Chapter 27
Dewleaf sighed and padded out of camp. She needed to go someplace private, where she could think. She padded down to the stream, by the RiverClan border. She sat down near a small thicket and looked down at the stream. The water trickled past and around the little stepping stones. The stream babbled softly, it sounded like a stream of many cats all speaking at once. Staring down at the clear, blue water, she was reminded of a memory.
"That was a pretty nice job. But that fish is small."
Dewleaf nodded in agreement as she looked down at the small fish she'd just landed. Then she looked back up at Stormpelt. "Teach me to do better. You're a great fisher."
Stormpelt purred. "I am, indeed, a great fisher. Here, watch me." He crouched low, making sure his shadow did not cast over the river. His muscles were bunched up underneath him, tense and ready to spring into action. Only his eyes moved when a large fish began swimming toward him. It was deep in the water, but Dewleaf knew Stormpelt could catch it. With a swift movement, Stormpelt scooped the fish up with his claws, and then used his other paw to lift it onto the ground. "See? Do you think you can do it?"
Dewleaf nodded, nervously flicking her tail. She maintained the same position at the edge of the river, her eyes darting about in hopes of catching a glimpse of fish. A silver flash, and she was off! Flicking her paw into the water, managing to lift the fish out a bit--- It splashed back into the water and quickly swam away, leaving Dewleaf downhearted. She looked up in surprise when she felt Stormpelt's coarse fur brush up against hers for a brief moment, then move away.
"It's okay, you'll do better next time. Besides, that fish was big. It must've been heavy," the gray and black tom said soothingly.
"You're right," Dewleaf replied, nudging her friend with a friendly butt of her head.
She'd started out thinking of Stormpelt as a great friend, and now, she was dying to see him! She… she loved him. She let out a sigh and tightened her tail around her paws, as if to comfort herself. She looked up from the stream and straight ahead, toward RiverClan territory. She wondered what her kin was doing right now. Rainheart and Streamgaze. Perhaps they were on patrol? Or were they resting in the warriors den? Could one of them be in the medicine cat's den with an injury? Perhaps a thorn in the pad? Or was it a serious injury? What of Stormpelt? Would he feel betrayed that Dewleaf had left without telling him when she'd leave? What was he doing now? Did he miss her? Or had he forgotten all about her?
Dewleaf felt a pang at that thought. No, he'd never forget me! She got up to her paws and turned away from the stream, her head low.
All I have to do is to cross that stream, hide my scent, and make it past RiverClan territory! I'll be fine if I stay to the edge, they'll never notice! Only a few days traveling and I'll be in RainClan territory! Her heart pounded at the thought of returning to RainClan.
No, I can't. I have to stay… Clovernight's previous words rang in her head.
"I should go," she told herself firmly. More hesitantly, she said, "No, I can't." More boldly, she said, "I have to! I have to go back there!"
She glanced back, and before her mind and heart could tell her otherwise, raced back to camp. She nearly ran over Berrytail, who was sitting at the entrance, guarding camp. "Oh, sorry," she muttered.
"Dewleaf, are you alright?" the tom asked, his head tilted to the side. "You seem…"
"I'm fine," she said hastily, glancing away. Before the tom could reply, she padded into the warriors den, crashing down on her nest. Sighing heavily, she closed her eyes.
"Dewleaf?"
She blinked and looked up, discovering that Stonefoot was in his nest, probably resting. "Oh, hi."
"Hello," Stonefoot replied. "Are you okay?"
Dewleaf shrugged and turned her head away, closing her eyes.
***
"Are you going to the Gathering tonight, Dewleaf?" Flightfur asked.
The black she-cat slowly shook her head. "No, I'm not," she meowed sadly. She would've loved to go, but she just hadn't been chosen.
Flightfur nodded slowly. "Oh. I'm sure Smokestar will let you go next moon."
Dewleaf shrugged casually. "Maybe." She glanced up and saw Cloudstorm, who was slowly walking toward them. Their eyes met, but she looked away quickly.
"Hi, Dewleaf, Flightfur," the tom meowed.
Flightfur purred. "Hi, Cloudstorm. Are you going to the Gathering?"
The gray and white tom nodded. "Yes, I am. Are you?"
"I am," the ginger she-cat answered. "But Dewleaf isn't."
