A New Beginning

Chapter 10

Breezepaw looked at the newcomer with shock. It was a long furred silver tom with a white underbelly and muzzle. He was baring his teeth at Dawnpaw, who was helplessly gazing up at him.

Breezepaw was so unfocused he didn't realize that he needed to help his friend when Angel grabbed the tom in her claws and threw him off of Dawnpaw. "Get off of her you flea-bag!" the white she-cat snarled.

The silver tom bared his teeth at her and let out a low growl. "I wouldn't call me names if I were you. You've met Millie. She doesn't like visitors. Especially little moor cats like yourselves," he snickered. Angel snorted, "Millie does not scare me one bit. I don't know about you but she likes me."

The silver tom stood and laughed, "Fine if your not scared of her then come back with me to my camp to say hi." "Lead the way," Angel growled. Breezepaw went over to Dawnpaw and helped her to her paws. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. Dawnpaw nodded and padded after Angel and the tom. Breezepaw took the rear and walked behind the other three cats silently.

The silver tom led them around the stream to where a set of stepping stones cut throw the water. They led right onto the island in the middle of the stream. Angel and Dawnpaw stopped suddenly when the tom skipped across the stepping stones without a problem. He looked back at the group and snickered.

"Now don't be difficult and be scaredy cats. Millie definitely won't like that," he nagged. Breezepaw held his breath as Dawnpaw glared at him. Without hesitation Dawnpaw bounded across the stones in the river. Breezepaw gaped with shock as she made it to the other side with ease.

The silver tom was also surprised as Dawnpaw gave him a satisfied smirk. It took a while before Angel and Breezepaw could make it to the other side. He hated water. When it touched his paws he almost slipped off the stone and into the stream.

The silver tom snorted before leading them farther into the undergrowth of the island. Breezepaw's fur prickled as the strong scent of cat hit his nostrils. The silver tom pushed through a bundle of reeds and disappeared behind them. Breezepaw prepared himself for an attack as he pushed past the reeds.

When he emerged onto the other side he stared around the clearing before him. A white she-cat with black paws sat at the entrance to a bramble thicket watching two small kits fight over a minnow. Angel and Dawnpaw were already at his side when a dark gray she-cat walked over to them.

Her eyes were narrowed at them and he could tell she was holding back a growl. The silver tom dipped his head to her, "Millie, these intruders were on our territory. They are from the moor." The she-cat, Millie, instantly relaxed.

"I don't recognize you two from my visit to the moor," Millie meowed to the two clan cats. Breezepaw felt Dawnpaw stiffen beside him. He was about to tell them were he was from when Angel intersected him. "They came after you left," she meowed quickly.

Millie eyed them suspiciously before nodding. "Fine. Now why are you here Angel?" she meowed. "Oh, umm Dawn just doesn't like the moor so I suggested trying out the rivers. Can we stay for a few sunrises so she can get the full experience?" Angel asked sweetly.

Millie looked to Dawnpaw. Breezepaw stood firmly beside her, making sure if Millie attacked he would meet her head on. But the gray she-cat just purred, "Of course Angel. You are always welcome here."

Angel purred. Breezepaw looked to her. Her bright blue eyes were gazing back at him with a sparkling light that made her eyes glow. He broke away from her dreamy eyes when Millie turned to the silver tom that had brought them here.

"Trout, show our guests to your den please," she instructed. The silver tom, Trout, dipped his head to her. Breezepaw looked at Millie. She must be the leader of this rogue band for every other cat to be taking orders from her.

He followed closely behind Angel with Dawnpaw right behind him. Trout led them to another bramble thicket, this one was much bigger than the one he had seen with the white and black she-cat outside it.

Inside the den were a few nests scattered here and there. On the far side of the den there was a large empty area for three more nests. "You will all sleep in here until you leave. If you need anything come find me or any other cat that's not a queen, a kit, or Millie," Trout meowed and left them in the den.

"Well we should probably start making our nests," Angel meowed. Breezepaw nodded and the three cats went back into the forest.

Breezepaw felt the same way he felt in Sunclan's territory in the forest. He guessed he just didn't like not seeing the sky above him. While on the moor he had formed a mysterious bond with the wind. He somehow felt connected to it. Maybe it was his destiny to live on the moor.