Fan Fiction

Hollyleaf reminded leaning on a nearby rock, staring up at the beautiful mixed pinks and oranges of the setting sun. Nothing seemed to bother the black she-cat, with the same blank frown she had on at the start of the meeting. What could be going through her head? Leafpool glanced into the clearing, a dozen or so, cats were still scattered around but no one seemed to be paying attention to them. So she took a step towards Hollyleaf, ready to start speaking before something stopped her.

Jayfeather had returned, with the familiar golden-brown pelt of his brother at his side. Hollyleaf arose from her slumped over the position as her brothers neared. “Come on, we need to talk.”, Lionblaze proclaimed. Leafpool didn’t want to stop them but she didn’t want to see Firestar’s reaction if he found Hollyleaf had wondered off either. “Firestar, doesn’t want Hollyleaf away from High ledge.” , she reminded the three cats. “That’s just fine.”, Jayfeather mewed, gilding Lionblaze and Hollyleaf to the other end of the large rock. They crammed themselves into a tight tacked-away corner, on the far side of the piles of boulders, away from prying eyes.

Leafpool sat there at Den entrance, between the two conversions, both too muffled to make out any proper words. For the first time ever, she felt alone. This wasn’t going well, Firestar had managed to see the cracks and was beginning to unravel Hollyleaf’s story bit by bit. She also had to be careful with every move she made now. Though the three knew that Squirrelflight wasn’t their mother anymore, they still didn’t know that it was Leafpool. If she tried getting too involved, then Jayfeather, Hollyleaf and Lionblaze might start to suspect something. She could claim that she was doing all this to protect her “niece” and former apprentice but would it be enough? Was that realistic? Would she go through all this effort, if that was all Hollyleaf truly was to her?

She needed to talk to someone. She needed Squirrelflight. Scanning the hollow and seeing that cats seemed to be minding their own business, Leafpool drifted away from High-ledge, hoping to get to the Warriors den without too much trouble. Yet something stopped her, she noticed Ferncloud sitting with Ashfur’s body, her muzzle pressed into his smokey fur. Her breathing heavy with grief and she made quiet whimpering noises. For the first time, Leafpool felt guilty for Ashfur’s death, not for Ashfur himself but for Ferncloud. They had been close as littermates and to go through the pain of losing one, must’ve been awful. Leafpool couldn’t imagine what her life would be like if anything happened to Squirrelflight. Her Medicine cat’s nature seemed to take over. Even with all the personal things, Leafpool herself was going through, it was still her duty as a Medicine cat to heal her clanmates, physically and mentally.
She calmly padded over to the grieving cat, “Ferncloud.”, Leafpool asked softly, “Are you alright?”. Ferncloud slowly raised her head, until she met the gaze of Leafpool’s. She shook her head viciously, “No, I’m not!”, she hissed slightly, “No matter which story turns out to be true, it will something horrible! Either it turns out Ashfur attempted murder to someone or he had a brutal death from his own clanmate.”.

Leafpool gave an understanding nod, trying to comfort her, “He walks with Starclan now. He’ll be happy there, he’ll be with your mother again.”, giving off a smile. Though Leafpool had to admit, she wasn’t entirely sure he was even in Starclan. After all the terrible things he had done to her family; Luring Firestar into the Foxtrap, helping Hawkfrost and almost burning three littermates alive.

It wouldn’t have been surprising if he was wandering that starless forest alone instead. She bitterly hoped he was. Because if her family was in the same place he was, they would never be safe, even in death. She shuddered at the possibilities he could do to enact his revenge in the afterlife; chasing one of them into the Dark Forest or even causing one to fade away forever.

It was deeply confusing about how to feel about Ashfur’s death. Neither did Leafpool feel a sick joy that the dangerous tom was out of her or sadness that he was murdered so abruptly. Leafpool could never say Hollyleaf’s crime was right but she couldn’t blame her either. Wondering if any of their other kin would be willing to do the same. Knowing deep down, maybe those like Lionblaze and Squirrelflight might have the potential. However, Leafpool could never take anyone’s life, even if it meant the end of the Clans. If it was cowardice or goodness, she didn’t know.

Ferncloud had calmed slightly, “You’re right. I shouldn’t worry, he’s with Starclan now.”, she lay her head onto Leafpool’s shoulder, “Thank you.”. This lightens Leafpool’s mood. Looking up into the dimming night sky, the first speck of light peeking through the darkness. Leafpool told herself to be more hopeful. It was in Starclan’s paws now.

