The Thoughts of Others

The sky was bright blue when Sorrelpaw and Whisperpaw left the camp, and despite the early hour the sun was burning down on their pelts uncomfortably hot. Sorrelpaw sighed. "I really could do with some rain now." Her friend shrugged. "EarthClan will be the first to run into problems. We've got enough water reserves." Sorrelpaw nodded slowly, but her sullen mood stayed.

"What's he doing in the forest, anyway?" she asked instead, curious. Whisperpaw shook her head. "No idea. But he should be back by sun-high. He promised to teach me how to fish." Sometimes Sorrelpaw envied her friend for her mentor Windflight. Her own, Lionblaze, was friendly enough, but he was also the deputy, and far stricter. Windflight was always cheerful, and an incredibly gifted teacher at that.

Right now, however, he wasn't any of that, because he was gone.

"I wonder what he's doing up there," she meowed thoughtfully. "I thought he hated climbing?" Before Whisperpaw had a chance to reply, Oakpaw came crashing through the tress. "You've got to see this!" he cried, almost stumbling over his own paws in an effort to stop in front of them. "It's unbelievable!"

The small tom bounced around the older apprentices excitedly. "It's Windflight, he – he's standing on a tree trunk!" Sorrelpaw frowned. "He climbed a tree stump? Congratulations" Oakpaw frantically shook his head, giddy with excitement. "Not a tree stump. He's standing on the trunk."

"On a tree trunk?" Whisperpaw repeated, sounding just as confused as Sorrelpaw felt. She realized that they would not get any more information from the tiny apprentice. "Come on," she meowed, already setting off in a moderate jog. Whisperpaw followed her while Oakpaw sped off in the other direction, probably to tell the rest of the Clan about his discovery. Sorrelpaw almost felt sorry for them.

It took them only a couple of minutes to find Whisperpaw's mentor. Lionblaze and Owlfeather were there as well, staring in astonishment at something above their heads.

That something was Windflight, standing vertically at the trunk of a massive oak, grinning down at them. Sorrelpaw paused. "How-" Most ReedClan cats disliked climbing, and it was a well-known fact that none of them could rival EarthClan. But Sorrelpaw was pretty sure that even the other Clan's most experienced climber would have trouble matching the brown tom. He seemed to actually stick to the bark, and he hadn't even unsheathed his claws.

Owlfeather turned around when the two she-cats arrived. "Sorrelpaw! Incredible, isn't it?" Sorrelpaw pulled herself together and tore her eyes away from the strange sight, and towards the young warrior. "What in StarClan's name is that?" The silver tom shrugged. "No idea, to be honest. He just jumped up, and...stuck. It's been going on for a while, he's just running from branch to branch like a mad squirrel. We sent Oakpaw to fetch Shimmerfur."

Sorrelpaw managed a weak nod. Whisperpaw was still staring at her mentor, who was now catapulting himself on to the next tree with an enormous leap, actually bearing some resemblance to an oversized squirrel.

"Oi, Windflight. What's this, then?" Sorrelpaw shouted. The brown tom turned around to peer down at her, still grinning like a lunatic. "Not a clue. Brilliant, isn't it? Morning, Whisperpaw! I'm afraid I'll have to cancel fishing!" The golden brown she-Cat next to her nodded slowly, jaw still hanging open.

Sorrelpaw's gaze wandered over to Lionblaze, who was fixating the other warrior as well. But something in his eyes nagged at her mind. The faraway expression with which he was watching Windflight...as if he was seeing something completely different. Or someone.

But before she could say anything, more cats stepped out between the trees, carrying with them the distinct scent of EarthClan. It was Flintstrike, their deputy, together with the healer Honeypool and two other warriors. One of them Sorrelpaw recognized as Timberpelt, but the other, a small silver she-cat was unknown to her.

Lionblaze spun around. "Flintstrike" he growled, not hiding the surprise from his voice. "What are you doing here?" The black tom's gaze wandered away from him, up towards the beech that Windflight was still sticking to, staring at the newcomers with just as much surprise. But in spite of shock there was only mild awe on Flintstrike's face – almost as if he'd been expecting this.

"You too, then," her meowed curtly, turning back to Lionblaze. "Ashstar sends us," he said with a strained smile, "There were strange...happenings in our Clan last night .One of our elders, he...he glows in the dark. And there were others, too. Apparently there's a prophecy, and an old legend that foretold it. In short, Ashstar thinks it best to move the Gathering to tonight."

Lionblaze was silent for a while, mulling over the other warrior's thoughts. Sorrelpaw looked more closely at the EarthClan faces. Only now she noticed that there wasn't just a surprise in the looks they gave Windflight, but also something akin to fear. Her fur prickled with unease. What exactly was this prophecy about?

