Sky (book)/Chapter 18

==Chapter description==
:Sunbeam stands near a trail after Nightheart left because they heard ShadowClan cats nearby, and she thinks about him raising the possibility of Tigerstar invading RiverClan. The tom had also been unhappy enough in ThunderClan to suggest joining ShadowClan, and she considers how she would again have a real friend if he was with her. Sunbeam hears Spireclaw and Berryheart arguing about Fringewhisker, and the tom hisses that he would die for whatever Clan he belongs to, even if it is SkyClan. Sunbeam steps out of the shadows to stop the fight, and she tells them she is out to get air. She walks with Spireclaw and tells him that Berryheart is worried because of Darktail, but their mother is still wrong. Spireclaw replies that the Clans are no longer enemies, which makes her again worry about Nightheart's words regarding an invasion. They enter the camp, and Flaxfoot gives her prey; Sunbeam is grateful and decides to share her worries about RiverClan. She quietly meows that she heard a rumor that Tigerstar might invade RiverClan and adds that it probably is not true but still tells him to keep an eye out. Sunbeam begins to eat and grows excited at the thought of Nightheart joining ShadowClan and them becoming even better friends.
:Sunbeam is shaken out of her thoughts by Berryheart and Tigerstar arguing, with Berryheart growling that he is not RiverClan's leader. Sunbeam is alarmed, and her mother continues that she knows that he wants to invade RiverClan over his grief for Rowankit's death. The leader furiously glares at her, and the Clan watches silently; he asks where she heard this. Sunbeam realizes that it is what she told Flaxfoot, who looks at her guiltily. Tigerstar continues that he is helping RiverClan because their situation will affect everyone, just like the impostor in ThunderClan, and not because he wants to invade. Berryheart still opposes him intervening, but he firmly ends the argument. Sunbeam anxiously thinks about how Flaxfoot had betrayed her confidence, and Berryheart would blame her for it.
:Berryheart angrily asks Sunbeam how she could spread lies, and she replies that she did not think Flaxfoot would tell it to everyone. Her mother asks where Sunbeam heard it, and thinking about Nightheart, she does not answer: however, Berryheart presses further, and she admits that she heard it from a ThunderClan cat at the Gathering. Berryheart says that ThunderClan cats are liars, and when she denies this, her mother asks if she trusts them more than ShadowClan. Sunbeam changes the topic and apologizes that she just needed to share her worries. As she storms out of camp, she wonders if she can trust anyone in ShadowClan, and she pauses outside the camp to Lightleap and Blazefire close together, clearly no longer just friends. Sunbeam turns away in hurt and rage, and Blazefire desperately calls after her, and she hesitantly stops. He apologizes, admitting their feelings have grown, and to Sunbeam's surprise, she no longer feels so hurt—although she is upset, she does not care that much. Blazefire looks genuinely concerned, and she realizes that her thoughts lately have all been for Nightheart instead. Sunbeam tells him that it is fine, and suddenly happy, she says he should go back to Lightleap.
==Characters==
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===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:Sky (book)
Category:A Starless Clan arc
Category:Chapter subpages