A/N: Yay! Thank you for the wonderful reviews! Sparrowclaw of ThunderClan- don't die! Your wish has come true! Here is Chapter 8. Enjoy.
LeopardClan
Leader: Stormstar- large tom with big dark spots and gray eyes
Deputy: Doefur- She-cat with reddish fur and round light-brown spots, brown eyes. Apprentice: Rosepaw
Healer: Frostwhisker- Tom with pale-ish fur and dark spots, large bright-white whiskers, and blue-gray eyes. Apprentice: Hawksight
Warriors:
Eaglescar- Big black tom with green eyes, a long scar runs over one eye. Apprentice: Lightpaw
Emberspots- Tom with smoky colored spots and amber eyes.
Snowstorm- White she-cat with gray-black spots and blue eyes.
Nightsky- Black she-cat with amber eyes.
Raventail- Tom with an unusual all-black tail, dark-brown eyes.
Riverheart- White tom with silver spots and gray eyes.
Stoneclaw- Broad-shouldered tom with large paws and gray eyes. Apprentice: Boulderpaw
Flowernose- Pretty she-cat with strange almost flower-shaped spots, a bright pink nose, and amber eyes.
Dapplepatch- She-cat with lots of large spots and blue eyes.
Nettlesting- Small she-cat with long claws and green eyes.
Talloak- Skinny tom with spindly long legs and amber eyes
Apprentices:
Hawksight- Lean tom with blind blue eyes.
Boulderpaw- Large tom with broad shoulders, gray spots and gray eyes.
Rosepaw- Slender she-cat with a pink nose and gray eyes.
Lightpaw- Slender golden she-cat with barely distinguishable darker golden spots, with one green eye and one blind blue eye
Elders:
Mudsplash- She-cat with a dull brown pelt and darker brown spots, brown eyes.
Whisperingwind- Skinny almost gaunt-looking tom, amber eyes.
LionClan
Leader: Sunstar- Large golden tom with a glorious mane and amber eyes
Deputy: Raintail- Pale gold tom with blue eyes. Apprentice: Petalpaw
Healer: Mintleaf- Bright-gold she-cat with pale green eyes.
Warriors:
Blazefur- Reddish-gold tom with amber eyes.
Shiverpelt- Pale almost-white she-cat with pale gray almost-white eyes. Apprentice: Thunderpaw
Goldenleaf- Deep gold she-cat with green eyes.
Tinyroar- Unusually small golden tom with green eyes.
Cloudchase- Long-legged tom with pale gold fur and blue eyes.
Apprentices:
Petalpaw- Pretty golden she-cat with unusual blue eyes.
Thunderpaw- Tom with a dark gold almost- brown pelt and amber eyes.
Queens:
Dawnlight- She cat with a slightly red hue to her gold fur, brown eyes. Mother of Cloudchase's kits: Runningkit (Lean tom with legs as long as Cloudchase's, brown eyes), Morningkit (Slender she-cat with pale red-gold fur and blue eyes), and Fallenkit (Gold-brown tom with amber eyes the color of autumn leaves).
Elders:
Braveclaw- Deep gold tom with broad shoulders that reveal the fact that he was once a formidable fighter, amber eyes.
TigerClan
Leader: Swiftstar- Lean she-cat with an orange pelt, thin black stripes, and blue eyes
Deputy: Shadowstep- large tom with a dark orange pelt and thick black stripes, amber eyes.
Healer: Windflight- pale orange tom with amber eyes. Apprentice: Ivypaw
Warriors:
Flamestripe- Tom with a pelt more red than orange and dark black stripes, green eyes.
Hailfur- White tom with gray stripes and blue eyes.
Poppytail- Bright-orange she-cat with a black-tipped tail and amber eyes.
Falconswoop- Tom with lots of thick black stripes and dark eyes.
Rushstream- She- cat with stripes running along her flank instead of across her back and blue eyes.
Darkpool- She-cat with dark orange fur, thick black stripes, a black tail, and brown eyes.
Dayblaze- Tom with unusual golden fur, dark stripes, and blue eyes.
Beestripe- She-cat with unusual golden fur, dark stripes, and blue eyes
Apprentices:
Ivypaw- Pretty she-cat with bright orange fur, silver-gray stripes and brilliant green eyes.
