A/N
I sadly only got two reviews on my previous chapter, BUT THANK YOU FOR 100 REVIEWS! But now on a serious matter. If you've favorited or followed this story and it appears in your inbox please review. It really inspires me. Anyways, here's the new chappie
The kittypet chuckled in amusement at Heather's confusion. "Green-Eyes is the Two-leg who cares for me. I don't know his real name but he has such beautiful green eyes, so that's what I call him." Star explained, stretching out her back and kneading at the soft ground. Heather nodded slowly.
A suddenly noise made Heather dash under a short structure with wooden legs. Star only laughed at Heather's defensiveness and marched straight to the Two-leg.
The kittypet was right about one thing. Her Two-leg had beautiful green eyes. They were lined with silver and had tinged of gold in them which stood out nicely as the young Two-leg smiled. He used his long, strange paws to scoop Star and hold her close to his chest. Green-Eyes began to walk towards Heather's hiding place, so the black she cat darted out.
Green-Eyes' smile widened as he saw Heather. Placing Star on the top of the former hiding place, he reached a paw out to Heather. Something seemed to draw Heather to this Two-leg, as if she could connect with him, so she took a chance. Heather carefully gave Green-Eyes' paw and gentle nudge. Green-Eyes let out a soft squeal and lightly rubbed Heather on her forehead to behind her ears, and surprisingly, she liked it. Heather slowly stepped out from under the wooden structure and sat in front of Green-Eyes.
Star chuckled once more as Green-Eyes hopped onto the object and patted it with a paw. "What's he want me to do?" Heather whispered. Star circled her Two-leg and gave her a gentle head butt. "This is called a bed. Green-Eyes sleeps here; although I don't recommend sleeping with him. He kicks a lot." Star purred as Heather jumped up next to her.
Green-Eyes clapped his paws together happily, giving Heather a soft pat on her back. He reached his paws for Star who gladly padded over to him and let Green-Eyes pick her up. The Two-leg kit carefully turned Star onto her back and gently rocked her back and forth, a soft hum coming from his mouth. Star lifted a paw and placed it on Green-Eyes cheek, in which he responded with a soft coo. Heather looked at them, moved by their closeness, until Green-Eyes turned his gaze to Heather. He placed Star down and slowly reached for Heather.
"Haha! Good luck, and don't scratch him. He's a very sensitive boy." Star purred as Green-Eyes scooped Heather up and moved her similarly to Star. Heather became uneasy, but she soon found Green-Eyes was being kind. The way he hummed to Heather made her calmer than she had been before, which led Heather to nuzzling her muzzle into her arm. Green-Eyes squealed and gently set her down.
Star giggled as Green-Eyes nudged them away, pulled a soft, pelt like thing over him, which Star said kept Green-Eyes warm during the night and was called a blanket. "So, what's your story?" Heather asked the young she cat. Star looked surprised, then she scoffed. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"
Heather sighed. "I can see hurt in your eyes. Do tell." Star lashed her tail, but she nodded. "Very well..."
"I was born in an alleyway with three littermates. I was the runt and didn't get much milk. My mother, Sweetspirit, made sure we all got food though. One day however, a dog found us behind a dumpster." Star began, and luckily Heather had picked some rogue and kittypet talk while living as one.
"Sweetspirit fought amazingly! She bowled him over and sent him wailing away, but she broke a toe, causing her unable to walk. We began to starve with her milk running out and even though her law had healed, it hasn't healed correctly. Soon, strange Two-legs found us. They took us away, and suddenly my littermates disappeared one by one. Sweetspirit became very protective of me, and when they tried to steal me, she fought." Star shook her head, as if she didn't remember it clearly.
"One day, a pair of Two-legs came for us. From what I could understand, they wanted us. Soon, we were back at their den with their other three cats and my mother was renamed Cleo." Star sighed, as if she missed them. "Two toms and a she cat. The she cat; Winnie, became my best friend. She was a little older than me, but her adopted brother was like a father. He cared for me and my mother, making sure we were okay. He was named Bebe." Then, Star's eyes clouded, as if she was lost deep in thought.
"Then, there was Downy. He was exactly my age and so sweet. He was special too; had six toes and claws. Oh, we fell in love. Sure, it was kitten love, but it could have become something real... Then, the pair of Two-legs left us. They gave us to Green-Eyes' family. But, to be honest, I'm glad I met Green-Eyes. He's a weak boy, and I'm happy to be there for him." Star meowed confidently.
"Is your mother here?" Heather asked. Star nodded with a small smile on her face. "Yeah, she is. But she isn't as close with Green-Eyes like me. She likes Green-Eyes' mother and brother, but I don't like them much." Star growled at the mention of Green-Eyes' kin.
Heather had questions, but she guessed she would eventually find out. "Over here- uh, what's your name?" Star laughed. "I forgot..." Heather smiled. "My name's Heather." Star nodded and nosed a strange, soft looking bedding. "It's what Green-Eyes has me sleep in. You can use it, I'll sleep with him, I know where he doesn't kick." Star purred, leaping on the bed and snuggling next to her Two-leg. Green-Eyes let out a sleepy squeak and wrapped an arm over Star.
Heather laid her tail over her nose and drifted into sleep, memories swimming to the surface of her mind...
Screaming. That's all Heather could hear, in fact, that's what she woke up to. Star was crouched under the bed, fear and worry shine in her eyes. Star quickly spotted Heather and hissed, "Heather! Get under here before you get hurt!" Heather hurried over next to the tabby mottled kittypet with a puzzled look. "Star," Heather began, "what's going on? And where's Green-Eyes?"
Star shivered fearfully. "Green-Eyes' mother is not a kind Two-leg. Green-Eyes has gone through too much, and his cruel mother doesn't help him."
