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doritopaw101 · 4 years ago

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Arc1, book 2: Chapter 14

"Marshstar, we would've never crossed on your territory if we had other options" Bluestar stated, tail held high, "This was the only way we could get to the gathering"

Her words did nothing to appease the Shadowclan cats.

"I say they're spies?" Blazefang growled softly. Cinderfur and Tangleburr padding forward slightly. Icefire did spot Whitethroat, Roachwhisker, and Darkflower but he did his best not to look at them.

"Spies?" Tiger-roar his way forward to stand next to Bluestar, his thrust forward toward Blazefang until their noses were less than a mouse-length apart. "What would we spy for? We are no where near your toad infested camp"

Blazefang curled her lip back to reveal her long thorn-sharp teeth "Just give us the word, my sister, and we'll tear them apart"

"You can try" Tiger-roar growled, his muscles bunching up, displaying how much taller he was to most of the Shadowclan cats. Cats like Marshstar and Blazefang stood more of a chance. He could probably guess Marshstar and Blazefang were glad to have gotten Yellowfang's height.

For a few heartbeats Marshstar said nothing, Icefire's muscles tensed. Beside him, Graystripe growled low in her throat, glaring at Tangleburr. Mousefur bared her teeth at Darkhollow who raised an unsheathed paw, and Whitethroat seemed to have a silent conversation with Marshstar.

Then it started, Seedspots launched forward and pinned Whisperleaf down and Cinderfreeze covered Seedspots and got in a tussle with Cinderfur. Tiger-roar and Blazefang were on their hind legs and were clawing at each other's faces.

He couldn't see where Bluestar was but he figured she was after Marshstar, he needed to find her. He dodged as my cats as he could through the fray, ignoring the odd nip as they did. He was shoved back when Graystripe was trying to buck Tangleburr off her back, he also had to duck when a cat was tossed at him. He didn't expect the tossed cat at his paws was his daughter, his little Flame.

"Papa?" she mewed in shock, she had a tooth in her ear already

"Flame-"

"Get back here" Seedspots hissed, trying to pounce on the poor apprentice. Icefire rammed into her full force "What are you doing? She's just an apprentice barley out of teh nursery"

Seedspots swiped at him to which he blocked "Just cuz she's your kit doesn't mean you save her from fighting like a true warrior"

Icefire stood protectively over Flamepaw "Fight someone your own size Seedspots"

The tortie hissed in response.

And just as it began, the fight ended. A yowl sounded in the center. Marshstar on one side and Bluestar on the other. His leader's mouth was dripping with blood, left front leg cut into, and her eye was slashed across to contrast Marshstar's chest was bleeding as was her right ear and her tail. Both leaders eyes blazed with rage.

"Keep back" Marshstar grunted at last to her warriors "We'll let them pass, I want Thunderclan here for this gathering"

Thunderclan and Shadowclan stayed mostly on opposite sides of the clearing as they waited. Injuries that needed to be tended to were treated by the healers. Icefire ignored the glares from some of his clanmates as he groomed Flamepaw, she was his daughter no matter what clan.

"How's..er..the others?" Flamepaw said awkwardly

"Traitor" Seedspots hissed lowly

"They're okay and apprenticed just like you" he replied ignoring the tortie "Cloudpaw's training to be a Silverblood"

"Glad he actually stuck to it" Flamepaw mewed "He kept following Blossomhaze around"

"He would've came here if Bluestar allowed it"

"Kinda glad he didn't end up in the fight"

Icefire agreed silently "How've you and Violetpaw been?"

"Great, My mentor's name is Rottingbranch and Violetpaw's mentor is Houndclaw, Rottingbranch is so cool"

"Houndclaw?"

"Yeah, she renamed herself from Dirtpaw after dealing with a dog, it was cool"

"Darkflower's daughters right?"

"Proudly" he looked up and saw Darkflower with Rottingbranch and Houndclaw at her side "Raised them well" Rottingbranch looked friendly enough while Houndclaw narrowed her eyes at him.

"I don't doubt that" Icefire mewed, he glanced around "Where's Violetpaw?"

