Chapter Text
“D-Drizzle?” Shadowsight’s breath hitched as blood escaped a newly formed cut on his cheek.
Her tortoiseshell fur bristled, and her green eyes flashed as she glanced around, searching for something that wasn’t there. She was trembling as she staggered to her paws, swaying in place. “Don’t play innocent, I know you–” She suddenly tensed, her pupils dilating.
“What happened to you?” Shadowsight’s voice dripped with concern.
Drizzle flinched. “I-I’m fine!” Her tail lashed behind her. “I don’t need your help.”
Shadowsight glanced down at her paws, seeing a collection of herbs floating in the water. “What were you using herbs for?”
“N-Nothing!” Drizzle hissed defensively. “It’s none of your–” She suddenly let out a harsh cough, wincing, her mouth contorting, before she vomited up flower petals. Upon examination, Shadowsight realized they were oleander and tiger lilies.
“Are you alright?” Shadowsight hesitantly rested his tail on her shoulder.
“Don’t touch me!” Drizzle recoiled from his touch, arching her back.
The sound of splashing water alerted the pair of their arriving company. Drizzle stiffened, as she looked around, realizing she was trapped at a dead end.
“Drizzle!” The glimmer in Rootspring’s eyes ebbed away when he picked up her fear scent.
“What’s going on here?” Tawnypelt looked around warily.
Drizzle’s gaze locked on Apollo and Athena. “Y-You two! You lied to me.” She turned away hurtfully. “I knew it. I’ll always get betrayed.”
“Betray… Drizzle, what are you–” Jessy bristled.
“And, you!” Drizzle was trembling. “You promised that you’d keep my secret safe.”
Jessy looked over at Tawnypelt, accusatory. “You said she was family!”
“Family?” Drizzle scoffed with a hollow chuckle. “I’ll never have a family ever again. There’s no point in getting attached to cats that you’ll lose.”
Shadowsight was taken aback by her behavior. Not long before, she had grown comfortable with his presence, willing to confide in him. She was bright, enthusiastic, and hopeful. Yet, the cat in front of him was nothing like the cat he met before. Drizzle was cynical and paranoid, unable to trust the cats who helped her in the past. She was weak and disturbed, her eyes filled with suspicion. It was like, at any moment, she expected him to hurt her.
“...Apollo, Athena, get some wet moss and prey.” Shadowsight ordered, his throat dry.
The brother and sister looked at each other, then scurried down the Twoleg tunnel.
“Velvet,” the gray she-cat’s ears perked, “you knew Alderheart once. Could you find some thyme and marigold?”
The kittypet dipped her head, then followed Apollo and Athena.
“Drizzle, please.” Shadowsight pleaded. “Forget about whatever’s wrong between us, for just a moment. You’re not well, and you need treatment.”
“How can I forget?” Drizzle snorted. “It’s during times like these where I get hurt the most.”
“What are you even talking about?” Rootspring’s eyes flashed.
Drizzle refused to answer the question, her lip trembling. The she-cat’s gaze was unfocused, as she tried to keep her eyes on every cat at once. Her claws raked through the water beneath her, snagging apart herbs in the process. The tortoiseshell was trembling, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. The need for a hostile front, the unexplained paranoia, and the loss of trust was terribly reminiscent of another cat Shadowsight knew.
“Everyone, back off!” Jessy ordered. “She clearly needs some space to breathe.”
Drizzle continued to tremble uncontrollably, her fear scent thicker than sheep’s wool. Desperately, Shadowsight wanted to pull her in close with his tail and lick her ears, like Dovewing had done for him as a kit. Instead, he kept his distance, afraid to disrupt the delicate balance between them.
“Drizzle…” Even oblivious Fuzzball had enough sense to see the problem. “If you’ve been hurt, you need to tell us, so we can help you. There’s nothing we can do, if you don’t cooperate with us.”
By now, the sound of wading pawsteps alerted them of Apollo’s, Athena’s, and Velvet’s return. The former ThunderClan warriors set down the moss and prey, while Velvet unraveled a leaf wrap of thyme and marigold. Drizzle avoided the food and water like it was poison. After sniffing the herbs, she ate the thyme leaves hesitantly.
“Here –– I’ll chew up a marigold poultice for your paws.” Shadowsight offered, grabbing the herbs.
“Wouldn’t dock be more practical?” Drizzle twitched her ears.
