Feathertail awoke to the sound of movement outside.
That unfamiliar scent filled her lungs. Something black blocked the entrance to the den. Feathertail remained silent as she pressed her paw into Stormfur's side.
Her paw went over his muzzle as he began to wake. Stormfur bristled, his eyes wide as he realized what was happening. Both warriors remained silent as something scraped at the ground outside. Stormfur slowly shifted, his ears flattened to his skull as he stepped over Feathertail. His claws extended.
She shot her brother a look but said nothing as a particular loud grunt sounded from outside. Eventually, the creature wandered off.
The littermates remained where they were for some time. Eventually, Feathertail hissed, "It's long gone. We can go." Stormfur nodded, stepping over her. He glanced at her.
"I'm sorry for doing that, I know you don't like it. I just…" The warrior trailed off. As much as frustration gripped her, Feathertail did not respond. She understood why he had done that. Had situations been reversed, she would have certainly done the same.
They cautiously left the opening behind. Where they had buried the fish leftovers were dug up. They both relaxed as Stormfur remarked, "It was just after our fish." Feathertail glanced back into the valley.
"That thing was a monster, I bet it would eat cat." She shook her head, "Let's head back up. I'd rather try our luck with the eagles again." Stormfur nodded, mewing his agreement.
Brambleheart's head was lowered as they moved. He eyed the incline, glancing back at the Clans.
This was not going to work the way the leaders wanted it to.
As soon as they got on a ledge, they would need to combine. He took a deep breath, glancing at Firestar.
The leader had ordered Brambleheart to stay at his side. Brambleheart was fairly certain he had been watching the TigerClan leader this whole time. Tigerstar gave little response.
As they came to a path, Brambleheart looked at the two leaders. "We aren't going to be able to stay separated," he said, gesturing to the track. "We are going to be on these most of the time."
"From what I heard from Tawnyclaw there's forest." Firestar stiffened next to Brambleheart as Tigerstar spoke. "I see no reason for us to stick to the cliffs."
"She must have told you that there are wolves and catamounts in those valleys." Brambleheart regarded the enemy warrior. "We'll be easy pickings for the hawks and eagles on the cliffs, too, but we can fend them off easier." Tigerstar looked to be considering his words before he dipped his head. Firestar said something, Tigerstar looked at him. He blinked.
"As you wish."
Tigerstar stepped back and Firestar bristled. He jerked his head around to Brambleheart, speaking into his ear. "We're going first. TigerClan is going to follow." Brambleheart stiffened.
"I don't think that is the best idea," He began. They would be wandering for who knows how long? They needed to be at least slightly comfortable with each other. Firestar interrupted.
"We're stronger than them. We can face whatever is to come head-on better than them. I will not have my warriors seen as weak." He looked back, letting out a yowl before turning away to pick his way through the rocks. His tail was raised high. Brambleheart hurried after. Leopardstar had moved up, speaking with Tigerstar.
Brambleheart was surprised as Tigerstar came next, leaving Leopardstar behind. He still wants to lead, he figured, as Firestar glanced at the TigerClan leader.
They moved quickly up the slop. Brambleheart eyed the skies cautiously, flanking his leader. The memory of that day with Squirrelpaw filled his mind.
The day wore on, occasional words were passed between the two leaders. After everything Tigerstar had said of Firestar to Brambleheart, he was surprised by how civil the leader was.
Firestar froze in his step as they came across a break in the path. Brambleheart glanced at the fall back down the mountain before he padded forward, jumping over the opening.
It was not bad. Only about the same as the leap he had done so many times going to and from the Skyrock. While kits would need to be carried, it was not difficult for anyone. Brambleheart looked back at Firestar, puzzled as he continued to not move. His gaze was locked onto the opening. Clanmates looked forward, just as puzzled.
Tigerstar stood just behind him, watching.
