Chapter 20 Hawkfrost Brambleclaw Firestar
****Tigerstar****
"Brambleclaw come here!" I cried to my sleeping son, I could see the wounds on his body from the badgers, my wonderful prodigy. I peer deeper into the DarkPool when I'm about to call out again a shape shimmers into context by my side.
I rear back from the pool, turning to gaze into my reflection, Brambleclaw had come at last.
"You called my father?" his deep voice rumbled, I smile at him my tail flicking from side-to side.
"You fought well, not defending Firestar, letting the badgers rip fives lives from him leaving only one left, and soon you shall strike the final blow and become Clan leader." I see my son drinking my words.
"Why did you not meet Hawkfrost as planned?" I growled at my son.
Brambleclaw lowered his head, "I ran out of time, but I will soon, father."
"Good," "Now during the Badger attack you did well not helping Firestar,"
"Thank you, father, how soon can I kill him and take leadership?" Brambleclaw looked his father in the eye.
I lash my tail, in anger. "Listen, Firestar lost a life to the sickness he had last moon in fact he lost three of his five lives thanks to you taking away his medicine, he was left with 3 lives; then the badger attack was too much and he lost 2 lives. I want you to wait until I tell you, then you may kill him."
I glanced up at the sky that was growing light; dawn must be on its way. "Go home, my son. Meet with Hawkfrost on your own time."
I watch as Brambleclaw fades away back to the clans. Don't fail my son.
****Brambleclaw****
I awake from my dream; I want to kill some cat really bad right now! I curl my lip, but then as I take notice the damage done by the badger I realize that I must help the clan first. So I get up from the shredded nest, the nursery was torn a gaping hole in the roof; the thorn barrier was tossed aside from the entrance of the camp. Great more work. I stalk carefully around the thorns that lay scattered in my path. Cats are already clearing the scene. I see Firestar limping to Cinderpelt's old den. I know that she must be dead; I heard the death screech as the badger broke into the nursery. But when I got closer I got the shock of my life I see Cinderpelt caring for Sorreltail's new kits. How can she be alive when the badgers swarmed I heard her death cry! My paws stopped, I turned from her to gaze into Leafpool's amber eyes.
Leafpool glared at me before stalking over to Cinderpelt. I wanted to turn from her but I keep going as I need to see the damage up close. My tail flicked side to side, the once strong defense was now in tatters, a gaping hole, and sunlight streaming inside onto the mewling kits. I stepped inside to greet the new mother gritting my teeth as Squirrelflight sees me.
"What do you want?" she growls softly, her badger-blood stained fangs bared.
"I can come if I want! I am the Deputy you know!" I snarl softly to her as Cinderpelt came back.
"Brambleclaw, get out of here," Cinderpelt spoke in a low vengeful growl. What does she know? More importantly how much, she should have died, but she did not. Oh well perhaps it's for the best I will need a medicine cat vision to be leader once I kill Firestar soon. I square my broad shoulders, and then I push my way inside with a fake smile on my lips.
Cinderpelt hisses at me her fur bristling with anger, that confirms my thoughts somehow she knows….what I've done!
The nest where scattered about and blood lay dark on the moss, I growled softly, lazy she-cats! They don't care about cleanliness at all. So I gathered up the moss, tucking it under my chin, I go over to Whitepaw and Birchpaw and dump the load at their paws. Fixing them with a stern glare that would make my father proud, I spat at them; "Why have you not done this already!?" The two apprentices lowered their heads in shame, casting sideways glances at eachother. "Well?" I growl.
The tom was the first to speak, slightly haughty as if he had no fear of me.
"I was going to when Whitepaw told me that Cinderpelt had died, for she heard the death cry of the grey she-cat and she was afraid to go inside, so we were talking about who would go inside to clean…." He trailed of as he caught sight of my claws as I drove my paw into his ear, pinning him down. Whitepaw shook with fear and maybe anger at my actions. "You, mousebrained fool! Cinderpelt is alive, now go-both-of you inside and clean the den!" I wrench my claws from the tom's ear, the blood spurting swiftly then it resided. I know he will not tell on me now. I smile at myself, oh yes soon all these cats will fear me.
