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Chapter Text

Frecklewish was coping.

If she was really hurting, she wouldn’t be up at the crack of dawn for every patrol. She wouldn’t bring back enough prey to feed half the clan. And she certainly wouldn’t be helping with every single task that she could find. Frecklewish had seen what pain looked like. This wasn’t it.

Of course, there were the nightmares. But Frecklewish couldn't control them. Besides, they didn’t matter that much. She was getting through it.

Like today, for example: Frecklewish was up at the crack of dawn. The warriors' den felt too cramped, too hot, too uncomfortable. The cool air felt good; it carried away the beads of sweat that formed on her skin from last night’s uneasy sleep. The only downside was the noise – in the sense that there was none. Everyone was still snuggled up in their nests. As quickly as the relief came, Frecklewish felt it being replaced by tremors in her legs and paws. Anxiety built inside her; she needed to move. Her heartbeat quickening, Frecklewish let her paws carry her to the exit.

“You’re up early.” Frecklewish jumped, her fur fluffing up. A pair of amber eyes inspected her, while the cat who owned them sat calmly in the shadows. A dark brown tom slid out of the dark, his long legs pacing elegantly forward. “Again,” he added.

Frecklewish forced her fur to lie flat; the only other cat who rose with the sun was Beetail, her clan’s overachieving and overinvolved deputy. “Just going for a quick walk.” She tried to dart around him.

Beetail was persistent. He stepped into Frecklewish’s path, earning himself a snarl of annoyance. He ignored her aggression and said, “You’re acting strange.”

“Cool,” Frecklewish muttered. She scooted aside and was blocked again.

“You’ve never been an early riser. Not since Mapleshade… well, you know.” Beetail tilted his head. “Are you feeling okay? Maybe you should go see Oakstar.”

Great StarClan, since when does he care so much? Frecklewish thought. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to her father. She didn’t want to talk to anyone, actually, especially a nosy deputy who thought he should weasel himself into her problems.

Not that she had any problems.

“I’m fine,” Frecklewish said.

Beetail narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure-”

Frecklewish hissed. Beetail flinched, and she recoiled. Her mind flew to the last time she lashed out at someone.

You don’t deserve to be called a warrior and nor do those… half-clan creatures! Her ears rang with the sound of a voice as it screamed out in hatred. Her words were strained as she said, “ Please, just leave me alone.”

Beetail looked like he wanted to argue back, but instead he dipped his head. “I’ll tell Oakstar that you’ve gone.” He stepped back, and Frecklewish shouldered past him.

Blood was pounding in her ears, drowning the sounds of crickets and morning birds. Frecklewish plowed forwards. She was vaguely aware of thorns hooking her pelt. The resistance fueled her panic, and her muscles strained all the more. Her breathing came in ragged gasps. She wasn’t sure where she was going. Just not camp. Not the river. Nowhere where she would think about it. Those awful words played in her head again and again. Tears threatened to spill and she fought them back.

Stop. Frecklewish skidded to a halt (she’d been running?) and tried to slow her hyperventilating. Her heart was pounding so hard that she could feel it in her throat. Frecklewish clenched her teeth as she tried not to cry.

You’re fine. You’re fine. Memories are just that; they can’t hurt you. Frecklewish’s bottom lip quivered. What was her problem? Why did this always happen?

Enough self-pity. She shook her head so hard that her vision went blurry. Focus: catch some prey for your clanmates. It’s the least you can do. Frecklewish felt better with a goal in mind, replacing the images of the tortie and her kits, blood and tears streaming down her face…

Focus! She sunk her claws into the dirt.

By the time the sun had fully emerged from its hiding place, Frecklewish had a thrush in her jaws. It wasn’t much, but it was something. Something she’d caught. She’d contributed to the clan. Frecklewish nodded to herself. Her purpose to the clan was being fulfilled, and it felt good knowing that purpose was grounding her. 

Frecklewish fixed her gaze on the shrubbery in front of her. The day was just beginning and she’d already had a near-breakdown. But it’s okay. She’s okay. If she kept walking, she’d be okay.

Not that she wasn’t already.

She dropped the thrush in the prey pile. The selection was looking meager; Frecklewish could spend the day filling it. It was the perfect healthy distraction.

At least camp felt a bit more alive now. Deerdapple was practically dragging Nettlepaw out of his nest, and the chubby apprentice looked only halfway awake. (Frecklewish chuckled despite herself.) Bloomheart was padding in step with Seedpelt, their pelts brushing as they made their way through the clearing. Thrushtalon was conversing with Dawnfeather and Sweetbriar, making exaggerated movements with his paws. The two she-cats exchanged amused looks.

“Cats of ThunderClan! Gather here for patrols!” Beetail announced from his spot by the Highrock. Frecklewish’s ears pricked at the prospect of something to keep her paws busy. She trotted over, halting beside Bloomheart and his mate.

“‘Morning, Frecklewish,” Bloomheart said. “Feeling alright today, I hope?”

Frecklewish nodded curtly. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Bloomheart shifted. “No reason, really. I just thought I’d check on you. The Mapleshade situation must’ve been pretty jarring for you especially.”

Frecklewish gritted her teeth; why was everyone so concerned with her personal life? Every time someone brought it up, it felt like someone was prodding at an old wound. “I’m fine,” she said. “Let’s just focus on patrols.”

Bloomheart glanced at Seedpelt, who shrugged.

“Thrushtalon, lead Seedpelt and Bloomheart along the ShadowClan border. Report anything suspicious,” Beetail said. “Deerdapple, take Nettlepaw to the Sandy Hollow to practice fighting moves. Dawnfeather and Sweetbriar, hunt near Sunningrocks. Check for RiverClan scents while you’re there.” He hopped down, and the patrols began to depart.

Frecklewish scowled, stepping in front of the deputy. He swished his tail irritably. “What about me?” Frecklewish demanded. “I volunteered for patrols too.”

Beetail shrugged. “All patrols are full,” he said. “You can stay in camp.”

“Patrols don’t get ‘full,’” Frecklewish snapped. “You’re just trying to keep me from working, aren’t you?”

Beetail calmly replied, “I’m sure you’ll be able to occupy yourself.”

Frecklewish huffed. “Why do you care so much if I’m overworking myself? Which- which I’m not even doing!” Mouse dung. “What I mean is I’m helping the clan, which is a good thing!”

Beetail hardly reacted. Frecklewish huffed. “Doesn’t matter. I’m going hunting, and you’re not going to stop me.”

“You could try. Though, he might have something to say about that.” Beetail flicked his tail towards the camp entrance. A broad-shouldered tom was moving in behind the departing patrols. He stood purposefully in front of the entry tunnel, his amber eyes staring at Frecklewish meaningfully.

Frecklewish felt her blood boil. She knew it was wrong to feel angry towards her father, especially since he was betrayed too, but… something in her sensed an infuriating conversation ahead. She glared at Beetail, who had an almost-smug expression on his face. “See you later, Frecklewish,” he meowed, slipping into the warriors’ den.

That son-of-a-badger, waking up early just to question me and then prancing off to snooze- Frecklewish trembled with rage. She didn’t want to talk to her father. She knew for certain that he would ask about Mapleshade. But there was no avoiding Oakstar now; he was already halfway across the clearing.

“Good morning, Frecklewish,” Oakstar said. He rested his head on her shoulder in a gentle embrace, and Frecklewish had to admit that it was a nice little reminder that someone still cared for her. That feeling faded quickly. “Beetail told me you were up early this morning.”

Frecklewish gritted her teeth; she should’ve expected Beetail to tattle on her to her dad. What a rat. “I wanted to get in some hunting before dawn.”

Oakstar hummed, unconvinced. “He said you seemed distressed.” He flicked his tail against her shoulder, leading her to the edge of camp. Frecklewish reluctantly sat beside him. “I know this past moon has been difficult for you. Losing Birchface was painful for me, too.”

Frecklewish looked away, unable to meet his gaze. The memory of her brother splashing helplessly in the river made her hurt. A lot.

“I thought Mapleshade was a blessing. When she announced her kits, I thought I had a chance to see Birchface’s legacy carried on, and to see my daughter happy again.” He snarled under his breath. “But it was a lie. And I promise, I’m just as angry as you are.”

Frecklewish looked down at her paws. She was angry, right? Mapleshade betrayed her. And yet…

“All this must be overwhelming for you. That’s why I told Beetail not to send you out on patrol.” Oakstar leaned in to lick Frecklewish’s forehead. Frecklewish hardly moved, staring blankly at the floor. “I didn’t want to upset you, but as your father I want you to get some extra rest today. Is that alright?”

Frecklewish nodded, still feeling absent.

Oakstar sighed with relief. “Alright. I love you, my beautiful daughter. Take it easy.” Nuzzling her head once more, he got up and left Frecklewish to herself.

Frecklewish’s burning rage towards her father had melted into something useless and cold and heavy in her stomach. The conversation had done exactly what she was trying so hard to avoid; now all she could think about was Mapleshade. Oakstar clearly despised her. And Frecklewish did too. Right? She felt that she should. But after everything they’d built, the connection they shared… Frecklewish didn’t think she could do it.

Petalkit and Larchkit tussling eagerly in the sand. Patchkit snuggled deep in Mapleshade’s fur, his green eyes following his siblings’ every move with contented excitement. Mapleshade laughing softly at her son’s antics. Frecklewish settled comfortably at her side, occasionally getting up to teach the kits a new battle move or tell them a story about her brother. That feeling of closeness and family that Frecklewish had yearned so desperately for.

The domestic memory felt so perfect, so real in that moment that Frecklewish nearly fell to her knees. She wanted to reach out, to pull that wonderful world back into her paws. She couldn’t hate Mapleshade. She couldn’t hate her kits. Not after being so close with them for so long.

For the first time that morning and maybe even that moon, Frecklewish let herself cry.

Chapter Text

“Perchpaw? Perchpaw, come on, this isn’t funny!” Reedshine awoke to the sound of Appledusk’s voice. She grumbled sleepily and slowly opened her eyes. Her muscles groaned in protest as she stirred, rolling off her side. After heaving herself to her paws, Reedshine dragged herself out of the nursery and was hit instantly with a blast of cold morning air. She shivered, clenching her jaw as she went to find Appledusk.

Reedshine’s mate was looking around nervously, repeatedly calling Perchpaw’s name. Drops of misty rain settled on her fur, and she grumbled in mild annoyance. “Did Perchpaw wander off again?” Reedshine meowed drowsily.

Appledusk noticed her behind him, and purred with delight. “Reedshine! Good morning, dear.” He turned and nuzzled Reedshine’s forehead, and Reedshine couldn’t resist a smile; Appledusk’s adorable antics always melted her heart. “And no, not exactly. I sent him to gather moss and he’s been gone half the morning.”

Reedshine laughed. “Ah, so that’s what’s gotten your fur in a bunch.” She brushed against his side. “I’m sure he’s fine. The little bugger’s probably just distracted practicing his battle moves.”

Appledusk huffed. “So help me StarClan, if that’s what he’s doing, I’ll have him gather moss for the rest of the moon!” He shook out his damp pelt. “Still, I’d better go and fetch him back. The elders have to sleep on something.”

“Why don’t I come with you?” Reedshine asked, her round ears perking up. “Four eyes are better than two, after all.”

“Oh, no no!” Appledusk said quickly, shaking his head. “That’s far too dangerous! What if something bad happens to our kits?”

Reedshine sighed. “Appledusk, I’ve only been pregnant for a moon. I’m still perfectly capable of defending myself.”

Appledusk bit his lower lip and furrowed his brow. His gaze darted to Reedshine’s swollen stomach. “Are you sure? It’s just- I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you, and I’m still worried about- about- y’know…” He stared at the ground.

Reedshine knew what he was alluding to. A couple sunrises ago, a ThunderClan cat washed up on RiverClan’s side of the border. It was then revealed that her kits had drowned in the river. Her and Appledusk’s kits.

It still stung when Reedshine remembered that Appledusk had a secret affair with another she-cat. Even after having time to think it over, Reedshine wasn’t sure how she felt about it, and she felt upset and uncomfortable every time it was brought up. On one paw, she felt betrayed. Was she not good enough? Was that why Appledusk felt he needed to seek out someone else? But on the other paw, Appledusk apologized for his wrongdoings. He publicly admitted his mistake, severed his connection with that other she-cat, and risked humiliation and exile from his own clan. Reedshine decided to stand with him. He’d already paid for what he did. And besides, Reedshine wasn’t willing to let go of him over something so easily fixable.

She sighed. Appledusk meant well. She might as well ease his conscience just a bit. “You’re an absolute mouse-brain,” she stated, nuzzling the dusky brown tom on the cheek, “but I guess I could wait here for a bit.”

Appledusk relaxed, returning the gesture. “Thank you, Reedshine,” he said. “I promise, I won’t be long.”

“Of course,” Reedshine purred. “Now go kick Perchpaw’s butt for me!”

Appledusk laughed. “You can count on it.” With one last loving nudge, he slipped through the reeds and out of camp. Reedshine watched him go with a smile on her face and a fuzzy feeling in her chest.

StarClan, am I lucky to have you.

She could set aside Appledusk’s messy past if it meant they could be happy together.

Reedshine made her way into a shady patch, settling down for another rest. Dawn was starting to pass, and the cold air was warming with the light of the sun. The rest of RiverClan was waking up now too, and Reedshine saw Spiketail chatting with Darkstar near the Wetrock. Suddenly, she heard a squeal, and Milkfur’s daughter, Milkkit, came scampering across the clearing. Darkstar laughed as the gray-and-white kit dashed around her paws and hugged her father. Spiketail welcomed his daughter with a purr, and brushed noses with Milkfur when she caught up.

Watching them made Reedshine think of her own family. She glanced at her stomach; it only looked slightly larger than usual. Can you imagine? Me, a mother! Reedshine thought, a gentle purr rumbling in her throat. Secretly, she’d always longed to be where she was right now; raising RiverClan’s next generation at Appledusk’s side. The thought filled her with butterflies. She shut her eyes and pictured her and Appledusk, playing with a kit that resembled them both, leaning on each other as their eyes shone with pride…

“‘Morning, Reedshine.” Reedshine sat up immediately. Had she dozed off? Maybe she really did need extra rest! She blinked and oriented herself, finally noticing Darkstar standing in front of her. The black she-cat twitched her tail. “Apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you. I was just wondering if you knew where Appledusk is.”

“Oh- He left before everyone was up. Perchpaw was taking his time, and Appledusk wanted to make sure he wasn’t goofing off,” Reedshine replied.

“Hmm.” The aloof RiverClan leader seemed a little displeased with her answer. “You wouldn’t mind going to find him? I was hoping to talk with him this morning.”

“Of course!” Reedshine replied, eager to help out. She knew Appledusk wanted her to stay in camp, but she couldn’t ignore a request from her leader. Besides, the sun was pretty high in the sky now, so he must’ve been gone awhile…

Darkstar nodded. “I appreciate it, Reedshine. And by the way,” she gestured towards her, “congratulations. About your kits.”

Reedshine smiled, happy to have her leader’s blessing. “Thank you! And don’t worry about Appledusk; I’ll send him your way as soon as I find him.”

Satisfied, Darkstar went back towards her den. Reedshine got up and followed where Appledusk had gone. She started to wonder why Darkstar wanted to see her mate, and then realized that she might not trust him on his own.

I hope she comes to accept that he’s sorry, Reedshine thought; the last thing she wanted was tension between him and their leader of all cats!

Reedshine followed Appledusk’s sweet scent as far as she could. It was clear that he’d swam through the river at one point, so the scent didn’t linger. She had to rely on her eyesight for the rest of the search. The longer she looked, the more anxious Reedshine became. Surely Perchpaw wouldn’t wander this far?

Suddenly, a terrified yowl nearly scared the fur off her. Reedshine panicked, immediately assuming the worst, and raced blindly forward. Was that Appledusk? Was he in trouble? Her breath caught in her throat; what if he was attacked by a fox? She forced herself to run faster, praying that StarClan lead her right to him.

It seemed StarClan heard her prayers, because when Reedshine burst through a clump of tall grasses, she saw Appledusk standing tall. Perchpaw huddled next to him, a trembling ball of gray fur. They faced off against a tortoiseshell she-cat that smelled strongly of… ThunderClan! Immediately Reedshine unsheathed her claws, ready to defend Appledusk at all costs.

When he saw her, Appledusk’s green eyes lit up with terror. “Reedshine, run!” he yowled, his fur fluffing out.

The strange she-cat whipped around. Reedshine recognized her as Mapleshade, the cat Appledusk had apparently been cheating on her with. A stab of rage hit Reedshine, mixed in with horror at the she-cat’s state. Her fur was unkempt, her expression crazed, and dried blood crusted at the edges of her lips. Reedshine recoiled as Mapleshade drew closer.

“You,” Mapleshade snarled, her voice husky and dripping with venom. “You and your kits must die!”

Reedshine barely had time to react before Mapleshade was charging at her. Heart pounding, Reedshine rolled out of her way. Mapleshade landed heavily and scrambled after her. She reached out as Reedshine jerked her head back, catching her above the eye.

Searing pain coursed through Reedshine, pulsing where Mapleshade had scratched her with dirty, broken claws. She let out a helpless wail as blood dripped down her face and half-blinded her for a moment. Mapleshade seized her chance and leapt again. Her eyes glowed with villainous excitement, as though Reedshine’s pain was fueling her.

“Reedshine!” she heard Appledusk cry. Reedshine shook her head, fighting to regain her vision. Mapleshade lashed out at her in irregular patterns, like a starving animal reaching for its prey.

Reedshine ducked out of the way again, her heart thundering in her throat. She could feel herself weakening. She watched helplessly and Mapleshade bunched her muscles and sprang. Her claws pointed towards Reedshine’s face, ready to deliver a fatal final blow.

Reedshine barely had time to think StarClan help me! before blood splattered across the grass.

Appledusk’s blood.

Mapleshade drew away. There was mild surprise on her face as Appledusk wobbled. A gruesome gash had been torn through his throat. He leaned over, tremors coursing through his body, his green eyes white-rimmed. He managed to raise his head just enough to look Mapleshade in the eyes before collapsing in the grass. Blood pooled at Reedshine’s paws. Her jaws gaped in shock.

Perchpaw launched himself at Mapleshade with an ear deafening caterwaul. Mapleshade stumbled, and Reedshine watched helplessly, her head spinning.

No. StarClan no! He can’t- he’s not- She felt her breath quickening. His eyes were unfocused. His body was limp. He can’t be dead! The realization was starting to sink in, and Reedshine felt sick. You can’t leave me! Our kits-

She didn’t have time to grieve. Mapleshade shook herself wildly, flinging Perchpaw into the air. He landed with a gasp next to Reedshine. Reedshine was yanked back to reality and turned to Mapleshade. Perchpaw fought her with the strength of any fully-fledged warrior, evidenced by the many bloody scratches on the tortie’s body. Mapleshade’s amber eyes still burned with psychotic fire, but it had softened to a far-off stare.

Rage surged through Reedshine. “You monster!” she yowled. “You killed him!” She almost choked on the words.

Mapleshade grinned. “Yes,” she purred, seemingly to herself. “Yes I have. I’ve avenged my little Patchkit. Only one more. One more to free.”

Reedshine stared at her in alarm. She’s absolutely fox-mad!  “What in StarClan’s name are you on about?” she snarled, moving in to protect Perchpaw. The apprentice scrambled to his paws, breathing heavily, and Reedshine felt him trembling against her foreleg.

Mapleshade laughed. “You’re such a fool, Reedshine! Have you not realized what Appledusk’s death means for me?” She paused, letting the silence hang in the air before continuing. “I took Ravenwing’s life for Larchkit. Now that your precious mate is dead, Patchkit can lay in peace. That leaves one more. One more death.” Her eyes glittered malevolently.

Reedshine’s fur rose. Her heart hammered like a trapped mouse. “Don’t come any closer!” she cried, her fear evident in her voice. “I won’t let you!” She bared her teeth; she wouldn’t let herself die. Appledusk’s sacrifice could not be in vain.

Mapleshade seemed amused by her feigned confidence. “Not you, fox-hearted RiverClan creature. No, I’ve hated Frecklewish far more than I could ever care for you.” Her chest heaved, and Reedshine realized she was too badly beaten to keep fighting them. “Don’t worry. There will be much suffering in your future, dear Reedshine.” With one last devilish smile, Mapleshade slunk away, leaving a trail of blood – both her own and her enemies’ – in her path.

Reedshine couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. All she could do was gape at the battered body before her. Appledusk couldn’t be gone. Tears sprung to her eyes as Reedshine’s vision of raising her kits alongside him began to fade into impossible. She felt absolutely sick.

I’m all alone.

Her trance was broken when Perchpaw sniffled. “Reedshine? Appledusk… He’s not…”

Reedshine exhaled, letting her shoulders fall in defeat. “He’s gone, Perchpaw.” Her words wavered. “He’s in StarClan now.”

The gray apprentice edged forward, his blue eyes round as moons. He brushed his nose against Appledusk’s bloodied fur. Reedshine did the same; his familiar honey-and-mud scent was already fading. She collapsed at his side, burying her face in his neck, her sides shaking as she cried. Oh my darling, how can I go on without you?

“I’m so sorry!” Perchpaw whimpered, his voice hitting a high pitch. “If I just did what he asked-” He was too choked to continue, and began to sob.

Reedshine reached out to pull him close. It made her heart ache even more hearing Perchpaw blame himself. “It’s not your fault, Perchpaw.” The sorrow in her chest began to blister, forming something much more raging and resentful. “It’s Mapleshade’s.”

Perchpaw looked up at her, his eyes still stretched wide. “D-Do you think she’ll be back? For- For us?”

Reedshine hugged him tighter. “I don’t know. But I promise, I won’t let anything bad happen to either of us.” She lifted her chin, hoping to appear confident. “Besides, RiverClan is strong. Darkstar will protect us.” Perchpaw didn’t reply, so she added, “And it shouldn’t be anytime soon. Remember, she said she was going after that ThunderClan warrior, Frecklewish.”

Perchpaw looked down. “She’s going to kill them. She’s going to kill one of her clanmates.” He looked up again. “She’s not going to stop there, is she?”

Reedshine looked down at Appledusk’s body, her eyes moving to the wound on his throat. Mapleshade had already proven that she’d stop at nothing on her quest for revenge, and Appledusk had only been her second victim. She thought of the future that she and Appledusk would never have, and the deranged look in Mapleshade’s eyes.

What if this… Frecklewish had kin in their clan? What if they had a mate and kits? Could Reedshine just walk away knowing that a warrior would die at Mapleshade’s claws, without doing anything to try and stop her?

And Perchpaw was right; Mapleshade wasn’t going to stop. She believed she’d been wronged. And only StarClan knew how many cats she would kill that went against that belief.

With a longing glance at her fallen mate, Reedshine got to her paws. Her heart ached as she thought of his sacrifice, and it wasn’t the last of the bloodshed. Not unless Reedshine broke the cycle.

“Perchpaw,” she meowed, “go back to camp. Tell them what happened. Then go straight to Echosnout and get your wounds treated. Understand?”

“You’re not coming with me?”

Reedshine paused. “No. I’m sorry Perchpaw.” She drew in a shaky breath and looked down at Appledusk’s battered body. “I have to go to ThunderClan. I have to find Frecklewish.”

“The ThunderClan warrior?” Perchpaw sounded baffled. “But Reedshine, you can’t! You’re already hurt. What if they attack you? And your kits-”

Reedshine sighed. “I know it sounds reckless, but I can’t let Mapleshade continue her killing spree. Someone needs to end this, and I know for certain no one else in RiverClan will.”

Perchpaw got up to stand face-to-face with her. “But what about your eye? Can’t you let Echosnout treat it first?”

Reedshine shook her head. “I can’t. What if Darkstar confines me to camp? By then it could be too late.”

Perchpaw drooped. “There’s… no way I can talk you out of this?”

Reedshine pressed against the young tom comfortingly. “I’m sorry, Perchpaw.” She felt terrible leaving him behind like this; the three of them had been so close since Perchpaw became Appledusk’s apprentice, and he’d always seemed a bit like a son to her. However, something in her gut told her that she had to do this. “Tell the clan what happened, and that I’m okay.”

