RiverClan Records - NightwatcherMoon - Warriors (2024)

Chapter 1: Prologue

Chapter Text

The sounds of two cats talking roused the kit from its sleep. Stirring from among his three littermates, they tried to make out the words.

‘You’re going to be fine!’ A panicked voice rang out, the cat’s voice shrill with fear.

‘Help me name our kits.’ The second mew was softer, filled with tenderness. He recognised the voice as his mother’s.

Shuffling could be heard a few paces away. He felt a sudden jolt as something pressed up against the warm fur he was curled up against.

‘Minnowkit,’ the first voice spoke again, ‘Willowkit. I want her to have your name. Silverkit, and Rainkit.’ At the last words, he felt something touch his head lightly. A tail-tip?

‘Those are lovely names.’ He heard a gentle sigh as his mother shifted her weight. The first cat purred. ‘You rest now, my lovely,’ they murmured as they entered the nest, curling up around him and his littermates. ‘I’ll keep you warm.’

Everything must be fine then. He didn’t know who the second cat was, but they seemed to only want the best for him, and his mother trusted them, so they couldn’t be dangerous. Relaxing, he let his thoughts wander as he drifted off.

Some time later, he was awoken by the sound of pawsteps approaching.

‘Crookedstar?’ Another voice, this one more high-pitched than the other two, ‘I heard the names you gave your kits. They’re beautiful.’

Crookedstar, at least they thought they were Crookedstar, raised their head. ‘How long have I been here?’ The other cat’s voice was filled with sympathy. ‘I’m so sorry. Willowbreeze has gone.’

Crookedstar bolted upright. ‘No!’ The kit heard paws pounding against the ground, racing away from where they were. ‘No!’ The yowling was loud enough for the kit to faintly make out the words, cursing inwardly at their inability to see. ‘I never promised you this!...’ They strained their ears, but couldn’t make anything more out.

What promise? And who is Willowbreeze? Oh well, he thought to himself, snuggling up against the cat beside him, expecting his movement to draw a nuzzle or lick in response, as had been the case invariably, but his mother didn’t move. Confused, he prodded at her side with a paw, realising with a start how cold her pelt was. Still no response.

Why aren’t you waking up?

Mother?

Chapter 2: Chapter 1

Chapter Text

Rainpaw’s legs trembled as he stepped into the cavern where all the other medicine cats sat. In the pitch-black surroundings, the only source of light came from the luminous Moonstone, by which light he could make out his mentor, Mudfur, giving him an encouraging nod before calling out in a voice that reverberated across the cavern.

‘Rainpaw, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?’

Despite his nerves, Rainpaw forced his voice to be strong and clear as he replied, ‘It is.’

‘Then come forward.’

Rainpaw padded towards the Moonstone, keeping his head bowed and his fur flat. When he was a mouse-length away from the rocky surface, Mudfur spoke once more.

‘Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. They have chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant them your wisdom and insight so that they may understand your ways and heal their Clan in accordance with your will.’

As the words filled the cavern, followed by eerie calm, Mudfur turned to Rainpaw.

‘Come now, it is time to dream with StarClan. Lay down beside the Moonstone and touch your nose to it.’

Rainpaw joined his mentor by the Moonstone and pressed his nose to it before lying down as the other medicine cats did the same and closed his eyes.

When he blinked them open once more, Rainpaw found himself in a shadowed and marshy forest. Is this StarClan? he thought in confusion? Looking up, he saw that the sky was completely dark. Where are the stars? Hesitantly, he called out in a small voice, ‘Willowbreeze? Are you there?’

He only very faintly remembered the scent of his mother. She had died six moons ago, along with his littermates Minnowkit and Willowkit,, leaving him and Silverpaw, his sister, with their heartbroken father. Crookedstar rarely talked about her unless the two asked, but when he did, his eyes were filled with love, sorrow, and something else that Rainpaw couldn’t quite read. Willowbreeze’s mother Fallowtail had spoken a lot more about her kindness and patience that she had shown every cat around her to the kits, but she had joined StarClan a moon ago from the same greencough that had taken her daughter.

But no grey tabby appeared before him. Instead a ragged tortoiseshell pelt came into view. The cat’s sides were marked with battle scars and a faint impression of bite marks were on her throat.

Rainpaw suddenly felt very small. He had been taught some basic fighting moves, as all apprentices were, but being a medicine cat apprentice, he hadn’t gone much further than that. Fighting had never been his strength; no matter how hard he tried, Silverpaw had always been able to easily best him during their play-fights in the nursery. And by the looks of her pelt, this cat was a seasoned warrior. He wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight. He spoke in what he hoped to resemble a warning growl, but he couldn’t keep the fear out of his voice. ‘Who are you? Stay back!’

Instead of being threatened by his display, the tortoiseshell sat down and let out a harsh meow of laughter. ‘Little one, you aren’t worth my time. Run along to your Clan now.’ Rainpaw’s fear changed to fury. Without time to even think about what he was doing, he was leaping at the she-cat, claws extended and muscles taut.

The she-cat screeched into surprise as Rainpaw’s body bowled into hers. The sudden attack left her open for a few heartbeats, and Rainpaw scored slashes down her flank. Then his world went upside down as the she-cat went limp, extending one leg and hooking his forepaw, dragging him down with her. Before he could scramble back up, he felt the weight of her forepaw pressed on his neck. Rainpaw squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for everything to go black.

To his surprise, the she-cat released her grip and stepped back, allowing the young apprentice to stagger to his paws. ‘You have your father’s courage alright, even if you lack his skill,’ was the muttered comment. Rainpaw’s ears perked up in interest. ‘You know my father? ‘ `The she-cat snorted in reply. ‘Of course I know Crookedstar. I trained him after all. He wouldn’t be where he is without me.’ ‘What’s your name?’ ‘Mapleshade.’ Thoughts ran through Rainpaw’s mind. He had never heard of any cat mention anything about a cat named Mapleshade. If she was StarClan, maybe she would know his mother? ‘Do you know a cat named Willowbreeze? Gray pelt, tabby markings?’ Mapleshade didn’t reply, instead continuing to speak.

‘I could give you some battle practice.’ Rainpaw’s eyes widened. They had only just met, and this she-cat was offering to train him? ‘R-Really?’ ‘Of course,’ she purred in a silky mew, ‘I helped your father become leader, why wouldn’t I want to help his son?’ Rainpaw thought for a moment. Even though he was a medicine cat, he would still be in battles, if not being directly involved. Surely learning how to fight couldn’t do any harm to his Clan? He had heard stories about Hawkheart and Yellowfang, former warriors who had taken up the post of medicine cat and were renowned for their skill in battle. Why shouldn’t he follow in their pawsteps?

‘I accept your offer.’

Mapleshade’s face lit up with what seemed like a smile for the first time. Standing up, she meowed in a smooth tone, ‘There is one final thing before I agree. You must promise to keep these sessions secret, to everyone, including your father. I will visit you in your dreams when I am available.’ Visit me in my dreams! Those were the words that flashed through Rainpaw’s mind. She must be StarClan then! What other cat could wield such power in their paws?

Part of Rainpaw wanted to ask Mapleshade why she insisted on keeping this between the two of them. Surely a StarClan cat would have no issues with making themselves known to the Clans, especially Crookedstar, whom she had trained? Looking at her face, he pushed these thoughts to the back of his head as he mewed once again, his eyes shining, ‘I promise!’

As the words left his mouth, the forest began to spin around him, and the last thing he remembered was Mapleshade’s voice in his ear, soft and sweet, like that of a mother. ‘Rest now. I will come to you soon.’

Then he found himself awake on the floor of the hollow, with his nose pressed up against the cold, hard, glowing stone.

I can’t believe what just happened! A StarClan cat offered to train me! I could barely keep my composure on the way back to RiverClan. By the time we got to Fourtrees I was bursting to tell Mudfur, but Mapleshade’s promise rang in my ears and I managed to restrain myself. I wonder what she’ll teach me first. Being a StarClan cat, does she know any secret battle moves? Oh well, I guess I’ll get answers to those questions soon enough. For now, back to camp it is. Crookedstar always says that I’m too serious, and that I should enjoy being a kit, now an apprentice. If only he could see me now.

The other medicine cats were alright; Spottedleaf was kind and pretty; Hawkheart was grumpy but I can tell he has a soft side; Yellowfang, the ShadowClan medicine cat, on the other hand; that’s one cat I wouldn’t want to cross! She has a worse temper than a badger! Not to mention her pelt looks like it hasn’t been groomed in a moon; if anything, that just makes her even more terrifying. Apparently she trained as a warrior beforehand? Yeah, I’m not going within three fox-lengths of her!

I wonder what Mapleshade’s training will look like? What will we learn? Hunting techniques? The warrior code? Battle moves? Oh, I have so many questions, yet so few answers; I can’t wait to begin!

Chapter 3: Chapter 2

Chapter Text

Crookedstar just told me the truth about Mistyfoot and Stonefur. He said it was for the best that the identity of their mother be kept a secret for now. I wholeheartedly agree. Too much RiverClan and ThunderClan blood has been spilled over petty border disputes for something like this to stir up further trouble for the Clans. Mistyfoot and Stonefur are loyal warriors, and why would we do anything to change that?. Poor Bluefur. I wonder what drove her to give her kits away? This isn’t a situation any cat should have had to deal with… At least Oakheart gets to see them every day.

What happened to Willowbreeze? She can’t have died of old age; she was younger than Crookedstar, who, even with nine lives, would only just be in the elders' den yet if he was a warrior. I try to ask the cats around me, yet all of them simply shake their heads and tell me to ask Crookedstar, who won’t give me a straight answer, saying something about illness and being too young to understand. I am training to be a medicine cat. Death is something I am going to have to deal with. Why can’t he understand this? There must be more to her death than he is letting me in on; the look in his eyes when I ask him about it is of a haunted cat. If only I can get to her… all dead warriors go to StarClan, right? That’s odd. The only cat I’ve seen so far is Mapleshade. Then again, she might just be training me in a secluded part of StarClan so as not to be disturbed.

…

‘Before I end this Clan meeting, there is one more duty that I must perform.’ Crookedstar’s voice rang out loud and clear across the camp.

Rainpaw’s ears perked at this. A duty? What sort of duty? It couldn’t be the appointment of the next deputy; Oakheart was doing a perfectly fine job. None of the three queens’ kits were old enough to be apprenticed yet, and this didn’t have the air of an urgency or alarm. Which meant… a warrior ceremony! His mind raced through the list of possibilities. Who could it be? Loudpaw and Frogpaw had both been seen coming into the camp with full catches for the past half-moon or so; clearly their mentors were training them rigorously; them perhaps?

‘Silverpaw, come forward.’

Rainpaw couldn’t believe it. Already? It seemed like the day before that he had seen her keeping vigil on the night of her apprentice ceremony, her silver pelt glowing in the moonlight, even though it had been quite a few moons since. Then he remembered overhearing the older warriors in camp talking about how quick his sister was learning. She must really be capable then.

Throughout the throng of cats, cheers of ‘Silverpaw! Silverpaw!’ broke out, cutting through the silence of the fading sunset. Rainpaw spotted Echomist, Silverpaw’s mentor, sitting on the edge of the crowd, her eyes gleaming with pride and affection.

In the midst of all of the commotion sat Silverpaw, her features painted with an expression of shock, then joy. ‘M..me?’ Rainpaw heard her stammer.

A small smile appeared on the weathered leader’s face as he held his daughter in his gaze. ‘Yes, you.’ Silverpaw up in front of Crookedstar as he began to speak, her plumy tail waving.

‘I, Crookedstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.

‘Silverpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to defend and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?’

‘I do.’ Silverpaw’s voice echoed across the clearing.

‘Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Silverpaw, from this moment forth you shall be known as Silverstream. StarClan honours your compassion and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan.’

“Silverstream! Silverstream!’

The cries were loud enough to startle all the fish in the river. Silverstream touched noses with Crooekdstar, and Rainpaw padded over to her.

‘Congratulations, sister!’ He meowed as he touched muzzles with his littermate. Inwardly, he was envious that she had already gotten her name, but he wasn’t about to let his own reservations spoil her happiness.

Her cheerful gaze turned sympathetic. ‘Oh, Rainpaw, don’t worry. Medicine cat training takes longer than a normal apprenticeship. I’m sure you’ll get your name in no time.’ Rainpaw started. Was it really that obvious that he wasn’t truthfully happy about her achievement? Silverstream gave him a friendly flick on the ear with her tail before leaving to talk to the other apprentices.

Rainpaw trudged back to the medicine den, his head low. Despite his sister’s kind words, the jealousy was still strong within him, coupled with the guilt that he felt for it. Mudfur wouldn’t be there to help either; he was in the leader’s den talking with Crookedstar. He sank into the moss, filled by dark thoughts. How long would he have to wait before he got his full name? Did his mentor have to die before he would be given it? He wanted the title of full medicine cat, but… he didn’t want Mudfur to die. His mentor had been kind and patient with him throughout his apprenticeship, even though he knew he had been difficult at times.

‘Do not lose hope,’ a voice in his mind spoke softly,’You will not be an apprentice forever. Soon a new medicine cat of RiverClan will be named.’ Rainpaw bolted upright. Mapleshade? He strained his ears to catch any faint trace of her, but if she was ever there, she certainly wasn’t anymore.

In spite of this, Rainpaw felt reinvigorated by this message. A StarClan cat had just spoken to him while he was awake! He had never heard of anything like this. Surely this must mean that he was destined for great things, perhaps the greatest medicine cat in the Clans? Rainpaw walked outside the den, and, turning his gaze upon Silverpelt above, opened his maw to speak.

‘Mapleshade, if you are there, I promise to you that I will do all that I can to become the best medicine cat for my Clan. I won’t betray yours and StarClan’s trust in me.’

Having said this, he turned his back on the glimmering stars above and headed back into his den.

Chapter 4: Chapter 3

Chapter Text

Border skirmish with ThunderClan today. I watched from the side as both Clans fought. Even with Mapleshade’s training, I’m still not confident with fighting. Silverpaw is still beating me on a consistent basis, and while I know she’s a proper warrior apprentice, I had hoped that my training would put me on more even footing, but it seems that is not the case yet. It has only been two moons, plenty of time for me to catch up. The battle was a stalemate, but we took some pretty nasty wounds. ThunderClan are known for their strength, and they certainly live up to it. Ottersplash’s foreleg was dislocated, and Mudfur showed me how to fix it. The screech she let out was rather scary, but after that, she was able to put weight on it. Satisfaction rushed through me. I had treated my first patient! I even got some praise from Mudfur! He’s quite grumpy normally. Something about being an old cat?

...

Brrr! Imagine having to fish in this weather! Poor warriors. The Clan must be fed after all, as the warrior code states, and if that means getting soaked in icy, frigid water that hinders your breathing if it gets into your chest, then so be it. As for how I know that second part, let’s just say that my sister decided to get some payback for me laughing about her by giving me a swimming lesson, with the questionable method of pushing me into the river. She lured me there with the promise of herbs, and being a warrior, was obviously stronger than me. Speaking of which, Mudfur is worried about our catmint stores. We’ve only got a small clump that grows on the far side of our territory, away from the river. He’s worried about the frost killing it. I’m to gather the fully-grown leaves and bring them back to the camp for storage, and cover the shoots with leaves to protect them from the cold.

...

Well, the river hasn’t frozen over yet, but we’ve had four cats over the past couple sunrises in the medicine dens for whitecough, including Oakheart and Mistyfoot. Like father, like daughter? Our already low catmint stores are almost completely empty. Mudfur mentioned possibly having to ask another Clan for herbs. I wasn’t actually aware that was within medicine cat rules. I assume that it would be Spottedleaf? Yellowfang doesn’t seem like the generous type, and Hawkheart seems comparatively distant; they do live on the moors. Probably don’t interact with other Clans much. That being said, we’re not on the best terms; there was a border skirmish over Sunningrocks not too long ago, and while we’re meant to exist outside Clan boundaries, I can’t help having a feeling that ThunderClan may not remember that. Nor will my own.

...

Rainpaw padded throughout the dark forest, the dead bracken crackling beneath his paws. ‘Mapleshade?’ he called out, quietly. She had promised to be here this day to train him, but there was no sign of her. Rainpaw continued on, calling out as they went.

After a while, a clearing glowing with light appeared in front of them. Rainpaw’s confusion grew. In all his time training in the forest, he had never managed to leave it before, no matter how far he walked; he would find himself stopped by Mapleshade. He longed to find out what lay before this grim, murky place.

His paws drew closer, and as he neared, he found the source of the light; a white, opaque mist that hung in place. What is this? he thought. Hesitantly, he placed one of his paws in the fog, testing it. Frosty cold enveloped his limb, but it didn’t seem to hurt him. Should he go on? He knew that in the end he was dreaming, and if anything went wrong, he could wake up and escape.

But could he? Something told him that it couldn’t be that simple. After all, this was StarClan, and why would any cat want to leave? Even if they did, there had to be some sort of force preventing cats from doing so, to keep them from somehow wandering out of StarClan somehow. There must be a reason why he had never heard of any StarClan resident leaving and getting lost before. As for waking up… his training sessions with Mapleshade had been brutal, with him often taking multiple wounds, even if they were only shallow. None of them had ever forced him to wake up in the living world before.

A shriek split the silent air, and he could hear pawsteps rapidly approaching in his direction. Without thinking, his mind flooded with panic and fear, Rainpaw dashed into the mist. Freezing air enveloped him completely, but he forced his limbs to keep moving, running as fast as the thick mist would allow him, his chest burning. He could hear another set of pawsteps behind him, thrumming on the ground as his pursuer gave chase.

He couldn’t keep this up forever. He was a medicine cat, and didn’t have the training or endurance of a warrior, despite his sessions with Mapleshade, nor was he a full-grown cat. He could feel the cat behind him getting closer, and Rainpaw’s movements began to slow as he fought to keep up the pace.

Up ahead, a brilliant light shone, and he caught a glimpse of a star-filled forest. It couldn’t have been more than thirty tail-lengths away. Rainpaw’s heart leapt. There was something else apart from StarClan? He even thought he could make out a cat in the distance, beckoning him over, calling his name…

A heavy weight rammed into his back, knocking him off his paws and sending him tumbling to the ground. He rolled to the side as a paw flashed towards him, claws extended. Rainpaw swung his hindpaws around to swipe at the cat’s limbs. His strike connected, and he felt fur rip, earning a hiss of annoyance from his opponent as he leaped back, landing in a crouch.

All of a sudden, they were gone. Rainpaw stayed in place for several heartbeats, his muscles tense, ready to defend himself if his assailant attacked again. When he thought they were gone, he turned his gaze back to the small gap in the mist where the star-filled forest resided. The cat was still there, and he could hear a faint call, ‘Behind-’

A paw slammed into the side of his head, and everything went black.

...

Rainpaw groaned, his head spinning with stars as he struggled to get on four paws. Through his hazy vision, he could make out a tortoiseshell pelt. ‘M-Mapleshade?’ he murmured.

The she-cat snarled, her fur bristled out until she looked twice her normal size, ‘Why did you go there? That place if off-limits–’

‘Why?’ Rainpaw asked, his curiosity overcoming his fear, ‘There is something beyond the mist, I saw it. A sparkling forest–’

‘It is not your place to ask questions!’ Mapleshade yowled. Rainpaw sat there staring at her in disbelief. Weren’t StarClan cats supposed to be kind and nice? Mapleshade, sensing that she had gone too far, calmed herself and changed her tone, ‘That place you saw… It is dangerous. A mirage that lies outside of this place. It does not exist. Cats have died trying to reach it. I am trying to keep you safe,’, she meowed, her voice as smooth as honey. Rainpaw relaxed. She was just worried about him. Like a mother would be.

Rainpaw’s legs gave out from underneath him as he collapsed from exhaustion, his head still heavy from the previous blow. As his vision faded again, he could hear Mapleshade’s voice murmuring to him, in the same, sweet tone, ‘Rest now. I will visit you again soon.’

What lies beyond that mist? Mapleshade warned me not to go there, but… it can’t just be a mirage, can it? If so, there has to be something projecting it. What power could have the influence to affect StarClan? I must find out at some point, but how do I even get there? I’ve only seen that mist once, and I don’t wake up in StarClan the same place every time; at least, where I awake looks different. Yet, somehow Mapleshade is next to me every time; StarClan powers I guess, except why was she not there that time? I’ve never tried dreaming my way into StarClan without her invitation. Is it even possible?

Chapter 5: Chapter 4

Chapter Text

Back to the tangent about Crookedstar’s past, I don’t have a complete picture of what happened, most of what I do know is from gossip and rumors that I overheard. When I was still a kit, around four moons old, I snuck out of the nursery while Sunfish was taking care of Silverstream, Silverkit then. I was planning to sneak out of camp to see the river and Sunningrocks when I heard Brambleberry, Mudfur’s mentor who had now stepped down, talking to Rippleclaw, another elder. Brambleberry mentioned something about Crookedstar having a troubled kithood and apprenticeship, and that he had been led astray since the moment he was born. Rippleclaw questioned how she knew this, and she replied that the rest of the details were not hers to disclose. Approaching pawsteps sent me back to the nursery, not risking staying any longer and getting caught.

What did Brambleberry mean when she said ‘troubled kithood’? How troubled, exactly? You could say that mine and Silverstream’s first six moons were ‘troubled’; we had never gotten to know our mother after all, even if our den-mother Sunfish was really nice and we got a bit spoiled by her as well as the rest of RiverClan. I never got the chance to meet my father’s parents, but I know their names, Shellheart and Rainflower. I have heard nothing but good things about Shellheart from other warriors; he was deputy before Crookedstar, Crookedjaw then; cool name, by the way, and was a hardworking and loyal warrior. Rainflower, however… She apparently played favourites with her kits after Stormkit, who would eventually become Crookedstar, broke his jaw on Sunningrocks, neglecting him in favour of Oakheart; I asked Oakheart himself about this, it is unlikely that he would be lying. Could that have been what Brambleberry meant? Or is there something more?

As a side note, ouch, breaking your jaw? Crookedstar never told me what happened to his jaw, and I had just assumed it was something he was born with. Great StarClan, that must have hurt!

Speaking of StarClan… Mapleshade mentioned something about training Crookedstar, right? Maybe she knows something?

...

‘Mapleshade!’ Rainpaw’s call echoed across the shadowed woods.

The tortoiseshell climbed down from a nearby tree, shaking her pelt. “Ah, my apprentice,’ she purred,’ here for more training? It’s nice to see you working so hard. You’ve mastered the move where you go limp and drag your enemy down with you that I taught you half a moon ago. Shall we-’

‘Wait.’ Rainpaw mewed. He didn’t want to be rude, but his curiosity had been gnawing at him for the last couple sunrises, and getting an answer meant asking a StarClan cat, so be it. ‘Can you tell me anything about Crookedstar’s past? Did he suffer as a kit and apprentice? I mean, more than breaking his jaw did. Did his mother neglect him?’

Mapleshade’s eyes narrowed to slits as she remained silent. After a few moments, she spoke. ‘Crookedstar had a… troubled kithood. That’s the same phrase that Brambleberry used, Rainpaw noted to himself, as she continued speaking, ‘His mother, Rainflower, didn’t want anything to do with him after his injury, and shunned him. He was apprenticed late, and was teased constantly for his jaw.’ Rainpaw’s heart twisted with sympathy. Despite not being littermates, he had gotten on very well with Sunfish’s kits, Vixenleap, Whiteclaw and Grasswhisker, and Sunfish had always treated him and Silverstream as one of her own kits; he and his sister saw her as a mother, even if they knew she wasn’t truly theirs. To have to grow up and go through his apprenticeship without other cats around his age nor the guidance and care of a mother must have been terrible!

‘It was due to my mentoring that he turned out as the great leader he is. I was more of a mother to him than Rainflower ever was. He found comfort with me when no one else in the Clan was there for him.’ No one was there for him? Rainpaw thought, slightly confused. Oakheart, Crookedstar’s brother, had shown nothing but support for his leadership and was a wise deputy. The rest of the Clan seemed to see Crookedstar as a companion rather than a cat who they had to follow, and he had only seen friendship and humor between them.

Even if these two didn’t exist, surely if there was one cat that would have supported him through anything, it would have been Willowbreeze? Whenever Crookedstar spoke of his mother, it was with a mixture of admiration, longing and regret, and he could tell that he loved her unreservedly. ‘What about Oakheart?’ Rainpaw asked, ’And all the other cats in RiverClan that look up to Crookedstar and see him as a friend? Did they not care about him at all? Even if they didn’t, surely his own mate would have loved him as much as he did her?’

The she-cat let out a snort of contempt. “Oakheart? That fish-breath only got to be deputy because Crookedstar was insecure about his position as leader, and wanted someone who would support him. Of course, he couldn’t make this obvious, so Oakheart wasn’t his first deputy; it would have been too apparent if he appointed his own brother immediately. He gives in to whatever his Clanmates want, with no opinions of his own. The rest of your Clanmates are no better. All they want to do is win his favour. None of them care about anything except their own status within the Clan, and will do anything to get it. Worst of all is that fox-hearted excuse for a cat that he took for a mate. Willowbreeze,’ she snarled, ignoring Rainpaw as he opened his jaws to defend his mother. I haven’t met her before, but surely fox-heart is a bit too far?

‘She used Crookedstar’s love for her to gain power and influence within the Clan. Whenever she didn’t get what she wanted, she would use her status as the leader’s mate as an excuse, and use Crookedstar’s authority as a weapon against those who got in her way. Then, once she had her kits, she poisoned two of them, because she was afraid that her kits would break her control over Crookedstar, and your sisters were too feisty for her liking. You and your surviving littermates were only spared because she died before she could kill you. ’ As Rainpaw stood there, horrified by this sudden revelation of what his mother had done, Mapleshade went on, deadly quiet now, ‘When I first took on Crookedstar as an apprentice, I made him promise that he would put his Clan above all other things. He kept that promise, apart from one instance, for her. Despite my disapproval, blinded by love, he insisted on becoming mates with her. He cared about her so much, and this is how she repaid him!’ she finished, with a yowl of fury.

The apprentice sank to his ground, trying to comprehend what he had just heard. Had his mother really done all this? Killing his sisters? Abusing her position as the leader’s mate? If that was the case, no wonder the Clan treated him and his sister with such fondness. They must have been afraid that Willowbreeze’s kits would leverage their kinship to Crookedstar as she had done, and wanted to secure themselves in their good graces to increase their standing in the Clan. It all made sense now. Dejectedly, he turned to his mentor, despair in his gaze, choking and fighting back tears, ‘I.. I thought that they genuinely liked me. W-Was it all fake? A trick to gain influence in the Clan? A-And my m-mother… Willowbreeze… Did she really do all that?’ Mapleshade brushed his shoulder with her flank, meowing to him, ‘The truth can be hard to accept. But I believe it is better to know and eventually come to terms with the truth than to try and pretend it never happened.’

Rainpaw curled up into a ball and wailed. He couldn’t help it. He hated causing a sense in front of any cat, let alone a member of StarClan, but the thought of the mother that he had looked up to all his life and that he had heard nothing but goodwill towards, words that he now knew were false, shattered utterly, was more than he could bear.

Slowly a ball of cold, hard anger began to form in his chest. Rainpaw wiped his tears aside to face his mentor, his heart torn with grief and rage at what his mother had done. ‘Thank you for telling me the truth, Mapleshade. If I do see Willowbreeze, I’ll be sure to tell her what I think of her. After what she’s done, she is no longer my mother.’

Mapleshade grinned. ‘Good…’

I don’t want to address what I learned last night. I’m thankful that I know, but part of me wishes I never knew. Part of me wishes that I could have the same positive impression of my mother as I had, but I’m afraid this has completely flipped my perspective. If I do ever meet Willowbreeze, there are some questions I would like to ask her. How could she have done this?

Chapter 6: Chapter 5

Chapter Text

Brambleberry joined StarClan a few sunrises ago. It wasn’t due to illness, she just left us peacefully in her sleep. She was quite old, but I had assumed she would have a few moons left before departing. Me and Mudfur helped carry her body out to rest; she was Mudfur’s mentor, and her death obviously upset him. Never thought I would be the one comforting anyone else, but if it means making the cat feel better, then I’ll put that aside.

I will miss her. She treated the whole Clan as if they were her own kin, and showed special fondness for the kits, bringing honeycomb back from her half-moon trips to the Moonstone before she retired to the elders’ den, and being patient, almost too patient, looking back now, with us whenever we invariably messed up the herb store in the medicine den with our adventures. She will be missed. May you find peace in StarClan.

...

Saw Mapleshade at the Moonstone again. I didn’t mention what happened in the last dream we shared. Still processing what I have learned. I have asked around RiverClan trying to find out what sort of cat my mother truly was; but I’ve gotten the same answers about how she was a good cat. If Mapleshade is speaking the truth, they are all trying to hide her darker actions… to protect me? Or maybe only StarClan knows what she did?

Her training is helping at least. I can hold my own against the warrior apprentices, even if my blows are quite weak. I do get questioning looks from some of the senior warriors who don't recognise the moves that I learn, and I have to come up with excuses about having dreamt them up. I can't exactly tell them I'm being trained by a StarClan cat, right? Besides, Mapleshade requested absolute secrecy, and I'm not about to go against her word.

...

Silverpelt shone brightly above, a mass of shimmering lights in the sky. I wonder if my warrior ancestors are watching over me, Rainpaw thought to himself, as he followed Mudfur on the way to Mothermouth. His mind wandered back to the conversation he had with Mapleshade, and he scolded himself for the delusion that any ancestors would want to watch over him. He looked at his paws and hurried after his mentor.

The climb up to the Moonstone cave was tiring, but the previous trips meant Rainpaw knew what to expect. ‘What took you so long?’ the gruff voice of Hawkheart rang out. ‘Just some medicine-cat duties that needed attending to. Rainpaw had to remove a thorn from Graypool’s pad. Did a fine job, I must say.’ Rainpaw tucked his head in shyly as the older medicine cat’s gaze swept across him approvingly. ‘I had to. Considering how much our Clanmates get thorns in their pads, you would think that they went fishing in thistle bushes!’ This earned a bout of laughter from both cats. ‘Come on, we’re wasting moonlight,’ Spottedleaf called from deeper within the cavern. The three cats padded inside the tunnel, light shining from within as moonlight reflected off the Moonstone in dappled patterns that bounced off the walls. Spottedleaf and Yellowfang were already beside it, ready to share dreams with StarClan.

Rainpaw prepared to join them, but Mudfur blocked him with his tail. ‘Before we share dreams with StarClan tonight, there is one service that I must perform. Rainpaw,’ he meowed, beckoning him over. The other medicine cats withdrew to the sides. Rainpaw couldn’t believe it. Was he about to get his name? He padded forward, still in shock, and Mudfur began to speak once more.

‘Rainpaw. You have completed your training. Your expertise in the healing arts is undeniable, and I have taught you all that I can teach you. It is time.’ Raising his voice, as if he was calling to StarClan itself, he meowed, loud and confident, ‘I, Mudfur, medicine cat of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he shall serve his Clan for many moons. Rainpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?’

I’m not ready! How can I be ready?! These were the thoughts that were raging through Rainpaw as he took a step back, even as he knew his training was complete. It had been a few moons since his sister had gotten her full name, after all. Pausing for a moment, he looked past his mentor’s expectant eyes at the other cats in the cave, expecting to find his own misgivings reflected in their eyes. To his surprise, Spottedleaf was smiling at him, and the normally harsh Yellowfang and Hawkheart were nodding, urging him to accept his new role. They believe in me, Rainpaw thought to himself, they have faith that I serve my Clan well. Opening his jaws, he forced himself to sound confident as he gave his answer, ‘I do.’

‘Then by the powers of StarClan I grant you your true name as a medicine cat. Rainpaw, from this moment you will be known as Rainscale. StarClan honours your skill and intellect, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of RiverClan.’

Mudfur rested his muzzle on Rainscale’s head, and he returned the gesture by licking his former mentor’s shoulder. ‘Rainscale! Rainscale!’ Cheers from the other medicine cats reverberated around the cave, and Mudfur joined in.

Basking in the support and joy of his fellow medicine cats, as well as his pride, this was the happiest Rainscale had been in moons.

‘Thank you, Mudfur,’ he responded once the chants had ended, ‘for your teachings. I could never have made it here without you. And to you,’ he motioned at Yellowfang, Spottedleaf and Hawkheart, ‘for your wisdom and guidance. I humbly promise to serve my Clan to the best of my ability for as many moons as StarClan has left me.’

‘Enough of that,’ Mudfur meowed, good-naturedly, nudging his shoulder, ‘Now to share dreams with StarClan.’

The medicine cats made for the Moonstone. Still within the fiery grasp of excitement from his ceremony, Rainscale touched his nose to the Moonstone, just like he had when he had first been made a medicine cat apprentice, and closed his eyes, submitting to the darkness of sleep.

…

His eyes flickered open, but instead finding himself in the forest, Rainpaw was staring into the gently snoring face of Yellowfang, clearly deep in dreams. Glancing around, all the other medicine cats were asleep as well, their muzzles pressed up against the Moonstone. They’re all not here, presumably dreaming with StarClan, so why am I here? He imitated the others and closed his eyes again.

…

Pitch darkness through the crack in his eyelids let him know that he had succeeded. Rainscale got up and immediately noticed the barrier of shimmering fog that he had seen two moons ago. Why am I here again? And why now, after my medicine cat ceremony? Does this mean something? Apart from that one other time where Mapleshade had appeared, he had never managed to find this place again. He had certainly tried, staying secretly after she had dismissed him for the night, but no matter how far he walked, he could never find it again.

He was determined to find out what was on the other side of the mist this time. As much as he respected and trusted Mapleshade; she was his mentor, after all, and someone he looked up to, something about her tale of the fog being there to prevent cats from falling out of StarClan, as far as Rainscale knew, didn’t quite add up.

He knew what to expect this time, and frosty mist swirled around him as he stepped into the unknown. There was no cry from behind him, no Mapleshade yowling at him to turn back. No one knows where I am, Rainscale thought. If anything happens to me, there will be no help. The thought of somehow being trapped in this murky cloud for the rest of his life was almost enough to convince him to turn back, but he grit his teeth and pressed on. Who knows when or if I will ever see this place again? This may be my only chance to see what lies beyond StarClan… for better or worse.

Rainscale couldn’t remember how long he had been trekking through the fog before the same brilliant light as he had seen as an apprentice appeared before him. Hurrying forward as fast as his numb legs would allow him, he found that it was indeed a star-filled place, with golden-brown moors, lush woodland and rushing rivers as far as he could see. The sky was clear without a cloud in sight, thick prey-scent filled the air: rabbits, voles, mice, and he could hear the chatter of other cats. What is this place? Dashing for the last few fox-lengths, he escaped the dense mist as his legs gave out from underneath him, coughing violently to clear his chest.

He had absolutely no idea where he was. No cat had ever told him about anything like this, and certainly none of his training sessions with Mapleshade ever took place anywhere this picturesque. So it wasn’t a barrier between StarClan and a mirage, he thought to himself as he surveyed his surroundings. This place was real. Then why did Mapleshade lie about it? She must have known what lay beyond; why keep it a secret from him?

Lost in his sequence of thought, Rainscale almost didn’t hear the sound of cats approaching until it was too late. Sprinting to a dip in the landscape, he got out of sight just before two cats strolled past, talking among themselves. Rainscale didn’t dare peek his head out, not knowing if he was welcome in this seemingly perfect place, nor what they would do to him if they found him. When they had moved out of earshot, Rainscale cautiously brought himself to his paws, before heading for the river that he had seen in the distance. If he was to go anywhere, he may as well head for territory that resembled his own home.

It didn’t take too long to reach the banks of the river. The terrain was easy to navigate, being mostly flat moorland and dense woodland that Rainscale purposefully avoided as much as possible. How does ThunderClan manage, he grumbled to himself, tripping over yet another root while skirting the edge of the forest. Arriving at the waterside, Rainscale dove in and made for the other bank. He had never liked swimming, hating the feeling of wet and heavy fur, an unfortunate outcome in spite of his sleek pelt, but RiverClan training ensured that he wouldn’t drown.

He pulled himself up onto the shore and shook himself, water droplets spraying off him. Rainscale was preparing to head along the bank in search of some inkling of where he was when he heard cats behind him; not a small group either, six, seven at least. Crouching down, he snuck towards the sound of the noise, which seemed to be coming from a circle of reeds. Peering over, painfully aware of how easy he would be to spot with his gray pelt among green stems, he spotted cats; a lot of cats, enough to form a small Clan, basking in the sunlight, with dens scattered around the clearing. Rainscale noted the thick walls of the dens in the camp. Were those RiverClan dens?

A sudden movement from one of the dens caught his eye, and he saw a gray tom emerge. He was huge, with powerful, broad shoulders and glowing amber eyes that seemed to be constantly scanning. Rainscale gulped and lowered his head so that he was only barely able to see through the reeds. I certainly wouldn’t want to run into him in battle!

But battle seemed to be the last thing on the tom’s mind right now. He looked completely relaxed, and padded over to a pale-gray she-cat, who touched his nose in greeting, then lay down to share a massive trout that she had.
Something about that gray tom triggered something in Rainscale’s memory. He had never seen the cat in the waking world, that was for sure, but he seemed to match a cat that his father had described to him, and Rainscale noticed his tone was especially respectful, more than he showed the name of a warrior. Broad shoulders, gray pelt, sturdy build, looked up to by Crookedstar… Hailstar!

Rainscale sunk back into the reeds to ponder what this meant. Hailstar was dead, apparently losing his last life in a battle against a horde of rats, and Crookedstar had become leader after him. From what he knew, all dead cats came to StarClan, but he knew that this was probably false since where he trained with Mapleshade and this place were clearly two distinct places, and Mapleshade was almost certainly dead; the mist was most likely meant as a gate between the two. From what he had seen so far, he was more inclined to believe that this was StarClan, given the amount of cats that he had seen thus far, while he had only seen Mapleshade in her forest. So what was that place that I trained with Mapleshade? The question sent a chill down his spine. Was there another place for cats that were not allowed into StarClan, for whatever reason?

Poking his head through the reeds again, he spotted a white she-cat with distinct spots on her pelt. Brambleberry, he thought, feeling a surge of relief run through him. At last, a cat that he could trust. Rainscale wanted to talk to her, but only her; he didn’t know any other cats apart from her and the cat he assumed was Hailstar, who didn’t know him, and wasn’t sure how friendly they would be to some cat who they had never met before barging into their camp while they were relaxing. So he waited.

After what seemed like a moon, Brambleberry finally left the camp, heading towards the river that Rainscale had crossed. Rainscale followed a few fox-lengths behind, not wishing to be detected. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t trained as a warrior and wasn’t the best at stalking. He knew that he had to stay downwind, he just didn’t have a lot of practice with it.

Brambleberry turned around and yowled at the hedges that Rainscale was in, ‘Who’s there? I know there’s some cat in those bushes! Don’t make me drag you out.’ Genuinely fearing that he was about to be clawed by the medicine cat, Rainscale meekly stepped out of the reeds. Brambleberry’s expression went from one of hostility to one of surprise. ‘Rainpaw? What are you doing here? How did you get here?’ Her face suddenly changed, ‘You’re not dead, are you?’

‘N-no! At least last time I checked, I was still alive!’ Rainscale mewed, startled. ‘Also, I’m Rainscale now. I just got my full medicine cat name. Bramblebery’s features softened. ‘Congratulations! You showed promise as an apprentice. It’s nice to see that potential being fulfilled. Welcome to StarClan! This is where all warriors come after they die, but I’m sure you know this. Why haven’t I seen you here before? This isn’t your first time here, is it?’

Rainscale opened his jaws to speak, ‘What about that forest? What is it?’ A shadow crossed Brambleberry’s face. ‘What… which forest?’ He gulped, staring at the piercingly blue eyes that bore into him. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea after all, but there was no going back now. ‘The forest that lies beyond that wall of mist there,’ he meowed, pointing in the direction he had come with his tail, ‘I was told by Mapleshade that the fog was to prevent cats from falling out of StarClan, but my curiosity got the better of me and I ran through the mist to end up here.’ Brambleberry looked thoroughly unnerved and agitated at the mention of her name. ‘Mapleshade? That StarClan-cursed cat? I should have known she wouldn’t have just stopped at Crookedstar. Not even after how completely she tormented him…’ ‘She treated me quite well… Rainscale trailed off, not knowing what to say.

Brambleberry took a few moments to compose herself before speaking again. ‘The place you came from is called the Place of No Stars. It is where you go if StarClan deems you unworthy of joining its ranks. Rainscale. You do not understand what sort of cat Mapleshade is. She is manipulative, cruel, and ruthless beyond imagination. I was fortunate enough not to be the victim of her plots, but as such I have never spoken to her, and am unable to fully explain her actions or why she has picked you in particular to go after. Promise me you will never see her again.’

Rainscale hesitated. If what Brambleberry said was true, then it wasn’t that he wanted to see Mapleshade again, or return to that place, but he didn’t know how to avoid it. ‘Every time I dream myself into a place, and not just a random dream, I end up in that forest. How am I meant to come here?’ Brambleberry explained, ‘The reason that you end up in the Dark Forest, or the Place of No Stars, is because you actively wanted to be there, since you believed that it was a training session, which is also why you were able to escape; you are not a resident of the Dark Forest, and as such can pass from it into StarClan. All you have to do is do that for StarClan, and you will end up here, assuming it is half-moon or StarClan has an omen to give you, as you aren’t condemned to the Dark Forest, being alive and all. You will not normally be able to access this part of StarClan, which is reserved for StarClan residents, but instead one or more StarClan cats will come and greet you and give you their message.’ Rainscale took in this knowledge, his mind whirring with thoughts. ‘Now,’ Brambleberry continued, ‘continue downstream. There is a cat that you should meet. Farewell, Rainscale. May StarClan light your path.’

Returning the medicine-cat’s goodbye, Rainscale made their way down the river, mulling over what Brambleberry had told him. His suspicions that Mapleshade had been hiding something from him had been correct, though the magnitude of what she had been lying about had not been expected. How could I have been such a mouse-brain, he thought angrily to himself, kicking loose pebbles at the edge of the shore, to have fallen for the same thing Crookedstar did. I’m a medicine cat! I’m meant to be wise and noble and yet now I feel as if I don’t have the sense of a newborn kit. He was determined to let Mapleshade know that he was beyond her control now if he ever saw her again, thanking StarClan that he had decided to run through the mist rather than believe her.

The raging river gradually slowed to a gentle meander. Rainscale noted the Twoleg bridge that spanned its width. If this land has the same layout as the territories, I should almost be at Fourtrees by now. Who am I looking for and where are they?

`As if to answer his question, a gray head broke the surface of the water, leaving ripples in its wake. The cat swam towards the bank with powerful strokes, far better than he could manage, Rainscale thought ruefully to himself, and pulled themselves out, not seeming to notice the young medicine cat standing a few tail-lengths away. Approaching the gray cat, Rainscale noticed their scent. It seemed vaguely familiar, something he had not scented for a long time, moons even, but he had scented it before…

Rainscale shuffled over to the cat nervously, calling out a greeting, ‘Um… hi? Brambleberry told me to find you. You know, Brambleberry? RiverClan medicine cat? White pelt, black spots? …’ His voice trailed off. I’ve found the wrong cat, haven’t I? And now I’ve just made myself look like a mouse-brain. In front of a StarClan cat, no less! Oh, I am never going to live this down…

The cat turned to face him. Rainscale’s eyes widened, his shock mirrored perfectly in their face. Could it be? The amber eyes, the gray tabby pelt that resembled his own, visible even with the stars speckled among it, the white chest markings… he had never seen them for himself, but they had been described enough times by other cats for him to recognise them . This must have been who he was sent to find! He struggled with what to do. He wanted to run to her and press his nose into her fur and ask how she had been and if she had missed them and everything else that he had never gotten the chance to ask, but Mapleshade’s words still left a seed of doubt within him. What if what she had said about her was true? What if she had really done those terrible things in RiverClan? Would he still feel the same way after that?

I have to know, he thought. Mapleshade’s words came back to him: It is better to know and eventually come to terms with the truth than to try and pretend it never happened. Well, that’s one truthful sentence that came out of her, he thought darkly, looking back on all the moons he had been deceived for. Whether I know what happened in the past not does not affect what happened. I need to accept that. With this in mind, Rainscale opened his muzzle to speak.

‘Willowbreeze?’

Chapter 7: Chapter 6

Chapter Text

‘Willowbreeze?’

The silver-grey she-cat stood there slack-jawed for a few moments, as if she couldn’t believe that he was here.
‘R-Rainkit? Is that you?’ He gave a small nod. ‘It’s Rainscale now. I’m a full medicine cat.’

She ran towards him and nuzzled him fiercely, covering his face with licks. Rainscale shrank away slightly, unsure of how to respond. No one had ever shown him this sort of affection before, not even Sunfish when he was a kit. He wanted to do the same, but the questions he had stopped him from doing so. Should he start asking her about her life in RiverClan? He decided to stay silent as she continued talking.

‘I’ve missed you and Silverkit so much! And Crookedstar! How are things in RiverClan? Is Crookedstar managing without me? Is Silverkit a warrior yet? Has she taken a mate? ’ The questions tumbled out of her like flowing water. Rainscale couldn’t blame her. After all, she hadn’t seen any RiverClan cat for seasons now, and wouldn’t know what was happening in RiverClan. At the same time, he didn’t know if he wanted to tell her about these things or not.
Keeping his voice carefully neutral, he answered, ’Me and Silverkit, Silverstream are fine, and no, as far as I’m aware, she doesn’t have a mate. Crookedstar still hasn’t gotten over your death and constantly grieves for you in private, when he believes no one else can see him.’ Willowbreeze’s eyes glistened. ‘Tell him not to mourn me for too long. I love him and I’ll wait for him in StarClan.’

This was about as good a time as any to ask about what he had been sent here for, as well as his own doubts. ‘Do you know a cat named Mapleshade?’ he asked tentatively. His mother’s face fell as quickly as Brambleberry’s had. ‘No…’ she whispered, barely loud enough for Rainscale to hear, ‘not you too?’.

Rainscale pressed on, ‘She told me you… you-’ His voice cracked. He couldn’t bring himself to say it. Willowbreeze wrapped her tail around him. ‘Yes?’ she mewed softly. He dredged up the memories of all the accusations that Mapleshade had made against her. ‘She told me you used Crookedstar’s love for you to gain power in the Clan and used your position as the leader’s mate to control other cats and that you killed our littermates because you were afraid you would lose your control over him, and that me and Silverstream only survived because you died before you could turn to us!’ Rainscale exhaled in a single breath, not wanting to give himself any time to regret what he was saying, stopping afterwards to gasp for air.

Willowbreeze didn’t say anything. She didn’t break down or start yowling at him at how mouse-brained he was
as he had braced himself for. Instead she responded calmly. ‘Do you believe her?’ Rainscale remained silent. Did be believe Mapleshade? The cat standing before him didn’t seem like the sort of cat to do the things that Mapleshade attributed to her, but then again, neither did Mapleshade seem like one to be condemned to somewhere like the Dark Forest when he first met her. I trusted one dead cat blindly, and got manipulated by them. I’m not making that mistake a second time.

He forced his voice to remain flat, trying not to reveal the raging conflict beneath his pelt, fixing his mother with a freezing blue gaze, his eyes shards of ice. ‘You may be my kin, but I’ve never met you before. I’m not trusting a cat based on first impressions again, however much I want to believe that you didn’t do what I heard you did. Mapleshade taught me not to do that the hard way. I’ll make my judgement after I hear what you have to say.’

Willowbreeze nodded, padding over to the shade of a nearby tree, and motioned for him to sit beside her. ‘I never really paid any attention to Crookedstar when I was a kit,’ she began, ‘I was too busy playing with my sister most of the time. He was a couple moons older than me and always seemed too dejected to join us. His mother Rainflower left the nursery before he was apprenticed, and never gave him the attention she should have. She asked for his name to be changed from Stormkit to Crookedkit as a punishment for him breaking his jaw.’

‘My first time talking with him was when he saved me and Graypool from a hawk by jumping on top of us. Not the safest method, but it worked. Then he saved me from a dog a few moons later, when we were both apprentices. He was so shy and awkward around me afterwards; even though he tried to hide it, I could tell he had feelings for me, and I had a crush on him as well. Rainflower must have robbed him of all the confidence that a young tom like him should have had, but it was this more reserved side of him that I liked. He was willing to open up to me in a way that he wasn’t able to with any other cat, and I felt at ease around him; a cat that wouldn’t judge me for my heritage. I’m half-WindClan. Can’t tell, can you? ’ she mewed with a touch of amusem*nt at Rainscale’s bewilderment.

‘We started doing everything together; patrol, hunt, fish… We would talk from sunrise to sunset. He became a warrior despite so many setbacks, and I couldn’t have been prouder of him. I was given my full name not long after, and we only grew closer. Those were the happiest moons of my life…’ Her voice took on a bittersweet tone as memories flashed before her eyes.

‘What happened?’ Rainscale asked quietly, the frost in his eyes gradually fading, to be replaced with doubt. The emotion in her voice took him by surprise. Have I made a mistake? ‘For a long time, nothing. We became mates, he was made deputy after Shellheart retired to the elder’s den, then leader a few moons after when Hailstar died. It was soon after that I discovered I was expecting his kits. Crookedstar was overjoyed, as was I. The kits came. It was a relatively easy birth. I had watched Brightsky die in kitting, and was frightened, but thank StarClan that didn’t happen. I thought I had done it, and me and Crookedstar would get to enjoy each other’s and our kits’ company for the rest of our lives. It was not to be.’

‘I caught greencough sunrises after I had the kits. Brambleberry did everything she could; catmint, coltsfoot, but nothing worked. Growing weaker, and aware that I didn’t have much time left, I called Crookedstar into my den, and named the kits with him. Minnowkit, Willowkit, Silverkit, and Rainkit,’ she meowed, touching Rainscale’s cheek lightly with her tail. ‘That was the last time I ever spoke to him. I died that night, and ascended to StarClan. But even though I can no longer be with Crookedstar, I have never stopped watching over him, or the kits that we had. I love you, Rainscale. I always have and always will.’

A single teardrop rolled down Rainscale’s cheek, followed by another, then another, until Rainscale couldn’t hold himself back anymore. Tears flowed down his face as fast as the swift-flowing stream they were standing beside. Rushing to his mother, he pressed his nose into her side as he drenched her fur with his guilt. How could have he been so foolish? Of course she didn’t do those terrible things. How could he have ever believed otherwise? He found himself repeating the same three words through his muffled sobbing, ‘I’m so s-sorry…. I’m s-so sorry…’

Willowbreeze didn’t try to stop him. She gently wrapped a paw around him and pulled him closer, resting her head on his, murmuring softly in his ear, comforting him. Just like a mother would with her kits, he thought dimly, which only made him cry harder.

He didn’t know how long he was there for. Sunrises, moons, seasons, perhaps. His tears dried up, and eventually he could bear to look the cat that had kitted him, the cat that was willing to accept him despite all the unfounded doubts he had held about her before they even met, in the eye. Willowbreeze spoke, her voice tender and compassionate. ‘I forgive you. You are my kit. Nothing you could say or do could make me love you less.’ Rainscale fought the urge to shed more tears. ‘Now, aren’t you here to ask me something?’

Rainscale swallowed. ‘Y-yes. I was trained in the Dark Forest by a cat named Mapleshade. I take it you know something about her?’ Willowbreeze grimaced. ‘Unfortunately, I do. Too much, perhaps. I had suspected that there was more to Crookedstar’s misery than just his mother, especially after she died and he still had that dark look on his face when he was alone. I know this because I have had the displeasure of speaking to Mapleshade before, in a part of StarClan where we can reach the Dark Forest if we need to.’

‘Mapleshade had her eyes on Crookedstar ever since he was a kit. She appeared to him after he broke his jaw, and lured him in while pretending to be a StarClan cat.’ That’s what she did with me. Realization flashed in Rainscale’s mind. ‘She made him accept the promise that still haunts him to this day; to be loyal to his Clan above all things. Crookedstar, an apprentice at the time, didn’t see the problem with this, and accepted. However, Mapleshade used it as an excuse to control him, labeling anything except total commitment to becoming leader and the greatest warrior he could be as betrayal of that promise. Especially my relationship with him. She apparently got me captured by Twolegs just to get me out of the way, but Crookedstar led a patrol to rescue me, thank StarClan.’

‘Crookedstar had a tragic life. He lost so much; his mother to a storm, his father to illness, his leader to a rat attack, his brother was stuck with kits that his ThunderClan mate had left him with, his mate and half of his kits to greencough… and Mapleshade took credit for all of it.’ Rainscale’s face was one of abject horror. No wonder Crookedstar was so protective of him and Silverstream as kits! ‘Using the excuse that he broke his promise to her, she claimed to be taking all their lives as punishment.’

Willowbreeze’s voice was mournful. ‘The thought that he was responsible for the deaths of every cat that he had ever cared about destroyed Crookedstar. Mine and your littermates’ death was the last straw for him. He sought out Mapleshade in a dream, and tried to kill her, but she won. She could’ve killed him, but let him live instead, to wallow in his grief and guilt for the remainder of his life. But no matter what happened, me, Shellheart and Hailstar are still here for him. I just wish we could tell him that.’

The medicine cat stared at her, stunned. Through his conversations with Brambleberry and Willowbreeze, he had begun to get a grasp on how evil Dark Forest cats were, but only after hearing about the sheer torment that his father had been put through did he realise Mapleshade’s true nature. ‘Why?’ he choked out, ‘Why Crookedstar? Or me?’

His mother answered in a scathing tone, ‘Because Crookedstar’s ancestor, Appledusk, was Mapleshade’s mate, and abandoned her kits and her after their Clans found out about their relationship. Mapleshade was ThunderClan, who drove her out after they learned of the kits’ father. She tried to bring them to RiverClan, but they drowned on the way. When RiverClan refused to take her in, Mapleshade swore to take revenge on the cats that she believed caused her kits’ death. She seems to have taken an obsession with torturing Appledusk’s descendants, which includes Crookedstar and you.’

Rainscale was truly frightened, not just by Mapleshade’s actions, but by the fact that she seemed to be completely insane, which would only make her more dangerous and determined. ‘W-what am I to do? I can’t fight her, can I?’

‘No no no! Of course you can’t! This isn’t your responsibility; Mapleshade is too big of an issue to be taken on by one cat alone; she has enough hatred inside her to wipe out a Clan. For now, she is stuck in the Dark Forest, unable to reach you. As long as you don’t go in, she cannot harm you.’

A sigh of relief escaped the RiverClan cat. Finally, after moons of being manipulated, he had answers at last. No more secrets. He knew what had happened now, and what to do about it.

‘Do you have anything to say to Crookedstar?’ he meowed. She paused for a second, ‘Tell him that my death, and all the others, are not his fault. Tell him all of his friends and loved ones are waiting for him in StarClan, and that we will be there to welcome him when it is his time to join our ranks.’ Rainscale nodded.

‘Well… I better be going now. The others will be expecting me..’ He nuzzled his mother’s cheek. ‘Thank you.’ Willowbreeze returned the gesture, a warm smile on her face. ‘Take care, my son. I will walk beside you always,’ she purred, as the forest around him began to fade.

Chapter 8: Chapter 7

Chapter Text

‘Crookedstar?’ Rainscale called, poking his head into the leader’s den.

His father raised his head. ‘Rainpaw? Come in.’ Rainscale made his way to Crookedstar’s side, who was in his nest in the leader’s den. ‘Mudfur gave me my full name tonight at the Moonstone. I’m Rainscale now.’

