Chapter 13

Jayfeather

Jayfeather was alone, still reacting to everything that had just happened, when Cinderheart came to him. The injuries had been healed, the worries had been put away for another day – for most cats – and now, all he was left with was the growing dread in his stomach that he would have to have this conversation sooner or later. He supposed that it was now, then.

He had sent Briarlight out in the sunlight to spend some much-needed time with Blossomfall and Bumblestripe, and then in wafted Cinderheart's distinctively sweet scent. Jayfeather froze over his investigation of the small wads of shadowy slime that were beginning to fade. He carefully turned towards the entrance, and could identify Cinderheart's exact position in his den. Forcing himself to stay calm, Jayfeather made his way over to her.

"Cinderheart," he said. "How can I help you?"

"I just thought…" Cinderheart said, and her voice was hollow and broken. "I thought you could tell me what had really happened."

"Hmm?" It was a question he didn't need to ask, but something in him wanted to put this conversation off even longer.

"Lionblaze and Icecloud."

"Oh." Yes, it was that conversation. "What is there to ask?"

Cinderheart came closer, and Jayfeather stiffened until he realized that she was sitting only a tail-length away, probably hunched over. Imagining her in that position persuaded him to close the distance between them and sit down at Cinderheart's side. Tiny prickles of energy ran up his spine like mice, originating in the places where their fur brushed. Feeling suddenly self-conscious, Jayfeather drew in a breath and tried to find words. But they wouldn't form, and so it was up to Cinderheart to speak first.

"I probably should have seen this coming, but Lionblaze said…he said…"

Jayfeather was honestly questioning how Firestar would react if he killed his brother. Still, he found himself incapable of speaking, so he sat there with his homicidal broodings.

"I probably should have expected this," she said again. "I mean…it's me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Caught up in his anger at Lionblaze, Jayfeather let the words slip out much harsher than they should have. "You…shouldn't…"

"Come on, Jayfeather," said Cinderheart in a fake light-hearted voice. "We both know I'm the eternal second-best warrior."

"What?!" gasped Jayfeather, sitting up as straight as he could. His heart was screaming in his chest, protesting her words in spite of itself. "How could you ever believe that?"

"How could I not?" asked Cinderheart, bitter as ever. "Lionblaze thinks I'm second-best, whenever Honeyfern was in the picture I was second-best. Even to Hollyleaf I was second-best, whether to you or Lionblaze or whatever it was. And Firestar? Please. The only reason I got to mentor Ivypool was because he felt bad that I became a warrior later than my siblings and – guess what – second-best to everyone else."

"And what about us?" asked Jayfeather, a little miffed at this point. "Leafpool and I put everything aside to help you with your injury."

"That's your job," said Cinderheart dismissively.

"Yeah," said Jayfeather. "It's my job to put you first every time you walk in this den, whether you are the most in need or not. That's right. That's my job, is it? It's my job to watch, whenever you come in here and I give you my absolute attention, as you pine after my brother without giving anyone else a second look? That's my job now? And it's my job to keep you company and help you out when you're finally done chasing after Lionblaze and realize that no one has prioritized you like I have." He huffed all of this until his throat felt raw, and Jayfeather realized that his tongue was still eager to continue on and tell her everything.

Then he realized that he had made her cry, and that made him abruptly stop and prioritize her yet again.

"No, don't cry," he said quietly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"Why do you do it?" asked Cinderheart quietly. "I mean, okay, fine. Maybe you think I'm worth something, is that what you want me to say? But…you're the only one who thinks so. So what is it, huh? What secret do you know about me that I don't?"

He hadn't convinced her. Here she was, still fishing for some sort of compliment that would help her regain self-confidence. But even if he told her why she was special, he couldn't make her believe him. He needed some sort of proof.

A wild and crazy idea came to him, and Jayfeather hesitated once more. She wanted a secret that only he knew? He could give her a secret. He could give her the truth.

"StarClan thought that you were so special that they gave you two lives," said Jayfeather in a very quiet voice. "StarClan thought that you had so much potential that they just couldn't waste, and they couldn't let you join them."

"What?" Cinderheart narrowed her eyes. "I don't understand."

