The Start of the Journey Pt. 3

They were out of the territory, heading away from the setting sun. Dreamstar stopped and looked back at all she had ever known. She closed her eyes briefly against the pain, then looked at her clan. So many of them had experienced such pain. Before they came to LakeClan, or losing so many of their family in the recent battle. Her eyes flicked to Ridgefeather, her kin. He seemed so closed off after Maple, his mate, had died. She understood, as the she-cat had been able to help Ridgefeather, to give him a reason to live. Dreamstar knew what it was like to lose the one cat you held above everyone else. She had lost two cats like that. Cloudriver, her first mate, murdered. It had pained her for moons after she lost him. Then Soaringheart, to sickness. He had comforted her after Cloudriver died. He had always loved her, and he finally got his chance. She spent more and more time with him, and they became mates. He had filled that hole caused by Cloudriver, but not completely. She had felt horrible when she fell in love with Rippleblaze, then Ripplestar. She didn't ever want to hurt Soaringheart... but Rippleblaze made her feel complete, that hole from Cloudriver was filled. She never stopped loving the sweet tom, even after everything. It had hurt when he died, but he died by her side, and she knew he would be happy. Now she hoped to never lose Rippleblaze. The tom from across the border, whom she had fallen in love with. He had been deputy, and her leader. It was completely forbidden, especially since Dreamstar was leader, and already had a mate. But she couldn't stay away. Rippleblaze became leader, Ripplestar, then gave it all up for her. He didn't even ask if she could come to his clan. He knew it would be too hard, so he came to her.

She continued on, wanting to make some distance before the sun fully set. This would be the first time LakeClan ever had to find a new home... and Dreamstar had to lead them to it. She had always been destined to become leader, moons and moons before she was born. StarClan gifted her 18 times with life, then gave back her life after she died. She was important in the destiny of LakeClan, and forever be remembered by the clan. But once again she pondered on who could be leader next. Would StarClan send her a sign? Would she be able to become an elder, or did StarClan expect her to die in battle? She sighed, shaking her head.

"We have to keep moving! I want to make some more distance before the sun sets. If anyone needs to stop, please just say."

She nodded, and continued on.

Saying Good-Bye Pt. 2

Dreamstar leaped onto the LakeRock, her eyes surveying the ruined camp. It had almost been a moon since the attack, and new-leaf had come early, but there was hardly any prey. It was time to leave.

"Rippleblaze and I shall be going to MarshClan and BlackClan to give our farewell, and then I want to walk around one last time. You all may do as you please. For the older members who have lived here a long time, I know it will hurt you to leave as well. Train, try to hunt, look around, do whatever. We shall be back before sundown and shall leave the territory before nightfall. If you have any questions, ask Nestflame or Birchstorm."

Dreamstar dipped her head then leaped off the LakeRock and padded to Rippleblaze. The two then padded out of the camp. She knew how hard it would be for Rippleblaze to not only leave his territory, but his old home. He had grown up in MarshClan, and after he stepped down as leader, to be Dreamstar's mate, he would still visit often.

The two cats padded to the border of MarshClan quickly, and climbed across the log bridge where Dreamstar thought she had lost Rippleblaze. That incident when Rippleblaze had fallen in almost cost them both their lives. it gave Rippleblaze all his new scars and his slight limp. He also couldn't see clearly.

They soon got to the MarshClan camp with no troubles. Dreamstar knew the camp well, though many would find that bad. MarshClan had given her shelter and protected her time after time. The two clans were very good allies. They spotted Quiverstar, Rippleblaze's old deputy, sharing tongue's with a pretty brown she-cat. He looked up as the LakeClan leader and her mate padded into the camp, almost like they lived there themselves. The younger tom mewed a hello, and stood up.

"Dreamstar! Rippleblaze! It's been a while hasn't it?"

They hadn't been able to tell MarshClan that they had found Rippleblaze and brought him back. Too much had happened.

"Yes. We would have come sooner, but so much as happened. We were able to find Rippleblaze."

