"Hollywhisker!" cried out an unfamiliar voice. She was lying under Highrock, sharing tongues with Berrypelt. Craning her head around, she was surprised to see Whisperpaw standing a few tail-lengths below them.
"Come quick!" Whisperpaw said, ignoring her shock of hearing his voice.
"What happened?" She demanded as she leapt down from the rocky ledge. Berrypelt followed, looking concerned.
"I was bringing in some borage from the forest and I saw Jayfeather attack Lionclaw! I heard them arguing before I came in." He was quivering nervously.
"What were they arguing about? Do you know?" When Whisperpaw shook his head quickly, Hollywhisker rushed past him and skidded at the entrance of Jayfeather's den.
Pausing at the opening, she was greeting by the ragged voice of her brother, "I have to. I don't have a choice." Is Jayfeather forcing him to do something? Hollywhisker thought, and then pushed her way through the bramble entrance.
Lionclaw was lying on the ground, having trouble breathing, and Jayfeather was on top of him, his claws tightened over his chest.
"Jayfeather!" Hollywhisker yowled. "Get off of him!"
Startled, Jayfeather obeyed, loosening his claws from his brother's pelt and stepping away from him. Lionclaw gasped for air, quaking uncontrollably.
Hollywhisker spun around to face Jayfeather. "What is the meaning of this?" She yelled.
Jayfeather looked utterly heartbroken. "If I told you," he said quietly, "you wouldn't believe me."
"What-?" Hollywhisker was cut off as Jayfeather pushed past her, his face unreadable.
Lionclaw got to his feet and uneasily shook the dust off his pelt. "Don't blame him." He murmured. "He was just trying to stop me."
"From doing what?" She asked. "Tell me what's going on, right now, Lionclaw."
He simply ignored her and stalked past, sighing so heavily it seemed as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Hollywhisker started after him, and then decided against it.
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"Lionheart what do I do? I love her." Lionclaw asked.
He was in the forest again, looking desperately for Lionheart, or anyone from StarClan, to help him.
"You have to kill her before Tigerstar's collected soul acts, Lionclaw." Lionheart's deep voice rang around the clearing. "StarClan has foreseen greater deaths occurring if Cindercoat's does not happen."
Lionclaw stared intently at him, pleading for him to say that it was all right. That he didn't need to. That another cat could do it. There was no reassurance, however, and Lionclaw knew what he must do.
"Thank you for coming, Lionheart." Lionclaw said, dipping his head.
"You know that I wish it could be any other way." He responded, his eyes softer, grieving for the life that was to be ended.
"Where will Cinderpelt's soul go?" He asked.
Lionheart let a smile show. "She will finally join StarClan's ranks."
So, knowing that Cinderpelt's soul would at last be put at peace, Lionclaw padded back to camp with a lighter heart.
The next morning, a frightened yowl split the crisp, early leaf-bare air. Lionclaw was woken suddenly to see cats crouching around Cindercoat's limp and lifeless body.
It had been very clean, and quiet. He had killed her in her sleep, after forcing death berries down her throat. She had felt no pain, he was sure, but he knew that the clan would surely be hurt by their loss.
Brackenfur pushed past the crowd of cats and let out a cry of distress when he saw his daughter. Sorreltail too, was equally in pain, tears trickling down the side of her face.
Lionclaw got to his paws, swaying slightly, and fought against the crowd until he was out in the clearing. What he saw made his blood run cold.
Honeytail was leaning against Jayfeather, sobbing. Jayfeather's voice was dripping with obvious care. Honeytail's face was buried in his chest, tears flowing down her face, and Jayfeather's face was etched with fierce love and the desire to protect her.
"Jayfeather!" He managed to say, his eyes wide with alarm. His brother looked up and the look in his sightless eyes told him one thing; I love her and nothing you say can tear us apart.
Immediately he understood. Lion will help Honey and Thyme.
Honeytail and Jayfeather, he was positive. He was thyme because he was a medicine cat. And they were in love.
How could he help them? Their love must be true and, of course, StarClan accepted their love because they had sent him this prophecy in the first place.
Would he help them face the clan? He knew there would be disapproval. He would help ThunderClan realize that their fate was not against their ancestors, but existing by them.
Lionclaw gave his brother a nod of consent, and he knew that the prophecy was starting to unveil itself.
YAY! Is it starting to make sense? I sure hope so.