Midnight

Chapter 9

Squirrelpaw dragged herself tiredly into camp, flopping down beside her brothers as soon as she could. Dustpelt had been working her extra hard lately and it seemed as though she never got even a heartbeat of rest before she was sent off doing other tasks. Laying her head on the soft grass, Squirrelpaw caught a glimpse of Leafpaw making her way toward the elders' den, a wad of herbs in her jaws. She was surprised to see how unhappy her sister looked; perhaps she'd gotten into trouble with Cinderpelt, though she found it hard to believe the medicine cat could drive anyone to look so worried.

"What's up with Leafpaw?" she asked curiously, reaching over to steal a bite of Cloudpaw's starling.

The white apprentice hissed in slight annoyance before following her gaze. "I don't know," he shrugged. "I can't remember the last time she looked so upset."

Swiftpaw swallowed his mouthful. "That's because she doesn't get upset. Something big must've happened if she isn't trying to hide it," he replied.

Squirrelpaw sighed silently, lifting her head to look around. Close to the nettle patch, Skystar was eating with Graystripe and Dustpelt. As Squirrelpaw looked on, she saw her mother glancing at her from time to time. Squirrelpaw wondered what could've made Skystar pay so close attention to her; surely Skystar hadn't found out about the dreams?

Maybe that's what has Leafpaw so upset! Perhaps Cinderpelt had a dream but Leafpaw couldn't tell her mentor that she already knew, and now she also had to lie to Skystar. She braced herself for Skystar to call out to her, but when a cat called her name it was Brambletuft. He was padding toward her with a starling in his jaws. He dropped his prey and settled at her side.

"Any news?" he asked subtly.

Squirrelpaw watched him pluck his starling before deciding to give in. Tawnypelt was bound to tell him if she didn't anyway, and her brothers already knew. "Yes, the four of us met again and agreed to leave just before the next half-moon. I assume you'll be tagging along?"

"Of course, who all will be going?" Brambletuft continued.

Before Squirrelpaw could continue, she realized that Skystar had padded over from the nettle patch and was standing over them. Cloudpaw and Swiftpaw had stood to attention, glancing worriedly toward her. None of them knew how much Skystar had overheard and they worried that she'd heard about them leaving.

"Squirrelpaw, why don't you come sit with me and we can discuss your progress?" Skystar asked, her tail twitching.

"Do I have to? Why can't Dustpelt tell you himself?" Squirrelpaw asked.

"Can I not spend some time with my daughter?" pressed Skystar. "Cloudpaw, Swiftpaw, you two can come as well. Brambletuft, when you're done eating, Graystripe would like you to join Mousefur and Spiderpaw for the evening patrol."

Brambletuft dipped his head. "Yes, Skystar."

"Good, let's go you three." Skystar nodded to her kits and led the way back to the nettle patch, where Sandstorm and Longtail had joined the group. As her brothers gathered their prey and followed, Squirrelpaw glanced back questioningly at Brambletuft, but the young warrior looked just as confused as she was.

She shook her head and followed her kin, stopping to grab a mouse on the way.

What was all that about? Squirrelpaw wondered, settling beside Cloudpaw again. Skystar had seemed annoyed, but it couldn't have been with me, right? But then why would she make an excuse to keep an eye on me? Her blood ran cold. Or maybe it was to keep me away from Brambletuft.

If she was right then there was only one reason. Brambletuft must have told her mother about her dream, and the meeting with the other cats at Fourtrees. He must have done it deliberately to get back at her. Whatever he did, Squirrelpaw knew there would only be more trouble to come. She only hoped he wouldn't tell Skystar about them leaving soon.