Chapter 49
Dovewing's POV
"I can't believe that this is what's left of the old forest," Bramblestar had mewed.
There were Twoleg dens everywhere, with Thunderpaths scattered across the land, bearing monsters that went faster than the quickest WindClan warrior. There were even kittypets around the place. A bit of ThunderClan and a small piece of RiverClan territory still remained, but other than that, the forest was gone.
I can smell the faint scent of ThunderClan, but how is that even possible? I must have only seen a portion of the territory that's untouched. But this is mind blowing, just… the Twolegs… have ruined everything!
For a moment, the group was speechless, staring at the place where the Clans had started, destroyed.
This was where Tigerstar died, BloodClan's war, and even where Firestar joined ThunderClan, gone. Forever.
"I thought you said that our territory was still there, Dovewing," Rowanstar finally spoke, breaking the silence.
"I didn't," she replied. "I simply said I saw a bit of it. And I didn't know which part of the forest was ShadowClan territory, anyway."
"We made the Great Journey to the lake… for a reason." Bramblestar said, remembering all of the things that had happened in the old forest that he had called home.
"I wonder if StarClan can reach us from here by the old forest?" Tigerheart asked, curious of the place he had heard stories of as a kit.
"We could talk about this all day, but it's nearing nightfall. Does anyone have ideas for camp?" Mistystar asked, as the group started to realize about the time of day as the sun started to set.
"There's some untouched forest here. Some of us can stay and make nests while the rest of us go and hunt for fresh-kill." Onestar suggested.
"This forest seems familiar," Bramblestar remarked. "Almost as if this were like ThunderClan's old territory."
"I will help make nests, I guess." Dovewing said.
"Me too." Tigerheart said, as he gave Dovewing a look.
Ugghh! He wants to talk to me about my power! Can't he just give me my space?
If he's alone with me he'll… well, actually, I guess I do need to vent. I haven't really talked to him much since my kits came, I guess I should give him a chance to talk to me.
"Okay…" Bramblestar said, giving Dovewing a look.
I know, I know, all right, Bramblestar? I already have Bumblestripe, so stop looking at me like that!
As the cats left, Dovewing collected moss to make nests with, while Tigerheart kept glancing at her.
"If you want to talk, I'm fine you mouse-brain. Quit looking at me like that, it's creepy," she said.
"It's… hard to explain. You might think I…sound weird," he started.
"You can tell me. I haven't given you a chance to talk to me. What is it?" she asked, wondering what he might say.
"It's like I can disappear when I want to! I can vanish from sight!" Tigerheart said.
"That's impossi-", Dovewing had started speaking, but she couldn't see Tigerheart!
Then Tigerheart had reappeared right in front of her!
Was that like some power he had? I thought that only Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and I had power! Maybe… could there have been another prophecy that gave other cats from other Clans powers? Why?
"I have been able to do this since we went on the journey. I didn't tell Rowanstar because he might think that I have mouse dung in my head and send me back to camp, so I thought I could ask you about it because you know what it's like to go through this," he mewed. "That's why I was really successful in catching prey, but I stayed behind because it was the only chance I had to try to talk to you."
"I… there must have been… another prophecy...maybe one that gave cats...of the other Clans… power!" Dovewing mewed, realizing everything. "But first, when everyone comes back from hunting, you need to tell them about your invisibility!"
"But they'll think that I have bees in my brain!"
"I witnessed it. And they know that I am not a mouse-brain!"
"Thanks. It means a lot to me that someone can understand what I'm going through. But I'm going to tell them when I feel comfortable doing it."
"Now, these nests aren't going to make themselves, aren't they?"
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot."
"ThunderClan's old camp is still here!" Dovewing heard.
Dovewing pricked her ears and looked around. The only cat who must have said that was Bramblestar, and he was nowhere near their makeshift camp. She closed her eyes and cast out her senses, finally locating Bramblestar in a clearing.
"Everything is still here!" Bramblestar exclaimed. "The apprentice's den, warriors den, nursery, medicine den, even the leader's den! Everything is still here."
Dovewing watched as Bramblestar walked around. Then he sighed, "I miss this forest. Cranky Yellowfang, wise Bluestar, my mother Goldenflower. They all lived and died here. So many memories."
Bramblestar remained there for a few heartbeats before saying, "I better get back to hunting." Then he turned and walked away.
Dovewing opened her eyes and found herself back at the makeshift camp with Tigerheart. The Tribe and WindClan cats had already come back, with plenty of prey. Heathertail and Emberfoot listened intently to Onestar, while the Tribe ate, eating a few mouthfuls of prey before passing it on to the other Tribemate. Tigerheart was approaching her, with a vole in his mouth.
"I caught it nearby," Tigerheart said, dropping the vole. "I thought you would be hungry after all that moss gathering."
"Thanks," Dovewing said, heart fluttering. It was so sweet of Tigerheart to catch prey for the both of them. She sat down and took a bite.
"Have you eaten?" she asked, looking up at him.
"Yeah," Tigerheart replied. "By using ShadowClan stealth."
Dovewing nodded, then, for the sake of passing time, focused her hearing towards the WindClan cats' direction.
