A lot of things had happened after Cloudtail's warrior ceremony. To begin , Swiftpaw and Brightpaw , his old den-mates, sneaked out of camp to chase the mysterious creature who didn't stop stealing their preys. When Fireheart, Cloudtail, Graystripe and Sandstorm went to look for them, they found the two missing apprentices….too late. Swiftpaw was dead , his fur covered in blood while Brightpaw , despise being still alive , was badly injured.
Cinderpelt tried her best to save the little apprentice as a large part of her face was covered in blood with a missing eye. Cloudtail staid at her side , concerned for her. Bluestar , to everyone's horror , gave the injured a Warrior Name which was a horrible one : Lostface. The Blue Leader gave the poor apprentice this name so Thunderclan could understand what Starclan did to them.
Later, Bramblekit and Tawnykit became apprentice : Bramblekit became Bramblepaw and got Fireheart as mentor while Tawnykit , now Tawnypaw , got Sandstorm. Goldeneye was surprised that her mate chose Bramblepaw as his apprentice but she smiled regardless : maybe it was a way to get to know Goldenflower's son ?
The White and Honey furred Molly for her part was due to any days now. Her belly was bigger than ever and Cinderpelt was giving her some plants which permitted her to produce milk in case the kits came out earlier. Graystripe was slowly being accepted again in Thunderclan and he became good friend with Fireheart's mate. Speaking of the Flame pelted Warrior , Fireheart told the truth about Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw's father and since then, the brown apprentice was a bit...distant with his mentor.
To make things worse, at the last Gathering ( 4 days ago ), Tigerstar had demanded Thunderclan to hand him his kits which of course Bluestar refused.
The traitor even told everyone about Thunderclan's recents problems with young ones : Snowkit snatched by a Falcon, apprentices attacked without a Warrior with them. Fireheart and his mate knew that Darkstripe was the one who told the Shadowclan's Leader those details and grew angrier with him.
Finally, Bluestar proposed to her pair to wait a moon for her decision and to everyone's surprise, the former Thunderclan's Deputy accepted.
Lostface had to live with the Elders and Cloudtail , always staid by her side. Right now that was the white warrior was doing until Fireheart approached. Speckletail (who was now happier since Snowkit's death ) and the Deputy exchanged a few tongues especially about Lostface's attackers before the Fire pelted tom remembered that he was here to got Cloudtail as Sandstorm was ready to go hunting with Dustpelt. "What ?! Why didn't you said this earlier ?!" the White Warrior asked in panic before rushing out. "Mouse-brain..." Speckletail muttered with a glint of amusement in her eyes.
Chuckling, Fireheart left the Elders's den before approaching the nursery. Goldeneye purred lovingly as the two pressed their heads against each other "I can feel them love ! They are coming soon !" the Molly exclaimed softy but also eagerly. Fireheart purred back as he gently nuzzled his mate's large belly "They will be beautiful kits and good warriors for the Clan..." the Flame-pelted Warrior. As the two purred , Goldeneye noticed Logtail approaching them , trembling.
"Fireheart is Longtail alright ?" she asked her mate with concern and the Flame colored tom turned his head to see the newcomer "Longtail why are you-" the Deputy stopped when he smelled something off and growled. Goldeneye sniffed the air and she too caught the scent of the Thunderpath on the long tailed tabby tom " Where do you come from ?! From Shadowclan's territory maybe ? Don't lie we can smell Thunderpath's scent on your fur !" the Deputy snarled in anger.
Longtail seemed more scared " Its not what you think Fireheart ! I was near Snakerocks because I sensed Tigerstar's scent there a few times already…." "Then why didn't you say anything ?! I know why 'Its Tigerstar he can whatever he want ' ! You are plotting with this traitor to steal two poor apprentices !" The Flame pelted Deputy interrupted him , still angry.
"It wasn't me ! It was Darkstripe ! He met Tigerstar regularly near Thunderpath and he never told me what they were talking about !" Longtail began to say before adding " I wasn't here to talk about the kits but I think you should come with me to see what I found..."
Fireheart looked at the pale brown tom suspiciously "Do you think I'm stupid enough to follow you ?" "Fireheart..." "SILENCE ! I don't want to hear more ! Why should I believe you ? You always stand with that traitor !" With that said, the Thunderclan's Deputy walked away. Goldeneye looked at him with a frown of disappointment before looking back at Longtail "I believe you Longtail..."
The pale brown tabby looked at her "You do ?" "Yes-" "What's going on here ?" Another voice interrupted Goldeneye and the two turned their heads to see Whitestorm approaching them.
" Longtail discovered something important but my mate don't believe him..." Goldeneye explained softy as she looked at the Senior Warrior who nodded "Please Whitestorm you have to listen what I say...Fireheart think I'm a traitor and won't listen to me..." "I am not surprised ! You report everything we do to Tigerstar..." The White tom pointed calmly as he looked at the younger Warrior. "Its wasn't me ! It was Darkstripe !" Longtail replied in response. Goldeneye growled at she heard this for the second time. She knew Darkstripe couldn't be trusted and here another proof.
