Chapter 15

Warm sunlight greeted Willowcloud's fur as she opened her eyes. She felt a groan rising in her throat as she found herself waking up early. She wasn't used to waking up early. Most of her time was spent sleeping in during the warmer parts of greenleaf. She blinked several times against the sunlight until she saw that she alone.

I'd prefer spending my nights alone, she thought groggily. But it was cold out last night.

She shook her head and pushed the hazy thought aside. Now she needed to go hunting. Her stomach was growling from hunger.

"Hunting will make me feel better," she told herself.

A cool breeze ruffled her fur as she emerged from the makeshift den. The river surged between the two cliffs that rose above her. She wondered if Leopard would miss her if she left. Their night together had been short-lived. She had been exhausted by the time they were finished talking.

Willowcloud felt a sigh escaping her lungs as she climbed up the slope. She wasn't used to the feeling that Leopard had given her the night before. The thought of their constant chatter had filled her mind. It wasn't just his voice that she enjoyed listening to. He had good stories to share as well.

She tried not to think about as she opened her jaws to taste the air. Mice were hiding in the cracks of ground in the upper level of the cliffs. She could hear their tiny claws skittering across the rocks as they searched for places to hide. She could hear the birds singing too, but their calls weren't as loud as they had been during previous days. Leaffall was coming quick.

Her ears pricked forward in alarm. If she was not cautious an enemy could spot her hunting among the rocks. Thornstar had told the Clans that she was a traitor. If Rainstar took his warning seriously she would likely be killed by DuskClan warriors. The results would not end well for either of them. Willowcloud knew all of their moves and hunting skills. If she could, she would use their moves against them.

Pale gray fur brushed against cold stone as Willowcloud crept along the path she normally took. She could still scent the mice. They hadn't caught her own scent. The wind was in her favor today.

Her pawsteps were slow and deliberate. She knew the mouse would detect the vibrations under her pawsteps. Mice were known for picking up the slightest of noises. This was no different. The mouse was easily visible now amongst the gray-brown rock. It was nibbling on the few shrubs that grew between the cracks.

"Willowcloud!" She flinched when she heard a voice hiss from the distance.

Willowcloud whirled around to see a slim form creeping around the rocks. Her hackles were beginning to stand on end. A snarl began to form in her throat as she kept an eye on the figure.

"Who are you?" she demanded coldly.

"Embertail." Willowcloud stiffened when the cat spoke her name. She gaped at the slim form as Embertail revealed herself. She'd never seen a cat that looked as thin as Embertail. The medicine cat's ribs were easily visible, and Embertail's eyes were dull with hunger.

"What happened to you?" Willowcloud felt her heart clench as she watched the medicine cat limp forward.

"I barely managed to escape from Aldertail," Embertail explained. Even her voice was hoarse, as if she'd not used it for moons. "I came here because it's so close to the Moonstream."

"But why come to me?" Willowcloud found it difficult to ask the question. She found it was obvious to why Embertail had come to the cliffs. This had the best shelter and the most caves for any cat to hide in. Embertail must have known about the caves longer then Willowcloud had thought.

"I need help," Embertail murmured. "When Thornstar told the Clans you were banished. . .I had a feeling this was where you would hide."

If Embertail thought I would hide here. . .Oh StarClan, what about the other Clans? Willowcloud's mind churned with those thoughts as she tried not to meet Embertail's gaze.

"Don't worry, no cat followed me," Embertail meowed when she caught the flicker of fear in Willowcloud's eyes. "I made sure of it." Her claws scraped against the rocks, sending chills down Willowcloud's spine. "Please, I need a place to rest, somewhere no rain can get through."

Willowcloud realized that she suddenly didn't want to know what Embertail had meant. She met Embertail's gaze before nodding. "Right, there are a bunch of caves on top," she explained. "I'm sure you can find one to your liking."

She bit her lip as she thought of what Leopard would make of Embertail's sudden appearance. She knew he wouldn't be happy that another cat had shown up in her life. Embertail had always been good friends with Ruststripe. She knew Embertail well after the she-cat had spent several visits at LeafClan.

Embertail's whiskers were trembled when Willowcloud turned to face her. The caves had come into view.

"The smallest cave is just ahead," Willowcloud said. "It's pretty deep and could probably fit more than one cat."

"I'll take it," Embertail mewed. "It's better than what I have."

Willowcloud knew she meant nothing by that. She felt sorry for Embertail. The medicine cat had always been friendly with cats from the other Clans. Rainstar had gone too far by neglecting her like this.

"I'll find something for you to eat," Willowcloud whispered as Embertail made her way to the cave.

Embertail looked happy with those words. Her tail was flicking from side to side, telling Willowcloud that she had gained a burst of energy by running from DuskClan. She reminded herself that Embertail was in a sorrier shape than she herself.

Don't worry, Willowcloud thought as she searched for prey. I'll take care of the problem myself.

A/N: Bleh, this chapter was hard to write. I wasn't sure where to end it, but I didn't want it to become too long. I've noticed that detail is something I'm lacking, so hopefully in the next chapter more detail will come. I'm planning on writing the next few chapters during the week since I have a math test coming up. I want to focus on that rather then my writing. Thanks ImXDragon and String of Pearly for reviewing :D Maybe soon I'll get more reviews!