Chapter 15

Skypaw padded through her territory, her pelt prickling with anxiety. Would her Clan welcome her again? Would Breezestar keep her in the Clan, even after the harsh words Skypaw had said when she had departed?

Skypaw had spent the night in the forest, not sure if she wanted to disturb her Clan while they were sleeping. She had only started toward camp when the sun rose, and light streamed through the forest.

Skypaw sighed in relief as the camp came into view. She slipped through the entrance, heart pounding, wondering what she would find on the other side. Happiness flooded through her as she saw the familiar place.

Palestripe was standing in the center of camp, organizing the day’s patrols. Skypaw’s heart felt ready to burst when she saw her brother Cloudpaw push his way out of the apprentices’ den, yawning. His mentor, Treespring, came out of the warriors’ den to meet him.

So we’re in separate dens now? Skypaw thought with a pang of sadness. She remembered those days in the nursery with her mentor, Shadowleap. She and Cloudpaw had only been five moons old when they had been apprenticed, breaking the warrior code, because their mother, Bladepelt, had died before she had finished nursing them, and there were no other queens in the Clan.

Shadowleap pushed her way out of the warriors’ den. She looked up, somehow precisely meeting Skypaw’s eyes. “Skypaw’s back!” the black she-cat yowled.

The whole Clan seemed to turn toward her to look. Cloudpaw met her gaze and let out a squeal of delight. “Skypaw!”

Skypaw felt her pelt grow hot with embarrassment as one by one, the cats bounded up to her, yowling excitedly. I’d rather face a whole pack of dogs than this! she thought.

Shadowleap padded up to her as the cats cleared and returned to their duties. “Breezestar just lost a life to greencough,” she murmured. “Do you want to go to her den and talk to her?”

Skypaw shook her head. “No, thanks,” she replied. “I’ll talk to her later. What happened when I was gone?”

Shadowleap blinked at her. “Not much…” she murmured. “Oh, yes. Swingpaw and Glidepaw are now Swingtail and Glidewing.”

Skypaw watched her mentor’s eyes glow as she meowed the names and remembered Shadowleap’s relationship with Swingtail. “That’s great,” Skypaw purred, pressing herself against the black she-cat’s side. “Are you officially mates now?” she joked.

Shadowleap’s eyes flashed with surprise. “I guess,” she muttered, clearly uncomfortable.

Skypaw quickly changed the subject. “Um…how’s Cloudpaw doing?” she asked. Better than me, that’s all I know, she answered herself gloomily.

“Great,” Shadowleap replied. “His hunting skills are really well. I’ve been training him with Treespring. I’m so excited to have you back.”

“I’m excited to be back,” Skypaw told her. “Can I go talk with Cloudpaw?” she asked as she spotted her brother frantically rummaging through the fresh-kill pile while Treespring waited impatiently by the camp entrance.

Shadowleap nodded. Skypaw raced toward the fluffy white tom, excitement fizzing beneath her pelt. “Hi, Cloudpaw,” she yowled happily as she reached him.

“Hey, Skypaw!” Cloudpaw purred, rubbing his muzzle against hers. “I’m glad to have you back. We can do training sessions together again! It’ll be so much fun! And did you know I caught this big, fat rabbit the other day…?”

Skypaw listened as her brother babbled on about his hunting skills. Shadowleap must be right–Cloudpaw was becoming a fine hunter. And then what would I be? she wondered. A good fighter? I’m not sure…

“Oh, I have to go,” Cloudpaw mewed apologetically at the same moment Treespring called, “Cloudpaw, you can spend the morning with your sister. I’ll have a talk with Shadowleap.” Cloudpaw gave a bounce of excitement.

“What should we do?” he mewed excitedly. “I could take you on a hunt, or take you to meet Swingtail and Glidewing, or…”

“Actually,” Skypaw cut in, “I was wondering if Bubble made any reappearances.”

Cloudpaw stiffened. “Oh, yes,” he growled dramatically. “When I was out hunting with Treespring, I saw her with a strange black cat.”

Skypaw frowned. “Really? Did you recognize it?”

Cloudpaw shook his head. “No, we just saw it, and then Treespring told me to go back to camp, and it was enough for the day. It’s not fair!” he suddenly wailed. “Why can’t I have permission to rip an enemy’s pelt off?”

Skypaw felt a strange sensation, like she needed to tell Spiralpaw about it. Why? she asked silently. “It’s okay,” she reassured her brother. “Your turn to fight in battle with come soon enough.” Her paws were itching to go straight out of camp, to meet Spiralpaw. If I did, she probably wouldn’t be there, would she? she growled at herself.

“Let’s share this,” Cloudpaw mewed, picking a small shrew from the remains of the fresh-kill pile. “I’m starving.”

Skypaw forced out a mrrow of amusement and crouched down to eat. When the vole was gone, Cloudpaw opened his mouth to tell Skypaw something, but he was cut off when Mudheart padded up from behind him.

“Skypaw, Breezestar wants to see you,” the dark brown warrior told her.

Skypaw just stared at him, her mouth dry. No! her mind was screaming. What would I tell her? When Skypaw didn’t respond, Mudheart mewed, “Skypaw? Breezestar wants to see you. She’s in her den.”

Skypaw finally found her voice and mewed, “Thanks, Mudheart.” with a respectful dip of her head and bounded off to Breezestar’s den.

“Good luck!” Cloudpaw called after her. “Tell me about it when you come back!”

Skypaw stared ahead, her thoughts whirling as she tried to think of something to say to her prickly Clan leader.