Quiverstar smiled.

"I'm glad."

He touched his nose to Rippleblaze's, purring quietly.

"It's good to see you alive, friend."

Rippleblaze smiled.

"Yes. I'm very lucky to be alive. I was saved by a she-cat named Sola. I could barely walk, and I couldn't remember anything."

Quiverstar nodded.

"Dreamstar went through a lot for you. I hope you two are never separated again."

He smiled, and the she-cat padded up to him. Quiverstar glanced at her, and smiled. Dreamstar then realized she as expecting kits.

"This is my mate now, Willowfeather."

Rippleblaze purred.

"Congratulations."

Quiverstar smiled.

"I'm guessing you didn't just come to say hello? I saw the fire that happened. We would have come to help but... The fire was everywhere. Every piece of ground was covered in it. Did you all get out okay?"

She looked at Rippleblaze, and sighed.

"No. The whole clan died. But the fire didn't touch our camp. We were slaughtered by three cats we trusted. They were working with the Dark Forest. Only about 15 of us survived."

The other leader's eyes widened.

"I-i'm so sorry! That's horrible. Losing so many... and so many family."

Dreamstar nodded.

"We've gotten through it somehow. It still hurts. Everyone feels it everyday. The camp feels empty now. It's to large for so few cats. Same with our territory. We haven't even been able to patrol the whole area. It would take too many days. We're... Nestflame and I got a sign from StarClan. We're leaving."

Quiverstar gasped.

"What!? But the territory will grow back! And you'll gain numbers again!"

She shook her head sadly.

"The fires that touched our land was from the Dark Forest. Everything it touched will never regrow. Nothing can grow on that land anymore. It's dead. There's no prey either. We've been living off the island, but that isn't enough. We'll all die too if we don't leave. That's why we've come to say good-bye."

The tom looked away.

"We could have offered you hunting rights in parts of our territory if you needed prey. With an early new-leaf there is plenty of prey. You shouldn't have to starve! When are you leaving?"

Rippleblaze sighed.

"We couldn't take your prey. MarshClan is growing and needs the prey. Tonight."

The leader looked at Rippleblaze, troubled.

"MarshClan will always be your clan too, Rippleblaze. We would never turn you away if you needed help. You were our deputy for a long time, and also our leader. Our home, is yours. I will be sad to see you all go. For today only, at least get some prey. You look awfully thin, and you'll be stronger if your clan eats."

Rippleblaze dipped his head.

"Thank-you. You're too generous."

Dreamstar also nodded.

"We won't hunt for long. But I will tell my clan. Thank-you again Quiverstar. Maybe we'll meet again someday. If not, then in StarClan."

She brushed her muzzle against him, giving another silent thank-you for all he has done for her. They then turned, looked back once at the MarshClan camp, and padded out.

"Yes, hopefully one day in StarClan."

Quiverstar turned and licked Willowfeather's head, watching his old friends leave for the last time.

::---::

Dreamstar and Rippleblaze then made their way to BlackClan. She had fought many battles here, against the old BlackClan. She had fought against Eagleheart, Eaglestar then, her old friend. She eventually came around and came back to LakeClan. Then it was Thornstar. Finally, Fierystar. The very young tom was unnaturally vicious, and had trained Birchstorm to be a fierce warrior. Birchstorm hadn't remembered his home, and became a true BlackClan warrior. Then he finally remembered who he was. Now BlackClan was led by Erol. He was mates with Sunnyblade, the kit of Rosedawn, the old LakeClan medicine cat, and Icycurrent, the old BlackClan deputy.

They padded close to the camp, and saw Erol pad out.

"Erol!"

The younger tom looked at them surprised, then padded over, Sunnyblade and Icycurrent behind him.

"It's good to see you! How are you all after that fire?"

Dreamstar smiled.

"Almost all of us were killed by cats of the Dark Forest. The fire that happened was also caused by them. Our territory will never grow back, so we must leave. We have come to say good-bye."

Erol dipped his head.

