Where Loyalty Lies

Dreamstar glanced up as she saw Singe and Burst pad into the camp. Singe was carrying the lifeless body of Silhouettegaze. Her eye's widened, and she stared at the young warrior. Singe stare at the ground, tears flowing quietly. Dreamstar glanced at the Nursery. She saw Strongspirit look out of the den, and winced as the queen's eyes filled with disbelief. She wailed and ran over to her kit.

"Silhouettegaze! W-what happened?"

She looked up at Burst and Singe. Burst spoke.

"We were attacked. I couldn't see who it was, but we fought them off. But Silhouettegaze was too badly injured. She died before we even got close to the camp. We came straight back, so I don't know where the rest of the patrol is."

He spoke to Dreamstar, not Strongspirit who had her face buried in the she-cat's fur.

"This is the second warrior that has died this moon. The clan shall mourn for her, and honour her spirit. We'll prepare her for vigil."

Nestflame padded up to Silhouettegaze and Singe. He gave Strongspirit some poppy seeds and thyme. She licked them up self-consciously. Singe stared at the herbs, and licked them up, but only because Nestflame was watching carefully. Crowkit, Featheredkit and Sweetkit watched from the den, their eyes wide as they watched their mother grieve. Silhouettegaze's siblings padded up to Strongspirit, and lied down next to her. Wanderpath licked her mother's ear.

"She's with Markstar now."

Strongspirit nodded slightly, and Maple swept her three young kits away from the entrance back into the den.

"She'll be okay, come sleep. It's getting late."

The three kits nodded and curled close to Maple and her two kits.

The rest of the patrol soon came back, little bits of prey in their mouths. Ridgefeather saw Silhouettegaze then looked at Burst who was still standing near by. This was the first time Burst had every looked directly at Burst. He gasped and stumbled backwards. Burst narrowed his eyes and turned his tail and walked away to the warriors den. Ridgefeather shook, and ran to Nestflame's den. He hesitated though, then took a deep breath and padded in. Nestflame was preparing herbs for Silhouettgaze's vigil. He looked up, his eyes flashing.

"What do you need Ridgefeather? I'm busy."

He took a shaky breath and spoke.

"I just saw Burst. His eyes. I've seen them before. Not just in the clan. Before that. I would never forget those eyes.  I-i think he was the one who attacked us. He tried to kill me."

Nestflame's head snapped up.

"How can you be sure? You could have been imagining stuff. You were mere tail lengths away from StarClan. Burst has been a loyal warrior ever since he came."

Ridgefeather looked shocked.

"Y-you don't trust me?"

Nestflame sighed, then his voice turned sharper.

"You left the clan Ridgefeather... You left your duties, and you broke the Warrior Code. So no, I don't trust you. How can I? I want things to be like they used to. I miss you. Like I miss Rosedawn. I lost you and her. How do you think that makes me feel as a mentor and a friend? You both had kits. It's not fair. I've always wanted to be a medicine cat, it was my dream. I don't want any other life. But sometimes, I wish I could fall in love. It's not fair how you both got off the hook when you broke the Warrior Code. If you can break the Code, then why can't any cat?"

Ridgefeather looked away.

"I never wanted-"

Nestflame shook his head.

"I'm busy. I have a clan to look after, as you saw a warrior just died. The last time I checked you had kits to go and see."

Nestflame flicked his tail and turned away, not wanting Ridgefeather to see the deep sorrow that was in his eyes. Ridgefeather shook slightly, and started to pad out. He just caught the quiet whisper of Nestflame.

"Though, I'm proud of you Ridgefeather. You've turned into a fine cat, and you make a good father."

The warrior in training didn't respond as he padded across the clearing. Licking Silhoettegaze's pelt before he went to the Nursery.

Killing An Innocent

Dreamstar shivered and opened her eyes, seeing the ground outside sparkling with frost. She got up with stiff legs, and padded out. Grin was already assembling patrols. She nodded.