Cloudstorm looked up at Dewleaf. "Are you alright, Dewleaf?"
The slim, black she-cat let out a soft hiss. "I'm fine, Cloudstorm. I don't even want to go anyway, I'd much rather rest." Lashing her tail, she got up and strode away stiffly.
"What's wrong with her?" Flightfur whispered, though it was loud enough for Dewleaf to hear.
Dewleaf strained her ears to listen, but Cloudstorm did not reply. She sighed and padded into the warriors den.
***
Dewleaf watched as the ThunderClan cats began to depart.
"Bye, Dewleaf," Clovernight called out.
Cloudstorm added, "We'll tell you all about the Gathering when we get back, okay?"
Dewleaf shrugged, trying to be cheerful. "Okay, then. I'll see you soon."
Cloudstorm glanced at her, then nodded.
Smokestar motioned with his tail and led his Clan out of camp, toward Wood Grove. Dewleaf sighed and padded over to the fresh-kill pile. She rummaged through until she found a plump vole to her liking and sat down to eat.
"Hey, Dewleaf," came a meow.
Dewleaf looked up and saw ginger tom padding over to her. "Falconclaw? You didn't go to the Gathering?"
"No, I didn't. Smokestar didn't choose me," he replied, sitting down. "No matter, there'll be more Gatherings, right?"
Dewleaf nodded slowly, bending over to take a bite of her vole. "Are you hungry?"
Falconclaw considered for a moment, and then shook his head. "Um, no, I'm alright."
Dewleaf flicked an ear in acknowledgement and took another bite of the vole.
Falconclaw suddenly looked up at the sky and sighed. "Oh, no, storm clouds. It looks like rain."
Dewleaf looked up. He was right. Dark storm clouds had begun rumbling over the sky, creeping over the dark blue hue of the usual sky. But the sun hadn't even set all the way yet. "The Gathering might be canceled due to the rain," she meowed.
Falconclaw nodded in agreement. "Probably. They'll try to stay as long as they can, since the Gathering is a truce. But once it starts raining, they'll most likely rush back."
Dewleaf nodded. By now, she'd finished her vole. She licked her jaws a few times to relish the remaining taste of vole, then got up and stretched her legs.
"Tired?" Falconclaw asked.
Dewleaf shook her head. "Actually, I'm a bit restless," she admitted.
Falconclaw was quiet for a moment. Then, "You always seem tired and unhappy."
Dewleaf flinched a bit, but realized that what the tom said was correct. She nodded slowly, understandingly.
Ahead, darker clouds began to roam closer toward camp, rumbling loudly. Dewleaf looked up at the darkening sky, noticing the full moon starting to illuminate up in the dark sky. She let out a small sigh and looked around.
"It looks like it'll rain soon," Falconclaw remarked.
Dewleaf shrugged, then got up to her paws. "Um, I'll be in the warriors den," she said, padding past him.
Once she was settled down on her mossy nest, her mind drifted to thoughts and memories, most of them about RainClan and Stormpelt, in particular.
I miss him so much, she thought to herself. Falconclaw was right. She wasn't happy in ThunderClan anymore. If I go back, will Stealthstar accept me? Will Stormpelt still care about me? Having an inner battle with herself, she strived to come to a conclusion.
***
Dewleaf got up to her paws, aware but uncaring that dark gray and black storm clouds hovered above the camp. She glanced around, then padded toward the nursery.
Feathercloud blinked sleepily when she padded in, then let out a small purr. "Hi, Dewleaf. What are you doing here? It'll start raining any moment."
"I know," Dewleaf replied, her voice nearly cracking with emotion. She let out a few deep breaths to soothe herself before going on, "I just wanted to tell you… good night." She padded closer and nuzzled her mother, then her half-brother, Lionkit, and licked the golden tom's ear. "Bye," she said softly.
Feathercloud looked up with confusion. "Are you going somewhere?"
"No," Dewleaf replied steadily, shaking her head. "I'll see you…"
"Okay, then," Feathercloud meowed, sighing as she curled her tail around her kit and closed her eyes.
Dewleaf turned away and padded out of the nursery. The sky was even darker, and by now, it was moonhigh. Black and gray clouds loomed overhead, threatening to let heavy drops of water fall. If I want to make it there, I'll have to leave soon. She looked around, then spotted Falconclaw. She bounded over to him quickly, flicking her tail to get his attention.
