*Note: I know Furzepaw is gray and white, I say "black and white" because that is how I have always imagined her and this is a fan-fiction*
*Question: Is it good enough? Please leave a review telling me what I should change. This is a vitally important chapter, possibly the most important, it has to be perfect*
Heathertail watched the ThunderClan cats vanish into the undergrowth. She was cursing herself for not coming here alone, for being here at the wrong time, for not having the guts to tell him. Mouse-heart! Furzepaw looked up at her. Heathertail didn't know Lionblaze had been given an apprentice. Dovepaw must be new otherwise he'd have told her. I hope.
"Let's go," Tornear announced. The gray warrior started making his way along the river again, pausing every so and often to rub his scent on a random object. Heathertail followed. She hadn't told anyone her secret. She didn't want to either. It's too soon. She told herself. I don't even know for sure yet. Heathertail tried to focus her mind on Furzepaw's training. The young she-cat needed to know how to hunt, fight and learn the warrior code. She watched Tornear and half-heartedly followed his lead. She couldn't help noticing that the old cat walked with a slight limp and his fur had significantly dulled over the past few moons. Heathertail pushed all insignificant thoughts to the back of her mind as she continued her duty as border patrol.
When the patrol reached the camp, Heathertail nervously sought out Breezepelt. The ragged tom she had recently got into a scrap with was taking with Sedgewhisker by the fresh kill pile. Heathertail's friend bore a soppy expression on her face as Breezepelt described his "heroic" fight with a lone rogue. She noticed that the cut she had left on his nose was not going to heal. It was already white and looking like it was an old wound. Heathertail flicked Furzepaw with her tail to dismiss her. The apprentice nodded and scampered over to her friend Boulderpaw. Heathertail couldn't help noticing how close the two young cats were. Are you so blinded by infatuation that you're thinking relationships are forming between little more than kits? She scolded herself. Not wanting to seem like a loner, she padded over to the nursery. Heathertail slowly walked through the entrance, her jaws slightly parted to see if Sunstrike was in. The tortoiseshell queen was asleep, her black paws resting on her thick white and brown tail. Heathertail somehow felt herself fill up with happiness at the thought of Sunstrike's unborn kits. She imagined Antpelt beaming proudly at his mate with some new born kits suckling at her side. Heathertail knew she should be happy for Sunstrike but she just couldn't feel any sense of joy at all. Was that jealousy? Heathertail shook her head. I am happy. She told herself. And when those kits are born, I'll be the best friend to Sunstrike a cat could ask for. Determined to keep her promise, Heathertail left Suntrike to sleep and left the nursery.
The next moon was fairly uneventful. Heathertail reflected on Furzepaw's training. The black and white she-cat was proving to be a good fighter and excellent hunter. Heathertail couldn't describe the pride she felt when one of the senior warriors made a comment about her mentoring skills. Happy enough to deflect a harsh comment from Breezepelt when the arrogant black tom wanted to compare apprentices. Since Tornear retired to the elders den, Breezepelt had been given his apprentice, Boulderpaw. He hadn't made an attempt to "make up" since their fall out over ThunderClan, just the way Heathertail liked it. Onestar was leading his warriors to the Gathering. The full moon was as large and white as Heathertail had ever seen it. She could almost see StarClan from the raised dune of grass she stood on as she made her way to the Gathering. Heathertail had persuaded Onestar to take Furzepaw. Her apprentice was so full of anticipation and excitement that it had taken her quite a while to keep up with the patrol. Heathertail looked around her, she honestly hadn't been paying attention to the surrounding cats, and her mind was too focused on what to say to Lionblaze, if he was there. Heathertail could just make out the smoky gray pelts of Crowfeather, Emberfoot, Antpelt and Ashfoot. She also noticed Weaselfur and Harespring padding close beside her. Heathertail's friendship with Harespring had thickened since her fight with Breezepelt and Heathertail was fond of the brown and white tom. Furzepaw had great difficulty crossing the fallen tree that lead to the Gathering Island. The black and white apprentice's short legs and tail made it hard for her to get a grip. Heathertail lagged behind to help the young cat. Eventually, the two she-cats made it onto the Island. Furzepaw went to sit by a huddle of apprentices at the edge of the Island. Heathertail recognized Dovepaw, Ivypaw, Ferretpaw and Troutpaw. Though the moon was unusually bright, it was hard to distinguish cats by pelt color and size. Heathertail screened through the crowd for Lionblaze. The golden tom was chattering with Cinderheart by the Great Oak. The gray she-cat seemed quite in control, not betraying any feelings that she wouldn't want any other cat to see. Heathertail felt a lump form in her throat. If she could just get Lionblaze alone…
Blackstar yowled to start the Gathering. Onestar nodded politely to Leopardstar before jumping onto his branch.
