Chapt 38

Jayfeather was still thinking about the medicine den. He knew something was there. Something that was full of importance. Something that could help them win this war. He paced back and forth, muttering to himself. He wished he could see, something that Starclan was trying to show him or something that he knew in his mind somewhere. He could feel it kneeding at his paws and yearning for him to figure it out.
"Jayfeather, Hollyleaf is calling a meeting," Willowshine whispered. When Hollyleaf held a meeting, everyone had to be silent and looking at her, or someone would die.
"Hello clan cats. As you can see, I haven't killed anyone yet. But prey is hard to come by in Leafbare as you all know, and my warriors need to stay strong. They will eat most of the fresh-kill, but you can have what ever is left. Right now we have a mouse and a sparrow. Enjoy." Gasps of horror erupted from the clan cats as the cruel captive padded away.
"We can't live on this!" A voice whispered.
"We'll all die before New Leaf!" Someone else shrieked. Jayfeather knew that he had to remember what was on his mind. He thought harder as Bramblestar let out a commanding yowl.
"We must give the prey to the queens, kits, and elders. Share evenly. Anything left over will be shared to the apprentices and warriors. Jayfeather and Willowshine, is there anything you can do for us?"
"I can make strengthening herbs," Willowshine mewed.
"Good, both of you make enough herbs for the queens, kits and elders. Once again, all left overs will be given to the apprentices and warriors." Jayfeather nodded and began to make the herbs. Thankfully, they had restocked their supplies before this happened. They had enough herbs for everyone, and more. He distributated the herbs and began to think again. He sensed something in the back of the den, where he kept herbs. The pushed his way through the medicine den, which was full of cats. It was very dirty and he didn't go one step without having his paws stepped on. Finally he was in the back of the den. Wind blew from the back, which was odd because the sheer stone walls were there. Jayfeather sniffed at the fresh air, he hadn't been outside the den in a few days. Wondering where this wind was coming from, he squeezed between two rocks and slowly climbed up the wall. It was laden with rocks like steps, but the high wall of the medicine den blocked the view to the clearing. He could climb up, but no one would see him! Jayfeather almost yowled in victory, finally figuring out his thoughts. He ran back down the wall, back into the cramped den.
"Dovepelt, come here, now," Jayfeather hissed to the she-cat. Soon she was at his side.
"What is it?" She whispered.
"I found a way out of the medicine den, where no one can see you leave," He murmured back.
"Are you crazy? If anyone leaves many will die!" Her voice grew high with fear.
"No, you mousebrain! I need you to check it out for me, I can't see and you can hear better than anyone." He spat.
"Fine, show me where it is," Jayfeather went to the space between the rocks and showed her the gap.
"You're right, the rock goes straight up and there's no opening for anyone to see us. I'll have to see where the exit is, hold on." Jayfeather heard her scrabble up the rocks. Then it was silent. He sat and waited for her, hoping nothing bad had happened. Soon he heard the same scrabbling on the rocks and sat up.
"Jayfeather, it was amazing! It leads out of a tunnel in the middle of the forest! I couldn't even scent Dark Forest cats there, they must stay closer to the camp, it was wonderful." She purred. Jayfeather knew what this meant for the clans, freedom, food, and a battle strategy. He whisked around and quickly found the leaders, huddling in a corner, talking.
"...so we could attack here an-" Onestar was interrupted by Jayfeather.
"Dovepelt and I have found something important, something that may save the clans." He chattered quietly, careful to not let any unwanted ears hear.
"What did you find Jayfeather?" Mistystar mewed excitedly.
"Come with me, I'll show you," He trotted away again to show them the tunnel. Explaining it carefully and allowing the leaders to look at it themselves the cats all came to an agreement.
"We should use this for hunting. It's too risky to escape from it, it could collapse or we could be separated." Rowanstar mewed. Jayfeather nodded. The thought of more fresh kill for the clans and tribe would be great.
"We'll start it tonight. Dovepelt, you will be on the first patrol, since you have the best hearing." Bramblestar mewed.
"Shadowclan should go too, they are the best at night hunting," Rowanstar put in.
"And the Tribe, we are very sneaky. We dodge hawks and eagles all day," Stoneteller added.
"Okay then. Dovepelt pick a shadowclan cat and a tribe cat to leave at midnight. Stay close to the tunnel and be quick. Don't take more than one trip," Bramblestar added, " Be safe." The cats were dismissed. Jayfeather was satitisfied for the moment. He hadn't eaten since yesterday, but the herbs were working and he was growing tired. Yawning he found a place to sleep and curled himself into a ball.

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Jayfeatherpeirced his eyes. He must be dreaming. He was walking in a forest, but no forest he'd ever been to. His golden tabby fur shone in the sunlight. The large group of cats behind him were growing slower and slower with every pawstep. Looking around, Jayfeather could sense this wasn't himself. Strength flowed from every inch of his body, his broad shoulders brimmed with pride and confidence. Lionblaze! He must be in Lionblaze's thoughts, or at least his memories. Lionblaze was fine and with a big group of cats, possibly Skyclan! Jayfeather groaned inwardly at the thought of more cats in the den, but remembered that his brother was going to be killed first, He had to warn Lionblaze some how. Forcing himself to stop, he looked around for a bush. Finally he spotted the correct one and ran towards it. Red berries glistened in the daylight, dark green leaves that were pointed and sharp hung on the branches. Jayfeather carefully picked a few of the berries and plucked a few of his hairs. Dropping the hairs on the ground carefully, he squeezed the berries until the red juices covered them in a puddle. Plucking more hairs, he did the same thing. Finally, Jayfeather woke in the real world, surrounded by darkness. Jayfeather hoped his message was clear, that Hollyleaf would destroy him.
"Jayfeather, I need you to keep watch." Bramblestar hissed.
"Watch? I can't see Bramblestar, in case you've forgotten." Jayfeather mewed dryly.
"I mean you need to listen. You have the best hearing, apart of Dovepelt. Keep watch for Hollyleaf and her gang." Jayfeather nodded. A cold wind pushed his fur against him as he padded to the entrance of the den. He knew that two guards would keep watch of them, so he tried not to atract any attention to himself.
"Jayfeather, what are you doing?" A voice taunted from the entrance.
"I haven't been outside in days, I'm just trying to get a little fresh air," Jayfeather hissed back. The voice belonged to his former clanmate, Ivyshade.
"Get back with your clanmates, and if I see you again, I'll make you crowfood." Ivyshade retorted. Jayfeather hissed and meandered his way behind a few cats. Here he could clearly hear any approaching cat, but he was not in the open.
 Around him were emotions, but not all his own. Fear, worry, and a strange twinge of secrecy surmounted from the cramped cats. His belly grumbled, he had not had a share of the dwindling food supply. Hopefully if the plan worked, they would be fed by their own accord. No cat approached except for a change in guards.
"Jayfeather, come here," Onestar's quiet voice mewed. Jayfeather followed his voice to scent fresh kill. The patrols had come back with food!
"Here eat this vole, we can't eat too much or Hollyleaf will know somethings up," He murmured. Jayfeather quickly ate the small vole in famished gulps. It was thin and stringy, but anything would do in Leafbare.
"What should we do now?" Jayfeather whispered.
"I don't know, we're calling a meeting again now, come on." Onestar mewed. Jayfeather pushed past cats and made his way to the back of the medicine den, where they had all important meetings.
"Our plan was successful. We have fresh kill, but there's one question I would like to ask. When is this war going to end?" Mistystar mewed, not as if she was giving up, but more out of utter confusion.
"What do you mean? It will end when we kill Hollyleaf," Rowanstar answered.
"But then she'll just go straight back to the Dark Forest, and it will start all over again. If Starclan cats and Dark Forest cats can just keep battling then this war will never stop. We may as well give in," Mistystar whispered sadly.
"No, there must be a way to win. Some how we will succeed, however long it takes. One season or five hundred seasons. We will win this war," Bramblestar words were confident, but Jayfeather sensed that on the inside, the broad shouldered leader was as scared as a mewling kit. Jayfeather knew this question would soon  pop into the minds of the other cats. He would figure this out somehow, search his dreams, his thoughts, Starclan, the Dark Forest, anywhere. The answer was somewhere out there, waiting to be discovered, Jayfeather could feel it like the wind his fur. Suddenly, he knew one cat would know the answer. Rock.

