[When The Earth Shook] Now with character theme songs!!!
Mar 24, 2017 20:54:11 GMT -5
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phantomstar57, mintedstar/fur🦇, and 3 more like this
Post by [~Ghost Writer~] on Mar 24, 2017 20:54:11 GMT -5
[Banner by Searipple101]
Warning: this fic contains Gore and upsetting content. Do not read if you can't handle death.
[Rules:]
This story is also LBGT+ friendly and understanding of those with mental and physical illnesses. I will NOT tolerant bashing on any of these groups. I will ask you to politely leave. Thank you
- Blue
[Rules:]
This story is also LBGT+ friendly and understanding of those with mental and physical illnesses. I will NOT tolerant bashing on any of these groups. I will ask you to politely leave. Thank you
- Blue
Character art by RequestDude05
[Layout by Mintedfur/Star]]
Summary:
Highclan use to be known for their large oaks and safe territory but one day a large earthquake hit, causing the trees they were so proud of to fall and the rivers that gave them fresh water and food to flood. Only ten cats survived. With loved ones lost and their camp destroyed, the cats must rebuild and cope with the terrifying events that happened
[Chapter one]
The earth shook violently, causing the enormous oak trees that Highclan was so proud of to crash onto the ground and on the elders bramble covered den. The river overflowed from the amount of rubble being dumped in. A small ginger kit was torn from his mother's grip as the waves crashed over them. She screamed for him but couldn't do anything to help him. A grey tom carried a kit on his back and in his mouth trying to climb one of the trees to get away from the river which was growing by the second. Tiny claws digged into his back. The tom winced and tried not to bite too hard on the other's scruff. The kit hung from his back with only three of his claws one one paw and soon enough the kit plummeted into the cold, unforgiving waters. The leader of the clan, Batstar, was trying her best to help a small tuxedo apprentice get to the high part of camp with seven other cats. His breathing quickening and his yellow eyes widening from fear when he joined the others and saw that his mother and sister haven't been found. Mud made the pelts of other cats too heavy to swim and slowed down the others trying to run from falling branches and trees. Screams of cats were drowned out by the roar of the earth trembling and waves crashing. Shrewpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, dragged a golden she-cat by the scruff through the mud and struggled to drag her up the hill. The clan's medicine cat was crushed under a tree slowly dying in a pool of blood causing the water to turn to a dirty looking red. Soon the trembling stopped and the earth stood still. Trees clung to the ground half way and the river calmed down. The medicine cat den had nothing but mud and branches inside and the nursery held dead queens and kits who couldn't get out when the river flooded. The whole clan was lost. Stacks of tall oak trees scattered across the camp, holding trapped clan members. The water was so high that it wasn't safe for even the clans best swimmers to help try to get the others unstuck.
"What are we going to do now?" Batstar stared at her clan with horror.
"It looks like only eleven of us left" Spiderheart, a tall, white and grey spotted, tom mewed.
Shrewpaw looked at Batstar, worry in his gaze. "I'll make a trip to the Moonstone as soon as I can an see what guidance they have to give."
Batstar bowed her head, barely making out the words "it's all my fault." As others huddled together. Their fur soaked to the bone with cold river water on a chilly, Leafbare night. Later that night, a warrior died from hypothermia leaving only ten members of Highclan to rebuild the clan.
The earth shook violently, causing the enormous oak trees that Highclan was so proud of to crash onto the ground and on the elders bramble covered den. The river overflowed from the amount of rubble being dumped in. A small ginger kit was torn from his mother's grip as the waves crashed over them. She screamed for him but couldn't do anything to help him. A grey tom carried a kit on his back and in his mouth trying to climb one of the trees to get away from the river which was growing by the second. Tiny claws digged into his back. The tom winced and tried not to bite too hard on the other's scruff. The kit hung from his back with only three of his claws one one paw and soon enough the kit plummeted into the cold, unforgiving waters. The leader of the clan, Batstar, was trying her best to help a small tuxedo apprentice get to the high part of camp with seven other cats. His breathing quickening and his yellow eyes widening from fear when he joined the others and saw that his mother and sister haven't been found. Mud made the pelts of other cats too heavy to swim and slowed down the others trying to run from falling branches and trees. Screams of cats were drowned out by the roar of the earth trembling and waves crashing. Shrewpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, dragged a golden she-cat by the scruff through the mud and struggled to drag her up the hill. The clan's medicine cat was crushed under a tree slowly dying in a pool of blood causing the water to turn to a dirty looking red. Soon the trembling stopped and the earth stood still. Trees clung to the ground half way and the river calmed down. The medicine cat den had nothing but mud and branches inside and the nursery held dead queens and kits who couldn't get out when the river flooded. The whole clan was lost. Stacks of tall oak trees scattered across the camp, holding trapped clan members. The water was so high that it wasn't safe for even the clans best swimmers to help try to get the others unstuck.
"What are we going to do now?" Batstar stared at her clan with horror.
"It looks like only eleven of us left" Spiderheart, a tall, white and grey spotted, tom mewed.
Shrewpaw looked at Batstar, worry in his gaze. "I'll make a trip to the Moonstone as soon as I can an see what guidance they have to give."
Batstar bowed her head, barely making out the words "it's all my fault." As others huddled together. Their fur soaked to the bone with cold river water on a chilly, Leafbare night. Later that night, a warrior died from hypothermia leaving only ten members of Highclan to rebuild the clan.
[Chapter two]
"This is the only prey I could find. I'm so sorry everyone." Spiderheart said disappointed as he dropped a day old fish onto the muddy hill. The flood had gone down enough in three days for a long legged warrior to barely touch the ground. Cherrykit bounced over and sniffed the fish, wrinkling her black nose.
"It smells yucky!" She complained. "I want a fresh mouse or a vole! Not crowfood!" Spiderheart dipped his head to her apologetically.
"Cherrykit! You'll be lucky if you even get a small bite of it. Now apologize to Spiderheart. He worked really hard to find something for us to eat. You should be thankful." Nettleleap snapped. His kit lower her head and tail, upset that her father scolded her. "I'm sorry, she's still learning." The grey warrior gave his kit a long hard look.
"I'm sorry." Cherrykit squeaked, pressing close to her father.
"It's fine. I'd like a warm mouse myself." The older tom sighed.
"I'm starving!" Rainpaw yowled. The tom strutted over to the fish and leaned his head down to take a bite before Batstar grabbed the back of his neck.
"Hold on. You know kits, queens, and elders eat first. Just because the camp is destroyed doesn't mean you can do what you want. Go ahead and take a bite Cherrykit. Spiderheart can have the next bite sense he's the only one who can get off High Hill." The black she-cat ordered. While the others gathered around the fish Shrewpaw approached her. "Shouldn't you be eating? As medicine cat you're going to need more food than others." She mewed.
"No. Because I don't have any herbs, I'm less useful than the others. At least they can hunt and fight. I wanted to talk to you about something." Shrewpaw meowed. "As soon as possible I want to go to the Moonstone and talk to Starclan about what to do next."
The black she-cat had an uneasy look in her eyes but agreed. "As long as someone else going with you. We don't need our medicine cat winding up dead."
Shrewpaw stared at Batstar for a few heartbeats before nodding. "Understood. I'll ask Nettleleap to go with me. I'm sure Goldenmask will watch over Cherrykit for him." After that, Shrewpaw padded over to check Dustpaw for wounds. The dark tom protested but stopped arguing after Sorrelclaw lectured him about health safety.
Thicketpaw had calmed down a lot but was staring at the water hoping to find any others who survived. The tom was shivering from the cold winds that blew and caused waves in the river. He have wondered off from the others on the other side of the Hill. He didn't care much to be around cats that he didn't know well. The tuxedo started coughing up light red blood violently into the water. "Oh no..." Panic thumped in his ribcage. "Oh no no no no" his breathing quickened and he splashed the water with a white paw, hoping to get rid of the evidence before his clanmates found out and kicked him off the hill for being sick. "Not again..."
"Thicketpaw? What are you doing over here?" A black tom padded up and the anxious Thicketpaw froze up, his shoulders stiffing.
"Just enjoying the sight." He mewed in a panic.
"Uh huh." Dustpaw said suspicious. "That's a really good view of the mud and water." He said sarcastically. He sat down next to his denmate. "What's really going on?"
"It's nothing." Thicketpaw mewed. Another coughing fit hit and more blood poured from his throat.
"Whoa Thicketpaw, that doesn't look good at all." Dustpaw's eyes widened.
"You can't tell anyone. Please, I don't want them to get rid of me because of this." The other tom begged.
"How long has this been going on? How long have you been sick?"
"Most of my life." Thicketpaw hesitated. "I can't help it. Please don't say anything." His eyes pleaded to the black apprentice.
"Fine. I'll keep your secret. But I might ask for a favor later on."
"That's fine. Thank you." Thicketpaw sighed, relieved.
"Well, you better get back to the others, they're looking for you." Dustpaw mewed. "I'll be right behind you." Thicketpaw nodded and padded away. After a few heartbeats of looking at the bloodied water, Dustpaw followed.
"This is the only prey I could find. I'm so sorry everyone." Spiderheart said disappointed as he dropped a day old fish onto the muddy hill. The flood had gone down enough in three days for a long legged warrior to barely touch the ground. Cherrykit bounced over and sniffed the fish, wrinkling her black nose.
"It smells yucky!" She complained. "I want a fresh mouse or a vole! Not crowfood!" Spiderheart dipped his head to her apologetically.
"Cherrykit! You'll be lucky if you even get a small bite of it. Now apologize to Spiderheart. He worked really hard to find something for us to eat. You should be thankful." Nettleleap snapped. His kit lower her head and tail, upset that her father scolded her. "I'm sorry, she's still learning." The grey warrior gave his kit a long hard look.
"I'm sorry." Cherrykit squeaked, pressing close to her father.
"It's fine. I'd like a warm mouse myself." The older tom sighed.
"I'm starving!" Rainpaw yowled. The tom strutted over to the fish and leaned his head down to take a bite before Batstar grabbed the back of his neck.
"Hold on. You know kits, queens, and elders eat first. Just because the camp is destroyed doesn't mean you can do what you want. Go ahead and take a bite Cherrykit. Spiderheart can have the next bite sense he's the only one who can get off High Hill." The black she-cat ordered. While the others gathered around the fish Shrewpaw approached her. "Shouldn't you be eating? As medicine cat you're going to need more food than others." She mewed.
"No. Because I don't have any herbs, I'm less useful than the others. At least they can hunt and fight. I wanted to talk to you about something." Shrewpaw meowed. "As soon as possible I want to go to the Moonstone and talk to Starclan about what to do next."
The black she-cat had an uneasy look in her eyes but agreed. "As long as someone else going with you. We don't need our medicine cat winding up dead."
Shrewpaw stared at Batstar for a few heartbeats before nodding. "Understood. I'll ask Nettleleap to go with me. I'm sure Goldenmask will watch over Cherrykit for him." After that, Shrewpaw padded over to check Dustpaw for wounds. The dark tom protested but stopped arguing after Sorrelclaw lectured him about health safety.
Thicketpaw had calmed down a lot but was staring at the water hoping to find any others who survived. The tom was shivering from the cold winds that blew and caused waves in the river. He have wondered off from the others on the other side of the Hill. He didn't care much to be around cats that he didn't know well. The tuxedo started coughing up light red blood violently into the water. "Oh no..." Panic thumped in his ribcage. "Oh no no no no" his breathing quickened and he splashed the water with a white paw, hoping to get rid of the evidence before his clanmates found out and kicked him off the hill for being sick. "Not again..."
"Thicketpaw? What are you doing over here?" A black tom padded up and the anxious Thicketpaw froze up, his shoulders stiffing.
"Just enjoying the sight." He mewed in a panic.
"Uh huh." Dustpaw said suspicious. "That's a really good view of the mud and water." He said sarcastically. He sat down next to his denmate. "What's really going on?"
"It's nothing." Thicketpaw mewed. Another coughing fit hit and more blood poured from his throat.
"Whoa Thicketpaw, that doesn't look good at all." Dustpaw's eyes widened.
"You can't tell anyone. Please, I don't want them to get rid of me because of this." The other tom begged.
"How long has this been going on? How long have you been sick?"
"Most of my life." Thicketpaw hesitated. "I can't help it. Please don't say anything." His eyes pleaded to the black apprentice.
"Fine. I'll keep your secret. But I might ask for a favor later on."
"That's fine. Thank you." Thicketpaw sighed, relieved.
"Well, you better get back to the others, they're looking for you." Dustpaw mewed. "I'll be right behind you." Thicketpaw nodded and padded away. After a few heartbeats of looking at the bloodied water, Dustpaw followed.
[Chapter three]
"Stop squirming! You're more difficult than Rainpaw was when he was a kit" The gold she-cat ran her tongue through Cherrykit's muddy fur, licking chunks of dirt and mini branches out. "With how dirty you are we might as well throw you in the river." Cherrykit's eyes widened and glanced at her father.
"You wouldn't let her do that to me, would you Nettleleap?" Cherrykit mewed, her eyes full of worry.
"Only if you don't stop wiggling and let Goldenmask clean you up peacefully. She's doing you a big favor." Nettleleap leaned down and licked her on the head lovingly.
"Okay." Cherrykit sighed defeated. She curled her tail around her paws and sat still, resisting the urge to struggle. Goldenmask blinked gratefully at the grey tom and purred.
"Let's get you cleaned up then" she purred, continuing to rasp her tongue over the she-cat's grey pelt.
A ginger tom strolled up to Nettleleap, his tail waving impatiently. "Ready to go? I want to get there by moon high." Nettleleap turned his head to look back at the two she-cat's and purred.
"Yep. All set." He mewed, getting up after laying next to Goldenmask and Cherrykit. "Ready when you are."
"Be careful out there! Don't you dare drown or I'll have to go to Starclan myself and give you an ear full." The she-cat yowled.
"You can't go to Starclan too. Who'd watch over Cherrykit while I'm gone?" Nettleleap snorted. He flicked his tail a single time as a goodbye.
Shrewpaw and Nettleleap plopped into the cold water and began paddling.
"Why haven't you said anything about Tinykit? Doesn't it bother you?" The ginger apprentice asked, only his head above the water.
"Of course it bothers me. He was my kit after all. It's just that the clan can't afford to grieve right now and neither can I." The grey warrior looked straight forward while he talked and swam. "I'll mourn for him when we all can take a break." Shrewpaw nodded and remained silent until they reached the Moonstone.
"I'll be right back. Just watch the entrance while I'm in there." Shrewpaw ordered. Nettleleap just nodded in agreement and stood near the entrance, waving his tail. Shrewpaw swam to the entrance, the cave almost flooded. When he reached the place the stone was supposed to be, moonlight illuminated the dark cave, making the water glow silver. The white stone glowed underneath the river water all the way at the bottom. Taking a deep breath, Shrewpaw dived in the water and swam to the stone. He started to wish he asked Nettleleap to come with in case he drowned, but it was too late. He needed to talk to Starclan as soon as possible. His lungs begged him to exhale the air trapped inside him. He touched his nose to the stone and closed his eyes, entering the starry word he knew well. Lush meadows and mice scurried across the land, nibbling small poppyseeds. Soon, a well groomed black tom entered his sight.
