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Treebranch's Grief is a 10-chapter story by Dew.
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Chapter One[]
It was the night after the Shade Forest battle, and Treebranch was resting peacefully at the edge of the warriors' den. Since there were three elders at the moment, the younger warriors - including himself - will have to help bury the cats who died fighting in the battle. Ten warriors to bury. We'll need quite a lot of cats.
Treebranch turned his head around and noticed Pebbletail flicking his gray tabby tail in a signal to come. Swanfeather, Fireblaze, Oaktuft and several other cats were lined up in front of him. Treebranch nodded to his brother and padded up to him, joining the young warriors, who were carrying the bodies of the dead cats.
"You two." Dewstar turned to face Treebranch and Pebbletail. "You'll carry the body of Rosestar. Bury her somewhere peaceful and beautiful." Her voice was stern, but there was a hint of sadness and grief in it. She must be mourning for her again.
Treebranch held on as he felt Rosestar's head slip onto his back. She's not as heavy as I expected. Together they carried Rosestar to a small hill of lush, long grass. A rosebush overlooked it. The perfect place for her burial sight; lush grass, and even a rosebush, to represent and remember her name.
"Hey, let me help." The voice of Heavycloud's voice behind stunned him. Treebranch took a look at the gray elder's amber eyes, then nodded without saying a word. With that, Heavycloud started to dig a pit on the small hill, as if he read their minds.
Treebranch waited until the pit was wide and deep enough to fit Rosestar inside. When it was, he gently worked with his brother to place the former leader's body into the pit, then covered it up with dirt, before picking a rose. The thorns stabbed at his muzzle, but he ignored the pain as he placed the red flower above the covered pit. "We will always remember you, Rosestar," he muttered. "We will always."
---
"Let all cats old enough to hunt in the heat gather by the Sunledge for a clan meeting!"
Dewstar's voice rang out across the clearing as cats sat down in the dusty centre. Treebranch thought it looked empty; so many cats were lost. I'm not used to having a smaller clan.
"Today," Dewstar began, when all the gathered cats were silent, "we shall mourn for our fallen clanmates once again, and mark their deaths on this boulder." The clan leader flicked her tail to Brindleleaf, who sat next to a large stone, that actually seemed to be very soft, before facing the rest of the clan. "Let the vigil begin."
Treebranch's pelt was tingling, but he forced it to stop.
"First of all, Monkeytail." Dewstar sat in silence for a moment. "He was a loyal senior warrior, and friendly to young cats. He died without getting a chance to fight; he was torn by the claws of the evil Scarredstar. He is currently buried under an oak tree, to honor his love of climbing." A scratching noise came from the left, and Treebranch saw Brindleleaf mark a long clawmark on the far left of the boulder.
"Secondly, Webwhisker." Dewstar waited before speaking again. "He wasn't senior, but he wasn't young either; he was a calm, strong hunter. He died in his first battle, against Nightfang. We buried him underneath a tree filled with cobwebs, in order to represent his name." Treebranch watched Brindleleaf mark another long clawmark, close to Monkeytail's. It was shorter, but still held the memories of a fallen warrior.
"Thirdly, we have Dawnfur." The clan leader was silent until after a few heartbeats. "She was the sister of Webwhisker, and felt like she couldn't go on without him. After witnessing the death of her brother, she decided to die for him as well, by letting Nightfang kill her. She's buried beside her brother, Webwhisker, so even after death their relationship lasts forever." A third mark was made, almost identical to Webwhisker's.
"Fourth of all, Chervilstripe." Dewstar waited for a few heartbeats. "She enjoyed helping out the medicine cats, and also training apprentices, because she had a sweet spot for kits and young apprentices. She fought alongside her best friend, Moonshadow, before losing too much blood and dying. A chervil bush marks the location of her burial." Treebranch watched the fourth mark being added, beside Dawnfur's.
"Next, Panthertail." Treebranch though he could almost see Dewstar gulp. "He was always a strong cat. He survived a deep and dangerous drop down a pit and lived in its tunnels for many, many moons, before returning in time to save several cats from the disease and the battle. He died bravely and heroically, by jumping in the way of Eaglefrost's claws to stop them from killing Pebbletail." Treebranch nudged his brother. "His sisters have buried him beside the hole he fell down, to mark the memory of his plummet, all those moons ago. He can also be close to the cats he befriended in the tunnel." Brindleleaf made a small, straight mark across, then let it drop like the rest. That must symbolise his fall.
"Next, Tuftfoot." Dewstar sat in silence for a moment. "He was my lovely brother, who helped me in difficult times. He fought very hard, for his clan, until Nightfang killed him. I was there to avenge his death." Dewstar bowed her head. "We buried him near the place his mother, Daisyleaf, was buried - beside a small patch of daisies." Next to Panthertail's mark, Brindleleaf made a claw mark for Tuftfoot, before making a smaller one meet the larger one near the top. This must either mark that he's buried with his mother, or that Dewstar avenged his death.
"The next cat we lost was Blackcloud." Treebranch heard her voice again a few hearbeats later. "She was a lovely warrior, and without her the whole prophecy would not exist. Whitefrost swiftly killed her whilst she was struggling under the white spirit's claws. She was buried with the rest of her family - Her mate, Tigerblaze, her son, Sharpfang, and her grandkits, Shadefoot and Flowerheart." Blackcloud's claw mark had many small claw marks meeting with the main one. That must resemble her important family.
