His eyes were fixed on nothing, staring out into emptiness when suddenly he stood up and traveled in the direction of SkyClan. I will be in huge trouble, going against the warrior code, CottonTail thought to himself. Although RaggedStar did not know about CottonTail's absence, he began to worry at the fact he could be in huge trouble wondering into SkyClan's territory if someone scented him. But in this situation, there was no stopping him.
He wanted to talk with CopperStar, the clan leader, to address a situation back at SunClan. Although he wasn't too big in battles, he knew it might come to one. Gladly, he had his trusted friends SunTail and LightHeart. A shiver ran down his back as he then reached the border between the clans. "This is it," CottonTail reminded his companions, "are you ready?"
In acknowledgment they nodded their heads, determination shining in their eyes. With a flick of his tail, he lead his group down a hilltop to find themselves in SkyClan territory. They kept their bellies low to the ground to clarify a patrol wasn't about. Unfortunately, they scented SkyClan cats coming towards them. Crouching lower, CottonTail noticed his old friend SmallEar with the patrol. SnowPaw, her apprentice, was with her. The apprentice stopped to sniff the air and her fur stood straight up. SmallEar did the same and gave SnowPaw a swift lick behind the ear for praise. She then bolted straight towards the SunClan cats.
The fur on her back began to lie down again when she spotted CottonTail. The apprentice looked bewildered as her mentor welcomed the enemies. "Hello CottonTail. What do you need?" She had a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"Sorry for intruding but I must talk to your leader, CopperStar. It is very important." CottonTail explained but SmallEar narrowed her eyes at him.
"What is so important?" She inquired, "and why are they here?" The SunClan warriors glanced at each other in slight uncertainty, obviously offended.
"I mustn't speak with anyone but CopperStar," CottonTail defended, "and I couldn't come alone, I need defense." He tried to slide a bit of humor into his response but SmallEar didn't appreciate it.
"I cannot grant a one hundred percent safe passage through my territory," she meowed, "and I will not let you." She finished her statement with a grunt. "You share it with my leader, you share it with his deputy first." CottonTail glanced back at his warriors and they gave a small nod.
"Okay SmallEar, where can I find that cat." She had a smirk on her face and a glint in her eye. "Congratulations!" CottonTail boasted. "But that means BluePelt is..." He looked down at his paws, grieving for his old friend.
"Thank you. Now follow me." SmallEar changed the subject and stalked out of their hiding place. CottonTail signaled with a flick of his tail for his warriors to stay back as they parted to where the border of the clans met.
She was sitting on a log licking her chest fur and swiping her paw over her ear. CottonTail stood admiring her when she broke his thoughts, "well?"
"RaggedStar thinks there are two clans forming an alliance. Particularly MoonClan and CloudClan." CottonTail began, "He said he has seen the evidence and CheerHeart, the deputy agrees. They say they have seen FrostStar and AlfaStar meet in each others Clans. LightHeart said she scented them skimming our boarder to hold private meetings at Garden Maze on moons before and after the new moon." CottonTail meowed.
"Do you believe it?" SmallEar simply questioned.
"Well..." CottonTail was looking for an answer, "if they scented them, there's no doubt something is going on and-"
SmallEar searched his face, "and you want to hear CopperStar's thoughts." She finished his sentence for him, "you know, I wouldn't have the guts to do what you are doing." She admitted. CottonTail looked at her confused, "to go behind my leader's orders."
CottonTail felt the need to defend himself, "what! I'm not disloyal to my leader, I need to talk to CopperStar. You know, see what it all means to him."
"It's alright CottonTail, we all do what we think is right, it may be mouse-brained or wrong, but there's a chance it is actually right." She paused for a minute and continued, "are you sure you know what your doing?"
"As sure as I'll ever be." He replied. SmallEar let him gather his group and they wondered to SkyClan's camp. It was a big field, open to the forest. There was tall grass around the border of the camp as well as thistle plants tangled within it. When CottonTail reached the camp entrance, his skin stung by the thorns that scratched him on the way in.
No cat turned their head or even acknowledged the fact there were three SunClan warriors in the heart of the camp. One, however, ran up to greet the newcomers. "Hello LightHeart!" The Gray Tom purred, "and SunTail! You look good, enough fresh-kill?"
"Enough to keep us fed." SunTail responded, "it's good to see you GreyPelt."
"Hello GreyPelt. We need to talk." LightHeart stated.
I know, we do!" GreyPelt agreed. As he then saw LightHeart's gaze stay steady, he noticed she was serious. "Now?"
