Well this is finally done! Sorry for the wait...it took a while and I had a lot of homework! Also, this is the second-to-last chapter! What a journey!
Warriors belongs to Erin Hunter
Cats belong to me.
Goldenstar recoiled when the warmth of his body left and leaving his body cold and frigid. Luckily, Goldenstar was a WaterfallClan cat with a natural talent for swimming. Kicking out his back legs, Goldenstar headed for the surface and only prayed that his son would do the same. His head broke through the surface of the pool and he drew in raspy breathes. The Clan leader used the last of his strength to wade towards the shore. It wasn't long until his paws touched earth and he collapsed on the shoreline.
He laid there for a few heartbeats, regaining his strength, and was aware of another cat approaching him from behind. Soon, a drenched tom appeared next to Goldenstar and leaned down.
"Father?" the tom asked and Goldenstar let out a sigh of relief when he saw that his son was alright. "Are you alright?"
Goldenstar slowly and painfully got to his paws as he sat on his hunches. "I'm alright," he replied and gave his son a lick. "I'm just to glad to see you alright."
Quailpaw purred and leaned into his father's wet chest as Goldenstar rasped his tongue over Quailpaw's forehead.
A few heartbeats later, the sounds of splashing water stopped Goldenstar's task and he looked up to see the black and white rogue crawl out of the water.
"I hate the water!" the rogue spat as he shook his pelt.
Goldenstar let out a growl and made his way towards the sopping wet rogue. He thrust his muzzle in the rogue's face. "Who are you?"
The rogue did not answer and merely glanced upward towards the cliffs. Goldenstar didn't avert his gaze, but he heard pebbles topple off the cliffs and into the pool below; his cats must be coming down the cliffs to check on them. It wasn't long until he felt Moonshadow's and Ryeleaf's presence next to him.
"I repeat," Goldenstar growled, feeling much more confident with his warriors next to him. "Who are you?"
"They call me Ink," the black and white tom snorted. "Or…so they say."
"Who are you referring to?"
"I'm referring to my pack, Goldenstar," Ink replied as the dogs gathered behind him.
"Your pack?"
"They are my family and friends."
Goldenstar gave him a look. "How can dogs be your friends?"
"They took care of me after I was abandoned," Ink explained.
Moonshadow gave a disbelieving snort. "Like dogs are kind and caring."
"Believe or not, they are," Ink snapped, glaring at the WaterfallClan deputy. "Once I was old enough, I helped protected them. We lived in the woods together, hunting prey and looking after each other. It was the least I could do; they raised me after their Twolegs' abandoned them."
"Twolegs are minnow-brains," Ryeleaf commented.
"Indeed," Ink agreed.
"So you used your 'pack' to destroy the Clans and take over our home?" Moonshadow growled.
"I was ordered to," Ink simply responded.
Moonshadow sniffed. "By who?"
"By the shadow cat," Ink replied.
"Who's the shadow cat?" Goldenstar asked.
Ink shrugged. "I do not know, but for the past few moons I've been receiving strange dreams. First, it was about a huge battle in a similar place where we just were. I was taken away by a strange cat and saw as two other cats chased after me. The next night, I had the same dream again, but this time a shadowy cat appeared, interrupting my dream. He said he had a mission for me, and that only I could accomplish it. He told me that the cats who lived near the waterfall took me away from my family and that I had to destroy them by stealing their territory because of it. I believe him and fulfilled his wishes. He also told me to steal your son, Quailpaw, because he wanted at least one survivor in the massacre. He also mentioned something about irony, but I wasn't really paying close attention."
Of course it would be ironic, Goldenstar thought, Quailfeather died in the battle Ink was describing before, and it would be ironic if my son, Quailpaw, were to survive this 'massacre'.
Moonshadow hissed. "I don't believe any of this! Goldenstar, just give the word and we'll shred this rogue!"
The dogs behind Ink growled at the deputy's threats. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Ink growled, his neck fur rising. "Besides, there's still a battle to be decided."
Goldenstar was still thinking about what Ink had said. He had a dream where he was stole from the battle a year ago…wait a second!
"Ryeleaf, do you recognize that cat?" Goldenstar asked.
"Am I supposed to?" Ryeleaf questioned.
"Think long and hard about it," Goldenstar urged. He suddenly thought back to when Quailfeather was talking to him in StarClan. Not all battles can be won with tooth and claw.
"Wait!" Goldenstar yowled, halting the rising tensions between the Clans and the pack. He stepped between the two sides. "Ink, I know who your parents are."
Ink gazed hopefully at him. "Do you really?"
