Chapter 38: Floodwater
The thaw had finally arrived. Droplets of water fell down from the trees so often that if felt like it was raining constantly.
Tigerclaw had only relieved Cloudkit of his punishment when Bluestar had told him to. He had luckily covered up the fact he wanted Cloudkit to continue the task by saying he had forgotten because of his of how occupied he was with re-stocking the freshkill pile.
Can't let her suspect anything, you have to be careful! Tigerclaw kept reprimanding himself inside his head every time he thought back to the incident. I also can't let any cat other than Longtail, Darkstripe, and perhaps Dustpelt know I have something against Fireheart and Cloudkit. It could ruin everything.
Fireheart was speaking to Goldenflower right now. Her belly was round with kits. My kits...
With a jolt, he suddenly remembered that he was the queen's mate, and at her kits would be due... He didn't know, he had never asked Yellowfang or Goldenflower.
That kittypet better not get too friendly with my kits! The horrible thought of his children being kittypet-lovers crossed his mind.
Tigerclaw padded forward. "Fireheart, if you've nothing better to do than stand gossiping with the queens, I have a job for you." He meowed.
The ginger tom nodded, a trace of anger flashing in his eyes.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Bluestar nearby, watching him. Perhaps she wanted to speak with him? I can get Fireheart to lead a patrol, Bluestar can't know I'm planning anything against her or Fireheart.
"I want you to take a patrol along the border of RiverClan. No cat has been that way for a few days, and now the snow has gone we need to renew the scent markings."
Just treat him like any other warrior... "And make sure no RiverClan cats are hunting in our territory. If they are, you know what to do!"
Fireheart looked slightly taken aback by the politeness of his words. "Yes Tigerclaw." A suspicious look came over his green eyes, and Tigerclaw realized he knew why the deputy was acting so polite to him now.
"Whom shall I take with me?" Fireheart asked.
Tigerclaw watched Bluestar pad away, before vanishing out of his peripheral vision. "Any cat you like." Now certain the leader was out of ear-shot, he sneered, "Or do you need me to hold your paw?"
"No, Tigerclaw." The warrior's ginger fur prickled with dislike, before he turned away to gather the cats up for the patrol.
• • •
Fireheart's patrol had discovered the river had flooded, which Bluestar had called a meeting to announce it to the rest of the clan. Tigerclaw hadn't been worried about it like his leader was. The only important part of this news was that their prey might be drowned. Otherwise...
Why should we be concerned about RiverClan? It's their problem, who cares?
"Tigerclaw, Longtail and Swiftpaw have arrived. Shall we go?"
The deputy turned to see Whitestorm at his shoulder. The dark tabby warrior was leading the patrol to check on the ShadowClan border. "Let's go—"
Tigerclaw stopped.
Cloudkit was looking around suspiciously, checking if the coast was clear. No cat except Tigerclaw was watching him. No noticing the deputy staring at him, he slipped through the bushes and disappeared from the camp.
Where do you think you're going?
"Whitestorm. You can lead the patrol instead. I've remembered, unfortunately, that I have other business to attend to." He ordered.
The white, lean warrior nodded, and led his patrol out of the camp.
Tigerclaw padded over to where Cloudkit had gone. Brushing through the prickly branches, he emerged outside of the camp. By now, the kit was gone, but his scent lingered strong and fresh.
He had only been following it for a while when he reached the ravine, and realized another scent had joined the kit's. Fireheart and Greystripe! What are they doing? He couldn't push down a surge of dark satisfaction about bringing back the two stupid kittypets and their kittypet loving friend to Bluestar with clear evidence of their wrong-doing.
Several times he caught sight of Cloudkit, so he had to stay back and wait to make sure Fireheart's kin didn't see him. Tigerclaw had been following the trail for a while when saw Cloudkit again. It was evident he was waiting.
Suddenly, the white kit's tail went straight up, and his ears pricked. He noisily darted forward, yowling, "Fireheart, Fireheart!"
Aggressively shoving the feeling of being impressed that the kit had managed to track Fireheart, he stalked, belly brushing the grass, closer to them. Concealed behind a bush, he listened closely.
"Oh, mousedung!" He heard Greystripe hiss.
Tigerclaw saw a flash of ginger fur as Fireheart moved closer to his kin. "Cloudkit, what are you doing here? I told you to stay in the nursery."
