Another chapter! Things will be escalating from here on out! XD I really hope that you enjoy!!! Also review, follow, fav, and don't forget to vote on my profile at the top if you haven't already!!! (and yes, on page 109. In 'The Darkest Hour' It is confirmed that Whitestorm is Sorreltail, Rainwhisker and Sootfur father!')
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A raw, damp cold pushed its way through Firestar's sleek fur as she padded through Tallpines. The sky was heavy with gray cloud and seemed undecided between sending rain or snow onto the forest. Here, where the ravages of the fire had been worst, ash still covered the ground, and the few plants that had begun to grow back had shriveled again with the coming of leaf-bare.
It was the day after her announcement to the Clan, and Firestar had left her new deputy in charge of the camp while she patrolled the border alone. She wanted some time by herself, to get used to being leader and to think about what lay ahead. Sometimes she felt she would burst with pride of being chosen by StarClan to lead ThunderClan, but she also knew it would not be easy. Grief for Bluestar was a dull ache that would stay with her forever. And was afraid of what this ominous prophecy might bring to her and her Clan. It were moments like this she wondered what Tigerstar would do.
Don't go thinking about what he'd do! He's not here anymore, and it's up to you to make the decisions!" She internally scolded herself as she emerged from the trees near Twolegplace and looked up at Princess's fence to see if her sister had ventured out of her Twoleg nest. But there was no sign of her, and when she drank in the air she caught only a faint scent. Feeling a bit disappointed in not seeing her sister, she padded along the edge of the trees, Firestar came to a part of the forest she rarely visited and recognized the Twoleg nest where she herself had lived as a kittypet. So many moons ago, and possibly longer. Overcome by curiosity, she darted across the stretch of open ground at the edge of the trees and leaped to the top of the fence.
Memories of playing there as a kit flooded over her as she looked down at the stretch of grass bordered by Twoleg plants. She recalled rolling around in some catnip, and could see the clump of catnip now from where she was sitting, and smell it's tempting scent. It made her recall some that she had taken from Princess's garden when Bluestar was ill with greencough.
A flicker of movement from the nest caught her gaze, and she saw one of her old Twolegs pass by the window and disappear again. Firestar suddenly wondered how her Twolegs had felt when she left them to live in the forest. She hoped they hadn't worried about her. They had cared for her well, in the way that Twolegs tried to, adn Firestar knew she would always be grateful. She would have liked to tell them how happy she was in the forest with her friends and kits, and how she was fulfilling the destiny StarClan had laid out for her, but she knew there was no way she could make Twoleg understand.
She was bunching her muscles, ready to leap down into the forest, when something black and white moved in the next garden. Glancing down, she saw Smudge, her old friend from her kittypet days. He looked plump as ever, with a contented expression on his broad face. He was talking to a pretty brown tabby she-cat, a stranger to Firestar; their mews reached her but they were too far away for her to make out the words.
She almost jumped down to say hello, until she remembered that they would probably be frightened by the sight of a ruffian like herself. Not long after coming to the forest, Firestar had met Smudge in the woods, and nearly scared the life out of him before her friend recognized her. Although she was pretty sure he was more scared of Tigerclaw then herself really. The life she led now was worlds away from theirs.
The sound of a door opening roused Firestar from her thoughts, and she edged along the fence into the shelter of a holly bush as one of her old Twolegs came out of the house and called. At once the pretty brown tabby meowed good-bye to Smudge and scrambled under the fence that divided the gardens. She ran up to the Twoleg, who scooped her up and stroked her before carrying her indoors, purring loudly.
She's their new kittypet! Firestar thought. The closing of the door stirred a pang of sorrow in her, just for a heartbeat. The feeling of being replaced. The little tabby would have no need to catch her prey before she could eat; she would have a warm place to sleep, and no risk of dying in battle or from one of the many dangers that beset the forest cats. She would have the friendship of Smudge and other kittypets, and the care of her Twolegs--everything that Firestar had turned her back on to live as a Clan cat in the forest.
But at the same time she would never know the satisfaction of learning warrior skills, or a racing into battle beside her friends. She would never understand what it meant to live by the warrior code, and to follow the will of StarClan. Or how it felt to stand with a Clan that you are proud of and have kits that would one day follow in the path that she helped protect. The pretty brown tabby would never know how much Firestar had changed and how much her life now means to her.
If I had to relive my life one more time, Firestar thought. I wouldn't change a thing compared to this one.
Suddenly the sound of multiple claws scrambled on the fence below her and from the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of quick brown movement and a graceful leap from a pale gray sharp. Turning her head, she found herself face-to-face with her oldest song, Bramblepaw. And her own apprentice, Fernpaw tittering on the edge of the fence right behind him.
It was a moment of surprise before Firestar recovered herself enough to spea. "What are you both doing here?" she asked in bewilderment.
"We were hunting together," Fernpaw mumbled distractedly, claws digging into the fence to gain balance. "Whitestorm sent us out together to restock the fresh-kill pile, all by ourselves." There was a note of satisfaction in her tone.
"Then we found your scent, and followed it all the way here." Bramblepaw finished, his amber eyes shining. "Fernpaw was great at tracking, but I picked it up first."
"Well done, were you hunting near Twolegplace?" Firestar questioned, glancing at the two who shook their heads.
"Nope, we were still near the camp entrance when we picked up your scent," Fernpaw declared, her own whiskers twitching with pride.
"You're both certainly good trackers, if you got this far." Firestar didn't know whether to be proud of both her apprentice and oldest son for how impressive it was to track her all the way from camp, or how annoyed and embarrassing it was that they had followed her and caught her looking over a Twoleg fence at a pair of kittypets. Sure her son knew of her kittypet heritage, and that she occasionally came to see her sister, but this time it was different from her visits with her sister, this was her old home, her kittypet home.
Turning to meet Bramblepaw's eyes, Firestar saw the young cat's steady gaze already on her, with a look of curiosity. It was a long, intelligent look, and Firestar realized that she could see respect in the amber depths direct on her, no judgement from her son. She was aware of her certainty that Bramblepaw would be an outstanding and loyal warrior, different from his father's look alike.
Flickering her eyes to her apprentice, Fernpaw. The pale gray she-cat had finally gained her balance, sitting precisely on top of the fence with her tail curled around her. She looked around warily, unsure of her surroundings but she seemed to take comfort in the fact that both her mentor and Bramblepaw were with her. Fernpaw looked out of place, and Firestar saw with growing pride that Fernpaw, the soft hearted apprentice and daughter to one of Firestar's dear deceased friends, looked every bit a fierce forest cat. She would certainly give Smudge the scare of his life.
"Mother, why are you here?" Bramblepaw said it like a question, but there was an underlying sound of a demand. One that Firestar heard a lot from his father, Tigerstar. Firestar grew defensive towards that comparison, Bramblepaw was not his father, but she could not help but notice his traits within their son. She didn't plan to answer him, nor her curious apprentice who had inched closer to hear her reply. But in spite of her defensiveness towards Bramblepaw's question, Firestar couldn't help admiring the spirit that her son had dared to ask.
She took a deep breath. "I know you and your siblings know about me being a kittypet," she began solemnly. "And how you don't like the comparison to who I am now and who I used to be.
But I choose to leave my life as a kittypet. Whatever happens, I'll always put the Clan first." It was time, she decided, to be more open with those she trusted and to her own kits. "But I do come here now and again," he continued. "I see my sister sometimes, and I wonder how things would have been if I'd stayed. Yet I always leave knowing that my heart lies with ThunderClan."
Bramblepaw gave a little nod, as if the answer satisfied him. "I know what it's like to have your loyalties questioned," he meowed.
A pang of anger and sorrow stabbed Firestar, even though she knew of her cats suspicions about her kits loyalty to the Clan it still made her claws itch to slash the mouse-brains across their ears. "How do you and your siblings get on with the other apprentices?" she asked. subtly eyeing Fernpaw who looked on silently.