Chapt 37

Lionblaze walked slowly, to make sure all cats kept up. They followed the river slowly.
"Can we stop? My paws hurt," A kit wailed. Lionblaze had heard complaints all day and decided they should stop for a short break.
"Come on we should let them rest," Lionblaze nudged Leafstar. She nodded, directing her clan towards a small group of trees. The clan settled down. Lionblaze wasn't tired so he decided to go hunting with Sharpclaw and Sparrowpelt. His paws felt cool on the soft forest leaves and mud. Crouching low, he began to creep forward. He could hear the pulsating of the prey's heart, the paw steps on the soft ground, the flicker of it's wings. Pheasant! He had never caught a pheasant, but Cloudtail had once caught one. They were big birds, with a long feathery tail. If he missed this, he'd never forgive himself. Padding slowly forward, he was about three tail lengths away from the fern it hid behind. Careful not to step on a twig or crunchy leaves he was still until her could see the bird's tail. Flicking his whiskers in excitement. He got down low on his haunches and leaped through the air landing on the fern. The pheasant ran, but Lionblaze was faster. He tripped the bird's legs, which sent it tumbling onto the ground. He killed the large bird after breaking its neck. Satisfied, he took his pheasant and buried it. He didn't catch anything else, but the big Bird would feed all the warriors. Carrying it back to the clan, he was greeted warmly by Skyclan. Bringing it over to the make-do fresh kill pile.
"What is that? I've never seen one of those before." Sagewhisker mewed.
"Pheasant, they're not common, but not too hard to catch if you know what to do," He purred. The other warriors were either sleeping, or sharing tongues. Slowly the cats got up and began to eat the pheasant ravenously. This would be the last chance to catch prey before the first snowfall arrived. Looking up to the sky, dark gray clouds warned him that the snowfall would come very soon.
When Lionblaze ate what his full, he looked around fir Leafstar. She was talking to Sharpclaw in a hushed tone. Trotting over, the pair looked up with the same grim look.
"It's going to snow tonight," Sharpclaw mewed.
"Yes, that's what I thought as well," Lionblaze mewed flatly.
"We should keep moving then, we don't want to get stuck in this storm," Leafstar mewed. The two toms nodded and Leafstar stood up.
"Cats of Skyclan, and cats of the lake. We will keep moving. There is a storm brewing, and we can not afford to lose any more time," Leafstar addressed her clan. Slowly the clan stood up in a group.
"Are all cats back from hunting?" When no cat spoke, she nodded. Turning around, she began walking with the clan following her. Following the river once more, Lionblaze took the lead. Remembering how the river bent and came back, he took them away from the river, hoping it would bend back again soon. The pace was slow, and Lionblaze wished he could just run ahead through the trees, like a carefree apprentice before any prophecies. But he knew he could never do that again, at least not until the Dark Forest was vanquished from all clan life. He worried about Cinderheart and his two kits. He hoped Mountainpaw wasn't too upset about being made an apprentice so early, and Leopardkit was angry at her brother. Sighing, he wished he could walk in the dreams of other like Jayfeather. He was so lost in thought, he had stopped walking all together. Cats bumped into him and hissed.
"What are you doing? Keep moving!" Thistlefur spat. Shaking his head, Lionblaze took the lead again and slowly the river bent back to the clan. It was dark, but Skyclan kept moving. Then a white tuft floated down from the sky and landed on Lionblaze's nose, making him sneeze. Snow. Turning the Leafstar, she had the same expression of urgency in her eyes. They need to find shelter, fast. They snow was coming down thicker and thicker, but they were no where near and trees or even a small group of reeds. They were in grassland, with no sign of shelter in sight.
"We must put all kits, queens, and elders in the middle. It will be warmer there," Sharpclaw whispered.
"Sharpclaw, send out some cats to look for shelter. If they can't find any, tell them to come back," Leafstar instructed the pale ginger tom. Nodding, Sharpclaw turned away to explain what they were doing to Skyclan.
"What about me?" Lionblaze murmured.
"I want you to help warm the kits, queens, and elders. Stand around them with a few other warriors, especially ones with think fur like you. Gather some moss if you can find any. But we mustn't lose any cat to the cold tonight." Lionblaze nodded and began to gather some long haired cats like Sagewhisker and Patchpelt. All the cats nodded and curled their tails of the cats. Crowheart was shivering while Leopardspot was lying ominously still. He began to wrap his tail around her, but Thistlefur stopped him.
"No, she's already succomb to the cold." His eyes were glazed with grief.
"Starclan will honor her," Lionblaze murmured. He remembered the blue-gray she-cat with black spots had been excited to meet his daughter, Leopardkit.
"So will her clanmates," Crowheart chattered. Word passed that Leopardspot had passed and before long Leafstar was standing outside the big circle of cats.
"Leopardspot, elder of Skyclan has passed. She was never a warrior, but her wisdom has helped Skyclan in more ways than one. Her generous spirit and kind soul will be welcomed in Starclan." Leafstar's words were full of grief and wisdom. The clan murmured their agreement. Lionblaze would sit vigil for her tonight. Licking her ear gently, he resumed his position around the elders.
"She was a good cat, I remember when she was a loner and had her first kits. They should know she has died." Crowheart mewed.
"How are we going to do that? Travel back to camp and freeze as well?" Thistlefur's barbed words were shallow with grief for his fallen friend.
"No, but when we do get back to camp, after this war. I'll find Birch and Dandelion, and tell them, they deserve to know after all." Crowheart explained confidently. Thistleclaw snorted and circled his nest before pulling his tail over his nose. Crowheart did the same next to her friend. When Crowfeather was asleep, Thistlefur opened one eye and slipped his tail of Crowheart's paws.
"I can't lose her too," He murmured, looking up at Lionblaze. Lionblaze was touched by Thistlefur's compassion. The spiky furred elder was normally very rude and sharp tongued. Lionblaze sat closer to the elders, eventually laying down next to them. Wrapping his own tail around the thin elders, he began to look around the scene. The kits and queens were all snuggled together. A few kits were even under their mother, between the ground and her belly fur, they were very warm. Some of the apprentices were snuggled next to queens. The warriors were all on the outside of the circle, occasionally switching from between the middle of the warriors to the outside. Lionblaze began to close his eyes, but forced them awake for Leopardspot's sake. Thistlefur was now asleep, snoring away.
Finally daylight broke over the horizon. Lionblaze felt as if his paws were frozen to his chest. More cats were waking, but some cats were still sleeping. The ground was covered belly deep in snow. Sniffing the elders, they were both alive. Leopardspot was covered in snow. Carefully wiping the white powder off with his tail, he prodded the two elders. Silently, all three cats picked up Leopardspot's body and carried her towards a place to be buried. They began to dig out a hole, when Thistlefur burst out angrily.
"Why couldn't it of been me, I have no friends no family. No one would have missed me! Leopardspot had kits, friends, and was looking forward to getting to the lake! I should have died, not her," Thistlefur hissed.
"Shut up Thistlefur! Can't you see your my friend now. I would miss you and so would Leopardspot!" Lionblaze knew this was Crowheart's way of caring for her friend. Thistlefur opened his mouth to object, but quickly thought better of it. Quietly they buried their friend.
When the three cats returned to the clan, everyone was awake and moving about.
"How is everyone?" Lionblaze padded up to Heathertail.
"Fine, everyone is okay. We need to start moving though, we should arrive at the lake today or at the most tomorrow. We just need to start moving." Heathertail mewed, looking around the group of cats. Suddenly, Sharpclaw, Sagewhisker, and Tinyfoot hissed and screeched on the other side of the cats. There was a group of six or seven cats, rogues by the look of themselves. They were cowering in front of the big group of cats, but they could not ruin now. Skyclan had surrounded them and Sharpclaw was about to attack when Leafstar bounded in front of him.
"What are you doing here?" She hissed.
"W-we thought you could help us," A frail tawny colored she-cat whimpered.
"Who are you?" Sharpclaw mewed loudly.
"I am Tinder. This is my mate, Sarah." A skinny tom answered, beckoning towards the tawny she-cat, " This is my group." The other cats stepped forward.
"I am Ghost." A white tom with amber eyes stepped forward.
"My name is Sasha," A creamy she-cat mewed firmly.
"This is Cristy and I am Raccoon." A gray and black striped tom pointed to a bracken colored she-cat. There was one cat left. He was squirming slightly. His coat was jet black and his eyes reminded Lionblaze of clear pools of water.
"I am Twilight," He murmured. Lionblaze knew there was something special about this young tom.
"We have lost many cats to a force known as the Place of No Stars. We are dying, and hoped that you will help us." Tinder gazed around the group of cats.
"We too are battling the Place of No Stars. I will have to discuss this with my deputy. Come, Sharpclaw." The two cats bounded away. No cat moved in the clearing, except the she-cat Sasha.
"Deputy? Does that mean you are a clan?" Her eyes glowed.
"Yes we are Skyclan," A kit hollered. The kit was quickly hushed by its mother.
"Skyclan! Then do you know about Riverclan, where it Riverclan?" Sasha's tail quivered.
"I know where Riverclan is. I am Lionblaze of Thunderclan, why do you ask of Riverclan?"
"My son and daughter joined Riverclan in the old forest. When the clans left for a new home, I didn't go with them. Now I am searching for them." She began to peer around the cats, as if looking for them now.
"What are their names?" Heathertail pushed through to stand beside Lionblaze.
"Hawkfrost and Mothwing. Have you seen them?" Sasha mewed. Lionblaze's jaw dropped. This was the terrible Hawkfrost's, mother? A lost she-cat, who looked like she had been a kittypet at one time! Her delicate features and soft creamy fur was tinges with scars and wounds of past battles.
"Come with me, there is a lot to talk about," Lionblaze mewed quietly for only Sasha to hear. She hesitated then nodded, following Lionblaze under a bush.
"What is it, what happened to my kits?" Her voice squeaked.
"They're.. they're both dead." Lionblaze choked out. Sasha's eyes widend and she began to sob.
"How did this happen?" The creamy she-cat whispered, searching Lionblaze's eyes.
"Bramblestar killed Hawkfrost when he found out Hawkfrost was trying to kill Firestar. Hawkfrost lives in the Dark Forest now with Tigerstar," Sasha winced at the sound of Tigerstar's name.
"And Mothwing?"
"I'm not sure. I know she was killed in the battle of the Dark Forest, but I don't know by whom. I could try and find out when we get to the lake," He mewed hopefully.
"No, no. That's all right. I just needed to know how they were." Her voice was hallow with shock. Lionblaze dipped his head and crawled out from under the bush. Sasha didn't follow, Lionblaze knew she took this very hard. When he got back to Skyclan, not much had changed. The group of loners were now sitting in the middle, all the clan cats were visibly seperating theselves from them. Leafstar and Sharpclaw padded back into the middle.
"We have decided you can come with us, If you are fighting the Dark Forest too, then we will need more cats on our side." When no cat objected, Leafstar explained their plan and they set off again.

Chapt 36

I just want to say this is a much longer story then I thought it would be, it will probably go to chapt 50, then start the next book, if there is one.

Dovepelt stared at Hollyleaf, exiting the medicine den. All her supporters had left, except for two, who were guarding the den entrance. The cats in the den began to talk, she could hear their whispers.
"Hollyleaf is...."
"Should have known...."
"Why did she go to the Dark Forest?" That question made her shiver. She never knew of anything wrong that Hollyleaf did, except reveal her mother's secret. Surely Starclan wouldn't be angry about that. She went to find Jayfeather. If someone would no something he would. She found him explaining the rules Hollyleaf mentioned to the leaders.
"Jayfeather, why did Hollyleaf go to the Dark Forest?" She hissed loud enough for every cat to hear. All the cats turned to the tabby medicine cat.
"Hollyleaf killed Ashfur. He was going to reveal our secret, and Hollyleaf couldn't stand it," He explained, his eyes filled with grief.
"But she revealed the secret!" A cat jeered.
"I know, I've never been able to understand that either. But we can't think of that now, we have to find a way to escape, all of us." Jayfeather whispered so the guards couldn't hear them.
"Your a chosen cat, you should know!" Another chimed in. All the cats began to repeat this and shot accusing stares at Dovepelt and Jayfeather.
"No, we will work together. The warrior code will show us the way," Onestar stepped forward.
Bramblestar spoke quickly to the leaders," Ashfoot, Cinderheart, Reedwhisker, Oakfur, Crag, and the medicine cats will speak to us about this. Dovepelt, you too." Dovepelt didn't want to leave her kits, but Squirrelflight nodded, with Dovepelt's kits next to her. She nodded back and followed to the way back of the den.
"What should we do, there's no way we could escape all that once without Hollyleaf noticing." Ashfoot whispered.
"We could ambush the guards at night, with cats that look like them, from a distance it will look the same." Cinderheart suggested. The other cats nodded.
"Yes, we'll use that," Mistystar mewed.
"But then what? We don't know if they have shifts or what," Reedwhisker murmured.
"We can't wait long, Hollyleaf said she would start to kill cats tomorrow." Bramblestar's eyes clouded. Dovepelt guessed that the first cats she would kill woould be Leafpool or Crowfeather, then Squirrelflight. Then probably her and Jayfeather.
"We need to wait until Lionblaze's patrol comes back with Skyclan, then we can defeat them. Lionblaze is undefeatable, remember?" Cinderheart mewed. She was clearly worried about her mate. Jayfeather had stayed silent the whole time, his eyes clouded with thought. Dovepelt was listening to the camp, trying to pick out the voice of Hollyleaf. Finally she could hear the evil she-cat's voice talking to Tigerstar and Hawkfrost.
"Who will we kill tomorrow?" Hawkfrost mewed.
"No one. I only said that to scare them. We  will start killing when Lionblaze arrives with Skyclan. He will be the first to die," Hollyleaf stated coldly.
"Who will kill him?" Tigerstar mewed.
"Not you. You couldn't handle him in the Skyclan battle, no, I will kill him." Dovepelt gasped. A battle with Skyclan made the clans weaker still. The cats in the medicine den looked at her strangely.
"What's wrong, Dovepelt?" Oakfur mewed.
"There was a battle with Skyclan, Hollyleaf isn't going to kill anyone tomorrow, but she is going to kill Lionblaze when he returns." Dovepelt recited the words, her eyes still filled with surprise. The other cats all had the same look, except for Jayfeather. He was padding up and down the den, muttering something incoherent.
"Jayfeather, are you alright?" Willowshine nudged her friend.
"Wha- Oh yes, I'm fine. It's just, there's something I should know about the medicine den. Something I've used before, when I was an apprentice. I can't put my paw on it, but it's important." He began muttering again. The other cats looked at him, mystified. A howl was heard in the main part of the den, so allt eh cats ran to the cats.
"Any cat that has to go make dirt will go now, or not go at all. Remember if you try to escape you will kill one of your clanmates," Hollyleaf's eyes glinted. A few cats followed her out of the den. It was passed moonhigh. She padded towards her kits, settling down next to them. They were shivering the cold night air. The first snowfall was not far away, and prey would become scarce. Their captors might become ill-tempered, and start killing them off faster. Dovepelt could only hope Lionblaze and his patrol would come home faster.


Sorry for the short chapter, but there was nothing left to add!

