rushwingtales

[rushwingtales]

If Hollyleaf survived

Dovewing's Silence:

- Hollyleaf's encounter with Hawkfrost goes mostly the same: She's badly injured and gets dragged to Thunderclan camp by Ivypool. She forgives Squirrelflight and Leafpool, assuming that she's going to die. As she becomes unconscious, Jayfeather refuses to give up on her, working on her wound throughout the night. As her brother is on the verge of fainting, Hollyleaf becomes stable and wakes up after a few days. As a consequence of Jayfeather not being available to check on other patients, Cloudtail dies of an infected wound.

- While recovering, Hollyleaf spends a long time speaking to Leafpool and Squirrelflight. Finally, Hollyleaf asks for her mother's reasoning for keeping her birth secret. Hollyleaf asks if she should publicly admit to the death berry incident, but Leafpool declines. Her mother says a public outrage won't help, citing the Gathering where Hollyleaf revealed the secret. Instead, Leafpool wants them to learn to understand and forgive each other, by slowly building their relationship up. Millie becomes guilt-ridden seeing these interactions and kicks start her own reconciliation with Blossomfall.

- Hollyleaf has a moment with Dovewing. The grey she-cat blurts she worried that she replaced Hollyleaf and her brothers resent her for it. Hollyleaf said she can't speak for her brothers, but Hollyleaf assures she doesn't blame Dovewing and she proved herself unworthy due to her crimes. When Dovewing admits to the three losing their powers, Hollyleaf says it could be better in the long term. The three will no longer be expected to be the main protectors of the Clans and they can settle into a more casual life.

- Ivypool is grateful that Hollyleaf saved her and wants to form a friendship with her. The two she-cats mutually bond over their similar circumstances. Hollyleaf suggests to Ivypool, that not being a part of the prophecy, could be a blessing in disguise. Hollyleaf had witnessed first-hand, the expectations that prophecy cats can put on themselves. The black she-cat wonders if she hadn't mistaken herself as the third cat, for so long, perhaps her fragile ego wouldn't have cracked under Ashfur's influence.

- Hollyleaf encourages all the trainees to redeem themselves, despite how hard it seems. However, since Hollyleaf is being asked to make all these speeches about redemption, it makes her realise she's still got a long way to go. Her nightmares about Ashfur's murder return and she wonders if she needs to go into self-exile again, to continue her atonement. Since she passed on her underground fighting skills, Thunderclan didn't seem to need her so was she staying out of her own selfishness? Jayfeather snaps her out of it: Pointing her out her family wants her here and leaving again, would hurt them more.

Bramblestar's Storm:

-After Jayfeather makes her promise to stay indefinitely, Hollyleaf needs to regain normalcy with her family. In the tunnels, she expected to die young and didn't see a future for herself. While her grand gestures of atonement are important, she needs to consider the everyday too. At first, she can be overly serious and isolate herself. But she learns to open up and have fun around her brothers over time. There are glimpses of a simpler time before it became so messy.

-Hollyleaf reaffirms her connection with Bramblestar. At one point, he pulls his adopted daughter aside. He recalls how her brothers already heard this, but she never got the chance after the tunnel collapsed. He promises his heart will be open to her but he understands if it's too awkward to consider him a father. Either way, he will respect whatever Hollyleaf chooses. The black she-cat snorts, saying she would never choose Crowfeather over him. Bramblestar winces, wondering if it should be obvious.

-Hollyleaf asks why Bramblestar lied about Ashfur accidentally slipping into the stream. He admits he panicked slightly and thought she'd been in self-exile for long enough. Hollyleaf acknowledges how he risked his ranking for her, but she must be judged alone and not use her family connections to gain an advantage. At that point, Hollyleaf's clanmates had figured out Ashfur's death was purposeful. Most cats didn't particularly care after discovering Ashfur's crimes, only judging Hollyleaf for not trusting Firestar to uphold justice.

-Bramblestar asks if Hollyleaf still has her childhood dream of being a leader. He remembered how she followed him as a kit and said she'd become like him. The black she-cat declines, saying she can't trust herself with that power. Hollyleaf feels sorry for her younger self and doesn't grow into the cat she expected to be.

-When Squirrelflight announces she's pregnant, Hollyleaf is overjoyed. After a while, her mother noticed slight doubt on her face. Being told to be honest, Hollyleaf admits she has irrational feelings of being replaced. Squirrelflight ensures her emotions are only natural after the trauma she suffered through. She ensures they can work through them as mother and daughter.

Crowfeather's Trial:

- Hollyleaf would see the similarities between herself and Breezepelt. Additionally, as the one to expose the secret, she feels somewhat responsible for Breezepelt. Therefore, she feels obligated to set the record straight with him. She details how she killed Ashfur to Breezepelt and the two help each other realise where they went wrong. Crowfeather is shocked about Hollyleaf's crimes, feeling even more of a failure of a father.

- When he realises Hollyleaf is already reconciling with Leafpool, he feels pressure to speed things along with Breezpelt. Besides helping Breezepelt's redemption, Hollyleaf feels wrong to have a long-term friendship with him, due to Jayfeather's discomfort. She wishes Breezepelt the best but says it's best to live their separate lives, as they did before the secret's exposure. While this is all going on, Nightcloud refused to speak to Hollyleaf at all, blaming her for telling the secret. After Crowfeather's Trial, Breezepelt would go on, to make serval hypocritical statements: calling Kin defectors and Squirrelflight traitors. Hollyleaf would glare at him in disbelief, wondering how he could be so unaware.

- There's a moment, where Hollyleaf wonders in on Leafpool and Crowfeather speaking at the border. The mother and daughter thinks it's his right to know and Hollyleaf confesses the death berry incident to him. Crowfeather flinches, wondering how he'd feel if Breezepelt tried to kill him directly, instead of his half-siblings. Hollyleaf states her actions overshadow anything her parents did against her. So she says Crowfeather should be forgiving her, not the other way around. Crowfeather says only the victim, Leafpool, can decide if she deserves forgiveness or not. Crowfeather says it's impossble not to feel some disgust at Hollyleaf's crime; but he'll react to it as a fellow warrior, not as a father, as he never earnt being called her 'father'.

A Vision of Shadows:

- Hollyleaf is working hard to be a good daughter to Leafpool and Squirrelflight. She'll go out of her way, to do helpful things like replacing their nests or collecting herbs. She can be overly polite around them, thinking they've been criticised too much already. This annoys Squirrelflight, as she knows her daughter is natrually headstrong and says she should have the guts to be herself. The black she-cat would be the middle point between her two brothers: Jayfeather has unresolved feelings, while Lionblaze has let go of the past. Hollyleaf tries to get along with her mothers, but there would always be the occasional awkwardness, not forgetting the past.

- Hollyleaf is struggling to find her place in the Clan. She doesn't want to get involved in too many battles, fearful she could kill again. Additionally, she doesn't want any authority she could potentially abuse. She asks Bramblestar to never consider her for deputyship and vows she'll never return as a Medicine cat apprentice. For a while, she tries training under Daisy as a permanent queen. Though she learns the position isn't right for her, not having the patience for so many kits.

-When Leafstar creates the mediator rank for Tree, it sparks her interest. It could let her avoid hurting others and the job requires memorization of the code, which she already has. She works with Tree, to become Thunderclan's first mediator. This inspires the remaining Clans to train their own mediators. For Shadowclan, Strikestone steps up as he blames warrior life for his loved ones' deaths. Icewing becomes Riverclan's mediator to repent for her Dark Forest training. Finally, Heathertail volunteers due to her caring nature and experience with angry toms.

- Hollyleaf helps to raise Sparkpelt and Alderheart, while Squirrelflight grieves for her lost kits. Out of her litter, she would be the closest to her adoptive siblings. Hollyleaf is quite protective of Alderheart, reminding her of Jayfeather when he was a weak kit. She likes to ensure that Jayfeather isn't too harsh on his apprentice, reminding him of their parallels. Hollyleaf and Sparkpelt are the most alike, with Sparkpelt claiming she's a "mini-me" of Hollyleaf. The two even become mentor and apprentice, at Sparkpelt's request. Hollyleaf is determined not to disappoint Sparkpelt - She can waver between being strict and soft-spoken, as she desperately tries to get the balance right. Even after her warrior ceremony, Hollyleaf assures Sparkpelt that she can always ask for advice.

- Hollyleaf has some moments in the Darktail and Onestar conflict. When Onestar compares his situation to Hollyleaf and Breezepelt on the possibility of convincing Darktail to stop - The black she-cat dismisses it, saying Darktail is truly too far gone. Hollyleaf encourages Onestar to fix his past mistakes, but he needs to be prepared to make the hard choices if he goes down that road.

Squirrelflight's Hope:

- As a mediator, Hollyleaf joins Tree in his missions, to negotiate with the Sisters peacefully. Due to her past, Hollyleaf doesn't feel like it's her place, to assume she knows better than the Clans. So Hollyleaf feels compelled to act in an offical capacity. So when Squirrelflight starts going against Bramblestar's orders, Holyleaf can't trust herself to join her mother. She simply says to Squirrelflight, 'I hope you know what you're doing'. Though when the Sisters are driven out of their camp, Hollyleaf can't stand aside at that point. She helps evacuate the sisters' kits, including helping with Moonlight's birth.

- As Squirrelflight and Bramblestar argue over their politics: Hollyleaf feels it would be nepotism if she used her position as their daughter, to voice her own politcal opinions to them. Instead, as a mediator, Hollyleaf sets up a meeting in a calm setting, for Squirrelflight and Bramblestar to have a proper heart-to-heart. Also, Hollyleaf acts as a middle-man for other family members: She asks Tawnypelt, to start supporting Bramblestar with his relationship struggles. Then Hollyleaf relays Sparkpelt's story, of her panicking due to her parents aruging.

- When Leafpool dies, Hollyleaf blurts she wishes she'd taken her place. Though Squirrelflight counters that Leafpool wants Hollyleaf to be happy and she needs to live on, for her sake. Hollyleaf and Jayfeather spend more time together, due to their shared grief.

Broken Code:

- When "Bramblestar" first starts his code-breaking agenda, he questions why Hollyleaf isn't more happy about it, considering her old dedication to it. Hollyleaf utters she can't let her dangerous obsession resurface. She states that as a mediator now, she must be able to see the warrior code critically. She gets suspicious of "Bramblestar", noticing he's never cared so much about the code before. She warns him about how that type of obsession can be all-consuming.

-Hollyleaf is the first cat to be exiled, due to her criticisms of "Bramblestar". She attempted to gather the mediators from the other Clans and convince him to stop his cruelty.

- When she discovers Ashfur's identity, she makes it her personal mission to defeat him. Though Hollyleaf refuses to join the rebels, saying she won't fight against anyone else, not even the Imposter's supporters. She swore she wouldn't kill anyone else. Her sole target is Ashfur. Instead, the mediators create a refugee camp for the Imposter's exiles. They guard the most vulnerable while others fight their fellow Clan cats.

-Hollyleaf is shocked when Lionblaze kills Harstar, dragging him off his victim. When he is appointed deputy, she tries to voice her concerns about his bad headspace. However, she is outnumbered, so she is forced to accept it.

-Hollyleaf volunteers to enter the Dark Forest, thinking innocent cats shouldn't need to sacrifice themselves. She briefly encounters Stonefur in Starclan. He recounts his execution and says it was truly sad to see another Half-Clan internalise that hatred. Holyleaf promises she'll make the younger generations less biased towards Half-Clan cats.

- Ashfur taunts Hollyleaf for her hypocrisy for killing him and leaking her parentage anyway. She responds it was wrong for her to take justice into her own hands, when she killed Ashfur alone. But at the same time, Ashfur shouldn't have expected to go scot-free, considering his own crimes. Ashfur is bitter that Hollyleaf got to live on, when he didn't, claiming she's as bad as him. Hollyleaf remains realistic, acknowledging she's a killer, but affirms that Ashfur's crimes vastly outweigh hers by now. She hits Ashfur to his core when she says he's in the same leagues as Tigerstar.

-Hollyleaf feels incredibly guilty when Bristlefrost dies, feeling like she failed her friend Ivypool.

- When Ashfur is cornered, he plays his trump card against Hollyleaf. He exposes Hollyleaf as Leafpool's attempted murderer. The black she-cat was shocked since Leafpool wanted to keep it between them. Even after Ashfur fades away, the damage of Hollyleaf's exposure is left. Though her family understood why Leafpool herself chose to keep it a secret, they still felt betrayed. They weren't surprised due to Hollyleaf's other crimes but it was still disappointing. Some loved ones take a while before they can speak to her again. Meanwhile Hollyleaf's more distant relatives, like Lionblaze's kits, refuse to acknowledge their kinship with her.

- When real Bramblestar returns, he decides it's pointless to exile her again since it's been so long and she's already punished herself that way. Instead, Bramblestar explains that many warriors feel unsafe, sharing their den with a killer. He thinks it's unfair to force them to compromise. Bramblestar allows Hollyleaf to remain in Thunderclan, but she must have her own isolated den, outside of the camp boundaries. She can return to camp to receive assignments, but she just can't sleep there anymore. As for other permanent consequences, she's banned from Gatherings and mentorship.

Starless Clan:

- Hollyleaf supports the warrior code changing, arguing that some rules do more damage than good. She points to her broken family, saying it could've been avoided with proper protocols. She says good mothers like Leafpool are unfairly forced to give up their kits and branded traitors.

- Hollyleaf fosters Flinchkit and Flamekit while Sparkpelt grieves. Flamepaw comes to see Hollyleaf as a mother figure. Sorrelstripe still nurses them but she's more hands-off, wanting to give Hollyleaf space to bond with Flamekit. Flamepaw has a mostly good relationship with Hollyleaf, much better than Sparkpelt. However, he has underlying doubts about her, knowing her murderous past. He is aware that Hollyleaf is the black sheep of the family and fears he might be the same. He knows he gets the occasional worried looks from his clanmates for being so close to Hollyleaf. Sometimes, he has overdramatic fears that he'll hurt Sparkpelt, as Hollyleaf did to Leafpool, artificially drawing comparisons between them.

-When Flamepaw struggles to find his place, Hollyleaf wants to help her nephew. She suggests the mediators could train him to become her successor. However, he shuts her down. He says Hollyleaf is doing the very thing he's trying to avoid: Using nepotism to get a special ranking. Hollyleaf claims mediators aren't glorious, and distrust is still aimed towards them. Though Flamepaw refuses to humor the idea further.

-Nightheart becomes bitter at Hollyleaf's choice to raise him. He argues that their clanmates look at him strangely because the resident murderer decided to get close to him. Hollyleaf mutters she was trying to help Sparkpelt, but Nightheart isn't fully convinced. He says her past makes her unfit to be a foster parent, and she shouldn't use kits to reconcile her own guilt. While Nightheart's words were excessive, Hollyleaf knew he was partly telling the truth.

-Alongside Tree, Hollyeaf tries to convince Tigerstar to leave Riverclan alone. They partly succeed, as Shadowclan warriors are slowly withdrawn from Riverclan camp.

-On one occasion, Hollyleaf overhears Berryheart trying to guilt-trip Sunbeam into abandoning Nightheart. Reacting to this slander against Half-Clan families, Hollyleaf gets into a brief fight with Berryheart.

-After Nightheart matures, he believes he was too harsh towards Hollyleaf. So the next time he sees her, he apologises. The black she-cat admits she should give her nephew space and rethink how her reputation could affect her loved ones.

#warrior cats #erin hunter warriors #warrior cats fanfic #warrior cats au #wc au #brambleclaw #bramblestar #crowfeather #hollyleaf #jayfeather #leafpool #lionblaze #rewrite #squirrelflight #nightheart #flamepaw #power of three #omen of the stars #sparkpelt #alderheart #fanfic #cats #ashfur #breezepelt #dovewing #ivypool #heathetail #finchlight #a starless clan #spoilers

[rushwingtales]

Leafpool's Wish Rewritten Chapter 7

Part 6

Beginning

Nippy white shards pricked at Leafpool’s numb paw pads as she blinked against the dim dawn light. Up much earlier than she’d wanted. Solid snow had settled in the camp, hardening like a new layer of gleaming stone. The pale sun’s long rays caught at just the right angle, a million stars gleaming like a frosty version of the Moonstone, long forgotten back at the Old Forest. Arching her spine, Leafpool failed to get the grogginess out of her system, having gotten pitiful sleep.

Yet no matter how much she had tousled and turned around in the moss last night, like hovering flies, guilt and fear had refused to let her mind settle. She took a moment to enjoy the chilled crisp air as it filled her lungs as she stood in the open clearing. Relieved to escape her claustrophobic den, feeling narrower with each passing day. Branches of the fallen tree rattled as Daisy slid out from Elder’s den, carrying dirty moss, dumping it outside of the Apprentice’s den for one of its members to clear out later.

Since there were no kits in the Nursery, while Ferncloud had returned to her warrior duties, Daisy had taken up caring for the oldest instead of the youngest. As she plodded past, Dasiy gave Leafpool a pleasant dip of the head, who stood there as a drained husk. Before Leafpool’s slow-moving brain could process a response, Daisy had already vanished into the gloomy shelter again. Hissing to herself that she’d missed the chance to lighten this bleak situation with a polite conversation. Especially with the Queen who was likely going to help raise her kits once they were in Squirrelflight’s care.

What time was it anyway? Attempting to knock herself out of her confused daze, Leafpool’s blurry vision swept across the edges of camps to see who was awake. Though roughly four or five clanmates were active, everyone else was still tucked away in their dens. Only Dawn patrol and last night’s guard were working this early in the day.

Like cruel claws of ice scraping down her back, a freezing wind managed to burrow its way beyond the cliff barriers into camp. Instantly the few cats around scattered like ants into thick bushes or caves, desperate to escape the weather. Reluctantly, Leafpool had to retreat into her lonely corner of Thunderclan. Recently Leafbare’s reign had gotten so harsh, that Firestar had ordered all cats without duties to keep warm in their dens and reserve their energy. For once a valid excuse for Clan cats to act like Kittypets.

Slumping down onto the cold stone, Leafpool kept her eyes firmly on the entrance. Vaguely hoping to spot the faces of the kin and friends she’d grown up with all her life. Yet the bitter wind kept it the rock hollow empty and barren of life. It was a hard concept to grasp, that from this day on, apart from Squirrelflight, all of Thunderclan would think Leafpool had been kidnapped forever. First their old deputy, Graystripe and now their Medicine cat. She’d be making her Clanmates think Twolegs were even more of a threat.

Curling up into a ball, Leafpool had never felt more alone in life, with no hope of escaping it, sworn into silence by Starclan itself. Yet an abrupt wriggling sensation came from under her soft belly like swimming fish, reminding her otherwise. Would you even remember our short time together, my kits? It’s not that it mattered what Leafpool felt anymore, it was only about them.

“None of this is your fault, little ones.”, she whispered, pressing her muzzle to her flank, “I and your father made an awful mistake and we’re punished for it. But you don’t need to worry. You’ll grow up happy under loyal parents, just like you deserve.”, she breathed, the purr beginning to rise in her throat. Relishing in the wonders of motherhood while she still could.

“And I promise, even if I can’t be your mother, I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”, she announced, trying to make out their tiny heartbeats as her ear lay flat against them, “You’re a blessing from Starclan and I’ll always love you, even if you don’t know it.”.

No matter how much Leafpool wanted a response, the underdeveloped scraps under her pelt didn’t even twitch. Even if they could somehow hear her, there was no way her kits could understand a single word. And they shouldn’t either. They needed to keep safe from the harsh truth and so couldn’t be allowed to remember anything hinting towards Leafpool’s true relationship with them.

Yet Leafpool’s self-pitying wasn’t allowed to last as rustling came from elsewhere. However instead of it being one of the dens, it came from the thorn tunnel as Squirrelflight appeared, her fur bristled up as a spiky barrier against the unforgiving cold. Braving the freezing waves of wind, Leafpool went to the clearing to greet her, “How are you returning to camp?”, she gasped, pressing close together to share their warmth, “How early did you wake up?”.

Even if no one else was daring to venture outside of their warmer dens, Squirrelflight still lowered her head, whispering, “I have the luxury of staying in camp the next moon, so it’s only fair I do this last bit of work.”, she mewed, “The scene has already been set up, two two-leg scents and everything.”.

Nearby, Spiderleg was on guard duty, struggling not to fall asleep. As the sisters approached, it finally gave the bored tom something to do. "Sneaking off to see Crowfeather, are we Leafpool?", he coldly snorted. Leafpool flinched violently at the remark. Please don't let that be any more than a joke! Sharply turning her head towards Spiderleg, Squirrelflight spat back, "Oh, shut up! It barely lasted a day and nothing came out of it. Let it go already.". Holding up his paw defensively, the black warrior narrowed his eyes, "Fine- Whatever! Keep your fur on, foxheart.".  Keeping her head down in shame, Leafpool silently trodded out of the camp while the stubborn clanmates stared each other down. Out in the forest, Leafpool could finally speak freely, “What excuse did you use to get up so early?”, Leafpool added quickly.

Squirrelflight shrugged, “Just said the kits were fidgeting, so went on a night’s run to deal with it. Does that sound weird to me?”.

All Leafpool could do was be completely honest, “Sounds just like you to me.”, she admitted. “Exactly.”, the ginger she-cat rasped.

Just as Squirrelflight finished speaking, the sound of crunching paws against snow caught both their attention. Brambleclaw approached, leaving deep tracks in his path from his heavyweight, “Did exercise help with the pain at all?”, he asked warily, pressing his muzzle to his mate’s plump belly, “Not even born yet and those furballs are already as feisty as their mother.”

Still awkward from Brambleclaw’s exposed secrets, Squirrelflight made him keep his distance with her tail, “Not yet.”, She still purred at the joke, “But I’m heading out with Leafpool to grab the right herb.”.

Hearing this, Brambleclaw’s amber gaze drifted over to Leafpool, ear twitching curiously, “You seriously don’t have anything stocked after that herb spree yesterday?”, he asked in disbelief.

Leafpool snorted, “Even a whole day isn’t enough to collect every herb type, Brambleclaw.”. Though what she technically said was true, deception still lurked underneath. As Leafpool and Squirrelflight had purposefully left out borage from their last trip, they’d have the excuse to go out a second time.

Brambleclaw blinked thoughtfully for a moment, “If this carries on, do you think Squirrelflight will need to move to the Nursery?”, he finally asked. Of course this, the independent Squirrelflight had an instant and strong reaction, “Excuse me, I’m the one who’s pregnant.”, she snapped, beating her tail on the white floor, “So I’ll decide that!”.

Leafpool cooly laid her tail over an enraged Squirrelflight, like flinging solid ice into a blazing fire. Calmly she explained, “Most Queens don’t move until a moon is in and Squirrelflight is only a half-moon, so it’ll be awhile to go.”, she mewed. Both of them reluctantly nodding, Leafpool changed course towards the Thorn tunnel, “We should get going.”, she mewed, calling back to Brambleclaw, “Tell Firestar we’re out if he asks.”.

As they passed a dozing Spiderleg and the Thorn tunnel, the forest stretched before them, stained white, with sharp snow or ice clinging to every surface like a pest. Thick grey clouds gathered on the corner of the sky like a hunter waiting in hiding to strike and drown the landscape ever further in Leafbare. All trees had been struck bare of leaves, leaving their naked branches to be battered by the cruel wild. Would the Horse Place allow her kits to escape this harsh season? Would Squirrelflight be able to handle it and keep up the lie at the same time?

After a while, Leafpool finally felt confident enough to turn to Squirrelflight, “Actually, Brambleclaw has the right idea. Since you’re only plump from food, we can’t afford you to be burning fat on Warriors duties, or you’ll lose your pregnant belly. So, I know you’ll probably say no but- could you move into the Nursery early? Maybe in reaction to my disappearing. It could make it look more convincing. ”, Leafpool stammered off into silence, she wondered if her littermate had even heard half of her rambling.

However, Squirrelflight responded with a groan so impressively loud, Leafpool wasn’t aware that was possible for a cat, “I’ll do what’s necessary for the kits. But don’t expect me not to moan about it.”. Twisting her neck like a snake, Leafpool stared directly at Squirrelflight. Up until this point, she hadn’t truly recognized just how lucky to have someone at her side. To all those other forbidden mates who were completely alone is world waiting to snap at them with death or exile. At every turn, with no hope of escape. Leafpool couldn’t dare to imagine.

With the deepest of sighs, Leafpool began her long painful speech, “I’m sorry for having to make you do all this-”. However, suddenly her open jaw was filled with a mouthful of fur, blocking the words. “That’s enough.”, Squirrelflight ordered.

Before Leafpool could spit out the tail and reply, Squirrelflight suddenly threw herself at a nearby oak. With bursting speed, true to her name, she scaled the nearly vertical trunk with the skill of a squirrel, disappearing into its branches. Leaving Leafpool standing there, lost for words.

Using all her body weight, Squirrelflight slammed onto the lowest branch, a large clump of snow piled on top. Unable to react in time, the icy powder drenched Leafpool from head to tail, the sudden stab of cold making her gasp.

Instinctively, Leafpool rapidly shook off every flake from her brown pelt, coming down in a waterfall of white. Instead of explaining her immature behaviour, as soon as Squirrelflight’s paws hit the ground, she swerved, tumbling into the scrawny thicket. “Squirrelflight!”, Leafpool called, “Where are you doing? This is serious!”.

However as the rustling faded into the distance, it became clear she wasn’t coming back, forcing Leafpool to give chase. What was her sister playing at? A forest all its own, Leafpool blindly stumbled through the massive plant patch, dead roots tugged at her paws and sharp twigs scraped against her face. Brown leaves now too heavy for their shrivelled stems slumped over to create an arching roof, sealing Leafpool inside.

The only guidance in this lake of rotting undergrowth was the hushed crinkling of flattening leaves as Squirrelflight trampled them, somewhere out there. Straining her ears, Leafpool struggled to locate the subtle noise against the wall of howling wind high above. Did Thunderclan's hunters have to go through this every day?

Then a sharp hiss rang as her littermate must have stepped on a sharp object, giving Leafpool all the direction she needed. Spinning round, the Medicine cat traced the source of the sound to the edge of a thicket. However, Squirrelflight picked up on Leafpool nearing, giving up on hiding and just trying to escape, bolting out from the tangle of roots like orange lightning.

Refusing to play this game any longer, Leafpool legged it after her, using every piece of energy she had to spare. Now in the open, only speed could decide who would be victorious. “Can we stop this now?”, Leafpool begged loudly, her voice heavy with panting. Nimble as ever, Squirrelflight causally leapt from log to log like a toad, having a great time. “Only when you catch me!”, the ginger she-cat cheered.

What were they, kits? They were supposed to be protecting actual kits, not pretending to be one! Having enough, Leafpool decided to pull Squirrelflight’s trick against her, halting suddenly and ducking under a decaying stump. It took a few heartbeats for her prey to notice the lack of a hunter, searching her forest surroundings.

Pressing hard against the bark, Leafpool hoped its musty tang would be enough to conceal her Thunderclan scent. Stinking her muzzle to the bare earth, Squirrelflight’s nose and eyes scanned every surface, slowly edging towards Leafpool’s tree stump. Trying to remember the little she knew of hunting, Leafpool gathered her weight under her, piling it into her legs as she crouched there. 

Steadying her back paws, she waited for Squirrelflight to come into pouncing distance, then struck! Leaping into the air, Leafpool quickly focused the force onto her littermate’s shoulder, knocking her down. Unable to find their footing in time, both were sent tumbling down the sloping hillside in a ball of rolling fur.

Luckily Squirrelflight managed to detach from the flailing paws, twisting to grab Leafpool’s scruff and grinding her claws into the snow until they came to a shakey stop. Shaking down their ruffed pelts from the snow and dirt, they had landed in a shallow gully at the bottom of the hill, carved out by an ancient river, now long dried up. Trees desperately clung to its steep sides at odd angles, upturning the earth and exposing their snaking roots. Ready to topple in any heartbeat.

Leafpool flattened her ears in annoyance, she stared down at her mouse-brained sister, who still cleaned her messy coat, “When you go into the Nursery soon, do you want to be a Queen or a kit?”, she hissed, not in the mood anymore.

Nudging a twig out from behind her ear, Squirrelflight just snorted, “If you’re going to leave, then I make you leave smiling. Not like the miserable lump you’ve been over the past few days.”. Flinching at those words, Leafpool couldn’t help but silently agree. Since she’d realized she was pregnant, all she’d been doing was moping about her den and drowning in her self-pity.

“I guess having a bit of fun before I go wouldn’t hurt.”, Leafpool weakly purred, sitting back on her haunches, trying to relax. Squirrelflight pressed her flank against Leafpool’s, brushing her silky tail against her cheek, “Even if you made a mistake Leafpool, that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to be happy.”.

“I guess.”, Leafpool sighed, feeling the shame drain away to cold numbness. Feeling strangely weak, Squirrelflight allowed Leafpool to lean on her shoulder as the journey made them follow the rest of the ditch. Along the way, Leafpool collected every herb the barren rocky path had to offer. To give the impression that they’d been collecting herbs. Though the selection was pitiful, only a few strands of withered yarrow and tansy. Through wedged deep between two boulders, Leafpool divorced an upturned Borage plant, blew down by the wind.

“Good find!”, Squirrelflight exclaimed, “That will be useful for secret supplies.”. Carrying the drooping stems, Leafpool tried answering through closed teeth, “Even when I’m gone, you’ll need to remember to keep up the borage doses and extra prey.”. Ear twitching, Squirrelflight glanced down at her growing belly with a groan, “Can’t wait.”, she drily remarked.

Soon, the tall walls of the gully sloped downwards, until eventually, they were non-existent, joining together at a single point, creating a dead end. Scrambling up onto higher land again, Leafpool finally noticed the wide spaces between trees, without much greenery to fill in the emptiness left behind. Only large mounds of mushy fallen leaves gave this place any distinction.

Tasting the air, Thunderclan’s scent marks grew faint, now mingling with outside scents of foxes and two legs. Laying a paw onto the damp ground, Leafpool now stood on the Thunderclan border not shared by any other Clan. Signalling the end of Leafpool’s beloved home and the start of the vast unknown worlds beyond.

Yet it wasn’t over, as Squirrelflight made them follow the border even further up, where the oaks made an eerily perfect circle, creating a neat forest opening. Then it was clear why she’d been brought here. Round the clearing; claw marks were scraped into the bark of trees, fallen leaves were wildly scattered around while earth and snow tracks remained upturned.

