[TB] DAWN -- Chapter 29 (Patreon)

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The sun rose and set twice more before the report came that the path down the mountain was once again safe for travel.

There had been an air of calm around the Clans during their time with the Tribe, warriors and sharpclaws learning from and befriending one another over hunting patrols and nightly meals shared in the cave. Finally, away from hazardous Twoleg fields and Thunderpaths, they were able to rest and recuperate for the first time since the destruction of the forest began – it was like a Gathering that decided not to end.

Stoneheart could hear them now, in the cave, getting ready to depart, saying good-byes over their last meal in the mountains. He flexed his claws against the stone, doing his best to keep the cold at bay, and he let the roar of the waterfall drown out the noise.

He took a deep breath of the clear, morning mountain air. Stormfur, are you out there? he wondered. Have you been watching us?

We’re almost home.

Stoneheart looked up at the sky, paling as the sun rose. Silverpelt was still there, faint but sparkling. He wondered, not for the first time, which of those stars was his lost friend, but if Stormfur deigned to respond, Stoneheart couldn’t hear it over the crash of water.

I hope you are around, somewhere, he prayed on. His heart ached. It was all almost for nothing, you know? The Clans almost split apart because RiverClan was so stubborn. I almost lost Rowanclaw. We did lose Sandstorm, and Duskflower, and the elders... father...

Stoneheart closed his eyes tight, remembering Oakheart’s resolute determination to stay in the forest. He hoped he never forgot his father’s face, nor Brick’s, nor Boulder’s or Runningnose’s or any of the other elders that had chosen to stay behind. Could they have made this long journey? They would never know, now.

But... We did it anyway, he thought to Stormfur. We came together and each step we took, we took as not four Clans, but one.

I hope we don’t forget that.

“Stoneheart?” a voice mewed. “Stoneheart, what’re you doing out here?”

Stoneheart blinked open eyes he hadn’t realized he’d closed. Feathertail was perched at the end of the Path of Rushing Water, a fox-length away, her tail-tip flicking curiously. Stoneheart gestured with his own tail, and she moved over to join him by the water’s edge.

“You look like a medicine cat,” Feathertail chuckled, curling her tail around her paws, “staring at the sky like that.”

Stoneheart felt a flash of embarrassment. “I just wanted some privacy, to think,” he explained. “It was getting very noisy in the cave.”

Feathertail nodded, her gaze distant. “Everyone is preparing to leave,” she meowed. “It’s only natural.”

Stoneheart blinked at his friend. Feathertail’s posture, her gaze... she seemed a million pawsteps away, too. We’re all preparing to leave, and it’s not so bad for the rest of us, but for you...

He knew what it was like to be parted from Rowanclaw. He could definitely imagine how Feathertail was feeling. By the time the sun broke over the mountains... she would be saying good-bye to Brook again, and who knew when they might next meet?

“I overheard the leaders and Stoneteller talking about maybe exchanging warriors sometime in the future,” Stoneheart offered, trying to assuage his friend’s hurt. “Maybe you could come back one of those times?”

Feathertail tucked her tail closer to her body. “Maybe,” she murmured.

Stoneheart saw the look in her eye, and he sighed. Feathertail and Brook had been inseparable since they’d been reunited, never hunting apart, always eating together, sharing a nest...

“I’m sorry, Feathertail.” He wasn’t sure what else to say.

Feathertail swallowed. For a moment, she was silent, and then, she asked, “What was it like, leaving ThunderClan?”

Stoneheart flicked an ear, confused. “Uh... well, it was hard,” he answered. He had an odd feeling in his gut, one that made his paws shift. “I left behind my father, my sisters... everything I had ever known.”

“Was it worth it?”

“It was,” Stoneheart answered without hesitation. “ThunderClan is a fine Clan, I’m sure, but... I never felt comfortable there. I was never happy. It always felt like cats were judging me for things I might do, whether I did them or not. In their eyes I was only Bluestar’s kit, and it made me feel like I wasn’t capable of anything else.”

Feathertail frowned. “Didn’t Mistyfoot feel like that, too? Or Mosspaw?”

