Chapter Text
Chapter 7
Hollyleaf
Hollyleaf drifted in and out of consciousness. One moment she was riding on Ash’s back the next she was on the ground. Everything was hazy and cloaked in fog. Her eyes fluttered and she looked up. Above her stood Foxfang screaming her name with worry, as Ivypaw stared at her in horror. Hollyleaf let her head lull to the side again, watching as Brambleclaw leaped on top of Ash. She then drifted back into inky black darkness.
When she woke once more, she felt her body crying out with pain. She ached from her nose down to her tail. She could feel a burning heat beneath her fur. Her sides heaved with the effort to breathe. She dug her claws into the soft moss nest underneath her, as she tried fleebly to wipe away the sweat from her paws. Disoriented and pained, a kit like need to be soothed cried out inside her chest. She let out a small whimper as gentle paws prodded at her wounds; lathering them with poultices.
“Shhh. Hush now precious. It’s alright.” a familiar voice told her warmly.
It was her mother’s voice, Hollyleaf knew that for sure. But which mother? She let her head lull slightly, her green eyes flickering open. Whichever mother it was, Hollyleaf could not tell. The cat above her flickered between Squirrelflight and Leafpool, the two cat's images merging and unmerging.
Hollyleaf reached out a paw desperately, towards Squirrelflight/Leafpool. The desperate need for her mother overwhelmed her. She felt so small, so weak. All she wanted to do was bury herself in her mother’s fur for comfort.
“Mother.” Hollyleaf cried, her voice raspy and strained. “Mother, I'm sorry. Please don’t leave me.” she wailed.
“Shhh. It’s alright, poppet. I’m not going anywhere.” Squirrelflight/Leafpool mewed. They held out their paw, which was dotted with tiny black seeds. “Here, eat these.”
Instinctively Hollyleaf, lapped up the seeds and swallowed them.
“Mother, I'm sorry.” She whimpered again as drowsiness began to overtake her.
“I know, Poppet. I forgive you. It’s alright.” Squirrelflight/Leafpool mewed. The she-cat laid down next to Hollyleaf on the nest, beginning to lick her between the ears. Hollyleaf rested her head against her mother, her pain starting to subside.
“Mother.” Hollyleaf whimpered again.
“Shhh. I am here.”
“I love you.” Hollyleaf muttered, before drifting off to sleep.
Hollyleaf flitted between memories and dreams. She stood with her brothers in the Thunderclan camp, as they prepared to chase the fox cubs. She kneaded the ground excitedly with her paws.
“We will be important one day!” She vowed, before charging through the escape tunnel in the dirt place. Once through the tunnel, Hollyleaf found herself once again standing on the cliff in Thunderclan. Fire raged around her, violently swallowing the forest. Smoke choked her lungs as her brothers stood at her side. She looked up to Ashfur’s confrontation on the other side of the cliff with Squirrelflight. Terror once again filled her heart, as she watched Ashfur refuse to help.
“We gave you power.” A thousand indescribable voices called out to her.
Hollyleaf blinked in surprise, looking around.
“Wha-what? Who are you, where are you?” She called, as the cats around her faded leaving her alone. Suddenly the ground beneath her paws gave way. She let out a terrified yowl, as she was sent falling into darkness. Hollyleaf twisted and flailed her paws, desperately trying to grab onto something; anything.
Suddenly a familiar island came into view. She stretched out her claws, landing deftly on the leader’s tree on the island. Hollyleaf looked around bewildered at her surroundings. Far below her paws were thousands of starry pelted warriors. They stared up at her, their faces sharp with disappointment and disgust.
Starclan! They’re Starclan warriors!
Hollyleaf realized with both fear and awe.
“And you abused it.” they called up to her. The starclan warriors in the middle of the crowd diverged into a circle, revealing familiar faces. Hollyleaf’s family stood in the surrounding circle of warriors. “And you used it to hurt those you loved the most.” The warriors hissed.
