Chapter 12: Ravenpaw's Story

"Excellent Firepaw- try again!"

Firepaw snarled with determination as Bluestar launched herself at him again. He ducked beneath her and lashed out with his hind paws kicking her in the chest. He wasn't a tiny apprentice anymore and the force of the kick sent her flying a tail away. She landed on her side, smoothly rolling to her paws purring loudly.

"Well done- try a soulspark."

Firepaw promptly drew on his makai, and focused on it covering him like a second coat. It drained on him constantly but the proud look on Bluestar's face made his soon to be exhaustion worth it. Not wanting to waste the energy being built up, he slammed himself into a nearby rock grinning when he sent it flying.

A lot had happened since Lionheart had been carried off in Ashara's maw. Graypaw had been reassigned to Thrushpelt, the kind hearted tom giving him three days to grieve and recover from Lionheart's death before jumping back into training. The clan transitioned easily into Whitestorm as a deputy. Most cats were already used to asking Whitestorm for advice and his comments and recommendations were always held in high regard.

Tigerclaw was beside himself. Firepaw had caught him on multiple occasions trying to convince Whitestorm to assign a guard unit to Bluestar after she'd lost a life. Whitestorm had dismissed him saying what Firepaw knew- that ThunderClan needed high morale after Lionheart's death and the invasion of their camp. Bluestar needed to seem powerful and strong- not weak and vulnerable. Tigerclaw's suggestion would only lead to shaken faith in their leader.

Bluestar had taken the rat attack and Lionheart's death as a sign from the stars of hard times to come. If he'd thought she was drilling him before, Firepaw knew he was single-pawedly the most thoroughly trained cat in all of the clans. Bluestar woke him up halfway to sunhigh and trained him to sundown on battle techniques and and soul sparks interspersing it with miscellaneous hunting patrols and the occasional assessment. He didn't get lazy mornings anymore- the days Bluestar wasn't training him the second he woke up, he was on dawn patrol and doing treks through the forest to the camp.

Sandpaw and Ravenpaw- may the Sky Kindlers and the Souls bless them with all the greatest things in life- had taken to changing and making his nest out of sympathy for the way he staggered into his nest every night with barely any energy. Firepaw had even left his largest catches from the hunting patrols in their nests as a thank you.

Despite his exhaustion, Firepaw was convinced it was all worth it. His muscles were stronger and able to take much more punishment and his skills were coming along well. Dustpaw hadn't been expecting him to buck him from his back and kick him in the face during their last sparring assessment and he defeated Sandpaw soon after bringing their score to an even 10-10. Firepaw couldn't complain about his improvement- especially when the rest of the clan was being run ragged too.

ThunderClan's borders were being watched like a boar eyes, a cat trapped in a tree, waiting for it to come down so it could gore it through. Each border patrol had orders to mark every blade of grass and individual leaf and cover every foreign scent so thoroughly you'd assume a skunk had made dirt over it. ShadowClan would receive ample reminders about where the borders were and if they forgot…

Firepaw flexed his claws, yelling a "Ka!" as he channeled another soulspark under Bluestar's sharp gaze.

With confirmation that ShadowClan was targeting kits, the nursery had been reinforced with a pair of sitters or elders sitting outside the entrance. Kits had been given drills of their own, trained to retreat into the brambles of the den and scream loudly should any non-ThunderClan scent touch their noses. Some of the older kits like Swiftkit and Brackenkit's litters had even been some basic battle lessons, teaching them to aim for a cat's eyes or throat if they were grabbed.

The fresh kill pile stayed stocked and the two emergency staches had been filled and awaited them should a siege come to pass. After Brightflower's heroic actions, Bluestar had offered to let her stay in the Nursery as zazelisio set in and it grew colder. Brightflower accepted the offer and nowadays, Firepaw saw her standing guard outside the nursery for every shift she was able. Though he was no longer responsible for looking after her, they exchanged nods and Firepaw still brought her a rabbit or a robin sometimes.

"That's enough Firepaw."

He paused, allowing the spark he'd begun attempting to channel into his mouth once more to dissipate and flow back to his core. He glanced up at the sun, baffled when he saw that it was still high in the sky- it was far too early for her to end a training session. He shot his mentor a confused expression as she laughed at him.

