A/N: Sorry it took so long to post a new chapter! I think that I will be setting up a schedule for this book so that (hopefully) the long breaks don't happen so often. I will be updating this book every Sunday- if not check on Monday.
I would like to give A REALLY BIG thanks to my 4 reviewers!
*halfmoon54- I agree; Mossypaw's death was really hard to write :(
*Stormfeather (Guest)- thank you so much! I hope you get an account!
*twinkleestar1801- thanks!
*ShastamaeFirepool- yeah :( Thanks for reviewing!
AND NOW ONTO THE STORY!- please review!
Ch.4-
Redrose's kits had been born a little less than a moon later- all three of them lively and healthy. The tom-kit, Redrose's largest, seemed the strongest. Moleclaw had named him Russetkit for his coloring. Redrose named both of the girls. Firekit- a ginger tabby was the liveliest while her sister, Swallowkit was the quiet one and she shared her father's brown tabby markings. Featherpaw thanked Starclan that they were born before Darkstar's; and that the dark tabby leader wasn't showing her kit badly. What had been worrying Featherpaw was that the BrightClan leader hadn't been seen all day. Violetfur had been keeping her apprentice busy up until now; promising Featherpaw that today would be the last night she would have the paw' at the end of her name. The medicine cat gathering was tonight and they both knew Featherpaw had completed her necessary training.
"Violetfur, do you think I could go out for a while?" Featherpaw finally asked.
Violetfur mumbled something before turning to Featherpaw, "Ah, Featherpaw, sure… You've been working hard all day."
Featherpaw quickly dashed out of the camp. She sniffed the air and picked up a lingering trace of Darkstar along with fear scent- something was definitely wrong. As she continued to follow the scent her pelt prickled; finally the scent grew fresh. It was silent around the empty fox-den and it was clear to the apprentice medicine cat that Darkstar had gone in there. Featherpaw took a deep breath before entering the tunnel; the scent of blood was almost overwhelming. Her paw hit soft fur.
Darkstar!
She immediately grabbed her leader's scruff. A thin wail rose up and she grew ridged.
What? A kit!?
Featherpaw nosed around in the darkness until her muzzle gently bumped into another furry object. She fastened her teeth gently around the kit's scruff and put the kit gently outside under the shelter of a tree before dragging Darkstar out. Darkstar's eyes were sightless and Featherpaw held her breath; waiting for StarClan to give BrightClan back their leader. Finally Darkstar's flanks heaved.
"Curse you, Featherpaw!" the leader's eyes blinked open. "I wouldn't have lost this life if it wasn't for you!"
Featherpaw nosed the dark gray she-kit towards Darkstar, "You had one kit; nurse her once and then I'll bring her back to camp. Meet me at the medicine den afterwards and I'll give you some borage to stop the milk- just make sure Violetfur isn't there."
Darkstar snorted and nosed the kit towards her belly.
"There, now go ahead and take it back to camp," Darkstar spit.
Featherpaw nodded and picked up the kit again, making her way toward camp. The kit was strangely quiet and she began to worry that it wasn't going to make the trip when she finally reached camp.
"Featherpaw?" she meant Breezepaw at the camp entrance; her jaw dropped when she saw what was in Featherpaw's jaws, "A kit! Oh, where did you get it?"
The apprentice medicine cat ignored her friend and took off towards the nursery, "Redrose, can you manage one more?" She put down the kit.
"Whose is it?" Redrose's brow furrowed, "Oh, what am I saying? Of course I'll take her!"
Featherpaw nodded and put the kit next to Redrose's other three, "I found her outside of camp; I figured that her mother left her."
Redrose nodded and gave the kit a little lick; her eyes darkening for a second, "What is her name?"
"Umm… Thunderkit?" Featherpaw said.
"Featherpaw!" Violetfur called from outside the den.
Featherpaw nodded goodbye to Redrose before joining her mentor.
"I hear you brought back a kit with you?" Violetfur asked.
Featherpaw starred at her paws, "Yes, Violetfur."
Violetfur's shoulders sagged, "What did you name her?"
"Thunderkit," Featherpaw replied.
"Very well, it is time to go to the Star Oak. We must go immediately," Violetfur gave her the bundle of herbs in her mouth and Featherpaw gulped them up.
"Why can't traveling herbs taste better," she complained.
Violetfur choose to ignore her and they hurried out of camp.
"I, Violetfur, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons. Featherpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" Violetfur asked.
"I do," Featherpaw dipped her head.
"Then by the powers that StarClan invested in me, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Featherpaw, from this moment you will be known as Feathersky. StarClan honors your determination and talent, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of… BrightClan," Violetfur finished the ceremony.
"Feathersky! Feathersky! Feathersky!" the medicine cats cheered.
Feathersky smiled and touched her nose to one of the ancient carvings in the trunk of the tree in front of her. Sleep immediately came to her.
