LakeClan: Sadness and Warmth

Ridgefeather looked at the moon in the sky. But, he wasn't outside, he was still in the Two-leg nest. Maple had called this clear barrier a window, so that must be what it is. He sighed. Did LakeClan miss him? Did they think he was dead? He had let Nestflame down. Ridgefeather whimpered, and closed his eyes, then looking behind him when he heard Maple pad up silently behind him. She sat down beside him, their fur almost brushing. Ridgefeather looked away from Maple's eyes.

"You miss your home, don't you Ridgefeather?"

He nodded.

"I had family there. I was their medicine cat. When, or if I should say, I ever get back, will their be a new one? Will they have forgotten who I am? They surely must think I am dead. I've been gone for over a moon. "

Ridgefeather's sob was ragged, and Maple spoke.

"I've never lived in a clan, but the way you describe it, it must have been wonderful, yet hard. I would miss my home terribly if I had been taken away. This is my home. And I wish it could be yours too. But it never can be. Your kind despises two-legs. But yet, you don't show it. You've learned to live here. Do you enjoy it here?"

Ridgefeather looked at Maple who's eyes were filled with sorrow.

"I miss my home terribly. I miss being able to feel the accomplishment when I healed my clan-mate. It was all so wonderful. But, being here hasn't been bad either. It's not what I'm used to, but I got used to it. "

He hung his head, eyes closed. Then he opened his eyes and looked at the golden circle below his neck. A shudder went threw him as he stared at the dangling part of the collar. He knew it said his "name". Well, what the two-leg named him. Red.

::---::

Black flashed against the white snow. Delicate paws, stained red with blood, ran on. A trail of blood was left behind as the cat ran. The blood, though, came from the cat itself. Long, deep gashes scored the cats legs, and only the legs. Bone and torn muscle showed. She still ran, but with each step, it felt like claws were ripping her legs to shreds.

Finally, she scented other cats. A gasp of relief escaped her, and she slowed down. She knew that if she were to stop, death would come for her. She had lost a large amount of blood, enough that she knew she would die soon.

Without wanting to, she stopped in exhaustion. Pain ripped through her. She collapsed against her will, the snow around her turning red, creating a circle of blood. I'm too late. I didn't get to them... She stared into the sky, snow gently covering her black pelt. Then, a wave of darkness swept over her.

"Welcome, Death..."

::---::

Burst's head snapped up. The scent of blood hit him like a strong wave. Something was dying out there, something had killed it, and it wasn't him. This made a growl rise to Burst's throat, but he quickly pushed it away and padded over to Singe. Singe was talking with Silhouettepaw. Burst rolled his eyes.

"Singe, I need you to come with me."

He said this out loud, then with his mind he said. Something is bleeding in the forest. I want to see what it is. Singe nodded, and said bye to Silhouettepaw before following his brother. Burst thought about Flash, and felt that Flash was playing with some prey, torturing it. Burst groaned. Flash! Stop that! Come back to camp. Markstar is going to hold a ceremony soon. Singe and I are going to check something out. We'll see you soon.

Burst then ran into the forest, Singe on his heels. Soon enough, Burst turned his head away at the strong scent o blood. He walked towards the scent, and stood in front of the dying animal.

He narrowed his eyes as he surveyed the wounds on the she-cat. He looked at every detail, and knew her paws would be white when washed of the blood. Burst wondered what they should do with her, when Singe spoke.

"Should we just kill her? She's pretty much already dead."

Burst flashed a glance at Singe.

"Our scent is here now. If they find her, they'll suspect us. We have to bring her back to the camp. We can hope she'll die there."

Singe rolled his eyes, but didn't object as they picked the black she-cat up, and carefully carried her back to camp.

::---::

Burst and Singe padded into camp right as Markstar leaped onto the LakeRock. He looked at the two toms.

"What's happened!?"

Burst dipped his head slightly, and placed the she-cat down, his eyes cool.

"We were hunting and we found her on the border. We thought Nestflame may help her."

Burst glanced over to Nestflame to see him padding into his den, and soon coming out with herbs. He flicked his tail to two warriors, and they lifted the she-cat up and carried her to Nestflame's den. Burst and Singe then padded forward and sat beside Flash. Markstar looked uneasy, but spoke.

"We shall deal with this she-cat after. First I have a ceremony to do.

"Burst, Flash and Singe. Please step forward."

Markstar nodded at the apprentices.

"Mentors, are you satisfied that your apprentice is ready to become a warrior?"

The mentors all nod and respond.

"Yes, they are ready."

Markstar nodded.

"I, Markstar, leader of LakeClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I give them to you as warriors in turn.

Burst, Flash and Singe, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life? "

They nod nod and say I do.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names.

Burst, you have chosen to keep your name, so you shall always be known as Burst. StarClan honors your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan.

Singe, you have chosen to keep your name, so you shall always be known as Singe. StarClan honors your stealth, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan.