"I'll start," He mewed, "The prey is running well in ShadowClan. We have a new queen; Ivytail will be expecting her first litter. Heathertail turned to the tortoiseshell queen sitting behind her. Ivytail looked down in embarrassment as the cats near her whispered mews of congratulations. Heathertail noticed that Blackstar looked noticeably proud. His kits perhaps?
"I have nothing else to report," Blackstar finished.
"Thank you Blackstar," Leopardstar acknowledged, "RiverClan has a two new queens to report. Duskfur and Mosspelt." Heathertail couldn't see the two she-cats but muttered congratulations under her breath.
"We also have three new apprentices: Rushpaw, Tanglepaw and Duckpaw." Heathertail looked over to Furzepaw. Her apprentice playfully shoved Rushpaw. Leopardstar sat down, ending her announcements. Heathertail already knew what Onestar was going to say. Her father stood up and addressed the other Clans formally.
"We have two new apprentices, Furzepaw and Boulderpaw,"
Heathertail looked over to her apprentice. Furzepaw stood up proudly and acknowledged the congratulations with frantic nods of her head.
"I have a rather serious matter to report too," Onestar nearly spat, "Prey stealers!"
A confused and agitated ripple spread through the clans.
"What?" Heathertail heard Foxleap whisper to Snowbird.
"RiverClan haven't taken any mangy rabbits that I know of," Snowbird whispered back. Foxleap snorted in disgust at Onestar. Firestar and Leopardstar exchanged a worried glance. Heathertail gazed into the depths of Firestar's green eyes; there was no guilt or worry in them, only confusion.
"My warriors have reported that a mixture of RiverClan and ThunderClan scent has been found in our territory!" Onestar hissed. He turned to Leopardstar and Firestar angrily.
"Explain!"
Leopardstar bared her fangs.
"RiverClan have nothing to do with your prey problems!" She insisted angrily. Firestar, however, remained calm.
"To my knowledge, ThunderClan have kept to their own side of the border," He mewed calmly, "Which is more than I can say for your warriors, Onestar."
Onestar's brown eyes narrowed. Firestar climbed to his paws.
"Cats of all clans," Firestar began, "Do not believe that ThunderClan have anything to do with Onestar's claims, I was patrolling with my daughters about a sunrise ago when I discovered WindClan scent by Sky Oak. I followed the scent and found squirrel and mouse remains in a little clearing about ten fox-lengths from your territory, Onestar."
Onestar snorted. Heathertail felt a lump form in her throat. Lionblaze was eyeing her suspiciously, as if he suspected her. Heathertail looked away.
"You claim these things Firestar," The brown leader said, trying to find authority in his voice, "But you have no proof."
"Actually," Firestar mewed patiently, "We do." Firestar looked down at Dustpelt and flicked his tail at the brown warrior. Dustpelt nodded and vanished into the bushes, re-appearing a few moments later with a half eaten rabbit. Heathertail moved a little closer to take a whiff. The scent was definitely WindClan but with a ThunderClan taint, as if the culprit was trying to hide their crime. Heathertail felt disgusted at how one of her clan mates had broken the warrior code. Onestar expertly jumped down the Great Oak and padded suspiciously to the cadaver. He sniffed it and snorted.
"I believe you Firestar," Onestar reluctantly admitted, his face looking hot with embarrassment, "I believe you have announcements?" Firestar nodded to dismiss the WindClan leader.
"ThunderClan has two new warriors," The ginger tom began, "Rosepetal and Toadstep."
Heathertail's eyes scanned the island for the black and white tom and the dark cream she-cat she had befriended. She spotted Rosepetal but Toadstep appeared to be absent. The clearing burst into yowls of congratulations, especially from ThunderClan.
"Unfortunately," Firestar yowled to silence his watchers, "Toadstep has a light fever so was unable to be here today."
