Rising Storm

Chapter 28

By late afternoon the lingering smell of smoke had been replaced by the stench of wet ash, but Skyfall relished its bitter odor.

"The fire must be out by now," she meowed to Graystripe, who was sheltering beside her beneath a clump of reeds. "We should go back and see if it's safe for the Clan to return."

"And look for Yellowfang and Halftail," Graystripe murmured.

Skyfall had known that her old friend would guess why she really wanted to go back to the camp. She blinked at the gray warrior, grateful for his understanding.

"I'll have to ask Crookedstar if I can come," Graystripe added. The words came as a shock to Skyfall. She had almost forgotten that Graystripe belonged to another Clan now.

"I'll be back soon," called the gray warrior, already bounding away.

Skyfall gazed across the clearing to where Bluestar was huddled next to Whitestorm, as if the white warrior were the only barrier between her troubled mind and the horrific fate that had befallen her Clan. Skyfall wondered if she should tell her where she was going. She decided not to. For the moment she would act alone and rely on her Clan to shield their leader's weakened state from the curious RiverClan cats.

"Skyfall." Thunderpaw was heading toward her. "Do you think the fire is out?"

"Graystripe and I are going to check," Skyfall told him.

"Can I come?"

Skyfall shook her head. She didn't know what they would find at the ThunderClan camp. She also didn't know if Smudge and Hattie knew what happened and didn't want Thunderpaw telling them just yet.

"I'd do everything you told me," Thunderpaw promised earnestly.

"Then stay and help take care of you Clan," Skyfall meowed. "Whitestorm needs you here."

Thunderpaw hid his disappointment by lowering his head. "Yes, Skyfall," he mewed.

"Tell Whitestorm where I'm going," Skyfall added. "I'll be back by moonrise."

"Okay."

Skyfall watched the black apprentice pad back to the other cats, hoping that Thunderpaw would follow her orders and stay in the ThunderClan camp.

Graystripe returned with Crookedstar at his side. The pale tabby's green eyes were narrowed inquiringly. "Graystripe tells me that he wants to travel with you to your camp," he meowed. "Can't you take one of your own warriors?"

"We lost two Clanmates in the fire," Skyfall explained, getting to her paws. "I don't want to find them by myself."

The RiverClan leader seemed to understand. "If they have not survived, you'll need the comfort of an old friend," he meowed gently. "Graystripe may go with you."

"Thank you, Crookedstar," replied Skyfall, dipping her head.

Graystripe led the way to the river. On the other side of the swiftly flowing river, the forest was blackened and charred. The tallest trees had managed to retain a few of their leaves, which fluttered bravely at the tips of their highest branches. But it was a small victory when the rest of their branches were black and stripped bare. StarClan may have sent the storm to put out the fire, but it had come too late to save the forest.

Graystripe slipped into the river without speaking and swam across. Skyfall followed him, struggling to keep up with her strongly paddling friend. As they climbed out onto the bank at the other side, the two cats could only stare in horror at the remains of their beloved woodland.