Chapter 7

Jayfeather snorted. What did Lionblaze know anyways? He was just being nice to Sarah, thats all. What was he supposed to do, be a jerk to her? She was a participating member of the clans, just because she was a rogue didn't mean that she shouldn't be treated fairly. No, it was Lionblaze who was acting strange.
He padded out of the medicine den, pushing the ferns back behind him he sulked out of his den. Who cared what he did, he was a medicine cat, his tail had more respect from the other clans than Lionblaze did. He could do what he wanted, even if that was giving lessons to a rogue about herbs. She could learn with Honeypaw anyways.
"Hey Jayfeather," Bumblestripe padded up next to him,"I was just wondering how Cinderheart was," Jayfeather remembered her sent her out of camp to pick herbs with Leafpool.
"Fine." He mewed flatly.
"Oh," Bumblestripe mewed,"I was asking because I was wondering when she was going to take over as deputy again, because, um, I kind of wanted to go back to being a regular warrior, and since the clans will probably be separating soon, we need all the warriors we can get,"
"Well it's not going to happen anytime soon" Jayfeather hissed.
"Oh," Bumblestripe dipped his head as Leaftail padded out of the warriors' den to greet her.
"What are we doing today Jayfeather?" Honeypaw padded up to him, her voice loud and cheerful.
"Where were you this morning, its past sunhigh," Jayfeather grunted.
"Bramblestar said I should come to the training hollow and learn some simple battle moves," Honeypaw mewed,"Since, your blind and all,"
"Thanks, I hadn't noticed," Jayfeather plucked at the ground with his claws impatiently. "Now that your here, go and check on Junipertail'sjoints then report back to me, I'll show you show to apply the right herbs and where you can find them,"
"Sounds good to me!" Honeypaw mewed, flicking her tail around his neck. Jayfeather hissed, why did she have to be all cheery, all the time? It would take a while for him to get used to her vibrant spirit.
Jayfeather padded onward, toward the nursery. He pushed his way in.
"Jayfeather," Gingerstep rolled over, he could senses she was round with kits,"Are there any herbs I need to take?"
"Not today, I'm just here to check on your growth," He murmured pushing his ear next to her round stomach. Deep inside, he could hear tiny, little heartbeats rumbling off her stomach walls.
"How many are in there?" Gingerstep murmured.
"I don't know, only Starclan does, but hopefully not as much as Dovepelt's litter, thats all we need, six more rascals driving the clans insane."
"It would be good for Shadowclan thought," Gingerstep remarked, "Six more warriors to defend our borders,"
Jayfeather paused, it seemed some of the clan cats thought that the clans were going to separate sooner or later.
"Thats true," Jayfeather murmured,"Tell me if you start to feel anything, they should be coming any day now,"  He ducked his head and padded out of the nursery.
"There you are," Leafpool padded up to Jayfeather,"You should come see this,"
Jayfeather hissed, "I can't see anything,"
Leafpool rolled her eyes,"Get over yourself already, and come and find out what I'm talking about," Jayfeather was stunned, Leafpool was never blunt with everybody. Was everyone in the clans changing?
"Over here, its Cinderheart," Leafpool murmured. Jayfeather angled his ears to the apprentices' den.
"We're going to have to clean out the apprentices' den, as a surprise for Mountainpaw," Cinderheart's cheery mew was talking to Leopardkit.
"Sounds good to me," Leopardkit squeaked.
"I thought she was Cinderpelt today?" Jayfeather whispered.
"Thats what I thought," Leafpool paused,"But when we got down to the lake, she started to swim and acted like Cinderheart,"
"Then we need to get her back to my den," Jayfeather tensed.
"Why? Isn't this better?" Leafpool murmured.
Jayfeather shook his head,"No this means she could change at anytime. We risk her changing right now and hurting someone," Jayfeather stepped forward, ready to fetch Cinderheart and take her back to the medicine den.
"Wait," Leafpool rasped,"Let her play with Leopardkit awhile, she hasn't been with her kits in moons," Jayfeather's pelt burned in envy, at least Leafpool had Lakekit and Crowfeather. Jayfeather had no one. He didn't get along with Lionblaze anymore and Dovepelt had her own family to worry about. Even Cinderheart was better off then him, she had Leopardkit and Mountainpaw that loved her. And who did he have? He had no one. At least Sarah liked to be with him and learn from him.
"Come on," Jayfeather growled to Leafpool, it was time for Cinderheart to come back.
"Cinderheart," Leafpool murmured in Cinderheart's ear,"We have to go back to the medicine den now,"
"Oh," Cinderheart mewed sadly,"Leopardkit, I have to go now,"
"Why do you live in the medicine den?" Leopardkit whined,"I want to play!"
"We can play later, by I have to," She mewed in mock cheer," Go get better,"
"Come on," Jayfeather nudged her away.
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"Whats wrong with me Jayfeather?" Cinderheart whispered in the den. Jayfeather shuffled his paws nervously. He reached back into his herb stores and began to sort the herbs.
"Jayfeather," CInderheart whined," Why won't you tell me?"
"Cinderheart, come to the Moonpool with me next half moon, I can explain everything there," Jayfeather murmured.
"Who is she?" Cinderheart whispered, her voice edged with fear.
"Who?" Jayefather whipped around.
"She's there, in my head! Get her out! She's hurting me! She's the one who is doing this to me!" Cinderheart yowled.
"Cinderheart! Calm-" Jayfeather raised his voice.
Cinderheart interrupted,"Its you who's doing this! Get out of here!" Cinderheart leaped onto Jayfeather, bowling him over. She scratched her claws down his sides. Jayfeather yowled in misery.
"Stop it! Get out!" Cinderheart sobbed wildly.
"Cinderheart, its me! Jayfeather!" Jayfeather yowled fiercely.
"Get out of my head! This is my life!" Cinderheart sobbed, ripping out chunks of his fur. Jayfeather shrieked in agony. She nipped at his ears, yowling in fear and anger. She raked her claws down his sides again and yowled in fury when Jayfeather tried to throw her off. "Stop it! Stop hurting me!" She lashed a claw near his neck, barely grazing the skin. Jayfeather could feel her mind hurting, pulsing with anger, shock, and disbelief as to what was happening.
"I just want to be alone!" She screamed. Jayfeather daftly tried to reach into her mind, and when he did, he felt intense heartbreak and fear ripping him apart as two cats tried to gain control. His mind felt like exploding with emotion and he barely had the sense to stay awake through the pain.
"Jayfeather?" A frightened voice whispered across the room.
"Honeypaw! Get someone, quick!" Jayfeather yowled as Cinderheart bit into his fore paw. Cinderheart suddenly let go of Jayfeather and backed away slowly.
"No...no...no..." Cinderheart whispered,"What have I done,"
"Cinderheart..." Jayfeather limped forward.
"I'm so sorry Jayfeather, honest, I never meant to hurt you," Cinderheart started to sob,"I-I thought you were her and I got so scared... I'm sorry,"
"Its alright," Jayfeather assured.
"Jayfeather? What happened?" Bramblestar poked his head in. Jayfeather could smell Squirrelflight, Crowfeather, and Leafpool at his side.
"She got scared, thats all," Jayfeather murmured.
"Let me get you something," Leafpool murmured, scurrying away to the herbs.
"Cinderheart?" Bramblestar mewed gruffly,"Cinderheart, look at me,"
Cinderheart quietly looked up, her body racked with emotion and her fur soaked with Jayfeather's blood.
"Bramblestar, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt him," Cinderheart sobbed.
"I'm going to have to post a guard here at all times," Bramblestar murmured, shaking his head.
"Here you go Jayfeather," Leafpool placed the herbs next to him and started to chew them.
"Did Lionblaze speak to you yet?" Bramblestar murmured.
Jayfeather nodded,"I agreed and told Cinderheart she is going to the moonpool with me and Willowshine next halfmoon." He winced as Leafpool put on the first of the ointment.
"Maybe Starclan will tell you about medicine cats," Crowfeather added.
So other cats do think that the clans are separating, if not, then why would we need more medicine cats? Jayfeather thought as Leafpool applied more herbs.
"Where's Honeypaw?" Jayfeather mewed.
Bramblestar answered,"I told her to stay out until you tell her to come back," Jayfeather nodded.
"I'll tell her now," Jayfeather added,"I've already explained to her about Cinderheart, but I'm going to check her for shock," He limped out of the den. He found Honeypaw talking with her littermates by the bramble patch.
"I swear Honeypaw," Duskpaw bragged,"The mouse I caught was as big as Hedgepaw's head!"
"Hey!" Hedgepaw mewed indignantly,"At least I didn't jump into a thorn bush trying to catch a vole!"
"You shouldn't be talking," Snowpaw chuckled,"I heard that Sandpaw saw you trip right into a puddle yesterday while training with Snakerock,"
"What did you do today Honeypaw?" Foxpaw prompted. Jayfeather was lost in their innocent chatter.
"Nothing," She mumbled quietly.
"Wow, being a medicine cat must be as boring as it sounds," Duskpaw grumbled.
Jayfeather cleared his throat, the apprentices' talking quieted.
"I didn't mean it Jayfeather, you get to talk to Starclan and..." Duskpaw chirped quietly,"and you get to pick herbs..."
Jayfeather ignored her apology,"Honeypaw, its time to come back now," He could sense her fear and anxiety.
"Alright," She murmured padding to his side. Jayfeather ushered her away from her littermates and their curious stares and pricked ears.
"What happened in there?" Honeypaw murmured to her mentor. Jayfeather gulped, he had told Honeypaw before how Cinderheart's mind was hurting her, but he couldn't even start to explain how painful each and everyday was for her. Her mind constantly reeling in agony, and another cat lurking somewhere in the shadows everyday of her life.

