EOTW: Silent Sacrifice: Chapter Seventeen

Warriors Series 5.5: Echoes of the War
Book 6: Silent Sacrifice
Chapter Seventeen

     “Where could she have gone?”

     The voices in the den roused Blazeheart from his sleep. The tabby lifted his head, blinking groggily as he tried to figure out what was going on. Cosima was speaking with Snowfall, worry shining in her eyes, and tail lashing. The soft light filtering into the den told Blazeheart that it was still early morning. All around him, cats were asleep, but Cosima's panicked mew was starting to rouse them.

     Blazeheart pushed onto his paws, approaching the two warriors. “What's going on?” he asked.

     Both cats turned to face him. “It's Silentstorm!” Cosima mewed, tone full of worry. “She ran out of the den while I was on watch duty. I thought she might just have wanted to get some air, but she didn't come back by the time for Lilyfrost's next watch. I tried to track where her scent had gone, but it's been snowing during the night, and the snow covered her scent. I don't know where she could have gone, but Dark Forest patrols have passed nearby. It's too dangerous to be alone out there.”

     Cold fear clawed at Blazeheart's heart. Memories of last night's conversation with his sister. Has she left us already?

     Lightfoot was on his paws in an instant. “When's the last time you saw her?” he demanded, mew tinged with worry. “Did anyone else see her leave?”

     Cosima opened her mouth to answer, only to be cut off by a small mew. “I saw her leave.” Everyone turned to look at Jaykit, who was staring at her Clanmates with fear and worry in her gray eyes.

     “You did?” Lightfoot asked, hope sparking in his eyes. “Did she say where she was going?”

     Jaykit ducked her head. “She said she had something really important to do. She said she wasn't sure how long she'd be gone, and that I should stay with you and Blazeheart and be good.” For a moment, the kit looked up, giving her father a knowing glance.

     Blazeheart's breath caught. She's left to go fight Scorch, he realized.

     Shock pulsed through the tabby's pelt. Last night, Silentstorm had finally told him and Lightfoot the truth about the prophecy. She'd said that it likely wouldn't be long before the battle, but he hadn't guessed that she'd have to leave that very night.

     Lightfoot and Blazeheart seemed to be the only cats who realized the significance of what Jaykit had told them. "What's so important that she had to leave in the middle of the night to do it?" Cosima asked, looking surprised. "Doesn't she realize dangerous it is to go out there alone with Dark Forest cats everywhere?"

     "Of course she does!" Blazeheart defended his sister immediately. "My sister's not a mousebrain!"

     Cosima blinked, looking surprised and a bit embarrassed. Snowfall rose to his paws, coming to stand between Blazeheart and the former kittypet. "No cat accused Silentstorm of being a mousebrain," he mewed calmly. "But if she really is out there alone, she could be in danger. We should look for her, and for Screechkit, and any other Clanmates we can find."

     Lightfoot and Blazeheart shared an uneasy glance. On the one paw, if Silentstorm really had left to fulfill the prophecy, Blazeheart very much doubted they would be able to find her. But on the other, Screechkit was still out there, and so were the rest of their Clanmates. They had to try and find them. “You're right,” he meowed aloud. He glanced critically at his wounded, exhausted, starving Clanmates before adding, “And besides, we all need to eat. I can take out a hunting patrol, and we'll look for our Clanmates while we're out there. How does that sound?”

     The rest of the cats quickly agreed, so Blazeheart began organizing his patrol. He picked the least injured of the warriors – Cosima, Lightfoot, and Duskpaw – and made sure to leave enough cats to protect the kits. They headed out of the den, into the light of the early morning. Blazeheart hadn't realized it was snowing until he stepped outside, but now the snow swirled all around him, coming to rest on the already snow-covered floor of the forest.

