Leafdawn's heart slammed against her chest as she headed down the next hill. She needed to keep going. She needed to get –
She was not sure where she was going actually. That thought caused her to stumble to a stop. The medicine cat was panting. Her breath stifled as she looked up.
The lake layout before Leafdawn. Blood seemed to be seeping into it. She looked around quickly, trying to find a source. She turned suddenly, fur rising as a screech filled the air. It sounded like a battle cry. Leafdawn's eyes snapped open.
She was laying in her nest. Her heart slammed against her chest. Leafdawn turned, starting to lick down her ruffled fur as she tried to settle herself.
"Leafdawn?" The medicine cat almost jumped. She was surprised to see Whitetail with Onewhisker. "Are you alright? You looked like you were having a nightmare."
"I'm alright." She cleared her throat, rising to her paws. It was the next day. She had stayed up all night with her mentor and helped bury him come dawn. It had to be past sunhigh now. Grief still clung to her. She needed to push that nightmare aside. She could feel fresh blood on her side.
Leafdawn stepped over to the cobwebs, grabbing a clump. As she started to replace them, she asked, "Is there anything I can do for you or are you here to see Onewhisker?"
"She's not here for me," Onewhisker replied. The queen glanced at her mate.
"I was going to tell Barkface this," She began. But now he's gone, Leafdawn finished.
"You can tell me."
"I don't know if Petalnose will bring it up," Whitetail meowed. "But I believe Goosekit is deaf." Leafdawn blinked, surprised.
"Do you?"
"You know she's still not talking much," Whitetail said. "How she interacts with her siblings and Daisy's kits – I don't believe she can hear." Leafdawn nodded. That would make sense, she realized. Both Brightheart and Brambleheart could hear some but there were situations where they could not. Now that she thought about it, Goosekit did respond similarly to them.
"I'll check her out," Leafdawn promised.
"Be careful," Onewhisker warned. "Queens don't always like to hear there's something up with their kits." Whitetail hit him with her tail.
"Why don't you do your exercises while I'm out?" Leafdawn suggested. Onewhisker made a face as the medicine cat left the den behind. With Whitetail there, she knew they would get done.
Berry had been moved back to the nursery last night, driven by how frightened Daisy had been. Leafdawn would need to check in on them, too. She paused in her step as Tornear approached.
"Can we talk?" There was a serious look in the deputy's eyes. Leafdawn glanced toward the nursery. What she needed to do was not so serious.
"Of course." They stepped aside.
"What happened with Firestar last night," Tornear began. "He's riled up the Clan. They are frightened. What he said about StarClan – that was more than just spur of the moment." Leafdawn's tail twitched. She was planning on seeing their leader, too. She slowly nodded.
"He can't be doing that again."
"I understand." Leafdawn asked, "What are you doing about attacking TigerClan?" There was no feasible way they could start a war with TigerClan. Leafdawn understood the desire to avenge Barkface but it was not realistic.
"I'm working on that," The deputy's tail flicked.
"Is it related to your meeting with Leopardstar?" Tornear looked surprised before realization came across his face.
"Squirrelflight told you." She nodded.
"Don't tell your father – I'll go to him after we have a real plan."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" They had gone behind Firestar's back yesterday and it had resulted in Barkface's death. "I imagine he wants to start battle planning immediately."
"This plan is already in the works," The deputy answered. "It's too late to go back now – either way, we will be achieving Firestar's…proclamation through this. Attacking TigerClan effectively – that's not going to happen today, Firestar knows this." It took Leafdawn a second to respond. Yesterday, Tornear would have had this talk with Barkface, not her. This whole thing was surreal.
"Okay," She agreed.
Sandstorm suddenly brushed by Brambleheart. He was startled, something was happening. Something he could not see. Three days had passed since Onewhisker's accident and they had been hot. The ground had dried again. After Barkface's death, warriors were getting anxious. Firestar wanted the tunnels to be finished quickly. They had made progress but there was still a long way to go. Tinywing was at the back of the tunnel. The she-cats were talking quietly.
A tail suddenly touched him, beckoning him forward. "Put your ear to the wall," Sandstorm meowed. The warrior obliged. His eyes widening as she tapped it.
It sounded hollow. "That's probably where the water had pooled," the ginger she-cat continued. Tinywing said something and Sandstorm meowed, "Come on, let's dig it out." She stepped back, allowing the younger warriors to get to work.
Brambleheart was surprised as he put his paw out into the opening. There was rock beneath him. Tinywing's tail hit him as it lashed excitedly.
