The Raging Storm

CHAPTER 2

Violetshine padded into a glade, where newleaf sun dappled white patches of snowdrops. Mintfur walked beside her while, ahead of them, Sandynose sniffed the air, his whiskers twitching as a mild wind carried the scent of the lake through the forest.

“Look here, Fidgetflake!” Frecklewish stopped beside a patch of dark green leaves sprouting between the roots of an alder.

The younger medicine cat hurried toward her, his black-and-white pelt prickling eagerly. “Is that some kind of comfrey?”

“It’s wood sorrel,” Frecklewish told him, plucking out a few leaves with her claws. She held it out for him to sniff.

Fidgetflake wrinkled his nose, backing away. “I know what it smells like. Horrible and sour.”

“It tastes even worse,” Frecklewish murmured. “But it makes a good poultice for boils and abscesses. It draws out infection and dries the wound.”

She stripped a leaf from a nearby bramble stem and began to roll the sorrel leaves into it. “We’ll take this back for the herb store.” She purred happily. Frecklewish had been eager to join the border patrol. The herb store had been depleted by the long, cold leaf-bare, and she wanted to collect fresh supplies. “The newest growth is the strongest,” she’d told Fidgetflake as they’d followed Sandynose, Violetshine, and Mintfur out of camp.

Now Violetshine halted at the bottom of the glade, relishing the feel of sunshine on her fur. As she waited for Frecklewish and Fidgetflake to bundle up the wood sorrel, Sandynose padded around her, scanning the trees.

Mintfur lay down and rolled in the warm dry leaf litter, clearly enjoying the fresh scents of newleaf. “It’s good to have our territory to ourselves again,” she meowed, sitting up and shaking the dust from her gray fur.

“It’s good to have our camp to ourselves,” Sandynose grunted. “I don’t know how Leafstar ever thought ShadowClan could fit in. They’re too different.”

“Not so different.” Frecklewish looked up from her herbs. “They’re still warriors, after all. They follow the warrior code. And they eat and sleep and hunt just like us.”

“They hunt like foxes and snore like badgers,” Sandynose grunted.

Mintfur licked her paw and drew it over her ear. “Well, they’re gone now, and we don’t have to worry about tripping over them anymore.”

“It was good of Leafstar to return their land without a fight,” Sandynose meowed. “After all, ShadowClan gave it to us. And then slept in our dens and ate our prey for a moon.”

“Tigerstar thanked her for our kindness,” Violetshine reminded him.

“They owed us more than thanks,” Sandynose sniffed.

Frecklewish padded to Mintfur’s side. “Everything’s back to how it should be,” she mewed. “Five Clans living beside the lake. It’s best for everyone this way.”

Sandynose narrowed his eyes. “I just hope Tigerstar agrees.”

The warrior’s suspicion made Violetshine uneasy. “Why wouldn’t he?”

“Tigerstar only cares about what’s best for Tigerstar.” Sandynose looked up the slope, his ears pricked. “He abandoned his Clan and his kin when they needed him. Then he came back when it suited him. And his mate is no better. Dovewing broke the warrior code and had kits with a warrior from another Clan, then left her own Clan to be with him and took her kits with her.” The light brown tom blinked at Violetshine. “A leader is supposed to set an example for their Clan. What kind of example has Tigerstar set?”

Frecklewish shook out her fur. “He made mistakes. But StarClan guided his paws back to ShadowClan and made him its leader. He must understand how important it is that there be five Clans beside the lake.”

“He might just think it’s important for ShadowClan to be beside the lake,” Sandynose meowed darkly.

Mintfur got to her paws and headed up the slope toward the stretch of pines where a ditch stretched toward the ShadowClan border. “It’s no use worrying. We’ve been through enough trouble over the past few moons without wishing for more.”

Violetshine padded after her, comforted by her easy tone. They’d survived the storm. Surely there couldn’t be more trouble waiting for the Clans?