"- faint memories of when I was a kit," Onestar said. "I remember Heatherstar, the leader before Tallstar. When Heatherstar was leader, Tallstar was still deputy, and I was only a kit. Good old times, being in the old WindClan territory."
There's so much that's happened here, Dovewing realized. It must've been really hard for them to leave this place.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the RiverClan, ShadowClan, and ThunderClan cats had returned. They each settled down, close by to talk to each other, but not close enough to get comfortable. Dovewing focused her hearing towards the ShadowClan and RiverClan cats.
"Just typical. ThunderClan always had things their way, and they still have their territory, but of course ShadowClan's had to be destroyed!" Rowanstar muttered to himself as he finished his frog.
"Well, look on the bright side Rowanstar, at least we have a place to sleep and food to eat," Mistystar mewed as she started to eat her fish.
"You're just saying that because RiverClan always agrees with ThunderClan, and you still have your territory!" Rowanstar grumbled.
"Hey, what's that smell?" Tigerheart asked, standing up suddenly to his paws.
Dovewing closed her eyes to scout the area, and she saw-
"Kittypets!" Bramblestar exclaimed, and sure enough, two kittypets slipped into the makeshift camp.
"I can't wait to play our gam-," A brown tom with amber eyes mewed, then stopped, startled.
"Oh, Mouse, you're always scared and-," the cream colored she-cat with green eyes stopped too. "Oh, great, Mouse, I think you were right about the stories about forest cats living in these parts of the woods."
"Your forest?" Lionblaze screeched, "This place belonged to the Clans and-."
"Lionblaze, calm down, I'm sure these two had no idea that this used to be Clan territory," Bramblestar mewed.
"Umm…, then w-we won't come b-back. I-I don't want to f-fight you, Cream, c-can we go home?" Mouse stuttered in fear.
"What? Mouse, are you serious? This is a once in a life-time opportunity to meet forest cats! You have to talk to them!" Cream said, curious.
"Do you think they could tell us where the SkyClan cats are?" Dovewing whispered to Bramblestar.
"Maybe," Bramblestar whispered back.
"Hello there, I am Mistystar, do you happen to know of any other 'forest cats'?" Mistystar asked.
"Mistystar? What a weird name!" Cream exclaimed. "Well I have seen some cats, but usually I don't approach them. I know a cat who has met other cats like you."
"Who?" Rowanstar asked as he eyed Cream suspiciously.
"Barley. He lives in that barn," Cream replied.
"Barley!" Bramblestar exclaimed. "I remember him."
"His sister Violet talks about him all the time. Her kits, Riley and Bella, went with Ravenpaw and Barley to find this SkyClan," Mouse added.
"That's great!" Flight exclaimed.
"How about I go find Barley at the barn," Bramblestar said, "and ask him to guide us to SkyClan?"
"Fine by me," Mistystar replied.
"I think that it would be nice to have a guide," Stoneteller mewed.
"Same here," Onestar agreed
Everyone turned to look at Rowanstar.
"Only if they know the right way," Rowanstar said.
"One more thing," Cream said. "Be careful around here, and run if you see Jenny."
"J-Jenny is a savage. S-She killed my sister. S-She said she wasn't t-tough enough, and told her two friends H-Henry and S-Snake to…" Mouse stuttered, fear in his eyes. "After that, I fled to this place in the forest, I…"
"I found him when I was exploring this small forest, and we became friends," Cream mewed, hiding emotion behind her eyes. "They, Jenny and her group of cats, call themselves BloodClan."
"I'm so sorry Mouse," Dovewing mewed.
It must be horrible to lose someone so close to you, and then flee for your life. No wonder Mouse is so jumpy and scared!
"Mouse and I know every nook and cranny in the place, but we always have to watch out for BloodClan," Cream mewed, "And she has started to explore the forest! You aren't safe here!"
"Well spoken, Cream. I just hope you remember why you befriend cowards, because you will pay for placing pity on the weak ones," said a voice.
"Is that… no!" Mouse screamed,"Jenny!".
A black she-cat appeared with at least three other strong cats. All had collars with dog teeth protruding from them, "Why hello there, Mouse. I haven't seen you in a long time," said Jenny, her eyes menacing and red, and her claws stained with blood.
"Jenny, go away! We haven't done anything to you!" Cream mewed and stared right back to her in her eyes.
How is Cream not frightened? I know I am! They look as strong as Lionblaze! Dovewing thought.
"Now, let's not get worked up about this, Cream. I just found these new cats to join my strong Clan."
"Actually, they know the whole story about you, savage! So you leave us alone!" Cream shouted right back, unafraid.
"We don't mean any harm here," Bramblestar said quickly.
"I'll be the judge of that," Jenny said. "BloodClan, attack!"
Suddenly, cats poured down from the treetops and flooded in from the bushes and grass. Their claws gleamed, and the teeth from dogs protruded from all their collars. Saliva dripped from their hanging jaws, and their eyes gleamed from excitement.
"Get ready to fight!" Rowanstar exclaimed, unsheathing his claws.
The other cats followed suit, their fur bristling, their stance ready.
"Clans, attack!" Mistystar yowled.