The Raging Storm

Bramblestar was already scrambling down the tumble of rocks. Tiny stones cracked beneath his paws and showered the clearing. Lionblaze stopped in front of him and nodded toward the SkyClan patrol. “We met them at the border.”

As the ThunderClan leader dipped his head to Hawkwing, Jayfeather padded from the medicine den, his nose twitching hopefully. Was he expecting to hear news of Alderheart? Twigbranch knew he’d been worried about him. Jayfeather’s blind blue gaze rested on the SkyClan patrol for a moment; then he turned back inside.

Outside the warriors’ den, Poppyfrost peered past Bumblestripe and Molewhisker.

Cinderheart narrowed her eyes. “Why is Finleap with them? I thought he was training Snappaw today.”

Graystripe poked his head out of the elders’ den.

“Who is it?” Millie called from inside.

“SkyClan has sent a patrol,” Graystripe called back.

“What?” Millie sounded irritable. “I can’t hear you.”

Rolling his eyes, Graystripe headed back inside.

Hawkwing met Bramblestar’s gaze evenly. “One of your warriors showed up in our camp without permission.”

Bramblestar’s hackles lifted. “Who?”

Hawkwing nodded at Finleap. Sharply, Sagenose nudged the warrior forward with his muzzle. Finleap padded miserably across the clearing as Hawkwing went on. “Did you send him to spy?”

Finleap jerked his head up. “I wasn’t spy—”

“You’re already in trouble.” Hawkwing flashed him an angry look. “Don’t make it worse for yourself.”

Twigbranch’s heart twisted as Finleap flinched. Why was Hawkwing being so hard on him? He had known him since he was a kit. They’d been Clanmates. How could he ever believe Finleap would spy on his former Clan? She glanced at Sagenose and Macgyver. They were standing stiffly, their gazes hard. They looked defensive, as though they were facing a battle patrol, not a peaceful Clan. Had something happened in SkyClan that had put them on edge? She looked furtively at Violetshine. Her sister was as still as a rock, her gaze fixed on Hawkwing.

Bramblestar lifted his chin. “If Finleap came to SkyClan, he did it without my knowledge or permission. I would not send a spy to your camp, and certainly not Finleap. Finleap doesn’t have a dishonest whisker on his muzzle. And he certainly would never betray anyone, let alone his former Clanmates.”

Finleap widened his eyes, as though surprised by Bramblestar’s praise. Hawkwing nodded, his ruffled pelt smoothing at last. He knows Bramblestar is telling the truth. Relief swamped Twigbranch. Whatever is troubling SkyClan, he knows that Finleap is a good cat.

Bramblestar looked sternly at Finleap. “When did you leave?”

“Last night.” Finleap stared at his paws.

“Last night?” His gaze flicked accusingly toward Twigbranch. She shrank beneath her pelt. He must have guessed that she’d known Finleap was missing.

“I was going to come back straight away, but Leafstar wouldn’t let me leave,” Finleap mumbled.

“Don’t blame Leafstar for your mistake,” Bramblestar snapped. “You shouldn’t have crossed the border without permission, let alone gone into another Clan’s camp.”

“I’m sorry.” Finleap’s shoulders sagged.

Bramblestar frowned. “I’m surprised no cat reported you missing.”

Twigbranch dropped her gaze guiltily.

“It’s all my fault,” Finleap meowed quickly. “I had to see Reedclaw. I’d heard she was sick and I was worried about her. I’m really sorry.”

Bramblestar didn’t move. His gaze was stern. “It’s natural that you miss your kin. But it’s no excuse for sneaking around behind your Clanmates’ backs. We have to be able to trust you, and we need to know you’re safe. You will clean out the elders’ den for the next moon. And Twigbranch can help you. She should have reported you missing as soon as she knew. You might have been in danger.”

Twigbranch’s ears grew hot as her Clanmates glanced at her.

“Did you know he was leaving?” Violetshine whispered.

“I knew he wanted to see Reedclaw,” Twigbranch whispered back. “But I didn’t think he would go without telling any cat. I guess I should have reported him when I saw he was gone, but I didn’t want to get him in trouble.”

Violetshine nudged Twigbranch’s shoulder with her nose. “You must love him a lot.”

Twigbranch shifted her paws self-consciously. “I guess.”

“Why didn’t you come with him? You could have visited me and Hawkwing.”

Guilt pricked through Twigbranch’s pelt. “I didn’t want to break the rules. I’ve got an apprentice now; I can’t act like a kit anymore. I’ve got responsibilities here.” She glanced at her paws. “Besides, he didn’t ask me,” she added ruefully. She glanced at Finleap. Would she have gone if he had?

Violetshine’s pelt brushed hers. “We still miss you.”

“I miss you too.” Twigbranch leaned closer.

“Violetshine!” Hawkwing called across the clearing. “We’re leaving now.”