The two cats walked out of the group of warriors and CottonTail continued to walk with SmallEar and SunTail. "It's been a long time since I last saw this place." CottonTail sighed, "it seems like yesterday we were sprinting side by side on our warrior missions."
To his surprise, SmallEar hissed, "you decided to leave and become a traitor! I missed you and I lost you all because of some stupid she-cat!" Her eyes filled with tears and she stared at her paws.
"It doesn't matter SmallEar, GoldenPaw is gone now." He felt as if his stomach was in a tight knot. "And I'm a fur ball for leaving."
"Then why don't you stay? Why not come back?" SmallEar mewed. SunTail was sitting behind them, his tail neatly resting on his paws. His eyes shone with both curiosity and confusion, as well as worry.
"Do you think CopperStar would let me rejoin your clan? I can't have a paw in both worlds SmallEar. Plus, my heart lies in SunClan, StarClan has chosen my path." Both cats said nothing and CottonTail heard SunTail give a sigh of relief. There were cats staring at them now. Murmuring and whispering to one another, they watched the two cats in silence. A few even snarled, spitting out remarks like, "what's the matter with him? Do I need to rip his tail off SmallEar?" As well as, "what's a traitor doing here?"
SmallEar stood up and walked over to a den covered in tall, dry grass and wheat. As CottonTail walked inside, he saw LightHeart trotting towards them. When he entered, a figure stood up about twice the size of CottonTail. When it stepped into a patch of sunlight leaking into the den, he recognized CopperStar.
"I bring to you a traitor," SmallEar spat, "but an old friend and den-mate." Her tone softened and CottonTail felt a little more relaxed, not knowing how the leader would have reacted to the harsh welcome. "CottonTail has news he wishes to share."
The orange tabby chuckled, "CottonTail? A warrior at last. What brings you here? Do you wish to rejoin the clan?" CottonTail saw SmallEar lash her tail from side to side, predicting she knew the answer.
"No, CopperStar, my heart lies in SunClan." He then explained the evidence and suspicions about the two clan leaders forming an alliance. As he went on, CopperStar's interest deepened and his eyes held a fire-like fury.
"How dare they!" SmallEar interrupted.
"You didn't come here just to warn me, did you?" CopperStar meowed, ignoring SmallEar.
"No. I wanted to, well... Hear what you think we should do." CottonTail admitted.
"I think we need to have our own alliance." CottonTail was stunned by how smoothly he said this. He wasn't at all even expecting that answer.
"Are you sure?" SmallEar broke in, "then there would be two clans..."
"Not quite," CopperStar replied, "the usual business applies, we just have to be there for one another in battle. But if it comes to one, we will fight against you. Now, how do you want to report this to RaggedStar?"
CottonTail froze, not knowing what to say. SmallEar then replied for him, "he doesn't know about this visit." CopperStar held a gaze on CottonTail.
"Is this true?"
"Yes," SunTail stepped forward, "this is our mission."
"You are brave warriors, brave but disloyal." CopperStar started to turn around and head for a spot of short, green grass and started prodding it with his paws.
"We are not disloyal!" LightHeart hissed. CottonTail flicked the tip of his tail to signal silence but she did not obey. "You are not my leader CottonTail! This is not right for a different clan leader tell me what loyalty means!"
"Get out!" SmallEar spat, "everyone but CottonTail!" The two SunClan warriors twitched their whiskers in anger but slipped out of the den.
"Leave SmallEar." CopperStar ordered. The tortoiseshell she-cat hesitated but left the den behind SunTail and LightHeart. Once she was out of sight, CopperStar continued. "How will we talk this over with RaggedStar?"
"If it is convenient for you, we can meet at Garden Maze at sunset tomorrow."
"Alright, now before you leave, I must ask, are you sure you do not want to rejoin SkyClan?"
CottonTail hesitated, "yes CopperStar, StarClan has chosen my path. I will always have a deep respect for my birth clan though."
"Is your loyalty doubted in SunClan?"
"Yes, it will take a while for things to smooth out. I have no doubt in my mind that things won't get better, the clan will grow to me. I know it will."
"Very well." CottonTail touched noses with the leader and headed for the exit. CopperStar suddenly meowed, "SmallEar has a deep regard for you CottonTail."
He stopped dead in his tracks and turned around, "CopperStar- I..."
"It is alright young warrior, my daughter will figure out there is no room for different clan love eventually." He stared at CottonTail and CottonTail saw there was a warning in his eyes.
"Alright."