Disclaimer: Warriors by Erin Hunter


Chapter 47

Fallingsnow hid all day. She was waiting for night. For moonhigh. If Brownfeather was well enough, then he would come to join her for their nightly visits. And it was there Fallingsnow would conntact him and ask him to let her join ShadowClan. She knew it wasn't his decision, but Brownfeather would still take her to Kinkstar.

Fallingsnow knew Kinkstar hated her but Fallingsnow was hoping Kinkstar's need for warriors would overcome her dislike of the ThunderClan cat. If Kinkstar didn't want to accept Fallingsnow, then Fallingsnow knew she could live with dying.

Fallingsnow winced. That had been a bad pun and a horrible thought, but she felt that dying might be good for her. She couldn't hurt a Clan if she was dead Fallingsnow still wasn't sure if joining ShadowClan was a good idea, but she had to go through with it. Even if she didn't like Eveningbreeze or Fernstripe, and even if ShadowClan had killed her uncle and Needlefur. Fallingsnow just had to stick with what she'd decided. After hurting Lightningwhisker, she was sure ThunderClan didn't want her anymore. Why would they want a cat that had hurt one of her Clanmates?

Fallingsnow hid all day. She was up in a tree, convinced no one would find her there. Only Dewstep really climbed. He'd taught his kits how to, much to Ivyflight's concern, but Fallingsnow was grateful. Any extra skill was helpful to her now. She might actually help teach ShadowClan the skills.

As the day wore on, Fallingsnow was surprised when no one came for her. She didn't hear anyone calling for her. She didn't see anycat at all. At first Fallingsnow was grateful, then she was scared WindClan had attacked again and was tearing her Clan to pieces, and finally she got angry. They really didn't care about her, she decided when evening came. No one was looking for her at all. not even Dewstep. It didn't occur to her they thought she'd come back on her own and needed some time away. She just thought they were glad to be rid of her and didn't want her back.

"I won't ever come back," Fallingsnow vowed.

Eventually moonhigh was near. Fallingsnow jumped out of her tree and walked to the border. She just missed the patrol as they walked away, quiet for once, their eyes wide and watchful.

Fallingsnow didn't show herself to them, and when they passed, she continued to the meeting place. There she waited. And waited.

********

Perhaps it should have occurred to her Brownfeather wouldn't come. Maybe he still thought she believed he was the murderer. Maybe Kinkstar wasn't letting him out of camp. It was kind of odd because there hadn't been a patrol by all night. When dawn came, Fallingsnow hid in a tree again. By now she was starving, but she couldn't take the chance to hunt. Her Clan might see her. So Fallingsnow had to sit up in a tree for another day while her stomach growled at her.

Night came again and Fallingsnow had to hunt. She was still in ThunderClan territory. She'd run back in after last night. She didn't want ShadowClan to find her. She didn't want to be captured as she had to plead for Kinkstar to let her in. She wanted to ask with dignity with a friend by her side.

She caught a mouse. She'd seen a squirrel before and let it go. It had just reminded her of the reason why she was out in the cold.

Today she'd thought she'd heard voices calling her, but she couldn't be sure. She had a feeling it was just her imagination. Just what her heart really wanted to hear; that ThunderClan would take her back and weren't mad at her. That they knew what had happened to Lightningwhisker had been an accident. But the voices never came near and so Fallingsnow had to tell herself they weren't real. She had to or she would have run to them.

Moonhigh came again and Fallingsnow felt lonely as she went to the meeting place. Why did she think he'd even come? She'd almost just accused him of being the murderer that day. Why should he even love her anymore?

Moonhigh stared to fade away when the dark brown tabby showed. Fallingsnow didn't see him at first, but suddenly he rushed for her.

Fallingsnow was knocked off of her paws. Her eyes saw the dark coat and immediately she was scared. The murderer had come for her!

Then she realized he wasn't burying his teeth in her. He was licking her, nuzzling her, purring. He was happy. And then she realized it was Brownfeather.

She smiled, immensely glad. He still loved her and he was here! She got to her feet, forcing him off of her.

"I missed you," she told him, licking him back.

"I know," he purred. His eyes shined as he looked at her.

They stayed silent for a moment longer, just relishing being together again. Then Fallingsnow knew she had to break the silence.

"Take me to ShadowClan," she meowed.

"What?" Brownfeather asked, surprised. He stared at her.

"I want to join your Clan," she told him simply. Once more she forced into her mind the reasons why she had to be with him. ThunderClan hated her, she'd hurt one of their cats, she never had any friends anyway, Dewstep didn't trust her.

"I-I thought we were leaving to Summerheat Camp," Brownfeather got out.

"I don't know the way," Fallingsnow shook her head. "Darkfire never told me before he died, and Dewstep didn't tell me at all when I told him about me and you."

"You told your father?" Brownfeather stared. And then he quickly asked, "What do you mean Darkfire died?"

Now Fallingsnow stared at him. What did he mean?

He saw her look and blinked. "You mean you think Darkfire is actually dead?"

"Kinkstar had him and Needlefur killed didn't she?"

"You thought that and you want to join ShadowClan." Brownfeather looked shocked.

Fallingshow looked down, embarrassed. Maybe she was crazy after all.

"Kinkstar didn't kill anyone," Brownfeather sighed. "After finding out I wasn't the murderer, she let me go. She told me to get better and said I could get back to duties when Littlecloud let me. She questioned Stoneheart later, but gave up on him. He can't seem to talk anymore. He's too nervous and stutters. Kinkstar wonders if he lost his mind," Brownfeather meowed.

"But she hated Needlefur," Fallingsnow protested. She was shocked to learn no one was dead at all.

"For a while," Brownfeather shrugged. "But they spoke to each other and they seem to have made up."

Fallingsnow was so surprised she couldn't think of anything to say.

"So, you see," Brownfeather purred. "Everyone is all right."

"Not for long," another cat hissed.


Oh, no who is this mysterious cat and what is it going to do?

You shall not find out today!