Hooray! Another chapter has arrived. Special thanks to my wonderful sister, who edited this chapter. And as always, thank you to everyone who reviewed! It was great hearing from you! And thanks for simply reading. Many people are in school I'm sure, dealing with online or in person classes, or a mix of both. I hope everyone's doing well. *sings* We're aaaall in this togetherrrrr... And to da reviews:
JustToTalk: Oh yes, plot twist! I try. YES I wish I could cuddle with all these cats too I think I'm just torturing myself with all these kittens!
Cara Lea: Aw wow thanks for being so eager for the next chapter... here ya go! Thanks for reviewing!
Mintflight0245: Honestly as I was writing it despite having already planned it I was also very stunned that it had happened. Sometimes a character will die and I just sit there stunned for a second, considering all my life's choices... Thanks for reviewing!
Lithuanian Longtail: I keep hearing from so many people lately that I need to watch My Hero Academia! Unfortunately, I don't have any the streaming services with it on there. I'll have meowsy on over to a pirating website or something lol. I'm super excited for these kits too! Pansyheart and Sleetfur are a power couple. Thanks for re-mewing!
coolpelt: I'm glad you liked the chapter. Ooh that's cool that you do cover art! Thanks for reviewing!
Guest: Oof yes it appears so...
Let me know what you think and stay safe!
Nightstar's POV
ThunderClan swarmed around their leader, yet hung back, afraid to get too close. There was just something about Silverstar that seemed off, like there was something missing. His usually authoritative and confident aura was clouded with grief, his face confused instead of wise.
Nightstar of WindClan could sense this, after all, every leader had their attributes. Silverstar was wise and confident. Acornstar of RiverClan was eccentric and the oldest leader. Icystar of ShadowClan was a calm mediator. Goosestar was a foxheart. In fact, there were many more things he could say about her, but it would just be restating what every cat already knew about the snake with the high-pitched voice.
Nightstar himself had for a long time just been regarded as the young leader, though lately he'd been pushing for the snarky and dry-witted leader. He was starting to feel the need to retire the act, however. He didn't really feel like it fit his personality. Identity issues aside, it was saddening to see one of the leaders that he actually respected take this fall.
"What happened?" Flakewhisker, ThunderClan's medicine cat, demanded, shuffling over in a flash. A small brown tabby tom followed close behind her. Nightstar assumed this was her apprentice. Immediately the apprentice pressed a paw to Glorymask's neck, while Gingerwing, who had been carrying her, stepped back respectfully.
The tom was silent for a moment, brow furrowed in concentration, then his face relaxed, relief showing in his green eyes.
"She's alive!" He announced, looking up happily. Then he noticed all the cats staring at him, and quickly looked back down at his paws. Flakewhisker also noticeably sagged with relief, then became tense again as she regarded Nightstar with hostility. She gave two warriors a look, and they hurried forward.
"Help them to my den." She commanded, and Silverstar and Glorymask were led and carried to the cleft in the rock. Nightstar watched them disappear into the den, then finally answered Flakewhisker, who was still staring at him suspiciously.
"We found them by the tunnels." He said, making his voice loud enough to address the entire clan. Everyone deserved to know what tragedy had befallen both their leader and deputy.
He and Gingerwing had been celebrating the first day of leaf-fall like the rest of WindClan, running through the golden-colored moors, chasing one another through the tall grasses with amused purrs, hardly bothering to chase any prey. Nightstar wasn't sure if he could call what they had being mates, but it was something more than friendship. But it had stayed stuck in this position for moons, like their paws were stuck in pine sap, unable to get closer. And it wasn't Gingerwing who wasn't willing to take their relationship a step further. It was him.
He was still having doubts himself, becoming leader so young, every cat looking up to him, even cats moons older than him. How could anyone see him any way else? Did this beautiful ginger she-cat only pay attention to him for his status, force each smile and purr at his words just so she could say she was the leader's mate?
