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[fancypost bgcolor=#ffffff; borderwidth=0px; height: 30px; width: 400px; letter-spacing: -2px;]''I'VE LOST EVERYTHING''
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Chapter 12
POV: Redwhisker
Miserably, Redwhisker listened to the ThunderClan warriors as they chatted about naughty apprentices, battle moves and hunting patrols. Usually, Redwhisker would have joined in, but he felt as if cold claws had raked his heart. How could StarClan, and most of all, Timberstar, be so cruel? Suddenly, Redwhisker became aware of a brown she cat approaching. She smelt of RiverClan. Redwhisker realized he'd been worrying so much about Sandleaf that he hadn't noticed the third Clan arriving. Now only WindClan needed to arrive, and the Gathering could begin. ''Hi.'' The she cat mewed, shyly. She was very pretty, that was the first thing Redwhisker could be sure of, and although her fishy scent made Redwhisker wrinkle his nose, there was something enchanting about her. ''Hi,'' Redwhisker mewed. ''I'm Redwhisker. What's your name?'' He had a feeling he was going to like this she cat. ''I'm Lightdawn,'' she replied. ''A RiverClan warrior. I haven't heard of a Redwhisker before. Did you get your warrior name or something? I'm sure I remember a Redpaw.''
''Yeah,'' Redwhisker nodded. ''After some badgers attacked.'' Lightdawn blinked sympathetically.
''I heard ThunderClan attacked not long ago. It must have been hard, being attacked twice in the course of only a few days.''
''Yeah,'' mewed Redwhisker. ''Who told you about ThunderClan? Didn't you just arrive?''
''Oh, um.'' Lightdawn looked extremely awkward, and Redwhisker decided to not push her. He almost felt relieved when he saw the WindClan cats milling down into the clearing. At once, ShadowClan grew hostile, and even Redwhisker felt his fur prickle anxiously, but WindClan showed no sign of unfriendliness as they instantly begun to mingle with the other Clans. WindClan's leader, Loststar, sprang onto the Great Rock and yowled. ''Welcome to the Gathering!'' The cats gradually grew silent, and Redwhisker felt relaxed sitting beside Lightdawn. RiverClan was one Clan ShadowClan didn't have a quarrel with RiverClan at this Gathering. ''I will speak first,'' the RiverClan leader, Silverstar, stepped forward. ''RiverClan are enjoying the large amount of fish in the river, at the height of Greenleaf. Twoleg kits have been paddling in our river, but RiverClan remains strong.'' The she cat stepped back, and nodded to Loststar to speak. ''Like RiverClan, prey is plentiful in WindClan's territory. There are lots of rabbits on the moor and we hope the rest of the Clans are as full fed as us.'' Loststar dipped his head and was about to step back when Darkstar whipped his head round to glare at Loststar. ''Do you eat kits as well?'' he growled. ''We found one of our kits dead on your territory.'' Yowls of fury rose from the gathered cats, and Lightdawn turned to Redwhisker, puzzled. ''Is that true?'' She questioned.
''Yeah,'' replied Redwhisker. ''But I didn't really want Darkstar to make a scene.'' Lightdawn nodded understandingly, and turned back to the Great Rock and the two Clan leaders, who were glaring hatefully at one another. ''WindClan are not kit murderers!'' spat Loststar. ''ShadowClan have always been liars!''
''I do not lie!'' Darkstar raged. ''It is you and your warriors who cheat and steal!''
''Stop!'' croaked Sweetfoot, the WindClan medicine cat. ''Remember the truce! We can solve this problem without fighting!'' Lightdawn's eyes shone with approval.
''At least one cat hasn't lost their mind.'' She commented. Redwhisker watched as reluctantly Loststar backed down and allowed the ShadowClan leader to speak. Darkstar glared at the cats below him. ''WindClan are killers, mark my words, but Sweetfoot, unlike the rest of her Clan, understands that we cannot spend all Gathering bickering. But ThunderClan have also attacked us this moon, and one of their cats killed Timberstar, and another killed our apprentice, Firepaw. He would have been a fantastic warrior, if ThunderClan hadn't been so heartless and cold.'' The ThunderClan leader, Thistlestar, let out a growl. ''Twolegs have begun to destroy our territory. At the last Gathering, you refused to give us any prey, and since then, three of our kits and two of our warriors have died. We had no choice but to attack ShadowClan. Forgive us, Darkstar.''
Darkstar sighed. ''I will let it go - for once. But next time ThunderClan attacks, prepare yourself, Thistlestar, because we will be ready for you.'' Thistlestar nodded curtly, but he didn't look very happy. ''ShadowClan was also attacked by badgers a few days later. We lost Russetthroat and Greykit in the attack, but thanks to the bravery of our eldest apprentice, Redpaw, we managed to chase them off. Redpaw comes to the Gathering tonight as a newly made warrior, Redwhisker.''
