Warriors: Dawn of the Clans #2: Thunder Rising (13 page)

“Of course,” Clear Sky replied, with an uneasy glance at Gray Wing. “It was something neither Storm nor I could resist.” Shaking his pelt, he added, “Come on. Are you going to take us to your hollow?”

“Yes,” Tall Shadow replied, turning to River Ripple. “Would you like to come with us?” she invited.

River Ripple shook his head. “I’m a rogue,” he told her. “I sleep with no other cats. But I wish you all the best.” He turned and bounded off into the darkness.

“Thank you!” Gray Wing called after him. When he looked around, Thunder was still gazing up at his father, and Clear Sky was meeting his stare.

Tall Shadow gathered the cats together and led the way across the moors toward the hollow. Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt flanked Moon Shadow, supporting him as he stumbled forward. Thunder padded along at Clear Sky’s side.

The first pale streaks of dawn were creeping into the sky. When Gray Wing looked back he could still see a sullen glow over the forest, but out on the moor the cool, misty air was soothing on his burnt pelt and streaming eyes.

The nightmare is over
, he thought with a sigh of relief.
We’re safe now
.

C
HAPTER
13

I’ve met my father again! As
he padded across the moor, Thunder couldn’t ignore the flutter of excitement in his chest.
He said I was brave
. Maybe Clear Sky would realize he’d made a mistake when he sent Thunder away.
He didn’t know me then. But now he’s seen what I can do. . . .

He stayed close to Clear Sky as they headed toward the camp. His father kept glancing around, checking on his denmates, counting them to make sure no cat had been left behind.
He’s such a good leader. I wonder what it’s like to be part of his group. . . .

Before they reached the camp there was a flash of movement in the darkness and a couple of rabbits dashed across their path. Their eyes were rolling in terror; Thunder realized the forest fire must have spooked them so that they hardly knew that they were fleeing through a group of cats.

Clear Sky halted, looking after the rabbits. “They’d fill our bellies, don’t you think?” he mewed to Thunder.

Thunder didn’t need any more encouraging. Forgetting his exhaustion, he took off after the rabbits, and Clear Sky raced along beside him, leaving the other cats behind.
They’re safe now . . . and if we can get some prey, it’ll really help them
.

“Do you like hunting on the moors?” Clear Sky asked him as they ran.

“Not really,” Thunder admitted. “I get along better in the cover of undergrowth and trees.” His paws tingled at his father’s approving nod.

“As soon as I can, I’ll be back in the cover of the forest,” Clear Sky muttered. “But for now, let’s get these rabbits!”

Thunder put on a sudden burst of speed and pulled ahead. He had lost sight of one rabbit; the second was just dodging around an outcrop of rocks. Thunder ran up to the top of the tallest boulder and saw the rabbit beneath. With a yowl of triumph he hurled himself down onto it.

Thunder and the rabbit rolled over and over on the short moorland grass, the rabbit’s legs kicking out fiercely. He sank his jaws into its throat and felt hot blood stream out over his fur. Giving a final, vicious jerk of his head he heard a bone snap in the rabbit’s spine. When he let go, the rabbit flopped to the ground, its eyes rolling back in its head. Thunder felt his stomach squirm with disgust, but he forced back the feeling, enjoying the success of his kill and the knowledge that his denmates would eat well.

Thunder turned to his father, expecting to hear his congratulations. But Clear Sky said nothing. He was looking out across Thunder’s head, his gaze fixed on another spot on the moors.

Glancing around, Thunder spotted three rats racing toward him. His heart started to pound as he saw their whiskers quivering and their long, greasy tails whipping through the grass.

They want to steal my prey!

The rats were almost as big as him, and they attacked all together, their teeth bared and their claws swiping at him. Tiny malignant eyes gleamed in their narrow, wedge-shaped faces.

Desperately Thunder tried to remember the fighting techniques Gray Wing had shown him. He leaped on the leading rat before it could reach him, knocking it onto its back and slashing his claws over its belly.

