NOTE: I don't own anything warriors other than two of the characters. All credit is given in the Allegiances section.
By the time I post this, I'll have started summer school, got a new laptop, and had all four of my wisdom teeth pulled out. Life has been very stressful lately so I can only write for a short time. However, I will attempt to get at least one chapter a month here until life becomes more mellow.
Let's get back to Forestclan and see how everything is going there.
Review and Enjoy!
Reviving Blood
Chapter 15: Secrets Hidden Within
Sunviper hissed as she pressed a poultice mixture on his scratched shoulder. Blossomstorm was to her right, taking care of Eaglewing. Jayflight was racing towards them with more herbs in his mouth. Tawnysong sighed weakly. Her calico tail waved the warrior away. White paws ran over the black fur of Tigerpelt. His ginger stripes were speckled with blood. This time it wasn't Bloodfang, who attacked mainly at sunrise and sundown, or Star, who had all but disappeared. A dawn patrol had smelled a badger in the territory. This patrol had gone to chase it off. They had succeeded but at a cost.
Not one had walked away unharmed.
"Get some rest and see me tomorrow for another check-up," Tawnysong meowed to Tigerpelt. The tom grunted as he hauled himself towards the warriors' den. Spotting Falconstar and Cobrapelt, she trotted over and spoke, "Tigerpelt, Sunviper, and Mintnose are forbidden from hunting or patrolling until we check them over tomorrow."
Cobrapelt dipped his head, "I'll remember that. Tomorrow at sunhigh I'll check with the three of you about them."
"Thank you," the calico medicine cat meowed.
Falconstar sighed then asked, "Any word from Starclan?"
"None. However, I intend to visit the star-pool tonight. The half-moon will grant enough light for me to find my way. Blossomstorm will come with me as a guard," she replied with a shake of the head.
Falconstar shook his head in return, "I don't want this camp to have only one medicine cat present. I'll come with you as the guard. Cobrapelt, I trust you to be in charge for the night."
The sand colored deputy gave a curt nod before trotting off. There was much to do before the leader and head medicine cat left. Passing Blossomstorm, he informed her of the change of plans. The camp entrance shook. Blizzardsky's hunting patrol and Autumnfire's border patrol had returned. Tawnysong's ears turned to her leader as he sighed. Forestclaw and Blizzardsky had just passed each other without a word or look. Her sharp green eyes spotted Jayflight snarling in their direction. She knew the blind tom could sense the anger that flowed off them. Luckily Leafshine was off with Honeypaw at the moment. The brown calico wasn't taking the aggression very well.
"Lightningfur will set them straight," she meowed, pink nose nudging his shoulder.
Falconstar looked down at her, "You think so? Do you really believe that the damage Trenton did can ever be repaired?"
"If anyone can find a way, it's Lightningfur. However, there is one problem that everyone seems to have forgotten," his medicine cat voiced worriedly.
Both brown ears pricked, telling Tawnysong that he was listening.
"Cobrapelt is the current deputy. Lightningfur is the former one. Which will take the deputy role?"
"I have been thinking about that. To be truthful, I don't really know. My heart tells me that Lightningfur should regain his position but my mind says that Cobrapelt should stay because I would be pushing him aside like crow-food."
"It is a tricky situation. Perhaps you should discuss it with Cobrapelt before Lightningfur returns here. That way you know your decision is sound."
"You're right, Tawnysong, as usual."
(A short chuckle) "You know it. I'll meet you at the camp entrance after the sundown meal."
"I'll be there."
The leader and medicine cat hauled themselves up towards the star-pool. Night was quickly overtaking the dusk. Stars shined brightly overhead. The calico paused at the top to catch her breath. A gentle breeze made the willow leaves dance. That soft rustling again reminded her of whispers. Starclan was here. They were waiting for her to come. Falconstar hauled himself up after her. His green eyes studied the land around them. Tawnysong knew he wanted to talk with their ancestors as well. However, he was here as a guard. All his questions had been poured to his medicine cat and friend. He trusted her to get as many answers as she could. For that, he was willing to wait.