Queens:
Iceflower- White she-cat with silver stripes and blue eyes. Mother of Flamestripe's kit: Brightkit (She-cat with pale orange almost-white fur and black stripes).
Elders:
Brokenshadow- Frail tom with dark orange fur, thin stripes, and dark eyes.
Lightpaw POV
I enter the camp tired but happy after a long battle-training session with Eaglescar.
"Hey Lightpaw! Come eat with us!" Rosepaw calls from where she and Boulderpaw are eating outside the apprentices' den. I pick a piece of prey out of the Leaf-fall small pile and pad over to join them. Rosepaw had become a surprisingly good friend ever since she had stood up for me that day in the forest and other than Hawksight she was my best friend. Seeing me approaching them, Boulderpaw snorted, picked up his fresh-kill, and went to eat some distance away. Boulderpaw on the other paw was a completely different story.
"He doesn't like me." I say matter-of-factly to Rosepaw as I sat next to her.
Rosepaw casts an irritated glance at her brother before saying, "He's a mouse-brain."
"Yeah but between him and Frostwhisker… Why don't they like me? What did I ever do to them?" I complain.
Rosepaw gives me a sympathetic look, "Frostwhisker is just protective of Hawksight- you two have gotten awfully close lately."
"I would never hurt Hawksight!" I exclaim indignantly.
"Of course you wouldn't. But Frostwhisker is Hawksight's mentor its his place to worry." Rosepaw soothed. I don't think this is why Frostwhisker doesn't like me but I say nothing.
I change the subject, "What about you and Talloak? I'm half-blind and still I can see the way you've been padding after him." I tease.
Rosepaw snorts, "Talk about mouse-brained toms! I've been totally obvious in my behavior towards him and he doesn't even notice!" It was true Rosepaw practically yowled her feelings toward the long-legged warrior with her actions- volunteering for every patrol and duty Talloak was assigned to. Rosepaw glances toward the empty nursery, "The clan hasn't had any kits in the nursery since we were in there." She murmured softly
"Yeah, hopefully there will be soon or we will be stuck cleaning Mudspalsh and Whisperingwinds bedding until we become elders ourselves!" I joke.
Rosepaw purred, a mischievous look in her gray eyes, "Shouldn't be too long considering how close you and Hawksight are getting."
The tips of my ears burning with embarrassment, I protest, "Its much too early to be thinking about that, I'm only an apprentice!"
Rosepaw nods in agreement, "Yeah I-"
"Attack!" Talloak bursts out of the gorse tunnel and into the clearing, his amber eyes wild, and his flanks heaving.
Stormstar appears from his den under the Great-stump, followed by Flowernose. The cats around the clearing all lift their heads to see what all the commotion is about.
"What's going on?" Stormstar demands
"LionClan… river… ambush…" Talloak managed in between breaths.
"LionClan is trying to take back the river?" Stormstar's voice was filled with outrage, "The river belongs to LeopardClan!" yowls of agreement sounded around the clearing at Stormstar's words. Stormstar glanced around the clearing before calling out the names of the cats who would join the battle patrol, "Doefur, Stoneclaw, Eaglescar bring your apprentices, Raventail you may come as well. The rest of you stay here and defend the camp in case LionClan decides to take more of our territory. Talloak, lead the way."
A burst of excitement shot through me, I get to be a part of the battle! I noticed that Dapplepatch had a horrified look in her eyes when she heard that all three apprentices were to join the fight. Casting a glance at the rest of the patrol to make sure they weren't leaving without me, I ran over to her and pressed my nose into her fur, "Don't worry I'll be fine." I promised before running back to join the patrol. As we headed out of the gorse tunnel I glanced back at the Healer's den where Frostwhisker and Hawksight were already inside getting ready to treat wounds. I had wanted to say good-bye to Hawksight but there wasn't time- I charged after the rest of my clan mates into the forest.
Frostwhisker POV
I count the herbs at my paws and then count again letting out a growl of frustration when the number stays the same. "We are dangerously low on Marigold, I just hope we have enough to treat the wounded when they return." I tell Hawksight though he gives no sign that he's even listening. This is why Healer's shouldn't take mates; they will end up worrying about them instead of focusing on the good of the whole clan. But I don't say this to Hawksight, instead I say, "I don't know what LionClan were thinking instigating a battle this close to leaf-bare when herbs are scarce!"
