Chapter 3

Cloudkit

"It's time to go to sleep, kits," Nightfall sighed, padding over to me. "It's been a long day, and I need some rest."

I jolted awake from another conversation with the ancient cat. "Oh! What?"

Her expression changed to one of concern. "Cloudkit, you need to stop daydreaming whatever else you're daydreaming about and get a move on with life. Because sooner or later, someone's gonna-"

"Okay, okay," I replied, exhausted. Too tired to argue any more. "I'll try more..."

"Good." Nightfall let out a long yawn, her jaws parting and her teeth revealing. "Just making sure."

The moon was already rising, but as I began getting to my paws, another agonized cry sounded from behind me.

"Has anyone seen Stormkit today?"

"What?" Nightfall exploded. "What do you mean?"

Leopardfur twitched nervously. "I- She isn't in the camp at all!"

"Have you checked everywhere?" My mother sputtered, panic filling her voice. "The kit-grounds? The dens? Hiding in the nursery?"

"I've checked every mouse-length of the camp," Leopardfur explained. "There's nothing remotely like a kit anywhere."

"But- but that's impossible," my mother shrieked. "Stormkit was with us the whole afternoon! I saw it!"

"I know where she is," I volunteered.

The two stopped and stared at me. "Now, this is no time for your silly pranks, Cloudkit," Leopardfur started, but I cut him off with a fierce glare. "This isn't a prank! Starclan speaks to us all!"

Leopardfur opened his mouth, about to argue again, but Nightfall silenced him with a flick of her tail. "Yes, and where is she, honey?"

OoOoO

Stormkit

It was wonderful out in the woods.

I paused, sniffing the air. "Why don't they allow kits to go here?" I muttered. The soft scent of the trees and the sharp smell of prey rose up above all the rest. It was truly a great sensation.

I began padding out even further. Sunlight streamed through tiny cracks in the leaves, but there was still plenty of shade and that's the way I like it. Plus, there was also a slight breeze coming in the direction of the camp, so it left my back with a cool, satisfied feeling.

Soon I began sensing a change in the air- literally. The forest scent didn't seem quite as overwelcomg here... as I pushed away yet another patch of bramble bush in my way, I looked up at the scene before me and gaped, my mouth open.

Just in front of me... It was the most magnificent clearing that I had ever looked upon. Maple trees cluttered the corners; the ground was dusty, but not muddy in the least, with a smooth surface and no bumps or craters whatsoever. I began stepping out cautiously. What part of the land was this?

Suddenly, there came a rustling, and I stiffened.

I expected something to pop out of... Well, nowhere, to be exact. I spun around wildly, trying to see if some cat was going to confront me, but no one came.

"Hello?" I squeaked, shrilled than I had meant for it to be.

There was no answer, only the whispering of trees in the blowing wind.

But still I stood, slightly shivering now. Even though the morning sun shone down at its brightest.

Something was out there.

The messenger was watching.

"Don't scare her!" The dark ginger she-cat hissed, but the bushes rustled with the crumbling leaves and the black kit stiffened.

The tom felt like replying back, but the she-cat's fierce glare made him hold his tongue for a few moments longer. "I know, I'm trying to-"

"Do or do not," she whispered back. "There is no try. The boss told us."

The tom shook his head. Some things were better off left alone.

OoOoO

Nightfall

"She'll die out there in the wilderness!" My voice came out shrill and thin. "Foxes and badgers roam the perimeter. She could die of the heat- there are no puddles of water anywhere nearby! I can't remember the last time she ate!"

"Calm. Down," Leopardfur commanded. "We're going to find her."

"How do you know?" I shrieked. "We've already walked for several paces and we still haven't had a trace of her!"

"She's at the training grounds," Cloudkit interrupted. "Those dusty, sunny patches of ground?"

I growled. "Cloudkit! You're not helping!"

My mate cast his tail on my back. "It's okay..."

Something about that gesture disgusted me. "I don't need protection," I snarled. "I can handle things myself."

Leopardfur said no more, just waved his tail in dismissal and wandered off further into the undergrowth, muttering.

The Star-Watcher stared out into the darkness. "Has there been any sign of the Light-Bringers?" a small brown she-cat besides him meowed.

He gazed at her intensely. "No, and there needed none. I will protect you," he muttered.

"But isn't that our ancestor's jobs?"

"It is mine, too, Dust." Suddenly, he seemed to catch sight of something in the darkness; dark blue, and wide. His eyes grew wide. Could it be? One of those after so many countless moons...

"Star-Watcher?" Dust inquired. "What are you doing?"

He sighed. "No, nothing, Dust. I would never keep anything from you."

There was a long moment of silence, and then finally Dust opened her mouth again. "But, Star-Watcher-"

"You may call me Tiger," he whispered. "You have no need to address me so officially."

"Thank you," Dust murmured. "But... have you seen anything, Tiger? This group might not last much longer."

"Don't worry," Tiger assured. "I have sent scouts ahead. They will explore that area, report back to me, and then we can decide what to do."

"Of course. I dare not oppose you," Dust said quickly.

But what he did not tell her was that he had indeed saw something in the corners of the shadows. Those scouts... They would do as they were told, right? They were always his most trusted companions; they wouldn't fail him now, would they?

Tiger snarled.

They better not.