So I hate Ravenwing with a passion, standing by while kits get exiled on a stormy day? And then I had a thought, what if I tried to expand on him, after all he had so little screentime… Why not try and make an au of one of the most heavily debated works in warriors... Anyway I decided to try and fix things a bit with my rewrite. This is the first one I plan to do in the series (second will possibly be Bluestars Prophecy, and if not that than the new prophecy) I would love all your feedback and thoughts! This rewrite will focus on starclan and their many many flaws. Thank you!

Three reeds rested on the edge of the river, soaked by the soft lapping water. It was clear to the medicine cat what they meant… Reeds were not something that belonged in ThunderClan and yet they rested on ThunderClan's side. He moved his head upwards to look across the water to the other territory and spotted something peculiar, an apple tree in the middle of RiverClan territory.

Using one paw to push the soaked plant slightly, his tail lashed behind him as he started thinking what this could all mean. Apples in RiverClan, and reeds in ThunderClan. Three reeds. Ravenwing's eyes narrowed as this all but confirmed his hunch.

A sudden roar from up river caused the tom to raise his head and his ears to perk, the former quiet creek now frothed with the fury of a flood and a wave as big as a tree rounded the corner sweeping Ravenwing up before he could so much as yowl. The last thing the tom saw before waking up was the three small reeds sinking with him as his vision went dark.
*

The smell of herbs was comforting to Ravenwing as he awoke with a jolt, claws digging into his bedding. He got up, not bothering to stretch as he walked out of the medicine den, grey clouds were forming in the horizon but that didn't matter much at the moment, instead looking towards the nursery for a very specific she-cat.

"Rabbitfur, where is Mapleshade? And her kits for that matter?"

The tom shrugged. His long whiskers twitched and his amber eyes blinked as he thought it over, tail curling beside him.

"Not sure, last I saw she was taking the three of them out, seemed rather tense, but not my fault her kits are as skillful at jumping as a one legged frog."

"Y-yes, thank you Rabbitfur." Ravenwing turned his head towards where the camp entrance was and quickly moved, that was the way towards RiverClan's border… this would either make or break his theory. Yet with all his heart he hoped he was wrong, that Mapleshade was a loyal warrior and former mate to Birchface, that their kits were fully thunderclan and Frecklewish was correct to love them with all her heart, and not loving them based on a lie. His own heart began to frantically beat as his paws carried him out of camp towards the smell of river water.

It was time to see the reeds at the riverbank.

Ravenwing watched as the four cats left camp, thunder cracked overhead and rain poured down as if StarClan themselves wept over Mapleshade's lie. He stepped down from where he was perched and looked up at Oakstar. The brown tabby still had a small snarl on his face. However Ravenwing could see grief etched into his eyes. He and Frecklewish had grown attached to the kits and the idea of Birchface's legacy living on… in a way it was like losing him all over again. His blue eyes looked down as his tail curled around him. He didn't even notice as Oakstar slipped back into the leaders den. He knew that Oakstar considered the matter dealt with, and wouldn't want any more say on the matter… not that he didn't agree with him. No cat had come to Mapleshades defense and instead they all cast glances of sympathy towards Frecklewish.

Speaking of Frecklewish, the she-cat was about to exit camp the same way Mapleshade had.

"Where do you think you're going…"

"Making sure that traitor leaves,'' she spat, tail lashing. Mapleshade's blood still stained her front paw, however it wouldn't be long before the mud and rain washed it away.

A raindrop fell onto Ravenwing's nose and he looked up… A storm had appeared in his dreams shortly before… His eyes widened in alarm. Mapleshade likely would go to her mate's clan, having nowhere else to go… if Frecklewish followed her to the river, she could be swept away. Despite it only having been a dream Ravenwing still recalled the feeling of being submerged, the panic and fear that ate at his lungs. He wouldn't wish that on anyone. His claws dug into the soil as he reimagined the water forcing its way down his throat, strangling his air as he couldn't tell which way was up or down and-

"Let me follow them" He found himself quickly blurting out. "I needed to go out to find some herbs before they become soaked and washed away from the storm…. You could use some rest, it's been a horrible day for you."

She gave a small hiss as she sat down, tail curled around her paws but the tip still twitched. Her fur was still raised and Ravenwing let his ears drop as he gave her a sympathetic look. She had loved these kits and it must have hurt to know they weren't kin. He thought back to his own siblings demise and knew how alone she felt right now.

"It's just...how could she… I trusted her and she...and she- and those creatures I thought were-"

Ravenwing wanted to correct her, they weren't creatures...just kits caught up in their mother's lie. Three reeds caught on the wrong side of the river…

His stomach dropped. Three reeds had sunk with him.

"I should get moving, the storms about to hit...be careful, take it easy… I'll be back soon."

He found himself moving almost as fast as he did back in training, despite being a medicine cat his mentor had deemed it important that he still learn to hunt, keep his muscles fit and ready. Ravenwing had hated it at the time but now he was grateful, perhaps he would get there in time to stop Mapleshade from crossing. Once he caught up however, that was another story. To get to RiverClan was the smart thing, however this storm wouldn't pass for at least a day, meaning it was dangerous to cross for that timeframe.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he nearly ran into Mapleshade as she and the kits walked forward.