Crookedstar’s eyes lit him at the news, ‘I’m proud of you, son. I knew you had it in you, and I’m sure you’ll serve RiverClan for many moons to come. Which is more than I can say…’

Rainscale became aware of his father’s graying muzzle. Was he really that old already? He had never really given the matter much thought, but Crookedstar wasn’t young. He probably would have retired to the elder’s den by now if he wasn’t Clan leader.

‘I wish your mother could see you now,’ Crookedstar mewed, staring out of his den into the star-filled night sky, ‘You have her patience and wisdom, even in your young age.’ Rainscale could hardly stop himself from letting out a snort. Him? Wise? That couldn’t have been further from the truth.

‘Willowbreeze came to me after the ceremony,’ he told him. Crookedstar sat bolt upright. ‘She did?’ ‘Yes. I met her after escaping from the Place of No Stars-’ A startled cry from the older cat cut him off. He realised too late that he should probably have explained that part of his story first. ‘Yes, I trained there, and I know you did too. We were both manipulated. By the grace of StarClan I saw past the lies that would have sealed my fate, and ran from the Dark Forest into StarClan when no one was looking. It was just out of curiosity at first, and only when I talked to Brambleberry and Willowbreeze did I realise how much of a mistake I had made. I have turned my back on Mapleshade-’

‘Mapleshade?’ Crookedstar interrupted. ‘StarClan, not you too…’ That’s three cats now that have had that reaction. ‘I’ve turned my back on her, and no, I didn’t promise her anything like you did, apart from absolute secrecy, and I know how she uses them to manipulate cats. I won’t make the same mistakes you did. No offense,’ he meowed hastily.

Crookedstar gave a weak smile. ‘Anything to free another cat from the clutches of that evil she-cat, especially my kin.’ He gently touched his nose to Rainscale’s. ‘How is Willowbreeze? Still beautiful as always?’ Rainscale’s face heated up a little. ‘I never knew her when she was alive, but based on her appearance in StarClan, yes. She told me how you two fell in love.’

Moonlight shone off the older tom’s eyes, and Rainscale thought he could detect a trace of tears at their edge. ‘She was there for me when no one else was. When my mother turned her back on me, when Oakheart was off with Bluestar, when every other Clanmate saw me with nothing but pity, she saw me as an equal, a partner. I don’t know if this was due to her being half-Clan, but whatever it was, I was grateful for it.’ His voice started to tremble as memories that he had hidden for moons flooded him. ‘I should have told her about Mapleshade and her threats, but I was too scared of losing her, the cat that I loved more than life itself.’

‘I was so happy when I found out she was expecting kits. I felt that I had finally escaped Mapleshade’s hold on me, that I had managed to fight off this cat who had stalked me my whole life. Then I lost the cat I loved most and two daughters in a single day.’ Crookedstar’s face contorted in an expression of pure hatred, as if he was ready to kill whatever was in front of him, causing Rainscale to take a step back in alarm.

‘Perhaps deep down I knew it wasn’t Mapleshade’s fault that Willowbreeze died. That her supposed control over life and death was ultimately just a way to control me. But at that moment, I didn’t care. My mate had just joined StarClan, and this cat who had tormented me my whole life was mocking me for it and claiming to have taken her from me. It was the one time in my life where I fought to kill. All the battles that I’ve been in, all the wounds I’ve suffered… never before had I felt such desire to take life, to kill this cat who had taken, or claimed to have taken, so much from me.’ Rainscale pressed up against his shaking father, offering Crookedstar comfort as he continued, his voice wavering.

‘I attacked her. I used every technique I knew, and used all the skills I had picked up from the Dark Forest. But my single-minded focus on killing Mapleshade cost me the fight, and the chance to avenge my kin. I fought in an enraged flurry, not caring about any injury that she could inflict on me. I wanted to kill her or die and join my kin. She did the one thing I was afraid of; she let me live.’ Crookedstar’s eyes were bleak. ‘I thought about doing what Maplesahde didn’t after my encounter with her, but seeing you and Silverstream gave me a new purpose in life. I vowed to protect you two from the suffering that Mapleshade has sworn to bring down on our bloodline.’

Rainscale had heard this from Willowbreeze, but Crookedstar’s account of his own torment left him thoroughly unnerved. ‘She told me to tell you not to blame yourselves for their deaths. All of your friends and kin are waiting for you in StarClan, and that she’ll meet you there when you join them.’ Crookedstar’s shoulders lifted, as if a weight had been taken off him.. ‘You know I only have two lives left, right?’ Rainscale nodded. A medicine cat knew these things by instinct. ‘I used to be so afraid of losing lives,’ he went on,’ I would fret over how many I have left. But now, I know that death is not something to be feared, but something to be welcomed with open paws, for every cat I have loved is in StarClan waiting for me. Thank you for giving me this message. If you get any more from Willowbreeze, or any other cat, please pass them on.’

The younger cat nodded again, then withdrew from the den.

Chapter 9: Chapter 8

Chapter Text

A gray tom entered the warrior den. Padding lightly, trying to make as little noise as possible, he made his way to a familiar bundle of silver fur, snoring soundly in her nest. Rainscale stifled a bout of laughter. Like when we were kits. Before I met Mapleshade… He brushed the thought aside and prodded the sleeping cat.

‘’S’alright, Rainkit,’ she murmured to herself, turning over and curling into a tighter ball. ‘I’m here now.’ Rainscale burst into a silent fit, but his sister’s care for him, even when she didn’t know it, warmed his heart. She had always been the more outgoing one, and felt that she needed to protect him. As much as he despised it as a kit, he could appreciate where it was coming from now. Poking her with a claw, one of Silverstream’s eyes opened to catch him within its azure stare. ‘Wha- Rainpaw? What are you doing?! I was just having the dream about catching the largest fish RiverClan has ever seen,’ she hissed at him. ‘Sorry for waking you up, but I have to tell you something important.’ His littermate grumbled, getting to her paws, and padded out of the den. ‘Not here; somewhere where we can’t be overheard.’ Silverstream padded after him, grumbling, ‘If this is some mouse-brained joke, I’m going to tear off your pelt and leave you for the foxes… Waking me up in the middle of the night…. This better be worth it.’

They reached the river, opposite where Sunningrocks was. ‘Well?’ she asked impatiently, ‘What is so important that you felt the need to wake me up from a perfectly good sleep?’ Rainscale opened his jaws. ‘Mudfur gave me my name. I’m Rainscale now.’ Silverstream’s blue eyes stretched wide in mock disbelief. ‘Oh wow, definitely not like you’ve been training for it for half your life or anything? You dragged me out here to tell me this?!’ She swung a paw at him, thankfully with claws sheathed, but still with enough force to knock him to the rocky shore, and pinned him there with another. ‘You deserve what you’re about to get.’

‘Wait!’ Rainscale yelped, struggling free of his sister’s grip. ‘I wasn’t finished. I walked with StarClan for the first time that night.’ His sister tilted her head questioningly. ‘Shouldn’t you have seen them on your other trips to the Moonstone? You’re meant to do that, right?’ ‘I’ll explain that later. I met Willowbreeze. Our mother.’ Silverstream gasped in surprise. ‘Really?’ Staring at her paws dejectedly, she mewed, ‘I don’t remember what she looks like. The only part of her I remember is her scent.’ Rainscale answered in a gentle tone, ‘Don’t worry. She hasn’t forgotten about you. The first thing she did was ask about you. She asked specifically if you have taken a mate or not.’ He could sense the heat coming off his sister's pelt as she spluttered, ‘What– why-’ ‘You’ll have to ask her to find out. She’s also half Wind-Clan, so something else to ask her about. Anyways, she told me about her life with Crookedstar, and honestly, it made me tear up.’

She looked at him in disbelief. ‘You? Cry?’ Her tone was incredulous. He was by far the calmer and more measured out of the two of them, and had never shown such obvious displays of emotion. ‘Yes, I did cry. I’m sure you will too, after I tell you.’ Rainscale fought to control himself as he recounted Willowbreeze’s story, deciding not to include the part where he accused her with Mapleshade’s lies. She didn’t need to know that. ‘Crookedstar saved her from a hawk, then a dog when they were apprentices. They grew closer after that; he opened up to her when she was willing to treat him as just another warrior than something to be pitied, and she connected with him due to him not judging her based on her half-RiverClan heritage. They became mates. She watched him become deputy, then leader, supporting him all the way. Then she found out she was expecting kits. Us. She gave birth, but caught greencough, which didn’t respond to herbs. Her last act was to name us with Crookedstar,’ Rainscale choked out.

‘She died that night. ’ Rainscale noted that his sister was staring at the ground, hiding her face from his view. ‘Our parents went through so much, and trust me, I haven’t even gotten to the bad part…’ ‘What can be worse than dying right after your kits are born?!’ Silverstream cried. ‘The Dark Forest?’ Rainscale’s face twisted in a grim smile. ‘The what?’ Rainscale sighed to himself.

‘The Place of No Stars. Where you go if StarClan rejects you. There are no stars, as the name implies, it’s an endless forest with a canopy so thick that you can’t see through it, there is no prey, and all the cats there are evil. You get the idea?’ Silverstream nodded slowly. ‘Turns out, there’s a cat there called Mapleshade, and she is a step above the rest when it comes to how far she’s willing to go. She manipulated Crookedstar from when he was a kit in dreams after he broke his jaw, making him promise to be loyal to his Clan above all other things. Sounds reasonable, right? The thing about Mapleshade is, she’s very good at using seemingly reasonable things to fulfill her unreasonable goals. She claimed tragedies in Crookedstar’s life were the result of him breaking his promise, or in other words, not being completely loyal to her. His mother, his father, his leader, his mate, his kits, every single one of these deaths she pinned on him.’ He decided not to mention Oakheart’s betrayal. There was enough tragedy without adding that to the pile of crow-food.

‘Willowbreeze was all he had left. Then she died of greencough, along with two of our littermates, and Crookedstar lost it, believing his paws to be stained with the blood of every single cat that he had loved and lost. He tried to kill her, and failing that, tried to join his mate in StarClan. We’re the only things keeping him alive.’ Silverstream broke down sobbing after she heard what their father had gone through, and Rainscale couldn’t blame her for being overdramatic for once; he had done the same. He pressed up to her, as Willowbreeze had done with him, trying to offer her the same comfort their mother had him. She asked between tears, ‘Wh-why are you te-telling me this?’

Rainscale winced. The next part really wouldn’t look good on him, would it? ‘Because… because she tricked me as well.’ Silverstream raised her head in alarm. ‘Please tell me you didn’t make the same mistake.’ she whispered, shaking her head. ‘Thankfully, not quite. She never tried to make me promise her anything, and I discovered that I was being lied to earlier than our father did, though it was pure luck that I managed to escape her. She did almost manage to turn me against Willowbreeze. She… she convinced me that she was a selfish cat who had killed herself to manipulate Crookedstar.’

He heard a deep breath from his sister. ‘The other reason why I’m telling you this, apart from the fact that I thought you may want to know, is that it affects you too. This cat Mapleshade has sworn vengeance against our bloodline. Something about our ancestor abandoning her and her kits or something. With any luck, you shouldn’t find yourself in the Place of No Stars, but if you do, and she tries to approach you, do not listen to a word she says. Run. Run until you wake up from your dream. If you see a thick white mist that looks like a barrier, go through it until you reach the other side, but I don’t actually know how to get out of the Dark Forest when it isn’t there.’

Silverstream opened her mouth to protest, but Rainscale’s hiss made her flinch. ‘She managed to defeat Crookedstar and hold him at her mercy when he was a young cat. What chance do you stand against her? I know you want revenge for all the pain she caused our parents, and trust me, I want that too,’ he mewed more gently, touching her shoulder with his tail, ‘but going off and looking for a fight that you cannot win is not how to do it. The best way to thwart Mapleshade is by taking care of ourselves. Promise me you won’t do anything mouse-brained.’

Silverstream nodded, ‘Got it,’ she mewed, in an unusually subdued tone. ‘She was teaching me how to fight; I wanted to learn in case I found myself in one someday. Could you train me instead? I know your warrior training went very smoothly; you obviously have considerable skill as a warrior.’ Silverstream meowed in response, ‘Sure; I’m happy to spar with you.’ Rainscale smiled. ‘Same place in a quarter moon, at dusk?’ ‘Same place, at dusk. Thank you for telling me this, Rainscale. I-it wasn’t easy, but we had a right to know, and I’m thankful that you shared what you knew with me.’ She touched her nose to his ear, then turned around, heading back to the RiverClan camp.

Rainscale gazed up at the night sky. A star sparkled at him as if in approval. Willowbreeze? He wondered? Are you watching over us? I promise I’ll keep my sister safe.

He stayed there for a heartbeat longer, then opened his jaws in a huge yawn and headed back to his den.

Wow. Nothing last night went how I thought it would. I got my name, which I did not expect, then had my view on StarClan and Mapleshade completely flipped. That was one way to make me change my mind. I can say with quite a bit of certainty that I’m under the right influence this time. I’m so glad I know the truth now, especially since the cat I had been training with for the past five moons is not who I thought they were. Also, thank StarClan Mapleshade was lying about Willowbreeze. After hearing both their stories, I know who I trust now, but I can’t believe how close the former came to turning me against my own mother. That was the one situation that I don’t mind crying in. It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m never going back to that forest again. Crookedstar also sounded significantly more reassured after I told him about the events of last night, and I had to tell my sister as well; it wouldn’t be right to leave her out of this, even if I don’t want her getting involved, she is also a target, and once she realises that I’m not under her control anymore, she may try to go after her instead. Speaking of which, Silverstream agreed to spar with me in replacement of my dream training sessions when we’re both available. I still want combat training, in case I have to fight. I don’t know what’s making me this adamant that I will end up in a fight, but hey, who knows. Maybe I go to the Dark Forest and kill Mapleshade or something.

Chapter 10: Chapter 9

Chapter Text

Silverstream told me that she told Mistyfoot and Stonefur about the threat from Mapleshade. While part of me doesn’t want to drag them into this, I do understand that they are also at risk given that she’s targeting Appledusk’s bloodline, which they are also a part of. They apparently received the news calmly. About what I expected; those two are true warriors. I hope Silverstream told them not to go seek out Mapleshade on their own, but I don’t think I need to worry about that too much, given that the ones with the most motive to do so are myself and my sister, probably out of a desire for revenge. Speaking of which, don’t get me wrong, I do want vengeance for what that Dark Forest cat did to my mother, father and my deceased littermates, but I realise that I’m not in a position to go seek out a fight. If I had been a warrior, who knows how different things could have been.

...

Rather successful training session. Managed to fight evenly with Silverstream for quite a while; only lost at the end when I ran out of energy and got pinned, and she said as much. I still don’t have that much power behind my forepaws; that will take time to build up, but my hindpaw strength is quite significant. I have taken to using leaping attacks as a method to close the distance quickly and for the element of surprise; we’re RiverClan; no one expects us to jump well. Silverstream pointed out that I leave my stomach completely exposed in the air, and am unable to change direction, but those are risks I’m willing to take. I’ll stick to it, but I know I can’t over-rely on it; after all, there are still times where I will need to fight paw-to-paw.

...

Another battle with ThunderClan. I don’t see the point of fighting over this pile of rocks - it’s not like there’s any prey there; we’ve RiverClan, all we really need is the river. It’s not worth the blood being spilled over them. We lost. Sunfish has a pretty deep gash down her side, and Crookedstar took a nasty bite to the foreleg. The rest of the Clan is bruised, but nothing lethal. I’m worried about Sunfish though. If her wound gets infected I don’t know if I can cure it. Marigold and horsetail can only do so much. I’ve told her to keep the wound clean at all costs. Even though I’ve met Willowbreeze now, I am still grateful for Sunfish nursing me and Silverstream. She was really gentle and kind with us.

…

Mistyfoot’s expecting kits! Me and Silverstream went to speak with her. Silverstream got a bit carried away trying to figure out who the father was, but all I could think of was Mapleshade. She swore vengeance against Appledusk’s bloodline, which includes Mistyfoot and Stonefur, as well as me and Silverstream. Those kits may end up making the same mistake I did.

There isn’t much I can do about that now, but I’ll be keeping an eye on them once they start their apprenticeship. I know Mistyfoot already knows about the Dark Forest, but I may be able to detect any signs more easily. In the meantime, congratulations! I’m Oakheart and Graypool are as pleased as I am.

…

Crookedstar’s is recovering well. His limp is almost completely gone, and he can swim and fish as well as any uninjured cat. What was once a bite mark is now just another patch of fur. I wish I could say the same about Sunfish’s wound. Thanks to the marigold and horsetail poultices me and Mudfur have given her, there isn’t much risk of infection, but it isn’t healing properly. We’ve decided to keep her in the medicine den for a while longer.

I’ve tried talking to Crookedstar about coming to an agreement with ThunderClan over Sunningrocks; it simply isn’t worth fighting battle after battle over them, and I don’t like having to treat injuries that should never have happened in the first place. He sighed and told me that he would look weak if he just gave it to ThunderClan. I told him that I was willing to go to ThunderClan and negotiate with Bluestar over the issue. He gave me permission, but I am to go in secret. I understand why. Some of our Clanmates are very… adamant that Sunningrocks should be ours and ours alone. I’m nervous enough without worrying about that as well. He also told me not to tell any ThunderClan cat what I’m there for; I’m a medicine cat, I’m allowed in their territory. I can see the reasoning. I imagine there are some belligerent cats in ThunderClan too, who probably won’t even let me speak to Bluestar if I make my intentions clear immediately.

Crookedstar told me what reasons to use to persuade her, mainly circling around Brokenstar and the futility of continued fighting over Sunningrocks, but I can think of one more… I don’t like having to use it, but if I need to do so for peace between the Clans I will.

Chapter 11: Chapter 10

Chapter Text

The stepping-stones were in view, gray spots on the shimmering blue ribbon of river. Rainscale eyed the slippery, water-slicked rocks warily. I’m not going across those! Diving into the water, he made for the other bank. He didn’t like swimming, but it was better than risking twisting a paw on the stones. Pulling himself out of the water, he shook his pelt to dry it, sending water droplets spraying everywhere.

‘Well, what do we have here?’ A voice called out from the forest. Rainscale whipped around. A patrol of four ThunderClan cats was approaching him, a golden tom with a huge mane, a tortoiseshell tom with a ginger tail, a gray-and-white tom, and a white she-cat with blue eyes. The gray-and-white tom stalked up to him. ‘A fish-eater who doesn’t know which side of the river he should be on?’ Rainscale’s eyes widened as the ThunderClan cat unsheathed his claws and swiped at him. He leaped to avoid the blow, sliding out his own claws and falling into a battle crouch. He didn’t come here to start a fight, but if this cat wanted one he could have one!

‘Thistleclaw! Put your claws away.’ The tom with the ginger tail spoke in a commanding voice. The gray-and-white tom stepped back, glowering at his younger opponent. The cat who had given the order padded up to Rainscale. ‘I’m sorry about Thistleclaw. He tends to get a little… overeager with protecting ThunderClan territory,’ looking to the tom, who still had his hateful gaze fixed on the RiverClan cat,’I’m Redtail, deputy of ThunderClan, and this is Lionheart,’ nodding at the golden figure, ‘and Frostfur,’ pointing with his tail to the white she-cat. So that’s Thistleclaw. I heard he was aggressive, and it seems I wasn’t wrong. ‘You’re clearly RiverClan; your scent tells me that much, but I don’t believe I’ve met you before. Who are you and why are you on ThunderClan territory?’

Rainscale relaxed. Redtail seemed far less hostile than Thistleclaw. ‘I’m Rainscale, RiverClan medicine cat. I’m sorry if I am trespassing, but I was under the impression that medicine cats were allowed to enter other Clans’ territories, and I haven’t taken any prey. I’m here because Crookedstar sent me to discuss something with Bluestar.’
‘And what business what could a tiny scrap like you possibly have with our leader-’ Thistleclaw burst out, before being silenced by a furious hiss from Redtail.

‘Thistleclaw, for StarClan’s sake, can you hold your tongue? This cat here is a medicine cat; he deserves to be treated with respect, not insulted when he has done nothing wrong. Do you understand me, or do I have to put you on apprentice duties again?’ Thistleclaw growled and glared at Redtail, but said nothing more. The ThunderClan deputy turned back to the RiverClan cat. ‘Once again, I apologise for my Clanmate. You’re a medicine cat? That explains a lot then. You said you had business with Bluestar? What is it?’

Rainscale shook his head, ‘I’m sorry, but Crookedstar made it quite clear that I’m not to tell any cat until I’ve told Bluestar.’ Redtail’s eyes glittered with interest, but he didn’t press the medicine cat any further. ‘In that case, follow us to our camp.’ He flicked his tail, and the other cats fell in step behind him. He couldn’t help being impressed by the other Clan’s ease in moving through the forest, while he was doing his best not to trip over every other tree root or be pricked by a thorn bush.

Redtail made his way around a large patch of plants and undergrowth. The ThunderClan deputy carefully made his way down several large boulders. The RiverClan cat gulped in apprehension at the sight. Hesitantly, he followed the path the rest of the cats had taken, but on the last boulder his paw slipped, and he let out a yowl of surprise as he fell, landing in an undignified heap a heartbeat later. His ears hot with embarrassment, Rainscale stood up, brushing off bits of bracken that had been tangled in his pelt.

‘Not from the forest, are you?’ Redtail commented, with a hint of amusem*nt in his eyes. The other three cats in the patrol were laughing. Rainscale shook his head sheepishly. ‘Our camp is just through here.’ The ThunderClan cats vanished through a patch of gorse. The medicine cat followed them through, expecting to find himself in a different patch of the forest. He did not expect what he saw instead.

It wasn’t just another patch of the forest. It was a sandy ravine filled with cats, sharing prey and grooming each other. A prey-pile filled with voles, mice and shrews lay to his side. Several dens lined the clearing, one whose entrance was through a fallen tree, another under a seemingly opaque bramble bush, though he could hear the squealing of playing kits inside. In the middle of the camp, a tall boulder stood, where he could just make out a space leading into a cave. It’s so different from the RiverClan camp, but so similar at the same time. Not to mention it’s well protected, he thought, glancing upwards at the leaves above. That must have been the undergrowth we went around. I didn’t even think that there was any more to it than that!

‘Thistleclaw! Good to see you- wait, who is this?’ A massive brown tabby made his way over to the patrol, tasting the air. ‘RiverClan,’ he meowed, with the slightest hint of a snarl in his voice. ‘Redtail, why have you brought this enemy warrior back to our camp? Was he trespassing? If he was, I’ll make sure he doesn’t do it again.’

Redtail held up his tail to silence him. ‘Tigerclaw, relax. This is Rainscale, one of the RiverClan medicine cats. He’s here on Crookedstar’s behest to speak with Bluestar.’ The tabby snorted. ‘What, that pathetic excuse for a leader too afraid to come see us himself? Is he scared I’ll bite him again like I did during that battle a half-moon ago?’ Rage flooded through Rainscale at the jibe aimed at his father. So it was you who did it. He wanted to claw the smug look off Tigerclaw’s face, but he kept himself calm. He’s trying to aggravate me. Besides, I’m in an enemy camp. I’m not winning any fights here.

‘Crookedstar has made a full recovery. He sent me because he didn’t believe it was worth his time to come and deal with the likes of you himself. He’s very busy as a leader, you know.’ Tigerclaw’s eyes narrowed at the retort. Redtail tapped Rainscale on the shoulder with his tail. ‘Come on, I’ll take you to Bluestar.’ He led the RiverClan cat to the large boulder he had noticed earlier. Rainscale noticed many of the ThunderClan cats staring at him, some with suspicion, some with satisfaction, but none of them made a move to stop him. He caught sight of Spottedleaf nearby, applying a poultice onto a wounded cat, and mewed a greeting which she returned, waving her tail.

The two cats reached the boulder, and Redtail poked his head into the cave. ‘Bluestar? You have visitors from RiverClan.’ A blue-gray she-cat with flecks of silver in her muzzle raised her head from a nest tucked in the far corner. ‘Thank you, Redtail. You may go.’ She sat up and curled her tail around her paws as the deputy turned and left. Rainscale approached slowly. He hadn’t met any of the other leaders before, and wasn’t too sure what to expect. Clan leaders were granted nine lives by StarClan, he knew that much, but he had also heard rumors about Brokenstar’s cruelty in ShadowClan, sending kits into battle before they were trained and killing any cat who challenged his authority. What if Bluestar is like him?

But to his relief, he saw no animosity in her blue eyes. Dipping his head in respect, he took a deep breath and began to speak. ‘Greetings, Bluestar. I am Rainscale, RiverClan’s newest medicine cat. I have been sent here by Crookedstar to discuss a resolution to the conflict between our Clans.’ Bluestar’s eyes gleamed. ‘Rainscale. I heard Spottedleaf mention some time ago now Mudfur taking on an apprentice named Rainpaw… aren’t you Crookedstar’s kit?’ The RiverClan cat was taken aback by the question. Why does she care? ‘Y-yes, I am Crookedstar’s son, along with my sister Silverstream. Why? My father told me he had to fight you once when you were both apprentices. Did you know him well?’

The she-cat nodded. ‘Fairly well. We met at a Gathering not long after I was apprenticed. Crookedstar was unsure of himself at first, but gradually became more confident as we talked. He was friendly to me. As for the battle… It was a few moons after that. Our Clans were fighting over Sunningrocks again. Your father attacked me and would have won if my sister Snowfur didn’t come and help me. We saw each other at a Gathering again after we both got our names. I would have hoped our friendship would help make it so our Clans would not come into conflict as much 6;once we both became leaders, but unfortunately that has not happened.’ Bluestar shook her head regretfully, ‘I’m sorry for the storytelling session. I’m sure you were bored by it. Anyways, what sort of resolution did Crookedstar suggest, and why would ThunderClan agree? We just won the last battle, in case you’ve forgotten.’

Rainscale answered plaintively. ‘Bluestar, I’m certain you’ve seen enough battles between our Clans to know that these advantages won’t last forever. ThunderClan may have won the last battle, but the conflict over Sunningrocks has proven that neither one of our Clans is conclusively stronger than the other. Besides, it’s not like your Clan didn’t take any injuries. I saw Spottedleaf treating what looked like battle wounds on a cat when I was outside. This continued warfare will only weaken us both, leaving RiverClan and ThunderClan more vulnerable to other threats.’ Bluestar’s eyes narrowed with curiosity. ‘What sort of other threats?’ She’s testing me, Rainscale thought to himself. There’s no way a leader doesn’t see what I do.

‘Brokenstar. He is a threat to the whole forest. The stories about him training and sending into battle kits as young as three moons old have spread around the Clans like wildfire; I’m sure you’ve heard them yourself. That cat has ambitions over the whole forest; he wouldn’t be training so many warriors otherwise. If ThunderClan and RiverClan wear each other out, Brokenstar can easily send his warriors to attack ThunderClan. We have the river to defend, but you? All that separates you from ShadowClan is a Thunderpath.’

Bluestar nodded thoughtfully. ‘I’ve certainly noticed Brokenstar becoming increasingly unstable and belligerent at Gatherings, and you make a good point about the danger if ShadowClan decides to invade.’ She sighed deeply. ‘If it was just up to me, I wouldn’t mind giving them up to RiverClan. There isn’t that much prey there, and too much blood has been spilled there over those StarClan-cursed rocks. But my Clan would be in uproar if I announced that we were just giving up territory they rightfully see as theirs, especially after our victory. I would lose the respect and support of my Clan, leaving ThunderClan without a leader and even more vulnerable.’

‘Crookedstar feels the same way. He sent me here without the rest of RiverClan knowing for that reason.’ Rainscale meowed. ‘What if we split ownership of Sunningrocks? I am well aware that prey runs short in the forest during leaf-bare, while the river remains full of fish even during the coldest moons, even if we have to smash through the ice to reach them. ThunderClan will have Sunningrocks as part of their territory during leaf-bare and newleaf so you can recover. Then, once it’s greenleaf and the forest runs full of prey, RiverClan will take possession of the rocks until next leaf-bare. Each Clan will get the rocks for six moons.’

The ThunderClan leader’s face clouded with indecision. ‘I don’t know… It’s a reasonable arrangement that settles the most important issue of prey, but how will I get my Clan to agree? Would they agree to such a compromise? Should they? Should I?’ she meowed, half to herself, ‘Why should ThunderClan agree? Why should I agree? I act in the interests of ThunderClan first and foremost. If Brokenstar wants to invade ThunderClan, let him try. We will be waiting. Why should I care what RiverClan wants?’

Rainscale sighed inwardly. I guess I have to bring it up. He really didn’t want to use this against Bluestar, but with the ThunderClan leader seemingly on the precipice of rejecting his plan outright, he had to act.

‘Bluestar, with all due respect, don’t be a fish-brain.’ He forced himself not to flinch at the surprised look she gave him. ‘ThunderClan, however powerful it may be, cannot hope to take on both RiverClan and ShadowClan at once and win. WindClan has been keeping to themselves; they aren’t going to help you. You must make peace with one Clan before shifting your focus to the other.’

‘As for why ThunderClan should care about RiverClan, there’s more that links us than just being Clans.’ Fear shot through him as Bluestar instantly snapped her head to stare at him, but he forced his voice to remain steady. ‘We are linked by blood too.’ The blue she-cat froze. ‘W-what d-do you m-mean?’ she managed to stammer out. ‘Mistyfoot and Stonefur. I know, Bluestar. Mistyfoot’s expecting kits. Please, think for their sake as well.’

Bluestar held him in her gaze. Rainscale tensed his muscles to flee in case she attacked him. She struggled to speak for a long time. ‘How?’ she asked weakly. ‘Crookedstar told me. I don’t know how he knew, but Oakheart is his brother after all. I haven’t told anyone. Us three are the only ones that know. We haven’t told your kits, nor do we plan to. I don’t know what drove you to give your kits away, but rest assured they are fine warriors. You would be proud of them.’

He continued speaking. ‘I’m sure no honourable warrior would kill intentionally in a fight, but accidents happen. I’ve been a medicine cat long enough to know. Some of your warriors are very… enthusiastic about fighting. I was attacked by Thistleclaw as soon as I crossed the border. He may not show the same restraint.’

Bluestar’s gaze hardened. ‘Thistleclaw. He’s the reason why I had to give my kits up, and why Mosskit died. I had to carry them through the leaf-bare snow to Oakheart, and she froze on the way.’ She stood up without elaborating any further. ‘I need to discuss this with my deputy. Please excuse us. Feel free to wander the camp until we’ve reached a conclusion.’ She motioned with her ears that he was dismissed, but spoke again just as he reached the entrance. ‘Rainscale. I would just like to say you are very insightful for a cat of your age. Crookedstar chose well in sending you here. I’m sure you will go on to become a great medicine cat and mentor. RiverClan is lucky to have you.’ The medicine cat tucked in his head shyly in acknowledgement, then left the den.

Rainscale headed for the medicine den. He had no desire to be heckled by the other ThunderClan cats; from what he gathered, tensions were still high after the battle. Skirting the edge of the camp, he made his way to a tunnel of ferns from which the pungent scent of various herbs drifted out of. An orange-and-brown tortoiseshell was leaning over a golden-brown cat stretched out on the floor.

‘That’s the last of the wounds, Goldenflower, you are free to go. Remember to take it easy for the next few sunrises though, and come back at dawn so I can dress them again.’ The golden cat got to her paws and exited the den. Rainscale stepped in. Bundle after bumble of herbs lined the wall beside what he assumed was the medicine cat’s nest. Wow, Spottedleaf keeps things a lot more organised than I do in RiverClan, he thought to himself, letting out a faint chuckle at his own disorganisation. No wonder Mudfur’s always so grumpy about me not putting herbs in the right place. Still doesn’t stop me from finding what I’m searching for when I need it though.

The she-cat was talking to herself, ‘Not many cobwebs left, I’ll have the apprentices gather some tomorrow; I hope they don’t break all the seams like they did last time. Marigold’s doing fine, but we could use more comfrey- sorry, didn’t realise you were here, Rainscale!’ She flicked her tail over his shoulder in greeting. ‘I saw you just now, but you seemed busy, so I didn’t come over to talk. Why are you here?’

Rainscale decided to tell her why he was here. I’ve told Bluestar, and I trust Spottedleaf; she’s a fellow medicine cat.’Crookedstar sent me here to discuss how to settle the issue of Sunningrocks.’ The ThunderClan medicine cat’s eyes widened, ‘He sent you for that? Sorry - I didn’t mean that you were incapable. It’s just such an important task, I would have thought he would have wanted to come himself.’

The RiverClan cat answered, with a touch of annoyance at the memory of what had happened earlier, ‘Thistleclaw and Tigerclaw made it quite clear that they thought my father was a coward who was too scared to come himself. Turns out Tigerclaw was the one that gave him a bite to the foreleg that only healed after half a moon.’ Spottedleaf’s voice was consoling, ‘Those two again. They seem to want to endlessly stir up trouble. Thistleclaw has a dark heart. I’ve seen him in places where he really shouldn’t be…’

Rainscale’s mind immediately flew to a forest where the sky was devoid of stars, where no light shone through the trees, and where a different tortoiseshell cat resided. His breath caught in his throat. Was Spottedleaf implying what he thought she was? ’Do you mean the Dark Forest?’ he blurted out. Spottedleaf stopped dead, standing like a cat made of stone. ‘How do you know?’ she whispered. I kind of have to tell her the whole story now, don’t I?

‘I may or may not… have trained there for a few moons.’ Spottedleaf hurriedly stumbled back a few pawsteps. Rainscale called out. ‘Wait! Spottedleaf, let me finish. One of the cats there tricked me into thinking that the Dark Forest was StarClan; that’s the only reason I kept visiting. Then, when I got my name two moons ago, I found out the truth when I crossed the border into StarClan and spoke with Brambleberry.’ The orange-and-brown cat visibly slackened at this. ‘So… you’re not evil?’ Rainscale answered firmly. ‘No. I have turned my back on the Dark Forest. I’m never going there again. Please don’t tell any other cat.’ She nodded, much to his relief. ‘Did Thistleclaw also train there? Is that why he’s the way he is now?’

Spottedleaf spoke softly, as if afraid of being overheard. ‘I didn’t always want to be a medicine cat. I trained as a regular apprentice for the first few moons, during which time me and Thistleclaw grew very close. I thought I loved him, and that we would become mates once I became a warrior. Then one night I found myself in the Dark Forest, where I saw Thistleclaw fighting with a grey cat, claws out. He told me it was battle training when I asked him about it and asked me to join him, but something felt wrong about that place, like it was evil. I told him to choose between me and the Dark Forest, and he chose to continue training with those cats. It was then when I decided to become a medicine cat. Thistleclaw is cruel, bloodthirsty and vicious now. All because of the Dark Forest.’

‘I thought I was the only one to be tricked by them.’ He decided not to bring up Crookedstar; his father probably wouldn’t appreciate him telling a cat from another Clan details about his life that only his kits and himself knew, even if it was to another medicine cat. ‘I’m sorry to hear what happened to you. I know what that place can do to a cat. They tried to turn me against my own kin, and very nearly succeeded.’ Rainscale meowed, shuddering at what he had believed of his mother when he was an apprentice. So it’s not just Crookedstar and myself who were manipulated, and it’s not just Mapleshade in the Dark Forest. How many cats live there? Let’s hope I never have to find out.

Spottedleaf shook her head. ‘That’s thankfully all in the past now. How are peace negotiations going?’ Rainscale shrugged. ‘I honestly can’t tell. I proposed a system of ThunderClan getting Sunningrocks for leaf-bare and newleaf, when prey is scarce, and it becoming RiverClan territory for greenleaf and leaf-fall. However, when I left, Bluestar was still thinking. Even if she agrees, we still have to think of ways of explaining it to our Clans. I’m sure Crookedstar will handle that in RiverClan, and I’m not too worried about that, but cats like Thistleclaw and Tigerclaw aren’t going to stay quiet here. Bluestar needs to get most of the Clan on her side or she could risk losing the support of her Clan. Spottedleaf, what do you think? You’re the medicine cat here, you know every cat quite well. Do you think ThunderClan will support such an agreement?’

The tortoiseshell stared at him. ‘When did you become so wise?’ she mewed jokingly. Rainscale’s ears heated up slightly as she went on. ‘ No, but seriously, I think you have quite a good chance of convincing them. Not all the cats here are eager for war, especially over land that has been won and lost, won and lost, over and over again. Thistleclaw and Tigerclaw will almost certainly voice their opposition, but I believe Redtail would support you. My brother doesn’t like bloodshed unless he sees it as necessary. Other cats such as Whitestorm and Lionheart aren’t particularly battle-hungry either. Also, the mothers and fathers of any kits or apprentices, which is quite a lot of cats, probably won’t support more war. They wouldn’t want their kits to risk injury or worse if they can help it.’

Rainscale’s spirits rose with optimism. ‘Thank you, Spottedleaf, I really needed the encouragement. Will you speak later if Bluestar asks you to?’ The other cat gave a mew of affirmation. ‘I will, and it will be in support of your plan. I think it is the best way for both of our Clans to move forward. It also doesn’t hurt that we have to treat fewer injuries if this war stops. Less work for us!’ The two medicine cats shared an amused purr.

Thistleclaw strode into the den. ‘You,’ he meowed roughly, pointing a tail at the RiverClan cat. ‘Leader’s den. Now.’

His eyes narrowed as he looked from Rainscale to Spottedleaf back to Rainscale - the RiverClan cat noticed the bitterness that Thistleclaw looked at Spottedleaf with, and how she refused to meet his gaze, staring at her paws. Rainscale held the ThunderClan cat’s stare evenly, refusing to back down until he turned and left.

Mouthing a quick farewell to Spottedleaf, Rainscale followed the gray-and-white tom back to the leader’s den under the boulder. Bluestar and Redtail sat inside the cave, deep in conversation. ‘The RiverClan cat is here,’ Thistleclaw announced loudly as he walked off. Rainscale peered inside. Bluestar and Redtail were seated, deep in conversation. They both turned their heads at the newcomer’s arrival. ‘Rainscale. Please, come in,’ Redtail invited, beckoning him with his tail. The RiverClan cat nodded and joined the two ThunderClan cats.

‘After discussion with Redtail, I have decided to propose this plan to the Clan as a whole to see what they think..’ Bluestar stated. ‘We both believe that this is too large of a matter for the other warriors not to have a say in. Given the recent conflict between our Clans, I believe that you shouldn’t speak on behalf of your arrangement - a RiverClan cat speaking in favour won’t go down well with the rest of ThunderClan. Instead, I will propose the plan, and you may answer any questions that cats raise. Agreed?’ The RiverClan cat gave an affirmative mew. ‘Then I will call the Clan now.’

Rainscale headed out of the den and down to the clearing, taking up a spot at the very back. I don’t think standing up there with her would be helpful. Bluestar stepped outside. ‘Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!’ ThunderClan flocked to the Highrock, many finding places to sit down as they waited for their leader to speak.

‘As I’m sure you are aware, RiverClan has sent one of their medicine cats, Rainscale, to our camp. He is here to discuss a peace settlement with us over Sunningrocks. Me and my deputy Redtail have listened to what he has had to say, and have come to an amicable agreement, but I want to share his proposal with you all before I make a decision.’ Time to see if this has been worth it, the RiverClan cat thought.

‘The arrangement is as follows: ThunderClan will have Sunningrocks for leaf-bare and newleaf, while RiverClan will take possession for greenleaf and leaf-fall. Does any cat have anything they wish to say about this?’

Tigerclaw immediately stood up. I figured as much. Let’s hope the rest of ThunderClan is more level-headed than him. ‘Bluestar, what are you doing? We’ve just won a battle, and now you go and make peace with the enemy? Sunningrocks are ours! We should teach those fish-munchers that as many times as necessary, not agree to some peace that means giving up our land!’ Rainscale couldn’t tell what the other cats were thinking; some cats had their heads together in discussion, but he couldn’t make out any words.

Thistleclaw spoke in support of the striped tabby. ‘Tigerclaw is right. We should take a battle patrol and teach RiverClan a lesson, not mewl like kits negotiating peace. Where is that RiverClan cat anyways? Too scared to stay here and face the rest of our Clan-’

Rainscale coughed loudly. Every cat turned to him, Thistleclaw gnashing his death in anger. Bluestar gave him a faint smile. ‘Spottedleaf, do you have anything to say about this?’ The tortoiseshell stepped up to the Highrock. ‘Too much blood has been spilled over these rocks. Cats are getting hurt and even killed. This constant fighting has to end, or all we will do is weaken both of our Clans and lose cats unnecessarily.’ She looked at the queens and their kits, who shuffled their paws uneasily. ‘Would you want to condemn your kits to endless war? There is no point in throwing more ThunderClan lives away.’

Well spoken, Spottedleaf, he thought silently. ‘Does any other warrior wish to speak?’ Bluestar asked her cats. Lionheart rose. ‘I think it’s a sensible agreement. We get the extra prey at Sunningrocks during the moons when prey is scarce, and RiverClan does when the forest runs rich with prey during greenleaf.’ A tabby she-cat spoke up. ‘Our medicine cat was right when she said that too much ThunderClan blood has been pointlessly spilt over the rocks. Both Clans are going to continue insisting that the rocks were theirs anyways, and there isn’t much we can do to change that. I see no reason not to settle this dispute with words where claws have failed.’

Bluestar called out once more. ‘I take it that the Clan is in favour of peace?’ A murmur of assent rose around the clearing. Thistleclaw, Tigerclaw, and two other cats, a black-and-gray tom and a pale tabby left the clearing. ‘That peace-loving piece of crow-food Spottedleaf… Don’t even get me started on that cursed RiverClan cat…’ he heard one of the cats mutter to another. He made a note to himself to avoid those cats if he saw them again; he wouldn’t be worried normally, no warrior would harm a medicine cat unless provoked, but knowing what he did about Thistleclaw made him question if he would obey Clan customs.

‘Then the Clan meeting is over. Our RiverClan guest will tell Crookedstar the good news.’ Cats dispersed around the clearing. Bluestar motioned to him. ‘I want to thank you for making this happen,’ she meowed as he approached. ‘This has been something I’ve wished for since I became leader.’ ‘It’s for the benefit of both our Clans. I’m a medicine cat - non-violent solutions are always best if one can be found.’

The ThunderClan leader gazed at the weak light shining through the leaves above. ‘I think it’s time you were going. If you didn’t tell any cat that you were coming here but Crookedstar, RiverClan must be worried sick about you.’ The medicine cat gave an agreeing mew, turning to leave. ‘Oh, and Rainscale?’ He stopped and faced her. ‘Thank you for keeping my secret.’ The RiverClan cat nodded. ‘It’s no problem. StarClan light your path, Bluestar.’ She returned the greeting and headed for the Highrock.

‘Rainscale?’ Spottedleaf padded up to him, a bundle of herbs in her jaws, he recognised the traveling herbs of sorrel, daisy, chamomile, and burnet. ‘I know you’re not going on a journey, but you must be tired after walking all the way here and negotiating with Bluestar. Trust me - I’m her medicine cat and she can be a pain in the tail to deal with at times!’ She dropped the herbs at his feet. ‘These should keep you going until you reach RiverClan.’ Rainscale dipped his head in gratitude. ‘Thank you, Spottedleaf. I’ll see you this half-moon.’ ‘Likewise, Rainscale,’ she mewed as she made her way back to her den.

The RiverClan cat swallowed the herbs, wincing at the familiar yet bitter taste, and left the ThunderClan camp. I think I remember the way back. I should hurry though, he thought as he saw the sun already half-set across the horizon, casting a golden glow across the forest. Scaling the boulders as quickly as he could, he made for the river. It was virtually nightfall by the time he made it to the edge of the water. No way am I risking the stepping-stones in this light. He swam over to RiverClan territory and headed towards the camp.

The moon bathed the clearing in a silver sheen. Cats were lounging about, sharing prey with their mates and discussing the latest Clan gossip. Rainscale entered and padded towards the medicine den, but not before he was spotted by Mistyfoot. ‘Rainscale! There you are! Where have you been? The entire Clan has been searching for you!’ Heads around the clearing turned towards him, along with a torrent of questions.

‘Where were you?’

‘Why did you disappear?’

‘Did ThunderClan kidnap you?’

Rainscale held a paw in front of him in a calming gesture. ‘No, ThunderClan didn’t kidnap me. I was at their camp, actually. I was there to discuss peace terms.’ Gasps of surprise echoed from the surrounding cats. ‘I’m glad to see you all again, but I need to speak with Crookedstar first.’ He made his way to the leader’s den. Silverstream was speaking with Crookedstar, panic and accusation in her voice.

‘I don’t understand how you can be so relaxed. My brother, your own kit, is missing, yet you don’t seem to be worried in the slightest. I-’ she stopped mid-sentence as she saw the gray cat standing at the den entrance. ‘Rainscale!’ she exclaimed, touching noises with him. Crookedstar spoke calmly, ‘I wasn’t worried because I knew where he was. I sent him to ThunderClan to explore the possibility of peace with Bluestar.’ Silverstream’s cheeks turned red with embarrassment. ‘I’m sorry…’ Crookedstar put his tail on her shoulder. ‘It’s alright. It’s good that you were worried. It shows that you care about your littermate.’ He turned to Rainscale. ‘Welcome home, my son. How did talks with ThunderClan go?’

Rainscale explained the peace agreement and ThunderClan’s decision to the RiverClan leader. Crookedstar nodded approvingly. ‘Those are fair terms. Well done. You’ve ensured that no more RiverClan blood needs to be spilled over pointless border disputes. As much as I don’t like giving up land to another Clan, this is the best outcome we could hope for.’

The medicine cat let out a huge yawn. Crookedstar’s eyes shone sympathetically. ‘You must be worn out. You can go to your nest now. I’ll tell the Clan after the night has passed. I only sent you to ThunderClan after ensuring that most of RiverClan supported such an agreement. Don’t worry about any backlash.’ The medicine cat dipped his head and exited, Silverstream following behind him.

‘So that’s where you were. ThunderClan! How were they? I’ve heard they have some really fierce warriors, but I’ve never gotten to talk to them very much at Gatherings.’ ‘Well, one of them attacked me the instant I set a paw on their territory, even though I’m allowed to be there. Thanks for the battle training. But that’s not the only thing I learned,’ Rainscale added. ‘Come with me.’

He led her to the empty medicine den. ‘You know about Mapleshade and the Dark Forest, and how I was tricked by them, right?’ Silverstream flinched. ‘I don’t think about it unless I have to, but yes.’ The medicine cat went on. ‘Turns out I wasn’t the only one there. Spottedleaf told me that Thistleclaw - a gray-and-white tom - is training there as well; not by Mapleshade, some other cat I don’t know the name of. Unlike me however, I think he knows what he’s doing, and he seems to be enjoying it. It’s made him more battle-hungry and aggressive. He was the cat who pounced on me. Avoid him if you can.’

His sister mewed in concurrence. ‘I’m sure you’re tired, Would you like me to bring you some prey?’ As if in response, Rainscale’s stomach growled. With a start, he realised that he hadn’t eaten since he left camp at sunrise. Silverstream giggled. ‘I’ll take that as a yes. Come on, the fresh-kill pile is still stocked.’

Later on, Rainscale lay in his nest, thoroughly stuffed, licking the last scraps of the salmon Silverstream had caught from around his mouth. ‘Thanks for the fish.’ He touched his nose to her ear, ‘I’ll see you at sunrise.’ His sister brushed her face against his before leaving. The medicine cat closed his eyes and let sleep take him into its depths.

Chapter 12: Chapter 11

Chapter Text

Half-moon meeting coming up. I didn’t get to go last time - had to stay in camp to take care of the Clan. Now that I’m a full medicine cat, me and Mudfur have agreed to alternate going to the Moonstone. I wonder if I’m going to see my mother or Brambleberry again? The last time I went was when I got my name. I don’t think I will be allowed into StarClan territory; Brambleberry made it quite clear that living cats aren’t normally allowed to wander there. I think a StarClan cat will appear, but I don’t know which one, or if they will even be from my Clan.

All the same, I am excited. This will be my first half-moon meeting as a full medicine cat. Who knows; maybe I’ll meet some legendary cats from the past. Riverstar? I’ve heard a lot about him - how could I not, he gave our Clan our name. He was an insightful and measured leader whose wisdom survives even in our time, countless generations later.

I would still be more comfortable with a StarClan cat I knew more about though.

Meowing a hasty goodbye to Crookedstar, Rainscale left the RiverClan camp, his tongue still stinging from the herbs. The half-moon shone with its usual luminescence, accompanied by the countless number of stars. I know my warrior ancestors are with me now, he thought, recalling the doubts he had held on the night he had received his name. I know what I am meant to be now. Those fears will not control me any longer.

The medicine cat cut through Fourtrees and WindClan territory, reaching the foot of Highstones and began the arduous climb. It never gets any easier, does it? He was thankful for taking the traveling herbs - cats were forbidden to eat before conversing with StarClan, and the herbs, while admittedly disgusting, gave him the strength to make up for it.

He reached the entrance to Mothermouth. Glancing around, he tasted the air for any other cats. There were none. So I’m early for once. Rainscale sat down outside the cave opening to wait, gazing at the steadily rising moon. If the stars are our ancestors, then what is the moon? The Clan founders? The founders of the four Clans, Thunderstar, Riverstar, Windstar, and Shadowstar, rarely showed themselves to living cats; he had never heard of any cat speaking with them. I guess they wish to be left alone, and I can’t exactly blame them. I would want some peace and quiet too after I leave the living world.

Lost in thought, Rainscale stiffened as a tail-tip brushed against his neck. ‘You didn’t hear me, did you?’ He relaxed as a soft voice spoke from behind him. ‘If I had been a predator you would have been crow-food.’ The RiverClan cat turned. ‘But you aren’t a predator, now, are you? Hello, Spottedleaf. I must thank you again for your help in convincing ThunderClan to agree to peace. I don’t know if I-’ She slapped her tail over his mouth. ‘Don’t mention it. It was nothing. We’re medicine cats; we help one another, and what you were suggesting benefitted both of our Clans. It would be mouse-brained for me to oppose it. Any sign of the other two?’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘Yellowfang and Hawkheart are getting old after all. Maybe that’s why they are a bit slower?’

‘Who are you calling old?’ A voice growled from below the two cats, causing them to jump in alarm. A ragged grey she-cat made her way up to them. ‘I’m still capable of shredding your pelt if I wanted to, thank you very much.’ Spottedleaf spoke soothingly. ‘Calm down Yellowfang, I’m sure he didn’t mean it.’ Rainscale nodded quickly in agreement.

A brown tom that Rainscale didn’t recognise joined the three cats. ‘Barkface,’ Yellowfang lowered her head in greeting, and they did the same. ‘I hope Hawkheart is healthy?’ Barkface’s mew was somber. ‘He joined StarClan half a moon ago.’ ‘My condolences. He was a fine medicine cat.’ Rainscale wasn’t too familiar with the WindClan cat, but they had treated him quite well, even when he was an apprentice. Spottedleaf and Yellowfang gave similar comforting mews. Barkface shook his head. ‘Thanks. We should go in now,’ he commented, noticing the moon almost being directly above them. The four medicine cats headed into the pitch-black cave.

‘Who is Barkface?’ he murmured to Spottedleaf. ‘The other WindClan medicine cat. Hawkheart’s former apprentice. He’s not that much older than you, but you’ve never seen him before because you two have never come on the same night. Barkface is a serious cat, not particularly friendly, but he’s as great a healer as his mentor was.’ Spottedleaf whispered back. ‘What was that?’ A gruff call came from further ahead. Neither Rainscale nor Spottedleaf responded as they continued walking.

Before long, the cats could make out pale light up ahead. They filed into the cavern, where the Moonstone stood, glowing with moonlight. Rainscale pressed his nose up to the cold rock, as did the others, and waited for StarClan to commune with him. A slight twinge of unease stirred inside him. What if I can’t reach them at all? I’ve only communicated with them once, and I don’t think running from the Dark Forest into StarClan is how you’re meant to do it. He pushed it aside and calmed his thoughts, feeling himself drift off into slumber.

White light shone through the gaps between his eyelids. Blinking them open, he was greeted by luxuriant bushes and trees, their leaves blooming with the life of greenleaf. I guess this is the part of StarClan where living cats can reach? He was relieved that he had not been unable to reach StarClan as he had feared. So… what do cats do when they talk to StarClan warriors? They can’t receive a prophecy every half-moon, can they? Speaking of which, he thought, looking around, trying to catch sight of any other cat, what do I do if no StarClan cat appears to talk to me? Do I just sit here until I wake up?

The sounds of pawsteps pricked his ears, and he turned to see a familiar gray cat step out of the bushes. Rainscale’s heart soared. ‘Mother!’ he cried, running up to her and pushing his face against her neck. Willowbreeze nuzzled him in return, purring. ‘I’m so glad to see you again, Rainscale. How are Crookedstar and Silverstream?’ ‘I gave Crookedstar your message; he seems to have found solace in your words. Silverstream knows about the Dark Forest and the threat from Mapleshade now; she took the news with courage, and we agreed to spar with each other to train.’ Willowbreeze purred again. ‘I wouldn’t have expected any less from you two.’

‘I watched your mission to ThunderClan. I’m proud of how you handled the situation, even in the face of hostility from the other cats there. You acted like a true medicine cat.’ Rainscale’s face flushed with pride at her praise. ‘I do feel guilty for using what I knew about Bluestar’s kits to convince her though,’ he admitted. ‘Your intentions were pure. You didn’t want to manipulate her for your own ends; you just wanted to secure peace between the Clans. There’s nothing wrong with that,’ his mother reassured him.

‘What do I do now? I don’t know what medicine cats are supposed to do when they come to talk with StarClan. Do you have a prophecy for me? They don’t get one every moon, can they?’ Willowbreeze laughed. ‘No, of course not! Prophecies are quite a rare thing; smaller warnings are more common, but I don’t have one for you tonight. Instead, I thought I would show you something else. You can come out now,’ she called to the bushes she had emerged from.

Two kits timidly stepped out of the foliage, one smoky-black and the other dark-gray. They scampered up to Willowbreeze, climbing on her back. ‘I want a badger ride!’ one of them squeaked. ‘Me too!’ added the other kit.
His mother chuckled, placing them softly on the ground. ‘You’ve just had one here, my lovelies. Give me a bit of time to rest and I’ll carry you back to camp later on, okay?’ The kits squealed with excitement. Rainscale’s eyes widened as the realisation of who these kits were struck him. Could they be…

Willowbreeze called to the two kittens. ‘Kits, come sit beside me. There’s a cat here that you should meet.’ They sat down beside her obediently. She motioned Rainscale over. ‘These are your sisters. The dark-gray one is Minnowkit, and the black one is Willowkit,’ pointing with her tail. ‘Minnowkit, Willowkit, this is Rainscale, your brother and RiverClan’s newest medicine cat.’ Minnowkit and Willowkit raced up to him, examining the medicine cat with wonder.

Something stirred within the depths of the RiverClan cat’s memories. Focusing on the faint voices in his head, he did his best to draw the scraps of echoes out.

…

‘You’re going to be fine!’ A voice he now recognised as Crookedstar’s rang out, shrill with fear.

‘Help me name our kits.’ Willowbreeze’s voice was softer, filled with tenderness.

Shuffling could be heard a few paces away. He felt a sudden jolt as something pressed up against the warm fur he was curled up against.

‘Minnowkit,’ Crookedstar spoke again, ‘Willowkit. I want her to have your name. Silverkit, and Rainkit.’ At the last words, he felt something touch his head lightly. A tail-tip?

‘Those are lovely names.’ He heard a gentle sigh as Willowbreeze shifted her weight. His father purred. ‘You rest now, my lovely,’ he murmured as he entered the nest, curling up around him and his littermates. ‘I’ll keep you warm.’

