Unease and curiosity gripped Blackpaw as she followed Heathertail and Onestar toward the lake. When they came to the tree bridge she gripped the smooth surface with her claws to keep from tumbling into the swirling lake below. When she came into the clearing she realized it really was bigger than it looked. Onestar settled himself in a warm patch of sunlight and Heathertail sat next to him, "So is it true," Blackpaw asked
Heathertail looked at Onestar uncertainly, "She deserves to know the truth," the small tom mewed gently. Heathertail was about to speak when Squirrelflight, Lionblaze and Bramblestar appeared.
"Blackpaw," Squirrelflight sighed, there was sadness and sympathy in her green gaze.
"Have you told her yet Heathertail," Lionblaze asked stepping forward. Blackpaw noticed that Squirrelflight and Bramblestar did not look surprised to see Heathertail and Onestar with Blackpaw.
Does everyone know the truth except me?
"I was about to," Heathertail dipped her head in greeting then turned to Blackpaw, "I am your mother Blackpaw,"
The world seemed to spin around Blackpaw as her legs collapsed beneath her, "This isn't true is it," she asked weakly staring at Squirrelflight. Squirrelflight who suckled her, raised her and protected her.
"We are so sorry Blackpaw," Squirrelflight mewed stepping forward to comfort the apprentice, but Blackpaw scrabbled backward away from her.
"Who is my father?" Blackpaw asked in a daze.
"Lionblaze is," Heathertail murmured. Blackpaw whipped her head round to look at her mentor. The golden tabby sat with his shoulders hunched and head drooping in defeat.
"Why did you give me up," Blackpaw hissed at Heathertail.
"Because I am your father," Lionblaze whispered.
Blackpaw shook her head, "I don't understand,"
Onestar touched his nose to Heathertail's shoulder, "You should start at the beginning," Heathertail nodded. Blackpaw listened as her mother explained the tense history between herself, Lionblaze and Breezepelt. "If Breezepelt was willing to kill Lionblaze because he was his kin imagine what he would have done to you Blackpaw," Blackpaw looked into Heathertail's gaze, which were a heather blue and filled with pleading, sorrow and regret, "I didn't want to give you up, but I had to,"
Blackpaw turned to gaze at the lake, conflict was raging inside her, Where do I belong? She turned to face the others, "I understand why you did it, but how do I know where I belong," she asked wearily.
Lionblaze stepped forward, "I know how conflicted you feel," his tone was gentle, "I felt the same way when I learned my real parents were Leafpool and Crowfeather," Blackpaw gazed at her father, "You have to follow your heart,"
Blackpaw let her mind wander, she never felt truly at home under the trees. Her body was wiry like her mother's, built for speed and agility. She raised her head as she realized the call of the moors tugged at her heart. What will Firepaw think if I leave?
She turned to Bramblestar, Lionblaze and Squirrelflight, these warriors raised, fed and protected her as a kit, even though she was truly from Windclan. "Thank you for everything, but I need to follow my heart and my heart is telling me I belong on the moors,"
Bramblestar nodded as Squirrelflight stepped forward, "I will always be proud of you no matter what you choose," she murmured touching her nose to Blackpaw's ear.
"Who will be her mentor," Bramblestar asked Onestar.
"I have kept Crowfeather free in case this happened," the mottled light brown tabby mewed. Bramblestar nodded and turned to Blackpaw.
"You will always be welcome in Thunderclan," he dipped his head.
"It is getting late and it is a long journey to our camp," Onestar meowed getting to his paws.
Blackpaw padded to Lionblaze who looked defeated, "I won't ever forget what you did for me," she licked his shoulder "And I'll still see you at Gatherings," Lionblaze nodded and got to his paws.
"You will be a great warrior," he purred.