Leaves rustled behind her as Frecklewish and Fidgetflake followed.

“I wasn’t wishing for trouble,” Sandynose grumbled as he joined them. “But ignoring the rain doesn’t stop it from falling.”

At the top of the rise, Mintfur stopped. She stiffened and lifted her muzzle.

Violetshine could see her tasting the air. Alarm pricked beneath her pelt. “What is it?”

Mintfur’s eyes shone. “Can’t you smell it? Mouse!”

Sandynose had already dropped into a hunting crouch and was creeping toward a ditch that cut the forest floor like a claw mark.

Violetshine pricked her ears. She heard leaves rustle at the bottom of the ditch. The tangy scent of mouse touched her nose. She licked her lips. She hadn’t eaten yet, and even though she knew this catch would be taken back to camp for the fresh-kill pile, she was pleased to know that prey was returning after the leaf-bare chill. She hung back with Frecklewish and Fidgetflake, letting the others take the prey. Sandynose was already stalking along the top of the ditch. Mintfur had hopped over it lightly and was crouching farther along, her gaze fixed intently on the leaves at the bottom. As they rustled, Sandynose pounced. Landing in the ditch, he slapped his paws down. Mintfur dropped in front of him, blocking the mouse’s escape. But she needn’t have worried. Sandynose caught it cleanly and killed it with a quick bite.

“Thank you, StarClan, for this prey,” Frecklewish whispered beside Violetshine.

Sandynose hopped out of the ditch, the fat mouse dangling from his jaws.

Fidgetflake dropped the herb bundle he’d been holding between his teeth and sniffed the mouse. “That’s even bigger than the one that Macgyver brought back yesterday.”

Mintfur scrambled up beside Sandynose, purring. “It’s good to see the fresh-kill pile well-stocked again. There’s enough food for everyone.”

Sandynose dropped the mouse. “Even now that we’ve got an extra mouth to feed.” He swapped glances with Mintfur.

The gray she-cat rolled her eyes. “You mean Tree.”

“He was supposed to help out with patrols, but I notice that Leafstar never asks him to join and he never offers.” Sandynose looked indignant.

“He doesn’t mind sharing what’s on the fresh-kill pile, though,” Mintfur mewed meaningfully.

Violetshine bristled. “He can take what he wants from the fresh-kill pile. He’s part of the Clan now.”

“How can he be?” Mintfur asked. “He doesn’t even know the warrior code.”

“He didn’t join as a warrior,” Violetshine meowed defensively. “He joined as a mediator.”

“I’ve never seen him mediate,” Mintfur shot back.

“That’s because there’s been nothing to mediate yet.” Violetshine glared at her.

Frecklewish padded along the top of the ditch, looking thoughtful. “It is strange having a cat in the Clan who doesn’t act like a warrior. But his role is new and he’s still finding his paws. I think Leafstar was right to ask him to join us. Tree has a way with other cats that puts them at ease.”

“He’d put me at ease if he spent less time lying around camp and more time helping out,” Sandynose muttered. “If he doesn’t want to patrol, he could help repair the dens instead. There are still walls and roofs that need patching after the storm. And with so many apprentices, we could do with more space in the apprentices’ den.”

Anger flared through Violetshine. She lifted her chin. “If you’ve got a problem with Tree, why don’t you talk to him instead of complaining about him?”

“Don’t think I haven’t tried,” Sandynose answered. “But you know how he is. Always so easygoing and friendly. It’s hard to criticize him. He always has an answer. He says he ‘doesn’t want to get in the way,’ or he’s ‘learning by watching.’ And he seems so genuine, it’s hard to argue.”

Violetshine puffed out her chest. “He is genuine. He’s got a good heart, and just because he doesn’t act like a warrior doesn’t mean he isn’t important to the Clan. You wait and see. Frecklewish is right. He does have a way with other cats. Sometimes words are more powerful than claws, and they cause far less bloodshed.”