"That is horrible. We will definitely miss you, but we wish you good luck on your journey to a new home."

Sunnyblade nodded.

"I hope the traveling is well."

Icycurrent smiled, though his eyes still held the sadness over Rosedawn. The young medicine cat had truly changed him, and he had truly loved her. Losing a true love hurts.

"Thank-you. We wish you well with BlackClan. Maybe someday we will meet again."

Erol smiled and watch the mates pad away to go look around their ruined territory one last time. 

::---::

As Dreamstar and Rippleblaze padded back to the clan, the stopped. They had looked around some of the main points of LakeClan territory, and it pained Dreamstar so much to leave. She had grown up here. She remembered when she was only a warrior and Cloudriver and her had become mates. It had been near the lake, and Hawkclaw had attacked Dreamstar, Dreamriver then. Cloudriver had fought bravely back. This territory was her home. She had spent so much time with Soaringheart, her second mate, around this territory. Fought so many battles, and had learned every crevice and hole that was here. This was where she grew up and then led... her home. She shook her head, and padding into the camp. They had told the clan that they could hunt on parts of MarshClan's territory, so now they had full stomachs. She leaped up onto the LakeRock for the last time.

"My clan! It is time to leave! Go to Nestflame to get traveling herbs, then we head out."

She looked at the LakeRock and the whole camp. Her last time here, too. She sighed and joined her clanmates in getting the traveling herbs, before they all left the camp.

Then, they were on there way. Trying to find a new home, a new place to live.

The Change of a Lifetime Pt.1

 Dreamstar watched her clan get ready for the night. It had been less than half a moon since the attack happened, and more new cats had joined. A kit, Kestrelkit, and warrior, Ferretcloud, and another warrior, Bane, had joined. Their numbers were slowly growing, and the weather was getting warmed, but still, nothing was growing back. No new green plants were poking through the ground, and no blackened trees had any buds. The only place they could find a few herbs and some prey was at the island. The island was the only area not really touched by the fire. But it was small, and prey didn't really live there, except birds. They couldn't survive off of one island while they waited for the forest to grow back. Dreamstar sighed, and padded into her den where Rippleblaze was already sleeping. Smiling slightly she lay down next to him, happy to just have him still here.

Dreamstar opened her eyes to a starry field. The field was full of life and prey. Flowers were blooming and the sky seemed brighter here. On one side of her was a forest. She could smell the mice and other prey that ran in it. On her other side, was a lake. It was so serene her, that Dreamstar knew it was StarClan. She looked around, wondering who else was here. She then saw two silver toms padding toward her, and for a second mistook one of them for Cloudriver. Then she realized it was Fleckwater and Prairefall, two kits from her first litter. Fleckwater smiled, and Prairefall seemed happy to be with his brother again. Prairefall had been close to his siblings, but hadn't particularly liked his sister's, Coastpebble's, mate, Stormbreak. It distanced him from his sister. Fleckwater had always been the 'big brother' of the three. Taking care of them, and doing whatever he could to keep them happy. The two brothers had always had a close bond. 


"Dreamstar."


Fleckwater rubbed his cheek against Dreamstar's, and she smiled.


"My kits."


She shook her head sadly.

"I would never have guessed that I would outlive any of my kits. Even in battles, I would have wanted you all to live. But only Grayshadow is left."


Prairefall nodded.


"It is the life of a warrior. We died fighting brave battles, battles of bloodshed, or battles of sickness. Sometimes even murder or unfair deaths. But we all die as warriors, and we don't stop fighting until the end."


He gave her a calm gaze, and the old she-cat had to look away, knowing many times she had given up on life, not even wanting to fight. 


"But we are not here to talk about ourselves or death."


As he spoke, more and more cats padded out, and she gasped, recognizing them all as old clanmates. Many were just recently killed in the last battle, but others were there too. Some faces she didn't recognize, as they had died not in her time. But they were all LakeClan. Every clan member of LakeClan was standing before her, and her two sons were at the head.


