Chapter 44


FearClan/Lion

The moons had passed in relative peace, however even the reddish-brown she-cat was aware of the plans that had been whispered around camp. In the passing moons, Reed and Torn had joined the oldest cats and considered wise enough to order the younger cats around. With it, a cat had been chosen from the oldest group to send a message on the dawn after the half-moon. Quail entrusted her with that information and she could take any cat she wished to accompany her, but only one cat. Anymore then that and it could be seen as an invasion or a distraction. The half-moon was on it's way already making it clear this leaf-fall was going to be running out of time. Dread filled her belly as she weighed her options. She didn't trust Moth enough to not stir up trouble and she would feel guilty in making Hawksight come with her when she has been working hard in preparing her storage for the injuries. Which left her with a few options. Quail could easily come with her, but to make that tom stroke his own ego about her choosing him put him at the bottom of her choices. Her only other option was Willow, not that she had enough time to really know him well. Yet, she knew he was trained by Hawksight first who curbed his attitude and taught him well, which made him a much better cat to travel with.

Carefully, she heaved herself to her paws, knowing she had to speak to Shatter first to get the permission. Her amber eyes searched the clearing, taking in each pelt of a cat she had come to know. None of the original FearClan-cats really approached her other then Hawksight and Moth, even so se knew to not overstep any boundary between her and the second-in-command. After all, if she declined she would have no choice but to ask Moth who would most likely screw it all up more then she ever could. Nonetheless, she padded carefully to the white she-cat from where she observed how Willow spoke to the other cats with confidence and grace of a leader. He had grown into a fine young tom, his familiar broad head and shoulders with long fur to make him appear much bigger and heavier then the others. His amber eyes coolly watching the other cats as he listened to their concerns before speaking in a now familiar deeper tone. He gave an air of warmth and with a humble dip of his head, it was clear to even Lion that he was the cat she wanted to walk with her.

He was well spoken and with a kindness that every FearClan-cat she ever known was missing. Raising her tail slightly to let Shatter know she was not coming with terrible news, she joined the she-cat by her side. The gray striped white she-cat spoke, her blue eyes not leaving the silver tabby tom. "May I help you, Heiress?"

Lion cringed slightly at the title, shuddering slightly before answering her. "I wanted to ask for your permission to have Willow walk with me to BushClan territory next dawn. I do have other cats in mind, but he is my top choice and I would rather ask you for permission since you are teaching him, Shatter."

Shatter at last turned her gaze upon her, flickering over her pelt as though trying to see a single whisker of a lie. At last, she meowed. "I suppose I will allow you to ask him yourself. Just keep him safe, he is fully trained and you are not."

Lion lowered her head slightly. "Thank you, I would not let a single claw touch him, but I will not stop him from making his own decisions. And I would appreciate that you just call me Lion. Heiress makes it sound like I want to lead this group."

"And you don't want to?" She asked softly, a small piece of curiosity falling from her lips.

"Why would I want to look after the cats who treated me like an outsider for seasons?" She countered back. "They would probably rather kill me to have Heather or Quail as a leader. Unlike you and the cats I had to unfortunate chance of meeting, the river has never tried to change me. As long as I have it's soothing noises I can care less what happens to the group. Since Hawksight cares about it so much as well as Moth, I will do the bare minimum for the group and not take it over."

The second-in-command seemed surprised, but her blue eyes held a warm twinkle that she had never seen before. One that clearly felt she could trust her to obey with little question and only manipulated for the river itself. Lion knew what was going on in that head, she knew it as well as FearClan's actions against her now. She wasn't going to do much else as she waited for her turn, not wanting to get in the way of the younger cats who wanted to be heard. Even though Quail called them the River Fragment, she felt they were far from it. To her, it all still felt like FearClan, just as unwelcoming and cruel as she remembered. She could only hope that Willow could somehow change it, after all Hawksight often speaks to him when they ate to make sure he was understanding what Shatter was teaching him ever since newleaf. So, in her mind there was a good chance that all would be okay in the end, she had placed trust into this young tom without meaning to.

