Chapter Eight

Mapleshade watched in horror as ThunderClan's camp was overrun by RiverClan warriors. There were so many of them. They must have been there for a while, too, she realized, as she took note of all the blood and fur that dotted the camp. It made her stomach curl.

Mapleshade limped forward, adrenaline coursing through her. Despite that, her body ached. It had only been a day since the fox attack. Her wounds hadn't healed yet.

She scanned the clearing. Maybe she could pick off one of the little ones? She knew Ravenwing would give her an earful later regardless of who she fought, but for right now, she didn't care. Finally, she spotted a little white she-cat. She was grappling with Whitefoot.

Mapleshade walked forward, claws out. She lashed out, her claws barely making contact with the RiverClan warrior's shoulder. Mouse-dung, Mapleshade cursed. That was pathetic! The white she-cat froze and turned to glare at Mapleshade.

"Is that the best you can do?" the she-cat sneered.

The fur on the back of Mapleshade's neck began to bristle. She opened her mouth, ready to reply, but Whitefoot interrupted her.

"Mapleshade, what are you doing out here? You're hurt! You need to go back to your nest immediately." Whitefoot's blue eyes were wide, panicked. And as Mapleshade stared at her closely, she realized her Clanmate had a trickle of blood coming from her left ear. Her shoulder was also badly injured.

"So are you," Mapleshade pointed out.

"ThunderClan's mighty warriors, bested by a few scratches. Pathetic," the RiverClan warrior remarked. Before anyone could react, the white she-cat sprung at Mapleshade, knocking her down.

Mapleshade let out a yelp as she landed on her tail. She could feel the skin around her wounds ripping back open. Ravenwing would definitely be angry with her now. But it was too late to think about that.

She twisted her head, staring straight ahead at the white she-cat that loomed over her. She tried to shove her off, but her good leg was being held down. The RiverClan warrior leaned down, giving a bite to Mapleshade's ear. Mapleshade shrieked, trying to push her off again.

The two warriors continued to tussle. Mapleshade had finally managed to kick the RiverClan warrior off of her, giving her enough time to scramble to her paws. She limped away, her foreleg burning. She must have reopened the wound there too. And she could feel blood running down the side of her face, presumably from the bite she had gotten on her ear.

Immense shame filled Mapleshade as she limped towards the edge of camp. She wanted to continue the fight, but her entire body screamed at her to stop and rest. Closing her eyes, she laid down on the ground, breathing hard. How was it that she had managed to fight a fox by herself, but this proved too much for her?

The screams continued to fill the camp, causing Mapleshade's heart to wrench every time. She tried to tell herself that it was just the sound of RiverClan's warriors being beaten, but the screams sounded all too familiar. She had grown up around these cats for her entire life. It was impossible to mistake their voices as they cried out. She could hear Seedpelt's cries from across the camp, and Beetail's yowls.

Mapleshade swallowed, trying to push the sounds out of her head. She couldn't focus on that right now. She needed to focus on catching her breath and heading back to the fight as soon as possible.

Eventually, the cries became too much for her, and she staggered to her paws. She limped forward, her eyes scanning the clearing as she went. She tried to see if any of her Clanmates needed help.

She then caught sight of something from the top of Highrock. There, Oakstar and Darkstar were battling it out. The RiverClan leader lashed out at Oakstar, forcing him backward. Mapleshade froze. Oakstar was dangerously near the edge. If he took another step back, he would be sent over the edge.

If Oakstar knew this, he didn't let on about it. He continued to fight the RiverClan leader with a calm air to him as if this was nothing more than a play fight. Darkstar was growing increasingly frustrated by this. She continued to lash out, trying to force Oakstar backward, but the ThunderClan leader held his ground.

Suddenly, Darkstar lashed downwards, her paws hooking behind Oakstar's legs. He stumbled, falling backward.

Mapleshade let out a scream. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest as she watched her leader, dangling from the edge of the Highrock. He had fortunately managed to grab the side but was barely hanging on.

Oakstar's jaw clenched as he tried to pull himself upwards. He stared up at the RiverClan leader, his expression unreadable. Darkstar looked down at him, triumphantly. She opened her mouth to say something when another figure appeared behind her. Before any cat could react, the warrior leaped onto Darkstar's back, sending her flying over the edge of the Highrock. As they fell, they bumped into Oakstar, causing him to fall alongside them.

The three cats hit the ground with a thud, and the clearing went silent.

