Scorchclaw sat next to Wildpaw, whose yellow eyes were glittering with excitement. The tortoiseshell she-cat was nearly jumping up and down in excitement, but once she caught Scorchclaw's glance, she settled down and took a deep breath. The apprentice lifted her head, her eyes focused on the rising sun. Snowflakes fell from the leaf-bare sky and dappled Wildpaw's dark pelt. Scorchclaw could see his own breath puff in the air around him, and a sudden burst of cold air made him shiver.
Today was Wildpaw's assessment. Scorchclaw was here to give her support. It was time that Wildpaw finally became a warrior, but she would have to pass her assessment first. He wished he could follow her and keep an eye on her, but Berrysplash had warned him to stay out of the way. Ever since Wildpaw's mentor, Spottedwing, had moved to the nursery, her training had been shared by the senior warriors.
Spottedwing had given birth half a month ago. Her kits still suckled at their mother's belly and were not old enough to cause the chaos kits were known for. Just after her daughter, Blackdove became a warrior, Patchshine moved back to the nursery, expecting another litter of kits. The Clan was ecstatic at the prospect of new kits – the younger warriors had to share the apprentices' duties thanks to the lack of apprentices. It frustrated Scorchclaw – after all, he was a warrior now, why should he have to do apprentice duties? But he still was a warrior and had the freedom that apprentices did not have.
"All right, all right," meowed a familiar voice, knocking Scorchclaw from his thoughts. Berrysplash padded towards the two cats, shaking the snowflakes off her pelt. "If you don't mind, Scorchclaw, I'd like to have Wildpaw to myself for a while."
Scorchclaw nodded. "Good luck, Wildpaw!" he encouraged his friend. "Tonight, you'll be joining us in the warriors' den."
"Thanks, Scorchclaw," Wildpaw meowed, and Scorchclaw could catch the slightest trace of anxiety in her eyes. Scorchclaw found himself touching Wildpaw's nose with his own, and instantly he jerked his head away, embarrassment flooding his veins and turning his cheeks red. Scorchclaw gave her a small nod before darting away into the moorland.
The grass had nearly frozen, and Scorchclaw's paws were turning to ice. He was thinking of returning to camp when he caught a glimpse of a ginger-and-white pelt, so similar to his. He recognized the pelt immediately. Adderstripe! He had wanted to build a better relationship with his half-brother for moons now, and now that he was a warrior, surely he had the time to do so. Scorchclaw bounded over to his brother, who spun around and narrowed his eyes as Scorchclaw approached him.
"What are you doing here?" Adderstripe asked. His voice was not hostile, but it was nowhere close to friendly.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Scorchclaw asked his brother.
"Well, I'm just patrolling, so…" Adderstripe sniffed. "I guess. I'm heading to the new ThunderClan border."
"Great!" Scorchclaw nodded, stretching out his paws. He could do with a run. "It hasn't been patrolled in a few days."
"That's why I'm heading there," Adderstripe remarked dryly.
Another wave of frigid wind slammed against Scorchclaw's pelt, and he quickened his pace to reach ThunderClan's border. Running would keep him warm. He cast a glance over his shoulder to see Adderstripe starting to sprint, and the ginger-and-white tabby tom ran towards Scorchclaw and kept up his pace. Scorchclaw couldn't help but study his brother. Every cat knew he would be WindClan's next leader, but if that was the case, why did he get into so many fights with his father?
"Do you love our father?" Scorchclaw asked.
Adderstripe's yellow eyes widened. "What kind of stupid question is that?" he growled. The venom in his voice didn't faze Scorchclaw. He had to know.
"I just… you're always so mad at him, so I don't really know what to think." Scorchclaw fixed his gaze on Adderstripe. "I don't know you, Adderstripe. I wish I did, but when I was a kit, you were an apprentice, and you were so busy training. And then, when I became an apprentice, I was so busy training. But we're both warriors now, and I want to know you more. You're my brother, after all."
His half-brother continued to gallop through the moorland, and his eye whiskers were furrowed, clearly deep in thought. Scorchclaw wasn't sure what effect his words had on him, and if Adderstripe wanted to build a relationship with him like Scorchclaw did. But he wanted him to answer his question. What did he think of Swiftstar? The last time Scorchclaw had a full-length conversation with Adderstripe was when he had told them about Habu. Adderstripe had marched away after Scorchclaw had brought up the prospect that Habu was their grandfather.