Chapter 6

Lionblaze sulked back to the medicine den, his tail caked in mud. His kits didn't love him, his mate didn't trust him. Why would he be trusted with this power if he couldn't even keep Cinderheart safe from her own mind? He wasn't even sure what was wrong with her, Leafpool and Jayfeather had said she was actually Cinderpelt, did that make it wrong that he was her mate, she was a medicine cat after all.

Lionblaze pushed through the fern bushes, the dank scent of herbs blended with the rich scent of fear. Lionblaze looked over to Leafpool, she was brushing her tail down Cinderheart's back.

"How is she?" Lionblaze rasped.

Leafpool looked up,"I got her to eat some poppy seeds, but she keeps asking to see Firestar and I don't know what to do," Her eyes were round with worry.

"Why don't we just tell her what's going on, about everything," Lionblaze murmured.

Leafpool shook her head,"No, that would just scare her, she would never be able to cope with what's happening, especially when she is Cinderpelt,"

"We all seem to be coping fine," Lionblaze scoffed sarcastically. He was a shell of his former self, snapping at other warriors when they so much as said Cinderheart's name, acting like there was nothing else that could be worse in the world.

"Why don't you go and visit Lakekit, he's been dying to play with you," Leafpool suggested, changing the subject of Cinderheart. He looked back at her, expecting some kind of pity hidden in her amber eyes, but only the love of a mother to a kit was gleaming from her eyes.

"Fine." He mewed flatly, shaking his fur, it was greasy and ill kept. But he didn't care. He pushed passed the other warriors in camp angrily and pushed through the bramble bush into the nursery.

"Lionblaze!" Lakekit squeaked, rushing forward to greet his older brother. Lionblaze lay down and watched him climb over his shoulders.

"Where's Leopardkit?" Lionblaze murmured looking for her soft spotted coat.

