Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2016 7:51:39 GMT -5
I wrote this a long time ago on the old forums, and I want to save it because I worked hours on this rant. Since I can't get my iPad to copy and paste it, this is my only option for right now. This isn't really a debate thread, but if you want to reply feel free. I just need a place to store this rant before the old forums shut down.
I feel like people are way too harsh on Heathertail, so I'm going to try and defend her. I honestly don't think she's the horrible cat that so many make her out to be.
When they first met, Heathertail (then Heatherpaw) was nothing but nice to Lionblaze (then Lionpaw). She is also very sympathetic about Jaypaw's accident.
Suddenly a soft voice sounded in his ear. "Are you Jaypaw's brother?"
He swung around to find a light brown tabby she-cat gazing at him with eyes the color of a late-afternoon sky. "Y-yes," he stammered. "How did you know?"
"Berrypaw told me. I'm Heatherpaw, by the way."
Because your eyes are the color of heather...
"Jaypaw might have mentioned me," Heatherpaw went on. "I was there when Crowfeather saved him from drowning. Has he recovered?"
Lionpaw forced himself to stop gaping like a startled rabbit. "Jaypaw?" he echoed. "Oh, he's fine now."
"Is he here?" Heatherpaw inquired.
Lionpaw was having trouble remembering where any of his littermates were right now.
"Not this time," Mousepaw answered for him, sounding impatient.
"I still can't believe he was out alone when he's blind," Heatherpaw breathed. "He must have been so brave!"
Lionpaw felt a twinge of envy. "Most of the time he's just grumpy," he told her. "Especially now that he's been confined to camp for a quarter moon."
"Poor Jaypaw," Heatherpaw sympathized. "I'd be miserable if I were stuck in camp."
"Me too," Lionpaw agreed.
"How long have you been an apprentice?" Heatherpaw asked.
"Since a quarter moon. What about you?"
"For a moon and a half now," she replied. "This is my second Gathering."
The Sight pages 135-136
She even goes on to introduce him to Breezepelt, and much more. And while it isn't stated directly, I believe Lionblaze was very attracted to her. He was very nervous and couldn't think straight around her. Now, it's possible he was just nervous, but the way he described her eyes and how he felt slightly envious of Jayfeather when Heathertail was feeling sorry for him, I believe he found her attractive. Also, keep in mind that she's only seven moons old in this scene. That's the equivalent of eight years old, in human years.
Lionblaze's crush on Heathertail is shown again, later on in the story. Dogs start attacking WindClan, and Lionblaze's first thought is whether or not Heathertail is all right.
Lionpaw's heart was still pounding like a woodpecker on oak. "I hope Heatherpaw's okay!"
The Sight page 182
Why would he be so worried about someone he's only met once, unless he's developing a crush on her? Not to mention, the topic of the dogs from A Dangerous Path is brought up shortly after, so Lionblaze knows how dangerous dogs can be. He still goes on to put his life at risk to save her, though.
Lionpaw pelted after Ashfur as the warrior headed toward Crowfeather and Heatherpaw. The two WindClan cats were still keeping the dog away from the camp, their paws sending up clumps of moss as they skimmed over the wet grass. The dog pounded after them, but they swerved one way and then the other, sending it skidding off course long enough to pull up ahead for a while.
They must be exhausted, Lionpaw thought, pushing himself on as fast as he could. He could not take his eyes off Heatherpaw. She raced bravely beside her mentor, her pelt slick with rain, following his movements step for step.
"Crowfeather!" Ashfur yowled to the WindClan warrior as he cut across their path.
Crowfeather stared in surprise.
"We've come to help!" Lionpaw called to Heatherpaw. She jerked her head up to look at him and stumbled. A rabbit hole had caught her paw, and she crashed to the ground. Lionpaw gasped in horror as the dog swung toward her. Without thinking, he turned and raced for the dog. Crowfeather had already swerved to a halt and was heading back to help his apprentice. Birchfall sped after Lionpaw. Ashfur yowled a battle cry and joined the chase.
Heatherpaw struggled to her paws and began to run, but the dog was nearly on top of her. Screeching in fury, Lionpaw launched himself at the dog's flank and gripped its coarse pelt. The dog yelped and spun, snapping at Lionpaw but unable to reach him. Lionpaw hauled his way onto the dog's back and dug in his claws. The dog tried to shake him off, but Lionpaw would not let go. Crowfeather leaped at the dog's face, raking its muzzle before swerving away from it. Ashfur darted underneath the dog's paws, nipping its foreleg so viciously that blood spurted from the wound. Lionpaw felt the dog stumble beneath him and dug his claws in harder.
The dog, yowling in pain, tried to shake Lionpaw off again. Lionpaw held on, looking for Heatherpaw, desperate to see if she was safe. His heart plummeted when he saw he pale brown pelt flash toward the dog.
"What are you doing?" he screeched.
"Helping you!" she yowled back. She darted behind the dog and raked its hind legs with her claws. The dog yelped and fell. It rolled onto Lionpaw, and he shrieked in surprise.
[...]
"Are you okay?" he whispered.
She glanced at him with her soft gaze. "I'm fine."
Lionpaw's pelt was stinging from being scratched by the gorse, and his body ached where the dog had fallen on him. He was thankful for the mossy earth that had softened the fall. But he was also proud of his scars. This time he had won them defending another Clan.
"You were very brave, leaping on the dog like that," Heatherpaw mewed. She pointed ahead with her muzzle. "We're here," she told him.
[...]
"But we could never have chased off the dogs without you," Heatherpaw put in. "The dogs were faster than I had ever imagined. She glanced sideways at Lionpaw. "Lionpaw saved me from one of them."
Crowfeather instantly weaved between the two apprentices, blocking their view. "That was brave, Lionpaw, but WindClan is perfectly capable of taking care of its own cats."
Lionpaw felt anger flare inside him. No other cat had been near enough to the dog to reach it before it had harmed Heatherpaw. "But-"
[...]
"Those dogs won't dare come near this part of your territory again."
"If they do, we can manage them by ourselves," Breezepaw muttered.
"Breezepaw!" Nightcloud snapped. "Heatherpaw might have been hurt without this brave apprentice." She blinked gratefully at Lionpaw.
Lionpaw glanced away, conscious that Heatherpaw wouldn't have stumbled if he hadn't distracted her.
"Do you need some herbs for your wounds?" Heatherpaw asked him.
Lionpaw shook his head. "Leafpool will treat them when we get home."
Brambleclaw turned and headed out of the camp. The rest of the patrol filed after him. As they followed the twisting tunnel back up to the moorland, Lionpaw thought about what Jaypaw had said to Firestar. He had known that the dogs would come too; had Firestar really refused to believe his brother's warning? Surely he would believe him next time - Jaypaw had been right. But the thoughts of his brother quickly slid away, to be replaced with the memory of the heather-colored eyes and a soft voice asking if he needed herbs.
The Sight pages , 288-289, 291, 292, 293-294
Lionblaze definitely has a crush on Heathertail, despite the fact he's only met her once before. Now, you're probably wondering where I'm going with this and why it matters in defense of Heathertail. I want to show how much Lionblaze thought of her, despite only meeting her once at a Gathering. A lot of people try to make her out to be the one to go after Lionblaze, but this isn't the case. And besides, can you really blame her for starting to develop feelings for Lionblaze? Up to this point, he has done nothing but be kind to her. He even risked his life in order to save her from dogs.
At the next Gathering, Lionblaze desperately wants to see her.
"Willowpaw?" he echoed distractedly. There was only one apprentice Lionpaw was hoping to see at the Gathering. Heatherpaw, the pretty WindClan apprentice with smoky blue eyes. He let out a small sigh.
"What are you thinking about?" Hollypaw nudged him. "Your moons away."
"Er, Jaypaw," he mewed quickly. "I was wondering if he could make it over the tree-bridge."
Dark River page 11
At the Gathering, Lionblaze is set on finding Heathertail. Eventually he does, and the two start talking. Eventually, Heathertail suggests they meet up the next night.
"Instead of waiting till the next Gathering, why don't we meet up before?"
"Before?" Lionpaw echoed in surprise. Wasn't it against the warrior code to meet with cats from another Clan without permission?
"Tomorrow night," she whispered.
"But how? Where?"
"At the boundary in the woods. Near the yew tree. We can slip away while our Clanmates are sleeping."
"But-"
Heatherpaw's whiskers twitched. "Come on! It'll be exciting. And it's not like we'd be hurting anyone."
Lionpaw felt guilt and worry tug at his belly, but Heatherpaw's blue eyes were sparkling at him hopefully. It did sound like fun. He could always say he'd been practicing his night hunting. And Heatherpaw was right. They wouldn't be doing any harm, like stealing prey or spying. No cat would even know if they were careful about it. I'll still be loyal to my Clan and I won't fall behind in my duties.
He blinked at Heatherpaw. "Okay."
Dark River pages 24-25
And while Lionpaw did feel slightly guilty, he still agreed to participate. I'm not putting all the blame onto Lionpaw for agreeing to meet up with Heathertail. She was wrong to suggest such a thing, even at her age. I'm just pointing out that both cats are at fault. A lot of people try to make this whole situation out to be Heathertail's fault, when that isn't the case. Both of them agreed to meet up on their own free will.
Besides, if you're going to give Heathertail grief for meeting up with Lionblaze, surely Lionblaze should be hated too? After all, he participated too and he even denied that he was doing anything wrong at first. I just don't see how people can hate Heathertail, when Lionblaze was doing the exact same thing and showed no remorse for it, at least not right away.
Hollypaw's tail bristled as she recognized Lionpaw's mew. He sounded happy; happier than she had ever heard him in days. She crept forward, keeping low and ducked into the swath of heather that shielded the hollow. Setting the bushes rustling she wriggled between the bare stems and peered over the top of the slope.
Her brother was charging after a ball of moss like an excited kit. He dived at it as it landed, and with a tremendous swipe, sent it flying back in the other direction. A little shape leaped up from the grass to catch it. Its tabby pelt glowed in the moonlight. Hollypaw's heart sank like a rock. Heatherpaw!
"You don't seem surprised." Cinderpaw had slipped in beside her and was peering down into the grassy dip.
Hollypaw shook her head. "I'm not." Reluctantly she wriggled out from the heather. "Lionpaw!" she called.
Lionpaw and Heatherpaw froze, staring at each other in alarm. The moss ball fell to the ground.