Cloudkit's stuck-up voice meowed loudly, "I tracked you, all the way from camp. I followed your scent trail right up to the stepping-stones." The kit paused, before adding, "Fireheart, what were you and Graystripe doing in RiverClan territory?"
They were on RiverClan territory?!
He stepped out from behind the bush. "Yes, that's what I would like to know, too."
Cloudkit turned around, looking even happier to have another cat to meow to. "Fireheart's really brave! He went out on a special warrior mission—he told me so."
"Did he now?" Tigerclaw asked, eyes piercing the ginger warrior. He could tell Fireheart was panicking, his mouth half-open and his eyes blank with shock.
"And did he tell you what this special warrior mission was?" Tigerclaw asked he kit.
Cloudkit's eyes shone. "No, but I can guess. He's been with Graystripe to spy on RiverClan. Fireheart, did you—"
I don't need to hear your little theories. "Quiet, kit." He turned to Fireheart and Greystripe. "Well? Is that true?"
The flame-coloured tom looked at his friend beside him nervously. "We wanted to see how far the floods went."
"Oh?" He gave a theatrical look around. "What happened to the rest of your patrol? And some cat must have sent you. It wasn't me," he added with a dangerous edge to his words, "even though I sent out all the other patrols."
Greystripe lowered his head and flattened his ears. He began feebly, "We just thought..."
"If you ask me, kittypet, you're far too friendly with RiverClan." He ignored Greystripe and continued on, nose-to-nose with Fireheart as if his friend had not spoken. "You might have been over there to spy—or you might be spying for them. Which side are you on?"
Fireheart bristled, anger clearly rising up in him. "You've no right to accuse me! I'm loyal to ThunderClan."
If you were you would leave us! Kittypet contamination is the worst thing you can do to ThunderClan! "Then you won't mind if we tell Bluestar about this expedition of yours." He spat back. "And we'll see if she thinks you're so loyal."
The ginger tom's eyes flashed with fear as he turned to Cloudkit.
"As for you..." The kit tried to meet his gaze, but stepped back when he saw the blazing amber eyes.
You know who's in charge. "Bluestar ordered that no kits were to leave camp alone. Or do you think Clan orders don't apply to you, like your kittypet kin?"
Cloudkit didn't reply, his body tense and rigid.
"Come on; we're wasting time. Follow me, all of you."
Though he kept his voice cold as ice, inside it felt like a brilliant flame was kindling somewhere in him.
• • •
Tigerclaw had returned to the camp with Fireheart, Greystripe, and Cloudkit behind him. Bluestar was speaking to Whitestorm, the leader of the patrol he was going to lead before he saw Cloudkit.
"The stream is flooded as far as the Thunderpath." Whitestorm was telling his leader. "If the water doesn't go down, we won't be able to make it to the next Gathering."
"There's still time before—" Bluestar broke off as she saw her deputy. "Yes, what is it?"
Tigerclaw jerked his head to the cats behind him. "I've brought these cats to you. One disobedient kit, and two traitors."
"Traitors!" Longtail spat, who had been on Whitestorm's patrol. "Just what I'd expect of a kittypet."
You shouldn't say things like that in front of Bluestar you fool! Sure enough, Bluestar snarled, "That's enough! You may go, all of you." Whitestorm dipped his head and left. Longtail looked rather mutinous, but padded away as well.
Bluestar sat down. "Tell me what happened."
"I saw this kit leaving camp, after you ordered that no kits or apprentices should go out without a warrior. I went to fetch him back,"—fetch him back. As if I wanted to waste my time doing that— "but when I got into the ravine, I realized he was following a scent trail."
The blue-grey leader expression became one of surprise, but didn't say anything.
"The trail led to the stepping-stones downstream from the Sunningrocks. And what should I see there but these two brave warriors," He sneered in a mocking voice, "crossing back from RiverClan territory. When I asked them what they were doing, they gave me some fish-and-mouse story about checking to see how far the floods stretched."
He waited for Bluestar's anger, for her to snarl at the two warriors like she did to Longtail. Instead, her eyes were calm, and her gentle gaze turned to the two warriors beside Tigerclaw. "Is this true?"
Fireheart flattened his ears. "Yes. We can explain, but..." He shot a uneasy look at the deputy.
Hmph.. You have things to say that you don't want me to hear? He shot a challenging look at Bluestar, but the leader had her eyes closed. She can't send me away after all of this!
