MoonClan's ambitious story/(1): The First Four Leaders/3/35

### Chapter 35: Serendipitous Surprise

Whitestripe saw nothing. Neither did Swanpaw. It felt like they were floating in the mist of StarClan for eternity, and they thought they could see their dead Clanmates, especially Goldenlily, again. But now, there was a strange sensation, almost as if they were entering into another world. They had no idea what it was, but they were scared to go there.

Until suddenly, they saw the dim light, and later, the gray ceiling of a den. Whitestripe was the first one who woke up since he got rescued first. He had no recollection of what happened after that fox-dung warrior Windwing threw him off the cliff. He had no desire to scream because he knew he would fall onto the rocks anyways. But surprisingly, after his rear and tail smashed into the rocks of the shallow part of the water near the cliff, other than him instantly passing out, his paternal grandmother, Moonstar, had come up to him and smiled, almost as if she were saying, "Whitestripe, you have proved yourself to be a great warrior already." He had no idea what it meant, if she were taking him to StarClan, or instead healing his wounds.

Swanpaw hadn't realized she was on the direct edge of the cliff until, of course, she noticed her front paws landed on air. But it was too late as she toppled off and onto the rocks directly onto the rocks near the cliff. She fell rear-first as she remembered, but the last thing she remembered after falling was her mother, Goldenlily, warmly smiling at her. Swanpaw could only smile back as she thought her mother had come back as she blacked out almost instantly. It was the second time she had seen her, and that too, in a comforting manner, and it comforted her to know Goldenlily was always watching her. But she didn't realize that she hadn't died until she saw that they were inside of a den.

They couldn't move their hips or their tail at all, as it felt stiff. But to their utter surprise, they saw Birchpaw there with his right hind leg wrapped in a branch. Birchpaw was watching them wake up in utter shock for a few seconds before looking utterly relieved.

"Birchpaw! You're here?" Whitestripe said happily. Swanpaw nodded cheerfully as well. But suddenly, Birchpaw's expression became a little sad.

"Um... well, I'm not Birchpaw anymore," he said.

The two fallen cats stared at him for a while before wondering if a moon had already passed since their fall, which meant that Swanpaw, Mountainpaw and Berrypaw would also become warriors in a quarter-moon, or perhaps right now. But Swanpaw felt despondent at the fact that she might not be a warrior at her right time due to being unconscious for so long.

But then Birchpaw replied, "Well, the thing is, I saved you by helping you up. I jumped into the water, but my hind leg nearly broke, but somehow, I still pushed you out before you could drown. You were out for a half-moon, while I woke up in three days. And now I'm Birchcreek."

Whitestripe and Swanpaw couldn't be more shocked, half at the part where he saved them and got injured himself and the other half at only a half-moon passing.

"So-so, you saved us, and became a warrior a half-moon early? Due to your deed?" Whitestripe asked almost breathily. It was the first time Birchcreek and Swanpaw saw him speak so much in shock, as even with Stonetooth, he seemed to be confident about it. But of course, it was very shocking and almost traumatic for him and Swanpaw, and of course Birchcreek, since they nearly died and got almost severely injured that they were asleep for so long. Swanpaw had been saved by Birchcreek once before while Whitestripe had never been saved by anyone before, but it was still so equally shocking for both of them in such a life-threatening situation, and they felt so far removed from it since they didn't remember any of that part.

Birchcreek nodded. "I actually became a warrior a half-moon ago, after I woke up, so a full moon early. I thought about stalling my ceremony until the normal time since I wouldn't be able to do anything in my first moon of warriorhood anyway, and also so that you could see it, but at the same time I wanted our Clan to feel proud of me and experience the taste of warriorhood sooner. Rainpaw also saved you by jumping into the water and administering emergency medicine to all three of us after we passed out, so she was also considered a hero. But she didn't want to become a medicine cat just yet until you were fully healed."

Swanpaw tried to move, but she felt immense pain in her rear and tail. She felt almost helpless because she thought she couldn't even gesture properly, since front paws and head movements and expressions didn't fully convey every single sign, as for some she had to move. She could move her hind legs and feet unlike perhaps Birchcreek with his right, but her hips and most of her tail felt like they would collapse if she even moved her legs a whisker. At least Whitestripe and Birchcreek could still speak even while being stuck in one place, but Swanpaw would be very limited to one spot. And worst of all, her warriorhood would definitely be delayed, unlike Birchcreek, since she didn't necessarily save anyone. Swanpaw tried to ask Birchcreek if he got to skip his warrior exams since it looked like he was too injured to do them anyways by moving her paws in a pouncing motion and then shrugging, but she wasn't sure if they would understand since usually, she would move her entire body forward in a pouncing motion to indicate hunting and fighting.

