Highstones
"Where is Fireheart?" asked Longtail, annoyed, with Mousefur just as Nightfrost padded out of the den to the fresh-kill pile. Whitestorm was near the warriors den.
"I'll go get him," he mewed and was about to pad back into the bush when Bluestar called out to him.
"Whitestorm, I would like to Fireheart in my den." Whitestorm dipped his head and pushed though the leaves. Bluestar excitedly retreated into her den, making Nightfrost wonder the change in her mood. Fireheart soon padded back out, nodded to Longtail and Mousefur and headed into Bluestar's den. Nightfrost grabbed a vole and took a couple bites when Bluestar padded to Yellowfang's den with Fireheart wearing an uneasy look behind.
"What's going on?" Longtail demanded, his tail flicking impatiently, while Mousefur had settled onto her belly and watched Fireheart approach through half-closed eyes.. "Why's Bluestar going to see Yellowfang? Is she okay?"
"She's going to get traveling herbs. Bluestar needs to share with StarClan, so we're going to the Moonstone," Fireheart explained.
"That's a long way," remarked Mousefur, slowly sitting up. "Is it wise? Bluestar's probably still weak from the rogue cats' attack."
"She told me that StarClan has summoned her," he answered.
"Who else is going?" asked Longtail.
"Just me, Bluestar and Nightfrost." Nightfrost widen his eyes, how will he hunt for Red?
"I'll come too, if you like," offered Mousefur. Fireheart shook his head regretfully. Longtail snarled and turned away.
"Then who will lead the patrol?" asked Mousefur. Whitestorm padded behind Fireheart.
"Yellowfang!" Bluestar's agitated meow sounded from the medicine cat's den.
"Go to her, Fireheart," meowed Whitestorm quietly. "I'll lead the patrol." His friend turn to him and send a signal of gestures. Nightfrost felt relief and nodded in thanks.
"But Bluestar wants you to take charge of the Clan while we're gone," Fireheart told him.
"In that case, I'll stay here and organize today's hunting parties. Mousefur can lead the patrol."
"Yes," agreed Fireheart. He turned to Mousefur. "Take Thornpaw with you," he ordered.
Nightfrost padded to Yellowfang's den.
"I suppose you'll be wanting some traveling herbs too," remarked Yellowfang, "And Fireheart? You as well I believe." As Fireheart emerged from the tunnel. The old medicine cat was sitting calmly in the clearing, mixing leaves, while Bluestar paced restlessly around, lost in her own thoughts.
"Yes, thank you/Yes, please," answered Nightfrost and Fireheart. After a while, Bluestar stopped.
"Aren't they ready yet?" she meowed irritably.
Fireheart padded over to Bluestar's side. "Nearly," he told her. "Don't worry. We'll make it to Highstones by sunset." Bluestar blinked at him. Yellowfang dropped mixed leaves in front of each cat.
"Here, your traveling herbs are ready."
Nightfrost quickly swallowed the bitter herbs and turned just as Bluestar headed out of the clearing. She nodded to both brothers to follow her. Around them, the camp was beginning to stir. Willowpelt had just squeezed out of the nursery and was blinking in the bright sunlight, while Patchpelt was stretching his old limbs in front of the fallen oak. Both cats glanced curiously at the three cats, then carried on with their morning routine.
"Hey!" Cloudpaw mewed, scampering out of his den with his fur standing on end, ungroomed after a night's sleep. "Where are you going? Can I come?"
Fireheart glanced at Bluestar hopefully, who was padding away at a fast pace. "Sorry Cloudpaw. Maybe next time. See what you can do in camp."
Cloudpaw's ears dropped but nodded. Fireheart and Nightfrost quickly ran after their leader, who had reached up the ravine. She paused to sniff the air before padding into the forest. She padded towards the Riverclan border. Wait, why the border?
The cats met the RiverClan border above Sunningrocks and followed the scent markers upriver. A warm breeze carried the faint heather scent of the moor down to them. Bluestar followed the markers, padding on. Nightfrost stopped every now and then to scent the air in case of Riverclan patrols while Fireheart keep glanced, twitching his nose. He did not know why Bluestar choose this path but she is their leader.
Suddenly Bluestar stopped and lifted her muzzle, opening her mouth to taste the air. Nightfrost tasted Riverclan scent in the air coming their way. She dropped into a crouch and the brothers followed.
"RiverClan warriors," Bluestar warned in a whisper. Nightfrost risked a glance at his leader and his brother. Fireheart raised his head very slowly and peered through the trees, his eyes hopeful. Beside him, Bluestar's eyes were wide and her flanks barely moved as she took silent, shallow breaths. For Fireheart, he knows Graystripe is still his friend, but as for Bluestar, he did not get it. Why does she look just as hopeful as Fireheart, if not more?
Nightfrost returned to staring at the border. A glimpse of tawny mottled fur in the distance made Fireheart duck down again. That wasn't Graystripe, and based on Bluestar's reaction, not who she was looking for. A vaguely familiar scent confirmed the identity of the warrior. It was Leopardfur, the RiverClan deputy.