“Convincing?”, Squirrelflight mewed with pride and she had every right to. It certainly resembled the aftermath of a gruesome struggle. Telling a detailed story of a cat desperately lashing out and clinging to the ground as they were hauled by a larger creature they were helpless to defend themselves.

“It certainly is.”, Leafpool gazed, feeling impressed and uneasy at the same time. Even worse when she remembered this was all for her. This is what her Clanmates would inversion her when Squirrelflight claims she was kidnapped. But what she didn’t expect, was the nasty smell two-leg hanging in the atmosphere.

“How did you get it smelling like Twolegs? This is amazing.”, Leafpool exclaimed, following the edges of the clearing with her muzzle. Remaining sitting at the centre, Squirrelflight shrugged, “I had to roll in two-leg gardens last night to get it over here. I smelt worse than a Shadowclan cat covered in foxing.”.

After laughing at her joke, burying down the pain, Squirrelflight hurriedly moved on. Arching her ears, she pointed out a distinctive elm tree among this oak-filled landscape. At the exact centre, the trunk was snapped in half, like a giant claw had slashed through it, threads of the sorter and paler wood pouring out of the wound.

Brushing her tail against the rough timber, Squirrelflight mewed, “When the kits are born and ready to be picked up from the Horse Place, leave a scratch mark on this tree. A patrol will report that and I’ll know it’s you.”. Nerves pricked at Leafpool’s fur, needing to risk coming so close to the border when she was supposed to be missing. Though it was necessary, the safest way to communicate.

Testing it, Leafpool flexed her claws into the dead trunk, soft from decay, perfect for a clear scratch mark. While she fused over the scenery, she barely noticed Squirrelflight dragging out a chestnut brown hare from a clump of brambles. “And one last thing-”, Squirrelflight mewed, letting it fall limp on the floor, “A Rabbit served fresh from the moors. A gift from Crowfeather.”.

Instantly, Leafpool stared at Squirrelflight, massive fear rapidly building like a fire, “You didn’t tell him about the kits, did you?”, she gasped.

To her relief, Squirrelflight quickly shook her head, “No- no. I came across him on a border patrol and told him you wanted to taste Windclan rabbit again.”, her sister mewed, “So we made a little trade- A Thunderclan squirrel for this rabbit.”

Nervously, Leafpool poked at the limp prey with her paw, very tempted by it, “But what if Onestar finds out about this?”, she asked, “He’ll think Thunderclan stealing prey.”. I dread to think what the impulsive Windclan leader could do to Thunderclan without its Medicine cat.

“Relax.”, Squirrelflight insured, nudging it towards her, “Crowfeather hid its scent before it even crossed the border.”. Sniffing at its wispy fur, there wasn’t a trace of heather on it. Instead only the moist reek of mushrooms, freshly rolled in the fungi. Confident it was safe to eat, Leafpool nodded gratefully towards Squirrelflight, before tearing into the sweet meat.

It had been so long before Leafpool had an entire fresh-kill all to herself, that she almost felt greedy. But those feelings of guilt were quickly washed down by the juicy taste of Windclan, crewer then Thunderclan’s usual prey. Unable to remember the last time Crowfeather had hunted for her. Even if he didn’t know it, he was helping to sustain the development of his kits by keeping Leafpool fed. I’ll make sure every one of our litter survives to become proud warriors, Crowfeather, no matter which clan they belong to.

Soon, the delicious rabbit was reduced to thin bones and a furry hide, Leafpool sitting back and lashing up the last food scraps from around her muzzle. Satisfied to allow this moment to last forever. However knowing she couldn’t pulse time, Leafpool forced herself to reluctantly bury the leftovers under the scattered leaves. Crowfeather’s gift would not to go waste.

The whole time Squirrelflight had patiently waited for Leafpool without a moan, crouched at the edge of the messy clearing. Padding over with a full belly, Medicine cat’s throat soon dried up. “This is it, isn’t it?”, Leafpool whispered.

Attempting to hide her emotions, Squirrelflight just shrugged, “Yeah. I guess it is.”, she muttered, forcing a pleasant twitch of the whiskers. The wind weaving through the rustling bracken was like the forest itself whispering to her, beckoning Leafpool.

Beyond the border, the trees kept diminishing in number, fewer and fewer, until there was nothing at all, only long fields of grass and weeds. Nothing on the outside to remind her of home. Even though she was facing the dangerous outside world alone, she still wanted to know that her clanmates' distant hopes and prayers could give her strength through it all.

“Don’t give it away, but when you tell Thunderclan a Twoleg caught me- remind them I’m not actually dead and can still come back.”, Leafpool begged, “I want them to have some hope.”.

Brushing her tail against Leafpool’s bony flank, Squirrelflight softly purred, “Of course I will.”.

Though there was a hollowness in that purr.

For all this time, the sisters had sheltered themselves under their wall of lies and silence. Yet they no longer had that luxury. Despite the details being a lie, those words Squirrelflight would utter to the whole clan would be true - Leafpool would be missing, going past the Clans’ domain, where anything could happen to her or the kits and they would be none the wiser.

Even moments away from leaving, Leafpool still couldn’t help herself but continue supporting her sister, “So- Make sure you keep up your extra prey and Borage leaves.”, Leafpool reminded her in a stuttering voice, “And even if you don’t know that much- Could you help Brightheart and Sandstorm whenever you ca-”.

For her good, Squirrelflight interrupted her with a sharp yap, “Leafpool!”. Flattening down her burning brown pelt with her tongue, “It’s best you just go. Don’t make this any more painful.”. The sisters shuffled closer together, burying their heads into their shoulders and tail curled round in a circle. Their breathing is perfectly in sync as if one living creature. For the longest time, nobody dared move.

What could have been a heartbeat or a moon, desperately Leafpool gripped onto Squirrelflight, the only one who understood. A cat who would still love her even if Leafpool had a river of innocent blood at her feet. Starclan had truly blessed her with the best sister.

Though for the best, the ginger withdrew her glowing warmth from Leafpool as she stepped back, letting Leafbare’s chilling grip burrow down into her bones once again. Forcing herself not to glance back, Squirrelflight grabbed the herbs and silently slipped across the scattered remains of the clearing, soon lost to the sea of greeny.

With nothing else to do, Leafpool drifted in the opposite direction, like a lost chick who had dropped out of the nest.

***********************************

Swiping the prickly weeds from her face, Leafpool stepped out from the large patch of tangling brush. Ahead of her were dense unfamiliar shrublands of dull greens and yellows, stumpy short trees barely peeking out from the tufts of long grass. Sloping downwards to the hard surface of the black sticky stone of a small Thunderpath, burning with a smoke-like scent, venomous to her sensitive nose. Without Monsters zipping past at blinding speed, the Thunderpath seemed mostly abandoned, allowing brown dust to settle.

More snow had flattered down from the heavens, crisping up the surrounding thicket. Though the heavy grey clouds had cleared up to either side of the sky, that didn’t stop the sunlight from dimming as the sun crept towards the horizon. The Thunderclan border was long out of sight, only a narrow line of green in the far distance.

By now, Squirrelflight must have already lied to their Clanmates that a Twoleg had snatched Leafpool away. How were they all handling it? Her parents especially must have been having an awful time.  This wasn’t the first time a daughter had disappeared, happening before when Squirrelflight had left for the Sun-drown place. Yet this wasn’t the same. At least with her littermate, she had five travelling companions to help protect her. But for Leafpool, she was alone, with unborn litter to take care of.  Placing the blame on a two-leg, twisted everything to become darker and uglier. All cats were painfully aware of the power Twolegs held over them, first destroying their forest territories and then snatching away their former deputy for seasons on end. Now Thunderclan thought the same fate had fallen upon their Medicine cat. Without Leafpool, Brightheart would think she’d have to take up an unwanted rank for a lifetime despite having a mate and kit. Would she handle the stress of it all? Could Sandstorm provide any aid in her grief? Was the emotional manipulation of everyone they knew justified? On the assumption that Thunderclan's hatred might be so much, they'd ignore the warrior code to punish innocent kits? Whether Leafpool was being selfish or selfless, it was impossible to say anymore. But there was no point in turning back now.

“I’ll be back soon.”, Leafpool quietly promised, somehow wishing the rippling breeze to pick up the words like a dead leaf, delivering the message home. Sighing, she pressed onwards.

Crowfeather’s rabbit had given her the energy necessary to make the long journey to Horse Place, but that didn’t stop her from becoming breathless and her paws numb. Usually, the trek would have been reasonably short, able to easily make it within a day. However, Leafpool has been forced to make a large detour from the usual path, travelling in a long arch outside the territories instead of cutting straight through them.

Not even able to travel near the borders, as if she was spotted by an enemy patrol, Squirrelflight’s story could be shattered at the next Gathering. So the only route possible, was in those barren hills far away from the lake, not another Clan cat in sight. Unless Thunderclan sent out a search patrol, attempting to track her scent. Yet even that wasn’t enough, as Leafpool smelt of nothing but frosty snow, rolling in it from head to tail.

Following the dusty Thunderpath up north, it veered back in the direction of the Lake, Shadowclan’s pines and Windclan’s moors growing larger. However just before Leafpool came dangerously close to exposure, the hard stone surface of the Thunderpath turned to a dirt track underfoot.

Soon, Leafpool found herself at the end of the shrubbery, the only plant life outstretching in the vast field was short grass, almost trimmed to their roots. Everything else was a strange two-leg object beyond a cat’s understanding.

Pacing round its borders, Leafpool considering turning around and giving birth out in the wilderness somewhere. However, a sudden blast of wind swept fresh fox scent over her, alerting her to its recent presence. Even worse, was that milk was among the rotten smell. It must've been the pregnant fox driven out of Thunderclan territory serval sunsets ago.

Squirrelflight was right: It was either foxes killing her or Twolegs capturing her. Gulping, Leafpool returned to the Horse Place. Crisscrossing white two legs fences marked the start of a Twoleg’s territory, solid masses of red stone and wood laying at its centre. Barricaded among the fences, the huge muscular frames of horses trotted around the confined spaces. If Twolegs could contain such powerful animals, they could easily do the same to Leafpool. She knew that better than most from her own experience. Back when she was only Leafpaw and fleeing the crumbling forest, alongside other Clan cats, Twolegs had briefly imprisoned her inside boxes. Would the ones from Horse Place do the same? From Firestar's kittypet tales, they seemed impossible to predict: Some tried feeding cats while others would give chase. It was best just to assume all Twolegs as the enemy.    

Leaning against the outermost wooden post, she hesitated to enter inside, Leafpool fearing either the heavy hooves of the horse or the grasping hands of Twolegs. Was this the best place for her kits? What if she couldn’t hide her kits from the Twolegs and they took them away like Floss’s kits?

Could Leafpool even trust the Horseplace cats to keep her secret? They're disconnected to the Warrior Code was a blessing and a curse. They’d only see her litter as innocent kits, not Half-clan filth like some Clan cats would. However, they could accidentally spill secrets, unknowing of the danger it would her family in. Well, if she was staying with them for the next moon, she’d make them understand. She had to.

However, all those dreaded questions were cut short when the fence above her swayed under a cat's weight. “Howdy down there! You’re one of Daisy’s Clan friends, ain’t ya?”, a silvery voice called. Perched on the fence, a lean grey and white tom peered down at Leafpool with a curious yellow gaze. It was Smokey, Dasiy’s fellow loner.

Dipping her head in greeting, Leafpool answered, “Yes, I’m Thunderclan’s Medicine cat, Leafpool. Do you remember me, Smokey?”. With a moment’s thought, the loner’s fluffy tail twitched approvingly, “Oh boy I do.”, Smokey exclaimed with laughter, “That wacky cat is obsessed with plants. So how are my kits?”.

Ignoring his annoying comment, Leafpool just focused on the question, “Daisy's lot? They’re doing well.”, She informed him, “All three of them have been appointed apprentices, so they’re now: Berrypaw, Hazelpaw and Mousepaw.”.

Seemingly relaxed in the Clan cat’s presence, Smokey licked at his paw and swiped it over his face before answering, “So that’s what those furballs are called now? Wow, you Clan cats sure like your wordy names.”. Leaping down from the fence, Smokey landed on the rough grass, uncomfortably close to Leafpool, brushing his tail against her flank, “So what can I do for a fine she-cat like you?”, he asked smoothly with slow blinks.

He’s trying to flirt with me! Heating up with embarrassment, she quickly shuffled away from him. Straightening up, Leafpool got down to business, “I know this is a lot to ask of you.”, she admitted, “But I need a place to give birth to my kits. Away from the Clan territories, they can’t know of their existence.”.

A flash of disappointment went over Smokey’s face with the mention of her pregnancy, those it was quickly replaced with disgust, “Sounds nasty.”, he growled, “Do they actually forbid some cats having kits?”. Flattening her ears, Leafpool hated to confess any flaws in the group she’d grown up with but it had to be said. “Well yes, Unfortunately.”, she replied.

To her relief, Smokey just shrugged, “Hey, ain’t my business.” he sneered, “So stay as long as you want.”

Leafpool pricked with pleasant surprise, “Really?”, she mewed, “With all due respect- I didn’t expect you to be so calm about this. You're letting a stranger into your home after all.”. Instead of standing around to have the rest of the conversation, Smokey crawled onto his belly, inviting Leafpool to join him with his tail. While still moving, Smokey answered her, “We’ve got more food and room to know what to do with. So the extra company would be nice.”.

Then, they were ducking and weaving between a maze of white bark, edging towards the Barn-like structure at the centre. After a pause, Smokey added in a serious tone, “And if kits are really in danger for whatever reason, you won’t find me standing aside.”. Leafpool couldn’t help but admire the loner’s courage to protect her unborn litter, even if he wasn’t their father.

“Will your two legs mind me around here?”, she asked as they followed a sandy path free of snow, probably cleared out by the local Housefolk. Unbothered, Smokey shook his tail dismissively, “As long as you stay away from my Nofurs’ nest, those big lumps wouldn’t even notice if I dropped dead right now. I think they only keep us around for the mice.”. 

Briefly, Leafpool was unsure how to handle the Loner using another name for the Twolegs, but quickly chose to ignore it. She blinked in confusion, “Why would large two legs need you for such smaller creatures?”, she asked. How could they control massive creatures like horses but not deal with tiny mice?

“Not the slightest clue.”, Smokey chuffed with amusement, “But believe me when I say, put a mouse and a two-leg in the same room and it’s chaos. It’s quite hilarious actually.”. That was certainly hard to imagine. Were Twolegs really as scary as she thought they were? No wonder so many kitty pets enjoyed living with them like Kin.

Finally, they made it to a large Twoleg nest, its walls made of pale stone while the doors hung open, made from narrow strips of wood. Shouldering their way through the small split, the air turned stuffy, a stark contrast from the empty and cold atmosphere of the outside. Fiery twilight filtered through openings in the Barn’s walls, tinting the golden hay piles purple.

As soon as she was in the shelter of the Barn, Leafpool shook down her wind-battered pelt, scattering snowflakes. “I’ll be right back.”, Smokey mewed, disappearing round a corner into the wider opening. While he was gone, Leafpool took the time to assess her temporary home. The short pattering of paws told prey wandered among those walls.

Resisting the urge to hunt, she poked at the dried grass with her paws, even softer than nests back at camp. At the far end of the Barn, smooth silver and wooden objects were balanced against the wall, many like huge craved claws. At last, a weak purr crept out of Leafpool’s throat. The guilt of abandoning Thunderclan a second time would always weigh her down but now she had everything she needed: Prey, shelter and warmth.

Settling down after the exhausting experience, Leafpool whispered to her kits, “You’re safe now.”, she announced with relief. The Barn came in two levels, An elevated platform made from a floating log, created extra storage for hay. From atop of this came Smokey’s excited yowl, “Floss! We’ve got a new friend!”.

#bramblestar #brambleclaw #crowfeather #hollyleaf #jayfeather #leafpool #lionblaze #rewrite #squirrelflight #warrior cats #leafpool's wish #warrior cats fanfic #erin hunter #warriors #thunderclan #leafxcrow #leafpoolxcrowfeather

[rushwingtales]

Leafpool's Wish Rewritten Chapter 6

Part 5

Part 7

Beginning

Using her tail, Leafpool brushed aside the last of the leaf wraps and after wandering out from the Herb store, she was surprised to find herself with nothing else to do. Just standing there idly for a moment. Thinking hard on something she’d missed. Yet she couldn’t. She had; checked up on the separate dens, counted all the seeds and preserved every herb. And it wasn’t like she could go into the territory to gather even more herbs, it would be a waste, as the plants needed to be left alone to grow for future seasons. The Catmint stock especially plentiful, any attempt greencough made to sprout up in the Clan again, had swiftly been taken care of.

Realising this wasn’t normal in the slightest. Even Lone Medicine cats in the middle of leafbare had some free time to spare. Crouching down on the hard floor, Leafpool gazed round the cave. For a moment, she considered going back to her nest but quickly decided against it. All she’d done recently was work and sleep. Not having shared tongues or having a friendly conversation in days.

This had become her unspoken prison, forcing herself to stay within the grey walls for as long as possible. Desperately needs to avoid her Clanmates to stop the detection of the kits growing inside her. Reaching to her paws, Leafpool began to pace against the back wall while in her thoughts.

It had been four sunrises since the Moonpool meeting, where the exposure of her pregnancy really should have happened by now. Usually, by a half-moon in, which Leafpool was roughly now, the pregnant belly would be visibly swollen enough for keen eyes to notice. Experienced Queens like Daisy and Ferncloud should have definitely noticed at the very least. Yet they hadn’t.

To most cats in her situation, this would have been a good thing. Nobody suspects a thing. But Leafpool’s Medical knowledge told her to know better. It was the opposite problem now. No longer was the threat coming from outside but inside. The Algae had done a remarkable job keeping her stomach down. Besides becoming more solid, it had reduced the size. However, now Leafpool feared for the development of her litter, not having enough room to properly grow if she continued to halt the natural processes.

Worse, Leafpool had to make do with even smaller shares of prey than she’d usually get for Leaf-Bare, needing to sacrifice it to plump up Squirrelflight. Which was starting to take effect, her sister having gained more fat around the belly. Which to the sisters’ relief, had shattered the slightest chance of doubt from everyone about Squirrelflight’s pregnancy.

Besides Goldenflower, Leafpool was the thinnest cat in the Clan. And even that was being challenged. Like an owl spying for prey, Leafpool watched as her Clanmates went about their business, seemingly her new hobby now.

Outside the Elder’s den, Mousefur was daring Longtail to taste Goldenflower’s frog, the blind tom adamantly refusing. Even if the slimy prey could only be enjoyed by Shadowclan cats, since it meant the difference between life and death, Goldenflower had happily taken the meal. Every hunting patrol Brambleclaw led, had been working overtime on that one small marsh patch, to simply bring back a single frog or two.

Since it was Leafbare, any prey like frogs and lizards were rare, needing to find their hibernation spots, which was harder said than done. Unclear on just how longer Thunderclan’s only marsh could provide a steady supply of eatable prey for Goldenflower. For once though, it had allowed

Brambleclaw finally relaxed, taking back his apprentice’s training from Brightheart. Berrypaw bounced eagerly after the brown tabby, as they joined the other mentors and apprentices for a training session. It included his littermates, Hazelpaw and Mousepaw, starting to recover from their grief. Though it would probably take Sorreltail's kin somewhat longer to get back into a routine. 

From on top of the Highledge, Thornclaw stormed out of the Leader’s den, Firestar hurriedly following after him. Ignoring his leader’s pleas for calm, Thornclaw stumbled down the boulders in a huff, suddenly going from a secondary deputy to a regular warrior again. Showing good signs, Firestar strongly lashed his tail as he stood firmly on the ledge. The neck wound was reduced to nothing but a slightly thinner strip of fur, almost fully recovered.

Even Ashfur had improved, not acting aggressively to everyone around him. He had a sudden shift, sparking up his old reputation as a respected warrior like the last few moons hadn't happened. Despite his casual interactions with his Clanmates, he'd neglected to maintain any close relationships, purposefully ignoring Ferncloud and Birchpaw. 

It was ironic, all her patients were on the path to full recovery, but the one responsible for healing them was the only one worsening. And Thunderclan needed it as well. Once all their problems are taken care of first, they could all unite later for the looming threat of the longer and colder nights Leafbare had yet to bring.

Grinding her stubby claws into the floor, Leafpool searched through her mind for a task that had to be done. Though for a slit heartbeat, Leafpool thought she could see her old mentor, Cinderpelt in front of her. After a shake of her head, she realised it was only little Cinderkit, her tabby pelt and straight back leg nothing like her deceased kin.

She came plodding into the cave, carrying a juicy vole. “Oh, hello Cinderkit.”, Leafpool greeted the kit, “Is that for me?”.The grey tabby forcefully shoved it from her grip to Leafpool’s, “Cloudtail told me to give this to you because Brightheart thinks you’re not looking after yourself.”, she scolded the Medicine cat, “So make sure to eat every bite. You need to stay big and strong for Thunderclan.”.

Leafpool stared at the younger cat, jaw hanging open. Unsure of whether she should be impressed or insulted. Though Cinderkit gave the expression no mind, beginning to wander back outside. Quickly dismissing it, Leafpool decided to grab the chance while it was still there, “Cinderkit, can you hold on for a moment.”.

Cinderkit paused, blinking in her eyes in the dusky light, eerily the same shade of blue as Cinderpelt’s, waiting for Leafpool to carry on. Refusing to be intimidated by a mere kit, Leafpool tried approaching calmly, “I’ve noticed you have a keen eye for your Clanmates health.”, She mewed, “Have you ever considered becoming a Medicine cat?”

The question didn’t seem to surprise the young she-cat, casually scratching her feathery check fur with her back paw, “I have.”, She admitted, “But it seems kind of boring- I want to do something new. Sorry, Leafpool.”. Ignoring Cinderkit’s strange wording, Leafpool shook her head, wrapping her tail around her body, “You don’t need to say sorry, I was only asking.”, Leafpool meowed, “Though, if you or your littermates are ever interested, you’re always welcome to ask a few questions.”.

Leaning over the limp vole, Leafpool pricked at it thoughtfully with her claws, deciding which parts to spare for Squirrelflight. However, her neck fur rose when she realised Cinderkit hadn’t left the den, her chilling words making Leafpool shiver, “Molepaw probably would have liked being a Medicine cat- He never liked hurting others.”, she muttered.

Turning her attention back to Cinderkit, Leafpool could only stare at her, wordless. Though wisdom and calmness radiated off the young cat, like dew steaming off a grass blade in the sunlight. “I know you’ve been blaming yourself for my brother’s death. But I don’t blame you, none of us do You tried saving him.”. Before a single breath could escape Leafpool’s lips, like the wind, Cinderkit had already exited the den and met up with Cloudtail on the other side of camp.

With nothing else to do, Leafpool laid down, clutching the vole in her front paws. Cinderkit was right. She had been the one to try and save Molepaw, not indirectly kill him through her forbidden mate. Even Starclan had confirmed the two had no link.

This wasn’t the first time Leafpool had a clanmate slip away within those stone walls and it wouldn't be the last. But every time, she always had Cinderpelt by her side, the best healer she’d known. When cats died under her mentor’s care, Leafpool truly knew there had been no hope for them. But without Cinderpelt, without that reference, Leafpool would never know if any of her patients were beyond saving or not. She didn’t know her strength as a Medicine cat.

Would Molepaw and Rainwhisker be alive if someone else had cared for them?

If Leafpool didn’t trust herself, then she could trust Cinderpelt. There was a reason her mentor had allowed Leafpool to carry her full name and hadn’t kept her an apprentice. Leafpool was ready. Everyone kept insisting she just had to do her best and that’s the only thing she could do. After all, She was only a cat.

Feeling like a boulder had been lifted from her shoulders, Leafpool finally embedded her teeth into the Vole, its rich flavours washing over her mouth. Lost in her greed, she was unable to stop herself from gorging down the majority of the fresh-kill. Despite how much she wanted to simple luxury of a full meal, Leafpool forced herself to leave the Vole’s head and lower back untouched, needed for the fake pregnancy.

Burying the food scraps under her nest for future use, Leafpool paused for a heartbeat, revelling in the feeling of an almost full belly. When she twisted her neck back, about to start cleaning her scrappy coat, Leafpool caught a glimpse of the outside world. Returning her gaze, Brightheart and Sandstorm stood side by side, lowered heads, whispering. Making Leafpool’s fur ripple like the tiny waves on the Lake’s shore. They weren’t suspicious of her, were they?

Hastily, Leafpool attempted to make herself look busy, stalking into a shaded corner, kneading at an already plump nest with her front legs, plumping it up to excess. It was no good, as Brightheart stopped out of the gloomy chamber, like a crow pecking around a wormhole for its wriggling prey. Vaguely, she had hoped Brightheart would come to Leafpool, but that quickly turned out not to be the case.

Instead, Brightheart remained just beyond her rocky hideaway, in the open light, her silent waiting forcing Leafpool to emerge. “We’re getting worried, Leafpool.”, Brightheart got straight to the point as the Medicine cat approached, “Why haven’t you been eating properly? How do you expect to care for the Clan if you can’t even care for yourself?”.

Stop Talking! Leafpool desperately wanted to cry out loud. They were clipping away at her walls of lies, threatening for the dark truth to slip out like a disturbed ant’s hill. While her mind was a raging battlefield of needed ideas, Leafpool’s face remained as blank as a sheet of ice. Say something, you stupid she-cat!

“Leafpool?”, Brightheart asked gently, blinking, slightly unnerved by an unmoving Leafpool.

The orangey patches of Brightheart’s pelt seemed to spark into a fierce fiery red, melting away the snowy white uncoated. Imagining a dark ginger she-cat, Squirrelflight standing there instead of Brightflower. Leafpool needed her sister more than ever before.

Before she could control herself, a lost Leafpool allowed her frantic thoughts to form into pathetic words, “I need your help.”, She slipped out to Brightheart.

“Do you need me back in the Medicine cat den?”, the ginger and white guessed, tail tip twitching. Unsure how Leafpool had gotten there, she just allowed the strong current of the conversation to sweep her away, blindly following where it went. As long as it leads in the opposite direction of her kits. “Yes.”, Leafpool abruptly spoke, making up everything on the fly, “I wasn’t as prepared as I thought- So you mind coming back? Only for a little while.”.

The warrior briefly gazed into space, before returning to Leafpool, “Have you tried looking for an apprentice yet?”, Brightheart mewed calmly.

“I’m trying.”, Leafpool replied, “I’ve asked Cinderkit to spread the word. But I can’t force anyone to be my apprentice if they don’t want to.”. A hovering thought abruptly hit Leafpool like a speeding monster; since her kits would only think of her as their mother’s sister, they could very well consider becoming her apprentice. Delight struck through her like a lightning bolt. Even if she couldn’t be a mother to them, she’d promise to be the perfect mentor!

“So- It’s this all it is?”, Brightheart wondered, breaking into Leafpool’s hopes for the future, “Struggling to adapt without Cinderpelt?”. Needing to get out of this situation, Leafpool simply nodded. Though Brightheart didn’t seem convinced, still pressing on like a strong river current, “Are you sure?”, Brightheart mewed.

“I’m sure.”, Leafpool spoke firmly, trying to get Brightheart off her trail, like trying to scratch off a stubborn tick. Only this one could expose a lot more than just a drop of blood. At last, the white she-cat shrugged, “Very well.”, heading in the opposite direction, “Call me when you need to.”.

Unable to afford another single scrap of suspicion, Leafpool instantly spans around on the spot, rushing towards the Warrior’s den. A fox-length from the entrance, Squirrelflight was sharing tongue with Whitewing, while Brambleclaw awkwardly crouched on the outskirts. Ignoring the slow forgiveness between the two mates, Leafpool prodded Squirrelflight with her muzzle.

Raising her head from Whitewing’s fluffy white fur, a dozy Squirrelflight took a while to recognize the panic on Leafpool’s face. However, as soon as she did, she abruptly got up, Whitewing and

Brambleclaw blinked in confusion.

***********************************************

“We should have thought of this earlier!”, Squirrelflight hissed at the musty air, sharpening her claws on a tangling tree that rot like a warm from bursting from the ground. Away from camp, the sisters had found the trees opening up for a small mossy mound, serving as a good vantage point for any possible spies in all directions. Choosing the distant backdrop of Shadowclan’s pines rather than Windclan’s moors. Despite how unlikely it was, Crowfeather couldn’t be allowed to spot them if he was out on a border patrol.

“Agreed.”, Leafpool huffed, guilt sparking up from her gut, as the kits seemed to become more active than ever, beating down hard on her belly, even stronger than her rushing heartbeat. Smoothing her aching belly down with her tongue, Leafpool somehow expected to calm unconscious bundles of fur. I and your mother will keep you safe, little ones, I promise.

“And to think this entire time we didn’t have a long-term plan. How can we be so mouse-brained to think, you can somehow give birth while still living in camp?”, Squirrelflight questioned, unclear if she asking Leafpool or herself. Though it didn’t matter. Every suggestion or concern in this conversation could not be afforded to be ignored.

“The problems will come much earlier than that, Squirrelflight.”, Leafpool pointed out, “Herbs can only do so much before someone is bound to notice me plumping up in the middle of Leafbare. Cats are already questioning my changing eating habits, including Sandstorm.”.

“But I thought the Algae was keeping the swelling down?”, Squirrelflight exclaimed, wide-eyed in surprised. While Squirrelflight had reaped the benefits of their extra prey, now having the plumpness to rival a Riverclan cat, Leafpool had become as scrawny as a struggling rouge. And to think Crowfeather and her thought they could raise a family in the unknown world outside the Clan territories.

“It is but not in the way we want.”, Leafpool revealed, “It’s making me lose weight. At this rate, it could put the kits in danger. Squirrelflight- I don’t know what to do.” For the longest time, no one dared speak expect the rippling breeze weaving among the hanging branches, rattling them like chattering teeth. Questions raced through her head on what in the name of Starclan they could do.

A single answer always tried creeping to the surface, but Leafpool kept banishing it to the darkest corners of her mind. There was only one option. But she couldn’t. Not after she caused so much suffering to Thunderclan. Though, what other choice was there?

Only Squirrelflight had the guts to finally speak the unspeakable words, “Then we have no choice.”, She whispered as harshly as the bitter frost surrounding them, “You have to leave Thunderclan territory to give birth to those kits.”.

“There has to be another way.”, Leafpool gasped, stumbling to find some excuse in the jumbled mess of her mind. It was pointless to try and fight it anymore. As Leafpool knew deep down in her heart, that every word that Squirrelflight said was true.