Chapt 35

Jayfeather shook with anticipation. He was helping his mother deliver his sibling. There was only one kit in there, he could tell.
"Push," He demanded. A ripple of pain passed down the former medicine cat's body. Leafpool yowled, while Crowfeather pushed his head into the nursery.
"Are you sure she's okay?" His father pleaded. Jayfeather hissed in annoyance.
"Of course she's okay! Now get out," He spat. He was more annoyed that this was taking longer than most kittings. He usually enjoyed kittings, but Crowfeather along with the amount of time it was taking was making him spiteful. Another ripple passed along Leafpool's pelt.
"Okay, when I say go, push!" He waited a few heartbeats then he said, "Push!" Leafpool grunted in pain, Jayfeather heard a small bundle slip onto the moss. He nipped the sackk and began to lick the kits fur the wrong way. The kit began to squirm and squeal, Jayfeather pushed the small tom toward Leafpool. His mother began to purr loudly.
"What are we going to name him?" Crowfeather murmured.
"Lakekit, because of his many heritages around it," Leafpool mewed. Crowfeather purred loud enough for the whole forest to hear.
"Jayfeather could I speak to you," Jayfeather broke away from his family and turned to the voice. It was Brook, she was a few tail lengths away from Leafpool. Nodding he padded towards her.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, I think Mouse kit is sick, he won't eat and..." She began to whimper," and he won't play with the other kits. I'm really worried." Jayfeather sniffed the kit, now that he thought about it Mouse smelled of sickness.
"Any other symptoms?" He murmured. His younger brother was forgotten, he was focused on this small kit.
"None that I can think of," Brook's mate Stormfur walked in.
"What's wrong with Mouse?" Jayfeather could sense despair in Stormfur's tone. He wasn't sure what was wrong with Mouse, but he didn't want it to spread to all the other kits, especially Lakekit.
"I'm not sure yet, I'll have to take him to my den, if this is contagious, I don't want your other kits getting sick," Stormfur sighed with grief and Brook was silent. Jayfeather picked him up by the scruff and carefully picked the gray kit up. Placing him down in a moss nest, Willowshine padded up to him with a jawful of catmint.
"Willowshine, could you help me with something." The she-cat padded up next to him.
"I can't firgure this out, Mouse here has not eaten food in a few days. He hasn't played with the other kits, and he smells of a sickness I've never smelled before." Willowshine sniffed the kit carefully.
"You're right, I've never smelled this before either. Let's ask Stoneteller. He is the healer of the Tribe and this is a Tribe cat, maybe its something he's seen before." Jayfeather nodded. He stepped out of the den to find Stoneteller, he rarely left the camp except to make dirt. Climbing the High Ledge he made sure his pelt was brushing against the side of the rock wall. Stones tumbled down legde, Jayfeather hoped nobody was waiting there, he didn't need a head injury at the moment.
"Stoneteller? Its me, Jayeather. May I come in?" Jayfeather called quickly into the den. Something shuffled in the den. A strange scent wafted out of the den, Jayfeather knew he should recognise it, but his mind was full of kits and queens. No one answered. Slowly, Jayfeather walked into the den, ready to ask Stoneteller about Mouse.
"Stoneteller, I was-" His voice was cut off as a cat rushed him. He could scent three cats now. One was definetly Stoneteller, but by the noise that was coming from the back of the den, he was being held down. Struggling to get overcome his attacker he heard a new cat walk into the den.
"Good job Snowtuft and you too, Darkstripe. Hello Jayfeather, as you may know I am the leader of the Dark Forest." Jayfeather could hear his sister's voice from in front of him.
"How did you know I knew?" He muffled under the bigger cat's weight.
"When I saw Whitestorm there, I knew you would find out soon enough. From the looks you've been giving me, it was not hard to guess," Good, she doesn't know Lionblaze told me. Jayfeather thought thankfully.
"What are you going to do? Kill us? What?" Jayfeather struggled to move.
"Snowtuft you can off him now, just block the entrance will you?" The weight was lifted off Jayfeather, he was able to breathe again. "Well in a few moments, Dark Forest warriors will stream into the camp, taking control. We will hold the leaders hostage, don't worry they won't die, yet," She purred. "We will kill you off one by one, unless you anger me, then more will die. None shall be allowed out of camp, except to make dirt. Don't worry we'll have guards placed there as well. You will repeat these rules to the clans. Would you like to know who will die first?" Hollyleaf's words were happy and she was chattering like a kit. Jayfeather was confused.
"W-Who?" He stamered.
"You, then Lionblaze, then you. We need you to go to Starclan and explain to them that they aren't needed anymore."
"Never! I will never help you Hollyleaf," He growled. Snorting, Hollyleaf passed him, exiting the den. Jayfeather sped out of the den. The Highledge was 3 foxlengths aboce the ground. No cat in their right mind would jump off the Highledge without a good reason, and Jayfeather believed this was one. He soared through the air. He felt like a bird, until he hit the ground. Gasping for air, he picked himself up and ran towards warriors' den.
"Help! Help! The Dark Forest is going to attack!" He heard the pawsteps of Snowtuft rushing up behind him. Four warriors rushed out of the warriors' den and began to hiss. He knew Snowtuft would attack him, he remembered Hollyleaf saying anyone could attack medicine cats.
"Wait, Snowtuft, please just tell me something," Jayfeather spun around to meet his asailant. Snowtuft clearly wasn't going to talk, but he growled at Jayfeather, which was all he needed. Jayfeather leapt towards the dark tom, throwing him off balance. Snowtuft was clearly surprised by Jayfeather's attack, but not for long. Snowtuft bit down hard on the tabby medicine cat's leg. Another cat joined the battle. Not another dark forest warrior... Jayfeather was growing tired already. This time, the cat attacked Snowtuft.
"Go Jayfeather, head towards the nursery," A voice hissed in his ear.
"No, I can't leave you here," Jayfeather swiped his claws down Snowtuft's side.
"I'll be fine, please go," Jayfeather cleared his thoughts and recognised the voice of Scree, a tribe cat. Jayfeather nodded briefly and ran off towards the nursery. He ran into cats fighting, cats dying, and cats killing other cats. Finally he made it to the nursery. He could hear the apprentices and a few warriors battling cats trying to get in. He passed the fighting cats and ran into the nursery. He could hear the kits, Leafpool, Brook, and Frogclaw. The whole nursery was full of fear scent.
"Are any of the kits hurt?" He mewed loudly.
"No, no they're all fine. Flustered and scared, but fine." Leafpool answered.
"Are all cats back from patrols?" The clans needed all cats they could get to fight.
"I think so, but I haven't seen Ashfoot, Thornclaw, and Twigpaw. I think they may still be out hunting in Windclan, Crowfeather went to find them. He knows the territory the best and he's fast," She explained. A head poked into the nursery.
"Brook, we need you out here, they're pushing us farther and farther back into the back of the camp." Cherrytail wailed.
The back of the camp... the back of the camp.... The words echoed in Jayfeather's mind. Something was iportant back there. He just had to remember.
"Leafpool, we need injured cats to get in here now," Jayfeather mewed urgently to his mother.
"I can do that," Frogclaw mentioned brightly. Jayfeather didn't want the only warrior in the nursery gone. He didn't want Leafpool to go either, Lakekit needed her.
"I'll go, Leafpool, you can take care of any cats," Before waiting for an answer, he ran out of the medicine den. Scenting Bumblestripe, he passed the word on that all injured cats go to the nursery. He began spreading the news until he reached a body writhing on the ground. It was Ravenpaw. Picking the loner up by the scruff, he carefully and quickly raced back to the nursery. Placing him at Leafpool's paws, he raced back out into the clearing. Soon he had found another cat, Heavystep. He tried with all his might, but he couldn't carry the heavy elder.
"Crag! Could you carry Heavystep to the nursery," He called for the tribe tom, he was closest and he could tell from his breathing he wasn't fighting at the moment.
"Okay," Crag picked up the elder in his jaws.
Jayfeather paused to feel the emotions in the clearing. What Cherrytail said was true, the clans were being pushed back towards the medicine den. He was mad at himself. He was useless in a time like this, he couldn't fight.
"Jayfeather! Watch out!" Dovepelt hollered, she seemed to be right behind the tabby medicine cat. A cat careened into him, knocking him off his paws.
"Finally! I can kill you and your family!" Breezepelt sneered.
"I'd like to see you try!" Another voice joined him. Crowfeather! The three cats tussled. Crowfeather knocked Breezepelt off Jayfeather, giving him a chance to breathe. He joined in the battle once more.
"He's dodging your attacks Jayfeather. He's not the smartest fighter, when you hit right, he goes down. Use that," A voice in his head whispered. Jayfeather began swiping at Breezepelt. Using his other paw to claw him when he ducked, he was making good progress. Breezepelt hissed in fury then ran away from his father and half brother.
"Are you sure you're not blind?" Crowfeather gasped. Jayfeather mearly nodded, he needed to get to his den to get some herbs for injured cats. Explaining this to Crowfeather, his father agreed to help him.
"If I get hurt, I could use these herbs too," He stated flatly. The two cats scurted to the edge of the clearing, along the rock walls. Most of the fighting was going on near his den, but not in it.
"Take whatever I give you, wrap it in moss to carry it, moss is over there," Jayfeather quickly explained to Crowfeather. Jayfeather went to his stores and grabbed all his poppy seeds, cobwebs, and chervil root. Placing them where Crowfeather would see them he grabbed a few more herbs for more serious injuries. Goldenrod, comfrey, and nettle. He took a little bit of thyme for any cats that wouldn't cal down. Wrapping it in a bundle of moss, he padded out of the den.
"I wet some moss too, just in case," Crowfeather murmured with the herbs in his jaws. Jayfeather nodded, and they set out to the nursery. Thankfully they weren't stopped. When they got there, three more cats had joined Leafpool.
"Thank Starclan you've brought herbs," Leafpool added sadly, " I couldn't save Ravenpaw, he was too badly wounded." The two toms dropped their herbs and Jayfeather set to work. The she-cat in front of him was a riverclan warrior, Firefoot. She was moaning in pain, but unconscious. He found she had a head wound and applied cobwebs. She didn't stop bleeding and he quickly applied more cobwebs.
"Leafpool, I need help," He hollered.
"No, you don't Jayfeather. I'm not a medicine cat anymore. This is up to you," Leafpool answered calmly. Agitated, Jayfeather tried to apply more and more cobwebs, but Firefoot wouldn't stop bleeding.
"Fine, Willowshine! Help, Hold this down while I apply some goldenrod. The Riverclan medicine cat put her paw gently on Firefoot head, and Jayfeather began chewing Goldenrod into a pulp. Yowls of terror could be heard from outside. All the cats were now protecting the nursery, even some of the older kits like Dovepelt's kits and Squirrelflight's. Pressing the goldenrod onto the wound, the bleeding had become slower. Then it stopped altogether. The Riverclan she-cat was still asleep now, so he went to attend to the other injured cats. He cleaned up Bumblestripe's claw, which was snagged, then the tom ran out back to the battle. Jayfeather tried to tell him to wait, but he didn't pay any attention. Just like his father, Jayfeather realized that all other warriors were back in the battle, or worse, dead. He  couldn't stop wondering where Starclan was at a moment like this. Surely they would have come to help.
"Everyone out! Grab everyone and run the medicine den! It's not safe here!" Nightcloud yelled into the den. Jayfeather grabbed Firefoot by the scruff, but Willowshine pushed him aside.
"Grab Brook's kits," She hissed. Brook's kits! Mouse! Brook's sick kit was still in his den! He grabbed Water and Crowfeather grabbed Cloud. Leafpool passed them on the way out, with Lakekit in her jaws. Frogclaw tried grabbing Ravenpaw, but Jayfeather shooed him away.
"We can't risk losing you, come on, we'll get him later." Jayfeather murmured gently. When all the cats had left, he exited the nursery too. Soon all the cats were in the medicine den.
"Where's Mouse?" Jayfeather called.
"I don't know, I haven't seen him since the battle started. I thought he was with you," Willowshine answered. Suddenly, more cats were in the medicine den, fighting Dark Forest cats. Then all the fighting was in the den. Everything stopped when a cat yowled.
"Good job everyone," A black she-cat with emerald green eyes pushed the cats aside.
"Hollyleaf, what's going on here!" Bramblestar yowled.
"Oh, you don't know. I thought Jayfeather would have told you by now. I am the leader of the Dark Forest," Gasps of surprise echoed around the clearing, but not from the leaders.
"We knew Hollyleaf, we've known for a long time now, Jayfeather told us a few moons ago," Bramblestar stepped forward.
"The meeting in the Dark Forest, with Whitestorm. I was there. I know everything," Jayfeather hissed at his sister.
"Well now that you all know, let's get some rules straight. I am your leader now. Everyday one of you will die, starting tomorrow. Jayfeather can tell you the rest, any questions?"
"Yes, why are you doing this," The hold voice belonged to Leafpool.
"Because of the warrior code. All of you are traitors. Taking in kittypets, having kits with a cat from another clan, the list goes on and on. Everyone of you will die in the end." Her voice was cold.
"Oh and don't try to escape, I will know, and if one tries, two will die. You will be fed once a day, that is if we choose to feed you."

