Chapter 15

Several cats hung around a giant oak, ears poised for the quiet paw steps of clan cats night hunting. But the night was quiet, the only thing that was heard was an eerie hoot of an owl. A slight breeze brushed past the tom's face, the scent of mouse. The lake gleamed under the moon's light, a bright silver without a cloud in the sky. His paws dragged across the stony shore, a gentle whisper of the water lapping at the pebbly beach, the stars shimmering silently in the sky, it all angered him.
"Its nearly Greenleaf," A velvety voice murmured behind him. The tom quietly turned around and gazed at the she-cat's green eyes glancing at the opposite shore, the soft willow trees dancing over the lake, their branch's draping protectively over it's shoreline. He could sense the longing in her stare.
"Once the clans are secured, we'll move to the Willows," He assured her, draping his tail over her tortoiseshell pelt. She glanced at him and blinked, though he could hear the scrabbling of a mock fight going on behind him. He circled around his mate to face the other direction, two toms were scuffling on the shore line, close to the water's edge while a slender tabby watching them with cold contempt. He enjoyed the way Cristy had grown so close to the regime so their plan would be a success.
"Stop it, do want to draw sleeping cats into the forest with your noise?" He growled, the two toms sprung away from each other, fur bristling. "All we need is Dovepelt to come running out here, who knows how far her senses spread," The black and white tom's ears twitched.
"What are we doing out here anyway, I thought the plans were done," The gray and black tom lashed his tail fitfully.
"Planning is done when Tinder says its done, besides, we haven't even begun," Cristy objected, glancing at Tinder, he nodded.
"Cristy is right, we haven't even started talking to the clan leaders about staying together," Tinder reminded,"We need Jayfeather too, and in two nights Sarah will be out with him and the plan will start,"
"So what are we doing tonight then?" Raccoon persisted. Tinder rolled his eyes.
"More planning,"

This is a really short chapter, but all chapters with Tinder's POV will be. 

Chapter 14

The patrol of four approached Thunderclan's home, Lionblaze watched Cinderpelt limp into the thorn barrier. He didn't understand why she wasn't asking questions about this when she didn't even know where they were or why they were here. Maybe she thought this was a sign from Starclan, and medicine cats didn't ask questions. Lionblaze didn't know, he would never be a medicine cat.

Bluestar padded into the camp, as usual there wasn't enough room in the dens for everyone and many cats were asleep outside, but tonight wasn't too bad this time in Newleaf.

