Star Flower convulsed again.
“And a tom!” Wind Runner purred loudly as she picked up both kits between her jaws and placed them beside Star Flower. She ran her paw over Star Flower’s belly. “That was the last, I think. And the bleeding’s stopped.”
Pebble Heart darted forward. “May I feel?”
Star Flower lifted her head groggily and stared at the young tom.
“I want to learn how to help if any of my campmates have kits,” Pebble Heart told her.
Star Flower gave a deep purr, amusement lighting her weary gaze. “Go ahead.” Her mew was slurred with relief.
Pebble Heart tentatively ran his paw over her belly, tipping his head to one side, his eyes glazing as he disappeared into his own thoughts.
Gray Wing knew that look well. Pebble Heart had always been wise beyond his years, staring into the distance as though lost in another world when his littermates had wanted to play. Gray Wing’s thoughts flitted to Moth Flight. Perhaps some cats are born to see beyond hunting and fighting.
“What do you think?” Star Flower’s mew cut into his thoughts. She was staring at Clear Sky, her three kits squirming at her belly.
“They’re beautiful.” Clear Sky buried his muzzle in his mate’s neck fur.
Pebble Heart stepped away. Holly and Wind Runner withdrew to Tall Shadow’s side.
Gray Wing stared at his brother.
Clear Sky had lifted his head and was staring at the tiny, slick-furred kits with a look of wonder that Gray Wing had never seen in his eyes. Pure love melted his ice-blue gaze. He leaned gently forward and lapped at one of the she-kits, who was nuzzling deeper into Star Flower’s belly.
Gray Wing felt his chest soften and his breathing ease. A deep longing tugged in his chest. How he wished to feel the love that was clearly sweeping Clear Sky now. He had felt like a father to Turtle Tail’s kits, and he loved them all. But the pure joy glowing in his brother’s eyes took him by surprise, and he wished that he could one day feel the same.
Wind Runner shifted her paws. “They all look perfectly healthy, but they’re very small.”
Pebble Heart glanced at his leader. “Can they stay here for a while, Tall Shadow? Just until they’re a little stronger.”
Tall Shadow nodded. “Of course.”
Pebble Heart blinked at Clear Sky. “Will you let them stay? A trip through the forest might expose them to unnecessary risks.”
Clear Sky glanced at Wind Runner. “What do you think?”
“For a few days,” Wind Runner advised.
Holly’s ears twitched. “I’ve never seen kits so small. Make sure they stay warm, and don’t let them have too many visitors.”
Pebble Heart flicked his tail anxiously. “Don’t let any sick cats near them for at least a moon!”
“Of course not!” Clear Sky looked alarmed.
“You’ll be able to take them home soon,” Wind Runner promised Clear Sky. “Kits grow fast.”
Clear Sky looked at the two she-cats, his gaze brimming with gratitude. “Thank you for getting her safely through this.” He glanced at his kits, his mew growing husky. “And them.”
Gray Wing followed his brother’s gaze, marveling at Star Flower’s strength and courage. Only a short while earlier, she had been fighting rogues! Now she was curled around her first litter.
“Gray Wing?”
He realized that his brother was talking to him. “What?” He met Clear Sky’s gaze, surprised by its warmth.
“Thank you for rescuing Star Flower.”
“It was the right thing to do.”
Clear Sky tipped his head to one side. “Why did you keep your plan secret from me?”
Gray Wing blinked. “If you’d known where she was, nothing would have kept you from her. But we needed to wait until Slash was distracted.”
“And I was the distraction.” Clear Sky grunted.
“You had to be convincing.” Gray Wing dipped his head apologetically. “It seemed the best way to get her back safely.”
“I will always be grateful.”
“It’s nothing.” Gray Wing shrugged. “You’d have done the same for me.”
Doubt flickered in Clear Sky’s moonlit gaze, then dissolved. He padded closer and rubbed his muzzle against Gray Wing’s. His fur was warm against his cheek, his scent so familiar that, for a moment, Gray Wing’s thoughts flashed back to his kithood, when they’d snuggled side by side at Quiet Rain’s belly.
He suddenly realized that Clear Sky was purring. “Congratulations,” he breathed.
