BIG IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT Okay, so you might have noticed I fell off the planet. I hate to say it, but it's probably going to be like that for a while. I made a commitment to Not Wasting This, and it gets priority. And I'm doing NaNoWriMo. But still. The story will not be abandoned. It is not over. It will continue, sometime later, probably early next year. You guys are wonderful, and I hope to see you then. Here's a chapter so you might not murder me. Ravens POV


The air in the cave is thick with tension and the smell of sickness. Snow isn't worse than she was earlier, but you can sense her fear and unwell in the air. It makes us all fidget and move to the other end of the cave.

I can't take it. Brightsun had wanted to meet with me today, but I doubt with all the drama she'll want to. Brownfur mentioned a warrior was wounded in a border skirmish today. It doesn't matter. I need to get out of this cave.

With a nod to Tangle and Dew, I pad out into the tunnel and squeeze into the small side cave. It's not nearly as cramped as it used to be.

I sit in the dark for quite a while, waiting. I keep saying I'll go back, if she doesn't come in five more breaths. Ten.

But she does. She pulls herself through and collapses next to me with a sigh. She rests her head on my flank and whispers, "I'm so glad you came."

This is unlike her. She's never been particularly close to me, never sought me out.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"My father was wounded today. He'll be sent to the elder's den, he'll never walk correctly again."

I'm beyond shocked. Slatefur, and older tom only moons away from the elders den already, wounded this badly on a border skirmish? Our only neighbors are Gem's cats and the Tribe, and they're both peaceable. Why would Hawkstar risk this?

"Brightsun, what was Hawkstar thinking? Slatefur…"

"Was an old, wise cat who's been ruined by Hawkstar's pride. Gem's cat ran into his patrol, and instead of passing peacefully the patrol attacked. Hawkstar came with reinforcements, and nearly killed the other patrol's leader."

I shake my head. More than ever I can see that Hawkstar is insane. I want to fight him, wound him, do something for all the Slatefurs and Snows that have been harmed by his ambitions.

But I can only lay here and groom Brightsun as she slowly relaxes. Fighting now would get me killed, and Brightsun needs me. Scrap and Feather and maybe even Snow and Dew need me, and dying would be counterproductive.

Sitting here, curled around Brightsun as she falls asleep, I'm reminded inexplicably of my family. I haven't thought of them since I've been brought down, and now I can't help but wonder if they think of me. My mother's probably ashamed, good warrior and queen that she is. Always loyal to the clan first, happy to provide it with two litters of warriors. If only she knew what a failure I'd be.

She loved me and my brother, sure, but I can't think she misses me.

My brother is another story. He was another great warrior, has the honor of a name ending is sun. But we've always been close, even if we don't always agree. The treatment of the de-ranked and the practice itself was one of those matters, so add him to the ashamed list. The younger litter probably couldn't care less.

My father, though… he's probably proud, up where he hunts with the star cats. I don't like thinking of him too much, though, so I can't be sure.

Suddenly I'm overwhelmed with a desire to curl up in my nest. I'm separated from my whole family now, not just my father. It hurts.

I move to stand, but Brightsun mumbles at me sleepily.

"No… stay."

I look at her as best as I can in the darkness. Soon enough I'm back down with no chance of coming back up.

Honestly, the security is nice. One night, just to be safe away from the worries of clan life in a hidden cave away from all of them.
How could I say no?


Well, this scene is a bit reminiscent of the one in Bluestar's prophecy, with her and Oak at four trees….

*Whistles.* *Nudges*

Oh well, you'll see what I mean in about, oh, eight chapters….

(I am aware that is a big spoiler if you know what I'm talking about. Don't tell the others!)