"She's over there with Gingerstep," Lakekit squeaked,"She doesn't like to play proper games, she's too slow," Lionblaze peered around his brother, to the bright ginger queen. A small bundle of fur was curled into a ball. Lionblaze walked around Lakekit and padded to Leopardkit. He prodded his daughter in the flank and her head rose.
"Lionblaze?" She squeaked. Lionblaze took a step back, his daughter's eyes were cloudy and crusted around the edges, her pelt clinging to her bony frame. She looked haunted and...and dead. Lionblaze took another step out of the den and left the kits behind. He couldn't take another cat that was sick, a cat he couldn't help, a cat that he cared about was in pain. He ran out of the camp, only to run into his son.
"Lionblaze!" Mountainpaw purred. Lionblaze looked up at his son. At least his eyes were clearer than his sisters, and his pelt looked full and luxurious, his broad shoulders muscular and strong. His eyes were gleaming in hope for his father to say something.
"Mountainpaw," Lionblaze purred, flicking his son with his tail. Bramblestar was behind him.
"Lionblaze," Bramblestar mewed,"I want to talk to you. Mountainpaw, why don't you go and clean out the nursery, then you can have your pick of the fresh kill pile," The apprentice dipped his head and slipped through the camp entrance.
"Lionblaze, I've been meaning to talk to you," Bramblestar mewed thoughtfully,"Lets hunt first," Lionblaze nodded silently and slipped through the forest, but his paw steps were clumsy. Bird flew away when he stepped on a piece of bracken and he had jumped too soon when he saw a mouse scuffling in the dirt. Scowling, he sulked back to Bramblestar, who was burying his prey. He looked up and sighed.
"Honestly Lionblaze, you did better when you were an apprentice," Bramblestar growled. Lionblaze rolled his eyes, he didn't want to come out here so a cat could criticize his hunting.
"I know that your having a hard time," Bramblestar walked forward a few paces then turned around. You don't even know what I have to go through every day. Lionblaze whipped his tail across the ground.
Bramblestar continued,"But Mountainpaw and Leopardkit are getting older, and your going to miss out on their lives if you spend yours sulking all day," He paused," That is, if Leopardkit even makes it." Lionblaze looked up.
"What do you mean?"
"She's very weak and she refuses to eat," Bramblestar mewed calmly.
"What about Mountainpaw?" Lionblaze scuffed at the ground with his paws.
"Mountainpaw is a great apprentice, he catches more than any other and fights better than some of the warriors," Bramblestar sighed.
"Then why isn't he a warrior?" Lionblaze growled.
"He didn't pass his final assessment," Bramblestar hunched his shoulders,"I think he's been distracted lately,"
"About what?"
"He's worried about you, and his mother, and his sister. He hasn't seen his mother in moons and nobody has told him why," Bramblestar rested his tail on the younger tom's shoulders.
"What do you supposed I should do?" Lionblaze studied his paws.
"Tell Cinderheart, tell her everything," Bramblestar murmured, his gaze drifting down to lock with Lionblaze's.
Lionblaze sneared,"What do you think I should tell her? 'Oh hey Cinderheart, or is it Cinderpelt? Anyways, your not actually who you think you are,'"
Bramblestar gazed fiercely into Lionblaze's amber eyes,"What are you so afraid of?" Lionblaze flinched,"Well, what is it?"
"I-I," He stammered,"I'm afraid she won't love me anymore," He looked away from his leader.
"Oh," Bramblestar swept his tail around the golden tom's shoulders and moved closer to share the warmth. They sat there for a few moments, in silence.
"I think you should take her to the moonpool," Bramblestar's deep voice stirred Lionblaze's ear fur. Lionblaze looked up.
"What?" Lionblaze didn't see how Starclan could help.
"Cinderheart might listen to Starclan," Bramblestar mewed. Lionblaze shifted his paws among the grasses.
"You can go next half moon, with the medicine cats, its about time we got back into clan traditions anyways," Bramblestar stood and started to walk back to the camp, his long tail disappearing behind the ferns. Lionblaze stood and walked back as well, he had to talk to Jayfeather about this.
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"I think he's right," Jayfeather mewed while stacking herbs in his store. Lionblaze had just told him about Bramblestar's plan.
"What makes you think this would work? Anytime Cinderheart is actually Cinderheart and I tell her something, Cinderpelt doesn't remember it," Lionblaze flicked moss across the dusty floor.
"Well we have to try it," Jayfeather grunted. Lionblaze watched his brother, his movements were strained and jerky.
"Anything wrong?" Lionblaze rolled the moss casually.
"Nope, I'm just fine," Jayfeather grunted, dislodging a wad of herbs from the cracks.
"Liar," Lionblaze rolled the moss at his brother's flank. Jayfeather stopped, turned to Lionblaze, and sighed.
"I'm trying to clean up ya' know," Jayfeather picked up the moss ball and dumped in outside the den.
"Hey, I was using that," Lionblaze rolled onto his back. Jayfeather grunted.
"What' the matter Jayfeather?"
"I told you-" Jayfeather hissed before a cat entered the den.
"Jayfeather?" Sarah poked her head in. Lionblaze got up and shook the herb dust from his pelt.
"Am I interrupting something?" Sarah mewed.
"No of course not," Jayfeather whispered, rushing forward to move the ferns that blocked her path.
"Thanks Jayfeather," Sarah mewed. Lionblaze narrowed his eyes, what was wrong with Jayfeather? He was acting as strange as a hedgehog all day.
"What do you need?" Jayfeather mewed cheerfully. Sarah lifted up a paw.
"I stepped on a thorn while on patrol, Bumblestripe told me to come here to get it checked out," Sarah sighed. Jayfeather pressed his face next to her sore pad.
"I'll put some goldenrod on it," He hurried away and returned a moment later with the herbs in his mouth. He chewed the leaves delicately and made small talk. Lionblaze watched his brother carefully.
"So how do you like clan life?" Jayfeather murmured.
Sarah winced as he put the poultice on her paw,"Wonderful, its great how you all take care of each other," She winced again.
"Am I hurting you?" Jayfeather stopped suddenly.
Sarah shook her head,"No, it just stings a little," Lionblaze couldn't believe his eyes. What was his brother doing? He was acting like Sarah was a gift from Starclan!
Lionblaze opened his mouth to say something when Tinder poked his head in,"Everything alright in here?" His throaty mew echoed around the den. Lionblaze looked to Jayfeather, who now looked nervous and angry at the same time.
"Fine," He growled, packing his herbs away.
"Jayfeather before I go, can I ask you something?" Sarah sat up, her tail twined around her mate, Tinder. Jayfeather watched the two cats curl their tails around eachother.
"Sure," He mewed in mock cheer. Lionblaze saw Tinder's eyes narrow.
"Can I learn some common remedies from you. Tinder and I have been talking, and we think that our group s going to leave," Lionblaze walked closer to the cats.
"Sure anytime," Jayfeather stuttered,"Anytime at all, in fact you can stay now. But you know, you, you don't have to leave. You can stay, your whole group could stay. No problem." Jayfeather finished, curling his tail neatly around his paws, his whiskers twitching nervously.
"We'll think about it," Tinder growled, ushering his mate through the ferns.
"Bye Jayfeather, bye Lionblaze!" Sarah called cheerfully.
"What, was that?" Lionblaze whipped around to his brother, whose eyes were round and it looked as if Jayfeather was gazing past the den walls.
Jayfeather turned to his brother, a grin taking up his whole face,"What?"
"Your act with Sarah, what in the world was that?" Lionblaze scoffed.
"What do you mean 'act'," Jayfeather growled, turning back to his herb store.
Lionblaze started to prance around to imitate Jayfeather,"'Oh Sarah, of course you can come here at anytime! And while your at it, why don't you just join Thunderclan?"'
"Shut up! I was being polite!" Jayfeather retorted.
Lionblaze snorted,"Yeah, right." Lionblaze whipped around and stalked out of the den, tail lashing. If Jayfeather wouldn't tell him what was up, then he didn't care. 