Soon, the silver tabby began to make his way to her. The cats who kept him occupied satisfied as they walked off. Shatter watched, making Lion's fur feel as though it was burning. "Can I help you, Lion?" He spoke gently, an air of respect within his tone that didn't make her fur crawl. It was as though he saw her as who she was and not a she-cat for him to sire his kits.

Feeling at ease, she mewed with a gentler tone then she had used in moons. "I wanted to ask if you could accompany me to BushClan's camp. There are other cats I could take, but I felt you would be best suited for helping me give the message."

If there was any sign of Cedar being his mother, she couldn't see it. He didn't hold himself with so much pride that every cat was beneath him. In fact, his expression looked thoughtful, as though weighing the questions and answers he may have within his mind until, at last, he replied. "How would I be best?"

Lion didn't hesitate to explain herself. "Hawksight would feel burdened and used if I asked her, not to mention she is preparing to heal any cat who is willing to let her after the battle. Moth would open his mouth and say something out of turn, probably getting us with scratches to take back home. I don't trust any other cat to not behave aggressively or show off if I chose them. You have been trained to be diplomatic, calm, and respectful. Something more then any cat I've come to know in this group."

"you do not refer to them as the River Fragment?" He inquired, curiosity glimmering deep inside his amber gaze.

"Honestly, I never felt welcomed in FearClan. You know that. A new name won't remove the cats I distrust, but the Fragment-cats are more welcoming to me despite me not knowing them very well." She admitted, "I don't know what they would do in these kinds of situations, but I can see you at least putting up a proper front."

"You are aware you were chosen for your aggressiveness then?" Willow pointed out in a question.

She nodded. "I do, that's why I think you would be most fitting. Out of all these cats, I can respect and trust you to keep me in line without humiliating me. Not that Moth would, but it is embarrassing for him to speak for me like I've lost my tongue."

"I know the feeling." Willow admitted softly, his amber eyes having the same sympathetic look as Hawksight's own.

It was in that very moment she had realized how much of an influence Hawksight was to the tom. With no mother, he had only Dusk to look to and even then he rarely was able to before Hawksight began to carefully run him through lessons. Clearly, the two she-cats would live on for a very long time within the future leader. It gave her a sense of kinship she rarely felt. This was a cat she would not only die for while protecting, but a cat she would follow until the day she could be reunited with her own mother. It was almost as though Willow was a younger brother in her heart. Warmth pooled from the thought, making her feel at peace once and for all.

"When should we leave?" Willow suddenly asked, drawing her back into what she was asking of him.

Lion blinked slowly before she answered sincerely. "Hawksight has promised to wake me up when she returns no matter if the sun rises. I can wake you up after I do, or I can wake you just before the sun's light bathes the land."

The young silver tabby tom thought for a moment, glancing to Shatter as he asked her, "Would it be fair if I woke up after she does that way we are both wide awake when we get moving?"

"That would be a good idea." The second-in-command answered, almost tripping over her words at the shock of being asked her own opinion.

"Then I will follow that line of thinking." He mewed, looking to Lion. "Take your time waking up and feel free to wake me as soon as you are awake enough to. We leave when you feel it is the right time."

"Very well." She replied, dipping her head respectfully. "I will do so. I will let Hawksight know so she can let the BushClan medicine cat know to have her leader ready by dawn for our visit." The tom hesitated, her own amber eyes glancing up as she saw the flash of concern in them for their enemy. Clearly torn between hurting the cats that not only saved his life in the fox attack, but had also been Hawksight's temporary family. Softly, she gave her own vow to Willow in a whisper. "I will be on my best behavior. Or I am more of a FearClan-cat then I ever believed."

His amber eyes softened, the concern washing away instantly. "I believe you." He replied just as softly, seeming to feel more at ease now.

