Okay! Right then! Here it is! The new chappy! Now before you read, I just want to tell you that I have hinted what goes on in this chapter once more twice... However, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how this new thread of the plot ends... heh heh heh.
Now, before I chat with my reviewers, I think...I might end this story here. And then start the next one IN THE SERIES! The sequal will pick right up where this one left off, and pick up all the loose threads and such. However, I'm not sure. Tell me what you think in your review! Don't worry though, when I make the sequal, I'll add a new chapter of this one, telling you the new story's name, and where to find it and such...if you're too lazy too just click my penname.
PearlH.Sweden- Well, Spottedlight isn't meant to be liked, and she doesn't pop up again until later. This chapter is totally in Rosethorn's point of view, and she doesn't exactly have a vendetta against her like Thorntail:) As for Streamstar, eh. I guess she's not very likable either, lol. As for Thorntail's punishment, I think I meant to imply that Thorntail wasn't getting one, and only Rosethorn was. Maybe I didn't...I'll bring it up later! Thanks for the compliments, by the way:)
Greenpool's Loyalty - Do you? Heh. Anti-hero, she is!
Review, please!
Rosethorn.
The first half of the title, 'Rose' was a name thoughtfully picked out by Streamstar when the medicine cat had been born. Or maybe Crimsonspirit. Either way, it carried both of her parents' hopes for the owner of the name, within it. It was to be carried throughout her life until she met StarClan. Rosekit, then Rosepaw…and now, Rosethorn.
Rosethorn's surname, 'Thorn' however did not carry the hopes and dreams of her parents. It was a curse, to forever remind her of the wrong she had done towards StarClan. A wrong that she had never done, and truthfully, as much as she had loved Thorntail…never wanted to do.
Rosethorn sighed heavily, as she slithered into the Gorse Tunnel, the entrance to ThunderClan camp. Now she'd have to face her Clanmates, and calmly explain to them her new name, and bear witness to their surprised looks. Oh, Rosethorn took back all the comments on Streamstar's stupidity she had ever made in her head. Her mother was cleverer – and crueler – then Rosethorn imagined.
Rosethorn breathed in the familiar scents of the camp as she entered. It was the first time she had came home carrying her full name. She was a full medicine cat now – no matter what any cat said. Though a horrible sorrow was starting to drown her. Ever since she had been a kit she had dreamed of her medicine cat name. And to have it given to dishonor her, and remind her of what she did…
Rosethorn sighed. She had such misgivings! She wondered for a moment where Applefur was. Her friend would probably have a few words to say to her, and maybe to Streamstar – Applefur was like that. She quickly scanned the camp for her former enemy.
No sign of her. However, she did notice Blackshadow and Icepelt slip out from Streamstar's den, and exchange joyous looks. Rosethorn wondered for a single heartbeat what Streamstar had been speaking to her about, when she heard Applefur's name screeched at the top of some cat's lungs.
The medicine cat suddenly noticed a large group of cats gathered around the Nursery – Featherfrost, Badgerclaw, Bearmoon, Shrewtail, Frostfang… Curious, Rosethorn started to trot over towards them.
As she neared, she heard Badgerclaw mew at the top of his lungs, "I'm going to be an uncle! And uncle!"
Rosethorn chuckled lightly to herself at Badgerclaw's reaction…when she remembered Badgerclaw's siblings. Bearmoon…and Applefur. So either Bearmoon had gotten a she-cat to become a queen…or Applefur had…
Rosethorn rushed over, nearly knocked over the blue-gray cat, Frostfang in the process. She got a few hostile glances, and though they dug into her heart like thorns, she simply rested her ice-blue gaze at Applefur, who still hadn't noticed her.
"Yup," her friend purred, her own sapphire eyes glowing with delight. "And I'm going to be a mother!"
"Did Rosepaw tell you for sure yet?" Bearmoon, Applefur's other brother, asked her curiously, and Rosethorn was about to announce her new name, and check Applefur, but before she did, she heard Shrewtail hiss, "That traitor couldn't cure a cold."
The medicine cat didn't have the heart to interrupt then, and lowered her head to examine her scarlet paws.
"So, Applefur," it was Frostfang speaking now, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Who's the father?" she flashed a glance over to Blackshadow, who was speaking to Icepelt by the fresh-kill pile. "That handsome tom?"
Applefur rolled her eyes, and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Badgerclaw. "It has to be," he mewed firmly, nodding his narrow-head vigorously. "The whole Clan knows that Blackshadow is very very fond of you!"
Rosethorn stifled a purr. She hadn't been noticed yet – even though she wasn't exactly being inconspicuous – but she didn't want to talk to Applefur until they were in private. She knew Badgerclaw was right though. Blackshadow and Applefur had even exchanged 'I love you's' when they were meeting RiverClan in Fourtrees.
However, Applefur shook her head. "Nope," she purred. "Actually…it's…" she looked around, as if it was a big secret who the father was. "Thorntail."
Rosethorn's eyes jerked open wide, and she took in a surprised and horrified gasp. However, it was drowned out by the gasps of the surrounding cats. Applefur…and Thorntail…Great StarClan! Rosethorn dug her claws into the earth. She had been right all along! Applefur had just been pretending to be her friend, so she could get closer to Thorntail! And it worked! She was going to bear his kits…
"Good for you," Featherfrost, one of Applefur's most loyal friends purred, nodding. "I always knew you'd get him in the end,"
"But…" Frostfang had a quizzical look in her eye, and she cocked her head to the side in thought. "I thought Thorntail had taken Rosepaw as his mate. I think you got a disloyal tom, Applefur." Some cats murmured agreement, but Applefur was shaking her head. "Nope," she purred. "I…I feel guilty saying it now…but Spottedlight didn't see Thorntail and Rosepaw together before…she must've seen me with him. Our pelts are so similar; she must've gotten us confused."
