A/N
Ok back to the story! Starts off in RiverClan
Puddlewhisker awoke with a jolt. The young queen wailed in agony. Spidertail was beside her in an instant. "H-Honeysnow! The kits!" Puddlewhisker moaned. "Right!" Spidertail sounded shaky, yet confident.
The golden she cat came in the den most s later with leafs in her jaws. "Spidertail, fetch her a stick, she can bite down on it." Honeysnow ordered, and he left. "There's three kits, this won't be easy." The medicine cat said, placing a paw on Puddlewhisker's stomach.
After two broken sticks and most of the day, three kits had been born. The only problem was they were tiny, sickly kits. Puddlewhisker carefully groomed the three.
The first kit was a tom. He was black with one grey ear, grey paws, and a grey tail tip.
The second kit was a she cat, and most likely the strongest. She was a very pretty grey with black paws.
The last kit was another she cat, and she was probably the weakest. She had a soft black pelt with spots that were hardly visible.
Puddlewhisker studied her kits; Spidertail came in. Well, he more shoved his way in, nearly knocking over Honeysnow. The medicine cat growled.
Spidertail shot Honeysnow a sheepish look then he turned to Puddlewhisker. "How are you? How're the kits? Have you named them?" He pressed, switching his gaze from his mate to the tom to the two she cats. "Yes, I'm fine, yes they're fine, no I haven't named them yet." Puddlewhisker replied sleepily.
"Can I help?" Spidertail asked, looking at his kits. Puddlewhisker sighed. "Of course, fish-brain. I was waiting on you." Spidertail grinned once more. "I think this grey she cat should be Ripplekit. And they tom, maybe, Jaykit?" The stubby tailed warrior suggested. "I think Ripplekit is perfect. As for Jaykit, I want time to tell, but I think I'll chose Jaykit." She said, yawning.
Honeysnow nudged the last one, the tiniest. "And her? She needs a name too." Honeysnow prompted. "Yes, I didn't forget. This one will be Splashkit."
Spidertail sat next to his mate. "Leaf-bare is coming, I can feel it in the air. These kits, especially, Splashkit, I fear that they won't make it..." With saying that, he earned a cuff over the ear. "I hope they do, I fear also, but don't go putting my bad thoughts into words!" Puddlewhisker growled playfully. "May StarClan not take them from me, please," the tabby queen prayed.
...
(Recap)
Mouseclaw slightly gulped, "you killed Eaglestar." Hawkpaw and Cardinalpaw's mouths dropped. "Fernbreeze killed Eaglestar?" They exclaimed in unison.
Fernbreeze smirked. "No, dear kits, I didn't kill him! I merely injured him to the point of death, it was a tragic accident..." The tabby trailed off innocently.
Flamefoot snarled. "Eaglestar was a good leader!" Mouseclaw shot him a puzzled look. The WindClan patrol seemed itching for a fight. "The Flat Lands are ours!" A tortoiseshell she cat hissed, lunging at Mouseclaw.
Fighting erupted everywhere. Flamefoot was struggling against a speckled grey tom, Cardinalpaw was helping him, while Mouseclaw fought the tortiseshell and Fernbreeze. Hawkpaw didn't have an enemy yet, until she was spotted by a brownish gold she cat. Hawkpaw remembered her.
Brindlepaw.
The leader's daughter yowled and lunged at Hawkpaw. "We're enemies now!" Brindlepaw hissed through attempted blows.
Hawkpaw was able to dodge a few hits, but she got nipped on the leg and harshly bitten on her forepaw. Hawkpaw twisted over to protect her belly, but Brindlepaw was better.
The brownish gold apprentice grabbed Hawkpaw's scruff and shook her till her teeth rattled. Dazed, Hawkpaw stood up, leg trembling as the floor spun under her.
Brindlepaw slammed into Hawkpaw, battering her soft underbelly with unsheathed claws. Pain blazed throughout Hawkpaw, and she hissed.
Brindlepaw was now holding Hawkpaw down with her fore paws on Hawkpaw's chest. Brindlepaw slashed an ear and her muzzle.
Suddenly, Brindlepaw's weight was lifted off her. Leaftail, but- Hawkpaw thoughts were interrupted when Leaftail said "Mouseclaw sent Cardinalpaw for help. Looks like we made it just in time," Leaftail said, driving Brindlepaw off with a blow to her belly.
Hawkpaw looked around. Brackenfang was taking on the tortiseshell with stunning force while Mouseclaw was aided by Blackpelt to drive off Fernbreeze. The speckled grey tom from earlier must've fled.
