Warriors: The power of the moon - Book 1 - Crowfeather's Quest (warriors fanfic)

Note: this is set after the events of 'warriors: the new prophecy' so dont read unless you have finished 'the new prophecy', as the following story contains spoilers1

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Allegiances:3

Windclan:4

Leader: Onestar5

Deputy: Ashfoot6

Medicine cat: Barkface7

Warriors: Tornear, Webfoot, Crowfeather, Owlwhisker, Nightcloud, Weaselfur8

Queens: Whitetail9

Elders: Morningflower, Rushtail.10

Moonclan:11

Leader: Fuzzystar (Long-haired white tom)12

Deputy: Rockheart (Short-Haired grey tom. Aprentice: Dawnpaw)13

Warriors: Hawkwing (Long-Haired ginger tom. Aprentice: Mudpaw), Wildheart (Long-Haired Dark brown Tom. Aprentice: Scarpaw),Moonshadow (Short-Haired Pure Black She-cat), Icefur (Very pale grey She-cat) 14

Medicine cat: Tanglepelt (long-Haired Grey She-Cat)15

Queens: Swiftfire (Pale ginger She-Cat) , Rainpelt (Blue-Grey she cat) 16

Elders: Mossfur (Long-Haired brown she-cat. The oldest cat in moonclan), Three-leg (Black and white tom, missing a back leg)17

Aprentices: Mudpaw (Brown She-Cat with White paws) , Scarpaw (Ginger tom with long scars on his flank), Dawnpaw (Pale Grey She-cat) 18

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Chapter 1:20

"that's it!" Crowfeather meowed as he stalked away from the elder's den, fur bristleing. As he emerged back into the middle of the camp, he spotted whitetail's kits playing outside the nuserey, as soon as whitetail spotted him she rounded up her kits and led them back into the nursery. Crowfeather spotted the rest of the Windclan warriors watching him suspiciously from around the edge of the camp.21

A wave of fury shot through crowfeather, and he ran out of the camp. All the warriors had been treating him suspicously since he and Leafpool had returned to their clans. He ran and ran until eventualy he stopped running and flopped down on the ground. When he got his breath back he stood up. he realised that he was past the Windclan border. A wave of pain flooded over him as he recocnised where his paws had taken him, this was where he and leafpool had slept on the night when they had left their clans.22

All his old love for her resurfaced, but was followed by another wave of pain, because they could never be together - she was thuderclan medicine cat. A third wave of pain flowed through him when he remembered his first love - Feathertail, they had grown close during the journey to the sun-drown-place, but she had sacrificed herself to defeat sharptooth, and save the tribe of rushing water.23

Although the pain of his memories was almost too much to bear he curled up in the place they had rested last time, he could still detect a trace of her scent. reluctantly he slipped into sleep.24

Crowfeather was standing by the lake, the scents of greenleaf were all around him. He sat there looking at a the reflections of silverpelt in the lake. He caught the scent of another cat approaching, it was so achingly faminlar that he knew at once that he was dreaming. "Feathertail" he mewed, turning to face her. She brushed past him and stopped staring down at the lake. He stood next to her as she stared into the lake. without warning she turned and stared into Crowfeather's eyes "Fire and Ice will meet in battle, and Moon shall defeat Storm." she brushed past crowfeather and mewed into his ear "I will always watch over Crowfeater". Crowfeather watched her leave, and then sunk into a restless sleep.25

***26

Chapter 2:27

Crowfeather opened his eyes and streched, Feathertail's words still ringing in his ears. Hunger growled in his belly, he opened his mouth to taste the air, the tempting scent of mouse wafted towards him from a small bush nearby, moments later he spotted it. He crouched down and crept towards it. He was about to pounce on it, when something crashed into his side.28