“You said yourself the kits’ growth could already be affected. We’re not taking more risks.”, Squirrelflight painfully reminded her, “You have to get out of here and focus on yourself and them. It’ll be a moon at most. Thunderclan will be fine.”.

“A whole moon without a Medicine cat, Squirrelflight!”, Leafpool repeated, “Too much could happen.”. Thinking of the endless possibilities of how Clanmates could get injured or sick, slowly sinking further down, left there to rot in a nest with no Medicine cat. Could Greencough break through their only cures? There couldn't be a repeat of Molepaw's and Rainwhisker's death. 

“But we’re not helpless.”, Squirrelflight argued, refusing to believe Thunderclan’s weakness, “You’re already working with Brightheart, ain’t you? And Sandstorm knows some basics as well. Their combined effects will be enough to last the moon, I sure.”.

For once, Squirrelflight caught the harshness in her own words, flattening her pelt again, her mews more gentle, carrying on, “It’ll only be temporary- Once you get back, you’ll take up the position as if nothing happened. It’s either this or your kits end up like Stormfur. Or worse.”.

Having to admit defeat, Leafpool’s head drooped down in a sigh, “So how exactly are we going to do this?”, she breathed shallowly.

“Well-”, Squirrelflight started abruptly, suddenly all the confident assurance drained out, “You’ll have to find somewhere to hide away from the Clans but also safe enough to raise kits.”

Leafpool flattened her ears, “Staying within any of the other Clan territories is completely out of the question.”, she mewed, “A mouse is more likely to sprout wings than Shadowclan is to keep our secret.”, she remarked, feeling like she was in Squirrelflight’s pelt for a heartbeat.

The tiny whirlpools within Squirrelflight’s head started spinning as she attempted to come up with ideas. Her lips twitched as she muttered quiet words to herself. “What about the island for Gatherings?”, Squirrelflight finally suggested, “It’s small and low on prey, but it only needs to support one cat.”. Seemly impressed at herself, her tail tip stuck straight up.

For the first time though, it was Leafpool’s logic that surpassed her sister’s creativity, “Where I am supposed to go during the Gathering though?”, Leafpool asked, “And I’ll still be within the Clan borders for anyone to see.”

Small fireflies flared up in Squirrelflight’s green eyes as a moment of brilliance slipped in, “The Horse place then!”, she exclaimed excitedly, relieved, “It’s perfect. No Clan cats will patrol there and it would be the safest place for your kits.”.

Memories washed over her vision as she recalled Daisy stumbling into camp all those moons ago, trying to get three helpless scraps of fur to safety from the Twoleg’s clutches. “Don’t you remember why Daisy left there in the first place? That other loner, Floss, had her kits taken away by the Twolegs.”.

Her heart pounding against her chest, when she released this would be her - Take on the relentless and lonely task of keeping her kits safe in their first days of life, against the entire world of dangers waiting to lash out.

Even cats she’d grown up with her entire life were a threat. Echoing Leafpool’s hidden thoughts, Squirrelflight sorrowfully and slowly shook her head, “There will be threats no matter where you go, Leafpool.”, She pointed out, “It’s either Twolegs and Loners in the Horseplace- Or foxes and badgers in the wilderness. At least Twolegs are easier to avoid.”.

“You’re right-”, Leafpool muttered, “But that still wouldn’t explain my explicable disappearance and return for an entire moon.”.

Forcing herself to speak it aloud, Squirrelflight hesitantly answered, “Greystripe.”. Instantly making Leafpool shudder like a frightened mouse, not liking where this was heading. Though Squirrelflight carried on regardless, “When you’ll have to leave for the Horse place soon, I could claim you were stolen by stolen Twolegs. The only difference is, that you can claim you escaped them when you eventually return.”.

“H-how soon will this have to be?”, Leafpool asked. voice trembling, threatening to crack under the stress like she was being crushed by a landslide. Unable to face her, Squirrelflight’s vacant expression drifted into space, dully shrugging, “Thunderclan already suspicious, so we haven’t got time to waste. It will either have to be today or tomorrow.”

The words rang hollow for a heartbeat, like trying to catch a thin thread of cobweb caught in a breeze. Soon it all came caving in, legs threatening to topple over like trees in a mighty gale.

All her kin and friends. How could she betray them like this? Their father had already suffered through the loss of his best friend. Now they were going to make him think the same fate had met his daughter- Sandstorm as well.

Yet Leafpool bitterly repeated Starclan’s warning under her breath, “With each new breath you take, you must tell another lie”, she whispered with a disgusted snort. No matter how much she hated it, she still had to force herself on.

“If we’re going to do this-”, Leafpool muttered, “We have to make sure Thunderclan is prepared. Could you help gather as many herbs as possible?”. Reaching her paws, Leafpool slid down the earthy hillside, flickering for Squirrelflight to join her, running through the most vital herbs Brightheart would need. Without complaining, Squirrelflight pressed her flank into Leafpool’s as they began the long task, the Medicine cat pressing her muzzle into a tuft of scrawny grass. Snuffling like a wild hog in search of seeds and roots.

*******************************************

No one batted an eye when the sisters emerged from the thorn tunnel, even when dusk was creeping across the sky. It was unsurprising they could spend a whole day together, having each other’s back since their birth. Which Leafpool couldn’t be more grateful for. The only small detail that sparked curiosity was the absurd amount of herbs overflowing from their jaws like green waterfalls.

Despite leafbare killing off the majority of herbs, Leafpool had used every scrap of knowledge to search for surviving stems and leaves. Even a tiny bulb on a dead branch would do. A day’s trip could only do so much. They only had time to gather the most basic and wide-use herbs before Leafpool was forced to leave. Sooner than she cared to admit.

Back in camp, Squirrelflight and Leafpool would have usually separated due to their clashing duties. However needing all the help she could get, the Ginger Queen helped regardless, simply keeping everyone’s questions are bay with her venomous words. Until sunset, they worked overtime to count, preserve and stocked every last herb. Though without even a basic knowledge, Squirrelflight was stuck just taking orders, much to her displeasure.

By the finished, the Herb store organisation was completely uneven, with different plant piles towering over others. Somehow seemingly even more baron than before. They had no time to fuse over it or even catch their breath, as they still needed to make sure Thunderclan was in safe paws in Leafpool’s absence. While Squirrelflight searched for Sandstorm, Leafpool called for Brightheart.

Earlier setting up a long row of herbs for Brightheart’s memorise, they kept on looping between each name, ingraining into the helper’s mind. “-Yarrow for making cats throw up and clear poison. Feverfew is to keep down chills.”, Leafpool stated, pointing out each herb with her tail, The white and ginger Warrior took a pulse, repeating them back to Leafpool, “Juniper berries for belly aches. Daisy leaves for joints. Yarrow for poisons. Feverfew for chills.”, she repeated.

Quickly nodding to signal she’d gotten it right, Leafpool nervously glanced out of the Medicine den. Curled up beside the Fresh-kill pile, Squirrelflight had been busy trying to subtly test Sandstorm’s medical knowledge through the cover of casual conversation. However the only thing the barrage of endless questions seemed to be testing was their mother’s patience.

Don’t be suspicious, Leafpool silently begged her sister, turning her attention back to the teaching. Though the eventual moment where Brightheart would get fed up had finally come, as

Brightheart’s signal green pierced into Leafpool like slashing claws, “Look- Leafpool. I know you said you wanted my help- and I do enjoy it. But at this rate, I’ll become your apprentice.”, Brightheart mewed, half joking, half serious.

“I’ve kept you here quite a while, haven’t I?”, Leafpool admitted, swallowing in unease.

“It is a bit much, honestly.”, Brightheart sighed, tiredness croaking in her voice, “Needing to learn all those herbs on top of my regular warrior duties.”.

It was true. Once Leafpool had faked her kidnapping by Twolegs, it would probably be Brightheart forced to take her place. Even if it was temporary, no one else would know that. For all Brightheart knew, she’d be in an unwanted position for the rest of my life. Forgive me, Leafpool silently cried out, if innocent kits weren’t involved, I wouldn’t make you go through this.

“I think you've done more than enough actually, Brightheart.”, Leafpool praised, starting to brush the leaf wraps across the Herb Store, “So I’ll only call you for the real emergencies from now on.”. Before leaving, Brightheart brushed her tail against Leafpool’s flank heaving with nerves, “You’re ready to serve Thunderclan alone, Leafpool, even if you don’t think it - Overcoming every challenge, from the Great Journey to Crowfeather. You've proven yourself more than enough times.”, she purred. Unable to find the words in time, Leafpool just watched Brightheart pad away into the crisp twilight, tainted in purple.

Soon, another cat took Brightheart’s place in the den as Squirrelflight dipped her head, satisfied, “Sandstorm seems to remember most of the basics.”, she reported. At least one piece of good news lifted Leafpool’s rapidly declining mood, putting some of the pressure off of Brightheart.

“Then Thunderclan will be safe.”, Leafpool purred, relieved.

#leafpool #squirrelflight #brambleclaw #bramblestar #crowfeather #hollyleaf #jayfeather #lionblaze #rewrite #warrior cats #fanfic #warrior cats fanfic #warriors #thunderclan #erin hunter #brightheart #cloudtail

[rushwingtales]

Leafpool's Wish Rewritten Chapter 5

Part 4:

Part 6:

It was a bizarre concept to grasp. Starclan didn’t have all the answers. Forces greater than them in both scale and power. How many afterlives were out there and how far did it go? But in truth, the tales taught to all Clanmates only explained what happened after death. It still didn't tell them how the earth they walked on formed. What drove the seasons in an endless cycle. Not even knowing what the moon and sun were, as they hung in the sky, constantly staring at the living creatures far before. Were they even living things themselves?

Personally, Leafpool had even encountered similar starry spirits herself like Brook’s ancestors, the Tribe of Endless Hunting. Feathertail is able to walk both skies due to her ultimate sacrifice. Beginning to wonder, if she hadn’t died to save Crowfeather, would she be the mother of Leafpool’s destined kits? Well, there were no points of ifs, only the now.

Just like the disappearing catmint stock that had eventually led to Rainwhisker and Molepaw’s deaths through a long road of coincidences. But Leafpool could only accept it as such. Since it hadn’t been an omen from Starclan, Leafpool could only put it up to the mysterious forces of nature.

It would have been pointless to come up with the possibly endless strange ideas on how catmint could have switched locations. But there was not a scrap of evidence to confirm anything. When she had other pressing matters that needed her attention. So Leafpool was forced to leave it as just that, a mystery.

By the time Leafpool was within Thunderclan’s borders, the Sun had already risen high into the sky, almost midday. Despite this though, the sun remained barely visible, only a pale dot behind the thick overcast that had been dragged in from the building wind. They floated down through the almost bare canopy, only a few rotten leaves clinging to life, latching onto the shrivelled branches like leeches. Before Leafpool knew it, small white flakes were fluttering down in sheets. Like flies, a few flakes found their way into her nose, threatening to make her sneeze.

The first snow of the season. For now, it was only a light fall, the pure white snowflakes quickly reduced to water as they touched the forest floor, turning the earth damp. A new sharp cold dug through Leafpool’s pelt to the skin. As soon as she was in camp, the better. Doing anything to get a decent fresh kill and a nap.

“Leafpool!”, Firestar’s voice cracked through the branches. The ginger tom leads the way out of nearby bracken, a patrol of cats streaming out behind him, Stormfur, Mousepaw and Dustpelt.

“Did you make it to the Moonpool fine?”, Firestar mewed, briefly touching noses as he reunited with his daughter. Leafpool dropped the Algae, curling her tail as she settled down, “Just made it in time to have the full dream.”, She confirmed, “But did I say you could go on patrol yet?”, she scolded.

Even if the skin had grown back where the foxtrap had dug in, no fur had yet, still red and sore. If he sagged it on a plant or got attacked, it could easily reopen the wound. At least, Firestar seemed to improve from last night, able to carry his head and tail up high. “I know my limits.”, he insisted, “It’s a simple border check. And if any fight breaks out, I’ll be used to fetch backup.”.

“Alright- that’s fine.”, Leafpool accepted, “But come down to my den afterwards for some more Burnet.”. After finishing, she grabbed the algae again, padding between two trees and out of the small clearing, in the direction of camp. Behind her, she overheard Mousepaw sniggering, fully aware of the herb’s reputation. “I’m sure that’s the last dose you need to take, Firestar.”, Stormfur commented, trying to be supportive of the apprentice.

Leafpool silently purred herself, wondering what was truly the most disgusting herb.  Began the world began to blur out as her trip home wore on, noticing the ground getting sandier and the undergrowth scrawnier, allowing for wider spaces as the trees grew further apart. Cutting straight through a clump of brambles, Leafpool emerged into the Training grounds, moss clinging to everything, from the ground to the trees.

At the centre of the clearing, was Birchpaw and Ferncloud locked together in a tight tussle. At the sidelines, Ashfur watched intently, claws flexing in frustration. Maybe Ashfur was helping to refine his littermate’s warrior skills after such a long absence as a Queen? Remaining in the shade of the bushes, Leafpool decided to observe the grey tom, to see if he had finally improved after Squirrelflight’s rejection.

Keeping his claws in, Birchpaw shoved away his mother with his hind legs, giving himself space. As she stumbled back, the apprentice reacted quickly, rolling into her blind spot. Purposefully, Birchpaw missed the front swipe, skimming the tips of Ferncloud’s ears. Giving the former Queen the chance to corner attack, rearing up.

Outstretching both paws, Birchpaw flailed them wildly trying to defend himself. However, the wall of flying paws wasn’t enough as Ferncloud came down and wrapped her front paws around him. After being slammed to the ground, with flimsy effect, Birchpaw weakly scrapped his four legs against Ferncloud’s chest and belly, no way enough force to knock her off. Was he going easy on her?

Thinking the same thing, Ashfur’s eyes flashed with anger, “Brichpaw, fight properly!”, he snapped. Head lunging forward like a fox, Ashfur roughly yanked his apprentice away from Ferncloud by the scruff, teeth digging in so deep, it drew blood. Having Birchpw violently pulled out from under her like that, Ferncloud collapsed as well.

Standing over his apprentice as he shook the moss from his fur, Ashfur lashed his tail, “What do you call that? Are you incapable of doing the most basic task?”. Birchpaw got to his paws, struggling to keep his brown pelt flat. “I don’t want to go rough on my mother!”, he argued.

Though Ashfur didn’t seem convinced, his nostrils flaring in a snort, “Ferncloud isn’t a kit. Don’t you want to help her get stronger?”, he questioned, shoving his muzzle into Birchpaw’s face. Hurriedly, the Queen put herself between her quarrelling son and brother, “Ashfur, please, enough. If you want, I can train with someone who isn’t kin. Maybe that’s best.”, she mewed calmly.

However, Ashfur took an unnecessary amount of offence from the simple suggestion. His fiery blue stare burnt into Ferncloud, flattening his ears against his head, “You were the one who wanted to train in the first place! Is that suddenly not good enough for you now?”, he retorted bitterly. As Ferncloud staggered back in shock, Leafpool finally decided to act, sliding out of the green cover, “Everyone, calm down!”, she called.

After marching up, Leafpool halted in front of them, addressing to each cat in turn, “Birchpaw- Ferncloud is as capable as any warrior, so just treat this as any training session. And Ashfur, don’t be so hard on your apprentice. Especially don’t pull him like that, you could injure him.”.

However, still, Ashfur wouldn’t back down, curling up his lips in a revengeful snarl as if she were the enemy, “Says the she-cat who’s never trained an apprentice in her life. So don’t tell me how it’s done. It’s you who should be taking advice from me.”, he growled.

“Don’t bare your teeth at a Medicine cat, Ashfur. She’s only trying to help.”, Ferncloud scolded her brother as if he was one of her kits. For the longest time, Leafpool expected Ashfur to angrily snap back again, opening his mouth to do so. For a heartbeat though, he paused. Searching among the alarmed cats in deep thought. Sometimes seemed to click, as he finally realized his crumbling reputation and growing suspicion if he kept up this behaviour. Ashfur snapped his jaw shut.

Do you finally understand? Leafpool silently questioned him, staring directly into him. With a snort, Ashfur twisted round, signalling for Birchpaw to join him, “Let’s just forget about it. We’ll pick it up some other time.”, he muttered, “Birchpaw- hunting.”.

Unreadable annoyed words came from Birchpaw’s lips before the brown apprentice hurried after his mentor. For the briefest heartbeat, Birchpaw seemed to be limping as he went deeper into the forest but disappeared before Leafpool could confirm it. Only leaving the two she-cats in the Training hollow, Ferncloud sighed, “Thanks for doing that. At least that’s a step in the right direction. Last time it ended in Ashfur refusing to train Birchpaw at all.”.

“You need to go to Brambleclaw or Firestar with this. He can’t get away with training Birchpaw like this anymore.”, Leafpool advised, “I’ll continue to keep an eye on Ashfur.”. She felt a stinging pity for all of Ashfur’s kin, needing to put up with the troublesome tom. “I’ll do that.”, Ferncloud murmured, unfocused and staring down at the floor. "What's been happening?", a gruff voice sounded from the brush. Stepping out from the tendrils, Dustpelt strolled into the Training hollow. A patrol consisting of Hazelpaw, Mousepaw and Spiderleg is behind him. "Ashfur has been getting aggressive with Birchpaw again.", Ferncloud mewed, ashamed. Flatten his ears, Dustpelt signalled to the patrol, "Spiderleg, could you take the apprentices hunting instead? I need to speak to your mother.". The brown and black tom's bitterly hissed at the whole situation, briskly rounding up the confused young cats. Alone, Dustpelt pressed his flank protectively into his mate. Dipping her head, Leafpool mewed before leaving, "I'll be in my den if you need anything.". Then she ascended a slope without another word.

That restrained reaction was a step in the right direction, but there was still a long way to go for Ashfur. Medicine cats had generations worth of knowledge for physical healing, but they’d barely scratched the surface of mental. There were dandelion leaves, however, they could only soften the most extreme of shock, usually, grief from a loved one’s death.

But Ashfur wasn’t in shock, he could still function perfectly fine, patrolling and hunting like any warrior. This was long-term, slowly allowing the bitter emotions to boil up. No one herb could cure the poisons of the mind. Yet even still, many Clanmates had offered help through their sympathies or listening to his problems. However, Ashfur spat at every single one with disgust, acting as if he knew better. Feeling entitled to those emotions, as if Squirrelflight deserved the hatred.

All Leafpool could think to do was put Ashfur on the same treatment as Brambleclaw, giving him a decent sleep each night with poppy seeds. While completely lost in her thoughts, Leafpool had failed to see she was already in front of the camp, the thorn tunnel enclosing her.

It was like Leafpool had never left camp at all, as it was bursting with life. Apprentices rush past with moss to replace old nesting. And warrior crowding around at the base of Highledge to be assigned their daily duties. Fully fitting into his temporary role, Thornclaw stood proudly beside Brambleclaw, aiding in sorting everything out.

While his brother took a break from it all, Brackenfur laid beside his mate, Sorreltail outside the nursery as they watched their kits crunch their paws curiously against the thin layer of fresh snow. Rainwhisker or Molepaw is not among them. They seemed to be coping better than last night at least. The sight of an emotionally drained, almost dead Sorreltail, made Leafpool flinched. The rocky surroundings allowed the snow to stick to the floor without melting away, creating a pattern of browns and whites like a mottled cat pelt.

The only thing Leafpool wanted now was the familiar sight of Squirrelflight, the overwhelming secrets threatening to erupt from her. However, an unexpected visitor approached the Medicine cat, the bright-pelted elder, Goldenflower, a small leaf bundle in her jaws. Carefully, she had to put it on the rim of her lips, away from her painful rotting teeth. The ribs sticking through her flanks like branches, thinner than most of her Clanmates for the leafbare season like a twig against a pile of logs.

Dropping the herbs at Leafpool’s paws, Goldenflower began to explain, “This was left by Brambleclaw’s nest. He hadn’t even touched the poppy seeds. He insists he has to look after me, but maybe he’ll listen to a Medicine cat”.

“Again?”, Leafpool huffed, dragging the poppy seeds beside the Algae herb, “I’ll talk to him again and if that doesn’t work...We’ll need to get Squirrelflight involved.”. Her sister’s tongue was sharper than claws and more painful than a bee sting, surprised she wasn’t able to win her battles with her words alone.

The Elder nodded, pleased, sweeping her tail over Leafpool’s flank, “It’ll be good to see him start focusing on his precious kits rather than worrying about his dying mother.”, she purred. Leafpool’s eyes widened in horror but Goldenflower padded away before she could respond. Goldenflower seemed oddly peaceful as blissfully stared off into the pale sky. How could Goldenflower be so calm about her own death?

Though admittedly, Leafpool wasn’t anywhere close to becoming an elder, both her parents were still warriors themselves. Goldenflower was the oldest cat in Thunderclan, alive before even Bluestar’s leadership, having a long time to prepare herself. The golden she-cat had led a long and honourable life and no one could live forever. Goldenflower wished Leafpool to take care of her son first and she would respect that.

By now, the warriors circled around Brambleclaw and Thornclaw began settling into smaller groups as they were about to set off as either patrols or chores around camp. Without others needing his help, Brambleclaw slowly stalked towards the Thorn tunnel alone like a defeated warrior fleeing the battle. Lifting her tail tip for Brambleclaw's halt, Leafpool gilded him towards a hidden corner where they wouldn’t be disturbed.

“Where are you heading?”, Leafpool asked sternly. Half-heartedly Brambleclaw shrugged his sagging shoulders, “I need to hunt for Goldenflower again. So if you excuse me-”. However, Leafpool remained stubborn, sidestepping to completely block Brambleclaw’s path, making him snort with annoyance. “You didn’t eat the poppy seeds, did you?”, she accused, pushing the seeds toward him as proof.

When it was clear he wasn’t going to answer, Leafpool decided to bring in the good news, “I’ve got good news from the Moonpool meeting.”, she mewed, “Littlecloud suggested a good supply of prey Goldenflower can eat. There are frogs in a small swamp between Twoleg nest and Shadowclan border. All it will take is a single hunting patrol to focus on that area and she’ll be fed. You don’t need to do this by yourself anymore. You can allow yourself to rest, Brambleclaw. So go to your nest now and take the poppy seeds, please.”.

Annoyingly, Brambleclaw’s eyes only lightened up by a single shade of amber, still as dull as dying embers. Was Goldenflower not the only problem? “I will- I will, I promise.”, he staggered over his words, “I just need this time, to think.”.

Finally, Leafpool decided to put her paw down and let all the bitter yet true words come out, “ I know we’ve struggled to trust each other over the moons but- I’m still your Medicine cat. And I have to heal you meant, not only physically. So what is it? Goldenflower? Your kits?”.

Brambleclaw struck down in his pelt like a snail retreating into its shell, unable to meet Leafpool’s gaze, “I don’t know, it’s a lot of things. It’s a mix.”. Carefully, Leafpool studied the tom, hunched over, anxiously licking at his neck fur. His neck. “Is it Hawkfrost?”, Leafpool stated, the image flashing in her mind of the blood waterfall streaming from Hawkfrost’s neck as the stake embedded itself.

With the mention of his traitorous brother, Brambleclaw flinched, his eyes suddenly lighting up a furious blazing fire, burning into Leafpool’s pelt. “You don’t think I’m loyal? Even after I had to kill him?”, Brambleclaw whispered sharply, in an effort for their passing clanmates not to overhear.

Though Leafpool refused to be afraid, sitting up a little straighter. This wasn’t going to be another moment of her usual tolerance. The future father of her kits was being tortured by his memories and she was going to heal him, whether he liked it or not, through tough love if she had to.

“I think you’re too loyal.”, Leafpool said in a calm yet firm voice, “What happened to Hawkfrost, wasn’t your fault. He made his choices when he could fight against your father. You’re the evidence of that. Hawkfrost tried to kill a Leader. Then you, his own brother. Only he’s reasonable for his own death. I talked to Mothwing before about this. She’s had to live with him her entire life. And with Hawkfrost gone, she’s happier than ever.”

The fur running down Brambleclaw’s spine bristled as razor as fangs, “You expect me to be happy about my brother’s death?”, he growled, the raw emotions boiling to the surface. The usually strong-willed tom cracking.

Swift Leafpool reassured him, “No. But you have to realise, Hawkfrost abused his sister and then tried to murder you.”, She forced herself to be brutally honest, “ He never cared about his kin and he never will.”. This hit Brambleclaw like a falling branch, stressfully curling his claws into the frosty snow. Further up the cliff wall, Squirrelflight had realised the tensions between her two kin, for now keeping her distance, deciding whether to get involved or not.

Flickering her head, Leafpool pointed out Squirrelflight in the distance, she quietly muttered, “But luckily, there are cats who do.”. His anger rapidly shifted to anxiety as he stared at the daughter of the leader he’d been tempted to kill. Leafpool would be lying if Brambleclaw’s heartbeat-long hesitation to save his mentor still didn’t disgust her.

“What would she do if she ever found out?”, he gasped, unable to draw his gaze away from his mate.

Feeling like the wisdom of Starclan itself pulsing through her veins, Leafpool nodded, “Pretending the past never happened, doesn’t help anyone, Brambleclaw. At least you could do it for the mother of your kits.”.

After a moment where time itself seemed to freeze in ice, Brambleclaw finally uttered his answer, “You’re right.”, he said a weakly, his throat dry. Reluctantly, he grasped the poppy seeds, padding away to drop the seeds at the Warrior den, Leafpool adding on, “Tell Ashfur he needs to take a few as well.”. Brambleclaw’s twitched his ears in acknowledgement.

As he exited the den again, he had no other excuses to avoid Squirrelflight any more. Searching for Leafpool’s guidance, Brambleclaw’s face turned towards her and all she gave was a silent nod. Forcing every step and trying even harder to face the ginger she-cat, Brambleclaw finally called out to his mate, “Squirrelflight! I need to speak with you.”

Blinking in surprise, Squirrelflight suspiciously accepted, twinning their tails as Brambleclaw led the way out, the two mates fading into a thorn tunnel-like silent shadows. Breathless for a moment, Leafpool felt a small smile edged across her lips. This is what she lived for. The satisfaction of helping cats never got old. The life of a Medicine cat.

Confident, Squirrelflight could take it, all of it. She may not have all the details, but she’d always been aware of Brambleclaw’s darker side. And it was Squirrelflight who gave Leafpool the sense to keep the unborn litter safe from the burden of being half-clan. If her littermate could handle her secrets, Leafpool was certain she’d handle the deputy’s. Not forgetting to scold Brambleclaw to process though.

In the distance, she overheard Sorreltail soft voice, each word strained as grief still clanged to her, “Let’s get back in before you catch a cold, you three!”, she sounded to her remaining kits, “Brackenfur going to teach your first battle move.”. All three she-cat squealed with delight, as they tumbled into the Nursery, still like kits, their father following in after them. Once the apprentices recovered enough and started their training properly, those brambles would be deserted for moons.

Ever since she returned, Leafpool wanted to say something to Sorreltail. Anything. Being the only witness to Rainwhisker’s death. Yet she hadn’t even been there for Rainwhisker’s or Molepaw’s vigil. Leafpool knew she was being selfish. Not even checking on her old friend. Yet she couldn’t force herself to care. Drowned in her problems. So maybe it was best for her to keep her distance, and let others who had the energy to care. It was probably better for no words to be said at all, than fake sympathetic ones. Just more lies. And Leafpool breaded to uttering a lifetime's more of them.

For a while, Leafpool seemed to be in a confused haze, satisfied to just watch her clanmates shuffle to and throw. Like a nameless tiny fly buzzing around massive creatures, freely drifting around without fear of borders, loyalists or rules. Able to observe a whole other world but never had the pressure of being a part of it. But no matter how Leafpool could wish or dream about it, she couldn’t escape the life she’d created herself.

So with a heavy heart, dragged herself back to the Medicine den, for regular reunite. Not even the recent deaths are an excuse to halt it. For now, the kits remained hidden tucked away in her belly and the Algae blagging lifeless in her grip. Seeing her return, Brightheart rose from the corner, dipping her head, “How did the meeting go?”, she mewed.

“Made it just in time.”, Leafpool breathed, “Has Sandstorm’s greencough gone down?”, spotting her mother still stuck in a nest, twisting restlessly, trying to occupy herself by repeatedly grooming her pelt until it was spotless. Brightheart flicked her tail towards a few scattered catmint leaves on the floor, “I gave her some extra catmint to be safe. The symptoms went down during the night and today there’s been nothing at all.”

“Thank you, Brightheart.”, Leafpool purred, “You’ve ended up saving more clanmates than I have today, more than I could ever ask for So I think it’s only fair if I handle things alone for now.”. . Brightheart’s signal eye blinked gratefully at Leafpool, nodding, “It would be nice to spend some time with Whitewing and Cloudtail. I do enjoy helping you Leafpool, really - Though it's best if you look for a permanent apprentice. I'll always be here for emergencies though.”.

For one last act of kindness, Brightheart quickly piled up the leftover catmint and placed it outside the Herb store. As she exited the den, she overlooked her shoulder, “Get well soon, Sandstorm!”, she called to her pale clanmate.

After placing the Algae on the pebble stack used to hide her secret herbs, Leafpool sat at her mother’s side, “How does your throat feel?”. Sandstorm stretched out her legs, finally able to get away with sitting up straight, “Sore.”, She remarked, “But I haven’t had the slightest cough since dawn.”.

“Then I think you’re safe to return to your regular patrols and hunting.”, Leafpool explained. Quickly taking the time, to place the catmint in its usual place and fetch the Tansy from the Herb store, the herb’s sharp taste on her tongue. Returning to Sandstorm, she dropped the tansy in front of her, “It will just help with a sore throat. But if you ever feel your greencough return, come straight back here. We can’t risk it spreading. Not again...”, unable to stop herself trailing off her own words. Imagine there should be a soft pile of black fur in another nearby nest.

Sandstorm laid her tail sympathetically on Leafpool’s shoulder, “Molepaw was too young to die.”, she muttered, “And I know you took his death hard- So if you ever need to talk to me or your father, we’ll happily listen.”. Leafpool only nodded, as Sandstorm chewed down the green stems. Before the Medicine cat knew it, her mother had already finished the herb and left, leaving Leafpool completely alone.

Unable to ignore it any longer, Leafpool hunched over slightly as the aching pain of hunger shot from her belly. Feeling a pile of fur wrigged inside her, as the kits begged her to keep her body strong. Waiting for the Hollow to clear slightly, Leafpool sneaked towards the Fresh-kill pile, knowing she’d had to steal extra prey once again.

The snowy floor was like icy thorns, pricking at her soft pads. Like jumping stones across a river, Leafpool needed to place her step carefully in each bare rock parch, to avoid the chilly sting. And to think, this was the only beginning of many more snowfalls to come.

