HeatherClan Book: Chapter 32

Chapter 32: The Search- Part 3

Silverstar woke to a paw prodding her gently.  She yawned, then opened her eyes to see a unfamiliar orange face staring at her.
She leaped up, a warning growl rumbling in her throat, but Birdflight immediately leaped down from her perch in the birch tree and soothed her mother, "It's alright, they're with us."
The young apprentice looked taken aback at Silverstar's fierceness, then mewed tentatively, "I'm Robinpaw, remember?"
Silverstar relaxed as the night's events flooded back to her.  "Hello," she meowed.  "I'm Silverstar.  And you must be Dovepaw."  She nodded to the silvery gray cat behind Robinpaw.  The apprentice dipped her head shyly.
"Where's your mother?" Sandpelt had padded up to Silverstar's shoulder.  "We need to speak to her."  Sandpelt's words were firm, but her voice was kind.
"Over there," meowed Robinpaw.  She pointed with her tail towards a hollow log a few foxlengths away.
Silverstar summoned her warriors with her tail, and together, they headed towards the hollow with the apprentices right behind them.
The cats entered the log, and found Iceshard waiting for them.  "Sit down," she meowed.
Graynose bristled.  "You don't tell us what to do in our territory," he spat.
Iceshard shrank back.  "Sorry," she mewed quietly.
Silverstar, Sandpelt, and Birdflight sat down as Graynose hissed in annoyance and stalked out.
"Sorry," Sandpelt apologized for her former apprentice.  "He can be as grumpy as an elder in the morning.  Especially with an emp---"
She was cut off by another hiss from outside.  "I'm going hunting," the cats heard.
"---ty belly," Sandpelt finished.
Iceshard's eyes sparkled with amusement.  "I know exactly what it feels like."  She purred.
"Okay, let's get down to business," meowed Birdflight.  "What's your whole story?"
The band listened patiently as Iceshard explained about Lightningstar's death, and her moons spent with Brightstar as his supposed mate.  Her voice shook with grief as she described Finchkit's unruly death.  But then she gave them a valuable piece of information.  "Lightningstar didn't really die.  StarClan needed Brightstar to believe he was dead, so they only took one of Lightningstar's lives, then put him into a season long slumber so he could wake at the right time.  He would gladly invite you into StormClan to plan how to kill off FearClan."
The HeatherClan cats were shocked.  Lightningstar was alive!  But then they remembered their mission.
"We have to find WaveClan," explained Silverstar.  "They're our only hope at defeating FearClan, NightClan, and the Dark Forest cats."
Robinpaw and Dovepaw looked interested.  "We know something that could help you," mewed Dovepaw softly.  "Just yesterday we encountered a fish-smelling cat by the river.  She was collecting a bunch of leaves, and looked scared that we discovered her, and she ran away before we could stop her."
"WaveClan!" Birdflight exclaimed.
"What did she look like?" asked Iceshard.
"She was a pale tabby," Robinpaw recalled.  "With slightly darker ripples down her flanks.  She smelled distinctly of herbs."
There was a scuffling sound, and Graynose came back in.  He had two voles and a rabbit in his mouth.  "Here," he mewed.  "There's enough for all of us." He paused.  "And the cat you were talking about is Leafstream."
"Leafstream!" Silverstar gasped.  "The WaveClan medicine cat!"
"We tracked her," Dovepaw mewed through bites of the rabbit.  "So we know relatively where she's living."
"And where ever she is, the rest of WaveClan will be!" Sandpelt exclaimed.  "Thank you.  All of you."
"Yes," Birdflight agreed.  "You've been a great help."
"Could you show us where Leafstream went?" asked Silverstar, munching on a vole bone.
The two apprentices looked to their mother.  "Yes, you may show them," Iceshard meowed.  "But I will go with you.  Also, we cannot go with you the whole way.  Brightstar will be sending out patrols to look for me soon, and we don't want to be caught."
Silverstar gave a terse nod.  "Let's go."
"Now?" asked Birdflight.
"What better time could there be?" asked Sandpelt.  "We just ate, so we're full, thanks to Graynose."
Her former apprentice dipped his head.  "Also, we're rested.  So, let's go!"
"Wow, his mood changed fast," Robinpaw remarked to Birdflight as they padded along.  "A moment ago, he was as grouchy as an elder.  And now, he's as happy as a kitten in a patch of catnip."
"Yeah," Dovepaw agreed.  "I wonder if h---"
But Dovepaw never got to finish her wonder, because just then, the ground beneath her paws disappeared.
"Help!" Dovepaw yowled.  Robinpaw raced to where her sister's voice was coming from.
"She's buried in an old badger set!" she meowed, pawing frantically at the loose dirt.  "Help me!"
The HeatherClan cats, along with Iceshard, raced over and began to dig.  Slowly but surely, Dovepaw clambered out, coughing out dirt.
"Are you okay?" Birdflight asked.
"I'm fine," Dovepaw managed to say, before another coughing fit shook her body.
"We need to clear the dirt from her throat," Graynose meowed.  "Robinpaw, you're the smallest.  Reach your paw down your sister's throat and scoop out as much dirt as you can.
Trembling, Robinpaw reached out a paw and lowered it into Dovepaw's mouth.  Gently, she cleaned out the dirt.  Soon, Dovepaw could breathe freely again.
"Thanks," she gasped.  "You saved my life!"
"It's what we do," Sandpelt mewed, purring with relief.
"But you can't travel much farther now.  We should go back to camp," Iceshard meowed.
"Could you point out the direction we should go?" asked Silverstar.
"Yes," meowed Robinpaw.  "Keep going until you reach a small river.  Then, follow the river downstream until you reach a ditch.  The scent is strongest there.  You should be able to find WaveClan."
"Thank you," Birdflight mewed gratefully.  "We won't forget the help you've given us."
"And I won't forget that you dug me out of that badger set!" Davepaw shuddered.
"Well, we should go now," Silverstar meowed.  "May StarClan light your paths!"
"You too," Iceshard mewed.
"Bye!" meowed Robinpaw.  "See you later!"
And so, the cats parted, and the HeatherClan cats continued their journey.

