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talonslockau · 4 months

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Fire and Ice - Chapter 53

< Chapter 52 || Index || Chapter 54 >

Fireheart’s tail flickered nervously as he emerged from the heather-covered tunnel. Leading a few friends into the unknown was one thing; leading an entire Clan like this was another. He could only imagine how Tallstar must have felt, leading his frightened Clan away from their ancient home to settle here.

He stared at the wide, empty expanse in front of him as Tallstar emerged behind him. “Uh…” He realized now that he hadn’t been keeping track of where they had been going. He wished now that Peppermask had been chosen to lead the Clan; tracking his way back was difficult with the Thunderpath stench in the air.

“Is something wrong?” The black and white tom asked him, his golden gaze scrutinizing as he stared down the young ginger warrior.

“Of course not.” Fireheart replied quickly as he caught sight of the trail Whitepaw had left in her hurry to escape the three Thunderclanners. “Just a bit disoriented with all the Thunderpaths.”

Tallstar nodded sympathetically. “It took our warriors some time to adjust as well.” He admitted as he paced alongside the ruddy tom. “But the Monsters have kept us safe from predators. No badger or fox dares to cross the Thunderpaths.”

Fireheart nodded in understanding. He could see the logic in choosing to settle here, but he could tell that this place also did not have much in the way of prey. Though he would never say it out loud, it was clear that Windclan had been starving when he arrived; he wasn’t sure if they would have survived through leafbare here.

Windclan was silent and solemn behind him, not wasting their energy on idle chatter as they traveled. He could see several shivering in the cold leaffall winds that heralded the coming of leafbare, though his own thick bright pelt kept the breeze at bay. The midday sun helped some too; he was especially glad now that they had not waited until nightfall to travel. He expected the coming night would be an especially chilly one.

He soon found the spot where Whitepaw had wrestled with the rabbit, claw marks still embedded in the dirt. From here, it was a matter of finding the nearest earthbound Thunderpath - one he could see in the distance as Monsters rushed by.

He led the Clan confidently onwards now, wading into the grasses without hesitation. He began to slowly crouch down as he approached, all too aware of what might happen if the Monsters spotted them. The grass thinned quickly until it was almost bare at the side of the Thunderpath, but he could clearly see the tunnel entrance from here, dark and ominous.

“And you’re certain that it leads to the other side?” Tallstar murmured as he crouched down beside the Thunderclan tom.

“I am.” Fireheart replied readily. “I’ll go first, so you and your Clan can see.”

Tallstar didn’t object as the ginger tom darted into the yawning stone mouth, the darkness quickly swallowing him. The earth rumbled around him, but he didn’t pause as he dashed across to the other side, blinking in relief as he emerged from the earth into the light. He stood and yowled to get the Windclan leader’s attention, barely audible over the roaring of the Monsters. Thankfully, they didn’t notice him, but he could see the black and white tail of the leader waving in acknowledgement.

The Windclanners entered the tunnel one by one, soon emerging on the other side. Part of Fireheart worried that the Monsters would notice what they were doing, but none seemed to slow as they raced past. He eyed the sun nervously, his heart pounding as time passed far too slowly, but at last Deadfoot and Graystripe emerged from the end of the tunnel.

“Where to now?” Tallstar asked cautiously as he looked around.

“This way.” Fireheart nodded towards the towering Twoleg nest, a tall beacon in the sky. The other tom nodded, and together they began once more leading the Clan forward.

The now-familiar bright flowers and tall grasses that surrounded this second Monstercamp greeted the ginger tom, waving silently in the breeze. The Monstercamp was nearly empty now; where countless smaller Monsters had gathered around the Twoleg nest before, he could now count only a dozen or so Monsters, most still sleeping right in front of it. He breathed a small sigh of relief at the realization; less Monsters meant less Twolegs to notice them.

“Over here.” He murmured, flicking his tail towards the back of the Monstercamp. Even if they weren’t likely to be seen, it was still daylight; he didn’t want to take any risks being caught. They proceeded cautiously, Fireheart watching the Twoleg nest warily.

A few Twolegs exited out of the side of the nest, carrying large colorful boxes with them. One of them gestured roughly towards where the Clan was making their way across, and he froze, fearful that they had been seen. They didn’t move towards where the Clan was hiding, however, instead tottering over to a gray Monster and coaxing open the back shell, where they began shoving their large boxes in.

