A Forest Divided

Chapter 24

Gray Wing touched his nose to the rock that covered Quiet Rain’s grave.

Behind him, Tall Shadow was saying good-bye to River Ripple. “Tell Shattered Ice and Dappled Pelt they are missed, but we are glad they’re happy in their new home.”

River Ripple swished his tail. “It’s hard to believe I once lived alone on the island. I can’t imagine life without my campmates now.”

Gray Wing’s pelt pricked along his spine. Who are my campmates? Tall Shadow and Jagged Peak? He had lived with them so long, it would seem strange to live without them. But the thought of returning to the dark pine forest filled him with gloom. Perhaps it was just the lingering grief of Quiet Rain’s death. A bright morning, with sunlight piercing the canopy and pooling on the needle-strewn floor, might cheer him up. And Pebble Heart would be there, his determined gaze a comforting reminder of Turtle Tail.

“We should go.” Clear Sky’s mew called Gray Wing from his thoughts. His brother stood beside

Star Flower, their pelts touching. “Come and visit often,” he told Gray Wing. “Especially when the kits come.” His gaze flicked toward Star Flower, glowing as she returned it.

One Eye’s daughter had shown such courage and loyalty to her mate. A pang of sorrow pricked Gray Wing’s belly. Turtle Tail had once stood beside him like that.

You shouldn’t spend the rest of your life mourning. You should have a mate and kits of your own. His mother’s words rang in his ears.

“You will come to see the kits, won’t you?” Star Flower leaned toward Gray Wing.

“Of course,” Gray Wing answered distractedly.

He watched as Clear Sky and Star Flower padded side by side toward the forest.

Tall Shadow was nudging Sun Shadow to his paws. “Come with us,” she murmured. “You’ll catch a chill if you stay here in the rain.”

Sun Shadow heaved himself to his paws, his eyes downcast.

Pebble Heart fell in beside the black tom, pressing his shoulder against his flank and guiding him toward the edge of the hollow. Jagged Peak followed, casting a final glance back at Quiet Rain’s grave.

Tall Shadow fell in behind them. “Are you coming, Gray Wing?”

Gray Wing felt rain soaking through his pelt. It dripped from his whiskers and pooled at his paws.

“Gray Wing?” Tall Shadow’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m coming.”

A fresh wind sprayed fine rain into his face as he crested the top of the slope. It carried the scent of the moor, and he breathed it in, his heart aching.

You should have a mate and kits of your own.

Pebble Heart was guiding Sun Shadow along the edge of the hollow, following the slope down toward the pine forest.

His paws suddenly heavy, Gray Wing stopped. “I can’t come with you.”

Tall Shadow jerked around, her eyes wide. “What?”

Guilt rippled through Gray Wing’s fur, but he had to speak the truth. “I can’t live among the pines.”

“But that’s what you chose!”

“I chose it because I wanted to help you build a new home.” He gazed solemnly at Tall Shadow.

“But you’re settled now. You don’t need my help.”

“Is this because I accused you of trying to take over?” Tall Shadow’s tail twitched uneasily.

Jagged Peak stared at him. “We need you, Gray Wing.”

“No, you don’t.” Gray Wing turned his head and gazed across the moor. “I can hardly breathe there. You were right. While I’m among the pines, I’m not as fast as I used to be, but up here the wind seems to rush through me, and I can run without losing my breath.”

“Won’t you be lonely?” Tall Shadow looked worried.

Gray Wing’s chest tightened as he pictured Slate. “I hope not.”

Pebble Heart’s eyes shone through the darkness. He peeled away from Sun Shadow and faced Gray Wing. “You must follow the path you choose,” he murmured softly.

“Do you mind?” Gray Wing searched his gaze, knowing he would not leave Pebble Heart if the young tom still needed him.

“I want you to be happy,” Pebble Heart mewed. “And I’ll know where to find you if I need you.”

“Where will you go?” Tall Shadow frowned. “Back to the old hollow?”

Pebble Heart didn’t shift his gaze from Gray Wing. “He’s going to Wind Runner’s camp.”

Gray Wing stared wordlessly back.

Tall Shadow glanced at Jagged Peak. “Of course.” She dipped her head to Gray Wing. “We will miss you.”

Jagged Peak padded forward and nudged Gray Wing’s shoulder with his muzzle. “Come and visit the kits,” he meowed. “They’ll miss you.”

Gray Wing nodded. “Take care of Fern.” Guilt pricked his belly. He’d invited her to join him, and now he was leaving. But she’d be safe in Tall Shadow’s camp—safer than she’d been with Slash.

His belly tightened. “Be careful,” he cautioned.

