Fireheart clung to his branch desperately, Dipperkit's face buried in his chest. The little kit had quieted in the past hour, and both were trembling silently together. The time had passed in a haze. Fireheart's senses had dulled with shock.
Crookedstar was gone. Duckpaw was dead. The camp was destroyed.
And the river was still rushing below him, having swallowed the entire shoreline.
Some time ago, Leopardfur had taken another cat—Fireheart had never registered who—to find a safe spot for the Clan to go. The flooding river could only spread so far, and much of their underused territory was uphill. Still, most of the Clan had stayed behind, still perched in the trees.
"Hello?!" some cat yowled from afar. "RiverClan! I found one of your elders!"
Fireheart bleakly opened his eyes and looked out at the scene below. The flow of the river was beginning to slow already, and it had stopped raining since the Clan had sheltered in the trees. He searched the river and the trees for the source of the voice.
"Is that a ThunderClanner?" Weaselfoot loudly demanded.
Fireheart blinked and looked out towards Sunningrocks. A large gray tom was swimming towards the camp. He found his way to the top of a boulder that hadn't been completely covered by water and hauled himself free. Graystripe? Fireheart wondered. What's he doing here? It seemed the river had slowed enough for even an inexperienced swimmer to strike out towards them. We might be able to get to somewhere safer now.
"Trespasser!" Snarled Beetleclaw. "How dare you come here?"
Graystripe, soaked to the bone, shook himself out before he lifted his gaze towards the trees. "RiverClan, I come to help you!" he meowed. "I found Graypool washed up on our side of the border. She's okay, but…" He flattened his ears. "I found another cat with her. She said his name was Voleclaw."
Was? Fireheart felt a stab to his chest. Another Clanmate lost to the flood. How many cats have we lost?
Silverstream called out to him. "Where is Graypool?" she demanded. "Did you see anyone else?"
Graystripe glanced at her, and seemed to look relieved to find her up in a tree. "No… is there someone you're looking for?"
"Crookedstar," Fireheart blurted. "He… he got washed away."
Graystripe's eyes widened. "I—I'm so sorry," he replied. "I hadn't seen him. Graypool is very confused. She couldn't tell me what had happened, I didn't know—"
A yowl came from behind Fireheart, and he glanced over his shoulder. Leopardfur was beyond the camp, far uphill. The flood seemed to have already receeded from the territory beyond the camp boundary. "RiverClan!" Leopardfur called. "To me!"
Many cats were quick to jump from the trees into the water, emboldened by Graystripe's successful swim. A few still remained. Fireheart himself hesitated as he looked down at Dipperkit, who did not make a sound, but continued to shake from the cold.
"Dipperkit," Fireheart meowed. "We have to get back in the water, okay? We're going to swim to a safe place."
Dipperkit lifted his head to look up at Fireheart. He blinked tiredly, his eyes glazed. "Okay," he murmured.
Fireheart gingerly picked the kit up by the scruff. Graystripe, meanwhile, began to swim towards Brambleflower and Lichenkit, who had not moved from their own stone. "I'll help you get across!" he called to them.
It's lucky he came, Fireheart thought. Too many of us are exhausted. He didn't stop to wonder why only Graystripe had come, and not an entire patrol of ThunderClan warriors. He leaped down into the water, and for a moment, both he and Dipperkit were submerged underwater. They broke clear a heartbeat later, Dipperkit wailing once more and spluttering out water. Fireheart struck out towards the edge of the river, relieved to find the current was weaker than it had been earlier, albeit still as cold. He didn't have far to swim, though, and quickly made it to land. He carried Dipperkit up the slope for a few paces, taking him away from the flood behind them.
We're alive, Fireheart finally thought. I'm alive. Clanmates were converging at the top of the slope, bedraggled and soaked. Fireheart took a sharp breath as he struggled up the hill to join them. Dipperkit had gone limp in his jaws. The little tom wouldn't be able to walk up the slope on his own—he was already far too exhausted.
