Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Goldcloud's belly growled. Which mouse-brain decided that you can't eat before going to the moonpool! She thought in frustration. A light drizzle pattered down on Goldcloud's fur. She pressed closer to her mentor to keep herself warm. Soon a pool came into view. It's only movement was from the rain droplets, which sent ripples across the over wise smooth surface. Fallowhop, Poppyshine and Badgerleap were huddled by a clump of ferns. Badgerleap lifted his head.

"SkyClan's here!"

The black and white tom meowed, greeting Suntail and Goldcloud. Poppyshine and Fallowhop did the same. Poppyshine shook water from her red-pelted head. Fallowhop's whiskers drooped under the weight of the water.

"I hope Mallowstem, Pebblespirit and Frecklepaw get here soon. I'm freezing my fur off!"

Poppyshine meowed. As if on cue, the WindClan and RiverClan medicine cats entered the clearing. Frecklepaw and Pebblespirit's thick coats seemed to be protecting them from the rain, but Mallowstem's thin pelt offered very little protection. Mallowstem is getting old. It won't help his joints to be sleeping outside in the rain.

"Lets start, then,"

The WindClan tom rasped. Nodding in agreement, the medicine cats gathered around the moonpool, touching noses to it one at a time. Dreams of StarClan consumed Goldcloud.

She could tell she was is StarClan, yet the hunting grounds looked somewhat different. A pale ginger she-cat came into view. Goldcloud's heart filled with joy.

"Maplebreeze! You made it!"

She meowed happily. Maplebreeze let out a throaty purr.

"Of course, my dear. I would never leave SkyClan alone,"

Goldcloud saw protectiveness in the long-dead she-cat's eyes.

"Have you got a message for me?"

Goldcloud asked.

"No, not this time,"

Maplebreeze said, a hint of regret in her eyes, which confused Goldcloud. What's she not telling me? But she didn't ask. If its important, Maplebreeze will tell me.

"Actually,"

Maplebreeze meowed. Goldcloud looked up.

"You'll need to know where to find catmint in your territory. There is a patch of it near the far border,"

The pale tabby said, trying to sound happy, but Goldcloud could see grief hidden in her gaze.

"Thanks. I'm sure that will be useful, come leaf-bare,"

Goldcloud thanked.

"It's time to wake up,"

Maplebreeze whispered. Goldcloud frowned.

"But I only just got here,"

"I know,"

Goldcloud bit her tongue as her StarClan mentor spoke. What is she not telling me?

"But it is morning,"

Maplebreeze's figure faded, along with the green trees of StarClan. Goldcloud woke up to find an extended claw prodding her softly. She rolled over to face Badgerleap. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, Goldcloud looked past the black ShadowClan medicine cat to see Suntail, only just waking. Maplebreeze had been right, it was morning. The dawn patrol would have already been and gone.

"Lets go home, then,"

Pebblespirit meowed, giving her fur a few swift licks.

"Our Clans will be missing us,"

Quickly saying their good-byes, the medicine cats headed off in the directions of their Clans. Goldcloud looked over to Suntail. A glimpse of worry was hidden in his expression, but she could tell he was trying to hide it. Annoyance swept over Goldcloud. What is no cat telling me? I'm a medicine cat! I deserve to know! She pressed close to Suntail.

"What's wrong?"

Goldcloud asked, licking his ear. Suntail shook his head.

"It's nothing,"

He replied, struggling to sound confident. Goldcloud lashed her tail irritably.

"Yes, it is. You know you can tell me anything,"

Goldcloud told him. Suntail sighed.

"I know. It's just something that StarClan told me, moons ago, before the prophecy, before we left the gorge,"

Noticing the annoyance on Goldcloud's face, he added.

"Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough,"