Warriors AU: Skyclan's Destiny

Chapter 27

"Okay, but how are we going to find out where the Twoleg kit comes from?" Cherrytail quires.

Poppystar was relieved that her deputy seemed to be accepting her decision, even if he didn't agree with it. "Snookpaw, Leafdapple, come here," she ordered, beckoning with her tail. "You know the Twolegplace. Have you ever seen this kit before?"

She tensed as Leafdapple approached, but the mottled pale cream and brown tabby tom padded past without even looking at her. He and his apprentice stood gazing down at the little Twoleg's face for a couple of heartbeats.

"Sorry," Leafdapple meowed. "I don't recognize her."

I'd better send back to the camp for Cobaltclaw, Poppystar thought. I'm not sure about asking Harleymoon and Amber. They live quite close to Leafdapple. Maybe this kit comes from a different part of the Twolegplace.

But before she could give the order, Snookpaw, who had turned away from the kit, suddenly turned back and gave her a deep sniff. "I know that scent!" she chirped. "There's a Twoleg nest with really strong smelling flowers outside, and that same scent is on her pelt." Examining the Twoleg again, she added, "I think I've seen these pelts hanging on the Twolegs' spiky silver tree, too."

"That's great, Snookpaw," Poppystar mewed, while Leafdapple blinked proudly at his apprentice. "Can you take us there?"

"I think so." Snookpaw straightened up, looking very serious. "I'll try."

"Then let's get back to camp and sort out a patrol."

As Poppystar was gathering her cats together, ready to head back down the gorge, Echosong padded over to her. "I'll stay behind," he meowed. "I might be able to do something. And the Twoleg seems calmer when we're here."

Poppystar nodded. "Good idea. I'll send some cat to help you."

Sharpclaw and Tinycloud raced back to camp ahead of the others, so that by the time Poppystar arrived the cats who had stayed behind had been brought up to date with the news.

"We want to come!" Mintkit squealed, hurling himself at Poppystar.

"Yes, we want to see Twolegplace," Sandykit added, bouncing up behind her brother.

"Certainly not." Waspwhisker followed them, gathering all four kits together with her tail. "You're not even apprentices. You can't expect to be chosen for patrols yet."

"It's not fair," Flamekit grumbled, lashing his tiny tail. "We never get to do the fun stuff."

The rest of the Clan was clustering eagerly around Poppystar, for a few heartbeats she felt bewildered about whom she should choose.

"You should take all the kittypets!" Amber suggested. "We know Twolegplace really well."

Cherrytail fixed the black and white she-cat with a hard gaze. "It's Poppystar's decision who she takes."

Poppystar flicked her ears at her deputy in acknowledgement. "I want you to come, Cherrytail," she mewed. "Snookpaw, of course, because you know where we're going. And Leafdapple."

It was hard not to let her voice shake as she named the mottled pale cream and brown tabby tom. This would be the first time they had patrolled together since their quarrel. It'll be so hard to have him with us, but I can't leave him out; he's Snookpaw's mentor.

"Stumpy and Sharpclaw," she finished quickly. "Clovertail, you're in charge of the camp while we're away. Have a few cats keep watch in case of trouble. Patchfoot, I have a job for you."

The black and white she-cat twitched her ears in surprise and padded over to Poppystar clumsily, because of the weight of the kits in her belly.

"Go up the gorge and join Echosong," Poppystar instructed, waving her tail in the direction of the injured Twoleg. "He might need a bit of help."