A/N
Guest(Alex aka Reader from the previous A/N): Thanks, I try to make the characters relatable and not so Mary-Sueish. (though I think Heather/Hawkpool is debateable, but I'm working on her) The reason I switch POV a lot is because of two things.
I can't keep going on one character's POV for a while, as it tires me somewhat. My original idea was to have one chapter on Heather/Hawkpool's POV and and the one after it be another cat, preferably in the clans, and and switch back and forth, the second POV changing every now and and.
I like leaving cliffhangers mid-chapter for some strange reason. It's like the teeny bit of evil author that lives inside my heart/soul. I don't really even know.
(Recap)
"Dogs!" Shyleaf and Blizzardpaw blurted, their sides heaving and blood dripping down their pale coats.
Rainstorm instinctively jumped in front of his daughter protectively, his teeth bared. "Where?" He demanded, snapping his head over towards his former apprentice.
"B-by the tree where Hawkpool fell when she was an apprentice! But, Rainstorm, wait!" Shyleaf called after him, catching her breath, her eyes still wide. "Mintflower's there all alone! She doesn't know; she went for herbs not long ago!"
Rainstorm gasped, jumping onto TallRock. "I want Mouseclaw, Leaftail, Heatherblossom and Blackpelt with me! Now, there's a dog and Mintflower is in danger!"
Leaftail instantly jumped to his paws, shouting a farewell to his kits and mate as he bounded out the barrier beside Rainstorm. Mouseclaw finished speaking with Squirrelkit, a look in his eyes that no cat had seen since his brother died in the battle. Blackpelt snapped at Heatherblossom to hurry, and they followed their deputy to rescue Mintflower.
"I scent it…" Rainstorm trailed off, lifting his head, staring up at oak tree where his sister lost her memory and his blue grey mottled tabby fur spiked up as he located which way it went. "There! By the river! Hurry!"
Zigzagging through thick undergrowth and large trees, terror flooded Rainstorm as he pinpointed Mintflower. She was running, desperately trying to claw her way up a tree, but her claws couldn't get a grip on the smooth bark.
"Mintflower!" Heatherblossom wailed, blindly darting towards the large beast, and her father's sister.
"Heatherblossom, Mintflower!" The rest of the patrol followed the young warrior, only chasing after the dog as they were both in danger now.
Mintflower didn't speak, only crying out in terror as the dog grabbed her scruff, shaking her senseless, and with a heart lurching crack, Mintflower stopped thrashing and fell limp in the dog's jaws.
"NO!" Heatherblossom cried out, feeling all strength drain from her, replaced with pain. "Aunt… Minty…"
"We still have a dog to deal with." Blackpelt growled, "then you can mourn her. Let's circle around it and drive it up the river."
Heatherblossom gulped roughly, standing on shaking legs. "R-r-right."
Leaftail and Rainstorm clung onto the dog's hide, clawing its sides and muzzle while Blackpelt and Mouseclaw chased it upstream. Heatherblossom limped after them, leaping onto the dog's back and biting on its scruff and clawing at its upper back.
The dog growled and snapped its jaws at them for a while, but with a series of clawing to its eyes, it whimpered and darted off.
Heatherblossom let out her breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, and with Leaftail's help, she trudged her way back to camp, Rainstorm carrying their former medicine cat in his jaws, his head hung. He'd known her his whole life. In fact, she was part of the reason he was with Lightfeather. He sighed. Things wouldn't be the same anymore.
"Mintflower?! No, no! Not you too! Not you and Thornsnag!" Brackenfang screamed, the tortoiseshell racing to his dead sister as Rainstorm laid her in the clearing. "All my littermates are dead…" Brackenfang buried his face in her thin, grey fur, his body shaking with grief.
Moonwing approached her father, sniffing. Brackenfang turned to Moonwing, a depressed look in his blue eyes. "You have Minty's eyes. She was named after them, you know. We had a sister who died when we were snuck out of camp as kits. Then Thornsnag and Eaglepaw died in the battle, and your mother left me. Now, my sister's dead. At least I still have you and your sister. I'm not sure what I'd do without you two."
"I'll be here all the time, dad." Moonwing thought for a moment, her green eyes darting over towards Redbreeze. "Dad?"
Brackenfang nodded for her to continue, not taking his eyes off Mintflower.
"Would… would you be upset if I took Mintflower's place? As medicine cat, I mean. It's been my dream, and she used to teach me a bunch of things. She even told me that I was cleverer than her once! So, would you? Be mad?" Moonwing gulped, trailing off and holding her breath in anticipation.
