Night Whispers

Ivypaw bounced toward them. “We showed it, didn’t we?”

Dovepaw trailed after. “I should have heard it sooner.” The words caught in her throat.

“You were hunting,” Lionblaze told her. “You’re good, but you can’t be expected to hear everything.” But he wasn’t sure that was the truth. Perhaps Dovepaw shouldn’t hunt. Perhaps she should concentrate on using her powers to look out for danger.

Ivypaw faced her sister, scowling. “Why should you have heard it?” she demanded. “We were the farthest from the hollow! Why do you have to act like you’re special all the time?”

Cinderheart flinched.

Lionblaze lashed his tail, angry with himself. Why had he praised Dovepaw in front of Ivypaw? “Don’t quarrel,” he pleaded.

The thorns rattled, snapped stems dropping, as Firestar raced into camp. Thornclaw and Sandstorm followed with Graystripe. The ThunderClan leader held a starling in his jaws. He dropped it and looked around the hollow. “Is everyone okay? Are the dens damaged?”

“The thorn barrier got the worst of it,” Brambleclaw reported.

Sandstorm was already at the nursery entrance comforting Ferncloud. “The kits are safe. You did well.”

Jayfeather was wrapping one of Foxleap’s paws in a comfrey leaf.

“Are you hurt?” Firestar asked the young warrior.

Jayfeather answered for him. “Lost a claw, I’m afraid. But it’ll heal.”

Rosepetal gasped and raced across the clearing. “Does it hurt?” she gasped.

Foxleap lifted his chin. “A bit.”

Jayfeather gently let go of Foxleap’s paw. “We were lucky there weren’t more injuries.” He carefully folded a comfrey leaf. “My stores are running low, and if this snow keeps up, I’m not going to be able to restock them.”

Ferncloud whisked her tail anxiously. “What if the kits get coughs?”

“I’ve taken all the new growth I can from my herb patch by the Twoleg nest,” Jayfeather went on. “I can’t risk taking any more, or the plants won’t keep growing. We need to search the forest for fresh supplies.”

Lionblaze tensed. “Will there be any left in this snow?”

“Not if we delay,” Jayfeather warned. “Any leaves that are left will be black and useless before long. We need to gather them now.”

Brightheart bounded forward. “I’ll go,” she offered. “I know what to look for.”

“I’ll help.” Leafpool stepped forward. “I know where to find them.”

“Thank you.” Firestar nodded to Thornclaw and Dustpelt. “Escort them,” he ordered. “Just in case the fox is still around.” He turned to Brambleclaw. “Organize more hunting patrols.” He kicked the starling he’d dropped. “This won’t be enough to feed the Clan.” He padded across the clearing and climbed the rock tumble while Brambleclaw assembled the warriors.

Lionblaze hurried after the ThunderClan leader, ignoring the curious stares of Cinderheart and Dovepaw as he scrambled up to Highledge. “Let me fight the fox,” he begged.

Firestar turned, eyes wide.

“I’ll drive it from our territory once and for all.” Lionblaze returned Firestar’s green gaze unblinkingly. “You know I won’t get hurt.”

Firestar sat down.

“It would mean we can hunt safely,” Lionblaze pressed.

Firestar frowned. “Are you sure you won’t get hurt?” His eyes darkened. “Just because you haven’t been wounded yet doesn’t prove you can’t be. Why risk your life over a fox when we know there are more dangerous enemies waiting in the shadows?”

“It’s going to be a hard leaf-bare,” Lionblaze reasoned. “Why make it harder by sharing what little prey we have with a fox?”

“And how will you explain to your Clanmates that you drove away a fox single-pawed?” Firestar queried. “I thought you wanted to keep your powers secret.”

“They won’t know,” Lionblaze argued. “I can tell them that I took the fox by surprise. That winning the fight was just lucky. I’ll say that it was already injured after attacking the camp.”

Firestar wrapped his tail over his paws. “Okay,” he agreed. “But take Dovepaw with you.”

“Dovepaw?” Lionblaze’s ears twitched. “She might get hurt.”

“Keep her at a distance,” Firestar ordered. “She can run for help if you need it.”

“I won’t need—” Lionblaze bit back his objection. I won’t need help; I know it. He had gotten what he wanted. There was no need to say anything else.

Chapter 13

Lionblaze stretched in his nest. His back brushed Cinderheart’s. She murmured but didn’t wake. Dawn hardly showed through the woven stems of the den. Lionblaze lay still, breathing gently, while shadows stirred around him. Dustpelt yawned and slid out of the den, ready for the first patrol.

Whitewing sat up and reached a paw into Brackenfur’s nest. “It’s time,” she whispered.

The russet warrior grunted and hauled himself to his paws. “Has it snowed again?”

“I haven’t looked yet.” Whitewing picked her way between the nests and ducked out of the den. Snow crunched as she headed across the clearing.

Lionblaze waited for Brackenfur to leave before he sat up. He wished he’d fought the fox last night while its wounds were still fresh and before it had rested. But Firestar had ordered him to wait.