"This is more than just a rabbit warren," The she-cat meowed. Sandstorm's paw went on the tom's back and he turned, focusing his ears on her.
"You two wait here," she said. "I'm going to go get Tornear."
"Aren't they battle planning?" Brambleheart asked. He certainly would not want to interrupt that.
"We're not going to war tonight. Wait here." The older warrior disappeared.
Brambleheart opened his mouth, taking in the scent of this new tunnel. He could smell fresh air, excitement filled him. This went to the surface. They could possibly use this. Tinywing stiffened against him.
"Do you hear that?" She hissed into his ear.
"No." Brambleheart strained his ears, trying to find whatever she was listening to.
"It sounds like paw steps – cat paw steps," She tilted her head in one direction. "Down there."
"Are you sure you're not just mishearing Sandstorm?" He asked. With her talking into his ear, he could not hear anything else.
"No, she's above ground now." Tinywing rose to her paws, tentatively stepping into the tunnel. "There's someone else down here."
"I doubt it," Brambleheart answered. Unless the others had hit this tunnel first, that would be nearly impossible. Most cats were not going to want to come down here. "Maybe you hear a marmot or something." Their pawsteps would be unfamiliar to the warriors. Not that he had ever heard one.
"The way they walk doesn't sound the same as cats," Tinywing replied. "The pawsteps are moving away, come on!" Brambleheart's ears went back.
"Tiny–" She started down the tunnel.
Brambleheart shifted on his paws, tail twitching. Sandstorm had told them to wait here, but he could not let Tinywing wander off alone. He started after the she-cat. As he caught up, he kept his head over her haunches.
"Don't you hear them now?" She had to have turned.
"I can't hear you if you talk down the tunnel," Brambleheart reminded her, opening his mouth to take in the scent around them. He could smell nothing. "No one's going to want to come down here. You're better off looking for ghosts." Who knew how long these tunnels had existed. This was dangerous. They should go back. He felt Tinywing's tail rise against him as they continued.
"Maybe it is one." The tom scoffed.
"There's no such thing as ghosts."
"I know you've been visited by StarClan," Tinywing answered. "How is this any different?"
"Those are dreams," Brambleheart replied. "They don't come down here." If Tinywing responded, he did not hear.
Suddenly, there was light. The warriors picked up their pace. Brambleheart gasped as they moved into a large cave.
Light poured from a hole in the roof and a river cut through. Both warriors looked at their surroundings in awe. There were no cats to be seen.
"Where do you think we are?" Brambleheart asked as he stepped toward the river. This would certainly influence any standing water. His gaze went above, he could not see any trees through the hole.
"I don't know," Tinywing replied. "We don't have any gaping holes in our territory."
"Perhaps we're closer to the mountains." The direction would be right for that. He did not believe they were beneath TigerClan territory.
More tunnels were shooting out of the cave. If they could figure out where they go, Brambleheart realized, this could possibly be helpful when they attacked TigerClan. They just needed to find entrances close to the forest.
"Probably. We should –" Tinywing cut herself off. Brambleheart looked at her, alarmed. The white she-cat's pelt had bristled. She was looking in the direction of a different tunnel.
"What is it?" Brambleheart asked, stepping to her side.
"I saw something!" Tinywing replied. "In there – it was ginger." The older warrior started cautiously toward the tunnel, sniffing. There was no sign of any animal.
"Don't mess with me," he said.
"No, I swear!" Tinywing exclaimed. Brambleheart glanced at her before he called out.
"Sandstorm?" It was possible she had come back and headed down after them. She would certainly be preferable to a fox.
Nothing answered. His fur bristled uneasily as he stared at the entrance of the tunnel. There was no cat but something was wrong. They needed to get out of here.
"Let's just go." The warriors headed back to the tunnel they had entered through.
"You saw something?" Firestar asked.
"Just I did," Tinywing replied. "Though, there was no scent." The leader nodded.
"We'll explore these tunnels – this might save you some work." Firestar glanced at Tornear, who dipped his head. "If there is any sign of any other cats down there, I would like to know immediately." Meows of agreement came and warriors rose as Firestar dismissed them.
"Brambleheart," The warrior paused at Firestar's meow. The leader had settled into his nest. Sandstorm moved to his side. "Do you want to stay here tonight?"
The warrior opened his mouth, they were meeting Tawnyclaw tonight. Sandstorm interrupted.
"Firestar, he's got a mate." The she-cat glanced at the dark tabby. "His personal time is obliged to someone else now." Brambleheart nodded.