"Frostedweb. I need to know what to do next. How are we going to rebuild the clans with little cats left?" Shrewpaw asked.
"There is nothing we can do and there is no time to argue. You're going to drown if you stay here. Shrewpaw, I apologise that I can't give you a proper naming ceremony but I must be quick. Shrewpaw, I give you you're new name. Shrewlight. Work hard and give hope to your clan. You will know what to do, as well as all of your clanmates."
"How will I give hope when I have to tell them that even Starclan doesn't know what to do?" His chest ached and the pain grew more every heartbeat.
"There's no time Shrewlight. I must go." Frostedweb's starry body started to fade.
"No! Wait!" He yowled. Soon enough, light entered his eyes and water spewed from his body. His blurry vision corrected itself and Nettleleap came into focus.
"Shrewpaw, what were you thinking? You nearly died you mousebrain!" He growled. "What would I have told Batstar?"
"I'm fine. Don't fuss over me." The ginger tom looked around at his surroundings. The only dry area near them was a drifting log Nettleleap dragged him onto while Shrewlight was knocked out. "Frostedweb gave me my medicine cat name. I'm Shrewlight now." He informed him.
"Well congratulations." Nettleleap said, still irritated. "Stay on there. I'll push you to camp." Shrewlight nodded. He was too exhausted to even argue as the grey tom nosed the flouting log back to the hill.
"Stop squirming! You're more difficult than Rainpaw was when he was a kit" The gold she-cat ran her tongue through Cherrykit's muddy fur, licking chunks of dirt and mini branches out. "With how dirty you are we might as well throw you in the river." Cherrykit's eyes widened and glanced at her father.
"You wouldn't let her do that to me, would you Nettleleap?" Cherrykit mewed, her eyes full of worry.
"Only if you don't stop wiggling and let Goldenmask clean you up peacefully. She's doing you a big favor." Nettleleap leaned down and licked her on the head lovingly.
"Okay." Cherrykit sighed defeated. She curled her tail around her paws and sat still, resisting the urge to struggle. Goldenmask blinked gratefully at the grey tom and purred.
"Let's get you cleaned up then" she purred, continuing to rasp her tongue over the she-cat's grey pelt.
A ginger tom strolled up to Nettleleap, his tail waving impatiently. "Ready to go? I want to get there by moon high." Nettleleap turned his head to look back at the two she-cat's and purred.
"Yep. All set." He mewed, getting up after laying next to Goldenmask and Cherrykit. "Ready when you are."
"Be careful out there! Don't you dare drown or I'll have to go to Starclan myself and give you an ear full." The she-cat yowled.
"You can't go to Starclan too. Who'd watch over Cherrykit while I'm gone?" Nettleleap snorted. He flicked his tail a single time as a goodbye.
Shrewpaw and Nettleleap plopped into the cold water and began paddling.
"Why haven't you said anything about Tinykit? Doesn't it bother you?" The ginger apprentice asked, only his head above the water.
"Of course it bothers me. He was my kit after all. It's just that the clan can't afford to grieve right now and neither can I." The grey warrior looked straight forward while he talked and swam. "I'll mourn for him when we all can take a break." Shrewpaw nodded and remained silent until they reached the Moonstone.
"I'll be right back. Just watch the entrance while I'm in there." Shrewpaw ordered. Nettleleap just nodded in agreement and stood near the entrance, waving his tail. Shrewpaw swam to the entrance, the cave almost flooded. When he reached the place the stone was supposed to be, moonlight illuminated the dark cave, making the water glow silver. The white stone glowed underneath the river water all the way at the bottom. Taking a deep breath, Shrewpaw dived in the water and swam to the stone. He started to wish he asked Nettleleap to come with in case he drowned, but it was too late. He needed to talk to Starclan as soon as possible. His lungs begged him to exhale the air trapped inside him. He touched his nose to the stone and closed his eyes, entering the starry word he knew well. Lush meadows and mice scurried across the land, nibbling small poppyseeds. Soon, a well groomed black tom entered his sight.
"Frostedweb. I need to know what to do next. How are we going to rebuild the clans with little cats left?" Shrewpaw asked.
"There is nothing we can do and there is no time to argue. You're going to drown if you stay here. Shrewpaw, I apologise that I can't give you a proper naming ceremony but I must be quick. Shrewpaw, I give you you're new name. Shrewlight. Work hard and give hope to your clan. You will know what to do, as well as all of your clanmates."
"How will I give hope when I have to tell them that even Starclan doesn't know what to do?" His chest ached and the pain grew more every heartbeat.
"There's no time Shrewlight. I must go." Frostedweb's starry body started to fade.
"No! Wait!" He yowled. Soon enough, light entered his eyes and water spewed from his body. His blurry vision corrected itself and Nettleleap came into focus.
"Shrewpaw, what were you thinking? You nearly died you mousebrain!" He growled. "What would I have told Batstar?"
"I'm fine. Don't fuss over me." The ginger tom looked around at his surroundings. The only dry area near them was a drifting log Nettleleap dragged him onto while Shrewlight was knocked out. "Frostedweb gave me my medicine cat name. I'm Shrewlight now." He informed him.
"Well congratulations." Nettleleap said, still irritated. "Stay on there. I'll push you to camp." Shrewlight nodded. He was too exhausted to even argue as the grey tom nosed the flouting log back to the hill.
[Chapter four]
"What did they say? Did they tell you how to rebuild or did they say we have to find a new place to live?" Batstar asked eagerly when the toms came back from their trip. Shrewlight jumped off the log he was laying on and Nettleleap emerged from the water, his gray pelt sticking to his muscular frame.
"They didn't say anything useful. Just told me that we'd know what to do. I didn't get enough time to ask more questions. The cave was flooded with river water and the stone was at the very bottom." Shrewlight said frustrated. "Frostedweb said to keep hope and then gave me my medicine cat name, Shrewlight." Batstar's tail began to droop when she heard the news.
"So we're on our own then. Even Starclan can't help us." She said disappointed.
"Remember, Starclan can't physically help us. They can only guide us the best they can but it's up to us what we choose to do. Right now they're just as distressed as us." Shrewlight told her.
"Well, in that case I say let's wait until the water goes all the way down and see the damage. If it's unlivable we'll have to leave. But for now this hill is our home. We need to make it more suitable to live. I'll ask Sorrelclaw to keep an eye out for any floating brambles that got dislodged from the ground." Batstar said, thinking out loud.
"Did I hear my name?" A ginger she-cat padded up.
"Yeah. Could you keep your eyes out for brambles or anything to make dens? Oh, and tell Spiderheart to try to find some more prey. Anything helps." The she-cat ordered.
"On it!" Sorrelclaw looked around for Spiderheart and headed over to the tom who was chatting with his son Dustpaw about hunting skills. "Spiderheart, Batstar wants you to go out hunting. She said anything would help." She pressed her muzzle close to his ear. "Be sure to try to get a lot. I think we might have more mouths to feed soon." Dustpaw glared at the she-cat, displeased with her closeness to his father. "Now get going! The clan isn't going to feed itself!"She tapped his white and grey ear with a paw and left to search for brambles.
"Dustpaw, do you want to go hunting with me?" Spiderheart asked. "You can't slack on your training anyways." Before Dustpaw could could say a thing Batstar, overhearing the conversation, stomped over to the two toms.
"He's not a good enough swimmer to go with you Spiderheart. He can't go." She mewed. Spiderheart narrowed his eyes at her.
"Then he needs practice. He can't stay on the hill forever. What if something happens and he needs to leave? Besides, I'll be with him. Even if he starts drowning I'll be there to get him. He's not a kit anymore Batstar, he's almost a warrior." He lashed his tail. "In fact, I think all apprentices should learn how to swim. You should consider that." He looked over at Dustpaw, who looked uncomfortable and upset now, and waved his tail. "Come on, let's go hunt."
"Dustpaw, don't you dare." The black she-cat ordered. Dustpaw hesitated but followed his father. He gave her an apologetic glance and then got in the water.
"Unbelievable." She scoffed. "That stupid tom is so stubborn and ignorant. One day he's going to get himself killed."
"Don't be so hard on him. It's hard for a parent to raise a kit without being with the mother." Sorrelclaw mewed, laying her long ginger tail on her shoulder.
"It's hard for me too Sorrelclaw. Dustpaw won't listen to me." She sighed. She was at least thankful that her friend came to comfort her. Sorrelclaw nodded, understanding.
"Kits tend to follow their father. I had some trouble with Shrewpaw for awhile. I'm still not his favorite cat."
"He actually got his medicine cat name today. It's Shrewlight now." Batstar told her.
"See? He won't tell me anything." Sorrelclaw mewed, looking over at her son who was sharing a drowned mouse with Rainpaw that Spiderheart had caught earlier that day.
"Well, no offense, but you are pining for a tom who's not his father so I can kind of understand why he's upset with you." Batstar commented.
"Yeah. I guess you're right." Her eyes glistened with sadness. "I'm just glad you aren't upset that I find Spiderheart so handsome." Her leader shrugged.
"As long as my best friend is happy, I'm happy too." She purred and nuzzles her face.
"I'm glad someone wants me to be happy." Sorrelclaw smiled and flicked Batstar's ear. "I'm going to get back to my duties. I'll talk to you later." She left Batstar to herself.
"How's my little kit?" Nettleleap purred. "Were you good for Goldenmask?"
"She was fine." Goldenmask looked up at the tom while her body was curled around Cherrykit. "She mostly slept while you were gone."
"That's great." He grinned. "Thank you so much for watching her."
"No problem at all. I'd be happy to watch her anytime. I missed taking care of kits after Rainpaw became an apprentice so this was nice." Nettleleap was about to open his mouth when a rumbling sound started up. Soon the ground started to shake and the water started to lap at the bottom of the hill. The shaking became more violent and chunks of the earth fell into the water, making it rise. Goldenmask grabbed Cherrykit's scruff and ran to the higher part of the hill along with the others. Thicketpaw's chest tightened and dug his claws in the dirt.
"Spiderheart and Dustpaw are out there!" Batstar screeched. The roar of the earth and water drowned out her worried yowls. Already loose trees toppled over into the what now looked like a lake. The earthquake was less intense than before but strong enough to cause enough dangerous things to kill the clan members. Out of instincts, most of the cats curled up in balls, trying to protect their heads. Nettleleap and Goldenmask laid on top of Cherrykit and Rainpaw. Sorrelclaw covered Shrewlight. The shaking subsided and Batstar poked her head up slowly and carefully.
"Starclan,let them be alright out there." Batstar whispered, regretting that what might of been her last conversation with them ended as an argument.
"What did they say? Did they tell you how to rebuild or did they say we have to find a new place to live?" Batstar asked eagerly when the toms came back from their trip. Shrewlight jumped off the log he was laying on and Nettleleap emerged from the water, his gray pelt sticking to his muscular frame.
"They didn't say anything useful. Just told me that we'd know what to do. I didn't get enough time to ask more questions. The cave was flooded with river water and the stone was at the very bottom." Shrewlight said frustrated. "Frostedweb said to keep hope and then gave me my medicine cat name, Shrewlight." Batstar's tail began to droop when she heard the news.
"So we're on our own then. Even Starclan can't help us." She said disappointed.
"Remember, Starclan can't physically help us. They can only guide us the best they can but it's up to us what we choose to do. Right now they're just as distressed as us." Shrewlight told her.
"Well, in that case I say let's wait until the water goes all the way down and see the damage. If it's unlivable we'll have to leave. But for now this hill is our home. We need to make it more suitable to live. I'll ask Sorrelclaw to keep an eye out for any floating brambles that got dislodged from the ground." Batstar said, thinking out loud.
"Did I hear my name?" A ginger she-cat padded up.
"Yeah. Could you keep your eyes out for brambles or anything to make dens? Oh, and tell Spiderheart to try to find some more prey. Anything helps." The she-cat ordered.
"On it!" Sorrelclaw looked around for Spiderheart and headed over to the tom who was chatting with his son Dustpaw about hunting skills. "Spiderheart, Batstar wants you to go out hunting. She said anything would help." She pressed her muzzle close to his ear. "Be sure to try to get a lot. I think we might have more mouths to feed soon." Dustpaw glared at the she-cat, displeased with her closeness to his father. "Now get going! The clan isn't going to feed itself!"She tapped his white and grey ear with a paw and left to search for brambles.
"Dustpaw, do you want to go hunting with me?" Spiderheart asked. "You can't slack on your training anyways." Before Dustpaw could could say a thing Batstar, overhearing the conversation, stomped over to the two toms.
"He's not a good enough swimmer to go with you Spiderheart. He can't go." She mewed. Spiderheart narrowed his eyes at her.
"Then he needs practice. He can't stay on the hill forever. What if something happens and he needs to leave? Besides, I'll be with him. Even if he starts drowning I'll be there to get him. He's not a kit anymore Batstar, he's almost a warrior." He lashed his tail. "In fact, I think all apprentices should learn how to swim. You should consider that." He looked over at Dustpaw, who looked uncomfortable and upset now, and waved his tail. "Come on, let's go hunt."
"Dustpaw, don't you dare." The black she-cat ordered. Dustpaw hesitated but followed his father. He gave her an apologetic glance and then got in the water.
"Unbelievable." She scoffed. "That stupid tom is so stubborn and ignorant. One day he's going to get himself killed."
"Don't be so hard on him. It's hard for a parent to raise a kit without being with the mother." Sorrelclaw mewed, laying her long ginger tail on her shoulder.
"It's hard for me too Sorrelclaw. Dustpaw won't listen to me." She sighed. She was at least thankful that her friend came to comfort her. Sorrelclaw nodded, understanding.
"Kits tend to follow their father. I had some trouble with Shrewpaw for awhile. I'm still not his favorite cat."
"He actually got his medicine cat name today. It's Shrewlight now." Batstar told her.
"See? He won't tell me anything." Sorrelclaw mewed, looking over at her son who was sharing a drowned mouse with Rainpaw that Spiderheart had caught earlier that day.
"Well, no offense, but you are pining for a tom who's not his father so I can kind of understand why he's upset with you." Batstar commented.
"Yeah. I guess you're right." Her eyes glistened with sadness. "I'm just glad you aren't upset that I find Spiderheart so handsome." Her leader shrugged.
"As long as my best friend is happy, I'm happy too." She purred and nuzzles her face.
"I'm glad someone wants me to be happy." Sorrelclaw smiled and flicked Batstar's ear. "I'm going to get back to my duties. I'll talk to you later." She left Batstar to herself.
"How's my little kit?" Nettleleap purred. "Were you good for Goldenmask?"
"She was fine." Goldenmask looked up at the tom while her body was curled around Cherrykit. "She mostly slept while you were gone."
"That's great." He grinned. "Thank you so much for watching her."
"No problem at all. I'd be happy to watch her anytime. I missed taking care of kits after Rainpaw became an apprentice so this was nice." Nettleleap was about to open his mouth when a rumbling sound started up. Soon the ground started to shake and the water started to lap at the bottom of the hill. The shaking became more violent and chunks of the earth fell into the water, making it rise. Goldenmask grabbed Cherrykit's scruff and ran to the higher part of the hill along with the others. Thicketpaw's chest tightened and dug his claws in the dirt.
