Chapter Twenty-Two
The wolf-fox's wide jaws snapped at Echoshine's heels. She couldn't escape it. Looking back, she saw five other wolf-foxes almost as huge as the first dash out from behind the bushes. She looked forward again, only to find herself barreling straight towards an ancient sycamore tree. Too late, she scrabbled at the smooth bark.
But there was no time. She was trapped.
The wolf-foxes' yellow-eyed gazes were full of evil excitement as they prowled toward Echoshine, then the lead wolf-fox raised a massive paw and brought it down with great speed.
Echoshine jolted awake.
"Great StarClan, you mouse-brain! You're louder than a fox in a fit!" Ashpool teased. Then he looked at her bushed-up tail and he frowned. "Are you alright?"
Echoshine sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Well then come on!" He still looked concerned, but smiled. "Beetlewhisker's just called a meeting!"
"Again?" Shortwhisker grunted. "Couldn't he have just said it all last night?"
They ignored him.
Muffled sounds came from the nursery. Echoshine could hear a kit mewling, "when will Oakstar come back?"
Clearly, the Clan still didn't know that Beetlewhisker would be leader.
"Coming," she mewed to him.
He nodded and ducked out of the den.
The air was humid, and puddles were gathered all over the ground. Thin grey clouds were spread across the sky, and thick mist was settled in the forest.
When the cats were settled, Beetlewhisker began.
"Cats of ThunderClan, I have called you together to tell grave news."
Echoshine stiffened. The death of her leader was about to become official.
"Willowleaf has had a vision," Beetlewhisker continued, "a vision telling her of Oakstar's fate. Our leader shall not return from his quest."
Disbelieving cries went up all around as the cats of ThunderClan howled their grief to the stars.
Beetlewhisker let them mourn for a moment, then continued. "Though we have no body, we must perform a ritual." He bowed his head. "Oakstar, you have led this Clan well, and I will do the best I can to follow your lead. May you find good hunting, swift running, and shelter when you sleep." His words rang out in the sudden silence. Then he lifted his head, and Echoshine detected a hint of determination in his eyes. "ThunderClan, it will be my honor to lead you."
Willowleaf stood up from the back of the throng of cats. "Beetlewhisker, I shall accompany you to the Place of Starfire. It would do well to depart sooner rather than later, as we have a long journey ahead of us."
Echoshine noticed that Dawnsky was not among the cats that had come to the meeting that Beetlewhisker had called. She must have been told the night before. Echoshine felt a pang of sympathy for the she-cat. It must be hard, losing her mate.
Beetlewhisker nodded dutifully. "Yes. We shall leave immediately."
The medicine cat dipped her head. "Meet me in my den."
The cats dispersed. The elders paced about as if unsure what to do. It was tradition that when a Clan leader died they would take him to the burial place, but this time, Oakstar was far away, and would never be seen again.
Echoshine padded to her den. She flopped down, squeezing her eyes shut tight. She tried to fall asleep, but the wolf-foxes kept popping into her mind.
Finally, she gave up and decided to go hunting.
She stood up, shook herself, and then padded out into the open clearing. The camp, usually full of warriors, was still and silent. The only other cats were Jadestone and Foxtail, who were slowly grooming each other next to the pitiful fresh-kill pile, a small pigeon between them.
A cold breeze from the north reminded Echoshine of the coming season of leaf-fall.
She trudged over to Dusk's den, which stood in the center of camp. The mist had begun to lift, and she could see a gnarled oak tree standing next to the Greatstone. Oakstar.
She stared at for a moment longer, then ripped her gaze away and looked into the rogue's den.
Dusk sat, huddled in the corner of the den while Bird and Dapple rolled and tumbled around the small area.
"Dusk?" She called, "do you want to come hunting with me?"
He looked up at her. "Maybe. Can your sister watch my kits?"
Echoshine felt a pang of disappointment, but she didn't know why. Of course, Rainysky could watch the kits! "Sure."
"Then yes. Could you please bring her over?"
"Okay." She padded away.
Echoshine found Rainysky in the warrior den, speaking with Frostwing. She ducked in. "Rainysky, Dusk wants you to look after his kits."
The two paused their conversation. "Sure, I'll do that!" Rainysky replied, "why?"
"We're going hunting."
Rainysky's eyes widened playfully, "ooh, special to you, is he?"
"What? No! It's just-"
Rainysky cut her off. "Oh, sure, yeah. Say what you will."
Echoshine licked her chest fur rapidly in embarrassment. "No! It's not that!"
Frostwing interrupted, "of course, it's not like that." She blinked knowingly.
Echoshine sighed. "Just come on, Rainysky."
Rainysky snorted, and flicked the tip of her sister's ear with her tail. "Mouse-brain!"