As promised, here is the next chapter! Please review, folks! I'm finally over 80! :D

Disclaimer: I own Warriors!

I really hope none of you fell for that . . . . : )

Chapter 18- Longwhisker's Sickness

Stormsky watched as the sun peeked up on the horizon. His silent vigil wasn't yet over, and he stifled the urge to go talk to his friends. He kept one eye on Cloudstar's den, waiting for her to come out and tell him he could speak.

He stared out into the forest, tail twitching excitedly as he recalled the previous night over and over in his head. Stormsky! he thought happily. I'm Stormsky! His paws tingled with joy.

"Stormsky, you may speak now."

Stormsky whirled around. He hadn't noticed Cloudstar leave her den, and he dipped his head respectfully. "Thank you," he mewed to his leader, then he shot towards the apprentices' den.

Frozenleaf stepped in front of him. "You're a warrior now," she reminded him, eyes amused.

"Oh, yeah." Stormsky's pelt radiated embarassment. "Oops."

Frozenleaf nudged him on the shoulder. "Want to share some fresh-kill?"

"Sure." Stormsky followed her over to the fresh-kill pile. Frozenleaf picked out two large mice and tossed one to Stormsky. The new warrior caught it easily and began to nibble on the prey.

"I caught those mice!"

Stormsky turned to see Songpaw beaming at him proudly. "Well done, Songpaw," Frozenleaf purred. The tortoiseshell apprentice's eyes sparkled as she raced off towards Grasspaw to brag.

After cleaning off his mouse, Stormsky dipped his head to Frozenleaf and padded off towards the medicine cat den. Harewhisker was there alone, placing a pawful of herbs beside a sickly-looking Longwhisker. A worried-looking Shadeclaw was pacing back and forth. "Will my sister be all right, Harewhisker?" he asked urgently.

"I don't know, so stop asking me," Harewhisker snapped. He turned to Longwhisker. "What hurts?"

"My stomach," the gray warrior groaned. Stormsky chose that moment to enter.

"Need any help?" he asked the medicine cat apprentice.

"Yeah, but you can't do it," Harewhisker grumbled. "You don't know any herbs. You're no use."

Stormsky bristled. "Hey, I can still help!"

Harewhisker turned around. "Then tell me what's wrong with her!" he hissed.

Stormsky lowered his ears. "I don't know," he replied honestly.

"Then leave me alone," Harewhisker told him. Stormsky bit back a retort, but thought better of it and left the den.

Reedtail padded upbesides the new warrior. "Congratulations," mewed the medicine cat. "Stormsky. How is Harewhisker?"

"He's a grumpy badger," Stormsky muttered. "I want to help him, but I have no idea how."

Reedtail's ear twitched in amusement. "Harewhisker wants to do everything alone," the old tom meowed. "Tell him to take a break."

Stormsky nodded. "Okay."

In the medicine cat den, Harewhisker was telling Shadeclaw to please go away, he had it under control. "Harewhisker, Reedtail wants you to take a break," Stormsky out in before Shadeclaw could retort.

Harewhisker whirled to face him, then shook his head and followed him outside. Reedtail padded into the den aqs they left and began searching through the herbs, murmuring words of encouragement to Longwhisker.

"I don't know how to help her," Harewhisker sighed. "She says her stomach hurts, yet it's not swollen or infected. She says nothing looked odd on her prey. It's got to be something from outside ThunderClan."

Stormsky stepped into Harewhisker's mind. It was a jumble of herbs and signs of illnesses and confusion. Flustered, Stormsky returned to his consciousness.

"I have an idea," Harewhisker declared suddenly.

"It's not going to be good, is it?" Stormsky groaned.

"That depends on you definition of 'good'," Harewhisker mewed. "The Gathering is tonight. I want you to go and speak with some of the warriors from the other Clans."

"Won't they think I'm prying into their business?" Stormsky asked nervously. "ShadowClan is pretty touchy with ThunderClan right now. And how do you know I'm even going?"

"Then I'll talk with their medicine cat," Harewhisker shot back. "And Cloudstar announced it this morning after she let you off the vigil; didn't you hear? Either way, you're not getting out of this, Stormsky."

The new warrior sighed. "Fine. I'll help you."

Harewhisker pressed his muzzle to Stormsky's. "Thanks. Find out lots of information for me!"

So, what is wrong with Longwhisker? Will Harewhisker and Stormsky be able to find out? That's a slight cliffie, I guess . . . :P I might update again this weekend, so keep an eye out for me! ; ) =wink= Swiftpaw