The ledge of WindClan's hollow was in Brambledusk's sight as the morning sun rose and sent the shafts of pure yellow light illuminating the clearing. It had been three days since Brambledusk and Russetstripe had left to find Iceheart and Hotaru. They hadn't told Scorchstar they had been leaving – Brambledusk had told Heathercloud and then had taken off with Russetstripe. He couldn't stand idly by and watch his niece, the cat he had raised as his own daughter, leave home and run into the wilderness, frightened and feeling abandoned.
The rogue that had attacked WindClan's camp had sent a shiver down Brambledusk's spine when he saw just how ruthlessly he fought. Hearing all the pieces of the story and putting it together made Brambledusk realize just how dangerous the rogue – and Iga – was. Hotaru had brought his demons from his past with him when he joined WindClan and put the entire Clan in danger.
But Hotaru was Iceheart's mate. And if Iceheart loved Hotaru, that meant that Hotaru was part of Brambledusk's family, as well. It was Brambledusk's job to protect him, even if that meant he had to fight another war with rogues. The journey had been tough, but the most surprising part had been the addition of Runningflame. He had grown to respect the ginger-and-white tabby over the few days, and it had been thanks to the RiverClan warrior that they had found Iceheart and Hotaru. Seeing the love that shone in Russetstripe's eyes when she spoke to Runningflame shook Brambledusk to his core. How could Russetstripe love a cat from another Clan? But it wasn't any of Brambledusk's business. Russetstripe had begged him not to tell Scorchstar, and Brambledusk had agreed. Something Runningflame had said to him when they were waiting flashed through Brambledusk's mind.
"I won't be around forever. There's going to be a day where fate will drive Russetstripe away from me. When that day comes, promise me you'll take care of her, Brambledusk. You're the only WindClan cat I can trust."
Brambledusk had agreed. Although Russetstripe wasn't a she-cat who needed to be taken care of – or protected – Brambledusk would do what he could for her. She had been the one who killed Adderstripe, Brambledusk thought wryly, but over time, they had been through so much that Brambledusk had been able to forgive her for his best friend's murder and understand her. So, if he wants me to protect her, I will.
"Should we go?" Iceheart's cracked voice interrupted Brambledusk from his train of thoughts.
Brambledusk turned to face his niece. "I won't force you if you don't want to," the pale tabby said, ignoring Russetstripe's mewl of surprise. "But do you think you could live with yourself forever if you abandoned Frostpetal and Waspberry without any explanation?"
Iceheart swallowed. Brambledusk gazed steadily at her, and finally the silver-and-white tabby she-cat gave a nod. Hotaru stepped closer to her, and the two cats exchanged a determined glance before slipping down the walls of the hollow and stopping at the clearing.
"Ready to face the music?" Russetstripe asked Brambledusk.
Brambledusk rolled his eyes. "Ready as I'll ever be, I guess." The two warriors followed Iceheart and Hotaru into the camp, and the moment all four cats placed their paws into the clearing, yowls echoed through the cats. Brambledusk spotted the camp repaired from the terror Saizo, Hotaru's brother, had caused. None of the cats wore very pleased expressions when they focused their glances on Iceheart and Hotaru.
Songbreeze's expression was wrung with disgust, and Buzzardwing snorted when he looked away. Sandfall's face was darkened with hesitation, while Aspenstep shifted his paws nervously, and Briarsnow's blue eyes darkened. Brambledusk stepped protectively in front of Iceheart, his tail lashing, and Russetstripe padded in front of Hotaru, sheathing and unsheathing her claws at any cat who fixed him with a nasty glare.
"My sister!" Frostpetal's voice was elated as the silver tabby streaked through the clearing and met Iceheart. Waspberry raced over from the edge of camp, her legs wobbling with relief, and covered Iceheart's cheeks with furious licks.
"Sorry, Mom," Iceheart murmured.
"Never be sorry for returning to me." Waspberry looked Iceheart up and down, and her yellow eyes widened with shock as she took in Iceheart's wounds. "Oh, dear, you're hurt!"
"We've found Iceheart and Hotaru safe and alive," Brambledusk announced as his Clanmates started to gather. "They have agreed to return to the Clan."