"They're okay. But I know some of the warriors don't like me and the others, because Tigerstar's our father." The words were spoken with such understanding that Firestar was even more filled with sorrow and anger, and also hurt that there were those to question her kits actions on their father. My kits have to go through the same thing I had to when I was first introduced to the Clan. Firestar thought.
"Can you cope with that?" she meowed cautiously.
Bramblepaw blinked. "I know where my loyalties lie. I'll prove that someday." There was no boasting in the way he spoke, just calm determination. And Firestar couldn't be prouder.
"And all those who say otherwise have bees in their brains." Fernpaw, who had sat silently as she watched mother and son have a heart-to-heart moment spoke up, Fernpaw honestly believed in Bramblepaw and his siblings knowing that, like Firestar, that they would be great warriors someday and benefit the Clan.
Bramblepaw flashed a warm look behind him at the gray she-cat, who in turn probed him lightly from behind.
"What about your siblings?" Firestar asked, blinking approvingly at both apprentices who had become good friends.
"Leafpaw is very dedicated to her training," Bramblepaw meowed, looking thoughtful. "Mothpaw really likes being a medicine cat and Squirrelpaw and Spottedpaw...well…" her son trailed off, a troubled look in his eyes. "Squirrelpaw can be a bit difficult at times, no with Sandstorm or anything, just...well, she gets frustrated when our father is mentioned and she misses him and Tawnypaw and even Hawkpaw...although she would never admit to it. And Spottedpaw, she just seems...sad. But their loyal cats at heart."
"I know they are," Firestar meowed, though she noticed that Bramblepaw wasn't entirely at ease discussing his other two sisters with her, as if protecting their thoughts from her. She would need to keep a close eye on Spottedpaw and Squirrelpaw in the future, and make sure they had all the support they needed to become reliable ThunderClan warriors. A word with their mentors should be in order, to help with their situations, maybe a talk with them herself? But she didn't want to tread on their tails though.
Struck by a sudden warmth towards these two cats that had followed her all the way to Twolegplace, Firestar added. "I've got to get on if I am to finish patrolling the border before dark. Do you two want to come with me?"
Bramblepaw and Fernpaw's eyes lit up at the offer. "Can we?"
"Sure." Firestar leaped down from the fence and waited for the two young cats to scramble down behind her. "We'll hunt on the way."
"Great!" Bramblepaw meowed enthusiastically as he darted ahead. Fernpaw came to trot beside her mentor's shoulder as Firestar followed Bramblepaw back into the trees.
"You know, I always thought Dustpelt would make a good deputy," Fernpaw meowed when they were once again in the cover of the trees, Bramblepaw had the decency to have waited for them. "Although Whitestorm is also a good choice too!" Fernpaw added on quickly, almost looking sheepish.
"I think he would be a big lump of fur the entire time," Firestar retorted playfully back, and Fernpaw looked up at her leader in amusement. "He's a very grumpy cat, a good warrior. But not deputy material."
"True," Fernpaw hummed, looking amused. "He can be as useful as a dead fox at times too."
"Same with some love sick cats I know," Firestar purred, her ears twitching as Fernpaw's eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Like when Cloudtail trips over himself when Brightheart walks by?" Fernpaw meowed.
"Or the way Brackenfur shows off whenever Sandstorm glances his way," Firestar meowed thoughtfully.
"Or the way Thornclaw spends almost all his time with Leafpaw," Fernpaw looked exceedingly amused.
"Or how Dustpelt comes running at your beck and call?" Firestar teased her apprentice, who looked more excited than embarrassed.
"Or how Swifttail moons over Spottedpaw?" Fernpaw purred, her whiskers twitching. It was all too amusing.
"Toms!" Firestar and Fernpaw recited together, shaking their heads.
It wasn't long before Firestar came to halt on the edge of the Thunderpath and drew in the scent that flowed across from ShadowClan territory. How are you, Tigerstar? Firestar wondered. How about you Tawnypaw? Are you the best hunter in all of ShadowClan now? And what about you, Hawkpaw, are you the best fighter like your father? Are you both settling in okay? Are you both looking out for your father and supporting him?
As she stood wrapped in her silent thoughts, she noticed scraps of white drifting down from the sky. Snow! Firestar thought, glancing up at the sky where the clouds were darker than ever. Hearing a surprise squeak from Bramblepaw, she turned around.
Fernpaw was watching him with amusement in her eyes, and Firestar could see why. A snowflake had landed on Bramblepaw's nose and was slowly melting. The apprentice flicked out a pink tongue and licked it off, his yellow eyes round with wonder.
"What is it, Firestar?" he asked. "It's cold!"
Firestar let out a purr of amusement over Fernpaw's own amused murmurs. "It's called snow," she replied. "It comes in leaf-bare. If it goes on like this, the flakes will cover all the ground and the trees."
"Really? But they're so tiny!"
"There will be lots of them, though."
The flakes were already growing larger and falling more thickly, almost hiding the trees on the other side of the Thunderpath and smothering the ShadowClan scent. Even the roar of the monsters was muffled and they moved slowly as if their glowing eyes couldn't see well through the snow.
Firestar knew that snowfall would bring more problems to the forest. Prey would die in the cold, or huddled deep in holes where hunters could not follow. It would be harder than ever to feed the Clan.
Her son and apprentice were watching the falling snow with wide and shimmering eyes. Firestar saw her son reach out one paw tentatively to dab at one of them. A heartbeat later he was leaping and whirling with high-pitched mews of excitement, as if he were trying to catch every single flake before it reached the ground.
Fernpaw herself was caught up in Bramblepaw's excitement and with a shriek of joy rushed through the falling snow with long strides. Firestar felt a rush of affection for both her son and apprentice. It was good to see these young cats playing like kits again. Firestar recalled the days of rushing through the forest in leaf-bare, Tigerstar who was once Tigerclaw, just a paw-step behind as they enjoyed the moment with excited glee at the rush of the moment. Where had those times gone? She could see those days, as she looked at her kit and Fernpaw, she could see the memories of those happier days, those cherished days.
There was no answer to that question, and Firestar knew that for Tigerstar, just as much as for herself, there was no going back. Their paws were firmly on the path StarClan had decided they should follow, even though it hurt to admit, Firestar would probably never know the comfort of having Tigerstar again.
The snow had stopped by the time Firestar and the two apprentices returned to camp. The clouds had cleared away and the setting sun cast long blue shadows over the thin coating of white that powdered the ground. All three cats were carrying fresh-kill; Firestar had watched her apprentice and son's hunting skills and been impressed by the young cat's concentration and skillful stalking. And Firestar was also amazed at how well Fernpaw ran after a squirrel up a tree.
They had just reached the top of the ravine when they heard a yowl behind them, Firestar turned to see Graystripe bounding through the undergrowth.
"Hi," gasped the gray warrior as he caught up with them. His eyes widened when he saw their catch. "You've had better luck than me. I couldn't find so much as a mouse."
Firestar gazed at him with sympathy as she led the way toward the gorse tunnel. She noticed that Sorrelkit, the most adventurous of Willowpelt's three kits, had left the camp and climbed halfway up the steep slope farther along the ravine. To Firestar's surprise she was with Darkstripe; the warrior was bending over her, saying something to her.
"Odd," Firestar muttered to herself through a mouthful of squirrel fur, half to herself. "Darkstripe has never shown much interest in kits before. And certainly not Willowpelt's three orphan kits. And what's he doing over here on his own?"
Suddenly Firestar heard a sharp exclamation from Graystripe and her friend flashed past her, hurtling along the side of the ravine. At the same moment Sorrelkit's legs crumpled underneath her sturdy tortoiseshell body and she started withering in the snow. Firestar dropped her fresh-kill in amazement as Graystripe yowled, "No!" and flung himself on the dark warrior. Darkstripe clawed and flailed at him with his hind legs, but Graystripe's teeth were sunk in his throat and would not let go.