"Spiderheart and Dustpaw are out there!" Batstar screeched. The roar of the earth and water drowned out her worried yowls. Already loose trees toppled over into the what now looked like a lake. The earthquake was less intense than before but strong enough to cause enough dangerous things to kill the clan members. Out of instincts, most of the cats curled up in balls, trying to protect their heads. Nettleleap and Goldenmask laid on top of Cherrykit and Rainpaw. Sorrelclaw covered Shrewlight. The shaking subsided and Batstar poked her head up slowly and carefully.
"Starclan,let them be alright out there." Batstar whispered, regretting that what might of been her last conversation with them ended as an argument.
[Chapter five]
Water crashed over the black tom and filled his mouth. The current tossed him around like a piece of prey, bumping him into rocks and fallen trees. He felt his front paw hit a ragged boulder hard enough to snap some of his bones. He winced at the pain, too out of it to really feel it. He knew he was losing consciousness and would most likely drown. He was so far under the water he couldn't tell if he had closed his eyes or not. Soon, no thoughts entered his mind. He had passed out under the river. Teeth gripped his scruff and dragged him onto stone.
"Dustpaw! Come on." Spiderheart pried open Dustpaw's jaws and pushed on his stomach with a paw. Water flew from the young tom's throat along with a nasty cough.
Water crashed over the black tom and filled his mouth. The current tossed him around like a piece of prey, bumping him into rocks and fallen trees. He felt his front paw hit a ragged boulder hard enough to snap some of his bones. He winced at the pain, too out of it to really feel it. He knew he was losing consciousness and would most likely drown. He was so far under the water he couldn't tell if he had closed his eyes or not. Soon, no thoughts entered his mind. He had passed out under the river. Teeth gripped his scruff and dragged him onto stone.
"Dustpaw! Come on." Spiderheart pried open Dustpaw's jaws and pushed on his stomach with a paw. Water flew from the young tom's throat along with a nasty cough.
"Starclan?" Dustpaw looked around confused. His vision still blurry and pain surrounding his eye, paw and stomach. Only the left side of his sight returned. He looked up at his father who looked at him with horror. One of his eyes were lost in the river. Most likely ripped out by a branch. "Spiderheart..." He looked down at his paw which was almost twisted completely backwards. "I can't see from my right eye." His body shook with realization that he was mutilated.
"It's okay. It'll be okay." Spiderheart mewed, trying to comfort Dustpaw as well as himself. "It's okay." His voice had a sort of whimper to it. He curled around him and licked the top of his head.
"I'm blind. Spiderheart I'm blind!" Dustpaw cried. The tom tried standing up only to topple over onto the hard stone ground. His twisted paw making it hard to get up off the ground. Pride bruised and shock setting in, he curled up in a ball on the ground, laying his tail over his face. The grey and white tom stood in place, not knowing what to do. He looked around his surroundings for the first time. Around them was a large cave with plenty of space and a small river that trickled from a small crack in the wall. At the edge of the cave gravel piled up, making it possible to get to the somewhat high up cave. Below that was land similar to Highclan territory before the earthquakes had happened. Green meadows with many oak trees close by. His eyes widened as he realized what he had found.
"I think I found our new home." He whispered to himself. He padded over to his injured kit and leaned down. "We need to go back now." He mewed. "Shrewlight will get your injuries looked at." Spiderheart mewed. Dustpaw didn't move or say a word. He was too shocked or hurt to respond to the older tom which meant he was too shocked to move. Spiderheart picked him up by the scruff like he would do when he was a kit. He was a lot heavier now that the adrenaline has worn off. With Dustpaw in his jaws, Spiderheart made his way down the gravel hill slowly and made it to the oak trees where he remembered the river being. "If I just follow the river, It should get us back home." Spiderheart told himself. "And the more flooded the place, the closer Highclan should be." His tail drooped as he realized the area he stood in was completely dry besides the river. "We're a long way from home."
-----------
"We can't risk sending more cats out there. It's too dangerous." Nettleleap argued. "If we send a search party for Dustpaw and Spiderheart, more of us might end up lost or dead just like them."
"We can't leave clanmates behind." Batstar hissed. "What if that was you out there? Would you want us to leave you?"
"Yes Batstar. I wouldn't want my clanmates to risk their lives to look for me when I'm most likely dead." He said calmly. "I'd want them to be safe."
The black she-cat growled at him and turned away, stomping over to the edge of the hill where water met earth and flopped over on her side, her tail thumping the ground irritated. Sorrelclaw padded over quickly as if she might scare a mouse. "I know how you feel Batstar. I want them back too." The she-cat sat down. Her growing belly making it hard to get comfortable. "But Nettleleap is right."
"I know he is." Batstar sighed. "But it hurts to admit I have to give up looking when I haven't even started." Sorrelclaw gave her friend an empathetic look and laid her tail across her.
"Don't give up hope. Spiderheart is a strong and determined tom. I'm sure he'll find a way to get Dustpaw and himself back home safely. But for now, you have a clan to care for. Soon everyone is going to start thinking that Nettleleap is the leader."
"Maybe he should be. Or at least deputy." Batstar mewed. "With Otterfall dead, the clan is without a deputy. I was going to ask Spiderheart but I don't even know if he's alive. Maybe it's time to give hope to the clan." She looked up at Sorrelclaw. "Maybe a new deputy and a few new warriors will help that." She stood up and nodded as a thank you to Sorrelclaw. She made her way to the large log she had decided to make the leader's den and the gathering place. "All cats gather around!" She yowled. Rainpaw turned his head away from Cherrykit who he had been playing moss ball with.
"I'll come back and play with you some more after the gathering" Rainpaw mewed, giving her a friendly wink before rushing over to the others. Thicketpaw and Shrewlight came out of the brambles Sorrelclaw had found that had became the medicine cat den.
"Remember, if it happens again let me know." Shrewlight whispered to the black and white tom and joined Rainpaw and began chatting about what the meeting might be about.
"It's about time to make a few apprentices into warriors. Rainpaw, Thicketpaw, come here." Batstar purred. Rainpaw's eyes glistened with excitement while Thicketpaw's were filled with surprise. The two toms made there way up the log next to the she-cat. "You two have proven yourselves worthy of your warrior names. You have survived things only a few have and had stayed strong enough to help rebuild the clan. Rainpaw." She looked at the golden tom with pride. "Your warrior name is Rainstrike." The crowd cheered his name. "And Thicketpaw, you'll be known as Thicketstorm." Again, the crowd cheered his named. Before Rainstrike and Thicketstorm could leave, Batstar opened his mouth. "I also have decided on a deputy." The clan looked at one another, wondering who it could be. "Nettleleap, I'd like you to be Highclan's deputy. You have proven that you have leadership qualities that this clan needs. Will you be my deputy?" Nettleleap looked nervously at Goldenmask. The she-cat whispered in his ear and the nervous look went away.
"I agree to be your deputy Batstar." Nettleleap mewed, his chest puffed out and standing straight. Goldenmask purred and licked his cheek before yowling the three toms names.
"Rainstrike! Thicketstorm! Nettleleap!" The clan repeated. Hope and pride in all there voices. Even though this was a happy occasion, Batstar still felt empty knowing Dustpaw and Spiderheart were supposed to be up there with her instead of Nettleleap.
[Chapter six]
"Thicketstorm, Rainstrike, I'd like you two to build the nursery a bit more. Sorrelclaw's kits will be here any day now and I want her to be comfortable." The newly made deputy told them. Rainstrike joined Thicketstorm as he dragged a large bramble they fished out of the water up the hill.
"Dustpaw and Spiderheart have been gone for awhile haven't they?" Rainstrike asked his denmate. "I'm surprised Batstar backed down so quickly." Thicketstorm shrugged.
"She can't risk the rest of the clan to search for them." He replied, more focused on weaving the bramble together with others. "By the way, what do you think of Nettleleap?" Thicketstorm asked the gold tom.
"Well so far he's a good deputy. The clan will be rebuilt here soon and we even have a small freshkill pile." Rainstrike said thoughtfully. "Although he's a bit too protective of Cherrykit. He told me he doesn't want me to get too close to her." He snorted. "As if I'd see her as a possible mate."
"Yeah, he's a bit too overprotective sometimes. But then again it's understandable." He mewed. "Losing your mate that quickly to green cough." Thicketstorm paused for a heartbeat. "My guess is he's afraid the same thing will happen to Cherrykit."
"Doesn't mean he could control her life." Rainstrike rolled his eyes. "Kits have to grow up sometime." Just as if they had called for her, the light grey she-cat ran up to the two toms. "Have you grown in the past night? You'll be as big as Thicketstorm soon enough." Rainstrike stated.
"Mhmm. Nettleleap says I'll be as big as my mother." Cherrykit mewed. "You promised you'd play with me today." She told him, looking serious.
"I can't. After this Nettleleap told me to hunt." He said sadly. "I'm really sorry Cherrykit. I'll make it up to you later."
"I can play with you if you'd like." Thicketstorm told her simply. "Or I could show you some fighting moves." The she-cat's eyes widened in excitement and nodded. "Alright. Let me get this last bramble up and I'll start playing with you."
"You go ahead. I'll get the last one." Rainstrike told him. Thicketstorm thanked him and left with Cherrykit bouncing behind him. Thicketstorm purred softly at the she-cat's energy. The clan had seemed so gloomy lately and seeing a cat so excited and happy made his day. He walked to a spot on the hill that was soft with moss. He was sure either Batstar or Nettleleap would make this into a training hollow soon.
"Okay. First I want to see your pounce." Thicketstorm told her. "Pretend I'm a fox attacking the clan." He was about to crouch down but instead, he started coughing violently. Blood splattered the ground as he coughed. Cherrykit looked at him with extreme worry in her eyes.
"Thicketstorm?" She asked him. "Do I need to get Shrewlight?" Her voice was nearly drowned out by his coughing.
"No. I'm fine." He wheezed, trying not to cough. "I'm sorry. You didn't need to see that." Cherrykit curled around him, trying to comfort the sick tom. "Dont tell anyone about this please."
"Of course not." Cherrykit promised quitely.
"Sorrelclaw's having her kits!" Goldenmask yowled from the nursery. "Someone get Shrewlight." Rainstrike dropped the rest of the bramble and sprinted to the medicine cat den and alerted Shrewlight. The tom hurried to the nursery with a mouthful of herbs.
"Goldenmask, soak some moss and come back here." He told her when he arrived at the den. He made the ginger she-cat swallow a mixture of herbs and felt her stomach to find the kits. Goldenmask came back with the moss. When she came back, two tiny she-cat's laid by Sorrelclaw's side.
"Excuse me." Batstar squeeze by Goldenmask. "How's she doing?" The leader asked Shrewlight.
"She's fine. But she's going to be here awhile. I suggest leaving and giving her space." He told her. The two she-cat's looked unsure but left the nursery.
"How many do you think there will be?" Goldenmask asked the leader. "He said she'd be there for awhile."
"I'd say at least four." Batstar guessed. "Her belly was pretty big with kits." By noon, six little kits laid by the new mother's tummy, hungry for milk. Four toms and two she-cats.
"Batstar, Sorrelclaw wants to see you." Shrewlight told her before heading to the medicine cat den. Batstar thanked him and hurried to she friend's side. Her eyes widened as she saw the little kits all by her.
"Six kits!" Batstar mewed in surprise. "Sorrelclaw, they're wonderful!" She purred. Sorrelclaw nodded, exhausted.
"I wish Spiderheart were here to see them." She mewed. Before Batstar could say anything, Sorrelclaw pointed to a white and grey she-cat that looked like Spiderheart. "That's Webkit. And the ginger and grey tom is Firekit." She looked over at a dark grey tom who was crawling over Firekit. "That's Hillkit. And his identical brother is Highkit. The pure white tom is Purekit." The last kit was a ginger tabby with a bobbed tail. "And that's Dovekit." She named the last she-cat.
"They're lovely." Batstar mewed. "Spiderheart would love them."
"Thicketstorm, Rainstrike, I'd like you two to build the nursery a bit more. Sorrelclaw's kits will be here any day now and I want her to be comfortable." The newly made deputy told them. Rainstrike joined Thicketstorm as he dragged a large bramble they fished out of the water up the hill.
"Dustpaw and Spiderheart have been gone for awhile haven't they?" Rainstrike asked his denmate. "I'm surprised Batstar backed down so quickly." Thicketstorm shrugged.
"She can't risk the rest of the clan to search for them." He replied, more focused on weaving the bramble together with others. "By the way, what do you think of Nettleleap?" Thicketstorm asked the gold tom.
"Well so far he's a good deputy. The clan will be rebuilt here soon and we even have a small freshkill pile." Rainstrike said thoughtfully. "Although he's a bit too protective of Cherrykit. He told me he doesn't want me to get too close to her." He snorted. "As if I'd see her as a possible mate."
"Yeah, he's a bit too overprotective sometimes. But then again it's understandable." He mewed. "Losing your mate that quickly to green cough." Thicketstorm paused for a heartbeat. "My guess is he's afraid the same thing will happen to Cherrykit."
"Doesn't mean he could control her life." Rainstrike rolled his eyes. "Kits have to grow up sometime." Just as if they had called for her, the light grey she-cat ran up to the two toms. "Have you grown in the past night? You'll be as big as Thicketstorm soon enough." Rainstrike stated.
"Mhmm. Nettleleap says I'll be as big as my mother." Cherrykit mewed. "You promised you'd play with me today." She told him, looking serious.
"I can't. After this Nettleleap told me to hunt." He said sadly. "I'm really sorry Cherrykit. I'll make it up to you later."
"I can play with you if you'd like." Thicketstorm told her simply. "Or I could show you some fighting moves." The she-cat's eyes widened in excitement and nodded. "Alright. Let me get this last bramble up and I'll start playing with you."
"You go ahead. I'll get the last one." Rainstrike told him. Thicketstorm thanked him and left with Cherrykit bouncing behind him. Thicketstorm purred softly at the she-cat's energy. The clan had seemed so gloomy lately and seeing a cat so excited and happy made his day. He walked to a spot on the hill that was soft with moss. He was sure either Batstar or Nettleleap would make this into a training hollow soon.
"Okay. First I want to see your pounce." Thicketstorm told her. "Pretend I'm a fox attacking the clan." He was about to crouch down but instead, he started coughing violently. Blood splattered the ground as he coughed. Cherrykit looked at him with extreme worry in her eyes.
"Thicketstorm?" She asked him. "Do I need to get Shrewlight?" Her voice was nearly drowned out by his coughing.
"No. I'm fine." He wheezed, trying not to cough. "I'm sorry. You didn't need to see that." Cherrykit curled around him, trying to comfort the sick tom. "Dont tell anyone about this please."
"Of course not." Cherrykit promised quitely.
"Sorrelclaw's having her kits!" Goldenmask yowled from the nursery. "Someone get Shrewlight." Rainstrike dropped the rest of the bramble and sprinted to the medicine cat den and alerted Shrewlight. The tom hurried to the nursery with a mouthful of herbs.