     As Blazeheart led his patrol into the forest, they almost immediately had to hide behind a clump of bracken from a passing Dark Forest patrol. The see-through warriors were prowling through ThunderClan's territory like they owned it, growling to each other as they sniffed the air. Looking for Silentstorm, Blazeheart guessed, Or for any ThunderClan cats still in the territory.

     They waited for the patrol to leave before moving on, more cautious now. “We shouldn't stay out here too long,” Blazeheart warned his Clanmates. “There could be Dark Forest cats anywhere out here, and we can't afford to pick a fight. Let's try to find what prey we can, and get back to the others.”

SCENEBREAK

     It was a better hunting day than Blazeheart had seen in moons. Cosima brought down a robin not long after hiding from the Dark Forest patrol, and after that, Duskpaw and Blazeheart caught two mice that had been foraging together in the snow. Blazeheart guessed that the Dark Forest cats weren't hunting in the territory anymore, now that there weren't Clan cats there to steal from. Either way, he was grateful for the hearty catch, considering it was the middle of leafbare.

     That better hunting came at a price, however. All too frequently, the patrol had to halt in order to avoid being seen by a Dark Forest patrol. Blazeheart had never seen so many patrols in one day. The amount of Dark Forest cats in their territory seemed unending, and judging by their numbers, they were putting all of their resources into finding the missing ThunderClan cats. If Blazeheart had to guess, their biggest target was Silentstorm. He sent a silent prayer to StarClan that his sister was safe, and that she could come back to them soon. The battle she had to face would be fought to the death, and he had seen for himself what a powerful opponent Scorch was. Please, let Silentstorm win, he prayed to StarClan. Let my sister come home safely.

     Lightfoot was distracted for most of the patrol, more intent on searching for Screechkit than he was on sniffing out prey. Blazeheart knew how important it was to bring back prey for the others, but at the same time, he could hardly blame Lightfoot. And it wasn't like Lightfoot was the only one who was missing a lost Clanmate.

     When Bramblestar had ordered his warriors to retreat, Blazeheart had run right to the nursery to grab Wrenkit. Ambertalon had been there defending her, but when he came to pick her up, the queen had said she wanted to help make sure their Clanmates got out safely. Blazeheart had agreed to take care of Wrenkit for the time being, and had been fully intending to meet up with Ambertalon once the Clan had fled to safety. He hadn't counted on the Clan being scattered by the Dark Forest, and since leaving her behind in the nursery, he hadn't seen hide or hair of Ambertalon.

     At first, his priority had been to get Wrenkit to safety. But now, worry and fear for his mate clawed at Blazeheart's chest. While Lightfoot searched for Screechkit, he kept his eyes open for any trace of his mate. Ambertalon was still alive; she had to be. She was the strongest cat Blazeheart had ever known. He couldn't bear to think of the possibility that he had lost her forever.

     The snow was starting to pick up as the patrol padded along, coming down harder as the wind tugged at the warriors' pelts. Blazeheart was beginning to worry that the snow would drive prey into hiding when Duskpaw suddenly stiffened. “Wait. I smell something.” She turned, sniffing at the fallen snow, before scraping the freshly-fallen layer back with a triumphant cry. “Look!”

     Blazeheart and the others crowded around her. To Blazeheart's surprise, blood stained the snow underneath the newly-fallen snow, leading in a winding trail towards a clump of ferns. Wary now, Blazeheart gestured to his Clanmates to wait, then began creeping towards the ferns. He pushed through them, only to find more blood-scent leading towards a nearby hazel bush.

     “Get away!” A blur of muscles and claws suddenly slammed into Blazeheart, sending him and his attacker tumbling into the snow.

     Blazeheart snarled as he was thrown onto his back, only to pause as he recognized his attacker. “Ivypool?” he gasped.

     Ivypool's lips had been drawn back in a furious snarl. But after a moment, recognition flared in her eyes, and her hackles began to lower. “Blazeheart?” she mewed, looking confused. She stepped back, allowing the tom to get back onto his paws. “Thank StarClan! I thought you were Dark Forest cats coming back for us.”

