Okay my computer was broken and out of commission for a while and I had to get it fixed once more. So stories have been a while and I had to start from scratch with chapters .
Chapter 14
Scourgeclaw took a long look at Falconpaw, he padded up to his apprentice slowly fixing his cold blue eyes on Falconpaw who held his stare unwaveringly.
"We start at dawn, but I want you to be waiting outside the apprentice den before then, is that understood?" Scourgeclaw hissed lowly. Falconpaw nodded wordlessly, before making his way toward the apprentice den. Scourgeclaw watched him go before he turned and headed toward the warriors den, ignoring Longtail's boastings about getting a new apprentice, as he reached the entrance to the den. A few warriors congratulated him for his apprentice before he was allowed to curl into his nest. Fireheart followed him into the warriors den curling up into his own nest near Scourgeclaw's and Mousefur was curled into a nest right beside Scourgeclaw's own nest, Scourgeclaw watched her as she fell asleep, for a moment before falling into a dreamless sleep.
Scourgeclaw awoke stretching his long body out of his nest; he paused to watch his flame pelted brother sleeping peacefully. Let his gaze travel to the sleeping Mousefur letting his gaze linger a little. He wondered why the dusky brown she-cat was being so friendly and why she had chosen to sleep in the nest beside his own. He shook his head forcefully trying to rid himself of the confusion that plagued him briefly, then he quietly padded out of the warrior's den stepping into the cool early morning. The sky was still a little dark as he emerged from the den. He glanced around the camp and saw that Falconpaw sitting silently outside the apprentice den. He was proud to see that Falconpaw was waiting patiently for him. He noticed the pale white pelt of Whitestorm, guarding the camp entrance silently. He padded forward to greet his apprentice and as he approached Falconpaw slowly rose to his feet. He nodded his head in acknowledgement to his apprentice as he reached the golden brown tom.
"Are you hungry? If you are you should eat before we leave."Scourgeclaw asked the young tom quietly, glancing at the fresh-kill pile and seeing that there were still a few pieces of prey.
"No I'm not hungry" meowed Falconpaw softly. Scourgeclaw nodded before turning and leading his apprentice to the gorse tunnel.
Whitestorm blinked in surprise as he saw Scourgeclaw and Falconpaw approach, from his place guarding the camp entrance.
"What are the two of you doing up so early?" he meowed curiously, letting his gaze travel from Scourgeclaw to his apprentice. Scourgeclaw held the white warrior's gaze for a moment before answering him.
"We're just getting an early start. I wanted to show Falconpaw the territory and get a bit of training in." Scourgeclaw meowed smoothly. Whitestorm nodded in understanding before allowing the two to pass into the forest.
They began to steadily climb the steep slope, hopping from rock to rock until they reached the top of the ravine. Scourgeclaw then began to lead the way to the training hollow. Scourgeclaw could see his apprentice watching him from the corner of his eye; he noticed that the apprentice was very confident looking despite his small size. Scourgeclaw inwardly growled as he briefly thought of his kithood, he could only guess that Falconpaw's was similar to his own due to his small stature. 'I heard the way the Clan pitied him for receiving me as his mentor, they will envy him when I'm done with him.'
They soon reached the Sandy hollow, the sky was getting close to dawn as they padded onto the sandy ground. Scourgeclaw motioned with his tail for Falconpaw to sit in the center. Once Falconpaw had done so he began to circle him slowly. He watched Falconpaw pensively for a moment before speaking.
"I suppose you heard your clanmates talking about how unfortunate you are to have me as your mentor; do you know why Bluestar made you my apprentice?" Falconpaw tilted his head curiously at Scourgeclaw before he meowed a gentle 'no' in response "It is because she and the Clan think you are weak." Scourgeclaw paused briefly when he saw Falconpaw flinch when he mentioned weakness, but continued to circle golden-brown apprentice, before continuing.
"They think that I'll only be able to teach you enough for you to survive a fight, but I'll teach you to win it. They think that I'm just a soft kittypet who has been lucky to survive the previous battles, but what they don't realize is that I am far dangerous then they could ever imagine, and I could have ThunderClan quaking in their nests if I wanted. I can make you strong if you wish it." He paused stopping to stare his apprenticein the eye. He saw a flicker of unspoken desire and ambition in Falconpaw's eye.
