Disclaimer: I do NOT own Warriors. Erin Hunter does.
Bluestar rested in her den til sunhigh, after Heartseeker left, she didn't feel like talking with anyone but as she shifted in her nest, her neck throbbed painfully. Groaning softly, she eased herself on to her paws and forced herself to walk to the medicine den. As she did, she passed by Darkstripe speaking with Lionheart and Goldenflower.
The leader paused, lowering her head as she remembered Heartseeker's words. She was about to go to the demons in front of her but thinking better of it, she turned, heading to the Higrock. Looking up, she leapt up to the rock in one bound before taking a moment to gather herself.
"Let all cats old enough to hunt their own prey, join here for a Clan Meeting!" her voice rang out sharp and clear and immediately cats began to gather. As she waited, she noticed that there was still a divide in her Clan, though the the normal cats were at least quiet and not hissing at the demons. Perhaps she could draw on that.
"The past few weeks have been very hard and unfair for some of us, we became a Clan that did not trust another. That hated one another because of how some were born. We cannot have this! We are one Clan, one family. We must look out for one another. I made the mistake of shunning those who were close to me because they were demons and that decision has haunted me til this day!" Bluestar added, though of course she didn't elaborate. She looked down to see if her words were sinking in. Some of the normal cats were looking at the demons, their expressions seeming to be thoughtful.
However, there were some resistors, namely Longtail and Runningwind. Well, it wouldn't be realistic to have all change their minds.
Bluestar huffed a small breath and swiftly continued on. "I was shown by an outsider, Heartseeker, that my way of thinking was wrong. Not all demons are evil, at least not the ones who have proven themselves time and again. I was wrong to put such anger and hatred towards you, Lionheart and the rest of your brothers and sisters. Please, forgive me. To prove it, I allow you to back into the dens! You will no longer have to sleep outside in the elements! You will no longer have to sneak around to eat or starve, I will not have it."
Lionheart tilted his head, at first briefly looking to his fellow demons before turning his head to Bluestar and standing to his full height. He swiftly angled his head away when he realized Bluestar starting to waver but he was still grateful she tried to meet his gaze.
"I can feel that your words are genuine, Bluestar. However, we will decline your offer! You say that we are a Clan, but you cannot speak for everycat here. You are not the only one whose thoughts matter. If we are truly to accepted, we must hear from everyone. So, what will it be?" he aimed this question at the normal warriors, some seemed surprised to be put on the spot and lowered their heads.
Others narrowed their eyes and turned their backs. At that, Bluestar hissed, her claws scrapping the ground. "You must accept them! I order you-"
"No, Bluestar!" it was Sandspirit who spoke, hobbling forward from the healer's den. "You cannot force them to accept us! It wouldn't solve anything. They must come around themselves! Even I can tell that your attitude has changed, but you cannot force a cat's mind. Thank you, really, but we can handle ourselves. But...thank you." she then ducked her head while Firepaw walked to her, purring softly.
Bluestar's shoulders sagged as she looked to one group to the other, not knowing what else to say. She swallowed thickly and her tail twitched constantly, her eyes flitted back and forth as realization dawned. There was nothing else she could do, except be supportive. With a small sigh, she called the meeting to a close. There was still the matter about the kits needing to apprenticed but she was felt like not was not the time for that.
Blustar swiftly jumped down to the ground and as the cats gathered immediately began to split, however, she called Sandspirit to her as she did the same with Darkstripe and Lionheart. In the shadows of the camp, Tigerclaw watched, his gaze smoldering as his claws worked the ground.
He had to admit, he was surprised by Bluestar's change in attitude, but seeing the other warriors' reactions to her words, it only made him sure that his kin would never be able to live comfortably until they were gone. Bluestar was off the hook for now, but she was just one cat, like Sandspirit said, she couldn't force her opinion onto them. He still had work to do.
XxXx
"Heartseeker explained to me what happened at the tail end of your journey to bring WindClan home." Bluestar stated once Sandspirit settled down with the rest of her chosen group before her. Though she was mildly annoyed that Firepaw just invited herself along. Even if she and Sandspirit was close, this wasn't something she was a part of it. And speaking of not being a part of something...
Yellowfang sat not too far away, glaring at Bluestar's neck and the leader grumbled softly, feeling like a kit that get caught with burrs in her pelt. Right, best to get on with this.
