So the main cats that get their point of view will be:
Larkblossom (Duh.)
Kindlestrike (StarClan's messenger has to get a point of view, shouldn't he?)
Fernkit (we'll see Grayshadow and Stonekit with her.)
Olivefur (we need StarClan, don't we?)
Jayfrost (He plays an important part, ya'll see.)
We'll see some random character's views, I'm sure, so don't worry- and if you want a specific cat's view just PM me and I'll see if I can work with it! In this chapter, we see a new face, but he has been mentioned and has spoken in another chapter. But it will all play out in the story! So, read on and review please!
"Shatter every window till it's all blown away
Every brick, every board, every slamming door blown away
Till there's nothing left standing, nothing left of yesterday…"
-Blown Away by Carrie Underwood
Chapter 11
Ravenpelt
The air of camp was thick with tension.
"All of you are fools!" Ravenpelt flattened his ears against his head as Witherstar glared at him and the rest of the toms that remained at camp. Sure, cause we all planned to kill our medicine cat. He thought dryly. When Witherstar returned to their makeshift camp, he was in a furious and insane rage.
"You all get out of my sight!" he screamed…then called a Clan meeting. Of course.
Ravenpelt sighed and flicked his tail then gazed at the rest of the toms with annoyance. A tickle in his throat forced him to cough quietly. A few others stared back at him with surprise. Just this morning he went and saw Tanglewhisker for it, but now…if it were to get worse, he could possibly die with no help. It was nightfall by the time Ravenpelt slowly got up when Witherstar finally let them go rest in the warrior's den.
Yet his nest certainly was no help against the biting cold. Another tickle in his throat sent him into another small fit which drew unwanted attention from the other warriors. They glared at him in apparent annoyance.
"Too bad Tangwhisker's dead." Windfur rumbled from his nest. The older brown tabby tom gazed at him with concern. Ravenpelt felt a twinge of guilt- the warrior should be an elder by now and could easily get sick too. But he did not reply but got out of his nest and stumbled out of the makeshift warrior's den. The cold outside did not help either and chilled his fur and made him wonder why he even left the den.
This is going to turn into green cough before I can get any help. Ravenpelt thought of his best friend and smiled. Briarpath would've been on his tail for making such a stupid choice. He'd call me a pile of mousedung, and he'd be right about that. The camp seemed more empty and cold without him there. Ravenpelt gazed around the camp consisting of low tunnel-dens and dirt. No other cat was awake; not even the insane Witherstar. He must've wasted all his energy killing and screaming obscenities at Ravenpelt and the rest of the warriors, though he was the one who really chased the she-cats away and killed Tanglewhisker.
But there was no arguing with him, unless you had some sort of death wish. Ravenpelt began to cough again, but this time his chest hurt. I need help.
He exited the camp- there were no more guards needed since all the she-cats were gone. They were smart…I should've gone with them. Why didn't I go with them? He thought in frustration. Might as well go while I have the chance.
He padded swiftly into the vast, dusty, and empty territory. FireClan hunted moles, small animals that buried into the ground. They were the only Clan that had that ability and held that a secret. Outside cats didn't know what they hunted unless they happened to join FireClan.
Speaking of joining Clans…where do I go from here? He thought with mild curiosity. He sat down in the dust contemplating what to do with himself.
Go find them. Ravenpelt pricked his ears and glanced around. He saw nothing but the empty territory that he could barely see in the deepening darkness.
They are waiting. You must go to ForestClan and speak to Brownfeather. Ravenpelt narrowed his eyes. How can I trust you, a voice? What if this is some sort of trick?
He nearly heard the voice laugh, or at least thought he did. Would your best friend's sister try to trick you? …Wait, don't answer that. I'm just glad you aren't as stupid as Briarpath said you were!
Dawnkit! It's been moons since I last heard of you. So, Briarpath really said I was stupid, huh…that annoying piece of foxdung. Ravenpelt rolled his eyes.
Yeah, yeah, I know you missed me. Now, let's get to ForestClan lazy-paws. You got work to do- so move it! Ravenpelt certainly was reminded of her feisty attitude at three moons old and hastily got off of his haunches and began his journey to ForestClan.
Whatever you say, Dawnstar.
Kindlestrike
The pale red tom sat down as he watched Larkblossom go, and then twitched his whiskers when she looked back at him over her shoulders. She was a curious cat to be chosen by StarClan. He felt an odd feeling twinge inside of his chest- he wondered if StarClan was trying to contact him again, but then he realized the brown queen simply reminded him of his younger littermate Smallpaw. He swiveled his ears back while thinking of his sister when he heard the voices of Fawntail and Redheart returning. Trailing behind them was Brownfeather, and the brown she-cat did not seemed amused by it.
