The Raging Storm

Flypaw sat up and licked her lips. “Perhaps, when SkyClan sees how bad the weather is, they’ll come back.”

Twigbranch glanced at her. Would the storm make Leafstar rethink her decision to leave? Her paws pricked. It might be enough to make the SkyClan leader realize that her Clan belonged beside the lake. “We could go after them.” She looked at Tree. “We could make her change her mind.”

“How?” Tree narrowed his eyes. “SkyClan still doesn’t have a home beside the lake.”

“Look at the storm,” Twigbranch pressed. “Surely now the other leaders will see that SkyClan needs to live here. I bet RiverClan territory is already starting to flood. Mistystar must be wondering if she made the right decision. All the leaders have to change their minds if the rain keeps getting worse. Perhaps they’ll realize they have to share some of their land.”

Tree looked unconvinced. “The weather might not be enough to make them change their minds. They were pretty stubborn at the Gathering, despite the vision.”

“We need other cats to speak out. There must be cats in every Clan who are worried about the vision and want SkyClan to stay.”

“Plumpaw and Eaglepaw think SkyClan should have stayed,” Flypaw told them. “So do Dapplepaw and Harepaw in RiverClan. It’s only the leaders who want them gone.”

Hope surged in Twigbranch’s chest. “If we can persuade cats in every Clan to speak out, we could get the leaders to change their minds.”

Tree tipped his head. “It’s no use convincing the other leaders until we’ve convinced Leafstar.”

“Surely she’ll see sense?” Twigbranch pictured SkyClan trudging though the pouring rain.

Flypaw looked thoughtful. “We could take cats from each Clan to find SkyClan and persuade them that we want them beside the lake.”

Twigbranch nodded eagerly. “And when we’ve brought them back, we can persuade the other Clans to let them stay.”

Tree looked thoughtful. “I guess if enough cats support SkyClan, the leaders will have to change their minds.”

Twigbranch purred. For the first time in days, she felt hopeful. Hawkwing and Violetshine could return to the lake and the Clans would be safe. “This is going to be great,” she mewed. “But there’s one thing I have to do first.”

Tree looked at her. “What?”

“I’m going to do this the right way.” Twigbranch puffed out her chest. “I’m not running off like a newleaf hare this time. I’m going to go to Bramblestar and tell him about our plan. I’m going to ask for his permission.”

CHAPTER 18

Violetshine padded after her Clanmates, her head bowed against the driving rain. Her ears were flat against her head and her eyes narrowed. She’d felt nauseous since she woke this morning. The sodden mouse Hawkwing had brought her had just made her feel worse. She’d lost track of how long they’d been traveling and hardly glanced along the trail anymore. Sparrowpelt had slowed them down at first, but he was recovering, and they’d picked up speed despite the weather.

Her Clanmates didn’t seem much happier. She was aware of them trudging around her, their pelts slick against their frames as they pushed onward.

Harrybrook grumbled behind her. “If it gets any wetter, we’re going to drown.”

“We should find shelter,” Plumwillow called out.

“We’ll find shelter at the gorge,” Leafstar yowled from the head of the group.

Irritation jabbed Violetshine’s belly. Did Leafstar even remember the route to the gorge? They’d been walking for days, the weather worsening with each new dawn, and still Leafstar couldn’t tell them how much longer they’d be traveling. No cat complained. They simply followed Leafstar without question. Because they’re leaving less behind, she thought resentfully. The pain in her chest hardened. She might never see Twigbranch again. And Tree. Her paws grew heavier. If only he’d come. This journey would be an adventure they’d share together. She would hardly feel the rain if he were beside her.

“Can we explore the trail up ahead?” Sunnypaw’s mew cut into her thoughts. The ginger she-cat was looking eagerly at Plumwillow, while the other apprentices were turning to their mentors.

“I suppose that would be okay,” Plumwillow purred.

When all the mentors nodded, the apprentices raced ahead.

“Don’t go far!” Sagenose called as they disappeared around jutting rocks that marked a bend in the trail.