     “Us?” Blazeheart's ears pricked, hope clawing at his heart. “Who else is with you?”

     “Come and see.” Ivypool turned and started limping towards the hazel bush. Blazeheart was surprised to see how badly she was injured. A deep slice ran across her shoulder, causing Ivypool to hold that paw gingerly off the ground, and the rest of her pelt was covered in slices and gashes. She must have been really desperate, to attack me in the state that she's in, Blazeheart realized.

     He followed Ivypool under the hazel bush, blinking a few times in the dark lighting. Once his vision adjusted, he could see Ripplewing lying sprawled out on the ground, Redleaf lying beside him and grooming his wounds. Redleaf looked up as the two warriors entered, but Ripplewing didn't move. There was a nasty gash on his belly, pulsing with blood. At first, Blazeheart thought he was unconcious, but he quickly realized from the gentle rise and fall of his sides that the tom was only asleep.

     “Blazeheart!” Redleaf mewed, surprise flashing in her green eyes. “Oh thank StarClan, we weren't sure if the rest of the Clan would be able to find us here.”

     “Redleaf and I were able to get Ripplewing to safety,” Ivypool explained to Blazeheart. “We were separated from the rest of the Clan. Ripplewing was badly hurt, so he's been resting, and we've been keeping watch for the Dark Forest.” For a moment, hope glowed in her eyes. “How many more cats are with you?”

     “Not many,” Blazeheart mewed grimly. “But Antpaw is with us.”

     Fierce joy flashed in Ivypool's eyes. “My son! How is he?”

     “He's safe, and he isn't badly hurt,” Blazeheart assured her. “Other than that, we have Snowfall, Cosima, Lilyfrost, Duskpaw, Lightfoot, Wrenkit, and Jaykit.” He hesitated, then asked, “Have you seen Ambertalon or Screechkit since we left camp?”

     Cold claws clutched at his chest as Ivypool shook her head. “The last I saw Ambertalon, she was chasing a Dark Forest tom away from Foxpaw after Bramblestar told us to retreat,” she told Blazeheart. “But I haven't seen her since then, I'm afraid. And I didn't see Screechkit at all during the battle.”

     Blazeheart tried to hide his disappointment. “Well, at least you three are safe,” he mewed. Oh Ambertalon, where are you? he wondered, his heart aching for her. StarClan, let her and Screechkit be safe.

     Before Ivypool could reply, a small tortoiseshell face poked through the branches of the hazel bush, peering curiously inside. “What's taking you so lo...” she began, only to blink in surprise as she noticed the rest of her Clanmates. “You found cats!”

     “Duskpaw, I thought I told all of you to wait,” Blazeheart reminded his apprentice, a stern edge to his mew.

     “You were taking too long, and we heard snarling,” Duskpaw explained, unimpressed with her mentor's stern tone.

     She pushed her way under the bush, giving a bright purr as she approached her Clanmates. A few moments later, Lightfoot and Cosima followed behind her. Cosima blinked in surprise as she saw the cats inside. “Great StarClan, Ripplewing looks hurt!”

     Blazeheart looked around at all of his Clanmates for a few moments, before sighing. “Let's get back to the others,” he suggested.

     “What about our Clanmates?” Lightfoot demanded, fear in his mew. “And Screechkit? I have to find her!”

     Blazeheart felt a rush of sympathy for the tom. He hadn't lost his own daughter, but he cared for his sister's kits deeply; Screechkit's loss hurt him too. But what he felt for his own daughter was different, and with Wrenkit safe in the den, he couldn't imagine what Lightfoot was going through. “I know. But Ripplewing is hurt, and the Clanmates we left at the den still need to eat. Besides, we're not going to find any more cats or prey in this snow. I think it would be best if we all eat and think about our next move.”

     Lightfoot looked like he was going to argue further, but after a moment, he hung his head in defeat. “I guess you're right,” he murmured.

