Salutations all you gorgeous people out there. I have been inspired to post responses to people's comments so I think I will do that now instead of the "whatever of the day/week." Also, while modifying this chapter, I cut out about 1700 words from the beginning of this chapter and added it to the end of the last chapter.
Snowcrystal of ThunderClan Thank you so much for the dozens of reviews I keep getting from you. And no, Briarlight will never walk. Never ever. In fact, she is going to lose her forepaws too, so she will turn into a catslug... or maybe even a cat-erpillar.
Mapleshade1018 Thanks you for the review and I'm glad you like it. I will be working on this story for the next 8 years so stick around. :3
Acorn. Leaf BriarxJay fluff? You mean like lemons?
ACCOUNT-HAS-BEEN-MOVED Here's the next chapter! I apologize for being slow, but I can't work on this full time. A little less than a month is about how long it takes me to finish a chapter... abysmal I know, BUT I'M BUSY, LEAVE ME ALONE. :D
The cool night breeze ruffled Jayfeather's pelt as he sat outside the camp entrance waiting for Briarlight and Bramblestar. He had spent all day preparing for this moment and every hair on his pelt was itching to put his plan into action. The journey through the woods would be slow and tedious since Briarlight had insisted she go as far as she could on her own before asking for help. They would be lucky to reach the Moonpool by moon-high.
They sure are taking their time just leaving the camp, he thought, his tail lashing across the forest floor impatiently. The entire Clan knew about his plan at this point, there was no way the Clan cripple, medicine cat, and leader could disappear without everybody noticing so Bramblestar had announced it in a Clan meeting. There had been mixed reactions, but Jayfeather didn't care- he knew he was doing the right thing.
Finally, he heard the rustling sound of Briarlight dragging herself across the ground and she and Bramblestar emerged from the camp entrance.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Jayfeather," Bramblestar meowed. "Every cat wanted to wish Briarlight the best of luck."
Jayfeather stood up. "I figured as much. Come on, if we need to hurry. Are you sure you don't want any help, Briarlight?"
"I will be fine," the she-cat stated confidently. "I'll go as far as I can. I refuse to be completely helpless any longer."
Jayfeather glanced at Bramblestar who grunted in approval. No cat said another word and they began their trek to the Moonpool. Jayfeather rushed ahead, clearing the way of fallen twigs and rocks so the crippled warrior would be able to travel more easily.
"The first thing I'm going to do when I have my legs back is climb the tallest tree I can find," Briarlight meowed, breathing heavily as she dragged herself through some ferns. "I can barely even remember what if feels like to run."
Jayfeather purred. Hearing her so happy made him feel like he could fly. But at the same time he didn't know if he was just filling her head with false hope. Was he doing the wrong thing pretending he knew how to fix her? Please, StarClan.
The she-cat managed to pull her weight the entire way through the forest up to the WindClan border. But by the time they were out of the trees, she was panting hard and Jayfeather knew her tired forepaws must be shaking from the strain.
"That's far enough," Bramblestar meowed, stopping by the gurgling stream that lead up into the hills. "We'll take a break here for a little bit, Briarlight, and then I'll carry you the rest of the way."
"What? No way!" Briarlight gasped, catching her breath. "I- I can manage it on my own."
"You've gone plenty far on your own," Bramblestar meowed, padding over to where Briarlight had flopped down in the grass. "Tell me when you are ready to continue."
Jayfeather could feel the argument wanting to burst from Briarlight's mouth, but she swallowed it down. Even she knew better than to argue with the Clan leader. Jayfeather flicked his ear in amusement. But medicine cats can argue all they want.
"The moon looks pretty tonight," Briarlight meowed softly, her muzzle facing the sky. "I hadn't even realized it was almost the half-moon. Jayfeather, you will have to go to the Moonpool and back two nights in a row for the medicine cat's meeting. I feel bad now for making you do so much extra work."
Jayfeather let out a snort of laughter. "Helping my friend isn't work. I'd gladly do it even a third night in a row if it made any sort of difference. Helping a mouse-brain however, is a different story. Sometimes I wonder why cats don't learn not to hurt themselves after they taste my disgusting herbs. Alas, they keep coming back for more."
"You are such a weird fur-ball, Jayfeather."
"Flattery will get you nowhere," he meowed back jokingly.
They waited for a few more heartbeats, the quiet only broken by the calling of an owl in the distance and the chuckling of the stream. Jayfeather wanted to close his eyes and fall asleep under the stars. He couldn't see them, but the air was dry so he knew it was a cloudless night.
