Omen of the Sun Book One: Secrets in Shadows ✅

Chapter Nine

Goldleaf and Sun padded into the camp. Sun's nose was filed with the delicious, watery scent of fish, but she was lost in thought about what she had just promised. "I will stay." Did she mean that? She decided she did. She imagined herself growing up in the Clan, taking a mate, defending her Clan against the other Clans, training an apprentice, becoming deputy, and eventually leader. That was the kind of life she wanted.

Sun and Goldleaf parted at the fresh kill pile, putting their fish down, then taking one back to eat. "See you!" Sun mewed cheerfully, skipping away, feeling oddly light. She had a grin on her face as she made her way over to Cinderpaw, who was stretched out near the flower bush where they had sat on her first day in the Clan. "So, when are the kits coming?" Cinderpaw asked instead of greeting Sun as soon as she sat down. Sun looked at her in confusion. "Kits? What?"

"Everyone knows Goldleaf is in loove with you, and you him!" Cinderpaw mewed loudly. Sun slapped her plumy tail across her mouth. "No he is not in love with me!" She hissed quietly. "And not so loud! I don't need rumors about me. I'm being talked about enough as it is anyway."

Cinderpaw rolled her eyes, but dropped the matter. Sun dropped her tail and changed the subject quickly. "So, I decided I'm going to join the Clan."

Cinderpaw's eyes grew wide. "You are?" Her voice emanated with happiness. "Really? That's excellent! I don't have many friends, really. My only friends are Goldleaf and Lightningfeather. But StarClan, I hate Lightningfeather's sister, Applefoot."

"Who's Applefoot?" Sun asked with interest. "See that cat over there, talking to Goldleaf?" Cinderpaw asked, her voice lowering abruptly. "The silver tabby?"

Sun nodded, spying a pretty she cat talking to Goldleaf. "That's Applefoot. She's annoying, snobby, and gets whatever she wants because she's Silverstar's kit. Silverstar doesn't like Lightningfeather much, but she loves Applefoot. And Applefoot has a major crush on Goldleaf. And, as you and he just proved, he has a crush on you. He loves you as much as I hate minnows, which is a lot.

"And," Cinderpaw added. "If Applefoot finds out about Goldleaf's feelings for you, then bad things will happen to you."

"Sure," Sun scoffed. "It's true," Cinderpaw assured her. "There was this apprentice, Moonpaw? Really pretty, really nice. Goldleaf, Goldpaw at the time, liked her. Applefoot, or Applepaw, then, found out. The next day, Moonpaw's body was found in the woods."

Sun sucked in her breath. "Really?"

"Yes," Cinderpaw said. "They found fox scent on her, but I know the truth. You know how I know?"

"How?"

"Moonpaw was my sister."

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When Sun woke the next morning, she remembered that she wanted to join CloudClan. She hadn't told Cinderpaw yet, or anyone except for Goldleaf. I hope he didn't tell anyone.

She padded from the apprentice den, yawning, and saw that it was dawn. Most cats were in the clearing, including Frostpaw, Goldleaf, and a white she cat Sun recognized as Brightsky. She was standing on a stone that jutted out slightly on the Rock Pile, calling names. "Whiteswirl, Lightningfeather, and Amberclaw, border patrol along BreezeClan and FlowerClan," Brightsky ordered. The three toms padded out, led by a light gray tom with a white spot on his forehead. "Greenflower, Peonystorm, Frostpaw and Goldleaf, wake up Cinderpaw, and do a border patrol along HollyClan border. Be careful, and then hunt in the forest."

Greenflower, a gray she cat with black spots, nodded and padded into the apprentice den. Silverstar came out of the cave underneath the Rock Pile, and stretched. Should I ask her? Sun wondered. Then she decided this would be the best opportunity to talk to Silverstar, so she cautiously approached the silver she cat. "Silverstar?"

"Oh, hello, Sun. What is it?" Silverstar asked. She put down the four minnows she had picked up to eat. "I've-I've, um," Sun stuttered. Suddenly she couldn't get the words out. She took a deep breath and forced it out. "Sorry. I've decided I want to join CloudClan. If that's all right," she added hastilly. Silverstar dipped her head to the nervous she cat. "We'll have the ceremony at sunset."

Sun nodded. "Thank you!"

Silverstar copied her, nodding. She turned, and Brightsky called, "Skypelt, take Sun and Applefoot on a hunting patrol. The rest of you, stay here and guard the camp. I will go out hunting by myself."

"Good morning, Sun!" Skypelt chirped, padding over to Sun. "You know Applefoot?"

Sun noticed the silver she cat standing just behind Skypelt. "N-no," She mewed. "I'm Applefoot," Applefoot announced. "Goldleaf's best friend."

Sun nodded slightly. "Let's go," Skypelt suggested, seeing the tension between Sun and Applefoot. She turned and padded out of camp, Applefoot, to Sun's relief, taking up the rear. They stopped when they got to a tree that was so tall, Sun had to crane her neck to look up at it. It seemed to pierce the clouds, and no other trees surrounded it. "This is Sky Tree," Skypelt mewed. "It's not too hard to climb, but that's not what CloudClan cats normally do. I'll teach you to climb that soon. Now, I'm guessing you're not the most experienced forest hunter?"

Sun shook her head. She had stuck to fishing unless she had to catch forest prey. Applefoot snorted. Skypelt shot her a look. "As I remember, you weren't a particularly good hunter anywhere, Applefoot. Sun is an excellent swimmer, and fisher. Stop."

Applefoot growled, then stepped back. "Sun, the first thing you need to know about catching mice is that you have to step lightly. They can sense vibrations through the ground. And you need the correct stance. Try it."

Sun sank into a crouch, tucking her legs underneath her, and slid forward. Applefoot sneered. "No, no, no! That's completely wrong."

Sun sat up, glaring at her. "If you're not going to be helpful, why don't you just leave?"

Applefoot glared at her. "How dare-"

Skypelt slapped a paw on the ground. "Applefoot! Sun! Stop acting like kits. Sun, don't loose your temper, although she's right, Applefoot. She's only learning."

Both Sun and Applefoot slunk back, Applefoot still glaring at Sun. The rest of the lesson passed smoothly, but Sun couldn't concentrate. When they padded back to camp, she had only managed to catch one mouse.

"Remember, stay downwind, and step lightly, and you'll be fine, Sun," Skypelt said when they got back to camp. Sun felt a little sorry for the she cat. It couldn't be easy to be caught in the middle of her and Applefoot. The sun was high in the sky.

"You can rest for a few minutes, Sun, then we'll go back out," Skypelt told her. Sun nodded and padded to the bush she and Cinderpaw sat in often now, lying down and watching the camp, concealed from Applefoot by the wilting pink and gold blossoms.

FINALLY! I'm really sorry I didn't update sooner, guys. As most of you know, I had some problems with my Wattpad. This is the best copy though, so I'm saving it to my computer. I tried to make it eventful and good for you guys, as a "Sorry!"

Well, what do you think of the chapter? Applefoot = EVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or is that just me...? :) Who do you guys like more, Sun or Skypelt? It's a hard decision, but I do like Skypelt slightly more. :)

Well, thanks for sticking with this even though I had annoying Wattpad problems!

~Rainfeather