“I will. But Reedshine- what if something bad happens to you?” Perchpaw’s voice trembled, and Reedshine felt that her heart might break.

“Don’t worry about me. I promise, I’ll come back for you.” Reedshine pulled away. “Goodbye, Perchpaw. Stay safe.”

Perchpaw nodded. “You too, Reedshine.”

Reedshine began to step away. She paused only briefly to breathe in Appledusk’s faded scent one more time, and realized with a pang that this was the last time she’d ever see him. The bright spark of pain only spurred her determination. She shot Perchpaw one last reassuring smile before slipping away through the bush.

She couldn’t let Mapleshade win. She wouldn’t.

Chapter Text

The gentle roar of the river hums away, a white noise to Frecklewish. She stands atop Sunningrocks while surveying the pebbled shore below, inhaling the cool air. Frecklewish watches lazily as dragonflies flutter about, dodging the splash of the water against the boulders. The wind ruffles her fur with every soft breath, and she feels more peaceful than she had in moons.

A screech tears Frecklewish from her tranquil state. Heart pounding, she unsheathes her claws and looks in panic for the source of the noise. To her terror, enemy cats begin to slide out of the water like serpents. Her clanmates fly from the trees like birds. ThunderClan meets RiverClan as cats cut each other down, hissing and yowling in rage.

From her vantage point up above on the rocks, Frecklewish watches in frozen silence.

Another yowl turns her attention to the bank. Frecklewish sees two toms fighting viciously. Their teeth are bared and their eyes gleam with fury. Frecklewish knows one of them well. Her and him have been side by side since kithood, and now she’s forced to watch him grapple with a stranger.

The toms snap at each others’ throats, circling like vultures over a rotting corpse. Frecklewish watches the RiverClan cat lunges, his paws striking her litter brother in the chest. He gasps, tearing at the air to no avail, disappearing beneath the frothing mouth of the torrent.

A screech bubbles in Frecklewish’s throat, but her muscles are too heavy for her to move. She sees Birchface’s head bob up above the waves. Their eyes lock as he sends his sister one final, wordless plea for help, before he is swallowed.

Frecklewish watches helplessly.

Dark, stormy clouds blanket the sky, and the cats in the skirmish fade from view. Frecklewish hears the high-pitched wail of a kit, and a tortoiseshell she-cat appears on an uncertain bridge of stones. Rain soaks her pelt, and a kit dangles from her jaws. Two more kits are just ahead of them, clinging to the stones for dear life. A rumble sounds further upstream, and a massive wall of murky water knocks the mother tortie into the river. Frecklewish sees the mother paddle frantically, trying to keep her kits afloat, only to watch them tumble downstream with the debris. She wanted so desperately to run over, to throw herself into the waves and silence their dismal cries.

And yet still she stood, her paws fixed to the rock below.

What have you done?

You have betrayed my brother’s name!

You don’t deserve to be called a warrior and nor do those… half-clan creatures!

The voices grow louder - no, her voice grows louder - in Frecklewish’s ears. She shuts her eyes and is finally able to let out a yowl as she tries to drown out the sound. It is no use; her enraged screeches only grow louder.

Three spirits appear before her closed lids. They flicker and waver before taking the shapes of the kits. Two bear an uncanny resemblance to their father, while the third has his mother’s multicolored fur.

How could you do this to us? he says. His face is expressionless and his mouth is unmoving. Frecklewish can muster no words. She has no excuse.

You watched us die.

Another wave washes through the kits’ figures, and they dissolve into nothing. The wave rushes forward, snagging Frecklewish with invisible claws. Her breath is knocked from her chest and water fills her lungs. Tears spring to her eyes as she starts to thrash.

You deserve this.

Frecklewish gasped. Her breath comes in wild, uncontrolled gasps, and she has to fight to bring herself down. It’s just another nightmare, she reminded herself. Nothing you can’t deal with. She licked her parched lips and lifted her head. Morning had already come and passed, and the sunlight was bright enough to make her eyes hurt. Most of the morning’s patrols were back, and Frecklewish saw Bloomheart and Seedpelt sharing tongues at the edge of camp.

She noticed Nettlepaw shooting her a concerned look and snarled at him. The ginger apprentice yelped and scrambled away, nearly dropping the moss in his jaws. Frecklewish didn’t feel satisfied at this, just… empty. Now calmed down from her nightmare, Frecklewish flopped down in the shade of the bush, feeling more exhausted than she had before her nap.

What was even her purpose anymore? To lay in camp like a rotting log?

“Frecklewish?” Frecklewish glanced up without moving to see that Bloomheart was now standing over her. Seedpelt was still at his side.

She only grumbled in response. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone who’s loyal to you no matter what? Frecklewish thought bitterly. Someone who won’t soil your brother’s name and lie to your face?

Bloomheart, to his credit, was being incredibly patient. “I’m sorry to disturb your rest. Oakstar just told me that you’re allowed to do some light hunting, and he wanted me to pass that on. I was wondering if you wanted to hunt with me and Seedpelt? I know you wanted to earlier.”

Frecklewish gritted her teeth. So now my father’s letting me do a little hunting? As a treat? Fuck that. Her desire to work her worries away melted at Bloomheart’s request. All she wanted to do was sink into the ground and die. That bucket list did not include third-wheeling a couple of lovebirds on a forested stroll.

“Tell Oakstar that if he wanted me to patrol, then he shouldn’t confine me to camp,” Frecklewish replied curtly, turning away.

Seedpelt stared at her with pity in his eyes. “You sure? It seems like it would do you well to stretch your legs.”

“Who died and made you leader?” Frecklewish muttered, her patience withering like a plant in leaf-bare.

Bloomheart and Seedpelt exchanged a look. “Alright,” said Seedpelt, “But we’ll be around if you change your mind.”

Frecklewish didn’t respond. The two toms waited another moment before heading for the camp’s entrance. Briefly, she wished that she’d accepted their offer, but it was too late now. Frecklewish curled up into a tight ball and tried to fall asleep; being conscious was too much for her right now.

A disgruntled yowling disturbed her. For a brief moment, Frecklewish worried that she was dreaming again, but then she noticed her clanmates rushing towards the camp entrance. She tilted her head; what was this all about? Abandoning her pact to fall asleep, Frecklewish trotted towards the commotion.

She was startled by the sharp and overwhelming scent of fish. Frecklewish wrinkled her nose; it was the trademark scent of RiverClan, and it made her sick. She wove around Deerdapple and Mistpelt to see  Sweetbriar and Dawnfeather shouldering a dark orange she-cat forward. The stranger was looking around with wide blue eyes, and seemed nervous but determined. She had a nasty cut over her eye, not to mention the blood on her paws and chest. Frecklewish bared her teeth; were Dawnfeather and Sweetbriar attacked by RiverClan? Her clanmates didn’t seem injured, as far as Frecklewish could tell. Who hurt this RiverClan cat so badly?

Her father emerged from his den, his muzzle twisted into a snarl. The surrounding cats, Frecklewish included, moved out of his way; no one wanted to deal with an absolutely fuming Oakstar. “RiverClan again?” he spat, padding towards the she-cat. “Haven’t you and your clan caused us enough trouble?” He turned his glare towards the two she-cats escorting her. “What in StarClan’s name is she doing here?”

Dawnfeather shrugged. “She wouldn’t say. We just found her wandering the territory, just past the border. I think she wants to speak with you.”

The RiverClan she-cat let out a growl. “No, you minnow-brains, not him! I’m looking for Frecklewish!”

“ Frecklewish? ” Oakstar meowed.

“Me?” Frecklewish scrunched up her face in confusion. 

The she-cat’s gaze locked with hers. The sudden desperation in her face made Frecklewish’s heart skip a beat. Her legs wobbled, and she took a step back. What did she want from her? “You’re Frecklewish?” the ginger she-cat exclaimed. She tried to pull forward, but Sweetbriar let out a threatening growl.

“Stay back!” she hissed.

Oakstar took up a protective stance and moved close to Frecklewish. “What in StarClan’s name do you want with my daughter?”

The she-cat’s face fell. “Your- Your daughter?”

Oakstar let out another infuriated hiss, then turned to Dawnfeather. “If she says another word, slit her throat.” Dawnfeather nodded. “Escort her to my den. We’ll deal with her there.”

Frecklewish blinked, taken aback. “Father- Wait!” She scrambled after Oakstar, who was storming away. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you letting her speak?”

“She’s going to pay for showing up here,” Oakstar said. His voice was cold. “I won’t let her say anything to hurt you.”

“You think I’m that fragile?” Frecklewish leapt in front of him, blocking his path. “You think some RiverClan warrior can say anything to upset me? I’m fine dad, and you need to stop treating me like I’m not!”

Oakstar paused. “You don’t know who that is, do you?” Frecklewish blinked at him. “That’s Reedshine. I’ve seen her at gatherings. She just so happens to be Appledusk’s mate.”

Frecklewish stopped in her tracks. Oakstar went around her, heading right to his den.

Appledusk’s mate? Here? Her heart thundered. And she was looking for me?

~ 🏵 🏶 🏵 ~

“Move it, fish-eater,” the pale ginger tabby, Dawnfeather, hissed. Reedshine stumbled, trying to keep her footing as she was escorted to Oakstar’s den. This was not at all how she expected – or hoped – this encounter would go. The broad-shouldered ThunderClan leader, for reasons Reedshine couldn’t understand, seemed determined to keep her from talking to Frecklewish.

He probably just wants to make sure he knows what my intentions are, she reassured herself. Once he knows that I’m only here to help, he won’t be so angry. At least, that’s what she hoped.

Oakstar pushed his way through the curtain of moss hanging over what must be the entrance to his den. Dawnfeather gave one last snarl before she and Sweetbriar stopped to guard.

Probably just to give us some privacy, Reedshine thought nervously.

Oakstar sat down, and Reedshine sat across from him. He glared at her with his amber eyes narrowed into slits, and Reedshine trembled with worry. For a brief moment, she wondered if she should’ve stayed in RiverClan. Then she shook her head; she was stopping Mapleshade. Surely this was the right choice.

“Well, RiverClan intruder,” Oakstar began with a menacing swish of his tail, “I’m very curious as to how you ended up on my territory looking more battered than a moss ball. Tell me the story. And please, don’t leave out any details.”

Reedshine swallowed. “Well, it started on RiverClan territory. Appledusk and Perchpaw were out of camp, and I went to find them.”

She was aware of Oakstar’s low growl of distaste at the mention of Appledusk. Reedshine felt her nerves get worse; ThunderClan had somewhat of a… negative history with her mate. Or, as she should say, her former mate. The thought made her eyes water with tears, and Reedshine struggled to continue.

“When I found them, they had been attacked by one of your former warriors.”

Oakstar recoiled. “Mapleshade?” Reedshine nodded, and he regained his composure. “I see. Continue.”

“Mapleshade turned on me. She tried to kill me but- but-” Reedshine drew in a shuddering breath. “Appledusk leapt in front and took the blow.” She couldn’t hold back a quiet sob. “She killed him.”

“And how does this concern ThunderClan?” Oakstar asked. He didn’t seem to care about Appledusk’s death, and Reedshine wasn’t sure why she expected him to. He leaned closer to her, his frown deepening. “How does this concern my daughter?”

Reedshine’s voice wavered. The ThunderClan leader was so close to her that she could feel his hot breath on her face. She fought to maintain eye contact. “Af-After he f-fell, Mapleshade went on about what his death meant to her. She spoke of murdering your medicine cat, Ravenwing, to avenge one of her kits. She didn’t encounter Appledusk by chance. Mapleshade tracked him down because she saw his death necessary to ease her own loss.”

Oakstar’s eyes widened. “Mapleshade’s kits are dead?” Was that regret in his voice?

Reedshine nodded. “They drowned in the river when she tried to take them to my clan, to their father. But she’s gone completely mad! She thinks that- that murder can be justified!” She stopped, breathing heavily, and realized she was rambling. After gathering her thoughts, she was able to look Oakstar right in the eyes. “Mapleshade said that she killed Ravenwing as vengeance for one of her kits. Appledusk died as revenge for another. Now she’s coming here to take your daughter’s life, so that in her twisted mind, her kits will be avenged at last.”

Oakstar’s claws unsheathed, and fear flashed in his eyes. Reedshine backed away, worried he might attack her.

“You’re lying,” Oakstar snarled. “This is some kind of RiverClan scheme, trying to blame Mapleshade for the murders they commit!”

“What?” Reedshine stammered. “No- You’ve got it all wrong!” She was baffled at how Oakstar could just jump to an insane conclusion like that. I’m trying to help, minnow-brain!

Oakstar took a step towards her, and Reedshine moved back even further. Her haunches bumped the wall behind her, and a fresh spark of panic ignited in her chest. “Did you honestly think that you could sneak into our camp under this guise, and manipulate my daughter?” He inched closer. “Trust me, Reedshine, I would do anything to protect her. Understand?” Reedshine nodded meekly, her heart pounding.

Finally, Oakstar stepped back. “I’m glad, for your sake.” He turned to the den’s entrance. “Dawnfeather, I want you to escort our prisoner to the elders’ den, and move Rabbitfur to the medicine den. He’ll remain there until RiverClan makes a decent enough bargain to get Reedshine back.”

Reedshine’s jaw dropped. Prisoner? Bargain? This fox-heart was treating her like a piece of territory! “I’m telling the truth!” Reedshine yowled.

“Quiet!” Dawnfeather spat. Reedshine staggered as she was shoved out of the leader’s den, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

Why can’t he see that I’m just trying to help?

Chapter Text

It’d only been a day since Reedshine had arrived in ThunderClan, and the whole clan was awaiting some kind of explanation. Frecklewish especially was itching to figure out why she was here in the first place, and what Appledusk’s mate of all cats wanted with her. It was actually a wonderful distraction from Birchface, Mapleshade… all of it.

Frecklewish could always use another one of those.

And now, at last, it seemed that ThunderClan would get some of the answers they were so desperately craving. Frecklewish noticed this when she saw Deerdapple escorting Reedshine out of the elders’ den, and Oakstar leapt up on the Highrock. Her ears pricked, Frecklewish took a seat at its base before Oakstar could even give the call. She noticed her father shoot her a disapproving look and pretended not to; he couldn’t seriously expect to keep this big secret from her for long.

The rest of the clan was quick to follow her. Frecklewish picked up bits of conversation floating around.

“Looks like he’s finally going to explain what that RiverClan cat is doing here,” Fallowsong murmured to her brother, Thrushtalon.

Thrushtalon nodded. “And what he’s going to do with her. I feel like he should’ve sent her back by now if her crime was as simple as prey-stealing.”

“Will you mouse-brains be quiet?” hissed Mistpelt. “The meeting’s about to start!”

Beetail settled lower down on the Highrock where he usually did. His head was tilted quizzically. “I’m excited to hear what this is about,” he said.

Oakstar gave him a brief nod. “Indeed. I know you’ve all been curious about the RiverClan cat in our midst. There’s no need for any panic, however, as I have everything under control.” He paused, and some cats exchanged confused glances. “This intruder claims to have seen Mapleshade, and believes that she poses a threat to both her clan and ours. I request that Beetail doubles border patrols just in case.”

Frecklewish blinked in surprise. Reedshine had seen Mapleshade? Did that mean Mapleshade went to RiverClan to seek sanctuary? Her blood boiled; no doubt she was looking for pity from Appledusk!

“I’ve decided to keep the RiverClan cat here as a prisoner,” Oakstar went on. “As punishment for sending her here, RiverClan will have to give something up before I allow her to leave. Though it is up to negotiation, I considered asking for Sunningrocks, or even a larger piece of their territory.”

A murmuring of mixed responses rippled through the crowd. “Serves them right,” Frecklewish heard Rabbitfur grumble.

“You’re only telling half the story!” Reedshine yowled. Frecklewish saw Deerdapple give a warning hiss, but the RiverClan prisoner ignored her. “Mapleshade is coming, and she’s coming for your daughter!”

Frecklewish felt her heart stop. Her clanmates gasped in shock. Beetail, however, remained mostly calm. “Is this true?” he asked Oakstar, his voice cool and composed.

Oakstar swished his tail. “This is what the prisoner says , yes. But make no mistake, I will not fall for RiverClan’s trickery. It’s fear mongering, plain and simple, designed to scare us into our dens so that they can take as much of our territory as they please!”

“That seems like an awfully convoluted plot,” Beetail meowed. His brow was furrowed with confusion. “And anyway, if that were true, where did she get those injuries from? Shouldn’t we investigate this further?”

“Why should we need to?” Rabbitfur rasped. “RiverClan’s been causin’ nothin’ but trouble, with the whole Mapleshade schmuck. Not to mention that they killed Birchface and Flowerpaw! I say we make ‘em pay!”

Frecklewish saw Reedshine’s face fall as other ThunderClan cats began to agree. Strange, she thought. Either Reedshine was a really good actor, or Oakstar was jumping to some kind of wild conclusion. 

Beetail cleared his throat. “Oakstar, it doesn’t make sense for her to-”

Oakstar raised his voice and shouted, “Silence! Honestly, Beetail, is a little respect too much to ask for from my deputy? I expect better from you. This meeting is over. You will do as I say, whether you like it or not.” He hopped down and slipped into his den. Beetail froze, probably baffled at being belittled so publicly by his leader, before shaking his head and padding away.

Frecklewish was not even a little bit satisfied with that dung-show of an explanation. She hated RiverClan as much as the next cat, but there was only one cat who knew the whole story. And as much as it made her fur curl at the thought of conversing with Appledusk’s mate, if she wanted to know what Mapleshade was planning, that’s exactly what she’d have to do.

~ 🏵 🏶 🏵 ~

Reedshine laid down on the uneven ground, the cut above her eye throbbing painfully. Tiny stones and twigs dug into her skin (Oakstar didn’t even consider her worth a nest, for StarClan’s sake) but right now Reedshine didn’t have the energy to care. For some reason, ThunderClan was being so insufferably stupid that it made her want to tear her own fur out. Admittedly, Reedshine shouldn’t have been so naive. Of course they weren’t going to welcome her in, but she at least thought they’d take her concern into account!

Reedshine gritted her teeth. She felt so foolish for risking her life – and her kits’ lives – without thinking it through. Now she was stuck here, and her clanmates won’t be pleased when they find out they’ll have to give up Sunningrocks in order to have her back.

A terrible thought crossed her mind; what if RiverClan didn’t put up with ThunderClan’s bargain? Reedshine at least had enough trust in her clan to know that they wouldn’t leave her here, but what if they took an alternate route? What if they went to war with ThunderClan? After seeing how many cats ThunderClan has, Reedshine knew they could do some serious damage, even without a medicine cat.

She set her jaw. Technically, she’d done what she needed to do; Oakstar was aware of the danger his daughter was in. Now, Reedshine had to get out of here as quickly and quietly as possible.

Perhaps I can sneak out at night, Reedshine thought. It’ll be tough, especially if the entrance is still guarded, but I’m sure that-

Murmuring outside the den startled Reedshine, tearing her from her budding escape plan. Reedshine sat up, her ears pricked as she tried to make out the conversation, and wondered what could possibly be going on now. Hadn’t there been enough commotion for one day?

To her surprise, Reedshine watched Frecklewish pad into the den, a shrew dangling from her jaws. Her amber eyes avoided Reedshine’s gaze, and she was scowling. From up close, Reedshine could make out the tired circles beneath her eyes and the slight wobble in her step, though she still moved with a quiet and elegant grace. She guessed that Frecklewish was about the same age as her, which was surprising; she seemed so much more mature and focused than most cats in their early thirties. Reedshine found herself admiring the tall she-cat’s thick golden fur, but was shocked out of her trance when Frecklewish dropped the shrew whiskers away from her muzzle.

Reedshine blinked. Frecklewish stared down at her with slight distaste; the tension in the room made Reedshine uncomfortable. 

“Eat,” Frecklewish finally said- err, commanded, more like. She pushed the shrew closer to Reedshine with her forepaw.

Reedshine edged towards it and sniffed it; the smell was completely unlike fish, but she didn’t want to be rude. She took a couple bites and found that it wasn’t as bad as she expected. “Thank you,” she replied. She waited awkwardly again, then said, “It’s pretty good, for forest food.”

Frecklewish scoffed and sat, wrapping her tail around herself. “I’m not here to make small talk, fish-eater. I’m here to ask you a few questions.”

“Oh,” Reedshine said, a little disappointed. She would’ve liked to have a casual conversation with someone again, like she used to with Perchpaw and Appledusk. Then she realized what this meant; Frecklewish wanted to know the truth! Perhaps Reedshine could stop Mapleshade after all! In an attempt to be friendly, she corrected herself, “Oh! Of course!” She smiled. “Ask away!”

Frecklewish regarded her with a confused expression, and then shook her head. “Is it true?” she began. “Did Mapleshade really attack you in your own territory?”

Reedshine nodded. “Yes, she did. I found her attacking Perchpaw, and Appledusk was defending him.”

“She was attacking an apprentice?” Reedshine nodded. Frecklewish looked away with… disappointment, maybe? Reedshine wondered what was going through the she-cat’s mind. Frecklewish noticed her staring, and they both looked away quickly. “Umm- continue,” Frecklewish said.

Reedshine recounted the exact details to her, explaining how Mapleshade killed Ravenwing and Appledusk to avenge her kits. It was tough for her to talk about Appledusk’s death again, and she felt herself beginning to cry. To her relief, Frecklewish didn’t make fun of her. Actually, the golden she-cat wasn’t reacting much at all; she seemed to be deeply contemplating everything Reedshine said.

“How did this lead you here, to me?” Frecklewish asked.

“Before she left, Mapleshade said she was going to take a third life for her third kit. I thought she was going to kill me, but she said that she hated you much more. She wanted her last kit’s death to be compensated for with your life.” Reedshine saw Frecklewish tense when she said this, and she wondered how close she and Mapleshade had been when the tortie was still a ThunderClan warrior. Reedshine hadn’t even considered the thought that they might’ve been friends.

Frecklewish kneaded the dirt anxiously. “So… her kits are dead?”

Reedshine nodded solemnly. “They drowned in the river on the night she left her old clan.”

Frecklewish fell silent again. Reedshine saw her chest quiver, and she felt a sudden stab of sympathy and concern for her. Maybe Frecklewish had been close with Mapleshade and her kits? She made that assumption and tried to comfort her. “I’m sorry. I understand how hard it can be to lose cats you care about.”

Frecklewish looked down at her paws. Her frown returned. “No,” Reedshine thought she heard her hiss through closed teeth, “you don’t.”

Before Reedshine could question her further, Frecklewish changed the subject. “I- I can’t believe she would kill a medicine cat,” Frecklewish said. “We heard from Sloefur and Larkwing that his body was found at the base of the Moonstone.”

Reedshine’s eyes widened. “That’s… that’s horrible! She must’ve known he’d be there, and then tracked him up the Highstones…” She felt a deep, sick feeling in her gut; Mapleshade was crazier than she could’ve ever imagined. “Now do you understand why I had to come and warn you? I could never let someone like that wreak havoc on anyone, even a different clan.”

Frecklewish tilted her head. “That’s… really dangerous. Reckless, even. You risked your life to warn someone you didn’t even know? From an enemy clan?”

“Of course!” Reedshine exclaimed. Wouldn’t anyone? “There are times when the clans have to stand up to a common enemy, and Mapleshade is that, no question.”

Frecklewish paused. “You must be awfully brave.” Reedshine blinked, stunned by the complement, and Frecklewish turned to glance at the den’s entrance. “I’d better go. My dad might start getting suspicious if I stay here too long.” She gathered the remains of the vole into a neat pile. “Thank you for the information.”

“Uh- It was no problem at all, Frecklewish,” Reedshine meowed. Her heart was still fluttering with joy. Me, brave! Imagine that! “Thank you for listening.”

Frecklewish nodded respectfully, and then picked up the vole bones and slunk back outside. Reedshine felt her heartbeat returning to a calm, steady pulse, but the joyous feeling remained. She didn’t know exactly what she expected Frecklewish to be like, but she was glad she was so friendly. As Reedshine tried to brush away the pebbles and find a decent sleeping spot, she wondered if she’d have a chance to talk to Frecklewish again.