Mintfur’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “It sounds like you’re fond of him, Violetshine.”

Violetshine felt hot beneath her pelt. “So what if I am?” She and Tree had a special bond. She’d found him, and he was closer to her than he was to any other cat in SkyClan. Her paws prickled with happiness at the thought.

“Sandynose.” Fidgetflake’s anxious mew made the cats turn. The apprentice medicine cat had crossed the ditch and was sniffing the ground beyond. “Come and smell this.”

Sandynose leaped the ditch and sniffed the ground beside Fidgetflake.

“Do you smell ShadowClan?” Fidgetflake asked.

“Yes.” Sandynose’s fur lifted along his spine. He padded quickly forward and sniffed the ground again. He paced one way then the other, sniffing as he went. “ShadowClan cats have been here.”

As Mintfur hurried to join him, Violetshine followed, her belly tightening. ShadowClan scent hung in the air. “They’ve crossed the border into our territory,” she breathed.

Sandynose was already following the scent trail to the border. He stopped beside a bush and flattened his ears. “They crossed here.”

“Do you recognize the scents?” Mintfur asked.

He shook his head. “They don’t smell like any of the cats who stayed in our camp.”

Violetshine pushed back the fear that was pressing in her throat. “ShadowClan does have some cats who grew up outside the territories,” she murmured, remembering the gossip she’d heard about an adventure Tigerstar and Dovewing had once had, far away from the lake. “Those cats could have strayed over the scent line without realizing. They haven’t lived here that long, so maybe they don’t recognize the borders yet.”

Mintfur snorted. “Even those cats must know what a scent marker means.”

Sandynose’s pelt bristled. “Let’s head back to camp. Leafstar should hear about this.”

Sunshine filtered between the pine and alder branches crisscrossing above the SkyClan camp.

“You’re sure the scents were on our side of the border?” Leafstar’s amber eyes narrowed.

“I know where the border is even if ShadowClan doesn’t,” Sandynose snapped.

Leafstar shifted her hindquarters. The returning patrol had woken the SkyClan leader from a nap. Beside Sandynose, Violetshine felt her belly tighten. The warrior had worked himself into a rage on the journey back to camp, and Mintfur agreed with him that ShadowClan had crossed SkyClan’s border on purpose. Frecklewish and Fidgetflake had tried to reason with them. It might have been an accident. But Sandynose was convinced that a ShadowClan patrol had left its scent on SkyClan land deliberately.

Hawkwing, who was clearing weed from the small stream that cut through the camp, kept working but pricked his ears as Leafstar considered her response. Tree, lying stretched in a pool of sunlight, lifted his head sleepily and watched. Macgyver, Nettlesplash, and Bellaleaf left their work patching holes in the elders’ den and padded closer, while Blossomheart and Harrybrook looked up from the mouse they were sharing beside the fresh-kill pile. Pigeonpaw and Nectarpaw paused from practicing battle moves in the clearing to watch as well.

“I don’t think we should jump to any conclusions,” Leafstar said at last.

Plumwillow poked her head out of the warriors’ den. “Conclusions about what?”

Pigeonpaw blinked at her. “ShadowClan cats invading our territory.”

“They didn’t invade,” Nectarpaw mewed.

“Their scent is on our land,” Sandynose snapped.

Plumwillow slid from the den, her pelt bristling. “What are ShadowClan cats doing on our land?”

Leafstar stood up. “That’s what we’re trying to decide.”

“It can’t have been anything good,” Macgyver meowed. Nettlesplash and Bellaleaf muttered in agreement.

“It was probably an accident.” Blossomheart left her mouse and padded closer.

Harrybrook got to his paws. “Perhaps it was a clumsy apprentice with a bad sense of direction.”

“That’s what I said.” Violetshine was eager to avoid conflict. StarClan wanted all of them to live peacefully around the lake, didn’t they? “Don’t forget they have new warriors who aren’t Clanborn.”

