Jayfeather Quotes

Great, lets round up all the useless cats and hope a tree falls on them - Jayfeather

firestar: jayfeather what does mallow look like? jayfeather: i dont know, ive never seen any

Shut up, I'm thinking! -Jayfeather (Night Whispers)

The time for lies and secrets is over," she meowed. "The truth must come out. Starclan was wrong not to tell you who you were a long time ago." Then what-?" Jayfeather began, but already Yellowfang's shape was beginning to fade, melting into the moonlight until she was gone. The moonlight abrubtly vanished, leaving Jayfeather in darkness as he woke from his dream. Mouse dung! Why can't any cat speak straight out?" he hissed

Firestar: Okay, Jayfeather, what does mallow look like? Jayfeather: I don't know, do I? I've never seen it.

Three young cats with starlight in their eyes and the whisper of ancient wind in their fur." -Rock, Cats of the Clans

It's coming, a battle between Starclan and The Dark Forest and every warrior will be called upon to fight.

Whats the matter?" Jayfeather muttered " Afraid i might give you some medicine?

There will be three, kin of your kin..." Jayfeather's voice shook as he wondered if he could possibly be right. "Cloudtail is Firestar's kin, Whitewing is Cloudtail's daughter, and now Dovekit and Ivykit...Don't you see? The prophecy isn't over! We aren't the only kin of Firestar's kin. It doesn't matter which of Whitewing's kits is the one. There are still three of us! [Jayfeather]

The time for lies and secrets is over," she meowed. "The truth must come out. Starclan was wrong not to tell you who you were a long time ago.

Oh, and welcome to the Three.

Die, ShadowClan trespasser!” “Get off, you great lump!” Jayfeather protested, though there was laughter in his voice. Squirrelflight whipped around. “Honestly! How old are you both?

This will not be the end of the Clans. As long as I have breath in body, the Clans will be safe.

I suppose.” Mousefur sniffed. “No doubt it’ll be up to me to teach them manners. Kits nowadays don’t know how to show any respect.” Jayfeather’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “Don’t you believe it,” Purdy whispered. “She was teaching Lilykit and Seedkit how to reach under the wall of the warriors’ den and catch stray tails yesterday.

Jayfeather might be one of the best, but there were days when being trained by a badger might be easier.

Dovewing felt bone-weary from her ears to the tip of her tail. Just because she had better hearing, sharper senses than any cat didn't seem to give her more strength. She needed to rest, eat, talk with Jayfeather and Lionblaze about the challenge that sol had left them with, of hostile Clans that would be crushed by the dark forest if they tried to fight alone. Starclan, light my path, please. "Come on," she meowed to Hollyleaf. "It's time we went home. Our Clnmates are waitning for us" P. 315

Tree: I'm Tree. Jayfeather: You're the six-toed cat. Alderheart: How did you guess? Jayfeather: Why else would Leafpool make so much drama of bringing us out?

She dabbed at the surface of the water with one paw, and the moon fluttered like silver wings before settling again as the water stilled. Letting out a faint mrrow of wonder, Half Moon dabbed again and again. However often she disturbed the surface, the moon was still there. “It doesn’t give up, does it?” Half Moon blinked at Jayfeather. “It’s always there, constant like the stones in this cave. Maybe we should be like the moon’s reflection, holding fast whatever happens?

Dovewing felt bone-weary from her ears to the tip of her tail. Just because she had better hearing, sharper senses than any cat didn't seem to give her more strength. She needed to rest, eat, talk with Jayfeather and Lionblaze about the challenge that sol had left them with, of hostile Clans that would be crushed by the dark forest if they tried to fight alone. Starclan, light my path, please. "Come on," she meowed to Hollyleaf. "It's time we went home. Our Clnmates are waitning for us P. 315

Slant narrowed his eyes. “Do the Clans walk alone into the final battle?” Half Moon flattened her ears. “Never alone!” She lifted her chin. “I will fight alongside Jayfeather.” Broken Shadow unsheathed her claws. “And I will fight alongside my son.” “I will fight beside Jagged Lightning and my kits to defeat this darkness.” Owl Feather’s eyes sparked. Bluestar thrashed her tail. “And I will die a tenth time to defend ThunderClan!” “These cats will never stand alone,” Half Moon declared. “We are with them just as we have always been.