"We now have Strawberry." Dewstar waited for a while. "She was also a loyal senior warrior, like her brother, Monkeytail. After fighting bravely for her clan, she lost too much blood, and died. We buried her under a strawberry bush, close to the oak tree Monkeytail was buried." Brindleleaf marked another claw mark beside Blackcloud's.
"Now, we have Poppytail." Dewstar meowed. "She was one of the most joyful young warriors. Despite fighting hard most of the battle, Scarredstar swiftly killed her, in order to threaten her clan, until Rosestar avenged her death. A single poppy marks her burial spot." A ninth mark curved beside Strawberry's item of remembrance.
"And the last, but the most noble of all. Rosestar." Treebranch could see small teardrops coming from her eyes. "She was a brilliant leader. Whenever a problem came, she was always ready to solve it. She was strong and inspiring, noble and faithful. She gave up her last life in order to save her clan from Scarredstar, and we will never forget her incredible, lifesaving death. A beautiful zone resembles the burial spot for her - a small hill of lush green grass, and a rosebush overlooking it. Rosestar was one of the greatest leaders in history, and we shall never forget all those moons of serving and protecting her clan from hidden dangers." Brindleleaf was stunned for a moment, before she made the longest, largest mark, to resemble the brilliance of the leader. "May she forever be in our souls."
Chapter Two[]
"Darksnow! Darksnow!"
Treebranch was woken up early by the sound of Sorrowtail's voice. The sun was only just rising. He lifted his head and watched as Darksnow padded out of the medicine den towards the panicking queen. "What is it?"
"It's Cheetahheart," Sorrowtail panted. "She's having her kits!"
"Oh, MirageClan!" Darksnow raced back into his den and returned with a bundle of herbs in his jaws. Treebranch shifted in his nest and sat up. I want to see!
Just as Treebranch padded up to the nursery, he noticed that Cheetahheart had already given birth to her first kit - a blue-gray tom. Darksnow helped to lick the tiny bundle of fur, before he gave a tiny mew and started to suckle.
Darksnow turned around. "Treebranch, what are you doing here?" he meowed.
"May I watch Cheetahheart have her kits?" Treebranch tilted his brown head.
Darksnow gazed at him for a moment, before nodding. "Yes, but stay far back."
After a few heartbeats, Treebranch noticed that the queen's spotted fur began rippling. Darksnow placed a stick in front of her jaws, and she clutched it with her teeth, until a second kit came out.
"It's another tom," Darksnow mewed. This kit was black-furred, just like the medicine cat looming over him. Cheetahheart licked his pelt until he stirred and rolled over to her belly to suckle beside his brother.
Cheetahheart meowed with pain as her belly started to ripple. Her teeth sank into the stick as her face looked squished. I'm a tom, so I'll never know how it feels to have kits. But by the look of it, it must be very painful.
The third and final kit was a tortoiseshell tom, with a black tail. After he was given a few vigorous licks, he settled beside his brothers.
"Oh, what sweet kits," Darksnow purred. "What will you name them?"
"Oh, I thought of names as soon as they were born." Cheetahheart looked down at her sons. "The blue-gray kit will be called Bluekit, the black kit will be called Antkit, and the tortoiseshell, Thistlekit." Her happy mood changed to sadness. "I'm still upset by the fact that they will never meet their father, Tuftfoot. Unless he walks in their dreams."
Darksnow nodded, and bent his head down in sadness, before leaving the den. Treebranch took one last glance at Cheetahheart's kits, and before he could pad back to his nest, Thrushfeather caught his attention with her voice.
"Moonshadow's leading the dawn patrol," the deputy meowed. "Would you like to join Luna, Flaxpelt and Hollymoon to check and remark the border near SmokeClan?"
Treebranch nodded. I haven't been in a dawn patrol for a quarter moon! He joined Moonshadow, Luna, Flaxpelt and Hollymoon by the entrance, and told them he was coming. They nodded to him, and set off. --- Once the patrol were two fox-lengths away from the border, Treebranch picked up the strong scent of SmokeClan.
"Those crow-food-eating tresspassers!" Luna snarled. "Why are they never on their own side?"
"MirageClan knows," Moonshadow growled, before remarking the borders.
Just then, Treebranch caught sight of a SmokeClan patrol, heading their way. We must tell them why they're tresspassing.
Beechstar was leading the patrol. Runningfox, Mudpool, Weaselnose and his apprentice, Leopardpaw, were alongside him.
Flaxpelt was the first to speak. "What were you doing on our side of the border?" He hissed.
Beechstar's fur bristled. "Why would my warriors tresspass on your territory?"
"There's a strong scent of SmokeClan on our side," Hollymoon retorted. "What do you mean?"
---
After what felt like moons of arguing, the two border patrols got into a fight. Treebranch sprang onto Runningfox's back, digging his claws into the SmokeClan warrior's shoulders. Snarling, she flung him off with one spring, and pinned him. Treebranch raked her belly until she let go of him, snapping.
"Tresspassers!" Luna snarled, pouncing on Leopardpaw. The battle was raging. After hearing Moonshadow's order to run back to camp and get more warriors, he dashed to the hollow.
"SmokeClan attacked us on the border!" He yelped.