Stoneheart shrugged. “Mosspaw never let it bother her, that’s just how she was. Mistyfoot... well, she was always determined to make it work, to prove to ThunderClan that she’s not Bluestar, that she’s more, and better, and worthy of being one of their warriors, or their deputy, or their leader.”

He paused. For a moment, he was flung back to his time as an apprentice in ThunderClan, feeling the gazes of his Clanmates like claws in his back. He could still feel the pull of Darkstripe’s words – meant to manipulate him, but right all the same:

“I didn’t think I should have to prove something like that,” Stoneheart said. “If they’re my Clanmates, I thought, why did I have to prove that I was worthy of their loyalty? Of their love?”

“And ShadowClan never made you prove it?” Feathertail wondered.

Stoneheart sighed. “Oh, I had to,” he admitted. “I had to prove my loyalty time and again; but the thing is... they stopped making me prove it, after a while. They got it. They got me – and that’s something I don’t think any ThunderClan cat was prepared to do. In the end, leaving was worth it, because it made me happy for the first time in my life.”

“I see,” Feathertail murmured.

Stoneheart glanced at his friend. Why all these questions about his past, his experience moving Clans? That feeling in his gut intensified. Is she thinking of...? He opened his jaws, hesitating a moment too long.

“We should get inside,” Feathertail meowed crisply, as if she could read the question Stoneheart was about to ask. “They’ll be wanting every paw to help.”

Stoneheart’s words caught in his throat. “Of course,” he agreed.

Together, they got to their paws and climbed the Path of Rushing Water. They parted as they entered the cave, the waterfall drowning out all sound for a brief moment as Feathertail pushed through the crowd to Graystripe and Silverstream. Stoneheart used his broad shoulders to make his way to Rowanclaw, who was with the rest of ShadowClan.

“Where’ve you been?” Rowanclaw wondered, his voice breaking through the din of the crowd.

Stoneheart touched noses with his mate. “Just getting some air,” he answered.

“We’ll be getting plenty of air soon enough,” huffed Blackfoot. The ShadowClan deputy’s white coat glowed in the darkness. “Stoneheart, do a head count. Make sure everyone is here.”

Stoneheart dipped his head. “Yes, Blackfoot.”

Rowanclaw helped him as he moved through the ShadowClan crowd, counting each cat. Littlecloud was with Oakfur, examining his paw pad for a stubborn stone. Smokepaw and Redpaw were huddled together, eyes wide and full of expectation. Cedarheart and Finchsong were with the other queens and kits, and Stoneheart picked out Tallpoppy and her kits among them. Nightwing and Pinewhisker were with Wolftooth and Orre, discussing something Stoneheart couldn’t hear.

Pansytail was with Russetstar, and Skipnose and Talonstripe were practicing Tribe moves off to the side, with a ThunderClan and WindClan cat. Everyone was accounted for.

“We’re all here,” Stoneheart reported proudly, reaching Blackfoot through the crowd of cats.

“Good,” Blackfoot mewed. “I’ll tell Russetstar. We’ll be moving off soon.”

“I can’t wait,” Rowanclaw breathed as Blackfoot left. The ginger tom was bristling with excitement. “Being here was amazing and all, but it’s past time we saw the lake!”

Stoneheart couldn’t agree more. He scanned the crowd, catching each Clan taking count of their members – Crowflight was counting for WindClan, while Nightfrost took ThunderClan with a proud tilt of his head. For RiverClan, he had thought it would be Feathertail, but instead Stoneheart saw Falcontail’s dappled pelt flitting through the sleek RiverClan warriors.

A prickle of discomfort ran down his spine. Where was Feathertail? He spotted the silver tabby she-cat with Graystripe, Silverstream, and Brook. He supposed that made sense, but... I don’t like Falcontail looking so pleased with himself...

“Cats of Clan and Tribe, hear us!”

Stoneteller’s voice cut through the noise of the crowd, and all eyes turned to the back of the cave. Stoneteller stood there with Snow, Tinystar, Tallstar, Russetstar, and Leopardstar, their eyes gleaming like stars in the night sky.

When he had every cat’s attention, Stoneteller meowed, “It is time for our friends of the Clans to leave us. Their lake awaits them.”