"I can't not see Leopardfur seeking to attack WindClan for what happened, that fela has always been battle hungry pest." Bluestar didn't seem to notice using a term from Heartseeker's and Firepaw's culture but the flame molly did, and the fact that she used it correctly made the younger female smile.
"But...the fact that ThunderClan cats were there, she might take it in her head that we are in an alliance. She might think to cripple us as well as take her vengeance on WindClan. We need more warriors to defend ourselves. Goldenflower's two kits are ready to be apprentice and I've chosen...one of the mentors to be Sandspirit."
Her choice was met with silence, most of all to the cat she had chosen. Bluestar smiled a little at the slackjawed look of the paler molly and moved to lightly nuzzle her before tilting her head.
"Think of this...as an apology. For everything I put you through. As I said before, I see not that I was wrong, allow me to fix that by giving you your first apprentice. Will you accept, Sandspirit?"
Sandspirit took a moment to gather herself before blinking twice. "A...a mentor! T-Thank you, Bluestar! I accept, I won't let you down!"
"Good, I'll announce it tomorrow at moonhigh."
Lionheart and Darkstripe both looked at each other and tilted their heads. Darkstripe opened his muzzle first but then looked to Lionheart who nodded before taking a small step forward.
"Bluestar, I...understand your intent on giving Sandspirit an apprentice, but she just got back from a harrowing mission and she is young. Do you really think that she is..."
"Sandspirit's ka is strong. She is brave and strong and beautiful! Whatever your doubts, she will crush them! She can handle it!" Firepaw interrupted, her fur puffed up as she stood in front of her heart friend with her lips drawing back in the beginnings of a snarl.
Her conviction and belief in her made Sandspirit purr shyly and press her body against the slightly younger molly. The action caused Firepaw to calm immediately and return the affection in kind, twining her tail with the paler molly.
Her outburst seemed to move Lionheart, at least a little and the golden warrior bowed his large head and stepped back.
"I believe Sandspirit can handle this. I did not make this decision lightly. She will be a good mentor, I know she will." Bluestar stated, smiling a little at the pair of younger mollies, one of which who purred even louder as she rested against her companion, a sure smile on her muzzle.
"Thank you, Bluestar! I will do my best!"
The leader then nodded, telling them of her second choice that left them with no real opinions and the tiny meeting soon broke off with Darkstripe getting up to train Firepaw, Sandspirit leaving to rest and Lionheart going to check on his fellow demons. It was only Bluestar and Yellowfang left.
"You know, I'm starting to see you for injuries more than your other warriors. Perhaps I should teach you some skills so you can patch yourself up." the healer groused dryly, narrowing her eyes as she stood.
Bluestar smirked for a moment while moving to follow the healer to her den. "Sorry, I really didn't mean for this to happen. Though I should have known better all the same."
"RiverClan." it wasn't a question and that made Bluestar flinch. She however nodded though looked as she entered the den to see Sandspirit already sleeping.
"She won't hear anything. She told me how she got those injuries. Tallstar's attack was vicious. I need to look after Heartseeker as well."
At the mention of the light brown tabby, Bluestar flinched and though she recalled the younger molly's words, that she was not leaving because of Bluestar, her absence made Bluestar ache. She flattened her ears and lowered her head, whimpering softly.
"Heartseeker...she...she's gone. She left ThunderClan."
Yellowfang turned to face the leader for a moment before closing her eyes then went to count berries. "She should have at least stayed til her wounds healed. But...cats like those, you can't control them. She was never going to become a Clan cat."
"You don't know that!" Bluestar growled, despite knowing the truth. She ducked her head at Yellowfang's stern glance and wrapped her tail around herself. The old healer snorted softly, before going on with her orignal thought.
"So, why were you attacked by a RiverClan warrior." Straight to the point.
"I went to the border, I needed to clear my head and...I met Stonefur there." Bluestar admitted, there would no point in lying to Yellowfang and...it felt like a weight was lifting from her as she spoke. "He told me of Tallstar killing those RiverClan warriors."
"We...we got into argument, I asked about Mistyfoot and he got angry because I was worried." Bluestar quieted, shuddering as she remembered the fight, seeing Stonefur's anger.
"Stonefur and Mistyfoot are your kits, aren't they?"
