My older story, History Rewritten: Brokenstar is still up for adoption. Considering how many people actually read and enjoyed it, I really don't want to kill it forever. PM me if you are interested in taking up this story from me. I will not be going back to writing it ever so if you enjoyed reading it in the past, consider adopting it.

I also have made plans for the story that comes in this "universe" after Dawnstar's Legacy and No Wings to Fly end. It's going to be called Molting Feathers and it will be the same T rating as everything else (ie. no explicit scenes) and I will be hitting topics like social issues, self-image and the importance of platonic relationships. It takes place in WindClan. Just a small warning, there may be LGBTQ characters. If you have anything against that, I strongly suggest not reading Molting Feathers when it comes out. When it starts, just like for the last two stories, there will be an OC casting call. The earlier they are submitted, the better. (Early meaning during/before chapters 1-10). WindClan is only open for future kits (who will grow up to be warriors/queens/medicine cats), they will not be appearing until chapter 12 and later. However, if you submit your character to be a kit and want them to have a certain name when they grow up, please indicate what it is. All other clans have opening for all positions except leader/medicine cat/deputy. If you character is going to have a medicine cat or deputy position in the future (chapters 15 and later), please indicate so. Preloaded personalities make things a lot easier on me to fit your character in the story, but it's not mandatory. Ideally, you'd submit characters in the reviews of Molting Feathers, but if you submit in the reviews for Dawnstar's Legacy or No Wings to Fly, then please indicate that character is for Molting Feathers.

Trigger/suicide attempt warning for this chapter! You'll know it when you see it.

1 separating line goes here 1

Dawnflight awoke smothered in feathery, brown tabby fur. The bitter stink of herbs assaulted her nose as she took her first breath of the morning air. Holding in a cough, Dawnflight licked Timberclaw's cheek. The lanky, brown tabby tom blinked his emerald eyes awake and nuzzled his mate, carefully avoiding the places the two warriors had dressed wounds. Purring, Dawnflight pressed her silvery gray fur closer to Timberclaw's pelt. In response, Timberclaw gave her another lick, then pulled his pelt away to stand up. Dawnflight rolled over onto her side and off of the mossy nest the two warriors shared. Weak, dawn light shone through the warrior's den. Dawnflight blinked her dark amber eyes, adjusting to the low light. The two warriors delicately stepped over the other nests and sleeping cats. Dawnflight's gaze stopped at her father's sleeping form. Embersoul's gray and ginger mottled pelt was curled up alone in his nest. Then, Dawnflight remembered that Stoneheart was sleeping with Blackwing in the medicine cats' den.

I wonder if mom and dad are going to switch places tomorrow night.

Dawnflight followed her striped mate out into the camp. The sun was just approaching dawn and the dawn patrol had yet to leave. Three cats stood at the entrance, silently watching for intruders. Dawnflight recognized them as her brother, Shinepaw and Hawkpaw, now named Thunderstorm, Shinesong and Hawkwhisper. The silvery gray she cat let Timberclaw pad ahead of her and congratulate the newly named warriors. Dawnflight mewed her congratulations as all three cats whisked passed her. Shinesong gave her a warm grin and Hawkwhisper did a little hop on his way to the warrriors' den. The night before, Dawnflight had prepared three new nests for them. She put feathers in her brothers' nest, hoping he'd appreciate the softness. But when Dawnflight followed the new warriors to their nests, she saw that Thunderstorm had swapped nests with Hawkwhisper. Slightly downtrodden, Dawnflight turned out of the den and sat down by Timberclaw.

So much for giving Thunderstorm a warriorhood gift.

Timberclaw stood up on his paws and motioned towards the medicine cats' den.

"Let's check on Blackwing," the brown tabby suggested, "that way, we can wake your mother so she can finally get something to eat."

Dawnflight trotted up to Timberclaw, trying to keep up with his long strides. She envied the older warrior's long, gangly legs.

And here I am with short, stubby legs.

Dawnflight watched Timberclaw neatly hop over the stream that separated the medicine cats' den from the rest of the camp. Dawnflight followed her mate, let her white paws grip the dirt and roots that were strewn across the small island. The two warriors ducked their heads under the root roof of dimly lit den. The smell of bitter marigold juice and fetid cuts assaulted Dawnflight's nose. Withholding a gag, the gray and white she cat stepped forward, blinking her dark amber eyes to adjust to the unnatural darkness. Timberclaw pressed his striped flank against hers, slightly shivering at the putrid smell wafting from the cats before them.