…

‘Rainscale? Is something wrong?” Willowbreeze waved a paw in front of his eyes. ‘I remember now,’ he breathed out. ‘I remember when you and Crookedstar named us. I was curled up in your belly along with my littermates. Crookedstar came in, and you asked him to help name us. I thought everything would be alright at that moment, and I went to sleep. When I woke up, you were already dead.’ His voice caught in his throat as he turned his gaze on his sisters. ‘I never thought I would have a chance to meet you. I-I don’t know what to say…’ He did his best to hold back his tears, but they came nonetheless.

His mother rested his head on her shoulder. ‘We’re here now. That’s all that matters.’ she meowed soothingly. ‘Willowbreeze, why is he crying?’ Minnowkit piped up. ‘He’s just happy to see you, that’s all. Do you have any questions to ask him?’

‘What’s a medicine cat?’ Willowkit asked, poking his leg with her tiny claws. Rainscale wiped his tears aside, letting out a weak mrrow. ‘A medicine cat is a cat that takes care of their Clan. We learn about herbs and how to use them to treat injuries and illnesses, and use these to heal our Clanmates. We also interpret signs and commune with StarClan every half-moon. We exist outside of Clan boundaries, and don’t participate in battles. Medicine cats are forbidden from taking mates and having kits - for medicine cats, the entire Clan are our kits.’

The black kitten huffed. ‘That sounds really boring. I’d rather be a warrior. I know some really good moves. Like this!’ She sprang at Rainscale. The RiverClan cat fell onto the floor, pretending to be beaten. ‘Stop! No more, please!’ Minnowkit raced over to join her sister, Rainscale felt two pairs of miniature paws batting against his fur. The kits gleefully continued, their victim writhing on the ground as if in great pain. He winced as one of them bit down on his pelt, but he didn’t mind. If getting to spend time with the littermates he never got to know in life meant taking a few scrapes, it was more than worth it.

Minnowkit clambered onto his stomach, holding her paws at his neck. ‘Do you surrender?’ she growled in a high-pitched voice. Rainscale purred. ‘How could I not? I stand no chance against such fierce warriors like you two.’ Willowkit jumped on him. ‘We’re going to be the greatest warriors you've ever seen!’ He didn’t doubt that. The two kits had so much enthusiasm and energy that would have served them well during warrior training. A wave of grief swept over him as he thought about the life they could have had, snatched away from them by the cold, unforgiving jaws of greencough.

Willowbreeze wrapped her tail around him. ‘I know what you’re thinking.’ she mewed. ‘I wish they hadn’t joined me in StarClan so early too. They never got a chance to know their father, you or Silverstream, experience the joys of being a warrior, or have kits of their own. But they’re happy here. Even if I would give anything for them to have survived, I can find some comfort in knowing that they will be safe here with me, where no cat will harm them.’

Mapleshade. Images of the dark tortoiseshell flashed in his mind. ‘Maybe it’s better this way,’ he murmured to himself, watching his sisters play-fight in the grass, their yowls and high-pitched battle-cries reaching his ears.‘ They never have to weather the chill of leaf-bare, face the torment of hunger, or know that a cat has sworn herself to their suffering.’

The moon had begun to descend across the horizon. ‘You should go now. The other medicine cats will be expecting you.’ his mother mewed gently. ‘I wish I didn’t. I don’t get to see you often enough.’ Willowbreeze nudged him. ‘When you and Silverstream join StarClan, which hopefully won’t be for a very long time, I promise to spend as much time with you two as you want. But for now you must go. Your Clanmates and Crookedstar need you.’ Rainscale pressed his nose into Willowbreeze’s fur. He felt two small pairs of paws wrap around his forelegs. ‘Goodbye! Goodbye!’ Minnowkit and Willowkit mewled. He lowered his head to nuzzle his sisters. ‘Goodbye, all of you. I’ll miss you, but I’ll be back in two moons.’ Willowbreeze purred. “I’ll be sure to meet you then.’

Rainscale closed his eyes as he felt rock beneath his feet once more. Glancing around he saw the other medicine cats beginning to stir. Spottedleaf rose to her paws, blinking her eyes. ‘I hope you dreamt well with StarClan?’ Rainscale smiled, recalling his lively littermates. ‘I sure did.’

Chapter 13: Chapter 12

Chapter Text

Decided to wait until sunrise before telling Crookedstar and Silverstream about me meeting Minnowkit and Willowkit. The last time I tried to wake my sister up in the middle of the night I nearly had my fur torn off - definitely not trying that again. Crookedstar was very emotional at the news; understandably so, they are his kits after all. Silverstream reacted similarly; the thought of them never being able to grow up really broke her. I didn’t even think about that until now.

In a way, I wouldn’t mind trading positions with them, mainly because it would mean that I would have never met Mapleshade. However, me being in a position to do something about it, even if that something is just ‘not getting myself killed’, is a blessing of sorts. I could not imagine watching my littermate or parent be killed while I watched on, unable to do anything. Furthermore, now that I think about it, being a medicine cat is a huge honor, and has become part of who I am. I couldn’t imagine living without it.

Whatever I wish for, nothing will change. I may as well make the best of what I've got.

…

Managed to beat Silverstream in about half of our matches. I think I can take on most cats in a head-to-head confrontation with her training as well as what I’ve learned from the Dark Forest. That being said, if I end up facing a cat like a Clan leader or deputy, I will need to think of a strategy before charging in. My stamina is also improving - it takes quite a while to get me out of breath now.

I try not to use too many moves I’ve learned from the Dark Forest, though I don’t believe my stay there was long enough to have been taught any of the truly lethal moves. I’m not exactly going to ask my sister how to perform a killing bite, now, am I?

If it comes down to it, I know from my experience of treating wounds that a cat’s throat and spine are vulnerable, so I will aim for those to kill or incapacitate.

I just hope I never have to use these skills. If some cat threatens Crookedstar, Silverstream or Sunfish, the queen who raised me after Willowbreeze joined StarClan, I will be more than willing to charge into battle, but otherwise I wish to keep my paws clean. I’ve never seriously fought any cat apart from Mapleshade, and that was when I was first apprenticed.

...

ShadowClan incursion from Fourtrees. From what I’ve heard, we drove them off without too many issues, but apparently their deputy was with them. I have no idea what he or she looks like, or even their name, but Sunfish came back with some fairly significant wounds after fighting them, so they must be a strong fighter. Brokenstar wouldn’t have picked a weak cat to support him, so this isn’t exactly surprising.

I don’t know what Crookedstar is going to do in response. This isn’t a long-standing conflict in the same vein as our dispute with ThunderClan over Sunningrocks, which has thankfully been resolved now due to efforts from both Clans - ShadowClan, or Brokenstar, more specifically, have not really caused any problems for us since I was apprenticed. What’s making him start now? I know the whispers about him training kits and sending them into battle, of which I have neither been able to confirm or deny, but why go after us? Surely ThunderClan would be an easier target? We may be known for our swimming skills, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to fight.

...

A silver paw flashed towards the medicine cat, glinting in the sun. Stepping to one side, he allowed it to slide past him as he trapped it under his own. His opponent withdrew her paw; immediately, he dived under her belly and rammed his back into it. The cat above him let out a grunt as he unbalanced her and rolled her onto her back - before she had time to move, he had pinned her down with a paw. ‘Well fought, Rainscale.’ the cat purred. He allowed her to get to her paws. ‘Thanks, Silverstream.’ The she-cat shook out her ruffled pelt.

The two had been sparring by the riverbank since sunrise. The past few sunrises had been busy, with Silverstream’s warrior duties and his own medicine cat responsibilities, but they had managed to find time to practice. His sister had already been on the dawn patrol, and Mudfur had assured him that he could handle things without the younger medicine cat for a while, which gave them the chance they needed.

‘That’s enough for a while. Let’s take a rest,’ his sister meowed. Rainscale agreed, lowering his head to the river for a drink. Cold, refreshing water filled his mouth, and he lapped at it gratefully, before sitting down next to the silver-gray she-cat.

‘What’s our mother like?’ Silverstream asked after a while. The question took him by surprise, but then he realised that he had never told anything about Willowbreeze to his sister. ‘She’s a kind, loving and patient cat. A bit like Sunfish,’ he continued, referring to the gentle queen who had taken care of them when they were in the nursery, ‘except, you know, she kitted us.’

‘And our littermates? You said you played with them last time you were in StarClan.’ Rainscale rolled his eyes affectionately at the thought of Minnowkit and Willowkit. ‘They’re the sweetest things ever, and they’re as playful as you expect them to be. I think they aren’t as upset as you think they would be because they never got a chance to live in RiverClan, and have never known anything else. But they’re happy, and Willowbreeze is there to take care of them.’

Silverstream was silent. ‘Is something wrong?’ he asked. She shook her head. ‘No, it’s just- I know what I’m about to say is going to sound selfish, but I want to meet them myself. I know what you’re going to say, that if every cat could just walk up to the Moonstone and speak with their dead loved ones, there would be complete chaos between the living Clans and StarClan, but I never had a chance to even see them.’

Rainscale tried to process what his sister was saying. She wants to meet them? He completely understood why - part of the reason he became a medicine cat was that he hoped he would be able to speak with his kin in StarClan. Silverstream actually being able to meet them, however, was a different matter altogether. Warriors were not normally meant to speak with StarClan - only medicine cats visited the Moonstone on a regular basis, with the leader going there in times of crisis.

He tilted his head questioningly. ‘I forgot to ask this, but you went to the Moonstone when you were made an apprentice, didn’t you? Who did you meet then?’ ‘I saw Hailstar. I wanted to see Willowbreeze so badly, but it didn’t happen.’ Rainscale let out a sympathetic mew. ‘I know, I know.’ His sister sighed resignedly. ‘I’m being unreasonable, and there’s no way a warrior would be allowed to cross another Clan’s territory to reach the Moonstone, and Mothermouth is sacred to StarClan and all that.’

Rainscale put his paw around her. ‘I wasn’t going to say that, Silverstream. I told you about my dreams with StarClan. Those are meant to remain private to the medicine cat, but I shared them because I thought you may have wanted to know. I’m not as strict to the code as Mudfur.’

‘Still,’ he went on, ‘I am a medicine cat, and that means there are rules that I must follow. There’s absolutely no chance you would be allowed to join the half-moon meeting - that’s strictly for medicine cats only. While there is no rule against warriors visiting the Moonstone in their own time, there are rules against you being on WindClan land, and I don’t think you could convince them that you weren’t there to steal prey, which would make a huge commotion in the Clans. Crookedstar would be furious. Sneaking past isn’t really an option either - your silver pelt sticks out on the moor, and no WindClan cat has a pelt coloured like that. They would recognise you for sure.’

Silverstream looked crestfallen. ‘It’s not fair,’ she muttered resentfully. ‘All I want is to see my dead mother and sisters once. Is that too much to ask for? I thought you, of all cats, would have been willing to help me,’ she mewed, pointing her tail accusingly at Rainscale,‘but no, you turn your back on me as well.’ Her voice grew louder as she spoke. ‘Silverstream-’ She cut him off, hissing. ‘Don’t comfort me! How would you know how I feel? You get to see them every time you go to the Moonstone! You can’t say anything!’ She yowled at him, running off towards camp.

Rainscale stood there in disbelief. His sister was usually mischievous and carefree; her burst of anger scared him quite a bit. I’ll follow her. Maybe I can find a chance to calm her down.

…

‘My daughter, are you alright? You look upset.’ Crookedstar’s voice came from the leader’s den.

Silverstream’s reply came in the form of a series of muffled sobs. Rainscale entered. Silverstream was curled up with her face in her pelt, while his father sat in his nest, seemingly at a loss for what to do. His sister raised her head to glare at him. ‘Get him out of here! I don’t want to see him right now.’ she snarled, getting to her paws and advancing on him. Rainscale stood still. Was she going to attack him? I don’t want to have to fight you!

‘Silverstream, please calm down. Rainscale, what happened to her?’ Crookedstar asked. He sighed heavily. “We were down by the river sparring. She asked me about our mother and sisters, then said that she wanted to see them. I tried to explain to her that it wasn’t possible, but she blamed me and ran off back here.’ The brown tabby’s eyes filled with understanding. ‘I see. Let me handle this.’

Crookedstar padded over to his sister, who had shrunk back into a ball. ‘I know how you feel. I haven’t seen Willowbreeze since her death nearly fifteen moons ago.’ Crookedstar’s voice cracked at the mention of his mother’s name. He’s been keeping count. ‘It hasn’t been easy for me either, but hearing about her from Rainscale has given me new resolve. Rest assured, she loves you, and she’s watching over you. I’ve known her for long enough to be sure of that.’

Silverstream turned her baleful gaze at her father. ‘Is that supposed to make me feel better?’ she hissed. Crookedstar’s eyes widened. ‘Telling me that the mother I’ve never met loves me?’ She let out a screech of frustration. ‘None of you understand how I feel! I’m going to the Moonstone now, and if any cat tries to stop me I’ll shred their pelt!’ She raced out of the den.

Crookedstar and Rainscale stared at the spot where Silverstream had disappeared. ‘Well that didn’t go as well as I hoped it would,’ his father meowed. ‘She’s actually going to go to the Moonstone now, isn’t she? I need to go after her!’ He rose to his paws.

Rainscale stopped him. ‘I should go. I’m a medicine cat - I’m allowed on WindClan land.’ Crookedstar visibly slackened. ‘Thank you, Rainscale. I was afraid you would begrudge your sister and refuse. Now, go! If you’re quick you may be able to catch up with her before she makes it past Fourtrees. Be careful.’ He nuzzled his father, then turned and sprinted away as quickly as he could.

Silverstream’s scent trail led straight across RiverClan territory. He followed it, tasting the air occasionally to check which direction she had gone. She can’t have that much of a lead. I left not long after her, though she is quite a bit faster than I am. She’s a warrior, while I’m still just a medicine cat with combat training.

That proved to be enough to ensure that he didn’t catch up to her before she left Fourtrees. Well, he thought to himself, at least there’s no question now where she’s going. I know the fastest way across WindClan territory, and even if she isn’t taking it, I can meet her at Mothermouth. Irritation prickled beneath his pelt. Me and Crookedstar tried to help her, but she shouted at us both, and now I’m running halfway across the Clans’ territories to find her when she probably doesn’t even want to be found. Why am I doing this again?

He pushed these questions to the back of his mind and hared across the springy moor as fast as his paws would carry him, until yowling nearby brought him screeching to a halt. That was Silverstream! The sound came from not too far away. Crouching down, painfully aware of how his grey coat stuck out among the golden-brown moorland grass, he crept towards the noise until he reached a clearing.

Three WindClan cats stood there, conversing among themselves. He didn’t recognise any of them. One of them had their paw pressed on his sister’s back, preventing her from moving. She had obviously tried to fight - all three of the WindClan cats bore scratches, while Silverstream’s ear was torn and she had a gash down her foreleg. She snarled defiance at her enemies, but they ignored her.

Rainscale stepped out of the heather. The WindClan cats turned to face him. ‘Who is this?’ The cat with their paw on Silverstream, a wiry brown tom, asked, his eyes glowing with suspicion. ‘Is this an ambush?’ ‘Calm down, Mudclaw,’ a gray tabby, spoke more amicably. ‘I scent no other cats here.’ ‘He’s another RiverClan cat, and shouldn’t be here. We should bring him to Tallstar as well.’ The third, a black tom with a twisted paw, meowed.

The medicine cat had to fight to keep his voice from rising. ‘Greetings. I’m Rainscale, one of RiverClan’s medicine cats. I’m here to take one of our warriors back. I am sorry for her trespassing on your land, and promise that it will not happen again. Rest assured that our leader Crookedstar will punish her accordingly.’ He shot a glance at his sister, but she didn’t return it. The black tom dipped his head. ‘I’m Deadfoot, WindClan’s deputy. We’ll be taking this warrior back to our camp. I’m sure Tallstar would like to speak with her, and ask why she was on our land.’

Maybe I can convince them to just let this drop? ‘I’m afraid that isn’t going to work.’. ‘What, do you intend to stop us?’ Mudclaw snarled. ‘No, but if you want to take her back to your camp, you will have to go through me first.’ He kept his voice modest. ‘I may not be a match in a fight for you warriors, but what do you think StarClan will think of you attacking a medicine cat?’

Deadfoot’s voice was apologetic but firm. ‘I’m sorry, but we have orders from Tallstar to take any trespassers to him. He’s been worried about a possible ShadowClan attack, and while this cat here,’ he pointed to his sister, ‘clearly isn’t ShadowClan, she could still be a spy, medicine cat or no medicine cat.’ ‘So leave. Now.’ Mudclaw pushed his face into Rainscale’s aggressively. He turned and slashed a claw down Silverstream’s side, causing her to let out a cry. ‘That’ll teach you to stay off our land next time, fish-face!’

Well, that does it then. I tried to negotiate, but no one hurts my sister and gets away with it. No matter how insufferable they are being, he added to himself.There may be three of them, but I have the element of surprise on my side. I can remove one of them from the fight quickly. They don’t know I have had warrior training before, and will definitely not expect me to attack.

Rainscale let out a challenging snarl as he crouched and sprung at Mudclaw, unsheathing his claws. He saw the WindClan warrior’s eyes widen as the medicine cat slammed him into the ground and gave him a hard bite on the shoulder. I hope that hurt, rabbit-muncher! He considered going for the cat’s exposed neck, but decided against it, instead digging his claws into his pelt and tearing parts of his coat out, leaving long bloody marks down his side. Mudclaw scrambled to his paws and fled, yowling.

Pain lanced through his temple as the gray cat’s paws hit the side of his head. Rainscale backed up as the two remaining cats advanced. I can’t take them head on - I have to use some trickery here. He pretended to swipe at the gray cat’s shoulder, then instead turned and struck Deadfoot, who had been trying to attack his flank, in the chin with an upward blow from his other forepaw, sending him reeling. He felt a burning sensation and gritted his teeth as claws slashed down his pelt, and something rammed into his side- the other cat had tackled him to the ground and was trying to pin him down. He hissed with pain as their claws drew down his cheek.

Rainscale tucked his paws underneath the cat’s belly and kicked out. It left him defenseless for a heartbeat, but it worked. The gray cat let out a screech of surprise as he was flung backwards, landing in a heap. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Deadfoot rise to his paws and charge him again. Allowing the deputy’s momentum to carry him off his paws, he went limp and hooked one forepaw underneath his, dragging the WindClan cat down with him, then scrambled to his paws and pinned him underneath his weight. I don’t like using that move; it reminds me of the Dark Forest, but it works. The gray cat, who had been coming in for another attack, backed up uncertainly.

‘Stop. I’m sorry I had to do this, but your warriors harmed my sis-’ He corrected himself. ’a RiverClan cat when there was clearly no need to.’ Rainscale’s voice was sincere. He didn’t want to make this any worse if he could help it. He got off Deadfoot and sheathed his claws. ‘Just let us go.’ The deputy rose to his paws, glaring at him, and for one moment he braced himself for an attack, but then the WindClan warrior stepped back. ‘You fight well.’ There was a grudging note of respect in his voice. ‘We will not pursue this matter any further. Take your warrior and leave.’ The two WindClan cats turned and disappeared into the grass.

Rainscale nosed Silverstream to her paws; he noticed she was limping a bit from the wound on her leg. ‘Come on; let’s get you home.’ His sister didn’t say a word during the walk, and he didn’t try to start a conversation either.

His face stung with the marks of the WindClan cats’ claws, his muscles were on fire from the run across Clan territory followed by the fighting, and he still felt a bit dizzy from the blow to the head that the gray cat had given him. Anger bubbled within him. I had to start a fight in another Clan’s territory, and I won. I don't know if that makes it better or worse! At the very least they may not tell their Clan what happened; I don’t think any warrior wants to admit they got beaten by a medicine cat, especially when it was three on one. If she hadn’t been so impulsive and gone charging across other Clan’s territory, none of this would have happened!

Once they reached the RiverClan camp, Rainscale headed for the medicine den. Silverstream followed him. It was empty. Mudfur must be out then. That’s fine - I wanted some quiet anyways. He got to work creating a poultice for himself - marigold and oak leaves to reduce the chance of infection - and applied it onto his claw marks, letting out a sigh of relief as the herbs’ soothing effect took over.

He created the same mixture for his sister, and covered her ear and injured leg in the healing salve without looking directly at her. ‘Come back next sunrise. I need to reapply it. You’re free to go.’ He turned around and started sorting through his herb stores, trying to take his mind off what had happened.

‘Rainscale.’ Silverstream’s mew came from behind him. He ignored her. Now, how did Mudfur arrange the herbs again? It goes in order of the herbs we used the most often, so it must be fresh moss, then cobwebs, then marigold. ‘Rainscale.’ Now was it catmint or yarrow that came after? It’s not far from greenleaf - we don’t have much use for catmint, so probably yarrow. Then coltsfoot; always a good herb to have, followed by elder leaves - we really don’t have enough of those, I should go gather some soon. ‘Rainscale.’ His tail twitched with irritation as he tried to block out his sister’s voice and focus on his herb-sorting. What else? Oh right - watermint and juniper berries, of course. Great for stomach aches, which seem to be quite common in this Clan, especially among the kits; StarClan knows what they put into their mouths at times. You would think- ‘Rainscale.’

He turned around with a menacing snarl that echoed around the den. ‘What? You’ve caused enough trouble for me, don’t you think? First you snap at me for just trying to tell you the reality of the situation, then you do the same to Crookedstar and run off. I have to chase you halfway across the Clans, then I have to save you from some WindClan cats and had to attack them on their land even though they weren’t doing anything wrong, risking my safety and a possible war between our Clans to save you from a situation that you had gotten yourself into with your absolute refusal to listen to any cat that tells you that you can’t do whatever you want, and now you bother me while I try to do the one thing that can put me at ease after all of the nonsense I had to deal with from you?! I should have let WindClan take you, Silverstream! Get out of my den!’

Silverstream didn’t move. Rainscale snarled again. ‘I said get out of my den!’ He let his fur bristle along his spine. She gazed at him pleadingly, seemingly on the verge of tears. A tinge of regret and guilt sparked within him, but he suppressed it, glaring at her until his sister turned and left.

Rainscale groaned as he curled up in his nest. I need to sleep. The herbs I can sort sometime later. I’m not in the mood to do it now. His annoyance flared whenever what Silverstream had put him through crossed his mind. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his thoughts, and drifted off.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when he awoke, hearing approaching pawsteps. Silverstream padded into the den, a mouse swinging by the tail between her jaws. ‘I brought you something to eat,’ she mewed hesitantly after setting the mouse down. ‘I know you must be hungry.’ He didn’t say anything. ‘Rainscale…?’ The medicine cat pushed his face into his pelt. Silverstream let out a hurt whimper, and he heard her pawsteps recede.

Rainscale turned towards the mouse after he was sure she had left. I would have preferred fish, he thought, but he was too famished to care. He devoured it within a few bites. Something small caught on his tongue. What is that? He crunched down, and the taste made him freeze. Poppy seed! That couldn’t have been the only one, I don’t know how many I’ve swallowed. Some cat’s trying to poison- His thoughts ended as he fell backwards into his nest, unconscious.

…

When he awoke, he wasn’t in the medicine den anymore. He was by the river, illuminated orange by the setting sun. How long was I out for? I don’t know when I ate that mouse, but it must have been a while ago now. The mouse! His thoughts went back to the mouse. I really didn’t need that after all the stuff I had to go through with my sister… ‘Silverstream!’ The silver-grey she cat stood a few tail-lengths away. She poisoned me! I’ve had enough of this. She’s caused me enough trouble for a lifetime. He stormed over to her. ‘You spiked my mouse with poppy seeds! I-’

‘I’m sorry!’ She rushed at him and threw her paws around his neck.

Rainscale stood still, shocked. This was not how he thought this conversation would go.

‘Yes, I did put poppy seeds into your mouse, but that was only so that I could have a chance to say I’m sorry! I’m sorry I snapped at you and Crookedstar, I’m sorry you had to follow me to WindClan, I’m sorry you had to fight those cats because I was too fish-brained to think properly, and I’m sorry I bothered you when you tried to avoid me! I’m so sorry!’ She buried her nose in his shoulder, crying profusely.

Rainscale didn’t know what to think. He had only seen his sister like this once before. On one paw, the frustration of what had happened earlier was still there. On the other, in the face of his sister’s apology, he couldn’t stay angry at her for long.

He brought his muzzle to her ear. ‘I forgive you,’ he murmured softly. Silverstream raised her head. ‘You forgive me?’ ‘I do. I’m sorry for yowling at you earlier. I shouldn’t have done that. No matter what happens, you’re still my sister, and we’re still littermates. Nothing is going to change that.’ She purred and pressed her face against his as he licked her tears dry.

The medicine cat sensed another presence behind him. Rainscale turned around, expecting to see Crookedstar, but instead was met by a gray cat with stars in her pelt. He heard Silverstream emit a gasp from behind him. ‘Mother? Is it really you?’

Willowbreeze smiled. ‘Hello, my beautiful daughter. I can’t stay with you for long, but I saw what was happening in RiverClan. I’m sorry I never got a chance to be a true mother to you, and you never had a chance to meet me.’ Silverstream raced over. ‘I can’t believe you’re here…’ she mewed in wonder. The two she-cats nuzzled each other. Rainscale watched on warmly. I’m glad she had a chance to meet Willowbreeze too.

‘I must go now.’ His mother winced. ‘StarClan rules. It’s already very uncommon for us to appear to the living like this - staying with you this long was already pushing the limit.’ ‘But I just met you! Don’t leave us!’ Silverstream wailed. Willowbreeze rested her head on his sister’s. ‘I’m not leaving you. I’ll always watch over you, even if you can’t see me. When you make it to StarClan, we’ll get to be mother and daughter like we never got to be in life.’ Silverstream let out a choked purr at this.

Willowbreeze turned to face Rainscale. ‘Thank you for finding it within yourself to forgive her,’ she whispered. ‘Will you meet me in StarClan when I visit the Moonstone?’ ‘Of course. Goodbye, both of you.’ Her form began to vanish. For a moment he could make her transparent pelt out, then she was gone.

Silverstream seemed frozen in place, mouth agape. ‘That really just happened, didn’t it?’ ‘You’ve met her now. Are you happy?’ Rainscale asked. ‘Yes, I am. I’m sorry I caused so much of a fuss over this…’ Rainscale brushed his tail over her shoulder. ‘No worries. I understand why you did what you did.’

‘Rainscale!’ Crookedstar’ voice made him jump. ‘There you are! I know how exasperated you must be with your sister, but please, try to forgive her. I-’ He stopped as Silverstream came to stand beside the medicine cat. Rainscale touched noses with his father. ‘I’ve already forgiven her. We’ve made up, even if she had to use a rather creative method to get me to do so.

‘What do you mean by “creative method”?’ Crookedstar asked, bemused, turning to face Silverstream. His sister’s face heated up. She scuffled at the ground awkwardly. ‘Well… I may have put poppy seeds into a piece of prey I gave him to put him to sleep.’ The RiverClan leader stared at her. ‘You did what?!’ ‘He was too upset with me to listen, even when I tried to apologise! I had to find a way of calming him down,’ his sister exclaimed. ‘Thank StarClan you didn’t put too many; you could have killed me…’ Rainscale commented under his breath.

Crookedstar waved his tail. ‘I’m just relieved that you two have made up with each other. That’s all I was worried about.’ He brushed his muzzle against them, then left. ‘Could I actually have killed you with those poppy seeds?’ Silverstream whispered to Rainscale. ‘You’re only supposed to give a cat two or three at a time. Any more would put their life at risk.’ She let out a breath. ‘I’ll keep that in mind the next time I need to put some cat to sleep then.’ Rainscale twitched his ears. ‘I’m going to keep an eye on the medicine stores, and if I find any poppy seeds missing, I’ll know who to ask.’ His sister laughed.

‘I should go to my nest now. I have a fishing patrol at sunrise,’ his sister mewed. Rainscale touched noses with her. ‘I’ll see you then.’ He stayed by the river as she headed back to camp, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Worn out after everything I had to go through last sunrise. It’s all over with now, at least.

...

Well, the combat training was useful after all! I have to say though, I probably would have lost if Deadfoot and the other cat had continued fighting. I was lucky that I managed to find an opportunity to end the fight, and I took it.

I’m definitely going to maintain the sparring sessions. Maybe I should ask some other cats, apart from Silverstream? We’ve gotten used to each other’s fighting styles by now.

Speaking of my sister, her leg wound wasn’t as serious as I thought. She’s almost back to normal, but I made her come back for another poultice for the next three sunrises just to be safe, much to her annoyance, but I'm not taking any risks with it not healing properly.

Chapter 14: Chapter 13

Chapter Text

The full moon shone the RiverClan cats as they headed out of camp, bathing their pelt in different sheens of silver. A light brown tabby with a crooked jaw led the way across the bridge that spanned the river. Rainscale followed behind, somewhat reluctantly. I don’t like Gatherings. There’s too many cats there. I wish I didn’t have to go, but at least one medicine cat has to be there, and Mudfur had gone the last few moons - he told me I had to go this time, the cat grumbled to himself. Even Silverstream’s not here - she said she wanted to spend some time with Mistyfoot, who thankfully seems to be doing fine. Her kits aren’t far off being due now.

Fourtrees came into view, filled to the brim with cats milling about. He immediately made for the edge of the clearing, where medicine cats usually sat. Rainscale noted the cats already there - the sleek pelts of his own Clan, the short, light cats of WindClan, and the stockily-built cats of ThunderClan. That just leaves ShadowClan then. I hope they arrive soon. This Gathering couldn't end soon enough.

His eyes picked up movement from the pine trees. Glazing over, he saw three ShadowClan cats enter the clearing: Brokenstar, a white tom with one black paw, and Yellowfang. Why did they only bring three cats? Every other Clan has brought at least eight or nine.

Bluestar’s mew rang out across the clearing. ‘The Gathering has begun!’ She, Crookedstar, Brokenstar and a white-and-black tom stood on the Great Rock, while the deputies sat below them. That must be Tallstar, Rainscale thought, looking at the fourth cat. I’ve heard he’s a wise leader. Anxiety suddenly filled him. What if he brings up the border skirmish? He caught sight of Deadfoot, who stared right back at him, his face neutral.

The ThunderClan leader spoke first. ‘ThunderClan is thriving. Newleaf has brought fresh prey to the forest after the harshness of leaf-bare. We expect new litters of kits come greenleaf. ThunderClan will be growing soon.’ She dipped her head to Crookedstar.

His father raised his voice to speak. ‘I am pleased to announce that with the cooperation of Bluestar, Redtail and the medicine cats Spottedleaf and Rainscale, ThunderClan and RiverClan have settled our dispute over Sunningrocks, No more blood shall be shed over them.’ Yowls of support could be heard from the cats, mostly from RiverClan and ThunderClan. ‘The river runs full with fish, and we are expecting a new litter of kits within two moons.’ Crookedstar stepped back and Tallstar took his place.

Yellowfang padded over to him. This is unexpected. I didn’t think she would be one to start a conversation. He mewed a greeting. The other medicine cat’s eyes were filled with sorrow. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, ‘I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen.’ She turned and walked away, leaving a perplexed Rainscale behind. What does she mean? Who, or what, is she talking about? A sense of unease settled on him. I don’t know what she was implying, but it can’t be good.

He chased after her. ‘What are you saying?’ Yellowfang gave him a long look. ‘Think. What would I be warning you about?’ Rainscale’s mind whirled. He looked around to see if any cat had noticed them conversing, but thankfully it seemed most were too busy listening to the leaders. It had to be something to do with ShadowClan, since no other cat had given him similar warnings. ‘Why do you think there are only three ShadowClan cats here?’ Where are the rest of them?’ Yellowfang’s words echoed his own observations. Three cats was an oddly small amount of cats for a Clan to bring to a Gathering.

Something to do with ShadowClan… she’s warning me, a RiverClan cat… an abnormally large amount of ShadowClan cats were absent… ‘No,’ he breathed, ‘The truce-’ The old she-cat laughed sourly.‘You think Brokenstar cares about the truce? Our leader is training kits and exiling any cat he deems to not be useful. He’s not going to let something like a full-moon truce stop him. He wants ShadowClan to expand, and to do that he needs to remove at least one Clan from the picture. He’s decided to do that by showing you the price of resisting him.’

Rainscale stared at her questioningly. ‘Why are you telling me this?’ Yellowfang’s voice was weary. ‘I may be ShadowClan, but I do not agree with what Brokenstar is doing. He has broken the warrior code many times over. I cannot defy him openly, but I can help you now. Go tell your father what I told you. Brokenstar will know something’s up, but if you hurry you may be able to make it back to your camp before the ShadowClan warriors arrive.’ ‘What about you?’ The old she-cat let out a snort. ‘I’ve lived for this long; you think I can’t handle myself? Go!’ she hissed, shoving him away from her. ‘StarClan bless you.’

The RiverClan cat made his way through the mass of pelts until he reached the Great Rock. ‘Oakheart!’ he called under his breath, motioning to the deputy, ‘I need to speak with you. Privately. No, it can’t wait,’ he meowed, as the red-brown tom began to object. He risked a glance at Brokenstar; the ShadowClan leader was gazing at him, his expression unreadable.

He tucked his head as Oakheart followed him to the edge of the clearing. ‘What’s this about, Rainscale?’ The medicine cat relayed Yellowfang’s information to him. ‘Do you think she’s telling the truth?’ The deputy responded worriedly. ‘Even if she isn’t, we can’t take the risk. The camp is at half strength with so many of us at the Gathering - a ShadowClan attack right now could be devastating.’ He must be thinking of Mistyfoot, Rainscale thought. I don’t blame him; I would be too. ‘I’ve noticed that Brokenstar only brought two other cats tonight. That could be a sign that he needs his warriors somewhere else.’ Oakheart dipped his head. ‘I’ll go inform Crookedstar.’

Rainscale watched as Oakheart pushed his way to the front and beckoned to his father. The two toms conversed briefly, before Crookedstar leapt onto the Great Rock again.

‘Tallstar, I apologise for interrupting. RiverClan! We’re heading back to camp!’ he yowled. Cats let out mews of surprise at the words, but he saw his Clanmates gather on the side of the clearing that faced home, and headed over to join them.

‘Crookedstar, what is this about? Why are we leaving early?’ Graypool asked. ‘I believe there may be a threat to our camp, and with half of our warriors here, we cannot risk leaving our home vulnerable.’ The RiverClan cats left Fourtrees and made for their camp.

Crookedstar motioned to Rainscale with his tail after they had crossed the bridge. ‘I hope you’re right about this. We would have left the Gathering and disrespected a Clan tradition for no reason otherwise.’ The medicine cat responded steadily. ‘I trust Yellowfang. She may be grumpy, but she’s a medicine cat. She wouldn’t give us false information, especially on something so important.’ ‘Yes, but you have to remember, she is still a cat from another Clan-’

His father’s words were cut short by battle cries coming from the direction of their camp. The RiverClan cats’ faces darkened with realization and dread. ‘Back to camp! Now!’ Crookedstar ordered. Rainscale hared alongside the other cats, until they reached the reed walls.

‘Oakheart, take Graypool and Blackclaw to defend the nursery. Leopardfur, Whiteclaw and Sunfish, guard the elders’ den. I’ll try to find whoever’s leading this attack and confront them.’ Oakheart and a golden tabby nodded and raced off with their patrols. His father turned to him. ‘I know what you’re going to say, and I’m not going to stop you from fighting, but please be careful.’ Rainscale gave an agreeing mew, then entered the war-torn camp.

It was absolute chaos. The ground was covered in writhing, fighting cats. Cries of pain and hisses of anger filled the air. Where do I even begin? He repeated Crookedstar’s orders in his head. The nursery was protected, as was the elder’s den… the medicine den! If the herb stores were destroyed, any injured cats would be unable to be treated, meaning that they were likely going to lose far more cats than they would have otherwise, not to mention the possibility of sickness spreading through a weakened RiverClan.

He bolted for the medicine den, leaping and ducking to avoid any attacks aimed at him. Mudfur stood at the entrance of the den. His eyes widened when he saw the younger medicine cat. ‘Rainscale? Get out of here! You’re not-’
His mentor’s words were cut off with a screech as a black tom raked his claws down his ear. These are invaders, and we’re fighting for survival. No need to hold back this time.

He lunged and gripped the tom’s hind leg in his jaws; crunching down, refusing to let go until he heard bone crack. The black cat let out a yowl as Rainscale kicked him away. That’s one cat out of the fight. ‘Where did you learn that?’ Mudfur asked in disbelief. ‘Long story. No time to tell you now!’ A brown she-cat swiped at him. Avoiding the blow, he swept her legs out from underneath her while Mudfur pounced, churning his hindpaws against her stomach until it streamed red with blood. For a cat who is always talking about non-violence, he sure is good at fighting. Then again, I can’t really say anything.

Mudfur aimed one last blow at the injured cat before turning to him. ‘I can handle things here. Go help the others!’ Rainscale nodded and sprinted away. Locking on to the closest ShadowClan cat he could see, a brown tom who was making his way to the nursery. He tackled them to the ground from behind and slashed his claws down his back, earning a pained screech and a claw to the face, momentarily stunning him, giving his opponent a chance to get to their paws. ‘You’re brave, medicine cat. Ready to meet StarClan?’

‘I don’t think so!’ Silverstream came out of nowhere and scored her claws down their forehead, sending blood streaming into his eyes. The cat stumbled back, unable to see properly, flailing his claws wildly. His sister skillfully avoided his erratic movements and bit down on his foreleg, ripping flesh out. Her victim yelped and limped away.
‘Thanks.’ Rainscale mewed. ‘No problem. Hang on a moment,’ she answered, spotting two enemy warriors, a silver tabby and a battle-scarred brown tom advancing on them, yowling.

‘I’ll take the tabby,’ Silverstream meowed before charging. Rainscale faced the remaining cat. He feinted, pretending to aim for their legs, then jumped to avoid his opponent’s strike and landed on their back. His target tried to throw him off, but Rainscale hung on and knocked one of his hindpaws out and rolled him over, driving his claws into their belly and dragging them down. Blood leaked from the freshly-inflicted wounds; the cat cried out, scrambling away from him as quickly as they could. Those sparring sessions really helped. He turned to see Silverstream force her opponent to the ground, sinking her teeth into their back before slamming them away with her forepaws. Hope grew within him. We can win this!

‘ShadowClan! To me!’ Brokenstar’s call rose above the sound of battle.

Instantly, the ShadowClan cats disengaged from their opponents and formed ranks behind their leader, who stood on the opposite side of the camp. The RiverClan cats stood in a battered semicircle in front of their dens. Many of the RiverClan cats were limping or bore serious scratches or bite marks. They need treatment, and quickly. He headed to the medicine den, which was thankfully undamaged, grabbing as many supplies as he could fit in his jaws and began treating his Clanmates’ wounds, Mudfur doing the same. Rainscale padded over to Stonefur. ‘Is your sister safe?’ he asked as he began to patch up the warrior. The other gray cat nodded. ‘I wouldn’t have let anything harm her.’ The medicine cat touched his tail to Stonefur’s. ‘I know what that feels like.’

‘Crookedstar!’ The ShadowClan leader yowled. His father, covered in claw-marks, bites and breathing heavily, made his way to the center of the semicircle, glaring at the dark brown tabby, who took no notice of it. ‘Enough Clan blood has been spilled.’ How ironic, considering you were the one who initiated this attack with no provocation, Rainscale thought to himself. ‘Let’s settle this. Fight me alone, or are you too much of a coward?’

Crookedstar gritted his teeth in anger at the insult. Rainscale hurried over to him and whispered urgently in his ear. ‘You’re in no condition to fight. Let me do this.’ ‘Have you got bees in your brain?! Brokenstar is a Clan leader! You would be killed instantly.’ He could sense the weariness in his voice. ‘No, I have to do this. I need to show the Clan that I’m willing to fight for them.’

Silverstream gently guided Rainscale away. ‘You know he’s not going to stop because you tell him to.’ He sighed. ‘Sometimes I wish he would.’ Crookedstar’s voice rang out. ‘Very well. I accept your challenge.’ The leader stepped away from his Clanmates and faced Brokenstar.

Rainscale held his breath as the two leaders fought. For a while it was evenly matched, with both cats sustaining multiple wounds. But Crookedstar had been fighting in the battle and was already injured, while Brokenstar was fresh and well-rested. Slowly the RiverClan leader’s exhaustion began to get the better of him. He could only watch, horrified, as Brokenstar overpowered Crookedstar and forced him to the ground. The ShadowClan leader knocked Crookedstar’s paws to one side, and fastened his jaws around the struggling cat’s neck. A crack was heard as his father went limp. Brokenstar tossed the body to one side. The RiverClan cats bowed their heads silently.

‘Crookedstar!’ Rainscale and Silverstream screeched, tearing over to their father. His eyes were cloudy and unseeing, and his pelt was torn. The littermates pushed their noses into his cooling fur. ‘Please tell me that wasn’t his last life,’ Silverstream whispered. Rainscale shook his head. ‘No, but he’s on his last now. If Brokenstar decides to kill him again…’ He left his sentence unfinished.

‘That snake-heart! I’m going to shred him.’ Silverstream unsheathed her claws. Rainscale blocked her with his tail. ‘No, wait. I should be the one to face him. I think he may have Dark Forest training.’ Brokenstar certainly seemed like the sort of cat that would go there, given his bloodthirsty actions. He didn’t recognise any moves that Mapleshade had taught him in Brokenstar’s fighting, but perhaps he hadn’t needed it against an already weakened Crookedstar.

In any case, he wasn’t going to risk his sister going up against a cat that had been trained completely differently. ‘But-’ Silverstream stopped as Crookedstar’s eyes flickered open. ‘Crookedstar!’ they purred in unison, pressing their flanks against his. Their father smiled weakly. ‘What a lovely sight to begin my last life on.’

Brokenstar’s voice rang out. ‘I see your leader has rejoined you at last. So, Crookedstar, will you agree to terms, or do we have to fight again?’ The light brown tabby rose to his paws. ‘What are your terms?’ ‘ShadowClan is to gain hunting rights to your territory and the river. My warriors are not to be attacked on RiverClan land, and you will assist me in any wars with the other Clans.’

Crookedstar’s voice was outraged. ‘Those terms are ludicrous and absolutely unacceptable! You will have to make me join StarClan if you want RiverClan to accept them.’ Yowls of support rose among his Clanmates. The ShadowClan leader shrugged. ‘Gladly. I’m sure once you’re dead, I can find another RiverClan cat more open to my suggestions.’ He stalked towards the RiverClan leader.

Rainscale couldn’t stand by and watch his father be killed. He stepped in front of Crookedstar. ‘No! Fight me instead.’ Crookedstar pulled him back with a paw. ‘What are you doing?!’ Rainscale turned to face him. ‘You can’t fight Brokenstar again - you’ve just taken on a new life, and you’re still not back to full strength. RiverClan can’t afford to lose their leader now. I’m the most uninjured cat here. It has to be me. Besides, Brokenstar may have Dark Forest training - I’ll be more familiar with anything he tries to pull.’

‘Hiding behind your Clanmates, again, Crookedstar? Let him fight. Maybe he’ll be more of a challenge than you were,’ Brokenstar smirked. Crookedstar sighed. ‘I really hope you know what you’re doing.’ He rubbed his jaw against Rainscale’s. Mudfur came over. ‘Be careful. Brokenstar is a vicious and powerful opponent.’ Silverstream touched her cheek to his. ‘You don’t have nine lives to lose. Don’t die. Please,’ she murmured. ‘I won’t,’ Rainscale gave her a quick lick, took a deep breath and walked to the middle of the semicircle, facing Brokenstar.

‘Before we fight, I would like to know who I’m killing. Who are you?’ the ShadowClan leader asked. Rainscale’s voice came out clearly. ‘I’m Rainscale. RiverClan medicine cat and Crookedstar’s son.’ Derisive yowls came from the ShadowClan ranks. Brokenstar laughed. ‘So, RiverClan has gotten so desperate that they have to send a medicine cat and the leader’s kit to fight me? Well, Rainscale, I promise to make this quick.’

The medicine cat didn’t respond, trying to think of a battle plan. He clearly thinks I’m going to be a pushover, but once he realises that I am a threat he’s going to get serious, at which point I’m not sure I can beat him. I saw what he did to Crookedstar; he’s almost certainly stronger than I am, so wrestling with him isn’t an option. I’ll open defensively, dodge or block as many of his blows as I can to frustrate him, then hopefully end the fight in one swift hit. He knew his strategy was by no means perfect, but it would have to do.

Brokenstar advanced lazily, seemingly expecting him to make the first move. I’m just going to stand here then. He’s going to get impatient and start attacking eventually - he’s the one fighting a medicine cat, not me. I just need to make sure I don’t tire myself out before he overextends. Rainscale held his ground.

‘Scared, are we?’ Brokenstar taunted. The ShadowClan leader approached him, swiping a massive paw at his ears. He ducked under the blow and landed a glancing kick as he dashed by. His opponent growled with irritation and came at him again, faster than before, his claws flashing in the moonlight. I can’t land a blow without getting hit myself. Rainscale slowly retreated, allowing Brokenstar’s claws to slide by him, getting alarmingly close to hitting him each time but never managing to strike the medicine cat.

‘Coward! Get back here,’ Brokenstar snarled. He increased the speed of his attacks again, his eyes glowing with frustration at the medicine cat’s evasion. This barrage pushed Rainscale’s reflexes to their limits, and it was all he could do to barely avoid his opponent’s claws as he continued to dodge.

Brokenstar snapped at his legs. He jumped backwards to avoid it, but the ShadowClan leader charged and struck him across the face with a forepaw. He let out a yowl of surprise and pain as the force of the strike bowled him over, sending him tumbling a few fox-lengths away. Sounds of dismay came from the RiverClan cats, mirrored by cheers from the ShadowClan invaders.

Rainscale pressed a paw to where Brokenstar’s claws had landed, right below his eye, finding it warm and sticky with his blood. Thank StarClan that wasn’t a bit higher - I would have been partially blinded! Brokenstar stepped towards him. ‘Nowhere to run, medicine cat!’

I can’t keep dodging; he’s just going to keep attacking, and eventually there will be nowhere to go, he thought, realising he was almost backed up against the ring of cats, or I’ll make a mistake and get hit, just like I did there. A few more blows like that one and I won’t be able to keep up. He was thankfully still not too worn out; the training with Silverstream had helped a lot with that, and the blow, while doubtless painful, wouldn’t hinder his movement substantially, not being on his leg or back.

He flung himself at Brokenstar. The ShadowClan leader reared back in surprise, not having expected his adversary, who had done nothing but retreat so far, to suddenly go on the attack. Brokenstar swiped at his face, anticipating the medicine cat would try to challenge him directly, but Rainscale instead tucked in his head and unbalanced him. Brokenstar fell to his side. This is my chance! He churned his hindpaws against the leader’s spine as hard as he could, soaking his back in blood from the newly opened claw marks.

It didn’t last for very long, as Brokenstar managed to throw him off after a few heartbeats, stunning him by ramming his back into Rainscake’s chest, causing him to stumble back, but it had been long enough for the RiverClan cat to do some damage. The ShadowClan leader rose to his paws, gritting his teeth. Rainscale could see that his movements were more laboured. He isn’t as fast as he was before.

Brokenstar bared his teeth and attacked again, but with his slower movements Rainscale was able to sidestep and avoid his strikes more easily, keeping at least a tail-length between himself and his enemy’s claws. The ShadowClan leader let out a growl of frustration mingled with pain, and lunged for him, trying to lock his forepaws around the medicine cat for a lethal grip. Rainscale went limp, hooking a paw around Brokenstar’s and used their momentum to send them sailing over him, landing on the ground with a thud.

The medicine cat leaped and landed on Brokenstar’s back, claws extended, as they tried to stand, driving them into the previously inflicted wounds. Brokenstar let out a screech as Rainscale’s claws tore into him. He shook himself ferociously, trying to dislodge the medicine cat, and eventually the RiverClan cat was flung off, but not before taking a considerable part out of his pelt.

He must be tiring by now. I don’t care who you are; there’s no way any cat would be able to fight at their best with those injuries. Rainscale bolted towards the other cat, and almost instantly regretted it as Brokenstar drove a paw into his chest, puncturing his pelt and incapacitating him for a heartbeat, which was all the ShadowClan leader needed to pin him to the ground and press a paw against his throat. ‘Rainscale!’ He recognised his sister’s voice. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mudfur restraining Silverstream, who was trying to get to him.

Panic shot through him. Brokenstar’s weight was on his neck. I can’t breathe! He let out a choked gasp as he began to run out of air. His opponent grinned with satisfaction. ‘And so RiverClan sacrifices another of their own with their foolishness.’ Brokenstar raised his voice so every cat in the camp could hear him. ‘Let this be a warning to you all. This is the fate of any cat that defies me; a slow, excruciating death.’ Not if I have anything to do with that!

Rainscale slowly moved one of his forepaws while Brokenstar spoke until it was beside him. With a sudden movement, he flicked it into Brokenstar’s stomach, opening up a shallow cut. His opponent temporarily took his weight off him, and that gave him the chance to sink his teeth into the paw that had been crushing him. He bit deeper, then ripped himself away, leaving deep bite marks which blood streamed from.

Brokenstar howled with pain, momentarily distracted, and Rainscale saw his opening. He swept Brokenstar’s legs out from underneath him and held him to the ground. He wouldn’t have been able to do this had they both been uninjured, but his opponent’s wounds prevented him from mustering his strength fully. The medicine cat scratched him across the face as Brokenstar let out a shriek, a gash running across his eye. That was for Crookedstar!

‘I’ve won. I think you can all see that.’ He yowled at the ShadowClan cats. Turning his gaze back on the still struggling Brokenstar, he gave the leader a vicious bite. ‘I could kill you if I wanted to, but I will spare you if you take your warriors and leave, and swear on StarClan not to invade RiverClan again.’ Brokenstar twitched his ears and stared at him venomously with one eye. ‘I won’t stop. ShadowClan needs more land, and we’re going to take it, one way or another!’

I have to kill him then. Rainscale hesitated. He had never killed a cat before. He knew how to do it - Brokenstar had demonstrated it on his father, and that thought infuriated him, but still he didn’t sink his teeth into the leader’s neck. I’m still a medicine cat - we save lives, not take them. He glanced at Mudfur, who was watching him with his golden irises. Now you see why I stopped being a warrior, they seemed to say. His mentor’s eyes widened as they focused on something in front of Rainscale at the same time Crookedstar let out a warning. ‘Rainscale, watch out-’

Something rammed into him, carrying him off his paws and knocking him away from the ShadowClan leader. Twisting around, he saw the white-pelted ShadowClan warrior who had been at the Gathering. He must be the deputy! Rainscale tried to break free, but the fight with Brokenstar had taken a lot out of him, and he shrieked as his adversary raked their claws down his stomach, driving them in. The wound wasn’t immediately lethal, but it was enough to immobilize him, his attempts to get to his paws in vain. He heard battle cries as his Clanmates attacked the ShadowClan warriors, but the cat didn’t take notice of them and bent his head down to finish him off.

‘No!’ A silver blur collided against his would-be killer as Silverstream crashed into the white cat. ‘Rainscale! Run!’ he heard her yowl over her shoulder as she swiped a paw at her opponent. The medicine cat willed himself to stand, trying to focus through the fire that burned in his stomach. Scanning the camp, he could see that RiverClan was winning, with most of the invaders being driven off. Crookedstar led his warriors from the front, having now fully recovered from losing a life. He heard a cry from his sister’s direction and whipped around. Her opponent had sunk his teeth into her back. Silverstream! He tried to make his way to her, but a cat pounced on him from behind, and he screeched as he was unexpectedly forced to the ground.

Brokenstar stood over him. Despite the ShadowClan leader’s grievous injuries, with a damaged eye socket and his back being matted with blood, Rainscale realised too late that he was still a threat. I should have finished him off. Brokenstar sliced him across the cheek and hissed at the medicine cat. ‘None of your Clanmates are going to help you; they’ve all gone to chase my warriors off. ShadowClan may lose this battle, but I can ensure that you won’t be alive to see it! Greet StarClan for me!’

In a final effort, Rainscale tucked his paws in and kicked out, just like he had against Deadfoot. It forced Brokenstar off him, but his weakened condition and his opponent’s weight meant the move didn’t have the same effect as when he used it on the WindClan cat. Flames shot through his nerves at the sudden exertion, and it was all he could do not to pass out. The ShadowClan cat, sensing weakness, attacked again.

He knew he didn’t have the strength to fight. Forcing his exhausted self to move, he scrambled to his paws and fled out of the camp, making for the river. Brokenstar gave chase. Fear gave him the strength to stay ahead of his pursuer. I can’t cross at the stepping-stones - he’ll just follow me. I have to swim. He pushed himself harder even as his muscles burned, not daring to risk turning around to see how close Brokenstar was.

The river stretched out in front of him; he could make out the woodland of ThunderClan on the other bank. Without thinking, he dove in. What if I’m too tired to make it to the other side? A shiver passed through him at the thought of drowning. He pushed the thought away and made his way as best he could to the shore. His paws touched ground, and with what little strength he had left he managed to haul himself onto the bank. He turned to see Brokenstar glaring at him from the other side. He dragged himself further into the forest, in case somehow Brokenstar found a way over, but turned as he heard gurgling from the river.

Rainscale watched through the trees as Crookedstar forced Brokenstar’s head underwater. Bubbles could be seen as the ShadowClan leader fought to free himself, but his father didn’t relinquish his grip until eventually Brokenstar stopped flailing. Crookedstar pushed the now unmoving ShadowClan leader into the water, letting the current carry them away.

It’s over. Rainscale sank to the forested ground, fatigue taking over, blood pulsing from his abdomen and face. Is Silverstream alright? That was his last thought before his eyes closed and darkness surrounded him.

Chapter 15: Chapter 14

Chapter Text

Warm sunlight shone through cracks in the bramble den. Rainscale blinked wearily, turning around to lick his numerous wounds, expecting to taste the salty tang of blood. He was surprised as the slightly sour taste of marigold washed over his tongue instead. With a start, he realised that some cat had already applied poultices to them. ‘Thanks, Mudfur,’ he murmured.

‘Mudfur?’ A she-cat’s voice responded. Rainscale turned around to see a tortoiseshell cat with amber eyes.‘Spottedleaf? What are you doing in RiverClan?’ The ThunderClan medicine cat let out a mrrow of amusem*nt. ‘You really were unconscious, weren’t you?’ You’re in our camp. Redtail heard commotion on the other side of the river last night, and he found you lying near the riverbank. Good thing he did too - some of your wounds are quite serious. Who did this to you?’

Rainscale tried to get to his paws, but pain shot through him and he collapsed again with a gasp. Spottedleaf hurried over. ‘Oh no you don’t! That stomach injury of yours is very deep. You’re not leaving this den for a few sunrises at minimum.’ Her tone became softer. ‘I’ll tell Bluestar to send a patrol to inform your father. You’re going to be here for a while anyways, so you may as well tell me what happened. I’m assuming it has something to do with why your Clan left early at the Gathering last night?’

The RiverClan medicine cat gave a mew of affirmation. ‘Brokenstar broke the truce. He sent his warriors to our camp - that was why there were only three ShadowClan cats there. Yellowfang told me, and I managed to convince Crookedstar to head back to defend the camp, which was already being attacked. Brokenstar arrived and killed him after a challenge to single combat. ‘ Spottedleaf dipped her head. ‘My condolences. He still has more lives though, doesn’t he?’

