Chapter 13

Spiralkit waited at the entrance to the medicine den, her heart beating fast with excitement. Four days had passed since the cat—Skypaw—had brought the herb, which had been comfrey, to Swirlpaw. Since then the tabby apprentice had been healing well, getting stronger every day. Skypaw was so brave to sneak out of her camp at night and come to ThunderClan, Spiralkit thought. I’m so grateful that she had been here. It had also turned out that it was Swirlpaw’s shoulder that had caused her to be unconscious for so long, not her head. But why? Swirlpaw’s mew rang in her head. But why was it her shoulder?

Spiralkit shivered with excitement as the entrance to the medicine den rustled. A gray tabby slid out, followed by a sleek gray-and-white tabby, her fur sparkling in the light.

“Swirlpaw!” Curlpaw leaped down from where she had been waiting anxiously on top of a small boulder. “You’re okay!”

Swirlpaw purred and rubbed her muzzle against her sister’s. “How are you feeling?” Curlpaw asked anxiously.

Swirlpaw blinked at the gray-and-white apprentice. “I’m fine,” she replied warmly. “Just a bit dizzy, though.” She gave her chest fur a quick lick. “My shoulder’s fine, too, before you ask.”

Curlpaw purred and twined her tail with Swirlpaw’s. Spiralkit smiled as she watched the two sisters, purring happily. I wish me and Crystalkit could be like that, she suddenly thought with a pang of sadness. We haven’t spent time together since that day Swirlpaw got injured…. It had been a while since the young apprentice had gotten injured, but Spiralkit still remembered it as clearly as if it was yesterday.

“Spiralkit.”

The cool but familiar mew startled her, and she whirled around, expecting Flowerstem to come scold her, but she relaxed as she realized it was Crystalkit, but she still remained tense as she meowed, “Crystalkit. What’s up?”

“The sky,” her sister snorted, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. Spiralkit frowned in confusion, and Crystalkit went on, “Anyway, I was here to tell you Stemfall wants us on another walk through the forest. I don’t know what we’re going to do, though.” Her eyes flashed with jealousy as she added coolly, “I hope it’s not climbing trees.”

Spiralkit knew her sister was reflecting back on their last walk. “Don’t worry,” she reassured Crystalkit, giving her ears a swift lick. “You tried your hardest last time. It was just bad luck that I did better than you.”

Crystalkit grunted but didn’t reply. “Just come on.”

They padded across the camp to the entrance. Stemfall, Lightningtail, Sandpaw, and Berrypaw were waiting for them. Stemfall purred as the two kits arrived and licked Crystalkit’s ears. He glanced at Spiralkit warmly, but didn’t do the same for her.

Of course, Spiralkit thought bitterly. My worry for Swirlpaw had been so great that it broke our connection! She relaxed as at least Berrypaw gave her a warm smile. At least Berrypaw’s still glad I’m here.

“Come on,” Stemfall mewed cheerfully. “Let’s go.” He led the group out of camp.

“What are we even doing?” Crystalkit asked.

“Hunting,” her father replied. “Berrypaw and Sandpaw need to practice for their assessment.”

Berrypaw brightened at the mention of his assessment. “Oh, yes!” he exclaimed. “It’s coming up soon! Maybe you’ll be our partners when we do it for real. If you train hard enough,” he added with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Does he think we won’t try hard? Spiralkit thought angrily. Well, if he does, he’s so wrong. I’m going to really try my hardest to be better than Crystalkit!

“Stemfall, how come Sunclaw’s not here?” Berrypaw suddenly asked, his tail twitching. “He’s my mentor; not you.”

Stemfall glanced at him. “He’s busy patrolling,” he answered. “Went on the dawn patrol this morning. Still not back yet.” He flicked his tail across Berrypaw’s back. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to steal your mentor.”

“Why can’t I have a different mentor?” Sandpaw muttered quietly so that only Berrypaw, Spiralkit, and Crystalkit could hear. “Lightningtail’s way too strict.”

“Sandpaw, I can hear you,” Lightningtail snapped ahead of them. “I have ears, you silly furball!”

“See?” Sandpaw whispered more quietly.

Lightningtail snorted, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “If you want to learn to whisper, I’d be happy to teach you that.” Sandpaw ducked her head in embarrassment.

Spiralkit’s breath caught in her throat as they reached the climbing clearing. Why are we practicing climbing here? she wondered. Then her gaze fell on a limp shape already lying in the clearing.

It was Violetblaze.