Chapter 5

Spottedstone

The sunlight filtered through the leaves of the nearby trees as the young tom looked out over the territory of MoonClan. Every rocky crevice seeming daunting and unwelcoming, even as he spotted a patch of mallow growing tall and strong in the gentle winds. The clouds had long since left from the day before, leaving no trace of the storm that it was warning. Not that Spottedstone minded, he figured he was wrong. He wasn't ever able to guess the weather after all. Swiftly, he used the rocks as stepping stones to close the distance between him and the mallow that their herb store could desperately need in the future. For once he was thankful for the long legs that his Clan was well known for, making each step much easier and more calculated then if they weren't long enough for his herb-gathering journey.

Yet, as he reached the patch of mallow and began to carefully pluck them, he found his mind traveling back to the troubles of his Clan. Waspfern was a worried and heartbroken queen, full of so much love and devotion to give to her mate despite his wandering eye. Perhaps the tom was right and it was nothing, but Spottedstone had kept an eye on Ravenfoot and Hazenose. The way their fur brushed against one another made him feel envious of their budding relationship. The way they shared prey, offering a bite for one another; it was almost scandalous enough to warrant an Enlightenment Wander! Although, the more he tried to wrap his mind around it, the more petty it felt to believe it. Whose to say they were mates and not just close friends? Friends have shared prey before, haven't they? Spottedstone was sure he had seen it before in the camp, but it was so hard to truly know for certain. After all, Spottedstone never had many friends himself. He didn't even have litter-mates or siblings to speak of in the first place.

With a soft rumbling purr, he thought long and hard as he plucked the stems to keep the leaves as fresh as possible for the journey home. Perhaps Waspfern was overthinking it and Ravenfoot and Hazenose were just very close friends? Despite that Hazenose was a young and beautiful she-cat as it was, but she also had a mate according to his observant findings and past recollections. So it was very unlikely that they were double-crossing their mates. Even so, it was also not unheard of for two cats to feel unhappy about their positions with their mates and find solace elsewhere. The only way Spottedstone could ever know for certain was if he really stuck his nose in and asked the hard questions. However, he was a medicine cat and therefore it was out of his duties to do so. Frustration gnawed at his belly as he thought long and hard, checking the plant over to make sure he didn't take too much. Even reminding a jilted queen such a fact could make them feel small and as though their feelings and concerns weren't validated or assured as a real problem.

Satisfied with his work and musings, the young medicine cat picked up his bundle of herbs and began to make his way back onto the main rocky trail. His yellowish-green eyes trained on the stepping-stones he took to find his way back to sturdier ground, taking care to watch his step to avoid harming himself in the process. His tail swaying carefully to mind his balance as he picked his way onto the hard-packed earth, clearly from the many generations of moons of cats walking along this path. Once his forepaw touched the sun-warmed earth a purr of triumph filled his chest and throat. Pride flowed through his veins and heart as he began to make his way back with his tail raised confidentially for the first time in moons. The thought had crossed his mind in almost an instant, making his pelt twitch with excitement. He must have been overthinking it all morning!

Could I possibly make it sound like StarClan wished for me to speak with Hazenose in private to bring to light what their situation is in order to bring Waspfern closure? Spottedstone thought, a spark of hope flaring in his chest. Could it be wrong to use their belief of the Stars against them like this? Would it be enough to bring it all to light to make things right?

He came to a halt on the path, forlorn and lost in his own mind. He was halfway to the heart of MoonClan territory where the camp laid in relative peace. His mind quickly racing with questions of "What if's" and "but's" that he tried hard to ignore. It would be terribly easy for him to be lied to, but it would also be terrible of him to even say the stars could have lied to Waspfern. Why would they? They are StarClan, they would know things that living cats couldn't, or at least that was how Spottedstone understood it. Was it possible that, they too can make mistakes? That they were no better then living cats? Slowly, the gray spotted tabby looked to the sky, searching for the impossible.

