Warrior Cats: Sky of Storms

Chapter 10

The next day Echowing woke up, tired and exhausted. She had barely slept last night, too busy to think about everything that had happened since she arrived. But mostly her thoughts were taken up by if she was going to tell Mistystar about Wavefire's secret relationship with Flameheart.

She sighed, tucking her paws underneath her and staring through the darkness at Mothwing, wondering if the medicine cat had gone to StarClan, even if she didn't believe in them.

A shadow cast across her, and she looked up to see Reedwhisker. It was dawn now, and you could barely see the light shining through the reeds.

"I want you to lead a patrol by Sunningrocks," He said. "And catch a few fish with Waterstorm, Blackclaw, Stormfur, Rockpaw, and Pebblepaw." He looked at Mothwing. "But first, Mistystar has something to tell the Clan."

Echowing stood up, careful not to bother Wavefire. She wished Mothwing had told someone what herbs to use on Wavefire to help her get better.

The warriors and apprentices started to wake up and groom themselves. The fresh-kill pile was low, and Reedwhisker set out hunting patrols, and a patrol to cover the Twoleg place.

The only prey in the pile was a fish, and she took it to Sunbeam. Her belly had grown swollen, and it was obvious that she was going to have kits. Echowing dropped it by her head and wondered how Wavefire was going to hide her kits.

"Thank you, Echowing." She said, but her eyes were worried. "What if Wavefire doesn't get better by the time my kits come? What will happen then?"

Mosspelt, who had a swollen belly as well, licked her denmates ear. "It'll be fine." She said, "I promise, and if she isn't better, there are plenty of she-cats that know what to do."

Sunbeam nodded slowly. Bluetail walked in and pressed his muzzle to his mates, whispering, "How do you feel?"

Sunbeam didn't answer. Echowing flicked her tail across her own belly. She noticed that it was a lot harder to run than usual, but Echowing didn't take it very personally.

"You're expecting Waterstorm's kits, aren't you Echowing?" Mosspelt asked once Bluetail had left. Echowing turned, startled, and tripped on a piece of bracken, falling into one of the nests just like the other two queens.

Sunbeam nodded pleasantly. "She-cats talk, you know." Echowing stood up, shaking her head.

"No." She said, "It's not that, I'm just tired. Right?"

Sunbeam waved her tail. "If that's what you want to think. But you can't escape from reality."

Echowing walked out of the nursery, finding that Mistystar had called a Clan meeting. She looked better today, but her eyes drooped as if she didn't sleep.

"Cats of RiverClan," Mistystar called. "I have made a decision that I think will affect this apprentice greatly." She beckoned Rockpaw forward, then beckoned Echowing forward.

What is she doing? Echowing thought, trying not to twitch her tail.

"Due to Splashfur's recent conditions," Her eyes drifted to a cat in the crowd where Splashfur was sitting alone, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. "I have decided to give Rockpaw a different mentor. Echowing, you are ready to take on an apprentice."

She flicked her eyes to Reedwhisker for a moment. "You have received excellent training from Reedwhisker, though I am not blaming Swallowtail, since she was an amazing warrior and mentor to Splashfur."

Swallowtail nodded her, eyes shining. "You have shown yourself to be compassionate and courageous. You will mentor Rockpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him."