They race away from me tails in the air, then I take notice of Stormfur and Firestar talking by his den close to the nursery, I paused…..Are they talking about me? I cock my head trying to draw their words to my ears but no such luck.
I climb onto the high-rock and send out the patrols for the day, then I go and start helping rebuild the camp.
***Leafpool****
I hate Brambleclaw; he is so evil like his father. I sigh and walk over to Cinderpelt. She is by Sorreltail and Brackenfur, and the three kits. I carry some borage and honey for Sorreltail.
"Here Cinderpelt's, I brought some borage for the new mother," Cinderpelt's bright blue eyes where dull like almost dying has tired her.
"Cinderpelt, go lay down, please." I say to my old mentor. She looks at me and I see her gaze travel to my belly. She knows! How disappointed she must be of me! But it's my life! I turn from Cinderpelt to talk to Sorreltail. Cinderpelt leaves but I know I will have some words to have with her.
The tortoiseshell she-cat looked up from her three kits.
"Hello, what are their names?"
The tired queen raised her head from licking her kits to look at me,"
"They are good, but this one is dead." She flicked her tail to brown tom kit, "I named him Molekit, the rest are she-cats." She draped her tail over the pale bracken colored she-cat. "Her name is Honeykit. And this tortoiseshell is Poppykit. Last of all I want to name this grey she-kit after your mentor Cinderpelt, so her name is Cinderkit. Do you like the name?" the mother of the kits smiled at her little ones.
I gazed at Cinderkit in wonder she looked exactly like my mentor, how?
"I like it Sorreltail, I would be honored, perhaps she may have the warrior life I never could have," sadness dripped into Cinderpelt's voice as she came to stand with me and Sorreltail.
My old mentor, called me from the she cat we went into her den.
"LEAFPOOL! How could you?" her fur bristled with anger,
"How could I what? Cinderpelt." I say knowing full well that she could tell that I was pregnant.
"Your scent is that of an expecting mother!" Cinderpelt snarled at me….Anger welled up inside me as well as a desire to protect the unborn inside me; I bare my own teeth in a snarl…."You know I love Hawkfrost! Did you not stop to think that I may want to have kits with him?!" Cinderpelt took a paw step back, her eyes cold and hard. "I thought you would remember your true calling, that of a Medicine cat. But you have disappointed me! I just hope that one of Sorreltail's kits will have that calling," she turned from me with a hiss.
I look after her to see my sister, sitting with her mate Stormfur. From here by the nursery I can tell my sis is going to have kits as well and that makes me happy. I spot Brambleclaw and my vision goes dark, I see a fire and a tiger, then blood drowns the fire and my vision returns to normal but a voice comes to my mind: Before there is peace, Blood will spill Blood and the lake will run red," I shudder.
Why so much blood? What is the dying fire mean? I shake my dark thoughts away as I draw nearer to Squirrelflight.
"Greetings how are you?" Stormfur asks nicely, Squirrelflight bumps him with her head, "That's my sister, you don't have to be nice to her!" she giggled. I blush as Stormfur bowed his head, he was smirking.
"So what brings here other than the badgers?" my sister hyper as ever! Her tail lashed from side to side, "I have news for you!" she squeaked. I purr.
"I'm having kits!" we both say at once.
"…..Come again?" Squirrelflight asked her eyes wide with shock, and puzzlement
"I'm having kits also!" I laugh at my sister a gapping look, her jaw wide open.
"You….are….having….kits….also?" she gasp. I just nod.
"Found out today," I say. We embrace, twine our tails and shed tears of happiness. "Together we are mothers," I murmur to my sister.
Stormfur pressed into us, "How wonderful, does Hawkfrost know?"
Before I can reply I'm pounced upon by Brambleclaw! His claws pricking my throat, I try to draw breath but could only manage a trickle of air.
"You are a traitor, of the most foul! Not only do you take a mate from another clan but first you where a medicine cat! That alone was breaking the code when you fell in love! Next you say that you are having kits…..I should rid the forest of this traitor!" His claws nicked my skin. I look into his amber eyes and I see Tigerstar, in his eyes, I try to fight back, when a ginger blur pulls the demented Deputy from me.
