The HiveMind Chronicles

Cover by Dewtail

## **ThunderClan:**

**Leader**: Hollowstar: massive dark gray tabby tom with dark blue eyes.

**Deputy**: Stoatwhisker: cream tom with a white chest and underbelly and long whiskers; amber eyes.

**Medicine Cat**: Spireshine: brown she-cat with a white chest and belly; green eyes. Apprentice: Minnowpaw

**Mediator:** Flutterpounce: grayish-brown color point tom with rose-amber eyes.

**Warriors:**

Thorntail: gray tabby tom with spiky fur, a thick tail, and amber eyes.

Silverpetal: silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Whistlewind: white she-cat with barely visible tabby markings and amber eyes.

Shadowstep: black tabby tom with amber eyes.

Mousefoot: small speckled light brown tabby she-cat with tufted ears and green eyes.

Volefeather: brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

Leafflight: dappled dark brown she-cat with green eyes.

Trouttail: dark ginger tom with a white face and chest. Apprentice: Shadepaw

Daisyleap: pale yellow she-cat with white markings and green eyes.

Salmonleap: ginger she-cat with darker points and green eyes.

Rookwillow: tortoiseshell tom with blue eyes.

Cherryflower: cream she-cat with ginger speckles and green eyes. Apprentice: Shrewpaw

Addertooth: light brown tabby tom with amber eyes and long fangs.

Owlbranch: brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

Thrushwing: dusky brown tom with rose-amber eyes.

**Apprentices**:

Shadepaw: dark gray tom with a white chest patch and blue eyes. Apprenticed to Trouttail.

Shrewpaw: light brown tabby she-cat with tufted ears and blue eyes. Apprenticed to Cherryflower.

Minnowpaw: silver tabby tom with a short tail and icy blue eyes. Apprenticed to Spireshine.

**Queens/Nursery Caketakers:**

Patchfoot: white tom with brown tabby patches and blue eyes. Father to Whitekit, a white she-cat with blue eyes, and Sorrelkit, a white-and-brown she-cat with blue eyes.

**Elders:** None

## RiverClan:

**Leader:** Reedstar: light brown tom with amber eyes.

**Deputy:** Rosethorn: cream tom with amber eyes.

**Medicine Cat:** Bubblebrook: brown she-cat with blue-gray tabby patches and amber eyes. Apprentice: Milkypaw

**Mediator**: Ripplewind: white tom with blue-gray patches and green eyes.

**Warriors:**

Fogsight: pale blue-gray tom with piercing blue eyes.

Flurryfall: white tom with a fluffy tail and blue eyes. Apprentice: Cottonpaw

Doetail: light brown she-cat with a ticked pelt and warm amber eyes.

Pikesplash: dark blue-gray tom with orange eyes. Apprentice: Pebblepaw

Snowstream: fluffy white she-cat with golden eyes.

Brookshine: light brown tabby she-cat with aqua eyes.

**Apprentices:**

Pebblepaw: blue-gray she-cat with darker spots and blue eyes. Apprenticed to Pikesplash.

Milkypaw: brown she-cat with white spots. Apprenticed to Bubblebrook.

Muddypaw: a white fluffy tom with brown splotches. Apprenticed to Doetail.

Cottonpaw: pale cream she-cat with green eyes. Apprenticed to Flurryfall.

**Queens/Nursery Caretakers:**

Frostfeather: whitish-cream she-cat with warm amber eyes. Expecting Fogsight’s kits.

**Elders:** None

## WindClan:

**Leader**: Dawnstar: pale she-cat with yellow-orange color points and green eyes.

**Deputy**: Haredapple: pale brown she-cat with a ticked pelt.

**Medicine Cat**: Shadybreeze: black she-cat with grayish-green eyes.

**Mediator**: None

**Warriors:**

Foxscratch: ginger tom with black paws and yellow eyes..

Bristletuft: spotted brown she-cat with lime green eyes and a whtie chest marking.

Mudheart: brown tabby tom with a white heart chest and dark green eyes.

Hollydapple: black she-cat with red and brown tabby patches with yellow eyes.

Fallowdrift: speckled brown tabby she-cat with green eyes

Kitewing: black tom with ginger speckles.

Mistlestorm: reddish brown she-cat with green eyes.

Sootthroat: slate gray tom with a black chest patch and frosty green eyes.

Tansystripe: cream she-cat with amber eyes.

Sparrowpatch: black she-cat with amber eyes.

Ravenmist: black she-cat with a white chest and paw with green eyes.

Dustywhisker: a dusty brown tom with violet and gold eyes.

**Apprentices:** None

**Queens/Nursery Caretakers**: None

**Elders:** None

## SkyClan:

**Leader:** Tumblestar: dusty brown tabby tom with spiky fur and amber eyes.

**Deputy:** Magpieskitter: black-and-white she-cat with blue eyes.

**Medicine Cats**: Beetlefoot: brown tom with dark ginger legs; Flakefrost: white tom with golden eyes.

**Mediator**: None

**Warriors:**

Snailswirl: grayish brown tom with a swirled tabby pelt.

Russetpelt: reddish tabby she-cat with green eyes.

Alderbark: brown tom with lighter speckles and green eyes.

Stoneskip: gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Brindlebreeze: white and gray brindled tom with amber eyes.

