A Bloodstained Clearing

Jayfeather yawned widely. He opened his eyes and felt the warm sunshine on his back. He let out a sigh and stood up. Jayfeather slowly walked out of the den. He had talked to StarClan the last night. And what help had they given? None. Sometimes Jayfeather wondered if they ever knew anything.

The medicine cat wandered forward, allowing his paws to take him wherever. Jayfeather stepped outside the camp and no cat challenged him. Instantly the sounds and scents of the forest flooded over him. Jayfeather inhaled deeply. This was a little better.

He continued forward. Jayfeather felt as if his paws were taking him somewhere important. As if he wasn't the one controlling them. He suddenly felt the urge to stop, and Jayfeather did.

"Hello?" He called out softly.

"Welcome Jayfeather." A deep voice greeted.

Jayfeather whipped around. "Sol!" He gasped.

Sol slowly made his way toward Jayfeather. "Are you looking for answers?" He asked.

Jayfeather nodded. He didn't trust Sol; maybe his sister would still be alive if it weren't for this cat.

Sol chuckled. "You don't trust me, do you?"

Jayfeather stood still and didn't reply.

Sol leaned forward. "I know things Jayfeather. You have an incredible power, one that you could use to stop a certain fire from burning out."

Jayfeather's fur bristled. "How do you know about that prophecy?" He demanded.

Sol snorted. "Dead cats aren't the only ones who know things." He paused. "I could teach you to use you're power to save Firestar."

Instantly Jayfeather was filled with suspicion. "You want to use me."

Sol shook his head. "Not at all. I want to help you." He turned around. "But never mind there are plenty of other cats who can help me."

Jayfeather dug his claws into the ground and tried to decide what to do. Trust Sol and get answers, or send him off and possibly end the life of Firestar. "Wait!" He cried.

Sol stopped. "Yes?"

Jayfeather took a deep breath. "I want you to help me."

"Excellent." Sol purred. "I thought you might, you're a wise cat Jayfeather."

Jayfeather's eyes narrowed. This was Sol's trickery, make a cat sound greater than he really is so he could control them. "Just tell me what to do." He growled.

Sol nodded. "But of course."

Jayfeather gulped.

"You're going to have to do anything I say." Sol warned.

Jayfeather nodded. "I will."
"Swear it by StarClan." Sol whispered.

"I swear by StarClan." Jayfeather said back.

"Good." Sol purred. "Now, here's what I want you to do…

…

"Firestar, come quickly!" The cry erupted through the camp.

Firestar jolted awake. "What is it?"

Dustpelt stood in front of him panting. "I scented Sol on our territory!"

"What?" Firestar demanded. "Where?"

"Down by the lake." Dustpelt rasped. "Come quickly."

Firestar stood up and the two cats shot out of the camp.

The whole time they were traveling Firestar was sick with worry. This was the cat that had supposedly killed Ashfur for StarClan's sake!

They stopped. "Right here." Dustpelt whispered.

Firestar scented the air and sure enough, it was Sol. "We have to-"

A caterwaul from the woods interrupted Firestar. His eyes widened and once again the two cats took off in the direction of the cry.

The sound came again, but it was weaker. As if the cat was dying.

Firestar struggled to go faster but couldn't.

He broke through a bush and there it was.

Blood was everywhere. A body of a cat lay motionless in the center of the mess. "Oh StarClan." Firestar breathed.

"It's Birchfall!" Dustpelt gasped. "He's dead. My son…"

Firestar stepped forward and scented the air for any trace of the killer. There was badger, and Jayfeather. Interesting that the medicine cat was out so early. But it couldn't be him. Jayfeather couldn't have killed Birchfall if he tried.

"Who did this?" Dustpelt whispered.

Firestar shook his head. "I have no idea." He admitted.

Dustpelt shook his head sadly.

Firestar watched the cat next to him. He couldn't imagine what it was like losing a kit, and frankly he didn't want to find out.

"We should bring the body back." Firestar said after a while of silence. "There's no sense in staying here, who knows the killer could still be lurking around."

Dustpelt nodded, his eyes were filled with grief.

I'm Soooooo sorry it took me so long to update, I've been busy hunting and with school. Hope you liked this chapter makes you wonder who did it…

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