Just as cats began to shoot questions towards him, Brambledusk could see Scorchstar's lithe figure appear from the tree that made his den. His yellow eyes narrowed as he caught Brambledusk and Russetstripe's gazes, and both cats winced inwardly. They hadn't even so much as asked Scorchstar for permission. The two cats slipped away from their curious Clanmates and approached their Clan leader. Fury was written all over Scorchstar's face, mixed with a trace of relief.
"You really thought it was okay for you two to run off without even consulting me for permission?" Scorchstar growled at them, his tail lashing back and forth. "I had to get it from Heathercloud the night after!" Cobwebs and poultices covered his throat as anger blazed in his yellow eyes.
Russetstripe planted her paws firmly to the ground. "We had to leave right after them or else we wouldn't have gotten them."
Scorchstar sighed. "You couldn't wait?"
"We barely caught them," Brambledusk added. "If we waited another night, we wouldn't have gotten them at all."
The WindClan leader narrowed his eyes. "Never mind." He licked Russetstripe's cheek. "I'm glad you're back. Can you tell me what happened?"
Russetstripe glanced at Brambledusk, and the tabby nodded. I won't mention Runningflame. Scorchstar led the two cats to his den where they sat down and wrapped their tails around their paws. Russetstripe divulged into the entire story when they were ready.
"Brambledusk and I followed Iceheart and Hotaru's scent until it went cold," Russetstripe began. "When it faded, we discussed on the likely course of action they probably would take. We traveled to the base of the mountains and we waited. I went to search for them but I was kidnapped by a rogue."
"Kidnapped?" Scorchstar's fur bristled. "But you—"
"Brambledusk rescued me," Russetstripe said. "We fought with a bunch of rogues, and their entire goal was to have Hotaru returned to them or else we would be at war with Iga."
"Iga…?" Confusion was rampant over Scorchstar's face.
"The Iga village is a group of cats that live in the mountains," Brambledusk explained. "They're led by a cat named Momochi Sandayu. Apparently this Sandayu wants to control all the cats in the mountains and then plans to expand his empire. Once he controls the mountains, the lake is his next goal. They need Hotaru in order to complete that goal, and that's why Blade wanted Hotaru. But Hotaru opted to stay behind, and well, that means Iga will do anything to get him back."
"Iga…" Scorchstar echoed. "So, I'm just supposed to wait for another group of cats to attack us?" The tom lashed his tail. "As if RiverClan and ThunderClan aren't enough… is it right to have Hotaru in the Clan, when he clearly brings misfortune with him?"
"Hotaru is a WindClan cat," Russetstripe growled. "Talk to him yourself. You'll see. He – and Iceheart – saved Brambledusk and I from being killed by the rogues. Plus, if Hotaru returns to the village, he'll be your enemy. Iga wants to attack us anyway – it's just sooner, now that they figured out one of their own cats lives with the Clans. They'll come regardless of if Hotaru is in WindClan or not. The only difference is that Hotaru is our friend."
"I need to hear that from them," Scorchstar sighed. "Brambledusk, bring them to me."
"Okay." Brambledusk got to his paws and shook out his fur before leaving the den. He didn't have to travel far – Iceheart and Hotaru were already a few mouse-lengths from Scorchstar's den, their eyes wide with fear. Brambledusk gestured them towards the den, and the two cats squeezed their way into the entrance. When they sat down, Scorchstar fixed them with a steady but stern glare. A long silence passed until Scorchstar spoke.
"Why did you leave your Clan in such a time of turmoil?" Scorchstar asked the two cats.
"It was too dangerous for me to stay here," Hotaru explained.
"So why did you take her with you?" Scorchstar gestured to Iceheart.
"I followed him!" Iceheart exclaimed. "It's my fault."
A growl rumbled in Scorchstar's throat. "Do you realize how much pain and suffering you caused your Clanmates? Your mother? Your sister?" His voice was soft but rising steadily in anger.
"I…" Iceheart gazed at Brambledusk desperately.
"Nobody knew where you went, or even if you were still alive." Scorchstar looked away, emotion brimming his gaze.
