1Riversong growled as she sat at the lip of Shaded Valley. "I hate you, Brightstar," she spat, "You and your whole Clan. I'll fight you to the death if that's what it takes to be free of you." She paused, gazing at the rippling of foliage beneath her. "Oh-ho! Sending a patrol to bring me back, are you? Well, I won't go back. I'll die by my own claws if I have to!"
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Sunface swore an oath to StarClan under his breath. He gazed over at his sister, Radianteyes. The white she-cat rubbed her head against his. "Hey, we're going to find Riversong," she mewed, "Buck up!"
"I just don't know if she'll have us," Sunface muttered darkly.
"Well, you're with us," Radianteyes meowed, "If anything, she'll take you."
Seedgrowth bounded up beside the pair. "Sleetfur needs to stop for a few moments," he reported, "One of her kits is lagging behind."
"Bring them up," Sunface replied, "Radianteyes and I will carry them for her."
"Sleetfur needs the rest."
"Fine. Let her rest. We'll carry her kits: you, me, and Radianteyes." Sunface nodded as if to assure himself of the plan's effectiveness. "Is she okay?"
"Who? Sleetfur?" Seedgrowth nodded. "She's fine. Just a bit tired and overexcited."
"I'm ready to go whenever you are, Sunface!" came Sleetfur's cheery meow from the shadows.
"Great. Bring the kits up here. Seedgrowth, Radianteyes, and myself will carry them for you."
There was the mewing of young kits as they were passed gently from warrior to warrior by the scruffs of their necks. Sunface took up Riverkit, breathing in the comforting scent of milk from her fluffy, blue-gray pelt. Radianteyes picked up Ashkit. She too breathed in the kit's scent, and Sunface saw the anxiety fade from her green eyes. Seedgrowth picked up the remaining kit, Shadowkit. Shadowkit was the biggest of the litter. He squeaked as Seedgrowth lifted him off the ground. None of the kits' eyes were open yet.
"All right," Sunface mumbled around a mouthful of kit fur, "If every cat's ready, let's go."
Warriors and apprentices nodded their agreement, some yowling determinedly. Sunface felt a glimmer of pride. Here was a group of cats willing to desert their birth Clan to follow a warrior they had grown to love. He breathed in a mouthful of Riverkit's scent to keep himself steady and flicked his tail upwards like a flag. The warriors padded up around him. Moonlight glittered on their pelts as the small group slipped into the shadows. Mousepaw surged ahead, followed by Birdpaw and Blazepaw.
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Riversong watched the patrol advance. They were a few fox-lengths away. She crouched low to the ground. Her tail bristled. Her hackles rose. Unsheathed claws and bared fangs glinted in the starlight. She would not let herself be taken. The bushes rustled. Riversong took a deep breath and pounced. "You'll never take me, spawn of PlagueClan!" she yowled at the top of her lungs, landing on the first shape she saw.
Mousepaw shrieked in fear as something big, sharp, and angry landed on her chest. The brown-furred apprentice thrashed under the furious cat. There was a soft gasp. "M-Mousepaw?" a voice whispered shakily, "Oh, great StarClan!" The weight lifted.
"Riversong!" Sunface snapped.
"I'm sorry!" Riversong meowed, "I thought you came from Brightstar to bring me back."
"On the contrary, Rivershong," Longfang said, "We came to keep you away from Brightshtar. We're joining your new Clan."
Riversong was speechless. Her blue eyes took in the assembled warriors. Sunface! Longfang! Firebelly! Radianteyes! Blacktip! Creekflow! A yellow eye winked at her. Mudslide! Heavenstep! Racefoot! Quartzfur! Mousepaw, Birdpaw, Fishpaw, and Blazepaw! They brought me a whole bunch of good warriors and apprentices. Suddenly, a sweet, familiar scent drifted towards her. Riversong opened her mouth to get a better whiff. She tackled the panting she-cat coming up last.
"SLEETFUR!" she cried, nuzzling the long, gray pelt. Sleetfur purred.
"You didn't think I'd let them leave me with Brightstar, did you, mouse-brain?" she asked. Riversong gave a choked purr.
