Chapter 2 - Maplewind
Submitted June 13, 2006 Updated June 13, 2006 Status Incomplete | Second time posted in an actually FINDABLE SPOT!!! urg. chem, Icepaw meets a few friends on his quest to reach his ancestors.
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Books » By Author Name » Erin Hunter |
Chapter 2 - Maplewind
Chapter 2 - Maplewind
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The moon set slightly above the grass to where Icetalon could see, silvery streaks swept across the dark sky
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The moon set slightly above the grass to where Icetalon could see, silvery streaks swept across the dark sky. Icetalon sighed as he looked at the graceful color swoop across the sky. Maplewind sat beside him silently as she watched with him.
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Icetalon closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them again he laughed gently, “So you mean to tell me that one of the four clans has been living a few eagle flights away and we didn't notice?”
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“I guess, but I don't think its funny.” She looked at him with concern clouding her eyes; “It could cause trouble for our clans.”
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Icetalon drew a quick breath, “Then we don't tell anyone.” She looked at him blankly. Then she blinked and gave a more understanding look,
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“Okay.” She stood and mewed; “So I'll see you in two nights?” she tilted her head slightly, letting the moonlight spill over her shoulder that had been protected by shadows.
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“Of course.” He promised. With that the two cats turned and left. As he left Tallmeadow, he heard a rustling in the bushes, a cat! Icetalon tipped his head back and yowled a cry of warning. He saw Maplewind bounding back across the clearing. He clawed into the bushes brutally only to feel a tail. Then he dove into the undergrowth and latched onto a cat's side. A familiar yowl came and Icetalon instantly let go,
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“Smallfeather?” Maplewind stood at his side now, her fur bristling in alarm. Smallfeather stood up and spat, looking at him with a gaze as sharp as a dagger.
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“Yes it's me, and what is <i>Maplewind </i>as you call her, doing here?” Icetalon stared in dismay; Smallfeather gave Maplewind an intense look too.
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“You were spying on us?” he began to feel a soft hiss crawling slowly into his throat and he began to tremble.
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“Calm down.” Maplewind hushed him softly, calming him with a reassuring lick on the ear.
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“Why did you come here?” Icetalon hissed in a fiery tone, breathing in his friend's fear scent.
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“Well I saw you leaving the camp and I as wondering where you were going.” He spat back angrily. Icetalon's hackles rose as he saw his friend's claws unsheathe.
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“WILL YOU STOP?!?” yowled Maplewind. Icetalon's hackles immediately lowered and Smallfeather looked down at his paws. “You. Promise not to tell <i>anyone </i>about me, or the meeting!” She stared at him as frostily as the cold air. Smallfeather looked at her uncertainly,
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“… Well as long as you tell me what you were talking about.” He gave Icetalon a mischievous glance and added, “There was a nasty upwind so I couldn't hear a thing. I'm surprised you didn't scent me.”
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Icetalon felt Maplewind's muscles relax and hastily added, “It's kind of late we should be going.” Maplewind looked at Smallfeather for a moment then she blushed,
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“Right… goodbye.” As she sprinted off into the shadows she looked back and yowled, “Two moon rises.” Icetalon nodded and turned away.
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******
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Pinpricks of sunlight filtered through the opening of the cavern, Icetalon rolled over and batted Smallfeather on the ear,
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“Get up you fat stalker.” Smallfeather grunted and opened one eye trying feebly to bat his ear back,
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“Why don't you, you lying fool.” Then he sat up awkwardly and gave himself a quick wash. The hollow rock was empty; Icetalon stood up and stretched his legs out flexing his claws.
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“Should we tell Riverhawk?” his voice echoed, empty and tired. Icetalon mewed,
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“Don't tell her, if she found out she might tell.” The two warriors trotted to the exit trying to stretch their muscles one last time before going outside,
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“Right, she is a girl after all.” They began to laugh as the walked into the frosty outside air.
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“What's so funny?” Shortstar stared evenly as both of the warriors dipped their head respectfully. “Never mind, Icetalon, I need to talk to you.” Icetalon's eyes shot open. Could he know about Maplewind? His stomach twisted as he made his way on silent paws to the leader's den leaving Smallfeather to stare after him.
