A Cruel Season (Chapter Two up)

Prologue

The setting sun cast deep shadows in the hollow. Within a small cave, Leafpool was preparing Ashfur’s body for his vigil. She was washing and straightening his gray flecked fur.

Jayfeather worked alongside her, smoothing and fluffing out his coat. The tomcat’s body was discovered near the stream that bordered the territories of ThunderClan and WindClan, his blood mixing with the flowing water.

‘’May StarClan light your path, Ashfur,’’ Leafpool whispered into his ear. ‘’May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter when you sleep.’’

Her attention was drawn to the gash on the dead warrior’s throat. It was too small for a fox, yet it was too clean for a badger.

What kind of cat would want to kill Ashfur? She pondered to herself. Who would want him dead? As the tabby medicine cat worked, she pulled a tuft of dark fur out from between his claws. Her eyes dilated, and she quickly hid it away in a hole.

The stars flickered with their pale light in the night sky. A soft breeze touched the tree tops, ruffling the leaves. Three cats sat at the edge of a crystalline pool, gazing intently at its surface. A blue-gray she-cat looked up at two other cats, a golden tabby and a tortoiseshell, her eyes bright.

‘’My fellow warriors,’’ she began. ‘’It has come to my attention that there has been a shift in the prophecy.’’

‘’A shift?’’ a golden tabby tom asked. ‘’What do you mean by that, Bluestar?’’

‘’Squirrelflight revealed to Lionblaze, Hollyleaf, and Jayfeather that she wasn’t their mother,’’ she continued. ‘’Since they are not Firestar’s kin, the prophecy can’t be fulfilled.’’ Her blue eyes were crestfallen as she spoke.

‘’Does this mean that she has been lying to her Clan and family for moons?’’ inquired a dark gray she-cat.

‘’Yes, Yellowfang,’’ the blue-gray she-cat replied. ‘’but secrets cannot stay buried forever. It was only a matter of time before the truth came out.’’

‘’She is correct.’’ a white tom said.

‘’At least one thing is certain,’’ the tortoiseshell mewed. ‘’They are loyal ThunderClan cats. Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw have raised them well.’’

Suddenly, the dark gray she-cat stood up, her fur beginning to bristle. Her eyes blazed as she narrowed them at Bluestar.

‘’Yellowfang!’’ the golden tabby exclaimed as she lunged at the former ThunderClan leader, tackling her to the ground.

‘’This is all your fault!’’ she snarled, her voice filled with venom.

Bluestar looked up at her with a bewildered expression. ‘’How?’’

Lionheart and Whitestorm rushed to pull Yellowfang off of her. The two toms stood in front of the dark gray she-cat, blocking her from Bluestar.

‘’What are you doing?’’ she demanded, as she tried to break free from Lionheart’s grip. ‘’Let go of me!’’

The two toms released Yellowfang. The fire in her eyes did not waver as she glared at her former leader. ‘’It’s all because of that secret...’’ she growled, her back turned to the four cats.‘’It’s rotted inside ThunderClan like maggots in a dead bird!’’

Bluestar stared wide-eyed at the dark gray medicine cat. Her fur bristled as she walked away from them. She felt uneasy as she watched Yellowfang leave.

‘’Are you alright?’’ Whitestorm asked, resting his amber gaze on his aunt.

‘’Yes, I’m fine.’’ Bluestar answered. She began to groom her ruffled pelt.

‘’Why are we being like this?’’ Lionheart demanded. ‘’We’re StarClan! We’re supposed to be together, not divided!’’

Spottedleaf let out a gusty sigh, her eyes darkening. ‘’I don’t know, Lionheart. Perhaps this is the beginning of a cruel season.’’

---

Chapter One

Ferncloud buried her nose in her brother’s pelt, her eyes vivid with sorrow. Dustpelt was beside her, trying to console his grieving mate. The clearing was silent as ThunderClan sat vigil for their fallen Clanmate.

