Twilight

Chapter 8

Leafpool and Cinderpelt emerged from the trees beside the lake to see the small figure of a single cat making its way along the shore in ShadowClan territory.

"There's Littlecloud," Cinderpelt meowed, pointing with her tail.

Leafpool let out a faint sigh of relief. The sun had gone down over the lake, and the half moon already shone pale in the darkening sky. It was time for the medicine cats to meet at the Moonpool. Leafpool had been afraid that if she and Cinderpelt had to make the journey alone, the medicine cat would start questioning her about her visit to RiverClan two days earlier.

When Leafpool had returned, Cinderpelt was furious. She wanted to know why Leafpool had stayed away for a whole night.

"Do you realize that Skystar ordered a patrol to search for you?" she hissed. "Do you think cats have nothing better to do? Honestly, Leafpool, I thought you were more responsible."

"I'm sorry." Leafpool scuffled with her forepaws in the dry leaves outside Cinderpelt's den. "I wanted to take some catmint to Mothwing. She gave me the horsetail in exchange." She gestured to the pile of fleshy stalks she had picked on her way back across the marshy ground.

Cinderpelt made an exasperated noise. "Leafpool, the Clans have to start living independently again. I know Mothwing's your friend, but that doesn't mean you can swap herbs whenever you feel like it. Next time, ask me for permission first."

"Yes, Cinderpelt." Leafpool was pretty sure the permission wouldn't be forthcoming. She knew Cinderpelt would be even angrier if she knew the real reason for Leafpool's visit. But Mothwing deserved to be a medicine cat because of her skill at healing, and if StarClan spoke to her through Leafpool, it didn't matter if Mothwing couldn't believe in them.

Now, as they waited for Littlecloud beside the lake, Cinderpelt's blue gaze was fixed on her again. "Are you sure you only went to RiverClan that day? There's nothing else I should know about?"

Stung, Leafpool looked up. "No, Cinderpelt. I'm quite sure."

What was Cinderpelt trying to hint at? Was she suspecting her of sneaking away to find Crowfeather? Sure, in the past Leafpool made a lot of impulsive decisions regarding the other Clans, but she's learned since then. Just because Squirrelflight told them about what she and Nightcloud had found out, doesn't mean Leafpool would start sneaking off again. Mostly.

To her relief the ShadowClan medicine cat was close enough to hear them now. Cinderpelt wouldn't say a word about Crowfeather in front of him.

Littlecloud waded through the stream that marked the border, shook water drops off each paw in turn, then bounded along the shore until he reached the other two medicine cats. "May StarClan light your paths," he greeted them. "Is all well with your Clan?"

"Everything's fine," Cinderpelt replied. "How about ShadowClan?"

"Oh, yes, fine, fine."

Leafpool thought the small tabby tom looked distracted. If Cinderpelt noticed, she didn't say anything, and the three cats headed toward the stream on the WindClan border that they would follow to the Moonpool.

"Mothwing didn't come with you?" Leafpool meowed.

"No." Littlecloud twitched his whiskers. "I expect she's coming through WindClan."

There was no sign of the RiverClan cat traveling along the shore from the other direction. Leafpool's paws felt heavy with secrets as she followed the others upstream through the woodland. She wondered if Mothwing had finally decided that she couldn't be bothered coming to share tongues with cats she didn't believe in. Or maybe the trouble foretold by Volestar had already come, and the RiverClan medicine cat couldn't leave her Clan.