Graystripe stepped up on their leader's side. "It's not bad," Brambleheart saw him speak to his friend. "Look – Brambleheart made it." Firestar looked up at his warrior, surprised.
"Brambleheart, get back here." Graystripe stepped away as the warrior jumped back. "I did not say you could go."
"I'm sorry." Firestar touched his tail to the warrior's side as he looked across, eyes narrowing. Brambleheart glanced at Graystripe after too long of a pause. Concern had come across the gray warrior's face. This was too much; Firestar could not be doing this in front of an enemy warrior. Graystripe opened his mouth.
Graystripe suddenly turned and Brambleheart followed his gaze, expecting the worse. He relaxed as he realized Brightheart was making her way forward.
"Firestar," The warrior spoke as she approached. Brambleheart and Graystripe stepped back and she came to his side. "Remember, you need to move your head…" As she continued, he suddenly shook his head. Firestar jerked his head up, glancing at Tigerstar, who still watched him curiously. Firestar raised his tail as he signaled for the Clan to follow. His head moved steadily from side to side before he made the jump.
Brambleheart gave Graystripe a concerned look as they continued.
Barkface touched his tail to Leafpaw's back. "Why don't you go spend some time with the warrior apprentices," He suggested. Leafpaw was not sure why he had said that, but her mentor's tone told her not to argue. She dipped her head, looking at Runningnose and Littlecloud again.
"It was nice to meet you." Both TigerClan medicine cats spoke their agreements as she stepped away.
It was not quite sunset but they had found a place to stop. A dent in this mountain which had formed long enough ago that thin trees had grown. Whitepaw looked up at Leafpaw's approach. "Hi, Leafpaw!"
"Hi," She answered, settling next to Squirrelpaw. She licked her sister's shoulder. Squirrelpaw leaned against her.
"Leafpaw!" Sagepaw looked at the medicine cat, his eyes wide. "Maybe you can settle this for us." He gestured toward the TigerClan cats. "Do you think those cats right there are apprentices?" Leafpaw shot him a puzzled look before turning her attention to the TigerClan cats.
They were still separated. She had yet to speak to many TigerClan cats and she knew, outside of Squirrelpaw, the other apprentices had been forbidden from speaking to them.
"I think so?" Leafpaw answered.
"And how old do they look?" There was a pause before Leafpaw responded.
"Six moons?" They would be small for six moons, Leafpaw realized.
"I think they're six moons," Squirrelpaw announced. "They look like they've got WindClan blood, they're smaller."
"Yeah, but Brokenstar apprenticed kits too young," Mintpaw pointed out. "What's stopping Tigerstar?" Whitepaw's eyes had rounded. Leafpaw put her tail over her back.
"I think he wants his cats to survive to be real warriors," Leafpaw responded. She had not heard of anything like this before.
"Just because they're both evil doesn't mean they're going to do the same thing," Squirrelpaw pointed out. "They can be bad in their own ways." Sagepaw scoffed.
"I think they're too young." He pushed himself to his paws, turning. "I bet Brambleheart knows." Squirrelpaw's ears went back and she rose as the gray tom called out, "Hey, Brambleheart!"
"Sagepaw, no!" Squirrelpaw exclaimed as Tigerstar turned to look at them. Sagepaw stopped in his step, his ears folding as he crouched, backing away. A shiver ran down Leafpaw's spine. They hadn't exactly been quiet. Why was he over here?
"Squirrelpaw's right," Tigerstar meowed. "Owlpaw and Weaselpaw are of WindClan blood. They are almost seven moons old." He regarded the apprentices. No one was speaking.
"I'm sure you've been told a lot about me," He began. "But I want you to know, I am not a monster." A hiss sounded, interrupting him.
"Why are you speaking to my apprentices?" Firestar demanded. His fur had risen as he approached, Tornear following him. Tigerstar blinked at the WindClan leader.