"What are you doing here?" Hollypaw demanded.
Slowly Lionpaw tore his gaze away from Heatherpaw's and turned to face his sister. His eyes sparkled with defiance. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you!"
"Spying on me!"
Hollypaw flinched. "You shouldn't be here, playing with her!" She glared at Heatherpaw.
"Why not? She's just a friend."
"A friend from another Clan!"
"Your friends with Willowpaw!"
"I don't sneak off every night to see her."
Lionpaw opened his mouth to object, but no words came out. Hollypaw knew she had won the argument. But her brother's eyes did not concede anything. They shone with rage. He turned to face Heatherpaw. "I'd better go."
Heatherpaw dipped her head. "I know," she sighed.
Hollypaw clenched her teeth as Lionpaw brushed muzzles with the WindClan apprentice. Did he really believe it was just friendship that brought him here?
Lionpaw padded up the slope and glared at Cinderpaw. "Did you have to tell the whole Clan?" he hissed at Hollypaw.
Cinderpaw flicked her tail. "I just came to make sure Hollypaw was safe," she explained. "No one else knows."
"And they won't know," Hollypaw added, "so long as you stay away from Heatherpaw."
Lionpaw glared at her. "Is that a threat?"
Hollypaw backed away. She had never seen Lionpaw this angry. Even when they had quarreled as kits, there had always been a lighthearted twinkle in his eyes. But not now. His eyes were cold as stars.
"If you continue meeting Heatherpaw, I will have to tell Brambleclaw," she insisted, trying not to let her voice tremble.
Lionpaw bristled.
"There's a good reason why the warrior code forbids mixing with cats from other Clans," Hollypaw went on. "How can you be loyal to your own Clan when your heart lies with another?"
"Are you accusing me of disloyalty?" Lionpaw flattened his ears.
"I know you'd never be disloyal," Hollypaw mewed. "But you're making it difficult for yourself. That's why you must stop this." It was hard enough having kin in another Clan without deliberately making friends outside the forest. Weren't Lionpaw's Clanmates enough for him?
A low growl sounded in Lionpaw's throat. He barged past Hollypaw and padded towards the trees. Hollypaw felt Cinderpaw's tail run along her flank, smoothing her ruffled fur.
"He'll get over it," Cinderpaw promised.
"I hope so," Hollypaw sighed. She knew she'd done the right thing, but she hadn't expected Lionpaw to react so angrily, as if he believed that he'd done nothing wrong. Would he ever forgive her?
Dark River pages 42-44
A lot of people dislike Hollyleaf for this scene, calling her a hypocrite. However, I don't think I've ever seen anyone call out Lionblaze for his behavior. He was in the wrong as well, yet I can't recall ever seeing anyone using this scene against him. It may seem like I'm trying to make Lionblaze look bad, but that's not what I'm trying to do at all. I just want people to realize Lionblaze made just as many mistakes as Heathertail did. I feel like people minimize his role, and only focus their attention on everything Heathertail has done wrong in the whole situation.
Lionblaze even goes as far as saying Hollyleaf deserved to starve for what she had done. Of course, he probably didn't mean it and was talking out of anger, but it's still kind of bratty for him to think this way, when all his sister did was scold him for breaking the warrior code.
"Hi, Jaypaw." Hollypaw was bounding across the clearing with Cinderpaw. "Any food left?"
"You can eat later, Hollypaw!" Brackenfur was pacing up and down in front of the camp entrance. "Training first."
Lionpaw gulped down the last of his mouse, feeling a twinge of satisfaction. Hollypaw had probably been gossiping about him. Serves her right if it means she goes hungry. He got to his paws and hurried toward Brackenfur.
Dark River pages 66-67
Later on, Lionblaze goes on to accidentally hurt Hollyleaf during a battle training session. Of course, he apologized and felt absolutely terrible, but this shows how easily he allowed his anger to get out of control.
"And weaknesses?" Brackenfur pressed.
"ShadowClan is weak because they think they are braver than they really are," Hollypaw mewed. "And RiverClan is so well fed that they're slower than us."
Lionpaw shifted on his paws, searching for something to say. Hollypaw was answering everything first.
Ashfur glanced at him. "What about WindClan?"
Lionpaw's mouth turned dry. Ashfur's gaze seemed to be boring into him. Had Hollypaw told her mentor about his meetings with Heatherpaw? Lionpaw started to panic as he realized that all three cats were staring at him, waiting for an answer. His paws began to itch. Come on! I know this!
Hollypaw rolled her eyes. "Lionpaw thinks WindClan has no weaknesses." Her accusation made his ears burn with embarrassment. Why was she being so obvious? Was she reminding him she had the power to get him into big trouble?
Anger rose in his throat. "That's not true!" he hissed.
"What's not true?" Brambleclaw came padding down the slope toward them, Berrypaw at his side.
Lionpaw lifted his chin. "Hollypaw's accusing me of favoring WindClan!"
"Why would she do that?"
"I was just teasing," Hollypaw mewed. "Lionpaw's being touchy. He had a nightmare."
Lionpaw lashed his tail. Was Hollypaw determined to make him look like an *****? He'd show her! "WindClan is fast, but not as strong as us because they don't have any trees to climb on the moorland," he growled, glaring at her.
"Good." Brackenfur nodded. "You seem to know the basics. Let's practice some moves. First, let's try one that will work on a RiverClan cat."
Brackenfur darted under Ashfur's belly and nipped him on the hind leg. Ashfur rounded on him ready for the counter-attack, but Brackenfur had already shot out of reach. Ashfur leaped toward him but Brackenfur rolled out of the way, sprang to his paws and launched himself onto Ashfur's back, unbalancing the gray warrior and sending him rolling onto his side. The two warriors jumped to their paws, shook earth from their pelts, and turned to face their apprentices.
"Now you two try it," Ashfur meowed.
"Lionpaw." Brackenfur touched Lionpaw's flank with his tail. "You be the RiverClan cat because you're bigger and more powerful. Hollypaw, you try and unbalance him like I did with Ashfur."
Hollypaw nodded. "Don't make it easy for me!" Her eyes were shining with determination.
"Don't worry, I won't," Lionpaw hissed through gritted teeth. Didn't she know how much she was annoying him?
He felt her dart underneath him, felt her teeth graze his hind leg. But he wasn't going to let her get away as easily as Ashfur had done. He dropped his whole weight onto her before she could scamper free, then grabbed her with his paws and tugged her over onto her side.
"Hey!" she squealed. "That's not how you're meant to do it!"
"You should have been faster!" Lionpaw spat, and began raking her spine with his hind claws while he gripped her shoulders with his forepaws.
"You're hurting me!" Hollypaw shrieked, struggling to free herself.
"Lionpaw, stop!" Brambleclaw's sharp command made Lionpaw freeze. Hollypaw slid from his grip and scrambled to her paws. Brambleclaw was staring down at Lionpaw, his eyes blazing. "This is training! We don't want any cat hurt!"
Lionpaw got to his paws. "Sorry," he mewed. "I got carried away."
Hollypaw was lapping at the scratches Lionpaw had given her. He felt a wave of guilt for letting his temper get away from him. He hung his head. "Sorry, Hollypaw," he murmured. The rage that had been seething in his belly all morning faded away. "I'm really sorry." He glanced nervously at his father, expecting anger, but Brambleclaw's eyes were filled with concern.
Dark River pages 68-70
Heathertail and Lionblaze continue to meet up without any problems. It isn't until after Lionblaze shows Heathertail a battle move, when Hawkfrost starts planting the idea that Heathertail is a traitor against Lionblaze and that she will betray him. That's when their friendship starts to go downhill.
“Traitor!”
Lionpaw halted and jerked around, fur spiking.
A familiar outline shimmered against the ferns.
"Tigerstar?"
"What do you think you're doing?" It was Hawkfrost. Lionpaw looked for Tigerstar but Hawkfrost was alone. His eyes blazed as he padded toward Lionpaw.
"What do you mean?" Lionpaw protested. Hawkfrost knew about his nightly visits to the tunnels. Why was he challenging him now?
Hawkfrost curled his lip. "You were teaching battle moves to the enemy!"
"Heatherpaw's not an enemy!" Lionpaw retorted. "She's my friend!"
"She belongs to another Clan!" Hawkfrost hissed. "That makes her an enemy! What if she uses the moves you just taught her against you one day?"
"Heatherpaw would never do that!"
"Wouldn't she?"
Lionpaw stiffened, trying to imagine facing Heatherpaw in battle. Surely she wouldn't take advantage of him like that? "I thought you and Tigerstar didn't care about me seeing Heatherpaw."
"We liked your independence," Hawkfrost growled. "We assumed it was just a harmless kit-friendship."
"It is harmless!" Lionpaw bristled. "But it's not just a kit-friendship! It's more than that. That's why I know she'd never use those battle moves against me!"
"Then you're a mouse-brain!" Hawkfrost snarled. "I thought you wanted to be a great warrior."
Lionpaw lifted his chin. "Of course I do!"
"Then why can't you see what those tunnels mean?"
Lionpaw blinked. The tunnels meant he could meet Heatherpaw without upsetting his Clan.
Hawkfrost snorted. "You don't understand anything, do you?"
"I do!"
"Then why haven't you figured out that those tunnels could be used for a surprise attack on WindClan?"
"Why would we want to attack WindClan?"
"The same reason WindClan might one day use the tunnels to attack ThunderClan!"
Lionpaw stared at Hawkfrost. He wasn't making any sense to his tired ears.
Dark River 226-227
Despite Lionblaze's protests, Hawkfrost still managed to manipulate him into believing Heatherpaw was a traitor who could not be trusted. Without Hawkfrost's persuasion, I don't think Lionblaze would have grown to dislike Heathertail as much as he does now.
In their next scene together, Lionblaze cuts off ties with Heathertail, which upsets her.
Heatherpaw was already there. She hurried to greet him, rubbing her nose along his cheek. She smelled warm and sleepy, as though she had just woken up. "Your poor ear!" she gasped when she saw the blood crusted wound.
"Is that your only wound?" Her eyes glittered with worry in the half-light. "Breezepaw said he'd shredded you!"
Lionpaw stepped back. She should be worried about her own Clanmates, not him. He felt more certain than ever that he was about to do the right thing.
Heatherpaw tipped her head back. "What?" Could she sense the guilt pricking his pelt?
