Mapledawn's paws slipped easily into the divots left by unknown cats unknown seasons before in the stone around the pool.
"This is Clearpool. A special place. I come here to think sometimes."
Mapledawn's pelt bushed out. Please… Please… Her eyes were wide, her ears pricked forward, as she waited for the shadow voices, or for StarClan themselves, to start tormenting her again.
"You're shivering." Waiting Falcon pressed against her flank. "What is there to fear in rocks and water?"
"I can't--I can't explain it."
"You will when you're ready. Look, I'll go first. You'll see there's nothing to fear here."
Waiting Falcon padded down the tunnel. Chest tight with fear, Mapledawn followed him, keeping her tail low and her claws unsheathed. The tunnel was strange; it was dark, but beams of light slanted in from holes in the ceiling, and the air tasted fresh. Finally the tunnel opened into a low, wide cave. A pool of water, lit by sunlight, murmured quietly in its center. The stone around its banks was smooth and warm. Mapledawn touched them curiously with a paw, and found them soft and comfortable, like a nest.
Waiting Falcon dipped one paw in the water to test it and, to Mapledawn's surprise, submerged himself completely in the pool. I guess… I should face my fear. Plus, he looked like he was having fun.
"Do you weird cats all like water?"
"This water is special."
Mapledawn choked back a laugh, passing it off as a cough. Waiting Falcon always looked so serious--he was still trying to look serious, but his fur was all matted down his face, making his eyes look huge, while his ears were still fluffy.
"What? Do I have vole in my teeth?" He used a claw to pull back his lips in a comical grin. "Did I get it?"
Mapledawn laughed. "You look like a drowned bird," she said.
"And you like one of those vicious forest cats that eat kittens and make nests from dog bones."
"Is that what they say about us?" Mapledawn shook her head. But as she stepped forward and looked down at her reflection in the water, she could see exactly what Waiting Falcon meant. The scars up and down her cheek, crossing over eye… When she closed it, the crisscrossed scars made it look like she was missing the eye entirely. And her throat scar was huge; the fur around was parted, making it look even more dramatic.
"Mostly scared kittypets." He motioned her closer with his sodden tail. "Really, it won't hurt you. It's only water."
"Fine." But if creepy shadow voices start telling me I'm a killer, I know whose pelt I'll be shredding. She waded in slowly. The water was surprisingly warm as it lapped gently at her sides. If she stood at the edge, she could stand with her head out of the water. There's more of those weird pawprints down here. Her paws fell easily into their divots. Waiting Falcon blinked slowly at her, as if to say it's alright, I'm here.
Finally, by some impulse or another, while the big brown tabby tom watched, Mapledawn put her head under the water and opened her eyes.
Mapleshade, I'm so proud of you. I've been watching you from outside StarClan… I was never one of theirs.
"Who?" Mapledawn tried to say, but the water drowned her words.
You don't need to speak. I am sorry we never met while you were alive. A shape flickered in the water; a white and brown--or maybe red, it was hard to tell--cat, with powerful features and deep orange eyes that shone under the water. Mapledawn's chest was bursting. She couldn't hold her breath much longer, but she discovered if she tilted her muzzle just right, she could see and hear the cat while her nostrils took in air from the surface. Waiting Falcon gave her a watchful look. She ignored him.
Clever Mapleshade… Mapledawn. My name was Unshaken Leaf. I lived here, with these cats. Once called themselves a Tribe… Some of them were Ancient kin, some rogues… Once even used the word "Kingdom." We were all rogues once. I am your first father, Maple.
My father was Specklewhisker, Mapledawn thought.
He wasn't. He pretended for your mother's sake. Is that surprising, considering what they did to you for the same crime? I tried to join your Clan back then, to be with you, though I pretended I never knew you, to keep you safe. They drove me out with teeth and claws. So I came back to these grounds… All cats find a place after death. This was mine… Tried to visit StarClan, to see you and Berryfeather… Wouldn't let me… Heard your story… Waited. Wandered to other pools.
Is that--why I came here? Mapledawn felt a growl raising in her throat. Everything is predetermined, isn't it? I can't escape it.
No. Unshaken Leaf's form was wavering. You weren't pulled or driven here. I followed you. I had help getting you here.You mean--
I don't know who he was before this life, but Waiting Falcon is special. A lot of cats are but never realize it. Waiting Falcon is smart and curious. He was bound to find his own powers. You can talk to him, Mapledawn. I wish I could have met you properly… For now I must go. I've been waiting far too long. I need to move on… To find a new life and start over… Perhaps in that one we shall meet. Good luck. Remember that even in your last life, you were loved.
Mapledawn rose slowly to the surface. So many questions. Always so many questions. But now she had someone she could talk to about them. I don't have to deal with them on my own anymore. She locked eyes with Waiting Falcon as they both stepped out of the water and shook out their pelts. So many questions. It was still light out; the sun warmed the crisp leaf-fall air. It was going to be a long day.