"Let's see what Starclan has to say," Tawnysong finally meowed.
Her leader nodded before following her in. Quickly he climbed a willow. The height gave him the advantage of longer sightlines and surprise should an enemy come. The calico leaped onto a root that stretched over the pool. Stars danced in the water's reflection. They circled around her body. Her heart started beating deep inside her chest. Ripples were created by her breath. That cold shock raced through her body as her nose touched the water. Then all was black.
Tawnysong slowly opened her eyes. Sitting before her was a face that filled her with peace. It was the smiling face of her father: Twig. With a meow of joy, she stood and pressed into him. A warm chuckle wrapped around her. Pawsteps made her look up. Coral was padding forward with others behind her. A purr escaped her white throat. She recognized Timberclaw, Dustflight, Birdfeather, Cloudpaw (remember: only Stormwind knows of Cloudracer's warrior name), and Fishrunner. Turning around, she saw more Starclan cats stepping forward. The three original leaders stepped from the crowd. Each one smiled warmly at her. A nervous sigh escaped her mouth. Then Tawnysong raised her head. She was ready to speak with them. She was ready to take back and use whatever wisdom they passed onto her.
Light meowed softly, "The journey is progressing every passing day. Unfortunately, Trenton won't surrender willingly. Sophia, Samson, and Patch have gone ahead of them to prepare Lightningfur."
"Every day the darkness you fear steps closer as well," Wave meowed, her blue-gray tail flicking back and forth. "Forestclan must prepare for combat. Blood will fall before Lightningfur ever reaches home."
"But Jayflight's prophecy: War will come with a falcon's cry and a flash of lightning!" Tawnysong meowed.
"Blood drawn doesn't mean war," Comet said with a nod. "Fighting, yes, but war is something else entirely." He stepped up to Tawnysong and laid his nose on her forehead. Softly, eerily, he spoke, "Forestclan fought one war before. Then you stood as one, whole and complete. Now you face another war but you will stand fractured and divided."
"How do Falconstar and I fix this?" the medicine cat asked as he stepped back.
It was her father that replied, "Remember, when fire raged through the forest. Remember, how all mourned after the stones fell. Remind them of battles fought, both won and lost. One decision scarred the forest. Only the deepest roots can it pull the forest together again."
Dustflight growled, "Secrets of the heart often have far reaching consequences. Learn to divine truth from lie, pain from hate, and loyalty from servitude."
Fishrunner stepped slightly forward and solemnly meowed, "Forestclan was once open and welcoming. Now silent whispers fill the air. Some are more deadly than others."
Tawnysong looked from one Starclan cat to the next. Panic and fear made her chest hurt. She couldn't understand what they were talking about. Their words were riddles she didn't understand! That's when a thought made her freeze. Her mind jumped to Blackstorm, sitting in the shadows of camp with a distant look in her eyes. Blizzardsky and Forestclaw hissing and snapping at one another appeared before her eyes. Then came Jayflight, who stiffened whenever someone spoke of the future. Were they all hiding secrets? If so, what did their hearts bury deep within? She didn't know. She couldn't fathom what. Her green eyes closed as she sighed with pain. Starclan told her to remind the Clan. Remind them of everything they survived. Remind them of what being a Clan truly meant. The only question in her mind asked if she was up to the task.
Sundown the next day found Tawnysong sitting outside the medicine den. Her tongue ran over her right front paw. No one saw her green eyes darting over camp. Jayflight was eating with Leafshine and their younger siblings. Cherryleap, Flightwish, and Stormwind were laughing and joking together. Blackstorm crouched in the shadows next to them, silent and solemn. Flickerfire and Rosedawn were grooming near the camp entrance. Windhowl was padding out of the nursery. He had been checking on Whispersong, whose kitting was overdue. Honeypaw was showing off a new fighting move to a proud Reedtail. The other apprentices were sharing tips and exciting stories by their den. Bonefeather was quietly waiting for Tigerstorm to leave her alone. Cobrapelt and Falconstar were discussing patrols and camp improvements over their meal. Everyone else was either sleeping early or out patrolling. That's when her green eyes caught movement by the camp entrance…
In time to see a white tail leave camp.
