Rising Storm

“Cloudpaw is back,” he announced. He had no idea how Bluestar would react to any news nowadays, so he might as well tell her straight out. “He was in the Twoleg territory beyond the uplands.”

“And he found his way back from there?” asked Bluestar in surprise.

Fireheart shook his head. “Ravenpaw saw him and came to tell me where he was.”

“Ravenpaw?” Confusion flickered in the old cat’s eyes.

“Er…Tigerclaw’s old apprentice,” Fireheart reminded her awkwardly.

“I know who Ravenpaw is!” snapped Bluestar. “What was he doing in ThunderClan territory?”

“He came to tell me about Cloudpaw,” Fireheart repeated.

“Cloudpaw,” echoed Bluestar, tipping her head slightly to one side. “He’s back? Why did he come back?”

“He wanted to rejoin the Clan. The Twolegs took him against his will.”

“So StarClan led him home,” murmured Bluestar.

“Ravenpaw helped,” Fireheart added.

Bluestar stared at the sandy floor of the den. “I thought StarClan wanted Cloudpaw to find a life outside the Clan.” Her voice was thoughtful. “Perhaps I was wrong.” She turned to Fireheart. “Ravenpaw helped you?”

“Yes. He led us to where Cloudpaw was shut in. He even saved us from dogs.”

“What did Ravenpaw say when you told him about Tigerclaw’s treachery?” Bluestar demanded suddenly.

Fireheart was caught off guard by the question. “Well, he…he was shocked, of course,” he stammered.

“But he tried to warn us about him, didn’t he?” Bluestar’s voice sounded full of regret. “I remember now. Why didn’t I listen to him?”

Fireheart struggled to find a way to comfort his leader. “Ravenpaw was just an apprentice then. Every cat admired Tigerclaw. He hid his treachery well.”

Bluestar sighed. “I misjudged Tigerclaw and I misjudged Ravenpaw. I owe him an apology.” She looked up at Fireheart with heavy eyes. “Should I invite him back into the Clan?”

Fireheart shook his head. “Ravenpaw wouldn’t want to come back, Bluestar. We left him in Twoleg territory, where Barley lives,” he explained. “He’s happy there. You were right when you told me he would find a life that suited him better outside the Clan.”

“But I was wrong about Cloudpaw,” Bluestar fretted.

Fireheart felt as if the conversation were getting out of control. “I think Clan life will suit him in the end,” he meowed, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. “But only you can decide whether we should take him back.”

“Why shouldn’t we?”

“Darkstripe thinks Cloudpaw will be drawn back to his kittypet roots,” Fireheart admitted.

“And what do you think?”

Fireheart took a deep breath. “I think Cloudpaw’s time with the Twolegs has taught him that his heart lies in the forest, just as mine does.”

He was relieved to see Bluestar’s eyes brighten. “Very well. He can stay,” she agreed.

“Thanks, Bluestar.” Fireheart knew he should feel more joyful that Cloudpaw had been accepted back into ThunderClan, but his relief was still tinged with doubt. Cloudpaw had fought well against the WindClan patrol, and seemed genuinely pleased to be back in the camp, but how long would this last? Until he got bored with training? Or fed up with catching his own food?

Bluestar went on thoughtfully, “And we should also tell the Clan that if they see Ravenpaw in our territory, they should welcome him as they would a denmate.”

Fireheart dipped his head gratefully. Ravenpaw had made few friends as an apprentice, mainly due to his paralyzing fear of Tigerclaw, but there was no cause for any cat in ThunderClan to hold a grudge against him. “When will you make the announcement about Cloudpaw?” he asked. It would be good for the Clan to see their leader on the Highrock once more.

“You tell them,” Bluestar ordered. A thorn of disappointment pricked at him. Had Bluestar reached the point where she felt unable to address her own Clan? And even though he itched to tell the other cats that Cloudpaw could stay, Fireheart needed the Clan to be certain it was Bluestar’s decision. She had kept to her den for so long and left so much of the daily running of the camp to Fireheart, how could the cats be sure that she had ordered this? If she made the announcement herself, not even Darkstripe could complain.

Fireheart stood in silence, his mind whirling.

“Is something wrong?” Bluestar narrowed her eyes quizzically.

“Perhaps Darkstripe should tell the others,” Fireheart ventured slowly. “After all, he was the one to object.”

The breath caught in Fireheart’s throat as a glimmer of suspicion momentarily clouded Bluestar’s gaze. “You’re becoming shrewd, Fireheart. You’re right. Darkstripe should be the one to spread the news. Send him to me.”

Fireheart searched her expression, wondering if Bluestar had been unnerved by his cunning or the thought of seeing Darkstripe. But her eyes betrayed nothing as he meowed his farewell and backed out of the den.

Darkstripe had not moved. He sat, waiting for Bluestar’s judgment, while the other cats carried on with their duties as usual. The few who remained around the clearing looked up inquisitively as Fireheart walked away from the Highrock.