Chapter 15

"I'm telling you, Sunfur, she's alive!" Rainpelt meowed with certainty. "I spoke to her with my own voice, saw her with my own eyes, and heard her voice with my own ears. You've got to believe me!" The golden warrior shook his head.

"But it just doesn't seem possible. She died in battle; I was sure of it!"

"Just as sure as she was that you died?"

"Are you sure you weren't dreaming? Like, you traveled out of camp and happened to fall asleep?"

"Sunfur, would I have fallen asleep and have her scent on me? She's in WindClan, I'm telling you, now stop protesting and just face the truth: your sister is alive!" He was silent, taking it all in. He wasn't quite positive she was correct, but at least the possible sighting made his heart fill with joy.

"I wonder if she'll be going to the next Gathering?"

"Who knows but WindClan? If she is, you'd better hope you're going too. I've got to go hunting." Rainpelt padded out of the warriors' den into the crisp night. She didn't care if it was night, and she most likely shouldn't be hunting, but some preys were nocturnal, and she knew she could help the Clan by catching some.

"Where are you going on this cool evening?" She turned around.

"Graystripe!"

"Graystripe isn't a place, Rainpelt. Have you forgotten that's my name?" The gray tom's tail swished with humor. She gave him a look.

"I'm sorry to have made such a mistake, your honor. I will gladly watch my words next time…that is, if there is a next time." She narrowed her eyes challengingly. "I challenge you, your honor, to night-time hunting. Shall we say whoever catches the most prey and brings it back here wins?" Graystripe thought for a moment.

"Oh, I very well couldn't win a challenge to a skilled WillowClan warrior," he teased, noting the hiss that escaped from her mouth.

"Do you accept, or not?" Her tone was serious. He straitened his back.

"Very well, Rainpelt, but keep in mind you won't be winning."

"We'll see about that!" She dashed out of camp, holding down her panting as her paws thudded on the soft ground. She slowed her pace to a prowl, eyes open wide to see in the darkness. It was a new moon, and she could only reflect the light from Silverpelt onto the world below.

The scent of prey filled her nostrils. She was certain it was field mouse, and she dropped to a low crouch, staying as silent as possible. She walked as though she were gliding on air…until she sprung. The mouse almost let out a squeal, but got a deadly bite on the spine before it could give its warning.

Rainpelt buried the mouse in the dirt to pick it up later. She smelled another morsel of prey, and figured there must be a family of mice living around here. She could tell by the strength of the scent that it was only one. She pounced and made her kill, but hissed as something attached to her back.

She whipped around, spitting on her attacker. Graystripe closed his eyes with humor. "Was that your first kill, Rainy?"

"Actually, my second. You didn't give me much time. How many have you caught?"

"Let's see…" He began to whisper to himself for a moment before meeting her gaze. "None."

"Ha!"

"Well, I've been tracking you, so how should I have time?" Her ears perked forward.

"Tracking me? Whatever for?"

"Well, I was hoping to steal one of your preys before you pounced."

"I see…well, that wouldn't be a real challenge, now would it?"

"So?" He looked away shyly. She stared at him with wide eyes, and then pounced on him. He yowled his surprise and pushed her off. She lay in the dirt laughing. He purred and curled up next to her. "Rainpelt?"

"Hmm?" She looked over at him, opening her eyes. He noticed a sparkle in them from the stars.

"Do you, uh, like Tigerclaw?" The question got her attention, and she sat up.

"Why would it matter?"

"Well, I was just wondering. You seem to spend a lot of time with him, and…"

"He is the deputy. If he asks me to go hunting with him, I do it without asking, because I know the Clan could use it." She decided to change the subject. "We'd better finish our hunting challenge."

"Nah, you win. I'm tired from hunting today. I'll help you carry the fresh-kill back to camp." She blinked gratefully and went back to her buried mouse, followed by Graystripe who had the other in his mouth. They headed back to camp, set the prey in the fresh-kill pile, and headed to the den.

Rainpelt laid down to rest, closing her eyes for a deep sleep, but a whisper woke her. She looked over at Tigerclaw. His amber eyes were open wide and staring at her. She flinched at the hostility that began to grow. He hissed, and her head went lower to the floor in submission. He stood up, unsheathed his claws, and leaped at her.