Leaves in the Wind
Chapter Nine
. . .
Leafpaw
Fernpaw's scream was high-pitched to a painful degree, and Leafpaw couldn't bear to watch. Her sister was writhing on the ground, limbs jerking and foam spurting. Her green eyes were soon glazed from pain, and she was forming incoherent words as she mewed.
Finally, Fernpaw screamed, "Make it stop! It BURNS!"
Without a second thought to her own wellbeing, Leafpaw sprang forward. But before she could even reach her sister, a bright streak of white forced her back. She watched on in shock as Brightfeather tossed the adder aside like it was nothing, the adder hissing the entire time it went flying.
And before the adder could attack anyone else, Silverflame was on it, thorn-sharp claws ripping and tearing into its scaled neck. He didn't even do so much as flinch when the adder bared its fangs and hissed, its yellow eyes flashing. With a swift bite, Silverflame ended the adder's life.
When Leafpaw knew for sure that the adder was dead, she rushed forward to her sister's side. Fernpaw's dark ginger pelt contrasted greatly to the angry red puncture marks on her shoulder, and she laid twitching and whimpering at Brightfeather's paws. The white warrior's blue eyes were strangely concerned as he gazed down at the thrashing apprentice.
"Darkflower!" He suddenly yowled. "Darkflower, we need you!"
For a split-second, Leafpaw felt immense anger and bitterness, and an urge to kill something filled her. And for that split-second, Leafpaw considered finishing the job that the adder had begun. But when that split-second passed, Leafpaw felt horrified at the thoughts that had passed through her mind.
Why did I feel like that? She wondered.
Leafpaw didn't have time to ponder for an answer, as Darkflower's answering yowl echoed through the sudden gloom of the ThunderClan camp. In less than a few seconds, the dark-grey pelt of Darkflower could be seen amongst the bracken and bushes. She rushed into the clearing, dark eyes wide with shock and surprise.
"What's happened here?" She mewed briskly.
Leafpaw saw Brightfeather press his muzzle to the top of his sister's head as he murmured, "She was bitten by an adder."
Without hesitation, Darkflower ordered, "We need to get her to my den, I can treat her better, there. I need someone to carry her, though."
"I will," Brightfeather offered instantly.
Why does Brightfeather even care?! Leafpaw thought scathingly, and as that thought passed through her mind, so did the unmistakeable urge to kill. Fernpaw's my sister, not his.
She watched through narrowed eyes as Brightfeather gently picked Fernpaw up by her scruff, and as he did it, Leafpaw swore that she saw her sister flinch. And even as she did so, she continued to whimper, her limbs twitching as her face screwed up in horrible agony.
Sighing, Leafpaw turned to face her mentor. Silverflame's green eyes shone with both sadness and pity. Suddenly, Leafpaw thought viciously, I don't want his pity!
"Take Breezekit back to his mother!" Leafpaw snapped, her voice dripping with unfamiliar scorn.
Silverflame didn't even flinch at her venom, his expression blank as he bundled his son back to his mate. When he disappeared out of sight, Leafpaw felt the anger drain, and as soon as it faded, she felt tired and weary.
Without a word, she padded toward the medicine den, her fiery tail trailing behind her. When she entered the den, she caught a glimpse of a dark-grey pelt, and she immediately assumed that it was Darkflower. She also saw Brightfeather in the corner, hovering close to where Fernpaw was resting on a bed of soft moss. And he was chewing on something, as well.
When the white warrior spat it out, Darkflower took it into her own mouth and pressed it against Fernpaw's wound. As soon as the herbs came into contact with the swollen puncture marks, the dark red apprentice jerked inwards, her eyes screwing up and her face crumpling from the horrible pain she was obviously feeling.
And then Brightfeather did something that Leafpaw had never expected in her wildest dreams for him to do. He bent his head and pressed his muzzle to Fernpaw's cheek, his blue eyes sparkling with reassurance. As he did this, Leafpaw almost felt fond of the white warrior. Almost.
"It's going to be fine," he murmured gently. "You'll get through this, the both of us will."
As he did this, Fernpaw relaxed a smidgeon. It wasn't anything reassuring, but Leafpaw felt hopeful for the first time since Stormflight had died.
"If she ascends to StarClan," a familiar voice commented softly, "Then she will be honoured for protecting a fellow Clanmate from possible death."
Her heart in her throat, Leafpaw whirled around, not even surprised at the sudden appearance of the ThunderClan leader. With her pelt gleaming like snow and her eyes like two chips of ice, Froststar raised her head almost proudly.
