Lost Stars

Chapter eight

A quarter moon passed away quickly before the twelve cats finally made it back to the Clans. Along the way they found that the other source of water, which ran between FireClan, CloudClan and TreeClan, had stopped flowing altogether.

Stormpelt, Frostgaze and Nightfoot knew this territory well enough to lead. Adderfrost didn't too much like that but stayed quiet. Blizzardclaw knew that one day, his Clanmates and he would know this territory much like FireClan.

They found that the reason the stream had stopped flowing was because a bunch of sticks had been placed in the middle of the stream. Nightfoot was one of the first cats to dive in and remove the sticks. Foxtail, Thistlestripe and Adderfrost soon joined him.

As they were pulling the sticks out, a brown animal came from under the water and attacked them. Then two more of the same animals came from different directions and attacked the remaining cats.

With the help of Rabbitfoot, Bee and Shrewkit, they managed to drive the animals away. Stormpelt, Thistlestripe and Foxtail wore the worst wounds.

Rabbitfoot insisted they bring the injured warriors to his home because he knew two cats who could have them healed in no time.

They complied and ended up meeting Lion and Glade, two cream colored toms, who stumbled upon Rabbitfoot and his family by mistake and ended up staying around.

The three injured toms were healed in three sunrises and they said their thanks. On the final day before they returned home, they were told by Lion and Glade the animals they fought were called Otters.

They said their good-byes and left. The WillowClan cats walked away as they neared the moors. FireClan and TreeClan both padded away together with news.

CloudClan walked home slowly.
~~~~~

Another three sunrises passed before Blizzardclaw, Gingerfoot and Adderfrost were allowed to join any patrols. Milo and Blue insisted they needed rest from their long journey.

Blizzardclaw found himself on patrol with Stormclaw, Gingerfoot and Redpaw. It was dawn and he heard the cries of a crow. 'Feels good to be home.' He thought happily. He felt a cat rub it's head on his flank and turned seeing Redpaw.

The she-cat had grown somewhat in the last two quarter-moon. The deputy finished telling Sunstorm to lead a patrol over to the WillowClan border. The golden tom nodded and flicked his ear at Adderfrost, Thunderheart and Applepaw.

The two patrols moved out in sync but in different directions. One to the east and one to the west.

Blizzardclaw dropped backed as he let Gingerfoot and Stormclaw push past him. Both was speaking in hushed voices.

"Anything happened while I was gone??" He mewed quietly. The white she-cat watched him carefully.

"You tell me. You're the one who's more talkative now."
The mentor and apprentice stared at one another before letting out a small chuckle.

Redpaw was the one to speak first. "We almost fought FireClan. And I heard from Nightwing and Dawnpool that TreeClan and WillowClan fought twice while you all were gone."

They passed several bushes while looking out for FireClan. The stream moved slowly but surely. It was shallow, shallow enough to cross if the need arises.

"The Clear Pool is blocked off by boulders. We fought Otters and met some cats that are staying with Rabbitfoot and his family. They're talented with herbs probably more so than Poppysong and Silverfall." He mewed with amazement in his voice.

Redpaw looked his way once. She shuffled closer to him and whispered softly,
"I've still been meeting with Stonepaw."

The big tom turned quickly but stopped himself from lashing out. He kept moving forward.