Chapter 3: Dreams and Reality
"Attack. WindClan is attacking!" Dovewing announced throughout the Clan.
"Why would WindClan attack at a time like this? What did we do wrong?" Firestar asked himself.
"I'm not sure, but we have to warn everyone." Lionblaze replied. He ran over to the warriors' den and saw that Lelouch was still asleep. "Lelouch, wake up!" Lionblaze meowed as loud as he could, waking the black cat up.
"Lionblaze what's wrong?"
"WindClan is attacking! Remember when I said you never know what could happen tomorrow? This is the sort of thing I was hinting at." He told him. "Lelouch, I think it's time to put that Geass of yours into effect." Lionblaze recommended.
"I agree." Firestar said from behind Lionblaze. "Lelouch, your Geass can save lives tonight. Please find some way to use it to help us."
"I will, but I should use my Geass as a last resort. If you don't mind, Firestar, let me set up groups first." Great, I'll feel like a leader again. There's no way that these WindClan cats can out-maneuver me. Lelouch thought.
"Okay Lelouch, you do what you need to do." Firestar exiting the warriors' den, Lelouch following behind him.
"Alright everyone listen up. I need you all to separate in groups of two. Those who wish to defend the Clan from the inside go to my left, and those who wish to defend the Clan from the forest to my right." Lelouch ordered. Lucky for him, the warriors all split into almost equal groups: fourteen were guarding the Clan, while the other thirteen offered to go into battle. "Okay now I want the ones to my left to stay how they are, and to my right, I want you to divide into four groups of three. Dovewing, you lead two of the groups, while Lionblaze, you lead the other two." Lelouch stated.
Lionblaze went on leading the two groups of Berrynose, Cinderheart, Dustpelt, Whitewing, Foxleap, and Brambleclaw, while Dovewing led the groups of Mousewhisker, Bumblestripe, Rosepetal, Ivypool, Graystripe, and Birchfall. "Firestar, I want you to lead and protect the rest of the Clan." Lelouch requested.
"You have my word. I leave my Clanmates in your paws." Firestar replied. With that, Lelouch let out his first command into battle, "ThunderClan, fight for your Clan, fight for justice!" With that, the two groups moved out into the forest while Lelouch stayed perched atop a tree. "Dovewing, I want your group to stay back. Your group will be here in case any WindClan cats break through the front line." Lelouch ordered.
Lionblaze's force trekked through the forest. "Lionblaze, you're close friends with Lelouch so far right?" Cinderheart asked.
"Yeah. Why?" Lionblaze answered back.
"I'm not sure if this plan will succeed or not, I'm just worried that's all. I'm sure if he's your friend then he has to be trustworthy." Cinderheart answered.
"Well, well, well, it looks like ThunderClan has decreased in size" Onestar appeared right in front of the patrol.
"Why are you here Onestar?" Lionblaze asked fiercely.
"One of your so called 'warriors' has crossed into our territory and we're sick of it. We're here to show Firestar a lesson about controlling a Clan." Onestar answered, the WindClan cats agreeing in unison.
"Lelouch, Lionblaze has confronted with WindClan. Onestar is there as well!" Dovewing told him.
Can she hear them from that far? I haven't heard anything, but why shouldn't I trust her? "Okay Dovewing. I want you to lead the way." Lelouch commanded, making his way down from the tree. After a few minutes of walking, they reached a lone WindClan patrol. "Now, I want you all to split into groups of three and make a flanking maneuver around WindClan. Do this with about a thirty pawstep distance away from them quietly." Lelouch ordered. Just as I thought, these WindClan cats lack the basic strategy of attack, which is why I'll have them in checkmate. He got atop a tree branch to watch the fighting unfold.
"Lionblaze, your puny force is no match for WindClan!" Onestar taunted.
"That's where you're wrong, Onestar." Onestar looked around, the voice sounding unfamiliar to him.