“I did what had to be done!” Hollyleaf called. “The truth had to come out! I couldn’t live a lie! I couldn’t live with the Warrior code lying in ashes!”
The Starclan warriors continued to stare at Hollyleaf, unmoved by her words.
“There is always a choice.” the warriors said, as they all began taking to the sky. They walked through the air, as if gravity meant nothing to them.
Hollyleaf stared in awe, before noticing with horror that her family had disappeared. Suddenly the branch beneath her paws gave way, breaking. She tumbled through the air, slamming into the ground. Hollyleaf gasped as the air was knocked from her lungs. She was no longer on the island, but now in the forest of Thunderclan territory. Hollyleaf looked up at her ancestors that now floated above her, weaving through the trees.
“How can we trust a warrior to save the forest when they abuse their power? You are not fit to be a part of the prophecy, or to be clan leader!” they called as the sky turned a deep red behind them.
Hollyleaf gasped in terror, as a blood red moon formed in the sky. The light from it cast a sickly crimson across the forest. Her fur bristled and stood on end as cries of pain and fighting echoed through the forest around her. Hollyleaf spun on her paws desperately looking to see where it was coming from, but all she could see were the dark looming shadows of the forest. Without warning, dark silhouettes of cats began to creep from the darkness, hissing and yowling. Their eyes glittered red like the moon.
Dark Forest warriors!
Hollyleaf thought with alarm. Her eyes flickered back towards the sky for help from her ancestors, only to find them gone.
No! They’ve abandoned me!
Icy fear gripped Hollyleaf’s heart as the dark warriors stalked forward, looking at her as if she was mere prey. Hollyleaf gritted her teeth and slid her claws out, preparing for battle.
The warriors let out a war caterwaul and charged forward.
Hollyleaf rose on her back legs, swiping furiously at her attackers. She barely managed to get a few strikes in before she was overwhelmed.
Starclan, help me!
Hollyleaf thought desperately as she was swallowed by the mass of warriors; their teeth and claws tearing her apart.
Hollyleaf jolted awake in her nest. Her heart thundered inside her chest as her eyes looked around, expecting to still be in the forest. Thankfully, she wasn’t. Instead she found herself inside the Thunderclan’s medicine den, laying on a soft nest of moss. Soft afternoon light streamed from the bramble curtain, casting soft shadows on the cave walls. The thick scent of herbs wafted into Hollyleaf's nose, as she rolled onto her belly from her side. Her body ached, as if she had been running for moons, but the pain and burning was gone now. Beside her Leafpool stirred, startling her. The fur on Hollyleaf’s flank, bristled in surprise to find the former medicine cat laying a tail length away from her, asleep. The tabby she-cat was pressed deep into the moss, snoring softly as if she hadn’t slept in moons.
Has she been watching over me?
Hollyleaf wondered. She felt anguish, guilt and anger, wrapping her belly into knots.
“Hollyleaf.” A familiar voice mewed.
Hollyleaf lifted her head to see her brother Jayfeather padding quickly over to her from the herb storage.
Relief and excitement flooded Hollyleaf’s heart, as she pressed her head into Jayfeather’s shoulder as he did the same with her.
“Jayfeather,” she mewed warmly, her voice raspy and rough. She licked his shoulder.
“You’re awake.” Jayfeather mewed breathlessly, relieved. A purr rumbled from the gray tabby so loud Hollyleaf could feel it in her bones.
“And you’re home.” Hollyleaf purred softly, so happy to see her littermate.
“How are you feeling?” Jayfeather asked, his mew edged with worry.
“Like I’ve been run over by a badger.” Hollyleaf muttered wearily.
She lifted a paw and placed it on her neck. Her fur was hard and plastered with poultice and cobwebs. Memories of her fight with Breezepelt flooded her mind, making her fur stand on end.
“Jayfeather!” she cried, causing Jayfeather to pull back. “Is Honeyfern ok? What about her kits?”