Nightstar had never been good at being upfront about things. Or being honest. All the truth speaking was limited to the confines of his own mind, where he was forced to pore over his muddled thoughts like a starving warrior sifting through the freshkill pile. These past moons had just made him feel even more lost as leader. Fognose and Willowstep each fulfilled their duties as deputy and medicine cat, but nothing more.
There was no one, not even StarClan, that he felt comfortable seeking advice from.
So then, with Gingerwing by his side, Nightstar had never felt more ready to burst, unloading all the stresses of leadership on someone. It could happen at any moment.
They padded side by side through the forest part of WindClan's territory, colorful leaves falling around them. The forest seemed to be full of life, chattering squirrels, bird shadows flitting across their path, leaves reflecting orange and red hues off the tree trunks and even Nightstar and Gingerwing's pelts. They even encountered deer, a doe and her two half-grown fawns. Gingerwing had held up her tail for them to stop walking, and they watched the graceful creatures graze on clovers until they moved on, a flash of white under their tails as they bounded off deeper into the forest.
"It's so beautiful." Nightstar remarked, and gazed at Gingerwing, a soft feeling in his chest. "Like you." It was barely audible, but it made Gingerwing's head turn swiftly, and Nightstar inwardly cursed. Why had he risked saying that?
He was about to take the compliment back when Gingerwing's stern face melted into a smile. "Thank you," She meowed graciously, looking at Nightstar with a rosy glow gracing her cheeks.
"Of course." Nightstar replied, dipping his head. Shyly he gazed up at her, his head lowered. "Was that too much?"
Gingerwing laughed. "No, of course not." She seemed to choose her next words carefully. "I just hadn't expected it, coming from you."
"I'm sorry." Nightstar sighed. "I'm just afraid… that I'll say the wrong thing." He'd been so overcome with emotion. Why did this day have to make him so fragile, with its leaf-scented love, colored by glimmering sunsets and orange hues?
Gingerwing glanced at him, eyes full of affection. "You could never say the wrong thing, love." She twined her tail around his, and Nightstar closed his eyes, allowing her to guide him along the wooded path. He wanted this moment to last forever.
"Stop. Wait." Gingerwing mewed suddenly, and she stopped walking, causing Nighstar to almost trip over his own feet. She unwound her tail from Nightstar's. He was forced to open his eyes, sagging with disappointment. Never mind then.
"What is it?" Nightstar asked, trying to not let his annoyance show.
"A noise." Gingerwing replied, and she disappeared down a slope, and Nightstar hurried after her. He froze as he saw where she was standing. A gaping mouth into the ground, vines and debris hanging over the rocky entrance.
"The tunnels." He breathed. WindClan typically avoided this part of the territory, for a good reason. The previous leader, Shrewstar, had lost her final life in the tunnels. Scarier still, WindClan warriors had searched and searched, but had never found the leader's body. She had been lost forever. And Nightstar had to take her place, while the clan still wondered if the previous leader had truly died.
"Hey! I remember that story! The Ghost of Shrewstar!" Rosekit interrupted, batting at Ashkit's tail. She mimicked Brackenleg's mysterious voice for the scarier stories. "And on very cold and moonless nights, the howling wind sometimes carries the hollow yowls of the ghost of Shrewstar, still calling for her clanmates to come find her…"
"Stop interrupting Rosekit!" Creamcloud said sternly, gently cuffing the ginger kit over the head.
"It sounds like battle cries." Gingerwing meowed, sounding oddly emotionless. She stepped forward, about to enter the caves. Nightstar stepped in front of her, alarm rippling up his spine.
"What are you doing?" He hissed. "You want to go in there? It's from the ThunderClan side. Not our problem. I don't want you to get hurt." He bristled, staring Gingerwing down. She avoided his gaze, looking down at the smooth dirt under her paws.
"I don't need your protection." She meowed. "If they're in trouble, I'm going to be there to help them." With tremendous strength, she shoved past Nightstar, dashing into the dark tunnels. Nightstar whirled around, eyes wide.
