7 Moons and 15 Sunrises since the Dark Forest Battle.
Rain was falling, making gentle pattering noises as the rain drops hit the muddy ground. Spottedcloud peered out of her nest wearily, to see Mousewhisker push his way in, waving his fluffy tail at her.
"Hey Spottedcloud! Have you seen my kits today?"
"No, I'm not moving out of this nest until the rain stops." She grumbled, curling up into a small ball.
"That's a shame! Flowerkit and Stonekit are getting livelier with each moon! They tried to catch a minnow before. They're so talented, just like their mother…"
Spottedcloud tuned out, and peered up at the gray, cloudy sky. She flinched, staring in shock at a fluffy cat like shape in the clouds.
"Silversnow?.." she stared intently as the cloud, as it slowly drifted away. She quickly lurched to her paws, and ran out of the den, heading straight for Willowshine, who was also peering up the cloud. She ignored the feeling of the rain plastering her pelt to her skin.
"D-did you see that?!" she whispered to the medicine cat, making her jump. Willowshine nodded, her round green eyes glowing with concern.
"It was a sign from Starclan." Willowshine murmured, sounding like she was in a dream, before slowly turning around, and padding towards the medicine cat den. Spottedcloud followed, her heart pounding hard against her chest.
"What does it mean?" she asked nervously, stepping over the sick body of Heronsong, who was coughing badly. The little tom mumbled a complaint, but she ignored him as she watched Willowshine sit down in her nest, and couldn't help but envy how dry her nest looked.
"I don't know yet. But… I think Silversnow is sad you didn't bury her body." Willowshine spoke quietly, and Spottedcloud glared at her angrily, lashing her tail.
"How was I supposed to get it off of a dog?!" she snapped aggressively, spinning around, to march out of the den. Only to freeze as the darker gray tabby spoke quietly.
"You could fix the deed now."
Without responding, Spottedcloud stormed away, shaking her head. She couldn't go to the Twoleg Place again! She couldn't… Silversnow couldn't be that angry could she?
She leapt up in the air, screeching in fear as a bolt of lightning struck the ground next to her, scorching the wet ground, making it appear dark, the smell of burning lingering in the air. Quickly her Clan surrounded her, asking her if she was okay? Did she need something to eat? Dazed, she shook her head, and padded towards the warrior's den, fearfully keeping an eye on the sky.
"Remind me what we're doing?" Mousewhisker asked, as the two grayish cats streaked across the Greenleaf Twoleg place, and deep into Twoleg territory. Deeper they went, until Spottedcloud noticed the tall tree, and froze. It was very dark, and the rain had fallen harder now, obstructing her view, but she was certain, this was the place. The place Silversnow…
The two approached the tree, keeping alert of their surroundings, until they reached the base of the tree, and paused. Between the roots, there was grass barely just growing over what seemed to be a grave.
"Someone buried her?" Spottedcloud breathed, only to stiffen as a familiar voice spoke.
"Yes, I did." Both cats spun around, to see one sandy gray tom, staring at them with his large yellow eyes. Vernon.
"Vernon?! Why?" She hissed in disbelief, Mousewhisker unsheathed his claws, prepared to strike this brutal cat down.
"Well. You weren't going to do it. Were you?" his cold voice, made her stiffen, and she felt her heart sink. It's true, she hadn't planned on returning. Still, this grave didn't seem recent…
"How can I be sure you actually buried her? You could have buried any cat?"
"Please, look at the grave, its huge, just like your friend was." The sandy tom rolled his eyes, and Spottedcloud fought the urge to slash him across the face, since she didn't have claws.
"I told you not to come back." Vernon remarked, before looking confused, and taking a step forward. "Didn't I? I'm not so sure now…" suddenly he lunged forward, and Spottedcloud felt her body go numb, as she heard a loud crack noise, and her face hit the wet grass, as the sandy tom raced away, being pursued closely by a furious Mousewhisker, yowling insults, as the darkness took over her vision.
"Silversnow, I'm so so sorry." Spottedcloud hoarsly whispered as the large silver she-cat approached her, her face fully healed, showing her two bright amber eyes.
"I forgive you my friend."
"But- why did you send that sign If you weren't angry at me?" she breathed.
"I was trying to warn you, to not grieve over me."
"Oh."
"I know."