Brackenfang's breath hitched in his throat. "Hm? Mad? No, of course not, Moonwing. I think Mintflower would be delighted to see her niece fulfilling her dream. I sure would be. You are so much like her, after all."
Moonwing's eyes grew wide, joy practically spilling out. "But," Brackenfang continued. "I would wait a little. Redbreeze was like a mother to me and my littermates, after ours died in our kitting. She's pretty torn up as well."
"Bye, sis. I hope you're happy, with all our family. Thornsnag. Marshkit. Mom. Dad. Eaglepaw. Stay safe in Starclan." Brackenfang whispered, wiping tears away and giving her cheek a tender lick.
(POV change; Honeysnow)
"Honeysnow!" Morningpaw screamed, feeling herself detach from reality.
The golden she cat raced inside the medicine den, by her apprentice's side in an instant. Morningpaw had a strange ability, one Honeysnow was unsure if it was a gift or a curse. Every time a clan cat died, Morning experienced it with them.
Morningpaw's eyes fogged, her body thrashing and screaming in pain. "Honeysnow, Honeysnow, help me, help me!" Morningpaw cried.
"You are not the cat dying. You're not that cat. You're in the medicine den, with me, Honeysnow. You are Morningpaw." Honeysnow urged, giving her apprentice space.
Morningpaw's ability was the worst during the battle versus the NightWalkers, cats dying left and right, and Morningpaw 'dying' with them.
Morningpaw stopped moving, going limp as if she'd been dropped. "Mintflower…" She exhaled, panting with exhausted eyes.
"Mintflower is dead?" Honeysnow felt horror grip her. "Oh, dear… Redbreeze has been the medicine cat since I was a little, thought she was just Redpaw. I can't believe her apprentice died. She's much too old to train from scratch."
"Moonwing." Morningpaw stated, staring up at Honeysnow. "She wants to take her aunt's place in being medicine cat."
"Who? Well, I suppose I'll see her at the next half-moon gathering." Honeysnow coughed, sighing as she sat. "I'm not so young myself anymore. I'm glad I have a trusty apprentice here."
Honeysnow smiled warmly as she groomed a sticky up strip of fur on Morningpaw's head. Morningpaw is more like my daughter than Marigoldfur is. I love Morningpaw.
"I love you, too, Honeysnow." Morningpaw giggled, pressing her nose into Honeysnow's chest. "You're like my mom too."
"How did-" Honeysnow began, but she stopped as Morningpaw giggled again.
"I heard you think it. If you think loud enough, I can hear it. You were thinking it with so much love." Morningpaw pointed out, still panting softly.
"Right." Honeysnow said quietly. "I wish I was your real mother, though."
Morningpaw pulled back in shock. "You are! Marigoldfur barely raised me when she found out about my ability. And you oh so lovingly took me in. Plus, if you had given birth to me, you would have been breaking the code. I'm glad I didn't choose the path of a warrior; no tom would love me anyways with my… thing."
"That doesn't matter. Being loved by a tom isn't everything. Look at me. I don't have a mate, and am fine." Honeysnow forced the last few words out. Yellowlily retired early, and still got my true love. And... and bore his kits. Weaselclaw…
Morningpaw heard Honeysnow think. But she didn't say anything. Somethings are best left never said, evidently Honeysnow being in love.
"Mmhmm." Morningpaw replied tiredly. "I know. It just bothers me a bit. My brother can have crushes, get a mate and kits and defend his clan. That's all I want."
Honeysnow felt her heart melt. I always forget that Morningpaw wanted to be a warrior, but her ability prevented her from doing that, which meant no mate, kits, or fighting for her clan. I can't relate. I chose this path, for myself.
"Um, Morningpaw? I'm sure you heard me think all that, but let me try to help." Honeysnow began, wrapping a paw around Morningpaw's back and pulling her in closer. "Your ability could save lives. You sense it as they are dying, not already dead. I can't do that. You're not fighting another cat, but fighting in your own way. By saving your clanmates lives, you're fighting the other clan somewhat, you see?"
Morningpaw looked down at her peachy golden paws. "You're right. I'm being kinda silly. I do enjoy being a medicine cat. I can't wait to have an apprentice of my own. Sorry, Honeysnow. I got a little fussy."
Honeysnow chuckled. "It's fine, Morningpaw. No worries. Now, we should really go looking for herbs. We're practically out of chickweed."
(POV change; Heather)
Heather tuned out Fawnkit, pretending she didn't hear the prophecy. She'd already been given one the night before. Did StarClan want her solve everything? Isn't that what medicine cats were bound to StarClan for?
…
"Heather? Heather, wake up! It's almost sunhigh! Our kits!" Jay nudged her slim figure with a paw roughly.
