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Chapter Text

THUNDERCLAN

Leader
Firestar (he/him; 36 ms, 3ys)
ginger mink ticked tabby tom, low white spotting, green eyes

Deputy
Goldenflower (she/her; 59 ms, 4.11ys)
long furred cream classic tabby molly, low white spotting, amber eyes
(Apprentice, Shrewpaw)

Healer
Cinderpelt (she/her; 29 ms, 2.5 ys)
mostly grey dilute tortoiseshell molly, one blue one amber eye
(Apprentice, Leafpaw)

Warriors
Willowpelt (she/her; 73 ms, 6.1 ys)
long furred dilute tortoiseshell molly, blue eyes

Frostfur (she/her; 58 ms, 4.10 ys)
white molly, blue eyes

Mousefur (she/her; 44 ms, 3.8 ys)
chocolate molly, amber and blue eyes
(Apprentice, Spiderpaw)

Longtail (he/they; 40 ms, 3.4 ys)
dilute tortoiseshell ticked tabby tom, blue eyes

Sandstorm (she/her; 38 ms, 3.2 ys)
dilute cinnamon tortoiseshell mackerel tabby molly, green eyes
(Apprentice, Bramblepaw)

Dustpelt (he/him; 37 ms, 3.1 ys)
black ticked tabby, amber eyes
(Apprentice, Squirrelpaw)

Greystripe (he/him; 36 ms, 3 ys)
long furred grey ticked tabby tom, amber eyes

Brackenfur (he/him; 29 ms, 2.5 ys)
dilute chocolate classic tabby tom, amber eyes
(Apprentice, Sootpaw)

Thornclaw (he/him; 29 ms, 2.5 ys)
dilute chocolate mackerel tabby tom, low white spotting, blue eyes
(Apprentice, Sorrelpaw)

Ferncloud (she/her; 23 ms, 1.11 ys)
grey mink spotted tabby molly, green eyes

Ashfur (he/him; 23 ms, 1.11 ys)
grey spotted tabby tom, low white spotting, blue eyes

Cloudtail (he/him; 21 ms, 1.9 ys)
long furred white tom, blue eyes
(Apprentice, Rainpaw)
(Kit, Whitekit)

Apprentices
Bramblepaw (he/him; 17 ms, 1.5 ys)
long furred chocolate classic tabby tom, amber eyes
(Mentor, Sandstorm)

Sorrelpaw (she/her; 10 ms)
tortoiseshell and white spotted tabby, amber eyes
(Mentor, Thornclaw)

Rainpaw (he/him; 10 ms)
grey spotted tabby tom, blue eyes
(Mentor, Cloudtail)

Sootpaw (hehim; 10 ms)
grey spotted tabby tom, low white spotting, amber eyes
(Mentor, Brackenfur)

Squirrelpaw (she/her; 6 ms)
long furred ginger molly, low white spotting, green eyes
(Mentor, Dustpelt)

Leafpaw (she/her; 6 ms)
chocolate classic tabby molly, low white spotting, one green one amber eye
(Mentor, Cinderpelt)

Spiderpaw (he/him; 6 ms)
black burmese tom, amber eyes
(Mentor, Mousefur)

Shrewpaw (he/him; 6 ms)
black ticked tabby tom, amber eyes
(Mentor, Goldenflower)

Queen
Brightheart (she/her; 29 ms, 2.5y)
ginger classic tabby and white molly, green and blue eyes
(Kit, Whitekit)

Kit
Whitekit (she/her; 1 ms)
long furred mostly white siamese dilute tortoiseshell molly, green eyes

Elders
Dappletail (she/her; 94 ms, 7.10 ys)
tortoiseshell molly, low white spotting, amber eyes

Speckletail (she/her; 91 ms, 7.7 ys)
cream spotted tabby molly, green eyes

SHADOWCLAN

Leader
Blackstar (he/him; 46 ms, 3.10 ys)
black siamese tom, amber eyes

Deputy
Tallpoppy (she/her; 25 ms, 2.1 ys)
cinnamon spotted tabby molly, green eyes

Healers
Runningnose (he/him; 79 ms, 6.7 ys)
grey and white tom, green eyes

Littlecloud (he/him; 41 ms, 3.5 ys)
black classic tabby tom, low white spotting, blue eyes

Warriors
Plumwish (she/her; 95 ms, 7.11 ys)
long furred black molly, blue eyes

Rowanberry (she/her; 90 ms, 7.6 ys)
chocolate tortoiseshell mink molly, amber eyes

Boulder (he/him; 59 ms, 4.11 ys)
grey tom, blue eyes
(Kits, Smokekit, Talonkit)

Oakfur (he/him; 52 ms, 4.4 ys)
black classic tabby tom, amber eyes

Batwing (she/her; 48 ms, 4 ys)
black molly, blue eyes

Smokefoot (he/him; 48 ms, 4 ys)
black tom, amber eyes

Whitewater (she/her; 47 ms, 3.11 ys)
white molly, blue eyes

Brickflame (she/e; 34 ms, 2.10 ys)
ginger classic tabby jack, amber eyes

Russetfur (she/her; 34 ms, 2.10 ys)
ginger classic tabby molly, green eyes

Snaketail (he/him; 25 ms, 2.1 ys)
black classic tabby tom, green eyes

Applefern (she/her; 24 ms, 2 ys)
chocolate spotted mink molly, amber eyes

Toadfoot (he/him; 24 ms, 2 ys)
long furred cinnamon and tortoiseshell and white tom, amber eyes

Tawnypelt (she/her; 17 ms, 1.5 ys)
black mackerel tabby with low white spotting, cream classic tabby chimera molly, one green one amber eye

Cedarheart (he/him; 15 ms, 1.3 ys)
grey tom, amber eyes

Rowanclaw (she/her; 15 ms, 1.3 ys)
ginger molly, blue eyes

Kits
Smokekit (he/him; 4 ms)
grey tom, low white spotting, amber eyes

Talonkit (he/him; 4 ms)
grey tom, low white spotting, amber eyes

RIVERCLAN

Leader
Leopardstar (she/her; 46 ms, 3.10 ys)
cinnamon rosetted tabby molly, low white spotting, amber eyes

Deputy
Piketooth (he/him; 91 ms, 7.7 ys)
chocolate burmese tom, blue eyes

Healer
Mudfur (he/him; 71 ms, 5.11 ys)
chocolate rosetted tabby tom, amber eyes
(Apprentice, Mothpaw)

Warriors
Brightsky (she/her; 77 ms, 6.5 ys)
spotted ginger tabby and white molly, blue eyes
(Apprentice, Hawkpaw)

Ivytail (she/her; 71 ms, 5.11 ys)
black mackerel tabby molly, green eyes

Loudbelly (he/him; 67 ms, 5.7 ys)
long furred chocolate tom, low white spotting, blue eyes

Blackclaw (he/him; 46 ms, 3.10 ys)
black classic ghost tabby, amber eyes

Shadepelt (she/her; 46 ms, 3.10 ys)
black molly, blue eyes

Heavystep (he/him; 46 ms, 3.10 ys)
chocolate tom, blue eyes

Mistyfoot (she/her; 45 ms, 3.9 ys)
grey molly, low white spotting, blue eyes

Icewing (she/her; 32 ms, 2.8 ys)
white molly, green eyes

Mosspelt (she/her; 21 ms, 1.9 ys)
chocolate tortoiseshell classic tabby and white molly, one green one blue eye

Greymist (she/her; 19 ms, 1.7 ys)
grey mackerel tabby molly, blue eyes

Mintflower (he/him; 19 ms, 1.7 ys)
grey classic tabby tom, green eyes

Feathertail (she/her; 18 ms, 1.6 ys)
long furred grey ticked tabby and white molly, blue eyes

Stormbranch (he/him; 18 ms, 1.6 ys)
grey classic tabby tom, amber eyes

Apprentices
Hawkpaw (zie/he; 11 ms)
black siamese ticked tabby tom, low white spotting, blue eyes
(Mentor, Brightsky)

Mothpaw (she/her; 11 ms)
long furred cream mink classic tabby molly, amber eyes
(Mentor, Mudfur)

Queens
Dawnflower (she/her; 30 ms, 2.6 ys)
grey molly, green eyes
(Kits, Swallowkit, Stonekit)

Skyheart (she/her; 21 ms, 1.9 ys)
chocolate mackerel tabby molly, low white spotting, blue eyes
(Kits, Splashkit, Volekit, Beechkit)

Kits
Swallowkit (she/her; 6 ms)
black molly, green eyes

Stonekit (he/him; 6 ms)
grey tom, blue eyes

Splashkit (she/her; 2 ms)
chocolate mackerel tabby and white molly, blue eyes

Volekit (he/him; 2 ms)
chocolate mackerel tabby tom, green eyes

Beechkit (he/him; 2 ms)
cinnamon spotted tom, low white spotting, blue eyes

WINDCLAN

Leader
Tallstar (he/him; 121 ms, 10.1 ys)
black and white tom, amber eyes

Deputy
Mudclaw (he/him; 51 ms, 4.3 ys)
black classic tabby tom, amber eyes

Healer
Barkface (he/him; 51 ms, 4.3 ys)
long furred chocolate burmese tom, amber eyes

Warriors
Rushtail (he/him; 83 ms, 6.11 ys)
spotted cinnamon tabby tom, low white spotting, blue eyes

Oatwhisker (he/him; 83 ms, 6.11 ys)
cinnamon mackerel tabby tom, amber eyes

Ashfoot (she/her; 53 ms, 4.5 ys)
grey molly, blue eyes

Tornear (he/him; 53 ms, 4.5 ys)
grey classic tabby and white tom, blue eyes
(Kits, Thistlekit, Owlkit, Weaselkit, Gorsekit)

Yewclaw (she/her; 52 ms, 4.4 ys)
grey mackerel tabby molly, green eyes

Gorsetail (he/him; 48 ms, 4 ys)
cinnamon tom, amber eyes

Onewhisker (he/him; 33 ms, 2.9 ys)
cinnamon spotted tabby tom, amber eyes
(Apprentice, Nightpaw)

Morningflower (she/her; 33 ms, 2.9 ys)
cinnamon tortoiseshell spotted tabby molly, low white spotting, amber eyes

Webfoot (he/him; 28 ms, 2.4 ys)
grey classic tabby tom, low white spotting, blue eyes

Whitetail (she/her; 28 ms, 2.4 ys)
white molly, blue eyes

Crowice (he/him; 18 ms, 1.6 ys)
grey tom, blue eyes

Apprentice
Nightpaw (she/he; 7 ms)
black jack, amber eyes
(Mentor, Onewhisker)

Queen
Robinwing (she/her; 48 ms, 4 ys)
cinnamon tortoiseshell molly, amber eyes
(Kits, Thistlekit, Owlkit, Weaselkit, Gorsekit)

Kits
Thistlekit (she/her; 2 ms)
white molly, green eyes

Owlkit (he/him; 2 ms)
cinnamon classic tabby tom, low white spotting, blue eyes

Weaselkit (he/him; 2 ms)
dilute tortoiseshell, low white spotting, blue eyes

Gorsekit (she/her; 2 ms)
grey and white point molly, blue eyes

Elders
Darkfoot (they/them; 139 ms, 12.5 ys)
black burmese jack, blue eyes

Runningbrook (she/her; 110 ms, 9.2 ys)
cinnamon molly, low white spotting, blue eyes

Meadowslip (she/her; 89 ms, 7.5 ys)
dilute tortoiseshell molly, low white spotting, blue eyes

OTHER CATS

Sasha (she/her; 53 ms, 4.5 ys)
chocolate mink molly, low white spotting, blue eyes

Princess (she/her; 45 ms, 3.9 ys)
chocolate classic tabby molly, low white spotting, amber eyes

Barley (he/him; 43 ms, 3.7 ys)
long furred black and white tom, blue eyes

Ravenpaw (he/him; 37 ms, 3.1 ys)
black tom, low white spotting, one blue one amber eye

Chapter Text

Small streams weave their way through every path, all pulling from the waterfalls that surround the edges of known land. There is never any snow, only shining warmth that permits forever. Soft slopes of meadows dotted with trees, filled with more prey than any cat could ask for.

Near the south border lies a series of interconnected pools, serving as viewing pools for seeing below. It slips effortlessly between the water, and slinks It’s way up the lone tree. As predicted, four cats are about to gather here. It settles into watching, for now. It starts with a grey molly and a light brown tabby tom, seemingly previously in conversation. They cut off as they reach the chosen pool. Seconds later, a speckled black tom slips into the clearing.

“Nightstar.” The grey molly greets him kindly, if reserved. The tabby tom also bows his head but says nothing.

Nightstar doesn’t react. “Where is she, Bluestar?”

The tabby answers, as if keeping the piece on some tenuous allegiance. “Dawnstar will show in time, she knows the importance of this meeting.”

“If she knows, Crookedstar…” Bluestar hisses. “Surely she would put in the effort that something like this deserves.”

Crookedstar nods. Windclan pride runs strong, and all three of the cats had known Dawnstar. Even as wise as she was she was not immune to the folly of overgrown pride.

“This changes everything, even for Windclan.” Bluestar presses.

“And yet,” Crookedstar interrupts, with a growing grin he can’t hide. “This all relies on teamwork between the clans.”

Bluestar sighs and nods, even she understanding the cooperation between the clans was paramount in this mission being a success.

It laughs, a silent empty sound. In all It’s long observing since the start of time, It had yet to see the tiny specks known as ‘clans’ work together at all. A holy quest that relied on cats from opposite tribes working together was shaky at best. No one hears It anyway, because It does not wish to make It’s presence known. Only an observer.

The sleek golden and white tabby known as Dawnstar has finally appeared. She wastes no time in wasted politeness.

“Well. We all know what’s at stake. I hope for all stars sake you three know what you’re doing.”

If the others have any problem with Dawnstar’s seeming lack of faith in them, they do not make it known.

Crookedstar sweeps a paw over the surface of the pool. His reflection shifts and morphs into an image of a young silver warrior scanning the river for fish.

“Feathertail?” Bluestar inquires. She looks almost nostalgic, like she had been reminded of an old image of another cat.

Crookedstar nods, certain in his choice. No one makes any complaints. There’s no need.

Nightstar sighs and steps forward, mimicking a similar motion to Crookedstar’s. The image now reveals a tall tan tabby, chatting with two other warriors.

Dawnstar narrows her eyes. “The young deputy? Won’t Blackstar have a problem with letting her leave her clan like that.”

The others seem to agree, but Nightstar stops them.

“Tallpoppy is young, and there are many cats Blackstar trusts to take over for her until her return. She has much to give towards this journey, and I am confident in this choice, as I have been from the very start.”

Dawnstar looks to Bluestar, who instead motions her forward with her tail. Dawnstar changes the image in the pond to… a young black-furred apprentice. The group is silent for a moment.

“Dawnstar…” Nightstar is the first to speak. “You’ve chosen an apprentice.”

“Yes”

Bluestar speaks next. “This cat is too young for a responsibility like this.”

“Is she?” Dawnstar challenges. “You showed much faith in that apprentice of yours. I have seen a great potential in this young cat. I have observed Nightpaw thoroughly. She is more than capable and I feel certain she will prove her strength right from the beginning. I have made my choice.”

She turns to Bluestar, almost challenging. “Is there any reason you have avoided showing your pick?”

Bluestar bristles. “I have not…” She moves to the pool, revealing a dark tabby.

Nightstar flinches. Crookedstar cringes. Dawnstar scoffs.

“I’m surprised, Bluestar.” Crookedstar comments.

Bluestar concedes. “I know. I know what you all may think but I have faith in him. I was shaken by my own biases once, but now I know better than to judge a cat by the sins of his father. I know he is looking for a place in Thunderclan and this journey may help and test him. You have all been sure in your decisions, even when challenged, and I am the same.”

“Alright. Fine.” Crookedstar relaxes, as do the others. “Then let it be known, by the stars, that we have made our choices. These four cats shall represent their clans as they work as a team to overcome boundaries and challenges on their journey to save all the clans.”

And it’s settled. With nothing more to attend to now, the leaders depart, It slips out of the branches of the tree, onto the forest floor. It steps around the pool, and drags one claw across the surface of the water. The water shifts unnaturally, and shows all four of the chosen cats at once.

‘Like a tide, the destruction of all known to you will overtake you. You four hold the last chance to escape. Make your choice. Band together or be washed away.’

Satisfied, It slides between the layers of dimension and disappears. For now...

Chapter Text

“One, two, three-”

There’s a pause, then- Quietly at first, there rises a low, soft whistling sound. It echoes across the moor, following the waves of the breeze, before gently settling down into silence. As soon as the sound passes, the four kits tucked in the Windclan nursery instantly start chattering rapidly between each other.

“Did you hear that? I heard that!”

“It’s real, it’s real!”

“Do it again! Again!”

Nightpaw brushes her tail against the wall of the den, drawing the kits to quiet. “I have no power over the whistling. It’s just easy to predict.”

The kits immediately throw more questions at him, and Nightpaw glances over his three cousins. Wait, three? Gorsekit, Owlkit, Weaselkit, ah- Acting on instinct, Nightpaw, his back to the entrance, sticks his tail out to block it. Right then, a kit trips over it. Thistlekit guiltily pokes her head up.

“Nice try.” Nightpaw laughs. Thistlekit is the trickiest of her cousins to watch out for. Nightpaw flicks her tail, bringing Thistlekit back into the nursery where she can keep an eye on her.

“How do you know?” Owlkit mews, turning his head.

Nightpaw figures his meaning. “It happens at certain times of the year, when the weather is right, the wind blowing the right way…”

“Why?” This has become all of the siblings' favourite word. Once they found out there were reasons things happened, almost every clan member had been peppered with questions for the following moon quadrant.

“It happens because of certain types of grass,” Nightpaw settles down to explain, now keeping all the kits in her view. “They’re hollow like… bird bones. The wind blows through them, and-” Nightpaw pauses, then switches tactics. Leaning forward, she whispers, “Some say it’s Starclan cats. They come down to the moor, and when their pelts brush against the grass, it sings. We just can’t see them.”

The kit's eyes glitter with wonder. “Really! D- do they talk to you?” Weaselkit squeaks.

Nightpaw winces, although tries to hide his expression. He certainly hasn’t talked to any Starclan cat, that’s more for the healer to do, but doesn’t want to crush the kit's wonder. “Ah-”

Gorsekit, who is usually the quietest, softly mumbles, “Does Hopfoot ever talk to you?”

Nightpaw looks away. It’s a perfectly innocent question and she knows the kits don’t mean any harm, but…

Maybe by intervention of Starclan, Nightpaw is saved by Robinwing slipping into the nursery. She lets out a breath.. She had never met her father, but grew up with stories of his heroics. He was a deputy, after all, and that granted him a heightened level of respect. He died saving the clans, and later Nightpaw, as she was born just a few moons later. Nightpaw watches the kits rush up to greet their mother. They quickly fill her in on what Nightpaw had shown them.

“Really?” Robinwing shoots Nightpaw an amused look. “I think I heard it on my run. You can hear it all across the moor, you know.”

As Owlkit informs his mother of a particularly interesting snail he’d spotted, Thistlekit sneaks towards the distracted Nightpaw. She whispers to her siblings who’d followed her. “If we hide in Nightpaw’s fur, he’ll take us out to the moor!” Before Nightpaw or Robinwing can intervene, the three kits tackle Nightpaw. He lets herself fall under the kits, and they giggle as they attempt to burrow under his fur.

“Kits.” Robinwing warns, then sighs. She turns to poke her head out of the nursery. “A little help here?”

They’re saved as Tornear pushes his way inside. Weaselkit and Gorsekit jump off Nightpaw to greet their father. Feisty Thistlekit is a little harder to distract, but Nightpaw entices her with the possibilities of stories from her father, and she gives up. Nightpaw rises, shaking her pelt out. As the kits listen intensely to Tornear’s new tale, she settles beside Robinwing.

“Thanks for watching the kits Nightpaw.” Robinwing nods, her eyes still on Tornear. “They really do love you. I needed to run, feel the wind in my fur; I’m a Windclan cat through and through. I’m lucky I have you, Gorsetail and Tornear.”

“Of course.” Nightpaw nods back. He slips out of the stuffy nursery. It had gotten pretty hot with seven cats inside, and Nightpaw relishes the cool night air the main camp grants him.

Windclan camp consists mainly of a sandy clearing, where most clan members sleep out in the open, under the light of the stars. Closer to Starclan, Ashfoot had said. There were only four dens, two for the kits and elders, who needed extra protection from the cold, one for the healer to store herbs, and a meeting place for the leader. All the warriors, apprentices, healers, the deputy, and even the leader slept together. Many cats have already laid down for the night, some asleep, some softly chatting. The last patrol was due in any minute. Nightpaw glances across the cats, looking for her mother. She doesn’t see her before the last patrol enters through the heather tunnel. Blindsided by the scent of fresh prey, one of them is able to sneak up behind her.

“You were with the kits. You spend a lot of time with them.”

Nightpaw turns. “Crowice.”

The sleek dark tom doesn’t carry any prey, but still smells of blood. Crowice is the closest cat in the clan to Nightpaw’s age, although they hadn’t been apprentices together, and they’ve become close friends. The tom isn’t very popular in the clan, generally cold and harsh, even preferring a solitary night guard shift. Nightpaw has somehow figured out how to tell his moods, and has almost got an understanding on how she should react to him. She never knows what she’s going to get with Crowice, who sits next to her silently. Nightpaw watches his face. What should I say to not get sharp words from him?

He asked about the kits. She likes watching them. Should she double down? Defend her opinion? Or should she brush it off as an apprentice task she was pushed into as the only apprentice? Crowice hated his apprenticeship.

Trying for an air of boredom, Nightpaw chooses the second option. “Oh, yeah, Robinwing needed to go out, so they made me watch them. I wish I could graduate already.”

Feeling a flash of guilt at how he was talking about her family, Nightpaw waits for Crowice’s reaction. It takes a second before he softens.

“Yeah, I understand. You’ll get there soon, I promise. And then-” He cuts himself off.

Nightpaw lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding, not even noticing Crowice stopping himself. 

“Hey, how long have you been up? When have you last eaten?” Crowice draws himself to his paws again. Nightpaw follows.

“Oh,” Crowice always knows when Nightpaw hasn’t taken care of herself. “Um, sunlow?”

Crowice sighs. “What would you do without me? Right.” He starts towards the prey pile. “I caught a small finch earlier. Here.” He pulls out the bird and places it between them.

“Thanks.” It doesn’t take long to finish.

“They kept you up.” Crowice is looking in the direction of the nursery.

“Oh-” Nightpaw wants to defend Robinwing. It’s fine.

“Nightpaw was very helpful, looking after the kits like that. It’s very important, wouldn’t you agree, Crowice?”

Ashfoot is standing just a foot from the two of them. Nightpaw hadn’t even noticed, but now feels a twinge embarrassed. Crowice glares at Ashfoot for a second, but quickly hides it. Now Nightpaw feels properly annoyed at his mother for undoing all his progress with Crowice.

The two grey cats split off when Nightpaw pushes through them, picking a spot between Webfoot and Morningflower. She settles down, tucking her paws under her. She had been informed of being placed on a morning patrol, and needed the sleep for it. Maybe Crowice was right.

-

Nightpaw thinks she’s still dreaming at first. Sunlight prickles the back of her pelt. Morning already? He lifts his head, only to be met by a flower hitting his nose. He blinks his eyes open. Oh. He’s dreaming.

Standing up, Nightpaw takes in the sprawling field of flowers. It seems to go on forever, nothing like any territory Nightpaw has ever seen. The flower’s are a bright yellow, each with exactly five petals. No, these aren’t just the same type of flower, they’re the same flower. The same flower copied over and over again. Nightpaw frantically scans each flower in sight, all the same.

Definitely dreaming then.

Nightpaw hesitantly steps through the field, before scenting other cats. He can’t place which clan they belong to, although they’re definitely clan cats. Then, one by one, three cats poke their heads over the flowers. The four of them are frozen, staring in disbelief. Are these actually other cats dreaming? Nightpaw gasps, It feels real!

Nightpaw moves to talk, but feels the dream slipping away from her. She quickly scans the cats, to remember them, noting the others doing the same. A silver tabby, a tall spotted molly, a stocky brown tabby…

Nightpaw gasps awake. A still sleeping Morningflower shuffles and mutters something. Nightpaw mews a quiet ‘sorry’, still shaking off the dream. He has never dreamt like… that. It’s different, it’s important, it’s-

“Nightpaw!”

