Hello again!
THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Because we are all offenders of not reading the authors notes, (I do it myself, so don't feel bad if you do too! :D ) I will say IMPORTANT if it is important news. Which I have today.
Ok, I have received many requests to add your OCs into the story, which I can but from now on I shall not be excepting any more requests. You could email me if you have a very valid reason to have it in there though, like you were away for 3 months when I was doing this and you reviewed my story tons and everything, then I think I could make an exception, especially if you've been there for me for ages now.
I kind of only excepted the cats who belonged to people who reviewed me loads and have supported me through thick and thin, because in a way it's a thank you present to show you epic people how thank full I am of your kind words and support!
So here are the cats who I have accepted:
Shadepaw (belonging to Shadestream44)
Gingerpaw (Belonging to Twilightwolf2298)
Thicketpaw AND Maplepaw (belonging to Halfmoon54)
Blizzardkit (belonging to Willowdream of Forestclan.)
Thank you and good night :D Not really I'm writing this at 8 o'clock on Sunday morning, yes I do get up early, I've been awake since 6, but it's really warm in Britain now! Yep people I'm British! FOR ONCE WE HAVE HOT WEATHER! I FEEL LIKE IM IN SPAIN!
Anyway... story time...
Chapter 26: Melting the ice...
A bright, swirling hue of pink, orange and red swished high in the sky. The sunset tainted clouds slowly crawled across the purple dusk of the heavens, the air was warm and the tension was weak, for now at least. Songpaw's shiny aqua eyes drew away from the captivating sky and locked on the sleek form of Crowfeather. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion of the dark grey tom. He padded over to the freshkill pile, carrying a large rabbit, after dropping his catch he nodded to Bramblestar and sat down beside Leafpool.
His cold blue eyes locked on hers, and gave her a questioning glare of what do you want? Songpaw broke the contact immediately. It was two sunrises after the windclan warrior had been officially announced as one of the clan. Greystripe had made a fair point that the clan wouldn't have been so eager to have him if it weren't for their current state of injury and recovery.
In that perceptive Crowfeather was lucky, his transition would be smooth into thunderclan because of how much they needed him. He had hunted exceptionally and many of the warriors were warming up to him, once they got past his cold glares and icy tone. The more Songpaw saw of the warrior though, the more she became afraid of him. He had an icy sheet over his heart and a shroud of secrets covering his thoughts. He had only really been near Bramblestar, Squirrelflight and Leafpool, and it seemed making friends was defiantly not his strong point.
However, Jayfeather had seemed to warm up to his father, whereas Lionblaze hadn't gone near him. He had also made sure Wolfpaw and Swiftpaw had gone nowhere near their windclan kin. Songpaw shook her head, was this broken family ever going to mend?
...
Crowfeather shared a icy glare with Lionblaze, he thought the thunderclan deputy would be the easier son to get to know, but he had been pleasantly surprised when Jayfeather had accepted him as his father. His blue eyes sharpened when Leafpool mewed. "Go and talk to Lionblaze. He's been through far more than you know."
Crowfeather decided to go for it and rubbed his face along her gentle tabby one. "I will, don't worry Leafpool I will fix it."
His former mate purred at his sudden affection, and Crowfeather realised with a pang how much he had missed her purr. What kind of rabbitbrain was I to think Nightcloud would ever make up for her? I've missed her so much! He quickly leapt up and with his long legs, he easily crossed the camp to the apprentice den, where Lionblaze had entered not too long ago. The smell of marigold and many other herbs hit his snout as he ducked into the den, his eyes rounded as he took in the sight of the wounded cats. It was about four sunrises since the battle with Darkclan, and thunderclan still hadn't improved much.
Luckily most of the wounded had gone back to their duties, but many cats were still being treated by Jayfeather. Yesterday Littlecloud finally returned to shadowclan, and plans were being made to move the remaining cats to the medicine den to let the apprentices have the first good night sleep for a long time, (since their den was occupied they had slept in the elders den.)
Ravenpaw, Swiftpaw, Spiderleg and Moletooth were the remaining cats still injured. Spiderleg was fighting an infection to the belly from a large wound and blood loss, while Moletooth had a long scratch on his side that was going to scar, Swiftpaw had a injured neck and multiple wounds. Then there was Ravenpaw. She had a neck infection but also her injuries were in the head. The broken apprentice was gripped by nightmares every night and was fighting off a fever that kept her sleeping. Which also meant more nightmares. Toadstep and Ivypool had been staying with the apprentice at night, guarding her from her inner terror. However, Jayfeather had claimed they were only getting in the way so Wolfpaw looked after her, along with Jayfeather.
