A/N: Wow. You people are great. You leave me such kind reviews… I'm really glad you like this story. Actually, really, really glad, because I've got 2 friends bugging me to work on Conflict!, but I feel more obliged to write more of this story, seeing as it is probably my most successful story so far (apart from word count, but that will soon go up.) I'm really glad you like my story, it really makes me feel great. It really brightened my 'bleh' day when I opened my email to see a total of 8 new reviews on this story!
Well, this seems to be progressing well, and there is a lot more in here.
And now… drumroll please… JAYFEATHER'S NEXT CHAPTER!!!!!!!
Oh Yeah!
"You? You're our mother?" gasped Jayfeather. "But, that makes no sense!"
"It makes perfect sense, if you would only hear me out," Leafpool said quietly.
"Go on," Hollyleaf said. Lionblaze nodded.
"My mate was Crowfeather, the WindClan warrior. We ran away from our Clans before the badger attack when Cinderpelt was killed. During that time, we became mates, but we were eventually separated."
"Clan boundaries, and the warrior code," Hollyleaf murmured.
"But, Leafpool, how did you hide the secret of you not expecting kits?"
"I made the others believe that I was taking more prey than usual, when in fact, Squirrelflight was taking the extra prey, to make it look like she was expecting kits."
"So Ashfur, how did he know this?" Jayfeather queried, looking into his mother's eyes.
"I don't know Jayfeather. We may never know, since he was killed."
"Ah, so the truth is revealed," hissed a voice. Jayfeather recognized the voice, though the cat's pelt was unfamiliar.
"What are you doing here?" Hollyleaf snarled.
"I've returned, what does it look like I'm doing?" the cat growled.
"Sol," Lionblaze spat with hatred.
"Now now, Lionblaze, no need to be rude," Sol said quietly. He turned to Leafpool.
"And you, Leafpool, you are their mother. I always suspected…" Jayfeather let out a hiss.
"And that piece of fox-dung, that Breezepelt…"
"He's their half-brother, yes," Leafpool answered, unshaken by Sol's appearance.
"My my. You are the medicine cat, are you not?"
"Yes, but I thought you knew that-"
"You still believe in StarClan? That pathetic kits' tale?" Jayfeather lashed his tail angrily.
"They are real, Sol," Jayfeather hissed.
"Oh, sure, they are, Jayfeather," Sol replied sarcastically.
"Sol, what do you want?"
"Oh, just to brush up on what has gone on in ThunderClan since I left."
"Well, you've found out everything, now leave," Lionblaze growled. Jayfeather looked at Sol, noticing the scar on his muzzle that seemed fresh.
"Ah, but there is a few bits of crucial information I must know, and a few I must share."
"Well, what do you need to know?" Jayfeather hissed.
"Something seems different about you, and the Horseplace is occupied."
"I got my sight. And SkyClan has returned," Jayfeather replied.
"Ah. Now, I will leave, but I will return in two moon's time." Jayfeather sensed a shock wave run through Lionblaze.
"Wait, you said you had more information for us?" Hollyleaf questioned.
"Ah, yes. A 'prophecy' of sorts," Jayfeather noticed a significant change in Sol's voice. "When the second moon after water attacks the storm comes, and cats gather, two litters will be born. One of three, and one of five. In the moon before the second, when the fangs sink themselves in shoulders of the wind, the most powerful cat shall be revealed a secret. When the cats gather at the second moon, fangs will shine and claws unsheathe. One will come to stop, yet three will try to stop the one." With a harsh laugh, Sol disappeared into the forest.
"What in the name of StarClan was that supposed to mean?" Lionblaze queried. Three pairs of eyes turned to Leafpool.
"I don't know. I understand bits and pieces, but not the entire 'prophecy'."
"As do I," Jayfeather murmured.
"We should return to camp," Hollyleaf suggested. "I'm on dawn patrol in the morning, so I need to sleep." Leafpool and Lionblaze followed as Hollyleaf padded back to camp.
"One of three and one of five? Two litters born on the same night?" Jayfeather mumbled to himself. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and padded down by the lake, where he pulled out the stick.
HalfMoon… Jayfeather thought with a sigh. He missed her, and wanted to somehow tell her that he was fine. As if his wish had come true, a silvery form of HalfMoon appeared beside him.
"HalfMoon?" he asked in shock.
"How do you know my name?" the shecat answered.
"It's me, Jayfeather…" Jayfeather replied.
"I don't know a Jayfeather… I do remember a Jay's Wing, but he disappeared as we headed into the mountains..." the shecat said quietly.
"I am Jay's Wing…" Jayfeather replied. "I disappeared in the mountains, but now, it's kind of the future, and there are Clans, and my name is Jayfeather…"
"I don't believe you," the cat replied, and her form melted away on the night. Jayfeather hissed.
"Why didn't she believe me?" he hissed aloud. When no reply came, he let out a long sigh.
"I suppose it's for the best. Perhaps I'll meet her when I become a member of StarClan."
"Ah Jayfeather…" whispered a voice.
"Who is that?" Jayfeather said as he whirled around.
"Do you not remember me?" asked the voice. With a sudden jolt, Jayfeather realized that he recognized the voice.
"Fallen Leaves?" he asked. "Why did that happen? How did HalfMoon find me?"
"She has been searching for Jay's Wing, ever since she joined her ancestors. She only appears occasionally, and very rarely in this time period."
"She can pad through time?" Jayfeather asked curiously.
"Yes, like most cats that have died, she can pad through time. Most cats who have this ability prefer not to be seen, but HalfMoon may have thought that this was her time period and that you were Jay's Wing."
"Which, in fact, I am," Jayfeather reminded the voice of Fallen Leaves.
"Ah, that is true. Goodbye friend, I have stayed too long," Fallen Leaves whispered as his voice flew away with a gentle breeze.