Warriors: Setting Sun: Returning Sky #2

Chapter 11

Nightpaw's fur rustled. She knew the patrol would return to camp any moment now. She was standing in the center of the camp along with her Clanmates, who were surrounding Quartzkit's cold, dead body. The little kit had died moments ago, and her family was completely devastated and heartbroken.

Moonshine sat beside Nightpaw, her tongue gently rasping over her head. Nightpaw felt calmed by her mother's washing, but she couldn't keep down her fear of telling her Clan. It's my fault she's dead. They'll all hate me.

Whitewing let out a wheezing cough, her body shaking. Birchfall let her lean into his shoulder, his eyes filled with grief. Ivypool lowered her head, her eyes closing.

Nightpaw slumped to the ground, shivering as snow landed on her pelt. Whitewing, Birchfall, and Ivypool will hate me forever.

"That thief will pay," Palewhisker hissed. "They caused a kit to die, they don't deserve to be with their Clanmates anymore."

Nightpaw flinched. The comment stung, even though she knew Palewhisker didn't know that it was her. StarClan, help. How do I reason with everyone?

"Squirrelstar is back!" A voice announced.

The patrol had returned, and Squirrelstar seemed to notice the grief-filled expressions. She saw the cats surrounding Quartzkit, and dipped her head. She padded forward, her steps slow.

"I'll wait until the grieving is over," she meowed, her tail flicking.

"Tell me now, did you find them?" Ivypool asked, lashing her tail.

"That can wait," Squirrelstar meowed. She sat down, her eyes glittering with sadness.

The rest of the patrol grieved for Quartzkit, while Ivypool paced around, probably curious on learning about the thief. Her eyes were dull.

Nightpaw stood up. StarClan, I can't do this! She headed towards Squirrelstar, her heart pounding. "S-Squirrelstar," she stammered.  "I need to say something."

"Wait until after the grieving, Nightpaw," Squirrelstar sighed. The ginger she-cat bounded up the rocks to stand on the High-Ledge, ready to speak.

Eventually after a heavy moment of silence, the elders came and lifted Quartzkit. Jaywing dipped her head at Whitewing and Birchfall, then padded off with Hawkfoot, Ferncloud, Thorn, Poppyfrost, and Petal. Squirrelstar waited for the elders to return, and Nightpaw grew more and more anxious. You can do this.

After the elders returned, Squirrelstar stood on the very edge, her head raised. "All cats old enough to hunt, gather for a Clan meeting!" She called loudly. 

Nightpaw couldn't keep still. She stood closest to the rocks that led up to the large rock on which Squirrelstar stood. After almost every cat had sat down, Squirrelstar looked around.

"As you all know, our catmint was stolen last night, which caused Quartzkit to die. I went with a patrol to all the Clans, and Spirepaw admitted to stealing our catmint to save Applefur's kits," Squirrelstar explained.

Nightpaw swallowed hard. Spirepaw covered for me? Now he's in serious danger! She shuffled her paws, her pelt burning.

"Of course ShadowClan stole it!" Ivypool hissed. "They'll pay for killing my sister!" She hissed.

The warriors began growling with rage and yowling in anger. They all lashed their tails, and shuffled their paws in the dirt. I have to do something, or ShadowClan will suffer for my actions! She rushed up the rocks to Squirrelstar, her heart pounding. 

"Nightpaw, what-"

"Wait! I have something to say!" Nightpaw gasped quickly. Without allowing Squirrelstar to speak, she stood on the very edge, lifting her chin. "It wasn't Spirepaw who stole the catmint!" She yowled. She earned confused looks, and even Mudpaw looked bewildered.