Life of RavenForbidden (discontinued)

Chapter Twelve (Shadows POV)

I padded back to camp with a skip in my step. The memories from last night still felt like a daydream. Shes her Stonetellers To-Be! I couldn't be happier. But... If Ravens now her leaders To-Be, she'll never leave with me. She has responsibilities. I reminded myself sternly.

I slipped as silently through the rock entrance as I could. Unfortunately, the camp was awake. It seemed like no cat was on patrol, which was unusual..

"Stoneteller! No! Father!" The cry of pain sent a shiver through me. Had Stoneteller gotten worse? "Daisy. He's gone." That was Fox. I felt panic rise up in me. Had our leader...? "Shadow." I blinked up at Fox, who stood over me. "Come with me. "I swallowed tears and followed the tom. He led me over to Stonetellers den. As soon as we entered, the sent of death kit me, making me gag. Daisy, Tellers daughter, laid nest to Stoneteller, her eyes closed. I closed my eyes for a moment, wishing I could disappear. I wished to be back with Raven and her jokes. I wished to be out on patrol. I wished to be anywhere but here. But when I opened my eyes, I was still standing in the musky, death-filled den. Fox was standing beside me. His gaze held so many expressions-Grief, determination, fear. I almost laughed out loud. Fox, scared? Of what?

The russet tom nudged me. I tilted my head to look up at him. He nodded over at Daisy. He wanted her out. "Daisy." I whispered, padding delicately over. "Daisy, he's gone."

"No!" The grieving she cat lashed out, eyes shooting daggers. I stumbled back. "Yes." I hissed, this time with more urgency in my voice. "Come on. We must tell Cloud." Cloud that Spots sky is our medicine cat. He would bring Tellers body into the clearing, and put lavender around him, to make it seem like he was sleeping.

I had always thought that was stupid. He's not sleeping! He's dead! Was my tribe really that upset? Cats die; its part of life. We can't hold on to the past forever.

"Finnaly, Daisy arouse. "O-Okay." She sniffed, padding stiffly over to me. I breathed a sigh of relief. Placing my tail on her shoulder to guide her, We padded out into the clearing. "You go round up the tribe." I murmured to her. "I'll get Cloud." The white she cat nodded and raced off, first to the To-Be den. I hurried away before the yelling began.

Clouds den was hidden behind a sycamore tree. It was hard to get to, but well protected. Inside, the sharp smell of a bunch of herbs hit me. The gray tom was sorting through his stock, mumbling to himself. "Cloud!" I snapped, surprising the old tom. "Oh. Shadow. I didn't see you there. What can I do for you?" I gulped. "Lavender. I need lavender. Lots of it." I whispered. "No. Oh, no!" Cloud whispered shakily. "Not now. Why now? The prophecy..." I tried to ignore the old toms blabbering. "Cloud." I meowed urgently. "Lavender." The tom nodded slowly, as if registering the death in his brain. "Yes. Yes, lavender. Rosemary!" He called, glancing over his shoulder at the entrance. A little white she cat, Clouds To-Be, bounced in. "Yes, Cloud?" She purred, smiling warmly at her. I nodded grimly back. "Rosemary. Good. Your here. Take this lavender to the queen. Stoneteller is dead." Cloud instructed the young she cat, who gave me a horrifyed glance. "But, Cloud..." She asked almost hesitantly. "The prophecy.. You said Fox wouldn't be able to-"

"I know what I said!" The medicine cat snapped. "Forget that; take the lavender." He shoved over a pile of the sweet smelling flowers, and hobbled out of the den. Rosemary followed, eyes wide with panic. I came at a slower pace, confused. What prophecy? And what about Fox?

Cold realization hit me. Fox was going to be my tribes new leader. So whatever this prophecy is, Fox won't be able to handle it. I shuddered. What distraction was coming for the tribe now?

"Shadow!" A voice startled me awake. a black tom poked his head into my den. Leaf. "Its time for Tellers vigil." His mew was unusually quiet. I nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Leaf. I'll be right there." I mewed. Leaf ducked away. I laid in my nest for a few more moments, then heaved myself to my paws and shouldered my way through the bramble entrance. A thorn stabbed my ear on the way out, but the pain from the thorn felt like nothing compared to the pain of Stoneteller's death.