History Has Its Eyes on Us [Newleaf Tears' Finale]

The Riverclan leader left the cave of the Stoneteller after the discussion was over. He knew exactly what it had to be done and it was time to take difficult decisions in order to return home. The large tom made his way through the cave when dawn was approaching slowly, announcing the start of a new day. He leapt on top of the highest rock and largest rock he could find in the main cave, similar to the Great Rock in the Fourtrees. Jaystar made space for the other leaders and representatives of the other clans so they could join him if they wanted to.

Gathering all the air he could in his lungs, the tom called for a meeting for all the cats in the cave to hear. "Cats from all clans, please gather around the rock for a clan meeting! Starclan has spoken to us and is time to go home!" He yowled straight to the point. They didn't know when the "Tribe's greatest fear" would arrive but if it was exactly like the one he saw in his dream... they had to act quickly. If not... many lives will be lost in both the Tribe and the clans. The tom waited patiently for the cats to gather around, knowing that some of them will be the Tribe cats that welcomed them here. It didn't matter if they heard what he had to say because the matter was also something of their concern.

Maplekit, being the oh-so attentive cat she was(and also very, VERY bored), noticed Jaystar preparing to talk before he even spoke. So she came right over, proudly the first to gather. A once in a lifetime experience. "Finally." She started. "I just have so much ener-JAY to get home!" She said with a grin, somewhat louder than she had intended. Oh well, she was sure the others would find it funny. "Wherever that is." She added. After all, she'd been born here. She had no idea what 'home' was like. All she'd ever known was the mountains. But soon... She'd know the trees. She'd heard things about them. Tall, and brown, with green 'leaves' on sticks... All sorts of things. She overheard cats talking about it all the time.

Lightkit had never been part of a meeting before. He…sort of knew what a meeting was, in the sense that he knew what “meet” meant and guessed what was happening from that. The strange blue cat had said ”cats from all Clans,” but Lightkit didn’t recognize him, which meant it wasn’t Lightkit’s problem. From his spot near Firflower, he lifted his head just long enough to jokingly roll his eyes at his sister’s pun—at least, he assumed it was a pun; he didn’t know where she was getting it, but most weird things that came out of Maplekit's mouth ended up being puns—then lowered it and resumed grooming. But the meeting didn’t stop. The blue cat was still there, and others were gathering. Lightkit looked up again, curling his thin tail over his paws and watching the blue cat properly this time through narrowed eyes. Home? But this was home. A gray, cold home, but a home nonetheless. He didn't want to leave. Pressing himself closer to his mother, he chose to look out over the assembling cats instead, though his ears twitched toward the rock to show he was still listening.

Ferretpaw shot up in her nest. She had been resting easily after a long and difficult hunting party when Jaystar called above the cats in the cave. Something was off about his tone. Something was very wrong. "Batpaw, come on! Something is happening. I think we're doing home!" She sprinted up to the front of the crowd, her heart jolting with the excitement.

-

Aspenpaw was in no mood to listen to Jaystar. He lurched to his paws and winced as his still-healing injuries racked his body with pain. The way the leader was yowling, it sounded like he had ticked off Stoneteller. Had they finally been ousted? If so, what would Aspenpaw do? He wasn't ready to go home, to face his clanmates, to fulfill his warrior destiny... He sat on the outskirts of the cats, listening with a bowed head. Concern flooded his eyes. He missed his fallen brothers and sisters of WindClan. He didn't want to go home knowing they wouldn't be there to greet him in the moors.

-

Sandkit peeked out from behind Firflower's legs. He had no idea that there were so many other cats! He knew there were five "clans," but what were clans, anyway? All he knew was the cave. His big blue eyes stared in amazement at the cat on the big rock. He smiled and laughed. "How'd he get up there? It's so high!"

Pricklebush followed just behind Jaystar, still full of emotions- some annoyance, some frustration, a good amount of fear. However, the strongest emotion he was feeling, for once in his life, was hope. StarClan had managed to do the impossible and relieve one of his worries. Though he'd wished for their lives, his pessimistic nature in the depths of his soul had assumed that his remaining Clanmates were dead. But now they knew that at least most of them were alive… alive. He hadn't failed them. They could go back to the forest and everything could be normal- well, most.