"Of course I love my father," Adderstripe finally replied, his jaw clenching. "I want to support him in his endeavors. So…" The ginger-and-white tabby's gaze traveled to the sky, and he skidded to a halt immediately, his amber eyes wide. Scorchclaw stopped, puzzled at why he had stopped. Then, in seconds, Adderstripe leaped on him, pinning him down.
"Adderstripe?" Scorchclaw asked, bewildered as his half-brother sent him to the ground. "What are you doing?"
"Saving your life!" Adderstripe snarled. "There's a hawk coming towards us!"
Scorchclaw gasped, and when he turned his head to stare at the sky, a massive raptor with long, powerful wings that flapped faster than any cat could run was diving down towards them. It was the bird of terror from the nursery stories that spread faster than wildfire. Its talons were sharper than any tooth or claw, and its pointed beak was heading straight towards Scorchclaw and Adderstripe. For a moment, Scorchclaw was paralyzed in fear. He had never seen a hawk, never mind fight one. What was he supposed to do? No! This is just like the day…
The memory replayed in his mind. Scorchclaw had stopped in his tracks when a fox lunged towards him, unable to fight because he lacked the skills necessary to defeat a fox. Because of his mistake, he had been easy prey for the fox, and his father, Swiftstar, had interfered and taken the blow meant for Scorchclaw. Scorchclaw blinked the thought away and turned over to see that Adderstripe was lunging for the hawk. Adderstripe!
"Stay out of the way!" Adderstripe howled at Scorchclaw as the hawk came closer and closer to Adderstripe. Just as the hawk was mouse-lengths away, Adderstripe slashed his claws underneath its belly, dodging its talons when the hawk repeatedly tried to sink them into Adderstripe's scruff to haul him up.
"I can't!" Scorchclaw howled. He was a different cat than he was that day. He had been young and foolish then. He was a warrior now, and he was ready to defend his family, including Adderstripe. With a massive leap, Scorchclaw landed on top of the hawk, shredding its feathers with his claws. As Scorchclaw attacked the hawk from its back, Adderstripe slashed his claws down its front.
The hawk cried out as the two WindClan cats jabbed and clawed and tore it apart, and no matter how many times it tried to sink its deadly talons in the fur of either of the brothers, it always failed, the other brother always there to nip at its feet before it could succeed in grabbing the other. Scorchclaw's heart raced in his chest and adrenaline made him feel like he was flying as he clawed the hawk's massive wings before it could take off with him on it. Adderstripe had weakened the hawk severely, and all it would take to end its life was one more blow.
Scorchclaw could feel the hawk trying to flap its wings desperately beneath him, but he was having none of it. Scorchclaw sank his teeth into the hawk's neck, digging his claws into its tendons as it tried to take off with him dangling from it. But Scorchclaw clamped down, feeling the crack of bones beneath his teeth, and the hawk fell, limp from his grip and hitting the ground with a sickly thud. Scorchclaw leaped off the hawk and studied the limp bird, breathing a sigh of relief as he confirmed it was dead.
"Huh." Adderstripe walked over to Scorchclaw. His brother's fur was slick with the blood of the hawk, but he was relatively unharmed. "Good job, Scorchclaw."
"Thanks, Adderstripe!" Scorchclaw breathed. "But you were the one who noticed it. If you hadn't, I'd been hawk-food."
"Yeah, you would've." Adderstripe looked over at the hawk, his ears twitching. "I guess this could be food for the Clan. I'm glad I pushed you down when I did."
"Adderstripe…" Scorchclaw felt his words falter away. The bond between them had tightened – they had both experienced near death when the powerful hawk had dove right towards them, and it took the two of them fighting back-to-back to save each other's lives. I trust him with my life, and I need to make amends with him. "I'm sorry for upsetting you with the word of Habu."
"Hab who?" Adderstripe echoed.
"Our grandfather," Scorchclaw told him. "It upset you, and I'm sorry about that."
"Oh." Adderstripe's ears twitched. "It's fine. I just didn't really want to hear about it, that's all. I know you thought he was our grandfather, but you haven't seen him since that day, have you?"
Scorchclaw shook his head. I haven't been outside of WindClan territory. There was no need to – but he would be lying if he said he was afraid of meeting Habu again. He had no idea if he ever would see him again – was it by coincidence that he met him on that hillside, or was that where Habu lived? "No, I haven't."
