The Blazing Star

  CHAPTER 8

  When they returned to the hollow, Gray Wing found the other cats anxiously watching for them. He leaped up onto the rock beside Tall Shadow, and told his denmates about the mouse they’d found and how he and Thunder had disposed of it.

  “What are we going to do?” Wind Runner asked, encircling her kits with her tail and drawing them protectively toward her. “What if there are more sick mice?”

  Even in the midst of his worry, Gray Wing couldn’t help thinking about how much Wind Runner had changed. Ever since one of her litter, Emberkit, had died soon after being born, she had been extra careful with the others. And who can blame her?

  But that wasn’t the only change. Since the battle she had been more reserved, and Gray Wing wondered whether her ambitions for leadership had waned, or whether they had simply changed direction. She’s more focused on Gorse Fur and the kits now, he thought, instead of trying to tell other cats what to do.

  “We have to be on our guard when we’re hunting,” Tall Shadow replied. “If there’s any chance that the prey is ill, you mustn’t attack. And certainly don’t bring anything doubtful back into the camp.”

  “Why do we have to be so cautious?” Mud Paws asked.

  Tall Shadow leaned closer to Gray Wing, murmuring into his ear: “Should we tell the three newcomers about the spirit-cats? Will they even believe us?”

  Gray Wing wasn’t sure. “They say they saw the battle. I don’t know what else they saw. I know that we don’t want to frighten them with stories about ghost cats and messages from the sky,” he responded. “But I trust them and, sooner or later, some cat will tell them anyway. I think we should share what we know with them.”

  Tall Shadow hesitated briefly, then gave a nod.

  “We recently received a warning,” Gray Wing began, clearing his throat.

  Instantly Holly leaped to her paws. “What kind of warning?” she demanded. “If it was from that nasty cat One Eye, we’ll—”

  “No,” Gray Wing interrupted. “It was from some . . . distant friends.”

  “Do you mean traveling cats?” Mouse Ear asked, sounding puzzled.

  “Not exactly,” Gray Wing mewed. These cats are going to think I have bees in my brain! “It’s complicated,” he went on, eager to get to the end of the explanation as quickly as possible. “Just after the battle—before we met you—the . . . spirits of the cats who died appeared to us.”

  A squeak of amazement came from Sparrow Fur. She and her two littermates hadn’t been in the battle or the later meeting, and now they were drinking in every word Gray Wing spoke, their eyes wide and excited.

  “Spirit-cats?” Mud Paws gaped with astonishment, exchanging glances with his two friends. “Are you sure you weren’t . . . well . . . a bit confused after all that fighting?”

  Gray Wing shook his head. “Every cat who was there saw them and heard them. The spirit-cats told us to unite or die. They also told us to meet them again by the four trees at the next full moon.”

  “So that’s where you all went the other night,” Holly meowed. “I thought you’d just gone out on patrol.”

  “Yes,” Gray Wing continued. “Perhaps we should have told you, but . . . We saw the spirit-cats again, and that’s when they gave us the warning. They told us that a claw still blights the forest. To survive, we must grow and spread like the Blazing Star.”

  Holly let out a snort of disgust. “Your spirit friends certainly like being vague, don’t they?” she mewed tartly. “What in the world is that message supposed to mean?”

  “The claw might be the sickness that killed the mouse,” Cloud Spots murmured thoughtfully.

  “And the Blazing Star,” Mouse Ear repeated. “Isn’t that some kind of five-petaled plant?”

  “What plant?” Gray Wing asked. “Where—?”

  His voice was drowned out as excitement flared up among the listening cats at Mouse Ear’s suggestion, and they crowded around, eagerly offering their own ideas.

  “I think it means we should go back to the mountains,” Tall Shadow meowed. “A plant like that grows there.”

  Gray Wing stared at the black she-cat, hardly able to believe he had heard those words from her. After all we’ve been through! But he had no chance to object, because all his denmates were calling out their own explanations.

  “I think it means we should follow a shooting star to a new territory!” Owl Eyes squealed, jumping up and down in excitement.

  His sister, Sparrow Fur, gave him a shove. “When was the last time we saw a shooting star, mouse-brain?”

