CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
It took a few heartbeats for Flamestrike to register what just happened. His mind was still reeling with the fact that he'd found the cat from his dreams. He couldn't wait to prove Petalstar and the others wrong. Yet the fact that she was real was just another reminder of the danger her entire Clan was in.
Shaking his head, Flamestrike had to think of his next course of action fast. He couldn't just run into a battle unprepared. Birdpaw might be here to gather help, but he wouldn't do it alone. With that thought in mind, Flamestrike wondered if it would be right to go back to ThunderClan. They might be able to do something about the Tribe that was causing so much trouble.
"Alright, I think we should head back to my Clan and get some help," he meowed after a moment of silence passed between them. Birdpaw blinked in surprise at his decision. It looked as if she was going to argue when she thought better of it. "Look, I know that you want to help your Clan... I just don't think I could do it on my own. If I can convince my own Clanmates to help you out, than maybe we stand a chance of saving them."
Birdpaw nodded at that and winced the moment she stepped forward. Flamestrike narrowed his eyes when she lifted her paws to reveal badly scratched pads. His fur bristled with unease when he realized the wounds were getting infected.
Luckily the trek back to ThunderClan wouldn't take too long. Flamestrike decided not to say anything as Birdpaw limped after him. She was doing surprisingly well considering her injuries. Then again, he suspected she had suffered from far worse.
I hope the Clan will believe me now that I have proof, he thought.
"So, what's it like with the other Clans?" Birdpaw asked after she managed to catch up with him. Flamestrike shrugged and thought of all the tension rising between the four Clans. He had a feeling there would be a battle soon. Especially with WindClan and ShadowClan in such a dangerous position.
"Well, we live alongside a huge lake with the territories divided between the four Clans," he explained. "I'm not sure where your Clan would move." Or if the other Clans would accept them at this time.
"It sounds amazing," Birdpaw sighed longingly. "Mother used to tell me stories about the four Clans and how great they were. She said ThunderClan was brave, WindClan was fast, ShadowClan was willy, and RiverClan was full of pride."
Flamestrike held back a purr of amusement at the tone in her voice. Birdpaw sounded like a kit on an adventure. Come to think of it, she did look pretty young to be out on her own like this. He wondered if she had been made an apprentice earlier than usual. Maybe SkyClan had a lack of apprentices at the time of their journey.
They padded on in silence through the thick undergrowth. It was getting late by the time they had reached the Horseplace. Birdpaw's eyes widened when she saw the huge expanse of grassy fields stretching before her. Up ahead, Flamestrike could see the barn where the kittypets lived.
"Stay close to me," he told her after picking up an unusual scent. Birdpaw didn't argue as she crept alongside him, eyes flashing with worry. Flamestrike's eyes narrowed when he saw a lithe figure streaking across the field towards what looked like a rabbit. Birdpaw let out a screech of surprise when the cat nearly ran into her head-first. "Get off of her, you mousebrain!" he hissed as the cat stood on top of Birdpaw, blinking in confusion.
"You're that apprentice I saw at the border!" she gasped in shock, than realized what she was standing on before hopping off. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you!"
"Who are you?" Birdpaw asked warily. Flamestrike's eyes widened when he recognized the slender pale brown she-cat. Only something was different about the way she looked. She held her head high as her sharp amber eyes observed them.
"Sprucepaw," she replied confidently. "I've been living here on the farm with my family since Icestar took over the Clan... he's been threatening my family for reasons I can't fully explain without sounding crazy."
"Try me," Flamestrike growled. He'd never really trusted Icestar to begin with. His mother used to tell him that Icestar was a ruthless cat who rarely followed the rules. How he had become leader was beyond anything Flamestrike could comprehend.
"Well, would you believe that I'm part of prophecy?" Sprucepaw asked warily. "About-"
"The Great Five, I know," Flamestrike sighed after realizing what she was talking about. "I've heard it too many times... Petalstar thinks I'm part of it, and I'm supposed to be Thunder." Birdpaw's eyes widened in shock at that. "You said you were talking to a voice in your head, right?" he added to Birdpaw.
"Uh... yeah," she replied hesitantly. "But I don't see how that has anything to do with the prophecy you mentioned."