Great, let's round up all the useless cats and hope a tree falls on them. -Jayfeather

Brambleclaw's tail filicked angrily. "Did there have to be so many lies?" He was staring at Squirrelflight. "Couldn't you have told me the truth?" Squirrelflight dipped her head. "It was never my secret to tell. Leafpool had so much to lose". "She lost everything anyway", Brambleclaw snarled. "No, I didn't". Leafpool lifted her muzzle. "I watched my kits grow into fine warrior, and I still serve my Clan with all my heart". Lionblaze felt his heart prick. Perhaps this was the truth that was most important. Leafpool had sacrificed so much and, even though her kits rejected her time and again, she'd never stopped loving them. In his darkest moments, he couldn't deny that. "Brambleclaw, I'm sorry". Squirrelflight moved closer to the ThunderClan deputy. Her voice was stronger now, as if she was tired of being punished for something she had believed to be right. "You have to understand that I never intended to hurt you. I loved you, and was proud to raise these kits with you. You were a wonderful father". "But I wasn't their father!" Brambleclaw hissed. "Yes, you were!" Squirrelflight thrust her muzzle close to Brambleclaw's. Her eyes blazed. "Don't throw away everything just because you are angry with me!" Lionblaze swallowed. "I was so proud to be your son". Brambleclaw looked at him in surprise, as if he'd forgotton Lionblaze was there. Something in the deputy's expression changed. "And I couldn't have asked for a better son. And you Jayfeather. Or a better daughter, Hollyleaf." Hollyleaf opened her mouth as if to protest, but Brambleclaw spoke first. "You played no part in this deception, I know that. Whatever you did, it was because of the lies taht had been told when you were born." "It was my fault alone," Leafpool meowed quietly. "You are wrong to blame Squirrelflight. She was just being loyal to me. And now that we know about the prophecy, surely the only thing that matters is that these kits were accepted by their Clan? It's not about us, after all. It's about them. Their destinies shaped ours, right from the moment they were born." Squirrelflight nodded. "Everything was meant to be". Lionblaze looked down at his paws. If these cats could accept their destinies, then he had enough courage to accept his. I am one of the Four.

He has a roar like a lion,” some cat commented from behind Jayfeather. “Then I’ll call him Lion’s Roar,” Shy Fawn murmured proudly. No, Jayfeather thought. This is Lionblaze. Welcome, brother.

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.

Ivypool backed away. She twisted and ducked under him as he leaped, but his claws sank into her tail and pinned her to the ground. Thistleclaw and Snowtuft attacked from opposite sides, snarling, slicing her ears. She struggled away from them, crashing into hard muscle. Hawkfrost was behind her now. He stabbed his claws into her shoulders. With a gasp, Ivypool saw his teeth flashing beside her throat. Then a black pelt flashed over the top of the gorse. Paws landed with a thump beside her. "Get off her!" Hollyleaf yowled. Ivypool's world spun as the black warrior slammed into Hawkfrost and sent him reeling into the gorse. Free from Hawkfrost's claws, Ivypool turned on Thistleclaw and Snowtuft. She began slashing with her front paws, remembering in a crystalline moment every moon of training. Hollyleaf reared up beside her, matching her blow for blow, as though she instinctively knew where Ivypool would strike next. Blood sprayed the forest floor as Ivypool sliced Snowtuft's muzzle and tore Thistleclaw's nose. Turning she kicked with hind legs and knocked Thistleclaw backward, then sank her teeth into Snowtuft's neck. The white warrior screeched and ripped free from her jaws. Ivypool tasted his blood as he hared away through the bracken. She met Thistleclaw's gaze. Fear sparked in his eyes as she spat out a bloody clump of Snowtuft's fur. "Run," she hissed. "Because if you stay, I will kill you". Mouth open, Thistleclaw fled, disappearing through the gorse. A shriek exploded behind Ivypool. She turned and saw Hollyleaf swipe at Hawkfrost's muzzle. The force of the blow sent the Dark Forest warrior crashing away. He dropped with a thump and scrabbled to his paws. Blood dripping from his cheek, one eye swollen shut, he glanced at Hollyleaf and tore his way through the gorse. Ivypool stared at the black she-cat. "You saved my life!" Hollyleaf staggered and fell to the ground. "Hollyleaf!" Ivypool darted to her side and saw blood pulsing from a wound in her neck. Panic formed a hard lump in Ivypool's belly. Grasping Hollyleaf's scruff in her teeth, she began to half drag, half carry her Clanmate toward the ThunderClan border. Jayfeather would know what to do. "I'll get you home," Ivypool growled through gritted teeth. "I promise I'll get you home".