Heather grunted and rolled over stubbornly. "Hmmmm, not now, Splashpaw. We can go on the ice later…"
Jay held back a laugh, rasping his tongue over her ears and forehead.
"Th-Thornsnag… I told you yesterday… After I saved Jaytalon… I love him." Heather murmured, her nose twitching with the protest of sunlight shining on her closed eyes.
Jay smiled warmly. "Our kits, Heather. We gotta find them. We got separated, remember?"
Heather was instantly on her paws now. "Oh, StarClan you're right! Gosh, we're terrible parents, aren't we?" She mentally whacked herself.
Her mate shook his head. "No, I don't think so. We were about to be killed in cold blood last night."
Heather furrowed her eyebrows. "Actually, true." She raised her nose upwards, trying to catch a scent. "I think we should head over there. We were chased this way."
"The rain washed our scents away…" Jay sighed, glaring at the ground in disappointment. "Maybe we could just yowl until someone finds us."
Heather giggled and she shook her head. "We could attract rogues. Let's just try to follow the trail. I can scent beneath water, a bit."
Running like she had back in ThunderClan, Heather and Jay managed to find the place of their battle the night before. "Look! Over there! They'd shelter there." Jay pointed out a large, worn out cardboard box a ways ahead.
"I can scent them!" Heather voiced as she approached the box, following the trail with her nose pressed against the concrete.
"Mommy! Daddy!" A series of high pitched cries wailed from a distance, beside a open grassy stretch of land.
"Whitekit, Nightkit! Birchkit, Hazelkit, and Reedkit! Everyone!" Heather exclaimed joyfully. "How did you all escape?"
Acorn twisted around, showing a nasty gash along his shoulder down to his flank in a weird zigzag like pattern. "Not easily." He shifted back down. "We managed to flee away from their territory, where they couldn't chase us."
Hickory motioned to Stark. "He still hasn't gotten any better. He retched twice while you were gone. Whitekit is feeling quite better though, along with myself."
"Are we any closer to the clans?" Merry asked, her violet eyes sparkling. Heather looked around, but nothing looked familiar.
"I'm not sure. I think we have to keep going past the alleyways. It's where Starlight and Green-Eyes found me." Heather replied. "We're not that far from their den, so I don't think we're very far off."
"Doesn't that house look familiar…?" Jay nudged Heather as they passed an abandoned Twoleg den, moss and vines growing over the walls.
Heather frowned, searching her mind for anything. "Yeah… Hold on, isn't that where we saved Joy Fawn's kits?" Heather's ears perked up. "I think I know where to go!"
A small Thunderpath was the only thing that stood between the group of rogues and the clans. "I know this road! I know where we are!" Heather squealed bounding across the road with Reedkit and Whitekit in her jaws, the three moon old kits swinging back and forth uncomfortably.
Acorn followed side by side with Jay, Birchkit, Hazelkit and Nightkit in their combined jaws, Merry and Hickory dashed across, Bat, Stark and Shadow in their care.
Breeze was guided by Kylee and Dime, the last ones to cross, soft, plush like grass under their cracked, rough paw pads, worn from the concrete.
"Acorn! Merry!" A voice shouted behind them, a lean, pale ginger tabby tom with violet eyes running up to them. "Where are you two going? And who are all these other cats?"
"Spark, er, Dad, we're going to the clans!" Acorn's eyes were large like a kitten's. "We found clan cats! And we've found the clans!"
Spark's eyes shone, turning to Jay and Heather. "Could… Could I maybe go to ShadowClan? If you could so kindly lead me there…?"
Heather looked unsure, but Jay agreed happily. "Sure thing!"
"What?" Jay questioned Heather's disappointed look. "Surprisingly, Thymetail and I are good friends. I'm sure she'll let us stay for the day or so."
"Thymetail? You know her?" Spark's voice grew high in delight. "I haven't seen her in a while…"
…
"Fine." Fallenstar growled, though a little grin hinted at the corners of her mouth. "They can stay for a few days. But only because you say you need Sugar's aid, Thymetail." A sly look grew on her face. "And because you've got the hots for lil Sparky here." Though Fallenstar said it so softly, Thymetail didn't hear.
"Th-thank you, F-Fallenstar." Thymetail's eyes shone, her heart thumping. Two of her kits, in ShadowClan, and Spark, too? Even if it was only a little while. She had been disappointed to hear about Dice's reputation, but she was overjoyed to find out she more kin than she thought.
"Olivekit, Shadekit, and Dustkit, you have all reached your sixth moon. From this day forward, you shall be known as Olivepaw, Shadepaw and Dustpaw. Your mentors shall be Swiftfang, Crowblaze, and myself." Shocked gasps came from her pitifully small clan. Fallenstar hadn't mentored any cat since she became leader.