"Goldenmask, soak some moss and come back here." He told her when he arrived at the den. He made the ginger she-cat swallow a mixture of herbs and felt her stomach to find the kits. Goldenmask came back with the moss. When she came back, two tiny she-cat's laid by Sorrelclaw's side.
"Excuse me." Batstar squeeze by Goldenmask. "How's she doing?" The leader asked Shrewlight.
"She's fine. But she's going to be here awhile. I suggest leaving and giving her space." He told her. The two she-cat's looked unsure but left the nursery.
"How many do you think there will be?" Goldenmask asked the leader. "He said she'd be there for awhile."
"I'd say at least four." Batstar guessed. "Her belly was pretty big with kits." By noon, six little kits laid by the new mother's tummy, hungry for milk. Four toms and two she-cats.
"Batstar, Sorrelclaw wants to see you." Shrewlight told her before heading to the medicine cat den. Batstar thanked him and hurried to she friend's side. Her eyes widened as she saw the little kits all by her.
"Six kits!" Batstar mewed in surprise. "Sorrelclaw, they're wonderful!" She purred. Sorrelclaw nodded, exhausted.
"I wish Spiderheart were here to see them." She mewed. Before Batstar could say anything, Sorrelclaw pointed to a white and grey she-cat that looked like Spiderheart. "That's Webkit. And the ginger and grey tom is Firekit." She looked over at a dark grey tom who was crawling over Firekit. "That's Hillkit. And his identical brother is Highkit. The pure white tom is Purekit." The last kit was a ginger tabby with a bobbed tail. "And that's Dovekit." She named the last she-cat.
"They're lovely." Batstar mewed. "Spiderheart would love them."
[Chapter seven]
"Are we almost there? It feels like we've been walking for moons." Dustpaw mewed. He had started to learn to walk on his twisted paw but was still careful, worried if he took his eye off the ground that he'd trip and injury himself even more. He wanted to get home as soon as possible so he could curl up in his nest and not have to see pain in his father's gaze every time he looked at him.
"We aren't even close." Spiderheart said frustrated at their speed. "I'd say maybe three or four sunrises before we get there. The river carried us a long way." The two toms walked in silence until a small white she-cat popped up from the holly bushes.
"Hey you two! You aren't supposed to be over here." She said, jumping down from the ledge into the bay of the river on the other side of the clan cats. "The river is flooded beyond here and the no-furs will be here soon to look at it with those big monsters they have." She told them. On edge, Spiderheart looked at her with his shoulders stiff and fur rising. "Hey, I'm only warning you fur ball. You don't have to get all defensive about it." She said in an annoyed tone, lashing her tail. "Most cats end up drowning down there you know. I might have saved your lives." She took a good look at the toms for the first time. The grey and white tom was larger than the black one. Both looked scruffy and beat up as well as stressed. "Have you two eaten at all lately?" Spiderheart was about to speak but Dustpaw beat him to it.
"We haven't eaten in days." He told her. His father gave him an angry look, not happy that he told a complete stranger that they were weak. The she-cat nodded slowly and parted her mouth to see if she could pick up prey sent.
"Stay right here. I'll be back with something to eat." She turned away and scrambled up the ledge again, disappearing into the bushes she came from.
"Let's get going before she comes back." Spiderheart mewed. He didn't want to waste time entertaining a rouge or kittypet when he could be getting closer to home. Dustpaw sat down, curling his tail over his paws.
"I want to wait until she gets back. She told us she's bringing back food and she might have some idea of what's going on with the ground and water." He argued. Spiderheart sighed but didn't argue with him.
"Okay, but I don't want to stay and chat for a long time alright?" The grey and white tom huffed. "Let's eat, ask questions, and leave." Dustpaw nodded in agreement. The two waited a few heartbeats until the fluffy she-cat with grey ears came back with a mouthful of a plump squirrel. The scent of it made Dustpaw drool. They hadn't had a decent meal for many days and their ribs were close to showing.
"Sorry that took so long." She apologized. "It almost got away from me." She hopped back down and crossed the river with ease over to them and dropped the freshkill. "Here. You two can have all of it. I can catch a mouse or something later." She sat, feeling proud of herself for helping cats in need.
"We can hunt ourselves." Spiderheart snapped while he had a mouthful of prey. "We didn't need you to get us food." The she-cat perked her ears up in surprise at the tom's rudeness.
"Sorry, he's not one to like outsiders." Dustpaw mewed, scarfing down his half and cleaning his whiskers with his non-twisted paw afterwards.
"It's fine I guess." She shrugged. "So why are you two so eager to travel down the river farther?" She asked. She didn't want to offend to tom by asking about his injuries. "It's dangerous down there. I heard a group of cats had died because all the trees collapsed and the river flooded. The ground still shakes there and the water still floods the land."
"We're trying to get back to those cats. At least what's left of them." Spiderheart mewed bluntly.
"We're part of their clan." Dustpaw added. "We want to bring them to a safer place." She nodded in understanding.
"Well, if you're heading there you're going the wrong way." She told them. "This is the wrong river."
"And how do you know that?" Spiderheart asked, irritated.
"I followed the river one day and came across a place that overlooked your clan. I use to actually watch them live and work together. It looked peaceful." She admitted. "I came back to that spot a few times." She looked away, feeling shy. "Anyways, if you want to get back you'd have to follow me through the no-furs tribe."
"I don't think we know you well enough to follow you." Spiderheart told her.
"Spiderheart, we need to do this to get back to camp." Dustpaw said impatiently. At least he knew where he got his attitude from, that wasn't a mystery.
"What if she's lying to us and this IS the right way to the clan?" He asked him.
"Why would she do that? What use would we be to her huh?" Dustpaw argued. "You can go that way but I rather not split up. I'm going with.." Dustpaw paused and looked at the she-cat
"My name is Lilly." She mewed.
"With Lilly" The black tom finished. "Now, are you coming with?" He asked his father.
"I guess I have to." Spiderheart replied, clearly not happy with his son's decision.
"Lilly, will you show us the way?" Dustpaw asked politely.
"Right this way." She purred. She was excited to finally go on another adventure. She bounced in excitement at the thought.
"Just letting you know, if this is a trick, I'm going to kill you." Spiderheart growled before joining the two younger cats.
"Are we almost there? It feels like we've been walking for moons." Dustpaw mewed. He had started to learn to walk on his twisted paw but was still careful, worried if he took his eye off the ground that he'd trip and injury himself even more. He wanted to get home as soon as possible so he could curl up in his nest and not have to see pain in his father's gaze every time he looked at him.
"We aren't even close." Spiderheart said frustrated at their speed. "I'd say maybe three or four sunrises before we get there. The river carried us a long way." The two toms walked in silence until a small white she-cat popped up from the holly bushes.
"Hey you two! You aren't supposed to be over here." She said, jumping down from the ledge into the bay of the river on the other side of the clan cats. "The river is flooded beyond here and the no-furs will be here soon to look at it with those big monsters they have." She told them. On edge, Spiderheart looked at her with his shoulders stiff and fur rising. "Hey, I'm only warning you fur ball. You don't have to get all defensive about it." She said in an annoyed tone, lashing her tail. "Most cats end up drowning down there you know. I might have saved your lives." She took a good look at the toms for the first time. The grey and white tom was larger than the black one. Both looked scruffy and beat up as well as stressed. "Have you two eaten at all lately?" Spiderheart was about to speak but Dustpaw beat him to it.
"We haven't eaten in days." He told her. His father gave him an angry look, not happy that he told a complete stranger that they were weak. The she-cat nodded slowly and parted her mouth to see if she could pick up prey sent.
"Stay right here. I'll be back with something to eat." She turned away and scrambled up the ledge again, disappearing into the bushes she came from.
"Let's get going before she comes back." Spiderheart mewed. He didn't want to waste time entertaining a rouge or kittypet when he could be getting closer to home. Dustpaw sat down, curling his tail over his paws.
"I want to wait until she gets back. She told us she's bringing back food and she might have some idea of what's going on with the ground and water." He argued. Spiderheart sighed but didn't argue with him.
"Okay, but I don't want to stay and chat for a long time alright?" The grey and white tom huffed. "Let's eat, ask questions, and leave." Dustpaw nodded in agreement. The two waited a few heartbeats until the fluffy she-cat with grey ears came back with a mouthful of a plump squirrel. The scent of it made Dustpaw drool. They hadn't had a decent meal for many days and their ribs were close to showing.
"Sorry that took so long." She apologized. "It almost got away from me." She hopped back down and crossed the river with ease over to them and dropped the freshkill. "Here. You two can have all of it. I can catch a mouse or something later." She sat, feeling proud of herself for helping cats in need.
"We can hunt ourselves." Spiderheart snapped while he had a mouthful of prey. "We didn't need you to get us food." The she-cat perked her ears up in surprise at the tom's rudeness.
"Sorry, he's not one to like outsiders." Dustpaw mewed, scarfing down his half and cleaning his whiskers with his non-twisted paw afterwards.
"It's fine I guess." She shrugged. "So why are you two so eager to travel down the river farther?" She asked. She didn't want to offend to tom by asking about his injuries. "It's dangerous down there. I heard a group of cats had died because all the trees collapsed and the river flooded. The ground still shakes there and the water still floods the land."
"We're trying to get back to those cats. At least what's left of them." Spiderheart mewed bluntly.
"We're part of their clan." Dustpaw added. "We want to bring them to a safer place." She nodded in understanding.
"Well, if you're heading there you're going the wrong way." She told them. "This is the wrong river."
"And how do you know that?" Spiderheart asked, irritated.
"I followed the river one day and came across a place that overlooked your clan. I use to actually watch them live and work together. It looked peaceful." She admitted. "I came back to that spot a few times." She looked away, feeling shy. "Anyways, if you want to get back you'd have to follow me through the no-furs tribe."
"I don't think we know you well enough to follow you." Spiderheart told her.
"Spiderheart, we need to do this to get back to camp." Dustpaw said impatiently. At least he knew where he got his attitude from, that wasn't a mystery.
"What if she's lying to us and this IS the right way to the clan?" He asked him.
"Why would she do that? What use would we be to her huh?" Dustpaw argued. "You can go that way but I rather not split up. I'm going with.." Dustpaw paused and looked at the she-cat
"My name is Lilly." She mewed.
"With Lilly" The black tom finished. "Now, are you coming with?" He asked his father.
"I guess I have to." Spiderheart replied, clearly not happy with his son's decision.
"Lilly, will you show us the way?" Dustpaw asked politely.
"Right this way." She purred. She was excited to finally go on another adventure. She bounced in excitement at the thought.
"Just letting you know, if this is a trick, I'm going to kill you." Spiderheart growled before joining the two younger cats.
[Chapter eight]
"May I come in?" Rainstrike mewed at the entrance of the medicine cat den while sticking his head in. Shrewlight sat in his nest with his muzzle deep in the moss and his mind somewhere else. It was obvious that he hadn't heard Rainstrike's voice and jumped when the gold tom towered over him.
"Don't scare me like that Rainstrike." The medicine cat hissed. His neck fur started to lower and his shoulders slumped back down as he realized who it was.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He told Shrewlight. "Hey, is everything alright? You've been a bit jumpy after Sorrelclaw had her kits earlier today." Rainstrike sat down and tucked his tail neatly over his paws. His eyes shone with curiosity as he stared at the grumpy tom.
"What did you come in for?" Shrewlight ignored his question. He didn't want to spill his heart to him even if Rainstrike was closer to him than most. He was able to keep everyone but him away and it somewhat irritated him.
"Oh. I just had a thorn in my pelt and I can't reach it." Rainstrike shrugged. Shrewlight sighed, irritated, and checked the warrior for thorns. After awhile of searching, Shrewlight gave up.
"It must of fallen out. I suggest not rolling in brambles anymore." The ginger tom huffed.
"Shrewlight." Rainstrike mewed in a worried tone. "Could you come with me for a swim? Batstar doesn't want anyone to go out by themselves even though the earth hasn't shook for a few sunrises."
"I perhaps I could." Shrewlight mewed hesitantly. "Only a short swim. I have to sort the rest of the herbs that survived the flooding." Rainstrike nodded eagerly and padded out of the den with Shrewlight close behind. The two lowered themselves into the water and began to paddle towards where the training hollow use to be. "What did you want to talk about? You obviously have something on your mind." He asked after a few minutes of swimming.
"Just follow me. I want to get to a dry place before chatting." Rainstrike told him. The two swam in silence until fallen trees blocked their path. The golden tom clawed him way up the logs and shook out his fur. "Come on up." Shrewlight scrambled up after his clanmate with effort.
"Will you tell me what you wanted to tell me now? You dragged me a long ways you know." The ginger cat grumbled. Rainstrike rested his head on the tom's shoulder and wrapped his tail around the grumpy medicine cat's. This made Shrewlight's heartbeat faster. He wasn't use to cats being so close to him. "Uh." He stuttered.
"I know you don't like that Sorrelclaw had other kits with another tom other than Leaffoot but don't be so hard on her." Rainstrike spoke softly. "I know it's hard watching the she-cat who kitted you start a life with a tom you don't know very well. I'm so sorry Shrewlight." Rainstrike mewed, sorrow in his voice.
"Rainstrike, I'm fine with Sorrelclaw being Spiderheart's mate. I've been acting like this because I'm sad for her. It must be horrible to not know if your mate is alive or dead right after you had their kits." Shrewlight said, embarrassed. "You don't have to worry about me like that you know." He stuttered.
"Oh. I'm sorry for dragging you all the way here then." The gold tom said, also embarrassed. Blood rushed from his face when he realized how close he was to his friend. He quickly untangled his tail from the medicine cat and stood up. "I just didn't want Sorrelclaw hearing just in case you were upset with her. It's a smallish hill after all. Sorry." The embarrassed tom jumped into the flooded meadow and padded away as fast as he could, leaving Shrewlight alone. Shrewlight's heartbeat still hadn't slowed. In fact, it quickened. He wanted to shout out to the tom to wait but it was too late.
"That was strange." Shrewlight mewed slowly. "I hope he's going to be okay."
"May I come in?" Rainstrike mewed at the entrance of the medicine cat den while sticking his head in. Shrewlight sat in his nest with his muzzle deep in the moss and his mind somewhere else. It was obvious that he hadn't heard Rainstrike's voice and jumped when the gold tom towered over him.
"Don't scare me like that Rainstrike." The medicine cat hissed. His neck fur started to lower and his shoulders slumped back down as he realized who it was.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." He told Shrewlight. "Hey, is everything alright? You've been a bit jumpy after Sorrelclaw had her kits earlier today." Rainstrike sat down and tucked his tail neatly over his paws. His eyes shone with curiosity as he stared at the grumpy tom.
"What did you come in for?" Shrewlight ignored his question. He didn't want to spill his heart to him even if Rainstrike was closer to him than most. He was able to keep everyone but him away and it somewhat irritated him.
"Oh. I just had a thorn in my pelt and I can't reach it." Rainstrike shrugged. Shrewlight sighed, irritated, and checked the warrior for thorns. After awhile of searching, Shrewlight gave up.
"It must of fallen out. I suggest not rolling in brambles anymore." The ginger tom huffed.