"What--?" Firestar dashed down the slope with Bramblepaw and Fernpaw scrambling down right behind her. She dodged the fighting cats, still locked together in a whirlwind of teeth and claws, and reached Sorrelkit's side.
The little kit twisted and turned on the ground, her eyes wide and glazed. She was letting out high-pitched moans of pain, and there was oam on her lips. "Sorrelkit!" Fernpaw exclaimed in horror, her green eyes shocked at the withering kit.
"Get Spottedleaf!" Firestar ordered her apprentice.
Her apprentice shows off, her paws sending up puffs of snow. Firestar bent over the young kit and placed a paw gently on her belly. "It's all right," Bramblepaw meowed from beside her, his amber eyes wide with concern as he crooned gently into the tortoiseshell kit's ear. "Spottedleaf will help you, just hold on, okay?"
Sorrelkit's jaws gaped with and Firestar caught a glimpse of half-chewed berries in her mouth, scarlet against her white teeth.
"Deathberries!" She gasped.
There was a dark-leaved shrub growing from a crack in the rock just above her head, with more of the lethal scarlet berries clustered among the leaves. She remembered a time many moons ago when Spottedleaf had appeared just in time to stop Cloudtail from eating the deathberries, and warned him of how poisonous they were. Later, Yellowfang had used them to kill her son, Brokentail; Firestar had seen for herself how quickly and fatally they worked.
Crouching over Sorrelkit, Firestar did her best to scoop the crushed berries out of her mouth, but the kit was in too much terror and pain to keep still and make her task easier, even though Bramblepaw was doing his best to keep the tiny she-kit calm. Sorrelkit's head thrashed from side to side, and her body was convulsing in regular spasms that to Firestar's horror seemed to be growing weaker. She could still hear Graystripe and Darkstripe screeching in the throes of their fight, but they seemed oddly far away. All her attention was concentrated on the kit.
Then to her relief she felt Spottedleaf arrive beside her. Mothpaw carrying a mouthful of herbs, standing just behind them. "Deathberries!" she told the medicine cat quickly. "I've tried to get them out, but…"
Spottedleaf took up the space that Bramblepaw provided for her, and Firestar stepped back to allow both medicine cats to help Sorrelkit. Mothpaw set the herbs that she carried down and listened as Spottedleaf meowed, "Mothpaw, hold Sorrelkit in place, while I take a look."
With both medicine cats at work, and the kit's struggles definitely growing weaker, Spottedleaf was soon able to paw out the remains of the deathberries. Then she rapidly chewed up one of
her leaves and stuffed the pulp into Sorrelkit's mouth. "Swallow it, Sorrelkit, it'll make you better," she ordered. To Firestar who was watching them anxiously from right behind her, she added, "It's yarrow, It'll make her sick."
The kit's throat convulsed. A moment later she vomited; Firestar could see from where she sat that more scarlet specks among the pulp leaves.
"Good, you did good, Sorrelkit," Spottedleaf meowed gently as she kept her voice calm for the kit's sake. "That's very good, You're going to be fine, Sorrelkit."
The little kit lay gasping and trembling; then Firestar watched in dismay as she went limp and her eyes closed.
"Is she dead?" Firestar whispered quietly for only Spottedleaf to hear.
However, before Spottedleaf could reply, a yowl came from the entrance to the camp. "Sorrelkit! Sorrelkit is missing!" It was Goldenflower, Sorrelkit and her siblings' foster mother, who was racing up the ravine with Fernpaw. She crouched beside Sorrelkit, her blue eyes wide and distraught. "What happened?"
"She ate deathberries," Spottedleaf explained calmly. "But I think I've gotten rid of them all. We'll carry her back to my den and I'll keep an eye on her there."
Goldenflower's eyes were wide with concern as she began licking Sorrelkit's tortoiseshell fur. By now Firestar had seen the faint rise and fall of the kit's flank as she breathed. She was not dead, but Firestar could see from experience the anxious look that Spottedleaf's tried to hide that Sorrelkit was still in danger from the effects of the poison.
For the first time Firestar had a chance to draw breath and look for Graystripe. The gray warrior had pinned Darkstripe down a few tail-lengths away with one paw on his neck and another on his belly. Darkstripe was bleeding from one ear, and he spat in fury as he fought vainly to free himself.
"What's going on?" Firestar demanded.
"Don't ask me," snarled Graystripe. Firestar could hardly remember seeing her friend look so savage. "As this...this piece of fox dung why he tried to murder a kit!"
"Murder?" Firesar echoed. Ignoring the silent gasps that came from behind her from both Bramblepaw and Fernpaw. The accusation was so unexpected that for a heartbeat she could do nothing but stare stupidly.
"Murder," repeated Graystripe. "Go on, ask him why he was feeding deathberries to Sorrelkit."
"You mouse-brained fool." Darkstripe's voice was cold as he gazed up at his attacker. "I wasn't feeding her the berries. I was trying to stop her from eating them."
"I know what I saw," Graystripe insisted through gritted teeth.
Firestar tried to recall the image of the warrior and the kit that she had seen when she paused at the top of the ravine. "Let him up," she meowed reluctantly to her friend. "Darkstripe, tell me what happened."
The warrior rose and shook himself. Firestar could see bare patches on his flank where Graystripe had clawed out lumps of fur.
"I was coming back to camp," he began. "I found the stupid kit stuffing herself with deathberries, and I was trying to stop her when this idiot jumped on me." He stared resentfully at Graystripe. "Why would I want to murder a kit?"
"That's what I want to know!" spat Graystripe.
Darkstripe sneered. "There's no use expecting justice in ThunderClan these days."
The accusation stung Firestar, all the more so because she recognized that there was a core of truth in it. She would take Graystripe's word over Darkstripe any day, but she had to be absolutely certain that her friend wasn't making a mistake.
"I don't have to decide now," Firestar meowed. "As soon as Sorrelkit wakes up, she'll be able to tell us what happened."
As she spoke she thought she saw a flicker of unease in Darkstripe's eyes, but it was gone so quickly she could not be sure. The dark warrior twitched his ears contemptuously. "Fine," he meowed. "Then you'll see which of us is telling the truth." He stalked off toward the camp entrance with tail held high.
"I did see it, Firestar," Graystripe assured her, his sides heaving from the fight. "I can't understand why he'd want to hurt Sorrelkit, but I'm quite sure that's what he was doing."
Firestar sighed. "I believe you, but we have to let every cat see that justice is done. I can't punish Darkstripe until Sorrelkit tells us what happened."
If she ever does, she silently adds to herself a pang of fear for Willowpelt's more adventures kit. She watched with regret as Spottedleaf and Goldenflower gently picked up the kit and carried her toward the gorse tunnel. Sorrelkit's head lolled limply and her tail brushed the ground.
Firestar's belly clenched as she remembered the kit bouncing around the camp. If Darkstripe had really tried to kill her, he would pay. Bramblepaw was following right behind, her son was now very close with Willowpelt's orphan kits and oftentimes he was found entertaining them. And Mothpaw followed more slowly, her mouth filled with what remained of the yarrow. One of her own kits could have easily taken the place of Sorrelkit in this situation.
"Graystripe," she murmured, "go with Spottedleaf. I want you or another warrior on guard in her den until Sorrelkit wakes up. Ask Sandstorm and Cinderpelt if they'll help. I don't want anything else to happen to Sorrelkit before she's fit to talk."
Graystripe's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Okay, Firestar," he meowed. "I'm on my way." He bounded down the slope and caught up with the other cats as they disappeared into the tunnel.
Firesar was left in the ravine with Fernpaw. "I've left a squirrel up there," she meowed to her apprentice, jerking her head toward the top of the ravine. "Could you collect it for me, please? And then you can rest and eat. You've had a long day."
"Yes, Firestar," Fernpaw meowed. She took a few stops up the ravine and glanced back. "Sorrelkit will be okay, won't she?"
Firestar let out a long breath. "I don't know, Fernpaw," she admitted. "I just don't know."