Crowfeather aprouched slowly towards the small black apprentice, Jayfeather was currently curled around her, his tail keeping her warm and licking her head gently. Ravenpaw looked kit like, her fluffy fur gently being ruffled by the blind cat's gentle strokes. She was curled in a ball, with Jayfeather a protective wall around her. The medicine cat hadn't noticed him yet. She whimpered quietly, to be silenced by a low, gentle mumble from Jayfeather. "Don't worry little one, I'm here, I'll take care of you. I promise. Just get better, you're going to be a great warrior one day, so just keep fighting little one, Starclan is with you."
Crowfeather was taken aback by the normally grouchy, and insensitive medicine cat's words, his son gently cradled the young cat, keeping her safe. Crowfeather knew in his heart that if Jayfeather would have ever been a father, he would have been a brilliant one. He also remembered how Jayfeather was still hurting from losing Lionblaze's kits, so naturally he was being over protective of this young cat.
Crowfeather made his steps heavy to let his son know he was there. Jayfeather's ear snapped to his direction and his nose twitched recognising his scent. "Be quiet, she's finally resting peacefully." He whispered.
Crowfeather sat down quietly. He watched Jayfeather's face as he stared down at the apprentice. "I need to save this one Crowfeather. I just have to. Her green eyes remind me of someone, and she's special."
"Who?"
Jayfeather glared at him before continuing. "Thunderclan is special Crowfeather, all cats related to Firestar are special. Ravenpaw, and the others need to be protected, I don't know why yet, but I know they are needed for something, just like I was."
"In what way? Has Starclan sent you a message about them?" Crowfeather asked, his interest sharpening.
Jayfeather did not confirm his suspicions, instead he looked to the den entrance, the fading sunlight touching his pale fur. Crowfeather knew even if her couldn't enjoy it's beauty he still enjoyed its warming glow. Ravenpaw coughed quietly and his attention was on his patient immediately.
His head still full of questions Crowfeather sighed and left the medicine cat, his head mostly wanting to know about the cat that Ravenpaw reminded Jayfeather of. With a sigh he padded over to Lionblaze who was curled around Swiftpaw. His son had his tail forming a nest around his daughter, his head on his paws and eyes closed as Swiftpaw slept. Crowfeather knew he wasn't sleeping though, he could tell in the way his tail adjusted to keep Swiftpaw warm and his irregular breathing.
"Lionblaze?" Crowfeather mewed quietly.
The thunderclan deputy sighed and opened one amber eye. Once he recognised his father he frowned. "Yes Crowfeather?" he gave his deputy sounding mew.
"We need to talk, follow me." Crowfeather growled, keeping his voice an order. Lionblaze looked angry at him for ordering him, but with a groan he slipped away from his daughter. Wolfpaw quickly took his place and curled up next to his sister. Content that his kits were safe, Lionblaze followed Crowfeather out of the thunderclan camp and into the forest.
The moon was rising slowly, with a yellow tint as Crowfeather padded through the darkening forest. He still hadn't adjusted to the constant covering of the leaves above his head, and his ears were constantly full with the rustle of the leaves. He hopped over a small stream before arriving at a small clearing. Glancing at Lionblaze he led through the bushes and sat down in the moonlit clearing.
Lionblaze stared at the moon before finally meeting his father's blue eyes. Crowfeather stared at him, he had the same amazing amber eyes like his mother, but where hers were full of gentleness his were light with ferocity and rage. He was much larger than Crowfeather, and had the same physical aspects as Bramblestar, despite not being related to him.
"Why have you been avoiding me?" Crowfeather growled quietly.
"Why come here now?" Lionblaze countered.
Crowfeather gulped knowing it wasn't going to be easy. "Nightcloud and Breezestar are gone, there is nothing left for me in Windclan. And here you are, my sons, deputy and medicine cat. Having your own family, leading your clan. I would be a Mousebrain if I never got involved in your lives."
"We needed you more when we were kits. I have my family now, a mate that I love and I know she will never leave me, kits that I look at every day with a swelling heart and pride. A clan that I know will be by my side forever and that I might even lead one day. And what about your most successful son? Breezestar, the mighty leader of the most feared clan." Lionblaze growled.
"Breezestar is my son, but not one I would want to call my son, he is the leader of a clan stained with the blood of the innocent. I have no pride for him. You Lionblaze, are a cat that cats would fight over to call their son. And you say you have a family. What family is complete without parents?" Crowfeather mewed.
Lionblaze stared at his father for a few moments, wondering what to say. He opened his mouth, but abruptly shut it.
