Chapter 12, Moons frost
Sandstar didn't even have to see into the clearing to feel the heat of hostility that came from the clearing. She had brought all of her warriors, leaving the elders and queens to fend for themselves for the time being. The sky was overcast, as though Starclan themselves didn't want to see the clan's fate. A sluggish wind had continually caressed the slender sides of Sandstar's ears, and had made them perfectly numb. Tigerstar had demanded a meeting, calling both Windclan and Thunderclan, sending his invitation through an attack on Windclan. If Sandstar knew anything, it was that, either way, she wouldn't be leaving without a fight.
Sandstar broke the line of greenery that protected the clearing. She saw Windclan, already gathered near one side of the clearing, close to the great rock. Tigerstar, Leopardstar, and their respective clans… clan filled the other side. Sandstar, ignoring the gut feeling to fight or flee now, crossed the empty gap between her clan and Windclan. Thunderclan settled in behind her. Each of her warriors turned to face her, expectation in their combined gazes. Sandstar suppressed her instincts. Of all the positions she had been in or could have been in, this was her kit-hood dream and current day night-mare. The coarse balance between the four clans that had been lain out by the warrior ancestors rested with the final decision of four cats that had gathered here.
"Greetings, Sandstar. Good to see you and your clan could make it. I was worried you had forgotten." Tigerstar said.
"Do you think just because we have your prisoners we'd forget about you?" Sandstar mocked.
"I'll deal with you and them later." Tigerstar couldn't hide the spite from his voice. Tigerstar wasn't a cat that forgave. The closest two things were ether he 'conveniently forgot' or he got revenge in full, and Tigerstar had a memory as strong as his claws.
"Tigerstar, I know you didn't call all the clans here to talk about prisoners. What do you really want?" Tallstar couldn't hid the fear and aggression he had. He had come to fight
"Tawnypaw!" Bramblepaws urgent voice shot up from behind Sandstar. "What is she doing over there? Did Tigerstar steal her?" Tawnypaw shrunk a little as all eyes landed on her and her brother. She shifted uncomfortably, and didn't meet Bramblepaws disbelieving gaze.
Tigerstar's eyes glinted with interest as they focused in on his son. "No. I didn't take her. She came to me at her own free will. She saw the wisdom of coming to me instead of staying with Thunderclan. You should follow her example, Bramblepaw."
The air grew tense as all attention fell on Bramblepaw. Sandstar tensed as a cold spike drove itself though her back. When Tawnypaw went missing, with her scent trail leading right into Shadowclan, Sandstar had hoped she had gone to see her father, and was kept there against will. She watched, and waited, for Bramblepaw to cross over into his fathers clans.
Bramblepaw glanced at his leader, then at his sister. His jaw was shut tightly, as he fought with the option. But, in less than a moment, he spoke. "Join with a traitor and a murderer like you?! I'd rather die fighting you!" He shouted in defiance.
Sandstar's legs froze, then thawed having heard the tom's answer. "Well said." She said to him. She turned to face the rejected father. "As would Thunderclan!"
"And Windclan!" Tallstar added. Even old, his voice held the strength of a fighter. Both clans erupted as each cat yowled their support. Sandstar stood, ready to fight. She could feel her heart speed up to give her the energy to tear Tigerstar's fur off.
"You may want to rethink your answer!" Tigerstar cut the cheers apart with his threat. "Bloodclan!"
Fireheart's eyes drearily opened, and the last ribbon of his dream left him. He blinked, dazed at the sun's harsh light that now stole through the canopy of leaves and ended straight on his face. He pushed himself up, ignoring the sore, stiff feeling he had in one of his back legs. He bend forward to stretch the stiff limb, and he grunted with relieve as the stretch worked his leg into looseness. He looked up at the sun again. It was… nearly sun high. Fireheart had slept so peacefully. Maybe sleeping in uncomfortable positions was better in a nest.
Fireheart poked his head into the hole that he made his nest in, and looked down on the small cat that was in it. Her breathing was stronger that it was last night, and she looked more alive. She was tense, though. Fireheart wondered if she felt the pain of her hits. Fireheart thought of waking her to give her some poppy seed. But, she was Greystripes kit. If she had inherited any of her fathers traits, then she could take it… and would be real angry for being woken. She could eat the poppy on her own merit.
He backed out of the nest and paced away from the tree a few steps. He felt very hungry, and it would probably be best to let Featherpaw rest a little more before returning her. He jumped to a branch, then across to another tree. Soon, Fireheart found a dove, sitting in a ruined nest alone. Its left wing was stripped of feathers and had scars across it. Easy prey.