It wasn’t as stocked as she would have liked, only the height of her chest. Veering around it like a fox circling crow food, she sniffed at its edges for the plumpest prey she could find. Eventually selecting a mole and sparrow that struck from its edges. Unable to risk getting caught, Leafpool used her tongue to fluff out the sparrow’s feathers, she had awkwardly placed the two fresh-kill in her mouth, the mole hidden behind the sparrow’s wall of wet feathers.

At the same time, Squirrelflight burst through the Thorn tunnel like a stag, her ginger pelt rippling like a flickering fire. Soon, Brambleclaw followed after, but he didn’t dare go near her, darting away to the other side of camp, crouched down warily. Could have gone worse. They could have bitten each other’s heads off.

Leafpool was going to leave her littermate alone, thinking she needed time to process all the emotional details of Brambleclaw’s story, but Squirrelflight insisted other wises. Pressing her flank into Leafpool’s, she half gilded, half shoved her sister into the Medicine den. Making Squirrelflight slow her pace, Leafpool dumped the prey onto the den floor.

Uneasily, she turned back to Squirrelflight, as she flexed her claws and angry smoke foamed off of her. After a few heartbeats, Squirrelflight managed to swallow down a bit of fury, allowing Leafpool to ask the question, “How are you feeling?”.

“It was nothing I didn’t already expect. But that doesn’t make the details any less shocking.”, she muttered bittered. Instantly, Leafpool became alarmed if she’d ripped the future parents of her kits apart. “Will you forgive him?”, Leafpool painfully asked.

“I will eventually.”, Squirrelflight confirmed, “It’ll just take time to settle in.”, her angry words swapping out for regret-filled ones. Then her attention turned to Leafpool, “Were you serious about what you said earlier at the Vigil? Do you want to call everything off?”.

“No, I wasn’t. I shouldn’t have shouted at you, Molepaw’s and Rainwhisker’s deaths got to my head.”, Leafpool muttered, “The Plan was decided a long time ago, there’s no going back now.”

“So were their deaths just a tragedy?”, Squirrelflight wanted to confirm. Leafpool nodded, with Squirrelflight accepting with a swallow blink of her green eyes. At least, they could rest in peace, knowing they weren’t some pawn for Starclan to punish Leafpool.

Trying to move on, Squirrelflight began speaking again, “And to think, we’re no better than Brambleclaw. Do you think it’s fair to tell him our secrets after he did it for us?”, Squirrelflight mewed, thoughtful, considering their options carefully. It was clear, even if Squirrelflight was better at hiding it than most cats, guilt still gnawed at her from the inside like a hungry fox that was never satisfied. Leafpool was all too familiar with the feeling.

“No.”, Leafpool mewed dryly, no power behind it, “I haven’t told Crowfeather either. When I spoke to Starclan, they warned me above all else, I have to make sure the kits grow up normally. We can’t take any risks, not even with our mates.”. Envisioning Crowfeather now as he ran across the far-stretching meadows, overflowing with sweet-scenting heather and rabbit hopes among the scrawny thicket. Her heart aching for the territory her kits would never get to experience with their father.

Threatening to crack under the shame for Crowfeather, and Squirrelflight’s mate, Brambleclaw. Those toms had entrusted them with their very lives and maybe even one to create a new life together as well. Yet they’d trampled on their love like foxing. The first was not allowed to be a father and the other tricked into it. Was this even worth it?

Squirrelflight’s words like claws cut straight through Leafpool’s murky thoughts, “That dream affected you, didn’t it?”, the ginger she-cat sounding impressed, “From what Brambleclaw says, you were like a whole other cat when you spoke to him. You seemed wiser then Firestar.”.

“Well, I don’t feel wise. I feel like an idiot. So much could have been avoided.”, Leafpool murmured as silent as a breeze. Squirrelflight stood boldly in front of her like a Lionclan warrior, not tolerating her sister whining, “Hey.”, she exclaimed, “Don’t go giving up on me. What’s done is done. We’ve already had it planned out, remember? And by that sounds of it, Starclar wants us to stick to that plan. So let’s please the ancient fleabags. And if not for them, for the kits. And what are we going to do for them?”.

“To keep them safe.”, Leafpool answered, head lowered. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do”, Squirrelflight breathed, upturning the pebbles piled up in the corner, exposing the secret supplies: Borage leaves, preserved prey and Parsley. Leafpool nudged the sparrow and mole into the line of extra prey with her muzzle.

Then, Squirrelflight seems to notice the new addition to the secret supplies, the algae, hooking it and letting the long wet green strip dangle from a single claw. “What is this stuff?”, Squirrelflight gasped, grossed out.

“It’s a newly discovered herb called Algae. It help reduce weight. Hopefully, it’ll be more effective than those no-good Nettle Leaves.”, Leafpool mewed, taking it herself, not looking forward to eating it. Shuffling her paws, Squirrelflight flexed her claws across the Borage leaves with irritation.

“You’re having the same problem, huh?”, the ginger she-cat scoffed. Leafpool looked up from her crouched position as she rolled up the Algae, blinking nervously, “What do you mean?”, she asked.

“It’s those useless leaves.”, Squirrelflight pointed out the Borage with her tail, “It’s been days and I still haven’t scented a trace of milk.”.

“And I don’t expect to.”, Leafpool tried assuring her, “You’re not even pregnant, so of course, it will take a while for the Borage to take effect. That’'s why we've done it so early on, just to be safe.”.

Squirrelflight seemed thoughtful for a moment, nuzzling at her belly, “But what if my body doesn’t recognise I’m adopting kits and doesn’t produce milk? What if I can’t nurse them?”, she questioned more herself than Leafpool.

“Your body’s instincts will kick in, I promise. Daisy’s kits gone off her milk for moons, and she’s still got plenty spare.”, Leafpool wrapped her tail about Squirrelflight’s shoulders. Luckily, she expected Leafpool’s expectation, shrugging, “Well- You’re the Medicine cat.”

They settled down and for the second time now, began the long process of consuming all the herbs and prey needed to simply fake a pregnancy. How much longer could this go on for? Surely they couldn’t keep this up until the actual birth, could they? Herbs could only do so much. Would this Alage be so effective, that it could prevent belly swelling, even when there are fully developed newborns on the inside of it?

#leafpool #squirrelflight #brambleclaw #bramblestar #crowfeather #hollyleaf #jayfeather #lionblaze #rewrite #warrior cats #warriors #thunderclan #erin hunter warriors #fanfic #warrior cats fanfic

[rushwingtales]

Leafpool's Wish Rewritten Chapter 4

Part 3

Part 5

Night lay silent and still. Everything drowned in the sheet of the darkest shadows. Not the smallest creature dared steer in the dense shrubby, bordering her narrow path, blocking Leafpool in. The air was dead of chattering birdsong, only a groaning wind nipping at her ears like needle fangs. Travelling up a shallow ditch, vastly different territories on either side, the rolling hills of Windclan and the dense forest of Thunderclan. Even scents of sweet heather and crisp leaves collided in a never-ending struggle, merging to make an overpowering odour.

At one point, not so long ago, a foolish Medicine cat and a Lost Warrior thought they were above it all. Thinking they could forever escape those mighty landscapes, accidentally creating new life in the process. Yet was this forbidden act capable of not only giving life but taking it as well? Was this the painful lesson Starclan was trying to teach Leafpool? Fear pulsing through her of the possibility of meeting Rainwhisker or Molepaw on the other side of the Moonpool. Would they blame her for their deaths? Leafpool had never known of Starclan cats taking revenge but it could never be ruled out. They couldn't though. Even if Leafpool thought she deserved some kind of punishment, they couldn't physically harm her. She had kits. They weren't guilty of the crimes their parents committed. They had the right to be born just as any other kit.

Progression had been slow, taking every other heartbeat to steady herself on shaky paws, the nasty gash like a giant tick, draining the energy out of her. Thick clouds suffocated the black sky, constantly threatening to cover the hooked talon of the moon. A trail of twinkling stars floated high above, luring Leafpool with mischievous blinks, mockingly daring her on.

Underfoot, the stubby dull grass was overturned by loose gravel of mottled browns and greys. Abruptly, the ground arched into steer drop, bare stone rapidly sloping downwards into a steep Cliffside. Worn trails coiled down into the stone hollow, wrapping around its edges like sandy-coloured snakes. A split in the curved walls, opened up like a gaping mouth, vomiting out an endless torrent of gushing water. The constant splashing and rippling create a vortex of noise.

Standing on its lip, Leafpool peered through the darkness, into what lurked far below. The half moon hung directly above now, flooding the ragged cliffs with freezing Silverlight. Glowing outlines of her fellow Medicine cats, the Moon’s gaze setting them alight with cold white flames. Crowding round what lay at the centre, a calm pond reflecting with a thousand shimmering stars, the moonpool.

Pawpads tingling with nerves, Leafpool is unable to describe the feeling. Somehow, at the same time, the place she’s visited countless times and named in honour of discovering, still felt so unfamiliar, like she was a stranger stumbling onto it by accident. Resultantly, Leafpool joined the twin paths, spiralling down to the bottom. The muddy tracks were covered with the pawprints of ancient cats, a stab of shame with each misstep treading over a dead cat’s mark.

The surface smoothed out, creating a steady stone beach, tiny waves of the moonlit water whirling against it. At the Moonpool’s edge, lay the peaceful slumbering bodies of the Medicine cats, eyes tight shut. She was late, the ceremony had already begun.

Veering to an unused spot, Leafpool settled down next to Littlecloud, his piny Shadowclan scent pinching her nose. Pressing her muzzle onto the frosty rippling surface, Leafpool drank up a few previous drops. Spinning around on the spot, she tucked her paws under, her head flat against the stone, leaving the injured side exposed to a musty breeze. Sleeping taking a while to claim her.

Stars like blossoming white petals, exploded into her vision, consuming it. Her surroundings shifted around her, until she no longer stood on bare stone but a strange new surface, like smooth ice with no temperature. Opening her eyes, she found herself in a vast empty star-lit void, standing in the sky itself. Her paws flattened on seemly nothingness, limitless stars below her as well as limitless stars above, never-ending. There was no wind or scent anywhere.

“Was it you?”, Leafpool called out loudly into the void, her echoing off of invisible barriers, “Were Molepaw’s and Rainwhisker’s deaths punishments from Starclan?”. In an instant, a violent gale came from nowhere, battering against her fur, as if the dream itself were furiously hissing at her for insulting Starclan. Carrying thick mist with it, it covered the whole dark space, burying it in layers of massive clouds.

Swirling around like grasping branches in the breeze, Leafpool shuddered as she sensed a looming presence, a clear and wise voice ringing in her ear, “You overestimate our cruelty and power. The deaths of the young cats you speak are not Starclan’s doing. And Neither will you be judged for it.”.

Leafpool should have been relieved and even grateful, but all she felt was numbness. This only made the disappearing Catmint make even less sense. Before Leafpool opened her mouth to press further, the mist continued to twist and turn, eventually forming the vague online of a cat. A blue glow and shining stars glittered into existence as Bluestar formed in front of her.

The mighty leader remained unnaturally still as the Medicine cat continued to protest, “Even if wasn’t Starclan- Thunderclan can’t go through any more suffering than it already has. I have to tell the secret.”.

Still standing creepily motionless, the only part of the spirit that moved was her jaw, “Leafpool, listen to me. This is not your secret to tell.”, Bluestar mewed with no emotion.

Fur now bristling, Leafpool stared at the Starclan leader in disbelief, “Those are my kits and my secret. Of course, it is!”.

Life seemed to slip into Bluestar, going from an eerily still spirit to as if she still inhabited a breathing body, sighing and tail swaying slightly, “As long as Squirrelflight remains the loving she-cat those kits call their mother, then it’s only hers.”, she assured her, “Your sister is willing to sacrifice everything for you. The least you could do is trust her.”. Like a thorn, guilt struck Leafpool. Bluestar was right. Squirrelflight had done so much, yet Leafpool still dared to yell at her earlier.

Becoming more sympathetic, Bluestar gazed out into the blue-tinted floor, with the texture of unmoving water, thoughtful, “I understand.”, She nodded, “I know that pain better than anyone. But I could never dare to replace Graypool’s spot in the hearts of my kits. Only the one who raises them can be called a true parent.”.

Vague memories nagged her as they tried to reach the surface. Graypool, she’d heard that name before. If she remembered correctly from the many stories from Firestar, she'd been the Queen to raise Stonefur and Mistyfoot after Bluestar had taken them to Riverclan. Only to become one of the many victims of Tigerstar, just like the son she called her own.

A sudden new gruff voice made Leafpool flinch, yet did nothing to surprise Bluestar, “And this just isn’t about you.”, it corrected, the whirlwind of fog creating a new shape beside the fellow Starclan cat. A large grey paw stepped out from thin air, as the rest of Yellowfang’s sturdy build formed.

The snub-nosed she-cat carried on, “ Those kits’ destinies are greater than any one cat. They hold the fate of the Four Clans and Starclan alike in their paws. Not even we can foresee their future. It's vital they grow up like any other kits.”.

The haunting words surged through Leafpool’s head, attempting to make sense of it all.

“My kits will be this powerful?”, she stammered, “H-how is it possible for a single litter to hold so much power?”.

For the longest time, Bluestar hesitated to answer, until finally shaking her head, “Unfortunately, we don’t know.”, she admitted.

Starclan didn’t know? All of Leafpool’s life, she thought the Clans could depend on Starclan’s foresight of the future. How they had chosen cats to lead them to the Lake and warned her personally of Hawkfrost’s wrath. Maybe Medicine cats could misjudge the omens or visions Starclan provided, but surely they couldn’t be wrong themselves. Could they?

Seeing Leafpool’s dumbfounded expression, Yellowfang snorted impatiently, beginning to explain, “Starclan isn’t the only afterlife out there, Leafpool. There are ones much more ancient and mysterious than us. The three come from one of those forces.”.

Her chilling words made Leafpool shudder. It had always been Starclan the living cats could look up to, the ones with all the answers. To be the motherly figure when the Warriors had grown out of their real mothers. Only realise, that maybe the living and the dead weren’t so different after all.

Then a board white head with black stripes striking across it came to mind. “Like Midnight?”, Leafpool spoke her deepest thoughts aloud.

Lowering her head, Bluestar seemed equally as baffled by the strange creature.

“Yes, exactly like her.”, the frosty blue cat confirmed, “Even Starclan was shocked when we needed to rely on a talking badger to lead us to the lake. Honestly, we don’t know how she can talk or even if she’s dead or alive. It was her who spoke that your kits’ chosen paths will decide everything.”.

Her breathing stopped, her throat tightened like an invisible jaw was clamped around her windpipe. What did this Badger know about her dear kits that she didn’t? When Midnight had convinced her and Crowfeather to return home, she could have said something, yet she didn’t. “What do you mean paths?”, Leafpool asked slowly and suspiciously.

The fog around them seemed to jerk with jagged movements, as if it wanting to answer itself. Instead, Yellowfang spoke, with purpose and wisdom to her voice that came beyond the knowledge of only one cat, “Whether they choose to walk a path of the stars or no stars.”, She stated, “I’m sure you’re painfully aware of what happened to the misguided soul of Hawkfrost?”.

Searching in the deep amber lake of Yellowfang’s glowing eyes, Leafpool couldn’t find the slightest hint of deception. “You’re talking about Tigerstar, ain’t you?”, the brown tabby guessed, her white chest spiked with stress.

Bluestar nodded, “We are. For generations, the Dark Forest has fulfilled its purpose, keeping its residents isolated and powerless. Yet somehow, serval individuals have managed to overcome its trickery. Now those cats, including Tigerstar, have dragged more and more innocent cats down the path of evil. And if they managed to do this to one of your kits-”.

“Wait-”, Leafpool interrupted, “You know about the Dark Forest training?”.

“We’ve known for a long time.”, Yellowfang remarked.

In disbelief, Leafpool could only stare at them for a few heartbeats. Before letting it all out, Leafpool exclaimed, “Innocent cats, including my precious kits, are being targeted by the most dangerous spirits in Clan history and yet you do nothing? Hawkfrost could still be alive!”.

However, Yellowfang’s lashed her ragged tail, jumping to her defence, “You don’t understand!”, she argued, “Just as much the Dark Forest cats can’t harm us, we can’t harm them. Going into that shadowy realm is suicide. The Dark Forest doesn’t care if you’re a killer or a kit, it’ll do anything to grip your mind and trap you for all entities. We don’t know what’s happening behind that fog border. We can’t do anything.”.

After Yellowfang’s passionate speech, all Leafpool could do was step back, speechless. Out of nowhere, massive cracks formed over the icy floor, growing like ivy, spreading with no end. Yowling in shock it suddenly shattered in endless shards, sending Leafpool tumbling into blackness, leaving the distant stars far behind.

Yet, in the corner of her eye, Leafpool saw Yellowfang and Bluestar in the form of blue and grey streaks, swirling by her side no matter how fast she fell. Inside the cave of her head, she heard Yellowfang’s ominous warning, “This threat requires a small evil to prevent a much greater one.”, She informed, “With each new breath you take, you must tell another lie.”.

Then, Leafpool was faintly aware that Starclan cats had left her alone, now at the mercy of the dream. From the night, came a thunderous crashing, threatening to turn Leafpool deaf. A wall of solid water slammed over her, cold tendrils dragging her under. Instantly, dirty water burrowed into her nose and ears, attempting to make her lungs burst. Thrashing against the tower of bubbles, Leafpool could barely see anything in the dark murk. Somehow, Leafpool still managed to pick up a soft mewling over the exploding wave. The terror-filled screams of kits.

Far away, the outlines of three tiny bodies drifted, as they were mercilessly hurled around by the mighty current. Above them, a pair of flailing cats desperately reached out for the kits, a cream tom and tortoiseshell she-cat - Calling out their names, too muffled to make out.

Yet Leafpool was helpless to do anything, as the fierce flood drained out from under her, sending her spinning through nothing again. Next, steer cold blasted Leafpool in a howling wind, as she found herself on a bed of packed snow. Everything was white, except the bare patches of black tree trunks. Flakes almost blinded her, the silhouette of small kits and one cat formed on the horizon.

A limp body dangled from the warrior’s jaw like freshly slain prey. Yet that wasn’t the one to die. Unlike the dark coats of their family, one kit with a white and grey pelt crumbled to the floor at their mother’s paws. Clutching the lifeless bundle of fur, the she-cat let out a horrid cry of agony. Alarmingly, another one of the litter left their mother's side, scripting straight towards Leafpool with the speed that belonged to a warrior.

With each stride, the kit grew larger and larger, seasons were passing in only a few heartbeats.

Now closer, Leafpool could see it was a tom with a stony grey pelt - His kit fluff bloomed like a flower, growing out into long sleek fur. His soft round features narrowed out to become a determined face, strong muscles rippling under a lean build. Gasping, Leafpool finally recognized Mistyfoot’s brother, Stonefur. Yet the former deputy didn’t acknowledge her as she was invisible in those world of memories, no more than a whisper in this storm of dreams.

Around them, the snowstorm blew itself out of existence. Instead, it melted into a new landscape, now standing in boggy flatlands with the distant sound of running streams. Briefly, the field of reeds opened out to a large clearing, nameless shadowy figures filling its edges, trapping them instead.

The once powerful strength of Stonefur’s body was now gone, only a bony pile of fur left, every rib showing. A massive mountain of sharp prey bones rose high above them, making her feel like an ant. Leafpool’s throat went dry, as she finally realized this was the scene of Stonefur’s execution, that means- Staggering back, the Medicine cat almost tripped over a pair of apprentices, clutching together for dear life. The younger versions of Feathertail and Stormfur.

Powerless, Leafpool could only watch as a shadowy storm of claws and teeth devoured Stonefur instantly, bright red shooting in all directions. Unable to stand it, Leafpool clutched her head in her paws, trying to drown out the sounds of pure pain and the scent of raw blood. She understood now - Those are the repeating fates of the half-clan cats throughout history, who had their deepest secrets exposed - All ending in death.

Then, in Leafpool’s darkest moment, a sense of hope sparked to life, as soft mewling and the silky scent of milk filled the atmosphere. Now Leafpool laid in dense undergrowth, but with a cosy amount of room underneath it, like a den. Each wall is its own shade of green as it is made up of a different plant, the left side, reeds and the right, brambles. Curled up on a nest of soft feathers and moss, laid a dark grey she-cat, nestling Mistykit and Stonekit against her belly. The distinctive traits of her plump belly and sleek pelt told Leafpool that must have been the Riverclan mother of the two deputies, Graypool.

Despite not sharing a blood bond, the Queen still gazed longingly at the pair of littermates like any other mother. Even though their birth was a crime against the Warrior code, Starclan still allowed them to grow up safe and warm. So they could grow into loyal warriors who would be honoured by the living and dead alike for seasons to come. The air was thick with purring as the family of three enjoyed each other company. Contagious like greencough, Leafpool couldn’t help but feel a purr of her form in her throat.

A new sound grabbed Leafpool’s attention, so high-pitched it could only be the mewing of newborns. The cry of creatures that had never needed to cry out before. On the other side of the cave made of greenery, next to the bramble wall, lay a familiar dark ginger pelt. Gasping, as she saw her littermate, who held a special bond since they were only kits themselves. “Squirrelflight!”, Leafpool called out.

Unable to hear her, Squirrelflight kept her back to her, instead, her loving gaze firmly fixed downwards, at to her belly. Despite having a wall of ginger between them, Leafpool could barely make out flickers of wriggling movement, impossible to make out any details. Glancing at her stomach, Leafpool’s heart ached and soared at the same time. Those were her- No, Squirrelflight’s precious kits. Only they happened to be inside Leafpool for now. It was Squirrelflight going through the effort, joy and pain of raising this new life. She was their mother.

Even if it was a future without her or Crowfeather, it was still a future nonetheless. Still welcomed within Thunderclan walls and without the shame brought by their true parents. One where they still attention they deserved, from a she-cat and tom Leafpool trusted above all else. Blood or birth didn’t matter. They needed to be prepared for a danger beyond the pitiful wishes of a single Medicine cat. This was Starclan’s will.

Between the cracks within the leaf walls, three fierce lights broke through, brighter than any Star Leafpool had seen before. Glowing with beautiful colours: The Luxurious Blue of a jay’s wing, the Glinting green of a Holly bush and the Stunning Gold of a Lion’s mane. The Stars’ sharp arms expanded until they consumed Leafpool’s vision.

Her eyes flew open, and Leafpool found herself back at the Moonpool as if nothing had happened at all. The sky had turned from a solid black to lightning-dark blue, as sunrise wasn’t far off. Violently, her fear-filled heartbeat and breath bounced against her skull, unable to hear anything for serval moments. It took a while for her body to recover from the overwhelming dream. Having barely noticed, the other Medicine cats chatted away casually on the other side of the pool.

Noticing she’d finally woken up, the small band went to greet her. At the head, Littlecloud dipped his head politely, “Glad you’ve managed to join us in the end, Leafpool. My apologies we couldn’t wait for you, but we were pressed for time.”, he mewed. Leafpool shook her head, still lying down, “Don’t apologize, it's my fault I was late.”.

While Littlecloud only nodded, the Riverclan cat, Mothwing hurried past, crouching beside her, sniffing at her head wound, “Don’t blame yourself- Not with a wound like that. Are you alright?”, the golden she-cat asked, worry in her deep amber eyes. Calmer, the experienced Littlecloud gazed at it from above, “Once you get back to Thunderclan, you should do a new herb dressing yourself. Whoever did it, forgot the Comfrey root.”.

“I know Brightheart didn’t do it perfectly, but she saved my life.”, Leafpool insisted, getting onto shaky paws. She was careful to tighten her stomach muscles at all times, heaving her flanks in. If any cats were to be the first to notice her pregnancy, it would be the other Medicine cats. Despite how intense she felt, Leafpool couldn’t let it show or they’d only grow suspicious.

Then, veering from out behind the crowd of older cats, the young Willowpaw bounded up to Leafpool eagerly, her thick tabby tail raised to the sky, “What did you dream of Leafpool?”, she asked curiously, “Anything exciting?”. The question made Leafpool’s ear twitch uncontrollably. Rarely, like the one she just had, when Starclan needed to send an urgent message, one that couldn’t be ignored, they were simply sent nightmares. However, usually, Starclan's dreams were quite tame, only getting advice from an ancestor. Even still, they were only to be spoken of when necessary.

The other Medicine cats waited for Mothwing to scold her apprentice for asking the inappropriate question. Yet Mothwing only responded with confusion, seemingly unaware of the problem. Leafpool’s heart lunged for the golden she-cat. Don’t give away your disbelief!

Luckily, Barkface approached the silver apprentice, reminding her gently, “Just remember, Moonpool dreams ain’t gossip, Willowpaw. They can hold serious information only meant for specific cats. Omens that may have nothing to do with us.”.

Willowpaw sat back, blinking. Then Barkface’s words seemed to click with her as she shrugged and shook her head, “Of course, silly me. Sorry, Leafpool!”, she mewed, still as joyful as before.

After that outburst, The Medicine Cats quickly slipped into usual small talk of the Moonpool meetings, as they started to descend up the cliff side. The narrow path is only enough for two cats side by side. Hopefully, if Leafpool played it right, she could slip her question about preventing swelling bellies naturally.

For now, all Leafpool did was listen at the rear of the group, sticking close to Mothwing. “How are your clans fairing with this long Leafbare?”, Barkface asked. Mothwing and Littlecloud gave decent reports; with no one starving, shelter remaining thick enough for the cold and illnesses being kept at bay. Even though this Leafbare was longer than usual, it wasn't overly cold. The only main point of interest was Littlecloud being unable to treat Boulder’s stubborn joints due to running out of Juniper berries.

Though Barkface offered help to Littecloud, “I could spare you some Heather Blossom from Windclan territory.”, he mewed, “It quite the nifty little herb, doesn’t even need to be mixed with anything. I’ll leave you some on the border.”, Barkface mewed. Littlecloud purred in reply, gratefully dipping his head. Now silent, Leafpool knew it was her turn to give the news. It had been so chaotic within Thunderclan, unsure if she wanted to share it all.

Sighing, Leafpool just decided to be honest, “Thunderclan basically fully recovered from the Badger attack now. But greencough slipped in recently- And Molepaw and Rainwhisker died last night.”.

There was a murmur of sympathy from the other Medicine cats, just as the rocky trail came to an end, now the ground flattening out. Mothwing pressed closer to Leafpool, now determined, “Do you have enough Catmint? Because I can-”.

Though Leafpool laid her tail against Mothwing’s shoulder to calm her, shaking her head, “It’s under control, I’ve got all the Catmint I need now. Rainwhisker didn’t die of Greencough, he got hit by a falling branch when he was helping me. That’s where I got this head wound from.”, she explained, bitterly. Even if she knew it wasn’t her fault any more thanks to Starclan, that didn’t make the guilt disappear completely.

Usually, the whole meeting would have separated by now, as they needed to travel their separate ways. However now that it was clear the conversation wasn’t finishing any time soon, they settled down in a circle on the cliff top.

Littlecloud sighed, “The first time is always the hardest. I still remember my first loss as an independent Medicine cat. A tom called Wildfur. But I know now, that experience only comes with time. More tradies will happen when you're younger.”. That must have been before Leafpool was born, just after Littecloud’s old mentor, Runningnose had just retired.

Trying to move on, Leafpool decided to focus on the living Clanmates, ones she could still save.

“I need advice a few things.” Leafpool began again uneasily, “First, It’s that Goldenflower’s teeth decay isn’t stopping. Even Parsley can only slow it down.”.

“She's not eating much, I'm guessing?”, Littlecloud remembered, “Now, I know it’s quite unusual for you Thunderclan cats, but it’s the softest prey I know. Frogs.”.

Everyone winced slightly, knowing Shadowclan’s reputation for loving all things scaly and slimy.

Littlecloud carrier on, “Near the Abandoned Twoleg nest, some marsh crosses into your territory. There might be a few frogs there if hunting patrols look hard enough. Just be mindful of the Border.”.

Noting it down in her head, Leafpool decided to move on to the dreaded question. Having recapped it to the Moonpool meeting, “One last thing, about Squirrelflight. She’s recently gotten pregnant but her belly bloated more than it should have at this time.”, She repeated her planned words, “Do you know any herbs that stop swelling stomachs?”.

Barkface and Littlecloud glanced at each other. “It’s unusual, but not unheard of. Though I haven’t personally dealt with it.”, the small tabby tom confirmed.

“It was a long time ago, so I could be remembering this wrong but- When I was still a paw, we once had that problem.”, Barkface added, “I think Hawkheart tried using Fennel seeds, though it was unclear if that’s what stopped the swelling.”. Leafpool could see the logic behind it. Fennel stalks were used to ease hip pain. So maybe a separate part of the plant could be used to have a different effect on that same area. Barkface’s uncertainty didn’t help but it was better than nothing.

Fortunately, Mothwing came in with a whole lot more confidence, “There a herb we recently discovered in Riverclan territory that I think is exactly what you're looking for Leafpool.”, she assured. Willowpaw nodded beside her mentor, beaming with pride, clear she was one to discover it, “It’s this bluish moss you find underwater.”, she described, “Gets rid of any extra fat. Works wonders for Leopardstar.”.

Leafpool held back a huff, as she was reminded of Leopardstar’s weight issues, unable to stop herself from gorging on too much fish. Sometimes in Newleaf, she even looked like a kittypet.

“My mother, Sasha called it algae.”, Mothwing explained, “If you need it, we could go get it on the way to Riverclan camp.”.

Leafpool pricked her ears, “You’d do that?”, she exclaimed. Mothwing shrugged with a purr, “Of course, we’ve got plenty of the stuff. “.

Soon, they had left the long moors of Windclan territory, the earth turning marshy underpaw as they approached Riverclan’s domain. Within a narrow strip of woodland, Leafpool could see the vast open Lake between the spindly trunks like overgrown grass blades. Often, Mothwing had to call her apprentice back as she ran on ahead, eager to get back to Riverclan camp. However, they were forced to stick to a slower pace so the injured Leafpool could keep up. Though Mothwing didn’t seem to mind, content on looking at the scenery.

By now, the tip of the sun had crept over the horizon, its warm light catching on the Lake’s calm surface, glinting like stars. The clouds streaked over the dim sky, still soft pinks and pale oranges. The peaceful atmosphere was only heightened by the first birdsongs of the day and the gentle breeze rippling through the crispy brown leaves. Dawn had finally arrived. After such a long night, Leafpool almost thought she’d never see daylight again. Had the Dawn patrol left Thunderclan camp already?