Thought exhausted, Mouseclaw leapt on a tall mound and yowled, "the Flat Lands are ours!" Fernbreeze only snarled. "Not for long you mange-pelts!" And she fled with the rest of her Clanmates.
Hawkpaw suddenly felt dizzy. Brindlepaw sure did a number on her... Then, someone steadied her. "Hey, now, don't go collapsing. You should see Redbreeze when we get back." The voice said. Hawkpaw couldn't tell a mouse from a squirrel at that moment, the voice seemed far away, and the cat was blurred.
Hawkpaw yawned. Then she looked. Thornsnag was asleep next to her. Nightbreeze came in, her plump belly swaying. It wouldn't be long before her kits were born.
"Hawkpaw!" Nightbreeze exclaimed when she saw the apprentice. "Thornsnag was such a hero, you ought to thank him." Hawkpaw stared at Nightbreeze blankly.
"Don't tell me you don't know!" Nightbreeze exclaimed. "Oh, you must've been too dazed. Well, Thornsnag carried you all the back to camp. Brindlepaw really hurt your underbelly, and you went unconscious. He was gallant!" Nightbreeze said, and Thornsnag opened an eye.
"I see my actions don't go unnoticed. Thought it wasn't all that great, my back's killing me, but it was worth it..." Thornsnag muttered sleepily.
Nightbreeze chuckled, then groaned. "Right, where's Redbreeze? These pains have started since I woke up..." Nightbreeze trailed off with another groan, and fell over writhed on the ground.
Mintflower hurriedly came out from the back of the den, alerted by Nightbreeze's cry. "I think the kits are coming!" Mintflower called and Redbreeze followed her apprentice out, blinking sleep away.
When Redbreeze saw Nightbreeze, the ginger she cat was instantly getting herbs. "Hang on, Nightbreeze! Your kits are a little early!"
Mintflower lied moss next to Nightbreeze. "Here, drink." With a held back moan, Nightbreeze took a few licks before a spasm shook her body.
Brackenfang was pacing outside the medicine den, tearing up the sandy ground under him. Squirrelnose was attempting to calm the young warrior, but Brackenfang just let out a hiss.
Nightbreeze panted, "are they here yet?" Mintflower nodded. "Here's one now!" A bundle of fur slipped out and Nightbreeze tiredly broke the sac.
Soon after, three kits suckled at her belly joyously. Two she cats an a tom. "Hawkpaw, you can name one," Nightbreeze offered.
"Heatherkit." Hawkpaw said, naming the tortoiseshell she cat with a white chest and paws. Brackenfang studied the two remaining kits. "This one is Moonkit," he declared, giving a black she cat with a white chest, white paws and an odd white mark on her muzzle a lick.
Only the tom remained. He was a dark brown with white and black splotches. The mates gave each other a puzzled look. "Hm, maybe he could be Eaglekit?" Nightbreeze suggested, remembering the old leader.
Brackenfang nodded happily. "Perfect! Heatherkit, Moonkit, and Eaglekit. They're just, perfect..." Nightbreeze trailed off into a yawn, resting her head on her paws.
Thornsnag smiled at the kits. "My kin... They're amazing!" He said, giving Eaglekit a little nuzzle. Nightbreeze was asleep in an instant, after she moved to the nursery, where the elders were visiting the new kits.
"It's been moons since I've told my tales!" Tulipwood exclaimed happily. Mallowtail chuckled. "I haven't had my tail tripped over in so long!"
Hailfall simply stared at the sleeping kits. "I just hope they don't disturb my napping." He grumbled.
Tulipwood and Mallowtail exchanged looks and keep gossiping about new kits.
The next day, Hawkpaw went to visit the kits, just after her dawn patrol. Heatherkit was sleeping next to Moonkit while Eaglekit was suckling.
"Nightbreeze?" Came a voice. Jaytalon entered the nursery.
"Hi, Jaytalon, Hawkpaw," Nightbreeze greeted.
"When will they open their eyes?" Hawkpaw asked. Nightbreeze laughed lightly. "Heatherkit already has. She opened then last night." Nightbreeze gave Heatherkit a nudge. The kit was already awake. "Hi, mom!" Heatherkit's eyes seemed to be a coincidence, as they were a pretty heather blue. Heatherkit grinned.