Sharp claws raked down his side. He rolled onto his back and kicked upwards throwing his attacker to the forrest floor a few tail-lengts away. His attacker was a young she-cat with brown fur and white paws. she jumped, aiming to land on his back, Crowfeather rolled backwards, before he could get to his paws his attacker pounced on him. The two cats rolled over and over, struggling to get a grip. Eventualy Crowfeather overpowered the younger cat and pushed her muzzle into the ground. He reached down to bite her sholder, when she pushed upwards and flung him away. Crowfeather got to his paws and stared at the other cat, she growled and paced towards him.29

Suddenly a Dark brown tom thrust himself between them. "Enough!" he growled, turning to the she-cat he meowed "You did well Mudpaw, i'll deal with this now." Turning on crowfeather he growled "what are you doing on our territory?" "im sorry, I didnt think there would be any other clans out here" Even as crowfeather mewed those words, he knew that he was wrong, he thought of how Stormfur had left to join the tribe of rushing water. Although he would never admit it, he felt a pang of sadnees for the friendship the six cats who journed to sun-drown-place had felt.30

"Your one of those stupid forrest cats, did you think that you were the only cats in existance?" the older cat meowed, his fur bristling with anger. "I'm not one of the forest cats anymore, I left my clan" Crowfeather protested. "I dont care who you say you are, you're my prisoner, and your comming with me!" The older cat meowed, as if what he said was a signal, more warriors emerged from the bushes and surrounded crowfeather, mudpaw crept towards him, and mewed into his ear "Im sure everything will be okay," she gave him a quick lick before rushing to stand beside the cat that crowfeather assumed to be her mentor.31

***32

Chapter 3:33

Crowfeather was led by the strange warriors further away from the lake, and the territory of the four clans. At first he thought they were going to lead him into the mountains. but then they turned and led him into the forest. Athough this was the same forest that made up Thunderclan territory, they were far away from the Thunderclan border. Crowfeather thought of Brambleclaw and squirrleflight, they had grown close during the journey to Sun-Drown-Place, they had fallen out over something, but at the last gathering, he had seen that they had gotten over their differences. 34

Crowfeather was lead towards a small clearing, surrounded by brambles. Although he had never seen the old Thunderclan camp, this place reminded him of Brambleclaw's discriptions of it. A small stream ran along one side of the camp, A long haired pure white cat emerged from a cave on the far side of the stream, he paused to lap some water from the stream, before aproaching and adressing the grey tom that led the patrol that had captured Crowfeather. "Rockheart" he mewed "why have you brought this cat to our camp?" 35

"I found him stealing prey by the Meeting Hollow" Rockheart Replied36

"Did Stormclan scent you?" The white cat mewed. Crowfeather froze as he recognised the name 'storm' from his dream. Leaning towards Mudpaw, he wispered "what's this clan called?" even as he asked the question, he already knew the answer. "moonclan" she wispered back. His fur bristled unconfortably at the mention of the second name in his dream.37

Fuzzystar turned to him "you will stay over there, until i decide what to do with you" he meowed, pointing with his tail towards a old tree stump. Crowfeather padded towards the tree stump, and saw that there was a small space underneath it. Crowfeather guessed that this was where he was meant to sleep, as crowfeather settled down, he realised that the scratches from his fight with Mudpaw, were still bleeding.As if in answer to his thoughts long-haired grey she-cat approached him with a wad of cobwebs on one paw. Crowfeather crawled out of his den and allowed her to treat his wounds before he returned to his den. He didnt expect to sleep, but his fight with mudpaw, and his flight from windclan had tired him. and he reluctantly allowed his eyes to close.38

Crowfeather was woken by a quiet mew, he opened his eyes to see Mudpaw standing outside with a mouse in her jaws. "Fuzzystar said that the aprentices should care for you" she explained dropping the mouse and taking a step back. Crowfeather took a few bites of the mouse, and then looked up at Mudpaw. "have you eaten yet?" he asked her. "no" she mewed. "you can have what's left of this" he said. Their fur brushed as she padded over to the remains of the mouse. She gave him an uncomfortable stare, befre turning to eat the mouse.39