“Dock is good for sore pads.” Shadowsight replied as he chewed up the marigold. “But, marigold is more effective for stopping bleeding and infection.” He applied the poultice to her paw pads.
The effects of thyme were already setting in. Drizzle’s tortoiseshell fur relaxed, and her green eyes glimmered with clarity. Still, neither of those factors were enough to lessen Shadowsight’s concern.
“Sorry for telling Shadowsight about where you went.” Athena scuffled her forepaws apologetically.
“We had reason to fear that you wouldn’t be well.” Apollo defended their actions.
“It’s…” Drizzle’s fur prickled, and she exhaled loudly. “It’s fine.”
“Wow. Thyme really does work miracles.” Tawnypelt muttered to Shadowsight.
“You were rambling about all sorts of crazy stuff.” Rootspring’s eyes glittered with concern. “About family and be–”
“Just because I was panicking, it doesn’t mean I have memory loss.” Drizzle huffed, starting to pace.
“Careful –– too much movement will peel off the poultices.” Shadowsight warned her.
Reluctantly, Drizzle halted, her eyes scanning the group. “Geez. You didn’t need to bring a whole clowder here.”
“We were all worried about you.” Jessy justified.
“Did I…” Drizzle paused, rethinking her words. “Look, I’m not –– I’m a loner, okay? I don’t need this many cats fretting over nothing.”
Shadowsight bristled. “Drizzle––”
“Well, I suppose there is a medicine cat around to handle everything.” Apollo reasoned, turning to his sibling. “C’mon, we helped out the best we could. Let’s go home.”
Athena hesitated, her eyes clouded. “She’ll be okay… right?”
Shadowsight smiled softly back at her. “She’s safe.”
The pair nodded, then departed back down the Twoleg tunnel, disappearing in the shadows.
“She’s not well.” Jessy murmured out-loud. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Stop talking about me like I’m dead!” Drizzle spat.
“You’re not going to die!” Shadowsight snapped back.
“Calm down –– both of you.” Tawnypelt gave the two a sharp glance. “Why don’t we stop yelling at each other and try to solve the problem?”
“I thought it was pretty obvious.” Fuzzball blinked. “Wasn’t Drizzle po–” Rootspring slapped his tail over the tom’s mouth.
“Drizzle, why did you eat tiger lilies and oleanders?” Shadowsight asked her. “From what I was taught, they were never used for medicinal purposes.”
The she-cat looked down at her white paws. “They… They reminded me of home.”
“Home…?” Rootspring was about to inquire further.
“It’s in the past now.” Drizzle swallowed a lump in her throat. “A-And, I learned my lesson. Both herbs only made me feel worse.”
“I thought the tormentil made you sick.” Velvet frowned.
“W-What?!” Drizzle bristled, looking at Shadowsight in horror. “But, you said tormentil extracts poison!”
“It does, I swear!” Shadowsight recoiled. “I’ll even eat some, if you want me to prove it.”
“I lied about tormentil being a poison.” Tawnypelt explained. “The kittypets weren’t giving us the information we needed to find you.”
Drizzle still looked agitated. “Liars… I always stumble across so many of them!”
“Hold on, Drizzle. We’re not lying to you.” Rootspring told her.
“We don’t have time for this!” Jessy hissed. “She’s been poisoned, and it’s clearly messing with her state of mind!” The dark brown she-cat looked over at Shadowsight. “Why haven’t you tried to help her?!”
“I’ve never had a patient poisoned with tiger lilies or oleanders before!” Stress cut into his tone. “Maybe, I could try yarrow and tansy––”
“I tried that.” Drizzle insisted. “I tried every single poison extractor you told me about. But, nothing worked! Or, maybe, you’re lying to me about that too!”
“Why would I lie to a cat that saved my life?!” Shadowsight retorted sharply.
A hushed silence fell over the group. Rootspring’s eyes glittered with anxiety, while Tawnypelt’s fur prickled. The kittypets merely stared at him in shock. Drizzle stiffened, her eyes flashing, her paws trembling. Then, as quickly as that moment of fright started, it ceased.
“...You’re right.” Drizzle’s voice was quiet. “I’ve been hurt before, but I’ve also been healed. You–” She paused, her eyes flickering over to Rootspring and Tawnypelt. “You’ve saved me before, and I–I…” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’ve been such a foxheart.”
