Gray Wing’s jaws gaped in a massive yawn as he rose to his paws. “Okay,” he mumbled. “What do I have to do?”
“Owl Eyes is being a fox,” Sparrow Fur explained, looking over her shoulder at Gray Wing as she bounced down the slope ahead of him. “And we have to roll out of his way when he attacks us.”
That’s a good game for training, Gray Wing realized. One day they might have to do that for real.
When Gray Wing and Sparrow Fur reached the bottom of the hollow, Owl Eyes was racing toward Pebble Heart, with his teeth bared as he uttered tiny, high-pitched growls. “I’m a fox,” he declared. “I’m going to eat you up!”
“No!” Pebble Heart shrieked. He dived to one side as Owl Eyes leaped at him, landing on his back and waving his paws in the air.
Owl Eyes spun around and hurled himself at Sparrow Fur. His sister waited until the last moment before darting aside with a yowl of delight and rolling over and over among the scattered twigs.
Drawing his lips back in a snarl, Owl Eyes whipped around to face Gray Wing, his tail lashing to and fro. “I’m the fiercest fox in the forest!”
Gray Wing bared his teeth and snarled back. “And I’m an even bigger fox!”
Owl Eyes flattened his ears and widened his eyes. “I’m so scared!” he meowed, his voice shaking with laughter. He jumped to one side as Gray Wing pounced, landing a blow on Gray Wing’s ear before he rolled away out of range.
“Well done!” Gray Wing scrambled to his paws and shook debris from his pelt. “It’s a good thing you had your claws sheathed.”
Twigs cracking beneath his paws, he whirled to attack Sparrow Fur, but as he charged forward a sharp pain clawed through his lungs and he felt his legs crumple under him. He sank to the ground and lay on his side, chest heaving as he gasped for breath.
The three kits crowded around him, their eyes huge and anxious. Frustration welled up inside Gray Wing as their plump, furry bodies made it harder to breathe, but he knew better than to bat them out of the way.
“Get back!” Turtle Tail’s voice rang out from somewhere across the camp. “Give Gray Wing some air.”
A moment later she padded up to him, gently thrusting the kits aside. “Is it your breathing again?” she asked.
Unable to speak, Gray Wing nodded.
Pebble Heart poked his nose into his mother’s side. “I think Gray Wing needs some coltsfoot for his breathing,” he mewed quickly. “Shall I go and see if Cloud Spots has some?”
Turtle Tail turned a puzzled gaze on her son. “How do you know about coltsfoot?” she asked.
“Dappled Pelt told me,” the kit replied.
His mother twitched her whiskers in surprise, then nodded. Instantly Pebble Heart darted off toward Cloud Spots’s den.
Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur huddled closer to Gray Wing, touching their noses to his. “Please get better,” Owl Eyes begged.
Gray Wing’s breathing was beginning to ease, enough for him to reassure the anxious kits. “Of course I will,” he croaked. “I promise.”
“We’ve never had a father like you,” Sparrow Fur added, brushing her tail along his side. “You are . . . like our father, aren’t you?”
Both kits fixed their gaze on Gray Wing, their eyes full of hope and love. Pain pierced Gray Wing’s heart, far more agonizing than his trouble with breathing. He opened his jaws to reply, but no words would come. He wasn’t sure if it was his illness that closed his throat, or his fear of letting his emotions overwhelm him.
Turtle Tail’s gaze met Gray Wing’s over the top of the kits’ heads. “Of course he is,” she meowed briskly. “He’s the best father any kit could hope to have.”
Pebble Heart, returning with a bunch of coltsfoot leaves in his jaws, dashed up in time to hear what his mother had said. Letting the leaves fall, he hurled himself at her in a wriggling bundle of delight.
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard ever!” he announced. “Now we really know we belong!”
Cloud Spots, padding more slowly after Pebble Heart, swept his tail around to gesture the kits away from Gray Wing. “It’s time to leave Gray Wing in peace,” he told them, dipping his head to Turtle Tail. “I’ll look after him, don’t worry.”
“Yes, it’s time for your nap,” Turtle Tail mewed, gathering the kits together. “You’ll see Gray Wing again later.”
