The Last Hope

Chapter 4

Bright sunshine lit the hollow. The Clan was resting after its morning patrols.

As Lionblaze took a halfhearted bite from the mouse lying at his paws, Millie settled beside the warriors’ den.

“Bring me a shrew!” she called to Graystripe.

“There’s plenty.” Rosepetal was sharing a blackbird with Blossomfall. “We found a whole nestful.”

Graystripe padded toward the fresh-kill pile. It was well stocked. Hunting patrols had been stepped up to fatten the Clan before leaf-bare. Firestar wanted to make sure they faced the coming moons as fit and strong as any Clan.

“Can I join you?” Hollyleaf crossed the clearing and dropped a thrush beside Lionblaze.

Lionblaze rolled his mouse underneath his paw. “If you want.”

His sister settled beside him, nestling into the shade of the fallen beech. “Jayfeather’s not back,” she observed before taking a bite from her thrush.

“I know.” Lionblaze plucked distractedly at the mouse.

“Why did he go to the Moonpool?” Hollyleaf’s mew was muffled by feathers. “Firestar told him to confine his medicine-cat duties to camp.”

“I guess he had his reasons.” Lionblaze twitched his ears uneasily. Jayfeather had been reckless to travel alone. What if a WindClan patrol found him? Would they show mercy to a cat they believed was a murderer?

Cinderheart padded over to them. Lionblaze focused on his mouse while she greeted his sister. “It’s been a good morning for hunting.”

Hollyleaf brushed a feather from her muzzle. “I’ve never seen so much prey.”

Lionblaze lifted his head to glance quickly at Cinderheart. Her soft gray pelt shone and her long tail was sleek and well groomed. His heart ached. Why was she hanging around here? Shouldn’t she be in the medicine den? She wasn’t really Cinderheart, the cat he’d fallen in love with; she was Cinderpelt—an old medicine cat brought back by StarClan to fill some stupid destiny.

“Shut your mouth before your prey falls out,” Hollyleaf whispered in his ear.

Lionblaze flinched, suddenly aware that he’d been staring. He looked away, heat flooding his fur. “What do you want?” he asked Cinderheart sharply.

“Brambleclaw wants us to take a hunting patrol to the lake.”

“Don’t you have medicine-cat duties?” He’d seen her ducking in and out of Jayfeather’s den ever since her old knowledge of herbs and cures had flooded back.

“Why should I?” Cinderheart’s pelt spiked along her back.

“Jayfeather’s at the Moonpool.”

“He’ll be home soon.”

“I hope so.”

“Hollyleaf!” Brambleclaw called from beneath Highledge. “Take a patrol to the Twoleg meadow,” the deputy ordered. “I heard a dog there last night and I want to know if it’s tethered.”

Hollyleaf glanced ruefully at her half-eaten thrush, then headed across the clearing. Lionblaze watched her go, acutely aware of Cinderheart lingering at his side. “Don’t you want to go with her?” he suggested.

“We’re leading a patrol, remember?” She sat down beside him. “Who should we take?”

Lionblaze scanned the clearing, relieved to see Cloudtail trotting toward them. “Hi, Cloudtail.” He stood up. “Do you want to come hunting?”

“No, he doesn’t!” Brightheart trotted after Cloudtail. “We’ve been hunting all morning and he promised to fetch me something from the fresh-kill pile.” She nudged her mate. “Do you want me to go to the fresh-kill pile while you stay and gossip?” Her eyes flashed.

Cloudtail swished his thick white tail, purring. “I’m going!”

Lionblaze envied their easy familiarity. Once, he’d thought he and Cinderheart might be like that. But the return of her memories had changed everything. Now he felt as if he’d never known her at all.

Brightheart nodded to Cinderheart. “Have you checked on Briarlight this morning?”

“Was I supposed to?” Cinderheart looked up anxiously.

“No.” Brightheart shrugged. “I just thought, with Jayfeather away—” Her gaze flashed toward the medicine den as the brambles trembled at the entrance. “She’s coming out!” She hurried away to meet Briarlight as the crippled warrior dragged herself toward the fresh-kill pile.

“Wait for me!” Cloudtail trotted after her.

“That could have been us,” Lionblaze muttered to Cinderheart. “We could have been happy together.”

“I don’t think happiness is part of our destinies,” Cinderheart spat. Then her expression changed and she looked sadly at Lionblaze. “Let’s not torture ourselves by wishing.” She stood and stretched, arching her back. “Who do you want to hunt with?”

Lionblaze scanned the camp. Blossomfall had finished eating and was play fighting with Thornclaw beside the nursery. She spun around, steadying herself with her tail and dodging a well-aimed swipe. There was something relaxed and comfortable in the way they matched each other’s moves. “What about them? Thornclaw!”