"Back at camp" Roachwhisker appeared on his right side out of nowhere, her head hair a mess as was her pelt "Wrappped up in cobwebs she is"

"She's fine" Houndclaw said quickly

"Fine?"

"Alive" Roachwhisker corrected

"She got bit by a snake pa" Flamepaw said finally

"Bit the shit outta her more like" Roachwhisker snorted, Rottingbranch cuffed her ears.

"What?" Icefire hissed "I'm sorry, my daughter got bit by a snake, where's Marshstar?"

"Please don't Icefire" Darkflower pleaded "She's okay really, Blossomhaze and Palecloud made sure of that"

"Is that why you have fangs in your ear? The fangs of the snake that could've killed your sister" Flamepaw shrunk slightly "How did she even get near a snake in the first place? Some fucked Shadowclan tradition?"

"You wouldn't understand Thunder cat" Houndclaw growled, baring her teeth and stepping closer to Icefire "She was perfectly safe, I was there"

"Houndclaw hush" Rottingbranch hissed "Don't be rude after we just fought"

"Take a breath" Whitethroat hissed out, padding over with a slight shove at Houndclaw "Me and Foxtrot already had to calm down Marshstar, we don't want for arguments over nothing" The black tom turned his blue gaze on Icefire "You as well"

Icefire sighed "Houndclaw is right I don't understand but what I am doing is showing basic concern for my kit's wellbeing, do you understand that?"

Houndclaw forced a breath out "Yes, it seems I was too blunt in my words"

"Better" Whitethroat mewed "Houndclaw stay with the group, it's clear you can't contain your temper"

Houndclaw snarled but obeyed.

"My apologies for my daughter, she's just gotten protective of her siblings, Badgerfang rubs off on her" Darkflower said, lowering her head "It's gotten worse since Sharp-paw's injury"

Icefire nodded, he almost forgot that Rottingbranch, Houndclaw, and Sharp-paw were some of the many Brokentail kits.

"Darkflower, didn't ya want to ask Icy here somethin" Roachwhisker said, she leaned against Icefire, he let her and he didn't know why.

"I was actually wondering if you'd like to come to a meeting in two days" Darkflower asked

"Meeting?"

"Yes, for all the kits of Brokentail, to see what happens with relationships with ones in Thunderclan"

"Didn't they spend time with you all?"

"Marshstar didn't really let them" Darkflower admitted

"Damn shame honestly" Roachwhisker added

"Where?"

"Fourtrees" Whitethroat replied

"I'll see what my kits want and if they agree we'll come"

Rottingbranch nodded "Thank you" she turned away "I'll be off, Flamepaw come over if needed alright" Flamepaw nodded to her mentor.

"Windclan's here" Roachwhisker mewed "Have fun with that half-bro of mine" she quickly hopped off.

Whitethroat looked tense, his fur spiking up. Icefire placed a paw on the smaller tom's for comfort. "Breathe"

"You two are more alike than you think" Flamepaw commented

"Who?"

"You and Aunt Roach, you two can act all crazy and rude but on the inside you're both kind and soft"

"She acts like she's on catmint half the time" Icefire scoffed at the thought of being soft, he was trained by Tiger-roar for Starclan's sake, a well trained fighter.

Whitethroat snorted

"You have something to say?"

Whitethroat shook his head

Flamepaw chuckled "What about the time you took us all out to watch the sun rise?"

"Hush you"

"Splinter" he turned his head to see his father pad over to him, he was wearing a dark blue,pink, and purple colored bandanna, it reminded him or Barley's rainbow colored one.

Juniperleaf nuzzled him purring as he did "I've missed you son, sorry I wasn't at the recent gatherings I've been busy"

"Yeah, I heard about my new siblings" Icefire mewed, he pulled Flamepaw close "However I had my own things as well, meet one of your grandkits, Juniperleaf meet Flamepaw"

"H..hi " Flamepaw stuttered

"My stars, Your beautiful" Juniperleaf wrapped his paws around Flamepaw "Look just like Filou"

"She reminds me more of Blazefang" Whitethroat muttered

'Both of them honestly' Icefire corrected mentally "I have to introduce you tow sometime" he turned to Juniperleaf "Flameshell is expecting kits too father"

"I know, I saw her while on patrol, she's close to her kitting. When can I meet your other kits?"

