Midnight

Chapter 15

Cloudpaw opened his eyes feeling cold in an empty nest. He'd gotten so used to sharing a nest with Swiftpaw and Squirrelpaw that it almost felt lonely with them gone. It was the day of the half-moon, meaning Leafpaw would also be gone to the Moonstone, leaving him alone. He had only traveled to Highstones once with his littermates on the journey all apprentices had to make, but he knew he wasn't keen on going back. The tall, sharp rocks gave way to a menacing black hole that seemed to swallow the cats that entered like a giant mouth.

Standing from his feather-filled nest, thanks to Squirrelpaw, he stretched and yawned, blinking away the last traces of sleep. He could hear the Clan beginning to stir outside the den, and a few moments later Frostfur poked her head into the den.

"No smell of rain," she meowed. "We'll have an easy training day."

Cloudpaw followed her out of the den. Dustpelt and Sandstorm were whispering beside the nettle clump, and Runningwind was taking a starling to Ferncloud and his kits. Willowpelt was also leaving at the head of a patrol, likely to hunt.

Not far away from them, Brightheart was grooming her pelt free of stray moss. Cloudpaw found himself staring at the injured side of her face, wondering how she managed to switch how she hunted and fought with only half her senses.

"Brightheart agreed to help you with your battle training," Frostfur explained. "You'll be doing partner training against me so I can see how well you fight with your Clanmates."

"Oh, okay," Cloudpaw meowed distractedly.

Unfortunately for him, Brightheart noticed his staring when Thornclaw had finished speaking to her. The ginger-and-white she-cat padded over to him, purring a greeting to her mother. Frostfur, to her credit, didn't say anything though her eyes gleamed in amusement as she realized what her apprentice was doing. It wasn't Cloudpaw's fault, though! Brightheart was the most beautiful cat he'd ever laid eyes on, second only to his mother.

"Your littermates will return," Brightheart meowed, taking his staring for another reason. "Wherever they are, there's no way they'd give in, not if they're the cats I think they are."

Cloudpaw looked up at her, his eyes widened. He wondered if Brightheart was imagining if she lost any of her littermates like he had. He knew that Cinderpelt had her accident as an apprentice and then Brightheart had hers not long after, so Frostfur might also be glad that she hadn't lost any of her kits.

Cloudpaw suddenly found himself wanting to be alone. Ever since their disappearance was discovered, everyone treated Cloudpaw and Leafpaw like they were newborn kits. As much as he appreciated the newfound attention from Brightheart, he also wanted to live a normal life again. He was certain that Squirrelpaw and Swiftpaw would return but it appears that everyone else thinks differently. They all seem to believe that the three of them are gone for good.

"Frostfur?" Skystar asked, padding up to them with Longtail close behind.

The white warrior turned. "Yes, Skystar?"

"I was wondering if you three would like to join me in traveling to ShadowClan and RiverClan to see if they've seen my kits or Brambletuft. I've asked Cinderpelt to ask WindClan on her way to the Moonstone today," Skystar meowed.

Frostfur pricked her ears. "Well, it would change what I had planned for today, but I don't see why not." She moved closer to the Clan leader, resting her tail comfortingly on her shoulders. "Don't worry, Skystar, I remember how much you tried to get my kits back, and I'll do everything in my power to help you find your own."

Skystar dipped her head, looking exhausted. "Thank you, Frostfur. Leafpaw has told me that she'll try to find them in StarClan but I pray they aren't there. I don't think I could bear losing my kits without even their bodies to mourn."