"I wanted to speak with you," He replied. "Leopardstar does, too." He glanced at the apprentices again, "They're the ones that approached me." Firestar shot them all a look. Sagepaw rested his head on his paws.
"Let us talk, then." Tigerstar nodded, stepping away with Firestar. Tornear regarded the apprentices.
"Why were you trying to talk with him?" He demanded.
"It was a mistake," Sagepaw mumbled as his sister shoved into him. "I wanted to ask Brambleheart something." Tornear's ears went back, sighing.
"Do not repeat this mistake again. For StarClan's sake, they are not identical!" Sagepaw nodded, mewing his agreement.
"Rabbitbrain," Mintpaw hissed as Tornear stepped away. Sagepaw shoved against her.
"It was a mistake!"
"Tornear's right, they aren't identical," Squirrelpaw pointed out. "That's just rude to Brambleheart!" Sagepaw rested his head back down, his paw went over his muzzle as he out a groan.
Brambleheart turned as a nose touched his shoulder. "Yeah?" He asked, surprised to see it was Mistyfoot.
"Do you know who Blackclaw is?" He was surprised by the question. Brambleheart nodded.
"He's one of Leopardstar's warriors. I haven't seen him since I left." That did not reckon good, Brambleheart realized. He had not seen any tension between Leopardstar and Tigerstar but he had not been looking for it.
"And you haven't heard anything about any cats named Primrose or Reed?" Brambleheart shook his head, confused by the question. Mistyfoot nodded.
"Okay." The tom hesitated before he asked.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Primrosepaw and Reedpaw are two of my kits." She glanced toward the huddled TigerClan cats. "I was hoping to locate them." Realization dawned for Brambleheart.
"Blackclaw was your mate?" Mistyfoot shook her head.
"I wanted kits and he was willing." She shook her head again, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Brambleheart."
"I'm sorry I couldn't be more help." The older warrior gave him a look.
"Don't apologize," She meowed. "You've done nothing."
Mothwing's gaze focused on the path in front of her. She took a deep breath.
It was the second day. They had made it high into the mountains and were continuing near the top. Grief clung to her.
She would miss Sasha but as she looked ahead to Hawktalon, she knew she had made the right decision.
They had already lost Tadpole. They could not lose each other. Sasha would be alright without them.
Mothwing turned as Littlecloud touched her shoulder. "Do you need a rest?" He asked. "We can step aside for a moment." Mothwing gritted her teeth.
Tigerstar had ordered for one of the medicine cats to stay with her. She was not that close to kitting – Mothwing knew she was not; she did not need this watch.
She went to protest before she realized there was a bigger gap in front of her than there should have been. Frustration bit at her but she nodded.
They stepped into a recess, allowing the others to continue forward. Mothwing crouched; her ears flattened. She took a deep breath, focusing on the sight before her.
She rose suddenly as yowls came from outside. The medicine cat sprang to his paws, putting his tail out in front of her. Irritation gripped Mothwing.
Cats had stopped outside the alcove and were looking down. "What's happened?" Littlecloud demanded. Splashheart looked at them.
"We just lost two," The young warrior's eyes were wide. "An eagle went for one and knocked two in." Littlecloud hissed.
"Are they our warriors?" Mothwing asked. The RiverClan cat nodded.
"It was further back," She explained. Mothwing gritted her teeth.
"Do you know who?" Splashheart shook her head.
Mothwing rested her head down as they started to move again. Her stomach was spinning.
There was nothing they could do. Until they found this new territory their cats were in danger. They all were.
"Mothwing." She raised her head as Littlecloud spoke, recognizing Tawnyclaw had stopped outside. They were at the end; it was time to keep moving. Tawnyclaw looked frustrated but brushed against her sister as they started after the others.
"You're alright?" She asked. Mothwing nodded.
"Yeah, they're alright." She muttered, "Was just holding up the line."
"I was asking about you," Tawnyclaw looked at Mothwing.
