The Adventures of Ashfur
Chapter 4
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Sorry I can't reply quickly, but I'll make sure to reply to all of them soon!
Here on out, we're going to switch from Ashfur's point of view to Leafpool's.
So maybe it should be called the Adventures of Ashfur and Leafpool, but that doesn't sound as good
Enjoy!
What Has Happened Thus Far
Ashfur has finally accepted he is the true father of Jaypaw, but does not know how to confront Squirrelflight, and it troubles him if Jaypaw's blindness is because of him or was just a random health disorder.
What to Expect in Chapter 4
It is starting to come apparent to the whole Thunderclan that the father of Jaypaw is not Brambleclaw, and Ashfur observes that Brambleclaw is losing influence on the cats of Thunderclan fast, and paws point at Stormfur!
Meanwhile, Leafpool doesn't have to worry about being the worst relationship Crowfeather had when she sees his new flame, the unforgettable Nightcloud.
All in "The Adventures of Ashfur"!
Ashfur's POV
"Leafpool!"
I pounced toward the fresh kill pile. Firestar was chatting quietly with Leafpool, and they both glanced up when they saw me. Whatever their conversation had been, the leader nor the medicine cat's eyes betrayed anything. But it couldn't help but bug me if they were talking about Jaypaw.
Maybe it was just my paranoia.
"Firestar." I bowed my head in respect to the leader, "May I have a word with Leafpool please?"
"Of course Ashfur." Firestar mewed, "But, we're leaving for the Gathering soon, so make it quick."
"It's very quick."
Firestar disappeared inside the leader's den, where Sandstorm was resting also before the Gathering.
"Yes Ashfur?" Leafpool replied as we started away from the fresh kill pile, because it was erm...not so fresh anymore, "Why did you need me?" Her cashmere fur blowed softly in the wind, and her amber eyes were calm and relaxed, and the sunset reflected just the right amount of light on her pelt. She looked beautiful, and my heart skipped a beat.
No Ashfur, I scolded silently, First of all, she's the medicine cat, second of all, she's Squirrelflight's sister for Starclan's sake!
Seriously, what kind of guy goes out with his ex's sister?
A guy like, oh well, me.
I mean, I must be causing so much controversy already, I just should add, "Went out with the medicine cat" on my list.
"Ashfur? Hello?"
"Oh yeah, yeah." I started, "I got a dream from Starclan when I fainted the other day."
"It was about Jaypaw."
I did a double take, "How'd you..."
"Starclan told me."
Wooow, thanks a lot Starclan. I thought negatively.
"Is that what you and Firestar were talking about? Jaypaw and me?"
"..."
"Leafpool, if it's anything about Jaypaw, I need to know!"
Leafpool widened her eyes a little at me, "You've become quite the fatherly tom."
"Sorry Leafpool, it's just, what were you talking about, if it was about Jaypaw?"
"It was about..." Suddenly she was cut off by Brambleclaw's thunder. All eyes were drawn to the opposite side of where we were. It was Dustpelt who was getting his rear kicked this time. Brambleclaw's fur was on edge, and he looked ready to snap at any moment. Dustpelt was staring at him.
"What are you doing?" Brambleclaw growled, "I told you to come back from hunting when the sun was at the top of the sky, and you didn't come back until sundown!"
"Brambleclaw, I just wanted to tell you I took your son out hunting today because Ashfur couldn't make it. My apologies it took so long, because Lionpaw was really pumped up today. He caught--"
"What do you mean Ashfur couldn't make it?" Brambleclaw growled.
"Well, part of the nursery-"
"If Ashfur is half-tom, he can come up here and speak for himself!" Brambleclaw spat. All eyes redirected toward me. I waved my tail in greetings to my audience. Someone shouted my name in applause. Nodding toward them, I started padding toward the narrow-eyed Brambleclaw.
"Sir Deputy, I couldn't make it because part of the nursery collapsed and I was on the repair team. Dustpelt took Lionpaw out instead. Don't yell at him."
"I would've taken him out then! Are you too afraid to stand up and approach your own deputy?"
Suddenly, Dustpelt stood up in my defense, "Is our own deputy too afraid to stand up and realize only one of his sons is actually his?"
Everyone gasped. My jaw migrated south at Dustpelt's daring commentary. I scooted in front of my ally a bit just in case Brambleclaw was to attack.
A brave heckler broke out, "Hey! That is true! Only one of his sons looks like him!"
I glanced at Leafpool with the question floating in my eyes, Did you tell the whole Clan?
Leafpool's gaze remained just as confused as mine.
Another cat spoke up, "Yeah, now thinking of it, Jaypaw kind of looks like..."
Ashfur, I braced for the last word I would hear before Brambleclaw slaughtered me.
"...Stormfur!"
"Huh?" I said a little out of place.
"What?" Stormfur's meek mew sprang up.
Seconds passed, and then a huge debate broke out all at once among the crowd, sprinkled with oh-so-helpful hecklers. It was full of gasps and "Good Starclan!"
But this is what snapped Brambleclaw, who was ready to pounce at anyone to begin with. Cloudtail decided to step up and be a wise guy and say, "Looks like you couldn't keep your lady interested long enough, hm, Brambleclaw?"
