Chapter One

Bittersweet Happiness

A light snow blanketed the gray tom's coat, flecking it with chilly white crystals. He walked across ThunderClan camp, the scents and sounds of the quiet morning as warriors started to wake up. Jayfeather had been up all night, tending to Graystripe, for his leg, and Sorreltail, for a small cold she had come down with. The tortoiseshell she-cat was expecting kits once more, and the tabby tom was happy for her. Losing Honeyfern must have been hard for her, and Jayfeather could only guess what she was feeling. Well, technically.

The loss of Hollyleaf sure did hit home, but he was faring better than Brambleclaw was. The deputy had been so shocked by all the lies and betrayal he had faced, and then, the she-cat he believed was his daughter all along, dies abruptly, leaving him with nothing? Squirrelflight constantly tried to talk to him, but Brambleclaw wouldn't hear it. Jayfeather had been treating him with poppy seeds and thyme every once and a while when it had got bad.

Lionblaze, on the other hand, focused mainly on his work. He would be out almost all day, and Jayfeather barely got to see his brother. Sometimes, though, they'd eat together, but that would be it.

I wonder how Willowshine is faring.

The young she-cat had been left, just like Jayfeather, when Mothwing went with Leafpool on a journey back to the old forest. Only Jayfeather knew where she went, well, of course, besides Willowshine.

I'll get my answer soon enough, the quarter moon is in a few sunrises.

"Jayfeather?"

His thoughts were then interrupted by the call of Thornclaw.

"I was having Bumblepaw change the bedding in the elders, and he said it smelled funny in there. When he was changing Graystripe's, he said it smelled even worse. Does that mean his wound is getting infected?" He mewed, his voice unusually full of concern.

"I don't know, Thornclaw, I'll have to check." Jayfeather added a touch of bitterness to his voice. Didn't he have enough to worry about without having to keep the tom's life in his paws?

Is this what you meant? He asked pleadingly up to StarClan. He was given no answer.

"Oh, okay." Thornclaw gave a flick of his tail and padded away, towards the gorse tunnel, he presumed.

Trudging over to the elders den, feeling his way with his tail to see where Graystripe was, he did smell a slightly pungent smell in the air.

Definitely infection.

"Graystripe, didn't I tell you to clean that ever so often?" Jayfeather scowled.

"I did. I cleaned it the other day." The tom replied with a humorous 'I-just-got-in-trouble,-didn't-I?' kind of tone.

"Not good enough." He leaned forward and sniffed the leg. "You've gone and let it become infected. I'll be right back." He retreated from the elders den, quietly padding over to the medicine cat den. His, medicine cat den.

It was very lonely sleeping alone at night, he felt sorry for other medicine cats who no longer had their mentors, or vice versa.

The smooth sand felt warm under his feet, and he squeezed himself through the small crevice where they held their herbs. He had grown quite large, and was very muscular, with all the running around he normally had to do. He barely fit through the hole.

Jayfeather sniffed around the stock, and found Burdock root and Horsetail. "Here we go…" He mewed to himself quietly. Grabbing a few leaves of the horsetail, and a bit of a root, he carried them to the elders den.

"Morning, Jayfeather." Spiderleg mewed to him quietly as they passed.

"Morning." He replied, muffled by the herbs. His paws left small indentations in the snow while he walked.

Padding over to Graystripe, he chewed the leaves together. Spreading it on his paws, he carefully applied the poultice to the tender wound. Graystripe winced once, but Jayfeather was almost sure he was just faking it.

"Longtail, see to it that he leaves it be," he turned to Graystripe. "now in a day or so, you can lick it off. But not too soon. If it starts hurting, come see me." The gray tom walked out, and Graystripe dipped his head to him. "Thank you, Jayfeather!" He called out.

He traveled across the snow and towards the fresh-kill pile. A few more tracks had been left in the snow, and he assumed the Dawn patrol must have just left. Taking a scrawny thrush, Jayfeather brought it under the high ledge, where it was sheltered and he could eat it without the snow getting to him. He curled his tail around his paws, trying to stay as low to the ground as possible, where he would be unaffected by the wind, and where it was warmer. He plucked the feathers from the bird, one by one, spitting them out on the side. He would save these. He could use them for nests, for the sick. Greencough might be coming to Thunderclan, soon.

