Sandstrike's Curse

- 11 -

Sandstrike steps out of camp and into the surrounding ShadowClan territory. A raindrop from one of the trees lands directly on his nose and he scrunches it a bit.

He is leaving on a border patrol, and the patrol was told to check the SkyClan border specifically. As he pads alongside Dustfur, Sweetberry, Fernshine, and Snowypaw, the rain begins to pick up.

"Well great," Dustfur mumbles sarcastically. "More rain, exactly what we needed."

"It won't be much longer until this rain begins to turn to snow," Sweetberry mentions. "I am not looking forward to leaf-bare."

Fernshine opened her jaws as if she was about to say something, but then she stops herself, lowering her ears.

What's her problem? Sandstrike thinks frustratedly.

"This will be my first leaf-bare!" Snowypaw mentions. "Do you think we'll get a lot of snow? I want to play in some!"

"Snowypaw," Sandstrike immediately responds with a low growl. "Leaf-bare is no fun. It is very cold, prey is scarce, and many cats can get sick. You're not a kit anymore, you won't be able to play."

"Oh..." Snowypaw meows, lowering his ears. "Sorry..."

"Sandstrike, Snowypaw is a young apprentice. Don't talk to him like that," Sweetberry meows defensively. "Let him imagine."

Sandstrike lets out a sigh as they continue to walk together. "He's gotta learn about reality at some point," he responds.

The border patrol then reached the SkyClan border, an area past a small twolegpath.

"I smell some SkyClan scent on our side of the border," Dustfur is quick to bring up.

"Yeah, I smell it too, it's very strong too," Sandstrike responds with a low growl.

"Yeah! I also smell it!" Fernshine responds as she sniffs around. "We gotta go tell Owlstar about this."

After the border patrol remarked their territory, they quickly and silently headed back to camp to give their report to Owlstar. Once they arrived, Sandstrike's gaze meets Falconflight's instantly.

"I'll go tell him," Dustfur meows. "He will likely address the whole Clan about it once I tell him," the senior warrior meows as he begins to head over towards Owlstar, who is chatting with Fawnbriar. Sandstrike watches as Falconflight slowly pads over towards him. He raises his tail in greeting to his son.

"Hey," Falconflight meows once he gets closer. "I know you're not going to be happy to hear this, but I am so I hope you will at least try to be happy for me."

"What is it?" Sandstrike asks as he narrows his eyes, preparing for the worst.

"Fernshine is expecting my kits, she's moving into the nursery tomorrow," Falconflight shares. "I already told Tulipblossom, she was very happy."

"Well, I'm happy for you too," Sandstrike responds in somewhat of a lie. "I'm glad to hear that my only kit is about to have kits of his own." Falconflight blinks in surprise.

Out of all of the she-cats by the lake, why that traitor? Sandstrike thinks, but he doesn't show it. Now my descendants are going to share the blood of traitors. Also... right before leaf-bare? Did Falconflight forget about the curse?

"Thank you!" Falconflight purrs. "I was afraid you would be happy... since Fernshine has left ShadowClan to join SkyClan before..."

"Nah, I'm happy for you," Sandstrike responds. "You're going to be a great father."

"Thanks!" Falconflight purrs. "Speak to you again later!" He meows before bounding over towards Fernshine.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the high branch for a meeting!" Owlstar calls out from the highbranch. Sandstrike hurries over towards Tulipblossom and sits beside her.

"How was border patrol?" Tulipblossom asks in a whisper.

"You're about to hear about it," Sandstrike responds and turns his attention over to Owlstar.

"Dustfur has reported to me that strong SkyClan scent has been found on our side of the border," Owlstar announces. "I have called a meeting to inform the Clan about this. Please be more cautious when near the SkyClan border and Plumnose will be sending out extra border patrols to the SkyClan border. Hopefully this does not cause more issues, we don't want another war. If you spot a SkyClan cat in our territory, do not attack him or her, but just chase him or her out."

I'm going to attack any SkyClan cat I spot on our territory. We fought hard for that extra bit of territory. My kin have been killed by SkyClan cats. I will show them no mercy, no matter what Owlstar says. Sandstrike thinks angrily.

"The Clan meeting has been dismissed," Owlstar states, leaping down from the highbranch.