Chapter 25

Thanks for all your reviews! I'm goinging to post an updated alleginces here real quick, to keep you updated.

Leader- Boulderstar- brown tom with black tabby stripes and blue-green eyes

Deputy- Graymist- gray-blue she-cat with misty gray eyes

Medicine Cat- Goldenheart- golden tabby she-cat with orange spots and green eyes

Warriors

Firestorm- red-orange she-cat with amber eyes

Grayleaf- pale gray she-cat with darker gray stripes and green eyes

Leafshadow- dappled tabby she-cat with orange eyes

Mentor to Rainpaw

Rawfire- small rust-colored Tom with green eyes

Mentor to Windpaw

Eaglestripe- tan tomcat with brown stripes and amber eyes

Tigertail- albino she-cat with a bobtail

Hawkpelt- gray Tom with black spots and blue-green eyes

Owlflight- brown Tom with black spots and brown eyes

Featherdance- white she-cat with blue eyes

Quickfrost- blue-gray tom with amber eyes

Runningstep- dappled sand-colored tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Snowfeather- white and gray she-cat with green eyes

Foster mother of Aquakit

Apprentices

Rainpaw- light blue-gray she-cat with dark green eyes, and white around her muzzle and back paws

Windpaw- light brown tom with tabby stripes and amber eyes

Queens

Lilacpool- blue she-cat with amber eyes, mother of Sunkit, Grasskit, and Silverkit

Sunkit- light orange tom with green eyes

Grasskit- medium gray tom with green eyes, and white patches on his belly and paws

Silverkit- silver tabby she-cat with green eyes

Aquakit- light brown tabby she-cat with light blue-green eyes

So, um, sorry if this is a little choppy. Motivation is hard to come by these days, and the sleep fog of summer is trying to take over my brain. I tried my best. Please review!

Bracken cracked under Hawkpelt's paws, sending flecks of the dried leaves into the warm air. It was strange how the past few days had gone by, with Featherdance avoiding his gaze all the time. He longed for her to speak with him like she used to, but it felt like she hated him. I shouldn't have rushed it, he worried to himself. I should have waited, let her really get to know me. Now it is ruined.

He padded closer to Featherdance, breathing in her fresh scent. Whenever he was around her, the smell of honey and flowers seemed to hang in the air. No one else seemed to notice it. Perhaps the love and longing in his heart conjured hings no one else could sense. Just being near the white she-cat made his heart flutter, and his chest fill with warmth. But now, instead of being friends, there was a strange tension between the two. Hawkpelt wished it would dissolve soon, and Featherdance could understand.

The undergrowth here was thicker, their pelts shaded from the sun by ever-thickening clumps of trees. The climax of greenleaf had already occurred, and the days were growing slightly shorter every day. Not that anyone seemed to notice, the heat still as annoying and stuffy as ever. In this time of year, Hawkpelt preferred leaf-bare's chilly mornings and snowfalls. It was better than being too hot to do anything.

Featherdance stopped at the front of the patrol, her mouth open as she tasted the air. Hawkpelt watched intently, wanting to watch her every moment. His siblings, Runningstep and Quickfrost, thought he was weird for watching Featherdance so much. He couldn't help it, her every moment seemed graceful and perfect. They will learn when they see true love.

"Let's split off, two groups," Featherdance mewed, her suggestion coming across as more of a command. Please let me hunt with you, Hawkpelt wished intently. "Eaglestripe, you and Rowanfeather can go to the moor. Hawkpelt, you can come with me."

Yes! Hawkpelt's mind flew into a furry of thought and excitement. There group was small, so why would she split into pairs? Did Featherdance want to speak with him, or was it something else? She must want us alone, why else?

The others nodded to Featherdance, Eaglestripe showing Rowanfeather a passage to a large field nearby. Their quiet pawsteps soon disappeared, but Featherdance didn't acknowledge him in any special way. "Follow me," she whispered, quickly leaping to her feet and darting through the trees.

Hawkpelt trailed behind, light on his paws, but his mind heavy. What was this? He expected it to be so much more. Maybe it was just another hunting patrol, nothing special.