“You’ve been hurt.” Velvet looked at her, eyes filled to the brim with kindness. “I’ve met cats like you, Drizzle. Trust me, you’re not alone in this. You’ll be okay.”
“As long as you get treated.” Shadowsight reminded her.
“But, what else can we do?” Drizzle’s eyes were pained. “I tried everything I could think of, even deathberries at one point! But, nothing worked and I’m running out of time, I’m running out of time…”
Shadowsight’s heart clenched. No cat should have to suffer this way.
Above him, he heard the sound of monsters roaring overhead. Vividly, he recalled Rootspring’s words about their function, and the ones who operated them.
“You’re not running out of time.” Shadowsight insisted, his eyes lighting up. “I know how to save you.”
“Really?” Drizzle’s eyes lit up.
Shadowsight nodded. “We need to go to the Twolegs.”
“The Twolegs?!” Tawnypelt and Rootspring bristled in shock.
“Of course! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.” Jessy’s eyes sparkled.
“Twolegs are dangerous.” Tawnypelt narrowed her eyes. “We can’t trust them.”
Jessy rolled her eyes. “If Twolegs are so untrustworthy, why would so many cats choose to stay with them, instead of living out in the wild?”
“My housefolk always take good care of me.” Velvet’s tail curled. “They provide for my needs, and they take me to the clinic if I’m unwell.”
Rootspring’s fur prickled. “But, what if they don’t let Drizzle go?”
“Ultimately, it’s Drizzle’s decision.” Shadowsight looked over at the young she-cat. “But, I can’t think of any other herbs to treat her with.”
“So, it’s either go to the Twolegs for the chance to live, or wait to die.” Drizzle dead-panned.
Shadowsight cringed. “Pretty much.”
“I think I prefer the first option.” Drizzle’s fur was ruffled.
“Then, let’s go find Apollo’s and Athen’s owner!” Fuzzball chirped.
“Actually, she’s going to be gone for the rest of the afternoon.” Velvet flicked her tail. “We’ll have to find someone else.”
“There’s another exit down this tunnel.” Drizzle flicked her tail. “We’ll end up in the thick of Twolegplace, if we go that way.”
“If there’s anything Twolegs love equally, it’s kittens.” Jessy twitched an ear. “And I gotta say–”
Drizzle suddenly lurched forward, and Shadowsight quickly supported her. “C’mon. We need to go now.”
“Fuzzball, go scout ahead for the exit.” Jessy ordered, causing the ginger tabby to dart down the tunnel.
Shadowsight looked down at Drizzle. Her green eyes were glazed over, and with every passing moment, she was slipping away.
“Here, let me carry her.” Rootspring met his gaze.
Shadowsight nodded. He grabbed onto Drizzle’s scruff and hauled her onto Rootspring’s back.
“The exit’s this way!” Fuzzball yowled from further down the tunnels.
Immediately, the cats went into action. Velvet led the way, following Fuzzball’s scent trail. Rootspring hurried after them, carefully balancing Drizzle on his back. Shadowsight and Tawnypelt stayed close to the warrior’s side to support him. Jessy was at the back of the group, in case any trouble came from behind.
Soon enough, rays of light filtered into view. Fuzzball was outside the tunnel, and he helped haul Velvet out. Tawnypelt leaped out of the tunnel with the ease of a seasoned warrior. Rootspring gently maneuvered Drizzle, so that he was carrying her by the scruff before exiting the tunnel. Shadowsight and Jessy followed close behind.
The flair of Twolegplace surrounded them. Shadowsight glanced around the world of unfamiliarity, surprised that it didn’t overwhelm his senses. The dark gray tabby spotted a nearby Twoleg den, and his eyes lit up with hope.
“I know where we can take her.” Shadowsight grabbed onto Drizzle’s scruff, stunned by how light she was.
He carried her over to the den, gently setting her down. He started scratching at a dark wooden surface. He knew this was how the Twolegs entered and exited the place.
“C’mon, please!” Shadowsight cried out desperately. “I need your help!”
There was no response. Faintly, he could hear the sound of dogs barking in the distance.
“There’s a cat in danger out here! She’s–She’s like a daughter to me!” Shadowsight yowled, scratching on the wood.
His ears flattened when there was no answer to his pleas.
“You’re my last hope.” Shadowsight whispered.
