Chapter 8

Thorncloud went on with her punishment for three days and nights. She could barely stand the mocking glances from Tigerfang and Copperfur, as well as the shocked looked she received from the young apprentices who had previously looked up to her.

Crowpelt and Pinetail openly scorned her for her behaviour as she carried out tasks like changing their bedding, cracking their ticks, and clearing away their dirt. Whenever she chose the plumpest piece of prey, they loudly complained of how they were fading away to bones and fur. The only cat, it seemed, that was actually kind to her was Blizzardpelt.

The once-deputy kindly thanked her every time she completed a task. He didn't challenge the other elders, but Thorncloud knew it was only because they were senior to him, and he didn't want to be disrespectful. She would have loved to sit and talk to him, but if she lingered even a moment too long in the elders' den, Crowpelt would complain of how they had no room to breathe with her there.

Most surprising of all was her lack of attention from Tallfeather. She sensed that the medicine cat was still tense over their discussion in the forest, and honestly, Thorncloud was not keen to forgive him. But she still missed his warm smile and his wise words.

On the fourth day, Rainstar told Thorncloud that her punishment was over. She returned to her warrior duties, though she did notice Berryleaf lingering suspiciously close to her whenever she was around camp, and he always seemed to be on the same patrols as her.

Newleaf was now alive with greenery. The days got warmer, and the nights got shorter. Thorncloud did her best to prove to her clan that she was loyal, but even though she worked tirelessly, joining every border patrol and hunting patrol she could, she still caught cats looking at her with distrust.

Copperfur wasn't speaking to her. Tigerfang turned her back whenever Thorncloud approached. Tallfeather was busy replenishing his stores, and didn't take time to chat with her when he was free. Thorncloud began to feel truly alone in her clan.

The night of the Gathering, Thorncloud watched, alone, as Rainstar joined her party of warriors by the gorse tunnel. Tigerfang was going, of course, along with Blizzardpelt, Pinetail, Crowpelt, Windheart, all three apprentices, Berryleaf and Copperfur.

As soon as the last tail disappeared through the tunnel, the camp felt unusually quiet. Thorncloud cast her gaze around. She and Stoneclaw were the only warriors left. Foxtail and Springfoot were out hunting, and would likely return soon. The elders' nest was empty, but Barktail and Rosewhisker sat in the door of the nursey, watching as Leafkit and Daisykit played.

There was a shuffle by the medicine den, and Tallfeather emerged. He looked around the camp tiredly; Thorncloud guessed he must have just woken up. His eyes fell on her, and her ears perked up when he began padding over to her.

"Thorncloud," he said quietly, settling down in front of her. "You must wish you were among them tonight." He flicked his tail towards the gorse tunnel.

"Yes, of course," Thorncloud said. "But I respect Rainstar's decision to leave me behind."

Tallfeather nodded. He lowered his voice so that it was nearly a whisper; he clearly didn't want anyone else to overhear. "For what it's worth, Thorncloud, I know you would never betray the clan. The others are acting like you committed a great crime by stopping a fight. I don't agree with how you handled the problem, but I understand it."

Thorncloud relaxed her shoulders. She hadn't realized how tense she had become, and how much Tallfeather's opinion mattered to her. But there was another gleam in his eye. "There's something else," she said.

"Yes," Tallfeather sighed. "It's about what you asked me several days ago, on our way to Twolegplace."

Thorncloud tensed again. "What is it?"

"You never explained why you asked about two cats having the same dream," he said, watching her intently, as if trying to gauge her reaction.

Thorncloud tried not to betray anything in her expression. "I'm sorry, Tallfeather, but I can't tell you," she said. "I've done enough damage with all of this prophecy talk. I don't want you to get upset with me."

There was sympathy in his eyes among the flicker of disappointment. "I'm sorry that I made you feel like your dreams weren't important," he said. "But you have to understand, my priorities are very different right now. Maybe when the clan has strengthened a bit in the coming weeks…"

"Don't worry about it." Thorncloud shrugged, and padded closer to give him a thankful lick. She settled down beside him, glad to have another cat's presence.