"What is it?" he meowed when she skidded to a halt beside him.
Dewleaf hesitated for a moment. What if he tried to stop her? I'll have to trust him. "When… when the rest of ThunderClan gets back, I want you to tell them… I'll miss them. And I love them all."
The ginger tom's blue eyes clouded. "You're---You're leaving?"
"Yes," she breathed, nodding slowly.
He nodded in acceptance, looking down at his paws. He moved closer to the black furred she-cat and lightly touched his nose to her muzzle. "I'll miss you, Dewleaf. Have a safe journey."
"Thank you, Falconclaw. You've been a wonderful friend," Dewleaf meowed truthfully, licking his nose in return. "I hope you lead a good life here in ThunderClan."
Falconclaw's blue eyes flashed for a moment, but he bowed his head. "Thanks," he said stiffly.
Dewleaf, confused at his sudden, somewhat, hostile behavior, tilted her head to the side. But he said nothing more, so she said, "I'll miss you so much." She nuzzled him briefly before turning toward the camp exit.
Before she padded through that thorn tunnel, she turned her head once. Falconclaw was staring after her, his blue eyes sad. That's when the thunder rumbled, and rain began to fall.
***
Dewleaf slowly padded toward the stream that marked the border between RiverClan and ThunderClan. The rain drizzled down heavily, landing with loud splats on the she-cat's jet black fur. She sneezed a few times along the way, stopping briefly to shake water from her fur. Now, the sky lit up with thunder.
The Gathering was probably canceled. They're probably making their way back to camp now, Dewleaf thought. I'll be long gone by the time they reach it.
She jumped when a flash of blue and purple lit up the air. She blinked in awe when she saw the sky being torn in half by a lightning strike that was gone as quick as it had come. Then she continued on, staring up at the sky in wonder.
When she finally reached the stream, she took shelter under a tree with large, wide branches and thick foliage. She blinked again, staring up at the sky in wonder as it lit up in beautiful hues of blue and purple.
I never knew a storm would be this pretty, she thought. She got up and padded toward the stream. From the heavy rain, the stream had overflowed from the bank and now pooled around her paws. She looked around for the steeping stones, which were nearly invisible because of the high water level. Slowly and delicately, she stepped onto the first stepping stone. In the dark, she looked for the next one. Then she extended a forepaw---
BOOM! CRASH!
Dewleaf let out a yowl of alarm as a boom of thunder surprised her. Slipping, she tumbled into the dark, swirling stream, hissing and spluttering. Her head was being sucked underwater, the current was much stronger now. She let out a furious hiss and clawed at what she could---she distinctly felt her claws come in contact with some sort of rock or stone… She kicked her legs upward, trying to keep her head above the water. She spluttered and spat, trying to breathe in air before she was sucked under again.
She kicked her paws, clawing desperately at the bank. It was hopeless! Using her last bit of energy, she yowled out, "Help! Help me!"
***
Dewleaf cracked one of her eyes open, closing them shut quickly when bright light blinded her. She let out a groan and turned her head away.
"Get up," someone mewed softly. "Dewleaf?"
She opened her eyes slowly, looking up at Frostpool's light blue eyes and fluffy white fur. She looked around, dimly aware that she was lying on a soft bed of moss, in the medicine cat's den. She opened her mouth to speak, but ended up coughing. When she recovered, she asked, "What happened? What am I doing here?" All she could remember was deciding to go to RainClan. She'd been caught in a storm, and had been trying to cross the stream.
Frostpool looked down at her kindly. "We got back from the Gathering and found out that you'd left camp. Without even asking questions, Thorntail and Cloudstorm made way to find you. Somehow, they found you, half-drowned in the flooded stream."
Thorntail? Her eyes widened, and she felt dazed. She'd expect Cloudstorm to worry about her, but Thorntail? "Really?"
Frostpool nodded. "Yes. Mosspelt and I treated you right away. As a matter of fact, Mosspelt should be back soon. She went out to collect some herbs."
As if on cue, the elderly, brown pelted medicine cat padded into the den with all sorts of herbs in her mouth. Her eyes lit up. Dropping the herbs, she said, "Dewleaf, you're up! Good."