Chapt 34

Lionblaze woke, dazed. He couldn't remember where he was until a familiar voice pierced his ears.
"He's up! Echosong! He's awake!" Woody stood above his friend. Lionblaze groggily got to his feet, placing his paws heavily on the ground.
"Lionblaze! Thank Starclan your awake," Echosong had relief in her eyes, "Do you know how this happened, this deep slumber?"
"H-Hawkfrost and his gang. They fed me, seeds, p-poppy seeds," Lionblaze stuttered. He felt like he'd been asleep for days. His eyes began to droop again, but cold water made him wake once again.
"Good thinking Woody, that soaked moss will quench his thirst," Echosong mrrrowed in amusement at the soaking golden warrior.
"How long was I asleep?" Lionblaze yawned.
"Since the battle started yesterday," Woody answered. Lionblaze looked around and saw he was in the medicine den, with a few other warriors.
"Did we win?" Lionblaze rasped, he was parched. Then he remembered the meeting with Hollyleaf and the other cats, she said the Dark Forest had lost.
"Yes, but we lost a lot of cats, Leafstar lost a life," Echosong murmured, "Creamfur, Honeypetal, Hawkwing, and Fernleaf died. Plus Sparrowpelt, Sharpclaw, and Tinyfoot are injured. I think they'll make it though," As she finished, Leafstar padded into the den, she had deep scratches all over her, one was still bleeding.
"Echosong, I'm going to share dreams with Starclan tonight," She added noticing Lionblaze," I see your up. You and Sagewhisker will escort us to the Whispering Cave, we don't know if any Place of No Star cats are still here." Lionblaze nodded. It was unusual that he should be chosen, he wasn't apart of Skyclan, but he was not injured, so she would choose him.
"How are my clanmates?" Lionblaze murmured to Echosong.
"They're fine, Heathertail and Gingerstep are on patrol and Woody was here to help me, he knows some useful herbs," Echosong purred.
"When you're alone most of the time, and your injured, you got to figure something out," Woody said sheepishly.
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Lionblaze, Echosong, Sagewhisker, and Leafstar padded carefully to the Whispering Cave.
"How many lives do you have left," Sagewhisker mewed to Leafstar quietly.
"That was my fifth," She mewed curtly as they approached the cave," Echosong and Lionblaze will come in with me, Sagewhisker you stay out here." The other cats nodded. The chosen cats walked into the cave, silently. Echosong broke the silence.
"Lionblaze, we have chosen you to come in with us because Starclan wishes to speak to you tonight," She added quickly, "We know your special." Lionblaze was stunned, he didn't know how they knew.
"Come, we must get to the shining moss before moonhigh," Leafstar urged them onward. Quickly they made their way to a place that was glowing. A river was flowing next to them illuminating the walls around them.
"Make a nest of the moss and drink from the river, you will fall asleep," Echosong whispered. Leafstar was already making her nest.  Lionblaze grabbed some moss off the walls and floor and made a semi-comfortable nest on the hard stone. When he was done, he bent over to take a drink of the refreshing liquid. He almost cried out in pain as the coldness of the water sent shovers down his spine, chilling hi to the bone. He was in darkness for a few moments before waking on the island, back at the forest.
"Lionblaze, it's good to see you again," The golden warrior whipped around to see Firestar behind him.
"Why am I here?" He murmured.
"I bring news, the Tribe is back at Thunderclan. Also, Starclan knows of the dream you had in the Dark Forest last night," He added with a twinge of grief, " Whitestorm told us about Hollyleaf."
"She killed Ashfur, that's why she went to the Dark Forest." Lionblaze explained. Firestar didn't look surprised.
"I found that out when I joined Starclan, Ashfur is here," A gray tom padded out of the bushes.
"What? He tried to kill me and my littermates, havn't you forgotten that?" Lionblaze hissed at his former mentor.
"Ashfur went mad in the last moons of his life, losing Squirrelflight. Starclan had to think carefully about accepting him." Firestar looked on towards the lake.
"I am sorry for what I did Lionblaze. When you were an apprentice I never treated you right. I'm sorry, could you please tell Jayfeather that too, and Squirrelflight? I'll never forgive myself for what I did, I'm sorry," Ashfur's tail drooped. Lionblaze couldn't bring himself to say anything to this cat that tried to murder him. Ashfur looked at his former apprenttice with sorrow and regret in his eyes, before padding back into the bushes. Lionblaze padded towards his leader, and a question popped out of his mouth.
"Do you ever miss it?" Lionblaze padded so he was on the shore, looking towards Thunderclan.
"Miss what?" Firestar sat down next to him.
"Thunderclan, hunting, fighting, training apprentices." He explained.
"Yes, all the time. I don't miss the fighting, there's enough of that right now, but the worst thing is not being able to help the clans," He murmured quietly.
"What do you mean 'not help the clans,'. You can help them more than ever in Starclan," He asked, bewildered.
"No, that is not Starclan's job. We watch out for you, but Starclan does not control your destinies or your actions. We know that whatever trouble you may face, the Warrior Code will defeat all opponents," Firestar looked deeply into Lionblaze's eyes. Mysterious knowledge lie deep within them, Lionblaze knew it.
"Lionblaze, trouble is coming to the Forest. Whatever troubles you face, look deep within yourself, you will find what you need there. Starclan is on your side, but we can do only so much to help you. If clans, and the tribe don't believe in themselves and others, the Dark Forest will win. You alone hold the power of strength, use it to hold cats together, in peace." Firestar faded away as his last words echoed in Lionblaze's ears.
Lionblaze got up as the other cats awoke. Echosong was looking at her leader expectantly, Leafstar was thinking.
"Lionblaze, I hold you in great respect, do you know that?" Leafstar's words were a surprise to Lionblaze.
"Thank-you Leafstar," He dipped his head respectfully.
"You alone from your patrol showed leadership and strength, these are good traits for a leader of a clan. Tomorrow, Skyclan is going to journey back with you. No one in my clan has ever been that far down stream. All cats will join you, even the injured ones. The journey will be slow, but I know you will see that others are taken care of. Sharpclaw will help you whenever, but you will not command my clan. That is my job," She spoke with calm authority.
"Yes, Leafstar," Lionblaze dipped his head again. The cats trotted back to opening of the cave. The sun was rising over the gorge, leaving streaks of pinks and oranges on the brown and gray rocks. Soon they were back at camp, and Leafstar announced her decision.
"Starclan has told me that this is the only way to survive. We will go back home as soon as this war is over," The clan was silent, as if thinking about this.
"What about the injured cats! They can't be left behind!" Cherrytail yowled.
"They will come with us, Echosong, could you please prepare some herbs? I want everyone full on freshkill. Everyone have a good night sleep, we leave at dawn," Leafstar stepped down from the Sky rock and the cats dispersed. It was now sunhigh and Sharpclaw was organising patrols. His shoulder wound was wrapped in cobwebs, but he wasn't limping as badly.
"Lionblaze, you can lead a hunting patrol, take Tinyfoot, Patchfoot, and Heathertail." Lionblaze nodded. Sharpclaw seemed to trust the clans from the lake now. Lionblaze gathered his patrol.
The patrol was back before sun down, each carrying pitiful amounts of prey, Leafbare was on it's way, faster than Lionblaze realized. A cold wind sent shivers down his spine. He ate a small share of the fresh kill, Skyclan needed it more than he did. He went to the warriors' cave and slept soundly.
"Lionblaze, come on. Leafstar wants everyone up, now," A pale brown paw prodded his side. Lionblaze rolled over to see Heathertail standing over him. Groggily, he got to his paws and joined Leafstar by the fresh kill pile. Every cat was there, yawning and barely awake.
"Lionblaze, could you go help Echosong help pass out traveling herbs? Then you can get some food to eat,"  Leafstar padded up to the younger warrior. Lionblaze nodded and walked towards the delicate medicine cat, who was carefully sorting herbs into piles. She turned to greet Lionblaze with a curt nod.
"What do you need me to do?" Lionblaze sighed, he didn't like herbs.
"Take these herbs to the queens and kits, the little piles are for the kits.Then if you could, could you take these to the elders, these have chamomile to help soothe their minds and bodies. Then I want everyone to eat some fresh kill, but don't stuff themselves," Lionblaze nodded and took the bundle of herbs. He carefully picked them up over the rocks. He didn't let them drag, he didn't want to break the leaves and let their juices seep.
"Here," He muffled as he pushed the herbs towards the queens and kits. The queens ate them quickly while the kits made faces. Lionblaze padded away, hoping the queens could handle it. He grabbed the elders' herbs, and trotted away. He couldn't see the elders, but he could hear their voices coming from behind a large boulder.
"When I was a kit, we didn't have all these problems with other clans," Thistlefur spat.
"You didn't know of the clans when you were a kit, mousebrain," Crowheart chuckled. Leopardspot laughed too, then it stopped as Lionblaze came up from behind them.
"Hello, Lionblaze. What can we do for you?" Leopardspot mewed warmly. She was always the nicest of the elders and Lionblaze got along well with her.
"Traveling herbs. Once you're done, Echosong said you could have some fresh kill," He expplained to the older cats. Thistlefur eyed him nervously, as if he wasn't sure he could trust Lionblaze yet, Crowheart didn't look up from the herbs, while Leopardspot chattered like a kit to Lionblaze.
"Who is your leader? Do you have a mate?" Lionblaze was not shocked by her questions, she was always very curious about the clans by the lake. She was also very forgetful, she asked a lot of the same questions.
"Thunderclan's leader is Bramblestar. My mate's name is Cinderheart, also our deputy. We have two kits, Mountainkit, and Leopardkit." He saw Leopardspot purr when Leopardkit was mentioned.
"Who are the other clans? I know Shadowclan, but the other two are Wetclan and Moorclan, or something like that?" She looked utterly confused.
"Close, it's Riverclan and Windclan," He needed to get going," I have to go now, but I'll see you soon," The elders said good-bye and Lionblaze went to eat his herbs and fresh kill.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Soon it was sun high, all the cats were fed and had their herbs. Leafstar jumped onto the Skyrock to call the clan together.
"Cats of Skyclan, and of the clans by the lake, it is time for us to leave. But we shall return, stronger, and wiser. The Dark Forest will fall, the warrior code will rule our hearts and the gorge once again." Yowls of agreement rose from the cats, Lionblaze included.
"We have a long journey ahead of us, is everyone ready to leave?" She looked around the clearing seeing every cat nod their head.
"Right, let's leave then," She hopped off the Skyrock, and padded to the front of the clan, next to Lionblaze and his patrol.
"I think we should have cats in the back to make sure no cat falls behind," Heathertail suggested. The patrol nodded, along with Leafstar. Gingerstep fell back behind the clan.
"And the sides, we want to make sure nothing tries to attack us," Woody reminded them. Heathertail went to the left of the clan, keeping a few fox lengths between her to make sure she could see everything. Lionblaze was about the go to the other side when Leafstar stopped him.
"No, you will show us which way to go," He gave Woody a look and the brown tom went to the other side instead. Lionblaze took the lead, Leafstar and Sharpclaw were just behind him.
"Which way are we going?" Sharpclaw grunted.
"Follow the river, it leads straight to the lake." Lionblaze explained. He hoped it would be a quick and easy journey.