Letting out a huge yawn, Tawnysong stretched. She turned around and called to Blossomstorm that she was going to collect more tansy. The spotted gray medicine cat gave a curt response. A smile spread across Tawnysong's face. Her partner hated it when cats interrupted her concentration when sorting herbs. Tail high, the calico padded out of camp. The tom she was following was nowhere in sight. That didn't matter to her. Easily her pink nose found his scent. White paws trotted silently after him. The trail zigzagged through the trees. Several times he would cross rivers or loop around. Each time Tawnysong's eyes narrowed more. He was definitely hiding something. This tom didn't want anyone following him. Breathing deep, Tawnysong slackened her pace even more. She didn't want him looping around and catching her scent.
Moonlight was filtering through the tree branches. Tawnysong was walking up the side of the gorge. The tom she was following had stopped trying to lose pursuers and was now simply walking towards the far border of the territory. Down below, one could see signs of the Twoleg war that had been fought. Long sticks with sharp metal ends rested on the ground, broken and covered in blood. Here and there the glimmer of a metal shield edge could be seen. Leftover bones of horse and cattle carcasses were disturbing to the eye. Several small stones, dislodged by the tom's paws, clattered down to the bottom. Tawnysong paused just in case he stopped to listen. The tom didn't, continuing onward without any hesitation.
Several minutes later, just beyond the border, she could hear voices talking. Slowly she snuck forward. Paws were careful not to step on anything. Green eyes desperately looked for the cats. A soft giggle made her pause. That was a she-cat! A frown pulled at her lips. Why was the tom so careful if he was simply visiting a rogue? No one in the Clan would fault him. No one would hate him. Forestclan was still young. They were looking for new recruits. There was something else going one here. Tawnysong was determined to start unraveling the secrets her Clanmates had hidden away. It was her duty to remind her Clan of who they were. She wouldn't fail at that job.
But she never expected to see them together…
A powerful warrior…
Leaning against a murderer.
Tawnysong was frozen in her hiding place as the she-cat licked his cheek. A soft chuckle escaped his throat. Then he nuzzled her. Ice blue eyes closed with pleasure as he started grooming her white pelt. A proud smile touched her lips. Rising, she ran her white, gray tipped tail under his jaw. The tom purred happily as he rose and followed. Soon the two vanished within a den set between a fallen tree and a large rock. Tawnysong didn't wait around. She didn't have to know what else was going to happen. The secret was clear to her. Reaching a patch of tansy, she slid to a stop. Her green eyes looked up to the stars and moon. How? How could Starclan let this happen? That she-cat was murderer, a killer! Why, out of the cats in the world, did he fall for her! Then her mind went to the others. How many of them knew? More importantly: what would they think of brother?
For Blizzardsky had fallen in love with Star.
Forestclan
Leader:
Falconstar: massive dark brown tom with black stripes and green eyes, left front paw is white. Nightfur's brother.
Deputy:
Cobrapelt: sand colored tom with amber eyes and white paws. Wildfire's mate. Father of Squirrelkit, Foxkit, and Fawnkit.
Medicine Cat(s):
Tawnysong: white, calico she-cat with deep green eyes. Her chin is black, orange patch on her muzzle and around her left ear, both ears are tipped with black with white in the middle, black tail tip, right eye surrounded in black, and white paws. (Falachen)
Blossomstorm: gray female with dark gray spots and amber eyes. (BoneMeal)
Jayflight: dark gray tom with black patches on his sides and pale blue eyes, blind. Lightningfur and Nightfur's son. Brother of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Leafshine, Cloudpaw, Ravenpaw, Dapplepaw, and Snowpaw.
Warriors:
Autumnfire: red-ginger she-cat with blue eyes and brown patches here and there. Mintleaf and Duststripe's sister.