Jayfeather snorted. “If I’ve broken the code then I’m sorry for it, but every cat knows I’m loyal. I don’t need to swear an oath.” “Just do it,” Lionblaze told him. “Then perhaps we can get back to normal.” Bramblestar’s pelt twitched. “We can get back to normal when I say so,” he growled. “This oath is just so that your Clanmates can see that you’re sorry and that you are committed to obeying the code from now on.” “Next time,” Lionblaze muttered, “I’ll check who my parents are before I’m born.

A true warrior's heart needs no rules! It can do no evil!

I'll always be here if you need me. I may not share your faith, but I will always help you fight for what you believe in.

Jayfeather turned toward at him. “Don’t you think you should figure out who you are before you decide where you fit in?” His mew was suddenly gentle.

Ooh, bossy medicine cat!” Sparkpaw exclaimed. “Have you been taking politeness lessons from Jayfeather?

Jayfeather’s ears swiveled toward Brightheart. The white-and-ginger elder was wheezing louder than ever.

When Jayfeather told me it was going to rain today, he didn’t warn me it was going to rain cats!

Breezepelt and Crowfeather will try to infuriate the stoats—” “They should find that really easy,” Jayfeather put in.

Squirrelflight looked at the ground. “I think you are paying for my mistake.” “Because you and Leafpool lied about who our mother was?” Lionblaze sounded as though he couldn’t believe his ears. She nodded meekly. “But that was moons ago!” Lionblaze snapped. “Why should StarClan drag that up now? And what has it got to do with me and Jayfeather? Did we break the code by being born?

Shadowsight pressed on. “This is what they told me,” he insisted. “They showed me a vision of the cats who have broken the code.” Kestrelflight’s ears flattened. “Which cats?” he demanded. “Crowfeather, Squirrelflight, Jayfeather—

Crowfeather nodded, feeling the pain of rejection. He was glad that he had spoken, but he accepted that he could not control how his son responded. I guess Lionblaze and Jayfeather will always resent me. “I’m not angry with you,” Lionblaze added. “I accept your apology, and I’m grateful for the way it all turned out.” A little reassured, Crowfeather dipped his head again in acceptance. He began reaching out his tail to touch Lionblaze on the shoulder, then hastily drew it back again as he realized that would never be their relationship. This cordial agreement, with the air cleared between them, was the best he could hope for. And I have to learn to be okay with that.