Leafpool’s nose twitched as she realized the sense of death still hang in the air, like a bad smell. It creeped her out, how Ashfur still looked almost alive, even with his dying breath long past. His eyes were still open, his face twisted with a mix of fear and anger and his paws outstretched to show needle-like claws. Like he was about to fight for his life. “I’ll get some lavender.”, she suggested, “Prepare him for brutal.”. Ferncloud simply nodded, returning back to resting her muzzle in her brother’s dead fur.

Leafpool entered her den, no injured cats occupying the empty moss nests. She squished herself into the large crack in the back cave, that served as the herb store. Small neatly placed piles of plants lined the small space. She scanned the line of herbs for the small flower; Burnet, Chervil, Comfrey Root, Feverfew- Lavender! The purple plants lay against the stone wall, unorganized like scattered leaves on the woodland floor. She scowled. Lots of piles of herbs were scattered around the place randomly. Jayfeather hadn’t put much effort into organizing those. Deciding to ignore it, for now, she carefully grasped the lavender in between her teeth and turned back, returning to Ferncloud and Ashfur’s body. However, she almost ended up choking on the lavender when saw Squirrelflight blocking the entrance.

As her sister approached, she placed the herbs at her paws. “Well-“, Squirrelflight mewed slightly impatiently, her tail swinging from side to side with tension, “What’s happening with Firestar?”. Leafpool swallowed, “It’s not looking good. He’s managed to pick out some of the issues with Hollyleaf’s story. Like; how she’s uninjured and why she didn’t get help. I and Jayfeather managed a few counter-arguments but it’s hard to say which side Firestar is believing. We need something strong if we want to convince him, Hollyleaf is innocent.”.

Squirrelflight’s ear twitch and eyes narrowed, “So if you’re out here, what’s he doing now?”, she asked beginning to walk with Leafpool as they exited the small cave. Leafpool had to awkwardly use her tongue to pull the lavender to one side of her mouth to talk, “He’s speaking with Brambleclaw. Trying to learn more about you and Ashfur’s relationship.”, mewing with a muffled voice. It sounded like she was chewing.
Squirrelflight glanced over to the Leader’s den, “He’s doing this now?”, surprisingly annoyed. Leafpool nodded. “He wants to find out Ashfur’s motivation and doesn’t even think to ask the cat he wanted to hurt the most?”, Squirrelflight exclaimed, stunned. Her best guess was that since only Firestar’s kin was only really involved, her father wanted to be careful who he questioned. Or her clanmates might become judgemental or even accuse him of favouritism.

Leafpool shrugged, flicking her tail toward the high ledge, “Well, if you have something say to him, say it.”, Leafpool paused, “If it’s the only thing that saves Hollyleaf.”. Squirrelflight gave an understanding yet determined look, “I will actually.”, marching over to the leader den. Leafpool took the time to place the lavender next to the crouched down Ferncloud, before chasing after Squirrelflight. Just then, brown and ginger shapes appeared from under the bramble covered entrance. As Firestar stood up, his head twisted and turned as he looked around the camp, “Where is everybody?”, he yelled, confused and annoyed.

Squirrelflight halted in front of Firestar, “Father, if this is about Ashfur, you should ask me as well. I know more about him than anyone.”, she declared. Firestar seemed to be frustrated trying to multi-task of looking for the disappearing cats and dealing with Squirrelflight. Then he spotted her, “Leafpool, where’s Jayfeather and Hollyleaf?”, he called out. Black, grey and golden heads popped out from the tacked away counter of the High ledge. “We’re here.”, Jayfeather replied. The three cats climbed out the narrow space and stepped beside Brambleclaw. The Brown deputy’s ears flatten as his son, Lionblaze anxiously sat next to him.

Firestar groaned as the missing cats gathered around him again, “I’m dealing with a murder case here. At least, I thought I could rely on my warriors not to act like kits and wander off!”, scolding them all. They all reminded quite.

“Now.”, Firestar mewed, turning to Squirrelflight. “I’ve satisfied with what Brambleclaw has told me. I really need to move onto Hollyleaf now, so unless you know something Brambleclaw doesn’t and it’s initial, we have moved on now.”. Squirrelflight turned to look at Leafpool. She shook. Should they tell him? However, her father’s need for speeding things up, made sense. Just a short distance away, her clanmates that lined the rims of the clearing were becoming restless. Icepaw and Foxpaw fidgeted, unable to settle. While Whitewing constantly paced round in a circle, anger and stress burning into her fur.