"Fireheart!" Beechflower called, relief clear in his voice. The pale tom was crouched near the gathering Clan, but he sat up as he saw his friend coming. "Thank StarClan you're okay."
Fireheart padded towards Beechflower, feeling warm relief at the sight of him. Crookedstar had been weakened so much by his illness, but Beechflower had made it out safely. He joined his friend and set Dipperkit down on the grass. "I'm glad to see you're okay, too," he tiredly purred.
"Did you hear what Graystripe said?" Beechflower meowed. His ears flattened. "About Voleclaw."
Fireheart nodded slowly. "I know."
Beechflower lifted his gaze towards the flood again. "Here he comes."
Fireheart followed his gaze. Graystripe was padding up the slope, holding Lichenkit in his jaws. Beside him, Silverstream was guiding an exhausted Brambleflower, who was leaning heavily on the younger molly. Fireheart felt a stab of pity for Silverstream. She's just lost her father, he thought. But she's still helping other cats.
Silverstream, Graystripe, and Brambleflower padded towards Fireheart and Beechflower. Once they were on level ground, Graystripe set Lichenkit down and nudged Brambleflower, nodding towards Fireheart and Dipperkit. He meowed something in her ear, and immediately, the queen straightened up and set her sights on Dipperkit.
"Dipperkit!" she cried. Brambleflower darted towards Fireheart, who nudged Dipperkit.
Dipperkit lifted his head at the sound of his mother's voice. "Mama?" he rasped.
Brambleflower hurriedly pulled her son towards her and began to cover him in frantic licks. Her purrs tumbled louder than thunder. After a few moments of her grooming, she looked up at Fireheart. "Thank you," she whispered. "For saving my son."
Fireheart felt his ears grow warm, and he dipped his head awkwardly. "Of course," he replied. "I—I had to."
"You're a good cat," Brambleflower insisted, before giving Dipperkit another firm lick. Lichenkit ducked under her belly and pressed against her brother. Like her brother, she was silent from exhaustion. Brambleflower glanced at Graystripe and smiled. "As are you, for helping us. Thank you for helping us cross."
"I'm happy to," Graystripe murmured. He looked as though he were going to add something, but he looked away, towards Beechflower. "Did you make it out okay? I know you've been sick for a while."
Fireheart's ears pricked at that. How does he know that? he wondered.
Beechflower smiled warmly at the ThunderClanner. "I'm alright," he meowed. "Tired but in one piece."
"Good," Graystripe purred.
Are they friends? Fireheart wondered. He had never noticed—but then again, he had been to few Gatherings and had often been separated from Beechflower.
Brambleflower, oblivious to anything but the needs of her kits, nosed them to their paws. "Come, kits," she meowed. "Let's find your siblings."
Fireheart felt his throat tighten. He had seen Sootkit and Duckpaw get swept away. Was it possible someone had found Sootkit—or Nightkit, for that matter? I don't know what to say!
But Brambleflower led her kits off towards the larger group before any cat could speak to her. Fireheart wasn't even sure if Beechflower or Silverstream had seen Duckpaw's demise. Fireheart looked down guiltily at his paws. Maybe it's better she has a chance to talk to someone else, he thought. I… I don't even know how would tell her.
He glanced up to see Graystripe lean towards Silverstream. The gray tom's eyes were warm, his gaze full of concern. "What about you?" he murmured. "I—someone mentioned that Crookedstar…"
"I can't," Silverstream interrupted, flinching. Her tail hung low. "I can't—if I start believing he's… I won't be any good to any cat." Her voice was strained as she added, "I have to help my Clan first."
Graystripe briefly touched his nose to her ear. "I'm sorry," he meowed. "StarClan be with you."
Fireheart expected Silverstream to flinch away from the enemy warrior. Instead, she lingered in place for a heartbeat, and sighed quietly. Beechflower may not have noticed it… but Fireheart was close enough that he heard. It made the fur on his spine lift with unease.