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His eyes darted around the clearing and he caught a glimpse of all of Riverhawk who seemed to be in a good mood. She looked after him her jaws slightly parted and her head tilted. Icetalon mouthed, “I'll tell you later.” As he disappeared into Shortstar's den.
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The leader strode onto his nest, the one for his mate left empty, “Have a seat.” He gestured lazily with his tail towards a stone in the room. Icetalon sat down abruptly and licked his shoulders nervously.
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“I wanted to talk to you about last night.” Icetalon's heart lurched, “Windclaw is in a horrible condition and well… frankly I'm not so uncertain her time has come.” Icetalon closed his eyes and felt woozy for a moment. “I need to know if you had anything to do with this, excuse my humor, <i>cat</i>astrophe.” Icetalon's eyes flashed open with a burning passion sparkling in them,
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“I don't find this matter funny, and furthermore, I would never do anything to hurt anyone in this clan!” Icetalon was standing now, lashing his tail.
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Shortstar hardened his gaze, “Sometimes you make me think otherwise.”
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A shocked silence filled the room and seemed to shatter the air, “Wh… wha…” Icetalon looked embarrassedly at his shaking paws. What had he done that was so horrible that Shortstar would accuse him of hurting another clan mate?
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“Now did you at least see anything?” the leader sighed resting slightly on his haunches.
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“No.” he stated blandly turning to the opening in the cave, “May I go?” Shortstar smirked and glared at the warrior angrily,
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“Yes.”
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As he left into the clearing, he felt his heart thud impatiently, trying to beak out of his chest. Suddenly his throat grew hot and tears welled into his eyes, blurring his surroundings. Icetalon staggered blindly toward the tunnel that lead out of the camp. His head popped out of the tunnel only to hear voices behind him calling his name.
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The tom rushed toward the most soothing place he could think of; Foresttop. He sprinted onto the high flat rock that barely stuck out of the top of the forest and latched on. The rock went straight up and his claws scaled the bare rock easily. At the top he collapsed and heaved a sigh, letting the warm sun heat his body. His eyes cleared and he relaxed, to see two cats climb up the rock and walk silently next to him.
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Riverhawk and Smallfeather shared a glance and lay down on opposite sides of their miserable friend. Riverhawk licked him gently on the face,
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“Now tell me what's wrong.” Her tortoiseshell fur brushed against his blue-gray pelt. Icetalon looked up puzzled,
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“What did I do?” he asked. Smallfeather looked puzzled as well and tilted his head feeling the cold heat surrounding him,
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“What <i>did</i> you do?” Riverhawk glared at him for his insensitive words then glanced back at Icetalon, “I must've done something to make Shortstar angry, he said I…” he felt Smallfeather's fur bristle, “I was not loyal.”
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Smallfeather stood up and lashed his tail angrily, “Are you mad? My father would never say anything like that!” Riverhawk stood also, but Smallfeather continued, “You did do something, you met Maplewind! You aren't loyal!” Icetalon stood up, the spell of peace broken. “You didn't tell him either, you weren't loyal!” he hissed angrily.
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“Maplewind?” a soft voice came from Riverhawk. “Oh no…” meowed Smallfeather, “I didn't mean to, I got so angry and it just…” Icetalon frowned and mewled, “I lost my temper I'm, sorry.”
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“Just tell me, who is Maplewind?” yowled Riverhawk. “Right,” mewed Icetalon, “A while back I had a dream,” the three friends sat down as Icetalon told his story, “It was about a she-cat.” He glanced at Riverhawk.
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“Do you remember that intruder cat we met with?” Riverhawk's jaws parted slightly, “It was her wasn't it?” she asked in a sorrowful voice,
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“Yes, she and I met last night. It turns out that there is another clan!”
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“Do you mean to say that her clan is the clan that has been attacking ours?” Riverhawk said, tasting each word like it was a vile rat.
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Icetalon looked genuinely surprised, “It… might… have… been… but, Windclaw told me about two other clans.”
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Smallfeather cut him off, “So that could mean one of the two other clans could have attacked us, and could still be near!”
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“Why didn't you tell me until now?!” Riverhawk rolled tiredly onto her back warming her pretty white underbelly.