"I hope they can pass they know down to you three." Fallenstar stepped off the FallenTree, making way for Thymetail, who seemed to have an announcement of her own.
"C-cats of Sh-ShadowClan, as y-you know, I won't b-be around for-forever. So it's ti-time I took an ap-apprentice. I have cho-chosen a cat that has shown lo-loyalty and commitment. Yo-your next medicine cat, shall b-be Firepaw." Thymetail declared, smiling warmly at the grey-ginger she cat.
Fallenstar turned to Firepaw. whose jaw was drooping with a look of pure shock. "Firepaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Thymetail?"
"I-I do!" Firepaw stuttered, shaking with excitement, the fur on her neck bushed up, and her curly tail swayed back and forth.
"Th-then at the h-half-moon, you m-must travel t-to the M-Moonfall to b-be accepted by StarClan be-before the o-other medicine cats." Thymetail said, laying her tail over Firepaw's back gently.
"The good wishes of all ShadowClan go with you." Fallenstar bowed her head at her dear friend as Thymetail disappeared into her den with Firepaw by her side.
"Oh, Shadepaw, isn't this fantastic?!" Olivepaw squealed, jumping enthusiastically in front of her brother. He managed a meek smile and nodded. Dustpaw seemed distracted, not paying attention to her littermates, instead, a worried look cast at her parents.
"Dustpaw, won't you tour the territory with your siblings?" Fallenstar approached her new apprentice.
"I… I'm sorry, Fallenstar. I wanna make sure my parents are okay." Dustpaw dipped her head awkwardly to her grandmother and scampered off towards the medicine den. Flowerbreeze and Stagstrike hadn't had any reaction towards the cure other than it letting Stagstrike sleep easier.
"Of course, my love." Fallenstar sighed, sitting tiredly on her haunches, her green gaze flitting around the clearing. She hadn't seen it so lively in a while, even if most of the cats didn't plan on staying.
"Hm?" Fallenstar muttered to herself as she spotted the slim, black she cat, her fluffy chest shimmering in the bright sunlight. "I know her…"
"Oh!" Realization hit Fallenstar. "Hawkpool… Sandfern's kit and the one who ended the battle versus the NightWalkers." Talking with her could be pleasant I suppose. I haven't really spoken with her before. My best friend's daughter. Wasn't she, like, adopted by Smokestar? So, wouldn't she be like a step-sibling to my son? Hm, may as well speak with her. Besides, I want to know her own kits. They seem real cute.
"Hawkpool!"
It took Heather a while to recognize her old name, and whom it had come from. "Oh, Fallenstar. Need something?" Heather replied with a small smile.
"Actually, I'd like to share tongues with you, Hawkpool." Fallenstar flashed Heather a welcoming but farouche smile.
A look of surprise appeared on Heather face for a moment, but Heather returned the kind grin. "Oh, sure thing." She turned to her mate and kits. "I'll be back, Jay. Same for all of you."
Heather stood up, snagged a large rabbit from the fresh kill pile for Fallenstar and a small finch for herself. "Hi, Fallenstar." Heather said joyfully as she followed the leader into her den.
"Hello, Hawkpool." Fallenstar patted her tail beside the space next to her. "Please, sit."
"How are you and your mother, dear?" Fallenstar questioned politely, taking a dainty bite of the rabbit.
"Um, okay, I suppose. I haven't seen my parents since before I had my kits." Heather was quiet for a moment. "I do plan on returning, once my son and the others are completely well, though."
"So, kits, Hawkpool? I-" Fallenstar started, but was cut short by Heather.
"Actually, while I was a rogue, I had my name changed to Heather." She replied, slightly too hastily.
Fallenstar tilted her head, taking another mouthful of her prey. "But, surely you'd have to change your name back, love? It wouldn't make much sense, you being a full-blooded clan cat, and not rogue, like some of these cats are." Fallenstar motioned her tail towards Hickory, Sugar, and Spark.
"I suppose you're right. Hawkpool's my name again, I guess. But, Hickory. Sugar and Spark aren't the only rogues here. Acorn, Merry, Dime, Breeze and Merry's kits are rogues too." Hawkpool informed Fallenstar, but the ShadowClan leader just giggled softly.
"Acorn and Merry aren't all rogue blood, which means neither are Merry's kits. Dice was their brother, so Dime and Breeze aren't full blood rogue either." Fallenstar laughed again at Hawkpool's puzzled expression.