"You were never there Crowfeather. When we needed you. We found out our entire heritage was a lie and you said you wanted nothing to do with us! Bramblestar couldn't look at us without feeling betrayed, Squirrelflight was gone. We might as well have been orphans! Hollyleaf was gone and me and Jayfeather were alone, being threatened by glares of a clan that no longer trusted us, because of a mistake that we never made! Then, after moons we fixed it, before the great battle, Bramblestar named us as his sons again, and Hollyleaf was back and it was almost like...before. Then she died! She died Crowfeather and we had to face it alone! Then I thought I was ok, Cinderheart loved me and we had the promise of kits and I vowed I would make it perfect. Then, they all died, all three. They never saw the light of day Crowfeather! I had to name my dead kits, and know I would never know what colour their eyes were, or their warrior names or how they would be..." Lionblaze stopped, looking at the sky at three stars all in line. Crowfeather's eyes welled up at his son's emotion and Lionblaze whimpered, and Crowfeather realised he had never seen the ferocious deputy this way.
"Cats call me over protective of my family. But... they are my world. I need them Crowfeather, to keep fighting. Cinderheart, Swiftpaw and Wolfpaw are what keep me living. My precious kits, I watch them everyday praying they won't be swept away from me, that they won't get killed and I will have to touch their cold, lifeless bodies. Not again Crowfeather, not again. You only just decide how important family is? Your too late! You should have been there for me all those moons, you always knew we were there if you wanted to finally get to know us. Well it's not like that, you have to grab it as quick as you can before a hawk sweeps it away. Because if your clan does leave you, and if your alone. Your family will be the ones that keep you going, and keep you living. I love Cinderheart with all my heart and I would never leave her, and I can't be away from my kits for more than a heart beat without my heart aching to see them again. You left your mate, and you disowned your kits. If you want a family Crowfeather, you'd better show them you're going to stay this time." Lionblaze spat. His eyes dark and glistening with tears that hadn't fallen. He looked at the ground before turning and sprinting away back to the way they came.
Crowfeather sat thinking through what his son had said.
He then realised.
He had never been so heartbroken.
...
Jayfeather watched Ravenpaw's ear twitch, her face was in mind frown, her nose scrunched up and her teeth in a snarl. It disappeared quickly and her ears went back, she whimpered quietly. She started shivering and mewling pitifully. Jayfeather ducked his head down and licked a stray bit of fur down on her dainty head. He wrapped his tail around her smaller body tighter. She stopped shivering slightly and her mewing faded away. he touched his nose gently to her paw and felt it burn. She was still fighting the fever that had kept her sleeping for the majority of the day.
He shook his head, knowing it would be hard for her to pull though. But she had to. She couldn't die, she was meant to be one of the five, and he couldn't lose another kit. Well, she was almost fully grown, but was so young she seemed like a kit to him. While cradling her he felt a warm glow in his heart, and wondered if that was what it was like to have kits. He remembered Half moon instantly, her beautiful green eyes and enchanting white fur. Her forest green eyes that burned with the same fire as Ravenpaw's (at least in his visions because he was blind) he knew the two she cats were not the same and he cursed himself for hanging onto a memory. But Ravenpaw was almost like the only tiny shred of Half moon he had left, and he cherished it. Obviously he wasn't in love with the apprentice, one she was his kin so ewww, and secondly he felt more of a father bond with the black apprentice, he loved Half moon, not a apprentice who happened to have the same eyes as her. They were actually far different, you couldn't keep Ravenpaw still, whereas Half moon was calm and mature, Ravenpaw was boundless energy and a crazy type, she also was the most obedient apprentice he had ever met.
He just felt protective of the apprentice because she was his kin and he couldn't lose anyone else. So many cats he had known had died and, she also reminded him of Hollyleaf so he didn't want her to die.
His ear pricked at the approaching Wolfpaw. The grey apprentice padded cautiously to his side, peering over his shoulder to watch the now peaceful Ravenpaw. Wolfpaw was now almost as big as Jayfeather, but he was muscular and tall like his father, and was almost the copy of him, with a mix of the gentleness of Cinderheart. Jayfeather knew the apprentice had a soft spot for Ravenpaw, whether he would admit it was a question but it was clear that Ravenpaw only thought of them as friends.
Jayfeather's eyelids drooped and he finally gave into sleep as he knew Ravenpaw was sleeping peacefully. He put his head on his paws and listened to Wolfpaw's tongue rasping over Ravenpaw's fur followed by his purr as Ravenpaw sneezed.
Awwww, I just found writing this chapter soooo cute! I was sitting in my chair like neur32 urnnf jti4ijti431ti jij32iruie3jrti3jitjti i3ijr and waving my arms about squealing with the cuteness!
No Jayfeather and Ravenpaw won't be in a relationship, just in case you thought it was like that, nope it's more a father/ daughter bond, I just needed that to be clear :D
Cause they are related and age difference and life.
So good bye my good chums, see you next chapter xx
Nemo.
Yeah you didn't expect that did you!? Jayleaf1 called me Nemo so why not!? :D