Nightpaw startles, turning towards her mentor. Onewhisker stares at her, a little shocked. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Nightpaw shakes himself, getting up, not looking at Onewhisker. None of the cats in his dreams had been Windclan cats. How could he find them? He wasn’t sure he could wait until the next gathering.

“Nightpaw, you slept in. Still up for morning patrol?” Mudclaw calls out to her. Nightpaw silently berates herself. The last thing she wants to do is give the deputy a bad impression of her.

Of course, I could check the borders. I’d have to get lucky, and hope none of them are in Thunderclan.

As the patrol departs, Nightpaw can’t help but think of the off-putting dream. It surely means something, but if the persistent chill means anything, Nightpaw isn’t sure it’s a good thing. 

Chapter Text

It’ll be fine, I promise.

As her friend stands before the entire clan, Firestar looking down on him, Leafpaw can only hope she’s right, or it at least brought him some calm.

Bramblepaw stands at the centre of Thunderclan camp clearing, nervously digging his claws in and out of the sand. Leafpaw feels a pang of empathy; Bramblepaw had been dreading his ceremony since his apprenticeship started, no matter how much Squirrelpaw and Leafpaw had reassured him. Squirrelpaw, at least, had always been eager to defend her friend, sharply standing up to warriors older than her, and even once speaking back to Windclan deputy. Something Firestar had to apologise for, earning her a pile of chores.

Now Squirrelpaw is pressed against Leafpaw’s side, sweeping furious glares over the whole clan, as if daring any of them to earn her venomous words.

“Sandstorm,” Firestar starts. “Do you decree your apprentice has been taught all skills required to become a warrior?”

Sandstorm nods, still beaming with pride at her first apprentice graduating. “Yes, I do.”

“I, Firestar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.” As Firestar speaks the traditional words, Leafpaw can almost feel the tension growing within the clan, and she wouldn’t be surprised if some cats were holding their breath. There have been many whispers about this particular ceremony.

“Bramblepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Bramblepaw shuffles. “I do.”

The whole clan takes a breath.

“Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Bramblepaw, from this moment on you will be known as…”

“Brambleclaw.”

Leafpaw doesn’t hear the rest of Firestar’s speech. She’s sure that Bramblepaw- Bramble claw doesn’t either. The other members of the clan sport different expressions, but most of them are… uncomfortable. Goldenflower starts the chant.

“Brambleclaw, Brambleclaw, Brambleclaw!”

After a while, the tension slips, and cats begin coming up to congratulate the new warrior. Squirrelpaw throws herself into his side.

“Congrats!” Cloudtail cheers.

“You’ve done well.” Goldenflower affectionately bumps her head into his side.

“We’ll help you make a spot in the warriors den!” Sootpaw offers, Rainpaw nodding beside him.

“Actually!” Squirrelpaw exclaims. “He’ll be coming with us. Out of camp!”

The other cats turn away, and the sisters pull Brambleclaw out of camp. Once they’re situated at their favourite spot, Brambleclaw deflates.

“Thanks.”

Squirrelpaw has always been clever. “Of course!” She nods proudly.

Leafpaw presses herself to Brambleclaw’s side. “I’m sorry, that must have been hard.” She murmurs, trying to put all her empathy into her words. Brambleclaw simply nods into her fur.

“It’s stupid.” Squirrelpaw declares.

“It’s okay, really.” Brambleclaw gains a focused look. “I’ll just have to be the best- the goodest - warrior ever.”

Squirrelpaw grins. “Sounds good to me.”

-

Back at camp, Squirrelpaw quickly grabs Shrewpaw and Ashfur, as Sorrelpaw bounds towards Leafpaw.

“Are you okay?” the molly asks softly. Brambleclaw nods again. Squirrelpaw stops in her rapid conversation with Shrewpaw and Ashfur, turning back towards Brambleclaw.

“I’ve got a great idea!” She laughs.

“Oh Stars…” Shrewpaw mutters, hiding his grin.

“Let's do an adventure !” Squirrelpaw insists.

The others share amused glances.

“Come onnnn !” Squirrelpaw bounces between Ashfur and Shrewpaw. “It’ll cheer Brambleclaw up right. I know you all love it!”

Leafpaw wonders how her sister has so much energy; it’s way more than Leafpaw has ever had. She glances towards the medicine den, where she can just barely see Cinderpelt’s shape moving inside. Any arguments Leafpaw might have made, however, is left behind when the others quickly agree with Squirrelpaw’s plan.

The six cats leave without any complaint. Squirrelpaw leads them through the bush, taking so many turns Leafpaw soon can’t tell where they’ve gone. Ashfur asks Squirrelpaw if she knows where she’s going, which earns him a playful tackle. Then the forest begins to change.

“Squirrelpaw!” Brambleclaw yelped.

She’s taken us to tree-cut place!

“You can’t be serious.” Ashfur said it as if he already knew the answer.

“Of course!” Squirrelpaw grins, leaping nimbly on to the thick fence.

“You’re going in there?” worried Sorrelpaw, covering her eyes with her tail.

“It’s no big deal, we’ll just take a look around.” Squirrelpaw disappears behind the fence. The other five cats look between each other, knowing they’ve all decided it’s better to be in there to make sure Squirrelpaw is okay.

Hopping onto the fence, Leafpaw takes in the rows of pines. There is something strange about the way the trees have grown, but Leafpaw can’t place her paw on it. She’s more concerned with the fact her sister is nowhere in sight. The group wastes no time in jumping down and starting through the pines. That’s when Leafpaw realises why the trees had unnerved her so much. They were all exactly the same length apart, lined in rows in a way that was not natural. Small colourful sticks poke out of the ground beside each tree. Looking at the others, Leafpaw is secretly grateful they all look as disconcerted as her.

“Squirrelpaw!” Leafpaw is not worried. Squirrelpaw can take care of herself. “Sq-”

“Look!” That’s Squirrelpaw, hissing somewhere to Leafpaw’s right. Leafpaw quickly sees her sister tucked under the branches of one pine. She’s staring wide-eyed at a large bulk of sun-coloured something. It’s a monster! Stripped logs stick out of the back of the monster, and the front spots some dangerous silver blades. 

Ashfur ducks beside her. “Can we go now, before your father kills me.” Squirrelpaw flicks her tail at his mouth.

At Sorrelpaw’s whimper, Squirrelpaw moves to leave, then pauses. More large yellow monsters growl as they pull up towards the twoleg den. Squirrelpaw wastes no more time, and slips away under the pines. The others follow silently.

“It’s just twolegs, they’re always doing stuff that doesn’t make sense.” Shrewpaw reasons, but even he sounds uncertain.

-

Leafpaw pushes through the hanging lichen, instantly being barraged by the scents of a full herb store. She almost instinctively begins cataloguing the herbs, tidying the piles.

“You’re back.”

Leafpaw jumps, and the leaves in her paws go flying in the air. She rushes to fix the piles.

“Relax,” Cinderpelt smiles, hopping forward from the back of the den. “I noticed your gang sneaking out on another one of your sister’s adventures. Lucky your mentors are so busy. Don’t worry, it’s fine, I think Brambleclaw needed it.”

Leafpaw is tempted to ask Cinderpelt what she thought of the… ceremony, as someone who ‘experienced’ Tigerstar. Her eyes unconsciously go to Cinderpelt’s leg. She and Brightheart had gone out one afternoon, and returned with their scar wrappings decorated, leaves refreshed and a bright green, and colourful wildflowers tucked throughout. The tradition had continued after, and today Cinderpelt spots white and yellow flowers that seem to glow in the dim light of the den.

“I need you to-” Cinderpelt freezes, taking in a sharp gasp of breath. Something flashes in her eyes.

“Cinderpelt?” Leafpaw takes a cautious step forward. Immediately, Cinderpelt collapses, then pulls herself up.

“I’m fine.” She grunts. “Can you go… uh…”

“Got it.” Leafpaw mutters, turning abruptly out of the den. She remembers her father telling her stories when she was a kit. She was much more interested in them than Squirrelpaw. She remembers how Firestar described seeing a healer experience a vision. She can only hope Cinderpelt will trust Leafpaw enough to tell her before something happens.

Chapter Text

The hare scrapes at the ground nervously. It dips its head to pick at the thin layer of grass. Then-

Nightpaw pounces, putting all his force into putting her claws around the hare. He misses, and the hare darts around his paws, sprinting across the moor. Letting himself have a small growl, Nightpaw races after it. He checks to see that Onewhisker and Rushtail are still in their positions, waiting. Nightpaw turns, guiding the hare towards his clanmates. The hare sees them at the last second, and in its panic, tries to swerve out of the way, slowing down just enough for Nightpaw to get his claws around it. As they both skid to a halt, Nightpaw sinks his fangs near the neck, receiving a few scratches as the prey attempts to fight back. Nightpaw lets it drop from his mouth, taking a breath.

Rushtail sniffs the prey, then nods. “Well done.” He says simply, and Nightpaw knows that’s the best she can get from the reticent tom.

Onewhisker helps drape the catch across Nightpaw’s back, and the patrol returns to camp. Nightpaw immediately notices how quiet everything is, and a lone Ashfoot is seated in the center of camp, staring at the meeting den. Nightpaw drops his catch on the prey pile, then slides up to his mother.

“He’s sick.” Ashfoot reports, almost mechanically. Tallstar, Nightpaw figures. She can just hear Mudclaw’s and Barkface’s voices from inside the den.

Nightpaw leans unconsciously closer, trying to catch some actual words. He’s just able to catch a little: '-you know how many lives-'

Just then, a patrol barrels through the heather tunnel. Immediately, Mudclaw exits the meeting den, already assaulting the patrol with questions. Tallstar exits later, and brings a calm to the shaken cats. Nightpaw feels immediately assured at her leader’s presence.

“What happened, Whitetail?” Tallstar says calmly. It doesn’t escape Nightpaw’s notice that her leader specifically called out the youngest member of the patrol.

Whitetail looks slightly uncomfortable, but only spares one glance at the elder members of her patrol. “We uh- the north of the moor.” She swallows. “The twolegs. They’ve set up some sort of shelter, like a den. I’ve never seen- we couldn’t figure out what they were doing here, and thought it would be best to bring it right to you.”

Tallstar nods, seemingly to himself. “Mudclaw, take two patrols up. Watch the twolegs, try to understand their purpose. Try using one patrol to attack, and leave the other in case something goes wrong.” Tallstar coughs roughly, which causes a few warriors to shuffle uncomfortably, but Nightpaw feels her respect for her leader growing. Everyone has to rely on him, even when he’s sick!

Mudclaw nods curtly, seemingly satisfied at having a plan of attack. Nightpaw thinks he hears Yewclaw mutter “Understand twolegs? ”  

Mudclaw picks Oatwhisker, Yewclaw, Crowice and Nightpaw for the attacking patrol, and Morningflower, Webfoot and Whitetail for the watching patrol. Both patrols are silent, and Nightpaw is preoccupied with the strange twoleg activity, and what that could mean for Windclan. In the back of his mind, Nightpaw feels like he’s heard a specific nursery story, of twoleg interaction that had devastating consequences for a clan, but can’t place it. Of course, any twoleg involvement is never a good sign. Nightpaw also can’t help but think of his strange dream. He hadn’t been able to see any of the cats in his dreams on patrol. Could this be connected?

A soft pelt brushes against his. “Nightpaw,” Crowice has pulled close to him, and Nightpaw realizes he had fallen behind. “What’s wrong with you?”

Nightpaw feels a flash of embarrassment. “I didn’t realize-”

“Always in your own head. Don’t let it get you in trouble.” Crowice murmurs.

“I-” Nightpaw swallows. “What are you implying?” She hisses.

Instantly Nightpaw knows she’s made a mistake. Crowice growls lightly, just enough that the rest of the patrol doesn’t hear him. “I don’t like how you’re saying that.”

Nightpaw cringes, and a shot of fear flickers through him. The instinct to defend himself withers instantly. Stars I’m a bad friend, how do I fix this? “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to raise my voice at you,” He starts evenly. “I didn’t mean…”

Crowice interrupts him, suddenly softening. “Of course you don’t. I care about you, you know?”

“Yes.” Nightpaw makes sure her voice is sure. Mudclaw interrupts her, and she realizes the two have stopped.

“Catch up you two.” The whole patrol is looking back at them, and Webfoot whispers something in Whitetail’s ear, earning him a tail smack. Nightpaw and Crowice rejoin the others.

-

The twoleg ‘den’ is constructed of a shiny blue fabric that ripples in the moor breeze. Ducked behind a thick gorse bush, Nightpaw can just about see inside the den, making out the shapes of two twolegs, stood around a tall twoleg structure that has four legs like a cat. Mudclaw and Yewclaw wear identical expressions of disgust. Regardless, the patrols settle in, and Nightpaw watches the sun slowly dip towards the horizon. One of the twolegs leave halfway through, climbing into the monster on the thunderpath that lies a few pawstrides from the den. The last twoleg stays for a long time.

Eventually Yewclaw hisses. “ They’re not leaving. ”

Mudclaw looks at her, then the darkening sky. “Right.” He motions with his tail for the cats to approach, leaving Morningflower, Webfoot and Whitetail behind. They stay low to the ground, and approach the entrance to the twoleg den. The warriors look to Mudclaw for their next move. The deputy pauses, then tilts his head, before stretching out a claw and snagging some of the shiny material. He motions to move the warriors into position, then pulls hard at the fabric. The whole den collapses, and the twoleg makes a sharp sound of surprise from inside. The warriors leap, digging their claws into the blue twoleg-shaped lump. It howls again.

As the twoleg starts to pull the den cover off itself, Nightpaw aims for its shoulder, putting all her strength into digging her claws into the flesh. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Oatwhisker get the same idea. The twoleg does stumble back in pain, but surprises them both by raising to its full height, and the two cats are left dangling off its shoulder. Unfortunately for the twoleg, this only cause Nightpaw to dig her claws in deeper. As the rest of the patrol goes for its legs, the twoleg jolts backwards, and Nightpaw’s heart is stuck in her throat as she is tossed through the air.

With a crash that sends his breath out of him, bark digging into his spine, Nightpaw collapses against the lone elder tree. She catches Whitetail starting to move from the hiding spot, looking to help, but Mudclaw shuts her down. “Stay back!”

Nightpaw’s head spins. Oatwhisker starts losing his grip on the twoleg, but is smart enough to leave long claw marks down the back. Crowice turns to that arm, adding his own marks. Seemingly surprised at the amount of blood, the twoleg loses focus and steps back from the assault.

“Now!” Mudclaw yowls towards the hiding cats, motioning Morningflower towards Nightpaw.

The spinning seems to have stopped, and Nightpaw feels like she’s finally caught her breath. “I’m okay, I’m okay.” She manages, trying to shove Morningflower back towards the fight, which Nightpaw can’t seem to focus on.

“Stay down!” The tortoiseshell molly hisses softly, gently trying to push Nightpaw back down.

She doesn’t need to try too hard, as when Nightpaw stubbornly tries to stand anyway, the dizziness hits full force, forcing him back down.

Morningflower huffs.

The twoleg makes a strange garbled noise that Nightpaw can just recognise as its language, then throws down the material it was tangled in before turning, screeching and racing back to its monster. The patrol gives a performative chase, before turning back. To Nightpaw’s surprise, Yewclaw is laughing .

“Did you see the way it ran !” She cackles.

Mudclaw and Oatwhisker sniff at remains of the twoleg den. The four-legged structure seems to have been knocked over in the struggle, and thin white leaves have fluttered off of it. Webfoot paws at one, which catches wind surprisingly well.

Crowice pulls up to Nightpaw’s left, and suddenly the apprentice is very aware of how close Morningflower is.

“Are you okay?” Crowice stares at her.

Nightpaw forces himself up, satisfied to find the dizziness has abated, though the ache not fully. “I’m alright.” He shakes out his head, attempting to clear the echo in his ears.

“Good.” Crowice decides, looking at her again with something that brings an uncomfortable prickle to Nightpaw’s spine.

What’s wrong with you?

“Mudclaw?” Nightpaw notices while the rest of the patrol are turned back in the direction of camp, Mudclaw’s eyes are on the Thunderpath the twoleg had hastily retreated from.

After a second, Mudclaw turns to them. “Nothing.” He says simply, and easily pushes himself into the leading role of the patrol. Unnerved, Nightpaw also hesitates, looking back at the Thunderpath.

Mudclaw might have the right idea. There is something wrong with these twolegs plans. I just wish I knew what.

Chapter Text

Leafpaw sits quietly outside the healer’s den, trying not to give in to letting her claws dig into the sand. She takes a few breaths, and tries to not be upset. It’s fine, it’s just…

Leafpaw is not mouse-brained. She knows why Cinderpelt doesn’t trust her with whatever vision she might have had; it’s only Leafpaw’s first moon of training. It’s just not fair! Leafpaw has yet to learn or experience anything spiritual. Sure, she’d been taken to the moonstone for her initiation, but to Leafpaw’s dismay, she had not been able to dream. In fact, Leafpaw hadn’t had any connection with her ancestors at all! Cinderpelt had told her after her failed dreaming, that most healers don’t dream the first time. You did , Leafpaw remembers thinking.

It’s not that Leafpaw doesn’t like the other parts of her job, or think they’re unimportant; she loves helping her clanmates, healing physical and emotional pain still had the same draw to her as it had when she was a kit, watching Cinderpelt work from the sidelines. Her father’s respect and admiration for the healer certainly had a part in it. Leafpaw had already learned so much about healing and herbs in her first moon! It’s just that she didn’t feel like the other part of her training was being treated equally.

Leafpaw had been drawn to the spiritual aspect as well. Her fathers stories had brought on an immense respect and awe for the spiritual parts of their culture. As a kit, stars had filled her dreams, and she had been shocked to learn her denmates didn’t feel the same. How could any cat not be entranced by the mystery and wonder of the stars? Squirrelkit had just shrugged, “I don’t know, I’d rather be out fighting and hunting, and better yet, exploring! Isn’t there mystery and intrigue in that too?” her sister had told her, already enviously watching Sootpaw and Sorrelpaw spar.

Leafpaw had been taught the basics of course. The way the Stars communicated wasn’t in the same way clanmates would share tongues. They couldn’t talk directly to you, only able to reach skilled, sleeping healers in images, colours, sensations and feelings. It was a healer's job to interpret these signs. How was Leafpaw supposed to build these skills if Cinderpelt seemed determined to keep her in the dark?

Grounding herself, Leafpaw takes a breath, and focuses on her clanmates. One skill she had been training was to quickly scan the camp to identify which cat might need her most. She takes a quick look around camp.

Cloudtail is pushing his way into the nursery, stopping as his long fur catches in a stray branch. Leafpaw can just about hear an excited squeal from inside. A few pawsteps away, Ferncloud and Brightheart are chatting about something, Ferncloud shaking out her tail as a few stray leaves stick onto it. On a flat stone beside the warrior’s den, Willowpelt is passed out in the sun. At the entrance, Sootpaw and Rainpaw are excitedly chatting to Brambleclaw, as the three shuffle around a few nests. Apparently, Brambleclaw had taken them up on their offer. Entering camp, Mousefur and Spiderpaw seem to be arguing about hunting techniques. Leafpaw’s eyes are drawn to the fresh kill pile, where Firestar, Sandstorm, Longtail, Dustpelt and Greystripe are picking over the remaining prey. Greystripe makes some sort of reference that has the whole group laughing. Goldenflower sits under the highrock.

Then Leafpaw notices Shrewpaw. The stocky apprentice seems anxious, tail twitching, paws shuffling. He keeps glancing between his mentor and Firestar. Mind made up, Leafpaw slips behind Shrewpaw and settles at his other side. He doesn’t seem to notice her. She taps her tail gently against his spine.

He jumps, then tries to cover it up with a quick lick to his chest. “They’re going to notice …” Shrewpaw frets. “We should have told them as soon as we got back!”

Leafpaw starts to speak, but she can’t help but agree with Shrewpaw. When the group had returned, Leafpaw was surprised to see Squirrelpaw bluff straight to Firestar and Dustpelt over where they were. When later asked by Leafpaw, Squirrelpaw just shrugged, ‘It’s not a big deal, since when has twoleg behaviour ever bothered us?’ When Leafpaw still squirmed at the thought of lying to her father, Squirrelpaw added, ‘It’s not lying, it’s just not telling the truth!’ That is lying! Leafpaw had groaned.

“I just feel like they know.” Shrewpaw groans.

“Could they?” Leafpaw worries.

“Leafpaw!”

Sorrelpaw bounds into camp, Thornclaw and the rest of the patrol trailing in behind her. “Guess what we found!” She hops back and forth, robin dropped between her paws. “A whole pile of prey, just laying around for us!”

As if on cue, Cinderpelt emerges from her den. “Drop those right now!” She barks, the order mixed with panic.

Dappletail, who’s jaws were a claw-length from a fat squirrel delivered to her by Thornclaw, scoffs absently. “And what’s wrong with it?” As she moves to bite, Cinderpelt roughly shoves into her, deftly clawing the squirrel away. As though sensing a growing scene, Firestar moves to support Cinderpelt. Dappletail sits back with a huff.

Cinderpelt inspects the prey. “We would have been able to tell if it was poisoned, right?” Frostfur questioned, poking a claw at her own robin.

“Did you notice anything about the area?” Cinderpelt questioned. “What about how it died?”

“We uh-” Sorrelpaw starts. “There were signs of twoleg activity, but…” She cuts herself off, tail curling.

Instantly, Leafpaw feels a flash of shame and guilt, and grits her teeth. Shrewpaw looks devastated. Leafpaw’s eyes find Squirrelpaw, who is guiltily poking at her two mice.

Firestar sniffs at one of the catches. “Do you think they’re safe?”

“There is no sign of death.” Cinderpelt concludes, pushing the prey away from her. “I don’t think we should play with the odds.”

Firestar assigns warriors to remove the prey, Thornclaw grumbling at a wasted hunt, and Leafpaw finally gets Squirrelpaw to look at her. Almost infuriatingly, Squirrelpaw doesn’t seem too bothered. Maybe if we told our father about the twolegs, we could have avoided this! Leafpaw tries to convey in her glare. She huffs and gathers the rest of their group, although is unable to find Ashfur.

“We didn’t know anything would happen!” Squirrelpaw argues. Leafpaw shushes her. When they enter the den, Firepaw doesn’t look surprised. Sandstorm and Dustpelt don’t look happy. Shrewpaw and Brambleclaw wilt under Goldenflower’s gaze.

“Something to tell us?” Firestar looks slightly amused.

“Would it have made a difference?” Squirrelpaw puts forward boldly. Dustpelt opens his jaws to snap at her, then settles on just thrashing his tail. Shrewpaw quickly spills the whole story.

“If we had known about that ,” Goldenflower says coolly. “Maybe we wouldn’t have wasted sun on a fruitless hunting patrol.”

Squirrelpaw just nods, finally looking at least somewhat ashamed. Goldenflower had that effect.

“You’re dismissed.” Firestar says. As their group flees the den, he calls in his senior warriors. Leafpaw wants to snap at Squirrelpaw, but tingling anxiety stops her. Cinderpelt sits in the center of camp, staring at where the tainted prey used to be, looking troubled. Leafpaw pushes down the instinct to go to her.

A while later, Firestar leaves the den, and calls Cloudtail over, then gathers by his daughters. “We’re going to the twoleg-place.”

Cloudtail tilts his head. “Should I take Rainpaw?” Firestar nods.

The sisters, Firestar, Cloudtail, Rainpaw and Sandstorm leave camp. The trek to twoleg-place feels shorter, and soon the tall fence is in sight. The twoleg-dens never fail to be intimidating to Leafpaw; tall structures of strange unnatural shapes, heavy with a sense of wrongness that got under her skin. She glances at her father, and wonders how he lived inside of one for so long. She’d been here before, to see her father’s sister when they were still kits. Firestar reaches up and shakes a tall flowering bush that just leans over the fence, sending lavender petals falling. A second later, a familiar tabby with a collar the colour of kitten noses jumps onto the fence, balancing with ease.

“Princess!” Firestar grins. The molly hops down from the fence, greeting her family with pelt rubs. Cloudtail cheerfully tells her about Whitekit, promising to bring her over when she’s old enough. Eventually, the sisters confess their foolish adventures, to which Princess simply laughs softly and shakes her head.

