The reviewers win. I will continue my story. Cause that is what this site is for, making your own story. Anyways…
Hey peeps! How's it going huh? Just some comments to say:
Sandfall- No, Leafpool doesn't run away, she just is like 'can't be a medicine cat anymore,' and gives up. I was somewhat right…
Lightkit- Thank, I thought that the Snowkit thing was very nice. Glad you liked it.
CharmedJeff- Thank you for the AWESOME comments. Btw, I will clear up why Graystripe doesn't want to be deputy in this chappie.
Silverpelt-Hawksky- OMG DON'T GO DYING ON ME!
Nautreboy3- I just was thinking 'what can I do to make a good twist…again…Darkstripe!'
Mudfur- I think I will be using some of these…
I AM HAVING A BEST REVIEW CONTEST! TELL ME THE BEST, ABSOLUTE STUNNING THINGS YOU ARE THINKING! WINNER GETS A (drum roll please)…DARKSTRIPE OR HOLLYLEAF PLUSIE! Tell me what you want, you get it.
NOW TO THE STORY!
(a.n for this chapter to work, Lionblaze will be our point of view for like, a little bit. Then we go to Hollyleaf, or else it doesn't work!)
Lionblaze sat up and stretched. He had slept through the whole night without waking or having a dream. It was the first night in many that this had happened.
He kept having bloody dreams about a great storm coming and he and his siblings were being taken in the darkness, separated. He heard dogs barking, cats fighting. One time he could have sworn he saw Thunder, but it was impossible. He didn't even know him yet. But the same thing kept being repeated in his head, "There will be three, kin of your kin, who hold the power of the stars in their paws. A great storm will come, with sky, air, darkness and water. Only when the fourth comes will it finally end, and you will be at peace." These words haunted Lionblaze, but he told no one.
He stretched again and walked out of the den, avoiding all the other cats. He glanced over at Hollyleaf and saw her extended belly. She definitely was getting heavy with kits, and she would have to move into the nursery in about a moon. She would hate it, but it would be for her kits.
He walked out into the camp, the dawn's first light coming through the clouds. It was cold morning, and he ruffled his fur up to help keep himself warm. He looked around the camp, seeing no life except Crowfeather guarding Thunder, and Honeyfern sitting guard at the entrance of the camp. She had switched places with Spiderleg at early dawn, and Crowfeather with Ashfur (hey I got mixed up last chapter. Ashfur was guarding Thunder, not Spiderleg. Sorry I did that, but oh well.) He noticed that she was getting huge now, and that she ought to start going in the nursery soon.
He looked back up Crowfeather, and saw that he was looking down at him. Lionblaze saw him flick his tail, beckoning for him to come up. Lionblaze hesitated, but eventually went up to see his father.
"Crowfeather," Lionblaze said, dipping his head to his father, "What do you want?"
Crowfeather smiled; something he never did for anyone, hardly even Leafpool, "Can't I just want to talk to my son?" He chuckled, but Lionblaze gave him a look that shouted 'I know what you are trying to pull so just tell me'. Crowfeather sighed,
"Well…It's about your mother and I. We were thinking about leaving if she doesn't get to be a medicine cat."
"What?!" Lionblaze yowled, and Crowfeather shoved his tail in his mouth to muffle the sound. Lionblaze's pelt got hot and he whisper yelled, "What?!"
"We don't want to cause anymore trouble. I-I don't think that I belong, nor does Leafpool. She can't be a warrior. It's not that she doesn't want to serve her clan, it's that she can't. She isn't able to do it. She's…well not happy. I would rather leave the clans then see her upset." He let out a heavy sigh, deep in thought.
He looks so…broken…Lionblaze sighed in his head, If only I could make Firestar…that's it…Hollyleaf…I know what to do!
"Crowfeather, I think Firestar is going to let her be a medicine cat. I can just feel it." And I-er-Hollyleaf- will be putting the idea in his head, "Don't worry about it. What happens will happen."
Crowfeather nodded slowly, taking in Lionblaze's words. He lifted his head to meet Lionblaze's eyes and saw eyes that looked just like Jayfeather's,
"Lionblaze, I have always been proud of you. I couldn't explain it at first, I just thought that I was impressed, surprised by your quickness to learn, greatness in battle. But when I found out you were my kits…I felt proud of you. I know that someday you will be a brilliant father." Lionblaze nodded, his pelt feeling hot again in the cold air. He shook himself again, but tried to look steady. Crowfeather saw through it though,
"Why don't you go get some more sleep?" He asked, his fatherly voice breaking through, "No one else will notice anyways. You'll get up when the meeting starts." Lionblaze nodded his head. He had almost forgotten that it would be decided if Thunder could stay or not. He turned and returned to his den, but not to sleep. He silently padded over to Hollyleaf's sleeping body, and prodded her in the side with his paw.