''Redwhisker!''
''Redwhisker!''
The yowls of triumph came mainly from only RiverClan and ShadowClan cats. Redwhisker's head hung. This hadn't been an enjoyable Gathering. Darkstar quickly explained that Tortoiseclaw was the new deputy, carefully missing out the fact that the deputy had been named late, and that ShadowClan were well fed and strong in spite of the loss recently. Thistlestar stepped forward, he stared at the cats below him coldly. ''As you all know, Twolegs are destroying our territory,'' Thistlestar begun. ''Our three kits and one of our warriors died of starvation, and the other warrior that has died was flattened to death by a falling tree. We ask again for prey.'' Silverstar stepped forward. The RiverClan leader looked genuinely guilty as she mewed. ''I am very sorry, Thistlestar, but we will not share our prey. The fish in our river are ours, and that's all there is to it.'' Thistlestar bared his teeth.
''WindClan?'' Loststar stepped forward.
''Times are hard for ThunderClan, and I understand your desperation, Thistlestar. We will share a few of our rabbits with you - we have enough. We will bring them into ThunderClan's territory tomorrow morning, but you will not come into our territory to get the prey. Understand?''
''Yes,'' grunted Thistlestar. ''You have our thanks, Loststar. You have saved the whole of ThunderClan, and we will be forever grateful.''
''You can be,'' growled Loststar. ''But once the Twolegs are finished with you, we will stop giving you food. Do not think you can come crawling to us again, Thistlestar.''
''Of course,'' mewed Thistlestar, sincerely. ''We would not dream of it, Loststar. All of my cats swear on the name of StarClan this will be the only time WindClan needs to help us.''
''Good,'' mewed Loststar. ''And if you don't keep that promise, there'll be big trouble.'' The cats begun to disperse. There were no friendly sharing tongues that night - every Clan gathered straight into it's groups and marched out of the clearing. Redwhisker would have liked to have licked Lightdawn on the nose, or at least have a small chat with her, but Redwhisker had a feeling she'd react badly because of the overall mood of the Gathering. Instead, he mewed. ''Goodbye, Lightdawn. It was nice meeting you.'' There was a mysterious gleam in the she cat's eyes as she begun to walk away, but it was gone so quickly Redwhisker may have imagined it. ''Goodbye,'' she murmured. ''I hope to see you at the next Gathering.'' Redwhisker and ShadowClan made their way back to the camp. Sandleaf was still glaring at him, and every cat was in a bad mood, but Redwhisker didn't care. All his previous worries - Sandleaf's anger, Timberstar, the badger attack and Runningkit's strange 'WindClan caused' death disappeared like mist in an instant, for all he could see in his mind was a beautiful dusky brown she cat named Lightdawn.
Chapter 13
POV: Timberstar
Timberstar watched as the Gathering drew to a close. She had enjoyed the drama that night. She watched as, with warmth, Redwhisker and Lightdawn said farewell to each other and went their separate ways. Timberstar slid after Lightdawn up the slope. ''What a Gathering!'' Timberstar exclaimed. Lightdawn nodded without looking at her. ''I don't understand about this crimson business,'' she admitted. ''Does what you've been telling me about have anything to do with Redwhisker?''
''He is your destiny,'' Timberstar mewed. ''Tomorrow night, you must go to the ShadowClan border and wait there. Redwhisker has lots to say to you.'' Lightdawn let out a dreamy sigh.
''Don't tell anyone, but I really like Redwhisker. He's cute.''
''There is no need to be ashamed,'' Timberstar's fur prickled with satisfaction. ''If Redwhisker is your destiny, which it is.'' Lightdawn nodded.
''Thanks, Timberstar.'' Timberstar didn't reply, but smiled at the she cat, and shot towards ShadowClan territory. It took Timberstar ages to catch up with Redwhisker, who was plodding near the back of the party of cats heading back home. ''What do you think of Lightdawn?'' Timberstar asked, hopefully.
''I like her,'' Redwhisker confessed. ''But it's against the Warrior Code to be any more than friends with her.''
''If StarClan told you to leap in a river, would you do it?''
''Maybe,'' shrugged Redwhisker. ''If it was my destiny.''
''Well, I am a StarClan cat after all, and I tell you not to follow the Warrior Code this time. Tomorrow night, you must go to your border and await Lightdawn. Tell her you love her, and tell her she must meet you every night in the same place. You must also, at the same time, begin to act in front of your Clan as if you love Hollystream.''
''Why in the name of StarClan would I do that?'' spat Redwhisker. ''I have no interests in Hollystream! And she still grieves for Darkclaw, after all.''