Tucking into the bird, he took a large bite out of it. He let the warm scents fill his nose with wonder. He was glad they had found some food, and he, unlike some cats, were not afraid or embarrassed to eat during Leaf-bare. They said "Oh, you warriors should get the food first, don't mind me!" Like the queens, and elders. But there was enough food, and they needed the food first, to take care of themselves. Of course, medicine cats were important, too!

"Hey there, Jayfeather. I didn't expect snow to come tonight."

He felt the warmth of another cat's fur brush upon his side, and he had been completely oblivious to Cinderheart, who had padded over.

"Hello, Cinderheart." He replied. He turned his head towards her, remembering what she looked like. She was really Cinderpelt, a past medicine cat. Leafpool was a coward, and would never tell her, but he could never understand why she wouldn't tell her. Nothing bad would come of it..

"Have you been treating sick all day? You look tired." There was concern in her voice, and he could feel her blue gaze hard on him.

Jayfeather felt a pang of anger rising in his chest. He would never get angry at Cinderheart, but when would they learn? He could take care of himself. Jayfeather knew she hadn't meant it that way at all, though.

"Graystripe's wound got infected. I'm fine, though." He passed the bird over to her. "Would you like some? You must have just woken up."

"Oh, thank you! I'm very hungry." She took a bite, and passed it back.

"Um… Jayfeather? I…" She stuttered.

What? What was she going to tell him? Had something happened? Why was she acting so anxious?

"Yes?" He mewed, looking up semi-hopefully.

"Well.. How's Sorreltail doing? Is she alright? I'm really worried about her." She mewed.

Sorreltail? That's all? He was upset, but of course it was natural for her to be worried about her mother. He couldn't let anything happen to her, but he thought… Well, it didn't matter.

"Sorreltail? Oh." There was obvious disappointment in his voice, but he didn't let it show. "Oh, she's doing much better. The kits should be fine, and so will she." He smiled, passing the bird back over to her.

"Good! I was hoping she would be alright." She gave a sigh of relief.

"Cinderheart! I need you for a border patrol!" Brambleclaw called over to her. His brown tabby pelt stood out from the white background.

"Well I guess I'll be leaving now. Thanks for sharing the bird with me. Take care, Jayfeather." She gave him a small nudge and stood up, padding over to Brambleclaw.

Jayfeather sighed, and ate the rest of his bird in silence as the camp moved around him.

Jayfeather curled up in his warm nest in his den, and tried to let himself go, to fall asleep. His mind was calm, and he had no worries, so he fell into a deep sleep.

Birdsong filled Jayfeather's ears. He could clearly see. It was New-Leaf, and he was watching from the top of the ravine.

"Cats of ThunderClan. Something terrible has happened. One of the apprentices has received a dream from StarClan." The ginger pelted Firestar mewed from above the Highrock, his voice was scratchy and his eyes were drooped and bags ran around them.

There were gasps of surprise.

"An apprentice?"

"Which one?"

"What was in it?"

"Did Jayfeather see this dream?"

Jayfeather could see Cinderheart sitting next to Dovekit and Ivykit, who, he assumed, were apprentices now.

It was one of them! He realized. One of them knows they're one of the three!

Which one, though?

"The fourth apprentice, darkened of soul, will tear through the clans, starting at it's roots." Firestar announced. Murmurs traveled through the crowd beneath him, and he noticed Poppyfrost curl her tail defensively around four kits. Lionblaze's fur bristled.

Jayfeather was swept away by a starry mist, and was brought to a new place, where he met with Spottedleaf, and a cat he did not know.

"Jayfeather." The tortoiseshell cooed softly.

"Spottedleaf!" He shook his head in dismay, eyes clouded. "What does this mean?"

"Jayfeather, this is Cloudstar, the former SkyClan leader." She mewed. The gray and white tom stepped forward, eyes just like Jayfeather's.