Rainscale nodded. ‘Crookedstar was going to fight him again, but I convinced him to let me take his place.’ The tortoiseshell gasped. ‘You fought a Clan leader? Brokenstar, no less?’ The RiverClan cat shrugged. ‘I wasn’t going to stand by and let my father be killed again, nor was I willing to let RiverClan be subject to the whims of that fox-heart, and I was relatively uninjured, unlike most of my Clan. Besides, my opponent being a Clan leader doesn’t change anything about how I fight them, so why does it matter?’

‘Anyways, I had to use some trickery to catch him off-guard - I admit he would have crushed me if I had just fought him, and nearly did anyways - but I managed to subdue Brokenstar. I was trying to work up the courage to kill him when a white cat with a black paw from ShadowClan interfered and nearly killed me.’ ‘Blackfoot.’ Spottedleaf mewed. ‘He’s Brokenstar’s deputy.’ So I was right.

‘Silverstream saved me, but then Brokenstar jumped on me, even though he was blind in one eye and was as badly injured as I am now. I knew I couldn’t fight any longer, so I fled across the river. I saw Crookedstar drowning him, then I passed out. Next thing I knew, I found myself here.’

Spottedleaf shook her head. ‘You’re a mouse-brained furball,’ she told him. ‘I know you have some Dark Forest training, but I still can’t believe you decided to take on Brokenstar.’ ‘I survived, didn’t I?’ She glanced at his chest and belly, which were almost fully covered in a layer of herbs and cobwebs. ‘Hardly. If Redtail had found you much later we would be sending you back to RiverClan to be buried, instead of treating you here.’ Rainscale bristled indignantly. ‘I’m sorry,’ the she-cat sighed, ‘I was just worried about you.’

‘Have you heard any news from RiverClan? Do you know if any cat is dead?’ Spottedleaf shook her head. ‘Most of ThunderClan doesn’t even know there was a battle, let alone any casualties, but I could ask the patrol that is going to be sent to RiverClan to bring back some news. Who do you want to know about?’ ‘Silverstream, Stonefur and Mistyfoot.’ The names immediately came out of Rainscale. ‘I’ll go tell them now.’

She left the den. The RiverClan cat’s anxiety came back to him. His thoughts flew to his littermate. The last he had seen of Silverstream, Blackfoot had bitten her in the back. Was that to the spine? It may have been to the spine. If it was, then his sister was in StarClan. Tears welled in Rainscale’s eyes at the thought of Silverstream’s death. She died saving me. I wasn’t even there to say goodbye… He cursed himself for having fled across the river. I should have stayed and fought Brokenstar to the end. Even if I had died, I would be with Silverstream and Willowbreeze. I’m sorry, sister…

He heard approaching pawsteps. ‘Rainscale! Are you alright? Why are you crying?’ Spottedleaf mewed with alarm. Rainscale tried to hide his face, ashamed at such a display of emotion in front of a cat from another Clan. Spottedleaf placed a bundle of thyme leaves in front of him. ‘Eat these. You’re obviously too anxious right now to think straight.’ The RiverClan cat graciously chewed on the herb, and felt his nightmares easing up.

‘Thanks, Spottedleaf. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I’m just letting my paranoia get the better of me.’ He turned as another cat entered the den. ‘Bluestar.’ Spottedleaf dipped her head. The ThunderClan leader padded up to him.
‘Welcome, Rainscale. My condolences for what happened to you. I know you must still be recovering from your ordeal, but I need to know what happened in RiverClan last night. Could you tell me?’

Rainscale repeated what he had told Spottedleaf to the blue-gray she-cat. ‘Brokenstar attacked? You fought him? You’re a medicine cat!’ Right, she doesn’t know about my training, either with Mapleshade or Silverstream. I’m not about to tell her I’ve been training in the Dark Forest. Does she know what the Dark Forest is? ‘You’re either fearless or crazy, and there’s a fine line between the two of them.’ Bluestar touched her tail to his cheek. ‘Take care of yourself. Crookedstar would be devastated if anything happened to his kits.’

She cleared her throat, then moved briskly on. ‘Given that ShadowClan has proven themself a threat to all the Clans with his plans for ShadowClan expansion, would RiverClan be interested in a formal alliance?’ Rainscale shook his head apologetically. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t speak for my father. I think it’s a necessary measure at this point, but I still need Crookedstar to approve.’ Bluestar agreed. ‘I’ll send a patrol to RiverClan now to talk with him and tell them you’re in ThunderClan. Spottedleaf told me there are cats that you are worried about. I have asked my warriors to inquire about them, and you will be informed when they return. ‘Thank you, Bluestar.’

The ThunderClan leader pressed her muzzle to his ear. ‘How are Mistyfoot and Stonefur? I know that you wanted to know about them as well, but how were they when you last saw them?’ Rainscale thought back to the battle. He hadn’t seen Mistyfoot; she had been in the nursery, but Stonefur mentioned that she was unharmed, at least before he fought Brokenstar. ‘Mistyfoot and Stonefur were safe the last time I saw them, which was before I took on Brokenstar. Mistyfoot’s kits are due in about two moons; Crookedstar mentioned them at the Gathering, but not by name.’ Bluestar’s eyes lit up with relief. ‘Excellent. Thank you for telling me.’ She turned and left the den.

‘She asked you about Mistyfoot and Stonefur, didn’t she?’ Spottedleaf commented. Rainscale was startled. I thought Bluestar was the only cat in ThunderClan that knew! ‘How do you know?’ She waved her tail. ‘That’s not important. How are they?’ Well, she clearly knew before I talked to Bluestar; there isn’t much point in hiding anything. ‘They were fine the last time I saw them. Stonefur had some scratches, but I managed to give him some herbs for them.’ Spottedleaf’s eyes glimmered. ‘She worries about them all the time, you know.’ I would too.

The ThunderClan cat shook her pelt out. ‘I need to go gather some herbs. I trust you won’t try to leave?’ She fixed him with a golden-brown stare. ‘No, I won’t,’ he meowed resignedly. ‘Good. I’ll be back by sunhigh. Stay here and rest. You need time to heal.’ Spottedleaf padded out of the den.

Rainscale shut his eyes as he tried to go back to sleep, but the other cats in camp made that quite difficult. He tossed and turned, trying to block out any noise, but it took a long while before the familiar darkness took him again.

Didn’t expect to find myself in the ThunderClan medicine den, of all places, when I woke up. I thought Crookedstar saw me after he drowned Brokenstar, but thinking back it was dark and I was a few tail-lengths into the forest.

Spottedleaf came back a bit after sunhigh with news of Bluestar’s patrol. Silverstream is alive, as are the others! I can find comfort in that. My sister has a deep bite to the back - I swear the next time I see Blackfoot I’m going to give him a lesson he’s not going to forget - but she’s not in any danger of dying, and that’s all that matters. When I get back to RiverClan I’ll heal her as best as I can.

It does get quite stale in this den though. I contemplated sneaking out, but Spottedleaf’s watching me like a hawk. I know it’s out of worry for my injuries, but it does get quite irritating, but I’m not going to tell that to her. Besides, my attempt at standing up this morning proves that her actions are not uncalled for. I’m grateful that ThunderClan managed to save me, and I’m not about to go start making their lives more difficult when I’m still in their care.

...

Bluestar came to talk with me. I was nervous, but she said she just wanted a casual chat. We mostly talked about our kin. Turns out her family has gone through some dark times too. Her father Stormtail never paid much attention to her or her littermate, her mother Moonflower was killed by Hawkheart during a raid on WindClan - that would have changed how I saw him for sure! - and her sister Snowfur was hit by a monster shortly after giving birth. It turns out Snowfur was mates with Thistleclaw, and Whitestorm is their kit…? I don’t know what to think of that, but Bluestar was very obviously opposed to it. I wholeheartedly agree, given what I know about him.

Speaking of Thistleclaw, she mentioned that he had seen him setting his apprentice to maul a kittypet kit on ThunderClan territory before I was kitted. That… I knew he was a Dark Forest trainee, but I didn’t think he would go that far. I need to be careful. If he’s willing to do that to a kitten, there’s no telling what he will stop at to achieve his aims. Perhaps my own Dark Forest training will be enough to intimidate him into leaving me alone?

...

Is Brokenstar dead? I saw Crookedstar push his head under the water and throw him into the river, but how does the nine lives of a leader work? He’s a ShadowClan cat; it’s unlikely that he will know how to swim. Will he just keep drowning and reincarnating and drowning until all his lives are spent? He may just manage to find a way to get out of the river, now that I think about it, probably through luck. He will think twice about challenging RiverClan after that though.

…

Every cat I’ve spoken to in ThunderClan has expressed disbelief at me fighting Brokenstar, and the same disbelief that I managed to survive fighting him. Even if they knew about my prior training, I wouldn’t blame them for still thinking I got lucky, because some of that fight was luck. If I hadn’t managed to surprise him by suddenly going on the attack, I would have been in serious trouble.

Chapter 16: Chapter 15

Chapter Text

Spottedleaf’s been checking my recovery every sunrise. She thinks I’ll be able to go back to RiverClan in three or four sunrises, but told me very sternly that I was not to take part in any battle training or other intense activity for another half-moon at minimum. My stomach still hurts a lot when I stand up, but it’s quite a bit better than it was. I can at least get to my paws, even if I can’t walk very far.

...

Every cat I’ve spoken to in ThunderClan has expressed disbelief at me fighting Brokenstar, and the same disbelief that I managed to survive fighting him. Even if they knew about my prior training, I wouldn’t blame them for still thinking I got lucky, because some of that fight was luck. If I hadn’t managed to surprise him by suddenly going on the attack, I would have been in serious trouble.

...

Rainscale stepped out of the ThunderClan medicine den, wincing as he followed Bluestar and Spottedleaf out of the camp and into the forest. His nose twitched at the many unfamiliar scents, and he found out quickly that he had not gotten any better at traversing the forest from when he had visited ThunderClan before.

I don’t understand how any cat can live here, he thought to himself, hissing as a branch smacked against his cheek, tearing at partially healed flesh. How do they deal with all this every time they want to go for a walk?

He was relieved as the stepping-stones came into view. ‘No intense activity for the next half-moon,’ Spottedleaf had mewed at him, ‘and that includes swimming.’ Rainscale had tried to protest, but the ThunderClan medicine cat was having none of it. I know she means well, but this is going to drive me crazy! Once I get back to RiverClan, I won’t have to listen to her anymore. I’m a medicine cat too - she can’t tell me what to do. He smiled at the thought, only to trip over on a root, letting out a yowl as pain burst through his stomach. You know, maybe she has a point…

He got to his paws and hurried after the other two cats. A light-brown tabby was waiting on the other side of the rocks, watching as they crossed the river. ‘Rainscale!’ he cried, rubbing his crooked jaw against his face. ‘I was worried sick!’ Crookedstar turned to Bluestar and Spottedleaf. ‘I cannot thank you enough for healing and taking care of my kit.’ His eyes brimmed with gratitude. Bluestar dipped her head. ‘I wouldn’t leave an injured cat untreated on my territory. Discussions over Brokenstar need to be held, but not now.’ She shot Crookedstar and Rainscale a knowing glance. ‘I expect you two will want some time to catch up.’ Bluestar and Spottedleaf headed back over the stepping-stones, the tortoiseshell waving farewell to the RiverClan medicine cat.

Once the ThunderClan cats were out of sight, Crookedstar wrapped his paws around Rainscale and pulled him close. ‘I thought you were dead! We couldn’t find you after the battle. I thought either Brokenstar had killed you or you were somewhere in the territory badly injured. Me and Silverstream were grief-stricken when the patrols I sent to find you came back empty-pawed. We couldn’t believe it when ThunderClan sent word that you were with them. Thank StarClan they managed to find you. I don’t know what I would have done if you had been killed…’

Rainscale nuzzled his father. ‘I’m alive now, even if I was seriously wounded during the battle.’ He rolled over so Crookedstar could see his stomach. The leader’s eyes widened at the sight of the somewhat healed claw-marks running down his belly. ‘Did Brokenstar do this?’ He shook his head. ‘Blackfoot.’ His father growled, ‘I’m going to kill that piece of crowfood the next time I see him. I managed to drown Brokenstar and throw him into the river. He survived for sure, but hopefully he’s a few lives lighter now.’

‘Come on, let’s go home.’ The medicine cat got back to his paws, gritting his teeth at the effort. Crookedstar nudged him. ‘Lean on my shoulder. I can tell your wounds must be bothering you.’ Rainscale gratefully accepted, and they headed for the RiverClan camp.

His stomach felt like it was on fire by the time they reached it, but he tried not to cause his father too much worry. He took his weight off Crookedstar. ‘Thanks. I’m going to the medicine den now to see Silverstream, if that’s alright.’ His father didn’t object, and he made his way to the medicine den.

It was filled with at least six or seven injured cats, all with various wounds, and some carried bite marks. Guilt filled him as he looked at them. I should’ve been here treating my Clanmates, but instead I was in ThunderClan for a quarter-moon when cats here needed me. He promised to himself that he would make up for it. Mudfur rushed around the den, applying poultices and different herbs. His eyes lit up as he saw his former apprentice. ‘Welcome back!’

The older medicine cat touched noses with him. ‘I would like to catch up, but as you can see,’ he meowed, sweeping his tail at the crowd of cats occupying the den, ‘I’m a bit preoccupied at the moment. Spottedleaf told me when ThunderClan cats came to our camp a few sunrises ago that you’re to be off medicine cat duties for half a moon.’ Rainscale shook his head, ‘I can help around the den. I may not be able to walk properly, but I can still mix herbs just fine. It’s not like I’ve forgotten how to do that.’

Mudfur twitched his whiskers. ‘That remains to be seen,’ he commented lightheartedly. ‘In any case, you’ll be sleeping in the warriors’ den for a few nights, at least until some of these cats are fully healed - I’m sure you wouldn’t want to squeeze in here anyways. I hope you’re fine with that?’ ‘No problem.’ Rainscale answered. ‘Where’s Silverstream?’ ‘She’s in the far corner.’ He gave a mew of appreciation and headed there, avoiding limbs and tails that were stretched out on the ground, careful not to step on any cat by accident.

Oakheart called to him from a moss nest close by. The deputy’s tail was shredded, and his pelt was covered in scratches, but his eyes still gleamed with pride. ‘Well done fighting Brokenstar. I didn’t realise you were so skilled. I have to admit, I thought you were out of your mind when you challenged him at first, but you proved me wrong. You fought like a warrior.’ Rainscale scuffled his paws at his praise. ‘Thank you, but I’m still a medicine cat. I’ll only fight when and where necessary. It did feel good to show that fox-heart a thing or two though, even if I couldn’t finish him.’

The red-brown tom whispered to him. ‘How is Bluestar?’ The question was somewhat unexpected to him. Were they still seeing each other? ‘I thought you didn’t have anything to do with her anymore?’

Oakheart looked around to make sure no cat was paying attention before responding. ‘No, I haven’t met her alone since she gave her kits for me to raise in RiverClan, moons before you were kitted, but I still love her, even if I am well aware that it can’t affect me if we have to go to war against ThunderClan; it hasn’t in the past, and thanks to you, war is less likely than ever. How is she?’

Rainscale exhaled slowly. Oakheart wasn’t asking him to keep another secret. Between the Dark Forest, Thistleclaw, and Bluestar’s kits, I have more than enough of those to keep to myself! ‘She’s doing fine. She asked me about Mistyfoot and Stonefur, and was relieved when I told her they were safe. No mention of you though.’ The deputy’s eyes glistened. ‘How I wish things could be different…’ He shook himself. ‘I’m sorry. Don’t mind me, I’m just an old cat stuck in the past. I’ll leave you to it.’ Rainscale made his way to the back corner of the den.

Silverstream was lying in a nest curled up. He padded over and tapped her on the shoulder lightly. A muffled comment could be made out as she rolled over, ‘I swear to StarClan, Crookedstar, I’m fine! It’s not even- You’re back!’ His sister tried to stand, but she let out a grunt of pain and sank back into the moss.

‘Yes, I’m back. I thought you had died saving me. I was in mourning before the cats Bluestar sent here came back and told me every cat was alive.’ Silverstream mewed mutely.‘I thought you were dead for a while too. Crookedstar probably told you this, but he sent out patrol after patrol searching for you when you didn’t appear after the battle.’ She gasped as she saw his stomach. ‘So that’s why you were in ThunderClan for so long. I’m sorry I didn’t tackle Blackfoot sooner, but I gave him a few good scratches for him to remember me by.’

Rainscale rested his head on top of hers. ‘He would have killed me if you hadn’t intervened. Thank you. Can I see where he bit you?’ Silverstream rolled onto her belly. The medicine cat blanched at the sight of the wound on his sister’s back - a bite mark slightly smaller than his paw which was beginning to heal, but it looked deep, deeper than the claw marks Blackfoot had given him, which already weren’t exactly shallow.

‘It looks worse than it is.’ Silverstream’s voice was cheerful, but he could hear the pain layered underneath. ‘Mudfur says I’l be back to warrior duties within a half-moon. He told me if the bite had gotten infected I would have been in serious danger, but it’s just a matter of recovering now. Crookedstar doesn’t seem to understand that though,’ she huffed. ‘He comes around every spare moment he has and fusses over me.’

‘You can’t really blame him. Both his kits nearly died in one night. He thought I was dead for half a sunrise. It must have been stressful for him.’ Rainscale pointed out. Silverstream’s eyes glowed with hope. ‘Does that mean you’ll tell him to stop? I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so I didn’t say so myself.’ ‘Why don’t we talk to him together? I think he’s more likely to listen if we both tell him.’

‘How are I going to get to the leader’s den? I can’t really walk, and there’s too many cats here to have a conversation like that,’ his sister asked. ‘I could carry you,’ Rainscale offered. ‘Have you forgotten about your belly? If it was bad enough to keep you in ThunderClan, there’s no way it’s recovered enough for you to carry me.’ He shuffled his paws. ‘You’re right. I’m not sure I would have been able to walk with you on my back anyways. You’re put on quite a bit of weight these last few moons,’ he teased. ‘How dare you!’ Silverstream flicked her tail over his ears playfully.

‘Has Mudfur given you burdock root? You shouldn’t be able to feel the wound as much if you had.’ She shook her head. ‘He said he was out of it, and that he hasn’t had the time dealing with seven different cats to go gather more.’ He made up his mind. ‘I’ll go find some. I’ll be back soon.’ ‘Don’t push yourself too hard,’ his sister warned. ‘I don’t need to be a medicine cat to tell you haven’t recovered yet.’

He exited the den and went to the river. I know a couple places for burdock, and if Mudfur hasn’t been out these few sunrises, they should be plentiful. He’s always careful to leave some of the herb behind. Rainscale followed it until he reached a patch of willows where he found the black roots. He nipped a few off. This should be enough. Picking up the burdock in his jaws, he headed back to the camp, entering the medicine den once more.

‘Silverstream? I have your burdock.’ His sister turned around. ‘Thanks, Rainscale, I- what happened to you?!’ she yowled, much to the annoyance of the other cats there. He dropped the herb beside him. ‘What are you talking about?’ She pointed to his stomach with a shaking paw. Rainscale realised to his shock that his claw-marks had reopened. Turning around, he saw a small trail of red droplets behind him. How did I not notice that?

He grabbed wet moss from the medicine den’s storage and wiped the blood off himself, pressing it against his stomach for a few moments so it would soak up any more. ‘See? Nothing to worry about. Now how about that burdock?’ Silverstream rolled her eyes, but turned over. Rainscale crushed the roots and let the juices trickle into her bite. His sister let out a sigh. ‘Much better.’ She got to her paws. ‘It still hurts, but I think I can walk. Let’s go see Crookedstar.’

The littermates saw their father speaking with Sunfish. ‘Crookedstar,’ Silverstream mewed, ‘we want to speak with you, but not here. Can we speak privately?’ ‘Sure,’ the light brown tabby responded, strolling towards the leader’s den. ‘Wait. Silverstream, Rainscale, aren’t you two supposed to be confined to your nests?’ Sunfish asked.

His sister shook her head. ‘Rainscale gave me burdock root to temporarily numb the pain. I’ll be back there after we speak to our father, but we need to speak with him. As for my brother, he should be, but he decided to accompany me. Even with an open wound on his stomach that opens when he walks too far,’ she muttered pointedly at him.

Their foster mother glanced at them with concern, but her face softened after a while. ‘Stay safe. I know I’m not your mother, but you two are my kits, and I worry about you as if you were one of my own.’ Rainscale pressed his muzzle against the cat who had raised him. ‘You are our mother. You nursed us until we were apprentices, and did a great job of it,’ he murmured. Sunfish licked a scratch on his face. ‘That means so much more to me than you know. Thank you.’ She waved her tail in farewell as she walked away.

He turned to chase after his sister, who had headed towards the den without him, but he gasped at the pain from his stomach. Checking his claw-marks, he realised that they had opened up again. Spottedleaf really was serious about ‘no intense activity’, wasn’t she? I can’t go in there like this! Crookedstar would just try and coddle us even more! Doing his best to ignore the bouts of flaring pain from his stomach, he raced back to the medicine den, grabbed a few cobwebs and plastered them across his wounds, replacing the ones that had fallen off.

That’s better. Hopefully Crookedstar won’t even notice. He made his way to the leader’s den as quickly as he could. Silverstream was sitting on the floor, Crookedstar resting in his nest. The leader raised his head as Rainscale entered. ‘You’re here. So, what did you two want to talk about?’

His sister spoke first. ‘Crookedstar, I know you’re worried about us two, but… it’s gotten a bit much this quarter-moon! Particularly for me! You come around seemingly every waking moment you have and fret over me, even when I tell you I’m fine. It’s like you can’t get it into your head that wounds take time to heal. I’m tired of it! Leave us alone!’ Rainscale flinched at Silverstream’s blunt words. This isn’t going to go well.

Crookedstar’s eyes widened with hurt. ‘I… I’m sorry my daughter, I never realised you felt like this.’ Their father visibly sank into his nest. ‘I was just worried about you, but if it’s what you want, I’ll do as you wish.’ The tabby pressed his face into his own pelt. ‘Crookedstar?’ Silverstream asked, worried. He didn’t respond.

‘A bit of help here?’ his sister whispered at him. Rainscale shook his head and sighed. ‘You are the most tactless cat I have ever met.’ Silverstream’s fur bristled at his comment, but he didn’t take any notice. ‘Would it have killed you to be a little less direct? What good did you think yowling at him was going to do? It’s not like he wants to harm you in any way; he just cares about you, as any father would for their kits,’ he asked under his breath. Her face awkwardly flushed a little red. ‘I suppose I may have been too harsh…’

Rainscale padded up to his father. ‘Crookedstar, Silverstream didn’t mean that she wanted you to stop caring about us. What she does mean is you don’t have to worry about us all the time anymore. She’s a full warrior, I’m a full medicine cat, both of us have battle training - we can take care of ourselves.’ The light-brown cat raised his head to gaze at him as he continued to speak.

‘I know Mapleshade’s promise must be tormenting you after last full moon when both of us nearly died, and I know you’re afraid of losing us as you lost Willowbreeze and our littermates, but we’re not kits anymore. You don’t have to fret over us every waking moment you have. Mapleshade can’t harm us.’ He questioned how true that last statement was, but it seemed to reassure his father.

Crookedstar motioned his sister to his side. ‘I’m sorry. I think Mapleshade’s actions have changed me, and ever since your mother died I’ve been paranoid that I would lose the last cats that I love. My kits.’ He wrapped his tail around Silverstream. ‘Don’t tell Oakheart I said that,’ he added quickly, gaining an amused purr from the littermates.

Silverstream pressed against the tom. ‘We love you too, Crookedstar. I shouldn’t have said what I did earlier.’ Rainscale joined her. ‘You’re our father, and you will always be our father. Us growing up isn’t going to change that. It’s only natural that you should care.’

The leader mewed appreciatively. “I promise I’ll step back on the coddling, but please, take care of yourselves. You’ve grown into fine young cats. Willowbreeze would be proud of you.’ His voice cracked slightly. Rainscale touched his nose to the tabby’s ear. ‘We know how much she meant to you.’ Crookedstar let out a broken purr.

‘Silverstream, is there anything else you wanted to say?’ His sister shook his head. ‘Let’s go then. Your injuries need rest to heal, and so do mine. We’ll see you later,’ he called to their father as they left. ‘Thanks for helping me out there,’ Silverstream mewed. ‘No problem. It was getting awkward for me just standing there watching you flounder anyways,’ he commented. She jabbed a paw at him with claws sheathed.

‘My nest is in the warriors’ den for now. I’m going to head there. Come find me if you need anything, or if you just want to talk. I know it gets boring when you’re stuck in camp,’ he meowed. He waved his tail as he made his way to the reed-woven den and sank into an empty nest, sighing as he realised that his claw-marks had opened again, trickling blood down his stomach. I’ll need to keep a supply of cobwebs in here at this rate…

...

It’s good to be home! Spottedleaf and the other ThunderClan cats showed me every kindness and saved my life, but I missed Silverstream and my father.

Taken to spending time in the medicine den treating the injured cats, even if I’m technically supposed to be resting. There’s always something to do; cats in greenleaf tend to get thirsty a lot, so carrying wet moss from ponds is common. I’m eyeing the feverfew stocks - if it gets much hotter we may need them.

Many of them still haven’t healed from the battle; we took too many casualties there, even if thankfully no cat was killed. I can’t help but think that me fighting Brokenstar was part of the reason why, though of course I’m not going to go around saying that or anything. I’m a medicine cat. My duty is to preserve lives, and sometimes taking on a tyrannical leader is just part of that, I guess.

For a cat being used to sleeping in the same den with only one other cat, the warriors’ den is different… and significantly worse. There’s always at least one cat talking, whether it’s an argument over stepping on each others’ tails, restless cats, or prospective mates teasing each other, it’s never quiet in here.

Chapter 17: Chapter 16

Chapter Text

It's been a quarter-moon, but I’m officially back to full medicine cat duties! What a relief - I hated being useless. I should be the one treating my Clanmates, not the other way around.

We should be sending cats to Bluestar to ask about that alliance she mentioned. Or… I could go threaten or warn Brokenstar against any action against us with the threat of said alliance? Bluestar’s not going to align with him, I haven’t spoken to Tallstar at all, but I doubt he would either, and Crookedstar certainly isn’t going to after Brokenstar took one of his lives away and nearly killed me. This could be a three on one situation with the Clans.

I still wouldn’t advise attacking even if RiverClan, WindClan and ThunderClan are allied though - why risk taking unnecessary casualties when you can keep them in check and fulfil the same purpose? Besides, getting rid of leaders isn’t really a thing. We have to take all his lives away, and that isn’t going to be a pleasant sight, not to mention potentially destabilizing ShadowClan and making everything much worse.

...

You can go now.’ His former mentor mewed. ‘We’re all done here.’ Rainscale waved goodbye to Mudfur and Mistyfoot before leaving the nursery. He directed his pawsteps towards the river and crossed it. I want some place to relax, and I know just where to go…

The sun blazed above Sunningrocks, baking them in a warm glow. Rainscale stretched, arching his back, and let out a huge yawn, letting his eyes close as he rested, feeling his fur dry. Mudfur kept me in the camp longer than I would have liked; we had to check up on Mistyfoot and make sure she’s healthy enough for kitting, which thankfully she is, but that’s over with now. I could really use some sleep. His mind went back to the negotiations over these rocks a few moons ago. We don’t get the extra prey during leaf-bare, but at least we can sun ourselves during greenleaf. The medicine cat gradually began to doze off in the heat.

Rustling from the nearby bushes alerted him. Opening one eye, he saw a spiky gray-and-white tom striding towards him. Thistleclaw! He got to his paws. What does he want? I know he hates me for negotiating peace between our Clans. Does he want to kill me with no cat around? ‘Greetings, Thistleclaw.’ He kept his voice level.

‘You fought Brokenstar?’ the ThunderClan cat asked. Rainscale nodded slowly. ‘And you managed to beat him?’ ‘It was more of a stalemate, since I managed to subdue him but got ambushed by Blackfoot and had to run at the end, but you could say that,’ the medicine cat answered.

‘I didn’t think it was possible,’ Thistleclaw murmured to himself. ‘A medicine cat, fighting a Clan leader and coming out on top.’ He turned to Rainscale. ‘You must be an exceptionally strong and skilled fighter.’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘No, I’m not. I just know when to use my head instead of my claws.’ It was true. He knew he couldn’t have defeated Brokenstar head-to-head - the ShadowClan leader had more experience and was stronger, but he had managed to use his overconfidence against him.

Thistleclaw didn’t seem to hear his answer. ‘What would you say to more battle training?’ Rainscale declined politely. ‘Thanks, but I don’t think I need any more training. I don’t plan on getting into any more fights anytime soon.’ The spiky cat’s eyes widened. ‘What do you mean you don’t plan on fighting anymore? You clearly have a talent for it!’

‘I meant what I said. I’m a medicine cat, and I don’t intend to fight unless I have to. My first duty is to save lives. Besides,’ he went on, ‘I’m not sure what my Clan would think of me training with a ThunderClan cat.’

‘I didn’t mean train with me.’ Thistleclaw answered. ‘I meant in your dreams.’ Realisation hit Rainscale like a splash of cold water. He’s trying to recruit me to the Dark Forest! ‘Have you heard of the Place of No Stars?’ What should I do? He decided to play along for now. ‘Enlighten me.’

The ThunderClan cat spoke. ‘It’s this place you visit in your dreams, filled with the spirits of dead cats. They’re willing to train any cat they deem worthy. I wouldn’t have suggested you visit them if you hadn’t defeated Brokenstar. It’s hard work,’ he meowed, showing Rainscale his scratched pelt. ‘Are those from you training in this Place of No Stars?’ he asked. Thistleclaw shrugged. ‘A few wounds here and there are to be expected. After all, ‘ his voice turned into a snarl, ‘the cats there are real warriors, unlike those in the Clans. Victory in battle is to be achieved by the killing of your opponent, not by some mewling surrender.’

Spottedleaf was right. The Dark Forest has clearly had an impact on him. Could I convince him to turn away, as I have? He was somewhat skeptical; Thistleclaw had been there a lot longer than him, and probably didn’t have the same experience as he did of fleeing to StarClan. Rainscale resolved himself to at least try. I know this may just enrage him and cause him to attack, but if I can save another cat from the Dark Forest, I can’t give up without making an attempt.

‘What drove you to seek out this place?’ Thistleclaw’s eyes filled with an emotion that he hadn’t thought the gray-and-white cat was capable of: sorrow. ‘My mate, Snowfur, was killed on the Thunderpath, and it broke me. I vowed to become the most powerful warrior in the Clans, so nothing could hurt those I cared about. The cats there saw my resolve and came to me with wisdom and guidance.’ Rainscale could hardly prevent himself from letting out a disdainful smirk. Wisdom? Guidance? Turning you against your kin and everyone you care about? By the time you become that strong, if you ever do, you will find there is no cat left for you to protect. Your actions will have pushed them all away, and all you have trained for will be for nothing.

‘Come with me. I will teach you how to dream with them. They’ll make you into the strongest warrior in RiverClan. You won’t have to waste your time with herbs any longer.’ Rainscale’s fur bristled. I like being a medicine cat! How would you like it if the next time you visited the medicine den there was no cat there to treat you?

‘Spottedleaf was too much of a coward to listen to me, but I see you have true potential. Leave the medicine cat duties for the weak. The strong, such as you and I, our home is on the battlefield, and our pelts feel the most at ease when covered with the blood of our enemies.’ Thistleclaw held a paw out towards him. Speak for yourself, fox-heart!

Rainscale hissed. ‘Never. The medicine cat way is not weak; any cat can take a life, but tt takes skill and moons of practice to save one. If you truly wanted to honour Snowfur’s legacy, you should want to help as many cats as possible, instead of training to kill your supposed enemies.’ Bluestar had told him a little about her sister when he was in ThunderClan. She sounded like a gentle cat - he refused to believe that she would condone what her former mate was doing. Thistleclaw’s voice remained calm, as if expecting his answer. ‘Once you dream with them, your perspective will change.’

‘You think I haven’t dreamt with them?’ he asked, with an edge to his voice. Realisation grew across the ThunderClan cat’s face. ‘Mapleshade came to me when I was made an apprentice. She offered to train me.’ Thistleclaw’s eyes lit up. ‘Mapleshade? She’s one of the most fearsome cats in the Dark Forest! You must be honoured to train under such a mighty warrior.’ Rainscale fought the urge to throw up.

‘That isn’t how I would put it. She manipulated me, just like the Dark Forest is manipulating you. She turned me against all my kin like she’s doing with you and the rest of your Clan. I noticed that no cat seemed to want to be around you apart from cats that seem to be similarly bloodthirsty.’ Thsitleclaw puffed out his chest in pride. ‘I have trained them to be as strong as I am. They will carry on my legacy after I die.’

‘I found the truth for myself after I got my full name three moons ago. I’ve turned my back on them, and I implore you to do the same, Thistleclaw. The Dark Forest leads only to destruction and loss. You’ll never see your mate again if you continue down this path.’ The gray-and-white tom shook his head. ‘You’re lying.’

Rainscale gazed at him seriously. ‘I’m not. You will be stuck there after you die, unable to see Snowfur in StarClan. The Dark Forest isn’t some group of powerful warriors; it’s for cats who have broken the warrior code.’ Thistleclaw tilted his head to one side. ‘How have I broken the warrior code?’ Are you serious? ‘You knowingly set your apprentice on a defenseless kit. Bluestar said that they were half-dead by the time you were done with them. That’s more than enough, don’t you think? It’s not too late.’ I hope it isn’t. ‘You can still turn away from the darkness.’

Hope flickered within him for a heartbeat as Thistleclaw pondered what he had said, but that turned to disappointment as the ThunderClan cat shook his head. ‘You’ve been taught to be weak. You’ll never understand true power.’ He sounded genuinely regretful. ‘I had hoped we could be allies, but it seems that is not going to happen. I can’t leave you alive - you know about the Dark Forest, and you’re too strong a fighter to be ignored. I’m sorry.’ With those words, he lunged for the RiverClan cat’s throat.

Rainscale attempted to move out of the way, but the cat bowled into him, sending them both sprawling across the rocks. He scrambled to his paws as Thistleclaw attacked once again. He’s just as aggressive as Brokenstar! Thistleclaw attempted a killing bite, but he broke free and kicked him in the stomach, causing him to stumble back a few pawsteps.

‘I don’t want to fight you,’ he stated. ‘I don’t care.’ Thistleclaw leapt at him. Diving underneath his opponent’s chest, he slid underneath them as they soared over him and landed a shallow cut down the length of his exposed belly. The gray-and-white cat staggered, but struck him with a blow in return with enough force to send him skidding away. Thistleclaw was on him again within a heartbeat, swiping relentlessly for his throat and chest. He’s only going for lethal strikes, Rainscale noticed. It must be the Dark Forest training.

He did his best to avoid the flurry of claws, trying to find an opening to counter, but he still took a few gashes to the face. Wincing in pain, he backed out of range, then crouched and sprang. He’s going to think I’m going for his neck, since I’ve also been in the Dark Forest, and it’s something he seems to favour massively. Thistleclaw protected his throat, but Rainscale landed on his back instead, digging his claws in. His opponent reared, trying to dislodge him. He swept one of his hindpaws out, causing him to fall.

Rainscale positioned his teeth behind the back of the spiky tom’s neck. ‘Give up!’ The cat underneath him let out an amused snort. ‘Not bad.’ Thistleclaw bashed the back of his head into his muzzle. White fire flared in his jaw as he lurched away, his enemy getting to his paws.

‘This is what I mean. You could have killed me there and claimed victory, but Clan teachings led you to try and secure my surrender instead. You have the skill to be a great fighter, but to do so you need to let go of the weakness that is the warrior code. Join me,’ he asked again. ‘We can purge the weakness in the Clans and make it so the strong shall rule!’

Rainscale answered firmly. ‘No. Without looking after one another, there won’t be any Clans, and we wouldn't be any different from rogues. Which, by the looks of things, you have already become one yourself.’ Thistleclaw snarled. He threw paw after paw at the medicine cat, who slowly backed up until they were near the edge of the water. I’m not a great swimmer, but I’m fairly certain most non-RiverClan cats can’t swim at all.

The ThunderClan cat laughed when he saw Rainscale backing up. ‘Are you trying to lose this fight?’ He charged. At the last moment, Rainscale stepped to one side. Thistleclaw tottered on the edge of the rocks, struggling to halt his momentum. He shoved the enemy cat into the river with his shoulder; they fell in with a splash.

Thistleclaw sputtered, coughing up water, floundering in an attempt to stay afloat. I’m not going to watch him drown, but I am going to let him tire himself out. After a few heartbeats, Rainscale grabbed his scruff in between his teeth and heaved, pulling him out of the water. I can’t ask him to surrender again - I have to make it so he can’t follow me. The medicine cat gripped his hind leg in his jaws and bit down. The ThunderClan cat screeched in pain as Rainscale’s teeth punctured his pelt and left bite marks in his flesh. He struck Thistleclaw's ear, tearing it down the middle. I don’t want to injure him too badly. The RiverClan cat slashed him down the back, being careful not to dig his claws in too deep, but enough so it would hinder his movement.

His opponent glared up at him. ‘Kill me then! You’re earned the right by besting me in battle.’ Rainscale stepped back, sheathing his claws. ‘I’m not going to do that. Heed my warning, Thistleclaw. The Dark Forest will consume you until there’s nothing left.’ Without another word, he turned and swam across the river to RiverClan territory. He felt the ThunderClan cat’s stare on his back until he disappeared into the reeds.

‘Crookedstar!’ he called as he entered the camp. His father padded up to him. ‘What is it?’ His eyes locked on the multitude of cuts across the face. ‘You’re hurt.’ Rainscale scuffled his paws. ‘Let’s go out of camp, then I’ll tell you about it.’

Crookedstar gave him a quizzical look, but didn’t object as they headed outside the reed walls of the camp. ‘I’m mentioning this because I think ThunderClan may send cats here to inquire, and I wanted to clarify with you what happened first.’ The leader’s face fell. ‘Please tell me you haven’t gone running into another Clan’s territory like your sister did.’

‘No, the opposite actually. I was at Sunningrocks sunning myself, when Thistleclaw appeared.’ He stopped when he saw his father’s eyes blacken. ‘Is something wrong?’ Crookedstar shook himself. ‘No, it’s just… I’ve seen Thistleclaw in the Dark Forest. That was when I realised what that place was. He’s a dangerous cat.’

He knows as well? ‘That’s part of what happened. He asked me to dream with the Place of No Stars, saying something about how I had proven my worth by facing Brokenstar. I refused, of course, but he attacked me; he said I was too big of a threat to be left alive. I managed to fight him off and injure him, but I think he may bring this to Bluestar.’

Crookedstar pondered this for a heartbeat. ‘Maybe… but he’s a Dark Forest cat. I think he may be more inclined to confront you directly in battle. You clearly fought,’ he noted, gazing at the slash down his cheek. ‘How good of a fighter is he?’

‘To be honest, I can’t tell,’ Rainscale mewed. ‘I beat him by luring him into charging into the river. I try not to take opponents that are more experienced or stronger than me head on, which he obviously-’

‘Rainscale?’ Graypool padded up behind him. ‘A group of ThunderClan cats, including their leader, are asking for you at Sunningrocks.’ Crookedstar gazed at him worriedly. ‘I don’t think you should go. What if Thistleclaw attacks you again?’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘I have to go. I can’t hide forever. Bluestar is a fair cat, and even if Thistleclaw doesn’t respect her, she is still his leader. Besides, if Thistleclaw attacks me again, I can beat him if I have to. ’ Crookedstar rested his head on his son’s. ‘Take care.’

He swam across the river, arriving at Sunningrocks. Five ThunderClan cats were waiting for him; Bluestar, Thistleclaw, Whitestorm, Redtail, and Spottedleaf. He recognised the white tom from his time in ThunderClan. Okay… so not great. Spottedleaf knows about Thistleclaw training in the Dark Forest. I think she will back me here, but Whitestorm is Thistleclaw’s son - I haven’t spoken to him at all, but I have to assume that he is something like his father. Redtail isn’t aligned either for or against me, apart from him being a ThunderClan cat, but I don’t think he gets along with Thistleclaw very well, and Spottedleaf said he likes peace, so perhaps he’ll be receptive to what I’m saying? He thanked StarClan that Tigerclaw wasn’t here. I would have no chance of convincing them with him among their ranks.

‘Rainscale.’ Bluestar’s voice was measured. ‘Thistleclaw said that you trespassed on ThunderClan territory and attacked him. Is this true?’

Here we go. ‘No, Bluestar, it isn’t.’ The blue-gray she-cat looked at him. ‘Then tell us what happened.’ Rainscale took a deep breath. ‘I was sunning myself at Sunningrocks. Thistleclaw approached me and asked for a sparring match.’ He decided to not mention the Dark Forest - he didn’t think most of the cats here knew what that was, and if Thistleclaw hadn’t mentioned it, there was no point in bringing it up.

‘He said something about wanting to face me since I had fought Brokenstar. I declined, but he wouldn’t stop badgering me about it, and he ended up attacking me. I subdued him, but I left him as unharmed as I could without him following me. You can check the forest. You won’t find any RiverClan scent there - I was never on your land.’

‘He’s lying!’ Thistleclaw snarled. ‘I saw him catching a rabbit on our territory, and I tried to chase him away, but he attacked me instead and crippled me!’

Rainscale smirked. ‘Really? Thistleclaw, you aren’t a very good liar, are you?’ He didn’t normally taunt his opponents, but it could work to his advantage here. The gray-and-white tabby let out a furious hiss. The medicine cat turned to Bluestar. ‘I’m not a ThunderClan cat. I don’t have the skills required to hunt in the forest. I wouldn’t be able to catch a rabbit in your territory if I wanted to. Even if I had caught this rabbit, can any of you scent rabbit here? I couldn’t have carried it across the river now, could I?’

The four other cats opened their jaws to taste the air. ‘The RiverClan cat speaks the truth,’ Whitestorm meowed. ‘There is no prey-scent of any kind here.’ Rainscale was faintly surprised by this. I thought he would have supported Thistleclaw. ‘What about the attack though? We still don’t know who attacked who.’ Redtail commented.

The medicine cat responded calmly. ‘I’m the sole RiverClan cat that came to your camp to negotiate over this land.’ He pointed his tail at Sunningrocks. ‘Our Clans are at peace now because of it. Why would I do anything to jeopardize my own efforts?’

Bluestar was nodding slowly. ‘Now that I’m thinking about it, Thistleclaw’s account doesn’t make sense. You’re a medicine cat, and while I know you can fight, RiverClan cats don’t hunt in woodland, and there’s no prey-scent here either. The point about peace is valid too; it isn’t logical for you to put so much work into solidifying relationships between our Clans just to break it over such a trivial matter as trespassing.’ She turned to Thistleclaw. ‘What happened here?’

The gray-and-white cat didn’t respond, staring sullenly at Bluestar. ‘Rainscale. A word, please.’ Spottedleaf beckoned him with her tail. They went a few paces in the forest. ‘Is this about the Dark Forest? I heard him mentioning something about your skill as a warrior after beating Brokenstar, and that you could be useful to him.’

The RiverClan cat was slightly taken aback at how accurate her guess was. ‘You’re right. Thistleclaw tried to recruit me to the Dark Forest. He didn’t know that I’ve already been there. When I refused, he said I was too much of a threat to keep around and attacked me.’

‘That confirms it, then, even if I had guessed as much.’ Spottedleaf sighed. ‘He’s still training there, and it’s consuming him.’ Rainscale touched her shoulder with his tail. ‘I tried to convince him to turn away from it by mentioning his mate, but it didn’t work.’ She shook her head forlornly. ‘It’s far too late for him. He has been training there since before I was kitted. He’s not going to stop now.’

‘Why are you asking me this? Did you just want to know, or-’ he began, only for the she-cat to cut him off. ‘He’s becoming a menace in ThunderClan. Thistleclaw and Tigerclaw have influenced some of the younger cats, such as Longpaw and Darkstripe. They’re becoming increasingly vocal about their support of more violence and conflict with other Clans. They also seem to have a hatred for half-Clan cats.’ Rainscale bristled at the last part. Spottedleaf stepped back. ‘What’s wrong?’ He relaxed. ‘Nothing. It’s just that my mother was half-Clan. I’m part-WindClan, even if my loyalty is to RiverClan.’ ‘Oh…’

Rainscale shook his head. ‘That’s not important. Why are you telling me this?’ ‘Well, I was hoping you could do something about it.’ The RiverClan cat tilted his head.‘What do you mean? I’m not part of your Clan, and I’m not getting involved, thank you very much. This seems like a ThunderClan issue. What makes you so confident that I can do anything to solve it?’

Spottedleaf answered. ‘I meant a more… direct approach.’ Rainscale’s eyes dilated as he realised what she was implying. ‘You want me to kill him?! I-’ She interrupted him hastily. ‘No, no! I don’t think you would be willing to kill a cat anyways. I meant get him exiled. Thistleclaw is already riled up. It wouldn’t take much more for him to attack you in front of every other cat. When he does, don’t fight back. Let him inflict as many wounds as possible to make it look convincing. I know you could probably beat him,’ she mewed as he opened his mouth to protest, ‘but this is the best way. Attacking a medicine cat in front of a leader… that would probably do it.’

‘Are you two done over there?’ Bluestar’s yowl floated through the air. ‘One moment, Bluestar!’ Spottedleaf called back. She whispered in his ears urgently. ‘You need to make your decision. I beseech you to get rid of Thistleclaw, for the sake of ThunderClan. Please.’

Rainscale considered what the she-cat was saying. I don’t want to have to do anything like this, but if what she’s saying is true, then he’s a threat to RiverClan as well, and I would be doing ThunderClan a favour. She’s a medicine cat and a friend - she wouldn’t feed me false information for her own ends. Spottedleaf also helped me when I came to ThunderClan to negotiate peace, and I’m sure Thistleclaw is going to seek revenge on me as well.

‘I’ll do it.’

Spottedleaf’s eyes lit up. ‘Thank you, Rainscale.’ she murmured. ‘This may save the lives of many cats in the future.’ The two cats rejoined the others. ‘What were you two talking about back there?’ Redtail asked his sister. ‘Nothing you need to know about,’ she replied plainly. ‘Medicine cat business.’ She shot the RiverClan cat a wink.

‘Well, while you were off in the woods, Thistleclaw admitted that he was lying about the whole thing.’ The ThunderClan leader glared at the spiky tom. ‘I’m very sorry about this whole mess, Rainscale.’ ‘No problem, Bluestar,’ he replied breezily. ‘Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.’ He noticed the other three ThunderClan cats hissing faintly as Thistleclaw, including Whitestorm. I was wrong about him, Rainscale thought to himself. Bluestar, who I assume raised him after Snowfur died, must have done a good job counteracting Thistleclaw’s poisonous influence.

Bluestar shoved Thistleclaw towards him. ‘Apologise!’ The other cat’s yellow hate-filled eyes bore into his blue ones, and he did not say a word. ‘I said apologise! Or do I have to make it two moons on the dawn and night patrols instead of one?’ ‘I’m sorry…’ Thistleclaw muttered under his breath. Time to irritate him enough so that he attacks me. With any luck, it shouldn’t take too long. ‘What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that,’ Rainscale meowed coolly, even though he had been able to make out the words perfectly.

Thistleclaw’s eyes were smoldering golden flames. ‘I said I’m sorry.’ ‘One more time, please?’ he asked. The other cat turned his back on him. Rainscale smirked. ‘Coward,’ he meowed, too quietly for the other cats to hear, trying to put as much venom in his voice as he could. ‘Too weak to face me alone, and had to go crawling to your Clan leader for help, only to find your Clan would rather believe a RiverClan cat over you? Even your own son doesn’t support you.’

A flash of inspiration crossed him. I know what I should say! This will do it for sure. There’s only one other thing this cat cares about apart from power. ‘It’s no wonder your mate died - Snowfur must have realised she would rather join StarClan than stay with a pathetic excuse for a tom such as yourself.’ The harsh words tasted bitter in his mouth. He had never insulted a cat like this before, and he wasn’t sure if he liked it. That should be enough.

The grey-and-white tom turned back around, and, with a roar, pounced on him despite his injuries. I can’t let him kill me, but I will let him thrash me for a while. Thistleclaw attacked him in a blind fury, clawing and biting him like a feral badger. Soon his face, flanks and legs were lined with wounds. Rainscale let out yowls of pain, fighting back but aiming for areas that he knew would not do much damage, such as his paws. Thistleclaw dug his claws into Rainscale’s face, and aimed a swipe at his throat. If you’re going to intervene, please do it now!

‘Thistleclaw!’ Bluestar rushed over and wrenched the warrior off the medicine cat. Rainscale remained on the ground, writhing in agony. Okay, maybe I should have fought back a bit more. ‘What in the name of StarClan do you think you’re doing? You attacked a medicine cat! In front of your Clan leader and Clanmates, no less!’ She sounded distraught. Thistleclaw didn’t even look at her, keeping his eyes on him. ‘I have given you plenty of chances, but you have proven yourself to be a liability to the Clan. You’ve broken the warrior code too many times. I hereby sentence you to exile. If you are found on ThunderClan territory after sundown, we will treat you like any other intruder.’

Thistleclaw stared at her incredulously. ‘You can’t be serious.’ Bluestar’s mew was dangerously quiet. ‘Does it sound like I’m joking?’ ‘But he- he-’ The spiky tom turned to the medicine cat, understanding dawning on him. ‘You tricked me! I’m going to kill you, you fish-eating-’ He lunged for Rainscale again, only to be held back by Whitestorm and Redtail. ‘Leave. Now.’ Redtail growled in Thistleclaw’s ear. ‘You aren’t ThunderClan any more.’ ‘I’m ashamed that you are my parent, and I know Snowfur is ashamed to have mated with a cat like you.’ Whitestorm put in. ‘Get off our land before I make you.’

Rainscale saw shock, hurt and perhaps a hint of regret in Thistleclaw’s eyes as he looked upon Whitestorm, but all of that was replaced by cold indifference. ‘Fine.’ He snorted contemptuously, turned around and stalked away, tail held high. The RiverClan cat winced. Those two don’t get along very well. Gratitude filled him as he thought of his relationship with his own father. Crookedstar was compassionate and loving, and he did his best to not let what Mapleshade did to him affect how he acted, even if he could be overprotective at times. Bluestar approached the medicine cat. ‘My deepest apologies for what my former warrior did. I hope you don’t decide to convince Crookedstar to end the agreement because of this,’ she mewed, dipping her head to him.

He quickly returned the gesture, staggering to his paws, grimacing. ‘The actions of one warrior do not determine the character of an entire Clan, and from what I’ve seen, most of ThunderClan is filled with honourable cats.’ He nodded to Redtail, Whitestorm and Spottedleaf. ‘It does not make sense for me to judge the Clan based on what a cat that you have already exiled has done.’

Bluestar let out a relieved breath. ‘Would you like to come to our camp for treatment? We owe that much to you.’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘Thank you, but I must decline. Crookedstar will be expecting me. I can make it back to RiverClan.’ At least I hope I can, glancing over his blood-glazed pelt with alarm, realising just how many wounds Thistleclaw had managed to inflict on him.

‘Then farewell, and may StarClan light your path.’ Redtail and Whitestorm turned to leave, but Bluestar pressed her maw against his ear. ‘Thank you for giving me a reason to get rid of him. I’ve wanted to do that for a while now,’ she whispered, before following her warriors into the forest, leaving him with Spottedleaf.

The tortoiseshell let out a gasp at his blood-soaked pelt. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to be injured this badly.’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘We accomplished what we aimed to do, didn’t we? Anyways, if I can survive Brokenstar and Blackfoot, I can survive some crazy tom who thinks he’s the best warrior in the Clans. Who isn’t even a warrior anymore,’ he added, but a surge of guilt filled the medicine cat even as Spottedleaf let out a laugh. I’ve driven a warrior out of their Clan through treachery. This is what Mapleshade would have done. He let out a horrified gasp at his own thoughts. Am I becoming like her?

‘Rainscale?’ Spottedleaf waved a paw in front of his unfocused eyes. ‘Are you okay?’ The RiverClan cat snapped back to attention. ‘I’m fine. Spottedleaf, I don’t like what we’ve done here. I’m going to find Thistleclaw. No,’ he went on as she opened her maw, ‘I’m not going to ask for ThunderClan to take him back in. I believe you when you say that he was a threat, and I don’t think they would accept him after what he did. I’m going to make one final attempt to turn him away from the Dark Forest. I’m going to bring him to the Moonstone. Maybe if he sees Snowfur, he will see how misguided he has been.’

The she-cat’s eyes filled with consternation. ‘You can’t! Rainscale, you’re in no state to fight,’ she mewed, looking at his blood-stained pelt. ‘Even if you’re not in danger of dying, what if you don’t have the strength to beat him? Thistleclaw must be filled to the brim with his rage. He won’t listen to you - he’ll just attack. There’s nothing more you can do for him. You need to get to a medicine cat. Come to ThunderClan with me; it’s closer than your home.’

Rainscale stopped for a moment. He knew his injuries were not immediately fatal; Thistleclaw’s attack had been ferocious but clumsy, but they still flared with pain. The medicine cat would have liked nothing more than to curl up in a nest and sleep, but if he did that, Thistleclaw may have wandered too far from Clan territory to find him.

Resolve grew within him. This is my only chance to turn him away from the darkness. He shook his head. ‘No,’ he replied firmly. ‘I’m going to find him now. He will have gone too far if we wait for me to recover fully.’ He made out Thistleclaw’s scent trail and began to follow it, limping, wincing at his wounds spread open with every step.

The crunching of leaves sounded behind him. Rainscale knew that Spottedleaf had followed along, and he knew she wouldn’t go back even if he asked. ‘Why?’ he asked, keeping his eyes on the dense woodland.’Didn’t he try to manipulate you when you were an apprentice? ‘

Her mew came to his ears a heartbeat later. ‘Yes, he did, but I’m the cat who got you into this in the first place. I know I haven’t had warrior or Dark Forest training, but if you’re willing to risk your life, so am I. Besides, I know you wouldn’t be able to find your way around this forest, let alone track any cat. This way!’ she exclaimed, veering off as Rainscale felt the dark warrior’s scent grow stronger. She has a point. There are too many scents here.

The two medicine cats saw a gray-and-white tom heading away from them. Thistleclaw whipped around as he heard their pawsteps, snarling at them before either of them could even get a word out. ‘You two?! First you get me exiled, and now you come to kill me? I’m not going down without a fight!’ His voice broke into a sinister laugh. ‘You’ve overestimated yourself, Rainscale. I can tell those wounds I gave you are hampering your movement. You’re no match for me now. Get ready to die, medicine cat!’

‘We’re not here to kill you! Thistleclaw, no!’ The exiled warrior took no notice of Spottedleaf’s cry as he sprang at Rainscale. I have to end this quickly. I cannot take a prolonged fight in my condition. Thistleclaw clearly thinks I’m going to be a pushover in this state; I can use that against him. The RiverClan cat reared on his hind legs and swiped a forepaw at Thistleclaw’s face, causing him to flinch briefly.

Rainscale took the opportunity to trip him by sweeping one of his front legs under the exile’s, sending him to the ground in a heap. He laid a claw on his opponent’s back and held him down despite their flailing, trying to ignore his wounds, which had begun bleeding again during the brief bout. ‘Stop! That isn’t why we found you. We’re here to bring you to the Moonstone.’

Thistleclaw’s muffled voice came up underneath his form. ‘StarClan. What could I possibly want with those pathetic excuses for warriors?’ Spottedleaf came over. ‘We’re here to bring you to your mate.’ Thistleclaw stopped struggling, and Rainscale took his weight off him, keeping his muscles tense in case he attacked again as the exile got to his paws, his eyes narrowed at his captors. ‘All right. I haven’t seen her since she died. If you can help me speak to her, then I’ll follow you. I can show her how much stronger I have gotten from when she was alive.’ Thistleclaw fell into step behind the two conversing medicine cats as they made for Mothermouth, the RiverClan cat making sure to keep an eye on him in case he tried anything.