Strange as it was, Reedshine felt a little more at home when she was around.

Chapter Text

Reedshine was beyond surprised when Frecklewish showed up again the very next morning. Sure, that’s what she’d been hoping for, but she didn’t actually think it would happen.

She’d been half-asleep on the dusty, jagged ground. It took her forever to get even a little bit comfortable; hard clumps of dried mud and tiny pebbles refused to let her sleep. It didn’t help that the wound above her eye was starting to hurt again. As a result, Reedshine felt more exhausted than she ever had; she never got the chase to refuel after racing frantically across RiverClan territory.

Reedshine heard more murmuring at the den’s entrance, and a forbidden blossom of hope bloomed in her heart. Was Frecklewish back already? It was awfully lonely in here, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to.

Her wish was fulfilled with the speckled golden she-cat slipped quietly inside. Dangling from her jaws was a bundle of soaking wet moss that left dark spots in the dirt. Frecklewish sat down, placing the moss into her paw.

Reedshine smiled. “Good morning, Frecklewish!” She eyed the moss. “What’s that for?”

Frecklewish stretched out her paw. “I’m no medicine cat, but this should be able to clean that wound.”

Reedshine’s ears pricked, happily surprised at the kind gesture; it was almost as though Frecklewish knew exactly what she’d been thinking about. “Oh- Thank you!” She took the moss in her forepaw and tried to reach up to her forehead. Unfortunately, that turned out to be quite the struggle. Reedshine grunted in frustration. She pressed the moss harder against her face, causing it to slip into her eye. She let out a squeak of alarm.

Frecklewish let out a nearly inaudible snort. Reedshine noticed her muzzle scrunch up. Was that a smile trying to sneak its way onto her face? “Here, let me help you.”

Frecklewish took the moss ball from Reedshine and gently cleaned off the dried blood. Reedshine winced, and she felt Frecklewish adjust her pressure. The she-cat’s touch was so soft and caring, as though she were dealing with a fragile flower. Reedshine could feel her warm breath on her face, and she could smell hints of earth and spice beneath the golden she-cat’s fur. Her heart fluttered at being so close to her.

When Frecklewish pulled away, Reedshine asked, “Why did you come back?”

Frecklewish set the moss aside. “I had to talk to you again.” Her amber eyes were much softer than they had been yesterday. “You were so kind to me. Even though my father decided to imprison you here.” She paused. “I have every reason to hate you, Reedshine.”

“Wh-What do you mean?” Reedshine stammered.

Frecklewish held her gaze. “Were you really Appledusk’s mate?”

Reedshine looked away. “Yes- Yes. That’s true.”

Frecklewish fell silent for a moment. “I… never expected his mate to be so kind.”

Reedshine recoiled, offended. She knew ThunderClan and RiverClan tensions were running high, especially where Appledusk was concerned, but that seemed uncalled for. “Why would you say that?” she said. “I know what happened at the river, and I’m sorry about your fallen clanmates, but-”

“Birchface was more than just my clanmate!” Frecklewish snarled, raising her voice. “He was my brother.” She unsheathed her claws and sunk them into the dirt. “He was all I had!”

Reedshine blinked. “I- I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I know hard it is to lose someone you love so suddenly.”

“No,” Frecklewish’s lower lip quivered, “no you don’t!” She shut her eyes tightly, and Reedshine felt a stab of empathy for her; was she thinking of her brother now? “I lost my best friend to that river. And then Mapleshade told us she was pregnant. She told me Birchface was the father. I- I thought his legacy would live on through his kits.” She raised her voice. “My life had purpose again! I had someone to love, and my brother’s kits to care for! But it was a lie. My best friend lied to me! And do you know who the father really was? Birchface’s killer.”

Reedshine got to her paws and darted close to Frecklewish. She rested her muzzle gently on her shoulder. Frecklewish opened her eyes, shocked. Reedshine shut her eyes; even though Frecklewish tried to deny it, she knew exactly what she was feeling. That feeling of lost purpose, of betrayal, of uncertainty… all were emotions Appledusk left her with when he died.

“Try to take a deep breath or two,” Reedshine murmured softly. To her surprise, Frecklewish listened, and her strangled sobs slowly evened out into a slow, steady pattern. Reedshine pressed herself even closer to her, brushing her neck with her cheek. “I know you must’ve been heartbroken when you lost your brother. You two must’ve loved each other very much. And I promise you, Appledusk never meant to bring about any pain.”

“I don’t care what he meant,” Frecklewish said, her voice choked with emotion. “It doesn’t change anything! Birchface is gone, and Mapleshade lied to me.”

“I know,” Reedshine said gently. “But you have to understand that Appledusk isn’t the villain here. Maybe he didn’t do everything perfectly…” Her voice wavered. As much as she convinced herself otherwise, Appledusk cheating on her still stung to think about. She set her worries aside; right now, she had to comfort Frecklewish. “Mapleshade is the one who gave you false hope. She’s the one who killed my mate. She’s still trying to hurt you, even now.” She paused again, collecting her words. “I don’t blame you for being upset. I’m upset too. That’s why I had to warn you. I can’t let this happen to anyone else.”

Frecklewish didn’t speak. Reedshine stepped back, staring up at her. Her eyes were still shiny with tears, and her gaze was unfocused. As her brow furrowed slightly, Reedshine could tell that she wasn’t fully convinced, but at least she’d calmed down a little.

Sniffling and wiping her face, Frecklewish began to back away towards the den’s entrance. “This is so stupid,” she mumbled through her paw.

Reedshine thought her heart would break. “You’re not stupid for being upset,” she reassured her quickly. “You must be going through a lot.” She moved over and sat, leaving space for the other she-cat to join her. “If you’re comfortable, would you like to share some stories about your brother? Maybe… Ah, well, I thought it might help you feel better.”

Frecklewish paused, and Reedshine thought she would say no. “I don’t want to bore you.”

Reedshine chucked despite herself. “Are you kidding? I bet your stories are wonderful! Besides, what am I going to do instead? Chat with the pebbles?”

This time, Frecklewish couldn’t hide her smile. Sniffling again, she sat next to Reedshine and began talking about her brother. It was awkward at first, but Reedshine made sure to listen quietly. Gradually, Frecklewish grew more confident, bit by bit, and Reedshine could tell by her constant smiling that she was feeling happier again.

~ 🏵 🏶 🏵 ~

“From this moment on, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Flowerpaw.” Oakstar’s booming voice echoed through the clearing. “Birchface, you are strong and loyal. You would be a fine mentor for ThunderClan’s newest apprentice.”

Frecklewish watched her brother perk up in surprise. “I- I’d be honored, Oakstar!” he stammered. He got to his paws and touched noses with the dappled gray she-cat, grinning from ear to ear. His new apprentice looked equally giddy, her pale blue eyes squinting with excitement.

“Flowerpaw! Flowerpaw!” The rest of ThunderClan cheered. Frecklewish made sure to cheer extra loud. She saw Birchface cast a smile her way.

As the meeting adjourned, Frecklewish bounded over to her brother. “Congratulations, Birchface!” she purred, nuzzling him on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you!” She turned to Flowerpaw. “You’re one lucky apprentice. My brother’s the best fighter in the whole forest!”

Both Flowerpaw and Birchface smiled shyly, and Frecklewish nearly snorted at their identical expressions. “Well… I’m not sure about that,” Birchface mumbled.

“Are you kidding?” Frecklewish replied, her whiskers twitching. “RiverClan’ll be shaking in their skins when you roll around!”

Flowerpaw’s eyes widened. “Are we going to do battle moves today?” she asked in awe.

Birchface chuckled. “Not quite. Despite what this mouse-brain will lead you to believe!” He flicked Frecklewish playfully with his tail, and Frecklewish ducked away laughing. “I planned to start with a patrol of the territory. Want to join us, Frecklewish?”

Frecklewish gave a hop of joy at the prospect of spending time with her brother. “I’d love to!” she purred. “And maybe I can teach your apprentice some of those battle moves that you’re been so rudely hiding from her.”

Flowerpaw gasped. “Oh, could you? Pleeeeeeeease?”

Birchface scoffed, pretending to be offended. “I wasn’t ‘hiding’ anything! And if we get back to camp late, I’m blaming you.” Frecklewish stuck her tongue out at him, and Flowerpaw giggled. The three of them set off into the forest for Flowerpaw’s first day of her apprenticeship, laughing and talking all the way.

Fuzzy pinkish light crept behind Frecklewish’s eyelids, and she grumbled as she began to stir. Slowly, the happy memory faded, and the warriors’ den came into view. Her heart sank when she realized she was back in reality, but the warm feeling in her chest couldn’t be chased away so easily. She exhaled slowly, still thinking of her brother and his apprentice; Flowerpaw’s first patrol was one of the stories she told Reedshine over the course of the last few days.

Maybe talking to someone actually is helping, Frecklewish thought to herself. And now she was on her way to talk to Reedshine yet again.

Deerdapple was on guard duty again, thank StarClan. Frecklewish wasn’t super close friends with her, but the silver tabby was very level-headed and reasonable. She’d allowed Frecklewish into the elders’ den every time so far and hadn’t reported her to Oakstar; Frecklewish couldn’t expect the same from someone like Beetail.

Deerdapple tilted her head. “Back again, Frecklewish?”

Frecklewish nodded. “Yep. Off to do more interrogating. Promise to cover for me?”

Deerdapple sighed. “You’re an absolute weirdo. Just don’t stay too long, or Oakstar might get suspicious.” She glanced over to where Frecklewish’s father was sharing tongues with Sweetbriar. He didn’t seem to notice his daughter, for which Frecklewish was grateful.

Frecklewish relaxed. “Thank you, Deerdapple,” she said.

“Mhmm,” Deerdapple replied, “Don’t mention it.” She stepped aside to let Frecklewish slip by.

“Reedshine?” Frecklewish asked the ginger she-cat one morning as she went inside the elders’ den. Another shrew dangled from her jaws.

Reedshine’s round ears pricked. A smile cracked on her face when she saw Frecklewish. “Is that for me?” she meowed, glancing at the shrew. “Thank you! Don’t tell Darkstar, but I think I’m actually starting to like forest food.” She grabbed the shrew once Frecklewish set it down and began to nibble at it. “Mmm,” she purred. Then she looked up at Frecklewish. “Ahah! Is that a smile I see?”

Frecklewish felt her cheeks burn. Was I smiling!? Mouse-dung! She pursed her lips and tried to act cool. “No!- Ahem, no. I think you’re seeing things.” She pretended to act concerned. “You’re not hallucinating are you? Shall I fetch you some water?”

Reedshine snorted. “You goober. I caught you smiling, and you know it.” She wiped bits of food off her face slowly, her eyes halfway shut. Frecklewish felt heat rising to her face again as she watched. “So, are you back with more stories about Birchface? I especially liked the one where you fell face-first in the river.” She giggled.

Is she poking fun at me? Frecklewish thought. Surprisingly, she didn’t mind so much; Reedshine’s fun-loving nature made the world outside feel a bit less scary. “Actually… I want to know a bit more about you and your family.” She took a deep breath, and was aware of Reedshine watching her intently. She worried to ask this, and even more worried to hear her answer; she was afraid it would wreck the sweet little friendship the two had built. “Appledusk was your mate, I know that. But he did so many terrible things, not just to Birchface but to you as well. Why did you choose to stay?”

Reedshine narrowed her eyes, suddenly defensive. “He’s made mistakes, certainly, but I think you’re taking it a bit far.” She met Frecklewish’s eyes with a challenging glare. “I wasn’t happy to hear that he was getting comfy with another she-cat behind my back. And I certainly wasn’t pleased when she showed up in our camp. But I’m not willing to throw our entire relationship away just because of that.”

Hearing the ginger she-cat defend Appledusk with such certainty, even after he betrayed her… Frecklewish heard her own thoughts being reflected back at her.

“You loved him too much to ever hate him. And you were willing to justify his terrible actions because of all you’d been through together?”

Reedshine blinked. There was shock in her blue eyes. “I- I suppose so,” she finally managed to mumble. “He wasn’t a bad cat, Frecklewish. He might’ve done bad things, but he…” She trailed off and turned away, curling her tail tighter around her midsection.

“But you’re still defending him, even after he’s gone.” Frecklewish sat, her head tilted. “You don’t have to justify his actions anymore.”

“Of course I do!” Reedshine exclaimed. “He saved my life, Frecklewish!”

“He cheated on you, and you still love him,” Frecklewish said quietly. “You gave him everything, while he did whatever he wanted. You were far too good for him, Reedshine.”

Reedshine fell silent, deep in thought. Frecklewish trembled; had she gone too far? Had she assumed too much? For what she knew, Appledusk was a cheater and a murderer, but that’s certainly not what Reedshine saw. It was painful to hear how much she loved him, blinded to how he treated her. Frecklewish felt her heart ache when she remembered her own attachment to Mapleshade, even when she glared at her or told her to leave her alone. Even after the betrayal, part of her wanted her friend back, despite it all being a ruse.

Was this the same thing?

“Pssst… Frecklewish!” Frecklewish heard Deerdapple hiss from outside. “Might want to hurry up. Oakstar’s looking for you!”

Frecklewish got up, quickly scooping up the shrew’s remains. “Just… think about that, okay?” She meowed. Reedshine didn’t respond, to her dismay. Fear flashed in Frecklewish’s mind. Did I make her upset?

“Frecklewish!” Deerdapple said again, sounding desperate now.

Frecklewish sighed. Not wanting to get her friend in trouble, she left Reedshine alone with her thoughts.

Chapter Text

Reedshine watched Frecklewish go, her mind buzzing. She was already aware that Frecklewish didn’t like her former mate – her fond memories of her brother proved that – but she seemed to perfectly understand how Reedshine felt about Appledusk. In fact, she managed to repeat thoughts so deeply lodged in Reedshine’s brain that she didn’t even know they were there.

Appledusk… he cared about me. Reedshine thought. I’m sure of it. 

Frecklewish believed otherwise, and it made Reedshine think. How many times had she sought out Appledusk at gatherings, even after they became official? How many times did he look for her? A startling flicker of rage poisoned Reedshine’s mind; had he been looking for Mapleshade instead?

No… no! If he wanted Mapleshade more than me, he would’ve accepted her when she arrived in RiverClan. And he didn’t. Reedshine swished her tail in aggravation.

Was that really because of you? a forbidden voice whispered in her ear. Or was it for himself? Darkstar would’ve kicked him out if he stood with a ThunderClan she-cat over his own mate.

Reedshine’s lip quivered as she tried to recall his exact words. He said he made a mistake. And he did! He apologized! Not to the clan, but to me. And then he saved me! He gave his life for me!

She shook her head. Did that make it all okay? Should she excuse Appledusk’s terrible disloyalty and carelessness because of how he tried to fix it? Had she let him off too easy?

Reedshine couldn’t say.

She glanced at her stomach, thinking about her unborn kits. Reedshine hadn’t told Frecklewish about them yet, purely out of fear. Would Frecklewish be angry that they were ever conceived? Would she be angry at her? Reedshine curled up tighter, and suddenly a wave of homesickness washed over her. Her heart ached for her clanmates, for Perchpaw… for Appledusk. Not the Appledusk who cheated on her, nor the Appledusk who didn’t care, but the real Appledusk, the one she thought she knew so well.

From outside, Reedshine heard a flurry of distressed yowls. Her ears pricking up immediately, Reedshine hurried over to the entrance. Slowly, she poked her head outside, eyes flickering back and forth across the camp. The current guard, a black-and-silver tabby, shot her a sideways glance. Reedshine made eye contact with her, and the tabby shrugged and turned away, more concerned with whatever was happening. Reedshine was momentarily confused, but also grateful for her prison guard’s lack of duty.

Many of the ThunderClan cats she didn’t recognize, and the ones she did were mostly only by name. She saw Oakstar emerge from his den, looking concerned. A light brown tabby was right on his heels. Near the camp’s entrance, cats were gathered.

“Out of the way!” Oakstar commanded, and the group parted immediately. Reedshine gasped when a distraught group of three cats were revealed. One, a gray tabby, was bleeding heavily from various wounds. His companion, a brown-and-white tom, had one of his forepaws wrapped under his chest, supporting him, while the third, a light brown she-cat, let him lean on her shoulder. She appeared to have a torn ear.

“Fallowsong!” The light brown tabby exclaimed, darting forward to where the other she-cat stood. “What happened?”

Fallowsong gritted her teeth in pain. “We were hunting over near the Owl Tree when we were ambushed. At first I couldn’t tell who attacked us, but…” She trailed off, turning to the injured gray tabby with pity in her eyes.

“It was Mapleshade,” the brown tom hissed. “She called us a pack of disloyal fox-hearts before she attacked Bloomheart. I- I thought she was going to kill him.” He pressed momentarily against the gray tom, Bloomheart, for comfort.

Reedshine gasped. Mapleshade was here? In ThunderClan territory? Was she looking for Frecklewish?

Bloomheart breathed heavily. “She… said it was my fault. She blamed me… for not having her back. And then…” He shuddered and coughed, blood dribbling down his chin. “I knew she was different now, but I thought… thought we would still have some connection. Mapleshade was my apprentice, I thought… I thought I knew her…” He slumped over, sending Oakstar into a panic.

“We need a medicine cat!” He turned to his clanmates. “Does anyone know anything about herbs?”

“Calm down, Oakstar,” a brown tabby tom – Beetail, if Reedshine remembered correctly – said to his leader. “Perhaps we should send someone to WindClan or ShadowClan for help.”

“Yes- Yes!” Oakstar stammered. He turned to the crowd of warriors gathered nearby. “Thrushtalon and Mistpelt, run to WindClan camp and find Larkwing. Hurry!” The two warriors nodded, racing out the camp entrance. Fallowsong and the brown tom helped guide Bloomheart slowly to the medicine den, where a gray elder that resembled the injured warrior waited anxiously.

Reedshine saw Frecklewish pad up to her father, looking clearly displeased. “See? Reedshine was right; Mapleshade is still an issue! It wasn’t RiverClan at all!”

Oakstar’s only reply was a grumble. He turned away from her and hopped up on the Highrock. He had no need to give the meeting call; the whole clan was already gathered below, curiously awaiting whatever he had to say.

The silver-and-black tabby stood up. “I feel like this is something we should attend.” She glanced at Reedshine. “If Oakstar asks, I wasn’t the one who let you leave, alright?” Reedshine nodded, and the tabby bounded into the crowd. Reedshine followed her, searching for Frecklewish. She spotted her not too far away, and ran to her side. Frecklewish cast her a smile before turning back to Oakstar.

“As you all know, Bloomheart, Seedpelt, and Fallowsong were recently attacked by Mapleshade,” he began. “Despite acting alone, Mapleshade was clearly able to do devastating damage. We can only hope WindClan agrees to send their medicine cat over, otherwise Bloomheart’s life is in the paws of StarClan.”

“Aren’t you going to take responsibility for this?” the brown tom, Seedpelt, hissed. He walked towards the meeting from the medicine den, his short fur fluffed out in anger. “You didn’t take the RiverClan she-cat’s warning seriously, and now my mate has to pay the price!”

Another family torn by Mapleshade’s claws, Reedshine thought, a sick feeling in her stomach. This was exactly what she was trying to prevent.

“I think you owe us all an apology, Oakstar,” Beetail meowed, a cold confidence in his tone. “Reedshine especially.”

Oakstar narrowed his eyes and flicked his tail, clearly displeased at being in the wrong. “ Perhaps I was too quick to try to defend us from the RiverClan threat. I was blinded by my loyalty to ThunderClan, and assumed that Mapleshade’s loyalty was also too strong for her to ever consider attacking her former clan. In that respect, I was mistaken. Reedshine is no longer our prisoner, and she will no longer be treated like one by anyone.”

Reedshine scoffed. Oakstar’s apology was one of the most pathetic she’d heard, but she wouldn’t mind not being stuck in the elders’ den anymore.

Maybe that means I can spend more time with Frecklewish, she thought, glancing at the golden she-cat. She smiled. That’s not so bad.

“What are we going to do about Mapleshade?” Fallowsong asked nervously. “And how are we going to patrol with her on the loose?”

Oakstar didn’t reply right away, and Reedshine saw a ripple of uncertainty cross his face. “For now, we must be on high alert. No cat will leave camp alone, apprentices especially. Hunting patrols will be accompanied by at least one guard. And patrols will only go out during the day.” He shot a meaningful stare at Frecklewish, and Reedshine saw her tense up. Her whiskers twitched; what was Oakstar referring to? 

“Meeting dismissed.” Oakstar hopped off the Highrock and slipped directly into his den – a repeating pattern, Reedshine noticed – without so much as a word to his startled clanmates.

Reedshine shook her head; she had more important things to worry about than a grouchy ThunderClan leader. She turned to Frecklewish. “Mapleshade is here?”

Frecklewish drew in a shaky breath. “I- I guess so. And she’s not only going after me.”

Reedshine stared up at her with large blue eyes. “That’s exactly what I was afraid of! Mapleshade… She’s gone absolutely crazy! Oh, her rampage is only beginning. She’s going to hurt everyone in the forest, Frecklewish! And it’s all-”

Frecklewish gripped her by the shoulders and shook her gently. “Hey! Calm down, alright?” She let her go, and Reedshine gave a slow nod. “At least my dad doesn’t have his head up his own ass anymore. He’ll figure something out.”

“And… what if he doesn’t?” Reedshine trembled. “Frecklewish what if Mapleshade…” She trailed off. Reedshine had only known this she-cat for a few days now, and even thinking of harm coming to her made her blood run cold.

“Don’t worry, Reedshine,” Frecklewish meowed. She seemed confident, but Reedshine could sense the slight tremor behind her tone. “I can take Mapleshade in a fight.” Her gaze became distant, and Reedshine really hoped she meant that.

Reedshine rested her paw on Frecklewish’s. Frecklewish blinked in surprise, and their eyes met. “Please be careful?” Reedshine asked in an uncertain voice. “It’s just that… well, I’d feel a lot better if you stayed in camp, where it's safe.”

The two she-cats held an anxious silence for a moment. Reedshine’s heart pounded; what if Frecklewish said no? She suddenly felt sick and wrapped her tail around her stomach. No, she thought, she can’t. I won’t let her. I won’t lose anyone like that again.  

Finally, Frecklewish sighed. “I guess if you want me to,” she said, “I can stay close.” Her ear twitched. “And hey, who knows, maybe I’ll actually come to enjoy your fish-breath.”

Reedshine sniffled. An overwhelming relief made her heart burn. “What? Is that Frecklewish making a joke?” she mumbled. Her vision blurred with tears. Without thinking, she flew forward and wrapped her arms around her companion. She felt Frecklewish pull back temporarily in shock before leaning into the hug, placing one of her forepaws comfortingly on Reedshine’s head.

“And you’re getting all emotional on me?” Frecklewish said softly. “Did I blink and we switched roles? I’m supposed to be the crybaby, remember?”

Reedshine laughed, the tears coming even faster now. She wasn’t sure why she was crying. All she knew was that she wouldn’t rather be anywhere but here. She pressed her face deeper into Frecklewish’s neck, breathing in her scent, that now seemed so familiar it was as though she’d known her all her life. “I won’t let anything ever happen to you, Frecklewish,” she whispered. The golden she-cat didn’t reply, but Reedshine didn’t mind.

With her whole heart, Reedshine meant it.

Chapter Text

As per Reedshine’s request, Frecklewish stayed around camp for the next couple days. When her new friend first suggested this idea, Frecklewish expected the days to drag on painfully like they had when Oakstar confined her to camp. To her surprise, she found the simple mundanity rather charming. Of course, there was still the threat that Mapleshade posed, but the camp felt safe. And Frecklewish finally had a chance to just be around Reedshine without having to sneak by Deerdapple.

It was strange. Frecklewish should hate Reedshine, and vice versa. They were from different clans. Warring clans. And the things Appledusk had done, Frecklewish could never forgive.

But Reedshine wasn’t like him. She was gentle, kind, empathic, honest, and most importantly, reasonable. She reminded Frecklewish of her well-meaning brother. She smiled to herself. As if that weren’t enough, Birchface and Reedshine shared the same sense of humor: dorky nonsense.