It took Whitestripe and Birchcreek a minute or two to understand what she was saying, but Birchcreek wasn't sure if he should talk more about his reward. He knew Swanpaw was feeling down about this because, after all, warriorhood was her passion, and sitting in one place would be utterly terrible for her. Plus, she would have to delay her warriorhood for a little while before she recovered. He figured MoonClan would probably give her a break and not delay it too much unlike AdderClan and SnowClan, but he was still worried that Swanpaw would not be with Mountainpaw and Berrypaw who became apprentices along with her. Birchcreek heard that Snowstar was planning to make Mountainpaw and Berrypaw were going to be warriors quarter-moon early to go along with other warriors, especially Birchcreek who became one a moon before they would, but he wasn't sure about Swanpaw. He didn't want Swanpaw to feel jealous of him as he really wanted to be considerate of others, and he was rethinking if he should have become a warrior a whole moon early. Even so, Mountainpaw, Berrypaw and him might have still become warriors before she did since Birchcreek wasn't as injured as Whitestripe or her.

"They said that I didn't have to and that my bravery and selflessness was enough," Birchcreek decided to say.

Whitestripe and Swanpaw were still staring at him in shock, which made him feel a bit embarrassed and sad for them, since they had such good skills and dreams. But at the same time, Birchcreek was wholly relieved that they woke up. After all, he was praying for this the entire time and so was the rest of MoonClan. He was so grateful that StarClan had finally shined their miracles on them again, as it was perhaps a miracle in itself that three young cats survived nearly drowning and breaking their bones. He fully hoped that they would be fully functional again, even if not completely heal.

"Birchcreek, who are you talking to?" Rainpaw suddenly called from outside the den, but none of them had to say anything as she entered, and her eyes also widened in shock. *"Whitestripe and Swanpaw! You're finally awake!"* she yowled in utter delight, and that immediately alerted everyone else in MoonClan. Birchcreek realized that all the patrols must have come back since it was now close to evening, especially the cats who he was talking to just earlier in the day.

All of Whitestripe and Swanpaw's kin, including their cousins, rushed in and so did a few other cats like Primrosepaw, Dandelionpaw and Lilypool, all looking so surprised and delighted and relieved.

*"Whitestripe! Are you okay?!"* exclaimed Peonyclaw in the same tone as Rainpaw. Birchcreek knew that it must have been hard for her with her son being injured, even if they weren't on great terms before. But he felt that now, their relationship would be fully repaired, and even get better after this.

*"I was almost dead for the entire half-moon!"* Icemoon shrieked forlornly.

*"So was I! I couldn't bear to lose* another *sister!"* Shadowclaw added in the same tone.

*"I couldn't believe it either since I saw it, but I'm so glad you're awake!"* Dandelionpaw exclaimed.

"Are you fully okay?" asked Lilypool mostly in relief, but the injured cats could also sense a bit of worry in her tone. "I mean, we know that was very traumatizing for everyone including you. Maybe more for the rest of us since you three seemed to handle it fine."

*"I agree!"* said Thymepaw sadly. "My mentor felt sick after seeing you three so injured, and so did I, and we couldn't train that much!"

*"I was also shocked! After all, you were my mate's apprentice and cousin!"* Nightnose also exclaimed.

Petalkit also happened to be here, and she also looked shocked. *"I didn't realize you were hurt! Otherwise, I would have tried to help!"*

Rainpaw looked at Petalkit and said reassuringly, "You didn't know, and you couldn't do anything, so don't blame yourself!"

Petalkit still seemed shocked and forlorn about it, however. "Birchcreek's my foster siblings' uncle, though, Whitestripe's my friends, Dustkit and Oakkit's uncle and Swanpaw's obviously my sister!"

