Treacherous Skies

Chapter 16

The sun shone straight above Hailstorm's head the next day as he watched Raypaw talking to Sagetail and Twigfoot excitedly. Lilackit and Cherrykit sat beside Sagetail, batting at each other playfully. The two sure had grown in the half-moon since they'd been born. They had first set paw out of the nursery this morning, given a tour by Rosekit, Pinekit, and Needlekit.

Goldheart emerged from the den and padded toward Raypaw, Yellowpaw behind him; Raypaw was leaving for the traditional trip to the Moonfall that all apprentices made before being named warriors. Goldheart was giving herbs to the leaving cats, including himself. He, Raypaw, and Bronzepelt were the three cats making the journey.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Twigfoot promised his apprentice. "And then we'll decide when your assessment will be."

"Alright," Raypaw meowed excitedly, his paws kneading the ground.

Twigfoot smiled and batted Raypaw's ear in affection. "Be safe."

"We will," Raypaw promised.

Hailstorm padded up to Raypaw. "Goodbye," he meowed.

Raypaw rolled his eyes. "We'll be back, don't worry."

"I'm not worried," Hailstorm meowed.

Eveningstar jumped down from the High-stone and padded swiftly up to Goldheart. "Safe travels," he meowed.

"Thank you, Eveningstar." Goldheart dipped his head. "We'll be back before you know it."

Eveningstar leaned closer. "Is everything alright?" he whispered quietly, but Hailstorm overheard. "I mean, because you need to speak with StarClan. It sounded urgent."

"It's fine," Goldheart flicked his golden-tabby tail. "I just need to confirm something."

"Alright." Eveningstar nodded, looking somewhat convinced. Hailstorm knew that he was just worried about the safety of the Clan and wanted to make sure nothing was threatening them. But Hailstorm also knew that Goldheart wouldn't tell Eveningstar anything without knowing everything; he didn't want to cause fear throughout the Clan when it wasn't necessary.

Bronzepelt finished up his herbs, while Raypaw stared at his in disgust. Hailstorm remembered all too clearly what they tasted like from his own trip to the Moonfall, and held back a gag of revolt.

"Come on, Raypaw," Yellowpaw insisted impatiently. "They're just herbs."

Raypaw wrinkled up his nose, then took a deep breath, then he slowly lowered his head and lapped up the mixture of leaves. He screwed his eyes shut and chewed. Then he stuck out his tongue. "Yuck!" he spat.

"What?" squeaked Lilackit, peering at her older brother from behind Sagetail with wide yellow eyes.

"Herbs," muttered Raypaw bitterly.

"Eww!" Cherrykit exclaimed, her tiny pink nose wrinkled.

Lilackit got up and sprang forward, pushing Cherrykit over. The small red she-kit let out a squeal, and the two sisters tussled in the dirt, rolling in circles.

"Go play in the clearing," meowed Sagetail. "You're getting in the way. You don't want to play near those herbs, right?" The two young kits shook their heads wildly, then turned tail clumsily and raced after each other, play fighting their way into the clearing.

"Okay, we're ready." Hailstorm turned back to the cluster of warriors and saw Goldheart standing up, facing Raypaw and Bronzepelt. Every cat meowed out their last farewells, then the three cats turned and left the camp. Hailstorm watched them go, Raypaw's orange tabby fur rippling with excitement. Goldheart took the lead, and the other two followed. Bronzepelt fell back to walk with his son, and soon all three disappeared behind the thick trees.