Today was a quiet day in ThunderClan camp. There hadn’t been any news of Mapleshade since Bloomheart was attacked. (Who, by the way, was doing fine now. Larkwing came by to help patch him up, and Frecklewish saw him resting near the medicine den.) Reedshine was quickly starting to bond with the other ThunderClan cats despite Oakstar’s initial hostilities. Frecklewish watched her from across camp as she tried to coax Nettlepaw out of the apprentices’ den; she’d become close with the apprentice very quickly.

“Come on, Nettlepaw,” Reedshine meowed softly for the thousandth time. “Someone ought to check Rabbitfur for ticks.”

Nettlepaw shot her a glare. “You’re not my mentor! You’re just a RiverClan cat!”

Reedshine didn’t even sigh to Frecklewish’s surprise; she herself would’ve lost her temper ages ago. “Don’t you want to do something nice for him? He must be terribly worried for his son.”

Nettlepaw’s ears drooped. “I guess so…” He shuffled his paws. “My mother would be beside herself if something like that happened to me.”

Reedshine touched her muzzle briefly to his head. “There you are. Do you need any help with the mouse bile?”

Nettlepaw shook his head and straightened up with a proud little smile. “Nope! I can do it myself. Ravenwing showed me how!” He scampered off to the medicine den to gather everything he needed, and Frecklewish wondered – not for the first time – how Reedshine could be so amazing.

“That RiverClan cat actually isn’t so bad.” Frecklewish jumped, and Deerdapple padded up behind her.

“Oh! Oh- You think so?” Frecklewish said, trying to seem indifferent.

Deerdapple grinned. “‘Course! If she keeps this up I won’t have to deal with Nettlepaw’s complaining anymore.” The silver she-cat sat by Frecklewish’s side. Frecklewish watched Reedshine make her way across the clearing, and secretly felt very happy that her clanmates were starting to warm up to her new friend.

Deerdapple gave her a sideways look. “Y’know Frecklewish, I think that’s the first time I’ve seen you smile in forever.”

Oops. Maybe it wasn’t so secret.

Frecklewish tried to play it off. “Yeah, yeah. It- It’s nice out today. Not a lot of wind. I can’t stand wind.” Her shaky rambling probably sounded mouse-brained. Frecklewish wanted to punch herself.

Deerdapple narrowed her eyes, her gaze flickering from her to Reedshine and back. A slow smile spread across her face. “Whatever you say. Just know I’m on to you.” She held her smirk and began to back off. “Enjoy the ‘weather.’” She gave a huge, unsubtle wink and continued scooting away.

Forget punching herself ; Frecklewish could do to wipe that goofy look off Deerdapple’s face. Frecklewish noticed that Reedshine was walking towards her and she quickly tried to regain her cool composure. Deerdapple was being unhelpful by hovering in the background, eavesdropping like her life depended on it.

“That Nettlepaw is so sweet!” Reedshine purred. Frecklewish immediately felt her heart beat faster as the ginger she-cat trotted closer. She settled comfortably at Frecklewish’s side, her tail just brushing against her flank. “He reminds me of Perchpaw. Actually, I bet they’d be good friends, if they were part of the same clan.”

Frecklewish struggled to find her words. What in StarClan is wrong with me? she thought. We’ve been around each other for days and now for some reason… She finally managed to stammer, “Who’s Perchpaw?”

Reedshine said, “He’s Appledusk’s apprentice! Or, well, he was.” She sighed. “Perchpaw lost his parents when he was a younger apprentice, and the three of us… we were like family. We were family.” She looked down at her paws. “He’s probably got a new mentor now. I hope they’re getting along.”

Frecklewish looked down at her. “You miss him, don’t you?”

Reedshine nodded. “I do. And I still feel awful for leaving him behind so quickly after Appledusk’s death. Maybe he would feel a little better if his new mentor was someone who understood.” She curled her tail more tightly around her stomach. “Not that I could’ve…” She cut herself off and cleared her throat, leaving Frecklewish momentarily confused. “I just miss them. But I’m happy here! Your clanmates are actually really nice. Most of them, anyway.”

Frecklewish followed Reedshine’s gaze to where Mistpelt and Dawnfeather were sharing prey. The two she-cats noticed them staring, and Mistpelt bared her teeth. They quickly moved along, shooting uninviting looks over their shoulders. Reedshine shrunk away.

Frecklewish draped her tail over Reedshine’s back, completely forgetting her nerves. “You miss your clan, don’t you? More than you’re telling me?” She paused. “You miss… Appledusk?”

Reedshine looked away. Her silence said enough for Frecklewish. “You know, you’re not a prisoner here anymore. Oakstar said so himself, technically. If you want to go home, I can escort you to- to the border.” Her voice broke; she wanted Reedshine to be happy, but if that meant never being close with her again…

“I still want to stay.” Reedshine turned back to face Frecklewish. “I can’t go. I came here to make sure the clans are safe from Mapleshade, and I don’t think they are yet.”

Frecklewish held her gaze for a moment, staring deep into her swirling blue eyes. She softly brushed her forehead with her muzzle. Reedshine’s oily fur tickled her nose. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You’ve already done more than enough for ThunderClan. You’re a hero, Reedshine.”

Reedshine relaxed, defeated, and leaned subtly into Frecklewish. “What kind of hero would I be if I left halfway through?”

“Am I interrupting something?” Beetail appeared practically out of nowhere. Both Reedshine and Frecklewish realized how close they were to each other. Cheeks burning, Frecklewish leapt away.

“Of course not!” she shouted, flustered. “What could you possibly be interrupting?”

A couple of cats turned to stare (namely Deerdapple StarClan damn it ) and Beetail cleared his throat. “Oakstar just wanted me to let you know that there’s a gathering later this evening.” He turned to Reedshine. “You’re allowed to come and speak with your clanmates. Oakstar has requested that you stay with ThunderClan until then, so he can sort everything out with Darkstar.” Reedshine blinked a few times in surprise, then nodded. Beetail dipped his head respectfully before bounding away.

Reedshine whipped around to face Frecklewish. “I didn’t know the Gathering was tonight! I guess I have been here a while, huh?” Frecklewish could see the excitement bubbling on her face. “I get to see my clanmates again! Hopefully Perchpaw’s getting along fine.”

Frecklewish smiled at the ginger she-cat’s expression, though deep down she felt heavy. Reedshine really wanted to return home sooner rather than later, and neither of them seemed to want to address it.

Possibly being separated from Reedshine already made her heart ache.

“Do you think Mapleshade’s been to any of the other clans’ territories?” Frecklewish asked, steering the conversation away from Reedshine’s likely departure.

Reedshine’s eyes widened. “I hadn’t thought about that,” she said. “She must’ve passed through WindClan territory at some point, if she traveled to Highstones.” She gasped. “What if she went back to RiverClan? What if she went after Perchpaw?”

Frecklewish gave her another quick, reassuring hug. “Don’t worry, Reedshine. I’m sure he’s alright. Tell you what; as soon as we get to the Gathering, we can go find him. We can find out how your clan’s been.”

~ 🏵 🏶 🏵 ~

Frecklewish shivered as a gust of wind tugged at her fur. Leaf-fall was on its way, something she hardly noticed when the sun was out. The sky was cloudy tonight, but not so much that the full moon was hidden. Ahead of her, the rest of ThunderClan traveled in a large pack, like ants along a tree trunk. Frecklewish was walking with Reedshine, and they brought up the rear.

Reedshine was huffing and puffing from exhaustion already, and they were only halfway there. “Sorry,” she panted. “I’m not usually this tired.”

Frecklewish paused to help her over a large branch. “Don’t worry about it,” she said. “We’ve got plenty of time.” Reedshine smiled, relieved, and they continued together.

Soon, Fourtrees came into view. Frecklewish had to pause in awe; cats from all four clans were gravitating towards the clearing, where the moon shone down, bright as ever. Swallowing nervously, she made her way closer. Reedshine was right by her side.

They pushed through the ferns and entered the hollow. Frecklewish first noticed the Great Rock, which appeared to be glowing in the beams of moonlight. Oakstar scrambled up with a bit of difficulty, taking his place beside Houndstar of ShadowClan and Darkstar of RiverClan. Even from far away, Frecklewish could see the RiverClan leader shooting Oakstar a glare.

“Oh look- my clanmates are already here!” Reedshine exclaimed, her round ears pricking. She brushed her tail along Frecklewish’s flank. “Come on! We have to find Perchpaw. Oh, I do hope he’s alright.” Frecklewish scrambled to keep up with her, bumping against ShadowClan cats as she ran. She kept getting annoyed looks from them, and she avoided their gazes. Frecklewish could hardly keep track of Reedshine’s ginger fur in the sea of pelts.

“Milkfur probably won’t be here, since she’s still in the nursery,” Reedshine was rambling. “No doubt Echosnout and Cloudberry are already with the other medicine cats. Maybe we’ll see Eeltail and Splashfoot! I’ve been friends with them for a while, and they’re really-” She cut herself off with a gasp. “Perchpaw!”

A gray tom, who was rather large for an apprentice, looked up. His jaw fell open when he realized who was calling him. “Reedshine!” he cried, leaping to his paws and nearly bowling her over.

Reedshine laughed. “Easy there, tiger!” she purred. 

The apprentice, Perchpaw, buried his muzzle into Reedshine’s fur. “Reedshine I’ve missed you so bad!” he said, his voice muffled. He finally pulled away, still beaming. His smile was so wide that it was almost too big for his face, and Frecklewish couldn’t help but smile back at his unbridled joy. “Are you okay? StarClan help me, if those ThunderClan cats hurt you-”

“No!- No, I’m alright,” Reedshine said quickly. “Actually, it's quite the opposite. Frecklewish here helped patch up my wounds.” She moved aside so Perchpaw could see her.

Perchpaw’s shift in mood, tone… all of it, was instant. His face fell slightly and his whiskers twitched with disdain. “Oh,” he said. Frecklewish kneaded the dirt with a forepaw awkwardly. “Hey. I didn’t see you.” He narrowed his eyes. “So are you and Reedshine, like… acquaintances?”

“Uh-” Frecklewish stammered.

“You mean friends? Absolutely!” Reedshine hurried to stand next to Frecklewish, and some of her nerves faded. “She’s been keeping me company while I was stuck in ThunderClan.”

“ Stuck in ThunderClan?” Perchpaw gaped in disbelief. “Are you saying ThunderClan is keeping you prisoner? ” He glared at Frecklewish, and Frecklewish felt her skin crawl with discomfort. Was this how Reedshine felt in ThunderClan camp, with so many unfamiliar cats constantly judging her?

No wonder she misses her home, Frecklewish thought.

“Not anymore. Technically.” Reedshine cleared her throat. “I’m staying with them until after the Gathering. And besides, Frecklewish wasn’t the one who made me a prisoner.”

Perchpaw wasn’t convinced. “I don’t know, Reedshine. I’m really worried about you. What about your-”

“Cats of all clans!” Houndstar’s booming voice silenced whatever Perchpaw was about to say. Frecklewish turned to the Great Rock, and saw that Heatherstar of WindClan was finally here. The cats began to draw closer; the Gathering was starting.

Perchpaw leaned forward to give Reedshine one more hug. “I’m going to go closer so I can hear.” Reedshine nodded, and he stepped back. “Promise you’ll be careful?”

Reedshine licked his head. “Always.”

Perchpaw shot one more sideways glance at Frecklewish. “Come home safe, Reedshine,” he said, before disappearing into the crowd.

Reedshine’s shoulders sagged, and she leaned against Frecklewish. Frecklewish curled her tail around her hindquarters in comfort. She knew what Reedshine was thinking; Perchpaw hadn’t been as open to meeting Frecklewish as she’d thought. Frecklewish made a mental note to talk to her about it later, but now wasn’t the time. An immediate hush fell over the clearing, interrupted only by a cough or a far-off owl. Houndstar began to speak.

“Prey has been running well in ShadowClan. We have two new apprentices-”

“Well, if that’s how this is going to go, I might as well address the badger in the den,” Darkstar interrupted him. Her fur was spiking along her back and her ears were pinned to her head. Houndstar stared at her in disbelief, and some angry shouts came from the ShadowClan warriors. Darkstar continued. “Cats of the forest! Oakstar has broken the warrior code, putting one of our queens in danger!”

Gasps of shock echoed through the clearing. Frecklewish’s heart stopped. One of their queens? She looked over at Reedshine, who was trying to make herself look small. Her blue eyes were as round as the moon above, fixed directly at the ground. Frecklewish’s head spun as she tried to get a grasp on the situation.

Reedshine was expecting kits? 

“Darkstar, that is utterly ridiculous,” Oakstar protested. “We’ve done no such-”

“It started when Appledusk, Perchpaw, and Reedshine were attacked by Mapleshade, a disgraced former ThunderClan warrior.” Darkstar talked right over him, and the disgruntled cats below fell quiet again. Frecklewish struggled to steady her breathing. “She was driven off, but at the cost of Appledusk’s life. Perchpaw returned to camp with the news, but Reedshine did not.” Darkstar straightened up to her full height. “Because she was kidnapped.”

“Nonsense!” Oakstar snapped. “Reedshine came to us of her own accord. She wanted to warn us about the threat Mapleshade posed. Which, by the way, you didn’t care to do.”

“She was your warrior!” Darkstar snapped. “You should’ve known she was violent. Maybe if you hadn’t been so ignorant, Appledusk would still be alive.”

Oakstar puffed up. “You are not the only one who’s suffered. Mapleshade attacked one of our warriors and killed our medicine cat!”

Darkstar sniffed. “Perhaps you deserve it, for not keeping a better grip on who your warriors have kits with! Appledusk was a perfectly loyal warrior until one of your cats tried to twist his loyalty!”

“Appledusk was just as guilty as Mapleshade!” Oakstar spat.

The crowd erupted with noise. RiverClan and ThunderClan cats screamed at each other in rage, and Frecklewish even heard some of her clanmates say things like “Good riddance to Appledusk!” Her heart stung as she worried if Reedshine could hear them.

Reedshine still hadn’t looked up from the ground, and Frecklewish didn’t know what to do. She’d been expecting kits this whole time, and she hadn’t told her. Who was the father? Appledusk? Stupid question, she thought. From the way Reedshine had talked about him, Frecklewish felt like a mouse-brain for not figuring it out sooner. Why’d she keep it a secret?

Because she doesn’t trust you. Frecklewish quivered. Mapleshade’s banishment flashed quickly through her mind. And maybe you don’t deserve her trust.

“Enough!” Heatherstar shouted. Her voice was lost among the other screeches. With a visible sigh, she turned to Houndstar and poked his shoulder with her forepaw. Houndstar nodded, taking a deep breath and letting out a yowl loud enough to shake the entire forest. At last, the arguing and shouting subsided, leaving only an awkward silence.

“Great StarClan,” Houndstar grumbled, his voice hoarse.

“Thank you, Houndstar,” Heatherstar said before addressing the crowd. “ThunderClan and RiverClan squabbles are not important right now. You both spoke of trouble with Mapleshade, yes?” Darkstar and Oakstar nodded. “You aren’t the only ones. She’s been on WindClan territory, stealing prey and attacking our patrols without reason.”

“It’s true,” a patchy-furred WindClan tom shouted. “We can hardly move around our own territory anymore!”

Heatherstar nodded. “Exactly. She’s already killed a medicine cat and a warrior, as well as attacked an apprentice and a queen. Mapleshade is a dangerous cat, and we need to deal with her accordingly. Perhaps we could band together, and figure out a way to stop her.”

Oakstar and Darkstar regarded each other with suspicious looks, but Houndstar stepped in. “I agree with Heatherstar. ShadowClan has yet to encounter Mapleshade, but it’s very likely that we could be next. Besides, an outside threat to the clans is an outside threat to all clans.”

Oakstar and Darkstar still didn’t speak. With a sigh, Heatherstar added, “I propose we each send a small patrol of warriors here tomorrow evening. Together, they can brainstorm ideas on how to deal with this Mapleshade problem, and report back to their leaders. And for StarClan’s sake, don’t tear each other’s throats while you're there!”

Darkstar sighed. “Fine. I suppose I can work with Oakstar, if it means taking out a common enemy. On one condition: you let Reedshine come home.”

“Done,” Oakstar said. “She’s free to go.” He gestured to where Reedshine was pressed against Frecklewish. “She’s actually here right now, if you’d like to speak with her before you both go.”

Darkstar nodded. “So this meeting is adjourned?”

Heatherstar nodded. “This meeting is adjourned.” She hopped down off the Great Rock, gesturing with her tail for her clan to follow. Houndstar wasn’t far behind, and soon the clans were heading home.

Reedshine got to her paws without a word. Frecklewish felt her breath catch in her throat. “Reedshine…” Her mouth felt dry. There were so many words, so many questions she had for her, so many things to tell her… but she couldn’t cough anything up.

Reedshine avoided her gaze. “I’m sorry, Frecklewish. I’m so, so sorry.”

Frecklewish wanted to tell her not to apologize, but she was still at a loss for words. “I- You-” She drew in a shuddery breath. “You’re leaving?”

Reedshine didn’t answer. Frecklewish felt as though her heart had been torn in two. She knew this was coming, she knew Reedshine would leave eventually, but she hadn’t expected this. This wasn’t how she expected it to end. The abruptness, the… betrayal? Frecklewish didn’t feel betrayed, at least, not by anyone but herself. Reedshine didn’t feel safe with her. She didn’t feel safe enough to tell her about the children she was carrying, for fucks sake. Were they even close at all? Was it another illusion?

“Are you ever coming back?” Frecklewish managed to choke. 

Reedshine turned away. She looked so defeated, so upset. Frecklewish wanted to run to hug her, to tell her it was alright, but her paws felt fixed to the dirt. There was nothing she could do. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Without a word, Reedshine walked away, to where Darkstar was surely waiting for her.

Chapter Text

Reedshine trudged alongside her leader. Her paws felt as heavy as stones. Up ahead, she could see her clanmates slipping back into RiverClan camp, a place she hadn’t seen in days. Darkstar was talking to her, something about how the clan had been faring without her, but Reedshine wasn’t listening. Her head ached as she tried to sort out her thoughts from the previous night.

Frecklewish found out. She found out in the worst possible way. The reality was that Reedshine lied to her. She hid the truth about her kits from her. How could Frecklewish ever forgive that?

It’s just that Reedshine was terrified. She planned to tell her eventually, after Frecklewish started warming up to the idea of Appledusk being a good cat. But every time Reedshine told her about how she fell in love with him, how they spent all their time together, how they loved each other, Frecklewish changed the subject. She even outright challenged the way Reedshine thought about him, and now Reedshine wasn’t even sure if he was a good cat anymore.

She should’ve just told her. Every day she kept it hidden, Reedshine felt more and more anxious. And now she was paying the price for her mistrust.

Darkstar swam across the water and into RiverClan camp, Reedshine following right behind. She had a brief moment of relief, realizing how much she missed swimming, before returning to land. Cats turned to stare for a moment before eagerly leaping to their paws, swarming Reedshine and bombarding her with questions. Darkstar smiled and touched her tail to Reedshine’s shoulder, a rare gesture of affection from the stoic she-cat. “Welcome home, Reedshine,” she said, before leaving for the leader’s den.

Reedshine should feel this weight lifted off her chest. Darkstar was right; she was home at last.

But it didn’t feel like it.

“Reedshine, thank StarClan you’re alright!” Eeltail purred.

“What was it like in ThunderClan camp?” Spiketail asked. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”

“Did you have to eat forest food?” Rainfall asked, his eyes wide. “What was it like? Was it gross?”

“Alright, alright, everyone, give her some space,” Echosnout said, shooing cats away. “Let’s not overwhelm the poor thing, hmm?” Her clanmates moved back a few steps, and Reedshine could see Perchpaw with a huge grin on his face. “Now,” Echosnout continued, “why don’t you tell us all what ThunderClan was like?”

With all these eyes on her, Reedshine couldn’t muster up anything to say. What was ThunderClan like? How could she describe it? It was terrible, strange… but surprisingly, a little bit wonderful. Her heart sank as she realized that wonder was quite possibly gone for good. “I… I’m sorry, I think I just need some rest right now.” She put her head down and shouldered past a confused Perchpaw, making a beeline for the nursery. Milkfur and Milkkit were already in there, both fast asleep. Reedshine was grateful; she wasn’t sure if she could handle any more questions right now. She curled up in her nest and pressed her nose into the moss, breathing in the familiar scents of RiverClan.

Familiar, but not quite comforting.

She wanted Frecklewish. She wanted her to trust her again. Fuck it – Reedshine wanted to stay with Frecklewish for the rest of her life, in a perfect world where their loved ones were alive and happy, so they could raise Reedshine’s kits side by side.

This feeling was one she recognized, a muddle of honey and earth and spice and mud, but Reedshine couldn’t name it.

“Uhh- Reedshine?” Reedshine lifted her head weakly. Cloudberry, Echosnout’s quiet and respectful apprentice, was waiting at the nursery’s entrance.

“If you’re here to ask me about my time in ThunderClan, I don’t want to hear it,” Reedshine retorted. She caught herself, then sighed. “Sorry, Cloudberry, I’m just…”

“Tired?” Cloudberry finished for her. She smiled. “No need to apologize, I get it. I just thought I’d check on you before letting you rest.” She picked up a bundle of herbs that was sitting at her paws and wove carefully around Milkfur. Reedshine turned to face her, and Cloudberry sat down. “How have you been feeling?”

“Exhausted…” Reedshine mumbled. She was feeling a lot of things, but she figured Cloudberry meant physically.

Cloudberry nodded. “That should ebb with a bit of rest. What about your injuries? Perchpaw told me you were attacked before you left.”

Reedshine reached up to touch the scratch above her eye. It stung a little upon contant, but otherwise Reedshine had forgotten about it. “It hasn’t really been bothering me.”

Cloudberry let out a little hum, inspecting the old wound for herself. “It actually doesn’t look too bad.” She started picking out the cobwebs from her herb bunch. “I’m surprised. Without Ravenwing, I thought ThunderClan was without a medicine cat. Did they find someone new for the role?” Reedshine shook her head, and Cloudberry looked confused. “Who cleaned your wound then?”

Frecklewish did, Reedshine thought. The memory stung more than her injuries did. “One of their warriors,” she replied simply.

Cloudberry hummed again, chewing up an herb that Reedshine didn’t recognize. She dabbed a bit of the poultice onto the half-healed cut, covering it with cobweb. “There you go. That should keep it from getting infected.” She scooped up the rest of her supplies.

“Thanks, Cloudberry,” Reedshine meowed, resting her head on her paws.

Cloudberry smiled. “Just doing my job,” she said with another smile. “Oh- and one last thing. Perchpaw asked me to tell you that he’s worried about you. He wants to talk with you as soon as you’re ready.”

Reedshine’s heart felt heavy. She was glad to see Perchpaw, and she wanted to spend time with him again… but what could she say to him? He still held a deep hatred for ThunderClan, and for Frecklewish. Reedshine wasn’t sure how to tell him Frecklewish wasn’t the villain here. She wasn’t sure how to tell him that maybe… maybe it was Reedshine who betrayed her .

“Tell him I’m okay,” Reedshine said. “And tell him… tell him I’m sorry.”

Cloudberry nodded. “I will. Get some rest, Reedshine.” She turned and disappeared into camp, and Reedshine closed her eyes, ready to be met with dreams of a spotted golden she-cat.

~ 🏵 🏶 🏵 ~

Frecklewish walked back to camp with a heavy heart. The events of the Gathering still plagued her mind with uncertainty, anxiety, and disbelief. She knew Reedshine was going to leave eventually, and return to her home in RiverClan. She knew it was going to hurt when that happened but… great StarClan, she felt like her heart had been severed in two.

It was her fault. She made Reedshine feel like she couldn’t be trusted. Because she couldn’t. Frecklewish hadn’t forgiven Appledusk’s actions. She’d forced Reedshine into hiding. If she’d just accepted that he made a mistake, Reedshine would’ve told her about her kits, and everything would be alright.

Except it wasn’t that easy. Frecklewish would never betray Birchface’s name like that. Especially not for Appledusk.

