**OLD** Valley Cats: Of Sky and Stone 1- Daughters and Darkness

Chapter Seventeen

 "How are Basilpaw and Parsleypaw? Have they become warriors yet?" Mango lifted his head suddenly, his voice lightening.

 "They're warriors now. Basilfang is mentoring an apprentice called Lilypaw. I think she's going to be a warrior soon, though. And Parsleyshade is mentoring my brother, Brightpaw." Twisterpaw recalled. "Oh, and Poppystar got a new apprentice yesterday. His name is Sparrowpaw."

 The ginger tom smiled slightly. "Are they happy?"

 "They're the happiest cats I know." Twisterpaw assured him. Then, a thought crossed her mind. "You mentioned Flickerfur? I was actually named after him, you know. I think he was Nightfeather's father, right?"

 "Ah, yes! Your pelt does resemble his. Who are your parents?" Mango tilted his head, his yellow eyes catching the orange light.

 "Brightspirit is my mother, and I don't know much about my father. His name was Darkcloud." Twisterpaw informed him.

 "Ah, Snowspirit! That's Pansypool's eldest daughter. But Darkcloud..." Mango trailed off, his eyes narrowing. "I told Pansypool that tom wasn't right for her daughter. He was too... aggressive."

 Twisterpaw shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. "What did he do?" she asked, not sure if she wanted to hear an answer.

 "Oh, he was a kit when I left. What did he do?"

 "That's the thing. He was exiled and no-one talks about it. I don't know why."

 There was a silence as Mango straightened up, slowly curling his tail around his paws. He yawned hugely, showing broken and yellow teeth. The black-and-white she-cat awkwardly looked away, glancing over at the slumbering Pumpkin. "So, you're her grandfather?" she prompted, changing the subject.

 "Ah, yes. Her mother were struck by a monster when she was barely a few days old. And her father, my son, was slain by the dog across the street. I was going to raise her with my mate, but he passed away last spring." Mango said solemnly. "It's been hard, but she's brought major joy into my life." he seemed to perk up as he mentioned the kit. He pricked his ears forwards, staring intensely at Twisterpaw.

 "Are you going to visit and bring us news of the Clans?" Mango asked hopefully, leaning forwards.

 "Of course I will! It would be my honor." the apprentice practically beamed.

 The rain was deafening, pounding on the roof of the apprentices' den. Water dripped down on the cats inside, who huddled together for warmth. Twisterpaw buried her face deeper into Galepaw's fur, wishing bitterly that Brightkit was here to shield her from the icy droplets that dripped down from the roof. 

 It had been almost two moons since her brother had been banished to the nursery. Now, the weather was warming up considerably, sending storms like these to ravage the valley. All apprentices were wide awake, unable to doze off as the new-leaf weather raged outside. The rain, wind,  and unpleasant leaks in the den were constantly bringing them out of their light slumber.

 Twisterpaw lay awake, staring at the roof. She had long forgotten any anger she held towards the white tom- now, she missed him miserably. She had never before appreciated his cheerful comments or comedic suffering as she did now, as her mind wandered to pleasant memories while she stared up at the woven pine needles.

 "Are you awake?" Galepaw whispered from beside her.

 "No. I'm asleep." Twisterpaw said sarcastically. Who could sleep through a storm like this?

 "Have you seen Magpiepaw?" the gray tabby tom asked.

 "No. Have you?"

 "She left for the dusk patrol and didn't come back. Do you think she got lost? Or hurt?" Galepaw fretted.