Before it could even chirp, Fireheart made the short leap onto the nest, keeping his balance easily on the thick branch. His landing hadn't been soft. He had crushed the life out of the bird. He gave it a killing bite to the neck, just to be sure its suffering was short. He said a small prayer to Starclan, picked up his catch, and made for home.
He was still thinking of how the bird would taste when he got home. The only thing that prevented him from eating it now was worry for Featherpaw. Fireheart knew not a lot could happen to a cat sleeping in a tree during leaf fall, but he wanted to be there in case something did happen.
To his surprise, and amusement, Featherpaw was outside the den, clinging to the thick of the branch as though the sky was dragging her towards it by her fur. She was shaking so much, the end of the branch was swaying as though it was in a vicious storm.
"What's the matter, Featherpaw. Haven't you climbed a tree before?" He called to her.
She didn't look at him. "No. I though only Thunderclan did that."
"And where do you think I came from?" Fireheart said.
She stole a glance at him, then flicked her head back forward.
"Your not going to lose your balance. You'll be fine." Fireheart encouraged.
He watched as she slowly withdrew her claws from the bark. She slowly took a backward step into Firehearts nest. She had just gotten her hind legs in when Fireheart jumped to the branch. The branch shook, causing what few leaves the limb had to slap against air. Featherpaw instinctively crouched… and hit her belly on the edge of the nest. She squeaked, and jumped back into the nest, bumping into the far side with her rump. She tumbled over herself in the small space, landing as a heap of cat onto the moss.
"Featherpaw? Are you okay?" Fireheart asked as he stuck his head into the space. She was curled up in pain from the hits, and her ear flicked repetitively.
"What am I doing in a tree." She coughed out. "Who would do this?"
Fireheart looked her over quickly before answering. She was banged up, but not bleeding or broken in any place, not even her new tares. "I brought you here. I didn't have anywhere else to take you."
She stared up at him with one eye, and her hear stopped twitching. She shook a little, then spoke. "Why would you bring me up here? What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Fireheart asked.
"I…" She closed her eye again to think. "I remember… You and father helping us to get out of Shadowclan camp. And being attacked when we tried to escape… What happened?" She heaved herself into a sitting position, showing no signs of being in pain. "And where's Stormpaw?"
"In Thunderclan camp, I suspect." Fireheart pulled his head out of the den to make space for Featherpaw. "I hope, at least." Fireheart's fears of being caught surfaced again, and he quickly glanced at the forest floor to make sure that there wasn't a Thunderclan patrol. "When we left camp, you and I got separated from Greystripe and Ravenpaw. My guess is that Stormpaw was with them."
"But that doesn't explain why we're in a tree." Featherpaw interrupted.
"Ah… yes. You should know, I'm not a part of Thunderclan anymore. So, to keep hidden from them, I stay in trees."
"Aren't Thunderclan cats know for climbing trees? Wouldn't they catch you scent some time or another?"
"Probably. But, it be hard to track a cat though the trees. Plus, we only climb trees for sport. With all the hardships that Thunderclan has to deal with, they probably don't have time. I haven't been caught yet."
"But your scent would get on the ground every time you change trees. And wouldn't it be tiring to climb trees over and over just to get somewhere?" Fireheart was surprised at how curious she was. He was sure she would be more worried about Stormpaw, or being with a rogue.
"I have my ways." Fireheart said, giving her a sneaky glance.
"Really? Like what?"
"Its true that If I touched the ground every time I wanted to switch trees, I could be tracked. So, I simply don't touch the ground."
"Really? Do you fly everywhere?" Featherpaw asked cynically.
"I could. Depends how far I have to jump for it to count for flying."
"You jump from trees to other trees?"
"To their branches, yes. If you get good at jumping, you can make it to thick branches on each trees. Keeps my scent off the ground, where it would be found.
"That's so cool! Can you teach me?" Fireheart could see the admiration sparkling in her eyes. She was just like an apprentice asking her mentor. In a twinge in the back of Firehearts heart, he couldn't help remembering Cinderpelt when she was his apprentice.
"I can. But, are you hurt?" Fireheart asked.
Author's note
This chapter is sponsored by and taken for liberty through the divided department of the Fanfiction of warriors fandom ship support. This story is not in part or full affiliated with either Erin Hunter or the women that act under the alias, and the character and setting are under full ownership of Erin Hunter, as is published by HarperCollins. This production is a Fan produced non-cannon Tribute to the character Firestar of Thunderclan. It is highly recommended that you have a moderate knowledge of the Warrior cats books to Fully understand and enjoy this transcript. We thank you for your patronage to this un-official "What if" story. Thank you.