*cries happy tears* you guys...guess what? 108 FREAKIN' REVIEWS BABY! OMG, i LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH IT HURTS! Review answers for my amazzinnnnggggggggggggg, wonddderrrffulllll, indescribable, creative, spontaneous, fabulous, crazy, original readers/reviewers!
Blue Watcher of Stars: I agree, the last chappie was kinda...i dunno, bumpy? It just didn't seem to flow you know? Anywhoo, I love making you guys cry! And I truly, most genuinely freaking love you back! Aren't I genius? However, I do consider myself an evil genius ;) I think you shall agree when you read my EPIC ending! (you know, I haven't even written it yet, but I just KNOW it's going to be AMAZING!) And the Shadowfur thing is actually quite brilliant! I sense a new chapter idea! bahahaha! Most likely coming up nexxt chappie, so look out for it!
Juniperleaf of BlazeClan: I know, isn't she? I cannot promise anything though ;)
Darkfang of DeathClan: I love how you guys love the kit idea! *cries more happy tears* As for the kits thing, sorry, but Ravenwing's kits are done an done! I cannot, for any reason, whatsoever, change them! Their names and such are VITAL to the sequel! But your character may make an appearance in the sequel *hint hint*
Wildfur of WindClan: I KNOW RIGHT? xD
ImTheNightsShadow: here it is my dear reviewer! *hands popcorn*
AgenlicMoonlight: you figured it out! Your the only reviewer to have mentioned that! haha, yay! *hands two cookies!* As for the kit, I shall repeat, again, and I hope everyone else is reading this! RAVENWING'S KITS ARE DONE AND DONE. I CANNOT, FOR ANY REASON, CHANGE THEM! THEIR APPEARANCES, NAMES, AND SUCH ARE VITAL TO THE SEQUEL! I love your guys' suggestions, but I cannot, unfortunately, change Ravenwing's kits!
Nonameknight: they are gonna be the cutest bundles of cuteness you shall ever have read about!
Miryam Lea: i know :( But I shall see you guys in...the SEQUEL!
KHandFF7fanforever: I know :) as for the kits, uhm...I'm not sure they could handle that many! I can guarantee at least two! HAHA xD you'll LOVE Darkflight's reaction! I myself was laughing when I read it!
TearStainedAngel: I might have to change your kit's name, but hey, she shall have everything else! will most likely make an appearance in ShadowClan :) sorry for the abrupt A/N, but I really need a shower and it's getting late, so i gotta cut to the chase! How do I update so fast? A mixture of fast typing and fast flowing ideas! I'm not sure how, I just seem to be able to write these really fast...sometimes i wonder if that's a bad thing...but yes, this is actually me writing a new chappie each day and updating right after :)
Snowflower3618: i actually got the hawk idea in like, five seconds. When I had it down, I immediately started writing and updating...sorry i haven't updated that one is so long, but I shall hopefully get cracking on it once i finish this one! as for the ShadowxRobin fluff, ok...i am NOT THAT CRUEL! I would NEVER do that to poor Robinpaw! I, however, am evil...never forget that ;)
On with the story!
Chapter 19
Ravenwing woke up to a clear, beautiful dawn. And to Stonepelt hissing in her ear to wake up. And to Darkflight snoring. And to her stomach hurting again. She sighed. What a great way to start the day.
"What?" she snapped at Stonepelt, standing slowly and stretching. Stonepelt beckoned for her to follow him, which she did, rather reluctantly.
It was the day after Barktail had told her she was pregnant, and she still hadn't broken the news to Darkflight. She just didn't know…how. Especially with a huge battle coming up. She just…couldn't. Shaking these thoughts from her head, she sent a glare in Stonepelt's direction, still irritated with him for waking her.
He led the way soundlessly to the medicine cat den, neither explaining nor turning around. Entering the little clearing, Ravenwing found Leafstar and Echostep already waiting for her. Confused now, she padded forward, dipping her head respectfully to her leader. Barktail emerged, eyes widening when he caught sight of Ravenwing. He dropped the herbs in his mouth, and narrowed his eyes at her. Ravenwing silently begged him not to mention her…condition. Not until she knew what was going on.
"Ravenwing, glad you're here. Eat some traveling herbs. I have chosen you and Echostep to escort me to the Moonstone. Eat quickly, we leave shortly," Leafstar ordered before whisking out, followed by Stonepelt. Ravenwing felt a jolt of surprise go down her spine. She waited patiently for Echostep to eat hers, screwing her face up in disgust.