“Thank you, brother,” Clear Sky murmured, his mew cracking. “I will never forget this.”
CHAPTER 7
Frost-whitened leaves crunched beneath Thunder’s paws. Sunshine dappled the forest floor. Although it was the coldest season, leaf-bare brought light to the forest; blue sky showed between the branches now that the lush green canopy had gone.
Thunder felt a prickle of excitement. Pebble Heart had come to the camp earlier to visit with his littermate Owl Eyes. He’d brought news that Clear Sky and Star Flower had returned to their camp in the forest with the kits. In the days since her escape, Star Flower had recovered from the trauma, and the kits were growing strong.
When Lightning Tail had returned from the rescue mission, Thunder had been shocked by his injuries. Wounds scarred his flank, and his ear tip had been torn. A scratch near one eye was still swollen. Thunder wasn’t convinced by Lightning Tail’s assurances that it had been an easy fight. The sight of his friend, so battered by his encounter with the rogues, unnerved Thunder. Had Slash’s boast been true? Were his rogues more numerous and more savage than the forest cats?
He pushed the thought away now. Why spoil such a crisp leaf-bare morning with worry? He was on his way to meet his newest kin—Tiny Branch, Dew Petal, and Flower Foot.
As the forest sloped down toward Clear Sky’s territory, Thunder kicked his white paws through the drifted leaves and hopped over fallen branches brought down by leaf-fall storms. When the brambles thinned and gave way to swaths of bracken, Thunder began to smell the scents of Clear Sky’s cats. Nettle and Birch had passed this way recently. Instinctively, Thunder opened his mouth and tasted for prey-scent. Were the woods here any richer than his own? He smelled only cat scent and the musky odor of fungus. The voles and mice, which had scuttled beneath every root and bush during greenleaf, were clearly as scarce here as near the ravine. And with the squirrels taking to their dens until newleaf, there had been little to hunt besides a few careless birds.
As he neared Clear Sky’s camp, he recognized fresh scents. Blossom and Birch must be nearby. He slowed, scanning the bracken crowding the bramble entrance.
“Hello?” he called out tentatively. He hadn’t warned Clear Sky he was visiting.
“Thunder?” Blossom slid out from the bracken and lifted her tail amiably.
Birch hopped from the steep bank that edged the track. “Is anything wrong?” Worry darkened the ginger tom’s eyes.
“No.” Thunder pricked his ears. Should there be?
“Clear Sky put us on guard,” Blossom told him. “He’s sending out patrols day and night.”
Thunder’s fur rippled uneasily. “Is he worried Slash will retaliate?”
Birch scanned the forest quickly. “He took Star Flower once. Why wouldn’t he do it again?”
Blossom snorted. “He’d better not try,” she growled. “We’re ready for him this time.”
Birch thrust his muzzle toward Thunder. “Have you seen any of his rogues?”
Thunder shrugged. “Our part of the forest has been quiet.”
“Good.” Blossom padded a few tail-lengths farther into the forest and looked around. She glanced back at Thunder. “Are you here to visit the kits?”
Thunder whisked his tail. “Yes, if that’s okay.”
Blossom exchanged looks with Birch. “No one’s allowed near them yet,” she warned Thunder. “But I’m sure Clear Sky will be pleased to see you. He’s so gratefu
l for everything the others did to rescue Star Flower.”
Her gaze wavered for a moment, and Thunder wondered whether she was pleased that Star Flower was back. He knew that many cats still did not trust One Eye’s daughter. Hopefully, now that she was mother of Clear Sky’s kits, there would be no doubts about her loyalty.
Birch nodded toward the entrance. “Clear Sky’s in his den,” he told Thunder. “He hardly comes out now. You may as well go and find him.”
Thunder dipped his head. “Thank you.” He slid through the prickly tunnel. The branches rattled around him.
Quick Water looked up from beneath an oak as he padded into the clearing. “Hi!” The gray-and-white she-cat looked pleased to see him.
“Hi,” he answered. “I’ve come to visit my kin.” He noticed that her fur clung to her frame, and realized suddenly that Birch and Blossom had looked leaner than usual too. He wondered if he seemed skinny to them. He had gone to his nest hungry more than once over the past quarter moon.