"Who said that?" All of the WindClan warriors were as confused as their leader.
"ThunderClan, attack!" Lelouch commanded. With that, Lionblaze's force charged forward.
"Ha, does ThunderClan ever learn?" Onestar said. All of a sudden, Dovewing's force attacked from the left and back of WindClan. What's going on here?! Where'd the rest of them come from? Onestar thought as his warriors were fiercely fighting the ThunderClan warriors that now surrounded them on all sides. Onestar, you had more warriors, but we had the element of surprise, which destroys anything in its path. That is my checkmate that shall seal your fate. In a matter of time, most of WindClan's warriors were defeated and fled back to their territory. Onestar looked around in shock. The leader himself was beaten and scratched all over, blood seeping out of his wounds. "WindClan, retreat!" Onestar commanded, but the ThunderClan warriors behind him stood their ground.
Lelouch came down from the tree he was atop of and confronted Onestar face to face. "So you're Onestar? A pity that such good warriors have such an unstrategic leader."
"Who in the name of StarClan are you?" Onestar demanded.
"My name is Lelouch Vi Britannia, the savior of the Clans. I walk with ThunderClan with a vow to stop any injustice brought into this territory and throughout the entire forest." Lelouch answered.
"A simple cat brought in by ThunderClan defeated my Clan? I can't go on with this burden, I won't!" Onestar lunged at Lelouch, but was attacked by Lionblaze and knocked to the ground.
"We are ThunderClan! We fight for the justice of not just ourselves, but for every Clan." Lionblaze announced.
"Correct, Lionblaze." Lelouch walked up to Onestar, who laid on the ground after that attack from Lionblaze. "Command all your warriors to leave the area now, or I'll be forced to take your life." Lelouch told Onestar.
"Silly kittypet, do you not know that I have more than one live?" Onestar told him.
"Taking all of your lives will be just as easy as taking one." Lelouch threatened.
"Whatever you say won't scare me. My warriors will stay be my side for as long as I tell them." Onestar said.
"Well then, I guess it's time for your warriors to learn a little lesson." Lelouch gazed at all the warriors and they looked at him back.
"WindClan, listen up. Your leader has fallen to ThunderClan, and none of you can fight. If you know what's best for you, leave, now."
"Why should we? Some of us still have some fight in us!" A WindClan warrior lunged towards Ivypool, knocking her to the ground.
"Ivypool!" Lelouch was about to make his way towards her, but Lionblaze ran and knocked the warrior off of her.
"Lelouch, go help Dovewing!" Lionblaze told him. Lelouch quickly turned around and saw that Dovewing was in the same predicament her sister was in. He quickly rushed towards her and sunk his claws into the side of the WindClan warrior. He looked into his eyes once he was pinned down.
"Go back to your Clan!" He commanded. Once he used his Geass, he got off of him and watched as he left back to his territory. "Dovewing, are you alright?"
"Yeah, no thanks to you. I'm just a bit scratched is all." Lelouch let out a sigh of relief, glad that his friend was alright. A persistent bunch, but they seem to be put in place now. He thought, looking at the fear instilled in their faces. Perfect. I now have them all in check and soon Onestar will fall into checkmate. This game was mine for the taking ever since the beginning. Lelouch thought. "Now I'll ask you again, leave ThunderClan territory and return to your camp!" He commanded, only using fear to control them. He watched them all retreat and leave their beaten leader on ThunderClan territory.
"Let me ask you something, Onestar: Suppose there's a powerful evil that cannot be taken down. Do you take the side of justice and continue to feebly attempt to become victorious, or do you take up the mantle of evil as well to combat evil itself?"
"I only seek peace for my Clan, nobody else!" Onestar answered. "I'll do whatever it takes to achieve that end!"