Jayfeather nodded, giving her lick between the ears.
“She’s alright and so are her kits. She gave birth a few sunrises ago.”
“A few sunrises ago? How long have I been asleep?”
“At least 4 sunrises. We returned just as you were being taken into camp.” Jayfeather explained.
Four sunrises! Great Starclan!
Hollyleaf thought bewildered. She couldn’t believe she had been asleep that long. The fur along her spine, rippled with discomfort as more of her memories from the fight returned.
“What about Ash? Where is he?” Hollyleaf asked hesitantly, flexing her claws.
He saved my life! I can’t believe it! Why in the name of Starclan did he do that? More importantly, why was he at the Moonpool?
“Ash is here in camp. He’s under guard. Did he really save you?” Jayfeather asked, his whiskers twitching with curiosity.
“He did…I can hardly believe it.” Hollyleaf muttered.
Jayfeather lashed his tail, letting out a snort.
“Me either. He says he wants to rejoin Thunderclan, the fox-heart.” he mewed contemptuously.
Hollyleaf blinked in surprise.
“What!” She cried in surprise, causing Leafpool to stir once more. Hollyleaf shuffled in her nest, trying to move away from the warrior.
Jayfeather raised his tail, signaling for her to quiet down.
“Shhh! Don’t wake her. She’s been watching you day and night for the past few sunrises. Even though I told her we could work in shifts she refused! I finally had to sneak some poppy seeds into her mouse this morning to get her to rest!” Jayfeather mewed, his voice slightly agitated.
A pang of guilt stabbed at Hollyleaf’s heart.
She’s been making sure I heal. Watching over me…like a mother would. Even after everything I did.
Swallowing, she tried to push the guilt away.
She shouldn’t be watching over me! She’s not even a medicine cat anymore!
Jayfeather walked over to Hollyleaf, gently nudging her by her shoulder before she could dwell on Leafpool more.
“Come on. Let's get you up and outside, so you don’t get any nest sores. Also we can talk there.” He mewed.
Hollyleaf nodded, struggling to her paws. Leaning on Jayfeather for support, Hollyleaf and her littermate limped outside. Jayfeather led her outside of the medicine den to the fern just outside of the den. Hollyleaf curled up underneath the fern, the plant dappling her pelt with shade. Jayfeather slid next to her, grooming a few loose pieces of moss from her pelt.
“You said that Ash wants to rejoin Thunderclan?” Hollyleaf mewed in disbelief.
Jayfeather nodded, his ears pinned back.
“Yeah, apparently he’s had a change of heart. Something about living with some rogues who made him change his ways,” Jayfeather snorted contemptuously. “Where was that kindness when we were trapped on the cliff?”
Hollyleaf flicked her tail in agreement.
“Anyways, Firestar said he wants to talk to you about it. He says he will talk to all of us about it since we’re the injured party in this matter.” Jayfeather concluded. “Did he really save you?”
Hollylead nodded.
“I know I can still hardly believe it myself. Starclan I would have been Crowfood if he hadn’t shown up!” Hollyleaf growled. Suddenly her mind flicked back to the battle with Breezepelt, the memory of the cat with the bent tail flooding her mind. Her blood froze in her veins as she remembered.
“Jayfeather there’s-,” Hollyleaf began to tell her brother as she was cut off by a sharp yowl.
“Jayfeather, we have injured cats!” Firestar called, walking through the thorn tunnel.
Hollyleaf and her brother turned their attention towards the fern tunnel.
Hollyleaf’s eyes widened with shock and fear as she watched as her injured clanmates began filtering through the tunnel.
Brackenfur leaned on Spiderleg as they limped into camp. The warrior had deep claw marks running down his shoulders, with a bleeding injured back paw.
Spiderleg had a torn ear and deep claw mark running from his right eye across his nose and down his left cheek. Berrynose was walking alright, but missing huge clumps of fur with a few scratches.
