The Last Hope

Gingerly Jayfeather followed, testing out each paw. He was relieved to feel his scratches didn’t reach too deep and he hadn’t wrenched any muscles. He quickened his pace, using scent to follow Owlwhisker’s pawsteps. Gorsetail padded behind him while Nightcloud and Crouchpaw hung back, distrust sparking from their pelts.

Jayfeather was still trembling from his vision. Surely it was a vision? The Dark Forest cats hadn’t found a way to break through to the lake territories, had they? He pushed the thought away. No. Ivypool would have warned them. Or StarClan…

Despair washed through him. StarClan was useless. No Ancient cat had rushed to protect him from a vision that had been so real, it had left him scratched and battered. Where was Yellowfang, or Rock? Jayfeather’s paws dragged on the pebbles. The Clans were going to face the Dark Forest warriors alone.

The familiar scent of ThunderClan touched his nose. They had reached the border. “I can manage from here.”

“We’d better see you to your camp,” Owlwhisker told him.

“You seem a bit shaken up,” Gorsetail added.

Jayfeather wanted to argue, but how could he reject their help? He’d been wishing the Clans would unite.

Owlwhisker called to Nightcloud and Crouchpaw, who were still trailing along the shore. “Go and hunt! We’ll catch up with you later.”

Jayfeather felt a prickle of relief, silently thanking Owlwhisker. At least he wouldn’t be bringing an entire WindClan patrol onto ThunderClan territory. He led the way through the forest, the trail comfortingly familiar under his feet, until he reached the slope down to the camp.

“I can make it home by myself now,” he told Owlwhisker.

“I know.” Owlwhisker padded past him. “But I want to speak with Firestar.”

Unhappily Jayfeather followed the WindClan warrior into camp, Gorsetail on his heels.

“Purdy!” Mousefur’s alarmed mew sounded from the honeysuckle bush. “Is it an invasion?”

“I doubt it. There’s only two of them,” Purdy reassured the old she-cat.

Firestar jumped down from Highledge to meet them. “What’s happened?” He sounded concerned as he sniffed Jayfeather’s scratched muzzle.

Brambleclaw hurried from the warriors’ den. “Are you okay?”

“He stumbled into a thornbush,” Owlwhisker told the ThunderClan deputy.

“On our territory,” Gorsetail added pointedly.

“You shouldn’t have been there, Jayfeather.” Firestar’s mew was stern. “You are no longer a medicine cat!”

Jayfeather didn’t argue. What else could Firestar say in front of the WindClan cats? “May I go to my nest?” he muttered.

“Yes.” Firestar was simmering with fury. “And don’t wander out of the territory again. I’ve got more important things to worry about.”

Jayfeather padded to the medicine den, leaving Firestar to smooth the WindClan warriors’ ruffled fur. He pushed through the brambles and headed for his nest.

“Are you okay?” Briarlight called from beside the pool. The pungent smell of horsetail filled the air.

“I’m fine.” Jayfeather climbed into his nest. “What are you doing?”

“Cinderheart told me to soak herbs for Mousefur’s tick,” Briarlight explained. “She’s put on a poultice but she wants a fresh one ready for the morning.”

The brambles rustled at the den entrance. Jayfeather tasted the air. “Brightheart?”

For some reason, joy and anxiety were clouding the warrior’s thoughts. Tired to his bones, Jayfeather ignored the buzz of emotions and began washing his stinging muzzle.

Brightheart padded to his nest. “Can I speak to you?”

“Can’t it wait till the morning?” Jayfeather just wanted to sleep.

“It won’t take long.” Brightheart sat down heavily beside his nest. “I’m expecting kits.” Jayfeather heard a note of uncertainty in her voice. “They’ll be okay, won’t they? Even though I’m not as young as I used to be?”

Jayfeather sat up straight. Why would any cat bring kits into the world now? They would just be more lives to give up to the Dark Forest warriors! “What were you thinking?” he snapped. “Leaf-bare’s on the way and we might starve without having extra mouths to feed!”

Brightheart reared back. “B-but—”

He didn’t let her finish. “What a dumb time to have kits! Is everyone here a mouse-brain?”

Brightheart stood up. “How dare you speak to me like that?” Anger sparked from her pelt. “I never thought I’d have kits again, and they won’t be the first to be born in leaf-bare. I thought you’d be pleased!”

“Kits!” Briarlight hauled herself quickly across the den. “That’s great news!”

“Try telling that to Jayfeather,” Brightheart growled.

“Why?” Briarlight sounded baffled.

“StarClan knows!” Brightheart stalked out of the den and Jayfeather sank into his nest.

“Well? What’s up?” Briarlight prompted.

Jayfeather tucked his nose under his paw and ignored her. Weariness washed over him. How could he ever find enough strength to fight the Dark Forest?

Chapter 8