His eyes caught on the sight of Hailpaw, his sister, still blissfully asleep in her nest. The she-cat had been temporarily thrown out of her home, then disappeared and been presumed dead. When she'd turned up out of the blue, Pricklebush had been the highest ranking member of ThunderClan anywhere in the vicinity, and so had immediately welcomed her back with open paws. But if Leopardstar was alive, he might not see it the same way that he did. The leader might want to take his sister away again. But there was no way that he could let that happen. The tan tom nudged Hailpaw, waking her up, and gestured towards Jaystar. "There's something you ought to hear." While he still didn't understand why their ancestors had decided to speak to the admittedly well-meaning codebreaker instead of the resident medicine cat, but he was more than happy not to be the one to break the news.

Batpaw leapt up at Ferretpaw calling her name. "Home?" she asked, her voice a mixture of hopeful and hesitant. Yes, she wanted to go home, but for her... Well, home would always be where her family was. Were they alright? She still didn't know, and leaving the mountains would mean leaving behind the illusion she'd maintained while they were here: that Leopardstar and Lynxtail and Copperheart were fine, always somewhere just out of sight. Still, she followed close behind her friend, hoping her feigned enthusiasm would be enough to fool the cats around her. "Right. Home." The snort that escaped at a kit's joke, though, was genuine.

-

Emberheart's ears pricked up at Jaystar's call, and she approached the gathering cats. Home, he said, and she was happy to know there was still one to return to. She would miss these mountains, though, the same way the sometimes missed the garden she'd lived in as a kit. But the faces here would be fresh in her mind, and one day she'd be able to tell stories about the Tribe cats to curious kits. Yes, she was ready to leave... But something sounded off about the RiverClan leader's tone. Was something wrong?

-

The longer the Clan cats stayed in the mountains, the worse Swanpetal got. She'd lost her mate in the flood, she'd lost her kits, so why was she still here? She'd failed Brookpaw and Wasppaw as a mother, when they deserved to be here in her place. As it was, though, Jaystar's call got her to drag herself to her paws and over to the others. Home, here, she could feel like a failure just about anywhere, and so wrapped up in her own thoughts she didn't notice anything off about his tone.

Mostly annoyed at the whole situation, Tinystar sat on the edge of the row of leaders, his ears flat. It hurt him to look out upon all the clan's remaining cats; knowing that lives would be mercilessly sacrificed. But what did his thoughts or opinions matter? Whatever Jaystar said went, and the rest of the leaders might as well not even be leaders at this point; if they were just going to follow that fish-breath's every ill-advised whim. But alas, the stubby legged tom's sour mood wasn't going to help the current situation and so he stayed quiet as thoughts internally raced around his head.

~~~~~

Sitting among the other leaders and representative, Daisyflame found himself fearful of what was to come, but also hopeful. Yes, they would most likely lose cats due to this "threat," whatever it was, but if that meant returning home and possibly seeing Scorchstar again, he would make sure to fight with all he had.

~~~~~

Sunflower sat at the back of the growing crowd, per usual. His father's irritated expression told him that whatever Jaystar was about to say couldn't be good, which sent a shiver up his lengthy spine. Couldn't they just go home already?

Finchstar watched the blue-gray leader with curiosity. Jaystar had leapt upon the biggest rock in the cave, and spoke news of home. The excitement that sparked through cats around the leader was almost tangible. But Finchstar knew what others did not. The clan's homeward journey did not come without a price. A beast that had walked among dreams, was now prophesied to arrive in the mountains. The orange and white tabby felt a small grin grace his maw at the thought. Perhaps the cats of the clans called themselves warriors because of their desire to rip and tear at flesh, in pursuit of glory and honor. Or perhaps the clan cats called themselves warriors because they had to be; the land they had chosen to inhabit was beautiful, yet harsh. Either way, they would fight as they had grown up doing. Finchstar was proud to walk amongst these cats, to stare into their eyes and see hope. It lifted his spirits, made him strong. He was born a warrior, birthed into a land of blood and honor. Of love and fortune. He was sure his clanmates loved this land just the same.