But for Reedshine…

That wasn’t the half of it. The last time someone hid their kits’ identity, Frecklewish lashed out. Those words played through her mind, and this time she saw the terrified faces of the kits staring back at her. She could see Appledusk reflected in Patchkit’s round green eyes. Frecklewish gritted her teeth, forcing the memory away. She couldn’t even recall if she’d told Reedshine about this, about how she traumatized those kits only hours before they died.

Reedshine was right to be afraid.

Frecklewish followed her clanmates through the bramble tunnel and into ThunderClan camp. It was quiet; most of the clan had gone to the Gathering, and the ones who stayed behind had nothing to be loud about. She spotted Rabbitfur nestled near the medicine den, his tail curled protectively around his son. Frecklewish immediately thought of Reedshine, and how distraught she was after the attack. She couldn’t help but wonder if she was doing alright in RiverClan, then shook her head.

Of course she’s alright, she told herself. She’s back with her clanmates, with cats who won’t judge her or send her mean looks. She and her kits will be safe there, away from me. Away from those who’ll deceive her.

“Frecklewish!” An excited Deerdapple emerged from the warriors den, her tail raised in curiosity. “How did the meeting go?” She paused, tilting her head. “Where’s Reedshine?”

Frecklewish stopped. “She left, Deerdapple.”

Deerdapple tilted her head. “Well- why? She seemed pretty happy here. And I thought Oakstar said-”

“She was not happy here!” Frecklewish retorted. “Were you even paying attention? Nobody really wanted her around.”

Deerdapple replied, “But you wanted her around. I saw it; you were closer than two bees in a hive. What’s going on? What aren’t you telling me?”

Frecklewish let out a hiss of frustration. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have. “You don’t understand! Reedshine was carrying Appledusk’s kits all along.”

Deerdapple recoiled in shock. “She was pregnant?” she asked.

I just said that, dumbass! Frecklewish hardly bit back the words. Exhaustion was creeping in, threatening to snap her already fragile temper. “Yes. Yes, she was. And she didn’t feel safe enough to tell me.” She shoved past her, heading for the warriors’ den. Deerdapple was persistent.

“You say that like it was your fault,” she said. “Reedshine was in an unfamiliar place, with some cats who hated her clans’ guts.”

Frecklewish spun around with another hiss, her claws springing out and sinking into the dirt. “I wasn’t just ‘some cat’ to her, Deerdapple. At least, that’s what I thought. I thought we had a connection. But no – Reedshine was afraid of me, of what I would think of her kits. She hid the truth from me. They always do. And maybe they have a reason to be afraid!”

“What in StarClan’s name is going on here?” Oakstar appeared seemingly out of nowhere, his brown fur fluffing up to twice his size. Frecklewish stopped, realizing that she lashed out yet again. She sheathed her claws, breathing heavily.

“I- I-” she stammered.

“I’m sorry, Oakstar.” Deerdapple straightened up from where she’d been crouching in fear. “I provoked her. I was asking about the Gathering, and, well… I guess I was being a bit too invasive.” She dipped her head in Frecklewish’s direction before slinking past and into the warriors’ den. Frecklewish watched her go, guilt taking hold in her stomach.

Why am I like this? she thought helplessly. Why do I always lose it?

Oakstar was still fuming, the stress of the Gathering clearly taking a toll on him as well. “Frecklewish, for StarClan’s sake, infighting is not what we need right now! I’ve already had to deal with Darkstar’s insufferable actions; I don’t want to deal with you acting like a kit!”

Frecklewish slumped, defeated. There was no point in yelling at her father. She’d caused more than enough damage already. Without a word, she followed after Deerdapple into the warriors’ den and collapsed in her nest, avoiding eye contact with whomever might be awake. She wasn’t sure what she expected from her father: words of comfort, a hug, something to show he understands? She didn’t get those. He didn’t understand what Frecklewish was going through, and sometimes Frecklewish couldn’t even grasp it herself. The only cat who could do that was Reedshine, and she was gone from Frecklewish’s life for good.

StarClan, Frecklewish missed her so much, it burned.

Chapter Text

ThunderClan was bustling the following evening. Beetail was calling cats over to the Highrock, where he was surely preparing to send a patrol over to Fourtrees, and Oakstar was sitting beside him. Frecklewish reluctantly dragged herself over. She still felt like shit after the Gathering, after Reedshine left, but she figured she should still be present. Besides, her personal problems didn’t matter right now; if the clans needed her help to get rid of Mapleshade, who was she to turn away?

That sounds like something Reedshine would say, Frecklewish thought, breathing a sigh. It seemed the dark ginger she-cat was always creeping into her mind.

She sat down with her clanmates and waited for Beetail to start speaking. Deerdapple spotted her and gave her a reassuring smile, which Frecklewish returned. She was glad that Deerdapple didn’t seem hurt by her outburst yesterday.

“Cats of ThunderClan! Gather for a very important meeting,” Oakstar meowed. He nodded at his deputy, letting him take over.

Beetail returned the nod, beginning, “As Heatherstar suggested at yesterday’s Gathering, we will be meeting with the other three clans to devise a plan for dealing with Mapleshade. For those of you unaware, she’s apparently been causing problems in other territories, not just ours and RiverClan’s. Oakstar and I have discussed who will be joining me on this patrol.” The listening cats murmured excitedly for a moment. Beetail waited for them to quiet down. “Seedpelt, Frecklewish, Deerdapple, and Nettlepaw, you will come with me to Fourtrees.”

Deerdapple grinned happily, and Nettlepaw gave a little bounce of joy. Oakstar twitched his tail. “Remember, you will be representing ThunderClan. I shouldn’t have to remind you to be on your best behavior. Meeting dismissed.” He hopped down off the Highrock, Beetail at his side.

Deerdapple bounded over to Frecklewish as everyone began to disperse. “This is great!” she exclaimed. “I’ve never worked with the other clans before. Hopefully they’re not as grouchy and stubborn as they seem at Gatherings!” Frecklewish didn’t reply, so Deerdapple added, “I wonder if Reedshine will be there?”

Frecklewish felt a forbidden blossom of hope bloom in her chest, which she quickly squandered. “Probably not. She’s a queen now; she’ll be confined to the nursery.”

“Hmm.” Deerdapple gave her a gentle nudge. “I wouldn’t give up so easily.” She started towards the camp’s entrance, where Beetail was waiting. “You coming?”

“Yeah- Yeah, just give me a minute,” Frecklewish replied. As Deerdapple trotted away, she thought about what she’d said. What if Reedshine really did come to the meeting? Would she want to talk? Frecklewish tried to think of what she could say. Would Reedshine even accept an apology from her?

“Frecklewish?” Frecklewish noticed Oakstar walking towards her. “You should be on your way. You shouldn’t keep Beetail waiting.”

Frecklewish nodded. “Right- Right, sorry.” She moved past her father, but was stopped again.

“And Frecklewish?” Frecklewish turned back to him in confusion. Oakstar sighed. “I’m… sorry, for shouting at you yesterday. We’ve both been through a lot, since Birchface’s death, and I’m sorry if I put you under more stress.”

Frecklewish blinked; that might’ve been the first decent apology she’d ever heard from her stubborn father. “It’s alright. And I’m sorry too, for losing my temper.”

Oakstar pulled her close and hugged her, and Frecklewish couldn’t help but smile. They both had a lot to work on, but it was nice to have a reminder that she still had family here on her side. “I love you, Frecklewish. Please, stay safe.”

Frecklewish nodded. “I will. And… I love you too, dad.”

Oakstar smiled back at her, turning away. Frecklewish stared after him, feeling a little less lonely, and went to join the rest of the patrol. Beetail and Deerdapple were already there, and a disgruntled-looking Nettlepaw wasn’t far away. He looked cleaner than Frecklewish had ever seen the young tom. Dawnfeather was shouting a goodbye, and immediately Frecklewish knew that she was the culprit.

“If she tries to groom my fur ever again, I’m running away!” Nettlepaw announced with a grumble. He shook himself aggressively.

Deerdapple laughed. “Good luck at your warriors ceremony then. There’s no way she’s letting you do that looking like you were dragged backwards through a thornbush.” Nettlepaw stuck out his tongue at her, and Deerdapple eagerly returned the gesture.

“Is everyone ready?” Frecklewish asked Beetail.

Beetail shook his head. “Not quite. We’re just waiting on Seedpelt.” He flicked his fluffy tail towards the medicine den, where the light brown warrior was exchanging a few words with his mate. Bloomheart pressed his nose to Seedpelt’s, and Frecklewish saw him murmur something before Seedpelt joined the patrol.

“How’s Bloomheart?” Beetail asked.

Seedpelt sighed. “He said he wished he could come with us. He’s doing better now, but I’m still worried about him.” He straightened up. “Hopefully with Mapleshade gone, I won’t have anything to worry about.”

The five ThunderClan cats set off towards Fourtrees. Frecklewish was already thinking about a possible plan, and wondered how they would even manage to find Mapleshade. What if she’d moved on, and was now living her best life in a Twoleg barn or something?

As they approached the Gathering spot, Frecklewish could smell the pungent scent of ShadowClan. She saw Nettlepaw scrunch up his nose.

“Funny how the clan least affected by Mapleshade showed up first,” Seedpelt remarked. Beetail let out a hum of agreement, and the patrol quieted down as they entered the clearing.

Surprisingly, there were only two ShadowClan cats present: a very dark gray tom with a splash of white on his chest, and an orange-and-gray she-cat. The tom seemed very anxious, pacing back and forth, while his companion looked calm and almost bored. They both brightened up when they saw the ThunderClan patrol.

“See, Cedarpelt, I told you they’d be here soon,” the she-cat meowed. She tilted her head. “Greetings. I assume you’re here to discuss the Mapleshade problem?”

Beetail nodded. “Yes, we are. My name is Beetail, and this is Seedpelt, Frecklewish, Deerdapple, and her apprentice, Nettlepaw.”

“Good to meet you all. I’m Silverflame, and that nervous wreck over there is Cedarpelt, our deputy.”

Cedarpelt stopped pacing and sat down. Frecklewish was surprised that he was the deputy; he looked pretty young, and must be newly appointed. Frecklewish had been so preoccupied these past couple moons that she probably missed the announcement. “Err- good evening, ThunderClan.” He stared at them for a moment. “There’s an awful lot of you, isn’t there?” He glanced back at his own patrol, which was a bit pitiful in comparison.

Beetail nodded. “Mapleshade was a former clanmate of ours, so Oakstar and I figured a larger patrol would make sense.”

Cedarpelt blinked. “Oh- I guess- Yeah, you’re right.” He relaxed a little, and Frecklewish thought she heard Beetail chuckle quietly under his breath.

Deerdapple yawned. “RiverClan and WindClan better be here soon. I’m not waiting here all night!”

Almost as though they’d heard, WindClan began slipping through the surrounding brush. Heatherstar came first, followed by two warriors. One was the patchy-furred tom that spoke up about Mapleshade’s prey-stealing at yesterday’s Gathering.

“Heatherstar, good evening,” Beetail meowed. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”

Heatherstar shrugged. “This meeting was my idea. I figured I should help direct it.” She turned to the two WindClan toms walking up behind her. “I brought Midgepelt because he’s encountered Mapleshade on patrol before. And Swiftflight-”

“I’m here to be the voice of reason,” the pale gray tabby announced proudly. “‘Certainly ain’t gonna be this dumbass. He didn’t think to look up a tree when Mapleshade disappeared. Can you believe that?”

The other tom, Midgepelt, shot him a glare. “Oh? And yer innocent here, huh? Yer the one who told me that rabbits can’t climb trees!”

Swiftflight rolled his eyes. “Because they can’t. I didn’t know it’d been caught by someone!”

Heatherstar sighed. “He insisted on being here.”

The rest of the cats introduced themselves to each other while Midgepelt and Swiftflight continued to bicker. Soon enough, RiverClan began to arrive. Frecklewish, despite telling herself Reedshine wasn’t coming anyway, found herself looking for her. A skinny black tom appeared first, followed by a gray tabby she-cat.

Is that all? Frecklewish thought. She shook her head. I knew it. I already knew she wasn’t coming. That means I’m not disappointed.

The bushes rustled again, and a white she-cat with herbs clinging to her pelt paused to hold the leaves back. Frecklewish’s breath caught in her throat when Reedshine stepped through. She stepped into the clearing, pausing to thank the white she-cat. She looked up, and their eyes met for a brief moment. Reedshine quickly looked away, and she joined her clanmates. Frecklewish’s heart began to pound.

She was here. There was a chance.

The skinny tom was regarding the ThunderClan cats with a judgemental glare. “Look at this! ThunderClan’s brought their whole clan with them! I bet they’re going to attack us when we least expect it!”

The tabby she-cat sighed. “I knew we shouldn’t have brought Rainfall.”

The white she-cat shrugged. “Darkstar insisted on her son gaining ‘invaluable experience.’ On the bright side, he’ll make a fantastic diversion if ThunderClan really does attack us.”

Rainfall scrunched up his muzzle. “You all might be laughing now, but you won’t be later! I promise you!”

The tabby chuckled, patting him on the head. “Alright, Rainfall, alright.” She turned to the other cats. “Sorry about him. I’m Eeltail, that’s Cloudberry, and I’m sure you already know Reedshine.”

Frecklewish was hardly listening. Reedshine was right there. She wanted to run over and apologize until she ran out of breath, but she couldn’t. Not right now. Not only because they had to discuss their plan, but also because Frecklewish was absolutely terrified. 

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice Cloudberry sitting down beside her. “You’re Frecklewish, right?”

Frecklewish jumped. She settled back down and gave her chest a couple of embarrassed licks. “Umm- yes?”

Cloudberry smiled. “Ah, I thought so. Reedshine’s told me a lot about you. I understand you and her were close in ThunderClan?”

Frecklewish almost forgot to respond. Reedshine told her friends about me? she thought, butterflies coming alive in her stomach. From Cloudberry’s friendly greeting, Frecklewish felt it must’ve been good things. “I-” She glanced over at Reedshine, who looked very defeated and small huddled at Eeltail’s side. Her heart sank, and she prayed to StarClan that she could fix things with her. “I guess we used to be, yeah.”

Cloudberry nodded. “Well, thank you for taking care of her.”

Frecklewish bit her lip, feeling guilty. I didn’t really, she thought.

“Well, now that we’re all here, why don’t we begin?” Heatherstar meowed, quieting everyone down. “The evening isn’t going to last forever. Would ThunderClan like to start?”

Beetail nodded. “We need to devise a plan to catch Mapleshade off her guard. She was not only a strong but cunning warrior, and trying to attack her head-on with a massive patrol simply won’t work. We also need to draw her out into the open somehow, as so far she’s been disappearing after every one of her attacks.”

“She always shows up in our territory to steal prey,” Midgepelt said. “Maybe we could lure her out with a couple of dead rabbits!”

Swiftflight snorted. “She’s not a dog, Midgepelt. She’s gonna think it’s a lil’ suspicious that there’s a random pile of prey in the middle of nowhere. Besides, I ain’t givin’ up my lunch for an ex-ThunderClaner!”

Midgepelt scoffed. “Well, I don’t see you coming up with any brilliant ideas!”

“Oh for StarClan’s sake you two, quit acting like kits or you're sleeping in the nursery tonight!” Heatherstar snapped. “I swear, you’re making a mockery of WindClan!”

Beetail grinned. “Easy, Heatherstar. Midgepelt’s idea wasn’t terrible; we might be able to tempt her out of hiding with something.”

“But what?” Cedarpelt asked.

Cats began to shout out ideas. “Live prey!” Rainfall yelled.

Eeltail laughed. “Sure, Rainfall, you go right ahead and set that up.”

“Why don’t we set up a patrol in all the places Mapleshade’s been so far?” Silverflame suggested. “Maybe we can catch her there again.”

Seedpelt shook his head. “Mapleshade’s too unpredictable for that. There’s a lot of places she’s been, from Sunningrocks to Highstones, and she’s never been seen in the same spot twice.”

“What about some moss?” Nettlepaw said. “She’s probably fed up collecting it all herself.”

Deerdapple flicked him with her tail. “I’m sure a devoted killer has higher priorities than collecting moss, mouse-brain.” Nettlepaw huffed.

“I’ve got it!” Rainfall yelled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “We round up the most irresistibly attractive cats in the forest and plop them all here! There’s no way Mapleshade will be able to resist my charming-”

“For StarClan’s sake, stop!” Reedshine cried. Everyone fell silent, staring in awe at the disgruntled queen. This was the first time she’d spoken all evening, Frecklewish realized. “Appledusk died at Mapleshade’s claws, and you all are treating it like a joke. She took everything from me. I don’t want stupid answers; I want justice for my dead mate.”

The group exchanged ashamed looks. Frecklewish’s heart felt heavy. Reedshine hardly raised her voice, hardly ever yelled. Now her fur was bristling along her spine, and her narrowed blue eyes were shiny with unshed tears. Frecklewish had never seen her so upset, even when ThunderClan imprisoned her or treated her like dirt. She was still too afraid to comfort her outright, but there had to be something Frecklewish could do to ease her pain.

Suddenly, Frecklewish got an idea.

“Back when Reedshine first showed up in ThunderClan camp, she told me about her mate’s death,” Frecklewish said. She was aware of many pairs of eyes on her, Reedshine’s included, but she forced herself to go on. “She told me about Mapleshade’s plan to avenge her kits, and how she admitted to taking Ravenwing’s life in compensation for one. Appledusk died for another. And the third kit…” Her voice wavered, and she swallowed. “Mapleshade wanted me to die for her final kit. In- In her mind, it was some kind of twisted justice for the pain she had been caused.” Frecklewish noticed the other cats, namely the ones from ShadowClan and WindClan, recoiling in horror. She continued, “We need something to use as bait? Well, Mapleshade’s already got my name on her mind. Use me.”

Reedshine stared at her in shock. Frecklewish calmly returned her gaze, wondering if she would say anything. They looked into each others’ eyes for a long, painful moment, before Reedshine turned away, still blinking in surprise.

“Frecklewish, are you sure?” Deerdapple asked. Her brow was furrowed with concern.

“That would be incredibly dangerous,” Beetail said. He exchanged a look with Seedpelt. “I- I don’t know if Oakstar would agree to it.”

“He has to,” Frecklewish insisted. “It’s the only way.” Her stomach curled and twisted in fear, but she kept her head held high.

Heatherstar spoke up. “If Oakstar were to give the go-ahead for this plan, how exactly would we carry it out?”

“I can wander ThunderClan territory until I get her attention,” Frecklewish said. “Then I can lead her wherever you need me to.”

Heatherstar tilted her head. “Are you sure you're fast enough to outrun her? She’s already managed to evade some of my swiftest warriors.”

Frecklewish thought back to the time she and Mapleshade were young warriors, racing each other through the forest just for fun. The memory stung for a moment, but Frecklewish shook it off; now wasn’t the time for sadness. “I’m certain.”

Heatherstar nodded. “I admire your courage, Frecklewish.”

“We can send some of our strongest warriors to help ambush her,” Cedarpelt meowed. “If- If you need.”

Beetail replied, “If Houndstar doesn’t mind, we’d much appreciate it. And that extends to all of you; I have a feeling we’ll need all the help we can get.”

“I’ll pass the message on to Darkstar,” Cloudberry said.

“And whatever you need from WindClan, we’ll be happy to provide,” Heatherstar said. “That just leaves one thing: where should Frecklewish lead Mapleshade?” She turned to Frecklewish with an inquiring look.

Frecklewish thought about it for a bit. “Maybe the Great Sycamore? There’s plenty of places to hide, and it's not too close to our camp, so Mapleshade won’t suspect anything.” She glanced at Beetail, who nodded in approval.

“We can meet here in three days, just before the attack,” Beetail explained. “That way, you’ll have time to decide who to send, and ThunderClan can show you where the Great Sycamore is. Remember, we might have to hide there for a long time in complete silence, so make sure everyone knows how to keep quiet in those situations.”

Heatherstar got to her paws. “You’ll see us here in three days then, right at sunrise.”

“ShadowClan will be there too,” Silverflame said.

“And RiverClan,” Cloudberry added.

Now that the details of their plan had been finalized, the cats began to leave. ShadowClan and WindClan, with their small numbers, disappeared quickly, while RiverClan and ThunderClan took more time. Frecklewish noticed Reedshine still looking her way, and realized that this was her chance to talk to her. Her heart fluttered like a trapped bird, and her mouth suddenly felt dry. Frecklewish almost felt too heavy to move.

“Let’s go, ThunderClan,” Beetail meowed. Reedshine turned away, and Frecklewish’s heart sank.

Too late, she thought. It’s over. Frecklewish padded out of the clearing, feeling hopeless.

It didn’t matter. Frecklewish was going to help stop Mapleshade, and then she’d never talk to Reedshine again. It was for the best; StarClan had set them on different paths for a reason.

That didn’t do anything to ease the sinking feeling in her gut.

Deerdapple bounded up beside her. “That was… wild. I can’t believe you, you reckless mouse-brain.” When Frecklewish didn’t respond, she asked, “What’s wrong? Was it Reedshine?” Deerdapple paused. “Did you talk to her?”

Frecklewish stopped, sighed, and shook her head. “No. I… I think it’s over. Whatever we had is gone.”

Deerdapple’s jaw fell open. She looked from Frecklewish, then back at the clearing, then back at Frecklewish again. “Oh for StarClan’s sake,” she said. “Gimme a moment.” She turned and sprinted back to Fourtrees, her silver-and-black tail vanishing through the ferns. Frecklewish paused, blinking in confusion.

What in the world is she up to now?

Just as Frecklewish started to worry she was never coming back, Deerdapple appeared again. She hopped back over to Frecklewish, looking very pleased with herself. “Congratulations, Frecklewish,” she said, “you’ve officially got a date.”

“I’ve got- What?” Frecklewish stammered.

Deerdapple’s tail formed a little curl over her back, and a massive grin spread across her face. “Reedshine wants to meet you at Sunningrocks tomorrow night. You’d better not miss it, otherwise I just wasted all my energy for nothing.” She said the last part between exaggerated gasps for air.

Frecklewish was too stunned to really react. “You mean you asked her-”

“Mhmm,” Deerdapple purred. “So? What do you say?”

Frecklewish stared blankly ahead. Does she really want to talk to me again? she thought, her mind buzzing with possibilities. “What if she decides not to come?”

Deerdapple rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Frecklewish, you need to have a bit of faith. You two had something special, and I saw it. No one in ThunderClan could pull you out of your moping after Mapleshade left, yet a stranger from RiverClan did it without even trying. You’ll never find another connection like that, not if you look for the rest of your life.” Frecklewish stopped in her tracks, and Deerdapple grinned again. “Just… give it a shot.” She turned and hurried after her clanmates, leaving Frecklewish standing alone in awe.

She wants to see me. Frecklewish could hardly believe it. Maybe it's not all broken after all.

Chapter Text

It was quiet at Sunningrocks, apart from the occasional chirping of crickets. Reedshine’s chest heaved as she pulled herself onto the shore; she was nearing a moon and a half of pregnancy, and it was starting to take a toll on her. As if it wasn’t enough that she was hardly getting a good night’s sleep, carrying these kits was exhausting.

Yet, she still trekked all the way out here. In the dead of night, no less. She knew the other RiverClan cats wouldn’t approve, which was why she didn’t bother telling them. Reedshine hadn’t even told Perchpaw. She sighed; she hadn’t spoken to Perchpaw much at all, apart from brief conversations here and there. Considering he was the cat she missed most when she was stuck in ThunderClan, Reedshine hadn’t done much to reconnect with him. And now she was going behind his back.

I’ll talk to him tomorrow, she promised herself. I’ll tell him everything.

For now, she was waiting for Frecklewish. The silver tabby – Deerdapple, if she remembered right – had told Reedshine that Frecklewish wanted to meet her here. When she asked why, Deerdapple claimed it was “just to talk.” That filled Reedshine with hope and excitement. 

Reedshine glanced up at the moon, which was practically as round and full as it was at the Gathering a few nights prior. A small pang of guilt seized her heart, simultaneously filling her with determination. She could finally apologize to Frecklewish, and they could go back to the way they were: close.

