Legacy (Book 1)

Chapter 27: Undercover

Chapter 27: Undercover

Rainstone was stopped by Sunstar immediately as she entered camp, with her fur black as a crow's wing. His eyes widened as she stared at her new black colored fur. "H-how did you do that?" Sunstar asked warily.

Rainstone shrugged, "Where I'm from, particular cats have to learn how to dye things. I didn't stick around long enough to ever use it though," Rainstone mewed, dropping his gaze.

"Well, a deal is a deal, are you sure you want to do this?" Sunstar asked slowly.

Rainstone nodded, she needed some excitement in her life! "If it's alright, I want to head out soon as possible," she mewed.

Sunstar shifted his paws; meanwhile, Minstream came up behind him, her fur silver in the moonlight and stared at her silently. "Wait until dawn at least, than you can have a good meal and Flickertail can check your wounds quickly," Sunstar mewed, flicking his tail over her newly-shredded ear; it was full of nicks now.

Rainstone sighed and nodded in agreement, heading toward the apprentice reed den. The other cats were asleep and Rainstone curled in her nest made of moss. For the first time, she had doubts.

Would she be recognized by her eyes or scent? Those were two very easy ways of identifying a cat. Would she be given away by her fresh wounds? Would it be so easy to get in? Would her dye last long enough? What if she was asked to attack the Clans? Would she really have to use her...'charm.'

The questions just sent thrills of excited anticipation through her. She'd be undercover, just like back in the cave. She thought of her friends and family, would they approve of her risking her life? Somehow, she guessed they wouldn't.

She closed her eyes in silent misery; I always make bad decisions from my heart... "No, your heart knows what's best, and your family wouldn't change one thing about you." The shifting old voice warmed Rainstone and she fell asleep, thanks Song.

...

The next morning, she woke early and was over to Flickertail's den before most cats were awake. "Wha?!" Flickertail jumped as she loomed over his sleeping form.

"Can you check my wounds? I'm leaving for a while, I'm sure Sunstar will call a meeting about it," Rainstone mewed curtly.

"Where are you going?" Flickertail asked, sounding tense as he rubbed some juices into her sore wounds a few moments later.

"I don't know, it is an adventure," Rainstone smirked. Flickertail rolled his eyes as she refused to answer any of his questions.

Once Flickertail was done, Rainstone rushed to Sunstar's den. Sunstar raised his head from where he was grooming his chest as she came in. "Can I go now/" she asked impatiently.

"Have you eaten?" Sunstar asked, blinking slowly.

"Err, I can do that later," Rainstone mewed, though her stomach growled just then.

"Go eat, then I will be at the entrance to see you off," Sunstar mewed, reluctance dripped from every word and motion.

Rainstone rushed to the fresh-kill pile and grabbed a small fish, gulping it down in a few moments. She looked up, Sunstar was talking with Minstream near the entrance and Rainstone got up to join them. She felt a twinge off hesitation, I wish I had time to say goodbye to Willowwater...

She hated to admit it, but the annoying she-cat was probably her closest friend at the moment. But she turned her paws firmly toward Sunstar, Willowwater would be waiting for her when she returned.