“We found prey, dead with no cause in twoleg-heavy area.” Sandstorm reports. “Any idea what that could mean?”

Princess sighs and lowers her head. “Well, there have been rumours,” she starts, “New types of frightening looking cars, cars even seen leaving their paths and going straight into the woods!”

Another wave of unnaturalness hits Leafpaw. Monsters leaving the Thunderpaths? That’s unheard of!

“Cars? You mean monsters?” Rainpaw asks with a shaky voice.

Princess mrrows a laugh. “Sure, if you like.” Her tone turns more serious. “On some of my travels, I've seen this before, Rusty. Stretches of wildlands being invaded by workfolk. I returned later to find the wildlands gone, and new stretches of town left instead.”

Ice cold fear grips the patrol and they fall silent. Is she implying that the territories will be stolen by twolegs? Leafpaw tries to shudder away the chills.

“W-well, we’ll just have to make our territory untakeable.” Sandstorm decides. “If we cause enough trouble they’ll go away?” Leafpaw had never heard her mother stutter.

“Thank you, Princess.” Firestar says calmly.

Princess looks uncertain, as if she’s about to say more. She doesn’t. “Take care of yourselves, Firestar and my kin.”

-

On their way out, Leafpaw catches a glimpse of something near one of the trees. Taking another look reveals a twoleg with a pelt the colour of the sun. Leafpaw shrinks in fear. The twoleg lifts something in its paw, and seems to speak into it. Before Leafpaw can regain her voice and warn the others, the twoleg disappears.

Chapter Text

It’s nearing moonhigh when they leave. After meeting up with a second patrol, sent out to check on them, Mudclaw turns back and picks one of the white leaves from the pile, and orders the rest of the warriors to shred the rest. Nightpaw is pretty sure Onewhisker is silently checking on her over her shoulder at least twice. The return to camp is mostly silent, cats too caught up in the unease of the twolegs’ plans.

Tallstar questions them as soon as they’re within the protection of camp. Mudclaw silently drops the white leaf at Tallstar’s paws.

“What is this?” The leader pressed, tracing the white leaf with suspicion.

Mudclaw is silent. He extends a claw, and starts to draw shapes in the dirt. Nightpaw leans over and starts recognizing symbols and shapes, and soon he can make out the symbol for fourtrees, the familiar shapes of Windclan’s hills and even the length of the river. These are the territories! Taking another look at the white leaf, what used to be inane blurs of twoleg nonsense seem to transform to match Mudclaw’s drawing. Tallstar stares.

Again, a childhood story wiggles its way into Nightpaw’s memory. The story of the clan who ignored the warnings of twoleg interference, and how they paid the price. Why couldn’t she remember the details? She briefly wonders if Windclan will meet a similar fate. The now familiar sense of dread overcomes Nightpaw again.

Mudclaw leans back, straightening. “Right. We’ll keep a rotation at the twoleg site, to ensure they don’t return. Without their plans, they won’t be back for a while. If they do return, we keep up the offence until-”

“ We? ”

Mudclaw freezes, paw raised at the gathered cats. Tallstar had gotten back up on the tallrock, facing away from the crowd that had begun to grow around Mudclaw. His voice wasn’t exactly cold, but it had taken on that fake calm passivity that Nightpaw had never heard from him before.

“Sorry?” Mudclaw looks confused as well as something else below the surface. “The twolegs have some plan for our territory, it’s important-”

“We shouldn’t do anything.” Tallstar says simply. The warriors around Mudclaw start to bristle slightly. Nightpaw sees Whitetail bite her lip to tamp it down. “We don’t know their plans. Don’t pretend to know the minds of twolegs. By attacking, it’s much more likely we incur aggressive action from them. Do you want twoleg attention on us, Mudclaw?”

He’s facing them now. Never once had Tallstar let any emotion into his voice, keeping a shockingly calm and even tone. Mudclaw opens his mouth, as if attempting to argue, then pauses. Taking on a similar calm that Nightpaw can tell is false, he keeps his face blank as he simply says.

“I disagree.”

Nightpaw gawks. How could a deputy show such blatant disrespect and disregard to his leader? In front of the entire clan? Nightpaw looks desperately between his clanmates, wanting to reassure himself that the other cats agree with him.

Most don’t. Leader’s word is law, isn’t it?

For a second, Tallstar’s eyes flare, then as if it never happened, he returns to his practised calm. “If you were unaware, you are not y- not clan leader. I make the decisions for this clan, and those decisions are final. I understand your perspective. But that does not stop you from being short-sighted and irrational in your plan. I expect you to follow through with mine, and do your job.”

The words are cutting. The whole clan is silent. Mudclaw’s face betrays nothing. Tallstar jumps off tallrock and joins Barkface in the healer’s den.

Nightpaw hurriedly glances around. Yewclaw mutters something that sounds unhappy and scoffs. The elders are murmuring with what seems to be disagreement. Whitetail shakes her head in obvious disregard for their leader. Ashfoot watches her with a glare of disapproval.

Nightpaw is stunned. Like Mudclaw, much of the clan is showing obvious signs of open dissent right in the middle of camp! It’s like they don’t care!

It only takes a few seconds for the clan to shake themselves out of their stupor and return to the rest of their day. Members of the patrol quickly gather the cats who didn’t go, eager to fill them in on the battle. Webfoot seems especially delighted to have a new story to tell, presumably very dramatically, as is his fashion. There is a reason why he’s the elder’s favourite. The kits, already well-practised, gather around him as fast as they can.

Nightpaw finds her paws drawn to the healer’s den, almost an echo of her earlier eavesdropping. Before she can bring herself to leave, Barkface emerges and calls her in. Nightpaw is confused at first, wondering why he asked for an apprentice, then quickly complies. She doesn’t feel especially comfortable at the center of camp right now.

Nightpaw can see the claw marks lining the cave walls, where ancient warriors had dug out the den, back in the Founder’s Era. The grinding stone sits parallel to the gorse screen, stained in faded patches of mainly green, as well as brown and yellow. There is a turn at the end of the small cave, where Barkface’s nest is tucked away.

A cough pulls Nightpaw out of his mind. Tallstar is tucked against a back wall, bent over himself. A far cry from the collected leader he saw a few seconds ago. Barkface seems to teleport to Nightpaw’s left side.

“He’s sick.” Barkface murmurs.

“I know.” Nightpaw answers, before she remembers she isn’t supposed to know. Barkface doesn’t seem to notice.

Tallstar coughs.

“I don’t understand!” Nightpaw blurts. “How-How could they- d-do…” He cuts himself off, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious at his outburst.

“What do you think?” Tallstar’s voice is understandably hoarse. “Tell me what you saw out there?”

Nightpaw shrinks slightly under the sudden spotlight. “They-” She pauses, wondering for a second if she wants to expose her clanmates. “They all very- very publicly disagreed with you! In the middle of camp. They didn’t say, but they treated you like- like you didn’t kn-know what you were doing…”

Tallstar looks at him, and frustratingly, Nightpaw can’t tell what he is thinking.

“Windclan is in an interesting situation.” Barkface mutters. “Cats are making their opinions known. The more scared they are, the more they want to take action. Mudclaw is maybe the most respected cat in the forest. They trust him as the one who will take action. Most are waiting for him to ascend to leadership.”

“But why ?” Nightpaw presses. As long as Nightpaw had been alive, Tallstar was seen as one of the best leaders Windclan has had, although that might be because of how long he’s led. Ashfoot had always held him in such high regard, it had mostly likely rubbed off on Nightpaw. So how much of that was my opinion?

“Maybe they believe that what Windclan needs in a leader is changing. Mudclaw is their perfect warrior. Tallstar is a modest leader, one to avoid conflict even in the face of fear.”

“And old!” Tallstar interjects with a dry laugh, which turns into a harsh cough. A coughing fit starts up again, sounding slightly wetter; Barkface, apparently recognizing something Nightpaw doesn’t, moves to the leader. Nightpaw tries to get a better look, but before he can, Tallstar goes still, and Nightpaw is once again left in shock.

Barkface doesn’t seem too worried. He also doesn’t look at her. “He pushed himself. Not much for me to do.”

Nightpaw feels a sudden chill, like a breeze had broken through the cave wall. He picks his words carefully. “And… what do you think?”

Barkface sighs. “I worry for a clan splitting itself apart.” He turns to Nightpaw, tone dropping to something more… severe. “I know my brother can be the one to unite them.”

Suddenly feeling like a weight settled on him, Nightpaw can’t speak. Then, Tallstar’s body- no, Tallstar shudders, then jolts up.

He grumbles. “Right.” He turns to Barkface, but the healer isn’t looking at him. He’s staring at Nightpaw.

Nightpaw feels no shame when he flees.

-

“And then!” Webfoot rears onto his hindlegs. “The thing flailed and flopped like a beached fish, its sad excuse for a den turning it bat-eyed!” Webfoot flung his upper body around, in an overdramatic mocking impression of the twoleg at the start of the battle. Gorsekit giggled loudly. He acted out the whole battle, in more detail than there probably was, to his captive audience of four kits and three elders. “Finally, the mouse-heart tore the den of it, yowled and ran for its precious monster!”

Nightpaw had joined the nursery show, hoping it would let her relax after everything that happened in the healer’s den. For Webfoot’s sake, she refrained from informing his audience that Webfoot himself hadn’t actually participated in the fight. As the kits pepper their storyteller with questions, Nightpaw slips out, eyes catching Whitetail and Crowice following Mudclaw out of camp.

Glancing around, Nightpaw slips in behind them.

After getting a few tail-lengths away from camp, Mudclaw turns sharply towards his followers, just as Nightpaw darts behind a small rock. Seemingly unphased, Whitetail cuts in.

“Mudclaw! What’s the plan?”

A pang runs through Nightpaw. Of course! They’re going out of the way to ignore orders. Behind Tallstar’s back!

Mudclaw glares at them, the reaction supposedly surprising Whitetail, who shrinks a little.

“We aren’t doing anything.” Mudclaw says. “Or did you not hear Tallstar? You aren’t thinking of disobeying our leader, are you?”

“Right, course.” Whitetail recovers quickly.

Crowice slaps his tail against the ground with barely-hidden annoyance. Nightpaw wants to be surprised. He wants so, so badly surprised. It does sting that his friend kept these… views from him, but Nightpaw isn’t shocked he never figured it out. When was the last time Nightpaw knew what Crowice was feeling, what he wanted. So much of their relationships felt like a guessing game. How much did Nightpaw really know him?

And what if he’s right?

Chapter Text

As the sun lowers, it sends hot rays of light through the ferns of the healer’s den. Leafpaw carefully cuts the burdock plant away from the root. Lifting the plant to a sharp cutting stone, then removing the stem and leaves. The roots are really the only medicinal parts of the burdock plant, as the rest of it has no effects. She could use the large leaves to carry other herbs, although it could be confused with coltsfoot leaves. It’s practised work, and her mind easily drifts to other places…

Leafpaw can’t help but keep glancing behind her. Cinderpelt is deeper in the den, and she can occasionally catch the healer muttering to herself. Leafpaw bites down the urge to ask Cinderpelt about the vision. Maybe if Cinderpelt isn’t going to tell her, it’s not that important? What was she thinking, it’s a sign from the Stars, of course it’s important! If Cinderpelt didn’t want to tell her, Leafpaw isn’t going to push, she doesn’t want to make her mentor mad at her. She likes training under Cinderpelt, Stars, what if she rejects her? So she can’t ask, after all she’s only one moon in training, even if she wants so badly to be let in-

“You are staring, you know?” Cinderpelt hums softly.

Leafpaw lets herself drop the burdock, turning with a little shock. She bites her lip.

“You want to ask.” It’s not a question.

Leafpaw gapes slightly, unsure if she wants to say anything at all.

Cinderpelt must see something in Leafpaw’s eyes, and her smile drops as she sighs. “I- I can’t-” She stumbles, then groans in frustration. “I know you want me to tell you; I trust you, I do, it’s just. W-well, I don’t know what it means myself, and, uh- it was pretty b-” She cuts herself off again.

Leafpaw feels a pain of sympathy, even though she still doesn’t have the full picture. If Cinderpelt trusts Leafpaw enough to open up to her like this, then she isn’t going to ask. She’ll just trust her mentor can handle it.

A few moments later, Sootpaw enters the den, supporting Sorrelpaw, who is wincing and favouring her right side. Leafpaw feels herself relax and even start to grin in the presence of her best friend. She quickly surges forward and rubs her muzzle against Sorrelpaw’s, hoping to send some form of comfort through it.

“The usual?” Leafpaw grins. Sootpaw gently deposits her and rushes out to continue his training.

“Yup!” Sorrelpaw winces and bites her lip as she settles down. “Locked up during training, so Sootpaw accidentally hit me. Claws in, of course.” She hisses softly.

Leafpaw’s smile drops. “Is it bad today?” Sorrelpaw nods, and Leafpaw slides her her regular amount of poppy seeds, then starts preparing the comfrey, daisy and fennel. When Sorrelkit had complained about occasional stiff joints and pain, Willowpelt had near panicked, assuming it was a result of her poisoning. After confiding in the other healers, Cinderpelt was able to confirm that wasn’t the case, and Sorrelkit had a lifelong disease that could be easily managed with the right herbs. As she trained, even when having episodes, Sorrelpaw had never let it stop her, and it turned into the most optimistic cat Leafpaw had ever known. When Leafpaw had worried over her new training, Sorrelpaw simply told her: ‘If I can do it, so can you!’ Leafpaw had apologised, but Sorrelpaw shut her down, and helped Leafpaw work through her problem instead. Sorrelpaw was just someone Leafpaw loved to be around, although that might have been helped by how often she came by the healer’s den. In a way, Sorrelpaw was everything Leafpaw wanted to be, strong, beautiful, smart-

“That’s enough!” Cinderpelt says, but seems almost amused.

Leafpaw flushes, realising she’s been chewing up the daisy leaves for too long. She quickly applies them, and the comfrey, before moving to the fennel. Pulling a stalk out, she uses a claw to slice it down the middle, then offers it to Sorrelpaw, who quickly drinks up the juice, though grimaces at the taste.

“Do you want to take a rest here, let the poppies work?” Cinderpelt asks.

Sorrelpaw blinks slowly, then pauses. “No, no, I think I’ll be okay. If I can’t go back to training, I should at least watch it. Thanks Leafpaw.” After a few seconds, Sorrelpaw rises and gives Leafpaw a quick cheek lick, then exits the den.

Cinderpelt is smiling at Leafpaw. “What?” Leafpaw asks, a little too quickly.

“Nothing.” Cinderpelt replies, though still seeming amused.

-

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!”

Firestar summons the clan, eyes fixed to the horizon, where the tiniest sliver of the moon is breaking through. Speckletail and Dappletail draw themselves out of the elder’s den, arguing about something between them. Brightheart licks Whitekit’s head, and settles close to the nursery entrance. With a sweep of his tail, Firestar calls the meeting to order.

“These are the warriors and apprentices I have chosen to attend tonight’s Gathering. Frostfur, Longtail, Sandstorm, Dustpelt, Brackenfur, Thornclaw, Ferncloud, Ashfur, Brambleclaw, Sorrelpaw, Sootpaw, Squirrelpaw and Spiderpaw.”

Leafpaw feels the excitement thrum beneath her paws at the thought of her first gathering. She’s just happy her sister gets to go with her! She spots Squirrelpaw across camp, chattering excitedly at Ashfur.

A Gathering was one of the things Leafpaw had been most eager for. The idea of seeing cats of other clans, a whole new, huge group of cats for her to meet! She was especially interested in meeting the other healers! It was a bit intimidating, sure, but Leafpaw knew it would be worth it! She grins to herself.

Cloudtail brushes by her. “Excited?”

Leafpaw just nods, knowing it must be on her face.

“Brigththeart wants to go, so I’m glad I can watch Whitekit.” Cloudtail laughs. “You’ll have to tell me all about it, kin!”

“I will.” Leafpaw promises.

When Firestar calls for the departing cats to gather, Leafpaw is the first one by his side. Brightheart, Speckletail, and of course Goldenflower and Cinderpelt also join them. The sun has fully disappeared by the time they enter the woods.

Sorrelpaw appears at Leafpaw’s side. “You’re going to love it, Leafpaw! I have to introduce you to all the other apprentices! I wonder if Cedarpaw and Rowanpaw have graduated yet?”

“Are you okay to go?” Leafpaw asks, glancing at the dried herb patches on her friend's fur.

“Oh yeah!” Sorrelpaw nods. “All the pain is gone by now, and they give me good energy!” As if to demonstrate, she turns and races back to a tree a tail-length behind the group, then runs back.

“Sorrelpaw!” Thornclaw growls.

“Sorry!”

Eventually, Leafpaw realises the group has stopped.

“We’re about to exit the woods and enter Fourtrees.” Brambleclaw says quietly, to her and Squirrelpaw. “Some clans are probably already there. Are you ready?”

Squirrelpaw agrees immediately. It takes a few seconds longer for Leafpaw to find her voice.

The land surrounding Fourtrees is dark grassland, and if Leafpaw squints in the dark, she can make out the hills of Windclan, and the winding Riverclan river. At the center stand four great trees, most likely oaks; they’re huge, and most definitely old. Past the two facing her, Leafpaw can make out a huge stone, raised from the dirt. The glowing orb of the full moon completes it, bathing the whole scene in soft white light. Leafpaw can make out the two smudges atop the stone. The leaders… Surrounding the stone and trees are…

Cats. So many cats. She gasps; Leafpaw had never seen so many cats in one place! She couldn’t make them out quite yet, but could hear the muffled sounds of many conversations, all happening at once.

“It’s a little intimidating, isn’t it.” Dustpelt laughs softly, and Leafpaw notices the rest of the clan, minus Squirrelpaw, Dustpelt and Brambleclaw had already moved towards the Gathering. Squirrelpaw squeaks, and races to catch up as Dustpelt laughs again.

As they get closer to the crowd, the cats become more distinct. Leafpaw is hit with the scents that she realises must be the scents of other clans. She had smelt faint whiffs of it before, when her herb-gathering had led her close to the borders. Leafpaw notices one group have their backs to the river. A lot of those cats were plump, with shiny fur. Riverclan! Facing the Great Rock, she can make out a mottled golden molly with sharp amber eyes, and a broad white tom with black points. The other clan must be Shadowclan! Firestar hops onto the stone, joining them.

Brambleclaw gravitates towards Shadowclan, and Leafpaw spots a brown and golden molly approaching him. That must be his sister. Sorrelpaw, Squirrelpaw, Sootpaw and Spiderpaw gather next to her. 

“Let’s go see Shadowclan, I wanna see Cedarpaw and Rowanpaw!” Sorrelpaw cheers. Leafpaw lets herself get dragged along, far too overwhelmed to know where to start. On the way, she sees some of her clanmates talking to the Shadowclan and Riverclan cats. Speckletail is chatting with another elder, a Shadowclan molly with long black fur. It looks like Ferncloud had dragged Ashfur to talk to two of her Shadowclan friends. Sandstorm seems to be debating the Riverclan deputy; Goldenflower, standing next to her with the other deputies, is looking thoroughly entertained. Looking at the other deputies, Leafpaw is shocked at the sight of the Shadowclan deputy. She looks so young! Like she just graduated! Yet something about the molly draws Leafpaw in… Like she can trust her…

Leafpaw bumps into Sorrelpaw’s fur.

“Leafpaw! These are Cedarpaw and Rowanpaw!” Sorrelpaw introduces the two cats with a flick of her tail. There is a kind-looking grey tom, and a rugged-looking red molly in front of her.

“It’s Cedarheart and Rowanclaw now.” Cedarheart smiles.

“That’s awesome!” Sorrelpaw cheers. Squirrelpaw and Sootpaw join her. The group chats for a while, before Sorrelpaw starts to pull them away. “You’ll want to meet the Riverclan apprentices!”

Before she can, they all catch the scent of something… new. Windclan , Leafpaw thinks, just before the cats appear. The clan is visibly smaller than the other clans, and Leafpaw remembers all the stories of why that is. All the cats are slim and tall, smelling of what Leafpaw recognises as moor. The black and white leader climbs atop the Great Rock. The Thunderclan apprentices hurriedly return to their clanmates to find seats. Leafpaw rushes to join the healers.

Firestar nods, taking one more glance at the full moon, now directly above them. “And now, we can start.”

Chapter Text

“And now, we can start.”

Windclan joins the other clans. Nightpaw sits between Crowice and Tornear. Onewhisker had told her to collect as much information about the cats in positions of power as she can, as it was the most important thing she could learn from her first Gathering. Nightpaw complied, though did not forget about her own mission, which would have to wait, as she couldn’t see much in the crowd.

Tallstar, Mudclaw and Barkface had joined the others near the Great Rock. Leopardstar had that characteristic Riverclan shine to her fur. Firestar was instantly easily clocked with bright ginger fur, and Blackstar was easy to recognize, broad, white with black points, and plenty of scars. From his spot, Nightpaw can’t quite see all the deputies, but does see a cream molly, Thunderclan’s deputy Goldenflower, talking to who must be Piketooth, the Riverclan deputy. There are seven healers; one looks like a young apprentice. The sickly grey tom must be Runningnose, next to a small brown and white tom, Littlecloud: the two Shadowclan healers. The tortoiseshell, Cinderpelt of Thunderclan, seems to be with the young molly; Onewhisker hadn’t mentioned Cinderpelt having an apprentice, so she must be new. He did mention Mudfur, the Riverclan healer. Next to him is a large golden molly. She must be his apprentice, but she seems to almost tower over the others.

Then Mudclaw shifts, and Nightpaw sees the Shadowclan deputy.

Nightpaw thinks three things.

The first is that she’s pretty. She’s tall and lithe, especially for a Shadowclan cat, with soft spotted cinnamon fur, and warm green eyes. There is something about her, a warm energy that makes Nightpaw instantly trust her.

The second is that she’s young. How can someone who looks like they just graduated be the deputy? She appears to be only a few moons older than Crowice, who just became a warrior.

The third is that Nightpaw recognizes her. Not for being a deputy. From her dream . Tallpoppy , her mind supplies her, the Shadowclan deputy .

-

“And now, we can start.”

The gathered cats fall silent.

Leopardstar shakes her fur out, as if to chase away the chill. “I’ll start then. Now that the river has fully defrosted, fishing is well. The Stars have blessed us with three new appremtices. Swallowpaw and Stonepaw, apprenticed to Mistyfoot and Mosspelt.”

The gathered cats cheer the polite amount. Young cats are a blessing to all clans.

“We also have to acknowledge the loss of Greymist.” She continues.

After Leopardstar nods and steps back, Blackstar moves up. “Shadowclan is hunting well, and I have the honour of introducing two new warriors, Cedarheart and Rowanclaw.”

After a celebratory cheer, Firestar moves forward. “Thunderclan has much to share tonight. The Stars have given us Whitekit, through Brightheart and Cloudtail. We have four new apprentices, Spiderpaw, Shrewpaw, and Squirrelpaw,” He sweeps his tail down towards the healers. “As well as Leafpaw, who will train as a healer.”

That’s the new healer’s apprentice. She seems to shrink under the attention, and Nightpaw hears a very loud cheer from one specific Thunderclan cat.

“It is my honour to introduce a new warrior, Brambleclaw.” Firestar pauses. “And… I have reason to believe that twolegs are moving to destroy our territory.”

There’s silence, and then the hollow is filled with sound as cats start whispering in rising panic. Blackstar raises a paw, and brings it down hard on the rock. The sound brings the crowd down to near silence, though some whispers stubbornly remain

He growls softly. “I’d explain yourself, Firestar.”

Firestar shifts. “Prey dies with no cause, in areas we have identified as having previous twoleg presence. New types of monsters have been spotted, and some have been seen leaving the Thunderpath and entering the forest.”

“Sounds like a problem for Thunderclan.” Blackstar snarks. He looks to Leopardstar, expecting support, but she is looking away, seeming lost in thought.

“They are doing something to the water.” She snarls. “That is what killed Greymist. She got sick from it, the river, something that should be sacred, something we couldn’t heal.” The Riverclan healers look between each other, sharing a look of sorrow mingled with disappointment.

Nightpaw looks to Tallstar, and Mudclaw does the same. Is he going to tell them about the twolegs on the moor? Should he? Mudclaw is staring at the leader, as if he’s trying to plead with Tallstar through his mind.

