Chapter 4

A quarter moon shone in the starry night sky. Starpaw padded through the grass alongside Silverberry, looking up at the moon with a rush of happiness. This is my favorite night of every moon. It's so peaceful and comforting to speak with StarClan.

She'd been to three meetings since she'd become a medicine cat apprentice. This would be her fourth. Each time, she was greeted in StarClan by Dreamwhisper, Weaselnose, and Hivepelt, as well as many others she'd met since. At her second meeting, she met Windwhisker and Fallenhope, both warriors who had died during the battle with Bone Shred's rogues. Last quarter moon, she had met Monarchwing's mother, Dappledawn, who was very kind. Starpaw found it incredible that despite having never known some of these cats in the living world, they had become dear friends to her in the realm of StarClan.

Starpaw enjoyed seeing the other medicine cats as well. Silverberry had been right. Before long, she considered them her friends. Otterpelt was caring and wise. Ryeheart was witty and quick to share his knowledge of herbs and give advice to the others. Spicewhisker was the youngest medicine cat, but seemed no less experienced than the others. Hawkfeather was a bit stern at times, but very wise and often kind to his fellow medicine cats. Dewpaw was lucky to have him as a mentor.

She felt closest with Dewpaw. There was no question about it. He was very caring, intelligent, and fun to be around. Starpaw felt that it was their closeness in age and the fact that they were both apprentices that gave them a connection. 

As they crossed the thunderpath, Starpaw saw the medicine cats up ahead by mothermouth. She let out a friendly purr when they reached them. 

"Greetings." Hawkfeather dipped his head, and beside him, Dewpaw stepped forward to meet her. 

Starpaw touched noses with the apprentice. "It's good to see you again," She purred as she stepped back. "How are things in ShadowClan?"

"Much better than they were a few moons ago," Dewpaw told her, looking relieved at this. "Sunflower's kits have started their training."

"Speaking of kits, Willowtail is expecting," Silverberry overheard her and meowed to Otterpelt and Spicewhisker.

The RiverClan she-cat purred. "Icetail is the father, isn't he? I always see them together at gatherings."

Silverberry nodded with a purr and sat down, curling her tail over her paws. "What's keeping Ryeheart?" 

"An emergency perhaps?" Hawkfeather frowned. "If he doesn't arrive soon, we'll just have to visit StarClan without him."

It grew quiet as they sat by the mouth of the cave, waiting in the darkness. Spicewhisker looked in the direction of SkyClan territory, while Hawkfeather's tail tip twitched impatiently. Starpaw sat near Dewpaw, who was shifting his paws in the grass restlessly. She raised her gaze to the sky where the stars of silverpelt glittered. We won't be long, StarClan. She silently promised.

At last, the SkyClan medicine cat appeared in the distance, padding quickly toward them, and the medicine cats perked up. Hawkfeather rose to his paws. "About time! What kept you?"

"Sorry," Ryeheart panted as he reached them, pausing to catch his breath. "One of the kits had a cough and he was keeping the whole nursery awake. I had to give him some coltsfoot before I left. I came as fast as I could."

"That's alright, Ryeheart," Otterpelt assured him, touching his shoulder with her tail. "Is the kit better?"

"Yes, he stopped coughing and fell asleep," Ryeheart replied with a sigh of relief. He looked toward the mouth of the tunnel, seeming to have recovered from his run. "Shall we go inside?"

The cats began to file into the tunnel. Starpaw and Dewpaw started toward it at the same time, then hesitated. The tunnel was only wide enough for one cat at a time. "Go on," Starpaw prompted.

Dewpaw took a step back and gestured toward the tunnel with his paw, his eyes gleaming. "She-cats first."

She blinked gratefully at him and stepped into the tunnel after Spicewhisker, aware of Dewpaw following her. Starpaw had grown used to the darkness of the tunnel, and it didn't bother her. Instead, she felt safe and comfortable in its dark depths, for it led to the most sacred place in the forest.