"Yes, but regardless of intentions, forcing them onto others is anything but justice! You make choices for your own selfish ways, just like my father. You make it so that your Clan seeks peace for only itself, which is why I, Lelouch Vi Britannia command you, die!" Lelouch ordered. With that, Onestar unsheathed his claws and sunk them deep into his stomach. Blood trickled down his stomach as he gasped in the sheer pain of committing suicide.
"Lelouch you have to stop! We don't want to kill him!" Lionblaze meowed as most of the cats just flinched at the sight of this mass chaos. Lelouch watched the sight, not looking at Lionblaze.
"We're fighting for justice, and to that end, lives may be lost in the process." Lelouch answered. Onestar at the moment had his whole two paws and his stomach covered in the dark red substance. The amount of blood was so massive that Lelouch's own paws were stained with it. In about one final breath, Onestar was dead, losing every single life he had left.
"ThunderClan, let us return to camp. No one speak to Firestar about this. It's my burden to do." Lelouch announced as the cats walked back to ThunderClan. Did I crave this feeling of leadership? Of bloodshed? Is this all I needed to do to feel like Zero again?
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Lelouch, wake up!" Lionblaze urged. Lelouch's violet eyes slowly opened.
"L-Lionblaze?" Lelouch responded. It was all a dream. That battle, I swear it felt real.
"You are quite a sleeper. So, are you ready Clan duties today?"
"I guess I'm up for it." Lelouch answered, walking out of the warriors' den with him. As they walked, Lelouch asked about Onestar. "Lionblaze, is Onestar really that bad of a cat?"
"You still got that story in your mind from yesterday huh?" Lelouch nodded. "Well believe it or not, he and Firestar were great friends moons ago, but then I guess power got the best of him." I wouldn't blame him. Power can change people. As they were talking, Brambleclaw approached the two. "Lionblaze, Firestar wants you to bring Lelouch into his den."
"Alright, we'll be there right away." When they arrived, Firestar was there, along with Sandstorm, Dovewing, and Jayfeather.
"I'm glad that you two could make it. I have an announcement to make that may shock you." Firestar began to walk around his den. "The Dark Forest cats are attacking the Clans tonight." Firestar announced. They all looked at each other. They knew the battle would come eventually, but they didn't expect it to happen today. "I wanted you all here so that I could inform you about a prophecy that I have received." Firestar went on, "Lelouch, you already know it, but some of the others here don't." He announced. "StarClan sent me a message telling me that a cat from a faraway land will come and aid the Clan."
"So that's what you and Lelouch were talking about yesterday, right?" Dovewing stated, the leader nodding.
"Of course. Were you eavesdropping on us, Dovewing?" Firestar asked, the she-cat pawing at her ears in embarrassment. "Right, that brings me to my next point. Lelouch, this point only has to do with you." He pointed at Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing. "These three cats have powers, much like you do."
"I can never lose in battle" Lionblaze told him.
"I bear the power to walk into any cat's dreams and sense their thoughts." Jayfeather added.
"I can hear any noise from faraway." Dovewing mewed.
"That explains why you were able to hear WindClan in my dream, Dovewing." Lelouch told her.
"Aw, you were dreaming of her?" Sandstorm teased, causing the two to become flustered.
"It might have been a small sign from StarClan, you never know." Firestar stated. "Anyway, Lelouch, tonight I want you out there with the other warriors, myself included. I don't want you risking your life because none of us know what will happen if you die."
"The same goes for you. If you die Firestar, that's it for all of us, I can't let you go into battle, especially with your final life." Sandstorm meowed in a sad tone.
"Sandstorm, this is for the best, my warriors have only one life, and they are willing to give it up for their Clanmates. I'm no different. My place is beside them." Sandstorm gazed at the tom before brushing her head below his chin.
I love you, Firestar."
"I love you too, and even if I die today, I will always love you forever and ever." Lelouch smiled at the mindset that both he and Firestar shared. Firestar really does remind me of myself. He goes by the rule: If the king does not lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow? "Now tonight, I want each of you to be safe and prevent as many casualties as you can. Protect each other at all costs." He told them before walking out of his den.