"Grin,"

She flicked her tail at Burst. Half a moon ago he had come back to camp, saying a badger had killed Ebonywing. She had believed him because of the claw marks on himself. Little did she know that he had inflicted them on himself.

"Send Burst out on a hunting patrol. He needs to get out and live again."

She felt sorry for the tom. She knew how much it hurt to lose a mate. Grin nodded, and padded up to Burst.

"Why don't you lead a hunting patrol? Take Fellwave, Wrencall, Ridgefeather and Silhouettegaze and Singe. We need some more prey."

Burst's eyes lit up with something Grin didn't recognize. Burst stood up, and nodded.

"Sure."

Grin nodded and called the other five cats. Singe padded over warily, and looked at Burst. They had barely spoken to each other since Ebonywing had been killed. Now Burst smiled at Singe threateningly. They then padded out of camp. Once they were a little ways away, Burst spoke.

"Fellwave, Wrencall and Ridgefeather, why don't you head towards the lake, see if there is any prey there. Silhouettegaze, Singe and I will stay in the forest."

Burst kept his eyes on Singe the whole time, smiling slightly. Fellwave nodded and led his group away. Burst nodded then padded in the opposite direction. He stopped in a small clearing, and turned around, gazing at Singe who was perfectly still. Singe recognized the small clearing, and narrowed his eyes.

"Burst, what are you doi-"

Before he could finish Burst leaped at Silhouettegaze, placing his paw firmly on her throat. Her eyes were wide and she struggled for enough air.

"Now you'll feel my pain! Don't think I haven't noticed Silhouettegaze and you! Now you'll know what it feels like to lose your entire being. How it feels to not be able to help, to be a bystander in the death of the one you love. To not have control over life and death!"

Burst snarled, his eyes glowing red, his claws starting to dig into her throat. Singe stared, gaping.

"You make one step forward, and she dies in a split second. But maybe that's better than dying slowly."

Burst snarled, and Singe lowered his head.

"Let her go... This is between you and I. You don't have to bring her into this."

Burst snarled, his anger rising.

"Then why did you bring Ebonywing into it!? WHY DID SHE HAVE TO DIE?!"

He looked down at Silhouettegaze, her eyes wide in terror. He closed his eyes, and thought he heard a whisper.

"Burst, killing isn't the answer. Your anger is at Singe, not an innocent cat..."

But he brushed the sound off, taking it as the wind, then he looked back at Singe.

"She dies, now."

Coming Back

Ridgefeather stood by the lake. He hadn't been here for so long. He waded into the frigid water, gasping at the cold. He padded back out, shaking his pelt out. Maple and the kits were by the camp, and he ran back to them. Maple looked over her shoulder, and Ridgefeather breathed in deeply. He hadn't been here since he left to get his full name. His pelt twitched with anxiety, then they padded towards the entrance. He stopped when a black and white cat walked out. Ridgefeather stood rigid as the cat looked up. His eyes going from shock to sorrow, to a bit of anger and remorse.

"Ridgefeather."

Nestflame spoke lowly, his eyes flickering over Maple and the two kits.

"Why are you here?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Nestflame. I... we... Please forgive me."

He hung his head low, and Nestflame seemed surprised.

"I know what I've done is wrong. But I can't change the past, and I'm not sure I'd want to. When I became a medicine cat, I knew what my path was. I never wanted a mate, all I wanted to do was serve my clan. But maybe StarClan had a different plan for me. And maybe this was it."

He beckoned for Maple, Ink and Oakkit to come forward. The two kits gazed up at Nestflame, wondering who he was.

"We want to join the clan. Our two-leg nest was destroyed in a fire. In only want Maple and my kits to be safe. Leaf-bare is coming, and we can't survive without a clan. If I have to leave, then I will for their safety. I'll do whatever it takes."

Nestflame looked at the two kits.

"Come inside. We'll talk to Dreamstar."