How could he go through with a plan that sounded so against the very Stars his Clan worshipped and valued so much? Spottedstone had thought it was foolproof, but now he was having second thoughts. Even if he got the information how was he supposed to share it with a cat who could hear and see things he could never fathom or even understand fully? So many questions and so little answers were filling his mind with doubt. For a few heartbeats Spottedstone stood still, listening to the crying calls of birds mixed with the songbirds singing and the squeaks of prey scuttling past him. Then he saw a beautiful raven feather being tickled in the breeze. A thought peered through the clouds of doubt, chilling him to the bone. Medicine cats were to be the be all and end all when it came to signs and visions. If Moonface wanted Spottedstone to keep pretending that he was touched by the stars like the rest of his Clan, then he could create something with a measly feather.

Carefully, he padded up to it, doing his best to not lose sight of it even as he put down his herb bundle and got a hold of the delicate iridescent black feather. It's half blue-green and deep violet hue dancing in the sunlight as he carefully situated it into his fur to carry it, gently chewing into his fur to make a small knot to hold it in place before picking up his bundle of mallow and continuing on to MoonClan camp. A plan was forming and he was going to tread the finest of lines to find out the truth. After all, as a medicine cat he had the power to be a cat for one to confide in and confess their misgivings or even things they have regretted doing. Then it was up to the leader to decide on how long they must take an Enlightenment Wander to atone for their mistakes.

A small flutter of nervousness was in his chest and belly, reminding him of the fact of how everything he was doing could be against the very teachings of not only his Clan, but it's so-called Sister-Clan. An Enlightenment Wander could very well be in his future if he didn't hide his inability well enough. Still, the gray spotted tabby knew he had very little to work with as he had no idea how StarClan actually worked and needed to tread carefully into this unknown territory. Finding the confidence, he walked into camp, slipping between the sheer stones and into a small crack lined with moss and lichen. The small tunnel stretching further and further as he slipped through to the other side to the hidden woodland his Clan called home. Many cavern-like tunnels lead into the heart of MoonClan camp, but it kept is sheltered and protected from danger. With a nod to the cats about to be on guard duty, he trotted to the medicine den.

He was swift to set out the mallow for Moonface to look them over after her nap, spreading their stems wide to best be evaluated as Spottedstone turned back to leave the small nook their den was in. Yellowish-green eyes scanning the familiar monochrome pelts of his Clan-mates to try and find the familiar slightly scarred long-haired black tom. After a few moments, he spotted him just coming back with a large wood pigeon in his jaws. Swiftly, Spottedstone took action and jumped to his paws, walking over as confidentially as he could muster, tail and head raised high with authority. Golden-colored eyes glanced his way, a look of surprise flickered as he placed his catch in the freshly-caught pile and turned to meet him.

"Spottedstone, I don't think I have ever seen you come bearing a feather in your fur before." Ravenfoot greeted him, a flash of amusement twinkling in his gaze.

"I found it while I was gathering herbs." He explained, closing his eyes briefly. "My eyes caught sight of it and for a moment it was as though a cat was speaking to me in my own ears. For a moment, I had thought some cat was nearby, but I realized it couldn't be as no cat had passed the path I had taken in a few days and I knew it had to be a StarClan-cat speaking to me. They were calling my name and told me to seek out the truth to bring closure to the troubled."

When he opened them again he saw hurt and guilt clashing in the tom's golden eyes. "It's personal and shouldn't be of any concern of the Stars."

"Ravenfoot, it shouldn't be, I agree with that much." He appealed in a sympathetic tone. "However, Waspfern isn't so sure she made the right choice in barring you away. She was so troubled that she confided in me. I believe StarClan wishes for me to intervene and help you both along no matter where this murky path may go. We can meet in secret and you can confide in confidence. I will never tell another cat a thing, spirit or not. It is outside my duties to take care of relationships, but for the sake of my Clan-mates and for the Star's being so concerned for their Sister-Clan; I will tread wherever I must. It is just up to you to allow me to take this duty."

Spottedstone wasn't so sure if he had said anything correctly, but seeing the thoughtful and troubled expression on Ravenfoot's face was some progress. The black tom shook his head, his long fur ruffling softly in the breeze. His eyes searching Spottedstone's for a long moment until, at last, he looked away.

