Morning Clouds

Chapter 15

"I'll go!" Ice Shard declared, tail lashing. "SkyClan must pay!"

To Hail Breeze's horror, shouts of agreement met his words. He shut his eyes tight. Why, StarClan? Why did this have to happen?

The Clan erupted with conflicting shouts, each overriding each other as they fought for their way. Hail Breeze flinched, flattening his ears. I can't believe this is happening! What happened to the peace? What happened to respecting SkyClan?

"Stop it!" Shining Moon called into the crowd, but her tiny voice was lost in the clamor of angry voices.

Hail Breeze could hear a snippet of Bright Storm's voice from across camp, but he couldn't tell what she was saying. He winced.

"That is enough!" Windstar yowled, quieting the Clan. "Holly, Ice Shard, there will be no battle against SkyClan unless we have clear evidence that they murdered him. If they do, trust me, they will pay." The leader's claws slid out. "But I will not start another Willow Tail war. Am I understood?" Windstar glared fiercely into the crowd.

"Yes, Windstar." some cats muttered. Hail Breeze was relieved to hear Swift Minnow's and Stagnant Pool's voices among them. He thought he heard Willow Mist whispering something to Clover Petal, but maybe it was just his imagination.

The leader sheathed her claws. "Good. Gorse Fur, organize more patrols."

Hail Breeze didn't stick around to hear the patrols. He raced straight over to Golden Streaks and Dark Stream, who were staring at the bramble wall. Shining Moon followed him.

"What are you doing?" he asked as he approached. StarClan, I hope this isn't about SkyClan again.

"We found a hole in the bramble wall!" Golden Streaks gasped.

"Oh, please don't use it to go attack SkyClan." Shining Moon whispered desperately.

Dark Stream's eyes widened. "No way! But smell." She nudged them closer.

Shining Moon sniffed first and her eyes got huge.

Hail Breeze took a whiff and gasped. No way!

She can't be doing that! StarClan, no!

//-//

Silver gasped and ducked away from Beetle, reeling with shock. What are they doing? She barely had time to comprehend what was happening before Stripes shoved her away. "Run!"

She ducked clumsily underneath the orange she-cat. "I'm your leader!"

"You don't understand!" Dark yowled from where she was fighting Beetle with Splash. "Just please go! I promise Lake will clear things up!"

Silver reeled back. You don't understand. It's been so long since someone has said that to me.

Flattening her ears, she turned and fled.

//-//

Splashing Creek counted the herbs, naming them as she went. Dappled Pelt would be back soon and she wanted to have all the herbs counted, freshened, and neat.

She glanced at the darkening sky. Night would fall upon the Clans soon. Surely they're not sleeping at SkyClan?

She had already given Dawn Mist some borage and posted Gecko's Chirp on guard duty to make sure she wasn't bothered. Night had taken the kits to talk to Feathery Clouds and Summer Breeze. Although Ember Dawn had asked for him, Spider Paw hadn't wanted to talk to the kits, no matter how much Flower Stream would bug him afterward.