“They’ve dug a hole in the ground and they’ve put something in it,” Pouncekit mewed excitedly. “What do you think they’re hiding? It looks big. Perhaps it’s something special they want to keep safe during ice-chill.”
“Leaf-bare,” Tigerheart corrected tetchily. She sounded like a stray.
Lightkit’s fur was spiked with excitement. “They’ve gathered flowers and put them all around the hole. It looks pretty.”
As she spoke, Shadowkit’s eyes widened in alarm. A Twoleg kit had broken away from the cluster and was running toward them.
“Quick!” Tigerheart ordered. “Come down from there. We have to go inside.”
“But we’re safe here.” Pouncekit watched the Twoleg kit running closer. “Why don’t you jump up?”
Tigerheart turned toward the Twoleg kit and arched his back. He hissed loudly, flattening his ears.
The kit stopped, alarm sparking in its tiny eyes.
A big Twoleg hurried after it, holding out a paw and mewling. It pulled the kit away.
Tigerheart jerked his gaze back toward Pouncekit. “We have to get back inside right now,” he meowed sternly. “Do you want the Twolegs to start leaving traps for us again?”
Pouncekit frowned crossly. “It’s not fair. All we ever see is the inside of the den, and we’ve explored all the Twoleg clutter in there. We want to see something new.”
Dovewing reached up the tree with her forepaws, her gaze sparking with worry as Pouncekit padded toward the trunk and began to slither down, tail first.
“Dig your claws in!” Dovewing gasped as Pouncekit slipped suddenly and her hindquarters thumped against the bark.
“I’m digging!” Pouncekit puffed as she clung to the trunk like a squirrel and eased herself down, a muzzle-length at a time.
Dovewing grabbed her scruff as soon as it was within reach and plopped her on the ground. “Stay there,” she meowed firmly, and looked up toward Lightkit. “Your turn.”
While Dovewing watched Lightkit, Tigerheart frowned crossly at Pouncekit. “You’re not meant to leave the den without us.”
Pouncekit stared back at him, her dark amber eyes wide. “But why? The traps are gone.”
“What if the Twolegs put them back?” Tigerheart challenged.
Pouncekit narrowed her eyes petulantly. “It’s not fair,” she mewed. “You’re only yelling at me because I was the first one to come down. But being the first to come down was good, wasn’t it?” She looked up at Shadowkit, who was waiting while Lightkit slid clumsily down the trunk. “He’s still there, and you’re not yowling at him.”
“I’m not yowling at any of you.” Tigerheart swallowed back frustration. “I’m just telling you that you’re not allowed outside without Dovewing or me.”
“Ever?” Pouncekit frowned. Lightkit squeaked as Dovewing grabbed her scruff and dropped her on the grass. Pouncekit turned her head and stared indignantly at her sister. “Tigerheart says we’re never allowed to leave the den ever.”
“Ever?” Horror sparked in Lightkit’s gaze. “That’s not fair! The other cats go out all the time.”
“I didn’t say ever.” Tigerheart’s pelt prickled irritably. He wondered if the kits would be so argumentative if they’d been raised in a Clan. He felt sure that he’d never argued with Rowanstar like this when he was a kit.
Dovewing was staring into the tree, where Shadowkit was teetering nervously in the crook of a branch. “You’re going to have to go up and get him,” she meowed.
Pouncekit looked at her brother disdainfully. “Poor Shadowkit. He’s such a scaredy-mouse.”
Tigerheart padded to the foot of the tree. Hooking his claws into the bark, he hauled himself up until he was level with Shadowkit. Then he grabbed the kit’s scruff and let himself slide carefully down, balancing Shadowkit on his chest.
As he reached the ground, Shadowkit leaped onto the grass. “I didn’t need help.” He shook out his pelt. “I was just planning my route so I didn’t look as clumsy as Pouncekit and Lightkit.” He glared at his sisters.
Dovewing whisked her tail. “Come on,” she ordered. “Let’s go inside.”
“Can’t we explore some more first?” Lightkit pleaded.
Dovewing pointed her muzzle toward the cluster of black-pelted Twolegs. “Not while they’re here.”
Lightkit huffed and began to march toward the den. Pouncekit followed, and Shadowkit hurried at their heels.