Tallstar coughs. “He’s right. Twolegs had set up a temporary den on the moor. We took it down.” There are a few howls of disagreement from Windclan cats, but it is quickly silenced. “We deciphered their plans. The entire territories were on their white leaves. This affects all of us.”

There is more silence, before the gathered cats burst into chaos and panic. Cries of: ‘Stars save us!’, ‘This is our home, they can’t take it!’ and ‘Stars, we’re all going to die!’ are heard throughout the crowd.

The leaders are able to quickly call for quiet. “Do not panic!” Firestar commands. “We don’t understand the full truth. We need more information before we can make any sort of decision.”

“That’s right!” Littlecloud calls out. “Starclan will protect us! They will send a sign!” He and many of the cats look up to the moon, as if expecting a sign immediately. Nothing happens.

“We will go to the moonstone, and ask for guidance. Starclan will not abandon us!” Barkface cries. A cheer rises from the crowd. Nightpaw can see the cats around him relax, now that a plan is in place.

“I think that should be all for tonight,” Firestar decides. “Unless, Tallstar…?”

“No, nothing from me. I agree.”

“Then I’m concluding this Gathering.” Leopardstar declares. The leaders leave the Great Rock.

-

Despite the drama and fear of the meeting, the After-Gathering seems to be completely normal. There are of course, still cats gossiping about the events, but most seem to be fine to put it out of their heads. Nightpaw notices Onewhisker trying to find her, most likely to introduce her to other cats, but she avoids her mentor as best she can. Nightpaw has something she needs to do.

Nightpaw hasn’t quite worked up the courage to talk to Tallpoppy, so he starts looking for the other two cats. He has a feeling he’ll need to look in Thunderclan and Riverclan. He pushes through the crowd, wary about the amount of moonlight they had left, and bumps head-first into someone’s fur.

“Oh, I’m s-sorry.” The stranger apologises, for some reason …

Looking up, Nightpaw recognises the cat as Thunderclan’s newest healer apprentice. “Leafpaw, right?”

The molly startles, then laughs softly. “Uh, yeah that’s me. Um.”

Nightpaw introduces herself, then catches something move behind Leafpaw. Looking up, she freezes in shock. The brown tabby from her dream is staring right at her, looking just as shocked as Nightpaw is. Leafpaw looks between them in confusion.

“O-oh,” Leafpaw says quietly, and still confused. “Right, this is Brambleclaw.”

There is a small, bouncy apprentice next to the warrior, glancing between him and Nightpaw with suspicion.

“It’s nice to m- see you, a-again.” Nightpaw forces, quickly digging for an excuse. I’m pretty tall, I could probably pass as being here before . “We have met before. I was actually going to see someone- one of our friends in Riverclan, you should-”

Brambleclaw nods quickly. “Right, let’s go.” 

As he starts to move, the other apprentice sticks a paw in front of him. “You didn’t tell me you knew- had friends in Windclan.” She openly glares at Nightpaw, who surprisingly had to resist the urge to flinch. Surprisingly intimidating, for such a tiny apprentice.

“I-I’ll see- see you later, we’re just- I just want to uh- chat with them.” Brambleclaw stutters, rushing away. He half trips over a root and turns back to the apprentices with an awkward smile.

“You’re a terrible liar.” Nightpaw mutters under his breath, as they pass by more cats.

Brambleclaw opens his mouth, as if he’s about to argue, then pauses and sighs.

The Riverclan cat from the dream is not hard to spot. She’s beautiful , long shiny fur that falls in waves, silver with dark stripes. Yet there’s something… hard, in her eyes. The other reason she stands out is she is talking to- or maybe talking at- the Shadowclan deputy. The surrounding cats are looking at the silver molly with mixed apprehension and amused respect. Nightpaw pulls Brambleclaw towards her.

The silver cat notices them first. She raises her eyebrow at Nightpaw. “What are you-” Then she freezes, catching sight of Brambleclaw. Nightpaw notices her paws shake for a second, before she stiffens, glaring at Brambleclaw. “ Why are you talking to me ?” She growls. Brambleclaw wilts under her stare.

Tallpoppy interrupts with a smile. “I think we all know the answer to that.” They all follow her without question, feeling that strange pull and draw of trust. She finds a quiet, separated part of the Gathering, near a copse of trees, and the group gathers around her. “So, this might sound funny, but I think I’ve seen you before.”

Everyone laughs, even Feathertail, and Nightpaw feels the tension drain from her shoulders. Tallpoppy meets her eyes warmly.

“What does it mean?” Brambleclaw asks quickly.

“It must have something to do with the twolegs, right?” Nightpaw’s eyes are drawn to Tallpoppy, as if by being the oldest cat here, she has all the answers.

“We shouldn’t talk here.” Tallpoppy speaks softly. “The healers are going to meet soon. Anyone have any healer friends, who might spill?”

Nightpaw unconsciously glances at Brambleclaw, who looks uncomfortable at the idea. “I guess I can try?”

“Perfect!” Tallpoppy grins, briefly looking behind her. “We should meet again. Here, the day after the Moonstone Gathering.” Feathertail just nods brusquely, turning sharply to leave. Nightpaw departs himself, after hearing a call from Windclan, though can’t help but look back at Tallpoppy.

Chapter Text

Leafpaw slips into her place among the healers, just as Firestar begins to speak. She settles behind Cinderpelt, who smiles at her in a slightly strained way. On her other side is…

The most beautiful molly Leafpaw has ever seen. She’s striking, taller than the rest of the healers, with long, almost glowing golden fur. And the eyes- Sharp and burning like char, yet at the same time sweet and bright. Oh Stars… This must be Mothpaw, the Riverclan apprentice. After a few seconds, Leafpaw hones in on the fact that Mothpaw is looking at her, and chokes, quickly turning away, suddenly very aware of the fact she was just caught staring.

Mothpaw just laughs softly.

Oh Stars!

-

“So, you’ve chosen to join our little club?” Mothpaw grins, tipping her head, as the leaders descend the Great Rock. The news of the Gathering had shaken her, even though she knew some of it, she hadn’t realised how far it had spread.

“O-oh um, yeah?” Leafpaw stutters.

Mothpaw laughs again, then leans close to Leafpaw, almost conspiratorially. “You seen anything yet?” She whispers.

Leafpaw sighs, mood deflating. “No…”

Mothpaw pulls herself back up and shrugs. “You’ll get it.” It’s strange how Leafpaw instantly believes her and feels better from the words of someone she’s just met over that of her mentor.

“It’s a shame I was sick at the time of your initiation ceremony.” Mothpaw comments. “It meant that I wasn’t able to see you before.” Her tone turns to something more playful. “Maybe I could have helped .”

Leafpaw is frozen, completely caught off guard. Mothpaw must notice her struggling, so with a flick of her tail across Leafpaw’s shoulder and a ‘see you around’, she leaves to join Riverclan. Leafpaw quickly rushes to join her sister and Brambleclaw, not noticing a Windclan apprentice moving in their direction.

-

The next quarter-moon passes in a blur. Ever since the Gathering, every cat had lived under a certain tension, as fear of the twolegs’ plan grew. It was a strange sort of unrest, as even though it layed heavy, there was really nothing anyone could do until the healer’s meeting.

When Leafpaw starts gathering travelling herbs for herself and Cinderpelt, the same she remembers taking on her first trip, her mentor stops her. “You’ll have to get used to taking the trip without them.” Cinderpelt instructs. They nod to Firestar before departing, passing Ashfur and Brackenfur on guard duty. The trip passes quickly, even without the comfort of the travelling herbs. Maybe it’s just Leafpaw being hopeful, that maybe now her ancestors will finally speak with her. The two are the first ones there, although that doesn’t last long.

Barkface, Mudfur and Mothpaw arrive together. The healers greet each other, and Leafpaw is even able to get in a few words with Mothpaw.

“I’m sorry you lost Greymist.” Cinderpelt murmurs softly.

Mudfur bows his head. “All your suggestions were well-received, but I’m afraid when it comes to twoleg interference, there isn’t much medicine can do.” The other healers nod. Runningnose and Littlecloud arrive shortly.

Mothermouth is just as dark and tight as Leafpaw remembers. She finds herself holding her breath, not able to breath properly and relax until they’re passed the tunnel and into the open cave of the Moonstone. Mothpaw brushes her pelt against Leafpaw’s as she passes. As is tradition, the healers wait in silence until the half moon shines its radiance down onto the Moonstone. Instantly, the cave explodes with light, and Leafpaw squeezes her eyes shut until it subsides. 

The Moonstone is a monolith of striking white stone that seems to glow and sparkle with moonlight. Strange flashes of light dance across the cave walls, reflected mirror images off the Moonstone. It’s just as brilliant as Leafpaw remembers. Barkface steps forward, bowing his head.

“We ask for answers and guidance, regarding recent twoleg activity. We bring this to you as our spiritual guides.” He nods, then sits. The other healers join him around the Moonstone. Leafpaw prays briefly that she’ll get some kind of answer, touches her nose to the stone, and closes her eyes.

She’s shocked to see the other healers with her in… Where is she? She’s standing on something grey and flat, that stretches in all directions. Leafpaw takes a cautious step, flinching back when the surface ripples beneath her paw. The colour of the surface shifts, showing rapidly changing hues of reds, blues and yellows. The sky is pitch black.

Mudfur, Runningnose, Littlecloud, Barkface and her. Where are Cinderpelt and Mothpaw? Leafpaw glances between the group, and they do the same. They look just as confused as she is.

Then, with a yelp, she falls through the surface. Darkness overtakes her. Then, Leafpaw sees flashes of images in quick succession.

The first Leafpaw recognises a section of Thunderclan forest, a huge crowd out of cats racing towards the border to outside clan territory. Out of the clans. She only has one second to try to see what they are running from; she thinks she gets a glance of a twoleg monster. The next image is the Moonstone (for a second Leafpaw thinks she’s woken), which sports a huge crack down the middle. Then, she sees the forest, hearing some sort of sound in the distance, before seeing rows of trees all falling at once, until the whole forest has fallen. Next, a puddle of water which turns from clear to dark, then a large group of cats moving across a strange stony, snowy landscape. Finally, she sees a landscape, which at its center lays a large silvery disc.

Leafpaw wakes with a gasp. Meeting the eyes of the others, she instantly knows they’ve seen the same things. Cinderpelt and Mothpaw are still asleep. Does that mean they did not share the vision? Why? What are they seeing now? They must be seeing different visions, but why? The other healers keep silent, glancing at each other, but not sure how to process the information they’ve just seen. The forest will fall. Our homeland will be lost. That Leafpaw was sure of. What about the stony, snowy landscape? And the silver disc? Is that where we are going? Or is it just another step on our journey? How far must we go?

Mothpaw wakes softly. She looks a lot more rested than any of the others. For a second, Leafpaw wishes she felt brave enough to ask about what Mothpaw saw. Cinderpelt shrieks awake, flying backwards, whole body shaking. 

Leafpaw rushes forward. “Are you okay? What do you need?” What did you see?

Cinderpelt’s shaking slows. She takes a breath. “I-I’m fine.” Yet her eyes still show fear, and something more deep-seated. Like dread. Leafpaw feels a ripple of annoyance, I’m sure Cinderpelt won’t tell me about it.

Littlecloud blinks at her softly, hardly hiding his own concern for her. “Okay. I think we should all go home, and talk to our leaders. We know now we have to do something.” The others agree silently. Mudfur sighs heavily, turning away to leave. Mothpaw follows him after a second. Barkface, Runningnose and Littlecloud move towards the exit.

“Come on Leafpaw.” Cinderpelt sighs, voice now more controlled. “We have a lot of talking to do when we get home.”

-

On the way back to camp, Leafpaw fills Cinderpelt in on what she saw. Cinderpelt just nods silently, eyes and mind still far away. Once they pass through the camp entrance, Cinderpelt goes directly to Firestar’s den without another word. Still shaken, Leafpaw finds Squirrelpaw as soon as possible. Squirrelpaw grabs Brambleclaw, and leads them out of camp.

“You alright?” Squirrelpaw asks, but quickly rushes over it, excitement taking over. “Well? What did you see? What’s the plan?”

“I did see something!” Leafpaw preens, with just a little bit of pride. She had been so happy to finally connect spiritually, but that was quickly washed away with fear after what she saw. “I think…” She pauses, unsure how much she should spill. Brambleclaw sits with them, tucked in one of the semi-isolated spots right outside of camp that Squirrelpaw had discovered. Leafpaw glances around. “There was so much destruction, the forest fell, ” She whispers. “And I saw a large group of cats leaving, as big as a Gathering, and-”

“Yeah?” Squirrelpaw’s eyes shine.

“They passed through a- a place made of rocks and snow, and then I saw a new place w- with a- like a- silvery… disc?”

“What?” Squirrelpaw stares.

“I don’t know!” Leafpaw cries.

“So-” Brambleclaw’s voice wavers. “So you think- I mean you think i- it means that we should… leave? How uh- how would we know the way?”

Leafpaw groans. “ I don’t know! ” She insists.

“Okay.” Brambleclaw says softly. Leafpaw looks at him. She can’t help but feel like something is wrong, but she can’t tell what. She’s been feeling like that a lot lately.

Chapter Text

Nightpaw drops the old moss, pulling them apart with her claws, then depositing it by the old scruff bush near the small rock outcrop. She turns to leave, then notices some stones a tree-length away had grown fresh moss. Good catch! That was rare to come by in Windclan territory, as most moss grew either on trees or forest floor. That would make a nice gift for the elders. Nightpaw moves towards the moss, swiftly gathering some carefully with her claws. Nightpaw glances up. The moss was almost hard to see, with how dark the sky was now. The half-moon. Barkface would be back soon. Nightpaw feels a thrill of adrenaline and anxiety at the thought of what she and the others have planned to do. Brambleclaw had said he would talk to his healer friend, but maybe Nightpaw should try and get some information from Barkface? Grabbing the moss in her jaws, Nightpaw jogs back to camp.

Nightpaw pushes his way past the camp guard without even taking notice of who was there, instead going straight to the elder’s den. They greet him with cheers, graciously accepting the new moss, aware of how rare it is to find fresh. Without a word, Meadowslip claws the moss and drags it towards her, kneading it into comfortable bedding.

Runningbrook scoffs, and her and Meadowslip begin to argue about Meadowslip’s moss kneading technique. Those two could argue about anything (and often do). Darkfoot laughs softly at their antics, including the fact they hadn’t bothered to address Nightpaw, then stands and turns to the apprentice. “You alright?”

Nightpaw blinks.

“Yes, I’m good.” He says, almost automatically.

Darkfoot presses their pelt against hers. “Sure, but you could be honest with me.”

Nightpaw wants to double down, but stops. What would be the point of that? Am I okay? Nightpaw has a good life. He isn’t the type of cat that needs much out of life. He is a little… lonely. He’s the only apprentice of his generation, with the closest cats in age being his kit cousins and… Crowice. Crowice is Nightpaw’s friend. Crowice cares about him. Sure, the tom can be… he only lashes out because he has a hard life. Their clanmates don’t exactly like him. It’s not his fault he feels so isolated. 

Also… There is something brewing in the clan, sinister under the surface. Like the seconds before falling off a cliff. And it feels like Nightpaw is being pushed to take a side, in what he’s not exactly sure.

Darkfoot nudges into her. “I… I don’t know.” Nightpaw says. It’s not quite an answer. It feels like a confession.

Luckily, he’s saved by Barkface’s return. Nightpaw exits the elder’s den, getting himself into a position to overhear as much as he can without being obvious. As soon as Barkface is inside the camp, Tallstar and Mudclaw are by his side.

“Is…?” For maybe the first time in his life, Mudclaw hesitates

Barkface, eyes dark and empty, just nods. Tallstar and Mudclaw don’t need more than that, and neither does Nightpaw. Barkface retreats to his nest, and Nightpaw does the same.

-

For being so open, Windclan camp is very hard to sneak out from. Especially if you’re sleeping in the middle. Nightpaw stands once she hears the breathing from the other cats even out. She lets out a soft hiss when her paw brushes against Tornear’s flank, but luckily the tom doesn’t react. She sends a quick prayer towards the stars. Nightpaw carefully watches for spaces between the sleeping forms to step, and picks her way over her sleeping clanmates. Once she reaches the edge of the pile, she lets herself have a sigh of relief and a moment, before moving to the exit. Nightpaw glances back once, then heads through the exit tunnel.

“Going out?” Oatwhisker mutters. Leaving camp in the middle of the night was pretty commonplace in Windclan. The night was often the best time for going out for a run on the moor. The camp guards were really only for outside threats, rather than keeping anyone in. Still, Nightpaw was glad that Oakwhisker was on guard, as he was more lax when it came to keeping track of who left camp.

Nightpaw nods and leaves.

-

It’s just the right type of night, the moon at its peak, granting ample light for those who chose to be out. Nightpaw follows the still barely-visible paw prints, combined with his memory of the Gathering night, and reaches Fourtrees in good time. Nightpaw is the second one there, and he recognizes the silver tabby. Feathertail . She hasn’t seen him yet.

She’s just barely taller than Nightpaw, and sits stiffly, like she’s waiting for something. For us, I suppose. Her tabby markings are stock black, in contrast to the pale silvers and whites of the rest of her fur. The fur is long and wavy, and if it weren’t for the constant grimace, Nightpaw thinks she might have come across as kind and graceful.

Knowing how quiet Nightpaw can be, she forces herself to step louder than she ever would. Feathertail flinches sharply, turning to face Nightpaw, claws sliding out almost as a reflex. Nightpaw stops moving, raising one paw in greeting. She starts to speak, but slowly hears soft chatter that gets louder. Two cats slide through the bush. Brambleclaw and Tallpoppy. As soon as Feathertail sees Brambleclaw, she stiffens slightly again.

“Hello everyone!” Tallpoppy greets. Nightpaw briefly wonders about how a clan deputy could break the code so freely and with such ease. He feels better just seeing her. Tallpoppy gives off such a strong feeling of assurance, like she always knows exactly what to do. And Nightpaw barely even knows her. Tallpoppy feels like she has a plan, which is exactly what Nightpaw needs right now. He’s been feeling pretty lost recently.

“Not much time for that.” Feathertail growls.

Tallpoppy flicks her tail. “We should hear from the healers first, I think.” The other cats nod. Tallpoppy looks at Brambleclaw. “Well? You did talk to your healer friend, didn’t you?”

Brambleclaw startles. “Right! Um… Lea- uh, she said, they did see something… her and Barkface, Mudclaw, the Shadowclan healers- not Cinderpelt or Mothpaw, apparently-” Feathertail seems very interested in that line. “She said she saw m-more fores- territory being destroyed and, uh t-the forest fell, and the moonstone cracked, and she saw a huge group leavi-”

“Wait wait wait-” Nightpaw cuts in. “The Moonstone cracked ?”

Brambleclaw flushes. “U-uh yeah. That’s what she said.” He ends it with a whisper.

Tallpoppy blinks, seemingly unphased by this. “Continue.”

“Oh, okay, right.” Feathertail rolls her eyes. Brambleclaw does continue. “A large group of cats fleeing the territory. They passed through a stony and snowy… place. And another place, a huge expanse with a… silver disc? In the middle?” He glances between them, as if checking for reactions. The group sits in silence for a second. Nightpaw watches the moon, trying to collect her thoughts.

Tallpoppy breaks the silence. “Right. That makes sense. No-

“What do you mean, that makes sense?” Feathertail hisses.

“Easy,” Tallpoppy grins. “The twolegs are going to destroy the forest. We’ll leave, pass through this snowy place and find the silver disc land. I thought we all knew this? Hadn’t we agreed on this before the meeting? Not much has changed really.”

Feathertail still looks incredulous, but just scoffs. Seems she isn’t immune to Tallpoppy either.

Nightpaw finds his voice. “So… we just leave? I- I mean… I’m an apprentice, you’re the deputy , we can’t just leave ? Right?”

“As I see it,” Tallpoppy shuffles. “We received the dreams. It makes sense that we’ll find this new home first, and return to lead our clanmates there.”

“That doesn’t feel like a full plan,” Feathertail argues. “What if it’s too far away? What if we take too long? What if we can’t find our way back?” Brambleclaw nods silently. Nightpaw hears something move near them, but is quickly sucked back into the argument. Probably an animal.

“Then explain why we got the dream?” Tallpoppy shoots back. “How do you explain that? It has to mean something.”

“We don’t know the dream is related to the twolegs!” Feathertail shouts.

“I’m not sure I can leave.” Nightpaw interjects. “I’m an apprentice, a new one at that, and…” Can she leave? Windclan feels so fragile right now. “I-I’m not sure this is the best time for me to leave.”

Tallpoppy looks at him, with an unreadable expression. “Maybe you need the push?”

Feathertail is quiet. “ If we do leave… where do we start?”

Tallpoppy looks only a little bit smug. “I imagine we-”

At the same time, Nightpaw hears a loud rustling, and sees a rushing blur of grey fur. Brambleclaw shouts. Feathertail freezes. Nightpaw recovers quickly jumping into action. She leaps onto the animal, digging in her claws, and hears a sound too close to words. The animal shakes itself roughly, and Nightpaw tumbles off of it. She spins back towards the creature, raising her claws for another attack.

“Stop!” Feathertail screeches.

Chapter Text

“Leafpaw, could you go with the sun-high patrol? I think they’re training near the borage patch.” Cinderpelt calls out. She flicks her tail towards a wide burdock leaf. Leafpaw picks it up.

“Sure!” Leafpaw joins the cats at the camp entrance. It’s a training patrol, with Mousefur, Brackenfur, Sootpaw, Spiderpaw.

“Come to finally join us?” Mousefur snarks. “You could use some battle skills.”

Brackenfur flicks his tail forwards, and the group starts to leave camp, when Greystripe joins them.

“Training?” Greystripe asks. He tilts his head. “Don’t mind if I come along, do ya?” His eyes flick to Brackenfur’s.

Just for a second, Leafpaw thinks she sees Brackenfur look… angry. Then, bothered, and then, in a single moment, it’s gone. She makes quick eye contact with Mousefur, who smiles back, nodding slightly towards Brackenfur, as if she’s seen this before. It’s a surprise to Leafpaw; Brackenfur had always seemed so mild, kind, collected… quiet.

Greystripe hadn’t seemed to notice the moment.

“Of course.” Brackenfur smiles graciously, though now that Leafpaw had seen it, it looks a little less genuine.

The patrol leaves quickly. Several times along the way, Greystripe tries to make some conversation with Brackenfur, who answers in short, clipped sentences, head lowered. At first, Greystripe looks a little hurt, but it’s covered up quickly, and he keeps trying. Sootpaw and Spiderpaw look confused, but don’t say anything.

The Sandy Hollow is a rough dip in the forest floor, lined with tall, thin birches. Leafpaw steps around the edge of the hollow, straight to the borage patch. She lays the burdock leaf to the side and gently lifts each plant, working out the best way to carefully harvest the leaves.

“Right,” Brackenfur says. “Sootpaw, Spiderpaw, get into battle positions.” The two apprentices comply, facing each other. Brackenfur and Mousefur check their forms.

Seemingly satisfied with the apprentices, Brackenfur continued. “You’ve done well with the basic battle techniques and etiquette. Today, we’re going to start on more complicated moves.” Sootpaw and Spiderpaw grinned at each other. “We’re going to start with a trick double si-”

Greystripe cuts in. “We shouldn’t start with that, that move is for far older apprentices? How about the false switch?”

Brackenfur twitches and grits his fangs. “I know they are ready for this.” Leafpaw detected a hint of a growl.

Greystripe hums.

“Spiderpaw, you’ll be on defense first. Sootpaw, you’ll attack.” Brackenfur moves to the side of the hollow next to Mousefur. He whispers something to her, and she nods. The two get into position.

Finished with the borage wrap, Leafpaw takes to watching them. It felt selfish, but she wanted to know what was wrong with Brackenfur. That’s just part of my job, Leafpaw rationalizes.

Mousefur moves into a defensive position, and Brackenfur faces her. He stands on his hindlegs, and makes a false swipe, which Mousefur reacts to by sliding in the opposite direction. As she does, Brackenfur moves his opposite paw, catching her in the side, then bringing down his other paw on her head. Mousefur stumbles.

Brackenfur nods to the apprentices. With Spiderpaw in defense, the two mimic the battle move Brackenfur had shown them. It takes Sootpaw a few tries to get his balance right, but soon he pulls the move off fully.