"Stormfur's expecting me." Firestar looked disappointed; guilt grew in the warrior.
"Okay – good night." Brambleheart bowed his head before he left.
Feathertail ignored it as Stormfur gave her another concerned glance. This would be fine. She would be fine.
It was night, they were in the down they had spoken with Tawnyclaw in before. Tornear had taken Brambleheart with him to meet the TigerClan warriors. Feathertail's paws were tingling.
Warriors were on edge since Barkface's death. There would be a fight any day now and Feathertail had still not fought much. She needed to fight for her Clan. She needed to prove she could. She turned as Squirrelflight rose to her paws.
Tornear was in the lead as the warriors entered. Leopardstar sat, wrapping her tail around her paws as she looked at Tornear. Tawnyclaw settled next to her, nodding at the others. Tornear was eying the leader.
"Now," Leopardstar began, "What do you want to discuss? I can't imagine you can promise much without Firestar." Feathertail's ears pricked. That was better.
She still was not looking at Feathertail or Stormfur.
"He wants Tigerstar dead," Tornear replied. "We all do. Can we hold you to your word after yesterday?" Both she-cats looked confused.
"What happened yesterday?" Tawnyclaw asked.
"Barkface is dead," Brambleheart's voice was low. "Killed by your warriors on the way to the Moonpool." Eyes rounded.
"I had no knowledge of this attack," Leopardstar started.
"Why should we believe you?" Feathertail rose to her paws. "You've certainly done things just as bad." Leopardstar did not look at her. Tornear signaled for silence.
"There were two warriors. Blackfoot and another. We only know him because Leafdawn was let go." Tawnyclaw tilted her head.
"He let her go?" Tornear nodded. The TigerClan warriors exchanged looks.
"That was purposeful, then." Leopardstar meowed, "Blackfoot's a brainless brute – whatever Tigerstar says, he'll do. He had to have ordered that."
"He is a loyal warrior," Tawnyclaw said. "He does as he's told."
"I don't think killing a medicine cat counts as loyalty," Squirrelflight commented.
"Was Leafdawn hurt?" Tawnyclaw asked. Tornear confirmed and the warrior slowly nodded. "Tigerstar wants you to start a war," she said. There was a shift among the warriors.
"Why do you say that?"
"He sent Firestar's daughter back hurt; Tigerstar wants him to react irrationally." And that was what happened. Firestar was preparing for battle.
"Why doesn't he just attack?" Stormfur meowed, "He's never seemed like he was afraid of starting a fight."
"Because he doesn't have everyone on his side right now," Tawnyclaw replied. "The warriors know Leopardstar and I aren't happy with him – they're choosing sides. Firestar is an enemy he can get them to stand against. Especially if it is defensive." Feathertail nodded. That made sense.
"How many warriors are on your side?" Tornear asked.
"The entirety of RiverClan and ShadowClan," Leopardstar responded.
"No WindClan?"
"Tigerstar's promised them the hills," Tawnyclaw explained. "Leopardstar has resisted it. I can think of a few ThunderClan warriors that might side with us." That was more than half the Clan, Feathertail realized.
"Why haven't you stood up against them before?" She asked. "You can win a fight with those numbers." Leopardstar did not respond.
"You know," Stormfur spoke after a pause. "You can't just keep ignoring us." His tail flicked; hardened eyes focused on the TigerClan leader. Feathertail was surprised, he was normally not hostile about this.
"It doesn't take every warrior on one's side to exert control," Amber eyes slowly looked at them. "Only a few sought warriors. And he has them."
"There's strength in numbers."
"The numbers are too close," Tawnyclaw answered. She looked at Tornear, "A civil war could destroy what's left of the camps. Your Clan can make the difference." The deputy nodded.
"Now –" A hiss sounded from behind.
Cats turned and Feathertail's eyes widened as Firestar and Sandstorm approached. They must have gone night hunting.
The whole Clan knew that was something the mates had done regularly back at the gorge. Feathertail did not realize it had carried over here. "What is this?" The leader demanded, his furious green gaze focusing on his deputy.
"I was going to talk to you about this tomorrow," Tornear began.
"I should have already known," Firestar growled. Brambleheart dipped his head to the leader.
"They're willing to help us, Firestar," He meowed.
"They killed our medicine cat."
"We did not know about that," Tawnyclaw lowered her head. "That was Tigerstar's doing." Firestar looked at her.
"You are on Tigerstar's side," He growled. "My Clan will not fall for your tricks."
"Firestar," Tornear began. Feathertail's eyes widened. They were about to lose this all. Leopardstar rose to her paws.