"Lelouch…when Firestar says that you can't die in this battle, it's because you might not be revived back into this world, right?" Dovewing asked him.
"Yes. If I could, I'd make sure to die as much times as I could if it meant saving any of the warriors in this Clan." He responded.
"Also, if you don't mind me asking, what was your dream about last night?"
"Apparently ThunderClan was under attack by WindClan, and I led the group to defeat them and ended up killing Onestar. I knew what everyone looked like, despite never seeing any WindClan cat ever, and Dovewing was even able to use her enhanced hearing and I knew nothing of it."
"It seems like it was a small dream brought by StarClan…but why would they have you kill Onestar?" Lionblaze wondered. "Oh…maybe it's because of the story I told you yesterday. They mixed their own plan with your intentions for justice and caused you to have that dream."
"Can StarClan do that?" Lelouch asked. "Wait…Jayfeather, you said that you could walk into the dreams of cats, so…are you able to manipulate them as well?"
"I can take part in them, but not manipulate them. I didn't tread into your dream last night if that's what you're asking." He told him. "We should get back to work. We need to be prepared for the battle tonight."
"Right. C'mon you two, let's go." Lionblaze told Dovewing and Lelouch. As the three walked out of the den, Ivypool approached them.
"Lionblaze, your siblings and Dovewing need to go see Leafpool, Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight. They want you for something." She told him, the tom letting out a small groan before chasing after his brother.
"What's up with him?" Lelouch asked the sisters.
"Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Hollyleaf were both raised by Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, but Leafpool's their actual mother." Dovewing explained.
"Why'd she not raise them herself?"
"Because she broke two warrior codes by having them. Her mate is from another Clan, and when she had them, she was a medicine cat, and they aren't allowed to have kits." Ivypool stated.
"I see. Did they ever forgive any of them? From the irritation I saw, I guess not." The two nodded. They saw the three siblings walking together towards them.
"Alright, where are they Ivypool?" Hollyleaf asked.
"Over at the entrance to the camp." They all made their way to the camp entrance and saw the three cats that wanted to speak with them. Once they arrived, Brambleclaw spoke.
"Firestar told us that you four have a destiny that you need to fulfill." Lelouch and Ivypool took a few pawsteps back once they heard Lionblaze let out a small growl.
"Why should any of you deserve to know?! All you've done is lie to us three!" He shouted. Dovewing took the opportunity to speak for them all.
"Firestar had a prophecy a while ago that said that three kits would be born with the power of the stars in their paws."
"So, you three?" Brambleclaw gazed at Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze.
"Not me. It's Dovewing." Hollyleaf answered. "These three are going to be the saviors of the Clans.
"You three knew and never told us?" Brambleclaw looked over at Squirrelflight. "Did you know? Was this all because I'm not actually their father?!"
"No, that's not it at all!" She quickly responded, fear in her voice.
"Nobody knew except Firestar and the four of us."
"Why didn't you tell any of us? We could have helped you with the burden you all carried on your paws." Leafpool told them. Just hearing her voice finally caused Lionblaze to snap.
"Well we wouldn't have had this burden if you never broken the warrior code in the first place!" Leafpool let out a small gasp, her eyes beginning to shine with tears.
"Lionblaze, calm down." Lelouch urged him. Lionblaze turned around and met Lelouch's gaze, anger still in his eyes. "I may not know the anger you feel, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm sure these three love you and your siblings with all their heart. Leafpool risked a lot to have you, and don't you think she was hurt knowing that her sister got to raise you three instead of her?"
"Lelouch is right. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight may not have been your real parents, but that doesn't change the fact that they cared for you as much as Leafpool would have." Ivypool added. They noticed Lionblaze's anger slowly fade away, and he let out a small cough.
"I…was just so proud to be your son. You're one of the greatest warriors I know." He told Brambleclaw.