''It's not impossible to love more than once,'' growled Timberstar. ''Do as I tell you, or death will come your way.'' Redwhisker let out a horrified gasp as Timberstar raced ahead of him toward the camp. Hollystream had not come to that Gathering, and was still at home, silently mourning her mate. Timberstar spotted the she cat outside the camp, sitting by Darkclaw's grave. ''If only I knew what killed you,'' she sobbed. ''Then I could get my revenge!'' Timberstar hit Hollystream sharply, and Hollystream whipped her head round. ''Darkclaw? Is it-'' she broke off, shaking her head with disappointment. ''It's you.'' The she cat's voice quaked.
''Yes, it is,'' Timberstar sprang onto Hollystream and pinned her to the ground. ''Now do as I tell you or die at my paws. Redwhisker has fallen in love with a RiverClan she cat named Lightdawn. You must act as if you are in love with Redwhisker publicly, and he will do the same. Soon, Lightdawn should be pregnant with Redwhisker's kits, and when she is giving birth, you must leave the camp, take Lightdawn's kits, and pose as their mother. Simply say you are the mother of Redwhisker's kits and you gave birth outside. Understand?''
''Yes,'' croaked Hollystream, frightened. ''But that's against the Warrior Code!''
''Tell no cat,'' snarled Timberstar. ''But I didn't go to StarClan - I went to the Dark Forest.''
''No!'' Howled Hollystream at the sky, but Timberstar scurried off, vanishing completely behind a tall pine tree.
Chapter 14
POV: Redwhisker
Redwhisker hovered by the edge of the Thunderpath, awaiting Lightdawn. He had told himself over and over that he could not meet Lightdawn, but now, his paws were tingling with excitement. Just then, the beautiful RiverClan she cat appeared. She looked warily up and down the Thunderpath, and got ready to race across. ''No!'' Yowled Redwhisker, scurrying even closer. He almost fell into the Thunderpath itself. ''Why not?'' Lightdawn looked confused. ''I need to cross the Thunderpath.''
''There is a safer way across,'' Redwhisker mewed. ''You need to go underground.''
''What?'' Lightdawn almost toppled backwards in shock. ''Where?''
''There should be a hole somewhere.'' Lightdawn searched around, and then her eyes lit up.
''There it is!'' she disappeared into the hole, and reappeared at the other end. ''Cool! I never knew about that!''
''It's a ShadowClan secret,'' Redwhisker explained, awkwardly. ''You mustn't tell anybody.''
''I wouldn't dream of it,'' purred Lightdawn. ''I came here because... well, I... like you?'' Redwhisker froze for a moment, and then pressed his muzzle in Lightdawn's fur. ''I like you too. I love you Lightdawn!'' Lightdawn gazed at him, her eyes full of admiring.
''I always tried to find a mate in RiverClan,'' she admitted. ''But no cat... ever seemed right for me.''
''Me too.'' Redwhisker smiled, pushing Sandleaf to the back of his mind.
''Can we, meet tomorrow night?'' whispered Lightdawn. ''In secret?''
''I don't see why not,'' Redwhisker nodded. ''If StarClan told me to leap in a river, I wouldn't! StarClan can't stop us from visiting eachother.'' Redwhisker echoed Timberstar's words. Timberstar had appeared quite aggressive when she'd last met him, but she had shown Redwhisker the truth - StarClan didn't rule life. Every cat could choose their own path - and Redwhisker's always led him to Lightdawn. ''I see,'' Lightdawn looked rather flustered. ''I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye.'' Lightdawn made her way back underground. Redwhisker waited until she safely arrived at the other end, then turned back into the pine forest. It was time Redwhisker chose between the Warrior Code and Lightdawn - and he knew what he would choose. Redwhisker arrived back at the camp. Cloudwhisker and Tigerstripe. ''You said you were going out hunting.'' Tigerstripe snarled. He was the most aggressive and mean cat in the Clan - but still had faith in the Warrior Code. ''Did you eat it all yourself?'' Cloudwhisker snorted. ''You look as fat as a badger!'' Tigerstripe nudged Cloudwhisker sharply, and the fluffy white tom shut up. ''Maybe I am as fat as a badger,'' Redwhisker sighed. ''But are you sure you're all fluff?'' Cloudwhisker rose to his paws, and bared his teeth.
''I always share food with my Clanmates!''
''Just shut up,'' Tigerstripe grumbled. ''So, Redwhisker? Where's the prey?''
''I couldn't catch anything.''
''Excuses excuses!'' Sneered Cloudwhisker before Tigerstripe could even speak. Tigerstripe sighed.
''Oh, that is a shame, Redwhisker. You can go hungry till tomorrow evening.''