The dappled patches of light grew more spread out, as the forest grew and swirled around him. In his sprint, Hawkpelt didn't care to notice any fine details. His heart longed for him to be alone with Featherdance, and here was his chance. He wouldn't miss a moment of it. Her white tail disappeared around a bend, and Hawkpelt could see the tips of her ears over a fallen log. Birds called softly above them, their songs weaving together into a beautiful harmony above his head.

Hawkpelt shook his love-fogged head and tried to focus. This was a hunting patrol, so he should be hunting. He opened his mouth, tasting the scent of the forest. There were a few birds nearby, someone without a nose could see that, as well as several mice. Taking a quick glance at Featherdance to make sure she wouldn't mind, he followed the closest scent. It was a bird, most likely a small sparrow or finch, and would be a quick catch.

Winding through the trees, Hawkpelt's head began to soften with daydreams once more. Before joining the Clan, his father, littermate, and younger siblings all had lived a rough life. His mother had been a kittypet before he was born, and afterwards couldn't handle life in the wild. She tried as hard to serve her family as she could, hunting and fighting. But after Quickfrost and Runningstep were born, she caught a deadly bough of whitecough.

Life without her was difficult, once she passed away. They hung together as hard as they could, his father barely able to keep them alive. He had a littermate back then too, his brother, Falcon. They were best friends, almost sharing a mental connection between each other. Hawkpelt would never forgive himself for the death of his littermate, trying not to dwell on the thought of it.

The scent of his bird was strongest now, Hawkpelt pausing for a moment. Looking up, he saw the bird only two tail-lengths above him, singing in the tree. The song was not the usual sweet chirp, but an omonus whistle that echoed through the trees. The dark song reflected in his head, but he still neared in for the kill. Hawkpelt dug his claws into the grooved bark of the tree, pulling himself up slowly. His back paws scrambled for footing, but he continued on.

Soon he was eye level with the finch, the bird flickering here and there with spasms of movement. Hawkpelt did as always when hunting birds, climbing to the branch above the small bird. The finch's beak pointed upwards, but its eyes still didn't see Hawkpelt, who was soon directly above it. Instinctively, hr dropped down onto the bird.

But something wasn't right. He was a little short, landing right in front of the bird. Spasms racked the finch's body, even stronger now. The bird ignored him, and he unsheath his claws to attack. Before he could, the finch locked into a position, completely still. A single feather floated to the ground below.

The Tribe cats peered over the ridge of stone, eyes and ears alert. One sunrise of traveling, and they hadn't gone far. The rocky outcroppings outside the valley were tremulous, stones sometimes shifting over their worn paws, or crumbling into the gaping holes below. One had to be cautious on this terrain. One pawstep in the wrong place could cause a major injury, or even death. Without a medicine cat, or their Starseer, an infection from a wound could easily kill a cat in a few days.

Aquakit had a sinking feeling in her chest since they left the valley. She knew that she needed to get home to Snowfeather and the rest of her Clan, but for the Tribe, that place seemed too perfect. There was everything a large group of cats could wish for, with running water, shelter, and an almost endless supply of prey. They weren't doing well in the caves, as Aquakit had observed. Most of the Tribe cats' fur was dusty, and their skin clung to their bones so tightly it felt as if one movement could push them over.

It wasn't this case in all the cats, but anyone could see that they needed the sun again. Sun had said that they had been granted permission, but why hadn't they left already? Where the tunnels to dangerous for all the kits and elderly cats to travel through? Aquakit tried to shake away the thoughts. If they needed to leave, they would. Right?

No, it wasn't right. She needed to talk with Sun and Shadow, now. They had been traveling since sunrise, and the lush green valley was still in sight. Now how could she convince them that the valley was suppose to be their home? Wait a minute, they are on this journey for me, right? If I don't move, they won't move, and will have to speak with me!

