River Of Fire

“Other cats who are here now did follow Darktail,” the yellow tom reminded her. “But they’ve changed. They’re loyal to you. The time it will take Yarrowleaf to have her kits and wean them will be a chance to test Yarrowleaf and Sleekwhisker—a time for them both to prove their loyalty to SkyClan. When the kits are weaned, they can be invited to join the Clan, or sent on their way with no hard feelings.”

Leafstar flexed her claws, looking torn; Violetshine could see that she would really have preferred to send the two intruders on their way right now. Then she relaxed a little, as if she could see the wisdom of Tree’s words.

While she still hesitated, Frecklewish stepped forward to Leafstar’s side. “Remember what Puddleshine and I told you,” she meowed.

Leafstar faced her medicine cat; unspoken words seemed to flow between them. “I remember,” Leafstar murmured after a moment.

“Oh, please,” Yarrowleaf begged, as if she sensed a softening in the Clan leader’s attitude. “I’ll do anything you ask to prove my loyalty. I just want to be part of a Clan again!”

“So do I,” Sleekwhisker added. “I promise we won’t let you down.”

Leafstar heaved a deep sigh. “Very well. But remember this, Tree,” she went on, swinging around to face the yellow tom. “They’re your responsibility. If they put a paw out of line, guess whose ears I’ll be clawing off.”

Violetshine gasped, then saw that there was a glimmer of amusement in Leafstar’s amber eyes.

“Then claw away, Leafstar,” Tree mewed easily. “But I’m sure it won’t be necessary.”

“Of course, that’s assuming that you’re staying with the Clan,” Leafstar added.

“I’d very much like to,” Tree responded with a glance at Violetshine. “I just need to find my place here.”

Leafstar nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps we just need to get creative . . . ,” she murmured.

With that, the meeting began to break up. Snowbird led Yarrowleaf across the camp to make a nest in the nursery. Frecklewish followed them.

“You’d better go in with the apprentices,” Hawkwing told Sleekwhisker curtly. “You’re not an official SkyClan warrior yet.”

Violetshine thought she caught a flicker of anger in Sleekwhisker’s eyes, but the yellow she-cat bowed her head meekly as she replied, “Of course, Hawkwing.”

“I’ll show you where,” Whorlpaw offered, and led her away.

Violetshine watched, troubled, as they padded toward the apprentices’ den. Hawkwing had taken no part in the debate, and she hadn’t paid much attention to him while it was going on. Now she could see that her father wasn’t happy about the decision—and he wasn’t the only one. Even Tawnypelt looked anxious, speaking to Rowanclaw in hushed tones, their heads close together.

What is happening to my Clan? Violetshine wondered. I thought Leafstar—with Tree’s help—had brought all the cats together. But now look at us. Will we ever be one Clan?

CHAPTER 9

Alderheart padded along the lakeshore, enjoying the shimmer of the full moon on the surface of the water. For once the cloud cover had dwindled, leaving an almost clear sky for the night of the Gathering.

“How are you feeling?” he asked Twigpaw, who was walking at his side.

Twigpaw looked up at him. “Much better, thank you,” she replied. “As soon as Sparkpelt got better from the sickness, she stopped training me with Finpaw. We’re learning advanced skills now. It’s really exciting!”

“That’s great!” Warm approval flowed through Alderheart’s pelt at the thought that his friend was making progress at last. But when he glanced at Twigpaw again, he became aware that her gaze still rested on him, and now there was concern in her eyes.

“Is there any more news about the prophecy?” she asked.

Alderheart shook his head. “No, the last I heard is that ShadowClan is still combined with SkyClan, and RiverClan’s borders are still closed.”

“Isn’t any cat worried about that anymore?” Twigpaw’s expression darkened. “Doesn’t StarClan want there to be five Clans?”

“I believe they do,” Alderheart responded with a sigh. “But there’s nothing we can do without more guidance. We just have to wait and see.”

For a couple of heartbeats he thought that Twigpaw was about to say something else, but before he could ask her if anything was the matter, she gave him a swift nod and bounded forward to join her mentor.

As Alderheart crossed the tree-bridge and pushed his way through the bushes into the center of the island, he looked around in the hope that RiverClan had returned at last. But there was no sign of Mistystar or any of her Clan.

Taking his place with the other medicine cats, Alderheart could see that no cat was surprised that RiverClan hadn’t come, but the mood was somber as Bramblestar, Leafstar, and Harestar leaped up into the branches of the Great Oak.

“Only three now!” some cat whispered close behind Alderheart.