Chapter 5

Dovepelt licked her lips. A sparrow was plucking a worm from the ground, she crept closer. She got ready to pounce, the breeze blew toward her, sending the scent of the bird into her nose. She haunched her shoulders and kept her tail close to the ground and jumped through the air. Just before she hit the ground, a  gray flash of fur ran through the bushes in front of her, frightening the bird to the highest parts of the forest.
"Mouse-dung!" She spat. She looked up into the amber eyes of her son, Stonepaw. Only just apprenticed, he was still as cheeky as a kit.
"Stonepaw! Get back here!" Another cat crashed through the bushes. Crowfeather jumped over the gray tom without slowing and ran into brambles.
"Hiya Crowfeather!" Stonepaw mewed cheerfully. Crowfeather turned around, a few snatches of fur stuck to the bramble bush, and glared at his apprentice.
"Stonepaw, I told you to go to the training hollow, not to disturb another warriors hunting," Crowfeather growled. Stonepaw's gaze didn't falter as he replied.
"I was just trying to say 'hi' to Dovepelt,"
"Well now you can say 'hi' to the elders for me when you clean out their nests today,"
"But-,"
No 'buts'!" Crowfeather growled again, ushering his apprentice away. Dovepelt watched her son go, he would learn sooner or later and a strict mentor like Crowfeather is just what he needed. Dovepelt turned back and listened for more prey, but it seemed that Stonepaw's raucous had scared all the prey away. Dovepelt sighed and looked through the trees, newly green buds flourished on the branches and the sweet scent of newleaf  swam through the air. Dovepelt breathed deeply, the memory of the Great Battle was two moons behind them now and new life could be born. The apprentice den was full, Firepaw, Sandpaw, Stonepaw, Hedgepaw, Snowpaw, Foxpaw, Duskpaw, Petalpaw, and Sheeppaw were all being mentored now, and Honeypaw was now the new medicine cat apprentice. Gingerstep had joined Leafpool in the medicine den and was expecting Oakfur's kits. Skyclan and the Tribe had left without a hitch and Dovepelt expected they were settling nicely into their old homes.
Dovepelt made her way back to camp, empty pawed. She walked into the clearing where the newly made warriors, Twigstorm and Leaftail were entering the warriors' den probably to sleep after their vigil. Dovepelt padded to Lionblaze, his fur was unkept and greasy.
"Hows it going?" She murmured softly. e looked up, his eyes dull and crusty.
"Cinderheart isn't eating," He rasped, his voice cracked with grief.  Dovepelt pushed her muzzle into his flank and looked around the camp, she saw Mountainpaw, who was now bigger than herself and his muscles bulging underneath his sleek pelt, watching his father with a glassy stare. Lionblaze's kits were probably very confused, their usually involved parents no longer visiting them. Lionblaze saw this too.
"This is all my fault," Lionblaze growled,"If I had visited Mountainpaw, he wouldn't of been distracted during his assessment and he would've passed and been a warrior with Leaftail and Twigstorm."
"That's not true," Dovepelt protested,"He wasn't distracted, he just didn't bring back any prey,"
"Maybe I should visit him," Lionblaze remarked, he got to his paws. Dovepelt's ears twitched in grief, she could hear Cinderheart shriek in protest from the medicine den.
"I have to help her," Lionblaze scurried away. His gaze flickering to his mate and to his son awkwardly as he pushed through the fern tunnel. Dovepelt sighed, her friend was in a horrible situation, her mate didn't know what was happening most of the time. But Lionblaze needed to help his kits too, they were very confused aboout their parents. Cinderheart didn't come out of the medicine den anymore and even the clans were starting to notice the absence of Thunderclan's deputy. Dovepelt sighed as she trotted over to the fresh kill pile and plucked up a plump vole. She sat down and ate it in ravenous bites near the bramble thickets. She saw Jayfeather exit the medicine den with Honeypaw in behind. Dovepelt's kit was bouncing next to her mentor, her pelt ruffled in excitement. The two cats grabbed fresh kill from the pile and Jayfeather dismissed his apprentice. Dovepelt watched her daughter run off towards the elder bush and sit with her sister, Duskpaw.
Dovepelt looked back to Jayfeather, he was eating alone under the highledge. Dovepelt picked up her vole and sat next to Jayfeather.
"How's Cinderheart?" Dovepelt murmured as she bit into the vole again.
"She refuses to eat," Jayfeather mumbled.
"Who is she today?"
"Cinderpelt, and she only trusts Leafpool," Jayfeather sighed,"So I can't even give her poppy seeds for her to sleep. I can't let her out of the medicine den anymore, I'm afraid she might attack someone she doesn't know,"
Dovepelt nodded,"Maybe you should speak to Starclan,"
"I've searched for them in my dreams, but the its like I'm seeing things through another cat's eyes, I can't do anything about whats happening,"
Dovepelt looked away from Jayfeather, who was now murmuring something inaudible, and looked to the warriors' den. Three she-cats padded out and stretched their backs lazily. Jayfeather looked up and too, his eyes glassy and vague. The three she-cats padded closer; Sarah, Cristy, and Petalfur.
"Hi Dovepelt, Jayfeather," Sarah dipped her head respectively.
"I'm going to the fresh kill pile, anyone want anything?" Cristy mewed warmly.
"I'll have a thrush," Sarah flicked her tail at her friend's ear.
"Mouse, please," Petalfur murmured, settling herself down next to Jayfeather. Sarah sat down as well. dovepelt saw Sarah's mate, Tinder, exchanging words with Bumblestripe by the nursery.
"Sorry, there were no thrushes," Cristy passed the prey around, giving Sarah a dove instead.
"Here you can have mine," Jayfeather passed his prey to Sarah, which was a thrush.
"No that's alright Jayfeather," Sarah passed it back, but Jayfeather pushed it forward again.
"No, I insist," Jayfeather murmured. Dovepelt looked back up to see Tinder watching Jayfeather through narrowed eyes. Tinder blinked and padded away to where Ghost was sitting. Dovepelt didn't trust Ghost, nor his friend Raccon.
"So how long are you guys thinking of staying,"Petalfur mewed to Sarah and Cristy. The two she-cats exchanged glances.
"I'm not quite sure," Cristy answered, licking her whiskers carefully.
"Well you guys don't have to leave," Jayfeather insisted, then he mewed more quietly,"I mean, theres more than enough room here for your group," Dovepelt narrowed her eyes at Jayfeather, why was he being so awkward around the she-cats?
"I have to go," Jayfeather mewed softly, picking up his prey and shambling awake, his head low and awkward.