Mintleaf: gray tuxedo she-cat with sky blue eyes. Autumnfire and Duststripe's sister.
Duststripe: sand colored tom with dark brown stripes and green eye (right eye is blind/missing). Autumnfire and Mintleaf's brother.
Nightfur: pure black she-cat with amber eyes. Falconstar's younger sister and Lightningfur's mate. Mother of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudpaw, Ravenpaw, Dapplepaw, and Snowpaw.
Rosedawn: red she-cat with white spots and amber eyes. Twin of Flowerspot. Flickerfire's mate. Mother of Ashpaw and Goldenpaw.
Flowerspot: red she-cat with white spots and amber eyes. Twin of Rosedawn.
Willowbreeze: cream she-cat with black and brown spots and green eyes. Mother of Rattleclaw, Sunviper, Birdfeather, and Wishpaw.
Riverbreeze: blue-gray she-cat with a white muzzle, white/gray ringed tail, and hazel eyes. Eaglewing's mate. Mother of Stonepelt.
Eaglewing: brown tabby tom with black stripes and green eyes. Riverbreeze's mate. Father of Stonepelt.
Windhowl: white tom with brown spots and amber eyes. Previously known as Howler. Whispersong' mate.
Skycloud: pale gray she-cat with amber eyes and white tipped ears. Mother of Whispersong and Wolfsnarl.
Ashtree: dark gray she-cat with green eyes and silver flecks and black ears.
Tigerpelt: black tabby tom with ginger-brown stripes and blue eyes. No right ear.
Berrybranch: long-legged brown tom with red-ginger patches and amber eyes.
Barktooth: light brown tom with white stripes and hazel eyes. Wildfire's brother.
Reedtail: light brown tom with black stripes, black ears, black ringed tail, and amber eyes. Wildfire and Barktooth's half-brother. Adopted father of Honeypaw.
Icefur: silver tabby she-cat with ice blue eyes, dark gray stripes, white ears and paws, and white tipped tail. Fishrunner and Streamnose's sister.
Streamnose: pale gray she-cat with amber eyes and white ears and muzzle. Fishrunner and Icefur's sister.
(NOTE: Icefur and Streamnose are the same litter. Fishrunner from previous litter)
Otterfoot: black, gray, and brown she-cat with green eyes.
Flightwish: brown and white patched she-cat with yellow eyes. Mother of Cloudpaw (racer) and Stormwind. Talon's former mate.
Aspenfall: short-haired silver tabby with ice blue eyes. She has long legs that lead to her appearing tall. She's got muscle, but most of it doesn't show. (AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon)
Cherryleap: brown she-cat with patches of red and white, red left paw (front), white tail tip, two colored eyes (left: green, right: amber). (Guest Cat)
Tigerstorm: tom, unruly off-white fur, with striking brown eyes, black strikes down back and face. (BoneMeal)
Flickerfire: tom, short curly red pelt, white on the muzzle and underbelly, green eyes. Rosedawn's mate. Father of Ashpaw and Goldenpaw. (BoneMeal)
Bonefeather: a light gray shorthair with a white chin, chest, and paws. Mischievous brown eyes. Small body with a short tail. Right ear was burned off in a fire, left is chipped at the top (fight with a loner). (BoneMeal)
Hazelsky: silver and white tabby she-cat with darker gray tabby stripes and sky blue eyes. Previously known as Bella. (TheSilveroftheSky)
Wolfsnarl: dark gray tabby tom with black stripes and green eyes, resembles father closely. Son of Skycloud (and Breeze). Whispersong's brother.
Rattleclaw: dusty brown tom with blue eyes and four black paws and black tail tip. Son of Willowbreeze. Sunviper and Birdfeather's brother.
Sunviper: yellow tom with amber eyes, hints of ginger in his pelt. Son of Willowbreeze. Rattleclaw and Birdfeather's brother.
Silversoul (Hawk): large, muscular, but really skinny silver tabby she-cat with deep blue eyes. (SilentLeap85)
Blizzardsky: pure white tom with blue eyes, long fur. Lightningfur and Nightfur's son. Brother of Forestclaw, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudpaw, Ravenpaw, Dapplepaw, and Snowpaw.