Goldenstar nodded. "Indeed. A year ago, up upon the plateau, a great battle was waged between SavageClan and the other Clans. A kit was stolen in the process by Twistedmind and was never to be seen from again." He gazed at Ryeleaf, who was beginning to put the pieces together. "Ryeleaf, that was Inkkit."
Ryeleaf gazed with wide green eyes at his leader. "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive," he meowed and took a few paces back. Ryeleaf merely gazed at Ink, studying him hard. He finally took a few pawstep forward until he was a whisker-length away from Ink.
"It's really you…" Ryeleaf murmured. His eyes suddenly lit up and he gave Ink licks all over his face. "It's really you, after all these moons!"
The dog behind Ink exchanged confused looks and one of them yipped something.
Quailfeather was right! This battle could only be won with words! I must remind myself to never doubt him ever again!
"Oh, you must come back to camp with us!" Ryeleaf insisted hopefully and casted a glance at Goldenstar.
"To camp?" Ink repeated, looking unsure.
"Your mother will most certainly want to see you!" Ryeleaf added. "She's always been hoping that you would return one day!"
"My…mother?" Ink repeated, as if he was having a hard time believing that fact.
"I suppose he can come back to camp with us," Goldenstar replied.
"Goldenstar!" Moonshadow growled, while Ryeleaf waved his tail in happiness. "We can't just take a cat who just tried to annihilate us back to camp!"
Goldenstar flicked his ear. He knew Moonshadow had the right intention, but he was a Clan leader and it was not Moonshadow's place to repeatedly judge his actions. "Ink shall come back with us."
Ink happily nodded in agreement and spoke a few barks to the dogs behind him. The large silver and black mutt barked something and then led the pack into the woods.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Cliffjumper snapped. "Where are they going?"
"They're heading back to my camp, away from your territory," Ink explained. "I didn't think you wanted dog in your camp, so I sent them on their way."
Cliffjumper sniffed disbelievingly. "How can we trust you?"
"I thought you wanted me to come to your camp."
Cliffjumper was about to retort, but Ryeleaf flashed him a warning glance, so the younger warrior closed his mouth.
"Then it's settled," Goldenstar announced. "Ink shall come back with us." He glanced at the other Clan cats that waited behind Goldenstar's own warriors. "You are welcome to rest in our camp before you leave for your own Clans, if you would like."
"Thanks, Goldenstar," Emberdust replied for the entire group. The other cats gratefully nodded as well.
"I can't wait for you to meet the rest of your family, Ink!" Ryeleaf excitedly purred once the cats began walking back to camp. "The Clan will be thrilled to see you again!"
Ink gave his long-lost father a look. "They will?"
They will? Goldenstar thought.
Ryeleaf happily nodded. "Of course! Why would our Clanmate be angry when one of their own has returned home?"
Goldenstar pondered on that point. I presumed that my Clanmates wouldn't be exactly thrilled when we bring home the murderer of Splashheart. They'll undoubtedly find out that he also ordered his dogs to attack Whiskerkit and Cedarstep as well.
"Your brothers and sisters will be happy to see you as well!" Ryeleaf went on in the background.
"I have littermates?" Ink questioned, the surprise in his voice as clear as day.
"Of course!" Ryeleaf glanced back at Tallstalk and Moonshine. The two Clanmates had awoken from their slumber after Goldenstar and Ink tumbled into the waterfall. The two were currently being supported by Privetdrop and Auburnwhisker. Tallstalk was studying the ground while Auburnwhisker was burning holes into Ink's pelt with his eyes because of his father's injuries. Privetdrop and Moonshine merely listened to Ryeleaf's giddiness. "Tallstalk is your older brother in your litter and your younger sister, Cloudedsky, is back home."
Ink glanced back at his newly found brother. Tallstalk refused to look at him. Ink's ears drew back in regret and he continued to listen to his father's elaborate monologue.
"Your mother and I already have a new litter, a tom named Rustkit and a she-kit named Leafkit," Ryeleaf purred. "Those two are a pawful! They'll be glad to see you."
"But they don't know me," Ink pointed out.
"He's got a point," Tallstalk muttered under his breath, but Goldenstar could hear the young tom's remark. He also knew that Ryeleaf and Ink heard it as well.
Ryeleaf paused for a moment, then continued. "It doesn't matter that they don't know you," Ryeleaf convinced. "The only thing that matters is that you're finally coming home." He glanced at Goldenstar ahead of him. "You know…Goldenstar is also your brother."
Half-brother. He's my half-brother.
Ink's golden eyes widen. "He is?"
Ryeleaf nodded. "Yup. His older brother, Mousethorn, is also back at the camp."