Dewleaf slowly got up, sitting down on her haunches. I guess I won't be seeing Stormpelt anytime soon, she thought sadly. But at least I still have my life.
Mosspelt sniffed through the herbs, then grasped some yellow and white flowers in her mouth. Leaving Frostpool to sort the rest, she brought forward the flowers. "This is coltsfoot," she explained. "It'll help with your cough. Chew it into a pulp first, then swallow."
Dewleaf blinked gratefully and lapped up the yellow and white flowers, chewing them. After a while, she swallowed, making a face at the strange taste. Then she examined herself, noticing a gash on her shoulder, wrapped in cobwebs and poultice. She had a slight bellyache, as well. "Mosspelt, I'm not sure why, but my belly hurts," she meowed with uncertainty and concern.
Mosspelt's eyes glowed with amusement. "Don't worry, that's a minor injury. I'm sure some mallow will soothe it." She went to retrieve some leaves and returned, indicating for Dewleaf to eat it. "You probably swallowed a lot of water in the stream," she explained patiently.
Dewleaf nodded in gratitude and swallowed the herbs. Feeing weary and drained of energy, she curled up to rest in the moss nest. But she was soon interrupted.
"Dewleaf, we have a visitor for you."
She blinked her eyes a few times, then got up to her paws, yawning drowsily. "Who is it?"
"Me!" someone meowed eagerly. It was Clovernight, she had just padded into the medicine cat's den. "How are you feeling?" she asked as she padded to her sister's side.
Dewleaf let out a weak purr. "Fine, I guess."
Clovernight sighed. "Why did you do that, Dewleaf?"
"Do what?"
The dark gray, white, and black she-cat rolled her eyes. "Why did you leave camp in the middle of a storm?"
Dewleaf sighed, glancing away. "I just… I wanted to get away from camp. I was just… I wanted some fresh air, that's all." Suddenly feeling excited, she asked, "Did you see the lightning? It was so pretty! All those purple and blue colors!"
"Well, if you say so," her sister replied doubtfully. "Anyway, Cloudstorm went on patrol earlier, he should be back soon."
Dewleaf nodded. "Okay, then."
"He was really worried yesterday," Clovernight went on. "When we got back, we realized that you were gone. He was very panicked. And you know what else? Thorntail was worried, too. He and Cloudstorm offered to go out, in the storm, to find you. Smokestar was reluctant to let them go, but finally, he let them. I'm not sure how, but somehow they found you, half-drowned. The two of them alone dragged you back to camp, where Mosspelt and Frostpool took over." With a curious look, she asked, "What happened to you? No one seemed to know where you'd gone, not even Feathercloud, or Falconclaw."
Falconclaw didn't tell them yet? How considerate of him. He knew that if I was on my way at the time, and he told them, then they'd come and stop me before I got a chance to make it out of ThunderClan territory! Dewleaf drew in a sharp breath of air and meowed, "As I said before, I wanted fresh air. I thought the rain would let up soon. I got to the stream, which was flooded by then, and I slipped." She looked away quickly, shocked at herself for having lied to her own sister, her own kin.
Clovernight nodded, touching her tail to Dewleaf's shoulder. "As long as you're safe."
Dewleaf let out a small sigh and nodded. "I need some rest. All the energy was drained out of me, I can barely stand up."
Clovernight blinked in understanding. "Well, go ahead. I'll ask Cloudstorm to bring you fresh-kill later."
"Thanks," Dewleaf grumbled as she curled up and closed her eyes. She heard Clovernight murmuring to someone quietly before drifting off to sleep.
***
"Thanks, Cloudstorm," she meowed gratefully before biting into the plump vole her brother had brought her.
Cloudstorm nodded and watched as Dewleaf began to eat ravenously. She was finished in a matter of moments, and he couldn't help but let out a soft purr. His sister looked up sharply, confusion and amusement both sparkling in her blue eyes.
"What?" she demanded.
Cloudstorm shook his head. "You just look as if you're a starved badger who hasn't eaten in a half moon," he teased.
Dewleaf rolled her eyes, then admitted, "I feel that way. I was starving."
Cloudstorm's eyes twinkled. "Well, eat up."
Dewleaf shook her head, and her blue eyes looked as if they'd dulled. "No, I'm not hungry anymore." She padded back to the nest and curled up again, sighing.
