A Feather in a Storm

A/N- I'm glad people liked the last chapter and I'll try not to doubt myself any more. Thanks!

-ScourgeXScarlet- Glad it was good and that the POV switches made sense.

-kkkkkkkkk (Whitestream) - It makes me happy you liked it despite what I thought about it.

-Lilystem- I'm glad you liked it but you know I won't give anything away!

Chapter 11

Relaxed

(Lightningflash)

CloudClan left as soon as the cats rested and ate. It was slow travel, as Weedtangle came along despite being an elder. Luckily they met up with nothing dangerous, so the only injuries were thorns and minor scratches. After six sunrises, CloudClan made it to OneClan territory. They met up with a patrol along the way to OneClan camp.

"Leave, Pride! Get out- oh, Stormfeather, it's you! And you brought CloudClan!" A light orange tomcat with black paws ran up to Stormfeather and purred. Lightningflash did not know Stormfeather had a mate. Lightningflash felt a pang in his chest, until a dark grey tabby stepped up.

"Emberflame, really. Any cat here would think you were Stormfeather's mate, not mine." The she-cat stepped up to greet Stormfeather, and playfully slapped Emberflame with her tail.

For reasons unknown to himself, Lightningflash felt relieved.

"Fine, Brambleheart. Can't even say 'hi' to a friend, huh?" Emberflame asked.

"Hey, Stormfeather, are you going to introduce us to your friend?" Brambleheart asked, gesturing to Lightningflash. He felt his pelt grew hot, as he realized he was in front of his Clan, standing next to Stormfeather.

"Oh, this is Lightningflash, a cat of CloudClan. Oh, shut up," Stormfeather said as the she-cat Brambleheart opened her mouth.

Lightningflash was curious about what she was going to say and why Stormfeather stopped her. Oh, it's probably best if I don't know.

Stormfeather, Rainpaw, and the patrol led CloudClan to the OneClan camp. A large dark grey tom-most likely the leader- ran up to them.

"Thank StarClan you're back! Bluefire would not leave me alone! Welcome to the OneClan camp, cats of CloudClan! First let us introduce ourselves, and then any elders, queens and kits, or cats injured can rest. My name is Thunderstar," the grey cat, Thunderstar, said.

The cats of OneClan, one by one, said each of their names. When they got to a white she-cat named Everbright, Stormfeather whispered to him.

"That cat is my sister. She's quite nice when you get to know her," she said. Lightningflash nodded. OneClan finished and CloudClan started, starting with Poolstar. Dovestripe and Blackfire said their names.

"That's my mother, and brother. My father died," Lightningflash stated. Stormfeather started.

"Oh, I'm sorry. My father died and my mother was a kittypet. I don't know if she's alive." Stormfeather looked downcast.

"Oh wow, I can't very well complain then. Hey, don't be so sad. Let me tell you about my Clan. The deputy's Ravensmoke, medicine cat Amberheart. Jaylight is Blackfire's friend, but I think they may become mates. My father's name was Stonepelt. He died in a battle with rouges when I was a kit. My best friend is Smokeplume, who is mates with Stormrain. Poolstar's mate is Firecoal. I have no mate."

"My turn. The deputy's Strongheart. Medicine cat's Dawnmoon, who has an apprentice, Flutterbird. Strongheart is Everbright's mate. My father's name was Owlshadow. He died from green cough. My best friends are Flutterbird and Brambleheart, though she can be annoying at times. Thunderstar's mate is Cinderblaze. I have no mate." Stormfeather trailed off, staring into space- right at Lightningflash.

Thunderstar interrupted, yelling from the Highledge that all cats should rest. Lightningflash, Blackfire and Quietdream got the OneClan warriors den, and the rest just filed in other dens. They all fell asleep quickly.

They woke at moonhigh. Thunderstar got them into battle patrols and led them through the forest to the place the Pride of Rock was camping.

They attacked. Lightningflash and Stormfeather snuck into the abandoned twoleg nest where they were hiding. There was a rustling sound, and Lightningflash leapt to the side, ready to attack. He felt teeth in his side and sliced out. Stormfeather flinched back. It was her holding him back, and he just sliced her. He mumbled an apology quickly.

"It doesn't matter. But there is a queen with kits in there. Be careful." He nodded at her warning and together they padded in. They saw the queen, but avoided her, scanning for other cats. They saw none, and went out just in time to hear the Pride call a retreat. It was a short battle. OneClan and CloudClan returned to OneClan camp.

"Attention, Clans. Rainpaw here has been a brave apprentice. I would like to hold his warrior ceremony," Thunderstar yowled from the Highledge. Poolstar interrupted.

"If you do not mind, Thunderstar, I would like to hold Mistpaw and Greypaw's ceremony, too."

Thunderstar agreed. They held a joint ceremony. Rainpaw became Rainfall; Mistpaw was made Mistdrop, and Greypaw Greyheart. The three of them started their vigil immediately, so the others could rest for the rest of the night.

The next day, Lightningflash woke back-to-back with Stormfeather. The cats were already crowded, but they were too close. Lightningflash jumped up, starting Stormfeather. They glanced at each other, and then looked away. Lightningflash opened his mouth to apologize, but Stormfeather interrupted him.

"It's alright. We were sleeping. You did not know you were in that position."

"Yeah, thanks," Lightningflash stuttered. She nodded and they left the den. Thunderstar put them on a hunting patrol together. Stormfeather seemed more relaxed in his presence, he realized. It was as if… she felt something, too. No, don't think like that. You'll only get disappointed. They caught a rabbit, a squirrel, and a mouse together. They made a good team. They got back and talked together until they heard running paws. Pride of Rock. They ran into the camp screeching and attacked.

Lightningflash fought as hard as he could, but all he could think about was how relaxed Stormfeather was around him, and how relaxed he felt around her.

A/N- So was this chapter good? Sorry for the long wait, but I was on a trip. Do you think this story is going too fast or is it a good pace? I'm not sure… Please review and tell me what you think. Reviews and constructive criticism make me happy! I value your input as it lets me improve my writing.