"If she's going to die," Brightfeather bit out, glaring at his mother. "Then at least give her the mercy of having her warrior name."
Suddenly, Fernpaw's eyes shot open. Though they were a bright, forest green, they were glazed, and Leafpaw could see the distinct cloudiness of her sister's left eye.
"... not Shroud..." she murmured absently. "Please... not... Shroud..."
Leafpaw could only gaze at her sister, completely and utterly dumbstruck. "What's she trying to say?" She muttered.
Suddenly, Leafpaw realised something. Her sister seemed to be dreaming about something so horriedly twisted, that she'd woken up. Cautiously, she padded over to where Fernpaw lay, twitching on the moss. She eyed her sister curiously but, suddenly, Fernpaw's tail brushed against her pelt.
Leafpaw let out a sudden, shuddering gasp that drew the attention of every cat in Darkflower's den. Then, she screamed, pressing her head into her paws. It felt like she was being burned alive. And every other thing she had felt-be it anger or sadness, was nothing in comparison to what she was feeling now. This was torture-
And then, nothing.
And as the pain faded, Leafpaw felt all consuming rage fill her to the point of breaking. She was angry at everything-her mother for leaving her, her father for abandoning her, her brother for disappearing, her sister for dying...
You feel angry, don't you, Leafpaw? A familiar voice hissed. You want to hurt something.
Leafpaw realised that the voice wasn't stating a fact. She did want to hurt something. So badly, in fact, that could do it right then and there. All she had to do was bat Brightfeather out of the way, unsheath her claws, and drag them across her sister's throat...
This isn't you, another voice whispered.
Leafpaw stopped in her tracks as she recognised the voice. "Rosestream?" She whispered.
There was no answer, and, suddenly, Leafpaw glared at the roof of the den. Why should I listen to something that doesn't reply? Why should I?!
Yes, Leafpaw, the first voice murmured. Why should you listen? What has your mother ever done for you, hmm?
Strangely, despite all the negative feelings brewing inside her, Leafpaw couldn't bring herself to reply. But the voice was right, what had Rosestream ever done for her?
All she ever did, was die,Leafpaw thought bitterly.
You know, the voice commented, obviously amused. I know the word that would describe you perfectly.
Leafpaw still didn't answer, and that was when the voice chuckled softly.
Oh, but don't you want to know?
Leafpaw hissed softly.
The voice ignored her and continued, The word that I think suits you best is...
Don't listen to him, Leafpaw, the second voice murmured frantically. He's trying to put you off! Don't listen to anything that creature says!
I think that you're a monster.
Leafpaw didn't even flinch. You have to try better than that, she sneered, because she knew who it was, and his words couldn't even penetrate her. You're so pathetic, Storm.
The blue cat didn't respond, and as he did so, Leafpaw wondered how he could communicate with her. He was obviously so very far away from her. And as she thought this, she remembered his chilly parting words.
And I promise you, Leafpaw, that in the coming storm, you will wither.
"What are you doing, Leafpaw?" Brightfeather's voice cut in. "Get your paw away from her throat."
All of this was spoken so softly, that Leafpaw swallowed almost convulsively. "I didn't mean to," she whispered.
"You looked as if you wanted to kill her," Brightfeather growled, taking a step closer, his face practically pressing to hers. "Are you a monster or what?"
Leafpaw flinched, the white warrior's words unknowingly echoing Storm's from moments earlier. And as she gazed into Brightfeather's cold, dull eyes, she saw her own face reflected back at her, saw the deep hurt already displayed on her face, the tears threatening to fall. But she blinked them away, she wouldn't-no, couldn't cry. Not in front of Brightfeather.
Instead, she ran straight out of the medicine den, not even caring of the tears spilling down her cheeks as she did so. She didn't know how long she ran for, but she didn't stop either. Eventually, Leafpaw did stop, sinking to the ground outside the nursery, her eyes feeling itchy, and her cheeks annoyingly damp.
A few moments of sniffling, Leafpaw stiffened as the sound of voices. And she recognised them at once. Peering over the thorn brambles that made up the nursery, Leafpaw felt her breath hitch as she saw two familiar figures.
Ashfall and Blackwing were in the clearing just in front of the nursery, sharing tongues. When Blackwing said something, Ashfall chuckled softly, his dark blue eyes glimmering.
As the black-furred warrior laughed, Leafpaw felt her throat become hollow. Why was she feeling like this? It wasn't as if she was jealous or anything, but to see Ashfall looking so carefree...
