Chapter 33
The Clan sat vigil over Leafpool's body for most of the night. Ravenflight sat with Stripecloud and Cinderheart as they waited for the sun to rise. Most of the Clan seemed to forget about the past Leafpool had created. Instead they were mourning over the death of a cat who's memory would never be forgotten. Ravenflight had promised that she would not be forgotten, like Graystripe or Millie. All three of them deserved to be remembered for the things they had done to help the Clan.
It was the morning after Leafpool's vigil that Ravenflight confronted Cinderheart. The gray tabby was still mourning over the lives that had been taken away from her. First Millie, than Graystripe and Leafpool. Sorreltail had been Leafpool's best friend and Cinderheart's mother. Ravenflight couldn't blame Cinderheart for the grief she felt, but she was determined to understand who her father was. What Leafpool said before she died still troubled Ravenflight.
"Cinderheart, can I…speak with you?" The gray tabby—her mother—blinked in surprise at her question. "We need to talk somewhere outside the camp."
Cinderheart glanced over her shoulder to where Sorreltail and Poppyfrost were sitting. All three of them had been together since Brackenfur was moved to Jayfeather's den. Eventually her mother nodded and followed her out of the hollow. Foxleap was the only one to question where they were heading. Ravenflight had simply told the older warrior that they were searching for herbs for Jayfeather's supply of catmint. With such a shortage catmint was needed with all of his sick patients.
Once they were out in the forest Ravenflight felt herself relaxing. The air outside was crisp and cold, but she felt warmth from the sunlight.
"Cinderheart, do you know what Leafpool told me yesterday?" Ravenflight asked once they were far enough away that no ears would hear them. When Cinderheart shook her head, Ravenflight forced back a sigh of frustration. "Leafpool told Jayfeather that StarClan sent her messages of things that happened in ThunderClan…they were…bad things, weren't they?" Cinderheart's eyes widened in disbelief. "I know something is up between you and Jayfeather," she added coldly. "You always seem to know what the other is thinking…almost as if you've spent much time together."
"Ravenflight, some secrets of the past are—" Ravenflight cut her off with a furious hiss.
"Some secrets need to be told!" she spat. "I've lived in the shadows for too long, and so has Stripecloud."
Cinderheart gave a loud sigh before shaking her head. "We were never supposed to let it slip," she murmured softly. "When the Clan asked who your father was…I told them your father died. Instead he is living well, but full of guilt."
"So…so he knows?" Ravenflight's shoulders were beginning to shake with rage.
"He knows, and he hates what he has done," Cinderheart replied. "We were foolish to think we would get away with it as long as we did. We knew StarClan would not let this slip by." Cinderheart closed her eyes and lashed her tail. "I'm certain Firestar knows the truth, but he's too…noble or stubborn to reveal our secret."
"Didn't you learn from Leafpool's mistake?" Ravenflight snarled. Her lips were twisted with anger as she thrust her muzzle in front of Cinderheart's. "Every mistake comes with a price!"
"So you don't think anyone has noticed your nightly visits?" Cinderheart snapped. Ravenflight flinched when she realized Cinderheart was indicating her visits with Cedarleg. "Every warrior has a choice, whether we choose to break the warrior code or not. I did not break the warrior code in any means, nor do I intend to."
Ravenflight was silent as Cinderheart began to leave her. "Does this mean we were a mistake?" she whispered.
"You are not a mistake!" Cinderheart's cry made Ravenflight stare at her in shock. "Would we have allowed you to live if we thought otherwise?" When Ravenflight shook her head in confusion, Cinderheart's hackles began to rise. "I would take my warning seriously. Don't let your heart guide you. I've learned the hard way in more ways than one that the heart is not always the best object to follow." With that she turned and left Ravenflight standing there.
. . .
Ravenflight had been more confused than ever when she returned to the hollow. She received an icy look from Cinderheart, but aside from that most of the Clan was in their normal state. Well, as normal as any Clan would be in leafbare. A hunting patrol had returned with a few pieces of fresh-kill to bring to Whitewing and the elders. The three cats were relieved to fill their bellies while they waited for the bounty of newleaf.
"The Clan has been without fresh-kill for some time now," Longtail murmured as he nudged the scrawny looking mouse Thornclaw gave him. "I should not take what I can't hunt for."
"You've done more than enough hunting in your lifetime, mousebrain," Mousefur snapped. "You need more fresh-kill than I do."
Amusement filled the air as the two elders continued arguing. Ravenflight was left to speak with a few cats, but her attention was distracted by Squirrelflight as she approached Firestar. The flame-colored leader was sitting beside Sandstorm as they whispered to one another urgently.
"Firestar," Squirrelflight mewed with a dip of her head. When Firestar eyed her calmly, she continued speaking, "I think we should tell Stormfur about Graystripe and Millie."
"You realize the mountains will be covered in ice this time of the year?" Firestar warned her. When Squirrelflight nodded, but remained determined to do what she thought was right, he sighed in frustration. "At least wait until newleaf arrives," he meowed. "When newleaf comes it will be warmer, and the infection within camp will hopefully be gone by than."
Squirrelflight seemed reassured by his words. She dipped her head once more before leaving Firestar and Sandstorm to themselves. Ravenflight was even more surprised when Squirrelflight approached her cautiously.
"I want you and Lionblaze to go," she murmured. "You were with me when Leafpool died…and I feel some kind of kinship towards you."
That's because we are kin, Ravenflight wanted to say out loud. Doing so would only get her in trouble. There was no need to place yet more trouble with Jayfeather when he was already filled with tension from Leafpool's death. So many cats have died already, she thought bitterly. Who else will I lose to this sickness?