Lionpaw gazed at her. "We can't meet up anymore."
Heatherpaw's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"We just can't."
"But we were having fun. Why do we have to stop? We're not hurting anyone." She sounded desperate, her voice coming out as a squeak.
"I think you're great, Heatherpaw," Lionpaw mewed. He stared at his paws. Why did she have to make this harder? "But you need to find someone in your own Clan. I need to be the best warrior I can be, and I can't do that if I'm here every night."
Heatherpaw flinched as though he'd raked his claws across her nose. "It doesn't have to be every night." Her mew was a little more than a whisper.
It doesn't matter how often we meet! I shouldn't be here at all! "I was looking out for you in the battle today," Lionpaw told her. "What if you'd been in that patrol?"
"You could have fought Breezepaw or Harepaw or-"
"Battles aren't that simple, and you know it!" She must understand! "I can't pick and choose. I have to defend my Clan. I can't be worrying about you all the time." He watched her gaze cloud with grief and his heart twisted in pain.
"That's it, then?" she mewed.
"Yes." He wasn't going to show how close he was to changing his mind, to agreeing to see her once a moon, or maybe twice, or three times... This was what he had to do.
Anger flared in her eyes. "Fine!" she snapped. "I understand now." She turned away and padded toward the tunnel. Before she disappeared into the shadows she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes brimming with pain. "I just hope being a warrior is worth it!"
Dark River pages 241-242
A lot of people hate Heathertail for how she reacted in this scene, but keep in mind how young she was. She lacked the maturity she needed to handle the situation. Besides, her best friend had just told her he didn't want to see her again. While Lionblaze was doing the right thing, I understand why she would be so hurt, especially at her age. Besides, she later goes on to realize what a mistake she had made by meeting up with Lionblaze, and she shows no hard feelings towards him. She even agrees to keep the tunnels a secret.
"Perhaps we should go back," Hollypaw whispered. "We don't want WindClan to realize we know about this place. It would ruin our advantage."
"They probably know already." Lionpaw's heart felt as heavy as stone. Heatherpaw had betrayed their secret - he wouldn't be surprised if she'd betrayed him as well. They hadn't exactly been friendly the last time they met. He padded toward the dim light and stepped into the cave.
In the gloom, he could just make out Heatherpaw on the opposite side of the river.
Breezepaw was pacing the edge of the cave behind her, sniffing at each tunnel in turn. "I've lost their scent."
"Lionpaw!" Heatherpaw sounded surprised.
Breezepaw spun, hissing to face Lionpaw.
Heatherpaw's gaze darted anxiously toward her Clanmate as she went on, "H-how did you know about this place?"
Lionpaw understood at once. She was pretending she had never met him here before. It was a sensible plan, but it felt wrong to act like strangers after they'd shared so much time here. "I found it a few days ago by accident," he lied.
Hollypaw and Jaypaw were creeping out of the tunnel behind him. "I was chasing a rabbit and it led me down a hole and I ended up here." He flashed a warning glance at Hollypaw.
Breezepaw's pelt bristled. "These tunnels lead into ThunderClan territory as well?"
"I didn't realize," Heatherpaw mewed, wide-eyed. "I've only been as far as this cave before."
"What are you three doing here?" Breezepaw demanded.
Hollypaw padded in front of Lionpaw, lifting her chin. "When we heard the kits were missing, Lionpaw guessed they might be here."
"How did you know there was another entrance in WindClan territory?" Breezepaw flexed his claws.
"It was just a guess." Lionpaw shrugged. "There are so many tunnels. They might lead into ShadowClan territory as far as I know."
Breezepaw stared at him. The damp, stuffy air was thick with mistrust. "Is there any scent of kits in your tunnel?"
"No," Hollypaw replied, her voice taut.
"We followed their trail here, but it's disappeared," Heatherpaw explained.
Jaypaw had cautiously crept forward and was sniffing at the river. Its usually sleek surface was rippling as though blown by the wind, and dark water lapped over the edges forming pools in the dimpled rock on either side. "Is the water always this high?" he asked.
"Only after it's been raining," Heatherpaw answered.
"Does it get higher?"
Heatherpaw tipped her head on one side, puzzled. "I don't think so."
Lionpaw felt hot with embarrassment. Why did Jaypaw keep fussing about the rain? He wanted to find the kits and get out of here.
Breezepaw paced around his Clanmate. "These intruders might as well go home," he mewed. "We're looking for the kits. There's no need for them to help." He glared at Lionpaw. "Why are you even bothered about WindClan kits anyway?"
Hollypaw flicked her tail. "There's going to be a battle over them, haven't you heard?"
"Can we stop chatting and get on with the search?" Heatherpaw snapped.
Breezepaw shot her an angry look. "What about them?"
"We may as well let them come with us," Heatherpaw mewed. "How are we going to carry three kits by ourselves?" Before he could answer, she headed for the tunnel nearest to her. "We have to find those kits before any of our Clanmates get hurt."
"I agree!" Hollypaw leaped the wide river and glanced back at Jaypaw. "The water is about two foxtails wide," she told him.
Jaypaw crouched, preparing to jump. Lionpaw could see his paws trembling. Let him make it! He tensed, ready to dive into the rushing water if he had to, but Jaypaw sprang high over the river, clearing it with a tail-length to spare.
As Lionpaw jumped after him, Heatherpaw ducked out of the tunnel she had been sniffing. "They haven't been this way."
Lionpaw crept into another dark opening, tasting the air. No scent.
"This way!" Jaypaw was crouching in front of a narrow entrance, his whiskers twitching.
Hollypaw pushed past him and peered at the ground. "He's right! There's a paw print."
Lionpaw squeezed past her to look. Sure enough, there on the silty ground was a tiny fresh print. "They went this way." He glanced up and met Heatherpaw's gaze. Fear glittered in her hazy blue eyes.
"Oh, Lionpaw," she whispered. "What have we done?"
Dark River pages 287-290
"I'm scared," Heatherpaw whispered.
"It's going to be okay." Lionpaw dropped onto all four paws and pressed against the WindClan cat. Jaypaw was close enough to hear him whisper into her ear, "Our time together will be something I remember even when I'm with StarClan."
Heatherpaw trembled. "There will be no borders between us there."
Dark River pages 304-305
"Stop! We found the kits," he yowled.
"There's no need to fight!" Hollypaw stared anxiously over her shoulder, wiling the others to hurry.
"Where are they?" Onestar demanded.
"They're coming," Hollypaw promised.
The warriors stared in astonishment as the undergrowth shivered and Heatherpaw nosed Sedgekit and Swallowkit out into the open. The kits stumbled to a halt and stood blinking in the moonlight. Lionpaw padded out of the brambles, Jaypaw following, and placed Thistlekit gently beside them.
"Where in StarClan did you find them?" Onestar's eyes stretched wide.
Lionpaw's fur was prickling along his spine. He glanced at Heatherpaw and stepped forward. 'They found their way into-"
Hollypaw cut him off. "They were down on the shore," she mewed. "They'd made themselves a camp to shelter from the rain."
What was the point of giving away Lionpaw's secret? The tunnels between the two Clans were blocked now. Any tactical advantage was lost and it would only get Lionpaw into trouble. She glanced at the others, silently praying that they would agree.
Heatherpaw nodded. "They were just inside the ThunderClan border, right down on the beach." Her gaze fixed on Breezepaw. "Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw saw us looking for them and called us over when they picked up their scent."
Dark River page 315
"I'd better go to." Breezepaw nodded curtly at Hollypaw and Lionpaw. "Are you coming?" He stared at Heatherpaw, who was lingering on the ThunderClan side of the border.
"In a moment."
Breezepaw snorted and hurried after his Clanmates.
Heatherpaw padded to Lionpaw and entwined her tail briefly with his. "Thanks for helping."
Firestar narrowed his eyes and Hollypaw stiffened. She stared at her brother, claws itching as she waited for his reply. One battle had been averted, but was there one still looming?
"We would have done the same for any cat," Lionpaw mewed flatly.
Pain flashed in Heatherpaw's eyes. "You're going to be a great warrior, Lionpaw."
Dark River page 318
A lot of people seem to think Heathertail hates Lionblaze for stopping their meetings, but that isn't true. It isn't until the battle scene in Eclipse where Heathertail grows to hate Lionblaze. I honestly don't blame her, though. Lionblaze ripped her away from her Clan, and then proceeded to pin her down and shout accusations at her. He even goes as far as nearly killing Crowfeather before her eyes, which probably terrified her if she wasn't terrified enough as it is. Everyone makes excuses saying Tigerstar was controlling Lionblaze to do this, but does Heathertail know that? No! All she knows is that her former best friend just attacked her and proceed to nearly kill her mentor.
"Cats approaching from WindClan's direction," Ashfur hissed.
Lionpaw tasted the air.
WindClan.
A whole patrol.
He stiffened, tasting the air again to be sure.
Heatherpaw!
He bolted toward the approaching patrol, ignoring Firestar's cry for him to stop. As he darted like a bird through the undergrowth, his paws skimmed the ground. The sunlight glittered golden through the trees, making it easy to stop the WindClan patrol slinking like weasels through the forest. They were heading for the lake, hoping to finish off Dustpelt's patrol, no doubt.
Lionpaw could hear his Clanmates' paws thrumming after him. They exploded from the bushes around him as he reached the WindClan cats.
The enemy patrol scattered in panic, but not quickly enough. Ashfur knocked a brown tabby warrior to the ground, while Firestar flung himself at a black tom. Lionpaw charged through two WindClan apprentices, shoving them aside. Behind them, Heatherpaw reared up on her hind legs, her blue eyes wide with shock. Lionpaw lunged at her and grasped her scruff between his teeth. She struggled, wailing, as he dragged her through a wall of ferns and flung her to the ground in a small clearing beyond. Enclosed in the pale cave, he pinned her down, letting his paws ***** her skin.
"You told them about the tunnels!" he hissed. "I can't believe you betrayed me. I thought I could trust you to keep your mouth shut."
"It wasn't me!"
Rage surged beneath his pelt. "So why is my forest filled with your Clan?"
Heatherpaw struggled to escape from his grasp, twisting and biting him hard on the foreleg.
"I don't lie," she growled. "It wasn't me! It was Sedgekit!"
"Why would he do that?" Lionpaw couldn't believe it. "I saved his life!"
"He was boasting to Weaselfur about the tunnels he found, and then every cat in the Clan knew."