"Remember, this is Cinderheart's dream so other cats can't see us," Honeyfern whispered in Lionblaze's ear. Lionblaze nodded and saw his own pelt amongst the ones laying in the camp. He followed Bluestar and Honeyfern into the medicine den where Cinderheart was fast asleep next to Jayfeather, their deep breathing was a sign they were both sleeping. Odd she would be dreaming of her self sleeping... Lionblaze thought to himself.
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Lionblaze and the others swarmed down through the tall grasses of Starclan. Cinderheart's fur touched his, it was quaking in fear like it had been for the past couple moons. On his other side was Cinderpelt, her rhythmic limp timing the speed of the gallop through Starclan only moments after they had asked Cinderherat to join them. Honeyfern was pressed close to Cinderheart's other side, but Bluestar was the only one in front of the group, leading them through the tangling grasses, Lionblaze could hear a soft hum of a river up ahead. They had past a few cats he had seen a few moons ago before the Great Battle, Firefoot, Cherrynose, Nightcloud, and Thornclaw. But now it seemed as if Starclan cats had left this part of the forest all to the patrol.
"We'll stop here," Bluestar murmured, settling down  in the tall grass. Honeyfern joined her at the blue she-cat's side, whisker poised and fur slicked back carefully. Cindereart and Cinderpelt wedged Lionblaze between them. Bluestar wasted no time,"Cinderpelt do you remember the night when the badgers invaded the Thunderclan camp?" Lionblaze glanced at the small gray she-cat.
She nodded,"I remember being with Sorreltail while she delivered her kits," Lionblaze hadn't been alive then, he had no idea how bad the badger attack was.
"Cinderheart was one of Sorreltail's kits," Bluestar touched her tail tip to Lionblaze's mate,"She was named after you,"
"I knew that, because Cinderpelt died saving me and Honeyfern and our other siblings," Cinderheart put in, Lionblaze glanced at Honeyfern, who nodded solemnly.
Cinderpelt's eyes widened, her tail started twitching wildly,"Then, then I'm dead?" Lionblaze flicked his ears. The wind rustled quietly near the group.
"Yes," Bluestar nodded,"You have been dead for many moons," The wind seemed to stop as she spoke, but her steady gaze made agitation crack like lightning around the group. Honeyfern's fur was prickling slightly, Lionblaze could smell fear, though he wasn't sure where it was coming from.
"Then why can't I remember being in Starclan," Cinderpelt objected quietly, her eyes sparkling. Bluestar blinked.
"Because you weren't," Bluestar replied, flicking an ear casually.
"You have to tell them more," Lionblaze pleaded gently, why was Bluestar being so casual about this? As far as Lionblaze was concerned, there was no way this could be a nonchalant  meeting with Starclan!
"What's going on?" Cinderheart demanded, now her tail was lashing too. Lionblaze could feel this was escalating dangerously if Bluestar didn't answer more clearly.
Bluestar blinked again,"There is something you both must know,"She drew her tongue over her paw and over one ear,"But you must not ask any questions until I'm done," Lionblaze looked from Cinderheart to Cinderpelt, they both nodded quickly. Bluestar sighed evenly, as if drawing in the coolness of the day,"Cinderpelt, Starclan told you of the day you would die. We trusted with you that you would not tell another soul, even when Leafpool had abandoned her clan. You died when a badger tried to kill Sorreltail. You were a gifted medicine cat, you know, but that was never your destiny. The day that monster hit you, all of Starclan was stunned. You would've been a gifted warrior. So when you kept that secret, well, a secret, Starclan did something amazing." Bluestar glanced at Cinderheart. Cinderheart stared blankly at Bluestar, tail twitching only mildly. Honeyfern started to sob wildly, Lionblaze suspected she already knew, but Honeyfern knew her sister would be upset when she realized what was going on.
"Then why am I here?" Cinderheart stood,"To tell Cinderpelt I have the same name as her? I'm no medicine cat, Bluestar, but I don't think that warrants a trip to Starclan when I could be dreaming in my den," She turned around as if to leave, but where would she go? She was in Starclan! Lionblaze stood with her though, trying to guide her back to the group with his tail.
Bluestar spoke again,"Do you two remember coming to the moonpool tonight?" The wind whipped across the moor. Everyone was silent until Cinderpelt spoke,"I remember being there, Honeypaw was having her medicine cat apprentice ceremony," Lionblaze let Cinderheart turn around and sit back next to Cinderpelt, leaving Lionblaze alone.
Bluestar narrowed her eyes,"But how could you? You've been dead for many moons," she mewed evenly. Lionblaze could tell she was trying to draw the realization out of the two she-cats instead of coming out and saying it directly.
"Maybe I was in spirit-" Cinderpelt was interrupted by a shrill wailing.
The fur along Cinderheart's spine rose quickly,"You're her! You're the she-cat I see in my head! When I attacked Jayfeather!" Lionblaze glanced at Honeyfern, her face was buried in her sister's shoulder.
Bluestar glanced at Cinderpelt, eyes resting on her with respect and confidence.
"Cinderheart is right, but Cinderpelt you have always been with Cinderheart, you two are one in the same," Bluestar explained carefully,"Cinderpelt when you kept the secret, Starclan awarded you with a new life, where you could be a warrior," Lionblaze looked at his mate, resting his tail over her back.
"What does this all mean?" Cinderheart demanded, eyes wide and tail lashing. Her claws scraped at the moorland grasses, the wind wrapping them around her paws.
"Cinderpelt was reborn, as Sorreltail's fourth kit," Bluestar mewed,"You Cinderheart, are Cinderpelt. You two have always been one, do you know why you know so much of medicine herbs with no medicine cat training?" Bluestar didn't wait for an answer,"But during the Great Battle in Thunderclan's camp, you saw your son, Mountainpaw fight against too many warriors than he could handle. You rushed in, but they overpowered the both of you. Mountainpaw's back leg snapped didn't it? You knew how that felt, your own leg had broke, one falling from a tree and once as Cinderpelt," Bluestar stepped forward, nose to nose with Cinderheart. Cinderheart's back was arched and her eyes were shut as memories swamped through her mind, Lionblaze wished he could read her mind like Jayfeather, then he might be able to comfort her. All he could do was press as close as he could to her.
"The memories of Cinderpelt's life overcame you, she took over. But you were both in a panic now, the only thing either of you do was run," Bluestar's eyes were so hard and cold Lionblaze didn't know if this was the same she-cat he had heard about all his life about being calm and thoughtful. "So you did, and you've lived your lives split, but Thunderclan need it's deputy, which means whenever Cinderpelt is active she must act the same as Cinderheart. Lionblaze will help you learn about your clanmates Cinderpelt but Cinderherat you should be fine." Bluestar touched noses with Cinderpelt and Cinderheart. Lionblaze twitched his nose, cat scent drifted across the moor, though he hesitated to turn his head.
"Do you both understand?" Bluestar stood up, stretching her spine luxuriously and pulling her ears the back of her head as she yawned. She glanced at the younger she-cats. Honeyfern licked her sister's head and sat next to the old gray blue she-cat.
"I-I think so," Cinderheart mumbled, leaning on Lionblaze's golden tabby fur. It was good to be with Cinderherat again, even under these circumstances.
"Yes Bluestar," Cinderpelt dipped her head. Lionblaze felt the moor drift away into haze, slowly the sky was darkening until he opened his eyes. He was back at the moonpool.