“It needs to be a fluid motion,” Greystripe instructs. “Your swings will be weaker if you’re shaky.”

Brackenfur glances at him. He looks properly irritated. He’s certainly not hiding it now.

“Just focus on getting the movements down, don’t worry about that right now.” Brackenfur hissed. It’s not like Greystripe is entirely wrong, Leafpaw thought.

Throughout the rest of the training session, Greystripe continues to butt in, and Brackenfur looks progressively closer to shredding some ears, or like he’s eaten bad prey. The apprentices don’t seem to notice, although Mousefur looks at Leafpaw a few times, grinning. She knows something, and she’s not just showing off that she knows I’m eavesdropping.

Spiderpaw and Sootpaw are sparring, practising some of the few moves Brackenfur had taught them. Brackenfur stalks around, watching them closely. He’s dictating something to Sootpaw, when Greystripe starts up again. The two argue back and forth until-

“Well, when I was training you-” Greystripe says.

“But you didn’t !” Brackenfur yowls.

Everyone stops moving. Greystripe looks shocked.

“You didn’t train me! You didn’t care about me! You were too busy chasing after your mate to care about training me. Firestar trained me! Firestar was my mentor! No wonder he didn’t make you deputy, you betrayed him, and me, and you have never had an apprentice! So you can stop trying to train my apprentice as if it’ll make up for me, because you don’t know what you’re talking about! ”

There’s a few seconds of silence. The apprentices look between each other. Leafpaw looks at Mousefur. She looks proud .

Brackenfur’s tail lashes. Greystripe looks conflicted. He opens and closes his mouth until he finds his words.

“I’m a- I’m sorry- No.” Greystripe takes a breath. “That won't solve anything.” He laughs hollowly. “You’re right, I’m overstepping, I- you’re right. You’re right. You don’t have to forgive me, of course.”

Greystripe lowers his head. Brackenfur takes a long breath, blinks. “Thank- uh, okay.” Brackenfur mutters, clearly surprised by his own outburst.

Feeling the tension, Leafpaw gathers the borage and flees.

-

Firestar pulls Leafpaw into his den as soon as she enters camp and drops off the borage. Cinderpelt is waiting inside. Between her father and her mentor, Leafpaw feels the distinct worry that she is in trouble.

“A healer is an important role in clan life,” Cinderpelt starts slowly. “There are certain parts you just can’t share with the rest of the clan. That does include your sister.” She stresses with a knowing look. “Do you think you’re ready for this?”

Leafpaw feels a thrill of excitement and relief. Finally! Is this about the omen?

“Yes!” Leafpaw answers quickly, when she remembers to.

“We’ve discussed the omen at length.” Firestar says. “I need to ask something of you.”

Leafpaw feels a rush of pride. They trust her.

“I saw a burning bush,” Cinderpelt starts. “It licked at the trees but they did not catch. Then I saw something move behind the fire. Then it jumped through the fire, taking on the shape of a… tiger. A tiger of flames. I fell, and was somewhere else, where in front of me lay more water than I’ve ever seen, like a wide river. The water slowly turned red, starting from the shore. Fire and Tiger…”

Cinderpelt’s eyes flash.

“ Out from peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red. ”

Leafpaw feels her paws shaking. “What… what does that… mean?”

Firestar and Cinderpelt share a look. “I need you to watch Brambleclaw.” Her father says.

Leafpaw immediately feels defensive. “You think he’s - what, dangerous? No, no he’s my friend, I can’t believe…”

“I’m not saying that,” Firestar says evenly. “I just want to be careful. Omens and prophecies can surprise us.”

“I…” Leafpaw starts to protest, but… They’re trusting me. I have to prove that I’m ready for this. Sometimes clanmates can deceive you. But Brambleclaw hasn’t even done anything! And isn’t spying wrong? But if Brambleclaw is innocent, I have to defend him!

“Okay, I'll do it.” Leafpaw promises.

-

As soon as she leaves the den, Leafpaw searches for Brambleclaw. The sun has far disappeared before the horizon, and most cats are settling down in their nests.

“Goldenflower,” Leafpaw asks. “Is Brambleclaw on the night patrol?”

Goldenflower shakes her head.

“Has he gone out?” Leafpaw tries again.

“I don’t think so. I haven’t seen him.” Goldenflower answers.

Leafpaw pokes into the warriors den. Not here. She finds Squirrelpaw chatting with Shrewpaw in the apprentice’s den. Not here either. Where is he? Has he snuck out of camp? That wasn’t a crime of course, but it was strange that you wouldn’t tell anyone you were leaving. Are my father and Cinderpelt right? Where is he?

Chapter Text

Everyone freezes. Nightpaw takes another look at what he believed to be an animal. It’s a cat. He gets a whiff of Riverclan scent.

“Stormbranch! Did you follow me?” Feathertail hisses.

“You’re talking about leaving!” The tom retorts, sounding out of breath. “You’re meeting illegally, in the middle of the night, and, and talking… about leaving.” His voice fades out. “Of course I followed you.”

“Look,” Tallpoppy tries to regain control of the situation. “How much did you hear? We were all sent dreams, the same dream.”

“Something is wrong with the forest.” Feathertail hisses. A little quieter, she adds. “We both already knew that.”

Something unspoken passes between the siblings as they look at each other.

“Okay.” Stormbranch says, a little quieter. “I heard a lot. But what is your plan?”

All the cats visibly relax a little. Brambleclaw and Stormbranch start to chat, but Tallpoppy cuts them off. She's looking at the horizon.

“The sun will rise soon.” She states. “Let’s return to our clans. We will meet again soon. Next half-moon cycle.”

Feathertail nods sharply, laying her tail against Stormbranch’s. She seems more relaxed in his presence than Nightpaw has ever seen her. The two depart quietly, whispering harshly back and forth. Brambleclaw leaves next, stammering a short goodbye.

Tallpoppy tilts her head at Nightpaw. Some part of Nightpaw wants to stay, here with Tallpoppy, but she quickly shakes her head clear, banishing the silly thought. What has come over her?

“Goodbye.” Nightpaw says softly as he leaves. He just barely hears Tallpoppy softly call the same back at him.

-

“Nightpaw! Are you paying attention?”

Nightpaw snaps to focus, trying to return her thoughts to the patrol. Part of her mind stayed at last night’s meeting. After slipping back into camp, she had only a few moments of sleep before she felt she had to get up. It’s sun-high now, and the patrol is making its way up the Riverclan border. Each cat keeps a careful tail-length away from the sharp edge of the gorge. It was a rule Nightpaw knew Leopardstar kept almost religiously. The rushing water of the gorge grows louder as they approach the falls.

Robinwing looks at him with a mix of concern and amusement. It’s the first time she’s been allowed to return to patrolling, now that kits are old enough to not need her constant presence; Tornear is staying with them instead. 

Nightpaw nods. “Sorry.” She huffs softly.

Whitetail and Webfoot are at the head of the patrol, arguing about something silly and trivial between themselves. Ashfoot walks quietly beside them. Nightpaw tries to clear his mind. It’s a routine patrol, and what should be a comfortable silence feels unusually tense.

If they do leave the clans, how far will they go? Where do they even start? How long will they be away, when will they get back? What if it’s too late? What if they never make it back?

And what about Windclan? Could Nightpaw really leave now? When it feels like the clan could split apart at any moment?

The idea of leaving feels impossibly big. There’s too many possibilities, ways for things to go wrong. The idea is so overwhelming Nightpaw can’t help but mentally hide away from it. She’s not excited for the next meeting. Nightpaw moves ahead to the middle of the patrol.

“The twolegs…” He starts. It’s a good entry point to what he really wants to ask about. “What do you think they’re doing?”

Robinwing shakes her head. “What goes on in a twoleg’s mind is beyond our understanding, and that’s just fine with me.”

“But, well, they’re dangerous, aren’t they?” Nightpaw asks.

“Oh,” Robinwing hesitates. “W-well, I mean, yes, but-”

“The clans have been living here since our dawn.” Ashfoot picks up. “We’ve dealt with twolegs and much greater threats before, and we’ve survived. Starclan will see us prevail.”

‘The forest fell, and the moonstone cracked’ That’s what Brambleclaw had reported his medic friend seeing. If the moonstone is broken… and Starclan sent that vision... If even Starclan is in danger, then surely the clans can’t survive that destruction. For once, Nightpaw envied her mother’s blind faith in Starclan.

Whitetail and Webfoot join in on the conversation. “Well, Mudclaw made good work of those twolegs up on the moor.” Whitetail grins. “And I hear he’s got a pretty good plan for dealing with the twolegs.” Webfoot smirks and teasingly nudges his sister. She scoffs and rolls her eyes at him, but does duck her head slightly.

Nightpaw takes his chance, and tries to act as interested as possible. “Really?”

“Yup!” Whitetail perks up. “He’s actually taking action!”

“As long as he’s listening to Tallstar.” Robinwing comments lightly.

An awkward pause settles over the group. Whitetail and Robinwing glare at each other. Ashfoot clears her throat. “We’re here. Whitetail, could you mark the border?” Whitetail stalks ahead, scratching a mark onto one of the border trees, and begins rubbing Windclan scent against it.

“Are you… worried about Mudclaw?” Nightpaw asks lightly. Robinwing and Ashfoot look between each other.

“He’s a good deputy.” Ashfoot says.

Robinwing looks at her. “He spoke against Tallstar. Directly. In front of the entire clan. A deputy is supposed to support his leader.”

“Is the deputy not also supposed to question his leader and offer… alternatives?” Whitetail cuts in. Nightpaw hadn’t even noticed her return.

Robinwing sighs. “Well yes, but leader’s word is law, isn’t it?”

At the mention of the code, the fight seems to have been taken out of Whitetail, and the patrol walks back to camp in silence. Nightpaw catches Whitetail throwing a few more glares at Robinwing on the way.

-

Nightpaw is walking. That’s the first thing she’s aware of. It seems to be the woods, although the ground feels too soft, and the colours seem to blur ever so slightly. And it’s dark.

Where am I going?

Nightpaw stops moving, but is then filled with panic. He looks up.

There is a star, but it's unlike any star she’s ever seen before. It’s big, and bright red, hanging in the sky right in front of her.

I have to follow it. It was an almost instinctual need that clawed at him, although he didn’t know why, or what it was leading to. Nightpaw got to his paws again, and hurried towards the red star. After running for what felt like forever, Nightpaw bursts out of the brush, and skids to a stop. He’s out of the forest now, and there’s rough sand beneath his paws. He looks up.

Stretched in front of her is perhaps the biggest body of water that Nightpaw has ever seen. Glancing side to side, she’s unable to see where the water ends. In front of her is the same thing, the great expanse seems to go on forever. Hesitantly, Nightpaw steps forward and dips a paw into the water. 

It’s cool and soft, and it doesn’t seem to be flowing in any direction, just… sitting there. Then the sun peaks up from under the horizon, and the water glows so bright it looks like it’s been set on fire. Nightpaw flinches back, looking away from the bright light. When he looks back up, the water has changed again.

The silver disc!

This is where they are going.

Nightpaw feels a soft pull, one she recognizes as herself waking up. She closes her eyes, but half way through, she feels a sharp tug that seems to come from deep in her body. Suddenly, she’s being flung away from the waking world, and into darkness.

Nightpaw gasps at the feeling of wrong, and thrashes in the darkness. He lands… somewhere, hard, and looks around desperately. He can’t tell where he is, especially through the red haze that seems to cover his vision. It’s a battle! Cats thrash and fight, moving so fast it's hard to tell who they are. Nightpaw thinks he recognizes some Windclan cats, but then their appearances change as quickly as their movement.

Slowly each cat falls, and Nightpaw can’t tell whether they are dead or simply just injured. She can’t identify any of the bodies either way. After some time, only one pair of fighting cats are left.

One she recognizes as Mudclaw. Nightpaw gasps sharply. The warriors don’t react. Who is the other? Even constantly clawing at each other, neither ever seems to get injured. It won't end.

Feeling watched, Nightpaw turns around and sees a figure of shadow. Before he can even comprehend this, Nightpaw wakes up.

Chapter Text

“Brambleclaw!” Leafpaw’s friend jumps, dropping his shrew with a small yelp. Longtail’s eyes dart between the two, before rolling their eyes and scoffing. They sneakily grab Brambleclaw’s abandoned shrew start to stride away.

“I’ll leave you two to it!” Longtail winks at Leafpaw as they walk away. Brambleclaw turns to grab his shrew, and Leafpaw has to suppress a laugh at his confusion. Still, he looks nervous, even at the prospect of just talking to Leafpaw. 

Leafpaw pulls a starling off the pile with one claw. “I just wanted to talk to you.” To her relief, Brambleclaw nods, and the two settle down to eat.

Leafpaw hesitates. Where does she start? Hey, yeah, just wondering would you happen to be part of a dangerous omen, and by the way, no reason, how do you feel about your evil father? No, that would be ridiculous. Does she really need to say anything? Firestar and Cinderpelt told- asked her to watch Brambleclaw. There’s no need for an investigation. Leafpaw just needs to spend time with her friend, something she is more than happy to do.

“I, uh,” Leafpaw hesitates. “I actually was looking for you, last night. I- I uh, had something to t-talk to you about?” She doesn’t mean for it to come out as a question. “I couldn’t find you though…” I hope that didn’t come across as an accusation!

Brambleclaw shakes his head a little. “Uh, yeah I just went out? I-I mean, Thornclaw knew that I went out.”

Leafpaw grimaces a little in sympathy. Thornclaw is known to be a perfectionist, strict and even obsessive when it came to his duties as a camp guard, insisting on keeping a strict list of everyone’s movements in and out of camp. Squirrelpaw in particular had been grilled several times by the warrior.

Well, I’m not getting anywhere. Leafpaw quickly finishes her half of the starling. She excuses herself when she spots Cinderpelt. Leafpaw starts to approach her mentor, when she’s tackled roughly, rolling onto the dusty ground of camp. She recognizes the dark red fur, and so doesn’t feel any guilt harshly shoving her sister off of her. Dustpelt attempts to scold his apprentice, but it’s clear Squirrelpaw isn’t listening. Leafpaw makes sure to send him an ‘ it’s okay’ look. Cinderpelt has disappeared.

“Leafpaw, Leafpaw! We went aaaalllllllll the way to the far border! The edge of clan territories! And and and I saw a-” Squirrelpaw is rambling so fast Leaf can hardly understand a word, and instead notices the rest of the patrol entering; Sandstorm, Dustpelt, Greystripe, Cloudtail, and Rainpaw. Cats have noticed the new tension between Greystripe and his former apprentice, especially the elders; Leafpaw had made the wise depiction to not tell them what actually had happened, as she knows the real fun for them is in the speculation.

“Squirrelpaw, get off your sister.” Sandstorm sighs. Squirrelpaw visibly shrinks. It seems the only cat who can do that to her is her mother. But even Sandstorm is not immune to Squirrelpaw. “You did well.” Sandstorm concedes. “You tracked that mouse halfway across the territory. Even if that wasn’t a hunting patrol.”

Squirrelpaw grins.

“I’d better watch out!” Cloudtail laughs. “You might just replace me as Thunderclan’s best tracker!” Squirrelpaw laughs as well, but Leafpaw’s mind is suddenly elsewhere.

That’s it! I can ask Squirrelpaw to find out where Brambleclaw is going! Then she feels a flash of guilt. But that’s wrong!

But then, Cinderpelt and Firestar asked her to do this! But what about Starclan? Surely they would disapprove of this! But they sent the omen.

It doesn’t matter, Leafpaw decided, I’m going to ask Cinderpelt and Firestar what I should do.

Leafpaw slips away from the scene, and ducks into her and Cinderpelt’s den. She doesn’t find her mentor here, and so goes to her father’s den. She pushes back the lichen to find Firestar and Cinderpelt deep in discussion, turned away from the entrance. The quiet as soon as they notice Leafpaw.

“Leafpaw,” Firestar turns his attention towards her. “Have you… learned anything?”

He’s asking about Brambleclaw.

“We- um, no.” Leafpaw says. “Actually- I mean, I thought maybe I could ask Squirrelpaw to track him? I saw-” Leafpaw cuts herself off. She decides not to tell them that she couldn’t find Brambleclaw last night.

Cinderpelt tilts her head at Leafpaw. “Well?”

“Nothing, just… it would mean telling Squirrelpaw about…”

“Right.” Firestar nods, and then leaves, presumably to get Squirrelpaw. Leafpaw doesn’t think her sister will be happy about this.

A few seconds pass, and Leafpaw can’t help but look at her mentor. She looks tired. Cinderpelt hesitates, and then starts to speak…

Just as Firestar returns with Squirrelpaw. Great, Leafpaw groans inwardly. Squirrelpaw looks between the two healers in confusion.

“Okay, what’s going on?” Squirrelpaw looks around with suspicion. Squirrelpaw can be impulsive and brash, but she is a smart cat, and can be quite perceptive.

Leafpaw waits as her father and mentor explain the… situation. She doesn’t have anything to add. Squirrelpaw, of course, defends Brambleclaw zealously, being the cat who always had defended her friend.

“I don’t believe he will do anything,” Firestar says. For some reason, Leafpaw sees a small shift in her father’s eyes, and she gets the feeling he’s… lying. “We just need to be sure.”

Squirrelpaw doesn’t look happy, in fact, it seems she would rather do anything else. Leafpaw speaks up.

“I couldn’t find him last night. I just want to make sure he’s okay. I don’t want to worry about him.” She tries to make her voice sound as soft as possible. It’s not exactly a lie, she is worried, she just lays it on a little thick.

It’s enough to make Squirrelpaw agree. “He probably won’t even do anything.” Squirrelpaw mutters to Leafpaw later. “It’ll all be fine, cause nothing will happen. ”

And Leafpaw does agree with her, mostly.

-

Sorrelpaw confronts her the next day.

“I know you’ve got all that important super secret healer stuff, y’know. You can talk to me, even if you don’t tell me all of it, even if I don’t understand it. Or if you want to talk about other things!”

Sorrelpaw keeps glancing at Leafpaw as they walk. She had seen Leafpaw exit the leader’s den with Squirrelpaw the day before, and had been watching Leafpaw a little more closely since.

And stars, does Leafpaw want to confide in her closest friend. She did feel like part of her sister’s group, but had always been especially close with Sorrelpaw. But she just can’t tell her friend about this.

“Do you want to go out? Hunting with me, I mean.” Leafpaw asks. Sorrelpaw grins.

It had only started recently, but Leafpaw had been quick to make it a tradition.

“Of course!” Sorrelpaw cheers.

Leafpaw watches fondly as Sorrelpaw chases a small squirrel up a tree, giggling as the squirrel darts around the tree to avoid her. Somehow it gets away. Sorrelpaw drops, less than gracefully, off the tree, grumbling about ‘stupid squirrels’. While she does catch a mouse by snagging it’s tail as it dove into a whole, the pair end up messing around and having fun more than they hunt.

It makes her feel better, just spending time with Sorrelpaw, doing nothing related to omens, or healer stuff, or really anything important.

Then she sees the… tracks.

That’s the best way Leafpaw can describe the two parallel deep gashes in the dirt. It could almost look like claw scratches, if not for how deep they were, and how unnaturally square they were; that made them almost certainly twoleg-made.

“Woah!” Sorrelpaw gasps. “What are those? Should we follow them? Or…”

Leafpaw’s mind is thrown back to the first time she crossed a thunderpath. She had been so interested in it, after that lesson, she snuck out at night, when the skies had turned to rain. She snuck forward, and inspected the strange, slick, dark dirt. Leafpaw barely missed being hit by a monster, and when she rushed back over to the safety of the forest floor, she saw the monster race past, conjuring it’s own wave of rain.

She remembers the two slick track marks it left behind.

These marks look bigger.

Leafpaw feels a sudden curl of dread and fear, so much it makes her feel slightly sick.

“We have to go back.” Leafpaw tries to keep the shake out of her voice. When Sorrelpaw hesitates, Leafpaw adds, “Now.”

Firestar had told her sometimes monsters lost control and crashed off the side of the road. But there was no debris. And we’re far away from any thunderpath. Why would a monster go so deep into the forest?

These tracks had been much bigger than a monster’s tracks. What kind of monster was this?

Chapter Text

Nightpaw stretches, trying to shake off the dream. The silver disc… following the red star… 

She steps up, heading for the camp entrance. Onewhisker told her to get up early this morning, as they had a lot to cover. Just as she is about to exit the tunnel, she hears two voices arguing just outside.

“Well, he’s my apprentice, I need-”

“ I need to speak to him today. Are you questioning your deputy?”

“N-no, why-”

“I’m interested in the training of our apprentices, the next generation of cats, of course.”

Nightpaw steps out. Mudclaw and Onewhisker turn to look at her.

“We’ll have to delay our training.” Onewhisker doesn’t look particularly happy about this. “Meet me at sunhigh?” He looks to Mudclaw, who nods.

“I was looking to speak to you, Nightpaw. Is that okay?” Mudclaw asks kindly.

“Of course.” Nightpaw feels a little bit of pride at the deputy showing interest in her. You are the only apprentice, though.

Nightpaw follows Mudclaw up across the moor, wondering when the deputy was going to start questioning him. Is he going to ask me if Onewhisker is a good mentor?

Nightpaw likes Onewhisker. He’s a bit of a distant mentor, but he always puts his all into training Nightpaw, and has taught her a lot. They aren’t particularly close, but that isn’t a requirement.

Maybe he’s going to test me?

Nightpaw is pretty confidant in his fighting and hunting skills, as well as his study of the code. I’m not sure I can stack up against a warrior like Mudclaw in a fight, though.

They go pretty far up the moor, out near the spire peaks. He stops there.

“Have you been enjoying your training, Nightpaw?” Mudclaw asks.

“Um,” It’s only been two moons. “Yes, of course, I’ve learned a lot. I enjoy it, yeah.” Nightpaw finishes lamely, and cringes a little.

“Good, good.” Mudclaw seems distracted. “I’ve been watching your progress. It’s not because you’re the only apprentice.” Mudclaw cuts straight to her to her insecurity. “Even if there were other apprentices, you’re quite the prodigy.”

Nightpaw flusters. “Really?” He never had any doubts about his abilities, but had only ever seen them as ‘good’.

“Yes,” Mudclaw says. “You’re quite impressive. And very smart. I wanted to ask you…”

“Yes?”

Looking back, Nightpaw can’t even remember what happened. She remembers stones and dirt digging into her back. She remembers something heavy on top of her, sharp points (which she later knows is claws) digging into her, and a deep bite in her shoulder, which sends agony searing through her.

He looks up and sees a wolf.

No cat has ever seen a wolf before. As far as Nightpaw knew, they were relegated to being creatures of legends and myths. The large wild dogs that no twoleg could tame, hunting in large backs, able to cut a cat in half with their large jaws.

The animal’s red eyes bore into Nightpaw, its muzzle lined with sharp teeth pulling away from her shoulder, now dripping blood ( her blood ), growling deeply, one paw pressed into her chest, drawing small dots of blood. Nightpaw feels a chill she’s never felt before.

I’m going to die.

Nightpaw hears a yowl, and only barely registers that it didn’t come from the wolf.

The wolf looks away from him, Nightpaw squeezes his eyes shut. He doesn’t want the last thing he sees to be this beast. He feels a splash of blood hit his face. That came from above me… that’s not my blood! Then, the pressure on top of his body is suddenly gone.

Nightpaw opens her eyes.

Pawsteps away from him, the wolf is grappling with… Mudclaw! How could I forget!

Nightpaw watches in wonder as Mudclaw fends off the wolf.

It’s… small? Now that Nightpaw can see the whole animal, it’s a lot smaller than she thought. It sports some deep gashes, from Mudclaw.

I should help, Nightpaw thinks dumbly. Yet, he can’t bring himself to move.

The wolf runs eventually. A wolf wouldn’t run, would it? It looks more like a fox than a dog…

Mudclaw stands, breathing heavily, a few bleeding scratches along his side. Nightpaw forces herself to stand.

“A-are you okay?” Nightpaw’s voice shakes.

Mudclaw shakes out his fur. “Yes, I-” He looks down at himself. “I’ll have to see my brother.”

Nightpaw is silent. Mudclaw looks at him.

“It wasn’t a wolf.” He says. “It-”

“You’ve seen those before?” Nightpaw interrupts.