Praising herself on her own brilliance, Aquakit sat on her bottom, tail tucked around her paws. Calmly, she smoothed the ruffled fur on her chest with a quick flick of her tongue. Any moment now. There! Sun turned, signaling with his tail for the patrol to stop. This is all to perfect. The tom approached her, tail lashing violently from side to side, and lips pulling back, nearly a snarl. "What are you doing?" he spat. "We rested a few minutes ago, and we need to get you home." The heat and light, as well as these hard traveling conditions had pricked everyone's attitude, making them usually grouchy. Now was the time to strike.

"Sun, I have been meaning to speak with you, and it is something important." A new look blazed into Aquakit's eyes.

Sun laid down, facing the kit. The others soon did the same, all grateful for the unexpected rest. "So, tell me then."

Aquakit's excited kit instincts seemed to run over the carefully laid thoughts in her head, and her voice can out in almost a squeak. "Sun, your Tribe needs to stay in that valley!"

"What do you mean?" the tom questioned, head tilting slightly to the side.

"Well," Aquakit took a deep breath. "See, I've had this feeling ever since we left that valley. The place was perfect. Don't act like I am stupid. I have seen to condition of your Tribe, if only in the dimmest of lights. They need to escape those caves. And I am not leaving this place until every one of them has come back into the light."

Sun was astonished at the small she-kit's words. Yes, they needed to find a suitable home now. If any illness big enough came into the tunnels, they would all be dead. And one day the bats would all die or leave the caves. What the kit said was true. Being in line as the next Starseer, he hated to admit it, but they needed to leave the underground.

"Okay, Aquakit. I understand what you say, and agree with it. The Tribe needs a new home, and yes, that valley is just the right place. But wouldn't you rather go home first?"

"No, this might be more important." As the words left her mouth, Aquakit still felt a sting of regret. She missed Snowflower, Goldenheart, and all her other Clanmates. But this was more important at the moment. The Tribe needed this, and she was going to help in every way she could. "Where do we begin?"

Aquakit scrambled to gain her footing on the slippery rocks. Most of the patrol had grudgingly accepted to return to the valley, while Sun and Shadow were excited at the prospect of having a new home. They had decided to take a shorter way, one they had noticed while high on the mountain ridges. A rough path snaked along the side of the hills, and dipped onto the far side of the valley, near the entrance to the tunnels.

She had overheard a discussion from the Tribe cats earlier on a plan to bring their entire tribe out. Most of the group would go into the caves, and travels as fast as possible to their camp. Since Aquakit slowed them down, she would stay with two Tribe cats in the valley to prepare a camp for the others. The patrol that was to go into the caves would tell Starseer what was going on, and then slowly gather medium-sized groups of cats to bring to the valley.

While she was to stay in the valley, Aquakit would gather moss, and explore to find places for all the dens. The cats she would stay will would also have to practice newer hunting techniques. Their advanced hearing and sense of smell would help them to soon become great hunters, and with light they would be able to do even more. Soon a camp for the Tribe would be built, with the groups joining and learning in the outside world. By the time the last group arrived, there would be a place for everyone to sleep and more than enough of everything needed for them to flourish.

This plan, everything set perfectly in place, reeled through Aquakit's head. It would all go as planned, and afterwards, she could return to her Clan as a hero of sorts. By now she surely would have gotten an apprentice name and mentor, as much time had passed since she left LeafClan. Hopefully she would have her ceremony performed as soon as she returned. I wonder who my mentor will be? Maybe Hawkpelt? He seems nice. Or maybe even Grayleaf! Anyone would be good!

The rocky slops soon dissolved into patches of trees, their shade bringing a welcomed feeling of a cold breeze to Aquakit's scorched pelt. Sun at the head of the group motioned for them to rest, and quickly darted out of sight behind the shrubby trees. Aquakit laid on her side, relaxing her worn paws. It felt wonderful to take the weight off her legs. Even though all this walking had helped her build endurance, Aquakit was still much weaker than the others, and the climbing and effort took every last bit of her energy.

Shadow padded beside her, and plopped happily onto a patch of thick, dark green grass. The she-cat was Aquakit's favorite out of the entire patrol, and her closest friend among them. She was always kind, friendly, and welcoming to her. She wasn't perfect, sometimes tripping over the stones and such. After a lifetime of darkness, the sun still frightened the Tribe cats a little bit, and they had a hard time adjusting. Aquakit was just glad to be able to see again, and get away from the stuffy tunnels.