At least, she hoped so. She wasn’t sure how that would work, now that they were in different clans again, but Reedshine vowed to figure something out.

Reedshine was just starting to get anxious when Frecklewish appeared. Pine needles clung to her fur, and she reeked of tree sap, but Reedshine could’ve recognized her golden coat and elegant walk anywhere. Frecklewish took a careful step out into the open, her eyes flitting back and forth anxiously. When she finally spotted Reedshine, she jumped, but immediately her fur flattened when she recognized her close friend.

“Reedshine?” she meowed. Reedshine nodded, coming closer. They held an awkward silence, neither sure what to say. Reedshine swallowed. The Gathering incident had torn them apart so abruptly, and now she wasn’t sure where their friendship stood. She cursed herself yet again for hiding the truth from Frecklewish.

So tell her that. Frecklewish was right in front of her. There was no better time to apologize.

“Umm… you’re covered in tree sap,” Reedshine said instead.

Frecklewish shrugged. “I had to disguise my scent somehow. The meeting yesterday made me worry that Mapleshade might track me down if I’m not careful.” She glanced over her shoulder as though the tortoiseshell would pop out at any moment.

The meeting! Reedshine thought. That was a whole nother topic she had to discuss with Frecklewish.

Another awkward silence. Frecklewish cleared her throat. “So… you wanted to meet me?”

Reedshine tilted her head. “I thought you wanted to meet me. ”

Frecklewish blinked at her in confusion, then gritted her teeth. “Deerdapple, you son of a badger-” she snarled.

Reedshine stifled a laugh. “That’s alright! I have some things I wanted to say to you anyway.” She took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry,” the two cats said in unison.

“ You’re sorry?” Reedshine asked. “Sorry for what?”

Frecklewish sat down, her paws pressing down into the rocky sand and leaving little divots. “I’m sorry for not being honest with you.”

Reedshine was appalled. That’s exactly what she was going to tell her. She sat in front of Frecklewish, listening in quiet confusion. 

“There’s… something I didn’t tell you. About when Mapleshade was exiled,” Frecklewish continued. “I told you about how Mapleshade lied. She used my brother to hide her secret affair with Appledusk, the cat who murdered him, no less. But I never told you about how I found out.” 

She shut her eyes and took a moment to steady her breathing; whatever was coming next, Reedshine knew, would be hard for her to say. “I believed for a long time that those kits were my family. I loved them like a second mother, you could say. One day, Ravenwing accused Mapleshade of hiding their true parentage. I defended her at first, but when Appledusk’s name came up…” Frecklewish shook her head. “I attacked her, Reedshine. I attacked Mapleshade right in front of her kits. Even after Bloomheart and Seedpelt dragged me away from her, I still went after those kits. Those kits, who hadn’t done anything wrong.” Her amber stare burned deep into Reedshine’s. “Do you know what I called them, Reedshine?”

The question was rhetorical. Reedshine held an uncertain silence.

Frecklewish went on, her voice unsteady. “Half-clan creatures. That’s what I said to kits. Kits who loved me, who looked up to me and trusted me. I traumatized them. I ruined their lives.”

Reedshine’s heart sank. “But- You were angry. I’m sure you didn’t mean-”

“It doesn’t matter what I meant.” A hint of bitterness crept into Frecklewish’s voice, and she turned away. “This happens all the time. I’m angry, I lose my mind. That means I’m not safe for kits. End of story.” She paused again, and Reedshine struggled to find something to say. “You’re not the first cat to hide from me, Reedshine,” Frecklewish went on. “And you have every right to be scared of me. Because I’ll always hate Appledusk. I’m sorry, and I know you loved him more than anyone. But he’s hurt me so much more than I can ever explain. And I think… I think maybe some of that hatred spills over to his kin.”

“That can’t be true,” Reedshine protested. “You know how close I was with Appledusk, and I don’t think you hate me. Even though I lied to you, just like Mapleshade did.”

“You’re nothing like Appledusk,” Frecklewish said. “StarClan, you’re nothing like Mapleshade either.”

“But I still lied to you,” Reedshine replied. “And that’s why I wanted to apologize. If I’d just told you the truth early on, maybe we wouldn’t even be here.” She sighed, wrapping her tail tightly around her paws. She remembered her vision, way back before this whole mess began, of her and Appledusk raising their kits together. “And I’m sorry for trying to pitch Appledusk as someone you should forgive. I understand he messed so many things up for your family, and I should’ve respected that.” And maybe I was a little blinded by love, Reedshine thought, but she kept that to herself.

Frecklewish turned around to face her again. “So… you’re not mad at me? For not keeping you safe?”

Reedshine couldn’t hold back her laugh this time. “Are you kidding? Frecklewish, you made me feel safer than any other cat in ThunderClan.” And maybe any cat in the whole forest. “And it seems you’re not mad at me either?”

Frecklewish shook her head. “I never was.”

“So I guess that makes us… friends again?” Reedshine asked carefully.

Frecklewish didn’t reply right away, but a warm smile spread across her face. Reedshine’s heart beat faster. She’d felt this before. Maybe they weren’t exactly friends, but maybe… maybe…

“Yeah,” Frecklewish said after a long pause. “I guess it does.”

Reedshine let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Frecklewish came closer to her, one arm open. Reedshine didn’t hesitate to step forward and let herself be wrapped up in the hug. She leaned deeper into Frecklewish’s fur. There was nothing, no memory that her mind could grasp that compared to being here, with her.

‘Not safe’ my ass, Reedshine thought. She trusted Frecklewish more than she trusted her own clanmates.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were still smiling. A giddy feeling rose in Reedshine’s heart when she realized she had the rest of the night to spend with Frecklewish.

That feeling dulled a little when she remembered that when the sun came up, they’d be separate again, one in RiverClan and one in ThunderClan.

Reedshine brushed the thought away. She wasn’t going to let herself be sad right now, not when she had so much to be happy about. It was all okay. They were all okay. She hadn’t lost touch with Frecklewish forever.

Suddenly, she remembered; she meant to talk to Frecklewish about yesterday’s meeting! After they both settled back down, Reedshine asked, “I needed to know; did you talk to your dad? About- About the plan we came up with yesterday?”

Frecklewish sighed. “Beetail brought it up, because of course he did. My dad doesn’t like it. He said he’s already lost one of his kits, and he’d rather use himself as bait than lose another.” Reedshine chewed on her bottom lip anxiously, and Frecklewish smiled. “You’re worried about me, aren’t you?”

Reedshine stared at the ground. “It’s just that… well, I’ve also lost someone close to me, and it was because of Mapleshade. I used to think Appledusk was the strongest warrior in RiverClan, and that he could never be beaten by anyone.” She unsheathed her claws and sunk them into the sand. “I just can’t image you putting yourself in that position on purpose. What if it all goes wrong?”

Frecklewish ruffled the fur on Reedshine’s head, a semi-successful move to get her to calm down. “Hey, don’t worry about me. Mapleshade and I used to train together as apprentices. She was always stronger than me, but I was quicker and smarter. Besides, all I need to do is lead her over to the Great Sycamore. I probably won’t even have to fight her. If anything, I’m doing the least dangerous job.”

Reedshine didn’t quite buy that. “I don’t know, Frecklewish. You haven’t seen her since she left ThunderClan. She was… insane.” Just imagining Mapleshade’s crooked grin, her wild eyes… Reedshine shuddered.

“I promise, I’ll do everything I can to keep myself safe,” Frecklewish said. “But I have to do this. Mapleshade has caused too much suffering already, and I can’t imagine a safe world for you and your kits when she still roams the forest.”

Reedshine sighed. She knew there was no way she was talking Frecklewish out of this. But she didn’t expect what she asked her next. “Will you be in RiverClan’s camp?” Frecklewish meowed. “I mean, when we leave to find Mapleshade?”

Reedshine hadn’t really thought too much about that. “I don’t know. I doubt Darkstar will let me leave camp, but I want to be nearby in case…” She looked at Frecklewish, certain they were thinking the same thing.

In case Frecklewish doesn’t make it. In case everything really does go wrong.

Frecklewish leaned forward, pressing her nose gently to Reedshine’s forehead. “Please, just stay safe. I know you survived Mapleshade’s attack last time, but I can’t trust that she’ll let you go again.”

Reedshine shut her eyes. “I know. And I promise.” She felt a sharp pang of fear in her chest; they may have rekindled their relationship now, but things could just as easily shatter again. And they both understood that death was a border they couldn’t just sneak across. “Can we meet here again? Tomorrow night?” Reedshine asked.

Frecklewish’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t know if I can. Tomorrow’s the last day before I have to face Mapleshade. I really want to be well rested for that.” She noticed Reedshine’s defeated expression, and added, “But I’ll be sure to find you before it starts, even if you aren’t allowed to leave camp.”

That made Reedshine feel a little bit better. She glanced up at the sky and gasped; the orange and pink hues of a sunrise were beginning to show. Had they really been here all night? She turned back to Frecklewish, who looked similarly disappointed that their secret meeting had come to an end. Time flew when they were together.

“I’d better be heading home,” Frecklewish said. “I guess this is goodbye, for now.”

Reedshine gave Frecklewish another quick hug. “See you soon, Frecklewish. And please, be safe.”

Frecklewish stepped back. She looked at ease, which was a little strange, considering the terrifying scenario she would have to face in only a few days. Reedshine could see something deep in her amber eyes, something she still struggled to place. They declared themselves as just friends, but Reedshine had a feeling there was something stronger at play, something they both felt but hadn’t acknowledged.

It was only after Frecklewish disappeared among the underbrush of her forest home that Reedshine realized what was going on. Why they were drawn to each other from the start, why Reedshine felt so empty the minute she lost sight of her, and why the fear of losing her was so prevalent clicked in her mind. The emotion was so strong that she’d only felt it once, towards one other cat.

Love.

She loved her.

She loved Frecklewish.

Chapter Text

Frecklewish slipped quietly back through the gorse tunnel. Her whiskers twitched with uncertainty as she poked her head into camp, and she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that the dawn patrol wasn’t awake yet. She tried to make her pawsteps as soundless as possible as she crept over to a large clump of ferns. She started grooming the pine needles out of her tangled fur, and she hoped her clanmates wouldn’t notice her unusual stench.

Her heart was still pounding with excitement from her meeting with Reedshine. Frecklewish had been so scared that Reedshine wouldn’t want to talk to her. It turned out that not only was she not mad, but she was equally happy to reconnect with Frecklewish. The more Frecklewish thought about it, the more she began to smile to herself.

Despite the buzzing joy in her chest, Frecklewish was worried. She knew she could handle Mapleshade; at least, that’s what she was constantly telling herself. Hearing Reedshine’s own concerns planted a seed of doubt in Frecklewish’s mind. A terrible thought occurred to her; what if this past night was the last time she saw Reedshine? Even if she survived, Frecklewish knew maintaining their closeness would be next to impossible. They were in separate clans, after all, and Reedshine would surely be confined to the RiverClan nursery once her kits were born. Frecklewish might not see her for moons.

Frecklewish shook her head. She couldn’t let herself think about that yet. She would deal with Mapleshade first, and cross those stones when she got there.

Just as she got herself to a point of semi-presentable cleanliness, ThunderClan began waking up. Frecklewish was surprised to see Nettlepaw up bright and early, looking more eager than he’d probably ever been, considering he was rising with the sun. Deerdapple emerged from the warriors den not long after. She spotted Frecklewish and skipped over to greet her.

“Morning, Frecklewish!” she purred. “How was your ‘sleep’?” Deerdapple gave her a huge wink.

Frecklewish rolled her eyes; Deerdapple was a terrible actor. She prayed to StarClan that no one would interrogate her friend about Frecklewish’s secret meeting with Reedshine. Otherwise, she was completely and totally fucked. “It was great,” Frecklewish replied, then lowered her voice. “She’s worried about me. She doesn’t want me to take part in this risky plan.”

Deerdapple nodded slowly, listening. “She’s not wrong. It is incredibly risky.” She sighed. “I’m worried about you too, you know. I mean, I trust that you can handle yourself and all, but I can’t imagine…”

“I know.” Frecklewish swallowed. “And I appreciate it. I promise I’ll be careful.”

“Whatcha guys talking about?” Nettlepaw appeared seemingly out of nowhere behind his mentor. Frecklewish almost jumped out of her pelt; he could’ve easily caught them talking about Reedshine! She would have to be more careful from now on.

“Nothing,” Deerdapple replied calmly. Frecklewish wondered if she was actually a better liar than she was letting on. “Why don’t you grab a bite to eat? We can leave once you’re ready.”

Nettlepaw’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “Okay okay! I’ll eat as fast as I can!” He scampered away, and Deerdapple laughed.

“Don’t get a bellyache!” she called.

Frecklewish grinned. “What’s got him so riled up?”

Deerdapple chuckled. “I told him his warrior assessment is coming up. We’re going to practice stalking and pouncing today, and Nettlepaw wants to be as ready as he can be.” She sighed. “He’s a pawful that one, but I’m going to miss being his mentor.”

Frecklewish’s reply was interrupted by Beetail. “All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!”

Frecklewish got up and stretched. “Guess we better see what this is about.” Deerdapple nodded, and the two she-cats padded over to the Highrock. Frecklewish thought it was a bit strange that Beetail was giving the call instead of Oakstar, until she saw her father sitting off to the side. He looked very displeased, his eyes narrowed and his tail swishing. Whatever the announcement was, it was something Oakstar wasn’t on board with.

She and Deerdapple sat down, and they were quickly joined by a grumpy-looking Nettlepaw. “Seriously?” he grumbled. “They never call meetings this early! Now I have to wait!”

Dawnfeather sat beside him, giving him a light cuff over his ears. “Hush!” she hissed. “You’re nearly a warrior, for StarClan’s sake. You’re far past acting like a kit!”

Nettlepaw ducked away from his mother, mumbling a half-assed “sorry” under his breath. Deerdapple snickered, and Nettlepaw stuck out his bottom lip at her.

“Those of you who attended the meeting with the other clans a few days ago would know that we’ve devised a plan to deal with Mapleshade,” Beetail began, silencing the chatter of his clanmates below. “Frecklewish will attract Mapleshade’s attention, leading her to the Great Sycamore, where she will be surrounded by the strongest cats from all four clans.” 

Frecklewish saw Oakstar’s glare deepen at this, and suddenly she understood why he looked so angry in the first place. She caught him staring at her and confidently returned the gaze. I know you’re worried about me, she thought, but I can handle this. Oakstar turned away, and Frecklewish had a feeling that the conversation wasn’t over.

“I’ve spoken with Oakstar already, and we’ve decided on who will be partaking in this ambush,” Beetail continued, oblivious or perhaps just ignoring his leader’s irritation. “Your job will be to hide near the Great Sycamore in your designated positions. Be prepared to wait there for an indefinite amount of time. Once Mapleshade arrives, you will need to surround her and block off any escape route. You will also be working with cats from other clans, and I swear to StarClan, if you start squabbling I will personally throw you into the Gorge.”

That earned a couple laughs from the crowd, but Frecklewish noticed that everyone seemed nervous. Even Nettlepaw, with his boundless energy, was quiet.

“Thrushtalon, Deerdapple, Seedpelt and Oakstar will surround Mapleshade at the Great Sycamore. Mistpelt and Sweetbriar will be stationed as backup near Tallpines, in case she flees towards Twolegplace. Nettlepaw, Fallowsong and I will block her from fleeing to ShadowClan along the Thunderpath,” Beetail explained. “Patrols from the other clans will assist us at the Great Sycamore, and of course Frecklewish will roam the territory until Mapleshade is found. The rest of you will stay and guard camp. Any questions?” The ThunderClan cats shook their heads, so Beetail said, “Meeting dismissed, then.”

Dawnfeather darted over to Beetail as the long-limbed deputy hopped off of Highrock. “This- This is absurd!” she told him, her ears flat. “Mapleshade is incredibly dangerous! You can’t possibly expect my son-”

“Why not?” Nettlepaw piped up. “Like you said, I’m nearly a warrior!”

“But-” Dawnfeather stammered.

“I understand that you want to keep Nettlepaw safe,” Beetail reassured her. “But I think it’s important for him to have a paw in this plan.” Dawnfeather tried to protest again, and Beetail added, “Don’t worry; if all goes well, he won’t even see Mapleshade at all. And Fallowsong and I will look out for him.”

Dawnfeather glanced from Nettlepaw to Beetail and back again. Finally, she sighed in defeat. “I suppose Nettlepaw is growing up,” she said sadly. “Just… be careful, okay?”

Nettlepaw nodded excitedly. “I will!”

Dawnfeather turned to Deerdapple. “Could you… Well, I’d feel better if you helped Nettlepaw brush up on his fighting skills. I want him to be ready, just in case.”

Deerdapple nodded. “We were just about to, actually. Come on, Nettlepaw.” The tabby apprentice bounded alongside his mentor, hardly able to contain his joy. Dawnfeather followed after them, a worried look on her face. Deerdapple called over her shoulder, “See you later, Frecklewish!”

Frecklewish waved goodbye to them. Her heart pounded in her throat as anxiety crept in. Initially, she thought this was her duty; even if she didn’t make it, she didn’t care. She had nothing to lose. But now… She thought of her clanmates, and how they were depending on her piece of the plan. She thought of Oakstar and Deerdapple, who were worried about her. 

She thought of Reedshine.

Frecklewish couldn’t imagine never seeing her again. She’d never felt so strongly towards another cat before. And after their talk last night… The thought of that being their last meeting terrified her.

~ 🏵 🏶 🏵 ~

Reedshine paddled across the river, her heart still beating wildly in her chest. The realization that just hit her made her mind spin, and it was hard to process.

Am I in love with Frecklewish? she thought. That would certainly explain a lot: why she was drawn to her back in ThunderClan camp, why she was so upset after the Gathering, and why she felt so happy and flustered around her. Reedshine felt a smile form on her muzzle just thinking about the tall golden she-cat. She recognized her feelings now; Reedshine felt the same way with Appledusk. It was a desire to always be around someone, and this time, that someone was Frecklewish.

Although that certainly complicated things.

First off, Reedshine had no way to know if the feeling was mutual. Of course, Frecklewish was close with her, always hugging her and talking to her about her troubles, but Reedshine wasn’t sure if that was how she acted with all her close friends.

Even if Frecklewish did like her back, there was still the whole issue of them being in different clans. Half-clan relationships were not only forbidden but really, really difficult. What if Reedshine met Frecklewish in battle one day? She knew she couldn’t fight her, even now in their friendship. There wasn’t the issue of the two of them accidentally ending up with kits, but… Reedshine remembered hearing so many awful tales in the nursery about forbidden relationships that ended in tragedy. 

She climbed up onto the shore and shuddered. Maybe it would be best to keep her feelings to herself, and let this little crush of hers die.

Besides, tomorrow was the day where the plan came into action. Frecklewish needed to focus in order to outrun Mapleshade. If Reedshine tried to confess to her before, she might not be able to think straight, and the results could be disastrous.

But after… a quiet voice murmured in her head. Maybe after we can work it out…

“Reedshine?” Reedshine jumped back, her fur puffing up in shock. The bushes in front of her rustled, and out crawled none other than…

“Perchpaw!” Reedshine meowed, forcing a smile. Everything one of her instincts screamed in panic, but she managed to keep herself calm-ish. She hoped and prayed to StarClan that she wasn’t just absolutely busted. “I- I was just coming back from a walk-”

The gray apprentice didn’t seem impressed. “I saw everything,” he said. “You were meeting up with that ThunderClan she-cat.” His voice was strained with betrayal, and Reedshine felt a stab of guilt.

“I’m sorry, Perchpaw, I just-”

“You just what? ” Perchpaw cut her off bitterly. “You’ve been avoiding me since you got back, and now you’re sneaking off to visit the enemy. I think it’s time you tell me the truth.”

Reedshine sighed. “You’re right. I’m really sorry for avoiding you, I just wasn’t sure… Argh, I’ve just had a lot to sort through on my own.” She sat down in front of him, realizing how he’d changed since she left. He’d grown in height by at least half a minnow-length, and his demeanor was much more serious. Appledusk’s death must’ve affected him more than Reedshine initially realized.

“So?” Perchpaw said. He tapped his tail impatiently.

Reedshine wasn’t entirely sure what to say to him. Should she tell him the full truth, or…

You know what? Fuck it. I’ve hidden enough from him already.

“I think I’m in love,” she blurted.

Perchpaw blinked at her, his jaw agape. “That- I wasn’t expecting that.” He craned his neck to stare towards Sunningrocks. “Wait, Reedshine, it can’t possibly be with-”

“Frecklewish?” Reedshine said, her voice shaky. “Yeah.”

“The ThunderClan cat?” Perchpaw gawked. “But- But- What about Appledusk? What about our family? Does that mean nothing to you anymore?”

“No! Of course not!” Reedshine protested quickly. “I still love you and Appledusk, and I always will. But I think that if Appledusk were alive, he’d want me to move on and be happy.” At least, that’s what she hoped.

“Not with a ThunderClan cat!” Perchpaw raised his voice, his jaw clenched. “ThunderClan’s the whole reason that Appledusk is dead!”

“Not ThunderClan,” Reedshine said gently. She knew she had to talk him down, otherwise they might be discovered by the dawn patrol. “That was Mapleshade. Frecklewish is different. She took care of me when I was imprisoned. She even tried to convince Oakstar that I was innocent, and telling the truth. I had no one else try and befriend me except for her.”

Perchpaw didn’t snap back this time. Reedshine breathed a quiet sigh of relief, continuing on, “You already know that Mapleshade planned to go after her, and- and kill her. Well, at that meeting a few days ago, Frecklewish offered to use herself as bait to draw Mapleshade out into the open.”

Perchpaw blinked. “Really?” Reedshine nodded. “That’s pretty bold of her.”

Reedshine smiled, happy that he was finally starting to understand. “Exactly!”

Perchpaw shifted. “So does that mean… you guys like, together? Like a couple?”

Reedshine shook her head. “No, we’re not. I’m not even sure if she likes me the same way.” Her shoulders sagged for a moment before she straightened up. “I’ll talk to her again after the plan. Whatever happens, we’ll work it out.”

Perchpaw nodded slowly. He came forward and buried his muzzle in Reedshine’s thick fur. Reedshine was taken aback for a moment before wrapping her arm around him; Perchpaw may’ve matured while Reedshine was gone, but he was still a kid. “I missed you so much, Reedshine,” he said. “And I’m sorry for getting mad at you. But I’m worried about you. You know how the clan would react if they found out you had a crush on a ThunderClan cat.”

Reedshine sighed. “I know. And I’m sorry too, for not being honest with you from the start. It’s been tough, being away, and coming back was… a shock to the system, I guess.”

Perchpaw stepped back. “Well, the sun’s coming up. If we don’t hurry back, Darkstar might get suspicious.” He turned and started to head back to camp. Reedshine waited for a moment, letting herself relax. Perchpaw didn’t seem to really approve of her relationship with Frecklewish, but at least he understood a bit where she was coming from. And Reedshine finally felt her guilt about avoiding Perchpaw cleared. She trotted to catch up to him, and walked along the river with him, their bond rekindled at last.

Chapter Text

Frecklewish woke up early the next morning, as did the rest of her clanmates. Nettlepaw was practicing his crouch, swiping a few times at an invisible enemy. Beetail and Fallowsong were sharing prey, discussing where they would station themselves along the Thunderpath. Thrushtalon, Seedpelt, Deerdapple, and Oakstar were just returning to camp, their pelts covered in tree sap. Frecklewish had suggested that to them, so Mapleshade wouldn’t pick up their scents. Thankfully, her father hadn’t asked where she’d gotten the idea from; Frecklewish remembered her secret meeting at Sunningrocks with a joyous flutter in her chest.

She trotted over to the prey pile and took a mouse; it was the perfect small bite to eat, and it wouldn’t weigh her down too much when she ran. Frecklewish was already shaking with anticipation, and her nerves only built as it got closer and closer to their departure time.

Her thoughts wandered as she ate, and Reedshine came to mind. She promised that she’d find Frecklewish before the attack, so perhaps she would be at Fourtrees? Frecklewish hoped so. Now that they’d met up once, Frecklewish was already bursting with excitement to see her again.