Mapleshade stood there, heart pounding. She stared ahead, trying to process what had just happened. Cautiously, she limped forward a few paces. She stared at Oakstar's flanks, trying to see if he was still breathing.

Nothing.

The ThunderClan leader lay there, completely still. His eyes were open, unblinking, an uncomfortable glaze covering them, and his jaw was slack.

Mapleshade's throat tightened at the sight. Was he dead? Oakstar was still young. He couldn't be dead. Not yet.

She then glanced towards the other two bodies that lay there. Darkstar laid crumpled on the ground, her back facing Mapleshade. Inches from her laid Dovesong. Her neck was twisted at an unnatural angle. Mapleshade knew immediately that she was dead. There was simply no way for a regular warrior to survive such an injury.

Mapleshade's heart twisted. Of course, Dovesong had sacrificed herself in an attempt to save Oakstar. He was her mate. And although Mapleshade wasn't particularly close with either of them, she had known how much they had loved one another.

A flash of brown fur in the corner of her eye caught Mapleshade's attention. She turned, the pain in her chest increasing as she saw Birchface standing there. There was a deep gash on his forehead that trickled blood, and several scratches along his left shoulder. But that was nothing compared to the look of agony on the young warrior's face.

He walked towards his parents' bodies, whispering something that Mapleshade couldn't make out. For a moment, she contemplated following after him, but she decided against it. It was too soon.

The next cat to move was Beetail.

He limped forward, eyes wide. He opened and closed his mouth several times, struggling to speak. Finally, the words came out, low and shaky. "Oakstar?"

"She's dead," Birchface whispered, ignoring Beetail's presence. "My mother is dead." He stood directly over Dovesong's body now, his paw extended. He placed it against her shoulder, shaking her. When she didn't respond, he rolled her onto her other side, flinching as her head lolled back.

"Birchface, I-I'm so sorry," Beetail meowed, trying to comfort him.

Birchface didn't respond. He just stared down at Dovesong's face, his eyes glistening. He continued to whisper to himself, stroking his mother's fur with his paw. He then walked over to where his father laid.

It was at this point that Spiketail, RiverClan's deputy, finally decided to come forward. The gray tabby's face was unreadable as he limped towards the Highrock. Before he could get close enough, Birchface launched himself at the RiverClan warrior, knocking him back.

The two cats tussled on the ground for a couple of seconds, before Birchface was pulled off by Seedpelt and Thrushtalon.

"Get out," Birchface snarled, the back of his fur bristling. "Now."

Spiketail's tail lashed, but he said nothing. He scurried past Birchface to where Darkstar's body laid. A few more RiverClan warrior's followed after him, and together they hoisted Darkstar's body up onto Spiketail's back. The RiverClan deputy staggered for a moment under the weight of his leader, before walking out of camp.

One by one, the rest of RiverClan's warriors followed him.

Mapleshade tensed as she spotted Applepaw limping towards the camp entrance, Reedpaw at his side. They were among the last few cats to leave. Applepaw paused, his gaze meeting hers for a split second before Reedpaw shoved him through the gorse entrance.

"Are you okay?"

Mapleshade jumped. She turned to see Dawnpaw standing there. Her sister's eyes were wide and unblinking. She stared at Mapleshade for a second, and then back at Oakstar and Dovesong, a shiver running down her spine.

Mapleshade pressed against her, hoping to give her sister some reassurance. "I'm fine," she meowed.

Dawnpaw nodded, although she did not reply. She closed her eyes, and pressed into Mapleshade harder, her face burying into her sister's shoulder.

Mapleshade rested her head on top of Dawnpaw's and gave her a small lick. It was a small action that Hazelheart had always done to comfort them, back when they were kits. Mapleshade wondered if Dawnpaw was thinking of this too, but she did not dare ask. It would be too inappropriate to reminisce on the days of their kittenhood, when one of their Clanmates lay dead, lengths away from them.

"Do you think Oakstar is dead?" Dawnpaw finally asked.

"I don't know," Mapleshade said.

"Oakstar should have six lives left," Whitefoot meowed, overhearing their conversation. "Surely that fall wasn't enough to claim all of them…"

"Oh, StarClan, help us!" Rabbitfur began to wail. "Please bring our leader back to us."

"Someone needs to get Ravenwing, now," one cat meowed.

"Rowanfur's already gone to fetch him. He should be here any moment," another cat responded.

Mapleshade pulled away from Dawnpaw and looked over to the medicine cat's den. Ravenwing slipped out of his den like a shadow, Rowanfur flanking him. Both cats had a bundle of herbs in their jaws.