Lionpaw stared down at her, stifling the urge to shred her fur. "I don't believe you," he breathed. "You've never forgiven me for wanting to be a loyal Clan warrior." He leaned closer and dug his claws as she tried to wriggle away from his hot breath. "I'll never forget this, Heatherpaw. I will be your enemy forever."
He released her and turned away, swishing through the ferns with his paws trembling with rage. Had he really loved her once? He had been a different cat then. Now he was one of the three, and he walked a path that Heatherpaw couldn't even dream of.
Green eyes flashed in front of him. "Where's Heatherpaw?" Crowfeather was blocking his path.
"Get out of my way!"
The WindClan warrior peered past Lionpaw. "What have you done with her?"
"Get out of my way!" Lionpaw lunged at Crowfeather. Hooking his claws into the dark gray warrior's neck, he flung him through the ferns and thumped him onto the ground. Still gripping his throat, he leaped on top, tearing his flesh in a frenzy.
Suddenly, teeth sank into Lionpaw's shoulder and claws dug into his flank.
Heatherpaw was dragging him off. "Stop it!" she shrieked. "What are you doing?"
Startled by the terror in her voice, Lionpaw froze. Crowfeather lay among the green ferns by his forepaws, bright red blood bubbling at his throat.
Heatherpaw crouched over her mentor. "Crowfeather!"
"I'm okay." He lifted his head. Heatherpaw backed away as he staggered, spluttering to his paws.
Shame seared Lionpaw's pelt. The warrior code had told him he didn't need to kill a cat to prove the battle was won. If Heatherpaw hadn't stopped him, he would have left Crowfeather dead.
[...]
"We've got to get home." Crowfeather coughed. He dragged at Heaherpaw's scruff as she stood petrified beside Lionpaw. "Come on!"
Wild-eyed, Heatherpaw turned to follow her mentor.
"I won't forget," Lionpaw hissed in her ear.
As she disappeared into the forest, he watched the sun's dying rays bleed from the edge of the wide black circle.
Eclipse pages 218-221, 222
The next time they interact with one another is in Long Shadows, when Lionblaze sneaks onto the moorland to steal catmint. At this point, Heathertail is very hostile towards him, but she honestly had every right to be at least in my opinion. Despite her feelings towards Lionblaze, she still allows him to take catmint for his Clan, because she knows how desperate ThunderClan is for it. She's not heartless.
“Thief!”
Lionblaze’s jaws dropped open, letting the catmint fall. “Heatherpaw!”
“Heathertail,” the she-cat snarled. “You thought you’d got away with it,” she went on, her voice scathing. “But I spotted you, creeping among the rocks. I guessed you would use the tunnels to get back to your own territory.”
“Then . . . then why didn’t you call for a patrol?” Lionblaze stammered.
Heathertail’s eyes flashed and her lip curled. “You’re not worth it. You may think that you’re the best fighter in all the Clans, but you don’t scare me.”
The red glare of blood surged through Lionblaze’s mind, filling his eyes. “Traitor!” he yowled, leaping for Heathertail with his paws outstretched. He could feel his claws slicing through her throat, and the blood pouring out, soaking her fur and his own, pooling out on the cave floor. A rasping sound of horror came from his throat. The blood was hot and thick on his fur, the reek of it choking his nose.
Then as the red tide ebbed he saw Heathertail watching him, her fur unruffled and her gaze icy. Lionblaze shuddered. The vision had been so real, and yet he hadn’t moved a paw.
Heathertail padded past him and paused in the mouth of the tunnel that led up into WindClan. “Go, and don’t come back,” she hissed. “You can take the catmint. I’ve no quarrel with ThunderClan; I don’t want to see cats suffer, whatever you might think. Just be careful you don’t end up a bully like your kin, Tigerstar.”
Flicking her tail disdainfully, she vanished into the tunnel.
As he gathered up the scattered stems of catmint, her parting words echoed in Lionblaze’s mind, and his belly churned with fear that they might be true. His dream had nearly come true—he had nearly killed her—and Heathertail had known. The difference between him and Tigerstar was fading, and Lionblaze was more scared than he had ever been in his life.
Long Shadows pages 2248
I don't think she said some of those things to be mean, either. I believe she was referencing back to the battle in Eclipse where he had attacked her. She wanted to make herself seem brave, in case he thought about attacking her again. At least, that is my interpretation. As for his dreams, I don't think Heathertail knew about that at all. Like I said earlier, I think she was just referring back to the battle in Eclipse where he had attacked her. He had been a bully towards her that day.
The next time they interact with one another is in Sunset, when Lionblaze goes to WindClan's camp.
Meeting Heathertail's gaze, Lionblaze saw nothing but cold contempt in the eyes on the cat who had once been his friend—and even more than that. Bitter regret surged through him. As he looked back, even though he had broken the warrior code to meet Heathertail in the tunnels beneath the forest. Now she looked as if she would have killed him for a couple of mousetails. Lionblaze shuddered as he pictured his own body lying in the stream.
"Greetings Tornear." Firestar dipped his head as the WindClan patrol approached.
"What are you doing her?" Tornear sounded wary but not hostile, though Crowfeather's neck fur was bristling and Whitetail had unsheathed her claws.
"I need to speak with Onestar," Firestar explained. "May we visit your camp?"
Tornear hesitated, narrowing his eyes in suspicion, then gave a brusque nod. "Very well, but we'll escorted you. And you'd better not start anything."
"We only want to talk," Firestar promised.
Taking the lead, Tornear headed farther up the hill in the direction of the WindClan camp. Crowfeather and Whitetail flanked the ThunderClan patrol on either side, while Heathertail brought up the rear. Lionblaze was acutely conscious of her, padding just behind him, and he felt her gaze Pierce him like a thorn.
[…]
He spotted Heathertail standing off on one side, her gaze fixed on him. She seemed to be daring him to strike out so that she would have an excuse to jump on him and sink her claws into his fur. Breezepelt had pad padded so close to her that their pelts were brushing, and he met Lionblaze's stare with a challenge in his eyes. Heathertail is mine now, He seemed to be saying.
You're welcome to her, Lionblaze glared back.—Sunrise, pages 23-24; 27
A lot of people act as if Heathertail should be completely over how Lionblaze had treated her, despite the fact that the battle in Eclipse had only been months ago. I think it's completely reasonable for her not to be over her anger with him. If it had been years later, I could understand why people would find this annoying. But months? I don't think that's such a ridiculous amount of time to be angry at someone.
The last time Heathertail and Lionblaze interact is in Fading Echos, when Dovewing and Ivypool wander all the way to WindClan in order to check up on Sedgewhisker, who had gotten attacked by a dog. Before leaving ThunderClan's camp, Heathertail makes one last jibe at Lionblaze.
Perhaps she shouldn't have made that comment, but in a way she was right. Lionblaze was Dovewing's mentor, meaning he was responsible for her. Some people argue that if Heathertail were to say something like this, she should have said something to Cinderheart and Firestar too, but why should she? Dovewing clearly stated that the whole situation was her idea, and thus her fault. Since Lionblaze is her mentor, he takes part of the blame. Of course, Ivypool and Cinderheart are at fault too. Cinderheart should have been watching over Ivypool, but Dovewing still influenced her sister to go to WindClan.
Dovepaw's heart was racing. "We came alone." She wrapped her tail around Ivypaw and tried to keep her chin high.
Onestar's gaze was stern. "Why did you come?" he demanded. "Did Firestar send you?"
Dovepaw shook her head.
Sedgewhisker looked at her Clanmates. "She knew about the dog. She knew it chased us." She flashed a look at Dovepaw. "Though it was nothing we couldn't handle."
Onestar widened his eyes. "How did you know?"
Dovepaw was ready for the question. "I heard it from the forest, while I was training."
Heathertail growled. "How could you tell it was chasing our warriors?"
Dovepaw struggled for words. "I just... er... guessed," she mewed at last.
"You guessed?" The WindClan leader sounded unconvinced. His Clanmates exchanged doubtful glances.
[...]
"Let's get you home," the blue-eyed warrior mewed.
Dovepaw shrugged her away and stomped through the heather. Ivypaw padded beside her. "At least they didn't shred us," she whispered.
Remorse stripped Dovepaw's angry away. "I'm sorry I made you come."
[...]
Firestar cleared his throat. "Now, what's going on?"
Breezepelt answered, "We found these two inside our camp."
Dovepaw and Ivypaw shuffled closer together.
"Ivypaw?" Firestar's attention focused on the apprentice. "Is that what happened?"
"We..." Ivypaw hesitated. "We were just exploring."
"In the middle of WindClan territory?" Firestar's mew was ominously soft.
"It was all my fault!" Dovepaw broke in. "I... I heard a dog on the moor while we were tree training and I was worried..."
Jayfeather curled his claws. Oh no! Dovewing you mouse-brain! He felt Lionblaze stiffen.
[...]
"We do live by the warrior code," Firestar assured Breezepel, his mew tight. "And we will make sure these young cats understand how important that is." The ThunderClan leader was seething, embarrassed by the apprentices, but Jayfeather could also sense questions fizzing in his mind. What had these apprentices really been doing in WindClan territory?
Heathertail breathed out slowly. "Make sure you do." As she turned and began to head away from the ThunderClan camp, Jayfeather felt tension crackle like lightning between her and Lionblaze, as she aimed her final barb at the golden warrior. "You should keep a closer eye on your apprentice from now on."
Fading Echos pages 65-66, 67, 73-74
Lionblaze and Heathertail never interact after this. This means they haven't interacted with one another in over four years. I'm sure at this point, Heathertail is completely over Lionblaze. I doubt that she's still angry at him after all this time, especially when they haven't even spoken. I doubt they will ever be friends again, but I do believe the conflict between them is both over. I think the same thing about Lionblaze. He hasn't done anything recently to show he's angry with Heathertail, so I believe he's over it. What's done is done, and neither cat can change the past.
They're both loyal to their Clans now, and that's all that matters at the end of the day. Plus, they're both responsible for what happened. Heathertail doesn't deserve to have all the blame placed on her, and neither does Lionblaze. Both sides were wrong, and did things that were rude and against the code. They both allowed their emotions to get the better of them, which resulted in a lot of conflict. They've both made up for it though, and they've moved on with their lives. Lionblaze has a family of his own, and so does Heathertail.
