The Twoleg Prophecy/Part 2

Chapter One
A large tom padded into the one of the clearings in the Starclan hunting grounds, Searching for a certain cat. A tortoiseshell she-cat was eating fresh-kill, and looked up at the approaching cat. “Hello, Sunstar, How’s the prey running?” Sunstar narrowed his eyes. “I know how yours have been running, Spottedleaf.” “It’s not wrong to encourage him, Sunstar.” “But it’s wrong to give him false hope, Spottedleaf, you know that.” Sunstar growled. “Maybe it can change the course of the future for the clans.” Spottedleaf mewed calmly. “You have tried to change things before, but did it work? No. It’s inevitable what will happen to the clans. You are too far away from Firestar to protect him. The future is written.” Sunstar meowed grimly.

………………………………………………………………………

“Repeat that attack I just showed you.” Graystripe meowed. It had been five days after the announcement from Doomclan, and Firestar had assigned Graystripe as his instructor. Graystripe lunged at him leaving John only seconds to dodge. But he had an idea. As Graystripe jumped, John ducked, leaving Graystripe tumbling unto the grass undefended. John lunged at the exposed underbelly, batting at it with sheathed claws. Graystripe hissed in frustration, and John leaped off. “Good move.” “Thanks, Graystripe. Can I go now?” John asked. “Sure, John. You’re a great fighter.” He ran to the camp, wanting to talk to Jayfeather. He had wanted to talk to John, and he was wondering what it was. He walked into the medicine cat den, smelling the bitter scents of herbs. “Hello, John. Sit down.” Jayfeather meowed. John smiled. He liked Jayfeather. He was a straight minded cat, and, even though he was blind, He seemed to know as much as any cat did about their surroundings. “John, I have a secret. Do you know Hollyleaf and Lionblaze?” John’s paws tingled as he mentioned Hollyleaf. She’s so nice and pretty and… John noticed Jayfeather’s pelt bristling. “Yes, I do know them. What about them? You must trust me a lot to tell me this secret.” John meowed. Jayfeather looked uncertain about what he was going to say. “We are part of a prophecy too, John. Here it is…” He took a breath. “There will be three, kin of your kin, who will have the power of the stars in their paws.” John’s whiskers twitched, and he noticed Jayfeather had a serious face. “Do you think our prophecies might be connected, Jayfeather?” He asked. “Yes. When I heard your prophecy, I thought we failed. But I think we have the same destinies, now that there are two prophecies.” Jayfeather meowed. John knew that wasn’t entirely true. “Listen, there is another prophecy. ‘Five will become one, and blood and doom will flood the forest’. I heard it in a dream. Do you think anything of it, Jayfeather?” John asked. “Well, obviously, doom is Doomclan, but blood and the five will become one part confuses me.” Jayfeather meowed. “And another thing, Jayfeather.” “Yes?” “I saw Thunderstar in a dream. He told me to bring Skyclan back to the forest.” “Well, That is a help to the clans, because they could help defeat Doomclan. So I think you should go find them, if Starclan thinks they would help.” He concluded. “Will you think about the Prophecies while I’m gone?” John asked. “Yes, yes I will. Thanks for coming, John. Be careful. You must come back.” Jayfeather stressed. Then he started sorting herbs as John padded out of the den. The moon shone dimly in the distance, thin as a claw.

Chapter Two
As John padded through the camp, Hollyleaf came up to him. “Hello, John. Do you want to join Brambleclaw’s hunting party with me? John made no hesitation. “Sure, you know I wouldn’t pass this up!” Hollyleaf smiled. They came up to Brambleclaw, who was calling out the cats he wanted for the hunting party. “…Lionblaze, Squirrelflight, and… oh! Hollyleaf and John. Let’s head out.” He padded trough the camp entrance, Hollyleaf at his side. He strode up to Lionblaze, matching his walk to his. “Hello, how are you, Lionblaze?” John had caught him in a bad mood. “Not good. Leave me alone.” John’s eyes widened. “Lionblaze, why are you so grumpy?” Hollyleaf asked jokingly. “Lionblaze’s eyes softened. “ It’s nothing.” He stepped up his pace. “He’s been that way ever since the clans had to leave the lake.” John listened carefully. “Where is that lake?” he asked. “Well, it’s down south from us, but the twolegs have torn the forests up around it.” John Knew what they had built there. A lakeside beach for tourists, and it was where the orphanage had taken some kids to for summer. “Hollyleaf, I need to tell you something.” John stopped. “What is it John?” She brushed her tail along his side. John winced. “I need to go…” “Why? Starclan called you to save us! Why are you going back?” No that’s not it!” John meowed. “Starclan have called me to help Skyclan come back to the forest.” Hollyleaf looked down. “Well, when do you leave?” “Soon. But I need to ask you a question. Do you want to go with me?” She cheered up. “Okay, John. You know I wouldn’t pass this up.” She purred.

