Warrior Cats: Sky of Storms

Chapter 3

Mistystar's den was impressively big. In the corner was a moss nest, laid upon a large rock. Next to it was a smaller square rock, with a deep groove in it, and right now it was filled with a small squirrel.

Mistystar picked up the squirrel in her jaws and dropped it at Echokit's feet, but she felt too sick to eat anything, after watching how easily Mudfur had died from Greencough.

Mistystar gave Echokit a long, searching look before beginning to talk.

"I was surprised how much you grieved for Mudfur." She said. "You have only known him for a couple of moons."

Echokit said nothing, the image of Mudfur's limp body still in her head. Mistystar mewed in agreement.

"Mudfur was such a smart and caring cat," Echokit said softly. "He taught me what I know about the Warrior Code, StarClan, and the way the four Clans work."

Mistystar nodded. "He was a gift from StarClan. One of the most amazing medicine cats to ever live in RiverClan." She bowed her head once more, and both cats stood for a couple of moments in silence.

A mew came from outside the den, and Mistystar said, "Enter."

Reedwhisker and Stormfur entered the den, and Echokit began to feel claustrophobic, even though there was plenty of room still left.

"Do we have permission to bury Mudfur?" Reedwhisker asked. Stormfur glanced a sharp look at Echokit before turning away as if he wanted to say something to her but didn't want to in front of the other cats.

Mistystar shook her head. "I must grieve for him and sit vigil for the night."

The two cats nodded and left the den. Mistystar turned to Echokit. "Have you thought about my proposal?"

Echokit took a cautious step back. She really didn't want to do this right now.

But if I don't, Mistystar might kick me out without me even making a decision. She thought desperately.

It took all of her courage to lift her head and look Mistystar in the eye. The Clan leader blinked in surprise at her bravery.

"I have gotten all last night to make a decision, but before I tell you," Echokit took a deep breath. "Tell me what's happening with the water. I heard Hawkfrost and Stormfur saying that the Warrior Falls is running dirty. What does that mean?"

Mistystar hesitated momentarily, then said, "You are smarter than you look, Echokit."

She walked over to her nest, where Echokit noticed for the first time a wall of moss covering part of the den. 

Mistystar moved it aside and sat down, her tail twitching nervously. "Come look at this, Echokit."

She strolled over to Mistystar and sat down next to her. Behind the wall of moss was a small stream, trickling from a hole to the side of the den, and disappearing on another side.

"What do you see?" Mistystar asked, lowering her voice to a whisper as if she didn't want to disrupt sleeping cats.

"Water," Echokit answered simply.

But Mistystar shook her head. "Look closer."

Echokit obeyed and lowered her head to look at the stream. It wasn't the color of water, that was for sure, but nothing a cat could notice at a first glance. 

She could see tiny flecks of black liquid in the water that floated to the surface. She leaned closer, but Mistystar pulled her up.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Mudfur call's it 'black water'." She answered, wincing at the mention of Mudfur. "When it's not in the river, it's usually around our territory in big puddles. It's almost impossible to escape if you get yourself stuck in it."