Later in the day, the other two apprentices went to see Crowfeather. Scarpaw, was a ginger tom who was attacked as a kit and had long scars down his flank. Dawnpaw was a Pale grey she-cat who was the Daughter of Fuzzystar. Crowfeather watched from his den as the sun slowly sank, and the moon rose in the sky.40

*** 41

Chapter 4:42

Crowfeather opened his eyes, and wondered where he was. Then he remembered everything that had happened over the last two days. he climbed out of his den and looked around. The sun had only just risen above the horison, the dawn patroll had recently left, and it would be a while before they got back. Mudpaw was on guard duty, but she was curled up assleep outside his den. The clearing was empty, Crowfeather thought of leaving, he could be out of the camp, and half way to thunderclan teritory before anyone noticed he was gone. A voice spoke in his ear "The clan needs you Crowfeather" He looked around for the source of the voice, nobody was there. The voice spoke again "remember, the clan needs you" only after the voice spoke a second time did he recognise that the voice belonged to Feathertail. Crowfeather knew she was right, he had never felt at home in windclan, and even though he was being held prisioner he felt at home, for the first time since he was born. Crowfeather sat down next to mudpaw, and waited for somebody to wake up.43

Crowfeather felt hot breath on his ear, and Mudpaw mewed into his ear "so, you decided to stay then." Crowfeather nodded "Fuzzystar said we should leave you ungaurded, and see if you tried to escape." she continued "he said starclan had sent him a message that..." she was intterupted as Scarpaw ran into the clearing, with patches of blood staining the fur along his flank, it looked as if the old wounds that had left the scars that gave him his name, had been reopened. Fuzzystar padded out of his den, glancing breifly at Crowfeather before going to stand in front of Scarpaw. A Long-Haired grey she-cat emmerged from a small bush near Fuzzystar's den. Mudpaw Leaned closer to him - their fur brushing - she wispered into his ear "That's Tanglepelt, our medicine cat." Scarpaw panted for breath before meowing loud enough for Crowfeather to hear "It's Stormclan, they're attacking!" Mudpaw got up and whispered to him "I beter go" she gave him a quick lick before joining the other aprentices near Fuzzystar's den. After a quick word from Fuzzystar, the warriors formed a defesive line near the entrance to the camp, the apprentices formed a second line behind them. Crowfeather hid back in his den as a furious battle broke out in the clearing. He crouched low trying to shut out the moans of pain from the clearing. Suddenly a high-pitched wail of terror sounded above the noises of the battle, Crowfeather isntantly recognised the wail of a frightened kit, and bounded out of his den, and saw a large Tabby tom reaching into a bramble bush, he pulled his paw back out, with a small kit grasped in it.44

Crowfeather crashed into the of the Tabby tom, he dropped the kit and turned on crowfeather. He slashed at Crowfeather with one of his paws.Crowfeather jumped onto his back,The tabby rolled onto his back, crushing the air out of Crowfeather's lungs. Crowfeather went limp, and his attacker turned to deal a death blow, when crowfeather slashed at his attacker with all four paws. The unexpected attack cought his attacker of gaurd. Crowfeather used the moment's break to jump to his paws, and pounce on his attacers back. Crowfeather bit down hard, into his attacker's sholder, Crowfeather released his attacker when his teeth met bone. Crowfeather turned and thrust himself through the bramble bush into the nursery. The kits were huddled in a corner shivering, "Dont worry, you'll be fine" he mewed reasuringly. He turned around at the sound of another cat pushing through the entrance to the nursery, it was Mudpaw. "Don't worry, ill keep them safe" he meowed quickly, "Okay Crowfeather" she replied before returning to the battle, Crowfeather thanked starclan that she trusted him enough to leave him alone with the kits.45

***46

Chapter 5:47

Crowfeather followed Fuzzystar into his den. Mudpaw followed behind him. After the battle The two queens; Swiftfire and Rainpelt had returned to the nursery and found Crowfeather there, as soon as he told them his story they thanked him, before he could check if the kits were ok, Mudpaw had told him that Fuzzystar wanted to talk to him.48

