Chapter 32: FearClan Medicine Cat

That night had changed everything. Hawksight knew that from the bottom of her heart. Even as her memories flitted back to the dark ginger she-cat she spoke to. Their yellow eyes sharp and cold as they spoke of a dark history. Bushstar didn't greet her, but a cat who once known him. One who meowed the secrets of the past.

"Who are you?" Hawksight had asked, eyes wide.

The she-cat let out a haughty laugh, "Really, no one speaks of me anymore? I am Finch, Mother of Lion. A broken and twisted heart that learned to forgive at the last moment."

"Did you know Poppyclaw?" she asked, excitement bubbling out and unable to hold it back.

"In a way, I do. You see, they stole my home. I promised Lion I would get our home back." her eyes darkened. "I got blinded by hate, I brought her home, but at the cost of joining those heartless rogues. Those flea-bitten crowfood-eaters had me killed when I told them the truth. A truth that Lion does not even know."

"Poppyclaw had said that love is dangerous, is that what this truth is?" Hawksight pressed, knowing they had little time.

Finch's eyes became dark as she shook her head. "Sweetheart, he watched Bushstar create the war. He betrayed my heart and another. All cats know that BloodClan deserves to vanish forever. FearClan would never allow it, neither would Bushstar. That was his kin, his family. Family ties ran deeper than love. Love tainted that. So yes, he is correct and so are you."

"But why is it?"

"It is simple. It can break a cat's spirit, break their concentration to make sound decisions. It's fickle, but beautiful. In the wrong paws, it can create jealousy. Believe me, it can be far more dangerous. I died through jealousy, the same jealousy that my love meant nothing to him. That very jealousy killed me and had caused my daughter pain. Jealousy can taint everything around it."

Hawksight blinked, trying to understand, "Then, why do you keep appearing before me?"

"Do not be jealous of their lack of faith. It's their lack of it that gives them weakness, but they are stronger than you believe. BloodClan is no true clan, but like a tree it can branch over things quite easily. BloodClan has only one belief and that is first born kits are to be leaders. Use this wisely and you can shape an innocent kit to see your faith as a way to save their kin."

.

"Hawk, hurry up." Lion meowed over her shoulder, picking up the mice she had captured along the way back. "We have to make it back before dawn."

Hawksight shook herself out of her thoughts, "Sorry, I'm coming!" She hadn't told her friend of the name change. Then again, it would be best to keep it a secret a while longer.

Lion picked up the pace, they had long since crossed the thunderpath and were well on their way to cross the Twoleg Bridge. Hawksight began to bound after Lion to catch up, it wouldn't be much longer, they both knew it. When the cats woke up, they would be at their throats in a mere moment. Worry began to trickle through the newly made medicine cat.

A cold wind was blowing over them, leafbare was growing stronger and would soon take over what was left of a once grand forest. With a sigh, she padded on a bit slower, looking for prey to try and help bring back something for once. Sadly, she found nothing as she continued to lope on after the reddish-brown she-cat.

The early dawn light was creeping over them as Lion groaned. "I won't be able to get more than a heartbeat of sleep now."

Hawksight frowned, feeling awful. "I'm so sorry." she mewed.

The she-cat ahead of her huffed, "It was my plan, so don't beat yourself over it."

Slowly, she nodded as she continued to follow her sleepy friend. Her eyes downcast as they entered the camp. Lion depositing her catches before heading to the den for some sleep. Hawksight hurried to the den, knowing she had to get some rest as well. She had plenty to do when Heather was awake and squawking orders for her to follow to keep Willow learning safely.

Lion was curled up in her nest, tail tucked tightly around her, when she entered. Carefully, she slipped passed the reddish-brown rogue and laid down carefully among her nest. Sleep began to tug at her as her eyes slowly closed and whisked her away.

. . .

The next moment Hawksight opened her eyes, it was to Heather yowling a summons in the late morning. With a groan, she stretched her limbs, Lion following suit sleepily. They washed their faces quickly before padding out to see what in the world their rogue leader wanted.