Who died and made you leader? Redwhisker wanted to snarl, but he kept quiet. Tigerstripe was a senior warrior, after all. Redwhisker made his way into the camp, one green gaze and one amber burning into his pelt. Redwhisker looked longingly at the freshkill pile, but he was an obedient warrior and he wouldn't take anything. He headed straight to the warriors den - at least he wasn't on dawn patrol. Redwhisker was feeling grumpy - but then Cloudwhisker had always been toadbrained, despite being Timberstar's apprentice, and Tigerstripe had always treated every cat, Clanmate or not, with hostility. But at the same time, his joy would never wear away completely - how could it, when Lightdawn was a part of him. ''I love you, Lightdawn,'' Redwhisker whispered. ''I can't wait to see you again.''
Chapter 15
POV: Timberstar
Timberstar watched Redwhisker fall asleep. He's so lazy. Timberstar thought. She slipped into the shadows and within moments was in the ghastly Dark Forest. Squirreltail was beside her. ''Hi.'' Mewed Timberstar. Squirreltail had been a ThunderClan warrior before coming to the Dark Forest, but Clan blood did not matter here. ''I was sent to fetch you,'' Squirreltail nodded to Timberstar. ''Come with me.'' Timberstar followed Squirreltail through the Dark Forest. She arrived in a clearing where the Dark Forest held their meetings. Deathstar sat alone in the centre of the clearing, then padded over to the two she cats. ''Timberstar,'' Deathstar growled. ''I want you to train these three Clan cats.'' He gestured with his tail to the trees, and three cats, two ThunderClan and one RiverClan, padded into the clearing. ''This is Toucanfeather, Ravenheart and Ivywing,'' he pointed to each cat as he named them. ''They wish to train in the Dark Forest. And who would be a better mentor than you, Timberstar?''
''She's a ShadowClan cat!'' Toucanfeather argued. ''I'm loyal to my Clan alone.''
''Yeah.'' Ravenheart, a handsome black tom with green eyes, was trembling. Ivywing stared up at Timberstar. ''I will never be friends with ShadowClan,'' she growled. ''But if Timberstar can make me the strongest cat in the forest, then I shall train with her!''
''I object,'' growled Timberstar. ''I have work to do, Deathstar. You know that.'' Deathstar's eyes flashed with frustration. ''Please, Timberstar! I don't have to force you, do I?''
''You won't,'' Timberstar growled. ''And you know that. I am special.''
''Special?'' spluttered Ivywing before Deathstar could answer. ''You're no special than any cat here!''
''Correct, Ivywing,'' Deathstar touched Ivywing's shoulder with his tail. ''If we have the power and the determination, we are all equal here.''
''What about the Warrior Code?'' Asked Ravenheart, feebly. The ThunderClan warrior looked uncomfortable. Deathstar did not reply. Instead, he turned to Timberstar. ''Train them,'' he growled. ''It is for the good of our Clan.''
''Are you StarClan?'' Ravenheart whimpered.
''Stop being stupid!'' Deathstar snarled. ''I have told you already. We are the Dark Forest! Never compare us to StarClan again! This is where you will be truly recognised for your skills.''
''If this is a trick...-'' Toucanfeather begun to growl.
''It is not!'' Deathstar spat. ''Is Ivywing the only one here with a brain?''
''Don't be mean to m-my Clanmate.'' Ravenheart whispered.
''We are all Clanmates here.'' Deathstar's voice was as cold as ice. ''We are the Dark Forest Clan.''
''I will train these apprentices,'' Timberstar grumbled. ''They shall be excellent Dark Forest warriors once I am finished when them. Come, my apprentices.'' She gestured with her tail and Ravenheart, Toucanfeather and Ivywing padded behind her. ''What are we going to learn?'' Ivywing sounded as if she was about to burst. ''How to fight, of course!'' Timberstar spat. ''What else are you here to learn about?''
''How to follow the Warrior Code, rule our lives in peace and defend our Clan?'' Ravenheart tried to stand up straight. Timberstar stared at him. ''To defend your Clan, you must first learn to defend yourself. And you are one of us, now, Ravenheart. A Dark Forest apprentice.''
''I received my warrior name many, many years ago,'' Toucanfeather's eyes gleamed. ''Do I have to earn it again?''
''Yeah, Toucanpaw,'' sneered Timberstar. ''Your status in ThunderClan doesn't matter here.''
''RiverClan treat me like a little kit,'' growled Ivywing. ''I won't forget that till I've got my revenge.''
