"She kicked Firestar out but not you?" Squirrelflight asked. Brambleheart glanced at the young she-cat.
"Firestar's been to the island and back and been fine," He replied. "I'm not allowed across the den." A noise came out of the back of Squirrelflight's throat.
"I would've done it the other way around."
"Then I wouldn't have someone to help me sort through herbs," Leafdawn looked up from what she was doing. Squirrelflight's whiskers twitched, turning back to the older warrior.
"She's got you on herb duty?" Brambleheart made a face, looking at the brown and white tabby.
"You wouldn't have had Firestar do that?"
"He's our leader," The medicine cat replied. "Also, I already knew you know how to do this." Brambleheart rested his head back down, grunting. Doing that now was worse this time around than when he had been an apprentice. That surprised him, he had been a much more restless cat then.
Though it could have been the anticipation of being stuck here for several moons. He had been allowed to walk around much quicker with the dislocated shoulder. "What are you doing here, Squirrelflight?" Brambleheart asked.
"Caught Greencough." She looked to Leafdawn, "What are you up to?"
"I need to bring these to Morningflower," She gestured to the herbs she was putting together. "She's got some pains – what's up?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to go out," Squirrelflight explained. Leafdawn nodded.
"I need to get some horsetails down by the lake," The medicine cat meowed. "We could head down there after I'm done? You can wait here." The warrior meowed her agreement and the medicine cat gathered up what was in front of her, heading to the entrance.
As Leafdawn disappeared, silence filled the den. Brambleheart's tail flicked. Squirrelflight had been around several times since the day Tigerstar and Hawktalon died, but they had yet to be alone together. He did not know how to start this.
"How do you groom around that?" He was surprised as she spoke. Brambleheart looked to the other warrior. He could not read the look in her eyes. It took him a second to respond.
"I haven't, really." The tom said, "Stormfur or Leafdawn do most of it." Squirrelflight nodded.
"You're going to get so matted under there."
"Not really," He replied. "She redoes it every few days. I just can't move during that." The she-cat curled her lip back.
"And you're stuck like this for a few moons? Stars," She meowed. "Better you than me." Brambleheart snorted.
"Lucky for Leafdawn she doesn't have to go through that," He remarked. "You'd be stir-crazy by now." Squirrelflight nodded and the silence returned.
"I'm sorry," he blurted out suddenly. Surprise lit up the younger warrior's eyes before her head tilted and skepticism filled them.
"Are you?"
"I am," Brambleheart answered. "You were right about Hawktalon. I shouldn't have placed any faith in him." It still hurt to talk about him. That felt wrong.
"Will you let me speak without interrupting?" Squirrelflight asked.
"I will."
"You'd better mean it," she shot him a look. He rested his head on his paw, watching her intently. Squirrelflight started.
"You're not Tigerstar's son. Nor are you Hawktalon or Tawnystar. You are not them and they are not the way they are because of their blood. While Tigerstar did influence them, their actions are their own." He slowly nodded.
"If I ever think you're acting like Tigerstar, I will tell you!" Brambleheart's chest tightened at the idea.
"I'd hope you would." Squirrelflight stuck her muzzle closer to him.
"That is a promise."
"I wasn't lying when I said I'd do anything for you – and Leafdawn." He shifted, "You're...my sisters and I love you." Surprise lit up Squirrelflight's green eyes and Brambleheart thought he overstepped. His ears flattened. Just because Firestar called him his son did not mean Squirrelflight or Leafdawn thought similarly.
He had never thought about it as love before but that was an accurate description of how he felt about them. His mouth opened, wanting to recant the statement but her face brightened.
"That took you long enough!" He chuckled, a purr building in his chest.
"Yeah," he answered. "I guess it did." The tom's tail twitched. "I'm going to talk with Goldenflower and Tawnystar as soon as I can. Just, let them know."
"They won't be happy that you're disowning them." It took Brambleheart a moment to speak.
"I've never owned them," he said. "Not within my memory, at least." Goldenflower was different but he was certain that Tawnystar did not remember their kithood together. They were never obliged to each other. The younger warrior slowly nodded.
"I suppose you're right."
"I didn't know you knew how to say that," Brambleheart remarked. Squirrelflight's ears flattened as the tom chuckled.
"Idiot tomcat," Squirrelflight said and Brambleheart resigned himself.
