Chapter Twenty

Three days had passed since Willowfire died and Snaketail was no closer to knowing how now than she had been on the first night. When her clanmates asked, Snaketail told them she wasn't certain but that she suspected an internal infection. That was a lie. Willowfire had completely healed from the fox bite so whatever had killed her must have been something new. Nightpaw alone knew about Snaketail's confusion and only because Snaketail spent so much time wondering at it in their den. When the moon had risen nearly to the center of the sky, Nightpaw came out of the medicine den and insisted Snaketail come back in to sleep. After a moment's hesitation, Snaketail agreed and they both curled into their nests and slept.

"Snaketail." A quiet tom's voice called. Snaketail opened her eyes and stretched. She sat up quickly when she realized she wasn't in her nest. She looked around at the dim, misty forest that she was in for a moment or two before noticing the long-furred silver-white tomcat who was sitting in front of her. His blue eyes gleamed in amusement at her confusion.

"I'm sorry. Who are you?" Snaketail asked.

"My name is Cloudfrost."

"Does Starclan have something to tell me?" Snaketail couldn't quite help thinking that this damp, cool forest felt somewhat different than Starclan's sun-warmed territory but she thought that maybe this was just an area she hadn't seen before so she didn't say anything.

"I just wanted to assure you that Willowfire's death was not your fault."

"I know. I just don't understand how she did die. Any infection remaining from the fox bite would have shown up long before then."

"I can tell you how she died." Snaketail looked up at him, a question in her eyes. In reply, Cloudfrost pushed some leaves toward her with one paw. Snaketail leaned forward to look closer and sniff at them.

"Poison hemlock?"

Cloudfrost nodded solemnly before speaking. "One of the apprentices brought her a mouse that morning that was laced with the root of this plant."

"No." Snaketail denied, shaking her head and backing away from the poisonous plant."No, none of Leafclan's apprentices would do that. I know them all. None of them have the heart for cold-blooded murder."

"I am simply telling you the facts Snaketail. I'm sorry but clearly one of your apprentices is capable of that."

"No. I'm sorry but you're mistaken. That can't be true." Cloudfrost just gazed at her sadly as Snaketail turned and blundered away, running through the sickly green light until she woke up.

Snaketail jumped up, gasping from her frantic run until she caught her breath. She shook her head crossly, trying to rid herself of the memory of Cloudfrost's accusation. However, Snaketail still tensed up when she saw Blackpaw carrying a squirrel across the camp to the elders. She was just about to turn away, annoyed at herself again, when she saw Frostpelt push her share to Hazelwood.

"Are you feeling okay, Mom?" Snaketail asked as she approached.

"Hmm, yeah. I just don't feel up to prey yet. I'll eat something later."

"Do you want me to fetch you something lighter, maybe some plants? I know where some miner's lettuce and clover grows."

"I suppose so. Thank you."

"Do you want anything Hazelwood?" Snaketail offered.

"No, thank you. I'm fine." Snaketail nodded and left.

Several minutes later Snaketail crouched next to a patch of clover. Setting down the chickweed, dandelion, and miner's lettuce leaves, Snaketail went to the task of collecting clover heads. As she leaned over a patch of leaves towards a flower head, Snaketail noticed a four-leaved clover. With the idea that Frostpelt would like it Snaketail decided to take it as well. However, when Snaketail reached to grab it, two of the leaves split in half, leaving it with six leaf parts.

"I didn't even touch you yet." Snaketail commented to the plant but decided against picking it after all. Instead she gathered the plants she already had and went back to camp.

After Snaketail dropped off Frostpelt's food she returned to her den. Nightpaw looked up as Snaketail entered and spoke.

"Hey, Snaketail?"

"Yeah?"

"Um, I was taking a short nap just now and, well, my dream was, weird."

"How so?"

"It was too vivid. I noticed everything in all my senses."

"What happened?"

"I was playing around in camp, pinning leaves and chasing butterflies and then I saw a particularly bright leaf fall off the entrance tunnel so I chased and leaped at it but it always stayed just out of reach. It led me out of camp and far away. I mean, it didn't feel like I'd traveled too far but as I chased it I was aware of the scenery changing around me. Then the leaf brought me across a fallen log and onto an island before falling into the lake and breaking in half." Nightpaw hesitated a moment before adding. "Snaketail, I think we should find the other clans. You know, Thunderclan and Shadowclan and them."

Before Snaketail could answer Darkstar's voice rang out across the camp.

"Let all members of Leafclan gather under the meeting-tree for a clan meeting!" Exchanging a glance, Snaketail and Nightpaw left their den and joined with the rest of the clan.

"I was speaking with some of our apprentices earlier today and they've has expressed a desire to live as kittypets. If anyone else finds this lifestyle unsuitable and would rather live with two-legs please come forward and stand next to Lightpaw."

Slowly and uncertainly a few cats moved forward. First came Minnowpaw, then Hawkpaw. After talking a bit, Foxfur and Firepaw also approached. Embershade turned to talk with Sandpelt, whom was sitting next to her.

"I want to go with them. Will you come with us Sandpelt?"

"Embershade, I'm not sure if we could find a twoleg that would take the three of us. And most people tend to spay or neuter their cats." That caused some of the cats that had chosen to leave to shuffle uncertainly.

"All valid points but I don't like living like this."

"I know and I want you to be happy but I'm not sure you will be as a kittypet either."

"Well, what do you suggest then?"

"I don't know. If I do think of something though I will let you know. Just stay with Leafclan until I do, please"

"...Alright." Embershade reluctantly agreed.

"Okay," Darkstar continued. "Is that everyone who wants a kittypet life? And are you five sure you still want to after hearing Sandpelt's rebuttal?"

Everyone made noises to show that they were content with the group they were with. Darkstar nodded and recommenced.

"Then first thing tomorrow Brighttalon and I will take you into the city and we'll see what we can do about finding you homes." He finished, addressing the cats that had collected around Lightpaw.