Fireheart, rogue of Thunderclan chapter 17, Look to the sky for dawn
Cold morning twilight covered the land. A rich dampness filled the forest, leaving everything soft and still. No birds sung, no sound of pitter patter as small things scurried in the underbrush, everything was still. Everything but one buring cinder, one deep red hued pelt that wound it's way through the woods. Fireheart, filled with nervous tension, pressed on through the quiet dawn. He was on a journey. A journey from Starclan to help rebuild a clan.
What had happened had seemed surreal at the time. After the battle against Bloodclan, Fireheart had followed the strange cat back to his old grounds in the twolegged place. There, the cat had explained to him that his clan, called Skyclan, was down to its last member, and that Fireheart was its only hope of growth and survival. He wasn't sure of it at first, but shortly after he returned to camp, and been welcomed back as a warrior, he was visited by Spottedleaf. Now Fireheart was sure that it was the will of Starclan that he we're to go restore this clan back to its old glory.
He was pained to leave the clan again so soon. After a short conversation with Cinderpelt and Greystripe, and a farewell from Sandstar, he had left with nothing more than a promise to return. With both his heart and body aching, he'd like to fulfill that promise now, but he know that, by the will and strength of Starclan, he had to press on. All he had to do was follow the river to its source.
He headed on briskly, following the sound of running water. He kept his pace, but didn't waist the opportunity to take in the forest once more. It was nice to be able to walk these grounds without fear again. Even the feeling of the dirt under his paws was refreshing, after being confined to trees for so long. The morning dampness helped his aching wounds, too, making them more tolerable. Though brief, it was good to walk the lands of Thunderclan again.
Sandstar found herself staring at the stone cold ceiling of her den, her mind a half meld of what had happened. Not even a day's rest at home, and Fireheart had left once more. While Sandstar trusted Starclan completely, she couldn't help to think that they were expecting to much from one tom. He hadn't even had the time to heal before they called him away to… somewhere. Fireheart and Cinderpelt hadn't even told Sandstar where he was going.
Sandstar's mind mushed over though. She was only half awake, and couldn't feel an emotional sting from it anymore. At the time, though, Sandstar felt like she was being given a dismissive paw. She was the leader of the clan, surely it was in her right to know. But, not wanting to anger Starclan, she let Fireheart go. And he had gone.
She had gotten up early this morning, only to find that Fireheart was ready to go. He had gotten herbs from Cinderpelt, and was saying goodbye to her and Greystripe. His fur had been mangled, and was still crusted with blood, proof that he didn't have the time to keep his pelt clean in light of recent events. One of his front legs was a little slack, and when he turned to face Sandstar, it shuttered. And, worst of all, she could see a formal respect for her in his eyes, like a warrior talking with another clans leader. Sandstar couldn't bare seeing such a distant look from an old friend. All she could do was see him off with a formal farewell.
She rolled onto her back, letting her paws stick up in the air in a vain half attempt at a stretch. She was still tired, but was too restless to get any more sleep right now. She opened her mouth in a big yawn, trying to wake her mind up. She wondered what she should do today. There was a lot that had to be done to help the clan heal from the scars of the fight. There were mouths to be fed, and supplies needed to be collected for the medicine den, especially with winter coming. She could always go hunting, help with a patrol, something to get herself moving. She flipped back onto her paws and stood up, and almost toppled over from the sudden rush of dizziness that rushed her.
A new thought popped into her head. She could follow Fireheart. His trail would be relatively fresh, and he wouldn't say no to an extra set of helping paws, nor could he to his leader. Besides, Starclan didn't say she couldn't go. The camp would be fine without her for a while.
She poked her head out of her den, and squinted her eyes in the morning light. The clan was already waking up. Hunting and border patrols were being put together by the gorse tunnel, and a few spars warriors were sharing a conversation over day old prey. Despite the wounds that covered the pelts of most of the cats, the camp was pretty lively. Sandstar stretched in the sunlight, letting it fill her with energy to meet the day. She could feel it in her ears, today was going to be a big day.
Authors note
It's good to be posting again. Hello, nice to see you all. Excuse the short chapter please, it's kinda a bump set to the next stage of the story.
I'd like to let you all know that I'm still accepting ideas for alternate endings. I don't feel it bears repeating, but hey, maybe you'd like to hear it again. I want to see some ideas about some post chapter "endings" I can add. Nothing official, though, spoiler warning, this story won't have one official end. I just want to add some tidbits so you can end the story the way y'all want to. This story will be running through the main series up to "The sight" In the power of 3 arc, and will dabble just a little in the manga series. I can't wait to hear from you.
Something I just noticed, I've been giving every chapter two names. That isn't embarrassing at all. They're not budging though. Just… try to get along with them.
Oh, and one last thing. I'd like to appologise to those that have been waiting on a new chapter for… way to long. I've been on the other side of fanfiction, and it ain't fun. Hey, for all I know, none of those from the beginning are still watching for a new chapter. But, I'm sorry all the same. Cross my heart the next chapter is under way.