Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sandystar and Mintstar appeared, leading the rest of the group. Spiderweb looked up from the pigeon she was sharing with Barnfeather.

"Cats of SkyClan!"

She called. Every cat fell quiet, apart from the kits, who were squealing with delight as they climbed up a nearby tree. Berrycloud hushed them, and Sandystar continued speaking.

"We have found a new camp! The ThunderClan cats will help us build our dens, so let's not hold them up,"

Sandystar flicked her tail and walked back in the direction that they came in. Batpaw ran up to Spiderweb.

"Isn't this exciting?"

The grey she-cat asked her apprentice. He snorted.

"No. I miss the gorge,"

Batpaw told her.

"Me too. But we get to live with the other Clans, like our ancestors did before us!"

Spiderweb meowed. Batpaw just grunted.

"Wow!"

Limepaw meowed from the front of the group. Spiderweb paused behind Springfoot and Owlpelt. She could just make out a sheer drop in front of them. Cats began filing down the slope around the cliff face, and Spiderweb could see the whole clearing. She purred. This will make a great camp. She followed her Clanmates into the clearing, guiding Batpaw with her tail.

Sandystar hopped onto a low-hanging oak branch.

"Okay! Suntail and Goldcloud, you can search for herbs. Take Batpaw with you. Oh, and Sleekfur, in case you meet trouble,"

The four cats nodded and headed out. Spiderweb could see disappointment in Batpaw's eyes. But he has some medicine cat experience, Spiderweb thought. He'll have to learn to deal with it.

"Featherwing, Brackenfall, Tallheart, Hailforce, Lilypatch, Leafspots, Cherrysong, Greybird and Stoneclaw can start working on the elders den and nursery. Wildstep, Snowtail, Flaxclaw, Barnfeather, Mintstar and Owlpelt will make the barrier. Ashleaf, Spiderweb, Springfoot, Greysquirrel and myself will set the new borders. Fernpelt, would you mind taking the apprentices to gather bedding?"

The cats set out as Sandystar finished talking. Spiderweb found Sandystar and the three other grey cats. Sandystar flicked her ears, and the patrol set out. The forest was tranquil, and Spiderweb almost felt at home here already.

"We'll start at the ThunderClan border. Then head to ShadowClan,"

Sandystar announced. They soon reached the border. A large, prickly holly bush sat on the border.

"That would be hard to miss,"

Greysquirrel pointed out. Sandystar nodded.

"This can be the corner of our territory,"

The golden leader meowed. She marked the holly bush with her scent. They headed along the ThunderClan border. Spiderweb's heart raced as they reached ShadowClan's border. She didn't like the thought of the hostile Clan that lived amongst the pines.

"You'd better not think about crossing that border!"

A growl sounded from the other side of the border. A tabby tom stepped out of the shadows. A black-and-tortoiseshell tom, and a grey tabby apprentice followed him, tails swishing angrily.

"We have no intention of doing that,"

Sandystar meowed calmly. The tom's eyes were narrow slits.

"We don't want you here!"

The apprentice flashed. The brown tabby shoved her.

"Be quiet, Cinderpaw,"

He hissed.

"It is the will of StarClan. And it will be fine, as long as they stay over there,"

The tom hissed, looking sharply at the SkyClan territory.

"You don't know that, Coneclaw!"

Cinderpaw retorted. Coneclaw sighed.

"Just remember,"

He turned to Sandystar.

"ShadowClan is watching,"

The three ShadowClan cats slunk off into their territory. The tortoiseshell shot an apologetic look over his shoulder.

"That Clan gives me the creeps,"

Spiderweb whispered to Springfoot as the patrol continued along the border, leaving scent marks at regular intervals.

"Yeah, me too,"

Springfoot agreed. Greysquirrel paused in front of them. He sniffed the ground.

"Fox. It's stale, but we should keep a look out for it,"

Greysquirrel meowed. Sandystar nodded.

"Right. Well spotted, Greysquirrel,"

The patrol headed away from the ShadowClan border, continuing to set scent markers.