Default Title - Write Your Own

Chapter Three

Goldenblaze hesitated, eyes flashing briefly. Does he still feel loyalty to the Dark Forest? Oh StarClan, I hope not!

"Cloverstar, Flowerclaw, Deadclaw, Jaystrike and Jumpleap." He growled deeply in response.

Hollyberry tensed, narrowing his eyes at Goldenblaze. "No WindClan cats?" He challenged.

Goldenblaze glared coldly at him. "No ShadowClan cats either."

Ashfire sighed a little. "I think he's lying, but there's no way he's going to tell us the truth, either."

Goldenblaze's eyes briefly widened. "I don't want to lie!" his voice was filled with guilt. Calming himself, he spoke again, "I'm WindClan's deputy now. I can't betray them."

Mistyheart felt a pang of sympathy. Goldenblaze really was loyal to his Clan. But this is more important. There are WindClan cats training in the Dark Forest, and we need to save them before it's too late. "I know you don't want to betray them," she spoke carefully and gently, aware of the snappy tom's temper, "But if those cats are training in the Dark Forest, we should know."

"Exactly," Gorsepelt added, "We're not accusing them. We know you and Vincent are good cats, and Peartail always seemed nice too. We just want to know."

Minnowpelt had remained silent the majority of the time, standing next to Hollyberry. Mistyheart watched her carefully, the slight suspicion in her eyes as she looked at Goldenblaze, before she relaxed. "I travelled with Vincent. He was amazing. It depends on the individual. Some cats training in the Dark Forest are bad, and some aren't," she paused, hostility in her voice as she added, "Cloverstar is an example of someone who's definitely bad."

Gorsepelt narrowed her eyes briefly at Minnowpelt, and deep down, Mistyheart agreed with her best friend. There was still no proof Cloverstar was evil. Vincent visited the Dark Forest, and he's good. Cloverstar can be good too. StarClan, forgive me if I should be actively defending Cloverstar!

Goldenblaze sighed, "I'll explain for Mistyheart's sake," he gave Mistyheart a gentle smile, making her feel a lot happier. Whispering a thanks to StarClan, she then listened to the ginger and white tom as he meowed hesitantly, "Plumspots and Goosepaw are both training in the Dark Forest."

"See, that wasn't that hard, was it?" Minnowpelt and Ashfire mewed in unison.

Goldenblaze simply narrowed his eyes. "You can easily tell who the soft ones in this group are." He spoke accusingly, eyes fixed on Minnowpelt and Ashfire.

"Not soft, just nice." Mistyheart instantly came to their defence, catching Minnowpelt's eye. The tortoiseshell smiled gently.

Goldenblaze didn't answer, but he smiled at Mistyheart again. "We can quickly go back to Vincent and Scarlet and say our goodbyes. I think this is enough for today."

The cats headed back into the garden, where the rogues were waiting. Scarlet bounded over, smiling, "So, are you done with your secret talk?" She meowed.

"Yes," Minnowpelt answered, amusement in her mew. "When should we meet you again?"

Vincent shrugged. "Maybe... in a quarter moon or so?"

Goldenblaze sounded disapproving. "Isn't that a little soon? I have duties, you know." He spoke with confidence and important.

"Wait... Goldenblaze," Minnowpelt mewed. "You said you were WindClan's deputy now. What... happened?" She spoke hesitantly, not looking him in the eyes.

"Oh," grief flashed in Goldenblaze's eyes. "There was a battle. Russetstar died."

"That's how you got your scars?" Hollyberry asked, nodding towards Goldenblaze's battered pelt.

"Yes, but don't get the wrong idea. I'm deputy because I fight with the power of a lion." Goldenblaze spoke defensively, as though almost embarrassed by his scars.

Mistyheart was tempted to ask who the battle was against, but then she saw the awkward expression of Ashfire's face. ThunderClan.

Vincent, changing the topic, mewed, "Well, how about in the next half moon, then?"

Goldenblaze gave a reluctant sigh. "I guess."

Goldenblaze, Hollyberry, Gorsepelt and Lizardclaw headed towards the exit of the garden. Minnowpelt and Ashfire followed more hesitantly, throwing looks at Mistyheart over their shoulder. "You coming, or not?" Minnowpelt asked.

Mistyheart looked back at Vincent, smiling just at the sight of him. "In a moment," she told Minnowpelt. The tortoiseshell gave a nod, padding out of the garden with Ashfire at her side. Scarlet left the garden as well, as though understanding Mistyheart wanted to be left alone with her brother for a few moments. As soon as all the cats were gone, Mistyheart rested her head on the grey tom's shoulder. "I'm so happy to see you." She purred.

"Me too. I missed you every day," Vincent reassured her, licking the top of her head gently. "Snowy already knows I'm back. He wouldn't stop purring, just like you." He gave a laugh.

"Have you really stopped visiting the Dark Forest?" Mistyheart's mew trembled. Oh StarClan, please!

The blind tom nodded. "Of course. I'll never go back there."

"Thank StarClan!" Mistyheart purred in relief. She paused, thinking for a moment or two. "Vincent... are you ever going to tell mother that you and Snowy escaped the twolegs all those moons ago?"

Vincent's expression didn't even change. "Why should I? She'll just tell me to go back to ShadowClan, when I don't want to. There's no place for me there."

"Of course there is!" Mistyheart's separation from her brother had only made her understand just how much he meant to her. "Palestar would be so happy, I would be so happy!"

Vincent shook his head. "Maybe one day I'll come back, when I feel ready, and I pray that Snowy will want to return with me. He seems happier outside Clan life, not held down by rules."

Snowy doesn't believe in StarClan. How can I get him to understand that they're real? Oh StarClan, please take mercy on my brother, Snowy!

"Can I at least just tell Palestar you're safe and happy, then?" Mistyheart insisted.

Vincent narrowed his blind blue eyes. "I'm worried about this but," he sighed. "Palestar deserves to know. She's an amazing mother."

"Thank you!" Mistyheart purred. "Then, I'll see you in a half moon!"

Vincent nodded, murmuring, "I wish I could see you again sooner."

Mistyheart felt a pang of guilt. Vincent really did miss her. "I'll come back whenever you want me to, for whatever reason. I can come earlier, if you want."

Vincent smiled. "Meet me here in a quarter moon?"

Mistyheart hesitated. It was true she had duties as a warrior, but she was pathetically incompetent, and this was her brother! "I'll be back in a quarter moon."