“They’re scavengers. There was a travelling group that used to visit Windclan when my father was young. They told him about those creatures. They’re called coyotes. They aren’t usually seen here. They look like wolves, but are really nothing like them. That one must have been starving, as they usually steal something else’s kill. They wouldn’t attack a living cat otherwise.”

So wolves are real? Nightpaw thinks, but doesn’t ask, as she doesn’t want to look stupid in front of Mudclaw. Mudclaw…

“You saved my life.” Nightpaw realizes quietly. I was going to die. If Mudclaw wasn’t here, I would have…

“Oh,” Mudclaw looks at him. “Are you- you’re okay. We’ll go back to camp okay? Let’s go see Barkface.”

Mudclaw supports Nightpaw on the way back to camp, as Nightpaw feels like she can barely move. Her mind is so blank, it feels like only a second to get to camp.

Cats start throwing questions at Mudclaw, but Barkface gathers the two of them and pushes them into the medicine den. Nightpaw is grateful that he doesn’t ask any questions, as apparently he’s lost the ability to speak.

Nightpaw collapses in a feather-lined nest, as Barkface starts applying herbs and cobweb to her wounds. She passes out, and thankfully, doesn’t dream.

-

Nightpaw wakes, or at least he thinks he does. All he sees is shifting shadows, and his mind blurs with a fuzziness, as if it’s filled with cotton. It’s quiet, wherever he is, and he feels a tail run along his spine. Nightpaw takes a moment to remember to open his eyes.

It’s dimly lit in the medicine den, something Nightpaw’s eyes are grateful for. Gorsetail waits beside her.

“Thank you.” Nightpaw says quietly, although he’s not exactly sure for what.

A few moments later, Barkface enters the den. He silently flutters around, sorting through piles of herbs. Nightpaw lets herself wait a few moments before forcing herself to speak.

“Am I… okay?” Nightpaw rasps.

“You’re lucky, that’s what you are.” Barkface grunts. Gorsetail glares at him. “Fine, fine. You got a bit scrapped up. That bite in your shoulder is nasty, but nothing I can’t fix. It’s mostly just shock, I’d say.”

Nightpaw nods numbly, pushing himself up on his paws. “I’m fine.” Nightpaw mutters. Gorsetail looks concerned, and he gestures ‘ confirm?’ in paw-speak.

“Yes, I’m sure.” Nightpaw glares, although she knows it’s unwarranted. After a hesitant nod from Barkface, Nightpaw leaves the medicine den. The camp is unusually quiet. The sun has just started to set. Nightpaw spots the deputy, sitting silently near the camp entrance, alone. She sits next to him.

Nightpaw should say something, really. Thank him, maybe. But there is nothing Nightpaw can say. He saved my life. There is nothing I can do or say to repay that. I know he knows that.

-

“What in the Stars happened to you?!”

So Feathertail brought Stormbranch then. The tom’s eyes are wide at the sight of Nightpaw, and he hovers over her, nose poking at her wrappings. He barely knows me, yet he seems genuinely concerned. Nightpaw pulls away, as Feathertail nips her brother’s tail fur.

“Stop hovering.” Feathertail growls, though she eyes the wrappings on Nightpaw’s shoulder, the one still stained with old, darkened blood.

Tallpoppy and Brambleclaw appear behind her, the last to arrive. Feathertail draws back slightly.

“Are you alright!?” Brambleclaw yelps, anxiety heavy in his voice. It seems he spoke up as a reflex, cringing back when the other cats turn to look at him. Then they’re looking at Nightpaw, who feels himself bristle.

“I’m fine. This happened a while ago.” She tries to put forward all her confidence. Feathertail raises an eyebrow and smirks, clearly not believing it. Tallpoppy doesn’t seem as bothered as the two toms.

“Let’s get this started shall we.” She smiles, glancing at the moon. “We don’t want to be wasting moonlight.”

“Right.” Stormbranch declares. “I’ve decided it's fine. You should listen to the Stars’ message. But there is one thing…”

Feathertail looks at her brother, seeming bothered by that.

“I’m coming with you.”

“What?! Why didn’t you-” It’s clear Stormbranch hadn’t told Feathertail about this.

Brambleclaw looks uncomfortable. “Isn’t that… going against the Stars’ wishes? I-I mean, you weren’t… chosen. Sorry.”

“I know.” Stormbranch nods. “But I can't let you all go alone. I know you could take care of yourselves, but you need all the help you can get. Besides, I’m not letting my sister go out there without me.”

Feathertail scowls darkly at him, but doesn’t say anything.

“Did you dream of the… silver disc?” Nightpaw asks. He thinks he hears something shift in the bushes as he does, but it’s so quiet he dismisses it.

“No,” Stormbranch says, then catches sight of everyone else’s reaction. “I’m guessing you all did though.”

Tallpoppy doesn’t seem bothered by Stormbranch’s inclusion. “Alright. Well, I guess that means we’ve bee-”

Almost as if on cue, a familiar, tiny red blur explodes out of the bushes with a shriek.

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?” Feathertail yowls.

Chapter Text

“I’m telling you, berry-sweet, she’s fine. ”

“Cloudtail, she coughed! Twice!” Brightheart frets.

“It’s kittencough, love, most kits get it once! And it hasn’t ki- hurt any kit for generations! Right Cinder?”

The pair had brought Whitekit to the healer’s den early in the morning, even before Leafpaw had woken up. While Cinderpelt was busy calming her panicked sister, Leafpaw was left to entertain Whitekit, as there was really nothing else to do. Whitekit had become extra active after being given a dose of honey for her throat. Cinderpelt once told Leafpaw that honey gave cats a bit of extra spirit. Currently, Leafpaw is attempting to distract the kit by letting her play with the leaves in her tail.

“Cinderpelt.” Spiderpaw peeks in through the ferns. “A healer just came into camp. Sandstorm told me to get you.”

Leafpaw perks up. Healers were granted immunity to border crossings, and so would often travel to other clans. When Leafpaw was a kit, Runningnose had come to Thunderclan to talk to Cinderpelt, but since she became an apprentice, there had been no visits.

I wonder who it is? Leafpaw thinks, then wonders why she hopes it's Mothpaw.

After returning Whitekit to her parents and Cinderpelt, Leafpaw leaves the den, and she spots Mothpaw. The beautiful molly seems somewhat out of place in the Thunderclan underbrush. Goldenflower seems to be watching over the apprentice, waiting for Cinderpelt. Leafpaw bounds over to join them, and Goldenflower departs.

“Hi Mothpaw!” Leafpaw greets her friend, once again struck by how pretty the apprentice is. “What are you doing here?” Oh stars I hope that didn’t sound rude!

“Leafpaw!” Mothpaw sounds just as happy to see her. “It’s good to see you. How is your training going?”

“Oh, it’s wonderful!” Leafpaw says.

“That’s great! Mudfur says I might graduate soon!”

“Really? That’s amazing!”

“Yes! Although…” Mothpaw hesitates. “Unfortunately, I’m not here just for a visit. I need to talk to Cinderpelt, if she’s not too busy.”

“Oh, is something the matter?” Leafpaw asks. “Cinderpelt is looking after her sister’s kit right now…” Really, Cinderpelt’s not that busy, and Leafpaw could go get her, but Leafpaw wants to be able to take care of something herself for once. Besides, she can tell her mentor later.

“I hope the kit is okay.” Mothpaw says, then lowers her voice. “I was sent to give you this,” She paws at a leaf-wrapped bundle of herbs Leafpaw hadn’t noticed before. “It’s about Greymist…”

“Oh…” Leafpaw says quietly. “She died recently, didn't she…”

Mothpaw stands, and leaves the camp, Leafpaw following her. This conversation might be better in private. They pass Frostfur at the entrance, who looks at them with confusion, but lets them go.

The two settle under an oak, not far from the camp entrance. “Yes, she did. It was the first time I’d lost a patient, first time I've seen a cat die…” Mothpaw sighs, and Leafpaw guiltily hopes that won't happen to her for a long time. 

“She got really sick,” Mothpaw continues. “We didn’t know why, but she told us that when she was hunting, she came across a shiny puddle and saw a mouse drink from it. She caught the mouse, and later ate it back at camp. Then she got sick. It was horrible, Leafpaw. She was coughing or vomiting nearly constantly, she was just… in so much pain… I could hardly watch. We tried everything, but she never got better…”

“I’m sorry.” Leafpaw whispers.

“Why are you sorry for me?” Mothpaw asks with a shaky breath.

“Because,” Leafpaw says quietly. “That sounds hard, seeing someone suffer and not being able to do anything about it…”

Mothpaw is silent. Leafpaw eyes the bundle of herbs that Mothpaw had brought with them.

“I thought she didn’t survive?” Mothpaw looks at her. “I mean, did someone else get sick? Did you find a cure?”

“What?” Mothpaw looks confused. Leafpaw points at the herbs. “Oh, right… Mudfur told me to bring these to you, while he went to Shadowclan and Windclan. Leafpaw-”

“What are these?” Leafpaw’s curiosity eats at her, so she unravels the leaf bundle. She’s surprised to see leaves she can’t recognize. Cinderpelt doesn’t keep these. Maybe these only grow in Riverclan? But no, the healers trade herbs often.

“We had to-” Mothpaw’s voice shakes even more than before. “I was told it was for the best, but I didn’t want to…”

But Leafpaw wasn’t listening. She leans down to sniff at the leaves, then tries to scoop one up.

“Don’t!” Mothpaw cries. Then it clicks. There’s only one reason Cinderpelt wouldn’t keep something.

“Mothpaw,” Leafpaw asks slowly. “Are these- is this poison?”

Mothpaw shrinks. “Yes,” She whispers. “Mudfur told me we had to. She was in so much pain, she deserved peace at the end. She was suffering, and she was so young. It was the right thing to do, I think?” She doesn’t sound certain. “Mudfur told me to bring these to you.” She mutters.

“I-I’m not sure Cinderpelt would allow us to keep these.” It’s the only thing Leafpaw can think to say. She balks at the idea of ever poisoning someone on purpose, doesn’t that go against the code? Shouldn’t we always try to save everyone? But maybe this was kinder, if there really was no cure…

“Does this mean Mudfur thinks it will spread?” Leafpaw asks, remembering the prey Dappletail almost ate recently.

“Yes, he’s very worried.” Mothpaw says.

“I’ll talk to Cinderpelt.” Leafpaw promises. She tries to lighten the mood. “Maybe you’ll get your name at the next moon meeting!”

“Maybe,” Mothpaw smiles. “Goodbye Leafpaw.”

-

“Where were you?”

Squirrelpaw startles at Leafpaw’s voice. Leafpaw had woken up to her sister slipping back into the apprentice’s den at night.

“Oh, Leafpaw, sorry,” Squirrelpaw says quietly. “Did you wake up because of me?”

Leafpaw narrows her eyes. Her sister is avoiding the question. “Did you speak to Brambleclaw?” They both know what she’s really asking.

“Brambleclaw!” Squirrelpaw sounds a little panicked, not quite able to meet Leafpaw’s eyes. “Uhh, no! Nope! Haven’t seen him! At all! Actually, you know, I have this really early patrol with Dustpelt, you know how he is, don’t want to be late!”

“Squirrelpaw!” Sootpaw interrupts. “I’m also on that patrol, so-”

“Sorry!” Squirrelpaw squeaks, and collapses into her nest, fully turned away from her sister. Leafpaw lets her sleep.

-

First Brambleclaw was avoiding me and acting suspicious, and now my sister is doing the same thing!

Ever since last night, when Leafpaw had caught her sister sneaking back into the den, Squirrelpaw had been acting weird, well, more than usual that is. And seemingly only around Leafpaw. And maybe worst of all, she has no idea why.

Leafpaw slides Mothpaw’s herbs towards Cinderpelt, who unwraps them, then scrunches her muzzle in disgust. When she looks at Leafpaw, she almost looks suspicious.

“Mothpaw brought them.” Leafpaw explains. “I mean, Mudfur told her to-”

“I know, Leafpaw.” Cinderpelt says quietly, regarding the dark leaves. “I know.”

And there’s a deep look in her eyes that tells Leafpaw she’s telling the truth.

Chapter Text

This time, Feathertail moves faster. She’s on the cat before anyone else can move. This time, no one stops her.

“Who are you?” Feathertail growls. Nightpaw notices Feathertail’s claws are away, and her paws aren't even on the cat.

“Squirrelpaw?” That’s Brambleclaw, who sounds somewhat panicked. Feathertail steps back, and Nightpaw recognizes the new cat.

It’s the same tiny Thunderclan apprentice from the last Gathering. As soon as Feathertail is off her, Squirrelpaw shoots up, bristling.

“What are you doing here?” Brambleclaw asks.

“I followed you!” Squirrelpaw grins, then reverts back to an angry expression. “What are you doing out here, huh?!”

“Oookay,” Tallpoppy steps between the two Thunderclan cats. “I think you might be lost. You really should go back to Thunderclan. Brambleclaw?”

“NO!” Squirrelpaw yelps. “You!” She pushes past Tallpoppy to point at Brambleclaw. “Are out here sneaking around, meeting these cats-” She freezes, noticing Nightpaw. “Y-you… you were at the Gathering! I saw you at the Gathering!”

“A lot of cats were at the gathering.” Nightpaw says dryly. Squirrelpaw splutters. Nightpaw thinks she hears Tallpoppy giggle.

“That's not- Whatever!” Squirrelpaw bristles up even more, though it doesn’t really make her look intimidating. She looks at Tallpoppy. “Aren't you a deputy? What are you all doing here, meeting in the dark, huh?”

For a moment, no one speaks.

“Squirrelpaw,” Brambleclaw asks quietly. “ How did you find me?”

The apprentice finally relaxes, even looking a bit prideful, grinning. “ I tracked you, of course!”

“Why?”

Squirrelpaw blinks. “I- um… juuuuust wanted to know where you were.”

Nightpaw and Tallpoppy share a look. “Listen…” Tallpoppy steps forward. “All you need to know is that we are doing what Starclan has commanded. We’ve all had dreams, and I know your sister has too. We have to do this. You wouldn’t want to get in the way of Starclan’s wishes, would you?”

“Don’t treat me like I can’t understand!” Squirrelpaw hisses. “If this really is a quest from Starclan, then what kind of quest is it?”

It seems the apprentice is learning something about the quest after all.

“Do you remember Leafpaw’s dream- vision- thing?” Brambleclaw asks softly. “Well, she-”

“You’re leaving aren’t you?” Squirrelpaw says very quietly. It’s the quietest thing Nightpaw had ever heard from the apprentice.

Brambleclaw looks sadly at his friend. He starts to speak, but is cut off again.

“You can’t leave!” Squirrelpaw yells. “You can’t just leave, you can’t leave me! What if you can’t find this place? What if it doesn’t exist? What if you don’t come back? What if you come back too late?”

She turns on Tallpoppy. “And you! You’re the deputy! You can’t just leave!”

There is silence for a few seconds. Squirrelpaw shrinks in on herself. Tallpoppy steps forward, wrapping her tail around the small apprentice.

“Starclan… We don’t know why we have been chosen. But we have. If we do nothing, we will lose everything. You must know that. You have to believe, we will do everything in our power to get back to our clans, our kin. Starclan will guide our paws. If we have no faith in them, we have no faith in anything.”

Nightpaw feels Feathertail stiffen beside him.

Squirrelpaw scowls. She’s clearly not happy about this. She glares at Brambleclaw. He can’t quite meet her gaze.

“Fine.” Squirrelpaw growls darkly. “Fine! Whatever! I don’t care! Just go- I- I mean… Except…”

Suddenly, the apprentice’s entire demeanour changes. Squirrelpaw perks up, grinning.

“I’m coming with you!” She announces.

There is a second of stunned silence, before everyone shoots her down at once.

“Nope!” Brambleclaw says very loudly. The others are quick to agree with him.

“Stars no…” Feathertail mutters with an eye role.

“Listen,” Tallpoppy says kindly. “It’s not your place-”

“That’s not fair!” Squirrelpaw declares. She points a claw at Stormbranch. “ He gets to go! He wasn’t chosen!”

“ He -” Feathertail cuts in harshly. “ He is a full grown warrior who can make his own decisions!”

“I- I can- I can make my own decisions!” Squirrelpaw splutters. “A-and besides, she’s an apprentice! Why can she go?!”

“W-well, she’s much older than you. You still look like a kit!” Feathertail argues.

Nightpaw bites her tongue. She had forgotten about that little lie she had told at the gathering. She just never had any reason to correct the lie, that she was a lot younger than she had claimed. If Nightpaw is right, she is actually only one moon older than Squirrelpaw. Not that anyone needs to know that.

Squirrelpaw grits her teeth. Brambleclaw steps forward. “Let’s just go back to camp, okay Squirrelpaw?”

Nightpaw glances towards the moon. It’s headed down to the horizon. On the other side of Fourtrees, the sky has started to just barely lighten.

“Nope!” Squirrelpaw declares. “You have to let me come with you! Or I’ll tell everyone!”

Everyone freezes. They all instinctually look at Tallpoppy. She must be used to this by now. She stays quiet.

“You can’t do that!” Feathertail snarls.

“Why not!” Squirrelpaw grins.

Everyone looks at Brambleclaw. He looks quite annoyed, and reluctant, but then sighs. “She will.” He mutters.

“Aha!” Squirrelpaw laughs. “So! When are we leaving! Where do we even start? Ooh! Do we get to follow a spirit, or the stars, or-”

“Okay!” Feathertail growls. “Fine, whatever.” She glares at Brambleclaw as if he’s done this on purpose. Stormbranch gives him an almost apologetic look.

“As I was saying,” Tallpoppy says. “The dreams confirm it. We’re right.”

“What about the leaders?” Stormbranch asks. “I mean, we have to tell them, right?”

“Yes.” Tallpoppy replies. “At least for me, we’ll have to find a temporary replacement.”

For the first time, Nightpaw actually thinks about having to say goodbye to Windclan. He’d have to say goodbye to Darkfoot and his mother, Robinwing and Tornear, Onewhisker of course, and his cousins. The kits will be sad to see him go. And try to go with me, no doubt! I might miss their apprenticeship ceremonies!

And Crowice… Her friend had been avoiding her, but then she was injured. Crowice was all over her, worrying, reminding her she had cats who cared about her. Cats she might have left behind. I know, she had thought, It wasn’t my choice! Crowice had been by her side for the next few days, even bringing her prey. He’s a good friend. I can’t imagine how he would react when I tell him I’m leaving. Would he try to come with us?

The others shuffle uncomfortably, thinking of their own kin and friends. Squirrelpaw doesn’t seem that bothered.

“Next gathering then?” Nightpaw offers.

“Sounds perfect!” Tallpoppy says.

The six cats all head off in their own direction, and Nightpaw returns to a slightly colder Windclan.

Chapter Text

Leafpaw sits in the dusky back of the healer’s den, idly rolling the poison Mothpaw had given her between her claws. She can’t help but think about it. It’s wrong, isn’t it? To even have this here?

She keeps going back and forth on her own morals. Cinderpelt doesn’t talk about it.

“Leafpaw?” Brightheart pokes her head through the draping lichen. She’s carrying fresh oak leaves, something rare to find in leaf-fall. “Cloudtail found these, and I knew I should bring them to you.”

“Thank you.” Leafpaw accepts them gracefully, and starts to put them away. “How is Whitekit?”

“Oh, she’s alright. The worst of the coughs are over by now. I suppose Cloudtail was right. Maybe I was exaggerating.” Brightheart concedes.

“A mother always knows.” Leafpaw says without thinking. “I-I mean, I don’t- Whitekit is fine, I just-”

Brightheart laughs. “I understand what you mean. My mother told me the same thing you know.”

The two are interrupted by a commotion coming from outside the den, and they leave to investigate. Most of camp seems to be empty, which isn’t unusual these days. Speckletail and Dappletail are arguing over some prey.

“What’s wrong with you, you old badger?” Dappletail says, although there’s no venom behind her words.

“I just don’t like it!” Speckletail insists. She pokes at the scrawny rabbit with one claw. “I mean, look at this thing! It barely looks like it could walk by itself!”

Leafpaw steps forward, only to take a look at the rabbit. Speckletail is right, it looks wrong . It’s extremely underfed for a rabbit, and there's definitely something wrong with its eyes. Although, to be fair, the rest of the fresh-kill pile doesn’t look any better. It’s mostly empty, for one, and the rest of the prey looks similarly thin and scrappy. Hunting has been hard recently, and it looks like their own prey has been having the same trouble in finding food. Firestar and Goldenflower had been ordering more hunting patrols than usual.

Dappletail ruffles her pelt. “I’ve seen far too many winters to be picky about prey! There ain’t nothing wrong with it.” She takes the rabbit and sits down to start to eat it. Speckletail flicks her tail in disapproval. She joins Leafpaw.

“Dear, do you know where Cinderpelt is?” She asks.

Leafpaw’s mentor had been spending more and more time out of camp recently. “No, I don’t, sorry.” Leafpaw sighs.

Speckletail hums, and looks worried.

Patrols start coming in later, when the sun has fully set, carrying little prey. Goldenflower steps forward to talk to them quietly, before she and the other senior warriors are pulled into Firestar's den for a meeting. Leafpaw decides it’s best to pop into the elder’s den for a quick check-in. Dappletail is shaking quietly in the corner.

“Dappletail?” Leafpaw prods. “Are you alright?”

Dappletail turns to face her. “Just fine, it’s just my stomach.”

Leafpaw gasps. Dappletail looks awful, her eyes are dark and sunken, white spit in the corners of her mouth. Her legs shake wildly.

“I-I really- really think I should take you to the healer’s den!” Leafpaw insists, trying to hide her panic. She was fine when the sun was up! Does this sickness really grow so fast? She remembers what Mothpaw had said only a day ago, for she’s sure this must be the same thing. ‘We tried everything, she never got better’ But no, she can’t. She has to at least try to help. Why didn’t I stop her? I should have known, done something! Oh, if only Cinderpelt was here. Where is my mentor?

“Nonsense. It’s nothing I can’t handle. You don’t have to worry about me, little mouse.” Dappletail grunts, then gasps in pain.

“Why are you doing this?” Leafpaw whimpers, pain gripping her heart. I know that we’re struggling right now, but she’s acting like she’s not important, but she’s important to me! ‘Little mouse’ was what Dappletail used to call her when she was a kit. The two were kin after all, with Dappletail being her mother Sandstorm’s grandmother. 

Dappletail must recognize the look in Leafpaw’s eyes, as she finally relents, standing and following Leafpaw out of the elder’s den. When they do, Leafpaw desperately looks around camp, hoping Cinderpelt would be here. She doesn’t see her. Instead, she locks eyes with Sorrelpaw, who understands and pops into the healer’s den to look for Cinderpelt. Sorrelpaw emerges a second later, shaking her head. Instead, she’s pulled out poppy seeds.

Many cats are eating, and they turn to look at Dappletail and Leafpaw. Speckletail stands from eating with Brackenfur, and bounds over.

“Are you sick?” She frets, sniffing Dappletail’s pelt.

“Yes, yes, you can say you’re right.” Dappletail groans.

“That doesn’t matter to me, you old coot.” Speckletail says. “Where is Cinderpelt?” She asks Leafpaw.

“I don’t know!” Leafpaw admits, feeling more helpless than ever.

“Go find your sister.” Speckletail tells Brackenfur, who complies, rushing out of camp.

Leafpaw coaxes Dappletail in taking the poppy seeds. She settles in the ferns by the healer’s den. Leafpaw rushes into the healer’s den, searching for the right herbs she needs. She keeps glancing at Mothpaw’s herbs, which burn into her mind like embers. Leafpaw ignores them, and pulls out a pawful of other herbs instead. When she emerges, Brightheart is by Dappletail, grooming her fur. Sandstorm, Speckletail and Firestar are sitting beside them, Firestar asking Speckletail what happened. Brackenfur and Cinderpelt have not returned.

Leafpaw is able to get a drowsy Dappletail to eat the herbs she’s provided. It doesn’t do much. Leafpaw feels herself shake. I’m not ready for this! As they all wait, and Firestar asks where Cinderpelt is, Leafpaw wishes she could just disappear.

Then Dappletail seizes, strong enough to shake her from the effects of the poppy seeds and other herbs. Leafpaw is frozen in shock. Firestar is barking orders, cats are panicking, and Leafpaw can’t do anything!