Forestclaw: dark brown tom with black spots, ears, and paws and amber eyes that glow ominously in the dark. Lightningfur and Nightfur's son. Brother of Blizzardsky, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudpaw, Ravenpaw, Dapplepaw, and Snowpaw
Leafshine: calico with more brown than orange and white with deep, leaf green eyes. Lightningfur and Nightfur's daughter. Sister of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Jayflight, Cloudpaw, Ravenpaw, Dapplepaw, and Snowpaw.
Blackstorm: jet black she-cat with light gray stripes that look like lightning and snow-white eyes (Silentleap85)
Stonepelt: blue-gray tom with green eyes. Riverbreeze and Eaglewing's son.
Deersong: brown she-cat with four white paws and blue-green eyes. (BooksRCoolYeah)
Honeyblaze: light golden-sand color she-cat with a cream belly and blue eyes. (silverflame)
Coalsplash: silver tom with white belly, large black splashes throughout pelt, black splash around muzzle and across left side of face, and green eyes.
Stormwind: brown she-cat with gray spots and sky blue eyes, back left leg is badly twisted. Flightwish's and Talon's daughter. Sister of Cloudpaw (racer).
Apprentices:
Cloudpaw: white tom with amber eyes, black paws, and black tipping his ears and tail. Mentor: Tigerstorm.
Ravenpaw: black tom with blue eyes. Mentor: Windhowl.
Dapplepaw: black she-cat with green eyes, white and gray patches along her back and sides, white tail tip. Mentor: Silversoul.
Snowpaw: pure white she-cat with amber eyes. Mentor: Icefur.
Ashpaw: shorthair red tom with green eyes, patches of white and orange on his face, back, and chest, white front left and back right paws, white tail tip, and white belly. Flickerfire and Rosedawn's son. Brother of Goldenpaw. Mentor: Wolfsnarl.
Goldenpaw: short, curly orange she-cat with bright amber eyes, a few white spots on her face and back, white chin and right ear. Flickerfire and Rosedawn's daughter. Sister of Ashpaw. Mentor: Otterfoot.
Wishpaw: white she-cat with black chest, muzzle, and black paws, pale gray stripes on her back, pale blue eyes (Falachen). Mentor: Bonefeather.
Honeypaw: a sand-ginger she-cat with pale tan stripes, white paws, and green eyes. Adopted daughter of Reedtail. Mentor: Leafshine.
Bearpaw: massive dark brown tom with amber eyes and tan chest. Mentor: Barktooth
Queens and Kits:
Wildfire: orange she-cat with green eyes and white back left paw. Barktooth's sister. Cobrapelt's mate. Mother of Squirrelkit (orange she-cat with sandy chest and stomach, amber eyes), Foxkit (pale orange tom with sandy-colored stripes, four white paws, and green eyes), and Fawnkit (brown she-cat with dark paws, white spots, and amber eyes).
Whispersong: pale gray she-cat with amber eyes, black tipped ears, and black tipped tail. Daughter of Skycloud (and Breeze). Wolfsnarl's sister. Windhowl's mate. Pregnant
Elders:
Crow: black tom with amber eyes, white muzzle, white tipped ears and tail.
Badger: black and white patched tom with faint gray stripes and green eyes.
Cats outside the Clan:
Bloodfang: jet black she-cat with deep, emerald green eyes and long, jagged, deadly claws and fangs. (SilentLeap85)
Star: white she-cat with small black spots on her back and sides, both front paws are black, dark gray tail-tip, and ice blue eyes.
Snow: white she-cat with short-hair, normal-sized tail, yellow eyes, and black ear tips. (Snowshadow)
The Flames (various cats) (BoneMeal)
Lightningfur: pure white tom with deep blue eyes, long legs that make him tall, and a long, flexible tail. Nightfur's mate. Father of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudpaw, Ravenpaw, Dapplepaw, and Snowpaw.