"Do you wish to be strong?" he asked at last. Falconpaw lifted his chin keeping his gaze with Scourgeclaw steady as he growled out his reply.
"Yes, I want to be strong." Scourgeclaw nodded with pleased look on his face.
"I will not tolerate disobedience or weakness, you will not complain, I expect nothing but your absolute best is that understood?" he hissed lowly. Falconpaw nodded in response. "They will wish they never looked down on us, when I'm though with you." He purred darkly.
Mossflower awoke from her place in the nursery; she glanced around and saw Frostfur fussing over her kits, who were trying to play with Brindleface's sleeping kits. Mossflower felt sad for Brindleface, since she lost one of her kits not long after it was born. She watched Frostfur's kits whining loudly at her before she sent them out to play in front of the nursery. She purred drowsily in amusement before stretching out of her nest slowly. She could feel her kits in her belly as she stretched. She couldn't wait to have her own kits to look after. She padded out of the nursery into the soft sunlight. It was just after sunhigh, she couldn't figure out why she had slept for so long, but soon remembered that Scourgeclaw and Longtail had received apprentices the previous night. 'I wonder how long they've been training?' she thought briefly, as she made her way over to the fresh-kill pile. She pulled out a few mice and settled down in front of the nursery to eat them.
Mossflower licked her muzzle clean of any leftover traces of mouse, before stretching out in the warm sun. 'It's pretty nice today. I think I'll take a walk' She thought happily. She stood up and contently padded toward the entrance only to be stopped by a voice. She turned around to find Bluestar padding up toward her.
"Mossflower where are you going?" she meowed with a little concern. Mossflower gave her a puzzled stare before answering.
"I'm just going for a short walk." Mossflower could see a bit of anxiety in Bluestar's eyes after telling her where she was going.
"I don't think it's wise for you to go out, when we don't know where Brokenstar is." Bluestar meowed
"I'll be fine Bluestar, and I won't go far from camp." She meowed softly. Bluestar watched her a moment before, sighing softly.
"Very well, just promise me you won't go near Thunderpath." Mossflower looked confused for a moment and was going to ask her why, but couldn't when she saw the pained, haunted look in Bluestar's eyes.
"Okay, Bluestar I won't." Mossflower meowed softly. Bluestar's gaze softened , before giving Mossflower a brief nod and heading toward her den. Mossflower watched her go curiously, puzzled by Bluestar's sudden overprotectiveness. Mossflower padded toward the entrance once more pausing briefly to meow a greeting to Willowpelt was depositing her catch from her earlier hunt into the fresh-kill pile.
Mossflower pushed through the gorse tunnel, slowly climbing up into the ravine. She padded off into the direction of the sandy hollow. She calmly made her way through the undergrowth and past the trees enjoying the slightly warm weather.
As she approached the sandy hollow she could make out the fresh scent of cats. She breathed in the scents of the cats and immediately recognized Scourgeclaw's scent. She padded quickly over to the clearing and spotted the Scourgeclaw and Falconpaw circling each other.
She watched as Falconpaw leaped at Scourgeclaw, only to be sent tumbling into the sand. She watched the small apprentice stand up slowly coughing and sputtering up sand. Falconpaw shook out his pelt and once again began studying Scourgeclaw for a weakness. Mossflower was briefly reminded of watching Scourgeclaw train Fireheart back when he was still a kit. She watched them a bit longer before continuing through the forest toward the twolegplace.
When she reached the pine forest she caught the scent of an unfamiliar cat. She breathed in carefully to make sure that the scent wasn't a clan scent. She quickly realized that it wasn't a clan scent either and began to return back to camp to tell Bluestar what she had discovered, when a familiar voice called to her from above.
"Hello Mossflower it's been awhile."
Scourgeclaw padded through the undergrowth. He could see the bright white pelt of Frostfur and the golden pelt of Goldenclaw padding ahead of him toward Fourtrees. The full moon above made their pelts glow bright in the darkness. Further ahead was Bluestar with Tigerclaw and Whitestorm a few pawsteps behind her, a tail length behind them padded Yellowfang who was traveling beside Dappletail, keeping a watchful eye on the elder. A few pawsteps behind Scourgeclaw were Fireheart and Graystripe and beside Scourgeclaw padded Mousefur. Scourgeclaw glanced back at his brother and could tell that his brother seemed to be focused on something. He slowed his pace until it matched his brother's.