Why am I feeling like this? Leafpaw thought scathingly. It's not my business of what Ashfall does. It's his own!
But Leafpaw couldn't help the small sniff that escaped, and when it did, Ashfall stiffened. The black-furred warrior quietly murmured something to Blackwing, and when she nodded, he sighed and gazed. at her departing back. Eventually, Blackwing was out of sight, passing by Leafpaw's bowed form. Ashfall's dark eyes narrowed somewhat, and he frowned.
To Leafpaw's horror, Ashfall began padding directly toward her. When he reached her, he seated himself in front of her, jet-black tail coiling around his equally black paws.
"Why are you crying?" He commented mildly, almost looking bored.
"Why do you even care?" Leafpaw questioned bitterly. "I'm a monster, after all."
Ashfall didn't even seem fazed, instead, he shifted closer to her, his breath just warming her cheek. "You're not a monster," he murmured gently. Strangely, he sounded just as tender as Brightfeather had been with Fernpaw.
"Then why does everyone in this Clan seem to hate me?" Leafpaw muttered.
She nearly flinched when Ashfall pressed his muzzle to her cheek. "I don't hate you," he said softly. "And no matter how much you think that I might, I will never hate you."
"Why are you doing this?" She mewed softly, casting her eyes to the ground. "Being so nice, I mean?"
"There's nothing to gain by hating so horribly," Ashfall murmured. "I learned that the hard way."
"What do you mean?"
Ashfall sighed softly, though his bright eyes shimmered. "I'm sure Stormflight and our deputy told you about my late sister, Jetpaw?" When Leafpaw continued, he continued, "I was only three moons old when she was killed on a routine border patrol, far too young to understand the complex topic of death. To put it simply, I didn't why Jetpaw was gone, and as Silverflame was her mentor, I grew too hate him. And then Leafbare came upon us, out of nowhere it seemed, and with Leafbare, came greencough. It killed many cats that Leafbare. My brothers, Mosskit and Darkkit were included. As well as my father, Mistfur, and Brightfeather's sister, Cloudkit. And after all that, I guess I just... snapped. I was such a hateful little kit, back then, Leafpaw. I seemed to hate everything, including StarClan, for taking my father and littermates away from me. But then Blackwing came along, kind and considerate Blackwing. She taught me that an important lesson: that is, to never hate unneccessarily."
Leafpaw's eyes widened at his passionate speech, as well as about his declaration about Blackwing. "Do you... love her?" She ventured.
Ashfall's eyes widened the slightest bit at the assumption before becoming closed up and impassive. "No," he finally murmured. "She's a dear friend, but I don't love her."
He... doesn't... love her...?
Leafpaw opened her mouth to speak, but shut it when a pensieve look passed Ashfall's face. Instead, she allowed herself to enjoy the rare silence of the ThunderClan camp. In a fit of impulsiveness, Leapfaw bowed her head and pressed her face into Ashfall's neck fur. The black-furred warrior stiffened at the contact, but soon enough, he accepted her, and they stayed that way for seemed like hours.
It was an impatient huff that shattered their hard sought piece. Leafpaw broke away from Ashfall as fast as the swiftest rabbit, blushing furiously. If it had been anyone else who had found them, Leafpaw would have not felt so awkward. But as it was the ThunderClan leader who found them in that position...
Leafpaw didn't want to dwell on it.
"Leafpaw, Ashfall," Froststar murmured. "I wish to speak with the both of you in my den."
Leafpaw looked at Ashfall, who only shrugged, and wordlessly, they both followed the white leader to her den, sliding through the lichen without effort. When they entered the ThunderClan leader's den, the pair seated themselves in front of Froststar.
"What did you wish to talk about, Froststar?" Ashfall mewed softly.
"I want to travel to the Moonstone. I wish to share dreams with StarClan," Froststar began. "And as every warrior must travel to the Moonstone, at least once, I want to take the both of you with me."
"Why us?" Leafpaw said.
"Because most of the other warriors have already gone," Froststar snapped, her ice-blue eyes flashing.
Stormflight. Leafpaw swallowed the lump in her throat, looking away from the ThunderClan leader and the sight of those painfully bright eyes.
"Very well," Ashfall murmured, inclining his head. "We'll go to the Moonstone, Leafpaw and I, borh. But first, when do we leave?"
"As soon as we can," Froststar answered. "But you both need to collect strengthening herbs from Darkflower, after that, we'll be all set."