Chapt 33

Dovepelt yawned, settling down for the night. Honeykit was the only kit left awake. She was still chattering about being Jayfeather's apprentice. She had told her daughter to be quiet and sleep, but it was no use.
"How can I sleep knowing I'll be helping the clan in only 2 moons! How can anyone sleep knowing that?" Honeykit yawned. Clearly she was tired, and it was almost moonhigh. Dovepelt sighed and looked around the nursery. She didn't want to wake any queens or kits, so she brought Honeykit to the clearing.
"Come, let's take a walk out into the forest," Dovepelt suggested. Honeykit squealed in excitement, and raced out out of the camp. Dovepelt used her powers to make sure Honeykit wasn't in any danger. She spanned her senses across the whole territory. She could hear a fox on the Windclan side. It was chasing a mouse across to Windclan. She could see Honeykit talking to Oakfur keeping guard of the camp. She padded out to meet them.
"Honeykit, you have to go back to the nursery," Oakfur mewed gently.
"But I'm here with Mama," Honeykit mewed defiantly.
"Hush now, we don't to wake the whole camp, come I'll take you back to the nursery," The two cats turned around and saw Dovepelt.
"Oh, er sorry. I didn't think she was actually here with you," Oakfur mewed.
"It's okay, come Honeykit," They padded out into the forest. Dovepelt was yearning to run away from camp and to forget all her troubles, but she knew she couldn't. Honeykit was sniffing every plant, every seed asking to know what each one was.
"Well that is a beech tree. The nuts that grow on it attract mice and squirrels. I don't know what their used for medicine though," She wondered how any cat could be excited about treating sick cats and all the blood. She loved fighting battles, and hunting for the clan. Plus her kits were more than she could ask for, all nice and smart cats. She was proud of her kit anyways. She would help the clans in more ways then one. One day she would save lives, know every herb, and speak to Starclan!
"Mama, what's this one?" The pale ginger she-cat sniffed at red berries. Dovepelt raced over to her kit.
"No you mustn't eat those, those are deathberries!" Honeykit shrank away in fear.
"Don't worry, you havn't touched them have you?" The little kit shook her head.
"Good, but remember what they look like. If you eat these you could die. There was a warrior named Sorreltail, she died before you were born," Dovepelt began explaining.
"Did she eat deathberries, is that why she died?" Honeykit mewed.
"No, but when she was a kit, an evil warrior named Darkstripe tried to poison her. Cinderpelt saved her life. Darkstripe was exiled from Thunderclan and in a battle Graystripe killed him. Graystripe was Firestar's best friend," Dovepelt mewed.
"Did this happen when you were alive?" Honeykit asked anxiously.
"No, my mother told me. Her mother was Brightheart. She was an apprentice when this happened. This was back in the old forest, when Tigerstar ruled Shadowclan. Darkstripe was secretly telling Tigerstar about Thunderclan and our plans. Sorreltail followed him, thinking it would be an adventure, but when Darkstripe foudn her, he tried to kill her. Graystripe saw it and eventually he was sent away. Darkstripe went to Shadowclan with Tigerstar," Dovepelt remembered fighting Darkstripe in the first start of the war with Foxleap. The dark warrior was not very skilled in battle, but he was much bigger than the both of them. He had killed Foxleap. Dovepelt would find this cat when the time came and she would kill him a thousand times over.
"Then what happened?" Honeykit yawned.
"Tigerstar brought evil cats called Bloodclan to help take over the forest, Scourge, the leader of Bloodclan, killed Tigerstar with a single blow to the stomach. Brightheart said it was very scary. Scourge said the clans had three days to leave the forest or they would all die. Firestar convinced the other clans to stay and lead them to battle Bloodclan. Graystripe and Firestar battled Darkstripe,"
"I thought Darkstripe was in Shadowclan, why would they attack a clan cat?" Honeykit asked again.
"Well Darkstripe left to join Bloodclan. Graystipe killed him, then Firestar fought Scourge and killed him. The clans had won and stayed in their home!" Dovepelt mewed happily. She looked down to see her daughter's reaction. Honeykit was asleep snuggling closely to her mother's belly. She sighed and snuggled around her kit. Her other kits would be okay until morning, so they slept in the forest.

It was past sunhigh when the pair of cats woke up.
"That was fun mama! Let's do that again!" Honeykit purred.
"Come on, let's get back to camp, I'm sure your brothers and sisters are all worried sick," She laughed as they padded back to camp. Honeykit zoomed past her, and ran off towards the medicine den. Dovepelt hoped Jayfeather wouldn't be too upset with Honeykit's eagerness. She padded into the nursery, listening for the worried mew of her kits. Instead she found them playing with Firekit and Sandkit. Sheeppaw and Petalpaw had been apprenticed yesterday night, their mentors were Nightcloud and Onestar. Leafpool sat in the corner, happily observing the kits.
"You may as well ask me," Leafpool spoke to Cinderheart and Dovepelt.
"What do you mean?" Cinderheart asked Leafpool.
"How I feel about having kits even though I was a medicine cat," She answered. Dovepelt was curious, she couldn't lie.
"Well, how does it feel?" Dovepelt managed to squeak.
"It feels strange. I've had kits before, but now I can say their mine. Not that I've ever been ashamed of Jayfeather and Lionblaze," She seemed to forget about Hollyleaf. Dovepelt could see some strange emotion well up in her eyes when she mentioned her kits.
"And Hollyleaf," Cinderheart reminded her.
"Yes, Hollyleaf," She continued," I know Crowfeather is happy, too. He'll be a great father, I know it. I think there is 2 in there," She murmured, gently rubbing her belly with her tail. The other queens nodded.
"I don't think Starclan dissaproves either. My destiny was chosen long ago just like everyone elses. These kits were meant to be born, all of them," She mewed confidently. Dovepelt nodded. She felt the same way about her kits. She always knew Foxleap was in love with Rosepetal first, when she died she layed by his side, comforting him. Dovepelt loved him, but she wasn't sure Foxleap loved her back. They grew close, sharing meals and tongues. Foxleap told her he loved her one day, Dovepelt said the same. She new he struggled with this, thinking he betrayed Rosepetal by loving her. She didn't know how he overcomed this, but hoped he was happy in Starclan, watching over her and his kits.
"How many do you think are in there?" Dovepelt knew her guess would probably be better since she used to be a medicine cat.
"Only one," She looked down to her growing belly. She was almost due to be having kits, it could be any day.
"I'm sure it will be beautiful," Cinderheart purred. Dovepelt knew she was upset about Mountainpaw, and frankly, she couldn't blame her. She would scream and yell about her kits being made apprentices too early. Cinderheart's other kit, Leopardkit, didn't seem to mind. In fact she bragged about it a lot to the other kits. Dovepelt asked her kits to follow her out into the clearing and said bye to the other queens.
"Mama, Sheeppaw says you can hear things far away, is that true?" Foxkit asked. Dovepelt was a little uneasy discussing this with her kits.
"Well, yes. I can." She spoke briskly.
"Can you hear to the mountains?" Hedgekit squeaked. Dovepelt cast her sense out towards the rocky mountains, way past clan territories. She could not see any cats there, only birds, big birds. She could here cats in the forest, a large group. Suddenly, a familiar face burst into the clearing.
"Squirrelflight! You're back! Where's the rest of the patrol?" Dovepelt rushed to her friend.
"They're helping the Tribe, I must speak to the leaders. She looked around for them.
"I think Bramblestar is on hunting patrol," Dovepelt explained
"We met up with Bramblestar and his patrol coming in to clan territorry. He said Rowanstar was here, and Mistystar and Onestar are doing a border patrol, one on each side." Dovepelt nodded, she knew all this already.
"Do you wantme to help you find them, Cinderheart could watch the kits," As she spoke Tawnypelt and Crowfeather padded through the gorse tunnel with a strange cat and Bramblestar. More cats began to appear in the cleaing, with kits and elders, struggling to stay up.
"How are we going to fit all these cats in the camp?" Dovepelt murmured to herself. Bramblestar padded off to explain things to Rowanstar, while Ashfoot told Cedarclaw to find Mistystar and Cherrynose to find Onestar. Soon all the leaders arrived, and the leaders spoke together. An older cat was also talking to the clan leaders, so Dovepelt guessed that this was the leader of the tribe. Soon all five leaders stood atop the highledge.
"Hello clan cats. My name is Teller of Pointed Stones, or Stoneteller. I am the leader and healer of my tribe. The Tribe of Endless Hunting has shown me the way of helping the Tribe of Rushing Water stay alive, and that is to join with the clans to defeat The Place of No Stars," Dovepelt thought all the names the Tribe used were too long.
"I am am hoping your leaders and you will accept us for the time being," The leaders nodded along with the rest of the clans.
"Thank-you Stoneteller. Now we have much to talk about, would the senior warriors and the medicine cats join us while we discuss. Stoneteller feel free to bring whom ever you like," Mistystar spoke with calm authority. Stoneteller dipped his head and signaled for a few warriors to join him. One was Stornfur, she could tell, she'd heard stories about him, and he never really lost the scent of fish on his fur. A brown tabby joined him, but he whispered something in her ear and she padded back to three young kits. She padded up to the brown she-cat.
"Hi, I'm Dovepelt," She dipped her head to the cat. The other cat dipped her head.
"I'm Brook Where Small Fish Swim, but my tribemates just call me Brook,"
"The nursery is over there, how old are they?" She looked down at the three kits.
"I know, I lived here for a short time. This is Cloud that Floated in Sky, Mouse that Fell between Cracks, and Water that Rose to Belly," All three of the kits were long haired silver tabby toms.
"Their father is Stormfur, he was once Riverclan. His father was Graystipe." She nudged her kits and carried them to the nursery. Dovepelt picked one up and slowly carried it back to the nursery. Brook shot her a grateful glance.
"They are less than a moon old, they were born on the way here. It took us a long time to get here, some of the elders died, one of Moss's kits died, but this is what we needed to do," Brook sounded as if she was repeating words. Her eyes were dull and her ribs were visible. The other Tribe cats were no different. Soon they were in the nursery, with the other queens.
"Brook, it's good to see you again," Leafpool rushed up to touch noses with the brown she-cat. Brook purred with delight in seeing her old friend.
"Their beautiful, they must be hungry, and you too. Come let's get you some food," Leafpool guided the cats back out into the clearing. Dovepelt couldn't see her own kits, which made her worried. The last thing the Tribe cats needed was six kits pestering them. Sighing she padded back out into the clearing as the leaders padded onto the Highledge. Mistystar's yowl brought all the cats back into the clearing. Her kits were following a dappled Tribe cat, she hissed at them to join her. They sat next to her, squeaking excitedly.
"Do you think we'll be made apprentices?" Honeykit squealed.
"Not if you don't be quiet," Dovepelt mewed sternly. She turned back to the leaders.
"Cats of the Clans and Tribe, as you can see, many cats are going to be staying in the camp. We will need to expand all dens, Ashfoot could you organize that please," Onestar adressed all the cats," Also, since the Tribe has divided up task with Prey Hunters and Cave Guards, the prey hunters will go on Hunting patrols and the cave guards will go on other patrols. All cats will get battle training, Bumblestripe can handle that. We must be strong, for when the Dark Forest attacks," Onestar's gaze flickered uneasily over Hollyleaf, Dovepelt was sure she was the only one who noticed this.
"We will win this war with the Dark Forest!" Bramblestar howled. The clearing erupted in yowls of encouragement, except for one. Dovepelt could sense anger and revenge hidden behind one yowl, but she wasn't sure who it was.

Hey!

Hello readers!
I'm writing this to say I'm going to take a break from writing this story and focus on other shorter stories. It will only be until like Friday or Saturday, but watch out for my other stories as well! Also, I'm kind of wondering where you all think this story will go, I really want some theories! Please post any theories as a comment of this post! Thanks!
   -Firefoot

CHAPT 32

"Hollyleaf," Jayfeather echoed.

"Yes, Hollyleaf, and you can't tell anyone, or she'll hurt Mountainkit, Leopardkit, and Cinderheart," Lionblaze pleaded.

"I have to, we have to get her out of camp. She's telling the Dark Forest about our plans, she must go. And by the way Mountainpaw is an apprentice," Jayfeather whispered to his brother.