Flash, you have chosen to keep your name, so you shall always be known as. StarClan honors your speed, and we welcome you as a full warrior of LakeClan. "

The clan started to cheer for the new warriors.

"Burst! Flash! Singe!

Markstar nodded, and didn't notice the glance the three brothers shared. Or the cold glint in Burst's eye. Burst nodded to Flash and Singe, and sat in the camp, staying silent, though he thought this rule was stupid.

::---::

Icycurrent stared at the new warriors, and sighed. He got up, and padded into the territory. A moon ago, Rosedawn had gone missing. There had been no news about her since. Icycurrent choked on a sob, his mind reeling. I can't stay here. Nothing here matters to me... Icycurrent then knew what he had to do, and he raced back to camp. He padded into Markstar's den.

"Markstar?"

Markstar looked up, and nodded for Icycurrent to speak. He took a breath.

"I can't stay here. I need to go back to BlackClan. Erol is leading now. Nothing here makes me want to live..."

Markstar closed his eyes and nodded.

"I understand. You shall be missed, but you can go. I thank-you for teaching our apprentices and warriors some of your fighting techniques. You have been a great help while you stayed here. Good-bye."

Icycurrent nodded.

"Thank-you"

Icycurrent backed out of the den, then padded out of the camp. His head down as he raced to BlackClan, his home.

::---::

He gasped for breath, and stared at the familiar walls of the camp. The scent smelled slightly different, and Icycurrent stepped into the camp. A yowl sounded, then cut short as cats recognized him. He saw Erol pad out of Fierystar's old den. Erol nodded.

"Icycurrent. Why have you come?"

Icycurrent shook his head.

"I wish to join. LakeClan... I couldn't stay there. "

Erol nodded.

"You are welcomed. Actually..."

Erol looked around, then padded over to the middle of the camp, and yowled.

"Many of you know who Icycurrent is. He was once the deputy of BlackClan. He left, and he wishes to join. As you all know, I have not yet appointed a deputy."

Erol smiled at Icycurrent.

"I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice! The new deputy of BlackClan shall be Icycurrent!"

Icycurrent stood rooted to the ground as the once evil clan, chanted his name like LakeClan had so recently chanted the new warrior's names. Icycurrent then dipped his head.

"Thank-you..."

Erol nodded, and padded over to Icycurrent.

"Do you want me to show you around? It's pretty much the same layout... just, everything has been fixed up."

Icycurrent nodded, and let Erol show him around. He was surprised at the great change of how things looked. Then, Erol stopped at the nursery.

"This is the Nursery. It, and the apprentices den, is probably the den that has changed the most. For one, kits are now made into apprentices at 6 moons. The kits who were already apprentices when I became leader, but were younger then 6 moons were still trained. But very lightly. They were given more time to play, and well, be a kit. Most queens decided to become warriors after their kits were made apprentices. Most of them didn't have mates, so they didn't want to be a queen. Some who had loved a tom in the clan, but were forced to have kits with a different tom took their love as their mate. Raggedflame, well he's a good example of that. He's found a mate, and she's expecting his kits. They love each other. Like they should. Queen's should love the father of their kits. We have a few queens currently. Some are expecting, some have kits. The oldest kits currently are 4 moons. You want to come in and see them?"

Icycurrent nodded, and followed Erol into the small space. Erol smiled as he watched Icycurrent look around in the dim den. Icycurrent looked around, then tilted his head.

"Is that... Sunnycry?"

Erol smiled.

"Sunnyblade. She wanted her name changed back to Sunnyblade when she came back to BlackClan. She grew up with that warrior name, so she wanted to keep it. But yes. She's expecting my kits."

Icycurrent studied Erol's face.

"Congratulations. "

Erol nodded, then padded out of the den, with icycurrent following.

"You want to organize some patrols?"

Icycurrent shrugged, then started ti set up the patrols.

::---::

Dreamsea blinked open her eyes. She knew she was dreaming right away, when she saw the silver tabby tom that had come to her so often. The tom smiled.

"Dreamsea..."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Who are you?"

The tom purred.

"My name is Cloudriver. I am here to tell you your story."

Dreamsea tilted her head.

"My... story? What do you mean?"

Cloudriver looked up.

"Listen, and you'll find out."

Dreamsea then found herself in the LakeClan Nursery. But all the cats were different. She then saw a small she-kit, who looked exactly like her. Cloudriver sat beside Dreamsea, and spoke.

"See that kit? That's you. You were once a kit of LakeClan, many, many moons ago. When I still lived."

Cloudriver flicked his tail to a silver tabby tom, who was obviously Cloudriver as a kit. The scene changed once more, and she saw herself once again, sitting in front of the LakeRock. Cloudriver, another tabby, who she recognized as Eagleheart, and a blue tom sat on either side of her. Cloudriver spoke again.

"That tom beside you, that's your brother, Skyblade. That's me on the other side. And the she-cat is Eagleheart. This was your warrior ceremony. And that's Miststar, the leader. She was also your mentor."

