Warrior Cats: Sky of Storms

Chapter 14

Echowing felt her nerves spring up to the sky, as if she was flying and would never come down. Sunbeam, Bluetail, and Mosspelt all talked in low whispers while the Clan paced from one end to the other, preparing for the battle.

Waterstar walked up to her, his eyes glazed in fury, but his fur was fluffed out like he was nervous. "I wish you could come." He said, looking at a small space in the nursery where all seven kits were watching the cats with wide eyes.

Echowing felt a pang in her stomach. She wanted to go as badly as Waterstar wanted her too, and it ached when she thought of her Clanmates fighting, and Echowing wasn't able to help.

Sunbeam tore away from her conversation and walked up to them, mewing, "Nervous?"

Volelimp overheard her and bristled. He's the most angry of all of us. Echowing realized. I bet he hates seeing Mosspelt so heartbroken.

The queen was sitting with Bluetail, but her eyes drifted in and out as the deputy talked to her. Volelimp cast glances at her, and then at Dawnflower's body.

The she-cat had been laid in the center of the clearing, surrounded by flowers, and carp, her favorite fish. Splashfur laid back in the corner, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Echowing.

Waterstar ruffled his fur. "They killed Dawnflower, and they will pay. We must not let nerves get in the way."

Sunbeam looked at Echowing. "I overheard your earlier conversation. Mosspelt and I can take care of your kits if you'd like."

Echowing's hopes raised, but they faltered as she stared at Hopekit and Tidalkit. What if something happened to her, and she wasn't able to take care of her kits. Waterstar brushed her fur.

"Please come," He said. "It would make me feel so much better."

Echowing looked at him, feeling oddly optimistic. Old thoughts flashed back to her. Why would Waterstar want her to come, if she would sacrafice her life for her Clan while her kits grew up without a mother?

Echowing looked up at the sky, where Silverpelt shone brightly. What do I do StarClan?

Suddenly, a big breeze whipped behind her, and she heard Mudfur through the darkness,  Listen for the signs of new. Listen to the cat of sun and moon, or you may all perish, and StarClan cannot save you.

Echowing shivered. She remembered Mudfur telling her that prophecy right before he died, and she swallowed a shaky breath.

Echowing looked at her kits and said, "I'll go." She turned away and summoned her kits, looking up at the sky again. Hopekit and Tidalkit shivered in the breeze, and she wrapped her tail tighter.

"StarClan is on our side." She said. "I will come back."

Echowing wrapped her tail around her kits, and for once, they didn't squirm. They must be as nervous as I am. She would be reassured if she could be in two places at once, but StarClan would decide her fate.

Rockheart paused outside of the nursery and ducked his head in. Sunbeam, Mosspelt, and their kits were outside, saying goodbye to the patrol. Echowing stood up, thinking, I should get going.

"Good luck," Echowing said, picturing Rockheart fighting in the battle beside her. "I'm really proud of you." Rockheart smiled, his face lit up at her praise.

He laid down next to her and whispered, "I'm proud of you too." He paused, and he turned his head away for a moment. "In case we don't come back-"

Echowing interrupted him. "We will come back. I don't know a more worthy warrior then you, and I believe that we'll win this battle."