Sandclan's Destiny Book 3: Blackout

Chapter 9: Omens and Mysteries

As SandClan woke into a dark morning, the smell of rain and musk was thick in the air. Cougarfang looked drenched, with his whiskers drooping and his fur hanging above his eyes as he tried his hardest to yell out the patrols over the sound of rain and thunder.

Stormtail, Firesong, Goldberry, and Midnightpaw were transformed into a giggling mess as they could not stop laughing at their deputy's dripping pelt and drenched fur covering his eyes, although they were equally as soaked. Cougarfang shot them all warning glances and they immediately silenced, although they still whispered among their group. Other warriors such as Berryclaw and Sandstripe looked over at them disapprovingly from the Warrior's den where they remained dry, but still could not help but smile.

Icekit was coughing and claiming that his throat stung. Bigstar had to pick him up- despite his struggles and kicks and whines that he was strong enough to walk (and then her explaining that he'd probably bump into someone, which didn't help and only made him angrier)- and carried him into the medicine den where he vanished.

"Do you reckon the pond'll flood again, like it did seasons ago?" Rainfoot mewed from the overhanging, yet slicked, leaves above the Warrior's den.

"Flood?" Autumnkit squeaked. The entire Clan was waiting for the patrol sent out to check to come back and report the news. Most of the cats were in the clearing, including Autumnkit who was playing with a moss-ball. Dustkit next to her pricked up her ears, frightened. "Are we going to die? Will it reach camp?"

Bigstar rushed to her kits from the medicine den and sat next to them, "No! We won't die. We sent out a patrol to check for danger... floods, any trees struck by lightning... we'll be fine." She looked to Cougarfang with a frown.

"Yes." The deputy announced, "They'll be back soon."

"If they aren't sucked in by a whirlpool of water." Stormtail said with a smirk, sending Cloudpaw, who was sat on the other side of the clearing, into a visible panic.

"This blasted storm, though!" Swiftfoot cursed aloud, "Do you think it is a sign of bad luck? It will not cease from its start last night until... when? Do you think VenomClan'll suddenly attack? They usually like to come during storms like this. Ambiance." Sandstripe burst into a laugh before quickly shutting her mouth and shooting a wary glance at the deputy. Thunder rumbled as if to reflect their deputy's displeasure at their words.

"No." His tail tip flicked. "But if they do, we'll be ready!"

Sunspots called out from the entrance of the medicine den, "Oh, if only StarClan were able to warn us! If this were an omen, I'd like to know before it's too late."

Cat murmured in agreement and the rest stayed silent or looked up at the pouring sky.

"What if the patrol was attacked by OakClan? Or GreenClan and VenomClan?" Greyfur called out.

Sunspots padded from the entrance to his den and out in front of Cougarfang, sitting down onto the wet grass. "Perhaps the storm is an omen sent from StarClan after all. What if they are weeping down their wet and angry tears? What if the lightning is the fury flashing through their eyes, and the thunder the growls of hundreds of discorded cats? We must prepare for the gathering in which we discuss how we will reconnect ourselves with our faith."

An omen? Yeah right. How is VenomClan responsible for this storm? I just think it's bad luck that everything is in the enemy's favour. Firesong stared up at the rainy sky, letting the droplets peck her face until she was forced to close her eyes. She sighed, bringing her head back down, the water slowly cascading from her muzzle and onto the grass. They slid down her face like tears.

Suddenly a voice yowled, "It's not flooded! But something's going up in GreenClan. We saw smoke!" Slashingclaw stormed into the camp, his small paws slipping on the grass. His face was wet but his yellow eyes were wild, jaw open and gaping as he was prepared to share more news. Thunder boomed in the distance.