Fire and Ice

Chapter 9

Skyfall woke the next morning only to be met with Graystripe hunched over his nest. His shoulders were stiff and his fur stood on end. "Graystripe?" she meowed quietly.

Graystripe jumped.

"Are you okay?"

Graystripe sat up straight, smoothing his fur out. "I'm fine." Skyfall knew her friend's cheerful tone was faked, but at least he was trying to seem positive.

"It looks cold." Skyfall changed the subject. Graystripe's breath had billowed out in little clouds. Skyfall was still comfortably warm between the other warriors.

"It is!" Graystripe bent his head to lick at his chest.

Skyfall sat up and shook loose moss from her fur. The air tasted of frost. "What are you going to do with Brackenpaw today?" she asked.

"Show him the forest," answered Graystripe.

"I could bring Cinderpaw, and we could travel together."

"It might be better if we travel alone today," meowed Graystripe.

Skyfall felt a bit hurt. She'd never been refused by him before, and had hoped they could show Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw the forest together just like their first day as apprentices. But if Graystripe wished to be left alone, then Skyfall would abide by it. "Fine," she meowed. "I'll see you later. Maybe we can share a mouse and compare apprentices."

"That'd be good," Graystripe meowed.

Skyfall crept out of the den. The outside air was even colder and she was thankful for her thick fur. Her breath wafted away from her face like smoke. After stretching each leg she padded over to the apprentices' den. The ground felt like stone under her paws. Cinderpaw was still fast asleep inside the den, her fluffy tail curled around her face.

"Cinderpaw," Skyfall called quietly, and the little gray she-cat lifted her head at once. Skyfall moved back just in time for Cinderpaw to bound out of the den, eyes bright and enthusiastic.

"What are we doing today?" Cinderpaw asked, padding up to her with her ears pricked.

"I thought I'd take you on a tour of ThunderClan's territory."

"Will we see the Thunderpath?" asked Cinderpaw eagerly.

"Er, yes, we will," Skyfall replied. She imagined how disappointed Cinderpaw would be when they came across the disgusting, smelly place. "Are you hungry?" she asked, remembering Bluestar constantly asking her the same question.

"No!" Cinderpaw shook her head.

"Okay, we'll eat later then," Skyfall meowed. "Follow me."

"Yes, Skyfall," Cinderpaw nodded, looking up at her with bright eyes. Skyfall's previous sadness after her conversation with Graystripe was washed away with pride. Cinderpaw will be a warrior ThunderClan will be grateful to have. She turned and padded toward the camp entrance.

Cinderpaw raced past her and out the gorse tunnel before Skyfall had time to even blink. Skyfall had to break into a run to catch up. "Cinderpaw, when I say follow me, I mean it. What if a fox was nearby?" she meowed after Cinderpaw who was climbing the slope.

"But I want to see the view from the top," Cinderpaw protested.

Skyfall leaped up after her, easily overtaking her small apprentice, and sat washing a paw while keeping an eye on her. Cinderpaw leaped from rock to rock quickly, a grin spreading across her face the closer she got. By the time she reached the top she was panting, but no less enthusiastic. "Look at the trees! They look like they're made from Moonstone!" Cinderpaw meowed breathlessly.