‘I can see why you wanted to get rid of him,’ Rainscale whispered to Spottedleaf. ‘What cat is given the chance to see their mate, and the first thing they mention is how much more powerful they have gotten?’ The she-cat sighed. ‘A cat that has been taken over by the Dark Forest, that’s who,’ she answered heavily. ‘How are you holding up?’

Rainscale hissed as another wound on his pelt opened up. ‘I’ll live,’ he muttered. ‘Let’s just get him to the Moonstone as quickly as possible - I’m sure Crookedstar will be furious at me when he sees me in this state, and it’s going to be well into the night by the time I get back, since we need to wait for moonlight before we try and communicate with StarClan. I’m not even sure if this will work. He’s dedicated himself to the Dark Forest; will StarClan even let him see them?’

Spottedleaf rasped her tongue down one of his cuts. ‘Have faith. Every cat has the chance to change. You trained there once, and now you’re as loyal to StarClan as any medicine cat. I still think he’s committed too much to the Dark Forest for us to have any chance, but if there’s one thing that may be able to bring him back to StarClan, it’s Snowfur. StarClan must know why we’re going to the Moonstone. They wouldn’t deny us the chance to speak with them and guide one of their warriors away from the clutches of the Place of No Stars.’

The journey took longer than Rainscale would have liked; they had to skirt around the edges of ThunderClan and ShadowClan land in order to avoid being detected. I don’t really fancy explaining myself to any patrol given the situation we’re in. The trio walked in silence, with one or two sounds of pain coming from him every so often when a branch or bush would poke at his pelt.

It was sundown by the time they reached the foot of Highstones; his wounds had slowed the journey considerably. ‘We’re not going to go in until the moon rises, and I’m sure we’re all famished. How about I go catch some prey?’ Spottedleaf offered. Rainscale dipped his head gratefully. ‘Don’t worry about him, I can handle things if anything happens.’ The medicine cat tried to sound as confident as he could even in spite of his doubts. Spottedleaf gave him a concerned look before heading down the hills.

Rainscale and the cat he had gotten exiled sat down nearby. ‘So… Thistleclaw. Where are you planning to go after this?’ The gray-and-white tom didn’t answer, keeping his back pointedly turned to him. ‘I’m sorry for insulting you like that. I didn’t mean it. I’m sure Snowfur picked you for a mate for a reason.’ At least I think so. Thistleclaw let out a grunt in response, but didn’t do anything else to break the silence. The RiverClan cat felt his eyelids grow heavy with sleep as he did his best to stay awake.

The tortoiseshell returned a while later, just as the last rays of sunlight were disappearing over the horizon, a mouse and a bundle of stalks of sorrel and chamomile clasped between her jaws. Spottedleaf dropped the mouse in front of Thistleclaw, and shared the herbs between herself and Rainscale. ‘I wasn’t able to find any marigold, cobwebs or anything else that I could treat your wounds with, but I did find some traveling herbs. Here,’ she mewed, pawing most of them at him.’I know how tiring this journey must have been for you.’

Rainscale welcomed the bitter taste of the herbs for once, the tang helping to keep him from dozing off and distracting him from the dull ache of his cuts. He gazed at the steadily rising moon above. ‘Come on. By the time we get to Mothermouth, the moon should be shining on the Moonstone.’

The climb up Highstones was even more laborious than it usually was for him, limited as his movement was by his injuries. Blood was trickling out of most of his wounds once again by the time he managed to haul himself onto the ground where the cave entrance leading to the Moonstone was. He gave himself a quick grooming, cleaning his pelt, before heading into Mothermouth, Spottedleaf and Thistleclaw following him.

His nerves tensed at the thought of the exiled cat turning on them here. I can’t see anything, and neither can Spottedleaf - we wouldn’t be able to defend ourselves. Rainscale forced his nerves to steady. If we can’t see our own paws, then neither can Thistleclaw, he reasoned. He’s more likely to hit his claws against the tunnel walls if he tries to swing at us. We should be safe.

It felt like they had been walking for a season before a brilliant light shone into his face. Blinking, he made out the outline of the Moonstone, glowing with pale white moonlight. The cats entered the cave. ‘Lay beside the rock and press your nose-’ ‘I’ve done this before, fish-breath. I don’t need your instructions.’ Thistleclaw growled at him. Rainscale rolled his eyes at the exile pressed his nose against the Moonstone and closed his eyes.

‘We should join him,’ Spottedleaf mewed. The two medicine cats mimicked Thistleclaw’s position. Rainscale’s nose pushed against the cold stone as he let himself relax after all the walking. His exhaustion took him and within a few heartbeats he found himself in the same starry clearing where Willowbreeze had met him when he had last come. He let out a sigh as he realised that his pelt was free of cuts and bites, leaving him pain-free. Those wounds must not exist in StarClan, then.

The ThunderClan medicine cat stood up beside him. So other living cats can meet each other in StarClan. ‘We’re here, but where is he?’ she wondered aloud. He was about to answer when a yowl of joy split the air.

‘Snowfur!’

Chapter 18: Chapter 17

Chapter Text

‘That’s Thistleclaw. Stay hidden - we don’t want to disturb him.’ Rainscale and Spottedleaf crept towards the direction of the noise, concealing themselves in a bush and poking their heads out. The gray-and-white tom was facing a snowy-white she-cat with blue eyes.

‘It’s been so many moons! I’ve thought about you every sunrise since you died! I-’ Thistleclaw moved to press his muzzle against the she-cat’s, only for her to pull back. ‘Snowfur?’

Snowfur stared at him, her blue eyes pooling with tears. ‘Why? Why did you abandon me for the Dark Forest? I thought you loved me?’

‘I do love you, Snowfur!’ Thistleclaw mewed. ‘That’s why I’ve been training there! I’ve become so powerful that no cat will be able to hurt any cat I love anymore - including our son.’

The white she-cat shook her head. ‘You still don’t understand, do you? The Dark Forest is evil. Look what it’s done to you! You tried to manipulate an apprentice to train in the Dark Forest with you,’ she mewed sorrowfully, twitching her ears towards the bush where Spottedleaf and Rainscale were. ‘She knows we’re here,’ the tortoiseshell mewed under her breath. Awkwardly, the two medicine cats stepped out of their hiding place.

Thistleclaw glared at them, but Snowfur went on as if they weren’t there. ‘You had your apprentice nearly kill a kit while you goaded him on, and you attacked a medicine cat. Those two were right to bring you here, because this is your last chance. You must turn away from the Dark Forest. Please, Thistleclaw. For my sake, if nothing else.’

The gray-and-white tom didn’t answer for a heartbeat, for once at a loss of words. ‘You… you want me to stop going there? I can’t. The cats there have promised me more power than I have ever dreamed of. That isn’t something I can just turn down.’ Rainscale’s heart sank, and he felt Spottedleaf slacken against him.

‘So you chose them.’ The she-cat’s mew was choked. ‘You made your decision, and you picked the Dark Forest over me, and the life we could have had together in StarClan. I see now.’

Thistleclaw’s eyes widened. ‘No, wait, Snowfur, I didn’t mean-’

‘You are not the same young tom I fell in love with all those moons ago. The cat I loved would have never done the things that you have. You’ve changed, and not for the better. As your mate, I wanted to give you a chance for redemption, but you let your ambition and desire for power cloud your judgement. Look at where it has gotten you, Thistleclaw - you’re not even a warrior. Bluestar exiled you in disgrace. I’m glad you’re not in ThunderClan anymore, and that my sister raised our son; she did a far better job of it than you did. I prayed every sunrise that you would see the error of your ways, that the cat I loved would come back, but the Dark Forest has consumed you, and you have become one of them now. You broke my heart, Thistleclaw, and your actions disgust me. I want nothing to do with you anymore.’ She turned to leave.

The spiky tom hastened over to her. ‘Snowfur, don’t be like this. Don’t you see? I’m training in the Dark Forest to make myself the best warrior I can be! It doesn’t matter how many cats I have to kill; all that matters is the power achieved at the end of it. I’ll use that power to make sure Whitestorm will be safe forever, and I will ensure that ThunderClan is safe too.’

Snowfur let out a hollow laugh. ‘Of all the things I thought you were, Thistleclaw, a liar was not one of them.’

‘Snowfur-’ The gray-and-white tom tried to put his paw around her, but she recoiled, bristling, and raked her claws across his cheek, sending a small spray of blood splattering across the grass.

‘Don’t touch me! We are not mates anymore.’ The white she-cat’s eyes softened. ‘I’m sorry. This is the last time we will speak with each other, my love. May the Dark Forest have mercy on you. Goodbye, Thistleclaw,’ she whispered, before turning away and racing across the fields of StarClan, soon fading from sight.

Thistleclaw stood there, staring at the point over the horizon where Snowfur had vanished. His paws trembled; Rainscale thought it was with grief, but then he heard the muttered words. ‘I’ll show her… I’ll show them all. You’ll understand, Snowfur. I’ll make you understand.’

‘We’re done here,’ he murmured to Spottedleaf. ‘There’s nothing more we can do for him.’ She agreed and they closed their eyes, finding themselves on the floor of the Moonstone cave once more.

The gray-and-white tom awoke a few moments later. ‘You two tricked me again! You said you were going to reunite me with my mate, but instead she turned away from me.’

Spottedleaf mewed quietly. ‘We didn’t push her away from you, Thistleclaw. You did, with your bloodthirst and unyielding desire for more power. Snowfur gave you an option to be by her side once again. All you had to do was turn away from the Place of No Stars, but you refused. You made your own decision, and she made hers.’

‘It’s time for you to leave Clan territory.’ Rainscale’s voice was firm, if a bit sympathetic. ‘We’ve already broken the rules to give you a chance to redeem yourself. You have no business left here, and you are no longer a Clan cat.’

Thistleclaw snarled at them, unsheathing his claws. Rainscale slid his out, and he saw Spottedleaf do the same. Can we take him? He realised just how drained he was - the thought of the trek back to RiverClan made him want to fall asleep on the spot, let alone the thought of fighting a Dark Forest-trained cat. Spottedleaf didn’t look in nearly as bad of shape, but she had no combat training, and wouldn’t stand much of a chance against the bitter exile.

They stared at each other, Thistleclaw as if pondering whether to kill them or not. If I die here, Willowbreeze, Rainscale thought, please welcome me to StarClan. The exile loosened his battle stance. ‘It’s not worth the time it would take to kill you two,’ he stated disdainfully, though the RiverClan cat thought he could detect a trace of uncertainty and fear in his words. ‘I will have my revenge. On you both, Bluestar, Snowfur, and every cat that has crossed me. The Dark Forest will see to it,’ he hissed as he turned and ran out of the tunnel.

Rainscale considered hunting him down, but he was in no condition to give chase. His wounds felt even worse after the brief relief that was StarClan, where they didn’t exist. He rose to his feet with difficulty, realising that his pelt had stained blood all over the floor. I better clean that off! He wiped it off with his paws as best as he could.

‘I’m sorry we weren’t able to save him,’ he murmured, turning to Spottedleaf. She shook her head. ‘There wasn’t much of a chance anyways; he was too far gone. Come on.’ She motioned for the tunnel.

The two cats exited Mothermouth. Rainscale noticed with a start that the moon was already almost directly above them. How long were we in there?

‘I should be going now. I expect Crookedstar to kill me for being gone for so long and returning to camp in this state,’ he mewed, taking the first steps down Highstones, but lost his footing and slipped, coming to a halt a few tail-lengths down. Rough pebbles rubbed against his wounds, and he let out a yowl of pain.

The ThunderClan cat hurried to his side, helping him to his paws. ‘I’m escorting you back to RiverClan. Don’t try to argue with me,’ she mewed pointedly, ‘you’re a medicine cat, and you should know that in your current state there’s no way you’re making it to Fourtrees, let alone the RiverClan camp.’ She allowed him to lean on her, supporting Rainscale’s weight with her flank.

‘Spottedleaf, thank you very much, but I don’t think this is necessary-’ ‘Be quiet, you fish-brain. Do you want a WindClan patrol to find you after sunrise, having died of exhaustion on their territory because you were too stubborn to let me help? I’m coming with you, whether you like it or not. You’re in this condition because of me, and I’m going to make sure you get home safely.’

There’s no point in arguing with her; it’s not like I can stop her by running away or anything like that. Heat flushed through his face at being so close to the pretty tortoiseshell. We’re not mates; we shouldn’t be like this. It does feel nice though… Rainscale closed his eyes and let her warm pelt guide him.

Eventually, she nudged him awake from his slumber. ‘Wake up, sleepy-paws. We’re outside of your camp. I trust you can make it inside without falling over?” Her mew was half-joking, half-serious. ‘Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. Thank you for carrying me all the way back here. I admit I don’t think I could have gotten back alone.’ Her mew was lighthearted. ‘It was nothing. May StarClan light your path.’ Spottedleaf touched noses with him before heading into the night.

Rainscale turned and faced the entrance of the camp. Skyheart and Leopardfur were on guard duty, but they didn’t seem to notice him. He sighed. I hope Crookedstar isn’t going to be too upset with me.

…

‘You mouse-brain! What were you thinking?!’

The gray cat lay in the medicine den. Mudfur bustled around the den, scrounging for the necessary herbs while Crookedstar sat in front of him.

‘I told you not to go! Look at what’s happened to you now!’ his father yowled. ‘It’s only been a moon since you nearly died, and now you go and try to get yourself killed again?’ ‘Calm down Crookedstar, his injuries aren’t that serious, even if there are a lot of them. Whoever attacked him must have been either untrained or in a state of frenzy and was just trying to get their claws on him, though there is a lot of debris in them which I need to clean. He’ll be back to full strength in no time.’ Mudfur reassured him.

‘Crookedstar, I know I said I would take care of myself, and I’m sorry that I came back like this. I promise I’ll explain everything after Mudfur’s done applying herbs,’ Rainscale meowed, only for his voice to be cut off by a pained gasp as his former mentor pressed a cobweb against a particularly nasty wound.

The RiverClan leader didn’t say anything else until Mudfur had finished. Crookedstar headed for his den and motioned for him to follow.

‘Alright, we’re alone now,’ the light-brown tabby mewed as they sat down inside. He turned to Rainscale. ‘You better have a good explanation for why you came back looking like you’ve been on a battlefield from what was supposed to be a peaceful meeting.’

Rainscale began to speak. ‘Five ThunderClan cats were there: Bluestar, Thistleclaw, Spottedleaf, Redtail and Whitestorm. Thistleclaw accused me of trespassing and stealing prey, but I managed to defend myself to the rest of the ThunderClan cats and convince them that I had done nothing of the sort.’

‘This sounds like it was going well. So how did you end up like this?’ Crookedstar asked. ‘I was getting to that… Halfway through the discussion, Spottedleaf pulled me aside. She had something to ask of me.’

The leader’s eyes glowed with understanding. ‘Look, Rainscale, I know young cats like you will do anything to impress a she-cat or tom they like.’ Rainscale sputtered, his face turning red, ‘What? No, that’s not even remotely-’ ‘Thankfully your mother was a very sweet cat and I didn’t have to do anything to amaze her, but you can’t be getting yourself injured just for that. I know Spottedleaf is pretty and charming, but you’re both medicine cats. You must know you have no future with-’

‘Father!’ Rainscale screeched. ‘I don’t like Spottedleaf like that!’ Crookedstar gave a knowing smile. ‘Sure you don’t,’ he meowed teasingly. ‘That’s what I told myself when me and Willowbreeze were apprentices too.’ I can’t even with this right now… He buried his face, by now glowing bright ruby, in his paws.

‘What I was going to say,’ he muttered, ‘is that she wanted my help with exiling Thistleclaw.’ Crookedstar immediately stopped. ‘Oh. So it was that. I’m sorry, I thought you had done something fish-brained like fighting a fox for them.’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘She said Thistleclaw was a harmful influence in ThunderClan, that he was making cats more aggressive, and that they hated half-Clan cats.’ Crookedstar’s fur bristled along his spine as he had when he first heard of it.

‘I agreed because I thought he represented a threat to RiverClan too, and not,’ he added pointedly, glaring at his father, ‘because of any attachment to Spottedleaf. We devised a plan where I would goad Thistleclaw into attacking me in front of every cat. It worked, and he’s exiled now, but as you can see.’ He looked ruefully at his herb-covered pelt, ‘I took more hits than I would have liked.’

‘If that’s all, then what took you so long?’ His father’s head tilted to one side. ‘I was getting to that… I felt guilty over tricking Thistleclaw, so I sought him out to bring him to the Moonstone. I was hoping that his StarClan mate could convince him to turn away from the Dark Forest. Me and Spottedleaf, who came alone with me, brought him there, and we managed to get into StarClan, where we saw Snowfur, his mate. She stopped being mates with him after he told her that he couldn’t leave the Dark Forest behind, declaring that they would never speak again, then left.’ Rainscale paused for a breath.

‘When we woke up, I thought Thistleclaw would attack us, but he just stalked off instead. I tried to get home on my own, but I fell down immediately. Spottedleaf let me lean on her almost the whole way. I wouldn’t have made it back without her help.’

‘So that’s what happened,’ Crookedstar murmured. ‘I’m certainly not upset to see Thistleclaw go - the fewer Dark Forest-influenced cats, the better, especially such a bloodthirsty one, though I can’t help feeling a little sorry for him. No cat wants to be rejected by their mate. While your methods were… questionable, I see now why you decided to get clawed voluntarily. Thank Spottedleaf for me the next time you see her. I’m sorry for yowling at you without understanding the situation,’ he mewed. Rainscale pressed his muzzle against his father’s. ‘I know you’re just worried about me.’

‘Crookedstar! Rainscale!’ Silverstream purred, padding into the den. ‘I heard- Great StarClan!’ she exclaimed, staring at him. ‘Yes, your brother has gotten himself into a fight again, but it was for a noble cause, as well as perhaps something more…?’ Crookedstar told her, prodding Rainscale with a paw.

Silverstream’s gaze lit up with interest. ‘What are we talking about here?’ Oh no, not both of you… His father responded. ‘Rainscale’s found a she-cat he likes a lot. He was willing to get into this condition because she asked him to, and she propped him up all the way back home from the Moonstone.’ His sister edged closer to Crookedstar. ‘Who is it?’ Please don’t. Crookedstar met his gaze with a grin. ‘Spottedleaf.’

The silver she-cat wrapped her tail around him. ‘Congratulations! I’m so glad my brother has found someone he truly cares for.’ ‘It’s not like that…’ he started. She didn’t seem to hear him. ‘Have you confessed to her yet?’ ‘No, I haven’t, and never will, because I don’t-’ ‘When’s the first litter coming along?’ He stared at her, thoroughly mortified, his face scarlet. ‘Silverstream!’

His sister bounced around the den. ‘I can’t wait to meet your kits! Have you thought of names yet?’ Rainscale turned to Crookedstar. Help me, he mouthed. His father chuckled. ‘I’m just going to watch. I’d never thought I would see this day - my usually serious son stumbling over his words at the mention of a she-cat.’ He groaned and pressed his face into the ground. If a cat could die of embarrassment, I would be with StarClan by now.

‘I’m going to go to ThunderClan and tell her!’ He heard his sister’s gleeful mew.

‘No no Silverstream wait!’

Chapter 19: Chapter 18

Chapter Text

Silver light coated everything underneath the moon. RiverClan trudged towards Fourtrees, as was Clan tradition. His father had called for their patrol to be a bit smaller in size this time, with only six cats; Crookedstar, Oakheart, Rainscale, Whiteclaw, Leopardfur and Silverstream.

StarClan knows we’re all worried about another raid, Rainscale thought. If Brokenstar tries the same thing, he’ll find that our camp isn’t at half-strength this time. Crookedstar ordered extra patrols tonight. A wise move. This Gathering is not exactly going to be cordial though, especially between him and Brokenstar. I anticipate a lot of arguing coming up.

I wonder why Brokenstar is so determined to seize land from other Clans? He knew that ShadowClan had access to Carrionplace with its seemingly endless supply of rats, which, while not always safe to eat, provided a plentiful supply of prey. Does he really need the land from the other Clans so badly that he’s willing to fight for it? Or is there some other motive here? Is he just battle-hungry?

Absorbed in his own thoughts, he walked straight into Silverstream. ‘Watch it!’ she mewed. ‘Sorry…’ Rainscale muttered. His sister turned to him. ‘I can tell your mind is somewhere else. What were you thinking about?’ A grin spread across her face.’Is it Spottedleaf?’ Oh, for the love of StarClan… ‘I thought we went over this? We’re good friends, nothing more.’ Silverstream smirked playfully. ‘Sure…’

Rainscale sighed. ‘I’m trying to make sense of why Brokenstar wants land from the other Clans so much. Yellowfang told me that he planned to expand ShadowClan, and needed to remove one Clan’s ability to resist before he tried, which was the raid last moon. But why? The ShadowClan cats we fought weren’t exactly scrawny, so there can’t be a prey issue, and there has never been any long-standing border dispute between our Clans like Sunningrocks.’

The silver cat hummed thoughtfully. ‘Some cats are just ambitious. In Brokenstar’s case, ambitious is putting it mildly, I know. My best guess? He likes the feeling of power, of dominion over the other Clans, and he’s willing to take their land by force if it means giving him that satisfaction. I don’t think he attacked because he really likes fish,’ she joked. ‘Interesting. I never considered it that way.’

‘We’re here,’ Crookedstar called. The clearing was empty apart from the Great Rock and the four oak trees that stood in the center. We’re early this time. He enjoyed the relative tranquility of the scene while he could, gazing at the moon; he knew it wasn’t going to last.

The crunching of leaves under paws marked the arrival of ThunderClan. Bluestar and Redtail went to talk with Crookedstar and Oakheart. Are they discussing an alliance? He fervently hoped so. We won’t have to stand alone against Brokenstar if that is secured.

‘Hello, Rainscale.’ A voice piped up behind him. ‘Spottedleaf. Crookedstar sends his thanks for escorting me back to RiverClan.’ She flicked her tail over his ear. ‘Don’t mention it. I couldn’t have left you half-dead at Mothermouth, now, could I?’

How much does ThunderClan know about Thistleclaw’s exile, and our part in it? ‘How have things been for you in ThunderClan?’’ ‘Not great…’ she sighed. ‘Tigerclaw and his group are furious that Thistleclaw was exiled. They hate you, and I think they suspect that I was involved as well, even if they can’t know for sure. I’ve noticed herb stores going missing from my den every few sunrises - I don’t have any proof, whoever did it hid their scent very well, but they laugh at me every time they see me, so…’

‘You should tell Bluestar. She’ll deal with them.’ The tortoiseshell looked uncertain. ‘I don’t want to make this into a Clan-wide matter.’ ‘Trust me. You never know when you may need those herbs - that could end up being the difference between life and death for one of your Clanmates. Those cats may be belligerent, but without Thistleclaw they’ve lost a figure from which to rally behind.’ He hoped that Tigerclaw had not fulfilled that mantle yet. ‘They won’t disobey a direct order from their leader.’ She seemed more cheerful at this. ‘Thanks. I’ll do that.’

Silverstream padded up to the conversing cats. ‘Hi, Spottedleaf.’ The ThunderClan medicine cat looked taken aback. ‘I’m sorry, but I don’t think we’ve met. Who are you?’ ‘I’m Silverstream, Rainscale’s sister.’ Spottedleaf’s eyes lit up with recognition. ‘Of course. Rainscale mentioned you a lot when he was living in ThunderClan. He was worried to death about you after the battle. You two must get along very well.’

His sister gave him a mischievous look. Oh no. ‘He talks about you a lot too. I think he likes you.’ she mewed casually before he could stop her, walking off as if nothing had happened. Rainscale wanted to melt into a puddle and disappear. I swear, I am going to get her back for this… He stood there like a cat made of stone.

Spottedleaf tapped him with a paw. ‘Is it true?’ she asked gently. He was too afraid to answer. ‘Come on. You can confess to me, if it makes you feel better. I don’t mind. You shouldn’t hide your feelings.’ To be honest, I don’t know. She’s helped me tirelessly multiple times over these few moons, and has shown me so much kindness. I trusted her enough to tell her about the Dark Forest, so clearly she’s a cat I hold in high regard subconsciously. Not to mention she is really graceful and pretty. Do I like her? Maybe … But there’s no way I’m going to tell her that! I’m a medicine cat, and I have no intention of breaking the code. The only thing that comes before it is my kin.

Rainscale sighed. ‘No, I don’t like you that way. This is a fish-brained joke that Silverstream and Crookedstar have been teasing me about ever since I told them what happened when we exiled Thistleclaw. I told them that I let myself get beat up because a she-cat told me to, and they took it very differently to how I intended. I value you as a close friend and a companion, a cat I can trust, but not as a mate. It’s not like we’re allowed to take mates anyways, but you know what I mean.’

She giggled. ‘Typical littermates. I wish I got along as well with my kin. They’re nice to me, but we’ve grown distant as we’ve aged. You and your sister still seem to be very close.’ ‘I think it comes with losing two of your littermates and your mother a few sunrises after you were kitted.’ Spottedleaf gasped. ‘I never knew that!’ ‘Yeah, well, it’s not something I bring up often…’ His voice trailed off. The tortoiseshell put a paw around him. ‘They’re watching you from StarClan, and they must be proud of the cat you’ve become; a skilled medicine cat, but also a capable warrior that sees the value of peace over conflict where possible.’ ‘Thank you,’ he mewed gratefully.

‘I’m going to go find Silverstream now. I’ll see you around.’ He waved a paw, and she did the same. Rainscale scanned the clearing for a silver pelt, but there were none. Where has she gone? He traced the edge of the clearing to no avail. He realised that WindClan had arrived in the clearing too. The Gathering is going to start soon. I need to find her. He was preparing to ask Crookedstar where she was when a paw pulled him into the bushes; he let out a yowl as the branches dug into his pelt.

‘So? How did it go?’ He heard Silverstream’s expectant voice above him. ‘Are you two mates now?’ Rainscale grumbled. ‘This whole thing is you two messing with me, and I told her as much.’ He made out his sister’s face; she looked disappointed. ‘You’re no fun,’ she huffed.

‘The Gathering has begun!’ they heard Crookedstar yowl. Rainscale and Silverstream scrambled out of the vegetation to see the four leaders on the Great Rock, their father and Brokenstar glaring at each other intently. At least ShadowClan numbers are a bit closer to normal this time, he thought, counting seven cats, so even if there’s another surprise raid, the camp won’t be outnumbered.

‘I think we all know what needs to be addressed tonight. Brokenstar, what is wrong with you? Why did you attack RiverClan with no provocation? Under the full-moon truce, no less!’ Crookedstar snarled. ‘Also, your warriors constantly launch border raids into our territory, and I won’t let this slide any longer. Know that if we so much as catch a whiff of ShadowClan scent on RiverClan land from now on it will be treated as a declaration of war.’

Brokenstar answered evenly. ‘So you say, Crookedstar. Do you have any evidence that we broke the full-moon truce? If anything, it sounds like you’re spoiling for a fight.’ Outraged yowls broke out from the RiverClan cats, but they were drowned out by the ShadowClan cats.

‘What do you mean, evidence?! You took one of my lives that night, you snake-heart! You nearly killed my son and my daughter! A third of RiverClan was in the medicine den because of you! If that isn’t enough evidence, then I don’t know what is!’ Crookedstar roared.

The ShadowClan leader shrugged. ‘It’s your word against mine.’ Tallstar shifted his weight uncomfortably. ‘We have only received rumors of what happened. I will not dispute either side without first knowing more about the situation.’ Crookedstar looked ready to attack Brokenstar, who grinned. ‘Unless a non-RiverClan cat here can bring out proof-’

‘I can.’

The mew was Bluestar’s. The arguing leaders moved aside so she could address the assembled cats.

‘On the night of the last Gathering, my deputy, Redtail, reported hearing yowls and battle cries coming from RiverClan territory.’ ‘That’s one cat, Bluestar.’ Brokenstar’s mew was scathing.

Bluestar raised her tail for silence. ‘Let me finish. That wasn’t all he discovered. He found the RiverClan medicine cat Rainscale on our land, with life-threatening injuries. It took until after sunrise for him to awaken, and he told us that Brokenstar had attacked the camp and chased him to the river, which he swam across in fear for his life. Whatever the case, it was obvious that he had been attacked by a cat - he had claw-scratches down his belly and across his face, among other places, suggesting that there was indeed an attack that night.’

The ShadowClan cat dipped his head to Bluestar. ‘Maybe. But that still doesn’t prove that we did it. It easily could have been one of his own Clan. We don’t know what his status within RiverClan is. As for why he accused me, perhaps he was too shocked by the betrayal of one of his kin to admit it?’

Rainscale couldn’t take it any longer. ‘You think I can’t tell which cat tried to kill me?’ he asked wryly. Brokenstar’s eyes flitted across the clearing until they found the young medicine cat. Rainscale met the leader’s baleful glare with his own. You’re trying to convince the Clans that you didn’t attack us? Good luck with that.

Brokenstar seemed to take a massive effort to control himself. ‘I’m not saying that. I’m saying you may have been mistaken. The color of cats’ pelts look different in moonlight than they do in sunlight. Are you sure that you didn’t mistake another cat for me?’ Rainscale shook with indignation. Spottedleaf padded over. ‘He’s trying to rile you up. Don’t fall for it.’

‘This is ridiculous, Brokenstar.’ Barkface spoke out. ‘Rainscale is a gifted medicine cat; he’s perfectly capable of telling which cat attacked him. The argument about moonlight may apply for sight, but how about scent? That doesn’t change. Medicine cats don’t lie. I believe him.’ A general murmur of assent rose from the cats.

Rainscale rose to his paws. ‘Brokenstar sent most of his Clan to attack - that was why there were only three ShadowClan cats that night. By the time we got back to camp, it was already overrun. Brokenstar killed Crookedstar in single combat, and demanded that we accept ShadowClan’s right to hunt on our territory. He… he threatened to kill Crookedstar until all his lives were spent, and to find a more compliant leader for RiverClan.’

Brokenstar snorted. ‘That’s ridiculous. Yellowfang, tell them I was in camp that night.’ The gray she-cat didn’t move a muscle. ‘Yellowfang. Yellowfang, as your leader, I command you to tell every cat here that I was in camp that night!’ She’s torn, Rainscale realised. If she speaks out she would be disrespecting the principles of a medicine cat to always tell the truth, but if she doesn’t who knows what Brokenstar will do to her.

The she-cat glared at Brokenstar, then turned to speak. ‘Oh, Brokenstar was definitely at camp that night, for sure,’ she meowed sarcastically, then sat back down. Whispers rose from the crowd. ‘She clearly doesn’t support him… he’s lost the faith of his own medicine cat… he must be lying…’ Brokenstar whipped his head around frantically. ‘I will not tolerate this slandering of ShadowClan! We did nothing wrong! This is all a rumor spread by Crookedstar!’

‘If you aren’t guilty, then why do you look so nervous?’ Tallstar asked. ‘I’m nervous that you’ll all believe this sorry excuse of a leader!’ He pointed his tail at Rainscale’s father. The WindClan leader didn’t give him the dignity of a response, instead addressing the gathered cats.

‘Cats of all Clans, you are free to make up your own minds on this matter, but I know which side I am on. For now, I do not wish to bring WindClan into this conflict. That being said,’ he went on, deliberately speaking to Brokenstar, ‘I suggest you curb your violent tendencies, or they may come back to bite you sooner than you think.’

The ShadowClan leader let out a ferocious snarl. ‘ShadowClan! We’re going home!’ The other three Clans watched silently as six cats gathered behind Brokenstar, and without another word, vanished into the pines.

‘Do you think Yellowfang will be alright?’ he asked Spottedleaf. ‘She may be old, but she’s tougher than she looks. She trained as a warrior before becoming a medicine cat. Yellowfang would be a formidable opponent for any cat. She can handle herself just fine,’ the tortoiseshell responded.

Bluestar spoke. ‘Brokenstar has proven himself to be a threat to our Clans. If he’s willing to attack RiverClan without provocation, then there’s nothing stopping him from raiding any of the other Clans either. I suggest every Clan increase its patrols from now on. Good luck and StarClan bless you all. This Gathering is over.’

The Clans flocked back to their own groups. ‘I’ll see you soon,’ he murmured to Spottedleaf. ‘Thanks for supporting me there.’ She flicked her tail over his ears before padding away.

Crookedstar swept his gaze around to make sure every RiverClan cat was there, then with a swish of his tail, led the way out of the clearing.

Rainscale fell in step beside his father.’Did you mean it when you said any more ShadowClan incursions would lead to war?’ Crookedstar nodded, his eyes grim. ‘Yes. I’ve arranged an alliance with Bluestar. If one of our territories is invaded, we will both attack ShadowClan. I’ll send Mudfur to the ShadowClan camp to inform them, with warriors, of course. I hope it’s enough of a deterrent for Brokenstar to cease, but if it’s not, we have no choice but to fight. Believe me, I wish it hadn’t come to this either.’

‘How are we going to deal with Brokenstar? It’s two Clans against one, and with WindClan keeping to themselves, victory should not be an issue, but are we going to take all his lives away or…?’ Rainscale asked. ‘I think we just have to kill him once in front of his Clan. I don’t think he told his Clan he lost however many lives he did when I drowned him in the river to not show weakness. It’ll show him that he’s not invincible, and should make them more wary about following him into battle,’ Crookedstar replied. ‘If I get a chance I’m going to kill him myself again.’

Rainscale pressed his cheek against his father’s pelt. I’ll challenge him, he decided silently. He won’t refuse - he’ll want any chance to get back at the medicine cat who humiliated him in front of his Clan. I can’t tell Crookedstar - there’s no way he would let me after I was nearly killed last time. He’s on his last life. I won’t have him risking it by fighting Brokenstar.

Silverstream padded up to them. ‘What are you two talking about?’ Crookedstar answered. ‘If ShadowClan trespasses again we’re going to invade them with ThunderClan. Brokenstar is out of control.’ His sister turned to him. ‘Are you going to fight Brokenstar?’ Crookedstar’s eyes widened. ‘I won’t allow it! You came within a whisker’s length of joining StarClan the last time you did. I’m not saying it wasn’t brave,’ he mewed more gently, nuzzling him, ‘and I thank you for taking my place, but I won’t ask you to risk your life for a second time. I am RiverClan’s leader. These things are my duty.’

I won’t let you throw your last life away either, he promised to himself, even as he agreed with his father. When the time comes, I’ll face Brokenstar again.

Chapter 20: Chapter 19

Chapter Text

'ShadowClan!’

So they’ve decided to ignore us, Rainscale thought as he heard Oakheart’s mew. The two cats were on a herb-gathering patrol near Fourtrees - warriors wouldn’t typically be on these, but in the sunrises before the Gathering border raids from ShadowClan had become more and more common, until it simply wasn’t safe for one cat to enter that region alone. He had hoped that Crookedstar’s declaration during the Gathering a few sunrises earlier would have been enough to prevent any more trespassing, but it seems that was not the case.

Oakheart turned to him. ‘We should go report this immediately. I’m sorry, but can we come back for the herbs next time? Crookedstar needs to know.’ Rainscale agreed, and the two cats hastened back to the RiverClan camp. He followed the deputy into the leader’s den.

‘Crookedstar.’ Oakheart dipped his head to his brother. The light-brown tabby returned the gesture. ‘Have they crossed the border?’ The deputy nodded. Crookedstar sighed. ‘Then we will attack ShadowClan. ’ He faced Rainscale. ‘Go to ThunderClan and inform Bluestar. Tell her that we will meet her at Fourtrees at sunhigh.’ The medicine cat nodded to his father and exited the den.

He headed for the river and swam across. I won’t have to deal with Thistleclaw this time, he thought, remembering how he and Spottedleaf had worked together to get him exiled half a moon ago. It was a good move, assuming what she told me about him was true, which I believe, but maybe we could have waited until after this battle before exiling him? This is the one case where I wouldn’t mind having an extra Dark Forest warrior on our side. Spottedleaf said the rest of Thsitleclaw’s group detests me now, and I’m not surprised.

Several large boulders were in front of him. Scrambling down them, almost falling off in the process, he passed through a patch of gorse to find himself in the ThunderClan camp. Redtail noticed him. ‘Rainscale. Welcome. If you’re here, then does that mean-’ The RiverClan cat meowed in response.’We would like to meet at Fourtrees at sunhigh before attacking, if that is agreeable with you.’ Redtail’s eyes filled with regret. ‘I’ll go tell Bluestar. I wish it hadn’t come to this.’

The ginger-tailed tom walked across the camp and spoke briefly with a blue-gray she-cat. He came back over to Rainscale. ‘Bluestar’s agreed. We’ll see you at sunhigh.’ Redtail twitched his ears to dismiss him, and Rainscale padded away, but he wasn’t ready to leave the camp yet.

There’s a cat here I need to speak with. Rainscale’s eyes scanned the clearing for a dark brown tabby tom. ‘Tigerclaw.’ He padded up to the warrior. Tigerclaw’s eyes narrowed. ‘What do you want?’ ‘I need to speak with you alone. This concerns both of us.’ The warrior glared at him, but didn’t protest as they went a few tail-lengths away from the camp to avoid being overheard.

‘Well? What’s this about?’ Tigerclaw growled. ‘Is it not enough that you got my mentor exiled, you want to do the same to me?’ He’s mourning, Rainscale noted, even if his actions would say otherwise. I probably shouldn’t mention me and Spottedleaf’s venture to the Moonstone - that would only make things worse. This cat could also be training in the Dark Forest as well. ‘That was out of my control. He attacked a medicine cat in front of Bluestar. She had to uphold the warrior code.’ Tigerclaw grunted in response.

The medicine cat went on. ‘I am aware that those of you who… looked up to him, including yourself, hate me for what you think I did. I can only apologise, even if I didn’t have any control over the matter.’ I’m sure glad he wasn’t there, he thought to himself. There’s no way he would listen if he was present. ‘I do not ask that you let go of your grudge towards me, just that you do not allow it to jeopardize our attack on ShadowClan.’ He decided to voice his suspicions. ‘If you’re planning to ambush me during the battle, call it off. For the sake of whichever cat you send, be that yourself or some other cat. You’ll just be condemning another cat to exile.’

Tigerclaw didn’t move, but his eyes glittered with unease. ‘How did you know?’ Just a smart guess, he wanted to say. ‘Is it that piece of crowfood Spottedleaf? I’m going to-’ Rainscale cut him off, feigning ignorance. ‘Spottedleaf? What does she have to do with any of this?’

The tabby snarled at him. ‘Don’t pretend you don’t know! She was present when Thistleclaw was exiled, and you’re both medicine cats - you would have been on the friendliest terms. If my mentor’s exile was a plot by another cat, as I suspect it was, it must have been you two.’

Rainscale stared back at him evenly, trying not to show any sign of panic. What if he attacks her? ‘I assure you, I have no idea what you are talking about. I understand that you are distraught by the exile of your former mentor, but it was an unfortunate accident, and not some deliberate act against him. Call off any plans you have for attacking me during the battle. It won’t work, and you’ll be punished for not only attacking a medicine cat, but a medicine cat who was fighting on your side. I mean you no harm, and I won’t accuse you of anything if you cease.’ This cat is a menace, he thought. I would remove him if I could, but we’re allies now. I can’t antagonize ThunderClan right before we’re about to fight side-by-side.

Tigerclaw pressed his face up to Rainscale’s. ‘And if I don’t?’ Rainscale didn’t flinch. ‘I fought Brokenstar and survived. I may be a medicine cat, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to fight.’ The dark-brown tabby stood there for a few heartbeats, then stepped back. ‘We are not friends,’ he hissed. ‘This is merely a ceasefire.’ I’ll take that as an agreement then, though he noted to himself to keep an eye on the lookout during the battle. Tigerclaw stalked towards the ThunderClan camp. That’s sorted then. Back to RiverClan.

Rainscale arrived back in camp and made for the leader’s den. ‘Bluestar’s accepted your proposal,’ he meowed to Crookedstar. ‘We will be meeting at Fourtrees at sunhigh.’ Crookedstar mewed affirmatively. ‘My son, I ask you not to fight in this battle unless you can help it.’ Rainscale protested, but his father went on. ‘It’s not that I’m worried that you will be hurt or killed. Your performance in battle thus far has proven that you are more than capable. It’s that we have the numbers on our side this time. Every cat can fight, but only a few, including you, have the power to heal and treat injuries. You will be more valuable to us as a medicine cat.’

He considered what Crookedstar was saying. My father does have a point here. Last time we were on the defensive, and we needed every cat available to fight off ShadowClan. That isn’t the case now. He pushed his desire to face Brokenstar aside. ‘Alright. I’ll avoid fighting if I can.’

What if this is the last time I see my father alive? A wave of emotion swept over him.’Please be careful during the battle. You’re on your last life; RiverClan can’t afford to lose their leader, and me and Silverstream can’t afford to lose our father. ’ Crookedstar’s eyes warmed. ‘Thank you, Rainscale. I promise I’ll take care of myself hopefully a bit better than you do whenever I ask you to promise me that,’ he added. Rainscale let out a weak laugh.

‘You should go now. Mudfur will be expecting you.’ He pressed his nose into Crookedstar’s fur, then left for the medicine den. His former mentor was busy tying piles of herbs, moss and cobwebs together with willow stems. ‘Rainscale.’ Mudfur greeted him, his eyes still on the herbs. He padded over beside the older medicine cat and started doing the same. It’s dull work, but these packages could save a cat’s life. We just have to carry these around instead of piles of scattered herbs, and these should be enough to make sure most cats don’t die of their wounds before we get them some proper treatment.

The two medicine cats worked in silence until a pile of packages was stacked beside them. ‘That should be enough for now.’ Mudfur sat beside him. ‘I haven’t gotten to speak about this with you, even though I’ve wanted to for a while now. I noticed you hesitated before trying to kill Brokenstar during the raid. I understand why you did - it isn’t easy to kill a cat, especially if you haven’t done it before, but these sorts of lapses in concentration can cost you your life, as it nearly did yours.’

He sighed. ‘This is why I became a medicine cat. I grew tired of watching cats kill each other, and while I’ve never killed a cat myself, I’ve seen too many cats, Clanmates or otherwise, die in front of me, and I wanted to do something to stop that as much as I could.’

Rainscale touched his nose to Mudfur’s. ‘I know you regret not being able to save Brightsky too.’ Mudfur’s eyes glistened. ‘She was giving birth to my kits, but the kitting was long and drawn-out. I had to watch her suffer and eventually die of exhaustion and blood loss, and I hated myself for not being able to do anything to help her.’ His voice shook. ’In the end only one kit survived. I wanted to make sure no cat had to go through what she did. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to save your mother,’ he mewed to Rainscale. The younger medicine cat shook his head. ‘I don’t blame you or Brambleberry for her death. I know you must have done all that you could have. No cat was at fault there.’ Not even Mapleshade, he reminded himself.

Mudfur coughed, changing the topic. ‘It’s almost sunhigh. We’ll be operating separately during the battle - we can help more cats that way. Under Clan law medicine cats would be exempt from being attacked, but Brokenstar has proven that he’s willing to break the warrior code, so expect a fight. Stick around the edges of the battle, and guard your herbs. If any cat attacks you, by all means fight them off.’ His voice grew lower. ‘I’ll be honest with you, we may need you to take on Brokenstar. You’ve proven that you can fight equally with him. I’m not sure how many other cats can claim that. That being said, don’t engage him if you can help it. Your first duty is to save as many cats as possible.’

Rainscale gave a mew in response. His former mentor relaxed. ‘Good luck, Rainscale. We should go meet up with the rest of the Clan now. Grab your packets.’ The medicine cats headed out into the camp, the bundles of herbs swinging from their jaws, where Crookedstar was announcing which cats would be on battle patrol.

‘We are allied with ThunderClan for this battle, so we don’t need to bring every warrior, but enough so that we have more cats than they do. Oakheart, Leopardfur, Whiteclaw, Blackclaw, Stonefur, Silverstream, Graypool, Skyheart, Sunfish, Sedgecreek, Shimmerpelt, Mudfur, Rainscale. You’ll be coming with me to ShadowClan. The rest of you, guard the camp. It isn’t likely that ShadowClan will have enough cats to hold us off and launch a raid, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Does every cat know what they’re doing?’ A murmur of assent rose from the cats, followed by a few battle cries. Crookedstar turned to the entrance of the camp. ‘Then let’s go. We’re meeting ThunderClan at Fourtrees.’

The named cats followed the light-brown tabby out of camp, the greenleaf sun blazing down on them, leaving the RiverClan cats quite uncomfortable in their thick pelts. At least it should get cooler once we reach the pines, or we’re going to pass out from heat stroke before we even fight! Silverstream fell in step beside him. ‘Are you nervous? I am, a bit, but we should have the advantage of numbers.’ Rainscale’s reply was muffled by the willow stems in his maw. ‘Oh right, sorry, I forgot you were carrying those.’

Sunfish joined them. ‘Take care of yourselves, you two,’ the older she-cat mewed. ‘I know you’re young and eager for battle, but I’ve seen too many cats be hurt or killed to share your enthusiasm.’ The littermates dipped their heads as she left to speak with Graypool.

Crookedstar took her place. ‘I’m proud of both of you, even if I wish you didn’t have to fight. I know Willowbreeze is watching from StarClan, and I’m sure she feels the same way.’ Silverstream twined her tail with their father’s. ‘I understand you’re worried, but we’ll be fine.’ Crookedstar stared at her for a heartbeat, then gave a small nod.

Rainscale’s thoughts were mainly on Brokenstar. Can I beat him again? The last time they had fought, he had managed to use the ShadowClan leader’s overconfidence and hunger for a quick victory against him. He questioned whether Brokenstar would fall for the same thing again. He’s not going to challenge me directly, I don’t think - I’m not a Clan leader, and if I’m fighting him I definitely can’t manage another cat attacking at the same time. If I challenge him though…

Lost in his thoughts, he nearly tripped over a pebble in the ground. Mudfur set his herbs on the ground. ‘Watch where you’re going! If you fall, those herbs may scatter and become useless!’ ‘Sorry, Mudfur,’ he mumbled through his mouthful of stems.

Before long, they arrived at Fourtrees. ThunderClan, led by Bluestar, was already waiting for them there. ‘Greetings, Crookedstar.’ The blue-gray leader meowed. His father dipped his head. ‘Likewise, Bluestar. Shall we head for ShadowClan?’ Bluestar agreed, the two battle patrols merging into one.

The medicine cat turned to gaze at the gathered cats as they entered the pine forest. There’s about twenty or twenty-five of us. I’ve never been to ShadowClan, but I’m willing to bet they don’t have that many cats that are able to fight. While there may be that many cats in their Clan, the elders and kits don’t really count. His mind went to Yellowfang. I hope she’s alright. What if Brokenstar has killed her for speaking out against him?

The cats’ paws squelched as they trekked through the muddy ground, which was mercifully devoid of the tree roots and undergrowth that had given him grief when he was in ThunderClan. Thank StarClan it hasn't rained recently, or this land would be impassable, he thought. We’d all be worn out before we even reached their camp.

‘We’re closing in on their camp.’ Crookedstar whispered. ‘Once we get in, target Brokenstar and Blackfoot. Elders and kits are not to be harmed, and the medicine den is to be left untouched. We’re here to subdue Brokenstar - collateral damage should be kept to a minimum. Kill only if there is no alternative.’ Bluestar ordered.

The warriors filed into the ShadowClan camp, Rainscale, Mudfur and Spottedleaf bringing up the rear. ‘Brokenstar! Face us, you-’ Crookedstar’s yowl faded. The camp was deserted. The nests were empty, and there was no prey-pile. ThunderClan and RiverClan spread out through the camp, checking every den. Rainscale noted that the herb store was replenished, but still, there was no sign of any cat.

‘Where are they?’ Bluestar asked uneasily. Crookedstar shook his head. ‘I don’t know, but this can’t be good. ShadowClan and Brokenstar clearly aren’t here, maybe we should come back next-’

His father’s words were cut off as challenging yowls rose up from the surrounding forest. We’re surrounded! It’s an ambush! The two Clans formed battle lines, expecting an attack, but no cat emerged to back up the threat. They held their position nervously, while the medicine cats took up places around the edge of the camp, as far away from any potential fighting as possible.

Every time any of the warriors would try to relax, the yowling would start up once again, wearing them out and toying with their nerves. The tension in the air was so thick that it could be cut with a claw. Eventually it became too much to bear. ‘I’m going to go find those fox-hearts!’ a white-and-black ThunderClan tom screeched, ignoring the cries of his Clanmates to come back as he barged through the tunnel connecting the camp to the forest beyond.

The cats in the camp heard snarling and pained yowling for a few moments, before an eerie silence descended. The ThunderClan cat was flung back into camp by a paw. Mudfur, Rainscale and Spottedleaf stepped forward, hoping to help, but stopped. The cat was clearly beyond any treatment they could give him; his eyes glazed over, and with a claw-mark down his throat. Gasps and wails came from the gathered cats as their eyes flitted back and forth, trying to make out if there were cats in the trees surrounding the camp. A brown she-cat buried her nose in the dead cat’s flank, weeping, taking no notice of her Clanmates’ attempts to console her.

Rainscale’s heart dropped. If they attack now, we may be done for. He braced himself for ShadowClan warriors to rush through the tunnel, but none did. They’ve just managed to frighten us all by killing one of us. If there’s any chance of them beating us, it would be now. What are they waiting for?

But gradually a possibility came to him that made his blood run cold. We can’t leave the camp without at least sustaining serious casualties - this is ShadowClan territory, and our enemy knows the land better than we do. They have most of both our Clans’ warriors trapped in their camp. Our own camps are virtually unguarded! We have no way of knowing if they’re still out there, and we’re all too frightened to leave. Fear shot through him as he thought of Mistyfoot. Her belly was huge with kits; there was no way she would be able to fight or run. If ShadowClan gets to our home, there aren’t nearly enough cats left to defend it. Every cat there will perish.

‘Crookedstar!’ he hissed. His father turned to face him. ‘I hope you have a way out of this,’ he meowed darkly. ‘We’re stuck here.’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘I don’t, but I think I know why they haven’t attacked us yet. They may not even want to fight us at all. What if they used the threat of surrounding us to keep us in their camp and just went after our homes instead! With most of our cats here, they’re extremely vulnerable.’

Crookedstar’s face tensed with consternation at his words. ‘You may be right, but what are we going to do about it? We don’t know if they’re still out there, and you saw what happened when one of us tried to leave.’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘We have to risk it. Even if they ambush us, we have more cats than they do, which they know - they would be fighting us if they thought they could win. They’re doing this because they know we outnumber them. We have to take the fight to ShadowClan.’

His father nodded slowly. ‘Wait here. I’ll go talk to Bluestar.’ Rainscale saw the two leaders conversing urgently. Bluestar raised her voice. ‘Cats of both Clans! We’re leaving!’ Shocked yowls and protests arose. ‘We're not going out there; we saw what happened to Fuzzypelt!’ one voice cried.

Crookedstar hissed incandescently. ‘We can’t stay here forever, and the longer we do, the more danger our Clans will be in. Think! What if Brokenstar attacks our camps while we’re all huddled up like mice! Think about your elders, queens and kits! They’ll all be killed or captured by ShadowClan!’ A hushed silence fell upon the cats.

‘We’re warriors.’ Redtail mewed quietly. ‘We must be prepared to sacrifice our lives for our Clans, and there is no time they need us more than now. I, for one, will not leave our vulnerable cats at the non-existent mercy of ShadowClan. I’m going out there, whether any cat follows me or not.’ Respect for the ThunderClan deputy rose within Rainscale as he watched the dark tortoiseshell tom turn and head for the tunnel.

‘Come on!’ Oakheart called. ‘We can’t let him go out there alone!’ Agreeing yowls rose from the cats, having been inspired by Redtail’s selflessness. The cats raced out of the camp. Rainscale unsheathed his claws and followed Mudfur and Spottedleaf out of the camp, still with the herbs clamped between his jaws.

He fully expected to be met with a mass of snarling, writhing cats, but to his surprise the forest was tranquil. Crookedstar looked at Bluestar. ‘We must head to Fourtrees. We’ll know whether ShadowClan has split up their forces once we get there from their scent.’ Bluestar nodded. The warriors broke into a run, the medicine cats following a few tail-lengths behind.

ThunderClan and RiverClan arrived at the clearing where the four oaks stood. Glancing around, they couldn’t make out any cats. Rainscale narrowed his eyes against the sun, gazing at the greenery on top of the hollow. Did that bush just shiver?

As if in response, ShadowClan cats exploded out from the hedges around them, snarling as they went on the attack. There was no time to take up fighting formations. Rainscale hastily made it to the edge of the hollow and dove into a bush as he saw Mudfur do the same. I can’t risk the herbs getting damaged - these could end up saving a cat’s life. He carefully placed them and entered the clearing again.

He couldn’t tell which side was winning, but there were already wounded cats. Stonefur was fighting a fluffed-up warrior twice his size as blood dribbled from cuts above his eye and down his flank. The RiverClan warrior let out a screech and fell as his enemy locked their jaws around his paw and bit down. Rainscale tensed, ready to intervene if Stonefur’s life was in danger, but to his relief they raced back into the thick of the screeching mass of cats.

The medicine cat grabbed the gray warrior’s scruff in his jaws and hauled him out of the fighting. Rainscale reached for a package; with deft paws, he unwrapped it, applied a poultice of horsetail over his wounds, and fastened cobwebs over them. Stonefur let out a sigh. ‘Thanks, Rainscale.’ He turned and rejoined the battle.

Rainscale scanned the area. RiverClan and ThunderClan seemed to be holding their own; in fact, the ShadowClan cats were being driven back. He saw Crookedstar and Bluestar attack Blackfoot in perfect tandem, his father swiping at the deputy’s feet while the she-cat fastened her teeth in his shoulder. Their opponent let out a shriek and fled. So those two do know each other quite well.

Where is Brokenstar? His eyes flickered around the battlefield, but he couldn’t make out the dark brown tabby. With a start, he realised that there weren’t that many ShadowClan cats in the clearing at all, only about ten, with a few being apprentices. This can’t be all of their cats, can it?

‘Rainscale!’ Mudfur raced over to him, eyes wide. ‘I’ve scented ShadowClan scent trails going towards botb ThunderClan and RiverClan!’ He swept his tail towards Fourtrees. ‘These cats aren’t meant to beat us; they’re just a distraction!’

Chapter 21: Chapter 20

Chapter Text

The other medicine cat moved to inform his father. ‘I’ll tell Crookedstar.’ Mudfur shook his head. ‘There’s no time. Sunfish! Skyheart! Leopardfur!’ The three cats came over. ‘The camp is under threat! Go back and defend our home!’ They nodded and scampered away. Mudfur nudged him. ‘Go with them.’ ‘But what about-’ The older cat hissed. ‘I can handle healing the cats here. I saw where you left your supplies. Once the battle here has ended, we’ll come support you as soon as we can. Now go!’ He pushed him in the direction where the other warriors had gone.

Rainscale caught up with the other RiverClan cats. ‘I'm here to help!’ Leopardfur dipped her head in response. They raced back to camp as quickly as possible. His heart was pounding with dread at what they would find when they got there. What if we’re too late?

The RiverClan cats made out six figures at the entrance to their home. ‘They’re here!’ Skyheart yowled. There were only a few warriors left in camp - six cats would be more than enough to overwhelm them. The four RiverClan cats entered a few heartbeats afterwards to find Loudbelly, Whitefang, and Reedtail facing the ShadowClan warriors, Brokenstar among them. The medicine cat’s heart sank a little. Looks like I’ll be facing him after all.

