Warriors: Starfaith's Fate (SOB short story) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 7

The WindClan camp was alive with conversation. The day was coming to an end, and most of the clan was in the clearing sharing tongues under the setting sun.

"It's been a very warm day," Dandeliontail commented from where she lay near Featherblaze, stretched out in the sand. "I'm glad it's cooler now."

Featherblaze nodded agreement. "Thank StarClan for that! I thought my fur was going to catch fire."

"Then we'd have to call you Furblaze," The yellow striped she-cat purred, and they laughed together.

On the other side of the clearing, Jaystreak was sharing a rabbit with Jaggedear. "How is your apprentice doing?" The blue-gray and black tom asked after swallowing what he'd been chewing.

"In terms of his health, Tornadopaw is fine after that fox attacked." Jaggedear's voice was full of annoyance. "But he's still as foolish and rude as ever."

Jaystreak rolled his blue eyes. "All young cats are."

"No. I've been a warrior long enough to know plenty of foolish young cats." Jaggedear looked troubled as he spoke. "But none like Tornadopaw."

After a moment of consideration, Jaystreak responded. "I suppose you're right. But he'll have to change when he becomes a warrior. He'll have his assessment soon, won't he?"

"Oh, yes," Jaggedear grumbled and rested his chin on his folded paws. "I can't wait." He flicked his gaze up as Jaystreak stood and padded away. "Where are you going?"

Jaystreak paused and looked back at him. "I'm going to bring a mouse for Willowtail," He said. "I won't be long."

Outside the medicine den, Starpaw and Silverberry were laying near each other, observing the cats in the clearing. Starpaw watched as Jaystreak picked a mouse out of the fresh kill pile and headed for the nursery with his tail high. 

He's a good brother to Willowtail. She thought. Her kits will arrive any day now. But the thought didn't warm her feelings as the news of kits should have. It felt like nothing could. It had been two days since Dewpaw had confessed his feelings for her, and she couldn't get it out of her mind. I need to stop thinking about him. I need to stop meeting with him. I need to get rid of my feelings for him. I'm a medicine cat! Though she felt certain that her decision was the right one, she was very sad. She wasn't able to escape the feeling of loss and heartache that hung over her like a raincloud.

Beside her, Silverberry let out a content purr. "It's a beautiful evening, isn't it? It's so nice and cool. Much more refreshing than the heat we've had all day."

"I suppose." Starpaw rested her chin on her paws and stared ahead dully. Nothing has felt beautiful since that night at the moonstone...

Silverberry studied her closely. "I wish you'd tell me what's troubling you."

That night, Starpaw had run straight back to the medicine den and to her nest before the other medicine cats had even finished sharing dreams with StarClan. Silverberry seemed to have been alarmed to wake up to her absence and rushed back to camp. In Starpaw's misery, the best explanation that she could give was that she'd been very tired and wanted to sleep. Silverberry hadn't pressed her any further, but knew very well that something was wrong.

When Starpaw didn't respond, Silverberry shifted closer to her. "If StarClan gave you a warning about something, you must tell me," She murmured. "We can tell Gladestar and work it out together."

"It's nothing about StarClan," Starpaw replied quietly. "Don't worry, I would tell you if they shared something important." She felt Silverberry's gaze on her and hesitated awkwardly. "I'm going to sleep now." She rose to her paws and turned to pad into the den.