Squirrelflight raked her claws over his forehead, his blood dripping into his amber eyes. "Go jump into the lake and drown!" she caterwauled at him. I look around to see the other of my former clan mates' staring at us as well as my father. His jaw dropped in shock.
I felt like one could have started a fire with a hiss, the tensions were so thick.
"What in the name of Starclan is going on here!?" yowled my father as he looked on from the high ledge. His fur was bristled with rage. Looking down at Brambleclaw, he narrowed his green eyes, "Get off my daughter, Stormfur, Dustpelt, and bring him to me."
Stormfur hauled Brambleclaw from me and Dustpelt clawed his flank, with a screech the dark tabby leaped from the she-cat and landed beside Dustpelt. "Aright, I'm coming," he growled. He turned his head, to glare at Leafpool and then he turned his smoldering gaze to Firestar.
***Inside Brambleclaw's head****
Tigerstar hiss at him, "You fool! Do you want to be cast out before our plan is fulfilled?"
"No father, but I just hate those two she-cats!"
"Can you influence him? So he won't cast me out?"
"I will try but his connection with Starclan is strong!"
"Well try something otherwise I will kill him now!"
"You Can't!"
"Watch me!"
"No, stop!"
"Why? If we can let's kill him now!"
"Not part of the plan, just cool your head!"
"Fine father! You win,"
"Good,"
****back with the clan**** Firestar*****
"Cats of Thunderclan, I just witness something I never thought possible! Thunderclan's own deputy attacks a cat from its clan, but that is not all, a pregnant cat that so happened to be the former Medicine cat! So what do you say? I place my burning anger flamed green eyes on Brambleclaw. He stares defiantly at me as if to say, do your worst, I'll never give in!
"I say these words before Starclan, so they may hear and approve my decision." I look at the crowd of the cats and I see the cat I want but I need Starclan's approval.
"Brambleclaw, you are no longer deputy of this clan, you are confined to the Elder's den for a half moon, and the new deputy will be announced at moonhigh tonight. Dustpelt, Brackenfur take him to the elder's den and guard him."
The clan is shocked, I know I am but I must carry on, I walk over to Leafpool and Squirrelflight.
****Leafpool***
I sit with my tail by my side, I see my father heading over to me and I wonder if I too will be casted out, I would like to kit alongside my sister, but if not then Hawkfrost will welcome me.
"Father," I dipped my head to him as he came closer, his eyes calm.
"My dearest Leafpool, Squirrelflight, I love you both very much, even though each of your paths led a different trail, in the end you came back, Leafpool you will forever have a home in Thunderclan, your sister is witness to this decree, as is Starclan," he then licked our heads in turn.
"Thank you father,"
"Father, Brambleclaw is right, I'm expecting Hawkfrost's kits," I whisper out the words that I so dreaded telling my father.
"I know, Cinderpelt told me, I'm not mad, Starclan must have their reasons for allowing this to come to pass," he then turned from us and went back with sandstorm up in his den.
****Cinderpelt****
I lay asleep in my nest, thanking Starclan that they let me live, as I dream I see Thunderclan surrounded by dark grey clouds, and anything that reaches it is either blow away or struck by lightning, that's when I take notice that the cloud are storm cloud they are protecting Thunderclan! I shoot awake and race to Firestar's den. I can see that he is awake.
"Have you chosen already?"
"No, did you dream?" he asks me.
"Yes," I tell him of my dream and his eyes widen with surprise.
"I see, well then who am I to argue with Starclan? I will tell the clan now,"
I back out of the den, I find Leafpool sleeping next to Squirrelflight, and I wake them up.
"Firestar, is going to tell us who the next deputy is,"
They awake a few heart beats before Firestar gave the call.
"Let all cat old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock,"
The cats gathered around the rock as I take my place by Firestar knowing that he will need my support.
"Brambleclaw, you are stripped of your warrior name, from this day forth you are known as Bramble, you are still confined to the Elder den for the half moon until I decide other wise. If you leave you will be killed right in this very hollow!" gasps came from the cats all but the one accused. Brambleclaw-no Bramble now, stood up with a hiss that startled his guards. "So tell me mighty Firestar who will replace me? As if I can be so easily replaced!" he sneered.
