Warriors: Impending Storm (ON PAUSE)

Chapter Seven - Part Two

"Pharaoh!" A voice called from beneath the branches of the great willow. It rumbled like thunder, deep and sonorous like Cloud Chaser's, but it was gentler and...quieter. Yet it carried, and even from her place more than a dozen foxlengths away, Quail Feather could hear it quite easily. "We never thought you'd return, with how long you've been gone. And look, you've brought friends with you."

Quail Feather squinted, gazing at the tangled branches of the tree and the long, drooping leaves, trying to spot the rippling pelts of the strange cats she smelled in the foliage above. She thought she could see a pair of eyes staring at her, but when she blinked, they seemed to disappear. She shook her head. I'm seeing things.

Pharaoh's ears twitched, and Quail Feather could sense the irritation in his mew as he spoke. "Father!" he replied. "I bring many friends, and they are eager to meet you."

Father! So this was the voice of Pharaoh's mysterious father. Quail Feather felt a tingle run down her spine at the thought. His mew was so much more sonorous and mature than Pharaoh's; if she had not been told, she would have thought this unseen cat to be completely unrelated to the spotted golden tom. But perhaps that was to be expected; Pharaoh was relatively young, most likely just a couple of moons older than herself. He may not have had time to grow into the deep and handsome voice of an older male.

A purr rumbled within the branches. "Bring them here. Let me see them up close."

Pharaoh turned to face Cloud Chaser, who was surveying the great willow impassively. "My father enjoys playing hide and seek," he mewed. "He will most likely show himself after you have met the rest o my kin. Please, let us shelter beneath the willow; you will

Cloud Chaser raised his paw in acknowledgement, signaling to his Tribemates that it was safe to continue forward. Tentatively, White Flower slunk towards the willow tree with her belly close to the ground, and behind her Kestrel Wing followed, ears flattened and eyes wide. Golden Sun ran her tail along the length of Quail Feather's spine, nodding to her novice as she began to pad towards her Tribemates. Pike's Tooth and Fox Tooth came close behind, their eyes sullen and their fur standing on end. Quail Feather could sense their mistrust; they positively reeked of it. She waited for Cloud Chaser to more forward before beginning to follow him, but Pharaoh stopped her. Holding out his front paw, he pressed it onto her chest hard enough for her to gasp for air. "Wait," he whispered, his muzzle so close to her ear she could feel the warmth of his breath on her fur. "Not yet."

Suddenly a yowl of surprise erupted beneath the willow tree, and a flash of dark brown flew before her eyes. Quail Feather fell backward in shock, startled by the noise. A tussle began; brown and cream fur rolled head-over-tail-over-head, a ball of claws and teeth and flashing eyes. The two cats landed just a few pawsteps from Quail Feather, making her shriek. She watched as Pharaoh's jaws parted and a loud purr erupted from his throat; he threw back his head, mirth bright in his eyes. What's going on? She thought. What is happening right now?

Pike's Tooth was sinking his teeth into the fur of a cream-colored she-cat, his pale green eyes gleaming. The she-cat wriggled beneath him, yowling in what seemed to be fury as she tried to throw off the larger tomcat, but to no avail. Pike's Tooth dug his paws into her soft underbelly, pushing the wind from her lungs and making her gasp. "I knew it!" Pike's Tooth screeched victoriously. "I knew I recognized you!"

Quail Feather stared at the older tom, unsure what to think. Beneath his paws, the cream-colored she-cat was panting heavily, but her claws were sheathed now. She gazed up at the Tribe cat with warmth in her blue eyes, and she was purring loudly, her throat rumbling with the sound.