Chapter 7

Sunhigh couldn't come soon enough. Thorncloud busied herself all morning to avoid suspicion. She accompanied Windheart, Ivypaw, and Stoneclaw on the dawn patrol, checking the StormClan border. Mid-morning, she delivered a fat mouse that Ivypaw had caught to Blizzardpelt in the elders' den. He purred gratefully and invited her to join. The distraction was grateful; Blizzardpelt seemed happy now that he had less duties.

The sun climbed higher, and Thorncloud said an affectionate goodbye to him, saying she was off to hunt. As she approached the gorse tunnel, a voice called out to her from behind.

"Thorncloud! Wait up!" She turned to see Tigerfang bounding over to her. A feeling of dread fell over her. Not now, she pleaded. But she forced herself to smile. "Are you going hunting?" Tigerfang asked.

"Er, yes," Thorncloud said.

"Can I come?"

"That's nice, Tigerfang, but… I really wanted to go alone today," Thorncloud said. "I've been busy all morning, and I'd just like some peace and quiet."

Tigerfang's face fell, and she scratched the dirt with one paw idly. "Oh, okay. I just thought, we haven't really hung out much since we both became warriors. But we can later."

Guilt tugged at Thorncloud's heart. The one time Tigerfang wasn't being annoying… "I'm sorry, Tigerfang. Maybe tomorrow?"

Tigerfang perked up. "Okay, then. I'll go see if Berryleaf wants me for the afternoon patrol, then." She turned, brushing Thorncloud's face with her tail. "See ya later!" she called, bounding away towards the warriors' den.

Thorncloud let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, and rushed out of the camp. Now she might be late, and she didn't want to feel Cloudstorm's wrath if she kept the RainClan warriors waiting.

By the time she reached Sunningrocks, she was out of breath. It had been a vigorous sprint, and she thanked StarClan that she was young and energized. Looking around to make sure no SnowClan cat was nearby, she snuck around the rocks.

Thankfully, Cloudstorm and Bumblestripe had not arrived yet. Thorncloud settled herself on the damp ground and waited. She watched the river nervously, praying to StarClan that another patrol wouldn't come by – from RainClan or SnowClan.

As time went on, her nerves turned to full-blown anxiety. What if they didn't show? She was about to stand and start searching the area to see if they were waiting somewhere else nearby, but then she saw two shapes slip out of the reeds across the river.

Bumblestripe swam towards her, Cloudstorm on his heels. The mottled tom emerged from the river and shook himself, then joined Thorncloud under the shelter of the rocks.

"Thanks for coming," Thorncloud said as Cloudstorm joined them.

"Sorry we're late," Bumblestripe huffed. "Brookpelt caught us leaving and started interrogating us. I thought for sure she wouldn't let us leave!"

"I told her we're finding herbs for Junipernose, so we don't have much time," Cloudstorm said. "I'll keep watch. You two talk – quickly," she added, looking at Thorncloud pointedly.

She went around the side of the small alcove and disappeared. Thorncloud looked at Bumblestripe. "I have news about the dream," she said.

"Did you have it again?" Bumblestripe asked, leaning in curiously.

"No," Thorncloud said. "But I have an idea of who the cat might be. I was talking to our medicine cat about it, and–"

"You told someone?" Bumblestripe interrupted, his fur bristling. "I thought we were going to keep this secret!"

"We never agreed to that," Thorncloud said. "And besides, I told Tallfeather before I even met you at Fourtrees. He suggested that if I recognized the scent of the cat, then it must be a cat who knew me, even if I didn't know her. And she smelled of SnowClan. I think it might be my mother." She shuffled her paws nervously. "She died when I was a young kit, so it makes sense I wouldn't recognize her voice, either."

Bumblestripe shook his head, unconvinced. "Why would your mother speak to me as well?" he asked.

Oh. Thorncloud had forgotten that important detail. "What about your mother?"

"My mother, Blossomheart, is still alive." Bumblestripe looked at her with hard eyes. "I'm sorry, but I just can't believe that your mother would communicate with me. I didn't know her. It must be someone else."