For a moment, he breathed a sigh of relief and began moving forward, before he heard the barking of a dog. Looking back, he could now see a small shaggy dog rushing across the Monstercamp towards Peppermask and the queens, yapping angrily as it did so. “Go!” He yowled at Tallstar and the other Windclanners, rushing back to intercept the dog. He didn’t care if he was now spotted: what mattered was keeping the queens and kits safe from the beast.

Graystripe and Deadfoot raced up next to him, bristling and hissing ferociously at the dog as it approached. Several other warriors came up beside them as the rest of the Clan broke into a disorganized run, trying to avoid getting caught and attacked.

The brown mutt backpedaled to a halt mere tail-lengths away as it saw the advancing line of cats, claws unsheathed and furiously growling at the intruder. Yipping fearfully, it turned and rushed back, its tail between its legs as it howled for its Twolegs to help.

“Hurry! This way!” Fireheart hissed, rushing into the tall grasses to hide. The others did the same, hunkering down and watching as the small dog began racing around its Twolegs, barking for their attention. One looked down in confusion, looking back to where it had pointed, but it didn’t seem to spot the warriors. Once again, it pointed to the grasses and then turned to continue loading the boxes into the Monster.

“We should leave before they investigate.” He murmured to the other warriors, who nodded and followed him as they quickly and stealthily followed after the rest of the Clan.

They found them in the hedges that surrounded the first Monstercamp they encountered. “Is everyone alright?” Fireheart asked quickly as he came up next to Tallstar.

“A few torn claws, and Crowslip fell and bruised himself, but nothing that some rest won’t solve.” A light brown tom beside Tallstar spoke - the healer, he assumed. “What about the rest of you? Did you have to fight it?”

Fireheart shook his head. “The dog realized it was outnumbered and fled back for its Twolegs, tail between its legs!” There were purrs of amusement at his words, though they were hollow and tired. Running so quickly seemed to have drained most of the Clan of energy.

“Will we be alright if we rest here?” Tallstar murmured anxiously as he gazed around at his Clan. “They will need time to recover.”

The ruddy tom paused to look around. Tallstar was right; they would not make it much farther, and the three Thunderclanners hadn’t found any shelter between here and Windclan. “We didn’t run into any dangers on the way here.” He finally said aloud. “But that doesn’t mean there are none.”

Tallstar sighed heavily, the warrior’s answer clearly weighing on him. “It will have to do. Deadfoot, see if you can set up a perimeter.”

The black tom nodded and began moving about the Clan, picking several of the most fit warriors to begin patrolling. Fireheart nodded quickly to Graystripe and walked towards where Peppermask was sitting with Larksplash and several kits.

“Fireheart, Graystripe!” She purred as they approached. “These are Morningflower’s kits. Aren’t they precious?” She flicked her tail towards a pale tortoiseshell molly that was laying in the sun, still winded from the scare earlier.

“Of course they are.” He looked down at the three kits in front of them; barely a season old, if he had to guess. They looked up at him curiously, and he leaned down to touch noses with them.

“Gorsekit is the ginger tom, Stork-kit is the tortoiseshell, and Quailkit is the little gray molly.” Peppermask pointed each out with her striped tail. “They’ve been very sweet so far!”

“Is it true you’re from Thunderclan?” The small tom, Gorsekit, piped up. “Crowslip says Thunderclan lives in a big forest, which is a place with lots of ‘trees’. Is that really true?”

His heart sank as he listened to the kit speak of trees, as though they were as mythical as flying mice. He had probably lived in Windclan’s new territory since he was born; he had never known the wind of the moorlands, or the gorse bushes for which he was named. “Yes, it’s true. In fact, there are so many trees we can hop from branch to branch without ever touching the ground!”

“Woah.” Gorsekit looked at his siblings with wide eyes that were still changing color. “Can you teach me how?”

Fireheart chuffed at the thought. “I don’t think your mother would like that very much.” He admitted. “But I’m sure your future mentor will teach you lots of other things in your new home. In fact-”

A yowl of alarm cut him off, and he immediately turned to see a brown tabby tom standing with his fur on ends. The ginger Thunderclanner bounded over to see that he was watching another tabby patrolling around the edges of the Monstercamp, who was looking up now to see the source of the call.

“It’s okay, that’s a friend!” The ruddy warrior mewed hurriedly, waving his tail for the Windclan tom to stand down. He did so reluctantly as Fireheart wiggled through and waved his tail in greeting as Diesel spotted him and bounded over.