The ShadowClan leader smirked. ‘Only three warriors? This will be easier than I thought!’ Rainscale moved behind Sunfish, trying to hide himself. ‘I’m not scared; I just don’t want Brokenstar to know I’m here yet,’ he muttered. If I can get the jump on him, I’ll have the advantage. The she-cat turned to give him a comforting nuzzle as Leopardfur spoke. ‘I don’t think so, Brokenstar!’ The leader turned to face the newcomers. ‘More RiverClan cats to kill!’ His voice was gleeful. ‘Attack!’

The clearing exploded into battle as the warriors charged at each other. Rainscale moved to engage one of the warriors, but he heard a piercing cry come from his side. Whipping his head around, he saw Brokenstar pounce on Sunfish as she was fighting another warrior. The ShadowClan leader hooked his claws into his foster mother as she struggled to break free; snarling, he scored his hind claws again and again down her flank before hurling her aside, Sunfish hitting the reed walls of the camp and slumping to the ground, unmoving, rivulets of blood trickling down her pelt.

Rainscale unsheathed his claws as a dark fire flared to life within him, burning away any apprehension he had at facing the cat who had nearly taken his life. Sunfish was the closest thing to a mother he had in RiverClan, and Brokenstar may have just taken her from him.

I’m going to kill this snake-heart.

‘Brokenstar!’

The ShadowClan leader turned to face him as his eyes narrowed in recognition. ‘You,’ he hissed. Rainscale fought to control himself. He wanted to shred Brokenstar into mousedust, but he knew he had to keep a level head if he wanted any chance of winning.

The more I can unbalance him, the better. ‘Yes, me,’ he retorted. ‘Ready to get your tail kicked by a medicine cat again?’ he asked tauntingly. ‘You got lucky last time. That won’t happen here. Prepare yourself for death!’ Brokenstar threw himself at his younger opponent.

Rainscale braced himself as the other cat rammed into him. Blocking a swipe to his eye, he slid under the leader, aiming for his hind paws. Brokenstar jumped, avoiding the strike, then landed a claw to his forehead, sending a stream of blood running down his face, temporarily obscuring his vision.

The medicine cat blinked, trying to clear his eyes. He turned to see Brokenstar throw a paw at his face; diving underneath the ShadowClan leader, he arched his back into their exposed belly. He heard a grunt as they staggered back. Brokenstar snarled and lunged for his neck, trying to get a killing grip.

Rainscale moved out of the way and landed a scratch to Brokenstar’s ears, tearing one of them, earning a hiss of pain and annoyance. The leader pounced again, but this time he let his enemy’s momentum carry him off his paws, the two cats tumbling over one another as he kicked out with everything he had, launching Brokenstar off him and sending the ShadowClan cat into the reeds.

The medicine cat moved to intercept as Brokenstar stood. Rainscale reared and struck him across the face with a blow, letting his anger fuel his strikes while doing his best to keep a clear head. His claws dug into Brokenstar’s cheek as he wrenched them out viciously, leaving jagged marks. The leader howled, striking out with a forepaw and catching him on the side of the head with enough force to carry him off his paws, sending him sailing a few tail-lengths away.

He recovered quickly to meet Brokenstar’s attack, sidestepping a downward slam from their paws similar to the one he had performed and leaping. The leader seemingly expected this and struck out, catching him in the jaw and sending him sprawling with a yowl. Rainscale tasted blood in his mouth.

He must have learned from when we last fought. Okay, so no jumping. He searched the camp for anything he could use to his advantage. There! He shook his head to clear it as Brokenstar advanced, letting himself be driven back while avoiding the worst of the strikes, just like he had during their last battle, but Brokenstar did manage to strike him in the chest and flank with his claws multiple times. Unlike last time, however, he had a plan. He clenched his jaw as he forced himself not to succumb to the pain. Rainscale caught glimpses of his Clanmates, still locked in battle. I can’t tell if we’re winning or not, but if I can kill Brokenstar, the others will likely flee.

The leader pressed forward as he continued to fall back, counting the distance in his head. Five pawsteps, then three, then one. Brokenstar cornered him against the walls of the camp. ‘Die, crowfood!’ Rainscale saw the strike to his neck a heartbeat before it happened and leapt, digging his claws into the tightly-woven reeds and pushing off, soaring over Brokenstar and landing a tail-length away. The ShadowClan cat reacted too slowly as Rainscale lashed out at his wounded cheek, his claws biting into Brokenstar’s flesh and causing even more blood to bubble out.

Brokenstar stumbled back, pressing a paw to his wound. That seemed to work. My turn, he thought. Rainscale attacked, forcing Brokenstar on the defensive as the leader did his best to avoid his claws, but tripped over his own paws while backing up.

I have you now. He forced himself to remain calm until he was certain his opponent was beaten. I’m not going to throw away the fight by being reckless. Rainscale fastened his claws in Brokenstar’s pelt as he scrabbled his hind claws against his belly, opening up red streaks as the leader screeched in agony and tried to throw him off, raining blows on his face, but he refused to let go, moving his head to try to avoid the worst of it.

The ShadowClan leader’s struggles grew weaker. Seeing his chance, Rainscale closed his teeth around the front of Brokenstar’s throat. This is for Sunfish. With a jerk of his head, he tore it out. Brokenstar let out a gurgling cry as blood rushed from the gaping hole in his neck.

What have I done?

Rainscale stepped back, his legs shaky as he realised that he had just killed a cat. Images of Mapleshade’s training flashed in his mind. I’m a medicine cat… we save lives, not take them… The RiverClan cat felt sick to his stomach. I’m never doing that again. He watched as Brokenstar’s twitching grew more and more sporadic, until eventually it stopped altogether, entering the healing trance that leaders did when receiving a new life.

One of the other ShadowClan cats turned around, their eyes filled with horror. ‘Brokenstar is dead!’ they yowled. ‘Retreat!’ The five remaining ShadowClan cats fled out of the camp, chased by vengeful RiverClan warriors.

Rainscale took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. I need to tend to Sunfish, but Brokenstar needs to be dealt with first. He whirled around as he heard more pawsteps, expecting the ShadowClan cats to have returned, but instead it was his Clanmates who had gone off in pursuit.

‘We’ll take him to the apprentices’ den and guard him,’ Leopardfur mewed hoarsely, pointing to Brokenstar’s form with a paw that had a bite in it. ‘He can’t hope to beat three of us, especially after losing a life.’ Three? I thought there were six other cats. I know about Sunfish, but what happened to the others?

His heart stopped as his gaze fell upon two bodies in the camp, a pale brown tabby she-cat and a pale gray tabby tom, one slumped on another. Skyheart’s neck was crooked, her head hanging at an unnatural angle. Reedtail’s throat was torn, his jaws open in a final snarl of defiance. Rainscale padded over and closed the cats’ eyes, so it would appear more as if they were just asleep and laid their paws on the ground, grief pulsing through him. He sent a prayer to his warrior ancestors. Guide their paws swiftly to StarClan.

A low moan sounded from the edge of the camp. Sunfish! He hurried over to her side, nosing her pelt. The pale-gray she-cat was seriously hurt, especially down her flank where there were more claw-marks than he could count, but upon the medicine cat’s inspection he couldn’t find any immediately dangerous injuries, much to his relief. ‘You’re going to be fine.’ Her eyes focused on him. ‘Is it over?’ she whispered. Rainscale nodded. ‘I killed Brokenstar. He’s being held prisoner now.’ He decided not to tell her of Skyheart and Reedtail’s deaths, fearing that the shock and resulting grief would do more harm.

Rainscale nosed his foster mother to her paws, taking most of her weight as they made their way to the medicine den. There were still some herbs leftover in storage, including a good supply of cobwebs and marigold, for which he was thankful. Sunfish sank into a nest, whimpering in pain.

He ran his tongue over her wounds to clean them, then crushed marigold leaves with honey into a poultice, applying them and plastering them with cobwebs. Rainscale reached into his supplies with a paw and withdrew thyme leaves and two poppy seeds. He pushed them towards Sunfish. ‘Eat these. They’ll calm you down and put you to sleep.’ Sunfish looked at him gratefully, then lapped up the seeds and chewed the herbs down. ‘Thank you very much, Rainscale. I love you.’ He gazed warmly back at the cat who had raised him. ‘I love you too, mother. Sleep well now.’ He knew she wasn’t his mother; of course, how could he forget about his deceased kin in StarClan, but she had cared for him for as long as he could remember as if he was her kit. Sunfish licked a scratch on his cheek as she let out a sigh and drifted off.

A wave of exhaustion hit him as the adrenaline of the fighting and checking on his adopted mother wore off, and he found himself struggling to keep himself on his paws. His legs were achingly sore from exertion. Pain seemed to emanate from every corner of him. He wanted nothing more than to rest, but he had to make sure the camp was safe first. I’m not going to sleep until Crookedstar comes back and I’m sure no cat is in immediate danger.

Rainscale called to Leopardfur, who was standing outside the apprentices’ den. ‘Are you sure you can handle Brokenstar?’ ‘We’ll be fine. He’s still quite weak from losing a life,’ she answered. There are questions I would like to ask him. ‘I’m going to go speak with him. If you hear yowling, come inside immediately. I’m not sure I have the strength to fight him off.’ I definitely do not. The spotted she-cat agreed.

He took a deep breath and stepped into the den. Brokenstar was sitting in a nest, glaring at the entrance. His eyes tracked Rainscale as he entered. ‘Come to gloat over your victory?’ he growled. ‘Actually, no. There are some things I want to ask you.’

The ShadowClan leader’s eyes narrowed as he went on. ‘Have you been training in the Dark Forest?’ Brokenstar looked slightly startled. ‘How does a weakling such as yourself know about that place?’ Weakling? I just killed you! ‘I know because I trained there before discovering the truth. They’re manipulating you, as they did me. The Dark Forest is making you more bloodthirsty and battle-hungry, and look where that’s gotten you. Turn away from them.’ Brokenstar didn’t say anything, just glared at him. I should’ve expected as much.

‘Why did you attack us? Why not WindClan? They’re more isolated than we are.’ Brokenstar muttered, almost too quietly for him to hear. ‘I thought RiverClan was weak. Your father was a formidable warrior once, but I knew he was too old to keep up against me for long, and I assumed the rest of your Clan wouldn’t be a threat, but it turns out they somehow have a medicine cat who’s been trained by the Dark Forest.’

‘I should have known something wasn’t right when you challenged me. I thought it was some sort of joke when a medicine cat asked to fight me, but no, it turns out you had good reason to be as confident as you were.’ I was not confident in the least, I’ll say that much.

The captured leader dipped his head in half-hearted acknowledgement, even if his eyes still burned with hatred. ‘You could become one of the most powerful cats in the forest, even if you don’t know it. A medicine cat that has been trained by the Dark Forest and also has a link to StarClan who can fight as well as any cat in the Clans. It’s a pity you will never reach your full potential, since you’re so determined to follow StarClan and their accursed warrior code.’ That’s what Thistleclaw said, except Brokenstar seems to know there’s no point trying to turn me. Good. I’m not going to shed any more blood anyways if I can help it - killing him was too much.

‘How did you know we were going to invade?’ Brokenstar didn’t answer. Well, I got more out of him than I thought I would. Rainscale’s tail swished as he turned and left. He went back to the medicine den, made several poultices identical to the one he had applied to Sunfish, grabbed a wad of cobweb, and began to treat the wounds of his Clanmates, moving on to his own afterwards.

Pawsteps sounded from outside the camp. Rainscale tensed. If it’s more ShadowClan cats, we’re finished. He slackened as a light-brown tabby entered, followed by more RiverClan cats. Crookedstar’s dull eyes lit up as he saw him. ‘You’re alive!’ His father padded over to him and nuzzled him fiercely. ‘We didn’t realise Brokenstar wasn’t at Fourtrees until after we sent the four of you back to camp. Where is he?’

Rainscale scanned the pelts of the returning warriors. Every single cat was wounded, though he saw ointments and herbs covering them. Mudfur must have treated them already. ‘He’s in the apprentices’ den. Leopardfur, Loudbelly and Whitefang are guarding him; they aren’t too badly injured. The other ShadowClan cats fled. Sunfish is in the medicine den; Brokenstar mauled her quite badly, but she’s not in any danger of losing her life. I gave her some poppy seeds to sleep. Skyheart and Reedtail… they were killed.’

Crookedstar’s voice was filled with sorrow. ‘Sedgecreek and Shimmerpelt are dead too. We’ll sit vigil for them tonight. Those ShadowClan cats fought like rogues. We killed one and captured the rest of them and sent them back to their camp. Bluestar sent some of her warriors to defend their own camp - I don’t know what happened there, but we won at Fourtrees.’

‘Good.’ Rainscale hesitated for a heartbeat, then continued. ‘Listen, Crookedstar… I don’t want to fight in battles anymore.’ His father’s eyes filled with worry. ‘Did something happen to you?’ He shook his head. ‘No, it’s just that I don’t want to kill any more cats. Brokenstar had clawed Sunfish half to death, and I ripped his throat out in retaliation.’ Crookedstar took in a breath. ‘I felt sick. It reminds me too much of the Dark Forest and what they taught me. I think I’m going to stick to my medicine cat duties from this point forth, and only fight if I need to.’

Crookedstar gave a comforting mew. ‘I understand. I know the Dark Forest looms large over every cat that has visited it. You’re a peaceful cat at heart who doesn’t like killing, and there’s no problem with that. Go get some rest. I can tell you’re exhausted.’ ‘But my Clanmates-’ Rainscale’s words were cut off by a huge yawn. Crookedstar smiled at him. ‘Mudfur has treated their injuries. There’s nothing more for you to do now. I’ll tell the Clan about you not participating in battles later on, when you’re awake, or you can tell them yourself. But for now, get some rest. We can’t have our medicine cat falling asleep on his paws because he’s pushing himself too hard.’

Crookedstar guided him gently to the medicine den. Rainscale mewed a quick farewell, and curled in his nest. I could sleep for a moon. The darkness took him into its embrace soon after.

...

The sun had set by the time he awoke, with the moon beginning to cast its sheen across the camp. A silver-gray cat stood over him. Rainscale shook his head, blinking. ‘Silverstream?’ Is that you?’ He could make out the features of his sister as his eyes came into focus. ‘Of course it’s me! It’s good to see you too, brother. I didn’t want to wake you up since you looked worn out, so I just let you sleep.’

Rainscale got to his paws, scanning Silverstream’s pelt. She didn’t look too badly wounded; one of her ears was torn and she had a few nasty scratches down her side and right above her eye, but she looked relatively unscathed otherwise. Her eyes rounded with sympathy and concern. ‘I didn’t realise you were that injured.’ ‘It could be a lot worse, considering I had to fight Brokenstar.’

Silverstream nodded. ‘I heard. Crookedstar was furious with Mudfur; you know he didn’t want you fighting Brokenstar.’ I’ll tell him to calm down later.’How did it go?’ ‘He attacked Sunfish, and I tore his throat out.’ Rainscale answered bluntly. ‘We took him prisoner.’

His sister let out a shocked mew. ‘Brokenstar’s been released now with the threat of another invasion if he doesn’t stop, but that’s not what’s important. You killed him?’ ‘Don’t make me feel any worse about it than I do, Silverstream. I’ve already decided to stop fighting in battles. Killing cats reminds me too much of the Dark Forest,’ Rainscale explained heavily. ‘It’s not something I wish to continue doing. I’m glad I was able to teach him a lesson, but I’m not going into battle again, at least as a warrior.’

‘I get it.’ Silverstream’s mew was understanding. ‘How’s Sunfish?’ Good question, he thought. Rainscale padded over to their foster mother, who was still sleeping peacefully, and checked her wounds, relieved to see there was no sign of infection. ‘She should be fine. Nothing’s infected, but she’ll be staying in the medicine den for at least a quarter-moon, if I had to guess. Brokenstar pounced on her while she wasn’t looking.’

Silverstream rested her head on the sleeping cat. ‘Get well soon,’ he heard her murmur. She turned back to him. ‘We’re sitting vigil for the fallen. I can’t believe so many cats died. We lost four cats in one battle. If I see Brokenstar next time I’ll make him pay.’ Rainscale shook his head. ‘Killing him again isn’t going to bring them back. Come on. I want to tell the Clan about my decision. They have the right to know, in case they wonder next time why I’m not off fighting Brokenstar again.’

The littermates exited the den to find most of the Clan gathered beneath a boulder. Crookedstar motioned to them.
Rainscale spoke. ‘Crookedstar, don’t blame Mudfur for sending me back to camp during the battle. He had no way of knowing that Brokenstar would be there, and Sunfish may have died if I wasn’t there to treat her. I know you’re worried about me, but it’s not fair for you to take it out on my mentor when he didn’t intentionally do anything to harm me.’

His father agreed. ‘Silverstream told you about that? I’m sorry, it was just a sudden outburst. I respect Mudfur as much as any cat, and I haven’t punished him at all. I think deep down I knew he hadn't done anything wrong.’ Rainscale breathed a sigh of relief. ‘I think the Clan should know about my decision.’‘Do you want to tell them yourself?’ Crookedstar asked him kindly. The medicine cat gave an affirming mew. ‘RiverClan!’ Crookedstar called. ‘Rainscale has something to announce.’

I don’t know how well they’re going to take this. Rainscale gulped as he realised that there were twenty or so pairs of eyes trained on him. He tried to ignore his wounds and his nerves as he began to speak.

‘My Clanmates, I know that I have gained a reputation as a medicine cat who can fight. I took one of Brokenstar’s lives earlier.’ Appreciative mews and yowls of approval rose up. ‘However, I have decided to no longer take part in battles unless necessary, and instead to dedicate myself completely to my medicine cat duties.’ He caught Mudfur’s surprised gaze. ‘Killing Brokenstar has made me realise that I do not wish to partake in any more acts of killing or violence, and instead I wish to spend all of my time on learning how I can save lives as best as I can. I am still young, and I know I have much to learn. I am sorry for leaving RiverClan with one less warrior.’ RiverClan remained hushed. Rainscale’s breath caught in his throat.

After a long moment, Oakheart rose to speak. ‘You’ve done more than enough for this Clan on the battlefield. Medicine cats are not normally expected to fight, but you have proven that you are as skillful as any warrior. I think I speak for every cat here when I thank you for killing Brokenstar. That fox-heart had it coming, and I can only imagine the expression on his face when he realised he'd been killed by a medicine cat.’ Purrs of laughter erupted from the cats. ‘The loss of you as a warrior is regrettable, but if you wish to pursue ways to heal and treat injuries further, then I see no reason to stop you. You are a medicine cat, after all. I welcome your decision.’

Gradually more cats began to voice their support, until it filled the camp..‘Then it’s settled. Rainscale, you will not be expected to take part in any fighting, and we welcome you once again as a medicine cat.’ Crookedstar meowed. Chants of his name were yowled by the assembled cats. Rainscale blushed self-consciously, but his heart swelled. My Clan does support me after all. ‘Thank you, every cat. I would be honored to serve RiverClan for many moons to come.’

Mudfur came over to him. ‘I didn’t expect you to do that, but I welcome it nonetheless.’ Rainscale dipped his head to his former mentor. ‘I see now why you don’t wish to spill any more blood.’ Mudfur nudged him, grinning. ‘We’ll be the best medicine cats in the forest very soon, with your talent and my experience.’

Rainscale smiled. ‘I look forward to it.’

Chapter 22: Chapter 21

Chapter Text

A mouse scuttled past the cat, chittering at them for a moment before scuttling into the dark undergrowth. It’s almost like it knows I’m not allowed to catch it, Rainscale thought, sheathing and unsheathing his claws. He had just passed Fourtrees, and was now on WindClan territory; even though he was allowed to be there, stealing prey from another Clan certainly wasn’t. As he continued his trek, he noticed a dark shape up ahead. Straining his eyes, he could make out a tortoiseshell pelt, glimmering in the moonlight.

‘Spottedleaf!’ he called. The ThunderClan cat turned. ‘Hi, Rainscale.’ ‘Have things gotten any better in ThunderClan?’ The tortoiseshell shifted her paws. ‘For me, yes. I told Bluestar about my suspicions, and I’ve noticed that my herb stores remain intact once I gather them now. As for ThunderClan… you remember the battle?’ He gave a meow of affirmation. ‘Brokenstar’s cats made it to our camp. The patrol we sent to protect it arrived too late. We lost our elders Larksong and Leopardfoot, and we all saw Fuzzypelt die, but we managed to save my sister Willowpelt, who was expecting kits. How about you and RiverClan?’

Rainscale gave a comforting mew. ‘I took some nasty scrapes, but I only fought one cat, so I wasn’t as badly injured as last time. RiverClan lost four cats; Skyheart, Reedtail, Shimmerpelt and Sedgecreek. Those ShadowClan cats aren’t warriors; they’re rogues, and they act like it in battle. Brokenstar attacked and badly wounded my foster mother Sunfish.’ Spottedleaf purred sympathetically.

‘I took one of his lives in return.’ The she-cat’s face was one of surprise and slight alarm. ‘You killed him? I didn’t think you were that sort of cat… ’ She hesitated, then went on.. ‘Still, ThunderClan thanks you for weakening him.’ ‘You’re going to need to face him yourself, since I’m not going to be fighting any more.’ Spottedleaf’s meow was questioning. ‘Why not?’ ‘When I killed him…’ He paused for a moment. ‘It felt too much like when I was in the Dark Forest. I don’t want to be reminded of that part of my life any more than I have to be. I’ve decided to give up being a partial warrior of sorts and instead focus completely on being a medicine cat. Mudfur agreed and has supported me so far.’

‘I support what you’re doing too.’ She touched her nose to his ear. ‘I’ve known you for a while now, and from what I can tell, you’re quite a gentle cat, and you care a lot about your kin - I think medicine cat duties suit you better. I was fearful when you told me that you had killed Brokenstar; I thought one of my closest friends was under the influence of the Dark Forest again. I’m delighted that you haven’t gone back there.’

‘Enough about that. Have you thought about taking an apprentice?’ Spottedleaf’s eyes doubled in size. ‘Are you calling me old? You’re not that much younger than me, you know!’ ‘That’s not what I meant?’ Rainscale stated hastily. ‘I was just interested if any of the kits in ThunderClan had shown any interest in training under you.’

Spottedleaf’s voice was humorous. ‘Those scruffy ruffians? They’re far too impatient to become medicine cats. No, none of them have yet, but Willowpelt’s kits aren’t far off being due. I’m hoping one of them will take an interest. I’m the only ThunderClan medicine cat, and sooner or later there needs to be another. How about you?’

‘You think I spend time with kits?’ Rainscale’s voice was incredulous. ‘Of course not! Whiny, screeching little things…’ Okay, that’s not entirely true, he admitted to himself, remembering Minnowkit and Willowkit fondly, but she doesn’t need to know about me playing with them. ‘I’ve been in the nursery exactly once since I was apprenticed, and it was to help with a queen’s kitting. I’ve never been there because I wanted to. I can handle blood just fine, but I can’t deal with births. They freak me out,’ he pointed out, shuddering. Spottedleaf rolled her eyes. ‘Why are all toms so squeamish? Every cat has kits sometime. How are you going to be a good medicine cat if you can’t even handle being around them? Here, I’ll give you a few hints to help with that… ‘

They talked all the way to Mothermouth, where two cats were silhouetted against the moon. ‘Finally!’ Yellowfang’s impatient meow drifted down to them. ‘We’ve been waiting ages. Get your tails up here before I have to drag you up here myself!’ Spottedleaf raced up the path, Rainscale following closely behind.

‘Yellowfang?’ The matted gray she-cat turned to him. ‘What do you want?’ she asked gruffly. ‘I wanted to thank you for risking your position in ShadowClan for RiverClan. Without your warning, we would have suffered many more casualties than we did. I’m sorry for any losses our warriors caused your Clan, and for making you choose between your Clan and ours during the Gathering. Believe me, I would not have killed Brokenstar if there was any alternative.’ Yellowfang nodded curtly. ‘Glad I was able to help.’

He followed the other medicine into the now-familiar tunnel. I’m less scared this time, at least. I know what to expect, and Willowbreeze promised to meet me in StarClan. I wonder if she’ll bring my littermates this time?

The path opened up into the Moonstone cavern. As he had done last time, Rainscale rested his head against the rock and closed his eyes. Within a few heartbeats, he found himself in the same forested clearing he had been when he was in StarClan two moons ago. No point in wandering around - I’m sure she’ll be here soon. He sat down to wait.

‘Rainscale…’ a she-cat’s voice snarled.

The RiverClan cat leapt to his paws, turning around, scanning in all directions for who had called his name, but he couldn’t make out any cat. Something sounded familiar about that voice; he had definitely heard it before, but he couldn’t quite pin down which cat it was from.

‘You cannot evade me forever…’

He crouched, preparing for something to attack him, but nothing came. Rustling came from the bushes behind him. He whipped his head around, but much to his relief and joy a grey she-cat with white chest fur appeared.

‘I promised you I’d meet you here, didn’t I?’ his mother mewed. ‘Willowbreeze!’ He brushed the voice he had heard earlier aside. It must have been nothing then. Just the imagination of a tired medicine cat. He moved to greet her, only for the grass beneath him to turn from the lush, green fields of StarClan to the soft, peaty ground of the Place of No Stars.

Rainscale’s eyes dilated with fear as he stared around at the starless sky and leafless trees that made up the place that he had once trained in. How is this possible? I haven’t been here for four moons - how have I been pulled out of StarClan and back here? ‘Mother? Where are you?’ he called, desperately hoping to hear a response, but all he heard was his own voice echoing through the twisted branches, then silence.

The scent of blood wafting through the air caused him to stiffen. I’m not the only cat here. Crouching down, he crept in the direction of the scent, keeping his muscles tense and ready to pounce. The trees, lifeless though they were, would make him less noticeable even with his gray pelt, and he stuck to their shadows as much as he could. He could barely stay calm. A bead of cold sweat dripped down his forehead as he tried to keep his composure.

He traced the scent to its origin, a clearing beside a discoloured, pale brown river. Alongside the blood, he could make out the scents of two cats, though the former was too heavy for him to determine the latter. Two against one. Not ideal, but I don’t really have another choice - I’d rather fight than be stuck wandering around this place forever, and if I can beat them maybe I can get some information on how I ended up in this place. Let’s hope my sparring sessions with Silverstream have helped. He braced himself, then darted into the clearing. ‘Alright, whoever you are, I’m sick of this. If you want to kill me, come get-’ His voice died as he surveyed the scene in front of him.

Silverstream was lying on the ground, her fur soaked in blood. Her face was covered with countless scratches, and one eye was swollen shut. One of her hind legs was mangled beyond anything Rainscale had seen before; it was like it had been torn into by a dog. Her side had multiple deep lacerations, and her tail hung limply beside her. Yet, despite her terrible injuries, she was still conscious, letting out an occasional moan of pain.

Mapleshade stood over her triumphantly, her claws soaked in his sister’s blood. So that was her voice! She didn’t seem to notice him, or if she did, she gave no indication of it. He watched in horror as Mapleshade bent down and clamped her jaws around his sister’s neck. ‘NO!’ he cried as he lunged at the Dark Forest cat, but Mapleshade swiped him away without even looking at him, sending him tumbling to the ground. He turned around to see the light leave his sister’s eyes as Mapleshade bit down, until he heard a sickening crack, then tossed her aside.

Rainscale raced over to his sister’s lifeless form, shaking her. ‘Silverstream… Silverstream…. Wake up, please…’ He knew it was useless; Mapleshade had broken her neck, but he kept trying in the hope that she had somehow survived. The medicine cat buried his nose into her quickly cooling fur, crying bitterly.

‘So another of Crookedstar’s kits perishes.’ Mapleshade’s voice rang out from behind him. ‘There’s only one last one left to take care of.’ He heard pawsteps near him. Rainscale turned, his heartache forming into fury. ‘I’ll kill you,’ he stated quietly. No cat hurts my kin and gets away with it. He allowed all the rage towards this she-cat build up; manipulating Crookedstar and himself, turning him against his own mother, Silverstream’s murder and the resulting self-hatred for being unable to save her… and let it all out.

He knew he shouldn’t, that this would only make him fight worse, but he was beyond controlling himself. Rainscale roared as he took off towards the Dark Forest cat. She swiped at him, opening up a cut on his nose, but he refused to flinch and swung a paw with all of his strength he could summon in return, smashing into Mapleshade’s face and raking across her right eye. She stumbled back, hissing in pain, her eye dripping blood. He snarled and drove his paw into her neck, forcing her onto her back as Brokenstar had done to him. Dark satisfaction filled him as he watched her struggle for breath. I’m going to make you suffer, fox-heart.

Her paws kicked out, firing him off her and sending him through the air before hitting his head hard against a tree. Stunned, he reacted too slowly to prevent her from sweeping his legs out from underneath him, causing him to fall. Rainscale grunted as he felt her weight on top of him; straining, he tried to throw her off, but couldn’t. Too late now he realised that she had been feinting weakness. She could have overpowered him, but chose to wait until he left himself vulnerable when he tried to choke her, focusing too much on making her pay than on ending the fight as quickly as possible against such a dangerous opponent. Crookedstar’s description of his fight with Mapleshade rang in his ears. ‘My single-minded focus on killing Mapleshade cost me the fight, and the chance to avenge my kin.’ I should have learned from him. But I didn’t.

Mapleshade pressed his muzzle up to his ear. ‘And now you die… a failure, just like your father. Too weak to save your kin, too weak to save the ones you love, and too weak to stop me.’ He felt her draw back her paw, and a white flash exploded through his head as her claws dug in, and he saw nothing more.

Chapter 23: Chapter 22

Chapter Text

Mapleshade laughed as she saw the medicine cat flailing on the ground, swiping at nothing, tormented by dreams that she had sent him. I’ll deal with you soon… but not now. I want to enjoy it when it happens. Besides, she thought, I need to pay your sister a visit…

...

Rainscale found his paws on soft grass. He felt something warm around him, and a tongue rasping his forehead. Willowbreeze? He turned to stare into the anxious face of his mother. ‘Rainscale!’ she cried in relief, rubbing between his ears with her tail, ‘What happened to you? One moment you were fine and the next you collapsed, then started screeching and swiping at the air like there you were in a fight.’

Memories of what had happened swept through his mind like a wave: finding himself in the Dark Forest, Mapleshade killing Silverstream, his doomed fight with the dark warrior and the blinding pain that he felt as she secured her victory. He could still taste the nauseating reek of blood. Rainscale convulsed, throwing up at the scent. His mother tapped her paw against his back until he stopped, then wiped the corners of his mouth with her tail. Embarrassment flooded through him at the thought of being taken care of like this. ‘Mother! I’m not a kit anymore. You don’t need to do that.’ Willowbreeze drew her tongue over his cheek. ‘You’ll always be my kit. Now, why don’t you tell me what you saw?’

He fought to get his words out.‘I saw- I saw-’ Willowbreeze stopped him. ‘Breathe. You won’t be able to explain anything in this state.’ Rainscale did so a few times, his heartbeat slowing as he began to calm down. ‘After I called out your name, I started to pad over, but as soon as I put my paw down I found myself in the Dark Forest. I smelled blood-scent, and I followed it. I saw Silverstream, badly wounded, and Mapleshade standing over her.Mapleshade broke Silverstream’s neck in front of me, and I attacked her, but she beat me and killed me, or at least so I thought. I have no idea how you managed to get me out of there.’

The gray she-cat scanned his back with her eyes. ‘Check the spot where she wounded you.’ Rainscale clasped a paw to his neck, expecting to feel a deep gouge mark, but found nothing but smooth fur instead. With a start, he realised that his body felt well-rested, certainly unlike he had just been in a fight for his life. ‘You weren’t actually in the Dark Forest - you were here the whole time. I saw you here.’

Shock filled him. He had been in StarClan the whole time? ‘Then…’ ‘Silverstream isn’t dead,’ his mother reassured him. ‘Was it all a bad dream?’’ Willowbreeze tilted her head thoughtfully. ‘Mapleshade has shown an ability to manipulate objects in the living world from the dead. She pushed a ball to attract a Twoleg to capture me in an attempt to remove me from Crookedstar, and she sent a sign to RiverClan by infecting a piece of prey. She could certainly give a cat nightmares, but remember this is Mapleshade. She is always trying to manipulate other cats - if she did send you this dream, there must be a purpose behind it.’

Rainscale’s heart sank. I thought I had escaped Mapleshade’s hold on me. Crookedstar was right; that she-cat follows you everywhere, no matter how far you run. Maybe I should deal with her once and for all. ‘Can I go check on Silverstream? I want to make sure she’s safe.’ His mother’s voice was serious. ‘Rainscale. I know you’re young, and I don’t doubt your capabilities as a warrior, but please promise me one thing. Do not confront Mapleshade.’ The medicine cat swallowed guiltily. How did she know what I was thinking?

‘I promise. You don’t have to worry about me.’ Willowbreeze’s features relaxed. Mother and son nuzzled each other
before Rainscale stepped back. ‘I’ll see you in two moons.’ He closed his eyes as he felt his paws on smooth stone. The other medicine cats were still asleep. Careful as to avoid treading on any cat’s tail, he made his way out of Mothermouth. Bolting down Highstones as quickly as his tired legs, worn out from the long walk there, would let him, he cut through WindClan territory again, not bothering to head through Fourtrees, instead tracing the gorge until he could find a point narrow enough to leap across. Before too long the familiar reed walls of the RiverClan camp were in sight.

He was prepared to wake Silverstream up even if it meant he had to haul her out of her nest, but when he got into camp he realised that would not be necessary. His silver-furred sister was pacing around the camp, her face one of panic. She’s unharmed. He felt weak with relief. Thank StarClan. ‘There you are!’ she cried as she padded up to him. His sister’s eyes were flickering around, as if in fear of something. ‘We can’t talk here, but I have to tell you what happened.’ He didn’t try to contradict her, and they headed out to a spot by the river, where he had first told her about Willowbreeze and Mapleshade four moons ago.

‘I met Mapleshade.’ His sister’s words caused him to freeze. I thought it was just a dream! ‘I went to sleep, but when I dreamed, I found myself in the Place of No Stars - at least, it looked like how you described it to me. A tortoiseshell she-cat appeared behind me. I prepared myself to run, but she didn’t attack me. She just told me to tell you to come seek her out, or you knew what to expect. What does she mean? Did something happen to you?’

Rainscale shook his head. ‘No, I have no idea what she’s talking about.’ I can’t very well tell her that I saw her be killed, can I? Silverstream’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’ve known you for too long, brother, I know when you’re trying to hide something.’ Her blue eyes bored into his.

The medicine cat, seeing no way of avoiding the question, sighed as he relented. ‘I was in StarClan, but then I found myself in the Dark Forest a heartbeat later. I saw… I shouldn’t say what I saw. It may be upsetting for you.’ Silverstream cuffed him with a paw. ‘This is no time to worry about that! What did you see?’

I’ll give her the short version then. No need for her to know about all the details. ‘I saw Mapleshade kill you. I attacked her but she beat me and I thought she killed me too. Then I woke up in StarClan and Willowbreeze was beside me. She said I had collapsed suddenly and had started thrashing around.’

Silverstream, admittedly, took the news better than he thought she would, but her eyes betrayed her unease. ‘She sent you that dream; that much is for sure. But why? Mapleshade could have attacked me when I was in the Dark Forest, but she didn’t.’ A flash of realisation dawned on him. ‘She’s not after you; she wants me. Willowbreeze said if she did send me this dream, there must have been a purpose behind it.. Mapleshade is using the threat of killing you to draw me out.’

‘Are you going to fight her?’ His sister’s voice was filled with worry. Rainscale hesitated. He had improved by a lot since he first met with StarClan - he could regularly beat Silverstream in their sparring matches, and had even managed to kill a leader, but he wasn’t sure if he could beat his former mentor. His first fight with Brokenstar two moons earlier had ended with him fleeing; even if he had inflicted similar damage, he would have almost certainly died had he continued fighting. The medicine cat suspected that their second bout had been partially luck in how it concluded. ‘I could never forgive myself if I stood by and watched you die, but this seems like an obvious trap. Still,’ he sighed, ‘if it’s between you dying and me facing her, I will seek her out.’

Silverstream touched his shoulder with her tail-tap. ‘Let’s go talk to Crookedstar. He’s been through all this before - maybe he’ll know what to do?’ Rainscale agreed. If any cat knew about the Dark Forest, it was his father.

…

Crookedstar’s face grew darker and darker as the two told him what had happened. ‘No.’ he whispered. ‘Not again.’ Silverstream spoke. ‘We think Mapleshade is trying to draw Rainscale out. He said he was going to fight her if it meant protecting me.’ Crookedstar’s eyes flew open. ‘Absolutely not! She is far too dangerous! Brokenstar already nearly killed you last moon! You two are all I have left,’ he murmured in a softer voice, ‘I won’t let anything harm you. It’s me she wants to get to. I’ll go to the Dark Forest. I’ll face her.’ He sank back into his nest and closed his eyes, as if prepared to dream his way into the Place of No Stars.

Rainscale and Silverstream shook him awake. ‘You’re our father; we couldn’t let anything harm you either. Didn’t Mapleshade beat you the last time you fought? You’re a lot older now - with all due respect, you aren’t as fast or strong as you used to be.’ Crookedstar grimaced at his son’s words, but acknowledged them reluctantly.

The medicine cat went on, ‘This threat needs to end once and for all, or our bloodline will continue to be threatened. Let me do this.’ Crookedstar shook his head again. ‘I won’t let you get yourself killed.’ He pulled them close with his tail. ‘I need you both to promise that you will not seek out Mapleshade on your own.’

Silverstream nodded slowly; Rainscale could sense the hesitation behind the action. ‘I’ve already made this promise to Willowbreeze,’ he meowed. ‘I wouldn’t go back on my word.’ Unless I have to, he added to himself silently.

Crookedstar fixed his gaze on him for a few moments, as if debating whether or not to say something, but ultimately decided against it. ‘Thank you. Both of you.’ He rubbed his tail between their ears affectionately. ‘I know I’m the one that got us into this mess, and I’m so sorry, but I promise we’ll find a way out of this. Together.’

The two left. ‘You’re going to find her, aren’t you? I know that look you have on your face.’ Silverstream meowed. ‘I don’t know…’ Rainscale responded as the two made their way across the camp. ‘Part of me wants to.’ She nudged him. ‘Please, don’t get yourself killed for my sake. You said you couldn’t live with yourself if your inaction led to my death; how do you think I would feel if my brother died because of me?’ Rainscale pondered this as they walked.

The medicine cat and the warrior reached the entrance of the warrior den. ‘Goodnight, Silverstream. If Mapleshade finds you again, please tell me.’ His sister gave a mew of affirmation. ‘Likewise. And if you do decide to seek her out,’ she added, ‘please, come find me before you do, in case you…’ She left her sentence unfinished, but her silence said everything. That I can agree to. ‘I promise.’ His sister’s features softened. ‘I know you’re not hiding anything this time.’ She waved her tail before entering the den.

Rainscale headed to the medicine den, where Mudfur was already fast asleep. He curled up in his nest, relaxing for a moment before troubled dreams took him.

It seems Mapleshade’s vengeance is every bit as real as any StarClan cat. I wasn’t exactly being honest when I told Silverstream and Crookedstar that I wouldn’t or at least wasn’t sure I am going to seek her out. In truth, I have largely made up my mind that I’m going to do it. I can’t stand by and do nothing. Worst of all, I have to break my promise to Willowbreeze. I really don’t want to, but if it’s between that and Silverstream being killed, then I’m going to go back on my word. I’m sorry, mother.

I need to wait until Crookedstar’s out of camp before I’m going to attempt this. Hopefully by that time I will be deep enough in the Dark Forest that no cat is going to be able to pull me out of it by waking me up as I fight. That’s a really odd thing to say, I know.

Can I beat Mapleshade? I still don’t know how strong she is. I’ve never seen her fight at full strength or to kill - she always held back during our sessions. She beat Crookedstar when he was quite a bit younger than he is now - I’ve never sparred with him before, but Clan leaders are generally powerful fighters, and she managed to defeat him. I know I killed Brokenstar, but most of the fights I’ve been in I’ve had the opportunity to outwit my opponents - with the three WindClan cats, against Thistleclaw, and Brokenstar twice. This is not going to happen with Mapleshade; if anything, she could devise a more effective strategy to beat me. She hasn’t really left me a choice, has she? I have to try.

Chapter 24: Chapter 23

Chapter Text

‘Silverstream!’

The silver-grey cat padded over to him. ‘What is it?’ He motioned her to follow him with his tail. ‘Not here,’ he whispered. ‘Let’s go to the usual spot.’ Rainscale led her to the river, from where he could see Sunningrocks on the opposing bank. I’m glad our Clans are no longer fighting over them. He turned to face his sister.

‘I know Crookedstar is going to be out tonight. He’s leading the night patrol.’ Silverstream drew in a breath. ‘You’re going to the Dark Forest, aren’t you?’ A shadow crossed Rainscale’s face. ‘Yes, I am. Please, don’t tell Crookedstar. I don’t know if he can wake me up when I’m there, but I don’t want to risk it.’

‘Are you sure about this? What if you… you don’t make it back?’ his sister asked. ‘I have to try. If I can kill her or force her to stop, then I’ll be able to keep the rest of our bloodline safe. Not just you, Mistyfoot and Stonefur, but also any kits that you may have. I know Mistyfoot’s kits are due very soon. I’m a medicine cat; I’m not going to have any kits of my own, but I can do my best to ensure that yours survive.’

Silverstream’s eyes welled with tears. ‘Thank you, Rainscale,’ she half-purred, half-sobbed. Rainscale brushed his muzzle against his sister’s. ‘We’re littermates; you’ve been my best friend since we were kitted, and you’ve helped me so much these last few moons. You saved my life against Blackfoot. I would gladly risk my life to do the same.’ Silverstream touched her nose to his. ‘Good luck,’ she whispered, ‘StarClan light your path, brother.’

Rainscale gave an appreciative mew, and turned, heading for the medicine den. He raised his head to look at the moon and the countless stars of Silverpelt glowing in the night sky, seemingly brighter than they normally did. ‘It’s beautiful…’ he murmured to himself. Will I ever see it again?

He curled up in his nest, draping his tail over his nose, and tried to sleep, but his nerves prevented him from doing so. Images of Silverstream and Crookedstar wailing over his battered corpse filled his mind; Mapleshade’s laughter echoed in his ears. This night will be your last. His eyes flew open; he breathed heavily, trying to calm himself. This is something I must do. No matter what happens, I will see this through to the end.

Rainscale forced his eyes shut once more. He imagined that nothing had changed since he was an apprentice, Mapleshade was still his mentor, and he was going into the Dark Forest to train with her, hoping that he would open his eyes and find himself somewhere else.

The feeling of his paws on marshy ground told him that he had succeeded. Getting up on four paws, he surveyed his surroundings. No sign of Mapleshade. Where am I supposed to go now? He was about to head off into the endless expanse of forest when a voice rang out.

‘Looking for me?’

The medicine cat whipped his head around in the direction of the sound. A ragged tortoiseshell she-cat stalked out from behind a tree. ‘Didn’t expect to see you here; I thought you had left for good,’ Mapleshade purred in a sickly sweet tone, ‘What brings you back?’

‘Enough.’ Rainscale meowed flatly. ‘We both know that you gave me no choice. Willowbreeze told me everything. You were manipulating me and Crookedstar. You have no power over life and death. My father has already been tormented by your actions for a lifetime. I won’t let my sister suffer the same fate as well.’

Mapleshade smirked. ‘StarClan told you that because they are afraid. Afraid of the power I wield, and afraid of letting the Clans know about me; a cat that can influence fate who is beyond their control. I killed all of Crookedstar’s loved ones, and I made sure they suffered. Rainflower bled to death after hitting her head on a rock; I told Crookedstar to ignore her, which led to her passing, and he never forgave himself for that. Shellheart I killed slowly; it took a moon for him to die from a lump in his stomach; no herb could ease his pain. Hailstar’s final life was ripped away as rats tore him from limb to limb. Oakheart’s relationship with Bluestar drove a deep wedge between him and Crookedstar; I didn’t need to do anything, apart from kill one of her kits by pushing them into the snow as she tried to bring them to RiverClan. If I lost all three of mine, surely one of her kits dying is nothing by comparison?’

Rainscale gritted his teeth as she went on. ‘I saved the best for your mother and littermates. Willowbreeze died in agony, coughing and gasping for air for three sunrises straight as Crookedstar could do nothing but watch. That stupid she-cat caused too many problems for me to not kill her in the most painful way possible, and I managed to shatter Crookedstar’s heart by doing so. Then, when he was mourning in his den, thinking he had lost everything, I took two of his kits away from him as well.’ Mapleshade’s voice was filled with satisfaction. ‘Every cat that he loves is dead. Apart… from you,’ turning her amber stare on the RiverClan cat. ‘I spared you and your littermate because I believed you could be useful, but you have proven to be more trouble than it was worth. Should have expected as much, considering who kitted you. You outlived your usefulness to me as soon as you found your way to StarClan, but I already have plans for your sister. Silverstream, was it?’ she purred silkily, ‘Such a sweet cat.’ She drew a paw over her ear. ‘It would be a shame if anything were to happen to her…’

Blood roared in the younger cat’s ears. Rainscale crouched to spring, determined to kill this cat who had caused so much pain to his kin, but something within him caused him to stop. This is what she wants, he realised with a start. Willowbreeze and Crookedstar mentioned how she manipulated cats. She wants me to be so consumed with fury that I can’t think straight or fight properly, like I did in the dream she sent me. Not this time. Forcing his anger down, he loosened his muscles and returned the she-cat’s stare evenly.

‘No. These deaths were not any cat’s doing; they were tragedies, not something caused by a dead cat. Your so-called powers are simply taking advantage of the misfortune of others.’ He felt a sense of calm wash over him as the words left his mouth. ‘I have told my sister about the truth; how you are targeting us because of our bloodline, something that we have no control over; the death of your kits, while no doubt heartbreaking for you, doesn’t have anything to do with us, nor does the actions of Appledusk. We were born many seasons after those events; I doubt your former mate even knows of our existence. You tormented a kit from their birth until they became leader, and for what? To get back at some dead cat? Why don’t you just go over to StarClan and yowl at him yourself?’

Mapleshade’s amber eyes burned in the darkness. ‘He promised me everything. Undying love, a future with our kits… I was one of the finest warriors in ThunderClan before I was exiled, and for what? For loving too much? My kits were only a few sunrises old when we were driven out. I had nowhere else to go but RiverClan, and my kits were swept away by the water. Then, when I got there, cold, hungry, and miserable, I found out the cat that I had done this all for had a RiverClan mate and treated me as if I was crow-food, and refused to ask his leader to take me in. It was there where I swore eternal vengeance against him and his bloodline, for what he had done to me; it is the only way I can hurt him the way he did me.’

He couldn’t help but feel a little sympathetic. So that’s what drove her down this dark path.‘I’m sorry for what happened to you.’ Could he talk his way out of this? ‘If there is something I could do-’ ‘There isn’t,’ he was cut off by Mapleshade,’This is why I never told Crookedstar any of this when he was training with me. The only thing I get is false pity from cats who are descended from those who had wronged me in the first place. You can’t make up for what he did to me; none of you can. All you can do is suffer for his mistakes.’

Rainscale’s confidence was wavering. She has enough hatred inside her to wipe out a Clan, he remembered his mother’s words. This cat had trained him for several moons; she would be familiar with most of his battle moves, even if he had improved further thanks to Silverstream and other cats in RiverClan. He didn’t know exactly how much experience Mapleshade had or how skilled she was, but he was quite sure she had killed at least one cat in a fight. Besides, she was a fully-fledged warrior, while he for all his training was still first and foremost a medicine cat whose first instinct was to save lives, not take them. He was younger and likely in better shape; maybe he could use that to his advantage? His mind drifted to what would happen if he lost. What would happen if he died in the Dark Forest? Would he go to StarClan, or was there somewhere else? Would his spirit simply disappear? .

He spoke again, pushing these worrying thoughts aside, ‘I’m afraid you have lost your control over our bloodline. Me and Silverstream, as the only surviving descendants of Crookedstar, both know about your existence, and, thanks to my visit to StarClan, your true motives for walking in our dreams. You won’t be able to manipulate us anymore; we know who you are and what you want with us, and we want no part of your schemes. I won’t seek vengeance for what you did to my father, but you have no power over us anymore. Goodbye, Mapleshade.’ He turned his back on her and began to walk away. I know she’s going to attack - it’s just a matter of when.

‘You’re right,’ he heard from behind him. Rainscale stopped and turned around, surprise evident on his face. ‘I have failed, haven’t I? Those I’ve been trying to stalk have broken free from my control, like a hunter who the wind has shifted away from to carry their scent to their prey. I cannot hope to influence you and your sister like I was able to your father, and I’m sure you will tell any future kits you two may have of my existence. There is nothing I can do… unless I make sure your line ends with the two of you!’ Mapleshade leapt at him, claws unsheathed.

Rainscale’s eyes widened, his nerves getting the better of him. Fear overcame any resolve he had; he slid underneath the tortoiseshell and began running, dodging between trees, his paws thrumming against the ground. He could hear another set of pawsteps as she darted after him. He tried willing himself to open his eyes in the waking world, but it was useless; he could only control himself in the dream.

He kept running, hoping to reach the StarClan border. If there’s any time for me to find it, it’s now, he thought, scanning the landscape, hoping to see a shimmering wall of mist in the distance. There! A familiar layer of fog appeared, but it was barely in view; likely more than a hundred fox-lengths away. Rainscale risked a glance over his shoulder. Mapleshade was only a few tail-lengths from him, and closing the distance; he was wrong to think that he was in better shape than she was. Her face was twisted in a dark grin as she got closer and closer to the medicine cat.

I’m not going to make it to StarClan, he realised, and she knows it. I’ll have to fight. If I can stop her, I can ensure the safety of Silverstream, Stonefur and Mistyfoot, and perhaps it will bring Crookedstar some peace after all he’s been through. There isn’t time for me to think of a battle plan - let’s hope what I’ve learned thus far is enough.

Bracing himself, Rainscale turned and reared up on his hind legs, unsheathing his claws and slamming them down on Mapleshade’s head, feeling fur rip underneath his claws. She let out a yowl of shock as he knocked her to the ground, a thin trickle of blood running down her face. Mapleshade rolled away from another strike and got to her paws, storming at him. Rainscale sidestepped out of the way, but she hooked her forepaw behind his and pulled. He lost his balance and fell, and she moved to pin him; he leapt backwards, delivering a hard kick to her chest with his hindlegs as he flipped out of reach. She isn’t so powerful after all. Maybe this will be easier than I thought? He doubted it, but for a moment he let himself believe that.

Mapleshade landed neatly on four paws. ‘I’ve taught you well.’ Rainscale sprinted at her. Just before they were about to collide, the medicine cat crouched and leapt, avoiding her whirling claws, and landed on her back, snapping at her with his jaws, aiming for her spine. He knew that was one of the ways to kill a cat, but he had never even tried simulating the move. I don’t know where to aim! His teeth only found purchase with a shallow bite. She dropped to the floor and rolled, attempting to crush him under her weight; he pushed off from her back before she slammed into the ground. He threw out a front paw, aiming for her side, but the blow simply glanced off her pelt. ‘Clumsy,’ she snarled, before landing a hit of her own; Rainscale felt his skin tear at the force of the impact, and blood began to flow out of the wound.

Wincing, he attacked once again, but Mapleshade balanced on one hindpaw and kicked out with another, aiming for his eye; the RiverClan cat flinched, only barely avoiding the attack in time. He turned around to catch her claws across his cheek; stumbling backwards, he swept one paw under her, hoping to knock her legs out from underneath her; Mapleshade was too fast for that. In a blur, she had dived underneath him, ramming her back into his chest, briefly stunning her opponent before sending him flying.

Chapter 25: Chapter 24

Chapter Text

Crookedstar! Crookedstar!’ A panicked cry rose throughout the sleeping camp.

A light-brown tom with a twisted jaw poked their head out of a nearby den, bleary-eyed. ‘What is it, Mudfur?’ he asked, with a hint of impatience, ‘Can’t it wait until sunrise?’ The medicine cat shook his head, ‘You must come quickly. I’ve never seen this before. It’s about my former apprentice.’

Crookedstar’s eyes lit up as he followed Mudfur across the camp into the medicine den without another word. In the den, a gray tom was sleeping, curled up in a ball, his form rising and falling with his breaths. A bloody scratch on his pelt stained the fur around it with blood. Crookedstar opened his mouth to ask Mudfur how that had happened, when to his disbelief, another wound appeared across the sleeping cat’s muzzle, drawn by invisible claws. Blood welled out of the fresh wound, staining the left side of his face red.

The leader stood there stunned. No, he whispered to himself. I told him not to face her. He knew what this was; he had experienced it, but didn’t think he would ever see it happen before his eyes to another cat. ‘Can we wake him up?’ Mudfur shook his head, ‘I’ve shaken him and poured water on his face. Nothing’s working.’ Crookedstar hung his head.

'Fetch Silverstream.’

…

Rainscale landed hard, the back of his head taking the brunt of the impact. His vision was blurry; grunting, he shook his head to clear it. That was a RiverClan move! Anxiety filled him at the thought of his opponent knowing his Clan’s fighting techniques. Mapleshade stalked towards him slowly, the dark she-cat meowing as he found his feet. ‘Give up. I am your mentor; I taught you everything you know. I could have killed you right then and there if I wanted to. How can you beat a cat that knows every move you will make before you do it? I will give you a quick death if you cease now; if not, I promise to draw out your suffering.’ The medicine cat raised his head in defiance. ‘After what you did to my kin? I’ll die fighting.’ Without giving her a chance to say anything more, he readied himself in a battle stance, letting his fear and exhilaration fuel him. ‘You want me dead? Come get me then!’

Mapleshade rushed at him. Going limp and dropping to the ground, he entangled one of her paws with his and used the momentum to hurl her overhead; the she-cat let out a startled yowl as her face smacked into the dirt. Rainscale didn’t let up. Adrenaline flowed through him. At this moment, nothing mattered except the outcome of this battle, and he was determined to put up as best of a fight as he could.

The RiverClan cat lunged. Grabbing the tip of her tail before she could get up, he bit down with all of his strength until he heard a crunching sound, earning a pained yowl from his opponent. Mapleshade twisted and rained blows on his muzzle, slashing viciously, opening up crimson streaks where her claws landed. He gasped in pain and released his grip. She dove again, this time for his throat. He rolled to the side and swung a paw at her face, forcing her to jump backwards to avoid it.

He darted at her, not wanting to give her time to rest. Mapleshade spun, aiming to unbalance him with her flank. He managed to duck, but he was not prepared for the hindpaw that connected hard with his jaw as he straightened up. Pain exploded through the bottom of his face as the blow sent him reeling, dazed. The Dark Forest cat came at him with the speed of a TigerClan warrior of Clan legend; it was all Rainscale could do to raise his forepaws and protect himself from the worst of the blows, but he couldn’t block everything, and those that got through tore holes in his coat, causing streams of blood to trickle down his grey fur…

Desperately, he snapped his jaws, trying to make contact with a bite. The first two attempts missed, but the third connected with her hindpaw. Mapleshade stopped her flurry to try and free her trapped paw; shaking it violently, she flung him off after a couple heartbeats, the RiverClan cat sailing for a few fox-lengths and landing in a pile of limbs and fur.