"Perhaps you should ask Thymetail or Spark for that story. I'm not quite so sure it's my place to say. I was a mere young and foolish queen when the incident occurred, but I knew Acorn and his three littermates have clanblood." Fallenstar stated, and her eyes grew distant briefly, reminiscing about her past.
Fallenstar shook her head, chuckling sheepishly. "Whoops, got a little mysterious there, didn't I? Anyways, your kits. Tell me about them, won't you?"
Hawkpool pondered for a moment, moving a bite of the finch to the other side of her mouth, savoring the taste. "Well, they're a rowdy bunch, I'll say that much. I never expected five kits in my first litter."
Fallenstar sighed, a hint of gentle jealously in her eyes. "Five kits would have been wonderful! I mean, I was blessed with my one, amazing son but I kitted alone, without the aid of a medicine cat, and my other three kits died. And I do have three wonderful grandkits, so I really shouldn't complain."
Hawkpool shook her head. "That's not complaining. It's mourning. If one of my kits died, I'd move on, but never not miss them, Fallenstar."
Fallenstar sighed again, chuckling dryly. "You're right, Hawkpool. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for our conversation to turn dark. I… Your mother was, and is, my closest friend. I just wanted to know more about you."
Hawkpool nodded in understandment. "Sure thing. Something specific you want to know?"
"Come to think of it, you do have your father's handsome, slick pelt and colors, but you seem to act much like Sandfern. Imaginative, bold, loyal, but a free spirit. I know that much from the fact your ran away for love." Fallenstar meowed peacefully, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Hawkpool laughed, snorting slightly, which only earned stronger laughs from the both of them.
Sighing a breath of relief, glad to not be choking on laughter, Fallenstar's eyes grew stern.
"But promise me, Hawkpool. Don't make the mistake I did. Love is beautiful, like a blooming rose. But, remember; every rose, still has its thorns." Fallenstar meowed sternly, almost in a gruff tone.
Hawkpool felt her whiskers twitch beneath Fallenstar's breath. "Mistake?"
"Stagstrike's father. I wish he had been in his son's life. Promise me your kits will have a father figure, or at least have Oakstar be there." Fallenstar begged, her green eyes filled with worry.
"I will, Fallenstar. I promise." Hawkpool glanced over at Jay by the nursery with their kits. "Jay is a good father, for now."
…
"You can sleep in the nursery for now, you too." Thornyflower meowed to Hawkpool and Merry, rolling on her side to swat at some moss. "I've no company since Daisystripe and Flowerbreeze moved out. Just don't get your fishy scent all up in here." She turned to Merry. "You kinda smell like ShadowClan to me, so you're fine."
"Why isn't Sugar in here with us?" Merry asked, curling around Bat and Shadow as she settled into her moss nest. Stark had to stay with Thymetail and Firepaw in the medicine den.
"One," Thornyflower began as she craned her neck to groom her plump belly, "she smells like weak kittypet, and two, she wanted to sleep with her kits in the apprentice den. Larger space sense there's only four apprentices."
"Oh, and try not to kick. That goes for your kits as well." Thornyflower added. "I'm overdue…"
Hawkpool sighed as she felt the comfortableness of a moss bedding once more, though in her opinion, her reed, cattail and feather nest Thornsnag had made was much more comfortable. Hopefully it was still there.
"Fawnkit!" Hawkpool roared, charging at her step-sister the second she saw her.
"YOU WERE GOING TO KILL JAY?!" Hawkpool thundered, battering at Fawnkit, though her claws were sheathed.
"Get off me, you mouse-brain!" Fawnkit hollered, throwing Hawkpool off. "You heard my prophecy. Jaytalon was not destined to live. Two are going to pay for it. One with his life and fate, and another with his glory."
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Hawkpool screamed, bearing her teeth at Fawnkit. "I did the right thing for my kits."
"Maybe so, but did you do the right thing for you? You may have doomed yourself to a worser fate." Fawnkit pressed, an angry look in her light amber brown eyes.
"I don't want to talk to you, Fawnkit. You may be a StarClan cat, but you sure don't act like one." Hawkpool growled. "You used to be helpful to me, but now you're just plain mean."
"Very well. Someone else will tell you what I had to." Fawnkit grunted, stalking off and disappearing into a light. Silence filled Hawkpool's ears, a soft ringing beginning.
Hawkpool sat, groaning. As she laid down, Hawkpool noticed a brownish figure trotting towards her. At first, she thought it was Thornsnag, but as he came closer, she saw no white chest, or blue green eyes.
"Oh my… Oh my, StarClan…!" Hawkpool cried out in joy, running towards the StarClan cat, not realizing she was crying.