Fuzzystar's den was made in a small crack in the rock on the side of stream. The Far end of the den was shrouded in shadow. Fuzzystar sat down on his bedding at the far end of the den. Crowfeather and leafpaw, sat down respectfully, at the edge of the shadows, all they could see of the clan leader was his two blue eyes. "Crowfeather," Fuzzystar mewed "mudpaw told me how you endangered your life to protect our kits. we will be forever gratefull for that. "It wasn't Just any cat, it was Greatstar - the Stormclan leader!" Mudpaw interupted. "Thank you, mudpaw" he mewed before turning back to crowfeather he continued "Crowfeather, i would like to offer you a place in my clan. Before you make your decision I will tell you the story of Moonclan. Moons ago Moonclan and Stormclan lived much like you forest cats, we lived in relative peace, and met at every full moon to discuss problems that threatened both of our clans. Then the old leader died and a new leader took his place. This was Greatstar, the cat that you fought today. He wasn't happy with being leader of one clan, he wanted to lead both of the clans. So one night at a gathering he attacked, he killed all of the Elders who were present, and one of our aprenticies. By the time we escaped the fighting and returned to the camp, we found out that Greatstar had sent another patrol to attack our camp - that was how Scarpaw was injured. I do not make this decision lightly, but we need more warriors. We are attacked at least once every moon, we managed to drive this attack off, but Moonshadow was injured and wont be able to fight." Crowfeather stood there, shock wirling through his mind. "Do you accept?" Fuzzystar mewed. Crowfeather was aware of mudpaw watching him. Crowfeather met her gaze, as soon as he did he made his decision. "yes" he mewed, "thank you" Fuzzystar replied, relif clearly audible in his voice. Turning to Mudpaw he meowed "Mudpaw, today you fought with the strength of a warrior, and trusted Crowfeather to gaurd our kits. I have talked with your mentor, and he agrees that you should be made a warrior. We will hold your warrior ceremony tonite."49

Mudpaw and Crowfeather bounded out of Fuzzystar's den, their fur brushing. Crowfeather followed Mudpaw toward's the Fresh-Kill pile. She pulled out a rabbit and turned to crowfeather, "want to share?" she asked, Crowfeather agreed. Once they had both eaten their share she turned to him and meowed "i'm so exited" "I know" Crowfeather replied, giving her a quick lick on the cheek. Supprising Crowfeather she turned and began to groom his fur, Crowfeather spotted Scarpaw and Dawnpaw watching with shock and disbelif on their faces. Crowfeather Closed his eyes, and allowed Mudpaw's Gentle strokes to soothe him.50

"what are you doing here?" Crowfeather opened his eyes and saw rockheart standing over them. They hastily got to their paws, Crowfeather opened his mouth to explain, when they were resqued by Fuzzystar "I said he could be here, he's a full warrior now." Rockheart looked at Fuzzystar, with confusion in his eyes, "Come with me, ill tell you all about it" Fuzzystar mewed signaling with his tail towards his den. Rockheart cast an angry glance back at Crowfeather and Mudpaw before following Fuzzystar into his den.51

Crowfeather looked around, unsure what they should do. He spotted Fuzzystar emerging from his den, he beconed Crowfeather and Mudpaw. They scrambled to their paws and walked over to him. "I'm going to take the two of you on patrol. Mudpaw I need to assess your skill's before your warrior ceremony, and Crowfeather I wouldn't mind seeing how well you hunt as well" he told them. Without waiting for a response he turned and left the camp. Crowfeather cast a quick glance around the clearing before hurring after Fuzzystar and Mudpaw.52