The pair were accompanied by Cloudtail, who crouched next to Ashfur’s body. ‘’Goodbye, my friend.’’ He whispered into his ear.

The tomcat’s death had come as a shock to ThunderClan. Ashfur had served his Clan for many seasons. The fallout of his passing was having a profound effect on three young cats.

Firestar was perched atop the Highrock, his gaze fixed upon his Clan. ‘’If one has any information about Ashfur’s death, you must report it to either Brambleclaw or I. Is that understood?’’ With a flick of his tail, the ginger tom gestured that the Clan meeting had ended, and he turned around and climbed down, disappearing into his den.

Lionblaze sat at the edge of the clearing with his Hollyleaf and Jayfeather. They were both engrossed in their own thoughts. The tip of Hollyleaf’s tail twitched anxiously as she gazed at it.

‘’Do you think Firestar knows?’’ she asked. ‘’Squirrelflight is his daughter. Maybe he has an idea of what was going on between her and Ashfur.’’

Before his death, Ashfur had trapped the trio in their burning camp as revenge against the ginger she-cat for choosing Brambleclaw as her mate over him. His blue eyes shone with madness among the flames. If Squirrelflight hadn’t told the gray tom that Lionblaze and his littermates didn’t belong to her, they would’ve been killed.

‘’They are not my kits.’’

Lionblaze felt his blood boil at those words. It seemed that his whole life had been a lie. Squirrelflight’s confession had shattered all he and his siblings knew.

Hollyleaf’s claws were unsheathed now, and she began to tear at the earth. Her eyes had a wild gleam. She looked like she hadn’t slept in moons.

‘’There’s got to be a way,’’ she muttered. ‘’There’s got to be way...’’

‘’A way to what?’’ Jayfeather asked.

‘’For us to be the Three, mousebrain!’’ she answered. ‘’I mean, there’s a chance that we’re still Firestar’s kin, right? Hopefully we’re not half-Clan, or the kits of a rogue!’’

Lionblaze let out an agitated sigh. ‘’Let me guess. This is about the warrior code, isn’t it?”

The black warrior’s eyes widened in alarm. ‘’You don’t care about the warrior code, Lionblaze? The warrior code is what holds all of the Clans together. We would be nothing without it!’’

‘’Keep it down!’’ Jayfeather hissed. He gestured his tail towards the nursery, where Daisy was trying to herd her two kits into the nursery.

‘’But Mama, we’re almost six moons old!’’ Toadkit complained.

‘’You and your sister need to sleep,’’ the cream-colored queen replied. ‘’It’s getting very late.’’ She walked over towards Rosekit and lifted her by her scruff. The little she-cat’s legs flailed aimlessly in her mother’s grip. She was also discontent about going back into the nursery.

The duo had grown significantly in the past several moons. It wouldn’t be long until they joined the apprentices’ den with Foxpaw and Icepaw. Toadkit reluctantly followed his mother and sister back into the nursery, not saying anything else.

The moonlight illuminated Ashfur’s corpse, turning his gray-flecked coat silver. Birchfall approached Cloudtail. He had just returned from a border patrol with Thornclaw, Mousewhisker, and Sorreltail.

‘’Have you come to sit vigil for Ashfur?’’ the white tom asked.

‘’I have,’’ the tabby warrior answered. ‘’I was his first apprentice.’’

‘’He was a loyal warrior and a great friend,’’ Cloudtail said. ‘’We had known each other since we were kits.’’

Anger coursed through Lionblaze’s veins as he overheard the two tomcats. If only they knew the truth! The golden warrior exhaled loudly and slouched down. He was finding it difficult to stay awake. Jayfeather and Hollyleaf had both left for their respective dens.

Lionblaze decided to go to sleep. He left the clearing and entered the warriors’ den. Once he was in his nest, he curled up and closed his eyes.

