Sandclan's Destiny Book 3: Blackout

Chapter 8: A Quaint Conversation

Firesong padded along the expanse of SandClan territory with her littermate, Rockpaw, and their two apprentices; Juniperpaw and Midnightpaw, respectively. The sky was awash with red and orange waves.
Sunset was always Firesong's favourite time of day-- whether it was the fields of SandClan turning amber or the sky and her pelt looking the same, she couldn't say. 

"So, about Stormtail, what exactly was the talk about?" Rockshade stopped to ask. Firesong couldn't help but chuckle and think, He is so protective. Even after our time in OakClan he still treats me like we're in danger. Well, we still are. 
Midnightpaw and Juniperpaw were too far away to hear Rockshade. They were both concerned with dragonflies and trying to catch them.

"The talk? Oh he just.." She began, but suddenly her long-furred apprentice bounded up.
"Can we hunt?" Juniperpaw suddenly pleaded.

"No I want to fight, I want to fight!" Midnightpaw looked up at Rockshade with large amber eyes, "Please? Two on two!"

Firesong glanced over and cheerily mewed, "You go hunt and let us talk. If you catch something, come back. I promise we'll be finished by then."

"Then we can fight." Rockshade flicked Midnightpaw's nose with his tail. The black apprentice squealed in delight before running off after Juniperpaw's russet pelt. Rockshade looked back over to his littermate, "What did he say?"

"He simply... apologized for Icedrift." Firesong shrugged.

Rockshade bristled, "Perhaps Icedrift should apologize for Icedrift!"

"It doesn't really matter! There's more than just her to be worried about! Just across the border, VenomClan's probably planning something big." She mewed matter-of-factly, rolling her bright green eyes. Truthfully she did care, and she wished Icedrift would disappear from Stormtail's life. But she knew that was a stupid thing to expect from someone, and she accepted his apology after a while.

Rockshade's pelt was on edge, "That's absurd. Stormtail could be a traitor for all we know! Being affiliated with Icedrift, she could be turning him to her side. There isn't just danger over the border, there's danger in our very own camp, probably!" 

She nodded slowly, not really believing his accusation, and Rockshade snorted. He could tell she didn't respect what he was saying. His claws came unsheathed and he sank them into the grass, "The next gathering is soon. Stormtail better make up for his mistakes. I don't want to see him betray our Clan."

Firesong nodded again before padding forwards, wishing that he could convert to another conversation. She mewed dully, "I don't think he's a traitor, I just think he's stupidly in love." 

Rockshade flicked his tail, "And how do you feel about that?"
"I'm used to it," Firesong mewed, frowning. "One day, Stormtail will see past it and realize how terrible Icedrift is, because she's in GreenClan, and she fights loyally for Blackstar."

Firesong searched for her apprentice. She scented the warm air, overwhelming her senses with prey and plants. Rockshade let out a deep breath and joined her.

"I suppose it's time to find our apprentices, then?" He muttered, flicking his ear.

"Yeah." Firesong entered the undergrowth, ferns brushing her sides. The wood was darker than the field, almost night-like. She padded through the darkness, and avoided the few brambles that spotted SandClan's territory. Rockshade followed after her.

*~*~*

Rockshade felt a sense of nostalgia come upon him and remembered the OakClan days. We used to navigate their brambly territory and get lost. Then Dappledfern and Redcloud would get so mad...and Birchstar would have a fit. It isn't fair- they knew we were SandClan kits, so why didn't they understand?