It could just be her, but Leafpool seemed to notice something different about Mothwing. She didn’t hold her shoulders so tightly, letting her muscles hang loose. Then her tail slides smoothly across the grassy floor, not constantly twitching. More relaxed than Leafpool had ever seen her. For a while, Leafpool had considered sharing her pregnancy with Mothwing. Letting another cat know decisions from Squirrelflight, might of take away some of the burdens.

After all, she had shared the darkest secret of her disbelief in Starclan. However, Yellowfang’s warning echoed in her mind. This was more than just Leafpool and her emotional needs. Despite how much she trusted Mothwing, she just couldn’t risk it. For the sake of her poor kits.

As the group of three headed down a wet sloop, like always, Willowpaw was the first to go down, tumbling with heavy paws, impressive she didn’t trip. When Mothwing and Leafpool meet her at the bottom, Mothwing chuckles at her apprentice, “You’re itchy to get back, ain’t you?”.

“Of course!”, Willowpaw exclaimed, “I want to be the one to tell Blackclaw he can leave the Medicine den. He’ll be so pleased, it’ll be hilarious.”. Facing in the direction of the distant Riverclan camp, Willowpaw lashed her tail with impatience.

Mothwing flicked her tail approvingly, “You know the rest of the way, so you can go on ahead. I’ll deal with Leafpool quickly, and meet you back at camp.”. With a single nod, the grey she-cat abruptly broke off into a run, bursting with energy, reduced to a distant speck in no time.

“Blackclaw?”, Leafpool asked, curious about what the fierce warrior could have been up to.

Mothwing answered while she led the way down to the Lakeshore, their paws scuffing against a sandy bank, “Ever since Hawkfrost was killed, Blackclaw has been desperate to find who did it. So much, he got into a fight with local kitty pets. They can be a lot tougher than they look.”.

It seems Brambleclaw wasn’t the only one affected by Hawkfrost’s death. Knowing Blackclaw had always been close allies with the traitorous cat, unknowing of his true nature. She reminded me of her clanmates like Longtail and Dustpelt. Would Blackclaw be so eager to avenge his old friend if his crimes had been exposed like Tigerstar’s were? Then, Leafpool realised she hadn’t considered the most obvious victim yet.

Leafpool blinked sympathetically towards Mothwing. Since she was born as a rogue, her friend had no kin within Riverclan other than her brother. Then even her own littermate turned against her, using her as a pawn in his schemes. As if Mothwing had overheard Leafpool’s thoughts, she turned a guilty face at her, “How are Brook and Stormfur doing?”, she asked nervously about her former Clanmates.

Having flashbacks to that Gathering several moons ago, as Mothwing told of her supposed dream while Hawkfrost breathed down her neck, ultimately leading to Stormfur’s and Brook’s exile from Riverclan. Did she still blame herself for that? Carefully, Leafpool picked her answer, “There still adjusting but they’ll be fine with a little more time.”. Silence hung as Mothwing didn’t reply, instead focusing on getting to the spot with the Algae.

While Leafpool remained on the sandy bank, Mothwing leapt down into the swallows, her legs submerged as she splashed among the tiny waves. This corner of the lake suddenly jutted out into an outcrop of jagged rocks, piled up in a circle. Keeping to dry land, Leafpool had to play catch up, veering around the edge as Mothwing had already scrambled over the rocky wall and disappeared over it.

It was like an open mouth, the rocks as its fangs, trapping a large body of water from the main lake. Gazing down from the grey ledge, Leafpool could see it didn’t hold the usual fresh and clean water of the Lake. Instead, there was only dirty murk. The bottom was so deep, it was completely out of sight.

Floating on the surface, was disgusting green slime, like nothing Leafpool had seen before, even having a bluish tint. It appeared as if a cat had dumped tons of moss into this rock pool, being left to rot, now clumped together and thinned out. So this must be what Mothwing called Algae.

Then she spotted a golden head bobbing among the lime green, “It is safe?”, Leafpool called down. Using her front paws to paddle, Mothwing gracefully swivelled around on the spot to face a worried Leafpool, “My mother taught me about it when I was a kit. Some Algae is dangerous while others can be beneficial.”, she explained. Before Leafpool could answer, Mothwing twisted her neck downwards like a snake, diving under the layer of Algae.

Emerging again, Mothwing’s jaw now overflowed with the strange plant, drooping down like a willow’s leaves. Outstretching her claws, Mothwing gripped the rock and heaved herself out of the lagoon. Leaning forward, Leafpool gripped her by the scruff, helping her the last of the way.

A dripping wet Mothwing dropped the Algae at Leafpool’s paws like a green slug, “I’ve been using this blueish type for the past moon and there’s been no negative side effects as far I can see. You use it by eating it raw.”, she assured her.

It should have been easy, take the herb, say farewell and she’d be on her way. But something held Leafpool back, like the strangling invisible vines. The words she wanted to say lodged in her throat like a stone. Quickly picking up the brown she-cat's hesitation, Mothwing blinked down at her, “Leafpool- do you need to say something?”.

Sighing, Leafpool expected to defeat and admitted it, “I know you don’t believe in Starclan. But in my dream today- I think know Hawkfrost’s afterlife. I can tell you if you’re interested.”.

For a moment, Mothwing didn’t reply, only thoughtful. Bracing herself for a worse reaction, Leafpool was shocked to see the other Medicine cat just shrug, “I already know that if Starclan did exist, my brother wouldn’t be going there. He’s done too many awful things.”. Standing up, Mothwing followed the lip of the lagoon and halted, staring down into the murky water.

Then she turned towards Leafpool again, new regret in her voice, “The only thing I wish for him now, is that Hawkfrost gets to know whether our littermate, Tadpole, is safe or not.”, she mewed, “But no more than that. Tadpole or my mother wouldn’t want to see what he's become.”.

Unable to stop herself, a deeply personal question slipped from Leafpool’s lips, “D-do you know how he died?”.

To this, Mothwing tightened up into a ball, her muscles tense and fur spiking on end. Instantly, Leafpool regretted asking. However, Mothwing pulled through, her amber gaze flickering over the oaks of Thunderclan in the far distance, “You think I don’t know? We may not seem the closet but Brambleclaw still told everything. And to imagine, if Hawkfrost was willing to kill Bramblelcaw, he could probably kill me too.”, her bitter words trailing off into an uneasy silence.

“I’m sorry.”, was all Leafpool could say, frozen to the spot like frost had formed over her. With one final huff, Mothwing began stalking in the direction of Riverclan camp, “Don’t be.”, she uttered, “He brought it on himself. At least now, he can’t hurt me or anyone else.”.

Sadly, what Mothwing said couldn’t be further from the truth. Even if his physical body was dead, Hawkfrost’s spirit still lurked somewhere out there. Despite it only being in dreams, as long as he or his father had contact with living cats, they’d always be a threat - Among the other residents of the Dark Forest, Leafpool wasn’t aware of yet. Which to her terror, somehow involved her kits. Starclan better do their part to protect them.

Halting briefly, Mothwing forced herself to become calmer, guilty of acting towards her friend like. “Whenever you need any more Algae, just come to me.”, she mewed awkwardly, “Do you need help getting back to your territory?”.

Hurriedly, Leafpool snatched up the herb and shook her head, “I’ll be fine.”, she sounded in a muffled voice. Not wanting to make anything worse, Leafpool leapt down from the stones, starting the long journey back home, leaving Mothwing behind.

#leafpool #squirrelflight #brambleclaw #bramblestar #crowfeather #ashfur #lionblaze #hollyleaf #jayfeather #warrior cats #warrior cats fanfic #rewrite #wc au #thunderclan #erin hunter #warriors #fanfic

[rushwingtales]

Leafpool's Wish Rewritten Chapter 3

Part 2

Part 4

Suddenly, Leafpool was rudely awoken by sharp jabs into her flank, forcing her from slumber. Feeling hot breath blowing against her whiskers. Yet just as her senses separated from a blurred fog, releasing those were Brightheart’s words droning in her ears, “Leafpool? It’s Sunhigh already.”, she informed in a stern tone. Sunhigh? That one word snapped Leafpool out of sleep, rapidly sitting up in her nest. How could she allow herself to sleep so long and- Why? She never did this before.

“Sorry- Sorry. I didn’t mean to oversleep.”, Leafpool gasped, rubbing her paw against her eyes, “Did I miss anything?”. Outside, fierce daylight made the stone itself seem to glow with a yellow brightness, clanmates busy warming themselves in large sun patches. Certainly a rare kind of weather for this season, so Thunderclan had to make use of every passing moment.

“Luckily, no.”, Brightheart mewed, “Slept any longer though and you could’ve missed the ceremony.”. Reminded that Firestar had agreed to Molekit’s idea of a double ceremony two sunrises ago, the day finally arrives. Brightheart carried herself with a clear pride like any mother welcoming their kit into the Warriors’ den. Sandstorm certainly had been.

Stepping out of her bedding, Leafpool stretched while carrying on the conversation, “Whitepaw more than deserves it by this point.”, Leafpool purred. Brightheart helped get scraps of moss out of her tabby fur, her motherly instincts kicking in on her daughter’s special day.

“She’s been too selfless, staying behind all this time just for poor Birchpaw.”, Brightheart agreed, “Though this isn’t why I’m here. It’s that I really think you should be doing something about the greencough soon.”. To this, Leafpool’s ears pricked in alarm, staring directly at Brightheart, “Who has it? I thought I cured Mousefur’s whitecough.”, she admitted.

Brightheart shrugged, “I don’t know, my knowledge only covers the basics. It’s just that serval Cats reported Sandstorm has been constantly coughing.” Her mother was sick? How could a simple helper notice this before her? She’s supposed to be the trained Medicine cat. Letting Brightheart do more of the work than she was, was unfair.

Even if was expected for the illness to be creeping in around this time, it didn’t make it any less of a threat, especially since it’s Leafpool's first time tackling it by herself. Doing anything to avoid an outbreak, with so many promising young youths around. Leafpool was determined not to lose anyone.

“Alright.”, Leafpool huffed, “I’ll warn everyone at Today’s Clan meeting. Thank you.”, giving her chest a few nervous licks. Up until this point, she’d failed to realise the scrawny shrew at Brightheart’s paws, nudging it towards the Medicine cat, Brightheart chuffed, “There’s still a little bit of time before the ceremony, so eat up. You can’t celebrate on an empty stomach.”.

Leafpool purred, taking the fresh kill in her mouth just as a fluffy cloud seemed to drift across the entrance, “There you are, Brightheart! We need to practice our embarrassing speeches, remember?”, Cloudtail purred, Brightheart meeting up with him twinning their tails as they padded off. Suddenly, Leafpool felt very sorry for Whitepaw. Her overgrown kit of a father knew whatever he was planning was embarrassing, yet of course, that’s the whole reason Cloudtail did it.

With the two mates now gone, Leafpool briskly crouched down, scoffing only a few mouthfuls before burying the half-eaten shrew amongst the pebbles of her secret stash. The half meal is far from satisfying the hunger. Tonight would be second-time Squirrelflight would need to down a mountain of prey to gain the rapid weight she needed to fake her pregnancy. Speaking of that, Leafpool sniffed at her belly, to see if the Stinging nettles and Parsley had done their jobs. At the very least, she couldn’t pick up any scent of milk, having stopped its production.

Yet to her dismay, her stomach had gotten notably more solid and plump since she last checked. Nothing large enough to suspect kits, but definitely edging towards it. The days when somebody would finally notice were rapidly approaching. As she feared, Stinging nettles only halted the swelling of wounds, not bellies. Desperately, she needed to find an alternative and fast.

Originally, she didn’t want to resort to it, but it had to be done. Later, was the night of the Half-moon, so during the meeting, Leafpool could slip in a question on how to stop swelling stomachs. Make sure to keep it subtle.

While heading to the Herb store, Leafpool gathered all her mental notes for the day ahead: After Ashfur was dismissed back into his duties, no signs of weakness had shown, so she didn’t think she needed to worry about his physical health, even if she did for his mental. Rainwhisker’s injuries weren’t healing as quickly as expected, yet weren’t getting any worse, so didn’t need any herbs. All he needed was more time to recover, despite how much he complained.

The condition of Goldenflower’s teeth had remained stable recently, but Leafpool was already sparing so many herbs for her. Leafpool was unsure how long she could keep going. Finally, there was her Father. Since she needed to ask him to do the Greencough announcement anyway, she could check on him then.

Alright. Everything softened, she just needed to follow what she planned for the day, business as usual. She decided to prepare the Catmint for the Greencough. However as she scanned for its usual place, all she found was a patch of bare stone. Mouse-dang! Where could it possibly be? This was one of the most important herbs out there, she always kept a close eye on it.

If it had somehow run out, this was the worst time possible. Having other tasks to deal with, all Leafpool could do was remind herself to retrieve more at the Abandoned Twoleg Nest later on.

Carrying her supplies from her den to her father’s, Leafpool passed many excited groups chattering among themselves like sparrows. Leafpool wished she could've joined them. Besides business talk Squirrelflight or Brightheart, it seemed ages since Leafpool had any time to simply gossip. Well, that was the penalty she had to pay for running away with Crowfeather. She scaled the large boulders leaning against the cliff, heading to her Father’s Den.

On top of the high ledge, it was an entirely different world. A vicious gale ruffed Leafpool’s pelt as she took a brief moment to glance back into camp, her clanmates scattering around like ants up here. This was the vast view Firestar saw every day, knowing so many cats depended on him. Yet it was the same for her too. Thunderclan needed their Medicine cat, just as they did their leader.

Finding the narrow crevice within the cliff, Leafpool crawled in the gloom of the Leader’s den. As usual, her parents were inside, curled around each other. A weak Firestar had his head nestled in his mate’s paws as she cleaned his fiery pelt. With their daughter’s entrance, they raised their heads in greeting.

“You’re up late.”, Sandstorm commented, concerned, “Are you giving yourself enough time to relax?”. Laying down the medicine, Leafpool tried switching the attention elsewhere, “I’m the one who should be worrying, not you.”, she mewed, “Is it true you’ve been coughing?

Sandstorm shifted her paws over the moss, “Do you think it’s Greencough?”, she muttered.

Leafpool swallowed back a gasp, “Why didn’t you come to me earlier?”, she asked. The pale she-cat mumbled, “I assumed it wasn't serious and you seemed so overworked- Well, at least we know now.”.

“Come over to my den after the ceremony, then. Speaking of that-”, Leafpool began, turning to Firestar, “Can I warn the Clan during the meeting? The sooner awareness is spread, the less likely there will be an outbreak.”.

“I hate to put a downer on the Ceremony but if it’s for the safety of everyone, then of course.”, Firestar agreed without hesitation, his voice more steady than expected. With that pause in the flow of conversation, the family knew instinctively, that it was best to let Leafpool perform her duties already. While Sandstorm made space for them, Leafpool sniffed at Firestar’s deep wound.

Despite it still being raw red, a new layer of skin has settled in, sealing away any bare muscle. Leafpool had added so much Goldenrod over the past few days, now there is no opening for infection to slip in anymore. Honestly, no matter what herb she used, the wound had been so deep, that it was impossible not to leave a scar. Right now, the best Leafpool could do was let the air get to it and trust the body to finish the healing process.

With a loose moss ball, Leafpool dabbed out the rotting Goldenrod paste. To Firestar’s surprise, she didn’t add a fresh coating, only pushing a new herb towards him. “There’s nothing more I can do for the wound.”, she explained, “So your only focus is getting your strength back, which is what this Burnet is for.”. Even the wise leader couldn’t help but make a face at the herb, knowing its reputation as one of the foulest tasting.

The mother and daughter tried to distract themselves while Firestar had fun with the bitter leaves, “So how’s Squirrelflight’s pregnancy going?”, Sandstorm asked cheerfully. The question took Leafpool completely off guard like a snake had bitten her tongue. Strangely, her father seemed to react too, his tail tip twitching nervously. Quickly shaking it off, Leafpool attempted to give a generic response, “The kits are developing as they should. A good healthy litter I suspect.”.

“That’s good.”, Sandstorm quietly muttered, “One less thing for Brambleclaw to be worried about. Has Squirrelflight told you about him yet?”, finishing the question with a rasping cough. Leafpool was aware that Brambleclaw had been overworking himself to the bone; running the Clan in Firestar’s absence while still needing to look after Goldenflower. Yet she hadn’t found the time amongst all the physical injuries and concealing her kits. So Leafpool just shook her head, hoping her mother could fill her in with the details.

“He hasn’t slept in his own nest for days now. He’s always beside Goldenflower’s, not even giving himself proper bedding.”, Sandstorm sighed.

“Then he’s a mousebrain!”, Leafpool exclaimed. This was Squirrelflight’s mate they were talking about. How had her sister failed to knock any sense into him yet? Sandstorm nodded thoughtfully, “It is. But I hardly blame him amongst his kits, mother and the Clan. It’s too much for a young cat like him.”. For a heartbeat, the eerily similarities, Leafpool almost thought Sandstorm was referring to her yet knew better.

“Then it wouldn’t hurt him to get some help.”, Leafpool admitted, “Father, perhaps you could appoint a warrior to temporarily share the Deputy duties. It could take off the load for Brambleclaw.”. The suggestion made Firestar freeze in place, his eyes darkening over with green blazing suns. Clearing having flashbacks to the gruesome days when he was a warrior; Tigerstar murdering for the deputy position. Unknownst to her parents, even death wasn’t a barrier for Tigerstar, still lurking within the dreams of the living.

Firestar knew better than anyone - If he gave the wrong cat a taste of power, the whole cycle could restart. The Clans always had those bloody tragedies running across its history. Just hoped she wouldn’t have one in her lifetime, as her parents did.

Hurriedly, Sandstorm pressed herself into Firestar’s hot flank, flattening her ears, “Oh, don’t think like that.”, she scolded into his ear, “It will only be a moon at most. Cats like Tigerstar are long past. No warrior of the modern generation is capable of that kind of treachery.”. Her words rang true as - Even someone questionable like Brambleclaw hadn't given in to his ambition when Firestar was in the foxtrap.

Finally, Firestar’s paranoia faded, shaking his head, “Sorry, I’m being mousebrained.”, he apologised, sitting up and straightening up. “Even if he wasn’t my first choice, I know Brackenfur to be more than willing to be a temporary deputy. Graystripe would want it.”. The two she-cats shared a worried glance, yet said nothing. First Tigerstar and now Greystripe? Leafpool didn't know what could be putting Firestar on edge. It had started ever since Squirrelflight’s pregnancy was brought up. As if her father was pining for the past, to escape the future. To make the fearless leader, fearful. Did he know something about her kits?

Before she could ask further, Firestar had already gotten to all fours, “We shouldn’t keep Whitepaw or Daisy’s kits waiting any longer.”. The Burnet seemed to be taking effect, as the ginger tom was able to stand without his mate’s support. He took a moment to loosen his stiff muscles, stretching his legs and shaking himself down, being stuck in a nest for too long. Hints of the old Firestar were starting to show, as he was the first out of the cave. With his tail and head held high, even if his paws still trembled under his weight.

The sudden switch between dim light to blinding sun made Leafpool’s eyes water as if bees were stinging them. Usually, Leafpool would stand under the High ledge for meetings, but this time, she’d been on top, standing above it all. Reluctantly, he settled down next to Firestar on the flat platform, while Sandstorm slid down the smooth boulders into the rock hollow below. She feels very out of place up here, with all her friends and kin seeming further away and smaller than ever.

“May all cats old enough to catch their prey, gather under the Highledge for a Clan meeting.”, Firestar repeated the ancient words, spoken by countless leaders before him.

Without delay, Clanmates scrambled out of the dens, filling out the clearing in waves of colourful pelts, like a flood. They crammed themselves into the edges, leaving a large open space in the centre for the selected cats. Amongst the sea of faces, Leafpool managed to spot Squirrelflight, who gave her a reassuring nod, giving her a rush of confidence.

“Before we continue, Leafpool has an announcement.”, Firestar mewed calmly, inviting her up with a flick of his tail.

Trying to relax, Leafpool decided to make it short and simple, making sure not to directly stare into the many judging eyes, “Like most leafbares, Greencough has struck up again. We need to work together to avoid an outbreak. So if you suspect yourself or any other Clanmate to have it, don’t hesitate to come to my den.”

Not in the mood to see their reactions, Leafpool hurriedly ducked away, plunging back into the common crowd, where she belonged. Disorientating to be back on the even ground again. Veering around the rim of the crowd, until she was at the very back, wedging herself between Rainwhisker and Squirrelflight. Her sister wrapped her long bushy tail around Leafpool while they watched the rest of the meeting in silence. Serval fox-lengths away, Daisy nervously gave Berrykit a final lick, before he finally wriggled away from his mother’s rasping tongue.

Too young to be at the meeting, Sorreltail’s kits had to watch from the Nursery’s entrance. Leafpool’s old friend literally needed to pin Molekit down, as he attempted to become an apprentice alongside them. Sorreltail’s brother, Rainwhisker nudged the unruly kit back into the Nursery. He did his best to be patient, probably practising for when he was a father himself one day.

“Today, we’ll be doing something never done before in Thunderclan history, welcoming new apprentices and a warrior in the same ceremony.”, Firestar rang, his condition still forcing him to bend over slightly. Berrykit gave Daisy one last scowl, even though his sleek pelt glinted like water. Swallowing hard, the cream queen settled beside Sorreltail. In the sky, the thick overcast cleared to allow sunlight to flood the Clearing, making it glow gold.

All the kits scrambled over each other, in a desperate attempt to be first. While Whitepaw calmly padded in last, everyone now neatly lined up. The snowy apprentice likes a giant within the row of kits.

Holding his head towards the sun, Firestar began, “Whitepaw, you’ve trained harder than most to understand the ways of the Clans and the Warrior code. So, I, Firestar, leader of Thunderclan, appoint you as a Warrior in the name of Starclan. Do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”.

Without flinching, Whitepaw’s promise came out loud and clear, “I do.”.

“Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your Warrior name. From this moment on, you’ll be known as Whitewing. Starclan honours your Patience and Sacrifice and we welcome you as a full Warrior of Thunderclan.”. Normally, Thunderclan would have broken out into a chant, but there were still four more cats to name. Pulsing for breath, Firestar started again with the three kits.

“Whitewing! Berrypaw! Mousepaw! Hazelpaw!”

Heartbeats seemed to drag on after her father had listed out separate four names and three mentors, yet it was finally done. The stand-out mentor for this ceremony must have been Dustpelt. It had been moons since he trained his last apprentice, Leafpool’s littermate. If he could handle Squirrelflight, he could handle anyone.

Dustpelt and Firestar were famously rivals, though the Leader still prided himself on not letting bias get to him. The chanting over, they could personally welcome the new additions to the Warrior’s den and Apprentice’s den. Waiting for Whitewing to stop being smothered by Cloudtail and Brightheart, the sisters stepped towards their old friend.

“It finally happened.”, Squirrelflight cheered, “Does it feel weird?”. Whitewing shrugged, unable to stop herself having a massive droopy grin, “A little. But it’s been so long, I’m more than ready for a change.”.

The ginger she-cat playfully nudged Whitewing in the shoulder with her nose, “That’s an understatement. I still remember you used babysit us for Sandstorm because you were already an apprentice.”. Their pelts brushed as they bonded over their nursery memories, purring with amusement.

In the distance, Leafpool noticed Daisy approaching the three mentors of her kits. While Brambleclaw and Dustpelt happily engaged with her, Spiderleg hid behind them. Going from insulting Daisy to suddenly being the mentor of her son, Mousepaw, made every interaction awkward. Leafpool hoped it would teach the black tom that Daisy deserved respect, even if she wasn’t a traditional warrior.

Birchpaw’s yappy voice distracted Leafpool, “Come along my minions!”, a trail of tiny cats bounding behind him, squealing uncontrollably, “Birchstar will introduce you to your new Clan, Apprenticeclan!”. Leading them in between two boulders, straight into their new den.

“Now Birchpaw the oldest of four apprentices. Certainly an upgrade from when it was just the two of you”, Leafpool commented, twitching her whiskers. Though Whitewing waved her tail dismissively, “I spent my last few moons making sure he can put those kits in their place. He’s tougher than a nutshell now. Not even Berrypaw can get him.”, she boasted.

Leafpool stared at her, blinking, “That would be mighty impressive if he could.”, she mewed. Being caught in her smoke of lies, Whitewing sighed defeat, “Can anyone deal with that overgrown furball?”.

After chatting away with Sorreltail, Daisy overheard them, “Give him some time.”, his mother pleaded, “Warrior Training should humble him a bit.”. Quickly, Whitewing dipped her head apologetically. Before long, Whitewing and Daisy quickly got on friendly terms, trading hints and tips on how to deal with petty cream Tom. Her friend’s attention elsewhere now, Leafpool decided to move on herself. Weaving through her Clanmates, the crowd was beginning to break apart now, as they separated to either congratulate individuals or retreat back to their dens.

While most were still gathered, Leafpool should use this time to snuff out where greencough lurked. Scanning the long rows for any coughing. However, instead of her finding it, it came right to her, as Sorreltail marched an embarrassed Molekit over to the Medicine cat.

“I heard your announcement and this little troublemaker apparently doesn’t want to get better.”, she mewed down at her son. Yet Molekit attempted to protest, “But there’s nothing wrong-”, however before he could finish, he was interrupted by a nasty coughing fit, which he sealed his jaw shut in effect to hide it. There was so much rasping, it appeared to be the later stages. And when Leafpool placed her muzzle to his forehead, his body was radiating fierce heat, running a high fever.

Now closer to him, Leafpool even saw the subtle shivers of weakness running down his legs, as he struggled to hold his own weight. Great Starclan, he must have the stubbornness of a Shadowclan warrior to be able to hide his illness this long.

“How long have you had this?”, Leafpool gasped, backing away. Unable to meet the Medicine cat's gaze, Sorreltail spoke on his behalf, “Apparently he’s hidden it for at least four days.”, Sorreltail sighed, clearly worried. To this, Molekit grumbled, “I wasn’t hiding anything. Real warriors don’t get sick.”.

“All cats get sick, Molekit.”, Leafpool gently explained to the naive kit, “Including warriors. Now if you want to help your Clan, you need to let me help you first.”. Taking aback by her words, Molekit glanced down at his black paws, before reluctantly nodded, going to Leafpool’s side.

“Will it take long?”, Sorreltail asked, “It’ll be a shame if he couldn’t explore the territory with his littermates.”. Seeing her old friend like this, made Leafpool’s heartache. But she knew better than to rush anything when it came to the health of her Clanmates. “I’ll do my best.”, Leafpool promised, “But I can’t say how long it will take. Molekit will need to stay in my den until I have the Greencough under control.”.

Seemingly understanding, Sorreltail dipped her head gratefully, “I have no doubt you will.”. Licking her kit’s ears, the Queen crouched beside him, “You’ll just have to stay in the Medicine den for a little while but it won’t be long.”, she mewed.

“But that’ll be so boring!”, Molekit exclaimed.

Sorreltail blinked at him, “But if you do this, you’ll make sure no one else will get sick.”

Quickly, Leafpool added in, “It’s not that boring in the Medicine den. My role knows not even warriors know. We heal instead of fight.”

“Really?”, Molekit exclaimed, curiosity sparking in his eyes. After a pulse, the young cat slowly dipped his head towards the two she-cats, going to Leafpool’s side. With it agreed, Leafpool glided the restless youth towards her den, Sandstorm not needing an escort there.

On their way over, they passed Firestar, Brackenfur and Brambleclaw bundled together in deep conversation. Despite her best efforts, Leafpool couldn’t help but overhear Brackenfur’s promise, “I know you’ve got a lot happening, so I’ll do what I can to make things easier for you.”

Brambleclaw nodded to the tabby warrior as he padded away, grateful to have somebody aiding his deputy duties. Though he turned back to Firestar, quietly whispering, “Can someone else take Berrypaw for a while? The first moon of training is critical and he deserves a mentor who isn’t distracted. With Goldenflower and Squirrelflight’s kits – I just don’t feel ready.”

All of Leafpool’s fears were coming to the forefront. She’d debated beforehand if covering up her forbidden romance was right and she was questioning it again. Leafpool was adding to Brambleclaw’s stress when his mother was already sick. As the mate of Squirrelflight and foster father of her kits – Leafpool owed it to him to help.

Luckily, Firestar noticed his daughter, signalling for her to come over. The Leader nodded in her direction, “I’ll look into it. But you’re stronger than you think, Brambleclaw. There’s a reason I choose you as deputy. If you’re having a problem with your stress, then Leafpool can also help you.”

The brown deputy is reluctant to follow Leafpool, as if he felt guilty for taking up herbs. Did he not consider himself worthy of treatment? Without a word, Leafpool and Brambleclaw headed over to the Medcine den, with Molekit asking the deputy endless questions.

Dropping off her patients, Leafpool searched the last remnants of the scattering meeting. Thank Starclan, no more sick cats to be found. She’d caught it early with only two Clanmates infected. Now the main thing was to get them cured quickly. Which would be tricky, considering the Catmint store had somehow either run out or disappeared. Soon, Brightheart had sensed the commotion within the Medicine den, joining to lend an extra set of paws.

While Brightheart smoothed Sandstorm’s and Molekit’s throats down with honey, Leafpool treated her other patients near the entrance. Leafpool wanted to give the brown tabby more time, but she couldn’t risk him being infected, so she did him quickly. His amber eyes were deep sunk into his head, dark rims surrounding them. Not even able to find the time to flatten his scrappy brown coat.

“How much sleep did you get last night?”, Leafpool mewed, circling and sniffing him to find any other symptoms. Flexing his claws against the gritty floor, he was reluctant to answer but couldn’t ignore a question from a Medicine cat. “I’ve been up doing extra hurting.”, he admitted, ”Most prey’s fur or feathers are too tough for Goldenflower now. Only plump mice and pigeons have enough soft meat to spare.”

Consisting there was still snowfall around, it would be tricky to find the certain fresh-kill Brambleclaw soft. Yet the foolish part was his delusion he needed to do it alone. Even her lying pelt still had Squirrelflight. “But that doesn’t need to solely fall on you, Brambleclaw.”, Leafpool replied, “Elders are the whole Clan’s reasonability. Just give out the order, if any hurter finds those fresh-kill, it’ll go straight to Goldenflower. Alright?”.

Swallowing down his pride, Brambleclaw agreed with a snort, “If you think it’s best.”.

“I do.”, Leafpool nodded, “Now onto you- Looking after your mother isn’t an excuse to start neglecting your own health. So either return to your own nest for a while or set up a proper one in the Elder’s den. Actually-”.

