Squirrelflight stretched, tired from no rest. Everything was peaceful and none of the Clans were at war. But, nightmares gave the she-cat restless sleep. It was such a strange dream. A prophecy maybe? Darkness surrounded her in the nightmare. No moonlight, no stars, not even ground could be seen. Two objects flickered in the sky above brighter than the sun. Squirrelflight gazed at them in confusion. One was a moth soaring through the night. The insect was carrying a leaf before a bolt struck the bug. It exploded into flames and terrified, Squirrelflight tried to put out the fire. A sense of emptiness tore at her like a sharp claw, draining her of happiness. But why? Squirrelflight was afraid to tell anyone of this vision, Firestar, Brambleclaw, even Leafpool. 'Are the Clans in trouble again? I'm not a medicine cat! Do I have to solve a mystery?' Before the she-cat could figure out what the vision meant the warrior woke up.
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Usually the warrior would be awake right before Brambleclaw organized the dawn patrol. But now, Squirrelflight was the only cat walking around camp. Running out of the warriors den the she-cat stared at the opening of the nursery. The ominous feeling appeared again instantly. Did the vison have something to do with her sister? Was Leafpool injured? Were the kits in danger? 'I'll hunt some prey and bring some fresh-kill back for her.' Leaving ThunderClan the she-cat went to search for food.
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"Leafpool are you in here?" Squirrelflight entered the nursery carrying a mouse in her jaws. The medicine cat was checking on the kits and helping them learn to walk. Leafpool didn't look sad like before when they realized that the grey tom might be blind, or when the she-cat knew she could never tell the Clan that the kits were hers. Instead, her gold eyes shined brightly in pride. "You're doing great! Keep going!"
"But I'm clumsy and I fall all the time!" The grey tom complained.
Laughing, Leafpool nudged him forward. "It's okay. You'll get better."
"I got some fresh-kill for you. How are you?" The warrior asked, dropping the mouse.
The medicine cat started eating it happily. "Thanks. I'm fine. Why?"
"Are you sick?"
"No. I'm okay Squirrelflight." Leafpool purred as she watched the kits playfully jump around. "I'm happy. I know they'll be strong cats one day." Her eyes flickered with a serious crestfallen look. "Actually Squirrelflight, I need to tell you something."
The red she-cat sat down, sensing her sister's nervousness. "What's wrong Leafpool?"
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For a moment the sand colored tabby didn't say anything. The medicine cat stared at Squirrelfligh showing no hint of emotion. "I'm leaving ThunderClan and I am taking the kits with me. Will you help me?"
"What?! But it will be dangerous for all of you! Why do you want to leave again?!"
Leafpool sighed. "I can't stay. Please Squirrelflight, you're the only one I can trust. You already offered to adopt the kits and be their mother."
"I know but…are you sure?"
"It's important."
"Did StarClan send you a vision? Maybe Firestar can help-"
"No. It's my decision."
The warrior's green eyes widened in shock. For the first time the stubborn and loud she-cat was silent. 'No way! Leafpool couldn't possibly want to leave again! ThunderClan is her home.'
Standing up the medicine cat locked eyes with the warrior, confidently standing her ground. There was no way Leafpool was changing her mind. "I'll explain on the way. I don't have much time. Will you help me?" Turning around Leafpool began organizing some herbs for the journey, waiting for an answer.
Finally, Squirrelflight nodded. "Okay." Picking up the golden kit the red she-cat ushered the black she-kit to follow her. Carrying the package of herbs in her tail, the medicine cat picked up the grey tom and then everyone left the forest.
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"Why RiverClan?" Squirrelflight asked as Leafpool lead them to the lake. The sky was a mixture of pink, yellow, and light blue. Stars still sparkled as the sun rose slowly. It was quiet but the two she-cats remained stealthy. Running into a patrol right now would be dangerous. The kits were hardly 'paws yet and needed to be protected. Foxes, badgers, and other cats would be difficult to fight. 'Why would Leafpool want to go to another Clan? Would they even accept another cat moving into their territory? After all, Greystripe had a problem when traveling to RiverClan in the past when Leopardstar was leader.' The red she-cat stared at Leafpool questioningly. It was all really confusing to the warrior.
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The medicine cat paused. Her tail twitched as if in deep thought. Leafpool didn't turn around.
"Wouldn't you want to go to WindClan where Crowfeather is?"
"No. I'll miss him but…" Leafpool stared at the sky, her gold eyes a pool of curiosity. Was the medicine cat reading the stars for StarClan's assistance? "I must go to RiverClan."
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Along the way Squirrelflight was enjoying the sunlight warming her fur. Hungry she watched mice and water voles darting across the field. Focusing on her mission the warrior followed Leafpool towards the lake, wary of any other dangers that could ambush them. Suddenly the she-cat noticed stars raining down like snow from the sky and collecting in front of her. The medicine cat walked by without a word as if Leafpool hadn't seen it. In fact, Leafpool had walked right through the figure. Squirrelflight almost froze but a calm warm voice spoke.
"Go on, keep walking."
'Who are you?'
The starry cat cheerfully waved. "Cinderpelt."
'Cinderpelt?!'
"Yes. I must look different right? My leg isn't injured like it was when I was living in ThunderClan."
'What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be speaking with Leafpool?'
"I did Squirrelflight."
'What do you mean?'
Before the medicine cat could respond Leafpool turned to look at her sister. "We're almost at the lake. This way."
Cinderpelt walked besides Squirrelflight who was very surprised at her visit.
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Climbing a hill into some tall reeds the cats walked over to the sandy bank. The water was clear and still. Insects flew by and the kits chased the bugs enthusiastically. Leafpool mrrowed with laughter and her eyes were full of warmth. Curling a tail around the kits the she-cat kept them from falling into the water.
