Warrior Cats: Darkness Rising. (2/3)

Chapter 12

Fernleaf padded sleepily out of the warriors' den. Half a moon had passed since Cloverpool had moved to the nursery, and it wouldn't be long until she'd bring new kits to the clan. She looked up at the sky. It was just past sunhigh. She'd taken the night's watch, and slept like a hedgehog when Pigeonwing came to relief her. The gathering was tonight, and she wondered if she would be chosen to go. Dewnose and Sparktail were sharing tongues outside the warriors' den while Badgerblaze and Smokeheart led Hailpaw and Littlepaw out of camp. Oakshade was nipping at a thrush while Timberheart, Sootfall and Coalfrost chattered like a trio of starlings beside him. Emberkit, Webkit, Cloudkit, Breezekit and Dustkit were all tussling outside the nursery while their parents, Cherryfall and Molewhisker, groomed each other, their bodies vibrating with deep purrs. Redfang was leading Snowbush, Firetail, Honeyleaf, Hollytuft and Dovewing out on a hunting patrol. Sighing, she decided to visit her sister. She trotted over to the nursery, nodding to Cherryfall and Molewhisker in greeting. She felt Coalfrost's gaze burning into her pelt as she pushed her way into the thorn thicket. Daisy, Cloverpool and Rainsong lay there, grooming each other. Rainsong had moved to the nursery the day before, carrying Frogleap's kits. "I'm very happy for you." Fernleaf purred as she pressed her muzzle up to Rainsong's. Rainsong thanked her with a purr. "Have you all eaten?" She asked. Cloverpool nodded. "Yes, Swiftstrike brought us a nice rabbit earlier today." She mewed. Fernleaf looked around the den. "It looks a bit empty without all the kits tumbling around, doesn't it?" She asked. Daisy nodded. "Yes, but Cherryfall will return soon." She purred. Fernleaf glanced at Daiy. "Don't you ever miss your old home?" She asked, crouching beside them. Daisy flicked her tail, looking thoughtful. A few moments passed before she answered. "Yes and no, actually. I'm happy in Thunderclan. I have had three litters of kits that are and were great warriors. I'm very proud to have brought up all these kits and cats in this clan, and I like to think that I played a big part in their kithood, and I helped their mothers raise them." She mewed. "But of course, I also miss Floss and Smokey, and the warm barn where we could always take refuge in when the bitter leaf-bare took hold on the forest." She added and a look of sadness flashed in her eyes. "But I'll never see Floss again." She murmured. Then she shook her head. "Do you believe in Starclan?" Cloverpool asked. Daisy nodded. "I never did before the Great Battle, but it's hard not to believe in something you've seen with your own eyes." She explained. So she'll go to Starclan when her days have passed. Fernleaf thought. "Do you have any littermates or siblings?" Rainsong asked curiously. Daisy tipped her head. "Yes, but I haven't seen them since we were suckling our mother's belly." She mewed. Then a thought hit Fernleaf's head. "What where their names?" She asked in a low voice. Daisy glanced at her. "Selma, Leo, Lady, Flower and Lotus, if I remember right." She mewed. Fernleaf's belly flipped over, her eyes widened and her mind spun. Selma, Leo and Lady were all a part of Renegade's group! Rising to her paws, she stumbled out of the den. She hurried towards Coalfrost, Sootfall and Timberheart. She flopped down beside them. "Are you okay?" Coalfrost asked, his voice worried, eyes concerned. "No, not at all!" Fernleaf hissed, but not in anger but astonishment. "What, why?" Sootfall asked, crawling closer. "Daisy, the queen in the nursery is Lady's, Selma's and Leo's sister!" She mewed. Coalfrost frowned and Sootfall's jaw dropped. "Are you serious?" Sootfall hissed. "Of course I am." Fernleaf hissed. Timberheart lashed his tail. "What does that matter?" He asked. Fernleaf glared at him. "In the final battle, Daisy might have to fight them." She mewed. Timberheart tipped his head. "Wouldn't it be better if we used their relation?" He asked. Fernleaf's tail tip twitched. "What do you mean?" Sootfall asked. "If we ever have to fight them here or just meet them, we'll have to find Daisy to tell them that they need to stop! They shouldn't be fighting us." He pointed out. Fernleaf felt her chest lighten. "That's genius, Timberheart!" She purred. Coalfrost rose to his paws. "Fernleaf, do you want to take a walk with me and Sootfall in the forest? We've wanted to stretch our legs." He mewed. "We had?" Sootfall asked. Coalfrost glared at him before whacking him the back of the head. "Oh, yes, sorry!" Sootfall mewed, hopping to his paws. "Sure." Fernleaf mewed, confused.