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“I didn't think it mattered.” Lied Icetalon. Riverhawk rolled back over and gave him a facetious look, “Ice, for a warrior who does an awful lot of lying, you're bad at it.” Then she hopped up and batted both of his ears and rolled Smallfeather onto his back as a barrier between him and her.
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Smallfeather immediately hopped to his paws and began to be her cat shield. Icetalon pounced on him and Smallfeather couldn't get him off. Riverhawk dragged him off by his scruff and began to prance around him,
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“Can't catch me!” Icetalon gave her an irritated look,
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“You apprentice.” And the three warriors took off down the rock.
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******
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“Will all cats old enough to catch their own food please step up?” as Shortstar began his speech, Icetalon, Riverhawk, and Smallfeather mingled with the growing crowd of cats. Cold air nipped through Icetalon's fluffed coat, he ended up next to Twistedrose, Emberfur, and fully recovered Ashheart.
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“Chilly night, eh?” smiled Ashheart shivering a little and giving Icetalon a playful look,
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“Yes, those kits- I mean apprentices hopefully will not freeze before the ceremony.”
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“Whitekit, Twigkit, Pinekit, and Mousekit, please step forward. Whitekit come here.” the kit glanced around nervously with her blood red eyes. “Your mentor will be, Nightfrost.” Everycat congratulated him heartily as Nightfrost stepped foreword and rubbed his pitch-black fur against Whitepaw's snow-white fur. This kit was chosen to be the medicine cat's apprentice.
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Shortstar called, “Pinekit, you are now Pinepaw and your mentor will be Riverhawk.” Icetalon gaped. Riverhawk gaped. Smallfeather gaped. Then Riverhawk caught herself and grinned giving obvious pleasure to her new apprentice.
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“Mousepaw,” the apprentice's eyes gleamed, “Your new mentor is, Smallfeather.” Smallfeather paused for a moment to thank his proud father and congratulated his new apprentice.
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“Twigkit, your new mentor will be,” Shortstar paused and his crystal blue eyes stared at Icetalon for a moment skeptically. “Ashheart” he finished looking away to focus on the awestruck mentor beside Icetalon. He glanced at Icetalon uncomfortably the shouldered his way through the thick crowd to meet with his new apprentice who nuzzled him happily. Icetalon blinked, he looked up at the four new mentors to see Riverhawk and Smallfeather happily overlooking the crowd.
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A sudden cry of pain and distress broke from next to Icetalon making him jump up. Shocked whispers broke out and the cry came again, it was Twistedrose, she was about to have kits! Emberfur, who was at her side, yowled protectively standing over his beloved mate, “Nightfrost, come here, quickly!” Nightfrost began to make his way hastily through the crowd.
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He called to his apprentice, “Whitepaw, come, help Twistedrose to the nursery.” He glanced at his apprentice as the young cat scurried to his mentor's side, “This will be your first lesson.” Then Nightfrost disappeared into his den. Whitepaw helped the panting queen to the nursery, the other queens, Shadowface, never leaving their sides, and Dawnflower, preparing the nursery.
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The rest of the clan finished off the night with a meal, large, at least for Earthblanket. With Riverhawk and Smallfeather sharing night meal with their apprentices, Icetalon felt a loss at what to do. He sat next to Sparrowheart and began to eat a fat crow, but it was no use trying to talk, she was nervous to death about Twistedrose. She always got nervous when a queen gave birth. But as she jabbered on Icetalon found his thoughts wandering. <i>Why didn't I get an apprentice?</i> He wondered. <i>And why is Shortstar so mad at me?</i>
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But his thoughts were interrupted as Nightfrost came out of the nursery, supporting Whitepaw at his side, who was looking petrified. “Four healthy kits and a healthy mother!” He called as Icetalon stood and trotted toward bed. He would see the kits tomorrow, he was too weary to even think straight now.
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Dark thoughts curled and mixed with light ones making Icetalon feel strangely feeble. Suddenly his eyes shot open, he was in a sweat and panting. <i>It must have been a bad dream… </i> He thought, trotting lightly and wearily out of the cavern. A Fluffy white sheet covered the ground by two whole mouse's bodies! It was defiantly Earthblanket, the most dangerous time of the year. Mountain lions came out more often because of their hunger and the lack of food.