"Something on your mind?" he hissed into Fireheart's ear. Fireheart glanced at him before muttering back to him.
"I'm trying to approach Bluestar about, Tigerclaw but I haven't had much luck." He meowed softly. Scourgeclaw stared unblinkingly at Fireheart a moment before answering him back.
"Well you could tell her now, it isn't like she's doing anything, she can speak to you quickly before leading us down to the gathering." Scourgeclaw finished. Fireheart nodded and started to pick up his pace so he could catch up to Bluestar, when he felt Scourgeclaw's tail on his shoulder.
"Don't be surprised if she doesn't believe you, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try." Fireheart blinked in surprise and was going to ask what he meant by that statement, but Scourgeclaw raced off once more to keep pace with Mousefur. Fireheart noticed that Scourgeclaw seemed to be a lot friendlier to Mousefur and was spending more time with the dusky brown she-cat. He figured that his brother finally decided to warm up to his clanmates. Fireheart quickened his pace through the undergrowth, bounding past his Clanmates to make his way to his leader. He quickly closed the gap between him and Bluestar, keeping stride with her.
"Bluestar may I speak with you a moment?" he asked softly, giving a quick glance back at Tigerclaw hoping the dark tabby warrior, hadn't heard him. Bluestar watched him briefly before nodding and glancing back at Tigerclaw, giving the deputy a silent command to take the lead. Bluestar slowed her pace until all the cats had passed them before sitting silently on the ground. She regarded him with unblinking eyes.
"Well Fireheart you wanted to speak with me?" asked Bluestar. Fireheart nodded slowly. He had trying to figure out the best way to tell Bluestar, about Tigerclaw and Ravenpaw, he decided that the truth was the best place to start.
"Ravenpaw is alive and he lives with Barley now." meowed Fireheart causing Bluestar's tail to twitch in surprise. "He no longer felt comfortable living in ThunderClan." Bluestar blinked slowly.
"I am not surprised that Ravenpaw wished to leave, I am more surprised that he felt that he had to fake his death in order to do so" she meowed sadly.
"He had no choice he was being threatened." Fireheart replied. Bluestar looked at the ginger tabby in surprise.
"If he was threatened he would have been protected by the Clan"
"Not if the Clan was what he needed protection from." meowed Fireheart defensively. Bluestar's whiskers twitched in shock and she watched Fireheart with unblinking eyes.
"Why would he need protection from the clan?" Bluestar she meowed at last. Fireheart gave a deep breath before telling Bluestar everything that he knew and telling her his suspicions about Tigerclaw. During his explanation, Bluestar listened patiently and calmly. He began to feel hopeful as Bluestar seemed to show a bit of worry in her eyes. When he had finished he waited patiently for Bluestar to speak and tell him what she would do. Bluestar sighed sadly before answering.
"Scourgeclaw put you up to this didn't he?" she asked with a soft voice, but Fireheart could hear a slight cool tone in her voice that made him shiver and made his eyes widen in alarm. He looked at her with a lot of confusion before answering her.
"What do you mean? What does Scourgeclaw have to do with Ravenpaw and Tigerclaw?" Bluestar shook her head again.
"I'm glad to hear that Ravenpaw is in good health , but I won't stand for these accusations you've made about Tigerclaw, I'm surprised that you would think that he would lay a claw on a clanmate." She meowed tersely and I'm even more shocked that you would slander Redtail's good name." Fireheart opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly silenced by a sharp flick of Bluestar's tail. "No I will hear no more of this, is that understood?" Fireheart looked ready to speak against Bluestar's wishes but sighed and nodded silently. Bluestar gave him a curt nod and with a flick of her tail she was gone. Fireheart stood to follow her, wondering to himself what could have gone wrong. He decided to speak to Scourgeclaw as soon as he could.
Scourgeclaw sat patiently waiting for Bluestar to return from speaking with Fireheart. He was having a quiet conversation with Goldenclaw over the best places he could take Falconpaw to teach him to hunt. He saw Bluestar padding toward the front of the group. She slowed her quick pace down as she passed Scourgeclaw to give him a warning look. Scourgeclaw inwardly sighed knowing full well that Fireheart had failed in convincing Bluestar of Tigerclaw's treachery. He noticed Fireheart's flame colored pelt out of his peripheral vision. He noticed his brother was giving worrying looks in both Bluestar's and his own direction. He inwardly sighed once more when he saw Fireheart give him a questioning look. He shrugged it off and gave him his own look telling Fireheart that they would discuss everything later.
