Chapter 3- Names and Faces

The tunnel was dark and cramped, and there was the constant smell of decay, as though someone'd brought down a piece of prey and forgotten its existence. The she-cat shivered as the air grew colder, and yet they went down still, further and further beneath the surface. She thought she heard the tom named Splash curse as he stumbled against something, and she had to pause to avoid bumping into him. It was difficult to see in the enclosure, therefore she was quite grateful that she was in the back of the trailing party of four. This way she didn't have to worry about going too slow for the person behind her, and she wasn't in charge of navigating through the confusing twists and turns. She knew it all followed one path, but it was so pitch black that she couldn't even tell where the trail changed direction. Everything looked the same to her; like nothing.

"Maplewind, you aint be one to get claustrophobic, eh?" She blinked and tried to peer through the darkness at the tom ahead of her before giving up and letting her gaze fall back down to the ground.

"Splash, you ignorant tom, she's a lady. She holds her head high no matter her surroundings." The smooth crooning tone now belonged to Harrison, and she let out a purr of amusement as she heard Splash hiss in annoyance.

"Well how's I s'possed to know stuff li'dat? I aint no lady in case you's was wondering." The gray tom huffed, his strange accent echoing off the dirt walls. Up ahead, Harrison chuckled. Maplewind couldn't help but find their voices a welcome distraction from the constant insensible environment they were currently in.

"You two better quit flapping your mouths. Sound down here carries you know. I wouldn't be surprised if the Council knew both your life stories by the time we've reached them."

Brsica's words seemed to have an impact on Splash, for the younger feline obligingly fell quiet save for the occasional muttered curse whenever Harrison purposely stopped at unexpected times, causing Splash to walk into him and stumble.

"Would you quit it yah piece o' rotten rat meat?" Splash hissed, somehow fluffing his fur up in the small space they were allowed. Before the argument could get out of hand though, Brisca was pulling the reins in.

"That's enough! Splash, you keep that tongue of yours inside its muzzle before I rip it out!"

Harrison let out an unabashed chorus of laughter, unable to resist the clear shock and dismay in Splash's aura at being accused independently.

"You heard the lady! Keep your tongue short kiddo; you shouldn't have much trouble with that, eh?" Splash didn't need to see the smirk on the other tom's face to want to rip it off, but before he could do anything, Maplewind's gasp had shattered the air, causing all heads to turn. At first, they all looked in different directions seeing as they couldn't tell where Maplewind's dial was faced towards, but then Brisca caught sight of it and she smiled.

"That hole filters light from above down into the central den chambers where the council spend most of their time. They don't usually go above ground all at once; too easy for something else to sneak into here and wait for them to come back down before attacking, you know?" Brisca meowed as she turned one final corner. Then the floor dropped slightly, and the den walls expanded vastly to provide an enormous hollow in the earth. It was a large den, with compact sides and a hole showering light down from the ceiling. Maplewind's jaw dropped in awe. The light was a sharp contrast to the darkness from before, yet she still savored every flickering beam.

"Brisca, is that you? And Splash and Harrison?" A strange voice rose from the darker shadows of the dirt chamber, and Maplewind whirled around in alarm. She hadn't noticed that they weren't alone. She could scarcely make out where the speaker was before another voice joined in, this time to her left.

"And who is this? A friend?" The queen's head whipped around to catch sight of the other cat, but suddenly another feline was speaking up.

"She's rather young, isn't she?"

"She's a stranger! Brisca, what's she doing here?"

"Relax Merrit. She's just another stray."

"Quiet, all of you. Be more welcoming."

The other voices faded out as the last one, sharpened by a distinct wisdom that could only have come with age, echoed in the air. Brisca smiled and walked towards the center of the den, followed closely by Harrison, Splash, and a nervous Maplewind.

"Yes, I've brought a friend. Her name is Maplewind. We found her about to be attacked by one of the dogs; Burfen."