"Alright then tell me what's going on..." "Many dogs live at Snakerocks !" The pale brown tabby began to explain before another voice asked " Dogs ? Are you sure ?" Goldeneye, Whitestorm and Longtail jumped in surprise as they turned their heads to see Fireheart approaching them with Cinderpelt. " Yes ! I told you that I smelled Tigerstar near Snakerocks...I wanted to warn him of the danger and to ask what he was doing on our territory but now I know !"
Longtail stopped a bit to catch his breath "Continue..." Fireheart inquired with a hint of guilt " You know the cave there ? It was where I was when I saw Tigerstar dragging a massive rabbit .I thought he was stealing us preys but he just set it outside of the cave entrance" Longtail was trembling madly "And then ?" Whitestorm asked with a raise-brow "Then a massive dog came out and snatched it, and headed back inside. I heard howlings coming from the caves. I didn't understood clearly what they were saying but I heard them shouting " Pack, pack. and Kill, kill".
Goldeneye , Fireheart and Cinderpelt flinched in shock when Longtail said those words. The Medicine Cat pointed out that those were the words she heard in her dream, and the Deputy added that those were also the words Lostface said many times. Fireheart asked the pale brown tabby if he talked to Tigerstar and Longtail responded that he didn't and he could swear on anything ( Starclan, Bluestar's life ) that he didn't know what Tigerstar was planning.
Goldeneye sensed that he was telling the truth and it seemed that her mate sensed it too because he nodded. Then the Deputy told the pale brown tabby to not speak with Darkstripe about this before announcing that at dawn the next day, they would lead a patrol to Snakerocks to investigate more closely. The Fire pelted Warrior then vowed to find out what Tigerstar was up to even if it's the last thing he did.
As Longtail and Whitestorm walked away, Fireheart staid near his mate who seemed as shocked as him "I knew Darkstripe planned something ! We can't trust him not now not ever !" Goldeneye shouted angrily as she glared at the Warriors Den. "Yes but we must deal with Tigerstar first ! We will take care of this traitor later !" Goldeneye nodded in agreement even she was a bit disappointed to not have the chance to claw Darkstripe's fur as she DESPERATELY want to do it.
They shared one last nuzzle and hug before entering their dens to enjoy the night. Goldeneye was still wondering why Tigerstar would use Dogs...What would he gained by feeding them ? Many questions yet without answers… Maybe tomorrow she would find out. Sighing, she putted her head on her front-paws before closing her eyes and falling asleep.
The next day, Fireheart left the camp with the Warriors he chose to investigate Snakerocks : Whitestorm, Cloudtail, Graystripe , Sandstorm and Longtail of course. Before he left, he gave a plump rabbit to his mate and a mosses from her nest as well as some water. As always, the White and Honey furred Queen was touched by Fireheart's care and she wished him good luck as she watched the group entering the gorse tunnel.
She then saw Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw nearby and called them. The siblings looked at her with a smile as they came closer. When they stopped in front of her, Goldeneye asked gently "Do you like your life as apprentice ?" "Yes...We got to learn many things but….I wish the Clan could see us for who we are and not because our FATHER is..." Bramblepaw responded as he gazed down in sadness.
"Some of us already know little ones ! Graystripe , Sandstorm, Me….there ARE Cats who trust you !" The White and Honey furred Molly explained with her usual smile " But my mentor still don't trust me !" the brown apprentice argued softy and Goldeneye felt the same frustration toward her mate for this point returning " Then he is a mouse-brain !"
The two giggled at this but Tawnypaw pointed out "We shouldn't make fun on Fireheart ! He is the Deputy !" "I know but he is my mate ! I got to tell him what I have in mind !" "Why are you so nice to us ? You probably heard about what our father did but….you still act nice with us…" the tortoiseshell apprentice asked the Queen with curiosity " I DID learn about Tigerstar when I first came here ! But HE was the one who did bad things not YOU ! You are not responsible for your father's crimes !"
This answer seemed to please them as they smiled at her " Also you reminded me of myself when I entered the camp : No one trusted me because I was a rogue. Fireheart too should act the same. From what I heard , he was a kittypet before joining Thunderclan !" Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw listened silently as the White and Honey furred Queen talked and when she stopped , the two apprentices staid silent.
"Thank you for not hating us Goldeneye..." they whispered gently at the same time. The Queen purred as she licked their forehead gently "Awwww its a pleasure young ones ! Come talk to me anytime you want !" "WE WILL !" the siblings shouted back as they ran away. Giggling in amusement, Goldeneye was DEFINITELY thinking about talking with Fireheart about this.