Rosepetal's russet pelt immediately appeared in front of her, "Oh, my little one, I am so, so, sorry." The StarClan cat's amber eyes couldn't meet Feathersky's. "A dark time has taken to your path. You will find one and become five. The time of the many trees and the windswept grass has come and with it has come sorrow and sadness; but also joy and peace."
Feathersky's fur rose.
"You did right by rescuing Thunderkit," Rosepetal finally meant her eyes, "But we could do nothing to stop it. She was just too weak."
A dark-gray she-kit came tumbling out of the bush; her green eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Where am I?" she squealed.
Feathersky couldn't answer.
"Do you promise to defend Brightclan even at the cost of your life and to uphold the warrior code without question?" Darkstar's voice boomed.
"I do," Breezepaw replied.
"Then from now on you shall be known as Breezeheart for your kindness and easygoing personality. The clan welcomes you as a full warrior. Serve your clan well," Darkstar dipped her head to the new warrior. "You will hold silent vigil tonight- starting now."
Breezeheart took her place at the entrance of the camp; wishing Featherpaw could have seen her warrior ceremony. She couldn't wait to see what her friends full name was and to share her warrior name with her. All the sudden an eerie wail rose from the nursery; making Breezeheart's fur prickle.
"Thunderkit is dead!" Redrose sobbed.
Moleclaw burst out of the warrior den followed by his daughter, Leopardfoot, and his son, Robinwing. Breezeheart sighed; Featherpaw would be very sad when she got home- she was the one after all that found the little rogue kit on BrightClan territory. The meows of Firekit, Russetkit, and Swallowkit sounded from the nursery as they sensed something was terribly wrong.
Feathersky woke up numb the next morning. Her mentor and she had arrived at camp to find- not to Feathersky's surprise- that Thunderkit had passed away in her sleep. She hadn't even told Breezepaw what her full name was- neither did Breezepaw tell her hers because of the silent vigil. At the thought of Breezepaw; the brown tabby entered Feathersky's bush-den.
"Sorry about last night, Feather…" Breezepaw starred at her paws.
"Feathersky," Feathersky muttered, "What's your warrior name?"
"Breezeheart," was her reply.
Feathersky sighed, "It fits you. Breezeheart, there is something I have to tell you."
"Thunderkit's yours?" Breezeheart's fur bristled.
"No!" Feathersky looked up in shock. "It's about Thunderkit… she's… you can't repeat this to anyone; Darkstar's kit."
"But… why didn't Darkstar say so?" Breezeheart asked.
"I figure it's because she doesn't have a mate… at least in this clan," Feathersky whispered.
"Like… she has a mate in RoseClan?" Breezeheart's eyes widened.
Feathersky nodded, "Darkstar came to me to ask for the right herbs to stop it… I said no. Breezeheart, this is serious… she's threatened to kill me if I tell who was Thunderkit's mother. She's already planning something in revenge."
"She'd do that?" Breezeheart backed up.
Feathersky closed her eyes, "Yes."
"Feathersky, I would like you to come with me," Darkstar's voice made the apprentice medicine cat's fur rise.
"Yes, Darkstar." she said tensely.
The black tabby led the way out of camp; the evening light barely streaming through the tops of the trees. Apprehension built in Feathersky's chest.
"I am sorry about my earlier behavior," Darkstar purred, "I was being dumb; very dumb; and I am very saddened by the loss of Thunderkit. She would have made a good warrior- a great warrior- one BrightClan could have desperately used. Redrose did everything she could to save her; you know. I'm sure that the loss has deeply affected you; and I'm sorry to have caused you this much pain."
Darkstar's rambling had caught Feathersky off of guard and before she realized it they had reached the RoseClan border.
Darkstar's eyes narrowed, "I think I heard something over there," she flicked her tail into the nearby bushes. I'll be right back."
Feathersky nodded and Darkstar hared off.
"Feathersky, is that you?" Feathersky whipped around.
"Windpaw!" Feathersky smiled, "How did you know my full medicine cat name?"
Windpaw smirked, "Actually, it's Windstrike; news gets around quickly."
"How's Tiny…" Feathersky nodded to him.
"Tinypetal; she's doing great- thanks for saving her from that river," Windstrike seemed to tremble for a second, "Feathersky; she threatened to kill my family if I didn't meet up with you tonight! I'm so sorry I… I betrayed you."
"Who?" Feathersky's eyes darkened.
A branch cracked and Windstrike darted over and licked her on the cheek before fleeing across RoseClan territory leaving Feathersky utterly puzzled about what the RoseClan warrior was talking about and about his recent actions… did he like her? That was against the warrior and medicine cat code!
All the sudden a brown tabby tom burst into the clearing, "FEATHERSKY! What were you doing with that RoseClan tom?!"
"Yes, Feathersky, I would like to know to… I've been tracking both of you and you've been meeting up many times quite… recently," a voice made Feathersky freeze.
Darkstar… what is she talking about? That was the first time I've ever meant Windstrike except at the gatherings.
