Hope you like this chapter…the beginning is kinda stupid but there is a HUGE twist in the middle (you might be able to infer something from the chapter title). Read! Review! Enjoy!
I woke up with start. I was startled by my dream that seemed totally random. Was Starclan trying to send me a message of some sort?
It was barely dawn outside, and I walked outside the den. No other cat was up, so I just sat down and replayed my dream. If it had been something important about what Dawnpool had told me, the dream would have most likely shown me that part too. But it was something about Runningwind and Acorntail bickering. I scanned through the conversation in my head. Nothing seemed that out of the ordinary. Acorntail's last remark was slightly odd though.
"But his smell. It doesn't smell all like Sparrowtail. It smells like something else too. I can't quite place it," his words echoed in my head.
"Because Sparrowtail is his mentor mouse-brain! Of course he'll have Sparrowtail's scent on him!" Runningwind's retort snapped in my head as well.
It was obvious I would have smelled like Sparrowtail back then. Runningwind's retort made sense. But since Acorntail was blind, he had stronger senses to make up for his lost sight. I smelled like something else too. Not just Sparrowtail. Was this other smell my own scent? No, of course not. He wouldn't have mentioned it if it was my own scent.
I sat there pondering until finally the stress was unbearable. I stormed over to the elders' den and peered inside. Pebbleclaw was curled up asleep in Runningwind's old nest, while Acorntail was curled up in his nest. His tail was twitching slightly, so I had a feeling he was awake.
"Who is it?" he asked.
He sniffed the air quickly and before I could reply he answered himself. His mouth turned into a deep frown.
"What do you want Sparrowtail?" he asked rudely.
"I'm not Sparrowtail," I said.
"Oh Lightningblaze. It's just you. Your scent just smells so much like his. Do you hang around with him a lot?" he asked.
"No. Ever since I've become a warrior we've barely spoken," I replied.
"Hmm. That's odd. Last time you came in here you smelled of him too. That was when you cleaned out our nests. A nice job you did too," he nodded in approval.
"That was exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. May I sit down?" I asked.
Acorntail nodded, and I sat down in Dawnpool's old nest, across from Acorntail's.
"Okay. Well, you say I smell like Sparrowtail…but I also smell like something else to, right?" I asked.
He nodded again, this time in confirmation.
"What is that other smell?" I asked.
He laid there for a moment, where his eyes would be were all scrunched up and he was frowning again. But this time he was deep in thought. He kept inhaling deeply, trying to recognize the other scent.
"Hmm. I'm not really sure. It kind of smells like pine needles and herbs and river water. But I can't place it all," he said as he inhaled again.
"What does Sparrowtail smell of?" I asked.
"He smells of rocks and boulders and damp soil and some type of flower," Acorntail replied automatically.
"And what do you know about scent?" I asked.
"Well since I have become blind my mind has been opened up to all types of scents. It's truly fascinating. I have realized a few things in my time. The one thing that I have realized most, is that cats get some of their overall scent from their birth parents. There are obviously a few new scents in each cat to make their overall scent different from their parents or their littermates," Acorntail said.
"Thank you Acorntail. That's all needed to know for now," I nodded in thanks.
He frowned at me, this time puzzled as I walked away.
Could it possibly be true what I was thinking? Was Sparrowtail my Father and some she-cat was my Mother? No, impossible. Lilyfoot and Goosestar were my parents. Every cat in the territories around the lake knew that! And what mouse-brained cat would keep such a big secret anyway? I shook my head in frustration. I was being too paranoid. The dream meant nothing. There was no signs or interpretations from it. It was just a dream. Every cat has weird, pointless dreams every once in a while.
I shook my head to clear my mind and I decided to go to the lake to clear my head. Adderfang was the only other cat up.
"Adderfang, if I'm not back when the other cats get up assign the morning patrol and a hunting patrol. I'm going down to the lake," I told him.
Adderfang nodded excitedly. I would remember to take an extra long amount of time so he would be sure to assign patrols. It had always been one of his dreams.