"I say these words before Starclan; Stormfur will be Thunderclan's next deputy,"
Purrs broke out as the named cat leaped onto the Highrock, but a snarl made them stop.
Bramble yowled at the top of his voice, "That's convenient! So I'm being replaced by half clan scum? Has he even mentored before!? I won't obey him!"
I decided to step forth, "Then you will listen to me, Bramble, I received a sign from Starclan that this is the cat they want!"
"Well said, Cinderpelt." Firestar said softly.
Stormfur told the clan that he would do better than his predecessor. "As to Bramble outburst yes I've mentored before,"
"Take bramble back to the elderden," Firestar spoke commandingly. Stormfur stood proud on the Highrock as sent the cats back to sleep. Tomorrow he would begin full duty as new deputy.
****Icepaw****
The forest was black, but I spotted Firefox sitting by a slimy looking stream. She was washing her face, her fire-red fur gleaming in the darkness; I wonder why she glows like I do if she is dead.
"Come, Icepaw," she spoke softly as if telling a secret. I give my black as midnight colored fur a quick lick before coming over to my mentor. She greeted with a kiss, I feel my fur heat up, and she is a very pretty she-cat. But can one love the dead? I return her affection swiftly. "I want to say that I have enjoyed our time, but soon you will be a warrior, for does Skyclan not train faster than the other clans?"
I smile at the truthfulness, yes it has only been a quarter moons and already Silverpaw had his assessment by the next full moon he should be a warrior.
"You have been training me since I was a kit! Is the end?" I ask as I twine my tail against hers, she purrs before replying.
"No, I will meet you by the Thunderclan border, tomorrow at sunhigh, its time I told you of your destiny," she rasps her tongue over my ears, I feel warm and soft next to her. I've always loved her, now I can show her my love.
A shape comes forth through the darkness, a tabby pelt with burning amber eyes. Foxfire springs from my side, her fluffy lashing, "Tigerstar!" we gasp together.
He sits down across from me, his glare fixed on my mentor, "Well it seems that the pair of you are in love! How odd," he mused, I curl my lip at him.
"I only found out today of my feeling for Firefox," I say in defense of our newly found love." Tigerstar nods his massive head, "Good, for the plan was for you fall in love with Firefox, now young tom, I want to teach you how to walk in dreams, for I want you talk in my son, Brambleclaw's dreams tonight, I want you to give him a message,"
I gasp at the mighty Tigerstar, me he wants me to walk in the legendary paw steps of Brambleclaw! "I'll do it!" I press my muzzle into his shoulder, thanking him. I then lick Firefox on the nose.
"When do we start?" just then the world fades and all I see is the Training den, Silverpaw standing over me shaking me awake! With a snarl I snap my jaws at his leg, catching some of his long fur in my teeth. He leaps back with a hiss of pain. "Cherrystar wants you!" he growls as he limps to Fernshade's den.
With a shake of my long fur, I stalk to her den at the edge of camp. Stupid Silverpaw! I was going to learn how to Dreamwalk! I stalk right into her den and sit down my long black tail flicking side-to-side.
"I called you here because I wasn't sure if your where feeling okay and you will be coming with me, we are going to see Firestar," with a smile Cherrystar dismissed me. I thank her and go to the fresh kill pile to get something to eat. After eating a mouse, I waited by the Rock tunnel for my mentor. I want to go already but Cherrystar is talking with Waspwhisker. I close my eyes, and think myself back into the DarkForest, I can see Firefox talking with Tigerstar, and I prick my ears, and listen harder.
"…..it's too hard"
"He is ready," that is Tigerstar
"But what if he does not….." the Voices fade away as the two cats turn from the stream.
"Icepaw lets go," I open my eyes to see Cherrystar walking past me with Silverpaw, Rosesplash and Eaglefang with her. I trot after them thinking about what Firefox and Tigerstar where talking about. Was it me? Are they talking about me? No time to think of it now. We headed for the Thunderclan border, when we run across a Shadowclan patrol in our land!