Ivycurl: light brown she-cat with a swirled tabby pelt.

Nectardrizzle: light golden tom with shining amber eyes.

Applefrost: reddish she-cat with a cream underbelly.

Poolshine: dull brown she-cat with heather blue eyes.

**Apprentices**: None

**Queens/Nursery Caretakers:**

Toadspeckle: brown she-cat with a ringed tail, white paws, and yellow eyes. Tumblestar's daughter. Mother to newtkit: a brown tabby tom with yellow eyes,

**Elders:** None

## ShadowClan:

**Leader:** Violetstar: black she-cat with a white chest and heather-blue eyes.

**Deputy:** Paleshimmer: swirled silver tabby tom with white paws and sky blue eyes. Apprentice: Snakepaw

**Medicine Cat:** Eaglewing: brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

**Mediator:** None

**Warriors:**

Spiritdust: silver and white tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Talonslash: brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes.

Wrenthroat: mottled dusky brown tom with a white patch on his throat.

Wheatstalk: golden tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Berryshine: cream she-cat with rose-amber eyes.

Badgerstripe: black and white she-cat with a striped face and ice blue eyes.

Barkshade: dark brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes.

**Apprentices:**

Snakepaw: black tom with yellow eyes. Apprenticed to Paleshimmer.

**Queens/Nursery Caretakers**: None

**Elders:**

Silvertuft: silver tabby she-cat with amber eyes.

Ashstripe: light gray tabby she-cat with green eyes.

## Preface:

Can a truly united society sustain itself? Is it attainable in the first place?

Certainly, the illusion of unity is widespread. Families rife with dysfunction can pull it together and feign a loving environment when scrutiny arises. A government being destabilized from the inside out because of dissent and disorganization can simply select what to display to broadcast conformity and consensus though that may not be the truth.

You, the reader, are likely asking yourself what this tangent has to do with a fanfiction about violent feral cats, but it does all tie together. Consider the concept of a social hivemind for a moment, the concept this series is named after. Unanimity is the ideal, even if it is not reality. Those who point out the suppression of other ideas or dissent themselves are quickly waved away, covered up, if you will. Perhaps in extreme cases, the individuals caring enough to speak out about the disparities are silenced completely, through extortion or perhaps murder. But why?

It seems that the alternative to acknowledging the flaws in a truly unanimous society is forcibly silencing anyone who dares to disagree with the prospect, but to inquire again, why is that? Is it because a group of subordinates who exist only to unwaveringly agree with whatever comes out of an authority’s mouth serves only to stroke the ego of the aforementioned authority? Perhaps. And are the implications of this assertion part of the reason why probing around for a break in the facade is discouraged? Likely so. Does forced unanimity erase the unique experiences individuals have that shape their view of the world and by extension their opinions? That there is something to ponder, surely.

Keep a close eye on the idiosyncrasies of the HiveMind’s society. What aspects of the past still linger in the air, waiting to be detected? Does anything stick out to you as an unusual element of social relations among kin, among Clanmates? Question what you are presented, reader, as you are offered the opportunity to. Perhaps there is something lurking just underneath the surface of the narrative...and perhaps you’ll be the one to discover it.

## Chapter One: The Announcement

Stoatwhisker meticulously grooms his cream pelt, watching his friend Hollowstar fidget on the upper part of Highledge.

*What is he doing? He can’t stall forever...*

The ThunderClan deputy draws a paw over his whiskers, glancing at the clearing.

Mousefoot, Hollowstar’s mate, lies crouched under a bush with the pair’s two kits, Shadepaw and Shrewpaw.

*Hmph.*

Stoatwhisker flicks an ear as Hollowstar stands up.

“May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting!”

The cream-furred tom watches as the clearing fills up with cats; Thorntail and Silverpetal sitting together off to the side, Whistlewind, Rookwillow, Salmonleap, and a few others hanging back, and the rest of the Clan filling up the middle.

Stoatwhisker raises a brow as Spireshine scrambles over to her post, leaves sticking out of her fur.

*Unprofessional of her. And she’s late. The whole Clan was here before she was.*

The ThunderClan medicine cat glares indignantly at the deputy, though fear glimmers in her gaze.

“I have an announcement!” Hollowstar mews proudly, his voice resounding through the clearing.

Murmurs of confusion and interest sweep the clearing, and Stoatwhisker registers Spireshine giving him a questioning look out of the corner of his eye.

“You all are aware of how rough leaf-bare has been…” Hollowstar trails off, letting his words resonate.

“Each Clan suffers in silence because of their pride…but that would all change if we were to band together in unity and peace!”

*I told him not to do this dumb speech….* Stoatwhisker rolls his eyes.

*Whatever. When the dissenters come I’ll make sure they don’t get too far. I promised old Hollowbrains I'd help him after all.*

Murmurs of confusion rise up and die down before Shadowstep gets to his paws.

“Hollowstar, I object to this! The Clans were meant to be five, not one.”

Hollowstar’s tail twitches, though he manages to hide his annoyance.

‘If you don’t like it, then you can leave, *brother*,” the dark gray tom mews sharply, examining a paw.

“Never! ThunderClan is my home! The problem is you!” Shadowstep hisses.

The ThunderClan leader’s paw twitches and his gaze burns coldly with irritation.