"Can I go play?" The tortoiseshell asked, excitement flickering in her eyes. Nightbreeze brought her kit closer. "Not until Eaglekit and Moonkit open their eyes. I told you last night when you woke me," Nightbreeze chuckled.
"Open your eyes you two! I wanna play..." Heatherkit trailed off in a whine. Moonkit rolled over into Eaglekit in her sleep. He kept suckling.
Heatherkit gave her mother a pleading look. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't." Heatherkit cocked her head. "Is it dangerous?" Nightbreeze chuckled, "not in the camp, of course,"
Jaytalon tapped Heatherkit. "Did Nightbreeze forget to tell you who I am?" Heatherkit looked at Nightbreeze. "Jaytalon is my half brother, so he's your half uncle," Nightbreeze said, patting Heatherkit's head with her tail.
"H-Hea-Heatherkit?" A voice stuttered shyly. The tortoiseshell turned around to face Moonkit, with stunning green eyes.
"You've opened your eyes! Nightbreeze, Moonkit's opened her eyes!" Heatherkit called, Moonkit stumbling after her.
"Well, have Jaytalon take you out. Stay together. Heatherkit stop chasing your tail!" Nightbreeze said all fussing like.
Heatherkit bounced up and down excitedly. "C'mon, Moonkit!"
The black she cat staggered behind Heatherkit as they played around.
Moonkit's eyes slowly adjusted to the bright dawn light as she followed her sister to the elders' den.
"Kits will be kits..." Jaytalon said to Nightbreeze. Eaglekit had fallen asleep.
Hawkpaw laughed to herself. Then, she remembered something else. Or someone.
"Can I go hunting? I need the practice..." Hawkpaw begged Cloudclaw. The white warrior thought for a heartbeat, then nodded.
"Of course. It may also not be pleasant to know that Pinepaw and Cardinalpaw are on their final assessment now. They'll be warriors at sundown." Cloudclaw said. Hawkpaw gave a meek nod, but she felt her heart twist.
Pinepaw and Cardinalpaw would be warriors, without me...? Hawkpaw thought as she raced to RiverClan.
Last time Hawkpaw saw Puddlewhisker, the queen looked like she'd deliver any second. Hawkpaw got into a hunting crouch and carefully crawled forward.
A scrawny mouse was nibbling on a seed. Hawkpaw got it in one swipe of a claw and buried it.
Hawkpaw crossed the river in a large leap, ending in a little stumble. Her leg was still a little weak. As Hawkpaw trotted onto camp, a warm milky scent hit her nostrils.
Puddlewhisker must've kitted!
Hawkpaw crept into the nursery, a half awake Puddlewhisker grooming a kit.
Three suckled at her side, though they seemed pretty weak.
One she cat seemed like the biggest and she was most likely to survive, but the other she cat was so small she was hardly feeding.
Hawkpaw scuffed a paw to get Puddlewhisker's attention; the queen lifted her gaze from her sickly kits.
"Hawkpaw, come, come," Puddlewhisker beckoned, flicking her tail for Hawkpaw to sit. The apprentice did so. "This is Jaykit, the tom, this is Ripplekit, the grey she cat, and the tiniest is Splashkit." Puddlewhisker said, thought a grave look flashed over her.
Hawkpaw tilted her head. "What's the matter?" Puddlewhisker sighed.
"Splashkit barely made it through the night; I fear she won't live this night..." Puddlewhisker brought Splashkit closer to her belly.
Hawkpaw felt her blood run cold at the thought of these newborns being called to StarClan. "I'll protect them with my life, Puddlewhisker." Hawkpaw declared. "Though I should get back to my clan, goodbye."
On her way back, Hawkpaw dug up her mouse and managed a skinny vole.
Cloudclaw nodded at her catch. It was pretty good for Leaf-bare.
Sundown came, and her siblings were made warriors, Pinewhisker and Cardinalheart, leaving Hawkpaw alone in the apprentice den. Pinewhisker and Cardinalheart kept vigil that night.
Hawkpaw shivered in her nest, until a soft pelt pressed against her. Jaytalon smiled and licked her ear. "Goodnight, Hawk," he said, calling her by her little nickname.
Panicking shouts and hisses awoke Hawkpaw and Jaytalon, just as the sun was turning the sky pink and gold.
Hawkpaw was instantly on her paws. The shout sounded like Pinewhisker! Hawkpaw left a still sleeping Jaytalon alone while she raced to her brother's side.
Pinewhisker was wailing, a ginger lump of fur on the snowy ground. Cardinalheart lay there almost motionless, save her coughing spasms.