"I have a meeting with Whitestorm about the possibility of another attack from ShadowClan," she explained. "And then I must meet with Larkwing and Ravenpaw."

"Are they still looking into WindClan?"

"Yes. The Souls will not settle until three clans are four once more. They're looking for the direction they could have gone but ShadowClan's stench had covered up most smells and WindClan's scent has been stale for moons."

"Maybe you can ask the Sun," Firepaw suggested. "I know we have a rule of allowing refugees to rest in our land for a while."

"An entire clan?" Bluestar asked skeptically.

"Maybe not forever," he conceded. "But kokina would've known which way they went. Besides, they can't go too far in any other direction. The packs live towards the left of them and even though Courage is much better than Havoc, he still wouldn't appreciate an entire clan of cats crossing and scaring the herds."

"You're right," Bluestar sighed. "It's not safe for clan cats to outside of clan territory. Our predecessors have made a reputation for us and it's not a pleasant one."

She shook her head as if to dislodge the thoughts.

"Run along Firepaw, take this day to rest. You've certainly earned it."

Firepaw darted over to her and nuzzled her shoulder as she licked between his ears, purring. She nudged him a couple of times as he finally allowed her to guide him away and push him towards the entrance to the Sandy Hollow. He nuzzled her one last time and sprinted towards the forest intent on finding a snack.

He was so focused on getting to camp or at least scaring out something easy to catch, he rammed right into a landbore gray cloud with an "oof!"

"Souls Firepaw," complained Graypaw, shaking his head. "We're in the same clan."

"Sorry," he apologized, flattening his ears. "I'm just really hungry."

Graypaw motioned to a rabbit, a sparrow and a squirrel a little ways away.

"Eat the squirrel then- I caught these coming back from a hunting lesson."

Firepaw didn't give him a chance to change his mind. He dragged it towards himself and devoured it, easily polishing it off. He licked his lips and eyed the rabbit.

"Oh no you don't," Graypaw laughed, dragging his kills closer to himself. "I need something to show for my effort."

Firepaw rolled his eyes, smiling at the fact that Graypaw seemed to be recovering. He was still sad and stared blankly at the sky sometimes but he was joking again. "Fine, fine, keep your rabbit."

Firepaw grabbed the sparrow, waving Graypaw off with his tail. Realizing his friend wasn't eating his haul but helping, Graypaw happily grabbed his rabbit and walked with him. They stayed in an amicable silence just enjoying the pleasant walk through their territory with no patrols or training assessments just around the corner. The silence ended up being a blessing, for in the quiet of the forest, he was able to catch the sound of a low conversation.

He put the sparrow down.

"You hear that," he asked Graypaw who nodded with narrowed eyes, pointing a paw to the shadow of a nearby leaf. Firepaw nodded his agreement.

ShadowClan.

The apprentices put their stalking lessons into practice slinking forward into the bushes, taking care to avoid the fallen leaves littering the ground.

"It's worrying," one cat said and embarrassment flooded him.

It's just Darkstripe, Firepaw realized feeling stupid. If ShadowClan warriors had been invading their home, they would've noticed the scent instead of just the voices. Besides, ShadowClan cats can't move through brambles- they'd probably tramble through loudly, snapping branches and getting caught in bushes. Picked the sparrow back up and began backing away, silently swearing to never confess how he and Graypaw had gone to confront a ShadowClan patrol alone.

"Any suspects Tigerclaw? Somehow ShadowClan knew Bluestar wasn't in camp which means someone told them."

"...I-I didn't want to say in case I was mocked but… Ravenpaw did leave his guard post at the Moonstone."

Graypaw stopped dead in his tracks with Firepaw and they exchanged a look. Firepaw tilted his head and Graypaw shook his. The only time Ravenpaw had left was to fetch cobwebs for Bluestar's wounds on Tigerclaw's orders. That moment had been brief too- spiderwebs are everywhere you look and they were practically weaving entire canopies near the Moonstone. What was Tigerclaw on about?

"How long was he gone?" demanded another voice Firepaw identified as Longtail.

