River Of Fire

Tawnypelt stepped up to her with a respectful dip of her head. “Maybe it’s different for SkyClan,” she began, “since you’re not used to having other Clans around. But we can’t let another Clan suffer, if they might need our help.”

Violetshine thought that there was a leader-like glint in the tortoiseshell’s green eyes. We’re right, she thought. Tawnypelt would make a strong leader for ShadowClan.

Leafstar glared at her. “Are you implying that SkyClan cares less for other Clans than ShadowClan does?” she spat furiously. “Because that isn’t true. We care about all the Clans, but my first responsibility is to SkyClan—and in case you forgot, you’re a SkyClan cat now, Tawnypelt. And I just ordered you to go inside!”

For an uncomfortable moment that Violetshine thought was stretching out for seasons, Tawnypelt stayed still. The storm had begun to fade. Wind still ruffled their fur, yet the rain was easing off. The last icy drops lashed their faces, though the sky remained an ominous gray.

The storm could start again at any moment, Violetshine thought.

“I’m sorry, Leafstar, but I can’t,” Tawnypelt mewed in response to her Clan leader. “I’m going to find out where the fire is, and see if another Clan needs help.”

“I’ll go too,” Juniperclaw added, stepping up beside Tawnypelt.

Rowanclaw joined them. “And me.”

Violetshine felt dreadfully torn. She wanted to obey her Clan leader, but she couldn’t help thinking that Tawnypelt was right. And she couldn’t stifle her terrible anxiety about her sister.

She glanced at Hawkwing, who was standing beside her. “Twigpaw,” she whispered.

Her father nodded. “Leafstar, I mean no disrespect,” he began, “but I have a daughter in another Clan. I really need to find the fire and check out if Twigpaw is okay.”

“I’d like to go too,” Violetshine meowed.

Leafstar gazed at them, understanding and irritation warring in her eyes. Violetshine could see concern there, too. “You’re making the choice to take a huge risk,” she pointed out.

“I know,” Hawkwing replied. “But we will be careful.”

Leafstar hesitated for a heartbeat more, then let out a long sigh as she nodded reluctantly. “Very well. Hawkwing, you’re in charge,” she declared, with a stern look at Tawnypelt.

Violetshine padded just behind her father and Tawnypelt as the patrol headed out into the forest. By now night had fallen; only a few fitful gleams of moonlight struggled through the trees to guide their paws.

Tawnypelt was casting awkward glances at the SkyClan deputy.

“I didn’t mean to undermine Leafstar,” she mewed at last. “I just needed to check on the other Clans.”

Hawkwing was looking straight ahead, not meeting Tawnypelt’s gaze. “You must decide who is leader,” he told her. “Leafstar or you. Because right now, it doesn’t feel like we’re one Clan. It feels like we’re two Clans sharing the same camp. And that isn’t fair to SkyClan.”

Tawnypelt looked taken aback at Hawkwing’s brusque tone. Slackening her pace, she dropped back to walk beside Rowanclaw; Violetshine shot her a sympathetic glance as she passed her to take the lead beside her father.

I know Tawnypelt is trying to do the right thing, she thought. She said that if StarClan approved, she would take over as leader of ShadowClan.

But Violetshine also knew that Puddleshine was still waiting for a sign from StarClan. And no sign had come at the last half-moon meeting.

Tawnypelt is in a really awkward position.

Violetshine wasn’t sure whether ShadowClan should rise again. The storm was telling every cat that StarClan wasn’t happy with the way things were, but even if the wind and rain continued for seasons, the cats would be no closer to understanding what StarClan wanted from ShadowClan or its former warriors.

Why can’t StarClan just say what they want, in a straightforward way—like Tree?

Hawkwing broke into Violetshine’s thoughts. “How are you coping with life as a warrior?” he asked her. “I know you must be missing Twigpaw.”

Violetshine nodded. “Being a warrior is great,” she replied. “But I wish Twigpaw had stayed with us. I was so happy when I thought we would be warriors together, in the same Clan.”

“I miss her too,” Hawkwing agreed. “But I think it was the right decision for her. She’ll be happy in ThunderClan.”

“I hope so,” Violetshine murmured. “I hope she’ll be okay.”

“Me too,” Hawkwing meowed fervently. Glancing at Violetshine with warmth in his eyes, he added, “You’re really finding your place in the Clan, aren’t you?”

“I think so,” Violetshine responded. “It’s great to—”

“And I think you’re finding your place with a certain other cat, too.”