"But what cat has passed away that would know both of us?" Thorncloud asked, her heart sinking as she realized he was right. It wouldn't make sense for it to be her mother's voice. They sat in silence for a few moments, neither able to come up with a good answer.

The silence was broken by a hissing from above. "Stay back!" Cloudstorm's voice hissed. Bumblestripe and Thorncloud exchanged a look of panic, and both raced to join her on top of Sunningrocks.

Thorncloud's heart fell to her paws as she saw who Cloudstorm was speaking to. Tigerfang was perched, hissing, in a threatening attack pose by the base of Sunningrocks, her eyes locked on Cloudstorm. Bumblestripe raced to his clanmate's side.

"Tigerfang, stop!" Thorncloud called, rushing forward to place herself between her clanmate and the two RainClan cats.

Tigerfang looked up at her with murderous eyes. "Traitor!" she hissed. "Why are you meeting with… with them?"

"I'm not a traitor!" Thorncloud said, her eyes flashing dangerously as she stepped toward her sister. "Just listen to me –"

"They're trying to take over Sunningrocks! And you're helping them!" Tigerfang yowled.

Thorncloud felt panic rising in her throat. If Tigerfang told the rest of the clan… "No, please listen to me, Tigerfang. Listen!" she walked down the rocks closer to her sister.

"Don't come any closer," Tigerfang said.

"Fine, fine," Thorncloud conceded. "But just listen to me. I'm not helping RainClan take over Sunningrocks. Think logically, Tigerfang. What would I gain from doing that?"

Tigerfang just stared at her, but Thorncloud could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

Behind her, Cloudstorm said, "We were only talking." A growl rose in Tigerfang's throat. "Bumblestripe and I were hunting, and we came a bit too close to Sunningrocks by mistake when we were chasing a water vole. Thorncloud happened to see us, but she didn't attack."

Thorncloud looked over her shoulder, unable to mask her surprise. Cloudstorm was the one telling lies now? Cloudstorm met her gaze, pleading her with her eyes not to say anything. This wasn't only Thorncloud's reputation at stake; all three of them would get in trouble for this if anyone found they were meeting. Thorncloud nodded quietly, and turned back to Tigerfang.

"It's true," she said. "I was just talking to them to make sure they wouldn't come here again. None of us want a fight," she added quickly.

"Then why was she waiting up here?" Tigerfang asked.

"I heard someone coming, and I ran first to check who it was," Cloudstorm said. "It was a… a reflex."

Tigerfang's yellow eyes flickered between the three of them, but she was slowly rising out of her attack stance. Her gaze stayed on the two enemy warriors as she said, "Come on, Thorncloud. As soon as these two leave, I'm taking you straight to Rainstar." Thorncloud's eyes widened. "She'll decide what to do with you."

Lashing her tail angrily, she kept her eyes on Bumblestripe and Cloudstorm. Thorncloud turned to look at them as they hopped down off the rocks and raced for RainClan territory. They didn't dare look back, and soon, they were gone.

Thorncloud tried to meet Tigerfang's eyes, but her sister was turning away. "Hurry up," the tabby snapped, and stalked off into the trees. Thorncloud had no choice but to follow.

Tigerfang kept up a brisk pace on the way back to camp. She didn't say a single word. "Tigerfang…" Thorncloud said as she tried to keep up, "I know I shouldn't have been talking to those warriors. It was a lapse in judgment. Please don't tell Rainstar. I'll do better!"

There was no response. Tigerfang leapt over a fallen log, and Thorncloud scrambled over after her. "Come on, Tigerfang! I've covered for you so many times in the past when you've broken rules. Why can't you cover for me just this once? I'm your sister!"

Tigerfang finally paused, whirling on Thorncloud. "Don't. Just don't, okay? I may have broken rules as an apprentice, but I would never have spoken to enemy warriors. And you of all cats… I knew you were soft, but I never thought you'd betray the clan like this."

