Warriors: Mist's Choice (Complete)

Chapter 13

Mist That Appears Before Dawn

 A cough came from Stoneteller's den. Mist shivered. Her leader kept getting sicker and sicker every day, and every time someone reminded him that he had to choose a successor, he just hissed at them.

 ''There's no need for that, the Tribe of Endless Hunting has abandoned us!'' Stoneteller hissed once at Mist when she asked him when he was going to choose the next successor.

 Mist looked toward Stoneteller's den, both confused and scared. What's happening with Stoneteller? He was so kind when I joined the Tribe.

 She twitched her ears as she saw Swoop leave  Stoneteller's den.

 ''Anything?''

 ''No.'' Swoop looked at her paws. ''He just keeps coughing and refusing to choose a successor.''

 Mist hissed. ''But why?! We need a leader! What if he dies and-''

 She was interrupted when Stormfur bared his teeth. ''Never say that!''

 ''Why?'' Mist tilted her head. ''It's true.''

 ''We know what's going to happen.'' Swoop whispered. ''But we shouldn't talk about that. If Stoneteller hears us, he might exile us.''

 Mist arched her back, but didn't say anything. The Tribe changed so much! She barely recognized Stoneteller anymore, the cat who welcomed her in the Tribe. Now he only sat in his den and hissed every time someone went to visit him.

 ''If Blue joined a Tribe too, I hope she doesn't have to deal with something like this.'' Mist mumbled.

 ''What?''

 ''Nothing!'' 

 Swoop rolled her eyes and turned around, padding away.

 ''Hey, Mist! How's Stoneteller?''

 Mist turned her head and saw Snow rush toward her.

 ''Not good. He keeps coughing and I think I heard him hiss at Swoop right when she entered his den.'' Mist meowed.

 Snow looked alarmed. ''What? Impossible!''

 ''It's true.'' Stormfur nodded. ''Don't try to ask Stoneteller anything unless you want your pelt shredded.''

 Snow mumbled something Mist didn't understand, but she knew that her friend was upset. Actually, the whole Tribe was. Only Lark and Pine seemed unaffected. They were still playing and jumping everywhere. They're too young to really understand what's happening.

 This isn't my home anymore. It doesn't seem like it. And yet, I can't get myself to leave. Those cats are my Tribemates, I can't just abandon them.

 She looked around, then padded toward Night. She sat down next to her. ''Has Stoneteller ever acted like this before?'' Mist asked.

 Night shook her head. ''No, never. He's..'' She stopped.

 The black she-cat looked around, then continued, whispering. ''He's getting old. He has to choose a successor, and fast, but he's too stubborn. I'm afraid the Tribe will fall apart.''