Chapter Seven
Before Shadowheart and Blackflame could follow their father across the stepping stones, a yowl called out to them. Stonetail balanced on the first stone, and swiveled his ears towards the noise. A silver furred tom was making his way over to them, and Stonetail leaped back onto the shore to greet him.
"Minnowstripe!" he waved his tail to Shadowheart and Blackflame. "I was hoping to see you before I took these two back to LeafClan."
Panting, the ReedClan warrior gave a nod. "I came back from a patrol and Mistybreeze told me what happened." He looked to the LeafClan cats. "It's so great to meet you both, my name is Minnowstripe. I'm your father's littermate."
Stonetail purred, gently nudging them both forward. "These are my sons, Shadowheart and Blackflame."
"I-It's nice to meet you too," Shadowheart dipped his head respectfully.
Blackflame purred loudly. "You don't have to be so formal Shadowheart," he teased. "He's kin."
Ears hot with embarrassment, Shadowheart plucked the ground with his paws. "I know that!" he muttered, annoyed by his brother.
Minnowstripe gave a laugh. "He's just like you were when you were young, Stonetail."
Shadowheart looked up at him. "Really?"
"Oh yes," he purred. "Your father was very much like you as a young warrior. And this one here," he looked at Blackflame. "Is just like..."
Voice trailing off, Shadowheart noticed a tinge of sadness in Minnowstripe's eyes. Stonetail came to stand beside his brother, laying a tail across his back.
"Yes, I see a lot of Heronwing in him as well," Stonetail murmured.
Heronwing must have been their sister, Shadowheart frowned. I don't even want to imagine ever losing Blackflame or Cinder.
Minnowstripe met Stonetail's gaze. "She would have been so happy to meet these two. You know that, right?"
Eyes glistening, Stonetail returned his brother's gaze. "Yes, I know."
Blackflame looked at them curiously. "Was Heronwing your sister?"
"That's right," Minnowstripe answered, eyes glowing at faint memories. "It was just the three of us. We got into all sorts of mischief together as apprentices. Heronwing was always the trouble-maker."
Stonetail gave a snort. "You and her both! And guess who always had to get us out of trouble?"
"I suppose that would have been you," Blackflame guessed, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Shadowheart listened to them banter, happiness warming his pelt. Despite everything that he had been through, it was a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by kin who didn't argue or plan revenge. An image of Cinder flashed in his mind. Guilt flooded over him in an instant. How can I sit here like this? He looked down at his paws. Cinder was still with the rogues, and as far as he knew, she was still alive. At least he hoped.
"We should probably head back to LeafClan now," Stonetail's voice cut into his thoughts. "Sunset will be here soon."
Minnowstripe brushed his muzzle against Blackflame's, and then Shadowheart's. "It was great to meet you both," he purred. "StarClan light your paths."
"And yours," Blackflame echoed.
Leaving the three cats by the stepping stones, Minnowstripe bounded off back towards ReedClan camp. Stonetail shook his pelt out, nodding to his sons as he leaped onto the stepping stones. Following him carefully, Blackflame and Shadowheart jumped across the stones. On the other side, Stonetail led them through the marshland towards the river that separated their territories. As they reached it, his father veered further downstream towards more stepping stones. Leading them both across, he stepped back to let them guide him to camp.
"Are you sure you want to come to camp?" Shadowheart asked his father.
Stonetail gave a nod. "Yes. I need to speak with Foxstar."
Exchanging a glance with Blackflame, Shadowheart just gave a tiny sigh and took the lead. The three toms walked in silence, the cold air pricking at their fur. Stopping just outside of the camp entrance, Shadowheart glanced back at his father. Stonetail met his gaze, determination burning in the ice blue depths. Turning back towards the hollow log, Shadowheart led the way inside.
Cloudflight was sitting outside of the nursery with Lionclaw, their three kits tussling about at their paws. Frosttail, Jayeyes, and Nettleleaf laid outside of the elders den, while Sparrowpaw, Larkpaw, and Ravenpaw sparred nearby. Sagepelt and Hollycloud were sharing a large rabbit with Rainfall and Silverleaf, while Redfur groomed herself beside them. Firelight and Alderleaf were sharing tongues in front of the warriors den, while Longwhisker and Dawnrise dozed together nearby.
As soon as the three cats emerged into camp, every cat turned their attention to them. A mixture of curiosity and hostility filled the air in an instant. Foxstar padded out of her den, a look of shock followed by undisguised hostility upon seeing Stonetail. Blackflame instinctively pressed close to their father, eyeing the LeafClan leader with wary eyes.
"Stonetail," her voice was cold and sharply edged.
Stonetail brushed past Shadowheart to stand before the LeafClan leader. "Foxstar," he replied, his voice even.
"What made you think you would be allowed to show yourself here? In my camp?" Foxstar growled, her eyes flashing.
Stonetail's gaze didn't waver. "You and I both know the reason I'm here. Mine and Silversky's kits are alive."
Foxstar snarled. "Yeah? And?" she hissed. "They may be alive, but Silversky isn't. And whose fault is that?"
Shadowheart blinked and looked at his father. Stonetail's eyes had narrowed. "That is the fault of Hawk. And Hawk alone. Foxstar," he raised his head. "You have blamed me for the death of my mate for far too long. It's time you realize that I won't let you do so any longer. Silversky made her choices, and in the end Hawk took advantage of them and drove her to her death. I have already paid for my mistakes. However I regret none of them. Silversky may be gone, but our kits are alive. StarClan has given me that blessing at least."
"You think it's that simple, Stonetail?" a bitter laugh escaped the LeafClan leader's throat. "Get out of my camp. And be glad I didn't tear you apart upon seeing you here. Your sons may be here in LeafClan, but you will never be welcome here as long as I live."
Stonetail dipped his head. "Very well. If that's how you wish to continue to see things, so be it."
Staring at his leader in confusion and horror, Shadowheart turned to his father. Blackflame looked just as worried, leaning close to touch his muzzle to Stonetail's.
"Don't worry," their father reassured them. "You both will always be welcome in ReedClan if you ever need me. Just because we are in different Clans, it does not mean I still can't be your father."
Shadowheart pressed his muzzle to his father's flank. "Be safe going back home."
"We'll see you soon," Blackflame promised, nuzzling Stonetail.
Purring, Stonetail licked their heads. "Take care. I love you both so much; your sister too, if I ever get to meet her."
Watching him leave with a heaviness in his heart, Shadowheart turned back towards Foxstar. His leader's eyes were full of several emotions, but one he recognized most; grief. It was clear what the toll of this all was on her. Without waiting for any cat to speak, Foxstar wordlessly crept back into her den. Blackflame stared after her, eyes full of sympathy. The aftermath of their parents affair left a devastating scar across the hearts of all those involved. A scar that only time itself would heal, if ever.
Meeting Firelight's gaze from across the clearing, Shadowheart began to understand just how much a weight this was to carry. One that he and Blackflame would not be able to carry alone. His friend's eyes reflected his own, and he knew what had to be done next. I need to find Cinder.