     Blazeheart watched the tom a few moments longer, making sure he wasn't going to argue further, before turning away. “Alright,” he mewed. “Let's get going.”

SCENEBREAK

     The gentle, falling snow had turned into a full-blown snowstorm by the time Blazeheart and his patrol return to the fox den. Ripplewing had been woken, and was leaning heavily against Redleaf as the patrol trudged along. They were greeted with surprised mews as they brought their Clanmates into the cramped den, cats coming forward to greet the newcomers. While the cats in the den seemed happy to see more Clanmate, they were also alarmed by how badly injured they were.

     Ivypool limped right to her son, Antpaw mewling like a kit as he let his mother sniff and nuzzle him all over. Redleaf led Ripplewing into the center of the den, before he slid gracelessly to the ground, eyes glazed over with pain. Lilyfrost approached him, sniffing his wounds with a worried expression.

     “This looks really bad,” Lilyfrost murmured, eyes shining with worry. “He needs to see a medicine cat right away.” She glanced at Ivypool, who was trying to clean the wound on her shoulder, clearly drained from the pain of her wound. “And so does she.”

     Cosima's eyes glowed with worry. “And Silentstorm still isn't back,” she murmured, looking guilty. “I shouldn't have just let her leave. Shouldn't we keep looking for her?”

     No cat answered her. Blazeheart didn't have the heart to tell his Clanmates that Silentstorm wouldn't be back for a while, and Lightfoot's eyes were dull with pain. As the silence stretched out, Duskpaw looked over her Clanmates, tail lashing. “What are we going to do?” she mewed, fear and worry tinging her mew. “Leafpool is dead, and StarClan knows where Finchwing got to after the battle. How are we going to look after our Clanmates?”

     No answer seemed forthcoming. Ivypool was the oldest warrior in the den, but the walk back to the fox den seemed to have drained her; her eyes were glazed over with exhaustion as she tried to clean her wound. Lilyfrost's tail was trembling as she looked over her injured Clanmates, and Snowfall flinched as he sat up, his back wound trickling with fresh blood. Blazeheart was chilled by how defeated his Clanmates already seemed.

     Suddenly, an idea came to him. He hesitated, before resigning himself; it was their best chance. “We're not far from WindClan's border,” he meowed aloud, catching the attention of his Clanmates. “I think we should cross into WindClan's territory and ask them for shelter.”

     His Clanmates glanced at him in surprise. “WindClan?” Antpaw repeated, looking confused. “But the Clans are supposed to be separate now.”

     “I know,” Blazeheart mewed. He had worried about the same thing for moons. And yet, he knew that this was the best shot his Clanmates had at surviving. “But our Clanmates need a medicine cat – we need to get them treated. If we go to WindClan, Kestrelflight and Icefur will be able to treat them.”

     Cosima poked her head outside of the den, pulling it back with a hiss. “It's turned into a blizzard out there,” she called to her Clanmates. Every cat was having to speak louder to be heard over the shrieking of the wind. “We won't make it to WindClan with the weather like this.”

     “It'll be dangerous, but it's more dangerous to stay here,” Blazeheart argued. “There are Dark Forest patrols all over the territory. If we stay here any longer, they'll find us, and too many of us are injured to last in a fight. We need to get out of ThunderClan territory until we can figure out how to win our territory back.”

     Some cats were still looking uncertain, and Lightfoot's eyes were glowing with fear, but Ivypool and Snowfall were both nodding slowly. “The wind sounds bad out there, but we know this territory better than the Dark Forest,” Snowfall murmured thoughtfully. “If we can just get to the border and find a patrol, we might make it.”

     Ivypool lifted her head, determination in her gaze. “I think Blazeheart is right,” she meowed strongly. “We need to get to WindClan, before the Dark Forest finds us. This storm isn't going to stop them; they'll keep looking for any cats left on this territory until they find us.”

     “But what about our Clanmates?” Lightfoot protested, fear in his mew. “We can't just leave them!”