"Rowanclaw, Tawnypelt, Snowbird and Blackstar, Russetfur! What are you doing here in our land!" Cherrystar stalked over to the waiting cats.
Blackstar is huge! I feel fear sweep into my body, then I see that he is smirking! "Why do you smirk?" I ask him boldly. He seems quite taken aback by my outburst and Cherrystar looked as if she wanted the ground to come and swallow her. I then notice the anger gleaming in his amber eyes.
"You would do well in Shadowclan, young tom. Very good, I shall tell you." On this he sat down and beckoned the rest of the cats to do the same.
"I wish to bring some new rules to the code," this was met with silence. "What? That's what I want to do! Aren't they more of guidelines then a true code? Like you Cherrystar, you're a very pretty she-cat easy on the eyes, now if I fell in love with you….just the thought of our love would be forbidden….you see…. Now I want abolish the no other clan for mates rule…..will you help me?"
I purr, at the stillness of the forest after Blackstar's big speech.
Cherrystar looks at him as if he were mad perhaps he is. With a flick of her tail we stand up and she growls, "Get off our land before we make you!"
Blackstar hisses before turning around and leaving with his cats, all but one stops to say something. The she-cat Tawnypelt.
"Try to not take notice of his…um….ramblings, Blackstar is old and losing his mind, he thought we were on ShadowClan land, we tried to stop him but he clawed us instead." She turned her flank to us showing the bleeding wounds that ran along her flank. "Good-day," with that she bounded off back into the dark forest.
That was odd. I thought. I look up to Cherrystar, "Are still heading for Thunderclan?" I was itching to see Brambleclaw.
She spoke, "Yes, but we will not speak of this encounter with the leader of Shadowclan." The other cats nodded in agreement.
We've come to the Thunderclan side when I see a light tabby she-cat and ginger she-cat whose belly swayed with her every step. Boy that ginger she-cat should lay off the fresh kill!
We stop at the border and the ginger she cat comes forth with a greeting of how are you and what do you want.
"WE would like to speak with Firestar, to catch up on old times. If we could,"
"Um okay," the she cat who called herself Squirrelflight and her sister, Leafpool led us into the Thunderclan camp.
*****time skip****
I look around the Thunderclan camp and wonder where Brambleclaw is when I spot a dark tabby pelt and burning amber eyes looking at me through the thorns of what I assume is the Dirt place from the smell, he beckoned be with his tail, looking around I see that no one is watching so I go over to him.
"Hello, Icepaw," he rumbles his voice sending shivers down my black spine.
"How do you know my name?" I ask nervously.
"I know ALL who come into my father's forest, Icepaw,"
I crouch down, not wanting to be seen; also I want to talk to my hero.
"Why are you in the Dirt tunnel?" I blurt out then I blush, as Brambleclaw purred and licked the top of my head, "Silly kit, this is the prisoner den," prisoner? My hero is a prisoner! "Why are you?"
"I won't be for long, just a misunderstanding about how I would rule; do you want to help me?" Happiness coursed through me at his words, help the great Brambleclaw!
"Count me in!" I purr. Brambleclaw then told him of his plan. This will be great! Goodbye Cherrystar! Hello Icestar!
I hear Cherrystar calling and I tell Bramble- I now know that he has been de-ranked and lost his warrior name, but not for long!
"See you in my dreams?" I ask him.
"Of course, I learned how to Dreamwalk when I was a kit!" he purrs loudly, "Go on, and remember the plan!" he then hurries me out of the den.
I trot out from behind the elder's den, looking lost and confused, I see Firestar look at me with a frown as if he knew where I was the whole time. I wave my tail goodbye to Thunderclan.
***Tigerstar****
I walk into Icepaw's dream and I show him how to walk into Firestar's dream, telling him to come to the Shadowclan border to talk with Blackstar. Then I tell Brambleclaw its time! Now I just need to get Hawkfrost. And the plan for my sons to rule all the clans will be fulfilled!
***Hawkfrost****
After the patrols are sent out, gee this is getting boring; sometimes I wish I was just a warrior now. But my paws are set on this path and I will not waver.