Hollyleaf woke with a start. Something had touched her, right after she fell back asleep. She looked up to see Lionblaze standing above her, and he put his tail up against his mouth, a signal to be quiet. She nodded, and he flicked his tail, another signal. She stood, stretched, and followed him out of the den. She saw him slither across the side of the camp, remaining unseen by Crowfeather or Honeyfern. They slipped into an unused den, and Lionblaze turned to face Hollyleaf.
"I know how he can save Leafpool," He breathed, and Hollyleaf widened her eyes.
"What do you mean save?" She asked, "Is she in danger?"
"No," Lionblaze said, shaking his head, "Crowfeather told me that if she can't be a medicine cat that they will leave."
Hollyleaf was confused. Wouldn't life be easier if they were gone? Weren't they the reason that WindClan had tried to attack in the first place?
"I need you to help me," Lionblaze continued, "I-I want you to get inside Firestar's head and make Leafpool the medicine cat again. She needs it, and I think that Jayfeather does too."
Hollyleaf was shocked. Lionblaze wanted her to make Firestar do what she wanted? What he wanted? Some part of her told her it was the wrong thing to do, just like when she made Lionblaze love Cinderheart. But another part of her mind screamed at her to do it, to make things how she thought they should be.
"Well…" She whispered, somewhat scared now, "Let me think for a moment…" Lionblaze nodded, and started to groom himself. It was a casual thing for him to do, to hide how tense he was. Hollyleaf could tell that much.
Do it, part of her mind whispered at her, do it and be happy. Your mother, father, and brothers will be happier. Just do it.
The other half of her head was still persistent, what's the point? Remember what Darkstripe said? If you do it, if you die, it will be undone. What then?
They are both right, another voice in Hollyleaf's head said, quietly in the back round. Hollyleaf recognized the voice, but do what you think, and I will save you from whatever else happens. It was Darkstripe's voice, promising to keep her safe. She shook her head, it was another lie.
"I'll do it," Hollyleaf said quickly, "Right now?"
"If he's awake I guess," Lionblaze said, "Can you enter someone's sleep?" Hollyleaf shrugged her shoulders, and closed her eyes, "Should I you do something about Thunder?" Lionblaze asked right as she was about to enter his head.
As much as she wanted Thunder to not stay, Hollyleaf shook her head, eyes still closed. She lied down, just to brace her self in case he was another case like Jayfeather, "No, let that much be his own thoughts." She let out a long sigh, and entered Firestar's mind.
There was the familiar moment of darkness, and then light. Hollyleaf saw what Firestar saw. He was sitting in his den, deep in thought. Sandstorm was asleep by his side, and Hollyleaf was careful to not make Firestar move, to make him wake her. Hollyleaf was lucky enough that he was thinking about Leafpool, making the last decisions if he was right. She quickly started to think,
She would be happier. Hollyleaf thought.
But what about the clan? Hollyleaf was surprised that Firestar had heard her thought, and thought that it was his own. He was contradicting her, thinking it was himself.
Jayfeather is good, but Thunder is right, he is too young. She thought firmly, trying to plant the seeds in his thoughts.
Cinderpelt was very young when Yellowfang died, too. She was one of my best medicine cats… HeHHe had a very good point, but Hollyleaf would prevail.
But she was your apprentice for a short while. Jayfeather is your grandson, much more important that her. She is dead, he is alive. Don't make a mistake again. Hollyleaf had heard how Cinderpelt had been hit by a monster on the thunderpath in the old forest, and how Firestar, then Fireheart, had thought it was his fault. She hated herself for using the memory, but she had to pull it out for him to see.
She had to live with seeing it too. Cinderpelt's crushed body…the way her back limb was stuck at a strange angle…how Tigerclaw had tricked her out…
Hollyleaf was smashed by the wait of Firestar's wave of sudden anger at the memory, and at Tigerstar. She wondered for a moment if this was how Jayfeather felt when he felt a cat's emotions, but was brought back by Firestar's powerful, determined thoughts.