I hope this rant will at least make people realize that Heathertail wasn't as bad as some people make her out to be. Did she mess up? Of course, but she isn't a bad cat at all. I hope people will be a little more understanding of her from now on.
I feel like people are way too harsh on Heathertail, so I'm going to try and defend her. I honestly don't think she's the horrible cat that so many make her out to be.
When they first met, Heathertail (then Heatherpaw) was nothing but nice to Lionblaze (then Lionpaw). She is also very sympathetic about Jaypaw's accident.
Suddenly a soft voice sounded in his ear. "Are you Jaypaw's brother?"
He swung around to find a light brown tabby she-cat gazing at him with eyes the color of a late-afternoon sky. "Y-yes," he stammered. "How did you know?"
"Berrypaw told me. I'm Heatherpaw, by the way."
Because your eyes are the color of heather...
"Jaypaw might have mentioned me," Heatherpaw went on. "I was there when Crowfeather saved him from drowning. Has he recovered?"
Lionpaw forced himself to stop gaping like a startled rabbit. "Jaypaw?" he echoed. "Oh, he's fine now."
"Is he here?" Heatherpaw inquired.
Lionpaw was having trouble remembering where any of his littermates were right now.
"Not this time," Mousepaw answered for him, sounding impatient.
"I still can't believe he was out alone when he's blind," Heatherpaw breathed. "He must have been so brave!"
Lionpaw felt a twinge of envy. "Most of the time he's just grumpy," he told her. "Especially now that he's been confined to camp for a quarter moon."
"Poor Jaypaw," Heatherpaw sympathized. "I'd be miserable if I were stuck in camp."
"Me too," Lionpaw agreed.
"How long have you been an apprentice?" Heatherpaw asked.
"Since a quarter moon. What about you?"
"For a moon and a half now," she replied. "This is my second Gathering."
The Sight pages 135-136
She even goes on to introduce him to Breezepelt, and much more. And while it isn't stated directly, I believe Lionblaze was very attracted to her. He was very nervous and couldn't think straight around her. Now, it's possible he was just nervous, but the way he described her eyes and how he felt slightly envious of Jayfeather when Heathertail was feeling sorry for him, I believe he found her attractive. Also, keep in mind that she's only seven moons old in this scene. That's the equivalent of eight years old, in human years.
Lionblaze's crush on Heathertail is shown again, later on in the story. Dogs start attacking WindClan, and Lionblaze's first thought is whether or not Heathertail is all right.
Lionpaw's heart was still pounding like a woodpecker on oak. "I hope Heatherpaw's okay!"
The Sight page 182
Why would he be so worried about someone he's only met once, unless he's developing a crush on her? Not to mention, the topic of the dogs from A Dangerous Path is brought up shortly after, so Lionblaze knows how dangerous dogs can be. He still goes on to put his life at risk to save her, though.
Lionpaw pelted after Ashfur as the warrior headed toward Crowfeather and Heatherpaw. The two WindClan cats were still keeping the dog away from the camp, their paws sending up clumps of moss as they skimmed over the wet grass. The dog pounded after them, but they swerved one way and then the other, sending it skidding off course long enough to pull up ahead for a while.
They must be exhausted, Lionpaw thought, pushing himself on as fast as he could. He could not take his eyes off Heatherpaw. She raced bravely beside her mentor, her pelt slick with rain, following his movements step for step.
"Crowfeather!" Ashfur yowled to the WindClan warrior as he cut across their path.
Crowfeather stared in surprise.
"We've come to help!" Lionpaw called to Heatherpaw. She jerked her head up to look at him and stumbled. A rabbit hole had caught her paw, and she crashed to the ground. Lionpaw gasped in horror as the dog swung toward her. Without thinking, he turned and raced for the dog. Crowfeather had already swerved to a halt and was heading back to help his apprentice. Birchfall sped after Lionpaw. Ashfur yowled a battle cry and joined the chase.
Heatherpaw struggled to her paws and began to run, but the dog was nearly on top of her. Screeching in fury, Lionpaw launched himself at the dog's flank and gripped its coarse pelt. The dog yelped and spun, snapping at Lionpaw but unable to reach him. Lionpaw hauled his way onto the dog's back and dug in his claws. The dog tried to shake him off, but Lionpaw would not let go. Crowfeather leaped at the dog's face, raking its muzzle before swerving away from it. Ashfur darted underneath the dog's paws, nipping its foreleg so viciously that blood spurted from the wound. Lionpaw felt the dog stumble beneath him and dug his claws in harder.
The dog, yowling in pain, tried to shake Lionpaw off again. Lionpaw held on, looking for Heatherpaw, desperate to see if she was safe. His heart plummeted when he saw he pale brown pelt flash toward the dog.
"What are you doing?" he screeched.
"Helping you!" she yowled back. She darted behind the dog and raked its hind legs with her claws. The dog yelped and fell. It rolled onto Lionpaw, and he shrieked in surprise.
[...]
"Are you okay?" he whispered.
She glanced at him with her soft gaze. "I'm fine."
Lionpaw's pelt was stinging from being scratched by the gorse, and his body ached where the dog had fallen on him. He was thankful for the mossy earth that had softened the fall. But he was also proud of his scars. This time he had won them defending another Clan.
"You were very brave, leaping on the dog like that," Heatherpaw mewed. She pointed ahead with her muzzle. "We're here," she told him.
[...]
"But we could never have chased off the dogs without you," Heatherpaw put in. "The dogs were faster than I had ever imagined. She glanced sideways at Lionpaw. "Lionpaw saved me from one of them."
Crowfeather instantly weaved between the two apprentices, blocking their view. "That was brave, Lionpaw, but WindClan is perfectly capable of taking care of its own cats."
Lionpaw felt anger flare inside him. No other cat had been near enough to the dog to reach it before it had harmed Heatherpaw. "But-"
[...]
"Those dogs won't dare come near this part of your territory again."
"If they do, we can manage them by ourselves," Breezepaw muttered.
"Breezepaw!" Nightcloud snapped. "Heatherpaw might have been hurt without this brave apprentice." She blinked gratefully at Lionpaw.
Lionpaw glanced away, conscious that Heatherpaw wouldn't have stumbled if he hadn't distracted her.
"Do you need some herbs for your wounds?" Heatherpaw asked him.
Lionpaw shook his head. "Leafpool will treat them when we get home."
Brambleclaw turned and headed out of the camp. The rest of the patrol filed after him. As they followed the twisting tunnel back up to the moorland, Lionpaw thought about what Jaypaw had said to Firestar. He had known that the dogs would come too; had Firestar really refused to believe his brother's warning? Surely he would believe him next time - Jaypaw had been right. But the thoughts of his brother quickly slid away, to be replaced with the memory of the heather-colored eyes and a soft voice asking if he needed herbs.
The Sight pages , 288-289, 291, 292, 293-294
Lionblaze definitely has a crush on Heathertail, despite the fact he's only met her once before. Now, you're probably wondering where I'm going with this and why it matters in defense of Heathertail. I want to show how much Lionblaze thought of her, despite only meeting her once at a Gathering. A lot of people try to make her out to be the one to go after Lionblaze, but this isn't the case. And besides, can you really blame her for starting to develop feelings for Lionblaze? Up to this point, he has done nothing but be kind to her. He even risked his life in order to save her from dogs.
At the next Gathering, Lionblaze desperately wants to see her.
"Willowpaw?" he echoed distractedly. There was only one apprentice Lionpaw was hoping to see at the Gathering. Heatherpaw, the pretty WindClan apprentice with smoky blue eyes. He let out a small sigh.
"What are you thinking about?" Hollypaw nudged him. "Your moons away."
"Er, Jaypaw," he mewed quickly. "I was wondering if he could make it over the tree-bridge."
Dark River page 11
At the Gathering, Lionblaze is set on finding Heathertail. Eventually he does, and the two start talking. Eventually, Heathertail suggests they meet up the next night.
"Instead of waiting till the next Gathering, why don't we meet up before?"
"Before?" Lionpaw echoed in surprise. Wasn't it against the warrior code to meet with cats from another Clan without permission?
"Tomorrow night," she whispered.
"But how? Where?"
"At the boundary in the woods. Near the yew tree. We can slip away while our Clanmates are sleeping."
"But-"
Heatherpaw's whiskers twitched. "Come on! It'll be exciting. And it's not like we'd be hurting anyone."
Lionpaw felt guilt and worry tug at his belly, but Heatherpaw's blue eyes were sparkling at him hopefully. It did sound like fun. He could always say he'd been practicing his night hunting. And Heatherpaw was right. They wouldn't be doing any harm, like stealing prey or spying. No cat would even know if they were careful about it. I'll still be loyal to my Clan and I won't fall behind in my duties.
He blinked at Heatherpaw. "Okay."
Dark River pages 24-25
And while Lionpaw did feel slightly guilty, he still agreed to participate. I'm not putting all the blame onto Lionpaw for agreeing to meet up with Heathertail. She was wrong to suggest such a thing, even at her age. I'm just pointing out that both cats are at fault. A lot of people try to make this whole situation out to be Heathertail's fault, when that isn't the case. Both of them agreed to meet up on their own free will.
Besides, if you're going to give Heathertail grief for meeting up with Lionblaze, surely Lionblaze should be hated too? After all, he participated too and he even denied that he was doing anything wrong at first. I just don't see how people can hate Heathertail, when Lionblaze was doing the exact same thing and showed no remorse for it, at least not right away.
Hollypaw's tail bristled as she recognized Lionpaw's mew. He sounded happy; happier than she had ever heard him in days. She crept forward, keeping low and ducked into the swath of heather that shielded the hollow. Setting the bushes rustling she wriggled between the bare stems and peered over the top of the slope.
Her brother was charging after a ball of moss like an excited kit. He dived at it as it landed, and with a tremendous swipe, sent it flying back in the other direction. A little shape leaped up from the grass to catch it. Its tabby pelt glowed in the moonlight. Hollypaw's heart sank like a rock. Heatherpaw!
"You don't seem surprised." Cinderpaw had slipped in beside her and was peering down into the grassy dip.
Hollypaw shook her head. "I'm not." Reluctantly she wriggled out from the heather. "Lionpaw!" she called.
Lionpaw and Heatherpaw froze, staring at each other in alarm. The moss ball fell to the ground.
"What are you doing here?" Hollypaw demanded.
Slowly Lionpaw tore his gaze away from Heatherpaw's and turned to face his sister. His eyes sparkled with defiance. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you!"
