Chapter Thirteen

"I thought I scented something familiar!" Skypaw blinked in realization when she recognized Grassfang's voice. Her shoulder's sagged in relief when she saw the light brown tom standing in front of their makeshift den. But the relief didn't last long when she saw Cinderstorm standing next to her brother, glaring down at them in annoyance.

"What in StarClan's name were you two doing out here?" demanded the ginger she-cat as Cloudpaw stepped outside of the den first.

"Oh, lighten up Cinderstorm, I'm sure they were caught in the storm too," Grassfang retorted with a roll of his eyes.

Cinderstorm was ready to abject when she thought better of it. Instead she snorted and rolled her eyes in disgust as Skypaw followed her denmate.

"We're sorry, we didn't realize that the storm would last all night," Skypaw admitted. "It was my fault for getting us caught out there." Cloudpaw stared at her in disbelief, and was ready to argue when she too thought better of it.

"So we can blame you for this mess," Cinderstorm hissed. Skypaw returned the glare until Grassfang cuffed his sister over the ear.

"That's enough! They haven't done anything wrong." He glanced back at the two apprentices before dipping his head, "you'll have to forgive my pesky sister; she has a meow worse than her bite."

Anger flashed in Cinderstorm's eyes, but again she didn't say anything. Relief washed over Skypaw as Grassfang led them back to camp. It appeared as though they weren't the only ones who were ruffled by last night's storm.

Branches were scattered across the clearing. Skypaw spotted several leaves and piles of moss that had been ripped off the dens. All of their hard work from yesterday had been for nothing. Her pelt bristled with frustration at the sight.

"Don't let the sight dishearten you," Goldenstar greeted them as if she had read their thoughts. "We are just relieved to see that you have made it back safely."

"What do you mean by 'safely'?" asked Cloudpaw. Her head tilted to one side as she looked around the clearing. Then her gaze rested upon what looked like the body of a light gray cat.

Skypaw's heart clenched with pity when she realized that cat was Featherwind. Cloudpaw immediately broke into a run and reached her side in a heartbeat. The she-cat wasn't moving, and it had only just dawned on Skypaw that Featherwind was dead. Cloudpaw let out a long wail and buried her muzzle into Featherwind's shoulder.

"Featherwind was her mother," Goldenstar murmured sympathetically. "She was a brave warrior that the Clan needed… and she was part of the patrol that found you."

"I'm so sorry."

She looked at her friend, noticing how grief-stricken Cloudpaw was. It didn't take long for Shadowpaw and Halfcloud to join them. The three looked like a true family, and for a moment Skypaw felt a small pang of jealousy.

I don't even know if I have a family, she thought bitterly. She cast the thoughts aside though, realizing how kit-like it seemed to be thinking of something like that. Especially with what had happened to Cloudpaw and her family.

"The death of a Clanmate is never easy," Goldenstar meowed, her voice soft with what Skypaw thought was grief. "But we will remain strong, as we always have."

...

The Clan held vigil for Featherwind. Skypaw hadn't known the she-cat all that well, but she was grateful Featherwind had been there for her when she was on the verge of death. She whispered one last goodbye as Halfcloud and Shadowpaw went out to bury Featherwind's body.

"It's just like Whiteflower all over again," Cloudpaw murmured. Skypaw glanced at her in surprise as she stared down at her paws. "We'll never get to speak about Featherwind… or what she did for us."

"Why can't we talk about those who have—" Cloudpaw cut Skypaw off with a cold look, one that took Skypaw by surprise once more. "Why can't we talk about the ones who have passed on?" she whispered.

"It's against the rules." Foxfang, a russet red warrior, growled. "Talking about the dead only brings bad luck and more grief."

Skypaw was shocked by how coldly Foxfang spoke of the ones who had joined StarClan. Even Leafstorm had tried forgetting about their conversation a few days ago. She wanted to know why it was so wrong to share tongues with StarClan or even speak of them.

"Come on, we've got training to do." Ignoring her look of shock, Foxfang flicked his tail at Pouncepaw and led the larger apprentice into the forest. Skypaw stared after them, realizing all too soon that even if she could change things, no cat would ever listen to her.

She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before taking off from the ground, ignoring Cloudpaw's yowl of protest. Even if cats decided to give chase she wouldn't let them stop her. She needed a few moments alone and away from the rest of the Clan.

Wind whipped past her as she flew over the trees. She didn't stop until she was far enough away that she couldn't see WingClan territory. At last she landed on a branch that stood further away from the forest, letting her paws touch it lightly as she did so.

Her eyes widened when she realized that she was deeper within CaveClan territory. From here she could see where she and her old littermates had used to play in the caves. Even they looked as though they had suffered from the storm.

We aren't the only ones who need help, she decided after watching the forest for some time. Her eyes traveled towards a patch of ferns where it looked as though a massive branch had crumpled them. When she spotted something in the undergrowth she thought it might be another rabbit. But upon further inspection she realized that it was a cat.

"Someone help me, please!" the cat wailed loud enough for Skypaw to hear. Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she recognized it as Ferntail's voice.

"Foxdung! Calm down Ferntail, we'll get you out of there somehow." Skypaw leaned forward when she recognized Mallowpelt's voice.

Without hesitation she jumped down to a lower branch and realized that the massive branch she had thought was gone was still there. And writhing underneath it in pain was Ferntail, her old mentor.

What do I do? she thought desperately. Mallowpelt surely couldn't move that branch on his own! If I help them they'll know WingClan is real! Her mind was whirling with anxiety as she watched them. Mallowpelt was struggling with all his might, be even he with all his weight couldn't move it. The branch was stuck firmly to the ground.