Nononono… she can't go alone! Bracing himself for a moment, he ran in after her, blackness overtaking his vision. Echoes of his pawsteps and heavy breathing bounced off the stone walls. Muzzle stretched out, he strained to follow Gingerwing's scent, whiskers twitching to help navigate.
"This way!" Gingerwing called ahead of him, and by squinting, Nightstar could just make out the she-cat veering right. He still couldn't hear anything, but obviously there was no stopping Gingerwing. Had she always been this passionate about being heroic? He couldn't recall any time where she was.
After more twists and turns, Nightstar blinked, wondering if he was seeing things. Was it getting brighter? He slowed down as he entered a gaping cavern. Gingerwing had halted nearby, staring down over a ledge. Nightstar padded up to the edge, gasping at the sight. A dark river flowed sluggishly along the cavern floor. The light was coming from cracks in the ceiling, filtering through like golden waterfalls. Besides the light in the center of the cavern, the rest of the cavern was lit only by a murky glow.
Gingerwing dove down off the ledge, landing next to the river.
"Nighthawk! Let's go!" She commanded.
"You mean… Nightstar." Nightstar corrected, staring down at her in confusion. But Gingerwing had already turned tail, bounding down another tunnel. In too much of a hurry to wonder, Nightstar followed close behind, wincing at the impact of stone on his paws. The tunnels were mostly stone now, instead of the dirt and grit composing the higher tunnels. The air felt stagnant, and the ground sloped down. Nightstar's pelt prickled.
They were going down. Deeper into the tunnels. What if he never saw sunlight again? Or felt the wind on his fur?
Opening his mouth, he tasted the stale air. Not even the scent of the moors anymore.
"Gingerwing, maybe we should..." He swallowed. "...turn back? I think we might be lost."
"We're not lost." The ginger she-cat answered, sounding sure of herself.
"How do you know?"
Gingerwing stopped, but didn't turn to look at Nightstar. "I just know. Trust me."
How am I supposed to trust you when you're acting so weird? Nightstar wanted to screech. But instead he continued to follow Gingerwing, and to his relief, the tunnel started to slope upwards again. And was that a whiff of fresh air? He caught up to Gingerwing, touching his tail to her side.
"I think we're almost out." He told her breathlessly.
Gingerwing snorted. "I know that." She came to a halt, and in the dim light Nightstar saw it was part of the tunnel that was collapsed.
"Through here." Gingerwing meowed, and she disappeared. Nightstar ran over to the spot where she'd vanished in confusion, and saw a small opening. Scrabbling on the stone, he squeezed through, into another section of cave.
Then he saw Gingerwing standing over two bodies, smelling of blood.
"Great StarClan! What…" Nightstar charged over to Gingerwing, looking from her to the cats on the ground. Gingerwing's eyes were clouded, and she stared down at the cats in confusion.
"I don't…" She murmured, blinking slowly. Then she looked up at Nightstar, her gaze sharpening. "We're in the tunnels! Why are we in the tunnels?"
"Um, because you heard something?" Nightstar responded, shaking his head dubiously. He went over for a closer look at the cats, and he let out a gasp.
"Well foxdung." He muttered. "I don't believe it. It's Silverstar and Glorymask."
"Of ThunderClan?" Gingerwing asked, green eyes wide. She pressed a paw to each of their necks, concentrating.
"What are you doing?" Nightstar asked.
"Checking for a heartbeat." Gingerwing replied. She stepped back. They're weak, but alive. Do you think we should take them back to their camp?"
"Um, duh!" Nightstar sputtered. "Let's get going!" He seized Silverstar by the scruff. The silver leader groaned softly, opening his eyes.
"Wha…" He mumbled.
"We got you, Silverstar." Nightstar answered him. "I guess this counts as payback for letting that dog into our territory, doesn't it?"
"Nightstar!" Gingerwing growled, narrowing her eyes at him. "Not exactly a good time for quipping!" She snatched up Glorymask, and the deputy didn't even respond, which was concerning. Outwardly, they seemed fine, only a few scratches. But… Nightstar looked at the fallen rocks. Could they have been crushed? If so, why were they now to the side of the stones? Gingerwing was right. It wasn't the time. First, he needed to get ThunderClan's leader and deputy back to their clanmates.
