Reviews (They're up here this week!)
Guest – Gorestep's very good at his job isn't he and certainly has a bit of a flare for drama. Good guess. Robin's Call would make a pretty good leader.
FrostedShadowx – Good guesses! Grassclaw seems to be a popular pic. I like the plot idea which I might use in my book of MMUL one shots. Incidentally, elements of that plot is actually already in the coming sequel Deathberries For Dinner but it's not necessarily the lead detective who likes certain tom. And some other cat very close to Daisypaw may end up as one of the top suspects….
SkystarOfMistClan – Yes Grassclaw (and Robin's Call for that matter) seems to be quite popular with the viewers and is definitely one of my favourite warriors (and my straight up fav mentor). It's cool when the bady still gets to be a fav as well and who can't like loveable, main character Hazelpaw? Gorsestep would make a great clan leader but unfortunately being deputy Guard makes him unavailable. *sighs*
Prologue - Selfless
After Hazelpaw and Daisypaw had witnessed what happened in the clearing, they were escorted back to camp by the official lead Guard, Blackstone, and told not to breathe a word of what they'd seen on the pain of death (Hazelpaw thought he was joking, but couldn't be certain).
A group of apprentices had seen Gorsestep lead Ashstar away to the Clan Guard camp where she would be held, so it wasn't long before the astonishing news had spread through the clan like Greenough. A few warriors however, particularly the senior ones, refused to believe it at first, but as more bits and pieces came out, everyone gradually accepted the truth.
The night Ashstar was arrested, StarClan visited her and she was stripped of her remaining lives, leadership position and her name - now just known as Ashstorm. After the Court of the Clans decide her fate next moon, it is very likely she will even be stripped of that name and exiled from all clans as a rogue - becoming just Ash. At best that is. At worse…..
It is now one moon since the arrest. Ever since then, the clan has been in a bit of turmoil, with patrols and training happening at weird times along with meals. There were even times when the apprentices were just left alone to their own devices for a period.
Since a leader was needed, Robin's Call took charge with the help of Mothfur. Robin's Call is still Robin's Call by the way, CloudClan accent and all; selflessly using all her energy and effort to keep PineClan strong. Mothfur seems smaller and sadder, but no longer has that minty-plant scent about her.
Eventually Robin's Call established herself as deputy; admitting that she didn't feel she was ready or the right cat to lead PineClan. The medicine cats agreed and began to wait for a sign from StarClan which would tell them who the new leader should be.
Meanwhile, Rabbithop and The Flame have left PineClan. Rumour has it they are planning on settling down at a twoleg barn just beyond the horse-place, away from the clans. They may even start a family.
Grassclaw is also leaving too, to join EarthClan, the furthest from PineClan as possible. Hazelpaw figured it was too painful for him to be here anymore.
After all that, Mintpelt finally received a sign in the form of a dream - a beautiful white dove rising from a small pool and calming a storm of ashes. It was as Oakbranch wanted; Dovepool is the new leader of PineClan.
The white and silver she cat left for the moonpool right away to claim her nine lives. As soon as she came back Dovepool - now Dovestar - selected new warrior mentors, Crowtalon, Silverstripe, Deerleap and Stonepelt, before selflessly dedicating herself to her clan duties.
And this sun-up at the morning clan meeting, Dovestar was giving the Big Apprentices, including Leopardpaw, their warrior names.
Hazelpaw shivered with anticipation next to Daisypaw and the rest of their den mates as they waited for the spotted yellow she cat's turn. Singepaw and Beepaw had already received their warrior names - Singeflame and Beeflight - and the clan was now cheering Violetpaw's new name.
"Violetstrike! Violetstrike!"
"Wow," purred Lilypaw, blue eyes twinkling mischievously. "Isn't that a very apt name for her certain rages, mmm?"
Liliacpaw snorted in agreement. "I know right?"
"Oh, but I wonder what Leopardpaw's name will be." Whispered Beanpaw.
"Apprentice's!" Hissed a voice beside them. Hazelpaw turned to see Crowtalon. "Quiet. Be respectful to your clanmates' ceremony."
There was a pause as the cheering finished.
Then Dovestar spoke.
"And now for our Lead Apprentice. Leopardpaw come forward."
Hazelpaw saw the yellow spotted she cat take a calming breath, before stepping forward to sit in front of Dovestar. The grey she cat noticed how her muscles rippled under her glossy and neatly groomed pelt which gleamed in the sun. The young she cat really did look like a full grown warrior.
The leader blinked her golden eyes at the apprentice gently, before speaking in a calm, strong voice.
"I Dovestar, leader of PineClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, so I commend her to you as a warrior in return."
