Chapter 85
Jaystar opened her eyes, knowing she would be at the island before she even pulled back her eyelids. As Jaystar looked around the island, remembering the bloody battle she had just left in ShadowClan, three stars shot down from Silverpelt. When Jaystar recognized two of the three warriors, she gave a silent gasp for both of those cats had been alive when Jaystar had first arrived in ShadowClan's camp. Seeing the shock in Jaystar's eyes, Hazeltail and Featherfoot dipped their heads to their former leader in a sign of greeting. Jaystar wanted to apologize for sending them to battle, but another cat pushed in between them before she could say anything.
She was small compared to the other cats on the island with her head only coming up to Jaystar's shoulder. Her reddish brown fur sparkled with a dozen stars and as Jaystar stared into the familiar orange eyes, a wave of sadness for this cat's life crashed over her. Flowerpaw hadn't even gotten her warrior name before ShadowClan's fire- back when ThunderClan and ShadowClan were allies- had taken her life from her. Jaystar wondered if Flowerpaw was here because- like Hazeltail and Featherfoot- she had lost her life in ShadowClan camp. Or was Flowerpaw here for another reason? And was that reason Toadflower who just fathered Blossomwhisker's three kits? Was Flowerpaw jealous?
"Jaystar," Flowerpaw breathed, pressing her muzzle against Jaystar's shoulder. Jaystar remembered when she had first met Flowerpaw at her first Gathering when she was only eight moons old. Flowerpaw had been unfriendly to Jaystar because she thought that the golden brown she-cat was too close with Toadflower then Toadpaw. It wasn't until the ShadowClan fire- the day that Flowerpaw lost her life- did Jaystar become friends with Flowerpaw. Even though their friendship didn't even last for a day, Jaystar had grieved for Flowerpaw's lost life just as much as Toadflower had. Jaystar would not meet Flowerpaw again until the night she received her nine lives. Flowerpaw had given her the life of love for her forbidden feelings- both friendship and love- towards Jaystar and Toadflower. "It has been too long, my old friend."
"I agree and Flowerpaw, I'm sorry for attacking ShadowClan for something as silly as my pride," Jaystar then glanced at Hazeltail and Featherfoot, two cats who had lost their lives because of Jaystar's anger. "I'm sorry to you two as well. You shouldn't have died and if I could I would change it in my heartbeat." Jaystar glanced at Hazeltail, the sister that she had just found a couple moons ago. Jaystar then turned to Featherfoot, remembering that she was still so young. Why was StarClan so cruel to take Featherfoot's life even though she probably had seasons upon seasons left? Even Hazeltail who had been a warrior when Jaystar was born wasn't old enough to join StarClan!
"We know you would, Jaystar. That's what makes you such a brave leader and a loving friend. I was happy to have fought beside you today and I know that if I had to give my life for anyone's pride, I was glad it was for yours," Hazeltail dipped her head for the last time towards Jaystar and the golden brown leader felt too choked up to speak. Hazeltail then looked to the stars and murmured, "Anyway, death is inevitable and because of it, I am know reunited with old friends. Goodbye Jaystar." And with that Hazeltail and Flowerpaw disappeared.
Turning to Featherfoot- who was still standing beside Jaystar- she wondered why the StarClan cat was still staring at her. Featherfoot nodded to a point a couple pawsteps away from them and Jaystar recognized the golden brown fur; the unblinking gray eyes. Looking back at Featherfoot, Jaystar watched as her former warrior dipped her head and meowed, "It's time for you to return, Jaystar, but may I ask just one favor?" Jaystar dipped her head. "Send someone to tell my parents will you? Stormfur and Brook have the right to know."
Jaystar nodded and when she opened her eyes, she was once again in ShadowClan's camp.
-
"Jaystar!" Jaystar looked at Brokenheart who was bounding over to her. Jaystar looked for Brookclaw and found her kin wrestling with Bumblethroat. Glancing around, Jaystar saw each of her Clanmates fighting another ShadowClan warrior. Mousewhisker and Dovewing were side to side, sheltering two lumps of fur behind them. With a sinking heart, Jaystar recognized Hazeltail and Featherfoot. Lionblaze was fighting like TigerClan, attacking Oakstar, Rowanclaw, and Tigerfur alone. Jaystar tensed her muscles to help him when Brokenheart stepped in front of her, snarling, "Don't be a mousebrain, Jaystar. Littlecloud and Flamecloud are trying to break up the fight. If the attacker's leader charges back into the fight then its going to be that much harder for them to stop everyone from clawing at each other. Come with me. The apprentice, Badgerpaw, she got hurt and is in the medicine cats' den away from the fighting. Rabbitclaw is there too."
Hearing her son's name, Jaystar limped behind Brokenheart who led her into a den. There Rabbitclaw was crouched beside Badgerpaw who Jaystar thought was dead until the apprentice looked at her when she padded into the den. "Jaystar!" At Badgerpaw's cry, Rabbitclaw looked up and Jaystar locked eyes with him, silently apologizing for attacking his Clan. When Jaystar had issued the order to attack ShadowClan, she hadn't even been thinking about Rabbitclaw. Jaystar realized that Blackstar was probably looking down at her from StarClan. She had knowingly sent out a patrol to attack ShadowClan when she knew how much it meant to him. It was probably second only behind her, Rushleaf, and Rabbitclaw.
"Well now that you are away from the battle, I'm going to help Littlecloud and Flamecloud calm down the fighters. Rabbitclaw, would you like to help me?" Rabbitclaw nodded and- without casting another glance at Jaystar- followed Brokenheart out of the den. Badgerpaw watched the two ShadowClan toms leave before turning to Jaystar, meowing, "That was your son right? Bumblethroat told me that he had joined ShadowClan when he was an apprentice." Jaystar nodded and Badgerpaw added, "I'm sorry, Jaystar. That must be so hard for you. I don't think I would be able to survive if Bearpaw was choosing to live in another Clan." Jaystar nodded again and Badgerpaw paused before asking, "Are you okay, Jaystar? You seem like your thinking about something."
"Were you in the battle when I lost one of my lives?" Badgerpaw looked shocked so Jaystar took that as a no. "Well my killer was Brookclaw, Rabbitclaw's daughter. The strange thing about Brookclaw attacking me is because I always trusted her. It was Brokenheart who I always thought would be first to attack his kin." Jaystar was surprised that she was telling Badgerpaw everything, but she wanted some cat to understand what she was feeling. The only other cat who knew of Jaystar's previous feelings to Brokenheart had been Firestar and he had been dead for a good number of moons now. Maybe Jaystar wanted some cat to know her feelings in case she died before telling anyone else. Badgerpaw seemed to be that cat. Jaystar knew it.
What Jaystar didn't know was that another cat had listened to her words and as that cat emerged from the entrance of the den. Jaystar felt her blood run cold. "It's nice to know that you didn't trust me."
It was Brokenheart.