The sun warmed up Mothwing's pelt nicely as she lay in ThunderClan camp. Her head was on her paws and she watched the kittens show off to Goldenflower.
Rainfoot had decided to keep them, she would be with ThunderClan for a bit longer. They were warming up to their father and they liked Goldenflower almost instantly. Mothwing was grateful for the old queen. They would have one more cat to help them after Mothwing had left.
One which would remain in camp. Goldenflower had been made an elder.
It had been a few days since the Gathering. Warriors were settling into their new camp. Duststar lay at the base of the Highledge, Ferntail and their youngest litter with him.
He was still adjusting, as much as the whole Clan was. Mothwing knew he was still surprised by being made leader. "Mothwing." She turned at Mudclaw's voice.
"Yes?"
"Can we talk?" He asked. "Elsewhere?" Mothwing glanced back at the kittens, her tail twitching. Goldenflower looked over to the she-cat. "I've got them," She assured. Mothwing pushed herself to her paws, following after the dark tabby as they left camp.
"What do you want to talk about?" She asked as they came to a stop.
"Our warriors aren't happy," Mudclaw began. "And Duststar refuses to listen." Mothwing shifted on her paws.
"They're not my warriors anymore," Her voice was quiet. "We've talked about this, Mudclaw. What's done is done." The tabby tom's ears went back.
"Before Tigerstar died, I kept assuring them that they would get the hills. We need something."
"That's not up to me," Mothwing replied. She knew how unhappy the former WindClan warriors were with this situation but there was nothing to be done. Unless Duststar wanted to go to war with WindClan, they would not be getting any of the hills. ThunderClan was too fragile without considering what a war would do to it right then.
"Duststar is more inclined to listen to you –" She interrupted.
"No, he isn't." Mothwing sat, "Tawnystar is right, you need to make due."
"I do not want the warriors to be unhappy, this is how we prevent that." There was a pause before Mothing replied.
"He made you deputy and there is reason behind that." She spoke quietly, "They are unhappy because you are unhappy. Owlpaw and Weaselpaw have spent much of their apprenticeships in the forest and they do fine. These warriors can adapt. You just need to show them they can." The tom shifted on his feet. After Tigerstar's death, Jaggedtooth had disappeared. It seemed he was an unwelcomed presence without the TigerClan leader. Mudclaw was what they had.
He was all they needed.
"Do you have to leave?" He asked. Mothwing gritted her teeth. Guilt hung low in her belly. She would miss her old campmates and did not want to abandon them.
But this was for the best. RiverClan needed a medicine cat and none of the medicine cats could find an apprentice or kit that was interested. This would be the best for Falconkit and Tigerkit, too.
"I'm needed elsewhere," She answered and Mudclaw dipped his head.
Firestar licked her ear.
"You'll be careful, right?" He asked. Leafdawn eyed him.
"Are you going to rest?" She asked. He grunted, stepping into his nest.
"Yes, Leafdawn."
"Then, I will be," She decided. "But Tigerstar's gone and the others are coming. This meeting will be safe." A quarter moon had passed since the meeting to break up TigerClan. It was the Halfmoon again.
"There are other things," Firestar muttered. "Foxes, badgers, raccoons – who knows what's back there? Wolves, perhaps." His tail flicked. A patrol had dealt with a fox the other day. She knew where these worries arose from.
"We've not had any signs of wolves since we left the mountains," She reminded him. "If you need anything while I am gone, tell Sandstorm. Brambleheart'll be able to point her in the right direction." The leader nodded, resting his head on his paws.
Firestar had been pushing himself. A lot was going on but he still had to recover. Yet, he was doing better. He would get better. Leafdawn turned at movement at the den entrance.
Sandstorm stepped in, dirt still clung to her pelt and a hare's leg in her jaws. She set it down as she approached. "Shouldn't you be on your way?"
"I'm about to," Leafdawn replied. "Just assuring Firestar that I won't be eaten by a wolf."
"I'd be impressed if they managed to elude all the Clans this long," The warrior remarked, settling into the nest. The tom was quiet as he leaned over his mate, starting to clean the dirt from her pelt.
"Me too," Leafdawn agreed. "Goodnight," she said, starting toward the entrance.
"Goodnight and good luck."