"I was grateful to be able to care for you three as my own. I know that none of this is your fault."
"Because it's all my fault." Leafpool said quietly. "Don't blame Squirrelflight or Brambleclaw. They were just helping me because they cared so much about me. Lelouch is right when he said that we love you three with all our heart, no matter what." The whole family now embraced in a sort of group hug, showing their forgiveness and love for each other.
"Hey, nice use of words, Lelouch." Dovewing mewed, getting his attention with a small nudge.
"It was nothing. I just said what needed to be said, that's all. After Ivypool told me the risks Leafpool took, I knew she didn't deserve any sort of ridicule." He replied. "Why don't we go look for some work to do around camp you two? Tonight's an important night, after all."
"Are you sure you're not a Clanborn cat?" Ivypool said, letting out a small giggle.
"Positive. I've been in my fair share of crucial battles, and preparedness is definitely key." This peaceful campground is going to be filled with warfare tonight. There is no doubt that blood is going to spill…but I'll make sure that no lives are going to be lost here.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Lelouch, Lionblaze, Dovewing, Firestar wants to see you in his den." Brambleclaw told the three. They were taking a bit of a break from working since Brightheart just had her three kits, the exciting news now traveling around the Clan. They walked into Firestar's den and saw Jayfeather there as well.
"Good to see you three could make it." He told them.
"You both remember how there's supposedly a fourth cat that's a part of the prophecy?" Jayfeather stated, Lionblaze and Dovewing replying with a nod. "Well I found out that Firestar's the fourth cat."
"Dovewing, you did say that we needed to look for a cat born with a special destiny." Lionblaze said.
"Yeah, and Firestar's the perfect fit." She responded. "Wait…so Lelouch isn't the fourth cat in the prophecy?" Firestar shook his head.
"He isn't, but he is still part of his own prophecy which goes paw in paw with the one we're all a part of." He responded. "You four, I need you to come with me to the island to meet up with the other medicine cats and leaders. We've been through a lot, and with the Dark Forest cats approaching, we need to unite the Clans." They all nodded. "Good. Let's get going then."
The five cats made their way towards the island where Gatherings were held every moon. They could see that all the other leaders and medicine cats were there from a distance. When the five arrived, they didn't receive a greeting, all their eyes falling onto Lelouch.
"Who's this cat?" The ShadowClan leader, Blackstar, asked, pointing a claw towards Lelouch.
"This is Lelouch, a cat from a world different from ours." Firestar answered. "StarClan told me that he'd come to help aid our Clans in our time of need, and with the Dark Forest cats invading, I'm sure that time is now."
"Then how about these two? Why'd you bring them along as well?" Onestar asked.
"Because moons ago, StarClan told me that the kin of my kin would hold the power of the stars in their paws, and each of them have a power." He responded. "Lionblaze can't be defeated in battle, Dovewing has enhanced hearing, and Jayfeather can walk through dreams and know your thoughts."
"So Dovewing, you have the ability to spy on our Clans?" RiveClan's leader, Mistystar, accused, Dovewing quickly shaking her head.
"I would never do that!"
"Just what I'd expect to hear from a ThunderClan cat." Blackstar added.
"That's not the point of all this! They were given powers to save our Clans!" Littlecloud, ShadowClan's medicine cat interjected.
"Dovewing, are you able to hear the Dark Forest from here?" Willowshine, one of RiverClan's medicine cats, asked her.
"I've never tried before…" Dovewing closed her eyes, and her ears pointed upward as high as they could. The cats stayed silent, watching Dovewing concentrate. "I've reached them!" She stated. "They're training…training to destroy and kill every single Clan cat." She continued to concentrate, trying to get as much information as possible.
"She found Brokenstar. He's talking to the other Dark Forest cats." Jayfeather stated.
"How do you know?" Onestar asked.
"I can see her thoughts, remember?"
"What's he saying?" Lelouch asked her.