………………………………………………………………………

As the hunting party padded back into camp, John had caught three mice, and Hollyleaf had caught a thrush, and a vole. They put the fresh-kill on the pile, and Hollyleaf whispered in his ear, “You should talk to Firestar about this. He has been to Skyclan.” John nodded, and padded across the camp to Firestar’s den. “Firestar? May I come in? It’s John.” “Come in.” John pushed through the mossy overhang that sheltered the den. “What is it, John?” Firestar asked. “I have had dreams about Skyclan, and Starclan have told me to bring them to the forest. What do you think?” Firestar smiled wistfully, as remembering something long ago. “Ah, my journey to Skyclan was a long one, But this far from their territory could be dangerous. Are you sure you can take that journey?” Firestar asked. John thought, ''It could be a long time before I get back. What if Doomclan attacked, What my siblings think?'' John shook his head. ''This is my destiny. I will do it. I have to.'' “Yes I can, Firestar. I’m ready.” John meowed. “All right. Go ask Jayfeather for the traveling herbs.” John started to leave, but Firestar wasn’t finished. “But, not today. Go rest first. I will see you in the morning.”

-- WarriorcatZ1324 Talk to me! Twolegs rule! 20:41, 9 August 2009 (UTC)

Chapter Three
John blinked his eyes open. The silent darkness of midnight disturbed him. He hoped he could get a good night’s rest before his long journey to Skyclan, but his mind started to entertain the idea of a midnight cat stroll. His mind got the best of him. He stretched, careful not to wake Hollyleaf, who was curled up beside him. The camp at night was a bit foreboding, but he got over the chill of fear, and stepped into the clearing. The Warriors’ den rustled, And John’s fur bristled in shock. A Grayish she-cat padded into the clearing, and it looked as if she were leaving camp. John watched her closely. She made a quick turn into the medicine cat’s den. Maybe she has a thorn in her pad, or she might’ve had a bad dream. He thought. Anyways, I’m going to check this out. He tiptoed over to the entrance, and was shocked by what he saw. The she-cat had curled up with Jayfeather. ''What are you doing Jayfeather? Medicine Cats aren't supposed to love!'' He wanted to screech at him. He calmed down as they started to talk. “Were going to get caught one night, Cinderheart. We can’t keep this up.” So her name is Cinderheart. “Jayfeather, I can’t. Don’t you love me?” “Yes I do, but we need to find a way for you to hide if some cat needs me in the middle of the night.” ''Or if some cat spies, you need a way to stop him. Looks like you failed there!'' John thought. All of the sudden, Jayfeather mewed, “John, you can come in. I know you’re there.” Darn! John muttered under his breath. He padded in to the den. “How did you know I was out there?” John asked. “I’m not as blind as you think, John.” Jayfeather retorted. John felt his embarrassment well up inside him. Then reason and livid fury burst out. “What are you doing!?! Medicine Cats aren’t supposed to love! I mean, where is Leafpool? She be should stopping you! Jayfeather’s fur bristled. “She out helping Windclan. They have been attacked by Doomclan and before that they had Greencough.” “I didn’t mean literally! You know what? I’ll keep shut for now. But if I find out that you do this again, I might just tell Leafpool.” Cinderheart flinched, and John knew he said the wrong thing. Jayfeather bristled even more. “You better not! John, if you do, one day you will find yourself injured, and without a medicine cat to look to for healing.” John sighed, knowing that he had gone too far. “I’m sorry, Jayfeather. I know how love feels.” Jayfeather’s pelt smoothed. “How do you know how it feels? Who have you loved?” He asked. John took a deep breath. “Because I’m in love with…” His mew trailed off in his throat. “Because I’m in love with Hollyleaf.” John finally squeaked. Jayfeather looked at him in disbelief. “I’ve loved many others, too. My Mother and Father, Who are both dead,” Cinderheart blinked in sympathy. “And my siblings. But this love is different, like a part of me is torn when I’m not with her. Like you might feel with Cinderheart.” Jayfeather’s eyes welled with emotions. “I never knew… Have you told her?” “Told who what?” A voice came from the curtain of moss. It was Hollyleaf.