"No...No I didn't," she murmured. Riversong stood up and looked at her new Clan. She nodded. A good mix. Some senior warriors, some younger warriors, apprentices, queens and three kits, and even a medicine cat.
"Who organized all this?" she asked.
"Well, Healingtouch told me to get certain warriors and apprentices, we fought for a while, then Trueheart settled everything," Seedgrowth meowed, "Well? What do you say, Riversong? Can we stay?"
"I hate to break this to you, but where would we stay? There's not enough room in Clan territory for us." Riversong sighed, leaning against Sunface. "Where would we go?"
Sunface had though about this ever since Riversong had left for the second time. He knew where to go. The reddish tomcat whispered something in his former mentor's ear. Riversong's blue eyes widened. Her face lit up.
"Sunface, you're either the bravest cat in all the Clans, or stark raving mad," she meowed, licking his ear, "You really think it'll work, though?"
"I'll admit it's a hike," Sunface replied, "But I remember every detail of it. It's got that nice, sunny clearing, that forest. Besides, you know they're gone and disbanded. It's perfect!"
Riversong nodded. "All right," she told the others, "Sunface and I know where we're going. It will take some time to get to our new home, but I know we can make it."
"But first," Seedgrowth reminded her, "If you're going to lead this Clan properly, a trip to the Moonstone is in order."
"The Moonstone's miles away from here, though!" Mudslide protested, "I'll never make it!"
"Then come partway," Seedgrowth meowed, "Those who come will come back for you. We need all of us to make a Clan."
Heads nodded. Mudslide looked convinced. The new Clan journeyed to the Border and split up there. Riversong, Sunface, Seedgrowth, Fishpaw, and Creekflow went on to the Moonstone while the others held back and waited in an abandoned Twoleg shelter. Riversong sighed. She wasn't sure if StarClan would accept her as a Clan leader.
The journey to the Moonstone was that of a few days. The small group reached the mystical, underground rock in time for the full moon. Creekflow, Sunface, and Fishpaw stayed at the entrance of the cave called Mothermouth while Riversong and Seedgrowth went in. As they were padding to the entrance, trouble struck.
Out of nowhere, a golden she-cat with a spotted pelt appeared, followed by a long-haired brown tom. Riversong stepped back in shock, as did the other she-cat. They looked each other over for a few minutes. Finally, the golden queen spoke. "Who...are you?" she asked.
"I'm Riversong. You?"
"Riversong." The strange cat seemed relieved. "Good. That's a warrior name. You're not a rogue or a kittypet, then. I'm Leopardfur."
"Leopardfur," Riversong meowed, "What Clan do you hail from?"
"RiverClan. You?"
"I was once a warrior of DuskClan, but I've made a split. Some warriors followed me out of the Clan, and I wish to lead them with the nine lives of a Clan leader."
"I've never heard of DuskClan before," Leopardfur murmured.
"Nor I of RiverClan." Riversong sighed. "You're here to receive your nine lives as well?"
"Yes. Our leader, Crookedstar, has just died." Leopardfur gazed scrutinizingly, her eyes neutral. "Well, seeing as we've not heard of the other's Clan, we shouldn't have to worry about rivalry. Unless, of course, your new Clan decides to move into our territory."
"You know of the Alliance of Destroyers?" Riversong asked. Leopardfur shook her head. "Then we won't."
Leopardfur padded into Mothermouth. "So...do you think we can both receive our nine lives at the same time?" she wondered aloud.
"I don't see why not," the long-haired tom behind Leopardfur meowed, "After all, it's obvious Riversong believes in StarClan. I don't think StarClan will mind sharing tongues with two cats at once."
"There's only one way to find out, Mudfur," Leopardfur meowed, "And that's to try. Would you like to go in first, Riversong?"
"We can both go in together. Seedgrowth, come on."
"I suggest you let the medicine cats lead the way," Mudfur suggested, "Seedgrowth, was it? You've seen the Moonstone before, right? Come with me."
Riversong and Leopardfur followed the two toms through the black-as-night tunnel that led to the mysterious Moonstone. They were silent, just as the ritual dictated. They touched noses with the Moonstone and instantly fell into a dark sleep.