Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Two

Sandystar leapt over the twoleg fence with ease, quickly followed by Cherrysong, Stoneclaw and Sleekfur. Twolegplace smelt foul. The other warriors screwed up their faces in disgust.

"How can anything live here?"

Sleekfur muttered. Cherrysong sniffed the air.

"I smell cat!"

She meowed.

"I'm not surprised,"

Stoneclaw said blatantly. Cherrysong rolled her eyes.

"Not us. It's different,"

She meowed. Sandystar smelled the air begrudgingly. She did not want to smell twolegplace any longer than she had to. However, there was fresh cat scent present.

"She's right,"

Sandystar meowed to Stoneclaw. The grey tom nodded.

"Let's see if we can find it!"

Sleekfur suggested.

"If it's hostile, we can't bring the kits here,"

Cherrysong fretted. Sandystar dipped her head.

"Okay, we can look for it,"

She said. Tasting the air, Sandystar picked up the scent and began to follow it. The others padded after her. The ground was hard beneath her feet and made her pads ache, but Sandystar pushed through it. It wasn't long until the smell of cat grew stronger. The group stopped beside a twoleg den.

"Hello?"

Sandystar called. There was no reply, but she could hear the faint sound of breathing disturbing the air. The cat-scent was strong, and Sandystar was certain the cat was behind the corner of the twoleg den.

"Please come out. We won't hurt you,"

Cherrysong soothed. There was no reply, and fear-scent filled the air.

"This is ridiculous,"

Stoneclaw muttered.

"I'm going around there,"

The large grey tom padded towards the den.

"No!"

Sandystar cried. At that moment, a small brown tom darted out from behind the den. He leapt over a nearby twoleg fence. Stoneclaw ran after the stranger at much greater speed, clearing the fence at twice the speed of the other cat. Sandystar followed them, with Cherrysong and Sleekfur in pursuit as well. Sandystar caught a glimpse of the tom. His brown tabby pelt was spiked up in fear. This cat isn't dangerous! We should leave him be...

A loud hiss came from around the corner, where Stoneclaw and the tom had disappeared. Sandystar and the other soon caught up. Stoneclaw had the stranger cornered. He was barely more than half the size of Stoneclaw, and Sandystar wagered that he had never been in a proper fight in his life. Yet he stood up to the bigger cat, pelt raised and claws unsheathed.

"Stay back!"

The tom hissed. He masked the fear in his voice well, but his eyes gave it away. Stoneclaw had already dropped into an attack crouch.

"I have ten claws, a-and I know how to use them!"

The stranger stammered. Sandystar looked at Stoneclaw. Would he really attack? That cat will be torn to shreds!

"There is no need for violence,"

Sandystar meowed calmly. She shot a look at Stoneclaw.

"We'll be on our way,"