They shared tongues and swapped stories for the remainder of the night, waiting for the cats to return from the Gathering. Foxtail and Springfoot soon arrived with fresh-kill, and a calmness spread through Thorncloud's body. Things almost felt normal again.

Springfoot came over with a rabbit, intent on joining them. Foxtail turned away and marched towards the nursery, casting a glare in their direction. Thorncloud hadn't spoken to Springfoot in some time, and was happy to see her face.

"May I join you?" the dark brown tabby meowed after setting down the rabbit.

"Of course," Tallfeather purred.

She cast a loving glance to Thorncloud. Springfoot was her foster mother, and had taken care of her after Thorncloud's own mother had died. She had lost one of her own kits at the same time she gave birth to Tigerfang, and so the two tiny she-cats had become sisters.

Thorncloud looked up to Springfoot like a mother, and saw Tigerfang as her sister by blood. Until recently, she had thought that Tigerfang thought of her that way, too, but perhaps she had been wrong.

"Sorry I haven't been so friendly lately," Springfoot said sheepishly, pushing the rabbit towards Thorncloud as she settled down. "Berryleaf has been keeping me busy, I think intentionally to keep me away from you. The pile of mouse-dung."

"Don't talk about the clan deputy like that," Tallfeather said, but his tone was teasing, and there was a playful glint in his eye.

"It isn't just him, either. Tigerfang practically begged me not to talk to you." Springfoot looked annoyed at her daughter's interference. Thorncloud leaned down to take a bite of the rabbit as her foster mother continued, "I think all of this is such nonsense. You haven't broken any rules." She started grooming behind Thorncloud's ears, as if she was a tiny kit again.

Thorncloud let her. It felt nice to be coddled, for once. "Thank you," she said. "At least I have two friends."

"More than friends," Springfoot scoffed between licks, and Thorncloud suddenly felt very warm with embarrassment. Her eyes flickered to Tallfeather, but by the passive look on his face, she realized that Springfoot had only meant herself being Thorncloud's foster mother. Thorncloud quickly looked to the ground.

Lately she had come to terms with the realization that her affection for Tallfeather was not just in terms of friendship. The large tom was wise, and kind… and also very handsome. But Thorncloud kept these feelings to herself. She knew nothing could happen between them, as medicine cats were forbidden to have kits.

She was saved any lingering questions by the arrival of the rest of the clan returning from the Gathering. She, Springfoot, and Tallfeather all got to their paws, eager to hear news.

It became apparent that the news was not good. The SnowClan cats were bristling as they entered the camp. Rainstar went straight to her den, followed by Berryleaf. Tigerfang ran towards them, apparently her quarrel with Thorncloud forgotten.

"Stupid RainClan!" she spat angrily.

"What happened?" Springfoot asked, hurrying worriedly to her daughter's side to calm her.

"Goldenstar openly challenged SnowClan for Sunningrocks," came Windheart, sulking along behind Tigerfang. "He said that if Rainstar doesn't hand them over in two nights, they'll attack us!"

Thorncloud's paws shook despite sitting firmly on the ground. If Bumblestripe and Cloudstorm are at the battle… she thought warily. She couldn't bear the thought of Bumblestripe being injured, or worse, when they still needed to figure out the meaning of their dream.

"Rainstar said she would address the clan about it tomorrow morning," Tigerfang said. "I guess she has to figure out what we're going to do. But I hope we fight!" She bared her teeth. "I'm ready to flay those stupid RainClan warriors!"

The camp stayed alive with excitement over the prospect of a fight as the moon began to lower in the sky. Thorncloud retreated to the warriors' den, unable to share in her clanmates' excitement.

Something, she knew, was resting on the fate of her figuring out this dream. What it was, she didn't know… but she did know that it would test her loyalty to her clan if she met Bumblestripe in battle.