Morning Clouds

Chapter 2

"So?" Splashing Creek asked her sister. "What's eating at ya?"

"What's wrong?" Feathery Clouds, asked. "You look so disappointed!"

"Finally bored of being a medicine cat?" Spider Paw snorted.

Splashing Creek rolled her eyes. "Never!"

Spider Paw snorted. "I don't get it! All you ever do is gather herbs!"

"Shut up!" Splashing Creek hissed. "Bring a medicine cat is an important job! How about I tell Moth Flight that you said that?"

Spider Paw flinched, and whirled on his heel, stalking off into the apprentices' den.

The other apprentice, Summer Breeze, padded into camp with her mentor, Moss Tail, and bounded over to them. "Hi!" she purred breathlessly.

"Hey, Summer Breeze!" Splashing Creek greeted, Feathery Clouds echoing it. "How was training?"

"Great!" Summer Breeze purred, sitting down. "Moss Tail is really happy with my progress. He thinks I'll be a warrior in no time!"

"That's great!" Feathery Clouds purred.

Splashing Creek nodded, smiling.

Feathery Clouds yawned. "Well, I'm heading off to my nest. Good night," she meowed sleepily.

Splashing Creek brushes muzzles with her sister. "Night," she echoed.

She talked with Summer Breeze for a little bit longer before curling up in her nest in the medicine den. And while Dappled Pelt snored nearby, half-asleep, a thought struck at her.

Feathery Clouds had never answered her question.

//-//

Hail Breeze snuffled quietly, gazing at the roof of the den. A cool night breeze drifted in from the entrance. The moon and stars shone down onto the camp, their light fluttering through with the wind. All was quiet, and peaceful. He dared not move, holding the calming silence of the night.

But something moved anyway.

Hail Breeze let out an annoyed snort and snuggled closer into his sister, Shining Moon.

He closed his eyes and fell asleep as the peaceful night fell over the Clans.

And the one figure in the bushes was smart enough not to make another sound.

But they were still there.

Waiting.

Waiting for the perfect chance to strike.