I said another Swifttail chapter, but it'll be 1/3 Swifttail, 2/3 Rainpath. Yes, how exciting! R&R please! Hugs and thanks to all my reviewers! ;D
Chapter 8
"Swifttail," a sharp voice echoed inside her head. "Deep within yourself, you will find the answers." She recognized the voice as Blackstar, but Swifttail couldn't see him. It was all darkness, as if all she could see of the large white tom with jet-black paws was his feet. Blackness surrounded her. Thank you, StarClan, she thought earnestly. "B-Blackstar?" she stammered, looking around now. StarClan did come to give her guidance— but where was Blackstar? His voice vibrated into her ears slowly. "StarClan never knew either when you and Rainpath visited…" Swifttail immediately knew that the former ShadowClan leader meant the night when she and her sister had visited StarClan in the Starlight Cliff by when you and Rainpath visited.
But what did Blackstar mean by StarClan never knew either? Swifttail lifted her head and asked, "StarClan never knew what?" Strange echoes bounced off the darkness, and one particular voice she recognized as Yellowfang, the honest ShadowClan and ThunderClan medicine cat. Swifttail felt her raspy voice trail into her ears clearly. "We, too thought it was odd… odd that only Rainpath had two powers…" Then Raggedstar's voice rang as well. "You can enter a memory of one cat, Swifttail…" A swirl of pale gray mist zigzagged through the darkness like a snake making a path of crushed sand in a desert. Finally, before a flash of moonlight blinded her eyes, the voice of Blackstar whispered softly into her ears, "Use your powers wisely, for we have given you the guidance you needed." Suddenly, Swifttail found herself lying down in the warrior's den. This had to mean something.
And she was going to find out for sure. But before she did that, there was one thing to do. She had to find Rainpath.
***
"Reedwhisker, can I go hunting alone by the ShadowClan border?" Rainpath asked innocently. The RiverClan deputy shot her a suspicious look, but replied, "Very well. Return by sunset, however." Nodding earnestly, Rainpath exited the camp. It was sunhigh, but the chilliness and the shrill touch of the wind was freezing her. Although this leaf-bare was one of the warmest, it was still cold enough to let her tremble. Sunlight barely helped the RiverClan cats to warm up, but they could manage. They were used to being wet and cold most of the time due to their experiences, but altogether, they had to beware of catching horrendous diseases such as greencough that would always lurk nearby during leaf-bare.
Each of her steps was softly placed onto the muddy ground. Rain had fallen last night after the Gathering, and the firm soil had spread into muddy, fragile earth. She used to play in the rain as a kit, but was always found and scolded continuously along with Snowheart. Soon she reached a grassier area, and pine trees shaded the grass farther away. That was ShadowClan territory. Rainpath stood near the border and crouched down, beginning to hunt. Although she was planning to hunt, she had wanted to see Swifttail. Waking up from the warrior's den, she had suddenly felt the temptation to reach the border and wait patiently for her sister. "Got it," she murmured to herself as the mouse beneath her paws went limp. Burying the small gray creature, a scent approached her. Swifttail, she thought, grinning. Turning around, she faced a ginger she-cat with white patches, who stood by the other side of the border.
"Wanted to see me?" Swifttail teased. Laughing, Rainpath replied, "I suppose. Did you receive dreams from StarClan? I guess you did, eh?" Looking breathlessly at her sister, Swifttail meowed, "Can't hide anything from you these days. Yup, they did. They said I have another power. A power to enter one's memory. Rainpath, can you figure out anything more about it?" Deep in thought, Rainpath answered thoughtfully, "Your power is destined to be used for us to enter Moonstream's memories, Swifttail. I know it is. We must find Moonstream…!" Eyes widening, Swifttail huffed hastily, "When? Now?" Shaking her head, Rainpath replied, "No. You must learn more about this power first. You must be able to use it well. Go back to ShadowClan and try doing it on another cat. Try to get more messages from StarClan. So will I. Practice using this power. Until you can be capable of using it fully, we won't be doing this on Moonstream. Try to do it within the moon… before the next Gathering. Or before this moon's dark night. Try, Swifttail. Try." Dipping her head, Swifttail raced off. Rainpath was left breathless.
StarClan hadn't known about her power either, Rainpath thought. I hope she masters this skill soon… We might need it more than we think we do. Her clear blue gaze traced through each cloud on the dark sky. Thick thunderclouds unraveled around the reddish-orange sun. Crackles sounded across the sky, and flashes emerged suddenly. A storm was coming, Rainpath observed. As rain dripped down from the skies, she suddenly felt anguished. She never thought much about her heritage— even after the visit to the Starlight Cliff. The sisters were too determined about answers. But there were more answers she needed. She had so many questions remaining inside her head. The curiosity cleared up by the journey to the cliff was merely the start of the beginning.
Who are my parents? That was one of the questions she didn't even dare to make theories of. What if her parents were horrible cats? Cats she hated? Cats that hated her? Cats that died? What if her parents were dead? She hoped not. And what do we, Rainpath and Swifttail, have to do with the Power of Three? She suddenly thought that she should visit Firestar of ThunderClan someday with Swifttail. But would they ever get the chance? Her heart felt lighter after thinking about it a bit, and she could carry her chest around more easily. Dewshine, as usual, worriedly padded up to her and asked her if she was okay. Snowheart tried to lick her wet fur warm, and she told her friend she was fine. Padding into the medicine cat's den, she allowed Mothwing to check on her, if she had a cold or not. Then she went to the apprentice's den to visit Hummingpaw and Tumblepaw, and ended up in the warrior's den, thinking even more about prophecies… messages… StarClan… flaws… the Power of Three… parents… And finally fell asleep.
Was her sister trying to figure out answers to questions as well? Did she finally learn how to use her powers? She hoped so.
Aye, we have again learned more of Swifttail's hidden power!! :D Now my routine of updating shall continue... Onto Holly's Paths!
Oh, people! Take guesses on what would happen next! BECAUSE it's a FULL Swifttail chapter coming up soon!!
~~Rainee