Crookedstar’s Promise

Crookedstar gasped as Oakheart’s claws raked his cheek. “You snake-heart!” Rearing up on his haunches, he slammed his front paws down on to Oakheart’s chest. Oakheart grunted and rolled away, springing to his paws. He crouched down, facing Crookedstar with his tail swishing, eyes like slits.

“Stop them!” Shimmerpelt raced across the clearing.

Timberfur shot out from the warriors’ den and circled them, bristling.

“Let them fight!” Mudfur called his Clanmates away. “Sometimes it’s the only way.”

Crookedstar glared at his brother and growled, “I’m nothing like Rainflower. I’m doing what’s best for Silverkit!”

“I bet Rainflower thought she was doing the right thing, too!” Oakheart hissed. “I bet she made excuses just like you.”

“That’s not true!” Crookedstar sprang, kicking out his hind legs, slashing with his forepaws in a move he had seen being practiced over and over, in a forest where the trees were gray and slimy and starlight never broke through the leaves.

What am I doing?

Horror seized him as he realized he was about to use Thistleclaw’s killing move on his brother. He writhed in the air, twisting just in time, and thumped clumsily on to the ground.

Oakheart stood over him. “Finished?” he snarled.

Crookedstar looked up at him. Grief tightened his throat. “How can I love her when every cat I love dies?”

Oakheart’s eyes clouded. “I’m still here.”

Crookedstar got slowly to his paws. “You’re here for now.”

Oakheart stared at him. “It’s a risk every cat has to take. Would you rather have no feelings at all? Do you wish you’d never loved Willowbreeze?” His mew trembled. “Where’s your courage, Crookedstar?”

A squeak sounded from the nursery. “Sunfish! Sunfish!” Silverkit was staring from the entrance, her eyes stretched wide. “The big warriors are fighting!”

Oakheart nudged Crookedstar. “Go on,” he whispered.

Taking a deep breath, Crookedstar forced himself to walk toward the nursery. When you feel doubt, let your heart lead you forward, not back. Hailstar’s words echoed in his ears. StarClan had trusted him to give him nine lives; Crookedstar had to prove that he was worth it. He leaned forward and touched Silverkit’s ear with his muzzle. “It’s okay. Nobody’s hurt.”

The little cat flinched away, trembling.

“Don’t be frightened,” Crookedstar soothed. “We’re not really fighting.” She smells like Willowbreeze! Her fur was just as soft and the markings on her head matched her mother’s exactly. “We’re training, that’s all. Everything’s fine.”

Silverkit took a step forward and peered past him at Oakheart, who was standing on the far side of the clearing, watching them. Then she stared up at Crookedstar, her bright blue eyes shimmering. She was so like her mother—and like him, too, in the shape of her ears and the length of her tail. Crookedstar gazed down at her, feeling a lifetime of hope open up in front of him. For the first time that day he felt the warmth of the sun. Watch over us, Willowbreeze. We still need you.

“You’re really just training?” Silverkit mewed. “Do you promise?”

“I promise.” Crookedstar ached with joy. “I’m your father, Silverkit, and that means I will always keep my promises.”

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IN AN EXCLUSIVE MANGA ADVENTURE…

CREATED BY

ERIN HUNTER

WRITTEN BY

DAN JOLLEY

ART BY

JAMES L. BARRY