***53

Chapter 6:54

Crowfeather stopped and watch the sun set beneath the trees. He heard a rustling in the undergrowth behind him, and Mudpaw emerged from the undergrowth and silently watched the sunset beside him. He looked down from the top of the hill towards the Moonclan camp - his home. He was suprised how quickly the moonclan scents had become familiar to him, the windclan scents he had grown up with were strange and distant. A rustling in the undergrowth behind him signaled that Mudpaw and Fuzzystar had caught up with him. Mudpaw sat beside him and mewed into his ear "You're already starting to take on Moonclan scent" she said, as if she had read his mind. "that may be true, but will they ever trust me?" crowfeather replied, "I'll always trust you" she meowed licking Crowfeather on the cheek. Crowfeather noticed Fuzzystar watching intently from a few tail-lenghs away. Without saying a word crowfeather stood up and led the way back to the moonclan camp.55

Most of the clan was already gathered in the clearing, obvioulsy the news of Crowfeather's aceptance into the clan had spread like wildfire. Fuzzystar took the lead when they walked into the camp, he pushed his way through the crowd, and lept up onto the Outcrop of rock that made his den in a singal bound. Crowfeather followed mudpaw to a point beneath the rock. "Cats of Moonclan, gather on the bank of the stream for a clan meeting." Fuzzystar Yowled, Altough most of the clan was already gathered, waiting for Fuzzystar to formally make the anouncement of Crowfeather's aceptance into the clan. 56

Fuzzystar started speaking, his voice was powerfull and confident "As most of you already know, i have decided to offer crowfeather a place in our clan. If we are to defeat Greatstar, and restore the peace between our clans. We need more warriors, In today's atack Moonshadow was injured, and will be unable to fight for a while." Crowfeather noticed a flicker of pain in Rockheart's eyes, and guessed at Rockheart's affection for the black warrior. "Now, there is one more cereomony to perform." Fuzzystar paused and looked up at the sky, the first stars of silverpelt emerging, before continuing, "I,Fuzzystar, Leader of moonclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. she has trained hard to undestand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." Fuzzystar jumped down from the Rock and stood in front of Mudpaw, "Mudpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" Mudpaw met Crowfeather's gaze for a long moment before turning back to Fuzzystar,and replying confidently "I do." "Then by the powers of Starclan" Fuzzystar declared, "I give you your warrior name: Mudpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Mudbreath. Starclan honors your loyalty and intelegence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Moonclan." Fuzzystar rested his muzzle on the top of Mudbreath's head, she gave his sholder a quick lick before stepping back to allow the rest of the clan to congratulate Mudbreath. Crowfeather gave her a quick lick "Mudbreath!" he meowed happily. Fuzzystar signaled for silence before continuing "As is the tradition, you will watch the camp in silent vigil tonight. Crowfeather, as a new warrior to moonclan you will join mudbreath on her vigil, but first I want to see both of you in my den." Fuzzystar lept down from the rock and dissapeared into his den, Crowfeater and Mudbreath hastily followed. 57

Fuzzystar sat down on his bedding, Crowfeather and Mudbreath sat down a respectfull distance away and waited for Fuzzystar to speak. "Crowfeather" Fuzzystar began "Before I tell you why I asked for you both to come here, tell me how you came to be found in our teritory.58

Crowfeather took a deep breath, before beggining his story. He told them everything, Starting from the first dream, then Brambleclaw's second dream, the journey through twoleg place. Then the meeting with Midnight the badger, then The trip through the mountains, finding the Tribe of Rushing Water, Stormfur being captured, as Crowfeather told the story of the disasterous attempt to resque Stormfur, his voice was became choked with greif for Feathertail. Mudbreath pressed herself against Crowfeather, and licked him reasuringly. Fuzzystar's whiskers twiched, but he said nothing, and gestured for crowfeather to continue. Crowfeather resumed telling his story, He told them, about Feathertail sacrificing herself to save the Tribe. He told them about persuading the clans to leave, and the long dificult journey to their new home by the lake. He paused and breathed in Mudbreath's scent before telling them about Leafpool, he drew strenght from the feeling of Mudbreath's warm pelt pressed against his, and managed to finish his story without stopping.59