Squirrelflight swallowed quietly, “Nevermind then. It’s not that important.”. Their father nodded, leading the way back into the den filled with darkness. His tail hooked at the tip, signalling for someone to follow, “Hollyleaf, Jayfeather and Leafpool, I’ll see you three.”, he mewed in a hushed tone. Again? However, Firestar abruptly sat to the side, letting Hollyleaf creep inside first, like a slithering adder about to strike. There was a flash of darkening green eyes, as her eyes clouded over with suspicion. It was only when, Jayfeather’s misty grey pelt was lost to the gloom of the cave as well, did Firestar make his move. He quickly leaned over until his jaw was up against Leafpool’s ear, “Make sure I and Hollyleaf stay calm.”, he whispered harshly.

The Medicine cat licked her lips nervously, to have Firestar asking someone else to take reasonability for him. The usually humble and calm leader, his bravery rivalling Lionclan itself. But seeing his muscles tense and neck fur struggling not to prick, Leafpool knew a fight could break out . This was his Granddaughter he was putting on trial after all.

They both entered. Hollyleaf’s solid black fur, made her nothing but a thin shadow in the thick storm of darkness inside the cave. Her eyes brightly glowing like blazing green stars in the endless void of the night sky. Reluctantly, Leafpool took her place next to her former apprentice. Firestar appeared liked a fading forest fire, long past it’s prime as rain battered down onto it, as Firestar lay there in the corner.

It was a long pause before anyone dared to uttered something. But surprisingly, it was Hollyleaf who spoke first. She sighed and bowed her head respectfully to her leader, “When I was granted my warrior name, I promised to uphold the warrior code and loyalty to my Clan with my life. And I can’t live with myself knowing I betray that promise everyday.”. The others in the den stared at her in shook. She wasn’t admitting it, was she? Even her brother’s jaw hung open with horror. Hollyleaf hadn’t even told her cherished littermates.

Firestar sat up from his dim green moss nest, puffing his chest, preparing himself mentally for whatever came next. Their eyes met, an initial shade of green, a powerful unknown force between them, “If you have something to say, say it.”, Firestar ordered, with a calm yet serious frown on his face. Being risky, Jayfeather muttered almost silent words to his sister, Leafpool barely heard, “You don’t have to do this.”. However, Hollyleaf didn’t even look at Jayfeather, shooing him away with a flick of her squirrel-like black tail, like an elder and kit.

She bowed her head again, “I can’t lie or remain silent anymore.”, she mewed with a surprisingly steady and clear voice. No, she couldn’t. Leafpool’s heart turned to stone in her chest and her blood ran cold like a river of ice. “It wasn’t self-defence. I purposefully stalked Ashfur while he was hunting with the full intent to kill him.”, Hollyleaf announced.

Firestar was instantly on his paws, aggressively spitting into her face with the anger of a battle-crazed warrior, “Ashfur was a loyal and brave warrior. How could you kill your own clanmate?!”, he demanded. Out of fear, Jayfeather pressed himself against the cold stone wall. Leafpool moved in, laying her tail over her father’s shoulder, “Calm down.”, she objected. Narrowing her eyes, Hollyleaf mumbled her response, “I don’t need to justify my actions. All I will say is- Ashfur was never the cat you thought he was.”.

Firestar drew back, panting, quickly trying to calm himself now. His fur patchy and sticky, due to rage he felt. Leafpool could almost see the wave of shame that rippled through his fur. “So all that, of you going to stream to think and Ashfur attacking you- That was all a lie?”, he wanted to confirmed.

Hollyleaf nodded, “Yes.”. Heartbeats painfully bragged on, everyone just remained rooted to the floor, finding it hard to take it all in. Finally, Firestar spoke in a quiet voice, “I see. At least you have the honour to admit it. I’ve heard enough.”, he mewed, quickly disappearing through the entrance.

With Firestar gone, Leafpool span on her paw to directly face the black she-cat, her stomach coiling from the panic. “Don’t do this, Hollyleaf!”, she begged, “Tell him what happened in the fire. Prove that it was justified!”. Though, Hollyleaf just gave a cold hollow stare. Suddenly, she darted forward, yanking Leafpool off her paws by her scruff. Before she could counter-attack, Hollyleaf slammed her against the back wall, pinning her in place. Despite his blindness, Jayfeather quickly picked up the sounds of violence and dashed to their side, “Easy!”, he warned.

Hollyleaf’s long white fangs were gritted together as she struggled to hold her anger. “How much do you know?”, she whispered, so hushed, it was if the wind itself was trying to speak. Leafpool fought to control her breathing, “Only what Squirrelflight told me.”, she lied.