The Clan began to stir at Pinewhisker's cries, and Mintflower soon came running, Redbreeze following. "Sh-she just collapsed, she kept coughing a bit, then she fell over." Pinewhisker's voice rose to a wail.
"And she was coughing in the past three days, but she kept saying it was nothing..." Pinewhisker trailed off. Flamefoot snarled at Pinewhisker.
"Did you hurt her? Did you hurt Cardinalheart?" Flamefoot hissed, unsheathing his claws in the snow. Pinewhisker shook his head in fright, then puffed his chest. "She's my sister, how dare you suggest I hurt her!" Pinewhisker growled, then stalked off.
"She must've had whitecough in those days, and the snow from last night might've given her greencough!" Redbreeze said, helping her apprentice carry the ginger she cat to the medicine den.
Thornsnag went up to Hawkpaw. "Sorry for missing-" he was cut off with a hiss from Hawkpaw. "You're on the dawn patrol. Get going." Thornsnag looked taken aback, but when Blackpelt growled for him to hurry up, he gave Hawkpaw a sad nod and left.
Jaytalon was awake and speaking to Cloudclaw. Then he trotted over to Hawkpaw. "Good news, Cloudclaw said I can take you for a little training!"
Hawkpaw grinned. Maybe I'd be a warrior sooner than I thought! Jaytalon led Hawkpaw through the forest, near the RicerClan side. The river was partly frozen.
"Ok, let's practice defense." Jaytalon began, and the rest was a blur. He's driven her to the point of exhaustion but Hawkpaw knew it'd be worth it.
Just as Hawkpaw'd gotten the half-turn belly rake down, an odd scent drifted to her. Somewhat like salty water...! Hawkpaw remembered Shadefur and his attacker, and saw Jaytalon go stiff.
Then a growl rumbled in his throat. "Let's go." He ordered, his paws heavy on the ground. Hawkpaw gulped and trailed after him.
They followed the scent and a brown tom with white streaks was leaving markers on their territory. "Hey!" Jaytalon hissed. "This is our territory, get out!" His voice was gruff. The rogue laughed.
"Quite a bit of territory for only a couple of kits, eh?" He snarled. Hawkpaw howled and bowled him over, slashing his muzzle furiously. "I'm no kit!" Hawkpaw spat, raking his belly.
Blood dropped from the tom's stomach and muzzle as Jaytalon dragged Hawkpaw off him. "Fine. Name's Rocket. Expect to see me again soon," and with that, he slipped into the undergrowth. Hawkpaw yowled after him angrily.
Hawkpaw panted as she and Jaytalon went to camp. "We have to report this to Smokestar," he'd said. "No, we took care of it, we're fine." Hawkpaw had insisted, and Jaytalon said no more.
She went to the medicine den, seeing Cardinalheart lay there, skinny as a twig made Hawkpaw sick. Or maybe it was the scent of greencough in the air that made her feel ill, after all, it killed Fawnkit, Silverfoot, Sandfur, Icetail, Voleclaw and Larkpaw.
Mintflower was treating Cardinalheart, when Squirrelnose came in, coughing harshly. Mintflower groaned. "Redbreeze! Squirrelnose is coughing!" The ginger she cat emerged from the back with tansy in her jaws. "Come, Squirrelnose."
Night came sooner than expected, and Hawkpaw fell asleep uneasily.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the TallRock!" Called Smokestar.
Hawkpaw was already awake. She hardly slept.
Hawkpaw yawned and climbed out of her nest, but when she entered the clearing, bloodthirsty ShadowClan cats were staring at her, swiping their tongues over their muzzles.
Hawkpaw backed away fearfully. She'd clearly heard Smokestar... Then she realized. Hawkpaw looked up to see Smokestar and Gingerroot high up on a ledge, smiling evilly down on her.
Suddenly, a soft scent washed over Hawkpaw. Fawnkit. "Beware the dusty air's choking habit." Fawnkit whispered, and Hawkpaw found herself calling out to her sister as the dream faded and Hawkpaw shot up straight.
Beware the dusty air's choking habit?...! What in StarClan is that supposed to mean? Hawkpaw thought furiously.
Leaftail padded into the empty apprentice den, save Hawkpaw, and said, "you're on my hunting patrol, c'mon," he said as he padded off. Hawkpaw looked outside to see her patrol.
Blackpelt, Scarface, Flarestorm, Leaftail, and surprisingly, Nightbreeze.