Acorn Fur and Thorn were sharing tongues beside a yew. Acorn Fur looked up. “Hi, Thunder. Did you see any prey on the way?”
“I wish I had,” Thunder told her.
Thorn straightened, his ears still wet, and sighed. “It looks like more freezing weather’s on the way. That won’t help the prey return.”
“At least it’s not raining,” Thunder answered, determined to be optimistic. He refused to believe that prey would stay hidden all leaf-bare. A few more days and the forest would be teeming with mice and voles scavenging for food. Surely they must be hungry too?
He crossed the clearing and leaped the bank, pushing through the bracken that shielded Clear Sky’s den from the rest of the camp. The small clearing beyond was empty, but he heard mewling from the shadowy opening in the brambles.
The kits! His heart quickened. They sounded so tiny, their shrill squeaks more like mouse cries.
“Clear Sky?” he called across the stretch of leaf-strewn earth.
His father’s face appeared in the den entrance. Clear Sky’s eyes lit up as he saw Thunder, and he squeezed out of the den. “It’s good to see you!”
“Hi.” Thunder blinked. Warmth shone in his father’s gaze. His cheery welcome took him by surprise. He’d expected to find Clear Sky anxious and still angry about Star Flower’s ordeal. Instead, he seemed at ease with the world, for the first time ever. “How’s Star Flower?”
Clear Sky glanced fondly back toward the den. “She’s had a hard time, but now that she’s home and safe, she’ll be fine.”
“And the kits?” Thunder peered around him toward the den. “May I see them?”
“They’re too small, I’m afraid,” Clear Sky told him apologetically. “They’re to see no one until they’re stronger.”
Stronger? Anxiety pricked in Thunder’s belly. “They are okay, aren’t they?”
“They’re fine,” Clear Sky told him. “But they’re small. They’re staying near Star Flower’s belly until they’re older. Pebble Heart said we have to keep them away from other cats for a moon. It’s hard to believe they’re so helpless.” His gaze glistened with warmth as he went on. “I’m never going to let anything bad happen to them.”
A pang of grief took Thunder by surprise. Why hadn’t Clear Sky been this concerned when he was born? His father had left his own mother to kit alone, beside a Twoleg camp. She’d died when the nest she’d made for them had been crushed. He’d only been saved because Gray Wing had come searching for them. Thunder couldn’t help feeling that his life might have been very different if Clear Sky had rescued Storm before she’d kitted, just as he’d rescued Star Flower.
He shook out his fur. What was the point in wondering? He wasn’t going to feel sorry for himself. Everything that had happened to him had made him the cat he was now. His cats were loyal, and he had friends in every group. He was as much a leader as Clear Sky.
He changed the subject. “Blossom said you were sending out patrols day and night. Are you worried about Slash?”
Clear Sky’s tail twitched. “I won’t make the same mistake twice,” he grunted. “Slash and his rogues aren’t going to get anywhere near my kits.”
“Good.” Thunder wondered if patrols were enough to keep Slash from stirring up trouble. But at least Clear Sky wasn’t talking about revenge. He felt sure that, in past moons, his father would already have been planning an attack. But then he stiffened. Perhaps Clear Sky was thinking about going after Slash. . . .
He eyed Clear Sky uncertainly. “You’re not thinking about causing any trouble with the rogues, are you?”
A loud squeal sounded from the shadows, and Clear Sky glanced toward his den. “Why poke a hornets’ nest? Slash deserves to suffer for what he’s done. But I’m not risking the safety of Star Flower and my kits. They are more important now.”
“You’re right.” Thunder understood. After all, he’d refused to help Clear Sky at first, to keep his own group safe. “Protecting the cats we care about is more important than starting battles.”
Another squeal sounded from the den.
“I’d better go back to them.” Clear Sky’s gaze shifted, and he began to back away. “Star Flower’s still very tired. I don’t like to leave her alone too long.”
“I’ll come back and see the kits when they’re bigger,” Thunder called.
But his father was already disappearing into the den. “You do that.” Clear Sky’s mew sounded distant.