There was a brief flash of alarm in her apprentice's green eyes, before they cooled into something unreadable. "If Darkstripe really did do that to Sorrelkit," Fernpaw gave nothing away in her tone of voice. "I'll personally rip his pelt right off of him." Firestar simply watched her apprentice climb the slope, before she made her way thoughtfully back into camp. Glancing around, she caught sight of Darkstripe gulping down a piece of fresh-kill beside the nettle patch. Mousefur and Frostfur were eating together close by, but Firestar noticed that they had all turned their backs on Darkstripe and were not looking at him.
Graystripe must have already begun to spread the news of what had happened in the ravine. Frostfur and Goldenflower in particular were affected by the news, they had both raised kits of their own, and would be horrified by the very suspicion that a Clan warrior would murder a kit. Firestar herself was coming to terms with the ordeal, Sorrelkit was innocent and harmless, why would anyone want to harm her? Or any kits in that matter? But even though it was a horrifying scenario, it was a good sign, she came to realize, if they seemed to believe Graystripe's version of events. It showed that her friend was becoming accepted by the Clan again, beginning to recover the popularity he had once had.
Firestar was heading toward Graystripe when movement by the warriors' den caught her eye. Brackenfur was just emerging from between the branches, gazing wildly. Brackenfur spotted Darkstripe, took a step toward him, and then veered away to join Firestar.
"I've just heard!" he gasped. "Firestar, I'm sorry. He got away from me. This is all my fault!"
"Steady." Firestar let her tail rest a moment on the agitated young warrior's shoulder, gesturing for calm. "Tell me what happened."
Brackenfur took a couple of gulping breaths, struggling for self-control. "Darkstripe said he was going out to hunt," he began. "I went with him, but when we got into the forest he said he had to make dirt. He went behind a bush and I waited for him. He was taking a long time, so I went to look--and he'd gone!" His eyes stretched wide with dismay. "If Sorrelkit dies, I'll never forgive myself."
"Sorrelkit won't die," Firestar reassured him, though she was not certain that it was the truth. The kit was still very ill. And now there was something else to worry about. Brackenfur's story showed that Darkstripe had realized he was being watched. He had gotten rid of his guard very neatly. He must have had a reason, Firestar reflected. What had the dark tabby meant to do, and why had he tried to kill Sorrelkit?
"What do you want me to do now?" Brackenfur asked miserably.
"Stop blaming yourself, to begin with, or else I'll get Sandstorm over here and have her make you stop blaming yourself," Firestar replied. "Darkstripe was bound to let us know where his loyalties lie sooner or later."
Except for her anxiety over Sorrelkit, Firestar wasn't sorry that Darkstripe had shown his true self in a way that no cat could ignore. Although she had hoped to keep the dark warrior in the Clan, where she could watch him for signs of treachery, now she knew that Darkstripe would never be loyal, to her or to ThunderClan, and there could be no place for a cat who would poison a defenseless kit. Let Dirtstripe rot like the rogue that he is, Firestar thought.
"Carry on guarding Darkstripe," she went on to Brackenfur. "You can let him know you're doing it now. Tell him from me he's not to leave camp until Sorrelkit can tell her story."
Brackenfur gave a tense nod and hurried across to the nettle patch, where she crouched beside Darkstripe and spoke to him. The warrior snarled something in reply and went back to tearing apart his piece of fresh-kill.
As Firestar watched, a pawstep sounded behind her and she turned to see Cinderpelt, the dark gray she-cat came to stand close beside her, her blue eyes shining with concern for her leader and friend. "Graystripe told me what happened, are you alright?"
"I think so, why?" Firestar was confused as to why Cinderpelt was so concerned for her, it was Sorrelkit after all who was poisoned.
"Firestar," Cinderpelt drew out. "You've had kits of your own, you must feel anxious about the situation. It could have been Bramblepaw or Squirrelpaw in Sorrelkit's situation and...I know that you're Clan leader, and think that you have all the responsibilities of the whole Clan but...there are some things that you just can't control. And I don't want you to feel guilty over something that you couldn't avoid."
"Cinderpelt...Thank you," Firestar felt a swell of emotion choking in her throat, to have Cinderpelt's support and advice over this, she felt that tension in her stomach loosen just a bit.
"You need to eat," Cinderpelt meowed at last after a moment. "And I haven't either, want to share?" she continued as the pair padded together over to the nettle patch. "I said I'd relieve Graystripe later, to guard Spottedleaf's den."
"Thanks," Firestar mewed.
She shot a glance at the black-stripped warrior as they walked past him to the pile of fresh-kill. Darkstripe had finished his meal; he rose to his paws and stalked toward the warriors den without acknowledging Firestar's presence. Brackenfur followed with a determined look on his face.
Dustpelt emerged from the den with Sandstorm right behind him just as Darkstripe reached it; Firestar couldn't help noticing that the brown tabby veered sharply away as he went to join Fernpaw outside the apprentices den. And how Sandstorm glared openly at the dark warrior who passed her. The cats of ThunderClan were making their feelings very clear. Dustpelt had been Darkstripe's apprentice, and now he didn't even want to speak to his former mentor.
Sandstorm allowed Darkstripe to pass and Brackenfur had stopped briefly to talk to her. His expression was twisted into guilt as Sandstorm talked to him, a fierce passion in her eyes. Firestar was too far away to hear, but she was sure that whatever she said had lightened Brackenfur's spirit as they both disappeared into the warrior's den.
"I heard about the patrol," Cinderpelt meowed after a moment, trying to distract Firestar out of her thoughts. "Ashpaw was talking about an assessment, are you planning to make them warriors?"
"I think they are ready, don't you think?" Firestar asked, finding herself wanting her former apprentice's advice.
"They certainly know enough," Cinderpelt meowed, nodding her head in agreement. "I think they're as ready as any cat."
"Then if things go well tomorrow," Firestar decided, "They'll be made warriors."
"Are you going to tell them?" Cinderpelt questioned, tipping her head to the side.
"Yep, the four of us will take the dawn patrol tomorrow. That should give me a chance to see how they're shaping up--not that I have any doubts about Fernpaw." Firestar decided, thinking about the two oldest apprentices.
"Of course not," Cinderpelt purred. "You trained the best warriors, don't you know!"
"You flatter yourself," Firestar meowed teasingly, swatting playfully at her former apprentice, who ducked out of reach.
"Go and tell them now, that way they'll know!" Cinderpelt meowed, giving Firestar an encouraging look.
"I will," Firestar replied, taking a quick bite of her magpie. "I want a word with the other apprentices, too."
When she and Cinderpelt had finished eating, the dark gray she-cat went off to Spottedleaf's den, while Firestar padded over toward the tree stump where the apprentices ate. Dustpelt and Fernpaw were already there with Ashpaw, Leafpaw and Squirrelpaw, Swifttail was just padding over from the elders den, Spottedpaw close beside him.
"Ashpaw, Fernpaw," Firestar saw the apprentices in question look at her with curiosity as she settled in between them. "Are your claws sharp? Are all your warrior skills ready to be tested?"
Ashpaw sat up straight, understanding what Firestar was saying. "Yes, Firestar!"
"We're being made warriors!" Fernpaw gasped in surprise, her fur fluffing up with shock and excitement.
"Dawn patrol tomorrow, then," Firestar told them. "If it goes well, we'll hold your ceremonies at sunhigh."
The siblings, quivering with excitement could only manage to nod in agreement, their eyes huge with anticipation as their den mates crowded around them, talking to them with excitement of their own. It felt amazing to be able to do something for her deceased friend, Brindleface, and making her kits, which were beyond ready, warriors made her feel proud as ever. Are you happy about this as much as they are? Firestar thought silently, looking fondly at both siblings as her kits circled around them, talking about the upcoming ceremony.
"Now I bet your name will be Fernleaf!" Leafpaw teased, her eyes shining with mirth from all those seasons ago at how they joked about their warrior names. Firestar was surprised that they remembered that point in time.