The mollie turned to face him with a hiss, her fur stood up on end but clumped together as raindrops hit it with more and more intensity as every second passed. However, once she saw it was the medicine cat and not a warrior out for blood, she relaxed and Ravenwing saw hope spring to life in her eyes.

"Ravenwing! Have you come to take us back? Has ThunderClan come to its senses?"

"No Mapleshade, ThunderClan isn't quick to forgive your lies." Ravenwing spat but quickly forced himself to stay calm, he had no fondness for the lying she-cat, but he didn't want to see her or the innocent bundles of fur near her paws drowned. None of them belonged in ThunderClan but he wouldn't let them die, not if he could do anything about it. "I just figured….it would be best for you to wait out the storm elsewhere, RiverClan will likely put a halt on patrols until it's safe to go out and this exposure could be…"

Mapleshade's tail lashed and she opened her mouth to retort when Patchkit spoke up.

"Mama, I'm cold"

Using this chance to try and reason the medicine cat spoke up, "There's an old, dead monster near the tree cutting place… its skeleton could provide shelter for the day. Sometimes, some marigold grows near it, hence how I know about it..."

Mapleshades eyes narrowed, but a crack of thunder caused Patchkit, Larchkit, and Petalkit to duck under her. She moved her tail to comfort them and appeared lost in thought for a heartbeat.

"...Fine… but don't think this makes us even." Her tone was ice.

Relief flooded through Ravenwing as he let himself untense. He started walking, using his tail to gesture for them to follow.

As they talked Ravenwing found himself rubbing his eyes with the back of his paw more and more to try and clear his eyes of rainwater as starclan themselves wept over the forest. The ground turned to mud beneath his paws and he found himself almost regretting coming out here instead of his nice warm den, comforted by the smell of herbs and-

Splat.

He turned to look behind him and saw Mapleshade eyeing Petalkt with concern.

"I'm tired….my paws hurt" The pale brown kit meowed from the mud pile she had collapsed into.

"I know, I know…." Mapleshade had been carrying Larchkit and Patchkit but even a strong warrior such as herself was struggling and Ravenwing could see she was a mouse whisker away from entering shock. His tail gave a small lash before he turned around, trying to ignore the gross feeling of mud between his toes.

"What are you doing?" Mapleshade hissed as Ravenwing lowered his head.

"Trying to help" He ignored the glare from the she-cat as he grabbed Petalkits scruff, who only made a small mew in response, and he turned back around.

It felt like forever with the storm beating down on them but finally the hint smell of marigold hit his nose and he could faintly make out the monster's skeleton in the downpour amongst the towering trees and shaking bushes.

With the goal so close he mustered up the last bit of energy and ran towards the monster. Its side was caved in forming a sort of wind had blown seasons worth of leaves into it creating a nice soft ground. Once inside he lowered and let go of the shivering kit he had been carrying and not long after he felt Mapleshade brush against him as she hurried in lowering her kits beside Petalkit. The three bundles of fur were soaked and shivering and Mapleshade was quick to try and groom them.

Ravenwing awkwardly looked away. His job was done and he needed to get back to thunderclan before they noticed he was gone way too long. Chances were they were already worried sick giving the storm. The beating rain was the only sound inside the monster besides the sounds of Mapleshade grooming her kits. An uncomfortable silence that Ravenwing was reluctant to break yet was forced too.

"You should be able to rest out the storm here, riverclan is right across the river. I wish you luck Mapleshad-"

"Save it." Mapleshade was too tired to continue her hostility and just sounded defeated. She soon laid down on the bed of leaves, using her fluffy tail to guide Petalkit, Larchkit, and Patchkit to the curve of her stomach.

His work was done and so he turned to leave… only to hear a loud boom of thunder. He stepped back inside the monster. His eyes wide and with both his ears and tail dropped. The storm had only gotten worse since Mapleshade had left camp and to leave now was to risk his life. He could slip on mud and hit his head, or be washed away in a flash flood!

He turned his head towards the river where he could faintly hear an almost roaring noise. Obviously the four cats behind him could also hear it as the smaller ones let out fearful mews with Mapleshade quick to comfort them.

"...i...it seems I'll be staying the night here." He sat down, dumbfounded for a moment. This was how starclan rewarded him for helping save kits? By trapping him with a liar? A bitter bubble worked its way into his chest…

A feeling obviously shared by Mapleshade.

"What makes you think you're welcome here?"

"Mom….he carried me here when my legs hurt." Petalkit looked up with big eyes, still blue in her young age.

Mapleshade opened and closed her mouth, wanting to debate but couldn't….

"Alright...but only because you think it's best.." She nuzzled Petalkits forehead.

Ravenwing moved to the opposite end of the monster's insides, curling up with his head on his paws, trying not to think about how dead he was once he got back.

However when he closed his eyes it wasn't the dream he was hoping to escape too…

"You've gone against Starclan Ravenwing…"