One dealt with!
Thunder thought, then let out a screech of pain as he felt teeth sinking into his tail. Whipping around again he shook off the rat and realized that Clear Sky was by his side. The remaining two rats drew back a pace, as if they didn’t want to face two hostile cats.

“We’ll fight as a team,” Clear Sky meowed.

“But I don’t know how!” Thunder protested.

Annoyance flashed through Clear Sky’s eyes. “Attack one rat together,” he explained rapidly. “You take this side, I’ll take the other.”

As soon as he had finished speaking, Clear Sky darted at the nearest rat, slashed his claws down its flank and leaped backward again. Getting the idea, Thunder did the same on the other side, throwing himself clear just in time to avoid the snapping teeth.

Meanwhile Clear Sky had whirled to attack the third rat, jumping onto its back and balancing there while he clawed at its eyes and mouth. The rat squealed with pain; Thunder raced forward and sank his claws into its haunches.

Clear Sky leaped free and crouched for another attack. But the foul creatures backed away from him, terror in their eyes, and fled into the gorse, abandoning the dead rabbit. The rat Thunder had wounded at first was dragging itself away, whimpering and bleeding.

Thunder’s fur was dripping with blood: his own mixed with that of the rabbit and the rats. Clear Sky padded across and looked him up and down.

“Good job, young one,” he meowed. “Did Gray Wing never teach you to fight like that?”

Thunder shook his head, immediately feeling guilty, as if he was betraying Gray Wing. “Not yet . . . ,” he admitted.

Clear Sky’s expression softened. “Then you learned something new today, didn’t you, thanks to your father? But you’ll need another dip in the stream.” He glanced down at the rabbit. “Shall we take this back to the others?” he meowed.

He picked up the front legs while Thunder got a grip on the back legs in his jaws. They set off across the moor and soon settled into a regular pace, moving well together.

As Thunder followed his father in silence, he went over the events of the night in his mind. He had survived the fire, and more than that: He had helped Gray Wing and Moon Shadow. He had met his father, killed prey, and defended himself against the rat attack.
And I’ve lived to tell the tale
.

For the first time in his life, Thunder experienced the feeling of knowing he had done well.
Better than any cat could have asked for
. It was a good feeling, warm and exhilarating.

Before they reached the hollow, Clear Sky halted and set down the rabbit. “You’re very quiet,” he meowed to Thunder. “What are you thinking about?”

Thunder dropped his end of the prey. He hesitated for a moment, then decided just to tell the truth. “I’m proud of myself for surviving,” he replied.

Clear Sky’s eyes glowed with approval. “And so you should be. I know that feeling.”

“When you journeyed from the mountains?” Thunder guessed, remembering the stories Gray Wing had told him.

His father nodded. “That was a hard time. I’ll never forget when we were attacked by eagles. One of our cats . . .” His voice trailed off and his eyes clouded. “That was when I decided we couldn’t allow ourselves to be victims.”

“What happened?” Thunder asked. “What do you mean?”

Clear Sky gave his pelt a shake. “It’s all over now, a distant memory.” He looked at Thunder again, and Thunder thought that he could see affection in his eyes. “I made the journey to save my family,” Clear Sky went on. “
All
of my family.”

When they arrived back at the camp, the sky was pale with dawn and a golden flush on the horizon showed where the sun would rise. Thunder saw Gray Wing standing at the top of the hollow, waiting for them; his anxiety was evident in his working paws and twitching tail. Thunder was faintly surprised. Usually Tall Shadow was the one to watch over the cats, but now it was Gray Wing.

Gray Wing’s gaze flicked over the prey and rested on Thunder, examining him closely. “What have you been up to?” he demanded. “No rabbit bleeds that much.”

“Wouldn’t you like to congratulate Thunder on hunting down food for us all?” Clear Sky interrupted sharply. “He’s done well—can’t you acknowledge that?”

