Chapter 13
"I call upon StarClan to look down on these two cats, who both wish to join SpringClan. They have learned the warrior code and proven that they are able to handle the duties of a warrior. Stonefeather shall keep his name, as it suits him."
Stormflower's world was now in danger. Stonefeather was evil. If he wasn't, then why did StarClan send her the vision? Life could be so confusing sometimes.
"Ember, from now on, you shall be known as Emberfoot. May StarClan light you and Stonefeather's paths as new warriors," Vixenstar announced.
"Stonefeather! Emberfoot! Stonefeather! Emberfoot!", chanted SpringClan. Stormflower wasn't chanting, though. There was no need. Vixenstar jumped down from Tallpine, followed by the two new Clanmates to the Clan.
Cats surrounded the two with congratulations as the Clan headed their separate ways. "Hey, Stormflower, want to join us for a patrol with the new warriors?", Talonstorm called out.
"Oh, sure." What Stormflower really meant was , "I really don't want to go but if I don't cats will ask why. I can't tell them what I think or they'll think I'm crazy."
"Where are we going to hunt?", Stonefeather asked.
"Well….how about near the upper part of the territory? There's a lot of forest there," Talonstorm suggested.
"Well, what if we hunted near the river instead? Prey likes to gather near water, so there might be more prey there," replied Stonefeather.
"Oh, alright." Stormflower thought it was odd that Stonefeather refused Talonstorm's suggestion. She couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but it was there. The patrolling cats were Talonstorm, Emberfoot, Stonefeather, and Stormflower, they decided. The patrol went off to hunt.
The scent of the river wasn't strong, but it was detectable. It grew stronger as the SpringClan hunting patrol got closer to where they would hunt. Stormflower chose to hunt near the river and was closer than any of the cats to the river.
A little water vole came out of its hiding place. But at the same time, so did a blackbird. The vole looked appetizing, but the call of the blackbird would surely alert the vole that something was wrong. So, with that in mind, Stormflower crept up the branch of the oak tree.
The blackbird shifted around, getting ready for flight. Its attempt was cut short by Stormflower, who bit it promptly to kill it. The blackbird's color reminded Stormflower of Emberfoot, but then, why did that matter? Why…..did it matter?
"Oh, I can't believe I got this huge vole! I can't wait to give it to her." It was Talonstorm, and it sounded like he had gotten vole for Stormflower. When Stormflower met the three toms, each had caught something. Talonstorm had his vole, Stonefeather had a squirrel, and Emberfoot had a plump mouse.
"You caught a blackbird, I see," Talonstorm observed. "I caught this huge vole that came out of nowhere! I was lucky to get it. Do-do you want it, love?"
"Well…..sure, Talonstorm. You're going to join me to eat, right?", Stormflower inquired.
"Absolutely! I wouldn't miss it for the world." Stormflower felt dizzy. She was seeing double.
"Stormflower, are you alright?", Stonefeather asked.
"I'm fine!", snapped Stormflower. The world began to spin, and the other patrol cats surrounded her. The last thing Stormflower saw was Stonefeather's face, twisted into an expression of triumph.