Chapter 4

Jayfeather's fur stirred in the midnight air, his whiskers twitching in the moonlight. There was no way he could sleep now, not since she entered his thoughts. There was no way he could get her out. Even after taking a poppy seed to help him sleep, his heart kept him awake. No, she's keeping you awake, Jayfeather thought furiously, he would not let himself do this. He sulked back to his nest, careful to avoid his patients and Willowshine and Stoneteller, laying near Jayfeather's nest.
Only a few moments ago Lionblaze and Dovepelt had climbed through the tunnel to go and look for Cinderheart. Jayfeather wished he could've gone with them, like back before the Great Battle, when they always told eachother about everything. Now Lionblaze and Dovepelt were going behind his back to do things! Jayfeather sighed, they probably thought he didn't understand, he didn't have a mate. But they didn't know about her. Nobody could ever no about her, because he barely knew anything about her. But what he did know, that's what sent his heart pounding. Her sweet scent, her way of talking, she made his stomach feel like butterflies. Even though he had known her for only a few days, she made his body feel weightless.
Jayfeather shook his head. This was nonsense. He didn't feel this way about any cat, especially a cat he barely knew. He had to stay focused on the clans and on the look out for the next Medicine cat of either Shadowclan or Windclan. He had felt a buzzing in his hears that sounded similar to birds singing when the loner, Twilight, spoke up during the burial ceremony earlier that night. Hopefully Starclan would show him a sign about the young tom about being the next medicine cat for either clan.
Jayfeather took a step back, he needed to sleep and he could feel his eyelids closing already. He swept his tail around his paws as he settled into his nest and closed his eyes, welcoming the thought of dreaming tonight.
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"Bramblestar wants to speak to you two in his den," Bumblestripe's deep voice rumbled across the den. Jayfeather looked up from his herbs, his unseeing gaze indifferent to the light that shown down through the gap in his den and cast warm light on his back. Jayfeather got up and squeezed through the narrow entrance. It felt weird to be able to walk through his den without some cat yowling threats into his ears like the Place of No Stars cats had done.
Jayfeather passed the fresh kill pile, from the scent of it, there was no prey left. His belly grumbled loudly. Hopefully the hunting patrols would bring back something good. He climbed the wall leading up to Bramblestar's den, which still smelled of Hollyleaf, and poked his head in.
"Jayfeather, come in," Bramblestar murmured to the medicine cat. Jayfeather dipped his head and walked in flanked by Willowshine.
"What are we talking about?" Willowshine sat down across from Jayfeather. Jayfeather shifted his paws irritably.
"Stoneteller says he's going to take his tribe back  before the new moon," Rowanstar's deep voice rumbled off the walls. Jayfeather nodded intently, he knew what this meant. Ragwort, Borage, Chamomile... Jayfeather started to recite the herb list for strengthening herbs. Most of his herbs were gone from the long exile in the medicine den, he would have to go and pick more. Hopefully his catmint had survived the frosts.
"What about Skyclan?" Willowshine mewed.
Leafstar spoke up,"We'll leave at the full moon as well," Jayfeather sighed, he would need lots of herbs.
"I'll help you gather herbs, if you like," Echosong breathed into his ear; he hadn't realized the small medicine cat was behind him.
"I'll help too," Willowshine decided. Jayfeather nodded and the three cats padded out of the den.
"Shouldn't you help too?" Bramblestar asked Stoneteller, he was the Tribe's healer after all. Stoneteller got to his paws.
"Might as well," He grunted,"We could learn from each other," Jayfeather snorted, he didn't expect to learn anything from the lazy old tom.