“Of course Thunder has done well,” Gray Wing responded. “I’m just concerned about him, that’s all. You took off without giving us any warning.”

“Oh, sorry,” Clear Sky meowed. “I didn’t realize a father had to ask permission to hunt with his son. Come on, Thunder. Let’s take the rabbit over to the others.”

Clear Sky strode off with the rabbit, and Thunder followed him, not daring to look at Gray Wing’s face. His buoyant mood had vanished completely.

I’ve done nothing wrong. So why do I feel like I’ve betrayed Gray Wing
?

C
HAPTER
14

Gray Wing watched Thunder and Clear
Sky pad down into the hollow. His relief that they had returned safely was mingled with pain at Clear Sky’s renewed hostility, and even greater uneasiness at the bond that seemed to have sprung up so easily between his brother and Thunder.

Yes, he’s your son. But he meant nothing to you until now!

Another worry was tugging at Gray Wing’s heart, and he guided his paws toward Turtle Tail’s den. He had told her not to follow the other cats into the blazing forest, and he hoped she had been sensible enough to stay in the safety of the camp with her kits.

His anxiety vanished like dew in sunlight as he reached the den and poked his head inside. Turtle Tail was curled up in her nest, her belly curved around her kits, who were asleep in a tangled heap of fur.

Turtle Tail looked up, her eyes glowing in the dawn light, and raised her tail-tip for silence, angling her ears toward the sleeping kits. Gray Wing’s throat was tight with emotion; he would have liked to stay with her, but instead he nodded and turned away.

Glancing around the hollow, Gray Wing saw that Jagged Peak was welcoming the forest cats, pointing out places where they could make nests, and doling out bracken and moss for bedding.

Gray Wing padded over to him. “How was everything, while we were away?”

“Fine,” Jagged Peak replied. He was looking much more like himself, and Gray Wing realized what a good idea it had been to give him some responsibility. “Everything was quiet.” He glanced around at the other cats. “It looks as if you had it tough over there.”

Gray Wing nodded. “You could say that. But at least no cat died.”

By this time all the cats had settled down and were sharing prey: the rabbit that Thunder had killed, and a hare that Hawk Swoop had caught on the previous day. Gray Wing noticed with a jolt of tension that the two groups of cats were sitting separately; even Falling Feather and Quick Water, who had come from the mountains with the others, had chosen to stay with the forest cats. The only exception was Moon Shadow, who was crouching beside Tall Shadow, twitching with pain and feebly licking at his injuries.

There was a sense of coldness, too, between the two groups; Gray Wing caught a furious glare from Petal, and guessed that she was still angry with him for killing her brother Fox. When Hawk Swoop padded across with a portion of the hare and offered it to Frost, the big white tom nodded stiffly, seeming grateful but unwilling to be friendly.

This is all wrong
, Gray Wing thought.
The fire should have brought us together, but it seems as if nothing has changed. We risked our lives to help them, and this is how they repay us
.

He headed toward Clear Sky, in the faint hope that he might be able to do something to dispel the hostility. But he spotted Tall Shadow signaling to him with her tail.

Gray Wing padded up to his leader, who sat beside her injured brother. Seeing Moon Shadow more closely, he became painfully aware of the black tom’s suffering. His eyes were glazed, and his breath came in shallow pants; Gray Wing wasn’t sure that he realized where he was.

“Sit down, Gray Wing,” Tall Shadow mewed. “There’s something I have to say to you.” Her gaze was fixed on her brother as Gray Wing settled down beside her. “I have to concentrate on Moon Shadow now,” she continued. “He needs me to care for him.” Turning her head, she looked Gray Wing in the eyes, and apprehension tingled in his paws. “Gray Wing,” she asked, “can you take over as leader?”

Shock crackled through Gray Wing, as fierce as the spreading fire.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

His leader’s eyes were full of pain and regret. “Can’t you see why I have to do this?” she asked. “The other cats don’t want me as leader any longer. Even Wind thought it was okay to take over when Bumble wanted to join us.” She let out a deep sigh. “Where was I when it came to true leadership during the fire?” she continued. “Cowering behind the flames. If it wasn’t for Thunder and Jackdaw’s Cry, I would be dead.”