“Yes,” he called weakly after them as Turtle Tail herded the kits toward their nest. “We’ll start training again as soon as I’m better.” He watched the kits vanish into their den before turning to Cloud Spots. “I am going to get better soon, aren’t I?” he asked. “Tell me the truth.”
Cloud Spots rolled his eyes. “You may be ill, but that’s no excuse to behave as if your brain is full of bees. Of course you’ll be better soon! You survived the mountains,” he added with a snort. “You can survive a bit of smoke in your lungs. Besides, it’s not just the kits who need you. You’re our leader now, don’t forget. You have duties to fulfill.”
A scrabbling sound interrupted his last words. Gray Wing looked up to see that Pebble Heart had come back. “Please can I help treat Gray Wing?” he begged.
Cloud Spots paused for a moment before replying, while Pebble Heart worked his claws impatiently in and out.
“Very well,” the black-and-white tom replied at last. “Collect those coltsfoot leaves and chew them up so you can dribble the juice into Gray Wing’s mouth.”
Pebble Heart obeyed eagerly, chomping on the leaves and then letting the juices trickle into Gray Wing’s gaping jaws.
“That’s enough,” Cloud Spots meowed at last. “Good job.”
Almost at once Gray Wing could feel the pain ebb away; his breathing relaxed and he was able to scramble to his paws.
Cloud Spots gave a satisfied nod. “No unnecessary exertion for the next moon,” he ordered. “After that, you’ll be as strong and energetic as one of these kits!”
Gray Wing murmured thanks, though he wasn’t sure whether he felt grateful or doubtful. But he was certain of one thing. I definitely feel hope.
Gray Wing opened his eyes and stretched his jaws in an enormous yawn. Golden sunrays slanted into his den, showing him that Turtle Tail and the kits had left. I feel as if I’ve slept for moons, he thought, rising to his paws and giving himself a long, luxurious stretch.
As he relaxed again, the sound of loud meowing and yowls of delight broke out in the camp outside the den. Curious, Gray Wing padded to the entrance and looked out.
Most of his denmates were clustered together in the middle of the camp; Wind and Gorse were there too. Apprehension prickled through Gray Wing’s pelt, but he shrugged off the feeling. Every cat seemed to be happy about something; surely they couldn’t be gathering because danger was threatening.
As Gray Wing gazed down, wondering what it was all about, Lightning Tail broke away from the group and bounded up the slope toward him. “You have to listen to this!” the young tom called out excitedly. He beckoned with his tail for Gray Wing to join him. “Cloud Spots has suggested we give the two rogues longer names like ours. If you’ll let us!”
Intrigued, Gray Wing padded down to join the others and slid into the crowd toward Turtle Tail.
This could work well, he thought to himself. If Wind and Gorse have names like us, then maybe every cat will agree that they should join us.
As the thought passed through his mind, he glanced at Tall Shadow. The former leader was sitting quietly on the top of the tall rock, keeping watch over the moor as she always did, and her expression gave away nothing of what she was thinking.
“It’s good to have you here,” Cloud Spots was telling Wind and Gorse as Gray Wing sat down with Lightning Tail beside him. “But I think we all agree your names are kind of short. You should have long names like ours if you’re going to spend time with us.”
Wind and Gorse let out identical snorts of amusement.
“Okay,” Gorse meowed. “Wind, what should we call you? Wind That Chases Rabbits Down Burrows??
??
Wind batted at him with one paw. “I’d give up chasing rabbits for good, rather than call myself a mouthful like that. Why don’t you call yourself Gorse Prickle Stuck in Paw?”
Cloud Spots let out a mrrow of laughter. “Why don’t I think you’re taking this seriously?”
“Wind, I think you should call yourself Wind Runner,” Rainswept Flower meowed. “You’re really fast.”
Wind thought about that with her head cocked, then nodded. “Yes,” she decided, looking pleased. “That’s my name now. Wind Runner.”
“And what about Gorse?” Jackdaw’s Cry asked.
“Gorse Bush?” Hawk Swoop suggested. “Gorse Tail?”
“What about Gorse Fur?” Turtle Tail added. “Because the fur on top of your head sticks up a bit like gorse spines.”
