Chapter 9

A few days had passed since Brightfur's passing. The Clan had recovered from the shock, but many of Willowcloud's Clanmates had grown resentful towards her. Some had blamed Brightfur's death on her, while others just ignored her completely. She tried to ignore it the best she could, but most of the time it was useless.

Now she was beginning to wonder if revealing Ghostwind's secret would do her any good. His rumors were spreading like wildfire. Soon the Clan would think that she was the reason behind the terrible actions in the past Gathering. Only Mistybird and Ruststripe had remained loyal, though that was because Mistybird was her mother, and Ruststripe was the medicine cat. Ruststripe had more sense than Thornstar, who was now waiting for Ghostwind to say something important.

As if I'd listen to what my brother had to say, Willowcloud thought with a sniff of disdain. Anger had coursed through her during the past few days as she watched the Clan grow closer to her brother. He was a savior in their eyes, and she was their enemy. Maybe I'd be better off as their enemy, she told herself. It's not like the Clan will ever trust me again.

"Ghostwind and I will be patrolling the DuskClan border," Redflower was meowing as she padded across the clearing. "Maybe...he'll actually think of me as more than just a friend." She was busy talking to her brother Spiderfur, who merely nodded absentmindedly. "I mean...I like him as more than just a friend."

"Redflower, mooning over someone isn't healthy," Spiderfur replied. "Besides, there are better toms in the Clan." His lips were twisted in a scowl as he looked at Willowcloud, whose ears flattened in response. "At least you have a chance, unlike some cats," he added venomously.

Willowcloud's hackles began to rise, but she said nothing. Her gaze was focused sharply on the entrance to the camp. Spiderfur was nothing but a mousebrain who followed Ghostwind blindly. His faith was foolish at best. She knew where his destiny would lie in the future. When he realized he would get no response from her, Spiderfur let out a puff of annoyance and led his sister away from her. Willowcloud blinked as she began to notice that most cats were avoiding her nowadays.

"Spiderfur is just a mousebrain." Willowcloud jumped when she heard Sparrowpaw speak. She turned to see that her sister was nudging a mouse towards her. "He's going to get himself killed by following our brother," Sparrowpaw added after sitting down.

"But he's right," Willowcloud murmured. "I should have helped Brightfur. She wanted to protect the Clan."

"She was willing to kill you in order to protect it though," Sparrowpaw pointed out. Her head tilted to one side as she gave a faint nod of approval. "In ways I think it's better that she's gone. It gives you a better chance to show Thornstar the truth."

"Thornstar would never believe me," Willowcloud said bitterly. "I've already tried telling him. He refused to listen when I told him what happened that day."

"Than you have to try harder," Sparrowpaw meowed. "Without us the Clan would be devastated by Ghostwind's blow. We need to learn what he's planning, and how he'll strike."

Which means I'll have to use my powers, Willowcloud finished. Her mind was churning at this point as she tried to avoid what Sparrowpaw suggested. She didn't want to go back to that place. Memories of her ambush haunted her, sent chills down her spine.

Sparrowpaw didn't say anything else after that. Relief washed over Willowcloud when she was left with the mouse. Sparrowpaw knew better than to push her. Brightfur had learned the hard way that pushing her would get them nowhere. Willowcloud felt regret stir in her chest as she leaned forward to take the mouse.

Maybe it would be better for me to know what Ghostwind is planning, she told herself as she chewed on the meat. Ghostwind has already made new friends in the other Clans, and those in our own Clan are willing to follow his every order.

Once she was finished swallowing the last bit of meat, she began to bury the bones. Kits sometimes choked on the remains of fresh-kill, so older cats were ordered to bury the bones. When she was done with that part of her chore, she padded across the clearing to where Redflower was waiting for Ghostwind. The reddish tabby's eyes narrowed into tiny slits when she saw Willowcloud's pale outline. Willowcloud stopped moving and held Redflower's stare.

"Are you going to kill me too?" she demanded coldly. "Or are you waiting for the perfect chance to strike?"

"Redflower, I have nothing to do with Brightfur's death," Willowcloud replied calmly. "What Rosefang did to her was terrible, yes, but that is no reason to-" Willowcloud was cut off by a scathing snarl.

"Oh sure, you had nothing to do with it," Whiskertail snorted. "And hedgehogs fly."

"As far as we are concerned, you are the reason behind Brightfur's death," Redflower added. "You were the reason Rosefang and Fogwhisker had to be chased out. Brightfur managed to give Rosefang a few scars to remember her by. So in truth, it's because of you she's dead."