Hawksight suddenly stops working on the poultice he was making. Horror flares in his blind blue eyes and he rapidly sits up, his hackles rising, "Lightpaw! No!"
I let out a hiss of annoyance, "Stop worrying Hawksight! Focus on the task at hand! This is what I was talking about! Healer's should not take mates- it leaves them useless in the midst of a crisis."
"I'm not worrying- I mean I am but that's not why I yowled. I had a vision. Lightpaw's in danger!"
I snort the Stars told you that? "It's a battle mouse-brain of course she's in danger."
Hawksight-usually one to make sharp retorts- turns his blind eyes on me, fear clouding his gaze, "No. I mean she's going to die. I've got to save her!"
He makes to dart out of the den but I intercept him, "Don't be a mouse-brain! Your clan needs you. You can't just go charging into battle. The Stars know what they're doing. If it is Lightpaw's time to die then there is nothing you or I can do about it."
Hawksight rounds on me hissing, "They gave me this warning for a reason I can still save her!"
I sigh, my apprentice can be so stubborn so times. But he has a point: if Lightpaw couldn't be saved they wouldn't have sent the warning. But I can't let him go! He's blind for Stars sake! "Fine. I'll go. You keep working on that poultice." I dart out of the den before he can argue.
Lightpaw POV
Adrenaline rushes through me giving me strength and courage. I leap at a large LionClan apprentice stretching out a forepaw and- targeting the tendon that runs along his hind leg- knock his legs out from under him and land on top of him. He batters my belly with strong hind legs but I hold on, nipping and clawing at him until he screeches and I get off of him and he disappears back into his own territory. We had made it to the river just in time, Nettlesting and Emberspots were trying to hold the attackers off but there were too many and both cats had many wounds and though there was no danger of either of the two warriors dying from their wounds, Stormstar sent them back to camp. But both were bleeding and limping pretty heavily and I doubt they would be back at camp by now. I let out a yowl as I am bowled. Judging by the size of my attacker I guess that it is another apprentice. I claw at my attacker and look up into the green eyes of Tinyroar.
Tinyroar's green eyes spark with surprise as if he hadn't known it had been me he bowled over. Using his surprise to my advantage, I quickly throw him off of me and leap onto his back. Tinyroar doesn't struggle but collapses under me as if giving up. I hesitate for a moment- not wanting to hurt a cat that was surrendering- and Tinyroar quickly flips over until he is once more on top of me. His forepaws are pinning my shoulders to the ground though- to my surprise- his claws are sheathed and there is a gleam of something like pride in his green eyes when he murmurs so quietly that I almost don't catch it, "Very good. You would have made a fine LionClan warrior." Before I can shove him off of me, he darts away back over the LionClan border, leaving me staring confusedly after him. I shake my head to clear it as I get to my feet, coward I think to myself before leaping back into the fray.
Frostwhisker POV
I run as fast as I can through the forest toward the sounds of screeching cats. I nearly bowl Emberspots and Nettlesting over in my rush. Both cats are bleeding heavily, I look them over quickly, satisfied that there was nothing too serious I nod to them before continuing my mad dash to the river. I pause on a ridge over-looking the river's edge where cats are fighting. I stifle a snort of disgust at the scene before me this is why I had chosen the path of a Healer instead of that of a warrior- in order to avoid the bloodshed over silly things such as borders. As a Healer borders do not mean the same thing to me as they did to warriors. I quickly locate the slender form of Lightpaw, her un-spotted pelt making her look every bit like a young LionClan apprentice rather than the LeopardClan she-cat on the verge of becoming a warrior that she was. Lightpaw was fighting like a warrior, beating a LionClan she-cat back towards the border- clearly in no need of assistance.
I was almost convinced that Hawksight's vision was wrong when I saw Sunstar. The LionClan leader was a great and noble warrior. It was said that his skills in battle could not be matched. However, in the heat of battle, he was often overcome with a red haze that clouded his judegment. From this distance I could see the blood running into his eyes and blinding him- I got the eerie feeling that the blood was not his own- he was crouching to lunge at Lightpaw- unable to see that the young she-cat was merely an apprentice and would be defenseless against his jaws.