“Cats of ThunderClan!” Oakstar shouted as he hopped up onto the Highrock. It wasn’t the usual meeting call, but this also wasn’t a usual situation. Frecklewish got up, joining her clanmates. Deerdapple walked up beside her, and gave her a little nudge.

“Nervous?” she whispered. Frecklewish nodded. Deerdapple’s breathing was uncharacteristically shaky. “Me too,” she replied.

“The time has come for us to defeat Mapleshade once and for all,” Oakstar called, his voice clear and confident. “She may have been a clanmate once, but she has chosen a dark path, and ThunderClan will not stand for her terrorizing us.” His statement was met with valiant yowls of agreement. Frecklewish added her voice to the battle cry, her heart pumping in her ears. “I wish every one of you good luck, though I know you won’t need it. We will show Mapleshade what it truly means to have the strength of your clan at your heels!” 

He hopped down and started to make his way towards the camp’s entrance. The other cats began to follow, as their loved ones said their final goodbyes.

“Be safe,” Bloomheart said, a slight limp still in his gait. “I wish I could be there to help.”

Seedpelt brushed his muzzle against his mate’s cheek. “Don’t worry; I promise I’ll come back to you.” He stepped away, and the two toms exchanged a sorrowful smile before Seedpelt rejoined the patrol.

Dawnfeather licked her son’s head aggressively. “Don’t you dare do anything reckless!” she told him. “And don’t think I’m letting you stay this dirty for longer than you have to be!”

Nettlepaw pulled away with a squeak. “I won’t mom, I won’t. That second thing is still up in the air, though!” He smiled at her, racing to hop alongside Beetail and Fallowsong. Dawnfeather’s ears drooped, her expression still worried, and Frecklewish noticed Rabbitfur give her a comforting nudge.

All these cats have families who need them to come home, Frecklewish thought. And they’re all counting on me.

The patrol trekked in silence through the forest; if Mapleshade really was around, they didn’t want to be spotted yet. Mistpelt and Sweetbriar peeled away to wait at Tallpines, and soon Beetail, Fallowsong, and Nettlepaw headed off towards the Thunderpath.

When they arrived, the other clans were already waiting. Frecklewish recognized the two WindClan warriors from last time, Midgepelt and Swiftflight, and Silverflame and Cedarpelt of ShadowClan. Eeltail, Spiketail, and Perchpaw were here to fight for RiverClan, and their medicine cats, Echosnout and Cloudberry, were just behind them. Frecklewish wasn’t paying much attention to any of them, however, because she’d spotted Reedshine among the other RiverClan cats.

Frecklewish smiled at her, and Reedshine quietly returned the gesture. She wove around the other RiverClan cats to sit down at her side. Frecklewish felt heat rise to her cheeks.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered to Reedshine as the other clans began to converse.

Reedshine grinned. “So am I,” she whispered back. “I could barely convince Darkstar to let me out of the nursery, nevermind this.”

Frecklewish sighed, lowering her voice even more. “I guess that means we won’t be able to meet up for a while.”

Reedshine blinked. “I- I hadn’t thought about that,” she murmured, looking dismayed. “I guess we won’t.”

“Cats of all clans,” Oakstar said, silencing all conversation. Reedshine turned to listen, though her tail still twined with Frecklewish’s. She was momentarily surprised, but calmed down quickly; Reedshine’s presence helped soothe her worry-stuffed mind.

Oakstar continued, “I hope everyone’s prepared to face Mapleshade. I’ve already sent backup patrols to Tallpines and the Thunderpath, in case we are unable to defeat her, but know that your role is very important to the safety of the clans. Be sure you’re all taking this seriously,” Frecklewish noticed a few cats who’d attended the last meeting turn towards Midgepelt and Swiftflight, “and remember from now on, we will be keeping absolutely silent. Thrushtalon will lead you all to the Great Sycamore, and I will join you in a moment.” He nodded to the tabby tom, and the cats began to file out of Fourtrees.

That’s it? Frecklewish thought. She barely had any time to speak with Reedshine. Now, all she could do was worry, and hope she was good enough to do this.

Reedshine got to her paws. “I have to go now. Cloudberry already spoke with your leader; she said we’ll be joining the ThunderClan patrol near the Thunderpath.” She looked up at Frecklewish, hope and fear in her blue eyes. “I guess I’ll see you after?”

Frecklewish nodded, resting her chin on Reedshine’s head. “You will. I promise.” They stood close with each other for a moment, and Frecklewish breathed in her fishy scent. She almost laughed to herself when she remembered how she once thought Reedshine smelled strange, and now her fish-breath was comforting to her. 

When she finally pulled away, she noticed Spiketail shooting them both an odd look. Frecklewish returned the glare until the RiverClan deputy padded off. Her spirits sank; she was reminded that having friendships this close with cats from other clans was strictly forbidden.

Does ‘friends’ even describe us anymore? Frecklewish thought.

“What’s wrong?” Reedshine asked.

Frecklewish let out a quiet sigh. “Nothing,” she lied. “I’ll see you after.” The two cats went their separate ways. Before she could leave the clearing, Frecklewish was stopped by none other than her father. She paused, wondering what Oakstar could possibly want. He certainly didn’t think he was convincing her not to do this, not so last-minute.

“I want you to be extra careful,” Oakstar said. There was a worried tremor in his meow. “I don’t know what I’d do without you… I can’t lose you like that.”

Frecklewish knew he was referring to Birchface. She clenched her jaw, trying to block out another wave of nervousness; she couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her father behind in such a shattered, lonely state. Frecklewish said, “I will, dad. I wouldn’t have signed up for this job if I didn’t think I could do it.”

Oakstar twitched an ear, seemingly unconvinced. “Good. Start roaming the territory, and try to seem as nonchalant as possible. I’ll get the others ready at the Great Sycamore.” At Frecklewish’s nod, Oakstar turned and plunged through the surrounding ferns, sprinting away. 

Frecklewish was all alone in the clearing.

She took a deep breath, trying to orient herself. If Mapleshade saw her, she needed to look like she was just out on a regular old hunting trip. Frecklewish couldn’t let her get suspicious.

Frecklewish started off by heading along the river, towards Sunningrocks. She prowled around Owl Tree for a bit, pretending to taste the air for prey. (In reality, she was trying to see if she could smell the cats stationed at the Great Sycamore, as she was currently downwind of them. They hid their scents well.) A cold breeze ruffled her pelt, making her shiver and reminding her that leaf-fall was just around the corner. Frecklewish moved further into the forest, hoping the brush would protect her from the worst of the cold.

Frecklewish continued along in no particular direction. She was already starting to get nervous. What if the plan she’d come up with was incredibly mouse-brained? What if she didn’t lure Mapleshade in at all?

A rustle in the bushes made her jump, but it was only a squirrel burying its latest haul of seeds. Frecklewish dropped instinctively into a hunting crouch and killed the little rodent with practiced precision; her stomach was starting to growl, and maybe the smell of fresh-kill would catch Mapleshade’s attention.

After finishing her catch (and leaving a generous amount of strong-smelling blood on her muzzle), Frecklewish continued along. She veered closer to the Great Sycamore; the less she had to run, the better.

She wandered around for a while longer, occasionally catching a bite to eat. There was no sign of Mapleshade anywhere, yet the sun was already inching its way up the sky. Frecklewish huffed in frustration and felt boredom beginning to seep in, but she pushed it away. She couldn’t let Mapleshade catch her off her guard.

Another noise caught her attention. Frecklewish initially assumed it was more unfortunate forest prey, but something made her pause. She couldn’t smell anything she recognized apart from hints of… ThunderClan? Perhaps the blood on her face was muddling her senses. Still, the little voice in her head told her to be cautious, and if she’d learned anything as a warrior, it was to listen to those instincts.

Frecklewish lowered herself into the grass. She unsheathed her claws, preparing to counter an attack, when the branches rustled again. This time, she saw exactly which bush the noise had carried from, and it was only a few fox-lengths away. She stepped back as her heart gave a terrified flutter. A massive cat, the rancid smell of crowfood emanating from her parted jaw, leaped out in the open, scattering leaves into the air. Her amber eyes gleamed with something excited and sinister, and her gaze was trained directly on a trembling, cowering Frecklewish.

Mapleshade. She was here. And great StarClan, she was terrifying.

When Reedshine warned her that the former ThunderClan cat had changed, Frecklewish didn’t quite imagine the hulking creature that stood before her now. Mapleshade’s posture was hunched, possibly from sleeping uncomfortably, and her fur was horribly matted. She was larger than Frecklewish remembered as well, her size comparable to a badger’s. Her chest was heaving, maybe from running, or maybe from the anticipation of ripping Frecklewish to shreds.

Frecklewish hoped desperately for the former.

“Mapleshade!” she shouted, pretending to be shocked to see her. (It wasn’t too hard, considering terror was already flooding all her senses.) “What are you doing here? This is ThunderClan territory!”

Mapleshade lolled her head to one side, caring little about Frecklewish’s paralyzing fear. “Oh, Frecklewish, I know you aren’t that stupid.” She narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. “I’m here to serve a bit of justice. You watched my kits die, filthy creature!” Mapleshade’s claws sprang out and sank into the dirt below her paws. Her legs quivered slightly from the force which she gripped the earth, and Frecklewish could only pray she wasn’t going to meet the same fate. “And for that, I’m going to watch every strangled breath leave your traitorous little body.”

Mapleshade slunk towards her, and Frecklewish scrambled back. She tried to keep calm, to appear confident, but she was already shaking uncontrollably. Frecklewish barely had enough time to remind herself to run before Mapleshade sprang towards her.

Frecklewish turned and fled, darting around boulders and trees. Her unsheathed claws tore through the dirt, propelling her forward. She could hear Mapleshade’s ragged breathing so close behind her, and stole half a glance over her shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat; Mapleshade was really fucking fast.

Frecklewish willed herself to go faster, but she was already starting to tire, and the Great Sycamore was still so far away. A fresh spark of panic ignited in her chest as she realized that Mapleshade was easily outpacing her.

Suddenly, Frecklewish’s paw caught on a tree root. She gasped as she tumbled, the breath knocked out of her chest, and splayed out helplessly on her back. Mapleshade was on her in an instant, swiping her claws at Frecklewish’s head. Frecklewish barely had time to react, cranking her neck to avoid the attack. She felt a burst of pain in her stomach as Mapleshade raked her with her hind claws. Frecklewish hit her with a swift kick, and this time it was Mapleshade tumbling through the bush. Frecklewish heaved herself to her paws, thanking StarClan that she was able to kick Mapleshade off in time; the wound hurt, but it was still shallower than it could’ve been.

Frecklewish remembered the plan with a start, and braced herself to start running again. Mapleshade held back this time, more cautious of Frecklewish now. They circled each other slowly, and when Frecklewish lashed out with her forepaw, Mapleshade turned and bolted off into the forest.

Frecklewish’s eyes flew wide. No! she thought; this wasn’t how it was meant to go! Thinking quickly, she began to run after Mapleshade. She could hardly let her thoughts wander, or risk losing sight of the massive tortie. Thankfully, Mapleshade left a trail of snapped branches in her wake, making it easier for Frecklewish to follow. Her breath came in frantic gasps as she tried to keep up. Frecklewish was completely disoriented now; she wasn’t sure if Mapleshade was heading back to ThunderClan camp, but that was a risk she absolutely could not take.

Mapleshade forced her way through a thick clump of brambles. Frecklewish didn’t hesitate to follow, her thin frame slipping more easily through the brush. She skidded to a halt at the top of a rocky slant, just barely stopping herself from falling down. Blood roared in her ears as panic set in. How could Mapleshade just disappear?

The wind was knocked out of her again as Frecklewish was hit from behind. With a screech of alarm, she fell head over paws down the rocks, landing hard at an awkward angle. She let out a hiss as pain shot through her foreleg. She tried to put weight on it to no avail, and realized with a sinking feeling that she wouldn’t be able to run anymore.

Mapleshade appeared at the top of the rocks, a wickedly smug smirk on her face. She hopped down with ease, avoiding a massive cave in the cliff face. Frecklewish recognized that cave; they were at Snakerocks, which wasn’t too far from the Great Sycamore. Somehow, she ran right past their rendezvous point. She cursed herself for messing up, but couldn’t dwell on it; Mapleshade was coming closer.

Frecklewish scrambled upright, hopping backwards gingerly and holding her injured paw close to her chest. Her claws were still unsheathed; though she was at a clear disadvantage, she would fight to her very last breath, for her clanmates, for Reedshine. “What’s wrong?” she spat, her taunt ironic considering her circumstances. “Too scared to face an injured warrior?”

“Like you were too scared to save innocent kits?” Mapleshade shot back. She took another step closer, her gaze flickering towards the ground. 

Frecklewish stiffened; what was she looking at? And why wasn’t she attacking? “I never meant for them to die, Mapleshade. I thought they would be safe with the RiverClan patrol.”

“Disgusting wretch!” Mapleshade spat, the fur along her spine spiking. “I won’t let you get away without consequence. You’re a murderer, a filthy murderer! ” Her shrieks of rage grew louder and louder, until finally, she darted forwards and knocked Frecklewish to the ground. Frecklewish rolled backwards, her injured paw rendering her helpless. She let out a yowl in a final, desperate attempt to save herself, hoping the cats at the Great Sycamore would hear her. Mapleshade kept moving closer, a low and malevolent laugh forming deep in her chest.

“You’re so fucking pathetic,” she snarled. “I can’t believe I ever let you within a tree-length of my kits.” She still didn’t attack, clearly toying with her victim. “Now isn’t it novel that you’re going to die in the most painful way possible?”

A low hiss echoed somewhere beside Frecklewish. Newfound terror seized her, and she struggled to stand. As she whipped around, searching for the source of the noise, Mapleshade stepped back. She watched Frecklewish panic with a gentle smile, like a mother observing her kits play. “I thought I’d have to give up some of my own prey to lure them out, but it seems StarClan was on my side today.” Her amber gaze flitted to the fresh squirrel blood staining Frecklewish’s maw and chest.

“Wh- What are you talking about?” Frecklewish stammered. She heard another hiss and gasped, turning to face her enemy, but no one was there. She felt trapped, like a mouse stalked by an invisible warrior. She hadn’t felt this helpless since Birchface was swallowed by the river, and now she was not the observer, but the poor soul caught in the current.

An ear-piercing cry caught Mapleshade’s attention. Frecklewish saw a brief blur of Nettlepaw’s orange pelt before they were both flying across the clearing. She could hear more voices in the distance, getting closer and closer.

Something flashed in the corner of Frecklewish’s vision.

Chapter Text

Reedshine huffed and puffed as she hurried towards the sound of Frecklewish’s yowl, her heart beating fast. The moment she heard her shout, Reedshine was off and running as fast as she could. She wasn’t moving fast, not fast enough. A million terrible thoughts raced through her mind of Frecklewish dead at Mapleshade’s claws. The awful memory of Appledusk’s death bit at Reedshine’s heels, forcing her on.

She swore she wouldn’t let it happen again. She should’ve tried harder to convince Frecklewish not to do this, should’ve offered herself up instead…

Nettlepaw raced past her. Reedshine had never seen an apprentice move so quickly; it seemed he was just as panicked as she was. Soon, Beetail, Fallowsong and Cloudberry surpassed her as well. Reedshine hoped Frecklewish could hold on just a little longer.

Help is coming, Frecklewish, I promise, I promise I’m coming…

Reedshine ducked around a pile of rocks and saw Nettlepaw fling himself at Mapleshade. They tussled in the dirt, Nettlepaw yowling in pain when Mapleshade clawed his ear.

“Fallowsong, run to the Great Sycamore and get help!” Beetail commanded, going to help Nettlepaw. Fallowsong sprinted away without hesitation. Reedshine looked around frantically for Frecklewish, begging StarClan that she hadn’t been killed by Mapleshade already.

A scream of pain shook the air, and Reedshine felt as though her heart had been stabbed by the sharpest claws. She recognized that voice. Sure enough, Frecklewish stumbled into view from behind another rock. She staggered on three legs, one paw swiping in front of her face. Reedshine recoiled in horror when she saw a snake, flailing and hissing, its jaw unhinged and fangs lodged in Frecklewish’s face.

Cloudberry stepped in front of Reedshine, her fur raised. “Reedshine, stay back!” she shouted.

Every nerve in her body burned with the need to throw Cloudberry aside, to tear the snake into a thousand tiny pieces, but Reedshine forced herself to comply with the medicine cat. Frecklewish finally managed to bat the snake away, and it released its grip. Cloudberry darted forward, taking the creature in her jaws and flinging it into the cliff face nearby. It flopped to the ground, its muscles contorting as it tried to right itself. After a moment it slowly slithered away, disappearing back into a dark hole from which it probably came.

“Frecklewish!” Reedshine cried, not letting herself hold back any longer. Frecklewish fell to the ground and thrashed helplessly, her breath ragged. Reedshine darted to her side, gently resting her paw on Frecklewish’s chest, trying to calm her down.

Frecklewish stopped writhing, her chest still heaving with exhaustion. “Reedshine?...” she groaned, every movement making her wince with pain.

“It’s okay,” Reedshine told her. “You’re going to be okay. Me and Cloudberry are here for you.” Reedshine wasn’t sure what to do; she felt completely sick to her stomach once she saw the damage the snake had done. One of her eyes was completely shut, a tiny trickle of blood dripping from the wound. Her other eye was a seeping mess, squinting half-closed. The white of her eye was shot through with red, and her pupil was clouded and unfocused.

“Careful!” Cloudberry was regaining her composure, and seemed surprisingly calm in this dire situation. “There could be more snakes around. We need to move her away from these rocks before I can treat her.”

Reedshine nodded and crouched down, carefully shifting Frecklewish’s body onto her shoulder. Frecklewish let out a strained whimper, and she felt a flash of guilt. Reedshine would do anything to take Frecklewish’s place right now.

With Cloudberry’s help, Reedshine managed to get Frecklewish away from the rocks without causing her too much more pain. They laid her down in a soft patch of grass. Reedshine crouched next to her, still shaking in alarm.

“Try to keep her as calm and still as possible,” Cloudberry instructed. “I’m going to try and find some snakeroot.” She cast a worried glance at Frecklewish before darting off.

Frecklewish looked exhausted, her head flopped to the side and her paws splayed out. Her muscles twitched occasionally, and the wound on her eyes was starting to swell. Reedshine pressed against her side, trying to slow her rapid breathing. Frecklewish began to mumble, “Reedshine? Am… I going to die?”

Reedshine held back a sob. Her vision was already blurred with tears, and the shouts of Beetail and Nettlepaw and Mapleshade all seemed so distant. “No- No! I won’t- I can’t let that happen!” She leaned over Frecklewish, looking down into her injured eyes. She wasn’t sure if Frecklewish could see her, but Reedshine hoped that she could feel her, that she could feel the emotions in her heart that she could never bring to words. “I love you, Frecklewish.”

Frecklewish went completely still for a moment. “You… do?”

Reedshine couldn’t stop herself this time; she began to weep uncontrollably, her tears falling onto Frecklewish’s bloodstained pelt. “I do,” she whimpered. “I always have.”

Frecklewish was silent. Something came over her, and Reedshine could’ve sworn she saw a feeble smile dance across her lips. “I-” She cut herself off, and suddenly her muscles seized up. Reedshine watched in horror as Frecklewish began to hyperventilate, her body curling and uncurling before her eyes.

“Cloudberry!” Reedshine cried, devolving into complete hysteria as she shouted for the medicine cat.

“I’m here!” Cloudberry came sprinting back, her jaws full of a plant with small white flowers. She set the herb down, resting a paw on Frecklewish. “Take a deep breath, Reedshine, it’s okay, I just need you to be calm…” As she spoke she began chewing the snakeroot up into a poultice. She spat it out on her paw pad, gently applying it to Frecklewish’s eyes. 

Frecklewish stopped spasming, her paws twitching slightly now and then. Cloudberry kept her paw rested on the injured she-cat’s side, letting out a quavery breath. “She should be okay, as long as we keep her calm and resting.” Reedshine wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince; Reedshine, or herself. “I brought some supplies with me; I can start working on her other injuries.” She gestured towards the claw marks on her belly. “Of course, I won’t be able to do a full check up until she wakes up again…” She trailed off, murmuring to herself as she began to prepare another poultice.

Reedshine felt her whole body relax, the constant shaking in her paws slowly subsiding. “I- I don’t think I can ever thank you enough for saving her,” she said to Cloudberry.

The medicine cat’s only reply was a small, exhausted smile and a few humble words. “All in the medicine cat’s line of duty,” she said. “I don’t think I can save her eyesight, but…”

“But you’ve already saved her life,” Reedshine said. She lowered herself back down to a crouch and began to lick Frecklewish’s pelt. It was tangled up with blurs and twigs, and Reedshine felt a pang of sympathy for whatever suffering she’d had to face. “You’ve already worked a miracle, Cloudberry.”

A yowl interrupted them. Reedshine turned and saw Beetail slumped against a tree, breathing heavily from a wound to his throat. Nettlepaw was pinned beneath Mapleshade’s paw, his eyes alight with fear. With a grin of satisfaction, Mapleshade raised her free forepaw, her bloody claws glinting in the sunlight.

Suddenly, she was knocked away. Nettlepaw gasped as Perchpaw appeared out of nowhere, leaping onto Mapleshade’s back and saving him from severe wounds at the luckiest. Mapleshade rolled, and Perchpaw leapt away, taking up a protective stance in front of the ThunderClan apprentice. With a snarl of rage, Mapleshade heaved herself to her paws, and her eyes flashed with recognition.

“You!” she hissed. “You’re Appledusk’s fat apprentice!”

Perchpaw raised himself to his full height, unfazed by the insult. “Yeah,” he said, “I’m the fat apprentice who’s already bested you once. Back off before I kick your ass a second time.”

Mapleshade’s jaw fell open. “You-” She was cut off by a series of angry yowls, and for the first time since her exile from RiverClan, Reedshine saw genuine fear cross her face. She felt a sensation of hope prickle beneath her skin; the Great Sycamore patrol had arrived.

Oakstar appeared first, leading the charge. Deerdapple was right behind him, and Reedshine saw the fury of a mentor ready to kill to protect their apprentice. She saw Eeltail and Spiketail, her clanmates, and the two WindClan warriors who bickered so often. Everyone was here, and they made quick work of surrounding Mapleshade.

Nettlepaw stood, and though he was covered in wounds, he exchanged a determined glance with Perchpaw. “Give up, Mapleshade,” Perchpaw said.

Mapleshade crouched, disbelief on her face. “But I- No!” Her voice raised to a shout, and she spun in helpless, panicked circles. “I’ve done nothing wrong, nothing, and StarClan has chosen to curse me in this way? All I ever did was love too much, and look where that’s gotten me?” She rambled on, sounding more and more crazed as she did. “Everyone is against me! Every clan, every cat! My kits died, does no one care? I’ve done nothing wrong! ” Her last sentence shot up to a screech.

Oakstar was unimpressed by her caterwauls. “Is that truly what you believe, Mapleshade?” he asked. “Perhaps StarClan has wronged you, by bringing you into the world a blinded, self-serving creature. It’s about time you faced the-”

Mapleshade lunged towards him, letting out another furious scream. Oakstar, caught off guard, did nothing to defend himself. Mapleshade flattened the ThunderClan leader beneath her weight, sinking her teeth deep into his throat. 

Chaos erupted from the surrounding cats. Thrushtalon and Silverflame yanked Mapleshade back by her shoulders, and a mass of cats from all four clans swarmed over her. Mapleshade let out a final shout. “Your kin will rue the day you trifled with me, traitorous-” Her words were cut off as Perchpaw clawed at her chest. A wave of blood spilled onto the grass. Mapleshade looked dizzy, and almost surprised as she stared down at her paws. She teetered for a heartbeat before collapsing, her claws still twitching and her teeth still bared.

“She’s… dead,” Eeltail said. Her jaw was slack, her expression shocked.

A huge grin spread across Midgepelt’s face. “We did it!” he shouted, joyously embracing Swiftflight and nearly knocking him over. For once, the gray tom didn’t argue back, returning the hug instead.