"LakeClan has gathered here, as you can see. We sought out every LakeClan cat that ever died. From the first-"


Fleckwater flicked his tail at a young black and white apprentice. 


"-To the last."


Dreamstar saw Prairefall point out Maple, who was the last to be killed in the viscous battle. She came to StarClan, even though she had been a kitty-pet. She had eventually believed in StarClan through Ridgefeather's strong faith, as he was once a medicine-cat.


"We have gathered her because LakeClan must leave."


This sent Dreamstar into a rigid shock.


"No! The lake and territory is our home! Has been for as long as LakeClan has been a clan!"


The apprentice stepped forward, and her name seemed to be there in Dreamstar's head. The apprentice, Turningpaw, spoke.


"The cats of LakeClan have spoken. Many of us joined together and spoke of what must be done to insure LakeClan's future. Not many of us gathered, but mainly representatives, such as leaders, medicine cats, deputies, and other cats who were higher up in favour in LakeClan at that time. After much decision, we decided moving on was for the best."


Prairefall nodded.


"The territory does not define who or what LakeClan is. It's the cats, and that we stick by our motives and the Warrior Code."


Dreamstar shook her head.


"We can't leave. The forest will grow back!"


Then another cat stepped forward, Cloudriver. Her heart melted on the spot at the sight of him. Their love was still so strong, even after death, that it was almost unbelievable.


"The forest will never grow back, love. This fire was no ordinary fire, but a supernatural one. It was from the Dark Forest. LakeClan's territory is dead. The soil is dead, so that nothing can ever be grown again. It's a new beginning, love,"


She closed her eyes.


"But what about our clanmates!? They're buried here!"


The silver tom shook his head, his soft green eyes glowing, knowing it pained Dreamstar to leave.


"We are here, Dreamstar. Our bodies are simply part of the earth now. But we are always here, in StarClan. There have been times when you doubted us, and it pained us. But you must realize that our bodies are insignificant. They are... empty." 


He padded forward until he was right in front of Dreamstar. Whispering softly, he spoke.


"Your ancestors will never abandon you. I will never abandon you. I wouldn't tell you to leave your territory unless it was for your safety and future. It's not LakeClan's time to die out, and it's not your time to come to StarClan. You have had a great destiny, but it's not over yet. When it's your time to die, I'll come to get you."


Dreamstar looked into the toms eyes, and brushed her cheek gently against his.


"Does Nestflame know about this?"


Cloudriver looked up for a second.


"He found out only a short time ago. He promised not to speak of it, until we could talk to you. But he has agreed to it, and says he will lead the clan away if you do not agree."


He licked her shoulder then went back to the circle of LakeClan cats, leaving Prairefall and Fleckwater in front of Dreamstar once again.


"I don't have a choice, do I?"


Fleckwater looked at Prairefall than shook his head.


"Nestflame is ready to lead if need be. Your are a respected leader, Dreamstar. Far more respected than many others. It is time to lead your clan to a new home, so that it can truly be a new start. So that LakeClan can live and thrive once again."


Dreamstar dipped her head.


"I understand. When do we leave?"


This time Prairefall spoke.


"By the new moon. It was just the full moon, so you only have a short time to prepare yourself. Head away from the setting sun, and you will come to a new land."


Prairefall gestured to the area around him.


"Your new home will be similar to this. We sent out cats across the skies to find a new home, and there will be a sign there for when you find it, as this is a bit... exaggerated."


He chuckled.


"You will not recognize the land from this StarClan version. But it will be there."


Dreamstar nodded.


"I will get the clan ready."


Prairefall smiled, and turned around with Fleckwater. All the cats of LakeClan seemed to say the same thing.

"We will be with you for the journey. Don't forget us, ever."

When the leader opened her eyes again, she was in her den. Morning light was seeping through the opening, and she yawned, trying to take in everything she was just told. Rippleblaze was already up and gone, so she got up too, padding to the LakeRock.

"Cats of LakeClan! I have some important news! We must leave our territory, and find a new one."