"You will," said Jayfeather. Closing his eyes – though it made no difference except in concentration - he focused on the memories StarClan had kept within him, those that told him of her true identity. He needed to share those memories, to unlock the ones hidden within her head and make her aware of the truth. It was about time. Jayfeather couldn't tell her of his feelings for her – that was too dangerous – but he could give her the truth about herself. She deserved to know.

"What's going on?" asked Cinderheart in a weak voice, but Jayfeather felt so entranced that her words didn't break his concentration. It was working.

Then they both tumbled into unconsciousness together as Cinderpelt's old memories were unlocked within Cinderheart's mind.

XXXX

The fantasy after that may have been of his own imagination. Jayfeather remembered waking to the normal grey palette of his world and half-heartedly turning to Cinderheart, afraid. Maybe he hadn't thought this through. What if the cat beside him wasn't…wasn't Cinderheart anymore? Had he lost her?

"Jayfeather?" said Cinderheart beside him. Jayfeather was there, and made a quiet noise to tell her so. Their pelts were still brushing in two or three places, something that he instantly noticed. "Jayfeather, this is…thank you."

"I thought you should know," was all he could say.

"Can I stay here with you?" asked Cinderheart. "I mean…if this is who I am, maybe I'm meant to be here for a little while. In the medicine den. As…a medicine cat."

"Is that what you want?"

"Can I please stay?" Her response came after a few seconds of silence. Jayfeather knew what she was hiding, but she had thought this through. It would be nice to have Cinderheart beside him, and he could help her cope with who she was. Then again…wasn't she meant to be a warrior? The reason StarClan had sent Cinderpelt back, had created Cinderheart…was to give her the destiny of a warrior. Jayfeather couldn't go against StarClan, not even if it was to spend time with the cat he cared most for…

"Yes," said Jayfeather. "You can stay."

He had the power of the stars in his paws, and he could do whatever he liked.

XXXX

A moon later, he was absolutely sure that he had made the right decision.

"Jayfeather," called Briarlight, interrupting Jayfeather from his observation of the latest shadow ball, which he had pulled out of Mousewhisker's chest three sunrises earlier. "Rosepetal got caught in a bramble bush and is bleeding pretty badly."

"Be right there," said Jayfeather, hurrying over to grab a paw of the herbs he needed. A tail tip brushed over his shoulder, and then Cinderheart was pushing him backwards with a purr.

"I'll take care of it," said Cinderheart, touching her nose to his ear. "You go back to your studies."

He didn't have to say thank you, but he retired to the corner anyways and let her do her job. Her job. His fur tingled with excitement as he thought about this whole affair. Cinderheart was working alongside him every day, and living just a tail-length away from him at all times. It left him with so much more room to think, and observe his newest inquiry. Something was making these shadowy balls vanish over time, and he needed to know what it was. Were the shadow cats retrieving their dark poison, or was there simply something about the darkness that made it vanish?

He became aware of Briarlight nearby, and turned to her.

"Does Cinderheart need my help?" he asked absently.

"No, but I wanted to talk to you," said Briarlight, taking his attention as a sign that she could approach. "Is there a reason she's stayed so long? I thought she just had some bad nightmare or sign from StarClan or…I don't know. You never said."

"It's up to Cinderheart," said Jayfeather. He paused. "I wouldn't mind if she stayed longer, though."

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?" asked Briarlight tentatively. "I mean, you are taking a warrior from her duties. Do you really need her help? Couldn't you just ask Leafpool, or – "

"Look, Briarlight," said Jayfeather shortly. "I know you're upset that I have help now, and I know you feel like I'm trying to replace you, but honestly. Cinderheart is helping me, and you can't be so jealous of her. Understand?"

"I…" Briarlight took a step back. Distantly, Jayfeather understood that she was hurt, but he didn't exactly care. All he really cared about was his life with Cinderheart in it, which was very good. It wasn't like Lionblaze or Doveheart had bothered to come visit him recently, being busy with their own problems – or lack thereof. "Okay, Jayfeather."