"We're hunting in pairs. Blackpelt and Nightbreeze, I'll go with Flarestorm. Hawkpaw you can go with your brother." Leaftail announced.
Blackpelt gladly went along with his daughter, Leaftail went in another direction, near RiverClan. That left Hawkpaw and Scarface for near WindClan.
"Lightfeather really loves you," Hawkpaw mewed as they trotted along the border.
Scarface stiffened, then lowered his head shamefully. "I didn't mean to hurt her..." His voice cracked.
"But I know she could never love a monster like me!" He hissed, "whenever I glance at her, she glances away! I see her hanging out with Flamefoot all the time," Scarface's voice faltered towards the end.
Hawkpaw gaped at her brother. "You can't be that oblivious!" Scarface cocked his head. Hawkpaw sighed.
"Flamefoot is her half-brother. Their father is Flarestorm. Lightfeather looks away in shyness, all she cats do that!" Hawkpaw looked at Scarface, waiting for his negative response.
"So you're saying, Lightfeather doesn't care what I look like?" He asked slowly. Hawkpaw nodded. "Yes, she cares about what's in your heart! Not what your face looks like. She still refers to you as Rainpaw."
Scarface let a little growl escape. "I heard her call me Scarface though," he groaned. "Hawkpaw, tell Lightfeather I'm sorry." He said, his eye shinning brightly with hope.
Hawkpaw touched her tail to his nose. "Tell her yourself. She even thought of some new battle moves that give you an advantage."
For once, Scarface looked happy. "Hawkpaw, thank you," he smiled with pure joy. "But we really should hunt. Heatherkit, Eaglekit and Moonkit still need milk, which means Nightbreeze needs food, and so does Snowwing, she's due soon," Scarface said.
Hawkpaw felt a rush of pride for her brother. He finally seems happy since the battle...
Scarface lifted his head up, mouth parted for scents. He grinned.
"I smell rabbit!" Scarface said, lowering into a stalking position. The blue-grey warrior was right; a somewhat plump grey rabbit was sniffing the icy air.
Hawkpaw hunted the rabbit from behind. Once Scarface gave chase, it'd leap right into her paws.
As she thought, Scarface jumped, missing it by a whisker, and Hawkpaw killed it in a single bite, the prey hanging limp in her jaws. Scarface had a sort of sullen look.
"I missed it," Scarface muttered. Hawkpaw sighed. "And you lead it to me, without that, I wouldn't have gotten it!" Hawkpaw exclaimed. His face lit up. "I guess you're right!" And the two littermates headed back to camp, a chubby rabbit in their jaws.
The elders marveled at their catch. "It's a miracle that you got it!" Mallowtail said, "although, it should go to Nightbreeze and Snowwing!" He declared, but Cloudclaw said they'd give it to both.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the TallRock!" Smokestar called, Hawkpaw felt a cold chill run down her spine. Clanmates huddled together at the base of rock.
Leaning against Pinewhisker, Hawkpaw forced her fur to lie flat. "Tonight is the Gathering, and the cats attending are Leaftail, Scarface, Blackpelt, Mouseclaw, Lightfeather, Brackenfang, Hawkpaw, and Tulipwood." Smokestar gruffly mewed.
Scarface sent Hawkpaw a hopeful look as he trotted up to Lightfeather with a blackbird in his jaws. Lightfeather stiffened as he came up, but her ears were pricked.
"Here, just cause you're mad at me doesn't mean you should starve. Maybe we could share?" Scarface asked, tipping his head so an ear hung floppy.
Lightfeather couldn't help but crack a grin. "I never was truly upset at you. How could I stay mad at my mate?" She asked innocently, giving his nose a playful lick.
"Let's get going!" Cloudclaw called to the Gathering chosen cats. About half the clan set off, leaving the rest to defend camp.
Lightfeather and Scarface were inseparable all the way, not even looking away from each other. Scarface gave a her nod when they arrived, and joined the crowd of cats.
Soon, he was chatting the head off with a WindClan elder. Hawkpaw caught the eye of the elder, and gasped. He had half a scarred face. A shoulder butted Hawkpaw.
Brindlepaw grinned. "Hi! You fought really well!" The WindClan cat followed Hawkpaw's gaze. "Oh, that's Half-face, he got that way from a fox, looks like he gets along with your brother. He doesn't get along with many, maybe cause nobody tries to know him," Brindlepaw said, and Sunstar called for silence.