Warmth filled her heart as she dipped her head before rising to her paws and padding away. Shatter spoke softly to Willow, but Lion didn't bother to try and hear. No matter what was said behind her back, she was loyal to the select few whom she had grown to trust with her very heart. A fragile muscle that hadn't been able to heal for all those moons until now. Her gaze flicked to Moth, the bright ginger tom just having returned from patrolling the territory to make sure no strangers were trying to come in. Their gaze met for a heartbeat, a tiny nod from one to the other. Soon, the unnamed feeling that fluttered in her belly like butterflies would take over and make her paws jittery. Until then, she had to focus on her task until it was over.

.

A gentle head bunt had roused Lion from her deep slumber. She blinked the sleep from her eyes as she looked up the the dark brown tabby she-cat who looked so very tired. Those familiar green eyes looking to her with the same sparkle that she was familiar with. With yawn she stretched and rose from her nest. Her tail curling as she looked back to the sleepy she-cat, taking in how she was slowly entering her own nest and turning into a mount of dark fur. Quietly, Lion slipped out of the reeds, their stems turning brittle and hard as leaf-fall continued on. She looked to the sky, seeing the pin pricks of light glittering high above while the sun's light was slowly turning the sky into a swath of various colors from pigeon-gray to the indigo night sky. She sat down, watching the sky slowly change as the sun's rays of light changed the sky, the stars slowly winking out with each passing heartbeat.

At last, she rose to her paws, feeling more awake as she headed to the massive willow tree. The entrance of the den between it's winding, gnarled roots, a screen of lichen had grown over it during greenleaf and it was now dying as leaf-fall took hold. Slowly, she slipped into the shadows of the den, scents washing over her as she parted her jaws to find the right mound of fur. It wouldn't be long until Willow, Nettle, and Ant were moved out of the kit-watcher den. Timber would remain to stay with Speckle and her kits to help watch over them. Thankfully, their scents were a welcomed one as they guided her to the leafy scent of Willow. The moment she found him, she prodded him with her paw gently. He moved, rustling in his nest before rising with a massive yawn. His long fur already seeming to be thick and ready for leafbare. Yet, even she knew that it was far from the truth.

Quickly and quietly, she made her way back through the den and slipped out into the open. The golden rays of sunlight already filling the pigeon-gray sky. Dawn had come and it was time for them to get going. Glancing back, she saw the young tom pad out into the open, blinking in the light before starting to groom himself so he would look presentable. Lion quickly followed his example, their sleep rumbled fur needing to be dealt with before they left for BushClan territory. With swift strokes of their tongues, they were ready as the pale blue sky slowly began to show through. A familiar white feline shape appeared from behind the gnarled roots of the tree followed by the all too familiar dusky brown tom as well. They approached, their gazes sharp and looking them over quickly. Lion didn't mind Shatter's roaming eyes, but Quail's made her fur prickle slightly.

"Are you certain Willow would be a good escort? He is the future leader who will take over after me." The large tom pointed out.

Lion didn't hide her annoyance as she huffed. "He'll do just fine. As a future leader wouldn't he need to prepare for meetings like this? I won't even let those Clan-cats touch him with a single claw."

"I just would rather go in his place." Quail muttered, sending Willow a dark look.

Willow only blinked back. "It was decided that Lion can choose who goes with her." It was a gentle reminder, yet their leader lashed his tail like it was a snarky remark.

Shatter sent a scathing look to her leader as she pointed out dryly. "They are going to enemy territory, not to frolic. Now put your claws back where they belong." With a grumble, Quail looked away while the gray-striped white she-cat looked to Lion and Willow with pride in her eyes. "I am very proud of you both. Lion for being so kind to think of the appearance of the River Fragment and Willow for reaching his twelfth moon of life. I will look forward to hearing how this meeting goes. So report back as soon as you get back."

"We will." Lion promised softly.

"And remember to give them that message properly." Quail meowed, his gaze resting on Lion.