  “A blaze . . .” Wind Runner murmured anxiously. “I’m afraid that might mean another fire somewhere. We could end up racing away from it, splitting up forever.” Bending over her kits, she drew them closer, covering their ears with licks. “I won’t let that happen,” she promised.

  Gorse Fur pressed himself to her side. “Whatever comes, we’ll stay together.”

  “Wait!” Jagged Peak added his voice to the rising clamor. “Maybe it has to do with the plant Mouse Ear just mentioned. He said it has five petals, right? I think I remember seeing it in the mountains, too. Maybe we need to divide into—”

  “That’s enough,” Gray Wing interrupted, becoming flustered by all the different ideas. “Have you all been quietly hatching your own explanations? You haven’t been discussing this with any other cat at all? No wonder you’re coming to such ridiculous conclusions!”

  The other cats were silent, looking up at him with disconcerted expressions, as if they didn’t know what was making him so irritable. Jagged Peak in particular looked hurt.

  Well, I’m sorry, Gray Wing thought. But they have to learn that panic and wild speculation will get us nowhere.

  “We all need to calm down,” he meowed. “Now, Mouse Ear, where exactly is this plant—the ‘Blazing Star’—growing? If we can find it and bring it back to camp, maybe it will give us a clue about what the spirit-cats were telling us. One thing at a time, okay?”

  The cats muttered their agreement, though Gray Wing could see that they still weren’t happy with him. But that’s fine, as long as we can work this out.

  “We found the Blazing Star growing on the other side of the Thunderpath,” Mouse Ear told the others.

  “You mean we’ve got to cross it?” Shattered Ice asked doubtfully. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

  Gray Wing didn’t like it, either, remembering the problems they had experienced on their journey, including the death of Shaded Moss under the paws of a monster.

  “We used to go across all the time,” Mud Paws mewed reassuringly. “It’s not dangerous if you know how.”

  “I think we should give it a try,” Tall Shadow decided. “I’m willing to lead a patrol over there and bring some of the plant back.”

  Renewed excitement stirred among the cats now that they had a plan. But Gray Wing saw that Jagged Peak was still looking hurt. A brief pang of guilt clawed at him: he hadn’t allowed Jagged Peak to express his idea.

  I still treat him like the careless kit I left the mountains to chase, he thought. Maybe I need to start taking him more seriously.

  Holly leaned toward Jagged Peak and whispered something in his ear. Jagged Peak’s eyes widened and he let out a mrrow of laughter.

  Holly managed to cheer him up, Gray Wing thought, impressed in spite of himself. She’s good for Jagged Peak; there’s no denying it. I just hope she doesn’t push him too far. . . .

  CHAPTER 9

  Tall Shadow narrowed her eyes as she glanced up at the sun. “If we go now, we should make it back before nightfall,” she meowed.

  The days are getting shorter. Thunder’s pads prickled with dread. And the nights are getting colder. Soon leaf-bare will be upon us.

  But he pushed the thought away. Around him, his denmates were like a nest of bees, buzzing with curiosity.

  “Come on!” Dappled Pelt meowed eagerly. “We’ve got to find this plant right away.”

  “Yes, I’m sure it?
??s the answer!” Gorse Fur agreed.

  Cloud Spots nodded thoughtfully. “It might even protect us against the sickness.”

  “Okay, let’s go.” Tall Shadow beckoned Mud Paws, Holly, and Mouse Ear with a wave of her tail.

  Thunder followed them as they climbed the slope out of the hollow, and realized that most of his denmates were crowding after him. Tall Shadow halted and turned to face them.

  “Wait a moment.” Her voice was frustrated and her tail-tip twitched. “Not every cat can come. We can’t leave the camp unprotected, can we? And how many cats does it take to pick a flower?”

  “Why can’t we come?” Shattered Ice asked.

  Immediately arguments started to break out, some cats agreeing with Tall Shadow that only a small patrol was needed, while others were insisting on their right to join in.

  “That’s enough!” Thunder meowed, stepping forward. “I’ll go with Tall Shadow,” he continued decisively. “And we’ll need at least one of our new members to show us the way.”

  Holly, Mud Paws, and Mouse Ear glanced at one another. “I don’t mind staying,” Holly murmured.

  “Okay, I’ll go,” Mouse Ear offered.

