Path of Stars by Erin Hunter Page B

during greenleaf, were clearly as scarce here as near the ravine. And with the squirrels taking to their dens until newleaf, there had been little to hunt besides a few careless birds.
    As he neared Clear Sky’s camp, he recognized fresh scents. Blossom and Birch must be nearby. He slowed, scanning the bracken crowding the bramble entrance.
    â€œHello?” he called out tentatively. He hadn’t warned Clear Sky he was visiting.
    â€œThunder?” Blossom slid out from the bracken and lifted her tail amiably.
    Birch hopped from the steep bank that edged the track. “Is anything wrong?” Worry darkened the ginger tom’s eyes.
    â€œNo.” Thunder pricked his ears. Should there be?
    â€œClear Sky put us on guard,” Blossom told him. “He’s sending out patrols day and night.”
    Thunder’s fur rippled uneasily. “Is he worried Slash will retaliate?”
    Birch scanned the forest quickly. “He took Star Flower once. Why wouldn’t he do it again?”
    Blossom snorted. “He’d better not try,” she growled. “We’re ready for him this time.”
    Birch thrust his muzzle toward Thunder. “Have you seen any of his rogues?”
    Thunder shrugged. “Our part of the forest has been quiet.”
    â€œGood.” Blossom padded a few tail-lengths farther into the forest and looked around. She glanced back at Thunder. “Are you here to visit the kits?”
    Thunder whisked his tail. “Yes, if that’s okay.”
    Blossom exchanged looks with Birch. “No one’s allowed near them yet,” she warned Thunder. “But I’m sure Clear Sky will be pleased to see you. He’s so grateful for everything the others did to rescue Star Flower.”
    Her gaze wavered for a moment, and Thunder wondered whether she was pleased that Star Flower was back. He knew that many cats still did not trust One Eye’s daughter. Hopefully, now that she was mother of Clear Sky’s kits, there would be no doubts about her loyalty.
    Birch nodded toward the entrance. “Clear Sky’s in his den,” he told Thunder. “He hardly comes out now. You may as well go and find him.”
    Thunder dipped his head. “Thank you.” He slid through the prickly tunnel. The branches rattled around him.
    Quick Water looked up from beneath an oak as he padded into the clearing. “Hi!” The gray-and-white she-cat looked pleased to see him.
    â€œHi,” he answered. “I’ve come to visit my kin.” He noticed that her fur clung to her frame, and realized suddenly that Birch and Blossom had looked leaner than usual too. He wondered if he seemed skinny to them. He had gone to his nest hungry more than once over the past quarter moon.
    Acorn Fur and Thorn were sharing tongues beside a yew. Acorn Fur looked up. “Hi, Thunder. Did you see any prey on the way?”
    â€œI wish I had,” Thunder told her.
    Thorn straightened, his ears still wet, and sighed. “It looks like more freezing weather’s on the way. That won’t help the prey return.”
    â€œAt least it’s not raining,” Thunder answered, determined to be optimistic. He refused to believe that prey would stay hidden all leaf-bare. A few more days and the forest would be teeming with mice and voles scavenging for food. Surely they must be hungry too?
    He crossed the clearing and leaped the bank, pushing through the bracken that shielded Clear Sky’s den from the rest of the camp. The small clearing beyond was empty, but he heard mewling from the shadowy opening in the brambles.
    The kits! His heart quickened. They sounded so tiny, their shrill squeaks more like mouse cries.
    â€œClear Sky?” he called across the stretch of leaf-strewn earth.
    His father’s face appeared in the den entrance. Clear Sky’s eyes lit up as he saw Thunder, and he squeezed out of the den. “It’s good to see