Gorse met her gaze for a moment. “It’ll do,” he decided, then licked his paw and drew it across his spiky head fur. “Thanks.”
Lightning Tail blinked thoughtfully at the two rogue cats, and let out a long sigh. His earlier excitement had vanished like mist in sunlight.
“What’s the matter?” Gray Wing asked.
Lightning Tail hesitated, as if he was reluctant to share his thoughts. “I wish Thunder could be here to see this,” he mewed at last. Trying to sound optimistic, he added, “At least now there are new cats here in the hollow who will help to lead the group.”
Gray Wing felt his fur begin to bristle with hostility. “Lead?” he asked. “I thought that was my job now.”
Even as he spoke, he realized that however much he had fought against taking over the leadership from Tall Shadow, his position already was important to him.
“I didn’t mean—” Lightning Tail began to protest.
“Then what did you mean? Gorse Fur and Wind Runner aren’t even part of our group yet, and you talk about them leading?”
Lightning Tail looked injured, and Gray Wing wondered if he had been too harsh with the young tom. “I only meant . . .” Lightning Tail cast a glance toward Wind Runner and Gorse Fur; they were standing in the middle of a group of cats, who were all eagerly congratulating them on their new names. “Well, the more strong cats we have, the better, right?”
Gray Wing still felt unsettled. “What do you mean by strong?” he asked.
Lightning Tail scrabbled at the ground with his forepaws, looking more uncomfortable with every heartbeat that passed. Glancing around, he suddenly exclaimed, “Look, there’s Acorn Fur! I have to talk to her.”
Gray Wing stretched out a paw to halt the young cat as he sprang to his paws. “You haven’t answered my question,” he meowed. “What do you mean by strong?”
Lightning Tail turned back to Gray Wing, his whiskers quivering with indignation. His claws raked the ground as if he had to let out some inner turmoil. “I mean cats who can stand up to Clear Sky!” he blurted out at last. “There, I’ve said it! I can’t believe Thunder went away with him, after all the stories we’ve heard.” His neck fur fluffed up in anger as he met Gray Wing’s gaze. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about,” he growled. “Every cat knows that Clear Sky is trying to push other cats around.”
As Gray Wing stood staring at him, too astonished to speak, Acorn Fur came bounding up to them. She glanced uncertainly from Gray Wing to her brother and back again. “What’s going on?” she asked. “Are you two arguing?”
“Oh, no,” Gray Wing replied. Between shock and anger, his voice was cold. “Why would I stop to argue with such a young cat, barely out of his nest?”
Lightning Tail reared back at the insult. He opened his jaws to respond, then clearly thought better of it. Whipping around, he stalked off toward Wind Runner and Gorse Fur, followed by his sister, who still looked bewildered.
Gray Wing stood where he was, watching. As his anger ebbed, he realized that he might be missing an opportunity. If I’m going to lead, I need to know that these cats are on my side.
Racing across the camp, barely thinking about Cloud Spots’s advice not to exert himself, he leaped onto the top of the rock beside Tall Shadow. The black she-cat gave him a surprised glance, then edged back to make room for him.
Facing the gathered cats, Gray Wing sought out Wind Runner and Gorse Fur, and dipped his head to them. “Congratulations on your new names,” he began. “We hope that they will bring us closer together in friendship in the seasons to come.”
I’d like to welcome them as full members of the group, he thought to himself. But I’m not sure every cat is ready for that yet. And I want to be certain of myself as leader before I let Wind Runner in, because as sure as snow falls in the cold season, she’ll try to take over.
“Thank you,” Wind Runner responded to his words.
By now all the cats had realized that something unexpected was happening. They turned toward the rock and gazed up at Gray Wing while he waited for silence to fall. It wasn’t a long wait; he could see that every cat was eager to listen to what he had to say. He spotted Turtle Tail at the back of the group, looking surprised.
I never told her I was going to make a speech. I didn’t know it myself until a moment ago.
Standing as tall as he could on top of the rock, Gray Wing cleared his throat. “When my brother left here with Thunder,” he began, “he said that sentiment didn’t count for anything. I’m not sure that I agree with him.”