Thunder turned away, relieved when, this time, no grief jabbed his belly. Clear Sky seemed truly content for the first time in his life. His father had found happiness, and Thunder was happy for him, and for the kits who would know nothing but love.
Purring softly to himself, he leaped down the bank and crossed the clearing.
“Did he let you see them?” Acorn Fur called to him as he headed for the entrance.
“Not this time,” he answered, ducking out of camp. “But I’ll be back.”
Birch and Blossom were sniffing through a patch of frost-scorched nettles as he headed along the trail toward the rise.
“See you soon!” he called to them.
Birch looked up, clearly distracted. “Yeah, sure.”
As he headed for the ravine, Thunder tasted the air. Clear Sky might be sure he could guard his camp, but Blossom and Birch had seemed edgy. Perhaps they were right to be wary. Slash didn’t seem the sort of cat to give up easily.
Unease wormed beneath Thunder’s pelt. Slash would stir up more trouble, he was sure of that. He just wondered when it would begin.
Warmed by his run through the forest, Thunder paused at the top of the ravine. A cold wind ruffled his fur as he peered over the edge. Familiar scents rose from the sheltered hollow, and he leaped down onto the first ledge, glad to be home.
Hopping lightly from one jutting rock to the next, he heard angry mews from beyond the gorse barrier. He tensed as he pricked his ears. His campmates rarely argued. Had an unwelcome visitor barged into camp? He smelled no strange scents as he reached the bottom of the cliff and hurried for the gorse tunnel.
“How could we fight them off?” Cloud Spots sounded indignant. “We were outnumbered!”
“It would have been better than creeping away like mice!” Leaf snapped back.
“They caught us unprepared, that’s all,” Lightning Tail reasoned.
Alarm fizzed through Thunder’s pelt. He ducked through the tunnel and hurried into camp. “What’s happened?”
Leaf, Cloud Spots, and Lightning Tail turned to face him. Their fur was fluffed out, clumps sticking out here and there as though they’d been fighting.
Clover dashed across the camp to meet Thunder. “They were robbed!”
Thistle scampered between Lightning Tail and Cloud Spots. “The rogues attacked them while they were hunting,” he told Thunder.
Lightning Tail shooed the kit away with his tail. “Five rogues jumped us beside the big sycamore tree,” he told Thunder. “We were gathering up our catch, ready to come ho
me. We’d caught three mice and a thrush. We fought the best we could, but we were outnumbered. It seemed best to back off and let them take the prey. No one’s really hurt—only our pride is wounded.”
Leaf snorted. “Our pride would be fine if we’d fought them properly!”
Thunder’s ears twitched uneasily. “Pride heals faster than scratches.”
Milkweed paced beside the tree stump. “Does this mean the woods aren’t safe anymore?” She glanced at Thistle and Clover.
Pink Eyes sat at the edge of the clearing, his tail flicking. “There have always been rogues, and there always will be.”
“Not like these rogues,” Cloud Spots muttered darkly. “They came looking for us, and they took our catch just to prove they could.”
Leaf nodded. “They didn’t want it because they needed it; they just wanted us to go hungry.”
Owl Eyes pawed at the earth beside Pink Eyes. “I wish I’d been there. I’d have clawed their ears off.”
Thunder padded to the middle of the clearing and gazed around at his campmates. “You were right to let them take the prey,” he told them. “Never fight a battle when your enemy is the only one prepared.” Were these definitely Slash’s rogues? “Did they say anything, Lighting Tail?”
Lighting Tail met his gaze gravely. “One of them told us that if we wouldn’t give them our prey, they’d have to take it.”
“And next time they’d take our pelts as well,” Leaf growled.
Milkweed’s fur rippled along her spine.
Owl Eyes hurried to her side. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on Thistle and Clover.”
“I can look after Clover!” Thistle puffed out his chest.
Clover flicked her fluffy tail indignantly. “I don’t need any cat looking after me!”
Thunder hardly heard them. His thoughts were whirling. He shifted his paws. “This is only the beginning,” he warned his campmates. “Slash said he would take our prey, and he clearly means to.”
Lightning Tail frowned. “Perhaps we can outwit them, as we did with Star Flower.”
“We can’t just let them rob us,” Cloud Spots growled in agreement.