"Shrewlight." Rainstrike mewed in a worried tone. "Could you come with me for a swim? Batstar doesn't want anyone to go out by themselves even though the earth hasn't shook for a few sunrises."
"I perhaps I could." Shrewlight mewed hesitantly. "Only a short swim. I have to sort the rest of the herbs that survived the flooding." Rainstrike nodded eagerly and padded out of the den with Shrewlight close behind. The two lowered themselves into the water and began to paddle towards where the training hollow use to be. "What did you want to talk about? You obviously have something on your mind." He asked after a few minutes of swimming.
"Just follow me. I want to get to a dry place before chatting." Rainstrike told him. The two swam in silence until fallen trees blocked their path. The golden tom clawed him way up the logs and shook out his fur. "Come on up." Shrewlight scrambled up after his clanmate with effort.
"Will you tell me what you wanted to tell me now? You dragged me a long ways you know." The ginger cat grumbled. Rainstrike rested his head on the tom's shoulder and wrapped his tail around the grumpy medicine cat's. This made Shrewlight's heartbeat faster. He wasn't use to cats being so close to him. "Uh." He stuttered.
"I know you don't like that Sorrelclaw had other kits with another tom other than Leaffoot but don't be so hard on her." Rainstrike spoke softly. "I know it's hard watching the she-cat who kitted you start a life with a tom you don't know very well. I'm so sorry Shrewlight." Rainstrike mewed, sorrow in his voice.
"Rainstrike, I'm fine with Sorrelclaw being Spiderheart's mate. I've been acting like this because I'm sad for her. It must be horrible to not know if your mate is alive or dead right after you had their kits." Shrewlight said, embarrassed. "You don't have to worry about me like that you know." He stuttered.
"Oh. I'm sorry for dragging you all the way here then." The gold tom said, also embarrassed. Blood rushed from his face when he realized how close he was to his friend. He quickly untangled his tail from the medicine cat and stood up. "I just didn't want Sorrelclaw hearing just in case you were upset with her. It's a smallish hill after all. Sorry." The embarrassed tom jumped into the flooded meadow and padded away as fast as he could, leaving Shrewlight alone. Shrewlight's heartbeat still hadn't slowed. In fact, it quickened. He wanted to shout out to the tom to wait but it was too late.
"That was strange." Shrewlight mewed slowly. "I hope he's going to be okay."
[Chapter nine]
"Lilly!" A strange grey tabby tom called out to her as the three cats passed the twoleg place to the river. Spiderheart's neck fur stood straight up when he saw a large group of cats waiting for them. He spun around and extended his arm and clawed the she-cat's pretty face. Anger burned inside him.
"You!" Spiderheart yowled at the white cat. "I knew this was a trap you fleabag of a she-cat." His claws desired to feel her blood under them. He had enough of tricky she-cats and his patients had worn thin. The grey and white tom pounced on the she-cat, ready to rip her throat out.
"Stop. Let her explain herself." A large white and black tom told him. "I'd be a shame if you killed his littermate." He said, his dark brown eyes set on Dustpaw. Spiderheart paused and took in his words.
"Littermate?" He said confused. "What in Starclan are you talking about?" He dug his claws deeper in Lilly's shoulders making her hiss and struggle. "Who are you?"
"I am Loststar. I take in abandoned or lost cats. Some loners, some kittypets, but a lot are clan cats." The black and white tom mewed, his head held high. "Batstar herself asked me to take her in." The tom padded up to Dustpaw and purred. "The Resting Place had told me much about you Dustpaw. Those are some injuries you have. For now go talk to Todd. He's the big brown tabby tom.He's kind of like our medicine cat. After you've rested we can talk about your place here. We have a lot to discuss." Dustpaw blinked in confusion at the tom and looked over at Spiderheart for approval. The tom hesitated but nodded. It was about time for his son's wounds to be looked at. The black apprentice got up after another glance at Spiderheart and went to go look for a brown tabby.
"Now, please explain to me why you called this fox hearted cat my son's sister or I'll slice your neck." The old warrior threatened.
"How about you get off of her first and we can talk about it?" Loststar suggested. "My clan gets a bit hostile when some strange cat attacks their clanmate." Spiderheart hissed but got off Lilly.
"This is no clan. This is just a pitifully group of rouges who want to be warriors." He scoffed. "Half probably don't even have warrior names."
"Ouch Spiderheart. That hurt my feelings." Loststar said looking sad. "Why would you say that to me?" He mewed before switching topics. "It's true that some don't have warrior names, but I know some that you'd remember like Addlerdusk." He grinned.
"Addlerdusk? But the clan banished him and his followers a long time ago." Spiderheart mewed. "Back when I was just a paw. He joined your group?" Loststar shook his head.
"No. He created this group." He told him. "He was pushed out of the clan when Meadowstar realized that he was a better leader. He promised a place for those who followed him where they can love who you love and never go hungry again. This is the place he promised. He searched for cats that had no home or cats to love them. Then your clan attacked us and killed him and hurt the cats who didn't even do anything to your clan. All because Batstar had his kits." Loststar nodded at Lilly who was sitting by his side. "Spiderheart, they aren't your kits. They're Addlerdusk's."
"No. Don't feed me your lies." Spiderheart started to panic. He didn't want to believe the cat he raised wasn't his. That he was just a cover for Batstar. Realization hit him hard and his body trembled. "Is that why Riverkit died?" He remembered watching Meadowstar take the she-cat and throw her in the river, telling him he was teaching her how to swim. The next day Whitekit and Dustpaw disappeared. Only Dustpaw came back and Meadowstar was found dead.
"Do you understand now?" Loststar asked. Spiderheart stared at the tom, unsure what to say. "I see you're concerned. But don't worry. The Resting Place had told Addlerdusk one last thing before he died." His brown eyes glistened with excitement. "When dust settles between river and hill, flowers will grow and a new era will begin."
"Lilly!" A strange grey tabby tom called out to her as the three cats passed the twoleg place to the river. Spiderheart's neck fur stood straight up when he saw a large group of cats waiting for them. He spun around and extended his arm and clawed the she-cat's pretty face. Anger burned inside him.
"You!" Spiderheart yowled at the white cat. "I knew this was a trap you fleabag of a she-cat." His claws desired to feel her blood under them. He had enough of tricky she-cats and his patients had worn thin. The grey and white tom pounced on the she-cat, ready to rip her throat out.
"Stop. Let her explain herself." A large white and black tom told him. "I'd be a shame if you killed his littermate." He said, his dark brown eyes set on Dustpaw. Spiderheart paused and took in his words.
"Littermate?" He said confused. "What in Starclan are you talking about?" He dug his claws deeper in Lilly's shoulders making her hiss and struggle. "Who are you?"
"I am Loststar. I take in abandoned or lost cats. Some loners, some kittypets, but a lot are clan cats." The black and white tom mewed, his head held high. "Batstar herself asked me to take her in." The tom padded up to Dustpaw and purred. "The Resting Place had told me much about you Dustpaw. Those are some injuries you have. For now go talk to Todd. He's the big brown tabby tom.He's kind of like our medicine cat. After you've rested we can talk about your place here. We have a lot to discuss." Dustpaw blinked in confusion at the tom and looked over at Spiderheart for approval. The tom hesitated but nodded. It was about time for his son's wounds to be looked at. The black apprentice got up after another glance at Spiderheart and went to go look for a brown tabby.
"Now, please explain to me why you called this fox hearted cat my son's sister or I'll slice your neck." The old warrior threatened.
"How about you get off of her first and we can talk about it?" Loststar suggested. "My clan gets a bit hostile when some strange cat attacks their clanmate." Spiderheart hissed but got off Lilly.
"This is no clan. This is just a pitifully group of rouges who want to be warriors." He scoffed. "Half probably don't even have warrior names."
"Ouch Spiderheart. That hurt my feelings." Loststar said looking sad. "Why would you say that to me?" He mewed before switching topics. "It's true that some don't have warrior names, but I know some that you'd remember like Addlerdusk." He grinned.
"Addlerdusk? But the clan banished him and his followers a long time ago." Spiderheart mewed. "Back when I was just a paw. He joined your group?" Loststar shook his head.
"No. He created this group." He told him. "He was pushed out of the clan when Meadowstar realized that he was a better leader. He promised a place for those who followed him where they can love who you love and never go hungry again. This is the place he promised. He searched for cats that had no home or cats to love them. Then your clan attacked us and killed him and hurt the cats who didn't even do anything to your clan. All because Batstar had his kits." Loststar nodded at Lilly who was sitting by his side. "Spiderheart, they aren't your kits. They're Addlerdusk's."
"No. Don't feed me your lies." Spiderheart started to panic. He didn't want to believe the cat he raised wasn't his. That he was just a cover for Batstar. Realization hit him hard and his body trembled. "Is that why Riverkit died?" He remembered watching Meadowstar take the she-cat and throw her in the river, telling him he was teaching her how to swim. The next day Whitekit and Dustpaw disappeared. Only Dustpaw came back and Meadowstar was found dead.
"Do you understand now?" Loststar asked. Spiderheart stared at the tom, unsure what to say. "I see you're concerned. But don't worry. The Resting Place had told Addlerdusk one last thing before he died." His brown eyes glistened with excitement. "When dust settles between river and hill, flowers will grow and a new era will begin."
[Chapter Ten]
"So you're telling me that Spiderheart isn't my real father?" Dustpaw asked Loststar. He had just got called by him from the medicine cat den after Todd took a look at his injuries. The black and white tom nodded.
"Addlerdusk is your real father." Loststar purred. "I know it's hard to take in but this is exciting." Loststar pawed at the Holly that was weaved together to make a crown. "This was your father's. The way our clan works is the son of the last leader takes his place. If the leader didn't have a son the crown is turned over to the deputy and then his kin becomes a new generation of leaders. You're his son so it's your turn to lead." He grabbed the Holly crown in the teeth and placed it on top of Dustpaw's head. "Perfect fit."
"Hold on. How do I know you aren't lying? We just met you and you're telling me my life is a lie and my mother was mates with a rouge, which is against the warrior code. Batstar loved Spiderheart. She wouldn't do that to him." He narrowed his eyes at him. "Who in Starclan's name are you? You aren't a regular rouge. You know far too much."
"I can understand why you don't believe me but ask Batstar. She knows more than anyone the truth. And if Batstar loved Spiderheart, then why aren't they together?" Loststar asked. Dustpaw's eyes widened as the tom spoke. "As for me, I was one of the cats thrown out because of my blood. Meadowstar made every cat with half bred blood leave the clan. Your father was thrown out as well because he had loner blood inside him." He explained.
"You couldn't possibly know that Batstar and Spiderheart aren't mates." Dustpaw backed up. "How do you know that? Do you have a spy in our camp?" He asked.
"You're intelligent just like Addlerdusk. It's good to know the only thing you got from your mother was your pelt color. Yes, I have a cat in your clan." He answered. "I know you're wanting to go back to Highclan soon. There you can get all of your answers you're looking for." Loststar adjusted the crown on Dustpaw's head that was close to falling off. "I'll be back with Spiderheart and we'll bring you back to camp."
"You expect me to come back to you afterwards, don't you?" The black tom asked.
"You don't have to come back. But I have a feeling that you'll be back." Loststar told him, a smile formed on his face. The leader padded over to Spiderheart who was talking to a dark brown tom with a ringed black tail. Dustpaw watched the cat who use to be his father turn around to Loststar without a glimmer of anger at the strange tom which was unusual for him. He started regretting following Lilly. Not only did he have a mother who barely acknowledged him, but now he didn't have a father. He felt his chest ache at the realization. He wanted the tom to stay his father. He was always kind to him and taught him a lot of things. He felt empty knowing there wasn't any blood ties between them. Anger, sorrow, and loneliness mixed up inside him. He wanted to run and leave the new clan and stay in the forest but he knew his twisted foot would prevent him from doing that. Spiderheart and Loststar called him over. Dustpaw awkwardly shuffled over to them.
"It's not a long ways at all. We'll be at Highclan's camp before sundown." Loststar told them both. "There you can choose if you want to stay in Addlerclan or Highclan."
"I'm afraid I'll have to stay there Loststar." Spiderheart told him. "I have to lead my clan to safety." The black and white tom nodding.
"I understand. I hope when your clan is safe that you'll come join us. I know Racoon would be happy if you did." He said, talking about the dark brown tom Spiderheart was talking to. "Now, let's get going. I want to hurry." The tom started following the river, waving his tail to tell the others to follow him. Spiderheart followed Loststar like a kit to his mother while Dustpaw followed more cautiously. He wandered what Batstar would say when she saw him.
"So you're telling me that Spiderheart isn't my real father?" Dustpaw asked Loststar. He had just got called by him from the medicine cat den after Todd took a look at his injuries. The black and white tom nodded.
"Addlerdusk is your real father." Loststar purred. "I know it's hard to take in but this is exciting." Loststar pawed at the Holly that was weaved together to make a crown. "This was your father's. The way our clan works is the son of the last leader takes his place. If the leader didn't have a son the crown is turned over to the deputy and then his kin becomes a new generation of leaders. You're his son so it's your turn to lead." He grabbed the Holly crown in the teeth and placed it on top of Dustpaw's head. "Perfect fit."
"Hold on. How do I know you aren't lying? We just met you and you're telling me my life is a lie and my mother was mates with a rouge, which is against the warrior code. Batstar loved Spiderheart. She wouldn't do that to him." He narrowed his eyes at him. "Who in Starclan's name are you? You aren't a regular rouge. You know far too much."
"I can understand why you don't believe me but ask Batstar. She knows more than anyone the truth. And if Batstar loved Spiderheart, then why aren't they together?" Loststar asked. Dustpaw's eyes widened as the tom spoke. "As for me, I was one of the cats thrown out because of my blood. Meadowstar made every cat with half bred blood leave the clan. Your father was thrown out as well because he had loner blood inside him." He explained.
"You couldn't possibly know that Batstar and Spiderheart aren't mates." Dustpaw backed up. "How do you know that? Do you have a spy in our camp?" He asked.
"You're intelligent just like Addlerdusk. It's good to know the only thing you got from your mother was your pelt color. Yes, I have a cat in your clan." He answered. "I know you're wanting to go back to Highclan soon. There you can get all of your answers you're looking for." Loststar adjusted the crown on Dustpaw's head that was close to falling off. "I'll be back with Spiderheart and we'll bring you back to camp."
"You expect me to come back to you afterwards, don't you?" The black tom asked.
"You don't have to come back. But I have a feeling that you'll be back." Loststar told him, a smile formed on his face. The leader padded over to Spiderheart who was talking to a dark brown tom with a ringed black tail. Dustpaw watched the cat who use to be his father turn around to Loststar without a glimmer of anger at the strange tom which was unusual for him. He started regretting following Lilly. Not only did he have a mother who barely acknowledged him, but now he didn't have a father. He felt his chest ache at the realization. He wanted the tom to stay his father. He was always kind to him and taught him a lot of things. He felt empty knowing there wasn't any blood ties between them. Anger, sorrow, and loneliness mixed up inside him. He wanted to run and leave the new clan and stay in the forest but he knew his twisted foot would prevent him from doing that. Spiderheart and Loststar called him over. Dustpaw awkwardly shuffled over to them.