A ripple of sorrow ran through the Tribe cats. Stoneheart felt a pang for them – they were such an isolated group that seeing outsiders so frequently must feel strange and fun.

“These past few days have created many new friendships,” Tinystar mewed. Turning to Stoneteller, he dipped his head low. “We of the Clans thank you for opening your home to us, Stoneteller. Without your aid, some of us would not be here now.”

Stoneteller waved his tail as if to push away the small ThunderClan leader’s words. “It was something any cat should do,” he said simply. “We are honored by your friendship.”

“I hope we can continue to learn from one another,” Snow said earnestly, taking a step forward. “The Path of Rushing Water is open to the Clans, always.”

“Our camps will be as well,” Russetstar agreed, “when we create them, that is.”

A ripple of amusement ran through the gathered cats, cutting the somber air.

“We should waste no more time,” Leopardstar said, her tone brisk. She lifted her chin. “We’ve still some way to go, and we aim to leave the mountains behind us before nightfall.”

“T-Then you’ll need help!”

Stoneheart pricked his ears, recognizing that voice: Sun!

The ginger-and-white she-cat pushed her way through the crowd, until she was standing before her leaders. Stoneheart could see the slight tremble of her limbs, and curiosity pricked him. An escort down the mountain was expected, so why was she so nervous?

“Speak, little one,” Stoneteller rasped.

“Stoneteller,” Sun began, “there is no easy way to say this: I want to join the Clans!”

Shocked silence gave way to worried murmurs. Stoneheart stared wide-eyed at the Tribe she-cat. He certainly hadn’t expected that.

Sun’s tail bristled as she felt the scrutiny of every cat on her. Nervously, she looked around, her eyes catching on something that made her trembling ease. Stoneheart followed her gaze – she was staring at Sorreltail.

“I want to join ThunderClan,” Sun meowed, her voice sounding more certain. She turned her head away from Sorreltail and met Tinystar’s eyes. “If you would have me, Tinystar.”

Tinystar looked stunned, but to his credit, it didn’t show in his voice: “Are you sure that’s what you want, Sun?”

Sun nodded her head enthusiastically. “It is,” she insisted. “It really is.”

Stoneteller’s eyes were hard to read. “You have spoken to your father?” he asked.

“She has,” Red responded from within the crowd. The ginger tom looked uncomfortable, his eyes filled with sorrow, but his voice was strong: “She is a sharpclaw now, I told her. This decision is hers to make, and she has made it.”

“Then the Path will be open to you,” Stoneteller sighed, his breath shaky, “should you decide to return.”

Sun’s eyes sparkled, and she looked again to Tinystar. “Will you have me?” she asked again.

Tinystar’s ice-blue eyes blinked at the young she-cat. What was he seeing, Stoneheart wondered – himself? Something else? What did a leader look for in a cat that wanted to join their Clan?

Whatever it is, I think Sun has it, Stoneheart decided. I wouldn’t turn her away.

“Welcome to ThunderClan, Sun,” Tinystar announced. “You’ve much to learn, and I think that Brightheart might be the best cat to teach you.”

Stoneheart glanced into the crowd and saw Brightheart’s good eye widen in shock. Beside her, her mates Cloudtail and Swiftfoot nudged her happily. It took her a moment to find the right words: “I-I will teach her all that I know!” she insisted.

“If that is all, then,” Leopardstar sighed, looking exasperated, “we need to be going...”

“That isn’t all, I’m afraid.”

Stoneheart felt the pit in his stomach return, this time growing into a yawning abyss as Feathertail stepped forward, now, with Brook at her side. Graystripe and Silverstream hug back at the front of the crowd, their pelts pressed together and their eyes shimmering.

“What is this?” Leopardstar wondered. The golden she-cat tilted her head. “Feathertail?”

“Leopardstar, Stoneteller,” Feathertail began, nodding at each cat in turn, “I, too, have come to a decision.”

Oh, StarClan, Stoneheart thought. He knew exactly what Feathertail was going to say.

“I have decided to stay in the mountains.”

The reaction this time was far more pronounced. All of RiverClan looked as if they had been struck by a badger’s blow, pelts bristling and eyes widening in shock. Stoneheart felt it, too, as he looked at Feathertail, and he could tell that the other chosen cats were just as stunned.