really going on in RiverClan.” “And hedgehogs fly,” Puddleshine sighed under his breath, while Frostpaw blinked in gratitude at Shadowsight for his support. “Okay,” the medicine cat added aloud. “I know I won’t be able to talk either of you out of it now, so you might as well come along, Frostpaw. But don’t blame me if it all goes wrong.” The half-moon was floating in the sky by the time Frostpaw pushed through the bushes that barred the way to the Moonpool. Its light glinted silver on the cascade that flowed down the rock face and shimmered on the surface of the water. Frostpaw drew a deep breath. In all her travels she had never seen anything half so beautiful. Alderheart and Jayfeather of ThunderClan were already sitting beside the Moonpool. The SkyClan medicine cats, Frecklewish and Fidgetflake, sat beside them. Kestrelflight from WindClan was standing by himself a short distance away; Frostpaw couldn’t see his apprentice, Whistlepaw, anywhere. A worm of guilt stirred in her belly. Was Kestrelflight still so angry with Whistlepaw that he had forbidden her to come to the meeting? Mothwing and Podlight were missing, too. Frostpaw bit back a hiss of annoyance. She had counted on speaking to Mothwing, and she had been curious to see how Podlight would

It’s coming,” Jayfeather whispered. “A battle between StarClan and the Dark Forest, and every warrior will be called upon to fight.

And how would you get it?” Jayfeather mewed. “Just stroll up to a fox and say, ‘Please make some dirt for me?’ I don’t think so.

Berrynose is a real pain in the tail, and yet he gets two apparently sensible she-cats padding after him, Jayfeather thought with a shake of his head. Weird.

Turning his head, Jayfeather glared at Alderheart, almost as if he could see him. “When I get better, I’m going to kill you,” he grumbled.

Flipclaw lifted one hind leg, then, remembering that Jayfeather couldn't see what he was doing, gave him a prod with it.

Can you guide Jayfeather?” he asked her. “Sure.” “I can guide myself, thanks,” Jayfeather cut in with a snort. “No, you can’t.” Bramblestar stood over the scrawny medicine cat. “Jayfeather, there may be a time when it helps for you to be an uncooperative furball, but this isn’t it. The whole forest has changed because of the wind. There are fallen trees, branches scattered everywhere . . . Just let Dovewing help you, and put up with it.” Jayfeather sighed. “Yes, O great Clan leader.

she managed to trip over a half-buried stone and a stray twig before she even reached them. Good luck with taking her anywhere, he thought. Maybe that’s what Jayfeather’s omen meant.

Oh, sure!” Jayfeather lashed his tail. “Wouldn’t that just be great? One medicine cat who can’t see, and another who can’t walk. ThunderClan would be invincible!

Mothwing drew herself up straight. “Let me finish,” she said. “I believe StarClan exists, but I don’t know that their intentions are good, or that we always benefit from their ‘guidance,’” she said. “How can you say that?” Alderheart asked. “Their advice about SkyClan returning—” “Led to Darktail’s reign,” Mothwing interrupted. “And how many cats died?” Jayfeather huffed. “How many more would have died, if they hadn’t warned us?

Oh, Rock! Please! I need to know!” The wind blew Jayfeather’s pleas back into his face. But he knew Rock heard him, could reply if he wanted.

Alderheart looked up at the clear, black sky. He narrowed his eyes against the brightness of the moon. Countless stars glittered above the island. For the first time in days, his fur was dry, and a warm wind promised newleaf once more. The island clearing was crowded. Across the sea of pelts, Alderheart could see Twigbranch and Violetshine sitting with Hawkwing, Tree, and Finleap. Their eyes were round and their fur fluffed. They were clearly happy to be reunited. He whispered in Jayfeather’s ear, “It looks like every cat has come.” Jayfeather grunted. “After what we’ve been through, who would be mouse-brained enough to miss this Gathering?” Alderheart purred softly. Tigerstar had called the emergency Gathering when SkyClan arrived in his camp. Now the Clans looked up at the Great Oak, where Bramblestar, Harestar, Tigerstar, Mistystar, and Leafstar sat side by side on the lowest branch. Their deputies sat below them on the roots. Only Juniperclaw was missing. Alderheart felt a pang. He knew he’d been right to speak out, but he wished his investigation hadn’t ended in Juniperclaw’s death. As Puddleshine shifted beside him, Alderheart blinked at him warmly. The tom’s fur was sleek once more. His scars were hidden beneath his thick pelt. His eyes were bright, and he was staring eagerly at the Great Oak. Tigerstar got to his paws and looked around at the gathered cats. “We come to speak of change,” he meowed. “Change that must come if the Clans are to survive. But first I have news of Juniperclaw. Many of you will know that he is dead. But you may not know the whole story. Juniperclaw admitted to poisoning the SkyClan fresh-kill pile. He saw an easy way to drive SkyClan from the lake and he chose to go through with it, even though he knew he was breaking the warrior code. He believed he could protect his Clan best by saving us from fighting for our land. But a Clan that won’t fight for their land when they have to is no Clan at all. And Juniperclaw paid dearly for his crime. He lost his deputyship and his life.” The Clans watched him in silence as he went on. “But he died a courageous death. He died saving lives. Shadowkit was caught in the flood on RiverClan land. Juniperclaw pushed him from the water before being swept into the lake. He could have saved himself, but he chose to help Violetshine get out of the flood. He saved the SkyClan warrior, at the cost of his own life. I hope that he finds peace in StarClan.