"It's not a long ways at all. We'll be at Highclan's camp before sundown." Loststar told them both. "There you can choose if you want to stay in Addlerclan or Highclan."
"I'm afraid I'll have to stay there Loststar." Spiderheart told him. "I have to lead my clan to safety." The black and white tom nodding.
"I understand. I hope when your clan is safe that you'll come join us. I know Racoon would be happy if you did." He said, talking about the dark brown tom Spiderheart was talking to. "Now, let's get going. I want to hurry." The tom started following the river, waving his tail to tell the others to follow him. Spiderheart followed Loststar like a kit to his mother while Dustpaw followed more cautiously. He wandered what Batstar would say when she saw him.
[Chapter eleven]
"Batstar! Get over here now!" Rainstrike yowled. The gold tom was surrounded by Spiderheart, Dustpaw, and a large black and white tom. Batstar's golden eyes grew wide with fear as she saw her son along with Loststar. Her fur stood up on end and her claws scraped the damp earth. Her eyes met the brown eyes of Loststar and a smug smile lit his face.
"Shrewlight, get Dustpaw to the medicine cat den. Check him head to toe." Batstar ordered. The ginger tom agreed and took his clanmate to the den to look over wounds. Batstar whipped her head back at Loststar after she saw that Dustpaw was safely inside the den. "How dare you come back here." She hissed in the other leader's face. "You betrayed the clan." The other clan members started to gather around the small group, interested glanced met her eyes.
"I think you're wrong Batstar. I wasn't the one who betrayed the clan." Loststar walked past her and climbed up the leader's den and yowled making every cat in the territory to turn their heads. "Cats of Highclan. I am Loststar. A long time ago I was one of you. I even see a few familiar faces." He said, looking at a concerned Goldenmask. "But during my time in Highclan, I've seen horrible things. Kits being slaughtered, Apprentices who didn't show any skills were left in the forest to fend for themselves. All of the older cats hid this fact. No stories were told of that time and those who brought it up was killed." The small group whispered, their voices sounded concerned.
"No!" Batstar hissed. "You just want us to fight among ourselves." She felt uneasy as her clanmates stared at her questionably.
"Nettleleap." Loststar called. "You've seen Batstar's true nature yourself. You've lived here long enough to judge who is right." Batstar stumbled a bit in surprise at her deputy. The grey tom climbed up next to Loststar. Goldenmask stared in horror at the time. Her eyes shone with betrayal. Nettleleap looked down at the clan and called out.
"Batstar had killed an innocent cat. She did so without following the warrior code of trial before death." He announced. The black she-cat felt a shiver run down her spine as she recognized the ex loner. "She killed Cherrykit and Tinykit's real mother. They didn't belong to Snowsong, they belonged to a rouge named Willow. Their mother didn't die of green cough, she died by Batstar's claws." The clan was almost completely silent as he spoke. "She even left me for dead by my dead mate and my newborn kits after she slit my stomach. I would have dead if Loststar hadn't found me." Nettleleap finished and looked over at Loststar and nodded.
"Highclan is no longer a safe place for cats. I have a clan of my own who takes in those in need and protects everyone in the group. I won't force you to join, but we won't be exactly friendly to those who stay here." Loststar told the Highclan cats. "We will leave with our cats for now Batstar. Those who wish to join today are welcome to come." He purred and jumped down and strutted to the exit and waited. Nettleleap jumped down afterwards and followed Loststar while Goldenmask followed him and yelled.
"Nettleleap, I swear to Starclan if you leave me now, you will never see me or Cherrykit again do you understand? How dare you not tell me about this." She continued to scream but Nettleleap just ignored her and stood beside his new leader. Spiderheart padded up to Batstar.
"I'm leaving with Loststar." He said bluntly. "You lied to me too much Batstar. I raised your kit with more love than you did and I don't even have any blood ties to him." He hissed. "You're a failure of a mother and a leader. I hope Dustpaw comes back with us so he doesn't have to get hurt anymore."
"He got injuried when he was with you, not me." She argued back.
"That's because you babied him so much he didn't learn how to swim." Spiderheart spat and turned away from her.
"Spiderheart!" Sorrelclaw yowled. The ginger she-cat purred and licked his face. "I'm so glad you're okay! Come see your kits!" She dragged the tom to the den. Spiderheart purred and followed happily.
"Batstar." Dustpaw mewed. The she-cat turned around and flinched at the sight of his twisted paw and missing eye. Grief and anger mixed and she felt like screaming. She felt like she lost everything she worked so hard to get. This was her punishment from Starclan she thought. "I want to stay here. " He told her. "But you have to make me a warrior or I'll go. It's unfair Thicketstorm and Rainstrike got their warrior names while I was missing." Batstar stayed silent for a few heartbeats before agreeing. She leaped up the large oak and called out.
"Cats of Highclan, before you decide to leave or stay, I want to give Dustpaw his warrior name. After a long journey of almost four sunrises, he deserves it. Dustpaw, form this day forth, you will be known as Shatteredfoot." The clan went quite and clouds rolled over the moon and the newly named Shatteredfoot stared at his mother in disbelief.
"Batstar! Get over here now!" Rainstrike yowled. The gold tom was surrounded by Spiderheart, Dustpaw, and a large black and white tom. Batstar's golden eyes grew wide with fear as she saw her son along with Loststar. Her fur stood up on end and her claws scraped the damp earth. Her eyes met the brown eyes of Loststar and a smug smile lit his face.
"Shrewlight, get Dustpaw to the medicine cat den. Check him head to toe." Batstar ordered. The ginger tom agreed and took his clanmate to the den to look over wounds. Batstar whipped her head back at Loststar after she saw that Dustpaw was safely inside the den. "How dare you come back here." She hissed in the other leader's face. "You betrayed the clan." The other clan members started to gather around the small group, interested glanced met her eyes.
"I think you're wrong Batstar. I wasn't the one who betrayed the clan." Loststar walked past her and climbed up the leader's den and yowled making every cat in the territory to turn their heads. "Cats of Highclan. I am Loststar. A long time ago I was one of you. I even see a few familiar faces." He said, looking at a concerned Goldenmask. "But during my time in Highclan, I've seen horrible things. Kits being slaughtered, Apprentices who didn't show any skills were left in the forest to fend for themselves. All of the older cats hid this fact. No stories were told of that time and those who brought it up was killed." The small group whispered, their voices sounded concerned.
"No!" Batstar hissed. "You just want us to fight among ourselves." She felt uneasy as her clanmates stared at her questionably.
"Nettleleap." Loststar called. "You've seen Batstar's true nature yourself. You've lived here long enough to judge who is right." Batstar stumbled a bit in surprise at her deputy. The grey tom climbed up next to Loststar. Goldenmask stared in horror at the time. Her eyes shone with betrayal. Nettleleap looked down at the clan and called out.
"Batstar had killed an innocent cat. She did so without following the warrior code of trial before death." He announced. The black she-cat felt a shiver run down her spine as she recognized the ex loner. "She killed Cherrykit and Tinykit's real mother. They didn't belong to Snowsong, they belonged to a rouge named Willow. Their mother didn't die of green cough, she died by Batstar's claws." The clan was almost completely silent as he spoke. "She even left me for dead by my dead mate and my newborn kits after she slit my stomach. I would have dead if Loststar hadn't found me." Nettleleap finished and looked over at Loststar and nodded.
"Highclan is no longer a safe place for cats. I have a clan of my own who takes in those in need and protects everyone in the group. I won't force you to join, but we won't be exactly friendly to those who stay here." Loststar told the Highclan cats. "We will leave with our cats for now Batstar. Those who wish to join today are welcome to come." He purred and jumped down and strutted to the exit and waited. Nettleleap jumped down afterwards and followed Loststar while Goldenmask followed him and yelled.
"Nettleleap, I swear to Starclan if you leave me now, you will never see me or Cherrykit again do you understand? How dare you not tell me about this." She continued to scream but Nettleleap just ignored her and stood beside his new leader. Spiderheart padded up to Batstar.
"I'm leaving with Loststar." He said bluntly. "You lied to me too much Batstar. I raised your kit with more love than you did and I don't even have any blood ties to him." He hissed. "You're a failure of a mother and a leader. I hope Dustpaw comes back with us so he doesn't have to get hurt anymore."
"He got injuried when he was with you, not me." She argued back.
"That's because you babied him so much he didn't learn how to swim." Spiderheart spat and turned away from her.
"Spiderheart!" Sorrelclaw yowled. The ginger she-cat purred and licked his face. "I'm so glad you're okay! Come see your kits!" She dragged the tom to the den. Spiderheart purred and followed happily.
"Batstar." Dustpaw mewed. The she-cat turned around and flinched at the sight of his twisted paw and missing eye. Grief and anger mixed and she felt like screaming. She felt like she lost everything she worked so hard to get. This was her punishment from Starclan she thought. "I want to stay here. " He told her. "But you have to make me a warrior or I'll go. It's unfair Thicketstorm and Rainstrike got their warrior names while I was missing." Batstar stayed silent for a few heartbeats before agreeing. She leaped up the large oak and called out.
"Cats of Highclan, before you decide to leave or stay, I want to give Dustpaw his warrior name. After a long journey of almost four sunrises, he deserves it. Dustpaw, form this day forth, you will be known as Shatteredfoot." The clan went quite and clouds rolled over the moon and the newly named Shatteredfoot stared at his mother in disbelief.
[Chapter twelve]
"Shatteredfoot?" The black tom asked. His voice started to become louder and angry. "You renamed me Shatteredfoot? I'm your kit Batstar." He hissed. Thicketstorm surprised him by standing next to him.
"I agree. You shouldn't name him something so horrible." The tuxedo tom told her.
"I gave him a proper name. The name Dust is too soft." The she-cat responded.
"That doesn't matter to me." Shatteredfoot growled. "Forget your clan. Forget your leadership. I'm leaving." He turned away from her and the clan and padded over by Loststar. Shatteredfoot watched the anger in his mother's eyes turn into panic and sorrow. His shoulders slumped down with regret but he made his choice. He nodded his respect and thank you to Thicketstorm who had gone to comfort an upset Goldenmask. Shrewlight came up to Shatteredfoot and looked down at him.
"Are you sure you want to leave?" The medicine cat asked. "I don't think this is what Starclan would want."
"I'm sorry Shrewlight but now my soul belongs with The Resting Place." He told him. "I wish you could come with." He mewed sadly. "But I understand that you could never leave." Shrewlight nodded and smiled.
"Good luck Shatteredfoot. I know you'll do great things." The ginger tom poked at the holly crown. "Don't give up." The two parted way and Loststar called out.
"Anyone who wants to join now should come now. We'll be leaving in a few heartbeats." He looked around at the nervous cats until Rainstrike stepped up to the group.
"I'd like to join." He mewed and flashed Goldenmask a sorry look.
"Great! Anyone else?" Loststar asked one last time. The remaining Highclan cats either shook their heads or stayed silent. "Alright. Looks like we'll be leaving. But first, a gift. Spiderheart." The black and white tom called. "Show Batstar her new clan territory." Batstar looked at the tom in confusion.
"New territory?" She asked.
"When Shatteredfoot and I got washed away in the river we found a perfect new camp for Highclan." Spiderheart told her. "We were on our way back here until we met Loststar's clan." Batstar hesitated. She didn't want to seem weak and give in to the offer but it would be foolish to refuse.
"Please show me where it is." The leader said to the grey and white tom. Spiderheart nodded and waved his tail to tell her to follow him. Batstar winced as she swallowed her pride and told the remaining cats to follow her. When she passed Loststar on the way out she spat in his face and hissed. Spiderheart, Batstar, and her clanmates left to the river.
"It's time to go home." Loststar told his followers after he wiped the spit off his face. "I'm sure all of you are tired. The group followed Batstar's group until they had to separate. Spiderheart took Batstar through the twoleg place while Loststar's group stayed in the twoleg place and made their way to the camp. When they arrived, Racoon ran up and purred.
"Did Spiderheart decide to stay?" The large brown tom asked as he looked over the crowd.
"Yes. But he's showing Batstar of Highclan her new clan territory. He should be back before Sunhigh." Loststar purred. "For now, please organise a hunting patrol." He asked his deputy. "Tomorrow there will be a new leader." Racoon nodded and ran off to ask other cats to go hunting. "Dustpaw." Loststar turned around to face Shatteredfoot. "You should think hard about if you want to keep your new name or go by Duststar."
"Shatteredfoot?" The black tom asked. His voice started to become louder and angry. "You renamed me Shatteredfoot? I'm your kit Batstar." He hissed. Thicketstorm surprised him by standing next to him.
"I agree. You shouldn't name him something so horrible." The tuxedo tom told her.
"I gave him a proper name. The name Dust is too soft." The she-cat responded.
"That doesn't matter to me." Shatteredfoot growled. "Forget your clan. Forget your leadership. I'm leaving." He turned away from her and the clan and padded over by Loststar. Shatteredfoot watched the anger in his mother's eyes turn into panic and sorrow. His shoulders slumped down with regret but he made his choice. He nodded his respect and thank you to Thicketstorm who had gone to comfort an upset Goldenmask. Shrewlight came up to Shatteredfoot and looked down at him.
"Are you sure you want to leave?" The medicine cat asked. "I don't think this is what Starclan would want."
"I'm sorry Shrewlight but now my soul belongs with The Resting Place." He told him. "I wish you could come with." He mewed sadly. "But I understand that you could never leave." Shrewlight nodded and smiled.
"Good luck Shatteredfoot. I know you'll do great things." The ginger tom poked at the holly crown. "Don't give up." The two parted way and Loststar called out.
"Anyone who wants to join now should come now. We'll be leaving in a few heartbeats." He looked around at the nervous cats until Rainstrike stepped up to the group.
"I'd like to join." He mewed and flashed Goldenmask a sorry look.
"Great! Anyone else?" Loststar asked one last time. The remaining Highclan cats either shook their heads or stayed silent. "Alright. Looks like we'll be leaving. But first, a gift. Spiderheart." The black and white tom called. "Show Batstar her new clan territory." Batstar looked at the tom in confusion.
"New territory?" She asked.
"When Shatteredfoot and I got washed away in the river we found a perfect new camp for Highclan." Spiderheart told her. "We were on our way back here until we met Loststar's clan." Batstar hesitated. She didn't want to seem weak and give in to the offer but it would be foolish to refuse.
"Please show me where it is." The leader said to the grey and white tom. Spiderheart nodded and waved his tail to tell her to follow him. Batstar winced as she swallowed her pride and told the remaining cats to follow her. When she passed Loststar on the way out she spat in his face and hissed. Spiderheart, Batstar, and her clanmates left to the river.
"It's time to go home." Loststar told his followers after he wiped the spit off his face. "I'm sure all of you are tired. The group followed Batstar's group until they had to separate. Spiderheart took Batstar through the twoleg place while Loststar's group stayed in the twoleg place and made their way to the camp. When they arrived, Racoon ran up and purred.
"Did Spiderheart decide to stay?" The large brown tom asked as he looked over the crowd.