As the tunnel opened and let in the glowing light of the moonstone, Starpaw stepped out into the cave, gazing at the gleaming stone for a long moment. Despite having been here so many times now, the moonstone never ceased to amaze her. It was truly remarkable. It was their gateway to StarClan's realm.

"Let's begin sharing dreams with StarClan." Hawkfeather settled near the stone and touched his nose to the surface, closing his eyes. The others began to do the same. Starpaw crouched in her usual spot between Silverberry and Dewpaw, closing her eyes as she rested her nose against the moonstone.

After a few moments, the air warmed around her, and she slowly opened her eyes to find herself in StarClan's hunting grounds. She rose to her paws and gazed around the starlit forest, embracing everything around her. Whenever I'm in StarClan, I feel... At peace. Like everything wonderful in the world is spreading through my veins like a warm summer breeze.

She turned and padded slowly through the soft grass, looking around for StarClan cats. She spotted Windwhisker chasing a rabbit and called out to him happily. "Hello, Windwhisker!"

The tabby's tail waved briefly in greeting before he continued, too focused on his hunt to stop and chat.

Even StarClan cats like to hunt. She thought with a purr. 

"Hello, Starpaw."

She turned her head quickly at the warm, familiar voice, letting out a purr of happiness. "Dreamwhisper!" She and Weaselnose were sitting by the trees, watching her with glowing eyes. She bounded over to them with her tail high in the air, touching noses with each of them.

"It's good to see you, Starpaw," Weaselnose gazed at her, then exchanged an unreadable look with Dreamwhisper.

She blinked at them and tilted her head. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Dreamwhisper hesitated, her pale green eyes fixed on her. "Starpaw, there's something that we've decided to share with you. I'm afraid it might be difficult to understand, but you must know the truth."

Starpaw's stomach twisted nervously. "What is it?" A prophecy? Is something going to happen to WindClan?

Her mother's gentle gaze remained on her as she murmured. "You can come out, Sunripple."

A golden and yellow tabby tom stepped out from the starlit bushes behind her, slowly padding forward to stand on the opposite side of Dreamwhisper. His yellow eyes glowed with warmth, and Starpaw recognized them with a start. He's the cat who was watching from the bushes when I first visited the moonstone!

"Hello, Starpaw," Sunripple murmured, his eyes filled with such warmth as though he'd known her his whole life. "I've looked forward to meeting you."

"Hello," She studied him uncertainly, surprised at how lovingly he gazed at her. Am I supposed to know him? She picked up a different scent from him, one that she knew very well from Otterpelt. He's a RiverClan cat! So how can he know me so well?

Starpaw looked at her mother questioningly, unsure of what to say. Dreamwhisper seemed to be searching for the right words. At last, she spoke. "There was a time when I thought I loved Weaselnose," She meowed quietly, looking beside her at the tom, who was looking at his paws. "But once I met Sunripple, I realized that I was wrong. Weaselnose was a great cat, and a wonderful friend. But he was not the cat I loved."

Her heartbeat quickened as she stared at her mother, trying to process her words. "Wait... What... What are you saying?" She whispered, though she thought she already knew where this was going. She only prayed she was wrong.

Dreamwhisper gazed at her, eyes filled with emotion. "Weaselnose is not your father," She murmured. "Sunripple is."

For a moment, Starpaw was speechless. She stared at the three cats before her, the peaceful aura of StarClan gone and replaced with chills of shock. "No..." She whispered. "That can't be!" She looked at Weaselnose pleadingly. "Tell me it's not true!"

The ginger tabby met her gaze, his amber eyes filled with love and sorrow. "I'm sorry, Starpaw," He murmured. "I never knew the truth until I joined StarClan." He looked at Dreamwhisper. "I was angry at first, but over time I forgave your mother."

"I always wanted you to know the truth, and be there for you growing up," Sunripple meowed quietly as he gazed at her. "But being in another clan, there was no way for it to be possible." He looked over at Weaselnose. "I'm grateful to Weaselnose for being the father I couldn't be."

The ginger tom gave him a nod and looked at Starpaw. "I loved you and your siblings as though you were my own, and I still do."