"Pinewhisker, oh my StarClan, Pinewhisker, oh, I miss you so much!" Hawkpool sobbed, resting her head on his chest.
"Hawkpool, I miss you, too. Fawnkit sent me. Said you were being stubborn. Figured, when weren't you ever stubborn?" Pinewhisker meowed, though his tone was light. "Anyways, I'm supposed to give you a message."
Pinewhisker's eyes grew white, and the scenery suddenly changed, Hawkpool engulfed into his vision.
Hawkpool walked on marshy ground, the moist ground squelching beneath her small, black paws. A metallic and sour scent hit her nostrils, Hawkpool knowing the odor all too well. Death.
She rounded a corner and stared in horror at what, or rather the many whos, that lay in front of her. Several cats piled lifelessly on top of each other, blood seeping on the grass and dirt.
As Hawkpool crept closer, she spotted a small green plant planted in front of the pile of cats. A four-leafed clover.
Hawkpool plucked it up in her paw, staring at it curiously. "A four-leafed clover? Cloverkit? Melody?" Hawkpool stopped her paw down in frustration. "I don't understand!"
The stacked up cats suddenly swept away in the form of dust, coming together to form two different cats laying limp in front of Hawkpool. Her brother, Rainstorm, with a severely deep slit throat she swore she could could see neck bone, and Birchkit, much older, a hind leg of his bloodied, beaten and twisted around with a shallowly cut throat.
"I don't understand, StarClan, I don't get it! I already killed Melody! I already killed my sister! What do you mean?!" Hawkpool shrieked, crumbling down and sobbing.
Hawkpool stopped herself, feeling another cat stand over her. Hawkpool looked up, glaring her fire red eyes up at the cat made of dust, though some holes showed in her dust-made body, symbolizing splotches and looking like a grown version of a cat she'd seen before, but couldn't place.
The dust cat leaned down towards Hawkpool's ear, a sickly grin on her face. "You took everything from me. Now I have taken from you too." The voice was distorted, but clear enough for Hawkpool to tell it was a she cat, and one much younger than herself.
Hawkpool jolted awake with a scream, silenced by Thornyflower harshly. It was still night, but purplish and light blue colors showed on the horizon.
This time, at dawn, it was Thornyflower who woke Hawkpool, moaning in discomfort. "C-could you get Thymetail, Hawkpool? I'm not very fond of you, but I think my kits are on the way." Thornyflower's eyes went wide, gritting her teeth in pain. "CROWBLAZE!" She yowled for her mate, the skinny, long legged tom rushing in half-awake.
"C'mon, Olivepaw." Swiftfang yawned. "We might as well begin training since we're up."
"But what about Shadepaw?" Olivepaw whined, nosing her brother, his eyes bleary with sleep.
Swiftfang chuckled and sighed. "Fine, but tell him to hurry up. I'm not sure Crowblaze will be training today, since his mate is kitting."
Olivepaw squealed with delight, shaking Shadepaw awake and senseless. his dark green eyes wide with fright. He made a soft groaning noise and with a quiet, drawn out yawn and swiping his paws over his face, he followed Olivepaw and Swiftfang out of camp.
"I hope Thornyflower is okay. She looked really overdue, not to mention pretty young." Merry's eyes were bright with genuine worry.
Hawkpool nodded in agreement. "She's like only two moons younger than me though, Merry. I'm sure she'll get through it. For now, I'm dying to stretch my legs. I'll ask Fallenstar if we can hunt, cool?"
Merry drew in an excited breath. "Hunting in a forest? Oh, yes, please!"
"Excuse me, Fallenstar? It's Hawkpool."
It was quiet for a few moments, before shuffling was heard and Fallenstar emerged. "Yes?" She said, blinking away sleep.
"I was just wondering if Merry and I could hunt. We've been queens for so long, and I'm a fair hunter too." Hawkpool pleaded, ending with a wide grin.
Fallenstar purred in amusement, a raspy purr though. "Of course, just don't forget to bring some back. I hate to say it, but ShadowClan hasn't been doing well with such small numbers. Thornyflower's kits should be an extraordinary addition."
Hawkpool dipped her head in acknowledgement, dashing out the camp barrier, her paws light with glee as she ran beside Merry.
Mouse! Hawkpool felt her heart race with excitement. Oh, how she missed hunting.
Sliding her paws silently across the forest floor, Hawkpool wiggled her haunches and leaped over a blackberry bush to pin the mouse, but instead found herself tangled and tumbling into a calico she cat in a mess of tails and legs.
"Ow, ow, ow! I'm sorry, I didn't know this territory was taken! I'm just trying to feed my group!" The rogue begged, flattened herself to the ground in apology. Hawkpool snickered in amusement, but glared at her sternly.