Dewstar turned to face him. "Foxdung! I'll bring more warriors. Sparrowsong, Swanfeather, Whitestrike, Pinewhisker, Honeymoon and Stormfire, follow me." Treebranch raced back to were the battle was raging, and watched as Dewstar and the reinforcement warriors sprang into battle. The SmokeClan warriors were heavily outnumbered.
"Retreat, SmokeClan, retreat!" Beechstar's cry of agony sounded out across the borders. He turned tail and fled, all his warriors following him, blood slowly trickling from their scratches and bite marks. Treebranch watched them leave with a feeling of victory.
"Okay then, we helped." Dewstar flicked her tail to her warriors. "Time to return to camp." Despite the wounds he had earned from his battle, Treebranch felt alright. He was glad to return to camp after the skirmish. Those SmokeClan warriors need to be taught a lesson.
Chapter Three[]
Treebranch had almost forgotten that tonight was the night of a Gathering. Dewstar and Thrushfeather chose Brindleleaf, Cherryheart, Nightrunner, Stormfire, Cinderblaze, Hollymoon, Icefur, Gingerfleck, Wolfheart, Pebbletail and Treebranch. The full moon was overlooking the camp, shining brightly like the sun. Suddenly, Treebranch's fur began to tingle.
What if Beechstar tells the clans about the skirmish?
After a walk through some of TidalClan's territory, LightClan had made it to the Gathering Zone - a large oak tree surrounded by tall bushes. Treebranch settled beside Pebbletail.
"Do you think SmokeClan will mention the skirmish?" His brother asked.
Treebranch shrugged. "I hope not."
Pebbletail opened his mouth to reply, until he could hear Dolphinstar's voice over the clearing.
"Welcome to the gathering, cats of all clans," she meowed. "Cherrystar, will you start?"
The FloraClan leader shifted on her branch and finally sat up. "Prey is running well in FloraClan. We also have two new warriors - Alderleaf and Umbernose."
"Alderleaf! Umbernose!" The clearing broke into cheering.
Treebranch remembered the gathering when he reccently became a warrior. All those cats were cheering for us.
"We caught the fresh scent of fox on our borders," Cherrystar continued, "but after finding the fox, my warriors fought it off." She nodded to Dewstar, who sat up after she sat down.
Please don't mention the skirmish! Please!
"Our clan is doing fine despite the Shade Forest Battle, which happened only yesterday. Cheetahheart has given birth to three kits today," Dewstar meowed.
Treebranch was relieved. Not only that the cats from the other clan were congratulating the queen - he was also relieved that Dewstar didn't say anything about the skirmish that happened last sunrise. Phew.
Then, a pang of fear stabbed through him again. Beechstar still has to speak.
Dewstar sat down, and she flicked her tail to Dolphinstar.
The TidalClan leader's chest puffed out proudly as she sat up. "Our clan are doing far, apart from the fact that we picked up some strange scents on our border. They didn't smell of any clan cats, nor kittypets or rogues. Not even dogs, badgers or foxes. I suggest that your deputies must send out extra patrols to investigate this mysterious scent."
Hmm. I'm curious.
After Dolphinstar finished her speech, Beechstar stepped up onto the branch. "We are doing fine, apart from one thing. LightClan claims we have been tresspassing on their territory, and made us get into a skirmish!" The SmokeClan leader bared his teeth. The SmokeClan warriors gave yowls of agreement.
Mousebrain! That was the last thing you should mention at a gathering.
Dewstar seemed calm despite Beechstar's angry tone. "If we caught the scent of your warriors across the border, they either tresspassed on purpose, or the border scent is too faint, even after we remarked them well before finding SmokeClan scent. One of your cats can't smell, or some warrior out there doesn't bother using their nose."
Treebranch shivered. Dewstar's words were calm, but at the same time they sounded challenging.
Beechstar's fur bristled. "Liar!" he snarled.
Dewstar flicked her tail. "Let us not make MirageClan angry. Easy." It seemed to work; Beechstar's fur lay flat again, although he still had a glint of hostility in his eyes. Then she turned to the other cats. "The gathering is over."
Treebranch sat up and he padded with his clan out of the clearing, with Pebbletail hard on his paws. He mentioned the skirmish, but at least it was not too serious!
When he had returned to camp, Treebranch padded to his nest, and curled up. Ignoring Ashpelt's snoring, he eventually fell into a deep sleep.
That night, he had a strange dream; it felt more like a vision. Treebranch was walking on an endless stretch of grass, until a ghostly figure appeared in front of him. He recognised it instantly. "Rosestar!"
"Hello there, Treebranch." The former LightClan leader nodded to him. "I have something I must show you. Stay here."
Treebranch did as he was told and remained seated as Rosestar began to pad backwards. Suddenly, two mysterious cats appeared in front of him.
One was a golden tom, with long ears and amber eyes; the other was a sleek white she-cat, with beautiful green eyes. Both were thick and clear as living cats, and both were standing as still as grass on a windless day.
"Rosestar... these are living cats! And I don't even know them!" Treebranch was puzzled.
Rosestar said nothing for a heartbeat. "If these unknown cats are found, many warriors will be saved." And as Rosestar slowly faded, Treebranch woke up.
Chapter Four[]
Treebranch was eager to find out about the two cats he had a vision-like dream about two moons ago. Since Dolphinstar and the other leaders won't stop blabbering on about them, I must search for these cats. He knew he had to get into a patrol to find them, however he had badly timed it.