Green-Eyes came darting in his room, jumping onto his bed and snatching up a pillow, hugging it close to his chest. A short, chubby Two-leg came stomping, yelling and screaming at Green-Eyes. The young boy stayed quiet, tears falling as he nodded blankly.
The chubby Two-leg raised a paw and struck Green-Eyes across the face. Green-Eyes stifled a whine, burying his face into his pillow when his mother left.
"Heather, come here. Green-Eyes needs comfort…" Star whispered, snuggling next to Green-Eyes and beginning to purr.
…
Most days went by smoothly after that, except nights where Green-Eyes would cry himself to sleep, muttering about being 'the first' or 'loving the second.'
One day, Green-Eyes took Star and Heather outside. Green-Eyes fastened a white collar onto Heather, attaching a longer tendril to the collar. It made Heather uncomfortable, but Star didn't seem to mind hers.
"Yes!" Star squealed. "Green-Eyes hasn't taken me outside in sooooo long!" The kittypet lashed her tail in excitement, kneading the ground. Heather tilted her head in amusement.
Heather was about two years, but Star was not even a year yet. Most likely experienced apprentice or even young warrior age.
Over time, Heather was able to understand some of the way Green-Eyes spoke. It sounded sweet, almost like catmint, similar to the way he sang.
"Come on, then, Star, Ruby." Green-Eyes said, giving a light tug on the tendrils.
Heather raised an eyebrow at Star. "What'd he call me?" Star giggled in amusement. "Your name. He's named you Ruby."
Heather gave a long sigh. "As much as I love Green-Eyes, I don't want to spend my life as a kittypet. I'm expecting kits, and now they have to live without a-" Just as Heather was about to finish, a wrenchingly familiar scent wafted to her.
"Hawkpool? Er, Heather?"
It took Heather a lifetime to turn around, finding Jay standing a distance from her. "I-I'm sorry." His voice sounded strained, making Heather wary, but she believed in second chances.
Star peered at the tom. "Who's that?" She flicked her ears shyly. "He's kinda cute…"
Heather scoffed good-heartedly. "He's my mate." Star giggled. "Oops, sorry!"
Heather turned to Green-Eyes. She let out a loud meow, pointing her nose towards Jay. Green-Eyes gave a warm smile and unhooked the tendril from Heather. The Two-leg gave Heather a rub behind the ear after he removed the collar.
Star brushed up agaisnt Heather. "Goodbye, Heather. Green-Eyes will pick up another stray, but no one as awesome as you. I'll miss you."
Heather dipped her head. "As will I. I hope you meet Downy again."
The heartbeat she was free, Heather broke out into a racing sprint, nuzzling agaisnt Jay, surprised when he grew rigid.
"I-I, um, there's a Two-leg den… It's on fire, and there's a queen in there… I've been thinking, and I'm sorry. I think it's fit we save cats here. The clans weren't made for us, perhaps being half-heros is."
Heather smiled. "Then let's go save that queen."
It wasn't long before Heather could scent he smoke, chokingly and foul. Jay looked slightly nervous, kinking his tail over his back.
They entered through a thick pipe, like a pathway. "I don't hear- or see- anyone, Jay." Heather flinched as flames danced around them, the reds and oranges swirling around their feet.
There was no answer to Heather's words, not even a breath. "J-Jay?" Heather spun around, frightened to see Jay behind her with a sickly grin on his face.
"J-J-Jaytalon?" Heather whispered.
"How dare you…" Jay's head was low, his face and eyes shadowed. Heather took a small step forward, tilting her head slightly.
"HOW DARE YOU, THAT IS NOT MY NAME!" Jay howled, his eyes wild like blue fire. Heather recoiled at his screech.
"You chose Thornsnag over me! ME! StarClan, he was insufferable! I loved you! And when you fell from that stupid tree, he suddenly changed himself! Then of course he went to RiverClan with you like the fish-face he is! Or should I say, was." Jay screamed at her, his large fangs clenched together and snarling at her.
"Next, you thought it best to ruin my life even more. YOU KILL MY FATHER! StarClan, help me!" Jay murmured the last part. "I don't have the heart to kill you; I still love you. So the flames will do my bidding."
"Wait!" Heather cried after him. Jay turned around his eyes glaring icicles at her. "Then who is the queen?"
"You."
Jay scrambled up the pipe, pushing it off the edge of the low window where they entered, making it impossible to exit that way. Heather slumped to the ground, shivered from cold heat as the fire licked at her fur.
A falling sound followed by glass breaking made Heather turn around, blinking away tears that had begun to form.
A handsome light brown tabby tom with beautiful, swirl-like chocolate markings and bright, emerald eyes poked his head through the broken window, shards in his pelt implying he broke the window.
"Hey!" He called. "Don't worry, I'll get you out, just stay put!"
Shock filled Heather so much, she barely could nod before the tom leapt through the window, walking through the flames. "C'mon, young queen. Best hurry before the fire blocks the way back." He meowed, his voice like a soft bird's song.
Still too stunned to speak, Heather nodded meekly. The light brown tom marched right through the fire, glancing back at Heather when she didn't follow.
"Come on, then. I don't fancy burning and I'm sure you don't either. Trust me, queen, it doesn't hurt if you go fast." He pushed, beckoning her with his tail.
Taking a deep breath and holding it, Heather jumped through the flames, surprised it didn't burn her.
The tom scrambled up the window, standing on the ledge. "Grab my paw, don't worry about scratching me." He persuaded.
Heather reached for his paw, lightly digging her claws into the fur just above his wrist. The tom winced a bit, but he managed and yanked her up steadily.
After they climbed through the window, they laid panting on the ground, both of them relishing the feel of soft grass. Regaining the ability to speak, Heather let out a coughing fit before meowing, "I-I'm Heather, what's your name?"
