“Monarchstar.” A voice called from the entrance of the den, “We should talk.” Monarchstar had just gotten back from a gathering. It had gone pretty successfully, Thunderclan and Skyclan had agreed pretty quickly, their new leaders making hasty decisions worked out pretty well. Monarchstar was following what Laurelwing told her to do beat for beat. Make a happy clan family. Make the first few gatherings feel as normal as possible, and then on the fourth one casually suggest merging clans as an idea. Disagreements? No problem. Drop it and move on. The next gathering, propose the benefits of merging clans, still disagreement? Keep an eye on those who didn't agree and- "Monarchstar," her brother tried again, he looked upset. Eyes damp with tears that had been wiped away, "What were you thinking?!" "Brownfern, I'm uniting the clans, I thought I mentioned that to you before hand." Brownfern's eyes widened, "No, you... You threatened the other leaders! You said that Blizzardstar and Mudstar disagreed with you the last gathering and to consider thinking about that next moon! You didn't... Please tell me you didn't... " Brownfern struggled to finish his sentence. His fur was flared and his eyes, sharp and wary. Kill them? Of course not? Was that what he was going to say? Them dying was merely a coincidence. She had nothing to do with that. Her silly little brother was just getting too many little ideas in his head for his own good. She'll have to remind herself not to bring him to the next gathering if he's going to worry himself silly about it. "I had nothing to do with that." "I don't believe you." Monarchstar's eye twitched. He doesn't believe her? He ALWAYS believes her. This... this isn't right! something is wrong! She'll fix it! WHATEVER'S WRONG SHE'LL FIX IT! "Brownfern." She opens her arms out for a hug. He love hugs. She loves hugs. this will- Brownfern takes a step back. "You've been acting weird ever since you became leader. You're stressed. You're tired all the time and snappy. You've been having nightmares, and been seemingly connected to a lot of strange stuff going on! Like the other leaders dying and other disappearances. Or our new deputy? Why's she a dead out of her mind Riverclan cat or-" Monarchstar flicked her tail "You don't know what you're talking about." Brownfern stared her in the eyes. His gaze unwavering. Determined, scared, and angry. "What happened to Saffronstep." It wasn't a question. It was a demand. He knew. A nervous laugh escaped her, she tried to choke out a response but her voice failed her. This-this was her brother! He's supposed to be her ally! Her friend! HER LIFELINE! He can't just up and decide to bombard her with hard to answer questions! It made her feel stupid! Her mind was falling apart! This is why she was dumb dumbdumbdumbdumbDUMB!!!!!!!!! Grandma please! Help me! tell him to stop! "What did you do to him?" Brownfern's courage seemed to be failing him now. His breathing grew shallow. He was so small. Monarchstar could just... squish... him... and she wouldn't have to deal with these STUPID SILLY QUESTIONS THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT! She didn't want to think about Saffronstep or anything at all! Why was she here! Why can't everyone just be happy to do what she says and to follow her lead! She... wha-? where was Brownfern? He- he was just here! in her den! HE LEFT HER!?
Brownfern ran. He had manage to hold himself together until he was out of Monarchstar's den. Tears billowed down his face and flew off behind him. A few days ago he had saw Saffronstep on a patrol by the Riverclan border. He was in deep conversation with the new Riverclan leader, Moonstar. Saffronstep was covered in scars and missing an ear but he looked healthy. Riverclan must of been taking good care of him. But Monarchstar had told everyone that he was run over by a monster and she couldn't recover his body. But this didn't look like anything a monster would of done. They looked like.........like........... At the time when Brownfern saw Saffronstep, he just froze. His brother didn't notice Brownfern at all. He was too deep in his conversation with Moonstar. Moonstar was one of the cats that didn't agree to Monarchstar's terms during the gathering that was only a few hours before. If Monarchstar had anything to do with the deaths of the previous leaders, then Moonstar was probably in danger. Brownfern leapt over tree logs and stumbled through forest until he reached the river that bordered the Riverclan camp. "Saffronstep!" he wailed not caring if he woke the whole of riverclan. There were a few flat stones that the water flowed lazily around and Brownfern bounded across them, "Saffronstep!" A few riverclan cats were emerging from their dens but a flash of brown burst through them. Brownfern heaved himself on to the shore of Riverclan. He stumbled forward and a lithe brown tabby raced forward and caught him. Saffronstep had never been much of a hugger or a crier but this was the best hug Brownfern had received in a long while. Saffronstep eyes glistened. but only a little. But that little bit was all Brownfern needed to feel safe again.