“Of course, you can stay,” Snow purred, her eyes sparkling as they flashed between Feathertail and Brook. “The whole Tribe would welcome you, Feathertail!”

Leopardstar did not look shocked in the slightest. “Is this truly what you desire?” she asked, her voice level.

“This is where I belong,” Feathertail said simply.

“Feathertail, are you sure?” Tawnypelt, who had been Feathertail’s mentor, had pushed her way through the crowd. The tortoiseshell she-cat looked hurt. “RiverClan is your home.”

Feathertail turned to her and nodded. “I can feel it in my heart, Tawnypelt,” she said. “This is where I was always meant to be.”

A golden shape pushed through the crowd – Mothwing. The RiverClan medicine cat touched her nose delicately to Feathertail’s. “StarClan watch over you,” she mewed softly. “I hope you’ll be happy, Feathertail.”

Did I do this? Stoneheart wondered. He thought of their conversation and felt like a mouse-brain. Had his words been the catalyst for Feathertail to make this decision? His mouth went dry as he watched RiverClan surge through the crowd to say good-bye to Feathertail, one-by-one wishing her well.

Finally, Leopardstar went last. She touched her nose to Feathertail’s forehead and sighed, “We will miss you.”

“And I you,” Feathertail meowed, licking Leopardstar’s shoulder.

“Then let us be off,” Leopardstar decided, raising her chin again. She glared out over the crowd, her amber eyes like small flames. “Unless there are any other announcements...?”

Under that blazing gaze, no cat stepped forward. When she was satisfied with that lack of response, Leopardstar flicked her tail and waded through the crowd. The rest of RiverClan followed her, and eventually, after saying their good-byes, the other leaders went, too, heading for the cave entrance with their Clans streaming out slowly behind them.

“I can’t believe it,” Rowanclaw whispered. “She’s really leaving the Clans behind?”

“I can,” Stoneheart murmured. He saw Feathertail and Brook press their foreheads together, breathing in one another’s scents. “To love and feel loved... it’s worth it.”

He saw the chosen cats lingering behind, and moved to join them. It was their turn to say farewell to one of their own... again.

“Good-bye, Feathertail,” Mistyfoot murmured. She ran her cheek along the silver she-cat's jaw. “Keep an eye on Stormfur, will you?”

“I shall,” Feathertail responded, purring.

Crowflight came next. “We’ll miss you.” He wrapped his tail tight with Feathertail’s. “I’ll try to remember how to fish...”

“If you need a refresher, you know where to find me,” Feathertail responded, her whiskers twitching.

“Please,” Shadepaw pleaded, “please visit!”

“If I can,” Feathertail agreed, purring. She licked Shadepaw around the ear. “Don’t fret, Shadepaw, you’ll get your full name soon.”

“I can’t believe you’re staying behind!” Nightfrost wailed. He might’ve had his warrior name, but his stature still made him look like an apprentice. He touched his paw to Feathertail’s and sighed, “Have the best life you can, okay? And don’t you dare forget about us!”

“I would never,” Feathertail breathed. She pressed her muzzle into Nightfrost’s fur, then looked up. Her shimmering gaze met Stoneheart’s, and she murmured, “You are all my truest friends.”

“And you are ours,” Stoneheart agreed. He touched his nose to hers, breathing in her scent for the last time. Under his breath, he asked, “Do you think this is worth it?”

Feathertail’s eyes flashed. “I do,” she answered.

There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in her voice, and that settled Stoneheart’s stomach somewhat. He licked her around the ear and wished her luck once more. It was time to go, and he walked between Mistyfoot and Rowanclaw as they headed for the waterfall.

Their group was the last to pick their way down the Path of Rushing Water, and on the last stone Stoneheart lingered. He looked back, at the waterfall crashing down into the pool, at the cave hidden behind it, at the line of stones that led to that cave. There he saw Feathertail and Brook, standing shoulder to shoulder, pelts smeared with mud, their shapes lit by pinkish dawn light.

Stoneheart’s heart felt so full that it might break, he thought. He turned away from them, and hoped to StarClan that Feathertail would finally find the happiness that had so eluded her.