Several surprised whispers could be heard after Brisca's words, and then one slender bodice emerged from the shadows. Maplewind's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat. The cat before her cut a lightning hue against the shade; the flickering glow from above caught onto the cat's yellow-golden pelt in a dazzling array of light. Maplewind's gut squeezed with jealousy at the other she-cat's beautiful appearance, but she dismissed her own ridiculous feelings. She had no reason to feel negatively towards this cat just because of looks.

The yellow tabby smiled, and even the expression seemed to beautify her appearance; if that was possible.

"Oh, she's so pretty! Harrison hasn't made a move on you yet, has he?"

Maplewind blinked in surprise, for the she-cat's outgoing friendliness wasn't anything like she'd expected.

"Now now, don't you know I must evenly dispense my charm amongst all the ladies? I can't shower my affections solely to you, dearest Dandelion." Harrison purred with the affection of an old friend, and Maplewind felt herself relax. These cats knew each other well. She'd not even been here for over an hour and she could see this.

"Always the charmer, Harrison dear. But I told you to call me Dandy. Everyone else does." The she-cat's blue eyes glowed in the cold chamber, and she turned to face Maplewind once more.

"Maplewind, I believe? That's quite an interesting name you've got there. Very elegant."

Maplewind took this as a compliment, though she merely dipped her head. She felt stupid and clumsy around these cats who were so at ease with one another. She, though, plain old Maplewind, had nothing special to offer.

"Is that a clan name?"

The question caught her off-guard, and the way it was stated so flatly, like more of a confirmation than a question, made the queen look up in surprise.

"Yes, it is. How did you-"

"Dandy has a way of knowing things. Most of which she SHOULDN'T."

The she-cat's turned their heads as a pitch black tom cut in. He almost seemed invisible at first, but then his eyes; eyes of the deepest indigo blue that Maplewind had ever seen, cut out against the shadows and made his presence known.

"Don't be jealous, Lucifer. Just because I know where all the good hunting spots are-"

"This is stupid! If we're just going to sit here and talk about pointless things, then I'm leaving!" This time, it was a dark tabby who cut them off. When he walked out into the light, Maplewind could make out the sharp gray and black stripes that patterned his coat. She was reminded vaguely of Lilypool, an old friend of hers back in Windclan. The she-cat had also been a gray tabby, though her eyes were green instead of amber like this tom's.

"Always one to not beat around the bush. There's nothing wrong with small-talk you know. A little friendly conversation wouldn't hurt every now and then you know." Dandelion said, casting an indifferent look in the tabby's direction. He merely snorted and started heading for the tunnel before a black and white cat moved to bar his way.

"Step aside Erika." The tom, Merrit, hissed.

The she-cat shook her head and remained where she was.

"Don't make me-"

But before anyone could find out what it was Merrit didn't want Erika to make him do, the old voice from before was cutting through the ruckus.

"Now now, what's with all this fighting? Council members, did we not all vow to maintain peace and order? Don't tell me you've suddenly taken back your oaths over trivial arguments like this." All heads, including the brash gray tabby's, lowered in respect and maybe a hint of shame. Maplewind stared in awe as the cat's looked up again, their eyes resting on a frail brown tom sitting off to the side. Maplewind had been right about his age; he would surely qualify for an elder back at Windclan.

"My sincere apologize, Sofraten. It seems we got carried away." The black tom with the violet eyes meowed, his voice filled with genuine embarrassment. Maplewind wondered if perhaps age was also a key factor in gaining respect. After all, weren't these cats each 'council members' and therefor of the same rank? Which meant there really was no status-wise reason that they should be showing such discipline around the elderly tom.

"Now, Maplewind, you must have a lot of questions."

The she-cat nodded vigorously at the old tom's words. He let out a dry laugh like the rustling of Leaf-fall leaves.

"But we also have questions for you, young one. Let us sit and talk a while, for there is certainly much to be discussed."

The cats around her seemed to reassemble themselves at his words.