It took the tom to realize it was her speaking to him, and that it was even her. "Who? Wha- me? I'm Acorn."
(POV change; Specklekit)
"Cloudstar, Specklekit has opened her eyes!" Nightbreeze purred, purring at the flecked she kit. "M-mama?" Specklekit whispered.
Nightbreeze nodded. "Yes, Specklekit! Come meet your brothers, and sister."
Specklekit nodded, blinking her bright, sky blue eyes at her mother. "O-okay."
Nightbreeze's eyes were dull and her pelt unkempt, showing she'd hardly slept since Jaytalon had disappeared. He was her only kin left, other than her daughters, and since Eaglepaw died in the battle, she'd been stressed and pretty sorrow.
"Here, come meet your father, and older sisters as well." Nightbreeze yawned, leading Specklekit out from the den. Instantly, a white she kit with grey stripes and yellow eyes danced around Specklekit.
"Specklekit!" The she kit squealed delightfully. "Streamkit! I'm your sister! Nutkit- the light brown tomkit with pale grey stripes and ear tips- and Stonekit- dark grey tomkit with lighter flecks- are playing with our half-sisters!" The kit meowed, her voice quick and speedy it made Specklekit's head spin.
"Ha!" The mocking laugh came from Nutkit, who stood triumphantly over a blue grey tabby she kit with a paler chest and heather red eyes. Small cuts and wounds marked the blue grey she kit's fur, one half swollen and both brimming with tears.
Stonekit lashed an unsheathed paw at a dusty, brown-cream tom with a paler underbelly and green eyes. "Dovekit is stupid! Her eyes are spawn from the Dark Forest themselves!"
"Hey!" He screeched, "That's my sister! Don't hurt her!"
"R-Rabbitkit… St-stop…" The blue grey kit stammered weakly, tears openly flowing.
Suddenly, a white tom with a silver star upon his forehead and a claw like scar over the base of his shoulder snatched up Stonekit and Nutkit.
"Tomkits!" He growled at them, giving them a little shake. "That's no way to treat them. Dovekit's aunt, who resembles her eyes, disappeared from RiverClan. A patrol told us." The tom, who'd Specklekit had learned was their father, Cloudstar, meowed.
"Papa?" Specklekit mewled, staring at him with small eyes. Cloudstar dropped Nutkit and Stonekit, Nutkit groaning overdramatically as he fell.
"Specklekit, you've opened your eyes!" he exclaimed. "I take it you've met your brothers?"
Specklekit nodded feebly.
"Well, they can be mean. Perhaps you'd find better friends in Rabbitkit, Dovekit and Squirrelkit." Cloudstar purred, motioned towards the two littermates from before, as a ginger tom with a bushy tail joined them worriedly.
Specklekit nodded again, trotting up slowly to the trio of kits. "H-hello…" Specklekit stammered, flinching slightly as the three turned their gaze at her in unison.
"What do you want?" Squirrelkit snapped, lashing his tail. "Come to beat my brother and mock my sister?"
Specklekit shook her head instantly. "N-no! I- um, well, came to ask… wanna be friends? My brothers are fuzz-brains…"
Squirrelkit rolled his eyes and Rabbitkit glanced up at Specklekit warily, saying nothing. Dovekit straightened up, smiling at Specklekit. "I'll be your friend, Specklekit."
Just as the flecked kit was about to reply, Cloudstar gave an powerful yowl and the cats gathered at his paws. "Tonight is the Gathering, as you all should know. It's been nearly a moon since the NightWalkers left us, and we are still mending. Let's cause no trouble, even a growl, at this Gathering."
Most cats gave agreeing murmurs, but some seemed wary. "The cats attending are, Rainstorm, Blackpelt, Heatherblossom, Moonwing, Flamefoot, Lionpaw, Blizzardpaw and Hailfall." Cloudstar announced, casting his kits a glance as they looked upset.
"I want to be an apprentice now!" Streamkit whined, stomping her paws. Nutkit huffed, clearly annoyed, and stalked away, Stonekit following him.
(POV change; Flamefoot)
"Hello, Flamefoot!" Called a black tom, swishing his long tail in excitement. Flamefoot padded up to the ShadowClan tom. "Hi, Crowblaze. Everything good?"
The black tom nodded rapidly. Flamefoot smirked. "Okay, spill. What's got you so hyper?"
"Thornyflower is expecting my kits!" Crowblaze exclaimed, widening his amber eyes. Flamefoot nudged him playfully in the shoulder. "Nice! My mate is due in a moon. Perhaps you've seen her; Cardinalheart?"
Crowblaze was silent for a moment before nodding slowly. "She's reddish furred with pale blue eyes?"
"Yeah, that's her. She's a beauty, isn't she?" Flamefoot shook his head. "No, don't answer that…" Crowblaze purred in amusement.
"Look, it's starting!" The young ShadowClan tom meowed, pointing his nose at Flameheart.
The ginger tom looked around before rising. "I have recieved my nine lives, and am Flamestar now. Brindleleaf and Silverflight have given birth to strong healthy kits and we have a new warrior, Pebblefrost."
A dark silver tom with a white muzzle rose, flicking his tail as in thanking the clans for cheering.
I recall him from the battle… Slaughtering with Fernbreeze… He looked hesitant, perhaps he's changed… Flamefoot shook his head again, focusing on what Oakstar was saying.
"We have two new warriors, Jayheart and Splashspirit." Oakstar paused, waiting for quiet before continuing. "Puddlewhisker has moved to the nursery once more, and we have a lost a cat; my daughter, Hawkpool, disappeared a quarter-moon and a half ago."
Silence filled the clearing, quiet for the gone warrior, Rainstorm looking the most torn. This is too odd, Jaytalon is gone and now Hawkpool? This seems fishy, and not because she's RiverClan… Flamefoot was nearly consumed into his thoughts, but Cloudstar's voice jolted him back.