"Tigerclaw, I'll deal with this. You may go."
What?! Outraged and struggling to control his anger, he opened his mouth to demand that he stay, but common sense knocked him in the head. You need to make her know you can be trusted!
Giving her a stiff nod, he padded to the fresh-kill pile, knowing that Bluestar would be watching him to make sure he didn't try to hear what Fireheart had to say.
Longtail was chewing on a tough blackbird, and looked up when Tigerclaw approached. "So what did that kittypet do now?" He asked.
He snorted. "His little story is that he was checking how far the flood went. He went into RiverClan territory. Cloudkit says he is spying for us. But I'm certain..." He leaned in closer to hiss in Longtail's ear. "...That he is spying on ThunderClan for RiverClan."
The tabby tom beside the deputy gasped in horror. "But that's against everything in the warrior code!"
Tigerclaw nodded firmly. "He's a traitor, that's for sure."
Longtail opened his mouth to speak but noticing something behind Tigerclaw, his gaze turned threatening. The dark tabby turned to see Fireheart padding towards him.
"What do you want kittypet?" Longtail spat. Fireheart's tail whipped back and forth in agitation, but addressed Tigerclaw instead. "Bluestar wants to see you."
Without a word to the ginger tom, he promptly stood up and went towards Bluestar.
"Fireheart said you wanted to see me?" He meowed to his leader.
Bluestar nodded. "I have given their punishment to all three of them, I want to inform you."
"What are the consequences?"
The blue-grey she-cat flicked her tail. "Cloudkit will go back to tending the elders. Fireheart and Greystripe will go back to doing their apprentice duties, for they have broken the warrior code and therefore have lost their warrior privileges."
That's it? Well at least it's something. Tigerclaw nodded approvingly. "That's fair enough."
"I'm glad you agree. Now, they must be accompanied by a trusted warrior whenever they go out, so I will be trusting you to assign a 'mentor' to them." Bluestar stood up. "You have done enough today. You may go rest."
The deputy was about to leave, when he saw Yellowfang nudging a few leaves towards Brokentail. Brokentail! I still need to discuss my plans with him!
"Could I guard Brokentail tomorrow? I've heard some cats have been a little harsh on him, and I do want to make sure he doesn't feel too terrified, but still worried enough so that he won't be making any threats."
Bluestar smiled. "That's good; of course you may. You could have a word with the other guards to caution them as well. Now go to your nest, you have a day of guarding ahead."
"Thank you." Tigerclaw dipped his head, and padded away. Now I can tell Brokentail the battle plans, and everything will be all set. Just a few more training sessions, and I'll be the one to make ThunderClan great once more!
• • •
"Dustpelt, you are dismissed. I'm going to guard Brokentail for the day."
The younger warrior nodded, suppressing a yawn, before leaving Brokentail, tense and nervous, behind him.
Tigerclaw lay down beside the injured warrior. "Brokentail, it's Tigerclaw. I have more news about my plans."
Brokentail visibly relaxed. "Hello." His voice was scratchy and low.
He saw Bluestar watching him. Tigerclaw forced himself to lean forward and lick Brokentail's dirty fur, a little disgusted. Doesn't he ever groom himself?
The blind warrior let out a little sigh of comfort, barely audible, though Tigerclaw heard it. Glancing back at his leader, he saw that she had slipped into her den.
Alright, time to tell him everything. "On the day of the attack, I need you to take down the cat guarding you. If you're able enough, you can join the fight. Otherwise, if you can just hold the guard down for as long as you can, that will be enough."
He continued to explain everything in hushed tones to him. Finally, when he reached the end of his speech, he waited for any questions that the cat beside might have.
"About that ginger cat... Fireheart, was that his name?" Brokentail asked. Tigerclaw growled, "yes. What about him?"
"I understand that a reward for killing him would bring more cats coming, but wouldn't it be smarter to finish him off sooner? It would mean one less warrior to fight in battle."
Tigerclaw thought this over. It was true, but he remembered Mowgli's eager eyes, determined to kill that ginger warrior. Would he lose interest? Would other cats lose interest?
You don't have to tell them he's gone if you're able to finish him off sooner. "Any ideas on how to do it?"
Brokentail thought for a moment. "I heard your leader announce that there's a flood? Would you be able to drown him?"