"SkyClan? What is-"

"SkyClan is a clan that was exiled by the clans long ago. Twolegplace is where we used to make our home. We SkyClan cats were blessed with the power to jump high, we had many trees in our territory. But when we were forced to leave, we died out, because of rat bites in the place we lived in. Before you were born, when Brambleclaw was a mere apprentice, Firestar was sent on a quest by me to restore my clan. He did so, but now they are in danger. You must get there before your kin does, or she will ruin all of the clans. Travel to our home. I'm afraid it is too late for other cats, but you need to save my Clan." He pleaded.

It was a long speech, but Jayfeather knew this was important.

"My kin? You mean Dovekit and Ivyki-"

"Goodbye, Jayfeather." Spottedleaf nuzzled him and the two disappeared, with a last pleading look from Cloudstar.

"Jayfeather! Jayfeather!" He heard Brackenfur's voice from outside his den. "Sorreltail's kits are coming!"

Jayfeather staggered upwards, heaving a huge sigh. It was around dawn. What a dream. He raced into the crevice, grabbed a few poppy seeds, and padded over to the nursery. Inside, he could hear Sorreltail breathing heavily.

"Okay, Sorreltail. You've done this before." He set them beside her. She licked up a few, and looking at Brackenfur, amber eyes wide, she looked at him lovingly. Jayfeather was worried. She had delivered two kits when he got there, but there was a lot of blood. When the last kit came, it was very small. Jayfeather bit at the sacs and gave a kit to Brackenfur and Sorreltail, making them lick it. Whitewing was awake and was beside Sorreltail, licking the queen.

The blood continued to come. Jayfeather left and returned with more poppy seeds, and gave them to Sorreltail, to try and ease the pain.

"Why is she bleeding so much? That isn't normal, right?" Brackenfur mewed loudly.

Jayfeather didn't answer. He tucked the kits, two toms and one she-cat, into Sorreltail's stomach. Giving Sorreltail a glance, he spoke. "What do you want to name them, Sorreltail?" His voice sounded like he was hurrying.

She smiled sweetly. "The ginger tom will be named Tawnykit. And this one will be named Juniperkit." She looked at the last one thoughtfully. "Rowankit." She licked Brackenfur's nose gingerly, sweeping her tail over her kits.

"They will be as strong as you one day. I love you, Brackenfur." She smiled at him wistfully.

"I love you too.." Brackenfur was confused. He glanced at Jayfeather, who looked away, and then padded outside. He could hear them in the nursery, speaking softly to eachother.

"Rowankit. He will grow until he's as big as the trees that protect us. Like you protected me. And Juniperkit and Tawnykit will surely take care of you." She had begun to choke up.

Brackenfur finally understood. Giving out an anguished yowl as Sorreltail's breathing got shallower and shallower, Brackenfur dropped to the ground beside his mate and kits. Whitewing ushered her kits away, bringing them away from the tortoiseshell's cold body.

Jayfeather was padding over to where Brambleclaw had padded out of the warriors den with Poppyfrost and Lionblaze at his side.

"Did Sorreltail have her kits?" The tabby deputy asked. Jayfeather nodded, but said nothing. Gray clouds were gathering in the sky.

"She did? I have to go see her! My new siblings!" Poppyfrost mewed eccentrically. She bolted across the clearing, and before Jayfeather could stop her, she walked in. Jayfeather gave a small squeak. Lionblaze was about to follow her when he heard a whine come from the nursery.

"Oh no.. Jayfeather?" He heard Brambleclaw mew. Lionblaze followed Poppyfrost and when Jayfeather padded into the nursery once more, they had both gathered around the she-cat. Lionblaze lay his tail on Poppyfrost, comforting her.

Moments had passed, and Brambleclaw and Lionblaze had carried Sorreltail out in the camp, for the clan to mourn. Licking her fur for her burial, Jayfeather and Cinderheart stood watching the tortie while Poppyfrost lay near her muzzle.

"May StarClan light your path, Sorreltail. Find good hunting, swift running, and shelter where you may travel." He mewed solemnly.

Snow fell lightly on the cat's pelts once more, but it didn't matter. They sat vigil with her all night, while Whitewing took care of her new kittens.

Was Thunderclan crumbling to pieces?

Jayfeather gave a shudder. The fourth apprentice would tear through the clans? What does that mean? Jayfeather sighed. StarClan was so mysterious, it was quite annoying.

He would have to find out what this meant, and quick. He had to save SkyClan.