Cinderstorm

When they returned back to the camp, this time with a near-silent Goldleaf in tow, the cats inside were curious, of course. And they wanted to know what had happened to Emberpaw. Sunpool told them in an exhausted manner that she would tell them all later, as she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. She nodded at Cheetahstar and told him to assign patrols.

Cheetahstar and Jayflight, of course, had both recognized Goldleaf and had wanted to know how he was suddenly back from the dead. Cinderstorm watched as Sunpool went over and quietly explained to them what had happened. Their eyes went wide when she got to the part about Emberpaw. Cinderstorm turned away, looking at Lightningfeather.

"Are you tired?" He asked her.

"Yeah, I am," she replied, because she was. It was like they hadn't slept at all last night, like they'd actually chased Emberpaw at full speed, like they'd actually been awake the whole time. She was exhausted.

"We can sleep for now," she said, and lead the way into their den. Curling up, in her she closed her eyes and fell asleep almost at once. She did not dream.

-=-

When Cinderstorm opened her eyes, it was because Lightningfeather was shaking her awake. "Cinderstorm," he meowed. "Sunpool's called a camp meeting, and she wants everyone involved in last night to come. Did you sleep alright?"

"Yeah, I feel better," Cinderpelt groaned, uncurling herself and stretching. "I'm coming."

She got to her paws and followed Lightningfeather out into the camp. Sunpool motioned Cinderstorm and Lightningfeather over, and they made their way over, lining up next to Goldleaf, who looked like he hadn't slept at all. Rainpaw, Fernpaw, and Briarpaw were nowhere to be seen.

"Yesterday, I told you all that we" -she motioned at Cinderpelt and Lightningfeather- "Were going to go and get another camp mate. This is who we went to get. His name is Goldleaf, and he's a former member of CloudClan. A while ago, he left the Clan for personal reasons, but he's agreed to come back. He's also the adopted father of Emberpaw, Rainpaw, Fernpaw, and Briarpaw, which is why they came with us last night."

She took a deep breath, and continued. "But something happened. Something went wrong, and Emberpaw... she found a way to fix it. It wasn't a good way to fix what happened. Every cat involved wishes she hadn't done it. But she did, and we cannot change that." She took another deep breath and continued. Her voice was wavering by this point. "Emberpaw sacrificed her own life to fix this problem. She's dead."

A wave of gasps and murmurs filled the camp. Sunpool's eyes were closed, and she was biting down hard on her lip.

"How did she die?" Enamel called, her eyes narrowed.

Sunpool looked at her steadily. "It's not my place to tell you. Just know that she will be missed by everyone. She... I won't say her death was an accident, because it wasn't. But her death was something that, given the chance, everyone involved would change."

That seemed to satisfy Enamel. The pretty she-cat dipped her head after a moment.

"But dwelling on sadnesses is something nobody wants to do. And so we won't. We will continue on as normally as we can. When someone dies in the Clans, the Clanmates close to them sit vigil for them. The vigil for Emberpaw will be held tonight. Until then, I want everything to go on as if nothing had happened. I know that seems disrespectful, but it's the fastest healing process. So, we'll have the border patrol, then we will share tongues and the vigil will be held." Sunpool nodded at Eagle. "Eagle, chose some cats to be on the border patrol and you may lead it. Bone, how are your herb supplies?"

"Still low," Bone admitted. "I haven't been able to gather much; I don't know the territory well enough."

"Okay. You make your way around the territory and find the best herb places." She nodded at Lightningfeather. "Lightningfeather, lead the hunting patrol."

Lightningfeather nodded and turned to Cinderstorm. "Feeling like hunting?"

Cinderstorm shook her head and let a bitter purr come out. "Not really. But perhaps a bit of normalcy will help me feel better. So I'll come."

"Good." Lightningfeather smiled. "Get Goldleaf, and I'll get Sunpool. It'll be like the old days."

So Cinderstorm got Sunpool (when she was done with her patrol assignments) and Lightningfeather got Goldleaf, and quietly the set out to hunt. Soon, however, light conversation sprung up between them, and it was indeed like the old days after a while. Back before anything got serious. Back before there was nothing more than four cats hunting. Soon, they had caught three mice, two squirrels, and five voles between them, which, coupled with the catches the group had made earlier, they agreed would feed the group well. In significantly better moods they took their prey in their mouths and made their way back. Things felt slightly brighter.

Little did they know what would happen the next day.

Dun dun duuuuuuun!

So I'm on a train and I was bored so I decided to update! Yay!

I'm also suuuuper happy because I have iTunes credit and can therefore buy music so YASS

~✨🐱✨ Rainfeather ✨🐱✨