Finally, Lionblaze nodded. "I will deliver your message to Icestar. But I cannot promise that he will share your view. Up until now he doesn't even know about this at all." He flicked his tail towards Windflight. Flintstrike bowed his gratefully. "Thank you. We expect your reply before sundown." But before the EarthClan warriors could turn around to leave, their healer stepped forward. "I'd like to speak to Shimmerfur," she meowed politely but firmly, and her eyes made it clear that she would take no for an answer. "The prophecy was made in front of both of us, and we should try to understand it together before we speak in front of the Clans."

Lionblaze hesitated, then nodded. "We will accompany you and one of your warriors to our camp. Nothing more." His message was clear, and Flintstrike's tail flick signalled that he understood – whatever the meaning of all this, there was still little love between ReedClan and EarthClan.

"Timberpelt, you'll go with her. Frostspark and I will wait for you at the border. Be back at sun-high." The last words were a clear message to Lionblaze: EarthClan trusted them no more than they did them.

The golden tom nodded curtly and watched unmoved as Flintstrike and the silver warrior vanished between the trees once more. Then he motioned for the two remaining EarthClanners to follow him. Sorrelpaw and the others followed their little band, and after a brief hesitation Windflight hopped off his tree as well, joining them.

As they made their way back to camp Whisperpaw kept stealing shy glances at her mentor, until he finally fell into step beside her, smiling. "Come on, Whisperpaw, don't give me that look! I'm still the same cat!" he meowed pleasantly. "Just with...cool skills." He grinned, and enthusiastically leapt onto one of the large boulders that marked their territory's eastern border. Sorrelpaw couldn't help but smirk. Squirrel, definitely. Or maybe a lizard. After a small hesitation, a small smile crept onto Whisperpaw's lips as well.

Owlfeather, who was walking behind them, uttered a disbelieving snort. "Windflight, of all the cats," he muttered with a weak laugh, "One should think StarClan would choose more serious cats. More dignified." Sorrelpaw shared his laughter, but it felt hollow.

The warrior's words had caused a small shiver to run down her spine. If it even had been StarClan' doing...

The stares pricked her fur like needles. Some were curious, some wary, some even sympathetic. But they all shared the same distance, the invisible wall that had appeared between her and the Clan overnight. She was different, marked.

Already she wondered if it had been a mistake to tell the Clan about her power. But how could she have known the darkness that Pineheart had seen in it?

Sworn to kill StarClan.

Why her? She hadn't sworn anything except loyalty to her Clan, and most definitely not assault on the gods. Why couldn't this have happened to somebody else, somebody strong, clever. Flintstrike, or maybe Boldheart. Somebody who'd be able to make sense of all this, who'd know what to do. More than ever she wished her brother was here. Timberpelt always knew what to do. But he wasn't here, he had gone to ReedClan to organize a Gathering that would determine her fate.

Spiderfur felt alone. For a second she thought about visiting Foxpelt, just so she could have somebody to talk about all this, somebody who might stand a chance at understanding. But then she'd also meet Pineheart, and she had no desire to face him. Which left Hollypaw and Shadepaw, but they were apprentices, and they didn't seem bothered by the stares. After all, they at least had each other.

Spiderfur sighed quietly as her gaze wandered across the camp. Mistpaw and Barkpaw were scuffling in front of their den while Dapplepaw was watching them, her head crooked to one side. Shadowheart and Lightfur were sharing a blackbird. Echoflight and Boldheart were returning from a hunting patrol. A happy picture of a happy Clan. No sign of the ghostly glow that had filled the cave last night, of the panicked k looks etched in every face.

But still, the stares were there. Hidden, easy to overlook but making her pelt crawl nonetheless. Dapplepaw, stealing glances her from the corner of her eye. Shadowheart, who kept shooting her dark looks. Dewfeather, watching her with a thoughtful expression. Spiderfur turned her back on them.

Her gaze fell onto the nursery, where Dark-kit, Rosekit and Cloudkit were cheerfully fighting over a scrap of mouse skin. But it wasn't them that made her breath hitch. It was Sparrowkit, whose milky eyes were firmly fixed on her.

Spiderfur swallowed nervously, refusing to look away.

Sparrowkit had always left her a little uneasy, even though she couldn't for the life of her say why. But she wasn't alone in that feeling – most warriors avoided the nursery since Nightfrost's litter had been born, and even the tom's siblings seemed to increasingly shun him over the last few weeks.

At first Spiderfur had put it down to his blindness. But the longer she observed him, the more certain she was that it was the opposite.

Because even though the amber eyes were dull and milky, the red-and golden tom was moving with the natural ease of someone who could see perfectly well. He always seemed to know what was going on, always turned his head when a cat entered the cave, no matter how silent their step. Now that she thought about it she realized she hadn't ever seen him ran into any walls, either...