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Icetalon stepped onto the snow letting his feet sink in and then taking a bite of the cold, watery ice for a drink. Then he glanced around to see two other cats in the clearing, “Good morning!” his voice echoed mercilessly across the field of snow.
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The two cats looked up cheerily and called back, “Good morning, Icetalon!” Icetalon soon recognized Riverhawk, and Smallfeather, who as never up so early. He began to trot towards the two cats, who exchanged meaningful glances and looked up again quickly. The snow began to feel even colder as it collected on his broad shoulders. Then he shook and glared at them.
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“You two were talking about me weren't you?” Smallfeather's eyes grew big and round like two blooming flowers facing the sun, and shook his head vigorously.
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Riverhawk just gave Smallfeather an irritated look and coolly mewed to Icetalon, “No, we were talking about…”
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Smallfeather half-yowled-half- bawled, “No we were talking about, err, umm, mice,” He blurted out, trying for an innocent look, “They are <b><i>so</i></b> hard to catch these days!” Icetalon sighed, facilely looked him in the eyes and mewed.
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“I know you were talking about me.”
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“SOOO? You don't know what we were talking about, about you!” Then Smallfeather gave a puzzled look to Riverhawk.
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She whacked him upside the head and mewed, “Look, this was really important and it just, well happened to be about… you!” Icetalon cocked his head slightly and began to speak.
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Smallfeather cut him off, “It was only about a few things, like, Maplewind and you not having an apprentice for instance.” Then he gave a quizzical look to Icetalon, “I guess you know what we were talking about now.” At this point, Riverhawk looked as if she would blow a fuse. Icetalon began to speak again but Riverhawk cut him off.
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“I was wondering if I could come and meet Maplewind!” she mewed quietly. Icetalon sighed and began to speak again, but Smallfeather put his tail to Icetalon's mouth to signal for him to be quiet as a few more clan cats bounded into the clearing. “We'll talk later.” Said Riverhawk, walking toward an approaching cat in a casual way. Smallfeather stayed by his side and grinned uneasily scooting away on his haunches. Icetalon's ears drooped and he trotted away to the nursery.
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The tough, gnarly, cryophyte tunnel curled in sharply as Icetalon walked down the path, which he had not often been down. A fork in the road stopped him, <i>which way was it again? </i> He thought. Brashly he turned down the left way, hearing a few muffled mews from behind.
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The tom pricked his ears as he hid unnoticed in the shadows, “I will be the clan leader one day, and I should be now anyways.”
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“Well, I… err.” An unsure voice came from one of the two emerging cats. Then a cat's gleaming eyes turned the corner. Laughing uneasily the same cat's voice came, trying to change the subject, “Oh, umm… which way do we go?” suddenly the cats' scents drifted into Icetalon's nostrils as he parted his jaws. Leadtail and Emberfur the two were best friends as well as rivals for Twistedrose's attention, but since she had taken Emberfur as her mate, things had cooled off between them.
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A thought occurred to Icetalon; what if they chose the wrong way and found him spying on them? He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and stepped out in front of them, “Oh, hi! I went the wrong way, can you believe that?” Trying to sound cheery, he stepped off into the right tunnel, “Well, good day.” He meowed as he walked seemingly happily down the walkway.
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“We were a little lost too, glad you came along.” Emberfur's cheeriness sounded just as fake as Icetalon's.
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Leadtail's shoulders stiffened for a moment and then relaxed, “Yes, lead the way.” He gave Icetalon an alarmingly happy gaze and nodded to the tunnel. After a silent walk, light suddenly broke into the path and the nursery sat before them.
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Twistedrose and Shadowface lay next to each other. Shadowface nodded a hello and whispered gently into the sleeping queen's ear. Twistedrose twitched and lifted her head; her face was full of exuberance at seeing the three visitors. Emberfur gave out a quiet purr and lay down next to her, thoroughly washing her and her kittens. Icetalon noticed that all of the kittens were striped ginger and orange like flames. That is, all except for one, one was grey, like Leadtail, but Leadtail showed no emotion at the kits or Twistedrose. Emberfur did not seem to notice, or if he did notice he didn't seem to care. As he watched the kittens mewl, searching for their mother's milk and kneading her belly in delight, he smiled softly, almost forgetting his predicament, “Do they have names yet?” he asked gently.
