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Chapter Nine: Criminal

Calicofur stared up at the blue sky. She wished that it was nighttime, so that she could see Silverpelt. Maybe Starclan could guide her on what to do.

It seemed impossible. Dreamcloud, her friend, seeing a cat from another clan. And yet, all the signs had been there. The ginger queen had been friendly to Windshadow at the Gathering... overly friendly, almost. She had walked off... had been so worried about him...

"Are you all right?" A gentle voice asked.

Calicofur wasn't surprised when she turned to find Spiderleg. The tom's amber eyes were kind and soft as he looked at her.

Maybe that's what she had been jealous of. Dreamcloud had a lover-even though it wasn't allowed-and she didn't.

At least...

"I'm fine," Calicofur murmured. She looked up at Spiderleg. "How's newleaf going for you?" She asked.

"Good," He said. "Excellent time for kits to be born. Who's expecting around this time?"

"Whiteleaf's kits are two moons old now," Calicofur said, relaying the names through her head. "Crescentface in going to have hers any day now... and Dreamcloud's are in a moon."

"Good."

"M-hmm."

Calicofur lay down. "Any she-cat you are fond of?" She asked. "Lightfur is interested in you. I can tell." Spiderleg looked awkward, as if he wasn't sure what to say. It was obvious by the look on his face that he wasn't interested in Lightfur at all.

"She's pretty," He finally said. "But not my type."

His eyes were on Calicofur as he said 'my type'.

Calicofur quickly stood as they heard the voices of other cats in the camp. It was Palelegs and Thornclaw. The pair were talking, their amber eyes on each other.

"Newleaf is obviously taking it's affect on cats," Calicofur observed. Once again, she couldn't keep the jealousy out of her voice.

"It certainly is," Spiderleg purred.

"Calicofur!"

The apprentice turned to find Leafpool near the entrance of camp, yowling her name.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I would like you to come and scout for herbs with me."

"Er," Calicofur stuttered. "I'd better go now..."

Spiderleg dipped his head in farewell.

As they padded through the forest, Calicofur felt tension rising from Leafpool. Something was bothering her mentor. Had she seen her and Spiderleg together?

"Try pansies for adder bites," Leafpool noted, flicking her tail toward the flower. "Chew it up and dilute it with water."

"Pansies?" Calicofur echoed in surprise, at the same time picking a few sprigs of it.

"Yes, pansies," Leafpool snapped. That was unusual. Usually, the medicine cat was very mellow...

"Don't fall in love with him, Calicofur!" Leafpool suddenly cried.

Calicofur jerked her head up. "W-what? Who?" She asked, pretending to not know what Leafpool was talking about.

"Spiderleg," Leafpool murmured. "You know you're falling in love with him. Calicofur, it's forbidden..."

The calico cat ignored her, pawing some leaves around.

"You have no idea what I'm feeling, Leafpool."

It was disrespectful, but still. How could her own mentor accuse her of something so strange.

Because it was true.

"Yes, I do," Leafpool mewed. "And Calicofur... the clan doesn't need another affair."

xxx

"No!" Dreamcloud whispered, leaping forward. Windshadow brought his large paws down on her.

"We can't," He murmured. "We'll be found out for sure."

"But she's my grandmother..."

Rage and horror was building up in Dreamcloud. How could Ashfur do this? He had been a respectful warrior until this deed.

He had mentioned Robinpelt. The gray tom must've sent him away for this. If Robinpelt had been there, he wouldn't have let Ashfur do that. He wanted Sandstorm to retire, not to kill her...

"Good riddance, elder!" Ashfur spat down the hill.

There was no reply.

"The foxhearted badger," Windshadow hissed. "What I would give to scratch his eyes out..."

Finally, Ashfur's footsteps faded away, and the two cats rushed out to the hill.

"Sandstorm!"

The pale ginger she-cat was lying in a dusty heap at the foot of the hill. Her eyes were closed, and-

"No!" Dreamcloud cried. "Windshadow, is she breathing?"

"I... I don't know." The tom said hoarsely.

"What's going on?"

Dreamcloud tensed, but then relaxed as she recognized Robinpelt's scent. The tabby tom was padding over to them.

"Have you seen Ashfur and Sandstorm?" He asked. "I was going after a rabbit, when-" His lip suddenly curled as he recognized Windshadow.

"Oh. You."

Windshadow hissed, unsheathing his claws.

"Robinpelt knows." Dreamcloud stated.

"Great."

Both toms' pelts were bristling, and they looked ready to attack each other at the very moment.

"Windshadow, Robinpelt!" Dreamcloud exclaimed. "This is no time to be fighting!" Her eyes met Robinpelt's. "Sandstorm..."

The tom rushed to the edge of the hill, and saw the she-cat's broken body.

"Did... did she fall?" He rasped. "Is Ashfur going back to fetch a medicine cat?"

"No," Dreamcloud spat. "He pushed her down."

Robinpelt's eyes widened. "It can't be..." But his face denied his beliefs. He knew. "The-"

"Look!" Windshadow suddenly meowed. "I think she's breathing!"

Without hesitation, Dreamcloud began to lope down the hill, her round belly swinging. Windshadow bounded to catch up, soon beside her.

"Robinpelt!" Dreamcloud cried. "Tell Leafpool that Sandstorm is injured! And alert the clan about Ashfur!"

Sandstorm's sides were rising up and down in quick, short breaths. Her eyes opened as slits.

"Dreamcloud?"

"Yes, Sandstorm, I'm here." Her granddaughter murmured. "Windshadow, go. Before the others come."

"But-"

"Go."

After giving his mate a quick lick, Windshadow was gone.

"I... I fell," Sandstorm croaked.

Dreamcloud's heart sank. Her grandmother didn't remember properly.

A few moments later, a panicked voice came from above.

"Sandstorm?"

The elderly she-cat lifted her head. "Firestar?"

The flame-colored tom's head poked out from up above.

"Sandstorm!" He cried, rushing down at full speed toward his mate. Once he was down, he pressed his head against hers, murmuring something to her.

Quickly, the rest of the patrol appeared. Squirrelflight, Brambleclaw, Leafpool, Robinpelt. All surrounded the injured cat.

"Does everyone know?" Dreamcloud whispered to Robinpelt. He shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. Whiteleaf interrupted me when I was speaking to Firestar. I think Ashfur knows we know."

"Good."

xxx

R and R! Remember, check out 'Heart of a Warrior'!