Everyone began to cheer, the tension finally broken. Deerdapple raced over to her apprentice. “Are you okay? Are you hurt? Oh, StarClan, Dawnfeather’s gonna kill me…”

Nettlepaw was panting, but he still looked incredibly pleased. “I’m fine, thanks to Perchpaw!” he turned to the other apprentice, suddenly shy. “I- I mean, I would’ve been crowfood without him!”

Perchpaw looked exhausted, but Reedshine was glad to see that he also looked happy. “Hey, give yourself some credit. You did a great job holding her off until we got here!” The two apprentices exchanged wide smiles, and Reedshine remembered telling Frecklewish that they would be great friends if they ever met; it seems she was right.

“Where’s Oakstar?” Thrushtalon asked, glancing around. “Is he okay?”

The celebrating cats parted, and Reedshine gasped. Oakstar was lying on his side, absolutely still. The wound on his throat that Mapleshade had inflicted looked pretty severe, and was still bleeding. He wasn’t dead… was he?

“Out of the way!” Echosnout commanded, pushing almost pushing Fallowsong over as she hastily scrambled towards the injured leader. Cloudberry stood, turning to Reedshine. Reedshine nodded, curling her tail protectively over an unconscious Frecklewish, and Cloudberry joined her mentor. Echosnout leaned over, pressing an ear to Oakstar’s chest. She sighed, her head bowed. “There’s nothing I can do for him. Whether or not he returns is in the paws of StarClan.”

Beetail limped towards him. His steps were wobbly, but he seemed set on reaching his leader. “He’ll be back,” he said, confidence in his meow. “I know he will.”

A long moment passed. Reedshine wondered if Beetail actually knew how many lives Oakstar had left. She hoped he’d be alright; Oakstar hadn’t always been the kindest to her, but when it mattered, he did what was right. Just as she began to lose hope, Oakstar’s paws twitched. Was Reedshine’s exhaustion taking over, or did she just see the wound knit itself halfway closed right before her eyes?

Oakstar gasped, his eyes flying open. He tried to get to his paws, but Echosnout protested.

“Woah, woah, woah,” she said, helping him lay back down. “You just died, for StarClan’s sake. Give yourself a moment.”

“But- Mapleshade-” Oakstar stammered.

Beetail smiled. “Already taken care of,” he said, flicking his fluffy tail towards Mapleshade’s corpse.

Oakstar looked up, his returning smile uncharacteristically warm. “Beetail, you son-of-a-badger,” he said. “I’m glad you’re alright.”

“Mostly,” Beetail replied. “I might pass out.”

Oakstar laughed, rolling off of his side and settling into a more comfortable position. Beetail half sat, half collapsed beside him, and the two medicine cats began treating the worst of their wounds.

“What should we do with her ?” Seedpelt asked, pointing at Mapleshade. He didn’t bother hiding the disgust in his meow.

Oakstar curled his lip. “Leave her to rot,” he replied bitterly. “I think it’s a fair trade, after all she’s done.” The others murmured in agreement.

Reedshine let out a breath. They did it; they defeated Mapleshade. Now, she would never tear apart another family again. She closed her eyes, full of relief. Was Appledusk looking down on her from up above? Was he proud of her for what she’d done? Or was he angry that she’d fallen for a ThunderClan cat in the end?

Reedshine turned to Frecklewish, who was still blacked out at her paws. She almost didn’t care if Appledusk approved of this. All she knew was that she felt a strong, incurable love for the brave golden she-cat. Whatever she had with Appledusk, she would always treasure in her memories, but she couldn’t dwell on him. Now it was time for a new leaf to turn over, for a new love to bloom.

“...Reedshine?” Frecklewish began to stir, and Reedshine’s heart leapt.

“Frecklewish!” Reedshine thought she might start crying again. “You’re okay!”

“Mmm…” Frecklewish groaned. “Dunno. Everything hurts.”

Reedshine gave her a gentle lick on the forehead. “I know, I know. You’ve been through a lot today. Just get some rest, and we’ll get you back to ThunderClan camp.”

Frecklewish managed a half-hearted nod. She relaxed again, her voice barely audible. “And Reedshine?”

Reedshine tilted her head. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

A pained but genuine smile blossomed on Frecklewish’s face. “I love you too.”

Chapter Text

A gentle breeze wove its way through the trees above, filling the air with the rustles of leaf-fall. Echosnout helped Reedshine onto the opposing shore, and Reedshine, out of breath, only nodded her thanks. Fewer and fewer days were left until her kits were born, and at this time queens were usually confined to the nursery. But this was a special occasion, not just for Reedshine, but for all the clans.

After Mapleshade’s defeat, Oakstar and Darkstar agreed to meet on neutral terms to celebrate the victory. They’d chosen Sunningrocks, which Reedshine thought was incredibly ironic. How many times had they fought over this patch of rocks? She laughed to herself, wondering if perhaps some good came of Mapleshade’s treachery; ThunderClan and RiverClan were more at peace with each other than they’d ever been.

Speaking of ThunderClan, they were just starting to arrive as RiverClan was. Cats who’d partaken in the battle (which was already half a moon ago; how time flies!) met up to recount dramatic tales of the ambush, while those who stayed home listened eagerly and wished they were there. Midgepelt, Swiftflight, Cedarpelt, and Silverflame, all honored guests, showed up not long after, and were welcomed as clanmates… for the day, at least.

Perchpaw hurried over to greet Nettlepaw, and the two apprentices engaged in a hushed and excited chatter. Reedshine wondered what they were hiding from her, shaking her head and smiling at Perchpaw’s antics. He was always pretty sheltered back in RiverClan, and seeing him become friends with another cat so quickly warmed her heart. She couldn’t help but notice that Deerdapple wasn’t with her apprentice.

She continued to look around. The cats who were most severely injured in the attack were here, as she spotted Beetail speaking with Darkstar and Oakstar. All the cats, of course, except…

Reedshine gasped, her downcast thought fading away. Slowly, making their way out of ThunderClan’s forest, she saw three she-cats. Cloudberry, who’d been staying with ThunderClan to help treat their wounds, was chatting happily with Deerdapple. They noticed Reedshine staring, and with a smile, Deerdapple gently nudged the third cat walking between them.

“Hey mouse-brain,” she said, “not to say I told you so, but she’s here.”

Reedshine felt warm tears of joy run down her cheeks. She missed her so much. Every night, she went to sleep anxious, terrified that she wouldn’t make it. But here she was.

And she was so much more beautiful than Reedshine remembered.

Frecklewish lifted her head, opening her jaw to taste the air. Her eyes were still cloudy and blind, but they were no longer swollen shut. She looked a bit frailer and shakier than she had been before, but she looked like she was healing well. She grinned so wide when she realized her love was standing before her, and Reedshine thought her heart would burst.

“Hey, fish-breath,” Frecklewish purred. She stepped forward, uncertain until brushing against Reedshine. She lowered her head to rest it on Reedshine’s shoulders, and soon the two she-cats were wrapped up in the most comforting embrace either of them had felt in a while. Reedshine shut her eyes, a vision of their future springing to life as she was enveloped by Frecklewish’s earthy scent. Her heart fluttered with excitement; soon, Frecklewish would learn about the surprise she had planned.

“I was so worried you weren’t coming!” Reedshine purred, not letting go.

Frecklewish laughed. “You and me both, Reedshine,” she said. “Fortunately, RiverClan has the best medicine cat I could ask for.”

Reedshine peaked one eye open, and she and Cloudberry exchanged a knowing glance.

They finally separated, their faces still minnow-lengths from one another. “How’ve you been?” Reedshine asked. “I assume… you can’t see anymore?”

Frecklewish shook her head. “Not anymore, unfortunately. It’s been tough to get used to, but I think I’m getting the hang of things.” Her whiskers twitched. “I’m sure Deerdapple has wonderful tales to tell you about how often I bump into things.”

Deerdapple snorted. “She almost ran over Nettlepaw on the way here.”

“I did not, ” Frecklewish quickly defended herself. “For the record, Nettlepaw almost ran into me. ” She was still grinning. “I’ve had a bit of trouble with easy things. Like hunting; try doing that with your eyes closed. And I’ve never heard of there being a blind warrior before; usually cats who lose their sight spend the rest of their days in the elder’s den.” Her ears drooped, but she shook herself, setting her jaw. “I’m not giving up yet. Even if I have to give up hunting and fighting, I’ll find something to do.”

Reedshine booped Frecklewish’s nose with her own, proud of her resilience. “Don’t worry about that for now; I’m sure everything will work out. Besides, you’ll have me and Deerdapple and Cloudberry to help you through it.”

Frecklewish sighed. “I suppose I will… at least until you two go back to RiverClan. Then I’ll have to deal with Deerdapple’s shenanigans all by myself.”

“Hey- Excuse me!” Deerdapple shot her a glare. “Don’t try to paint me as a ‘shenaniganizer’!”

“You do that well enough on your own,” Cloudberry teased back, earning herself a cuff over her ears. The four of them laughed, and Reedshine was glad to be surrounded by the cats she cared for the most.

“Cats of the forest!” Darkstar called. “Gather here!”

Deerdapple tilted her head. “A meeting? What’s that about?”

Reedshine turned, twining her tail with Frecklewish’s. “I guess we’d better go find out,” she purred, walking in step with her partner. Frecklewish stuck to her side like a burr, clearly still uncertain without her sight to guide her. Reedshine walked slowly, patiently, until they reached the rocks where the leader sat.

Oakstar started off the meeting. “Thank you all for joining us here today. I think I speak on behalf of Darkstar as well when I say that we all played an important role in ridding the forest of a terrible enemy, and we appreciate everyone who helped. We just wanted to say a few words to end off our little Sunningrocks Gathering.” He nodded to Darkstar, signaling respectfully for her to take over. Reedshine chuckled to herself, remembering how the two leaders used to always argue.

“First off, both ThunderClan and RiverClan had apprentices that participated in the ambush,” Darkstar meowed. “Both showed incredible bravery from what I’ve heard, and after discussing with their mentors, Oakstar and I have decided that they are more than ready to become warriors.”

Ahh, so that’s what he was so excited about, Reedshine thought, craning her neck to spot Perchpaw and Nettlepaw. She stifled a laugh as Dawnfather began frantically grooming her son’s messy fur, seemingly just noticing what was going on.

“Perchpaw and Nettlepaw, please step up,” Darkstar said. The apprentices didn’t hesitate, their eyes gleaming with excitement as they stared up at their leaders.

“I, Oakstar of ThunderClan-”

“And I, Darkstar of RiverClan-” Darkstar added.

Oakstar continued, “-call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand your noble code, and have proven their dedication with their strength in battle. I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Nettlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Nettlepaw nodded, and Deerdapple beamed. “I do!” he meowed, bouncing a little with excitement.

“Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Nettlepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Nettlebreeze. StarClan honors your energy and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.” Oakstar leapt off the rock and rested his muzzle on Nettlebreeze’s head. Nettlebreeze licked his shoulder, clearly struggling to contain his excitement.

Darkstar spoke next. “Perchpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Perchpaw nodded solemnly, somehow managing to keep a calm and serious face. Reedshine felt a burst of pride at how far he’d come from the troublesome young apprentice she once knew. “I do.”

Darkstar smiled. “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Perchpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Perchreed. StarClan honors your resilience and skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan.”

“Perchreed, Nettlebreeze!” Such chants echoed throughout Sunningrocks, even from warriors outside of RiverClan and ThunderClan. Reedshine called as loudly as she could, joy flooding her heart at Perchreed’s new name; she had a good feeling he requested to be named after her. The two young toms beamed from ear to ear.

After the cheering died down, Darkstar spoke up again. “There’s a few more matters we’d like to address. On behalf of all the clans, I’d like to thank Frecklewish for her sacrifice and bravery in facing Mapleshade. If not for her, we might still be huddling terrified in our nests.”

More cheering insured. Frecklewish ducked her head, embarrassed but still smiling.

“And I’d like to thank Reedshine for warning us about Mapleshade in the first place,” Oakstar added. “Without her, many more lives could’ve been lost.” He exchanged a look with Darkstar. “I’ve received a specific request from Reedshine prior to this meeting, and after speaking with Darkstar, we’ve come to an agreement.”

Frecklewish tilted her head in confusion, and Reedshine’s heart pounded with both excitement and fear. She worried about how her clanmates would react, but she was certain that Frecklewish and her friends would support her decision.

Oakstar, at least, was smiling encouragingly. “Reedshine has asked for permission to join ThunderClan, and become a permanent addition to our ranks. And after all she’s done for us, it would be rude for me to say no.”

Frecklewish’s jaw dropped. Reedshine’s smile only grew, her stomach jumbling with overzealous butterflies. Frecklewish didn’t speak at first, still dumbfounded. “Are- Are you for real?” she stammered at last.

Reedshine giggled. “Of course! Where in the forest would I want to be if not at your side?”

“Oh- Reedshine!” Frecklewish scooped her up in a hug so tight, nearly sweeping Reedshine off her paws. Reedshine laughed, struggling to keep her balance and hug Frecklewish back at the same time. Frecklewish finally set her down, and Reedshine felt a buzz of excitement for the moons to come. “But- Your kits!” Frecklewish said, suddenly worried. “It’s not safe, we don’t have a medicine cat-”

Oakstar let out a low, rumbly purr, interrupting them. “I was just getting to that,” he meowed. “Cloudberry has also requested to join ThunderClan, and fill the vacant space in our medicine den. ThunderClan would greatly appreciate her assistance.”

Echosnout gasped, turning to her apprentice. “Are- Are you sure?” she said.

Cloudberry nodded, nothing but calm certainty in her eyes. “I’m sure,” she said. “ThunderClan needs me. And every clan deserves the security of having a capable medicine cat.”

Echosnout blinked in silence for a moment, before shaking her head. She smiled, patting Cloudberry on the head. “It seems I’ve taught you well,” she purred. “I’m proud of you.” Cloudberry returned the smile, a joyous look in her eyes.

“If all business is taken care of, I suppose we should be off,” Darkstar meowed, turning to Oakstar. “And I never thought I’d say this, but I appreciate everything ThunderClan has done for us.”

“I say the same of RiverClan,” Oakstar replied. The two leaders exchanged a respectful nod before heading their separate ways.

Frecklewish smiled. “Well? Shall we head home?”

Reedshine turned and saw Perchreed approaching her. “In a moment. There’s something I need to do first.” Frecklewish nodded, joining Deerdapple and Cloudberry at the edge of the trees. Reedshine took a deep breath; she wasn’t sure how this conversation would go.

“Congratulations, Perchreed!” she began with a purr. “I’m so, so proud of you. Look at you; you’re a full-grown warrior now!”

Perchreed’s grin was huge, almost too huge for his face. “Thanks, Reedshine,” he said. “D’you think… maybe Appledusk is watching? From StarClan?”

Reedshine nodded. “Oh, I don’t doubt it. And I’m sure he’s just as proud as I am.” She tilted her head. “I’m surprised you didn’t choose your full name to honor him.”

Perchreed shrugged, still smiling. “I wanted to carry a little piece of you with me, wherever I go.” There was something knowing in his blue eyes. “And I had a feeling you weren’t going to stay in RiverClan forever, after you told me about Frecklewish.”

Reedshine’s heart sank. “Perchreed, I’m so sorry, I-”

Perchreed shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize,” he said. “I want you to do what’ll make you happy.” His shoulders sagged a bit. “It’s just… unfortunate, that we’ll have to go separate ways.”

Reedshine sighed. “Thank you for understanding. I know you’re going to be a warrior all of RiverClan will look up to.” She rested her chin on his head, and Perchreed brushed his muzzle against her cheek. “We’ll meet on neutral grounds again in StarClan, I promise.”

Perchreed nodded, stepping back. Reedshine thought she saw tears glistening in his eyes, and she couldn’t stop the guilt that came with that. “Goodbye, Reedshine.” He turned, waiting at the shore with his clanmates.

Nettlebreeze appeared beside Reedshine, a mischievous smirk on his face. “Here, a little ThunderClan tradition for you,” he said. “This is the part where you shout-” he raised his voice and hollered, “-the Sunningrocks will always belong to us, fish-eaters!”

Perchreed bared his teeth back at him, his tail twitching playfully. “In your dreams, tree-huggers!” he chidded back. The three of them laughed, and Reedshine let herself relax again as relief flooded through her.

She rejoined Frecklewish where she was patiently waiting. Reedshine stood beside her, their pelts brushing. “Ready?” Frecklewish asked.

Reedshine paused, but replied with certainty. “Yeah.” She rubbed Frecklewish’s cheek with her own, and Frecklewish returned the gesture. “Let’s head home.”

~ 🏵 🏶 🏵 ~

Frecklewish crouched at the edge of the medicine den, waiting in nervous silence as Reedshine hissed in the nest in front of her. She could feel Cloudberry’s pelt brushing against her as she darted around, probably gathering some herbs or something. Her heart was pounding, and she wasn’t sure what to do.

Frecklewish had helped with a birth before, but under completely different circumstances. She vividly remembered Mapleshade, her claws tearing the moss as she snarled in pain. She remembered when Ravenwing placed little Larkkit at her paws, and she licked the life into his tiny body. That was one of the most wonderful moments in her life, seeing those precious kits come into the world.

Now, she felt overwhelmed. Everything seemed to be happening so fast. Less than a moon ago, Frecklewish was worried she’d never see Reedshine ever again. A few days ago, she found out that they’d be living together in the same clan. Between that time, they’d defeated Mapleshade and confessed their love to each other… and now Reedshine was here, and her kits were coming, and Frecklewish had no idea how to comfort her.

Thankfully, Cloudberry seemed to know what she was doing. She was surprisingly very capable, despite being only as old as Ravenwing was. “Take a deep breath, Reedshine, you’re going great,” she reassured her.

Reedshine hissed again, and Frecklewish flinched. “Is- Is there anything I can do?” she asked anxiously.

Reedshine’s breath came in frantic gasps. “Water,” she rasped, her breath hitching as another ripple of pain coursed through her. Frecklewish nodded, turning and racing out into camp.

She padded carefully but quickly; despite her blindness, Frecklewish was starting to become comfortable moving about camp. Not to mention that she’d been bringing water to Reedshine for the last few days, meaning that Frecklewish knew this route well.

When she returned with a soaking wet ball of moss, Frecklewish could hear that Reedshine was still in distress. She felt a pang of sympathy, wishing there was more she could do to help her through this.

“I’ll take that,” Cloudberry meowed. Frecklewish set the ball of moss down. Cloudberry squeezed the water out into Reedshine’s mouth, and Reedshine sighed with relief.

“Thanks,” she panted. “Great StarClan, why didn’t you tell me this would be so-” She cut herself off with another hiss, this one more fierce than the last. Frecklewish’s ears pricked; she recalled Mapleshade’s kitting, and realized that Reedshine’s kits were coming.

Cloudberry realized this as well. “Be ready, Frecklewish!” she said. “Once the first kit comes, I’m going to pass it to you to lick awake.”

Frecklewish nodded. She’d done this before. She knew what to do. That did little to ease her nerves, and she murmured a quick prayer to her ancestors that there wouldn’t be any complications.

It didn’t take long for Reedshine to let out a yowl. Her paws scrabbled against the mossy bed, and suddenly Frecklewish caught the sweet smell of a newborn kit. “A she-kit!” Cloudberry exclaimed. “Oh, and she’s beautiful!” Frecklewish felt the kit’s slick, wet fur brush against her paw as Cloudberry set her down. She crouched low, her nose bumping gently against the kit’s body as Frecklewish began to lick her dry. She could feel Reedshine’s daughter beginning to squirm feebly beneath her muzzle, and she felt a burst of love so strong that it warmed her from ears to tail-tip.

I promise, little one, I’ll keep you safe, Frecklewish silently vowed.

Reedshine yowled again, and Cloudberry exclaimed, “Another she-kit!” She sounded so joyous, as though she were the mother. “You’re doing so well, Reedshine, I think you’ve only got one more…” She trailed off and began to lick the second kit, just as Frecklewish had done with the first.

Frecklewish cleaned the she-kit at her paws for a while longer. Soon, the final kit was born: a tom, according to Cloudberry. Reedshine pulled him close to her, her tongue rasping over his tiny body.

“That’s all,” Cloudberry said, letting out a breath. “Congratulations, Reedshine. You have three beautiful kits.”

Reedshine’s breathing was heavy, but when she spoke, Frecklewish could hear happiness and affection. “I think you mean we have three beautiful kits,” she corrected Cloudberry, turning to Frecklewish. “Bring her over here, dear.” Frecklewish carefully picked up the she-kit by the scruff of her neck, laying her close to Reedshine’s belly. Cloudberry did the same with the kit she was caring for. Frecklewish laid beside her mate, their tails twining almost instantly as she did.

“I’ll give you a moment,” Cloudberry said, slipping outside. “And I’ll let Deerdapple know she’s officially a proud auntie.”

Frecklewish licked Reedshine’s ears. Reedshine barely moved, still exhausted. Frecklewish felt another prickle of anxiety. “Are you okay?” she asked. “Do want to me to fetch more water, or-”

Reedshine shook her head. “No… No, I’m alright. Just stay here with me for a moment.” The kits let out tiny mewls as they began to suckle, and Frecklewish let herself be calm and happy, here with her family.

“Can I ask… What do they look like?” Frecklewish said after a comfortable silence passed over them.

“Of course!” Reedshine purred. “They’re your kits too, you know.”

Her heart soared. Our- Our kits, Frecklewish thought, reveling in the notion. She never imagined herself becoming a mother, but curled up here, beside Reedshine… nothing felt more right.

Frecklewish felt her shift, probably to nuzzle the kits she curled protectively around. “The she-kit you were caring for a moment ago is a silver tabby. Her brother is light brown. So is her sister, actually, except with white paws and a white mark on her chest.”

Like Appledusk, Frecklewish couldn’t help but think. “Have you and- and Appledusk thought of any names yet?”

Reedshine shook her head. “Not yet. Though I always liked the name Shykit… maybe for the brown she-kit?”

Frecklewish purred. “That’s a beautiful name, Reedshine.” She paused. “What about Willowkit for her sister? The way you described her reminded me of willow bark.”

“Oh- You’re right!” Reedshine exclaimed. “That suits her perfectly.” They both feel silent for a moment, before Reedshine added, “The last kit looks exactly like his father.”

Frecklewish’s tail twitched; they’d been thinking the exact same thing. “Were you thinking of naming him after Appledusk?” she asked.

Reedshine didn’t answer right away. “I’m… not sure. I know he hasn’t made the best choices, and I know you didn’t like him very much…” She trailed off.

Frecklewish rested a paw comfortingly on her shoulder. “If you want to name him Applekit, that’s completely fine. These are Appledusk’s kits, after all.”

“But they’re your kits now too,” Reedshine insisted. “And I don’t want to toss mouse-dung on your brother’s name.”

Frecklewish wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. It was true; she didn’t like Appledusk, and she probably never would. But this was Reedshine’s decision, and she wanted to let her know as much. “It’s up to you, Reedshine. Whatever you decide won’t change anything; he’s our son either way, and no matter what, I’ll always love him.”

Reedshine took a deep breath. “I think Applekit suits him,” she said at last.

Frecklewish pressed against her mate. “So do I,” she said. “Perhaps this is Appledusk’s chance, to live a life not riddled with messes and mistakes.”

“Perhaps,” Reedshine repeated. “He’ll make a fine warrior someday. They all will.”

Frecklewish smiled. “I’m certain,” she purred. “With a mother as wonderful as you, how could they not?”

Her heart leapt as Reedshine nuzzled her neck. Frecklewish felt a warm yet powerful feeling in her chest, and was suddenly brought a memory she didn’t even know she held onto; she was nestled in the nursery, Birchface snuggled at her side. The soothing smell of her mother and father filled the den, and more than anything, Frecklewish felt at peace.

She felt this again, here with their newborn kits. She remembered the time she spent after Birchface’s death, feeling lost and alone. Frecklewish remembered the feeling of an empty life, of a lost purpose, and realized that her purpose had been found again.

And where else would that purpose be than with the fishy-smelling warrior who showed up in camp one day? The warrior that she would soon grow to love?