The Forgotten Warrior

“Her senses are very sharp,” Lionblaze explained. “I mean, really. She knows what’s going on in the other territories… and even farther away. A few seasons ago, when the lake dried up, she knew it was some animals called beavers who had built a dam way upstream.”

Hollyleaf made a small noise that sounded as if she was impressed. But Jayfeather picked up feelings of grief and envy, too… not a bitter jealousy that would make her Dovewing’s enemy, but a deep regret that she was excluded from something that her littermates shared.

If only Hollyleaf had been part of the prophecy, he thought. She would have taken her place in it so seriously… maybe it would have stopped her from doing what she did.

The words of the latest prophecy came back to Jayfeather’s mind. Three will become four… He wondered if Hollyleaf could be the fourth cat, even if she hadn’t been part of the original prophecy. But sensing the trouble in his sister’s mind, he decided not to say anything yet. I’ll discuss it with Lionblaze first.

“Are you going to stay?” Lionblaze asked Hollyleaf.

“I think so,” she replied. “For a while, at least. After all, you’ve got a problem with Sol. If… if I can help you, then I will.”

“Isn’t it great that Hollyleaf came back?” Briarlight purred as soon as Jayfeather pushed past the bramble screen into his den. “Why did she stay away for so long?”

“Maybe you should ask her,” Jayfeather grunted. “Meanwhile, you can sort out those borage leaves and take some to Sorreltail to help her milk come.”

“Okay.” Briarlight didn’t sound offended, just a bit mystified that Jayfeather didn’t want to answer.

“And after that, do your exercises,” Jayfeather went on. “I’ll be away until tomorrow. I’m going to the Moonpool.”

Until he spoke, Jayfeather hadn’t been aware that he had made the decision. But when he left the camp, after a quick word with Brambleclaw to tell him where he was going, he felt a burden lifting from his shoulders. It was good to be alone with his thoughts. His fears about the Dark Forest had receded into the background. Sol was their biggest threat.

And Hollyleaf has come back. That could change everything.

The air was growing cooler as Jayfeather slid through the bushes that ringed the Moonpool and padded down the spiral path. Though he couldn’t see, he knew that darkness was falling. His paws slipped easily into the prints left by the ancient cats, and grief welled in his heart.

Half Moon…

Jayfeather pushed away the thought of the cat he had loved, the cat who had been dead for seasons upon seasons. He crouched at the water’s edge and touched his nose to the surface of the pool.

After a little while the splashing of the waterfall faded and Jayfeather slept. He opened his eyes on sunlight, and rose to his paws to find himself in a clearing in StarClan territory. The grass was long and lush, and the trees that surrounded him were weighed down with damp green leaves. He let out a sigh of relief when he realized that Yellowfang wasn’t waiting for him.

But there was no sign of the cat he wanted to see, either. Choosing a direction at random, Jayfeather set out. His ears were pricked and he glanced rapidly from side to side as he headed into the trees, passing through glades and leaping over small streams. The air was fresh and clear, loaded with prey-scent, and a warm breeze ruffled Jayfeather’s fur. But his errand was too urgent for him to stop and hunt, or bask in the sun.

From time to time as he searched, Jayfeather passed other cats; some of them were old and faded, the trees visible through their misty outlines, while others were young and bright against the green ferns. They didn’t notice Jayfeather, or if they did, they didn’t recognize him.

Then Jayfeather spotted the cat he was looking for. He stood a little way off through the trees: a muscular gray warrior, his tail twitching as he scented the air for prey.

Ashfur.

Jayfeather crept closer, using the shadows of the trees for cover, then jumped in surprise as Bluestar leaped down from a branch above his head and stood in front of him.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” the former ThunderClan leader meowed.

“I just want to talk to him,” Jayfeather retorted defensively.

“Why?” Bluestar asked.

“Hollyleaf is back,” Jayfeather replied, craning his neck to see if Ashfur was still there. “I… I want to know if Ashfur thinks that’s okay.” When Bluestar didn’t respond, he continued, “I mean, he’s here, so StarClan must believe he was a good cat, and that means he shouldn’t have died the way he did.”