“That was because you wouldn’t leave Moon Shadow,” Gray Wing protested. “How would you feel now, if you’d left him to burn?”

Tall Shadow only flicked her tail in a gesture of denial; Gray Wing could see that guilt was almost overwhelming her.

“You’ve been a good leader,” he argued. “You’ve always been brilliant at strategy, and you helped lead us down from the mountains. You were the obvious choice to take over when Shaded Moss was killed.”

“That was then.” Tall Shadow’s shoulders sagged. “Can’t you see how tired I am? The only thing I’ve had strength for is watching over the camp.” She shook her head helplessly. “No, this is the right time. Gray Wing, you should take over.” With a wry twist of her mouth she added, “Just don’t rub my nose in it, okay?”

“You should know me better than that,” Gray Wing responded gently. “I would never dream of hurting you.” He wanted to tell her that he had been injured in the fire too; his paws still hurt and his breathing didn’t feel right.

But Tall Shadow had already turned back to her brother, licking his ears in an attempt to comfort him.
How can I refuse?
Gray Wing thought sadly as he moved away, leaving the brother and sister to care for each other.
Is this what Stoneteller was trying to say in my dream? That I should take the leadership despite my doubts?

Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt were moving among the other cats, checking for injuries. Gray Wing noticed that Frost had a bad burn on one leg. A sense of responsibility crashed over him, but he realized there was nothing he could do that Dappled Pelt and Cloud Spots weren’t doing already.

I need to get some sleep
. Even though the sun was high and bright, Gray Wing staggered toward his nest. He was almost thankful for the exhaustion pulling at his body; it dampened the pain in his paws.
Maybe things will look better after a rest, and I’ll feel more like taking over the leadership from Tall Shadow
.

But before Gray Wing reached his nest, he noticed that Clear Sky was standing at the top of the hollow, gazing out across the moor. Jagged Peak was hovering nearby, clearly trying to pluck up courage to talk to him, but he might as well have been on the other side of the moor for all the attention Clear Sky was paying him.

Gray Wing couldn’t see Clear Sky’s expression because his brother was facing away from him.
But I know he must be unhappy to be forced from his home in the forest. I should go and talk to him. . . .

His paws felt heavier than rocks as he dragged himself up the slope, but when he reached the lip of the hollow he spotted Thunder padding up to Clear Sky. Gray Wing lowered himself to the ground and watched.

Thunder sat down beside Clear Sky with a respectful dip of his head.

Clear Sky turned to look down at him. “I heard about how you took the lead in the forest fire,” he meowed. “The way you showed the other cats how to leap over the flames. You should be proud.”

Thunder’s eyes glowed as he gazed up at his father. “Any cat would have done the same,” he responded.

“No.
You
were the cat who did it. And you hunted well, too—I enjoyed being with you.”

Gray Wing noticed that Jagged Peak was trying to join the other two cats, creeping up slowly and keeping low to the ground.

Clear Sky spotted his younger brother, too, and whipped around to face him. Jagged Peak jumped, startled.

“And you? What have you done to prove yourself?” Clear Sky demanded, scorn in his voice and eyes. “Well,” he added sneeringly, “you survived. That’s as much as you can do, now.”

Jagged Peak’s shoulder fur bristled. “Actually,” he began, “I was responsible for looking after the camp and the cats who—”

“So you stayed behind, where it was safe,” Clear Sky interrupted.

Gray Wing couldn’t ignore that. He sprang to his paws and padded up to the group. “Jagged Peak is being really useful,” he mewed sharply. “Injured leg or no injured leg. He protected the cats who stayed in the hollow, and in case you didn’t notice, he did an excellent job of welcoming your cats into our camp. We need him, Clear Sky.”