"As soon Bluestar allows it" Icefire replied "I didn't know Flamepaw was going to be here until I saw her however there's something that's happening at here two days from now, I'm sure you can meet them all there"

"Perfect"

A yowl from Marshstar started the gathering.

"That could've gone better" Ebonyshade muttered, ducking her head

"You think?" Lichenstrike snapped, Brackenfur stopped his sister from cuffing Ebonyshade over the ears.

It had been regular news from Stormstar, Greenflower's new litter with Dragonflykit and Duck-kit, new warriors in Tidesong, Eelfang, Heronclaw, and Poolheart.

As well as Duskstar's news of Gorsepaw, Quailpaw, and Brairpaw's apprenticeship.

However, the gathering truly had gotten right into it when Marshstar was passive aggressive about the attack on the Thunderpath and accusing Bluestar of sheltering Brokentail's followers in their territory. Marshstar had stated that her warriors caught their scent throughout the territory, the Shadowclan leader seemed a bit paranoid.

Bluestar had denied it up and down. They two mollies ended up in a screeching match giving insult after insult without skipping a beat. They ended up fighting and Duskstar and Stormstar had pulled them apart. The only thing that calmed Bluestar down was when Stormstar told her that his clan found Smokepaw, Petalpaw, and Owlpaw's bodies, Lynxpaw was alive, soaked and injured but alive nonethless.

Marshstar had spat at Bluestar that her clan was stuck here because there was no way they were going through Shadowclan territory without getting clawed. Some of the Windclan cats had hissed at them as well believing Marshstar's words.

Flamepaw nuzzled him before following her clanmates. He saw Tiger-roar stalk over, he thought the two-colored tabby would yell at him for talking with Flamepaw but the tabby walked past him.

"I hope you're satisfied" Tiger-roar snarled at Bluestar as he took his place beside her "Like we needed another fight"

"This is not the time or place" Bluestar replied curtly, she drew a licked paw to her bleeding ear.

"You're one to talk about not the place" Tiger-roar snapped, tail lashing "How are we supposed to get home?"

Icefire could see that his clanmates were worried that Bluestar and Tiger-roar would start fighting, thankfully it didn't come to that when Stormstar padded over with some of his warriors.

"I can offer you a way home" Stormstar mewed, he glanced at Icefire as he spoke, and Icefire guessed he was remembering how he and Graystripe had helped Riverclan by giving the prey. But no one except Bluestar knew about what they had been doing.

Before Bluestar could speak, Tiger-roar hissed "Why should we trust Riverclan?"

'We don't have a choice dumbass' Icefire thought 'it's either this or get clawed by Shadowclan'

Stormstar ignored him, his amber and blue eyes on Bluestar waiting for her response. Bluestar had shoved Tiger-roar away then she dipped her head respectfully. "Thank you, Stormstar. I accept your offer"

The Riverclan leader nodded briefly and turned to escort her out of the clearing. There was still some muttering among the Thunderclan cats as Bluestar led her warriors through the bushes and up the slope out of the hollow. Cats from Shadowclan and Windclan hissed at them, even though Riverclan warriors flanked them protectively on both sides. Icebelly realized with a jolt that the divisions within the forest had shifted in the space of a single gathering.

He was relieved when they reached the top of the slope and left the hostile gathering behind them. He noticed Graystripe trying to edge closer to Silverstream, but Greenflower and Mosspelt were in her way, giving Silverstream a lick from time to time.

"You're sure you're not tired" Mosspelt mewed "It's alright if you are love"

"It's a long journey when you're expecting kits Silver" Greenflower fussed "You remember with our first and with Dragonflykit and Duck-kit"

"It was tiring for me when I was still pregnant with Dawnkit" Mosspelt added

"No guys, I'm fine" Silverstream replied patiently, casting a frustrated glance at Graystripe over her mate's head. Icefire pulled Graystripe to walk beside him.