Graystripe quickly stepped back. "I'll see if there's anything else I can do," he meowed. "Otherwise, I don't want to impose by sticking around." He turned away and padded off towards the bulk of the Clan.
Fireheart found himself staring at Silverstream, who's own gaze was lingering on Graystripe. Every sense of hers was clearly trained on him—her whiskers lifted, her ears swiveled his way. Fireheart felt his chest warm, but in an uncomfortable, anxious sort of way.
Oh, Fireheart realized, his eyes widening. Oh, no. They're not—They… He swallowed. Is she… is she seeing Graystripe? The thought made him ill as he glanced at Beechflower, who seemed blissfully oblivious to Silverstream's longing gaze. How could she? Silverstream and Beechflower has never publicly announced becoming mates, though it had always seemed clear they were romantically involved. A flurry of thoughts raced through Fireheart's mind. Has she just been using him as a cover? He stared at Beechflower. Does he know that she's just been leading him on? He briefly felt a surprising burst of anger for his friend's sake. Beechflower is so kind—how could she do that to him? Fireheart gritted his teeth and lashed his tail. I thought she was nice, too… but if she would do that… I don't even know what to think of her!
"Fireheart?" Beechflower meowed. "You okay?"
Fireheart blinked and flattened his fur. "Yes," he blurted. Keep it together! "Just… feeling…" he was at a loss for words. The flood and the possibility of Silverstream's betrayal of his good friend was all too much for him to process.
Beechflower's gaze grew sympathetic. "I know," he murmured. "We all feel it."
Do you know? Fireheart wondered. He forced himself to bite his tongue and nodded silently. I don't know for sure, he told himself. I have to talk to her first.
Silverstream had pulled her gaze away from Graystripe and glanced towards Beechflower. She padded towards him and sat silently beside him, lowering herself into a crouch. "Do you need anything?" she asked.
Beechflower wrapped his short tail around her haunches. "You need to rest," he replied. "No cat can expect you to be taking care of the whole Clan."
Fireheart had to tear his gaze away from them. I have to ask her, he thought. But not now.
"RiverClan!" Leopardfur yowled. "Let all cats gather for a Clan meeting!"
Fireheart felt his chest clench. Leopardfur had never made the announcement for a Clan meeting before. That was always Crookedstar's job. She's already assuming leadership, he thought.
Behind him, Beechflower gently nudged Silverstream back to her paws. "Come on," he meowed. "Let's see what she has to say."
Fireheart didn't wait for them as he hurried towards the gathered Clan. He wasn't sure he could stand sitting by them until he had the truth from Silverstream. Instead, he found his way into the bedraggled crowd and sat beside Dawnwhisker.
His former mentor smiled tiredly at him. "I'm glad you're okay," Dawnwhisker murmured. "I lost sight of you when we jumped in."
So she did come in, Fireheart thought. "I got Dipperkit out," he replied. "I'm glad you're okay, too."
"Cats of RiverClan," Leopardfur loudly began. "I'm as horrified as you all are by the flood." She stood at the center of the Clan, with all warriors surrounding her. Despite being soaked and likely as tired as the rest of them, she held her head high. "I think most of us saw what happened to Crookedstar." A murmur of sadness ripples through the Clan. Somebody sobbed. Leopardfur flicked her tail. "It is possible that he survived and was washed ashore far from us," she meowed. "But given his condition and the severity of the flood, I fear the worst."
"Can't we search for him?" Shadepelt asked. A few cats meowed their agreement, but others shook their heads hopelessly.
Leopardfur glanced towards her. "Once everyone has rested, search parties can happen," she replied. "But the code demands that I travel to the Mothermouth as soon as possible. She nodded towards Mudfur and Yellowfang, who were both sitting close to Leopardfur. "I have already spoken to Mudfur and Yellowfang, who have agreed the best action is to travel immediately."
Silverthorn let out a hiss. "We still have missing cats!" he retorted. "Crookedstar's body should be with us before you leave!"
