Night Whispers

“If you hunt it now,” the ThunderClan leader had reasoned, “the other warriors will feel cheated of a chance to protect their Clan. If you wait, they’re more likely to believe you came across it by accident.”

Cinderheart rolled onto her back, ears twitching as though she was dreaming. The gray fur of her belly looked downy and warm. Lionblaze felt a sudden pang of guilt. She had no idea about his special powers. He hadn’t told her about the prophecy. Now that they’d grown so close, it seemed like lying to keep it from her. But how could he tell her? Their love felt strong, but could it survive the truth?

Lionblaze pushed away the worry and breathed in her warm, sleepy scent. I’ll drive this fox out for you, Cinderheart, so that you can hunt safely all leaf-bare. He brushed his tail gently over her as he crept to the den entrance. A fresh layer of snow had fallen, and the clearing had the smoothness of water, ruffled only by the tracks of the dawn patrol. The sky showed pink above the hollow, and soft light filtered down into camp.

Lionblaze slid out of the den. Firestar was standing on Highledge, gazing over the empty clearing. He narrowed his eyes when he saw Lionblaze, then nodded. Lionblaze flicked his tail and hurried to the apprentices’ den. “Dovepaw!”

His call was barely a whisper, but a moment later the ferns rustled and the gray apprentice pushed her way out.

“Training already?” She stretched with her front paws until her belly dented the snow.

“We have a special mission.”

Dovepaw straightened. “Is Jayfeather coming with us?”

“We don’t need his powers for this.” I don’t need yours, either.

He headed out of camp, Dovepaw scampering after him.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.”

“Do you need me to listen for something?”

“No.” He wasn’t in the mood for questions. He should have done this last night and done it alone. He marched along a well-worn trail, his thoughts on the fox. Dovepaw spoke again, but he didn’t listen. Lionblaze was picturing the fox whirling wildly in the camp, snapping at Ferncloud, lashing Daisy with its tail. Rage boiled in his blood. How dare it threaten his Clanmates?

A gray pelt blocked his path. “Where are we going?” Dovepaw’s frustrated mew made him stop.

“I’m going to chase away the fox.” He pushed past her and pressed on.

She bounded along beside him. “Just us?”

“Just me. Firestar said I had to bring you to fetch help if I got hurt.”

“Firestar knows about this?” Dovepaw sounded surprised.

“Why shouldn’t he?” Lionblaze bristled. “He’s Clan leader. And he knows about my powers. He knows I won’t get hurt.”

“But this isn’t what we were given our powers for!”

Lionblaze halted and stared at Dovepaw. “You think we should stand by and let a fox terrorize our Clanmates?”

“I didn’t mean that.” Dovepaw stood her ground. “I mean other Clans deal with foxes without special powers. Why do something alone that a patrol of ordinary warriors could do?” There was something wistful in the way she mewed ordinary.

“It’ll be easier this way,” Lionblaze promised. “And no one will get hurt.”

Dovepaw turned away. “It just seems wrong, that’s all. Like cheating.” She followed the trail around a sprawling patch of ivy.

“Cheating?” Lionblaze hurried after her. “How can it be cheating to use the powers we’ve been given to protect our Clan?”

Dovepaw carried on walking. “In a Clan, everyone looks after one another. It’s what binds us together. If you can do the duties of every other warrior, what’s the point?”

“The point is I won’t get hurt and they might.”

“I’m sure Thornclaw and Dustpelt would be happy to know that they can move straight into the elders’ den. Clearly they’re not needed now that the Clan has you.”

“For StarClan’s sake!” Lionblaze growled. “Why are you making this so difficult?”

“I’m just saying what I think. Or isn’t that allowed anymore? Does only your opinion count?”

“You know I don’t think that.” Lionblaze was surprised to hear Dovepaw sound so fierce. “I’m just being practical. This way, the fox will be gone, and no one will get hurt.”

Dovepaw flicked her tail. “I just wish you felt the same way about Ivypaw.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you told her to stop visiting the Dark Forest yet?”

“Jayfeather thinks we should wait.”

“For what? Until she wakes up with an injury so bad everyone in the Clan will notice it?”

Lionblaze halted. “Look,” he began. “Jayfeather thinks that if we watch her, we might learn how the Dark Forest warriors are training their recruits.”

Dovepaw tipped her head to one side and stared at him. “Why don’t you just ask her?”

“Would she tell us?”

“Of course she would!” Dovepaw snapped. “She doesn’t know they’re using her. She thinks she’s being trained to be a great warrior.”