The golden tabby looked over his shoulder. “What is it?”

“We’re hunting by the lake and we need extra paws.”

Thornclaw lifted his tail happily. “Can Blossomfall come, too?”

When Lionblaze nodded, the two cats ran toward the thorn barrier. Cinderheart bounded after them. Lionblaze shoved his half-eaten mouse beside Hollyleaf’s thrush and followed his Clanmates out of camp.

By the time he caught up, Thornclaw and Blossomfall were already climbing the slope, zigzagging through the brambles as though they were playing catch-the-squirrel with each other’s tails. Another season or two and Blossomfall would be nursing Thornclaw’s kits. His tail drooped.

“Ow!” Blossomfall let out a squeal.

Lionblaze broke into a run, skidding to a halt beside the tortoiseshell warrior. “What happened?”

Blossomfall writhed on the ground, her foreleg tangled in a bramble and her face twisted with pain. Thornclaw crouched beside her, holding the bramble between his jaws as he gingerly unwrapped it from around her paw. “Hold still,” he whispered. “Tugging will make last night’s battle wound worse.”

“Shhh!” Blossomfall hushed Thornclaw, her gaze glittering with guilt as it caught Lionblaze’s.

Lionblaze froze. These cats weren’t mates! They’d been training together in their dreams. Lionblaze felt the trees close around him. He struggled to take a deep breath. They don’t know what they’re doing.

Trembling, he watched Thornclaw pull the bramble away and help Blossomfall to her paws. If he couldn’t trust his Clanmates, who could he trust? He glanced over his shoulder at Cinderheart as she hurried to check on her Clanmate. Was she training in the Dark Forest, too? Lionblaze’s thoughts darted from one Clanmate to another. The familiar faces seemed suddenly strange and cold.

“Check her,” he ordered Cinderheart, but Cinderheart was already sniffing Blossomfall’s shoulder, then pressing gently with her paws.

“Does that hurt?”

Blossomfall let out a groan but shook her head. “Just a little.”

“Can you put weight on it?” Cinderheart asked.

Blossomfall tested it, her face tensing, then relaxing as her pad pressed against the earth. “Yes,” she breathed. “It’s sore, but I can walk.”

Cinderheart turned to Lionblaze. “There’s no heat in her shoulder,” she told him. “It’s just a light sprain. She’ll need to go easy—”

Lionblaze interrupted her. “Are you sure?”

Cinderheart’s eyes flashed. “Of course I’m sure!”

Lionblaze narrowed his eyes. Did she resent having her skills questioned? Or did she object to being asked to act like a medicine cat? Before he could decide, Cinderheart started nudging Blossomfall up the slope.

Thornclaw followed anxiously. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“It’ll be fine by the time we reach the lake,” Blossomfall promised.

Cinderheart glanced over her shoulder, catching Lionblaze’s eye. “Our apprentices have suffered worse injuries,” she told him. “So long as she doesn’t run or jump for a couple of days, she’ll be fine.”

“Should she go back to camp?” Lionblaze asked.

“No, I’ll stay with you. Even if I can’t chase prey I can help carry home the catch,” Blossomfall called. She began to walk a little faster, as if to prove she was okay. With a sigh, Lionblaze trudged after them.

In the end, there was little fresh-kill to carry home. Thornclaw hunted clumsily, making so much noise that birds set up alarm calls all along the shoreline the first time he stumbled on the slippery pebbles. Lionblaze was distracted, tracking his Clanmates closely, listening for clues about their Dark Forest training. Cinderheart’s thoughts seemed elsewhere and she let a mouse escape beneath her muzzle.

Lionblaze led them back into camp, a sparrow between his jaws. Firestar was dozing on Highledge beside Squirrelflight. Graystripe and Millie lay outside the nursery while Daisy and Ferncloud spread pawfuls of moss to dry in the sun.

At the entrance to the elders’ den, Mousefur sat staring into space with Purdy beside her. The old tom’s rumbling mew droned like distant honeybees.

Lionblaze headed for the fresh-kill pile with Cinderheart on his heels. Blossomfall limped after them, holding a shrew.

“Is that all you caught?” Bumblestripe bounced up to her. “It’s not leaf-bare yet!”

Cinderheart nosed him away. “She hurt her leg.” She sniffed at Blossomfall’s sprained shoulder. “How is it feeling?”

Blossomfall jerked away. “I told you! I’m fine!”

Lionblaze saw hurt flash in Cinderheart’s eyes. He dropped his sparrow. “Get some poppy seeds from Jayfeather if you think the pain will keep you awake tonight.” He glanced at Bumblestripe. “Is Jayfeather back?”

Bumblestripe nodded. “He got back just after you left.”