Sunhigh past in the camp by the time the herb patrol returned to camp. Jayfeather squeezed through the narrow entrance, the walls were crumpled down by moons of being neglected. Hopefully some warriors would take care of that.
His mouth watered as he placed his stack of herbs down, hunger gnawing at his stomach. A hunting patrol had just passed the returning patrol, carrying warm scents of prey even in this cold leafbare.
"I'll be off then," Stoneteller walked away, placing his herbs next to Jayfeather's. The old tom had known nothing of the herbs found in the forest, he had to be mentored like a young apprentice. The other medicine cats had been a big help though, Jayfeather was able to collect three times as many herbs as he could normally.
Jayfeather walked out of his den and plodded over to the fresh kill pile. He picked up a thrush, small but fat, and sat next to the bramble patch to eat in silence. A group of cats were approaching.
"Hi Jawfedder!" Snakerock mewed through a full mouth.
"What are you guys doing?" Jayfeather tilted his head quizzically.
"Repairing the forn farrier," Snakerock replied. Jayfeather nodded as the cats passed him. His stomach did flips. She was in the thorn barrier patrol. Her sweet scent surrounded him, he light pawsteps nimbly passing by without a sound. Jayfeather got caught in her warm scent, before shaking his head, cursing himself. He needed to stop this. There was no way he felt anyway about any cat!
Ignoring his thrush, he pelted out to the forest. He needed time alone to think. He bumped into a group of cats. He fell to the ground, landing clumsily on his side.
"Jayfeather!" Lionblaze breathed. Jayfeather looked up, had his bother found Cinderheart?
"Who is this? An intruder on Thunderclan land?" Cinderheart screeched. Duh, Jayfeather thought, why hadn't he tried to scent her out among the group.
"No Cinderpelt," Jayfeather could feel Dovepelt's intense stare burning through his pelt,"This is a Riverclan warrior, Jayfeather," Jayfeather picked himself of the ground and brushed moss off his back. How did they know about Cinderheart's secret? Why was Cinderheart acting so strange?
"Lets get you back to camp," Jayfeather murmured, joining the group back to camp. His own thoughts could wait for now.
The group passed through the gorse tunnel. The cats repairing it greeted them kindly.
"Hello Lionblaze," Sarah, the leader of the rogue's called a greeting to Jayfeather's brother. Lionblaze called back a greeting, Jayfeather could feel awkwardness sparking off his pelt. He could scent Heathertail and could hear her weaving brambles through the walls. Cherrytail of Skyclan was also busy helping Snakerock.
"Where are the badgers? And who are these cats?" Cinderheart hissed, her voice edged with worry.
"We, er, drove them away," Lionblaze scraped his claws against the rocks impatiently.
"Where is Sorreltail? I should be with her!" Cinderheart limped forward, her blue eyes searching crazily across the camp.
"She's right where you left her," Dovepelt answered. Jayfeather sighed, he knew she didn't know where Sorreltail should be, but she had given Cinderheart a very broad answer.
"Let get you to the medicine den," Lionblaze pressed his muzzle against her flank, ushering her closer to Jayfeather's den. Jayfeather could tell that Cinderheart was very fragile and anything could set her off. If they answered one question wrong she could attack them.
Suddenly an idea sparked in his head; the only thing they had to do was to get all the cats that knew Cinderpelt when she was alive!
"Lionblaze," Jayfeather whispered into his brother's ear,"I'm going to get Leafpool, Squirrelflight, Bramblestar, and Crowfeather, maybe they can help us answer some questions," Lionblaze nodded slightly and Jayfeather went off searching for his clanmates.
He poked his head into the warriors' den.
"Anyone here?" Jayfeather called.
A lazy grunt in the back of the den answered,"No, only a sleeping warrior tired from the vigil," It was Crowfeather.
"We need your help, go and report to the medicine den and Lionblaze will explain everything," Jayfeather backed out and sprinted to the nursery.
"Hello Jayfeather,"Squirrelflight and Leafpool were sunning themselves and sharing tongues outside, their kits playing a few tail lengths away.
"Have you seen Dovepelt, her kits say they haven't seen her since the vigil," Leafpool murmured.
Jayfeather ignored her question,"You're needed in the medicine den," He could feel Leafpool's surprise.
"Alright, see you later then, Squirrelflight murmured.
"You too," Jayfeather prodded his aunt.
"Where is your mate?" Jayfeather mewed to Squirrelflight. Squirrelflight stopped and looked back.
"I think he's in his den, but I haven't seen him since the vigil either," Jayfeather nodded and ran to the leader's den for the second time today. He poked his head in.
"Welcome Jayfeather, how was herb hunting?" Bramblestar mewed warmly, it seemed that even though Bramblestar knew that Jayfeather wasn't his son, he never stopped giving him kind words and advice. Jayfeather could feel pride flowing off him like water pouring from a river.
"Medicine den, now," Jayfeather mewed,"We need help with Cinderheart," Bramblestar trotted past him and Jayfeather followed.
"So what happened?" Bramblestar mewed, their pawsteps crunching through the frost.
Jayfeather flicked his tail,"She thinks that she is Cinderpelt and refuses to speak to anyone she doesn't know, and since you knew her when she was alive..."
"I'll be able to talk to her,"
"Exactly."
Jayfeather squeezed through the fern tunnel, Bramblestar close behind.
"...It's alright Cinderpelt," Leafpool's voice echoed calmly throughout the den. "Look here's Brambleclaw,"
"Where is Firestar?" Cinderheart growled. Jayfeather backed away to where Lionblaze and Dovepelt were standing.
"What's wrong with her?" Lionblaze whispered, half to himself. Jayfeather blinked, he didn't know if he should tell his brother that his mate was actually a reincarnate of Cinderpelt.
"Firestar is thanking the other clans for their help," Bramblestar mewed calmly.
"I thought you left, with Crowfeather," Cinderheart rasped uncomfortably to Leafpool. Jayfeather could feel her pelt prickle with unease,
"We came back," She mewed flatly.
"Why are these Riverclan cats still here?" Cinderheart hissed, agitation sparking off her like lightning. The older cats all stood there in silence.
"Er..." Lionblaze mewed awkwardly.
Leafpool cut him off,"Come on Cinderpelt, why don't you get some rest, I'll treat the wounded." Leafpool nudged to the back of the den, their scents fading as they moved away.
"What's going on with Cinderheart? Why does she think is Cnderpelt?" Squirrelflight stepped closer to Jayfeather, he thought quickly of what to say. He heard Leafpool's approaching pawsteps.
"I gave her a few poppy seeds so she would sleep and chamomile to sooth her," He heard her draw in a deep, gusty, breath,"Jayfeather, I think we should tell them,"
"Tell us what?" Lionblaze growled.
Jayfeather beckoned the cats closer,"Everyone knows how Cinderpelt became a medicine cat,"
"When she got his by th monster," Leafpool added.
"But that was not her destiny," Jayfeather shifted his paws,"She was always supposed to be a warrior."
"What has this got to do with Cinderheart?" Squirrelflight whispered.
Leafpool began to explain,"Before Ciinderpelt died, Starclan told her when she would die, and trusted her to keep it quiet,"
"Why would they do such a thing?" Bramblestar hissed.
"Cinderpelt died bravely, but her spirit isn't with Starclan," Leafpool murmured.
"What do you mean? Are you saying she went to the Dark Forest?" Lionblaze gasped.
Jayfeather shook his head,"No, Cinderpelt's spirit is with Cinderheart. Starclan sent her back to fulfill her destiny, as a warrior,"

Night Whisper's Spoilers!

Yeah, I know, this isn't a blog for news and such but I know so much about Night Whispers, I feel like I should share it. :D


Night Whispers SPOILERS!!!
Okay, so the browse inside of Night Whispers went up yesterday, I've read it and it IS completely awesome. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because there are some wicked amazing awesome spoilers. Some of the things I got off are from searching the name in the search box next to the book, which I found today and is really cool.


...looked at Crowfeather, the cat who made Leafpool betray her clan. Lionblaze would never admit...
Since I only have a snippet of the text I can only assume that Lionblaze forgives Leafpool, somehow. But IDK.

Tigerheart and Dovepaw start sneaking out together!

I'm pretty sure Tigerheart asks to build a nest with Dovepaw when they sneak out, but Dovepaw refuses. I think those mysterious kits in sign of the moon aren't so mysterious anymore. But of course AFTER Dovepaw gets her warrior name ;)

I think Whitewing finds out about Ivypaw!

" The dark forest Warriors were hurting her?" Whitewing poked her head through the ferns "Is... " (doesn't really tell whether she does or not)

" that why there's blood in your nest?" Whitewing was staring at Ivypaw, her eyes dark.

Also there's an epic battle between Lionblaze/Breezepelt/Nightcloud/Leafpool/Crowfeather. Breezepelt is fighting Lionblaze but Leafpool tries to stop him and gets hurt in the process, so Crow attacks Breeze and Night attacks Crow for hurting her son.

And Crow says something like, "You chose your clan, that doesn't mean I didn't love you." Nice fam yeah?
^^ This is automatically my favorite part of the book, because LeafxCrow is my FAVORITE COUPLE OF ALL TIME!

Right in the beginning of the book, Mousewhisker's hunting patrol comes back and drops their prey in the pile. Cherrykit and Molekit notice that there is a squirrel right outside of camp and get it for them, the only thing is, Mousewhisker says no one in the patrol caught a squirrel, which leads me to believe that this was a sick squirrel that is probably not good to eat, or Flametail put death berries in it because he is still really mad at Thunderclan for that battle.

Flametail dies! Well, he actually disappears into the tunnels like Hollyleaf did, but I don't know why.
"Have you seen Tigerheart"
"He's sitting vigil for Flametail" She meweed,"He may not..."

Rushpaw, once a female, is now a tom!

Pinepaw is also often described as a she-cat in some scenes, and a tom in the next :O

Lionblaze does in fact, LOVE CINDERHEART! *gasp* Often times he says that every time he gets up the bravery to ask how she feels about him, she runs away! And since Lionblaze is the only tom with a POV and love interest, I'm assuming that the next line is from him...
But how could he tell her? Their love felt strong, but how could it survive the...