“You’re back! And with some friends.” Diesel’s ears perked as Tallstar and Graystripe joined him. “I take it you found the cats you were looking for, then?”

“We did! Diesel, this is Tallstar, leader of Windclan - the group we were looking for. Tallstar, this is Diesel. He lives in this…”

“Truck stop!” Diesel interrupted with a proud purr. “I make sure there’s no critters around these parts for the housefolk. Little varmints make them nervous.” He gazed past them at the hedges, which only moderately veiled the entirety of Windclan. “Didja find that molly you were looking for, too?”

“Molly?” Tallstar flicked an ear curiously towards Fireheart. “You didn’t mention anything about a molly.”

“We tracked her to find you.” The ginger tom explained quickly. “We found some tawny and gray fur near your camp, and it still had enough of a scent that we were able to follow it to the Thunderpath.”

The leader’s golden gaze narrowed. “You must mean Thrushwing.” He shook his pelt out and looked away with a heavy sigh. “She wanted to go back and mourn her brothers after we buried them. I told her it was too dangerous, that Brokentail could follow her back to us, but she ignored my orders and left in the middle of the night.”

Fireheart blinked slowly in sympathy. It must have been a tough position for the leader, denying the warrior the right to mourn the fallen so that his Clan could be safe. “If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t have been able to find you. She led us to the Thunderpath, and we followed it here.” He flicked his tail to Diesel. “Then Diesel here told us of a group that had recently settled nearby. We hoped it was you, and it turned out it was.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Tallstar admitted. “Perhaps Starclan willed her disobedience, so that our Clan could finally come home.”

The tabby tom in front of them dipped his ears in confusion, but didn’t ask any questions. “Well, I’m glad you all found each other. I know it ain’t always easy, feeling like you’re looking for something that you don’t know exists at all.”

Fireheart nodded respectfully to the loner. “Thank you again, Diesel. We would have never succeeded without your help. And you can tell your friend that group won’t be troubling him again, either!”

“That’s true! I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear it.” Diesel purred with a wide grin. “Well, I’d best be getting back on my rounds. Can’t be letting any mice slip in on my watch!” He gave them a wave of his tail as he continued around the hedges, sniffing cautiously to pick up any prey scents.

“Starclan truly works in mysterious ways.” Tallstar murmured as they returned to his Clan. “I am glad that they showed you the way to our Clan. We will be able to settle in before leafbare comes.” He glanced up to the clear skies above. “Thankfully it is late this season-cycle, as well.”

The ginger tom nodded. “Starclan may not have been able to stop Brokentail, but I’m sure they’re looking after your Clan now.”

“That is true.” The black and white tom gave him an appreciative look. “We should be going. We have a long way to go before nightfall.” He slipped up beside his deputy and healer. “Do you think the Clan is ready to travel?”

Deadfoot nodded. “The Clan will manage. Birchbark and Stagleap will help Crowslip to keep up.” He flicked his tail towards a graying elder, where two brown toms were helping him to his feet. “On your word, Tallstar.”

“Let us go, then.” The black and white tom stretched out eagerly, showing the full length of his body. Fireheart hadn’t noticed before with how skinny the tom was, but he was just as well muscled as the forest cats, just leaner and taller.

The cats filed along the side of the hedges, doing their best to keep under the shady leaves and away from any prying eyes. It wasn’t long before they reached the far side, where there was only the Thunderpath and wide stretches of grass dotted with small white clouds.

“Sheep.” Tallstar purred in amusement as he spotted Fireheart’s wide eyes. “The Twolegs keep them for their luxuriously soft fur. They cut off all their fur in newleaf, when the warmth comes, and then let it grow out for the rest of the season-cycle.”

“How strange!” The ginger warrior mewed as they trotted under a wooden fence into the sheep’s meadow. “I suppose they need the fur, though, since Twolegs only grow a little bit on their heads.”

The Windclan leader nodded. “Indeed. They take the cut fur and make it into pelts that cover their body. The sheep don’t seem to mind; in fact, they’re the most docile creatures I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.”

Fireheart perked his ears. “Where did you learn all this?”

A shadow passed over the black-and-white tom’s face, and he looked away solemnly. “Nevermind that. Let’s just say we don’t have to worry, aside from if any Twolegs wander this far out.”

He frowned at the leader’s sudden withdrawal, but chose not to press it as they continued forward. They traveled in silence, keeping a watchful eye out in case any sheep got too close, but none approached the far side of the meadow where they were crossing.