Tiger-roar brought up the rear of the Thunderclan patrol, swinging his huge head aggressively from side to side as if he expected the Riverclan cats to attack any moment.

Bluestar, on the other paw, seemed to be quite at ease traveling with the other clan. She had been chatting idly with Stormstar, asking about kits and grandkits. Once they were away from Fourtrees she let Stormstar take the lead, while she dropped back to join Mistyfoot.

"Hello, Mistyfoot" Bluestar mewed

"Hello, Mother" Mistyfoot replied, edging closer to Bluestar "How've you been?, I've heard about your new litter"

"Two've just been apprenticed" Bluestar mewed, she turned serious "I've heard that your kits were caught in the river" Mistyfoot looked down "Are they well?"

Mistyfoot rubbed themself against Bluestar, whispering something that Icefire couldn't catch. Bluestar softly licked Mistyfoot on the head, an act of comfort.

Watching his leader and the Riverclan warrior walking step for step, Icefire couldn't help but chuckle softly as their blue-gray fur shone almost identical in the moonlight. They had the same neat, compact bodies, and when they had to leap over a log that lay in their path they both flexed their limbs with the same economical ripple of muscles. Stonefur, coming up behind was an exact copy of Oakjaw but had Bluestar's chilling blue eyes like Mistyfoot.

It was shocking how close they were a family even though they were in different clans. He still held a good relationship with Flameshell even though she was in Riverclan. He hoped he could stay close to Violetpaw and Flamepaw though he wondered if it would last if a battle broke out.

On the second dawn after the gathering, Icefire woke in the warrior's den to find that Graystripe had already left the nest. Raveneye had filled in the spot in his sleep, Cloudpaw and Rosepaw laying on both of them and Bearpaw and Shrikepaw on his left side with Sunnypaw close by. Even when apprenticed, his kits still wanted to sleep with him, didn't help when Ashpaw, Fernpaw, and Tulip-paw seemed to sleep nearby as well.

Fun to watch Chestnutclaw growl with envy though so he'll deal with the weight.

'Gone to see Silverstream', Icefire thought with a sigh if frustration. He knew that Silverstream was expecting kits but Graystripe didn't need to get caught. Whiteclaw had to push Graystripe into a stream to hide him once and neither wanted to do that again.

"He's been gone for awhile" Raveneye muttered in his ear "Is he trying to get caught?"

"He knows if he goes down, he does down alone" Icefire replied "I just got the proper custody back, I'm not losing it again"

Honestly he preferred not being in the nursery as much since Seedspots moved in, Lionheart being all over here made it worse. The newly retired Speckletail seemed to approve her son's new mate, he could tell Frostbite wanted to break someone but used some leftover bones instead. Honestly with Seedspots there as well as Robinwing still being there and close to popping, it was an explosive time in the nursery.

Patchpelt brought two kits of his back to camp, a tom and a molly. Nettlemist was all to happy to care for the kits but Robinwing seemed to want to raise them as well.

Yawning widely, Icefire pushed his way through the outer branches of the bush, and shook moss from his coat while he looked around clearing. The sun was beginning to edge its way above the bracken wall, casting long shadows over the bare ground. The sky was pure, cloudless, and blue.. Birdsong all around held the promise of easy prey.

He quickly brushed through the camp entrance and made his way through the forest. Quiet and not to sunny, just how he liked it. He quickly caught sight of a mouse, nibbling on a seed. He slowly made his way over, trying to calm his breath.

He pounced killing it was one swift bite. He turned to a tree root to bury it for later and continued his way. He made his way past the sandy hollow, it felt good not smelling Smallear around. He did however catch the scent of Voletail. He honestly wondered what he was doing out here since the tom liked to sleep in. He started to pad over when he heard a loud noise. He tensed thinking it was one of the rouges but lowered slightly when he saw hooves.

'A deer' he was surprised, he knew they were there and rarely the clan ate them but didn't expect to see one so early in the day. As it got closer he realized it was a male, an elderly and pretty injured one at that.