Gazing at Jaystar now, Finchstar decided he would sit with his clanmates one last time, before throwing himself completely into the leadership role as he should. It felt good to rally beside them, to feel their hearts pumping as one. Soon the tom would be joined by his love. Soon he would be whole again. If the beast was the only thing that kept them apart, then the beast was to meet its doom.

The large tom glanced over the cats from the top of the rock and once most of them had arrived, he lifted his tail and flicked it asking for silence and attention. For a second, he remained quiet, knowing that the news was not something to take so lightly. He looked at the kit who asked him how tall he got and he felt a pain in his heart. This kit... had not yet lived the horrors of the warrior's life and soon all of them will have to face a monster even grown-ups feared. He tried to calm down and finally, he opened his mouth. "Starclan has contacted me and Stoneteller last night. Our ancestors told us that we are not the only survivors. A great part of our clanmates that were swept away is now back in the forest... However, Starclan's message is not only a message of hope... but of warning. There's a beast here, in the mountains, and according to the stars, we will have to face it before being able to come back. Stoneteller told us that they call it... a Sharptooth." A shiver ran though his spine at the memory of those yellow eyes staring at him in his dreams but he forced himself to continue.

"As leaders and clan representatives, we discussed how we should proceed... and the answer is the monster. This beast is able to fight the dogs that in the first place drove Windclan and Skyclan away. But for that to happen, we will have to lure the Sharptooth. The youngest cats and elders will leave the cave first along with some experienced and senior warriors as escorts. Meanwhile, a group of selected warriors will stay to distract the beast when it comes and eventually lead it to the base of the mountains, back to the Highstones." It was crazy... all of this was just crazy but it couldn't be helped. This Sharptooth was the only way out to go back to their home. "I know it's risky and dangerous... I can't assure you we will all survive... But as a leader, I promised to protect my clan even at the cost of my life and that's exactly what I'll do. I'm willing to lead this patrol and sacrifice my life and position if that's what is needed for the rest of the clans to return to their roots. However, I won't force anyone to join me in luring this beast. Any volunteer will be well-welcomed, no matter the clan yet it will be for the best if we are not more than seven cats so we can be able to run faster."

---

Firestone heard the call of the Riverclan leader. Thanks to Shadowclan's nature, he was awake by the time he yowled and he nudged his daughter Redwing to come along with him. Once he was settled a few steps away from the rock, Jaystar told the big news. They were going home... but the dangers will be too high. His emerald eyes widened up a little and then he fixed his eyes on his sole daughter, who recently had kits, a new family. The flame-furred tom thought about how blessed he was for having her after losing his best friend, father, mother, brother, mate and kits. She was the only remaining family he had... the only cat in the forest he loved with all his heart. The only cat... he would his life for her.

The stocky tom stood up and turned his gaze away from Redwing when he took a step closer. He lifted his head to the Riverclan's leader and locked eyes with him. There was no fear in them, just a stoic determination. "I'll stay with you... so my daughter and her kits may have a future in Shadowclan." He mewed.

Moss ventured out, at the sound of voices he recognized. they were so distant but so familiar. He’d tell Mao and rift that he was ganna go check it out before he spotted them. His friends. His clan. Well, some of his clan. He sped through the snow and up to Jaystar with delight. “Jaystar!” He called out and stopped infront of him, a panting mess. “J-Jaystar! It’s me Mosspaw! I-I was carried off by an eagle you’d never believe!- Wait. Is everything okay?”

Swanpetal was paying attention now. She could do this, at least, to serve her Clan. "I'll do it," she said swiftly, her voice clear as she rose to her paws. Sadness, for the first time in days, gave way to something else: anger. She was a warrior, and she would defend her Clan to her last breath. This was what she knew, what she was good at. She'd already failed her family, she couldn't fail the rest of her Clan too. Not now that she had a chance to do better. After all, she thought to herself, I have nothing left to lose.