The moon had risen by the time she met the other medicine cats at the brook. Runningnose rose to his paws and Mothwing raised her tail as she approached.
It was still surprising that the queen was going to be able to be a medicine cat. At least, that Leopardstar would let her be one.
Leafdawn hoped she would be able to be one.
The toms moved on ahead as they started out. "How are you?" The WindClan cat asked. Mothwing shrugged.
"I'm going to RiverClan after the meeting," she said. Leafdawn's ears pricked. "And they're still not happy about this," Mothwing gestured ahead.
"It's up to StarClan," Leafdawn replied. The golden tabby's ears went back.
"And if they don't accept me?" Her voice was quiet. Firestar's situation filled Leafdawn's head.
"I have your back," She answered. "As does Leopardstar, Tawnystar, and Firestar." She did not know what Duststar thought of this but the other leaders approved. Mothwing shakily nodded. Anyway, the sky was clear. It did not look like they disapproved. Leafdawn touched her tail to the older cat's side.
"If they won't make you a medicine cat," She meowed. "I will." Mothwing blinked at the other she-cat and her shoulders relaxed.
When they got to the Moonpool, Runningnose turned. The moon was high in the sky and the old tom's gaze focused on Leafdawn. "You first," he said. She stepped in front of the ShadowClan cat as the others stepped to the side, watching.
"I, Runningnose, medicine cat of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice." He raised his muzzle to the sky. "She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help, she will serve her Clan for many moons. Leafdawn," Runningnose turned to her. "Do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," She answered. Barkface filled her head. He should have done this.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I make you a true medicine cat. Leafdawn, StarClan honors your faith and dedication, and we welcome you as WindClan's medicine cat." Yowls rose as Runningnose rested his muzzle on her head and she liked his shoulder.
Leafdawn stepped aside, her paws tingling with excitement. It disappeared as she looked at Mothwing. The she-cat looked anxious, padding toward Runningnose. Leafdawn blinked assuringly at her.
Neither tom looked pleased. Runningnose looked at the future RiverClan medicine cat with a hardened face but the sky shown clear and stars sparkled above. He began.
"Mothwing, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?" The warrior nodded.
"Yes, it is."
"Then step forward." Runningnose turned to the Moonpool and Mothwing stepped up to him. The ShadowClan cat looked to the sky. "Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. She…has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance with your will." He flicked his tail at the water and Mothwing stepped to the edge. Littlecloud and Leafdawn padded up too. Leafdawn crouched by Mothwing's side as she lapped at the water. It did not take long for her to fall asleep.
When her eyes opened, Leafdawn was in a down.
Heather and gorse surrounded her. Silverpelt shown overhead. The medicine cat's tail twitched as she looked around. What was there to get out of this?
She paused as some movement caught her eyes through the branches of a gorse bush. Leafdawn padded toward it, cautiously. She nosed her way under, eyes widening as she caught site of what was moving.
A yellow moth had gotten trapped. She could see the night sky through the branches as it tried to get through.
"That's a shame, isn't it?" Leafdawn jumped at a voice behind her. She pushed herself back out, turning to face the cat.
She stepped forward as she recognized Barkface. "Can she not be a medicine cat?" Leafdawn asked. Why had they not sent a sign sooner?
"She can be a healer," Her mentor replied. "But StarClan will not speak with her."
"It's not her –"
"I know what you have to say," Barkface replied. "I know what you've been doing." He gave her a look and Leafdawn's ears folded. "But my opinion here does not matter nor does yours. This is the way it will be." Leafdawn looked down, her claws digging into the earth. How could this work? Their connection to StarClan was just as important as healing! What was going to happen to RiverClan?
"You are allowed to help her." Leafdawn looked up again. "Not only with learning how to heal but, when the time comes, interoperating signs." Relief came over the she-cat. That was good, at least.
"I'm sorry I ran." Leafdawn's tail swayed. That night kept repeating in her head. She should have done something different.
"I told you to run." He shot her a look, "I would have been upset had you not." Leafdawn shakily nodded. "I will always be watching over you," He spoke gently. "All of StarClan will. We are here to take care of the Clan.
"I know," she said, dipping her head. "Thank you." As Leafdawn spoke, the world around her disappeared into darkness.
Stormfur's eyes rounded as his mate pushed the meat toward him.