"Killing the Clan cats will just be fun…but killing StarClan will be the ultimate revenge." She quoted the Dark Forest cat word by word.
"Alright Dovewing, that's enough." She let out a small breath and opened her eyes, seeing the other cats stare in awe.
"How do we stop them?" Onestar asked, turning to face the ThunderClan leader.
"We fight and make sure they're the ones that all perish in battle." Firestar responded.
"Perfect. They'll be in our territory and won't know where to go." Blackstar mewed.
"Not exactly. They've been taking patrols around all our territories to find ambush points." The ginger tom informed him.
"Which explains all the scents that you've found on your territory. They also have some Clan cats along with them as well." Lionblaze added. The three other leaders looked at him in shock.
"None of my cats would ever work with them!" Mistystar stated in disbelief. "Dovewing, were you able to pick any of them out?"
"N-no…"
"Tell us! We must punish whoever they are!" Blackstar declared.
"No. They believe that they are training for their Clan, not training against them. They haven't betrayed us yet, so there's no point in harming them." Firestar stated.
"Besides, Brokenstar's threatened to kill any cat who defects, so they may be staying out of fear." Lionblaze added.
"Well, what can we do about it?" Mistystar asked.
"All four Clans must join forces. If you all work together you'll be able to defeat them. Uniting against the Dark Forest is the Clans' key to victory." Lelouch stated.
"Your new warrior brings up a fine point." Mistystar said. "Very well, RiverClan will join ThunderClan against the Dark Forest."
"As will WindClan." Onestar told him.
"ShadowClan shall join as well." Blackstar said, although he didn't sound as sure as the other leaders. Jayfeather joined the other medicine cats, who all looked at each other in joy.
"StarClan must be happy about all of this." Jayfeather told them, the others nodding in agreement.
"We must be prepared tonight because that's when the Dark Forest will strike. We don't know where, however, so we all need to be on guard." Firestar told the other leaders. "We'll all form a patrol in each territory made up of cats from all Clans." The other leaders agreed.
"Messengers should be utilized as well to share news and offer help if necessary." Blackstar stated.
"The two quickest cats shall be the messengers." Firestar added.
"And they should only be used to deliver messages." Onestar stated.
"Perfect, now go home and prepare for battle. Remember, none of us are alone in this fight." Firestar reminded them before they left. "Come, we should get going now." Firestar, Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Lelouch began to follow the other cats, but as they were walking, the violet-eyed tom noticed that someone was missing. He turned around and saw that Dovewing had yet to move.
"Dovewing, aren't you coming?" She leaped a bit in surprise before looking over at Lelouch.
"I'll be right there!" She called out at him. Lelouch turned around and continued walking before he pressed his body down close to the grass, hoping that Dovewing didn't notice. Something's up with her. He told himself. Suddenly, he watched as Dovewing ran across the forest clearing and leaped into a patch of ferns. What the? His body still pressed to the ground, Lelouch slowly creeped closer to the patch of ferns, making sure he didn't make a sound. Once he was close enough, he was able to hear the voice of a tom.
"Did you really hear the Dark Forest?" The voice asked her.
"Of course I did, Tigerheart. I told you about it before." She responded. Tigerheart? He's the cat Lionblaze teased Dovewing about.
"I know, but it just looked amazing."
"What are you doing!?" Lelouch heard the shock in Dovewing's voice and jumped into the ferns, catching them both by surprise. "Lelouch, what are you doing here?"
"He's not hurting you, is he?" Lelouch asked her.
"No, everything's fine!" She responded, a bit of anger in her voice. "You didn't answer my question: What're you doing here?"
"I had a feeling something was bothering you." He responded, looking over at Tigerheart.
"Can't you just leave us alone? I'll meet you back at camp." She quickly mewed.
"Is there…something between you two?" Tigerheart asked. They noticed the sorrow in his voice.
"There's nothing between us at all, I promise!" Dovewing assured him.