“Tallstar!” It was Deadfoot, racing up the line to the two leading the procession. “We must travel more slowly.”

He was right; the end of the line was beginning to lag behind. Several apprentices were clearly exhausted, not used to going this far, while the pale tortoiseshell queen, Morningflower, was panting from the exertion. Even Peppermask looked tired as she carried Gorsekit in her jaws.

The Windclan leader nodded. “Of course, Deadfoot.” Even as he slowed, however, he was nearly prancing in place. Despite his exhaustion from leading the Clan in such a troubled time, and the way his hips showed under his fur, the thought of returning to the moors lent a swiftness to his paws that Fireheart envied.

He restrained himself to a fast walk, however, allowing time for the end of the procession to catch up. But as Fireheart eyed the sun in the sky, he realized that with how long they were taking, they would not make it to the Windclan camp by sunset.

Perhaps that was alright, he reasoned to himself. Maybe they could travel through the night? As he walked, however, he could see rain clouds growing in the distance. There was no way that an elder like Crowslip could travel through a wet, stormy night.

He didn’t voice these thoughts aloud immediately, however, deciding it was not his place. Tallstar would surely realize the same thing, and if not, Deadfoot would likely tell him. Instead, he kept his eyes to the horizon, where he noticed he could see Highstones. They were growing closer to Barley’s farm, he realized, and his heart leaped at the thought. Maybe they would see Ravenspirit, or at least scent him?

He tasted the air, disappointed to find that while many scents reached him, none were of the black tom. Doubt whispered in his mind; had Ravenspirit made it at all? Perhaps it had been foolish of him to send the scared tom alone in such a terrible storm. What if he had been attacked? What if he had tripped and fallen into the river and drowned?

No, he shook his head. Now was not the time for such thoughts.

“Fireheart?” Tallstar looked at him curiously. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I-” He hesitated, watching the storm clouds moving towards them. “I just thought I felt a drop of rain, is all.”

“Hmm.” The leader looked back to his Clan, who were still struggling even with the slower pace. “If the rain is coming that swiftly, perhaps we should find somewhere to rest now.”

Fireheart glanced around. By now, they had reached the wooden fence on the far side of the meadow. A series of hedges grew here, separating the sheep’s meadow from the grains that grew on the other side. “Perhaps we could shelter under the hedges?” He proposed.

Tallstar nodded in agreement. “They will provide some protection from the rain, at least.” He sniffed the ground as they ducked under the fence. “Not much prey here, though. We will have to send out hunters to see what we can find before the storm becomes too bad.”

The order to rest under the hedges was relayed down the line, and the Clan soon crowded underneath the hedges. There wasn’t space for many cats to sit next to each other; they sat in clumps, doing their best to draw their tails and paws underneath the dark leaves for shelter.

Fireheart waved his tail for Peppermask and Graystripe to follow him, and emerged from the bushes to stand by Tallstar, who was gazing down on the harvested fields of grain.

“You should let Peppermask take the lead.” The ginger tom murmured to the leader. “She’s our Clan’s best tracker and hunter. She’s the one that tracked Thrushwing to the Thunderpath.”

Tallstar dipped his head. “Very well, I- What was that?” His eyes were focused on a black shadow that was moving across the field.

A cat, Fireheart realized, trotting confidently towards them. It wasn’t Barley, however, being short furred and dark as midnight. Still, their demeanor was of a cat that had lived here quite a while and knew they belonged.

“Firepaw? Is that you?” The cat called, their voice warm as they approached.

The Windclan leader glared at him suspiciously. “Do you know this cat?” He growled, the fur rising on his back.

He didn’t know how to respond. This cat clearly knew him, but he had never seen them before in his life! Just as he opened his mouth to respond, Graystripe leaped forward. “Ravensp-”

“Raven?” Fireheart interrupted, giving a cautious glance to Graystripe. Ravenspirit was supposed to be dead! All of Windclan was watching them; if word got around at the next Gathering that a cat named Ravenspirit was living at the farm, their cover would be blown! “Is that really you?”

“You don’t recognize your friend?” The cat purred as he reached them, touching noses with all three. “It hasn’t been that long, has it?”

He took in the form of Ravenspirit standing before him. Gone was the scared, skinny apprentice with messy, dull fur: now he stood tall in front of them, his form filled in and plump. His coat was smooth and glossy, like a holly leaf. “You look so different.”

