Jayfeather's Choice

Chapter 14

A storm was brewing ahead. Even though the sky was mostly clear, Jayfeather could smell it in the air. 

It had been 2 moons since he last saw his kit, Holly Leaf. The Tribe had just stopped grieving over the loss. By now, Jayfeather was used to loneliness. Lion Blaze barely even spared him a glance. Jay's Flight was always busy foraging for herbs or preparing polutices. He was extremely skilled and was capable of doing things on his own after 4 moons. He ignored him whenever he passed by as well. Fire Star was always busy training with Lion Blaze, trying to get better at fighting. Both of them seemed to still be racked with guilt after being unable to save Holly Leaf. 

And Half Moon was his only family that would actually pay attention to Jayfeather. She talked to him when he was bored. She comforted him when his kits weren't there. 

Maybe if I stayed behind, Half Moon would be happier and the Clans would exist. Oh, StarClan. I really screwed myself up. 

"There are rogues coming in right now!" Jayfeather jumped to his feet as Lion Blaze spoke. 

Jayfeather watched as Wind and two other cats he didn't know padded into the camp. 

"This is One-Eye and Star Flower. We are only here to talk." Wind said. 

"Separate." Lion Blaze hissed. 

"Lion Blaze! That's no way to talk to guests!" Jayfeather snapped. Lion Blaze whipped around and glared at Jayfeather. 

"You're in no position to speak, old cat." 

"You should still speak to guests with respect. Even if they're enemies." Half Moon said. 

"Oh, you don't know how I feel towards them. You want to know who they are?" Lion Blaze asked, hatred burning in his eyes. 

"These are the cats that killed Holly Leaf!" 

--

"We have searched the entire forest for the whereabouts of Smokeblaze." Mistystar announced. "We haven't found a single trace. The only hint of where she could be is the forest. We found her scent very close to the old ShadowClan border, then the trail went cold. We're going to launch another search party tomorrow." 

She jumped off the boulder, then padded into her den. 

"I wish Dovewing was here." Tigerheart said aloud. "She would know what to do." 

"Dovewing. The cat that can hear miles away, right?" Siang asked. 

"She really was capable of doing that. Whether you want to believe it or not." Tigerheart snapped. "And she could probably locate Smokeblaze within a heartbeat." 

"Yeah, sure." Siang rolled her eyes. "I don't believe that for a second. She might have had a good sense of hearing, but there's no such thing as cats with superpowers." 

"What about Lionblaze?" Tigerheart asked defiantly. "And don't you dare tell me he just has skill. He took down a badger alone. That would've taken at least 5 cats, and we would only be able to chase it away." 

Siang looked away, defeated. 

"So, do you think we'll ever find her?" Lionblaze asked. 

"Maybe. She might've just gotten lost." Tigerheart said. 

"Yeah. Maybe." Lionblaze said uncertainly. Tigerheart narrowed his eyes. 

"Lionblaze, do you know something that you aren't telling us?" He asked. 

"That information is something between Mistystar and I only." Lionblaze said. "Not for you to know." 

"You know something about Smokeblaze, don't you." Tigerheart said.