Stormpaw had done nothing most of the day. He had hunted two mice and patrolled around the abandoned Twoleg nest. Earlier he had went on MoorClan's territory and rolled in a patch of heather to conceal his scent, even though Troutwhisker had said he had smelled like a loner.
Earlier that day Goosenose had brought a patrol consisting of Tawnyfoot, Yellowcloud, and Rainpelt. They came to mark the borders. Yellowcloud mentioned that she smelled loner, making her golden fur bristle. Goosenose dismissed it, even though Stormpaw was scared of being caught by his former Clan.
Stormpaw wandered around the nest. He was bored. His stomach was full. He groomed himself. He wasn't tired, but he decided to rest and take a little nap. Maybe then Larkwing would visit him.
He closed his eyes. He opened them. He was in the leader's den in the LightningClan camp.
He turned to see a beautiful and lithe she-cat. "Larkwing. Where is Rowanstar?"
Larkwing smiled. "He is here, sleeping. Outside it is moonhigh."
Stormpaw turned and saw the tawny tom sleeping, his flank rising and falling evenly. "Will he die of greencough, Larkwing?"
"He has already lost two lives because of it. Four lives still await him. You will be in this den resting someday, Stormpaw. Come follow me."
Larkwing lead Stormpaw through the camp and into the forest, her silver pelt reflecting the moonlight. Stormpaw had never really thought of it, but he liked Larkwing. But she was in StarClan.
Larkwing stopped in front of an abandoned Twoleg nest. "This is where you lay right now, Stormpaw."
Stormpaw nodded. Larkwing continued, "Keep note of what I show you. I can do this only once."
Stormpaw nodded, confused. Larkwing first lead him by the river, it's form reminding Stormpaw of a shining, watery snake. She past the bluebells, and the place where poppy flowers grew. On the far side of LightningClan territory was a small creek.
"What do you smell, Stormpaw?" Larkwing asked.
"I smell…catmint!" Stormpaw said, excitedly. This would save the Clan!
"Do you see it, Stormpaw?" Larkwing said. She gestured with her paw to where the catmint grew, its green leaves shining in the moonlight. The plant was plentiful, almost overgrown.
"Go, now, Stormpaw. Tell LightningClan. This will save your Clan." Larkwing urged. Her form faded and Stormpaw awoke. The sun turned the sky red as it set above the treeline. He needed to hurry.
He followed the trail Larkwing showed him. He felt Larkwing's spirit there, as if she was actually leading him. The bluebells was a colourful blur as he raced paced them, the poppy flowers waving in the breeze. The creek lay in the shady forest, brown and muddy against the forest undergrowth.
The sweet smell was thick. Stormpaw jumped from the top and deeper into the creek. The catmint's leaves slowly moving in a cadence. Stormpaw tore a couple of the leaves from the plant and headed for the LightningClan camp.
When the gorse walls of the camp came into view, Stormpaw stopped. Would they let him back into the camp? Would they accept him as a Clanmate again?
If they did or didn't, Stormpaw knew that he had to take the catmint back. Reluctantly, he walked through the barrier and into the camp.
Several cats were startled. "Stormpaw? Is that you?" Yellowcloud asked. Stormpaw ignored her.
"You're back? You betrayed the warrior code!" Redclaw said with an icy hostility.
He padded into the medicine cat's den. Several cats were in there, most of them coughing. He lay the catmint at Fawnheart's paws.
"I found the catmint," Stormpaw murmured.
Fawnheart looked at him with intent green eyes. "Thank you, Stormpaw. I'm glad you're back."
"I don't know. I haven't been accepted as a Clanmate again."
A cat's yowl sounded from outside: "All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here to listen to my words!"
Rowanstar was calling a Clan meeting. Stormpaw was overcome with fear but not showing it. He sat at the medicine cat's den's entrance.
"We have been rejoined by Stormpaw. The question is, is he welcome?" Rowanstar began. Many cats raised their voices.
"He betrayed us! The warrior code! Because he grew too soft!" Redclaw's friend Firefang screeched.
"He was one of us. He should be one of us again." Yellowcloud argued.
"Silence!" Rowanstar said. He looked at Stormpaw with his green eyes. "Do you want to join us, Stormpaw?"
Stormpaw looked around. Everybody was staring at him. He looked at his father's amber eyes.
"Yes, Rowanstar. If I am welcome." Stormpaw said.
Rowanstar smiled. "Then so be it. Stormpaw is once again a LightningClan member."
A couple days later, many cats were getting better. The catmint was now in supply, and Fawnheart had plenty of it after everyone was treated. Stormpaw was now training with his father again. His loyalty was questioned, but by few.
He was back. LightningClan would be his home. Forever, he vowed silently, my loyalty lays here.