“Hopefully for the better!” Ravenspirit purred warmly as he looked to Tallstar beside them. “And is this - It can’t be. Tallstar of Windclan?” His eyes were wide as he gazed at the leader beside them.

The black and white tom eyed the other suspiciously. “Who is this, Fireheart?” He murmured to the warrior beside him, not taking his golden eyes off of the sleek black tom. “How does he know of us?”

“Fireheart? So you’re a warrior now!” Ravenspirit purred in delight, unbothered by Tallstar’s aggression. Fireheart could picture how the apprentice had cowered beneath Frostfur’s rage; now, the anger seemed to slide off his pelt like water. “The three warriors beside you saved my life. They taught me much about the warrior code and the Clans. If you are as honorable a warrior as they say you are, then I’m happy to welcome you as a friend.”

Tallstar blinked and finally glanced to the other three for confirmation. The ginger Thunderclanner nodded in agreement with Ravenspirit’s story. “Raven is a friend, I promise. He was also attacked by Brokentail and his rogues, once. Now he lives here with Barley and catches mice.”

The Windclan leader finally relaxed at the acknowledgement. “A friend of yours is a friend of ours, then.” He dipped his head slightly in respect, though he could tell the tom was still apprehensive about this new loner. “I met Barley a few times before. He seemed nice enough, for a loner.”

“Barley took me in when I had nowhere else to go. I’ll be forever grateful to him for that; and these three, as well, for saving me.” Ravenspirit nodded to Fireheart. “If you’re here with Windclan, I can only assume that means you succeeded in your mission. Is Brokentail…?”

“Banished.” Peppermask mewed from beside the ginger tom. “We drove him and his rogues out, and saved Goldenflower’s kits as well. Graystripe and Fireheart earned their warrior names because of it. And now Nightstar leads Shadowclan, alongside his deputy Wolfstep.”

The black tom brightened at the news. “That’s wonderful to hear! I was so nervous when I didn’t hear anything… but of course you all must have been busy with your new warrior duties.” He sighed and looked away. “I only wished I could have helped you.”

“It’s better that you didn’t.” Fireheart murmured, stepping forward and nudging his friend at the shoulder. “You were injured so badly… I was worried you might not have made it here.”

“I did! And Barley’s been spending the past moon showing me all the best places to catch mice.” Ravenspirit’s eyes brightened, then softened as he looked past them to where Windclan was watching. “There’s a storm coming soon. You should all get some shelter.”

“We were going to stay here.” Graystripe mewed, flicking his tail to the hedges. “It’s up an incline, so at least the rain won’t pool around us…”

“Nonsense!” The loner purred, brushing his tail against his old friend’s nose to quiet him. “There’s an old barn that the Twolegs never visit anymore. Great for mice catching, as well. You can all stay there and eat your fill, help us get them under control for a bit!”

Tallstar flattened his ears at that. “A Twoleg nest?” He asked disdainfully. “I don’t know…”

“It’s got no doors anymore, and plenty of holes in the sides to crawl through to escape if the Twolegs get it in their heads to visit it in the middle of the storm.” Ravenspirit reassured him quickly. “But the roof is sturdy, and it’ll keep the rain off of you. And I can guarantee that the Twolegs will stay in their nest all night; they don’t seem to like the rain any more than we do!”

The Windclan leader hesitated, looking to the Thunderclanners beside him. Fireheart nodded in agreement. “Raven’s right: Twolegs hate the rain. And if he says it’s safe and Twolegs don’t visit, I believe him.”

Peppermask also nodded beside him. “Raven’s a good cat, Tallstar. He has a warrior’s heart, even if he lives as a loner.” She flicked her tail to the approaching storm. “Besides, I think the Clan will fare better tomorrow if they have a full belly and a good night of rest.”

Still, the tom seemed unsure, glancing back at his deputy for his opinion. Deadfoot looked down the row of hedges, then slowly nodded assent. “Very well.” Tallstar finally acquiesced, dipping his head and getting to his paws. “Show us the way to this Twoleg nest.”

“Right away.” Ravenspirit purred, flicking his white-tipped tail for everyone to follow. “I’ll see if I can’t find Barley, too. Get some more paws to help hunt!” With that, he began to trot across the field, Windclan slowly getting to their paws and reluctantly following after him. Ignoring their apprehension, Fireheart glanced at his two Clanmates with barely-contained delight. Ravenspirit was alive!

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