Sign of the Moon

Lionblaze was padding back to camp after a successful hunt. He carried a squirrel while Cloudtail and Birchfall carried several mice after finding a nest. Foxleap trotted proudly beside him, a huge thrush in his jaws.

"Do you think Rosepetal will like this?" Foxleap asked him. "We can share it then give the feathers to the kits and elders."

Cloudtail flicked his tail in amusement. "Don't let Mousefur hear you say she's the last pick," he teased. "She'll have your ears before you can blink."

Foxleap faked a shudder. "I had enough of her during my apprentice days. Purdy must have the patience of all of StarClan to stay around her temper all day."

Lionblaze glanced to the side. A few tail-lengths away, sheltered beneath a thick clump of bracken, was the dark entrance of a hole. Could that be an entrance to the tunnels? He remembered his sister, Hollyleaf. In his mind, he saw her again, claiming her visions were becoming too much to cope with and that she had to escape, and then all he could see was the endless fall of soil and rock as he and Jayfeather destroyed the entrance to keep her safe.

"So, Lionblaze." Cloudtail's voice snapped him back to attention. The white warrior was watching him, amusement swimming in his blue eyes. "When can the Clan expect a new litter?"

"Oh, um. . . I—I don't think—"

"Come on, Lionblaze!" Foxleap chirped. "Cinderheart been playing with Birdkit and Cherrykit whenever she has free time! I even overheard her telling Poppyfrost and Honeyfern that she can't wait to have a litter of her own."

Lionblaze felt hot beneath his pelt. Using the squirrel as an excuse to stay silent, he moved to the back of the patrol. The purrs of his Clanmates echoed in his ears. He began to think. Once again cats were bringing up kits. But was he sure he wanted any now? What if his power could be passed down? How will the Clan cope if they suddenly have more and more cats with powers? How will the other Clans react?

Pawsteps thundered through the undergrowth. The patrol stiffened. Stopping their prey, they grouped together, facing the pawsteps that were drawing closer and closer with every heartbeat. Lionblaze unsheathed his claws. Who could it be? Surely not ShadowClan, after Blackstar just gave up the clearing to keep their Clans united?

Spiderleg burst out of the undergrowth, gasping for breath.

"Spiderleg!" Cloudtail exclaimed. "What's happened?"

"We—we were assessing Dovepaw," Spiderleg panted. "Rosepetal was helping her, but then she fell. She needs help!"

Foxleap bristled. "Where?" he demanded.

"Shouldn't you fetch Leafpool, instead?" Birchfall asked.

Spiderleg shook his head. "The ground is too loose," he explained, getting some of his breath back. "We can't reach her without spilling more earth down."

Lionblaze noticed Cloudtail's fur began to rise. "You mean she fell into a sinkhole!" he hissed. "Lead us to her, now!"

Spiderleg nodded and twisted around. Instantly he pelted off with the patrol behind him. A part of Lionblaze worried for the prey, but he knew the safety of his Clanmate came first, and Foxleap would never let them turn back now.

At last he saw flashes of color through the trees and saw Crowfeather and Dovepaw crouched over a wide hole. Spiderleg burst through first, with Cloudtail and Birchfall hot on his heels. Lionblaze forced his way through with Foxleap. The reddish tabby warrior dashed up to the edge of the hole, leaning over to see his mate.

"Don't worry! We're here to get you out," he encouraged her.

Rosepetal blinked up at him. "Hurry!"

"We need something to pull her out with," Birchfall thought out loud. "Maybe a long, thick tendril. Not bramble, but something like ivy or bindweed."