But you both need to collect strengthening herbs from Darkflower. Leafpaw tilted her head to the side, considering, before she mewed, "What about you? Won't you need the herbs, as well?"
"No," Froststar murmured. "I can't consume a thing if I am to share dreams with StarClan."
If that's what she says.
Sighing, Leafpaw got to her paws and followed after Ashfall, the latter padding to the medicine den. When they entered, Leafpaw saw Fernpaw in the corner, Brightfeather pressed to her side, his snow-white flank rising and falling with each breath he took. He was sleeping. And that was okay for Leafpaw.
Being extra careful not to wake her sister, Leafpaw called, "Darkflower, Froststar sent us to get strengthening herbs."
"I know, I know," a voice grumbled.
Darkflower's dark-grey pelt could be seen as she approached them, her dark eyes glimmering with something akin to annoyance. In her mouth, she carried a mouthfull of foul smelling herbs. She put the heat in front of Leafpaw and Ashfall, briskly ordering, "Eat those, now, before you leave."
Without thinking, Leafpaw gulped the herbs down, grimacing the entire time. Yuck, they taste like crow-food!
When Leafpaw glanced at Ashfall, she saw that he also sported a grimace similar to her own that twisted at his face.
"We should go," Ashfall suddenly murmured.
Leafpaw glanced at the black-furred warrior in surprise, before nodding. She followed Ashfall out from the medicine den and into the clearing under the Highrock. There, they the ThunderClan leader waiting for them.
"Come," she uttered, swishing her thick, fluffy tail around. "We had best get going if we are to make it to the Moonstone before sundown."
Leafpaw nodded wordlessly, and both she and Ashfall followed Froststar out of ThunderClan.
. . .
For Leafpaw, it seemed like an eternity before they even reached WindClan territory. And to her frustration, they were stopped by a patrol consisting of the warriors/apprentices: Eagleclaw, Dewtail and Sunpaw.
"Why are you trespassing on WindClan territory?!" Eagleclaw growled.
"We're going to the Moonstone," Froststar responded sharply.
Sunpaw scoffed as he muttered, "As if."
Froststar's eyes flashed as Dewtail thundered, "Enough. If ThunderClan's leader wishes to pass with her patrol, then by all means, let her. After all, the warrior code dictates that no one can deny passage to a medicine cat or leader so that they may go to the Moonstone."
As Leafpaw passed by, the pale ginger tabby-Sunpaw-growled in warning. Leafpaw ignored him in favour of padding after Ashfall. The black-furred warrior had turned his head, his bright blue eyes glimmering.
Soon enough, they arrived. When they entered the cave, to which Ashfall whispered, Mothermouth," Froststar told them to stay put, or simply sleep as she was going to do.
Sighing, Leafpaw sank to her belly, shivering the slightest bit at the cold ground. She noticed that Ashfall was staring into the distance, face impassive. But she ignored it in favour of close her eyes. Almost instantly, she dozed off.
When Leafpaw next woke, it was not to the soothing presence of Ashfall, no, it was to something much worse. When she opened her eyes, it was to a figure shadowed in darkness, their eyes glowing a menacing red.
What are you?! Leafpaw wanted to scream, but her mouth couldn't form words, and a pathetic squeak escaped her lips as the figure took a step forward. When it did, it was revealed to be a huge cat with blue fur and multicoloured eyes-one blue and one green.
Leafpaw knew who it was before the answer even hit her mind.
Storm, she whispered.
The figure, Storm, abruptly grinned. It was horrible and conveyed every feeling that conveyed through her. It was a grin full of anger and hate-the same hate that Leafpaw had feeling all day.
I HATE YOU! Leafpaw screamed.
"And I, you," he answered.
His grin broadened.
"You will die, Leafpaw."
And then he lunged.
Leafpaw screamed, shooting up from her spot on the ground. She got to her paws and whirled around. She saw Ashfall's soft blue eyes gazing back at her.
"Did you have a nightmare?" He murmured, padding toward her.
"Yes," she whispered.
Leafpaw barely refrained from flinching as Ashfall settled himself beside her. They sat there for quite some time unil she felt a gentle lick on her ears. She looked up to see Ashfall gazing down at her, his normally cold eyes gentle.
"You don't have to tell me, Leafpaw," he mewed. "But Blackwing always told me that it helped to talk about our nightmares and fears. StarClan knows that I've had too many to properly count."
Leafpaw sighed as she murmured, "I'm sorry, Ashfall. But I'd rather not."