(Author isn't sure what to write so she rambles. Have you guys tasted cheese sticks and apple juice? I mean, eat a cheese stick and drink apple juice right after. Tastes like green apples, bros, and I mean orange cheese, not white.)
With a peculiar glance at Oakstar, Cloudstar began. "Nightbreeze's kits have opened their eyes and are strong. We have no new warriors or apprentices, but Cardinalheart and Snowwing have moved to the nursery with Flamefoot and Leaftail's kits. We also, lost a cat; Jaytalon disappeared… A quarter-moon and a half ago. We tried to track him but the trail led into the river."
Cats muttered to one another, gazing at RiverClan and ThunderClan suspiciously. "Hey, Hawkpool and Jaytalon disappearing is odd… Maybe it's connected!" Crowblaze whispered, twitching an ear thoughtfully.
Fallenstar pulled herself forward, opening her mouth but she stopped. "I- wait… Hang on, what's that smell?" She muttered, her gaze flitting across the cats until it landed on something in the distance.
"That!" Fallenstar exclaimed, raising her lifeless paw. "What're those?" She yowled, leaping off her low branch and pushing across the herd of cats.
"I thought-" The ShadowClan leader was interrupted by a choking cough, nearly swaying off her paws. "I thought we tossed all the rotten food… Why're these mice here…?"
The clearing erupted into chaos, cats suddenly recoiling at awfully foul stench.
"Good nose, Fallenstar." Cloudstar meowed, "we need to dispose of it, and now."
Frostberry of WindClan slowly stepped forward, met by Swiftpaw- formerly Fangpaw- of ShadowClan and they both tossed the mice into the water, large fish immediately swimming up to it.
"Thank you, Fallenstar. Swiftpaw and Frostberry as well." Cloudstar bowed his head. Fallenstar nodded, climbing back onto her branch. "As I was going to say; we have a new warrior. Swiftpaw has gained his warrior name as Swiftfang." Slightly embarrassed chants began, timid from calling him Swiftpaw.
"Flowerbreeze has given birth to Stagstrike's kits and Thornyflower has moved to the nursery with Crowblaze's kits. That is all, and we thank the clans for letting us rebuild." Fallenstar dipped her head modestly, a couple joyful tears falling from her beautiful green eyes.
Cats began to part away, going back to their respectful clans. Flamefoot dipped his head to Crowblaze. "It was nice seeing you."
Crowblaze flicked his tail as he stood up. "As for you, Flamefoot."
The black warrior trotted alongside the deputy, happy to see Stagstrike smiling for the first time in many moons.
When they arrived back in camp, the dusky brown tom raced to the nursery, nuzzling his cream pelted mate.
"How was the Gathering?" Flowerbreeze purred, brushing her tail over a trio of kits. Stagstrike was about to reply, but he stopped as a harsh cough came from him, squeezing his eyes in pain.
"Are you okay? Did something happen?" Flowerbreeze pressed, her eyes clouded with worry. Stagstrike shook his head. "No, no. It was pretty normal…"
Across the clearing, a soft thud was heard, cats turning to see Swiftfang, fainted by the Fallentree.
Thymetail raced over to the young warrior, Firekit following her meekly. The tiny kit had taken an interest in herbs, striving to be Thymetail's apprentice when she was old enough, but insisted on helping anyways.
The tabby medicine cat sniffed the cream tom, recoiling slightly then groaned. "I-it was th-those mice! St-stupid NightW-Walkers… Not e-even here a-and ruining u-us."
Thymetail gripped Swiftfang by the scruff, dragging him carefully into her den. Their camp was in a small dip in the dark, thick grasses, like a small ravine, almost a hollow.
Thymetail's den was a large indent in the side of the hollow, the rest covered in thick olive branches and thistles. Pushing past the thorns, she laid Swiftfang onto an empty nest.
Flowerbreeze paced outside the den, whining as she heard her son's ragged, short breathing and constant coughs.
"Aha!" Thymetail's excited voice sounded from the den, and then, "uh-oh…"
"Thymetail, what's 'uh-oh'?" Flowerbreeze whimpered as the tabby came out. "Good news, and bad news…"
Pushing past the dark cream she cat, she leapt onto the Fallentree, an old oak tree in the middle of the clearing. "Cats o-of Sha-ShadowClan, Swiftfang h-has fallen su-suddenly ill; I ha-have discovered wh-what caused. The r-rotting mice Fallenstar dis-discovered, but I do not kn-know how to tr-treat it."
The clearing burst into an outrage; Swiftfang was quite popular among the clan. "What is it? Is he okay? Will he live?" Cats shouted their protests, Thymetail retreating into the hollow tree trunk.
Fallenstar emerged from her den, looking appalled. She scrambled onto the Fallentree, staring at Thymetail sympathetically.
"Cats, hush, and let Thymetail speak! She has more to say." Fallenstar yowled, her sudden presence shutting her clan up.
Thymetail crawled from the trunk, still looking frightened. "I-I need to m-make contact w-with RiverClan… S-so a wa-warrior can ob-obtain one o-of those mice."
Fallenstar nodded, kindly dismissing Thymetail. "Thymetail, take Stagstrike to find a pair of RiverClan cats. Alert me when you have hold of the mice, so we can determine what exactly caused it."
Calling the dusky brown tom over, Thymetail and Stagstrike padded away, breaking into a run. "Thymetail?" Stagstrike meowed, slowing to a trot and glanced nervously at the tabby.
"You know who my father is?" He whispered. Thymetail nodded hesitantly. "Y-yes, Stagstrike. H-he was a good cat."
