Warrior Cats: Path to Stars; Book 1; Haunted Dreams

Chapter 16

   The giant lumbering shape loomed over then, as Leafpaw and Star huddled together against a tree stump.  They stood as still as possible, neither of them had ever seen a badger before.  It bent down and stared into Star's eyes.  It's yellowish orange eyes shone hungrily as it glared at her.  It's stinking breath clogging her nose from other smells.  Star stared back, trying to hold it's gaze.  Maybe it will leave if I don't make any sudden movements.  She thought, though she knew that probably wouldn't happen. 

   The badger narrowed it's eyes, then turned to a noise in the distance.  Wailing sounded, like a badger kit calling for its mother.  The badger glanced back at Star, then turned and lumbered away.  Star looked at Leafpaw.  They both turned and jumped over the stump and ran quickly back.  Leafpaw caught a mouse on the way back. 

   "We will not tell the others about this," mewed Leafpaw.  Star nodded and followed her to the group.   

   "Where have you guys been?"  Scar mewed.

   "Hunting," Leafpaw replied.

   "Someone say hunting?"  Silvernose mewed and looked over at them, licking his lips.

   "Go catch your own Silvernose!"  Leafpaw mewed and dropped her mouse. 

   Raintail padded over.  "Guys, give it to Star and Scar.  They must still be hungry, especially Star."  He pointed out, looking at Star while her ribs showed through her fur still.  Leafpaw tossed the mouse to Star, when Scar said he was fine.  Star had never tasted mouse, only rabbit.  She sniffed if, and took a bite out of it.  Taste flowed over her tongue as she bit into it again. 

   "Come on guys, we need to go to the gathering.  I will explain everything there."  Swiftfall mewed, as he started padding away to the ridge.  As they approached the top of the ridge, Star scented cats.  Once they made it top the top, Star stared in amazement as she looked over the clan's territories.  She saw the island, and saw crowds of cats approaching it, and crossing a bridge. 

   "Raintail, Leafpaw, Silvernose, you will go ahead, and catch up with RiverClan.  I'll follow behind with Scar and Star."  Swiftfall told them, and they ran ahead.  They waited a while, waiting for the right time to go down to the island.  "Time to go to the gathering."  Swiftfall mewed, and Scar got up, shaking his pelt.  Star stretched, and stood up straight. 

   The sounds of cats mewing and the scent of mingled clans hit Star like a lightning bolt as they neared the tree bridge.  Swiftfall came and picked her up by the scruff before crossing the tree bridge.  Scar followed, almost slipping into the water.  They headed to the clearing where the clans gathered. 

   Tiredness made Star's eyelids droop as she was swaying back and forth in her father's jaws.  Star heard all the sound stop, before tiredness took over.

Darkness engulfed her, as the clans gazed at them.