The Cat and the Fox

Chapter 10

            Stonepaw had spent the next few days meeting cats and learning about StarClan, though nothing was particular interest to him. Stonecloud was kind to him, just like Icestar had been to him. He enjoyed seeing Petalnose too. But a simple question question rang through his ears though. Is my family here? he thought.

            Stonepaw yawned and got out of his nest, glancing around the starlit forest. He found Stonecloud by the river, licking her paw gently.

            "Hi, Stonecloud," he said, looking at the white she-cat.

            The white she-cat looked up, removing the paw from her mouth. "Hello, Stonepaw. I think it's about time I told you something."

            Was it about the portal that Chesnuttail had mentioned? Stonepaw was still curious and exhilaration fled through him. Maybe it was about his family. Maybe it was nothing important at all.

            "Well you know about the Dark Forest, right?" Stonecloud asked.

            "Yes," Stonepaw replied. He had been told stories by Petalnose about the Dark Forest in the nursery. Cottonkit had even made up his own stories at times.

            "If you ever happen to end up there, which I hope you don't, don't talk to a cat named Moonstar," Stonecloud warned.

            "Why?"

            "About seven moons ago, there was a huge battle between her clan and FoxClan and SnowClan. Moonstar died, but she still lurks in the Dark Forest, ready for revenge," Stonecloud said.

            "I won't talk to her," Stonepaw promised.

            "Good," Stonecloud said.

            "Um...Stonecloud?" Stonepaw asked.

            "Yes?"

            "What did Chesnuttail mean when he talked about the portal?"

            Stonecloud hesitated for a moment and sighed. "I didn't want you to know about it. Once cats find out about it, they just sit there waiting. It barely even opens. Stonepaw, the portal can take you back to your clan. It gives you a second chance. You could go back...alive."

            Stonepaw gasped, beginning to bounce up and down. "Really?! Oh, this is so exciting! I could see Icestar again! I could see Ivykit and Cottonkit again!"

            "Don't waste your excitement on it. It happens to very few cats. The only cat that has gone through that portal is Olivetail."

            "Olivetail came back from the dead?" Stonepaw asked.

            "Not really," Stonecloud said. "He used to be an ancient leader of another clan. He had a mate whom he loved too. Shortly after becoming leader, he was killed nine times by another cat. His mate, who was expecting kits, was killed too. It wasn't until Rosefur was an apprentice that the portal opened for him. He couldn't say he was the ancient leader or else cats would think he was mad. He just said he wished to join the clan and he changed his name to Olivetail."

            "So it might open years from now?" Stonepaw asked.

            Stonecloud nodded. "I wouldn't waste your time on it. Don't go looking for it either."

            Stonepaw sighed. "Alright," he said.

            He was about to move when he heard a loud noise, followed by a large blue circling light. "What's going on?!" Stonepaw gasped.

            "It's the portal," Stonecloud whispered.

            "For me?!"

            Stonecloud shook her head. Stonepaw realized who the portal was for as he saw the blue lights flashing at a silhouette. Chesnuttail stood right beside it, a smile lit up on his face.

            "Good-bye!" Chesnuttail said. "I'll be off raising my kits! I'll be back sometime though!"

            "Bye!" Stonecloud called.

            Chesnuttail entered through the portal and was gone in a flash. It was all silent again. Stonepaw looked at Stonecloud.

            "Okay two cats, but that's very rare! Another can't won't go in there for ages," Stonecloud said.

            Stonepaw sighed. The portal would never open for him. Sure he had lived a short life, but Stonecloud was right. Petalnose had kits to raise too, but the portal never opened for her. Blacktail had left his mate, Skycloud, even though he hooked back up with his old mate, Thorndapple, in StarClan.

            Stonepaw sat, staring into the distance. He would be stuck in StarClan forever waiting moons for someone he loved to join him.