Treebranch had slept past the dawn patrol, and was not included in the patrol after that. He wasn't in the next patrol either, so for mealtime he had a mouse. Then when he tried to join a border patrol, Darksnow told him to rest because he had just went on patrol, despite not going on one the whole day. When Treebranch tried to argue, Darksnow escorted him to his den, and now he's angry at him for not letting him speak. Mousebrain. And, he was not chosen for any more patrols, until the sunset. He had been invited to join a hunting patrol along the woods up higher, with Thrushfeather, Icefur and Oaktuft. A chance to search for these cats.
Treebranch was pleased during the patrol. Whilst chasing a mouse, Oaktuft picked up a funny scent trail, leading further up into the trees. Treebranch sniffed at it.
"This is an unfamiliar scent," he meowed, "but it's definitely the smell of cat. We must follow it." What if it's the scent of the cats Rosestar showed me in my dream?
Thrushfeather nodded, and flicked her brown tail. "Come on," she called to the other cats, her nose lowered to the ground.
The deputy led Treebranch and the rest of the patrol. I'm really curious about what is at the end of this trail.
Eventually, the foursome made it to to a makeshift den - a small bush, but enough space inside to fit two cats. And sleeping inside of the den were two cats. One was a golden tom with long ears; the other a white she-cat, their pelts lit up by the light of the waning moon.
Treebranch's heart jolted with excitement. He had found them. They are the cats from my dream!
"Cats!" Treebranch padded in front of Thrushfeather, and faced the other cats. "I had a vision-like dream two moons ago. Rosestar came to me, and showed me these two cats. With that, she said 'If these unknown cats are found, many warriors will be saved'. I think that if we bring these cats" - he flicked his tail to the balls of fur - "to our camp, it will be safe from an upcoming danger."
Each cat stared at him as if a hedgehog was flying. Finally, Icefur called out, "I agree! We must take them. We don't know what this danger is, but since we can always trust Rosestar, I say we bring them to camp!"
A moment later, Oaktuft agreed, and then Thrushfeather. "I just don't want to wake them, but we'll have to." And with that, she prodded each cat gently with her paw.
Both shapes stirred, until the golden tom lifted his head. "W-what? Who are you?"
Treebranch signalled to the others to step back. "I'm a cat who saw you in a vision, where you will save our home from danger. My name is Treebranch; what's yours?"
The tom looked confused, but answered Treebranch's question. "I'm Thomas, and the white she-cat is Whitney, my sister." Thomas prodded the white pelt of his sister gently, until she stirred, and sat up. He introduced Whitney to the cats.
Treebranch nodded. "We are going to take you to camp. The camp is our home, is that fine by you?" He tilted his head. I hope it is. If the clan is to thrive, we need these cats.
Thomas looked as if he didn't care. "Yeah, sure, whatever. But wherever I go, Whitney will go with me, got that?"
Treebranch nodded.
"Okay, then." Whitney stood up and stretched. "Where is your 'camp'?"
"Follow us." Thrushfeather led the way down the path, with Oaktuft and Icefur hard on her heels. Treebranch followed behind, looking back every now and then to check if Thomas and Whitney were following him. But will Dewstar accept them? I'm quite nervous...
When the cats arrived back at camp with the newcomers, there were meows of welcoming for the patrollers but also surprised, anxious mews about Thomas and Whitney being in the camp.
Where's Dewstar? Treebranch looked around, and finally caught sight of her, talking with Sparrowsong near to the elder's den.
Treebranch trotted on the dusty path of the hollow, until he had arrived beside Dewstar. "Um, Dewstar, this is something important."
Dewstar told Sparrowsong to wait a moment, then turned to face Treebranch. "What would you like to tell me?"
Treebranch felt nervousness rise up in his chest. He pushed it away angrily. "Two moons ago," he began, "Rosestar came to me in a dream, showing me two cats I don't know and telling me that 'if these unknown cats are found, many warriors will be saved.' I have found the two cats; may they stay with us at camp?"
Dewstar was silent. I guess she doesn't know what to say.
Treebranch was startled when his leader spoke. "Rosestar was such a wise and noble leader. If this is a message from her, from MirageClan, then we must accept these cats. It could lead to danger if we don't." With that, Dewstar swiftly trotted to the Sunledge and settled there.
"Let all cats old enough to hunt in the heat join here beneath the Sunledge for a clan meeting!"
Treebranch felt like he was already in place. I can't wait to listen to these words.
Just then, Wolfheart took a seat on his right, and by the looks of it she seemed very upset. I'll comfort you. First, I'll find out the reason by looking into your mind.
Treebranch did what he had to if we were to look into a cat's mind. However, he couldn't see what was going on with Wolfheart. He had a failure every time as he tried it on the cats around him.
What is happening to my power?
Chapter Five[]
Treebranch stared at his paws, wide-eyed. His power was gone! What had he done to cause it to leave his paws?
Before he asked himself another question, Dewstar began to speak. "You may all be aware that two strange cats have come into the camp." She flicked her tail towards the loners. "They are Thomas and Whitney, and they will be staying with us."
Meows sounded from behind Treebranch; a mixture of interest, confusion and anger.
"The reason that they will remain," Dewstar continued, "is that Treebranch received a message from Rosestar in his dream. She told him these cats will save the clan from an upcoming danger, so we either keep them, or we die."