Dovewing caught Tigerheart’s eye. “At least they’re adventurous.” Her whiskers twitched suddenly with amusement.
Relieved they were safe, Tigerheart touched his muzzle to hers. “They’re going to be fine warriors one day.”
“Yes.” Dovewing purred and followed the kits.
Tigerheart glanced across the grass, wondering how long he would have to wait before they could take the kits back to the Clans. The den was clearly no longer enough to keep them occupied. But outside, the city was full of danger. They should be in the forest, learning the difference between a mouse and a shrew, and which birds woke them in the morning and sang them to sleep at night.
As his mind wandered, he noticed Spire. The healer was sitting a few slabs away, gazing at the Twolegs. As Dovewing guided the kits through the gap beside the clear stretch of wall, Tigerheart headed toward the skinny tom. Ducking behind slabs, he reached Spire without being spotted by the Twolegs.
“What are you doing here?” he whispered.
Spire looked at him blankly. He’s having a vision. The healer’s gaze barely focused on Tigerheart before drifting lazily back to the Twolegs.
Tigerheart shifted his paws. Should he leave Spire in peace? But what if that Twoleg kit started to nose around again? The tom probably wouldn’t notice until too late. I’ll stay and guard him.
Spire closed his eyes. He swayed, murmuring to himself. “Kits or no kits.”
Tigerheart’s belly tightened. “Spire?” What was the strange cat dreaming about?
Spire opened his eyes and stared at Tigerheart, as though expecting to see him. “You came.”
Tigerheart twitched his tail nervously. “What did you dream?”
“Dream?” Spire tipped his head. He looked confused. “I heard a voice. A voice . . . from the stars . . . meant for you.”
“Stars? For me . . . ?” Tigerheart’s pelt prickled. Spire had never mentioned stars before. Did this mean StarClan was trying to reach him through this strange cat? Should Tigerheart have gone back to ShadowClan after Spire’s first dream?
But how could I have done that? The kits . . . Anxiety began to churn in his belly. Suddenly all the worries that had suffocated him while he was in the forest seemed to swirl around him once more. “What did it say?”
Spire’s yellow gaze seemed to clear as he stared at Tigerheart. His eyes flashed as though he’d remembered something long forgotten. “I had to tell you that he needs you.”
“Who needs me?” Tigerheart leaned closer, his breath catching in his throat.
Spire didn’t seem to hear him. “The shadows are fading. He can’t keep them together.”
Alarm flared beneath Tigerheart’s pelt. Rowanstar! His father needed him. He knew it as certainly as he’d known he should be with Dovewing. There was no doubt now that StarClan was trying to reach him here in the city. . . .
They want me to go back!
CHAPTER 27
Tigerheart hardly slept. He stared into the darkness while Dovewing and the kits snored gently beside him, anxiety swirling through his thoughts. How would he tell Dovewing? There was no time to wait. The kits were so young. But he had to go back now.
As dawn lifted the darkness, he gazed at Dovewing, still sleeping beside him. The kits were too big now to curl at her belly, and they snuggled around her instead. Pouncekit’s tail trailed over her cheek. Lightkit’s forepaws rested on her flank, while Shadowkit stretched along her spine. Were they old enough to make the journey? Would Dovewing agree? Tigerheart’s throat tightened. Would he have to leave without the
m?
He crept from the nest and scanned the den. The guardian cats were stirring as gray dawn light filtered through the walls.
Fierce climbed from her nest and stretched. “Who wants to come scavenging with me?”
“I will.” Ant slid from beneath a pile of Twoleg clutter.
Cinnamon crossed the floor. “So will I.”
Mittens stretched beneath the den entrance. “I’ll come.”
Tigerheart hurried forward. Fresh air would help him think. He had to find the words to tell Dovewing that he needed to leave. “I’ll join you.”
Fierce was already leaping onto the wooden ledge that led to the entrance. Cinnamon, Ant, and Mittens followed her out of the den.
“Wait.” Dovewing’s soft mew sounded behind Tigerheart.
He glanced over his shoulder. She was stepping softly from the nest. The kits had rolled into the space she’d left, still asleep.