She faced Dirtstreak, Minnowclaw, and Spottedlily. Darkstar quickly walked up to Dirtstreak's side. That when she understood Windstrike's last words… Darkstar had pinned her up- making it seem as if she was meeting Windstrike and breaking two codes- the warrior code and the medicine cat code. Feathersky's shoulders sagged; there was no way out of this… everyone would believe Darkstar's fake claims- along with what her father, sister, and Minnowclaw had seen with their own eyes. And then there was the part with her bring back Thunderkit to the camp- everyone would think the kit was hers.
"Come back to camp this instant!" Darkstar hissed, "We'll see what the clan thinks of your behavior."
Dirtstreak and Minnowclaw surrounded her like she was an enemy trespasser or a murderer that they had found in the act on their territory. It would be useless to say anything… yet. The only cat with any chance of believing her would be Breezeheart; if she could even get a word in with her friend. She stumbled into camp; exhausted as Darkstar called the summons to rouse all cats out of their dens.
"We have a traitor in our mist!" Darkstar yowled, "Feathersky has taken a mate in RoseClan- breaking TWO codes!"
The tips of Feathersky's ears burned at the fake accusation.
"She should be killed!" a voice called out from the crowd.
Other cats joined in, "Kill her! Exile her! Punish her! De-mote her from her position of medicine cat! Stripe her of her warrior name!"
An evil grin spread on Darkstar's face, "I think that she should be killed. Farsight; will you do the honors."
The deputy's blue eyes flashed, "No, Darkstar. The warrior code says that we can't kill. Exile her instead."
Darkstar growled; anger flaring in her eyes, "Feathersky are not a member of BrightClan any longer and if you are found on our territory by dawn you will be killed. Farsight- the warrior code also says the leader's word is law."
Feathersky looked up at the sky; dawn was already approaching- fast. Her gaze meant Breezeheart; but her friend just looked away. Feathersky got to her paws and fled camp.
No… no… no…
Breezeheart watched as Feathersky stumbled out of camp… could her friend have lied to her about Darkstar? No. It didn't make any sense… she had never found any signs of night activity by Feathersky. Anyways; Darkstar's actions meant up perfectly with Feathersky's tale, which meant that Feathersky was innocent… and meant that Breezeheart should at least help her get safely off of BrightClan territory! Breezeheart got to her paws and trotted off toward the camp's entrance.
"Breezeheart," a voice made her freeze, "Where do you think you're going this time of night?"
"Darkstar," Breezeheart curtly nodded, "I… I thought we could use some fresh-kill; Feathersky's betrayal surely has unsettled the clan- and you; I'm sure."
The leader's green eyes flashed coldly, "That is very kind of you Breezeheart, but I'm sure a young, busy, and kind warrior like you needs her sleep. Go find Spottedlily and Minnowclaw; they are loyal cats that would be good to hang around with- it's a shame that such a sweet, lovely, she-cat like you would fall into that murderous medicine cat apprentices deception."
Breezeheart's pelt burned, "I will go check on Redrose's kits. They are sure to be shook up."
Darkstar snarled, "If I catch you sneaking out of camp after Feathersky… Breezeheart, you will be next. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Darkstar," Breezeheart held her tail high as she made her way to the nursery.
"Breezeheart, is that you?" Redrose's voice called out softly.
"Yes, it is, can I come in?" Breezeheart replied.
"You may," Redrose sighed.
Breezeheart walked in and her vision scanning over Redrose's three kits; all looking quite healthy.
"I can't believe Thunderkit was Feathersky's all along," Redrose looked at her paws.
"That's because she wasn't," Breezeheart hissed.
"What?" Redrose's eyes narrowed.
That's when Breezeheart realized what she had said.
"N… nothing," Breezeheart quickly replied.
"I know what you said; Breezeheart. Now tell me- who was Thunderkit's mother?" Redrose's tail twitched.
Breezeheart growled, "Darkstar- she pinned the whole thing on Feathersky. She's innocent."
Redrose's voice was filled with concern, "And she wanted the clan to believe that Thunderkit was Feathersky's so that Darkstar wouldn't get caught… Darkstar was my apprentice; and I knew ever since she was a paw' that she had been meeting with that RoseClan tom; Pouncehigh. I recognized his pelt color in Thunderkit immediately- although I kept quiet. And then when this thing came about… I got caught all up in it. Breezeheart- I am a queen with kits; I cannot leave in search of Feathersky. But you, you can- you can find her and protect her. Please, Breezeheart, she's your best friend."
Breezeheart's eyes widened, "But..."
"Breezeheart; Swiftkit and Jaypaw are dead and you don't even know who your parents are. Feathersky was your only attachment to BrightClan left… and now she's gone- but you still have a chance to go after her," Redrose meowed.
A/N: Yep, I exiled Feathersky! Yay for MEEE! Will Breezeheart go to find Feathersky? Poor Thunderkit... what's with me and killing kits and apprentices?! Next chapter is Blizzy's & Cloud's so if you want this book to continue I suggest that at least three people review... that's just a suggestion... or maybe it isn't... so REVEIW!
Until next time,
~Willow
P.S. REVIEW!