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Twistedrose shook her head unhappily and looked up at him tiredly, “I get to name them?” Icetalon gave a bewildered look to Emberfur who whispered something into her ear. She nodded her head understandingly and smiled, “Well then… maybe, well I never thought about it!” She gave a thorough look to each cat in the room, “Will you all help me?” she questioned hesitantly. Each cat nodded their head and began to look thoughtful.
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Icetalon, however was thinking about other matters, what was Leadtail talking about earlier, owning the clan? Why did Twistedrose not know about naming her kits? Then a thought rolled into his head like tumbleweed out of nowhere; was Twistedrose from another clan? Why couldn't it be? After all, there were four clans; maybe she was a spy from another clan! But then why would she have kits at this clan?
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Icetalon shook the thoughts from his head as Shadowface's voice drifted into his ears, “What about Moonkit? You are always talking about t he moon!”
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Twistedrose twitched her ears and mewed passionately, “The grey one will be Moonkit.” Icetalon caught a secret glance between Leadtail and Twistedrose that left the tom's eyes sparkling. Then she glanced at Emberfur happily and meowed, “Right, sweetie?” Emberfur nodded and gave the oddball a quick lick on the head so that it bawled.
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“He likes it.” Leadtail's deep voice surprised Icetalon; he hadn't spoken since entering the nursery.
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Shadowface mewed abruptly, “I think it is time for you cats to leave, It is time for moon-meal.” Then she cast a glance from her paws to the cats, “Get going then!” she urged them to the exit of the cave. Emberfur looked a little startled at Twistedrose's brash farewell, but got up soundlessly to follow the other toms.
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******
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“Maplewind!” Icetalon bounded onto the stone slab in Tallmeadow, mewing his friend's name with a touch of satisfied purr at seeing her. When he reached her side he touched her nose with his politely and sat down next to her happily.
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She twitched her whiskers uneasily, “Umm, I don't know how to say this but…”
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Icetalon's happiness seemed to dissolve quickly and he gave an uneasy grin, “I have to tell you something too, you go first…”
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With that, Maplewind yowled an unfamiliar name, “Sparkpelt, Lilytail, come out!” Two shadowy silhouettes slipped from the grass on the far side of the meadow. They gave him an aggressive snarl.
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Icetalon half stood up and let his hackles raise, “Riverhawk, Smallfeather, come here!” he yowled; taking comfort in his two friend's aggressively raising their hackles too. Smallfeather's powerful muscles tensed and Riverhawk's mouth curled into a snarl, letting a nasty hiss escape her mouth. “There was only supposed to be one cat!” promised Icetalon in alarm, then he stepped forward, “Enough!” He gave each cat that had just come into the clearing an angry look. Riverhawk stayed as close to his side as she could, Smallfeather cast a shadowy glance across the row of cats,
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The moon set slightly above the grass to where Icetalon could see, silvery streaks swept across the dark sky
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The moon set slightly above the grass to where Icetalon could see, silvery streaks swept across the dark sky. Icetalon sighed as he looked at the graceful color swoop across the sky. Maplewind sat beside him silently as she watched with him.
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Icetalon closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them again he laughed gently, “So you mean to tell me that one of the four clans has been living a few eagle flights away and we didn't notice?”
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“I guess, but I don't think its funny.” She looked at him with concern clouding her eyes; “It could cause trouble for our clans.”
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Icetalon drew a quick breath, “Then we don't tell anyone.” She looked at him blankly. Then she blinked and gave a more understanding look,
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“Okay.” She stood and mewed; “So I'll see you in two nights?” she tilted her head slightly, letting the moonlight spill over her shoulder that had been protected by shadows.
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“Of course.” He promised. With that the two cats turned and left. As he left Tallmeadow, he heard a rustling in the bushes, a cat! Icetalon tipped his head back and yowled a cry of warning. He saw Maplewind bounding back across the clearing. He clawed into the bushes brutally only to feel a tail. Then he dove into the undergrowth and latched onto a cat's side. A familiar yowl came and Icetalon instantly let go,
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“Smallfeather?” Maplewind stood at his side now, her fur bristling in alarm. Smallfeather stood up and spat, looking at him with a gaze as sharp as a dagger.