Skypaw finally put her paw down. She needed to help them. CaveClan cat or not, Ferntail had always stood up to her. Mallowpelt was just going to have to accept that she was different. Maybe Ferntail would accept her after all.

She flew down towards the branch, ignoring Mallowpelt's shocked yowl. Ferntail was too busy clawing her way out to even notice. Skypaw glanced at Mallowpelt warily before digging her claws into a smaller part of the branch that stuck out.

"Push while I pull, together we should be able to move it," she instructed.

Still dumbstruck with fear, Mallowpelt did as he was told. While he pushed with all his strength, Skypaw flapped her wings furiously until the branch began to wobble. Ferntail took the opportunity and fled the moment the gap was wide enough for her to escape.

Once she was free Skypaw had stopped flapping her wings, and Mallowpelt's shoulders sagged in relief. But his relief was short-lived as he gaped at Skypaw in disbelief.

"The Sky cats – they're real!" he let out a horrified yowl and started running, until Skypaw gracefully leaped forward and pinned him to the ground.

"Let him go," Ferntail snarled. Skypaw whipped around to face her old mentor. Ferntail stared at Skypaw for a few heartbeats before taking a step back. "S-Skypaw?" she stammered. "Brackenpaw and the other apprentices told me that they found you dead! They… they said a fox had killed you!"

Of course that idiot for an apprentice would say that! Skypaw wanted to scoff. She kept her mouth shut though as she realized the danger she had put herself in. Not only had she helped these cats, but she had also put WingClan at risk by helping them.

"Say what you like about me, but this is who I am," Skypaw declared, placing a paw on Mallowpelt's neck. By now he had stopped struggling; he was too stunned to move even if he wanted to. "Brackenpaw was a fool who left me for dead. But now… because of him I am stronger." She raised her wings proudly as if to prove her point.

"Skypaw, I'm so sorry that all of this happened to you," Ferntail rasped. "I'll make sure that Brackenpaw is personally punished for what he did. But please, you have to let Mallowpelt go. We were only surveying the area to see what damage the storm had caused."

For a moment Skypaw hesitated and lifted her weight off of Mallowpelt. Then all too quickly he retaliated and attacked. Skypaw staggered off of him with a yelp of surprise as he drove his claws into her belly. She winced in pain before trying to pull herself away with her wings, but Mallowpelt was surprisingly faster. With one leap he was able to get a hold of her and clawed at her ears, spraying blood across the ferns.

"That's enough!" Mallowpelt was ready to attack again when the weight of another cat suddenly stopped him. Skypaw staggered to her paws when she saw Leafstorm had pounced on him, glaring at the senior warrior with hate-filled eyes. "Leave my apprentice alone, you flea-bitten Cave rat! She just saved your Clanmates life!"

"Apprentice?" Ferntail echoed her words. Mallowpelt was too terrified now at the sight of another winged cat. He didn't move as Leafstorm thrust him into a tree, ignoring the stare of horror she received.

"Leafstorm, don't!" Skypaw's yowl came too late as she watched Leafstorm rip Mallowpelt's throat out. Horror surged within her as she watched his bleeding body drop to the ground.

"You-You killed him!" Ferntail spat, her voice cracking with grief as she gaped at the sight in utter terror. Leafstorm whipped around to face Ferntail, her eyes gleaming as she glared at her.

"He would have done the same to my apprentice, I was only doing myself and my Clan a favor," she retorted.

Skypaw was too numb with shock to say anything. Her old mentor and new mentor locked furious gazes. Ferntail was ready to attack when she realized she was badly outnumbered. With one final glare at Skypaw, she grabbed Mallowpelt's still body by the scruff and dragged it away.

Leafstorm turned back to Skypaw, her eyes softening when she realized the apprentice hadn't moved at all.

"I…. I…." She couldn't even form a proper sentence as she looked at her mentor despairingly.

"You need to get back to camp," Leafstorm murmured, noticing how badly wounded she was from the fight. "I'll take you back."

For once she didn't argue as Leafstorm gently carried her back into WingClan territory. Skypaw closed her eyes as pain and shock started to take over. All that kept running through her mind were the images of Mallowpelt and Featherwind. Two cats had died today. And she couldn't help but wonder if it was her fault.

AN: Ah the drama... I think people already know where this is headed ;) Yes, I am aware that Mallowpelt is listed as a she-cat in the allegiances... I guess she went through a gender change, just like in the real books XD Also, I'm really sorry it took so long to get this posted. I've been super busy and haven't had the time to update D:

Foreststar of WindClan - Haha, if only it was that easy ;) Unfortunately for Skypaw, things will not be going in that direction. And nice comparison, I think everyone is realizing that neither Clan is perfect... though I'd say CaveClan is worse XD

Lightclaw's Shadow - Me too :P Though since you've read the chapter you would already know ;) But yeah, I'd ship either of them if Cloudpaw was a tom :D

Petalfur - It's okay, it's been too long since I've updated, so I know the feeling :P And wow, that is a lot of work. Sounds like fun though! I'm glad you liked the cliffhanger, it was definitely fun to write about ;)

Ginger Pup - That's actually not a bad idea :) Though I actually already had something else in mind, something much more sinister... muahahaha! And it's okay, I used to do that a lot when I was a newer user. I prefer my new name now though :P

Kristine - Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it so much!

boscyboo - They weren't too thrilled, I'll tell you that :P

Wyldclaw - I guess you found out in this chapter XD