Chapter Twelve - Lost and Found
Storm led the way towards the park once he and Flare had left the alley. There was no way he could bury Cricketpaw. The grief he felt earlier suddenly came rushing back; seeing her body laying there in the ashes was too painful.
By now the rain had finally stopped. The wind was what made things worse for them. Flare pressed herself against Storm as the wind raged on. Twoleg garbage flew past them. Storm had to jump in order to avoid a trash can that was rolling down the street.
"The wind will drive away the rain," Flare murmured as they reached the park.
"I sure hope so," Storm replied.
Though truthfully he wanted the rain to wash away any evidence of what had happened. He didn't want to remember seeing Cricketpaw die right in front of his eyes. Or watching her body burn in the fire. It was a horrific sight, and one he wouldn't forget any time soon.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Flare's question caught him off guard. Storm looked at her warily before shaking his head.
"She was a friend," he explained, shaking with anger and grief as he pictured how lively and friendly Cricketpaw had been. "She was the first one to greet us with welcome paws... everyone else just expected us to learn the ways of the Clan instantly."
"You feel responsible for her death." Storm stiffened when Flare said that.
More than anything he felt responsible for what had happened. He should have gone with Cricketpaw when she asked him to go back. He should have made sure she went back to the forest. Instead he let his anger and frustration towards the Clan cloud his judgement.
"I just wish there was something I could have done," he admitted. "Those rogues reacted so quickly... I didn't have time to fix things."
Flare suddenly pressed herself against him comfortingly. Storm drew in her scent and sighed, feeling more confused and alone than ever.
"It wasn't your fault," she whispered. "Some things are just out of your control."
Storm blinked in surprise at her wisdom. She did have a good point. If anything this might explain why he had tried so hard to save Cricketpaw. Maybe this was StarClan's way of telling him it was time to return.
A storm will bring the Clans together in a time of darkness, or tear them apart... Storm felt his fur bristle when he heard those words again. Was he meant to destroy the Clans? He shook his head and tried to push the thoughts away.
"Thank you, for being here with me," he rasped, remembering the first time they had met. At first he wasn't sure what to make of this bold she-cat. But soon she had wormed her way into his heart. He didn't want to admit it, but he loved Flare. In more ways than one.
Flare sighed as she flicked her tail across his shoulder. If there was one thing he had learned from her, it was that she devoted herself to one task: Protecting the ones she cared about. Storm knew that if he joined the Clan, she would likely go back to Twolegplace. She didn't trust the Clans as far as he knew, and he couldn't blame her for that.
"I understand that you want to go back," she murmured. "I'll go with you."
Storm looked at her in disbelief, but before he could say anything a scent reached his lungs. His ears pricked forward in alarm; the rain made it hard to pick out what the scent was. But it smelled familiar. He was worried the rogues might have found them again, and all at once memories of Cricketpaw's death came rushing back.
"Thank you," he whispered, pressing his muzzle against hers. "You have no idea how much that means to me." Flare purred in response, but when Storm pulled back she looked at him in confusion. "But are you sure that's a good idea? What if they don't accept you?"
Determination lit in Flare's eyes, reminding him once again of just how much she had already proven herself. "I'll make them accept me, if I have to."
He held back a purr of amusement at the sight of her adjusting to Clan life. Something told him she would fit in just fine.
They continued making their way down the park, until Storm stopped in his tracks. His eyes narrowed in alarm when he picked up a familiar scent. Storm gave Flare one quick look before rushing forward towards the scent. It reminded him all too much of Cricketpaw's scent.
"Storm!" He skidded to a halt when he nearly tackled Nightpaw to the ground. Nightpaw gaped when she realized it really was her brother. "Storm, thank StarClan you're here."
His eyes narrowed when he saw Dustpaw, Ryewhisker and Petalwind standing behind Nightpaw. The three cats suddenly looked uncomfortable under his piercing gaze. Clearly they were still remembering the fact that Leafstar had banished him.
"Nightpaw, what are you doing here?" he demanded, letting his fur bristle slightly when he caught sight of Flare. She was hiding in a nearby bush, eyes wide with panic as she saw the three other ForestClan cats.
"We came here to look for you," Nightpaw explained. Her tail flicked towards Dustpaw, whose ears flattened as he approached Storm.
"My sister's gone missing," Dustpaw growled, his voice low and threatening. "We suspected she might have gone looking for you."
Storm stiffened at the mention of Cricketpaw. Dustpaw had no idea just how right he was. But Storm was afraid of how he would react when he told the older apprentice the truth. Cricketpaw was gone. And nothing they did would bring her back.
