Rising Moon

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.

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Chapter 37

The ThunderClan patrol made a brief stop at WindClan's camp on their way to RiverClan territory. The elders needed the rest, and here they were to meet with Onestar's patrol.

The group was preparing to leave just as they arrived. Among the cats Moonblaze recognized Snowfall, Weaselfur, and Crowfeather; she waved her tail at Snowfall in greeting.

ThunderClan spread out through the camp, waiting for their signal to leave. Moonblaze sat beside Snowfall, carefully setting down her herbs.

"Where's Cougarpelt?" she asked, hoping to see her friend.

"In his den," Snowfall responded, "getting ready." She nodded toward the herbs. "I'll watch these if you want to go see him."

With a grateful nod, Moonblaze bounded off toward the fallen log that served as WindClan's medicine cat den. She paused outside, calling, "Hello?"

"Moonblaze? Is that you?" Cougarpelt stuck his head out and, seeing her, gestured her inside.

Moonblaze entered the narrow den, glancing around curiously. Cougarpelt had stacked neat piles of herbs near the entrance, which she gingerly skirted. A small golden-brown she-cat was crouched among the herbs, and Moonblaze gazed at her wonderingly.

"This is Maplepaw," introduced Cougarpelt.

"Oh," said Moonblaze, "is she-?"

"She's not my apprentice," Cougarpelt explained, "she's Ashfoot's, actually, but I asked for her help in the battle."

Moonblaze nodded. "Hello."

Maplepaw dipped her head in shy acknowledgement and prodded at a few herbs.

"She was only apprenticed yesterday," Cougarpelt commented to break the silence, "with her brother, Swiftpaw."

"He's going to be a message runner, isn't he?" asked Moonblaze, remembering what Firestar had said.

Cougarpelt nodded.

A yowl came from outside, and Moonblaze's ears pricked up. "We're leaving now," she observed, giving Cougarpelt one last, long look.

Cougarpelt stepped forward, touching his nose to hers. "Be careful, Moonblaze," he murmured. "StarClan watch over you."

"May StarClan be with you, too," she whispered, and slowly walked away.

Together WindClan and ThunderClan traversed the plains, then the short expanse of Twoleg territory separating WindClan and RiverClan.

As they passed an old Twoleg barn, a cream-colored she-cat came running toward them.

"We've heard," gasped Daisy, staring at the group wide-eyed. "Oh, where are my kits?" Her eyes searched their patrols fearfully.

Firestar placed his tail on her shoulder reassuringly. "Mousetail and Hazelgaze are holding up ThunderClan's camp. That was at least half the truth, Moonblaze noted. He didn't want to reveal all his plans to the non-clan cats.

"Do be careful," Daisy warned them. "Stay safe."

She remained in front of the barn, watching them as they faded into the distance.

Now the territory changed to marsh, with small streams running through the territory. As the land became more and more wet, Moonblaze figured they were coming up on RiverClan's camp.

They found the camp at the intersection of two streams. Leopardstar and a small group of cats were waiting for them.

The leaders said nothing, only exchanging nods as they entered the camp. Already the sun was falling in the sky, turning the lake blood red.

Moonblaze and Cindercloud had been offered shelter in Mothwing's den for the night. As the two clanmates sat together, gazing out onto the lake, Moonblaze finally worked up the courage to ask her, too, about the prophecy.

"Betrayal will spill blood of old wounds. A terrible danger comes to prowl the forest. Night will send aid, and will replenish the spirit of the forest. Three cats have been chosen. They alone can save the clans," murmured Cindercloud, gazing out at the water.

"Do you know what it means?" Moonblaze prodded.

Cindercloud glanced at her. "Leafpool and I discussed it," she answered neutrally.

Moonblaze scuffled a paw on the ground. "She says…the three cats in the prophecy are me, Dawnbreak and Duskshadow. But I really don't know…I don't think we can save the clans."

She had been expecting Cindercloud to deny her answer, to say that it was impossible. After all, her siblings were in StarClan.

Cindercloud said nothing for a long moment. Then, "Perhaps."

"Our mother was a she-cat named Night," Moonblaze continued, "so we have something to do with the spirit of the forest, right?"

Slowly, Cindercloud nodded.

"But what is the spirit of the forest?" wailed Moonblaze. "It makes no sense! I mean, we weren't even born in the clans. How can we be the spirit of them?"

"It is not something you must find," Cindercloud answered calmly. "It is what you already are."

"Now you're sounding like the prophecy," she mumbled.

"Look inside yourself, Moonblaze, not outside."

Moonblaze bit back a retort and closed her eyes, trying to focus on herself. This was urgent – she only had until tomorrow to figure this prophecy out and fulfill it!

"You must then share your spirit," murmured Cindercloud.

"I still don't get it," she moaned.

Cindercloud sighed. "How do the other cats see you, Moonblaze? You are kind, loving, and always ready to lend a paw, even to the cats of other clans. You are above all true to your heart. That is the essence of a good warrior."

Moonblaze thought about that. "Okay, maybe," she said in defeat. Guiltily she thought of her relationship with Oakheart. Good warrior, huh?

Cindercloud pressed on, "With your spirit, didn't you help WindClan recover from the wolves' attacks? In kindness, you shared your medicine cat knowledge with Cougarpelt and saved his clan."

"Yeah, but most of the time my spirit just gets me in trouble." Moonblaze thought of the time she and Oakheart had abandoned camp to search for Rabbitkit.

"What about finding out Nightfang's plot? You planted the seed of doubt that brought him to light."

Moonblaze was still uncertain, but what Cindercloud was saying sort of made sense to her. "Thanks," she murmured, standing up and stretching. It was nearly nightfall; time quickened its pace until the battle arrived.

Meanwhile, two cats – both shades of gray – paced a clearing headed by a towering oak.

"I can't stand this anymore!" the she-cat finally burst out, "we can't leave them alone to die!"

The tom paused and looked over at the she-cat. "The Elders never said the clans were to die."

The she-cat shook her head in frustration. "Yes, but I can't shake the feeling they're not telling us something…"

"It is not our business to know," offered the tom.

The she-cat sighed noisily. "Maybe you're right, but if this goes on much longer I'm going down there. I can't leave her to face this alone." She turned and stalked toward the edge of the clearing.

"You know I will not let you go alone," reprimanded the tom, before darting after her through the bushes.

To be continued...

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