Next chapter is here! I will try to update once a month at least but I might not get to it… the updates will be pretty random, sorry… So this chapter goes on at the same time as Chapter 2, only it shows what is happening in the Group of Imperfect Cats at this time, instead… if that makes any sense ;) Anyway, ENJOY :D
Sage winced as Shadow pressed the poultice on her torn ear.
"It's looking better." Shadow stated, rinsing her herb-dusted paws in the shallow puddle beside Shadow's small supply of herbs. It was nowhere near the size of Moondapple's herb store, but it was sufficient for these cats.
Shadow's voice grew very soft and gentle. "Sage, what happened?"
Sage blinked. "I-I…" she trailed away, unsure how to explain the injury. She couldn't betray her clan, or her mother, no matter how they had treated her.
"What happened?" Shadow repeated.
Sage suddenly felt trapped in this fern-enclosed corner of the clearing. She spun around and raced out into the main clearing. Stonefall stopped on his way across the clearing, a mouse clamped in his jaw. He dropped it at his paws.
"Sage?" alarm rang in the big gray tom's voice.
Sage stumbled as her bent hind leg caught on a root and she landed with a thud on her chest. She sat up, shaking herself off.
"What's the matter?" Stonefall asked, coming to sit by her.
"I tripped." Sage avoided the question she knew he was asking.
Stonefall flicked his tail. "Is it about Dewclan?" he lowered his voice.
Sage kneaded the ground uncomfortably. "It doesn't matter."
The two cats were silent for a moment before Stonefall spoke up.
"I know you must recognize my name is a clan name." he meowed.
Sage flicked her gaze at the gray tom.
"I used to live in Cederclan."
Sage pricked her ears.
"Why are you here?"
"I had a… very good friend in Dewclan." Stonefall's whiskers twitched wistfully.
"What was her name?" Sage asked, understanding what this 'very good friend' really was to him, and curiosity tugged at her to know more.
Stonefall blinked. "You… you probably wouldn't know her."
"Try me."
Stonefall's whiskers twitched. "Mistcloud."
Sage's eyes widened and she lowered her gaze as to not let Stonefall recognize the surprise and recognition in them. Mistcloud? Did that mean Seedpaw and Frogpaw might be half-clan?!
"You do know her, don't you?"
Sage nodded softly.
"Just… if you see anyone from the clans again, just don't tell anyone, please."
Sage nodded. "I wouldn't."
"I'm just glad Icestar didn't announce anything about this at the gathering… He found us on the border together, just before dawn, and he brought me back to camp, woke the clan early, and decided to exile me."
Sage looked at her paws.
"I-I'm sorry…" she murmured.
"Well, what's been done has been done and can't be undone." Stonefall stood up and shook himself off.
As Sage stood up she noticed Shadow crouched beside the fern clump, watching her. Sage turned away uncomfortably. She wasn't ready to face questioning again. Shadow stood up and padded away towards the forest, her tail drooping unhappily.
Guilt prickled through Sage's fur. She knew the black she-cat only wanted to help. But she couldn't face the fact that her mother had done this to her. How would she explain it to Shadow?
Hope you enjoyed! As always please review :)