"An apprentice! He's only two moons old! How can he be an apprentice," Lionblaze lashed his tail angrily.

"I was going to speak to Starclan about it tonight, but instead I woke up here," Jayfeather replied, looking around the barren place.

"Hush, I think I can here cats talking," Jayfeather peered down into a clearing, and cats were starting to sit down. Hollyleaf was in the middle, with Tigerstar and Hawkfrost sitting next to her.

"Welcome, clanmates. Tonight, we have lost a great battle. One that I thought could be taken care of without me there," She glared at Tigerstar," but no matter, many cats are now dead. We must hone our skills. From now on, medicine cats are fair game." Jayfeather shuddered, "Also, we must find a way to destroy Starclan, get into their world, does anyone know how to get there?" She looked around the clearing.

"You will never get to Starclan," A voice hissed from the back.

"Who is that, Hawkfrost, bring him to me." She demanded. Hawkfrost nodded and padded towards the crowd. The cats parted, all except for one. It was a a cat Jayfeather had seen before in his dreams, but not here. This cat had stars in their fur, and the scent of wind.

"Whitestorm! Are you here to spy?" Hollyleaf's eyes glinted.

"No, I have come to tell you, you shall lose. The warrior code succeeds above all, you should know that Hollyleaf." Whitestorm mewed calmly.

"I know the warrior code succeeds," She hissed," I am protecting it from cats like you who destroy it, allowing kittypets into clans and mating with cats from other clans. It's disgusting." She sniffed her nose as if she could smell the disloyalty.

"Believe what you want, Hollyleaf. In the end, you will always live in the Dark Forest," He turned and padded away. Jayfeather sighed, nudged Lionblaze and told him to follow Whitestorm. They quietly leaped from tree to tree and followed the white warrior. Jayfeather jumped down in front of Whitestorm who hissed and almost attacked them.

"Hollyleaf, I am leaving this forest, if I have to fight you on the- oh its you Jayfeather." The white tom's fur began to smooth.

"What are you doing here, it's dangerous, come let's leave," Whitestorm was worried.

"I could ask you the same thing," Jayfeather whispered. He could here cats, the meeting was over. The three cats ran towards a light, Jayfeather could feel wind and could smell prey. Soon there was a clearing, half was dead, half was flourishing with life even though back in the forest it was Leaf Fall. Whitestorm glanced around to make sure no one was watching and cautiously padded across to the green side. The two other cats followed, and padded after the white tom. Jayfeather realized that Lionblaze had never been here, so he was probably a little scared. Jayfeather was used to it, him being a medicine cat and all, plus he walked here often.

"Whitestorm, why have you brought them here? Where were you?" Firestar burst out of the bushes.

"I was in the Dark Forest, where I found these two," He stated calmly.

"The Dark Forest! Do you know what they would've done if they saw you!" Firestar's fur began to bristle.

"In fact I do, I spoke to Hollyleaf, it seems she is the leader of the Dark Forest, not Tigerstar," Whitestorm explained. So not even Starclan knew who the real leader was until now.

"Why were you to there?" Firestar turned his gaze on the two cats, like they were apprentices who needed to be scolded.

"I wanted to speak to Starclan about Mountainpaw, but instead I woke up in the Dark Forest," Jayfeather mewed indignantly.

"I was in the battle with Skyclan when Hawkfrost and a few other cats fed me poppy seeds. I woke in the Dark Forest, with Hollyleaf. She told me why the Dark Forest was attacking and recruiting. It was about how all the clans were disloyal, so they needed to be destroyed for the sake of the warrior code. She left and I followed her and then I found Jayfeather. We hid in a tree to watch the meeting and you know the reest from Whitestorm," Lionblaze explained. Firestar and Whitestorm looked at each other, then Whitestorm spoke.

"Jayfeather, come with me. Lionblaze follow Firestar, we have much to talk about," Jayfeather nodded and followed the white tom. Several cats passed them, some Jayfeather recognised, some he didn't. Then they stopped, just below a large tree. It had bright red fruit growing on it, which Jayfeather recognised as an apple tree. It had no medicinal value and was hard to eat. They were rare on clan territory.

"Jayfeather, you said you wished to speak about Mountainpaw?" Whitestorm wrapped his tail gently around

his fluffy white paws.

"Yes, I don't think it was write for Bramblestar to make him an apprentice," Jayfeather explained.

"Yes, he is very young. But I and many other cats agree that he has the makings of a fine warrior, even at his age. He is smarter than all the kits, and some of the warriors. He will learn fast, but he is not easily swayed. His destiny, like yours, was chosen long ago. His strength will be valuable on any side," Whitestorm mewed calmly.

"What about Leopardkit? And the other older kits?" Jayfeather rasped.

"Leopardkit was small for a reason, just as Mountainpaw is big. The other kits will soon get over their jealousy. Mountainpaw is a nice apprentice, no one has any reason to doubt that. Leopardkit seems to be the only one to know this, she is Mountainpaw's key to success. Without her, Mountainpaw can never fulfill his destiny," Jayfeather was more confused as ever with Whitestorm's explanation, but he nodded anyways.

"What about the medicine cats. Honeykit is going to be my apprentice, but for Thunderclan. What about the two other clans. No new queen is in the nursery," Jayfeather mewed.

"Ginger Oaks will bring new arrivals, Jayfeather," The white warrior faded away, leaving Jayfeather confused.



Jayfeather woke up in the dark. He was at the moonpool. He made his way back to camp with Willowshine, and he could tell it was past sun high by the sound of the bustling camp. He remembered that there was an evil cat in this camp, somewhere. He searched for Hollyleaf's scent.

"Hello Jayfeather!" Honeykit's escited mew came from in front of him.

"Hi, have you seen Hollyleaf?" He hoped she was out of camp.

"Yeah, she went on a hunting patrol with Thornclaw, Nightcloud, and Whitewing and her apprentice. Why?" Honeykit mewed innocently.

"No reason, are the leaders in camp?"

"Yup, they're helping make the nursery bigger, that's why I'm not there!" Honeykit mewed.

"Thanks, see you later," Jayfeather mewed padding to the nursery. He would tell the leaders, so they could expell the camp of this treacherous cat.

"Bramblestar, Mistystar, Rowanstar, and Onestar. Can I speak to you all in private, now." Jayfeather didn't want to spread panic among the clan so he spoke calmly. The leaders agreed and met him in his den.

"What is this about Jayfeather? What did Starclan say to you?" Mistystar spoke. Jayfeather explained waking up in the Dark Forest, explaining meeting Whitestorm and seeing Hollyleaf. He didn't mention talking to Whitestorm about Mountainpaw, with Bramblestar right next to him.

"Hollyleaf is the leader, not Tigerstar?" Bramblestar whispered.

"Yes, it seems that he was being ruled under her," Jayfeather explained.

"We must banish her!" Onestar hissed.

"We should kill her!" Rowanstar suggested.

"Don't you see! She is dead! If we kill her she will just come back! We must think about this carefully before we react!" Jayfeather spat.

"Jayfeather's right. We can't just punish her, no I have a better idea. We let her stay," Mistystar whispered.

"Stay? Have you lost your mind!" Rowanstar hissed.

"We let her come to all the meetings, about the Dark Forest, with senior warriors. We shall tell her attack plans, strategies, stuff like that!" Mistystar grew excited," But it will all be fake! She'll never know, the only ones that will know will be us five," She murmured.

"It sounds like a good plan," Bramblestar murmured to himself thoughtfully.

"I agree," Onestar mewed.

"Then it's settled, Hollyleaf will stay," Rowanstar spoke quietly. The group of cats dispatched. Jayfeather padded out of his den and went to get fresh kill.

"Hey, Jayfeather! How was the Moonpool?" Hollyleaf's mew made him flinch, knowing this was all an act. He jumped into her feelings. The cloud of smoke he used to feel that covered her true feelings were now full of hate and disgust, masked with fake cheeriness.

"Jayfeather? Are you okay?" Hollyleaf seemed worried. Jayfeather snorted.

"Oh nothing unusual. Nothing that I can't handle," He faked a smile and picked up a vole, though he wasn't really hungry anymore. He padded towards a group of cats.

"So I see this mouse and I swear to Starclan it was as big as a my head!" Frogclaw mewed to Nightcloud, Cedarclaw, and Thornclaw.

"Yeah right, and hedgehogs fly!" Cedarclaw laughed.

"I'm serious! I can prove it, I gave it to Dovepelt. Hey Dovepelt, how big was that mouse I gave you the other day?" He called across the clearing.

"About the size of Leopardkit," She called back.

"See, I told you I wasn't lying!" Frogclaw hissed. The other cats laughed, including Jayfeather.

"Hey Jayfeather, how's it going," Frogclaw asked good naturedly.

"It's good and bad. Leopardkit has white cough, but I think it's going away. Willowshine is watching her right now. Leafpool is moving into the nursery soon," He slipped out her secret by accident, but the other cats didn't seemed surprised, not even Nightcloud.

"Yeah, she told us last night," Frogclaw explained.

"Would Starclan be mad?" Thornclaw asked innocently.

"She's not a medicine cat anymore, and they weren't mad when I talked to them last night," Jayfeather mewed.

"True," Thornclaw murmured. The only cat that hadn't spoken was Nightcloud. Jayfeather jumped into her memories. He was in Windclan's old camp, padding out of the warriors den. Crowfeather padded up to him.

"Hi Nightcloud," Crowfeather mewed. He could feel his heart beat faster and emotion flow over him, but he forced himself to keep cool.

"Hi Crowfeather, how are you today?" He mewed, trying not to stumble over his words.

"Er, not bad. Not everyone is happy that I'm back even though it's been four moons since I've been here, I guess I can't expect them to accept me at all," Crowfeather's tail slunk.

"I accept you," He brushed his pelt against his. Crowfeather was clearly uneasy with Nightcloud.

"Er, thanks. Um, I have to go now, see you around," Crowfeather slipped past him awkwardly.

"Yes, I'll be seeing you," He purred. A few days past and he was with Crowfeather again.

"Umm, Nightcloud could I ask you something," Crowfeather looked around nervously,"Alone?" He nearly burst out of his pelt. Crowfeather was going to talk to him, Nightcloud, alone! He regained himself.

"Anything for you Crowfeather," He batted his eyes. They padded out of the camp. Whitetail padded past them.

"Hi Crowfeather!" Whitetail called cheerfully, Nightcloud shot her a look of hate, then padded up to Crowfeather and wrapped her tail with his, clearly telling any she-cat to back off. Crowfeather untwined his tail and sat beside a clump of heather. They sat there in silence for a few moments, Crowfeather was in deep thought, and Nightcloud was just watching his every movement.

"Crowfeather?" Nightcloud asked hopefully.

"What? Oh yes umm, I had a question to ask you," He looked down at his paws.

"What is it?' Nightcloud was about to explode.

"Er, well I was thinking. And um, I was wondering, if er um," Crowfeather was started to twitch his tail uneasily,"if you wanted to be er my m-mate?"

Nightcloud screamed in excitement. Crowfeather was going to be her mate and no one elses! She ran up to Crowfeather and began licking him all over.

"Is that a y-yes?" Crowfeather murmured awkwardly.

"Of course!" Nightcloud purred.

Jayfeather was back in the clearing, blind again, and trying to regain himself in the conversation.

"Jayfeather? Are you okay?" Nightcloud asked.

"Huh, yeah. I just kinda dozed off for a moment. What were we talking about?" Jayfeather mewed.

"The medicine cats, what are the clans going to do?" Frogclaw reminded him.

"Well, I know who Thunderclan's next medicine cat is going to be," Jayfeather murmured nonchalantly.

"Who? Is it Leopardkit, she seems like she could be like that, not very big like a warrior." Frogclaw asked.

"No, it's Honeykit, I found out a few moons ago," Jayfeather confessed.