Fireheart's gaze shifted towards his old rival. He's right, he thought, though it felt strange to agree with him. But she'd have my pelt if I said it.
Yellowfang coughed to clear her throat. "A leader is needed," she growled. "If Crookedstar lives, StarClan will give Mudfur a sign and send Leopardfur home. It is better to know for certain than to waste days hoping." She sniffed. "I will remain here to see to any wounds."
Leopardfur nodded gratefully. "The way to the Mothermouth may not be safe," she meowed. "I'm not sure how far the flooding goes, nor how long it will take for us to return." She lifted her chin. "So I will announce my choice for deputy now, in case we return past Moonhigh."
Dawnwhisker leaned towards Fireheart. "A new deputy must be named before Moonhigh," she whispered. "It's the code."
Fireheart still felt uneasy. It's the right thing to leave us with leadership, he thought. But… I'm not ready for her to lead. What would life be like, now that she led RiverClan—without Crookedstar to soothe her rash bursts of frustration? Deep down, he knew there was little hope that Crookedstar had survived. He could barely stand yesterday, he thought. He wouldn't have made it in a flood.
"Blackclaw will be the new deputy of RiverClan," Leopardfur announced. "Of course, so long as StarClan accepts me as leader."
Blackclaw! Fireheart wanted to groan. Leopardfur as leader was trouble enough for him. But Blackclaw too? Neither cat held any move for Fireheart. He suddenly found himself regretting the incident with Silverthorn and the fish. Oh, StarClan… he's going to have it out for me!
A half-hearted cheer went up from those with enough energy to yowl. "Blackclaw! Blackclaw!"
Fireheart just wanted to lay down and close his eyes. His chest was tight with stress. Leopardfur can't really be that bad of a leader, he decided. Not for RiverClan. I do think she cares about them. But she and Blackclaw both hate me… how long until they get rid of me for good?
Night was falling on the makeshift camp, if anyone could even call it that. A few nests had been thrown together for queens and the injured, but most cats were settling down in the damp grass. Leopardfur had left long ago for the Moonstone with Mudfur.
Fireheart was grooming himself at the edge of the camp area, finally nearly dry. Every muscle in his body screamed at him to flop in the grass and stop moving, but nerves kept him grooming. They were exposed out on the hilltop, with no trees or dens to shelter in. At least WindClan had a real camp, even though they slept in the open air.
It wasn't just the exposure, though. Cats were still missing from the Clan. Graypool has returned, escorted by Mossfrost and Shadepelt, but as Graystripe had reported, she was dazed and disoriented. No bodies had been found yet, but a number of warriors were missing, along with Sootkit and Nightkit.
Fireheart paused in his grooming and caught sight of Skyheart, who was sitting between Blackclaw and Brambleflower. Her two companions were grooming her gently. Reedtail, her mate, was one of the missing cats. It was strange to see Blackclaw caring for another cat so tenderly. I wonder if they're kin, he thought. He was glad to see Skyheart alive, at least—the queen was heavily pregnant, only days away from kitting.
He glanced out towards the river and blinked. Sandstorm! he recalled. I was going to meet her… Fireheart felt his chest grow warm. It would feel good to see her after everything that had happened. Graystripe must have told his Clan about the flood. Did she worry about me? He wondered. He felt a tug in his paws, urging him to get up and go.
Fireheart didn't fight it. Quietly, he rose and padded away from where he had been nested, heading back down the slope towards the flooded camp. No cat stopped him or asked where he was going—most were already dozing off or too busy fussing over another cat. He padded down the hill, trying to ignore the aching of his muscles.
As he neared the bottom of the hill, where the trees bordering camp grew, he could more clearly see the destruction the flood had caused. Water was still receding from the camp, still high enough to cover his paws. There was hardly any sign a cat had ever lived here. The leader's log had been carried away, and the dens were no more than floating scraps of branches and reeds. The reed barrier was no more. The few stalks that remained were crooked or collapsed. Fireheart paused a moment at the edge of camp and swallowed, feeling a great sense of loss weigh down on him.