"Spying on me!"
Hollypaw flinched. "You shouldn't be here, playing with her!" She glared at Heatherpaw.
"Why not? She's just a friend."
"A friend from another Clan!"
"Your friends with Willowpaw!"
"I don't sneak off every night to see her."
Lionpaw opened his mouth to object, but no words came out. Hollypaw knew she had won the argument. But her brother's eyes did not concede anything. They shone with rage. He turned to face Heatherpaw. "I'd better go."
Heatherpaw dipped her head. "I know," she sighed.
Hollypaw clenched her teeth as Lionpaw brushed muzzles with the WindClan apprentice. Did he really believe it was just friendship that brought him here?
Lionpaw padded up the slope and glared at Cinderpaw. "Did you have to tell the whole Clan?" he hissed at Hollypaw.
Cinderpaw flicked her tail. "I just came to make sure Hollypaw was safe," she explained. "No one else knows."
"And they won't know," Hollypaw added, "so long as you stay away from Heatherpaw."
Lionpaw glared at her. "Is that a threat?"
Hollypaw backed away. She had never seen Lionpaw this angry. Even when they had quarreled as kits, there had always been a lighthearted twinkle in his eyes. But not now. His eyes were cold as stars.
"If you continue meeting Heatherpaw, I will have to tell Brambleclaw," she insisted, trying not to let her voice tremble.
Lionpaw bristled.
"There's a good reason why the warrior code forbids mixing with cats from other Clans," Hollypaw went on. "How can you be loyal to your own Clan when your heart lies with another?"
"Are you accusing me of disloyalty?" Lionpaw flattened his ears.
"I know you'd never be disloyal," Hollypaw mewed. "But you're making it difficult for yourself. That's why you must stop this." It was hard enough having kin in another Clan without deliberately making friends outside the forest. Weren't Lionpaw's Clanmates enough for him?
A low growl sounded in Lionpaw's throat. He barged past Hollypaw and padded towards the trees. Hollypaw felt Cinderpaw's tail run along her flank, smoothing her ruffled fur.
"He'll get over it," Cinderpaw promised.
"I hope so," Hollypaw sighed. She knew she'd done the right thing, but she hadn't expected Lionpaw to react so angrily, as if he believed that he'd done nothing wrong. Would he ever forgive her?
Dark River pages 42-44
A lot of people dislike Hollyleaf for this scene, calling her a hypocrite. However, I don't think I've ever seen anyone call out Lionblaze for his behavior. He was in the wrong as well, yet I can't recall ever seeing anyone using this scene against him. It may seem like I'm trying to make Lionblaze look bad, but that's not what I'm trying to do at all. I just want people to realize Lionblaze made just as many mistakes as Heathertail did. I feel like people minimize his role, and only focus their attention on everything Heathertail has done wrong in the whole situation.
Lionblaze even goes as far as saying Hollyleaf deserved to starve for what she had done. Of course, he probably didn't mean it and was talking out of anger, but it's still kind of bratty for him to think this way, when all his sister did was scold him for breaking the warrior code.
"Hi, Jaypaw." Hollypaw was bounding across the clearing with Cinderpaw. "Any food left?"
"You can eat later, Hollypaw!" Brackenfur was pacing up and down in front of the camp entrance. "Training first."
Lionpaw gulped down the last of his mouse, feeling a twinge of satisfaction. Hollypaw had probably been gossiping about him. Serves her right if it means she goes hungry. He got to his paws and hurried toward Brackenfur.
Dark River pages 66-67
Later on, Lionblaze goes on to accidentally hurt Hollyleaf during a battle training session. Of course, he apologized and felt absolutely terrible, but this shows how easily he allowed his anger to get out of control.
"And weaknesses?" Brackenfur pressed.
"ShadowClan is weak because they think they are braver than they really are," Hollypaw mewed. "And RiverClan is so well fed that they're slower than us."
Lionpaw shifted on his paws, searching for something to say. Hollypaw was answering everything first.
Ashfur glanced at him. "What about WindClan?"
Lionpaw's mouth turned dry. Ashfur's gaze seemed to be boring into him. Had Hollypaw told her mentor about his meetings with Heatherpaw? Lionpaw started to panic as he realized that all three cats were staring at him, waiting for an answer. His paws began to itch. Come on! I know this!
Hollypaw rolled her eyes. "Lionpaw thinks WindClan has no weaknesses." Her accusation made his ears burn with embarrassment. Why was she being so obvious? Was she reminding him she had the power to get him into big trouble?
Anger rose in his throat. "That's not true!" he hissed.
"What's not true?" Brambleclaw came padding down the slope toward them, Berrypaw at his side.
Lionpaw lifted his chin. "Hollypaw's accusing me of favoring WindClan!"
"Why would she do that?"
"I was just teasing," Hollypaw mewed. "Lionpaw's being touchy. He had a nightmare."
Lionpaw lashed his tail. Was Hollypaw determined to make him look like an *****? He'd show her! "WindClan is fast, but not as strong as us because they don't have any trees to climb on the moorland," he growled, glaring at her.
"Good." Brackenfur nodded. "You seem to know the basics. Let's practice some moves. First, let's try one that will work on a RiverClan cat."
Brackenfur darted under Ashfur's belly and nipped him on the hind leg. Ashfur rounded on him ready for the counter-attack, but Brackenfur had already shot out of reach. Ashfur leaped toward him but Brackenfur rolled out of the way, sprang to his paws and launched himself onto Ashfur's back, unbalancing the gray warrior and sending him rolling onto his side. The two warriors jumped to their paws, shook earth from their pelts, and turned to face their apprentices.
"Now you two try it," Ashfur meowed.
"Lionpaw." Brackenfur touched Lionpaw's flank with his tail. "You be the RiverClan cat because you're bigger and more powerful. Hollypaw, you try and unbalance him like I did with Ashfur."
Hollypaw nodded. "Don't make it easy for me!" Her eyes were shining with determination.
"Don't worry, I won't," Lionpaw hissed through gritted teeth. Didn't she know how much she was annoying him?
He felt her dart underneath him, felt her teeth graze his hind leg. But he wasn't going to let her get away as easily as Ashfur had done. He dropped his whole weight onto her before she could scamper free, then grabbed her with his paws and tugged her over onto her side.
"Hey!" she squealed. "That's not how you're meant to do it!"
"You should have been faster!" Lionpaw spat, and began raking her spine with his hind claws while he gripped her shoulders with his forepaws.
"You're hurting me!" Hollypaw shrieked, struggling to free herself.
"Lionpaw, stop!" Brambleclaw's sharp command made Lionpaw freeze. Hollypaw slid from his grip and scrambled to her paws. Brambleclaw was staring down at Lionpaw, his eyes blazing. "This is training! We don't want any cat hurt!"
Lionpaw got to his paws. "Sorry," he mewed. "I got carried away."
Hollypaw was lapping at the scratches Lionpaw had given her. He felt a wave of guilt for letting his temper get away from him. He hung his head. "Sorry, Hollypaw," he murmured. The rage that had been seething in his belly all morning faded away. "I'm really sorry." He glanced nervously at his father, expecting anger, but Brambleclaw's eyes were filled with concern.
Dark River pages 68-70
Heathertail and Lionblaze continue to meet up without any problems. It isn't until after Lionblaze shows Heathertail a battle move, when Hawkfrost starts planting the idea that Heathertail is a traitor against Lionblaze and that she will betray him. That's when their friendship starts to go downhill.
“Traitor!”
Lionpaw halted and jerked around, fur spiking.
A familiar outline shimmered against the ferns.
"Tigerstar?"
"What do you think you're doing?" It was Hawkfrost. Lionpaw looked for Tigerstar but Hawkfrost was alone. His eyes blazed as he padded toward Lionpaw.
"What do you mean?" Lionpaw protested. Hawkfrost knew about his nightly visits to the tunnels. Why was he challenging him now?
Hawkfrost curled his lip. "You were teaching battle moves to the enemy!"
"Heatherpaw's not an enemy!" Lionpaw retorted. "She's my friend!"
"She belongs to another Clan!" Hawkfrost hissed. "That makes her an enemy! What if she uses the moves you just taught her against you one day?"
"Heatherpaw would never do that!"
"Wouldn't she?"
Lionpaw stiffened, trying to imagine facing Heatherpaw in battle. Surely she wouldn't take advantage of him like that? "I thought you and Tigerstar didn't care about me seeing Heatherpaw."
"We liked your independence," Hawkfrost growled. "We assumed it was just a harmless kit-friendship."
"It is harmless!" Lionpaw bristled. "But it's not just a kit-friendship! It's more than that. That's why I know she'd never use those battle moves against me!"
"Then you're a mouse-brain!" Hawkfrost snarled. "I thought you wanted to be a great warrior."
Lionpaw lifted his chin. "Of course I do!"
"Then why can't you see what those tunnels mean?"
Lionpaw blinked. The tunnels meant he could meet Heatherpaw without upsetting his Clan.
Hawkfrost snorted. "You don't understand anything, do you?"
"I do!"
"Then why haven't you figured out that those tunnels could be used for a surprise attack on WindClan?"
"Why would we want to attack WindClan?"
"The same reason WindClan might one day use the tunnels to attack ThunderClan!"
Lionpaw stared at Hawkfrost. He wasn't making any sense to his tired ears.
Dark River 226-227
Despite Lionblaze's protests, Hawkfrost still managed to manipulate him into believing Heatherpaw was a traitor who could not be trusted. Without Hawkfrost's persuasion, I don't think Lionblaze would have grown to dislike Heathertail as much as he does now.
In their next scene together, Lionblaze cuts off ties with Heathertail, which upsets her.
Heatherpaw was already there. She hurried to greet him, rubbing her nose along his cheek. She smelled warm and sleepy, as though she had just woken up. "Your poor ear!" she gasped when she saw the blood crusted wound.
"Is that your only wound?" Her eyes glittered with worry in the half-light. "Breezepaw said he'd shredded you!"
Lionpaw stepped back. She should be worried about her own Clanmates, not him. He felt more certain than ever that he was about to do the right thing.
Heatherpaw tipped her head back. "What?" Could she sense the guilt pricking his pelt?
Lionpaw gazed at her. "We can't meet up anymore."
Heatherpaw's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"We just can't."
"But we were having fun. Why do we have to stop? We're not hurting anyone." She sounded desperate, her voice coming out as a squeak.