She sounded as cranky as ever, which reassured Jayfeather that at least she was managing to cope with the heat. When Mousefur sounds nice and sweet, I’ll really start worrying!

Let’s stop worrying about StarClan and start sharing with them,” Jayfeather snapped. “I’m cold.

problems.” “She’s right,” Jayfeather meowed, dipping his head toward the RiverClan leader. “Are we kits, play fighting while badgers attack our camp?

Before Alderheart could reply, Fuzzball hurled himself at Jayfeather and crouched down beside him, beginning to part the fern fronds and clumps of moss as he searched for thorns. “Are you blind?” he asked Jayfeather, staring at his eyes. “What’s it like being blind? How did it happen?” Jayfeather opened his jaws: not to reply, Alderheart guessed, but to deliver a stinging rebuke. But Fuzzball chattered on obliviously. “Was it in a fight with a badger? Or a dog? Did the dog die? Is your belly hurting? How bad? Would you like me to rub it?” Turning his head, Jayfeather glared at Alderheart, almost as if he could see him. “When I get better, I’m going to kill you,” he grumbled.

Jayfeather’s

Jayfeather grunted. “Apparently, you’re less likely to offend anyone.” He sounded prickly, as though Bramblestar’s decision had irritated him.

Crowfeather suddenly felt some cat’s gaze boring into him. He turned to see Jayfeather sitting at the edge of the group of cats, his blind blue eyes fixed on him. As he met that compelling stare, hardly able to believe that Jayfeather couldn’t see him, the ThunderClan medicine cat rose to his paws, swishing his tail angrily. “If WindClan wants to deal with WindClan’s problems, fine,” he hissed. “We should leave now. We tried.” “But it’s not that easy,” Bramblestar responded patiently. “If whatever is in the tunnels is a threat, it’s a threat to both Clans.” Turning to Onestar, he added, “You have the right to make decisions for your Clan, but no right to make decisions that will endanger mine.” “That’s right!” Lionblaze agreed, his golden tabby fur beginning to bristle. Crowfeather felt an anxious flutter in his belly at the sight of his son defending the cat who raised him. And I think they’re right, he mused. Does that make me a traitor to WindClan? When he turned back toward the two Clan leaders, Bramblestar was meowing, “I insist that you work with me to deal with this threat.” Briefly Crowfeather closed his eyes, feeling his pelt prickle with anxiety at Bramblestar’s obvious inexperience. If he’d had dealings with Onestar before, he would know that’s the worst thing to try. Onestar won’t let any cat force his paw. Onestar’s calm air of superiority vanished entirely at Bramblestar’s words. His tabby fur bushed up until he looked twice his size, and he laid his ears flat against his head. “You can’t insist that I do anything,” he snarled. “I feel sorry for ThunderClan, stuck with you as leader, when every cat knows the bad blood you’ve inherited.” Crowfeather couldn’t repress a gasp. Onestar must have really lost control to let himself mention Bramblestar’s evil father, Tigerstar. Glancing at his Clanmates, he saw that they were gazing at their leader with wide, shocked eyes, as if they, too, couldn’t believe what they had just heard. It’s not fair to Bramblestar, Crowfeather thought. He only came here to offer his help.