“Stoatwhisker, deal with this traitor. Clan dismissed.” Hollowstar storms into his den, lashing his bushy tail.

*Now to deal with this…*

The ThunderClan deputy hops down from his perch, approaching Shadowstep slowly.

“You heard your leader,” Stoatwhisker mews firmly.

“Submit to his authority or leave.”

The Clan remains quiet, the tension in the air thick and tangible.

Shadowstep squares his shoulders, a low growl resounding in his throat.

“Make me.”

“Very well.” Stoatwhisker unsheathes his claws and springs forward, barreling into Shadowstep and knocking him over.

The black-furred warrior fights back ferociously, kicking the deputy’s stomach hard and knocking the wind out of him.

Sucking in a breath, Stoatwhisker slashes Shadowstep’s face and pins down his hind legs.

Shadowstep writhes as the deputy brings an unsheathed paw to his throat.

“Stoatwhisker, no!” Shrewpaw yowls from the crowd, her expression worried.

“Now..” Stoatwhisker hisses, applying light pressure to the black-furred warrior’s throat.

“..I’m giving you another chance. Listen to your leader’s command or face the consequences.”

Shadowstep snarls, curling his lip.

*“I will never obey a command from the mouth of that- dishonorable traitor-”*

Uninterested in hearing the rest of the black-furred warrior's diatribe, Stoatwhisker drives his claws into the side of Shadowstep’s neck and tears downward; blood runs from the side of the warrior's neck.

Shadowstep gasps for air; Stoatwhisker tries to ignore the horrified expressions of his Clanmates.

The ThunderClan deputy releases Shadowstep, kicking him with a paw.

“Leave now,” the cream-furred tom growls, sheathing his claws.

Growling in anger and pain, Shadowstep staggers to his paws and stalks out of camp, the blood trickling from his wound creating a small trail as he walks.

Stoatwhisker’s gaze travels over his gathered Clan, taking in the horror and anger that defines their expressions.

Daisyleap, Stoatwhisker’s sister, glances at him in confusion and shock before busying herself with cleaning a paw.

*….They’ll respect me one day.*

“Clan dismissed. Whistlewind, find some cats for a hunting patrol, and Rookwillow, take Trouttail, Thrushwing, and Salmonleap to mark the borders.”

The named cats get to their paws and do as Stoatwhisker says, albeit hesitantly.

The ThunderClan deputy sighs, heading to a secluded part of camp to think.

Daisyleap pads over, looking her big brother up and down.

“What happened, Stoatwhisker?” the pale yellow she-cat mews quietly, settling down next to the cream-furred tom.

“I was following orders,” the deputy replies coldly, averting his gaze.

*I don’t want her to see me like this…*

Daisyleap shuffles her paws.

“I guess that is your job..”

“Yep.” Stoatwhisker quietly clears his throat before starting to clean his bloodstained paws.

*I know what she's thinking about...but I'm not like that. I'll never be like that.*

“Do you want me to leave?” Daisyleap mews, breaking the awkward silence.

“It’s up to you,” the cream tom responds, glancing at his sister.

“Okay.” The pale yellow she-cat gets to her paws and licks her brother’s ear before padding off.

Stoatwhisker watches his sister leave, sighing.

Glancing down at her paws, Mousefoot shuffles into her mate’s den.

*“Hollowstar*?” the light brown she-cat calls softly, flicking a tufted ear.

“What?” the dark gray tom replies sharply, his mew a bit muffled.

Mousefoot scans the perimeter of the den, her gaze traveling downward as a stale but familiar scent hits her nose.

*“...Are you okay? Do- do you think the announcement went well?”*

Hollowstar sighs.

“I don’t know. I expected more cats on my side, to be honest.”

The light brown she-cat tilts her head slightly.

*“I’m sure they’ll come around eventually…*”

“They better,” the dark gray tom mews sharply.

Mousefoot carefully sits down next to her mate, glancing around every few moments.

“Why are you so nervous?” Hollowstar interjects sharply. “Don’t you trust me, Mousefoot?”

“*Y-yes, of course…*” Mousefoot replies softly.

*“...I just don’t really like being in here….uhm*-” The light brown she-cat trails off, fidgeting with her paws.

Hollowstar exhales sharply.

“Then leave. I want to be alone.”

*“Okay,”* Mousefoot replies softly, licking her mate’s cheek before getting to her paws.

*“I love you…”*

“That’s nice,” Hollowstar mutters in reply, not fully listening.

Mousefoot slips out of her mate’s den and hops down Highledge, noticing that she’s slightly out of breath.

*That doesn’t usually happen….I’m sure it’s fine.*

The light brown she-cat casts a nervous glance behind her, scanning the mouth of Hollowstar’s den.

*I hope he’ll be alright…*

## Chapter Two: The Meeting

Spireshine neatly sorts her stock of thyme, glancing at the mouth of the medicine den every few moments.

From behind her, Minnowpaw lets out an irritated groan and rests his head on his paws.

The ThunderClan medicine cat sighs quietly, turning to her apprentice.

“Do you want to help me sort herbs, Minnowpaw?”

The silver tabby tom huffs.

“Fine, I guess,” Minnowpaw mumbles, pulling himself to his paws and shuffling over to the herb store.

