Chapter Ten: Punishment

Dreamcloud watched the two three moon old kits tumble about, squeaking, their mother watching over them.

"Your kits are beautiful, Grassflower," Dreamcloud murmured.

"Thank you," The tabby said proudly, "The light brown tabby is Crescentkit. And the ginger and white is Palekit. Both are she-kits."

Palekit was an interesting kit, ginger with white legs, not just paws, but all the way to her legs, and white stomach, as well as white coming up to her throat. She was very curious and smart. Dreamcloud was hoping that this kit would be her first apprentice.

"Nice kits."

Grassflower hissed at Windshadow, who didn't even blink. Robinpelt and Brackenfur ran up, but he turned to them and said lazily, "I'm with my guard, remember?"

"They are, aren't they," Dreamcloud murmured.

"You want kits, don't you?" Windshadow meowed, "With Robinpelt."

"Why would you ask a question like that?"

"Curiosity."

"Curiosity killed the cat. Anyway, will you please talk to me about... you know?"
He flicked his tail. "Only if you tell me how you got together with Robinpelt."

She sighed and padded over to the log. Grudgingly, he followed, tail dragging dejectedly on the ground.

"I really don't know how we got so close," She sighed, "We just did."

Windshadow looked up at the evening sky, Silverpelt shining over them. Snowflakes began to fall, and he padded over and raised his head. One fell down and landed on his nose.

"Stop acting like such a kit," Dreamcloud meowed.

Windshadow stared at her. "Try it."

Sighing in exasperation, Dreamcloud raised her head and watched as a snowflake hit her. She wrinkled her nose and laughed.

"What about my question?" She asked.

"You didn't answer mine enough," Windshadow persisted, "Why have you changed so much? When we were apprentices-"

"We were foolish when we were apprentices," Dreamcloud sighed, "Anyway, get in your den. It's starting to snow harder."

000

A while later, Dreamcloud woke up, and the snow was falling hard. Windshadow had virtually no protection, and she knew that the snow was affecting even that tough warrior. She told herself not to, but she got up and padded over to the log.

"W-what are you doing here?" Windshadow stuttered, trying to keep his teeth from chattering.

"Thought you would like company," She murmured, lying down and laying her head on his back, pressing her pelt closer to him.

"Thanks," He sighed.

"It's OK. Leaf bare's hard." She paused. "Windshadow?"
"Yes?"

"Who... who do you love?"

"She's been a close friend of mine for a long time. And she doesn't even know."

"Really?" She yawned, "Well, she's missing out. Because you're a great tom."

And slowly, her eyes shut, and she fell asleep. Windshadow raised his head and looked at Dreamcloud, before gently licking her forhead and drifting off himself.

000

Spottedleaf dug her claws into the earth as she watched the two sleeping cats.

"You knew that it was going happen," Bluestar murmured, sitting beside her.

"It's not too late," Spottedleaf hissed, "She doesn't know yet."

"Look," Bluestar sighed, "Visit Firestar. Snow mustn't die."

000

Firestar looked around. The was a thick forest. A pair of amber eyes peered out at him.

"Firestar."

"Spottedleaf?" He meowed in surprise. It had been a long time since the she-cat had visited him in his dreams. A long time.

"You mustn't let it be disturbed," She murmured, "You mustn't."

000

"Brackenfur, Brambleclaw, I want you to make sure Windshadow doesn't escape," Firestar said. It was time for the Gathering, and he was still wondering about that warning.

Dreamcloud gave her friend a sorry look, and padded on with Robinpelt at her side. But for some reason, it was... different. Her heart beated faster when she was around Windshadow, she was more at peace, and at the same time, more nervous.

000

The other three leaders looked shocked at Firestar's news, escpecially Mistystar. For some reason, though, Blackstar wasn't. They all gathered around in a circle to speak.

"He should be executed," Mistystar said blankly. "That's all there is to it."

"I agree with Mistystar," Blackstar hissed.

"But Blackstar," Onestar meowed, "He's your son!"

Firestar's eyes widened. He hadn't known that.

"He is no son of mine when he murders."

"Yes he is!" Firestar spat, "He should be kept a prisoner, but not-"

"I would have thought that you out of all cats would understand!" Mistystar cried, "Windshadow could become the next Tigerstar, or Scourge, or even Hawkfrost!"

"My vote is no execution." Firestar persisted. They all turned to Onestar, who looked confused. He finally gazed at Firestar.

"I'm sorry, my friend. My vote is yes."

"Then the cat shall be executed by the leaders at dawn," Mistystar agreed, "And remember, when we gather here to do the job ALL of the leaders must. It's protocol."

Firestar bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Spottedleaf."

000

Dreamcloud raced to Windshadow's den, scared out of her mind. They were going to kill him! No, she couldn't let that happen...

"Windshadow!" She hissed, "They're executing you tomorrow!"

The tom's eyes were sad. "There's nothing we can do about it."

"Yes there i-"

"No. Just let me tell you my story."

Sorrowfully, she sat down, and listened.

"There's another Shadowclan cat with a lot of white fur. And that cat would be Blackstar. He killed Leopardstar. He wants control over all of the clans, like Tigerstar did. I was coming to warn you, but then..."

"Ssh," She murmured, licking his ear. "Thank you."

000

It was dawn. The clans were gathered around Fourtrees. Windshadow was in the middle, and the leaders were gathering around him. Dreamcloud had to keep tears from her eyes.

Onestar suddenly sprang toward the white cat, but Windshadow easily repelled him. But when Mistystar attacked at the same time as Blackstar, it was a struggled. Soon, he lay wounded on the ground. The other three turned to the strongest of them, Firestar, who stalked up to Windshadow.

"I'm sorry," He whispered to the younger warrior.

"Forgiven." Windshadow assured him.

Firestar raised his head, about to sink his fangs into Windshadow's throat when-

"NO!"
000

Cliffhanger! R and R!