Blackwing lay curled in a mossy nest covered in poultices. Her normally feathery black pelt looked sleek and groomed, likely from Stoneheart caring for her. Dawnflight's mother wrapped her body tightly around Blackwing, who shuddered beneath the gray cat's fluffy fur. Stoneheart licked Blackwing's forehead and turned towards the arriving cats. Worry sparkled in Stoneheart's green eyes.

"She's not getting better," the gray queen nearly whimpered, "she's getting feverish."

Timberclaw whipped his head around the den and sprang at a clump of shriveled and crumbling feverfew leaves. Scooping them up in his paw, he pushed the herbs over towards Blackwing and Stoneheart. The silvery gray warrior just frowned. Dawnflight padded over with a few marigold leaves she found in the back of the den. Stonheart eagerly grabbed them and spat them into a poultice on Blackwing's healing cuts.

"We need feverfew," Stoneheart mewed quietly, "Timberclaw, go and get Fireclaw for me please. Leafstep is out helping take care of ShadowcClan so he won't be here to get herbs."

Timberclaw nodded and turned his lanky, striped body out of the den. His long legs easily forced himself passed the roots that made of the roof and the tom bounded off to the elders' den. Dawnflight softly stepped towards her mother and friend and pressed her flanks to Blackwing. Dawnflight nearly recoiled at the heat the black cat's fur radiated out from her body. Stoneheart turned her green gaze to Dawnflight.

"She's everything to me, Dawnflight. From the moment she joined RiverClan as a rogue kit, she was the sister I never had growing up."

But what about dad? Isn't he supposed to be your everything?

Dawnflight almost made her thoughts audible, but she clamped her jaws shut in fear of angering her mother. The silvery gray queen looked wistful for a moment.

"Blackwing loved you like her own kit," Stoneheart continued, "She loved you the moment you were born." Dawnflight nodded and gave the black furred medicine cat a gentle lick to the cheek. Blackwing shuddered again and Stoneheart curled herself tighter around the smaller cat.

Then, heavy pawsteps caused the two gray cats to turn their attention to the den entrance. A large, light ginger tom stood in the entryway, his leafy green eyes looked anxious under the low light. Fireclaw strode forward and pressed his nose to Blackwing's forehead. Fireclaw shook his head. Stoneheart stared at him for a heartbeat, sadly.

"We need feverfew," the silvery queen said simply, "you need to get some from Wolfheart."

Dawnflight's white tipped ears perked up at the name. She was mildly surprised Stoneheart knew her. Fireclaw nodded and smirked a bit.

"I'm a few steps ahead of you, Stoneheart," he meowed, "I made sure our meeting would be today. She knows all about the battle and she should have everything we need from her garden."

Stoneheart let out an audible sigh of relief. Fireclaw grinned her Dawnflight's mother as she thanked him.

"Pass on my thanks to her, please." She requested. Fireclaw dipped his head in acknowledgement and turned out of the den. Dawnflight was always amazed at how young Fireclaw seemed, despite his age, as he padded out of medicine cats' den. The gray and white warrior turned back to her mother. The silvery gray queen was back to grooming Blackwing's pelt and applying marigold juice to her cuts. Dawnflight felt her jaws part and her voice ask her mother a question.

"You know Wolfheart?"

Stoneheart looked at her daughter for a moment, dumbfounded.

"Of course I know her! We've been friends for seasons. After all, she was Darkfang's mate and mother of his kits so of course I would know her."

Dawnflight pressed her ears back a bit.

"Everyone seems to know her in this clan."

"Considering her history with our clan, it makes sense. Now don't tell anyone that Wolfheart swaps medicine with us. It's a tradition that supposed to be kept a secret."

Dawnflight agreed and was pushed out of the den by her mother.

"Timberclaw is probably out trying to find Waterstar," Stoneheart mewed loudly out of the den, "no one has seen her since the battle ended."

Dawnflight paused for a heartbeat and pondered.

Waterstar has been missing? She went to her den after the warriors' ceremony. Did she leave in the middle of the night? She wouldn't just abandon her clan like that!