“Was he okay?”

Bumblestripe shrugged. “He snapped at Hazeltail for getting in the way, hissed at Cherrypaw for trampling on Ferncloud’s moss, and ordered Foxleap and Toadstep to fetch comfrey.” He glanced warily over his shoulder. “So I guess he’s fine.”

The thorn barrier rustled. Lionblaze turned to see Hollyleaf wriggle out. Rosepetal, Berrynose, and Whitewing trotted after her. Berrynose, his head high, eyes shining, was carrying a plump pigeon.

On the Highledge, Firestar got to his paws. “Borders clear?”

“Yes.” Hollyleaf halted beside the rock tumble. “And we remarked the scent line along the ShadowClan border. It was a bit stale.”

“Good.” Firestar bounded down into the clearing. “And you checked the tunnel entrances?”

Hollyleaf nodded. “No sign of invasion.”

Graystripe padded across the clearing. “WindClan wouldn’t dare come back after the shredding we gave them last time.” His eyes lit up when he spotted Berrynose’s pigeon. “Nice catch.”

Firestar’s whiskers twitched. “I think you’d better lead the next patrol.” He looked pointedly at his old friend’s round belly. “You could do with stretching your legs.”

Graystripe widened his eyes in mock indignation. “It’s all fur, you know.” He sat back on his haunches, revealing a wide expanse of soft gray fluff.

Hollyleaf purred. “You look like the pigeon!”

Whitewing padded around Graystripe, studying him. “You’ll certainly make it through leaf-bare.”

Graystripe stood up and shook out his pelt. “A good warrior needs to stay strong.”

Lionblaze stiffened, pelt pricking. A good warrior needs to stay strong. Was Graystripe training in the Dark Forest, too?

“Are you okay?” Hollyleaf murmured in his ear.

“Fine.”

“Come on.” Hollyleaf nudged him toward the entrance. “Let’s go for a walk.”

Outside camp, the early leaf-fall sun pierced the leaves with brittle shards of light. They dappled Hollyleaf’s black pelt. Lionblaze followed her along the trail to the Ancient Oak.

“What’s up?” Hollyleaf kept her eyes fixed on the trail.

“Nothing.”

Hollyleaf flicked her tail. “You hardly spoke this morning.”

“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Had she forgotten he was supposed to be stopping the Dark Forest single-pawed?

“I saw how you were looking at Cinderheart.”

A mossy log blocked the trail here. Sunshine rippled over its crumbling bark. “So?” Lionblaze meowed.

“It bothers you, doesn’t it?” Hollyleaf guessed.

Lionblaze stopped. “What does?”

“Cinderheart being Cinderpelt.” Hollyleaf flicked her tail. “It worries me, too.” She shifted her paws. “She was my best friend before I—” Her voice dipped for a moment. “Before I left. But now I don’t know who I’ve come back to. Is she Cinderheart or Cinderpelt? Was she ever Cinderheart?”

Lionblaze wanted to reassure his sister, but he couldn’t. “I don’t know,” he admitted. He sat down. “Is there a difference? I mean, if she was born with Cinderpelt’s spirit, then she’s been Cinderpelt all along…”

“Is it that simple?” Hollyleaf frowned. “Cinderpelt was a medicine cat. Cinderheart is a warrior. How can she be both?”

Lionblaze shook his head. “I don’t think she knows.”

Hollyleaf tilted her head to one side, thinking. “StarClan gave her a second chance,” she meowed. “We should trust them and just deal with Cinderheart as she is now. Whether she’s a medicine cat or a warrior, she’s still our friend, right?”

“Yeah.” But if she’s a medicine cat, she’ll never take a mate.

“Come on!” Hollyleaf nudged him. “You’re getting too serious.” She leaped onto the log. “Let’s race to the oak!”

Lionblaze blinked at her. “I remember when you were too small to get over that. Squirrelflight had to nose you over.”

Hollyleaf scampered along the trunk. “And you used to graze your belly on it when we were apprentices.” She disappeared over the other side, her paws thrumming away along the trail beyond.

Lionblaze bounded after her, clearing the log without touching it. He spotted Hollyleaf’s black pelt streaking between the trees and chased after the flickering shadow. He caught up and fell in beside her. They raced side by side, leaping over roots and swerving bushes, their pelts brushing.

As the Ancient Oak loomed ahead, the tips of its branches pushing high above the other trees, he scrambled to a halt. “It’s like you never went away.”

Hollyleaf swerved and stopped ahead of him. “I wish that were true.” Her eyes shone suddenly dark. “So much has changed. You and Jayfeather have so much responsibility now. Not just because of the prophecy. You’ve changed. Become so much a part of the Clan. Everyone depends on you.”