Hollyleaf felt her breath catch in her throat as Brambleclaw limped through the thorn tunnel leaning on Squirrelflight.
The tabby warrior had deep claw marks running down his flank, with a bleeding torn ear. A deep cut crossed his left eye.
Great Starclan what happened?
Hollyleaf thought with alarm as the rest of the patrol came in.
Jayfeather was immediately on his paws, dashing into the medicine and returning with herbs.
“Stay here!” he ordered before bounding off.
The gray medicine cat bounded down the path from the medicine den to the injured warriors who sat down in the middle of camp.
Hollyleaf watched as her brother began treating the warriors, however she couldn’t ignore the furious look in Firestar’s eyes. His green gaze burned with such ire it made even her fur prickle with anxiety. She only managed to look away when she heard the thorn tunnel rustle once more. She saw Ivypaw following sheepishly behind Brightheart with Briarpaw next to her.
Her heart leaped into her throat.
Ivypaw! Oh no! Was she part of the patrol that was injured?
Hollyleaf thought, forcing herself to her paws. Her wounded shoulder ached and screamed in protest, but she ignored it, beginning to limp down the path.
As she did more of her clanmates began filtering out from their dens, looking in wonder and confusion at their clanmates.
“What in the name of Starclan happened? Did Shadowclan attack?” Mousefur hissed, baring her teeth.
Longtail who was right behind her let out a low growl.
“If they did, they’ll regret it.” he murmured.
“Shadowclan didn’t attack.” Firestar mewed, sharply.
“Ivypaw!” Hollyleaf cried hoarsely to her apprentice who had joined the seated warriors in the middle of camp.
Ivypaw lifted her head and her eyes widened.
“Hollyleaf!” She cried racing over and pressing her muzzle into her mentor’s good shoulder. “You’re ok!” she mewed breathlessly, as if she couldn’t believe it.
Hollyleaf let out a weak purr before sinking to the ground, her shoulder no longer able to hold her weight.
She gave Ivypaw a quick lick between the ears.
“I’m ok. Are you ok?” she asked worriedly.
“Who cares! I thought you were going to die!” Ivypaw mewed her eyes misty.
“I care!” Hollyleaf mewed warmly, giving her another lick.
“Hollyleaf!” A familiar voice called with relief. Hollyleaf lifted her head to see Squirrelflight race away from Brambleclaw, who stumbled and fell over at the sudden loss of support.
The ginger she-cat’s eyes were misty with relief, as she raced over.
“Oh thank the Starclan! I thought…Starclan I’m so glad you’re alright!” Squirrelflight mewed, as she stood before her once daughter. Hollyleaf felt her pelt prickle as she stared at Squirrelflight.
“I told you to stay put! You could have opened your injuries again!” Jayfeather scolded, rushing over to his sister. He pressed his nose through her pelt checking her injuries.
Suddenly all of the attention turned towards Hollyleaf. Every cat was asking if she was alright and telling her that she was a hero.
“Thunderclan, silence!” Firestar called, stepping through the crowd.
The crowd of cats grew quiet.
“Hollyleaf, I’m glad you’re alright. We have some things to discuss later,” Firestar mewed, dipping his head towards her. “But for now I want to know why my warriors were attacking Windclan patrols without my permission!” he hissed, turning back towards the group of warriors.
Hollyleaf’s pelt stood on end as she heard what the patrol had done.
Oh great Starclan no! Did they do it because of me?
She wondered as shame cascaded over her.
She didn’t have to wonder long before Ivypaw spoke up.
“We did what you wouldn’t!” Ivypaw finally growled. “We gave those rabbit dropping eaters what they deserved, for attacking our clanmates!”
Hollyleaf looked at her apprentice bewildered.
Firestar raked the gray and white apprentice with his fiery green gaze.
“Ivypaw, hush you’re in enough trouble as it is,” Brightheart snapped, causing Ivypaw to flinch.
