Fading Echoes/Chapter 17

==Chapter description==
:Lionblaze lies awake, thinking about Jayfeather. He watches his Clanmates and considers if Tigerstar would recruit any of them. When Cinderheart wakes up, he tells himself to stop doubting his Clanmates, and the two cats go on a walk in the forest. She tells him that Ivypaw and Dovepaw have been avoiding each other, but he shrugs and says that siblings always argue. Cinderheart recalls her own deceased siblings, and Lionblaze changes the topic, wanting to forget his worries. They walk, and Cinderheart sighs that she wishes Ivypaw and Dovepaw were not so competitive, but Lionblaze replies that the competition may also be good. He suggests that they race, and they excitedly dart through the trees. Lionblaze feels free and happy and dismisses his thoughts about Heathertail, thinking that there is nothing wrong with being with Cinderheart. They arrive at the lake, and Cinderheart plunges in, and Lionblaze tells her that she swims as well as a RiverClan cat. They go back to camp while Lionblaze presses his pelt against Cinderheart's, purring, enjoying not having to worry for a moment.
:The next morning, Lionblaze wakes while Brambleclaw sorts patrols. He tries to catch Cinderheart's eye, but she regards him briskly and leaves. He asks Dovepaw if she minds not going with Ivypaw, and she shrugs and says that she knows what her sister is doing anyway. Icecloud says that she will make the first catch, and as the warrior sprays leaves everywhere, Dovepaw points out where a mouse is. He snaps to give the warrior a chance, and when Icecloud does not catch anything, he tells the patrol to split up as he feels sorry for her. Dovepaw catches the mouse and asks him if he thinks it is unfair for her to use her powers to hunt. Feeling guilty for snapping, Lionblaze replies that she can use them. Dovepaw argues that she should hunt for all the Clans if the prophecy is for everyone, and he is uncertain of how to respond and wonders if it is fair for him to fight if he always wins. He reassures her that she should just remember that she saved the Clans by finding the beavers. They see Sandstorm's hunting party, and Lionblaze notices that Dovepaw is jumpy. She says that there is a woodpecker nest, and they climb the tree when they arrive. They find a nest with feathers, and Lionblaze gets a face full of them when he reaches into it.
:Lionblaze and Dovepaw hear Jayfeather returning from the Moonpool. They land in front of Littlecloud and Flametail, who are surprised. Jayfeather tells the ShadowClan cats that he will go with his Clanmates now, and Dovepaw calls for them to send greetings to Tigerheart. Jayfeather is tired, and he explains that he visited the Dark Forest. Dovepaw is confused, and Lionblaze tells her to just listen. The gray tom continues that Brokenstar and Hawkfrost are training for battle and tells Dovepaw that Dark Forest cats can train the living through dreams. Dovepaw wonders how anyone could fall for it, and Jayfeather meows that Tigerstar is cunning and knows how to prey on weaknesses. She is confident that no ThunderClan cat would do such a thing, but Lionblaze warns that not everyone is perfect. He tells her to be alert about anyone who seems suspicious, and Jayfeather adds that this includes ThunderClan. However, she angrily proclaims that they are overreacting, and she just wants to be normal without the burden of destiny. She leaves, and Jayfeather tells him that he does not want Dovepaw to be hurt, but she must also fulfill her role as one of the Three. Lionblaze sadly thinks about Hollyleaf and her wisdom.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Omen of the Stars arc
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Fading Echoes