Despite his mood, the medicine apprentice neatens the sorrel into a precise stack and starts to straighten the marigold stock.

After a few moments of silence, Minnowpaw decides to say something.

“What do you think of Hollowstar’s plan?”

Spireshine stiffens a bit, flicking an ear.

*“...I don’t think it’s going to work,”* the brown she-cat whispers softly, *“-and it may be a bit stupid- but- we have to go along with it.”*

*“Why?”* Minnowpaw hisses back, scoring the ground with his claws.

*“You saw Stoatwhisker ki- almost kill Shadowstep! What would he do to us? You know he hates me!”*

The silver tabby growls.

“Why is everything always about what Stoatdung will do? He’s only one cat.”

“Don’t call him that,” Spireshine mews quickly, glancing again towards the mouth of the den.

Minnowpaw groans loudly, stalking back over to his nest and flopping down in it.

*“I can’t do anything around here, great StarClan!*”

*Poor thing…*

Spireshine manages to collect herself and continues neatening the herb stores.

The ThunderClan medicine cat pricks her ears as a cat approaches the medicine den.

“Spireshine.” Stoatwhisker pads into the medicine den.

“S-Stoatwhisker-” Spireshine stammers, turning around.

“D-do you need something?”

The ThunderClan deputy rolls his eyes.

“Hollowstar wants you to come to a meeting,” Stoatwhisker mews.

“Now.” The cream tom unsheathes his claws in a silent warning.

*Oh no….no no no-*

Minnowpaw growls and rushes forward, standing in front of Spireshine.

“Touch her and I’ll flay you, you- you fox-heart!” the silver tabby hisses, his short fur bristling.

“Minnowpaw, no-” Spireshine panics a bit, her tail bushing to twice its normal size.

Stoatwhisker watches the medicine cat attempt to restrain her apprentice, unimpressed.

“Careful, Minnowpaw…it’d be a shame if something were to happen to your mentor because you went too far.”

Minnowpaw snarls in Stoatwhisker’s face but the deputy just stares blankly at him.

“We’re meeting in Hollowstar’s den. Hurry it up or I’ll let Hollowstar retrieve you.”

The cream-furred tom stalks out of the medicine den, flicking his tail.

Spireshine squeaks quietly at the suggestion and turns back to her apprentice.

*“Never do that again!”*

Minnowpaw growls.

“Are you just going to let him do that to you?”

Spireshine sighs in reply.

*He’ll probably kill me if I try anything….*

“I have to go to this meeting….be careful, okay?”

Minnowpaw rolls his eyes.

“Fine.”

Spireshine glances at her apprentice for a moment before padding out of the medicine den towards Highledge.

The ThunderClan medicine cat nervously hops up the Highledge and ducks into Hollowstar’s den to find Hollowstar, Stoatwhisker, and Flutterpounce waiting.

Flutterpounce snickers as Spireshine sits down.

“Took you long enough,” the dusky brown tom sneers.

Stoatwhisker laps boredly at a paw.

“Why did you invite me?” Spireshine mews quietly.

“We need to have a word with you,” Hollowstar mews, smirking.

“Uhm- why? Isn’t this supposed to be the business of more *important* cats?” The ThunderClan medicine cat shoots Stoatwhisker a questioning look, to which he responds with an eyeroll.

“We’ve deemed you important enough to be here, so don’t mess it up,” Stoatwhisker mews sharply.

“Okay..” Spireshine glances nervously at Hollowstar.

“As I was saying,” Hollowstar continues, “-I think we should send a cat each to the rest of the Clans to politely convince the leaders to go along with our plan.”

*Something tells me he doesn’t plan on being very polite….*

“That sounds like a dumb plan,” Flutterpounce mews dismissively.

“Well, do you have any better ideas, *genius*?” Stoatwhisker retorts, flicking an ear.

"We could get some of their warriors and apprentices to side with us and then get cats in the higher positions to agree…" Spireshine murmurs.

"If we- they- uhm- say no their warriors might just join us…” The brown she-cat trails off, fidgeting with her tail.

“Perhaps,” Hollowstar replies, not giving anything away.

Stoatwhisker fixes a scrutinizing and unreliable look on the medicine cat.

*Why is he looking at me like that?*

“..Sorry….” Spireshine glances downward.

“..I wonder what it would look like if I tore out your throat,” Stoatwhisker mutters abruptly, licking a paw.

Spireshine flinches.

*“W-what? Uhm- please don’t….”*

*What am I supposed to say to that?*

Flutterpounce coughs to disguise a laugh and Hollowstar’s smirk grows wider.

“Back to the current subject,” the ThunderClan leader mews, clearing his throat.

“Do you think we could-” Spireshine interjects, drawing back with a squeak as Hollowstar glares at her.

Rolling his eyes, Stoatwhisker lunges forward and grabs Spireshine’s scruff.

*“P-put me down- please-*” the brown she-cat stammers, squirming in the cream-furred tom’s grip.

“Shut up, will you?” the deputy hisses, unphased by the medicine cat’s pleas.

Spireshine screeches as Stoatwhisker tosses her closer to Hollowstar and Flutterpounce.

*No- no no no no no no-*

Sneering, Flutterpounce hooks Spireshine’s tail with a paw.

