Midnight

Chapter 13

"This isn't the quickest way to Fourtrees," Squirrelpaw protested when Brambletuft paused on the edge of a bramble thicket. She flicked her tail. "We should be going that way."

"Fine." Brambletuft sighed. "Go that way, if you feel like a swim. This way the stream is narrower, and there's a rock we can use to jump across."

"Skystar taught us to swim when we were kits," Swiftpaw put in. "We'll meet you at Fourtrees. I'm sure a warrior like you would hate to get his paws wet."

Squirrelpaw and Swiftpaw took off back down the river to the quickest route. Crossing the water wasn't a problem as the current wasn't very strong, though it was rather cold in the leaf-fall air. As they were heading up the last slope that led to Fourtrees, Brambletuft caught up to them and forced himself ahead just before they reached the crest. He hissed at them to stop before they could head straight down.

"It's not an attack, mouse-brain," Squirrelpaw hissed. "They're here for the exact same reason. Stop playing leader."

Squirrelpaw could see Tawnypelt, Feathertail, and Stormfur sitting at the base of the Great Rock, while Crowpaw paced restlessly up and down in front of them.

"At last!" Tawnypelt sprang to her paws as the trio burst out of the bushes at the foot of the slope. "We thought you weren't coming."

"Who's this?" Crowpaw demanded, glaring at Swiftpaw.

"This is my brother, Swiftpaw, he'll be coming with us to help out," Squirrelpaw replied, returning the glare.

"What?" Tawnypelt padded up to her brother's side. "Brambletuft, have you lost your mind? Two chosen apprentices is bad enough, it's going to be dangerous."

"If I may," Swiftpaw cut in before Brambletuft could speak. "Skystar and Leafpaw taught us both plenty about herbs along with how to swim. I can act as a temporary medicine cat if that makes you feel better about me coming."

"We could use someone with knowledge of herbs," Feathertail meowed, padding closer. "It may do us good to allow Swiftpaw to come. And the more paws, the better for whatever we'll be facing."

"Seriously?" Crowpaw snorted at Feathertail. "More ThunderClan cats? This is turning out to be a ThunderClan only mission."

The silver tabby swept her tail gently over Crowpaw's shoulder but he brushed her off.

"They're coming, and that's that." Brambletuft's impatient voice cut in. "Now let's get going."

"Don't order me around!" Crowpaw snapped.

"No, he's right," Tawnypelt sighed. "If we can't stop Swiftpaw from coming—"

"You can't," Squirrelpaw put in.

"—then we might as well get moving and make the best of it."

To Squirrelpaw's surprise, even Crowpaw seemed to sense the urgency. He got to his paws, turning his back to Brambletuft as if he didn't exist. "It's a pity you can't leave your Clan without a burr in your pelt," he jeered at Squirrelpaw. "At least your brother will be useful."

As if obeying an unspoken command, all seven cats padded through the bushes to the top of the slope, emerging at the edge of WindClan territory. When Squirrelpaw looked out on the moorland slopes, the tough, springy grass ruffled by the wind like the fur of a huge animal, her heart pounded until she thought it would burst right out of her chest. This was the moment she was waiting for, ever since Bluestar had first come to her. This was her moment to help the Clans and prove to her father that she could be a warrior!

Squirrelpaw crouched beside Feathertail as the group looked down at the clustered buildings of a Twoleg farm. Beside her, the others shifted restlessly.