"WindClan is doing fine in this chilly weather. Rabbits are plentiful, we have a new warrior, Brindleleaf." Beside Hawkpaw, Brindleleaf's eyes glowed and chest puffed out as the other clans chanted her name.
"Were you a warrior when we fought?" Hawkpaw asked, a little prideful a warrior thought she battled well. "Yeah, actually I was, we're enemies. Of course we can know each other, but we can't grow too attached." Brindleleaf said, Hawkpaw thought it sounded reasonable. I'll never fall for a ShadowClan or WindClan cat. Hawkpaw knew so, RiverClan cats are more refined cats. What about two certain ThunderClan toms? A voice in her head echoed. "No," Hawkpaw muttered under her breath.
Oakstar had began talking. "The river is partly frozen, but fish are still plentiful. We have three new kits, mothered by Puddlewhisker, and a new apprentice, Mistpaw, Pebblepaw is a warrior, Pebbletail." Hawkpaw looked around for Pebbletail's little sister, finally spotting the blue grey she cat, grinned widely, it looked like her face was about to spilt in two as the clans repeated her name, and with Hawkpaw spotting Pebbletail he looked proud as well.
Pebbletail suddenly turned and caught Hawkpaw's eye. The RiverClan tom flicked his ear in embarassment and looked away quickly.
Fallenstar pulled herself forward to speak. The frogs have been well-populated and we are well fed. Not true, Hawkpaw thought, seeing the few ShadowClan's pelts clinging to their bony frames. You're starving. "We have a new apprentice as well. Fangpaw," Fallenstar rasped. A broad faced tom with a silver-cream coat lowered his blue eyes shyly. Fangpaw doesn't fit him at all! But then again, with names like Shreddedpelt and Bloodyfur and Maggotheart, I guess it fits... Hawkpaw thought, pitying the small tom. "Thornypaw and Crowpaw are warriors now, Thornyflower and Crowblaze." Fallenstar called, and the chanting began as a dark gold mottled she cat lifted her chin proudly. One ear of hers was nearly completely torn off. Hawkpaw realized this was the apprentice that Jaytalon'd sent fleeing for her life. She seems like an sweet cat though, she thought, as Crowblaze too lifted his chin, which was resting on Thornyflower's shoulder.
Finally, Smokestar spoke. "Hawkpaw and Jaytalon found a nest of thrushes and we're doing well. We have two new warriors, Pinewhisker and Cardinalheart. Sadly, they aren't here now. The Gathering is over." Smokestar declared, as the cats began to part to their own clans.
Scarface happily walked over to his sister. "Rushfall is a great elder!" He gave a parting glance to the WindClan cat, "thought most cats know him as Half-face, he came up to me and he said that something like this, shouldn't happen to a young cat like me. I said I was called Scarface, but he kept asking for my name until I said Rainpaw, then he said he was Half-face, but he used to be Rushfall; we hit right off," Scarface let out a light purr, and trotted away with Lightfeather.
When Hawkpaw entered camp, exhausted from head to tail-tip, Thornsnag approached her. "Sorry I ditched." The chocolate tom muttered, "but on a brighter note, your final assessment is tomorrow. Maybe you should ask a senior warrior for help on practicing." He said, yawning.
Was he awake waiting for me?
Hawkpaw nodded, her eyes drooping, and she settled in her lone nest.
A silver she cat with blue eyes approached Hawkpaw. "Silverfoot!" The dreaming apprentice greeted Jaytalon's mother, but the queen had a sorrowful look on her face.
"When I first laid eyes on my son, I thought he'd be brilliant. But I see a dark path for Jaytalon. And a light one, his fate could go two ways; a path of dark destruction, or a path of light and love. The light path has its ups and downs, but if he veers to the dark path, he will be blinded by hatred." Silverfoot said, her voice faltering slightly.
Hawkpaw was puzzled. "How am I involved in this?" She shouted, but Silverfoot was fading. "You're his light, don't let him see the darkness, for he could and might, drown the clans in blood." Silverfoot was gone, but her scent lingered.
"There is two paths; light and dark for every cat. But a single word can change a life, and a single step can change the clans. You know the word and you will take the step, to save a life and save the clans." Silverfoot's voice echoed, "don't let Jaytalon stray too far,"
A fit of coughing woke Hawkpaw with a start. It sounded like a tiny kit... "Eaglekit!" Hawkpaw realized with a jolt, racing to the medicine den. The dark brown tom was squirming around in a moss nest lined with feathers, coughing harshly. Nightbreeze was watching, her eyes round as a kit's as Redbreeze and Mintflower scurried around, trying to treat Cardinalheart, Squirrelnose and now Eaglekit.