“Exactly,” Blossomheart agreed. “One of them could have strayed across the border without realizing.”

“Nonsense!” Mintfur snorted. “The border was clearly marked. Any cat would have smelled it. Even one who’s not Clanborn.”

“Silence.” Leafstar flicked her tail sharply. “We don’t know why ShadowClan crossed the border. But I’m not willing to accuse them of aggression when we don’t have the facts.”

“You should be protecting SkyClan, not defending ShadowClan,” Sandynose muttered.

Violetshine saw Leafstar’s hackles lift. The SkyClan leader was clearly irritated by Sandynose’s challenge. “I will protect SkyClan. We’ll re-mark the border.” She nodded to Hawkwing. “Organize three border patrols tomorrow instead of two.”

“Okay.” Hawkwing lifted a clump of dripping weed from the stream and dropped it onto the pile he’d collected. He met Leafstar’s gaze. “And I’ll make sure the border is marked again before sundown today.”

“Good.” Leafstar looked satisfied.

Sandynose’s pelt twitched. “If ShadowClan doesn’t respect our borders, re-marking them won’t make a difference.”

Leafstar frowned at him. “ShadowClan is rebuilding. Have you considered that Tigerstar might not be fully in control of his warriors yet? They may be crossing the border without his knowledge. I’m not going to risk undermining him by making an issue out of a single incident. We should leave ShadowClan alone until we know they are strong again.”

Macgyver’s gaze had darkened. “What if they’re already strong? This could be the first sign that they’re a threat. Are you going to ignore it?”

“He’s got a point.” Hawkwing shook the water from his paws and padded closer. He stopped in front of Leafstar. “We have no idea of Tigerstar’s intentions. Who knows how he’s changed since that time he left the Clans? Just because he once supported our claim to this territory doesn’t mean he still supports it. He’s leader now, and ShadowClan is stronger than it’s been since we arrived at the lake. It might be sensible to find out what he is thinking before we let this incident pass.”

Leafstar’s gaze flicked around the watching Clan. Violetshine could see from her frown that she was thinking. Bellaleaf and Macgyver exchanged glances. Harrybrook whispered something in Blossomheart’s ear. Hawkwing watched his leader, his expression unreadable.

“Tree.” Leafstar’s gaze reached the yellow tom. “You’re here to mediate between the Clans. What do you think?”

Violetshine leaned forward as Tree got to his paws. He’d know what to do. He always seemed to instinctively sense what cats were thinking.

Tree padded toward the SkyClan leader, his gaze thoughtful. As he reached her, he cleared his throat. “I think you’re right to be cautious,” he mewed. “I have no doubt that Tigerstar is already a strong leader. That doesn’t mean he’s dangerous, but if these scents are the first sign of ShadowClan aggression, he might be hoping you’ll react. It would give him an excuse to escalate this incident into a conflict.”

Violetshine stared at Tree. He’s so smart. Perhaps all the time he spent lying in the sun wasn’t wasted. Perhaps he was thinking instead of dozing.

Leafstar narrowed her eyes. “So you agree that we shouldn’t react.”

“I agree that you need more information before you do,” Tree told her.

“Will you go to ShadowClan and speak with Tigerstar?” Leafstar asked.

Tree shook his head. “That would be too direct. It’s best for the moment if Tigerstar doesn’t know you’re worried. After all, the scent marks may be unintended. There’s no point antagonizing Tigerstar with our suspicions if they are.”

Sandynose grunted impatiently. “Then what exactly do you suggest?”

“I could wander over to ShadowClan territory,” Tree proposed. “Hang around the border until I bump into a ShadowClan warrior and then we could just chat. It’s not hard to find out information through a bit of harmless small talk.”

Leafstar’s eyes brightened. “Good idea.” She glanced at Sandynose.

The tom was nodding. “It sounds like it might work.”