"Revolting," the silver she-cat muttered, shaking her head. Ravenwing purred.
"Could you tell them I'll be out in a second? I need to speak with Barktail privately," she mewed, sitting down. Echostep nodded, eyes glinting with curiosity before stepping out of the clearing. Nervously, Ravenwing turned to face Barktail, whose tail flicked irritably. Before she could open her mouth, he was talking.
"You should have told them. This could be very dangerous, and you know it Ravenwing! What if you harm them? What will you do? What will Darkflight do? I tell you, it's not worth the risk," he meowed sharply, tail still flicking. Ravenwing winced.
"I know, but Leafstar chose me, Barktail! It's huge, and I need to protect my leader, kits or no kits. Isn't that what I promised to do at my ceremony?" she asked, voice getting an edge to it. Barktail shook his head slowly.
"All right. I'll give you some extra strength herbs, and make sure you watch where you're going on that Thunderpath, got it?" he finally muttered, shoving some herbs her way. Ravenwing nodded obediently, trying not to complain as she swallowed the bitter herbs. Waving good bye to him and Poppypaw, she padded out briskly, glad to leave behind her opinionated medicine cat.
Leafstar gave her a sharp nod before padding out of the tunnel. Meowing a quick good bye to Stonepelt, Ravenwing followed energetically, Echostep at her shoulder.
As they raced through the forest, they spoke little, saving their breath for the long, hard journey. Ravenwing had heard about the journey, about the mysterious glowing stone. Excitement coursed through her veins as she thought about it, adding a little extra hop to her step. She could just see it. Her, Ravenwing, receiving her nine lives and name. Ravenstar, leader of ThunderClan. Ambition pricked at her, making her run faster, almost outpacing Leafstar.
Containing herself, Ravenwing slowed down, saving her energy. She glanced at her belly, anxiety filling her as she thought about her own secret of life. Kits.
She still couldn't believe it. It was amazing, strange, weird, scary, and beautiful all at the same time. She wondered what they would look like…
Suddenly, they had arrived at the Thunderpath, reeking of monster fumes and garbage. Trying not to gag, Ravenwing watched Leafstar cross carefully, noting everything. Echostep went next, making it safely across. When it was her turn, she remembered Barktail's words and took her time, making sure she got a long break.
When they had caught their breath, they continued, the ground beneath them changing to moor grass, the undergrowth changing to sweet smelling heather. Around sun high, they came to another Thunderpath, crossing this one just as easily.
As sun set approached, Ravenwing caught sight of the peak of Highstones in the distance, relieved to have the chance to rest for more than five seconds. Leafstar seemed to burn with tireless energy, padding along determinedly. Ravenwing marveled at her silent strength. She and Echostep were less resilient, panting and limping. Leafstar ordered them to rest on some rocks while they waited for moon high.
Ravenwing lay on her side, closing her eyes happily. The grass was cool beneath her body, and the sun was dipping below the horizon. Echostep lay beside her, eyes showing similar relief as she licked her bruised paws. Leafstar sat a little ways away, tail curled around her paws as she watched the moon. Ravenwing got up painfully, limping up to her leader and sitting beside her. They sat in silence together, watching the moon make its way up the darkening sky and the stars come out. At last, Leafstar broke the silence.
"I'm glad you joined our clan, Ravenwing. Sometimes, I almost forget you're not clan born. You are as loyal as any of my warriors, more so than some. Thank you, for everything," the silver she-cat murmured, eyes shining. Ravenwing dipped her head, too moved for words. To receive such words from her leader, no praise could possibly be better.
Leafstar stood, eyes reflecting the stars.
"It's time," she murmured, padding forward. Ravenwing and Echostep followed, awe struck. As they neared the mouth of the cave, Leafstar flicked her tail, motioning Ravenwing forward.
"Echostep, you stay out here and guard. Other clans may be coming tonight as well. If they do, tell them where I am and who I have with me. Ravenwing, you come with me. You won't be able to see me, so just follow my scent," she murmured before plunging into the cold blackness. Ravenwing exchanged a fearful glance with Echostep before padding in after her leader.
The first thing that hit her was the pitch blackness of the tunnel. In the cold, dank air, it seemed almost as though the darkness was tangible, pulling her in deeper and deeper. The ground beneath her paws was hard and cold, and Ravenwing shuddered, hurrying to catch up with Leafstar, terrified of losing her way in the forbidding tunnels. Couldn't StarClan have chosen a place more near the sunlight?