The white pawed warrior trotted to the center of camp, close to the leader's empty and cold den. She quietly slipped between the reeds and stones that lined the den entrance and stood before an empty nest that seemed untouched. Dawnflight took in a breath and took note that Waterstar's scent was stale. Clearly, the leader hadn't been in her den for at least several hours. Turning to leave, Dawnflight recognized the brown and tan dappled pelt of Mossclaw step in. He took a sniff of Waterstar's den as well, before turning to face Dawnflight. His pale green eyes looked worried and sad.

"Dawnflight, have you seen Waterstar at all lately? I can't seem to find her. I woke up late last night and she was gone out of her nest." The deputy mewed quickly, likely due to his anxiety about the situation. Dawnflight shook her head. Mossclaw let out a long sigh.

"I thought you wouldn't have. No one has seen her. I honestly thought she would be in camp, with Blackwing falling ill and all. But I think your mother and Fireclaw have that covered at least, with Leafstep helping ShadowClan's injured and all. Help me go look for her, please. I already sent Timberclaw out closer towards the ShadowClan side of our territory. I want to check the other side by WindClan and the Gathering Island."

The dapple pelted deputy stepped out of the leader's den and Dawnflight followed. Time had advanced faster than the grey she cat had realized. The sun was in full blossom in the sky and there was no more pink streaks from the sunrise. Dawnflight blinked her dark amber eyes as they adjusted to the light, turning towards Mossclaw, who had a new determination lining his face.

"Let's go" he mewed as he led the other warrior to the camp entrance. The two cats pushed themselves through the reeds and brambles out into RiverClan's territory. Dawnflight almost made a quip as to how uncharacteristically quiet it seemed today. No frogs called, birds were silent and the breeze was small. Only a cricket or two made any chirps to remind the two warriors that the territory was alive. Mossclaw paused in place to smell the air, but huffed when he found nothing. Dawnflight trotted a few fox lengths away from him in the direction of the Gathering Island. Dawnflight opened her mouth and nose to let in the scents. She breathed in long and hard, hoping to detect at least the faintest scent of RiverClan's leader. Tang of fish, rodents and the long, soft grasses that surrounded her called back through the scent. But no cat smell. Breathing out again, Dawnflight searched for more. This time, the scents of water, reeds, the dawn patrol and a single cat called back to her! Excited, the white pawed warrior scrambled towards the direction of the scent. Her white tipped ears told her that Mossclaw was following, the tom eagerly bounding after her. Dawnflight let her paws take her through the long grasses and reeds and over the marshy soil. Closing her eyes and forcing her face through to part the plants, she opened her dark amber gaze to the clearing in the marsh where the tree bridge to the Gathering Island stood. Out near the lake's edge stood a single she cat with a light gray coat. Her back was turned towards Dawnflight's direction. Gently, the silvery gray and white warrior padded through the grass closer to the other cat. Despite how much noise Dawnflight's paws were making against the water softened ground, the light gray she cat didn't seem to notice Dawnflight. Walking closer to the other she cat, Dawnflight watched as the lighter colored cat slowly and methodically stepped over the sand and stones into the lake. The she cat was ankle deep. Dawnflight crept closer, as to not frighten her. But the light gray cat went further and further into the lake water. The she cat was neck deep in lake water now, making little ripples across the water's surface. Dawnflight abandoned all ideas of stealth and trotted to the lake's edge. The cat quickly turned her dark blue gaze to face Dawnflight, whose dark amber eyes immediately recognized Waterstar! Tears formed in the RiverClan leader's dark eyes and fell over the dark gray dapples on her face. Dawnflight called out of her leader, but the older cat just shook her head and took another few steps deeper into the lake. Dawnflight waded in after the light gray cat, who just hissed at the warrior's advances. Before Dawnflight could take a few kicks to swim towards the RiverClan leader, Waterstar's spotted face disappeared beneath the waves! Dawnflight let out a shriek of horror when her leader didn't immediately lift her head up! Without thinking, Dawnflight sucked in a breath and dove. She pressed her ears against her head and kicked with her back legs deeper into the lake, just like Timberclaw had taught her as an apprentice. Slowly opening her dark amber eyes in the clear water, Dawnflight propelled herself towards Waterstar's sinking form. The leader's long, regal fur trailing after her body like small ribbons.

