The Raging Storm

Leafstar shifted her paws. “I’ve heard from every cat now, both living and dead.” She dipped her head to Tree. “Thank you for your concern, but I can’t risk my Clan on the visions of loners. You don’t truly understand what it means to be a Clan cat. No one voice can be louder than another. Only the good of the Clan counts.” Leafstar turned away and began heading along the shore. Her Clanmates followed, silent now.

Violetshine stopped nervously beside Tree. “Is the dead cat still here?”

“She’s gone.” The yellow tom gazed at her dejectedly.

“I’m sorry Leafstar didn’t listen to you.” If she had, then SkyClan wouldn’t have to leave the lake. Violetshine wouldn’t have to leave Twigbranch.

“The Clans will never listen to me,” Tree murmured. “They don’t want my help.”

“I listen to you!” Alarm flashed through Violetshine’s fur. Was he planning to leave? “I’ll always listen to you. You’re wise and kind and good.”

He blinked at her slowly. “I wish things could have been different. I wish I could have made a place for myself in the Clans. But there’s no role for me here.”

Desperation clawed at her chest as she realized what he was saying. “You could be a warrior. I could train you.”

Tree shook his head. “I have to stay by the lake. The dead cat was so sure we should stay. And besides, I was meant to be a loner. Being with your Clan has made me realize that. There’s no place for me in SkyClan, or any Clan. If SkyClan leaves, it must leave without me.”

Her breath caught in her throat. This was what she’d feared all along. How could she be happy without him? “Don’t you want to be with me?”

“Of course I do.” His gaze was full of warmth. “We belong together. But I can’t be a Clan cat.” He reached his muzzle close to hers. “Why don’t you come and be a loner with me? We don’t need a Clan. We can be happy on our own.”

Violetshine swallowed. She’d been afraid he would suggest that, because she knew she would be tempted to go with him. Should she? The thought of spending every day with Tree thrilled her. But how could she turn her back on her father and her Clan? They meant everything to her. But Tree loved her. Not because she was kin, but because she was special to him. She could see that in the way he was looking at her, his eyes glistening with hope. He wants me to stay so much.

“We could remain by the lake,” Tree went on. “You’d be near Twigbranch and you’d be with me.”

Violetshine wanted to bury her nose in his fur and say yes. She wouldn’t have to leave the lake and abandon her sister, and she’d be able to stay with the cat she loved. But she couldn’t imagine life without Hawkwing. She’d grown up without him; she couldn’t risk losing him again. Not like this.

And she could tell from the claw she could feel in her chest at the thought of turning her back on her Clan, that SkyClan was where she belonged.

She steadied her breath. The patrol was disappearing into the forest. “Come on,” she mewed lightly. “Let’s catch up to the others. It’s late and I’m tired. Maybe Leafstar will decide to stay and we won’t have to make a choice.”

Hurrying past Tree, she followed her Clanmates. Her whiskers trembled. Was Leafstar really going to lead SkyClan away from the lake? I can’t leave Tree and Twigbranch behind. Every hair on her pelt seemed to spark with dread. But I have to! How could she choose? Her only hope now was that Leafstar would decide to stay. As she padded into the forest, she glanced up. Where the canopy met the sky, stars glittered like dewdrops. Please, StarClan, let Leafstar make the right choice.

Violetshine opened her eyes. Dawn light was seeping into the den. She sat up, relieved to feel Tree still snuggled in the nest beside her. They were the last cats left in the den, and she could hear paw steps outside. She nosed him softly. “The Clan is awake.”

Yawning, he got to his paws. “Has Leafstar made her decision?”

“I don’t know.” As Violetshine hopped out of the nest, hope fluttered in her belly. Had Leafstar changed her mind in the night? Would she announce that they would stay and fight for their place beside the lake? She headed out of the den and waited as Tree caught up to her.

Leafstar was already standing in the clearing. Dewspring and Reedclaw huddled close by. Around them, warriors picked their way over the tattered remnants of the torn dens. A cold wind tugged at Violetshine’s fur. She moved closer to Tree as rain began to drip from the branches overhead.

Hawkwing sat at the far edge of the clearing, his paws tucked under his tail, while Sandynose paced beside him. Palepaw, Gravelpaw, and Nectarpaw clustered outside their den, their fur pricking with excitement.

Dewspring leaned closer to Reedclaw. “Are we leaving?”

“Leafstar hasn’t spoken yet,” Reedclaw whispered back.

Frecklewish peered from the shelter of her den, narrowing her eyes against the wind.