Mintfur’s ears twitched crossly. “I think we should send a patrol there. We should start with a show of strength, so Tigerstar knows what he’s up against.”

“We’ll show strength when we have to,” Leafstar told her. “For now, Tree will find out what he can.” Her gaze swung toward Violetshine. Violetshine’s heart lurched. “You can go with him,” Leafstar told her. “You were raised in ShadowClan. You’ll be able to tell what they’re thinking.”

Will I? Violetshine wasn’t sure, but she wasn’t going to argue. She was excited to be part of Tree’s mission to investigate ShadowClan. She dipped her head to Leafstar. “I’ll do my best.”

Leafstar stretched, signaling an end to the matter. Padding across the camp, she stopped at the stream and glanced along the bank. “Good work on the weed clearing, Hawkwing.”

Violetshine blinked at Tree. The yellow tom was already heading toward her. His eyes were bright as he neared. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Violetshine purred.

“Good.” He brushed against her as they headed out of camp, and she wondered if it was intentional. His fur felt soft against her flank, and as she ducked through the entrance tunnel, her paws pricked with pleasure.

Outside, Tree paused and glanced around the forest. “Where were the ShadowClan scent marks?”

Violetshine nodded in the direction of the ditch. Tree turned and headed in the opposite direction. She hurried after him. “Why are we going this way?”

“If we want to avoid arousing suspicion, it’s best we don’t start a conversation with a ShadowClan cat while standing next to their scent trail.”

Violetshine looked at him. “Of course! We don’t want them to realize we’ve noticed their scent on our land.”

He nudged his shoulder teasingly against hers as they walked. “You’re smarter than you look.”

“Hey!” She nudged him back. “I look as smart as you.”

“Almost.” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, then broke into a run.

She charged after Tree, happy to be out in the forest alone with him. The warm breeze streamed through her fur as she followed him, zigzagging between trees and leaping branches that had fallen during the storm. He was heading toward the border that led to the lake. As they neared it, she waited for him to slow down. But he kept running, clearly enjoying the fresh air as much as she did.

“Watch out!” She could smell the scent markers ahead.

He glanced back without slowing. “What for?”

“The border!” Alarm sparked beneath her pelt. If they crossed into ShadowClan territory, they could make the situation worse. “Stop!”

Tree pulled up a tail-length from the scent line. He tasted the air, his pelt pricking in surprise. “I didn’t realize we were so close.”

“Couldn’t you smell it?”

“Not till now.” Tree whisked his tail. “I’m still learning the different Clan scents. All Clan cats smell the same to me.”

“But you knew the border was here, right?” She knew her Clan’s borders with her eyes closed.

“I do now.”

“I guess you haven’t been on many patrols like I have.” She glanced at him. “Maybe you should start going on them.” If he joined in with Clan patrols, her Clanmates might accept him more easily.

He shrugged. “I guess. But it seems a lot of effort. It’s like you’re looking for trouble. I always think you should wait to see if trouble finds you, not go searching for it.”

“It does no harm to be prepared.” Would Tree ever settle into Clan life? With a jolt, Violetshine wondered if he even intended to. Perhaps he was just staying with SkyClan temporarily before he moved on to somewhere new. The thought sent hedgehog prickles through her heart. Should she ask him what his intentions were? She glanced at her paws, feeling hot. He might make fun of her for caring.

“Look.” His hushed mew made her lift her head. She followed his gaze. Cloverfoot, a ShadowClan warrior, was padding between the brambles on the other side of the border. The gray tabby’s gaze flitted intently from one bush to another. Her ears were pricked expectantly. She was clearly looking for prey.

Tree turned his gaze to Violetshine. “I told Hawkwing that the best prey is always closer to the lake. But he said that in newleaf prey is good everywhere.” He spoke loudly; Violetshine guessed that he was trying to attract Cloverfoot’s attention.

“It’s better in greenleaf.” She matched his tone, glancing at Cloverfoot. The ShadowClan warrior had heard them and was heading toward the border.