Whitestripe and Swanpaw were a little shocked at when Petalkit might have figured out that Sandleap and Nightnose weren't her biological parents, but Goldenlily was instead. They figured Shadowclaw, Icemoon or Primrosepaw might have told her, though. But Whitestripe was also worried about his nephew and niece and if they would even know if he even existed at all. It felt so strange to have so much time skip by, since a half-moon was definitely a lot of time when it came to young warriors and senior apprentices, as lots of things surely happened in that time. But they knew everyone else was still mourning, so perhaps not that much had happened, except for of course, Birchcreek's warrior ceremony.

"I felt so bad that I was the one who told her to go, and I'm also her mentor! I was worried that she wouldn't wake up!" Nutclaw added, also forlorn.

"I was also fee...ling depressed!" lamented Primrosepaw. "I felt better af...ter Birchcreek woke... up, but I still had... a heavy heart about you... two, Whitestripe and Swan...paw, until you woke up... too!"

"I am also relieved that they woke up," added Quailclaw. "After all, they are important members of the Clan, as is everyone else."

Whitestripe and Swanpaw already realized that they were in the medicine cat's den since there were a ton of herbs, and their wounds were mostly treated, and their hips and tail were in cobwebs and held still by sticks. It felt weird not being able to move their tails at all, since it seemed like they were severely damaged. But they were just happy to be alive, just like everyone else was.

"Yes, of course, I'm glad, too," Whitestripe said lightheartedly, and Swanpaw nodded, doing a thumbs-up at herself.

"Yeah, you don't need to remember the past anymore," reassured Birchcreek. "Now that the future is surely going to be better after this, I surely hope."

"Um, did Birchcreek tell you about his early warrior ceremony?" Mountainpaw asked nervously. "I felt a little bad that you didn't get to witness it."

"No, it's fine, since Birchcreek did a great thing, and yes, he did tell us about his and Rainpaw's savior status," Whitestripe said quickly, and Swanpaw nodded since they had already processed this information.

"Wow, that's great! I am very proud of Rainpaw, too! I want to be a medicine cat just like her!" they heard Birdkit say, and the two fallen cats were also surprised that Birdkit was here, until they realized that Sandleap's kits must have gotten to the age of two moons already, so she could leave the nursery now. Everyone smiled at her words, especially Rainpaw and Lilypool.

"I'm extraordinarily glad, too!" Rainpaw exclaimed happily. "Now MoonClan can finally get to live in peace!"

"I really hope so, too, because these things are very tragic for everyone in the Clan!" said Flipsnow, who had been empathetic for her sister's tragedy, and previously, her former apprentice, Sandleap, and *her* mate, Nightnose's tragedies.

"I know. Now hopefully, only better things happen after this," agreed Birchcreek. "We should all be hopeful to the future, and that we can achieve more in our lives, and become stronger from all of these experiences."

The entire Clan also agreed, looking very relieved and perhaps finally starting to heal their emotional wounds inflicted from all of these catastrophic disasters now, especially the ones who had personal trauma like Shadowclaw and Icemoon, and also Whitestripe and Swnapaw themselves. But Swanpaw was still lamenting that she couldn't communicate as properly as before, because to her, her body was her language as her mouth did not serve that function for her. She still hoped that she could still be understood by the rest of the Clan even in her stuck state, since most of them could still understand her with only her front paws, head and expressions. Swanpaw was also worried about her warriorhood, as she really didn't want to be left behind. She felt that she would have to come to terms with this sooner or later, but at the same time she worried that she would become hopeless if she did. *I* really *want to be independent,* she thought, remembering that she would have to be strong after going through what most cats never did, including her lifelong, incurable condition of being mute. It wasn't that bad as what the other three she-cats with conditions go through as she had now observed, but it would definitely bar her from a lot of leader-like roles, including perhaps mentorhood, since a lot of mentoring goes with telling information about the Clans. After going through two deaths, she didn't want to have to face more trouble. She was comforted that Goldenlily had greeted her and she also got to see a few glimpses of Mousekit and even her dead littermate, Vinekit, but she was not fully assuaged yet.

Swanpaw waved her paws to get everyone's attention, then pointed to herself and tried to do pouncing movements again, then shrugged. A few more cats had entered the den when she asked that, including Snowstar.

Whitestripe and Birchcreek already understood her question was similar to the one from earlier, so they looked a bit disappointed. "Um, I don't know if your warrior ceremony would be delayed," said Birchcreek unfortunately. He looked at his father for an answer, who also looked sad. The rest of the Clan also looked sad for Swanpaw, especially her mentor, Nutclaw, as he was the one who told her to go in the first place, and the one who was supposed to train her.