Starclan:
Comet: faint black tom with orange and white stripes that swirl, white paws and nose, and hazel eyes. Ancestor of Falconstar. Cause of Death: old age.
Light: faint pale yellow (looks white) she-cat with sky blue eyes, white paws, and a black tip on right ear. Ancestor of Berrybranch. Cause of Death: exhaustion/old age
Wave: faint blue-gray she-cat with deep blue eyes, white chest and stomach, and slightly darker patches of gray scattered along back and sides. Ancestor of Riverbreeze. Cause of Death: exhaustion/starvation.
Samson: white tom with black, swirling stripes, pink nose, and blue eyes. Lightningfur's mentor. Cause of Death: throat sliced open.
Patch: small russet-colored tom with faint splashes of ginger and brown, four white paws, and bright green eyes. Lightningfur's second apprentice. Cause of Death: drowning.
Coral: calico she-cat with green eyes. Patches of brown mix with the black, white, and orange. White left ear with an orange tip. Right ear is brown and black patched. Large black spot covers her right eye, traveling back around the ear, to the back of her head. Orange flecks surround left eye. Brown spot on muzzle (near nose) and brown tail tip. Right front paw is black. Left front paw is white with an orange toe. Both back paws are patched black, orange, and white. White belly. Cause of Death: paw swipe from fox attack to her stomach.
Sophia: white she-cat with large, ginger spots and blue eyes. Lightningfur's first love. Cause of Death: cut open from throat to tail across the stomach.
Unnamed kit (Cloud): white tom with deep blue eyes, ginger spot on his muzzle and ginger tail tip. Cause of Death: mother's death, never lived.
Breeze: dark gray with black stripes and amber eyes. Father of Wolfsnarl and Whispersong. Skycloud's former mate. Cause of Death: hunting dog attack.
Twig: a brown tom with a white chest and stomach and green eyes. Tawnysong's father. Cause of Death: greencough.
Talon: gray tom with flecks of white and sky blue eyes. Father of Cloudpaw and Stormpaw. Flightwish's former mate. Cause of Death: rat-bite infection.
Bear: small white tom with amber eyes, black stripes, and brown spots. Falconstar's and Nightfur's father. Cause of Death: falling from a tree during a fight.
Whisper: small pure black she-cat with amber eyes. Falconstar's and Nightfur's mother. Cause of Death: fight with a rogue.
Ancestor of Aspenfall: silver she-cat with amber eyes. Scars cover her entire body. Cause of Death: unknown.
Timberclaw: black and brown patched tom with brown eyes and broken jaw. Willowbreeze's former mate. Cause of Death: hit in the head by a Twoleg boulder.
Dustflight: jet black tom with amber eyes, small body, short, shorthair, tail tabby style. (BoneMeal). Cause of Death: rockslide, saving Flickerfire.
Birdfeather: gray, brown, and black patched tom with brown eyes. Son of Willowbreeze. Rattleclaw and Sunviper's brother. Cause of Death: bite to the spine, saving Blizzardsky.
Branch: black tom with white spots. Cause of Death: hunting dog attack. (BoneMeal)
Cloudpaw (Cloudracer): white tom with patches of pale gray and amber eyes. Flightwish's and Talon's son. Brother of Stormwind. Cause of Death: falling into the gorge, protecting Stormwind from dog attack.
Fishrunner: silver she-cat with amber eyes. Icefur and Streamnose's older sister. Cause of Death: Twoleg hunting trap, lost her head.
Dark Forest:
Oak: massive brown tom with patches of red and black and amber eyes. Lightningfur's first apprentice and enemy. Cause of Death: throat cut by Lightningfur.
Ancients:
Ancient Tom: a white tom with black stripes covering his back, black line flowing from nose to back of head, fluffy white tail, and bright green eyes.
Ancient She-cat: tortoiseshell she-cat with various shades of red, orange, and gray and deep blue eyes. Stomach is white. Top of tail is black while the bottom is spotted. Long legs.