It's all gone, he thought. We have to rebuild everything.
Movement in the river caught Fireheart's eye, and he paused in his surveying of the camp to look out towards it. He stiffened as he saw another cat swimming out towards the ThunderClan border. Who is that? Fireheart bounded forward into the camp, splashing loudly.
The swimmer looked back over their shoulder and widened their eyes. Fireheart bristled in recognition. Silverstream!
There was no doubting now that she was seeing Graystripe.
Fireheart narrowed his eyes and hurried into the deeper water, then began to strike out towards her. Silverstream continued swimming across and hurriedly pulled herself from the river onto Sunningrocks. She stopped there, watching his progress with wary eyes.
She's not going to try and run off, he thought, feeling hot with anger despite the freezing water. He swam as hard as he could, making it across quickly.
As soon as Fireheart was out of the water, he stalked towards Silverstream and let out a low hiss. "What are you doing?" he demanded.
Silverstream narrowed her eyes. "My father's just died, Fireheart," she snapped. "Can't I want to be alone?"
Fireheart felt a stab of guilt, but he didn't relent. I didn't want to corner her tonight, but I can't ignore seeing her! "On Sunningrocks?" he challenged. When Silverstream said nothing, Fireheart lifted his head and lashed his tail. "You're going to meet Graystripe, aren't you?"
Silverstream's eyes widened, and she bristled in surprise. "I—how—how did you know that?" She narrowed her eyes once more. "Have you been following me?"
"No!" Fireheart growled. "I just saw the way the two of you were acting when he showed up. I'm not that minnow-brained, Silverstream!"
Silverstream was briefly at a loss for words. The silver tabby looked away for a few heartbeats, seemingly stunned. A moment later, though, she looked back at him, her brows furrowed stubbornly. "You can't make me stop," she firmly meowed. "I know he's from another Clan. I don't care. Tell Leopardfur if it makes you that angry."
"I—" Fireheart gritted his teeth. Frog-dung, that's not why I'm angry! The irony of confronting another cat for meeting an outsider was not lost on him, certainly not when he had been just about to visit a ThunderClanner himself. "I don't care about that!" he blurted. "How can you have a relationship with Beechflower and do this to him?"
Silverstream blinked. She hesitated for a moment, before she sighed and sat down. "Look," she meowed. "It's not like that, Fireheart. Do you really think so low of me? Beechflower knows. He—" She paused and swallowed. "We all care about each other. The three of us. He just hasn't been able to come with me to see Graystripe because of being so unwell these past few days."
It was Fireheart's turn to be speechless. What? He didn't know what to make of that. He had been expecting denial, or perhaps guilt—but not this.
Silverstream met his gaze again, her eyes dull. "I would never do anything to hurt Beechflower," she softly meowed. "Really. I love him. But I love Graystripe too. We both do."
Fireheart felt himself deflate. "I… StarClan, I'm really sorry," he replied. He didn't know what else to say. Guilt gnawed at him. I guess I am that minnow-brained.
Silverstream sighed. She looked just as tired as Fireheart. "I get why you would jump to that conclusion," she meowed. "Just… please don't actually tell Leopardfur… or anyone. I know it's against the code for us to be together." She lashed her tail. "But it's a stupid rule! I can be loyal to my Clan and true to my heart."
Fireheart hesitated before he looked up and met her gaze. "You can trust me," he quietly replied. "You're… not the only cat in RiverClan who cares about someone in ThunderClan."
Silverstream blinked. "You… oh." She paused and chuckled softly, looking briefly amused. "I guess we're just a pair of rule breakers, aren't we?"