Jagged Peak frowned. “Of what?”

“Don’t forget, the pines are still new territory. You don’t know what other cats might claim it as their own.” Should he warn them about Slash? No. Fern would know if the rogue had returned. She’d tell them all they needed to know. There was no need to worry them now.

Tall Shadow turned away, swishing her tail. “It’s our territory now, and we’ll fight for it if we have to.” She padded toward Sun Shadow, nudging him forward. Raindrops glistened on her pelt.

Jagged Peak followed, and Gray Wing touched his muzzle to Pebble Heart’s head. “I’m proud of you.”

“I know.” Pebble Heart ducked away and headed after his campmates.

Gray Wing turned toward the moor. He could see the clouds clearing, far beyond the moortop.

Excitement rising in his belly, he broke into a run. Racing over the rain-slicked grass, he ducked into a swath of heather, enjoying the twisting path that sent him turning this way and that before it seemed to burst into an open stretch of moorside. He hardly felt the pain in his injured leg as he pounded on, smelling the scents of Wind Runner and her kits as he neared the camp. The rain had eased here on the moortop, and he shook the wetness from his pelt, relishing the wind that streamed through it. He was almost dry by the time he ducked into the heather tunnel that led to the camp.

Padding quietly into the clearing, he glanced around.

Shadows hid the edges. No cat stirred. They must already be in their nests. Should he head back to the moor and find a hollow to sleep in for the night?

“Intruder!” A shriek sent surprise flashing through his chest. Claws raked his cheek, then pierced his pelt as a cat leaped onto his back.

“Dust Muzzle! It’s me!” He recognized the kit’s scent and shook him off, wincing as the kit tore a lump of fur from his pelt.

“Gray Wing?” Dust Muzzle stared at him through the darkness. “What are you doing here?”

Heather rustled around him, and paw steps scuffed the grass.

“Gray Wing?” Wind Runner crossed the clearing.

Gorse Fur pushed past her. “Is everything okay?”

Minnow and Reed hung back in the shadows, their eyes glinting in the gloom.

“Everything’s fine,” Gray Wing told them. “But I can’t live in the pine forest anymore. I can hardly breathe there, and I need to feel the wind in my fur again.” He gazed hopefully at Wind Runner.

Was she ready to take an old campmate into her new home?

“Then you are welcome here.” Wind Runner purred loudly.

Moth Flight bounded from her nest. “Is Gray Wing coming to live with us?” She bounced around him, her eyes shining.

“Yes, I am.” Gray Wing cuffed the kit playfully with his paw.

A warm smell touched his nose, making his heart speed up.

“Gray Wing?” Slate slid from the heather and met his gaze. “Are you really coming to stay for good?” She padded closer until he could feel her breath on his muzzle.

“Yes.”

Dust Muzzle pushed between them. “Can you give me a badger ride?”

Wind Runner rolled her eyes. “It’s time to sleep!” Starlight was glittering above them as the clouds eased away.

“Oh, please!” Moth Flight stared desperately at her mother.

“Let me take them out onto the moor.” Gray Wing blinked at Wind Runner. “The heather always smells best after rain.”

Gorse Fur purred. “I wouldn’t waste your time arguing.” He nudged Wind Runner’s cheek with his nose. “Let’s go back to our nests and let them go roaming if they want to. The kits will be safe with Gray Wing.”

“They’re too big for badger rides,” Wind Runner commented.

“That’s Gray Wing’s problem.” Gorse Fur padded across the clearing.

“I’ll come with you,” Slate offered.

Gray Wing grunted as Dust Muzzle scrambled onto his back. Wind Runner was right. The kit was as heavy as a fat rabbit.

“What about me?” Moth Flight mewed.

Slate padded toward her. “You can climb on my back, but I can’t promise to carry you for long.”

She swayed as the kit clambered up.

“Take us as far as the moortop,” Moth Flight pleaded.

Gray Wing ducked through the tunnel. Dust Muzzle pressed himself low as the heather swept over their heads. Out on the moor, Gray Wing headed upslope. He wanted to see the view from the top.

His injured paw ached as he carried Dust Muzzle, but he didn’t care. Slate caught up to him, Moth

Flight balancing precariously on her back. She was frowning with the effort of carrying the young she-cat.

“Get off now, you two.” Gray Wing shook Dust Muzzle from his shoulders. “You can run to the top of the moor.”

Dust Muzzle sprang onto the grass. “Come on, Moth Flight! I’ll race you.”

Gray Wing watched the two young cats streak away. He fell in beside Slate. “Are you glad I came back?” he asked, his mouth dry.

Slate shot him a teasing look. “What do you think?”