So much is the same... You can't stay here. You know that, don't you?" - Rock "Why not?" - Jayfeather "You are too powerful to be lost in the past.

Twigbranch and Lionblaze had flashed before him. Crowfeather, Squirrelflight, Mothwing, Jayfeather . . . Remembering

Jayfeather’s blind blue gaze

Alderheart leaned forward. “And me!” Bramblestar shook his head. “I’m sorry, Alderheart. Jayfeather needs you here to help him stock his herb store.” Disappointment dropped like a stone in Alderheart’s belly.

It was Jayfeather who broke the silence, rising to his paws with an impatient lash of his tail. “They’ve done it again!” he snarled. “Why does StarClan have to be so vague?

This will not be the end of the clans as long as I have breath in my body" ~jayfeather

jay-feather

Don’t worry, Lark.” Jayfeather recognized the voice of Brook’s kit Pine. “He’s blind! He won’t know we’re creeping up on him.” Oh, won’t he? Jayfeather tensed his muscles as he detected the pad of tiny paws on the stone floor of the cave, and heard a stifled mrrow of laughter. He waited as their scent grew stronger, and he sensed soft breath riffling the tips of his whiskers. “Looking for something?” As he spoke, Jayfeather leaped to his paws. Two high-pitched squeals bounced around the cave. He listened with satisfaction to the sound of paw steps skittering away. “Mother, that weird cat scared us!” “He’s going to eat us!” Jayfeather’s satisfaction faded and his pelt grew hot with embarrassment. They’re only small. They didn’t mean any harm. “Sorry!” he called out. “I wouldn’t hurt you, kits!

As she led them out onto the mud, Dovepaw glanced back to see Thornclaw pull a long stick out from under the roots of an elder bush at the edge of the bank. Before he could carry it off, Jayfeather erupted from the undergrowth, a bundle of herbs in his jaws. "Hey, that's mine!" he protested, spitting leaves everywhere. "Put it back!" "Are you mouse-brained?" Thornclaw mumbled around the stick. "I need it. It's only a stick." "It's my stick." Dovepaw was startled to see how worked up Jayfeather was, his eyes blazing and neck fur bristling, as if he was facing an enemy. "If you don't bring it back to me in one piece, I'll... I'll..." "Okay, I'll bring back your stupid stick," Thornclaw snarled. "Keep your fur on." He raced back across the mud with the stick in his jaws. Dovepaw and Ivypaw followed more slowly behind their mentors. Dovepaw was trying to lift each paw as soon as it touched the scorching ground. Her pads would be shriveled by the time she reached the water. "Do you think the heat is getting to Jayfeather?" Ivypaw whispered. "Thornclaw's right. It's only a stick." Dovepaw shrugged. "Maybe it's medicine cat stuff." "Yes, but what happens to us if our medicine cat gets bees in his brains?

Looking for something?” As he spoke, Jayfeather leaped to his paws. Two high-pitched squeals bounced around the cave. He listened with satisfaction to the sound of paw steps skittering away. “Mother, that weird cat scared us!” “He’s going to eat us!

Harespring dipped his head respectfully. “Greetings, Bramblestar. We’ve come to ask for ThunderClan’s help. We need a medicine cat.” Bramblestar was silent for a moment, his gaze flicking from Harespring to Crowfeather and back again. “You need a medicine cat,” he repeated. “You’re asking for our help, after Onestar insulted me when I came to offer my help with the stoats?” “We’ve had more trouble with them,” Harespring responded. “Many of our cats are injured.” Bramblestar hesitated for a heartbeat, then turned to Squirrelflight, who had padded up to stand at her leader’s shoulder. “I don’t want any cat to suffer,” he meowed. “Fetch Leafpool and Jayfeather, please.” As Squirrelflight left, Bramblestar faced the WindClan cats again, giving his whiskers a disdainful twitch. “Tell me exactly what happened.” Harespring hesitated, casting an uncertain glance at Crowfeather, who could share his tension, knowing what Bramblestar’s reaction was likely to be.