It took Mothwing a moment to respond, surprised. "I'm okay." She asked, "Do you know who we lost?" Tawnyclaw sighed.
"Rowanberry and Talonpaw. It was going for Talonpaw." Tawnyclaw's tail twitched.
"I'm sorry," Mothwing responded. Both cats had been ShadowClan. Tawnyclaw shook her head.
"While I would rather not live in the mountains, I hope we find these territories soon. We cannot keep losing cats."
Feathertail pulled away from Stormfur.
"I'm fine," She insisted. He did look like he believed her.
"I know you're in pain," He began. "We can just stop for a bit. Until it stops." Feathertail sighed.
"That's not going to stop it," She muttered, turning to keep going.
Her leg hurt. The one that was no longer there. There was nothing to rest.
"Of course," Stormfur nodded as they continued. Frustration filled her but she shook it off.
They needed to get back to the Clan. She had convinced Stormfur and they were moving now.
She had been gripped by this pain since it had happened. Sometimes it was awful, sometimes it was tolerable. Sometimes it was not there.
Feathertail hoped Barkface would know something that would work.
They continued on, silence falling between them. It was past sunhigh when Feathertail stopped in her tracks, her eyes rounding.
On the upcoming slope, there was movement. Stormfur's tail was straight up in the air. "Feathertail," He hissed excitedly. "Those are cats!"
Her tail rose as she watched them move. It was almost like watching ants. That had to be the Clans! Why did they come this way?
"Do you think they see us?" Stormfur asked. Feathertail shook her head.
"There's two of us versus however many of them," She replied. "It's easier for us to spot them than them us." Stormfur looked at Feathertail.
"Do you want to wait here?" He asked. "They're coming this way – it won't be long." This was about more than just the Clans movement. A bitterness was rising in Feathertail's chest.
She was still in pain but she could continue. She wanted to meet them.
"No, let's go." Feathertail started forward without waiting for Stormfur's response.
The littermates moved quickly, picking their way through rocks and roots. Feathertail spotted a path, leading past a boulder. That had to be where they were. She sped up her pace. Stormfur stuck by her side as they moved around.
A snarl sounded and the cats stopped. Fireheart had jumped ahead, his teeth bared. He relaxed as he recognized the littermates.
A brown shape came rushing past him to meet them. Both littermates pressed against Brambleheart as he came close. All three were purring.
"What happened to you?" Feathertail turned as Stormfur sounded alarmed. She looked at Brambleheart, noticing for the first time that he was thinner. He looked like he was healing from a fight.
"I'll tell you later." Feathertail turned to the rest of the Clan cats as Brambleheart responded. Tigerstar had come up to Fireheart's side. Her chest tightened at the sight of him but she was confused. Neither of them was in the same shape as Brambleheart.
What had happened? Where was Tallstar?
"Do you mind if I look you over, Feathertail?" She shook her head and Barkface put his paw on her backside. She tensed as he felt. Mistyfoot began to groom her.
"You're still healing," He meowed, turning his attention to her tail next. "It'll probably be moons before you're completely healed."
"We did not know where you were going," Feathertail began. Barkface shook his head.
"I understand." He looked at her, "But I also expect you to obey when I tell you you need to rest." Feathertail shifted, her tail lashing.
"And how long will that be for?" Barkface looked at her.
"Until I say otherwise," He replied. "As much as we are moving now? It's going to put strain on you. Your tail looks decent but this is a serious injury." He gestured to her haunch.
"Is she going to be able to be a warrior?" Stormfur asked from where he was seated next to Brambleheart. Squirrelpaw crouched on the tabby's other side Feathertail shot her brother a look but fear overcame her.
She did not want to be an elder. She would not be one!
"Of course, she can," Mistyfoot meowed. "She can do what she wants."
"It is a severe injury, though." Graystripe meowed. Her father looked at her with worried eyes.
"How many days have you been walking?" Barkface asked.