Maple looked at Ridgefeather quickly, before padding in, the kits following. He took a deep breath, before he followed them in too.

When Ridgefeather walked in, he glanced at everything. The camp hadn't changed much, and he recognized most of the cats. He saw Strongspirit look up from the Nursery entrance, three kits, probably 4 moons old, playing near her. Her eyes went wide as she saw the old medicine cat. Grief still hung in the back of her eyes from Markstar's death, but the birth of her kits had helped take her mind off it. Cats stared at Ridgefeather, their hackles rising. He still wore his collar, and it jingled quietly. Maple too had a collar, so how would they judge him?

Dreamstar's den couldn't come soon enough, and they slipped inside. Nestflame dipped his head to Dreamstar and Rippleblaze. Rippleblaze was laying down, his scars finally starting to heal and turn more gray than pink. Ridgefeather stifled a gasp as he saw Rippleblaze. What had happened? Dreamstar stood up quickly, surveying the newcomers. Her eyes located Ridgefeather, and she narrowed her eyes.

"Ridgefeather...?"

He lowered his head, suddenly wishing he had no collar. Nestflame then spoke.

"Yes. It told you most of what happened. But I never told you about them."

He flicked his tail at Maple, Ink and Oakkit. Dreamstar nodded.

"What are your names?"

Maple cleared her throat.

"My name is Maple, and these are my kits. Ink-"

She looked at her black kit who had piercing blue eyes. Then she looked at the red tom who looked more like Ridgefeather.

"And... Oakkit."

Dreamstar narrowed her eyes then looked at Ridgefeather, her eyes seeming to linger on the collar much too long.

"Who are these cats?"

Ridgefeather looked away.

"I asked you a question. As your leader-"

Ridgefeather then looked at her.

"Currently, I don't have a clan. My life was one of a kitty-pet. I don't remember ever seeing or hearing a patrol looking for me. I know you aren't to blame for that. But Markstar was growing sick. Your deputy could have sent patrols out. My home is with them."

He moved close to Maple, his pelt brushing hers. Dreamstar's eyes narrowed even more.

"So, these are your kits? What happened to being a medicine cat? Nestflame never wanted to take on another apprentice, as he still had hope Rosedawn would come back. I asked him to, because I saw how much you loved it. You're also my kin Ridgefeather. I expected better of you."

Ridgefeather flinched.

"I can leave. I just want them to be safe. Our nest was burned down, and the two-leg died. We have no where to go. But my mate and kits have done nothing wrong to not be accepted. I'll leave if that means they can stay."

Maple shot Ridgefeather a quick despairing look. Dreamstar studied Ridgefeather carefully.

"What would you do here? Would you be able to be a medicine cat? Would you want to? You've never had warrior training. The clan would look down on you. Rosedawn was accepted by StarClan again because she had to complete something. In the end her sorrow was too much. She wanted too much. She wanted to be able to associate with her kits as a mother, not just another clanmate. Icycurrent's sorrow through her off too. He loved her, and was depressed when she turned him away. It drove her mad and she left."

He sighed.

"I can learn. If not, then I'll leave. And you'll never see me again. I swear."

Dreamstar lifted her head.

"I'll give you 1 moon and a half to try to get to a newly made warrior level. Maple can train with you, but she can stay no matter what. If you can't do that, then you must leave. But you must still go on patrols and hunt. You'll have to fit battle training in."

Ridgefeather felt himself tremble. So short a time. It took apprentices 6 moons or more to become a warrior... But if he wanted to stay he would have to try as hard as he could. He nodded, and Dreamstar dismissed them. He looked at Nestflame quickly who was looking at the ground. He looked weighed down with sorrow and longing, and Ridgefeather felt a pain in his heart.

As Ridgefeather walked into the clearing the clan gave him suspicious glares. He stayed close to Maple's side, their kits looking at all the cats in front of them. Hopefully they'll be treated good. They deserve a good life. They padded to the nursery, where Strongspirit nodded slightly.