     Blazeheart sighed. The tabby approached the tom, looking him in the eyes as he mewed, “I know you're afraid for Screechkit, and for Silentstorm.” He could see fear for his daughter blazing in Lightfoot's eyes. “But we won't be any good to them if we're killed by the Dark Forest. And as long as we stay here, Jaykit and Wrenkit are still in danger. We need to get them somewhere safe before we can try to find Screechkit.”

     Lightfoot held Blazeheart's gaze for several moment, desperation shining in his eyes, before he looked away to glance at Jaykit. He watched the she-kit stare back at him with fear in her eyes, before finally sighing. “Alright,” he murmured. “I'll do what it takes to keep Jaykit safe.”

     “Good,” Blazeheart mewed. He glanced back at his Clanmates, looking at the small fresh-kill pile they'd assembled as he mewed, “Let's all try to get something to eat, and then we should get going.” He was surprised to hear the authoritative ring in his mew, but more surprising was the fact that his Clanmates listened. They began dividing up the prey so everyone would get something to eat, checking over wounds and trying to get them clean. Blazeheart was one of the least injured warriors, and had been the one to lead the hunting patrol, and come up with the idea to travel to WindClan. For whatever reason, his Clanmates seemed to now be looking to him.

     I just hope my idea doesn't get us all killed, he thought darkly.

SCENEBREAK

     Once every cat had eaten, they left the fox den behind and set off for the moorland. Blazeheart was at the front of the group, Wrenkit held tightly in his jaws. Antpaw was walking beside Ivypool, helping his mother as she limped forward. Redleaf and Lilyfrost were supporting the half-conscious Ripplewing between them, while Cosima helped Snowfall walk, his back held stiffly. Duskpaw had taken the rear, keeping an eye out for any Dark Forest cats behind them, while Lightfoot was in the middle with Jaykit in his jaws. There was dull glaze to his eyes that told Blazeheart that he was thinking of his lost daughter and mate.

     The wind was howling like all of TigerClan, nearly carrying the Clan cats off of their paws. The snow was up to their bellies now; they were trudging forward like snails, fighting against the wind and thick snow with very step. Blazeheart kept a tight grip on his daughter, screwing his eyes shut as a fierce blast of wind and snow hit his face. It seemed like every step forward meant two steps backward. But they had to keep going. It was their only chance.

     For a while, Blazeheart couldn't tell where they were. The snow was falling in such thick sheets that he could barely see two mouse-lengths in front of him. He was beginning to fear that they were hopelessly lost when he finally saw something he recognized. “That tree!” he called back to his Clanmates, feeling the first shred of hope he'd felt since they left the fox den. “I've seen it before. We're not far from the border!”

     He picked up the pace, pushing his Clanmates onward as he tried to lead them towards the border. Wrenkit shivered in his jaws, her pelt dusted with snow. “I'm cold,” she mewled, her mew quivering as she shook.

     Fear clawed at Blazeheart's heart. He knew that young kittens like Jaykit and Wrenkit would be far more susceptible to the cold than larger warriors; if he didn't get her and Jaykit somewhere warm soon, they would freeze to death. “I know, dear,” he murmured to her, trying to keep the tremor of fear out of his mew. “We'll be somewhere warm soon, I promise.”

     Finally, the trees began to thin out, leading to the open moorland. Relief crashed over Blazeheart; they had reached WindClan territory. He pushed the patrol harder now, calling, “Come on! We have to find a patrol!” Ripplewing seemed barely conscious now, and Ivypool was limping badly, but he couldn't afford to let them rest. If they didn't get out of this storm soon, they would freeze. He led them further into the territory, trying to remember anywhere in the territory where they might find a patrol. StarClan, help me! he prayed, hoping he was leading them the right way. He couldn't remember how to find the camp in this terrible storm, and there was no guarantee that there would be any patrols out in a storm this bad. Please let us get lucky enough to find a patrol!