The meows were of a different tone now; Treebranch could hear respectful words about Rosestar, and whispers about the newcomers.
The LightClan leader gave a brief pause to catch her breath back. "Since they know how to hunt, they will be serving the clan, so we don't have extra mouths to feed."
The senior warriors heaved sighs of relief.
"Clan dismissed," Dewstar finished, leaping off the ledge, and returning to Sparrowsong to finish her conversation.
Treebranch was desperate to know more about Thomas and Whitney. In order to fix it he padded up to the loners and nodded to them. "Would you two like to chat with me outside camp? I need to know more about you; it's my prophecy, after all."
The loners eyed each other, until Whitney turned around, and replied with a "sure."
Nodding to the white she-cat, Treebranch padded out of camp, walking side-by-side with her.
Treebranch decided something he thought was a fine idea; he could share secrets with them. I just hope they won't share it with any of my clanmates.
"Hey," Treebranch mewed out loud, "why don't we share our secrets? It'll be fun, I promise!"
Thomas and Whitney looked at each other, and nodded when they turned to face Treebranch.
"Sure thing, but you go first!" Thomas purred.
"Okay," Treebranch meowed. I have no secret to tell them, apart from my power... He gulped.
"Here goes. So, when I was an apprentice - my name was Treepaw then - I discovered that I had some kind of power. I could tell what cats are thinking, just by staring deeply at their heads. As I grew, this power became stronger, and stronger, and when"—
"Oh, cool!" Whitney interrupted. "Hey, perhaps you could try it on me? Come on, don't be scared! What am I thinking about?"
Whitney's voice was quick and excited, just like an eager new apprentice would act. Treebranch gave a long sigh. "When the battle ended, before you two arrived in LightClan's camp," he meowed, almost as if Whitney never interrupted his story, "I just discovered that I lost my power. I could no longer read minds; I could not tell what they were thinking. And I'm upset." Treebranch sighed again.
Whitney brushed her tail across Treebranch's spine. "It’s okay," she meowed softly, almost as if she was another cat. "But it's not as bad as losing a brother," she added in a sadder voice.
Treebranch eyed her, confused. "Brother? You two had a brother?"
Whitney sighed. "Yes, we did. His name was Timber, but we liked to call him Tim. And we were nicknamed 'Tom' and 'Whits'. We lived in a group similar to yours, but there were fewer cats."
"But the names were easy to remember," Thomas added. "There were our parents, Splash and Pebble, our leader, Quartz, our medics, Wolf and Fuzzy, an elder, Tuft, and so many other cats; Storm, Oak, Rita, Petal, Sandy... all I can remember. But they were all dying; Storm was killed by some kind of illness, Sandy was hit by a monster, Tuft died of old age..." Thomas took a deep breath before speaking again. "When we left, Oak was struck with some kind of sickness, and we don't know if he’s dead or not. And whilst we were travelling, Timber died." Tears began to slowly trickle down Thomas's face; Whitney's too.
Treebranch tilted his head. "What happened?" He can tell deaths are sad - he faced ten in the Shade Forest Battle, and even more in the illness before the fight - but he was curious and determined to know Timber's path of death.
"We were about twenty-eight moons old," Whitney breathed, "and we went to rest... to camp in a bush one night. Timber said he was having... hh-having a sad life, and we told him... we told him it was a great life for him. The next morning... the next morning... his body was in a thorn bush... he was dead..." Whitney collapsed, saddened as if a thorn was growing around her heart.
Treebranch couldn't help but join in with Whitney's depression. What I thought was fun turned out to be sad. What would I feel if I had to tell them about Pebbletail, if he were to die?
Chapter Six[]
The full moon was shining bright when Treebranch sat down on the soft grass, looking up at the oak tree. LightClan had been the third clan to arrive at the Gathering; only SmokeClan needed to come.
When Dewstar had called him over to go to the gathering he was sitting in grief for Timber, despite not knowing him. I wish I did.
Just then he picked up the strong scent of SmokeClan, and spotted Beechstar, padding up to the oak and climbing to the empty branch where he always sat. Since the Gathering two moons ago, when Beechstar went angry about the skirmish with LightClan, Treebranch wasn't happy. I just hope he's better now.
When all of SmokeClan had taken their place, Cherrystar sat up. "SmokeClan have arrived, so we can start the gathering. Dewstar, will you start us off?"
Dewstar didn't reply; she gave a small nod and sat up. "Two moons ago, one of my warriors received a prophecy. Treebranch, stand up and come forward."
Treebranch shook inside his pelt, but he stood up anyway. Eyes from his own clan, and from the other clans, burned into his pelt like flames. This is discomforting. He felt the urge to sit down, but he knew Dewstar would call him to stand back up again. "Explain it, please."
Treebranch took a breath. "Rosestar came to me in a dream. She showed me two shapes of cats - a golden tom and a white she-cat. And today we have found them." He flicked his tail to Thomas and Whitney, who were sitting next to him at the beginning of the gathering. They stood up as if they travelled through Treebranch's mind and found the instruction without him knowing. "They are Thomas and Whitney. The prophecy told me the clan would be saved if we kept them with us." Then he turned to Dolphinstar. "That must be the strange scent you're picking up."