Chapter 13

Lionblaze settled next to Jayfeather, their fur touching. It had been a long time since he had slept next to is brother, Lionblaze thought it had seemed as though the last time he had had a good nights sleep was the many moons ago in the nursery with Jayfetaher and Hollyleaf. He felt a stab of grief, so many cats were alive then, life was good. He could still remember envying Berrynose for his hunting crouch and pestering Purdy, Mousefur, and Longtail for a story. Cinderheart was no more than an apprentice and Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw were his parents. He could hear Graystripe chuckling softly with Dustpelt and Firestar about a joke he had told with Cloudtail at his sidLionblaze settled next to Jayfeather, their fur touching. It had been a long time since he had slept next to is brother, Lionblaze thought it had seemed as though the last time he had had a good nights sleep was the many moons ago in the nursery with Jayfeather and Hollyleaf. He felt a stab of grief, so many cats were alive then, life was good. He could still remember envying Berrynose for his hunting crouch and pestering Purdy, Mousefur, and Longtail for a story. Cinderheart was no more than an apprentice and Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw were his parents. He could hear Graystripe chuckling softly with Dustpelt and Firestar about a joke he had told with Cloudtail at his side. Tigerstar was no more than a nursery tail and... and Hollyleaf was his trusted sister. Who he could count on to help him keep an eye on Jayfeather so he wouldn't get in trouble. She was the smartest cat he knew, and the kindest.

Lionblaze flicked his tail, shivering as a breeze blew down his spine. There was nothing to think about now except Cinderheart. He rested his nose in the Moonpool, hesitating for a moment to let Jayfeather welcome Honeypaw into the medicine cat world.

The world was cold for a moment, then Lionblaze opened his eyes. Lush green grass surrounded a barrier of thorns. He was atop of ravine, below him a bustling camp. He climbed down and looked for the entrance. He could tell by the smell this was Thunderclan, but where were his clanmates?

"These are your clanmates," A voice murmured behind him. Lionblaze turned around, Firestar, a blue gray she-cat, Whitestorm, and an ugly gray she-cat stood in front of him. Firestar spoke again,"Well, they were,"

"Where's Cinderheart?" Lionblaze asked, taking in his new surroundings. It looked exactly as Squirrelflight and Ferncloud had described it to him as a kit.