  “Perhaps I should go, too,” Gray Wing added, padding up to Thunder’s side.

  Thunder turned to his kin, noticing the signs of strain and weariness in the older cat’s face. “No, you stay and rest,” he meowed. “It’s been a long day, and you’re not really needed for this.” He saw sadness flash into Gray Wing’s eyes, and quickly added, “Besides, a reliable cat should be left in charge of the camp—a cat we can all trust.”

  Gray Wing looked unconvinced, but dipped his head in agreement. “Very well,” he mewed, turning away before Thunder could say any more.

  Realizing there was no more he could do to reassure Gray Wing, Thunder headed after Tall Shadow, only to find Pebble Heart blocking his way.

  “I want to go,” the kit pleaded, his eyes wide and anxious. “I know herbs, and maybe I can help.”

  Thunder’s first instinct was to refuse. We don’t want kits distracting us. But then he reminded himself that Pebble Heart was no ordinary kit. There must be a special reason that he wants to come.

  Thunder glanced at Gray Wing, who gave a nod. He turned back to Pebble Heart. “If Gray Wing thinks it’s a good idea, you can join us.”

  Mouse Ear took the lead as the cats loped in silence across the moor, heading for the forest near the edge of the Twolegplace. Thunder kept an eye on Pebble Heart to make sure that the kit didn’t fall behind.

  He’s so serious, so watchful. Why did he want to come on this trip? I know Gray Wing says he has dreams. . . .

  “Do many rogues live on the other side of the Thunderpath, where the Blazing Star grows?” Tall Shadow asked Mouse Ear as they reached the edge of the forest.

  “Not many,” Mouse Ear replied. “It’s wet and marshy over there, and few cats enjoy the feeling of mud on their paws . . . not even Mud Paws,” he added with a snort of laughter.

  “But you must have been—” Tall Shadow began, only to break off as a bundle of mangy fur erupted from a pile of dead leaves and brush, hurling itself on top of Thunder, striking out to claw him across the nose.

  “I saw it first!” a raspy voice meowed.

  Thunder recoiled, stunned at the speed of the attack, and swiped a paw over his stinging snout. When he recovered he saw One Eye standing in front of him, his tail lashing and his lips drawn back in a snarl. A dead bird lay at his paws.

  “We’re supposed to be at peace!” Thunder snapped, sliding out his claws as he braced himself for another attack. “I didn’t even see your wretched bird!”

  One Eye took a threatening pace forward.

  “Get back!” The shrill screech came from Pebble Heart. “Every cat get back!”

  A thrill of fear ran through Thunder at the urgency in the kit’s voice. For the first time he looked closely at the bird and saw that its belly was swollen and some of its feathers were missing. Dried pus crusted the areas of exposed skin.

  “Stop!” Pebble Heart squealed as One Eye stepped forward, about to sink his teeth into the prey.

  Thunder sprang forward, barreling into the mangy tom, driving him back from the bird. One Eye fought back hard, digging his teeth into Thunder’s neck.

  “Get off!” Thunder mewed through gritted teeth. “I’m trying to save your miserable pelt!” He flung One Eye away, then pinned him down with both forepaws on his chest. The tom glared up at him with hatred in his one eye.

  At last Tall Shadow realized what had frightened Pebble Heart. “The bird is sick!” she yowled. “Every cat stay away!”

  While she was speaking, the undergrowth parted a few fox-lengths away, and Clear Sky appeared, followed by Petal and the two kits, Birch and Alder. “One Eye, what’s going on here?” he asked with a rapid glance around at the other cats.

  Thunder stepped back, allowing One Eye to get up, seeing recognition and then fear creep into his eye as he surveyed the dead bird. “Nothing,” the rogue muttered, not meeting Clear Sky’s gaze.

  I’m not letting him get away with that! Thunder thought. Clearing his throat, he dipped his head toward his father. “Actually,” he began, “One Eye attacked me for getting too close to his kill. I fought him off because the bird is sick. Whatever he says, I was trying to help.”

  Clear Sky narrowed his eyes. “Sick?”

  “Yes, it—” Thunder broke off as the two kits bounded forward and peered curiously at the bird. “No!” he went on sharply, pushing them away with a gentle paw. “Stay back.”