"Good," Adderstripe said, flicking his tail. "Well, that doesn't matter anymore. Now that we have this hawk, we can get back to camp. It's enough to feed the Clan."
"Right." Scorchclaw hauled the hawk on his back, but due to the heftiness of the prey, Adderstripe shared half the weight on his own back. The two brothers walked through the moorland, the adrenaline wearing down from the fight with the hawk. Scorchclaw sent a silent thanks to the god that both of them were alive – the hawk had been powerful enough to take one of the cats away.
The dip that made WindClan's camp was visible in the distance, and the two warriors quickened their pace as they reached the hollow. Scorchclaw grabbed the throat of the hawk to hold on, and the two toms slipped down the walls and into the clearing. Immediately, Scorchclaw could hear the gasps of admiration and commendation as the warriors in camp spotted the two warriors' catch in Scorchclaw's jaws. Scorchclaw dropped the catch in the hole that made the fresh-kill pile, and the strain of holding the hawk in his jaws melted away as he staggered back.
"Wow, Scorchclaw!" Grayflight exclaimed, bounding over to the hawk, his blue eyes wide with admiration. "What a great catch!"
"Thanks, but—" Scorchclaw tried to mention Adderstripe, but another voice was cut off.
"Excellent catch, Scorchclaw," Dovewillow meowed, touching the wings of the hawk with her paw. "How'd you do it?"
"Well, me and—"
"A hawk!" Smokebelly gasped as he bounded over to the fresh-kill pile. "It's been seasons since a warrior ever brought back one! Usually they're killed by them!"
"Listen to me!" Scorchclaw yowled. "I didn't just hunt it on my own! Adderstripe and I both worked together to catch it!" Scorchclaw glanced over at Adderstripe, who lifted his head smugly and nodded as the cats acknowledged him, but even then, the praise wasn't as high as it was for Scorchclaw – something Adderstripe definitely noticed. Sympathy for Adderstripe tugged at Scorchclaw's pelt as the ginger-and-white tabby marched away, and Scorchclaw was about to talk to him, when he spotted a dark tortoiseshell pelt at the entrance of camp.
I'll talk to Adderstripe later, Scorchclaw thought as he walked over to Wildpaw, who was stretching out her limbs, glancing at the leader's den nervously. Scorchclaw looked over his shoulder and saw that Berrysplash was walking over to Swiftstar's den. He turned back to look at Wildpaw, who looked terrified.
"Hey, what's the matter?" Scorchclaw asked the tortoiseshell apprentice.
"What if I didn't pass?" Wildpaw asked, her amber eyes round. "I only caught one rabbit and one mouse!"
"Do you know how much one rabbit is in leaf-bare?" Scorchclaw questioned, taking a step closer to the apprentice. "And a mouse? Mice are hard to find on the moor! Whatever you caught, it'll feed your Clan. So, don't worry about it! You're strong, Wildpaw. I know you'll pass. I don't want to hear you doubting yourself!"
A small gasp escaped Wildpaw as she stared at Scorchclaw. Scorchclaw flattened his ears shyly. Had he embarrassed her? Had he been too pushy? Wildpaw was independent and strong – did she really need Scorchclaw's encouraging? But a purr escaped the she-cat as she meowed, "Thanks, Scorchclaw."
Scorchclaw allowed the tortoiseshell apprentice to walk across the clearing to meet her mother, Larchcloud. As he watched her speak to her mother, the warm, fuzzy feeling made his heart soar, as it always did when he was in Wildpaw's presence. She was so smart, so fierce, so strong. She cared so much about her friends and family, and she radiated grace.
An exchange he had with Gorsepaw so many moons back flashed in his mind.
"Do I sense a little bit of a crush, there?"
"Hey! We're just friends."
"Oh? Doesn't seem like it to me."
The exchange had been so innocent back then. He had been fine vehemently denying any sort of a crush on Wildpaw. But now… looking at Wildpaw's sleek pelt sent his heart fluttering, and he knew there was no other feeling to describe this. Gorsepaw had been right that he had a crush on her. But… did he love her? That was the most important question, and it was something Scorchclaw was having trouble figuring out.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Tall Branch for a Clan meeting!" Swiftstar's voice punctuated the Clan walls, and Scorchclaw looked up to see his father wavering on the Tall Branch. The tom lifted his head proudly, and Scorchclaw cast a glance at Wildpaw. Excitement glowed in the tortoiseshell's yellow eyes. It's finally her turn, Scorchclaw thought.