“I’m coming with you.” Dovewing’s green gaze was soft in the dawn light. She hurried past him, stopping at Blaze’s nest. As he lifted his head sleepily, she blinked at him. “Can you keep an eye on the kits? We’re going scavenging with Fierce.”
“Okay.” He yawned, climbed from his nest, and headed toward the kits.
“Thanks, Blaze.” Dovewing turned to Tigerheart and flicked her tail. “Do you mind if I come?”
“Of course not.” His heart sank. There would be no time to think of the right words to tell her. He couldn’t keep this to himself. He’d have to tell her now. What would she say? Sadness swamped him. If she thought the kits were too young to travel, he would be abandoning her a second time.
Dovewing followed him from the den. Outside, the streets were quiet. Monsters were beginning to prowl, and here and there a Twoleg scuttled along the walkways, head bent against the cold wind. She shifted beside him as he waited for a Twoleg light to turn green. “What are we waiting for?” She looked along the deserted Thunderpath, then bounded across the stone. “I haven’t been out this early since before the kits were born,” she mewed as he followed her to the other side. “I forgot how quiet the city could be.”
Fierce’s scent drifted on the breeze here. Tigerheart guessed that the tortoiseshell was heading for her favorite scrapcans. He headed in the opposite direction. If he was going to talk to Dovewing, he didn’t want to bump into the guardian cats.
“Fierce and the others went that way.” Dovewing gestured away from herself, glancing at him curiously.
“I need to talk to you.” Tigerheart kept his gaze straight ahead. His heart quickened as he spoke. There was no avoiding the conversation now.
“Okay.” Dovewing didn’t look at him, but moved closer, guiding him toward the wall as a Twoleg turned the corner and began hurrying toward them.
Tigerheart didn’t speak until the Twoleg had passed. Ahead, a narrow gap opened between the dens. Tigerheart knew that it led to a small opening where Twolegs left scrapcans. They rarely contained food, but it would be a sheltered spot to talk. He turned in to the gap as they reached it and led the way to the small clearing.
Dovewing followed wordlessly. “So?” She searched his gaze anxiously as he stopped beside the scrapcans and faced her. “What did you want to tell me?”
Tigerheart gazed into the green depths of her eyes. Please understand that I love you. “Spire had another vision.”
Dovewing’s gaze didn’t flicker. She stared at him, stiller than stone.
“He heard a voice,” Tigerheart went on. “A voice Spire said was for me. It gave him a message about Rowanstar.”
Still, Dovewing did not speak. Anxiety glittered in her eyes.
“The voice said he needs me. It said he can’t keep the shadows together.” Tigerheart saw Dovewing’s flanks move as her breath quickened. She held his gaze mutely. Say something. He had to know what she was thinking. When she didn’t speak, he stumbled on, trying to explain. “I can’t ignore this sign,” he meowed desperately. “Rowanstar can’t keep the Clan together. I have to go back. Please don’t think I don’t love you. You and the kits are the most important things in my life. But if I abandon my Clan now, when they need me, I will never forgive myself.” Grief pressed in his chest. Will I ever be able to forgive myself for abandoning Dovewing and our kits?
Dovewing’s eyes shimmered with pain. She stared at him, the wind ruffling her pale gray fur. “I once told you that I would love you whatever choice you made,” she mewed thickly. Tigerheart could hardly breathe as she went on. “I won’t make you choose between your Clan and me this time.”
Was she telling him to go? Tigerheart’s thoughts seemed to freeze. He could only stare into Dovewing’s eyes, trying to read what she was feeling. Was she angry? Was his leaving all she and the kits would remember of him? “I’m sorry,” he murmured, his heart splitting with pain. “Please forgive me.”
Dovewing blinked. “Forgive you for what? We’ll leave together.”
Really? As he stared at her dumbly, hardly able to believe his ears, dawn sunshine found a crack between the nests and cut a strip across the clearing.
“You saw the kits yesterday,” Dovewing went on. “They climbed a tree by themselves. No one taught them how to climb. They wanted to see more of the world than we have shown them. They are eager for adventure.” She paused, fear darkening her gaze. “I think they are ready to make the journey home.”
Tigerheart could hardly believe his ears. “Do you mean it?”
“Yes.” Dovewing whisked her tail. “It’s a dangerous journey. I’m not letting you make it alone.”