The leader's pelt seemed to glow in the sun as she said those words, before she sat up straight, looking at Leopardpaw, and speaking solemnly.
"Leopardpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and fight for your clanmates, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Responded the apprentice, voice soft but strong.
"Then by the powers of StarClan," continued Dovestar, "I give you your warrior name. From this moment on you shall be known as Leopardspots. StarClan honours your selfless courage and resilience and we welcome you as a full warrior of PineClan."
"Leopardspots! Leopardspots!" Cried out Hazelpaw, Daisypaw and the rest of their den mates loudly, with the rest of the clan joining in.
After all she's been through, she really deserves this moment. Thought the grey she cat.
Leopardspots puffed out her chest and raised her chin with pride, amber eyes sparkling. She caught Hazelpaw and Daisypaw's eye and blinked at them, before turning to Oakbranch who had padded up to her.
"Congratulations." Hazelpaw heard Oakbranch murmur to the new warrior. "I know your mother and Cinderpaw would be very proud of you."
Hazelpaw saw Leopardspots rub her head under the elder's chin affectionately, obviously touched.
"I know." She whispered back. Before turning away and padding over to Hazelpaw and Daisypaw.
"I just want to say," Leopardspots began as she sat in front of them, "I think you're amazing. Utter heros! I can't thank you enough."
"Did you know?" Asked Daisypaw as she tilted her head to the side quizzically; tail flicking excitedly.
The yellow she cat shook her head.
"No. I never knew, exactly. I only guessed - and how I hopped I was wrong. When Cinderpaw died, it was so awful-" The young warrior broke off, before taking a calming breath. "I didn't know what to believe. I knew that she couldn't have done it to herself, but if she hadn't…...I hoped it was an accident. I mean, Ashstar!"
"Oh, I know." Said Daisypaw with feeling, blue eyes blinking sympathetically.
Leopardspots continued. "I felt terribly bad, taking the Lead Apprentice position when she offered it to me, but because I wasn't sure, there was nothing I could say. Then Whistlesong disappeared, and I had the most dreadful feeling, as though it was Cinderpaw all over again. I knew that Ashstar had something to do with it, but if course I had no proof."
Leopardspots' tail flicked to and fro as she shook her head. "And then Mousestripe asked me to meet him at the twoleg Greenleaf place, saying he had something to tell me. I was terrified, but I went - and then I saw you two and simply lost my nerve. When I heard the next day that he was dead too, I almost fainted! I was sure I'd be next."
The yellow she cat shook her head again. "Honestly, when I heard from the nice Clan Guard about what you did, what you proved," said Leopardspots, her amber eyes earnestly looking into Daisypaw and Hazelpaw's, "I realised that you had simply saved my life."
"Oh no, it was nothing," said Daisypaw, chin raised proudly.
Leopardspots snorted, ignoring her.
"It was certainly something." She said sitting up tall. "Your selfless acts of bravery and courage as well as your skill saved everyone in the clan. So; on behalf of all of PineClan, I commend you." Leopardspots finished with a dip of her head.
Well, thought Hazelpaw afterwards, in a way Daisypaw and I did get our praise.
The deputy Guard then came to visit the two she cats a couple of sun-ups later to tell them about the case. They were joined by Oakbranch.
As they strolled through the PineClan forest, Gorsestep told them Ashstar had confessed formally a few sun-ups ago.
"Apparently," began the tabby tom, "Mousestripe was dragged into the whole thing when he caught her sneaking back towards camp with blood all over her. Ashstorm offered the deputy position in return for him not telling on her and in exchange for his help."
Gorsestep then stopped abruptly and twitched an ear while looking dubiously to Oakbranch. "She also said that swiping Cinderpaw was a mistake."
The ginger elder blinked, before nodding with a sigh.
"Yes. I can attest to that. She didn't plan the meeting with the intention of killing her. Nor did she swipe at her with the intention of pushing her off the ledge."
Oakbranch twitched her whiskers.
"The other murders, however, were not mistakes at all."
Gorsestep nodded.
Hazelpaw noticed Daisypaw glance at her as the grey she cat's tail and ears drooped.
The cream she cat blinked. "What's wrong?"
Hazelpaw hesitated. "I can't help feeling a little sorry for Ashsta - I mean storm." She murmured quietly.
Daisypaw snorted. "Fleabrain." She said as she gently nudged Hazelpaw's ear with her nose. "She's getting no more than she deserves after all she's done."
Hazelpaw wasn't sure if she agreed with her.