'Perfect kill' he remembered Scourge's words

It stared at him then lowered it's head and sniffed his paws then nipped. He hissed as a reflex and swiped at his face, at first he was confused why the stag was doing this then it sank it that it wanted to be killed.

"I'll kill you if you put up at least some effort"

The deer huffed then it spoke "Have it your way cat, rather you then those wolves"

Icefire quickly dodged the stomping hooves and dashed underneath, he bit into the stag's belly. It took more effort than he thought to dig his claws in, didn't help he had to force some weight than he would've liked on his busted leg. The stag bucked but it only made it bleed more. He let go, and moved forward to launch himself to sink his claws in the stag's neck. The stag's struggles lessened as it started to sink to the ground.

Icefire tightened his bite and pulled his head back. He started eating the piece in his mouth as the blood pooled around him.

"Not bad" he muttered to himself "Now how in the hell do I get this back to camp?"

He realized that he'd have to get Voletail. Sighing he started padding over to the scent. He saw Voletail's brown pelt and was about to announce himself but he quickly ducked when he saw Mudfoot.

He froze when he heard Tiger-roar hiss "You killed my kits you mouse-brain"

"I thought that was the plan to kill the apprentices" Mudfoot hissed

"Not my brother's kits" Nightshade spat, she hit Mudfoot on the back of the head "Starclan getting Swiftkit from Shadowclan wasn't this hard"

"I wasn't going to subject my son to Icefire's fate sister" Tiger-roar stated "Not if I could help it"

'What!' Icefire's jaw dropped 'They knew!'

It took all of his self-control to rip into Tiger-roar and Nightshade's flesh, it reminded him of one of Scourge's and Tiger-roar's lessons "You can only depend on yourself"

'Depend on myself indeed' he thought grimly. He walked a few paces back and called over to them "Tiger Night Voletail, I can smell you can you help me with this Stag?" He wanted to gag when he used only their prefix, he never wanted to be close with these fuckers again.

A sudden rush from the bushes could've made Icefire jump.

"What stag?" Voletail sneered

He flicked his tail over to the stag's body "Help me drag it back to camp"

"Mama, stop" Graystripe whined, trying to squirm away.

"You will not look like a thorn bush" Willowpelt lowly hissed trying to tame her kit's fur "Not even Thrushpelt or Featherwhisker's fur got this bad"

Icefire had to hold in his laughter, glad that Nettlemist was there to help him. Took a while but he,Tiger-roar, Nightshade, and Voletail dragged the deer back to camp.

Many cats gasped when they saw the large kill, some wanted to know who killed the beast. Icefire's pretty sure that Voletail tried to take the credit but Nightshade beat him to it stating that Icefire killed it.

It was great watching Lionheart's jaw drop, Frostbite and Mossthorn approved.

The clan declared a feast to be had. Good times after a long while. Fuzzypelt even told Icefire that he'll make a good pelt and helmet for him. Just like Bluestar's that he'd yet to see.

Graystripe wasn't doing any better when Frostbite started grooming her. "Mother"

Frostbite shushed her, Whitekit, Lightkit, and Tawnykit wrapped in her tail. It had been interesting to learn that Frostbite and Miststrike helped raise Graystripe along with Willowpelt and Leopardstorm.

"Everything okay? Thymeroot called, Voletail and Ashpaw at her side.

"Yep, Graystripe getting groomed by her moms" Icefire replied "She's fine"

"Well I've brought some borage for Goldenflower you've said your milk won't come"

"Yes" Goldenflower mewed "I don't know why, it wasn't like this with Swiftpaw and Lynxpaw"

Thymeroot brought the leaves over to the golden queen, Ashpaw observing silently while Voletail just looked around. "Something wrong?" Nettlemist asked softly, Patchpelt's kits resting against his tail.

Voletail rolled her eyes at his words "I'm just questioning why you're here and not hunting or fighting for the clan"

Nettlemist looked a little taken aback by his words "I..I never really liked that life, I've always been interested in nursery life"

"You don't even have a mate or kits"

"The kits I've cared for are my kits" Nettlemist replied

Voletail laughed at that "You're pathetic for thinking that"

The nursery was silent, all eyes on Voletail.

