Warriors: A New Beginning #2: Midnight Rising

Chapter 24

Midnightsky's heart was still pounding as she and Leafdawn carried Mintleaf to the ThunderClan camp. She was still very doubtful that she could handle being ThunderClan's only medicine cat.

At least I have support, she thought. Leafdawn and Lilacsong had both offered help. And Mintleaf himself had told Midnightsky that he would help her any time she needed it. But can I still do it? She had only just been promoted to medicine cat. Midnightsky's tail-tip twitched with stress and worry.

Yesterday was certainly an eventful day, she thought. What would Wheatwing think when she and Leafdawn came into the camp with Mintleaf's body? What would everyone think? Everyone supposedly knew that she and Leafdawn were dead.

Midnightsky felt too pressured to relax. She glanced at Leafdawn, who looked a little worried as well. The air was tense.

At last they approached the camp. This was it. The big moment.

Midnightsky took a deep breath and entered the camp.

At first no one noticed the two she-cats carrying Mintleaf's body. Then Silkfrost sprang up. "Midnightpaw! Leafdawn! We thought you were—" She noticed Mintleaf's body. "...what happened?"

"He died as peacefully as he could die," Midnightsky murmured. She explained to Silkfrost what had happened.

"So you're the only medicine cat now?" Silkfrost asked. "You're a full medicine cat, right?"

Midnightsky nodded. "I got my full name right before he died.

"Really?" Silkfrost looked intrigued. "What is it?"

"Midnightsky."

"That's pretty!"

Midnightsky said nothing, just stared at the ground.

"Midnightpaw!" Wheatwing dashed to the medicine cat and nuzzled her. "I knew that you would come back."

"I'm Midnightsky now..." Midnightsky murmured. "But Mintleaf's dead."

She wasn't sure if life would be the same again.

***

After Leafdawn and Midnightsky had been greeted, Midnightsky pulled Leafdawn into the medicine den (which was now her den!). "Okay, what did you want to say to me?" she asked.

"Midnightsky..." Leafdawn whispered, "when I was at the rogue camp, I overheard a conversation between Bloodclaw and some other cat, I didn't recognize the voice. They were speaking of a plan. It was...it was to attack ThunderClan. To make them pay."

"Wait, they're going to attack our camp?" Midnightsky's eyes widened. "How?"

"This is what I wanted to tell you." Leafdawn's non-blinded eye stared at Midnightsky. "He said that there's a spy in ThunderClan. And...they were the one who took Wheatwing."

"A spy?" Midnightsky's fur bushed. "You can't be serious!"

Leafdawn nodded gravely. "One of your cats isn't as they seem... I'm sorry." When Midnightsky made no response, her expression changed to worry. "You don't think it was me...do you?"

"Oh, no!" Midnightsky exclaimed. "I don't think it was you. It's just...I need to figure this out. Figure out who the spy is. And handle my medicine cat duties at the same time... I need help!" She thrust herself at Leafdawn, burying her face in her friend's shoulder. "Please."

"I'll help you." Leafdawn nuzzled Midnightsky. "Teach me the basic herbs and how to remove thorns and stuff. I can help with a lot of things around the camp with that knowledge."