"I am not really sure," sighed Snowstar. "I don't know when you would be fully healed, so I can't really say. All I hope, and the rest of MoonClan hope, is that you fully heal first."

Swanpaw just nodded, still looking downhearted about it. Birchcreek decided to say something to comfort her, "Don't worry, Swanpaw. Once you become a warrior, you'll be the most celebrated warrior in MoonClan for your deeds and troubles." Swanpaw just nodded again, perhaps feeling a little better.

"I was a bit surprised you three managed to handle your physical wounds so well emotionally," Mountainpaw said in a more positive light. "I probably wouldn't have done it so well."

"Perhaps it's because physical wounds are a part of warriorhood," Birchcreek said thoughtfully.

"Don't forget, warriors always handle their own stress well!" Whitestripe added also thoughtfully. "But with others, it's much more painful."

"Due to empathy, right?" Dandelionpaw said, looking quite relieved.

"That's quite true," Petuniaheart replied, looking warmly at the three of them. "We all fear for others more than we do ourselves, due to that connection. We can count on ourselves to try to be okay, but we are very much worried for others as we don't know how they would take it."

"Sometimes, guilt plays a part, too, if you feel you might have done something that might have set those events into motion that inflicted those wounds," Hailstream added, looking a little proud of her littermate's apprentice and her mentor's daughter for surviving, but of course, the most at her younger sister and brother. The three injured cats also remembered that she wanted her apprentice, Primrosepaw, to go, too, just like Nutclaw.

Sandleap nodded. "I was also feeling despair over my apprentice, since I spent so many moons training him, and over my brother since I often visited my mother and him and Rainpaw and Quailclaw in the nursery. And also for Swanpaw, my other Clanmate, as I also have many connected relationships with her, too."

The positivity was filling up everyone's hearts, as even though they were talking about reception of emotional pain and empathy, talking about it and sharing their experiences was making them better and more understanding of each other, and plus, they felt like that they were now past the worst, and even the bad.

"I wonder, how did we even stay alive if we were out for so long, anyways?" Whitestripe asked, confused, and Swanpaw was relieved that he asked that question since she had it, too, but she probably wouldn't have been able to convey it properly.

"We had to feed you prey and herbs by crushing it, and we also had to toss and turn you manually so that your muscles wouldn't become stiff or degenerate," Rainpaw said, still feeling a little sad. Swanpaw frowned, as that awfully reminded her of Mousekit before she died.

Whitestripe decided not to think about Mousekit and instead about the positives. "Well, I am very glad you did, otherwise we wouldn't have survived afterwards."

"I'm also glad, because you both are my uncle's and mother's apprentices!" Birdkit said cheerfully right after Whitestripe finished. Everybody smiled at that again, especially Sandleap, Nutclaw, Whitestripe and Swanpaw. The three injured cats were glad that Birdkit was able to get some words in by what she might have been thinking was interrupting, because otherwise in large group discussions or gatherings like this, she would have hardly been able to get a word in since everyone would always have something to fill in the silence before she would be finished.

"And Birchcreek is obviously our youngest uncle!" Flowerkit added excitedly.

"And he's only eleven moons older than us, like our youngest aunt, just like what Sandleap said was *her* and our older uncles and aunts' distance from them!" Waterkit said thoughtfully. The conversation was definitely very heartwarming now, which MoonClan definitely needed and appreciated in these excruciatingly testing times. Birchcreek knew that he was a half-moon older than that, but the estimation was fine so that way the comparison could fit.

Their mother chuckled. "Well, isn't that interesting? We were senior apprentices when your grandmother, Petuniaheart, gave birth to them, and Birchcreek and Rainpaw were, too!"

"That makes them the youngest uncle and aunt in the Clan!" Violetrain said happily, and Petuniaheart, Nightnose and Nutclaw nodded at that.

"Unless..." Icemoon started, looking coyly at Whitestripe. Shadowclaw, Rainpaw, Swanpaw, Spottedpaw, Primrosepaw, Dandelionpaw all started smirking, getting the hint. Birchcreek just smiled as he genuinely wanted them to be together and add more happiness to the Clan. He was pretty sure Whitestripe couldn't mate right now, but when he healed, he would hopefully be able to do so.

"Come on, Icemoon, you want Petalkit to be an aunt as a kit?" Whitestripe said with mock annoyance. *These cats* do *very much like this topic,* he thought, amused.