As Ryeleaf continued talking, Goldenstar was aware of Moonshadow quickening his pace to catch up with his leader. "I don't like this," he muttered.
"Neither do I, Moonshadow," Goldenstar replied. "But it's the right thing."
Moonshadow grunted. "Are you sure?"
Goldenstar didn't have a response. He recognized the scent of his home and saw the familiar fern wall. He quickened his pace, longing for the presence of his mate and family to comfort him.
It was a little after dawn when the battle patrol barged into camp. They were greeted with welcome yowls and meows as Mintshard immediately weaved between the cats, ordering them to either meet him in his den or to wait outside the warriors' den based on their wounds.
Of course, the cheerful yowls didn't last long, and they ended when Mousethorn placed Pineheart's body down in the center of the clearing. Rustkit and Leafkit, who were happily chasing each other while making their way to their father when the battle patrol arrived, froze at the sight of their uncle's corpse. Leopardnose quickly wrapped her tail around her two kits and shielded them from the body.
"What happened?" Leopardnose softly rasped.
"Did you win?" Dustberry quietly asked.
"We did, but one of the dogs killed Pineheart," Goldenstar murmured.
Leopardnose softly sighed and padded forward. She pressed her muzzle into her brother's cold fur. "Oh, Pineheart…you always had to be the hero, didn't you?"
"He died a warrior," Goldenstar comforted.
Leopardnose looked up at her son. "I wouldn't have doubted that he didn't," she softly replied.
There was a moment of silence among the cats, that is, until Otterwhisker found out. "Pineheart!" the she-cat yowled and hurriedly pressed her nose into her lover's pelt. She collapsed next to his body and Leopardnose rested her tail on the mourning she-cat's shoulder in comfort.
The silence was once again broken by Cloudedsky's angry yowl. "Who's this cat?!" she growled as she sniffed Ink's flank. The black and white tom whimpered in surprise and slowly backed away near Ryeleaf. The tom's eyes were wide at the sight of so many cats.
"His name is Ink," Goldenstar answered. "He is the cat responsible for ordering the dogs to attack the Clans."
Angry yowls soon followed Goldenstar's words.
"How dare he?" Privetdrop hissed.
"Why is he here, then?" Feathershade hissed.
"We should drive him out!" Leapingriver growled.
"Cat killer!" Springpaw accused.
"Leave him to rot for the foxes!" Steelclaw snarled.
Ink couldn't help but wince from the sharp words. He looked more like an innocent kit than a ruthless killer.
Goldenstar raised his small tail for silence, but it took a while before the threats ceased. "Ink is a visitor and will be treated as such," Goldenstar explained. "He was ordered to attack the Clans, and barely knew who we were; he is not completely responsible for the crimes."
"Sounds responsible enough," Cedarstep sniffed.
"There is another reason as to why Ink is here," Goldenstar went on, ignoring the senior warrior's remark. Before he could continue, Ryeleaf interrupted him.
"He is my son," Ryeleaf announced, holding his head and tail high. "He is Inkkit, the kit who was stolen by Twistedmind during the battle a moon ago when we first arrived." He happily waved his tail. "It's thanks to StarClan's blessing that my lost son is alive."
The cats around Ryeleaf gasped and stared in awe at Ink. Leopardnose rose from her spot and cautiously approached Ink. She reached out her neck to sniff his flank and gazed into his golden eyes. With a happy mew, she gave Ink licks over his face and purred happily.
"Thank StarClan!" Leopardnose whispered.
Rustkit and Leafkit gingerly approached Ink. The two littermates exchanged looks before squealing and playfully climbing on Ink's back. Ink was surprised at first, but gently purred as the two kits wrestled on his shoulders.
"Welcome back, Ink," Mousethorn welcomed and touched noses with the rogue.
"I suppose it's great to be back," Ink remarked.
It was dusk by the time the other Clan cats left camp. Emberdust and Moonshadow exchanged a few formal words before the Clan cats went on their way.
Goldenstar was sitting under Stoneledge, carefully studying his Clan. The kits and the queens were asleep in the nursery, sleeping soundly now that the dogs weren't a problem anymore. Pineheart's body had already been buried by the elders and Cliffjumper. The injured tom had insisted on burying his father's body, which the elders gladly accepted. The seriously wounded rested in Mintshard's den, where they were being treated with care. Warriors were slowly leaving the center of the camp for their warm dens, relishing the fact of a much needed good night's sleep.
A flank brushed up against Goldenstar's and a muzzle rubbed against his. "You seem to have a lot on your mind, my love," Leapingriver purred.
Goldenstar purred back. "I'm just…pondering."
"About what?"
Goldenstar shrugged.