Rosethorn dug her claws into the earth. So Spottedlight hadn't been lying! She had just been confused! It was true, Applefur and Rosethorn did look alike – she had thought so herself numerous times, and Streamstar even commented on it once. So, not only did Rosethorn lose her illegal mate, but she also lost her best friend – and she had to carry a disgraceful name for….something she hadn't done… And what's worse, Robinwing had died for it! Because of what Rosethorn and Thorntail had 'done' no cat believed her…why hadn't Thorntail spoken up that Spottedlight must've seen him and Applefur before? What was wrong with him? Had he…been in on it with Spottedlight, and was, like her, putting on a great show to lure the Clan away from their suspicions of him?
A sob welled up in her throat, and for the first time Applefur seemed to notice her. Pure surprise flickered in the she-cat's eyes for a moment, and she just stood shock for a few heartbeats. Several cats turned their heads to see Rosethorn staring at them, and looked acutely embarrassed that she had caught them. However, their eyes held no hostility now – they now knew that Applefur was Thorntail's mate, and therefore…the medicine cat hadn't done anything wrong…
"Oh…hi Rosepaw," Applefur mewed nervously. "How are 'ya?"
Rosethorn didn't answer. She pivoted around, and just ran. Her paws pounded against the earth, as she slipped out of the gorse tunnel. Her mind went blank and void of all emotion, as she slipped through ThunderClan territory. Truthfully, Rosethorn didn't know why she was running – or for how long. But it must've been for awhile, because when she fell to her side, she was well into WindClan territory. Rosethorn's mind flashed with the memory of Runningstar, but knocked the thought away. She hated Runningstar, for what he had tried to do to her, and what he had done to her Clan…but…Applefur…
Runningstar was the leader of WindClan, expected to be cruel to cats of other Clans! But Applefur…Applefur was her Clanmate…and had been her best friend… Her betrayal dug into her heart like claws, and Rosethorn just wanted to yowl out her sorrow and hurt to StarClan. She had loved Thorntail! And…Applefur had stolen him! So quickly too…so quickly…
Rosethorn suddenly remembered her dream from before. Applefur and Thorntail had had their tails intertwined; as they had left her to the big flame-colored cat…StarClan had tried to tell her! To warn her! But…
The sun was beginning to rise over WindClan territory, and instinctively, Rosethorn wanted to flee back home, but kept herself there on her side. WindClan was weak now…and they had aloud ThunderClan hunting rights in their territory for the next two moons. They probably wouldn't mess with her – even Runningstar. He had probably learned his lesson, after the humiliation at the Gathering and such…
Suddenly, a ShadowClan scent flew into her nostrils, and she jerked her head up. WindClan couldn't touch her, but ShadowClan, who had also given hunting rights, was a totally different story.
"Hey,"
The sound came from behind her, and Rosethorn nearly leapt out of her fur. She apparently often met privately with leaders from other Clans – first Runningstar, and now the ShadowClan leader, Smokestar. He was a big, light gray tom, with a narrow muzzle. His emerald eyes were narrowed into slits, and for a moment Rosethorn couldn't speak. Something about Smokestar reminded her of someone…
"Rosepaw, right?" he asked curiously, looking around, as if he expected to see a ThunderClan patrol. "You know, you probably shouldn't be in enemy territory all by yourself – hunting rights or no hunting rights,"
Smokestar's words were kind, but Runningstar had come off that way too…the ThunderClan medicine cat bleakly unsheathed her claws, though she knew she couldn't put up much of a fight. And she was tired too. Not only hadn't she slept, but she had gone to HighStones from camp, gone back to camp, and then ran to WindClan territory. Not exactly a short distance.
Remembering Thorntail's advice on looking fearful, Rosethorn mewed, "You're alone too…" but as she spoke, Smokestar shook his head. "Ravenfeather and Foxheart are collecting some of your…ThornTail you call it? When I scented ThunderClan. I left them to check on what you were up too…"
Rosethorn nodded blankly from her position of her side, but was silent.
"You…are Rosepaw, right?" Smokestar asked.
"No," Rosethorn mewed softly. "I received my full name last night. I'm Rosethorn now."
Smokestar wouldn't know of her and Thorntail's 'love' and simply nodded. "I see. ThunderClan's lucky," he commented. "They have a fine medicine cat. ShadowClan thanks you for saving us all,"
Smokestar's high words of praise made Rosethorn leap to her paws in astonishment. ShadowClan cats gave praise out about once every blue moon! And when they openly admit that their Clan had been in danger… Smokestar had given Rosethorn some high praise indeed!
"Th-thank you!" she gasped, and the gray cat gave her a curt nod. "You chose the right path, becoming a medicine cat…" he mused, turning his back. "Well, Foxheart and Ravenfeather are probably wondering if I fell in a ditch or something. Good bye, Rosethorn." Besides Blueherb and the other medicine cats, Smokestar, the ShadowClan leader was the first to call her by her full medicine cat name. With that, the gray tom bounded off, leaving Rosethorn to get her thoughts in order.
The right path…
That's what Smokestar had said. He said that she had chosen the right path in becoming a medicine cat. And maybe she had…even though StarClan didn't speak to her as often as they should…
And now that Applefur had declared that Thorntail was her mate… the Clan didn't hate her anymore… She could start over… Become the greatest medicine cat ever…Toms had harmed her too many times now. Two of them now, two toms she loved and trusted, and turned on her and betrayed her. There would be no third…
But…but… a tingle of doubt tugged at Rosethorn's stomach. She loved Thorntail. She hated Applefur now…but she still…loved Thorntail.