The cats began to gather towards the Tall Branch. Wildpaw's parents, Larchcloud and Grayflight, twined their tails together as they watched Wildpaw, warmth in their eyes. Adderstripe and Brambledusk sat near the roots of Swiftstar's den, their eyes unreadable. Petalspring and Hawkfeather watched Swiftstar intently, and Patchshine poked her head from the nursery. Scorchclaw scanned the clearing for his sister, and spotted her crouched down at the warriors' den. Is she all right? he thought, seeing the darkness in her green eyes. What happened? He was about to walk towards her and ask when Swiftstar's words interrupted him.
"Today we have a new warrior," Swiftstar decreed, his gaze seeking out Wildpaw from the throng of cats. Wildpaw bowed her head to Swiftstar, scrambling to stand in front of the crowd. "Berrysplash, has Wildpaw completed her training?"
"She has, and more," Berrysplash meowed from where she sat, next to Sunleaf. "She'll be an excellent warrior."
Swiftstar nodded slowly. His gaze burned into Wildpaw's fur. "I, Swiftstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Wildpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Wildpaw's reply was confident as it rang through the clearing. Pride for his friend made Scorchclaw stand straighter, and he tried to catch her eye, but she was focused solely on Swiftstar.
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Wildpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Wildheart. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." Swiftstar leaped down from the Tall Branch, landing right in front of Wildpaw. He rested his chin on Wildheart's forehead, and the new warrior licked his battle-scarred shoulder respectfully. Wildheart turned around to face her Clan.
"Wildheart! Wildheart!" cheered her Clanmates. Scorchclaw yowled her name to the skies, and caught Gorseflight doing the same. Well, of course he would. He trained with her, just like I did. Patchshine and Grayflight's cheers rang through the ground, but Blackdove's half-hearted cheer and the utter silence from Russetstripe pricked Scorchclaw in his heart. Why can't they all just get along? What's Blackdove's problem with Wildheart? He sighed. She-cats…
Just as the cheering started to die, Swiftstar meowed to Wildheart, "Remember, tonight is your vigil. It is the most important night of a warrior. Use it wisely." The ginger-and-white tabby tom flicked his tail, and with that, the Clan cats started to break apart. Just as Scorchclaw's father disappeared into his den, Scorchclaw bounded over to Wildheart and touched his nose to hers.
"Congratulations!" Scorchclaw purred. "Swiftstar picked a great name for you!"
Wildheart nuzzled Scorchclaw's cheek, and the ginger-and-white tom felt his eyes widen at the soft feeling of Wildheart's muzzle against his fur. "I'm glad to finally join you in the warriors' den, Scorchclaw. I've missed you, you know."
"Missed me?" Scorchclaw echoed. "I'm right here."
"But it wasn't the same." Wildheart sighed. "It was lonely in the apprentices' den, but now I'm glad to stay with you again."
"Ahem." Scorchclaw froze as he turned around to see Swiftstar, approaching them with a pale amber glare. "Am I interrupting something? Wildheart, get ready for your vigil. It's nearly sundown."
Wildheart bowed her head to Swiftstar and scrambled away, as if she couldn't get away fast enough. Scorchclaw lowered his head to his father, wondering what he wanted, and why he scared Wildheart off. Swiftstar was silent for a few moments, and the air between them was tense.
"Meet me in my den," Swiftstar told him. "I've something to discuss with you."
"All right," Scorchclaw said, following his stocky father to the gnarled tree where Swiftstar slept under. When the two cats gathered together, Swiftstar fixed his son with an intent glare, and Scorchclaw studied it. There was a mixture of feelings in there – pride, love, and something else Scorchclaw couldn't quite grasp.
"A flower's life is short," Swiftstar began. "So is a cat's life. The weak are crushed like insects, and only the strong survive. This is what we called the turbulent period. There are endless wars. And we can only pray that the bloodshed will end."
Scorchclaw nodded. He was very much aware that all the Clans were at war, fighting to see who would reign supreme. ShadowClan and WindClan's alliance was shaky as it was – they were not fierce enemies since they did not share the borders, but surely one of those Clans would want to control the other someday. But that's a while from now, Scorchclaw thought. I know that the Clans are at war, and I want to stop it, but what does he mean?
