Chapter 19


BushClan/Tumbleheart

The leader, Morningstar, had been pleasantly surprised by her return. He welcomed her warmly while she told him about the horrific ordeal she had gone through and witnessed. Tumbleheart went into as much detail as she could, explaining the fox that spoke some form of 'cat' and her awaiting companions. The pale cream tom rose to his paws slowly, his gold eyes bright with relief, but a darkness was shadowing it beneath those golden depths. With a twitch of her tail, she lead him back outside, the cold night air seeming to slice into her as she shivered.

"It's been getting colder at night. Like this leafbare will only grow colder." Tumbleheart murmured.

Morningstar nodded grimly, "The coldest I've felt it get so far. I take it those quarreling toms are the help in question?"

"Yes, that is Jasmine and Maggot." Tumbleheart replied, feeling another flicker of sympathy as she mewed aloud, "Who would ever name their kit such a horrible thing?"

"Some cat who has a reason for the meaning, I'm sure." he informed her as he stretched idly. "I was given my name since my pelt looked like the very first trace of the sunlight. Perhaps, the mother saw some maggots and thought of them as hardy things and believed he should live to be hardy?"

"I guess, but it's not the best appeal." she frowned, glancing to the medicine den.

Poppyclaw's dark ginger tail flicked into view. His amber eyes glinting as they widened, his whiskers quivering with undisgused shock. Slowly, his paws lead him into the open, his eyes unblinking as he crept closer and closer to their side. Tumbleheart caught Morningstar's eye, seeming as perplexed as she was before they turned their gaze back on the medicine cat and his new strange behavior.

The wind was only a faint chilly breeze that brought the mixture of scents to them. At last, Poppyclaw blinked, his paws carrying him to the group of newcomers. His jaws parted, drinking in the scents before he faltered a step in disbelief. His voice found and almost half choking in some emotion. "Jasmine, is that you?"

His voice had carried the astonishment he felt so powerfully. It was almost as though he was seeing StarClan among the living. The cream and white tom looked up, his frosty blue eyes sparking with recognition. Just as their medicine cat seemed to falter again, his legs trembling so badly, the advisor ran up to them, throwing his head under the dark ginger tom's chin and rubbing upwards against his neck with a tremble of his tail.

"Poppy," the advisor whispered, affection spilling out of a single murmur. "Oh, Poppy, you're still alive."

"You have taken the words out of my mouth." Poppyclaw replied, a purr rumbling deep in his chest.

Tumbleheart watched as Icepaw blinked, lost and confused. Her eyes squinting to see in the night better, but struggling. Her tail twitching in curiosity while the toms stared in disbelief and vague disturbance. Maggot was the first to step forward, anger blazing in his amber eyes as he approached.

"Jasmine what are you doing with that Clan-cat?"

The advisor simply looked over, his gaze sharp with indignation. "This is the first time I ever saw my mate after what the Twolegs did in the Giant Garden. Before we became fragments."

"Only mates can have kits, therefore you aren't mates." Maggot pointed dryly.

Poppyclaw's amber gaze stared back as he spoke calmly, "Not even mates have kits, but they remain mates. Your logic is flawed. If you don't approve, that's fine. You aren't his father."

"But you're a Clan-cat." Maggot snarled, his tail waving in warning. "Is this where he has really been going?"

"No, we have been mates long before Tumbleheart's mother was even kitted. I ran from my birth-Fragment and met him in Fawn's. Then we got separated in the chaos the Twolegs started. Fawn declared them dead and had use move on to let the other Fragments regather."

Morningstar blinked warmly, "Well, many have asked Poppyclaw who his mate has been in the past for many, many moons now. Even I have wondered since my kithood, so it is a relief to see the answer for me."

Tumbleheart nodded, "Right, though, what will happen now? Poppyclaw is a BushClan-cat now and Jasmine isn't."

"You say that like we don't appreciate all cats." he started, before looking to Maggot sharply. "If you don't like it, you are free to leave and explain how closely related you are to a mouse."

"Closely related to a mouse?" he echoed, his tail swishing.

Jasmine sighed softly, "Honestly, Maggot, I never took a she-cat for a mate and you never thought on why?"

"I assumed your mate was one." he grumbled.

"Well, all you had to do was ask, I'm not embarrassed by it. I've told Quail long ago that my previous mate was a tom and I'm waiting for some cat looking for him. So you can explain to him why you walked home alone without the rest of us who are actually helping."

Maggot hesitated, before dipping his head reluctantly. "Fine."

"But, then why did Poppyclaw never speak on it?" Icepaw asked, her mew curious.

Poppyclaw answered, his mew soft and dark. "It was never something I can admit freely. Very few cats I had known before their passing knew. Even Bushstar knew, as we both understood the pressure of Fawn's group to have kits. My birth-Fragment wasn't harsher then Fawn was. Fawn's group is now FearClan. Regardless, I know not all cats take the news lightly so I preferred to keep quiet about it."