"In Yellowfang's den, in her dream she is Cinderpelt, Yellowfang's apprentice," The blue gray she-cat pointed out, Lionblaze realized this must be Bluestar. He nodded, then the flat faced elder with battle ridden scars across her face must be Yellowfang. He followed Bluestar down into the camp, noticing that Dustpelt was young and speaking to an even younger Ferncloud.

"They can't see us," Whitestorm murmured into Lionblaze's tabby ear fur,"Since this is Cinderpelt's dream she's the only one who can speak to them," Lionblaze nodded and looked around the camp. He couldn't see the familiar pelts of his clanmates and he felt like an outsider. Instead of seeing Leafpool coming out of the nursery with Lakekit, a pale ginger queen stepped out with two kits, probably Brambleclaw and Tawnypelt as kits. The soft pebbly earth underneath him was something like the floor of the camp at home, though there were less large rocks and the fact there was no large tree trunk sitting in the middle. There were however two stony outcroppings in front and back of the camp, one was leaning upward toward the sky with a small cave underneath and the other was as if some twoleg had tried to stack a third stone brick on two others creating a large den. After a few more pawsteps, the group was walking into the den, the sour scent of herbs filling Lionblaze's nose. It smelled more sour here than in Jayfeather's den.

"Cinderpelt," Yellowfang rasped, a few moments later a small gray she-cat with bright blue eyes scurried out of a second part of the den.

"Yellowfang," She dipped her head to her mentor, then to Bluestar. She looked past Whitestorm's shoulder and saw Lionblaze. "Who's this?" 

"Come with us, theres much to speak about," Yellowfang murmured, gesturing with her tail for the apprentice to follow. Cinderpelt nodded warily and limped after her mentor and her other clanmates. Lionblaze winced at her limping gait, but saw her glance his way and forced himself not to notice. Cinderpelt stepped back to join his side.
"You're a strange cat," Cinderpelt murmured in his ear. Lionblaze thought back, can she tell I'm not from here?
"I mean, you don't smell like the other clans or rogue, but you smell like all four clans," Cinderpelt rumbled.
"Come on Cinderpelt," Yellowfang rasped from the front of the patrol. Lionblaze gazed around him, the forest was not much different than the lake territory. The grass under paw became springier and star dust rained down upon them.
"Where are we going?" Cinderpelt murmured, eyes round and wide.
"Starclan," Firestar answered. Cinderpelt didn't speak. The world opened up and new cats appeared from the bracken though none approached. Their furry pelts were studded with stars and glittering path traced the floors. Lionblaze felt his own fur looked ragged and greasy here, but even Purdy, who he could now see sunbathing next to a group of elders, his fur looked shiny and clean. They passed Sandstorm weaving through a group of cats, Cloudtail, Kestrelflight, and Mothwing. A glittering stream was in front of him quicker than a flash, but instead of swimming, they crossed over a group of gray stones. A beautiful golden tabby she-cat stepped out of the bracken, Honeyfern.
"Welcome Honeyfern," Bluestar murmured, Honeyfern dipped her head and joined Lionblaze at his side.
"Hello Lionblaze," Honeyfern murmured formally. Lionblaze looked at her and nudged her flank affectionately.
"Honeyfern!" Lionblaze purred, though he wouldn't admit it now, when he was an apprentice, he had a little crush on her and her sisters. Honeyfern purred and nuzzled him back. The group continued on towards a small dot in the sky, they were almost just skimming the ground, their paws barely touching the ground. They seamed to be floating away from Starclan and descending to the lake from the sky. 

Lionblaze gasped in surprise, the lake looked like a sparkling star in the night sky. He could see all four territories and even small dots that looked like rabbits running through Windclan's old camp. He glanced to Shadowclan and he couldn't see much through the thick pine trees but he could see an owl flying from the treetops with some prey hidden in it's dagger like talons. Even search ing into Riverclan territory he could see the Willow trees swaying as if welcoming cats to come and live under their billowing branches.
"Where are we going now?" Lionblaze  called up, noticing that it was only him, Cinderheart, Bluestar, and Honeyfern gliding over the lake shoreline now.
"Thunderclan's camp," Bluestar hollered back over her shoulder, Lionblaze glanced at Cinderpelt. Her brow furrowed but she didn't say anything, just limped onward.