Fuzzystar paused, obvoulsy still taking in the information Crowfeather had given him. Mudbreath pressed even closer to him "Im so sorry about Feathertail, and Leafpool" she wispered, bearly loud enough for Crowfeather to hear. Crowfeather gently licked the top of her head, "Dont worry, it's in the past" he mewed. "Thank you Crowfeather" Fuzzystar meowed "Now, i need to tell you why I asked you here" Fuzzystar paused "one moon ago, Tanglepelt recived a message from Starclan. It said 'Two new warriors must go on a journey to where midnight lives' from what you've just said I think starclan wants you to go and talk to Midnight again."60

***61

Chapter 7:62

Crowfeather shivered, it had been a cold night, but the thought of being acepted into his new clan, and the journey he and Mudbreath would be going on. He glanced at Mudbreath, lying beside him, her eyes were glowing with exitement. Crowfeather remembered his own warrior ceremony, held in the Tribe of rushing water's cave, he had been exited, but worried at the same time, because he and the other 5 cats who returned from sun-drown-place had the resposiblity of leading the united clans through the mountains to their new home.63

The two cats watched as the sun slowly rose above the horrision. Crowfeather shifted impatiently, he wanted to get out soon, before the rest of the camp woke up. Eventualy Fuzzystar emerged from his den and padded over to them "You may speak" he meowed "now go get some rest" he ordered, altough he knew that they were going to sneak out of the camp, he had to act as if he didnt know what they were going to do. They stood up and padded in the direction of the warriors' den. Crowfeather lead Mudbreath to a small hole in the camp wall, just large enough for a cat to squeeze through. Crowfeather pushed his way through the hole - the thorns scraped painfully against his sholders - and sat down to keep guard. Crowfeather glanced back into the hole, Mudbreath was struggling with a thorn caught deep in her fur. "Hurry up!" Crowfeather hissed, if they stayed there much longer they would be noticed. Mudbreath gave one last tug and broke free, she lead the way through the forest. Crowfeather was happy to follow her, anyway she knew the teritory better than him.64

The Sun was high in the sky when they finaly reached the edge of Moonclan territory. Normaly Crowfeather would have felt relived to be back in open ground, but to his suprise, he actualy felt some of the instinctive tension that all cats felt upon leaving their territory. Padding forwards to stand beside Mudbreath he mewed "Have you got anywere to sleep in mind?" he asked. "yes. when i was an apprentice, i ran out of camp and spent the night in a hollow tree." she replied. She Paused for a heartbeat. before turning and following the Moonclan border along the edge of the forest. The sun was going down again by the time they reached Mudbreath's hiding place. She padded over to the roots of an old tree, paused for a moment to scent the air, before dissapearing amongst the roots. Crowfeather followed her, and saw that the ground had been scraped away, leaving just enough room for a cat to squeese under the roots into the hollow tree. Mudbreath was right - no cat would find their hiding place unless they knew it was there. As Crowfeather crawled into the hollow tree, a sharp pain shot up one of his forelegs. He sat down next to Mudbreath, and looked at his paw. A thorn was driven deep into his pad, He bent his head to pull the thorn out, when Mudbreath mewed "Wait, Let me do it." Crowfeather held out his paw and watched as she gently pulled out the thorn, and licked the wound clean. She Curled up into a ball, and within seconds she was assleep. Although Crowfeather was exausted from his vigil and the long trek through Moonclan teritory, he couldnt sleep. Crowfeather watched the sky darken and the stars emerge through the small hole at the top of the tree, feeling oddly protective of the young brown warrior curled up beside him.65

