Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Four

Raphael led the SkyClan cats silently through the shadows of the twoleg dens. Spiderweb watched as he jumped onto a small ledge on the side of the den. Confusion swept over her. There was a square hole near the ledge, but it was reflective, like still water. The sun had passed mid-point in the sky, and many cats looked tired. Raphael scratched at the hole.

"Minnie?"

He hissed. A plump brown and white she-cat appeared at the hole. Spiderweb noticed her smile. The strange cat flicked her tail away from the hole. Raphael turned to face SkyClan.

"Wait here,"

Raphael told them. He hopped of the ledge and headed around the corner of the den. He soon returned with the brown and white cat. Minnie, he called her. Minnie's eyes widened in disbelief.

"W-what? Raffie, what have you done?"

Minnie blinked. Raphael wrapped his tail around her shoulders comfortingly.

"Sandystar, this is my sister, Minnie. Minnie, meet SkyClan,"

Raphael meowed.

"They won't hurt you, Minnie. I promise. But their kits are hungry,"

Minnie tipped her head to the side. She looked Sandystar up and down.

"I can't feed all of you,"

She meowed. Sandystar dipped her head.

"I understand. But we need food for Berrycloud, her kits, Fluffpelt's kits, Raindrip and Thymewhisker,"

Thymewhisker stepped forwards.

"Don't you worry 'bout me. I'll manage,"

He forced a purr. Sandystar shook her head.

"I'll see what I can do,"

Minnie said, running slowly back into her twoleg den. In a little while, she returned, carrying a weird twoleg thing. A long haired black cat appeared behind her, carrying a similar twoleg thing. As they got closer, Spiderweb noticed that there was food in one of the things, and water in the other. Raphael's eyes lit up.

"Blackie!"

He called. The black tom flicked his ears. He didn't seem as unnerved by the large group of cats as Minnie did.

"Good to see you,"

He muttered, before turning away and walking back towards the den entrance.

"Never mind Blackie,"

Minnie chirped.

"He's not the most social cat. But he did bring you food,"

She said pointedly. She nosed the 'food' toward Sandystar. The gold leader screwed up her nose and turned away. Spiderweb could just see it, and looked like rain-sodden crowfood.

"My cats can't eat that!"

Sandystar scoffed. Minnie looked a little hurt.

"It's not bad,"

She said, looking to Raphael for support. He nodded.

"Just try it. It may surprise you,"

Sandystar dipped her head to Minnie.

"Thank you,"

She said. Berrycloud paced up to the food and gave it a cautious sniff. She took a bite, before recoiling.

"It's not as good as fresh-kill, but my kits need me well-fed. Thanks, Minnie,"

Fluffpelt nudged her kits forwards. Ferretkit happily tucked in, while his siblings hung back shyly. Ferretkit looked up, his whiskers covered in kittypet food.

"It's good!"

He exclaimed. Mosskit and Sparrowkit came forward to join their brother.

"You're right!"

Sparrowkit purred, her mouth full. Spiderweb looked into the bowl. The hungry kits had almost finished the food.

"That's enough!"

Fluffpelt called, pulling her kits back. Mosskit let out an indignant squeal.

"Raindrip and Thymewhisker must eat!"

The kits padded away, and the elders took their place. Raindrip was still not eating properly. She nibbled tentatively at the kittypet food. Thymewhisker looked appreciatively at Minnie, but the look of disgust on his face came through.

"It's almost sundown,"

Ashleaf meowed. Her gaze flickered between Sandystar and Raphael. Spiderweb looked up at the sky. The sun was sinking into the ground, and twolegplace was growing dark.

"We should find shelter,"

Sandystar agreed. Minnie looked slightly upset.

"Oh, you're leaving already?"

She asked in surprise.

"But you only just got here. Where will you go?"

Raphael licked Minnie's shoulder.

"I'll come and see you again soon. And I'll take them to the wood heap a few houses away,"

He turned to Sandystar.

"We'd best leave before it gets dark,"