Dandelion sat dedicatedly by Maplewind, while the black tom settled down on the pretty she-cat's other side. Splash hadn't put much thought into where he was, so he plopped down by Brisca until Harrison moved to join them. As soon as the black and white tom had placed himself next to Splash, the gray and white tom had growled something incoherent and migrated to rest by Maplewind and her two new companions.

By the tunnel entrance, Erika and the dark tabby remained where they were, both standing in case the other decided to either give in or pursue their goal.

Sofraten settled down in the center of the clearing, the sunlight basking his mottled brown pelt in a hazel tone, his blue eyes growing lighter. He almost looked younger like this.

"So, Maplewind, what is it you are curious about? There must be a lot, no?" He smiled warmly, and the she-cat could not help but to return the gesture. He reminded her so much of her favorite uncle back home.

"Yes. I don't mean to be intrusive, but earlier, Brisca referred to the dog that attack… Almost attacked me, as 'Burfen.'…" She frowned, for this was surely the most puzzling of her questions.

The tom, however, did not seem confused. Instead, he simply continued smiling back at her.

"Well, I suppose you would ask about this sooner or later. Indeed, Burfen is that dog's name. It belongs to a pack of around 6 that live on the edge of this forest. Their twoleg owns a farm and lets them off-leash, and unfortunately it is our scent that draws them into the woods. They leave at night for the dinner their twolegs offer, but whenever the sun is out, we must remain cautious."

He paused, let himself take a breath.

"So far, they have not found our camp. It is well-hidden, and deep within the forest so that if they ever did reach here, they would already be lost and tired. The trees provide clear escape anyway, and the wall of undergrowth is good protection. But I can tell, my child, that this is not what concerns you?" He raised an eyebrow, and she wondered at his perceptiveness.

"Yes, it as you say. Brisca knew the name of this particular dog, as did the rest of us. You see, while we speak not the language of those dogs, nor they speak ours, there is a cat amongst us who is able to see and know things that others do not. In her dreams, and in the waking world, she has… Visions, you could say. She can understand things that most others cannot. But I suppose it is best to let her describe this ability to you herself. After all, I am but an outsider looking in. I cannot explain it to you from first-hand experience." The tom dipped his head and backed away.

Maplewind turned as she heard pawsteps behind her, and she was surprised to see that Dandelion had stepped forward. Then it dawned on her. No wonder the black tom had said Dandy 'knew things'. Who wouldn't known this though, that it was none other than the beautiful she-cat who had this 'ability'. Maplewind's jealousy flared. The she-cat had looks AND talent.

"It's really not that amazing. It's more like a voice that tells me things. It doesn't always talk, but when it does, time seems to freeze for me and I can see things.. Usually the visions have to do with whatever the voice is telling me." Dandelion smiled and Maplewind found herself staring in awe.

"Aka, she's crazy." Lucifer purred, and Dandelion rolled her eyes in the black tom's direction.

"Well, you did say yourself that you hear voices."

The she-cat stuck her tongue out at her friend before looking back at Maplewind and smiling.

"It's just one voice. The voice of someone up above, I believe. Maybe a powerful ancestor. I'm really not sure, but it helps a lot. It helped me envision how to make the stream run through camp. Of course, Sage adjusted my original idea, so I can't take all the credit, but this voice has also helped us know when the dogs are going to attack."

"It also seems tah know what the dogs call one another, too. That big brown 'urn, the one that attacked yah? That was Burfen. He's a brute, but he's not their leader." Splash meowed, shifting in his seat as Harrison got up and moved to sit beside the tom.

"That would be Razor. A real mix of colors, that one. Got some pretty sharp canines too." Harrison purred in a deceptively cool voice as he leaned against Splash. The smaller cat let out a warning growl at the mock-intimacy and glared up in agitation.

"Don't push it yah punk. I've got sum purty sharp teeth mahself."

"We simply call this gift of Dandy's 'The Voice'." The elder cut in again, casting a stern glance at Lucifer and Dandelion. The black tom looked down sheepishly while Dandelion let out a cough a flustered cough in return.