"They won't get to me so easily." Iceheart's voice trembled. "I won't let them."
Hotaru looked up at Scorchstar, finally finding the courage to speak. "I was the one who caused all this trouble, not Iceheart. I can go... she'll stay."
"Go if you wish," Scorchstar growled down at the young tom. "But don't take one of my Clan's best warriors. Her future is here."
"No, Scorchstar." Iceheart lifted her head. The fear had evaporated from her pure blue eyes. "I took him. He needs to stay. He's a good warrior... you know that." Her eyes blazed as she stared at her Clan leader.
Brambledusk twitched his ears, surprised at her boldness. Even Scorchstar seemed taken aback by the usually subdued she-cat's courage.
"I thought your loyalty was to WindClan," Scorchstar said, visibly distraught.
"Of course it does!" Iceheart said. "I'm sorry I ran away. I wanted to protect him but I want to protect WindClan too. But he's a good warrior... we don't need his power, we need him!"
The leader sat as still as a cat made of stone. "Why does WindClan need him?" he pressed Iceheart. "Make a case for yourself. Convince me you're not a danger to this Clan." Scorchstar looked at Hotaru straight in the eyes.
Brambledusk could hear Russetstripe take a deep breath to protest, but the pale tabby flicked her on her shoulder with his tail. Iceheart and Hotaru were both young but strong cats – they could deal with this themselves. In addition, Brambledusk was quite curious to hear what Hotaru would have to say for himself.
"I have to protect the others. Because I'm not alone anymore. Because I have cats I care about. My brother… told me I couldn't protect anyone. He said I had it all wrong, that I was useless without my power. It wasn't true... none of it was true. I've learned so much from other cats..." Hotaru took a deep breath. "They saved me. WindClan did. I want to repay that debt - to be a protector too."
Scorchstar looked thoughtful. "WindClan never abandons a cat in need, especially if they have nowhere to go." He gazed at Iceheart and then went back to Hotaru. "You may stay here, on a couple of conditions," he meowed to the silver tom. "You may not use your power unless it would save another cat's life. And, in this war against… Iga, Russetstripe says… you will be on the front lines and command it."
Hotaru nodded firmly. "I won't let another cat be hurt because of my brother or my village again. I promise you, Scorchstar."
"Very well." Scorchstar pulled himself to his full height. With a nod of his head, the two cats took that as their signal to leave, and they exited the den with their pelts brushing. Scorchstar watched them go, a sigh escaping him. "Did I do the right thing?"
"Yes," Russetstripe replied. "They are your Clanmates. They deserve your loyalty, just as you deserve theirs."
Hesitation flickered in Scorchstar's eyes. "But what if this Iga village puts my Clan at danger?"
"They already have," Brambledusk admitted. "But the only thing we can do now is fight. We can't surrender to them or give Hotaru back. They'll still be out to get us, anyway. All we can do is prepare the Clan for the fight of their lives."
Scorchstar huffed. "All right. I don't anticipate a fight coming soon, but I'm sure eventually it will. You two deserve some rest. Good job for bringing Iceheart and Hotaru back. I'm surprised it only took two cats to do so."
Brambledusk exchanged a glance with Russetstripe.
"It… did, right?" Scorchstar's eyes darkened.
"Yeah." Russetstripe nodded. "Good night, Scorchstar." The ginger she-cat wriggled her way out of Scorchstar's den and disappeared into the camp.
"I'm worried about her," Scorchstar muttered when Russetstripe disappeared. "She's not the same as she was."
"What, there's something wrong with her being happy?" Brambledusk asked quietly.
"Huh?" Scorchstar looked over at Brambledusk. "Do you…"
Brambledusk smiled at him. "Bye, Scorchstar." With a respectful dip of his head to his leader he walked out of his den, feeling his leader's puzzled gaze burning in his back. He trekked over to Russetstripe, seeing the anguish and confusion on her face. It can't be easy to love some cat you're not supposed to have, he thought to himself, but he didn't know what to say to Russetstripe. He had always been focused on his brothers and then his kin, never so much searching for love. There was nothing he could do for Russetstripe, just to offer his support and keep Runningflame's promise. He walked away from her to see Lightningtalon sitting across the camp.
