadowClan from then on."
"You don't have to remind me of what I already fear," Fireheart told her softly. "But I realize that you and Runningnose are right, this will avoid a battle. And I know I will forever see them as my kits, I know for a fact that they aren't really kits anymore. Their old enough to make their own decisions. Whether it be in ThunderClan or ShadowClan-" she took in a deeper breath, trying to steady her voice. "I will forever be proud and love them."
"I'll go see Runningnose once I finished with these," Spottedleaf meowed softly. "That will give me enough time to go to ShadowClan territory and back before dusk." Fireheart dipped her head, then turned around and padded briskly out of the medicine cats clearing. Hoping that she had made the right decision.
0o0o0o
Next chapter is when Fireheart and Tigerstar meet once more, all though it might be shorter! Just a heads up! So ya, anyway! Medicine cats go behind people's backs and do what they want! (Spottedleaf is a prime example of that!)
facts!
Fireheart is very torn up about her decisions about her kits!
Poor Spottedpaw! She has anxiety disorder, or stress disorder (are those the same things?) if you haven't already guessed!
Swifttail, I love to hate you. But you are a pretty okay tom-cat when it comes to Spottedpaw.
Hawkpaw, you are so ironic with that rogue comment!
No Squirrelpaw, you will not have your own Clan!
Tigerstar, I hate that I love! Why do you do this to Fireheart? Why!
Poor Sandstorm, I feel sorry for her lack of kits! It will be a struggle! And Brackenfur will be supportive of course! Sand x Bracken!
Awe! Look at Bramblepaw being all cute and helpful with the kits!
Spottedpaw, I feel for you!
Now review, follow and fav! Until next time!