Ravenwing gave her a stern look as he walked past, but said nothing. He continued forward until he stood beside Oakstar. Setting the herbs down, Ravenwing rested his paws against Oakstar's chest, trying to find a heartbeat. From the look on his face, Mapleshade could tell he was unsuccessful. He then bent down and placed his ear against the ThunderClan leader's chest. Still nothing.

"He's lost another life," Ravenwing announced solemnly.

"Do you think he's going to be okay?" Beetail asked.

"I think so, but all we can do is wait. His injuries are serious. It will take StarClan some time to heal him," Ravenwing meowed.

"What's wrong with him?"

Ravenwing let out a sigh. "His back leg is broken, as are several of his ribs. Fortunately, he didn't break his neck." Ravenwing looked over to Dovesong's body as he spoke. "We're lucky his injuries were not worse."

"What about Darkstar? Do you think she's dead?" Beetail wondered.

"I hope so," Birchface growled. "It's what she deserves."

Ravenwing frowned. "I'm afraid that's something only StarClan – and RiverClan – knows."

"If she isn't dead after tonight, she will be soon," Birchface meowed. "I'm going to get back at her for what she's done. Mark my words."

"Enough," Beetail shushed.

"No. This isn't 'enough'! My mother is dead because of her, and possibly my father as well. That slimy fox-heart deserves to pay for this!" Birchface argued. The fur on the back of his neck was bristling once again, and for a moment Mapleshade thought he was going to attack Beetail.

Ravenwing stepped in front of Birchface, flashing him a warning. He then bent down and grabbed a couple of poppy seeds, pushing them towards Birchface. "Eat these," Ravenwing commanded.

Birchface lashed his tail a couple of times. He then leaned down in compliance and ate the seeds. He remained crouched for several moments, his eyes closed.

Mapleshade watched him closely. She wondered what was going through his mind, besides the obvious grief she knew he felt. Her paws itched for her to walk over there and comfort him, but she couldn't bring herself to move just yet. Although they were friends, there was a part of her that feared he would lash out if she attempted to.

Birchface finally stood up. As soon as he did this, Mapleshade used it as her opportunity to approach him. Her new wounds began to sting as she walked, but she tried to push her pain to the back of her head. Birchface needed her.

"Birchface," she called softly, her fur brushing against his ever so slightly. "I'm sorry."

Birchface turned, his eyes glistening. He did not say anything though. His face angled back towards his parent's bodies.

"Come lay down for a minute," Mapleshade meowed.

"I can't leave them," Birchface mumbled.

"It will just be for a minute," Mapleshade promised him.

"Go with her," Beetail urged. He shot Mapleshade a thankful look as he spoke.

Birchface hesitated. He then turned and began to walk with Mapleshade towards the apprentice's den. Since it was just her and Dawnpaw in there at the moment, Mapleshade figured it would be best for Birchface to lay down there, away from everyone else.

"Have you forgotten I'm a warrior now?" Birchface asked a slight hint of playfulness to his tone.

"Of course not," Mapleshade replied. "I just thought it would be more peaceful for you here."

Birchface didn't say anything. The slight playfulness he had carried mere seconds ago had now vanished like morning dew. He stood in the entranceway of the den, staring inside. Mapleshade nudged him forward, forcing him to go in.

Birchface laid directly on the ground, not bothering to curl up in one of the nests that were already there.

"You can lay in my nest if you'd like," Mapleshade offered, but Birchface ignored her.

He stared at the wall, silently. Although he did not speak, Mapleshade could tell what was on his mind. She wished that she could say something to him that would make him feel better, but she knew nothing she said would take the pain he felt away.

"Oakstar will be alright," Mapleshade finally meowed, her voice trembling.

"Physically, yes. Emotionally, no."

Mapleshade didn't know how to respond to that.

But Birchface continued. "He's never going to get over this, Mapleshade. And to make things worse, Goldenmist is on the verge of death as well."

"I'm so sorry, Birchface," Mapleshade whispered.

"Why are you apologizing? It wasn't you that did this. It was those RiverClan fox-hearts," Birchface snapped. The fur along his neck and spine were bristling again, and his teeth were bared.

Mapleshade flinched, causing Birchface to soften. "I'm sorry," he apologized.

"You're upset. You don't mean it," Mapleshade meowed. She glanced over her shoulder, staring out into the camp clearing. "You should get some rest. I promise I'll come wake you up as soon as Oakstar wakes up."

Birchface nodded.

