CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

She couldn't shake off the excitement of what just happened a day ago. Meeting Flamestrike and Birdpaw made her realize just how important the prophecy was. They needed to stand together and fight off the chaos that was threatening the Clans. She suspected Icestar had something to do with that chaos, but she wasn't sure who else could be involved. Sprucepaw slowly made her way towards RiverClan territory. She was trying to figure out how to best explain the situation to Reedriver when she found him again. He might not believe her unless she had proof, or maybe Minnowstar would send him off anyways because that was his responsibility.

Taking a deep breath, Sprucepaw padded through the bed of reeds and stopped for just a moment. RiverClan was definitely here. She recognized their fishy scent in a heartbeat. Sprucepaw looked around warily as she dropped to a crouch. If they saw her as a threat, she knew she wouldn't stand much of a chance. The Clans were full of tension at the moment, especially with Icestar threatening to take over everything they knew.

"I thought I smelled a rat." Sprucepaw froze at the sound of Reedriver's voice. Relief washed over her as she stood up, watching him warily. He flicked his tail at two of his Clanmates before bounding over to her. "What are you doing back on RiverClan territory? Here to steal more of our prey?" he demanded in a cold voice.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Sprucepaw explained the situation she and the others were in. Reedriver listened intently as he realized this was bigger than he could have imagined. Nothing could have prepared him for what she said next. She was sure he would think she was crazy. With everything that was happening, she wouldn't blame him. But she had to hope that maybe, just maybe he would believe her tale.

"Please, I know that I'm asking a lot for you to risk your life, especially for a cat or a Clan you know nothing about. But this is important, to all of the Clans," she pleaded after trying to catch her breath. Reedriver seemed to consider what she was saying. He looked away as if frustrated by what she had told him. But she knew he wouldn't turn her down right away. Not without consulting with Minnowstar.

"Okay, before I go off on a tangent on how crazy you are for even believing such a lie, I'll talk to Minnowstar," Reedriver sighed in annoyance. "But don't expect me to think this is true. I still don't know whether or not the prophecy is real, and something tells me that it isn't."

Sprucepaw held back a sigh of relief once that was said and done. He might not believe her, but she was sure that Minnowstar would. Fortunately Reedriver was kind enough to take her with him. A few of the cats on his patrols looked at her in shock, but none of them questioned why Reedriver was bringing her along. Sprucepaw was thankful for this; the last thing she wanted was for cats to start asking why she was snooping around in another Clan's territory.

Finally they had reached the camp. Sprucepaw's relief was short lived as she looked around warily. Cats were staring at her suspiciously as Minnowstar stepped forward. Reedriver kept his head held high as he explained to his leader what Sprucepaw had told him. Minnowstar's eyes widened when Reedriver told her about the perils Birdpaw went through just to reach the Clans. Then they widened even more when he mentioned SkyClan and the help they desperately needed.

"It seems as if you have yourselves quite an ordeal," she meowed once he was finished. Sprucepaw's ears flattened as she felt the glares of Reedriver's Clanmates' on her. She knew she was not welcomed here. One wrong move could easily lead to her death. "Reedriver, do you think it's a good idea to go along with them?"

"Why should anyone believe the nonsense she's spitting out?" one cat, a black and white she-cat with amber eyes demanded.

"Yeah, for all we know, she could be leading us into a trap," growled a gray she-cat with yellow eyes. Sprucepaw narrowed her eyes when she noticed these cats were similar to Reedriver. They shared the same fur qualities and resembled familiar faces. Reedriver's eyes narrowed into tiny slits at their accusations. Sprucepaw was afraid for a moment that they might actually attack her. But then she saw a new determination light within his blue eyes.

"I believe her," he snapped angrily, stomping one paw on the ground and earning a look of surprise from Minnowstar. "She may be full of bees, but I think she's telling the truth about SkyClan."

Minnowstar nodded at that and eyed her Clan warily. "Everyone!" she yowled after making her decision. She then went on to tell the Clan what Reedriver had told her, and a few of them started whispering to one another anxiously. "I know that this task will not be easy - hardly anyone remembers the Tribe of Rushing Water, but that does not mean they have the right to claim one Clan as their own. We will help SkyClan, no matter what it takes."

Sprucepaw was amazed by how willing Minnowstar was to believe her story. Normally anyone would have argued against her notion. But Minnowstar had placed her complete faith in StarClan. Sprucepaw wasn't sure whether to feel impressed or worried about that.

"Seriously?" a RiverClan tom grumbled in annoyance. "It's a wonder we've survived this long at all."

"And Sprucepaw, I know that it is not customary for a leader from another Clan to give you your warrior name, but under these circumstances, I believe you are more than ready," Minnowstar went on, earning several stares of shock from her Clan, Sprucepaw included. "Sprucepaw, do you promise to protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

She was so stiff with shock that she hadn't noticed Reedriver nudging her expectantly. Sprucepaw blinked and looked at Minnowstar in disbelief. "I do," she replied shakily.

"Then from this moment on, you will be known as Spruceleaf. StarClan honors you for your courage and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior." Spruceleaf could only stare at Minnowstar in disbelief. No one cheered for her name like any normal Clan would.

Yet despite the uneasiness that she was feeling, Spruceleaf couldn't help but feel a burst of pride. She doubted that Icestar would have given her a warrior name anytime soon had she stayed in WindClan. Not only was she going to hold up her family name and honor, but she would hold onto her own warrior name.

"Minnowstar, when do you think we should go?" Reedriver asked after an uncomfortable feeling swept over them.

"As soon as possible," she replied without hesitation. "Take a few warriors with you as well. If the Tribe is as formidable as you claim, you will need all the help you can get." Spruceleaf couldn't help but let out a purr when Minnowstar had chosen Watertail, Acorntail and than Blizzardwind. "Having a medicine cat along the journey will prove useful. Scarletpaw has almost passed her training, has she not?"

"Yes, she has," Blizzardwind replied after giving it some thought. She wasn't happy with the idea of tagging along, but she didn't argue. A few cats though were whispering anxiously to one another. Spruceleaf had a feeling they were debating whether or not Minnowstar had lost her mind. She couldn't blame them for that worry.

A Clan leader is supposed to put their Clan above all else, she thought guiltily. Is it right to take away so many cats, when I've no proof? Minnowstar, just what are you playing at? She didn't have time to dwell on the answer as Reedriver gathered around with his Clanmates. Spruceleaf noticed a silver and gray she-cat padding over to him, a look of worry flashing in her amber eyes.

"You are my only son," she sighed after brushing her muzzle along his forehead. "I expect you to treat her well on this journey, and make us proud." Spruceleaf's eyes widened when she realized this cat must be his mother. Soon a trio of she-cats were joining them, and she suspected they were his littermates.

"It's not fair that you get to go on a journey and we don't," the gray she-cat with yellow eyes grumbled. "But... I do hope you make it back alive. Life wouldn't be the same without you."

"Yeah, we'd have no brother to pick on," added the black and white she-cat.

Reedriver ducked his head in annoyance. A sudden longing washed over Spruceleaf as she watched them. She wished she had siblings. As an only kit, it was boring. At least she could play with Wildheart's kits now that they were older. But it still wasn't the same. She couldn't wait to see Wildheart and Palemist's reactions when she told them her warrior name. Despite all of the doubt she was feeling earlier, it was exciting to think that she was now a warrior.

Once everyone had gathered around and were ready to leave, Spruceleaf joined them. Blizzardwind had a bundle of herbs clamped in her mouth, and she had to spit them out before speaking.

"I thought it might be a good idea to bring traveling herbs," she informed them. "They will help with hunger during the journey along the mountain. I know for a fact that prey is scarce up there."

Spruceleaf nodded in agreement, still wondering how the Tribe had managed to survive for so long. Either they had become skilled scavengers, or something else was going on here. Once that was said and done, they made it a point to leave camp as quickly as possible.

...

To everyone's surprise, Wildheart was waiting at the edge of the Horseplace. Spruceleaf glanced over her shoulder uneasily as Reedriver took a step towards her, then seemed to stop knowingly. She glanced back at her uncle and gave him the faintest nods.

"Everyone, this is my uncle, Wildheart," she explained before they could jump to accusations of leading them into a trap. "Is something wrong? Did something happen to Palemist or her kits?" She couldn't help but worry over her remaining family members.

"Calm down, nothing's wrong," he reassured her. "When a ThunderClan tom showed up, he told me you'd be here soon. So I was just making sure we met before it turned into a fight." Spruceleaf let out a sigh of relief before flicking her tail to Reedriver, who joined her side. "I take it RiverClan agreed to go along?"

"Reluctantly, yes," growled the golden brown tabby known as Acorntail. "I still say Minnowstar is full of bees if she thinks this is going to end well."

"Well, you might change your mind once we reach the barn."

Spruceleaf couldn't contain her eagerness as she bounded ahead of Wildheart. It was good to hear that Flamestrike was able to convince his leader of what was happening. Maybe that meant they would stand a chance against the Tribe. She still wondered why Minnowstar would make Blizzardwind go when the Tribe had a Healer of their own. But she suspected it had something to do with SkyClan and the condition they would be in.

Her heart leaped with joy when she saw Palemist's kits bounding over to her the moment she arrived in the barn. Nearby were a few ThunderClan cats watching the scene in amusement. Clearly they weren't expecting to see so many cats join them as the kits started asking Spruceleaf all sorts of questions.

"Did those nasty RiverClan cats attack you?"

"Do they really eat fish and swim?" She couldn't help but laugh when Gorsekit asked that the moment Reedriver stepped inside. "Whoa..." he breathed out in amazement.

"This is like one big adventure for them," Birdpaw purred in amusement. Reedriver stiffened when he saw her for the first time. Spruceleaf suspected he wasn't expecting there to be an actual SkyClan cat among them. "I'm sorry for putting you all through this. I wouldn't have gone all this way just to ask for trouble, but my Clan needs help. I know I can't do this alone," she added to the others once they were all gathered.

"So it's true... you really are of SkyClan," Acorntail breathed out. Birdpaw looked at him warily and nodded. "Why can't SkyClan fight their own battles?"

"Because the Tribe outnumbers us greatly," Birdpaw spoke as if someone else was speaking through her. Spruceleaf's eyes widened in disbelief when she realized it must be Sky who was speaking. "With or without your help, I will do whatever it takes to protect my Clan."

Both RiverClan and ThunderClan stared at Birdpaw as if she was a ghost. Spruceleaf almost laughed at their reactions when she realized they thought this was some crazy dream. She noticed with a start that Flamestrike wasn't sitting among his own Clanmates. He looked annoyed and worried as he observed the RiverClan cats.

"So, when do we leave?" asked Blizzardwind. She looked anxiously at Palemist and her kits as they watched the small group of cats.

"I think we should all rest for the night," Wildheart suggested. "After everything that has happened, we will need it."

Spruceleaf couldn't help but agree with her uncle. Despite the excitement of what would happen in the next couple of days, she was exhausted. Getting sleep would help prove useful in the events of what would happen next.

"I don't know if we can sleep alongside ThunderClan cats," Acorntail sniffed arrogantly.

"The same goes for you, RiverClan," growled a dark gray, almost black tom. Spruceleaf watched the two warily as they squared each other up. If this broke out into a fight, she was sure the others would follow shortly after.

"Stormshadow, enough," the ginger-brown tom snapped. "We don't have time for foolish fights. Get some rest."

Letting out a sigh of relief, Spruceleaf slipped into her nest just as she felt someone stir beside her. She hadn't even realized Pinion was watching them until staring back at her. The anxious looks she threw the others told Spruceleaf that she wasn't expecting so many visitors.

"Are they going to stay?" she asked worriedly.

"Of course not," Spruceleaf reassured her. "Just get some rest. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Pinion didn't relax to that though. Instead she stood up and bounded out of the barn, pelt bristling with unease. Spruceleaf let out another sigh as exhaustion crept over her. She knew Pinion would feel uneasy around so many cats, especially ones from another Clan. Seeing them had probably put her over the edge, and understandably so.

We won't be here for long, Spruceleaf reminded herself. Starting tomorrow, they would set out for the mountains and settle things with the Tribe once and for all. Spruceleaf wasn't sure whether she should be excited or worried about the upcoming battle. Whatever happened, she just prayed that everyone would make it out safely with little to no casualties.