Anxiety and shame ripped through Hollyleaf at her apprentice’s outburst.
“Well Ivypaw since you’re so keen to speak. Why don’t you tell me what happened?” Firestar mewed sharply.
Ivypaw looked up at her leader, her blue eyes wide.
“Don’t be hard on Ivypaw. It was my fault that she was with us.” Brambleclaw mewed, shamefully stepping forward. “The patrol was my idea.”
“You’re lucky she was! You would have been crow-food if she hadn’t been!” Squirrelflight snapped, raking her former mate with her gaze. Her busy tail lashed furiously.
Hollyleaf blinked in surprise at her former father, anger suddenly bubbling in her belly.
“You put my apprentice in danger?” Hollyleaf hissed to Brambleclaw, who looked away from her.
Hollyleaf dug her claws into the soft earth of the camp. She couldn’t believe her ears! Brambleclaw, the cat who had raised her and the one she used to respect the most, had gone against Firestar’s wishes and put her apprentice in grave danger!
I can’t believe this! He’s not the cat I remember! Starclan between him and Squirrelflight, did I truly know the cats who raised me at all?
Hollyleaf thought, dismay crashing over her like the waves on the lake shore.
Firestar raised his tail, silencing the group of cats before looking at Ivypaw again.
“I uh…” Ivypaw stammered, unsure of what to say.
Hollyleaf nudged her apprentice with her shoulder.
“Do as Firestar says.” she mewed, sternly.
Ivypaw flattened her ears against her head looking down, staring at her paws.
“I-I found Brambleclaw’s patrol this morning. I heard them discussing the plan to attack Windclan and I wanted to help. So they let me come with them. During the fight one of the Windclan apprentices got away. I tried to stop him, but he was too quick! Heathertail then found us and chased me. I managed to get back to our territory before she caught me. We did it because we were angry about what Breezepelt did!” Ivypaw explained, her ears clearly burning with embarrassment.
Stars above! Hollyleaf thought horrified. She could have been killed because of me! And because of Brambleclaw!
Hollyleaf flicked her eyes towards her former father once more, anger bubbling like a violent stream in her belly.
Firestar opened his jaws to speak, but Brackenfur piped up first.
“Brambleclaw isn't to be completely blamed.” Brackenfur mewed, quickly. The tom walked forward standing next to Brambleclaw in solidarity. “I helped him plan the entire thing.”
Firestar lashed his tail furiously.
“What is wrong with all of you? Have my warriors completely lost their minds? Do you all realize what you have probably done?” He snarled, his voice growing louder and louder as he spoke. “We are now probably at war with Windclan!”
Hollyleaf’s neck fur bristled in alarm at her leader’s rage. Even her clanmates around her looked at Firestar with surprise.
Starclan I have never seen Firestar so upset! But those mousebrains deserve no less after what they did!
Hollyleaf thought.
“Not only did you go against my word after the situation was already dealt with, you put an apprentice in danger!” Firestar continued. I expect better from my senior warriors!
Brackenfur, Spiderleg and Berrynose all stared at their paws in clear shame. Brambleclaw was the only cat who looked Firestar in the eyes, trying to take his leader’s scolding with some pride.
“I expected more from you, especially Bramblecaw!” Firestar hissed, getting nose to nose with the tabby. “You were my apprentice! I know I taught you better than that! Do you really think this is the best way to show loyalty to your clan?”
“No, Firestar.” Brambleclaw mewed quietly, finally lowering his gaze.
Firestar let out a sharp breath, lashing his tail and turning away from the tabby.
“If you want to act like apprentices I shall treat you like apprentices! You four won’t be allowed out of camp without a trusted warrior for the next two moons! You will also be taking over the apprentice’s duties for the next moon! That way they can brush up on their battle training for the war you’ve put us in!” Firestar snarled.
“Yes, Firestar.” Brackenfur mewed dismayed.
“Fox-dung.” Berrynose murmured under his breath.