Stagstrike bit the bottom of his lip uncertainly. "But he's not who ShadowClan say he is, is he? My father isn't the dead warrior Nettleclaw, is he?" The young warrior blurted, his dark blue eyes wide and innocent.
Oh, why is he so hard to reject… With those big, sad eyes… Thymetail sighed. "You're right… Your father wasn't Nettleclaw. But he was a good warrior, once."
Stagstrike raised an eyebrow, keeping his cutely, puzzled expression. "Once? Or is?"
Thymetail froze, caressing a small pebble she found, rubbing it with her silver paw. "Once. He is dead, Stagstrike… Smokestar wasn't a good cat when he died."
Stagstrike looked sad, with heart wrenching eyes. Then he sighed. "I've lived without a father my whole life. I can keep going."
He dug his claws into the soft ground by the river. "My kits won't live without a father… Dustkit, Shadekit, and Olivekit will be great warriors."
Wading across the river, Thymetail and Stagstrike shook the water from their paws. "Never liked RiverClan. Too strange; what kind of cats swim?" Stagstrike muttered, shaking his dusky brown pelt free of the droplets.
"Hey! Trespassers!" A voice hissed, and suddenly Stagstrike found himself tussling with a silvery she cat.
Bucking her off with hind paws, he froze when he realized who his attacker was. "W-Willowleap?" He stammered, gazing at her with huge eyes.
They had been apprentices together, and best friends, and she left him sad and alone when she left. "Stagstrike!" She exclaimed, pulling him into her embrace.
Suddenly, she pulled away. "No, what're you doing here?" Her voice turned hostile.
Stagstrike glanced at Thymetail and meowed. "We're sick. Really sick. Thymetail discovered it was from those crow-food mice, and she needs a patrol to dive and retrieve one."
Willowleap looked unsure, but she nodded, her evening patrol leading them back to camp. "It's too late now, most of our warriors are asleep, so you're welcome to stay the night here, if Oakstar agrees of course."
…
Lucky for Stagstrike, who had begun to feel weak on their way to the camp, he and Thymetail were allowed to stay. He lay in a nest, with stale she cat scent to it, like bittersweet berries.
Oh, I recognize her! Hawkpool… She'd be my half, step-sister… or something…
Stagstrike's sleep was light and uneasy with his coughing and burning in his chest, and he faintly remembered Thymetail checking on him several times in the night.
"Stagstrike? Stagstrike! Wake up!" The dusky brown tom jolted upright, panting and coughing.
"Oh, dear! Are you okay?" As he blinked his eyes and calmed himself, he was met by the beautiful eyes of Willowleap.
"Yes-" cough, "I'm fine." Cough, "any warriors-" cough, "ready to help?" Cough. Stagstrike meowed, eager to look healthy.
"No, but-" Willowleap stopped as a blue grey and white tom burst into the den, looking rage filled.
"Mom," he groaned, "I told you, I want to!"
Stagstrike recognized him as Icekit, but soon remembered he was renamed, however he didn't recall what his new name was.
"Oh, Runningpaw, this is Stagstrike; he and Thymetail came to us for help." Willowleap meowed gently.
Runningpaw huffed and stormed out of the den, plopping down next to a young she kit, nearly apprentice age, much to the anger of a snowy white tom with very pale silver markings.
That must be his brother, er, Snowpaw. Stagstrike thought, feeling jealous. I wonder what it's like to have a littermate…
"It's pretty fun, but they can be very annoying."
A small, golden she kit with pale peach-gold markings and bright blue eyes sat in front of him with a curly tail wrapped over her tiny paws. She had a peculiar feeling to her, as if she was more than met the eye.
"Littermates are okay." She meowed, cocking her head. "Didn't you hear me?"
Stagstrike froze, his paws stuck to the ground in shock. D-did she just read my thoughts? The golden kit giggled at him.
"Yes, silly."
Stagstrike concentrated on breathing evenly, but his eyes were wide and with every passing heartbeat his breath quickened.
Thymetail cast a glance at him. "Are you okay?" He nodded absently. The kit was suddenly tugged away by whom he recognized as Honeysnow, the she kit looking puzzled.
"Stagstrike!" Came a loud whisper. The deputy spun around, facing Runningpaw.
"I got Snowpaw to agree. Oh, and Willowleap says we can." He grinned whisker to whisker. "We'll get those mice."
…
Runningpaw and Snowpaw peered over the side of the Marsh Island where Frostberry and Swiftfang dumped the mice. A few tiny, pointed rocks jutted from the ground and smooth, wet pebbles brushed agaisnt their pawpads.
Runningpaw slicked his fur down, as to swim faster, and dived in, several heartbeats before Snowpaw.
Blinking from the slightly murky water, he spotted a brownish mouse, parts of it showing signs of being nibbled at. Feeling sick, he swam to snatch it up, but the scent, strong even in water, overwhelmed so much he felt dizzy.
Black dots invaded his vision, he screamed a soundless scream, large bubbles escaping his jaws. Runningpaw saw Snowpaw make eye contact with him, a grey mouse in his teeth, but his brother ignored the fact Runningpaw was drowning.
Runningpaw thought of Ivykit, who was most likely worried ashore. She'd convinced Oakstar to let her watch. He thought of how Willowleap was going to move into the nursery with Gorseheart's kits, and he would never see them.
The only one I'll see is Clawkit… My brother that Snowpaw, should I say Cragkit, has forgotten…
As he closed his eyes to embrace his fate, sudden jaws jolted him up and out of the water. Runningpaw gasped and choked, looking up to thank his brother, until he realized that it wasn't Snowpaw who saved him.
He glanced up, curious to know who saved him. Mistsong, the blue grey tabby who had crushed on him during apprenticeship, stood over him with soft eyes. She leaned into his ear and whispered, "You owe me," playfully, she swatted him. "How about just friends?" She smiled, tipping her head to the side.
