Midnight

Chapter 4

Squirrelpaw emerged from the apprentices' den and glanced around the clearing. Another quarter moon had passed, and still there was no rain. Over all the forest, the air was hot and heavy. The streams near the camp had dried up, so the Clan had to travel to the stream that flowed past Fourtrees when they needed water. Luckily it was deep through the rocky soil, and flowed even in the driest greenleaf.

Ever since Cloudpaw told them what he'd overheard at the Gathering between Brambletuft and Tawnypelt, Squirrelpaw was even more unnerved and her sleep was constantly disturbed as a sense of foreboding overwhelmed her. But this morning seemed to be peaceful. Swiftpaw and Shrewpaw were practicing their fighting moves by the tree stump; Mousefur emerged from the gorse tunnel with a squirrel clamped in her jaws, followed by her apprentice, Spiderpaw, and Rainwhisker, who also carried fresh-kill. Skystar and Graystripe were talking together at the base of the Highrock, with Dustpelt and Brambletuft listening close by.

Skystar beckoned Squirrelpaw over with her tail. "Are you up for a patrol?" she asked. "I want to check the border with ShadowClan, in case they get the idea of coming across here to find water."

"Blackstar already said they have water, why would they bother coming over here?" Squirrelpaw asked, settling beside Dustpelt.

Skystar's ears twitched. "We shouldn't always trust what leaders say at Gatherings. I trust Blackstar as a fellow leader, but it can be possible that ShadowClan is suffering and he may try looking for other ways to help his Clan."

Graystripe growled. "ShadowClan has been quiet for too many moons. If you ask me, it's about time they started making trouble."

"I just think—" Brambletuft stopped, his ears lowering as all eyes turned to him.

"Go on." Skystar prompted.

Brambletuft took a deep breath. Squirrelpaw's eyes glared at him, daring him to object to her mother's order. "I just think that if there is trouble, it's more likely to come from WindClan," he began. "If their territory is as dry as Tallstar said, then they're bound to be short of prey."

"WindClan!" Squirrelpaw burst out. "Brambletuft, are you completely mouse-brained? RiverClan gave WindClan permission to drink at the river, so if they steal prey from anywhere they'll steal it from RiverClan."

"And that strip of RiverClan territory is really narrow between the river and our border," Brambletuft retorted. "If WindClan do hunt, the prey could easily cross into our territory."

"You think you're so clever!" Squirrelpaw sprang to her paws, her fur bristling. "Skystar ordered you to check the ShadowClan border, so you should do what you're told."

"Of course, you've never disobeyed a warrior, have you?" Dustpelt put in dryly.

Squirrelpaw ignored her mentor. "ShadowClan have always caused trouble," she persisted. "But we're friends with WindClan and Tallstar would never order his warriors to hunt outside their territory."

Brambletuft's eyes narrowed furiously and his pelt fluffed up so he looked twice his size. Squirrelpaw's lips drew back in a snarl as Brambletuft took an intimidating step toward her.

"You're the one who thinks she knows it all," he spat. "Will you just listen for one moment?"

Squirrelpaw swung a paw out, claws unsheathed, but Brambletuft ducked under it. He fell into a crouch, tail lashing from side to side.

Before either of the young cats could attack Skystar pushed between them. "That's enough!" she snarled.

Brambletuft froze immediately. Straightening up, he gave his chest fur an anxious lick and murmured, "Sorry, Skystar."