"I'm not making deals with an irrational cat," She shook her head. "I already knew it – you and Tigerstar are one and the same." Snarls rose from the WindClan warriors. Firestar bared his teeth.
"Get off of my territory." The TigerClan warriors turned, Tawnyclaw giving Brambleheart a look. Firestar started after them, flicking his tail at Sandstorm to follow. The she-cat glanced at her Clanmates. She did not look pleased.
As they disappeared over the rise, Squirrelflight turned to Brambleheart.
"I told you –"
"This is not my fault!" The tabby exclaimed. "We didn't know they'd be out."
"You were against going to Firestar."
"It's all of our faults," Stormfur meowed. "We knew he'd be angry."
"Stormfur's right," Feathertail said. "This is all our faults." Tornear gritted his teeth.
"There isn't going to be any sort of deal right now," The deputy's voice was low. "If we attack, WindClan will be destroyed." The fur on Feathertail's back rose. Firestar and Sandstorm reappeared.
"Who did they go to first?" The leader looked across his warriors. His gaze locked onto Brambleheart, "Did she go to you?" The warrior shrunk back.
"When we were getting Berry –"
"You plotted with her." Firestar sounded hurt.
"She just wanted to tell us that Tigerstar had murdered Crowpaw," Stormfur meowed. "It was us that convinced Tawnyclaw to meet." Feathertail was unsure if Firestar had heard. His gaze was locked onto Brambleheart.
"Young tom, come." The tabby went to him immediately. Firestar looked to the others. "Everyone else is to go back to camp, I will deal with you later."
"Firestar," Sandstorm began.
"Sandstorm, bring them to camp." He turned abruptly away. Feathertail watched after the toms as they started out of the down.
"Why did you all think this was a good idea?" Sandstorm demanded as they began back.
"I didn't," Squirrelflight spoke up. "I wanted to go to Firestar!" Sandstorm shot her a look.
"Then you should have."
"Leopardstar doesn't trust him," Stormfur meowed. "She thinks he's mad. She wouldn't have been as open as she was to Tornear." Sandstorm hissed.
"There is method to him!" She shook her head, "He's scared, not inept! And now you've gone and betrayed him." Feathertail's ears flattened. Sandstorm was right. No one responded. The older warrior moved to the deputy's side.
"These children are one thing," She meowed. "But you, Tornear –"
"We're not children," Feathertail spoke up. Stormfur and Squirrelflight both glanced at her. They were all warriors, only Squirrelflight was fresh. Sandstorm looked back at her.
"Then behave like warriors." Tornear sighed.
"They aren't safe together," He meowed. "We're going to have to get Leafdawn and head back out."
It was windy and Brambleheart's tail lashed. Why was he getting singled out? Squirrelflight and Stormfur had been with him, too!
It was always his fault.
His chest tightened as Firestar stopped in his steps, turning to the following warrior. He looked dejected.
"If you wanted to stay in TigerClan then you should have." The warrior's heart dropped.
"I…didn't want to stay," He began. A voice filled his head. Fury twisted across the leader's face and his fur bristled.
"Don't lie to me!"
Brambleheart shook his head, unable to speak. That voice had grown louder. The leader looked even more hurt. Fear scent was filling the air.
"I'll walk you to the border. Let's just get this over with!"
"N-no." Firestar stuck his muzzle in his warrior's face. He looked right through him.
"Then why?"
"They want Tigerstar dead – we're…we're trying to kill him." Firestar hissed.
"It is not your job to kill him!"
"He needs to die." Firestar jerked his muzzle away, snarling something the warrior could not understand. Brambleheart licked his leader's shoulder before pressing against his chest.
"I'm loyal to you," he said. He would follow Firestar anywhere. Do anything for him. The older warrior growled something and the younger pulled back. Their eyes met and the fear scent grew stronger.
Firestar was taking sharp breaths. He looked like he was fighting something internally. He's still scared of me, Brambleheart realized. He's never truly trusted me. It felt like his heart had shattered. Firestar's claws extended.
The leader turned suddenly, hissing and the warrior followed his gaze. He let out a breath as he recognized Tornear, Leafdawn, and Sandstorm. Firestar called out something, his tail lashing.
They were moved apart. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" Tornear asked.
"No."
"Good." Firestar had not been pleased when they had approached but was now pressed up against Sandstorm, sides heaving. Leafdawn stood with them.
"Get Brambleheart back first," Leafdawn looked at Tornear. "We'll follow." The deputy nodded and the warriors started back toward camp.