Turning toward Jagged Peak, Clear Sky gave him a long look from intense blue eyes. “I’m sorry,” he told the young cat. “I take back what I said.”

But Jagged Peak’s gaze was still full of pain and anger. “It’s too late!” he spat. “You clearly think I’m a waste of space. Why else would you have thrown me out of the forest? And now that I’m beginning to prove myself, you need Gray Wing to
tell
you what I’ve done.” He shook his head. “Will I ever be good enough?”

“I told you I’m sorry . . . ,” Clear Sky began.

But Jagged Peak wasn’t listening. Turning his back on Clear Sky, he limped away to join Rainswept Flower.

Clear Sky let out a sigh as he watched him, then turned to meet Gray Wing’s gaze. “I didn’t mean . . .” His voice trailed off.

Gray Wing twitched his whiskers in exasperation. “You never do mean anything, do you, Clear Sky?”

“I’m just trying to do my best for every cat!” Clear Sky protested, instantly defensive.

“By humiliating your brother?”

Thunder was watching the two of them, drinking in every word. Gray Wing couldn’t help feeling glad that the young cat was seeing firsthand that Clear Sky wasn’t perfect. But even thinking that made Gray Wing squirm with discomfort.
Why do I care so much? Why shouldn’t Thunder be happily reunited with his father?

“Well, I can’t help it!” Clear Sky snapped, his neck fur beginning to rise. “It’s not my fault Jagged Peak fell out of that tree. Every cat has to contribute, and weak cats just don’t count.” He gave a single lash of his tail. “It’s about survival!”

Gray Wing dug his claws into the ground. “We’re all doing a pretty good job of surviving,” he pointed out, forcing himself to sound calm. “There’s enough prey here for every cat. Stoneteller was right to tell us to leave the mountains; I can see that now. You need to let yourself relax a little bit. We’ve done what we set out to do. This is the time to enjoy it.”

“Okay, we’ve survived for now,” Clear Sky meowed. “But who knows what tomorrow brings? We have to be prepared—always.”

As he finished speaking, Clear Sky turned his attention to Thunder. His eyes were full of approval. Gray Wing tried desperately not to feel his heart sink as he saw how close the two cats were becoming.
I allowed them to discover each other. I even encouraged it.

“You’re growing up into a brave and tactical fighter,” Clear Sky meowed approvingly, touching Thunder’s shoulder with the tip of his tail. “I like that in a cat. Storm was brave, too. It’s good to see that quality in her son.”

Thunder’s eyes sparkled, all his attention on Clear Sky. “Tell me more about my mother,” he begged.

“All in good time,” Clear Sky responded. He seemed to hesitate, before asking: “How would you feel about coming to live in the forest with me?”

“No!” Gray Wing protested, but neither cat was listening to him.

Thunder gazed wide-eyed at his father. “Do you mean it?”

“Of course,” Clear Sky told him. “Who wouldn’t want a fearless young cat in their group? You’ll be an asset.”

“Thunder,” Gray Wing began hesitantly, “you still have a lot of growing up to do. Maybe you can make this decision when you’re a bit older.” He couldn’t help the anger that was churning inside him. Thunder would have died on the moor as a kit, if it hadn’t been for him!

Thunder turned to look at him. “I’m not a kit anymore,” he mewed.

“Well, Thunder?” Clear Sky asked, before Gray Wing could speak. “Are you coming into the forest with me, or staying here in the hollow with the other kits?”

Gray Wing’s pelt prickled all over as he waited for Thunder’s reply.

The young cat hesitated for a moment, his eyes troubled. “Is that true, what you said?” he asked Clear Sky eventually. “That we don’t know what tomorrow brings?”

Clear Sky glanced across at Gray Wing, almost as if he was asking permission, but Gray Wing didn’t respond, not even to twitch a whisker.

“Yes, I truly meant that,” Clear Sky eventually replied. “There’s food and comfort now, but no cat knows how things might change. What about your skirmish with the dogs?”