  But Birch dodged around him, stretched out his neck, and touched the dead bird with his nose. “Yuck!” he exclaimed, his curiosity changing to disgust as he backed away. “It smells foul!”

  Thunder let out a sigh and glanced at Clear Sky, who beckoned the kits with a jerk of his head. “Get back here now!” he mewed commandingly. There was concern in his eyes, which surprised Thunder—it was a look he hadn’t seen from his father when he was a kit who needed him. He tried not to feel envious that Clear Sky cared for kits who weren’t even his own.

  The two kits bounced back to Petal, who gathered them close with her tail, and licked their ears affectionately.

  Clear Sky padded forward and gave the bird a careful inspection, looking just as disgusted as the other cats.

  “You’ve been in the forest a long time,” he said to One Eye. “Have you seen this illness before?”

  One Eye twitched his ears. “It’s just sickness,” he replied. “Sickness is part of life in the wild.”

  Thunder could see that Clear Sky wasn’t satisfied with One Eye’s answer. His eyes looked apprehensive as he glanced back at the kits. Then he turned back toward the moorland cats. “What brings you here?” he asked.

  Tall Shadow stepped forward. “We found out something about the Blazing Star,” she explained. “It’s a plant that grows on the other side of the Thunderpath, and we’re going to get some, to see if it will help us to understand what the spirit-cats meant.”

  Clear Sky’s whiskers quivered in annoyance. “You got a clue as to what the message meant, and you weren’t going to tell me? Aren’t we all in this together? Unite or die, remember?”

  Shame swept over Thunder as his father spoke. He could see that Tall Shadow felt the same. How could it not have occurred to any cat to tell Clear Sky what they had discovered?

  “We never meant to keep it from you,” she assured Clear Sky. “We were just working quickly. But you’re right. We should find the Blazing Star together.”

  Clear Sky gave a grim nod, obviously not appeased by the black she-cat’s words. “Petal, take the kits back to camp,” he ordered. “One Eye, you go too.”

  Petal turned away, leading her kits back into the undergrowth, but One Eye stood still, bristling. “I should come with you,” he insisted. “You can’t shoo me back to camp like some mewling kit!”

  “You’re not needed here,” Clear Sky meowed firmly. “And
part of living in a group is knowing your place. Do you understand, One Eye?”

  Thunder was suddenly aware that the air was thickening with tension as the two toms faced each other. The mangy rogue’s single eye burned with hatred, and Thunder could tell from Clear Sky’s tight voice and rigid stance that he wasn’t confident, in spite of his show of authority.

  But Clear Sky’s gaze never wavered, and at last One Eye took a few paces back toward the camp. Thunder hoped that the confrontation was over, but as he and the others were turning to leave, One Eye halted and looked back over his shoulder.

  “There’s not much you could do to keep me from following,” he hissed. “I may have only one eye, but it sees everything.”

  Before Clear Sky could respond, One Eye turned away again and vanished into the undergrowth.

  For a moment Clear Sky seemed lost for words. Then Tall Shadow padded up to him and brushed her pelt against his. “We’d better get going,” she mewed. “Daylight is short.”

  She took the lead again as they headed toward the Thunderpath. Mouse Ear walked beside Clear Sky, while Thunder brought up the rear with Pebble Heart, who still looked uneasy.

  “Are you okay?” Thunder murmured.

  The kit nodded. “I’m fine. I’m just worried about what is happening in the forest.”

  So are we all. . . . Thunder thought.

  Before they had gone many paw steps, Mouse Ear turned to Clear Sky. “Now you must see what a mistake it was to let One Eye join your group,” he meowed bluntly.

  Clear Sky glared at him, the fur on his shoulders beginning to fluff up. “I see no such thing,” he retorted. “One Eye may be a bit strong-willed, but it will just take time for such an independent cat to adjust to living with many other cats.” Thunder could see uncertainty in his father’s eyes as he added with a show of confidence, “One Eye has given us invaluable fighting techniques, and that’s what matters.”

  Tall Shadow, who had glanced back to listen to the exchange, had a knowing look in her eyes, but all she said was, “No more talking! We have to get a move on, if we want to get across the Thunderpath and back before it gets dark.”