"In doing so, things need to move. Fast." Swiftstar's gaze never moved from Scorchclaw. "When the battles come, I want you and Adderstripe to stay at my side as I lead the fights. You will be essential to my victory."
He's giving me this opportunity? Scorchclaw gasped. "Thank you, Father! I won't let you down. I swear."
"I know you won't." Swiftstar let out a purr from his chest. "But there's something else we need to talk about. Stay away from Wildheart."
Scorchclaw's heart sank in his chest. "W-what…?"
"Remember when I told you Hollyfrost was supposed to be your mate?" Swiftstar asked. "Well, she's dead now, but that doesn't change things. I've been thinking this over for a while, and your mate is going to be Lilystream."
"Lilystream?" Scorchclaw echoed. "But…"
"I already spoke about this with your sister, and she did not take it well at all," Swiftstar growled. "Please, I can't handle that from you, either. Spend some time with Lilystream, get to know her. You can have Wildheart as a mistress, I've told you that. But from now, you've got to associate yourself with Lilystream. She will be your mate, and eventually, the mother of your kits."
"Father…" Scorchclaw whispered, feeling his muscles starting to tense. His jaw was tight, and his claws curled tightly to the point where they dug into his paw pads. His temper was threatening to snap, but he knew that questioning his father would not end well. This is what happened last time… I'll just please him for now. "All right."
"Good." Swiftstar waved his tail. "Off you go. Find Lilystream, go on patrol with her."
Scorchclaw said nothing, instead turning away and bounding out of the den. His green gaze raked across camp, trying to focus on a certain bright ginger tabby figure. When he zeroed in on his target, he raced over to her. Sunleaf was bringing in a thin rabbit, her paws creating paw prints in the snow as she leaped over to the hole that made the fresh-kill pile.
"Mother!" Scorchclaw called out. Sunleaf turned her head, twitching her ears as she glanced at Scorchclaw. She dropped the rabbit in the hole and padded over to her son, licking his ears thoroughly. Scorchclaw backed away, groaning in irritation. "I'm not a kit anymore!"
"But I love you as much as I did when you were just a kit," Sunleaf purred. She looked Scorchclaw up and down and frowned. "My dear, what's the matter?"
Scorchclaw glanced around, pulling his mother into an abandoned rabbit burrow inside WindClan's camp. Shadows crossed her pelt as she stood in the hollow. When Scorchclaw made sure that no one could overhear them, he turned to his mother and told her, "Father is arranging a mate for me."
Sunleaf sighed. "I know."
"You knew?" Outrage thickened Scorchclaw's voice. How had she known and not told him? Was everyone keeping secrets from him about his future?
"I am an arranged mate, too," Sunleaf said. "Your father loved Petalspring first. He always has, and he still does. But Cloudstar, the Clan leader, told him that Petalspring wasn't a suitable mate for him, and so he was forced to break up with her. Cloudstar chose me to be his mate instead. Your father does love me, but not as much as he loves Petalspring."
"W-wha…?" Scorchclaw stared at his mother, absolutely bewildered. How did he not know of this? How had no cat ever told him? If it involved his father and his mother, shouldn't he have known that when he was old enough to? He was an adult now! "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"No one wanted you to know that your father still loves another she-cat," Sunleaf replied, raw pain etching her voice. Scorchclaw could see her paws tremble, and it finally hit him just how much pain this news caused her. I shouldn't have forced her to say anything. "I know it's awful to have an arranged mate, Scorchclaw. And if I could do anything, I would. But because I am an arranged mate, my word means little to nothing to Swiftstar."
"But… could… could Petalspring say anything?" Scorchclaw asked desperately. He was pretty sure he knew the answer to that question, but he would do anything to get out of this.
"Petalspring loves Swiftstar too," Sunleaf replied, "but her only priority is her son, Adderstripe. I don't think she cares enough about you and your problems." A sad, pressed smile fell on Sunleaf's face. "I'm so sorry." His mother nuzzled Scorchclaw's cheek, and Scorchclaw could hear her rapid breathing. I've brought back so many memories for her. I feel so awful. Guilt made Scorchclaw's throat tight, and he couldn't find anything to say to his mother, who clearly was suffering so much and had been for a while, but had kept it secret from every cat who knew her.
What have I done? And what can I do to stop this from happening?