Wind (book)/Chapter 6

==Chapter description==
:Sunbeam reluctantly decides to ask Squirrelstar for permission to visit her kin. She struggles to imagine Berryheart suffering so much, and maybe even dying. Sunbeam gathers up the courage to enter her leader's den, but stands still while worrying about the potential response. Squirrelstar irritably says that she can scent Sunbeam, and that she should tell her what the problem is. Sunbeam asserts that she is a loyal ThunderClan cat, and Squirrelstar agrees but remarks that she never doubted Sunbeam's until Sunbeam asserted it. Sunbeam is embarrassed, and explains to Squirrelstar the news that Breezepelt had told her about Berryheart's injury. Squirrelstar takes a bit to respond, and Sunbeam worries that she had upset her leader, until she finally expresses sympathy for Sunbeam's situation. The leader says that she is sure that Sunbeam would do anything for her kin, and Sunbeam agrees honestly. Sunbeam says that she considered sneaking out, but Nightheart had talked her out of it, with which Squirrelstar says Nightheart was right. Squirrelstar tells Sunbeam that if she had heard from some other cat that Sunbeam was disobedient, she would have to take action. Sunbeam is worried that Squirrelstar isn't letting her go, but Brambleclaw's amusement makes Sunbeam realize that Squirrelstar's words have a hidden meaning. Squirrelstar is actually letting Sunbeam go, but is speaking so that she won't have to lie to any cat if she were to get caught. Sunbeam thanks Squirrelstar and goes to tell Nightheart.
:Nightheart doesn't believe Sunbeam, and thinks Squirrelstar's words were literal. Sunbeam assures her mate that she knows what Squirrelstar means, but Nightheart still has his doubts. He doesn't want Sunbeam to go. Nightheart worries that Berryheart will bring more trouble into Sunbeam's life. Sunbeam insists that she has to go, as it is something she must do. Nightheart understands, and expresses regret that he isn't able to come with her. He asks if Bayshine may be able to go, but Sunbeam says it's be better if she went by herself. Nightheart wishes Sunbeam well on the quest.
:Sunbeam crosses WindClan's territory, taking the long route around. She comes across Smoky, who she recognizes as Daisy's former mate from the horseplace. Smoky asks if Sunbeam is a Clan cat, and Sunbeam says that she is. Smoky asks Sunbeam about Frostpaw, and if she is doing well. Sunbeam says that Frostpaw is fine, and Smoky is relieved. He says that Coriander and Little Daisy had been worried, and Whistlepaw had seemed upset. Sunbeam repeats that Frostpaw is safe now, and Smoky leaves to tell his kits the good news. Sunbeam continues on her path and finally scents her kin's den in a hollow.
:In the hollow, Sunbeam catches a glimpse of Berryheart, who is lying injured with a poultice on her hindquarters. Sunbeam notes that her mother looks very skinny and unwell. She bounds into the hollow and greets her family, asking Berryheart what had happened. Sparrowtail is surprised that Sunbeam had showed up, and asks her why she came. Sunbeam replies that she was looking for them, and she had heard that Berryheart was injured. Sparrowtail explains that Berryheart was injured beside a Thunderpath while foraging. Sunbeam says that the wound doesn't look like one a monster could inflict, and Hollowspring continues explaining, saying that it wasn't a monster, but in fact transparent Twoleg glass that had injured Berryheart. He and Sparrowtail had tried to get the glass out but the would was infected despite their best attempts at healing her. Sunbeam is horrified by the smell and the pain her mother is suffering, and decides that they need a medicine cat.
:Sunbeam proposes that Berryheart get treatment at the horseplace like Frostpaw had. Berryheart refuses, saying that barn cats are no better than kittypets. Sunbeam points out how dire the situation is and how her kin has limited options. Berryheart blames Tigerstar for her injury, which frustrates Sunbeam, making her think of how Berryheart sided with Splashtail against her former leader. Sunbeam then asks her mother about what she may know about Splashtail's motives. Berryheart snaps that she only allied with Splashtail to rid Tigerstar of his power over RiverClan, and nothing else. Sunbeam feels pity for Sparrowtail and Hollowspring, who were quite obviously worried about their exile, but trying to hide it for Berryheart's sake. She asks Hollowspring if they search for herbs in private. Hollowspring agrees, and once they are away from the others, Sunbeam asks her brother about what is really going on. Hollowspring replies that life has been tough, as there is limited prey and that they miss ShadowClan. He even remarks that Berryheart may miss ShadowClan as well, but won't admit it. Hollowspring says that being so inactive has made Berryheart ruminate on her thought and beliefs, making her more bitter and extreme. Sunbeam isn't able to reply, instead gathering some horsetail that she finds. Hollowspring briefly leaves but returns, telling Sunbeam that he had tried to catch a rabbit that had ran onto WindClan land. Sunbeam reassures her brother, showing him some fresh-kill along with her horsetail. She says that these will help, but she has to go back to ThunderClan. Hollowspring is shocked, and admits that he is hoping Sunbeam could stay for a while. Sunbeam says that she can't, and says goodbye.
:After bidding farewell, Sunbeam cuts through WindClan territory via the lakeshore, so caught up on her thoughts that she forgets to take the longer way back. She sees the halfbridge that signals WindClan's borders, and realizes her mistake. Sunbeam tries to leave or hide, but is almost caught by a WindClan patrol consisting of Flutterfoot, Brindlewing, and Sedgewhisker. The patrol isn't able to find or detect Sunbeam and leaves. Sunbeam is relieved by her close call.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Errors==
*Brambleclaw is mistakenly called Bramblestar.
==Notes and references==
Category: Chapter subpages
Category: Wind (book)
Category: A Starless Clan arc