Before Thorncloud could reply, she sped off towards the ravine. Thorncloud held back tears as she ran after her, ready to be berated by Rainstar, and sentenced to some kind of punishment.

She tried not to think of what Rainstar might do as she descended into camp. Rainstar was a fair leader, she reminded herself. It would be okay.

Tigerfang lead her straight towards Rainstar's den below the Highrock, not stopping to be sidetracked. Thorncloud hung her head as she saw curious cats watching them, unable to meet their eyes. Once they heard, nobody in the clan would want to speak with her.

Outside of Rainstar's den, Tigerfang paused. She didn't even have to announce their presence before Rainstar's voice came from inside. "Come in," she called.

Thorncloud held her breath as Tigerfang pushed through the lichen that hung over the entrance. She followed her sister through, and saw Rainstar sitting in her mossy bedding, alone. At least Berryleaf wasn't here, she thought. The less cats that knew about this, the better.

"What can I do for you both today?" the leader asked, eyes flickering between them.

"Rainstar," Tigerfang began confidently, "Thorncloud has betrayed SnowClan! I found her with two RainClan warriors today at Sunningrocks!"

Rainstar sat up, as though interested, but she let nothing show on her face. Her piercing eyes trained on Thorncloud. "Is this true?" she asked.

"I would never betray my clan, Rainstar," Thorncloud insisted, meeting her leader's eyes to make sure there was no doubt of her loyalty.

"Then why does Tigerfang, your own sister, believe that you have?" Rainstar asked calmly.

Thorncloud pawed at the dirt nervously. "It's true that I was speaking with two RainClan warriors," she said, "but not because I was betraying the clan. I was trying to help the clan."

That, at least, was true. Thorncloud hated lying to anyone – most of all Rainstar and Tigerfang – but how could she tell the old and noble leader that she was talking to Bumblestripe because of a dream? If Tallfeather had dismissed the dream, then Rainstar likely would, too. No, I must keep that a secret, Thorncloud decided.

"Go on," Rainstar said.

Thorncloud repeated the lie she had given to Tigerfang. At least it made sense; every cat in SnowClan knew that Thorncloud was a brave fighter, but would rather resolve problems with sensible conversation first. She left Bumblestripe and Cloudstorm's names out of the story. She didn't want her leader to find a focus for attacking RainClan, if that's what she decided to do.

When Thorncloud was done, Rainstar looked thoughtful. "Tigerfang, I thank you for bringing Thorncloud straight here. That was the right thing to do." She nodded at the tabby, who raised her chin proudly. Then the leader's eyes turned on Thorncloud. "You were wrong not to come back to camp straight away, Thorncloud. I'm disappointed in you, but I admire your attempt to solve problems on your own. I am not praising you," she added when Thorncloud's mouth dropped open. "I am simply stating that you technically did no harm. But you still should have found myself or a senior warrior to deal with the issue."

"I'm sorry, Rainstar," Thorncloud said, her stomach churning with all of the lies. "It won't happen again."

"I'm sure it won't," Rainstar said. "As punishment, you will see to the elders' needs for the next few days. Anything they want, you will get for them. As well, you may not attend the next Gathering."

"What!" Thorncloud's eyes widened. How would she be able to talk to Bumblestripe again? At the leader's sharp look, she lowered her head dutifully. "I mean, of course, Rainstar. As you say."

"Good. You're dismissed, both of you."

Thorncloud padded slowly out of the den. Tigerfang ran ahead of her, and spent no time running off to the first warrior she could find to relay the news. Thorncloud's head shrank lower and lower as she hurried to the warriors' den and out of the sunlight.

Her perfect reputation was now tarnished. If StarClan had sent her such an important message, why would they punish her for trying to figure it out?

Thorncloud curled up in her nest. She noticed that Copperfur's nest had shifted to the other side of the den, instead of his old spot next to her. She bit back and sigh and laid her head on her paws. Everything was going wrong, and for the first time in her life, she didn't feel close to anybody in her clan.