"The moon is almost at its highest," Bramblestar informed them. "Are you ready to continue, Briarlight?"
The she-cat grunted in effort as she heaved herself back over onto her belly. "I guess. Just don't tell any other cat about this."
Bramblestar let out a warm purr. "Agreed. Jayfeather, help her onto my back. It will be the easiest way to carry her."
Jayfeather nodded and turned to Briarlight. He felt her trusting gaze on his pelt. The dry grass crunched as Bramblestar padded over and stooped down beside the she-cat. "You sure you are up to the task, Bramblestar?" Jayfeather meowed. "There is still a good long walk up the rocks until we get there. That is a long distance to be carrying a cat on your back."
"Are you calling me heavy?" shot Briarlight, hotly.
"No!" Jayfeather blurted, "It's just-"
"I'll be fine," Bramblestar growled. "Just help her up."
Jayfeather obeyed, facing the she-cat. He sniffed her pelt as he stepped in closer, putting an image in his mind of where she lay. Using his head, he nudged his way beneath her chest and lifted her towards where Bramblestar lay waiting. To his surprise, she was remarkably light. All those training exercises must be keeping her fit. It only took a few moments before she was draped comfortably over the big cat's shoulders.
"You okay there, Bramblestar," Jayfeather meowed as he stood up. It was easy to forget just how big and strong the leader was since the only times Jayfeather even was him were in dreams- and rarely did he dream of Bramblestar.
"I'll be fine," his leader huffed, already padding up the rocks along the river. "It's not the first time I've carried a cat, and Briarlight barely weighs anything at all. In fact, this reminds me of that time with the Tribe of Rushing Water when you-"
"Let's just keep walking!" Jayfeather interrupted with an annoyed grow. The painful memory was still in his mind of the day they had been visiting the Tribe in the mountains. Nobody had thought a blind cat could have made it on his own, and his fur rose as he remembered how embarrassing it was to be snatched up by the scruff and carried into the cave by the waterfall. I'm glad it isn't me this time.
They climbed the rocks up to the Moonpool swiftly but carefully. Bramblestar was panting slightly with Briarlight draped over his back like a dead rabbit, but the leader's powerful muscles churned onward. He was Tigerstar's kin, and it was obvious he had inherited his father's strength. Jayfeather had to maintain a brisk pace just to keep up with him. If only Tigerstar had used his own strength for good instead of evil, he could have been a respected leader just like his son.
"Do you want to take a break?" Jayfeather suggested as they edged their way up along the stony path. By now, it was already past moon-high and Jayfeather himself could feel the fatigue soaking into his muscles. If it weren't for the traveling herbs, he probably would have collapsed already.
"I'm fine," Bramblestar grunted with the effort. "I would do the same for any ThunderClan cat."
"At least you won't have to carry me back." Briarlight encouraged him cheerfully.
"True."
Jayfeather nodded, his tired paws wanting to rush him all the way to the top of the hill and leave him there for the night. He wasn't sure what his own part in all of this was going to be, but it was probably going to be just as challenging as his leader's.
After many more laden steps, they finally reached the Moonpool. Bramblestar padded to the pool's edge and with Jayfeather's help, gently deposited the she-cat from his shoulders. Briarlight slithered down into the cool sand and Jayfeather nudged her towards the water.
"I need you both to touch your muzzles to the water now," Jayfeather ordered, hoping it wasn't too late for their ancestors to appear. They should have left the camp much sooner.
His Clanmates obeyed without a word, shuffling to the very edge of the pool. Jayfeather waited for their breathing to slow with sleep before touching the water himself. His heart raced as he mentally prepared himself for whatever was going to happen after he closed his eyes. StarClan, please let this work.
"And why should we let it work? You have some nerve bringing her here."
He opened his eyes to find himself face to face with an angry Yellowfang. The StarClan warrior's amber eyes glared at him behind her squashed flat muzzle and her sour breath made his eyes water. Instantly, his fur grew hot and he bared his teeth in a snarl. He hadn't traveled this far just to have this ugly old fur-ball spitting in his face. "And you would let Briarlight stay half a cat her entire life? You are supposed to be watching over us, not trying to make our lives worse."
"You are meddling with another cat's destiny, Jayfeather." she responded with a growl.
Jayfeather's ears flattened back. "You would know all about that, wouldn't you- meddling with other cats' destinies. Some wise benevolent ancestor you are. Go back to ShadowClan and make dirt all over them instead!"