''Revenge?'' Ravenheart's eyes widened. ''On your own Clan? T-that's mousebrained!'' Timberstar leapt at Ravenheart, pinning him to the ground. ''Ivywing isn't a RiverClan cat anymore. Do you want to go back to ThunderClan? Or you, Toucanfeather?'' Timberstar whipped her head round to glare at the long furred grey tom. ''I would go, but would that count as being disloyal?'' Ravenheart spoke loudly, but was quaking. ''I mean, I never really came here to join a Clan and-''
''You will stay here,'' Timberstar growled. ''You will be loyal to me, every one of you. You will obey my every order. If you do not, you shall die.'' Ravenheart shrank back, his eyes shadowy.
''Only if you make me the most powerful cat in the forest.'' Growled Ivywing.
''Whoa! Wait a moment! You're still an apprentice at the moment, Ivywing! You won't be the most powerful till I'm finished with you.'' Ivywing shuffled her paws.
''I hope that doesn't take long.'' Timberstar sighed. There was no point in this debate with her apprentices. ''We will test your skills first, Toucanfeather.'' Toucanfeather stepped forward. The tom was old, his muzzle greying, and he would be retiring to the elders den in a few moons by looks of things. Timberstar felt resent rise in her belly. He was no use to her! ''What would you like me to do?'' There was a hint of challenge in the ThunderClan warrior's voice.
''Simply attack me with all you have got.'' Timberstar waited. Then Toucanfeather charged towards her. The warrior leapt at her, but he was small, and Timberstar soon wriggled away from his grip. Toucanfeather wasn't beaten - the grey tom aimed a blow at Timberstar's belly, but it wasn't very accurate. It did hit with brutal strength, but Toucanfeather's claws were sheathed, and Timberstar was simply knocked off balance for a few moments. Timberstar leapt back at Toucanfeather, claws unsheathed and teeth bared, and slashed at Toucanfeather's face. Toucanfeather's jaws opened in a howl, and Timberstar claws scraped the inside of his mouth. Toucanfeather collapsed onto the ground, blood and slime and disgusting unrecognisable blood covered objects tumbled onto the ground. ''I feel sick.'' Croaked Toucanfeather. He couldn't move, and Timberstar gave his body a kick.
''Ravenheart next,'' the she cat smiled. She had made sure the cats had attacked in this order. Ivywing last, so she wouldn't be weakened when the other two attacked, and Ravenheart second so he would already be full of terror after seeing what had happened to Toucanfeather. It had become a quest to her to make sure Toucanfeather ended up in the most horrid state possible. Toucanfeather did look half dead. ''And don't be afraid to trample on Toucanfeather.'' Ravenheart trembled.
''He's my Clanmate.''
''So what? We're all Clanmates. Now attack.'' Reluctantly, Ravenheart raced toward her. Timberstar was rather surprised when he attacked her with claws unsheathed. He slammed Timberstar to the ground and seemed to be trying to kill her. Suddenly Timberstar understood. Ravenheart knew this place was evil, and that Timberstar was a threat to the Warrior Code, so he was trying to kill her! Blood was foaming around her mouth, and she realized that Ravenheart was stronger than she would have assumed. Perhaps his defensiveness of the Warrior Code made him more formidable. I can do away with him, Timberstar thought, I don't see Ravenheart ever abandoning the code. Timberstar heaved Ravenheart off. ''Tough luck, Ravenpaw.'' She launched herself at Ravenheart, pinning him heavily to the ground. ''StarClan, help me!'' Ravenheart howled.
''StarClan can't see everywhere.'' Timberstar's heart leaped when she heard Ivywing's voice. The pale grey, green eyed she cat, was hovering a few badger-lengths away. ''Coward.''
''D-don't call me a c-coward,'' Ravenheart trembled. ''I am an honourable warrior! Unlike you.'' Timberstar let out a shriek of fury. ''How dare you, Ravenheart? I shall punish you for this!'' She begun slashing him, all of his body. Ravenheart barely came out of it alive. He limped over to Toucanfeather's body, and nudged it. ''Toucanfeather?'' He whispered. The elderly tom lifted his head.
''Ravenheart,'' he breathed. ''I saw what happened.'' Ravenheart nodded importantly. Ivywing whispered into Timberstar's ear. ''May I have a word with you after my test?''
''Yes.'' Timberstar turned back to see Toucanfeather snapping.
''I'm not helping you! Why do you always was sickly sympathy, like a kit?''
''Fine!'' Ravenheart yowled. ''I'll never sympathise with you again!'' He stomped away, disappearing in an instant. ''Where has he gone?'' Toucanfeather's eyes widened.