"Ink?" Leapingriver suggested and motioned towards said tom and Ryeleaf. The two toms were sitting outside the warriors' den. Ryeleaf had explained to his son all aspects about Clan life, from training to become a warrior to taking care of the elders and the warrior code. Ink had seemed interested in Ryeleaf's talk and always asked for more information about a certain topic.
"Perhaps," Goldenstar meowed.
By now, Moonshadow had padded up to meet the couple. "Ryeleaf's convinced that Ink will stay in the Clan," he remarked with a flick of his tail.
Leapingriver's ears shot up at his meow. "You think that he'll leave to go back to those dogs?"
Moonshadow snorted. "Why would he stay? Most of the cats around here don't trust him, and neither do I. Besides, the other Clan cats will most likely tell their Clanmates about Ink, and let's just say they won't be thrilled if we decide to keep the rogue."
"Ryeleaf and Leopardnose won't be happy about that," Leapingriver pointed out. "They only just found out that he existed."
"True," Moonshadow nodded thoughtfully, "but I've seen him when Ryeleaf was explaining our ways to him…he seems too…nervous."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, he's been alone all his life and now he's in a place with a bunch more cats than he's used to seeing," Moonshadow explained.
"I've noticed that as well," Goldenstar added.
"But he'll get used to it," Leapingriver suggested. "He belongs with his own kind."
Moonshadow narrowed his amber eyes at the she-cat. "Why are you so defensive of him?"
"I'm thinking like a mother," Leapingriver softly growled. "If one of my kits was lost for a year, and they suddenly returned out of nowhere, I wouldn't want them to leave."
Moonshadow snorted. "That still doesn't resolve the fact that his dogs under his command killed Splashheart and Pineheart," he growled and looked up at his leader. "What are you going to do with him?"
Goldenstar paused for a moment before replying. "What's more important; delivering justice to a young tom who didn't know exactly what he was up against, or returning that young tom to the family who longed for him to come home?"
Moonshadow didn't reply, but the look on his face suggested that he was thinking about what his leader had said.
"My point exactly," Goldenstar meowed. "StarClan shall judge Ink for his actions; it is not my place to do so."
Moonshadow narrowed his eyes once more. "A few sunrises ago, you wanted to rip the throat out of the cat who ordered the dogs to injure your daughter. What made you change your mind?"
"I have learned now that killing doesn't solve anything," Goldenstar replied. "It only creates more problems. Despite our differences, family is the one thing that matters to everyone. Even Smoke Claw cared about his family, and so do I."
Moonshadow nodded.
"Let's get some rest," Goldenstar suggested. "The battle may be over, but there will still be patrols to send out and apprentices to train."
The Clan deputy purred and turned tail for the warriors' den. Leapingriver leaned against her mate and purred. "You know that includes Clan leaders, right?"
"Of course," Goldenstar purred as the two climbed Stoneledge for their den. Inside, the two mates found three apprentices fast asleep in their nest. Gently purring in amusement, the two lovers curled around their kits, sleeping soundly, knowing that their family was safe.
"Let all cats old enough to swim in the river, join here beneath Stoneledge for a Clan meeting!" Goldenstar's yowl echoed in the late sunrise. The majority of the cats were already outside, waiting for Moonshadow to order the patrols for the day. "I just wanted to say that no Clan leader could've asked for a better Clan. Everyone here proved their strength in the battle yesterday, and I pray to StarClan for peaceful moons to come," Goldenstar purred.
As he gazed proudly over his Clan, a black tail was gingerly raised. "Uhh…Goldenstar? May I say something?" Ink sheepishly asked.
Ignoring the whispers of 'How dare he?' and 'He has no right to speak here!', Goldenstar nodded.
"I, uh, am grateful for the generosity you have shown me," Ink began. "But…I want to go back to the forest."
A series of 'what!?' erupted after Ink's request.
"As much as I love the idea of living with my family again," Ink explained. "I belong in the forest, with my pack. They raised me and I helped them. To me…they are my family, and I'm not saying that any of you aren't. I peacefully request to go back to my family."
"He's mad!" Meltingice growled.
"What if he tries to attack us, again?!" Nightstrike hissed.
"I promise to leave the Clans alone…but, could we have a truce between our two groups?" Ink suggested.
"An interspecies alliance?" Moonshadow asked.
"Something like that," Ink meowed. "I don't want to lose the connections I've made with WaterfallClan." He glanced sorrowful at Ryeleaf, who was looking very conflicted.
"I wish you didn't have to leave," Goldenstar began. "But I understand your reason. You are free to leave, but you are a friend of WaterfallClan and are free to visit anytime you wish."