Mapleshade slipped back out of the den and hobbled back across the clearing. The pain in her foreleg had intensified, causing her to grimace, but she continued regardless. She wasn't sure what exactly she was looking to do, but she couldn't bring herself to sit still just yet.

"Mapleshade," Ravenwing called out to her.

Mapleshade lifted her head and looked over to where his voice had come from. The black medicine cat was sitting beside Thrushtalon, wrapping his tail in cobwebs. Once he was done, Ravenwing beckoned Mapleshade over to him.

"Your foreleg is bleeding," Ravenwing observed.

"I know."

"You shouldn't have fought," Ravenwing scolded. "It's only been a day since the fox attack. Your leg could get infected, and then you're really going to have a problem." He grabbed some cobwebs, and began to dab at the blood, wiping it away from her skin.

Mapleshade winced as Ravenwing began to apply a poultice to her leg. "I know. But I couldn't just sit back and watch as we were invaded!"

Ravenwing flicked an ear. He continued to work on her leg, before moving on to the rest of her wounds.

"How is Goldenmist?" Mapleshade asked, changing the subject.

"She's still in critical condition, but I think she's improving slightly," Ravenwing meowed.

"Does she know about…" Mapleshade trailed off. She couldn't bring herself to say the words out loud.

"About Dovesong? I pray to StarClan that she doesn't," Ravenwing sighed. "News like that won't do her any favors in the state she's in."

"Birchface said Oakstar isn't going to take it well when he wakes up," Mapleshade told him.

Ravenwing frowned. "No, he isn't."

Mapleshade looked over to where Oakstar's body lay. It hadn't moved once since falling from the cliff, although someone had closed his eyes. Several warriors sat nearby, their heads hung as they grieved for their leader and his mate. As Mapleshade watched, she began to grow paranoid that Oakstar would never wake up. It had been so long. Why hadn't he woken yet?

"Are you sure he's going to be alright?" Mapleshade asked, turning back to Ravenwing, who was applying the last of his poultice to her tail.

"Yes," Ravenwing meowed.

"Then why hasn't he woken up yet? Surely it doesn't take this long…"

"Most of the time it doesn't," Ravenwing said. "But as I said earlier, his wounds are serious. It must be taking StarClan a long time to heal them."

A thought crossed Mapleshade's mind. "Is it possible StarClan is sharing tongues with him, and that's why it's taking so long?"

"I can't tell you that," Ravenwing said sharply. He then stood up and moved on to his next patient.

Mapleshade watched him go, a disappointed look on her face. Was something like that really so confidential that he couldn't even answer her question? She tried not to let it bother her though. After all, it had been a long night.

Glancing at the sky, Mapleshade could see a tinge of pink on the horizon. It was almost sunrise. Upon this realization, a wave of fatigue washed over her.

She decided to pay her final respects to Dovesong before she headed off to bed, as this would be the final time she would ever get to see her fallen Clanmate.

Dovesong's body had been moved to the edge of the camp, her body repositioned to look as though she were sleeping. If Mapleshade hadn't watched her fall to her death, she would have been convinced that her Clanmate was simply taking a nap. But Mapleshade knew otherwise.

"I'm sorry," Mapleshade breathed, leaning down to press her nose into Dovesong's fur. It was cold and carried an unfamiliar scent that made Mapleshade uncomfortable.

She whispered a few more things into Dovesong's fur, before taking a step back. Yawning once more, Mapleshade hobbled across the clearing, towards her den.

As she passed Oakstar, she paused. She wondered for a moment if she should share tongues with him as well, in case Ravenwing was wrong, and he was really dead. But just as that thought had crossed her mind, Oakstar's eyes opened, and he sat up.

As always, I'm sorry that it has taken me months to update this story. I finally got a computer though, and I have been working on this story like crazy. I have the entire story drafted out, and it will come out to about 58 chapters, give or take. I might condense some of the chapters as I edit, but right now that's the current length. Which is very hard for me to fathom, as I have never written anything so long before in my entire life. All of my other stories average around 30 chapters, so this is way beyond that. I am very excited going forward, and I hope that you will all be as well.

Also, while I was writing this, I realized that I needed to add a few more characters to ThunderClan's allegiances. There are quite a few characters that are going to be born over the course of this story, that I simply did not have enough parents for. I tried to use the already existing cast, but I found that it created too much overlap in the Clan, and I did not want that. So if you spot any unfamiliar names during the next couple of chapters, that's why.

Anyways, thank you for reading/reviewing/following/favoriting. I really appreciate it, and I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter.