Path Of Stars

Chapter 19

Thunder stretched up onto his hind legs. The branches of the hazel bush poked his belly as he reached high and threaded bracken between the twigs.

“This one is strong.” Violet passed him another stem, and he hooked it with a claw and poked it in beside the first.

His legs ached with the effort, but it would be worth it. Snow was coming. He could smell it deep in the thick frost that had settled over the forest. The woven bracken would keep the cold wind out of the den that the cats had made inside the hazel. On the coldest nights, Milkweed, Clover, and Thistle could leave their bramble nursery and huddle for warmth with the rest of the group. Clover and Thistle were nearly old enough to move permanently into their own nests in the hazel den.

He dropped down onto four paws to rest for a moment. The stack of bracken beside Violet seemed to have grown. He blinked in surprise.

“Cloud Spots gathered more,” Violet explained. She nodded toward the black tom’s tail as it disappeared into the bracken patch beside the fallen tree. “He wants to keep us well supplied.”

Thunder glanced at the hazel bush. “We’ll need it.” Gaps still showed between every branch. It was already past sunhigh. By the end of the day he wanted every gap filled. His cats were going to sleep in warm nests tonight. He turned to Milkweed. “Have you found much moss?” Extra moss lining would keep out the cold.

Milkweed hopped down from the fallen tree where she’d been peeling moss and dropped a shred onto the pile she’d already gathered. “I’ve stripped the trunk. I’d better head up the ravine to search for more.”

Thunder glanced toward the top of the hollow. “Be careful up there by yourself.” Since Gorse Fur had brought news of Bee’s betrayal, he’d been wary of fresh attacks. Lightning Tail and Leaf were training Clover and Thistle in the clearing below the high rock. They’d abandoned hunting moves and were practicing battle moves once more.

Owl Eyes padded from the tangle of branches jutting from the fallen tree. “I’ll keep an eye on Milkweed,” he promised. “I’m going to show Pink Eyes the new route I found up the cliff.”

Pink Eyes followed Owl Eyes into the leaf-bare sunshine. “I can still manage the old route.”

“Your eyesight is getting worse, Pink Eyes,” Owl Eyes told him. “One wrong leap and you could fall. This new route is safer. The ledges are closer together.”

Pink Eyes snorted as he followed Owl Eyes through the gorse barrier. “I can see well enough to jump down a few ledges.”

Milkweed hurried after them. “I’ll stay close to the top of the ravine and call down if I see Sl—”

She paused as her eyes met Violet’s.

“Slash.” Violet guessed her next word. “It’s okay to say his name. I don’t like him any more than you do.” She hooked up a fresh stalk of bracken. “When will you realize I’m not a rogue anymore?”

Milkweed dipped her head. “Of course,” she purred. “And we’re glad to have you.”

Thunder glanced at Violet as Milkweed headed out of camp. He was pleased that his campmates had accepted her, but he wasn’t surprised. She was kind to everyone. She picked stale moss from Pink Eyes’s nest each morning. She joined every hunting patrol. And she made sure Clover and Thistle got the juiciest prey from the prey pile.

If only Ember fit into the group as easily. But the orange tom still chose to hunt alone. He left camp at dawn each morning and returned, fed and silent, with nothing for the prey pile. Last night he hadn’t come home at all.

“So?” Violet’s mew interrupted his thoughts. “Are we finishing this or are you going to stare at me all day?” There was a purr in her mew.

Heat flashed through Thunder’s pelt, and he looked away quickly. He’d forgotten he’d been gazing at her pretty face.

Violet reached up beside him and began to thread a piece of bracken through the hazel branches.

“It’s okay,” she murmured. “I like looking at you, too.” She didn’t meet his gaze but poked the bracken deeper into the bush.

Thunder fumbled for something to say. Excitement fizzed through his fur. He’d spent sleepless nights wondering if Violet felt the same way about him as he did about her. On first sight, Thunder had been amazed by her beauty. But after sharing a camp with her, he thought she was the most warm, kind, helpful cat he’d ever known. Somehow he’d never found the courage to tell her. Perhaps this was his chance.

“Violet?” He glanced at her as she stooped to grab another stem.

She paused and met his gaze. “Yes?” Interest sparkled in her amber eyes.

“Do you think we could…” Thunder’s pelt prickled nervously. What should he say next? His tongue lay like dead prey in his mouth. “Perhaps…” He started again but found himself staring at her, fear tying knots in his belly.

Clover’s call made him jump. “Thunder! Look at this.”

He spun around and saw the young cat crouching beside her brother. Lightning Tail faced them, his hackles up, while Leaf prowled behind them.

Thistle blinked at Thunder. “Lightning Tail taught us how to fight together.”

Leaf narrowed his eyes. “Ready?” he asked the kits.

Clover nodded. Thistle flicked his tail.

Leaf swapped glances with Lightning Tail; then both toms lunged at the kits.

In a moment, Clover and Thistle had reared up. Turning on their hind legs, they pressed their backs to each other and swiped at Lightning Tail and Leaf with their forepaws. Lightning Tail and Leaf darted around them, but each time they moved, Clover and Thistle turned to meet their snapping jaws with well-aimed blows. Working together, the littermates defended themselves like experienced fighters.

Thunder purred loudly. “That’s great!” He padded toward them, his heart swelling with pride.

Leaf and Lightning Tail backed away, and the kits dropped back onto all fours.

“It’s really easy once we’ve found our footing,” Clover panted.

“We could fight off a whole patrol!” Thistle boasted.

Violet padded after Thunder and blinked at the young cats. “Even rogues wouldn’t be able to counter a move like that.”

Clover lifted her chin. “If Slash attacks us again, we’ll be able to defend the whole camp.”

Thistle’s gaze darkened. “Will he attack again?”

Thunder met his gaze solemnly. “I don’t know.” Thunder’s cats could defend the ravine if they had to, but he was uneasy about having Ember sleep alongside them. Since Bee’s attack on Fern, a dark fear had haunted his dreams. What if Ember was staying with the group for a reason? What if he, too, was planning to betray his new campmates?

Violet nudged him. “We’d better get back to work.” She glanced toward the hazel bush. Cloud

Spots was carrying a fresh bundle of bracken toward the pile.

“We can help!” Thistle ran past Thunder and raced toward the hazel.

Clover chased after him. “I can thread bracken quicker than you.”

Cloud Spots blinked at them warmly as they barged in front of him. “You two had better start on the lower branches,” he suggested. “I’ll reach up to the top.”

As they began work, padding the bush against the cold, Thunder blinked at Lightning Tail.

“You’ve taught them well.”

Lightning Tail shrugged. “That move was Leaf’s idea.”

Thunder dipped his head to Leaf. “Since you’ve been training them, they’ve improved so much.”

“I’ve enjoyed it,” Leaf answered. His glance flicked past Thunder toward the young cats. They were both tugging the same piece of bracken.

“I picked it up first!” Clover growled.

“You only want it because I said it looked like a strong piece,” Thistle retorted.

Leaf rolled his eyes. “We’ve trained them to fight rogues,” he huffed. “Now we must train them not to behave like rogues.” He headed toward them, whisking his tail. “Clover! Let your brother have the bracken. There are plenty of other stems.”

Lightning Tail gazed toward the trees. “Ember’s still not back,” he mewed thoughtfully. His gaze flashed toward Violet. “Can’t you explain to him that he needs to try to fit in to the group?”

Violet dropped her gaze. “I’ve told him,” she sighed. “He just says he prefers to travel alone.”

“Then why does he stay at all?” Lightning Tail snapped.

Thunder guessed his friend was anxious about the independent rogue too. “Perhaps we should suggest he leave the group.”

Violet’s eyes glittered with worry. “Give him another moon,” she suggested. “He may change.

He’s got a good heart. He’s just not used to living in this sort of group. Life with Slash was different.

We shared a camp and did as Slash told us, but we knew that no one would look after us but ourselves. It’s hard getting used to looking after one another.”

Thunder’s paws pricked as she turned her imploring gaze on him. Lightning Tail was staring at him too. He guessed by the black tom’s solemn look that his friend wasn’t as keen as Violet on giving Ember another chance. Feeling torn, Thunder changed the subject. “I wonder how River Ripple is getting on with his rogues.” He was worried about the river cats. They were a small group—River Ripple, Night, Dappled Pelt, and Shattered Ice. Having four extra mouths to feed would prove no problem with a river full of fish. But what if Dawn and Moss decided to betray them as Bee had done? River Ripple and his cats might be badly hurt.

Violet surprised him. “Why don’t we go and find out?”

“Good idea.” Lightning Tail agreed. “We can go together.”

Violet flashed a look at the black tom. “I thought Thunder and I could go alone.”

Amusement shone in Lightning Tail’s eyes. “I suppose I should stay and help the others.” His whiskers twitched knowingly.

Thunder shifted his paws self-consciously. What would he say all the way to the river? Talking to Violet while he was on patrol or in camp with the others was easy. “Are you sure we should go alone?”

Lightning Tail headed for the hazel bush. “Don’t worry, Thunder. I’m sure Violet will keep you safe from rogue attacks.”

“I’m not scared of rogue attacks,” Thunder answered without thinking.

Lighting Tail’s whiskers twitched. “Why are you looking so worried, then? Violet doesn’t bite.”