The ThunderClan medicine cat squeaks in terror, much to the other cats’ amusement, and quickly scratches Flutterpounce’s face before scrambling out of Hollowstar’s den.

*I don’t care if the dumb meeting isn’t over yet…*

Spireshine bounds down Highledge and quickly makes her way back to the medicine den.

Patchfoot sighs, licking his kit’s heads.

*It’s lonely in here….*

The splotched tom flicks an ear as Leafflight wriggles into the nursery with a plump thrush in her jaws.

“Hey, Patchfoot,” the dappled she-cat murmurs, glancing down at a sleeping Whitekit and Sorrelkit.

“Hey, Leafflight,” Patchfoot replies softly.

“How’s it going?” Leafflight inquires, resting the thrush at her friend’s paws.

“Oh, and that’s for you and the kits.”

“Thanks,” Patchfoot replies, realizing how hungry he is.

“And it’s going fine, thanks.”

The splotched tom takes a bite of the thrush, keeping his eye on the two kits nestled next to him.

*They look so much like her…*

Noticing her friend’s expression, Leafflight frowns.

“You sure you’re alright?”

Patchfoot nods, averting his gaze.

The dappled she-cat sighs, placing a paw on one of Patchfoot’s.

“I know it’s been hard…but you can do this, okay? You’re strong..”

The splotched tom clenches his jaw.

“I don’t think I can do this, Leafflight….these kits need a mother…”

The dappled she-cat frowns.

“I know..but you’ll have to make due for now.”

“I’m trying..”

Leafflight smiles softly.

“I’m here for you, alright?”

Patchfoot sighs.

“Thanks, Leafflight...you’re a good friend..”

“So are you,” Leafflight replies, getting to her paws.

“Let me know if you need anything, okay Patchfoot?”

The splotched tom nods.

“I will.”

Leafflight nods, turning and wriggling out of the nursery.

Sighing, Patchfoot curls around his kits and tries to sleep.

## Chapter Three: The Crisis

Stoatwhisker stalks a plump thrush hopping through the undergrowth, stifling his irritation at having to pass up a mouse earlier in his hunt.

*I’m close to it, I just have to-*

The cream-furred tom pounces, landing square on the bird and snapping its neck.

A rustling in the bushes prompts Stoatwhisker’s ear to prick as he stands up, but nothing seems to be there.

*Weird..*

Glancing up at the sky, the ThunderClan deputy picks up his catch and starts to head back to camp.

As Stoatwhisker enters camp, Shadepaw rushes up to him in a panic.

“S-Stoatwhisker! Stoatwhisker, something happened to Father!”

*For StarClan’s sake! Every time I leave camp-*

“What happened, Shadepaw?”

Shadepaw pauses momentarily to collect himself.

“S-someone poisoned Father, I think- he- he ate some prey- and then- uh- uhm- he lost a life-”

Stoatwhisker inhales shakily.

“Where is he?”

“I-in his den- w-with Mousefoot-” The dark gray tom motions toward Highledge, his tail quivering.

“Alright..” Stoatwhisker bounds toward Highledge, hopping up the rock slope and ducking into Hollowstar’s den.

*Please let him be okay, StarClan-*

Mousefoot glances at the deputy as he enters the den, gingerly licking Hollowstar’s cheek as he lies in his nest.

“Hello, Stoatwhisker..” the brown she-cat mews softly, curling her tail around her paws.

Stoatwhisker nods to Mousefoot, mentally noting the fact that she seemed to flinch once their gazes met.

*I don’t blame her…I do look a lot like- him*-

Hollowstar lifts his head with a quiet groan, rubbing his face with a [aw.

“We need to talk, Stoatwhisker,” the dark gray tom rasps.

The ThunderClan deputy nods in acknowledgment, starting to smooth down his ruffled fur.

*I'm mostly sure this wasn’t an accident….but who did this?*

*“D-do you want me to leave?”* Mousefoot pipes up quietly.

“Yes,” Hollowstar replies sharply.

*“Do you- n-need anything before I go?*” The brown she-cat gets to her paws, flicking a tufted ear.

“Just leave,” the ThunderClan leader growls, a bit more harshly this time.

Mousefoot ducks her head and pads out of her mate’s den, her green eyes dark with unclear emotion.

Stoatwhisker flicks his gaze back to Hollowstar, straightening.

“So..? What- what do you think happened?”

The ThunderClan leader curls up in his nest.

“..Someone’s out to get me, Stoatwhisker…we need to find out who.”

Stoatwhisker nods, shifting his paws.

*I have to figure this out….I can’t lose him too.*

“What do you think we should do?”

“...Interrogations?” Hollowstar mutters, drawing a paw over his ear.

*We both know what happened last time, don’t know why he would suggest that…*

The ThunderClan deputy shakes his head.

“I doubt that’ll get us anywhere….remember what happened the last time someone tried interrogations?”

Hollowstar grumbles, his dull blue gaze darting around.

“Right…”

Stoatwhisker sighs.

“I’ll keep an eye on everyone while you rest, alright? Just- stay in here and don’t take prey from anyone except me and Mousefoot-”

The dark gray tom shakes his head.

“..I’ll take prey from you until I’ve ensured Mousefoot can be trusted.”

*He doesn’t trust his own mate?*

The cream-furred tom nods, getting to his paws.

“Okay, I’ll be back in a little while..”