***66

Chapter 8:67

Mudbreath streched and opened her eyes. Crowfeather was already awake, he was staring into space, His Blue Eyes dark and unreadable. "Good, you're awake." he said without moving, Mudbreath realised that he was remembering Feathertail and Leafpaw. "I know how you feel" she mewed gently, pressing herself agaisnt him reasuringly. "A few days after I was apprenticed I met a Stormclan Aprrentice called Runningpaw. I met him the next day, while out hunting, we talked and decided to meet as often as possible." She paused, Crowfeather was watching her intenly. "After a while we fell in love, One night we seceretly met here. We had decided to leave our clans, it was the only way we could be together. Early in the morning, a badger attacked us. It would have killed me, But Runningpaw..." She trailed off, her throat choaked with grief. Crowfeather pressed closer, silently offering support. She continued, her voice barely more than a whisper "He threw himself at the Badger, Giving me enough time to escape. He fought bravely, but it was hopless, At least he died quickly." Crowfeather was staring at her, she had never told anyone her secret, and now she had reavealed her secret to a cat that had only been in the clan for 4 days! Crowfeather had become a close freind, she wondered if he was starting to become more than a friend. 68

"There's no point in hanging round here any longer" Mudbreath Meowed, crawling out of the Tree. From the scent she guessed that the Stormclan dawn patroll had past by recently. She thanked Starclan that the dawn patroll hadn't noticed their scents above the normal Moonclan scents this close to the border. Turning to watch Crowfeather emerge from the tree she meowed "Lead the way." Crowfeather looked up at the sky before answering "when we first made the journey we followed the Setting sun, I guess we do the same." He turned his back to the sun rising above the trees, before padding off into the trees. "Be carfull" She mewed, padding alongside him "It's not just Stormclan we have to watch out for, if my - I mean Our - Clan catches us we'll be dragged back to Fuzzystar quicker than you could say 'mouse'." 69

By the time the sun set, they were far away from Clan teritory. She looked around, Squnting at the constant wind that seemed to blow across these moorlands. "Where are we going to find shelter out here?" She Meowed. "I dont Know" Crowfeather replied. They padded onwards in silence, as the last shreds of sunlight faded from the sky she spotted a small bramble bush. standing alone on the windswept hills. "how about we shelter over there, she meowed, pointing towards the bush with her tail. "Okay" he replied and led the way towards the bush. She squeezed under the bush and circled a few times to make a comfotable nest, before curling up next to Crowfeather, and sinking into sleep.70

Chapter 9:71

Crowfeather stopped, staring down the sheer cliff face towards the endless sun-drown-water. A rustling of the bushes behind him told that Mudbreath had caught up with him. "watch out" he warned "the cliff edge can be unstable." She padded onwards, less than a Fox-length from the cliff edge. Before she could take more than a few steps, the ground beneath her paws started to slide away. Crowfeather shot forwards and pushed her away from the cliff edge, seconds before the ground gave way completely.72

The shock of the icy cold water took his breath away. All his instincts to swim were thwarted by the relentless surging of the water. He felt his limbs growing weaker as he struggled to keep his head above the water. He caught a last glimpse of the entrance to midnight's cave, before he was swept underwater, and into the waiting blackness.73

***74

Crowfeather's fur was dry, and was being ruffled by a gentle breeze. The scents of the forest were all around him. He opened his eyes, he was standing on the lakeshore, there was no moon but Silverpelt shone brightly in the sky. He heard pawsteps behind him, and an achingly fammilar scent hit his nostrils. "Feathertail" he murmured. Turning to face her he asked "Am I Dead?" Feathertail stared into his eyes, troubled. "yes" she mewed, her voice barley audible over the rustling of the trees, "but Starclan have decided to grant you another life, because of the importance of your quest, but be warned, after this life you will join Starclan." She paused "the cereomony will be very painfull, are you ready?" Crowfeather took a moment to brace himself, before anwering "Yes." Feathertail touched her nose to his and muttered "Go back to the real world crowfeather, and fulfil your destiny" although he had been warned, nothing could prepare Crowfeather for the pain, it felt like every hair on his pelt was being pulled out. The pain continued until he thought he must cry out, or fade away to nothing. 75

