Lost In The Stars (Book Two)

Chapter Ten- Stoneclaw

The clan remained in Stoneclaw's old home for three quarter-moons. In that time, the injured cats had mostly healed. Owlflight became healthy and began Ashpaw's training again. Frostytail and Rosepaw worked hard to heal the cats, and after some time, Stripedstar and Hawkstar decided to send a patrol back to the island.

Sandtail, a GreenClan warrior, led the patrol. Flamepool of GreenClan came with her, along with Stoneclaw and Firestorm. Rainstorm also came, bringing up the rear of the group as they traveled back to the island.

"ShadeClan scent is everywhere.." Firestorm whispered. This was her first warrior mission, and Stoneclaw found himself wondering if it would be her last. It couldn't be, he tried to assure himself. Firestorm was a good warrior, she wouldn't get herself killed. Not now.

"Shh," Sandtail whispered, "Someone's coming."

The cats hid themselves quickly, in time to see two cats strolling through the forest. Stoneclaw recognized Summer and Autumn, Coldwind's littermates. Summer was pushing two trembling kits through the undergrowth, whispering things to them.

Stoneclaw watched them closely, pressing his side to Firestorm's. Autumn stopped and scented the air, her ears pricked. She's scented us. Stoneclaw realised, glancing at Sandtail. She was pressed flat against the earth, her lips drawn back in a silent snarl. Flamepool was ready to pounce out of the bushes, while Rainstorm was still, his eyes closed. Stoneclaw guessed that he was communicating with StarClan, asking their warrior ancestors what to do.

"Do you smell that?" Autumn asked, turning to her sister. Summer sat down and sniffed the air, curling her tail protectively around one of her kits.

"Smells like trouble, close by. I'm going to bring Pixie and Viper back to camp." She stood quickly, "And warn Bloodshed!" She added as she rushed the kits away.

"Fox dung.." Firestorm whispered from next to Stoneclaw. "They'll have the whole clan after us. We should go back."

"No." Sandtail hissed. "I'm the leader, you listen to me. We attack and kill that cat that just left, and she won't be a problem anymore. Okay?"

"What about the kits?" Flamepool hissed. "They're in danger without a mother. Would you really do that to some helpless kits?"

Sandtail flattened her ears. "That's against the warrior code. We'll figure out what to do with them later, but for now we have to kill the one who went to get Bloodshed."

"That's fox dung!" Stoneclaw argued, "We need a plan." But before any cat replied, Sandtail was bursting out of the bushes, Flamepool on her tail. Firestorm left a moment later, and Stoneclaw felt that he was forced to follow.

The patrol raced off in the direction that Summer had gone. Autumn had left in the opposite direction, so they didn't have to worry about her. They soon found Summer, trying to herd her two daughters downstream. "I'll take care of her! Flametail, you help me. Stoneclaw and Firestorm take the kits." Sandtail shouted, making Summer jump.

"My kits!" She squealed, jumping to defend the tiny furballs. "Back off!"

Sandtail leaped at her, knocking her backwards into the river. She tried to grab the black kit, crying, "Viper!" But Sandtail had already dragged her underwater. GreenClan cats were more skilled in the water than ShadeClan, so she had an advantage.

Suddenly, Rainstorm burst through the bushes. Stoneclaw had nearly forgotten that he was on the patrol until he saw the silver and white tom hurtling himself towards the river. To Stoneclaw's surprise, he didn't help Sandtail, but rather, dragged her away from Summer.

"Are you mad?" He spat at the GreenClan warrior. "The warrior code says not to kill a cat unless you have to."

"I do have to!" Sandtail spat back. "She was going to tell Bloodshed that we were here. We would be crow food!"

Rainstorm lashed his tail. "You believe too strongly, Sandtail." He murmured.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Sandtail growled, ready to slash Rainstorm's muzzle.

"Come here, let me help you." Rainstorm ignored Sandtail, helping Summer out of the river. The she-cat gasped for air, looking around frantically. "Your kits are fine." Rainstorm assured her, pushing the two she-kits towards their mother. "I'm sorry that these warriors don't understand ShadeClan. All they know about it is that it is lead by a bloodthirsty rogue. But I know that the cats here are different. You are a caring cat, Summer." Rainstorm dipped his head.

Summer stared at him. "Who are you?" She whispered.

"My name is Rainstorm. This is Sandtail, and her brother Flamepool." He flicked his tail towards the GreenClan cats. "This is Stoneclaw and Firestorm."

"H-Hi. I'm Summer, uh, and these are my daughters, Viper and Pixie." She stammered, her fur still fluffed out.

"Come with us," Rainstorm offered. "You and your kits can shelter in our camp."

"Are you serious?" Sandtail asked. "Really?"

Rainstorm glared at her. "It's the least we can do, after trying to kill her!"

"And why should she trust us?" Stoneclaw dared to ask.

"I'm a moon cat. I don't lie, Stoneclaw." Rainstorm said, padding off without a word. The others, including Summer, followed.