"That would be even more interesting," Petalkit mewed humorously. Birdkit, Waterkit and Flowerkit also seemed to be looking forward to that as they smiled, too.

"Better start now so we can make history again! Petalkit's already three moons old!" Lilackit added in the same vein.

"Lilackit? You joined in, too?" Thymekit asked curiously. Whitestripe, Birchcreek and Swanpaw were also surprised as they didn't think Lilackit was that type as it looked like she had a sharp warrior's mindset. But the former first and latter last figured that might have changed in the last half-moon.

"She's just cheering on her future mentor," joked Shadowclaw. *I guess Lilackit won the Mossball dare,* Whitestripe figured.

"No, I just like to see history and greatness and firsts happen!" Lilackit exclaimed thoughtfully. "Maybe I can get to mentor their kits if they have them now! Mentoring your mentor's kits is always a good deed and payback!"

"You are very weird, Lilackit," added Jumpkit amusingly. A few cats also chuckled at Lilackit's ideas, especially the jokers of the Clan, and other cats smiled.

"I have to agree with your brother, I'm afraid," Whitestripe added. "That *is very* weird!"

"I would also want to mentor my future mentor's kits!" Waterkit exclaimed, too.

"Which is?" Petalkit asked.

"Quailclaw, obviously!" Waterkit replied. Quailclaw and Primrosepaw smiled at that, but Shadowclaw, Rainpaw, Swanpaw and Dandelionpaw found a deeper meaning to that.

"I know Primrosepaw is friendly with you, too, Waterkit, so it would be the best for you!" Dandelionpaw bantered.

Swanpaw nodded exaggeratedly and did a thumbs-up and Shadowclaw and Rainpaw grinned at that. *I also want to become an aunt, since the idea seems like a very cool thing in MoonClan,* thought Swanpaw mirthfully. She was grateful that she had such things in her life to help her move on from her personal terrible tragedies. *And I also want to fulfill Primrosepaw and Quailclaw's connection, and have Dandelionpaw be with my brother, too!*

"I'm glad that you're in your normal moods, too, now, Whitestripe and Swanpaw," Birchcreek said before his brother, Whitestripe and Primrosepaw could get embarrassed any further in front of the entire Clan, especially the former first. Even if he wanted them to mate, he thought that it was better for them to not be teased, at least in front of most of their elders, even their parents who were supportive of it. *I hope that it comes true, however, just like the rest of our dreams and hopes,* he thought positively.

Whitestripe was relieved that his cousin finally stopped the conversation from going down into the rabbit hole of love gossip, as it felt weird to partake in, not being interested in Icemoon anyways. *These mouse-brains won't stop until we do it, won't they?* he thought with joking resignation. *But, maybe even afterwards, as you never know with them.*

"We're *all* glad!" Sealbranch said to her brother. "When you three become fully healed, we promise that we'll get the most surplus of food and herbs for the entire MoonClan!" Snowstar and Petuniaheart nodded, agreeing with their daughter.

"And Lilypool and I will *definitely* help! Don't you *all* worry!" Rainpaw added exuberantly as well.

MoonClan definitely looked jubilant at that. The hopes had never reached so high before, even when they were in a long period of sleep previously, and still not completely convalesced, but the stars in the sky would surely help with that. The Clan had faith that soon, everything will eventually be all right, as long as they had high hopes for it, and in StarClan's blessings and miracles, having previously been the Miracle ancestors.

The entire Clan continued their unofficial gathering to banter and joke with the three injured cats, and with Sandleap's kits as well, as it was their first time leaving the nursery, so it was very exciting for them. This day marked one of the most relieving days of their lives, and perhaps one of the most special ones, too, as they didn't often have such large fun gatherings even while being MoonClan, and definitely not other Clans, either.

And the three injured cats felt finally at peace with their relevant emotional and physical troubles, not at all realizing they were even hurt, having completely rained off the trauma of whatever fateful events had ever happened to them, and indirectly MoonClan.

**This is a chapter subpage of MoonClan's ambitious story (1): The First Four Leaders.**

*← Previous Chapter: Chapter 34: A New NormalNext Chapter: Chapter 36: Insult to Injury →*

*← Previous Part: Part 2: Birchpaw's TrainingNext Part: Part 4: The Tom's Wisdom →*