"Yes. But he's showing Batstar of Highclan her new clan territory. He should be back before Sunhigh." Loststar purred. "For now, please organise a hunting patrol." He asked his deputy. "Tomorrow there will be a new leader." Racoon nodded and ran off to ask other cats to go hunting. "Dustpaw." Loststar turned around to face Shatteredfoot. "You should think hard about if you want to keep your new name or go by Duststar."
[Chapter thirteen]
Thicketstorm looked around at the large new territory Spiderheart had escorted them to. He dug his claws into the mossy soil that he hadn't felt for awhile. He was use to the muddy hill that reeked of death and fish on hot days. His eyes treaded over to Cherrykit, who was staring at the land with wide eyes and occasionally pointed something to Goldenmask. The poor gold she-cat tried to put on her best smile to keep the kit who looked like a small copy of the one who she loved happy. He looked away and over at Sorrelclaw and the many tiny balls of fluff that gripped onto her back and hung by their scruffs. Thicketstorm started to realize how many cats were splitting up and how many kits no longer have a father. Another thought hit him that, besides Shrewlight, he was the only grown tom.
"Hey Thicketstorm." The dark ginger tom called to him. Shrewlight swiftly walked next to him and greeted him with a nod. "How's your cough going?" He whispered. "Any troubles?" The tuxedo cat shook his head.
"No. I've been fine today." He shrugged to his friend. "I think I've been getting better. Shrewlight nodded in approval.
"Just be sure to keep away from any deep water. We don't want that cough coming back." The medicine cat reminded him. Thicketstorm flicked his tail as a reply. Shrewlight rolled his eyes and bumped him in a friendly matter before walking away to talk to his mother.
"Thicketstorm! Goldenmask said I'm old enough to be on my own as long as I stay near the group!" Cherrykit purred in excitement. Thicketstorm laughed and purred.
"That's right. I forgot that you're actually a few sunrises older than you need to become an apprentice. " The warrior said. "Who do you think will be your mentor?"
"Well," the grey she-cat started. "I doubt I'm going to be a medicine cat so not Shrewlight. And Sorrelclaw has to be in the nursery so not her. I think Goldenmask is going to retire to the elders den soon. So it'd have to be either you or Batstar."
"You're too much of a pawful for Batstar." The tom laughed. "I think I'll have to ask her if I could mentor you instead." The tiny she-cat's eyes lit up when he told her that and thanked him. She span in excitement and ran back to her adopted mother. Nettleleap's speech came into mind. He had pretty much told the clan that Cherrykit wasn't clan born. Then again he knew there was a time before he was born that a lot of the clan was half something else. He shook his head, wondering why the thought of someone else's blood was suddenly important to him.
By the time he snapped out of his thoughts, the clan has stopped at a large pile of rubble that led to a cave high above. He stared at the place in awe at it's beauty. For the first time in awhile he let himself unwind and laugh. He scrambled up after his leader and purred. Once all the clan was up to the cave and suggesting where one den will be and where the others would be placed, he perked his large ears up and heard Spiderheart talk to Batstar about leaving. The two argued for a bit until the grey and white tom left down the gravel hill and was gone. The black she-cat looked exhausted when she made her way to the tom.
"I heard from Goldenmask that you'd like to mentor Cherrykit." She told him. "Is that true?"
"Yep. I'd be more than happy to if you'd allow me."
"Alright." She yawned. "I'll make an announcement at Moonhigh. For now I need to rest. Help the clan figure out where the Warrior's den is going." Thicketstorm nodded and padded away to go offer his help. By the time they planned out all the dens, the moon had began to rise and Batstar came out of a small hole in the cave's wall near the back. The she-cat looked for a high place to hop up onto but stopped searching as her eyes lit up. "All cats who chose to stay gather around me. Tonight I do not stand in front of you as a clan leader. Tonight I stand with you as your clanmate. We all started out at the same exact place. And tonight Cherrykit takes her next step closer to her full potential. Cherrykit, step forward." Batstar beckoned the tiny kit. Goldenmask licked Cherrykit a few more heartbeats before letting her go. She scrambled over to the black she-cat and purred loudly. Batstar licked her shoulder and looked up. "Let this kit be seen in the eyes of Starclan as the next warriors of Highclan. Let our ancestors guide her to greatness. Do you promise to do your very best and to be loyal to your clan?" Batstar asked.
"I do." She purred, her whiskers twitching with excitement.
"Thicketstorm. Will you mentor Cherrypaw?"
Thicketstorm purred just as loudly as the she-cat in front of him. "I will."
"Cherrypaw! Thicketstorm!" The small group of cats chanted.
"And one more thing before you all leave. Thicketstorm will be the new deputy of Highclan." Batstar announced. Thicketstorm felt his joy turn into panic when she told the clan without asking him. He looked down at Cherrypaw who was always so happy to see him and the joy it gave him to spend time with the kind she-cat. According to the warrior code if he was deputy he wouldn't be able to take on a mate. He felt something warm run from his mouth and looked down to see a puddle of blood was forming. His eyesight became fuzzy and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
Thicketstorm looked around at the large new territory Spiderheart had escorted them to. He dug his claws into the mossy soil that he hadn't felt for awhile. He was use to the muddy hill that reeked of death and fish on hot days. His eyes treaded over to Cherrykit, who was staring at the land with wide eyes and occasionally pointed something to Goldenmask. The poor gold she-cat tried to put on her best smile to keep the kit who looked like a small copy of the one who she loved happy. He looked away and over at Sorrelclaw and the many tiny balls of fluff that gripped onto her back and hung by their scruffs. Thicketstorm started to realize how many cats were splitting up and how many kits no longer have a father. Another thought hit him that, besides Shrewlight, he was the only grown tom.
"Hey Thicketstorm." The dark ginger tom called to him. Shrewlight swiftly walked next to him and greeted him with a nod. "How's your cough going?" He whispered. "Any troubles?" The tuxedo cat shook his head.
"No. I've been fine today." He shrugged to his friend. "I think I've been getting better. Shrewlight nodded in approval.
"Just be sure to keep away from any deep water. We don't want that cough coming back." The medicine cat reminded him. Thicketstorm flicked his tail as a reply. Shrewlight rolled his eyes and bumped him in a friendly matter before walking away to talk to his mother.
"Thicketstorm! Goldenmask said I'm old enough to be on my own as long as I stay near the group!" Cherrykit purred in excitement. Thicketstorm laughed and purred.
"That's right. I forgot that you're actually a few sunrises older than you need to become an apprentice. " The warrior said. "Who do you think will be your mentor?"
"Well," the grey she-cat started. "I doubt I'm going to be a medicine cat so not Shrewlight. And Sorrelclaw has to be in the nursery so not her. I think Goldenmask is going to retire to the elders den soon. So it'd have to be either you or Batstar."
"You're too much of a pawful for Batstar." The tom laughed. "I think I'll have to ask her if I could mentor you instead." The tiny she-cat's eyes lit up when he told her that and thanked him. She span in excitement and ran back to her adopted mother. Nettleleap's speech came into mind. He had pretty much told the clan that Cherrykit wasn't clan born. Then again he knew there was a time before he was born that a lot of the clan was half something else. He shook his head, wondering why the thought of someone else's blood was suddenly important to him.
By the time he snapped out of his thoughts, the clan has stopped at a large pile of rubble that led to a cave high above. He stared at the place in awe at it's beauty. For the first time in awhile he let himself unwind and laugh. He scrambled up after his leader and purred. Once all the clan was up to the cave and suggesting where one den will be and where the others would be placed, he perked his large ears up and heard Spiderheart talk to Batstar about leaving. The two argued for a bit until the grey and white tom left down the gravel hill and was gone. The black she-cat looked exhausted when she made her way to the tom.
"I heard from Goldenmask that you'd like to mentor Cherrykit." She told him. "Is that true?"
"Yep. I'd be more than happy to if you'd allow me."
"Alright." She yawned. "I'll make an announcement at Moonhigh. For now I need to rest. Help the clan figure out where the Warrior's den is going." Thicketstorm nodded and padded away to go offer his help. By the time they planned out all the dens, the moon had began to rise and Batstar came out of a small hole in the cave's wall near the back. The she-cat looked for a high place to hop up onto but stopped searching as her eyes lit up. "All cats who chose to stay gather around me. Tonight I do not stand in front of you as a clan leader. Tonight I stand with you as your clanmate. We all started out at the same exact place. And tonight Cherrykit takes her next step closer to her full potential. Cherrykit, step forward." Batstar beckoned the tiny kit. Goldenmask licked Cherrykit a few more heartbeats before letting her go. She scrambled over to the black she-cat and purred loudly. Batstar licked her shoulder and looked up. "Let this kit be seen in the eyes of Starclan as the next warriors of Highclan. Let our ancestors guide her to greatness. Do you promise to do your very best and to be loyal to your clan?" Batstar asked.
"I do." She purred, her whiskers twitching with excitement.
"Thicketstorm. Will you mentor Cherrypaw?"
Thicketstorm purred just as loudly as the she-cat in front of him. "I will."
"Cherrypaw! Thicketstorm!" The small group of cats chanted.
"And one more thing before you all leave. Thicketstorm will be the new deputy of Highclan." Batstar announced. Thicketstorm felt his joy turn into panic when she told the clan without asking him. He looked down at Cherrypaw who was always so happy to see him and the joy it gave him to spend time with the kind she-cat. According to the warrior code if he was deputy he wouldn't be able to take on a mate. He felt something warm run from his mouth and looked down to see a puddle of blood was forming. His eyesight became fuzzy and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
[Chapter fourteen]
Batstar's chest tightened as she watched her new deputy fell hard into a puddle of his own blood. Shrewlight pushed her out of the way to assist Thicketstorm. He put his paw to his head and felt his pads burn. Batstar felt frozen in place as the tom's body started to shake rapidly as he remained unconscious.
"What's happening to him?" She asked.
"He does this when he has too high of a fever. I don't know exactly why it happens." Shrewlight told her. "There's not much to do other then give him water and not crowd him too much." The brownish tom looked over to Cherrypaw who was staring in horror at her mentor. "Don't just watch him lay here, soak some moss in water for Starclan's sake!" He snapped at her. The grey apprentice ran down the gravel hill, making her tumble down a little of the way with as little as a scratch. Shrewlight watched as the shaking stopped and the tom's eyes opened.
"Shrewlight." Thicketstorm mewed softly as he came back to his senses. He bowed his head in shame as he realized what had happened. "I'm sorry." His throat was tight with embarrassment. His gold eyes met Batstar's and there was a look of shock of her face. She looked ready to break down any second.
"Shrewlight, go take Thicketstorm to the medicine cat den. We can't have our wonderful deputy being sick." Batstar said softly as a mother would talk to her kits. Hearing that tone made Thicketstorm feel the loss of his kin all over again. He missed hearing his mother softly tell stories to him and his littermate to help them go to sleep. The tom stood up, his legs shaking, and followed Shrewlight to a soft looking nest in the medicine cat den.
"All you need is rest and you should be okay." Shrewlight told him. Thicketstorm didn't need to be told twice. As soon as he laid down his head, he fell asleep. Soon he found himself in a lush meadow with large walls of trees. The sound of many cats voices surrounded him. The sun shone into the bramble den making him squint. Heartbeats later a large long furred orange and white tom poked his head in.
"Come on Acornheart, you can't sleep in the Warrior's den forever." The tom bellowed.
"Acornheart?" Thicketstorm repeated, confused.
"Does Frostedweb have to check your ears? Come on!" The tom grinned and left the den. "Meadowstar is making an announcement."
"Meadowstar?" Thicketstorm shook his head. "Where's Batstar?"
"Batstar? Don't you mean Batkit? Ha, you have a strange sense of humor Acornheart." The tom laughed. Thicketstorm's eyes widened as he realized that this wasn't his home and this wasn't some kind of dream
Batstar's chest tightened as she watched her new deputy fell hard into a puddle of his own blood. Shrewlight pushed her out of the way to assist Thicketstorm. He put his paw to his head and felt his pads burn. Batstar felt frozen in place as the tom's body started to shake rapidly as he remained unconscious.
"What's happening to him?" She asked.
"He does this when he has too high of a fever. I don't know exactly why it happens." Shrewlight told her. "There's not much to do other then give him water and not crowd him too much." The brownish tom looked over to Cherrypaw who was staring in horror at her mentor. "Don't just watch him lay here, soak some moss in water for Starclan's sake!" He snapped at her. The grey apprentice ran down the gravel hill, making her tumble down a little of the way with as little as a scratch. Shrewlight watched as the shaking stopped and the tom's eyes opened.
"Shrewlight." Thicketstorm mewed softly as he came back to his senses. He bowed his head in shame as he realized what had happened. "I'm sorry." His throat was tight with embarrassment. His gold eyes met Batstar's and there was a look of shock of her face. She looked ready to break down any second.
"Shrewlight, go take Thicketstorm to the medicine cat den. We can't have our wonderful deputy being sick." Batstar said softly as a mother would talk to her kits. Hearing that tone made Thicketstorm feel the loss of his kin all over again. He missed hearing his mother softly tell stories to him and his littermate to help them go to sleep. The tom stood up, his legs shaking, and followed Shrewlight to a soft looking nest in the medicine cat den.
"All you need is rest and you should be okay." Shrewlight told him. Thicketstorm didn't need to be told twice. As soon as he laid down his head, he fell asleep. Soon he found himself in a lush meadow with large walls of trees. The sound of many cats voices surrounded him. The sun shone into the bramble den making him squint. Heartbeats later a large long furred orange and white tom poked his head in.
"Come on Acornheart, you can't sleep in the Warrior's den forever." The tom bellowed.
"Acornheart?" Thicketstorm repeated, confused.
"Does Frostedweb have to check your ears? Come on!" The tom grinned and left the den. "Meadowstar is making an announcement."
"Meadowstar?" Thicketstorm shook his head. "Where's Batstar?"
"Batstar? Don't you mean Batkit? Ha, you have a strange sense of humor Acornheart." The tom laughed. Thicketstorm's eyes widened as he realized that this wasn't his home and this wasn't some kind of dream
[Chapter Fifteen]
"Cats of Highclan, I have important news." A grey tom Thicketstorm had never seen before sat at the top for the old oak tree. "Nettleleap has found Burntheart dead in the woods." A small white she-cat with small brown spots wailed as she heard the news. Some of the other she-cat's walked her away into the nursery to try to calm her down. Thicketstorm watched as a young Nettleleap dragged the body of a black tabby tom out to the middle of the clan. "And although it's hard to lose a great deputy we must stay strong and carry on or we will end up dead like Burntheart." The orange and white tom Thicketstorm had first met stood up.
"The rouges have gone too far this time!" He yowled to the clan. "They've taken our kits and killed our clanmates. Meadowstar, let me be your deputy. I promise that I will do whatever is takes to help you." The grey tom thought for a bit before speaking.
"You speak with a lot of confidence and you've already been a good warrior." Meadowstar said. "But you haven't trained an apprentice yet."
"Then let me train one of Burntheart's kits." Addlerdusk told him. "In fact, let me train the smallest kit. I will prove that I can help anyone grow and become strong."
"Very well. You will train Mosskit as well as start doing a deputy's work to see if you are capable of handling it." Meadowstar mewed.
