The Silent Thaw

Tree padded from the darkness beside the camp wall. “You’re up late.”

“So are you.” Irritation hardened Rootpaw’s belly. Why couldn’t his father be asleep in his nest like the rest of the Clan? “What are you doing here?”

“I like to watch the stars when every cat is sleeping.” Tree glanced at the sky. “It’s nice to have some time to myself.” He glanced back at Rootpaw. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

Rootpaw shifted his paws self-consciously. “I was on my way to the dirtplace.”

Tree looked unconvinced. “Why not use the dirtplace tunnel?” He nodded across the clearing.

“I . . . wanted to stretch my legs.” Rootpaw blinked, his thoughts whirling. How could he get rid of Tree? The meeting would be starting soon.

Tree’s eyes rounded. “I thought Leafstar told you not to leave camp without permission after your trip to ThunderClan.”

Rootpaw flicked his tail crossly. Tree wasn’t going to make this easy. “There’s somewhere I have to be,” he snapped.

“Where?” Tree tipped his head to one side.

“A meeting, okay?” Why couldn’t Tree just let him go?

“Does this have something to do with the ghost?” Tree leaned closer, concern darkening his eyes.

“No,” Rootpaw told him. “I haven’t seen it all day.”

“Are you meeting Bristlefrost?” Tree blinked at him.

“No!” Rootpaw stuck out his chin. “Spotfur and Stemleaf invited me to a meeting of cats who are worried about what’s going on in the Clans.”

Tree pricked his ears. “Other cats are worried too?” He sounded relieved.

“Of course they are.” Rootpaw’s shoulders drooped. He was going to have to tell Tree everything. “Stemleaf and Spotfur invited me when we were leaving the Gathering. They’re going to see if there’s something they can do to stop what’s happening.”

Tree whisked his tail. “Then I’d better come with you.”

“No!” Rootpaw stared at him, dismayed. What would the other cats think if he turned up with his father?

“Why not?” Tree looked surprised. “You know I’ve been worried about the direction the Clans are heading. If other cats are meeting to discuss it, I want to be there.”

Rootpaw realized it would be pointless to object. Tree was never going to let him sneak out if he didn’t get to come too. “Okay,” he muttered. “But we have to hurry. The meeting starts at moonhigh.”

Tree glanced at the sky. “Come on, then.”

Rootpaw padded after his father as Tree hurried out of camp. He fluffed out his fur. At least I have that other pair of eyes now. As the forest stretched away into darkness on every side, he forced back a shiver. The journey suddenly felt dangerous. He was going to meet cats from other Clans in secret. Glancing into the shadows, he felt suddenly comforted by Tree’s presence.

They moved softly through the woods. Tree led the way, his ears pricked and his whiskers twitching as they followed the trail to the edge of ShadowClan land and cut across the forest to the greenleaf Twolegplace.

“Are you going to tell them about the ghost?” Tree asked as they crouched at the edge of the forest and gazed across the silent meadow.

“No.” Rootpaw scanned the slope, looking for pelts in the moonlight. There was no sign of movement and he tasted the air. The breeze carried faint ThunderClan scents. He realized his father was staring at him.

“You’re not telling?” Tree looked surprised. “Why not?”

“I’m not admitting to a bunch of warriors from other Clans that I can see dead cats,” Rootpaw told him. “You might think it’s normal, but I don’t.”

“But it’s important.”

“I’ll find another way to make them see that Bramblestar isn’t who he says he is. But I don’t want to tell them I’ve been talking to his ghost. I want them to take me seriously.” Rootpaw narrowed his eyes. A shadow was moving through the long grass at the edge of the meadow.

Tree frowned. “Why do you think they won’t take you seriously if you tell them you can see ghosts?”

“They might think I’m like you.” Guilt seared his pelt as he blurted out the words. That was cruel. He glanced at his father. I’m sorry. Before he could apologize out loud, the shadow darted across the slope. His ears pricked. It was a cat. He pointed his muzzle toward it. “Do you see that?” he asked Tree.

Tree’s ears were twitching. “See what?”

“Over there,” Rootpaw nodded toward the cat, whose mottled fur was barely more than a ripple on the grass.

Tree stiffened. “It’s Frecklewish!”

Rootpaw blinked. His father was right. The SkyClan medicine cat was creeping around the edge of the meadow.

Tree raced forward. “Frecklewish!”

The medicine cat froze.

“It’s me, Tree!”

Rootpaw hurried after his father. Didn’t he realize this meeting was supposed to be secret?

Frecklewish arched her back, her pelt spiking as Tree raced toward her.

“Don’t worry.” Tree skidded to a halt beside her, panting. “It’s just us. What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here?” Frecklewish eyed Tree suspiciously as Rootpaw caught up.

“Stemleaf and Spotfur invited us to a meeting,” Tree told her.