He bowed his head after feeling shame crawl through him. Storm knew that there was something he could have done to save her. But he was terrified, terrified of what the rogues would do. They would call him a coward.
"I'm afraid that Cricketpaw is... dead," he rasped, finally looking up at Dustpaw. The light brown tabby tom's eyes widened in despair. "I tried to save her, really I did... but the rogues had her surrounded, and they would've killed me too."
Dustpaw took him by surprise by lunging at him. Storm didn't bother fighting back when Dustpaw suddenly lashed out at him. Pain seared his cheek when Dustpaw's claws scored deep marks on it.
"You should have let yourself die, you coward!" Dustpaw screeched.
Storm resisted the urge to fight back; his teeth were grinding together in pain as Dustpaw continued striking his claws at him. No one bothered to push Dustpaw off either. Everyone just stood there, rigid with shock until something finally knocked Dustpaw off his paws.
"Leave him alone, you low-life piece of crowfood!" Flare spat once she had pushed Dustpaw away. "He said he did everything he could. I've seen what those rogues are capable of, and he's lucky to have made it out alive."
Dustpaw spat out blood as he got back to his paws. By the time he did Storm was leaning against Flare, grateful for her support once again.
Silence followed as Storm glared at Dustpaw, matching his ferocity with frustration. He deserved some kind of punishment for what had happened to Cricketpaw. It was his fault that she was dead. Dustpaw deserved to do more than just hurt him for what he couldn't do.
"I think it's best we take you to the Clan," Petalwind murmured thoughtfully. She glanced at Dustpaw sympathetically. "He's telling the truth. Cricketpaw would have returned to the Clan by now if she was still alive."
Dustpaw was ready to argue when he thought better of it. Instead he clamped his jaw shut and glowered at Storm. An icy chill swept over Storm's back as Ryewhisker rounded up his apprentice. Petalwind stayed in the back of the group while Flare padded alongside Storm.
"Are you sure you can keep going? You've got some nasty wounds," Flare whispered, studying the marks Dustpaw had given him.
"I'll be fine," Storm hissed, wincing in pain as he said that. "I just hate the fact that they expect me to go back, especially after the way they treated me."
Flare looked at Storm in surprise, but luckily she didn't say anything. They padded on in silence as the group headed towards the forest. Storm was reluctant to admit that part of him wanted to go back. More than anything he wanted to continue in his warrior training. But the stubborn part of him refused to forgive Willowpaw for what she had done.
It wasn't long before the familiar scent of ForestClan hit Storm's lungs. He felt his fur bristle slightly as memories of Willowpaw's attack struck him. She would be there when they arrived. That much Storm knew. He also knew she would likely blame him for Cricketpaw's death, just like Dustpaw had.
And I deserve every bit of it, he thought bitterly.
"You're back sooner than I expected." Storm stiffened when he recognized Leafstar's voice. "Is Cricketpaw with you?" Flare pressed herself against Storm's flank as the ForestClan leader emerged from the thorn tunnel. He could pick up her fear scent, but luckily no one else seemed to notice.
"I'm afraid she died while in Twolegplace," Petalwind meowed before Dustpaw or Storm could explain.
Storm could feel anger radiating from Dustpaw. Fortunately he didn't dare say a word. Leafstar's eyes narrowed when she caught sight of Storm and Flare. He half expected her to send him away before he had a chance to explain himself.
"Who is this?" she demanded, looking coldly at Flare.
"She's a good friend of mine," Storm replied without hesitation. "And I won't be going back unless you let her join with me."
He met Leafstar's gaze, feeling a sudden rush of determination, despite the shocked looks he received from Nightpaw and Petalwind. Even Flare looked a little surprised by the way he'd spoken up for her.
Leafstar seemed to take his words into consideration. An awkward silence fell upon them, and suddenly the tension in the air returned. Storm was all too aware that Leafstar had every right to turn him down. He wouldn't mind it.
I'd just find another place to live, far away from those rogues, he told himself. Somewhere Flare and I could live together.
"Very well," Leafstar finally murmured, breaking their staring contest. "I must speak with my senior warriors before making any decision, but for now you should have those wounds treated." She flicked her tail pointedly at the wounds Dustpaw had given Storm.
He couldn't help but flinch as Petalwind herded them into the thorn tunnel. Once again the thorns snared his pelt, but he didn't feel any pain like he expected. He could hear Flare hissing in surprise, and already guessed that the same thing had happened to her.
Anxiety coursed through Storm when they arrived in the clearing. It wasn't surprising to see every cat standing outside, staring at him in disbelief and anger. None of them said anything though. Storm had already suspected that Leafstar knew this would happen. She didn't look the least bit surprised when she had seen him with the patrol.
