Chapter Twenty-Four: The Return

The next morning, as Hazelstar, Blackblaze, and Rosebrier sat sharing some freshkill, being sure to leave some for Broomtail, who had not yet awakened, Blackblaze voiced what they had all been thinking.

"We really should go home, shouldn't we?"

Rosebrier sighed.

"Yes. FlameClan."

Hazelstar nodded.

"We should take Broomtail with us, if he'll come. I think he'd like it there."

"I did, and so should he," Rosebrier agreed.

"Someone talking about me?" Broomtail asked, limping up to the threesome.

"We're going home, Broomtail," said Hazelstar, "Come with us. You'll like it there."

"You know, I was just talking to Lavenderpaw," Broomtail mused, "She said goodbye. Said they were all leaving. Hmm, suppose I can't stay here all by myself, can I?"

"No, probably not," Hazelstar agreed.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Broomtail asked, "Let's go."

As the warriors turned away, Rosebrier glanced back at her old camp. And in that moment, she saw the spirits of her Clanmates smiling at her.

"Thank you," she whispered, "Thank you for everything."

Poppywing trotted into the medicine den, her mouth full of herbs.

"Silverjay," she mewed, "I've brought what you've asked. Littlepaw helped me."

"Thank you," the silver tom said, smiling. He liked Poppywing. She was a smart and sweet little she-cat, ready to do whatever he asked.

"How is Fivefur?" Poppywing asked.

"He's still in bad shape, but he'll heal. It's his mind that worries me."

"What?" Poppywing asked.

"I...I'll tell you later. There's still a chance that there will be no need for anyone to worry."

The brown she-cat said nothing, merely began to help Silverjay sort the herbs into their proper places.

"I can see why Fivefur is so fond of you," Silverjay commented, "You're the best behaved apprentice I've ever met."

"Fivefur is not fond of me," Poppywing said softly, "He hates the sight of me."

"I wouldn't be so quick to judge him, if I were you. Fivefur is very fond of you. He just doesn't know how to show it."

"He told you this?"

"Yes. But don't tell him I told you."

Outside, the shadows were beginning to lengthen, and Bigstorm's patience was wearing thin. There was so much to be done to keep the camp in order: patrols to be organized and led, minor quarrels to be sorted out, and Hawkfang to keep an eye on. After the grey warrior had shown back up, Bigstorm had confined him to the warriors den. He didn't know what else to do. The deputy was overworked, and worrying about Fivefur didn't help. Bigstorm couldn't help but feel that Fivefur's safety had been his responsibility...and he had failed. And on top of it all, Shiningfur wasn't speaking to him, for reasons she refused to explain.

Just when Bigstorm was feeling he couldn't take anything else, he heard someone calling his name.

"Bigstorm?"

"No, just no! I can't do it...Hazelstar?"

"Are you all right?" Hazelstar asked.

"No, I am not! Thanks to Hawkfang, Fivefur is mortally wounded, and..."

"Fivefur's hurt?" Hazelstar gasped. "Where is he? How did it happen?"

"Medicine den. A weasel attacked us, and Fivefur wasn't in camp, thanks to Hawkfang calling him a curse. So...Fivefur got hurt, and if Bluepaw hadn't gotten there when he had, he would be with StarClan now. As it is...he's in bad shape."

"Where is Hawkfang?" Hazelstar growled.

"Warriors' den. Do you want him?"

"Yes, yes I do. Right now!"

Bigstorm scrambled to his paws. He had never seen Hazelstar so angry before. The grey warrior loped off to the warriors den, where he found Hawkfang lying curled up in his nest.

"Hawkfang. Hazelstar wants to see you."

The smaller cat leaped up.

"Am I in trouble?"

"I wouldn't like to be you just now," Bigstorm told him. "Or any time."

The two cats marched outside to where Hazelstar stood.

"Hawkfang," Hazelstar said sternly, "Why did you tell Fivefur he was a curse?"

"I...I'm sorry. I was angry with him. I thought he was the one controlling the bad things that kept happening. I see now I was wrong."

"I need not tell you the trouble you've caused us," Hazelstar said, "I want you to come with me. We're going to see Fivefur."

"Do I have to?"

"Oh, go on, it's not like he's conscious," Bigstorm said, "I'll be here if you need me."

When they arrived in the medicine den, Hazelstar didn't even register the presence of Silverjay at first. He went straight to Fivefur. His little brother was so small. So still. So lifeless. So vulnerable. And precious.

"Oh, Fivefur," Hazelstar whispered, "I never should have left you, little brother. I'm sorry."

And then, surprising Silverjay, Poppywing, and especially Hawkfang, Hazelstar, leader of FlameClan, buried his face in his brother's fur and cried.

"Please get better, Fivefur! You have to!"

After a long while, Hazelstar lifted his head. He had stopped crying. When he spoke, it was to Silverjay.

"Will he be all right?"

Silverjay hesitated.

"That's a delicate question. Physically, he should recover. Whether he will ever wake is another thing."

"What do you mean?"

"He's traumatized. Badly. It doesn't help that the weasel smashed his head onto the ground when it dropped him. And...I'm not sure he wants to wake up."

"Well, of course he wants to wake up!" Hazelstar growled, "What would we do without him?"

"Remember?" Hawkfang asked, "The last thing that happened to him was being told he was a curse and running away. If it was me...if it was me I would have made it so I could never wake up."

"Then how do we save him?"

"The only way...is to go into his mind and help him wake up."

"Pardon me? That's impossible."

"No, it's not," Silverjay said levelly, "I can read minds. I can get inside your mind. How do you think I know what Fivefur thinks about this?"

"Can you help me save him, or not?" Hazelstar asked.

"It will be dangerous," Silverjay warned, "The mind is a treacherous place. Your nine lives won't help you there. Will you take that risk?"

"If I can save Fivefur...then yes."

"All right," Silverjay agreed. "But...I think there's one more thing he'll need to hear."

"An apology!" Hawkfang blurted, "I need to say I'm sorry!"

"You are smarter than you think," Silverjay said.

"I want to come too!" Poppywing mewed, darting forward.

"No!" Silverjay yowled, "I need you here in case something goes wrong."

"But..."

"No," Hazelstar agreed, "We need you, Poppywing. In case Fivefur...doesn't make it."

The she-cat looked crestfallen, but she nodded and backed away.

"We're ready," Hazelstar said, exchanging glances with Hawkfang.

"Brace yourself," Silverjay said, "I've never done this before."

Well...this was unexpected, right? Heeheehee...but I can take no credit for this wonderful idea. It was all Fivers11's making, so go thank him now! ;)