Spiderfur stared at the small kit. It cocked his head and smiled...almost as if it could actually see her. Spiderfur shrank back, heart racing.

Sparrowkit rose to his paws and slowly made his way across the cave towards her. "Are you sad?" he asked curiously when he had reached her. His voice was disquieting. High and whiny like that of a kit, but somehow still carrying the maturity of a warrior.

"I-Why do you think so?" she asked, confused. Sparrowkit smiled. "Because of the staring. The others, they think you're not normal. A freak." Spiderfur's pelt bristled with unease. "How do you-" Sparrowkit shrugged. "I can hear them," he said simply. Then he smiled again, and his voice sounded almost sympathetic. A strange sentiment coming from someone so young. "Just ignore them. Other people's thoughts can be very hurtful if you give them too much importance." Spiderfur paused, still confused by the kit's unnatural maturity. "You...you hear them?" she repeated slowly. Sparrowkit nodded. "All the time. I hear you as well. You're wondering if I really am blind. And why I sound so old." Spiderfur's eyes widened. "You can see my thoughts?"

Sparrowkit was still smiling. "I hear them," he repeated. "Not just yours; everybody's. It's very noisy." The last part sounded almost regretful. A few days ago Spiderfur might have laughed at the idea, but after last night his words caused no more than a mild shock. "Since when?" she asked when she had found her voice again. "And why didn't you tell anybody?"

Sparrowkit shrugged. "As long as I can remember. And why would I? You never told anybody you could walk through rock until last night." He blinked at her. Spiderfur still struggled to make sense of him. So he was listening in on her thoughts? All of them? A shiver passed down her spine and she was suddenly glad that he was just a kit. The idea that he could just look inside her head, whenever he pleased...

Sparrowkit smiled again, but this time he looked sad. "That's why," he meowed softly. Seeing her questioning glance, he continued: "It makes people nervous. Even now, when they don't even know what it is exactly. Dark-kit and Rosekit most, but mother and Cloudkit as well. They sense that I'm different. I can hear them think it."

Spiderfur swallowed. When even she struggled to cope with these changes... what might they do to a kit of two moons?

"Don't you think you should still tell somebody?" she asked uncertainly. "How about Honeypool?" Sparrowkit shrugged, kneading the ground in front of him with his tiny paws. "She's scared of me as well." He didn't seem particularly bothered about that, and somehow that irritated Spiderfur even more. Apparently a two moon old kit was coping better than her.

"Do you want to know a secret?" Sparrowkit now meowed quietly, his fluffy tail lashing from side to side excitedly. "It's about the prophecy. I know what happened to StarClan!" Spiderfur looked at him in surprised. "StarClan sent you dreams?"

He shook his head. "No. But I heard Honeypool coming back from the moon fall a few weeks ago. She was terribly upset, and it all sounded very muddled, but I could understand some of it." Spiderfur's eyes wandered over to the empty medicine den. How many other secrets had the young tom gathered? Almost on their own impulse, her thoughts wandered over to a certain trip into the mountains, and she quickly scrambled to think of something else. But the amused twitch of his whiskers was very telling.

Thankfully he had enough tact not to comment, and graciously ignored the red creeping into her face. "They were abducted," he meowed instead, continuing his story, "At least I think they were. Honeypool isn't sure, but she and Shimmerfur almost got stuck there as well." Spiderfur was simply taking it in now. So many strange things had happened during the last days that she found herself unable to muster up any real shock.

"And then Shortstep showed up, and he was talking about a prophecy, and about heirs and Children fighting each other. He mentioned a mission, into the mountains I think, to get something back. I'm not sure what. I heard some of the prophecy, though – Honeypool's been dreaming about it a lot. She who dies and dies and yet lives...He who sees nothing and everything...She whose wings rule the night...No idea what that's supposed do mean. Do you think-"

He noticed her going stiff, and paused. He who sees nothing and everything. Spiderfurs eyes wandered to his own, milky amber ones, staring up at him in confusion. Then he heard her thoughts, and panic flared up in them.

"You can't... I'm a kit! And I'm not blind – not really. I can see you!"

Spiderfur struggled to fight down the cold rising in her. Surely StarClan wouldn't send a kit...No. It had to be about somebody else. After all, who knew what other strange powers would be revealed at tonight's gathering? She pushed the thought aside, and narrowed her eyes at him, suddenly curious.

"How do you see, actually?" Sparrowkit grinned, the fear vanishing from his voice to be replaced with excitement once more. It was clear that he had long wished for an opportunity to share his abilities with somebody. His voice might sound like that of an elder, but in his heart he was still nothing more than a kit, as easily distracted as a mouse. "I use other people's eyes," he explained, puffing his chest out proudly. "With yours, for example, I can see myself. And you I see through mothers'. She's watching you, so I can see you. And-"

But Spiderfur wasn't listening anymore. Instead she raised her head, alarmed by the kit's words, and realized with a jolt that he was right. Nightfrost's pale blues eyes seemed to practically pierce her as she was staring at the warrior and her son.