Her leader's warm scent stood out among the iciness, and Ravenwing drew comfort from that. It seemed as thought the tunnels winded on forever, leading her closer and closer to the center of the Earth. At last, a breath of fresh air reached her, and almost unconsciously, Ravenwing sped up, desperate for the outside world.
The narrow tunnel widened into a large cavern, as dark as the tunnels. Ravenwing sensed Leafstar was near, and breathed in her scent, listening to her steady heartbeat. Silence reigned between them as they waited; for what, Ravenwing wasn't exactly sure.
At last, a beam of moonlight shone through a hole in the ceiling, and all at once, the MoonStone came to life.
Like a streak of sun after a storm, like the song of a river as it flows by, the MoonStone shone with all the brilliance of the sun. It dazzled Ravenwing, taking her breath away, unable to shut her eyes, despite it's blinding glare. Leafstar padded up to it calmly, laying down and pressing her nose to it. For a moment, she lay there, slowing her breathing, fur bleached white by the shine. Then, slowly, she blinked her eyes shut and fell asleep.
Ravenwing fidgeted impatiently as the minutes ticked by, aware of her grumbling stomach as Barktail's herbs began to wear off. She sat there long after the MoonStone went silent, all light leaving it. At long last, she heard Leafstar's soft mew, whispering words she barely made out.
"Stones shall crack, robins will lose their song, and even lions shall fall. However, life will blossom under the raven's wing, bringing fresh hope and promise," Leafstar murmured, standing. She called out to Ravenwing, who padded to her side, finding her more by sense than sight.
"Let us go up. I have received what I came for," the older she-cat muttered before leading the way out.
Ravenwing stood on the hillside, taking deep gulps of fresh, precious air. Echostep stood beside her, running her tail down her side sympathetically. Leafstar waited patiently until she had caught her breath before beginning the long journey home.
"Was it that horrible?" Echostep asked softly as they padded after their silver leader. Ravenwing thought for a moment before responding.
"The tunnels are just…long and dark. You kinda just feel…lost, you know? But it's all worth it when you see the stone," Ravenwing mewed, eyes shining as she thought of the dazzling MoonStone. Echostep waited breathlessly for details.
"It's beautiful, everything we imagined as apprentices, and better. It's as brilliant as a thousand stars, and seems to emanate warmth even though it's just a stone. You can feel StarClan's presence. It's just amazing," Ravenwing breathed, closing her eyes to savor the memory. Someday, she would see it again.
She and Echostep exchanged few more words the rest of the way, exhausted and sore. Ravenwing had no idea how Leafstar did it. It was just barely sun high when they finally came in sight of home.
Relief breathed new life into Ravenwing's tired limbs. She barely stopped herself from bounding into camp, padding calmly in instead. Cats raised their heads, shouting greetings and welcomings to the returning she-cats. Stonepelt padded up, dipping his head to his leader respectfully. His eyes asked his unspoken question. Leafstar gave a short, nearly indiscernible nod before mewing a warm greeting to her clan and vanishing into her den. Stonepelt followed quickly, giving Ravenwing a quick lick on the head.
Purring, Ravenwing glanced around for Darkflight, determined to tell him her big news. She felt a tail tap her on the shoulder, and she turned to see her mate. She rasped her tongue over his ear. Before she could get a word out, he nudged her towards the prey pile, telling her to eat. Sighing, she agreed reluctantly, excited to see his reaction.
When she finally finished, she stopped him from talking by brushing his mouth with her tail. He quieted down, looking at his mate, surprised. Ravenwing looked him in the eyes deeply, making sure he was listening.
"Darkflight, I have something important to tell you," she meowed, as calmly as possible even though her heart was fluttering. He nodded, remaining silent. She began to purr, imagining his face as she told him.
"Darkflight, I'm going to have kits. Your kits. Darkflight, I'm pregnant," she mewed, watching his face intently.
She watched his expression change from one of intentness to one of shock, then disbelief, then pure and utter joy. He jumped up, yowling. Ravenwing burst into laughter as he covered her in licks, practically bursting out of his skin. His tail waved and his eyes blazed with uncontained excitement.
"Are you sure? Absolutely sure? Oh StarClan, how many, do you know? Are you hungry? Cold? Tired? Great StarClan you need rest, go get some sleep. Oh, Ravenwing, I'm the happiest cat in the world right now!" he gasped, bouncing up and down, looking, amusingly enough, like an excited kit. Ravenwing was laughing so hard she was crying. Fernstep looked at them, tilting her head confusedly before shaking her head and padding on.