"Three," it was Stormfur who answered.
"And how many days out do you think we are from the colony?" Barkface looked at Brambleheart.
"I'd say two – two and a half," He replied. Barkface nodded.
"That's impressive and ill-advised at the point you're at," The medicine cat looked back at Feathertail. "I've helped with caring for cats who have had issues with a leg before – one became an elder, the other became deputy. Once you are healed, Feathertail, it is up to you." Feathertail nodded. Another shot of pain went through her. She rested her head on Mistyfoot's shoulder.
"Are we continuing?" She piped up.
"Firestar and Tigerstar decided to stop here," She replied. "We'll continue in the morning." Feathertail nodded, everything they had told them about what had happened went through her head. Hearing that Brambleheart had been imprisoned was unexpected, though Feathertail was unsure why she felt that way. Tallstar's death was shocking. Grief hit her, they had missed so much.
"Why don't you rest?" Mistyfoot suggested. Feathertail stiffly nodded, tucking her head beneath her mentor's.
Tigerstar was watching where cats had gathered around Feathertail. He lay, while he was better than before his heart was still giving him difficulty. Mothwing followed his gaze, surprised as the dark gray tom leaned into Brambleheart's side. Oh. Realization dawned on her.
"Did you know about that?" Mothwing asked, glancing at Hawktalon. He shrugged.
"That's one of the RiverClan cats, right?" He asked. "Not truly, but he mentioned some things."
"It's one of the half-Clan cats." Tigerstar's correction came out low. He grunted, shifting where he lay.
"I don't mind that he has a toy," Tigerstar commented. "But he could've chosen something more...palatable."
"Everyone's settled," the three warriors turned as Tawnyclaw approached. "There are a few patrols out – I doubt they'll find much, though." Tigerstar nodded.
"Hey, Tawny," Hawktalon piped up, nodding at their brother. "Did you know about that?" Tawnyclaw scoffed, nodding.
"Yeah, we all know." She commented, "Last I heard they weren't mates." She shrugged.
"Good," Tigerstar responded. "There's no reason for anyone to be with a half-Clan cat." Mothwing did not respond.
"He's half ThunderClan," Tawnyclaw pointed out, "It's not like there's much for ThunderClan blood over there." She muttered, "They can't have kits either."
"It's a born traitor," Tigerstar replied simply.
Crowpaw's eyes were narrowed as he crouched. His stomach groaned. It had been a few days of travel and very little prey to share.
He ignored that, his gaze going back over to Feathertail. Relief washed over him.
They were safe.
He and Tawnyclaw had spoken with them briefly. Now the Clans had separated. Crowpaw had no right to go back over.
"Crowpaw." The apprentice tensed, turning to Runningbrook.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Tigerstar wants you." A chill shook him to the core. Crowpaw nodded, glancing over to where he had seen their leader last.
Crowpaw rose to his paws as Runningbrook stepped away. He started cautiously over to the TigerClan leader. Tigerstar looked at him as he lowered himself before the warrior.
"You wear fear well." He signaled for Crowpaw to rise. The apprentice followed the command immediately. Tigerstar looked as though he was studying him.
"You want to be loyal to your Clan? To earn your warrior name?"
"I am loyal, Tigerstar." Tigerstar chuckled.
"I will be the judge of that." He looked back toward the outsiders. "Do you know her?" He gestured to a cat. Crowpaw nodded.
"That's Leafpaw," He responded. "The medicine cat apprentice." Squirrelpaw's sister.
"And it's half-kittypet," Tigerstar clicked his tongue. "StarClan would never allow that. Truly, that is a sign of how far these cats have gone." He looked at Crowpaw, "Get to know her. Tell me everything she has to tell."
Crowpaw's mind raced. Why was he offering this? Tigerstar had never been one to make threats lightly. Had Tawnyclaw talked to him? Crowpaw dipped his head.
"Yes, Tigerstar."