"And yours would be Ashweed!" Squirrelpaw teased Ashpaw, nudging his shoulder in good fun as the gray tom widened his eyes in dismay.
"I'm not a weed!" he protested over the murmurs of amusement from the other assembled cats.
"Of course you're not," Leafpaw amended, although she still shared an amused look with her darker ginger sister.
"Firestar," Fernpaw began hesitantly, unsure if she should bring it up around the others. "Have you decided what to do with Darkstripe yet? I can't stand the thought of not knowing what his punishment would be if he really did hurt Sorrelkit."
"Sorrelkit isn't awake yet, but if Darkstripe is responsible, he will be punished," Firestar promised. The look on Fernpaw's face was grim satisfaction about being assured.
"Sorrelkit?" Swifttail meowed, his head looking around at all the assembled cats. "What's going on that involves Sorrelkit? Did something happen while me and Spottedpaw were out gathering moss for the elders?"
Immediately Squirrelpaw and Ashpaw shifted position to crouch beside him and Spottedpaw, and began passing on the news in hushed voices.
"What do you plan to do with Darkstripe if he's guilty?" Dustpelt asked Firestar, taking it for granted that Darkstripe was guilty.
"I believe he is," Fernpaw spoke up, her eyes flashing as she turned her head up to look at Dustpelt. "He's a mouse-heart, and you know it. He even called Sorrelkit an idiot! You should have seen him, no sympathy whatsoever! I don't trust him as far as I can throw the Great Rock to Highstones!"
"Don't let Darkstripe sour your mood, Fernpaw," Firestar meowed to her apprentice, trying to calm her fiery spirit. "Besides, by tomorrow you'll be sleeping with the warriors." Fernpaw instantly brightened, and Dustpelt looked approvingly at Firestar for once.
"I'm sure both Ashpaw and Fernpaw will do excellent on their assignment," Dustpelt meowed, looking admiringly at Fernpaw.
"I know they will," Firestar meowed reassuringly as she glanced over at her apprentice from over her shoulder, as she padded towards her den. "Patrol at dawn, don't forget!"
Firestar padded into her den, the cold chill that came from the barren singular leader's den made her feel empty. She was alone in this den, by herself, from now on. She couldn't stop the pang of anticipation of waking up tomorrow for the dawn patrol.
Heavy rain fell during the night. When Firestar led her apprentice, Fernpaw, and Dustpelt and Ashpaw out of the camp at dawn, she saw that the light snowfall had vanished. Every fern and clump of grass was loaded with drops of water that shone as daylight seeped into the sky. Shivering, Firestar set a brisk pace.
She could see from the gleam in the apprentice's eyes that the young cats were wildly excited, although they tried valiantly to stay calm, determined to show their leader and mentors that they were fit to be made warriors. The four cats paused at the top of the ravine, where the breeze was carrying a strong scent of mouse. Fernpaw flashed a look of permission at Firestar, who nodded approvingly at her apprentice who had asked for orders.
"We're not hunting," she mewed quietly. "But we won't say no to a bit of prey. Ashpaw, let's see you in action." Firestar had no doubts about Fernpaw, it was mostly Ashpaw she wanted to assess.
Ashpaw stood at attention, his nose and eyes trained ahead as he pinpointed the mouse scuffling among the leaves under a bush. Stealthily he crept up on it, his body falling smoothly into the hunter's crouch. Firestar noticed approvingly that he remembered how sensitive the mouse would be to the vibrations of his pawsteps; he almost seemed to float over the ground like a cloud. Then he sprang, and turned back to Firestar, his sister and his mentor with triumph in his eyes and the limp body of the mouse in his jaws.
"Well done!" meowed Dustpelt, sounding smug but the underline of pride was there.
"That was very well done, Ashpaw!" Fernpaw complemented her brother.
"That was great," Firestar agreed. "Bury it now, and we'll pick it up on the way back."
When Ashpaw had scraped earth over his catch, Firestar led the patrol toward Snakerocks. She had not been this way since that dreadful morning when she had discovered the dogs and the scent trail they had left for them to follow all the way to camp. She remembered the fear on all of her Clanmates faces, their fear overpowering by the mere thought. But this morning she could detect nothing but the ordinary forest scents. When they reached Snakerocks everything was silent. The howls and barking that she had hard coming from the cave were now no more than a memory.
"Right, Fernpaw," Firestar mewed to her apprentice, trying not to reveal the clinging horror that she still felt about this place. "What can you smell?"
The apprentice lifted her head and opened her jaws wide to draw air past her scent glands. Firestar could see that she was concentrating fiercely.
"Fox," she meowed firmly. "It's stale, two... three days at the least. Squirrel. And….and just a trace of a dog." Fernpaw shuddered as she looked up at her mentor, who could see that she shared the young cat's own misgivings. Fernpaw knew just as well as Firestar about the dogs, how much power they held over the cats for a while, hunting them in their own hunting grounds. Fernpaw was one of the cats to make the chase with the dogs, and knew personally what to expect. They were the ones that killed Willowpelt, leaving her kits orphaned, and attacked Spottedpaw.
"Anything else?" she questioned, looking approvingly at her apprentice.
"The Thunderpath," Fernpaw instantly replied. "And--something else…" She tasted the air again, this time taking in a deeper breath. "I... think I can smell a faint scent of cats. But it's not any of the Clans that I know. Coming from over there." She flicked her tail. "What do you think?"
Firestar took a deep breath and realized that Fernpaw was right. The breeze was blowing a faint trace of unfamiliar cat scent toward them.
"Let's take a look," Firestar murmured. "And be careful. It might only be a lost kittypet, but you can never tell."
"We can handle it," Dustpelt grumbled, but the four cats padded warily through the undergrowth, the scent grew stronger. Firestar felt more certain now about the scent.
"Rogues or loners," she meowed. "Three of them, I'd guess. And the scent is fresh. We must have just missed them." and she realized, just faintly, one of those scents she could recognize, or at least that she had scented it once before...but where?
"What are they doing on our territory though?" Dustpelt questioned. "Are they Tigerstar's rogues, do you think?" He was referring to the band of Clanless cats who had helped Tigerstar attack ThunderClan during his exile, before he had joined ShadowClan.
"Nonsense," Fernpaw said. "They took on ShadowClan's stinky scent long ago...they reek of it if you hadn't noticed." she scrunched up her dainty nose in disgust.
"So they must be someone else." Ashpaw confirmed for the group.
"As for what they're doing," Firestar added. "I'd like to know that, too. Let's follow them. Ashpaw, you lead."
The pale gray tom took the lead, the apprentice's excitement at their upcoming warrior ceremony lost completely in the wake of the possible threat from the group of rogues. Ashpaw did his best to follow the scent but lost it in a marshy stretch of ground, where not even Firestar could pick it up again.
"I'm sorry, Firestar," mewed Ashpaw, crestfallen.
"It's not your fault," Firestar reassured him. "If the scent's gone, it's gone." She raised her head, staring in the direction the trail had led them. It looked as if the strange cats were heading for the Thunderpath, or perhaps for Twoleg Place. In either case, they were on their way out of the territory. She shrugged."I'll tell a patrol to keep a lookout, but hopefully there's nothing to worry about. It was well scented, Fernpaw. And you did very well with tracking that scent, Ashpaw." Looking at the two young cats with a look of approval, she purred. "Let's all head back to camp. We have two apprentices that are more than ready to become warriors."
"Really!" Ashpaw squeal was instantly hushed when Dustpelt gave him a sharp look. But Dustpelt looked just as excited as his apprentice, or, more for Fernpaw anyway.
"Yes, Really," Firestar purred, changing directions to begin heading back to camp. "You both proved yourselves remarkably well, more times than you think." and that was true, Firestar could count many important situations that she found Fernpaw in. The fire, battle at Sunningrocks, and the dog chase, it was all there, and Ashpaw was just as ready and remarkable as his sister.
