Chapter 25: Riverclan Troubles
Time flew by as Fireheart eked out Tigerclaw's past crimes from Darkstripe and the rest of the clan. He'd even snuck in a visit to Ravenpaw to memorize his story. Each story individually did not amount to much. Eating while hunting, eating a bit earlier than the elders, training too harshly. They didn't mean much if told alone, but with all the stories coming together, it appeared that Tigerclaw was breaking the code on a regular basis. He'd break it for convenience, but not to help another. It showed he was much more selfish and conniving than he looked. He was friends with every important cat, but he wasn't really. He just made sure they thought well of him. Despite Darkstripe being one of his victims, it seems he was the one he acted like his true self around. He probably was the closest thing to trusted by Tigerclaw because he'd spent so long manipulating him. While Fireheart had gathered a large amount of evidence, it wouldn't be enough for a banishment yet. Darkstripe advised him to not tell him more because if Tigerclaw asked him, he'd likely tell him everything.
It was time to investigate Redtail's murder from the start again. Despite Greystripe's promise to be more diligent, he was still not training his apprentice and 'hunting' all day. He was barely looking into Oakheart's death despite being with a Riverclan cat all the time. Fireheart decided to follow Greystripe's scent to the border to talk to Silverstream. As he approached, he could smell the musk of two cats who had just mated. He had to suppress a look of disgust as he approached. The two were lying together with their tails intertwined.
"Is this what you've been doing every day? What happened to your promise to be more diligent or move the location? Have you even begun to look into what I asked you to?"
"Fireheart! This isn't what it looks like! I swear I've been looking into Oakheart's death. Its just a sensitive topic."
"Listen. I have nothing against you two loving each other, but you're risking a war with how you're meeting. The 'spy' situation is building up tension between our clans. Can you please just meet at Fourtrees like the rest of the inter clan relations do?"
Silverstream shot a look surprised.
"What do you mean the rest of inter clan relations?"
"You two aren't the only two. I've heard from a knowledgeable friend that there are several cats who meet at Fourtrees at night to have their inter clan relationship. If kits come of it, they claim queens' right."
Silverstream looked a little cross with Greystripe. Fireheart settled his burning anger for his moony friend before speaking again.
"Sorry I picked a fight when I got here. That wasn't what I came here for. I'm not sure if Greystripe told you, but we need to confirm Oakheart's cause of death for an investigation. Is there any way you could do that?"
"I can bring Mistyfoot over to confirm it."
"Please do, but you should cover your scent a bit. I can smell what you two did from here."
Greystripe and Silverstream looked away embarrassed. Silverstream left leaving Fireheart alone with Greystripe.
"Why did you have to out me like that?"
"Out you? I never thought you were the type to dig holes, but you are doing this to yourself. I've given you every chance I could. I'm starting to think my sister's advice was right. I'm going to give you space, and if you are caught, you're on your own. Call it tough love. I will always see you as a friend, but I can't keep covering for you. You have to decide where your loyalties lie."
An annoyed look crossed Greystripe's face.
"You never had to do any of that for me. I'm my own cat. I'm a warrior and can make my own decisions."
"I know. I'm just letting you know that I'm letting you do this on your own now. I won't tell. The rest is up to you."
Greystripe just huffed. Something inside him was hurt Fireheart wouldn't support him further, but he knew it was his own fault. He could have told Silverstream to meet less often or meet at Fourtrees, but every second he was away from her was agonizing.
Soon Silverstream returned with Mistyfoot. Mistyfoot stared at the two Thunderclan cats with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance. She clearly could scent Greystripe, and Fireheart could tell Silverstream hadn't done an amazing job of hiding her scent. Another confidant, Fireheart thought to himself.
"I hope you didn't drag me here to just show off your mate. Honestly, you two could be in so much trouble if some other cat found out. Why are you doing this in broad daylight?"
Fireheart just looked to her before speaking.
"Don't bother. They need to make this mistake on their own. I actually came to talk about something else. Let's talk somewhere else, so we don't get in their way."
"Fine. A bit up stream is a windy spot where scents don't linger well. We'll talk there."
Fireheart and Mistyfoot made their way away mirroring each other from opposite sides of the river. Finally, they reached their destination where the woods peeled back allowing for a sharp wind to blow through.
"What is it that was important enough to call me out?"
"I'm currently investigating the death of Redtail and to confirm that it was impossible for Oakheart to have killed him."
"Oakheart killing? That is the most outrageous claim I've ever heard. Oakheart was the type to make sure no cat was killed in a battle, friend or enemy."
"I'm glad to hear that. Can you recall the battle and how Oakheart died?"
"It was definitely one of our fiercest border scuffles. Oakheart challenged Redtail to a duel after claiming Stonefur would not be harmed by a Thunderclan cat."
"Any reason for that?"
"I have no idea."
She was clearly pondering it herself before dismissing the thought.
"Anyways, the duel jostled one of the rocks free which crushed Oakheart. Redtail came out bloody, but not dead. We immediately called a retreat."
"And no cat stuck around after?"
"We had just lost our deputy. A lot of us were scared that that was an ill omen. We had a head count and every cat from the patrol minus Oakheart was present. We retrieved the body days later. Barkface can confirm the cause of death was crushing by falling rocks."
"Thank you for your time. That certainly removes Riverclan from the suspects of Redtail's death."
"What is the story in your clan about how Redtail died?"
"Tigerclaw claimed Oakheart killed Redtail, and he killed Oakheart in revenge."
"But that is impossible."
"I know. That's why we're looking into it. I suggest avoiding Tigerclaw if you can. I fear he's doing more than he lets on."
Mistyfoot bristled.
"Riverclan is strong. He won't be able to do a thing to us."
"We keep telling ourselves the same, but it appears Tigerclaw may have some unsavory friends inside and outside the clans. I can't confirm it, but I believe he has a connection to Brokenstar's rogues."
"What makes you say that?"
"Brokenstar's group attacked our camp at a time only one warrior was in camp. It was too convenient of timing. Darkstripe also confirmed that some cat had tipped Brokenstar off. Don't let the rest of your clan know yet, but we're hoping to give Brokenstar to your clan to pass judgement."
"Why? We had nothing to do with him."
"That's exactly why. Every other clan would not give judgement in the spirit of the code. We're too biased on what he did to us."
Mistyfoot looked contemplative before responding.
"I'll let Crookedstar know and no other cat. We have to be ready to receive him."
"He's blind, but Darkstripe keeps insisting he's still dangerous."
"We'll keep that in mind."
With that, Fireheart and Mistyfoot departed. The evidence was beginning to pile up, but there still wasn't enough to prove that Tigerclaw would resort to murder to get what he wants. He needed to prove Tigerclaw was violent enough to break a foundational code. It would be difficult to find some cat with that kind of proof, so Fireheart set his sights on Darkstripe and Bluestar again. Something Darkstripe had told him once was grating on his mind. Why was Bloodclan so interested in Tigerclaw, so much so that they avoided the clans for more information?