Warrior Cats: Sky of Storms

Chapter 11

The Clans chanted his name, but Echowing snarled, baring her teeth, and disappeared into the shadows and watched as Waterstorm shared more news. "But do not think our recent tragedy makes us any weaker. We have two new apprentices, Rockpaw and Pebblepaw, who were apprentices three moons ago, but were too sick to come to Gatherings."

Firestar, Tallstar, and Blackstar shared their news. The Gathering ended quickly, with nothing else to report. Wavefire said goodbye to the medicine cats and looked around for her, but Echowing didn't move from the shadows.

She left, and the four other Clans left, but a voice whispered behind her. She turned to see Firestar and nodded respectfully to him. "What are you doing here?" She asked him.

Firestar sat beside her, gazing down into Fourtrees. "I thought I might find you here. You must feel like they betrayed you." He paused. "He betrayed you."

Echowing looked down into the clearing, and saw Wavefire and Flameheart. Echowing quickly glanced at Firestar, but he only shook his head and mewed, "I've known for a long time, but that doesn't mean I'm... accepting of him."

Echowing sighed She had been sighing a lot lately with all the stress built up on her shoulders. "I thought he liked me, but he stripped me away from my rank and acted as if I was a kit."

Firestar flicked his tail. "I know how you feel. I wasn't treated right when I first joined ThunderClan, but I proved myself to be great, and you will be too. Don't let Waterstorm's actions prevent you from serving your Clan." He paused and chucked. "Toms sometimes don't know what they're doing."

"But-" She hesitated. "I'm going to have his kits, and I can't imagine them not growing up without a father who cares about them."

Firestar licked Echowing's ear and stood up. "You'll figure it out. You're strong. May StarClan light your path."

He slipped into the shadows, leaving Echowing to her thoughts.

She had ignored most cats when she entered the camp, but most of them left her alone. She decided to move into the nursery because she couldn't bear to see her old nest where she used to sleep with Waterstorm.

Mosspelt and Sunbeam greeted her, and she stared at the wall, listening to the soft snores of both she-cats.

Mosspelt's belly heaved suddenly, and she woke up with a gasp. "The kits are coming!"

Sunbeam woke up and crouched down next to her friend, and Echowing rushed to get Wavefire, moving slowly.

She burst into her den and found Bluetail there too. They both looked at her, but Echowing acted as if Bluetail was invisible and said, "Mosspelt's kitting!"

Wavefire rushed to the back of the medicine den, and walked out with her mouth clamped around seeds. "Get a strong stick!" She called to Echowing.

She obeyed and came back to the nursery to find Mosspelt clenching her teeth, and the first kit had been birthed.

"A tom!" Wavefire exclaimed. Volelimp let out a yowl of gratefulness. Mosspelt must be his mate. Echowing thought.

Mosspelt clasped her mouth around the stick, and Echowing could see when the next ripple of pain shot through. Echowing made her way to the back of the den, nervous. Mosspelt's stick splintered into pieces.

I'll have to go through the pain. She thought. But it doesn't matter. I'll do anything for them, and I'll make sure they won't end up like their father.

She looked at the tom wiggling toward Mosspelt's belly. Another bundle of fur appeared next to where Wavefire was positioned, and she yelled, "A she-cat!"