"Welcome back."

Ridgefeather dipped his head slightly.

"Is it okay if Maple, Oakkit and Ink stay here?"

She nodded.

"Of course. Any Queen and kits are welcome. You will be too Ridgefeather. Give them time. "

Ridgefeather sighed and nodded, letting Maple get settled in. He looked back and saw Strongspirit's three kits gathering around Ink and Oakkit. His kits were older, and a bit bigger. Ink boasted and held his head high. Ridgefeather shook his head and then kept his head low as he stood in the clearing. Where did he go? He glanced at the medicine cat's den, and shook himself out. He would never be allowed to sleep in there.  He heard fast pawsteps coming toward him then saw Coastpebble looking relieved.

"Ridgefeather. It's you. It's really you. The clan said you were here, but I wasn't sure."

She nuzzled his cheek but he didn't move. Coastpebble had aged in the year he had been gone. Gray hairs had come around her muzzle. The stress. The worry and sorrow. It got to her. His pelt prickled. He had to stay now. He couldn't let his mother get any worse. Maple would be fine without him. She would be upset, but she would survive. But Coastpebble, would she? She had lost her mate and son on the same day. Ridgefeather licked her cheek finally.

"Come. You can have a nest beside me."

Ridgefeather nodded and crept into the warriors den. He had only been in here to treat any cats. Now this would be where he would sleep. The sun was still up, but Ridgefeather decided to rest. He stopped though. My collar. He backed out of the den and went back to the Nursery. Maple looked up. Strongspirit had got them settled in. He smiled.

"Our collars. We need to get rid of them, or the clan will never accept us."

Slight pain flashed through her eyes, but she nodded. Ridgefeather bent down and took her collar in between his teeth. He ground it in between his teeth until he felt it starting to tear. He gave it one last swift bite and it felt off with a muffled clatter. Then he bent down and let Maple bite his off. He licked her cheek quickly, and gave the two sleeping kits swift licks too.

"I'll be back later."

She nodded, and he bounded away back to the Warriors Den.

Love All Over Again

Ridgefeather woke with a start. His throat and lungs burned, and the air was thick with smoke. He coughed, prodding Maple.

"Get up! We have to leave, now!"

Maple opened her eyes, and immediately shut them as the smoke stung them. Ridgefeather quickly nudged his two kits awake. They were five moons old now, and they mewled in pain. He grabbed Ink, and Maple blindly grabbed Oakkit. Ridgefeather bolted for an exit, any exit. He gasped. The window was open a smidge. He put Ink down, and stuck his head through the gab, pushing up with his shoulders. The fresh Fall air filled his burning lungs. He breathed in deeply, pushing up as hard as he could. The window moved enough for the kits and Maple to get out, but Ridgefeather's shoulders were too broad. In the time he had been a kitty-pet, he had grown more, becoming more like his father in shape.

Maple leaped up to the window, squeezing through carefully with Oakkit. He then handed her Ink. She looked back at Ridgefeather with worry. His ears flickered backwards, as his mind shot to the twoleg. He sighed, and bolted up the stairs. He could feel the heat of flames, and he could barely breathe. He was stopped at the top by roaring fire. He shook his head, ears flat against him.

"No..."

He almost breathed the word, before bolting back down the stairs. He could hear the fire getting more intense, and the wail of sirens far in the distance. He struggled against the window frame, pushing with all his might, desperate to get away from the heat. He saw Maple leap up onto the fence, she looked back. Now he couldn't take it. He growled, and lunged upwards. The window moved with a huge grunt, and he sprang free. He leaped up beside Maple, taking Ink in his jaws, and running away. Maple followed him. She didn't know where he was going, but she trusted him.


Ridgefeather breathed heavily as he came to a stop by a river with many pebbles. He breathed in the clean scent, and setting Ink down, whose eyes were as wide as the moon, he turned to Maple.

"The two-leg... I was too late."