SOME She-cat finds out about the prophecy! Probably Cinderheart, I'm guessing based on the lines above... heres the text.
"A prophecy," She murmured,"About you?" Lionblaze nodded. She understood! "And you'll never get..." Im guessing the last part says hurt, but I won't know until the twenty third!
Okay, it is in fact Cinderheart who finds out, heres more lines...
 Would she give his secret away? No! Lionblaze pushed away the worry. Cinderheart hadn't changed,... "
But something tells me Cinderheart doesn't feel comfortable around Lionblaze anymore.
Why had he told her his secret? Why had she believed she would just accept...

Dovepaw finds out the Tigerheart was only using her... :( I think that he is asking her to take herbs from Jayfeather's store, and that she tells him where Jayfeather grows his catmint. I think Blackstar gets his warriors to steal it :(

Littlecloud might die too :( And I think that Jayfeather gets seriously hurt.
a whisper. “Are you thinking of Cinderpelt?” Flametail knew of the close bond between the two medicine cats. Littlecloud's eyes glistened. Flametail leaned closer. "She's dead," he murmured. "Jayfeather is ThunderClan's Medicine Cat now. He’s not Cinderpelt. He’ll want to fight alone if StarClan wishes it.” “Jayfeather can do what he likes!” Littlecloud propped himself up with a groan. “Cinderpelt saved my life once. That act bonded us closer than friends. I will not abandon the Clan she loved until that debt is repaid.”

SANDSTORM MIGHT DIE!
She and Cherrykit have a cough, which I think is green cough, and since Blackstar stole all of their catmint they have nothing!
"How could you?" Dovepaw wailed,"If Sandstorm dies, it'll be your fault!" I assume she's yelling at Tigerheart for stealing their herbs.
Sandstorm was coughing.
Sandstorm started coughing again.
Sandstorm was in the medicine den.