"What is wrong you?" Icefire hissed, pulling Nettlesong close when it looked like the tom was about to cry.

"No not just that, what's wrong with you and Seedspots?" Embereyes said, standing beside Icefire while glaring at them "We raised you and then you mock us, what did we do to deserve this?"

"Being weak" Seedspots stated, her tone wasn't as harsh as Voletail's but it still stung "Nettlemist, I don't wish death on you or Embereyes but the clan is just enabling you two to laze about, Icefire you shouldn't follow their example"

"You're in the nursery" Graystripe hissed "Embereyes is training Amberpaw"

"Only because Thymeroot wouldn't leave me alone" Seedspots shrugged

"only because we were running out of cats useful" Voletail sneered

"Perfect words" Robinwing mewed

Nettlemist started crying into Icefire's fur and Embereyes looked furious. Icefire about his mouth to speak but Thymeroot stopped him. "I think you've overstayed your welcome" the seer said firmly "Get out Voletail and do something if you think your so high and mightily instead of mocking two cats who've done nothing wrong"

"But-"

"I can have any warrior escort me, you've lost the privilege"

Voletail huffed "Whatever" and left the den.

Thymeroot sighed "I'm so sorry"

"Don't apologize for something you didn't do" Embereyes replied, trying to clear her tears

"I'm going to rip that foxheart" Graystripe growled coming over to Nettlemist "Don't shed tears for him brother"

"Thank you Gorsepaw" Crowfur rasped

"Your welcome" Gorsepaw replied "Do you need your ticks cracked?"

The old tom "I'm alright, you can go youngster"

Gorsepaw smiled and grabbed the soaked moss and padded into the dirt place to dump it. They had finished burying the soiled moss when they heard their sisters call their name. "Gorsepaw Gorsepaw"

It had taken some time from talking with Runningbrook and Ashfoot but they now knew they were a moggy, Morningflower and Quailpaw had hugged them when they came out.

"Yeah?"

"Come, mom wants to show us something" Quailpaw replied

"She said it's something all Windclan cats need to learn" Brairpaw added

Gorsepaw's mind buzzed hearing that. "What about Weaselwhisker, Deadfoot, or Robinpelt?"

"They're waiting for us, now come on" Quailpaw was shoving them now.

Gorsepaw chuckled "Okay okay"

They quickly followed Quailpaw out of camp, nearly crashing into Darkfoot, and Bristleclaw.

"Watch it moor-runner" Darkfoot hissed.

"Sorry" Quailpaw called

They rushed past the camp guard on watch, Woolcloud and headed to the tree stump.

Gorsepaw saw his mentor, Deadfoot, and Robinpelt but also their mother, Cloudrunner, Rushtail, and Duskstar.

"Glad you two decided to join us" Rushtail drawled

"Gorsepaw was taking care of the elders" Quailpaw stated as she sat next to Robinpelt.

"You didn't have to keep doing it Gorsepaw" Weaselwhisker mewed

"I know but I wanted to" Gorsepaw replied

"Alright then" Duskstar lifted his long black and white tail "We will be learning Badger talk"

"Why would we talk to Badgers?" Brairpaw asked "Don't we attack them like any other clan?"

"Windclan tries to live in peace with the badgers" Morningflower mewed

"They like our territory to have their cubs" Weaselwhisker added

"We protect their cubs and they help us with food" Rushtail finished

"Exactly" Duskstar purred "We learned their speak and we teach them ours" He turned and started to lead them to the badger set.

Gorsepaw was anxious, talking with a badger and not attacking it?

They saw the burrow, Duskstar let out a growling sound and a small black and white head poked out. It was a badger cub, probably a few weeks old. A few more cubs began to tumble out of the burrow, eyeing the Windclan cats with curiosity.

"Do we talk to them?" Quailpaw asked

"Not them yet" Rushtail warned

"We talk to mama first" Cloudrunner added

Gorsepaw realized the white tom was right when they saw the mother badger pad out of the burrow, pulling her cubs to her. Gorsepaw steadied their breathe and reminded themself that they would be fine.