And that is how Firestar found herself on top of the Highrock, calling the Clan to order. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"
Almost at once Firestar saw the two apprentices, and siblings, Fernpaw and Ashpaw approaching from the apprentices den with Dustpelt beside Ashpaw. All three cats had groomed themselves for the ceremony. Fernpaw's pale gray coat was slick and shiney silver in the low light of leaf-bare, the darker flecks pebbling her pelt with a rain sprinkling pattern. Her green eyes shined as bright as her brothers blue ones. And Dustpelt gazed from Ashpaw's other side at her, looking like he would burst with pride.
Firestar herself felt bursting with pride, here was Fernpaw and Ashpaw, the first cats that she would be making into warriors during her leadership. And she couldn't be more happy for them to be Brindleface's kits and her own apprentice. You saw two apprentices into warrior's now, how many more do you plan to take Firestar? She asked herself with a burst of giddiness. Hopefully a lot more till it's my time to join StarClan. She decided.
As she waited for the rest of the Clan to emerge, Firestar spotted Spottedleaf and Mothpaw and Bramblepaw coming from her den. Graystripe was with her, and the two cats had their heads together, talking in low voices, while Bramblepaw and Mothpaw stood tentatively to the side, giving them privacy. Firestar wondered how Sorrelkit was getting on. She had briefly looked into the medicine cat's den before she left with the dawn patrol. The kit had been sleeping then, curled inside her oldest son's belly fur and Spottedleaf hadn't been prepared to say whether she thought the poison was out of her system. Firestar decided to check on Sorrelkit again as soon as the ceremony was over.
She could not help noticing Darkstripe emerging from the warriors den with Brackenfur right behind him. When they sat down in front of the Highrock, a space cleared itself all around them. None of the other cats wanted to be anywhere near Darkstripe. The warrior stared straight ahead with a sneer on his face, but Firestar guessed he would be as anxious as the rest of them to know if Sorrelkit would recover.
But she did notice Sandstorm come to sit by her mate's side, pressing reassuringly against him. But Brackenfur only acknowledged her by pressing closer against her, his gaze firmly locked on Darkstripe.
Firestar looked down at the rest of the Clan for a moment. Eyeing out her kits Mothpaw and Bramblepaw were already stationed near Spottedleaf, as she already knew. Her son and daughter wouldn't want to be far away from Sorrelkit if anything were to happen. Leafpaw and Squirrelpaw sat next to Thornclaw and Goldenflower and Sorrelkit's two brothers, Squirrelpaw sharing a matching glare with Sootkit. Spottedpaw sat with her mentor and the elders near the middle. And Cloudtail had gone to join them. Then Firestar's eyes rested on her apprentice and her brother.
Her voice rang out clearly as she began the ceremony with the words that were familiar to her from her own ceremony and all the others she had seen. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." Firestar turned to Ashpaw first, and continued. "Ashpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Ashpaw's chin jutted out as he meowed firmly, "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan," Firestar declared. "I give you your warrior name. Ashpaw, from this moment you will be known as Ashfur. StarClan honors your integrity and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Leaping down, she stepped forward, Firestar rested her muzzle on the top of Ashfur's head, feeling the new warrior quiver with excitement. Ashfur licked her shoulder in return, before stepping back to join the warriors.
"Fernpaw," Firestar turned toward her own apprentice then, Fernpaw had stood watching her brother with pride during his ceremony. And Firestar could see Fernpaw's green eyes turn to her, they shined with happiness and fear as Firestar continued. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Fernpaw drew herself up, her eyes shining with green fire as her words came out ringing clear. "I do."
"Then by the power of StarClan," Firestar declared, a barely concealed purr of pride tingling underneath her words. "I give you your warrior name: Fernpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ferncloud. StarClan honors your intelligence along with your courageous heart, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Once again, Firestar stepped forward and rested her muzzle on top of her apprentice's head. The pale gray she-cat licked her mentor's shoulder gratefully and stepped back and listened to the sound of her and her brother's warrior name's be called.
"Ashfur, Ferncloud, Ashfur, Ferncloud, Ashfur, Ferncloud!" Firestar's clanmates yowled the new warriors name's, crowding around them and pressed themselves to them as they congratulated them. Both warriors looked overwhelmed, their voices choked with emotion as they thanked their peers. But it was all done with pride.
"Ferncloud, huh?" Leafpaw could be heard as she pressed her muzzle against her former denmates side as she came to congratulate her, "It does sound better than Fernleaf!"
"And Ashfur isn't a bad name either!" Squirrelpaw agreed, shoving Ashfur playfully in the shoulder.
"Thank you, Leafpaw and Squirrelpaw!" Ferncloud choked out, her green eyes turning to look at her former mentor and leader who nodded her head in congradulations. Ferncloud perked up and her chest fur puffed out with pride.
Firestar turned her head when she heard the approach of Whitestorm, ThunderClan's deputy who congratulated the two young cats. Then to Firestar, he added, "I looked in on Sorrelkit just before the ceremony. She was starting to wake up, Spottedleaf thinks she'll recover."
"That's great news!" Firestar purred. Whitestorm, she remembered, was Sorrelkit's father. "Do you think she's fit yet to tell us what happened?"
"You'll have to ask Spottedleaf," the white warrior replied. "Go on--I'll see to the patrols." Firestar thanked him and hurried toward the medicine cat's den.
Spottedleaf met her at the mouth of the fern tunnel. "I was just coming to look for you," she meowed. After hearing Whitestorm's good news, Firestar was surprised to see the depth of anxiety in her eyes. "Sorrelkit is awake," she went on. "She's going to be fine. But you need to hear the story she has to tell."
Sorrelkit was curled up in a mossy nest near the entrance to Spottedleaf's den. She raised her head from where it was laying on Bramblepaw's flank, who was with her to help keep her warm, when Firestar approached with the tortoiseshell medicine cat, but her eyes were heavy and it looked as though she was finding it difficult to move.
Cinderpelt was crouched close beside her on guard duty. "Poor little scrap," she murmured to Firestar."She nearly died. We've got to do something about Darkstripe." The last part came out with a silent hiss of anger towards the dark tom warrior.
And it seemed the dark gray she-cat shared the same feelings as Spottedleaf; she would have heard Sorrelkit's story too, Firestar realized, both them, Mothpaw and Bramblepaw. She nodded. "You leave Darkstripe to me." settling down beside Sorrelkit, she mewed gently to her like she would with her own kits. "I'm glad to see you're awake, Sorrelkit. Can you tell me what happened to you?"
The tiny tortoiseshell kit blinked up at her, then looked to Bramblepaw who gave her a reassuring lick on the head. "Sootkit and Rainkit were asleep in the nursery," she began in a faint voice. "But I wasn't sleepy. Goldenflower wasn't watching, so I went to go find Bramblepaw. But he wasn't in camp, so I went looking in the ravine. I thought he was there. But all I saw was Darkstripe instead." Her voice shook and she hesitated.
"Go on," Firestar encouraged her. While Bramblepaw gave her another encouraging lick to the head.
"He was coming up the ravine by himself. I knew he should have had Brackenfur with him, and I...I wondered where he was going. I followed him--I remembered the time he took Bramblepaw and his siblings out of the camp that time, and I thought I might have an adventure like that, too."
Firestar felt a pang of sadness as she remembered how Sorrelkit was always so bright and curious, getting into trouble because of her misguided courage. This limp scrap of fur didn't look at all adventurous now, and Firestar could only hope that with Spottedleaf's care and Bramblepaw's support that she would soon be her lively self again.
"I followed him a long way," Sorrelkit went on, sounding rather proud of herself. "I'd never been so far from the camp. I hid from Darkstripe too--he didn't know I was there. And then he met another cat--a cat I'd never seen before."
"What other cat? What did he look like? What scent did it have?" Firestar questioned her urgently.
Sorrelkit looked bewildered. "I didn't recognize the scent," she mewed. Her nose wrinkled. "But it was yucky. He was a big thick-furred ginger tabby with amber eyes...and a really big head!"