''He's woken up - the coward,'' Timberstar's tail tip twitched. But Ravenheart would not escape. He would come back tomorrow night, and he was Timberstar's prisoner now. ''Now, you attack me, please, Ivywing.'' Ivywing's eyes shone. The she cat leapt at Timberstar, Timberstar dodged, but Ivywing was even faster. The RiverClan warrior raked her claws down Timberstar's head, and the ShadowClan leader felt dizzy. She was faintly aware of Ivywing kicking her in the belly, and she staggered to her paws. ''Well done, Ivywing! You deserve this praise!'' Ivywing smiled.
''The Dark Forest is my Clan now.'' Ivywing held her head high.
''Quite right. Go, Toucanfeather. Go and wake up. I shall see you tomorrow.'' Toucanfeather seemed to glare at her hatefully for a moment, then he begun to fade away. ''I-I wondered if I could tell you my real reason for coming to the Dark Forest,'' Ivywing looked nervous suddenly. ''I wanted to leave RiverClan. I wanted to leave the Warrior Code. I feel I have finally found a place where I belong... what is this training for, really, Timberstar?'' Timberstar heaved a deep breath.
''If you tell a single soul you don't trust, I will kill you. Swear on your life?''
''On my life.''
''I am training you to torture Clan cats. And later on, you will be there to slaughter the Clans, the Warrior Code, and StarClan.'' Ivywing's eyes gleamed.
''I knew it! I agree to fight alongside you.''
''Do not tell Toucanfeather, Ravenheart, or any trainee you believe is not completely committed to their new Clan yet. Do you swear on your life again?''
''I swear.''
''Go, then,'' Timberstar purred. ''I sympathise with you, Ivywing. Do not let RiverClan treat you like a kit. Let them treat you like an honoured warrior.''
''Of course.'' Ivywing heaved a deep breath, then vanished... and Timberstar was alone again.
Chapter 16
POV: Redwhisker
It had been two moons since Redwhisker had met Lightdawn at the Gathering. Every night, he had awaited the wonderful she cat by the Thunderpath, and every night, she would use the underground tunnel to meet him. They had plenty of fun together, occasionally exploring Twolegplace, hunting or sharing tongues. Redwhisker was waiting by the Thunderpath again, his eyes shining like stars. Then he saw her. Lightdawn headed straight down the hole and emerged beside him. ''Hi!'' Mewed Redwhisker, cheerfully. Lightdawn looked nervous. ''Hi.'' Her voice was quiet.
''What's wrong?''
''I'm... pregnant,'' Lightdawn whispered. ''Oh! What am I going to do?'' Her voice was shrill.
''Would RiverClan accept them?''
''Probably not,'' wailed Lightdawn. ''And I would never lie to them! You will take my kits, won't you, Redwhisker?''
''I don't know.'' Trembled Redwhisker.
''Well, I suppose it won't matter yet,'' Lightdawn mewed. ''But I will not leave my children to grow up as rogues without a Clan and a code of honour. One of us must take them, my love.''
''I know,'' sighed Redwhisker. ''I'll think of a way, Lightdawn, I shall think of something.'' Lightdawn's eyes were full of pain and fear the rest of that night. Redwhisker could concentrate no better than she. He'd have to ask Timberstar - she'd know. As the sun begun to rise, Redwhisker mewed. ''I had better go. Will you meet me tomorrow?''
''Yes,'' sighed Lightdawn. ''But this cannot go on forever. Once the kits are born... well, we can't carry on like this.''
''Of course,'' Redwhisker nudged his mate affectionately. ''I shall think of a way!''
''I hope so.'' Lightdawn murmured, disappearing down the hole. Redwhisker padded back through the forest, when Timberstar appeared from behind a pine. ''Having trouble?''
''Yes!'' gasped Redwhisker. ''What should I do?''
''I can tell you,'' Timberstar curled her tail up neatly. ''Hollystream will come and collect the kits when they are born. She can pretend they were born in the forest. Hollystream can pretend to be their mother.''
''Thank you, Timberstar!'' Redwhisker purred. ''So much!''
''There is no need to thank me, Redwhisker. Indeed, I need no payment for my help. I enjoy helping you.'' Redwhisker smiled.
''Goodbye, Timberstar! And I owe these kits to you!'' Timberstar smiled back at him, but it was a strange expression, then she vanished. Redwhisker padded back to the camp. ''Hollystream!'' he poked into the warriors den. ''Hollystream!'' Hollystream emerged.
''Yes, Redwhisker?''
''I need you to pose as the mother for my kits. I-''
''I know,'' mewed Hollystream, her eyes darkening. ''Timberstar told me.'' Redwhisker gasped. He'd thought he was the only one with a connection with her. ''Timberstar's been with me since her death.'' Redwhisker confessed.
''I haven't known her long,'' Hollystream replied. ''I've only spoken to her twice.''
''It's nice she's visiting you too,'' Redwhisker purred. ''Nice to not feel alone.''