"But Mosskit is only six moons. The code says that he must be eight to become an apprentice." The tabby tom said. Thicketstorm could tell the tom was starting to get nervous.
"Then he will have two extra moons of training won't he?" Meadowstar mewed. "Bring Mosskit over here." Thicketstorm watched as a tiny black and white tom was carried by the scruff to the bottom of the tree. "Mosskit, you have been chosen to become Addlerdusk's apprentice. Do you accept him as your teacher?" The little tom looked up with wide, nervous eyes but agreed. "Then let your warrior's blood run red with skill and power." The thick-furred tom jumped down from his spot on the tree and touched noses with him. Thicketstorm was about to yowl the tiny tom's name until he realized that no other cat was doing it and wondered if this was the tradition back before he was born. Before he could watch anymore, he woke up. His head hurt badly and his heart was beating a lot faster. He looked up to find Shrewlight standing above him.
"You've been asleep for three days Thicketstorm. We were worried about you." The young medicine cat mewed. "Batstar almost let one of the rouges become deputy instead."
"Rouges?" Thicketstorm quickly stood up. "What rouges?"
"While you were asleep, a group of rouges came to the clans looking for a place to stay. Batstar said we needed more warriors and said that they could become a part of the clan." The ginger, almost brown, tom explained.
"She didn't even wait until I was awake to discuss this with me?" Thicketstorm asked. "I'm her deputy. I should be involved in these decisions."
"Do you really think she cares what you think Thicketstorm? She chose you because you're easy to control and because you were the only one fit to be deputy." Shrewlight mewed. "I'm sorry but I had to tell you the truth." He said before walking out of the den, leaving the tuxedo tom to sit and think about everything that has been going on.
"Cats of Highclan, I have important news." A grey tom Thicketstorm had never seen before sat at the top for the old oak tree. "Nettleleap has found Burntheart dead in the woods." A small white she-cat with small brown spots wailed as she heard the news. Some of the other she-cat's walked her away into the nursery to try to calm her down. Thicketstorm watched as a young Nettleleap dragged the body of a black tabby tom out to the middle of the clan. "And although it's hard to lose a great deputy we must stay strong and carry on or we will end up dead like Burntheart." The orange and white tom Thicketstorm had first met stood up.
"The rouges have gone too far this time!" He yowled to the clan. "They've taken our kits and killed our clanmates. Meadowstar, let me be your deputy. I promise that I will do whatever is takes to help you." The grey tom thought for a bit before speaking.
"You speak with a lot of confidence and you've already been a good warrior." Meadowstar said. "But you haven't trained an apprentice yet."
"Then let me train one of Burntheart's kits." Addlerdusk told him. "In fact, let me train the smallest kit. I will prove that I can help anyone grow and become strong."
"Very well. You will train Mosskit as well as start doing a deputy's work to see if you are capable of handling it." Meadowstar mewed.
"But Mosskit is only six moons. The code says that he must be eight to become an apprentice." The tabby tom said. Thicketstorm could tell the tom was starting to get nervous.
"Then he will have two extra moons of training won't he?" Meadowstar mewed. "Bring Mosskit over here." Thicketstorm watched as a tiny black and white tom was carried by the scruff to the bottom of the tree. "Mosskit, you have been chosen to become Addlerdusk's apprentice. Do you accept him as your teacher?" The little tom looked up with wide, nervous eyes but agreed. "Then let your warrior's blood run red with skill and power." The thick-furred tom jumped down from his spot on the tree and touched noses with him. Thicketstorm was about to yowl the tiny tom's name until he realized that no other cat was doing it and wondered if this was the tradition back before he was born. Before he could watch anymore, he woke up. His head hurt badly and his heart was beating a lot faster. He looked up to find Shrewlight standing above him.
"You've been asleep for three days Thicketstorm. We were worried about you." The young medicine cat mewed. "Batstar almost let one of the rouges become deputy instead."
"Rouges?" Thicketstorm quickly stood up. "What rouges?"
"While you were asleep, a group of rouges came to the clans looking for a place to stay. Batstar said we needed more warriors and said that they could become a part of the clan." The ginger, almost brown, tom explained.
"She didn't even wait until I was awake to discuss this with me?" Thicketstorm asked. "I'm her deputy. I should be involved in these decisions."
"Do you really think she cares what you think Thicketstorm? She chose you because you're easy to control and because you were the only one fit to be deputy." Shrewlight mewed. "I'm sorry but I had to tell you the truth." He said before walking out of the den, leaving the tuxedo tom to sit and think about everything that has been going on.
[Chapter Sixteen]
"We thought you died when the quakes and flood happened." Batstar mewed. "I'm sorry we didn't find you." She apologized to a large grey tabby. "What name do you go by now? I wouldn't think your name is still Tinykit." The tom towered over her and several cats stood behind him.
"They call me Grey." He told his old leader. "And this is my Advisor, Moth and my Doctor, Watson." He said as he pointed out a small white and gold speckled she-cat who was chatting with a large orange tabby she-cat.
Batstar opened her muzzle to comment about the two cats but Thicketstorm interupted her.
"What did I hear about rouges in the camp?" The tom asked.
"This is Grey, formally Tinykit." Batstar told him. "We were just getting to know each other." Thicketstorm nodded and greeted the large tom.
"Have you seen Cherrypaw yet? She'd be excited to see you again." Thicketstorm asked Grey.
"I haven't seen her yet. I'll go chat with her for a bit while my followers get to know the camp. I'm sure we'll all be very happy here." Grey purred and his group of cats scattered off to check out the camp. When Batstar and Thicketstorm were alone, the tuxedo tom got close to her face.
"What were you thinking? That cat is a rouge tom who just brought an army of cats into our territory. There's more rouge cats in the camp than actually clan cats!" Batstar rolled her eyes at him.
"Thicketstorm, he is a clan cat. He's clan born remember? Besides, look how happy Cherrypaw is now that her littlermate is back." The black and white tom looked back over at the tiny grey she-cat who looked like she was the happiest she's ever been. His shoulders slumped down. "See? Everything will be fine. He's our family."
"I guess it'll be okay. But I'm keeping my eyes open just in case." He muttered.
"Just don't stress yourself out too much Thicketstorm. You'll have another coughing fit." She mewed and left the tom alone to go talk to Moth.
"Understood..." Thicketstorm mewed, disappointed that he was pretty much ignored. He decided it was time to start training Cherrypaw and walked careful over to Grey and Cherrypaw. The two of them were talking about how the clan ended up in the cave and about their father. Thicketstorm, feeling very uncomfortable, stood behind his apprentice. "Cherrypaw, I want to show you the clan's territory."
"Actually Batstar told me my new mentor is Moth." Cherrypaw told him awkwardly. "I'm sorry Thicketstorm." The black and white tom started to shake.
"That's alright Cherrypaw. It's not your fault. If you need me, I'll be organizing a hunting patrol." He told her. Grey stepped up to the tom and laughed.
"No need. I told my 'warriors' to hunt for the clan tonight. You can take a break today." The tabby tom told him.
"Well thank you." Thicketstorm struggled to sound thankful. "I'll be in my nest I suppose." The grey tom ignored him and was continuing his talk with his sister when he had finished his sentence. Thicketstorm slunk away to his nest and laid down. As soon as his head hit the soft moss he passed out and opened his eyes to find himself back in his old home before the floods. Addlerdusk was sleeping in the nest next to him. His orange pelt was dim in the dark den. Another cat stood above him with a look of curiosity. Thicketstorm stood up quickly in surprise.
"Thicketstorm, you're not supposed to be here. Go back home to your own time." The strange cat mewed. "Go back before it's too late."
"Why am I here?" He asked. "Why am I in another cat's body?"
"You aren't supposed to be here!" The tom's voice turned from neutral to hostile and he felt claws take down his face and before he woke up, he saw a flash of grey fur and a pair of green eyes.
"We thought you died when the quakes and flood happened." Batstar mewed. "I'm sorry we didn't find you." She apologized to a large grey tabby. "What name do you go by now? I wouldn't think your name is still Tinykit." The tom towered over her and several cats stood behind him.
"They call me Grey." He told his old leader. "And this is my Advisor, Moth and my Doctor, Watson." He said as he pointed out a small white and gold speckled she-cat who was chatting with a large orange tabby she-cat.
Batstar opened her muzzle to comment about the two cats but Thicketstorm interupted her.
"What did I hear about rouges in the camp?" The tom asked.
"This is Grey, formally Tinykit." Batstar told him. "We were just getting to know each other." Thicketstorm nodded and greeted the large tom.
"Have you seen Cherrypaw yet? She'd be excited to see you again." Thicketstorm asked Grey.
"I haven't seen her yet. I'll go chat with her for a bit while my followers get to know the camp. I'm sure we'll all be very happy here." Grey purred and his group of cats scattered off to check out the camp. When Batstar and Thicketstorm were alone, the tuxedo tom got close to her face.
"What were you thinking? That cat is a rouge tom who just brought an army of cats into our territory. There's more rouge cats in the camp than actually clan cats!" Batstar rolled her eyes at him.
"Thicketstorm, he is a clan cat. He's clan born remember? Besides, look how happy Cherrypaw is now that her littlermate is back." The black and white tom looked back over at the tiny grey she-cat who looked like she was the happiest she's ever been. His shoulders slumped down. "See? Everything will be fine. He's our family."
"I guess it'll be okay. But I'm keeping my eyes open just in case." He muttered.
"Just don't stress yourself out too much Thicketstorm. You'll have another coughing fit." She mewed and left the tom alone to go talk to Moth.
"Understood..." Thicketstorm mewed, disappointed that he was pretty much ignored. He decided it was time to start training Cherrypaw and walked careful over to Grey and Cherrypaw. The two of them were talking about how the clan ended up in the cave and about their father. Thicketstorm, feeling very uncomfortable, stood behind his apprentice. "Cherrypaw, I want to show you the clan's territory."
"Actually Batstar told me my new mentor is Moth." Cherrypaw told him awkwardly. "I'm sorry Thicketstorm." The black and white tom started to shake.
"That's alright Cherrypaw. It's not your fault. If you need me, I'll be organizing a hunting patrol." He told her. Grey stepped up to the tom and laughed.
"No need. I told my 'warriors' to hunt for the clan tonight. You can take a break today." The tabby tom told him.
"Well thank you." Thicketstorm struggled to sound thankful. "I'll be in my nest I suppose." The grey tom ignored him and was continuing his talk with his sister when he had finished his sentence. Thicketstorm slunk away to his nest and laid down. As soon as his head hit the soft moss he passed out and opened his eyes to find himself back in his old home before the floods. Addlerdusk was sleeping in the nest next to him. His orange pelt was dim in the dark den. Another cat stood above him with a look of curiosity. Thicketstorm stood up quickly in surprise.
"Thicketstorm, you're not supposed to be here. Go back home to your own time." The strange cat mewed. "Go back before it's too late."
"Why am I here?" He asked. "Why am I in another cat's body?"
"You aren't supposed to be here!" The tom's voice turned from neutral to hostile and he felt claws take down his face and before he woke up, he saw a flash of grey fur and a pair of green eyes.
[Chapter Seventeen]
Nettleleap woke up in a cold sweat in his nest made of long grasses and feathers. He could still feel amber eyes staring right through him. He had felt an odd change in the atmosphere when he saw the orange and brown tabby. He didn't know why he had seen his old clanmate in his little dream world but he didn't like it. He got up and stretched, not wanting to think about it anymore and headed up to grab a fresh mouse that hunters have just caught a few minutes ago. When he looked up from his prey, Loststar was towering over him.
"Nettleleap, Can I talk to you?" The tall tom asked. Nettleleap nodded and followed him over to a twoleg crowfood bin. "You've been telling me about these dreams you've been having for a while now. I wanted to ask if you found the cat that is supposed to take over Addlerdusk's body." Nettleleap sighed and shook his head.
"Not yet. But someone has been in Acornheart. I know that's not the information you wanted but this means there are more of us." Nettleleap told him.
"You need to hurry and get them, where ever they are. I don't want Batstar to get her paws on them." Loststar mewed.
"The thing is, it's one of her cats. And it's not going to be easy to convince him to join Addlerclan. He's a loyal tom as far as I've seen." The grey tom watch Loststar's expression turn from neutral to a face so serious that it made him start to get nervous.
"You were once very loyal to your brother Meadowstar but here you are with us. Any cat can change his mind, it just takes time and trust. You need to get him to trust you before he gets himself killed. I don't want any misunderstood cats getting treated unfairly." Loststar mewed. "Now please excuse me. I need to get everything ready for Duststar's ceremony." The tom walked away to go chat with Racoon and Spiderheart who had been sharing tongues. The grey tom started to regret not staying with Goldenmask and his daughter. Now he was even questioning if he was fighting for the right side or not. He looked up at the sky for some kind of answer but nothing had happened. He started to feel the feeling of loss grow even more. He missed Goldenmask's calming voice as he woke up in cold sweats and seeing Cherrykit grow up more and more each sunrise. Now he was all alone. He realized that while he was getting his revenge against Batstar, he was also betraying everyone he loved.
Nettleleap woke up in a cold sweat in his nest made of long grasses and feathers. He could still feel amber eyes staring right through him. He had felt an odd change in the atmosphere when he saw the orange and brown tabby. He didn't know why he had seen his old clanmate in his little dream world but he didn't like it. He got up and stretched, not wanting to think about it anymore and headed up to grab a fresh mouse that hunters have just caught a few minutes ago. When he looked up from his prey, Loststar was towering over him.
"Nettleleap, Can I talk to you?" The tall tom asked. Nettleleap nodded and followed him over to a twoleg crowfood bin. "You've been telling me about these dreams you've been having for a while now. I wanted to ask if you found the cat that is supposed to take over Addlerdusk's body." Nettleleap sighed and shook his head.
"Not yet. But someone has been in Acornheart. I know that's not the information you wanted but this means there are more of us." Nettleleap told him.
"You need to hurry and get them, where ever they are. I don't want Batstar to get her paws on them." Loststar mewed.
"The thing is, it's one of her cats. And it's not going to be easy to convince him to join Addlerclan. He's a loyal tom as far as I've seen." The grey tom watch Loststar's expression turn from neutral to a face so serious that it made him start to get nervous.
"You were once very loyal to your brother Meadowstar but here you are with us. Any cat can change his mind, it just takes time and trust. You need to get him to trust you before he gets himself killed. I don't want any misunderstood cats getting treated unfairly." Loststar mewed. "Now please excuse me. I need to get everything ready for Duststar's ceremony." The tom walked away to go chat with Racoon and Spiderheart who had been sharing tongues. The grey tom started to regret not staying with Goldenmask and his daughter. Now he was even questioning if he was fighting for the right side or not. He looked up at the sky for some kind of answer but nothing had happened. He started to feel the feeling of loss grow even more. He missed Goldenmask's calming voice as he woke up in cold sweats and seeing Cherrykit grow up more and more each sunrise. Now he was all alone. He realized that while he was getting his revenge against Batstar, he was also betraying everyone he loved.
[Chapter Eighteen]
[Chapter Nineteen]
[Chapter Twenty]
[Chapter Twenty one]