Chapter Four
“That you’re allergic to Burdock?” Jayfeather blurted. John looked at him in confusion. “Just go with it!” Jayfeather muttered in his ear. “Uh, yeah, I’m deathly allergic to burdock, Hollyleaf.” “Oh, that’s too bad. And Jayfeather, you’d better get Cinderheart out of here. Leafpool is expected to return this morning.” Hollyleaf mewed. “That’s right! Bye, Cinderheart.” Jayfeather brushed muzzles with her and she ran off. “You know about them?” John asked Hollyleaf. “Yeah, I found out when we were still at the lake. But that’s not important. Do you have our traveling herbs, Jayfeather? We might as well leave now, since we’re up.” Hollyleaf asked. “Uh, okay? Give me a moment.” Jayfeather gathered some herbs and wrapped them in some leaves. “Here are yours, John. Hollyleaf, yours are on the way.” John sniffed the parcel. The bitter smell was enough to make him gag. He choked it down, holding back the bile that rose in his throat. “Ugh, This is disgusting!” “You’ll get used to it. Hollyleaf, here’s your traveling herbs.” Jayfeather nosed the bundle over to her. “Thanks, Jayfeather.” Hollyleaf swallowed the herbs. “Goodbye.” Jayfeather brushed muzzles with his sister. “You both must come back. The Clans depend upon it.” Stop worrying! We’ll be back! He wanted to meow. But he knew that was false hope. If they got too far away from the Clans that Starclan couldn’t see them, they might not make it. “We’ll be fine. Expect our return in one moon.” Hollyleaf meowed. They walked out of the den, and John remembered something. “Hold on Hollyleaf, I’ve got some goodbyes to say.” Hollyleaf nodded in understanding. John silently padded over to the den where his siblings slept. “Wake up, guys. I’m leaving.” Rob jerked awake. The others weren’t so fast to pull themselves from sleep. “Where are you going? Can we come?” Ashpaw, formerly Ashton, meowed. “No, I’m sorry. I am going on a journey, and I don’t want to lose any of you. I’ll be back in about a month. I love you guys.” A voice in his head whispered, ''And what about Hollyleaf? Will you tell her you love her?'' “John, Can’t I come? I won’t get into danger! Please?” Robpaw squeaked. “No, I can’t let you get in the way. I have to go. Goodbye.” He quickly removed himself from the den, unable to stay any longer. He padded over to Hollyleaf. “Let’s go.” As they left, the forest ambience seemed to say, “Goodbye. Travel safely. We await your return.”

-- Warrior catZ 1324  17:37, October 3, 2009 (UTC)

Chapter Five
“Look, John, it’s the sunrise.” Hollyleaf mewed. John saw the sun slowly rise over the pine trees that were at the edge of Thunderclan territory. The rays of light peeked over the tops of the trees and the sun’s light tinted the clouds to a purplish orange. “It’s beautiful, Hollyleaf. But we need to focus.” John meowed. They moved on across a quaint Twoleg path. Hollyleaf bristled with each step, and her fur flattened as the touched the forest grass on the other side. She sighed. “This was Shadowclan’s old territory. Now most of it is torn up.” “We need to go around the lake. There are Twolegs here.” John mewed. Hollyleaf nodded, though she looked disappointed. “Well, what can you tell me about the stuff that happened here? How did you get to the new forest?” John asked. “It’s a long story.” Hollyleaf sighed, whiskers drooping. “Well, I think we have a lot of time, don’t you?” John joked. “Hollyleaf smiled. “One day, Firestar, Graystripe, Poppyfrost and I were out on patrol. All of the sudden, a monster crashed through the trees, injuring Poppyfrost, and we got back to our camp just in time. As we told the Clan about the monster, more monsters and Twolegs started to push the trees in to the camp. They stopped eventually, and the Clan decided to tell everyone at the gathering. Shadowclan had problems too, but the other Clans wouldn’t help or leave the lake with us. After that, Twolegs started taking cats from every Clan, and we rescued some.” She paused. “But some other cats didn’t make it. One of them was mine and Foxleap’s only kit. He was taken into the Twoleg nest before my eyes. I never saw him again.” Hollyleaf mewed sadly. John pressed his nose into her fur. She continued. “That woke the Clans up. We moved from the lake immediately.” Hollyleaf finished. John frowned. “I’m sorry about your kit, Hollyleaf. I really am.” “Thanks, John. Now, about you. What happened to you that made you an orphan?” Hollyleaf asked him. John sighed. “Two years ago, I was headed home from…” He stopped, trying to think of a way that Hollyleaf would understand. “My training classes with my siblings. When we got to our home, it was on fire, and my parents died in it. Not one member of my family would take all of us in, so we lived in at a place for young twolegs that have lost their parents. After two years, I gave up looking for new parents, so we ran away. Shortly after, we found the Clans. Then I knew I belonged there.” John finished. Hollyleaf sat down and started to wash herself, and John did the same. All of the sudden, A gray cat burst through the bushes, followed by a silver she-cat. “Graystripe? What are you doing here?” John exclaimed. Graystripe stopped and shook the remaining leaves from his pelt. “Firestar noticed that you had left before he had talked to you. He had wanted for me and Millie to come and travel with you, since we have navigated some of the area before, though we haven’t been to Skyclan.” John nodded. “Well, let’s head out!” Graystripe meowed.