"Please! Help him," Nightbreeze's voice was hardly a whisper, and it was thick with fear. Flamefoot was out patrolling; ever since Cardinalheart fell ill, he'd been working himself to the max, trying to take his mind off her, but he was angry all the time. Mouseclaw came in every now and then to see his brother, but even the calm warrior was worried. One by one, cats fell ill.
Flarestorm had started coughing and was moved to the medicine den, along with Hailfall and Cloudclaw. Blackpelt was serving as the temporary deputy.
Soon, even Smokestar got sick. He'd insisted on staying in his den, with Blackpelt now addressing the clan and Mouseclaw filing out patrols, no more than three or four cats were to go.
Eaglekit, Squirrelnose, Hailfall, Flarestorm and Cardinalheart were simply getting worse, but Cloudclaw was getting much better, as he'd only gotten whitecough.
Redbreeze had no catmint left in the stores, and her and Mintflower were too stubborn to ask RiverClan for help.
"Please! You have to! Cardinalheart and Flarestorm will die! And don't mention Eaglekit and Hailfall!" Flamefoot pleaded, his eyes round with desperation, until Mintflower finally gave in.
"Oh, alright! But you're not coming with me. I'll choose, um, Hawkpaw!" Mintflower meowed tiredly. She hadn't rested while caring for all the sick cats and her eyes were dull. "Can you be my escort to RiverClan? We need catmint!" Mintflower said, glancing over at Flamefoot who was tearing up the grass. He sighed and asked Mouseclaw for a patrol and murmured something under his breath.
"Let's get going now," Mintflower sighed, Hawkpaw followed. They trekked along the path as the trees began to disappear and give way to mostly instead of grass and the river was completely frozen over.
Mintflower placed a cautious law on the ice, and began walking over. A slight cracking noise made Hawkpaw glance around nervously, and she spotted where Mintflower was walking; the grey cat was so concentrated she didn't even hear the ice breaking! Hawkpaw lunged for her friend, but all too late.
With a yelp, Mintflower crashed through the ice. Hawkpaw fell in after her. I can't swim, it's so cold! I could save her, but- Hawkpaw cut her thoughts short. No! I'm coming Mintflower! Hawkpaw thought desperately. The lithe medicine cat was sinking slowly, bubbles coming from Mintflower's open mouth, parted in a silent scream. Her eyes were wide and scared.
Suddenly, another cat was in the river. Reedflight! Hawkpaw recognized the tawny tom, as the river plastered his fur to his puny frame. RiverClan must be hungry too.
Reedflight grabbed Mintflower, who'd closed her eyes. Reedflight gave Hawkpaw a nod as he swam up. Mintflower broke above water and started hacking, spitting water out.
"What's ThunderClan doing on our territory?" Weaselclaw demanded when Mintflower caught her breath and groomed her fur. "I need to speak with Alderleaf." Mintflower coughed, and the RiverClan patrol exchanged glances. "Alderleaf is dead." Mistpaw hung her head.
"Oh, I'm very sorry!" Mintflower exclaimed, "I need to speak with Honeysnow then, may StarClan light his path, and guide Honeysnow."
"Come on then," Reedflight said warily. Hawkpaw and Mintflower followed the RiverClan patrol.
As Mintflower and Hawkpaw entered canp, Hawkpaw earned bewildered glances, from Pebblepaw, Puddlewhisker and Briarpaw. "I need to speak with Honeysnow." Mintflower meowed stubbornly.
Oakstar dipped his head; he dare not argue with a medicine cat! "Very well. She's in the nursery. Mistpaw, go and get Honeysnow." Hawkpaw could tell her didn't like having ThunderClan in his camp. But I'm ThunderClan! You're also his daughter! Hawkpaw stopped herself. It's useless to argue with myself!
A moment later, Mistpaw returned with Honeysnow at her tail. "Come in my den. Hawkpaw you stay there." Mintflower cast a look at Hawkpaw and followed the RiverClan she cat.
Three apprentices, about a few moons younger than her, circled around her. One was a pale chocolate tom with paler paws, another was an off-white silvery she cat and the other was a brown she cat with black paws and a white muzzle.
"Well, well, well!" The tom began, "we've sure heard about you! The little stolen kit!" He spat. The silvery one smirked. "Yeah! Pampered ThunderClan crow-food!" She snarled, swiping at Hawkpaw. The heather eyed she cat dodged.