     “Intruders!” Suddenly, the patrol was being surrounded, lithe forms padding out of the snow with their backs arched. Blazeheart crouched protectively in front of his injured Clanmates, Cosima, Redleaf, and Lilyfrost doing the same. He was quickly able to recognize the cats surrounding them as WindClan warriors. Larksong headed the patrol, with Beechleaf, Nightfern, and Shardpaw accompanying her. A half-frozen hare hung from Beechleaf's jaws.

     The warriors approached the crouching ThunderClan cats with flashing fangs and extended claws, only to pause as they recognized the intruders. “Blazeheart?” Larksong mewed, looking confused. “Ivypool? Snowfall? What are you doing here?” Her eyes widened with shock as she noticed the kits in the group. “And what in StarClan are you doing with such young kits in a storm like this?”

     Blazeheart took a step forward, surprised at how his legs were shaking. The journey to WindClan territory had really taken a lot out of him. “Thank StarClan,” he breathed, setting Wrenkit on the snow in front of him for a moment. She snuggled back against the warmth of his legs, staring up at the WindClan deputy with wide eyes. “I'm sorry for intruding, but we didn't have any choice. We need to speak with Heatherstar. Please Larksong – these kits will freeze if they stay out in this storm any longer.”

     The deputy hesitated, before dipping her head. “Very well,” she murmured. “I'd never let kits freeze, and it looks like a fair few of you could do with a medicine cat. Come with us.”

     Blazeheart was shaky with relief as the WindClan patrol approached his Clanmates, helping them to their paws and leading them forward. Nightfern spoke in a low voice to Lightfoot, before Lightfoot set Jaykit down and Nightfern scooped up the kit in her jaws. He stumbled forward, suddenly looking more exhausted. Shardpaw and Beechleaf took over looking after Ripplewing, and Larksong approached Blazeheart. “You look dead on your paws,” she murmured. “I can carry your kit, if you need.”

     The tom hesitated, fierce protective instinct for his daughter flooding through him. But after a moment, he dipped his head. “Thank you,” he murmured. The truth was, the effort of leading his Clan to the moor, as well as yesterday's battle, had exhausted him. The gray deputy was one of the WindClan cats he knew best, and he knew he could trust her with his daughter. Larksong blinked at him, then padded up to Wrenkit, murmuring to the kit before grasping her gently between her teeth. Once Wrenkit was secure in her grasp, Larksong came to the front of the patrol, leading them all towards WindClan's camp.

     Even with the storm, it didn't take them long to reach WindClan's camp. The camp seemed almost abandoned when they arrived, but Blazeheart quickly realized that most of the cats were hiding in various holes and dens around the hollow. They began to creep back outside when the patrol arrived, peering curiously at the newcomers. Heatherstar poked her head out of the nursery, then bounded out of the den, coming to stand before the patrol. “What's going on here?” she asked, coolly assessing the patrol. “Why have injured ThunderClan warriors been brought to our camp?”

     Larksong set Wrenkit down, and quickly explained to Heatherstar, “We found them wandering on the moor. They say they need to speak with you.”

     Heatherstar studied the patrol with a cool expression, but Blazeheart thought he could see surprise and sympathy there. “Very well,” she mewed evenly. “I'm here. You can speak with me now.”

     Blazeheart glanced back at his Clanmates, a few of whom nodded in his direction. He took a step towards Heatherstar, rasping, “Last night, the Dark Forest attacked our camp.” Cries of fear and surprise rose from the listening WindClan cats, but Blazeheart ignored them and pressed on. “We had no warning for the attack. There were too many of them for any Clan to beat alone; we were driven from our camp, and scattered from our Clanmates. We sheltered in an old fox den overnight, but Dark Forest patrols are already searching our territory for any survivors, and we haven't been able to find any of the rest of our Clanmates.” He lowered his head respectfully to the leader, mewing, “We have come to ask for WindClan's shelter. Our kits are not safe on ThunderClan territory now, and many of my Clanmates are injured and need the help of a medicine cat.”