The old she-cat's eyes grew wide and she backed away with a furious hiss. She wasn't alone in the shimmering clearing and Jayfeather spotted Firestar, Bluestar, Hollyleaf, and to his surprise, Mousefur and Longtail just a few pawsteps away lurking beneath the starry trees. Briarlight and Bramblestar were nowhere to be seen.
"Welcome back, Jayfeather," Firestar meowed, stepping past Yellowfang to greet him with an amused purr. "Why is it that when all the Clans are at peace, you seek our guidance the most?"
Jayfeather tried to force his fur to lie flat again. He felt a little guilty for snapping at Yellowfang, but sometimes she really got under his fur. He knew Firestar was a very different individual, the leader before Bramblestar, and notorious for breaking the warrior code all the time as a younger cat. "You know why I'm here, don't you. Are you going to try to stop me, too?"
Bluestar padded across the grass to join them, her luminous blue eyes bright with many moons of wisdom. She had been the leader before Firestar. "Your cause is noble and I commend your thoughtfulness for conceiving the idea, but there are many dangers to your plan."
Jayfeather tilted his head to the side in curiosity, his gaze following Yellowfang who skulked away back into the forest until she vanished behind a tree. "I know it's dangerous, but Briarlight and Bramblestar agreed to try it anyway."
Firestar's ear twitched, but his meow remained steady as he spoke. "Clan leaders are granted nine lives by their warrior ancestors and are free to choose how they use them. But not once in all the Clans' history has anybody tried to do what you want to do today." He paused for a moment. "But whatever you choose, I have always completely trusted your abilities as a medicine cat. If any cat can pull this off, it's you."
"Or you might get Bramblestar and Briarlight both killed," Bluestar growled.
Mixed feelings swirled in Jayfeather's head. Of all the cats surrounding him, he trusted Firestar's judgement the most- the cat was practically a legend. But was he about to slaughter his own Clanmates by accident? He looked around at the trees and his eyes fell upon the two elders who still stood quietly behind the StarClan leaders. "Why are you here?" He asked them. "Are you also here to stop me?"
But each of the elders shook their head and padded forward. "I am the reason Briarlight is the way she is," Mousefur meowed sadly, her once messy and dull fur now glossy and well kept. "If I hadn't been so stubborn about the mouse I left in the camp when the tree was falling, my friend Longtail wouldn't have run in to fetch it."
"And if I hadn't run in to fetch it," Longtail added. "Briarlight wouldn't have followed to save me. The mistakes of two elders lead to the ruination of a blooming apprentice's life. Elders are supposed to guide their Clanmates' paths with wisdom, not lead them into despair."
"We both failed as elders," Mousefur meowed sadly. "And even though most of StarClan doesn't agree with our decision, we are still trying to guide ThunderClan and we're here to tell you to do everything you can to make Briarlight happy."
Bluestar shot the two elders a reproachful look, but they seemed unfazed. "It would be impossible to transfer a life from a living leader to another living cat," she meowed quickly, fixing Jayfeather with her serious look as if she already knew the outcome. "You would be risking the well-being of the whole Clan with your actions."
Hollyleaf padded forward. She had remained completely motionless and silent up to that point. She rested hes tail gently on Bluestar's shoulder and faced her brother with her vivid green eyes. "This is ultimately your decision, Jayfeather, and no matter what you choose, succeed or fail, I will stand by your side through it all. You know all of the dangers, now. It is your call." She stepped closer and whispered into his ear so only he could hear. "You have the power of the stars in your paws. Never forget."
At that moment there was a rustling in the bracken nearby and a pale ginger tabby she-cat he recognized as Goldenflower, stepped out. Bramblestar followed close behind and Briarlight dragged herself into the clearing last.
"There you are, Jayfeather!" Bramblestar called to him as he came into sight, greeting him with a waving tail. He was just as big as Jayfeather recalled, his broad powerful muscles rippling under his dark tabby pelt. "I think we got lost on the way to StarClan but thankfully Goldenflower was here to guide us."
Firestar and Bramblestar's eyes met and they shared a silent nod of mutual respect.
Jayfeather stood motionless as his Clanmates approached, the grass sparkling around their paws with every step. He didn't know what to think now after listening to StarClan's argument. He wanted to help Briarlight more than anything else, but how could he even try if it was destined to end in calamity? I need to try because I have to. Because Briarlight needs me to.
"Now that I'm here," mewed Briarlight. "Can some cat please tell me what's going to happen? Am I receiving one of Bramblestar's lives or not?"
Jayfeather couldn't help but stare at her for a few moments. This was the first time he had ever seen her, and he made a mental picture in his mind of her sharp neat ears, dark brown pelt, pink nose, and- "You're eyes are blue?" he blurted in surprise. "Since when?"