The black she-cat began to groom herself thoroughly. There were so many elements out here that they had never know in their underground prison. All the dust, twigs, leaves, and all those little things seemed to annoy her so much. Aquakit let out a deep sigh, rolling onto her back. The blue sky hung above them so peacefully, small clouds etched onto the horizon. It was almost sunhigh, and they could get back into the valley before dusk if they stayed at their current pace.

Sun returned, the golden patches of fur on his back shining brilliantly in the light. What was he doing anyway? I mean, he doesn't have any prey with him, so he wasn't hunting. Maybe he was just off making dirt or something. Aquakit shook the though away from her head. Whatever Sun was doing, it really didn't matter.

"Come on everyone, back on your paws," Sun mewed, sounding a bit bored. "Let's get moving."

They aren't used to the heat. It must be rough, living in that cold darkness for so long, and then coming into the scorching greenleaf. No wonder he calls for so many breaks. At first Aquakit had thought the breaks and stops every so often were for her, but now she realized that she wasn't the only one who really needed them. Dawn, Mist, and the others, besides Shadow and Sun, were panting heavily at the effort they made to climb and trek through the hills. Even though her own endurance was built quite strongly, Aquakit needed a rest every once in a while, but was it possible that these cats were so much weaker than they appeared? Would they even survive on their own in the valley?

Yes, they would be able to live in the valley. Endurance and strength would build in every cat, and new kits would be born into knowing the new ways of hunting. Maybe it was possible that the tunnels could be used to train their to-bes in navigation and advance the senses. But only time would tell if they would adapt properly.

The patrol all rose to their paws, stretching out for a moment before continuing on their way. Short green grasses began to appear underfoot, softening her cracked pads on every step. They were near the valley, and the fields of fresh, dewy grass and large, shaded trees were coming into view. It was all too good, the scents filling her nostrils and bring a sense of relaxation and calm to her body. She could almost see the others feel the same, slowly unwinding from the stress and pressure.

Aquakit kicked the occasional pebble as she walked down the rugged path. Somewhere in the distance, she could her the tumbling roar of water grow ever closer. It was calming, just like everything else in this area. If only LeafClan lived here instead of the sparse moor and forests. It was a paradise beyond compare, and it was even more special that a Tribe stuck in endless darkness for so long could live there. They deserved it, and soon her hard work would pay off.

The roar of water completely over came her, and Aquakit was engulfed in a chilly spray. She folded her eyes flat again her head, glancing quickly around. Then she saw it, a waterfall right in front of them. It seemed to explode from the peak of the mountain, a wide span of clear water flowing straight down to them over many rocks and edges. The welcoming spray ruffled and sunk into her fur. Aquakit closed her eyes for a moment, wishing the feeling would last.

But soon she heard Shadow whisper to her. "It is beautiful, but we need to hurry. Come on Aquakit."

Pulling herself away from the majestic waterfall, Aquakit ran to catch up. She could feel the slightest bits of tiredness creep into her paws and aching muscles. They needed to make it back into the valley by sundown in time to rest and set up camp. The patrol returning to the Tribe to gather cat would need a good night's rest for their journey to be swift.

The silence was broken as Sun began to talk. His voice seemed to ease the pain in her paws as he spoke. "So, who wants to stay and make this place our home, and who wants to go back to the camp and get the other cats? We may as well decide now, to save time later."

Instantly, the others all joined into a frenzy of chattering and volunteering.

"I want to go back to the camp!"

"I want to go more!"

"Please, let me!"

"I want to say goodbye to the camp one last time!"

"Quiet!" Aquakit tried to hiss, but it came out more of a squeak. "Don't you realize you can all take turns? It will take at least two or three smaller groups of Tribe cats coming here over time for it all to work. Taking them all at once would be too much confusion! So, some of you can stay while the others go. Sun can lead all the groups that go into the tunnels, because he is the leader of this patrol. Then everyone not going into the tunnels can stay with me. It's not like I'm going to murder anyone. I'm still a kit. We can explore the valley, and find the perfect place for the entire Tribe!"