"She's letting another loner join the Clan," he heard Furzepelt scoff. "I should have known. Leafstar wants to make us the laughingstock of the Clans."
"Would you shut up already?" Storm blinked in surprise when he heard Ryewhisker speak up. The creamy brown tom had stalked towards the group, glaring at Furzepelt when he spoke. "All you've ever done is taunt our mother, and I'm tired of it! What has she ever done to you?"
Storm could only gape at the sight until he was finally led towards the medicine cat's den. No cat said a word, but he could still see Ryewhisker and Furzepelt arguing. Something told him that this was one battle he wanted nothing to do with.
Sure enough Sagetail was already waiting inside when they arrived. Storm had only seen the medicine cat once or twice before. The brown and white tom was actually more intimidating than Storm wanted to admit. But having Flare beside him gave him the strength he needed.
"It's good to see you again," Sagetail rasped as he looked between Storm and Nightpaw. Storm tilted his head to one side when he saw his sister stand beside the medicine cat. "Nightpaw, fetch me some marigold and cobwebs, we'll need the cobwebs to stop the bleeding."
Nightpaw nodded in agreement before padding over to the area where Sagetail kept his herbs. Confusion swept through Storm when he realized she was following Sagetail's orders. How did she know the difference between those herbs?
"You actually know how to heal wounds?" Flare asked, sounding more than impressed.
"As a medicine cat, it is our duty to treat those who have been hurt," Sagetail explained. He blinked in amusement when Flare gaped at the herbs Nightpaw was holding in her mouth. "We aren't bound by boundaries like the Clans. If anyone is injured than we help them, whether our Clan likes it or not."
Storm braced himself when Nightpaw handed the herbs to Sagetail. The medicine cat chewed the marigold into a poultice before spreading it across Storm's wounds. His teeth ground together as it stung for a moment, before he finally felt relief wash over him.
"How do you know what herbs to look for?" Storm looked at his sister accusingly as Nightpaw wrapped cobwebs around his wounds. She paused in her work before glancing at Storm with an almost guilty expression.
"Sagetail took me on as his apprentice," she explained sheepishly. "I love it... being able to help others is something I never expected to enjoy."
Storm stared at his sister in disbelief. He never expected her to become a medicine cat apprentice. Yet part of him was glad that she had chosen this path. It meant she would be safer, and away from the battles that raged on in the Clans.
"I'm glad you've found your path," he purred.
"Me too." Nightpaw purred along with him before glancing back at Flare, who suddenly looked more than uncomfortable between the two siblings.
"Flare, I never mentioned that Nightpaw is actually my sister," he explained after realizing why she looked so uncomfortable.
"No wonder you two look so much alike," Flare meowed, her eyes widening when she understood what he told her. He had mentioned his sister staying in the Clan, but he had never told her what she looked like.
It wasn't long before Nightpaw was finished tending to Storm's wounds. He didn't realize just how much he had missed his sister until seeing her now. Nightpaw seemed more confident now that she was Sagetail's apprentice. In fact she had changed in more ways than he liked to admit.
Leafstar arrived in the den when Nightpaw was helping Sagetail clean out the den. Storm looked at her coldly as she gazed at him. The ForestClan leader had stood up for Willowpaw, who in the end had attacked him. He wasn't sure what she would say now.
"The Clan has made it's decision," she announced. "We have decided to give you a second chance."
Storm eyed her coolly when he realized what she was saying. Leafstar refused to admit that she had made a mistake. She didn't want to let the Clan know that she had made false judgement. And for that he would never forgive her. But he would be more than willing to join the Clan, especially if it meant defending them from the rogues.
I'll do this for Cricketpaw's sake, he promised. You didn't deserve to die, and I'll be sure to avenge your death.
AN: I'm glad that everyone's enjoying these chapters :D I know I certainly enjoy writing them! The ending kind of feels a little rushed to me, but there isn't much I can do about it without making it close to 4k words long D:
Smash765 - Thank you! It means a lot to hear how much you're enjoying it :) And yeah, the rogues are pretty messed up, in more ways than one :P Everything will be explained eventually, but for now I'll be keeping their story a secret ;)
Snowfall16 - Yep, that's why :) I can't stand writing short chapters, I don't even know why XD And yes, I did mention a 'her' earlier, but you won't find out about it until later :P I love making people guess! And thank you, and I hope you had a happy Memorial Day as well! I do celebrate it, though I had to work unfortunately :( Being a part of a retail position can do that to you. And thank you, I'm more than thankful for all of your reviews, they really do mean a lot! :D