Maple dipped her head, trying to not linger on her sadness.

"Where are we?"

They were at the mouth of a huge cave.

"The MoonCave. It'll be safe until we figure out where to go."

He bent down by the river, taking in large gulps of water. He nudged the two kits forward with his tail, and they bent down too, before crawling into the shallow water, breathing sighs of relief as they washed away the smokey smell. He shook his head in exasperation.

"You're going to be cold now. Come on."

The kits clambered out, shivering in the cool air. He nudged them into the cave, padding beside Maple.

"Stay here. I'll get some prey and moss."

He whispered in her ear, giving her a swift lick. Then he quickly padded out, tuning in on the small forest. He could see the fire dying down in the distance, but he knew there would be nothing left for them.


He quickly came back with enough prey for them all, and fresh moss for bedding. The cave wasn't overly warm, but they could use some of the rabbit's fur to help warm them. Maple layed down, Ink and Oakkit flopping down beside her, closing their eyes as sleep came over them. Not much time had passed since they had fled their home, but the moon was already falling.

"Where are we going to stay Ridgefeather? We can't stay here."

Ridgefeather closed his eyes.

"I don't know where."

She sighed.

"What about your clan?"

Ridgefeather went stock still.

"T-they wouldn't accept me. I broke the warrior code. I took a mate, had kits, and became a kitty-pet. Three broken rules, especially for a medicine cat!"

She looked at him sorrowfully.

"If they love you, they'll take you back."

He shook his head.

"Nestflame hates me... My mother must think I'm dead, as I doubt Nestflame said anything about me. Did you know this was where I found my father, dead? This is a sacred place to my clan, and someone murdered my father, and put him here. It was a threat. Then, they almost killed me. I saw Starclan, my ancestors. They were right there. I saw my father."

Ridgefeather choked on his words, tears filling his eyes. He shook his head.

"I couldn't go back..."

Maple sighed, then glared at him.

"Then I'll be going by myself. It's the safest place to raise our kits Ridgefeather... I lost my home. It was your home too, but you still have a home to go back to. I don't. I'm leaving at Sun-high, whether you're coming or not. I'll find my way there somehow."

Ridgefeather looked taken aback.

"M-maple..."

She shook her head, then closed her eyes, showing the subject was over and she had made up her mind. Ridgefeather's mind shot back to when he first met her. They had both still been young, only 4 seasons old. She had been inquisitive of him. Still young. They both had been. He had just received his full name, and now. Now he had kits. He had a mate, and he had lived as a kitty-pet for another 4 seasons.

He padded up to her, and licked her cheek gently, before wrapping himself around her, his tail covering the two kits by her stomach. She looked up at him, loving him all over again. She put her head on his paws, and he laid his head over her shoulders, sighing deeply.

::---::

When they woke up again, the sun was already high in the sky. Ridgefeather nodded at Maple, and they got Oakkit and Ink up. The two kits yawned, suddenly remembering what had happened. Their tails dropped, and they looked at their parents.

"It'll be okay. We have a home to go to."

He glanced at Maple, and smiled slightly. He was scared to go back. How would they accept him? What would he be? He couldn't be a medicine cat, but could he be a warrior? He sighed, and they started to head out.

::---::

Earlier that night...

Burst padded close beside Ebonywing, nuzzling her gently from time to time. He loved her so much, he wasn't sure how his heart was able to contain it all. He was supposed to be evil, but how could he be when Ebonywing was making him nice?

"I love you..."

He whispered gently into her ear, and she purred in content. They sat down, leaning against each other, happy to know that the other was beside them. Burst stood up in a split second, his ears pinned back in anger. He spun around, waving his tail side to side as Singe and Flash padded out of the bushes. Singe's eyes were full of malice, his teeth bared in a snarl. Flash looked at him, sending him a message. I'm sorry brother. I tried to stop him. Explain that we could carry out the plan no matter what happened. But he wouldn't stop. Burst stiffened, and signaled to Ebonywing for her to get behind him. He bared his teeth, and Singe sneered.