"Then you remember that I never shared the same feelings." She pointed out bluntly, seeing the shock written on his face. "Besides, he's more like a little brother I have to look out for. I know he can take care of himself, but I will always help him the best I can."

"Right." Quail awkwardly whispered, looking away in embarrassment. "My bad."

"Well, get going. No need to keep their leader waiting." Shatter shooed them with a flick of her tail, her sky-colored eyes seeming to be full of mirth.

Lion nodded as she began to head out, looking to Willow as though silently asking for permission. The silver tabby tom simply nodded to her, falling a step behind her as they left the camp. The territory was calm and soothing in Lion's opinion as the birds chirped carelessly and small prey scuttled through the foliage that was still slowly dying in preparation for leafbare. The breeze made the leaves hiss in the trees while the reeds and brush rattled somewhat angrily. The cold chill of the night still clung in the air despite the warming sun. All around them their piece of the forest was alive with prey and wind. Parting her jaws, she picked up the scent of a water shrew and the wet-stone of the river. Without giving Willow a heads up, she lowered her tail and slipped into the reeds like the wind itself.

Her amber eyes narrowed as she found the small creature heading to the water's edge. Swiftly, she stalked forward, her paws hardly scuffing the leaflitter as she broke into a full blown run. The sunlight sparkling on the river's surface while the water shrew heard her thudding paws and took a flying leaf into the river. Without a second thought, Lion leaped through the air, crashing into the serene river paws first, flicking out the water shrew with her claws. In that instant Willow pounced, dispatching the prey for her while she got out of the river and shook off the water. It was small, but it would make a nice snack for them both to not be too hungry on their visit. She lowered her head respectfully.

"You eat half and I'll finish the other half." Lion offered.

Willow nodded. "Thank you. On the way back I'll be sure to catch something."

"I'll look forward to it." She replied warmly, "Hawksight told me last night before she left that it is against Clan Law to hunt on their territory. So, I figured we should have something to eat so we won't be tempted."

"That's good thinking." He praised her before taking a bit to crunch half of it off.

"Thanks, I don't really care what they think of us if we did, but it would be best to act like we hadn't rushed ourselves without a fully belly." She pointed out before eating the last half of what was left.

Willow cleaned himself up carefully, making sure to get every last scrap of prey off his face. "A good presentation will at least make us look like we are doing well. We have to be a healthy threat after all."

As soon as they had finished getting cleaned up, they followed the river to the Twoleg bridge and made their way across to get into BushClan's ravaged territory. The thin trees were growing well, but they were far from being a forest. Their branches waving in the breeze as leaves slowly fell from them. The leaf covered ground crunching beneath their paws as they made no effort to travel quietly through the terrain. The few birds that stayed sang their usual songs as they followed a small trail that had the familiar scent of leaves and ferns that clung to the BushClan cats. An even fresher scent of soil and stone was picked up when she parted her jaws carefully. The same scent that clung to Hawksight's pelt every time she went to the Moonstone. She glanced to Willow who only stared ahead, his amber eyes already acknowledging the scent all on his own.

Without a word, Lion took the lead again and padded deeper into the thin-tree forest. The browning foliage crinkling against her pelt as she pushed her way through the thin passages. Soon, the smell of many more cats filled the air as they found the smooth dusty path to the entrance of BushClan camp. She slowed, hesitation of being surrounded by so many cats suddenly overwhelmed her. Willow nudged her, slipping past her as he walked through proudly to find the hidden thorn covered entrance. The reddish-brown she-cat could only follow, her own amber eyes searching for any sign of unfriendly faces as her tail stayed low. All of her bravado and courage she had withering away at the thought of being outnumbered and in dangerous territory. Soon, they found the entrance and Lion looked to Willow, who sent her a steadying gaze.

"Want me to speak to the leader?" Willow murmured.

Lion shook her head. "No, I can do it. I have to do it." If they find out I made you speak in my place, they would never let me live it down.

"Then you should go first." He gestured to the entrance.