Apparently the former leader was to appear before the Court of the Clans some time before the next gathering. Gorsestep has requested for Oakbranch to come of course. Daisypaw was also keen but Hazelpaw's stomach lurched at the thought.
I can't bear to think about what may be waiting for her on the other side of all this.
After a while, Gorsestep walked the three she cats back to camp, before bidding them farewell.
"Thank you for all your help." Said Hazelpaw to the Guard.
"It was my pleasure." Responded Gorsestep, blinking his amber eyes kindly at the grey she cat.
"I promise to let you all know if anything changes, but until next time, I wish you well." Said the brown tabby, before dipping his head to Oakbranch, Daisypaw and Hazelpaw in turn.
As the three she cats walked through the camp entrance, they were greeted by two excited squeals.
"Oakbranch, you're back!" A brown and russet furred tom kit chirruped happily.
"Now you can play with us like you promised!" Reminded a dark cinnamon tabby she kit
Oakbranch let out a purr, amber eyes flooding with amusement and affection.
"Of course. I would never forget that important noble duty to my clanmates." She said in fake seriousness. Before beginning to join in.
As Hazelpaw watched, she purred with happiness, glad that Oakbranch was finally free to relax and enjoy her retirement as the brave, selfless and loyal warrior deserved. She no longer looked as though she was carrying a heavy burden. Her posture was tall, amber eyes bright and purr joyful. The ginger she cat had settled into her elder's position well, passing her time playing with kits, keeping an eye on training apprentices and advising the young PineClan leaders. It is possible that Ravenwhisker will join her in the elder's den soon, as well, to keep her company.
PineClan is so fortunate to have the wise elder, still selflessly serving the clan in her own way, and I wish her many happy seasons to come. Thought Hazelpaw as she watched Oakbranch playing with Splashtail's kits.
The grey she cat then glanced at Daisypaw, who was also watching the kit's and elder's antics, and could tell she was thinking the same thing. The cream she cat met her best friend and fellow detective's eye and purred.
"Oh what did that handsome tom ever want with you two apprentices?" Called a voice.
Hazelpaw turned to see Rosethorn, Daisypaw's mother, padding up to them. She was a beautiful cream and yellow she cat who looked like Daisypaw, except older and rather vague.
"I've told you, Rosethorn." Said Daisypaw reproachfully. "He came to check on the apprentices to see how they were coping."
"How kind of him." Replied her mother before breaking into a yawn. "I'm glad it was only that, you know.I wouldn't like to think of you mixed up in one of those nasty Clan Guard investigations."
The she cat flicked her tail idly. "He is quite rougishly handsome though. Do you think he'll come back anytime soon?"
"Well, I do hope so." Replied Daisypaw virtuously. "He really is an interesting sort of cat."
Then Rosethorn wandered away, leaving Hazelpaw and Daisypaw leaning on each other and shaking with uncontrollable chuckles, purrs and snorts of amusement.
The end….
And it is the end, time to roll the credits! Not that there are any, but if there were the song playing would be Horizon by TobyMac cuz… I really have no idea except that the song's kinda catchy and sounds like a credits song. Anyway, a ginormous thank you to everyone for reading my story and thank you for following each week! And thank you to all who have Reviewed, Followed and/or Favourited Murder Most Unwarrior Like! I may not have credits but I do have shout outs!
Thank You To All Who Favourited My Story
Shout out to: Russetmoth2786, YellowFern, Mintflight0245, BitterSweetsx and PopMordiscos
Thank You To All Who Followed My Story
Shout out to: raindropp14, Russetmoth2786, Mintflight0245, BitterSweetsx, Popmordiscos and FrostedShadowx
And A Big Thank You To All Who Reviewed – Thanks for all your support!
Shout out to: Guest (1), raindropp14, Guest (2), Russetmoth2786, Mintflight0245, Echofire, runningfeather, Guest (3), WhistleMistle, FrostedShadowx and SkystarOfMistClan
Special Thanks To Russetmoth for reviewing on almost every chapter each update! :.)
And Last, A Massive Thanks To Everyone Who Read My Story Each Week
You know who you are. Thank you to all the 1,731 people (and counting) who did.
And now the end has come, for this book any way. There will be a sequel – Deathberries For Dinner – which will come in a bit props not till next year, but in the mean time I'll also start posting a book of MMUL one shots starting in a week or two. Keep a look out! :.) Until then though this is,
-Fastbreeze37
signing out! ;.)
A new day (A new day) is on the horizon (A new day)/A new day (A new day) is on the horizon/If you can see it,I can see it, we can be it I believe in nothin' gonna stand in our way/(A new day) A new day (A new day) is on the horizon (Horizon)
-TobyMac, Horizon