Pausing, he let his gaze travel over the assembled cats. His three kits were huddled together with Jagged Peak, while Acorn Fur stood protectively beside Lightning Tail, whose fur was still ruffled from their argument. Gorse Fur and Wind Runner stood side by side.
At last Gray Wing’s gaze settled on Turtle Tail. Strong feelings began to surge through him at the sight of her, powerful as the waterfall that crashed into the pool outside the mountain cave.
“Sentiment counts for everything,” he went on, letting his voice ring out clearly across the camp. “Where would we be without each other? I’m so proud of you all for making friends with Wind Runner and Gorse Fur.”
For a moment he could feel Tall Shadow’s stare boring into his back from where she sat behind him at the edge of the rock. He knew she had always been cautious around the two moorland cats, but he also knew she would have to accept them eventually, and he paid no attention to her now.
“But if I’m to truly lead,” he continued, “I need to know that you’re all with me.” He paused before he asked the question that meant everything to him. “Are you?”
When he had finished speaking Gray Wing closed his eyes and waited. His belly began to churn as the silence seemed to stretch out for seasons. What if I’ve got it all wrong?
Then his eyes flew open again as the air was split with yowls of delight and enthusiastic support.
“Yes, Gray Wing!”
“We’re with you!”
“Gray Wing! Gray Wing!”
Gray Wing blinked down at them, stunned and overwhelmed. He was aware of Tall Shadow padding up behind him, and felt her breath warm in his ear as she murmured, “I think you should get down now.”
For a heartbeat Gray Wing felt as though his paws were frozen to the rock. Then he pulled himself together and leaped down into the crowd of his friends. They all pressed around him, brushing their pelts against his, resting their tails on his shoulders or pushing their noses into his fur. Hawk Swoop, Jackdaw’s Cry, Shattered Ice, Rainswept Flower . . . Confidence thrilled through Gray Wing, filling him from ears to tail-tip, at this proof of their loyalty.
At last he found himself facing Lightning Tail. “This is what it’s about,” Gray Wing told him. “This is true strength.”
Lightning Tail dipped his head in understanding, his hostility gone. “Where you lead, we will all follow,” he meowed.
And that’s all I need to hear, Gray Wing thought.
CHAPTER 20
Dawn light woke Gray Wing where he lay in the den with Turtle Tail and the kits. They were still sleeping, the kits sprawled over their mother’s body. Turtle
Tail’s tail was wrapped against her nose, its fur riffling with every breath she took.
Gray Wing watched her, his heart swelling with affection. He remembered how pleased she had been when he caught up to the others on their journey from the mountains. She had observed him silently when he fell in love with Storm. Now Gray Wing understood why she had left the moor to go and live with Bumble and the Twolegs.
I drove her to it, he realized. All this time, she’s cared for me as more than a friend, and what did I do? I ignored her. But not any longer, he resolved.
Turtle Tail’s escape from the Twoleg den, and the comfort she’d given him over the moon they’d been denmates, had made Gray Wing see her with new eyes. Turtle Tail had always been beside him.
We care for each other. No, it was more than caring. Gray Wing knew that he loved this cat.
“Hey!” A paw prodded him in the side. “Go and catch me some prey, flea-pelt.”
Turtle Tail was awake, her green eyes alight with mischief. Gray Wing let out a snort of laughter.
“Who are you calling flea-pelt? Okay, okay, I’m going.”
Gray Wing rose to his paws, gave his fur a shake and padded to the mouth of the den. The dawn chill enveloped him as he stepped into fresh air. The pale sky was streaked with clouds, only the faintest rosy flush showing where the sun would rise.
Heading out of the hollow, Gray Wing felt more alive than ever before. His injured paws had healed and even his breathing seemed to feel better, despite his recent collapse. Leaving the mountains was the best decision I ever made.
Gray Wing knew that if he hadn’t made that choice, he would never have become the father to Sparrow Fur, Pebble Heart, and Owl Eyes, kits he now loved as his own. And if the next cold season was as easy as the last, the kits would grow up strong and healthy. He wouldn’t have felt the same confidence in the mountains, where the cold could kill.
As Gray Wing reached the top of the hollow and struck out across the moor, he heard paw steps following him, and a high-pitched squeak of excitement. He stopped and turned, knowing exactly what he would see.