Dolphinstar shook her head. "No, it is not. The weird scent is everywhere; and we have even found tracks. They're hoof-shaped, similar to a sheep's."
Treebranch sat in thought. So... are sheep invading the clans? That sounds crazy; sheep are weak compared to battle-trained cats!
"However," Dolphinstar continued, "These hoofprints are much larger. They're about cow-sized, to be exact."
Treebranch felt as if flies were nibbling at his sides. Cows were more dangerous than sheep. "This is strange."
The rest of the Gathering was boring and tiring; Cherrystar and Beechstar were talking about regular things; how prey is running well and things like that. Cherrystar had dismissed the Gathering.
Treebranch was walking side by side with Thomas and Whitney, chatting with them. "So... that is what a Gathering is like."
"It's pretty good," Whitney meowed, "but the last bits were boring."
"I know!" Thomas agreed. "They seem to talk about nothing but food and kits."
"That does not always happen, thought," Treebranch told them. "Sometimes there are even arguments. I've been in one, when Beechstar was angry at Dewstar after some skirmish by the border, two moons ago."
Thomas tilted his head. "Are arguments fun to listen to?"
Whitney cuffed his ear. "Of course they aren't, mouse-brain! Unless they're about a small, stupid thing."
Treebranch couldn't help but agree. "I wish they could all argue about who should eat a skinny mouse in greenleaf. That would be fun," he joked.
When they had made it back to camp, Cherryheart and Cinderblaze had made nests for the loners in the apprentices den, for it was empty. Goldkit and Amberkit said they wanted to become medicine cats, and Bluekit, Antkit and Thistlekit were still very young, so for the moment it will be the loners' own den.
Treebranch wished there were many apprentices, so that he could sleep with Whitney. He wanted to feel her soft, warm fur at his side. Why don't I sleep with her?"
After gaining permission from Dewstar, Treebranch grabbed his nest with his teeth and began to drag it towards the apprentices' den. He nodded gently to Whitney, who nodded back. Thomas was curled up, obviously in a dream. His ears rapidly flicked, and occasionally he shook his head as if it was wet. I swear he is getting attacked by a swarm of flies.
Treebranch settled in the nest, Whitney right beside him. He pushed his nose into his paws, and with the warmth of Whitney's fur on his, he drifted off into sleep.
He woke up, in a forest, with a bramble bush beside him. He jump back in alarm as a shape began to walk out of the bush. It was a brown tom; streaked with lighter and darker brown patterns all on his pelt. "I knew I'd see you. My name is Timber."
Chapter Seven[]
Treebranch couldn't believe his eyes. Timber? But... he can't be here! He didn't believe in MirageClan.
Timber seemed to have read his mind. "This is not MirageClan. This is where all my fallen Gangmates go."
"Gangmates?" Treebranch tilted his head.
Timber sat down. "Didn't my siblings tell you about them? Up here with me, I have Storm, Oak, Sandy, Tuft, Pine... I even have Pebble, my own father."
Treebranch began to remember, however they told it to him in a different way. They did not mention Pine, and they told him Oak had an illness before they left the 'Gang'. He must have been killed by it. And they didn't even mention their own father. Did he die without them knowing?
Timber flicked his tail. "They're behind you.
Treebranch slowly turned around, and spotted six cats, sitting down behind him. They all told him their names with quick whispers and stepped back.
Treebranch's eyes flicked open. The sun was only starting to rise; Whitney and Thomas were still asleep. As he crept out of the apprentices' den, he realised that the dawn patrol - consisting of Sorrowtail, Ashpelt and Cinderblaze - were about to leave camp. Treebranch padded up to Sorrowtail. "May I join the patrol?"
Sorrowtail did nothing but nod. She flicked her paw in the direction of the camp exit. Treebranch wondered why she did that, then remembered that she couldn't move her tail much; she had to use her paw instead of tail signals. Having a tail like that must be difficult.
Sorrowtail led the way. The patrol were heading for FloraClan's border. I hope they're not as stupid as SmokeClan.
Treebranch suddenly hit his paw against a small fallen log, and tripped, landing face first onto the ground. He gave a yowl of pain. My paw!
Cinderblaze turned around, almost as soon as Treebranch yowled, and dashed towards him. "Treebranch! Are you okay?"
Treebranch spat out some dirt he scooped up with his mouth. He could feel a stabbing pain in his paw, but he managed to stand up. "I'm fine," he meowed.
Cinderblaze glanced at his paw. "There's a large splinter in it!" she yelped.
Ashpelt, who was the youngest warrior in the patrol apart from Treebranch, told the she-cats that he will grab a medicine cat to help. With that he dashed in the direction of camp.
It didn't take long for Treebranch to realise that blood began to gash out of the wound. But Ashpelt was fast; he already returned, Brindleleaf flanking his pelt.
"Help him!" Ashpelt told her. "There's a large splinter in his paw."
Brindleleaf nodded to the tom. "It's a good thing that it's large. It's easier to pull out." She grabbed the splinter with her teeth, and with a gentle tug, she pulled it out.
To Treebranch's relief, the splinter didn't hurt as much as he'd expected it to. A painful wound was left behind, so Brindleleaf grabbed some fat black roots - Treebranch recognised them as comfrey - and began to chew them. Grabbing the poultice she pressed it onto his wound. The pain eased, and eventually left his paw. The medicine cat told him to keep his paw still as she began to wrap some cobweb on it. "It should stop the bleeding," she meowed.