"I think you're great, Heatherpaw," Lionpaw mewed. He stared at his paws. Why did she have to make this harder? "But you need to find someone in your own Clan. I need to be the best warrior I can be, and I can't do that if I'm here every night."
Heatherpaw flinched as though he'd raked his claws across her nose. "It doesn't have to be every night." Her mew was a little more than a whisper.
It doesn't matter how often we meet! I shouldn't be here at all! "I was looking out for you in the battle today," Lionpaw told her. "What if you'd been in that patrol?"
"You could have fought Breezepaw or Harepaw or-"
"Battles aren't that simple, and you know it!" She must understand! "I can't pick and choose. I have to defend my Clan. I can't be worrying about you all the time." He watched her gaze cloud with grief and his heart twisted in pain.
"That's it, then?" she mewed.
"Yes." He wasn't going to show how close he was to changing his mind, to agreeing to see her once a moon, or maybe twice, or three times... This was what he had to do.
Anger flared in her eyes. "Fine!" she snapped. "I understand now." She turned away and padded toward the tunnel. Before she disappeared into the shadows she glanced over her shoulder, her eyes brimming with pain. "I just hope being a warrior is worth it!"
Dark River pages 241-242
A lot of people hate Heathertail for how she reacted in this scene, but keep in mind how young she was. She lacked the maturity she needed to handle the situation. Besides, her best friend had just told her he didn't want to see her again. While Lionblaze was doing the right thing, I understand why she would be so hurt, especially at her age. Besides, she later goes on to realize what a mistake she had made by meeting up with Lionblaze, and she shows no hard feelings towards him. She even agrees to keep the tunnels a secret.
"Perhaps we should go back," Hollypaw whispered. "We don't want WindClan to realize we know about this place. It would ruin our advantage."
"They probably know already." Lionpaw's heart felt as heavy as stone. Heatherpaw had betrayed their secret - he wouldn't be surprised if she'd betrayed him as well. They hadn't exactly been friendly the last time they met. He padded toward the dim light and stepped into the cave.
In the gloom, he could just make out Heatherpaw on the opposite side of the river.
Breezepaw was pacing the edge of the cave behind her, sniffing at each tunnel in turn. "I've lost their scent."
"Lionpaw!" Heatherpaw sounded surprised.
Breezepaw spun, hissing to face Lionpaw.
Heatherpaw's gaze darted anxiously toward her Clanmate as she went on, "H-how did you know about this place?"
Lionpaw understood at once. She was pretending she had never met him here before. It was a sensible plan, but it felt wrong to act like strangers after they'd shared so much time here. "I found it a few days ago by accident," he lied.
Hollypaw and Jaypaw were creeping out of the tunnel behind him. "I was chasing a rabbit and it led me down a hole and I ended up here." He flashed a warning glance at Hollypaw.
Breezepaw's pelt bristled. "These tunnels lead into ThunderClan territory as well?"
"I didn't realize," Heatherpaw mewed, wide-eyed. "I've only been as far as this cave before."
"What are you three doing here?" Breezepaw demanded.
Hollypaw padded in front of Lionpaw, lifting her chin. "When we heard the kits were missing, Lionpaw guessed they might be here."
"How did you know there was another entrance in WindClan territory?" Breezepaw flexed his claws.
"It was just a guess." Lionpaw shrugged. "There are so many tunnels. They might lead into ShadowClan territory as far as I know."
Breezepaw stared at him. The damp, stuffy air was thick with mistrust. "Is there any scent of kits in your tunnel?"
"No," Hollypaw replied, her voice taut.
"We followed their trail here, but it's disappeared," Heatherpaw explained.
Jaypaw had cautiously crept forward and was sniffing at the river. Its usually sleek surface was rippling as though blown by the wind, and dark water lapped over the edges forming pools in the dimpled rock on either side. "Is the water always this high?" he asked.
"Only after it's been raining," Heatherpaw answered.
"Does it get higher?"
Heatherpaw tipped her head on one side, puzzled. "I don't think so."
Lionpaw felt hot with embarrassment. Why did Jaypaw keep fussing about the rain? He wanted to find the kits and get out of here.
Breezepaw paced around his Clanmate. "These intruders might as well go home," he mewed. "We're looking for the kits. There's no need for them to help." He glared at Lionpaw. "Why are you even bothered about WindClan kits anyway?"
Hollypaw flicked her tail. "There's going to be a battle over them, haven't you heard?"
"Can we stop chatting and get on with the search?" Heatherpaw snapped.
Breezepaw shot her an angry look. "What about them?"
"We may as well let them come with us," Heatherpaw mewed. "How are we going to carry three kits by ourselves?" Before he could answer, she headed for the tunnel nearest to her. "We have to find those kits before any of our Clanmates get hurt."
"I agree!" Hollypaw leaped the wide river and glanced back at Jaypaw. "The water is about two foxtails wide," she told him.
Jaypaw crouched, preparing to jump. Lionpaw could see his paws trembling. Let him make it! He tensed, ready to dive into the rushing water if he had to, but Jaypaw sprang high over the river, clearing it with a tail-length to spare.
As Lionpaw jumped after him, Heatherpaw ducked out of the tunnel she had been sniffing. "They haven't been this way."
Lionpaw crept into another dark opening, tasting the air. No scent.
"This way!" Jaypaw was crouching in front of a narrow entrance, his whiskers twitching.
Hollypaw pushed past him and peered at the ground. "He's right! There's a paw print."
Lionpaw squeezed past her to look. Sure enough, there on the silty ground was a tiny fresh print. "They went this way." He glanced up and met Heatherpaw's gaze. Fear glittered in her hazy blue eyes.
"Oh, Lionpaw," she whispered. "What have we done?"
Dark River pages 287-290
"I'm scared," Heatherpaw whispered.
"It's going to be okay." Lionpaw dropped onto all four paws and pressed against the WindClan cat. Jaypaw was close enough to hear him whisper into her ear, "Our time together will be something I remember even when I'm with StarClan."
Heatherpaw trembled. "There will be no borders between us there."
Dark River pages 304-305
"Stop! We found the kits," he yowled.
"There's no need to fight!" Hollypaw stared anxiously over her shoulder, wiling the others to hurry.
"Where are they?" Onestar demanded.
"They're coming," Hollypaw promised.
The warriors stared in astonishment as the undergrowth shivered and Heatherpaw nosed Sedgekit and Swallowkit out into the open. The kits stumbled to a halt and stood blinking in the moonlight. Lionpaw padded out of the brambles, Jaypaw following, and placed Thistlekit gently beside them.
"Where in StarClan did you find them?" Onestar's eyes stretched wide.
Lionpaw's fur was prickling along his spine. He glanced at Heatherpaw and stepped forward. 'They found their way into-"
Hollypaw cut him off. "They were down on the shore," she mewed. "They'd made themselves a camp to shelter from the rain."
What was the point of giving away Lionpaw's secret? The tunnels between the two Clans were blocked now. Any tactical advantage was lost and it would only get Lionpaw into trouble. She glanced at the others, silently praying that they would agree.
Heatherpaw nodded. "They were just inside the ThunderClan border, right down on the beach." Her gaze fixed on Breezepaw. "Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw saw us looking for them and called us over when they picked up their scent."
Dark River page 315
"I'd better go to." Breezepaw nodded curtly at Hollypaw and Lionpaw. "Are you coming?" He stared at Heatherpaw, who was lingering on the ThunderClan side of the border.
"In a moment."
Breezepaw snorted and hurried after his Clanmates.
Heatherpaw padded to Lionpaw and entwined her tail briefly with his. "Thanks for helping."
Firestar narrowed his eyes and Hollypaw stiffened. She stared at her brother, claws itching as she waited for his reply. One battle had been averted, but was there one still looming?
"We would have done the same for any cat," Lionpaw mewed flatly.
Pain flashed in Heatherpaw's eyes. "You're going to be a great warrior, Lionpaw."
Dark River page 318
A lot of people seem to think Heathertail hates Lionblaze for stopping their meetings, but that isn't true. It isn't until the battle scene in Eclipse where Heathertail grows to hate Lionblaze. I honestly don't blame her, though. Lionblaze ripped her away from her Clan, and then proceeded to pin her down and shout accusations at her. He even goes as far as nearly killing Crowfeather before her eyes, which probably terrified her if she wasn't terrified enough as it is. Everyone makes excuses saying Tigerstar was controlling Lionblaze to do this, but does Heathertail know that? No! All she knows is that her former best friend just attacked her and proceed to nearly kill her mentor.
"Cats approaching from WindClan's direction," Ashfur hissed.
Lionpaw tasted the air.
WindClan.
A whole patrol.
He stiffened, tasting the air again to be sure.
Heatherpaw!
He bolted toward the approaching patrol, ignoring Firestar's cry for him to stop. As he darted like a bird through the undergrowth, his paws skimmed the ground. The sunlight glittered golden through the trees, making it easy to stop the WindClan patrol slinking like weasels through the forest. They were heading for the lake, hoping to finish off Dustpelt's patrol, no doubt.
Lionpaw could hear his Clanmates' paws thrumming after him. They exploded from the bushes around him as he reached the WindClan cats.
The enemy patrol scattered in panic, but not quickly enough. Ashfur knocked a brown tabby warrior to the ground, while Firestar flung himself at a black tom. Lionpaw charged through two WindClan apprentices, shoving them aside. Behind them, Heatherpaw reared up on her hind legs, her blue eyes wide with shock. Lionpaw lunged at her and grasped her scruff between his teeth. She struggled, wailing, as he dragged her through a wall of ferns and flung her to the ground in a small clearing beyond. Enclosed in the pale cave, he pinned her down, letting his paws ***** her skin.
"You told them about the tunnels!" he hissed. "I can't believe you betrayed me. I thought I could trust you to keep your mouth shut."
"It wasn't me!"
Rage surged beneath his pelt. "So why is my forest filled with your Clan?"
Heatherpaw struggled to escape from his grasp, twisting and biting him hard on the foreleg.
"I don't lie," she growled. "It wasn't me! It was Sedgekit!"
"Why would he do that?" Lionpaw couldn't believe it. "I saved his life!"
"He was boasting to Weaselfur about the tunnels he found, and then every cat in the Clan knew."