The cats all muttered quietly for a moment. What Aquakit said would work just fine. Everyone who wanted to could get a turn to see their camp one last time, and say goodbye to their hunting grounds. By the time one group returned, enough nests could be made and dens prepared, and more cats to help would arrive. If they worked together, rhythmically, it would all set in place.

The moon's sliver of light plastered against the grasses of the valley, trailing up the rocks like streamlets and through the trees in strong, vibrant beams. Aquakit's paws were almost dragging across the soft ground, tired after the long walk to return here. Even with the brilliant sight around her, the stars in Silverpelt reflecting on the cold creek's surface and the entire valley set lightly aglow, she was consumed by a longing for sleep. But the Tribe cats were a different sight.

Every Tribe cat seemed extra awake, their senses renewed, eyes and ears alert. This was their place, their element that they could almost control. The faint moonlight gave them enough light for them to see perfectly, but they were so adapted to the dark they didn't even need it. Dawn, Mist, and Grass began to chat in hushed voices behind Aquakit. The pieces of their conversation Aquakit did hear were joyful and excited, which was a bit odd, since the Tribe cats had been groutchy nearly the entire time.

Shadows from the leafy trees, moonlight pooling in patches, soon covered Aquakit. He eyes drooped, and tail pulled, limp, through the grasses around her. She wanted nothing more than to just curl up right then and there, to fall into the cloud-like softness of sleep. As if reading her thoughts, Sun signaled with his usual tail wave for then to stop. Instantly, Aquakit plopped heavily onto her side, taking the weight off her sore pads and curling into a tight ball of fur.

"You may rest here," instructed Sun. "I'm going to scout out the area around here, maybe find some prey or moss. Anyone who wishes to come with me is welcome."

Surprisingly, most of the patrol followed Sun. Aquakit could hear their pawstep fade off, most likely to the nearby stream or farther into the valley. Her tail tickled her nose, making her want to sneeze. A warm breeze blanketed her in security, and it felt as if every star in the sky was watching out for her. She was fortunate to be in such good paws, on her way home. It felt as if bringing the entire Tribe to a new home was just a right choice, even when it did cause such a large detour. She was willing to do anything to make it work.

Faint in the background, almost entirely camouflaged by the dancing sound of water, Aquakit could hear voices. But something was wrong. With her eyes closed tight, she tried to focus on who may be speaking. She didn't recognize it as any of the Tribe cats, as the voice was light and, what was the word for it? Almost as if it wasn't a real cat, but a silky voice weaving through the wind. It spoke in thin strips of riddles, meaning hidden in places that dropped away into another dialect, one of hisses and clicks.

"Where light meets water a promise has been made..."

"...Six have fallen into darkness..."

"A glimmer of hope has shinned..."

"...strong vanquished..."

"Only the smallest among us can save us all."

Aquakit shook her head. What could it mean? Words fell away from the voice, only patches of what it was saying were even clear enough to be heard. She tried to piece it together, but whatever was missing needed to be there.

One thing was clear though. This was important, and whether it was just the wind whispering it or a voice in her head, Aquakit knew she was meant to hear it. Maybe it even meant something about her. I'll figure it out in the morning, she decided. Aquakit curled into a tighter ball of her fluffy light brown fur, and drifted into a light sleep.

Sorry it took SO LONG to post this thing. My internet was SUPER glitchy, and I haven't been able to use my laptop on FNN for a few days. Not to mention my LeafClan forum is taking over my life. I was working without all the notes and had to keep checking things on my phone to see if what I was doing was right, also making it take longer. Anyway, there is your chapter, with plenty of Aquakit due to the fact I was neglecting her for a chapter or two. I felt that it was short, but hey, this is the longest one so far!

So the entire time I was typing this I thought it was chapter 26, but really my docs had just gotten mixed up. Expect chapters every other week, until school begins, due to my babysitting jobs and all that. Thanks to all my loyal followers and reviews :D If you have any guesses, ideas, suggestions, want to chat with me or anything, I am always welcome to PMs!