"Out of Thunder, Wind, Shadow, River and Sky comes the Great Five," Flamestrike recited the words he'd heard in his dreams many times over. "Birdpaw, I think you might be Sky, and Sprucepaw must be Wind."
Sprucepaw nodded in understanding at that, a look of determination flashing in her eyes. Flamestrike wondered just how much horror this young cat had gone through before realizing the truth. If Icestar knew about the prophecy as well, he would stop at nothing to keep it from coming true.
"So... who would Shadow and River be?" Birdpaw asked.
"Well, I met a tom named Reedriver back in RiverClan," Sprucepaw explained. "I'm willing to bet that he's River, because Minnowstar seemed so certain that he was. But I don't know about the 'Shadow' part."
Flamestrike thought it was odd that the three of them would meet like this. Perhaps it was StarClan who had guided them to meet. Whatever the reasons, it was meant to happen. Yet he was curious as to who Shadow would be. He'd never really met another ShadowClan cat unless it was checking the border.
"Sprucepaw, would you mind coming with us?" Flamestrike suddenly asked as he gave it some thought. "Birdpaw's Clan is in desperate need of help; they were captured by the Tribe of Rushing Water, and I think I can convince my Clan to help rescue them."
"I-I'd have to talk to my family about it," Sprucepaw meowed reluctantly. "Wildheart and Palemist have their kits to look after, and Pinion is guarding the barn from Twolegs. But I'm sure that they'll let me go once they understand what's happening."
He nodded in agreement at that and realized the sun was already sinking. "Okay, why don't we meet here first thing in two days?" he suggested. "Maybe I can convince Reedriver to join us, if he's willing to listen."
"No, Reedriver knows who I am," Sprucepaw meowed after Flamestrike narrowed his eyes. "I'll talk to him... I know he can be a bit bossy and has an attitude about him, but he does care about the Clans."
With that thought in mind, Flamestrike and Birdpaw followed the path that led towards ThunderClan territory. His mind was reeling with the realization that all four of them were about to get together for the very first time. He was more interested in meeting Reedriver, since he'd never seen another RiverClan cat before.
Birdpaw kept close to his side as more and more trees began surrounding them. Night was quickly settling in. Luckily it was in the middle of greenleaf, which meant the nights were usually warmer for the most part. But Flamestrike enjoyed having company as Birdpaw continued telling him all about her Clan. She was even more eager to learn what it was like living in another Clan. He didn't mind talking about his Clan or what life was like. It was nice seeing that someone was interested in what he had to say.
I'm so used to cats just ignoring me or treating me like a lost kit, he thought. Yet here was an apprentice who was relying on him to guide her on the right path. Flamestrike was only just beginning to realize that this was a huge responsibility to him.
At last they had reached the hollow where camp was. Birdpaw's eyes widened when she took it in for the very first time. Flamestrike was surprised to see so many cats awake. Especially when he saw Petalstar speaking quietly to Hawktalon by the Highledge.
"Come on," he ordered after taking a deep breath. Birdpaw followed him eagerly as he padded through the thorn tunnel entrance, ignoring the shocked looks everyone was giving him. He knew he would have a lot of explaining to do, especially when they saw Birdpaw for the first time. "Just keep close and stay calm," he added in a whisper, hoping that would alleviate what fears she was feeling.
As the padded further, Hawktalon stopped in front of them and glared. "Flamestrike, what are you doing back with that stranger?" he demanded in a low voice, telling Flamestrike he was more suspicious of his odd behavior than anything else.
"I need to speak with Petalstar," he growled. "Immediately."
Hawktalon looked a little stunned with the fact that Flamestrike ignored his question. Normally he would have given a straight answer. The deputy was still trying to comprehend what Flamestrike had done when he pushed his way past, Birdpaw following close behind. Most of the Clan was watching them warily as Flamestrike reached Petalstar, who by now had stopped talking and was staring at them curiously.
"Into my den, now," she ordered, giving Hawktalon a look that said he better not argue. Fortunately the ThunderClan deputy kept his mouth shut as Flamestrike and Birdpaw followed Petalstar into her den behind the Highledge. "Now, why don't you tell me everything that happened?" she suggested once she settled down in her nest.
