It was the next morning that Covestripe found himself pacing across the cavern floor, breaths ragged.

       She's gone - my daughter, she's gone. I promised Dolphinstorm I'd care for her, and now she's gone and it's all my fault, mine, all mine, Dolphinstorm's so disappointed in me- His thoughts jumbled together, refusing to form one coherent stream of ideas, bouncing around in his skull wildly and giving him a pounding headache. He groaned miserably and neared the entrance to BrineClan's camp.

       It was storming outside, and rain lashed his face with sharp talons, thunder rumbling somewhere high in the clouds. The sea was a frothing monster, its waves ripping at the shoreline hungrily, spitting out sand and roaring into the sky - further down the coast, a row of rocky cliffs were being pounded by walls of water high enough to fall a fully grown pine tree. Covestripe shivered at the sight, but his spirits rose when he saw three cats struggling up the beach toward camp.

       As they entered, Covestripe dashed toward them, but slowed as he saw their expressions. Onepaw wasn't found. A surge of anger swelled in his chest, and he stamped the floor, whirling away to resume his pacing.

       "Wait- brother!" He turned at the sound of Mudnose's voice. The poor warrior was bedraggled, soaked to his bones, fur clinging to his body in ragged clumps and trailing enough water to fill a pond. Covestripe paused to listen with narrowed blue eyes.

       Mudnose huffed as he arrived, slumping down against the stone floor, paws splaying out. He coughed and grunted out, "We found a- tuft of fur... it was black, and at the border, by WoodClan. But going out of the territories. Um, Sandyflight said she saw more, further out, in a field." Covestripe's hope crumbled in his heart, and he shoved his nose beneath his brother's chest, thrusting him upward harshly. He let Mudnose lean on him as they headed for Raingorse's den, where the other patrol members had went after reporting to Wavestar.

       "Here," Covestripe left Mudnose staggering against the wall, a spark of sympathy lighting his head as he turned away to a ledge. He hopped onto it and settled down, tail curling around his snout and paws dangling over the edge.

       This cannot be the end, he thought, No, I won't let it be. My daughter is not gone. He raised one paw and smothered it against his head. Come on, Covestripe, don't be a snail and let this happen. You can't.

       Getting into an upright position, he scanned the camp, frowning. His eyes found the entrance. In this storm, Onepaw couldn't have gotten too far - he could go out there and get her, even if it meant harming himself in the rain and lightning. But he needed a patrol... and permission from Wavestar. He slowly turned to look at the Overhang, the biggest ledge in camp.

       Wavestar's den was way up there, in a cleft among the rocks. Generations of leaders had slept in there - anyone who entered immediately felt the presence of power, whether the resident cat was present or not. The very concept of climbing the Overhang and confronting Wavestar sent a chill of fear down Covestripe's spine; but if he was to rescue Onepaw, he had to. He had to.

       And so he stood, hopped down, and approached the great shelf, staring up its broad gray side. He'd never known why leaders didn't just sleep in the crack at its base - perhaps that was too close to the other cats? Sorting the thought into the back of his mind, he dug his claws into one of the ancient holds, and began to haul himself up. Mentally, he prayed no Clanmate was watching.

       By the time Covestripe reached the top, his legs were shaky and his claws hurt. He paused for a moment. His blue gaze fixated on the leader's den - it was caught in deep shadow, so he couldn't see Wavestar inside, even though he was certain she could see him. His tail drooped as he approached.

       "Er... Wavestar?" his voice wavered, and he cursed himself for it. There were a couple tense moments of silence following the call.

       "Covestripe." The gruff voice caught him off guard and he jerked away. "Enter."

       Sucking in a breath, the tomcat drew nearer, sliding into the cool darkness of the den. His eyes had to adjust for a second as he stood there. Once it was clear, he realized Wavestar was just a tail-length away, sitting regally on a nest of fluffy kelp and ferns. He ducked his head in respect. She braced her shoulders, the albatross feathers tied amongst her fur showing stark white against the rocks.

       "What is it?" Wavestar demanded. Covestripe's ears twitched back, and he forced himself up, meeting her wide yellow eyes. "I request a patrol to search the border and find my daughter, Onepaw."

       Wavestar's face remained stoic. Covestripe felt a sinking feeling in his soul - what if she refused? What if she told him he was being silly, that Onepaw would come back to them in time, or that they just needed to be patient? His heart thudded in his throat as every bad result sped through his head.

