Some Wounds Take Longer To Heal

by Goldenbrow1

The war with the Dark Forest is over, but sometimes wounds take longer to heal than expected. Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Dovewing especially have a hard time fitting in with the clan, and Ivypool, Birchfall, Blossomfall, and Mousewhisker are treated more often than not as traitors. As the cats struggle to go back to life as it was, they discover that wounds to the heart heal slow.

5. Chapter 5

"What…?" Lionblaze tried to shoulder past his brother, but Jayfeather, although blind, was able to block him. "Let me see her! CINDERHEART!" Lionblaze sobbed, his handsome face creased with sorrow and grief. Stroking the shaking cat, Jayfeather tried vainly to comfort his brother.

"She hunts with Starclan," he murmured. More quietly, he added, "And finally got a second chance." He left his brother to his misery, turning to look at Cinderheart. Her kits, Twilightkit and Eaglekit, stared at their mother in horror. They squeaked pitifully, getting louder as they realized Flakekit was gone, too.

"Jayfeather…?" Squirrelflight looked at Jayfeather, asking the unaskable.

"Yes," he whispered. "She's gone."

Out of nowhere, a piercing shriek rose, whipping around, Jayfeather thought the sound came from Cinderheart's grief-stricken mate. But Lionblaze was weeping in silence, his golden face stained with tears. Turning back to the nursery, Jayfeather located the source of the sound.

A tiny bundle fell into the nest where Cinderheart lay, mewing pitifully. In shock, Jayfeather let instinct guide him, licking the tiny kit dry. Cinderheart's body heaved, overcome by spasms.

"Lionblaze!" Jayfeather yowled. "Get me some water! Hurry!" Lionblaze, mouth agape, stared dumbfounded at his mate, who seemed to be back from the dead. With a roll of his eyes, Bramblestar dashed out of the camp, looking for moss. Turning his attention back to Cinderheart, Jayfeather gently stroked the she-cat with his tail.

"Jay…feather…" she rasped, "His…name's…Ash…kit…" Cinderheart closed her eyes, her head falling limp in her nest. Growling, Jayfeather licked Ashkit, warming the shivering bundle.

"Here you go," panted Bramblestar as he skidded back into the nursery. He dropped the dripping ball of moss by Jayfeather. "Do you need anything else?" Jayfeather shook his head, accepting the moss without a word. He put in front of Cinderheart, trying to coax the she-cat to drink. With a quiet moan, she slipped out her tongue and lapped at the moss. She swallowed, and drank more. Before too long, she was drinking with relish.

"Lionblaze, you can come in!" Lionblaze rushed in, nuzzling his mate affectionately. He licked her ear, purring with relief.

"I thought I lost you," he whispered. Cinderheart smiled bravely.

"This is Ashkit," she said to Lionblaze. The ashes of cinder and lion's might rang in Jayfeather's head. Sitting down abruptly, he studied the kit. He had gray fur, and his eyes were shut tight. Other than that, Jayfeather saw nothing special about the kit. But why was he born late? Leaving the nursery, Jayfeather padded over to his den. He curled up in his nest, hoping to catch some sleep before he was needed again.