"Are you pulling a prank on me?" Kindlestrike heard her ask Fawntail. "I do not have time for these sorts of things! Newleaf is coming fast, and I have to check if any of the catmint survived." Brownfeather gazed at Fawntail through narrowed eyes. Kindlestrike felt a surge of warmth for the energetic calico- she was the most kit-like of the group, yet was very intelligent. Most of the time.
Redheart rolled her eyes. "This isn't a prank, Brownfeather. Ask Kindlestrike, he spoke to her too." Kindlestrike took this as a cue and sighed as he rose and approached the she-cats. He flicked his tail at the medicine cat in greeting when he arrived.
"It's true, Brownfeather. Larkblossom became scared and fled. I tried following her trail, but I lost it. I'm sorry." Redheart gave him a sidelong glance. She knows?
Brownfeather gave an annoyed huff. "Thornstar was hoping we had found her, as the rest of the Clan." She opened her jaws and drew in a deep breath. "Her scent was powerfully fearful." The medicine cat murmured. She looked at the three warriors.
"How about you three escort me to the catmint?" Kindlestrike heard the edge in her voice: this wasn't a request, but an order. Redheart nodded silently but Fawntail mewed in protest.
"Why do you need three warriors?" She whined and lashed her tail. Brownfeather sighed and turned away. Kindlestrike looked at Redheart to see her glaring at the younger she-cat.
"The catmint is located near the FireClan border; I do not believe even three warriors is safe enough with Witherstar around." Kindlestrike watched the fur on the back of Redheart's neck bristle, though he knew it was only out of fear.
"She is right; we all need to remain completely silent." Redheart meowed in support and stared pointedly at Fawntail. She cringed and looked away. Kindlestrike gave her an encouraging nudge and purred.
"Don't worry, I'll have a hard time keeping quiet with you around!" He said happily. Fawntail smiled brightly and giggled. Brownfeather growled and tossed her head.
"Let's go." They moved in a hushed manner and jumped at every sound as they got closer to their destination. The trees here were no cover as they were very thin. Brownfeather continually looked up to the sky.
"Its way past sunhigh now, we need to hurry before it gets dark." She whispered anxiously as she stared at the sky. Kindlestrike fell to the back of their small group and scanned the territories from time to time. Past the thinning trees of the ForestClan territory, FireClan seemed cold, empty, and simply barren of life. Like Witherstar. Kindlestrike wondered how any cat could live in FireClan- even without Witherstar ruling. He was drawn out of his thoughts when he felt Fawntail shrunk close to him fearfully. He gave her a quick lick on the ear and kept his ears pricked for signs of danger.
He then focused on Brownfeather as he watched her rush forward to a small patch of green. He and the others stayed back and observed her quietly. Kindlestrike looked at the others and noticed Redheart scenting the air. He sniffed the air and froze.
FireClan. He looked pointedly at Redheart who seemed reluctant to speak. "FireClan is in ForestClan territory!" She managed to get out. Brownfeather whipped around, fur bristling.
"What-"Redheart cut her off and motioned with her tail. "Follow me." Kindlestrike felt a growing concern form in his belly. Now why are we going towards them without reinforcements?
They followed Redheart back further into ForestClan territory where the largest of the trees grew to a certain cluster of low branching trees. It was eerily silent, and Kindlestrike was worried they could hear his heart thumping within his chest. He gazed at Redheart who mouthed, "There's a group of them."
He motioned upward with his tail. The others seemed to understand and began to scale the trees nearby. He helped Redheart get up onto the branches as quietly as he could and they remained there for several heartbeats without any sign from the intruders.
Kindlestrike pressed himself closer on the branch and gazed down. Sure enough after a few moments passed, a dark gray she-cat popped her head out from under the trees below the ForestClan cats. Cloudecho! He recognized the queen from the Gatherings; she was Briarpath's supposed mate.
"Are they gone?" A voice called from within the cluster of trees. Cloudecho parted her jaws and scented the air.
"I don't scent them anymore." She reported back to the voice. That's only because we're above you, Kindlestrike thought smugly, pride for his Clan's skills making him smile. A small red she-kit that appeared by Cloudecho's side snapped Kindlestrike back into attention. He could swear that something about the kit called him down. He nearly immediately jumped down, but a low hiss stopped him. Brownfeather shot him a warning look.