Morningstar nodded, "Not that we can blame you. There is nothing in the warrior code that says anything about who should be mated with who. I take it the medicine cat code has nothing of this sort?"

"The only portion of the code that involves mates and kits is that a medicine cat cannot have a mate or kits with another cat." Poppyclaw informed him, "Nothing about the mate being the same birth-gender. We cannot physically have kits, we have adopted them, yes, but given my duties Jasmine would more then likely keep an eye on them for me. Much like how your mother watched over you, Minteye, and Leaftail all those moons ago."

"As I expected, but he has duties to his fragment just as you do." the pale cream tom meowed solemnly.

"I would gladly give up being an advisor for him." Jasmine replied, "No matter what name he has, he is still my Poppy. The tom I fell for who was lost and scared in a world he believed would punish him severely for his heart."

Poppyclaw gently nuzzled his long lost mate, his flanks moving slowly and deeply as he took in the scent. A scent he possibly had believed he would never be able to breathe in again. Tumbleheart felt her heart ache, unlike her he was able to find who mattered most to him. She could never have her mother back, but as she glanced to Timmy, a new emotion kindled inside her.

Leaftail has joined StarClan several moons back, leaving her feeling wretched and alone among the Clan with little to no kin. Never once had she considered how close Poppyclaw was to her, how much he checked on her as though he was Leaftail's own father. Just as he checked on Minteye's kits as leafbare went on. She had kin without blood and now, something of her mother's past that left her heart feeling whole. Lifting her head higher, she looked to her leader, determination filling her to her claws.

"Morningstar, that black tom knew Leaftail, he is my father. His name is Timmy. He wanted to help handle the foxes that chased me. To protect the kits of the nursery. The dark tortoiseshell is Rat and beside her is her mate Stone. These might be the same foxes who attacked her kits moons ago." she informed him.

"And the last tom?" He inquired, his eyes flicking in the starlit night.

"That's Ruby. He kept me safe and showed me where to find food so I can come back safely."

"Now I can put names to pelts and faces." He murmured, heading to the small hill in the clearing. "Cats of BushClan, who are still awake and here with us: We have new mouths to feed, but they will help us deal with the foxes before it's too late. The kits will be safe, but we will have to band together."

"What's the protocol for taking on a fox?" Stone asked, his green eyes flashing in the night.

"At least two cats have to deal with them, the most would be three. However, we have greencough, so we are stretched thin like a scrawny mouse." Morningstar warned. "Twilightsky and Foxgaze are out hunting while Jaggedcloud and Turtlepaw rest up."

Jasmine perked up, "Then I suppose we should hunt as well. Stone, Maggot and I will go hunting."

Ruby nodded, "Very well, unfortunately, I know nothing much on hunting, but I will try to learn."

Tumbleheart looked to Morningstar, "I'll teach Timmy and Ruby to hunt with Rat's help. We can even give them fighting lessons to help watch over the camp."

"We will need every paw to help us." her leader meowed decisively, "With so many sick, we will need their help."

Tumbleheart glanced to Timmy and Ruby, "We will get started when dawn returns, so we can have proper rest."

Morningstar nodded, "Timmy, Ruby, you will sleep in the apprentice's den with Tumbleheart. Rat, Stone, Maggot, and Jasmine you may sleep in the warriors den. Poppyclaw, best you or Icepaw sleep in there with them."

"Flamepaw's tail is still healing, he needs some cat nearby when Turtlepaw isn't there." Poppyclaw objected, although he glanced to Jasmine, who only nodded to him.

"If you must leave the nest early to check on him, be my guest. All of the Clan are your kits in that way, I can understand that. It's what being an Advisor means to me. Just work hard and do your best." he murmured, touching his nose to his mate's ear. "I will be waiting and keeping the peace."

"We should hunt now." Maggot complained.

"Without Foxgaze and Twilightsky knowing about this new arrangement, that can be dangerous for you. We need you fighting fit. If you want to be useful, then sit vigil with me right here." Morningstar meowed, his golden eyes trained on Maggot. "We will keep watch for danger until the hunters arrive. Once they come back together we will inform them so they don't take you as a threat."

"And the sleeping ones?" The white tom grumbled.

"They will awaken to patrol and check for where prey might be hiding to locate at dawn. You can join them so you can learn the territory and where to hunt. You can show Stone and Rat at dawn if you aren't too tired." Morningstar informed him, "I trust you to have the best memory of your group."

The praise seemed to soothe his spiking long fur. "Of course." Maggot promised, "I won't mind one bit. I'll make sure to learn a lot."

"Even keep Jaggedcloud and Turtlepaw safe?" he prompted.

"I give my word, I wouldn't let a single hair on their pelt get harmed by those ruffian foxes." the fragment promised.

"Very well, that will be your duty." He glanced to Jasmine, "As long as it is alright with you."

"It's perfect. He may be a pebble-brain at times, but he is a brave tom." the cream and white tom agreed, "He is also one of the best fighters."