I slipped through the gorse bush and walked down to the lake. I headed to the Riverclan border, feeling slightly guilty. I hadn't thought of Robinflight since the last time I saw her a few days ago. But I had other things on my mind for the past few days. I was silently praying to Starclan she would be there. When I stepped through the ferns and onto the border Robinflight was there, curled up asleep. I prodded her shoulder and she jolted awake.
"Lightningblaze!" she meowed in recognition.
We nuzzled each other fiercely and I licked her ear.
"What happened to your shoulder and chest and muzzle? And why are you limping slightly?" she asked.
"Battle with Thunderclan yesterday," I grunted in response.
"Oh you poor thing," she meowed.
"I've had worse," I shrugged.
"Well…umm…I have some news," she said, as she looked down at her trembling paws.
"What is it?" I asked, hoping it was good news.
"I'm….."
There was a long pause as she took in a gulp of air, and probably confidence as well.
"Pregnant," she exhaled quickly.
My head suddenly began spinning wildly. I gripped into the sand with my claws.
"Wha?" I managed to choke out.
"I'm pregnant," she repeated, much slower this time.
I tried to hold grasp of the situation.
She was what? She was pregnant? No. No! NO! NO! This couldn't happen! This shouldn't have happened!
"No!" I managed to gasp.
Robinflight seemed thoroughly shocked and she took a step back.
"I thought you would be overjoyed!" she meowed.
. "No. This was never supposed to happen! How can I be overjoyed with the fact that I've ruined your life?" I snapped.
"You didn't ruin it! You saved it! With these kits I'll have a part of you in Riverclan… with me," her voice turned into a whisper towards the end.
"But I know how much you love being a warrior. This will take it all away for moons. And there isn't always a happy ending. I mean, look what happened with Sparrowtail and Tawnywhisker! And especially with Moonstar as your leader right now," I replied.
"Yes I love being a warrior. But I love you and these unborn kits much, much more," she said as she looked up at me.
Suddenly the future flashed through my eyes. A picture of Robinflight standing by the river, her belly plump with kits. Robinflight purring with three tiny kits at her belly. Three apprentices catching fish in the river. Three warriors in Riverclan camp being given their warriors names with Robinflight in the background watching them proudly. Three elders laughing in the elders den together. And then a picture of me, standing in Windclan camp, my eyes (which were blue) full of sadness with Windclan cats bustling all around me. All this happened in a matter of seconds and I blinked my eyes and everything was gone.
"But I'll be no part of their lives," I pointed out.
"No of course you will! I'll leave Riverclan and join Windclan if that is what it takes for you to be part of their lives!" she meowed, a tone of fret in her voice.
"You can't do that. Riverclan is where you belong. Windclan would feel completely unknown, and I'm sure plenty of cats would not consider you welcome here," I replied.
"But-" she began to protested.
"No," I cut her off," We won't make any decisions now, okay? When the time gets closer we can figure it out." "I want you to be a real Father to these kits. I don't want to lie about their birth," Robinflight meowed sternly.
"I'm not telling you to lie. I'm telling you to keep thinking on how we can work this out," I replied.
My tone was flat and uncaring at the moment. I was still in shock. Robinflight seemed offended the entire time. She must have though I would be overjoyed we were having kits.
"You should probably get back to camp before they realize you've been gone," I suggested.
Robinflight nodded and we nuzzled. She showed much more enthusiasm in her nuzzle rather than mine. I tried to match her joy though. When we stopped nuzzling I turned straight around and walked back to camp. I saw the dawn patrol and a hunting patrol leaving camp as I entered.
"Oh hey Lightningblaze! I put Littlepaw, Maplewhisker, and Lilyfoot to go hunting and Ravenclaw, Quailfeather, and Flamepelt on the dawn patrol," Adderfang reported.
"Good job," I tried to hide my rapidly changing emotions from him.
But of course, like Thrushpaw, Adderfang could easily read my emotions. Even when I tried my very best to hide them.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Follow me," I ordered.
We walked into the leader's den. It was the first place I could think of that I knew no cat would enter in on us.
"Do you know who Robinflight is?" I asked.
"Is she that black spotted Riverclan she-cat?" he asked.