When Lionblaze awoke, he found himself in the Place of No Stars. High, bare trees surrounded him, blocking the sky above him. The fungi cast a pale glow on the forest floor.

He saw the bracken quiver, and a dark brown and white tabby emerged. Their pale blue eyes seemed to bear into the golden warrior’s very soul. It was Hawkfrost.

‘’Long time no see, Lionpaw,’’ he said.

‘’It’s Lionblaze,’’ he retorted. ‘’I’m a warrior now.’’

‘’Oh, I’ve heard everything,’’ Hawkfrost replied.

Lionblaze let out a short gasp. ‘’You know?’’

‘’That’s right,’’ The RiverClan tom replied. ‘’I helped Ashfur lead Firestar into the fox trap. It was a part of my plan for him to get back at Squirrelflight, and for Brambleclaw to become ThunderClan’s leader.’’

The golden tabby sunk his claws into the earth, beginning to tremble with rage.

‘’However, Brambleclaw killed me,’’ he continued. ‘’He was so pathetic.’’

‘’Even if Brambleclaw isn’t my father, he’s still a much more honorable cat than you and Tigerstar!’’ Lionblaze snarled. ‘’At least he didn’t try to kill his own leader!’’

‘’You should be grateful you aren’t his son,’’ Hawkfrost said callously. ‘’My half-brother was a weak, soft-hearted cat. He was far too loyal to that kittypet than to his own kin.’’

‘’Shut up!’’ Lionblaze yowled, lunging at him. The dark brown tabby quickly dodged his attack, jumping in the opposite direction of his attack.

Lionblaze swiped at Hawkfrost with his forepaw, but he evaded again. ‘’Is that all you’ve got?’’ the blue-eyed tabby taunted. He knocked his opponent to the ground and raked his claws down his shoulder, tearing his skin.

The golden warrior squirmed under his grip. At the same time, a crimson haze clouded his vision, making it hard for him to see anything. Blood roared in his ears as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

Lionblaze sprung up with new-found vigor, bounding into the air and landing a blow on Hawkfrost’s face, slashing his skin. Drops of blood trickled onto the soil. He winced from the pain.

‘’Impressive,’’ he breathed, looking up at Lionblaze. ‘’So much power...’’

The golden warrior’s sides heaved as he panted. Blood began to drip from the wound on his shoulder. His head was aching, and his sight was hazy, but he could make out the shape of Hawkfrost. At the same time, black spots were clouding Lionblaze’s vision. Finally, everything went dark.

Lionblaze jolted awake in his nest. Through the roof of the warriors’ den, he could see the sky turning pale. He felt as if something was jabbing his shoulder, and saw that the wound on his shoulder from Hawkfrost’s claws was throbbing.

The golden tabby cleaned the injury with his tongue and rose to his paws. He stretched and pointed his back into an arch before heading outside.

When Lionblaze was outside, he saw Cinderheart walking towards the center of the clearing with a blackbird clamped in her jaws. When she saw him, she placed it down in front of her paws.

‘’Good morning, Lionblaze,’’ she said.

‘’Hey, Cinderheart,’’ he replied, walking towards her.

The gray tabby’s eyes widened when she saw the wound on his shoulder. ‘’You’re bleeding!’’ she exclaimed.

Lionblaze quickly turned away from her. ‘’I just got scratched by a thorn, that’s all,’’ he lied. He didn’t want Cinderheart to know that he was training in The Place of No Stars every night and that Hawkfrost had injured him in their fight.

‘’Stay here,’’ she meowed. ‘’I’m going to fetch Leafpool.’’

‘’I’m fine!’’ he yowled.

‘’Come with me,’’ The gray tabby ordered. ‘’I don’t want you getting an infection.’’

Not wanted to argue with her, Lionblaze followed Cinderheart towards the medicine cat’s den. He was quite baffled by her behavior. How did the tabby she-cat know about the treatment of wounds?

