Chapter 9

(Quick note: Sorry for all of the typos in previous chapters! I'm a fast typer and often don't notice when I make mistakes. I'm in the process of going through and editing them now, and I'll try to be more diligent at editing in the future!)

The morning after the Gathering, it seemed that all of SnowClan was waiting in anticipation for Rainstar to address them about Sunningrocks. Even the elders were out of their den. From her spot near Tallfeather's den, Thorncloud could see Crowpelt glancing towards the Highrock every few moments, despite Pinetail chattering away in his ear.

Tallfeather tapped her haunches with his tail from where he sat beside her. "Stop squirming," he said. "You're stressing me out."

"Sorry." Thorncloud couldn't stop glancing around the clearing. The talk of Sunningrocks had at least taken the attention off her, and no one but Copperfur seemed to be looking at her with anger today. The russet tom was huddled with Stoneclaw on the far side of the clearing, deep in conversation, but his eyes kept flickering to her.

Finally, when the sun was halfway to its height, Rainstar emerged from her den with Berryleaf. Every cat in the clearing stood and padded closer to the Highrock. Rainstar seemed to understand that the entire clan was already gathered, so she didn't bother to call her usual summons.

Thorncloud and Tallfeather padded closer as their leader began to speak. "Cats of SnowClan," Rainstar began, looking down on all of them with her cold gaze. "You have all heard of Goldenstar's threats to take back Sunningrocks. He warned us that if we do not comply, he and his warriors will strike tomorrow."

An agitated grumble rippled through the clan. Tigerfang hissed loudly and lashed her tail.

"As you should all know by now," Rainstar said, "we will not agree to give up Sunningrocks."

Yowls of approval rose up from the crowd. "Sunningrocks belongs to SnowClan!" yelled Foxtail.

Rainstar nodded and waited for the noise to die down. When all was quiet, she said, "My time since we returned last night has been dedicated to figuring out how we will address this problem. I have decided, with Berryleaf's consultation, that we will not wait for Goldenstar to strike. We will attack tonight."

A clamor of support arose from most of the cats, but Thorncloud felt a sense of dread deep inside her chest. Rainstar leapt off the Highrock, and Berryleaf began to assign duties. The elders and queens returned to their dens, Barktail dragging her kits along behind her.

"Tigerfang, Copperfur, Stoneclaw, Owlpaw, you'll join Rainstar and I in the first attack wave," he began.

Thorncloud sprang to her paws. "Wait! Berryleaf, can I come?" she asked.

Eyes turned on Thorncloud, and she used every bit of her will not to shrink. Rainstar, who had been padding back to her den, turned around in curiosity to listen.

"Please," she pressed, lifting her shoulders to appear taller. "I'd like to reinforce to the clan just how loyal I am by being among the first to strike."

Berryleaf looked to Rainstar uncertainly. The leader considered Thorncloud for a moment, and then nodded.

Berryleaf's ears twitched. "Yes, alright. You can come instead of Copperfur," he said. Copperfur opened his mouth to protest, but Berryleaf silenced him with a swish of his tail. "Copperfur, you can lead the second wave. Take Foxtail, Windheart, and Springfoot with you, as well as Twigpaw and Ivypaw. Tallfeather." He gaze landed on the medicine cat, who was waiting patiently for instructions. "Come with the second wave; by then, you'll be needed for treating the wounded."

Tallfeather dipped his head, and turned to return to his den, presumably to prepare for the coming battle.

"That leaves no warriors left in camp," Springfoot pointed out.

Berryleaf didn't even blink. "I'm aware. The elders and queens will be fine here; they are still formidable fighters, and can defend themselves."

Thorncloud frowned. "What about Sunstream?" she asked.

"Sunstream?" Berryleaf scoffed. "The RainClan traitor? He wouldn't dare come here."

"He hasn't even been scented on our territory," Windheart said. "At the Gathering, nobody mentioned seeing him."

"But if he attacks our camp..." Thorncloud said. She wasn't sure it was safe to leave the queens and elders alone normally, let alone with rogues on the loose.

"Fine, I see your point," Berryleaf conceded. A cloud of worry flitted across his face. "Windheart, you and Ivypaw stay back. But that's all. We don't have warriors to spare. We'll be so close to RainClan's camp that we'll need as many warriors as possible."