Now it was the other she cat's turn. "You think you can waltz in here, all mighty and strong? Think again!" She bit Hawkpaw's ear hard. "Just cause you have RiverClan blood doesn't mean we'll accept you, because we won't!" With a yowl of fury, the brown she cat threw herself at Hawkpaw, but Hawkpaw was much more experienced.
Hawkpaw nimbly swerved to the side, and hissed at the brown she cat, using all her self control not to pounce on her. The tom jumped her from behind and dug his claw into her shoulders, Hawkpaw let out a shrill yowl. This isn't even fair! She screamed in her mind as the silvery apprentice clawed Hawkpaw's muzzle and the brown she cat was pulling on Hawkpaw's claws, nearly yanking then out and the tom got a long deep scratch on her shoulder.
A loud hiss stopped the flurry of attacks. Oakstar was standing in front of the three apprentices, Mintflower and Honeysnow beside him, their mouths crammed with catmint. Catmint! Hawkpaw rejoiced, but she couldn't smile with so much fire-like pain surging through her. I can hardly stand! But Hawkpaw forced herself to shakily stand up and face the RiverClan leader.
"Doepaw, Dovepaw, Ferretpaw!" Oakstar boomed, "you know better than this! I though I raised my kits better! And Dovepaw, Sandfern mentored you better!" Hawkpaw felt her heart skip a beat. These apprentices are my siblings?! Doepaw and Ferretpaw?! "You're all confined to the elders' den for two moons!" Oakstar snarled. Ferretpaw and Doepaw both stifled growls as the littermates stalked away.
Hawkpaw felt her vision wavering and the ground pulled her down. Hawkpaw collapsed and she welcomed the peaceful darkness.
Fawnkit was quietly stalking a mouse, and Hawkpaw realized it wasn't Fawnkit who brought her there.
A tall silky black she cat with a long white slim tail and yellow eyes tinged with a reddish-amber approached Hawkpaw, her long black legs striding over a log in a single step.
"Hawkpaw," the slick furred she cat said silkily. Hawkpaw took a step back. "I don't recognize you..." Hawkpaw struggled, but her head was fuzzy.
"I wouldn't expect you to know me. You were merely a thought when I died," she meowed, twirling her paw in the air, then a dazed look came across her.
"What? What was I here for again...?" She was silent for a while before she gasped. "Right!" Hawkpaw was completely confused with this strange StarClan cat, but Hawkpaw didn't argue.
"I was RiverClan leader, the leader who chose Oakstar. I used to be known as Hollowstar, but no one remembers be, save maybe the elders', Sandfern, and Oakstar." Hollowstar said, then she got that hazy look.
"I needed to tell you something, what was it? Oooooh! I can't remember!" Hollowstar batted herself with a paw. Hawkpaw started at the former leader with disbelief.
If Hollowstar had this much trouble remembering things when she was living, I don't know how she got on! Hawkpaw thought as Hollowstar struggled.
"Sorry!" Hollowstar lashed her white tail. "Oh! Got it!" Hollowstar's eyes focused on Hawkpaw. "Thunder swoops in from the skies, River flows swiftly and gracefully. Each is the same and each is different, Thunder dances and shines and stands out beautifully," Hollowstar's yellow eyes seemed to flash with pain, but it was gone. "River runs freely and fiercely. Choose well, Hawkpaw." Hollowstar echoed, then coughed. "Sorry, Silverfoot says it's much more effective when I do that." Hollowstar dipped her head. "Wake now, your father, Honeysnow and Mintflower are worrying their muzzles grey!"
Hollowstar's light laugh still echoed around Hawkpaw when she blinked her eyes open, Oakstar, Mintflower and Honeysnow were standing over her.
"Are you alright? I apologize for such inconsiderate apprentices!" Oakstar said, turning to Mintflower and bowed his head.
"Your injuries aren't that major, I'll treat you when we get back to camp," Mintflower said, slightly muffled by the catmint. Hawkpaw stood up shakily.
"O-ok," she murmured, her legs wobbling. Hawkpaw took the catmint from Honeysnow, dipping her head.
"Thank you, this is much appreciated," Hawkpaw meowed, her voice evening out.
"No problem, we have so much! And no illness," Honeysnow said, helping Hawkpaw steady herself.
Lying, I can see it, you're thin, and your pelts cling to your bones. ShadowClan is frail, are we all doomed?