Go. Kindlestrike shivered, feeling the strong presence of his warrior ancestors. He ignored the warning glare he received from Brownfeather and charged down the tree and landed only a few rabbit hops away from mother and kit. Cloudecho froze; eyes wide open with fear as she barred the way between him and Fernkit with her tail. Yet Fernkit looked straight into his eyes with no fear, but with more wisdom and knowledge than a kit of her age should have.
She is the one. Get the medicine cat.
Larkblossom
The trip back to Dusk's nest was harder than Larkblossom wanted it to be. She realized that she really missed her forest home…except that death seemed to lurk in every shadow when it came to ones close to her. Larkblossom felt exhausted when she climbed up and over the fence that surrounded Dusk's nest and jumped into the yard. A chilly breeze ruffled her fur but didn't chill her to the bone as it has done before and seemed slightly warmer. Newleaf is coming! Larkblossom thought with a flutter of happiness and suddenly was aware of movement within her.
You excited too, kits? You'll love Newleaf, I promise! Larkblossom purred and hopped up onto the roof to the den she was living in with Dusk.
She found Dusk inside her nest grooming Cotton, but there was no sign of the other kits. She gazed at her friend curiously. The mottled black and brown she-cat didn't look up from her grooming the annoyed-looking she-kit.
"They're strong and old enough to live with their father now. I gave them a choice and they decided to live with him." She explained. Cotton remained silent but the look of annoyance was clearly not going away any time soon. Dusk finished grooming the kit and got up and shook her pelt.
"Do you mind watching her? I need to stretch my legs for a little while." Larkblossom nodded without a word and nudged her friend kindly as she passed her and got into the nest with Cotton. She gave an annoyed huff after they watched Dusk leave the den.
"Mama said I was too small! But I'm five moons old, just like them! It isn't fair…" Cotton grumbled. Larkblossom gave the kit a comforting lick on the ear.
"Your mother loves you, Cotton. Cherish that as long as you are here, and even more when you're older and you do leave." Larkblossom told her wistfully. Given the chance, Larkblossom wouldn't have minded spending another moon with Olivefur in the nursery. Cotton didn't reply but snuggled into Larkblossom's fur. That made her wonder how Rosesong was doing with her new kits. They would be about four moons old now.
Soon, the sound of Cotton's soft breathing lulled Larkblossom to a gentle sleep.
A blanket of happiness had Larkblossom open her eyes to find she was in the meadow of StarClan grounds. A warm and familiar scent wrapped around her as she scanned her surroundings. There were the usual StarClan residents she did not know but then her heart quickened when she saw Briarpath. His red fur glowed more brightly than ever when she bounded up to him. He purred and nuzzled her softly.
All fear Larkblossom had ever felt melted away as they touched. Then he drew away, making her gaze after him. He began to walk off.
"You coming?" He asked as he slowed. She smiled and padded softly after him into the forest. They walked in a comfortable silence and relished each other's presence.
Then he broke the silence. "You know, my death was not your fault…" He told her gently. She avoided his gaze by looking down at her paws and let out a shaky breath.
"You attacked your own father to defend my own…you never had to do that…I should have been there to help you." She looked back up from her paws and watched his eyes. They were filled with warmth.
"And I would do that a thousand more times, just for you. I wanted to save him because I knew how much he was to you." Larkblossom felt a startling amount of gratitude for Briarpath as she took that in.
"Are kits will be born soon. I can't wait to tell them how an amazing warrior their father was." She purred to him. He smiled sadly.
"I wish I could be with them as they grow…so we could all be a family." Pain shone clearly in his eyes.
"I wish you could be too…" She trailed, sharing the pain as he nudged her gently.
"You must listen to the messenger." He meowed eerily. "The Clans' survival depends on it." She stepped back and away from him, his voice startling her.
"You mean listen to Kindlestrike, right? He and the others want me to bring the kits and raise them in the Clan!" She protested. Briarpath stared after her calmly, a newfound wisdom glowing deep within his eyes. She drew in a deep breath. StarClan has changed him.
"Then what do I do?" She finally asked. "I'm worried for their lives…I don't want them to have to go through so much pain…" She felt her kits squirm within her and suddenly had a sharp pain cut through her. She gasped in pain and knocked into Briarpath. He touched his nose to her belly which calmed her.
"I can't tell you what to do; even if I did, I have a feeling you wouldn't listen to my suggestions." He smiled faintly.
"Now wake up, love. Our kits want to join your world."