Before the deputy could do anything, the Medicine cat called out to a passing apprentice across the clearing, “Hazelpaw!”.Stunned for a heartbeat, the grey and white she-cat trotted over to the Rim of the cave, nosing twitching like a mouse’s, curiously watching the busy den.

Grabbing one of the unused nests within her own den, Leafpool shoved the large green clump into Hazelpaw’s forepaws. “Lay this down in the Elder’s den. Next to Goldenflower’s, as soft as you can make it. A nest fit for your deputy.”, Leafpool instructed, tail pointing to an embarrassed Brambleclaw. Honoured to be chosen for the job, Hazelpaw eagerly grabbed the moss.

“My first apprentice job!”, she exclaimed eagerly, “We make this a complication later, Molekit. The apprentices can show you kits how it’s done.”

“You’re on!”, Molekit countered as Hazelpaw turned away, rushing like the wind to get her job finished.

With that out the way, Leafpool went into the shadowy corner of the den, Leafpool slid off the dried oak leaf, curving upwards, to cleanly nestle the shiny black shells of poppy seeds in its centre. “No matter what you choose though before you go to sleep tonight, I need you to take those.”, Leafpool mewed.

“Couldn’t someone else need those more?”, Brambleclaw whispered in such a quiet voice, it was more of a question to himself than Leafpool. Sensing his uneasiness with the herbs, Leafpool tried being reassuring, “Longtail or Mousefur can look out for Goldenflower. I know your mother doesn’t want to see you doing this to yourself.”

Finally, giving in, Brambleclaw accepted the seeds with a twitch of the ears, grasping the leaf’s stem between his teeth. As he delivered the poppy seeds to the Warrior’s den, at last joining Squirrelflight again, guilt pricked over his pelt like ripples on a puddle when a raindrop struck it.

This had to be deeper than Goldenflower. Was this the aftermath of being forced to kill his own brother for refusing cold-blooded murder?

“Leafpool!”, Brightheart’s alarmed call made Leafpool almost leap out of her pelt. Rushing over, Brightheart was bent over a violently shivering Molekit, who had sunk down onto his side while Sandstorm remained crouched in her nest, fur spiked. The black kit’s pelt had an unnatural shine to it as the burning fever forced the water from his body.

Reacting quickly, Leafpool tore a mossball from Molekit’s nest and flung it towards her mother, “Soak it in water and keep him hydrated.”. As Sandstorm dealt with that, Leafpool tested Molekit’s strength, nudging him to his paws with her muzzle. Yet he remained too limp to get up, only able to groan. Sorreltail had been right about the time frame. Being untreated for so many days, Molekit’s greencough was in the final stages, his condition declining rapidly.

“Mousedang!”, Leafpool cursed aloud. She couldn’t let a kit slip away! Not when Cinderpelt had previously sacrificed herself to save Molekit as a newborn. It was too unfair, he hadn’t even seen the lake yet. Heart pounding, she ignored a lost Brightheart, heading to the Herb Store. She debated in her head whether to use Hawkweed or Coltsfoot. The first was specifically a cure for greencough, even if it was a weak one. However, due to Molekit’s young age, it was too tough. Forcing her to get the softer Coltsfoot, which was only for general use.

Having decided, she grabbed the ragged leaves of Ragwort for strength and shrivelled flowers of Coltsfoot for a cough. Using her claws, Leafpool hurriedly gridded the herbs into a mixture of fine strips. Exiting the store, Leafpool stumbled over her words as she was hastily explaining to Brightheart, “This is a mix of Ragwort and Coltsfoot- Try to get Molekit to eat it while I get more Catmint.”, she uttered, quickening her pace.

Yet Brightheart sidestepped to block her path, eyes widening to the same size as an owl’s, “You mean you’ve run out of Catmint?”, she gasped.

Forcing herself to nod, Leafpool clawed the ground, frustrated with herself, “I don’t know what happened to it. Whether it ran out or went missing, it doesn’t matter. It’s gone. I have to go out for more.”, she growled, going past the white and ginger she-cat, seriously pressed for time.

“Be quick!”, Brightheart’s words echoed as Leafpool left the den far behind, breaking off into a run. Bounding across the rock hollow like a deer trying to escape death, Leafpool was about to tear through the thorn entrance, when a grey wall of fur blocked her. Crouched down, Rainwhisker blinked sleepily up at her, patches of his fur still thinning from his healing wounds. Rising to his paws, he casually padded over, “You’re not scouting for herbs, are you? I’ve spent so long recovering, I’d do anything to get out of the camp.”, he mewed.

Crushing loose grit under her paws, Leafpool made her answer snappy, “I am.”, failing to hide her impatience. Yet Rainwhisker didn’t seem to care, eagerly joining her side, “Oh, that’s great. Care if I join you-”.

“This is serious, Rainwhisker.”, Leafpool interrupted the happy-go-lucky tom, “Molekit has collapsed from greencough. So if you want to help me- We’ll have to run the whole time.”. Admittedly, Leafpool desperately needed a warrior’s speed right now. With the mention of his sister’s kit in danger, his face became shocked, “Sorreltail…”, he muttered.

A low voice called out to them, “Is something wrong?”. The mates, Stormfur and Brook padded over to the quarrelling clanmates, tails twitching with worry.

With a sudden tone shift, Rainwhisker took charge, “You two can help! Molekit endangered, so let’s not wait!”.

Before Leafpool could react, the grey warrior sprang out of camp with powerful hind legs like a hare. Upturning earth as he went, disappearing into the forest in less than a heartbeat. Even if Rainwhikser was being erratic, as Molekit’s kin, Leafpool couldn’t blame him.

Hurriedly, she translated Rainwhisker’s rash words to the dumbstruck mates, “Molekit desperately needs catmint. If you two cover the Windclan border, while we’ll go to the Twoleg nest, we’ll find some for sure. If you find any, go straight back to camp and give to Brightheart. Alright?”

Understanding the situation, Stormfur and Brook bowed their heads with a new determination. Already lagging behind, Leafpool was left to catch up in Rainwhisker’s dust.

In the distance, Rainwhisker was nothing but a grey speck flickering in and out of existence on the green horizon. Yet Leafpool didn’t dare call for him to slow down. Every heartbeat counted. And they both knew the final destination anyway. Knowing this forest for half their lives. Knowing it like their own pelts.

Out in the open territory, they had to carefully pick their way through the endless sea of undergrowth. Sticking to the flattened paths, their clanmates constantly tread each day. Driving under overhanging thorns and leaping over rotting logs. Stems constantly threatening to trip them up or claw-like branches swiping at their faces. Overhead, the grey clouds steadily gathered, promising rain in a short while.

Building speed, Leafpool’s paws barely skimmed the ground, almost like she was flying. Energy surges through her veins faster and faster. Her mind and eyes were strictly fixed on the journey ahead. Never before had there been such raw determination pulsing through her. Determined, not to let this day, become the first time she lost a patient as a lone medicine cat. Not a young cat who was no more than a kit.

Soon, her muscles began aching, crying for her to rest. A soft wind rattled the branches above like the trees were trying to reach down to her. Yet she didn’t dare slow her pace, not for a heartbeat. The swallow ditches and rising slopes passed under her so fast, that the ground flowed into a current, like waves of a gushing river. Eventually, the looming dark shape of the abandoned Twoleg nest came into view between the oak trunks. Falling just short of the towering pines of Shadowclan territory. Smooth-cut stone walls rose from the ground, supported by nothing but rotting wooden beams. Ready to crumble down with the slightest breeze. Large square holes on all of its sides, only thick gloom lying inside.

Finding a dip in the earth, Leafpool slipped under the massive tangle of thorns, acting as a spiky barrier, protecting what lay beyond. The canopy opened up, letting the sun stream the whole clearing. The building storm still has not reached this peaceful quiet yet. Unique colourful flowers and plants lined the Nest’s stained walls, overflowing with the scent of sweet herbs. Thunderclan was lucky to have this isolated clearing. If this area didn’t yield any catmint, Leafpool had to put all her faith in Stormfur’s search at the Windclan border.

Rainwhisker rounded the corner, already searching the rows of plants, his muzzle down to the gritty yet soft floor. “I’ve already checked half the nest itself, so I’ll carry on with that.”, he sternly reported, “You check the edges of the Clearing.”, continuing on his way with full focus. Completely skipping over the actual catmint itself, not giving it a second glance. Not waiting for him to figure it out on his own, Leafpool instantly rushed to the right spot.

“Those are nettles, Mousebrain! You’ll hurt yourself.”, Rainwhisker snapped, stressed. Confidently, Leafpool plucked the greyish leaves from its fuzzy stems. Releasing she wasn’t getting stung, Rainwhisker turned away in a huff, “Never mind.”. Then he turned away, signalling for her to follow, “There’s something you need to see.”, he mewed. Curiously, the grey tom took her a few paces towards a flattened piece of grass. Like a nest, it displayed a pile of withered leaves.

Those leaves were tightly woven together unnaturally, exactly like the leaf bundles Leafpool used to store herbs back in camp. It even had that knot at the top. It couldn’t be, could it? Giving her freshly picked herb to Rainwhisker, she cautiously circled the strange object. Approaching it, Leafpool opened it with her teeth, the dried leaves splitting apart. The two cats gasped together. The original catmint store.

“I don’t get it. What are stored herbs doing in this dump?”, Rainwhisker blurted, gritting his teeth. “I don’t know.”, Leafpool admitted. Even for a Medicine cat, it was baffling. It couldn’t be some animal. There were no recent attacks from any creatures on camp. Meat eaters like Badger and Foxes would have no reason to steal, which to them, would be a useless plant.

It had to be a cat. However, the herb store had remained completely untouched in the last battle on camp. So the only option- was a Clanmate. But who and why? What purpose would anyone have for taking the whole Catmint supply without her permission and placing it here? It seemed too random, so pointless. Yet again. There was a third option. A more supernatural explanation. Is this an omen from Starclan?

Rainwhisker took a step forward, ears flattened, “It's probably some tasteless joke from an apprentice.”, he scoffed, “But Firestar can deal with them later. We have a life to save.”. Just as the first raindrop fit Leafpool’s small nose, there was a rustle of leaves in the canopy bordering the clearing. Strangely, Rainwhisker had his blue gaze fixed directly at a nearby rotting tree, flickers of movement among the frail branches.

Yet just before Leafpool could get a clear view herself, there was a thunderous crack splitting the air itself! A long thin shadow fell over them, as the huge shape of a broken branch, rapidly sped towards them, spinning out of control. It consumed more and more of Leafpool’s vision, as it approached, nearer and nearer.

Not even having time to gasp as Rainwhisker’s deafening words rang painfully close to her ears, “Get out the way!”, the warrior yowled at the top of his lungs, driving his powerful forepaws into her flank at full force. Forcing her to stumble and drop the catmint, scattering them in an explosion of leaves.

Yet it wasn’t enough.

The branch met its target, slamming into the ground and Rainwhisker, with the sick snap of bone. A heartbeat later, it somehow managed to bounce, still spinning, the end part landing squarely on the side of Leafpool’s skull. No pain. Just instant blackness.

Rapidly shaking her head, Leafpool’s senses finally sparked to life. She found herself in her overly familiar cave, just as gloomy and bare as she remembered. The Numbness faded as a sharp pain struck her head, the spinning world and bile silvering up her throat. The raw reek of blood made her nostrils burn.

Running her paw over it, not only small drops of scarlet but cobwebs and chewed herbs lay on her small pink pads. Suddenly, the memories came flooding back in an instant. The Bone crack! Abruptly, new energy struck through her like a lightning bolt, “Rainwhisker!”, Leafpool gasped, forcing herself upwards. Ignoring the fresh swelling of blood in her wound, she threw her head side to side, frantically searching around the cave. However, the Grey warrior was nowhere to be found, neither was Molekit.

The place was eerily deserted besides from a small bundle of creamy fur, Sandstorm tucked away in the corner nest. Beyond the rocky archway, twilight had settled in, many dark outlines of her clanmates scattered across the blue-tinted clearing. How much time has passed since she was knocked out? The atmosphere lay heavy with the scent and murmuring of pure grief.

Limping over to the only cat there, Leafpool prodded her mother awake, surprised that her eyelids flew open instantly, only resting her head. As Sandstorm rose her head, her expression was as cold and dead as a stone. Making freezing chills of terror rip down Leafpool’s tail.

“How’s your greencough?”, Leafpool whispered weakly, “And where’s Molekit and Rainwhisker?”, utterly dreading the answer. Not able to meet her daughter’s pleading gaze, Sandstorm anxiously tore at her moss bedding, “I’m fine.”, Sandstorm assured her, “Ashfur’s patrol remembered to retrieve the Catmint when they brought back you and Rainwhisker-”,

However, the Pale she-cat trailed off her words. Silence formed like frost, creating a barrier between them. Already knowing Leafpool’s unasked question, Sandstorm finally answered, “I’m sorry- Neither of them survived: The storm must have blown a branch down. Rainwhisker’s spine was completely crushed by the time the patrol found him. And Molekit slipped away shortly afterwards, not getting the catmint in time.”.

Fangs of solid ice crunched down deep into Leafpool’s ribs, the sheer shock physically painful, stumbling back. This didn’t make any sense. The Storm had barely started when that branch fell! The wind shouldn’t have been strong enough to do that. Alarmed, Sandstorm stood over Leafpool, burying her head into her neck fur. “None of this is your fault, Leafpool.”, Sandstorm softly mewed, “You were unconscious the whole time, you couldn’t have done anything. Even the greatest Medicine cats can’t save everyone, including Cinderpelt. All you can do is try your best, and that’s what you’ve done today.”.

Truly, Leafpool wished her Mother’s heartfelt words could be meaningful to her. But Sandstorm just didn’t understand: The Catmint store went missing while greencough was present and her friend’s brother and son died on the same night. This couldn’t be a coincidence. Imagine endless pairs of blue blazing eyes staring at her.

Were those the consequences Thunderclan had to suffer because of her crimes? Was this Starclan punishment? The wrath of her Warrior ancestors was never to be underestimated.

Wails of anguish broke the unmoving air, cracking like thunder. Swishing Sandstorm away with her tail, Leafpool nervously crouched at the entrance, spying outwards. Each cat has their own unique way of dealing with the tragedy. Brambleclaw pressed himself hard against Squirrelflight, his supposed pregnant mate. Normally, her independent sister would have swatted him away, not liking being fussed over. But this time, she was too distant in a confused haze to care.

While Daisy had rounded up the apprentices along with Whitewing, trying to keep them calm. It must have been a total shock for Berrypaw and his littermates: The first day of their apprenticeship and their friend had passed away. However, the creamy Queen wasn’t handling well herself, more fearful than grieving. Making Leafpool wonder if she’d try to return to the Horse place again like she had done when Berrypaw lost half his tail.

Rows of shadows fell over the Medicine den, as a band of warriors stalked past, their heads bowed. Amongst them, Ferncloud and Ashfur were lowered to the ground, side by side. At least someone seemed to be reconnecting. Ashfur searched around suspiciously like he was being hunted like helpless prey. Catching Leafpool’s eye around the stony corner, Ashfur quickly nudged his sister deeper into the crowd with him before his littermate could ask why.

Respectful, Clanmates kept their distance while the grieving family and friends surrounded the limp bodies in the centre. Standing over Rainwhisker’s body, was his former mentor, Cloudtail, touching noses with him, the exact way when he became a paw all those seasons ago. Unfortunately, Rainwhisker wasn’t able to live long enough to receive an apprentice of his own. Perhaps he wanted to train Molekit himself if they had both lived.

A fox length from Molekit’s body, Stormfur and Brook pressed into each other’s flanks. They must have been guilt-ridden, entrusted to find the catmint, but luck wasn’t on their side. As a Half-Clan and Tribe cat, Leafpool prayed Thunderclan wouldn’t unfairly blame them. No warrior could’ve done better.

On Top of Molekit, his littermates lay stacked like a fresh-kill pile, motionless. Grief draining the life out of them like a weed. It appeared they were asleep like they would have been every night next to their mother’s belly in the Nursery. Almost as if Molekit wasn’t dead at all.

Then between both her son and brother, Sorreltail was crumbled to the floor, shaking violently, destroyed. In vain, Brackenfur attempted to confront his mate, forgetting to grieve himself. Originally, Leafpool had thought she could help Sorreltail herself, but if Brackenfur couldn’t, she’d be hopeless. Considering she may be the reason which caused this, did she even have the right? To intrude on this deeply personal time, would just be rude. For now, like everyone else, all Leafpool could do was give them space. Sighing with deep regret, Leafpool edged back into her nest in shame. Unable to stop it, Leafpool’s muscles jerked and twitched. Understanding her kit, Sandstorm simply left her alone to think. Expecting her thoughts to be rampaging, in a wild scramble to make sense of those overwhelming events. Instead, however, there was nothing, her head hollow of any logic. A fresh stream of thick and hot blood dripped down her face. Whatever herb Brightheart had used, it didn’t prevent bleeding. Then soft paw steps bounced off the stone, echoing. Firestar and Brightheart entered. Awkwardly, Brightheart’s movements were stiff and slow, sympathetic towards the fellow mother. Unlike Firestar, he remained the powerful leader his Clan needed, calm and controlled.

“At least Starclan spared a few.”, Firestar quietly signed, dipping his head to his surviving kin. Clear guilt sparkling in his green eyes, that both his loved ones lived when Sorreltail’s didn’t.

Kneeling, Brightheart lapped away the blood from Leafpool’s eye, “I did my best to patch you up, but I can’t be certain I got everything.”, she mewed.

“What was the herb you used?”, Leafpool asked, sounding distant.

“Those yellow flowers you used for Firestar’s wound.”, Brightheart blinked. Getting onto shaky paws, Leafpool nodded, “Goldenrod.”, She corrected, “Well remembered and not far off. But it’s meant to be used later in the healing process. It’s Marigold you need to stop imminent infection and bleeding.”.

After fetching it, Leafpool treated herself, chewing it and spearing the pulp onto her head injury. While Brightheart repeated Leafpool’s words to herself, Firestar stepped forward, tail held up, wanting to get to business, “After their friend died on their first day, the new apprentices are in no state to train. So I was thinking of allowing them a few days off, so they can grieve with Sorreltail’s litter. But I need a Medicine cat’s advice.”.

His chilling words made Leafpool freeze in place, only able to stare down at her paws. “You’re right about that. However I also think they should be allowed to stay in the Nursery for a while. It won’t harm them to act like kits again.”, she agreed.

From the back of the den, Sandstorm overheard Brackenfur’s pleading words into his mate’s ears, pointing at the brown tom with her nose, “Offer some time off to Brackenfur as well. He’s lost his son after all. He’ll say he’s fine, but you can never be sure.”, she added.

“That’s a good point.”, Firestar nodded, “Being with his kits is the most important thing now. The only question is, who will take the temporary deputy position? Should we have it at all?”.

Leafpool glanced at Firestar’s neck wound, still a challenge to just leave camp, let do patrols or fighting. While Brambleclaw had remained to catch up on his sleep. She shook her head, “Neither you nor Brambleclaw has fully recovered yet, so we still need it.”, she advised.

“I’ll ask Thornclaw to fill out for his brother then.”, Firestar shrugged, “At least he doesn’t have any kits or mates to worry about.”. The young warrior was hard-working and headstrong, if not slightly obsessive of perfection. Certainly wouldn’t make a bad leader.

A brown shadow came over the den as Brook padded inside, “I’m not interrupting, I am? It’s just that Sorreltail mentioned something.”.

Firestar’s whisker twitched with curiosity, inviting her in with her tail. The Tribe cat crouched down on the hard stone, gazing at the cats gathered around, “I was giving my condolences to Sorreltail and she muttered that Molekit never got to be an apprentice. I haven’t been in the Clans for long, but your elders mentioned a ceremony for the deceased kits. That Leaders can grant names while a cat is on their way to Starclan. Is that something you’d consider?”

Admittedly, Leafpool only has a vague knowledge of this ancient ceremony. It certainly had never happened in her lifetime and perhaps not her father either. It seemed to be a dying tradition since they moved to the lake. Surprisingly, it was her mother, Sandstorm who spoke up, “The last time that happened, was under Bluestar when I was in the Nursery. I can try to recall the words.”

“Yes, thank you, Sandstorm.”, Firestar nodded to his mate, as they ventured out of the Medicine den. They approach the bodies, laid out in flowers and herbs. Leafpool tried following, but her head injury sent a sharp pain through her skull. Both Brightheart and Brook caught her as she stumbled. The Tribe she-cat guided Leafpool to a plump nest, “You’ve done everything you can, Leafpool. I’m sure Molekit and Rainwhisker’s spirits want you to rest. ”

Sinking into the moss, Leafpool had to soberly admit defeat. They were gone, there was nothing else she could do. Outside, Sorreltail had accepted Firestar’s proposal and they were preparing for the ceremony.

Firestar raised his head to Silverpool, so the spirits of Starclan could hear his call, “I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on the young cats. We wish to grant them the chance to fulfil their dreams in Starclan. When you receive them into your ranks, it’ll be as Molepaw, with Rainwhisker as his mentor. I know he’ll pass his humour and dedication onto his young apprentice.”

Before Leafpool knew it, she’d drifted off into sleep, though a paw was forcing her back into the waking world once again. Firestar was standing over her, “Sorry to wake you – But I need to discuss the Moonpool meeting- Leafpool, are you fit enough to attend? It’s already quite late anyway.”.

This reminder hit Leafpool like a rockslide. She hadn’t even thought of that. The night of the crescent moon was dragging on. However, there was no way she could miss this opportunity. Answers were desperately needed on both today’s tragedy and her kits. And if she waited for the next half-moon, the kits may have already arrived.

“I can manage.”, Leafpool hesitantly assured him, “It’s my head that injured, not my legs after all.”. Yet everyone else remained to be convinced, including herself. Head injuries could still affect travelling, able to make the most graceful of cats lose their sense of balance.

Brightheart, who had stayed supervising, added in, “I may not be a Medicine cat, but I could accompany you for the journey.”, she offered, “I’ll just wait somewhere else while you share tongues with Starclan.”. At first, it seemed harmless. Unusual yes, but understandable given Leafpool’s injuries. However, given two lives were already taken, Leafpool couldn’t take the slightest risk in angering Starclan further. “I’m fine, trust me.”, Leafpool almost pleaded, waving her tail dismissively, awkwardly slipping past a confused Brightheart and Firestar, “I’ll be back by next sunhigh at the latest.”

“Be careful.”, Firestar reminded her sternly. Before she forgot, Leafpool grabbed a short stem of Thyme as she entered the darkening light. The first star of silverpelt was peeking through the purple fog of the dusky sky, streaking with sharp lines of soft pinks and dull blues. Most of those who were sitting vigil were now locked away in deep slumber, knowing not even death halted the cycle of the seasons, so neither did the Clans. Despite how wrong it felt, it was back to usual duties tomorrow.

Even Molepaw’s littermates couldn’t be allowed to stay sleeping on top of their dead brother, overwhelming for their young minds. Now, only four living cats remained: The two mentors lying to the sidelines and the mates tightly circled together in one great shivering mass. Taking a deep breath, Leafpool was the only thing that dared to move in the unmoving deserted hollow. The dread grew with each step closer to the lifeless husks of Molepaw and Rainwhisker. Were they some kind of sick sacrifice to punish someone else? Nothing like the joyful and calm cat she was before, Sorreltail lay flat on her flank, pressed against the cold bare stone, staring into nothingness. Almost as lifeless as his mate, Brackenfur barely had enough energy to raise his head with Leafpool’s wary approach. Keeping her distance, she gently placed her offering for the grieving pair. “For the shock.”, she silently mouthed at the golden-brown tabby. Not even able to nod, Brackenfur blinked painfully slowly in thanks for the herbs. A little way off, Brook crawled slowly towards Leafpool, whispering up to her, “I’ll keep an eye on them.”, she promised.

Unable to stand the sight of clanmates being defeated like this, Leafpool directly focused on the thorn tunnel ahead. Blood rushing in her ears, Leafpool sped towards the Entrance, doing anything to get out of there and seek the answers she soft. Halfway through the spikey cover, a dark ginger shadow stalked into her path, “I knew that branch wouldn’t stop you.”, Squirrelflight muttered, a striking lime glow to her eyes. Under her words, was a freshly formed layer of fury, affected like everyone else by the injustices that took place today.

Usually, Leafpool would be relieved to see her littermate. This time though, the high stress burrowed its way into unwelcomed places, a strange intensity between the two sisters. Leafpool hated those kinds of moments when loved ones felt like your enemies. Knowing the feeling too well every time she stood face to face with Crowfeather.

“We’ll talk later- I need to get going.”, Leafpool urged, trying to move past. Stubborn like a boulder, Squirrelflight wouldn’t move, lowering her head with a narrowed gaze, “Should I take the Borage and extra prey while you’re gone?”, she quietly questioned.

The tips of her gleaming fangs threatening to show, Leafpool standing directly over the crouched she-cat, “Don’t.”, Leafpool ordered, “Today’s deaths- They have to be an omen. The path we’re going down is a cursed one, Squirrelflight. We have to call everything off.”.

“An omen?”, Squirrelflight echoed, her bright pelt bristling, “You seriously think Starclan thought this Thunderclan? All for one litter?”, Her shocked questions quickly washed down to plain disbelief, unconvinced their warrior ancestors were capable of such a vile act. But this couldn’t have been an accident, Leafpool refused to believe.

Her panic threatened to boil over, she couldn’t face her sister anymore, barging past, “This is my fault- It has to be. Just let me do this!”, she screeched like a bat. Springing past her sister, thorns tore through her pelts like slashing claws, like enraged Starclan warriors. Stumbling into the black-stained forest, she ran at full speed, never glancing back.

“Leafpool!”, Squirrelflight cried out. Yet it quickly faded into the silence.

#leafpool #leafpool's wish #squirrelflight #brambleclaw #bramblestar #ashfur #cinderpelt #hollyleaf #jayfeather #lionblaze #nightcloud #crowfeather #firestar #warrior cats fanfic #warrior cats #warriors #erin hunter #rewrite #wc au #thunderclan #fanfic

[rushwingtales]

Leafpool's Wish Rewritten Chapter 2

Part 1

Part 3

Soft ferns brushed against her sleek pelt as Leafpool padded up the bank of the gentle stream, lapping against the smooth pebbles like a cat’s tongue. Cracks in the canopy allowed the layer of dim shade to be broken up by ripples of light. Birdsong filling the high branches allowed Leafpool’s mind to wander as she sniffed around for a patch of nettles. Had she done the right thing to employ Brightheart’s help? To take the risk of exposure, when it could endanger a litter of innocent kits. Even if she had been unfocused recently, Leafpool was still confident that her mentor had finished her training before her untimely demise. Well, if it meant the difference between someone losing their life or not, then so be it. There was no going back now, she just had to make sure to keep her plan concealed.

And the first step to that plan was the common plant, Stinging nettles. To most cats, they weren’t worth a second glance. However, despite being a hassle to collect without being stung from nose to tail, the prickly leaves did their job in keeping down wounds from swelling. The only question was, would it do the same for a pregnant belly? All the more effective alternatives were only available during the greener seasons and there wasn’t enough in her store for herself and any patients that may need them later. Nettles was her only option.

Yet annoyingly, even something as pesty as this weed wasn’t safe from the frosty bite of Leaf-bare, all the patches she’d found too rotten to use. So her journey had taken her deeper and deeper into the forest until she began to find herself at every edge. Crunching lower to the leafy floor, Leafpool tasted the air, yet no fresh scent met her glands. Thinning out, the stocky trees made way for long stretching moorland of Windclan, dotted with scrawny heather and scrubs. The grasses are made from a wide range of pale, dark and dull greens. Being this close to the border, brought back painful memories.

Licking her lips, Leafpool slid through the undergrowth, forcing herself onwards. If she was lucky, she could stay out of trouble with any Windclan patrols. At the bottom of the slippery slope of loose pebbles, run a curving stream of bubbling foam. Hopefully, the frosty water grants serval plants life against its bank, in this lifeless season. Finding a flattened path within the scrawny grass, Leafool followed it, studying each patch of undergrowth as she passed: Ferns, Thorns, Brambles, Gorse- Nettles!

Amongst a tangle of other bushes, stuck out a bunch of stinging leaves. A decent size too. Probably enough to last her the moon. Rearing up onto her hind legs, Leafpool balanced herself on thin brown vines, stretching up. Wrapping her teeth around the base of the stem, she bit it clean off with a snap. Going down on all fours again, Leafpool was careful to keep the leaves away from her face, in an effort not to get stung.

“Think I wouldn’t notice you, Leafpool?”, a familiar and calm voice suddenly sounded from behind her, making Leafpool’s fur spike. “I’d know your scent anywhere.”, Crowfeather greeted, sitting neatly on the stream’s bank, his sleek tail laid over his paws. In the shade, his thin grey build appeared like a slender shadow, passing the scent marks without a sound. How had he found her?

For a moment, she was breathless. Yet, quickly gained poseur. Dropping the herbs to her paws, Leafpool stared at her old mate, “Crowfeather?”, she gasped, “Aren’t you supposed to be on patrol?”.

The kits growing inside her were now more apparent than ever, a large strain on her stomach, as if they could sense their father’s presence, squirming. The dreading question made her mind boil with terror. Should Leafpool tell him? Barely noticing, he was still speaking.

“I am. I’ve been asking to patrol the Thunderclan border as often as possible.”, he mewed softly, a loving spark in his eyes, trying to take a step towards her, “I wanted to check if you were settling back into ThunderClan. Everything alright, isn’t it?”.

As he continued to try and approach her, Leafpool backed away and rapidly shook her head to make him halt in place with a disappointed expression.

“Crowfeather- please. You need to stay away.”, she insisted, “It’s too dangerous, you know what we agreed.”.

To this, Crowfeather becomes thoughtful, glancing at his shimmering reflection in the rippling water. As if he was reminiscing about an impossible future. One where they could raise those kits as truly their own never forced to give them up. Yet duty and responsibility called them elsewhere. I’m sorry, Leafpool silently thought, but It could never happen my love.

“Then I’ll get to the point.”, he mewed in a steady tone, “Was staying really what you want? It’s never too late to change your mind, Leafpool. Do what’s best for you.”.

The smokey tom watched her silently as she tried to gather her thoughts. It was too late now. The plan had been made and the truth sealed. Thunderclan needed her to survive and Brambleclaw needed her kits to keep focused under the weight of his mother’s upcoming death.

.

