Thunder And Shadow

“You decide wisely, Onestar.” Bramblestar’s gaze flicked around the Clan. “Snowbush, Blossom fall, and Berry nose. Escort Onestar home. Carry Furzepelt’s body as though she were your Clanmate.”

The three warriors nodded as Bramblestar went on.

“Dangerous rogues are in the forest. We don’t know how many there are. They have shown that they are willing to fight to the death. Until we know why they are here and what they intend to do next, we must be on our guard. And we must warn ShadowClan and RiverClan of the danger.” Again he scanned the cats gathered below the Highledge. “Lionblaze. Take Cinderheart, Birchfall, Sparkpaw, and Poppy frost. Travel to RiverClan’s camp and warn Misty star about the rogues. I will take Cherry fall, Bum blestripe, Dovewing, and Storm cloud to ShadowClan to warn Rowanstar.”

“I want to come!” A tiny squeak sounded from the nursery.

Alderpaw turned as he recognized Twigkit’s mew. She was struggling out of the nursery entrance.

Cinderheart stared at the kit as she splattered onto the m uddy ground and stared up at Bramblestar.

“Please let m e come with you to ShadowClan. I want to see m y sister!”

“Don’t be m ouse-brained!” Poppy frost stared at her from the clearing.

Thornclaw snorted. “This is a patrol, not a nursery!”

Disapproving m urm urs rippled through the gathered cats.

Alderpaw pushed past his Clanmates and stopped beside Twigkit. “You’re too young to travel to ShadowClan,” he told her gently. “Especially with rogues in the forest.”

She stared up at him, her eyes as wide as an owl’s. “That’s why I have to go. I have to make sure Violetkit is safe.” She was trembling.

Cinderheart m oved closer to the kit and wrapped her tail around her. Rain was soaking Twigkit’s pelt. “Alderpaw is right,” she murmured. “You’re too young to be out in the forest. Especially in weather like this and with rogues around.”

Twigkit pulled away. “But Violetkit’s m y sister! What if they’ve hurt her? She should be with m e, where it’s safe.”

Alderpaw’s heart twisted. How would he feel if Sparkpaw were in danger? He looked up at his father. “Let me come with y ou,” he meowed. “I can check on Violetkit and speak to Leafpool while I’m there.” He glanced at Jayfeather hopefully, relieved when he saw Jayfeather nodding.

“It would be good to know how much longer Leafpool will be away,” Jayfeather agreed.

Bramblestar bowed his head. “Okay, you can come.”

Alderpaw bent down and touched his nose to Twigkit’s wet pelt. “I can’t bring Violetkit back with m e, but I can make sure she will be safe.”

Twigkit looked up at Alderpaw with wide, serious eyes. After a m om ent she leaned up to nuzzle his cheek. “Okay,” she m urm ured. “I trust y ou, Alderpaw.”

Alderpaw closed his eyes, feeling the soft fluff of Twigkit’s cheek against his own. I hope I’m worthy of your trust, Twigkit. He heaved in a breath. I hope I can make sure we will all be safe.

Chapter 4

“Come back, Alderpaw!”

Alderpaw halted and turned. He’d gotten too far ahead of the group again, and Bramblestar was calling him back. Frustration rippled through his pelt. You’re all too slow! What if the rogues had hurt Violetkit? He had to find out. “Can’t we m ove any faster?” he y owled to Bramblestar.

“We need to be wary.” Bramblestar caught him up. “The rogues could be any where. And ShadowClan won’t thank us for charging across their border.”

Pacing restlessly, Alderpaw waited with Bramblestar as Cherry fall, Bum blestripe, Dovewing, and Storm cloud scanned the bushes along the trail. He could see the ShadowClan border ahead, where the oaks turned to pines. The scent of their sap tasted sharp on his tongue.

The rain was easing. Bum blestripe shook out his pelt as he stopped beside Alderpaw. His fur stood on end, spiked and wet.

Cherry fall purred with am usem ent and nudged his shoulder with her nose. “You look like a hedgehog.”

“And you look like a RiverClan cat,” Bum blestripe teased, flicking raindrops from her whiskers with his nose.

Bramblestar paced around them, m outh open as he tasted the air. “Concentrate!” he ordered.

“There could be rogues any where.”

“We’ve been checking for their scent all the way and sm elled nothing,” Storm cloud pointed out.

Dovewing pricked her ears. “They’ve probably run away.”

Bramblestar scanned the forest. “I don’t think these rogues scare that easily.” He glanced at Alderpaw, and Alderpaw guessed what he was thinking. They knew that the rogues were not afraid of Clan cats—not after what they’d done to Sky Clan. “We should still check for their scent along the border before we cross it. They m ay have come the long way around.”

“But we need to get to ShadowClan’s camp and warn them.” Alderpaw plucked at the ground impatiently. And check on Violetkit.

“Knowing where the rogues went is more im portant.” Bramblestar padded past, following a trail that shadowed the border.