Warriors: Feather's Path

Chapter 3

As Feather and Stoneteller padded into the nursery cave, the two she-cats were almost knocked down by five kits, Pond, Sparrow, Reed, Owl, and Bird.

"Stoneteller!" Owl squeaked. "What an honor for you to be here!"

Confused, Feather realized this was only the second time Owl, Bird, and Reed saw the lean cream she-cat.

Purring, stoneteller licked the top of the large tom-kit's head. "It is, isn't it?" She meowed as she padded over to Seed and Flower, who's eyes were widened in shock at the sight of the five kits attacking the injured Feather, and the respected Stoneteller.

"I-We're so sorry!" Flower blurted out. "I don't know what those kits were thinking!"

"Are you both okay?" Seed asked, getting up to nose at Feather's leg.

Backing up from her mother, Feather replied, "Seed, I'm fine. Were both fine." Purring, she added, "I don't even think those kits could pierce though a cat's fur with those small claws."

"Hey!" Feather heard a kit squeak behind her. "We heard that!"

"Good!" Stoneteller let out a mrrow of amusement.

Flower shuffled her paws, and looked at Sky and Frost, who were dozing of at the other side of the cave. "You kno-"

The tortoiseshell she-cat was cut off by a yowl. "Intruders!"

Whipping around, Feather saw a Tribe of Rushing Water patrol come rushing past the Nursery Cave entrance, and into the cave of rushing water.

Stoneteller got up, and dashed out, Feather, Seed and Flower following more slowly after, helping Feather try to run.

"What do you mean, Intruders?" Stoneteller asked. "We haven't had any in moons!" Feather heard the cream she-cat meow as she padded out of the entrance.

"There was a pretty good scent of different cats in our borders, at least three cats were there." Feather heard Fish growl.

"Yes, and we managed to catch a glimpse of a small white tom running away, after his companions." Rose added.

Feather froze. Was she talking about Tooth?

"Take me there." Feather meowed, and padded forward.

Rose tilted her head. "I don't think-"

The she-cat was cut off by Lion. "No." He meowed. "When we went hunting, we scented two cats too. I'll go with her."

Feather dipped her head. "Thank you." She murmured as Lion went to stand by her side.

"Come on then," Lion meowed as he helped Feather up from where she was sitting.

"I can get up by myself." Feather told Lion.

"Do you want some one to come with you two?" Fish asked.

Feather shook her head. "No. I think we'll be okay." She mewed as she headed for the entrance.

"Be safe!" Feather heard Seed meow as she left the cave.

Once the two cats were out of earshot, and outside, Lion turned to Feather. "Why didn't you want someone to come?" He asked.

"Because I appreciate alone time with you." She mewed, surprised of why he asked.

"Really?" He asked, confused.

Feather nodded. "Of course." She mewed tilting her head. "Don't you?"

Lion nodded, and the two cats padded on.

Once the two cats made it to where they encountered the intruders the first time, Feather scented nothing.