………………………………………………………………………

The sun had started to set, and John was ready for some sleep. They had made it into Riverclan’s former territory by the lake. The others showed signs of exhaustion, and Millie was almost asleep on her paws. John finally spoke up. “Okay, I think we need to rest for the night.” Millie collapsed, letting out a sigh. Graystripe padded over to his mate. “Don’t worry my lovely. I will be back with a fresh mouse for you.” Millie’s only reply was a tired grunt. Hollyleaf curled up, too tired to move another step. Graystripe started padding away, and John caught up with him. “I’m coming, Graystripe, wait!” As he padded next to him, John asked, “Graystripe, how did you and Millie get so close?” “Well, it’s complicated. She was a kittypet originally, you know the story. I’ve told you before.” John nodded. He had told John during their first night of training. “Well, we got real close during that journey, and we became mates. It really can’t be explained.” John let out a sigh of disappointment. “I see. You like Hollyleaf.” John bristled with embarrassment. “You can’t just say that!” John shouted. Then he hung his head in shame. “Has it been obvious?" “She sleeps in your den, not the Warriors’ den, and every cat has noticed you padding after her, and you seem to gaze off every time you hear her name. You definitely like her.” Graystripe meowed. John sighed. “But I can’t say that to her face. I just don’t know what to say. I love her.” Graystripe let out a mrrow of laughter. John bristled again. “It isn’t funny!” “No, I’m not laughing at the fact, I’m laughing at how similar your situation is similar to mine. On the last part of our journey back to the clans, I realized I felt a certain way about Millie so much I wanted to tell her how I felt. But I just didn’t know how. It is, if you call it, a fear of what the other will think. And if you didn’t notice it before, I think Hollyleaf feels the same way about you.”

“You think so, Graystripe?”

“Yes, I do, John.”

“Then could you tell her for me?”

“Mrrow! No, I know for a fact that she-cats only accept it if the one who loves them said it.”

“She-cats and their endless riddles!” John exclaimed.

Both cats let out mrrows of laughter.

-- Brave heart You must find Skyclan... 18:14, November 30, 2009 (UTC)

Special Chapter One
“Come on, we need to get out as soon as possible. We don’t want to stay long.” Graystripe meowed.

“Hey, I know this place. Come on, I’ll get us out quick.” John meowed, padding to the front of the group.

Hollyleaf padded up to John’s side, brushing her flank with John’s. He almost shouted, “I love you, Hollyleaf!” But he barely kept his mouth shut.

Why is this so hard? Then he noticed Hollyleaf backing away.

''I blew it! Why am I so nervous? Because I’m scared. He hung his head in shame.''

“John look out! Hollyleaf shouted.

He looked up and saw the Thunderpath ahead of him, and stopped just before he walked into the path of a car. He screeched in shock, and jumped back. “Are you okay, John? You almost got run over!” Hollyleaf meowed. I’m okay, I’m here, aren’t I? He almost mewed, but he bit back the retort.

“I’m… Fine, let’s cross.” John meowed.

The monsters were slow to go by, and the group crossed the Thunderpath. The twang of a guitar reached John’s ears, and he paused. An Adult Twoleg was playing a guitar near a fountain. He looked at the Twoleg. An aura of sadness revolved around him.

“John, what are you doing?” Hollyleaf mewed.