"That's great! She'll be good at it too,"

CHAPT 31

Leafstar had allowed them to stay a few more days, because Gingerstep had fallen down the rocks and twisted her paw.
"I will allow you to stay here until Gingerstep is ready to leave, until then, you will continue with your warrior duties," Leafstar lectured.
"What about me, I'm not a warrior?" Woody smirked.
"You can do whatever Lionblaze does, or would you rather become an apprentice?" Her tone was serious.
"I guess I'll stay with Lionblaze," Woody murmured. The padded out of the rocky den, and to where Sharpclaw was organizing patrols.
"Woody and Lionblaze you can come with me and Heathertail on a hunting patrol," Sharpclaw called to the two toms. Lionblaze nodded. Sharpclaw was not as accepting of the outsiders as Cherrytail was, he never let them out of his sight. He went on every patrol with them, and it made Lionblaze a bit nervous.
"I think we should go to the river, prey come down there to drink, so we should find a lot of fresh kill," The other cats nodded, and followed Sharpclaw down the gorge.
Lionblaze could smell a few birds, but most were scrawny. He saw a bush quiver, and then the scent of mouse hit the roof of his mouth. He flicked his ears in the direction of the bush to Woody, who nodded his head in acknowledgement. The two cats padded around the bush. Lionblaze could see the mice now, there were four of them, which was a large number by any means. He hissed to Woody then jumped out behind the bush. He grabbed a mouse and killed it. The other mice ran the other way, but Woody was there waiting. Lionblaze grabbed another mouse and killed it while Woody took care of the other two. They padded out from the bush and saw that Heathertail had caught a thrush and Sharpclaw had a fish from the river.
"Good, we have enough to go back to camp now," Sharpclaw praised, surveying the cats.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Sharpclaw, Sagewhisker, Sparrowpelt, and I will escort you off the territory now," Leafstar mewed briskly to the patrol. Gingerstep's paw was fully healed now. It was a few days after the hunting patrol with Sharpclaw and the patrol was getting ready to go home. Lionblaze was not happy about leaving empty handed, he wanted Leafstar to change her mind. Lionblaze sighed.
Soon all the cats were gathered and they were on their way. They soon arrived at the border.
"This is where we will leave you, I hope you all make it home safely. May Starclan light your pa-" Leafstar's words were inturrupted by a terrifying caterwaul. Then battle noises broke out. Lionblaze could tell it was coming from the gorge, though he couldn't see it. All the cats charged back to the gorge. The battle had paused.
A large broad shouldered warrior was standing in the midst. He was holding down a ginger tom, Lionblaze recognised as Bounceheart.
"Hello, my name is Tigerstar. I have come here to demonstrate what will happen to," He looked down to Bounceheart,"to cats who struggle against the will of the Dark Forest. If you join us, we promise you will not just live, but you will thrive," Tigerstar looked back at the crowd of cats.
"Stop this Tigerstar, these cats will not be tricked into being ruled by you!" Lionblaze ran down the rocks.
"Ruled by me? No, Lionblaze. They will not be ruled by me," He smirked,"Now, let me show you what will happen to disobidient cats," Tigerstar was about to sink his teeth into Bounceheart, but Lionblaze launched himself on top of the dark tabby's shoulders. Tigerstar hissed, and threw Lionblaze off him. Tigerstar jumped on him.
"Do you think you can beat me? I trained you, don't you forget that. I can destoy you if I wanted. I can destroy all of you!" Tigerstar bit on Lionblaze's throat, almost killing him. Lionblaze kicked him off with his hindlegs, throwing Tigerstar off balance. Lionblaze jumped up. Suddenly, he remebered Mountainkit, circling his opponent, confusing them. He began circling Tigerstar, and Heathertail joined in. She too remebered the attack. Tigerstar tried to keep his eye on both of them, but couldn't. Lionblaze jumped on him as he was looking at Heathertail. He flipped Tigerstar on his back and clawed his under belly. He swatted the dark tabby's paws away from his face and sunk his teeth into his throat. Unlike Tigerstar, Lionblaze killed him. Lionblaze knew he would be back, and next time he would kill Lionblaze. Lionblaze would not let that happen. He dove back into battle. A warrior with spiky fur jumped on him, his eyes gleaming in anger.
"Thistleclaw! Leave him to me," Hawkfrost pushed the bracken colored tom off Lionblaze, his paw on the golden tabby's throat.
"Hello Lionblaze. I saw what you did to my father. You will pay for this, you know that right? I am not foolish like my father. I know of the prophecy. I will not fight you, no, I will let you live. Barely," Hawkfrost lashed his tail, and four more cats padded out. One cat was a scrawny black tom, tinier than any full grown cat he'd ever seen. Mountainkit was bigger than him! Around the cats neck was a collar, studded with the teeth of dogs, and cats. The other three cats were larger. One was a sleek, gray tabby tom. The last was a huge long haired black tom.
"Brokentail, grab his hind legs, Darkstripe you get his scruff. Scourge clear the way," Hawkfrost ordered the toms.
"What about you?" The cat called Brokentail looked defiantly at Hawkfrost, as if he was unsure he should be the one taking the orders.
"I'm going to be the one who stops him from escaping. Now go," The cats charged through the clearing, avoiding all fighting cats. Everytime Lionblaze squirmed, Hawkfrost clawed him. Everytime he would move, Hawkfrost would attack.
"Where are you taking me, what are you going to do to me," Lionblaze coughed.
"That will be for our leader to decide," Hawkfrost mewed simply.
"I fought Tigerstar before, I can fight him again," Lionblaze challenged. All the cats carrying Lionblaze stopped and turned to Hawkfrost, each one smirking.
"Tigerstar, leader," Hawkfrost scoffed. The other cats chuckled, which made Lionblaze confused. If Tigerstar's not their leader, who is?
"How will she meet him here, she can't get here now?" Scourge murmured to Hawkfrost.
"We'll have to put him to sleep, Darkstripe run the medicine den, grab four poppy seeds. Don't kill the medicine cat, just push her out of the way," Darkstripe nodded and pelted towards the rocky medicine den. Lionblaze tried to brake away from the cats but Hawkfrost put a claw to his throat.
"Don't struggle, or I'll feed you deathberries,"  Soon Darkstripe arrived with a few poppyseeds wrapped in a leaf.
"What did you do to Echosong," Lionblaze mumbles his face shoved in the dirt.
"Nothing, these stupid cats don't even protect their medicine stores!" Darkstripe laughed. Hawkfrost put a few poppy seeds in his paw and tried to force them into Lionblaze's mouth.
"Eat them, now," Lionblaze opened his mouth to protest, but instead was stuffed with seeds. He choked and coughed, forcing the seeds down his throat.
"Good," Hawkfrost purred, watching Lionblaze slowly fall into unconciousness.

"A heartbeat seemed to pass before Lionblaze woke in a dark forest. He had been here mny times as an apprentice, training with Tigerstar and Hawkfrost. He was in a clearing, no prey could be heard. All he could smell was the leaf mold and a few old cat scents.
"Hello Lionblaze. I thought I'd see you here soon," Lionblaze spun around to see the cat that lead these dark warriors into battle. He was speechless.
"Yes Lionblaze, it's me. I know what you are thinking, but don't you see I had to do this," The black cat's eyes glazed over in insanity,"The clans are tainted with the blood of unloyal cats. I have to destroy every cat in them to ensure they will grow strong again. Even you Lionblaze, will have to die. All of Thunderclan will die. They have disrespected the warrior code a thousand times over. Telling a clan to leave the forest, giving their kits to another clan, mating with another clan! Taking in a kittypet as an apprentice. I won't bore you with all the lies and deceit, but you can see that Thunderclan is disloyal to everything the warrior code stands for. I might have let the other clans live, well except for Windclan. They are all fox hearted pieces of crowfood," Lionblaze couldn't believe his ears. This cat had gone crazy, she was still rambling on about how all the clans must be destoyed.
"What about you," He interupted.
"What about me?" She tilted her head quizzically.
"Your killing cats, innocent cats. That's against thee warrior code. Your making cats disloyal, recruiting them to destroy the clans," Lionblaze looked into the black cat's eyes.
"Haven't you listened to a single word I've said, these cats' aren't innocent. They've all been disloyal to the warrior code. The cats I asked to join with me have realised this too and want to rejuvenate their souls by destroying the cats who hurt the code. We are doing this for the code, for us, for everything we believe in," She looked genuinly confused as to why Lionblaze didn't understand.
"You've broken the warrior code, when we were kits and we went to find the fox, when-when you killed Ashfur! Don't you remember that," Lionblaze looked into her green eyes, pleading she would change her mind.
"I have rejuvenated my soul," She mewed simply. She turned away and padded across the clearing.
"Wait, what are you going to do with me," He whispered.
"I'll let you go back to your clan, to be with your kits while you can. If you tell anyone about this meeting, I will kill your kits, then Cinderheart, then you, slowly and painfully, with you watching," She whispered slinking away through the trees. Lionblaze sat and waited to wake up, but instead he was still in the clearing. He padded quietly though the bush where the she-cat had left. He could smell her scent and followed in around a dead tree. He stopped as another cat approached him. He turned around to see Jayfeather!
"Jayfeather! It's me Lionblaze," He hissed to the small tabby tom. Jayfeather whisked around and saw his brother.
"Lionblaze, what are you doing here," Jayfeather whispered.
"Come I'll tell you up there," He pointed to a tree with his tail. Forgetting Jayfeather couln't see he caught himself and explained the tree.
"I can see when I dream, mouse-brain," Jayfeather chuckled and climbed up a tree, to a high branch where no cat could see them. Lionblaze was not particularly fond of climbing, but he struggled to stay quiet.
"So, tell me what happend when you found Skyclan," Jayfeather whispered.
"We found a patrol and told them we needed to speak to their leader. We went to their camp and met, Leafstar, their leader. I explained that Starclan wants them to come to our camp. She got angry and told us we had to leave the next day. Gingerstep twisted her paw, so we weren't able to leave until today. We were at the Skyclan border when the battle broke out at the gorge. We raced back and saw Tigerstar was holding down one of Skyclan's warriors. I jumped him and killed him. Then Hawkfrost came with four other cats and fed me poppy seeds," He gulped, thinking about whether he should tell Jayfeather about meeting the leader," I-I woke up here. There was a cat here, she was the leader."
"She? She was the leader? Tigerstar isn't the leader!" Jayfeather whispered wide eyed," If Tigerstar's not their leader, who is?"
"Hollyleaf," Lionblaze whispered.