When the patrol came back, everyone gasped in shock at the dead body they were carrying. Goldeneye's eyes were filled with tears when she recognized the corpse : it was Brindleface. Fernpaw and Ashpaw whimpered in sadness when they pressed their bodies against their dead mother's. Brindleface went hunting alone earlier and no one had noticed her disappearance. Goldeneye wished that she did…
Having no time to mourn, Ashpaw and Fernpaw along with Cloudtail buried Brindleface's body quickly and when they returned, the White Warrior with blue eyes was yowling his anger "I'm gonna kill Tigerstar and spread his entrails from here to Highstones ! He is MINE Fireheart don't forget it ! " " And you don't forget that you are under my orders ! First we must deal with the Dogs ! We will take care of this traitor later !" The Deputy replied to his nephew who huffed angrily.
Then Cinderpelt emerged from Bluestar's den before telling him that it might be better to wait until the leader was awake to let her know of what they found. Fireheart agreed with the Medicine Cat and then leaped on Highrock to adress the Clan. When everyone was present , the Flame pelted tom explained " Cats of Thunderclan ! There is a pack of Dogs living in the caves of Snakerocks !" The Clan responded with yowls of shock "Tigerstar fed those Dogs ! Then he left a trail of rabbits from their den to our camp ! And all of you know what was at the end of the trail !"
At the last words, the entire Clan wailed and gasped in horror. Goldeneye was horrifief by the news and noticed that her mate was looking at Tawnypaw and Bramblepaw before looking back at the Clan " We have to evacuate the camp ! We tried to erase the scent of rabbits but it cannot be broken so we must leave...All of us ! If the Dogs enter the camp , they mustn't find us !"
One of the Elders, Dappletail stood up before asking " Where will we go ?" "To Sunningrocks ! You will climb on the trees to be safe !" Fireheart responded to the Elder who nodded in understanding.
The Clan began to settle with the idea until Dustpelt asked " What will be done with the Pack ?" Goldeneye noticed that her mate was deep in thought but then his emerald eyes brighten up as if he got an idea "We will use the trail !" "What do you mean ?" Sandstorm asked the Deputy with a raise-brow of confusion like everyone else " Tigerstar want the Dogs to find our camp ? Alright… We will let them use the trail….to lead them to the gorge !" Fireheart explained as he looked at everyone.
" I need fast warriors !" His emerald green eyes scanned everyone as he announced the ones he chose " Graystripe , Sandstorm, Dustpelt , Mousefur , Longtail and me ! It should be enough !" then he ordered the other cats to be ready to leave. However Fernpaw and Ashpaw , Brindleface's kits, pleaded him to participate but the Flame pelted Warrior refused gently. Whitestorm then inquired that their anger would make them fearless.
Fireheart , after a short moment of silence, reluctantly agreed and Cloudtail insisted to come as well. The Deputy told him that he need him to guard the Clan as well as Lostface. The young White Warrior agreed even if its was a bit reluctant. Goldeneye then noticed a movement in the corner of her eyes and saw Darkstripe leading Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw away. Snarling, she went after them and the moment the trio was about to disappear, the White and Honey furred Molly shouted " Darkstripe ! Where are you going with these two ?!"
Taking of guard at first , the gray tabby faced her " I think Sunningrocks its too dangerous ! I am leading them to a safer place !" "Liar !" Goldeneye snarled on the Male's face "Where ? If you know a safer place , why not telling the Clan ? Or you were about to bring them to Tigerstar ?" Fireheart asked as he stand at his mate's side. Darkstripe staid silent : they got their answers. Snarling at him, Goldeneye didn't hear her ate questioning the two apprentices but then she saw him leading them away toward Brackenfur. The Deputy mewled something to the younger Warrior who nodded as the golden-brown tabby tom lead the two apprentices in the crowd.
Goldeneye glared at Darkstripe who glared back at her but their attention went back to Fireheart as he said those words "If you hadn't eaten yet, I suggest you do ! We will leave when I finish talking with Bluestar !" "Do you need some help ?" Cinderpelt asked the Flame colored tom "No thanks….Try to keep everyone calm " When the twisted legged Medicine Cat nodded, Fireheart entered the Leader's Den.
Goldeneye approached Cinderpelt who looked at her with a forced smile which she returned. A moment later, Bluestar came out of her Den before approaching the Clan. Fireheart whispered something to Whitestorm but Goldeneye managed to hear it " Take care of Bluestar and keep an eye on Darkstripe I don't trust him at all !" The White tom nodded as he padded after his Leader.
Fireheart then looked at his mate who approached him to lick his cheek "Stay safe ! Our kits need you...I need you~" "I will don't worry.." the Thunderclan Deputy responded gently as he licked her ear comfortingly.
The White and Honey furred Queen looked at the ones he chose and whispered "Stay safe...All of you..." The group nodded solemnly and Goldeneye followed the rest of the Clan as her mate was saying to his group "Ready everyone ? Its time to go !"
( To be continued…)
Note : yes I know I am a bit cruel to make you wait for Goldeneye and Fireheart's kits. I promise it will be soon. Maybe next chapter ^^ Just wait and hope !