“Going to see what’s wrong with him.”

“Who? I don’t see a cat in trouble.”

“Not a cat, a Twoleg. He seems sad.”

“John! We need to save Skyclan! We can’t afford a distraction.”

“Don’t you feel some kind of connection to your kin?”

“Yeah, but, I…”

“I’m going to talk to him.”

John transformed, finding it hard to visualize himself, but he got it.

Am I losing my powers? John thought. He shook the terrible thought out of his mind.

The twoleg had noticed him, and he started to walk away.

“No, wait!” John exclaimed.

The twoleg stopped and stood in one place.

“What do you want?” the twoleg asked.

“To talk to you.” John said.

“I don’t want to talk to a kid.”

“But I want to talk to you.”

The adult sighed.

John sat on a wooden box, inviting the man to sit.

The man sat, reluctantly, on the fountain’s edge.

“What was that song you were playing?”

“It’s my story. I warn you, it isn’t for the faint of heart.”

“I think I can handle it.”

thumb|320px|right|Awesome song - Please listen to it!

………………………………………………………………………

John had started to cry. This person had lost everything. His family, someone he loved, and his overall life. His heart never felt closer to a stranger.

“What’s your name?” The man asked.

“John. Yours?”

“Jacob.” He answered.

John had heard that name. Where, He didn’t know.

“I have to go.”

“Wait! May I come with you?”

He heard Hollyleaf’s hiss, but he ignored it.

“Okay, John. If you don’t have a place to sleep for the night, do you want to sleep in my apartment?”

“I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

“It’s not. Come on.”

He hesitated, but he couldn’t pass up a soft bed.

“Okay. Do you mind if my cats came?”

He looked at Hollyleaf, who was lashing her tail in frustration.

“Come on, He’s a friend.”

Hollyleaf unhappily padded up to his side, followed by Graystripe and Millie.

“Did you just meow?” Jacob asked.

“Uh, … No? Of course not! Who ever heard of an obviously human 15- year old talking… to… cats?” John stuttered.

“O…Kay?” Jacob mused.

That was close. He sighed.

“Well, shall we go?” Jacob asked.

“Yeah, let’s go.” John coughed in awkwardness.

Hollyleaf bristled, but she followed him anyways. Graystripe padded close to Millie as they headed off.

………………………………………………………………………

The sun was setting, and John was sitting on a bed that Jacob had just prepared for him. Hollyleaf was sitting on a window sill, looking outside at Twolegplace and obviously mad at John. Graystripe had curled up with Millie in a corner, and they had been sleeping for awhile. Jacob was standing in a doorway, watching John settle in his temporary room.

“John, we will be getting up in the morning to go to a restaurant, so set that clock by your bed for seven-fifteen. The shower is across the hall if you need it. Good night.”

He closed the door, and John saw a rat scatter across the floor. Hollyleaf jumped off the windowsill and pounced on the rat, biting its neck with pinpoint accuracy.

“Good catch, Hollyleaf.” John complemented her.

She ignored him, strutting over to a corner of the room and sitting down to eat her scrawny meal.

John sighed. His heart was yearning for her attention so much that he ached. A tear formed at the edge of his eye, and he laid down and cried softly, feeling alone. He felt fur brush his back. Hollyleaf’s scent wreathed around him. He stopped crying, and smiled.

“I’m sorry, Hollyleaf.”

She padded over to lick his tear and sat down.

“I should be the one to apologize.”

“Hollyleaf… I… Uh,”

“What is it John?”

The words stopped in his throat. He couldn’t say the words he wanted to say. He felt like he was choking. He gave up.

“Nothing.”

“You need to rest, John. Good night.”

She curled up next to him, and fell asleep.

He felt immense love for her, but he felt afraid. They had such a good friendship. Why ruin it by becoming even closer? What if it didn’t work out? What if one of them died? What would her former mate, Foxleap, think? He slowly fell into a troubled sleep, the uncertain words stuck on his tongue.

Special Chapter Two
John was dreaming of a lush forest, surrounded by the scents of prey. He saw a shadow flash across the forest floor. John leaped, catching the fat mouse between his paws, swiftly killing it with a bite to the neck. As he ate the mouse, he heard paw prints padding up to him. He scented the air, ready for any intruders. But it was a sweet smell, and a familiar one at that. It was Hollyleaf, and she had rested her head on John’s shoulder. She got up and wound around him. Soon, the lush forest was gone, and all he saw in the darkness was her, and she soon faded as well.