Ashfall nodded, his expression understanding.
Suddenly, the ThunderClan leader materialised in front of them.
"It's time to leave," Froststar mewed, already padding toward the entrance. "If Fernpaw is still alive when we return, then I'll think of having her warrior ceremony. StarClan knows she needs one as Dawnhaze is in the nursery. But I'm afraid that you can't have your ceremony until a few moons have passed, Leafpaw."
Leafpaw nodded in understanding. "I can wait," she murmured. "If it means that Fernpaw can become a warrior before me, then I don't mind. She may not survive, after all."
"What happened to her?" Ashfall inquired curiously.
"She was bitten by an adder," Leafpaw answered dejectedly.
"I'm sure she'll get better," Ashfall reassired. But Leafpaw didn't really believe him.
"You sure?"
"I'm sure," he confirmed.
When they arrived back at the camp, it was moonhigh. Leafpaw said a brief goodbye to Ashfall before padding to the medicine den. The sight that greeted her made her feel overjoyed.
Fernpaw was awake, and Brightfeather was nowhere to be seen. Leafpaw supposed that he had returned to the warriors' den for some sleep. And she was glad that he was gone, she wouldn't have to tolerate anymore of his insults.
"Leaf... paw...?" Fernpaw rasped.
Leafpaw was instantly at her sister's side, pressing against her reassuringly.
"You're going to be okay," she promised. "I promise."
Ever so slowly, Fernpaw smiled. And with a shaky sigh, she was soon asleep.
And as her sister slept, Leafpaw fervently hoped that her promise would hold.
. . .
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting."
Leafpaw smiled as Froststar's yowl echoed around the camp, the various cats gathering. She stood by her sister, supporting her weight, even as she refused to fall in front of her Clan.
"You're going to become a warrior today," she murmured into Fernpaw's ear.
"I have gathered you all here today to witness a momentous occasion of an apprentice's life: their warrior ceremony. And Fernpaw is more than deserving of her warrior name."
Suddenly, Fernpaw stiffened. "... not Shroud... please, not... Shroud..."
Leafpaw frowned at her sister's mutters. "Why not?"
Fernpaw looked up, her green eyes wild with fear. "I-I can't," she whimpered.
Leafpaw had no idea what her sister was talking about, so she ignored her in favour of listening to Froststar.
She watched as the ThunderClan leader hopped down from the Highrock, padding over toward them, all the while murmuring words under her breath.
Fernpaw nearly flinched as Froststar pressed her muzzle to the top of her head. "StarClan honours your courage and spirit," she murmured.
Leafpaw was anxious now, to know what her sister's new name would be. Would it be something good like 'Fernstream', or maybe 'Fernshadow'?
"I name you Fernshroud."
Fernpaw-no, Fernshroud's eyes went wide with terror as she murmured, "N-not Shroud."
Leafpaw frowned. Is she afraid of her name?
Leafpaw pressed her muzzle to her sister's cheek reassuringly, minding her injured shoulder. "It's going to be okay," she murmured. "I promised, after all."
Fernshroud's eyes closed as she sighed heavily. "I hope so, Leafpaw."
And as she gazed into her sister's mismatched eyes, Leafpaw found herself mewing, "It will."
"I promise."
. . .
Meanwhile...
The den was a great shadowy expanse, but the she-cat didn't mind it one bit. In fact, she enjoyed the darkness. It was her specialty, aside from inflicting pain on others.
And it was here in the darkness that she wouldn't have to see his face.
But he was there, right now. In the darkness, right in front of her.
"Is everything accounted for?" He murmured. His voice was a deep, smooth mew, but no matter how many times she heard it, she couldn't help but wanting it more.
"Yes," she replied without stuttering as one usually would have when speaking with him. "In fact, she has your name."
At that comment, she could feel his curious gaze on her, assessing and probing.
"Oh? And what is it?"
"Her name is-" abuptly, she stopped herself, before mewing, "You of all cats should know her name."
"And I do," he responded softly. "And I am most pleased."
She forced herself to swallow, forcing herself to say his name by sheer will alone.
"Is there anything else you want, Shroud?"
And it was then that a patch of sunlight fully illuminated his face. She gulped at the sight of his unsightly, scarred face. The cloudy green eye seemed to be taunting her, and she forced herself to remember that it was she who had caused his blindness, not his brother.
"No," Shroud replied. "I have everything I need."
. . .
Was the chapter good? Did you like Fernpaw's warrior name? And did it make sense?