Chapter Twenty-Two

41 7 0
                                        

They don't blame us, Darkstorm thought. They don't blame Shadeflight and I that Thinfur loved Rabbitear. And they don't blame me for Arrowheart. But too bad. Her gaze hardened as she spotted Coralstar. I blame them. 

Shadeflight came up to her, followed by Orangetail. "It's unfair," Orangetail spat quietly. "Why do cats get to love each other if we don't get to love certain cats?"

"The warrior code isn't stupid. But it has to be changed," Shadeflight agreed. Darkstorm bared her teeth angrily. 

"It is stupid. No cat agrees with it, except for the leaders."

"At least they're going in the direction of the brightest star," Badgerleap mewed, padding up to them. Darkstorm sunk into the ground. Only because they have no other choice. Where else could they go? She sighed.

"We're going to stop here," Quickstar announced. "Ravenfur, Dewpaw and Amberflight, go on a hunting patrol."

"Voleecho, Hardclaw and Boltfur, you join them," Strikestar added. "And Stonepaw." Coralstar and Stonestar simultaneously told Mosstail, Lakefoot and Sparrownose to go. Treestar narrowed his eyes.

"Grassfang, you too. And Yowltail, scout ahead for the next best route." He doesn't trust the rest of us, Darkstorm realized, a tremor of shock slithering down her spine. She watched, dumbfounded, as the chosen cats left. Badgerleap defended Orangetail too quickly, and Orangetail likes Snarlfang. Shadeflight... He sort of trusts Shadeflight, but not a lot, because he's half-clan. And he trusts me the least- I'm half-clan, I like a now-rogue once-RiverClan cat, and I challenge everything he says. But Grassfang and Yowltail are on our side- my side. Hmm... But he certainly won't admit it. That'll make ShadowClan- all of us- traitors. That's what he thinks. Hmmph. 

"How is ShadowClan going to get new kits?" Orangetail blurted. Treestar growled. "I mean, you and Grassfang have had kits, and Shadeflight's a medicine cat, so it's not like there are any toms." Darkstorm nodded. 

"She's right!" Darkstorm snarled. "Don't pretend you think you have a solution! Because if we follow the code, then you don't!" Coralstar perked her ears.

"She's right, you know. Other than letting a rogue tom join your clan-" Coralstar paused. "Not Arrowheart. I mean a full-blown rogue."

"Maybe it's the end of ShadowClan," Mousesong mewed slyly. Don't you even think about it, ThunderClan fox-heart! Shadeflight swung his head to meet Mousesong's. 

"Yeah, right. And I suppose you're the best cat in the clans?" Mousesong bared his teeth, his haunches rising. Shadeflight unsheathed his claws. He barely knows how to fight! Darkstorm stiffened, about to leap in between the toms, when a yowl sounded behind them.

"It's Boltfur!" Hardclaw screeched. "Two foxes attacked us!" Snarlfang ran towards them, sniffing the she-cat. Boltfur's fur was bloody, with scratches and bites rippling down her sides. Darkstorm winced.

"How is she?" Strikestar demanded. Why's he wo... Of course! They're littermates! And she doesn't look so good...

"She's dead," Snarlfang mewed grimly. He turned away. "I have to give Slatepaw a poultice." Strikestar scrambled towards Boltfur's body.

"Who will be the new deputy?" a cat yowled. Strikestar flattened his ears.

"He- Heatpelt," he stammered. "You trained Thorntail to be a good warrior, and you have a leader's instincts." Heatpelt dipped her head as Strikestar's fur smoothed. He thinks she's a good choice? The snottiest and meanest cat in the clans? 

Darkstorm's Code✔️Where stories live. Discover now