"I know it may seem hard to believe, but Dandy's voice can often see future events, though the visions change depending on the choices we make. Dandy must've just had a short vision from The Voice, telling her that you were from the clans. We have another cat here, Pebble. He was from Riverclan."

Maplewind's eyes widened. There was another clanner here? Someone that might understand what she was feeling? The she-cat blinked, and the tom purred in amusement at her sudden eagerness.

"You can meet him later, if you'd like. I think he's sleeping right now. He's still recovering from a bad cough. He gets sick so often despite it being Greenleaf."

The old tom shook his head before looking back up and smiling again.

"Now that you know about Dandy's Voice, is there anything else you've been wondering about?"

Maplewind thought for a moment before saying,

"Yes, actually. Just one more thing. Umm, what are all of you? I mean, how did you all come together?"

Sofraten's eyes glowed at this, as though it was a question he was enthusiastic to provide an answer to.

"Well, settle down comfortably, for this group of ours has quite a bit of history. You see, it started with 5 cats. One of them was my great grandfather. He and the other 4 were all very similar in the sense that they were either on their own or seeking solace in their life. Two were siblings; Dandy's great great grandfather and great great grandaunt, and Lucifer's great great grandmother and great great granduncle. That makes those two related." He gestured at the tom and she-cat. Dandy beamed brightly, while Lucifer smiled back in a less brazen manner.

No wonder they're so close, Maplewind thought.

"Anyway, our ancestors met and began traveling together. Later, they joined up with Merrit's great great grandmother. Mind you, it's said she was a very agreeable cat, unlike her prickly descendant here."

Merrit made a face, but decided against retorting. He did, however, cast a sharp glare down at Erika, who was smirking.

"Finally, they joined up with Erika's ancestor. The five were now all together, and they became good friends over time. However, as they traveled, they realized that there were many cats out there like themselves; wanderers, outcasts. So they decided to settle down here and start up a camp, or refuge of sorts for drifters who were looking for company and a place to stay. Originally, it was meant just as a temporary rest stop for travelers. The five built out this clearing and cared for others that came along. However, eventually, they began to realize the potential for making this place a permanent establishment. It became what you're kind might call a Clan of Loners." Sofraten smiled kindly, though for once, Maplewind thought she saw a hint of regret in his expression.

It was true, the way he put it. Most clan cats tended to look down on rouges or possess negative stereotypes towards cats who weren't part of the clans. Maplewind herself had once thought that if you weren't of clanblood, then you did not belong in the four territories. Now she realized how selfish and inconsiderate that was though, especially to cats whose homes had already been set there. Cats like these ones, -decent, friendly- cats like them, had been driven out and seen as inferior. She felt a wave of guilt wash over her conscience, but then Sofraten seemed to sense her feelings, and he smiled reassuringly.

"Do not blame yourself, child. The ways of our forefathers are not something we could have controlled. This being so, the five set up this home of sorts and welcomed in wanderers. Some stayed, others left after time. It was not mandatory for them to settle down here, after all. However, be that as it may, over time this group grew. The five raised families of their own, and eventually we became what we are today; a safe haven for travelers."

Maplewind looked at the old tom and then at the others around her. It was true. They might all be loners, but they seemed so at ease here. But something was bugging her. Sofraten had said that the original 5 were all either unwanted or alone. Was that how it had once been for all the cats now here?

Glancing over her shoulder, she stared at Splash, Harrison, and Brisca. Those three were not of the council, which meant they might not have been born into the Haven. Brisca had her brother, Kane, but what about Splash and Harrison? Why were they on their own?

She blinked and looked back at the ancient brown tom.

"Excuse me for asking, Sofraten, but, have you any descendants yourself?"

She asked, curious. She didn't want to hint at the tom's obvious age, but she couldn't help but wonder who here was going to succeed him. The tom laughed softly before laying down and tucking his paws beneath his chest.