Runningpaw stood up, the brown, rotted mouse in his jaws as he shivered, he meowed, "of course."
…
"And from this day forward you shall be known as Snowfall. StarClan honors your honesty and bravery and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
Oakstar and turned to Runningpaw, opening his mouth to speak, but Runningpaw stopped him.
"Oakstar?"
"...Yes?"
"Can I request my name?"
"...I don't see why not… What is it you want to be called?"
"Runningclaw. After my dead brother, Clawkit, from when I was in ShadowClan."
Snowfall gaped at his brother but said nothing.
"Very well. From this day forward you will be known as Runningclaw. StarClan honors your intelligence and forethought, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
"Runningclaw, Snowfall! Runningclaw, Snowfall!"
When the chants died down, Snowfall rounded on his brother with an icy glare. "ShadowClan? How insane!"
Willowleap gingerly prodded Snowfall in his side. "Runningclaw isn't crazy… We were ShadowClan. But we left. Because of darker times when Fallenstar was not a good cat."
Snowfall hissed furiously. "And why not tell us?"
"Because I am ashamed!" Willowleap growled, "ashamed I come from a dark place. Ashamed I let one of my kits die. Ashamed I did nothing about any of it!"
Snowfall shut his mouth, but he looked dangerously enraged.
Oakstar looked slightly uneasy, but raising his voice he yowled, "The ceremony is not yet over!"
"Treekit, Morningkit, it is time for you to be apprenticed. Ivykit and Antkit as well." Oakstar looked proudly at the kits.
…
"I'm an apprentice now!" Ivypaw squealed, kneading her paws into the ground. Runningclaw gave her a loving lick on her nose. "You've been one before. Plus, you're still two quarter-moons early!"
Ivypaw rolled her eyes. "By that time the Gathering will be up and I'll already be six moons. I've only got two sunrises to be six."
Runningclaw huffed playfully. "I'm gonna go see Thymetail. See if she's-" Just as he spoke, a stunned cry came from the medicine den.
Thymetail's fur was all bushed up, her eyes wide with fear. "There's nothing I can do…"
In both infected mice, lay about a trio of mashed up berries. Death berries.
(POV change; Hawkpool)
(Recap)
"Who? Wha- me? I'm Acorn."
Heather smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Acorn." His beautiful emerald eyes reminded her of someone in the clans, but she couldn't place the cat. His bittersweet scent and chocolate fur reminded her of Thornsnag, but with a pang, she pushed the thought away.
"C'mon. Let's get you to Darwin. And you can meet Merry and Hickory." He chided, suddenly springing to his feet and hurrying off.
His sudden loss of cluelessness puzzled Heather, but she gladly followed her savior.
They arrived at a barn, straw and what looked like rye covered the ground. Acorn frowned. "Hm, guess Darwin's out. Well, wait here and I'll be back. There should be some mice in there… Just beware of the rats. They all look like mice." He paused. "And smell."
His eyes grew dark briefly before he dashed off towards rows of wheat, rye and cornstalks. Heather sighed, suddenly feeling lonely.
She couldn't tell if she was very hungry, or if it was the kits kicking, but when she heard her stomach growl, she instantly decided to find some mice, completely disregarding Acorn's warning.
Moments later Heather devoured a fat, dark grey mouse. Its snout looked funny, and its tail was too long, but Heather didn't care. And sure, it tasted odd, but she figured it was just because she was in the Two-leg place.
Her hunger seemed to only leave briefly, before her stomach felt strange, and she couldn't help but groan and squirm.
Nausea overcame her like waves lapping at the shore, and her whole body felt weak. Panic flooded her. A-are my kits coming?
But knew that was not the case when she felt her stomach churn and she retched. That never happened with other queens.
Foam bubbled at her jaws and she felt her sight grow hazy. The last thing she saw was Acorn arriving with a light brown tabby, both with identical, frightened faces.
Blackness seemed to last forever, when at last, Heather woke. She still felt shaky, unsure as to what happened. Acorn was pressed agaisnt her with soft, thick fur, staring at her with intensely worried eyes.
"Heather! You're okay!" He cried, embracing her.
The tabby from before swatted him, just as Heather felt her stomach ripple, cringing at the thought of retching again.
"Heather, I'm Darwin, " the tabby she cat held out a snowy white paw, but Heather felt to weak to return the gesture.
"Now, you ate a poisoned rat, and it speed up the time of your kitting. If you feel any sort of pain or even a tiny kick, do tell." Darwin stared at Heather with sea-green eyes.
"Well-" Heather stopped and let out a cry as she felt a sharp kick, almost piercing.
"Acorn, go grab something for her to bite on. I'll do the rest, and you'll leave us be." Darwin ordered sharply, rubbing her white paw around Heather's stomach. "There's… about five. Quite a few for your first litter."
Heather paused. "How'd you know this is my first?" She asked defensively. Darwin just smiled. "You look too young."
…
Acorn had returned with a rubber stick- a Two-leg thing-, looking timid as he waited outside. By the time Heather had birthed five, healthy kits, night had fallen.
A half moon shone that night, and one specific star shone especially bright, like it was excited or happy.
"They're… beautiful…" Heather purred softly, fighting to stay awake.
With a pang, she realized her parents would never see her kits. About a moon had passed since she was gone, and she had lost her way so many times she was unsure where she and Jay had come from.
Tearing herself from her thoughts, she glanced at her kits. One, a brown tabby mottled, looked strikingly similar to Pinewhisker.
"Birchkit." Heather blurted. Acorn's ears perked up and his eyes grew wide. "What'd you just say?"
Heather raised an eyebrow. "I named my son." Acorn shook his head frantically. "No, no, repeat the name."