"I'm not sure," Tigerclaw quivered. "Ravenpaw has been acting strangely since Redtail's passing… I think he's angry I couldn't save him too. Maybe he was caught by a passing patrol and he told while I was inside Mothermouth."

"When will you tell Bluestar?" Longtail asked.

"When I have more evidence. He's so flighty that she'd laugh me out of her den- and Whitestorm too. I wouldn't blame them, this is hard to understand. I thought Ravenpaw understood… you can't save every cat."

"We know you tried Tigerclaw," Darkstripe soothed. "Do you think the softbelly knows?"

"Firepaw may be an unknowing spy- Ravenpaw is his friend. Of course your friends want to know how your training is going with your mentor."

"And with Graypaw grieving, any strange behavior of Ravenpaw could be dismissed," said Longtail grimly. "Maybe Ravenpaw will convince him it's your fault Lionheart died too."

Firepaw had heard enough. He signaled with his ears for Graypaw to follow him and then slowly backed out of the brush practically holding their breaths. When their voices had vanished, they broke into a run until their lungs burned. They scrambled to a halt, dropping their prey and panting.

"The Souls?!" Graypaw said, whirling around to face Firepaw. "What is Tigerclaw on about? Ravenpaw doesn't blame him for Redtail! And Ravenpaw spent the entire time at the Moonstone talking to your sister!"

"And he's talking about us like we're indoctrinated," Firepaw added. "Like Ravepaw's been manipulating us."

"We have to keep an eye out for Ravenpaw- something weird is going on here."

Maybe it was because they were actively searching now (what was it his mother said? When a cat wants sheep they always find wool?) but it seemed that now that Firepaw was paying attention, there were a lot of things not adding up. All of the apprentices were still incredibly busy- Bluestar didn't stop her fierce schedule and Thrushpelt was doing his best as a hunter to teach Graypaw guardcat skills.

Ravenpaw was no different. He spent most of his days outside of the camp lately with Larkwing slowly mapping out WindClan territory and trying to catch their trail and also diplomatic questioning with The Sun to see if WindClan has passed through recently. On top of that, Ravenpaw was being made to bring back herbs for Spottedleaf and still participating in group battle assessments. The few times Firepaw caught Ravenpaw standing still was when he was snoring away in his nest.

He and Graypaw had worked out a system of staying as close to their friend as they could, even bringing Sandpaw and Dustpaw into the fold under the guise of attempting to keep him from exhausting himself.

Dustpaw reported the most worrying news without knowing it.

With ShadowClan behaving the way they were, when Larkwing wasn't with Ravenpaw out on tracking and diplomacy missions, he was with Bluestar preparing for a potential war and the possibility of RiverClan assistance. As such, Tigerclaw had "generously" taken over training him when Larkwing was busy and ever since, Ravenpaw had been returning to camp smelling like a hint of pine sap and slightly damp. Firepaw and Graypaw took up discreetly grooming him while he slept, hiding stray pine needles from their denmates.

"It'll look suspicious," Firepaw had murmured to Graypaw quietly. "Like we're actually being brainwashed and are covering for him but I don't know what else we can do."

As if Tigerclaw wasn't bad enough, there was something weird going on with the rest of the clan. While no one had much time to just chatter anymore, it seemed like Ravenpaw was always alone when he, Graypaw and Sandpaw weren't in camp. He'd noticed some warriors taking wide crescent walks around their friend, shooting him narrowed eyed glares or expression of pity.

The elders spoke so stiffly to him during lessons that he didn't even want to ask questions anymore. He sat through all of them with his head bowed, avoiding their gazes as he ate. And he didn't seem to be eating all that much anymore, often pushing away half eaten mice and sparrows for others to finish off. Firepaw wasn't sure if his mind was just making things up but he was convinced he was starting to see his ribs.

They were trying to keep Ravenpaw company, returning to a hunting mission when he trod on a thorn. It didn't stay stuck but it sliced over his pad and he stepped in mud before he noticed it. So reluctantly bidding Ravenpaw goodbye so he could finish his hunting assignment, Firepaw helped Graypaw limp back to camp.

"Hello Firepaw, Graypaw," Spottedleaf greeted when they approached.

"Asheyeyasi Spottedleaf," Firepaw said. "Graypaw cut his pad on a thorn- it's not bad but he's whining."