Everybody nodded, seeming satisfied. Berryleaf began assigning hunting parties for the morning and afternoon, to keep the clan well-fed before their battle. Thorncloud padded away, her head swirling with conflicting thoughts.

She had no idea what would happen if she came face to face with Bumblestripe or Cloudstorm. It gnawed at her all day. She tried to take a nap to get up her strength before eveningfall, but as hard as she tried, sleep would not come. She was not sure that they could win this fight. RainClan was strong, even though they had lost some warriors when Sunstream departed. SnowClan would have the element of surprise, but even so, they were bound to be outnumbered.

By the time the sun had begun to sink towards the horizon, Thorncloud was shivering head to toe. It was not cold; she was anxious, and drew the stares of other cats as she padded towards Tallfeather's den on shaky paws.

As soon as she entered, Tallfeather looked up from a thick pile of herbs he had gathered, presumably to bring to the attack. He frowned when he saw her. "What's wrong?" he asked. "You look like you've been to Highstones and back!"

"I–I'm nervous," Thorncloud admitted, her tail twitching uncontrollably. "This will be my first fight since the quarrel with StormClan… and I just know that everybody's waiting to see me fail, and–"

"Thorncloud." Tallfeather's soothing voice fell over her like a warm blanket. He looked at her with soft eyes. "Wait here." He disappeared into his herb stores for only a moment, and returned with a long, thin plant between his teeth. He laid it down at her feet. "Chew on this," he instructed. "It's thyme. It'll help ease your nerves."

Thorncloud dipped her head and sniffed the plant suspiciously, but did as she was told. She chewed it, and she wasn't sure if it was the thyme or Tallfeather's presence, but she already began to feel better.

When she was done, Tallfeather leaned in close and nuzzled her cheek with his own. Thorncloud was surprised by the display of affection, but she leaned into his touch happily. A purr escaped her.

"I'm sorry I can't be more than a friend to you," he whispered. "I care for you deeply, Thorncloud, and I don't want you to get hurt."

Thorncloud licked his shoulder, which was all she could reach due to the tom's height. "I'll be okay," she said, unsure if she was reassuring him or herself. "Thank you for the thyme."

Tallfeather leaned back, and looked into her eyes. "If the clan is smart, they'll see you're just as loyal as you've always been. You're one of SnowClan's best young warriors."

Thorncloud purred at his praise, but ceased as her stomach twisted in guilt. She had still not told him about Bumblestripe and Cloudstorm. "Tallfeather–"

"SnowClan warriors!" Berryleaf's call from outside cut her off. "Gather by the tunnel!"

Thorncloud cast one last glance at Tallfeather, and he encouraged her with a nod. "See you soon," he said; a promise. "May all of StarClan go with you."

"And you," she said quickly, and then slipped out of the medicine den towards the gorse tunnel.

The first wave of cats was already gathered around Berryleaf, the second sitting farther back. Rainstar sat closest to the tunnel, Berryleaf at her side. As Thorncloud arrived, the leader lifted her head. "We will strike near the heart of RainClan – their camp. The second wave will hang back and wait for the signal, then join us. I remind you all that this is not a fight to the death. We are trying to take Sunningrocks back, and we must act honourably."

Foxtail yowled in agreement, and the other cats joined him. "Good!" Rainstar said, raising her voice over the noise. "Then let's go, and show RainClan who Sunningrocks belongs to!"

The warriors rushed for the tunnel. Thorncloud made sure to stay close behind Rainstar and Berryleaf at the front. The group of cats slunk silently through the trees. The sun was setting, and soon the RainClan evening patrol would be departing. Rainstar led them away from Sunningrocks, farther south to where there were several stepping stones that led across the river and into RainClan territory.

Rainstar allowed each cat to cross the river before pausing on the riverbank, her icy eyes glinting in the moonlight. She kept her voice low so that each cat had to strain to hear her words. "RainClan camp is surrounded by water," she said. "We will hide outside the camp and wait for the patrol to emerge. They will be caught off guard, and their cats will be trapped inside camp. We'll see them coming across the moat, and we'll be prepared."