I start to bolt down the ridge and knock Lightpaw out of the way when I hesitate the words of my ancestors from so many moons ago ringing in my ears, even the brightest light can succumb to darkness. Maybe it's for the best that she dies. Dead she is no threat to my clan. I can tell Hawksight that I was too late to save her. Then Hawksight's voice echoes in my mind, Lightpaw is a good and loyal cat! She would never betray her clan. I sigh I have no proof that Lightpaw is the cat from the prophecy. I have to judge her on her past actions not what she might do. Besides, she is Hawksight's beloved how can I let her die. Her death would shatter my apprentice and part of him would never forgive me for not saving her. Making my decision, and praying it is the right one, I charge down the ridge and slam into Lightpaw, knocking her out of the way. I turn just as a shadow falls over me and jaws close over my throat.
Lightpaw POV
I beat the LionClan she-cat back toward the border, quickly jabbing at her face and sides. The she-cat turns to flee and I start to leap after her to give her one last swipe to remember me by when something large slams into me throwing me to the side. I leap to my feet, ready to face an attacker, and meet the blue-gray eyes of Frostwhisker. His eyes seem to say, Take care of Hawksight. I'm sorry. "No!" I yowl but my paws are rooted to the spot as- out of no-where- Sunstar leaps onto Frostwhisker, jaws closing around the Healer's throat. That would have been me. It should have been me. I think numbly as Sunstar's battle-crazed amber eyes clear and he stares in horror at the body of Frostwhisker.
In the back of my mind I'm aware of the LionClan deputy, Raintail,- seeing his leader and the body in front of him- calling, "LionClan retreat!" and gently nudging his leader to his feet and disappearing over the border. I slowly pad over and sit in front of Frostwhisker hoping futilely that he might still be alive. I push my nose into the cooling fur of my savior, a cat who had never even liked me before today.
I lifted my head and looked around to see my clan mates starting to lick their wounds. Rosepaw stumbled over to where Talloak was lying on the ground and for a moment I felt sick, two deaths? Then Talloak lifted his head and I saw Rosepaw visibly relax, "Are you ok? I thought you were dead there for a heartbeat." She said to the long-legged warrior.
Talloak let out a soft purr, "I'm fine. Just tired." Then he hesitated before adding, "Besides, I would never leave you." He stretched up and touched his nose affectionately to Rosepaw's and I looked away.
A yowl of grief filled the air; I looked up and saw Stormstar staring down at Frostwhisker, Stoneclaw and Boulderpaw stood next to him. That's right. I remembered suddenly, Frostwhisker was Stormstar and Stoneclaw's brother. That makes him Boulderpaw and Rosepaw's uncle. I felt a sudden pity for the young tom that stood next to his father. Boulderpaw was a pain in the tail but I wouldn't wish the scene at my paws on any cat.
Stormstar squared his shoulders and called to all of the gathering cats, "We will grieve for Frostwhisker later, for now we must get back to camp. Stoneclaw, Boulderpaw, carry Frostwhisker."
The victorious battle patrol was subdued as it made its way back toward the LeopardClan camp. We won. But it came at a price. I think to myself as I follow the patrol, Stoneclaw and Boulderpaw just behind me carrying the Healer. Was this victory worth the cost?
Hawksight POV
I had just finished treating Nettlesting and Emberspots when I heard the rustling of the gorse tunnel. Leaving the warriors to rest I padded out of the nest to meet the returning battle patrol. The scent of blood filled the air though none of the warriors seemed to be seriously injured. Stormstar entered the camp first, followed by Doefur and Eaglescar, behind them Rosepaw and Talloak's scent mingled in such a way that I figured they must be leaning on each other for support and comfort. Next came Raventail. After Raventail there was an interval where no cat entered the camp and my heart was hammering in my chest. Finally Lightpaw entered the camp. I scented the air and found that- thank the Stars- she was unhurt except for a few minor scratches. I was about to meet her when a wave of grief mixed with guilt emanating from Lightpaw nearly knocked me off my paws. I had noticed the grief of the other warriors but I had assumed that they had lost the river- but now I wondered if something worse had occurred. My question was answered as the gorse rustled again and Stoneclaw and Boulderpaw staggered into the clearing carrying something heavy and smelling of more blood than one cat can lose and still live. Numbly I ran over to where the two large toms had just dropped their burden and buried my nose in Frostwhisker's cold fur.