"What did you say, foxdung?" Brambleclaw growled. Everyone fell silent.
Suddenly I felt a sudden urge to see where Squirrelflight was. She must be mortified at all this. I quickly caught sight of her, her face distraught with misery, mortification, and terror. I wanted to go over and wrap my tail around her and make her feel better, tell her it was okay, but that wouldn't help the situation.
"Cloudtail..." Brightheart mewed regretfully.
"Well Cloudtail," Brambleclaw shot back, "You should know best about stepping out behind your mate's back, shouldn't you?"
Cloudtail yowled and sprang at Brambleclaw. Brightheart threw herself into the tussle to try to break it up, however, she wasn't holding up to good due to the sting of Brambleclaw's comment.
I suddenly ran forward and grabbed Brambleclaw's scruff with by jaws and yanked him back.
"Call it off!" I shouted between fur clumps.
"Let go of me, mousebrain!" Brambleclaw growled. Brightheart had Cloudtail by the scruff also and he was huffing and growling also. By this time Firestar and Sandstorm had come.
"What is going on here?" Firestar demanded, "Brambleclaw! Report!"
Brambleclaw wrenched away from my grasp and gave Firestar a quick summary of what had happened. By the end of it, Firestar was burning mad.
"I'm very disappointed in Thunderclan." he announced, "Everyone, head to the Gathering, and don't say a word to eachother! What example are you setting for our apprentices and kits?"
"Sorry Firestar." We all murmured in unision. I looked around at Squirrelflight. She was fleeing off into the forest, distraught.
"Squirrelflight! Wait!" I shouted and sped off after her, ignoring all the curious glances.
Leafpool's POV.
I watched is astonishment as Ashfur flew off after my sister. I felt a helpless urge to follow them, but I soon realized I had a lot more to be worried about. I looked around at the damage.
Brook was staring in horror at Stormfur.
"Brook, I swear, it's not true!" Stormfur begged.
Brook shook her head in sadness. Now she looked at Stormfur with hurt and disappointment in her eyes, as if saying, Stormfur, when did I make you so unhappy that it drove you to this?
She bounded off with the rest of the clan, Stormfur, shouting her name, went speeding out after her.
I looked at Cloudtail and Brightheart, and Daisy, who used to be the third corner of the love triangle, walk so apart. Brambleclaw had opened old scars.
And finally, Jaypaw, who had probably witnessed all of this. Jaypaw! I quickly ran to my apprentice's side.
"Leafpool..." He said, "I'm not Brambleclaw's son, am I?"
"Now don't think that child." I murmured, licking his ear.
"..." Jaypaw stared off blindly into the forest, and for the first time, didn't mind when I picked him up by his scruff and carry him out of the camp.
I was still holding Jaypaw when we got to the fallen tree. But I froze abruptly when I saw one cat.
Crowfeather.
Old feelings started coming back, and I swallowed. How come I still wasn't over Crowfeather? I loved being a medicine cat above all things.
But, I longed to feel Crowfeather's warm touch. His pelt brushing mine, and his words speaking to me with a loving tint...
Reality check. I'm the medicine cat of Thunderclan. Forget it.
But Crowfeather seemed to be holding a burden on his shoulders. And no, not hypothetically, literally.
It was a dark black she-cat, who was perched on his back because evidently, she was having her mate carry her across the fallen tree just because she could. Ah. I know who she was. His new mate Nightcloud. Oh how fondly I remember our last encounter, when she snapped at me for saving her son's life. Those were the golden days then.
Nightcloud was screaming her head off, to all of our surprise.
"We're going to fall! We're going to fall!" Nightcloud cried, digging her claws into Crowfeather's flesh. Crowfeather yelped in pain.
"No we're not!" Crowfeather mewed, and stumbled over the words, "My...most...dearest...Nightcloud."
"Don't sweet talk me! We're going to fall off this horrible log and fall into the horrible cold water be all wet for the Gathering. Mind you, Crowfeather, I spent from sunrise grooming my fur for the Gathering, and if I get it wet because of your clumsiness..."
"Oh for Starclan's sake, shut up." Spiderleg hissed behind them, as he and four other cats were standing on the log, waiting for Crowfeather and Nightcloud to finally reach the other side.
"My most horri- -cough- dearest Nightcloud," Crowfeather replied, "Please, don't be unkind. Let me focus."
"No!" Nightcloud growled, "Focus and listen to me! You know, all the OTHER toms can multi-task. Except for you, since you can't seem to do anything-"
Splash. Crowfeather collapsed off the side of the fallen tree and into the icy cold water.
"Go- before she returns!" Spiderleg shouted and led the charge across the fallen tree. I followed them, putting Jaypaw on the log to walk ahead of me.. As I walked across the fallen tree, I saw Crowfeather and Nightcloud bob to shore. Immediately, I caught Crowfeather's gaze.
"Hi Leafpool." He said awkwardly.
"Need help?" I asked.
"Mentally or physically?"
We both laughed freely for a moment, and all tension between us seemed to be lost for a bit, but it can back right after we were done.
"I'll see you when the Gathering begins."
"OK, bye Leafpool."
I walked off the edge of the log, and Jaypaw and I walked to the Gathering, which was already about to begin.