I flinched.
"No, that's Brambleberry. Robinflight is the reddish-brown one," I replied.
"Ohhh I remember her! Yes, what about her?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
"Well it turns out she is pregnant. With my kits," I bowed my head immediately, unable to watch his reaction.
"Are…you…serious?" he gasped.
I nodded just enough so he could tell it was a nod.
"But she's Riverclan! They'll be half-clan kits!" Adderfang spat.
Immediately anger and rage boiled up inside of me. It must have been a hormonal reflex.
"And what's so wrong with half-clan kits? I'm half-clan anyway! Thrushpaw is half-clan! Lilyfoot was a kit when she and Ravenclaw were found abandoned by their rogue Mother on Windclan territory seasons ago! These kits will be more Riverclan than anything else!" I snapped back.
"And that's exactly why they don't belong! They will have 3 heritages! Rogue, Riverclan, and Windclan," Adderfang protested.
"Adderfang, you know how loyal of a warrior I am. You know how much Windclan means to me, and how hard I will fight to defend it's borders against any clan. So just because I am half-clan, are you suddenly against me and all that I have done?" I asked.
"No, of course not. You have proven yourself that you have nothing to do with your rogue heritage," Adderfang agreed.
"And what about Lilyfoot? She is all rogue, but she has never threatened to leave Windclan. She may not be the fastest cat in the clan, but she still catches rabbits when the cats are hungry. She may not be the fiercest cat in the clan, but she will still battle with all of her strength and might to defeat intruders," I said.
"Lilyfoot has proven herself as well. She truly belongs in Windclan, especially since Goosestar has picked her as his mate," Adderfang nodded stiffly.
"So why do you refuse to give my unborn kit's a chance to prove themselves worthy?" the question turned into a hiss at the end.
"Because you are part Windclan, and part rogue. Not part Windclan part Thunderclan. Or part Windclan part Riverclan. These kits will belong in Riverclan and Windclan. They will be able to run fast, and have sleek bodies good for swimming. They will not know where their loyalties lie. Whether it is in Windclan or in Riverclan," Adderfang explained.
"But I will let them stay in Riverclan. I love Robinflight with all of my heart, and I will let her do whatever she wants to do," I replied.
. "Then let Riverclan keep them. We do not want untrustworthy warriors in our camp," Adderfang hissed.
I felt anger boiling up inside me and I was sure my eyes were as red as blood and I had to claw myself to the ground with all of my strength to keep myself from lunging at him and tearing him to shreds.
"I thought you would be happy for me," I hissed under my breath.
"If your mate is a Windclan she-cat, then I would be much more so," Adderfang meowed.
And with that he exited the den, his tail held high. I was hoping Thrushpaw's reaction would be much more pleasant. I exited the den and searched around for her. I saw her talking with Dawnstripe by the nursery.
"Hey Thrushpaw…I need to talk to you," I said.
"Sure," she said as she turned around.
"Follow me please," I said.
She gazed at me for a second, confused, but followed me as I walked to Goosestar's den. We both sat down, and she looked up at me.
"You remember Robinflight?" I asked.
"Of course! She's that really nice reddish she-cat!" Thrushpaw meowed happily.
This was turning out pretty good. At least Thrushpaw liked Robinflight.
"Well it turns out…she is having my kits," I gulped.
Thrushpaw's eyes opened wide and her mouth gaped open slightly. But then after a second or so her face turned into a wide smile and her eyes shone with joy.
"Oh wow! Congratulations! That's so great! I love kits!" she meowed excitedly.
I purred, glad that her reaction was a million times than Adderfang's.
"But wait, Robinflight is Riverclan," she said.
I nodded.
"So where will the kits live?" she asked, sadness creeping into her meow.
Oh great Starclan. She's going to put on her cute face until I am persuaded to let the kits live here.
"We're not sure yet. They have to stay with their Mother…and I'm not too sure if Robinflight is willing to move to Windclan," I replied.
"But I'm sure Robinflight will be welcome here! I mean these will be Goosestar's grandkits! He'll have to let her stay!" Thrushpaw protested.