Suddenly, the wood swung open. He looked up to see the Twolegs –– the ones he spent a stormy night with –– staring down at him, before looking over at the sick tortoiseshell. Immediately, they started talking frantically to each other, grabbing onto Drizzle tenderly.
Shadowsight grew dizzy with relief. He had been running on an adrenaline high for so long. The events of everything that had happened within the last few days finally began to register in his mind with full impact. Alderheart, his second mentor, was dead , and there was no telling when he would see him again. The stress of the trial, followed by his immense worry over Drizzle, kept him awake. But now, the trial was over and Drizzle was safe.
With those revelations, Shadowsight allowed himself to collapse, darkness clouding his vision.
If only he wasn’t haunted by memories of the past.
***
Shadowkit trotted merrily over to Alderheart. “Alderheart! Alderheart, I got Grassheart some wet moss and poppy seeds, just like you asked me to!”
Alderheart purred, his amber eyes glittering. “Thanks, Shadowkit.”
“What else can I do?” Shadowkit’s ears twitched rapidly.
Alderheart chuckled at his eagerness. “Well, there’s not much we can do right now. The medicine cat den is organized, and everyone in camp has been treated.”
The kit looked over at the den. “But, what about Puddleshine? He’s sick.”
“He’ll… He’ll be okay.” Alderheart promised. “Just give him some time.”
“Oh! Thyme, I can get that.” Shadowkit’s eyes lit up.
“Not the herb, ‘thyme,’” Alderheart shook his head, averting eye contact, “sometimes, a disease needs to run its course. I’ve treated him the best way I can, but we won’t know if he’s better for another sunrise… at least.”
“Will he be sick forever?” Shadowkit asked him.
“No, no, of course not!” Alderheart stiffened. “He’ll get better soon, I promise. And, then, he’ll be able to train you.”
Suddenly, a tremor wracked the gray tabby kit’s body. Horror seized his insides as the inevitable occurred. The poor scrap started twitching erratically, his vision growing hazy. Faintly, he could sense the change in Alderheart’s demeanor. Voices traveled in and out of his ears, molding together into the incomprehensible. ShadowClan’s territory faded away from view, replaced by the raging river that united the Clans all those moons ago.
But, this time, it was different.
Alderheart was the one in the tide, being swept away by the crashing waves. Shadowkit found himself trapped, unable to move, as he watched the event unfold from the shoreline.
“Beware…! Be… Beware the…” Alderheart coughed up water, his paws flailing in the rapid current. For a moment, the water dragged him under. Shadowkit’s heart lurched. Then, he rose again with desperation. “Beware the-the… Master Hunter.”
Before Shadowkit could question him, he was suddenly shoved from behind. He fell into the water, choking blackness surrounding him.
***
When his eyes opened again, he was venturing through the pine woods with the fleet of an apprentice. Beside him was his mentor, Puddleshine, his blue eyes wistful. The sun had set long ago, and the purple hues of twilight stretched across the sky like herbs spread out to dry on a greenleaf day.
“What are we doing out here tonight?” Shadowpaw bombarded the tom with questions. “Are there special herbs to collect at night? Will you teach me about StarClan? How come we crossed the ShadowClan border?”
“Please, Shadowpaw, one question at a time!” Puddleshine laughed. “We’re just going to meet someone, that’s all. I believe he can teach you a lot about herbs.”
“Really?” Shadowpaw’s amber eyes filled with curiosity. “More than you can teach me?”
“I’m not perfect.” Puddleshine confessed. “I’m sure there’s something I forgot to teach you, or something that a fellow healer can explain better than I can.”
Shadowpaw’s fur ruffled. “You’re the best mentor I could ever have!” He raised his head. “The only other cat who could ever compete would be Ald–”
“It’s been a while, Shadowpaw.” A new voice cut in.
Shadowpaw turned his head, surprised but delighted to see the dark ginger tom. “Alderheart!” He immediately went over to his side. “It’s been forever.”
“We saw each other a quarter-moon ago.” Alderheart’s whiskers quivered.
“Oh, c’mon, Alderheart. We both know that a quarter-moon is far longer than it seems.” Puddleshine’s eyes twinkled.
Alderheart’s fur fluffed. “I-I know that. I just didn’t expect so much excitement over, well, me.”
“I’m always excited to see you.” Puddleshinei smiled at him softly.