"Is Iceheart okay?" Lightningtalon asked when Brambledusk approached him.
"Why don't you go ask her?" Brambledusk countered, feeling a cold leaf-fall wind brush his pelt.
"But I…" Lightningtalon turned his gaze away from Brambledusk. "She hates me."
"She doesn't hate you," Brambledusk said. "She misses you."
Lightningtalon let out a sharp gasp.
"She fought rogues on her own," Brambledusk told him, "and she was the one who encouraged Hotaru back into the Clan. Your daughter is much, much stronger than you give her credit for, Lightningtalon. You don't know her. Maybe now is the time you start to." The pale tabby rested his tail on Lightningtalon's shoulder. "I'm going to go see Skyheart and her kits. Think about what I've said." He turned away from his brother and padded into the nursery. Skyheart was sitting in the nursery with Cinderfall at her side.
"How's Mintkit?" Brambledusk asked as he looked at the deaf kit, who was pouncing on Cinderfall's tail.
"Cinderfall and I have been talking, and maybe we can teach him how to communicate with paw signals or facial expressions," Skyheart said. "Even if he can…" Her voice shattered. "…never be a true warrior, that doesn't mean we can't teach him how to talk to his Clanmates, even if he can't hear them."
"That's a very good idea," Brambledusk meowed. He looked at his brother, who gazed back at him with conflicted eyes. Does he agree? Brambledusk thought. Or does he think Skyheart is just holding onto a desperate hope? Brambledusk looked back at Mintkit, who continued to play as if nothing was wrong with him.
"Oh, Skyheart," Cinderfall murmured. "You know I love our kits just as much as you do." His gaze was focused on Seedkit, and Brambledusk knew that he had named her after Seedfur, his first love. He had a sinking feeling that Skyheart knew it too but had never said anything. I guess first love never really dies, huh? "But even if Mintkit learns how to communicate with his Clanmates, he'll never know what they're saying to him. And what if he approaches another Clan, and they don't know how to talk to him?"
Skyheart glared furiously at Cinderfall. "Do you not have any faith in Mintkit?" she snapped at him. "You may not believe in him, but I do!" The gray she-cat pulled Mintkit towards her, and even though her voice was shrill as she yowled at Cinderfall about him, it was all the more heartbreaking knowing that Mintkit couldn't hear their argument. "I'll train him to be a good warrior, you'll see."
Cinderfall exchanged a glance with Brambledusk. Brambledusk gave his brother a sad smile. Both of them knew that Mintkit would never be a warrior. Would it be better to try to help Skyheart see the truth? Or would it be easier on her if they allowed her to try to teach Mintkit and figure it out for herself? Brambledusk had no idea as he gazed steadily at his brother's mate.
Mintkit gazed up at his mother with wide green eyes. Skyheart licked him fiercely, tousling his small gray head with her paw. "You may not be able to hear me, Mintkit, but just know that I will do everything to ensure you have a good life as a WindClan warrior." Mintkit nuzzled his mother's stomach and curled up next to her. Skyheart sighed softly.
"You can't neglect Seedkit and Turtlekit," Cinderfall told Skyheart.
"I won't." Skyheart shook her head, seeing the two she-kits wrestle with each other. "But Mintkit needs me the most."
Brambledusk gazed at the gray queen with sorrow in his eyes. Cinderfall let out a small sigh and licked his mate's head, meeting Brambledusk's gaze with sad, helpless blue eyes. Brambledusk hitched a breath in his throat and padded over to Turtlekit and Seedkit, knowing that they were going to be another pair of kits who would need his attention, if Skyheart would focus her love on Mintkit. Immediately Turtlekit and Seedkit bounded over to him, and Brambledusk rustled their fur intensely while engaging in a game of chase with them.
How could Mintkit possibly become a warrior if he was deaf? Brambledusk heard stories of Jayfeather, the old ThunderClan medicine cat, serving ThunderClan even though he was blind. But Brambledusk had never heard of a deaf cat serving the Clan before – especially not as a warrior.
Was Mintkit destined to survive?