"Yes, indeed I do. It is actually somewhat of a law that the first born descendant still alive after their ancestor dies is responsible for taking their place. It is also the duty of said ancestor to make sure there is an heir for their position. If they don't wish to raise a family, then on occasions, they can pick another that they find suitable. In my case, there is my grand nephew, Sage."

Maplewind blinked as realization dawned on her. No wonder Sage had seemed to have an authoritative air around him. He was literally a natural born leader.

"Don't both asking those young ones though. They haven't set down lineage here yet, so they don't have any heirs." The tom chortled, and Maplewind let out a soft sigh of amusement. It was strange to think that a cat's fate was decided even before they were born. She wondered if there had ever been cats born into the position that had not wanted it. Her gaze flickered to Merrit, who had not made one argument this whole time. However, there was a strange fire burning in his gaze, and the queen couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he was one of said fate-defiers. Had the tom wanted to be a council member?

"Now, Maplewind, if you do not mind, there are a few things I would like to ask you, if you are done with your questions; that is."

Turning, she smiled at the old tom and nodded.

"Yes, I'm quite done, thank you. Ask away."

"Well then, how is it that you ended up alone? I know this may be a personal question, but I assure you that everyone here has had to open up to someone else at some point or another. It sometimes helps to get it off your chest." His expression was coaxing, so Maplewind sighed and let her stitches come undone. She told them about how she'd fallen in love with Reedfang, a Shadowclanner. She explained that cats of different clans weren't allowed to be together, so she'd run off. As she spoke, the words just started pouring out like blood from a severed artery. Her voice grew in emotion as the memories washed over her, bathing her in a pain and grief she had numbed herself to in order to survive.

She told them about losing him to the twoleg monster, and how she'd been lost, not knowing what she was supposed to do; how she was meant to raise her kits or live on her own. She even found herself admitting to considering letting the dog end her life, but how at the last minute she'd regretted not moving when she'd had the chance. When Maplewind finally finished, she realized there were tears in her eyes, and she quickly looked away so that the light wouldn't reflect against them. There was a soft silence, and she wondered if perhaps she'd been foolish and conceited.

Now they probably all think I'm a self-sympathetic fool!

She almost wanted to wail at the opportunities she'd lost, but then she felt Dandelion pressing up against her side reassuringly.

"I know it hurts to lose someone you love, but think! Now that you've found us, you can raise your kits and tell them stories about their father. They can grow up happy, even if Reedfang's not there. Just because you lose someone, doesn't mean it's all over." The she-cat's voice was gentle, and Maplewind was able to lightly nod her head. That aching in her chest remained, but it was easier to breathe now that there was someone beside her.

"It seems you have endured a great loss, and for that, I am sorry that life did not treat you better. However, it is as Dany says. There is a great light ahead known as the Future. All you can do now is look ahead with the darkness to your back." The old brown tom's voice reached her ears, and Maplewind looked up, blue eyes searching his face for that familiar reassurance. She found it, and felt her fears slip away. These cats were right. She would be alright, even without Reedfang here.

"Thank you, and I'm sorry to have intruded upon all of you…"

"Not at all flower. Your aroma eases my nerves; it'd be a shame for you to leave so soon." Harrison meowed, earning him a sharp jab in the ribs from Splash.

"Yer welcome tah stay 'ere as long as yah like. Aint no rule that says we's can deny somebodies. If yah wanna stay permanently, the council's gotta decide. Otherwise, we'd be more'n glad to take yah in." Splash grinned, his blue eyes causing a smile to break out on Maplewind's face.

The she-cat looked back at Sofraten.

"Then, if it's alright with all of you…"

The tom smiled and nodded. Relief washed over Maplewind's expression as she exhaled.

"Thank you… I promise to help out as much as possible. I really owe all of you…"

"No no, child, I thank you. It has been a long while since we've seen a new face. Only three nights ago a tom we'd thought was planning on staying permanently went off on his way once more. It's nice to have a young spirit around again."

Maplewind blushed, and then Brisca padded over to join her.

"Well then, if everything's all good and said, then if you'll excuse us." The tabby dipped her head to Sofraten, who did the same in turn, a small smile on his muzzle. His eyes flickered to Maplewind and then Dandy. The golden female grinned brightly and then bounded after Brisca as she led Maplewind towards the tunnel.

"Just remember, Maplewind, if you ever need assistance or are curious about something, come down here and one of us will be more than glad to assist you."

"Huh. Speak for yourself." Merrit muttered, but it was so quiet that no one but Erika heard. The she-cat rolled her eyes and blatantly ignored him, stepping aside to let the three she-cat's past.

Before heading up though, Dandy looked over her shoulder at the others.

"Splash, Harrison, are you two going to come with us?"

"Nah, I hafta talk tah Erika 'bout someth'n." The young tom called, squirming a good fox-length away from Harrison as the harlequin tom leered over the smaller cat.

"You know Splash, the way you and Erika hang around each other like a pair of burrs, one might even think-"

"Oh shut up you! I don't recall ask'n fer yer opinion!" The gray cat growled, though Harrison noted with amusement that the tom's face had gone red.

"What would YOU know about relationships Harrison? The whole cat population is a bunch of freshkill for you to pick from. It shouldn't matter who's who to you." Erika scoffed, amber orbs challenging as she turned. Maplewind looked slightly weary as the conversation took on a more serious topic, but then Brisca was ushering her on and up towards higher ground. She smiled and waved farewell with her tail before joining her new friend. They vanished up into the shadows. Dandy quirked an eyebrow at Splash and Harrison before smiling and joining the other two she-cats.

Silence filled the den before the black and white tom let out a low laugh.

"Alright, guess I've overstayed my welcome. I'll check in on 'y'all's tomorrows, eh'?" He expertly dodged a swipe from Splash as he ran out of the chamber chuckling like a smitten young she-cat. He could hear the gray tom ranting angrily, his immature voice echoing, and Harrison was glad that he knew this tunnel well and was able to move quickly. He knew Splash wouldn't follow him, but he still liked to know that he could always outrun him if it came to that.

Maplewind had just emerged into the light, the trip having gone faster as the tunnel got lighter and lighter. When she crawled out of the brambles and undergrowth and stepped into the camp clearing once again, the warm air washed over her pelt and brought sensation back into her limbs. She purred and glanced over at Dandelion and Brisca. The two were smiling also, probably enjoying the same air.

"Sorry guys, but I'm gonna go check on Kane. He should be fine, but he tends to overexert himself. I'll meet up with you later." Brisca nodded at her friends and left, vanishing into the make-shift Healer Den. Dandelion and Maplewind stood there watching the pale tabby's fading figure before Dandelion turned to Maplewind.

"Alrighty then! How about I give you the official camp tour? There's some cats I'd like you to meet. If you're feeling tired at all, just say so and I'll show you a free den where you can sleep."

At the prospect of rest, Maplewind's heart fluttered gratefully, but at the same time the she-cat was curious to know who else she was in the company of. So far, she had met 12 different cats, and then there was this 'Pebble' cat, the former Riverclanner. She was mostly looking forward to maybe reminiscing with him. Perhaps he knew some friends of her's? She smiled at the thought, and followed after Dandelion as the she-cat headed off towards a small rock-shelter den. Maplewind would have to take in a lot, but it would be worth it. Her kits would have a home now, and so would she. Maplewind smiled at the thought.

...

I'm so sorry about how long this took D=
I meant to write it a lot earlier,
but I ended up being lazy and putting it off!
This chapter got kinda slow at the very end,
but otherwise I think I explained a lot that I wanted to,
so in a way it was a success. =)
SPOILER:

Next chapter,
A certain flirtatious tom's dark past is revealed,
someone confides a terrible secret,
and Maplewind recognizes a shockingly familiar face;
one that she remembers from back in the clans.