Cinderpelt doesn’t return in time to see Leafpaw’s first patient die.

Sandstorm wails at the sight of her dead grandmother. Speckletail buries her face in her dead friends fur. Cats mourn and cry and Leafpaw can’t do anything.

Cinderpelt doesn’t return in time for the vigil. Or when Leafpaw rubs Dappletail’s fur with lavender and sage, or when Leafpaw and Speckletail leave to bury her.

During the vigil, Leafpaw had thought that it was good thing that Dappletail had died from the seizure rather than having to experience any of the other horrid symptoms of the disease. Then she had harshly berated herself. What a horrible thing to think! How dare you be so cruel.

Leafpaw stares into the hole the warriors had dug. Never to see the sun again.

“Leafpaw.” Speckletail stares at her with a certain intensity. “I’ve told this to Spottedleaf, and to Cinderpelt, and I’ll tell this to you. Just to get it over with now. This is not your fault. ”

Leafpaw wants to protest, of course, but she knows Speckletail won’t take that.

When they bury her, Speckletail talks to Leafpaw. “I presume your father told you about… Bloodclan.” She says the name with a certain sort of disdain. Leafpaw nods.

“All they wanted was space in the forest to live. When Tigerstar refused to provide that, their leader named Scourge killed him. I remember thinking, how can such a small thing kill a great big warrior like Tigerstar? So many good cats died because of that fight for land. That’s really all it was, not some big battle about glory or religion or morals. Whitestorm, our deputy, Darkstripe, yes Darkstripe, cats of Shadowclan, Windclan, Riverclan, yes, them too. Every cat Tigerstar killed, Runningwind, Redtail, my son, deaths that meant nothing because this city cat took him out in one blow. Was it worth it?”

“Why are you telling me this?” Leafpaw asks.

Speckletail shuffles. “You need to know. We value battle and glory a little too strongly, I’ve learned. You have to fight for something that’s worth fighting for. Or good cats lives will be spent for no good reason. You may not fight, but you will see it too.”

Bloodclan…

“What happened to them?” Leafpaw wonders.

“To who, dear?”

“Bloodclan.”

“They disbanded.” Speckletail tells her. “They all fled after their leader was killed. Back to the city, I suppose.”

‘Out from peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake with run red’

Could this be what the omen is warning us of? Bloodclan’s… what? Return? Victory. We’ve all been so week due to the twolegs. It would be easy to take us all out.

When Squirrelkit had demanded the Bloodclan story, her favourite, Firestar always got a strange look on his face when talking about Scourge. Like he knew something they didn’t, that no one did. He stared at Squirrelpaw’s single white paw sometimes. Maybe I should talk to Princess. Leafpaw doubted Firestar would talk to her directly.

-

When Leafpaw finds Cinderpelt in the healer’s den, she shakes with a fury stronger than she has ever known.

I needed you. You should have been here. Maybe you could’ve saved Dappletail. But Leafpaw knows that’s not true. She hurts because of something else. I needed you. A cat died right in front of me, and there was nothing I could do about it. I needed your support. Where were you?

Leafpaw forces herself to cut down her anger. “Where were you?” It sounds like an accusation anyways.

Cinderpelt startles. She opens her mouth several times but doesn’t say anything.

“Whatever.” Leafpaw whispers. She doesn’t care anymore. It doesn’t matter. She leaves, slipping into the empty apprentice’s den. It’s hard to fall asleep that night.

Chapter Text

Barkface asks Nightpaw to come with him when he goes to visit Riverclan. She doesn’t question it. The healer doesn’t have an apprentice, and as the only one, it makes sense for Nightpaw to do it instead. Sending a full-grown warrior might be seen as a threat after all. While Barkface talks with Mudfur, he asks Nightpaw to pick up some herbs from the riverside that Riverclan has graciously offered them. Nightpaw is a bit surprised they let her go by herself, but warriors these days have far more important things to be worried about.

The riverside garden is small, tucked into a bend in the river. Nightpaw dips down to sniff at some of the plants, trying to make sure he grabs the right ones, when he hears cats approach from the other side of the river. Acting on instinct, Nightpaw dives into a large nearby bush.

Eventually she sees the cats. One she recognizes as the Riverclan healer apprentice, as well as, based off of the scent, another Riverclan apprentice. Or maybe a warrior, as they both look fully grown. The other cat is tall, mostly white with dark markings, and sharp blue eyes. The pair of them seem to be arguing about something. Nightpaw only feels a fleeting sense of shame at spying, curiosity getting the best of her.

“It doesn’t matter that you’re the healer apprentice. Don’t you see, you’re treated the same as me regardless! They don’t care about us either way!” The white cat insists, claws pulling up dirt.

The molly shakes her head. “That’s not true.” She doesn’t sound very convinced.

“Mothpaw.” The other cat says. “They only see what they want to see. Everyone knows our little secret. We’ll never be safe here, we’ll never belong here-”

“Stop…” Mothpaw says.

“Why don’t you stop trying to defend them! Tigerstar was only the start, they’ll never change! Leopardstar is proof of that. You know this. This is why this is so important Mothpaw! We could change that!” The other cat paces back and forth across the riverbank, hir tail sweeping up sand.

“Hawkpaw.” Mothpaw sighs. “Do you really think so poorly of them? All of them?”

Hawkpaw pauses, but before he can say anything, a voice calls for them.

“Hawkpaw? Mothpaw? Leopardstar is calling a meeting.” A ginger and white tabby pokes her head out. “You coming?”

“Yes Brightsky.” Mothpaw says. The two apprentices and Brightsky depart.

After a few moments, Nightpaw pulls himself out of the bush, shaking spare twigs and leaves out of his coat. He looks around, prepared to rush back to Barkface, who is surely looking for him by now, only to catch the eye of a new cat on the Thunderclan side of the border.

The small brown molly squeaks in surprise. It seems that both cats were unaware of each other. And that both of them were spying.

That’s Leafpaw, Nightpaw realizes. That’s Squirrelpaw’s sister, and Brambleclaw’s friend, right?

Nightpaw considers speaking to her, before Leafpaw darts back into the woods.

-

When Nightpaw enters Fourtrees, the first thing she does is look for Tallpoppy, Feathertail and Brambleclaw. When Windclan takes their places, she finds Feathertail, and of course Tallpoppy, silhouetted against the Great Rock. It makes her feel slightly better about what they are about to do, seeing them both look just as nervous as she feels.

Blackstar starts the Gathering. “Shadowclan is strong and well fed.” Lie, Nightpaw thinks sardonically, no clan is well fed right now. “With the recent rain, the marshes have overflown slightly, so you might see some overspill,” The other leaders nod appreciatively at the warning. “I am proud to announce that Boulder’s kits, Talonpaw and Smokepaw, have been made into apprentices!”

The gathered cats cheer for the new apprentices, as is polite. Blackstar announces their mentors, then steps back.

“Windclan’s prey is running a little faster, then usual.” Tallstar says. Some cats laugh, in a tense way. “We must unfortunately mention the loss of Runningbrook.”

Nightpaw bows his head. Runningbrook had been well loved, a molly who always spoke her mind, and was skilled at making apprentices and kits laugh. Barkface had said she died due to complications of having so little prey right now. Her old body couldn’t last this way, he had said.

Firestar speaks next. “We have lost a dear cat as well. We lost Dappletail, a few days before this meeting. That is all.”

Leopardstar looks slightly nervous. “First I must warn Thunderclan and Windclan against drinking from the stream when marking the border. It’s not…” She pauses. “It’s not pure. I would also like to announce a new warrior, Hawkfrost.”

It’s the same cat Nightpaw had seen with Mothpaw on the border the day before. Zie must have just gotten hir name.

Certain cats look ready to leave. Nightpaw looks at Feathertail, then Tallpoppy. We need to speak up now!

Tallpoppy clears her throat. The leaders look confused, except for maybe Blackstar.

“I know we’re all worried about the recent twoleg activity. But the Stars are watching and looking out for us.” She takes a deep breath. “They have a plan for us. I started receiving dreams. I know that’s usually a healer’s position, but they are consistent and clear. I’ve seen three cats, representatives from all four clans. And a place. A place Starclan will guide us to. It’s beautiful. A wide expanse of territory untouched entirely by twolegs. I ask that you let us find this place, as is the Stars wish.” Tallpoppy pauses. “I know how important this land is to you all. It’s special to me too, and always will be. However I fear we have no choice but to move. The Stars have never been clearer. And if you don’t believe me, I believe our healer’s have all received similar visions regarding these events.”

Nightpaw feels foolish for doubting that they would be believed. When Tallpoppy says it, it’s so easy to just believe .

Not everyone agrees however. Several cats start yowling, even more argue and disagree. Leopardstar looks particularly unhappy. The healers speak up.

“It’s true.” Runningnose croaks. This brings everyone else to silence. “It’s been so long since we’ve had a quest, eh? Our new home is beautiful and waiting for us. But we do not have much time. Ever day our clans grow weaker.”

“I’d like to hear this from someone who isn’t a Shadowclan cat.” Leopardstar growls.

“He’s telling the truth.” Mudfur says. “Remember, you asked us to look into the twoleg interference. Our homes are in danger. Starclan has provided a solution.”

“Who is it?” Tallstar asks. Nightpaw’s pelt burns. What will they think of an apprentice? She forces herself to join Tallpoppy. Stormbranch nudges Feathertail, and they join as well. Brambleclaw follows them.

“An apprentice?” Ivytail of Riverclan scoffs. Feathertail glares at her.

“I thought you said one cat from each clan.” Rowanberry of Shadowclan points out.

“Don’t forget about me!” Squirrelpaw yells, bouncing up to join them. Firestar groans, but doesn’t look surprised.

“Another apprentice?!” Thornclaw of Thunderclan cries.

“Maybe we should all send two cats!” Blackstar says with a roll of his eyes.

“Hey!” Firestar yells, bringing every cat to quiet. “Everyone just calm down. What’s going on here?”

“Sorry, but I’m going with her.” Stormbranch says. Feathertail mutters something. “As far as I’m aware, the Stars didn’t say other cats couldn’t come.”

Cats look between each other. No one can come up with an arguement to that.

“Squirrelpaw just became an apprentice.” Dustpelt says. “I’m not sure she should go.”

“I can go!” Squirrelpaw insists. Everyone ignores her.

“That would only make her a moon older than Nightpaw.” Onewhisker says coldly. It’s clear he’s not happy with him.

“What?” Feathertail says. “We thought you were much older!”

“I mean, it’s not like you asked…” Nightpaw admits.

“Starclan sent dreams to me, Brambleclaw, Feathertail and Nightpaw.” Tallpoppy clarifies. “We met-” She stops herself, but it’s too late.

“You’ve been meeting in secret?” Oakfur scoffs. “You’re supposed to be our deputy!”

The Gathering erupts into chaos. Shadowclan cats are yelling at their deputy. Both Dustpelt and Onewhisker are arguing against their apprentices leaving. Ivytail is very loud in her complaints. Several cats are panicking about the twolegs, and Blackstar is not making his disagreement over the extra cats subtle. It's so loud!

The group ends up physically set apart from the rest of the Gathering; the other cats have them surrounded, leaving Nightpaw feeling distinctly claustrophobic, and he starts to feel this was all a bad idea. He catches sight of clouds moving towards the moon. “The moon-” Starclan doesn’t want this! But no one is paying any attention to him.

In a split second, the Gathering goes black.

Some cat screams.

Nightpaw sees it before she hears it. The pitch darkness is suddenly split apart by a flash of white, jagged lightning, briefly illuminating the clearing. Then, thunder, louder than Nightpaw had ever heard it. It seemed to shake the ground, and her ears ring. With the sound of thunder came, a sharper sound, of wood splitting apart. Her eyes adjusted to the lack of moonlight, Nightpaw catches sight of a small tree blackened and smoking, before it falls right next to them.

Nightpaw jumps back, spare branches scraping at his fur. He hears a heavy rustling sound as the tree fully collapses. Tallpoppy brushes against him, and Nightpaw notices where exactly the tree had fallen.

The other cats gasp, half staring in shock, half whispering amongst themselves. The moon is still covered.

The tree had fallen directly between the other cats at the Gathering and their own group. Separating them perfectly from every other cat. 

Runningnose steps forward, the old tom’s eyes shining. “The Stars have spoken indeed.” He says. “They are to leave us soon…” As soon as he says this, the clouds move quickly away from the moon, returning moonlight to Fourtrees.

This seems to settle the other cats, who fall into an uncomfortable silence. No one speaks.

“So it will be.” Blackstar says solemnly. Nightpaw briefly wonders whether or not Tallpoppy had told her leader everything. Blackstar looks at the other three leaders. “I believe you will want to talk to your healers, and warriors… and apprentices.”

Shadowclan slips away quickly. Mudclaw and Onewhisker both stare at Nightpaw, and all her clanmates do the same on their way back to Windclan camp. Nightpaw is left dreading the conversation she’s about to have as soon as they return to camp.

Chapter Text

The walk back to Thunderclan camp is extremely quiet and very tense. Squirrelpaw, for her part, doesn’t seem particularly bothered. That only bothers Leafpaw more.

All this time, Leafpaw had believed the reason Squirrelpaw was sneaking around, lying to her, was to help her, to help their father! But both of Leafpaw’s best friends had been breaking the code, meeting with cats from other clans behind Firestar’s back! And for what? They- well, not Squirrelpaw, but of course she doesn’t care - They’re the chosen cats in her prophecy- 

Wait, her prophecy? When had Leafpaw started to think of it as her prophecy ?

Is she jealous ? Really?

Leafpaw shakes her head, bringing her focus back to the moment. She’s still a little mad at her sister, although it’s really only for lying to her. And throwing herself into a prophecy she isn’t meant for. Leafpaw hopes Firestar will be able to talk Squirrelpaw out of going. If not, she just hopes Brambleclaw can keep both of them safe.

No one says anything until they enter camp. Ferncloud pops out of the nursery.

“How was it?” She asks, grinning.

Firestar just shakes his head. “Later.” He says quietly. “Where is Sandstorm?”

Ferncloud nods her head in the direction of the warriors den. Firestar thanks her. “Goldenflower, Cinderpelt, Brambleclaw, Leafpaw, Squirrelpaw, meet us in my den, okay?”

Goldenflower, Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw all leave. Cinderpelt doesn’t move, eyes glued up, staring deeply into the stars.

“Cinderpelt?” Firestar says quietly, moving towards her. Leafpaw leaves, following the others into her father’s den. It’s not exactly a comfortable silence. Brambleclaw is easily intimidated by both his mother the deputy and his former mentor Sandstorm glaring down at him, understandably. Goldenflower and Sandstorm have been known to work quite well together, and Leafpaw can’t imagine going up against both of them.

Cinderpelt doesn’t end up showing up at all.

When everyone is gathered, Firestar speaks up. “I’m not mad.” He says. It’s not what Leafpaw was expecting to hear. “You were doing as Starclan commanded, as far as I understand it.” Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw don’t say anything.

“I would appreciate the whole story, if you would.” Firestar asks kindly.

Brambleclaw spills the whole story, and Leafpaw feels any remaining anger drain away. It must be quite scary, receiving direct images and instructions from Starclan, if her own experiences are anything to go by. What are you supposed to do, if The Stars wish to bring together cats from across borders? 

By asking Squirrelpaw to essentially stalk Brambleclaw, Leafpaw was the one to get her sister entangled in this prophecy. It was really her fault Squirrelpaw is even in this mess.

“So,” Firestar concludes, looking at Squirrelpaw. “ You are not actually part of this prophecy?”

“W- well, no,” Leafpaw does enjoy seeing her sister struggle here. “But, but, I’m already part of the group, you can’t stop me!”

Yes he can! Leafpaw thinks, grinning. You’re not going anywhere!

“I suppose I can’t.” Firestar says, smiling at his daughter.

“W-whuh, why- what?” Leafpaw says dumbly.

Firestar nods. “Who's to say you’re not supposed to be there? Prophecies have a way of pulling you in and dragging you along, like a tide. If we try to fight against it, it will find a way to work regardless. Would we be making things worse?” He lowers his voice slightly. “It might be dangerous, as it often is. I would much prefer to keep you close, and where I can see you, but it can’t stay that way forever.”

Leafpaw wants to scream.

“That's- no- what do you mean?” Leapaw asks desperately.

Firestar looks at Leafpaw. And then she understands. Oh. Of course.

“Fine, alright.” Leafpaw concedes.

“I'll have to talk to the other leaders soon, to see you all off, of course.” Firestar tells them. “I'll ask Cinderpelt…” He pauses. “Or Brightheart to prepare some things you'll need. Including travelling herbs.”

Leafpaw grimaces, and Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw share the same look. Every apprentice has had travelling herbs on their trip to the Moonstone, and Leafpaw has yet to find any cat that actually enjoyed them.

“The rest of you are dismissed.” Firestar nods. “Squirrelpaw, Leafpaw, I need to talk to you two for a moment.” Sandstorm, Goldenflower and Brambleclaw leave Firestar’s den.

As soon as they are gone, Leafpaw can't help but ask. “You want Squirrelpaw to go in order to watch Brambleclaw?”

Firestar pauses. “All of what I said was true. That is just… another reason.”

“He hasn't done anything!” Squirrelpaw protests.

“We don't know how these sort of things work out.” Firestar argues. “It's information beyond our understanding. I'm not going to do anything unless I have reason to.”

“Okay.” Squirrelpaw huffs. Firestar nods, and leaves the den.

Squirrelpaw shuffles uncomfortably. “Leafpaw…”

“You lied to me.” Leafpaw says. She doesn't know why. She's not even mad anymore.

“I'm sorry!” Squirrelpaw sounds genuine. “But I had to keep it a secret! It was a secret! I wanted to tell you, I mean, we had to tell everyone eventually. I would have, but- I'm sorry Leafpaw!”

“It's alright!” Leafpaw promises. “I get it. Really. I just… want you to be safe.”

“I know.” Squirrepaw says.

Leafpaw shuffles to be beside her Squirrelpaw. She rest her head on her sister’s shoulder.

“It’s been so crazy these last moons.” Squirrelpaw mutters. Leafpaw thinks of Cinderpelt, and prophecies, and Mothwing and sickness. And so many things that seem to be going wrong right now. It's hard not to feel hopeless.

“But I think things will work out. And you know I'll always be with you.” Squirrelpaw says, surprisingly softly.

“Not soon,” Leafpaw whispers. “Soon you'll be gone.”

“Well,” Squirrelpaw tilts her head. “Physically, yeah I guess. But that doesn't matter! We're sisters! The best sisters!”

Leafpaw laughs. “Yeah, yeah, alright.” Things feel a little easier, even if just for this quiet moment alone together.

-

Four days later, a Shadowclan patrol arrives. One cat, a white molly who introduces herself as Whitewater, along with who Leafpaw recognizes as Tawnypelt. The pair are escorted in by Willowpelt, Brackenfur and Sorrelpaw. Goldenflower and Brambleclaw immediately start chatting with Tawnypelt, while Whitewater requests to speak to Firestar.

“They waited at the border.” Willowpelt reports, speaking as quietly as she always does. “Sent from Blackstar with a message.”

“Thank you.” Firestar says.

Whitewater looks nervous addressing a clan leader directly. “Um, Blackstar sent us. About the… traveling cats. He's already talked to Tallstar, and has sent scouts to Riverclan. He requests that the leaders, healers and travelling cats meet the day after the healer's meeting. At Fourtrees, at sundown. T-to ‘See what The Stars have to say’.” It sounds like she’s quoting Blackstar's exact words.

Firestar nods and thanks her. Leafpaw turns to where Tawnypelt is talking with her family. She’s speaking to Brambleclaw and Goldenflower in low tones. Leafpaw is just able to catch something about “-traps are getting really bad. Blackstar isn’t-” before Whitewater cuts them off.

“Tawnypelt, it’s time to go.”

Tawnypelt gives her family an apologetic look before, bounding after Whitewater, who had already begun to leave.

-

Leafpaw shivers as a cold gale rushes across Highstones, prickling at her fur. Up this high, near the higher peaks of Highstones, it seems like she can see the entire expanse of clan territories. It seems so big, and Leafpaw can’t help but wonder how far her sister and friend will have to go.

Tomorrow they'll both be gone…

Her and Cinderpelt are here earlier than usual. Leafpaw is somewhat surprised Cinderpelt came at all. It’s not hard to notice her mentor’s weird behaviour, and it seems everyone, at least in Thunderclan, has figured it out at this point. Of course, nobody bothers to say anything about this.

The Shadowclan healers show up a few moments later, and then Barkface, and they’ve taken to chatting outside of Mouthmouth. Cinderpelt doesn’t say much. Runningnose glances at the moon warily. The Riverclan healers are officially late.

Almost as if a joke, Leafpaw catches sight of them moments later. Mudfur apologies to the others, and Mothpaw brushes up against Leafpaw, grinning. When the healers take the long, dark path down to the Moonstone, Leafpaw stays pressed against Mothpaw the entire time. It makes the trip feel a lot warmer.

Chapter Text

Nightpaw sits in the freezing light of the red star. A dream. ‘Where are we going?’ Nightpaw whispers, or maybe she doesn’t speak at all. The sound echoes around the dream. Just give me something, she thinks desperately. Anything… Her dream does not answer. She pushes back against the urge to follow, to move, in silent rebellion. The rocky- mossy- sandy- ground digs into his paw pads.

Nightpaw wakes with a start. It takes him a while to remember why he doesn’t recognize the place he wakes in. It’s not Windclan camp.

It’s not that unusual. Most cats prefer sleeping in the huddle in camp, as the flat expanse of the moor brings with it a cold harsh wind. But Windclan territory is vast, and often cats tire before reaching camp; many ‘rest spots’ are placed around the territory. Including the dip under a gorse bush that Nightpaw had been sleeping in.

As she pulls herself out, Nightpaw remembers why she’s even out here in the first place.

After returning to camp from the Gathering, Tallstar had immediately informed the entirety of Windclan about the prophecy and what was revealed last night. Nightpaw hadn't said a word. He just slipped out of camp as soon as he could. It wasn’t exactly running away, it was just avoidance! He just didn’t feel like sticking around to see everyone’s reactions to the fact that he’d been sneaking out behind their backs. Or worse, that he was somehow “special” for being chosen. He wasn’t! If any cat told him he shouldn’t be going on this quest, Nightpaw would happily agree with them! Can’t you send someone else? But he knew not going would be worse than whatever his clanmates would say.

You’re only dragging this out, Nightpaw thought. I should go back sooner than later. It might be best to get in as much training as I can before I leave.

She forces her paws back to camp, though not before catching a quick magpie; she was not keen on returning empty pawed. She could say she was out hunting. 

Nightpaw greets Tornear at the camp entrance with a nod. He drops the magpie on the pile. 

“Good catch!” Tornear grins. “Oh, right, I was supposed to let you know that Onewhisker was looking for you near the Seeing Rock! If you don’t have anything better to do, that is!”

Nightpaw can tell the tom is only joking, as he often is, but it still stings. She hopes her other clanmates don’t start acting like she’s better than she is. She doesn't see herself that way.

Unable to bring forth the words, Nightpaw nods in thanks before leaving.

-

Thankfully, Onewhisker doesn’t comment on anything from last night. Instead, he lets Nightpaw lose himself in battle moves and practice drills well into the day. Onewhisker seems almost impressed with how quickly Nightpaw burns through the lessons, acing each move, and the two get through a good amount of the itinerary in one day.

Onewhisker is not a… personal mentor. He’s always kept a short distance from Nightpaw. Nightpaw thought it was her at first, before her mother told her about Onewhisker’s first apprentice, Gorsepaw. Then it made a lot more sense. He wasn’t a bad mentor, even if he could be unsure and hesitant. But Nightpaw would never say the two were close.

They go over basic battle training for a while. Eventually, Onewhisker forces Nightpaw to stop, even when he protests. They sit under the shade of the Seeing Rock as the sun begins to touch the horizon line. To be fair, Nightpaw hadn’t even realized they’d been going for that long. It was just really nice to not think about anything for a while.

The two sit in silence for a while, before Onewhisker speaks.

“You- uh-,” He clears his throat. “Well, now I know why you’ve been so tired!” It’s aimed to be light-hearted but it doesn’t exactly land.

“I’m sorry-” Nightpaw starts.

“No,” Onewhisker says. “I understand.” His eyes trail off in the direction of Thunderclan. “I feel we could sometimes benefit from the borders being a little looser.”