Never again. I will not lose another medicine cat because of me. Yellowfang in the fire, Spottedleaf to Clawface. Cinderpelt had to become a medicine cat because of me, never again. Leafpool will be a medicine cat. His thoughts were so determined that Hollyleaf was assured that he would not waver. Just to be safe, she brought out the thoughts of Graystripe's and Stormfur's kits. They were going to be apprentice's soon enough, and he would need mentors.
Hollyleaf was curious to see who he had picked, and saw only two cats, Berrynose and Stormfur. Those he was sure of, but none others.
Hollyleaf would be good. She thought before she could stop her self. Firestar started to nod to himself.
"Yes she would…" he whispered to himself, and nodded more surely, "Indeed she would…" Hollyleaf thought it was time for her to get out of Firestar's mind, out of his privacy. She let go of the strands of his thoughts, and plunged into darkness. When the light returned, she opened her eyes to see Lionblaze and Jayfeather looking at her.
"What are you doing here?" She whispered to Jayfeather, standing up and stretching, he just shrugged his shoulders,
"I wanted to make sure that you were alright. And that you didn't…well do anything you shouldn't have." He sounded slightly guilty, and Hollyleaf was confused.
"How could you have done that?" She asked, and Jayfeather blinked at her.
"It was easy. You know how I can enter cats' minds too?" She nodded her head, and he continued, "Well, I just did that. I entered your mind; since you weren't unconscious it was easy." Hollyleaf nodded, feeling stupid.
"Anyways," Lionblaze said, ending the silence between the three siblings, "What now?" Jayfeather looked over to his brother, answering his question,
"Hollyleaf and I will go out saying that we are gathering herbs. You will go back to the warriors' den and pretend to sleep until they call the meeting." He made it sound like it was obvious to do, but Lionblaze's pelt was burning. Hollyleaf could almost feel the heat. She just followed Jayfeather when she saw him walk out, leaving Lionblaze staring after them.
Hollyleaf leaped up to next to Jayfeather, and they passed Honeyfern on the way out of camp. She flicked her tail out to rest on Hollyleaf's shoulder,
"Where are you two going? She asked, her eyes questioning. Jayfeather answered before Hollyleaf had a chance,
"We both woke up early and she caught me on my way out of camp, to go gather herbs. We will be back for the clan meeting. We are just going to the old two-leg nest and back."
"Oh, alright," Honeyfern said, and Jayfeather continued to walk. Hollyleaf scrambled after him, and he took no notice. They walked up in silence, but Hollyleaf asked Jayfeather something that had been itching her mind of a while.
"Jayfeather, why do you think that I hurt you when I tried to enter your mind?" He paused, thinking about the question she had asked. She was walking behind him, and could not see his face while he thought? Was it pain at the memory? Or was it just a deep thoughtful face that he wore so much?
When he continued to walk on he answered, "I'm not sure. Maybe because the power you have is too close to mine? Since I can walk in minds you can't walk in mine?"
"But you can enter my mind," Hollyleaf protested. His theory couldn't be the answer. It didn't make sense.
"Like I said, I don't know. It could have been my self-sacrifice, or your mind isn't as strong as mine." Hollyleaf flinched at his words, as if a claw had hit her. Those were Tigerstar's words. Almost exactly his words.
"Oh, well, okay…" Hollyleaf sighed, still worried. Don't be, a voice in her head whispered, but she pushed it out. She was in no mood to hear the deep, soothing voice that belonged to the dark cat. It was not what she needed. She needed an answer.
Jayfeather walked into the garden of the two-leg nest, and grabbed a large mouthful of herbs. He put it in front of Hollyleaf, and she picked it up. He grabbed a large amount, and the two started to head back to camp.
The smell of catmint was very strong in Hollyleaf's nose by the time they got to camp again. It was now well past sun up and the clan meeting would start soon. Hollyleaf knew that a patrol would go out, and then the meeting would start. Her thoughts were confirmed when she saw Squirrelflight, Brackenfur, Brightheart and Rosepaw padding towards them.
"Hello," Brackenfur called, "What are you two doing up so early?" Jayfeather put down his catmint, and he spoke out to them,
"We are just returning from a successful trip to go get some catmint. We may need some for the upcoming leaf-bare."
Brackenfur nodded, and the two groups passed each other on their way in or out of the tunnel. Hollyleaf felt Squirrelflight's fur rub against hers, and her memories flooded out.