Rainscale got to his paws again, his pelt burning from wounds. He was starting to tire, and he knew it. His stamina was much better developed than it was during their first encounter, when he was still an apprentice, but it had taken quite a bit of his energy to stay ahead of Mapleshade’s pursuit, and now he was locked in a fight that, while it had started out quite evenly, was gradually turning against him. Apart from her tail, he hadn’t managed to injure her seriously, while the wounds she had inflicted were beginning to slow him down.

Another charge. Rainscale whipped to one side as her claws flashed by, but he was a heartbeat too late and Mapleshade’s claws dug into his flesh. Screeching in pain, he flailed wildly, trying to dislodge her. He managed to throw her off after a few moments of struggling with a powerful hind kick, but her claws left deep marks in his side.

Forcing himself to his paws once more, he breathed heavily, trying to recover. He felt a sinking feeling inside his chest. I’m going to lose this fight, he realised, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I can’t beat her, I can’t run away, and I can’t wake up. Mapleshade wasn’t showing any signs of fatigue; if anything, she had only grown more ferocious since the bout began. He should never have faced her, but then again, what choice did she give him?

He attempted to spring and land on her as he had done earlier, but she anticipated the move and rolled onto her back, with claws extended to the sky. Unable to change direction in midair, he watched helplessly as she punctured his stomach in multiple places. ‘Your father couldn’t beat me,’ she taunted, before sending him staggering away, blood surging from the fresh wounds, ‘and it seems neither can you.’ Mapleshade slammed her forepaw on the top of his shoulder in a sharp, short blow, and Rainscale cried out as the leg below it buckled and gave way.

…

A silver she-cat appeared at the mouth of the den. Racing inside, she stared at the two toms inspecting a sleeping gray cat.

‘Various wounds in the abdomen, multiple claw marks to the muzzle, deep scratches in the flank, heavy breathing most likely signaling exhaustion… I still don’t know exactly what’s happening here, but it’s not looking good, Crookedstar.’ One of the cats spoke, his blood-stained paws reaching into a pile of marigold and cobwebs by his side and applying them expertly to the sleeping cat. The other, a light-brown cat with a twisted jaw, sighed. ‘I know you’ll do your best, Mudfur. You always do.’ Mudfur dipped his head and went back to his work.

Crookedstar turned around and saw the newcomer. ‘Silverstream!’ He touched his nose to hers, for a moment forgetting about his worries, before his tone became mute once more. ‘I’ve called you here to-’ ‘I know what’s happening.’ The RiverClan leader was surprised. ‘You do?’ The silver cat responded in a hushed voice. ‘He told me that he was going to challenge Mapleshade. I assume those two are currently fighting, and the look of things,’ she mewed, pointing at the wounded cat, her voice mournful, ‘he’s losing.’

‘You knew?’ Crookedstar whispered fiercely.‘And you didn’t tell me?’ Silverstream’s eyes shone with guilt, but she held her father’s stare steadily. ‘He picked a night that you weren’t in camp purposefully; he said he didn’t want you waking him up when he was fighting in the Dark Forest. He promised that he would tell me before he fought her, and he kept his promise. I’m sorry Crookedstar, but I didn’t want to betray his trust by telling you.’

Crookedstar sighed again, ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t blame you. I’m just worried for him. I’ve fought her before, not long after I became leader, and I lost. I know how vicious she is. It should be me in the Dark Forest now, not my medicine cat… and my son.’

Silverstream leaned against him, and the two cats watched Mudfur rush around the den, grabbing herbs and cobwebs, trying to treat the wounds before new ones would appear.

…

Rainscale awkwardly stood up, using his shoulder to push himself to his paws, and limped for a few paces, holding his front paw off the ground. Gingerly, he tried applying weight onto it, but a blaze of agony shot through his leg and he quickly withdrew it with a yowl. I can’t fight like this. I’ve lost.

Mapleshade strode towards him; the look in her eyes akin to that a hunter gives its helpless prey. Rainscale struck out with one of his hind paws as a last resort, connecting with her flank, but Mapleshade ignored the blow and barreled straight into him. He fell, paws flailing, and she landed on him. With both forelegs, he would have been able to push her off, with great effort, but now, with only one front paw, there was no hope of doing so.

‘Kill me then.’ He managed to gasp, crushed under Mapleshade’s weight. He heard a bout of laughter from above. ‘Remember what I said? I gave you a chance to go peacefully early on, and you refused. It’s too late for that now. I promised to make you suffer, and unlike Crookedstar, I always keep my promises.’ Mapleshade gripped his head in one forepaw and cracked it against the ground. Rainscale’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as the world went black.

…

Mapleshade looked at the limp body in front of her. I finally have you where I want you. She moved her jaws to close around the cat’s neck, but then she stopped herself. Why kill them in a place where no cat can see when you can kill them in front of another cat and break their heart? A malicious smile appeared on her face. And I happen to know some cat that cares for them deeply just nearby…

Chapter 26: Chapter 25

Chapter Text

Searing pain in one of his hind legs brought the medicine cat to, and he hissed quietly under his breath, trying his best not to make any noise. Mapleshade was dragging him by the tail, but that wasn’t what was causing it. Twisting slowly so as to not alert his captor, Rainscale’s blood ran cold when he saw it. Claw marks down the side of his hind leg, deep enough for him to see the white gleam of bone underneath; no doubt Mapleshade’s doing while he was passed out.

That’s the end of any resistance from me then, he thought to himself; I’m not even sure I can walk like this, let alone fight. If that gets infected I’m dead for sure, assuming I even live for that long. He realised that the numbness in the front leg that she had struck earlier had left. So it wasn’t permanently damaged, he thought ruefully.Lasted long enough for her to beat me though.

He could feel blood pumping from the many wounds she had inflicted, spilling on the forest floor, leaving a red trail behind him. So this is how I die then? Bleeding to death in this forest, with only my own murderer for company? He noticed they were right by the StarClan border, the wall of frosty mist hovering beside him. Perhaps she wasn’t going to kill him? He doubted it; Mapleshade didn’t exactly seem like a merciful cat, but then why was she here?

‘Where are you taking me?’ He croaked out. Mapleshade didn’t reply, instead biting down harder on his tail, ignoring the gasp that came from the RiverClan cat. His entire body ached from being scraped along the floor, rubbing his wounds raw. Rainscale’s eyes closed, drifting out of consciousness again.

…

‘Wake up.’ Mapleshade drew a claw across his ear, tearing the tip of it off.

Belatedly, Rainscale opened his eyes, the pain in his leg helping him come to. They had arrived at a part of the barrier that was thin enough to see through; he could make out the starlit rivers and moors of StarClan. Some sort of place where the two sides can talk if need be? Wait, why would she bring me here? It’s not because she wants me to see StarClan as I die.

‘Enjoying the view?’ Mapleshade’s honeyed voice rang in his ears. He didn’t respond. Spotting a cat on the other side of the border, Mapleshade yowled at the top of their voice for them to come over. Hesitantly, the StarClan cat approached, their face going from caution to horror as they saw the heap of mangled gray fur matted with blood beside her. ‘Tell Willowbreeze of RiverClan to come here. Alone. I have something for her…’ Mapleshade drawled. The other cat nodded meekly, casting one terrified glance at the Dark Forest she-cat before bolting off.

Realization dawned on the medicine cat. She’s going to kill me in front of my mother? Mapleshade grinned at him. ‘Now you see why I brought you here,’ clawing him across the face, her victim being too injured to fight back. ‘I want Willowbreeze here to watch me kill you, but,’ she drew her hind claws across his back, again and again, ripping patches of his pelt off, until his back was marred by bleeding red lines; the RiverClan cat’s screeches reverberated across the dark forest as he writhed on the ground, fire overwhelming his senses. ‘That doesn’t mean we can’t have a little bit of fun before she arrives.’

Time passed in a haze for Rainscale. All he could feel was pain, mind-numbing pain. Mapleshade’s claws found their way into every part of him; his muzzle, his legs, his stomach, his flank. He passed out multiple times, only to be woken by her digging her claws into his face. Several times he tried to stand up, to at least show some sign of resistance, but his injured leg would prevent him from doing so. His voice was hoarse from yowling; the conversation with Silverstream before this nightmare began seemed a lifetime away. There’s nothing I can do now. Willowbreeze, forgive me. I should have listened to you. I shouldn’t have tried to fight her. Take care of my littermates and father after I’m gone. Closing his eyes, he curled into a ball, doing his best to ignore his own cries of agony as he waited for the end.

…

Willowbreeze lay in her nest, two kits clambering over her. ‘I’m the fiercest warrior in StarClan!’ The first, a smoky-black she-kit, yowled, standing on her mother’s back. ‘No I am!’ The other, another she-kit, this one grey-pelted, nudged her littermate, and the two started play-fighting.

She smiled at her kits’ antics. I wish Crookedstar could see them now. He would be overjoyed. They have so much of his spirit. ‘Now, now, the two of you. You’re both the fiercest warriors in StarClan. There’s no need to fight.’ The kits grumbled, but immediately brightened up at their mother’s next words.’Now who wants a badger ride to the river?’ Minnowkit and Willowkit jumped up and down with excitement. ‘Me! Me! Me!’

‘Willowbreeze?’ A glossy pale-gray she-cat padded over to her. ‘Echomist? Wait there kits, I need to speak with a friend.’ The two kits curled up quietly in their nest.

‘What did you want to talk about? I was just about to bring these two down to the river.’ She stopped as she noticed the ghostly look the other she-cat had on her face. ‘Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen something terrifying.’

Echomist nodded mutely. ‘That’s because I have.’ Willowbreeze was confused. This was StarClan; what could have scared her Clanmate so much? ‘I was by the border with the Place of No Stars, when I saw a cat on the other side. It was a ragged tortoiseshell.’ Mapleshade. The name rang in her mind. She gritted her teeth at the thought of the she-cat who had manipulated both her mate and her son. At least I was able to free Rainscale from her lies before it was too late.

‘Why are you telling me this?’ Echomist looked around before responding. ‘She asked for you specifically to come alone. She said that she had something for you.’ Willowbreeze’s blood ran cold. ‘Did she have another cat with her?’ She desperately prayed for her to say no.

Echomist answered. ‘She did, but they were lying on the ground. They seemed seriously hurt.’ ‘What colour was their pelt?’ The other she-cat hesitated for a moment. ‘There was so much blood that it was hard to tell, but if I had to guess, it would be gray. A similar shade of gray to your pelt.’ Her heart seemed to sink in her chest. ‘Thanks, Echomist,’ she managed to say. ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.’ The other she-cat stared at her for a moment, then left.

Willowbreeze turned to Willowkit and Minnowkit. ‘I’m sorry kits, but I need to go meet another cat.’ ‘Aww! But you promised us a badger ride!’ Minnowkit responded. Willowbreeze licked their foreheads gently. ‘I know I promised, and I always keep my promises. There’s just something I need to do first. I’ll ask Brambleberry to take care of you two while I’m gone.’

The kits squealed at the mention of the medicine cat. ‘Brambleberry always knows the best games, and she gives us sweet honey as well!’ The gray she-cat nuzzled them. ‘Then be good and listen to Brambleberry. I’ll be back before you know it.’

A spotted black-and-white she-cat was nearby, tucking into a trout. ‘Brambleberry! I need you to watch Minnowkit and Willowkit for a while. I hope you’re not too busy?’ The other she-cat shook her head. ‘Not at all, Willowbreeze. I’ll be glad to watch them while you’re gone.’

Brambleberry went on. ‘I can tell something’s bothering you. What is it?’ She was a medicine cat after all. I can’t be surprised that she knows what a cat is feeling. ‘Mapleshade has asked me to meet her on the border. I think she has my son.’ The black-and-white cat’s eyes widened. ‘Rainscale?’ She gave a small nod.

‘How did he end up back there? I thought he gave up the Dark Forest moons ago?’ Willowbreeze shook her head. ‘I know he hasn’t been training there since then. The last time I spoke with him, he had a dream about Mapleshade killing him and his sister, which I think she sent him. The dream unnerved him greatly. I warned him not to seek her out, but it seems Mapleshade managed to trick him into doing exactly that.’

The medicine cat’s eyes were round with fear. ‘Be careful, Willowbreeze. I’ve never heard of a cat dying in StarClan or the Dark Forest. I don’t know what will happen. He may be lost to you forever if Mapleshade kills him. Would you like me to come with you?’ ‘If she sees you, she may just kill him immediately. I have to go alone.’

Brambleberry touched noses with her. ‘Good luck. Don’t worry about the kits; I’ll make sure they don’t get up to any mischief.’ ‘Thank you,’ Willowbreeze replied before turning and sprinting for the StarClan border as fast as her paws would take her.

I’m going to need it.

Chapter 27: Chapter 26

Chapter Text

Crookedstar stared in dismay over the wounds opening up on his son’s body, one after another, the moss he was laying on by now more red than green Mudfur stood beside him, his gaze marked by despair.

‘He’ll be dead by dawn if he keeps getting wounded like this. I’ve tried everything I know, but unless he can fight off whatever’s causing these injuries, there’s nothing more I can do for him. I’m sorry, Crookedstar.’ The leader gave a small nod in response, motioning with his tail for him to leave.

Crookedstar headed out of camp, Silverstream following him a few paces behind. The light-brown tom sat down on the river, staring at the stars above. ‘StarClan, haven’t I lost enough? My mother, my father, my mate, two of my kits… and now you want to take a third one from me as well?’ he whispered to himself.

Silverstream sat beside him. ‘He won’t be truly gone. We will remember him for who he was; a great medicine cat and a kind littermate. Mapleshade may take his life, but his memory will live on with us.’

Crookedstar turned towards her, tearing trickling down his face. ‘If he dies, you’re the last kit I will have left,’ pulling Silverstream closer with his tail, ‘Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.’ The silver she-cat agreed, mewing quietly, ‘He risked his life to protect me. I won’t forget that.’

...

‘Rainscale!’ An ear-splitting shriek split the air; raising his head slightly, he saw a gray blur coming towards them. Mapleshade took notice as well, ceasing her attacks. Through his half-closed eyes, swollen shut from claw marks on his face, he could make out the white chest fur of the approaching cat. She’s here, he thought to himself hazily, half-conscious. Mapleshade rolled the RiverClan medicine cat over, holding him in place with unsheathed claws as she addressed the newcomer.

‘Willowbreeze,’ she meowed, hatred and triumph in her eyes, ‘How nice of you to join us.’ The grey she-cat stood trembling at the other side of the border, barely containing herself, ‘If you lay another claw on him…’ Mapleshade’s eyes gleamed. ‘Come one step closer, and your precious kit dies. He won’t even get to go to StarClan; he’ll be gone, beyond the reach of any cat, living or dead, and none of you will see him again. Wouldn’t that be nice?’ She let out a peal of laughter.

Oh. So that’s what happens when you die in StarClan. He’d always assumed he would die after many moons of service as a medicine cat to RiverClan, joining StarClan afterwards to be with the kin he never knew in life. But now that was all about to be taken away from him. He tried to loosen Mapleshade’s grip on him, struggling as hard as his wounds would let him, but she merely tightened her hold in response.

The StarClan cat spoke, ‘Mapleshade, please… let him go. He’s a medicine cat, he’s no threat to you. What would killing him accomplish? Don’t do this,’ she pleaded, ‘You know what it’s like to lose kits; why would you wish such heartbreak upon another cat?’ She must really be desperate, he thought, trying to reason with Mapleshade. A rush of affection for his mother ran through him, even when he knew her words would be fruitless.

His former mentor’s words were marked with fury, ‘You lured Crookedstar away from his destiny! I taught him his entire life to be loyal to his Clan above all things, and as soon as she sees a pretty she-cat, all of that is just forgotten in a heartbeat. I trained him to be the best warrior he could be for RiverClan, and you took that away from him!’

‘Lies!’ Willowbreeze’s voice rose. ‘You never wanted the best for him. All you wanted was to use him to your own ends of manipulating Appledusk’s descendants, because you can’t let go of something that happened so many seasons ago no cat remembers except you. I didn’t lure him away from a mentor that was making the best warrior for RiverClan he could be; I saved him from the clutches of an evil cat who wished upon him nothing but suffering! You would have done the same thing with my son,’ shooting an anguished glance at Rainscale, still flailing underneath Mapleshade’s paw, ‘if he didn’t seek out the truth for himself!’

Mapleshade continued, not seeming to notice her retort, ‘You had everything I wanted! A mate that loved you, kits of your own, the respect of your Clan… all the things that I deserved but never got. And now, I’m going to take your kit away from you and Crookedstar, to show you two what it feels like to lose those you care about the most.’ She raised her paw, and, with a snarl, scored her claws across the side of Rainscale’s throat.

The medicine cat let out a strangled cry that was cut short as the sharp points tore into the soft flesh. She released him, blood gushing from his neck like water from a spring. With what strength he had left, he tried to haul himself away from her with his front paws, but he only managed a few tail-lengths before slumping to the ground, light-headed, the world spinning around him.

‘NO!’ His mother’s yowl rang out. Swift as the wind, Willowbreeze darted at Mapleshade and drove her away from him, forcing her back with swiping claws. She fastened her teeth in her ear and tore it clean off; staggering back, the Dark Forest cat fled, spitting a last curse before turning tail and disappearing into the woods.

Willowbreeze grabbed Rainscale’s scruff between her jaws, pulling him into StarClan. She pressed her paw up against the wound in his neck, hoping to slow down the blood flow, but the bleeding showed no signs of stopping. ‘Don’t move,’ she meowed, anxiety clear in her voice, her fear-scent strong enough for him to taste even through the overwhelming stench of blood, ‘I’m going to go get Brambleberry. She can heal you. Everything will be alright, I promise.’

Rainscale shook his head gently. His wounds were too deep and too many; she would never be able to go all the way to the RiverClan camp and back in time. ‘It’s too late. I’ve lost too much blood,’ he whispered. That she didn’t reply meant that she knew as much. ‘Why did you confront her?’ she yowled, her amber eyes watering, ‘You promised me that you wouldn’t! Why, my dear son, why?’

He cast his mind back to a few sunrises ago, when he had made the decision to confront Mapleshade. It was a decision made out of fear, fear that she would hurt his sister, but also out of a desire for confrontation, to make it clear to Mapleshade that she would never control them as she had controlled their father, and perhaps of revenge as well that had led him to go against his mother’s warning. He had never thought it would lead to this.

‘I’m sorry. I know I broke my promise, but she went after Silverstream. I had to try something. I told her what I was going to do before I entered the Dark Forest. At least I got to say goodbye.’ Rainscale let out a weak chuckle at the thought of his last moments with his sister which turned into a hacking cough, the wound from his neck bleeding faster. Stars flashed before his eyes as he fought to stay awake.

‘Rainscale! Stay with me! Please…’ Willowbreeze shook him vigorously, burying her nose into his side. Her voice quavered. ‘I’ve already lost my mate and two kits, I can’t lose you as well… StarClan, how can you be so cruel?’ she wailed, screeching her grief at the starry fields beyond. Rainscale’s heart twisted with guilt. He was breaking her heart. She’s been through so much already, I can’t do this to her…

‘I have no regrets,’ he meowed weakly, his voice coming out between ragged breaths. ‘I’m glad I learned the truth, and that I had a chance to meet my StarClan kin.’ He let out a sigh. ‘That’s all I can ask for.’ Willowbreeze curled herself around him, pressing her face to his, her salty tears soaking his fur. ‘We should have been able to spend time in StarClan together; me, Crookedstar, and our four kits, but now… but now… I won’t ever see you again…’ Rainscale raised his head feebly, pushing his nose into her cheek. ‘I’m so sorry for doing this to you… Stay strong, Willowbreeze. Take care of my littermates and Crookedstar. You’re the best mother I could have had. I love you.’ Willowbreeze ran her tongue over his shredded pelt, grooming him as she had done in the RiverClan nursery so many moons ago. ‘I’ll miss you so much… My beloved kit…’ Warmth glowed within his heart. A faint smile appeared on his face as his vision faded and everything went silent.

...

‘He’s gone.’

Crookedstar’s head drooped. A set of claw-marks had appeared in the gray cat’s neck not long ago. Inwardly he had known that it would be fatal, that Mapleshade had finally made her move, but he had held out a faint hope that somehow they would survive. They had stopped breathing not long after, and as he watched, the cat’s pelt grew more and more transparent. Alarmed, Crookedstar held on to one of their paws, hoping that would stop it, but despite his gesture, his son faded, leaving behind nothing but a blood-stained nest and two mourning cats.

The old leader broke down and wept, ‘He had his entire life ahead of him, and now he’s dead… We don’t even have a body to bury…’ Silverstream stood beside him, staring at the now-empty nest where her brother had been mere heartbeats earlier, her eyes hollow with grief. ‘I can’t believe he just… disappeared. This is all my fault… If I hadn’t told him about encountering Mapleshade, he wouldn’t have gone and tried to fight her.’

Crookedstar shook his head. ‘Would he have wanted that? Imagine if you hadn’t told him about Mapleshade, and she had killed you instead. He would have been devastated that you didn’t trust him enough to confide in him, especially since he was the one who told you about her in the first place. He died trying to save you from her. Still…’ he went on, shedding more tears, ‘that doesn’t make it any easier…’

Silverstream touched her nose to his ear, trying to comfort her father. ‘What are we going to tell the Clan? They’re going to want to know where their medicine cat is.’ Crookedstar raised his head slightly, ‘I’ll call a Clan meeting in the morning to tell them he died from sickness. I’ll say that I wanted to bury him myself, and did it at night. I don’t care if we don’t have a body. We can still keep a vigil.’

The RiverClan leader and Silverstream headed to the leader’s den, and sat at its entrance, their heads raised to the star-filled night sky.

…

Rainscale’s paws felt solid ground. Surprised, he opened his eyes, finding himself on a grassy plain. Green hills and valleys stretched out before him to the horizon, with the occasional babbling brook intersecting them . Rich prey-scent filled the air, and he could see the gleaming scales of fish in a nearby lake. The moon sat in the sky, spilling silver light over the landscape. He felt as if he was a kit again, a sense of wonder and discovery that he had not felt in moons washing over him. He ran across the fields, feeling the wind through his fur. Arriving at a stream, he hooked a plump, succulent trout with his claws, and bit into the flesh, the rich taste spreading over his tongue. It’s like I’m in StarClan!

Was he the only one here? Calling out at the top of his voice, he yowled, ‘Is any cat there?’ There was no response. Rainscale’s heart sank. This place was truly idyllic, with all the prey he could ask for, but there was no other cat here.

A sudden movement on the surface of one of the small lakes nearby caught his eye. Padding over, he saw an image of two kits comforting a gray she-cat. Willowbreeze! Minnowkit! Willowkit! His spirits rose. The image changed to show the RiverClan camp, with cats gathering outside the leader’s den, a light-brown tom addressing them, a silver-gray she-cat by his side. Crookedstar! Silverstream! So I can see StarClan and the living Clans after all! Hope swelled in his heart. He would never be truly alone here.

My kin, I may not be able to be with you, in life or in death, but I love you all, and will watch over you. Always.

Chapter 28: Chapter 27

Chapter Text

Crookedstar fought to keep his eyes open as the sun glowed faintly from behind a layer of clouds that had gathered through the night. The image of his son vanishing in front of his eyes was seared into his mind. It’s like losing Willowbreeze all over again. If I had known that was the last time I would speak to him… Regret filled the leader. There’s so much more I would have said, but it’s too late now. He forced himself not to break down. I can mourn however I wish later, but the Clan needs to be told first.

Silverstream sat beside him. Her face showed similar signs of fatigue, but her eyes were still open. I failed your brother; I won’t fail you as well. I swear by StarClan, my daughter, I won’t let anything harm you, especially not Mapleshade, he thought silently. That she-cat had taken too much from him and those he cared about. The previous deaths she was just taking advantage of my misfortune, but this… she killed him with her own paws. I’m sure of it.

Gradually RiverClan awoke despite the overcast sky, with cats exiting their den to grab a piece of fresh-kill or talk with a denmate before patrols. Murmurs of conversation accompanied by occasional bouts of laughter reached the two sitting cats.

They don’t know yet. I wonder what they’ll think? Most of the Clan were already aware of the tragedy that had struck him with the death of his mate and kits. His son didn’t have any particularly good friends within RiverClan - his closest companion had been his sister Silverstream - but from what he had gathered they saw him as a skilled and compassionate medicine cat, and killing Brokenstar had earned him the Clan’s respect. A weak smile grew on his face as he remembered the Clan’s joy at the announcement.

He cursed himself for not realising that his son would not have listened to him. I should have told him how my encounter with Mapleshade went. I could have given him help in facing her, telling him about which moves she favoured and which she was weak to. Perhaps that would have been enough to save him from her? I’ll never know now.

Crookedstar climbed up the large boulder from where leaders would address their Clan. ‘Let all cats old enough to swim gather for a Clan meeting!’ His weary voice rang across the camp. RiverClan flocked around him as a mild downpour began. Oakheart called out from the crowd, ‘Crookedstar, you look exhausted. Have you been awake for the entire night?’ He gave his brother a small nod.

‘Rainscale is dead,’ he announced to his Clan. Horrified gasps filled the air. A stricken wail rang above the rest. Crookedstar saw Sunfish staring at her paws, trembling. She had raised him after Willowbreeze’s passing. This can’t be easy for her either.

‘How did he die?’ He was a young cat, with many moons ahead of him!’ Oakheart whispered. He hated lying to his Clanmates, but he told himself that he was protecting them. They don’t need to know that he was killed by a malevolent dead warrior. ‘He started coughing in the night. We tried to give him catmint and coltsfoot, but he didn’t respond to the herbs. He died not long after. Me and Silverstream wanted to bury him ourselves. I apologise to any other cat who wished to pay their last respects. We laid him to rest by the river.’ I wish it was that simple! Cats began to mew their condolences, but the RiverClan leader didn’t hear them, too lost in his own thoughts.

Silverstream spoke quietly. ‘He was the best littermate a cat could hope for, and was always there for me. With his death, I’ve not only lost my brother, but my best friend as well.’ Crookedstar gave her a lick on the ears.

‘Rainscale was a dedicated and adept medicine cat, and had a bright future ahead of him. I’m proud to have mentored him, and I lament his passing greatly,’ Mudfur meowed solemnly. ‘I will sit vigil for him tonight. He walks among our ancestors now.’ Crookedstar privately doubted that last part. He had never heard of a cat disappearing before, and while he wasn’t sure, a dark voice within told him that his son was not with StarClan.

‘So will I,’ Sunfish murmured.‘I’ve taken care of him since birth, and while I know I wasn’t his mother, my heart breaks like I’ve lost one of my own litter.’ Her three kits pressed up against her.

‘This Clan meeting is over.’ Crookedstar turned and made for the medicine den. He curled up in the blood-stained nest; he could make out the quickly-fading scent of the dead medicine cat, obscured by the stench of blood. I’ve lost another kit, possibly forever. I’m a terrible father. I can’t even protect my own kits. I don’t deserve to have them, and they’re being taken from me, one by one. He vowed that he wouldn’t do anything reckless this time and seek out Mapleshade, but he couldn’t stop the tears from trickling down his face as he sobbed, overcome with heartache and guilt. Rainscale… I’m so sorry… The thought of not being able to see his son again was too much to bear. Crookedstar collapsed into his nest, letting his sorrow take him into sleep.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself in the fields of StarClan. A white she-cat with black spots was beside him. ‘Brambleberry!’ he meowed. The medicine cat touched her tail to his shoulder. ‘I’m sorry for your loss. No cat deserves to suffer what you have by watching so many of their loved ones die.’

‘Is Rainscale with StarClan?’ he asked with a faint note of hope in his voice. Maybe he’s with his mother and littermates now? Brambleberry shook her head. ‘He’s gone, Crookedstar. We don’t know where he is, but no cat has died in StarClan before. I don’t know if there’s anything left of him. You’ll most likely never see him again.’ Her words cut his heart open as any hope he had of seeing his son again was snuffed out.

Crookedstar slumped to the ground. ‘I can’t take it anymore!’ he wailed. ’Every cat I loved has died, apart from Oakheart and Silverstream, and I’m terrified that they will be taken from me as well. With the previous deaths, I could find some comfort in reuniting with them in StarClan, but now Rainscale is gone forever. Am I destined to watch every cat I care about perish?’ The light-brown tabby pressed his face into the soft grass.

‘Crookedstar.’ A voice mewed.

The leader didn’t turn over. ‘I don’t want to hear it, Brambleberry!’ he yowled with a hint of a snarl. ‘You’ve just told me that I’ll never see my son again, and now you expect me to pretend nothing has happened and get on with being a leader? I refuse!’ Shame burned within him at taking out his grief on a cat who had shown him nothing but kindness. ‘I’m sorry. Please, I don’t want to speak with you right now. I need some time on my own.’

He felt a pelt brush against his as a cat laid beside him. ‘Then I’ll stay by your side.’ Crookedstar froze. That wasn’t Brambleberry. His heart leapt as he recognised the soft mew. He raised his head to see a she-cat with white chest fur, amber eyes and a gray pelt that was achingly similar to Rainscale’s. ‘Willowbreeze?’ he breathed. The gray cat rubbed her jaw against his and wrapped her paws around him, pushing his face into her shoulder. ‘Yes, it’s me. I’ve missed you, Crookedstar.’

‘Do you know about-’ His mate cut him off. ‘I know.’ Her eyes were red and puffy; Crookedstar could tell she had been crying. ‘Echomist told me that Mapleshade was waiting on the border with a wounded cat beside her. When I got there I saw Rainscale, who was hardly able to move. I think Mapleshade was mauling him as she waited for me to arrive. She taunted me for a while, then she tore his throat out.’ She pressed against him, shaking. ‘I chased her off, but I couldn’t save him. I cradled our kit as he faded away.’

‘Did he say anything before he died?’ he asked desperately. ‘He told me to take care of you and his littermates, and that he had no regrets.’ Her purr was choked with tears. ‘He died knowing he was loved.’ A fresh wave of anguish washed over him at hearing his son’s last words.

‘I don’t think I can bear this burden any longer. Losing you was hard enough. I just want to die,’ he admitted to her. ‘When you, Minnowkit and Willowkit passed, I considered joining you, but Rainscale and Silverstream gave me a reason to live on. Now Rainscale’s dead and gone. If Silverstream suffers the same fate… I couldn’t take it.’

Willowbreeze touched her muzzle to his. ‘I know what you mean. Rainscale’s death broke my heart too. Now I know what you must have felt when I died. Take some time to grieve. No cat could begrudge you that if they knew what really happened to him.’

Crookedstar buried his nose into his fur as he cried, letting all the emotion he had been keeping to himself until then out. Willowbreeze pressed her face to his cheek, heaving as the words came out of her. ‘I-I’m going to m-miss him s-so much… I o-only got to see him f-five times, and the l-last time I had to w-watch him be k-killed by M-Mapleshade… and I’ll never s-see him again… he’s gone… my kit… my p-precious kit…’ He murmured through his tears. ‘We’ll n-never forget you, my son. We failed you. F-Forgive us, p-please…’

The two wallowed in their shared misery for what seemed like a moon. Crookedstar eventually broke off. ‘Thank you, Willowbreeze. I… I feel a bit better now.’ ‘I do too,’ answered the gray she-cat. ‘I don’t want to leave you, but I should probably go talk to Silverstream. She and Rainscale were very close.’ Willowbreeze nuzzled him tenderly. ‘I love you, and I’ll never truly leave you, Crookedstar. I’ll be watching you from StarClan, awaiting the sunrise when we can be a family again.’ They touched noses, before Crookedstar turned to set his gaze on her for a last time. ‘Goodbye,’ he whispered, longing in his eyes, as he felt StarClan fade away and moss underneath his paws.

Paws were shaking him. Dazed, he opened his eyes to see a silver-grey she-cat standing over him.

‘Thank StarClan!’

…

Silverstream could hardly keep herself together during the Clan meeting. She padded to the warriors’ den after Crookedstar had dismissed the Clan, her eyes bleak. Rainscale’s gone. We’ve spent so much time together, and now he’s been taken from me. Guilt and fury burned in her chest. Mapleshade! She wanted nothing more than to exact her revenge by tearing the Dark Forest she-cat open. He warned me against doing this, but he’s dead now. I’m going to find Mapleshade and kill her.

She stopped for a moment. What if she kills me as well? Is this what she wants - to use his death to lure me to her? At that moment, she didn’t care. If I die, I’ll get to see my brother again. Then thoughts of Crookedstar filled her mind. I’m his last surviving kit. Minnowkit and Willowkit have been in StarClan for many moons now, and Rainscale… I don’t even think he’s with them. His body had disappeared - that doesn’t happen normally.

The silver she-cat shook her head in frustration. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, she was not sure that she could successfully avenge him. The medicine cat won their sparring matches more often than not, and Mapleshade had killed him. Maybe he managed to badly injure her? I don’t think I can risk it, because if she’s at full strength I’m dead for sure. I need some cat to talk to.

Silverstream left the warriors’ den and made her way across the camp to the nursery. I don’t think Crookedstar wants to be bothered right now. If there’s one other cat I can trust, it’s her. She calmed herself before entering. A pale blue-gray she-cat was in a nest, her belly swollen with kits. ‘Silverstream!’ Mistyfoot purred. ‘Good to see you! I was just going to ask some cat what happened during that Clan meeting. Could you tell me?’

‘She made her move.’ Mistyfoot’s face was one of bewilderment. ‘Who made her move?’ ‘Mapleshade. She visited me a few nights ago.’ The blue-gray cat’s eyes dilated. ‘Where’s Rainscale? He may know what to do.’ The silver cat didn’t respond. ‘Silverstream? Where’s your brother?’

‘He’s dead,’she whispered. ‘Crookedstar called the meeting to inform the Clan of his passing. He told them that he had died of a sudden cough. What actually happened was he was slowly killed by Mapleshade in his sleep last night. Me and Crookedstar watched as it happened, and could do nothing except stand there helplessly.’ Mistyfoot sat there unmoving for a few heartbeats, then pressed her flank against hers. ‘I’m sorry. He was a great medicine cat, and you’ve told me all about your experiences together. You clearly cared about him a lot.’ Images of a gray tom with light blue eyes flashed in front of her, and she fought to hold back the tears that welled in the corner of her eyes.

‘That’s not the worst part. I-I don’t think he made it to StarClan.’ Mistyfoot gasped. ‘His body faded away after he died. I’ve never heard of a body disappearing, but it’s not what usually happens. I don’t think he’s in the Dark Forest - he was killed there, but I doubt he’s with our mother and sisters either. I’ve never heard of a cat being killed in their dreams before.’

‘Then where is he?’ Silverstream shook her head. ‘I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s somewhere the living Clans can reach. The only places we can contact are StarClan and the Place of No Stars, and if he’s not in either one, then…’

‘I feel so guilty! I told him that Mapleshade came to find me, he went to find her, and she killed him. I sent my own brother to his death,’ she cried, ‘and I can’t even tell him I’m sorry!’ Mistyfoot put a paw around her. ‘You didn’t send him to his death. He made his own choice to try and protect you by seeking out Mapleshade. You’re not to blame here. Imagine if you had died because you didn’t tell him about your dreams. How would he have felt?’

Silverstream wiped her eyes. ‘He… he would be heartbroken that I didn’t trust him.’ ‘Exactly. He would be going through what you are now.’ Her mew became gentler. ‘I couldn’t imagine life without Stonefur,’ she murmured. The silver cat pricked her ears. ‘Really?’ Mistyfoot nodded. ‘He may act tough, but he’s as sweet as honey towards the cats he cares about.’

Silverstream purred sadly. ‘Reminds me of my own brother…’ She remembered Rainscale chasing her all the way to WindClan when she had run off and fighting three cats that had attacked her, her tackling Blackfoot, who had pinned him down and was about to kill him, and the many sparring sessions they had. A bittersweet smile appeared on her face. We had some fun memories, didn’t we?

‘If you ever want to talk, I’ll be here for you.’ Mistyfoot offered. Silverstream purred and brushed muzzles with her. ‘Thank you. I need to check on Crookedstar now. I’m worried about him.’ ‘Good luck,’ the blue-gray cat meowed.

Silverstream headed for the leader’s den, expecting to find her father there, but it was empty. Where is he? She checked the warriors’ and apprentices’ dens as well, with no luck. If he’s not in here, she thought as she padded towards the medicine den, I need to search the territory.

Crookedstar was lying in a nest inside. Relief filled Silverstream, which was short-lived as she realised the nest he was in was stained with blood. Images of her brother’s death came flooding back to her. Not you too! She rushed over to him and shook him frantically. ‘Crookedstar! Father!’

The light-brown tom grunted and opened his eyes, blinking.

‘Thank StarClan!’ she exclaimed.

…

‘Wha- Silverstream? What are you doing?’ She nuzzled him. ‘I thought you had gone to fight Mapleshade! I came in to see you in this nest, and I panicked.’ He got to his paws. ‘I considered it, believe me, but no. This was Rainscale’s nest where he… I saw Willowbreeze. She said she was with him in his last moments. He told her to take care of us and that he had no regrets.’

‘I’m guessing he’s not with StarClan then?’ Crookedstar sighed heavily. ‘No. He’s not. Brambleberry said no cat had died in StarClan, and she didn’t know where he was, or if his spirit still remains. He’s gone for good, Silverstream.’ The she-cat broke down. ‘I didn’t think he was in StarClan either… His body vanishing suggested as much… I held out a tiny hope that he wasn’t truly gone…’

He remembered his talk with Willowbreeze. ‘Don’t suppress your grief. Let it out.’ Silverstream nodded, pressing her nose into his fur as she started crying, interspersed with insults directed at Mapleshade and reminiscence of her times with her littermate. Crookedstar put a paw on her forehead. ‘I won’t pretend I didn’t do the same thing you are now when I was with your mother in StarClan,’ he admitted.

Silverstream looked at him. ‘R-Really?’ she asked through her tears. ‘How could I not? He’s my kit as well as your brother. I care for him as much as you do, and his loss pains me equally. Willowbreeze was in a similar state.’

‘W-What happens now?’ Crookedstar sighed again. ‘I really don’t know. Part of me wants to move on from his death as quickly as possible, but that would seem like we’re trying to forget about him. Another part of me wants to grieve in my den for the next moon straight, but that’s not going to happen either. I don’t think he would have wanted us to be miserable and remain in mourning for the rest of our lives.’

‘We won’t forget him,’ Silverstream mewed quietly. ‘He may be dead and out of reach, but we can ensure that his memory stays alive through us.’ Crookedstar agreed. ‘Mapleshade can’t take that away.’ They headed to the entrance of the den, staring at the sky. ’Rainscale. Thank you for what you did. We’ll always remember you. Wherever you are, may you find good fishing, swift running and shelter when you sleep.’ He knew his deceased son couldn’t hear him, but the words of the ancient blessing provided some comfort. ‘May the sun warm your back and the fish leap into your paws,’ Silverstream added.

As if in response, the clouds above them began to dissipate, and a ray of sunlight shone upon the camp.

Chapter 29: Chapter 28

Chapter Text

The lakes shimmered to life, showing in them images of screeching, battling cats. A blue-eyed cat jumped to their paws. It’s not half-moon. Why are the lakes showing me the living Clans? They had noticed that they could only see StarClan most of the time, with the exception of when the moon was half full, where they would show the four Clans by the lake instead, which they were now doing despite the moon being no more than a claw-scratch in the sky. StarClan must be in danger then, remembering the last time this had happened, when the forest had been destroyed.

They looked at one of the reflections in the water. A dark brown tom stalked towards a gray she-cat who was protecting three kits, hissing in defiance. The blue-eyed cat watched on with sorrow as the brown cat laughed, and with a blaze of speed, dashed towards his opponent; gripping her neck with his jaws, he bit down before she had time to react. She twitched twice before lying still, the kits behind her huddling together in fear.

Rainscale sighed and looked away. That’s another life Brokenstar has taken. The former medicine cat had thought the tyrannical leader’s reign would end with his death, but he had instead risen with the rest of the Dark Forest to inflict vengeance on the living Clans, who now found themselves locked in a battle for survival. I should have taken all of his lives when I had the chance. He sent a prayer to StarClan for the dead she-cat. May your paws be guided swiftly to those of your ancestors, whoever you are.

He turned his sight back to the lake. The Clans seemed to be holding their own, with StarClan warriors and another group of ghostly cats he didn’t recognise assisting them, but the tide of the Dark Forest seemed endless. Rainscale scratched at the grassy floor angrily. I would give anything to fight with RiverClan again, but here I am, trapped beyond both the living Clans and StarClan. At least I can see those I care about… A surge of anxiety ran through him at the thought of his kin. Were they in the battle, or worse, already fatally wounded? He scanned the other lakes beside him, trying to catch a glimpse of any of them, but most of them showed only a mass of indistinguishable pelts.

His eyes detected movement beside him. A tortoiseshell was curled up nearby. How did they-Mapleshade! Horror replaced the confusion that had filled him a heartbeat ago. The name of his killer rang in his mind as memories of blinding pain as thorn-sharp claws sliced his neck and the last words that he whispered to Willowbreeze as he bled to death flooded him. How did she reach me here? It doesn’t matter; I’m not letting her kill me again! He darted towards them, claws extended. The cat let out a screech of pain as he raked his claws across their ear. Blood sprayed across the green meadow. His opponent caught him with a glancing blow, grazing his shoulder. Rainscale ignored the pain, and leaped, in a move that he remembered practicing with Silverstream all those moons ago.

He landed squarely on the cat’s back, forcing them to the ground with his weight. They struggled, but couldn’t throw him off. Rainscale rained blows on the cat’s flanks, opening up angry red wounds wherever his claws struck. Satisfaction ran through him. I will make you pay for all you’ve done. Taking no notice of their cries, he prepared to sink his teeth into the cat’s neck. ‘Any last words, Mapleshade?’ His voice shook with emotion.

‘Mapleshade? I’m not… Mapleshade,’ the cat managed to gasp out. Rainscale’s heart dropped. That voice was too gentle to be from the Dark Forest cat. He sprung off his target, noticing for the first time how neat their fur was. Mapleshade never keeps herself this well-groomed. The cat raised their head, and both of them could only stare in shock at each other.

‘Spottedleaf?!’

‘Rainscale?!’

It had been many moons since he had seen the ThunderClan medicine cat, but she didn’t look any older than when they had last met; if anything, she looked younger. The tortoiseshell staggered to her paws and slashed him across the face with a claw, blood welling from the cut. Rainscale didn’t try to dodge. I deserve that one. ‘Why did you attack me?!’ she demanded furiously. ‘And where am I?’ The gray cat stepped back hastily. ‘I’m really sorry, Spottedleaf. I thought you were a different cat. Come with me. I have a den nearby with herbs and prey. I’ll explain everything I know there.’

Rainscale led the way to a cavern by the river. It was a simple formation, about seven tail-lengths deep. A nest was tucked in a far corner; on the other, a modest amount of commonly used herbs among the Clans were stocked. The two cats entered. ‘Wait here for a moment,’ the gray tom called as he dove into the water. Spotting a bream near the riverbed, he kicked out and with a claw, hooked the fish and made his way to the surface. Thank you, StarClan, for this prey. Carrying it in his jaws, he entered the den and bit into it, the rich taste rejuvenating him. ‘Want some?’ he offered to Spottedleaf. The she-cat wrinkled her nose, ‘I’ll pass.’

He devoured the fish in a few mouthfuls, then moved to the herb store, but to his surprise Spottedleaf was already there, applying cobwebs onto her wounds. Right, she’s also a medicine cat. Forgot about that. To the astonishment of them both however, the wounds were on their way to healing already. The bleeding had ceased, and Rainscale could make out the pink scar tissue beginning to form. No cat would heal that fast on their own. So this place has healing properties? I never knew that, but then again, there hasn’t been anything here to injure me, even if I keep a store of herbs in case of emergencies.

‘Now that I’m not dying any more, what is this place? And how did you end up here?’ Spottedleaf asked. Rainscale shook his head. He wasn’t too sure where they were himself, even after being here for countless moons. He certainly hadn’t expected any cat to join him. Maybe how she ended up here could give him some clues? ‘To be truthful, even though I’ve been here for longer than I can remember, I don’t fully understand this place either. I didn’t know this place increased the healing rate of wounds,’ he responded, pointing to the claw-marks on her back. ‘All I know for certain is that cats here have died at least once. What happened before you came here?’

‘Sit down. This is going to take a while, since I have to explain everything that has happened since I last saw you. You died of greencough, didn’t you?’ Spottedleaf meowed. Rainscale shook his head. ‘No. I was murdered. Most cats were told I died of greencough because it was more convenient than what really happened.’ Spottedleaf’s eyes rounded with sympathy. ‘I’m so sorry.’ ‘It’s alright. The truth wouldn’t have done them any good. Anyways, your story?’

Spottedleaf continued. ‘About ten moons after you passed, Bluestar accepted a flame-coloured kittypet into ThunderClan, who took the name Firepaw. There was a prophecy that I received from StarClan; fire will save the Clan. I became quite enamoured with the young tom. He was a quick learner, kind-hearted, and… very handsome.’

You’re a medicine cat! You can’t fall in love! He stopped himself from saying those words. If she’s going to be here from now on, I’d rather welcome her as a friend than aggravate her and be stuck with an angry she-cat. ‘ShadowClan led an attack on ThunderClan two moons after. I noticed one of their cats, Clawface, trying to steal kits from the nursery. I tried to stop him, but he killed me, and I ascended to StarClan.’ Rainscale’s mind whirred. So she had died not long after he did and joined StarClan, but then how was she here?’ ‘My condolences. Were the kits found?’

Spottedleaf nodded. ‘After that, I watched over Firepaw, now Fireheart, from StarClan. I watched him foil Tigerclaw’s attempted takeover of ThunderClan, help lead ThunderClan when Bluestar was still suffering after her deputy’s betrayal, and find a living mate in Sandstorm. I wish I could have been his,’ she sighed regretfully, ‘but that was never meant to be. I gave him a life for love when he became Firestar, but not much happened after that, until about fifteen moons ago.’

Rainscale could guess what she was about to say. ‘This is about the Dark Forest rising, isn’t it?’ Spottedleaf stared at him. ‘How did you know?’ ‘I have my ways. Sorry for interrupting,’ Rainscale mewed.

‘In any case, yes, you are right, the Dark Forest had been gathering strength for the past few seasons, and they invaded last night. StarClan and a group of cats that lived here long before the Clans known as the Ancients helped the Clans. I know I’m a medicine cat, but I wanted to help. During the battle, a cat named Mapleshade had grabbed Sandstorm in her jaws and was slowly choking her to death, snarling something about Sandstorm having everything she had wanted.’ He recognised Mapleshade’s words. That’s the same thing she said to Willowbreeze before she killed me.

‘I rammed into Mapleshade, saving Sandstorm, but she mortally wounded me. I saw Firestar for the last time in my final moments, then everything went black. I fully expected to never wake up again, but instead I found myself here. Getting attacked by you,’ she added pointedly. Rainscale stared at his paws sheepishly like an apprentice being told off by their mentor. ‘I’m sorry…’

Spottedleaf flicked him over the ear. ‘No harm done. Literally,’ she commented, turning around to see her wounds mending. ‘Were you alone before I came here?’ Rainscale gave a mew of affirmation. ‘You must have been on your own for seasons upon seasons then. No wonder you were startled. You thought I was Mapleshade, which is why you attacked me. Do you have a history with her as well?’

‘I do.’ Rainscale’s mew was subdued. He didn’t say anything more. ‘It’s fine if you don’t want to talk about it-’ Spottedleaf began, before the former RiverClan cat cut her off. ‘No, I do, but just not here.’ He pointed a paw at the rocky surfaces. ‘As much as I like this place as a den, I want to stretch my legs, and I need some time to think about how to explain it.’ He got to his paws. ‘Let’s go.’

The tortoiseshell rose and followed him outside of the den. They trekked across the rolling green fields, crossing the occasional body of water, much to Spottedleaf’s annoyance, until Rainscale stopped on a small hill. A pleasantly warm breeze swept across their pelts as they gazed at the landscape below them. Streams and rivers, their surfaces covered in a turquoise sheen, cut across the verdant landscape of rolling peaks and valleys with no end in view, from which the earliest rays of the sun were beginning to extend across the horizon, casting a warm golden-red glow across it all, in a sight familiar to Rainscale but unseen before to the previous StarClan resident.

‘It’s breathtaking… so picturesque…’ Spottedleaf murmured. ‘I come here when I wish to be at peace and think things through,’ the other medicine cat answered, ‘and I have now. You want to know what happened to me, and how I ended up here, yes?’ She dipped her head.

Rainscale’s mind swarmed with images of his life in RiverClan. Taking a deep breath, he cleared it and began to speak. ‘I had never known my mother, Willowbreeze. She had died along with two of my sisters before me and Silverstream, my surviving sister whom you’ve met, had opened our eyes. I think one of the things that drove me to become a medicine cat, maybe unconsciously, was wanting to see them.’ Spottedleaf gave a comforting mew. ‘When Mudfur brought me to the Moonstone to be apprenticed; you should remember, you were there, instead of finding myself in StarClan when I dreamed, I found myself in a place I now know is the Dark Forest, where a certain tortoiseshell agreed to train me in absolute secrecy.’

The tortoiseshell gasped. Rainscale looked at her questioningly. ‘I thought I told you this when I was alive?’ he asked. ‘No, you did, but how could have you been such a mouse-brain? That obviously wasn’t StarClan! Have you heard tales about StarClan being a dark and mysterious place?’

Rainscale’s fur bristled along his spine, but his anger was directed at himself more than the other cat. ‘I was an apprentice! I knew nothing about anything else other than StarClan and the living world; of course I would assume that the first place I reached was StarClan! You know the worst part? She managed to convince me that my own mother was a manipulative and selfish cat who betrayed Crookedstar!’

His shoulders drooped. ‘You’re right. I was a fish-brain. I could have prevented my death and the heartbreak that it caused my kin if I just hadn’t believed her. Perhaps it just runs in my bloodline, since my father was tricked by Mapleshade too, to the point where he thought every cat he loved was dying because of a promise he made…’ He pressed his face into his paws and let his teardrops soak into his fur.

A tail-tip rubbed against his face. ‘I-I’m sorry, I never realised what you and Crookedstar went through.’ Spottedleaf’s mew came from above. Rainscale blinked his eyes clear. ‘It’s not your fault. Almost any other cat would have said the same thing,’ he muttered. ‘Would you like to continue your story?’ the tortoiseshell asked.

He cleared his throat. ‘On the night I got my medicine cat name, I figured out the truth when I managed to find the border between the Dark Forest and StarClan.’ A shocked exclamation came from Spottedleaf. ‘I met Willowbreeze for the first time, and she helped me realise how Mapleshade had been tricking me, which is when I turned my back on the Dark Forest. I promised myself I would never go there again after that.’

Rainscale went on. ‘The next three moons were largely peaceful. I met my deceased littermates in StarClan,’ he mewed, his features lightening for a moment at the thought of his free-spirited, mischievous sisters, ‘warned Silverstream of the threat posed by Mapleshade, defeated Brokenstar, and helped negotiate peace between our Clans.’ He dipped his head in acknowledgement to Spottedleaf. ‘During this time, Mapleshade was gradually somewhat pushed to the back of my mind; I hadn’t been visited by her, and I thought I had escaped her hold on me.’

‘Then, on the fourth moon, at the Moonstone, as I was in StarClan with Willowbreeze, Mapleshade sent me a dream. In it, she killed my sister Silverstream, then killed me as well. I was terrified that she had actually killed my sister, so I left early to make sure she was safe.’ Spottedleaf’s eyes lit up with understanding. ‘So that’s where you were. You had vanished by the time the other medicine cats were awake, and we tried searching for you, but couldn’t find you. Then we received the news a few sunrises later that you had died.’

The former RiverClan cat continued. ‘When I had gotten back to the RiverClan camp, Silverstream told me that she had been visited by Mapleshade. I waited for a few nights until my father was out of camp; he had warned me against fighting her. I didn’t listen and dreamt my way to the Dark Forest to confront her, and we fought.’

His voice began to shake. ‘She defeated me, incapacitated me, and dragged me to the border with StarClan, where she then tormented me while she waited for my mother to arrive. Then, in front of Willowbreeze, she tore my throat open with her claws.’ Rainscale trembled as memories of Mapleshade’s claws digging into his neck, and Willowbreeze’s heartbroken yowl as he slumped to the ground ran through his mind. ‘Willowbreeze chased her off, and tried to save me, but I had lost too much blood. I had enough time to say my farewell and tell my mother I had no regrets before I died, and found myself in this place. I’ve been here ever since, with nothing except my own memories for company.’

Spottedleaf remained silent for a moment, as if trying to comprehend what had happened to her RiverClan counterpart. ‘I’m sorry I had to make you relive your worst memories,’ she mewed quietly, pressing her pelt against his reassuringly. Rainscale shook his head. ‘I don’t mind. I’ve never gotten to share my story with any cat before, and I’m glad that I was able to with a cat that I trust. Thank you. Besides, with your journey and mine, I think I know what this place is now. Of course, I can’t be sure, given that there have only been two cases, but this is my best guess.’ Spottedleaf tilted her head curiously as he spoke.

‘This is where cats that die in StarClan go. You were a StarClan warrior and were killed, and I was a living cat who died in StarClan. As far as I’m aware, Dark Forest cats do not come here - we would be getting overrun by them by now if that was the case, given the battle raging in the Clans. That also explains why there are so few cats here; it’s almost unheard of for a StarClan warrior to die, even less so for a Clan cat to die in StarClan. I mean, a StarClan cat would have to have thistle-fluff for brains to get themselves killed-’ Spottedleaf smacked him with a paw, thankfully this time with claws sheathed.

‘I have one last thing to show you.’ He got to his paws again. ‘This place may be out of reach of StarClan and the living Clans with no way of contacting them, but that doesn’t mean we’re totally apart. There is one way which you can see them from here, even if they don’t know it.’

Spottedleaf followed him to the spot where he found her. ‘This is where we were before. Why have you brought me back here?’ Rainscale motioned to the lakes. ‘Look into the water.’ The former StarClan cat gave him a quizzical look. ‘Trust me.’ She turned her head, and he heard a gasp of astonishment. ‘Tigerstar!’ He whipped his head around and raced over.

Sure enough, the water showed the massive brown tabby that he recognised from his visit to ThunderClan. He was clearly worse for wear, bearing multiple scratches down his legs and a torn ear, but he still stood tall. A ginger tom stood opposite him, his muscles tensed to spring. ‘Firestar…’ Spottedleaf murmured, longing in her voice. Rainscale had heard the name brought up by StarClan cats a lot, but he had only glimpsed the ThunderClan leader once or twice. ‘You still care for him, even after all these moons, don’t you?’ She gave a small nod.

The two cats rushed at each other. Tigerstar swiped at his opponent with a massive paw, but Firestar nimbly evaded the blow, racing past the Dark Forest cat, drawing his claws across his side. The tabby snarled, seemingly more irritated than hurt, and charged his opponent again. They reared up and swiped; Tigerstar aimed a blow at Firestar’s neck, and Spottedleaf let out a gasp of horror as it connected, but his grip was clumsy, and didn’t manage to break through the skin.

Firestar attacked relentlessly, throwing paw after paw at Tigerstar. The dark tabby retaliated, landing claw marks across Firestar’s face and even managing to land another blow down the side of his neck, but the ThunderClan cat ignored his wounds, even when his flame-coloured pelt was red with blood. He knocked his adversary to the ground and lowered his jaws, biting down and killing Tigerstar, who faded away with a snarl.

Spottedleaf let out a breath. Rainscale noticed the other Dark Forest cats fleeing - Tigerstar must have been their leader. So the battle’s over. I hope RiverClan didn’t take too many losses. He was about to turn away when lightning flashed across the water; at the moment the bolt hit a tree, Firestar’s legs gave out from underneath him and he collapsed.