"I'm not whining," Graypaw scoffed. "I was letting you know my paw was injured."

"So whining," Firepaw deadpanned, making Spottedleaf giggle as Graypaw pouted.

Spottedleaf did a quick inspection of his paw, noting that it'd been cleaned. She helped Graypaw into a nest and placed a light poultice on his wound and gave him a single poppy seed before returning to Firepaw.

Spottedleaf and Firepaw cheerfully caught up with each other. With Firepaw constantly training and Spottedleaf healing the wounds of the cats repelling the occasional ShadowClan ambush, neither of them had talked recently. Firepaw was pleased to hear that even Spottedleaf was being given refresher combat lessons from Whitestorm.

"My muscles are always sore now," she complained. "And I can't even use soothers because those are for my patients so now I'm treating cats walking like a skunk with sleeping sickness."

Firepaw nodded, giving a mock groan, "Sometimes when I leave the Hollow, I lay in the forest on the ground to let my whiskers recover from being so tired."

"Right? My ears will… will…"

Firepaw stared in confusion and concern as Spottedleaf's eyes went blank and her jaw slack. He was going to respond but his muscles locked up in a very familiar way- he flooded his body once more and he felt drowsy. He watched as Spottedleaf's pupils blew wider and wider, becoming filled with stars. Something flickered from the corner of his eye and like before, he was freed from his bindings.

Instead of the medic's den, Firepaw was now standing in the center of camp as a raging inferno ravaged through. The bushes lining the camp cracked and even the trees in the distance were alight with a brilliant orange flame, charred grass scattered throughout the camp decorated with withered flowers. No spot in the camp was untouched by the flames and yet, there were no signs of panic. No alarmed yowls, coughing or terrified wailing as kits were dragged from the Nursery to safety. No cats rushed by, kicking dirt onto the flames attempting to ensure that the young and the elders could escape.

He turned his head as if being guided by an invisible force to the top of Highrock where a cat made of flames stood, appearing to relish the blaze below. It straightened up and smacked a cat made of ash, sending it to bits before darting down leaving paw prints scorched into the rock. The cat made of flame snarled angrily and launched itself instead of the leader's den and the fire surrounding him surged.

Despite being covered in flames himself, Firepaw felt no pain. Only happy fulfilled warmth and a bit of quiet rage. The embers he breathed in didn't make him cough but rather, with each pinch of ember to his throat he felt more alive. They didn't sting his eyes and Firepaw felt an unbidden smile emerge on his fire just as a voice whispered into his ear, "The blaze of its fire will save our clan."

He blinked.

The camp disappeared and Firepaw took in a deep breath as the sharp tang of herbs smacked into his lungs. He scrambled to his paws, coughing as Spottedleaf came rushing over, fur bristled. His legs shook and trembled and he felt like he'd throw up- would every Sight be like this? He hoped not.

"Are you okay?" Spottedleaf demanded with worry. "That was another Vision. What did you see?"

"You didn't notice?" Firepaw asked. "Your eyes got all big and starry."

Spottedleaf tilted her head, "Moonsoul must've sent a Vision I've already seen to you then."

Firepaw shuddered, "The blaze of its fire will save our clan."

Spottedleaf stiffened, "That's a big prophecy- it must be very dangerous if Moonsoul is encouraging you to know as well."

"Well I am a channel of the skies," Firepaw reasoned.

Spottedleaf sighed, "I suppose it makes sense that Moonsoul alerts you as well. You are a prophet. That one seemed intense- grab something to eat and try to rest okay?"

Firepaw nodded and slunk from the medic's den stretching as he walked. He grabbed a mouse and flopped next to the apprentice's den and began eating. He glanced up as the scent of pine needles touched his nose and he bristled at the exhausted form of Ravenpaw slinking up to the fresh kill pile and dumped two frogs on it. Ravenpaw grabbed a shrew and walked over, laying beside him.

Firepaw kept his voice low as he asked, "Why do you smell like pine needles?"

"Tigerclaw sent me," Ravenpaw mumbled around his shrew.

"That's dangerous," Firepaw hissed softly. "What if you get ambushed by a ShadowClan patrol? We should tell Bluestar-"

"We don't need to tell anyone," Ravenpaw snapped.

