Magicstar's Story

Chapter 9

"From this day forward you shall be known as Magicclaw!" Firestar bent her head and rested her nose on Magicclaw's head, as her clanmates cheered her new name Magicclaw licked Firestar's shoulder respectfully and stepped back.

"Magicclaw! Deadshadow! Magicclaw! Deadshadow!" Her clanmates cheered.

Deadshadow leaned her head down and whispered into her ear. "We did it!" He mewed softly. Pride swelled up in Magicclaw's chest, We're warriors at last! She thought. It had been over half a moon since the battles over sunningstones, Magicclaw tried to get Deadshadow to get his warrior name, but he insisted on waiting for her to get better so they would be able to get their warrior names together.

Now as the clan melted away to their dens, Magicclaw and Deadshadow sat together in the middle of the clearing, silent and watching. Their tails were twined together but kept silent they both decided to become mates, but Magicclaw wasn't sure that she was ready to have kits the wound from the battle was healing well but she wasn't allowed on patrols yet, both medicine cats feared it would open up again if she went out on patrols. So for now, Magicclaw kept the kits busy. Stonesong had two healthy kits their father, Reedclaw, visited them often but was out on patrol most of the time.

The air was frosty cold, Magicclaw fought the urge to huddle closer to Deadshadow for warmth. She sniffed the air, a scent of moor blown grass and wind hit her. Magicclaw looked at Deadshadow, he nodded and as she was about to get up three scrawny looking cats walked through the gorse tunnel, Magicclaw hurried to Firestar's den. Padding inside, she nuzzled the Fireclan leader awake. Firestar woke up and looked up at her, her eyes clouded with sleep.

"Airclan cats are here." Magicclaw told Firestar.

"How many?" she asked, her eyes narrowed.

"Three."

Firestar got up and gave herself a quick grooming, then she followed Magicclaw to the center of the clearing, where the Airclan cats were waiting with Deadshadow. Magicclaw noticed with a start that Spiritfur was one of them, their eyes locked and Magicclaw knew her sister wanted to call out a greetings.

But that would bring attention to her, and me, and that wouldn't be good! She willed her sister to hold her tongue.

When the got to the cats, a light gray spotted tabby tom, padded forward and dipped his head in greetings.

"Greetings, Frosttail." Firestar mewed and dipped her head. "What brings you here at this time of night?"

"Please, we mean you no harm. Some of my cats of scented rogues near Fourrocks." Frosttail told her. Magicclaw stiffened and she noticed Spiritfur mouthing to her, Father! She seemed to be saying.

Father? But why would he be here? Magicclaw thought, Something must be wrong! Firestar's ear twitched and she narrowed her eyes.

"How many rogues?" Firestar asked Frosttail.

"About four." He answered.

Magicclaw pricked her ears and caught Spiritfur's eye, Four Rogues? Why would Scourge bring others? Is he wanting us to come back to him? The thought flashed through her mind, and pricked her heart.

"We've just come to tell you, they've been stealing our prey and might steal yours." Frosttail mewed. Firestar dipped her head.

"Thank you, Frosttail, I will warn the patrols."

Frosttail dipped his head to her, then with a flick of his tail, he turned and led his cats out of the camp. Magicclaw shivered.

"Cold?" Deadshadow asked padding over to her, there was a look of concern in his eyes. She shook her head.

"No, but, I have a feeling of who those rogues are..." Magicclaw shifted her paws. "Both Spiritfur and I." And possibly Shadowclaw, she added silently to herself.

"What?!" Firestar turned on her. "What do you mean? Who are these rogues?" Magicclaw couldn't meet her leader's gaze. She was suddenly swamped into the past, her father fighting a rogue tom, her mother standing protectively over her and her littermates. Blood gushing out of the wound in her shoulder....Magicclaw swayed, Deadpaw pressed against her.

"Magicclaw, Are you okay?" Deadpaw meowed, worry showing in his gaze. She looked at him and studied her breathing.

"Magicclaw, who are these rogues?" Firestar pressed gently.

"My....my father..." She managed to choke out, she turned to Firestar.

"Please let me go to Fourrocks! I might be able to confront him and ask why he is here!" Magicclaw's heart began to race, what if he wants us to come back to him? I'm a Fireclan cat now! But, how could she turn away her father? After all he has lost? Firestar shook her head.

"I can't ask you to do that, what if he doesn't listen? He might attack you, even if you are his daughter." She added. "Go rest, we'll discuss this more once you've rested."

Magicclaw nodded, disappointed. She and Deadshadow went to the edge of the clearing where they would sleep until leafbare, or when there was enough room in the warriors' den. Magicclaw circled her nest a few times before settling down, her head on her paws. Deadshadow started grooming her fur.

"Do you want to tell me why your father might be here?" He asked gently. She let out a soft whimper.

"We seperated when I was about four moons old, I...I think he might want us to come back to him.." Magicclaw mewed.

"But you're a Fireclan cat!" Deadshadow exclaimed, then added more quietly. "And my mate." His eyes brimmed with sadness, Magicclaw stretched forward and licked his cheek, purring she snuggled closer to him.

"I just hope everything is okay, and, my father has lost a lot. So, I don't know how I'll turn him away..." They snuggled closer to each other for warmth, and Magicclaw slowly drifted into sleep..