So originally I had it so TigerClan had won the Gathering battle even though Jayfeather beat Willowshine, but I'm modifying it so LionClan won after all. Hopefully while I'm editing later chapters, I remember to correct them too.
And the joke of the day is: What do cats wear at night? Paw-jamas! (p-awful I know)
"And then Heathertail told us to find some moss and bring it back to her, and I got some from Kestrelflight's den," mewed Dewkit happily. "We made a little mess but he wasn't there so it was okay, right?"
Kits! They were padding back along the shore towards the ThunderClan border and all Jayfeather could hear was the kits' endless chatter. His shoulders and paws still ached from the fight but is had been fun and worth it. It was a glorious day to be a medicine cat and all of ThunderClan and WindClan had cheered his name when they returned to the WindClan camp. He could still recall Willowshine's hot frustration after Onestar had declared LionClan the winners and Jayfeather had savored the moment.
"Next time, I'm going to fight in the battle," growled Snowkit, his tiny paws pounding proudly against the pebbles "I'll use this move, and then I'll hit them with my paw like this-" There was the sound of a small body tumbling away.
"I can't believe Cloudtail almost let those TigerClan cats beat him!" mumbled Amberkit who was padding behind Brightheart. Jayfeather could hear the tiny tom's tail lashing back and forth through the air. "If I were there, I would have chased those mangy pelts all the way into the lake!"
Jayfeather purred as he padded behind his Clanmates. The battle had been won and even though he knew it was all just a game, he couldn't help but feel elated that for once he had achieved something through combat rather than knowledge of herbs.
Plus the Warrior Code was successfully changed. After the battle, all the warriors and apprentices, had gathered together beneath the high-rock of the WindClan camp. Onestar had reminded every cat about his proposition and the other Clan leaders had agreed unanimously. Even stubborn Blackstar hadn't needed much persuading. The prospect of a rematch had been too enticing.
So from now on, one moon after every leaf-bare, a day will be set aside for a daylight Gathering on one Clan's territory. Some form of activity shall take place involving every warrior and apprentice, and all hostility will be deflected. It is part of the Code now, so it will be just as sacred as any other Gathering. Even if the Clans are at war, a day of peace and competition is demanded by StarClan.
"And we sure showed Ravenkit and Hawkkit which Clan is strongest," boasted Snowkit, snapping Jayfeather out of his thoughts. "They will never forget how much better we are at catching moss-balls."
"They were really friendly," Dewkit added. "I thought all ShadowClan cats were supposed to be mean."
"They may have been nice, but they sure smelled bad," Amberkit mewed. "Don't ShadowClan cats clean themselves?"
Jayfeather rolled his eyes, unable to swallow the purr of amusement that rose up from his chest at the kits' talk. ThunderClan was healthy, safe, and had even more kits coming in the near future. I'm sure Leafpool, Brightheart, or even possibly Briarlight could deliver the kits if I was gone, he thought absently, losing himself in his own head once more. He shivered. Why was he thinking that? It wasn't like he was going to leave the Clan. But there is nothing left for me here.
"Ouch!"
Jayfeather jumped in surprise. He hadn't been paying attention and had stepped on Amberkit's tail. "Sorry, I-"
"That big mean TigerClan cat attacked me!" Amberkit moaned, leaping away from the medicine cat.
"Get him!" Snowkit squeaked.
Tiny claws sank into his fur and he reeled back in surprise, carrying Snowkit with him who clung on like a bur. Amberkit pounced soon after, scrambling up onto his shoulders and tugging on his ear with her teeth
"Dewkit, help us bring down this giant TigerClan invader before he attacks the nursery!" Snowkit chirped excitedly, clinging on to Jayfeather's back and swiping at the medicine cat's lashing tail.
"No thanks, I think I'm just going to walk with Brightheart. I'm really tired," the third kit mumbled sleepily.
"But he could attack the camp if we don't stop him!" Amberkit added loudly over Jayfeather's ear.
He was already a part of the game as the two kits kits clung on and tussled in his fur. He flashed Brightheart a pleading look, but the old queen just purred.
"That's one tough looking TigerClan warrior. You two had better stop him before he can bite anybody."
His look changed to a venomous glare but had no choice than to grit his teeth and plod along after his Clanmates, the kits squealing in pleasure as they hitched a ride. They were almost to the ThunderClan camp so Jayfeather figured he could manage the extra weight. You owe me big time, Brightheart.
It wasn't long before the ThunderClan patrol made it back to the thorn barrier entrance and so many exhausted cats could relax their tired paws. The air was chilly since the sun had slid out of the sky and the evening breeze carried the cold from the nearby remaining snow piles- a lingering reminder of the past leaf-bare.
"Come on, kits, get out of the medicine cat's fur and get back to the nursery," Brightheart meowed sternly once they were all past the camp entrance. "You all need a thorough wash before bed- you smell like WindClan."
The kits obeyed and Jayfeather leaned down so they could slide off his back. Wow, Jayfeather, you have gotten soft. Berrynose's scathing words still buzzed in his ears. Was he growing soft? He hadn't felt like himself ever since the battle with the Dark Forest. He had at first thought it was just the grief over his sister's death, but he should have gotten over that by now. No, he was being troubled by another feeling, an emptiness that only seemed to hollow him out more with each passing sunrise.
"Jayfeather!"
"What?" he snapped loudly as Lionblaze raced over to him, leaving behind his mate, Cinderheart, who was still sitting by the fresh-kill pile. Excitement radiated off his pelt. "Cinderheart is going to have my kits!"
"I know," Jayfeather mewed flatly. It was true. He had felt the presence of small new lives in the Clan for about half a moon. He pressed his muzzle into the warrior's fur. "I'm very happy for you."