Chapter 3

Lionblaze ushered Dovepelt through the sleeping camp, heading directly to the medicine den. Most of Thunderclan were asleep under the stars tonight, despite the leaf bare winds that sent chills down his spine. Cinderheart was alone in the forest somewhere, cold and alone. He pressed on.
"Where are we going?" Dovepelt whispered. Lionblaze turned his head, but kept walking.
"To the medicine tunnel," He clarified quietly. He turned his head back, just in time to move out of the way of his mother, Leafpool.
"Careful, Leafpool is right in front-" Lionblaze began to say before Leafpool interrupted him.
"Where are you two going?" She hissed tiredly. Lionblaze whipped around to face the two she-cats.
"Er, the medicine den," Dovepelt peeped. Leafpool narrowed her eyes.
"For what? I'm sure Jayfeather is tired and can deal with you two in the morning," Leafpool grunted.
"It's urgent." Lionblaze felt his claws slide out of their sheathe out of desperation.
"What is so urgent it can't wait until morning?" The brown tabby queen mumbled.
"Its, er, three stuff," Lionblaze lied quickly.
"Three? What three," Leafpool murmured, her eyes beginning to flutter. Then she sat straight up,"Oh, you three. You, Jayfeather and Dovepelt, well go ahead," Leafpool moved aside, dipping her head in respect. Lionblaze rolled his eyes as they passed her, that had taken valuable time away from them. Quickly and quietly they pushed past the ivy that clung to the rocks. A few cats were sleeping in balls of moss. A stocky gray tabby was moving through the den quietly checking on the injured cats.
"...she needs comfrey, but I can...tomorrow..." Jayfeather yawned, sniffing Pebble drowsily. He sauntered over to his den, behind the crevice in the walls. Before his tail disappeared behind the lichen, Lionblaze turned and nodded at Dovepelt.
"Now,"
Lionblaze and Dovepelt crept in, their pelts brushing silently. Jayfeather whipped around suddenly.
"What do you two want?"
"We need to use the tunnel," Lionblaze hissed.
"What for?"
"Cinderheart is missing,"
Jayfeather opened his mouth, then clamped it shut. His eyes were worried, and his tail twitched irritably. His paws scraped the floor, his eyes in deep thought.
"Um... Jayfeather?" Dovepelt murmured.
Jayfeather looked back at them,"Go ahead, use the tunnel and find Cinderheart," His eyes were strangely clear and full of sympathy.
"Alright," Lionblaze murmured,"We'll be back before sunhigh. If anyone asks, we're out hunting," Lionblaze nodded to his brother, trusting him to keep this quiet for now.
"Lead me to the tunnel, I've only been through it once, remember?" Lionblaze gestured to Dovepelt. The gray she-cat nodded and led him passed the tunnel of ferns and vanished behind a crack in the rocks where Jayfeather kept herbs. Lionblaze followed silently behind her. It was almost pitch black in here, except for the sliver of moonlight that could be seen. Dovepelt edged her way to the back of the chamber and vanished behind long flowing lichen. Lionblaze pushed past the lichen and followed after her. Wisps of fresh air flowed down the tunnel. Lionblaze took a step forward, feeling the tunnel walls with his whiskers. The tunnel closed around him, Dovepelt was already a fox length ahead of him. Lionblaze padded ahead faster until he could feel Dovepelt's tail a mouse length in front of him. Suddenly, the path took a turn and opened up into the forest. Dovepelt ducked out of the entrance momentarily, then poked her head back in.
"Come on then," Dovepelt puffed. Lionblaze grunted and heaved his chest through the hole. Lionblaze could scent the faint scent of badger, it must have been an old set.
"Where should we look first?" Lionblaze asked, unsheathing his claws into the moist dirt.
"I think we should start by the camp entrance, that would be the best place to find her scent," Dovepelt blinked. Lionblaze nodded, setting their course towards the front of camp. They were near the Windclan border, or what was the the Windclan border, the scent markers where long gone.
"We'll need to go fast if we want to find her before sunrise," Dovepelt murmured. Lionblaze blinked thoughtfully, Dovepelt was no longer the nervous apprentice he always thought of her, she was a strong confident she-cat with a family of her own.
"Lionblaze?"
"Let's go," Lionblaze started sprinting through the trees, his tail streaming out behind him. Dovepelt was sprinting at his side, her chest heaving with effort. Trees vanished behind them and soon the hollow was in front of them. Lionblaze skidded to a halt.
"Ssh," Lionblaze warned. He stepped forward and began searching for any snippet of his mate's warm scent, but the sleet had washed most of it away.
"Hey Lionblaze, I think I found something," Lionblaze turned around, Dovepelt's nose was pressed against a large thorn bush. Lionblaze rushed over to see what she was talking about.
"Here," She stepped aside, a large tuft of gray fur was stuck on the thorns. Lionblaze pressed his nose against it excitedly, breathing in the scent.
"That's definitely Cinderheart," Lionblaze murmured. Dovepelt grinned weakly.
"Then we should go this way," Dovepelt gestured her tail through the brambles. Lionblaze frowned, why had Cinderheart made such a hasty retreat through thorns?
Lionblaze carefully pulled a branch back and allowed Dovepelt to pass him, then stepped in after her. He flicked his ears down to avoid getting caught on the over hanging brambles.
"Can you hear her?" Lionblaze asked, flicking dew off his whiskers.
"I can only see her running," Dovepelt mewed back. Lionblaze frowned again, where was his mate going?
"Ouch," Dovepelt grimaced, pulling her sore pad up from the ground. A large thorn was stuck in her foot.
"Here, let me try," Lionblaze moved around to her side. Dovepelt held her paw up patiently as Lionblaze bit onto the thorn and gave it a big tug. Blood started to trickle slowly down Dovepelt's paw. Lionblaze gave it a few gentle licks.
"Thanks, where d'ya learn that?" Dovepelt murmured, sucking on her paw. Lionblaze shrugged.
"Guess I picked it up from Jayfeather," Lionblaze murmured, itching to get going. Dovepelt stood uneasily on three paws, then steadily put weight on her fourth.
"I'm fine, let's keep going," The pair pressed on, searching for any signs of the missing she-cat. Lionblaze saw a few more strands of fur stuck on the thorns.He took a few more pawsteps and gasped. Dovepelt turned around.
"What is it?" Dovepelt cocked her head. Lionblaze looked down, scarlet blood trickled off thorns and onto the forest floor.
"She probably just snagged her fur on the thorns," Dovepelt murmured, coming closer and pressing her fur against his. Lionblaze studied it closely, was Cinderheart hurt? He looked up and gazed into Dovepelt's eyes, there was no fear, just warm determination, the same as Lionblaze's. He was prepared to fight a whole tribe of badgers for his mate. He started to trot through the bushes, then gradually gained speed until he was running through the brambles.
Dovepelt called up to him,"We're getting closer! I can feel it!" Lionblaze looked up to the sky, the first rays of light were streaking up the sky. He ran faster until her came to small slope in the ground. The ferns here were flattened down and still warm.
"She was here, only a few moments ago," Lionblaze murmured, sniffing the make-shift nest, which was full of Cinderheart's fear scent.
"She must have heard us running and thought someone was after her," Dovepelt murmured,"Which means she couldn't of gotten very far. Come on, we can still catch up with her!" Dovepelt sped past Lionblaze. Lionblaze paused to make sure they were heading in the right direction, which they were, and ran after her. The path was full of Cinderheart;s fear scent and it as easy to stay on path. Lionblaze quickly caught up with Dovepelt, the gray she-cat was running full speed, the scent trail getting fresher and fresher. Lionblaze grew more anxious for his mate. Finally, the brambles died away and the forest opened up into a meadow, they were near the Shadowclan border. Lionblaze stopped quickly, gazing across the meadow. On the other side was a medium sized gray tabby she-cat, her tail fluffed up twice its size and her eyes blazing with fear and anger.
"Get away from me!" Cinderheart hissed, clawing at the slippery tufts of grass. Lionblaze took a step forward,"Get back! Or I'll get all of Thunderclan on you!" Cinderheart's ears twitched. Lionblaze looked back at Dovepelt, confused.
"Cinderheart, we are Thunderclan. It's me, Lionblaze." Lionblaze called across the clearing.
Cinderheart's eyes were cloudy with confusion,"There is no Lionblaze in Thunderclan!" Her eyes were full of pain and frustration.
"Cinderheart, you, Dovepelt, and I are all Thunderclan warriors!" Lionblaze pleaded.
Cinderheart shook her head,"I am Thunderclan's medicine cat!" Lionblaze looked again at Dovepelt,"And Leafpool is my apprentice! What have you done with her?"
"Leafpool is back at the hollow," Lionblaze called out.
Cinderheart looked back more confused then ever. Lionblaze was even more confused,"Cinderheart-"
"My name is Cinderpelt!" Cinderheart yowled.
"Alright," Lionblaze blinked,"Cinderpelt, Jayfeather is our medicine cat now, Cinderpelt died before all of us were born. You are Cinderheart,"
"Impossible!" Cinderheart screeched. Lionblaze took a few more steps forward.
"Stay back I said!" Cinderheart looked back up and yowled furiously.
Dovepelt approached him from behind,"Just play along with it," Lionblaze flicked his ears in agreement.
"Cinderpelt, please you have to come back to camp," Dovepelt yelled across the meadow. Cinderheart didn't seem to notice Dovepelt before.
"Why?" Cinderheart narrowed her eyes.
Dovepelt leaned over to whisper in Lionblaze's ear,"How did Cinderpelt die?"
"Badger attack,"
"Badgers are attacking the camp!" Dovepelt yowled, forcing her fur to stick out at all ends to make it look like she was terrified. Lionblaze did the same.
For a moment, Cinderheart's eyes cleared up,"Alright, lets go," She made her way to the pair, but strangely she didn't put all her weight on one of her hind legs. She nodded to Dovepelt, and glared angrily at Lionblaze.
"What clan are you from?" Cinderheart murmured to Dovepelt. Dovepelt looked up at Lionblaze, alarmed. Lionblaze shrugged.
"Er, Riverclan," Dovepelt mewed quickly. Cinderheart nodded.
"What's your name?" Cinderheart murmured, trying to go faster to reach the "badger infested" clan.
"Her name is Dawnflower," Lionblaze mewed, remembering the light gray queen that died in the first battle with the Dark Forest.
"Ah yes, I remember you from the gatherings, how is Leopardstar?" Cinderheart murmured. Leopardstar had died many seasons ago, when Dovepelt was an apprentice.
"Good," Dovepelt answered flatly.
"Say, why has a Riverclan cat come to find the Thunderclan medicine cat?" Cinderheart stopped, her fur rising.
"Because..." Dovepelt opened her mouth uneasily, glancing at Lionblaze.
"Because the badgers attacked Riverclan as well!" Lionblaze chimed in. Dovepelt nodded furiously. Cinderheart narrowed her eyes at the pair, limped forward and started walking at a brisk pace again. Lionblaze and Dovepelt dropped behind her and cast nervous glances at each other.
"What happened to her? Why does she think she is a dead cat?" Lionblaze mewed worriedly.
"Maybe she hit her head in the battle and got confused. She does have the same name as the cat," Dovepelt murmured. Lionblaze wasn't so sure, something else was going on here.