With a slow, deep breath Lion stepped up to the entrance and wriggled her way through it. The thorns raked through her pelt as she pulled herself through. She could only imagine how much harder it would be for poor Willow. The young tom had developed a powerful broad head that any young she-cat would dream of becoming mates with and his shoulders had grown just as broad as well. When she slipped through, she saw the clearing with it's small hill in the center. On the top of it was a pale cream tom with a white she-cat with black spots in her fur. Behind them were cats she did not know, save for the stark white she-cat who looked sleepy as she leaned against some others.

Behind her the thorn barrier rustled as Willow pulled his way through it. She couldn't tell if he was intimidated or not by the prying eyes. All she knew was he stopped beside her, not daring to take another step forward. Lion padded forward, making sure to keep a respectful distance between her and the cats on the hill. Anything she could do to not cause any of those cats leering at her to attack. Once she deemed she was close enough for them to speak, she looked to the cat on the hill, assuming he was the leader. His golden eyes narrowed with suspicion before he parted his jaws and spoke first.

"I am Morningstar, leader of BushClan. This is my deputy, Blackdapple. Icepath had warned us of your arrival, now tell us what you wish to tell us." His voice was powerful, full of youthful vigor and challenge.

Lion raised her voice, keeping her body turned to leave at any second it goes sour. "I am Lion. I was sent by Quail of the Giant Garden Fragment who took over FearClan and turned it into a River Fragment to give this message. On the full moon of this moon of leaf-fall we will meet at the Twoleg Bridge for battle."

"So you are here to challenge us on our own territory?" Blackdapple snarled.

Willow stepped forward and spoke in his calm and gentle tone. "We are only sending the message Quail wanted us to tell you."

"We shouldn't let them leave!" A dark ginger tom yowled loudly.

"Silence!" Morningstar snapped over his shoulder before whipping his head back to them. "By the full moon we will be there."

"Every cat." Lion told him, feeling her stomach drop. "Every cat must be there, Quail wants to settle this skirmish once and for all."

"Oh, every cat will be there alright." Blackdapple growled lowly, barely heard from the distance.

Morningstar nodded, his mew growing louder and louder into a screaming yowl. "We will be there. So you bring every cat if you dare! BushClan will survive! It has before and it will continue to do so in Bushstar's name!"

Lion flinched at the name of her supposed father. The tom who her mother loved dearly. The tom who was never in her life. Her heart began to race as questions rose in her mind. The cats yowled something to them, but she couldn't understand any of it. Numbly, she followed Willow out of the camp and matching his speed the best she could. She felt sick to her stomach, like the water shrew was crowfood. Was she doing the right thing by staying with the River Fragment or FearClan, or whatever it was now? She was panting, blindly following Willow back the way they came. Her thoughts crashing into one another as she realized there was no answers, only more questions. Was it wrong for her to fight against what could be her father's Clan? Was she destined to become a Clan-cat? Was she ever a River-cat like she originally thought? Her vision began to go blurry as she slowed to a stop with Willow, heaving for air as she tried to get a grip on her thoughts.

A mew broke through, clear as though her mother was standing right in front of her. "It's okay." The voice said. "Where you want to be is your choice above all. Not even Bushstar could ever fault you for it."

Deep down, she truly wished she could believe it. Head low, feeling the questions and curiosity bubble back down, she padded after Willow slowly. Was her mother truly speaking to her? She wished she could know for sure. All she knew was that she must report back. The battle was coming and there was only a quarter-moon or less of time to finish the preparations. Willow gave the report as she closed in on herself, when asked about it, her father's name was mentioned again. More and more she was believing that the tom was truly her father. How could she not when even the voice of her mother was telling her so? Closing her eyes, she knew that night would never come soon enough to end the turmoil that she had been apart of for so long.


Author Note:

After quite a while, I finish this chapter. I had a perfect one going and then I didn't save and I was frustrated for a bit. But I pushed through!

We are almost done and soon, Whisper's of the Willow, will be completed!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope you have a fantastic day/night! - NightSky