Bramblestar nodded agreement. “Then Breezepelt and Crowfeather will try to infuriate the stoats—” “They should find that really easy,” Jayfeather put in. His Clan leader gave him a stare from narrowed eyes. “Thank you, Jayfeather,” he mewed, an irritated edge to his voice. “As I was saying,” he continued, “Crowfeather and Breezepelt will infuriate the stoats enough to draw them out of the tunnels, where the warriors will be waiting for them.

My herbs!" Jayfeather screeched.

Thornclaw: Stemkit and Plumkit prefer to hang around the medicine den. Leafpool: I expect Jayfeather isn't too pleased. Thornclaw: No, but Alderheart says he enjoys having something to complain about. A twinge of homesickness jabbed Twigpaw's heart. Jayfeather used to complain about her.

Jayfeather

How must it have felt for Jayfeather to discover that she wasn't his mother? She'd lied to him since birth. Leafpool had too. Was that why he was so sharp with his Clanmates? Had bitterness hollowed out his heart? And yet she knew there was warmth there. His harshness was like snow in leaf-bare, hiding buds that would blossom when greenleaf returned. I have to live! She had so much still to share with him. "I'm sorry we deceived you," she whispered, wondering if there was any way he might hear. He is a medicine cat, after all. "It was wrong of us. But I hope one day you will let go of the hurt we caused you." She swished his tail along his spine, hope sparking in her chest as she saw his pelt smooth a little.

plants. Longer grass and ferns bordered it on either side. “Where does that lead?” Alderpaw asked, angling his ears toward the path. “And why isn’t there much growing there?” “Good question,” Molewhisker responded. Alderpaw was pleased at his mentor’s approving tone. “That path was made by Twolegs, many, many seasons ago. The same Twolegs who cut out the stone to make the hollow where we camp. It leads to the old Twoleg den, where Leafpool and Jayfeather grow their herbs.” “But we aren’t going that way today,” Cherryfall added. Heading farther away from the camp, Alderpaw noticed that the trees ahead seemed to be thinning out. A bright silvery light was shining through them.

Nice to see you, too, Jayfeather,” Puddleshine responded mildly. “I’m sorry if we’re late, but I don’t see Frecklewish or Fidgetflake, either.

At least ThunderClan has the three cats mentioned in the prophecy, Jayfeather thought. There will be three, kin of your kin, with the power of the stars in their paws. Me, Lionblaze, and Dovewing, all in the same Clan. That must make us safer, right?

The clamor grew louder and louder until Jayfeather stood up, lashing his tail. “For StarClan’s sake, shut up and listen!” he snapped.

THE WATER IN THE Moonpool was so cold that Brambleclaw gasped in shock when it touched his nose. “You’ll get used to it,” Jayfeather mewed beside him. “Either that, or your nose will go numb.” “Great,” muttered Brambleclaw, trying to lie more comfortably on the stones. Inside, he was quivering with excitement as well as exhaustion from making the long journey to the pool so soon after doing battle with the Dark Forest. Grief for Firestar dragged at his pelt and stung his eyes, but this was a moment that Brambleclaw had always known would arrive someday: his own ceremony of nine lives and the start of his leadership of ThunderClan. “Stop wriggling,” Jayfeather hissed. “Close your eyes and wait for StarClan to come to you.” Brambleclaw tucked his forepaws under his chest and let his muzzle fall a little deeper into the Moonpool. The shock of icy water briefly did battle with a heavy wave of tiredness that washed over him. He let himself slip into sleep, but almost at once the sound of whispers made him sit up and look around. What was disturbing him? He was supposed to be sharing tongues with StarClan

Leafpool glanced at Jayfeather, amusement flashing in her gaze. “That might not go down too well in the medicine den.