Suddenly, sound flooded Dreamsea's, and she heard the ceremony take place, but she only heard her name.

"Dreampaw, from this moment you shall be known as Dreamriver! StarClan honors your love!"

Dreamsea stiffened. This couldn't be her. But once again, she was in a different time. She was standing by a lake, and she heard the conversation. Dreamriver and Cloudriver were talking. They sounded as if they were... mates.She glanced at Cloudriver to see that his eyes were soft. Soon enough, she found herself in a battle. She looked around wildly for Cloudriver and saw him fighting. She also saw this "Dreamriver" fighting also. She then saw a tortoiseshell tom slink up behind Cloudriver. Then, he leaped. Dreamsea yowled, recognizing the tom from dreams. But it was too late, Hawkclaw had his teeth sunk into Cloudriver's neck, dropping him dead. Only one cat, other then Dreamsea, had seen this happen. Dreamriver raced towards Hawkclaw as he ran away. Dreamsea raced after them as they ran into the forest. Dreamriver soon caught up with Hawkclaw, and leaped onto his back, snapping his neck with her teeth, as easily as he had killed Cloudriver. Dreamsea gasped. Dreamriver's eyes were filled with sorrow, and she padded back to camp where the battle was ending.

Dreamsea followed, and saw Dreamriver bury her nose into Cloudriver's cold pelt. Dreamsea closed her eyes and looked away, and when she re-opened her eyes, she found Dreamriver being made deputy after the old deputy had died. She also saw Dreamriver pad over to Soaringheart, and lean against his shoulder. Dreamsea looked beside her to see Cloudriver beside her. He spoke.

"After I died, Soaringheart comforted her. Dreamriver and I were mates, but Soaringheart had also loved Dreamriver. I guess you could say he used my death to his advantage... but he was only doing what any tom in love would have done. She fell in love with him, but not the kind of love she loved me with. It was... softer. Not a burning flame. But she still loved him. They were good together. Then, she became leader of LakeClan after Miststar died."

Dreamsea found herself staring up at Dreamriver, Dreamstar then.

"She was the best leader LakeClan had ever seen. Dreamstar was born to be leader. She then had Soaringheart's kits, and lost her first life. Two of those kits are still alive. Shrewpelt and Grayshadow. Her other kits were Spottedrain, Hawkfeather, Russetnight, and Lionstorm. She had a second litter then. Jayflight, Reedpond, Duskfall, and Ashfang. She had a fifth kit, but it was born dead. Those were her and Soaringheart's kit. Only Jayflight, Grayshadow and Shrewpelt still live. Then, she met Rippleblaze. She was being attacked by my killer, Hawkclaw, and Rippleblaze helped her. He was the deputy of MarshClan at the time, and had loved her. She fell in love with him, and then Rippleblaze became leader, Ripplestar. She had kits with him, when they were still both leaders. They were born during a terrible blizzard. She had five. Webkit, Mudkit, Mistykit, Shadekit, and Fellwave. Fellwave was the only one to live. At a Gathering, she almost died when giant cats attacked. Rippleblaze/star, saved her, and asked to join her clan. Soaringheart was still there, and became mad. He attacked Rippleblaze, and was knocked off by the wounded Dreamstar. She pleaded with him to stop, and he realized that she truly loved Rippleblaze/star, more then she loved him. He fled because he couldn't take it. Dreamstar then let Rippleblaze/star joined. He went with his deputy to their StarClan meeting place, and StarClan took away Rippleblaze's nine lives, and gave them to Quiverstar, Rippleblaze's deputy. Rippleblaze then joined LakeClan. Dreamstar then had kits again. Markstar, Fleckrain and Rainingblaze. Strongspirit and her sister, Sorrelpaw were found on the same day Markstar was born. Dreamstar adopted them.

Then, a day after a Green-leaf gathering, BlackClan attacked. Fierystar killed Dreamstar, and Dreamstar told Markstar, then Markspirit, to become leader. He was still such a new warrior... the youngest leader ever. That was the day you were found. Rippleblaze was there when Dreamstar died, and he was so distraught, until he found you.

Dreamsea, do you understand why I told you all this?"

Dreamsea couldn't speak, so Cloudriver told her.

"Dreamsea, you are Dreamstar. Dreamstar was re-born as you."

Dreamsea woke in her nest gasping. The dream still fresh in her mind. She curled up, knowing she wouldn't be able to fall asleep after all that.

::---::

Soaringheart was in blackness, then he saw a light coming towards him. He squinted his eyes, and recognized Cloudriver. Cloudriver stopped.

"Would you like to talk with Dreamstar?"

Soaringheart nodded hesitantly, and saw Dreamstar appear in front of him. Cloudriver nodded.

"You have a limited time. I am even lucky I was able to do this."

Then he disappeared, and Soaringheart gasped.

"D-dreamstar!?"

Dreamstar's eyes focused, and she stared at Soaringheart.