Firestar turned and looked at Ivypaw who was still cowarded under her leader’s gaze.
“As for you Ivypaw, I apologize. The clan’s senior warriors should have not put you in the position they did. You saved your clanmates’ lives today and acted with bravery, because of that I will not punish you. I shall leave that choice in the paws of your mentor.” Firestar mewed, looking at Hollyleaf.
Hollyleaf gave her chest a quick self conscious lick, as her mind ran.
Ivypaw stared up at Hollyleaf, her blue eyes full of hope that she wouldn’t punish her.
“Who is her temporary mentor?” Hollyleaf rasped, figuring Firestar had assigned Ivypaw one until she was fully healed.
“Cinderheart.” Firestar mewed.
Hollyleaf nodded her head, as Ivypaw turned her attention away from her. Ivypaw stared at her paws, ears flattened with dismay.
“Don’t let her out of camp without her. That can be her punishment.” Hollyleaf mewed.
“That is more than fair. Alright, You four are dismissed. Go to the medicine den and get some herbs on those wounds.” Firestar mewed sharply, flicking his tail at Brambleclaw’s patrol.
“Brightheart a word.” Firestar mewed, flicking his tail towards the Highledge.
“Yes, Firestar.” Brightheart mewed, padding after her leader.
The group of cats then broke apart. Brambleclaw’s patrol limped shamefully up the path towards the medicine den, their heads low.
Jayfeather let out a snort.
“Looks like I’m needed. Ivypaw, take Hollyleaf into the bracken over there. It’s soft and will be comfortable.” Jayfeather mewed sharply, flicking his tail towards a clump of bracken next to some boulders in camp. The gray tom then got to his paws and padded towards his den.
“Yes, Jayfeather,” Ivypaw mewed, some contempt in her voice.
She’s upset because I’ve banned her from leaving camp without Cinderheart.
Hollyleaf thought, feeling slightly irritated by her apprentice’s mood.
“Here allow me to help.” Squirrelflight mewed walking up onto Hollyleaf’s otherside.
“No. I’ll be fine with just Ivypaw’s help,” Hollyleaf said quickly, beginning to limp away before Squirrelflight could protest.
Ivypaw pressed herself against her shoulder helping her limp to bracken. The young apprentice had her ears pressed against her head.
Hollyleaf let out a sigh.
“I know you were only trying to do what you thought was right. But just because you think something is right doesn’t make it so.” Hollyleaf mewed gently.
I know that better than anyone.
She thought to herself, remembering the night of the gathering she revealed the secret.
“So we should just let the other clans bully us and kill our clanmates?” Ivypaw hissed hotly, as Hollyleaf curled up into the comfortable bracken.
“Of course not! But there is a difference between defending one’s clan and looking for a fight! Death of a warrior does not mean victory!” Hollyleaf growled.
Ivypaw sat down, staring discontentedly at her paws.
“Tell that to Breezepelt!” Ivypaw murmured under her breath, thorns in her words.
Hollyleaf narrowed her eyes, giving Ivypaw’s whiskers a quick swipe so that she would look at her.
“Breezepelt is my problem to deal with, not yours. Look Ivypaw, I am proud that you managed to save your clanmates today. I really am, but you still did something foolish by following them into that situation in the first place. You should have told Cinderheart or Brightheart or any other trusted warriors when you found out what they were planning,” Hollyleaf mewed sharply.
Ivypaw didn’t say anything, she simply thunked her tail disquietly against the sandy earth.
Hollyleaf sighed.
I’m not getting through to her, at least for now.
“Go to the apprentice's den Ivypaw. Stay there until Cinderheart comes to collect you.” Hollyleaf ordered, her head beginning to buzz with exhaustion.
“Whatever,” Ivypaw grumbled, padding away, refusing to look at her mentor.
Hollyleaf watched as she left, frustration digging its sharp thorns into her belly.