………………………………………………………………………

John awoke in a cold sweat, nearly jumping out of the neatly placed bed sheets. He was grateful when he saw Hollyleaf on the side of the bed, still sleeping soundly. John wiped the chilly sweat off his forehead, drying his hand on the ruffled sheets. His heart was pounding, and he dropped down on the bed, exhausted from the dream.

''I dream of her now. Oh, great.''

He couldn’t get the image out of his head, and punched his forehead to try and get rid of the thought, to no avail.

He slid over to look at the time.

The clock read Five- Thirty A.M.

He lay in multiple positions, and found he couldn’t sleep for the rest of the night.

………………………………………………………………………

John heard a soft knocking on his door.

“Mornin’ John. If you need the shower, now’d be a time to use it. I’ve gotten mine already.”

“Okay, Jacob. I’ll be out.” John replied.

Hollyleaf got up and stretched.

“What did Jacob want, John?”

“Oh, nothing. We’ll be out, so I want you to stay here until I get back.”

“Where are you and Jacob going?”

“He is taking me somewhere to eat. I don’t want you leaving the house, okay? Do you promise me that you will stay here?”

Hollyleaf almost resisted, but she didn’t want to argue with him.

“Okay, John, We’ll stay here.”

“Thanks Hollyleaf.”

John walked out of the room, leaving Hollyleaf, Graystripe, and Millie alone.

………………………………………………………………………

John walked out of Jacob’s apartment, refreshed by the warm shower.

“Where are we going, Jacob?”

“A diner at the local truck stop.”

John’s stomach let out a low growl. He hadn’t had a human meal in a long time. But he wasn’t sure if he wanted it. What he was really hungry for was a plump vole of some sort, but it would be rude to not accept Jacob’s kind offer. As they walked to the front door, a man outside puffed out smoke. John almost coughed in disgust, holding his breath as he walked by. His senses were been stronger than other humans, and the smoke had an intense and pungent smell. He gagged as they walked by, and the man harrumphed, obviously offended. The smell of waffles and other sweet smells were welcomed in, John letting out a deep breath in satisfaction.

Jacob laughed, inviting him to sit in a booth near a window.

A waitress walked over to them, surprisingly very young. John guessed this was her summer job.

“May I take your order?” A disinterested voice grumbled out of her mouth.

John heard a voice behind hers, coming from outside the diner. He listened closely.

“Hey, Diesel, can you spare some food? We’re starving, as you can see.”

“Harry, you know you can come in anytime.”

“I just think it rude to eat your food without asking.”

“Go ahead, I don’t mind.”

John looked out the window and saw two cats, obviously having a friendly conversation. The one named Diesel padded out of his sight, followed closely by the other cat. He wanted to go and talk to them, but he realized the waitress was speaking to him.

“What do you want?” She asked rudely.

“Uhh…” John speedily fingered though the menu, awkwardly choosing a breakfast platter almost without looking.

“Thank you, sir.” The waitress grumbled, stomping off in frustration.

“John, what were you doing? She asked you at least four times.”

“Umm, nothing, just thought I heard something.”

“You sure are acting weird.”

You don’t know how weird my life is, John thought.

“Do you know why I took you in?” He asked unexpectedly.

“Because you are generous to orphans?” John guessed.

“No. Because I think… No. I know. You are my younger brother.”

“What the heck?” John exclaimed.

“I know it might be a shock, but when I heard your name, I knew it was you. I remember when mother had you. Then, you knew who I was. When I left home, I had already been out of the house too much for you to recognize me anymore. When mother died, I tried to become your guardian, but I had spent time in jail, so I couldn’t take you and your siblings in. But they said after I had spent so much time out of trouble, I could take you in. But when that time came, you had left the orphanage. Now that I’ve found you, you can finally come to stay with me.”

John hesitated. He knew he would have to decline his brother’s open arms. He swallowed and took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry. I can’t stay with you.”

“Why not? I am your only real family, except your older sister.”

“I can’t tell you my reason for declining your offer here, or now.”

“Will you tell me when we go back to my place?”

“Yes, I will.”

………………………………………………………………………

John sat on a couch, across from Jacob, who looked hurt.

“Jacob, Promise me you will never tell a living soul about what I am about to show you.”

Jacob looked at him with wide eyes, clearly shocked that John thought he would tell somebody about his younger brother’s secret.