Hollyleaf leaned over to Leafpool until they were touching noses, “Whatever Squirrelflight told you, it doesn’t matter anymore. Not you or any other cat is getting involved. The truth is never getting out. And if I have to get exiled or even die to protect it- so be it.”, she hissed, “I won’t let myself disgrace my kin or the warrior code anymore.”. Leafpool looked at her daughter, speechless. She wanted to just let the words slip out, ‘Your my kit’ but she wouldn’t. With the amount of pain Hollyleaf was in already, it would be unfair. Not when she was about to meet her fate. Her separation from the cats she loved and the code she lived for.

Hollyleaf drew her claws away from Leafpool’s white chest, causing her collapse to the ground with no support. The Soon-to-be-rouge padded away without another word, Jayfeather at her heels, leaving Leafpool behind in the dust. The medicine cat lay there, her body viscously shaking and her throat rumbling as she whined. She’d failed. This was all her fault! Ashfur had won. He’d had destroyed Squirrelflight’s family.

It was only when she heard her father’s voice she was forced to move, “Brambleclaw, escort Hollyleaf to the centre of the clearing.”, he ordered. Leafpool stood up, shaking the scraps of earth from her brown tabby pelt, scattering them like snowflakes. As she left, the chilled night air hit her tongue. When she poked her head through the sheet of brambles, Hollyleaf and Brambleclaw trotted to the centre of the clearing. The deputy was desperately trying to get answers out of Hollyleaf, however, no words come from her. Jayfeather stood to the side, his short white claws scraping against the grey floor in frustration. Hollyleaf now sat at the centre, head hung low, awaiting her fate. Firestar bounded up the boulders until he stood at the top, raising his head to the sky, like a sun against the night, “All cats gather around the Highledge once more, to resume the Clan meeting.”.

As the words rang out, cats from all around, insanity responded, dashing out of their dens like streams of rushing ants. They excitedly and angrily chattered among themselves, eager to find out about more lies. Filling in the clearing, her clanmates gave Hollyleaf cold glares and whispered behind her back. Brambleclaw, Cinderheart, Squirrelflight and Lionblaze were scattered around the crowd, their eyes filled with concern and worry. Leafpool crept to the entrance of the Medicine den, the only place she felt safe. Jayfeather shifted away from her.

Firestar took the time to look at each individual face that made up Thunderclan before beginning, “I’ve spoken each cat involved with this case and I’ve managed to finally discover the truth!”. Waves of yowls and shouts spread throughout the clan, slowly dying down to allow for Firestar to carry on, “Hollyleaf has admitted her guilt and confirmed that’s her original story is indeed false. She attacked Ashfur first, with intent to kill.”.

A storm of sound comes from the large crowd of cats as each cat had their own reaction; there were yowls of anger, whales of horror, stunned with shock, hisses of aggression towards the traitor and silence by those who had already predicted what would happen.

“How could you!?”, Whitewing cried out.
“Murderer!”, Hazeltail growled.

“I told you.”, Spiderleg muttered to an unsettled Brackenfur standing next to him. Leafpool felt a stab of disgust at Spiderleg’s insensitive comment.

Firestar raised his voice above the racket, “Hollyleaf, earlier you refused to justify your actions to me in private. So I’ll give you a second and last chance to explain yourself in front of the Clan, they deserve to know. Why did you kill Ashfur?”, Firestar patiently questioned. The Clan waited with their breath held, for Hollyleaf to reveal the truth. However, like Leafpool expected, she just repeated what she’d said back in the leader’s den, “Like I said before, I don’t need to tell you anything. And I refuse to.”, she proclaimed.

Leafpool’s clanmates looked at each other in confusion and disappointment. Firestar narrowed his eyes to slits, “If you refuse to explain it, do you at least have anything to say in your defence?”. Leafpool’s ears pricked as she picked a slight growl rising in Jayfeather’s grey throat.

No answer. With nothing left to say or do, Firestar finally passed judgment, to the dismay of Leafpool, “If you have nothing more say- For the murder of Ashfur, I exile you from Thunderclan. You’ll have until next sunhigh to leave and if you’re found in our territory after that, you’ll be driven out.”, Firestar addressed, “Now leave us.”, having to force out each word. “No!”, Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw almost said in unison. Every passing heartbeat the guilt grew inside Leafpool, like a growing patch of sharp thorns. Why did this have to happen? If Ashfur had just gotten over his pretty need for revenge, none of this would have happened!

Quietly, Leafpool looked up into the clear night sky, not a cloud in sight. The moon, as round as a giant owl’s eye, remaining uncovered. Was that an Omen? Was this Starclan’s will? While Leafpool fussed over the views, Hollyleaf slowly rose to her paws, padding even slower to the entrance of the stone hollow. This place was no longer her home. Her tail hung low, being dragged across the floor. The warriors around shifted as she passed, growling and giving unforgiving looks.