''Yeah.'' Why did Hollystream seem so frightened.
''Well, thanks for agreeing to help me,'' Redwhisker mewed. ''I truly appreciate it.''
''What else could I do?'' Hollystream spoke very quietly. ''Let you face this dark time alone?''
Redwhisker padded to his den. I have help, he thought, and Lightdawn's kits will grow up in ShadowClan.
Chapter 17
POV: Timberstar
''Stop sheathing your claws when you attack! Are you a cat or a toad?'' Toucanfeather flew at Timberstar, but he was slow, very slow. Timberstar dodged and the tomcat thumped heavily to the ground. ''This is impossible!'' he gasped. ''How are we meant to beat full Dark Forest warriors?''
''You never give up, for a start,'' snarled Timberstar, slamming into him. ''Now come on! Show a bit of perseverance!''
''I want to leave the Dark Forest.'' Spat Ravenheart, stalking over with a mingled look of fear and fury in his eyes. ''Why?'' Timberstar challenged.
''You show no respect for the Warrior Code and live only for blood, blood, blood. You don't mind ruining or even destroying anybody's life for you and the Dark Forest's cause, and you never think about what you're doing before you do it.'' Ravenheart's mew was firm. ''I don't want to be like that. That's why I want to leave.''
''A want doesn't get,'' spat Timberstar. ''You're stuck here now Ravenheart, and there's no escape.''
''I'll fight then!'' yowled Ravenheart, tensing. ''Do you want to let me leave willingly, Timberstar, or do you want to fight it out?'' Timberstar's only reply was the unsheathing of her claws. Ravenheart lunged at her, his teeth bared, claws pointed at Timberstar's throat. Timberstar leapt up at Ravenheart, and the two of them clashed. Claws raked Timberstar's chin, but Timberstar's own blow, aimed at Ravenheart's face, hit accurately, just above his eyes, and, dizzied, Ravenheart fell to the ground. ''You will support me and me alone,'' hissed Timberstar, fiercely. ''You will have no fear in betraying ThunderClan. They are not your Clan. Do you understand?''
''No!'' snarled Ravenheart. ''I will never understand you, foxdung!''
Hold it, hold it, thought Timberstar, don't kill him, you can use him, somehow.
''Does anybody else want to leave? Toucanfeather?'' Timberstar whipped her head round. The warrior had always looked ragged and grumpy, but his eyes now glinted with fear and horror. ''I'll stay,'' rasped Toucanfeather. ''I'm getting old. I need to stay in shape.''
''Is that your only reason for being here?'' Timberstar moved closer to the elderly tom, her breath on his cheek. ''Do you have any loyalty to your new Clan?'' Timberstar thought she heard Toucanfeather mutter 'not yet', but she couldn't be sure. She gave him one slam in the face to show him that she would deal with him if he betrayed the Dark Forest, and turned to Ivywing. ''Ivywing?'' Timberstar had her doubts, but she still needed to be sure of the RiverClan she cat's loyalty. ''Why would I leave the most victorious Clan in the forest?'' Ivywing purred. ''There is no place for me elsewhere.''
''You need that spirit,'' snarled Timberstar, glaring at Toucanfeather and Ravenheart. ''You need to be loyal to the greatest Clan in the forest - not ThunderClan! That's just a refuge for kittypets who believe they can play hero and other toadbrains who think they'll be safe there! They won't be!'' Toucanfeather snarled. ''ThunderClan is not just a bunch of kittypets! We harbour nothing but pure Clan blood!''
''Liar,'' snarled Timberstar. ''And you know that.''
''Well, every cat is equal in ThunderClan to one of pure blood, anyway.'' Toucanfeather hastily corrected himself, his whole body trembling. Suddenly, Timberstar was sure she heard a shriek of pain pounding in her ears. Timberstar looked at her apprentices, but none of them appeared to have heard anything - not even Ivywing. Timberstar tensed. ''I need to go checkout something. You can all practise the battle moves on eachother,'' Timberstar moved closer to Ivywing. ''And I never thought I'd say this, but no killing. I can use those two toadbrains as slaves or something.'' Ivywing let out a little purr. ''Of course, Timberstar. We'll just practise.'' As Timberstar vanished into the trees, she turned back to see Toucanfeather pinning Ravenheart to the ground. Ravenheart let out a shrill yowl. ''We're Clanmates! We can't fight one another!''
''We're all Clanmates here, fishbrain!'' Ivywing slashed Ravenheart on the cheek, and pushed Toucanfeather over on purpose as she stalked by. Timberstar raced through the trees and fungus, eventually reaching Clan territory. The shrieking was coming from underneath the Thunderpath. Timberstar pelted through the hole that led to tunnels underneath the Thunderpath, and spotted Lightdawn laying down. A little grey she cat lay beside her. ''It'll be fine, Silverkit,'' the she cat whispered, stroking her daughter's silky ears. ''Someone will find us down here... and I hope it's Redwhisker.''