Fireheart couldn't help but snort. "I guess so." He sighed and scuffed his paws. "I'm really sorry. And… I'm sorry about Crookedstar, too. I wanted to jump in after him, but he—"
"Don't—" Silverstream interrupted. She closed her eyes for a moment. "It's okay, Fireheart. I—I'd been trying to prepare myself for losing him," she meowed. "I just didn't expect it to be like this. I saw him, too. He wouldn't have wanted cats to die going after him, you know?" She opened her eyes again, and they were glistening with tears. "I just wish I had the chance to say goodbye to him."
Fireheart felt compelled to lean forward and touch his nose to her ear. "You'll see him again," he promised. "I'm sure he's watching over you now."
Silverstream nodded quietly. She stood and fluffed out her damp pelt. "I'm going to go," she meowed. "Good night, Fireheart."
"Good night," Fireheart murmured, as Silverstream turned and padded off towards the edge of the woods. He wondered if Graystripe was already waiting on the other side of the border. He watched until she disappeared into the ferns, then he too turned and began to pad downstream towards his usual meeting place.
How many cats like us are there? he wondered. Are there other cats in RiverClan sneaking around meeting others? Fireheart shook his head. It seemed like he was alone in the way he had been seeing Sandstorm—just how common was it? And why aren't we allowed to see cats from other Clans? Tired questions nagged at him as he walked on. Silverstream is right. I can care about both RiverClan and Sandstorm.
Sandstorm found herself pacing restlessly by the roots of the willow tree where she usually met Fireheart. Her tail lashed from side to side. Graystripe had reported earlier in the day of a flood in RiverClan. He hadn't mentioned if Fireheart was alive, and there was no way for Sandstorm to ask after him without seeming strange.
So she paced. And worried. And paced.
He's fine, Sandstorm told herself, for the fifteenth time that night. You shouldn't even care! But her heart pounded loudly. Even if he was alive, would he come tonight? When would she even find out if he was okay? Her mind raced with countless possibilities of his fate.
When she finally heard Fireheart call out in greeting, she felt her legs buckle. Sandstorm lifted her gaze to see the ginger tom padding down the river side, his tail lifted and his pelt a soaking mess.
Sandstorm didn't stop to think. She bolted to him. Fireheart mrrowed in surprise as she bowled him to the ground, purring in relief.
"Gah!" Fireheart flailed as he rolled onto his back. Sandstorm licked his cheek roughly. She didn't even stop to mentally chastise herself before she started to nose him over for signs of injury.
"You're alive," she breathed. He was damp and cold and getting her fur wet, but Sandstorm didn't care.
"Yes," Fireheart replied. Despite his surprise, his eyes glowed with amusement. "Were you worried about me?"
"Shut up," Sandstorm grumbled, before she pushed her muzzle into his chest. "Maybe." She lay there a heartbeat before she sat up and let Fireheart get up.
Fireheart stood slowly and shook himself. He looked exhausted. Despite his friendly smile, he looked as though he could barely hold his head up. Sandstorm frowned in concern. "What exactly happened?" she asked. "Graystripe told everyone there was a flood… he said Crookedstar was gone, too. Is it true?"
Fireheart sat and closed his eyes. "Yes," he quietly replied. "He's gone. We lost… a few cats. We're not really sure how many are just missing and how many are really gone." He shivered.
Sandstorm shifted closer again, her heart racing. Gently, she began to lick at his wet fur, grooming it back the wrong way. "Don't you usually take the stepping stones?" she asked. "Did they get covered in the flood?"
"I don't know," Fireheart murmured. He leaned into her as she continued to groom him. "I didn't even look."
Sandstorm pulled away, eyeing him inquisitively. "Why did you come tonight?" she demanded. "After everything that happened… I would've understood if you didn't." Saying it felt like lying—but still, it seemed silly that he had come at all, even if she was glad he did.
Fireheart opened his eyes. "I wanted to see you," he replied. Quietly, he corrected himself. "I needed to see you. You… make me feel better."
Sandstorm felt her throat tighten. "You make me feel better, too." She leaned in again and pressed her muzzle to his cheek. StarClan help me, she thought, as she breathed in his scent. This is going to be the end of me.