Hawksight blinked, spotting Timber and Pounce sitting close to one another with eager eyes. The kits were around Dusk, who hushed them sternly to keep quiet. Reed, Berry, and Moth were closer to Heather, who sat proudly on top of the gnarled root. Just below her, Shadow sat impatiently.

"Cedar's kits, it is time." Heather meowed, "She may be gone but we are all her kits in many ways. As such, I have chosen several cats who are to go on a journey into Twoleg Place."

The dark brown tabby looked to Lion, who only stared owl-eyed at Heather. Dread was in her gaze as they awaited for who would be chosen. Cats already began murmuring to one another excitedly.

"To win against BushClan, we will need help. I know it has been some time, but I hope many of you remember the days of being fragments." Gasps sounded all around her and she nodded, "Yes, I am seeking help of other fragments. We may have left them for some time, but it is time to return to them."

Hawksight blinked in confusion, "What are fragments? Does this mean something to you?"

Lion narrowed her eyes, "Horrible cats. That's all you have to know."

"I summon these cats, the only ones we can afford to send," Heather announced, "Moth, Berry, and Lion will go to bring the fragments to us. Pounce, Reed, and Timber will remain to protect and provide for the rest of us."

Cold dread filtered through Hawksight, just how could she escape for the half moon meetings now? She looked to Lion who held a resigned expression. She followed her lead, knowing that plans had changed instantly.

"Take care of the kits." Lion mewed softly, "Whatever you do, don't let Willow die."

Slowly, the dark brown tabby nodded, "I promise." But how can I keep it without herbs to care for him?

"Twoleg Place Patrol, come to me now so you know when you are leaving." Heather commanded.

With a nod, Lion padded forward, leaving Hawksight all alone. She could only watch before turning away. The meeting was over and now none of them could say if the chosen cats would ever return.

. . . -Lion- . . .

Lion stopped before the creamy brown rogue leader, her honey-colored eyes cold as the three she named approached. Shadow was close beside the leader with a suspicious stare on them. She held her ground, controlling herself to not snap so soon.

"When the clearing is blanketed in snow," Heather meowed, "That is when you will leave."

"Wouldn't that be dangerous?" Berry asked, her pale yellow eyes glinting in the sunlight.

"You'll manage. After all, now I can see just how much prey Hawk can bring back on her own." Heather shot the reddish-brown she-cat a knowing look that made her shoulder fur rise.

You knew that she wasn't catching anything! She hissed inwardly as the rogue leader coolly looked over to Moth who had began to meow a question, "How long should we search?"

"An excellent question." Heather purred warmly. Lies! A better question is how are we not going to starve in the Twoleg Place! Lion exclaimed in her thoughts scathingly, however the creamy brown she-cat continued. "I give you until Newleaf to find them. Find them before then and I will be pleased. Don't find them, don't bother coming back. Simple, really."

Moth dipped his head. "We will not fail you."

Fox-dung! Lion mentally accused. This is a mission destined to fail, you dumb hairball! Can't you see that?

However, the cream tabby nodded. "We will provide the best we can before then and search to the ends of the world to find BloodClan Fragments."

Heather's honey gaze slid onto Lion expectantly. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she meowed. "I only have one question, what will we do for food and water along the trip there?"

"I'm sure you will find some." Heather meowed silkily, "Now, go on. You have plenty of time to teach that wretched cat how to hunt properly, Lion."

The reddish-brown she-cat lashed her tail, fury bubbling from deep within her. Yet, she stiffly dipped her head and whipped around. Agitation made her muscles stiff with each step. This was doomed to fail in her eyes, not only would they potentially never come back, Hawk could be in serious trouble while she is gone.

Author Note:

That's right, I switched POV's at the end of the chapter.
We have one last one and then it's done and the next story will begin.

So, we will see just which story will be the first to be written and if the sequel will bring this story to a comfortable end.

-Nightsky