All cats nodded. This close to the RainClan camp, no one dared to raise their voice. Thorncloud took a steadying breath, remembering Tallfeather's words. They'll see you're just as loyal as you've always been. She continued through the reeds.

A quiet din reached Thorncloud's ears as the water surrounding the camp came into view. The trickle of the stream, the shuffling of paws, and chatter from the cats within the camp walls told her that their enemy clan was settling down for the night.

Rainstar flicked her tail, and the first attack wave fell into position. Thorncloud ducked into the shelter of a shrub, lying in wait until the time came to attack. She knew that the second wave of warriors were stationed nearby, ready to pounce when their leader gave the signal.

The sun cast brilliant swaths of colour across the sky. Orange, yellow, and pink shimmered overhead. Sunset was upon them now. The patrol would be leaving the safety of the camp any moment. Thorncloud's fur prickled, and she wished Tallfeather was there to give her another branch of thyme.

The scent of RainClan cats reached her nose. Her heart clenched as she recognized the cats in the patrol – Pebblefoot, the massive white and grey tom was among them; Brookpelt, the RainClan deputy; Mottledfur, a senior warrior; and – Thorncloud's heart clenched – Cloudstorm. Thorncloud didn't know what she would do if she had to meet the familiar she-cat in battle.

It was a strong force, too. A moment passed, where Thorncloud heard the four warriors splashing through the water to leave camp. Three sets of pawsteps walked on, while one stopped.

"Wait," came the voice of Pebblefoot. Thorncloud pictured his face as she had seen him only a moon ago at the Gathering. "I smell SnowCl-"

His rumbling voice was overpowered by the battle cry of Rainstar as she leapt from the reeds. "SnowClan, attack!" she called, and Thorncloud pounced from the safety of the bush.

She found herself a fox-length away from Brookpelt, and all sense of doubt inside her vanished. Now this was a cat she could deal with fighting. Rearing back on her haunches, she sprung towards the smoke-furred deputy, who was frozen in shock at the sudden attack and didn't see Thorncloud coming.

The two she-cats tumbled over one another, Thorncloud digging her nails into the other cat's fur. Around her, the battle had begun. Rainstar was tussling with Pebblefoot, who must have been twice her size, not far away.

"SnowClan!" Brookpelt snarled, recovering quickly from her shock. She swatted at Thorncloud's head, but Thorncloud saw the attack coming and pulled her head back just in time for Brookpelt's claws to swipe at the air. Thorncloud dashed aside and Brookpelt scrambled to her paws.

The other cat pounced, but Thorncloud rolled aside. Brookpelt landed in the dirt and Thorncloud jumped on her back and pinned her down, giving a warning bite to the back of her neck. The RainClan deputy howled and rushed back towards her camp.

As she watched the deputy run, she saw that the entrance to the camp was now crowded with other RainClan warriors who had rushed to assist at the first sounds of attack – but Rainstar had been right. The crowded path was blocked. Rainstar howled and the second wave of cats crashed through the reeds to join the fight.

Thorncloud looked around wildly. There was Tigerfang, fighting with Mottledfur. Berryleaf and Owlpaw had cornered Cloudstorm, but she seemed to be faring alright even against two attackers. Stoneclaw had a warrior Thorncloud didn't recognize pinned down, and more cats still battled around them.

Rainstar had moved on from Pebblefoot, who was now locked in a fight with Foxtail. The SnowClan leader was grappling with a golden tom that Thorncloud instantly recognized as Goldenstar.

There was a flash out of the corner of her eye, but Thorncloud reacted too late; a mass barreled into her side, and she went sprawling into the branches of a bush with the cat who had attacked her. Sharp twigs tore at her pelt and leaves blocked her vision. Thorncloud slashed furiously at the mystery cat – only to realize that whoever it was wasn't fighting back. She blinked at the cat pinning her down and gasped. It was Bumblestripe.

"Thorncloud, stop clawing me!" the tortoiseshell warrior hissed.

"Bumblestripe! Why did you attack me?"