''Lightdawn! Lightdawn!'' Timberstar whispered.
''Who's that? I can smell ShadowClan... but that isn't Redwhisker's scent!'' She almost bumped into Timberstar. ''Not used to darkness?'' Timberstar teased. ''It's fine, it's me, Timberstar. Do you want me to tell Redwhisker you're down here?'' Lightdawn opened her mouth to reply, but instead a dreadful howl came out of her. A brown and white tom slipped out of her, and Lightdawn coughed feebly. ''I feel sick!''
''I'm no medicine cat,'' mewed Timberstar. ''But I'll find something to help you. But first, I'd better bring Redwhisker here.''
''And Hollystream?'' croaked Lightdawn. ''Redwhisker told me that she would pose as the mother of my kits.''
''And Hollystream.'' Timberstar promised, pelting back through the tunnel towards ShadowClan camp. She noticed Redwhisker in a hunting patrol, and toad in his jaws. ''Redwhisker!'' she whispered. The tom craned his head towards the trees. ''Come to the Thunderpath tunnel, quick! And bring Hollystream with you!'' Redwhisker mewed to the patrol.
''Can we split up? We'll catch more if we spread about the clearing.'' The leader of the patrol, a broad shouldered tom named Stormheart, nodded approvingly. ''Good idea, Redwhisker. There's five of us, so we can either go in two groups, one with three and one with two, or split into three groups and one cat go alone.''
''I'll go by myself.'' Redwhisker meowed, instantly.
''Are you sure?'' Littlenose, a skinny grey tom with a small nose, looked worried. ''You haven't been a warrior for long.''
''I can manage.'' Mewed Redwhisker, and before anyone could reply, he raced through the trees. Littlenose shrugged. ''He's a toadbrain.'' And the patrol split into two. Timberstar followed after him, heading towards the camp, and slid into the medicine cat's den. The medicine cat was going through the list of remedies and pointing at each herb as they named it with their tail. ''-stops bleeding.'' After hearing those words, Timberstar quickly grabbed a few of the herb and scurried out of camp. She didn't know what these were, but, from the state Lightdawn was in, there would be a lot of blood. Timberstar could just see Redwhisker, racing alongside Hollystream through the forest. The cats made their way underground, and by the time Timberstar reached the place Lightdawn lay, both ShadowClan cats were bending over her. ''We need herbs!'' gasped Hollystream. ''Or else she'll die!'' Redwhisker flattened his ears and rubbed his head on his mate's cheek. ''Oh, my love.''
''Herbs,'' panted Timberstar, setting them down. ''Is the second kit a tom?''
''Yes,'' mewed Redwhisker, looking relieved. ''And by looks of things, that's the last one.''
''What have you named them?'' mewed Hollystream. ''They will at least be known by the names of your wishes.''
''Silverkit and Tallkit,'' replied Lightdawn. ''I was going to call them Troutkit and Beaverkit until I realized what a silly idea that would be.'' Hollystream nodded slowly.
''That makes sense. But I understand you wouldn't want to call them Bogkit or Pinekit either.'' Hollystream nodded respectfully.
''You had better take them to your camp,'' mewed Lightdawn. ''You still have milk from your real kits, right?''
''Yes,'' Hollystream's eyes were dull with grief. ''We'd better go.'' Hollystream herded the kits away, and Lightdawn watched miserably. ''I know they're going to good homes,'' she murmured to Redwhisker as he padded after his Clanmate. ''But they would have been excellent RiverClan warriors.''
''I will make sure they always have RiverClan in their hearts.'' Mewed Redwhisker, and Timberstar nodded approvingly. ''Yes, make sure they feel close to RiverClan, somehow.'' Mewed Timberstar, vanishing back into the Dark Forest.
IC:
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[fancypost bgcolor=#ffffff; borderwidth=0px; height: 10px; width: 400px; overflow: auto;][font=georgia][size=8][color=#F64D54][b]TIMBER/SHIVERKIT ♥ FEMALES ♥ 0 MOONS/4 MOONS ♥ EASY ♥ NO POWERS ♥ ASK ME VIA MESSAGE TO KILL/CAPTURE BUT YOU MUST PAY ME IN FRESHKILL ♥
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[fancypost borderwidth=0px; height: 10px; width: 400px; background: url(http://i57.tinypic.com/a0zyw6.jpg); border-radius: 0pt 0pt 50pt 50pt;][align=right][sub][font=arial][size=8][color=orange][c] Night_pelt