When Dawnflight was close to Waterstar's body, she put her white paws against the light gray cat's flanks and lifted. Grabbing her leader's scruff, the silvery gray she cat swam. Her legs kicked upwards, getting the two cats closer and closer to the surface! Dawnflight's legs burned with lack of air, but she kept swimming up. Dawnflight felt her head breach the surface of the water and the silvery gray warrior let in a desperate gasp of air while quickly grabbing Waterstar's scruff again. Dawnflight pushed her body along with her leader's body through the small waves, but Dawnflight quickly found herself out of breath and exhausted. Mossclaw seemed to materialize on the banks of lake, a welcome sight to Dawnflight's water filled eyes. Trying to keep Waterstar's head above the lake surface, Dawnflight let out a muffled yowl, coughing up water that rushed into her jaws.

"Help! Mossclaw!"

Instantly, the deputy leapt into the lake and waded towards Dawnflight and Waterstar. Dawnflight let Mossclaw take the leader's scruff, letting out an annoyed growl and snarl, Waterstar coughed and gagged up excess lake water. Mossclaw dragged his leader across the pebbly lake shore and set her down onto some grass. Dawnflight groggily followed, still out of breath from having to carry another cat through the water. She let her white tipped tail drag behind her and didn't mind the drippy feeling of her silvery fur against her flanks. She padded up to the two other cats to see Waterstar snarling fiercely at her deputy as she lay on her side coughing up more water into the marsh grass. Mossclaw remained stoic however, much to Dawnflight's surprise. Waterstar turned her dark gray spotted face to the two warriors before her.

"You imbeciles! Why couldn't you just let me die." The light gray pelted she cat first hissed then whimpered into a sob. Tears washed over her dark blue eyes as she pressed her face into the grass. The leader's gasping sounds made Dawnflight feel a stab of pity for her.

"Why would we do that?" Mossclaw genuinely asked softly? A gentleness in his pale green eyes failed to reach his leader. Waterstar snarled at her deputy again.

"I deserved to die! You should be the leader of RiverClan! You should be the one leading the clan to greatness! Brightstar made a huge mistake in choosing me over you."

Waterstar started sobbing again. Mossclaw pressed his head to Waterstar's, who was too hysterical to push him away. Despite the tears and lake water covering her face, Mossclaw closed his eyes and purred. He licked Waterstar's dark gray dappled face. Her gasps and sobs quieted as she closed her dark blue eyes too.

Dawnflight hung back, letting the two cats have their moment. They seemed to have forgotten that she was there, but the silvery gray she cat stayed silent. After what seemed like an eternity to Dawnflight, Waterstar and Mossclaw finally stood up. They had a quick embrace with each other before pulling their pelts away.

"I love you." Dawnflight heard Waterstar whisper to Mossclaw. The tan and brown mottle tom gave her a lick.

"I love you too, never forget that." He responded. The two guiltily gave a glance back at Dawnflight, finally remembering she was witness to the whole scene.

"Don't tell anyone," Waterstar begged with her dark blue eyes clearing up, "if anyone asks, I fell into the lake trying to fish."

Waterstar looked away shamefully, but Dawnflight nodded and agreed to keep quiet. Mossclaw gave her a gracious thanks.

"You can be excused from any more duties for today," he meowed, "I think saving Waterstar is more than enough for today."

The three cats slowly wobbled their water soaked pelts across the territory, leaving a small trail of water in the grass behind them. Dawnflight was grateful that the breeze was small, ensuring the small party of cats wouldn't be cold. The three cats pushed their way through the camp entrance under the worried gazes of RiverClan. Dawnflight eagerly told the clan that there had been a fishing accident and they had fallen into the lake. Dawnflight breathed in relief at her clanmates' gullible natures. As Mossclaw and Waterstar padded over to the leader's den, Timberclaw bounded over to Dawnflight, showering her with licks in order to get all the water off. Dawnflight slumped down on the ground near him and let her mate shower her. Sighing and putting her white paws over her face, Dawnflight let out a frustrated breath.

"This clan has sooooo many secrets."

Timberclaw chuckled in response.

"It wouldn't be RiverClan without them."