“Why are you yowling so loudly?” she growled across the scent line. “I’m trying to hunt. You’ll scare the prey away.”

Tree turned to her, his eyes wide with innocence. “I’m sorry.” He sounded contrite. “If I’d seen you I’d have kept my voice down.”

“Yeah, sorry,” Violetshine mumbled.

Tree gazed admiringly at the ShadowClan warrior as though he were unaware of her bristling fur. “I doubt a warrior as fit as you will have any trouble catching prey. We’ll leave you in peace. Sorry for the disturbance.” He turned to walk away, then paused. “Prey must be running well in ShadowClan, too,” he mewed breezily. “Our fresh-kill pile is so well-stocked that our apprentices grow faster than nettles.”

Cloverfoot swished her tail. “We’ve got plenty of prey.”

“Good.” Tree blinked at her. “Is ShadowClan doing okay? It must be good to be back in your real home.”

“It is.” Cloverfoot’s fur smoothed. “We’ve rebuilt the dens and reinforced the barrier wall. The camp is better than ever.”

Tree was gazing eagerly at Cloverfoot, his ears pricked as though he relished her every word. Violetshine felt a twinge of jealousy. “Tigerstar seems like a good leader,” Tree purred.

Cloverfoot puffed out her chest. “He’s a great leader.”

“Tougher than his father, eh?”

“Much tougher than Rowanclaw. All the cats respect him. He makes sure everyone’s belly is full, that the camp is kept in order, and that the apprentices are getting proper training. He says ShadowClan will be great again. We were strong in the past and we’ll be strong in the future.”

“That must be good to hear after all ShadowClan has been through.” Tree rounded his eyes sympathetically.

“It feels right,” Cloverfoot purred.

“Hawkwing says you’re keeping the borders well-marked,” Tree mewed. “He says strong borders make strong neighbors.” He caught Violetshine’s eye as though prompting her.

She hesitated. What did he want her to say? “It’s hard to stray across a well-marked border,” she mewed uncertainly. Had she guessed right?

“I guess.” Cloverfoot tipped her head, as though wondering what Violetshine was getting at.

Tree changed the subject quickly. “How are the cats from the Twolegplace settling in? It must be a big change for them.”

“They love warrior life. Especially Blazepaw. It’s like he was born to be a warrior.” Cloverfoot’s eyes shone as she spoke of him.

“They must find it hard getting used to all the new scents,” Violetshine chimed in. “Border scents, for example. They must be confused by all the scent markers.”

Suspicion flashed in Cloverfoot’s eye. “They seem to do okay.”

Tree scratched his ear nonchalantly. “I was just saying to Violetshine how hard I still find it to spot borders. I nearly ran across this one without noticing it. Fortunately, Violetshine called out to me in time. I know Clan cats take border crossing very seriously.” He met Cloverfoot’s gaze, suddenly earnest. “No ShadowClan cat would want to cross into another Clan’s territory if they didn’t have to, would they?”

“No.” Cloverfoot stared at him, her eyes glittering with sudden distrust. She backed away. “I’d better get back to hunting. I promised Blazepaw I’d bring him a shrew if I could find one.” She turned away and disappeared between the brambles.

Violetshine looked at Tree anxiously. “Did we give too much away?” ShadowClan wasn’t supposed to realize they knew about the border crossing. Had they been too heavy-pawed?

Tree lifted his tail. “I think we gave away just the right amount.” He headed back toward camp. “We know that Tigerstar is a strong leader, and that he has plans for ShadowClan. We had to let him know that we found ShadowClan scent on our land, without directly accusing him of anything. He should know that SkyClan won’t be caught off guard.”

Violetshine hurried after him. “Do you think ShadowClan is a threat?”

Tree hesitated. His silence made her paws prick with foreboding. Then he glanced over his shoulder at her. “I don’t know. But SkyClan must face the future with open eyes.”