"Because I wanted to know why you weren't at the Gathering," he said quietly, making sure no other cat could hear. They were hidden from the rest of the battle now. "We were supposed to talk about the –"

"I know," Thorncloud mewed hastily. "I'm sorry. I got in trouble for our last meeting at Sunningrocks and I wasn't allowed to go."

He flinched away from a leaf that tickled his nose and shook his head. "I had the dream again," Bumblestripe said, and winced as they both heard the screech of an injured cat on the other side of their leafy canopy. Thorncloud's breath quickened. Why had StarClan spoken to Bumblestripe again and not her?

"You were right," he continued, "the cat was definitely from SnowClan. I just can't imagine why a SnowClan cat that I don't know would deliver a message to me."

Thorncloud groaned under the weight of him, wishing he could stop pinning her down, as if she was going to escape the conversation. "Can you get off of me, you great lump?" she wheezed.

Bumblestripe blinked. "Whoops," he said, and stepped back to let her sit. They huddled close together to speak, and Thorncloud glanced around as if another cat could crash through the bushes any second and catch them. "We can't stay here. We need to meet again soon," he said, as if reading her mind.

"Not at Sunningrocks," Thorncloud said quickly. "No matter how this turns out, it'll be crawling with cats from both our clans for moons."

"There's a huge willow tree on the east side of the riverbank, near the stepping stones," Bumblestripe said. Thorncloud nodded; she knew the one. "Its branches should hide us, and most patrols don't tend to check there often."

"Tomorrow night at moonhigh," Thorncloud said quickly. She was getting restless. If any cat noticed her absence for this long, there would be questions. "Okay, now scratch me," she ordered.

Bumblestripe blinked at her. "Excuse me?"

"You think any cat's going to believe you and I fought in here if we come out without any marks?" Thorncloud demanded. "Scratch me!"

Bumblestripe looked unsure. Thorncloud was going to make the demand again when he lashed out, drawing a strike across her cheek. Thorncloud grit her teeth, but didn't make a sound, not wanting to appear weak. "Good one," she grumbled. Blood trickled into her mouth, and she spat. "Now your turn."

"I'm good," Bumblestripe said, and lifted a hind leg to deliver a claw mark across his own side. He winced, but gave no other indication of his pain. Thorncloud would have been impressed, except she had been looking forward to paying him back for her new wound.

Blood welled at the scratches, but it didn't appear too deep. "See you tomorrow night," he said in parting, and leapt from the cover of the bush into the thick of the fight.

Thorncloud waited a few moments, her mind racing. Bumblestripe had taken a risk, talking to her while the heat of battle raged around them. She took a deep breath, and launched herself out of the bush.

Almost instantly, another cat jumped on top of her. Thorncloud felt claws digging into her shoulders. The scent of RainClan filled her nose. She rolled over onto her back, and though she was fairly small compared to the tom, he rolled over with her, and yowled as she pressed him to the ground.

Thorncloud turned over to face the cat, and recognized Creekbelly, a seasoned warrior with brown fur and a white underbelly. His dark brown muzzle faced her as he kicked and squirmed. Thorncloud clutched him with her forepaws and used her hind legs to rake against his exposed belly.

Sticky blood seeped on to her claws and Creekbelly flung her off of him. The wind was knocked out of her as she landed squarely on her back. By the time she got to her paws, Creekbelly was limping back towards his camp.

Casting a look around, Thorncloud gasped for breath. She saw Rainstar and Stoneclaw had Goldenstar pinned down. He thrashed wildly at them but was unable to release himself from their grip.

"Do you surrender?" Rainstar yelled, even as the fight continued around them.

"Never!" Goldenstar hissed, and bared his teeth.

Rainstar raised her claws, ready to strike at him, but suddenly froze in place as a horrifying scream ripped through the air.

It was as if time itself had frozen. Every cat stopped their quarrel to look towards the source of the scream. Thorncloud followed their gaze, and her eyes widened in terror as she saw Tigerfang hunched over another cat. Something dripped from her face. Blood. For a moment, Thorncloud thought the scream had come from her sister – until Tigerfang backed away from the other cat, tripping over her own paws in haste.

Thorncloud's eyes fell on the cat lying motionless. A familiar smoky pelt made her gasp.

It was Brookpelt. The RainClan deputy was dead.