Hollyleaf's Madness

Jayfeather went to his cave. When he entered it, he found a bed there. The cat was exhausted, so he curled up in a ball and fell fast asleep. Cat opened his eyes. All around him were beautiful, colorful fields. Green trees, light blue sky. The cat immediately guessed that he was in a dream, was in the StarClan. Leafpool was approaching him. Hearing footsteps, Jayfeather looked in all directions, searching for the source of the sound. As soon as the cat saw his mother, he fleetingly ran up to her. — Leafpool! How I've missed you… — the medicine spoke. — Yes, Jayfeather. I know… I've missed you too. But I came to warn you and the Clans! — The cat, sighing, continued speaking. — From now on, as long as there is a Hollyleaf living in your forest… You must go in groups! Don't leave the camp alone! That way, you have a better chance of survival. — Survive?! Does she really want to kill everyone, without exception? — The cat whispered nervously. — That's something I don't know, Jayfeather. Unfortunately… Leafpool's silhouette began to dissolve. She, having said goodbye to her son, simply disappeared. A moment more, and Jayfeather's sleep began to darken. When the cat woke up, he realized that it was morning: birds were singing and kittens were playing loudly in the clearing. The cat looked out of the cave. Sniffing the air, the medicine smelled the pleasant, tantalizing odor of game. Sparrow's stomach twisted: he hadn't eaten in a long time! His stomach rumbled treacherously, and the cat went to the pile of prey by scent. Taking the first mouse, the medicine went back to the cave. After the mouse, Jayfeather went in search of either Lionblaze or Firestar. Fortunately for Jayfeather, Lionblaze had just arrived at the camp from hunting. After putting the game in a pile, the cat went to the clearing that was near the medicine's cave. Seeing Jayfeather there, who was trying to find something, the warrior approached the cat. — Jayfeather? Are you looking for something? — Lionblaze asked. The medicine clearly did not expect to hear his brother's voice, so he jumped slightly in surprise. — Yes, Lionblaze. Could you take me to Firestar? — Cat asked. — I need to tell him about Hollyleaf... — Sure. Let's go. — When he remembered Hollyleaf, Lionblaze tensed. But he led his brother to the leader anyway.

***

— Firestar! May I come to you? — Jayfeather asked. The leader immediately turned his head toward the entrance to his cave. — Of course, come in, — Exclaimed the cat. Jayfeather went in first, followed by Lionblaze. They fell silent, waiting for Firestar's instructions. — What brings you to me? — Firestar looked at the cats with interest. — Hollyleaf... She… She's gone mad. She attacked me yesterday on my way back from Moonpool. But I was lucky to have Lionblaze with me, he… saved me, — Sparrow began to speak. — At Moonpool, a common prophecy came to us, the medicines of all the Clans: «Beware, Clanes! A dark, fearsome warrior is coming. He will spill much foreign blood! But only one cat from the ThunderClan will be able to pacify him», — the medicine ighed, pausing briefly in his speech. — And in the night, Leafpool came to sleep, saying: — «From now on, as long as Hollyleaf lives in your forest… you must go in groups! Don't leave the camp alone! That way you have a better chance of survival», — The medicine fell silent for a while. — And also… Firestar… Remember the kitten that was brutally mauled? It was all Hollyfawn's fault… I smelled her scent on the baby's body! Firestar pondered for quite a long time everything that Jayfeather had told him. Finally, after thinking, he turned to the cats. — I think we need to gather the Clan and warn them about Hollyleaf... Thank you, Jayfeather, for this valuable information! And thank you, Lionblaze, for saving Jayfeather! I'll have a meeting soon, — Nodding to the cats, Firestar went into his thoughts. Jayfeather and Lionblaze emerged from the leader's den, wandering around the camp expectantly. «What will he say? What will the clan’s reaction be to Hollyleaf?» — the medicine thought. A moment later, Firestar looked out from his cave. His fur shimmered brightly in the rays of the early morning sun. The leader quickly ran up to Brambleclaw and began to whisper something to him. The deputy was a little taken aback, but then came to his senses when Firestar had already begun to approach the cornice. — Let all the cats who are able to hunt on their own gather under the Stone Cornice! — the leader exclaimed loudly. Instantly the Clan began to bustle: the cats began to gather around Firestar. Everyone wanted to sit in the front row, however, not everyone had enough space, which is why the cats pressed tightly against each other, occasionally pushing each other. Firestar, not paying much attention to this, sighed as he began to speak. — Thundercats! From this day forward, you should not go into the forest alone. Go in groups! You probably remember what Hollyleaf did… — Firestar stopped slightly. At the mention of her name, some cats began to growl and hiss. —Recently, she started… Killing cats, — the leader’s last words were not easy. — Therefore, I forbid you to go into the forest alone! Even the most experienced warriors. We don't know what to expect from Hollyleaf… After the leader finished his speech, the Clan fell silent. Everyone was in complete shock, clearly not expecting such a statement from Firestar. Suddenly Graystripe emerged from the crowd, looking thoughtfully at the leader. — Firestar, but how did this even happen? Hollyleaf is Thundercat! — the cat said, emphasizing the last words. The leader was greatly taken aback. He didn't know how to answer this, because he couldn't believe it himself. — Greystripe, I don’t know… — Firestar muttered quietly. — But I know that we definitely need to beware of her! Here Brambleclaw intervened. — Beware of some young, crazed warrior? — Deputy looked at the leader with interest. — That's something, but I didn't expect this! — You were right about the crazed, —Firestar began. — The day before, Hollyleaf attacked Jayfeather. Fortunately, he was lucky that Lionblaze was with him... That’s why it’s important to go in a group now, you know?! — the leader looked at all his cats. — Okay, Firestar. So be it, — Brambleclaw nodded in agreement. — The meeting is over! — the leader exclaimed loudly. The cats slowly dispersed. It was a bright morning, so the Clan divided the responsibilities for the day. Firestar found Jayfeather among the crowd of cats, and gradually began to turn to him. He heard footsteps and turned sharply towards the leader. — Jayfeather! — Firestar exclaimed. — if you suddenly decide to go into the forest for herbs, or go to a meeting of medicines, to take a warrior with you! That suddenly something will be wrong. Since Hollyleaf attacked you the first time, she won't be afraid to do it a second time! — The leader said slightly frightened. — Okay, Firestar. That’s what I’ll do, — the medicine answered briefly. — Besides… There’s a meeting of the Clans coming soon, — the leader began again. — We should probably tell the Clans about Hollyleaf... — Firestar, but they already know everything! — Sparrow instantly blurted out. — Exactly. But I think it's better to warn them. Suddenly something happens… — Firestar whispered strangely.

