Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Thirty-Five

Brookshine woke up suddenly. A small ginger paw had thumped her on the nose. She recognised it as a still sleeping Shellstripe. Brookshine sighed. Shellstripe was the RiverClan deputy, and her best friend, but had always been a restless sleeper. Brookshine pushed her friend's paw away from her muzzle and rolled over. To her surprise, the nest beside her was empty. She soon remembered why. That's right. Redstream lives in WindClan now. The feathery nest still carried the faintest scent of her brother. He had only been gone for a quarter moon, but Brookshine missed him.

Shellstripe kicked Brookshine's back. She flicked her ears irritably. Why is it always me? Knowing she could never get back to sleep now, Brookshine stumbled out of the den. It was still dark, and the camp was silent other than the sound of the river. Brookshine noticed a small figure sitting by the water's edge.

"Breezepaw?"

She whispered. The small cat turned around. Her huge blue eyes reflected the moonlight. Brookshine could see sadness in their depths. The black and white she-cat had been madly in love with Redstream. Breezepaw hadn't been the same since he joined WindClan.

"Why did he leave?"

Breezepaw whispered. The question took Brookshine aback.

"He preferred the feeling of wind on his pelt to the feeling of the river. And trust me, it was hard for him to leave,"

Brookshine told the young she-cat. Breezepaw turned her head back to the river. It's cold depths reflected the stars.

"Does he still think about me?"

She asked.

"He thinks about all of us, all the time, I can imagine,"

Brookshine struggled to keep her voice from shaking. Does he?

Once the sun finally rose, the day flew by. It was soon almost night fall again, and RiverClan gathered in the clearing to hear who Volestar had chosen to attend the gathering tonight. Brookshine listened closely. She had never wanted to go to a gathering more in her life. She needed to see Redstream.

"Shellstripe and Pebblespirit, obviously. Copperpelt, Otterclaw, Reednest, Brindlepaw, Minnowcreek, Rushtail, Shadetail, Brookshine, Flowertail..."

Brookshine stopped listening after she heard her name. She finally had a chance to see her brother!

As usual, RiverClan were the first to the island where the gatherings took place. Brookshine couldn't keep her paws still. She was anxious to see if Redstream would be amongst the WindClan group. The bushes rustled, and Ivystar appeared, leading the ShadowClan patrol. Brookshine was a little disappointed to not see the WindClan group. A white she-cat bounded up to her.

"Brookshine!"

The ShadowClan cat purred.

"Moonpaw!"

Brookshine purred. She hadn't seen the apprentice for moons. Moonpaw grinned.

"It's Moonheart now,"

Moonheart puffed out her chest with pride.

"Olivepaw is Olivetail. And Stoatpaw is Stoatjump now,"

Moonheart had mentioned her siblings before, but Brookshine had never really talked to them much.

"So how're things in ShadowClan?"

She asked, looking around for Redstream.

"Pretty good. We found this really great-"

A gentle breeze carried the scent of WindClan to Brookshine. She looked around and made out a familiar ginger pelt in the crowd. Redstream!

"Good to see you again,"

Brookshine cut her off and walked away. Moonheart watched her go, confused. Redstream turned around to see his sister, and his eyes lit up.

"Brookshine!"

Redstream called, bounding up to her, licking her cheek.

"It's so good to see you!"

Brookshine purred.

"Is Breezepaw here?"

Redstream asked, concern edging his voice. Brookshine frowned. Doesn't he want to see his mate?

"No,"

She meowed, sniffing the air. ThunderClan still hadn't arrived.

"Good,"

He meowed. Brookshine was confused.

"Why?"

She asked. Redstream shuffled his paws uncomfortably.

"Because I'm in love with another cat. A WindClan cat. Cloudfern,"

The ginger tom admitted. He looked up at Brookshine awkwardly. Brookshine found herself more confused than she should have been.

"Is that why you joined WindClan?"

Brookshine blurted out. Redstream's eyes widened with shock.

"No! I hadn't even met her before then,"

Redstream meowed. Brookshine looked up at the leaders. Volestar was addressing the assembled cats, and Brookshine noticed they were missing the gathering, but she didn't care.

"I miss you,"

Brookshine meowed to her brother.

"I miss you too. Meet me at the border tomorrow at dusk. Make sure you're alone,"

Redstream whispered. Brookshine nodded as the red tom walked away. Shellstripe walked up to her.

"It's time to go,"

She meowed. Brookshine looked around to see that the clearing was almost empty.