When she was a kit, seeing her mother, thinking she was the bravest warrior, other than Brambleclaw. Her encouragement and motherly advice when she was an apprentice.
Now it was all gone. A dead feeling in her heart.
They paced themselves to Jayfeather's den, and he placed all of the catmint in the storages. Hollyleaf had put hers down, and moved out of the way. She was close to his nest, and she carefully sniffed it. Not that it mattered much to her, but the scent of Hazeltail was warm and fresh. She must have just left.
"Why does it matter?" She whipped her head up to see Jayfeather staring sightlessly at her, "She is going to have my kits, get over it."
Hollyleaf sighed, a long, non patient sound, "I don't care. Just like you could care less that I'm having Mousewhisker's kits." Hollyleaf hated to admit it, but she was getting bigger. Not as big as Honeyfern, but bigger none the less.
"Whatever," Jayfeather sighed, not caring much anymore, "Just go on, get out of here. The meeting will start soon anyways, may as well go see Mousewhisker or something." He flicked his tail in goodbye, and started to sort already perfectly sorted herbs. Hollyleaf could tell that something was on his mind, but she dare not ask or try to find out. Only Hazeltail would not feel his rough tongue, his harsh words. (For some reason I have always pictured Jayfeather as some long black haired- emoish guy.)
So Hollyleaf left, in spite of wanting to know more. She took his advice, and went to go find Mousewhisker. She saw him talking with Lionblaze, and she could tell that his body was stiff, not wanting to talk to Lionblaze. She saw his tail sweep over his scar on his belly, but saw nothing about it.
"…your apprentice against mine." Lionblaze was saying. Hollyleaf sat next to Mousewhisker and felt his body immediately loosen.
"What's this?" She asked, "What are you two talking about?"
Lionblaze just shrugged his shoulders, "I was thinking that Mousewhisker and I should have Rosepaw and Toadpaw have a little one on one combat, just to see who is better."
"Every apprentice grows at their own speed," Mousewhisker murmured to himself, but louder added, "Lionblaze, you know that Toadpaw could beat Rosepaw. She may be faster but he is bigger and stronger. It would be like you fighting Jayfeather. Not right." Lionblaze snorted, and Hollyleaf shot him a dirty look, a "Do that again I will kill you" kind of look. He laughed in spite of himself, but tried to be serious,
"Yeah, your right. Besides, it would be embarrassing for you to have Rosepaw fight Toadpaw. Totally unfair on her part."
"Now are you saying that Rosepaw can't fight at all?" Mousewhisker snarled, his voice a deadly whisper, "Say that again and see what happens."
Lionblaze, all of his self humor gone, stepped back at Mousewhisker's violent tone, "Calm down," he said, "Seriously, I was joking." He looked at Mousewhisker with one of those, "Get a life" looks and walked away. It was Hollyleaf's turn to laugh to herself. She did so quietly, trying to not give herself away.
She was successful in her attempt to be quiet, and Mousewhisker just stared after Lionblaze, "I really am sorry about him," Hollyleaf said in another attempt to make sure Mousewhisker happy, "He's been weird lately about things." Mousewhisker nodded, but his head snapped up, and Hollyleaf followed his gaze towards Firestar, who had been pacing on the Highledge, but he came to a stop, and all the cats looked up at him. He didn't need to say the normal things to gather the cats. They were all there waiting, elders, kits, warriors and all. They looked up at him, and just waited.
"Crowfeather," Firestar called up towards the top of the camp, "Bring Thunder forward." The dark gray tom nodded from the top of the camp, and Hollyleaf saw Thunder already coming out of his small den. His coat shined, and she could tell that he must have spent some time cleaning it.
"Since the patrol is taking so long, we will just have to start. We will start with you Leafpool." Firestar said, looking down at his daughter, "I have given it much thought, and I have decided that you may return as a medicine cat." Hollyleaf's heart soared with happiness at his words, even though she and her brothers knew very well that it was for them that this had happened, "On a few conditions."
Hollyleaf froze. What conditions? She hadn't heard or seen anything about this. Her brothers, from their places in the crowd, turned to look at her. She could just tell that they were, Lionblaze's deep amber and Jayfeather's sightless blue. Her pelt burned with sudden wonder and anxiety.
Firestar cleared his throat, "One: No more spending time with Crowfeather," Yowls of protest came up at once, mostly from Thornclaw. The tom was standing up next to Firestar, and he whispered in his ear. She was close enough, not really being in the clearing, that she could hear what he said to Firestar.