Twigbranch and Lionblaze had flashed before him. Crowfeather, Squirrelflight, Mothwing, Jayfeather

Squirrelflight looked at the ground. “I think you are paying for my mistake.” “Because you and Leafpool lied about who our mother was?” Lionblaze sounded as though he couldn’t believe his ears. She nodded meekly. “But that was moons ago!” Lionblaze snapped. “Why should StarClan drag that up now? And what has it got to do with me and Jayfeather? Did we break the code by being born?” Bramblestar shrugged. “It’s pointless arguing,” he mewed smoothly. “StarClan has spoken. We must obey them.” “How?” Lionblaze snapped. “Am I supposed to apologize for being alive?

Jayfeather was already expertly separating

Bramblestar nodded agreement. “Then Breezepelt and Crowfeather will try to infuriate the stoats—” “They should find that really easy,” Jayfeather put in. His Clan leader gave him a stare from narrowed eyes. “Thank you, Jayfeather,” he mewed, an irritated edge to his voice.

So much fury from Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw so quick to make amends, Ashfur clearly not forgiving him . . . Had Jayfeather missed something really obvious between these three cats?

The first hunting patrols are coming back, and I picked out this vole for you. Voles are your favorite, aren’t they? Come on, sit up now, and while you’re eating it, I’ll fluff up your nest so you can have a nice nap.” While Fuzzball was chattering on, Jayfeather let out a long groan. He sat up, irritably shaking scraps of moss and fern from his pelt. “I’m cured,” he announced. “Are you sure?” Alderheart asked, trying to hide his amusement. “I think your belly is still a bit tender. You might do better with another day of rest.” “No, I’m completely cured,” Jayfeather insisted, shooting a glare at Alderheart before bending down to take hungry bites of the vole. “I’d better get back to my duties, and that means I can’t chat right now.” “That’s great, Jayfeather!” Fuzzball exclaimed. “Now I can help you with medicine-cat stuff.” “StarClan give me strength!” Jayfeather muttered through his teeth.

Try to think of it this way,” he began. “You should feel very lucky. StarClan has given you the chance to choose your own destiny: to be a warrior, a mate, a mother—all the things that you were denied as Cinderpelt.” “But is it a real choice?” Cinderheart asked miserably. “What about my duty to my Clan?” “There are many ways to fulfill your duty,” Jayfeather murmured. Cinderheart turned to him; he could feel the force of her gaze. “It’s true, I’m lucky to be here at all!” she burst out. “I know what a debt I owe to my ancestors. But I’m so confused. . . . I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.” “What do you want?” Jayfeather asked quietly. He felt a small start of surprise from Cinderheart, as if no cat had ever asked her that before. “I wanted Lionblaze,” she whispered. “But I can’t have him.” “Oh? Really?” Great StarClan, mouse-brain, he’s been padding after you for moons! “Why not?” “Because of his destiny,” Cinderheart replied. Jayfeather gave an awkward wriggle; he wasn’t comfortable discussing another cat’s relationship problems. But he remembered Half Moon, and felt again the piercing pain he had suffered when he realized that he couldn’t stay with her in her long-ago Tribe. “You have a destiny, too,” he mewed gently. “But that isn’t the whole of who you are. You can still shape your own life.” Cinderheart was silent for a long time; Jayfeather could sense a tiny seed of hope stirring inside her. “You have a chance to be happy,” he prompted, “and to make Lionblaze happy, too. Don’t throw that away because you spent too long trying to figure out the right thing to do.” “Thank you, Jayfeather,” Cinderheart responded with a long sigh. Together they sat on the bank overlooking the lake; Jayfeather could hear the soft lapping of the water on the pebbly shore. For a few moments he and Cinderheart seemed to be wrapped in a cocoon of peace. It can’t last, Jayfeather thought. Not in these turbulent times. But I’m glad of it now, that’s for sure.