"Icefire" Bluestar called. Icefire looked up from his thrush he had been sharing with Birchstep and Mousefur.

"Could you come with me to check the tides near twolegplace?" Bluestar asked "I need to know if our other food source is gone or not"

Bluestar had punished Voletail for insulting the royalty, she was on nursery and elder duty until further notice.

"Alright" he replied "Should we take any others?"

"It's fine"

"What?" Mousefur said in shock

"I've been hearing some things around twolegplace" Bluestar mewed "I don't want more death and I want to check it myself"

"I'll take a patrol near twolegplace and the Shadowclan border" Mousefur mewed "If I may?"

"You can, take cats with you who won't cause a fight"

"Of course Bluestar" Birchstep assured

Mousefur stood up "I'll get Ebonyshade, Brackenfur, Cranewing, Frostbite, and Sunnypaw"

It didn't take too long to head near twolegplace. They searched the area, helped some kittypets from soggy areas.

They started to double back when the conversation began:

"Tell Graystripe to keep his scents in check"

Icefire tried not to flinch in shock "Takes one to know one right?"

Bluestar hummed

"How did it go down exactly?"

"It was only exposed when I wanted it to be" Bluestar mewed "It was a harsh leaf-bare and my milk was drying up, I couldn't feed them"

"Were there no other queens at the time to help?"

"White-eye was dealing with Mousefur and Birchstep and I couldn't ask her to doom her litter for me" Bluestar sighed "I made my choice and life goes on, let's see how Graystripe fairs"

"So having a mate from another clan is worse than having one outside the clans?" Icefire asked "Patchpelt isn't punished"

"The standards of clan life aren't fair especially when you see it from in outsider's view such as yourself"

"I'm pretty sure the only reason I wasn't punished was because Brokenstar raped me"

"Unfortunately I agree with you" Bluestar replied "The laws protect those kits when it's obvious rather than...others"

"Like your experience with raising Mossthorn?" Bluestar stiffen "with Thistleclaw?"

Bluestar sighed once again, leaping over a tree stump.

"I was too caught up in my anger towards and ignored my own kits pain, I thank Yellowfang in more ways than one"

"What about Thistleclaw?"

"Too caught up in his hatred, sometimes I hate that I listened to Leopardstorm and Tiger-roar ideas of being mates with him" Bluestar curled her lip "He was a strong warrior no doubt about it but he's answer to everything was a fight, it wasn't a way to live I thought when Snowstrike became mates with him that things could get better and curve his anger but good things don't last"

"Who's Snowstrike?"

"My littermate, Leopardstorm's mother, she and I had gotten into an argument and we found a Shadowclan patrol" Bluestar looked away "She was too battle hungry from being stuck in the nursery and she..." Bluestar seemed to choke a little "she...got hit by a monster or car as you say"

"I'm sorry, it must've been awful watching that"

"Not as awful as having to bury her body by the Thunderpath to not horrify her own son, mate, and her clanmates" Bluestar looked down at her paws "I hated the Thunderpath more than I already did that day"

Icefire laid his tail on Bluestar's back and licked her head. It was silent for a few moments both of them taking in the silence.

Of course, we aren't allowed to have nice things.

"Help! Someone help me!"

Icefire and Bluestar rushed to where the vice came from, Icefire spotted a cat covered on mud and stuck in a hole and it was filling up. "Chocolate?"

"Splinter, help please!" The housecat was trying to push something up "Duskthorn got knocked out trying to help me"

'Of course the cat I tried to kill is here' he thought with annoyance

Bluestar jumped into the hole, mud staining her blue-gray fur, she started shoving Chocolate upwards and Icefire grabbed the tabby's scruff. Bluestar gave a hard shove and Chocolate launched forward dragging Duskthorn with him. Icefire fell backwards and Chocolate was panting on top of him.

"We're taking this two back to camp" Bluestar stated, shaking her muddied fur "Pinestar got busy"

Icefire groaned as a response.

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