HeatherClan Book: Chapter 11

Chapter 11: The Secret

The next day, Willowshine and Fernleaf finished their vigil and went to the warriors den to rest.

The other warriors had already left to hunt when Fernleaf meowed quietly, "Willowshine, I need to tell you something."

Willowshine had never seen Fernleaf look so troubled.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I've been meeting Sparrowtalon in secret and I'm now carring his kits!"

"What?!" Willowshine exclaimed.

She had noticed that Fernleaf's belly was a little bigger than usual, but she had just assumed Fernleaf was just eating too much.

She lowered her voice. "But he's from another Clan!"

"I know!" meowed Fernleaf despairingly. "But I love him!"

"I can't stop you from having your kits, but we need to find a trustworthy cat to pretend to be their father." meowed Willowshine. "How about Crookedpaw?"

"But Crookedpaw likes you!" protested Fernleaf. "Graypaw would be better."

"Well...Graypaw's nice too," agreed Willowshine. "We just have to ask him, but that won't be a problem. I think he likes you already!"

At this, Fernleaf turned red.

Then a voice came from the clearing outside the den.

"Why are you gossiping the whole day away?" meowed Swanfeather from outside the den. "Come on! You're warriors now, and we need more border patrols!"

Later...

"Graypaw, I need your help," begged Fernleaf when she found him in front of some ferns eating a magpie. He looked surprised.

Why would a warrior need my help? he thought. Even if she's only been one for less than a day?

"What do you need help with?" he asked.

Hurriedly, Fernleaf told him all about Sparrowtalon and her kits.

I would be happy to help," agreed Grawpaw. "But on one condition. I need to tell Silverstar."

"Oh..." Fernpaw looked away.

"Oh, okay, I won't tell her," meowed Graypaw hurriedly. "But I'll only help after I've become a warrior. You can't mate with an apprentice! But that's fine. I had my assessment today! Brackenfur told me I passed it!"

"That's great!" mewed Fernleaf. She nuzzled him. "Thanks!"

Fernleaf padded away happily to meet Spottedpelt.

Neither Fernleaf nor Graypaw noticed another cat slip away from the ferns behind them.

Fernleaf walked into the the medicine cat den and saw Spottedpelt busy sorting herbs.

"Kits!" she was muttering. "Why did they have to choose to come into my den and mess up all these herbs?"

Then Spottedleaf noticed Fernleaf.

"Spottedleaf, may I talk to you for a moment?" Fernleaf asked.

"What is it?" meowed Spottedpelt.

"If you haven't noticed, I am carrying kits."

"I have noticed but I tried to ignore the fact that you have only been a warrior for one day and you are already mating!" meowed Spottedpelt with an amused purr. "Who is the father?" she asked politely.

"Graypaw," Fernleaf replied quietly.