"Excellent." her leader answered, "We will need that kind of cat around here."

A rustle of the barrier let Tumbleheart know that Foxgaze and Twilightsky had returned. Slowly, patches of color appeared through the tunnel, orange eyes glinting in the moonlight. A late-season squirrel, thin from having to leave it's hiding place so early, was in his jaws. Carefully, he padded inside, his gaze scanning the clearing uneasily at the sight of new pelts.

Carefully, he slipped into the camp, clutching his prey firmly as he padded over with Foxgaze's two scrawny mice held by their tails in his teeth. Their heads lowered in uncertainty, amber and orange eyes flickering over each newcomer with caution. At last, Foxgaze dropped his mice at his paws, anger smoldering inside his eyes as he glanced to Morningstar.

"Who are these cats and why are they here?" He snarled.

The leader lifted his tail in defiance. "They will help us take on the foxes when they return. Tumbleheart was not devoured by the beasts, simply chased for a long ways away. So, they agreed to come back to help us."

Twilightsky stared over the cats, his eyes locking onto Jasmine for a split moment. "I see, you brought the past among us. I thought you would prefer to leave that where it belongs."

"Sometimes, looking into the past is helpful." Morningstar mewed sourly, "Besides, they aren't FearClan-cats and that's all that matters, Twilightsky."

"That may be so, but even you should remember how horrible it was."

"Jasmine is an advisor, he is no leader. They won't take over for as long as I have my nine lives." He pointed out dryly before pointing out, "Fragments are more trustworthy than FearClan. They help cats they deem are worthy of it, far better than what Cedar had when she took over."

"I doubt that." Foxgaze grumbled, glaring at the unknown cats.

Tumbleheart twitched her tail as she approached, "Morningstar's word is final. They're helping us with hunting and taking on the foxes."

"I'm sure they would and learn where the good hunting spots are to take over our territory." Foxgaze snarled.

Morningstar stepped forward, "There is most likely more of us then there are of them. We can handle it, unless you plan to desert the Clan for the greater good of yourself."

The dark ginger tom blinked, as though startled by what was being suggested about him. Glancing to Twilightsky who only twitched his whiskers, he looked back with a grunt. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."

"Nobody will have to with you reminding us all the time." the muted tortoiseshell muttered crossly. "So do we give up our prey for these freeloaders?"

"We can catch our own in the morning, or at least attempt to." Jasmine pointed out, "But only after Maggot gets to learn where he can take us at dawn."

Foxgaze shot a glare at Morningstar who only lashed his tail. "Head to your den hungry if you must, Foxgaze."

Tumbleheart blinked slowly, taking in the scene a heartbeat longer. Finally, she crept forward and attempted to take a mouse for herself. Something that would have to do for three cats. However, sharp claws stung her rear, digging into her in secret as she turned her head. She had only been walking by and somehow Foxgaze had intercepted her.

"You look more fed then the others." he sneered, "You don't get to eat tonight."

"I was taking it to the newcomers." she protested.

"Likely story, they are all more fed then us. You should have went back to the soft life." he taunted darkly.

Tumbleheart stared at him, anger burning inside her, yet it felt as cold as she was. Tired from her long journey, she gave up the fight. She ripped herself free from his claws, ignoring the look of surprise that flashed in his amber eyes. Blood trickled from the new wounds as her pale green eyes met his evenly.

"I didn't leave because life was too hard. I left because I was chased by foxes. Not that you would understand. So go ahead, we'll see who is the more loyal warrior." she challenged coldly as she padded back to the others.

Morningstar watched, his golden eyes narrowed, however she ignored him. She was a warrior and she wasn't going to be swayed from it. She hardly felt full-fed, even with kittypet food having fed her for the two nights she spent away from camp. Looking over the others she could see Icepaw standing firm, her pelt spiking from either the cold or horror at knowing she had been harmed by a Clan-mate. The stark white apprentice was looking into her direction, jaws parted to taste the scent of blood in the air.

She willed her friend to understand she was fine. After all, she had to help her new companions feel safe and protected. That was her priority now. Tearing her gaze from those frosty indigo eyes, she looked to her father who appeared calm despite his fluffed up tail. He was a kittypet at heart, but she trusted that somehow she could help him find his inner warrior. Just as the cats of the fragments had in their own way long before she was born.


Author Note:

I almost made it to 3.000 words again. It's fun seeing how far I can go now. I'll keep trying to add more and more words per chapter from now on, but 2,000 is the least amount I am allowing myself to write while the most is wherever I will end up.

Also as some of you may have noticed, I changed the name of the two stories. The reason is because I call it "The Lost Star AU" because at the time I hadn't read the novella Ravenpaw's Farewell and knew of what happened to the old forest territories. So this was all done as a "what if" scenario. An AU of what I thought happened compared to the canon.
Just thought to make that clear! In the next story I will write in the Author Notes the book numbers I have assigned so far.

Have a nice day/night and look forward to the next chapter! - NightSky