He watched as Bluestar signaled the Clan to follow her down the slope to Fourtrees. Scourgeclaw charged down the slope with his Clanmates this time stepping carefully into the clearing and looking around. He immediately recognized cats from ShadowClan and was impressed to see them looking so well after having driven out Brokenstar a while ago. He glanced around the clearing once more before settling himself near the base of one of the four great oak trees that surrounded the clearing. He sat silently watching other cats greet each other and tell stories and give news. He was surprised to see a familiar looking ginger she-cat padding in his direction. He was even more surprised to see a pretty gray and white she-cat pad up with her.
"Greetings Amberpelt, how is your clan?" he meowed curtly glancing at the other unfamiliar she-cat.
"My clan is well, Nightpelt is our new leader. He has helped us get Shadowclan running as it should." She mewled softly. "I trust everything is well in ThunderClan, Scourgeclaw?" Scourgeclaw regarded her carefully for a moment before answering.
"Yes ThunderClan is well and so are the kits." He meowed noticing the other she looking a little confused at their conversation. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Icestream of Riverclan. It's nice to meet you Scourgeclaw." Scourgeclaw nodded, knowing full well that she had to be from RiverClan.
"I haven't really met any cats from RiverClan ,until now that is." Scourgeclaw explained truthfully. Icestream and Amberpelt shared an expression of surprise.
"Really? I wouldn't mind showing you some of our warriors here." meowed Icestream. Scourgeclaw nodded and meowing an agreement before following the she-cat over to a group of warriors. He quickly recognized the silver-gray pelt of Flintfang and the black and white pelt of Brightflower. He also recognized a brown and white she-cat who he remembered from the time they drove out Brokenstar, but couldn't recall her name. The three ShadowClan warriors were speaking with Whitestorm and Goldenclaw, as well as a few RiverClan cats. Scourgeclaw quickly observed the Riverclan warriors individually. The first was a tom with dark gray mottled fur, who was watching the other warriors as they spoke. The next cat was a light brown she-cat with soft green eyes and a gentle voice to match. Right beside the she-cat was a cat that Scourgeclaw had seen at the other gathering, the gray tom with battle-scarred ears, Mossflower had spoken to this tom, and finally the last cat, was a large dark black tom with blue-gray eyes. The last two toms were speaking quietly to each other. Icestream began to point out each warrior.
"The dark mottled gray tom is Pebblestorm, and the light brown she-cat is Honeystream." She meowed "The cat beside her is Stonefur, he was our previous deputy's son." She meowed softly. Scourgeclaw was surprised by this statement, but kept it hidden by giving her a curt nod. "And the black tom is Darkstorm, his mate is Stonefur's sister." Scourgeclaw nodded carefully taking in the information that was being given to him. He then remembered something that Icestorm had said that made him curious.
"Who is the RiverClan deputy now?" he asked quietly. Icestorm looked at him a moment before letting her eyes scan the various cats that were in the clearing. Her eyes landed on a golden she-cat with unusual spots in her coat. She pointed her tail at the spotted she-cat.
"That's Leopardfur, she's Riverclan's new deputy." Scourgeclaw observed the she-cat a moment. 'She seems like she would be a decent deputy, I suppose time will tell.'
A loud yowl rang from the top of the Great Rock signaling the start of the gathering. Scourgeclaw located where Fireheart was seated and went over to join him. Fireheart gave his brother a questioning look as Scourgeclaw sat down beside him.
"I'll tell you when we're alone just not now." He meowed quietly. Fireheart seemed to except this and turned his attention back to the leader's. Fireheart was surprised to see Nightpelt standing on the Great Rock with the other leaders and realized that ShadowClan must have chosen him to be their new leader. Bluestar stepped forward to address the cats below.
"ThunderClan has welcomed Yellowfang as our new medicine cat." She meowed giving a pause while the other cats turned to look at Yellowfang. Fireheart saw that Yellowfang looked a little uncomfortable under the gaze of the other cats, but she kept her head up and met the gaze of every cat that looked at her directly. We also have two new warriors in our ranks, Fireheart and Graystripe." The cats all turned to see the two warriors. Fireheart kept his head high, and met every cats gaze even as he felt the fur along his spine tingle uneasiness. Once they had turned back to Bluestar, she quickly told the cats about ThunderClan's two newest apprentices and how well ThunderClan was fairing, and then backed up so that Nightpelt could take her place. Nightpelt told the Clans about ShadowClan driving out Brokenstar and that he had not yet been given his nine lives but was to travel in the morning to highstones, before he let Crookedstar take his place.