"Thank you, Goldenstar," Ink nodded. "If WaterfallClan needs the help of my pack or me, don't hesitate to ask. Quailpaw knows where I live." He nodded towards the pale gray tabby apprentice, who was sitting not far.
"I thought you wanted to stay with us," Cloudedsky whimpered. "Why change your mind?"
"A certain apprentice told me a story that taught that you should never abandon the ones who you love," Ink purred and glanced at Quailpaw, who happily waved his tail. "I promise to keep in touch," Ink went on and touched noses with Cloudedsky and Ryeleaf.
"We'll miss you," Leopardnose purred as she licked Ink's muzzle. "But I know that we shall meet again one day."
"I know we will," Ink affirmed and gazed at Rustkit and Leafkit who joined them. "Behave for your mother, little ones. I promise to visit one day."
"You better!" Rustkit whimpered and pressed up against his older brother.
"I believe a ceremony is needed," Goldenstar meowed to himself and leapt off of Stoneledge and padded towards his family. "Ink, with your permission, I would like to give you your warrior name, so that we will forever be bonded."
Ink stared at him with wide eyes. "Really? Of course!"
Goldenstar sent a silent prayer to StarClan when none of his warriors voiced their opposite opinion. "I, Goldenstar, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this tom. He has served hard to learn your noble code, and I ask you to make him a warrior in return. Ink, do you promise to defend our alliance and strive to live by the warrior code, even with the cost of your life?"
Luckily, Ryeleaf had taught him what to do. "I do," Ink meowed in a strong voice. Only StarClan knew how much he meant those two words.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I grant you your warrior name!" Goldenstar yowled. He had to quickly come up with an appropriate name, but that didn't take him too long. He was a Clan leader and a major procrastinator, after all. "Ink, from this moment on, you shall be known as Inkheart! WaterfallClan honors your loyalty and dignity, and we welcome you as a true warrior of WaterfallClan!" He rested his muzzle on Ink's white one. The young tom licked his shoulder in return.
"Inkheart! Inkheart! Inkheart!" the Clan cheered for their new family member. Inkheart ducked his head in embarrassment.
"I promise to live by the warrior code I was taught and to strengthen the bond between our kind," Inkheart swore. After a few more minutes of congratulations, the young tom said farewell to his family and disappeared into the forest.
"Goldenstar, come quick!" Mintshard called from his position outside the medicine cat's den. Goldenstar was over there in less than a heartbeat.
"What is it, Mintshard?" Goldenstar asked, praying to StarClan that his daughter was still alive. Mintshard's happy expression made the doubts fade away.
"Come and see for yourself!" Mintshard purred and stepped aside for his Clan leader. After giving his medicine cat a look, Goldenstar disappeared into the roots of the den. He made his way past the injured cats until he reached a nest with a small, golden speckled she-kit. He stared at her, looking for any signs of life, until his daughter's hind leg twitched.
Goldenstar gasped. A sign of consciousness! He was aware of Leapingriver pressing into his pelt happily as Whiskerkit continued to twitch and stir. A tiny sigh was heard and she opened and blinked her amber eyes a few times. She stared directly at her parents and purred.
"Father?" Whiskerkit squeaked, her voice tiny and raspy due to thirst.
"I'm here, Whiskerkit," Goldenstar purred and he nuzzled his daughter.
"I had a dream," Whiskerkit went on as her parents gently nuzzled her tiny body. "I saw a tom who looked a lot like Quailkit and a tiny kitten who also looked like him. The tom smelled like he rolled in herbs and the kitten was my age and we played together for a while, until the older tom told me that it was time for me to return to my parents. I wonder who they were. They were really nice…there was also a grumpy ginger tom and a nice creamy she-cat. She smelled like milk…I want milk…" Whiskerkit continued to drabble on until she went back to sleep.
"You should let her sleep," Mintshard gently advised. "She needs a lot of rest." He left to check on his other patients.
Goldenstar rubbed his muzzle against his sleep daughter's pelt. Thank StarClan for keeping her alive…I don't know what I would do without her.
I thank StarClan for my wonderful Clanmates, for my mother, my father and Ryeleaf, and even Pumpkinfur, Mousethorn, and Limpkit.
I thank StarClan for Inkheart, who has finally returned home where he belongs, in our hearts.
I thank StarClan for my grumpy deputy and medicine cat to guide me along the path of leadership.
I thank StarClan for the cats who challenge my leadership; they are just as important to me as the sun is to the earth.
I thank StarClan for my lovely mate and our four wonderful kits…I love then all dearly.
I thank StarClan for family, for it is the strongest thing next to love.