"But- really Firestar- why? I mean," Thornclaw looked for the right words, "Is that wise? Isn't she the reason he his here? Why can't they be together? It's what got them where they are anyways. It won't change anything at all."
Firestar nodded, and then amended his words, "Fine. If you must insist, then Leafpool may be with him at nights and sometimes during the day. Other than that he will be a warrior in ThunderClan, not intruding on medicine cat business." Thornclaw and the other cats nodded, and Firestar continued,
"Two: You still are not allowed to go to gatherings. At least, for a while that is. Three: For at least a moon, you will be under Jayfeather's command. He will sleep in your nest; you will do as he says. You will be an apprentice almost. This is to show you what a good medicine cat should be like." It was too late for Firestar when he realized what he had said about her not being a good medicine cat. She had dropped her head, and looked even more solemn.
But Firestar's eyes softened, "I am sorry, Leafpool." He said, so that the whole clan could hear it, "I have wronged you. I hope that this is not a reward to you, to be a medicine cat again, but recognition that I have been wrong, and should have thought it more clearly." It was a very formal apology, but Leafpool could feel his real intentions behind it. She nodded again, and Crowfeather, who was up on the Highrock with Thunder, nodded his approval also. Thornclaw shot him a look, but said nothing.
"Now, onto a bit more pressing business," Firestar said, "Thunder, come forth." The massive amber cat padded forwards, and Hollyleaf had to admire his ripping muscles that showed when he moved. For such a big cat he had grace and a sleek look to him.
"Yes, Firestar?" He asked, his voice a deep bass, "What have you decided?"
Hollyleaf hissed silently to herself, Suck up. She said to her self, snarling. She didn't like this cat, and she didn't plan to, graceful or not.
"Thunder, you seem like a good cat. You seem noble and strong, truthful and proud. You seem like all the qualities that a warrior would need," A glint came to Thunder's eyes, as if he was amused. As if he thought he was already the best warrior, it bugged Hollyleaf, "But you must prove it to me. Though it may seem, it may not be."
Thunder looked thoughtful know, hiding his amusement, trying to act serious. Again Hollyleaf was agitated, what is with this guy? He comes prancing into camp, demanding to be a warrior. Ha.
"I agree," Thunder's deep voice rumbled, "And I think my opportunity will be coming soon-"
Thunder's voice was cut off by the caterwaul of different cats. Hollyleaf turned to the entrance on the camp to see the patrol coming back. She saw Brackenfur, Rosepaw, and Brightheart…but where was Squirrelflight? She noticed that they were all bleeding, and Rosepaw spoke out first, her words coming in short breathes, gasps, not able to form sentences,
"Help…Dogs…chased...Squirrelflight…tree…followed…here…" She collapsed, but was still breathing, eyes opened wide. Hollyleaf knew what was wrong; she was in shock.
Leafpool ran towards the fallen apprentice while Brackenfur ran up to Firestar, bleeding from a wound on his shoulder and on his snout,
"Dogs attacked us while we were out…we tried to fight but there were to many of them…one chased Squirrelflight up a tree, a lone standing one…She's stuck, and most of the dogs are barking at her, trying to get her. One got dangerously close, too. But then even more came, and chased us off. I think we lost them but-"
"We've no time to lose then," Firestar cut him off, "Let's go. Ashfur, Thornclaw, Spiderleg, Crowfeather, Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, Birchfall, Sorreltail, Poppyfrost, Hazeltail, and Berrynose, you will all come. All others, get elders and kits in the nursery, and other warriors-" Firestar stopped short, his eyes filled with horror. Hollyleaf's head whipped back towards the entrance, and saw what he was looking at.
There was a huge white and black dog, and a large tan and black she-dog.
Why? Hollyleaf told herself Can't we have a normal, peaceful day?
"Becuase," The second voice in her head whispered, "That would be no fun." She growled softly in her head, and the dark cats voice disappeared.
Hey, just to let you know, the two dogs are a Husky and a German Shepard. Thought you might appreciate that. Oh, and yes, that is Darkstripe in her head. She doesn't like it, but he is there. We will see more of him next chappie, which will be half Jay, half Holly. Fluff warning!
So did you like? I hope so; I worked hard on this chapter. Now, here's the lay down
Current Reviews: 140
Hopeful Amount by next Update: 160.
I really think you guys can do it. I got a lot of Favorite stories, but no reviews form you guys! Come on, you can do it!
-Lightningstreak123