"...Birchkit…" Heather wrapped her tail over her kits. Acorn grinned widely. "Are-are you from the clans?" His voice was full of curiosity, and his eyes wide like a kits'.
"Yes, how'd you know?" Now it was Heather's turn to sound enchanted. Acorn sighed playfully.
"My father, Spark, told me stories about the clans… How our mother was a beautiful, ShadowClan cat. Ringtail, Merry and I loved those stories, but Dice hated it. I couldn't understand how any littermates of mine could hate the clans."
Heather froze, feeling her heart stop, but she said nothing. "Oh." Was all she managed.
The second kit was a tom, Heather realizing she had three toms and two she kits. Huh, so silly Pebbletail was right… for once…
"Whitekit." She declared, a long. thick furred tomkit with black ear tips, paws, chest and half a black tail. "Hmmm, Nightkit." Heather decided, pointing to a black she kit with white ear tips, paws, chest and tail tip.
After Whitekit and Nightkit, Heather began to think that these were only Jay's kits and not Thornsnag's, until she saw the last she kit and tom.
The she kit was a smokey grey, almost a brown-grey, with half a hazel-brown tail and a blaze on her forehead the same color. The tomkit had chocolate fur, with white stripes and a hazel-brown chest, like someone had taken Thornsnag's chest and stripe colors and swapped them.
"Hazelkit," Heather whispered to the she kit, "and Reedkit." She was nearly in tears, but she managed a smile. Darwin and Acorn could tell she wanted to be alone, as they disappeared out of the barn and into the cornfield.
Heather stared up at the sky, searching for that brilliantly bright star, but she couldn't find it. Disappointed, she rested her chin on her paws, ready to sleep, but a bittersweet scent jolted her upright.
"Hi, Hawky."
(POV change: Ivypaw)
The brown-ginger she cat pressed close to Runningclaw. "D-death berries?!" She screeched, her paws trembling.
Runningclaw soothed her gently, rubbing his tail over her back and purring.
Stagstrike looked especially frightened. "B-but, to be honest Thymetail, I've been coughing as well… I-is there anything? I have a family!"
Thymetail lowered her head. "Then I'm tr-truly sorry, Stagstrike. Y-you and Swiftfang must st-stay away from t-the rest of the c-clan. I've concluded this is hi-highly contagious."
As Thymetail and Stagstrike padded off, the deputy looked frightened, his head hung low and tail trembling.
…
They encountered WindClan on their way back, the wiry cats alerting them that they too were ill. When they arrived back at camp, Swiftfang had awoke, but was quite weak.
Stagstrike grumbled as Thymetail led him and Swiftfang to the abandoned Twoleg on the edge of their territory. "This isn't fair!" He yowled. "I have a mate, and kits!"
Thymetail rolled her eyes and meowed darkly, "that's what they all say." And Stagstrike kept his mouth shut.
Swiftfang was asleep instantly when the arrived, curling into an old, feather lined nest. Stagstrike however, couldn't sleep. Flowerbreeze, his mate, and his new kits, Dustkit, Shadekit and Olivekit needed him. Swiftfang was Flowerbreeze's other son, which Stagstrike could only assume she was worried about them both.
Stagstrike closed his eyes, and finally slept.
(POV change; Firekit)
Firekit pranced around the den, peering and cautiously sniffing at the herbs, careful not to eat any. Dustkit, Shadekit and Olivekit crept into the den, managing to sneak past the large, dark ginger she kit.
"Shadekit, I dare you to eat that mouse over there!" Olivekit challenged, holding her chin high. Shadekit flattened his ears and muttered something soft under his breath.
"It smells fine from here, Shadekit!" Olivekit yipped, nearly shouting. Shadekit growled and stalked over to the prey, wrinkling his nose and taking a measly bite.
He swallowed it roughly, and instantly his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed, Firekit dashing over him in a heartbeat.
"Stupid kits!" Firekit scolded, scampering around the stores, "those are infected! You may have as well just slit his throat!"
The poor dark grey tomkit foamed at the mouth, faint cries of pain escaping every now and then.
Thymetail entered the den, gaping at the scene. She hissed at Shadekit's sisters, helping Firekit with getting the yarrow. Firekit forced the foul herbs down his throat, the foaming and shaking coming to a stop.
Heartbeats passed, the tomkit jolted up and retched, dark red scraps of the berries mixed in. His faded, dark green eyes were wide and scared, flinching as Thymetail stroked his back with a paw.
"There, th-there, Shadekit. You'll be o-okay, you should th-thank Firekit for b-being here." Thymetail meowed, motioning to the dark ginger she kit.
Shadekit said nothing as always, but instead dipped his head, his paws like leaves in the wind and his eyes still huge like an owl's.
"Come, h-here. Rest." Thymetail lifted him by the scruff, placing him down on a pigeon feather lined nest.
As Shadekit fell asleep, Dustkit and Olivekit had left, and Thymetail had went back to studying the mice. She had figured out it had spread and was working on a way to sterilize it, but she needed a cure for it.
Then, she had an idea.
…
"Stagstrike, I need your assistance." Thymetail yowled, prodding him with a paw. His eyes were half shut, crusted with sleep and his fur messy from tossing around.
"Wha?" He rasped, his voice low.
"You want a cure?"
He nodded desperately.
"Then come with me."
Thymetail tried almost everything on the poor deputy, even yarrow which made him sick and retch what little food he'd had.
"What-what if you tried a combo?" Stagstrike choked, spitting out the foul yarrow.
"Are you sure?" Thymetail meowed.
He nodded, swallowing sharply.
…
She'd found it. Chickweed, snakeroot wrapped in the leaves of sorrel. It had already started to heal Swiftfang, which Stagstrike demanded his step-son got the cure first.
Flowerbreeze had begun coughing; Thymetail had yet to discover how to stop it from spreading, but at least the tabby could tell the other medicine cats the good news when they went to the Moonfall that night.