“Oh, Puddleshine, y’know what I meant…” Alderheart dismissed his words, but no cat could miss the warm gleam in his eyes.
Shadowpaw looked up at him. “Puddleshine said you’d teach me about herbs.”
Alderheart’s tail curled. “Ah. I came prepared for this.” The medicine cat flicked his tail to the side, revealing a few herb bundles hidden under it. “Say, Shadowpaw, why don’t we test out your memorization skills?”
The night flew by like a swarm of fireflies. Shadowpaw’s head was whirling with new information, and he found himself growing sleepy by the time the moon was beginning to set. Alderheart and Puddleshine ended up drifting closer together over the course of night, like lily pads being pulled together by defiant waves. Puddleshine was on the verge of dozing off, curled up beside Alderheart.
The ThunderClan medicine cat lightly nudged the brown-and-white tom. “Puddleshine, you have to go back soon.” He murmured.
“It’s not even dawn yet.” Puddleshine mumbled into Alderheart’s pelt. “Can’t we stay here a while longer?”
“Puddleshine…” There was the sweet pierce of endearment in his tone. “It’s not one of those nights. You have an apprentice waiting on you.”
The brown-and-white tom suddenly jolted to attention. “How long was I asleep?”
“You weren’t asleep.” Shadowpaw shuffled his forepaws, twitching an ear. “Your eyes were just closed, and you were really still.”
Puddleshine stood up, shaking out his pelt. “Well, I certainly wasn’t awake.” He scoffed to himself. “I can’t expect to be a good mentor, if I can’t even stay up to train my own apprentice.”
“No, you’re doing great, Puddleshine!” Shadowpaw mewed defensively. “Alderheart helped me review.”
“Thank you.” Puddleshine looked at the medicine cat kindly. “You really didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to, Puddleshine.” Alderheart smiled at him. “I’ll always be here to help you.”
Puddleshine touched noses with him. “You’re the best tom I could ever ask for.”
Alderheart merely purred, his eyes gentle with tenderness.
Yet, the look Puddleshine returned lacked a warm glow. Instead, it was shadowed by despair and anguish. Alderheart’s form turned into a silhouette, fading and disappearing into the earth. Shadowpaw gasped, staring at the ground, anticipating his return. After all, they saw each other at half-moon and Gatherings and during night meet-ups. He couldn’t just… disappear from his life… right? But, as it stood now, it was reality that he lived in. A light, a guide, a companion, lost to the cruel rules of nature. Now, Puddleshine was completely unreadable, his emotions hidden as a shower of leaves came crashing down.
***
A chilly, leaf-fall wind wracked Shadowpaw’s pelt at the entrance of the medicine cat den. ShadowClan was relatively quiet when the last moments of sunset emerged. Cats were either departing to their dens or venturing out of camp for a night hunt. There were no present dangers lurking, security wound up tighter than the firmest moss ball.
“It’s nice.” Puddleshine mused, his tail wrapped around his paws. “ShadowClan has never been so united.”
“What do you mean?” Shadowpaw blinked, tilting his head.
“Cats are coming together, ready to take care of each other during the crueler seasons.” Puddleshine mused. “Darktail has been driven out with stable leadership to replace him, missing cats have been found, war is over, and there is peace in the Clans. This is the best it’ll ever be.”
“The… best?” Shadowpaw looked down at his paws. “Couldn’t it be even better?”
“What do you mean?” Puddleshine was perplexed.
“I dunno.” Shadowpaw met his gaze. “Sometimes, I just… I feel like there’s something missing from my life. Like, there’s something more that I haven’t found yet.”
“Well, I suppose you still have a bit more training before you become a medicine cat.” Puddleshine nudged him.
“No, like, even beyond being a medicine cat.” Shadowpaw pressed. “Sometimes, I dream about it.”
Puddleshine’s eyes widened. “Are you having visions again?”
Shadowpaw shook his head. “They’re not visions. At least, I don’t think they are.”
“I don’t think any cat is ready for another prophecy.” Puddleshine chuckled. “What are your dreams about?”
“In my dreams, I’m running through the forest. But, there’s nothing chasing me, and I’m happy. I climb the trees and feel the morning breeze run through my fur. Other times, I go hunting and catch all kinds of prey. Or, I just look up at the stars and reflect.”