"Hm." Hawkpool grunted, motioning for the rogue to stand. "Group?"
The she cat nodded. "I live in a small band of cats. I have a son, too! I can smell milk on you too, I know you're a mother like me. We fled from the street boss cats."
"Interesting. Merry!" Hawkpool called, the grey she cat bounding through the bushes with a lizard in her jaws almost immediately.
"Let's take her to Fallenstar." Hawkpool flicked her tail, having the calico follow them. Merry looked merely excited and intrigued with the situation. If she was going to be a clan cat, she'd need a little more composure.
"Back already?" Fallenstar questioned when she saw Hawkpool, but her eyes became serious when they parted to reveal the calico rogue. "Come in my den with me."
Hawkpool waited outside for several moments, until Fallenstar reappeared with the calico by her side, seeming frail against Fallenstar's sturdy build, despite the leader's ribs showing.
"Hawkpool, this is Callie. She wants to join ShadowClan, and wants to convince her group too as well." Fallenstar dipped her head at Callie. "Please, return soon."
Callie didn't run off as Hawkpool would have expected, but rather padded, as if already comfortable with the marshy land and clan cats.
Hawkpool let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and turned to the ShadowClan leader. "You've been very welcoming to us, but we have to go soon. I was thinking before dawn tomorrow."
Fallenstar looked surprised, but she smiled warmly. "I understand. RiverClan is your home, not here. I'll be sure to see you off."
…
Callie did end up returning with a small portion of her group, twelve cats, including her son, Stripe. There was Code and Baird, who seemed to be like mentors to Callie, a pair of brothers, Eel and Cliff, a lone she cat named Bree, and a pair of she kits named Lunar and Solar. Lidia and Flick, a couple of mates with Flick's brother and his battle companion, Russell and Camellia.
"From this day on, you will be known as Patchlight, Ashenclaw, Littleflower, Flintfire, Russetthorn, Cindersong and Kestrelfur." Fallenstar bestowed upon the cats formerly Callie, Baird, Lidia, Flick, Russell, Camellia and Code, respectively.
Eel, Cliff and Bree had become Eelpaw, Cliffpaw and Breezepaw, given to Darkflame, Forestclaw, and Daisystripe to mentor, while Lunar, Solar, and Stripe had been given -kit to the end of their names and given to Patchlight to nurse.
"Rogues, Fallenstar? Has our leader grown soft?" Thornyflower growled from inside the nursery, her newborns curled into her belly fur.
"Don't doubt me, Thornyflower. The battle took its toll on us, and if these cats are willing to train hard, they should be given a chance." Fallenstar rationalized, narrowing her eyes at the young queen.
Thornyflower gritted her teeth, and with a huff, she disappeared back into the safety of the nursery.
"Could you explain the warrior code to me again?" Stripekit asked Firepaw shyly. "If I'm five moons, shouldn't I be an apprentice?"
Firepaw shook her head. "You gotta be six moons to be an apprentice." She looked slightly timid as she leaned in to his ear. "I'm not really six moons yet. I'll be six moons tomorrow."
Stripekit gasped, but he only smiled, signalling he'd keep the secret. He had a good feeling about these 'clans',
"Fa-Fallenstar!" Thymetail called from her den, a worry in her voice. "Please… C-come in."
A shocked half gasp, half scream came from Fallenstar in the den, her eyes wide in horror and sorrow. "M-my son! My kit, oh no, no, no, no!"
Stagstrike lay still and cold in front of Fallenstar's paws, Stagstrike's mate. Flowerbreeze, limp next to him.
"I couldn't do anything, Fallenstar. The cure wasn't working on them. I'm so sorry. I did all I could." Thymetail dipped her head solemnly, her voice steady.
"No…" Fallenstar's paws trembled, her eyes round and pupils widening. "Please. Th-there's gotta be something you can do, Thymetail…"
Thymetail looked up at Fallenstar, her ears flat against her head. "I'm sorry. They're with StarClan now."
Fallenstar swallowed sharply, her eyes damp. "We'll hold a burial ceremony at sunset. Now, the clan with mourn the loss of a great deputy and a gentle queen. I will mourn the loss of my family." Fallenstar had straightened up, but her tail drooped and her paws seemed to drag as she slowly made her way to her den.
"Fallenstar!" Hawkpool called out, racing up to the leader. "Do… Do you need company?"
"That's kind of you, darling. But, not now. I think I need to be alone for now." Fallenstar replied dryly, disappearing into the dimness of her den.
Hawkpool spent the rest of the day playing with her kits, whom had easily bonded with the over social butterfly, Olivepaw, but failed to do so with her littermates.