Firestar stared at her as she realized whom she had seen. "Jaggedtooth!" she exclaimed. "He was one of Tigerstar's rogues. And that must have been the ShadowClan scent you smelled, Sorrelkit."
"And what's Darkstripe doing, slinking around meeting ShadowClan cats on our territory?" Cinderpelt growled. "That's what I want to know."
"So what happened then?" Firestar prompted the kit.
"I got scared," Sorrelkit admitted, looking ashamed. "I ran back to camp, but I think Darkstripe must have heard me, because he caught up with me in the ravine. I thought he would be angry because I spied on him, but he told me how clever I was. He gave me some red berries for a special treat. They looked tasty, but when I ate them I started to feel really ill...And I don't remember anything else, except waking up here with Bramblepaw."
She sank her head back onto Bramblepaw's flank as she finished, as if telling the long story had exhausted her.
Spottedleaf nosed her gently, checking her breathing. "Those were deathberries," she mewed. "You must never, ever touch them again."
"I won't, Spottedleaf, I promise," murmured the tiny kit.
"Thank you, Sorrelkit," Firestar meowed. She was angry but not surprised to discover that Graystripe had been right all along. The real shock was the news that Jaggedtooth had been seen on ThunderClan territory, and that Darkstripe had obviously arranged to meet him.
"What are you going to do about Darkstripe?" Cinderpelt demanded, overlooking the fact that she was talking to the Clan leader. "Cause I can give you a few suggestions." there was an angry glint in her former apprentice's eye, and Firestar almost indulged her in asking, but decided against it.
"I'll have to question him," Firestar replied. "But I don't expect he'll tell me anything."
"He can't stay in ThunderClan after this," Bramblepaw piped up, keeping his voice low, "There's more than one cat who would rip his throat out for a couple of mouse tails, and to be honest? I'm one of them." and her oldest sounded like he meant it.
"You leave him to me," she told them grimly.
Spottedleaf, Mothpaw and Bramblepaw stayed behind with Sorrelkit, who was drifting off to sleep again, while Firestar returned to the clearing with Cinderpelt. Many of the cats were still there, sharing tongues after the earlier meeting. Whitestorm was heading for the gorse tunnel with Sandstorm and Brightheart.
The patrol turned back and all the cats looked up, startled, as Firestar bounded to the top of the Highrock and yowled the summons to another meeting. Her gaze sought out Darkstripe, but there was no sign of him.
"Where's Darkstripe?" she meowed at Graystripe as her friend made his way to the base of the rock.
"In the den," Graystripe replied.
"Fetch him."
Graystripe disappeared into the warriors den, and emerged a moment later with Darkstripe and Brackenfur by his side. All three cats returned to the base of the Highrock, where Darkstripe sat and looked up at Firestar with a sneer on his face.
"Well?" he asked. "What does our noble leader want now?"
Firestar met his eyes steadily. "Sorrelkit is awake."
For a few heartbeats Darkstripe held her gaze, and then he looked away. "Have you called a Clan meeting to tell us that?" His tone was scoffing, but his fur had bristled uneasily at the news.
"Cats of ThunderClan." Firestar raised her voice. "I've called you together so that you can witness what Darkstripe has to say. You all heard what happened to Sorrelkit yesterday. She's awake now, and Spottedleaf say's she'll be fine. I've talked to her and she confirms what Graystripe said. Darkstripe did feed her the deathberries. So, Darkstripe"--her gaze went back to the dark warrior below-- "what do you have to say for yourself?"
"She's lying," Darkstripe retorted. An angry hiss came from more than one of the cats around him, and he added, blustering, "Or she made a mistake. Kits never listen to what any cat says. She obviously didn't hear me properly when I told her not to eat them."
"She's not lying or mistaken," Firestar meowed. "And she told me something even more interesting; your reason for feeding her deathberries. She saw you meeting Jaggedtooth, one of ShadowClan's warriors, on our territory. Would you like to tell us what that was all about?"
More furious snarls came from the Clan, and a cat at the back of the crowd yowled, "Traitor!" Firestar had to signal with her tail for silence, and it was several moments before the angry cats quieted down again.
Darkstripe waited until he could make himself heard. "I don't have to justify myself to a kittypet," he growled.
"That's the Clan leader you're talking to!" Thornclaw snarled out from beside a bristling Leafpaw, while Squirrelpaw herself yowled something threatening.
Firestar kept her head high, her eyes regarding Darkstripe coldly as she took in a breath at her Clan's support. "That's exactly what you have to do. I want to know what you think you were doing speaking with an enemy warrior on our territory outside of a Gathering." pure anger coursed through her, and she had to take a second to swallow it back before continuing. "Darkstripe, you have the chance to be honest here and now, what were you doing speaking with Jaggedtooth?"
Darkstripe met her eyes resentfully and did not reply. Firestar remembered how she had caught him on the morning the pack attacked, trying to slip away from the camp with most of her kits. Darkstripe had deliberately tried to abandon his Clan, and take her kits as some sort of peace offering for Tigerstar in order to seek permission into his Clan. Leaving the rest of his Clan to a ghastly death without ever trying to help them.
That was what his loyalty to ThunderClan was worth.
Firestar wanted to be fair, so that no cat, not even Darkstripe himself, could accuse her of persecuting Tigerstar's former allies. Even more than that, Firestar was still unsure of what Darkstripe might do if he left ThunderClan and was free to go to Tigerstar. But she was left with no choice. Exile was the only possible sentence for a cat guilty of Darkstripe's crime.
"You could have been a valuable warrior," she went on to Darkstripe. "I gave you one chance after another to prove yourself. I wanted to trust you, and--"
"Trust me?" Darkstripe interrupted. "You've never trusted me. Do you think I didn't know you told that golden fool to watch me?" He spat the last words toward Brackenfur, still seated beside him. "Did you expect me to live the rest of my days with a shadow?"
"No. I was waiting for you to show your loyalty," Firestar crouched on the rock and held Darkstripe's furious gaze without flinching. "This is the Clan where you were born; these are the cats you grew up with. Doesn't that mean anything to you? The warrior code says you should protect them with your life!"
As Darkstripe rose to his paws Firestar thought she could see fear flickering in his eyes, as if the dark warrior had never intended to make a final break with ThunderClan. He could not be sure, after all, that Tigerstar would welcome him; he had made no move to follow the former deputy into exile, and he had nothing to offer to the ShadowClan leader now that Firestar was aware of his intentions with her kits. Tigerstar was not a cat that appreciated groveling from a waste of fur like Darkstripe.
But there was no trace of fear or regret in Darkstripe's voice as he spoke. "This is not my Clan," he hissed scornfully, to gasps of shock from the warriors around him. "Not any longer. ThunderClan is led by a kittypet, and there's nothing left to fight for. I feel no loyalty to ThunderClan. In the whole forest, the only cat worth following is Tigerstar."
"Then follow him," Firestar retorted. "You are no longer a warrior of ThunderClan. If you are found in our territory after sunset today, we shall treat you as we would any enemy. Go now."
Darkstripe's burning gaze held Firestar's for a moment longer, but he did not reply. Unhurriedly, he turned his back on Firestar and stalked toward the camp entrance. The cats nearby drew back as he passed them.
"You know what will be waiting for you if you try to come back," Cloudtail snarled, curling his lip. Ferncloud, Cloudtail's foster sister and Firestar former apprentice also spat, "Go crawl to those fox-dungs, mouse-heart, I see you again you'd be the one wishing you ate deathberries." Goldenflower, Sorrelkit's foster mother, said nothing, but spat, her fur bristling with unhinged disgust for the dark warrior.
As soon as the tip of Darkstripe's tail had vanished into the tunnel, a murmur of speculation broke out among the crowd of cats. One voice rose up clearly. "Has Darkstripe gone to ShadowClan?" asked Squirrelpaw.