"Thanks," Treebranch breathed. He nodded to Brindleleaf, who grabbed a couple of comfrey roots and padded back in the direction of camp.
Just as he sat up, he noticed a FloraClan patrol. Skycloud, the deputy, was in the lead; Heathershine, Beechleaf and Umbernose flanked her.
Instead of an annoying 'What are you doing on FloraClan territory?', Skycloud gave a friendly nod. "Feel free to mark the borders; just don't stray on our side."
Ashpelt scowled. "As if we were going to when the markers were fresh, mouse-brain! Do you think LightClan cats don't have noses?"
Sorrowtail pawed him in the face. "Mouse-brain yourself!" she snarled. "Why talk to them in that tone, after they offered us kindly to mark the borders?"
Ashpelt opened his mouth to retort, but closed it again, his only reply a growl.
"Don't worry about him, FloraClan." Sorrowtail's tone was still grumpy. "He's young and a bit tired. It's dawn, after all."
Heathershine nodded. "Agreed. Young and tired makes grumpy."
Beechleaf purred.
Sorrowtail started to mark her side of the border. Treebranch limped beside Cinderblaze and began to mark the border.
When they were finished with marking, Treebranch waved goodbye to the FloraClan patrol with his tail, and Umbernose returned it. And when Treebranch turned around, he halted.
Large, cow-like hoofprints were on the ground right in front of him. The scent was fresh and leading to the forest beyond. The creature was nearby... and dangerously nearby.
Chapter Eight[]
"Let all cats old enough to bathe in the heat join here beneath the Sunledge for a clan meeting!"
Darksnow stopped unwrapping the wound on Treebranch's paw. He padded into the clearing and took a seat beside Brindleleaf.
Treebranch limped out, taking his place beside Whitney, who greeted him with a purr. Thomas was on her other side, licking his paw.
Dewstar flicked her tail to silence the cats. "We have two kits ready to become apprentices. Amberkit, Goldkit, step forward."
The two young cats did as they were told
"These two kits have been with us for six moons, and are ready to earn the rank of apprentice." Dewstar looked at Amberkit. "Amberkit, from this moment on, until you receive your full name, you shall be known as Amberpaw." Dewstar touched her muzzle to the young cat's head. "You have chosen the path of a medicine cat, so Brindleleaf will become your mentor. She will pass on the important medicine cat things you need to know, after learning it from Darksnow, and I hope she does well training you.
Brindleleaf stepped forward, and touched Amberpaw's nose. The two cats padded back into the crowd.
"And Goldkit," Dewstar turned to face Amberpaw's brother, "you shall be known as Goldpaw. You have also chosen the path of a medicine cat, so Darksnow will mentor you. He will pass on the information he learned from Marshrunner, and will guide you on the way to becoming a medicine cat."
Treebranch couldn't believe it. Four medicine cats? I thought two was enough!
Darksnow touched his nose to Goldpaw, and returned to the crowd, as the cheering began. "Amberpaw! Goldpaw!"
Dewstar dismissed the meeting when the cheering finished. The newly-made apprentices padded towards the medicine den, where their mentors were waiting.
Treebranch had nothing to do. He didn't feel like going on a patrol, so he decided he would watch Amberpaw and Goldpaw's first training session.
"May I watch them?" Treebranch asked Darksnow.
Brindleleaf replied. "Sure."
After she said her words, Treebranch settled at the entrance, and began to spectate the training session.
Brindleleaf pushed a catmint leaf towards Amberpaw. "This is catmint," she meowed. "We use it to cure greencough, which is an illness that comes only during leaf-bare."
Amberpaw recited what Brindleleaf said, and she nodded.
Treebranch turned to look at what Darksnow was doing with Goldpaw.
Darksnow placed some comfrey roots beside Goldpaw. "These are comfrey roots. They must be chewed, to be made into a poultice. You have to press it onto the wound you want to apply it on. The pain will ease and may even disappear."
At that moment, Treebranch remembered when, four days ago, he had stumbled over a log during a dawn patrol and got a large splinter in his paw, and how Brindleleaf used the root to help with the pain. As he lifted it, only a scar remained where the splinter would have been, four sunrises ago.
"And," Darksnow added, "if the wound is bleeding, apply cobweb. It will soak up the blood and stop the bleeding. And if it is infected - whether it is swelling or warm, or even both - apply some marigold, chervil or horsetail. Remember that they need to be chewed into a poultice, apart from chervil. You can squeeze the juice onto the wound."
Treebranch knew Darksnow made a very good mentor. He turned to watch Amberpaw learn.
"So, Amberpaw," Brindleleaf meowed to her, pointing to a bright yellow flower. "What is this called?"
"Marigold," Amberpaw meowed back.
"And what is it used for?"
"To heal infections."
Brindleleaf nodded. "What will you need if I have a fever, and you're out of feverfew?"
"Lavender."
Brindleleaf was pleased. "You're a quick learner, Amberpaw."
Treebranch wondered about having an apprentice. I hope they will be a quick learner, like these two.
A loud banging noise sounded from the camp entrance. Treebranch rushed to see what's happening, and noticed a huge, black creature with massive, curved horns was standing at the entrance, kicking its hooves. Sparrowsong, who was on watch, yelped with fear. The beast snatched her up with its horns and flung her across the clearing. The side of Sparrowsong's head bashed against the stone walls of the hollow, and she fell, obviously in massive pain and shock. She lay still, blood pouring out from her head.