"You may want Robinflight here, but I'm sure most of Windclan doesn't want a pregnant Riverclan queen here," I said.
"Well okay. But congratulations again! I wish-" Thrushpaw started.
There was a loud wail from the medicine cat den.
Thrushpaw and I dashed out of the den and into the medicine cat den.
"Hush Sweetflower. He is losing a life," Birdsong meowed.
"But what if it is his last?" she wailed," Then we will have no leader!" Birdsong must have not noticed my presence yet because she said," No. I know for a fact this is not his last life. And even if it was, Lightningblaze would be our new leader."
"Is Father okay?" Thrushpaw asked.
Birdsong jumped in fright.
"Oh! I didn't know you were here. And he is just losing a life. He is talking to Starclan now, and in a few moments he will wake up. After that he will need a little more rest, and then he will be back to himself," Birdsong explained.
A few seconds passed, and Goosestar's eyes blinked open. Sweetflower let out a sigh of relief.
"Relax. All of you. I am fine. The greencough that killed me is gone. I am cured. I must now appoint a new deputy," he said.
"The hunting patrol and morning patrol should be back by now," I nodded.
Goosestar clambered out of his nest and leaped up onto Highrock.
"All cats who are able to catch their own prey gather here under Highrock for a clan meeting!" he yowled.
Every cat in the clan settled beneath Highrock. Their ears were perked, excited that Goosestar was back as leader.
"I must admit something to all of you. I have just lost a life to greencough. But I still have a few lives left, so there is no need to fret. My first order that I must complete is to officially let Pebbleclaw join the elders' den," Goosestar explained.
Pebbleclaw weaved her way through the crowd until she was at the foot of Highrock, looking up at Goosestar.
"Pebbleclaw, do you wish to join the elders' den to rest in peace for the rest of your moons and give up your warrior duties?" he asked.
"Yes," Pebbleclaw replied in a clear meow.
"Very well then. Starclan respects all that you have done for Windclan, and wish for you to live the rest of your life in peace," Goosestar nodded.
Pebbleclaw nodded and headed to the back of the crowd.
"Littlepaw, since Pebbleclaw was your mentor and she is now retired, I must give you a new mentor. Lilyfoot, you will be mentor to Littlepaw," Goosestar announced.
Lilyfoot and Littlepaw nuzzled, but did not jump onto Highrock.
"Pass on all of your skill and gentleness onto your apprentice," he said.
"Now I have one last announcement to make. I must also choose a new deputy. I know this deputy was not chosen before moonhigh, but Lightningblaze did a very good job of taking care of the clan while I was ill. He even led us in battle against Thunderclan to defend our borders," Goosestar praised me.
"Make Lightningblaze deputy!" Mumblefoot yowled out.
Murmurs followed that, some scorning him and others agreeing with Mumblefoot.
"Quiet Mumblefoot. Although I am very sure Lightningblaze would make a fantastic deputy, he has some requirements to meet first. He must have an apprentice first, and right now he is technically is supposed to still be an apprentice.
"He still should be!" Flamepelt snapped.
"Silence!" Goosestar snapped.
"Anyways, the new deputy of Windclan will be Quailfeather," Goosestar announced.
Quailfeather looked up at him, extremely surprised.
"I will do my best to bring strength and peace to this clan," she said in acceptance.
"Very well then. I would like to speak with you in my den for a moment Quailfeather. This meeting is dismissed," Goosestar ordered.
I walked over to Adderfang, who's head hung low and depressed.
"Adderfang, he couldn't have made you or me deputy. We haven't had apprentices yet," I reminded him.
"That's true," he shrugged and headed over to the warriors' den.
I followed him and curled up in my nest and fell asleep.
Yes, the beginning is very obvious to all of you readers out there, but let's just say cats are a little bit on the slow side when it comes to these kind of things xD I mean I thought LeafxCrow was obvious! But it took seasons for all of the clans to find out about it. ANYWAYS, I hope you liked what Robin flight's "statement" was! And if your wondering, I have already decided on the kits' names, so you can still put in suggestions for future cats I suppose but they will not be the names of any of his kits. Please review! (: