Chapter Eleven
Talonclaw skidded to a halt at the RiverClan border. Her breath came in gasps and a ragged sob escaped her.
How could any of what Pinestar and Stormtail had said be true? It was so hard to believe that Snowowl wasn't her littermate, and Adderfang and Swiftbreeze were not her parents.
Talonclaw found a small dip between the roots of a massive ash tree and sank gratefully into it. A protective wall of ferns and violets blocked her view of the rest of the forest and moss grew in the nest she had discovered. The beautiful spot made the tabby feel safe.
***
Thrushpelt awoke to a gorgeous greenleaf sun warming his pelt. Snowowl was still asleep, but besides that, the rest of the den was empty. He groomed himself quickly and left the den.
The ThunderClan camp was peaceful. Moonflower, her belly growing larger every day with the kits due in one moon, was stretched out in front of the nursery sharing tongues with Stormtail. Patchpaw was dragging a bundle of moss from the elder's den while Leopardpaw practiced battle moves with Dapplepaw.
Yes, today was a perfect day. Today was the day he would tell her.
***
Talonclaw jumped when she heard Thrushpelt's call.
"Talonclaw, where are you?"
"Here." She croaked, giving away her hiding place.
Thrushpelt nosed his way through the ferns. "I looked all over camp for you -" He stared in bewilderment at his clanmate's sad state. "What's the matter?"
"I'm not ThunderClan born." She said bluntly.
"What?" Thrushpelt's meow echoed with disbelief.
She stood, trying to keep her paws from trembling, and nodded. "It's true. I overheard Pinestar and Stormtail arguing over why our warrior ceremonies had been delayed. Pinestar said he was sure you and Snowowl were ready, but he couldn't make the daughter of a -" A sob nearly made her choke. "of a - a rogue a warrior without testing her thoroughly."
Talonclaw wanted to press herself into Thrushpelt's fur. She wanted to escape the terrible truth. She wanted the truth to be a lie. A lie...
***
Thrushpelt could hardly believe his ears. Talonclaw didn't have warrior blood? She looked so distressed. He couldn't bear to see her so upset.
Her pale blue eyes searched his face. Those eyes were usually full of excitement and daring. Today though, they were clouded with worry.
If he told her now, it would be one more thing to place on her shoulders. He'd let her know later. It could wait.
***
"I thought I should tell you of all cats..."
Talonclaw you mousebrain! That wasway too obvious.
She wondered how she could think about that now. The heart was a strange thing.
"I'm glad you did." The tom replied softly. "Will you tell Swiftbreeze, Adderfang that you know?"
Talonclaw hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "I think it would break their hearts if I told them I knew. They love me like their own kit. I don't think they would ever want me to know I wasn't." She paused. "I... I don't think I will tell Snowowl either. He doesn't know I'm not his littermate. But," Conviction flooded through her. "No matter who my real littermates were, I will always be Snowowl's sister."
Thrushpelt gave her ear a lick and purred. Talonclaw felt happiness flood her from her ears to her tail tip. She stopped herself just in time from twining her tail with his.
"We should head back to camp, before we are missed." She stepped out of the ferns.
As they padded up to camp, Thrushpelt suddenly lifted his muzzle and sniffed the air.
"What is it?" Talonclaw asked. Then, she scented the answer.
"WindClan!"