And so Flamestrike told her everything. From the dreams he'd had as an apprentice and even a kit, to the time when he met Birdpaw in his dream. At last he was able to tell Petalstar about the ordeal SkyClan found themselves in. Petalstar frowned the moment he mentioned SkyClan, and he wasn't sure why.
"We need to help them," he meowed once he was finished. "I-I feel responsible for helping them."
"Flamestrike, you went all that way just to chase some dream?" Petalstar asked in disbelief. "I once believed that maybe, just maybe the prophecy was true and there was hope for the Clans. But seeing the way Icestar behaved at the Gathering last night, I don't think that's possible. The prophecy is nonsense."
"But it's true!" Birdpaw snapped as she jumped to her paws and glared at Petalstar. "All my life I've been hearing these voices in my head... a cat called Sky was speaking to me all this time. And Sprucepaw from WindClan is being persecuted because she's likely Wind!"
Petalstar narrowed her eyes, and Birdpaw gulped as she realized she had spoken out of place.
"What is your name?" she asked, sounding as if she was containing her fury.
"Birdpaw, of SkyClan," she replied confidently, raising her chin. "Please, I don't want my Clan falling apart because of the Tribe. If there's anything that can be done to save them, I could use all the help there is."
Silence greeted her as Petalstar looked at them thoughtfully. Flamestrike sent a silent prayer that Petalstar would accept Birdpaw's plea. He knew for a fact that even with SkyClan's help, the Tribe would still easily outmatch him along with Sprucepaw and Reedriver.
"Very well," Petalstar sighed after giving it some thought. "I will send a few cats, but I cannot leave the Clan undefended."
Flamestrike nodded in understanding, feeling more than relieved that she had agreed to help them. In the end, Petalstar had chosen the best warriors out of the Clan to go along with them. Oakfire, Stormshadow and Foxfur were chosen among the three cats to tag along to the mountains. Stormshadow was chosen because he had knowledge of how to get there. He was a direct descendant of Stormfur, one of the cats who had helped find the Clan's territory around the lake.
Once the choices were placed in motion, it was decided that tomorrow they would leave for their journey. Dusknose had been asked by Petalstar to look after Birdpaw's wounds, and make sure she was well fed before they left. Flamestrike suspected it would take more than a few moons for her wounds to heal properly. Birdpaw was finally asleep though after having gotten used to sleeping in a stranger's den. Flamestrike refused to leave her side until he was sure she would feel comfortable.
"You seem to care quite a lot about her." Flamestrike flinched at the sound of Hazelwind's voice. Of all the cats in ThunderClan, he'd been avoiding her the most for many reasons. "It isn't like she's your sister or anything."
"Well... we share something in common," he murmured thoughtfully, realizing that it was true. He wasn't sure why he felt so connected with her. Maybe the dream they'd had was more than just a dream. Either way, he knew she was special. "I know that it's hard to explain, but she's different from the other cats I've met. She actually listens to what I have to say." Hazelwind flinched as if he'd struck her down.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, and Flamestrike looked at her in surprise as she met his questioning gaze. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... you're stronger than anyone I've ever met. And not just in the 'I've just met a handsome tom' way. I-I'm not even sure how to say this without making it seem mousebrained..."
Flamestrike swallowed nervously as she looked away. Something told him he knew what she was trying to tell him. He had never thought of Hazelwind that way, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized she was pretty and intelligent. Yet he couldn't shake off the memory of that first meeting with Birdpaw in his dream, or the prophecy for that matter.
Cats who are part of a prophecy shouldn't even think of having kits, he thought sadly. Then he mentally slapped himself at the thought. What sort of mousebrain thought of having kits before even finding a mate? None of that made any sense to him.
"I should probably get some rest," he sighed when an awkward silence followed. "Tomorrow's going to be a long day." Hazelwind looked like she was ready to say something else when she thought better of it.
Relief washed over Flamestrike as he crept into his nest for what felt like the first time in moons. He hadn't realized until now how exhausted he was as his eyes slowly closed. And for the first time in moons, he had a decent night sleep.