The warrior didn't ask how Jayfeather knew because all he could manage was a loud purr as Jayfeather guided him back to his mate. Jayfeather searched the she-cat for any doubt or worries about the upcoming kitting, but she seem happy an confident.
"I wanted to tell Lionblaze at the perfect time," Cinderheart purred, rumbling so loudly the ground could have been shaking. "I haven't thought of any names yet, but Sandstorm says I should probably wait until after they are born for that."
Jayfeather nodded in agreement. Even though Cinderheart was a little older than the average queen, this was still her first time and she was inexperienced. And with her mother, Sorreltail, gone it only seemed natural to ask another senior she-cat for advice. "If either of you need anything, you know where to find me," he meowed, dipping his head in farewell, but he was pretty sure neither of them had heard him since they were tucked deeply into each other's fur.
Jayfeather left the two purring cats and limped over to his den, the pain in his paws and shoulders flooding back to him. There was just one more cat he had to check on before he could curl up in his soft warm bed and give his sore pads their well deserved rest. As he squeezed inside, he heard the rustling of leaves and berries which meant his permanent patient was still awake. "How are you, Briarlight? I hope everything went well while I was away."
"Oh, hi Jayfeather, I was just- organizing the juniper when I accidentally knocked the pile over." She dragged herself across the ground in pursuit of the berries that were scattered across the ground. "I'll have everything together again in just a moment."
Jayfeather sighed. Every hair in his pelt felt sorry for her. "No, go get something to eat. I can tell from your breath that you haven't eaten anything all day. Go now, I'll put the herb pile back together."
"No honestly, this will only take a few-"
"Now!" Jayfeather insisted, padding over to the she-cat and nudging her towards the den entrance.
Gratitude billowed from her pelt and she licked him on the shoulder. "Thanks Jayfeather. I'm really sorry."
"Don't be. Everybody makes mistakes."
As the crippled she-cat dragged herself into the clearing, he focused his attention on the mess. With his paw, he carefully rolled the bitter little berries back into their place in the herb-nook. But he was surprised. It wasn't like Briarlight to be clumsy. He didn't like using his power on his friends, but he needed to know what was troubling her. He closed his eyes and focused his senses on her mind, finding her by the fresh-kill pile talking with her sister Blossomfall.
Her deep, overwhelming helplessness flooded over him and he flinched as it seemed to ache his heart with an icy touch. He always knew she would suffer from her injury but he never knew just how much it was hurting her. He was a medicine cat but he was helpless to help her, wasn't he? StarClan guide my paws.
"Not StarClan have answers you seek."
Jayfeather blinked and a vision opened up before him of a huge badger facing him with stars twinkling in her black eyes. Around him were rocky cliffs and silver-tinted stones. Behind him he could hear water slapping against the rocks and a fishy salty smell filled the air. He was at the sun-drown place. "Midnight? I'm glad somebody is still watching out for me. When are you going to leave us confused Clans alone and go back to your cave?"
The badger grumbled in amusement, gesturing to the cold landscape around her. "Already back at home, listening to water on rocks, but hear small cat ask for guidance."
Jayfeather snorted. He hated it when he was called small. "Do you have a prophecy for me? Or an omen?" Anything to help me feel like I still have a purpose. I wouldn't even say 'no' to another dark doom-imposing prophecy. StarClan love to share those.
The she-badger shook her head, a deep rumbling laughter bubbling up from her chest. "Time of prophecies has past for cats." She tilted her head up and Jayfeather followed her gaze to see sparkling stars shinning in the sky. "Now brave cats must search selves for answers. Stars are quiet but ancestors still give wise words of guidance in time of need."
Jayfeather blinked in surprise. "You mean the Clans will never receive another prophecy ever again? The 'three cats' was the last one?"
"Four cats," Midnight corrected him. "And yes, cats' greatest enemy defeated forever, time of big change come to Clans. But worry not, wise Jayfeather, for answers always find you when most needed."
Jayfeather took a worried step backwards, his claws scraping on the cool pebbles beneath his feet, unable to believe what his ears were hearing. "B- but the Clans have always received prophecies from their ancestors. Does StarClan know this yet?"
Midnight chuckled, her image beginning to fade away. "Better questions you should ask. Answer to them is simple... follow your heart."
Jayfeather was left in darkness once more as the badger disappeared completely. Thanks for the help, Midnight, he thought sourly. 'Follow my heart' is a mouse-brained answer!
"I'm back!"
He jumped as Briarlight's mew chirped just beside him. He opened his eyes. He was back in the medicine cat's den and the she-cat's questioning gaze was fixed on him.
"Were you sleeping standing up? You barely picked up any of the berries," she purred. "I brought you a mouse."
"No, I was just thinking," he mewed, quickly snatching up a berry close to his paw and tossing it into the pile with the others. He was thankful she hadn't felt him probing around in her head. He sniffed the mouse she dropped before him. He was too tired and confused to say anything more than, "Thanks."
"You haven't been acting like yourself these days," Briarlight mewed, dragging herself over to her nest. "You've been really distant and spending way too much time with the kits."
He stooped down and picked up the dead mouse in his jaws. "I'm the medicine cat," he argued, his mew muffled slightly by the fresh-kill. "It's my job to look after the weakest cats in the Clan."
"Are you sure that's the only reason? Maybe it's because you secretly want to have kits."
The mouse dropped from his jaws, indignation rising from his fur. He wanted to get mad that she would accuse him of such a thing, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. So instead he just meowed, "No."
Pretty short chapter but I had to cut a lot out cause I didn't like it.