Heathertail noticed that Rosepetal looked disheartened, but happy all the same. Firestar nodded at the cream warrior and continued.
"We also have a new queen," Firestar mewed, "Cinderheart will be moving into the nursery after moonhigh today." Heathertail looked over to Cinderheart, she felt as if everything was in slow motion. Lionblaze purred and rubbed his head along Cinderheart's shoulders. The gray queen licked his ear and accepted to congratulations the surrounding cats mewed.
Heathertail felt like a large stone had suddenly dropped into her stomach. She was falling, falling into a pit of pain. So much pain. It seemed that all that she had ever wanted was crumbling around her. Her confidence. Her pride. Her love. Gone. Heathertail looked away and forced the hair on the back of her neck to lie flat. She wanted to curl up in a corner and just die. The grief that clouded her eyes must have been obvious to anyone looking but Cinderheart was the center of attention at that moment. As she always was. Heathertail forced herself to look at the gray queen again. She noticed that her stomach was slightly bulging and her blue eyes bore a wisdom she had never seen before. Maybe I can grow to respect this cat. Anyhow, I hope she raises Lionblaze's kits well. Heathertail nodded respectfully to Cinderheart.
"I have nothing else to report," Firestar meowed, "This Gathering is at a close, come ThunderClan," Firestar jumped to the ground and started leading his warriors away over the tree trunk. Cinderheart padded after him, her tail raised proudly. Heathertail noticed that Lionblaze was lagging behind. She padded up to him, trying to hide her nerves.
"Congratulations," She mewed, trying to hide her pain. Lionblaze dipped his head to acknowledge her.
"Thank you," He meowed. Heathertail realized his tone was much wiser than the cat she had loved for all these moons, "Cinderheart will be a good mother."
Heathertail hesitantly nodded.
"I…I was just wondering if you'd like to you know….meet up sometime?" She asked. Lionblaze looked sad and tired, as if all the energy had suddenly been drained out of him.
"No, I'm sorry Heathertail," Lionblaze mewed softly, Heathertail could tell he was trying to break it to her lightly, "I…I have a mate now, and soon, I'll have kits, it's not fair on Cinderheart, she needs me, the clan needs me." Heathertail felt appalled but half of her understood. Would I do the same thing if I was in his position? Heathertail nodded slowly.
"I love you," She whispered softly, "Goodbye." She touched her nose to his and turned around. She padded with her head down and ears back, towards the rest of her clan as they walked across the tree trunk.
"Heathertail….." Heathertail turned around as soon as she heard Lionblaze's voice. He was looking away. Heathertail padded back towards him.
"Look," He mewed, "I love you too, but I can't meet with you after today, but I didn't say we can't spend some time together here for a few hours."
Heathertail felt instantly better. Relief rushed into her body like waves into the lake. She licked his ear.
"C'mon," He purred, "I know a good, secretive place." The golden tom turned around and trotted briskly into the bushes. Heathertail bounded after him.
Lionblaze emerged on the other side of a dense wall of bracken and lichen that Heathertail constantly got tangled in. She had to use all her strength to push through. Lionblaze was sitting on a sandy shore, his back facing her. His head was pointed directly at the stars. The light brown tabby padded over to him and sat directly next to him. Lionblaze licked her muzzle. Heathertail lifted her gaze to the stars; she flipped onto her back and lay horizontal on the beach. Lionblaze looked down at her and copied her.
"Look at the patterns," Heathertail said happily, "Whitetail told me when I was a kit, if you look hard enough and think about it, the stars make the shapes of the four original leaders." Lionblaze looked over his shoulder at her. Heathertail looked back. She lifted her paw and pointed to a criss-cross of stars in the west of the sky.
"That's Wind," Heathertail explained as she looked back up at the stars, "She was WindClan's founder…..and Breezepelt's ancestor." Lionblaze's eyes looked over at her.
"Do you love him?" Lionblaze asked.
"Who, Breezepelt?" She began, her voice full of wisdom, "No, he's too arrogant for me. But there was a time I thought I was expecting his kits."
Lionblaze's body turned over to her, he looked slightly shocked. Heathertail looked away.
"I was so glad when I knew I wasn't." Lionblaze licked her back. Heathertail turned around to face him. The two didn't talk again, they just enjoyed the other's company until they both gradually drifted into sleep.