"Both have sustained head injuries," Birchtail explained to Nightstar and Gingerwing, running a gentle paw over Glorymask's head. The she-cat was stable, but still hadn't stirred. It was like she was alive, but her spirit was gone. Like the cat laying in the nest was hollow. Nightstar's impression of Glorymask had always been passionate and ambitious, ready to challenge anyone and defend her clan. But now…
"Do you think she'll wake up?" Gingerwing asked worriedly.
"And what about Silverstar?" Nightstar added.
"Silverstar is fine…" Flakewhisker meowed, entering the medicine den. "But he's also got bruises all over his head. He might be a bit different. It's happened before."
"What, like a personality change?" Nightstar asked.
Flakewhisker shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not." The old medicine cat replied. She grunted. "I appreciate that you stayed here a bit longer to make sure everything's alright, but I think you should go now." She commanded. "You're starting to get in the way."
"Are you sure?" Birchtail asked his mentor, tilting his head to the side. "I'm still curious about how Gingerwing even managed to find them." He turned to Gingerwing eagerly. "Did you feel like someone was guiding you?"
"Or something." Gingerwing admitted. "I remember going through the tunnels, but once I came into the cave with Silverstar and Glorymask, it was as if fog had been lifted. I hadn't realized I was gone until I wasn't." She shook her head. "It sounds weird, I know."
"Maybe it was-" Birchtail started, but he was interrupted by a nasty glare from Flakewhisker. He lowered his gaze.
Nightstar dipped his head respectfully. "We'll get going." Gingerwing hesitated, then followed him out of the den.
Soon they were back on their way to the WindClan border. Nightstar gave Gingerwing a hopeful glance, but she was staring ahead, lost in thought.
"What is it?" He asked her.
"Nothing really." Gingerwing answered, reassuring him with a brief look. "Just thinking about what happened in the tunnels." She looked at him with wide eyes. "What if that medicine cat apprentice was right? What if I was being led by something? You were with me the whole time. Any clues?"
Nightstar slowed down, blankly staring at the leaf-covered ground. "Y-you… when we were in the tunnels… you called me by my warrior name." He realized. "Nighthawk." He shivered.
"Which means…" Gingerwing ventured.
Nightstar shook his head. He thought he knew who it was, but the thought of it was terrifying, yet so hopeful. He forced himself to relax.
"It probably meant nothing." He forced the words out. Running ahead of Gingerwing, he leapt across the stream bordering his territory, heart longing for the winds of the moor to blow all his troubles away. Gingerwing let out a frustrated hiss behind him, leaping over the stream to land by his side.
"I know you know who it was." Gingerwing sounded confident. And irritated. "I thought we were finally getting past this. You telling me how you feel. What you think."
"I know. I'm sorry." Nightstar admitted. "You're right." He steeled himself for what he was going to reveal next. "The guide… I think it was Shrewstar."
"...Shrewstar?" Gingerwing repeated, but she nodded. "But… it makes sense." Gingerwing looked up at the sky contemplatively. "She never left the tunnels. She probably died down there. But she saved them, Nightstar. If it hadn't been for her…" She shook her head. "...They probably wouldn't have survived."
"To be honest, I thought she'd be vengeful." Nightstar meowed. "That we left her behind. But her helping us… I guess that proves me wrong."
"It wasn't your fault." Gingerwing reassured him. "And I'm sure she knows now that she left WindClan in capable paws."
Nightstar nodded, feeling a warm feeling in his chest. She does, doesn't she? She had asked him to trust her in the tunnels, and she'd known he'd be brave enough to follow, and capable of helping Silverstar and Glorymask. All this time, he'd felt incapable of succeeding Shrewstar's leadership, but now, he felt like he could finally move forward.
He twined his tail with Gingerwing's, and together they walked back to camp across the sunlit moor.