What am I going to do with her? She’s such an arrogant furball sometimes! Starclan, how am I going to turn her into a respectable warrior?
Hollyleaf wondered, giving her pelt a few sharp licks. She flinched as her tongue ran over one of her deep scratches.
She stared at the scratch along her shoulder, memories of the fight with Breezepelt flooded her mind.
A cold certainty began dripping into her veins, like melting snow.
Breezepelt has gone too. He’s put my clanmates in danger because of his hatred for me. He’s become more vicious than a rabid fox! This is all my fault.
Hollyleaf thought guilt stabbing at her like thorns in her pelt.
I’ve created this fox…it's my responsibility to deal with it. He’s too dangerous to be left alive…next battle I meet him in…he’s dying by my claws.
Hollyleaf shuddered, her fur prickling as she thought of her half brother’s blood on her claws. The image in her mind chilled her. Her mind wandered to memories of the journey to the mountains that they had taken together as apprentices. She thought he had been more prickly than a hedgehog and arrogant, but more than that he seemed lonely.
He’s always been a bit of a brat, but is it because of loneliness? Or because of Crowfeather? He never seemed like a warm father to me.
Hollyleaf wondered.
If we had been kinder to him, or tried to befriend him more would that have changed anything?
“Hollyleaf!” a familiar voice called breaking Hollyleaf from her thoughts.
Hollyleaf turned her head to see Foxfang standing by the thorn tunnel appearing to have just entered. A piece of fresh kill laid by his paws, seeming to have been dropped by the rust colored tom.
Foxfang sprinted across the camp towards her, joy in his green eyes. He skidded in front of her, paws scrambling trying to find traction as he struggled to slow his pace. He pressed his muzzle against the side of hers as he finally managed to stop. A purr rumbled out of his throat so loud Hollyleaf felt it through her teeth.
“You’re awake!” He mewed breathlessly as if he couldn’t believe it.
Hollyleaf blinked in surprise for a moment, shocked by her friend’s enthusiasm. She then let out a contented sigh pressing her muzzle against his, happy to see her friend.
“I’m happy to see you too.” She purred.
Foxfang drew back after a moment, flopping down onto his hindquarters.
“I thought…I was so scared that…” he mewed, stumbling over his words. He gave his chest a quick lick, before clearing his throat. “I’m so happy you’re alive.”
Hollyleaf purred, blinking at her friend warmly.
“I won’t be sharing tongues with our ancestors just yet.” she mewed.
Before either cat had another chance to utter another word, Lionblaze and Cinderheart came bounding over, from the thorn tunnel as well.
Dovepaw came in behind the two warriors a black bird dangling from her jaws. She blinked happily to Hollyleaf, flicking her tail in greeting. At that moment, Bumblepaw padded over to Dovepaw talking excitedly about something. Dovepaw gave the warriors a quick glance, before trotting off with her friend towards the Freshkill pile; with Bumblepaw carrying Foxfang’s forgotten freshkill.
“Hollyleaf!” Lionblaze cried joyfully. The golden furred tom, wrapped his paws around his sister’s neck, purring. He gave her a swift lick between the ears. “I’m so glad you’re awake!”
Hollyleaf purred even louder, pressing her nose into her brother’s neck ruff breathing in his scent. Relief flooded her, as she was finally reunited with her last littermate.
The three of us are finally back in the same forest! At least that’s one thing that’s been set right.
“Lionblaze you’re back! How was the tribe?” she asked just before Cinderheart cuffed her gently over the ear.
“Mouse-brain! How dare you try to die before we came back!” Cinderheart mewed with a playful growl.The gray she-cat then gave Hollyleaf’s shoulder a swift lick. “I’m so glad to see you up right.”
Hollyleaf’s whiskers twitched with amusement and she touched noses with her best friend.
“I’m so glad you’re both home safe.” she meowed. As Hollyleaf drew her head back she gasped in shock as she noticed a small branch of lavender woven into Cinderheart’s tail.