The quiet question made Bluestar look up, surprised. But she nodded all the same. She wasn't expecting to see the expressions on Yellowfang's face; grief, and understanding.
"I won't tell the Clan, that's something for you to tell if you ever want to reveal it." Yellowfang said before moving closer to Bluestar to check her wounds. "Hm, they are deep, but nothing to truly worry about. You'll be sore for a while, though."
"Thank you. He attacked me because I abandoned him and his sister. Along with...my former mate, because she was a demon and never told me."
Yellowfang said nothing as first, focusing on mixing a poultice to help her leader. "Hmph, now it all makes sense. Well, I can't say that I blame them, I would be upset too. But...even though you're trying to change, it's too late. And they are in another Clan. There's not much you can do and the distance has grown too great. You've taken your first step, but focus on your Clan, Bluestar. We are the ones who need you the most."
"So there's really nothing I can do?" Bluestar asked, her voice faint with sorrow and bitterness.
Yellowfang only for a moment before resuming her poultice making. "No. And to try will only bring more sorrow. It's in the past, Bluestar."
The leader sighed at that before nodding herself and getting up. Seeing that, Yellowfang grumbled and hastily placed the poultice on her neck while frowning.
"Try to keep from getting hurt so soon. You don't have your friend around to watch over you."
Bluestar's whiskers twitched at that and she only rolled her eyes before heading out, passing by Tigerclaw as she did so. She looked back to see the large tom shaky on his paws, his ears constantly moving and lost, faraway look in his eyes.
He only seemed to brighten when Goldenflower walked over and nudged him, whisper something in his ears that made his bristling fur lie flat while he let out a soft sigh. Bluestar watch the pair press into each other before they strode off toward the camp entrance, Goldenflower guiding Tigerclaw with a patient look on her face.
Bluestar blinked before moving on to the nursery while she tried not to think of her lost kits. As she entered, Brindleface looked up, her gaze unreadable. She had heard of everything that happened during the meeting but couldn't sort her feelings on the matter. She only stiffly bowed her head while beyond her, the two kits of Goldenflower, Swiftkit and Lynxkit, were playfully wrestling with each other. The smaller Swiftkit was easily pinned by his brother but Lynxkit only smiled before moving away, helping his brother up and licking his cheek.
Swiftkit growled softly before pouncing, moving to pin Lynkxit himself but his bigger brother only moved out of the way, flicking his ears in amusement. The bigger black and ginger kit then backed away, calmly licking a paw while Swiftkit tried to goad him into another playfight, at leeast until the kits noticed Bluestar.
Squeaking in surprise, the kits moved to sit in front of the leader, to which she grinned gently. Brindleface moved from her slain sister's kits, shushing them gently. "Yes, Bluestar, what is it?" she asked tightly, trying to keep from growling outright, the only reason she was able to stay in the nursery was because she was attending to kits.
Bluestar noted the harsh edge to her tone but only dipped her head, trying to keep cool. "I just wanted to check on these kits. They will be apprenticed tomorrow. I think they will be good apprentices and know they will work hard. ...How...are you faring, Brindleface?"
The question caused the gray molly to sigh and instead of answering, she only shrugged her shoulders. Bluestar shut her eyes tight for a moment. With only Brindleface in the nursery, it was draining for one cat to deal with so many kits. She should have sent her help ages ago.
"I'll have one of the warriors..." Bluestar began, only for Brindleface to curl her lip, stopping her.
"I don't want it. You waited long enough to make that decision, I don't want it. These kits will be leaving soon and my sister's litter will be fine enough. I've made do on my own and will continue to do so. I'll let Goldenflower know."
The gray molly's voice had an air of finality to it that Bluestar couldn't not ignore. She bowed her head and tried to smile at the kits but all rushed out of the nursery. Suddenly feeling drained, Bluestar looked up to the sky and sighed. She was trying...but she tell that it would be an uphill battle. Bluestar felt as if she floating in a large body of water, without knowing knowing which way to go.
It had only been a few hours and yet..."Heartseeker...I miss you."
A/N: Annnnd here's the lastest chapter~ Next one will be having the kits being made apprentices and Sandspirit's first day of being a mentor! Also, Bluestar dealing with the fallout of changing to show her change of heart with less than steller results. Can she pull it together without Heartseeker's presence? Only way to find out is to keep reading! Until then, as always, enjoy.