"She believes I'm a two-timing tom." He breathed, hurt cracking through.

Spottedstone wanted to speak out, but he held his tongue, knowing it was important to hear him out. "Go on." He mewed simply.

"Hazenose has wanted kits for moons, but Aspenfang doesn't believe they are ready to raise kits." Ravenfoot went on, his voice growing harsh. "She was unhappy and I just wanted to help her feel better! Is it wrong to look after your Clan-mate?" He asked, his eyes blazing as they trained upon the young medicine cat.

"No." Spottedstone meowed firmly. "It's not wrong."

"Then why does she act like it does?" He asked, exasperated from the topic alone. "I hunt with Hazenose to try and help her through her issues. I know she is young, but she isn't the she-cat for me."

"Perhaps, because Hazenose is young and beautiful and not confined to the nursery that Waspfern believes you would leave her and your kits forever?" Spottedstone murmured softly, apologetically.

"How could she ever believe that? I visit whenever I can with prey and things I think the kits would love to play with or even investigate!" He snapped, his gaze growing hard.

Spottedstone stood his ground as he spoke gently. "Then why are you so angry?"

Silence. Bitter-sweet silence had filled the air around them. For a moment Spottedstone was certain that Ravenfoot was telling the truth, but the surge in anger was concerning him. The rest of the Clan was in utter silence as they waited with baited breathe. It felt like a season had passed before the black tom answered, his mew so hushed as he spilled a truth that Spottedstone was hardly ready for.

"Aspenfang is already mates with Flinthaze. If anyone is wandering, it isn't me. It's Aspenfang."

Spottedstone felt his heart turn into ice. "But why?" His mew was practically horror-stricken, feeling as though he has trodden onto uncharted territory.

"I don't know." Ravenfoot whispered, as though aware the Clan was trying to listen in. "Hazenose believes she has a chance and that Aspenfang will truly choose her over Flinthaze. She doesn't realize the reason he won't have kits with her isn't because he doubts their readiness, but so Flinthaze won't notice. I've tried to talk her out of it, I thought it wasn't any concern of the Stars, but now I must be wrong if they went to you. Perhaps only you can bring her out of this delusion. I'll repair the damages with Waspfern in time, I'll explain everything to her in private."

"Allow me to mediate then." Spottedstone spoke up hurriedly. "She was very upset and I would like her to hear you out so she can fully understand. As for Hazenose, I'll talk to her as soon as I can. I understand what the Stars wished now. I didn't before, but now I can see it more clearly. We can bring Waspfern closure with the truth and, I alone will help Hazenose before she strays too far."

The long haired black tom nodded, warmth and gratitude lighting his gold eyes. "Thank you."

His heart was racing as he dipped his head to the younger warrior. "No, thank you." You've made my lie come true. Perhaps I can use whatever I can find to try and fix the problems of this Clan that no other cat can see after all. He thought as mustered a stoic expression. "Just tell me where to bring Waspfern, I'm sure I can talk the other queens to watch over the kits."

"I'll find a private space outside of camp." Ravenfoot promised in a hushed tone, "Once I do, I'll beckon you with a flick of my ears."

"Understood." He whispered back, relief flooding his senses as he turned to go back to the medicine den. "I'll be working most of the day, so I'll try to take a break to check for you as often as I can."

"Very well." The younger tom nodded, slipping past him. "I'll take Waspfern some prey and see if she will take it."

"Good idea." Spottedstone encouraged, circling back to head to the medicine den.

His legs felt weak with relief, he couldn't believe that he discovered such a darkened secret of one of his Clan-mates, but he supposed it was bound to happen. After all, their Clan was the largest and so devout to the Stars that he mind as well be a lone speck of shadow on the moon itself. He needed a chance to steady his nerves. The plan was moving forward and, if StarClan was willing, he could continue to fool the rest of MoonClan that he was no different from them.

Author Note:

Spottedstone is finding his place through lies among MoonClan, but how much longer can it go on? How much more could be he lucky to keep squeezing past? Not only that, will there be peace for MoonClan's inner workings with his meddling?

Thank you for reading, have a great morning, day, evening, or night! - NightSky