Her eyes immediately flicked to Lionblaze’s tail, which had a similar branch of lavender woven into his fur.
“Y-you two are mates now?” Hollyleaf gasped, her eyes wide. Hollyleaf knew that once a cat took a mate the two would wear similar flowers woven into their tails until after the next gathering. Squirrelflight had told her when she was a kit, she had woven roses into her tail when she had become mates with Brambleclaw.
“It’s a symbol of commitment and love. It’s also a way for others to know that you are no longer interested.” Squirrelflight had said.
Cinderheart twitched her whiskers, letting out a purr. Her blue eyes glimmered as Lionblaze padded over and bunted his head against hers.
“We are, Starclan we have so much to talk about.” Cinderheart purred, giving Lionblaze’s ear a lick.
Hollyleaf felt her heart swell with warmth for her friend and brother, as she saw the joy in Cinderheart and Lioblaze’s eyes. Yet deep in the back of her mind was a worry wriggled like a worm in soft earth.
Is Lionblaze going to be able to fulfill the prophecy if he’s distracted by having a mate?
Hollyleaf wondered, before pushing the thought away. She just wanted to be happy for her friend and littermate for a while.
“I’m so happy for you two. I was always hoping that you would pull your head out from your tail, Lionblaze!” Hollyleaf purred, flicking her tail at her brother.
Cinderheart chuckled while Lionblaze gave himself a self conscious lick.
“Well…I will admit it shouldn’t have taken me as long as it had.” Lionblaze admitted as Cinderheart laid down next to Hollyleaf. Lionblaze then settled next to her tucking his paws under his chest.
“All that matters is that you got there in the end.” Foxfang mewed before laying on Hollyleaf’s other side. His ears flicked towards Bumblepaw and Dovepaw who were across the clearing, despite not being able to hear them.
Bumblepaw was acting animatedly as he spoke to Dovepaw.
Hollyleaf watched as Dovepaw’s eyes rounded, before she rushed off towards the apprentices’ den.
He must have told her about Brambleclaw’s patrol and what Ivypaw did. I wonder what she thinks of her sister?
Hollyleaf realized.
“I wonder what has Bumblepaw all worked up?” Foxfang asked.
Hollyleaf let out a frustrated sigh and told her friends and brother what had transpired before they had returned to camp.
“What? I can’t believe that Brambleclaw did that!” Lionblaze said exasperated. ”How could he have ever thought that was a good idea?”
“Foxdung! I shouldn’t have let her go with Brackenfur this morning!” Cinderheart mewed, her ears falling against her head. The she cat pushed her nose into Hollyleaf’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I should have protected Ivypaw better.”
Hollyleaf gave her friend a lick between the ears.
“It’s alright. You didn’t know.” she mewed.
“While I do believe that Windclan needed be sent a bigger message, I don’t think it was right of them to do it behind Firestar’s back.” Foxfang mewed.
“My biggest worry is Ivypaw. I tried to talk to her about her actions but she didn’t want to listen.” Hollyleaf mewed, before her jaws gaped with a yawn. All of the energy she had earlier had been sapped. She felt exhausted down to her claw tips.
Cinderheart drew her tail across her flank affectionately.
“Try not to worry about it for now. You’ll get through to her. For now, focus on resting.” Cinderheart murmured.
Hollyleaf gave her a half hearted nod before laying her head down on her paws. Her eyelids drooped heavily as sleep threatened to take her. Foxfang, still on her left side, laid talking with Lionblaze on her other side, about the patrol. Hollyleaf, too tired to care about the conversation, found herself staring at Foxfang. His rust colored pelt dappled by sunlight through the bracken, causing it to look like soft glowing embers.
He looks quite handsome in the sunlight…did I really just think that?
Hollyleaf thought, before sleep finally took her. She hadn’t noticed Cinderheart looking at her with whiskers twitching with amusement as she caught her staring.