Lightpaw POV
I stared for a moment at Hawksight as he pressed his nose into his mentor's fur. A mix of guilt, grief, and sympathy rolled over me. Guilt for Frostwhisker's sacrificing himself for me, grief at the death of a clan mate- even one who I had never gotten along with, and sympathy for Hawksight- the thought of losing my mentor, Eaglescar, made me hurt for Hawksight. I lay next to Hawksight, pressing against his side to comfort him. "I-I'm sorry Hawksight. It's my fault. He died to save me." I say softly. Hawksight doesn't respond but continues to lie there unmoving. I quietly get up and join the other cats circled around the Greatstump where Stormstar has called a clan meeting.
"The battle today came at a great price. Frostwhisker gave his life to save the life of one of our apprentices from a battle-crazed enemy." Murmurs of grief rose around the clearing. After the noise died down Stormstar continued, "However, today LeopardClan has made a huge victory- LionClan will think twice before they try to claim what is ours next time. Frostwhisker will be missed, and we will grieve for him for many moons, but he would not want our grief to stop us from living our lives and from celebrating this victory. In order to celebrate this victory I wish to name three new warriors." My head shot up in surprise. Any other day I would be thrilled to be getting my warrior name and smug at the fact that Boulderpaw would not receive his name before me- but somehow, in the light of everything that has happened it just felt wrong.
Boulderpaw and Rosepaw were already waiting excitedly at the foot of the Greatstump but when I stood up it was to say, "I am honored Stormstar, but I have to respectfully decline." As murmurs of shock rolled around the clearing I continued, "I want nothing more to be a good and loyal LeopardClan warrior but I am not ready, not yet. I still have a moon or two left of training and if, then, you still want me to be a warrior I would be proud to accept. For now, though I want to continue my training with Eaglescar as my mentor." I sat down.
Stormstar appeared shocked but he nodded, "Very well, I respect your choice. Boulderpaw, Rosepaw, step forward." The large tom bounded forward excitedly while his sister followed more slowly. "I call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices, they have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble law and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Boulderpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior laws and defend LeopardClan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do!" Boulderpaw's reply was strong and confident.
"Then by the power of the Stars I give you your warrior name. Boulderpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Boulderheart, the Stars honor your strength and courage." Stormstar touched his head to the top of Boulderheart's and Boulderheart licked Stormstar's shoulder respectfully. The clan called out the young warrior's new name as he stepped back to stand beside his former mentor, Stoneclaw.
Stormstar turned to Rosepaw, "Rosepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior laws and defend LeopardClan even at the cost of your life?"
The she-cat's reply was calm though no less strong than her brother's, "I do."
"Then by the power of the Stars I give you your warrior name. Rosepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Rosebud, the Stars honor your Intelligence and kindness." Stormstar dipped his head and touched his muzzle to Rosebud's head as she licked his shoulder. The clan called out the names of both warriors as she stepped back to stand beside Doefur. Stormstar addressed the clan once more, "I couldn't be more proud of these two young warriors as well as the one who selflessly gave up that title. I am proud of all of you as well. You make me proud to be your leader." And despite the grief that still hung in the air, the clan cheered.
"Congratulations Rosebud!" I say padding up to touch noses with my friend. I turn to Boulderheart, "And you too Boulderheart. You deserve it." Boulderheart gave me a stiff nod before padding away.
I turn back to Rosebud but Talloak is there, "Congratulations Rosebud!" The tom purred giving the young warrior an affectionate lick on the ear. I decide to let them have their moment and walk away and nearly crash into Eaglescar.
"I'm proud of you." The big black tom meowed, his one green eye shining warmly. Normally, praise from my mentor would cause me to feel warm inside but at the moment I didn't really know what there was to be proud of. I had cost Frostwhisker his life. I didn't deserve to be a warrior- not yet. Eaglescar sighed and sat down, beckoning for me to do the same. I sat quietly. "Do not grieve little one, Frostwhisker died a warrior's death and the Stars will honor him."
"But he wasn't a warrior!" I blurt, "He shouldn't have died! I should have!"
All the sympathy in Eaglescar's eye vanished, "Frostwhisker made his choice. You dishonor his memory by your words. It was his time to die not yours. If it was your time, the Stars would have made it so." The black tom stood and padded over to the fresh-kill pile leaving me to think about his words.
A/N: Really long chapter I know but I didn't want to break it up. Besides it felt good to write a long chapter for once.