Chapter Nine:
"I don't know why Briarshine is acting so strangely," Tinypaw snapped, "But I'll ask StarClan if they know when I see them, okay? Quit pestering me; Briarshine doesn't talk to me anymore than she does you."
"Oh, sorry." Echovalley purred nonetheless at her brother and licked his ear. "I'm going to be with Nightfall, can you tell me the results when you get back?"
"Yes. Oh, and how've you been feeling-you know, expecting kits and all."
She purred happily, "I've been great! We're so excited, you're going to be an uncle! I hope you're thrilled, seeing as you can't father kits."
"I am excited. And Whirlwind's going to father kits too, I hear."
"Followriver is doing great. Speaking of her, I'm going to see her. Besides, you and Tendereye need to get going."
Tinypaw purred at them and rushed to join Tendereye, who waited patiently for him at the camp exit.
"Tinypaw, Tendereye!" exclaimed the NightClan medicine cat, Sweetdawn, "How are you tonight?"
"We're doing fine," purred Tendereye, "I hope everything is well with you and your clan as well."
"No." Ripplepaw caught up with her mentor, "We were attacked by rogues."
"Was anybody hurt badly?" Tinypaw asked, concerned.
"No, Lilyflower came near death, but with Blackcloud's help she was saved and everybody put an effort to save her."
Tinypaw flicked his ears in worry; it was Lilyflower that was probably their mother after all.
"Ravinestrike," Tendereye greeted the LightningClan medicine and his apprentice, "Cinderpaw."
Waterwing rushed up to them with Sugarpaw, her medicine cat apprentice. "Sorry we're late."
"It's alright." Tendereye straightened herself to look a little taller and meowed, "I have an announcement to make. My apprentice has made very good progress and has worked very hard and I think it is time for him to earn his warrior name. Tinypaw, come here please."
His paws prickling with excitement, he walked up to Tendereye.
"Tinypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, protect all cats, and take care of your clan, as long as you shall live?"
He nodded, "I do."
She rested her head on top of his head and murmured, "I then name you Tinyfoot. Tinyfoot, tonight as you dream, I hope you will get more answers than questions as a full-fledged medicine cat."
The other medicine cats cheered loudly.
Cinderpaw, Sugarpaw, and Ripplepaw rushed up to him excitedly.
"That's great, Tinyfoot-I can't wait for mine!" Cinderpaw purred.
"Tell me about it," Sugarpaw purred, "My sister Fallingrain already had her kits and I'm still awaiting the name. But, congratulations!"
The mentors purred at them.
Ravinestrike touched noses with Tinyfoot. "I'm glad all of you get along so well, considering it'll be you that raises the next generation. I hope you use this to make each clan stronger and together."
Waterwing nodded. "Have a good dream tonight, Tinyfoot."
They all kneeled next to the crystal clear water, and soon they fell into sleep.
"Tinyfoot. Congratulations," purred a dark brown tom.
"Hawkclaw!" he exclaimed, jumping to his paws, "Can you tell me why Briarshine has been so strange lately?"
Hawkclaw's expression turned stoney and grave. "I can't say, Tinyfoot. I know who and what and how, but it has already happened. There is no turning back now. She'll tell you, and Whirlwind, and Echovalley, because she trusts all of you. And you all will keep her secret. But it will confuse your duty, Tinyfoot. I tell you one thing, though. Remember what I told you earlier, that one would die? It won't be her. Know this; though it is against the warrior code, she is protected now. Don't take that away from her. If you take it away, something bad will happen."
Tinyfoot looked at his paws in silence, feeling bad. "Sorry."
Hawkclaw laughed at him. "No apologies, it hasn't even happened yet! You get back to your clan, and have a good moon."
"You too."
Tinyfoot blinked, and black filled where there had been color.
"Hi, Tinyfoot," meowed Cinderpaw, "How was your dream?"
"Fine. How was yours?"
"Good."
Tendereye touched his side briefly and said, "Time to go."
He rushed into camp and roused Whirlwind and Echovalley. "They didn't say, but don't try to find out. If you find out, it could be dangerous."
Whirlwind nodded, yawning. "Okay."
Echovalley nodded too. "Tinypaw," she began, but he cut her off.
"Tinyfoot. I got my name."
They purred. "Good for you!"
"What is going on?" yawned a cat, walking into the den.
Tinyfoot whirled around, "Briarshine! Where were you?"
"Walking. When did you get back?"
"I got my name! I'm Tinyfoot now!"
"That's great!" she purred, sounding tired.
"You sound tired. Where've you been?"
Briarshine sighed. "Please don't get mad at me. I can't tell you now. Can I tell you in a couple days?"
"Yes." Tinyfoot sat down.
"But-" Whirlwind began, glaring at Tinyfoot.
Tinyfoot gave him a warning glance, and his brother fell silent.
"Are you okay, Briarshine?" Tinyfoot asked, nosing her side.
"I'm fine, Tinyfoot. I promise...I'm sorry." She sounded tired and slightly sad, but there was a ring of relief in her voice. "I can't stop now."
Whirlwind and Echovalley were both thoroughly confused.
"It is okay, Briarshine. I know, it's okay. I promise everything will be fine."
"Really? I don't have to stop?" Briarshine sounded hopeful, but she knew he might not have known everything.
"No. Don't stop now, Briarshine. I don't know fully what you are doing at these times of night, but I do not want you to stop. Now, straighten yourself and be happy. This shouldn't be making you sad."
"Brother, it makes me sad to lie to you."
"You haven't lied to me. Don't be sad."
She purred at him. "Thank you, Tinyfoot. Good night."
She lied down on the moss and fell asleep instantly.
"What was that about, Tinyfoot?" Whirlwind meowed.
"Don't stop her, please!" Tinyfoot hissed, "It could end in...destruction for her. Please don't."
Echovalley stepped forward and talked in soothing tones, "I don't know what you are talking about, Tinyfoot."
"I never told you all the absolute truth. About my dream. One of us will die in the process of saving the clans if we don't find our mother in time. And right now, Briarshine has protection. If you take it away from her, she'll die. Please don't do that! Even if it's against the warrior code and even if she leaves our clan, you can't take it away."
Echovalley and Whirlwind stared.
Whirlwind mouthed, "One of us will die?"
"Don't, you two. I prefer it be me. You two are going to be father and mother to two different litters. I'm not in love, no loss. Please, just let it be me."
"No," Echovalley whispered, "It can't be you. What would I do without you, Tinyfoot? You are part of the prophecy."
"And part of the prophecy says one of us will die! Okay, I prefer it is me. You all have someone or have kits to raise. If you aren't here...think of your kits, not me. And we have a chance to live!"