"We are all pleased to hear that Brokenstar is no longer a threat to the forest and RiverClan no longer have to share our prey with ShadowClan." Crookedstar meowed, RiverClan cats responded with loud cheers and happiness, but the ShadowClan cats including Nightpelt all looked very displeased.
"ShadowClan still has a lot of mouths to feed" meowed Nightpelt turning to look at Crookedstar ,who was beginning to look frustrated, to speak directly to him. "The deal that was made was for all of ShadowClan, not just Brokenstar" meowed Nightpelt. Crookedstar's growl could barely be heard above the murmurs from the cats below. Fireheart glanced around and saw that the ShadowClan cats were beginning to flex their claws and glare at RiverClan whose fur was beginning to rise along their spines. Crookedstar growled lowly and Nightpelt began to flex his claws. Fireheart watched in surprise as Bluestar stepped between the two leaders. She reminded them both that ShadowClan had less mouthes to feed and that Nightpelt had yet to receive his nine lives and asked the ShadowClan leader if he really wanted to make these claims on RiverClan's land when he didn't have nine lives to back him. Both leader begrudgingly backed down afterward.
"We don't need RiverClan's fish we have the uplands to hunt in now that WindClan is gone." Crookedstar nodded in agreement. Bluestar shook her head and proclaimed so all cats could hear
"WindClan must return for the good of all Clans." meowed Bluestar, as she looked at both Clan leaders.
"Why must they return that couldn't defend their own territory."hissed a voice from the crowd. Tigerclaw stood and faced every cat giving them a hard stare.
"Bluestar, is right WindClan must return." He meowed loudly. Fireheart saw Scourgeclaw roll his eyes. He looked curiously at Bluestar and wondered what she would do to convince the other leaders that WindClan has to return. He watched in bated breath as both leaders seemed to have turned their hostility at Bluestar and was greatly surprised that Bluestar paid no heed to their anger. She turned to address Nightpelt
"Nightpelt, Brokenstar drove out WindClan and ThunderClan had to assist you in driving him out we know you and your clan has suffered an that is why we have left you in peace." She turned to face Crookedstar.
"Your Clan has always been well off with the fish in the river, why do you need the uplands?" she asked calmly. Crookedstar wouldn't face her. Nightpelt stared at her for a long time before sighing and agree with Bluestar.
"Very well then WindClan will be found." Bluestar meowed before ending the meeting.
Scourgeclaw looked up toward the Great Rock where the leaders were still standing. He noticed the looks that Nightpelt and Crookedstar seemed to share. 'That's interesting Nightpelt doesn't appear to agree with Bluestar after all.' He thought to himself before glancing over at Fireheart and saw that his brother had noticed the exchange as well. He padded alongside Fireheart as they approached the rest of the Clan getting ready to leave. He turned his head to murmur quietly in Fireheart's ear.
"You have questions for me I know, but as of right now I can't give you the answers. You'll just have to trust me for now, can you do that?" He meowed looking at his brother's eyes. Fireheart stared back and for a heartbeat Scourgeclaw thought that Fireheart was going to tell him that he won't trust him, but Fireheart simply nodded and glanced at Tigerclaw, who was speaking to Bluestar, and then looked back at Scourgeclaw.
"I understand, but you will tell me soon won't you?" asked Fireheart. Scourgeclaw gave his brother a nod, touching his tail to his shoulder, before following the rest of the Clan back to camp.
'I'm sure Mossflower will find this interesting'
Okay that's it for this chapter. Again sorry I haven't been updating a lot has happened (besides the computer) that has prevented me from making chapters.
And I've been lazy, but I also wanted to get my story straight in my head before I put down another chapter, I've recently come to terms with the fact that I can do anything I want in this story even change canon pairings so I had to decide if I wanted to change what I was going to do in this story or keep it
I changed it you may be surprised
Also I haven't forgotten about Firepaw of SkyClan it's just at the time I had a lot of Ideas on this story that I wanted to put down and I put FoS on the back burner so I will try to get more things up soon.