John visualized his cat form. He felt it happening, slower than usual and heard Jacob draw in a quick, shocked breath.

John padded up to Jacob and jumped on his lap.

“What sick witchcraft is that?!” Jacob exclaimed.

“It’s not witchcraft. I don’t know what it is.”

“John, you’re…. you’re a cat?!? How… Why…?”

“How, I don’t know, but why, I do. Those cats, including the ones came with me, are depending on me to save them.”

Jacob looked down at the floor.

“Well, I guess I can’t stop you. If that’s what you have to do…”

“And it is.” John interrupted.

“I need to let you do it. You may go.”

“Now wait. Thank you for everything. A guy couldn’t have a better brother.”

“John, don’t say that…”

“You deserve every word.”

Jacob got up and hugged John, sobbing.

“I need to go, Jacob.”

“Okay. I hope you save those cats. I’ll see you around.”

“Bye Jacob. I’ll miss you.”

“Oh, and John,” Jacob added, “You might want to see mom and dad’s grave.”

John paused.

“I know you weren’t allowed to go to the viewing after they died, but you can go see their grave at least.” Jacob stated.

“I don’t want to go see their grave.” John mewed. He started to walk out of his brother’s apartment.

“If you change your mind, it’s off hare hill drive.”

John nodded and left the apartment.

John was eagerly awaited by the rest of the group outside.

Hollyleaf purred and stood next to him, her flank brushing John’s.

“Come on,” John mewed. “It’s time to save Skyclan.”

WarriorcatZ1324  Merry Christmas!   Christmas in the forest!  22:10, December 18, 2009 (UTC)

Special Chapter Three
“Do we really need to stop here?” John mewed.

Graystripe had been elated after he saw the truck stop, and had insisted on going there.

John was curious why Graystripe was excited, but the true urgency of getting to Skyclan was starting to bug him.

“Diesel!” Graystripe meowed. “Diesel, are you here?”

John froze. He knew that name. It was the cat that had been talking outside of the restaurant that morning.

“Graystripe, is that you?” a gurgling voice called. The cat it came from made a sound like he was choking on something.

“Diesel! Are you okay?” Graystripe sounded alarmed.

“No, please help. Ughh…” a dull thud came from the direction of the voice’s origin.

“John, Hollyleaf, come help!” Millie yowled.

John’s paws were already moving fast across the hard pavement of the garage, questions running through his mind.

''What happened to this cat? Or, more like, who happened to him?''

John skidded to a halt. A tom was lying on the hard concrete, blood pouring from his wounds across his neck and his flank was heaving with great force.

“Oh, great Starclan! Who is responsible for this?” Millie screeched, obviously concerned about Diesel. Graystripe gave her a wary look. John didn’t care to know what got them so worked up.

Diesel started to speak. “Harr… ” But, All of the sudden, he convulsed and threw up, blood tainting the crow-food smelling bile.

John looked away, felling sick himself.

“I know who did this.” John mewed. “He was talking with a cat named Harry later today. He did this.” John saw Diesel nod his head in agreement.

“Wait… Just one cat did this?!?” Graystripe sounded shocked.

Diesel coughed, and he started to shake his head and meow.

“No… t…” He coughed up a bit of blood, gagged, and started over.

“No…ten… cats… Not…his…family, like… he said.” Diesel managed those words, and then he collapsed.

“Is he dead?!?!” Hollyleaf managed to speak.

John noticed every cat had their eyes on him. He padded over to the seemingly unmoving cat, and with trembling paw steps he reached Diesel. He put his paw on the tom’s flank and listened.

He could hear he steady breathing of the cat, but it was slowly growing faster and shallower.

“He’s alive. I’m no medicine cat, but I’d say he won’t live long without help.”

He saw Hollyleaf cringe, and all of the sudden, his vision faded, and he saw a younger frame of a cat, treating what looked like a battle wound.

“Hollypaw, are you finished with that wound yet? You’ve been treating it for awhile now!” He heard Leafpool yowl. The warrior cringed in pain, and Hollypaw made a grimace as she put the poultice on.

“I think you got it on good enough,” The warrior sighed.

Hollyleaf looked relived, and she lowered her ears in dissatisfaction as Leafpool called her again to treat yet another wound.

John’s eyes faded back to the present. He drew his eyes to Hollyleaf, still with the uncomfortable look in her eyes.

He padded over, and Hollyleaf looked unsure what to do as he approached.