She was gone, so Jayfeather turned back to his little wad of darkness in contemplation, trying to sort out its properties and tendencies in contrast with the others he had studied. He stood there for as long as he could remember, until someone came and tapped him on the shoulder. Of course, it was Cinderheart, so he turned to her happily.

"You seemed really focused, so Briarlight and I didn't want to interrupt you," said Cinderheart sweetly. "There were a few more day-to-day injuries, nothing really serious. Mousewhisker came in earlier, but I checked and he looks fine. Putting him back in action yesterday was probably a good idea."

"Anything else?" asked Jayfeather.

"Well, if you want to make it to the Moonpool on time, you should go now," said Cinderheart through a giggle. Right, the Moonpool! Jayfeather stretched, pulling himself away from the shadow ball and realizing how tired and stiff he was after remaining in his thoughts and the same position for a few hours.

"Thank you, Cinderheart," said Jayfeather, excited that when he brushed past her, they touched. Having her so close was brilliant. Her scent was always over him, and her voice was always making the den that much brighter. Plus, they spoke much more often, and she was the best conversation partner he could imagine. Which was saying something, as Jayfeather hated conversation.

"Walking to the Moonpool?" As always, Jayfeather's heart sank a little bit when Leafpool dropped into step with him. "Mind if I walk you to the border?"

Jayfeather grunted. She knew that he minded, but since it was Leafpool, she wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. So he decided not to say anything at all, trying to think about the shadow warriors and their poisonous bites instead of his mother's presence. She, like Cinderheart, had a rather strong and sweet scent, so it was harder than he imagined.

"I wanted to talk to you," said Leafpool when they were out of hearing distance of camp. "About what Cinderheart is doing in your den."

"Doesn't that seem to be a popular subject," said Jayfeather under his breath. Leafpool flicked him with her tail, making him take a step away from her. That made Leafpool sad, but he didn't really care. Every time she came around, he thought of Hollyleaf, and that made him sadder than anything else.

"You told her who she is, didn't you? You told her that she's Cinderpelt."

Jayfeather didn't deny it, but to his relief, Leafpool didn't instantly begin scolding him.

"I can understand why she wants to be in the medicine den," she began, "but it's a terrible idea. You must understand that."

"Must I?" asked Jayfeather crossly. "Look, what's so bad about it? Cinderheart asked me if she could stay. I'm not forcing her to stay. She's helpful."

"She's helpful as a warrior!" cried Leafpool. "Not as your assistant!"

"She's doing a good job, and I'm less stressed," said Jayfeather crossly. Leafpool crossed in front of him to face him, and Jayfeather could nearly see her angry glare.

"You have got to stop prioritizing yourself," said Leafpool. "Just because you've gone and gotten feelings for Cinderheart – oh, don't think you can hide from me – you think you can just keep her around and do whatever you like with her! That's not how this works, Jayfeather!"

"Then enlighten me, mother," said Jayfeather, spitting the word out just to spite her. "How does it work? Do you know? After all, you think you know everything, don't you? Is that why we're on such good terms? Is that why Hollyleaf is dead? Is that why everyone completely accepts you as one of ThunderClan's warriors?" He scoffed at her, his paws tingling with anger, and strode away before the hurt radiating off of her could affect him, too.

"What's wrong?" asked Mothwing pleasantly as Jayfeather strode up to the Moonpool to join them.

"Nothing a conversation with StarClan can't fix," said Jayfeather curtly. The other medicine cats were startled, and some tried to call out a protest, but Jayfeather hissed, going straight up to the pool. He didn't want to chat with the others.

When he woke, he was staring into a pair of angry eyes.

"Oh, great, just who I wanted to see," said Jayfeather, picking himself up to glare at Willowshine.

"You have no reason to be so mean to my mentor!" said Willowshine furiously. "What's going on with you?"

"None of your concern." They were in a blank field this time, which gave Jayfeather at least a little relief. At least there was nothing to worry about in terms of soot-lake darkness.

"Come on, mouse-brain," said Willowshine. "We both know how these dreams work. You have to help me, and I have to help you. Now spill."

"There's nothing you can do to help," said Jayfeather. "I'm just in conflict with…Leafpool."

"Leafpool usually knew what she was doing," said Willowshine. Her snide comment was not appreciated, and he showed her such with a glare. "Fine, what's your side of the argument?"