ALLEGIANCES

REVISED!
Clans: WINDCLAN, THUNDERCLAN, RIVERCLAN, SHADOWCLAN, SKYCLAN, TRIBE OF RUSHING WATER

Leaders: Leafstar, Brown and cream tabby she-cat of Skyclan
Bramblestar, Broad shouldered tabby tom of Thunderclan, apprentice Mountainpaw
Mistystar, slender blue gray she-cat of Riverclan
Rowanstar, ginger tom of Shadowclan
Onestar, small mottled light brown tom with a white muzzle of Windclan
Stoneteller, old dark brown tabby tom with long body of Tribe, apprentice Teller of Pointed Stones



Medicine cats: Jayfeather, blind gray tabby tom of Thunderclan
Willowshine, gray tabby she-cat of Riverclan
Echosong, small gray she-cat with small black paws of Skyclan, apprentice, Meadowpaw




Deputies: Cinderheart, fluffy gray tabby she-cat of Thunderclan
Ashfoot, broad faced dark gray she-cat of Windclan
Oakfur, Pale gray tom of Shadowclan
Reedwhisker, small black tom with neat small ears of Riverclan
Sharpclaw, dark ginger tabby tom of Skyclan



Warriors (cave guards, prey hunters) : Ravenpaw, black tom with white tipped tail, loner
Barley, patched white and black tom, loner
Bumblestripe, pale gray tom with black stripes, acting deputy of Thunderclan while Cinderheart is in the nursery
Crowfeather, Smoky gray tom, of Thunderclan, formerly of Windclan
Leafpool, slender light brown she-cat with white paws and a white chest, Thunderclan
Lionblaze, Golden tabby tom of Thunderclan
Tawnypelt, slender dark tortoiseshell she-cat of Shadowclan
Heathertail, pale brown tabby she-cat of Windclan
Nightcloud, black she-cat of Windclan
Firefoot, white she-cat with ginger paws of Riverclan, found by Jayfeather on the moor
Thornclaw, broad shouldered golden brown tabby tom of Thunderclan, apprentice Twigpaw
Gingerstep, ginger she-cat of Shadowclan
Frogclaw, small brown patched with ginger tom of Thunderclan, formerly Shadowclan
Snakerock, broad shouldered tabby tom of Thunderclan, Formerly Shadowclan
Cherrytail, bright ginger she-cat of Thunderclan, apprentice Rainpaw
Cedarclaw, Brown tom of Riverclan, apprentice Maplepaw
Whitewing, white she-cat of Thunderclan, apprentice Leafpaw
Brook, slender brown tabby she-cat of Tribe, to be Hawk
Stormfur, thick furred gray tom or Tribe
Jag, dark gray tom of Tribe
Talon, dark brown tabby tom of Tribe
Crag, dark gray tom of Tribe, to be Fire
Pebble, pale gray she-cat of Tribe
Scree, mud colored tabby tom of Tribe
Screech, black tom of Tribe
Cherrytail, tortoiseshell she-cat of Skyclan
Sparrowpelt, dark brown tabby tom of Skyclan
Patchfoot, black gray tom of Skyclan
Sagewhisker, pale gray tom of Skyclan
Tinyfoot, small white she-cat of Skyclan
Rockfur, black tom of Skyclan
Petalnose, pale gray she-cat of Skyclan
Clovertail, light brown she-cat with white paws and chest of Skyclan
Apprentices (to be): Mountainpaw, broad shouldered tom black with orange stripes of Thunderclan
Rainpaw, blue gray tom of Thunderclan, formerly Riverclan
Twigpaw, bracken colored tom of Thunderclan
Leafpaw, bracken colored she-cat of Thunderclan
Fire, mud colored tom of Tribe
Hawk, bracken colored she-cat of Tribe
Fernpaw, brown she-cat of Skyclan
Waterpaw, blue gray she-cat of Skyclan
Robinpaw, brown with lighter brown sides, tom of Skyclan

Queens: Ashfoot, mother of Sheepkit and Petalkit
Squirrelflight, mother of Firekit and Sandkit, mate: Bramblestar
Cinderheart, mother of Leopardkit and Mountainpaw mate:  Lionblaze
Dovepelt, mother of Hedgekit, Duskkit, Stonekit, Foxkit, Honeykit, and Snowkit. Mate: Foxleap
Moss, mother of Wind and Sun of Tribe

Elders: Puddlesplash, Gray almost blue tom, muzzle twinged with white of Shadowclan
Heavystep, Sleek tabby tom, white twinged muzzle, of Riverclan
Slatepelt, gray tom of Windclan, found on moor by Jayfeather
Junipertail, once pretty golden queen of Windclan, found by Jayfeather on the moor
Hail, ginger tom of Tribe
Snow, blue gray she-cat of Tribe
Leopardspot, blue gray she-cat with black spots of Skyclan
Crowheart, Black she-cat with one white paw of Skyclan
Thistlefur, Brown and white tom with spiky fur of Skyclan

Chapt 30

Jayfeather quickly fetched cob webs, while Willowshine cleaned Jinx's wounds. The blue gray tom was covered in blood, with more scratches than he'd ever seen before. He grabbed chervil too, he knew there was infection in the wounds.
"How is he?" Bramblestar padded in.
"Not good, he's got a lot of scratches," He added in a whisper,"I don't know if he'll live."
"Well he's got the two best medicine cats," Bramblestar purred.
"About that, Starclan has sent a sign about who Thunderclan's next medicine cat should be,"
"Who?" Bramblestar pressed.
"Honeykit, she's been having dreams about Spottedleaf, Thunderclan's old medicine cat." Jayfeather explained,"She doesn't know it yet, I was planning on telling her today. She's smart though, I think she would be good at it."
"Good, but what about the other clans' medicine cats, we havn't had any signs yet, no other queens have had kits and with the war going on I don't think there will be, we need more warriors. I think I'm going to make some apprentices warriors today and some new apprentices," Bramblestar informed Jayfeather.
"Are you sure Frogpaw and Snakepaw are ready, they've only been training for a few moons, and the kits aren't old enough to become apprentices." Jayfeather reminded the leader.
"Rainkit, Sheepkit, and Petalkit are and I've been thinking about Mountainkit. I saw him practice battle moves with the other kits today. He's the strongest and he's a quick learner. Plus he's also very thoughtful. I think I should make him an apprentice," It was clear Bramblestar had thought about this for a long time.
"But he's barely a moon old! What about Leopardkit, how would she feel without her brother," Jayfeather gasped.
"I know but, he'll be as big as me when he's six moons," He added so no one else could hear,"He's smarter and stronger than all the other kits, we need him."
"But he'll never know what it's like to be a kit, he's not even weened yet. Starclan said an apprentice must be six moons old. Do you want to anger them while were in a war?" Jayfeather searched the broad shouldered warrior for anger, but only found hopelessness. Bramblestar sighed and walked away. Jayfeather turned back to Jinx and started treating him again.
"Jayfeather!" Dovepelts voiced called outside his den.
"Does Starclan not want me to help any cat today," He muttered to himself.
"Willowshine, can you handle it from here?" He added to the she-cat.
"Yeah, I'll let him sleep for a bit then I'll check him again."
Jayfeather sulked to the clearing. They began talking about the kits and then Honeykit, then the cats on patrol. When they started talking about Mountainkit and how good he was, he just started to get mad. Dovepelt said she would have to go talk to Bramblestar about him. Jayfeather knew this would only convince Bramblestar more about having him apprenticed. Dovepelt said one of the kits had a cough so he nodded and went to check on her.
"I heard Leopardkit has a cough?"
"Oh yes, she hasn't come out of bed all day," Cinderheart licked her small kit. Jayfeather pressed his paw lightly on the kit, he could feel the raspy breath going in and out. He smelled her and the sour smell of sickness flowed off her.
"Can you wake her up, I need to hear her cough," Jayfeather whispered to Cinderheart.
"Leopardkit, wake up. Come on, wake up." Cinderheart whispered gently.
"Mama, I don't feel good," She broke off in a fit of coughs. Jayfeather's heart tightened.
"I'm sorry Cinderheart, Leopardkit has whitecough," Jayfeather whispered.
"What, but it's only Greenleaf! How could this happen?" Cinderheart wailed.
"I think it's because she's so tiny, she doesn't have the strength to fight of infections like this. Come, she needs to stay in my den until she's better, we don't want you or the other cats in here to catch it," He escorted Leopardkit to his den.
"Why am I going to your den? Am I sick," Leopardkit wailed," I wanna' be with Mountainkit! I wanna' be with Mountainkit!"
"You can't your sick. Don't worry I'll make you better," He soothed.
"I don't want to be with you, I want Mountainkit! He strong, he can protect me! I want Mountainkit!" Leopardkit started to whimper. Jayfeather made a small nest for her, made of moss and feathers. He went to his store of catmint and asked her to eat it. She was still histerical but she ate the herbs. It was almost dark, Jayfeather couldn't feel the warm rays of the sun on his back when he stepped out into the clearing. He still had a littel time left to go and speak to Honeykit, so he padded up to the nursery. He poked his head in.
"Dovepelt, can I speak to Honeykit?" He whispered, careful not to wake any sleeping cats.
"Sure, Honeykit," She murmured," Jayfeather wants to talk to you about your dream with the pretty cat. Don't worry your not in trouble." Honeykit bounced up next to him. He told her to follow him out into the forest. She was very excited.
"Who is the pretty she-cat? She comes to all the time," Then she added in a dark whisper," She's not in the Dark Forest is she?"
"No, the cat you see is Spottedleaf. She is one of your warrior ancestors," He heard her squeal in delight.
"Does this mean I'm special? I can't wait to tell Foxkit, he'll be so jealous, and Duskkit too. Hedgekit and Snowkit and Stonekit will be like,'I wish I was nicer to Honeykit now that she's special!'" Honeykit spoke quickly.
"Honeykit. Spottedleaf was Thunderclan's medicine cat, when the clans lived in the old forest. She often comes to me in dreams, and I think I know why she comes to you." Jayfeather hoped Honeykit would understand where he was going with this.
"Why?" Honeykit was in awe.
"Starclan has chosen you to be Thunderclan's next medicine cat," He whispered. He could smell her fear scent then it quickly changed to excitement.
"Really! Wow, when do I get apprenticed?" Honeykit shrieked.
"When your six moons, which is about 3 moons away," He promised," Do you understand what this means though? It's not just playing with plants, you have to help your clan in times of trouble, share secrets with Starclan, and you can't take a mate, you can't fall in love," He searched her for any twinges of uncertainty.
"I understand, Jayfeather." Honeykit was surprisingly serious.
"Good. Now let's go back to camp, I hear Bramblestar calling the clans," The two cats raced back to camp, in time to join the cats as they padded to the clearing.
"Cats of the clans I have good news. Ravenpaw has imformed me that Tigerstar has tried to kill him at his barn. They knew where we were heading, so they crossed the mountains. They were sick and injured when they met the Tribe. They talked with Stormfur and Brook about the best way to the clans, they didn't see our patrol, though. Ravenpaw says they saw Jinx early today, and dragged him here," Brambleclaw then added," I also would like to make some new warriors. Snakepaw and Frogpaw would you please step forward. I, Bramblestar, leader of Thunderclan call upon these warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code and in turn I commend them as warriors in turn. Frogpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do,"
"Then by the power of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Frogpaww from this day forward your name will be known as Frogclaw. Starclan honors your bravery and loyalty."
"Snakepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I d-do," Snakepaw stammered.
"Then by the power of Starclan I give you your warrior name. Snakepaw from this day on you will be known as Snakerock. Starclan honors your honesty and thoughtfulness."
"Frogclaw! Snakerock! Frogclaw! Snakerock!"
"I have more news," Bramblestar hollered over the cheers,"Maplekit, Twigkit, Leafkit, and Mountainkit, would you all step forward! Cherrytail, you are ready for an apprentice. You will mentor Rainpaw. I expect you to pass down all that you know to this young cat. Cedarclaw, you too are ready for an apprentice. You will mentor Maplepaw, I expect you to pass down all that Mistystar has taught you to Maplepaw. Whitewing, you have been in the nursery for some time now, I want you to mentor Leafpaw. You have learned much in your life, I expect you to pass it all down to Leafpaw. Thornclaw you are the oldest warrior in the clan, and with age comes knowledge. I expect you to pass down all you know to young Twigpaw. And I am ready to take an apprentice so I will mentor Mountainpaw." Brambleclaw finished.
"Rainpaw! Maplepaw! Leafpaw! Twigpaw! Mountainpaw!" The loudest cheer came from Leopardkit who was waiting from outside the medicine den. The other kits were less enthused. He walked up to Mountainpaw, who seemed a little sad, not like his usually confident self.
"If there's anything wrong, Mountainpaw, you can always talk to me." Jayfeather murmured to the broad shouldered tom.
"Can I really?" Mountainkit sounded as if he were going to break down crying at any moment. Jayfeather nodded and told him to follow him. They padded out of camp and down to the lake.
"So, what do you need?" Jayfeather prompted.
"I need to be a kit! I don't wanna' be an apprentice! I wanna' play with my friends! I wanna' be with mama! I wanna' become a warrior with Leopardkit, but now I'll be a warrior before she'll be an apprentice! All the other kits hate me now, and I don't know why! It's all Bramblestar's fault, he just wants me to be his apprentice! Well I don't want to be his apprentice!" Mountainpaw sobbed. Jayfeather knew Mountainpaw was not ready for hte responsibilty of being an apprentice, physically and emotionally.
"I know, but theres nothing I can do, yet," He had to remind himself to talk to Starclan tomorrrow when he went to the moonpool.
"Come on, we need to get back to camp before we're missed." Jayfeather got up and stretched. Mountainpaw got up and padded back with him to camp.