Leafpool emerged from the cave. ‘’Come inside, you two.’’

The golden warrior followed her in. He laid down on the nest of moss and bracken. Cinderheart sat down beside him.

‘’Where’s Jayfeather?’’ he asked, noticing his brother’s absence.

‘’He’s out gathering herbs,’’ she answered. ‘’With leaf-bare coming, we need as much as we can get, especially after that greencough outbreak.’’

‘’I agree,’’ Cinderheart replied. ‘’We can’t afford to lose any of our Clanmates to sickness.’’

Leafpool nodded at looked at Lionblaze. ‘’What are you here for?’’

‘’I was snagged by a thorn.’’ he answered.

‘’It will be healed up in no time,’’ the tabby medicine cat said. ‘’Lay still while I apply the goldenrod and cobwebs.’’

Lionblaze was content that Leafpool didn’t question his lie. The last thing he wanted was for other cats knowing about his training in the dark forest. Did Leafpool even know that it existed?

He let out a breath of relief, knowing that his secret was safe for now.

---

Chapter Two

Hollyleaf walked through the forest, the grass crunching beneath her paws. Two sunrises had passed since Ashfur’s death. The black warrior had been finding it hard to sleep. She was plagued by nightmares of when he tried to kill her and her brothers, and also of the mysterious tortoiseshell known as Sol.

It was late in leaf-fall. The trees had become bare, their leaves fallen to the ground. The plant life was brown and shrived. She slightly opened her mouth to taste the air for traces of prey. The sable she-cat spotted a thrush foraging for food in the cold weather. She crouched down and waggled her hindquarters, her eyes fixed on the bird. Finally, she sprung forward, delivering a quick bite to it’s neck.

‘’Great catch!’’ a voice said.

Hollyleaf turned her head and saw Firestar, the cat who she had once known as her grandfather. She set her prey down by her paws.

‘’Firestar, what are you doing out here?’’ she asked.

‘’Would you like to mentor Rosekit?’’ the ginger tom inquired. ‘’She and Toadkit are now six moons old.’’

Hollyleaf felt her fur prickle with excitement. She was going to be a mentor! ‘’Yes, I will.’’

‘’Very well,’’ Firestar replied.

Daisy was in front of the nursery, grooming Toadkit’s fur. His sister, Rosekit bounced excitedly.

‘’When will the ceremony start?’’ she asked.

‘’Soon,’’ her mother answered. ‘’Firestar hasn’t called the Clan together yet.’’ The two kits waited eagerly.

Hollyleaf approached the fresh-kill pile and dropped her thrush on top of it. She glanced around the clearing. Everything was serene. Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw were sharing tongues in the shade of the hollow.

‘’Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!’’ Firestar declared. The cats assembled below him.

‘’Toadkit and Rosekit, step forward,’’ the orange tom said. The pair walked towards the middle of the grassy clearing.

‘’Toadkit and Rosekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed,’’ Firestar continued. ‘’From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Toadpaw and Rosepaw.’’

He gestured with his tail for Birchfall and Hollyleaf to come forward.

‘’Birchfall, you will mentor Toadpaw,’’ he said, resting his emerald gaze on the tabby tom. ‘’You have become a skilled warrior from Ashfur’s training. I hope you will pass down all that you know to him.’’

The orange tom subsequently looked at the sable she-cat. ‘’Hollyleaf, you will mentor Rosepaw. You have proven yourself to be a loyal and thoughtful warrior. I hope you will pass down all that you know to her.’’

The pair of cats touched noses to their new apprentices.

‘’Toadpaw! Rosepaw!’’ the Clan chanted joyously, welcoming them.

Hollyleaf noticed that Squirrelflight and Leafpool were looking at her with tender gleams in their eyes.

‘’I’m very proud of you.’’ Squirrelflight said, licking her ear.