Suddenly, he was blinking awake in a dark cave. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he noticed mudbreath sitting a mouse-length away, staring at him, her eyes full of greif. Crowfeather tried to call out a greeting, but his throat was so parched all he managed was a croak. "Crowfeather! You're alive!" she meowed, rushing forwards and burring her muzzle in his fur. At that moment, Midnight walked into the cave, with a ball of wet moss clamped in her jaws. She dropped the moss in front of him "Here, Drink" she said. Crowfeather eagarly licked the drops of moisture from the moss, savoring the feeling of cool moisture soothing his sore throat. "thanks" he mewed "what happened?" Mudbreath sat down a few tail-lengths away and began to speak in a low whisper “when you fell in to the water, I tried to save you. I managed to drag you into this cave, but you weren't breathing” she pressed herself against his side “I couldn't stand it if you died.” she murmured, she bent her head and began to lick the drops of salty water from his fur. “I love you, Crowfeather” she breathed, barely audible above the roar of the Sun-drown-water. Crowfeather turned his head and stared into her glowing green eyes, so much passed between them in that moment, that it was impossible to put into words. Crowfeather had never thought he would love again after Leafpool, especially not so soon, but he could not deny how he felt when he stared into Mudbreath's eyes “I love you too” he breathed, pressing his muzzle against hers. Crowfeather drew strength from her touch and managed to stagger to his paws. For the first time he notied that Midnight had been watching their exchange. 76

Crowfeather limped over to where midnight was sitting, leaning heavily on Mudbreath. “So, young warrior, you have returned. Starclan prophesied that you would.” Crowfeather opened his mouth to explain everything that had happened since he had last seen her, “Silence, Starclan have told me about your new destiny with Moonclan, I knew ever since I first met you. Listen carefully, what I am about to tell you is only known to the current Thunderclan leader and his mate.” she told them “Is this about when Firestar and Sandstorm disappeared, back in the old forest?” Crowfeather asked. Midnight continued as if she hadn't heard the question “Firestar had dreams of a clan of cats fleeing from the forest. Starclan revealed to him that he was dreaming of when Skyclan was driven from the forest”77

“what is Skyclan?” Crowfeather asked78

“Skyclan was – is – the fifth clan of the forest, they were driven from the forest by Twolegs many hundreds of moons ago” Crowfeather gasped in shock, had Starclan lied to every clan cat?79

“the leader of Skyclan, when they left the forest - Cloudstar, visited Firestar in a dream and sent him on a journey to rebuild Skyclan. Firestar and Sandstorm went on a long journey, but eventually they arrived at the old home of Skyclan, there they found the last cat of skyclan – Skywatcher. Firestar and Standstorm rebuilt Skyclan from Loners and Kittypets who shared Skyclan blood. They faced many chalenges, but eventually Skyclan was rebuilt”80

“This is very intresting, but how does this help Moonclan?” Mudbreath inturupted81

“Patience” Midnight continued “Now Skyclan is under threat from Twolegs as well, Twolegs will block the river and flood the Skyclan camp. you must journey to the Skyclan camp and bring them back to the lake, then you shall find the allies you need to defeat Stormclan”82

“Thankyou Midnight, the moon is setting, we must rest” Crowfeather padded over to the corner of the cave and curled up, Mudbreath followed him. The last thing he felt before slipping into sleep was Mudbreath's warm flank pressed against his.83

***84

Chapter 10:85

Mudbreath streched and opened her eyes, Sunlight was streaming in through a opening at the far end of the small cave. Beside her Crowfeather still slept soundlessly. Although she couldn't deny how she felt about Crowfeather, she wondered what it was about the mysterious Grey-Black warrior who made her feel this way.86

Carefull not to disturb Crowfeather, Mudbreath stood up and padded out of the cave. The sun was only just above the horrison, she paused to scent the air, She turned around as the overpowering scent of badger hit her. Midnight was scraping the soil with her claws, looking for the grubs and insects that she ate. She looked up, "To return to the forest, you must follow the rising sun then follow the river to it's source, there you shall find Skyclan" Midnight said.87

Mudbreath returned to the cliff edge, with three mice hanging from her jaws, It was a warm day, and she had hunted well.