"Ravenpaw he's not your mentor- he's not even your deputy what if you get killed?"

Ravenpaw swiped at Firepaw's ear, Firepaw smacked his paw making him withdraw.

"Eat your mouse," Ravenpaw said, shoving his shrew towards Firepaw.

Firepaw suppressed a growl of frustration as his friend slunk off into the apprentice's den. He ate his mouse and reluctantly finished the shrew Ravenpaw had left behind. He stuck around, grooming his pelt, drawing his tongue slowly over his shoulders and flank as he thought about what to say to Ravenpaw and how to bring up what Tigerclaw had said in the forest.

Mind straightened, he stretched languidly and strode into the den ready to confront Ravenpaw. He stifled a curse when he noted that Ravenpaw was already curled up in his nest asleep. He'd have to wake up early tomorrow or try to catch him in the forest instead. He huffed in frustration but climbed into his nest, exhaustion from his Sight catching up to him. He tried to nestle under his paws and begin drifting off when he was kicked in the back.

He scrambled to his paws, bristled.

"Ravenpaw if they're that angry then-"

He stopped and stared in horror at his friend, still asleep writhing and thrashing about. Ravenpan was rapidly dismantling his nest with his squirming and frightened mewling. Firepaw dodged the flailing paws and began attempting to wake him up. His ear got clipped and his bottom lip tugged, but one last prod in the chest finally woke him.

Firepaw jumped back at the agitated hiss in his direction. Ravenpaw slashed at him and sprinted to the back of the den where he curled up, trembling like a leaf. The scent of fear drowned out anything else in the den, Ravenpaw's gaze filled with fear and terror. As much as he wanted to go over and cuddle him, he waited for Ravenpaw to calm down and recognize them. Time flowed like drying sap around them as Ravenpaw slowly began to unwind from the bristled, defensive bubble he'd locked himself in. It seemed like cycles had passed when recognition finally clicked in his gaze.

Ravenpaw slunk back over to him trembling. Firepaw didn't hesitate to push the tattered remains of Ravenpaw's nest into his own, expanding it so they could both lay inside of it. Firepaw quickly climbed in and watched Ravenpaw debate the concept in his head. Finally he clambered inside and pressed against Firepaw's flank. Firepaw started licking between his ears, purring softly attempting to soothe him.

"It's Tigerclaw," Ravenpaw rasped after a moment. "He hates me. And- and he's telling the clan that I'm evil."

"I know," Firepaw said, nuzzling his friend with his cheek. "Graypaw and I overheard him talking in the woods."

"If you knew then why- why are you still being nice to me? What if the clan thinks you're traitors too?"

"Because we're your friends Frightypaws. We know you haven't done anything wrong and you'd never sell ThunderClan out to ShadowClan."

Ravenpaw stared up at Firepaw in awe, trembling as if he wasn't completely sure he was real. Then he pressed closer, purring gently and unevenly. Relief rolled off of him in crushing waves and Firepaw was tempted to storm out the den and rip Tigerclaw's pelt off stripe by stripe. Instead, he started licking his friend's ears again, hoping he'd calm down.

"Ravenpaw," he began when he seemed settled. "Why is Tigerclaw doing this? What's his problem with you?"

Ravenpaw avoided his eyes, "Because RiverClan didn't kill Redtail. Tigerclaw did and I think he knows I saw him."

Firepaw glanced around reflexively but moved closer to him with worry.

"Tell me everything."

"There was a small wave- a tiny patrol of only two cats. They were going to escort us to the camp as prisoners and force Bluestar to give up sunningrocks. I was tired and could barely move. Redtail chased them both off and then Tigerclaw came. They argued about something- I'm not sure, I was getting dizzy. Then Tigerclaw leapt on him and killed him."

"He didn't know you were awake?"

"I didn't move- I stayed as still as I could and let him carry me back. I couldn't tell Bluestar- it was his word against mine and Spottedleaf said I was in shock."

"She'd think you were misremembering," Firepaw grimaced. "Well I believe you Ravenpaw. And so will Graypaw."

"Thank you," he whispered.

Firepaw rested his head on top of Ravenpaw's.

"Just stay near us. I promise we'll protect you."