I travel to Thunderclan too see my mate, and I see her hunting through the trees, her light tabby pelt shining in the leaf-bare sun.
"Leafpool!" I call to her she raises her head, and yowls to the sky, racing over to me bowling me over. She covered my face in licks so quick I miss them when she sits back to look at me, I peek at her belly, some slight bulge. She flicks her tail over my ears; my love fills me in on what has happened. That's when I see a ginger shape racing through the forest, I think it's Firestar. I leap to my paws, "Come Leafpool, I…" I break off as we race after the swift Ginger cat.
***Firestar***
Why is Blackstar on our land? I wonder as I race with Bramble by my side, it was my turn to guard him, I knew I could not trust him but Blackstar asked for him…why I don't know…. I'm running fast, when I skid around the turn, I trip over something; I see a hole through my head over heels roll, and shoot into it!
Choking attacks me, my wind is cut off; I look to see I'm caught in a trap of some kind! My heart is racing, the blood is pounding in my ears, "Help!" I cry only to feel more pressure on my throat. I look up into Bramble hateful amber eyes. Then I know he wants to kill me! I scrapple at the stick I see holding the wire that is around my neck.
"Bramble, help me!" I beg my eyesight fogging as the air slowly but not quickly reaches my brain.
"Why should I help you? Do you see Blackstar here? No! I tricked you, you foolish Kittypet! I will kill you!" with that he reached down to bite my throat…Brambleclaw was flung from me as Hawkfrost lashed into him tooth and claw!
They fight for a few seconds…."Why don't you help him at least," Hawkfrost ask Bramble as the dark tabby sits down to catch his breath. I can smell Leafpool but I don't see her.
My sight is getting dimmer, I struggle to free myself feeling the wire cut into the side of my neck, right on the life vein.
Bramble is talking with Hawkfrost. Leafpool stalks over to the stick and starts to dig at the stick with her claws, I feel it loosen slightly. I lay there watch what is unfolding.
***Hawkfrost****
"…..Kill him! Take revenge on our father!" Brambleclaw hissed to me.
"I won't kill him; he is my mate's father!" I reply my fur bristling knowing that this may end in a battle.
"Fool! Don't you know Firestar watched as our father died nine times over! He could have saved him but he chose not too! For that alone he must die! After he is dead then I will rule Thunderclan with an iron claw!" spittle flung from Brambleclaw's lips spattering on the ground. With a leap he landed on Firestar, clawing out huge clumps of fur from his back, blood welling from his cuts.
"Father! Leave him alone fleabag!" Leafpool launched herself at Brambleclaw, slicing her claws down his flank….he turned and slashed her shoulder…I launched myself at him slicing at his eyes catching one….he howled to the sunhigh sky.
I leap over Firestar who lay in the dirt bleeding heavily from his back; I claw into Brambleclaw, tearing into his chest, with my claws. He staggers back, blood trickling down his fur. His crazed eyes gleamed, as he took another swipe at Firestar cutting him again, then he turns from Firestar and I know who he really wants….Leafpool!
****Firestar***
My heart is slowing, I can barely see my daughter as she tries to help me, I then notice that Brambleclaw as open another wound on me this time on my side into my belly. But when he turns to my daughter I know what I must do. Thanking Leafpool I surge up pulling the trap with me, leaping in front of my daughter I take the blow meant for her! I'm sorry Leafpool…Sandstorm….Squirrelflight…..hello Bluestar, is it my time? Yes it is…Stormfur will be a good leader….I have lived a good long life….. I'm ready.
****Hawkfrost***
I trip as I turn to safe Leafpool…. Brambleclaw leaps at me, I fall onto my back by the force of his pounce. "Now I will kill you! You are a traitor to our father's plans. He had great plans for you and I! But no you had to go and blow it! Don't you realize that you are weak! Weakness has no place in My Forest!" he slashes his claws on my shoulder, I turn my head I see the stick, its sharp point shining, but flecked with blood, I try to reach it but Brambleclaw sits in my chest, choking me.
"I will rule, I give you a choice: rule with me and live….or die."