     Sadness glowed in Heatherstar's eyes for a moment. “Kestrelflight is dead,” she informed the newcomers. Blazeheart blinked in shock, and he heard a surprised mew from Ivypool. “With greencough in the camp, and two warriors dead, Icefur is overworked as it is.” She paused, letting her words sink in. Her expression softened as she continued, “But ThunderClan helped my Clan when our home was stolen from us. I am glad to repay the favor now.”

     She flicked her tail, glancing over the patrol as she mewed, “You can stay, all of you. All of the Clans must help each other in times like these; there is no point in dividing ourselves when the might of the Dark Forest threatens us all.” She glanced at Wrenkit, mewing softly, “You can move your kits into the nursery, and I'll talk to Icefur about seeing to your injured cats.”

     Relief nearly took Blazeheart off of his paws. “Thank you, Heatherstar,” he rasped. He could hardly believe that his plan had worked, and that he'd managed to bring his Clanmates to safety.

     Heatherstar regarded the tom seriously for a moment. “Don't get your hopes up too high,” she warned the warrior. “Herbs and prey have been hard to come by, and there are many sick cats here. We will require you all to hunt and contribute to the Clan while you're here, though there isn't much to find. Your Clanmates may be no safer here than they were in ThunderClan territory.”

     “But at least we're not alone,” Ivypool murmured, glancing up at Heatherstar. “ThunderClan thanks you for your generosity, Heatherstar.” She sighed, looking back at her Clanmates. “Or what's left of it, anyway.”

     Heatherstar just gave a small nod in return. “You're all welcome.” She glanced at Larksong, mewing, “Take the kits to the nursery, and ask Darkbreeze and Honeyheart to look after them for now. After that, let Icefur know she has more patients, and get some cats to show the warriors and apprentices to dens they can sleep in. And if you can, organize another hunting patrol. We'll need more prey now that there are more cats in camp.”

     Blazeheart felt exhaustion tugging at his paws. More than anything, he wanted to join his Clanmates in a cozy den and get some rest. But as he glanced around the camp, he could see warriors just as starving as his own Clanmates, and a fresh-kill pile too small to fed all of them. His Clanmates would be lucky if they got anything to eat tonight. His work wasn't done yet.

     “If it's all the same to you, Heatherstar,” he mewed, “I'd like to be on that patrol.”

     Heatherstar glanced at him, surprise in her gaze, before giving a small nod. “Very well.”

     Blazeheart's gaze swept over the watching WindClan camp, unease pricking at his pelt. For so long, he had felt a prick of shame whenever he thought of his WindClan heritage. Though he was taller than most WindClan warriors, his lithe form and swift paws made him look more WindClan than any of his family. He'd always tried to hide his WindClan traits, and present himself as just a normal, loyal warrior of ThunderClan.

     Whenever the boundaries between Clans had begun to fade too much, it had always worried him. The Clans were safest when they stood apart and didn't grow too attached, and his loyalties were clearest when he didn't have to worry about growing close to the other Clans. All he wanted was to be loyal to his Clan, and for his Clanmates to respect him as a loyal warrior. When the boundaries between Clans grew more blurred, it complicated that loyalty.

     But after everything the Clans had gone through, he knew that whatever issues it might cause later, the Clans were strongest when they stood together. They were going to need each other for whatever waited ahead. And for once, he finally saw his WindClan traits as an advantage, not something to hide. He had always prided himself on his hunting; now, he would do everything he could to become the best moor hunter he could for his Clan. It didn't matter how he hunted or where he learned it from, he could see that now. What mattered was that his Clan got fed, and the cats he cared about most were safe. That was true loyalty.

     He could only hope that the prophecy would be fulfilled soon, the war would be over, and ThunderClan could return to its rightful home. And that my sister doesn't have to sacrifice her life to win our safety.