A wave of fear rippled through Aspenpaw's pelt. As his clan mates and every other cat in the forest froze in terror of this unknown thing called a Sharptooth, something tugged at his heart. Not a single bone in his body felt like the warrior his fellows needed, but he couldn't just sit there. Not after last time, nor any other time before. He had to at least say something.

If I am to die today, I should go down fighting.

Speak. Speak, you idiot. Say something.

If I die, will I mean something? Is it worth trying? Will I mean something?

DO IT! Say you'll go, and at least you won't look like a coward!

Aspenpaw rose to his feet and ran forward. His heart was in his ears and he didn't recognize the sound of his own voice. Frantically, he glanced at the eyes on him, of WindClan cats who he wanted to be trusted by. He hoped that they believed in him. It was crazy, but he had to at least give his testimony. "Jaystar, if no more suited cat volunteers, I'll join you. I am fast enough and I am able. I fear nothing but the Place of No Stars!" he blurted out. Aware of himself, he cowered just a bit in the eyes of the cats surrounding him. All he wanted was to help them. He couldn't watch anybody else die... Even if that meant sacrificing himself.

-

Ferretpaw watched the few brave cats step up. She knew she was not suited to this job. She had to help her ThunderClan comrades make it home safe, and facing down a monster three times her size was not the way. Her only duty was to guide the weakest and frailest to safety and protect who needed protecting. Her face hardened at the prospect, and she did not fear. Her clan mates were strong and crafty cats. They would make it out alive.

-

Sandkit was terrified by the concept of a Sharptooth, and he pressed to Firflower's leg tightly. Shaking like a leaf, he looked at the older cats and wondered if he trusted them all enough to make sure he didn't get hurt. Too much was happening at once for him to handle, and he inches closer to his siblings.

A great part of our clanmates that were swept away is now back in the forest... Jaystar's words echoed through the clearing, and with them, a silence. The cats around Finchstar seemed to recognize now the gravity of the situation. His stubborn state wanted to fight it, but the answer was clear as day. Happiness came with a price, an expensive one. One that drew blood, and left it dripping over the very lands the clans had called home.

But what Finchstar fought for was priceless. He would draw a thousand rivers of blood from his own fur if it meant finding his love once more. This Sharptooth that Jaystar spoke of. This was a challenge. A feat. But Brookclover was waiting there, in the forest. And a home as well. Finchstar would lead his weary clan to peaceful times, they deserved nothing less. He had big paws to fill, so many leaders and warriors who had fallen before his time. It was now his turn. Not for glory and honor, but for love. To gaze into those mystical green eyes of his lifeblood once more.

A voice echoed through the cave, and Finchstar pinpointed it to a gray tabby tom. Aspenpaw, his apprentice. A wide smile grew on the tom's maw at the site of the cat. His bravery was admirable, and sparked a fire in the leader's heart. The cats of the clans would rally together, it was their destiny. Fate would carry them on wings of hope, and its stubborn talons would scour their enemies.

"Jaystar, if I may, I would like to accompany you down the mountain. I have nine lives to give, while my friends and clanmates only have one. If anyone should risk their life in this manner, it should be myself. If you would allow me to grant my friends this honor, I will be forever grateful." The words had been spoken, and Finchstar's fate had been sealed. He could already feel the adrenaline pumping through his blood. Home was not far.

"I'll go." From the ThunderClan cats, a voice rang out cheerfully. Moments later, Hailpaw stepped into view. The fluffy apprentice met Jaystar's gaze with her own yellow one. "If it's for ThunderClan, I don't mind dying." The casual way with which she spoke was jarring in contrast to the solemnity with which Jaystar had just announced their impending doom. One might have assumed that she was just being her old self, quick to jump into battle. But Hailpaw was a changed cat. Before the incident with Icepaw, she would have joined the patrol for that exact reason. Ever since she had seen Pricklebush cry, however, her motivations had begun to change. In her free time in the cave, she had been thinking. There were still a lot of things she had to figure out, but she had decided to protect ThunderClan as best as she could—not just for Pricklebush, but also for her clanmates. She acted as her usual carefree self, but the hint of cold determination within her eyes betrayed the fact that she was not, in the least, joking.