“Hollyleaf, I need you to do something that will help us out a great deal.”

“I can’t do it, John, no.”

“You don’t know what I was going to…”

“I know. You need me to look after him. I won’t. I can’t.”

“Hollyleaf please,”

“No! I’m scared.”

John pressed against her. “It’s alright, Hollyleaf. I’ll be here.”

“You’ll just stress over my lack of knowledge like Leafpool did.”

John paused. “How do you know how I know?”

“Know what?”

“That you were a medicine cat’s apprentice!”

“I’ve seen that look in Jayfeather’s eyes. He has visions too.”

“This is my first! It must have some importance to this!”

“Well, I don’t care. I can’t help him.”

John pressed closer. “I will be here. Just do this for me, if nothing else.”

Hollyleaf looked scared, but she just nodded her head and walked over to the cat and inspected the tom’s wounds carefully.

“Graystripe.” Hollyleaf mewed shakily. “Will you find some chervil roots for me? And Millie, I will need some coltsfoot and comfrey.”

Graystripe and Millie looked confused.

“Don’t you want to help Diesel?” Her voice held fear, but she kept it steadier than usual.

They nodded and ran off, And John felt a sense of urgency in their minds. He shook his head. This was new to him, and he wondered what made his senses more attune.

As promised, he padded over to Hollyleaf and brushed his fur with his. A long silence stood between them while she licked Diesel’s wounds.

“Good job, Hollyleaf. I always knew you were courageous.”

She looked at him, emotions swirling in her eyes.

“Thanks for believing in me today.”

“You know my belief never stopped.”

They looked at each other for what seemed forever, or it could’ve been less than a heartbeat.

“Here are the herbs, Hollyleaf.”

John jumped when he realized that Graystripe and Millie had been standing there for awhile.

Hollyleaf took them from his jaws and started to apply the herbs to his wounds.

John felt her pride in her accomplishment, and before long Diesel was breathing strongly again.

………………………………………………………………………

“Diesel, we need you to tell us what happened.” Graystripe mewed.

John had found Diesel the next morning awake and recovering, thanks to Hollyleaf. Now he was going to tell the traveling cats of the attack.

“Well, Harry had been here with his family a couple of times, literally begging for food. As soon as he saw the boundless supply of food here, he must’ve gotten greedy and told some other cats about me. They didn’t want to grovel for the food so they must’ve thought that they could just take it from me. Harry led me into the garage where they ambushed me and left me for dead. Luckily you guys showed, or else I would’ve been roadkill.”

“Are you fit to move some distance, Diesel?” Graystripe asked.

“I think so, why?”

“Millie and I have talked, and we think you should come with us.”

John instantly agreed, nodding his head.

“What?!?” Diesel exclaimed.

“I’m sorry, but with what just happened, we can’t allow you to stay here. It’s unsafe.”

Diesel pondered the thought, then sighed. “Okay. Fine. I’ll join the cat caravan.”

“Good. We leave today. Skyclan needs us.”

“Today?!? But…”

“Do you really want those cats to come back and find you alive?” John interjected.

“No.” Diesel grumbled.

“While we leave town, do you mind if I do something before we go?” John asked.

“If you don’t mind my asking, what is it?” Graystripe asked.

“Something very personal to me. I’d rather not say it.” Graystripe nodded.

“I will leave now. Hollyleaf, I helped you, now will you help me?” John asked.

She nodded. “Anything for you.”

………………………………………………………………………

John walked into the lush, flowery graveyard, closely followed by Hollyleaf. He walked along the gravel path, where he saw markers on each row that were in alphabetical order of a person’s last name.

As he walked by the multiple rows of graves he slowly thought his way through the alphabet.

A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N.

He stopped at the row marked with a sign that read,


 * The Graves of the Deceased with last names starting with N.

Again he went through the alphabet, using the second letter in the name.

A, B, C, D, E.

At last he came upon his parent’s grave.

The tombstone read,

Rick Neko and Margret Neko


 * May they rest in peace

He almost turned away, but he saw words hidden by dust that had collected in the past two years. He brushed the dust away to these words:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

-Mary Frye

John cried, and then remembered that the poem said not to.

It was his parents’ final wish.

He turned away, and wiped his eyes dry.

He nodded to Hollyleaf, and they left the empty graveyard.

-- WarriorcatZ1324  '10   Happy 1st Anniversary TTP!  17:42, January 5, 2010 (UTC)