Hollowstar nods, resting his head on his paws.

Stoatwhisker turns and steps out of his friend’s den, bounding down the rock slope.

*I need someone who’ll help…but who? Someone I can trust…*

The ThunderClan deputy sighs.

*Flutterpounce won’t be any help, Owlbranch probably doesn’t want to talk to me, and I want to keep Daisyleap out of this…*

Stoatwhisker starts to head toward the medicine den, flicking an ear.

*I do have a suspicion...*

Mousefoot crouches under a bush, reassuringly licking Shadepaw’s ear.

“Will Dad be okay?” Shrewpaw mews from the other side of the light brown she-cat, pressing against her mother worriedly.

*“...I hope so, sweetheart*,” Mousefoot replies softly, not entirely convinced herself.

Shadepaw bristles.

“Why would someone do that to him? Even if…they don’t agree with him, t-that doesn’t mean they have to..”

Mousefoot nuzzles her son, frowning.

*“Thankfully your father still has quite a few lives left...but I’m sure Stoatwhisker and everyone else will figure out who poisoned him..”*

*I do hope he’ll be alright….*

The light brown she-cat glances up as Thorntail enters camp and pads toward her and her kits.

“Hi, Thorntail,” Mousefoot mews quietly, glancing up at her former mentor.

Shadepaw and Shrewpaw both purr weakly in greeting.

“Hey..” Thorntail gently licks Mousefoot’s ear, frowning as he registers the worry in the light brown she-cat’s expression.

“What’s wrong?”

*“...Someone poisoned Hollowstar..he’s- lost a life..”*

The gray tabby tom flicks an ear.

“...That’s- that’s a shame…are there- any clues as to who?”

Mousefoot shakes her head, her tufted ears flopping around.

*“I don’t think so…Hollowstar- he talked to Stoatwhisker about it but I don’t know anything else..”*

Thorntail sighs, leaning back on his haunches.

“I’m getting too old for all this…”

Mousefoot fluffs up her chest fur, her stomach twisting with worry.

*What if this keeps happening and Hollowstar loses all his lives? Where will we be then?*

“What should we do?” Shadepaw questions, shifting his paws.

*“We’ll wait, Shadepaw….that’s- all we can do for now...”*

*Please, StarClan...let him be okay...*

## Chapter Four: The Plan

Apprehension pricks at Spireshine’s paws as she picks up the next-to-last bundle of thyme and tucks it into the herb store.

“Spireshine!”

Spireshine squeaks, turning to see a furious Stoatwhisker standing in the mouth of the medicine den.

*Fox-dung-*

“S-Stoatwhisker- u-uhm-”

Stoatwhisker snarls, stalking closer.

“What happened with Hollowstar?” the deputy hisses, his amber eyes narrowed.

Spireshine faintly recalls having seen Stoatwhisker this angry a few times before, shutting out the associated wave of memories before anything tangible comes of it.

“I-I tried, I promise- it was too late for me to do anything-“

“Right. You didn’t do anything.” Stoatwhisker snarls, scraping his claws against the stone floor.

“And I think that was on purpose.”

Spireshine tries to stammer out a response, noticing that Stoatwhisker’s paws are shaking as he steps on a stray thyme leaf and shreds it with his claws.

“I-I’m sorry…” the ThunderClan medicine cat mumbles, her fur bristling.

“Sorry isn’t going to *cut it,* Spireshine! Hollowstar *died*! Because you were too busy *fumbling* to do your job properly!”

Spireshine falters, curling her tail around her trembling paws.

*He’s just being mean….you’re a good medicine cat, Spireshine….*

Stoatwhisker surveys the medicine cat’s expression before letting out a snarl of frustration and stalking out of the medicine den.

After ensuring the deputy is gone, Spireshine curls up into a quivering ball underneath the herb shelf.

*..I’m a good medicine cat…I’m making Tawnystep proud…right?*

Spireshine jolts as another cat enters the medicine den, though relaxes at the sight of her sister.

“…Spireshine? What’s wrong?” Leafflight mews, settling down beside her sister.

“..S-Stoatwhisker,” Spireshine murmurs in response, sniffling quietly.

“I’ll…try to do something about it, alright?” Leafflight mews reassuringly, clearly preventing herself from saying something more abrasive.

Spireshine nods, resting her head on her sister’s shoulder.

Leafflight sighs, seemingly searching for something to say.

“…If it makes you feel better, I think Stoatwhisker’s an airhead.”

Spireshine tries to keep herself from chuckling softly but ultimately fails.

“..That does make me feel a bit better, I guess…”

Leafflight smiles weakly, nudging her sister.

A brief moment of silence elapses before Spireshine pipes up.

“Um…Leafflight?”

“Yeah?” the dappled brown she-cat replies, licking a paw and drawing it over her ear.

“I..have a question..it’s probably going to sound stupid, though…” Spireshine murmurs, shuffling her paws.

“Go ahead and ask,” Leafflight mews.

“…Do you think I’m a good medicine cat?”

Leafflight seems slightly surprised by the question but encouragingly rests her tail on Spireshine’s back.

“Of course I think you’re a good medicine cat. Just because you couldn’t save a cat this one time doesn’t mean you’re bad.”

Spireshine tries to ignore the guilt gnawing at her stomach and smiles softly at her sister.