Willowcloud felt her heart drop as more cats murmured in agreement. Others had begun to gather around and listen to what Redflower and Whiskertail had to say. Some looked concerned for their friends, while others shot mutinous looks towards Willowcloud.

"What Redflower says makes sense," Sootclaw meowed.

"I say she should be punished the same way Brightfur died!" Robinpaw screeched.

Her ears flattened in dismay when she realized where this was leading. The Clan was against her. Not even Mistybird or Ruststripe could help her at this point.

She spotted the medicine cat standing outside his den. His eyes were wide in alarm when he heard the accusations tossed in her direction.

"What you are suggesting would break the warrior code." Silence fell upon the clearing when Thornstar's voice rose above the clamor. "But, I see that every cat agrees with one another." His yellow eyes were dark as he looked at Willowcloud. "I cannot have you killed in the eyes of StarClan, and your mother would have my head." Willowcloud blinked when she realized that Mistybird was not around. She must have gone on a hunting patrol with her friends. "So as a result, you shall be exiled, for the crimes you have committed."

Shock made her jaw drop. Even the others around her looked surprised. She spotted Sparrowpaw's eyes widen as her sister tried to say something. Ruststripe only shook his head in disapproval. Nothing they said could fix the problem caused by Ghostwind. Even now she could see her brother standing near the edge of camp. A smirk had fallen upon his face as he watched the scene unfold.

"I hope you know what you are doing, Thornstar," Willowcloud snarled. Her ears were flattened as she glared at him as coldly as she could. "You will regret what you have just done."

Without another word she whipped around and sped through the camp's entrance. She didn't bother looking back. Nothing any cat said would make her want to return to the life of a LeafClan warrior. No cat had trusted her even when she was an apprentice. Ghostwind had helped with that, and he had helped exile her.

Her heartbeat seemed to intensify as she sped through the undergrowth. Scents told her that Mistybird's patrol was not far. Her mother would want to know what had happened, but she was afraid of what Mistybird would say. Her mother would likely claw Thornstar's throat out for what he'd just done.

Sure enough she spotted Mistybird's slim form. Birdclaw and Poppyfeather were with her. Both cats remained on high alert for signs of intruders. Poppyfeather blinked in surprise when she recognized Willowcloud's scent.

"Willowcloud, what are you doing out here by yourself?" Mistybird asked when Birdclaw relayed what Poppyfeather had scented.

"I...I was just taking a walk," Willowcloud lied.

Mistybird saw through her lie. "And why are you out here alone? Surely Thornstar would have made sure someone was with you."

"I can take her back," Birdclaw volunteered. "I've already caught enough prey to feed the elders," he added when Mistybird shot him a mutinous look.

"I'm not going back." Willowcloud lifted her chin and ignored Mistybird's intake of breath. "I...I have no place in the Clan. It's not like they would ever trust me again anyways."

"You always had a place in the Clan," Mistybird rasped. Her voice was filled with pain as she watched Willowcloud. "I love you. Poppyfeather and Birdclaw don't believe you killed Brightfur, and-" Willowcloud cut her off with a hiss.

"That's just it!" she spat. "Most of the Clan hates me because of what happened to Brightfur! I'm better off living my life as a rogue or a loner. The Clan will live on while I'm away. As for Ghostwind..." Her eyes grew dark with hate as she thought of her brother.

"Ghostwind has been manipulating the Clan," Poppyfeather murmured. "All cats seem to think that he's the savior who will stop DuskClan in their tracks."

"Willowcloud, please come back with us," Mistybird begged. "I can't lose another part of my family." Her eyes were dark with pain as she stared at her daughter.

I know who she's talking about, Willowcloud thought with a sigh. Sorrow clenched at her heart as she tried to picture the father that Mistybird had described in stories. Stormclaw, as he was named, had died in a battle on the night she and her siblings were born. Many cats had believed the sign of his death was an omen. That was why most cats had feared Willowcloud and Sparrowpaw, even when they were kits. Ghostwind had helped build a reputation for himself while he was in the nursery.

"Mother, I'm sorry," Willowcloud whispered. "But I have to do this. For my sake and the sake of the Clans."

Without meeting her mother's gaze she pushed past them. She heard Mistybird gasp in surprise, while Poppyfeather and Birdclaw held her down. They knew where Willowcloud was going. They knew allowing Mistybird to follow would only get her mother in trouble or killed.

Leaving the forest was the only option Willowcloud had. Living on her own meant she could do what she wanted without having orders to follow. She knew that this was the best for her. She knew that the Clan would never accept her as long as Ghostwind lived.