"Are you trying to seduce me?" He asked. Brambleheart's ears went back.
"Just eat the rabbit." Feathertail let out a chuckle as her brother did as he was told.
They were in the medicine den. Feathertail lay out on her side. Brambleheart's head was leaning against her haunch and Stormfur laid against him. It was a hot day, the cool stone around them was a nice break.
"So, are we sure it only goes until ThunderClan territory?" Feathertail asked. Brambleheart shrugged one shoulder.
"As far as we know," He replied. "Sandstorm said it doesn't seem to go far, though. I do know that Firestar wants us to avoid those tunnels."
"Are we going to tell Duststar?" Stormfur asked.
"We'd have to tell them what we were doing when we found them, then," Feathertail pointed out. It felt almost wrong for WindClan warriors to have been on ThunderClan territory without any chance of the Clan knowing. Though had they found out, that would be much worse.
"Feathertail's right," Brambleheart meowed. "Either way, it could still be potentially useful." The toms continued to converse and Feathertail rested her head on the soft ground, watching them.
It was strange not having Mistyfoot in the Clan. Even stranger knowing that she was in RiverClan alone. Feathertail had not realized how reassuring her presence had been. It was like she had lost a big chunk of the Clan. Feathertail did not like that Mistyfoot was facing this alone either. She did not know quite what to do. It was almost tempting to take Leopardstar up on her offer.
But she could not bring herself to do that and Mistyfoot was strong. She would make an admirable leader one day.
"– go fishing at that underground river, if you'd like," Brambleheart was saying. Stormfur's ears went back as he picked up the last of the hare.
"I don't know about that," he said. "Did you see any fish in it?" He began to scarf the meat down whole, pausing as he started to choke. Brambleheart shifted and Feathertail pushed herself up, eyes widening but he spat it out.
"Are you a kit?" Feathertail asked. "That's why we chew up food." Stormfur cleared his throat.
"Thought it was small enough," He muttered. Brambleheart sniffed at the chunk, his lip curling.
"Gross."
"You don't want any?"
"No, I don't want your saliva-covered rabbit," The tabby replied. Stormfur eyed him, shooting forward as he moved to lick Brambleheart's face. He stepped over him and the tabby shifted awkwardly as he tried to press his forepaw against the other tom's chest.
Feathertail's whiskers twitched as Brambleheart snapped at the other cat. A warmth bubbled in her chest. Stormfur let out a playful growl as he went to return the bite.
"Stormfur!" Leafdawn's voice came from further in the den and the toms froze. "Don't be making him move."
"I'm not making him do anything," He called back. Brambleheart had rested his head down immediately. His tail lashed excitedly behind him. Stormfur lay back where he had been as Leafdawn stepped out. She eyed them.
"I'll send you out," she said. Feathertail's ears went back.
"I haven't done a thing." The medicine cat glanced at her.
"Then just Stormfur." The gray warrior curled his tail closer to himself.
"You'd ditch me?" He asked his sister, feigned hurt filling his voice. Feathertail snorted.
"I'll see you in camp, Storm." The tom grunted, taking the rabbit back in his mouth.
"I'm laying, I'm laying." He began to chew. Leafdawn eyed them but stepped deeper into the den again.
Feathertail settled again and Brambleheart's head immediately went on her again. Amber eyes looked up at her. "Thanks for coming around," he said.
"Of course," Feathertail replied. She remembered well when she was healing back in the colony. It got boring easily.
Either way, this was Brambleheart. She would do anything for her friend.
Stormfur swallowed before turning, beginning to clean his own pelt. Brambleheart began to speak again. Feathertail did not listen, however. Her mind stuck on that thought. She would do anything for either one of them. She knew the feeling was returned.
Mistyfoot might have left but that was alright. They would see her again. Stormfur and Brambleheart were still here. To Feathertail, they made this Clan whole.
AN:
And with that, No Swimmer is over. I knew this section was going to be shorter but it feels weird that it's already done.
Thank you so much for coming this far, I appreciate favorites, follws, comments etc so much and I'm glad people like this au!
I've talked about this on Tumblr before but there's gonna be another part. It's wicked short. I think the best thing to call it is really an epilogue. I'm not quite sure when thatll be out because I'm leaning toward writing the whole thing first given how short it is. So, that'll be out eventually.
Until then!