Starpaw was stunned. "But... Why..." She stammered. "I can't believe this!"

"I know it's a lot to take in, Starpaw," Dreamwhisper murmured and licked her head. "But it was time you knew the truth. Sunripple has been longing to meet you, and it seemed cruel to keep him from seeing you in life as well as death."

Sunripple took a step forward as though to nuzzle Starpaw, but hesitated and drew back, unsure that she would welcome it. "I know it'll take some time," He meowed quietly, his yellow gaze glistening with love as he gazed at her. "But I'd like to be a part of your life. I'm so proud of you, Blazingpaw, and Petalpaw. I have watched over you since you were kits in the nursery."

"But..." Starpaw stared at him for a moment, then looked at Dreamwhisper. "This means I'm half RiverClan!"

"Yes," Dreamwhisper murmured.

A rush of horror flooded over her as she understood what this meant. "B-but that's against the warrior code!" She gasped. "The code that our ancestors created to keep us safe. It's against the will of StarClan to find a mate outside their clan!"

Dreamwhisper's eyes dimmed with sadness. "The code is to keep us safe, and it should be followed," She murmured. "But no code is powerful enough when it comes to love."

As she spoke the word "love", the world began to fade away into darkness. Starpaw opened her eyes and gasped out, finding herself back at the moonstone. She slowly rose into a sitting position, her mind spinning.

I can't believe it... Starpaw was stunned. She felt as though her world had been turned upside down. I'm half RiverClan... My parents broke the warrior code. They broke the laws that StarClan made! How can-

"Starpaw, are you alright?" 

She broke away from her thoughts and snapped her attention to Silverberry, who sat a little ways away, watching her worriedly. Beyond her, Ryeheart and Spicewhisker were waking up. "Your fur is ruffled." She observed.

She looked over her shoulder and realized she was right. She awkwardly licked her ruffled yellow shoulder fur. "I-I'm fine," She tried to calm herself. 

Silverberry looked unsure, but before she could question her any further, Hawkfeather padded over and began speaking with her mentor.

I don't want to tell Silverberry... Starpaw thought nervously. What will she think if I'm half-clan? 

"Are you okay?"

She turned to see Dewpaw standing beside her, looking worried. "Yes, I'm..." Anxiety prickled through her pelt, and she let out a sigh. "No." She admitted quietly.

"What happened?" Dewpaw asked. "Did StarClan show you something?"

Starpaw hesitated. "Sort of..." Oddly enough, she realized that Dewpaw was the only cat she felt comfortable sharing this secret with. More so than her own mentor. He wouldn't judge her, she knew that. She rose to her paws shakily and padded toward the edge of the cave, gesturing with her tail for him to follow. I don't want to risk any cat overhearing.

She and Dewpaw crouched in the shadows of the cave where the light of the moonstone didn't reach. "Well?" He prompted gently.

"I met with Dreamwhisper and Weaselnose," Starpaw murmured, her heart pounding as she began retelling the shocking truth. "They told me that Weaselnose isn't my father. A RiverClan warrior named Sunripple is."

"A River-" Dewpaw's eyes flashed with surprise. "You're half RiverClan?"

"Yes." Starpaw's heart pounded at the terrible truth. "I don't-"

"Starpaw, Dewpaw!"

Hawkfeather's call interrupted her. They turned to see the other medicine cats padding toward the tunnel. Hawkfeather looked at them impatiently. "It's time to go."

Starpaw's heart sunk as they reluctantly joined the others. Dewpaw looked at her apologetically. "How about we meet at the border tomorrow night?" He whispered so that the others couldn't hear. "We can talk about it then if you want."

"Okay," She agreed gratefully, then felt her stomach churn nervously. "Please don't tell anyone."

"I won't," Dewpaw promised as they slipped into the tunnel.

Somehow, just those two words comforted her. I trust Dewpaw to keep it a secret. I don't think I can tell anyone else about this. Not Silverberry, not even Blazingpaw and Petalpaw. No one can know.



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