The ginger she-cat was one of those that rose up in anger at Darkstripe's evil deeds. But now that things have quieted down, and the thought of where Darkstripe would most likely be heading, had intrigued her young daughter. And in her expression there was something Firestar couldn't read.
She froze at her daughter's question. Squirrelpaw knew that her father was the leader of ShadowClan. What could possibly be inside Squirrelpaw's mind when she thought of ShadowClan and her father? Secretly, Firestar knew that Squirrelpaw had a paw on the borderline of going to join ShadowClan, always, but yet she stayed in ThunderClan. And Firestar desperately tried everything in her power to keep her there.
"I don't know," Firestar replied. Addressing all the cats, she added, "If you scent him, or any ShadowClan cats, tell me or Whitestorm. And that reminds me--this morning Ferncloud scented rogue cats on our territory. Keep a lookout for them, too, and report anything you find."
Giving the orders helped her calm down. She could not help feeling the first creeping sensations of relief that at last she had Darkstripe out of her fur. There would be no more kittypet taunts, no more worries about whether all the Clan's business was being relayed straight to Tigerstar. Even though Firestar was worried about what Darkstripe would do now, there was more gain than loss in the dark warrior's departure. Yet still Firestar could not help wishing that she could have earned his loyalty. But still, she was not sad to see him go.
Firestar leaped down from the Highrock. Now that everything was over exhaustion hit her like a blow from a badger's paw. What she wanted more than anything was to curl up with her friends in the warriors den, to share tongues and sleep. But as leader of the Clan, she couldn't do that.
Darkstripe's treachery and the knowledge that ShadowClan cats were on her territory had revived all the memories of her nine-lives ceremony. Why had the snakes appeared in her dream, and the river of blood that had flowed around them like they were swimming through water? What does Bluestar's prophecy mean?
Desperate for answers, Firestar decided she would go to Spottedleaf's den to see if the medicine cat had received any guidance from StarClan.
To her relief, Cinderpelt was no longer on guard; she did not want the dark gray she-cat to see her like this. Sorrelkit was asleep, curled around a sleeping Bramblepaw, and so was Mothpaw, and from the mouth of the split rock came faint sounds of Spottedleaf moving around inside. Firestar went closer and saw the pretty tortoiseshell rearranging the piles of healing herbs and berries that she kept there.
"Nearly out of juniper…" she murmured quietly to herself, then saw Firestar. "Firestar? What happened?"
She gracefully padded out of the den and came up to her, nosing her anxiously as she smelled the leader's fear scent. "Firestar, what's wrong?"
Firestar shook her head to clear it of apprehension. It was a relief to go right back to the beginning, and tell Spottedleaf about the dream that had come to her as she lay beside the Moonstone.
Spottedleaf sat beside her and listened in silence, her steady amber gaze never leaving Firestar's face as she spoke. Spottedleaf was a comfort and also great relief for Firestar's nerves, the older and wiser medicine cat she could trust.
"Bluestar told me, "Four will become one. Fire and ice will meet in battle, and blood will rule the forest," Firestar finished. "And then blood came flooding from the dark along with the snakes and started to fill the hollow. Blood everywhere...Spottedleaf, what does it all mean?"
"I think--" Spottedleaf began slowly, her eyes trained solely on Firestar. "That danger is coming, far worse than the dogs that we have already faced. The snake represents an enemy in disguise as an innocent bystander. And the blood, the blood is something that gratefully concerns me."
"So, you are saying that something worse than dogs is going to destroy us?" Firestar questioned, her fur standing on ends. What could be worse than the dogs?
"I'm not sure just what," Spottedleaf admitted, her eyes puzzled. "But don't worry, Firestar. Like the dogs, whatever it is we have to face, we'll face together. There's still hope in this, I know that much for sure."
Spottedleaf pushed her nose gently against Firestar's fur to comfort her, but though Firestar was grateful for her sympathy and understanding, she could not forget the horror of her dreams and what Spottedleaf had just told her. What enemies are coming that are more dangerous than the dogs? What will spill more blood than the dogs could? And what hope do ThunderClan really have against this threat?
0o0o0o
Long time, no update am I right? Sorry, a lot of things on my mind recently and well...you can see my point in things? Can't update every time am I right? XD although I will make an effort to try to update at least once a week! Promise! XD this is not dead! At all! And onto the trivia! I love Trivia! And facts, lots and lots of facts! About my story that is!
Nutmeg, Firestar and Princess mother is a Tonkinese breed of cat! (in my story) They can have up to more kittens than the standard five, meaning Firestar is also part Tonkinese, and also making her able to have more than five kits! (one Tonkinese mother was credited with up to 19 kittens--the largest number ever recorded!)
The enemy in disguise Spottedleaf was referring too was Vixen, the stray that Firestar ran into way back of this! Vixen is the snake that brings BloodClan into the mix from Firestar's story of the wonders of the forest!
Bramblepaw is very protective of Sorrelkit and her siblings, and he was actually prepared to kill Darkstripe for what he had done to her.
Cinderpelt never mentioned it, but she was very impressed by Bramblepaw's dedication to Willowpelt's kits, and thinks that he is maturing into a great warrior.
Firestar is aware of Squirrelpaw's loyalty to both of her parents, meaning that Squirrelpaw also is loyal to Tigerstar and Firestar is constantly worried that Squirrelpaw will one day join Tigerstar in ShadowClan.
Squirrelpaw, although unknown by others, secretly dreams about joining ShadowClan whenever she has nothing to do. Although her stubbornness and pride makes her stay in ThunderClan, although if she were to overlook those qualities, she would most likely join ShadowClan.
Goldenflower approves of her son's affections for Spottedpaw, although makes it clear that he should wait till Spottedpaw is a warrior first before asking Spottedpaw to be his mate.
Spottedpaw is oblivious to Swifttails affections.
Although Swifttail loves Spottedpaw, his feelings do not get in the way of training her as his apprentice.
Goldenflower has official adopted Willowpelt's kits as her own, although it is also seen that Goldenflower is a second mother towards Firestar kits as well.
Tigerstar is unaware of Jaggedtooth and Darkstripe's meetings.
Blackfoot is loyal to Tigerstar, and is also unaware of Jaggedtooth and Darkstripe's meetings.
I really hate Darkstripe, that's why I kicked him out of ThunderClan. (oh, please! You'd have done the same thing!)
Sorrelkit is in love with Bramblepaw, although she does not realize it just yet as love.
Spottedpaw still has nightmares and Swifttail stays with her throughout the night to comfort her.
Sand x Bracken is an official ship of mine in the story!
Leafpaw takes after Nutmeg, so that might mean that she will have the greatest amount of kits out of Firestar's litter of kits! (although that extends to her other kits as well!)
Bramblepaw is the most mature, meaning he will have a more adult outlook on life.
Ferncloud and Ashfur are made warriors! Cause I wanted to make sure them so! And Firestar saw that they have matured into fine cats! (especially Ferncloud!)
I have already decided on who of Firestar kits will be the first to have a mate and kits before the others! Revealed in 'Daughter of Fire and Tiger'
Firestar tends to take Ferncloud's side on arguments, reason being is that Firestar realized that her apprentice is smarter than she seems and makes mature choices. She was right about RiverClan intending to invade during the Sunningrock's battle, and also the verdict about Darkstripe poisoning Sorrelkit.
Ferncloud is boss.
Sorrelkit is just adorable.
Firestar's female friends tend toward Sandstorm, Cinderpelt, Spottedleaf and Ferncloud. (who are unrelated)
Firestar's male friends tend towards Graystripe, Whitestorm and Brackenfur. (who are unrelated)
Tigerstar may never meet Princess, and Princess may actually feel really upset by that fact. (But then again, I am actually pondering the thought of bringing Princess into the Clans!)
Cloud x Bright will happen in my story! (and Brightheart was never injured in my story either!)
Brightheart's first ever apprentice is Bramblepaw, although she may actually have more apprentices in the future!
Things are going to exalt in the next chapter! So bare in mind that there will...be epicness!!!!!!