Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Seventeen

Snowtail's legs ached. SkyClan had been walking since morning, and it was now almost sundown. Swallowkit was asleep on Owlpelt's back, and most cats looked exhausted. Tails drooped and paw steps were heavy throughout the Clan. Brook looked the least tired, somehow. The thought of finally getting rid of us must keep her going. Snowtail struggled to keep up with the silver rouge, but he had promised Sandystar he would keep an eye on her.

"You know, Snowtail,"

Brook said, taking him by surprise.

"I think you're the least annoying Clan cat I've seen in a long time,"

Snowtail blinked. Was that a compliment?

"I mean, don't get me wrong,"

She continued.

"You're still an irritating, overly-confident Clan cat,"

Snowtail flicked his ears.

"Thanks, fox-breath,"

He meowed, then added.

"You're not so bad yourself,"

Brook looked at him sideways.

"I mean, don't get me wrong. You're still an uncivilised, flea-ridden rouge,"

Snowtail joked. Brook purred. Snowtail's eyes widened in surprise. Did she just purr? I didn't think that was possible for her. He thought to himself.

Ashleaf ran up to Brook.

"I think we should rest here for the night. We need to hunt, so-"

Brook hissed.

"We stop when I say we can stop!"

She snarled at the grey deputy. Snowtail sighed internally. Brook was already back to her old ways. Ashleaf growled, but padded away without saying another word.

The trees disappeared, and SkyClan entered open land. The wind hit Snowtail's pelt, the sheer force of it making him take a step back. The hills sloped softly upward, covered in long grass. Brook stopped. Snowtail frowned. She wants us to stay the night here? He looked up to the sky. It was growing dark, and the full moon was showing over the horizon. Brook turned to the Clan.

"This is where I leave,"

She announced. Snowtail was shocked. She's leaving already? Snowtail felt a pang of sadness, but couldn't quite make out why. She's a grumpy furball. Why should I miss her?

"The lake is just over this hill. Clan territory is around that. You'll enter WindClan if you keep walking in this direction. Good riddance, mange-pelts!"

She hissed before running off back into the trees. Helplessly, Snowtail turned and watched her leave.

Sandystar resumed her position at the front of the group.

"We can't sleep out here,"

She meowed, half to herself.

"So we should keep going until we find the Clans,"

SkyClan walked slowly over the moor. Snowtail yawned. The moon was rising slowly into the night sky, and silverpelt was beginning to show. The air was laced with the smell of heather and rabbit. Snowtail dragged his paws along the ground, exhausted, until he smelt something. Sandystar stopped. She had obviously smelt it as well. It's a border! Just like the ones SkyClan used to set, before they headed for the lake. Only the scent wasn't the same as theirs.

"This must be WindClan's border!"

Sandystar called, unable to mask the joy in her voice.

"Let's go! We should find their camp,"

Owlpelt called. Sandystar nodded, leading the Clan over the border. Nervousness set like a stone in Snowtail's belly. What if they don't want us here? What if they drive us out? We've come so far...

SkyClan walked over the moor with a new-found energy. Yet there was no sign of fresh activity.

They walked for a little while longer, until Tallheart called out.

"Hey, Sandystar! I found a fresh trail! It leads this way!"

Snowtail sniffed the air. The ginger tom was right. Sandystar followed Tallheart, the rest of SkyClan in tail. Then Snowtail saw it. The lake. The night sky was reflected. The full moon and every star shining as brightly in the water as in the sky. The trail continued, but Snowtail's hope grew as the scent became stronger.

Tallheart stopped at a fallen tree, leading to an island.

"There are cats over there,"

He whispered. Sandystar dipped her head.

"Come on, then!"

She replied, cautiously hopping onto the fallen tree. The others followed slowly, careful not to put a paw wrong. Snowtail looked down, and the water lurched beneath him. He dug his claws in tighter. By the time SkyClan reached the island, the moon was high in the sky. Sandystar lead the cats through the ferns. Snowtail followed, and a huge tabby cat greeted them.

"Who exactly,"

His low voice rumbled in his throat.

"Are you?"