"It's not important," said Jayfeather. "I know I'm right. I don't have any questions."

"Right…" said Willowshine, making a face. Of course she didn't believe him. Jayfeather made a noise of annoyance, but didn't say anything else.

"What's your problem, then?" he grunted. Surprised at how the conversation had turned around, Willowshine took a seat, staring at him tentatively.

"The shadow warriors are everywhere," she said. "Mistystar and I…want to…well, Mistystar wants me to work with the other medicine cats and figure out a way to take advantage of this situation."

"Mistystar wants power?" Jayfeather couldn't believe it. "You're telling me that the one cat that has always seemed super-peaceful now wants to use the one thing that all four Clans face to put RiverClan on top?"

"Look, that's what my problem is, so can you just get me out of it?" said Willowshine angrily. "I don't want to go to you for help, but you're outside of RiverClan, and you're here. And you're a medicine cat, so I don't think you'll go tattling to your leader. I don't want to disobey Mistystar, but I know the danger of these shadow things more than she does."

Jayfeather agreed – there was no way that these shadow cats could be used to anyone's advantage. The only option was the one that Firestar and Blackstar had finally realized: unity.

"I shouldn't be telling you this, but I will," said Jayfeather. "Blackstar and Firestar have made a truce until the threat passes. I suggest you tell Mistystar that the only way to survive this is to do the same."

"A truce?" Willowshine's green eyes were bright. "I didn't think it was possible."

"It's possible, likely, and happening," said Jayfeather. "And I'm glad for it. It's less work for me if the Clans aren't at each other's throats all the time. I can focus on our real problems: these shadow warriors."

"A truce between ThunderClan, ShadowClan, and, if I can do the right thing, RiverClan," Willowshine mused. "Now we just have to bring WindClan into the mix. This doesn't happen very often, does it?"

Jayfeather shook his head, starting to think back to his own problems. He could handle Leafpool being annoying and Briarlight being jealous. What he needed was to figure out these balls of darkness, and soon.

"Say, Willowshine," he said. "Have any of your warriors been bitten by the shadowy cats?" Unsurprisingly, the other medicine cat sobered and nodded. "You've seen those balls of darkness, then. I want to figure out why they disappear."

"Oh, that's easy," said Willowshine, wrinkling her nose in amusement. "Does your den have water in it?"

"There's a pool in the back, but I keep the shadow things wrapped in damp leaves."

"Damp leaves, you say?" Willowshine smiled. "Apparently, the things go away when you get water in them. It soothes the wounds of my warriors and makes the bites disappear."

"Really?"

"See, it's like any other disease," said Willowshine. "It's like…green-cough, say. When it's in a cat, it just spreads. If you isolate the disease, it dies off over time, but there's only one real cure – with the shadow cats, it's water."

"Water," Jayfeather said meditatively. "Interesting. That's so…"

"Mundane, I know," said Willowshine. She paused. "Maybe that's the thing that will please Mistystar. We can use our resources to help the other Clans, and Mistystar will feel like we have a bit of control."

"And now I know how to help my Clan even more," said Jayfeather. He glanced over at Willowshine, almost ready to thank her…

But she was gone, and Jayfeather was waking to a world of grey. He was no closer on the Cinderheart predicament, but he was a step forward in what actually mattered: protecting his Clan. Water. It was so simple.

And the Cinderheart problem was simple, too – Jayfeather could make his own decisions. Cinderheart was welcome to make her own choices, but he wasn't letting go of her just like that. She was too important for that. And no one else could tell him what to do.

I really wanted the Cinderheart-regains-her-memories-scene to be more dramatic, but I haven't read The Last Hope and I'm assuming that was done REAL well, so I just left it open-ended. Okay! That's all the Author Notes I really have.

Please review, favorite, follow, PM, whatever you prefer! Also, if you read the main Elemental series, I still have that poll up asking about the best warrior names for Skypaw and Birdpaw, if you want to check that out. If you guys are Hetalia fans, I just started a Hetalia Cardverse story called A Question of Arrangement! Details are in my profile.

Next chapter is Ivypool's!