“Don’t be too sure.” Violet sniffed and padded toward the gorse entrance. “Are you coming?” she called to Thunder.

Lightning Tail flashed Thunder a teasing look. “You’d better hurry up.”

Thunder glared at his friend and followed Violet out of camp.

They climbed the ravine in silence, only breaking it as they met Owl Eyes and Pink Eyes at the top. The two cats were staring down the steep cliff.

“What does it matter if I can’t see the bottom?” Pink Eyes mewed to Owl Eyes. “I only have to see the next ledge, don’t I?”

“Just follow me and remember which route I use,” Owl Eyes told him.

Pink Eyes nodded to Thunder as he reached the top. “Are you going hunting?”

“We’re going to visit River Ripple to see how he’s managing with the new rogues.”

Violet scrambled over the rim and shook out her pelt. “It’ll be great to see Dawn and Moss again.”

Pink Eyes tipped his head, his rosy gaze gleaming in the cold afternoon sunlight. “They were the rogues with kits, weren’t they?”

Thunder nodded. “I can’t imagine they’ll be any trouble,” he told Pink Eyes. “They seemed happier than anyone to be leaving Slash’s camp. And I’m sure River Ripple will have made them welcome.”

Owl Eyes’s neck fur rippled. “We’ve tried to make Ember feel welcome,” he meowed pointedly.

“But he’s determined to act like an outsider.”

Violet lifted her chin defiantly and headed toward the river. “Ember just needs time, that’s all.”

Thunder trotted after her, nodding to Milkweed as he passed her stripping moss from the roots of a beech. Tasting the air warily, he was relieved to scent only the musty smell of leaf-bare. He caught up with Violet as she headed down the wooded slope that led to the shore.

“Nice weather,” he meowed awkwardly.

She glanced at him and didn’t reply.

He tried again, wishing he could think of something to say that wasn’t mouse-brained. “Are you enjoying life in the forest?”

“I guess trees are okay.” Violet wove between patches of frost-wilted nettles.

“Yeah, I guess.” Thunder felt a prickle of irritation. It was Violet who’d suggested they go alone.

Couldn’t she help make conversation? He tried again. “Have you been to the river before?”

“Yes.” She jumped down a steep bank and crunched through the leaves beyond.

Thunder could see water glittering between the trees. He quickened his pace. The sooner they reached the river camp, the better.

“You’re in a hurry,” Violet commented as he passed her.

“I want to get there before sundown.” I want to stop feeling as awkward as a rabbit up a tree.

Violet halted.

Thunder turned and stared at her. “What are you waiting for?”

Violet’s eyes shone playfully. “For you to finish what you started to say while we were weaving bracken into the den walls.” She padded closer until her sweet breath touched his nose. “You said, ‘Do you think we could…’ I was wondering what you thought we could do.”

Thunder’s pelt burned. “I just wanted us to be friends.”

Violet looked hurt. “I thought we were already friends.”

Thunder stared at his paws. “We are.” This is harder than facing a camp full of rogues and dogs. “But I think you’re special. I thought it the first time I saw you.” He lifted his head and forced himself to go on. “I love you, and when we know each other a little better, I hope that you’ll be my mate.”

Violet gazed at him for a moment.

Thunder thought his chest would burst. “Well?”

Violet purred. “I would love that more than anything.” She reached out and touched her muzzle to his. Its softness made him shiver with happiness.

“It’s just that I thought—”

She cut him off. “Let’s visit River Ripple. Then we can talk about our future.” Padding away, she headed for the river.

Thunder hurried after her, his heart pounding. His paws felt as light as feathers as they skimmed over the forest floor. He reached her as she padded onto the shore and headed for the stepping-stones.

Violet brushed against him as he fell in beside her. “I was beginning to think that Lightning Tail would have to ask for you.”

Thunder purred, and they walked for a while in silence. This time it felt comfortable, and Thunder’s thoughts strayed to Lightning Tail. I was beginning to think that Lightning Tail would have to ask for you. Lightning Tail probably would have. He was a good, kind friend, and Thunder hoped Violet would come to value his friendship as much as he did.

“Do you like Lightning Tail?” he asked tentatively.

“Of course,” she answered. “He’s so loyal to you. And he’s turned Clover into a great hunter and fighter.”

“He’ll be a leader one day,” Thunder murmured.

Violet halted. “Is he going to start his own group?” Alarm glittered in her gaze.

“No.” Thunder reassured her. “But if something happens to me, he’ll be the next leader. He’s the only one who would be able keep the group together. He always knows what to do in a crisis, and he puts his campmates before himself.”

Violet stared at him. “Why should something happen to you?” Fear edged her mew.

“It won’t,” Thunder promised quickly. “But just in case—”

“I won’t let anything happen to you!” Violet snapped. “You’re going to be father to my kits one day. I need you.” She held his gaze.