"Are you going to teach them how to swim?"
"No. We're waiting here."
"I'll listen for a patrol and alert you if danger is close by." The warrior mewed. When Leafpool disappeared into the reeds the red she-cat stared at the StarClan cat. "What are you doing here? Do you know what's going on with Leafpool?"
Cinderpelt laughed. "Of course I do. She was my apprentice and I was her mentor. I advised her to find true happiness."
"You told her to leave?!"
"No, just to do what she felt was best. I sent her an omen of the future and I let her decide on what to do. To struggle a great battle or to live the rest of her days in peace and see her kits grow strong and happy."
"Are they in danger?"
Cinderpelt shook her head. "Oh Squirrelflight. You haven't changed. Let her explain. All will be clear soon."
Squirrelflight groaned in frustration. "Why is StarClan always so vague?"
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The sun started to rise blinding the cats standing by RiverClan territory. The reeds moved as the wind rolled by. Almost bored, the warrior watched the horizon for anything interesting. A leaf spun past her and landed on the lake's surface. It floated on the water peacefully. Squirrelflight wondered how it got there. Was it a sign? The warrior hoped it was a good one.
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"I smell fish. A RiverClan cat!" The she-cat whispered. The scent made her nose wrinkle in disgust. Leafpool's ears stood straight up, listening for movement.
"Are you going to give the kits away?!"
"No, of course not! Follow me." Carrying the kits they walked to another patch of reeds. A beautiful she-cat sat patiently by the shore with a pretty smile. It was Mothwing the RiverClan medicine cat! The ThunderClan warrior relaxed, knowing that medicine cats were the most peaceful cats of the Clans. However, Squirrelflight froze in terror when she recognized that this was similar to her nightmare. 'A moth and a leaf! This is-'
"Leafpool!" The RiverClan she-cat hugged the other medicine cat and laughed. "You made it! I'm so happy!"
"Yes, I'm here. My sister Squirrelflight helped me travel here safely."
"It's nice to finally meet you." Mothwing extended her paw in greeting.
"I don't understand. What's going on?"
"Squirrelflight," Leafpool sat by Mothwing, tails tied together. "I'm leaving the Clans completely. Mothwing and I no longer want to live as Clan cats."
"We're going to become rogues and take care of the kits together." Mothwing added.
"But both of you are medicine cats! Your Clans need you!" Squirrelflight shouted. "I'll miss you!"
Leafpool responded with a crestfallen gaze. "I'll miss you too."
"RiverClan has Willowshine and I'm sure ThunderClan will find a new medicine cat. Not everyone will want to be a warrior."
About to protest Squirrelflight sighed when she saw Cinderpelt hovering close by. The old medicine cat bowed. "Let them go."
'But-'
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The grey she-cat put a tail on the warrior's shoulder. "Do you want them to be happy? Clan life is more difficult than you realize. Cats are strong in their own ways, Clan or no Clan. You won't lose her forever."
The warrior looked at the pair. A smile slowly formed on her face. Mothwing was a strong she-cat with a graceful walk. The tabby was outgoing and thoughtful. Leafpool was silent like a mouse but quick and intelligent. Together they made a lovely couple.
"I had a vision that if the kits and I stayed it would ruin their futures, and the Clans." Leafpool mewed.
"You did?"
"So I decided to leave ThunderClan. I didn't want my kits or other cats to be tossed into a chaotic war because of the prophecy." Smiling, the medicine cat watched her three kits roll in the reeds. "Before we go I'd like to tell you the names I've chosen for them." Leafpool pointed at the golden tabby tom first. "This is Lion, after Fireheart's bravery. The black she-kit is Holly, and the grey tom will be Jay, after Mothwing. Both names have things in common with wings."
"Those are wonderful names." Mothwing mewed.
"Those are great names!" Squirrelflight agreed while holding back tears. "Will you visit ever again? I want to see how strong the kits will be one day."
"Maybe we'll go to the moonpool in a few moons." Leafpool said.
Mothwing gathered the kits by her paws and grinned. "They're adorable!"
"Squirrelflight I must ask you to do one more thing."
"What is it Leafpool?"
"Tell ThunderClan that the kits wandered off and got killed by foxes."
Her green eyes widened in shock. "What about you?!"
"Here. Some fur and leaves. Scatter the fur and herbs around this place. I clawed at the ground to make it look like there was a fight. Tell ThunderClan Mothwing and I also died trying to save the kits."
"I want to spend my seasons with Leafpool. I love her. We tried being loyal to the Clans but none of us like being in constant battles all the time. I hate seeing the ones I care about being torn apart in bloodshed for territory and prophecies."
Squirrelflight sighed. "As long as you two are happy." The warrior touched noses with them as a goodbye. "May StarClan light your path." Squirrelflight laughed as the kits inspected the fur. "Tell them stories about the Clans. Don't forget to mention about how brave and strong I am."
Leafpool laughed. "I won't."
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The two medicine cats leapt into the reeds carrying the kits with them. As they left they hid from any patrols and headed away from the four Clans. Squirrelflight examined the fur in her claws sadly.
"You did the right thing." Cinderpelt mewed. "Don't worry. I'll watch over them too."
"Right. Thanks Cinderpelt." When the warrior looked up the StarClan cat was gone. Tiny stars floated back into silverpelt as dawn finally reached the horizon. Squirrelflight blinked tears from her eyes. 'I hope you have a great life together.' The red cat thought with a smile. 'I'll try and meet you at moonpool one day.' Turning around the warrior ran back to camp ready to continue her life as a ThunderClan cat.
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*Inspired by Blixemi's Warriors fan song: Could Never go check it out it's so amazing!