Feathers and Leaves (Originally written August 2013)

Prologue

"Think you have nine lives, do you?" she whispered. "Don't make me save you again."

"Feathertail…Feathertail, no!" Crowpaw could barely get the words out. "Don't leave me."

"I won't." Now her whisper was scarcely audible. "I'll always be with you, I promise."

Then her eyes closed, and she did not speak again.

Oakheart paced madly around a pool of water, lashing his tail furiously. He had chosen a cat to travel to the sun-drown place, and just discovered this cat was part of a different prophecy. She was not destined to save RiverClan, but to save a band of cats that lived in the mountains. To make matters worse, she was destined to die saving those cats.

The former RiverClan deputy stared into the pool, desperately searching for a way to save the chosen cat's life. She was his brother's granddaughter, after all, and he did not wish to see her die. He did not want her brother to have to return home without her.

"Is there no way to save her?" Oakheart yowled, lifting his head to the dark, ominous sky.

The gray clouds churned madly above him, and a cold wind buffeted his fur. Out of the clouds appeared a white cat, who padded confidently toward Oakheart.

"Greetings," the strange cat spoke. "I am Half Moon. I understand there is a cat torn between both our Tribes, yes?"

Oakheart flattened his ears against his head. "Feathertail is destined to die for the Tribe of Rushing Water, but she is a Clan cat! She is supposed to save RiverClan and lead them to a new home. She cannot die yet!" he hissed.

Half Moon stared at Oakheart with a knowing look. "There is a cat who cares deeply for her."

"You know about Crowpaw?" Oakheart asked, shock filling his amber eyes.

"Yes. The Tribe of Endless Hunting can see things just as clearly as you can."

"Then there must be something you can do! Surely you can't take Feathertail away from her friends, especially since she is the only one who understands Crowpaw!" Oakheart pressed.

Half Moon closed her green eyes. "I knew love once," she murmured.

Oakheart sighed impatiently, knowing time was running out quickly. "What happened?"

"I lost him," Half Moon whispered. "And I wouldn't wish the same on any cat."

"So you'll do something?" Oakheart asked.

Half Moon nodded. "Yes. Feathertail shall survive. But I shall warn you: Someday Crowpaw's love will waver. There will be another cat who will win his affections. The future is too clouded to know for sure who he will choose. His greatest battle will be between feathers and leaves, and only the one who loves him most will win."

(Revision date- April 5, 2014)