Thunder saw love in her eyes. His heart seemed to flutter like a bird in his chest. “I need you, too,” he whispered.

As he leaned forward to touch her cheek with his nose, water splashed beside them. He jerked his head around as River Ripple waded from the river, holding a gleaming fish between his jaws.

“Hungry?” The river cat dropped the fish at their paws.

Thunder wrinkled his nose. “I prefer mouse, thanks.”

River Ripple shrugged. “Is the prey running better in the forest?”

Thunder nodded. “And Clover and Thistle are growing into fine hunters. They help fill the prey pile.”

“Milkweed must be proud,” River Ripple purred.

“We all are.” Thunder’s gaze drifted across the water, toward the river camp. “How are the rogues settling in?”

River Ripple followed his gaze. “Dawn and Moss are enjoying it here,” he meowed warmly.

“Come. I’ll show you.”

He picked up the fish between his jaws and hurried to the stepping-stones. Hopping over them, he crossed the river easily.

Thunder followed, Violet at his heels. He shivered as icy water splashed his paws. How did River Ripple swim in there? He followed the river cat along the winding trail that led through the reed beds until the rushes opened onto the camp.

Pine and Drizzle were wading in the shallows where the clearing dipped into the river. Shattered Ice stood beside them, watching them pick their way between the tufts of grass sticking out of the water.

As River Ripple crossed the clearing toward them, Drizzle blinked at him happily. “Look!” She flicked her tail toward the water. Three heads bobbed above the surface. “Moss and Dawn are swimming!”

Thunder felt Violet’s fur prickle against his as he followed River Ripple to the water’s edge.

Shattered Ice nodded toward the swimming cats.

Dappled Pelt darted between Dawn and Moss. “Keep your paws churning!” she called.

Moss was moving frantically through the water, panic shining in his eyes.

Dawn glided more easily among the ripples. Water dripped from her ears, and her back showed above the surface, as slick as an otter’s.

River Ripple purred. “They’ll be diving for fish soon.”

Violet stopped beside Thunder. “Won’t they freeze in there?” she asked, wonder in her mew.

“Not if they keep moving,” River Ripple told her.

“But how do they dry off?” Thunder asked, shivering at the thought of being so wet.

“A quick shake and a run through the reed beds,” River Ripple told him. He poked the fish he had dropped. “And a good meal.”

Dappled Pelt began to head for the shore.

Dawn followed, Moss trailing after. Relief showed in the rogue tom’s gaze as he padded from the water, his pelt dripping.

Pine raced to meet him. “You did really well!” he mewed excitedly. “You didn’t sink like last time.”

Drizzle splashed around her mother. “Shake out your pelt!” she pleaded, eyes shining with excitement.

Dawn shook out her fur, spraying the kit with drops of water. Drizzle squealed with delight.

River Ripple purred. “They’re natural river cats.”

Drizzle blinked at Thunder. “I’m going to learn to swim next.”

Shattered Ice frowned. “Not until you’re bigger. The currents are strong.”

Moss shook himself, his pelt dripping.

Pine lifted his tail. “I’ll race you through the reeds!” Before Moss could answer, the black tom-kit hared away. Drizzle chased after him, Moss at her heels.

“Wait for me!” Dawn followed, her wet paws pattering the ground. Dappled Pelt raced after them.

As they disappeared into the reeds, Thunder blinked at River Ripple. “They seem happy here.”

River Ripple shrugged. “Why wouldn’t they be? They have the river and fish and warm, dry nests at night.”

Thunder gazed across the water. If only Ember felt the same way about living in the forest.

River Ripple flicked his tail. “You look worried,” he mewed.

“I suppose you’ve heard Gorse Fur’s news.” Shattered Ice twitched his ears. “Is that why you came? To see if we were having trouble with our rogues?”

“Yes,” Thunder confessed.

River Ripple glanced at Violet. “You look happy to be a forest cat.”

Violet moved closer to Thunder. “I’ve never been happier,” she purred.

“What about Ember?” Shattered Ice’s gaze stayed on Thunder. “Has he settled in?”

Thunder’s pelt pricked uneasily. “He still hunts alone.”

He felt Violet stiffen beside him. “He’ll be okay,” she mewed quickly. But even she didn’t sound convinced.

Shattered Ice snorted. “I wouldn’t trust any cat who wouldn’t hunt with me.”

River Ripple met Thunder’s gaze solemnly. “If Ember can’t hunt beside his campmates, perhaps he shouldn’t be part of a group.”

“Don’t say that!” Violet sounded startled.

Thunder swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. He didn’t want to upset Violet, but he saw sense in River Ripple’s words. If I ask him to leave, where will he go? Would I be giving Slash another ally?