Treebranch froze. Was this the creature who's footprints have been everywhere?
Chapter Nine[]
"I've seen one of these before!" yelped Bird. "They're called bulls. They're like cows, but they're - eek!"
She dashed inside a den as the bull charged around camp, threatening each cat in its path.
Treebranch rushed over to Sparrowsong, grabbed her scruff and hauled her onto his back. She was heavy; it was very obvious, because she was the oldest warrior, and Treebranch was the youngest, if the heartbeat difference between him and Pebbletail didn't matter.
Darksnow rushed out of his den. "Oh, MirageClan. We need to help her!"
Brindleleaf sat with Goldpaw and Amberpaw. "This is your first patient," she meowed. "You must be prepared."
The two young cats nodded, and started gathering herbs they would need to help Sparrowsong.
Only later did Treebranch realise that some cats seemed to have unleashed their bravery on the bull. Nightrunner was sinking her teeth into its leg, while Stormfire kept jumping up at the bull's side, clawing it repeatedly.
"Oh, and I forgot to mention." Bird emerged from the den again. "Bulls seem to go wild when they see blood." She retreated again as the beast rushed past the dens.
Treebranch wondered what was going to happen. Am I next?
His question was answered as the bull started to charge towards him. Treebranch let out a shriek and retreated into the nursery as the bull rammed into it, breaking a bit of. The black animal turned around, and began dashing in circles again.
"Oh, Treebranch." Cheetahheart was laying inside a nest, her sons curled up beside her, mewling with fear. "Please guard my kits. They're scared."
Treebranch nodded. He was going to be a temporary father for them!
He padded up to the kits, and gently licked each one. "You'll be okay," he murmured to them.
When he turned around to see where the bull was, he noticed it was cornering Pebbletail, Hollymoon and Goldpaw to the walls of the camp. A lump formed in his throat. We're about to lose these three. Hollymoon is a loyal warrior, Goldpaw is a newly-made apprentice, and Pebbletail - Oh, Pebbletail! I can't lose him! He's my brother!
As the bull kicked its hoof in preparation to charge, he heard a loud battle yowl, and Whitney sprang onto the bull's rump, sinking her teeth into it.
The bull gave an exasperated huff, and prepared to charge again. But Thomas grabbed hold of its horns, and guided them onto the ground. He smashed the bull's head to the stone-hard floor, and it yowled in agony.
Treebranch felt as if Thomas had dealt the same damage the bull had dealt to Sparrowsong. That's what you get, mange-pelt!
Whitney sprang off the monster's back and bit into its tail, tugging at it toughly. The creature reared back, and as Whitney released its tail, it stormed out of camp, a red trail following it.
Treebranch exited the nursery. The bull had done some damage to the camp, but not too much.
He was eager to know how Sparrowsong was doing. He padded in the direction of the medicine den and entered it. "Is Sparrowsong okay?"
Brindleleaf shook her head sadly. "She didn't make it. She lost too much blood."
Treebranch shifted his paws. Stupid bull! Next time I see one, I will thrash it, like Thomas and Whitney did.
Chapter Ten[]
Dewstar had called another meeting, the second one of the day, after Amberpaw and Goldpaw's apprentice ceremony. Treebranch sat beside Whitney, Pebbletail on the other side of him.
Dewstar looked down on her cats. "We all know that a so-called 'bull' has attacked our camp. We lost Sparrowsong when it attacked."
Sparrowsong's body was lying in the centre of the camp, unmoving. Some senior warriors sat looking over her, grief in their eyes.
Dewstar looked down at her. "She had been a loyal warrior for seasons. We could never forget her bravery and loyalty to the clan. She will also join her siblings, Firwhisker and Rockpool, in MirageClan. May they light her path."
Cats began to share tongues with her one last time. Licking her pelt and whispering wishes to her, they waited until the elders heaved her body onto their backs, and carried it to the camp entrance to prepare for burial.
Dewstar made sure all cats were still listening. "But we need to thank Thomas and Whitney for saving us. Without them, we would have lost more warriors than we did."
The two loners exchanged excited glances as the warriors began yowling with congratulation. Thomas bowed his head to the cats while Whitney crossed her paws shyly.
"As a reward," Dewstar continued, "they will be living with the clan. And we have heard how well they fought. Are you fine with receiving warrior names?"
The two cats nodded.
Every clan cat began nodding to each other; they could hunt for themselves, and could defeat that one monster that no other warrior could. They would become warriors instantly.
"Thomas," Dewstar meowed, "from this moment on you shall be known as Lionstrike. We welcome you as a full warrior of LightClan. We hope you enjoy the rest of your life in the clan."
Lionstrike bowed his head with pleasure. Dewstar padded down to him, and touched her muzzle on his head.
"And Whitney," Dewstar turned to her, "you shall know be known as Snowmist. We welcome you as a full warrior of LightClan, and we hope you enjoy the rest of your life in the clan."
Dewstar touched her muzzle on Snowmist's head, and she began to purr.
The clan began to cheer. "Lionstrike! Snowmist! Lionstrike! Snowmist!"
Treebranch's heart burst with happiness. They're part of the clan now. I'm so happy!