“Those sound like ordinary dreams to me.” Puddleshine shrugged.
“I would think so too, but there’s more to it.” Shadowpaw admitted. “There’s always a cat by my side in my dreams. I don’t know what they look like, but they’re always with me. They run through the hills with me, they go hunting with me, and talk about the future with me. Whenever I’m around this mysterious cat, I just feel… connected.” Shadowpaw sighed. “But, as soon as I wake up, that feeling disappears and I feel incomplete.”
“Shadowpaw, there’s something you must understand.” Puddleshine’s eyes were as sharp as a falcon. “You do not need another cat to ‘complete’ you. Connections are extremely important, but your value is not dependent on whether or not you are loved.”
“I-I know that.” Shadowpaw scuffled his forepaws, twitching an ear.
“And, I know you’re lying to me.” Puddleshine flicked his tail. “Shadowpaw, what’s so important about this stranger in your dreams?”
“I think… I think they’re my soulmate.” Shadowpaw mused.
Puddleshine was quiet.
“At least, I think it is. I don’t really know.” Shadowpaw looked over at the clearing. “Cats around camp keep saying that word.”
“Do you know what a soulmate is?” Puddleshine inquired.
Shadowsight shook his head.
“It’s. a…” Puddleshine paused, contemplating his words. “Well, it’s like a best friend but more. It’s the one cat who knows you better than anyone else.”
Shadowpaw twitched his ears, perplexed by the idea. His family knew him better than anyone else. Could there ever be someone who knew him better than they did?
“That someone makes you a better cat.” Puddleshine flicked his tail. “No, actually, they don’t make you a better cat. You do that yourself…” A glimmer entered his blue eyes. “Because they inspire you.”
Shadowpaw blinked, trying to imagine the possibility. He looked up to his parents because they always looked after him. His littermates were excelling in warrior training, and he admired them for their unique skills and talents. Tawnypelt was a brilliant cat, and he respected her judgment. Puddleshine and Alderheart had trained him for moons and knew how to help him through his seizures.
Yet, as he thought about that mysterious cat in his dreams, Shadowpaw knew he hadn’t met them already. His family was extremely important to him, but the word, ‘soulmate’ didn’t pertain to them.
“A soulmate is someone who you carry with you forever.” Puddleshine explained. “It’s the one cat who knew you, accepted you, and believed in you before anyone else did or when no one else would.”
Shadowpaw couldn’t help but smile. Many cats were wary of him due to his seizures. His family kept a watchful eye on him, afraid that he’d have a fit at any moment. The thought of someone, who was able to look past that was… reassuring.
“And no matter what happens, you will always love them. Nothing can ever change that.” Puddleshine’s tail curled.
“Is Alderheart your soulmate?” Shadowpaw asked him.
Immediately, Puddleshine bristled, caught off guard. “I, err, well… no.”
Shadowpaw tilted his head. “But, what about when Alderheart treated your infection with deathberries? Despite the risks, you always believed in him.”
“He’s a medicine cat. Of course, I believed in his treatment methods.” Puddleshine brushed off his words.
“But, they were deathberries. Every cat thought they could only kill cats to that point.” Shadowpaw argued.
“Alderheart’s my… best friend.” Puddleshine mused. “I’d trust him with my life.”
“So, why can’t he be your soulmate?” Shadowpaw was perplexed.
“Well, soulmates are usually… a romantic thing. And, as medicine cats, we can’t––we’re not supposed to have mates.” Puddleshine reasoned.
“Do you want him to be your soulmate?” Shadowpaw met his gaze.
“There’s no point in answering that question, Shadowpaw.” Puddleshine’s voice was firm. “We shouldn’t contemplate over possibilities that were never meant to happen.”
***
Shadowsight headed down the crest, his shoulders slumped. The dark gray tabby had just received his full medicine cat title, but all exhilaration had been replaced by dread. StarClan hadn’t visited anyone’s dreams, and he feared that it was because of him. The bitter leafbare froze their connection to their warrior ancestors, and the silent thaw was yet to come.
“I know everything didn’t go the way you wanted it to.” Alderheart murmured, resting his tail on his shoulder. “But, don’t blame it on yourself.”
Shadowsight looked over at the dark ginger tom. He was so forgiving, even after the events of the past moon. Bramblestar had lost a life because of him, but Alderheart never expressed any level of anger or bitterness for it. Instead, he saw him as a… hero. Something about that made Shadowsight’s stomach roll.