‘Firestar! No!’ Spottedleaf screeched. Rainscale saw other cats crowding around the fallen leader, trying to revive him, but after a few moments they stopped, realising it was hopeless. Eight StarClan warriors appeared - the warriors who gave Firestar his nine lives, he guessed. Firestar’s spirit rose from his body and joined them, before they disappeared.

Spottedleaf broke down. ‘He’s dead… and I’ll never see him again…’ Rainscale padded up to her. ‘I’m sorry that he died, but you were wrong when you said that you would never see him again.’ She turned around slowly. ‘What do you mean?’ ‘These pools of water usually show StarClan. It’s only during half-moon, or in this case times where StarClan is in crisis that the living Clans are shown. Firestar is in StarClan now. You will be able to see him from here.’ Her eyes lit up with relief and delight. I need to warn her. I don’t want her to go through what I did.

‘When I first arrived, I would spend every waking moment watching my kin in StarClan. Seeing these cats and knowing that I have no way of talking to them, however, only brought me pain. It took me a long time to accept that I have spoken with my mother, father and sisters for the last time. I wouldn’t advise you to spend too much time looking into these pools. I won’t stop you, but until you have accepted that those you see are forever beyond your reach, they will only serve to torment you,’ Rainscale told her.

Spottedleaf sighed. ‘I know you’re right, but… it’s weird. I don’t feel dead! I feel perfectly alive, even though I know I was just killed by Mapleshade not long ago. At least I have some other cat here for company to help me get through it. It must have been so much worse for you.’

A shadow crossed the former RiverClan cat’s face. ‘I don’t want to talk about it,’ he meowed as he turned away, shuddering as he recalled his first moon here; images of him shrieking and crying helplessly at the pools of water filling him. I nearly lost my mind then. I couldn’t fathom that I would never share tongues with Willowbreeze, or have Crookedstar fuss over me whenever I got injured, or tell Silverstream about our StarClan kin again, and it still hurts now, even after all these seasons. I miss them so much…

‘So… what happens now?’ Rainscale relaxed, his mind clearing. ‘This place is absolutely massive - I’ve walked all around this place and still haven’t reached its borders. It’s similar to StarClan, except with, you know, only two cats. There’s more prey here than I know what to do with, and I almost always eat fish, so that leaves you all the land prey.’ He would have liked her to join him - the cave, while comfortable, was very lonely, and having a friend there could hopefully alleviate that, but he wasn’t going to insist on it. ‘You’re free to do whatever you want.’

‘Well… I was thinking maybe I could… come live with you?’ Spottedleaf asked timidly. Rainscale was surprised by her request. ‘Are you sure? You’ve seen where I live; it’s not exactly the best suited for cats who don’t swim or like getting wet, being right next to a river and all.’

`The other medicine cat answered, sounding a bit more certain this time. ‘I know it’s going to be difficult, getting through the first few moons without any of the cats I had grown so used to in StarClan beside me, and I can tell that even though you try to hide it, your past and not being able to see your parents and littermates still causes you grief. I thought that we could help each other with that. As for swimming, I’m no longer a ThunderClan cat. I’m sure I could learn. If I’m welcome to stay with you, of course.’

‘If you’re welcome? Of course you’re welcome!’ Rainscale purred. ’It gets so lonely in that cave that I’ve taken to speaking with the fish in the river! It will be nice to have another cat to talk to.’ He noticed the sun had risen so that it was halfway peeking out from behind the horizons.

‘There’s a spot by the cave where moss grows; you can gather some there to make your nest. I’m going to get some rest. I could sleep for a moon! Especially after hearing you talk for so long.’ he added nonchalantly. Spottedleaf’s eyes lit up with mock anger and mischief. ‘What did you say?’ He took off across the grass. She chased after him. ‘Get back here, fish-face!’

As he sprinted across the meadow with his pursuer close behind, Rainscale could be sure of one thing. Life here would be a lot better with Spottedleaf.

Chapter 30: Chapter 29

Chapter Text

‘So… I haven’t asked you about this, but did you speak with any of my kin in StarClan?’ The question popped into Rainscale’s head as they sat in their nests. I can’t believe I haven’t asked her this yet!

Spottedleaf turned around, her eyes illuminating. ‘Of course! You must be desperate to know how they’re doing. I know you can see them through the lakes, but yes, I have spoken to them a few times, once not long before I joined you here, actually.’

‘How are they? I know Silverstream died of blood loss while kitting,’ Rainscale meowed sorrowfully, remembering seeing his sister spasm and twitch at Sunningrocks as her lifeblood flowed out of her while he could do nothing but watch. The medicine cat was aware of who the kits’ father was. He had seen her romance with the ThunderClan warrior Graystripe blossom - part of him wished Crookedstar had been harsher on her to stop, but he couldn’t begrudge his sister. If she was happy with him, Rainscale didn’t think he would have interfered, even if he wished it hadn’t ended in such tragedy. At least Mapleshade didn’t get her like she got both me and Spottedleaf. ‘Didn’t her kits survive? There was a she-kit and a tom-kit, weren’t there?’

The tortoiseshell spoke. ‘Yes, but the she-kit, Feathertail, died saving another group of cats in the faraway mountains named the Tribe of the Rushing Water. You know the Ancients who helped the Clans during the battle with the Dark Forest? The Tribe are their descendants, as are we.’ Rainscale tilted his head in confusion.

‘Countless seasons ago, far before either you or I was born, the Tribe was starving in the mountains. A group of cats in the Tribe decided to head out for greener lands beyond, and they would eventually form the Clans we now know. The cats that stayed behind are the Tribe of Rushing Water.’ The former RiverClan cat’s voice was hushed. ‘And my sister’s daughter died saving them.’

Spottedleaf dipped her head. ‘Feathertail goes between the Tribe’s ancestors, the Tribe of Endless Hunting, and StarClan. The tom-kit, Stormfur, joined the Tribe when the Clans moved to the lake to be with a cat he loved - Brook Where Small Fish Swim, I think it was? I don’t know much about him after that, but apparently he’s a father now.’

Rainscale relaxed. ‘Sounds like they’re doing well for themselves.’ I wonder if they know about Mapleshade’s vengeance? It doesn’t seem to have affected them in any way, and with both Silverstream and myself dead the only cats that knew were Stonefur, Mistystar and Crookedstar. My father wouldn’t have wanted to scare them, and I don’t think the other two would have wanted to tell them about such a thing. Do they even know I exist?

‘Do Feathertail and Stormfur know who I am?’ The tortoiseshell paused for a moment. ‘Feathertail knows that Silverstream had a brother, and that he vanished around twenty moons before her litter was born. Crookedstar told her what happened to you and of Mapleshade. Stormfur doesn’t know, but I’m sure one of your kin will tell him after he joins the ranks of StarClan, or when he visits from the Tribe of Endless Hunting.’

‘It’s better this way,’ he murmured, even as a pang of grief flowed through him. I should have been there to meet them. He changed the subject. ‘How are my parents and littermates?’ He knew he could look through the pools anytime he wanted, but he tried to avoid them as much as he could for fear of being overcome by loss.

Spottedleaf’s features brightened. ‘I’ve met your sisters, Minnowkit and Willowkit. They are the cutest things ever! Silverstream spends a lot of time with them, playing moss-ball and hide-and-seek. Crookedstar and Willowbreeze were overjoyed to be mates again in StarClan, and they never seem to leave each other’s side. Last I saw them, your kin were doing well. You don’t have to worry.’

‘Do they remember me?’ Rainscale asked hesitantly, half-dreading the answer. Her gaze softened. ‘They do. I thought your parents had forgotten when I first saw them, but as soon as I brought your name up I saw their eyes fill with anguish and heartbreak. They haven’t stopped missing you since you died, and I saw them cry once when talking about you. They said they would give anything to speak with you again.’

The RiverClan cat didn’t know how to feel. He was thankful that his parents still remembered him after so many seasons, but a wave of guilt swept over him at the thought of his death causing them to grieve for this long.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t know you were alive. I could have reassured them,’ Spottedleaf mewed. Rainscale shook his head. ‘There was, and is, still no way of StarClan knowing of this place. Unless a cat somehow comes close enough to death to reach this place, like living cats with StarClan, then recover quickly enough to remain with the living, we will never be able to speak with them. You couldn’t have done anything about it.’

He exhaled. ‘At least I haven’t been forgotten. Anyways, enough about me. I’ve noticed you spending quite a lot of time by the lakes. How are your loved ones?’ He didn’t know what had happened to her brother Redtail, or any kits from any of her litter, if there were any.

The tortoiseshell answered mutely. ‘I know most of my kin are safe, and thankfully I have had many moons to spend with Redtail and Willowpelt.’ She shot him a consoling glance. ‘My parents, Swiftbreeze and Adderfang, who passed away before you were born, didn’t come to see us very often, but they were still tender towards me and my littermates, and I know they still love each other. Instead, most of my time has been spent watching… Firestar.’

‘How is he?’ Spottedleaf’s head drooped. ‘He hasn’t even mentioned me once. All he talks about is Sandstorm and how he wishes she could be in StarClan with him,’ she whispered miserably. ‘I waited by the lake for so long, hoping to hear a trance that he still cares about me, but it seems that his memory of me died alongside my life in StarClan.’

Rainscale didn’t know what to do. I was a medicine cat! How do you expect me to fix a broken heart? ‘You can’t blame him for thinking about Sandstorm so much,’ he mewed tentatively. ‘She has been his mate since he became a leader, and they had two kits together. Didn’t you die before he became a warrior?’ He braced himself for a harsh retort, but it didn’t come.

Her shoulders slumped. ‘It’s not fair!’ she wailed at the sky. ‘I shouldn’t have died so early, but even when Clawface killed me, I didn’t lose hope that I would be with Firestar. Then, just before he joins StarClan, I am taken away from it, to a place where no cat can reach me. Why?’ she screeched.

Resentment burned inside the former RiverClan cat’s chest at her words. At least you had many moons in StarClan, even as he told himself that he shouldn’t think like this. Guess who never had that luxury? Me. You didn’t grow up not knowing your mother. You didn’t have to be haunted by the spectre of an evil she-cat throughout your life. You didn’t have to spend who knows how many seasons alone, tormented constantly by memories of your excruciating death.

I’m not going to yowl at her like I did with Silverstream when she ran off to the Moonstone. I’ll go take a walk. She clearly needs some time alone, and I need to rid myself of these bitter thoughts.

‘Rainscale?’ He heard Spottedleaf’s questioning mew, but he didn’t turn around and left the cave.

He made his way to the location where he had told her his story when she had first arrived. The gray tom sat down and closed his eyes as he let his mind wander.

Spottedleaf’s words had drawn up questions that he had tried to suppress since arriving here. Why did I have to die? I was only a few moons past my medicine cat ceremony when Mapleshade murdered me. Who knows what I could have done if I had been able to live out the rest of the moons I had left? Maybe I could have discovered a new herb that could help RiverClan, or trained long enough to defeat Mapleshsade, or even have fallen in love with a cat and had kits of my own.

So many possibilities, all out of his reach now.

He didn’t regret his decision to face Mapleshade that night, even if it was ultimately the direct cause of his death. I couldn’t have just stood by and done nothing. I couldn’t have lived with myself if my sister was killed. I just wish it didn’t lead to this. My kin don’t even know I’m alive. As far as they’re aware, my spirit is gone forever.

They said they would give anything to speak with you again. Spottedleaf’s words about his father and mother rang in his ears. I would too. Believe me. I should have cherished the time with them more. Regret filled him. It’s too late now. There’s nothing I can do about it.

He heard pawsteps behind him. Rainscale didn’t bother turning around. There’s only one other cat here, and at this point, if Mapleshade somehow finds a way here, so be it. ‘What do you want?’

Spottedleaf’s voice sounded from behind him. ‘Listen, Rainscale, I’m sorry. I know I was being insensitive with what I said. I was too absorbed in my own misery to think about what you had been through. I should have valued the time that I did have in StarClan, rather than lament the time that I didn’t.’

The former RiverClan cat turned to face her. ‘I understand what you said what you did, and I’m sorry that Firestar has forgotten you. I was simply trying to explain from his point of view why that may have happened. I don’t mean to rub it in your face, but remember what I said when you first came here? Those lakes will only serve to torment you until you have accepted that you are forever out of reach of those you see in them. It’s heart-wrenching, but it’s the only way. I won’t pretend that I have done so completely, but I can get on with things here as usual.’

‘I’m not asking you to forget about the cats you love, or loved. Treasure the memories you shared, and the time you spent with them. But acknowledge that they are in the past. Only in this way will you be able to move forward.’

The tortoiseshell gazed at him. ‘There is something I need to do.’

She walked towards the lakes, Rainscale following behind her. Spottedleaf walked by one of the pools showing an image of a flame-coloured tom. He stood at a respectful distance as she began to speak.

‘Firestar, I know you can’t hear me, but I have something to say to you. Thank you. Watching you grow from a kittypet new to the ways of Clan life into the wise and compassionate leader of ThunderClan has been an honour and a pleasure, even if I could only walk beside you for a short time. I can only say that I am so proud of the cat you have become.’

Her voice shook slightly as she went on. ‘I had hoped we would eventually become mates, but it seems that fate has decreed otherwise. I see now that you love Sandstorm with all your heart, and I’m overjoyed.that you’ve found a cat that has been willing to stick beside you throughout your life. All I wanted was to see you happy with a cat you truly cared for, and now that I’m sure you’ve found her, I am at peace. I wish you all the best. Farewell, my love,’ she whispered, touching her nose to the surface of the water.

Spottedleaf stood there for a moment, as if recollecting the memories that she had in StarClan and with the flame-pelted tom, then stepped back.

‘Did that help?’ Rainscale asked quietly. She gave an affirming mew. ‘It did. I’ll always still care for Firestar, but I need to accept that I am not his mate; Sandstorm is. This is the first pawstep.’

The moon began to rise in front of them, cloaking the land in lustrous light. The former RiverClan cat caught sight of a familiar dark gray kit in a nearby lake. Minnowkit! Rainscale raced over. Sure enough, his tiny sister was on Silverstream’s back, squealing with delight as she carried her across the river, water splashing on her whiskers. A sense of wistfulness and longing swept over him as he dipped his head to the water surface.

Crookedstar, Willowbreeze, and my littermates. I’m sorry that I had to leave you all so early, and that my passing has left a hole in our family. I should have listened to your advice, mother. Perhaps this could all have been avoided if I hadn’t gone to seek Mapleshade out.

But I do not regret my decision. I could not stand by and watch as Mapleshade threatened my sister. I made my own choice to face her, and I would do it all again in a heartbeat. My only wish, Crookedstar, Minnowkit and Willowkit, is that I could have said goodbye.

Don’t mourn me any longer. You have all been through too much heartbreak to spend any more time grieving. You’re all together in StarClan safely, which is ultimately what I wanted to see. My sacrifice was not in vain.

It was all worth it.

May StarClan light your paths.

Chapter 31: Chapter 30

Chapter Text

‘Mapleshade, please! You don’t have to do this!’

The dark tortoiseshell stood over him, teeth bared. He heard his mother’s voice come from somewhere behind him. He craned his neck to try to catch a glimpse of her, thrashing with whatever energy he could muster, but the Dark Forest cat’s grip was too strong.

His killer laughed. ‘You’ll understand my pain soon enough, Willowbreeze. You and two of your scrawny kits may be out of my reach in StarClan, but a third of yours,’ she snarled triumphantly, jabbing her claws into his ribs,’ has decided to deliver himself to me. Watch carefully, crowfood. This moment will haunt you for a long time to come.’

Mapleshade raised a paw and brought it down. His eyes widened as the points of her claws came into view even through his clouded vision. He felt the burst of pain as they dug into his neck, and wrenched outwards as he let out an ear-splitting screech of agony. The dark she-cat slackened her hold as the ground rushed up to meet him.

‘Wake up!’

The former RiverClan cat’s eyes flew open to see amber irises gazing into his own. Spottedleaf stood over him, her face filled with annoyance. ‘What’s with you? You were flailing around and yowling your head off. It’s the middle of the night, and my nest is five tail-lengths away from yours! For StarClan’s sake, can you be quiet?’

Rainscale tried to calm his breathing. ‘I’m sorry. I was having a nightmare. I get them a lot, but I didn’t tell you because I hoped having another cat around would help with them. Unfortunately,’ he added ruefully, ‘it seems that they have not. I can go sleep out on the hill above if you want.’

‘No, no, it’s fine.’ Spottedleaf’s face changed to one of worry. ‘Are you like this often? What do you have nightmares about? Can I help?’

The other medicine cat let out a heavy sigh. ‘I don’t think you can do anything about them, but I’ll tell you anyway. It’s always the same one. I keep revisiting my last moments: my capture, Mapleshade’s torment, and the heartbeat where she dealt the killing strike. I don’t believe she’s sending these, but I have these dreams at least once every moon, oftentimes a lot more frequently than that, and I almost always do what you just saw when I have them. I should have told you about this before asking you to come live with me, but I was too excited at the thought of having a friend to talk to and I forgot.’

Spottedleaf wrapped her tail around him. ‘I understand. I’ve been having some nightmares too, mostly about the same thing, but from what I know, my death wasn’t nearly as drawn-out or traumatic as yours, which is why I think I don’t have as severe of a reaction. You’ve been dealing with them alone for as long as you’ve been here?’

Rainscale gave a small nod, his voice unsteady. ‘What choice did I have? I was stuck here, with no other cat to talk to. I wasn’t joking when I told you that I had started talking to the fish at times - I needed something living to speak with. I did contemplate trying to… move on from this place, but the one thing that stopped me from doing so are those lakes where I could see my kin. If it wasn’t for those, there wouldn’t be a cat to meet you when you arrived here.’

The ThunderClan cat’s eyes pooled with sympathy and compassion. ‘I can only imagine how hard that would have been. Hearing what happened to you grieves me, and I can tell that you’ve suffered more than any cat I know.’

She pushed his nose into her pelt with a paw. The tom’s face flushed a deep shade of red, but he didn’t pull away. ‘But I promise that you will never have to go through that again. You won’t have to be alone any longer, and whatever dark memories from our pasts still linger, we’ll face them together,’ she murmured into his ear.

Rainscale stood there for a heartbeat more, enjoying the warmth of her fur before stepping back. ‘Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.’ He felt his mind clearing up. ‘I feel better now. Let’s go back to sleep.’

He heard her words from across the cave as he padded towards his nest. ‘If you wake me up one more time I’m throwing you into the river!’ A smile came to his face. Spottedleaf could be irritable, but he knew that she was a cat he could rely on and talk with. I’m not alone anymore.

...

Are you sure this is a good idea?’ Spottedleaf’s question reached him. The tortoiseshell was by the bank of the river outside of their cave with one paw extended, eyeing the flitting shapes in the water nervously.

Rainscale chuckled to himself quietly. ‘What? I told you that I fish a lot, and we live by a river. It makes the most sense for you to learn as well.’

‘But I have no idea what I’m doing!’

She makes a fair point, actually. I should probably have demonstrated it to her before asking her to try.

The former RiverClan medicine cat joined her. ‘Right, sorry, I haven’t even shown you how. I normally just dive in and catch the fish that way, but I’m guessing you want as little of your fur to get wet as possible.’ Spottedleaf shook her head fervently in agreement. Now how did other cats in RiverClan pull it off…

Rainscale watched the water intently, making sure not to let his shadow fall across the water. After a few moments, a figure swam within his reach. There! He plunged his paw into the water and hooked out a wriggling trout which was nearly as long as his tail. He killed it with a swift bite to the neck, savouring the familiar, yet refreshing taste. Thank StarClan I was taught how to fish and swim when I was an apprentice!

‘How do you do it?’ Spottedleaf asked, her eyes filled with wonder. ‘That’s what I ask myself whenever I see any cat walking through the woods without tripping over something every five fox-lengths,’ he joked. ‘It’s not that difficult. All you need to do is make sure not to scare the fish with any sudden movements, and to not let your shadow cover the water. Then, when the fish has gotten close enough, strike out with one paw and aim for the side of the fish. Here.’ He motioned to where he was sitting. ‘Come give it a try.’

The tortoiseshell sat down beside him and did her best to mirror his previous position, ensuring her shadow would not scare the fish away. After his previous catch, however, most of them seemed to be congregated around the bottom of the water. Spottedleaf’s tail-tip twitched with agitation. ‘Patience,’ Rainscale whispered, ‘The fish will come to you eventually.’

He made out the slightest dip of her head in acknowledgement, her eyes still locked on the surface. He looked on as a fish came within view. Wait for it. Don’t rush. Doing so will get you nowhere.

The bream swam to within a fox-length of the tortoiseshell. With a sudden movement, Spottedleaf thrusted her paw forward, moving towards the fish in an arcing motion, scooping the fish onto the stony surface nearby. She bent her head down to bite it, but its flailing tail smacked her across the face. She let out a yowl of surprise and leapt backwards as the fish flopped back into the river and disappeared into the depths.

Rainscale was trying his very hardest not to burst out laughing, but her shocked expression was too much. Spottedleaf glared at him. ‘Very funny.’ He composed himself. ‘Sorry. That wasn’t half bad; your timing was spot-on. If you can kill the fish more quickly next time, you’ll be just fine.’

Spottedleaf marched back over to the river, resuming the same stance that she had taken up previously. This may take a while. He sat down to wait.

His thoughts had just begun to wander when he heard a victorious yowl. Snapping back to attention, he watched as she lifted a carp out of the glimmering water and pinned it down, killing it instantly with a blow from her claws.

‘Well done!’ the former RiverClan cat mewed.

She tucked in her head, and Rainscale thought he could make out a blush on her cheeks, but he didn’t think any more of it. I was probably just imagining things. ‘Now, as the cat who caught the prey, you get the first bite.’

Spottedleaf made a face. ‘Do I have to? It’s kind of slimy and disgusting.’ He nudged her. ‘Come on - it’s not that bad. Carp is one of my favourite types of fish. It would be a waste to leave it to rot, and I want you to try.’

She stared at him, before dipping her head and taking an uncertain bite from the fish’s side. Rainscale watched her face go from being scrunched up to thoughtful to relaxed. ‘It’s not as weird as I thought it was. The flavour is quite strong and unusual compared to forest prey, but it’s something I can get used to.’ His features lit up. ‘See? I knew you would like it.’

A mischievous grin grew on Spottedleaf’s face. ‘Now that you’ve taught me how your Clan hunts, it’s time for me to teach you how mine does it.’ Rainscale took a few pawsteps back. ‘Wait, you don’t mean-’ She moved behind him and steered him out of the cave. ‘We’re going forest hunting!’

‘I can’t wait…’

Rainscale had never explored the woodland on the other side of the bank. Why would I ever come here? I have everything I need by the river and in the cave, and if I want to take a walk I would go across the moorland and plains instead, not this cramped place.

‘Okay.’ Spottedleaf turned to him. ‘Do you know the first rule of hunting in a forest?’ How would I know? He decided to guess. ‘Keep downwind of whatever you’re trying to hunt?’

She shook her head. ‘That’s important too, but the most important thing is to keep your pawsteps light. There are too many leaves and other debris on the forest floor for you to go trampling around if you want to catch anything. Watch me, and copy my movements.’

Spottedleaf crouched down to the ground, creeping across the floor with barely a sound being made. Rainscale was thoroughly impressed. I didn’t know cats could move like that!

The tortoiseshell stood up. ‘Your turn. Head for that tree over there.’ She motioned with her tail to an oak tree several tail-lengths away. He did his best to mimic her movements, keeping his belly close to the earth and slinking forward. The medicine cat was acutely aware of his less-than-perfect hunting crouch and his friend’s muffled giggling, but he did his best to block it out and focus as he moved forward until his paws touched the bark.

‘That was quite the first attempt, even if you looked a bit hare-brained doing it.’ Spottedleaf directed his attention to a fluffy white tail bobbing nearby. ‘That’s a rabbit,’ she whispered. ‘Try and catch it. Use the skills I’ve taught you.’ Let’s see how this goes, then.

He copied what he had done earlier during the practice. Spottedleaf said it looked hare-brained, but if it works then I’m going to use it. He kept his hindquarters near the ground as he moved, gradually closing the distance between him and his prey. Anticipation grew within him as he prepared his legs to spring. One more step…

A branch cracked underneath his forepaw. The rabbit turned around, its ears pricking, and bolted as soon as it saw him. Rainscale gave a growl of frustration as he gave chase, stumbling over roots and avoiding hanging branches.

The former RiverClan cat eventually backed the rabbit into a tree. This is it! He dashed forward, preparing to make his first catch, but the rabbit slipped underneath his legs. Not expecting this, he couldn’t stop his momentum in time, and slammed his face into the rough surface, dazing him temporarily.

Spottedleaf caught up with him, her eyes widening as they fixed on a point above him. ‘Uh, Rainscale…’ ‘What?’ She pointed with a paw at the branch above him. He heard a faint buzzing sound that grew steadily louder with each passing moment. What is that?

A bee came down and stung him. Pain lanced through him, but he swatted it away with his paws, only to be met by another, then another, then three more, until within a few heartbeats a swarm of hornets was surrounding him.

‘Run!’ He heard Spottedleaf screech. I need to head for the river! They won’t be able to reach me underwater. Rainscale sprinted towards his cave, being chased and stung the entire way by the bees. It didn’t take him too long to reach the river and dive in, but his pelt was covered in stings by the time he did so. He held his breath underwater, praying that they would lose interest and move on.

The swarm floated above his location for a while, until just when he was about to run out of air, they flew away in the direction where they came from. Bubbles streamed from his mouth as he broke the surface, gasping, and pulled himself back into his cave, laying down in his nest.

Pawsteps sounded on the rock floor. ‘Well, that didn’t go as I expected.’ Spottedleaf entered the cave. ‘Do your wounds hurt?’

He turned around to check his pelt, covered in marks, but the healing properties of the meadow were taking effect, closing the shallow wounds before his eyes. ‘It wasn’t too bad.’

Spottedleaf stared at her paws guiltily. ‘I’m sorry I got you into that mess. I should have warned you about that hive.’ Rainscale padded over. ‘It wasn’t your fault. I was too focused on the rabbit to see. You didn’t know that it was there. Anyways, I did kind of enjoy that. I wouldn’t mind doing it again.’

The tortoiseshell’s expression brightened. ‘Really?’ He gave a concurring mew. ‘Yes, but how about a few sunrises later? I don’t really feel like going back into the forest after that. Besides, the sun is setting, and it’s always a magnificent sight to behold. I want to go enjoy it. Care to join me?’

‘Gladly, Rainscale.’

Chapter 32: Chapter 31

Chapter Text

Ashfur’s struggles grew weaker and weaker as the two fighting cats sank into the murky depths. The impostor snarled and clawed at her, trying to break free and swim for the surface, but Bristlefrost refused to let go, ignoring the claws digging into her pelt. I have to save the Clans! She knew that this was their only hope for survival, and that she had to end it here.

She kicked out with her legs, pulling them both deeper. Ashfur’s eyes went from being filled with fury to panic to fear as he realised that she had no intention of releasing him to save herself. A frantic stream of bubbles escaped his mouth as he struggled in vain to escape, lashing out wildly. Finally, after a few heartbeats more, the frenzied light in the gray tom’s eyes faded, and his body went limp. She had done it. This cat who had caused chaos in StarClan, the Dark Forest and the living Clans was no more.

Bristlefrost released the dead cat and turned her gaze towards the surface. It was a long way away now, with only a few rays of pale light reaching down. The gray she-cat knew she would never be able to make it back. Each passing moment took her further away from her friends, her family, and… Rootspring. Oh, Rootspring, there’s so much more I wanted to tell you, but… I’ll never get the chance to now. I’m sorry. She closed her eyes as her thoughts filled with herself and the bright yellow tom sat together in a nest, looking proudly at three tiny kits scampering across the ThunderClan camp, with their tails entwined. Had they shared a nest together after all? Of course they had. These must be memories they had shared together. Love filled her as these images flooded before her eyes.

‘Those aren’t memories of the past, but visions of the future.’ Another cat’s voice snapped her back to reality. With a start, she realised she was no longer in the dark, cloudy water of the Dark Forest, but on a green field with soft grass beneath her paws. ‘Welcome.’ A gray tom, who looked even younger than she was, with eyes the colour of a clear greenleaf sky stood a few paces away, amusem*nt in his gaze as he saw her confused expression. ‘We don’t often see new faces around here.’ Bristlefrost’s eyes widened. ‘A-Ashfur?!’ The cat let out a laugh. ‘No, no! You don’t need to worry about that fish-breath any more. He’s never coming back. I’m Rainscale.’

‘Where am I?’ the she-cat asked. ‘Am I dead?’ Rainscale meowed. ‘I don’t know if this place has a name, but I call it the Endless Meadow. Me and Spottedleaf thought of the name, after the grass here that seems to stretch out forever. This is where StarClan cats who die or living cats that fade away in their dreams come to find solace after their lives are over, or at least that was what I thought, before I reached you. You’re not dead, not yet at least. I managed to save your spirit before the Dark Forest consumed it completely, and brought it here so I can talk to you.’

Bristlefrost tilted her head. ‘Why?’ She racked her mind for a cat named Rainscale, but nothing came to mind, ‘I don’t think I know you, and why not just wait until I’m actually here before coming to greet me, if this is where I’m going to end up after I die?’

Rainscale spoke. ‘I don’t expect you to know who I am. I was a medicine cat many seasons before you were born, back when the Clans still lived in the forest.’ Her eyes widened. How long has this cat been here for? ‘But I do know who you are, Bristlefrost. I know what you’ve done for the Clans. Even though this place is more disconnected from the living world than StarClan, with us only being able to catch glimpses every half-moon, the massive upheaval in StarClan has not gone unnoticed here, even if we were not affected by what Ashfur did. I saw what you did to save Shadowsight and the Clans, even if it meant giving up a life you could have had with the one you cared for the most.’ Bristlefrost meowed. ‘The survival of the Clans is more important than the life or happiness of one cat.’

The gray tom went on. ‘The reason why I brought you here is because I wish to spare you the fate that has befallen me. You see, while life is easy here; there is always plenty of prey, and the landscape is magnificent, it is rather empty. There’s only one other cat here apart from myself, Spottedleaf, and she’s off hunting. Thank StarClan she’s here - I wouldn’t know what to do without her.’ He led her to a nearby lake, gesturing to it with his tail. ‘We can see and hear StarClan through these pools, and catch glimpses of the living Clans at half-moon and at times of Clan-wide upheaval, but we have no way of contacting them. StarClan can speak to the living Clans, but unfortunately this place is too far away for that to be possible..’

Rainscale’s voice was heavy with regret. ‘I was a young cat when I died. I tried to fight a Dark Forest cat in my dreams to protect my sister, and they killed me. Since then I have been separated from both the living Clans and StarClan, and while I have made my peace with silently watching over my kin, I know there are still cats that care for you and you for them, and I’m willing to help. I can return you to your body now, and you can swim for the surface, or you can stay here. You should be less tired if you do choose to return; the Endless Meadow has innate healing properties that should have rejuvenated you,’ he explained as Bristlefrost realised with a start that the aching in her limbs had faded,’ but be warned that there is no guarantee you will make it to the surface before either exhaustion or the life-consuming waters of the Dark Forest stop you. The visions that you saw are what could happen, but the future is constantly in motion.’

Bristlefrost stood there for a moment. Should she go back? Rainscale’s words rang in her mind. There is no guarantee that you’ll make it to the surface. If she returned just to drown again, what was the point? Maybe it would be best if she accepted her death.

No, she thought to himself. She thought of all her friends and kin, both in ThunderClan and the other Clans. They would be heartbroken if she just disappeared. The visions of herself and Rootspring appeared before her briefly again, and she made up her mind. If there’s even the slightest chance I can make it back to them, I must try. She opened her muzzle.

‘I want to go back.’

Rainscale nodded, seemingly expecting her answer. ‘Before I return you to your body, can I ask something of you? I haven’t been able to talk to those I care about for countless moons now. The group of cats that you went into the Dark Forest with to defeat Ashfur are now in StarClan. If you do make it out of the Dark Forest and join them, can you take a message to my kin?’ ‘Who are your kin?’ Bristlefrost asked. ‘Crookedstar and Willowbreeze of RiverClan. A light-brown tom with a crooked jaw and a gray she-cat with white chest fur and amber eyes. Tell them I said hello.’ She gave a mew of affirmation. The medicine cat’s features lit up. ‘Thank you, Bristlefrost. I never thought I would get the chance to speak with them again. I wish you the best.’ He closed his eyes, and Bristlefrost was flailing once more in the bleak waters of the Dark Forest.

She could just about make out the surface of the water, a single weak ray of light illuminating the lake. Kicking with her hindpaws, she propelled herself in its direction. The surface gradually drew closer and closer, agonizingly slowly. Bristlefrost’s chest was on fire from the lack of air, and her muscles screamed at her to stop, but she gritted her teeth and pushed on, fuelled by newfound hope. The visions that she had seen filled her mind. That will be my future. Ten tail-lengths, then five, then three, before her head broke the surface. She forced herself to swim for the shore, before her paws hit solid ground and she lay down, coughing up lungfuls of water, completely worn out.

After taking some time to recover, she got up and started to search for the others. Their scents were still quite fresh; following them, Bristlefrost made her way to a bramble tunnel through a thick layer of fog. So this is the path between StarClan and the Dark Forest, she thought to herself, hurrying through as quickly as her exhausted legs would let her.

Bursting out the other end of the tunnel, she found herself in a lush forest. The clear scent of newleaf hung in the air, along with that of a large group of cats. This must be StarClan. It’s like the Endless Meadow, but… more alive.

Looking through the trees, she saw a yellow figure by the lake. Rootspring. The tom was huddled up in a ball by the edge of the water, unmoving. She approached and curled up beside him.

‘Go away Violetshine, I told you that I’m fine.’ Rootspring’s voice was muffled. Bristlefrost pressed her muzzle up to his ear. ‘I’m not Violetshine.’ she murmured. Rootspring’s ears perked, then lay flat again. ‘You sound like her… but you can’t be… she’s gone.’ She grabbed his shoulders and rolled him over. His eyes widened. ‘Bristlefrost?!’ Rootspring exclaimed, disbelief in his voice. The gray she-cat gazed at him lovingly. ‘Yes, it’s me.’ ‘How did you- no. This is my imagination.’ He shook his head, as if trying to clear it. ‘I saw you drown.’

Bristlefrost meowed, ‘This isn’t your imagination. I survived, and Ashfur is dead.’ She rested her head on his. ‘We can be together at last. ‘Rootspring hesitated for a moment before pulling her into an embrace, rubbing his muzzle along hers. ‘I thought you were dead…’ he cried. Bristlefrost’s eyes watered. ‘I thought I had lost you forever…’ she whispered.

Chapter 33: Epilogue 1

Chapter Text

Crookedstar sighed contentedly as he tucked into the carp laid on the ground before him. For the past few moons, StarClan and the Clans had been under threat of destruction by the plight that was Ashfur, but thanks to the Lights in the Mist, that was over with now, and life in StarClan had returned to normal.

Willowbreeze padded up to him. ‘That fish looks delicious. Do you mind if I share it with you?’ Crookedstar shook his head, motioning with his tail for her to sit. She tore a chunk out of the side. Crookedstar followed, taking a bite out of the fish. Willowbreeze giggled to herself. Crookedstar looked at her questioningly. ‘What’s so funny?’ She laughed and pointed at the twisted side of his mouth, where the half-chewed fish was dribbling out; hastily, he turned his head aside and wiped the fish off with his paws, his face burning.

‘You’d think you’d be used to it by now dear, after a lifetime of living with it, and yet, I still have to take care of you. The great RiverClan leader Crookedstar, who can’t eat a fish without half of it slipping out of his mouth,’ his mate meowed teasingly. Crookedstar growled playfully and pounced on her; the two cats tumbling one over the other.

‘This reminds me of our time in RiverClan. Things were so much simpler then.’ Crookedstar said wistfully. ‘Remember the heron? That was when we were both kits.’ ‘I remember you almost flattening me and Graypool. You were really heavy…’ Willowbreeze muttered. ‘Hey!’ Crookedstar cried indignantly, ‘I was a few moons older than you, it makes sense that I would be heavier. Besides, I didn’t hear you complaining that I saved you. Nor after the dog attack either. You do remember that as well, don’t you?’

Willowbreeze nodded. ‘How could I forget? That thing was terrifying. It had trapped me against a tree. You came out of nowhere and jumped onto the dog to distract it.’ ‘Oakheart wouldn’t stop teasing me about you for a moon afterwards. You were rubbing your face against my jaw in front of the entire Clan like it was one of Mudfur’s ointments or something…’ Crookedstar mumbled awkwardly. Willowbreeze tweaked him on the nose with her tail. ‘Oh, stop pretending that you didn’t enjoy it. Do I have to remind you how loudly you were purring at the time? You must have scared all the prey to Fourtrees and back!’

The tom shuffled his paws. ‘I guess being rubbed on the jaw by the most beautiful she-cat in all of the Clans does that to you…’ Willowbreeze’s face turned scarlet. ‘You really know how to sweet-talk a she-cat, don’t you?’ she joked. Crookedstar stretched his eyes wide, pointing to himself with a paw innocently. ‘Sweet-talk? Me? I would never! I’m only telling the truth.’ The gray cat jabbed at him with a paw lightly, claws sheathed. Crookedstar staggered and fell over, laying on the ground motionless. He didn’t get up. ‘Crookedstar?’ she mewed slowly. His whiskers twitched. Willowbreeze’s features lit up, ‘Stop messing with me! That may have worked when we were both warriors, but not this time!’

Crookedstar’s face was one of bewilderment. ‘What are you talking about?’ Willowbreeze answered softly. ‘Remember? It was a few moons after I became a warrior. We were out together. You wanted to prove that I didn’t have to be so worried about you all the time and raced me through the trees, but you fell and only barely managed to catch yourself on the last branch. You assured me that you would be fine. I told you that I worried about you every moment that I wasn’t beside you, and we confessed our love for each other.’ A memory appeared before the former RiverClan leader’s eyes of the two of them curled up among the roots of an alder tree. ‘Of course…’

‘Still can’t believe it took until well after our warrior ceremonies for us to officially become mates,’ Willowbreeze huffed with mock annoyance, prodding him with a claw, ‘I thought I made it quite obvious that I liked you?’ Crookedstar flushed. ‘Well… I may have… not noticed?’ She stared at him. ‘Okay, okay! I liked you too, but I was too embarrassed to say anything.’ Willowbreeze rolled her eyes. ‘Fish-brain,’ she mewed affectionately.

‘I watched you take your warrior assessment,’ Crookedstar meowed. ‘You did? Which part of it?’ asked Willowbreeze. ‘The part where you had to hunt a bird. I still don’t know why you had to do that as part of your assessment; we’re RiverClan, not ThunderClan. Thank StarClan I taught you those bird-stalking techniques beforehand. You certainly needed the help. I was trying so hard not to laugh when I first saw your hunting crouch. You looked like a fish out of water-oof!’ Willowbreeze crouched and sprang, landing squarely on his chest and pushing him to the ground, knocking the wind out of him. ‘How was that for a hunting crouch?’ she asked sweetly. ‘Very good, could you please get off me?’ Crookedstar got to his paws as she stepped off him, wincing slightly.

‘If you want to talk about warrior assessments,’ she mewed, ‘Do you remember your ceremony?’ The light-brown tom nodded. ‘Hailstar announced it out of the blue, right before we were going to take Sunningrocks back. You and Oakheart were the first ones to congratulate me. That was the happiest night of my life.’ ‘Even happier than when I confessed to you?’ she murmured in his ear. Crookedstar’s eyes widened. ‘N-no! That’s not what I meant! I didn’t mean-’ Willowbreeze’s eyes flashed with amusem*nt at her mate’s flustered attempts to explain himself. ‘I know, you mouse-brain.’ He let out a sigh of relief.

‘Then there was the time when I told you I was expecting kits. You weren’t even the one having them, yet you were sweating more than a rabbit in a fox’s den!’ Crookedstar’s pelt heated up again. ‘I was not! It… err… it was just really hot outside! It was greenleaf after all.’ Willowbreeze chuckled. ‘You’re really cute when you blush.’

‘We have shared so many memories together. You are the best mate I could have had.’ He rubbed his jaw against hers. ‘I’m so lucky to have you.’ Willowbreeze murmured in agreement, pressing against him, her sweet scent wreathing around them. ‘We make each other happy, and raised four wonderful kits. What more can you ask for?’ Crookedstar purred concurringly.

A slender silver-grey she cat padded into camp, followed by two she-kits, one dark grey and the other smoky-black.
‘Come over, you three! There’s plenty of fish if you want it,’ Willowbreeze called, motioning towards the half-eaten carp. Silverstream, Minnowkit and Willowkit raced over, Silverstream shredding chunks of fish into smaller parts for her younger littermates. Crookedstar watched them, warmth filling his gaze. ‘Our daughters are all here.’ he whispered to Willowbreeze. ‘There should be one more with us.’ she murmured, half to herself. ‘Do you think he’s somewhere out there?’ he asked her, lifting his gaze to the sky. ‘Why wouldn’t he be?’ she meowed in response. ‘StarClan only walks these skies. There is much we don’t know. After all, if when Clan cats die they ascend to StarClan, who is to say that there isn’t somewhere that cats who die in StarClan go?’

‘I miss him. He was far too young to die. Not just die, but be denied the chance to join StarClan as well.’ Crookedstar meowed solemnly. ‘I should have been there instead of him. A medicine cat shouldn’t have had to fight a Dark Forest cat alone. At least with you, Minnowkit and Willowkit, I took some comfort in knowing that you were in StarClan, and that I would get to see you again, even if we were apart for too long. He never got the chance to join us here, to live with his kin.’

Willowbreeze twined her tail with his. ‘The best way we can cherish him is by remembering him for what he was; a gifted medicine cat and a selfless littermate. But he wouldn’t want us to be upset for too long. He wouldn’t want his death to send us into endless mourning. Don’t blame yourself for his passing. I held myself responsible for the longest time. I thought that if I knew how to use herbs, or had moved more quickly against Mapleshade, my kit wouldn’t have died in my paws. I realised over time however that all these thoughts did was make me miserable, and I’ve learned to live with my guilt, even if I still wish with all my heart I could change what happened that night. His dying words to me were to take care of you and his littermates. He would have wanted us to be happy and enjoy our time in StarClan.’ Crookedstar rested his head on her shoulder. ‘Thank you. That means a lot to me.’ She looked into his eyes fondly. ‘What are mates for?’

‘Are you Crookedstar and Willowbreeze?’ A gray she-cat that he didn’t recognise approached them. The two nodded. ‘I’m Bristlefrost.’ Willowbreeze’s eyes glimmered with recognition. ‘You’re the cat that killed Ashfur and saved the Clans! StarClan owes you our utmost gratitude.’ Bristlefrost dipped her head. ‘I’m here because I have a message for you.’

Crookedstar’s confusion was written all over his face. Who would pass a message to him through a ThunderClan cat? ‘Who is it from?’ Bristlefrost replied. ‘Rainscale sends his regards.’ Crookedstar and Willowbreeze stared at Bristlefrost, then at each other, frozen with shock. ‘My brother?’ Silverstream padded over, disbelief and faint hope mixed in her voice. ‘I thought he was lost forever! You met him?’

The ThunderClan she-cat spoke once more. ‘I did. It’s a long story, but I’m sure you would want to know about your kin.’ Crookedstar murmured, his vision fixed on a point over the horizon, ‘He’s not just kin… he was our son. Mapleshade took him away from us.’ Bristlefrost meowed sympathetically, ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ The former RiverClan leader shook his head. ‘My apologies for interrupting. Please go on.’

Bristlefrost nodded. ‘During the battle in the Place of No Stars, Ashfur was about to kill Shadowsight, the ShadowClan medicine cat. I tackled him and we both fell into the lake. It was filled with black water that drained the life force of any cat that touched it. Ashfur tried to swim to the surface but I managed to stop him, and he died there. I was about to die myself when I appeared on a grassy plain, with a young gray tom with azure eyes facing me.’ ‘Rainscale,’ Silverstream breathed.

Bristlefrost nodded. ‘He called the place he was in the Endless Meadow. It was where dead StarClan cats go; it was similar to StarClan, but instead of territory resembling the four Clan territories, it was mostly grassland with some rivers. It was also almost empty, with him being one of only two cats there, along with Spottedleaf.’ So he isn’t alone there, and his companion is one of his old friends.

‘Rainscale told me that he had saved my spirit because he thought I had too much to live for to join him in being trapped beyond StarClan’s reach. He showed me a lake where he could see and hear StarClan, but he said that he had no way of communicating with you. He then gave me the choice of either staying in the Endless Meadow, where I would have been had he not intervened, or returning my spirit to my body to give me a second chance of fighting for my life. I chose the latter. Before returning my spirit to my body, he asked me to greet his kin for him,’ pointing at Crookedstar and Willowbreeze with her tail, ‘saying that he hadn’t been able to speak with you for countless moons. He then sent me back, and I eventually found my way here.’

None of the three cats said anything. Bristlefrost paused for a moment, then continued. ‘I realise that this may be a lot to take in. I’ll leave you in peace.’ She turned and left, waving her tail in farewell.

‘He’s alive,’ Silverstream whispered. ‘I never thought I would hear from him again after he disappeared that night…’ ‘Do you know what this means?’ Willowbreeze asked Crookedstar. ‘Our kit has been here with us after all! He’s never truly been gone. Our family is complete.’ Her eyes glistened with emotion.’I was with him when he died. Even though I learned to live with my guilt, I still believed I was responsible for denying him a chance to join StarClan. But now I know that he is alive, and even though he walks different skies now, our kinship remains strong, however far apart we may be.’

Crookedstar brushed his muzzle against his mate’s. ‘Thank you, Willowbreeze. For accompanying me all these moons, and for bringing four perfect kits into the world.’ He turned his gaze towards the sky. ‘Rainscale, if you can hear me, don’t worry about us. We’re safe and happy in StarClan, and we miss you a lot. Wherever you are, we won’t forget you.’ ‘Based on how you handled eating that fish, I’d be more worried after hearing you say that if I were him,’ Willowbreeze commented. Crookedstar turned around. ‘What did you say?’ She smiled at him. ‘Nothing, my love.’

In skies far away, a gray cat watched warmly as the StarClan cats embraced one another.

Chapter 34: Epilogue 2

Chapter Text

Rainscale turned away from the lake, his heart filling with affection. My kin knows I’m alive, and that I still love them. He had made his peace with never being able to speak with them again. I will never be able to thank Bristlefrost enough! He closed his eyes as the image of his parents and littermates hugging each other appeared before him. I’m never going to forget that, for however long I have left here.

‘Rainscale?’ Spottedleaf padded up behind him. She sounded hesitant. ‘I have something to tell you.’ ‘Go on,’ he mewed, still keeping his eyes shut, trying to preserve the memory of his family as clearly as he could.

They flew open as he felt her cheek brush against his, nuzzling him. Rainscale stumbled back a few pawsteps, his face glowing scarlet. ‘S-Spottedleaf?! What are you doing?!’

The tortoiseshell’s face was the same shade of red as his. ‘That’s what I wanted to say.’ ‘But what about Firestar?’ he asked. ‘Don’t you still love him?’

Spottedleaf shook her head. ‘I know he’s in good paws with Sandstorm, and she’s joined him in StarClan. There’s nothing more I can do now, and I think over the moons I have slowly come to terms with this.’

She took a step towards him. ‘I’ve grown to admire you during our time here, especially your strength of will in enduring the torment of being apart from your kin for so long alone, while still retaining the compassion and kindness that I liked about you when we were both in the Clans. You’re a sensitive cat, Rainscale, and I’ve found myself caring for you more and more. You don’t have to do anything about it,’ she mewed, her head drooping as she began to walk away. ‘I know you don’t feel the same way about me. You said as much during our last Gathering.’

‘If I’m being honest, I wasn’t being entirely truthful back then…’ Spottedleaf turned her head back, her eyes lighting up with hope. ‘I was grateful for how much kindness you had shown me during my time as RiverClan’s medicine cat, especially for nursing me back to health after my first encounter with Brokenstar. I would have died without your help. I saw you as a cat that I could trust with anything, even the Dark Forest.’

‘Then when you escorted me back from the Moonstone, I got… a lot closer to you than I was prepared for. I was initially uncomfortable, but I relaxed eventually. You’ve helped me so much, both when I was in RiverClan, and here in the Endless Meadow. Your support is something I have come to rely and depend on; I don’t know what I would do without you. I always thought you were very attractive…’ She grinned bashfully. ‘Aww… you think I’m pretty?’ ‘Yes, I do,’ he confessed sheepishly. ‘I didn’t tell you back then because I didn’t want to break the medicine cat code, and because I was terrified that you would be upset at me. But we’re not medicine cats anymore. The code no longer applies to us.’

‘Does this mean…’

‘Yes, I’ll be your mate.’

Spottedleaf rushed over to him, wrapping her paws around his neck and nuzzling him again. This time, he returned the gesture, pushing his nose against her cheek. She purred and twined herself around him, the two cats enjoying each other’s presence and warmth.

Well, I guess Crookedstar was right after all, Rainscale thought, remembering his father’s teasing after he had returned from the Moonstone with her. I did end up liking her that way.

‘I love you, Rainscale.’

‘I love you too.’

Right now, cuddling with his new mate, this was the most content he had been for a long, long time.

…

A gray tom padded into the cave, a trout clamped between his jaws. I would eat it myself, Rainscale thought, his mouth watering, but it’s her favourite, and she would kill me if she knew I had eaten it without her. Particularly after what she’s just been through. It was over quite quickly, thank StarClan, but it must still have been exhausting.

Spottedleaf was stretched out in her nest, with four shapes curled up in the curve of her belly. He heard faint mewling coming from the kits. Love and tenderness rose within him at the sight. He scanned the shapes; a tortoiseshell she-kit, a gray she-kit, a light-brown tom, and a brown she-kit.

She raised her head drowsily as he approached. ‘I have something for you.’ Rainscale dropped the trout in front of her. ‘Thank you. I’m famished,’ she murmured, touching her nose to his. He sat in silence as she tucked into the fish. Soon there was nothing except a gleaming carcass left.

‘You didn’t save any for me?’ he teased. Spottedleaf pushed him with a paw. ‘Go catch another, you lazy furball! You’re not the one who’s just given birth to four kits!’ ‘I know,’ he answered. ‘They’re beautiful, like you.’

‘Have you thought of names yet?’ Spottedleaf asked. Alarm flashed through him at his mate’s question. I most certainly have not! ‘I- I thought I would let you have the first pick. You gave birth to them, after all.’ She let out a laugh. ‘Oh, just admit you haven’t picked any yet! I wanted to name them with you anyways.’

She touched her tail to the head of the tortoiseshell. ‘I was thinking Nettlekit.’ The tom gave his assent. What, am I going to disagree with her? She kitted them! Spottedleaf moved to the gray she-kit. ‘Willowkit,’ she mewed. ‘I want a name that represents both of our families.’ Rainscale purred. Willowbreeze would be overjoyed.

‘Here.’ She motioned to him. ‘You can name the other two.’ He paused. What should he name them? A story about his father’s past came to him. ‘Stormkit,’ he meowed, touching the light-brown tom-kit’s cheek softly with a paw; the kit mewled and snuggled up against him.

Spottedleaf stared at him, bemused. ‘I won’t ask you to change it, but may I ask why?’ ‘That was my father’s name before he broke his jaw. His mother had his name changed to Crookedkit,’ Rainscale explained. ‘Oh… that’s fine then. Stormkit it is,’ she answered.

His gaze turned to the last kitten, the brown she-kit. He considered naming her Bristlekit, after the she-cat who had taken his message to his kin, but he decided against it. Spottedleaf picked one of her names with consideration to myself; I should do the same.

‘Leafkit,’ he whispered. The tortoiseshell gave a delighted mrrow.

Spottedleaf pointed to the other side of the moss, motioning him to come over. Rainscale entered the nest and curled up beside her, wrapping himself around their kits. He felt one of them poke his belly with a paw, but he couldn’t have minded less. I’m a father now. The realistion sunk in alongside a wave of joy.

He pressed his cheek against his mate’s. ‘Thank you,’ he murmured, ‘for bringing these kits into the world.’ She nuzzled him back. ‘I know you’ll be a fantastic father. I couldn’t think of any other cat I would rather raise kits with. I love you, and I love them just as much.’

Rainscale craned his neck to gaze affectionately at their kits. ‘I promise to be as kind of a father to you as Crookedstar was with me,’ he meowed softly. He turned back to Spottedleaf. ‘I know you’ll be a terrific mother as well. You have so much warmth and care to give. These kits will grow up knowing that they’re loved.’

The former Clan cats went to sleep curled around their litter, filled with hope for the future.

….

Rainscale nosed Nettlekit out of the cave, the kit stumbling on unsteady paws. It had been a moon since they were kitted, and he and Spottedleaf had decided to bring them outside for the first time.

Spottedleaf followed behind him, with Stormkit and Willowkit at her paws. ‘Where is Leafkit?’ she asked. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the brown she-kit walking along the edge of the water, dangerously close to slipping in. His heart dropped as, with a yowl of excitement, they jumped in.

Rainscale dashed over as quickly as he could, and with his teeth, pulled the kit out of the water by the scruff. ‘That was fun!’ Leafkit squealed. ‘Can we do that again?’

Spottedleaf hurried over. ‘No, you cannot! You scared me half to death!’ She licked the kit vigorously to dry her off. ‘You’re not going near the water anymore, do you understand?’ Leafkit looked dejected. ‘Aww…’

He nudged the kit gently. ‘Your mother doesn’t know how to swim; that’s why she was so worried.’ Spottedleaf shot him an annoyed glance, but he went on. ‘I’ll teach you when you’re a bit older. It’s a lot of fun once you get the hang of it, and you can go fishing that way.’ Leafkit’s eyes lit up with excitement. ‘No earlier than six moons!’ he heard his mate mew as she tended to the rest of their kits.

It took them quite a while to reach the grassland, but once they did, the kits began scampering around and play-fighting with newfound enthusiasm as their parents watched on.

‘Where do they get all this energy from?’ Spottedleaf asked. ‘I’m worn out just getting here, what with taking care of all four of them!’ Rainscale chuckled. ‘Kits will be kits. I remember when I was that age. I can’t keep count of how many times Brambleberry and Mudfur had to shoo me out of the medicine den. I kept going in and messing up the herb supplies. My old mentor got rather irritated. Be gentle,’ he called as he saw Stormkit pounce on Nettlekit.

‘Do you still miss your family?’ ‘Of course!’ Rainscale replied fervently. ‘I still wish I could be with them, but I have a place here now, and that is to take care of these kits as best as I can.’ Spottedleaf pressed her flank against his. ‘It won’t be easy caring for them, but we’ll do our best.’ He twined his tail with hers, breathing in her familiar yet sweet scent. ‘Our kits will never experience abandonment, heartache , or neglect. They will only know compassion and encouragement. We’ll make sure of it. Together.’

For a brief moment, memories of his death flashed before his eyes, even as he could feel his mate’s warm pelt beside him. Mapleshade’s promise to make Willowbreeze suffer, her claws taking his life, his last dying words to his mother.

He pushed the memories away. That’s all in the past now. Nothing but echoes. Mapleshade can’t hurt my kits or my mate. I’ve finally escaped her grasp on me.

Since I’ve been here, for the longest time, I’ve struggled to find my purpose. Even watching over my family was mostly a way to sedate my own heartache.

But I’ve found it now. My future is here, with Spottedleaf, the she-cat I’ve grown to love, and the kits that we have had.

These thoughts brought a radiant smile to his face as he watched their kits wrestle and play-fight with her beside him, knowing that he at last had kin to love and care for once again.