Darkflight nudged her towards the den, demanding she get some sleep. As she curled up, for she truly was utterly exhausted, he lay next to her, grooming her gently.
Her dreams that night were strange and twisted, dark and empty. Leafstar's voice whispered strange words in her ears, and voices screamed and howled in agony, begging for help she couldn't give.
"Stones shall crack, robins will lose their song, and even lions shall fall," strange voices murmured. Ravenwing jolted awake, trembling with fear. Darkflight awoke instantly, soothing her with calming words and gentle licks. She soon calmed, snuggling deeper against him as she tried not to shudder. What did it mean?
They now had three days until the battle, and Ravenwing found herself busy, very busy. Without Robinpaw to train, she ran about, doing patrols, battle practice, camp building, battle strategy, hunting, everything. The apprentices walked with new grimness on their young features, and warriors were tense, muscles coiled tight as though they expected something to come leaping out of the bushes at any moment.
Ravenwing worked hard to keep her apprentice off her mind, trying to keep herself from worrying constantly. Every time she went out, she looked for traces of her, scents, fur, anything. What she would give just to see her again, just to hear her young voice, see her warm green eyes, smell her sweet scent. She missed her robin with an intensity that surprised even herself.
That night she sat out a little longer, gazing at the stars, begging for answers. They remained as cold and distant as usual, offering neither comfort nor answers. Sighing, she padded to her nest, tail down.
Robinpaw. Her name swirled around Ravenwing's mind, bringing soft memories of training sessions, prey shared, laughs.
Robinpaw.
Robin.
Meanwhile…
Lionclaw weaved through the twoleg rubbish cans, mind occupied as he absent mindedly made his way to his "den".
It was three days. Just three days until the battle. The battle that would decide everything.
Lionclaw found Leaf already curled up, skinny flanks rising up and down as she slept peacefully. He glared at her disgustedly, sitting down just outside as she tipped his head to the stars and thought.
Shadowfur had shoved Leaf at him, ordering him to mate her, love her. Lionclaw hated that she-cat, no matter what Shadowfur said. No one, no she-cat, could ever, possibly, replace Ravenwing. No one. Especially Leaf.
Leaf was a scrawny, brainless, vicious, proud she-cat that inspired fear with just one look from her infamous amber eyes. No, Lionclaw hated her. But orders were orders, and he tolerated her at least, admiring her battle skills if nothing else.
Until a couple days ago. When Leaf had proudly told him news that was obviously supposed to make him brimming with joy. He, instead, dreaded it, knowing he already hated them.
Them.
His kits.
But not Ravenwing's. It was never supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be him and Ravenwing, not Leaf.
But here he was now, with a rogue for a mate, carrying his half-clan kits. Disgust filled him, and for a second, just a moment, he thought of taking his life. He shook his head, shaking those dark thoughts from it.
In just three days, the battle would take place, and he would finally have his revenge. The revenge he had so patiently waited for, so meticulously planned for, so eagerly awaited.
Shadowfur had taught him to thirst for blood while at the same time he wished nothing but to be with her. He had taught Lionclaw to yearn, to want to rip her throat, while he wished nothing but to tell her he still loved her.
Even now, after all these moons, his heart remained shattered, broken. Nothing, nothing could ever put it back together. Yet, Lionclaw had learned to draw strength from it, now eagerly awaiting the moment he could kill his one and only love. Ravenwing.
Oh yes, he yearned for it with all his heart. Again, he glanced at Leaf, and sighing, he padded inside, curling up as far from her as possible.
She would regret the moment she had shunned him, regret the moment she had chosen Darkflight over him, Lionclaw.
And he, Lionclaw, would finally, finally be at peace.
*huggles Lionclaw* I just love him, you know? okay, so I gotta cut this short guys, because I need a shower and its late!
WARNING: PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT ANYMORE KIT IDEAS! I AM OVERLOADED AS IT IS! I'M SORRY GUYS, BUT I JUST CANNNOT POSSIBLY FIT ALL THESE KITS IN THERE SOMEHOW! ALSO, RAVENWING'S KITS ARE DONE AND DONE! THEIR APPEARANCES AND SUCH ARE VITAL TO THE SEQUEL AND CANNNOOOTTT BE CHANGED FOR ANNNNNYYYYY REASON! sorry guys, I just really needed to tell everyone that! I love your ideas, but I cannot possibly fit them all, and I don't want to disappoint anyone!
keep reviewing I love you guys muuuchhhhh!
~Au revoir, Monkey~