"Lovely night, isn't it brother?"

His eyes shot to Ebonywing. How could Burst openly show his love for her? They had a mission. Singe felt himself more loyal to it, fighting his feelings for Silhouettegaze, forcing himself not to show them when others were around. He was loyal in that way. But Burst was appointed the leader of this mission. But he had strayed off track, seeming to have forgotten why they were here. In truth, Singe was envious of Burst's open love for Ebonywing. He was envious of Burst's power of leadership, and of how Burst was allowed to sow emotion for the cat he loved no problem. With no guilt. But when Singe did, his mind shot to the mission.

Burst glared at Singe.

"Why are you here?"

Singe smirked.

"Just wondering if you remembered the mission, brother. We were not here to... fraternize... with the cats we came to destroy."

Burst snarled, his fur standing on end.

"Speak for yourself!"

The two brothers were head to head, each fighting for the dominance they knew they each deserved. Flash stood up, his eyes shifting to Ebonywing. 

"She wasn't in the plan Burst. If you stop protecting her right now, she won't have to die."

At that, Burst lashed out with full force. His claws swiped down Singe's face, leaving deep marks. Burst attacked again, pinning Singe down. But Singe still remained calm.

"Don't you dare... hurt her! Or I will rip you to shreds, even if you are my blood."

Singe smiled.

"Oh, I wasn't planning on getting my paws dirty."

He pushed Burst away, and he stumbled backwards. Singe snarled.

"I had a whole different plan in mind...-"

Burst saw what was coming, and his eyes widened.

"Don't you dare!"

Singe continued.

"-Break."

A huge convulsion went through Burst. He spun around to face Ebonywing, his eyes flashing to red.

"Run! Run away from me!"

Ebonywing took a step backwards, tripping. Burst snarled, his voice filled with fear and worry.

"RUN!"

She spun around, kicking up leaves as she went. He crouched on the ground, pain going through him. A viscous snarl that was not his own, ripped through him. He stood up, his eyes blood red. He then took off after Ebonywing. He was faster then her, and quickly caught up. He leaped at her, tackling her down. But it wasn't his mind that was taking over. The mind of Burst was fighting against the walls in any way he could, but his evil side had a tight lock on him. Ebonywing looked up at Burst, who was currently Break. She smiled sadly.

"I trust you Burst. And I'll love you forever. Don't you forget that. I will always be yours."

Break's eyes seemed to shift quickly to blue. He yowled into the sky as his two sides fought for control. Through it all, both sides loved her with the same deep pang. But his evil side was trained to kill. He yowled in grief again, not able to control himself. He bit down deeply into her neck, ending her life in the same second he attacked. She was dead right away, no pain had went through her. He stumbled backwards. His eyes blue again. He sputtered, and he spit out the blood in his mouth. Burst stared horrified at Ebonywing's lifeless body. 

"No... No. NO!"

But he had killed her. Her blood pooled around her, and the scent of death lingered. He nuzzled her gently, staining himself red.

"Please no... Ebonywing, I love you. No. What have I done?"

He wailed loudly into the sky, his grief turning him cold. Silent tears rolled down his face as he pulled her away from the blood. He groomed her gently, cleaning off the blood until her fur was as black as ever, and her paws were pure white. He closed his eyes, and dug a hole big enough to fit her. He then gently lifted her into it, licking her swiftly on the cheek one last time. He choked on his tears, and looked away, then covered the hole quickly. He stood there for a long time, wracked in grief. Around him were rose bushes, and he picked one, careful of the thorns. He then layed down on her grave, the rose between his paws. His eyes were closed tightly as tears ran down his face.

"I'm so sorry. This should have never happened. I'll avenge your death. I'll get Singe back."

He lay there for the rest of the nights, unable to sleep. He didn't know it, but Ebonywing's spirit lay with him that night too.