The Fading Sky

Chapter 3

Stempaw lowered herself into the hunter's crouch. She stealthily crept across the forest floor and suddenly, she sprang. The starling's wings fluttered as it tried to escape her, but Stempaw quickly delivered the killing bite before it could fly away.

Her mentor Yellowtail slithered up beside her. "Great catch!" she praised.

"Thanks!" Stempaw purred. She liked Yellowtail. She was the best mentor in the universe.

A rustle in the brush sounded from behind them. Both she-cats twisted around to find a gray tabby tom with prominent stripes emerging from the bracken.

Yellowtail looked surprised to see the newcomer. "Tabbysky? What are you doing on TalonClan territory?" The fur along her spine lifted and began to bristle.

Stempaw gasped silently. Tabbysky? Wow, he looks so different at Gatherings! I barely recognize him! But what is another Clan's leader doing here? The apprentice narrowed her eyes and bared her teeth.

"I come in peace!" Tabbysky announced. "I have news about Drizzlestorm. He has not yet returned from his trip to the Moontree, has he?"

Yellowtail hesitated before shaking her head.

Stempaw's confusion over took her. Isn't he Drizzlesky, not Drizzlestorm? He should have his nine lives and name, since Embersky died and he went to the Moontree. "Why are you calling him Drizzlestorm when he should be called Drizzlesky? He got his nine lives, right?"

Yellowtail's green eyes flashed with alarm. Oops. She had revealed to much to another Clan's leader.

Tabbysky's eyes flooded with grief. "Don't worry, Yellowtail and er, Stempaw, right?"

Stempaw nodded.

"I already know that Embersky is dead," he went on. "You have my condolences. I mourn him as any cat. Now, I must see Flowerheart, for she is the highest ranking cat in your camp."

Yellowtail slowly nodded. "I'll lead the way. Stempaw, grab your starling."

Stempaw picked up the fresh-kill in her mouth and followed her mentor in the direction of camp. They arrived shortly after sunhigh. Her Clanmates started chatting excitedly when they saw Tabbysky.

"Flowerheart's den is over there," Yellowtail meowed, motioning with her tail.

Tabbysky dipped his head respectfully. "Thank you." He disappeared into the medicine cats den.

Yellowtail turned to face Stempaw. "Go eat that starling of yours. You've earned it. But next time, don't tell other clan leaders about our weaknesses."

"Sorry," Stempaw mewed. She padded away to sit by the apprentice den. She set her starling down, but before she could eat it, the prey was swatted away by a dark gray paw.

"Hey, Daisypaw!" sneered Stormypaw. "Look at this starling Stempaw brought." He lowered his chin to take a bite.

"Give it back!" Fauxpaw protested. "He snatched the starling from Stormypaw and Daisypaw and left it in front of Stempaw.

"Thanks," she mewed. "Want to share it?"

"Sure!" Fauxpaw said cheerfully. "I'm so hungry I could eat a fox! And ignore those two." He tilted his ears at Stormypaw and Daisypaw.

"I will," she replied, though they both knew it was a lie. They ate the starling and sunned themselves until Stempaw saw Flowerheart leap onto the Highcave and call a Clan meeting.

The medicine cat was trembling as she spoke. "I have some bad news to share!" She announced. "Drizzlestorm is dead!"