“..Thanks.”

Leafflight smiles back.

“Anytime.”

Patchfoot pads uncertainly out into the forest, realizing how long it had been since he was last out.

*It’s always nice out here….*

“This way,” Salmonleap pipes up, directing the patrol towards the SkyClan border.

Rookwillow takes the lead, his tail-tip flicking back and forth.

“So, everyone.” Salmonleap glances back at Patchfoot and Volefeather. “What do you think of Hollowstar’s plan?”

“It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Rookwillow replies, shaking his head.

“I can agree with that,” Volefeather mews absently, his ears twitching and swiveling in different directions.

“..I think it’s stupid too,” Patchfoot murmurs, hoping to be included in the conversation.

“Exactly! What makes him think the other leaders will agree, let alone hear him out?” Salmonleap protests to no one in particular, her ginger fur standing on end.

“The Clans should be five, not one. Besides, it’s not like we’d gain too much from peace with the other Clans. I don’t remember the last time there was a battle,” Rookwillow mews.

*Thank StarClan we somehow didn’t end up in a dispute during Rabbitstar’s leadership.*.

Patchfoot starts to zone out, gazing around at the trees.

*Everything is starting to grow back now…it looks nice..*

“What should we do about it, then?” Volefeather inquires, flicking his tail sharply.

Patchfoot’s gaze flits over to Volefeather as he tries to read the brown tabby’s expression to no avail.

“Maybe we could see if anyone else in the Clan disagrees with Hollowstar’s idea and we could make a plan to keep him from making any progress,” Rookwillow mews.

“….That could work,” Volefeather murmurs in reply.

“Sure, but where are we going to talk about this? No doubt Hollowstar’ll have Stoatwhisker prowling around to make sure nothing suspicious is going on.” Salmonleap sniffs around the SkyClan border before placing down a scent marker.

“..We could find a place out here,” Patchfoot murmurs.

“Good idea,” Salmonleap replies.

Patchfoot averts his gaze awkwardly, shifting a paw.

*I should’ve said that better..they probably think I’m a mouse-brain now.*

*If they don’t already..*

“Should we head back?” Rookwillow suggests, pricking his ears.

“Yeah,” Salmonleap replies, turning to head back to camp.

Patchfoot observes that Rookwillow’s gaze trails after Salmonleap for a moment before he averts his gaze and starts padding behind her.

*..Hm.*

Volefeather starts to head briskly back to camp, his tail swishing back and forth.

Patchfoot glances around one last time before padding after the patrol.

*I hope this plan works out...if it doesn’t, I don’t know what we’re gonna do.*

## Chapter Five: The Surprise

As inky night blankets the camp, Stoatwhisker slips through the entrance and glances around attentively.
The ThunderClan deputy pads through the forest, letting the cool breeze ruffle his fur.

The piercing trill of an owl startles Stoatwhisker, though he regains his bearings and continues walking.

Stoatwhisker pauses at the base of a tall oak, glancing down to take in the sight of a pile of stones at the base of the tree.

*..And here I am..again.*

With a quiet sigh, the cream tom leans back on his haunches and gently runs a paw across the biggest stone at the center of the pile.

*Would I be happier up there with them?*

A gust of wind sends a sandy-colored pebble tumbling down the pile until it eventually comes to rest at Stoatwhisker’s paws.

*…No. Daisyleap...she needs me..*

*“Does she really need you*?” a small, unhelpful voice in Stoatwhisker’s head inquires, taking on the tone of a gratingly familiar voice.

*“She has a mate to protect her now. You’re just dead weight. You always were.”*

*“Shut up!”* Stoatwhisker hisses audibly, trying to clear the memories threatening to flood back into his head.

For a reason unbeknownst to Stoatwhisker, a mental image of his father writhing furiously beneath his paws comes back to him.

The ThunderClan deputy makes no effort to make the image go away, instead closing his eyes and driving his claws into the ground.

*I should’ve killed him when I had the chance….*

*No one cared about him anyway, and I could have had my revenge…*

Stoatwhisker sighs as he remembers lifting a paw to tear his father’s throat open but faltering and only slashing his face.

*But I didn’t...I failed them..all the cats he hurt-*

The ThunderClan deputy shakes his head to clear it, staring down at the pile again with a sigh.

*I’m not here to think about him..*

Stoatwhisker gently picks up the small pebble that had fallen earlier and places it back on top of the pile.

*I wish they were still here…I need them-*

Stoatwhisker glances up attentively as he hears a rustling in the bushes.

“Who’s there?” the deputy hisses, whipping around and surveying the area with narrowed eyes.

A dark brown cat emerges from behind a tree, approaching Stoatwhisker tentatively.

“What are you doing out so late?” the she-cat mews challengingly, flicking her tail.

Stoatwhisker exhales sharply, narrowing his eyes to hide the tears collecting in them.

*Did she really follow me?*

“What are *you* doing out here, Leafflight?” the deputy hisses.

Instead of responding, Leafflight glances past Stoatwhisker to the pile of stones.

*“Is that- a grave?”*

*Because she definitely hasn’t seen it before,* Stoatwhisker thinks to himself, growling under his breath.

“...Leave.”

“What if I don’t want to leave?” Leafflight questions, sitting down and curling her tail around her paws.