“I’d love nothing more than to be with you, truly.”, Leafpool muttered, piling up the scattered nettles before turning to him again, “But this isn’t just about us, it’s what's best for our Clans. They need us. I’ll always love you, but for the sake of everyone, you need to back home.”.

Ear twitching, Crowfeather’s dark obnoxious blue eyes dulled over, “Is this really your decision?”, he murmured.

With great sorrow, Leafpool had to force out the simple answer, “It is.”, guilt making her voice crack.

Quietly, Crowfeather slipped closer to the Windclan border, his long tail sliding against the dew-covered grass. Bowing his head as he went, “I should expected as much. Keep yourself safe out there, Leafpool. ”.

Her head scrambled, Leafpool clang onto the only words she could find, echoing the dark tom’s words like a lost kit, “You too.”.

Silence settled amongst the former lovers, as they just stared at each other for what felt like an endless amount of time, heartbeats dragging on painfully slow. Despite being alone, it felt like many pairs of eyes were burrowing into their skin from impossible places. Was Starclan watching this?

Yet the looming atmosphere was shattered when a ringing voice sounded from the direction of Windclan, “Crowfeather!”. Both turned to spot a lean black she-cat standing tall on the hillside. With the grace of any Windclan cat, she cleared the frosty slope in only a few bounds, leaping the stream like a deer and nimbly landing next to them without a step out of place. Leafpool flinched with the nerves. Was Nightcloud on Crowfeather’s patrol? How much had she seen?

“Where did you run off to?”, she scolded, glancing over curiously to the Medicine cat, “Care to explain?”.

Without a heartbeat to lose, Crowfeather shifted his posture before his clanmate could get suspicious, tense muscles, straightened legs and puffed out chest. Switching from a love-sick tom to a serious warrior defending his borders. The rapid switch between personas, shocked Leafpool. In a purposefully deeper and gruffer voice, Crowfeather informed Nightcloud, “I'm ensuring the Thunderclan Medicine cat doesn’t accidentally steal our herbs.”.

Alarmingly, Nightcloud seemed to see right through it, flickering her suspicious gaze between the two cats. Yet it didn’t stop there. The black she-cat pressed firmly into Crowfeather’s chest and wrapped her tail tightly around him, subtly pushing him towards her. Confusion crept up the Medicine cat’s spine. Crowfeather would never allow the average Windclan cat to hold him like that.  Their interactions were beyond the realms of simple clanmates.

“If you’re just picking herbs, then forgive Crowfeather, he’s not usually like this.”, Nightcloud mewed half-heartedly, strictly glancing up to an awkward Crowfeather, “He should know the rights of a Medicine cat.”.

Shifting around uncountably, Leafpool nodded, “It’s all alright.”, trying not to make anything worse.

Attempting to look busy by wrapping the herb again, Leafpool struggled not to sigh. Well, she had to admit it made sense. Even if Leafpool couldn’t gain a new mate within Thunderclan, there was no reason why Crowfeather couldn’t in Windclan. If it made moving on easier, so be it. Yet Leafpool would be lying if she denied the pricks of jealousy on her fur. Ignoring it, Leafpool learned the hard way not to blindly follow your emotions.

“But-“, Nightcloud began abruptly, her snarl causing Leafpool to flinch, “Regardless of what you’re doing on the border, you’d do well to stay clear of Windclan territory. After you distracted Crowfeather from his duties, I’ve worked hard to convince my Clanmates it was a mere lapse in judgement. And I won’t let a potential father of my kits go to waste. A true future exists for Crowfeather in Windclan with me. Not whatever impossible fantasy you dragged him into.”  

Due to her rank, Leafpool rarely felt threatened by a warrior, so was unsure how she should act in an intense argument. Simply Leafpool flattened her ears, dipping her head, “It was a rash decision on our parts, I’ll admit to that. But it just proved how important our Clans are. Nightcloud, you can report to Onestar that me and Crowfeather have learnt our lessons.”.

Nightcloud shrugged, “Good.”.

The whole time, Crowfeather was speechless at the she-cat’s harsh words. Unable to face his pained expression, Leafpool wished she could communicate it was all a necessary act. She’d never truly want to call her mate rash. Yet, their Clanmates would never trust them if they didn’t sprinkle in a few white lies to the story of their one night alone. Nudging Crowfeather to his paws, Nightcloud flanked him across the border, “Come on, Windclan cats don’t belong anywhere else but the moors.”

“Could you imagine?”, Crowfeather awkwardly added, finally snapping out his daze. With clear hesitation, he joined her side, allowing their tail to twin together like two flowers growing around each other. Together, they returned to their side of the border, ascending the grassy moors.

Even after they were far out of sight, Leafpool continued to watch them, unmoving. Pressing her paw to her belly, Leafpool felt the slightest of movements. Would they ever forgive her for sending their father away? For sending them away? Just hoping, it didn’t bring them too much pain. At least, recognize she’s only trying to protect them.

Maybe, they could get some loving half-siblings from Nightcloud, even if they didn’t know it. With some luck, Nightcloud would be a good mate to Crowfeather. After the loss of his first love and the rejection of the other, he deserved it.

Wasting enough time, Leafpool gathered up her herbs, setting off for camp. There was a lot of work to be done.

**********************************

Passing the last corner of undergrowth, Leafpool spotted the cliff tops of camps peaking above branches. Yet, just before Leafpool could reach the thorn tunnel, she found Whitepaw scraping her claws at the base of an Oak, tearing off large clumps of moss. “Is that moss difficult to catch?”, Leafpool teased, glad to see her friend.

“Glad to see your hunting trip went well. I’m sure our clanmates would love dining down on Stinging nettles.”, Whitepaw countered, licking scraps of bark from her paws and stuffing the moss supply in her mouth, plodding along with the heavy load. Falling into step, Leafpool was relieved to get the brief chance to just chat after so much stress, “How do you manage to talk with all that in your mouth?”, Leafpool exclaimed, a roof of leaves coming over them.

Whitepaw just shrugged, “Like hurting or fighting, there’s an art to it.”, she purred, voice still muffed yet somehow clear.

While padding beside her, Leafpool had to admit it was strange. The bulky white she-cat was larger than Leafpool and had reached her full height quite a while ago. Remembering how she had been so protective of Leafpool in the nursery, acting more like a Queen than a kit. Whitepaw was older than her. Yet here she was, still cleaning ticks and dragging moss around as an apprentice. And nothing was holding her back. As skilful as any warrior and twice as driven.

“Thinking of getting your warrior name soon? I know you’re holding out for Birchpaw. But he won’t be alone anymore if you leave.”, Leafpool asked, hoping she wasn’t going into anything too personal. Seemly taking no offence, Whitepaw held her head slightly higher, “It’s still a few days before Daisy’s litter officially joins us – So I’ll wait til then-”

Right on queue, the forest itself began to rumble as a stampede erupted through the Thorn tunnel-like stags during the rutting session. The latest additions to the Apprentice’s den came charging through, almost knocking Whitepaw and Leafpool off their paws. Of course, Berrykit is in the lead. Behind them, three exhausted warriors fought to catch their breath, barely keeping up.

Emerging into the rock hollow of camp, Whitepaw went to deliver the moss in the Elder’s den while Leafpool stayed behind to see what the fuss was, “What happened with you lot?”, she asked. Gulping down mouthfuls of air, Spiderleg straightened up, “Those mouse brains had to sneak out of camp before their ceremony. We barely stopped them from being eaten. I was almost tempted to let it happen.”, he scoffed. Leafpool glanced over, nobody seemed badly injured, with no visible blood or scent of it.

While Spiderleg casually groomed himself a fox-length away, Brightheart and Dustpelt were gathered around the littermates, giving them stern words. Though Leafpool wasn’t concerned, they’d soon have mentors to put them into place. While treating Firestar’s foxtrap wound, Leafpool was already aware they were going to be Brambleclaw, Spiderleg and Dustpelt. Hopefully, her father was wise enough not to let Spiderleg teach Berrykit. Nothing good could come out of it, only bloating their egos to insufferable levels.

“But it was Berrykit’s idea!”, Hazelkit’s squealed behind Leafpool. However, Berrykit was having none of it, defending himself against his sister, “It could have destroyed the whole Clan!”, he exaggerated. Dustpelt lashed his tail, trying to calm the overhyped young cats, “Hush! None of you is ready to take on a fox. Because of your foolishness, your first day as apprentices will be camp chores.”. They all hang their heads in shame.

On her return, Whitepaw overheard the mention of a fox, pricking her ears in alarm, “What about a fox?”. Dustpelt explained, “We found a fox near the southern border, a pregnant one. But we scared it off in the direction of the Horse place before anyone got badly hurt. Only ruffled up a bit.”.

Whitepaw’s ears twitched nervously, at the presence of the red beast lurking round. Especially one that was pregnant in leaf-bare. The more desperate they were, the more dangerous they became. Soon the apprentice’s den would have four denmates, vulnerable to be snatched up. “You better report this to Firestar,” Leafpool warned. Nodding, Dustpelt bounded up the boulders without another word, ducking into the Leader’s den.

Hearing all the commotion, the Queens and kits wandered across the clearing, eyes wide in worry. “You’re not hurt, are you?”, Daisy exclaimed, circling her tail around them protected like they were still in the Nursery. Finished flattening his fur down, Spiderleg strolled past the scared mother, flicking his tail over her ear, “You don’t need to fuse. If I mentor one of your kits, I’ll knock some sense knocked into them.” 

As Spiderleg left with his departing words, Berrykit leapt at the chance to boost behind the black tom’s back. He pointed to each littermate in turn, “Hazelkit grazed her shoulder. Mousekit lost a claw. And I got a thorn in my pad.”, he mewed, puffing up his chest.

Sorreltail’s litter crowded their old nursery mates with a glint in their eyes. “Wow!”, Honeykit exclaimed, “Real battle wounds!”. Pretending to be a warrior, Poppykit lunged at a nearby twig, tearing it into splitters in her claws. Rolling back onto her paws, she shouted out, “See that? We’re good enough to apprentices as well. I want to join Hazelkit!”. With delight, the old friends reared up, trying to reach each other with flailing forepaws.

Whitepaw stepped in, nudging them away, “You’ll join us soon, I promise. But you just have to wait a bit longer.”, she mewed. Suddenly, Molekit came crashing between them, springing like a mad hare, “I’ve got an idea!”, he announced, “Why don’t we have a double ceremony? Dasiy’s litter can be apprentices while Whitepaw becomes a warrior.”.

Whitepaw chucked with amusement, “Well, ain’t you the little genius?”. Molekit tried making himself look like a Lionclan warrior, puffing up his chest and ruffing his black fur.

Coming back up the senior apprentice, Sorreltail stood over her kits, “I’ll have to see with Firestar. Now let’s leave everyone in peace, Leafpool needs to check on your friends.”. Groaning in disappointment, the litter obeyed her mother, stomping back to the Nursery.

Reminded of what she needed to do, Leafpool approached the three apprentices to treat their minor wounds. Despite loving being a Medicine cat, this was not one of those moments. Yet Brightheart stepped in, shaking her head, “This is the whole reason I'm here, Remember? You’ve got more important things to deal with.”. Hesitantly, Leafpool nodded, quickly passing a single nettle leaf over to her, “Use this.”.

From afar, Cinderkit watched curiously as Brightheart got to work, tearing the leaf in half and pressing the pieces into Mousekit’s toe and Hazelkit’s shoulder. Daisy paced around them, “Thank you.”, she quietly muttered.

Everything settled down now, Leafpool and Whitepaw separated from the small crowd. Yet she was surprised to see Daisy following her, “Leafpool, I need to talk to you!”.

Halting just beside the fresh-kill pile, Leafpool laid her tail on the seemly confused she-cat, “I’m listening.”.

“It’s just that, since my kits are becoming apprentices- I don’t know what to do with myself.”, she breathed, “I don’t have any training. Spiderleg even suggested I should get training or go back to the Horse Place.”. Overhearing them as he grabbed a fresh sparrow, Leafpool shot him a narrowed glare.

The Black and brown warrior quickly defended himself, “And I meant every word. “. Then he ducked away in embarrassment under the judging gaze of a Medicine cat. Of course, once confronted about his insults, he withdrew like a scolded kit. Spiderleg was always a nasty piece of work.

“I’m not sure.”, Leafpool mumbled, trying to gather her thoughts, “It should Brambleclaw or Firestar you should be discussing this with. Or- actually, you should go to Goldenflower.”. Blinking, Daisy questioned her, “The elder?”.

“Before she was that, she was a full-time Queen.”, Leafpool remarked, remembering stories told by Sandstorm in the Nursery. Daisy’s darker mood seems to brighten up like a sunset creeping over the horizon, “That’s possible?”.

“We haven’t had for a while but yes. She-cats don’t have to leave when their kits do, some choose to stay and help other Queens.”, Leafpool mewed. Thoughtful for a moment, Daisy licked Leafpool’s shoulder out of respect, rushing off towards the Elder’s den with a hopeful sparkle in her eye. Hoping Goldenflower was in a well enough condition to deal with Daisy’s rapid questions.

Then, Leafpool glanced around nervously at her Clanmates gathered around camp, making sure no one was watching – Either lazing around or deep within their conversations. Quickly, the Medicine cat snatched two plump mice from the fresh-kill pile, double her fair share. Making sure it was her sister’s favourite meal. Even one of them wasn’t fully for Leafpool, having to make do with only half her usual share. Yet this all had its purpose. 

************************

At last, Leafpool slid the poppy seeds in between the leaves, pressed down with her paw and closed the seal shut. Too exhausted to care anymore, she chucked the leaf seal randomly into the herb store, putting it in its proper place tomorrow. Leaning against the stone wall, Leafpool allowed herself only a few heartbeats of rest. Alone, in her little grey borrow, her cut off world, just left with her thoughts. Outside, dusk had finally settled in, after a day that seemed to drag on and on. Before Cinderpelt’s death, Leafpool wasn’t aware of just how much alone Medicine Cat had to do. Her own apprentice would be welcomed any day now.

Her regular duties had taken her this long, yet still had to cover up her pregnancy on top of that. It was almost overwhelming. Unsure if she could actually go through with this. Yet a soft voice gave the motive she needed, “Leafpool? You ready?”, Squirrelflight muttered in the entrance.

Inviting her in with a tail flick, Leafpool groggily forced herself to stand. Oddly patient, her sister took her place in the centre of the den, without complaining Leafpool had nothing set up yet. Trying to catch up, at the back of the cave, Leafpool upturned a pile of smooth pebbles, containing her secret supplies. Lining them up neatly in front of a Squirrelflight: Borage Leaves, Parsley, Stinging Nettles and Preserved mice.

Without waiting for her to ask, Leafpool pointed to each herb, doing her best to explain, “You’ll take the borage leaves, which should start your milk production. And you have to need put on weight, to fake a pregnant belly. While I’ll do the opposite: Parsley to halt my milk while Nettles to keep my belly from swelling.”.

Leaning forward, the ginger she sniffed at the four pieces of fresh-kill warily. Leafpool had spent all day trying to snatch extra fresh-kill whenever she could, including her meals and Clanmates’ leftovers. What made it worse was the fact Leafpool knew, that food could be going to clanmates who needed it during leaf-bare. The prey’s fur was greased with a thin layer of pale honey, having to admit it didn’t look like the most appetizing. Squirrelflight sat back up, “Are you sure it’s safe? How old is it?”, she questioned. Probably painfully aware as well, they were making others go hungry to protect themselves.

Beginning to shuffle her own herbs towards herself, Leafpool couldn’t face her sister’s green gaze, “The honey should prevent it from rotting. Also just to make it easier to swallow. You have a lot to get through. It’s safe, I’m sure of it.”.

“Then I trust you. Let’s save those kits.”, she mewed, crouching beside the herbs. Leafpool taking her place as well. Nothing else needs to be said, they gulped down the supplies that would kick-start this life-long lie.

Wanting to get it over with, Leafpool rolled the Parsley and Nettles into a tight ball, stuffing it down her throat in one go. The odd mix of Minty and Salty tastes whirling round her tongue, made her gag slightly. Despite taking so many herbs in her lifetime, she still never got used to it. If herbs weren’t one thing, it was tasty. Lacking the experience of the Medicine cat, Squirrelflight had to awkwardly grasp each invisible leaf, taking even longer to chew at their rubbery textures. Yet the worst was to come, as Squirrelflight still needed to scoff through all that grimy fresh-kill.

Trying to be useful, Leafpool crammed herself into the Herb store, in search of Burdock Root, putting the Poppy seeds in their right spot while she was at it. By the time she returned with the root, she was shocked to see, that half the fresh kill was already gone and Squirrelflight choking! Her Medicine cat training taking over, Leafpool sent heavy blows onto her sister’s shoulder blades, making her head jerk violently. After a few more heartbeats of shivering, she seemed to get a grip on the fresh-kill, finally swallowing.

Leafpool scolded her foolish littermate, “Slow down!”, rubbing Squirrelflight’s back as she coughed some more, “I understand you want to get it out the way, but don’t kill yourself in the process.”. Squirrelfight straightened up, the fur around her mouth now grimy with honey, “I’m acting like a kit, ain’t I?”, she grinned.

“Yes- you are.”, Leafpool half purred and half sighed.

Maybe it was best they did this some other time, Leafpool beginning to drag the leftovers away. Yet Squirrelflight still wanted more, despite looking like she could be sick at any moment, grabbing it back, “I can finish it off, trust me.”, she insisted.

“Alright then.”, Leafpool hesitantly agreed, “I suppose it’s best to get it out the way. You need to put on a lot of weight to be convincing.”, she admitted.

Taking clear effect to ignore that statement, Squirrelflight gulped down the last of mouse chucks with more care this time. A worn-out Squirrelflight let herself flop onto the stone floor, legs dangling and groaning, looking like the dead mice she’d just eaten. Rolling onto her stomach, Squirrelflight faced Leafpool with an unpleasant look, “How often will we have to do this?”.

Leafpool wished she didn’t need to answer, it certainly wasn’t going to be a pleasant process, but the last thing the two sisters needed between them was dishonesty. “About every 2 nights, maybe more.”, the brown she-cat muttered.

Annoyed, Squirrelfight gridded her claws into the smooth surface of the den, “I swear, I’d be more bloated than a kittypet by the end of this.”, she grumbled.

Leafpool shrugged, “Real Pregnancy isn’t much better.”, Putting the Borage root away, her fiery sister not suffering from a bellyache, even after downing the entire lake’s worth of prey. “As long it means the kits will be safe, We’ll do it.”, Squirrelflight purred, pressing her head into Leafpool’s check, regretful for her warmth. Leafpool couldn’t have asked for a better sister, very few would be willing to sacrifice so much. Honestly, Leafpool didn’t know if she deserved it. 

Then he flinched as they both noticed the smokey grey figure blocking the entrance, with an obvious strain on his muscles. The moonlight swept over his pelt, giving him the same shine as Silverpelt. Eyes flashing over with blue fire, Ashfur spat at Squirrelfight with frustration, “You have dawn patrol, mousebrain! Get to your nest.”, he ordered, swiping his tail towards the Warrior’s den with such force, it was like slashing claws.

“Remember, you’re not the leader, Ashfur.”, Squirrelflight retorted, barging past both cats and eventing the night. Strangely, instead of moving on, Ashfur remained in a place like a rooted tree, staring at Squirrelflight with immense intensity, for her whole trip between the two dens. Making Leafpool’s neck fur rise, unnerved.

Noticing the still-healing wounds scattered across his body, Leafpool decided to check Ashfur now that he was here anyway. Flicking her tail for him to join her, Ashfur obeyed with distaste. While Leafpool sniffed every spot with her small pink nose, Ashfur just remained stiff and silent the whole time. Well, if he wasn’t going to speak up, Leafpool would. “Any new she-cats caught your eye?”, Leafpool mewed, trying to sound pleasant.

Alarmingly, Ashfur drew his lips back into a hateful snarl, “How can I trust any she-cat? After that one betrayed me like the ungrateful brat she is.”, he hissed bitterly.

 Head snapping up in offence, Leafpool just decided to get to the point, “That she-cat has a name and she’s my sister! I saw the way you just looked at Squirrelflight. This has gone too far, Ashfur. It’s been over a moon, you need to move on already. It’s not healthy.”.

Yet the words didn’t seem to crack his spikey defence, just snorting with amusement, “You think you’re the first to tell me that?”, he growled, creating distance between them, “You’re all the same.”.

Leafpool inhaled, trying to keep herself calm, “If so many cats are telling you the same thing, shouldn’t you be taking it seriously? Especially from a Medicine cat?”, she questioned.

“Some lying excuse of a Medicine cat you are.”, he spoke with distaste. Leafpool froze. Could he know? No- this was different. Was this seriously about the time he suggested Leafpool had faked the dream about Brambleclaw’s deputyship? Yet, staring into Ashfur’s eyes, Leafpool could tell he didn’t even believe his own words, making it up only to get to Squirrelflight.

“You’re a respected warrior, Ashfur.”, Leafpool advised, “Don’t ruin that for yourself. There are plenty of Clanmates willing to see if you’re the right one. You’re not alone, many cats have gone through rejection and willing to help you.”.

“No cat has gone through what I have. Like you know anything about rejection anyway.”, he mocked. The irony of his statement, makes Leafpool’s heart shrivel at the thought of Crowfeather. Ashfur carried on, “Spare me your pity. If you wanted to be useful to me, you should have returned her to her rightful place. But it’s too late now. She already has those fleabags growing inside her.”.

Disgusted, Leafpool had lost patience, “Enough.”, she stated, “Squirrelflight is her person and you have to respect. Our Clanmates have gone out of their way to help but if you can’t accept it, that’s your problem.”. Infuriatingly, Ashfur didn’t seem to be fazed by her stinging words at all, a bored expression. He didn’t even care.

Switching back from protective sister to Medicine cat, Leafpool turned away, “You can restart your Warrior duties tomorrow. Just avoid anything too dangerous.”, she informed, flicking her tail, signalling him to leave. His echoing paw steps fading into silence.

Knowing Squirrelflight could probably handle the grey tom herself, Leafpool just decided to head towards her nest, burying herself deep within the moss. All the while trying to fall asleep, Leafpool was eerily aware that Ashfur had never properly left, still looming outside the entrance. Yet she was too exhausted to do anything more, sleep gripping her.

#leafpool #crowfeather #ashfur #squirrelflight #bramblestar #brambleclaw #hollyleaf #lionblaze #jayfeather #leafpool's wish #warrior cats #warrior cats fanfic #warriors #rewrite #wc au

[rushwingtales]

Leafpool's Wish Rewritten Chapter 1

Part 2:

A chilled breeze stirred Leafpool from her sleep before the Dawn patrol even had time to get up themselves. The fresh scent of snow was in the air, sparking Leafpool’s curiosity. Elder’s tales told that Leafbare’s wrath could rarely overlap with Newleaf, but she never thought she lived through it herself.

Shuffling around the patchy bedding, Leafpool gazed around the Medicine den sleepily. The walls of cold grey and thick shadows gathered in the deepest corners. Outside, the rims of the horizons lit up with a pale glow, while the rest of the sky remained a murky blue of the night, not ready to give up on its grip of the world just yet. There was a groan behind her, surprised her mentor was up already.

“Morning.”, Leafpool instinctively mewed, turning in her nest to greet Cinderpelt, yet all she saw were her slumbering patients deeper in the cave. A stab of pain when she realized she was speaking to a ghost, who died defending Sorreltail’s kits.

Desperately needing to remember she was dead, for her and everyone’s sake. Instead, the only cats left in there now was Ashfur and Rainwhisker. Both toms fighting more bravely than any other clan member, gaining the most serious of the wounds. Leafpool had thought there had been enough time for all the injuries to heal. Which they were. However, the Badgers must have had some nasty filth in their fangs or spit, meaning the worst affected cats’ wounds were reopening and getting infected.

Realising Ashfur was twitching in pain and wide awake, Leafpool stretched her spine before hurrying over to him, letting off a gaping yawn as she did. The grey tom twisted and turned in his nest like a fidgeting kit, forcing Leafpool to place her paw on his flank, “Stop moving or you’ll loosen the cobwebs.”, she warned sternly. Luckily, he did as he was told with a huff, straining his muscles under the pain. “Now- Where does it hurt?”, she asked. Clawing at the moss under him, Ashfur muttered up to her, “Somewhere around my head, I can’t tell, I’m not a Medicine cat.”.

Ruffing through his hot fur with her muzzle, she checked the bite marks on his shoulder and neck, their scents seemed unchanged from yesterday. Yet when she made it to the edge of his torn shoulder, she found the patch of herb pulp had become oily and waxy. It was stale, needing a new coating. Why hadn’t she changed it the night before?

Still dazed, she waddled over the herb store, struggling not to lose her balance. Wedging herself into the large crack, she searched around the narrow space. Alarmed to see, herbs bundles uncompleted, the carrier leaves still untied at the tips. What had she been doing? First forgetting to add new dressings to her clanmates’ wounds and now she’d left her work half-finished. Casting her mind back, all she found was a blur of vague memories. Was she sick herself?

Sitting still like a stone, Leafpool focused on all her senses inwards. First, her breathing, rapid yet steady. Next, her heartbeat, ignoring it was quickened from her nerves, still a good natural rhyme. Finally, she studied for any pains or strange feelings within her organs. Which, is then she discovered something. Regretting it she placed her paw on her belly, feeling the hard and solid lump again, that had been growing for the previous days. It was close to where the womb would be, like a stone inside her stomach. Until now, she’d told herself it was probably a tumour. Yet there was a much more, simple option, that she could deny no longer.

Finally, Leafpool forced herself to admit, saying it aloud in her head. I’m pregnant. 

Now having admitted it to herself, the world instantly became a blur, her head spinning with panic. No doubt the father was Crowfeather, after she’d just run away with him. Why had she been so foolish? She was a Medicine cat and the father was a Windclan cat, no less!

Crowfeather’s murky blue eyes flashed in her mind. Remembering their one night together, under the beech tree, firefiles filling the atmosphere with their warm amber flames, fluttering aimlessly around in the air. His grey fur was tinted with pale gold as she pressed against him, seeking his protection. A purr formed in the Medicine cat’s throat. Oh, Crowfeather- Should you know of the life we’ve created?

“Leafpool, hello?”, Ashfur abruptly called, breaking into Leafpool’s storm of thoughts. In her hast, Leafpool grabbed only the bare minimum to create a fresh herb dressing for infected wounds; Cobwebs, Chervil and Dried Oak leaves. Only one thing was racing through her mind as she rushed over to an impatient-looking Ashfur; have to talk to Squirrelflight, have to talk to Squirrelflight- Her heart pounding and ears ringing.

Quickly, she’d steadied her breathing and swallowed down her nerves for the sake of her patient, not to mess this up. Placing the new herbs aside, Leafpool pressed hard into the shoulder graze, scoping the brown pulp out. Ashfur hissing in pain. Shoving the waste away, she placed two large oak leaves onto the wound as a solid base, chewing the Chervil to a pulp and smearing it on as the second layer. Finally, flexing the fresh cobweb between her paw, she weaved between the edges of the shoulder, until tugging and tightening it, sealing it shut. Done. Hopefully holding for the time being, before Leafpool could add the extra herbs needed later.

Huffing, Leafpool nodded behind her as she hurriedly padded away, “Get plenty of rest, Ashfur.”, she instructed. Seemly picking up on Leafpool’s strange anxiety, Ashfur gave her a cold glare with his frosty blue eyes, though luckily said nothing, settling his head back into his paws and probably going back to sleep. Satisfied, Leafpool went out into the open crisp air, the rock hollow stretching out before her. The first birdsongs of the day were beginning to fill the distant forest as early dawn crept in. Very few of her Clanmates were active, even the dawn patrol just starting to steer.

The only two up, Thornclaw on guard duty, standing like an unmoving hawk at the entrance and then, Brambeclaw, pacing at the base of the highledge, clearly stressed. Not exactly who Leafpool wanted, but it was a good start. Ever since the foxtrap, her father had been bed-bound, with his massive deep neck wound, leaving the young deputy to deal with most of the duties. Before she was even a tree-length from him, Brambleclaw called out to her, “Ah Leafpool, great!”, he exclaimed, “Just who I needed.”.

“What is it?”, Leafpool asked, joining her deputy’s side. Subtly he glanced over the elder’s den, before responding, “It’s Goldenflower.”, he muttered, “The Alder bark doesn’t seem to be working. It’s still too painful for her to eat.”. Leafpool had been aware of this for awhile. Toothaches and decay in elders weren’t uncommon, but Leafpool couldn’t anticipate it would worsen so rapidly for the pale she-cat. Gazing into Brambleclaw’s amber eyes, she saw a deep concern the son had for his mother. Thinking about it for a heartbeat, Leafpool answered, “I’ll see if I’ve got something slightly stronger.”.

Brambleclaw nodded, as Leafool quickly popped into her den once again. Even in Leafbare, any type of bark would be plentiful, it took more than frost or snow to take down a tree. But the specific herb, Leafpool had in mind, was from a plant made of a tiny cluster of long leaves, any still around would be withered or dead. Just praying, that Cinderpelt and her had stocked piled enough from the previous seasons. In the herb store, Leafpool speedily located the Alfalfa preserved in oak leaves. Tugging it open with her teeth, the oak leaves separated, but she only found a pitiful pile of the herb inside.

With a sigh, she returned to Brambeclaw with only three short stems. The brown tom’s ear twitched as she placed the herb down at his paws, disappointed yet didn’t complain. “I’m sorry it’s so small. But there’s little Alfalfa, so we must use it sparingly.”, she explained, “I’ll add this to Goldenflower’s daily dose, along with the alder bark. Make sure she chews it for as long as possible.”, she mewed, nudging it towards him. “Thank you.”, he spoke, dipping his head.

Cautiously, he grasped the life-giving herb, veering off towards the Elder’s den. Silently watching him as he climbed inside, pity gripped Leafpool’s heart for the poor tom. With Goldenflower being his last kin within Thunderclan, everyone else is either dead or scattered among the other Clans. The elderly Queen seemed to be growing stiffer and greyer every time Leafpool saw her, fearing her days were numbered. Lucky to see the first blossoms of flowers and sprouts of newborn trees.

Suddenly, the gory memories came flooding back; as Brambleclaw was forced to plunge the fang-like stake into his brother’s throat, endless amounts of blood gushing out, tainting the lake a fierce scarlet, as gentle waves lapped at Hawkfrost’s lifeless body. The bile rose in her throat. Wondering if Brambleclaw even knew she’d claimed witness to that gruesome event. Only hoping that had allowed the brown tabby to put his dark past behind him. As her sister’s new mate, he’d better. As if it ever came to it, Leafpool would not hesitate to defend Squirrelflight’s life, against him or anyone. Not after she’d failed to protect Cinderpelt.