"They're just sad about mom and dad." Olivepaw had said, her smile faltering. "But I know they'd want me to keep smiling. They say my cheerfulness makes up for everyone else being down. It's what makes me, well, me. Dustpaw and Shadepaw are normally really sweet, though Shadepaw is always quieter than a mouse, and Dustpaw is always so determined to be a powerful warrior one day."
Just before dawn came, Acorn woke everyone up, ready to leave with Fallenstar by his side, despite her grief, the leader wanted to make sure they got home safely, save Spark who decided to stay in ShadowClan.
"I'll go with you most of the way, then I'll part ways with my siblings towards ThunderClan." Jaytalon explained, after switching his name back.
"Momma?" Nightkit looked timidly up at Hawkpool, glancing down at her paws nervously several times.
"Yes?" Hawkpool asked, feeling a strange tug in her stomach.
"I…" Nightkit gulped. "I want to go to ThunderClan with daddy. He told me stories, and I get this sense… sense of home when I even just hear the word." She ducked her head downwards again. "Please don't be mad. I still love you, momma. I just don't think your home is fit to be mine, too."
Hawkpool felt her heart go numb. "You… I mean… Um… Nightkit?" Hawkpool was at a loss for words. She'd assumed all her kits would come to RiverClan with her, so they didn't have to split.
"O-okay…" Hawkpool slowly agreed, her heart warming and breaking at the same time as Nightkit's good eye brightened with joy as she scampered over to her father to tell him the news. Jaytalon looked delighted.
The band of cats followed Hawkpool's lead down the river, Fallenstar stopping as they reached the border that met ThunderClan. "This is where I leave you. I'm afraid even being leader, borders should not be crossed. Good luck, Hawkpool. Companions." Fallenstar dipped her head, briefly laying her muzzle on Hawkpool's head between her pricked ears, and then nimbly stalked away, her dark, off-white spotted fur gleaming ominously in the beginning of the sunrise.
"This is where we go, too." Jaytalon meowed, his eyes sad. Longing and affection swam in their blue depths.
Jaytalon let Nightkit bound over to Hawkpool, giving her mother on her upper foreleg, too short to reach her mother's shoulder. "Bye, mommy." Nightkit muttered, dashing back towards her father as Jaytalon, Kylee, Sugar, Dime and their kits crossed into ThunderClan and disappeared behind thick undergrowth and bushes.
Hawkpool felt uncomfortable leaving Nightkit with Jaytalon, but she had faith in Rainstorm, that he'd teach her how to hunt and fight with her blind side, and she knew Rainstorm's kits would be gentle and kind. But that didn't make letting her kit go any easier.
"N-Nightkit…" Hawkpool whispered, her heart pounding, as if it was struggling to burst out and reach out to Nightkit. She felt Acorn's thick pelt press against her. His warm, sweet scent bathed her tongue, calming her.
"She'll be okay. Trust me. And trust your brother." Acorn insisted, nosing her cheek gently. Hawkpool let out a shaky sigh.
"Okay." Hawkpool turned to her remaining four kits. "Come on! We wanna be there to meet the clan by sunrise!" She tried to sound excited. It seemed to work, Hazelkit squealing with delight and taking off, Shadow and Reedkit at her heels.
Hawkpool dove into the river without hesitation. "Oh, it feels fantastic to swim in home's river again!" She yowled, despite the water being quite cold compared the bayou behind the ShadowClan's elders' den she'd snuck in a few times and paddled around in.
Acorn reluctantly jumped in, gasping as the chilled water instantly met his thick fur. "F-f-f-freezing!" Acorn exclaimed, clambering out desperately and shaking his pelt out frantically.
Hawkpool whooped like a maniac cat at Acorn, letting the current push her along downstream smoothly. Pinks, purples and oranges met the sky, showing dawn was only minutes away. Hickory eventually caught up with the kits, practically smothering Bat and Shadow with worried affection. Stark hadn't made it through their previous night.
Hawkpool leapt out of the river, pointing her nose at a hill. "There! RiverClan camp isn't far from that hill." The kits raced forward, Bat and Shadow forced to walk by Hickory's side at his pace. Acorn stopped Hawkpool's kits from going any farther, swooping them up in his jaws with the aid of Hickory.
Hawkpool and Merry stood at the ledge of the hill, in awe as the sun rising majestically over the horizon. "In all your times in the clans, you've never seen a sunrise like this?" Merry asked quietly her violet eyes round,, as if taking any louder would stop the beauty.
Heather shook her head. "No, not like this." She felt determination stirring in her chest. I'm finally home. Home… Home is where my heart is.