Lost Stars

Chapter twenty-one

Blizzardclaw picked up a few leaves and padded over to Rockpaw and gave them to the young tom who was waiting for Milo to finish patching up Eaglestripe who had sustained an injury earlier that morning on the FireClan border patrol. It was currently sun-high.

Once the gray-pelted tom grabbed the leaves, Blizzardclaw rushed over to Weaselfur and helped the tom patch up the elder's den with dry grass. Gingerfoot walked over with ferns and moss and went inside the den. He emerged out and tapped Blizzardclaw and jerked his head in the direction of Stormstar who was near the High Log with Lilystream. Both were watching the camp with narrowed eyes.

The white tom headed over and stopped near them and waited. The two rose to their paws and trotted to the entrance and Whiteriver and Antpaw padded over.

All five cats' padded out of camp and walked to Grasshead Clearing. The walk was slow and cool. The breeze drifted slowly throughout the Clan's territory. The sun shone weakly, warming the world wherever it could.

The flies buzzed and every once in a while, one of the cats' would flick their ear or tail. Flower buds showed through the ground and plants swayed slightly.

The rushing of the river could be heard up ahead and Stormstar raised his tail and they slowed to an stop. "We'll use the shoreline to travel to WillowClan. Be careful not to step over the scent-line when we cross to get on LeafClan's territory." He growled as he looked at his deputy, warriors and future warrior with a stare. Then he started back walking.

Lilystream shook her head yawned widely then followed behind her leader. Whiteriver fell in line behind her mother and Antpaw bought up the rear with Blizzardclaw.

Eagle's Hollow soon appeared and Stormstar leaped inside the shallow water. He swam to the other side gracefully and got out and shook his pelt. Lilystream nudged Whiteriver and the two leaped in together and swam gracefully to the other side. Whiteriver began to shake her pelt but Lilystream stopped her and whispered something into her ear.

Antpaw glanced at Blizzardclaw who lifted his left paw as if to say, go ahead, I'm behind you.

The black tom nodded his head before closing his eyes and leaping as far as he could. Blizzardclaw jumped in and guided the young tom. The river-water was cool and Blizzardclaw sighed appreciatively.

The two climbed out the water and shook their pelts. Stormstar waited for them then padded off. Lilystream and the other's followed near Stormstar.

Lilystream padded faster and was matching Stormstar's stride. The mentioned leader met his deputy eyes and an understanding passed between them. Lilystream took the lead and they followed behind her.

She made a quick right and slowed to a slow jog as they jogged through wet-marshland. Willow tree's dotted the territory here and there. Reed's and other variety of different plants and flowers showed also.

Before long they had come to a tribulation of streams. Some reeds on the other side shook as six heads poked through. "This isn't the elder's den, Streamkit!" A white and brown she-cat spat.

"Well Riverkit, maybe we wanted to come see the streams." Streamkit mewed calmly and hissed.

"Who are they??" A reddish-brown tom mewed questionly. He began to hiss before Streamkit shoved him.

"Wait stop! Streamkit get off Sagekit. Riverkit come here!"

"You're boring, Hollykit!" Streamkit laughed then tackled the kit who was previously speaking.

Lilystream jumped into the streams and swam across, Whiteriver and Stormstar behind her. Blizzardclaw looked at Antpaw who nodded his head and both jumped in. The water went up Blizzardclaw's nose and he inhaled the water. He immediately shot forward and his head felt the sun's blazing heat. He exhaled and swam forward, pushing his legs to go faster than the current.