"Dewleaf, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" Cloudstorm asked, though he had a good guess of what exactly was bothering his sister.
The black she-cat shrugged. "I don't think so. Mosspelt gave me plenty of herbs earlier, I'm fine." She looked away, then closed her eyes, another sigh escaping her. Her tail twitched from side to side, repeating a few times before she turned and shifted into another position.
Cloudstorm opened his mouth to speak, then turned away. "I'll let you rest, then," he mewed softly over his shoulder.
Dewleaf flicked an ear to show that she'd heard, but gave no other indication.
Cloudstorm dipped his head to the two medicine cats before padding out of the medicine cat's den.
Falconclaw was lingering outside the den, his tail lashing. When he saw Cloudstorm, he straightened up and dipped his head in greeting. "How's Dewleaf?"
Cloudstorm shrugged. "Healing well."
Falconclaw nodded, then meowed, "Is she asleep now?"
"I think so," Cloudstorm answered. "If you like, you can go inside. I'm sure she'd be glad to have a visitor."
The young ginger tom hesitated, then shook his head. "Um, no, I wouldn't want to disturb her."
Cloudstorm flicked his tail in acceptance and padded to the center of camp.
Lightheart approached him, a squirrel in her jaws. "Hey, Cloudstorm," she purred. "I thought you might be hungry."
He nodded, his tail curling in happiness. "Let's go share that."
Lightheart nodded, nudging her mate affectionately before leading him to the sunny patch of grass near the warriors den. The two gray cats sat down together, the squirrel in between them. "You can take the first bite," Lightheart offered, her tail brushing her mate's flank. Cloudstorm licked her ear gratefully and took a bite, then nudged the piece of fresh-kill to her so that she could have her share. After sharing in silence like this for a few moments, Lightheart asked, "How is Dewleaf doing now?"
"Oh, well, she seems to be healing well. She still has a wound on her shoulder. She must've cut it on a sharp rock or something in the stream," Cloudstorm said.
Lightheart nodded. "Yes, but how is she?"
Cloudstorm sighed. "Worse. She must be very tired from fighting the current in the stream last night, and nearly drowning. But all she ate was a vole, and all she wants to do is lie down. She won't even sleep, she just lays there with her eyes closed." He suppressed a sigh and looked at his mate expectantly.
Lightheart looked thoughtful. "She must miss someone. You told me there was a tom she was close to in RainClan, right?"
Cloudstorm nodded. "Yes. But she hasn't spoken of him for a while, and I don't think they were very serious about each other."
His mate bristled. "Cloudstorm, don't say that. You don't know how Dewleaf feels. And you don't know what that tom feels about her. It sounds like she's depressed."
Well, it is strange she ended up in the stream, Cloudstorm thought. And Lightheart's been in this sort of situation before, she would know. "Was that how you felt when I…?" He trailed off, glancing down at his paws in shame at his past acts.
Lightheart sighed, then nodded. "Actually, yes. And I imagine that's how your sister feels."
Cloud storm pressed his pelt into his mate's, purring. "You're right, Lightheart. I think that's it. Maybe Dewleaf was planning to go back to RainClan. The stream in on the way, after all."
His mate nodded, her eyes full of concern.
"What would I do without you?" Cloudstorm purred, pressing closer to her, trying to lightening the mood. At those words, he was reminded once again of how close he'd come to losing the beautiful she-cat once before, when she'd given birth to kits. His kits. His kits that'd died even before they'd seen their father. He licked the she-cat's gray pelt a few times, then sighed. "What do I do? I don't want Dewleaf to go on feeling like that."
Lightheart, once again, had a thoughtful look in her eyes. "I wonder…"
Cloudstorm glanced at the pretty she-cat once more, then licked her ear, whispering, "I love you."
THE longest chapter ever! It's a total of eight pages and nearly 4,000 words! Wow, I'm really proud of myself.
I'm really sorry to say, but you readers out there can consider this the last chapter/epilogue. I'm sorry, this is the end. No sequel, no afterword. I'm really sorry, some of you will probably murder me, but I'm really busy. And besides, I have another fic I'm working on now.
BUT.... Make sure you read the next chapter, just an author's note, but still important.
Sorry!