***

How is Hollyleaf living?

The black cat settled in a cave located between the territory of both ThunderClan and the territory of the WindClan. This secluded place was covered with small and dark bushes, hiding Hollyleaf's secret lair. A cat, peeking out from the bushes, could be sure that it would remain unnoticed: it's skin blended with the color of the greenery, so it could easily set up ambushes. Just like this time…

***

Nighttime.

Hollyleaf peeked out from her hiding place. Her stomach suddenly began to growl treacherously: that’s for sure. She hasn't eaten anything at all for several days! She urgently needs to look for food. Hollyleaf saw a kitten jumping merrily on the grass. Soon she saw kitten's mother, walking behind this kitten. Hollyleaf got into a fighting stance. With her eyes she follows the cat and the kitten, and now, a jump… She jumped straight onto a small, defenseless kitten... He immediately went limp under her massive body. The kitten, without even realizing what happened, without living a happy, long life, died at such an early age. This kitten's mother was very shocked. Suddenly realizing what had happened, she lashed out furiously at Hollyleaf. — NOOO! MY SON… HOW DARE YOU ATTACK HIM?! — she creamed, furiously lashing Hollyleaf with her claws. At this statement, Hollyleaf just grinned and also began to attack. Many blows took place. Cat, the mother of the kitten that died from Hollyleaf's paws, is already fighting with all her remaining strength, while Hollyleaf is doing very well: she is ready to fight even all night! The cat was exhausted, barely bouncing away from Hollyleaf. She looked at her with horror, afraid of what she could do to her… Hollyleaf, her eyes sparkling, approached the cat. But suddenly, her hunger made itself felt… Hollyleaf turned to the dead kit and quickly ran up to it. Having ripped open his belly, she bent down to his body and began to eat his insides, licking his fresh, young blood. The kitten's mother looked at all this with horror. She screamed for a long time, begged for mercy, but… Not fate. Hollyleaf, having finished her snack, returned to the cat. Grunting slyly, she began to seem to her as if the cat could not move due to severe depletion of energy. Hollyleaf approached the cat and whispered in her ear: — You shouldn’t have come here. In vain… This will happen to everyone! Hollyleaf bit her throat. Blood began to flow from the throat in a stream, and the cat was shaking deathly. Her fur slowly moved, her eyes rolled in their sockets. But then a moment later the cat stopped shaking. She died. Just like her kitten. Hollyleaf thought about what had happened for a long time...