Forcing it down, Leafpool could finally get to her own business, ducking under the log of the Warrior’s den. Pale dawn light filtered through the cracks in leaves, the whole den glowing with a dim gloom. Endless rows of sleeping bodies, overflowing the den like an ants’ nest. Carefully, she picked her way through the sea of her slumbering clanmates, trying not to step on anyone’s tail. Then, Leafpool noticed the Half-Clan cat Stormfur and his Tribe mate, Brook sleeping further away from the others, still just settling into Thunderclan.

For a heartbeat, Leafpool considered speaking to Stormfur instead, one of the few cats who truly understood from personal experience. However, she quickly decided against it. After all, he’d the innocent half-clan kit, not the Forbidden mate. He was a victim and Leafpool was the offender. He and his mate had already suffered enough without being dragged into a stranger’s problem. Instead, Leafpool went to the direct centre, where Squirrelflight’s and Brambleclaw’s nest lay, a perfect size for two cats, though only the ginger she-cat lay within the plump moss.

Annoyingly, just as Leafpool thought she could reach her sister without interference, the nest beside her rustled. Raising his head from his mate, Cloudtail blinked at her sleepily, “Don’t usually see you up this early.”, he joked, “And here I was, thinking you were one of the dormice of the clan.”. An unwanted amount of offence was taken from the white warrior’s comment, “Yes, thank you for that.”, she remarked dryly, almost aggressively. Her outburst woke up Brightheart, whose face was tainted with concern, “Are you two alright?”.

Forcing Brightheart to shuffle across to let Cloudtail up, he stretched and shrugged, “The bedbugs probably bit her one too many times.”, he mewed, luckily taking it casually. An awkward silence hung over the two she-cats, as Cloudtailed made his way out of the den for Dawn patrol. Quickly, Leafpool ducked away before Brightheart could say any more.

Slightly on edge, Leafpool prodded Squirrelflight awake, trying to keep her fidgeting tail still.

Not even giving Squirrelflight time to properly react, Leafpool harshly whispered directly into her ear, “I need to talk to you.”.

*********************

Let’s just say, Squirrelflight had not been happy getting up earlier than most birds. Not even able to groom her nest fur now, still as fluffy as a kit’s. Still grumbling as they entered the shelter of towering oaks, the branches reaching up above them. Fresh frost clung to every twig and leaf, making the atmosphere musty and nipply, Leafbare taking full effect. With most of the undergrowth too thin and withered – it took them a good long while to find a patch dense enough to avoid any chance of eavesdropping from passing clanmates. Settling down on a nest of dead leaves and brown ferns overhead, Leafpool sighed.

Squirrelflight lashed her tongue over her back, trying to lay the thick ginger fur flat as Leafpool remained silent. The Medicine cat had expected to be able to blurt it out easily. This was to her littermate, after all, having each other’s back since their birth. Yet, now that the moment had come, the words were stuck in her throat. Then, Squirrelflight halted with her grooming, sensing Leafpool’s unnatural quietness, her fiery green eyes directly meeting her clear amber ones. “Leafpool, if something’s on your mind, you need to tell me.”, Squirrelflight mewed encouragingly, “It’s not like you drag me out here for nothing.”.

Shuffling nervously and placing her paw on her belly, Leafpool tried forcing her muscles to move and form the words, yet still nothing. Warily, Squirrelflight’s eyes widened as she noticed Leafpool’s paw pressing against her stomach, “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”, she whispered. Instantly, Leafpool froze on the spot. Even if Squirrelflight was her sister, Leafpool was shocked that she was able to guess her situation so quickly and effortlessly. Yet the ginger she-cat still wasn’t done, “Crowfeather being the father, of course!”

“Ho-how do you know?”, was all that Leafpool could utter as she stared dumbstruck at Squirrelflight, whose fur now bristled with tension.

“Even someone like me could tell that.”, she exclaimed with an edge in her voice, “With you two acting so soppy together, for so long- It was only a matter of time.”.

“When do you think they’ll realise?”, Leafpool whispered, desperately needing to hear her sister’s advice. Squirrelflight shrugged, “Once you start getting fat, they’d have to be mousebrained not to put two and two together.”, pointing out a very painful yet very true fact. It wouldn’t be long before Leafpool’s cover was up if she didn’t do something. As a Medicine cat and the actual one who was pregnant, she got a head start. However it wouldn’t take long for the Queens like Ferncloud to follow suit and figure out the truth.

“So how long you’ve got until the belly starts swelling?”, Squirrelflight questioned, sniffing the air, trying to pick up a milk scent. Swallowing with guilt, Leafpool clawed at the musty leaves underpaw, “It’s not until a half-moon into the pregnancy, that the first visible signs show. Right now, I’d say I’m about a quarter of a moon in.”, she confirmed, trying to keep her word steady without cracking up with emotion. Leaning back, Squirrelflight rested on a thick tangle of stems like a tree trunk, thoughtful.

Despite needing to, Leafpool just couldn’t read the emotions going over Squirrelflight’s blank face. What was she thinking of all of this? Should have Leafpool dragged her poor littermate into this whole mess? Before Squirrelflight could say another word, Leafpool quickly blurted out her suggestion, “Do you think I should just be honest?”.

Suddenly, Squirrelflight became alert, and jerked her head forward, “You can’t do that!”, she begged, “You’ve heard the stories from Stormfur and Feathertail. They were almost executed as apprentices for being half-clan. Stonefur even lost his life.”. A horrid dread rippled through Leafpool, releasing the terrible danger she had put her kits in by allowing them to be half-clan. Great Starclan, what had she done?

Sadly, Squirrelflight wasn’t finished, her fiery temper draining from her to something more fearful, “If it got out those kits were not only half-clan but the kits of a Medicine cat too- Their very lives could be at risk.”. At first, Leafpool didn’t know how to reply. Just then, memories slipped into her mind of Daisy being first found on their territory, with three precious kits. Serval clanmates had always been shifty around the former loners, but nothing to suggest they’d be exiled or killed. Half-clan cats had always been more widely hated than outsiders who joined the Clans later on.

“We’ll just have to say we found them abandoned.”, Leafpool mewed pleased, thinking this simple excuse would chase away any complications. Somehow Squirrelflight was still able to find a flaw within it, shaking her head, “You know what father’s like. He’d never allow Thunderclan to take kits without the mother’s or father’s permission. He’d search the edges of the earth for those supposed ‘parents’.”. She was right. Claiming they’d just found her kits, would bring up too many questions in itself.

“T-Then what else can I do?”, Leafpool asked, her heartbeat quickening with panic, “ I’m rapidly running out of options here.”.

“What else?”, Squirrelflight huffed sternly, a spark of raw determination lighting up inside her, “I’ll just say they’re mine.”.

In the moment, Leafpool felt like a branch being violently snapped by a powerful gale. “What?!”, the brown tabby cried. Squirrelflight began to nervously pace up and down the narrow space between the fern bushes. Flinging herself directly into Squirrelflight’s path, Leafpool thrashed her head side to side, “Squirrelflight- don’t be ridiculous. This is my mistake, not yours. I’m only asking for your advice, not for you to sacrifice your entire life!”.

Squirrelflight held her chin up proudly, not taking any of Leafpool’s nonsense, “Even if you were being the silliest furball, you’re still my sister.”, she muttered, “What kind of littermate would I be, to leave you alone at a time like this?”. Then, her squirrel-like tail wrapped around Leafpool’s drooping shoulders as she helplessly stared down at the forest floor.

Squirrelflight carried on, “But I’m not just doing this for you, I’m also doing this for the kits. They deserve the best possible life and I’ll make sure they get it.”.

Leafpool lifted her head, meeting her sister’s gaze, “Don’t you want your kits, with Brambleclaw?”, she asked. This was her fault! Now she had gotten her sister involved in a mess of her own making. And once Squirrelflight decided something, it was impossible to change her mind. It was easier to move a boulder.

Squirrelflight only sighed, “Since he’s deputy, he can’t afford to be dragged into the lie now. Our Clanmates need someone they can trust. I’ll tell him when the time is right and we can have our litter, slightly later on. No big deal…”.

Leafpool was speechless but then grew the courage to ask one final question, “…How are you so strong?”

With a pause, Squirrelflight answered, “Because I’m the only one who can be.”.

***************************************

By the time, They’d returned to camp, it was already sunhigh. Brambleclaw had been the first to greet them, barking like to dog to know where they’d been. Of course, Squirrelflight not hesitating to argue back. Despite the pain the conversation had caused, they’d come up with a plan. Using her Medicine training, Leafpool was going to attempt to fake Squirrelflight’s pregnant belly, while trying to keep her swollen one down. How exactly they were going to do it, was still impossible to say. The details are still not ironed out yet. But they needed to do it quickly. All it would take was another 9 sunrises for the signs of pregnancy to begin.

For the entire day, Squirrelflight had been in the foulest of moods. Though it wasn’t all that different from her usual self in all honesty. Bounding around camp, sticking her unwanted muzzle into everyone’s business and throwing insults with that sharp tongue of hers. She got into numerous bickers with her mate, who already had enough to deal with, while Firestar remained struck in his den after the foxtrap. Though, Brambleclaw did start several of them.

While was the opposite, Leafpool’s head was devoid of any proper thoughts. Only a numb guiltiness. Now she wished she’d concealed the truth from her littermate. Dragging herself around as she performed her daily duties, literally needing to force every movement like a slug. Worryingly, the Clanmates around her started to take notice. Making her wonder, how long would it take one of them to notice the kits in her belly.

“You’d call this foul thing Tansy?”, Mousefur’s voice snapped Leafpool out of her daze. Within the Elder’s den, the three denmates were slow to chew their herbs, no matter how important it was to prevent greencough. Flustered, the Medicine cat gazed down at ragged leaves at Mousefur’s paws. That wasn’t Tansy at all. It took a while before a herb’s name came to mind – Parsley. Honestly, Leafpool hadn’t even been aware she had any in storage. It was rarely used since it only had the specific purpose of stopping milk production. 

“My apologies, Mousefur. That’s not the right herb at all.”, she mewed, briskly pulling it away with her forepaw. Flaring her nostrils, the atmosphere seemed to be sucked out of the area, “I swear we’re given more Tansy than prey, and you don’t even get that right.”, the grumpy she-cat exclaimed. On a nearby nest, Goldenflower laid her tail across Mousefur’s shoulders, “You don’t need to be so harsh. We all make mistakes sometimes.”, she chided. Grateful someone was on her side, Leafpool dipped her head. The Parley in her jaws, Leafpool excused herself, ducking under the hazel branches. On her way out, she caught Longtail’s amused comment, “Hey, at least it wasn’t deathberries.”

Despite it being a joke, Longtail’s statement still hangs true. On this occasion, the wrong herb had been a harmless one, but easily could have been more dangerous. How could Leafpool let her pregnancy affect her duties? But at the same time though, it gave a unexpected flash of inspiration. Parley had the idle effect of hiding her kits’ existence, with no milk scent for cat to pick up on.

After dropping the uneaten herbs back into the store, Leafpool was surprised to find Sandstorm sternly staring at her across the rock hollow. Her mother signalled her over to a rocky corner of the Highledge’s base, Squirrelflight already there. The creamy she-cat puffed up her chest as she stared at her two daughters like they were kits all over again. “Now you’re going to tell me what’s going on.”, she scolded, “Your father already has enough to deal with in his current state, without you two worrying him.”. The sisters shared a glance, slightly at a loss for what to do. Could they come up with a convincing excuse in this very heartbeat? Yet, Squirrelflight was cool and confident, her shoulders held straight and steady. Giving Leafpool a subtle nod. Of course, they’d already decided. Maybe a little earlier than she’d expected, but it was as good a time as any.

“My apologies, if we’ve been acting a little distracted.”, Leafpool lied, “We just don’t know what to do with ourselves, after- we discovered Squirrelflight pregnant.”, forcing a purr out. It was like Leafpool was being stung by a hive of hornets. How could she do this? First, her sister and now her mother. What was worse, once her kits were safe against Squirrelflight’s belly, they’d be just more blind victims of Leafpool’s crime. Starclan, help them!

The words took a while to set in, but then Sandstorm’s jaw dropped wide open, in utter astonishment. “That’s my girl!”, Sandstorm exclaimed. Instantly, she bounded up to Squirrelflight’s side, giving her loving licks between the ears, a loud rumble in her throat. Quickly, the ginger she-cat swatted her mother away with her white paw, embarrassed. “Yap.”, Squirrelflight grinned, “Got lots of mini-mes growing inside me right now.”.

“Let’s hope not. One of you was tough enough, but a whole litter?!”, Sandstorm joked. “Hey!”, Squirrelflight exclaimed, playfully prodding Sandstorm’s pink nose like she did when she was young. Silently, Leafpool watched the mother and daughter laughing together,  strangely feeling like those cats in front of her, weren’t kin but strangers, for a heartbeat. Though needed to remember, even if she was the one pregnant with the kits, it would Squirrelflight sleeping and nursing them every day for six moons. Only she deserved to be called their mother.

Giving Squirrelflight another lick on the cheek, Sandstorm blinked pride in her green leaf eyes, “May I ask who the father is?”, she quietly mewed. For a moment, Leafpool thought Squirrelflight couldn’t force an answer, but hurriedly responded, “Who else but Brambleclaw?”, she cheered.

Nodding, Sandstorm pointed to the Brown tabby in the distance, as he was surrounded by a small crowd, organizing the last of the patrols, “Then go and tell him.”, their mother whispered, “Trust me, in my experience, the sooner you tell them, the quicker they’ll stop acting like headless foxes. Don’t worry, I’ll deal with Firestar.”. With that, Sandstorm bounded up the boulders, heading towards the Leader’s den. Guilt threatening to crush Leafpool. Meanwhile, Squirrelflight had little choice but to nervously edging towards the mate that trusted her, to give him the false news. All Leafpool could do was press against her sister, trying to be any source of confrontation.

They hooved back until the last of the Thunderclan warriors disbanded to perform their duties. Before finally, Squirrelflight bulked up the courage to approach him, leaving Leafpool lagging. Brambleclaw’s mood lighting up as his mate arrived, dumping heads in greetings. At least, his temper seemed to have gone down from earlier. “And what can I do for the fire sisters?”, he teased, overly proud of himself for that little nickname.

Struggling not to let the fur on her neck fur spike, Squirrelflight puffed up her chest proudly, “Well there is one thing you can do for me, my friend. Act like a headless fox.”. To this obviously, Brambleclaw’s eyes narrowed in confusion, “Sorry but I don’t have time for your mind games, Squirrelflight.”, he mewed.

“Don’t have time to be a father then? Alrighty then.”, she shrugged, pretending to wander off.

“Wait-wait-wait”, Brambleclaw gasped, eyes snapping wide as if he had just woken up from a dream, rushing in front of her, “You’re kidding, right? Why didn’t you just say that in the first place?”, he questioned desperately. “Because it’s fun messing with you.”, Squirrelflight mewed, pressing her nose against his while he still seemed completely dumbstruck.

“Great Starclan, this is so weird.”, he mumbled to himself, shaking his head, trying to make sense of it all. Then turning back to his mate,“Are you sure? How do you know?”, he asked, worriedly looking for the Medicine cat’s guidance, “Leafpool?”.

Now the moment of truth. Yet the pressure was overwhelming like a raging current, causing her to avoid Brambleclaw’s hopeful gaze and stare at her paws, catching her panicked breath. No, don’t give it away now. Not after Squirrelfight was sacrificed so much for her. Finally, she managed to force another lie, “I’ve seen a lot of pregnant cats, Brambleclaw.”, she confirmed in a still shaky voice, “There’s no mistaking it.”.

Making Brambleclaw yowl in pure excitement. Unable to contain themselves, the mates celebrated in the only way they knew how, acting like overgrown apprentices. Together, Brambleclaw and Squirrelfight reared up, beginning to play fight, tugging at each other’s ears, the air racketing with their purrs. “Maybe Our kits will be able to help their good old dad with his Deputy’s duties!”, Brambleclaw joked, now on his backside, with Squirrelfight practically sitting on him like a moss nest, winning.

From across the clearing, a familiar voice yowled out across the clearing, “Squirrelflight!”, Firestar called out from on top of the boulders, supported on their mother’s shoulder. Hurriedly, Sandstorm gilded her injured mate down the steep rocks, to meet up with the rest of the kin. By now, their fellow Thunderclan cats had managed to pick up on the excitement, curious heads popping out of dens.

Despite the deep raw wound snaking around his neck, the pride Firestar felt allowed him to fill himself with a new energy as he approached. Leafpool resisted the urge to check the fox trap injury again, around stuffed with Goldenrod, not risking her father losing another life, lucky to have only lost the one so far. Unable to imagine if Firestar wasn’t here to hear the announcement of his new kin. However, He was standing here right now, that’s what is important.

“Have I heard that right from Sandstorm?”, Firestar mewed hopefully yet strangely warily, “You’re having kits?”. Mixed emotions flashed over his green eyes. Was Leafpool catching that right, or did her father seem genuinely scared?

Though Squirrelflight ignored it, simply confirming it with a nod and a purr. Taking the moment to dip his head towards Brambleclaw, weakly, Firestar placed his muzzle to his daughter’s forehead, their ginger fur identical, “I know you’ll be an excellent mother.”. For a heartbeat, the warm sunlight caught both their pelts, turning them a fierce fiery orange, like a glowing sunset.

Suddenly, Sorreltail’s excited yowl made it feel like Leafpool’s ears would burst, “Everyone, Squirrelflight and Brambeclaw are having kits!”.

Before she knew it, Leafpool was forced to take a step back, letting the excited Clanmates swarm around the two mates, sending endless questions at them. Shoved and pulled from side to side, eventually, Leafpool spat out onto the lonely outside. Now within the outer rims of the crowd, Leafpool felt strangely isolated. An outsider no longer on the inside. The racket of kit-like squeaks and the sight of shoving pelts soon blurred out as the world around her became more of a distant memory.

By now, even the elders had emerged from their cranky slumber, Mousefur slyly whispering to her blind friend, Longtail, “I’d never thought I’d see the day. Firestar’s and Tigerstar’s kin united as one.”. Neither can I, Leafpool silently responded, unsure if she should be offended or not. In reaction, Longtail shifted on his paws uncomfortably, remaining quiet. Remembering that he had been one of Tigerstar’s close allies before his violent methods had been exposed. Though that was all behind them.

Even if Leafpool had heard the stories, she could never truly hate Tigerstar, not knowing him personally. Yet older generations did, remembering him with a deep-rooted grudge. Leafpool just preyed her kits were freed from the burden of Tigerstar’s blood, as Brambleclaw’s so-called kits. They were just as much Firestar’s kin as they were the dark tyrant himself. Like it was fate, Tigerstar’s ultimate victim finally appeared, gradually weaving her scrawny pale frame through the crowd, Goldenflower meeting up with Leafpool’s patents, now united through the kits. Letting off a weak smile, the widest she could manage, “Those kits are blessings from Starclan.”, she mewed.  This was the path Leafpool chose for her and her kits, no going back now. At least Brambleclaw seemed over the stars. Though Leafpool couldn’t say the same about her littermate. Even if Squirrelflight was putting on a brave face, at the end of the day it was a false one. What did she think of all of this? And what would happen once Brambleclaw found out? And that’s to say If he ever did. Leafpool would have loved nothing more to tell the world her secret, to take the burden off of everyone, so only she would pay for her foolishness. However, it wasn’t her place to tell the deputy, not anymore. It was Squirrelflight’s.

How would it affect their relationship? For now, all Leafpool could hope for, is that the brown tabby would be understanding. To know that Squirrelflight’s only crime was trying to protect the lives of those she loved. Especially after Brambleclaw dabbled with the Dark Forest, he had no room to judge. Ironically, it put the two on equal footing, maybe even somehow bringing them closer together as fellow liars.

Yet, Leafpool wasn’t the only forgotten shadow lurking. At the very edge of the clearing, Ashfur separated himself from everyone else, silently stalking away to the camp entrance, lowered so close to the floor like a snake, bitterness tainting his ice-blue eyes. The coldness creeping off of him made the Medicine cat shiver, quickly turning away before he noticed her staring. Just hoping he didn’t loosen his cobwebs while he was out moping in the forest. 

Spotting her brother, Ferncloud was forced to leave her friend’s side, hurriedly padding after him. Pricking her ears, Leafpool’s overheard the Queen’s desperate pleads from an isolated corner of the camp, “We’re been over this- Squirrelflight has always been willing to reconnect with you and this perfect opportunity. Please, don’t ruin this. She’s your friend, you should be happy for her.”.

Suddenly, he abruptly halted, “I don’t care.”, Ashfur quietly hissed, standing against his littermate like an enemy warrior, fur spiked, “Being my friend isn’t good enough. Not anymore. You know, that she-cat always belonged to me, no one else.”. At the back, the painful scene seems to go unnoticed. After a moment of shock from Ferncloud, Ashfur returned to his sulking, speeding his pace until he was running out of camp. Leaving Ferncloud standing there, sighing. Spiderleg padded over to his mother, scowling in the direction where Ashfur had once stood, “Give up, Mother.”, he urged, “He’s not going to change, he’s no better than a stropping kit.”.

Giving him a harsh glance, Ferncloud didn’t want to believe his words yet was forced reluctantly to turn back. The entire time, Squirrelflight spying, guilt and frustration pricking her fur.

The whole Clan’s patience had been wearing thin for Ashfur, who was meant to be one of the senior warriors. Even a gentle Medicine cat’s pity like Leafpool had its limits. Like Birds, clanmates had been flocking to help the once respected warrior, including his siblings, Cloudtail and Ferncloud. Yet every time, he violently snapped at every single one, forcing them away. It’d been over a moon since Squirrelflight had been honest with her feelings, but he refused to move on, falling deeper and deeper into this self-pitying Stroop. Despite there being plenty of other she-cats.

Eventually, more and more picked up on tensing atmosphere Ashfur had brought, until an awkward silence hung, souring the mood like crow food over the tongue.

‘***********************

Biting down hard, the last of the crushed Chervil trickled from the moss ball into Rainwhisker’s infected leg wound. As if she could feel the pain herself, Sorreltail winced from the sidelines. Grabbing him by the scruff, Leafpool aided the grey tom as he got onto shaky legs, guiding him towards his sister’s shoulder. As Rainwhisker settled on his paws, Sorreltail glanced towards the Medicine cat, “So what do you need him to do then?”, she asked, blinking.

Needing to pause to gather her scattered thoughts, Leafpool finally nodded, “Nothing, really. It won’t be at least until next sunset he can get back to Warrior duties.”, she explained “So take it easy and don’t undo the herbs. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”.

Hearing this, Rainwhisker let off a grumble, “I’d rather eat a spider, than spending another wretched day acting like a kittypet.”. The two she-cats let off a playful sigh together. Leafpool flicked her tail towards the entrance, signalling their leave, “Just make sure he does as he’s told.”, she insisted. Sorreltail agreed, “Don’t worry, I will.”. Padding away with Rainwhisker leaning against her flank. Pricking her ears, Leafpool caught Rainwhisker’s annoyed comment, “I’m not a kit.”, he insisted, Sorreltail letting off an amused purr.

Before they fully exited the den, Sorreltail glanced over her shoulder, “Congrats again on Squirrelflight’s kits, Leafpool! Hopefully, one of them will look like you.”. The sudden stab of grief made Leafpool turn away, glaring at the cold stone floor. Luckily, going unnoticed by Sorreltail and Rainwhisker, their pelt washed over by the warm orange sunlight.

Alone, Leafpool watched them go, She couldn’t help but expect their light grey brother, Sootfur to appear and greet his littermates. Yet, of course, there was nothing but thin air. Leafpool couldn’t imagine what that was like, to lose kin. The young warrior’s life was cut short when he was cruelly slain by badgers. Even the cat forbidden from love had been blessed with kits and mates, but he got none at all. Honestly, Leafpool still couldn’t believe the sight of that friendly Badger, Midnight. Why would she choose to fight for cats instead of her kind? How could she even speak to cats and be so knowledgeable about their ancestors? Even if Squirrelflight insisted she could be trusted, Leafpool found that hard to believe.

Peering beyond the pair of siblings, from outside the Nursery, Leafpool spotted Brackenfur engulfed by a storm of kittens, scrambling all over him. He tried to keep his large litter busy while his mate dealt with her injured brother. Purposefully being overdramatic, Brackenfur tumbled into the dust, pretending to be beaten, “I could never hope to defeat such mighty warriors. I yield, I yield!”, he playfully yelled. Three kits were piled on his chest, tinting with pride. Yet the fourth wasn’t satisfied, Honeykit landing on his head, “Thunderclan shows no mercy!”, she yowled, tugging at his ear, hard. Sweeping the three of him with his tail, Brackenfur attempted to get up, “Ok, Honeykit, that’s enough.”. Despite that, she still clung on, her legs now in mid-air.

Looking surprisingly painful, Brackenfur winced, as his daughter refused to let go. Below, Cinderkit yowled up to her littermate, “Thunderclan does show mercy, silly! It says so in the code!”. To this, Honeykit finally lets go of her father’s ear, heavily landing on the camp floor. Brackenfur blinked down at Cinderkit gratefully, “You certainly know a lot about the code already.”, he acknowledged with a purr. Though, Cinderkit just put her head to the side, “I’m only copying you from all those boring Clan meetings.”, she admitted.

However, Honeykit thumped her paws on the ground like an angry badger, “That’s no fun!”, she exclaimed. Molekit quickly shook his head, “But Firestar said we need to spare everyone to be the best Clan and he knows everything. Does that mean we should spare our prey too?”.

“Then we’d starve to death, mousebrain.”, Cinderkit pointed out, prodding at her brother’s nose. “That’s not right! Mice have feelings too!”, Molekit snapped back, going up to her sister’s face. Speedily, Brackenfur stepped in between, dividing the littermates before anything started. “Alright, you four. Bet you’re all super whacked out, so who wants a nap? Sound nice?”, he mewed hopefully, clearly exhausted. “We never have naps at Sunhigh.”, Cinderkit announced, “Check with Daisy.”. Then once again, Cinderkit had come up with logical counters to everything, even to her fully grown father.

The brown tom must’ve been relieved, to have a daughter so similar to his sister, Cinderpelt, as if she’d never died at all. Apart from her leg, Cinderkit stood and breathed like Leafpool’s old mentor. Almost eerily similar. Though Leafpool put it at the back of her mind. Cinderpelt was dead. Nothing could change that. Even if her kin had the same pelt colour and personality, it was a consequence. 

Unable to stop herself, Leafpool let off a soft purr as Brackenfur gently wrapped his tail around his precious kits, leading them to the safety of the Nursery. Would Crowfeather care for their kits like that? A haunting question had been hovering over the brown she-cat for too long. Should she tell him or keep him in the dark?

The answer was obvious, They agreed to stay loyal to their Clans, which meant letting go of their love and their kits. For the greater good of everyone, Crowfeather needed to be free from the burden of blood ties to Thunderclan. There could be no chance of the truth coming out. Besides from Squirrelflight, no cat could know. Even if she once loved him, she couldn’t afford to put native faith in any old cat. Knowing him, the chance of the truth slipping was just too great.

If the truth came out and Leafpool lost her rank as Medicine Cat, Thunderclan would be left defenceless. Many cats, including kits and elders, would die before their time. Any of replacement of hers would most likely be forced into a role they never wanted. To be a Medicine cat, it must be entered willingly. There are many sacrifices one must make to be able to heal, including the simple luxury of kin. Leafpool couldn’t do that to anyone, to deny them the basic right to a mate and kits.

Leafpool let off a massive sigh of relief. Glancing about the gloomy cave, all the nests lying empty. Left in peace at last. Though just as she thought she could close her eyes and let blackness consume her vision, a shift in the dim light caught her attention. A dark shadow was cast over the stone as a cat stood at the entrance, blocking the sunlight. Steadily, Brightheart wandered in, her whiskers twitching cautiously. Leafpool’s breath was cut short when she saw the uneasy expression on the she-cat’s face as she approached. Had Brightheart suspected something?

Dipping her head in greeting, Leafpool rose from her sitting position, “Do you need help with anything, Brightheart?”. Surprisingly, she shook her head, instead of flicking her tail at Leafpool, “I come here to help you.”, she stated. “Me?”, Leafpool mumbled, slightly stunned. Leafpool strained her muscles, so not a whisker or ear could twitch, making it obvious how nervous she was. Logically, the chances of Brightheart being here because of kits were much slimmer, over it being something else. Luckily, she was right.

“It’s just that ever since Cinderpelt’s death, I’ve noticed you’ve been stressed. So I’m here to offer my assistance.”, Brightheart mewed calmly. Swearing she was speaking with Squirrelflight for a slit heartbeat, Leafpool rapidly shook her head, “You don’t need to do this to yourself.”, Leafpool pleaded, “Even if you have an injury, doesn’t mean you need to end up like Cinderpelt, you’ve worked too hard to be a warrior.”.

Yet, sadly, Brightheart didn’t seem convinced, glancing at the herb stock thoughtfully, “This isn’t to do with my face. It’s the fact I’ve already got some basic Medicine training.”. Sighing to herself, Leafpool admitted she wanted to avoid this. Before she ran away with Crowfeather, she’d assumed Brightheart could be Cinderpelt’s apprentice in her place. Since coming back, she realised how selfish that was. She’d seen the way Brightheart lovingly interacted with her mate and daughter. If she became a Medicine cat, she’d lose the option to have a second litter. Leafpool wouldn’t do that to the small family of three.

Took of Leafpool’s face alone was enough to hear the unspoken question, Brightheart shook her head “I’m not asking to become your apprentice if that’s what you thinking. It’s just that if you need help transitioning, I can be an extra set of paws when you need it. I’ve got more herb knowledge than you might expect. I haven’t told anyone this before- but when me and Cinderpelt were apprentices, we’d actually had secret training sessions. My sister taught me herbs while I taught her battle moves. Even in her last moments, she went down fighting like a true warrior.”, She purred with amusement.

Sitting down, Leafpool considered her options carefully, giving a few nervous licks to the flank. Having the constant presence of a former Queen with basic Medicine training would make it all the more likely of her kits would be discovered. Yet, she couldn’t afford to be so selfish, with the whole of Thunderclan replying to her. If she refused Brightheart's offer, and failed later down the line to balance all her duties, it could cause unnecessary death. Even if she had her own young life to consider, it could be another’s kit paying to price for her negligence.

Turning to Brightheart, Leafpool accepted, “Alright.”.

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