“But the kits.” If it was dangerous for him, then for young kits it could be deadly. “They’re not old enough to—”
Dovewing cut him off. “As long as they are with us, they will be safe.” She glanced the way they’d come. Monsters moved beyond the gap. “Come sunup, the city will be crowded with Twolegs and monsters. Foxes roam the streets at night. Cats with no more honor than rogues scavenge in every alley. This is no place for kits to live. Besides . . .” She looked away, her pelt prickling. “Spire isn’t the only cat who’s had dreams.”
Tigerheart leaned forward anxiously. “Did you have another dream? Like the one that led us here?”
She shook her head. “Shadowkit told me he dreamed about a silver-and-white tabby.”
Tigerheart stiffened. Had Spire been right about the kit? Had Shadowkit seen this tabby “in the shadows”?
Sadness misted Dovewing’s gaze. “It sounded like Ivypool. And the cat in the dream had kits. What if Ivypool’s really had kits? I want to meet them. I want them to meet Pouncekit, Lightkit, and Shadowkit. I don’t want them to be strangers. They need to be with the Clans. We have to get them home before they’re old enough to become ’paws. They have so much to learn about Clan life.”
Become ’paws. Tigerheart could imagine Pouncekit clinging to the trunk of a pine, arguing with her mentor about how far up she should climb. He purred suddenly. “I feel sorry for the warrior who has Pouncekit as an apprentice.”
Dovewing’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “She’ll question every order.”
“She’ll probably try to give her mentor hunting tips.” Tigerheart’s heart warmed as though sunshine poured through it.
“The guardian cats have been good to us,” Dovewing meowed. “But I don’t want our kits to think that healing the sick and avoiding Twolegs is all there is to life.”
Tigerheart purred louder. “Our kits aren’t even very good at avoiding Twolegs. Did you see them in that tree?”
Dovewing purred too. “The only way they could have attracted more attention would have been to yowl at them.”
“I’m glad we found them in time.” Tigerheart stopped purring as he pictured the Twoleg kit running toward the tree. What would have happened if he hadn’t been there to scare it away? The kits had been trapped and hadn’t even realized it.
Dovewing’s gaze darkened. “We did find them, though. But they need to be back in the forest. For the firs
t time, I realized how little they understand about what it means to be a warrior. No Clan cat would have let curiosity cloud their judgment. The kits should have known the risk they were taking.”
They need to be back in the forest. Tigerheart’s belly twisted with worry at Dovewing’s words. “Which forest?” he asked bluntly.
Dovewing hesitated.
“You said that Pouncekit, Lightkit, and Shadowkit mustn’t be strangers to Ivypool’s kits,” he pressed. “Do you plan to raise them in ThunderClan?”
Dovewing shifted her paws self-consciously.
“You know I have to go back to ShadowClan,” he breathed.
“I know.” She dropped her gaze. “My heart tells me to be with you. My head tells me to raise my kits among my kin.”
“They’re my kits too,” Tigerheart pointed out.
Alarm sparked in her eyes. “Would you try to take them from me if I don’t join ShadowClan?”
The pain in her mew sliced his heart. Now he was making her choose, and trying to use their kits to pressure her. “I’m sorry,” he blurted guiltily. “Of course I wouldn’t. If you want to be with ThunderClan, the kits must stay with you until they are old enough to make their own decision.”
Her fur smoothed. She lifted her chin. “We don’t need to think about that yet,” she mewed decisively. “It’s a long way to the lake, and we don’t know what we’ll find when we get there. Let’s get home first, then worry about what to do next.”
Tigerheart padded forward, guessing that, despite her words, Dovewing must be feeling as anxious as he was. Could they really make such a journey with kits? He tried not to think of all the dangers that lay between the city and the lake. Even the thought of Pouncekit beside the Silverpath made his belly clench. The wind from a Thundersnake was strong enough to sweep her beneath its paws. He closed his eyes, trying not to tremble as he pressed his cheek against Dovewing’s. “Everything will be okay,” he murmured softly, trying to reassure himself as much as Dovewing.
Fierce blinked slowly at Tigerheart. He wondered for a moment if she’d heard him. “We have to leave,” he meowed again. “My Clan needs me.”