"How do I not know you're lying to me? You did try to get away from me before." He responded. "Why don't you understand that I love you Dovewing? I care about you so much!"
"Because now's not the time for any of this!"
"How about afterwards? What then?" He softly said, crestfallen.
"I belong to ThunderClan and you belong to ShadowClan…that's all there is to it." Her response sounded cold. Tigerheart hit the ground with a forepaw.
"You're giving me up that easily!?"
"This isn't easy for me at all! You're worried about us, when you know more than most how bad everything else is!" Her gaze touched his one last time before she turned around and ran for ThunderClan territory.
"Dovewing!" The two toms called out. Lelouch turned to look at the tom. "I'll make sure she's safe for you. You should get back to ShadowClan." Lelouch told him.
"Thanks…" Tigerheart muttered before Lelouch ran to catch up to Dovewing. He followed her scent for a while until he finally found her lying on the forest floor in ThunderClan territory near their border with ShadowClan.
"Dovewing, are you okay?" He asked when he was close enough to her. He could hear that she was crying.
"Why doesn't he understand? It's not that I don't love him back…it's just…"
"It's okay. Just give him some time and he'll understand. I'm sure after this whole Dark Forest dilemma you'll both be fine."
"But that's the problem! I know you don't know this, but…Tigerheart is one of the cats that trains in the Dark Forest." Lelouch looked at her in shock, but his gaze quickly softened.
"I'm sure he won't try to hurt you, Dovewing. If he really loves you, he wouldn't."
"I'm not worried about me. Lelouch…I'm worried about you." Lelouch's eyes widened a bit at her response.
"Me? Why?"
"Because you're my friend, and after what happened, I think Tigerheart believes that there's something between us." He shook his head.
"Dovewing, the same reasoning applies here. He knows that we're friends, well, he might think that we're more than that, but still, if he hurts me, he'll be hurting the cat he loves the most by doing so. I'm sure he won't try to lay a paw on me."
"Really?"
"I'm positive." Dovewing got up to her paws, and unexpectedly, she brushed her muzzle on Lelouch's cheek, causing his face to grow hot. "D-Dovewing?"
"Thank you, Lelouch. You really know everything right to say." Once she realized what she was doing, she quickly moved her face away, her face burning with embarrassment. "Sorry, sorry! I just…forget about it."
"Um…you don't think Tigerheart followed me, do you?"
"I don't think so. I don't smell any ShadowClan cats around." She told him. "We should get going back. They're probably looking for us."
"Why don't you use your power to check?" Dovewing let out a small giggle, and the two headed back to ThunderClan.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Dovewing and Lelouch walked through the ThunderClan entrance, Lionblaze running towards them once he caught sight of the two.
"There you guys are! Weren't you both following us when we were walking back to ThunderClan?"
"Sorry, Lionblaze. We were talking for a bit and didn't keep track with where we were going." Lelouch lied.
"Well, I guess all that really matters is that you both are safe."
"Firestar isn't mad, is he?" The black tom asked.
"I'm pretty sure he was just a bit worried, that's all. He did ask the hunting patrol he just sent out to try and look for you both when they had the chance." He responded. "Ivypool was probably the most worried."
"Lelouch! Dovewing!" Immediately when Lionblaze said her name, Ivypool came running towards them. "I was worried about you both! Where were you?"
"In the forest. We got a bit lost, but here we are now." Lelouch told her.
"Well thank StarClan you both are back safe." She mewed before turning her gaze towards her sister. "Actually… Dovewing? Can we talk?"
"Oh…um, sure. Lionblaze, does the Clan need any work to be done?"
"Not that I know of. Some cats are just training to be prepared for tonight." Lionblaze responded. "I'm sure it's fine if you both talk. While you do that, why don't you train a bit with me, Lelouch?" He nodded, and the two toms went off to train.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Dovewing asked her sister.
