Omen of the Sun Book Three: Dusk

Chapter Sixteen

Cinderstorm

The moon shine brightly down on the cats of the Gathering as CloudClan made their way in. It looked as it always did these days, with cats tightly packed together within their own Clans, cats barely moving around to the others. Cinderstorm felt a shiver go down her spine as Applestar moved over to the huge pile of rocks that the four other leaders stood on, leaving the Clan alone.

Cinderstorm padded over to an empty corner, knowing Sunpool was behind her. "Okay," she mewed quietly. "We need to find Yellowpaw."

"What does she look like?" Sunpool asked, matching her quiet tone.

"She's really slim, and has bright golden fur, like the reflection of sun on water," Cinderstorm replied, looking for the base of the pile of rocks where the leaders sat. The medicine cats would be at the bottom. "I can't see- oh, wait! She's over there."

"Where?" Sunpool demanded, stretching her neck so high Cinderstorm was sure someone would see her. She smacked Sunpool with her tail.

"Put your neck down!"

Sunpool lowered her neck but kept looking. "I still can't see her," she declared.

"Oh, for-" Cinderstorm started, then stood.

Behind them was a bit of covering, because they were right next to HollyClan territory. If they were fast, they could sneak around and call to Yellowpaw.

"Okay. Follow me," Cinderstorm demanded. She plunged into the forest of HollyClan, hoping Sunpool would have the sense to follow. She heard her friend behind her and sighed internally.

"Alright," Cinderstorm mewed, "Yellowpaw is over there." She flicked her tail to where the small, golden apprentice was sitting, her back to the trees.

"I see her," Sunpool confirmed. "So, what's the plan?"

Cinderstorm realized that in the past few moons that Sunpool had come, she had learned to rely on the silver tabby for leadership. Usually, she was the one with the plan, and Cinderstorm was just the one helping her carry them out. Now, she was the leader, the one with the plan. It was like walking in the dark.

Fortunately, she had very good night vision.

"Alright," she said. "The plan is, I go behind her, and get her attention in some way. She comes to talk - we're sort of friends - and we discuss the plan."

"Got it." Sunpool looked a bit troubled, though. "What about me?"

"You're a convincing cat," Cinderstorm replied without hesitation. "You're there to help me convince her."

Sunpool nodded. "Then let's go in."

-=-

They snook around the back of the Rock Pile. Cinderstorm heard the leaders begin talking, but didn't pay attention.

Soon, they were right behind Yellowpaw. Cinderstorm looked around carefully. Is anyone watching? All of the cats' attentions were focused on the leaders. Cheetahstar was speaking now. "...We have one new warrior: Oakpaw has become Oakfrost."

A cheer rose from FlowerClan, and Cinderstorm seized the moment. She reached out a paw and jabbed Yellowpaw in the back, hard, to make sure she would pay attention.

"H- Ow!" Yellowpaw complained, turning. "Who was- Cinderstorm?"

"Shh!" Cinderstorm hissed. "Come here. I need to talk to you."

"What about?" Yellowpaw inquired suspiciously.

"StarClan," Cinderstorm replied, knowing that this would get the apprentice's attention.

"Alright," Yellowpaw meowed, and stood. Instead of joining them, she padded over to her mentor, Budfur, and whispered something to him. He nodded, and she turned and came to Cinderstorm and Sunpool.

"Alright," Yellowpaw began. "What do you want? And who are you?" The last question was directed at Sunpool.

Sunpool dipped her head repectfully. "I'm Sunpool, Cinderstorm's friend. You're Yellowpaw?"

"Yellowheart," Yellowheart corrected. "And Sunpool? As in the Sun who joined the Clans a few moons ago?"

"Yes," Sunpool mewed, politely, but allowing some warning to creep into her tone. The message was clear. That's all I am going to tell you.

"Okay," Cinderstorm intervened. "I have a question. Would you be willing to help us talk to StarClan?"

The bluntness seemed to startle Yellowheart. "T-talk to StarClan?" She repeated, incredulous. "I- why?"

Cinderstorm mentally groaned, but answered the question. "We need to speak with StarClan. You know that Brambleflower cat? Well, she came to our Clan and... well, we don't think she told the whole truth. There's some things we need to know."

"So why can't your medicine cat do it?" Yellowheart asked.

"Because," Cinderstorm said, tight-lipped, "we don't have a medicine cat."

Sunpool gasped and smacked Cinderstorm with her tail. "Cinderstorm!" she hissed.

Yellowheart looked genuinely surprised. "What happened to Cloverfur? I knew she wasn't here tonight, but I just assumed that she was sick, or something. What happened?"

"Well..." Cinderstorm mewed hesitantly. "She kind of... isn't coming out of her den. We haven't seen her in a while. And she's been reacting badly since Brambleflower. She was accused of training in the Dark Forest. And while I doubt that's true-"

"Oh, it is," Sunpool growled mutinously.

As one, Yellowheart and Cinderstorm turned to look at Sunpool. The silver she-cat's eyes widened, and she muttered a curse under her breath. "Great."

"How did you know that she does?" Yellowheart inquired. Her tone was polite but cold.

"I..." Sunpool mewed, at a loss for words. Probably for the first time in her life, Cinderstorm added to herself.

Yellowheart sighed. "Never mind. Alright. I- I'll help you. But I want something in return."

"What do you want?" Cinderstorm asked warily, mentally reproaching herself. Why hadn't she seen that coming? She knew Yellowheart well enough. She should have expected she would want something in return.

"Alright," Yellowfur mewed. She glanced over at the Gathering, which was still going on. "It's Oakfrost."

"Him?" Sunpool asked. Her tone sounded different; tighter, like she was having a high emotional count. Cinderstorm looked at her, but Sunpool motioned for her not to ask. Cinderstorm shrugged and turned back to Yellowheart. "What do you want us to do?"

"I need you to convince him to come along," Yellowheart mewed. "He's... well, he needs to see StarClan, too."

"Why?" Sunpool asked.

"Because..." Yellowheart meowed, glancing around. "Well, he's gone insane."

And on that happy note...

AND WHO FELL FOR IT

IT'S AN APRIL FOOL'S DAY THING

DON'T WORRY I AIN'T LEAVING

OH NO NOT AT ALL

:)

AND YASS UPDATES

~RAINFEATHER