"Um, birth," Briarlight meowed simply. "What color did you think they were?"
"Sorry, when I was told you had brown fur, I just assumed they were green or amber." He shook his head and cleared his throat, embarrassment prickling his pelt. "Forget I said anything. Now that we are all here, I would like to begin. I know Firestar lost one of his own lives to a falling tree, which means a leader's life can fix a back injury. I'm not completely sure how that works in StarClan but-"
"It can't be done," Bluestar stated loudly, standing a few pawsteps away from her shimmering Clanmates. "StarClan can grant lives to a leader, but that is all. None of us can steal one of Bramblestar's lives, nor can we give a life to a living cat that isn't a Clan leader. I'm sorry, but if you expected us to be able to do something, you were mistaken. Go home."
Jayfeather narrowed his eyes at her. She's almost as bad as Yellowfang- but her intentions are good. He glanced over at Firestar, but even he didn't step forward to offer advice. It looked like he really was on his own for this.
The gathered cats stood quietly for a few moments. Jayfeather didn't know what to do, and the cats facing him didn't present any suggestions. He could almost feel them willing him to give up and leave.
"So I padded all the way up here in the middle of the night for nothing?" Briarlight muttered, lowering her head in disappointment. "Can't somebody try something? Anything? I'm not sure I can return to the camp still a cripple. I would rather die."
You have the power of the stars in my paws. Jayfeather closed his eyes as surge of emotion filled his chest. He couldn't let Briarlight down. Not after he had given her so much hope. If StarClan thought she was destined to suffer, then it was his duty as a medicine cat to defy them. He turned around to face his Clanmates, dreading what he had to do. "Bramblestar, Briarlight, step forward please."
A look of surprise lit on their faces, but they obliged without a word. Jayfeather didn't know what he should do next as the two cats stopped in front of him, gazing at him expectantly. He silently hoped one of the starry warriors would step forward, but none did. He had to do this alone.
You will never be alone.
A familiar warmth suddenly filled his paws. It spread up his legs and collected in his chest like an overflowing puddle during a storm. Almost as if another cat was using his body, he dipped his head to his leader. "Bramblestar, you have chosen to sacrifice one of your nine lives. Do you still wish to risk your own life by giving up a part of yourself to help a Clanmate?"
Bramblestar's amber eyes seemed to glow brighter, surprised by the medicine cat's sudden confidence. His meow was steady as he spoke. "I do."
Jayfeather turned to Briarlight who's whole body was trembling with excitement. "Briarlight, you were given the most difficult destiny imaginable. Will you risk dying for a chance at receiving a new life?"
The she-cat's shivering body grew still and she stared at him with searing intensity. "I do."
Jayfeather took a deep breath. "Then by the power of StarClan, let it be done." He could feel Bluestar's hot gaze roasting the back of his neck, but he did his best to ignore her as he padded up to his leader. He closed his eyes and reached up to touch noses with him. He willed himself into Bramblestar's being.
Almost instantly, he found himself in blackness with nine bright flames of light glowing in front of him. Each of them was shaped like a fiery cat and they danced and flickered against the darkness. These are Bramblestar's lives! He wasn't sure how he was doing it, but his paws didn't hesitate to carry him over to the nearest flame that fluttered eagerly when he approached as if it were alive. He reached out and touched his nose to it, expecting it to be hot to the touch, but instead, it engulfed him in a wave or subtle warmth. Was this what it felt like being a StarClan warrior? He stepped back in shock just as the darkness disappeared. He was back in StarClan's hunting grounds.
The other cats stared at him in amazement, none of them uttering a word as he padded over to where Briarlight lay. She stared up at him in awe and he forced a calm expression onto his face. Please work. He stooped down to touch his nose to hers and willed the new life he was carrying into her. Like a great breath, it flowed out of him. Her whole body shook and her eyes grew wide. Without warning, she collapsed and sprawled in the grass.
"Briarlight!"
He opened his eyes. He was awake beside the Moonpool again. His paws felt cold as if he had just plunged into an icy lake. Bramblestar stirred beside him, already on his feet.
"Jayfeather, she isn't moving!"
He scrambled to his paws, the events in StarClan still vividly fresh in his mind. The she-cat lay by the water, still as stone. He quickly sniffed her pelt for warmth and listened for breathing. Please don't be dead- please don't be dead. Her pelt was almost as cold as the surface of the Moonpool but as he pressed his ear to her lips, he detected the faintest flow of warm air. He breathed a sigh of relief.
"She's alive."
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