"Very well, I shall inform Silverstar and Goldenfur," meowed Spottedpelt.

Suddenly, Fernleaf heard Silverstar yowl,"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey come and join me at the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" She padded out of the medicine cat den and into the clearing. There, she was met by Willowshine and Graypaw.

"Did it work?" asked Willowshine.

"Yes," replied Fernleaf, her eyes shining.

"Quit worrying about Sparrowtalon," mewed Graypaw crossly. "I'm about to become a warrior!"

Sure enough, Silverstar meowed, "Graypaw, please step forward. It is time for you to become a warrior."

Graypaw padded next to Silverstar, his head held high as Silverstar pronounced the ritual words.

"I, Silverstar, leader of HeatherClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in their turn." Silverstar fixed her eyes on Graypaw. "Graypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," meowed Graypaw.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Graypaw, from this moment you will be known as Graynose. StarClan honors your thoughtfulness and your determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of HeatherClan."

When she finished speaking, Silverstar stepped up to to Graynose and rested her muzzle on his bowed head.

He licked her shoulder respectfully, and then walked over to stand by Fernleaf and Willowshine.

Fernleaf nuzzled him gently, and the other cats raised their voices to chant the new warrior's name.

"Graynose! Graynose!"

He purred proudly at them, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw one cat that wasn't cheering.

Instead, Berrypaw slinked back into the apprentices den, jealousy seeping from him, but was covered by the scent of the other cheering cats...

HeatherClan Book: Chapter 8

Chapter 8:Invasion!

Eaglewing, Sandpelt and Owlclaw along with Berrypaw and Dovepaw were out on border patrol. On their fifth round they spotted a black cat with red eyes holding a rabbit in his mouth followed by a small black apprentice with a mouse in his mouth. Behind them were a line of Nightclan cats all with prey in their mouths, and even worse, they were hunting for more!

"Down! hissed Eaglewing. The four cats immediately obeyed.

"Dovepaw!" meowed Sandpelt quietly. "Go and get help!" Dovepaw raced off to tell the rest of the Clan to come.

"All the warriors and apprentices come fight the NightClan cats!" yowled Silverstar. "NightClan is stealing prey and invading!"

All the cats raced off to fight, except for Moonflower and Swanfeather, who were nursing the kits. The elders also stayed behind, along with a couple of warriors and apprentices to guard the camp: Graynight, Snowbird, Minnowpaw, and Mistypaw. Spottedleaf and Jayfeather prepared to look at injuries.

After the other cats had all ran to the forest, Goldenear stalked in with Stripedpaw.

"Come on and keep up!" hissed Goldenear. They padded over to the nursery, and were met by two hissing and slashing queens. Then, the warriors and apprentices snuck up behind them!

Goldenear and Stripedpaw were outnumbered, but Goldenear managed to scoop up Swallowkit, Foxkit, and Flamekit in her mouth and escape.

Mistypaw, who was coming back because she had just been injured, saw her, and raced off to get help from Stormclan.

The warriors left in the HeatherClan gave chase, while the elders and apprentices pinned Stripedpaw to the ground.

Moonflower was hysterical. "My kit! My kit!" she meowed in despair, but there was nothing she could do.

Back at the battle, everyone was still fighting ferociously. Goldenfur had just bitten off Brokenears other ear and was now fighting with Crookedclaw. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Foxheart pin Dapplepaw down and bite her neck. Dapplepaw went limp.

"No!" Gracepelt let out a wail of despair, for Dapplepaw was her kit.

Foxheart loosened his grip on her and sneered, and at that moment, Dapplepaw sprang up and began battering Foxheart again. Goldenfur let out a sigh of relief, and ran over to help defeat Foxheart.

Silverstar was still battling Darkstar and had just used the impressive back flip-pin on him.

Meanwhile, Graynight and Snowbird had just caught up with Goldenear. They pinned her down and took the kits from her. Snowbird took them back to the camp while Graynight scored a volley of scratches down Goldenear's flank.

"You keep away from our kits, you hear?" he hissed. Then he let her go and watched her yowl with pain as he bit her tail one last time. Then he raced toward StormClan to get help.

Once Mistypaw reached Stormclan she busted straight into the underground tunnel and raced to the leaders den bumping into Lightningstar.

"Nightclan is attacking us and Goldenear has just stolen three kits!" wailed Mistypaw.

Lightningstar leaped up to the high den and called, "All warriors and apprentices come with me to help fend off NightClan! They are invading HeatherClan!"