“Why shouldn’t I?” Shadowsight challenged. “Everything bad that’s been happening in the Clans is because of me.”
“I know that feeling all too well.” Alderheart’s eyes grew somber. “But, that’s all it is. A feeling, not the truth.”
“I don’t believe that.” Shadowsight muttered.
“It’ll take some time.” Alderheart smiled at him softly. “But, you’ll get there eventually. Until then, just remember that… I’m really proud of you. Becoming a medicine cat takes a lot of work and responsibility, and you’ve been willing to put in the effort every single day.”
“And some nights too.” Shadowsight couldn’t help but lighten up.
Alderheart purred, his tail curling. “I’m glad that I was able to help you with your training. If you only remember one thing from my teachings, let it be this: you can always find your place.” His gaze was sharper now with an intensity that rivaled LionClan. “You’ve dedicated yourself to the purpose of serving and healing others. Those skills are applicable wherever you go, not just in ShadowClan.”
Shadowsight nodded. The medicine cat code ordered that he should tend to all cats, regardless of what Clan they were from, or even if they weren’t from the Clans.
“Be there for the cats that need you the most.” Alderheart’s eyes flickered. “You may not always have them by your side, but… you can leave an impact on their lives, all the same.”
“What if I fail?” Shadowsight asked him, his voice quiet. “What if I can’t save the cats I love?”
Alderheart gave him a reassuring glance, his eyes glittering with kindness. For a moment, Shadowsight thought he saw starlight in his dark ginger pelt. But, when he blinked, the stars had disappeared.
“Know that you can’t change the past, but you can––” Alderheart’s form suddenly dissolved into shadow, replaced by a Dark Forest tormentor. “But you can ruin their future.”
***
Shadowsight woke up with a jolt. The first thing he noticed was the wave of warmth circulating around him. He glanced around, realizing he was lying a pile of colorful pelts. The dark gray tabby sniffed the air, catching the aroma of Twoleg scents. As he stood up and stretched his forelegs, he felt unusually numb. How long had he been asleep for?
Shaking out his fur, he walked through the Twoleg home, his amber eyes scanning for Drizzle. In his search, he stumbled across one of his Twolegs. He purred and weaved his way between his legs, as he continued to look around. Eventually, he found Drizzle curled up on the floor, where sunlight came from.
“Finally, you’re awake!” Drizzle’s eyes glittered brightly. “I thought you were going to sleep for forever.”
“How long was I out?” Shadowsight twitched his ears.
“I dunno, it could’ve been a moon, as far as I know.” Drizzle purred, curling her tail. “I'm kidding. It was just a night, I think.”
Shadowsight examined the tortoiseshell. She looked better, compared to when he had seen her last. Her fur was sleek, and she no longer smelled ill. Drizzle was still lighter than a cat her age should be, but that problem couldn’t be solved overnight.
“How are you feeling?” Shadowsight asked her.
“Good!” Drizzle chirped. “My memory’s pretty hazy, but I think the Twolegs got me some medicine and cured me.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “You really scared me back there.”
“Honestly, I barely remember anything.” Drizzle brushed off his words, tensing slightly.
Shadowsight saw through the facade instantly. She was masking her emotions, plain as day.
Has she been doing that, ever since the day we met? Shadowsight wondered.
“Drizzle, you were a completely different cat back there. You were talking about family, betrayal, and hurt.” Shadowsight’s eyes glistened. “What happ–”
Suddenly, they heard the sound of scratching. The pair looked up to see Rootspring clawing at some Twoleg mesh.
“That’s our cue,” Drizzle grinned, “it’s time to get out of this Twoleg confinement!”
The tortoiseshell jumped up to the mesh, where a hole had been created. Shadowsight heard the yowling of Twolegs and hesitated, feeling a tug of guilt. He hadn’t properly thanked them for saving Drizzle’s life. But, he couldn’t stay back and risk his chance of escape. Shadowsight leaped up to the mesh screen, recognizing one word in the Twoleg gibberish.
“Spider!”
What was so worrisome about a spider? Shadowsight tried to shrug off the thought as he departed through the Twoleg garden with Drizzle and Rootspring by his side. It was only when they were several fences away from the Twoleg home that he finally registered the word’s true meaning.
The Twolegs named me.