Hollyleaf was baffled by her behavior. Normally, she would have felt comforted by this gesture, but instead she felt cold. The ginger warrior wasn’t her mother.

‘’What?’’ Lionblaze exclaimed. ‘’How come you got an apprentice and I didn’t?’’

She playfully tapped his shoulder with the tip of his tail. ‘’Cheer up! You can help her out with her battle training.’’

The golden tom just sighed, not saying anything else.

A brisk breeze ruffled Hollyleaf’s pelt as she walked with Rosepaw at her heels.

‘’What are we doing today?’’ the cream molly asked.

‘’Since it’s your first time outside of camp, I’ll show the territory,’’ she answered. ‘’After that I’ll teach you some hunting techniques.’’

The duo continued on their way through the woodland. As Hollyleaf walked, she could pick up the song of a robin from RiverClan territory, calling for its mate. Within the stone hollow, she heard Millie’s kits playing, squealing loudly as they tussled with each other.

‘’Over there is ShadowClan territory,’’ the black warrior explained, gesturing her tail towards the conifer trees. ‘’Next to them is RiverClan.’’

The two she-cats kept walking. The sound of the churning river filled Hollyleaf’s ears. She suddenly felt her blood freeze. They had arrived at the place where Ashfur’s corpse had been found.

‘’A-across from this stream is WindClan territory.’’ she stammered. Hollyleaf suddenly began to feel anxious, and she swiftly turned back.

Barkface and Kestrelpaw were on the moor. They were going to gather herbs for leaf-bare. The younger tom stopped to look at the two she-cats.

Rosepaw stared at her with bewildered eyes. ‘’Hollyleaf, what’s wrong?’’

She didn’t want her apprentice to know what had happened near the stream. ‘’It’s nothing,’’ she answered.

They made their way to the Sky Oak. Hollyleaf turned around to face Rosepaw. ‘’I’m going to show you some hunting techniques. Pay close attention.’’

Spotting a mouse, the sable warrior crouched down, her belly pressed against the ground. The rodent was nibbling on a blade of grass. It was oblivious that it was being stalked by a much larger animal. The cream-colored she-cat watched her mentor intently, also crouching.

Hollyleaf began to slowly creep up on the mouse. Then, she slightly waggled her hindquarters and pounced forward and delivered a swift bite to its neck.

Rosepaw gazed at her in amazement. ‘’Wow, Hollyleaf!’’ she exclaimed. ‘’That was a great catch!’’

The black she-cat set her prey down by her paws. ‘’Now it’s your turn. Try to do what I just did.’’

The younger molly crouched down.

‘’Stop!’’ Hollyleaf said.

Rosepaw stood up. ‘’Why?’’ she asked. ‘’I was crouching like you did.’’

‘’You aren’t crouching low enough,’’ she replied. ‘’Your stomach isn’t touching the ground. Watch what I do.’’

Hollyleaf crouched in front of her apprentice. She pressed her belly against the earth and bunched her legs. Subsequently, she got up.

The cream apprentice drew her body into a crouch. Her tail was erect in the air.

‘’Stick your tail down,’’ her mentor commanded.

Rosepaw lowered her tail. It was now horizontal.

‘’Good,’’ Hollyleaf praised. ‘’Now creep forward and waggle your hindquarters.’’

Rosepaw began to move slowly, the grass brushing up against her. She was like a snake, quiet and stealthy. The cream apprentice paused to shake her back legs, and sprung forward. She landed awkwardly on the ground.

As Hollyleaf watched her rise to her paws, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. She was a mentor now, training and educating young cats to serve and defend their Clan. The mere thought of that filled her with euphoria.

‘’Let’s go back to camp,’’ the black warrior said. She picked up her mouse and beckoned with her tail for Rosepaw to follow her.

Reserve 3

Reserve 5

Reserve 7

Can I post?

Cool! I kove rewrites, so I'll be watching this!

The first chapter is almost complete and it will be posted soon.