The deputy meowed, "I'll see. Anything else you want to mention or ask?"
"Yes." Brokentail narrowed his useless eyes. "Will you be on our side?"
What kind of question is that? "Of course I am."
The prisoner shook his head. "No, not what I meant. Will you be attacking your clanmates?"
"Yes...?" Tigerclaw paused. He never really thought of this before, and it made him feel rather foolish.
"Hmph." A trace of pride was in his voice. "Well, if you do, your clanmates are never going to accept you as a new leader if you attacked one of them. What you need is to act like you... Like you're being chased by them."
"And?" He asked, an edge to his words. He didn't like being pointed out that his plans had flaws in them, though he had to admit that finding and fixing them would be better in the long run. I like finding them out myself. He'd better not try to take over my plans.
Brokentail shifted into a more comfortable position. "If you could just pretend italics to attack them, keeping your claws sheathed, then your clanmates will be more convinced that you're just doing your job as deputy, defending your clan. They won't be worried about you going to their leader's den. ThunderClan will be much more accepting towards you as their leader in the end." He finished.
You're a smarter cat than I thought... Brokentail's timid, jumpy behavior had made him forget all about the blind cat's past, when he had been a fearsome and clever leader.
I'll be like that someday. But unlike you, I won't fail. "You're right." Tigerclaw agreed. "Good thing you pointed that out. Now, if you could help me with some more battle strategies, then I can teach them to the others..."
All morning to the end of sunhigh, the two cats sat together, looking like they were sharing tongues, having friendly conversation, when in actuality they were planning in the best ways to attack the camp.
• • •
Drowning Fireheart...
Ever since Brokentail had suggested it, the notion had been on his mind for days. I'll have to do it before the water goes down. I'll have to tell Bluestar to relieve Fireheart of his punishment.
He had always wanted the ginger warrior to die at his claws, his life draining out of him as Tigerclaw tore at him with his sharp claws—
He arrived at the leader's den, at the foot of the Highrock. Bluestar came out as he stopped. "Tigerclaw." She greeted him. "What is it?"
"I think that Fireheart and Greystripe have been punished enough. They've been at it for a half-moon."
Bluestar nodded. "Of course. They've worked hard enough, and I know they're sorry."
"And," Tigerclaw added, "I'm about to take a patrol up to Fourtrees. I can see if we'll be able to get across for the gathering. The chances are rather slim but... We can try."
The blue-grey furred she-cat nodded, satisfied. Looking over his shoulder, she beckoned to some cat with her tail. Tigerclaw looked around to see that she was motioning Fireheart to come to her.
"Fireheart," Bluestar began, "Tigerclaw and I think you've been punished enough. You and Graystripe can be full warriors again."
"Thank you, Bluestar!" The ginger tom exclaimed, a wide, delighted grin spread over his face.
Don't be so happy. You now have more responsibilities to attend to. And more trouble for you to cause if you don't die today. "Let's hope it's taught you a lesson."
"Tigerclaw is going to lead a patrol up to Fourtrees." Bluestar continued. "In two nights the moon will be full, and we need to know if we can make it to the Gathering." Turning to her deputy, she asked, "Tigerclaw, will you take Fireheart with you?"
I would've taken him before you asked me to. You ready to drown, kittypet? "He can come. But if he puts a paw wrong, I'll want to know the reason why. I'll find another cat to go with us."
He pushed himself to his paws and headed back to the warrior's den. Darkstripe was nowhere to be seen, but Longtail was there.
"Longtail." He roused the tabby warrior.
Yawning, Longtail blinked blearily at him. "Yes, Tigerclaw?"
"We need to take that kittypet with us to check Fourtrees and whether we not we can go to the gathering."
Longtail got up, ears pricked. "He's off his punishment?"
Tigerclaw nodded, before backing out of the den and emerged into the clearing with Longtail right behind him.
• • •
His spirits felt high. Newleaf was coming. His plan was well on it's way to success. And Fireheart might be out of my fur at last!
"It would be stupid not to take advantage of all the prey." Tigerclaw halted. "Let's hunt a little something for ourselves."
The three cats went off. Fireheart managed to catch a very speedy vole, and Tigerclaw meowed, "Well done, that was a fast piece of prey."
He was so surprised he nearly dropped the vole in his jaws. "Th-Thanks, Tigerclaw."