Lionpaw stared down at her, stifling the urge to shred her fur. "I don't believe you," he breathed. "You've never forgiven me for wanting to be a loyal Clan warrior." He leaned closer and dug his claws as she tried to wriggle away from his hot breath. "I'll never forget this, Heatherpaw. I will be your enemy forever."
He released her and turned away, swishing through the ferns with his paws trembling with rage. Had he really loved her once? He had been a different cat then. Now he was one of the three, and he walked a path that Heatherpaw couldn't even dream of.
Green eyes flashed in front of him. "Where's Heatherpaw?" Crowfeather was blocking his path.
"Get out of my way!"
The WindClan warrior peered past Lionpaw. "What have you done with her?"
"Get out of my way!" Lionpaw lunged at Crowfeather. Hooking his claws into the dark gray warrior's neck, he flung him through the ferns and thumped him onto the ground. Still gripping his throat, he leaped on top, tearing his flesh in a frenzy.
Suddenly, teeth sank into Lionpaw's shoulder and claws dug into his flank.
Heatherpaw was dragging him off. "Stop it!" she shrieked. "What are you doing?"
Startled by the terror in her voice, Lionpaw froze. Crowfeather lay among the green ferns by his forepaws, bright red blood bubbling at his throat.
Heatherpaw crouched over her mentor. "Crowfeather!"
"I'm okay." He lifted his head. Heatherpaw backed away as he staggered, spluttering to his paws.
Shame seared Lionpaw's pelt. The warrior code had told him he didn't need to kill a cat to prove the battle was won. If Heatherpaw hadn't stopped him, he would have left Crowfeather dead.
[...]
"We've got to get home." Crowfeather coughed. He dragged at Heaherpaw's scruff as she stood petrified beside Lionpaw. "Come on!"
Wild-eyed, Heatherpaw turned to follow her mentor.
"I won't forget," Lionpaw hissed in her ear.
As she disappeared into the forest, he watched the sun's dying rays bleed from the edge of the wide black circle.
Eclipse pages 218-221, 222
The next time they interact with one another is in Long Shadows, when Lionblaze sneaks onto the moorland to steal catmint. At this point, Heathertail is very hostile towards him, but she honestly had every right to be at least in my opinion. Despite her feelings towards Lionblaze, she still allows him to take catmint for his Clan, because she knows how desperate ThunderClan is for it. She's not heartless.
“Thief!”
Lionblaze’s jaws dropped open, letting the catmint fall. “Heatherpaw!”
“Heathertail,” the she-cat snarled. “You thought you’d got away with it,” she went on, her voice scathing. “But I spotted you, creeping among the rocks. I guessed you would use the tunnels to get back to your own territory.”
“Then . . . then why didn’t you call for a patrol?” Lionblaze stammered.
Heathertail’s eyes flashed and her lip curled. “You’re not worth it. You may think that you’re the best fighter in all the Clans, but you don’t scare me.”
The red glare of blood surged through Lionblaze’s mind, filling his eyes. “Traitor!” he yowled, leaping for Heathertail with his paws outstretched. He could feel his claws slicing through her throat, and the blood pouring out, soaking her fur and his own, pooling out on the cave floor. A rasping sound of horror came from his throat. The blood was hot and thick on his fur, the reek of it choking his nose.
Then as the red tide ebbed he saw Heathertail watching him, her fur unruffled and her gaze icy. Lionblaze shuddered. The vision had been so real, and yet he hadn’t moved a paw.
Heathertail padded past him and paused in the mouth of the tunnel that led up into WindClan. “Go, and don’t come back,” she hissed. “You can take the catmint. I’ve no quarrel with ThunderClan; I don’t want to see cats suffer, whatever you might think. Just be careful you don’t end up a bully like your kin, Tigerstar.”
Flicking her tail disdainfully, she vanished into the tunnel.
As he gathered up the scattered stems of catmint, her parting words echoed in Lionblaze’s mind, and his belly churned with fear that they might be true. His dream had nearly come true—he had nearly killed her—and Heathertail had known. The difference between him and Tigerstar was fading, and Lionblaze was more scared than he had ever been in his life.
Long Shadows pages 2248
I don't think she said some of those things to be mean, either. I believe she was referencing back to the battle in Eclipse where he had attacked her. She wanted to make herself seem brave, in case he thought about attacking her again. At least, that is my interpretation. As for his dreams, I don't think Heathertail knew about that at all. Like I said earlier, I think she was just referring back to the battle in Eclipse where he had attacked her. He had been a bully towards her that day.
The next time they interact with one another is in Sunset, when Lionblaze goes to WindClan's camp.
Meeting Heathertail's gaze, Lionblaze saw nothing but cold contempt in the eyes on the cat who had once been his friend—and even more than that. Bitter regret surged through him. As he looked back, even though he had broken the warrior code to meet Heathertail in the tunnels beneath the forest. Now she looked as if she would have killed him for a couple of mousetails. Lionblaze shuddered as he pictured his own body lying in the stream.
"Greetings Tornear." Firestar dipped his head as the WindClan patrol approached.
"What are you doing her?" Tornear sounded wary but not hostile, though Crowfeather's neck fur was bristling and Whitetail had unsheathed her claws.
"I need to speak with Onestar," Firestar explained. "May we visit your camp?"
Tornear hesitated, narrowing his eyes in suspicion, then gave a brusque nod. "Very well, but we'll escorted you. And you'd better not start anything."
"We only want to talk," Firestar promised.
Taking the lead, Tornear headed farther up the hill in the direction of the WindClan camp. Crowfeather and Whitetail flanked the ThunderClan patrol on either side, while Heathertail brought up the rear. Lionblaze was acutely conscious of her, padding just behind him, and he felt her gaze Pierce him like a thorn.
[…]
He spotted Heathertail standing off on one side, her gaze fixed on him. She seemed to be daring him to strike out so that she would have an excuse to jump on him and sink her claws into his fur. Breezepelt had pad padded so close to her that their pelts were brushing, and he met Lionblaze's stare with a challenge in his eyes. Heathertail is mine now, He seemed to be saying.
You're welcome to her, Lionblaze glared back.—Sunrise, pages 23-24; 27
A lot of people act as if Heathertail should be completely over how Lionblaze had treated her, despite the fact that the battle in Eclipse had only been months ago. I think it's completely reasonable for her not to be over her anger with him. If it had been years later, I could understand why people would find this annoying. But months? I don't think that's such a ridiculous amount of time to be angry at someone.
The last time Heathertail and Lionblaze interact is in Fading Echos, when Dovewing and Ivypool wander all the way to WindClan in order to check up on Sedgewhisker, who had gotten attacked by a dog. Before leaving ThunderClan's camp, Heathertail makes one last jibe at Lionblaze.
Perhaps she shouldn't have made that comment, but in a way she was right. Lionblaze was Dovewing's mentor, meaning he was responsible for her. Some people argue that if Heathertail were to say something like this, she should have said something to Cinderheart and Firestar too, but why should she? Dovewing clearly stated that the whole situation was her idea, and thus her fault. Since Lionblaze is her mentor, he takes part of the blame. Of course, Ivypool and Cinderheart are at fault too. Cinderheart should have been watching over Ivypool, but Dovewing still influenced her sister to go to WindClan.
Dovepaw's heart was racing. "We came alone." She wrapped her tail around Ivypaw and tried to keep her chin high.
Onestar's gaze was stern. "Why did you come?" he demanded. "Did Firestar send you?"
Dovepaw shook her head.
Sedgewhisker looked at her Clanmates. "She knew about the dog. She knew it chased us." She flashed a look at Dovepaw. "Though it was nothing we couldn't handle."
Onestar widened his eyes. "How did you know?"
Dovepaw was ready for the question. "I heard it from the forest, while I was training."
Heathertail growled. "How could you tell it was chasing our warriors?"
Dovepaw struggled for words. "I just... er... guessed," she mewed at last.
"You guessed?" The WindClan leader sounded unconvinced. His Clanmates exchanged doubtful glances.
[...]
"Let's get you home," the blue-eyed warrior mewed.
Dovepaw shrugged her away and stomped through the heather. Ivypaw padded beside her. "At least they didn't shred us," she whispered.
Remorse stripped Dovepaw's angry away. "I'm sorry I made you come."
[...]
Firestar cleared his throat. "Now, what's going on?"
Breezepelt answered, "We found these two inside our camp."
Dovepaw and Ivypaw shuffled closer together.
"Ivypaw?" Firestar's attention focused on the apprentice. "Is that what happened?"
"We..." Ivypaw hesitated. "We were just exploring."
"In the middle of WindClan territory?" Firestar's mew was ominously soft.
"It was all my fault!" Dovepaw broke in. "I... I heard a dog on the moor while we were tree training and I was worried..."
Jayfeather curled his claws. Oh no! Dovewing you mouse-brain! He felt Lionblaze stiffen.
[...]
"We do live by the warrior code," Firestar assured Breezepel, his mew tight. "And we will make sure these young cats understand how important that is." The ThunderClan leader was seething, embarrassed by the apprentices, but Jayfeather could also sense questions fizzing in his mind. What had these apprentices really been doing in WindClan territory?
Heathertail breathed out slowly. "Make sure you do." As she turned and began to head away from the ThunderClan camp, Jayfeather felt tension crackle like lightning between her and Lionblaze, as she aimed her final barb at the golden warrior. "You should keep a closer eye on your apprentice from now on."
Fading Echos pages 65-66, 67, 73-74
Lionblaze and Heathertail never interact after this. This means they haven't interacted with one another in over four years. I'm sure at this point, Heathertail is completely over Lionblaze. I doubt that she's still angry at him after all this time, especially when they haven't even spoken. I doubt they will ever be friends again, but I do believe the conflict between them is both over. I think the same thing about Lionblaze. He hasn't done anything recently to show he's angry with Heathertail, so I believe he's over it. What's done is done, and neither cat can change the past.
They're both loyal to their Clans now, and that's all that matters at the end of the day. Plus, they're both responsible for what happened. Heathertail doesn't deserve to have all the blame placed on her, and neither does Lionblaze. Both sides were wrong, and did things that were rude and against the code. They both allowed their emotions to get the better of them, which resulted in a lot of conflict. They've both made up for it though, and they've moved on with their lives. Lionblaze has a family of his own, and so does Heathertail.
I hope this rant will at least make people realize that Heathertail wasn't as bad as some people make her out to be. Did she mess up? Of course, but she isn't a bad cat at all. I hope people will be a little more understanding of her from now on.