I grasp the stick with last of my strength, hissing, "Never! I won't be like you or Tigerstar!"
"You don't get it do you? This was a test! Tigerstar's idea, it was him who planned this! He said if you deserved power you would do anything for power…but you are a weak fool! But don't worry we don't need you now!"
He bent down to kill me as he did so I brought the stick up and sliced into his left side of his chest. Blood poured from the wound, Brambleclaw coughed up blood… he fell to the side of me into the lake, his body convulsing as he died.
****Leafpool***
After I see Brambleclaw fall into the lake, dying his blood flowing into the water; the prophecy that has haunted my paw steps comes to mind: Before there is peace, blood will spill blood and the lake will run red.
I understand now: Brambleclaw and Hawkfrost where kin…blood had indeed spilt blood. But the cost was too high…. My father died so I and my kits could live, I hunch over his dead body, tears flowing from my eyes, blurring my vision so that I could not see Hawkfrost coming to my side.
"Oh, Leafpool…I tried…. I'm sorry," he presses into me. I lean back into his warmth. "Let's go, bring Firestar," with a nod Hawkfrost picks up my father's now lifeless body.
****Time skip*** Stormfur***
I gasp as I see Hawkfrost and Leafpool coming into camp, dragging Firestar's body between them.
"What happened?" I ask.
"Brambleclaw set a trap for him…I and Leafpool where nearby and heard his cry and rushed to help only to find Firestar caught in a trap!" here Hawkfrost looked down at his paws and Leafpool picked up where he left off.
"Hawkfrost, started to fight Brambleclaw, as I tried to free my father, it was a vicious battle….Brambleclaw tried to kill me but my father took the blow and it killed him…." She too broke off into sobs.
I flick my tail telling her to go and ask for Hawkfrost to finish.
"I fought him, and in the end I killed him, we left him in the water," I nod my head.
"He died a noble death, he will be remembered,"
"Tomorrow, I will travel to the Moonpool to get my nine lives and new name….but for now let's remember a great hero, Firestar!"
At moonhigh I chose my deputy, I picked Brightheart….after that we buried Firestar.
Dawn came into the den and I knew that a new age was coming….one without the Fire to guide it…I only hope I can fill his paw steps.
****Leafpool***
I feel so lost, my father died protecting me, even though I had broken the code, even then he still loved me enough to lay down his life for me…I sob again…. This time Hawkfrost licks my tears from my eyes as I sit in the nursery waiting for Stormfur-no-Stormstar to come back…. I want to stay in Thunderclan during my pregnancy, to kit with my sister. But I know she will be fine. For Cinderpelt is here. My heart is breaking at the death of my father.
"Oh Hawkfrost…why?" he licks my shoulder and twine his tail with mine as I watch the sunrise over the hollow the dawning of a new day. I will carry on. For I'm a warrior!
**Hawkfrost***
I will never walk in my father's forest again…I'm done.
The sunlight fell onto the hollow catching the gleaming white rocks, the golden flecked one shown with the sunlight casting rainbows in the air. I touch Leafpool with my tail, "Let's go home, we can come back anytime you want,"
She licked the top of my head as she stood to her paws, as we move to thorn tunnel, Stormstar comes forth, and he sits down.
"Leafpool, if you want you can stay, I grant you and Hawkfrost freedom to travel at will into Thunderclan, wont you stay?" he smiles down at my mate, sympathy in his golden eyes.
Leafpool speaks for the first time since we buried her father, "Thank you Stormstar, but my place is with Hawkfrost, tell Squirrelflight that I will see her someday after our kits are born, may Starclan light your path,"
Stormstar bowed his head, "Very well, travel safely," with that he walked on into the clan.
"I love you Hawkfrost," my mate leaned against me as we start back to Riverclan. I will raise these kits to hate the name of Tigerstar and Brambleclaw. They will never walk in his forest. The future looks bright as the rising sun. With my mate by my side I can do anything, and when I die I will go to Starclan. Yes my life is so much better now that I have Leafpool. The sunlight gleamed off the snow, which had fallen overnight; the birds started their morning songs. The darkness of last night is gone washed away in the glorious new dawn.