Nightpaw blinks, surprised. Onewhisker looks at her. He laughs softly.

“I know, I know, but think of every conflict we’ve faced. Every story of war and battle and death. All, well, most of it comes from the borders. Driving ourselves away from each other. We’re all really the same.”

“But- we are different?” It’s the only thing Nightpaw can come up with. It’s not supposed to come out as a question. Onewhisker is starting to sound a lot like Nightpaw’s mother.

Onewhisker hesitates. “I- I suppose, yes. In a few ways. But not enough to not follow the same ancestors. Not enough to follow different codes.”

Not different enough to not meet up at night in secret.

“Is- is there,” Nightpaw pauses, unsure if he’s allowed to ask. “Is there a, a… reason why you’re telling me this?”

Onewhisker doesn’t seem to understand at first. Then-

“Oh! No! I- I mean, no. No, I don’t, not in that way. It’s just, why do you think the first code allows for cross-clan friendships?” He looks at Nightpaw.

Nightpaw thinks of Tallpoppy and Feathertail and then promptly pushes that thought down. It makes sense. She’s had similar thoughts before. Thoughts about the code she’d never mention to anyone. Not even Crowice, and especially not her mother.

“My mother,” Nightpaw says. “She told me Firestar of Thunderclan helped return Windclan after our exile.” Onewhisker nods. “She said you- were you two… friends?”

Onewhisker looks conflicted. Unsure. “I suppose. A long time ago, maybe. But regardless, what much can we do?” He stands, shaking himself. “But Nightpaw, with Starclan endorsing this quest, well, they might look away from any… relationships that might grow between the  six of you. And with the clans working so closely together soon, well…”

He looks away. With how flat the territory is here, you can see all the way to the trees of Thunderclan territory.

-

Nightpaw has not been looking forward to talking to Crowice. He’d already spoken to his mother, and well Ashfoot was not particularly happy , she had accepted Starclan’s design. Nightpaw hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to his friend until he spots the tom sitting out on the moor.

“Hey.” Nightpaw says softly, sitting beside him.

“Hey Nightpaw.” Crowice says, not looking at her. “When do you leave?”

Nightpaw remembers the messengers that arrived a few days ago. He’s pretty sure Crowice was there for that. “In a few days.”

“You could have told me.” Crowice says. “I would have supported you. You know that, don’t you?”

“Of course!”

“So why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t think I was allowed to.”

Crowice flicks his tail. “I understand. But you can come to me for anything.” Nightpaw remembers the many times the two had snuck away to hang out, or to cause trouble. One particular time, they had been out too long exploring, and Meadowslip and Ashfoot had caused quite a scene looking for their lost kits. The two kits had apologised, but neither were really that sorry. It wasn’t long before they were out exploring again.

“You’re going to miss a lot. And a lot of people will miss you. I’ll miss you.” And he smiles at her, which makes it all worth it.

Nightpaw presses against him. “I know. I’ll be thinking about you. And when we come back, we’ll leave this place together, and start somewhere new.” He looks around the moor. He’s going to miss the place he was born, the place he was raised.

Crowice looks at him. “What if I come with you.” It doesn’t sound like a question.

Nightpaw does think about it. She wants to say yes so badly. “It might be too late now.”

“I know.” Crowice says quietly, wrapping his tail around Nightpaw.

Chapter Text

The trip down the Mothermouth had gone by a lot quicker with Mothpaw by her side. Leafpaw felt a lot warmer. She doesn’t realize they’ve made it to the Moonstone until Mothpaw stops walking and presses her shoulder softly into Leafpaw’s side. Leafpaw opens her eyes sheepishly.

Cinderpelt is looking at her with a strange expression.

The moon crests its way over the hole at the top of the cave, and moonlight floods the area, striking the Moonstone. It glows with an almost supernatural light. Mudfur presses one paw gently against the Moonstone, before turning to face the other healers. Leafpaw feels Mothpaw perk up beside her.

“Our dear ancestors and the Stars above them,” Mudfur starts. “I call upon you to come down to witness the inauguration of one of our own. You have granted Mothpaw your blessing and the ability to connect with you, the holy. She has learned and understood your ways, and has shown great ability to heal her clanmates.” He looks at Mothpaw. “Mothpaw of Riverclan, do you vow to put healing above all else, to not let rivalries and borders get in the way of your sacred duty, to heal fairly and deliver the divine messages of the Stars, to be a bridge connecting the mortal to the immortal, with piety, for as long as you hold the position of healer, or until the end of your days?”

Mothpaw is unusually stiff beside Leafpaw. She hesitates, and Leafpaw sees something in her eyes. Conflict. “Yes. I do.” Mothpaw’s voice is clipped, stiff and emotionless, as if she’s reading from a script. No one else seems to notice.

Mudfur looks pleased. “Then, with the guidance of our ancestors, I grant you your full name. From now on, you shall be referred to as Mothwing. May the Stars guide your paws, always.”

Leafpaw feels a hush fall across the room. The air, for that moment, felt heavier, as if there was another presence. A spiritual presence. Leafpaw feels Mothpaw- Mothwing shiver beside her.

Mudfur doesn't blink. “The Spirits have accepted you. Now let us commune with them.”

The first day after starting her training, Cinderpelt took Leafpaw aside to talk. “The way that the stars communicate with us is unknown to every other member of the clan. Some believe we can talk directly one on one with our ancestors, but that is untrue. It's okay to be disappointed, Leafpaw. See, unless you are receiving your nine lives, communicating with the ones above are a lot more complicated. They share with us in images, flashes of colours and light, and often, symbolism. Given to any warrior, it would be misinterpreted, which is why our job is so unique and important. It's a learned skill, Leafpaw. You have to train it, it will not come right away. It is okay to not get anything the first time you try.”

Leafpaw’s first vision had been one of pain and destruction. I wonder if The Stars ever send visions of good things to come. We could really use one of those right now.

The healers approach the Moonstone, and Leafpaw closes her eyes.

-

The next day, Leafpaw and Cinderpelt join Firestar, Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw on their way to Fourtrees. They seem to be some of the last cats to arrive. Already there are Blackstar, Tallpoppy, Littlecloud, Tallstar, Barkface and Nightpaw.

Firestar chats amicably with the other leaders, as does the quest cats with their own group. Leafpaw ends up wandering to the edge of the clearing, where it meets Riverclan territory. On her way she overhears a snippet of talk between Littlecloud and Mudfur. “Runningnose couldn't make, he's both busy and old, as you know!” The two cats laugh. “Now, whe are you getting an apprentice?”

Leafpaw stops walking just as the sun is about to slip out of the sky completely. The other cats voices fade away. It's not long before she hears something new. Arguing.

“-I'm just saying, you need to give-”

“I don't need to do anything!”

“Feathertail…”

The arguement stops. Leafpaw looks up. Mothwing and Feathertail are standing right in front of her, staring at her.

Leafpaw flushes with embarrassment. “Oh! I- I'm sorry. I didn't- Where's the rest of your group?”

The two mollies both look irritated, but it doesn't seem to be directed towards Leafpaw. “They're already here.” Feathertail says dryly. She points with her muzzle behind Leafpaw, who turns to see Leopardstar and Mudfur walking towards the others. She must have missed them pass by her.

“Let's not keep them waiting then.” Mothwing says, moving past Leafpaw to join her mentor. Leafpaw and Feathertail follow her.

In the low light of the rising moon, Mothwing looks as beautiful as the stars. Her long fur ripples, and the gold of it seems to shine. Leafpaw has caught herself staring into those dark amber eyes more than once.

When every cat is gathered, the leaders talk.

“The job of a healer is to properly interpret signs and messages from The Stars.” Tallstar says, looking upward. “And I have faith that they have all done that well. It is time now to discuss the journey itself.”

“I see no reason to delay. I don't believe the twolegs are going to become any kinder.” Blackstar says wisely.

“I agree.” Firestar nods. “Tommorow then?”

“That is all well and good.” Leopardstar snarks with a roll of her eyes. “But where are they starting? They- we don't even know which direction they are supposed to be going!”

“We do.” Mudfur says softly. “Last night, we read a sign from the Stars.” He looks far away, as if seeing something the other cats could not. “I saw- no, I was- a large bird. I flew off from Fourtrees, and flew towards the Carrionplace. I turned and flew across Highstones, over the moor. Past the old barn, it disappeared.”

Leafpaw thinks she's had a few dreams like that before, but she opts not to say anything.

Firestar tilts his head. “The barn… well at least we know they will have welcome shelter.”

Leafpaw knows about her father’s old friend and his mate. She and Squirrelpaw had met the two as kits, almost as soon as Firestar deemed them able to make the journey; although Leafpaw remembers being carried for most of it. Later Squirrelpaw had asked why Ravenpaw and Barley didn't just come to Thunderclan and visit them, to which Firestar had told them that Ravenpaw couldn't return to Thunderclan camp, with all the bad memories it held for him.

“If I could say something,” Before the leaders can start arguing again, it's like the Windclan apprentice can tell what they are about to say. “I, um- we've, I mean I think we've all had dreams about following a red star.”

“Well that is good for the night,” Tallstar says, not unkindly. “As for during the day, trust that The Stars will guide your steps.”

There is silence for a few seconds. No one looks entirely sure about this.

The leaders and healers leave, as there is not much more to say. As if in some unspoken agreement, the travelling cats stay behind. For some reason, Leafpaw doesn’t join her mentor. 

“Last chance to back out.” Feathertail mutters.

“Seriously,” Tallpoppy says, looking at Squirrelpaw and Stormbranch. “This is a commitment. If you want to step aside, no cat here would look down on you.”

Leafpaw, tucked between Brambleclaw and her sister, secretly hopes Squirrelpaw will take the offer, though she knows that won’t happen.

“Nope!” Squirrelpaw says cheerfully. “You guys are stuck with me! And we’re going to be together for a long while, so you better get used to it!”

Several cats groan. Leafpaw thinks that she’d be lucky to get her sister back after the journey.

“Right!” Tallpoppy says cheerfully, though it sounds a little forced. “I’ll see you all tommorow then!” The molly turns to rejoin her clanmates. The other cats separate with little fanfare.

Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw chat while they return to camp, Leafpaw pressed comfortingly between them. She’s lost in her own head, trying to take in the potentially last moments with her sister and friend. This is at least the last time they are going to be together for a long, long time. 

She’s never been without them. She’s seen them every single day. And now there is no way to know when they would be back. How many dangers are out there? Things the clans have never seen, have never dealt with? She tried to force herself to think of the infinite dangers outside of the clans, but huge amounts of possibilities overwhelmed her. Leafpaw felt small, choked, a weight dragging down her heart…

“Leafpaw?” Brambleclaw shoves her gently, bringing everything back into clear focus. Too clear.

I can’t breath… Leafpaw fought desperately for air, but seemed to be pulling from nothing. She tries to recall any advice from Cinderpelt but her head is swirling with endless thoughts and worries. Distantly she hears Squirrelpaw squeak.

Then she hears a noise. Tap, tap, tap. A consistent, rhythmic sound. Leafpaw reaches for it like a lifeline. She holds onto it, takes a breath and- wait. Leafpaw follows the pattern, letting it ground her, draw her back into the moment. It takes an embarrassing amount of time for her to catch her breath.

“How did you think of that?” Squirrelpaw asks, voice still pitched from panic. They must have stopped walking to help her.

“Leafpaw, are you okay?” Brambleclaw frets.

“I think?”

“You think?” Squirrelpaw shrieks. Leafpaw can feel her sisters fear, fear for her own sake. Brambleclaw glares at her.

“I’m sorry.” Leafpaw says quietly.

“What is it?” Brambleclaw asks softly.

“I just- I’ll be worried about you two.” Leafpaw confesses, still catching her breath. “It’ll be the longest- it’ll be the f-first time we’ve really been apart. I don’t even know if you’ll come back!”

Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw send each other a glance, then both step forward and press themselves against her side.

“You’re both my family.” Leafpaw says. At that, Leafpaw thinks she sees Brambleclaw’s eyes water.

Chapter Text

“-who, as you know, was a full grown warrior when I was but a young apprentice -I was only a year and ten moons older than her son-  but at Tallstar’s deputyship ceremony, I don’t know what happened! After the ceremony I just blurted it out to her! It’s true! And I swear, your mother, may she sleep in stardust, in her best elder voice said, ‘All right young’in, if you can bring me some fresh moss for my old bones that is!’”

The entire group around Darkfoot burst into laughter. The story of how they became mates with Tallstar’s mother was quite infamous in Windclan, and often told. Ashfoot and Tornear were on either side of their parent, all three pressed against each other. Robinwing and Nightpaw sat across from them, enjoying the story over a fat rook. Tallstar was standing across camp, talking with Mudclaw and Barkface, but Nightpaw kept seeing the leader’s ears flick back, and he couldn’t seem to stop smiling. Meadowslip, Crowice’s mother, was watching the four kits.

Nightpaw knew her grandparent well enough to know that they were trying to cheer up their grandkit, or maybe just distract her. Nightpaw was grateful for it. It was nice to think of something else other than the fact she’s leaving today. And it's good to know her family will be okay without her. I’m doing this for them.

“You should talk to the kits before you go.” Robinwing whispers.

Nightpaw aches at the thought of having to explain to his cousins that he would be leaving, but he knows he would feel worse if he didn’t say goodbye.

The four kits perk up when she enters the nursery. Meadowslip smiles tiredly at Nightpaw.

“Nightpaw!” The four kits start chattering brightly. Weaselkit starts batting at her tail.

“Dad said you were going to leave for a while.” Gorsekit whimpers. “That’s not true, is it?”

Nightpaw’s heart breaks a little. “It is. I’m sorry.”

“But why?” Thistlekit whines. The kits look up at Nightpaw with wide, sad eyes. It’s hard to say no to them.

“You know how important Starclan is, right?” Nightpaw asks.

“Yeah.” Owlkit mutters.

“Well they told me I have to do this. And that means I have to leave for a while, but I’ll be back.”

“The Stars spoke to you directly?!” Thistlekit asks, sadness forgotten. “That’s so cool!”

“Do you promise?” Owlkit asks sadly, eyes watering.

“Yes.” Nightpaw says. “I promise.”

Eventually, Tallstar pops into the nursery to collect Nightpaw. “It’s time to go.” He says kindly. Ashfoot, Tornear, Darkfoot and Robinwing rush forward, pressing their pelts against Nightpaw’s side.

“I’ll be back soon.” Nightpaw promises. His family offers their goodbyes, several of them offering to walk to the border with Nightpaw, but Tallstar asks them to patrol instead, to take their minds off it. Nightpaw is glad of that, as he’s not sure he would be able to leave if he had to say goodbye to his family again.

Tallstar and Nightpaw leave camp together. It doesn’t take them long to find the others, as the meeting place is closest to Windclan camp. Crowice meets them right before they arrive.

“Crowice!?” Nightpaw is surprised he’s here. Although maybe not, as she hadn’t been able to see Crowice all day, as they were busy on different patrols. It looks like he’d run here.

“I just wanted to see you before you left!” He says, voice soft as sunlight. Nightpaw aches at having to leave her best friend behind. 

The two press their fur together. “Are you sure I can’t come?” Crowice jokes, and Nightpaw laughs wetly.

Crowice then notices Tallstar. “Sorry Tallstar.”

“That’s alright.” The leader says, looking somewhat amused.

“I’ll let you go, sorry.” Crowice says quietly.

“I’ll miss you!” Nightpaw promises as she leaves.

The other leaders and quest cats are already waiting. Nightpaw can see the barn in the distance. Feathertail and Stormbranch are quite far away from Leopardstar, with the only cat being further away from them being Brambleclaw. Firestar is talking quietly with his daughter. The pretty Thunderclan healer apprentice is here too. Tallpoppy is chatting with her leader.

Tallstar greets Firestar happily, and the two chat like old friends. Nightpaw speaks to Leafpaw. “I didn’t think you would be here.”

Leafpaw blushes and stutters, which makes Nightpaw smirk.

“Well,” Tallstar announces. “I think it’s time to hand these cats over to Starclan’s protection.”

Leafpaw quickly turns away from Nightpaw, to fret over Squirrelpaw. “You remember what I told you about burnet leaves? Oh, and foxglove-”

“I know, Leafpaw!” Squirrelpaw rolls her eyes. From behind her, Brambleclaw gives Leafpaw a little silent nod, as if to say ‘I’ll look out for her.’ Nightpaw thinks he understands how the three’s friendship works now.

“Good luck.” Leopardstar says gently. Feathertail doesn’t look at her.

“Russetfur will do great.” Tallpoppy says, and Nightpaw assumes that’s who Shadowclan’s temporary deputy is.

“I’m sure.” Blackstar says. “Go with The Stars blessing.”

Firestar and Leafpaw quickly press against Squirrelpaw one last time. “Goodbye.” Leafpaw whispers tearfully.

“Nope, it’s ‘see you later’.” Squirrelpaw says, equally as tearfully.

The four leaders and Leafpaw step away. Tallstar says something to Firestar, then the five cats each depart to their own territories.

Tallpoppy gathers the quest cats. “So! Are we ready to head into the unknown?”

Stormbranch and Feathertail glance at each other. No one looks exactly hopeful. Except for maybe Squirrelpaw.

“Right…” Tallpoppy’s smile falters, and for the first time she looks a little unsure of herself. “Let’s go then.”

The group moves silently across Windclan’s planes. Nightpaw falls to the back of the group, lost in her own thoughts. This whole quest feels so unsure, it’s putting Nightpaw on edge whenever she thinks about it, so she tries not to. Tallpoppy leads the group; it makes sense that the only deputy would naturally take on the leadership role. Feathertail and Stormbranch stick close together, though Stormbranch chats easily with Tallpoppy and Squirrelpaw.

The group moves quietly towards the barn. Nightpaw watches the sun move down towards the horizon light. I wonder if we’ll see the red star tonight. He had been watching the sky ever since the dream, but he was never able to see a red star.

The barn slowly grows bigger as they cross the far plains. Nightpaw glances across the North Thunderpath and can just see the quarry which contains the Mothermouth.

Then, the group stops. Nightpaw is confused, until she smells the strong scent of Windclan scent markers. The Windclan border… bordering unknown lands, lands which do not belong to any clan.

“This is it.” Brambleclaw mutters. “The edge of clan territory.”

“I’ve never been this far out.” Stormbranch admits with a slightly awkward laugh.

No one moves.

“Well, someone’s got to be first, I suppose.” Tallpoppy says with forced cheer, but not enough to hide the first bit of unsureness that Nightpaw had ever seen from her.

With Tallpoppy stepping out first, everyone crosses the Windclan scent line. Except for Nightpaw.

This is it, Nightpaw thinks. Past this, there are no guarantees. No safety. No plan.

Nightpaw steps over the border and into the wild.

Chapter Text

Firestar purrs deeply, pressing his back against Sandstorm’s thick fur as she ran her tongue through his pelt. The two shared tongues in the dappled sunlight that shone through the lichen covering the den’s entrance. They had both been resting through the morning. Firestar has a patrol in the evening, but for now, he was happy to rest the morning away with his mate.

It’s been a few moons since Squirrelpaw, Brambleclaw and the other quest cats had left. The twoleg destruction had quickly gotten worse. One day, a patrol came back with the news that a large chunk of trees had been cut down at the edge of Thunderclan territory. Now, seeing large monster tracks in the middle of the woods was a somewhat common occurrence. Worse, the noise the monsters were creating had scared most prey into hiding. The prey pile looked smaller than Firestar was used to.

“I hope Squirrelpaw is alright.” Firestar says.

Sandstorm leans back and hums. “It’s impossible to say, but I won’t say it’s wrong to worry. You can believe she’s okay, or you could believe she’s in danger every second and get nothing done all day.”

Firestar is a bit taken aback, but knows it’s just Sandstorm’s blunt and logical personality.

“It’s alight to be worried.” Sandstorm continued. “She’s our daughter.”

“You’re right.” Firestar says truthfully.Sandstorm is right and he knows it, but he can’t help but think that it’s a little harder for Leafpaw. She’s so young, and has never gone a day without her sister. And… he’ll have to have a talk with Cinderpelt soon. Firestar can tell something’s wrong, but he’s been so busy trying to make sure the clan eats, he hasn’t had time to talk about it. It doesn’t help that Cinderpelt is pulling away from every cat. When Firestar had visited the nursery, Brightheart had told him Cinderpelt hadn’t even been talking that much to her.

Spiderpaw pokes his head into the den. “Sorry Firestar, Sandstorm.” He says. “Ma- Ferncloud told me to get you for- for your patrol.” The young tom seems uncomfortable talking directly to his leader.

“Right.” Firestar says, standing. Has the day really gone by so quick? He leaves the den, joining Dustpelt, Ferncloud and Longtail by the camp’s exit.

“Ready to go?” Firestar asks. The others nod and they set out.

The patrol heads for the corner between the Shadowclan border and the edge of clan territory. They're almost to the border when they stop.

The ground shakes. A heavy roar grows close. Several small ground prey run right towards them, several slipping under and past them. Only Ferncloud is quick enough to catch one mouse that ran between her feet.

Several harsh cracks ring through the woods, followed by dry thumps. Getting closer.

With a mighty guttural roar, the huge yellow monster crashes through the trees.

Like a twig suddenly snapping, the patrol splits apart at once. Firestar loses track of them in the chaos. Pieces of tree are falling from the sky, the monster roars, the earth is torn apart and it's all so much.

“Firestar!” Longtail cries, and on instinct Firestar dives in a direction he thinks is away from the monster. As he scrambles forward, a tree falls right in front of him.

Firestar's side burns. A branch mist have scraped him. He leaps over the fallen tree and turns.

The monster slows, but doesn't stop. It's different from other monsters, but the same type they have seen in the forest several times. Monsters used to take down trees in single swipe. A jaw of large rock-like teeth hang in from of the monster giving the illusion of a huge predator animal.

Longtail rushes forward, grabbing Firestar by the scruff and pulling him backwards roughly, towards more cover.

“Firestar!” They yowl urgently, fear showing in their light blue eyes. “What do we do?”

They are looking to me for leadership, for answers. What do I do?

He has to protect his cats, but against this? How is he supposed to fight back?

The fight is not what's important, a voice that sounds a lot like Bluestar rings in his head. The most important thing is ensuring your cats are safe.

Longtail’s fur brushes against his.

My cats… Dustpelt and Ferncloud! In the moment he had lost track of them.

Firestar leaves the shelter as Longtail protests. He looks around wildly for his clanmates. The monster has moved. It's turned away from the direction of Thunderclan camp. In front of it, just barely, Firestar can spot Ferncloud and Dustpelt dancing out of its way. But not running away.

Are they trying to guide it away from camp? Firestar wonders. They came up with a plan so fast under pressure. His heart shines with respect and admiration for his clanmates.

But their game was getting dangerous.

The monster rushes forward. Firestar races towards them. Ferncloud shrieks. Dustpelt dives to safety before realizing his mate isn't with him. Ferncloud tries to run but isn't fast enough. The monster's lower teeth jab her in the side, and she pulls back away from it. The blood is slowing her down.

The thing is, Firestar doesn't need to think about it. All fear fades away and he doesn't even hesitate. His heart pulls him forward. Firestar rams his body into Ferncloud, who cries out in pain. Sorry, Firestar thinks briefly, but it's just enough to push her completely out of the way of the monster.

Firestar looks up, at the hard teeth and the growl of the monster, and allows himself one moment of kitten fear before the monster takes him.

-

Firestar had lost a life before, so he knows this feeling. The pain of death isn’t dulled, but after, it feels like life rushing back into his body. He doesn’t see Starclan this time, and isn’t sure whether he wishes he had. At first he feels weightless, empty. Then, life crashes into him, filling every part of him with energy. He shoots up, looking around in slight fear.

The monster is gone. Ferncloud is huddled by Dustpelt, still shaking. It’s not been that long… 

“Firestar!” Longtail looks over him quickly. “Are you alright.”

Firestar looks up.

Around them the forest is in tatters. It looks like the strongest wild storm Firestar had never seen had blown through. A huge number of trees were lying across the ground, and the forest floor was covered with shards of wood and fallen branches. The entire underbrush seemed to just be gone. Looking behind him, a good amount of the forest leading back to camp was luckily still standing.

Firestar looks at the carnage and sighs, aching. “I’m not really sure I am.”

The forest is falling.