"Is there…something between you and Lelouch?" Ivypool stated, causing her sister to become flustered.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, you both were together when you made your way back here after being lost." Dovewing's face grew even warmer now.
"Oh yeah? Well how about you? I think, no, I know you like him." Now Ivypool quickly became embarrassed. "We were talking about you actually."
"Did he say anything good about me?" Ivypool wondered, her sister only replying with a laugh. "Dovewing!"
"Sorry, Ivypool. I lied." She admitted before she looked at her sister slyly. "You really do like him, don't you?" Ivypool nodded her head.
"I just…there's so much to like about him. He's so thoughtful and…I feel appreciated when I'm talking with him. I know he's not a cat originally, but…I can't help feeling this way towards him." She confessed. "Does he know that I like him? I don't want things to be awkward between us."
"I mean, I've teased him about it, but if it makes you feel any better, he did say that you were nice."
"You're not lying about that, are you?"
"Do you not think that you are?" Dovewing said with a giggle. "Lionblaze and Cinderheart were there when he said it."
"I guess that's something." She replied, a bit embarrassed. "I don't even know why I'm thinking about it right now. We're facing the Dark Forest tonight." Dovewing let out a sigh. If only Tigerheart could realize that…but… "Dovewing?"
"Huh? What?"
"You looked a bit off. What really happened before you and Lelouch got here?"
"Tigerheart apparently followed Blackstar and Littlecloud to the meeting we just had. I saw him, but all he could talk about was us. I wish he was like you and realized that now isn't the time to put his feelings forward." She told her. "Lelouch was there too. He chased after me, which is why we came back to the Clan together."
"Oh. Well I'm sure everything will be fine after the Dark Forest battle."
"Lelouch told me something similar." She mewed. "Maybe you both are meant to be together. You should ask him after the battle."
"I don't know, Dovewing. I really would be fine just being his friend and not risking it."
"But you'd be even happier being his mate." A blush formed on Ivypool's face, causing her sister to let out a snicker. "Why don't we get something to eat? We'll need to be at our best for tonight."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Great job, Lelouch. Your speed's improved a bit." Lionblaze told him as he dodged the attacks that the tom was sending out to him. Lelouch stopped to take a small breather.
"Thanks, but don't you think it's a bit unfair that I'm trying to land an attack on a cat who can't lose in battle?"
"Not necessarily. It helps because I won't get hurt, and you'll keep trying to speed up your attacks as you try to hit me, even though you can't."
"A psychological trick. Makes sense."
"I mean, I could let you go up against Cinderheart if you wanted to." She looked over at her mate in shock.
"Why are you trying to drag me into this? I just came to watch you both!" The she-cat told him.
"I was just kidding." Lionblaze responded with a small laugh.
"I don't think I could fight her though. I mean, I'm not trying to make it sound weird, but I just don't feel right fighting against a she-cat unless I really have to. It's not right in my world."
"Is that why you lost against Dovewing yesterday?" Lionblaze asked.
"Aw, do you like Ivypool and her sister too?" Cinderheart teased, causing Lelouch to become flustered.
"Not this again…" The two other cats let out small laughs.
"Well you two did come back to camp together after being lost." The tone in Lionblaze's voice told Lelouch that he knew that wasn't the case. "What really happened, Lelouch?"
"Tigerheart." He stated. "He was the reason Dovewing stayed behind. I knew something was going on, so I hid nearby and watched her. She saw Tigerheart in a patch of ferns and went over to talk with him."
"Then what happened?" Cinderheart asked.
"I shouldn't say. It's nothing bad, but it's a bit personal to Dovewing, so she should tell you if she wants to."
"I guess that makes sense. They do really like each other."
"Yeah, it did seem that way." Lelouch told her. "So, is there any more training we should be doing right now?"
"We've been training for quite a bit. I think you'll be ready for tonight." Lionblaze told him. "Just remember that the main thing you need to keep in your head is this: survive."