Praising him, then finishing off dismayed and horrified after he knows that I'm the one who finished him. I can let him get a peek of what I've done, just to confirm his suspicions and knows he died before doing anything about it!
His gaze slid to Longtail, who was stalking a squirrel. I can't let him know. He's too bound to the warrior code. I can change him; in due time.
"Alright, let's go." He motioned them forward with a sweep of his tail after they had eaten.
When they finally came to the stream that separated ThunderClan territory from Fourtrees, he couldn't suppress a quiet hiss of shock.
The stream had been quiet and shallow, enabling them to cross from rock to rock. But now it was rushing quickly, deep and overflowing.
"Fancy crossing that? I don't." Longtail growled.
Tigerclaw padded upstream. I can't just shove him in. Oh, how about...
"This isn't as deep as when Whitestorm last reported. We'll try to cross here."
Bracing himself, he stepped into the water. It chilled him, and he forced himself to not jump out. It's just water. You'll be fine.
He waded out farther, aware of Longtail and Fireheart following him.
Tigerclaw looked, and saw a branch stretching from one part of the bank to the other side. At a glance it looked stable, but after examining it for a few more heartbeats, it was clear it was unsafe to use as a bridge to the other side.
Perfect."Come here! Look at this!"
Once the other cats had joined him, he pointed to the branch with his tail. "Just what we need. Fireheart, check that it's safe will you?"
The ginger warrior hesitated, but Longtail's taunt of "Scared, kittypet?" Got the younger warrior to step forward.
Tigerclaw and Longtail jumped out of the stream to stand beside the branch, while Fireheart began balancing and walking across.
Longtail was busy watching the ginger tom.
Now! Do it now, dislodge the branch—
He made a casual move sideways and shoved the branch.
Fireheart bounced on the fragile bridge, nearly losing his grip. Longtail gasped, and Tigerclaw yowled, "Fireheart! Get back!"
The flame-coloured warrior swayed on the branch. One more push should do it. Longtail, busy staring at Fireheart didn't notice Tigerclaw give another nudge to the branch.
"Fireheart!" The deputy yowled as though in terror. Longtail stiffened, as the ginger tom shrieked and the branch turned.
• • •
Longtail shot towards the end of the branch, and began heaving with all his strength against it.
What is he doing?!
The tabby warrior grunted with effort, before he got the branch jammed in place between the larger rock beside Tigerclaw, and a smaller boulder.
Fireheart was scrabbling for a hold, and was nearly thrown off by the force Longtail has used to stabalize the branch. Why are you trying to save that kittypet?! You called him a traitor, why aren't you treating him like one?!
"Move, kittypet!" Longtail snarled. Fireheart seemed to find new strength, and heaved himself up to branch, digging his claws into the slippery wood and began dragging himself towards ThunderClan territory.
Tigerclaw's body felt numb, but his mind was screaming, his head in turmoil. What are you doing, what are you doing?! He could've been finished, gone forever! Don't you want him dead?!
The soaked warrior had just reached the rock when the branch snapped. The current carried it away, and Tigerclaw was sure that Fireheart would follow—
Longtail lunged forward and grabbed Fireheart's scruff, hauling him to safety. After coughing up some water for a good while, Fireheart finally looked up. "Thanks, Longtail." He rasped.
"It was nothing." He replied flatly.
The deputy found that he could feel his legs again. So close, so close, Longtail ruined it! A voice hissed inside his head. Padding over, he glared at Fireheart, as if it was the ginger tom's fault he had survived. "Are you hurt? Can you walk?"
Trembling, Fireheart managed to heave himself to his paws. "I-I'm fine, Tigerclaw." He shook himself, water droplets spinning off his wet fur.
Tigerclaw stepped back to avoid the drops. "Watch it; we're all wet enough already." He leaned in to sniff Fireheart. Maybe he'll catch greencough, and that can finish him off... But he knew that with Newleaf here, even if Fireheart did catch the sickness, he would most likely survive that too. "Back to camp for you." He ordered. "In fact, we'll all go back. No cat can get across that water; you've proved that, if nothing else."
Where do your loyalties lie, Longtail? Tigerclaw was very disturbed by the way the tabby warrior had gone to save Fireheart immediately, without hesitation. Do you lie with kittypet traitors? Don't you want to be in the clan where we are the strongest, rid of the kittypet you just saved?