Nightfrost turned to his leader. Bluestar still had her head up, peering through the trees. Fireheart glanced at her, worried. The rustling of ferns warned them that Leopardfur was getting nearer.
The rustling in the bushes grew louder. He heard the RiverClan deputy stop, and her silence told him she had detected something. Fireheart stared desperately at Bluestar, he was about to signal to her with his tail when she dropped her head and hissed, "Come on; we'd better head deeper into our own territory."
The two toms followed Bluestar deeper into the safety of the woods.
"That Leopardfur moves so loudly, I should think even ShadowClan heard her coming," remarked Bluestar once they were away from the border.
"She's a good warrior, but too easily distracted," Bluestar went on calmly. "She was more interested in that rabbit upwind than looking for enemy warriors."
Nightfrost flicked his ears, surprised by Bluestar's renewed confidence. It seems she is doing better now and Leopardfur was distracted by the rabbit scent in the breeze.
"This reminds me of the days I used to take you for training," purred Bluestar as she padded through the sun-dappled woods.
Fireheart ran to catch up with her. "Me too," he replied.
"You were a fast learner. I chose well when I invited you into my Clan," Bluestar murmured. She looked back over her shoulder at Fireheart, pride in her eyes. He blinked gratefully at her.
"All the Clans have much to thank you for," Bluestar continued. "You drove Brokentail out of ShadowClan, brought WindClan home from exile, helped RiverClan when they were flooded, and saved ThunderClan from Tigerclaw. No other warrior has your sense of fairness or loyalty or courage…."
Fireheart's fur pricked. "But all the ThunderClan cats respect the warrior code as I do," he pointed out. "Every one of them would sacrifice themselves to protect you and the Clan."
Wait a moment, have they forgotten that he's here with them?
Bluestar stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Fireheart. "You are the only cat who dared oppose Tigerclaw," she reminded him.
"But I was the only one who knew that he killed Redtail! And Nightfrost is willing to oppose him too! Isn't that why you brought him along with us?!"
Bluestar stopped and turned around. "That is true, but...," her voice grew angrier, "you were the only one to save me."
The gray she-cat then stalked away through the forest, her shoulders stiff and her tail fluffed up. Fireheart shivered and followed.
They reached Fourtrees as the sun broke through the leaves at the top of the trees. Fireheart and Nightfrost followed Bluestar down the slope into the valley, where the four great oaks stood, guarding the place where the Clans met each full moon under a single night's truce. The three cats passed the Great Rock where the leaders of each Clan stood to address the Gathering, and headed up the far side of the valley.
As the grassy hill turned steeper and rockier, Nightfrost noticed that Bluestar was struggling to keep up the pace. She grunted each time she jumped onto the next rock, and both Fireheart and Nightfrost had to slow down so that they didn't pass her. At the top of the slope, Bluestar stopped and sat down, wheezing.
"Are you okay?" Fireheart asked.
"Not so young…" panted Bluestar. Nightfrost and Fireheart sat down, waiting for her to catch her breath. Bluestar continued though a sea of heather, with her warriors following. The sun was reaching its highest point as they neared the swathe of gorse at the heart of WindClan's territory. Fourtrees was far behind them, but there was still a long way to go before they reached the slope at the edge of the moor that ran down into Twoleg farmland.
Nightfrost tensed when the hot breeze blew back into Windclan territory, carrying their scent with it. An angry yowl sounded from behind them.
"Intruders. Why are you here?" hissed a mottled dark brown tabby. A gray tabby warrior called Tornear was beside him along with a kit, an apprentice, copying Mudclaw.
"We're just traveling through—" Fireheart began.
"You are on our land," spat Mudclaw. His eyes shone angrily. The gray tom flicked his tail to him.
"Wait, Mudclaw. They may be going to the Highstones," mewed Tornear.
"We are. Thank you, Tornear," Fireheart meowed.
The group was about to continue when Tornear nodded. "May Starclan light your path."
"And yours as well."
The three Thunderclan cats resumed heading to the Highstones. They soon reached the Thunderpath.
"Nightfrost, stay here and protect Bluestar, while I check out the other side," mewed Fireheart. The small tom nodded. Fireheart headed out first, looked both sides, and quickly crossed. The deputy tasted his surroundings and flicked his tail. Nightfrost mewed to his leader.
"Bluestar, we can cross now."
Bluestar only nodded, and padded up to him. He lead her up to the Thunderpath, making sure that no monster is seen and padded safely across with Bluestar. Bluestar then lead them to the Mothermouth, sniffed, and turned to them.
"Nightfrost, guard the entrance. Fireheart, come with me," she ordered and padded in. Both warriors dipped their heads and did as commanded.
Nightfrost sat outside, waiting and guarding. A bird flew passing by and the black tom noted it was already sunhigh. Nightfrost was thankful for the traveling herbs, even with the bitter taste, as it meant he does not have to eat as soon.