"Can I come with you?" Firekit begged, her faded blue eyes wide. Thymetail shook her head sternly. "Y-you're just a-a kit. O-of course n-not."
Then, she added, "I need y-you to look o-over the clan for m-me. You kn-know what to d-do if someone e-else is ill."
Firekit nodded, her head low as Thymetail padded away quickly and out of the thistle and olive branch barrier.
Firekit laid next to Shadekit, staring at him sadly. I don't have to be a medicine cat, do I? I can be a warrior, right? I've had a crush on him forever, for many moons now. I'll be breaking the warrior code if I love him and am a medicine cat. But I love healing!
The dark ginger kit pressed against him, closing her eyes. "Oh, Shadekit. You'll be okay."
Firekit didn't notice he was awake until he shifted closer to her, purring. Shadekit had been born mute, only capable of murmurs and plain things like growling, hissing, purring, snarling.
His mother simply said he didn't like to talk, but Firekit had a feeling Shadekit was truly mute, but perhaps his mother was right.
The dark grey tomkit blinked up at her, muttering something inaudible that sounded like 'I'm cold.'
Firekit wrapped her puffy tail over his flank, her ears warming up. "Like this?"
Shadekit nodded, resting his chin on Firekit's head as she nuzzled into him. I'm not a medicine cat just yet.
(POV change; Heather)
(Recap)
(Review nice and long please; and include who you thought it was here)
"Hi, Hawky."
Heather froze at the voice, unable to move.
"C'mon, don't tell me you forgot about me."
Heather turned around, facing him timidly. "I didn't."
Thornsnag stood there, no more than a fox-tail away from Heather. The cornstalks and rye were slightly visible through his star-speckled fur. Light swam in his eyes and the stars danced in his pelt, a blue-green smoke coming from his eyes like a beautiful fog.
"Our kits, amazing aren't they?"
His chocolate fur seemed brighter, and his fur thicker and shining brightly. His hazel-brown stripes glittered faintly with light and his white chest shone like the moon.
Heather didn't answer.
Thornsnag stepped forward and touched his nose to her soft pink nose. "Hawky, take care of our kits. But know, they aren't just ours. They're Jaytalon's as well."
"H-he's just Jay now…" Heather muttered, not knowing what to say.
"Why're you crying?" Thornsnag asked, licking a tear that was running down her cheek.
She hadn't noticed.
"Hazelkit, Birchkit, and Reedkit." He meowed, his paw going straight through the three kits. "All ours."
"Then, Whitekit and Nightkit are Jay's." His voice wasn't sour or rude, more of pity. "Now none will have a father."
"I can do this on my own!" Heather protested, squeezing her eyes shut to block tears from flowing.
"And I don't doubt you, Hawkpool. But losing family hurts. We would know that. I have a feeling Jay won't leave you. He's not a half bad cat." Thornsnag sighed.
Heather was quiet. "I'm Heather."
"And you're my Hawky, right?"
Silence again.
"Y-yes." Heather whispered, gazing up at him with her heather red eyes. "But I'm sorry! So sorry I didn't save you! All this is my fault! If I had just done something, anything, we'd be in RiverClan with these precious kits!" Heather burst, tears streaming.
Thornsnag lay next her, pressing his chilled fur next to her. "Do not regret the past," he whispered, "what is the use of regrets? Lies are filled with regrets, and the truth is filled with love. Push all the sad memories away from you. Do not speak of the past. Live in the light, and I'll always be with you."
Heather's eyes were thick with unfallen tears, blinking them away. "Thorn…"
Thornsnag stood up, touching his nose to hers again. "I'll always be with you." As he whispered these words, he tried to lean in closer, but he only managed to go right past her.
Heather whimpered, sobbing softly as he began to disappear. "No, no, wait! Stop, don't leave me again! Please…"
His bittersweet scent still lingered in her nest, Heather curling tighter into herself. If you're always with me, why aren't you here now?
Heather looked up at the sky, noticing the brightly shining star had returned. It shimmered, and Heather realized which star was Thornsnag.
"Heather, you okay?" The voice belonged to Darwin, the swirl-striped tabby she cat from before.
The queen nodded, "yes, I'm fine…"
"Good. Someone's here. He's asking for you." Darwin padded away, racing through the stalks of rye, wheat and corn. Moments later, she returned with a thick furred white tom with a black chest and jay blue eyes.
His head was hung low and he didn't meet Heather's gaze.
"Jay?! What in the name of StarClan is he doing here? Get him away from my kits!" Heather yowled, standing over the five with her back arched.
Darwin rounded on Jay with furious eyes. "Excuse me?" She hissed at Jay.
"He tried to burn her alive!" Acorn screeched, pummeling into Jay.
Jay made no move to defend himself, taking the unsheathed blows and bites. Heather hesitated for several heartbeats before she cried, "stop, Acorn!"
Acorn slowly stopped beating on Jay, letting the poor tom up. Blood trickled from the side of his mouth, and large bites and cuts were visible everywhere. He tried to pad over to Heather, but stumbled and staggered to the floor.
Heather helped him up, still wary of him. "I-I-I'm sorry," Jay coughed, spitting out a wad of blood.
"I was stupid… A young kittypet told me so. Said you were better than that…" Jay sighed, staring at Heather. "I don't care if you ever forgive me. Let's just be together."
Heather curled into him. "I do forgive you."
There is two path; 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….
Heather shook her head from Silverfoot's words until she heard a whisper. "And you said the word…"
"I've made my decision." Heather blurted. Jay looked at her curiously.
"Let's go back to the clans." They said softly in unison.
A/N
Yay! Clans! Hmmm, Thymetail, just how are you gonna cure everyone? And also I'm sorry for making this chapter so long XD