This chapter wasn't as long, only three pages on Microsoft Word, mine are usually five to six. But it's very meaningful, and has a lot of foreshadowing. Let me know if you notice anything!

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors.

Chapter 22

Cloudstorm licked her ear and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong," replied Lightheart. "Why would you think anything is wrong?" Despite her answer, the gray she-cat's green eyes were clouded with some sort of mysterious emotion.

Cloudstorm sighed. "Lightheart, I can tell something is bothering you. You can tell me."

"There's nothing to tell!" Lightheart hissed sharply.

Cloudstorm flinched. "I--I'm sorry…"

"Look, Cloudstorm, I think it's great that Falconclaw decided to go with you on the journey," Lightheart said with am exasperated sigh. "Just go."

Cloudstorm winced. "Lightheart, is something wrong here, because if there is, just tell me!"

"Why don't you just go?!" Lightheart spat.

"Do you want me to leave?" Cloudstorm mewed quietly.

There was a long silence.

Finally, "No."

Cloudstorm let out a sigh of relief, and he pressed his muzzle into Lightheart's side. "Then what's wrong?"

He felt Lightheart's body heave a sigh. She opened her mouth. "I…I…"

"What?" Cloudstorm persisted, removing his muzzle from the she-cat's fur and looking her square in the face.

She opened her mouth again, then closed it, flicking her ears indecisively. Then she looked away, her eyes downcast.

"You can tell me anything," Cloudstorm encouraged, licking her cheek.

She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with hope, and opened her mouth to speak again. "I--I…" She looked away. "No, Cloudstorm, it's nothing important."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." She stood up and shook her fur, a few tufts of soft gray hairs floating in the air. "It's nothing, really. You wouldn't… it wouldn't matter to you anyways."

Cloudstorm was hurt. "What do you mean?"

"You won't care. I mean, it's nothing important, Cloudstorm, don't worry about it," Lightheart mewed.

Cloudstorm sighed and sat down beside the gray she-cat, pressing himself into her soft fur. He felt the she-cat relax, and rasped his tongue over her ear. He heard her let out a sigh, and began to groom her fur until it was sleek and smooth. "Lightheart," he whispered.

"Hmm?" Her voice was filled with hope and longing, but Cloudstorm wasn't sure what she wanted.

"I'm going to miss you a lot," he meowed.

"Oh, right." She almost sounded disappointed. What did she want from him?

He asked, "Will you miss me?"

"Of course," she mumbled. "I'll miss you a lot, Cloudstorm."

He purred and nuzzled her playfully, but she barely responded. "Lightheart, what's wrong? Something is bothering you."

"I'm just tired," Lightheart replied, getting up to her paws. "I'm just going to go see…" She hesitated. "…um, Frostpool."

"Frostpool? Why? Do you need herbs?"

"She's my sister," Lightheart snapped.

Cloudstorm flinched. "Right. Sorry."

***

Cloudstorm nodded. "Yes, Smokestar."

"And don't come back without her," Smokestar said, his blue eyes hardened. "Unless, of course, you've done the best of your ability to find her."

Cloudstorm dipped his head, hoping that would not be the case.

Smokestar turned to Falconclaw. "It's kind of you to offer to go with Cloudstorm, especially so soon after you received your warrior name."

The ginger tom dipped his head respectfully.

"Well, then, it's time to go," Smokestar meowed, getting up and leading the two toms out of his den. They padded toward the entrance of the den, and the other ThunderClan cats began to gather.

Clovernight hobbled over to Cloudstorm. "I'm going to miss you, you little furball," she teased with a purr.

Cloudstorm rolled his eyes, then licked his sister's ear. "I'll miss you, too."

Feathercloud was staring at him, her eyes wide. She padded over and said quietly, "Be careful, Cloudstorm."

He nodded curtly, his tail curled around his paws.

Feathercloud stepped back, her tail drooping with sadness.

Cloudstorm was surprised to see Thorntail approach him. I used to look up to him so much. I thought he really was my father…

"Cloudstorm," the golden brown tom meowed. "I know that we've…" He hesitated, then said, "I…" He twitched his ears uncomfortably.

Cloudstorm stiffened. "I know." He pushed past the tom and headed toward Lightheart, who was sitting down a few tail-lengths away, her tail curled around her paws, and her green eyes wide.

"Lightheart," he meowed warmly.

"Cloudstorm, I'm going to miss you so much," the gray she-cat said, pushing her muzzle into the tom's coarse fur.

He licked the she-cat's ear. "I'll miss you, too, Lightheart."

"I don't want you to go," Lightheart said in a soft voice, almost like a kit's whine.

Cloudstorm purred and nuzzled the she-cat's cheek. "I know, but I have to find Dewleaf." He glanced back and saw Falconclaw speaking to his siblings. The other cats were close by, mewing words of encouragement and farewell.

"I know," Lightheart meowed, sighing. She took a step back and looked up at Cloudstorm, her green eyes wide.

"What's wrong?"

She sighed, then looked away. "I… I'm…" She sighed, her flank heaving.

Suddenly, Cloudstorm noticed that the she-cat looked frail. She was a bit plump, probably from the extra fresh-kill of new leaf. She looked so sad. "What's wrong, Lightheart? You can tell me anything."

Before the she-cat could reply, Smokestar yowled, "Cloudstorm. It's time."

Cloudstorm turned to the other cats and padded over to the camp exit. Lightheart followed behind him.

"Are you ready?" Falconclaw asked.

Cloudstorm nodded. "Yes, let's go." He reached over to lick Lightheart's nose. "Bye, Lightheart. I'll miss you."

The she-cat took the chance to whisper in his ear, "I love you, Cloudstorm."

He stopped mid-lick, shocked. His whole body stiffened. He was stunned!

Lightheart took it the wrong way and looked away, sighing. "I'm sorry…" Her voice was full of grief.

"No, Lightheart---" Cloudstorm tried to say.

"Cloudstorm, let's go," Falconclaw urged, pushing him toward the camp exit.

As Cloudstorm padded after Falconclaw reluctantly, he glanced back at Lightheart, his eyes full of love, hoping she'd understand how he really felt about her. But the gray she-cat's muzzle was shoved into her mother's shoulder, and her shoulders were shaking. Snowstorm licked her daughter between the ears, then shot Cloudstorm a glare.

I'm sorry, Lightheart, Cloudstorm thought. I love you, too. If only you knew.

He turned away sadly and scurried after Falconclaw.

Does anyone know what's wrong with Lightheart? Any guesses?