“You’ve done a lot for the Clan, too!”

“Like what?” Hollyleaf plucked at the ground. “While you were fighting and hunting for your Clanmates, I was hiding from all of you. Hiding from what I’d done.” She stared at her paws.

“But you came back.” Lionblaze padded closer and nudged her shoulder with his nose. “And I’m glad you did.”

She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Don’t pretend the past never happened, Lionblaze.” She padded slowly toward the Ancient Oak. “It’s like my shadow. Always following me.”

The ferns behind them rustled and Lionblaze turned to see Jayfeather and Dovewing bound out onto the path.

“I told you they were here,” Dovewing mewed.

“Okay, big ears,” Jayfeather snapped. His blind gaze drifted toward Hollyleaf. “We need to talk.”

Hollyleaf blinked. “With me?”

“Without you.” Jayfeather’s bluntness took Lionblaze by surprise. “I’m sorry, Hollyleaf.” He shrugged. “But this is something only the Three can share.”

Hollyleaf dipped her head. “Okay.” She padded back down the trail. “I’ll hunt by the lake.” Her purr sounded forced. “I might be able to do better than that limp sparrow you brought back earlier, Lionblaze.” She was trying to tease but her eyes glistened sadly.

Lionblaze trailed his tail along her spine. “You always were the best hunter.”

“Thanks.” She headed off the path and disappeared into the ferns.

Lionblaze turned his attention to Jayfeather. “What is it?” Was the Dark Forest ready to attack? He unsheathed his claws.

“I have a message from the Tribe of Endless Hunting,” Jayfeather announced.

“The Tribe?” Dovewing weaved between Jayfeather and Lionblaze and sat down. “When did this happen?”

“When I was in the mountains.” Jayfeather swished his tail impatiently.

“And you’re only telling us now?” Dovewing mewed in surprise.

“Just listen, okay?” Jayfeather muttered. “They said we have to find the fourth cat.”

Lionblaze tipped his head, puzzled. “The fourth cat?”

“In the prophecy,” Jayfeather meowed.

Dovewing shifted her paws. “But the prophecy says there will be three.”

“That was the StarClan prophecy,” Jayfeather explained. “The Tribe of Endless Hunting told me something else: The end of the stars draws near. Three must become four to challenge the darkness that lasts forever.”

Lionblaze felt his fur prick. “Don’t they think we can manage by ourselves?”

Jayfeather flattened his ears. “Obviously not.”

“Have we done something wrong?” Dovewing’s eyes clouded with worry.

Jayfeather paced in front of them. “Who cares? We have to find the fourth cat.”

Lionblaze tried to ignore the uneasiness in his belly. “Did they say who it is?”

Jayfeather halted. “If they did, I’d have told you!”

“It must be Ivypool!” Dovewing’s eyes brightened. She stood up, tail-tip flicking. “She’s the only ally we have among the Dark Forest warriors.”

Jayfeather turned to face her. “Ivypool was recruited by the Dark Forest. She has no special powers.” He started pacing again. “It could be a cat from another Clan.”

A thought struck Lionblaze like a shaft of sunlight. “It’s Hollyleaf! That’s why she came back! To be the fourth cat.”

“If it was someone inside the Clan, we’d have noticed their special power by now,” Jayfeather objected.

“But it must be kin of Firestar’s kin!” Dovewing argued.

“Well, Mothwing is Brambleclaw’s kin and Brambleclaw was Squirrelflight’s mate.” Jayfeather lashed his tail. “That makes her kin, if you like.”

“Mothwing?” Lionblaze stared at his brother in astonishment. “What special power does she have?”

“What special power does Hollyleaf have?” Jayfeather shot back.

“Ivypool can dream her way into the Dark Forest!” Dovewing insisted.

“So can a lot of Clan cats! I told you it was pointless arguing.” Jayfeather headed away again. “We just have to hope that when the fourth cat is needed, we’ll know who it is.”

Lionblaze watched him go, his pelt pricking with irritation. How could Jayfeather be so stubborn? Hollyleaf should have been part of the prophecy all along. Of course she was the fourth cat.

Dovewing shifted beside him. “It’s got to be Ivypool.”

Lionblaze closed his eyes. “Whoever it is, how in the name of StarClan are we going to be sure?”

“Perhaps they’ll send a sign,” Dovewing mewed.

“They didn’t even know about the fourth cat.” The world shifted beneath Lionblaze’s paws: Cinderheart wasn’t Cinderheart; the Three were now four. How were they supposed to win a battle when nothing stayed the same?

His belly felt hollow. Did StarClan know what was happening? Nothing they said made sense, and now even their prophecy was wrong.

How could Lionblaze trust them with the fate of the Clans?