Chapter 3

Risingstorm wasn't sure what had led him to the Shining Stream. It was barely moonhigh when he reached the stream that kept SunClan's connection with StarClan. He couldn't sleep when his watch shift finally ended. He remembered hearing someone calling to him.

"Why am I hear?" he asked out loud. The snow that crunched under his paws sent shivers down his spine. The Shining Stream rarely had ice in it because of the constant flow of water. It was only until he reached the bank did he see the clumps of ice forming along the stream's edge. Horror coursed through Risingstorm when he realized that this was why StarClan had called him. "The Shining Stream is freezing!" His voice rose to what he thought was a whisper.

The black and white tom nearly leaped out of his fur when he felt someone brush against him. Risingstorm looked to his right to see Fernclaw standing nearby. Her tail was lashing from side to side when she saw what he was staring at.

"StarClan has forsaken us," she whispered. "The Shining Stream was my only connection to them, and now it has been cut off."

"What are we going to do now?" Risingstorm looked at her, his expression dark with worry.

"There is nothing we can do," Fernclaw rasped. "Unless..." She cut herself off when a realization dawned on her.

Confusion swept through Risingstorm when she whirled around towards the camp. Eventually he shook his head and wondered if every medicine cat was like her. Fernclaw was always distant towards the Clan, even as a kit from what he had heard. Of all the medicine cats SunClan had seen, she was by far the strangest.

He wasted no time in following her after pushing the uncomfortable feeling down his chest. Something told him that Fernclaw knew exactly what was going on. She was already in the clearing when Risingstorm reached the camp. Floodstar was in front of her, tail lashing in annoyance as she told him what had happened.

"Risingstorm, is what she said true?" Risingstorm flinched when he recognized Echoflower's mew.

She was sitting with Toadspring and Robinflight. Both cats looked equally worried when Risingstorm nodded in response.

"I saw the Shining Stream myself," he admitted. "I don't want to believe it, but it's true."

"Why would StarClan do this to us?" Robinflight demanded. Her fur was fluffed up as she glared at the scrawny looking mouse at her paws. "First we have to endure this leafbare, and now... this!"

"I'm sure that it's nothing to worry about," Toadspring murmured. "I would bet that this has happened before."

But it's never snowed this much, Risingstorm reminded them silently. He kept his mouth shut in the hopes that Toadspring was right. And it would keep the Clan from panicking. Everyone was already on edge because of the colder weather.

After what felt like moons, Floodstar finally pulled away from Fernclaw and glared at her.

"Why should I believe that load of foxdung?" he spat. Fernclaw flinched when she heard the anger in his tone. Risingstorm held his breath as he waited for an argument to flare up between them. Floodstar was always arguing with Fernclaw, even if she did make wise decisions for the Clan. "This is just another one of your excuses to make us leave, isn't it?" Floodstar's claws unsheathed as he glared at the medicine cat.

"Floodstar, why would I lie to you?" Fernclaw retorted. "I only wish to see the best future of this Clan, and now I cannot communicate with StarClan."

Part of what she said was true. Risingstorm knew that the Clan relied on their medicine cat. But with Rabbitpaw as her apprentice, Fernclaw had all the help she needed. She didn't need to rely on StarClan during the hard times.

"No, I've had enough with your lies!" Floodstar snarled. "Rabbitpaw!" At once the young light brown tabby streaked out of his den. Risingstorm rolled his eyes when he noticed the look of happiness in Rabbitpaw's eyes.

You only became her apprentice because you wanted to avoid Brookpaw, he thought angrily.

"I want you to keep an eye on Fernclaw," Floodstar ordered when Rabbitpaw stood beside his mentor. "Make sure she doesn't leave her den."

Fernclaw's eyes narrowed with fury as she was led to her den. Risingstorm tilted his head to one side as he wondered why Floodstar was doing this. A medicine cat was important to the Clan, especially one that had close connections with StarClan.

But everything she said only seemed to make Floodstar angrier. The SunClan leader was glaring after her as she disappeared into her cave. Rabbitpaw stood outside, looking rather smug with himself as the Clan broke into whispers. Already Risingstorm heard the rumors spread around.

"Is she losing her mind?" Stonepelt asked.

"Maybe it's a good thing she is confined to her den," Sorrelfur murmured. "If she is losing her mind than the Clan might be in real danger."

"At least we still have Rabbitpaw, he's a good medicine cat," Littleflower purred.

At once Risingstorm rolled his eyes. Littleflower was Rabbitpaw and Brookpaw's mother. Their father had died from greencough a few moons before they became apprentices. Littleflower had encouraged Rabbitpaw to become a medicine cat apprentice after Thistlenose's death. As far as Risingstorm was concerned, Littleflower was as arrogant and hotheaded as her kits.

"Enough, we need to act as though nothing has happened," Kestrelsong meowed. Her voice was dark with worry as she looked at Floodstar. "Difficult times are ahead, and we must act as one."

"Says the cat who's next in line to become leader!" Nightstorm spat. He was sitting near the nursery, keeping an eye on the entrance.

Gingertail's kits were always looking for an adventure of some sort. Risingstorm had a feeling that they were trying to get out from under their father's watchful eyes. But as long as Nightstorm was there they had no chance of escaping.

"Nightstorm, you always wanted to become deputy," Whitewhisker retorted. "But you are quick to fight. That is why Floodstar never chose you."

Nightstorm shot the senior warrior a venomous glare. A chill swept down Risingstorm's spine as he watched them. Nightstorm was always looking for a fight. Just a few days ago Nightstorm had chased down a rogue and tried to kill her. It was only thanks to Kestrelsong's quick thinking that the rogue was still alive.

"I don't need this," Nightstorm scoffed. "I will become deputy some day." He glared at Kestrelsong before shoving past her.

The light brown tabby simply shook her head in annoyance as he stalked out of camp. Risingstorm felt a knot form in his belly as the dark-furred warrior slipped away.

"He's looking for another fight," Kestrelsong sighed.

"Maybe that's a good thing," Whitewhisker murmured. "It's time he learned his lesson the hard way."

Cats like Nightstorm never learn, Risingstorm thought angrily. They always thought they were right and the world was against them. Risingstorm knew that this was far from over. Sooner or later Nightstorm was going to take his anger out on the Clan. And he was going to attack when they least expected it.


AN: I am so sorry for this delay, I've been really caught up in my other stories. Chosen will likely be updated as well, and so will ThornClan's Beginning. Also to Viperstar, I kind of already have a Shadekit in the allegiance. Would you mind changing his name, maybe than I'll add his character :) And thanks to Cookies and Cream, and Dogrule12345 for reviewing!