Spiderfur flinched. "Maybe you should..." But the black she-cat was already on her paws, walking over to them with a suspicious look in her eyes. Sparrowkit sensed her. "Mother," he chirped happily. "Isn't it cool how Spiderfur can walk through things?" Nightfrost narrowed her eyes, surveying the warrior. Her voice rang true to her name when she asked coolly: "And what exactly where you discussing?"

Spiderfur was struggling to find words. She had always been a little bit afraid of Nightfrost, even though the older warrior had been Timberpelt's mentor. And the whole Clan knew how fiercely protective she was of her blind kit.

"I...We just..." she hesitated, realizing what she had to do. Sparrowkit might not agree, but he wouldn't be able to keep his secret forever, anyway. And if they really posed a danger to StarClan...Ashstar had to be warned.

"No!" Sparrowkit howled, realizing what she was about to do a split-second before she opened her mouth, but she ignored him. "Sparrowkit can hear the thoughts of others," she meowed quietly. She didn't have to read his mind to understand the dark look he was shooting her.

"Cassandra!" Dimitri cried in surprise when the red she-cat appeared in front of him. "Where did you come from?" Cassandra shrugged. "Hunting." Only then he saw the squirrel in her jaw. "Wow! Where did you get it?" he asked, slightly awed. The stray's territory consisted mainly of rocks and bushes. Excellent for birds or lizards, but squirrels rarely ever ventured down here.

Cassandra didn't even look at him, instead settling down to eat. "Mountains," she said curtly. Dimitri wasn't convinced, but pushed away his doubts. Cassandra wasn't stupid; she'd know not to disrupt the peace.

"Chase has been running after Elektra for about half an hour now," he meowed cheerfully, trying to change the topic, and sat down beside her. He flicked his tail towards the sun rocks about a hundred tail lengths away, where his grey-brown friend was eagerly flirting with the red she-cat. "I think she's about a mouse-length away from tearing off his face." He grinned, and Cassandra's whiskers twitched with amusement. "About time someone does," she purred.

And indeed, even while she was speaking the situation at the rocks changed drastically. Chase howled in pain, hastily leaping away with a bloody scratch on his nose, while Elektra chased after him, baring her fangs.

After almost five minutes the she-cat finally gave up, settling back down onto the warm rocks with an angry snarl. Panting, Chase trotted over to them, flopping down with a sigh. "And that, my friend," he said in place of a greeting, "Is why you need to keep fit."

He touched at the scratch on his nose and winced, staring down at the blood on his paw with a reproachful look. "She didn't have to be so violent," she moaned. "One little joke about her Mum..." Cassandra rolled her eyes as Dimitri sighed. "It's generally not a good idea to joke about anybody's Mum, Chase," he explained exasperatedly. His friend looked at him in surprise. "Why not?" he asked, unfazed. "Mine was a fat little kittypet, you can joke about her all you like. Doesn't mean I'm gonna bite your fucking ear off. And anyway, I was just saying how good Elektra looked in comparison..."

Cassandra flicked her tail in irritation, standing up. "You're disgusting," she meowed and walked away. "Love you too!" Chase yelled after her cheerfully. "I bet you're Mum's better looking than you are!" Dimitri leapt to his paws. "Cassandra, wait!" He turned his head to glare at Chase angrily before setting off after her, only to realize that the red she-cat had gone.

He looked around. "Cassandra?" How could she have disappeared so quickly? There was nothing but stones around them, the next bush fifty tail-lengths away. There was no way she was hiding.

He turned back to Chase, confused. "Did you see that?" But his friend wasn't even looking at him anymore, his amber eyes fixed on the riverbank. "Sorry, mate, Laila's here. I bet shedoesn't have a problem with her Mum..." He rose again, smoothing the fur on his chest with a few quick licks and leaving smears of blood in his pelt, and ran off.

Dimitri stared after him with a resigned look, unsure whether to be amused or pissed. Chase was pretty much the most unhelpful friend any cat could have. Maybe he should find somebody else...

His gaze wandered across the valley, from Drivel, who was gulping down a vole with his toothless mouth, scattering an unappetizing mixture of snot and drool, to Smiler, who was shredding a hazel bush, cackling madly. Maybe Chase really was his best option. With another sigh he heaved himself to his paws and trotted off towards the river to help his friend, who was being drowned by a furious Laila.

He didn't notice the red she-cat reappear behind him, a smirk on her narrow face.


So what did you think?

Next chapter will see some answers concering the prophecy. I know it feels a bit slow for now, but the action will really kick off in two or three chapters, I promise ;)