Stoatwhisker hisses in irritation, briefly recalling the numerous childish spats he and Leafflight had as apprentices.

“Then that’s too bad, because I told you to leave,” Stoatwhisker replies with a growl.

“Why?” Leafflight flicks an ear nonchalantly.

“Because I don’t want you here!” Stoatwhisker snaps, his voice shaking.

*Just go away-*

“Maybe you should be attending to your deputy duties instead of sitting in the woods all night,” Leafflight replies flatly, unfazed.

Seething with frustration, Stoatwhisker scrapes the ground with his claws.

“…I don’t care. Leave.”

“…Fine, then,” Leafflight mews, getting to her paws and starting to pad away.

After ensuring Leafflight is gone, Stoatwhisker settles down next to the pile of stones and observes them solemnly.

*..Are they watching over me? Over us?*

*..Are they proud of me?*

Mousefoot yawns, comforted by the vibrating of Hollowstar’s body as he snores rhythmically beside her.

The light brown she-cat shifts uncomfortably, noting that her stomach seems to be swollen.

*I should go see Spireshine…*

Mousefoot’s fur bristles a bit as a fading but familiar scent of stale prey and withered poppies lingers in the den.

*I wonder if it’ll always smell like that in here…*

Hollowstar blinks awake next to his mate, his snoring cut off by a grunt of effort as he sits up.

*“Good morning,”* Mousefoot mews softly, reaching up to lick Hollowstar’s cheek.

The ThunderClan leader hums absently in reply, glancing out of the den with an unreadable expression on his face.

Mousefoot averts her gaze before getting to her paws.

*“..I’ll- be back..”*

Hollowstar nods, yawning.

With a hesitant glance downward, Mousefoot ducks out of the den and hops down the rock slope at a slightly slower pace.

*Hopefully nothing is wrong..*

Spireshine glances up as Mousefoot enters, her gaze softening.

“Hi, Mousefoot, is everything alright?”

*I don’t come in here much, do I?*

Mousefoot waves with her tail, sighing.

*“..My stomach is a bit swollen and I've been feeling a bit sick..”*

Spireshine tilts her head slightly in interest before her eyes light up.

“Could you lay down for me? I’ll look at your stomach.”

Mousefoot nods, settling down on her side.

Spireshine pads over, prodding Mousefoot’sstomach with a gentle paw.

After a moment of awkward silence, Spireshine flicks an ear.

“..You’re expecting kits again, Mousefoot,” Spireshine mews, resting her tail on the light brown she-cat’s shoulder.

*“W-what?”*

*What is Hollowstar going to say- I know he doesn’t want any more-*

“..Congratulations..”

Mousefoot inhales shakily, forcing herself not to panic.

*“..Okay..”*

“What’s going on in here?” Hollowstar inquires gruffly, sticking his head into the medicine den.

*Oh, no- he must’ve seen me come in here*..

Spireshine draws back, her tail bushing up.

*“..Oh- H-Hollowstar-”*

The ThunderClan leader glances down at his mate, raising a brow expectantly.

*“Uhm- I’m-”*

Hollowstar narrows his eyes in suspicion, lashing his tail.

*“..I’m expecting more kits,”* Mousefoot murmurs, glancing away.

Hollowstar is silent for a few moments but his narrowed eyes betray his emotion.

*“What?*” the ThunderClan leader hisses furiously.

*No, he’s mad-*

Mousefoot recoils with a whimper, curling her tail around her stomach.

Hollowstar approaches Mousefoot, his lip curled back in a snarl.

“...You’re on your own with these kits, I have clans to lead. You’d better take care of them,” the ThunderClan leader hisses, whipping around and starting to stalk out.

*“..Hollowstar, wait- please..”* Mousefoot mews pleadingly, forcing her legs not to tremble.

Spireshine bristles, stepping forward.

“You’re her mate. You’re the reason she’s having kits,” the small brown she-cat mews, glancing pointedly up at Hollowstar.

The dark gray tom lets out an irritated snarl, turning to glare at Mousefoot.

“..Fine. I’ll help, but if they don’t grow up to help my cause they’re done for.”

Mousefoot doesn’t reply, giving her mate a tiny nod before looking away and squeezing her tail tightly with a paw.

*Why do I always make everyone upset…*

Hollowstar starts out of the medicine den again, his tail lashing angrily.

Mousefoot tries to slow her breathing, clutching the ground with her paws.

Spireshine approaches Mousefoot, nudging two poppy seeds toward her.

“Here. Go rest, you more than deserve to.”

Mousefoot nods gratefully, lapping up the poppy seeds but keeping them under her tongue so she doesn’t swallow them.

“..Thank you, Spireshine..”

Mousefoot pulls herself up, trailing out of the medicine den with a sigh.

*I’ve never seen him that angry…it kind of looked like-*

The light brown she-cat jolts at the memory, keeping her gaze pointed downward.

*..He would never hurt me..he’s not like them…*

Mousefoot pads over to a willow tree, pushing through its branches and curling up in between the roots.

*Please, StarClan..let everything be okay..*

The light brown she-cat discreetly spits out the two poppy seeds under her tongue and swipes dirt over them.

*I don’t want to be wasteful, but I’m already a waste of space, so I suppose it doesn’t matter..*