They didn’t consider her clanmate anymore. Were they happy to see her go? Brambleclaw amber eyes wouldn’t leave Firestar, anger burning into him. Cinderheart kept on desperately shaking her head from side to side as if she expected to wake up from a nightmare. Leafpool spotted the ginger pelt of her sister, ducking in between warriors as tried to make her way over to Leafpool.

Before Hollyleaf’s black pelt could disappear into the shadows of the thorn bush entrance, Lionblaze came charging through the crowd, “Don’t let her go yet! I have got something to say!”, he yelled. Leafpool’s ear twitched to the side, uncertain of what he planning. Jayfeather watched his brother with equal intrigue. Firestar was reluctant at first but called after the exiled cat, “Hollyleaf, halt!”, he commanded, turning to Lionblaze again, “Say what you need to.”.

Lionblaze dashed over to his littermate, touching noses as they recruited. Then their heads lowered as their muttered to each other in hushed voices. Then the Golden tom raised his head up proud at his clanmates, “If Hollyleaf’s goes into exile, then so do I! Thunderclan can no longer be my home if my sister isn’t here to stand by my side.”, he declared like a leader. Immediately, Leafpool leapt to the paws, like several other cats around her. Uproar spread throughout the cats, quicker than greencough in leafbare. What was he doing? She couldn’t lose two kits in one night. She then looked to Jayfeather. His pale blind eyes widened to the size of moons and his thin fur ruffed up to the size of a nettle bush. Now possibly three.

Firestar tried to calm the situation, “I’m sorry that I have to exile you’re sister. But she murdered her own Clanmate. She can’t go unpunished. You, however, are innocent and still deserve your place in Thunderclan. Lionblaze, you still have a duty to your clanmates. You don’t need to go with her.”.

Lionblaze spoke his head, “But I also have a duty to my kin. I’m going with Hollyleaf.”.

“Do you understand what will happen if you go with her? You’d choose loyalty to Hollyleaf over your Clan, you’d be in exile alongside her. You’d become rouge. Where you won’t be able to return.”, Firestar explained. However, Hollyleaf spoke up, annoyed at her former leader treating Lionblaze like a kit, “My brother is fully aware of the consequences, Firestar.”.

The leader accepted the young warrior decision, letting off a sad sigh, “Then I respect your decision and wish you luck on your new life.”. Suddenly all attention was drawn to the medicine den entrance. Leafpool stiffened up like a stone until she realized all eyes were on Jayfeather. He could sense everyone staring at him, “What?”, he rudely blurted.

The nearest cat to them, the grey and white warrior, Mousewhisker blinked at the medicine cat apprentice, “Aren’t you going with them?”, he asked.

Leafpool waited in terror for his answer, “Think carefully about this.”, she warned. The tabby tom angrily snapped at her, “You’re not my mother! I can make my own decisions.”. If only he knew. He trotted over to the pair of littermates at the entrance and the three had brief conservation. Everyone watched awkwardly.

Luckily, he pulled away from Lionblaze and Hollyleaf shaking his head, face blank with numbness. They had something planned. “No.”, he muttered, “I can’t abandon Thunderclan. It needs me.”. From above, Firestar gave a pleasing dip of the head, grateful not to lose three useful cats in one night, “Very well.”.

With a flick of the tail, Firestar sent the two former Thunderclan cats away into exile, “You two should get going.”, he mumbled. With one final sad glance back, the two littermates broke into a run, off into entrance, their outlines quickly being lost to the darkness and forest. Serval cats jerked back in shock as Brambleclaw let off a horrible ear-piercing yowl of dismay in the back. “You’re all dismissed.”, Firestar mewed sadly, stumbling down from the Highledge and ducking straight into his den. Her mother, Sandstorm hurried after him, grief in her eyes. While Brambleclaw headed for the entrance, probably to let off steam or clear his head.

The crowd slowly drifted apart, some retreating back into their dens while others huddled into smaller groups, trying to process what just happened. The worse affected, Jayfeather, stormed off to his nest, slumping down, making moaning noises to himself. A storm cloud over his head.

Leafpool was left standing there, alone. She could only feel her heartbeat, echoing in her skull. Everything around her turning blurred, as fog came over her senses. What was she going to do? She’d hurt so many cats, just to keep herself safe. Luckily, Squirrelflight slowly wandered over, ears flat against her head. Leafpool crumbled into her, whimpering into her sister’s thick ginger fur, “I never shade had lied…”