       "I shall have the Clan cast stones. Leave my den, now." Wavestar's reply made Covestripe go silent for a moment. Although hope flooded into him, there was also the possibility they were voted to stay... hopefully, they wouldn't. He bowed again and turned away to leave. Sliding down the Overhang, Covestripe watched as Wavestar padded out, sitting with her chest puffed on the edge of the shelf. He sat down nearby as she readied herself.

       "Every cat old enough to swim the sea gather below the Overhang for a Clan meeting!"

       Cats leapt from ledges and emerged from clefts, grouping together in a rough semi-circle. Covestripe found his place beside Mudnose, who was looking a little more alive, his fur drying and his whiskers straightened, eyes wider than they'd been before. Pelts brushed up against their sides. Upon reflection, Covestripe realized the storm had driven everyone inside.

       "Covestripe has asked for a patrol to find Onepaw, who went missing yesterday." Wavestar's tail swept around her paws as she spoke. "I believe this matter concerns the entirety of BrineClan, so I have decided to let you all cast stones. Votes for staying shall be along the western wall, votes to leave shall be along the eastern - as per custom, Thornsky and I shall not be voting. Willowglare, Sandyflight, please gather the stones." As she drew quiet, the two named cats stood, walking to a place behind the Overhang. They returned with small, smooth stones in their jaws. This happened a few times before a pile had been formed and they sat back down. Thornsky came forward to address the gathered group

       "Everyone, get in a line," he boomed. As the Clan cats moved to obey, Covestripe ended up just behind his brother. The line began slowly moving forward as cats chose their stones.

       By the time Covestripe was up, the piles were nearly the same. He took his stone and, eyes trained on the ground, placed in with the leaving pile. He then joined the others who'd voted with Thornsky. He watched as the last couple cats approached, chose their own, and made their choices.

       Finally, Wavestar leapt down, and her deputy joined her. Both went to a pile and began silently counting. Once they'd finished, the two met up in the center of camp, muttering into one another's ears; then Wavestar turned to the cats.

       "They shall leave."

       The statement was so blank, Covestripe didn't register it at first. Then his brain clicked into place and he nearly howled. His heart flooded with warmth, like the brightest greenleaf sunlight, and he rose into a stand, feeling as though he'd balloon and float up into the sky. He staggered for a second then got his balance, heaving a breath.

       "Covestripe," Wavestar directed her gaze to him, and for once he didn't feel afraid of her powerful eyes. "Choose your company." Then she turned to her deputy, "Thornsky, inform me when they go." And with that, she spun, climbed the Overhang in an instant, and disappeared over the edge. Cats moved and formed a ragged circle around Covestripe.

       His back fur prickled at all the eyes on him. He looked around at them, scarcely focusing on anyone, head still caught up in the idea that he'd soon be back with his daughter. Then someone cleared their throat and he jolted back.

       "Um- Mudnose," Covestripe whelped out. His brother stared at him, slowly smiled, and paced forward to stand at his side, tail swishing low to the floor. For a couple moments they stood still. Then there was a screech from the side, and Covestripe turned, shocked, to see Owlettail struggling through the throng of cats.

       "No!" she hollered, claws scratching the stone, "I'm going too! Onepaw's my apprentice, I should help find her!" Shoving her grumbling Clanmates aside, she thrust forward, coming to stare nose-to-nose with the brothers. Her eyes gleamed green in the half-light.

       Covestripe's whiskers twitched and he took a step back, but he couldn't see any logical argument to her words. She was right; Owlettail was Onepaw's mentor, and she deserved to help them, especially on such a short journey this would be. So he nodded. She looked the least bit surprised, but it was swiftly masked with confidence, and she came to stand beside them.

       "...Are we really going to leave now?" rumbled Mudnose after a few minutes. Covestripe had sat down, and turned his eyes to the outside briefly. Rain was still coming down in sheets, the sky a much deeper gray now, and while he watched thunder grumbled somewhere in the distance. As much as he wanted to find Onepaw, no reasonable cat would willingly walk into a storm that bad - and if they, fully trained warriors, couldn't move in it, she certainly couldn't either.

       Owlettail chuffed at his shoulder. "We should set out at dawn. It'll pass by then." Once again, Covestripe nodded. Mudnose acknowledged this with an ear twitch. After another while of sitting, in a sort of peaceful haze, Owlettail departed with a clipped goodbye and headed over to Fireflythroat and Sandyflight, who were enjoying a mutual grooming session. Mudnose left soon after to join Lightningheart at the prey-pile.

       Covestripe remained for a short bit longer, then, at length, hauled himself upwards. He teetered for a second, then slowly started for a nearby ledge; he climbed up and settled into a comfortable ball.

       Sleep came easy to him that night, and he dreamt of nothing but the gentle lapping of waves.