Morning Clouds

Chapter 9

"WindClan! Gather for a Clan meeting!" Windstar yowled.

Hail Breeze padded over to where Shining Moon, Reed Tail, and Moth Flight were sitting. He knew that he was too young to take part in whole-Clan decisions, but he could sit and listen to the news.

"As you all know, Fern Leaf kitted yesterday," Windstar began. "She has named her kits. Fern Leaf?"

The black queen stood up, eyes hollow with grief. "I had three," she began. "Two toms and a she-kit. The brown tabby she-kit is Beech Flower, after my sister. The black-and-white tom is Winter Breeze, after Winter, an old kittypet who passed away moons ago, but cared for me when I was a kit and got lost once. And the black tom..."

Fern Leaf trailed off, eyes misting.

"...Is Eagle Storm."

Murmurs of sympathy passed around the Clan. They all knew Fern Leaf had named her kits for her mate, her sister, and her friend.

"How sweet," Clover Petal murmured to Swift Minnow, who nodded in agreement.

"What's winter?" Willow Mist piped up.

"It's what kittypets call leaf-bare," Rocky answered.

Willow Mist wrinkled her nose. "Why don't they just call it leaf-bare?"

"Because kittypets are weird," Dark Stream snorted.

"Hey!" Rocky snapped.

Windstar waved her tail for quiet. "I want extra patrols near the SkyClan border, where Eagle Feather's body was found."

"Did SkyClan murder him?!" Ice Shard gasped.

"Haven't they done enough to Jagged Peak and his family?" Slate spat angrily. But she moved closer to her kits.

"Did he cross the border?" Dust Muzzle asked nervously.

Gorse Fur shook his head, and shouts of outrage stormed the Clan.

"Drive them out!"

"Make them pay!"

"Kill Skystar!"

"Steal their kits!"

Hail Breeze glanced in horror at Shining Moon. This isn't right! They're going to start a war! Swift Minnow told me that Willow Tail started a war between WindClan and SkyClan and Windstar almost died!

He looked for his family.

Reed Tail sat beside Moth Flight, gaze unreadable.

But Stagnant Pool and Swift Minnow were active in the horrifying cheers against SkyClan.

"I'll shred any SkyClan warrior that comes near my Clan!" growled Stagnant Pool.

"No filthy SkyClan cat will ever touch my kits," Swift Minnow vowed dangerously.

Hail Breeze turned back to Shining Moon, relieved to see his own shock and horror reflected in her eyes. "How can they say that?!" his sister whispered.

Hail Breeze nodded numbly. Who says SkyClan even did this? Eagle Feather's uncle is their leader! Windstar's grandson is his adopted son! How can they persecute SkyClan for a crime they probably never committed?

//-//

Splashing Creek yawned. Boring, boring day. Why can't I leave camp, Dappled Pelt? What did I do?

"Splashing Creek!"

Because I'm just an apprentice? Because I'm not good enough to leave camp anymore, like a kit? My sister leaves camp!

"SPLASHING CREEK!!"

Splashing Creek jumped and turned around quickly. "Um, yes?"

"Dawn Mist is kitting!" Moss Tail yowled. "Where's Dappled Pelt?!"

Splashing Creek rolled her eyes. I've been training for three moons. Am I just a kit to everyone?! What about Feathery Clouds?!

She took a deep breath. "She's not here, Moss Tail. She went on a patrol with Riverstar and Shattered Ice."

Moss Tail's eyes widened. "Summer Breeze!"

The dappled she-cat hurried up. "Yes?"

"Go get Dappled Pelt! She's on patrol with Shattered Ice and Riverstar!" Moss Tail shrieked.

Summer Breeze pinned back her ears in surprise. "Okay..." She turned to leave.

"Wait, Summer Breeze!" Night called.

Summer Breeze turned.

"You shouldn't go. They went to talk to Cle- Skystar."

Summer Breeze's ears flicked up in surprise.

"WHAT?!" Moss Tail shrieked.

Splashing Creek blinked in surprise. They left me out again? Don't they trust me? She sighed and headed to the nursery.

I haven't seen a kitting since I was a kit. StarClan help me!