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“Yes it's me, and what is <i>Maplewind </i>as you call her, doing here?” Icetalon stared in dismay; Smallfeather gave Maplewind an intense look too.
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“You were spying on us?” he began to feel a soft hiss crawling slowly into his throat and he began to tremble.
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“Calm down.” Maplewind hushed him softly, calming him with a reassuring lick on the ear.
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“Why did you come here?” Icetalon hissed in a fiery tone, breathing in his friend's fear scent.
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“Well I saw you leaving the camp and I as wondering where you were going.” He spat back angrily. Icetalon's hackles rose as he saw his friend's claws unsheathe.
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“WILL YOU STOP?!?” yowled Maplewind. Icetalon's hackles immediately lowered and Smallfeather looked down at his paws. “You. Promise not to tell <i>anyone </i>about me, or the meeting!” She stared at him as frostily as the cold air. Smallfeather looked at her uncertainly,
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“… Well as long as you tell me what you were talking about.” He gave Icetalon a mischievous glance and added, “There was a nasty upwind so I couldn't hear a thing. I'm surprised you didn't scent me.”
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Icetalon felt Maplewind's muscles relax and hastily added, “It's kind of late we should be going.” Maplewind looked at Smallfeather for a moment then she blushed,
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“Right… goodbye.” As she sprinted off into the shadows she looked back and yowled, “Two moon rises.” Icetalon nodded and turned away.
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******
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Pinpricks of sunlight filtered through the opening of the cavern, Icetalon rolled over and batted Smallfeather on the ear,
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“Get up you fat stalker.” Smallfeather grunted and opened one eye trying feebly to bat his ear back,
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“Why don't you, you lying fool.” Then he sat up awkwardly and gave himself a quick wash. The hollow rock was empty; Icetalon stood up and stretched his legs out flexing his claws.
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“Should we tell Riverhawk?” his voice echoed, empty and tired. Icetalon mewed,
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“Don't tell her, if she found out she might tell.” The two warriors trotted to the exit trying to stretch their muscles one last time before going outside,
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“Right, she is a girl after all.” They began to laugh as the walked into the frosty outside air.
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“What's so funny?” Shortstar stared evenly as both of the warriors dipped their head respectfully. “Never mind, Icetalon, I need to talk to you.” Icetalon's eyes shot open. Could he know about Maplewind? His stomach twisted as he made his way on silent paws to the leader's den leaving Smallfeather to stare after him.
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His eyes darted around the clearing and he caught a glimpse of all of Riverhawk who seemed to be in a good mood. She looked after him her jaws slightly parted and her head tilted. Icetalon mouthed, “I'll tell you later.” As he disappeared into Shortstar's den.
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The leader strode onto his nest, the one for his mate left empty, “Have a seat.” He gestured lazily with his tail towards a stone in the room. Icetalon sat down abruptly and licked his shoulders nervously.
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“I wanted to talk to you about last night.” Icetalon's heart lurched, “Windclaw is in a horrible condition and well… frankly I'm not so uncertain her time has come.” Icetalon closed his eyes and felt woozy for a moment. “I need to know if you had anything to do with this, excuse my humor, <i>cat</i>astrophe.” Icetalon's eyes flashed open with a burning passion sparkling in them,
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“I don't find this matter funny, and furthermore, I would never do anything to hurt anyone in this clan!” Icetalon was standing now, lashing his tail.
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Shortstar hardened his gaze, “Sometimes you make me think otherwise.”
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A shocked silence filled the room and seemed to shatter the air, “Wh… wha…” Icetalon looked embarrassedly at his shaking paws. What had he done that was so horrible that Shortstar would accuse him of hurting another clan mate?
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“Now did you at least see anything?” the leader sighed resting slightly on his haunches.
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“No.” he stated blandly turning to the opening in the cave, “May I go?” Shortstar smirked and glared at the warrior angrily,
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“Yes.”
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As he left into the clearing, he felt his heart thud impatiently, trying to beak out of his chest. Suddenly his throat grew hot and tears welled into his eyes, blurring his surroundings. Icetalon staggered blindly toward the tunnel that lead out of the camp. His head popped out of the tunnel only to hear voices behind him calling his name.
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The tom rushed toward the most soothing place he could think of; Foresttop. He sprinted onto the high flat rock that barely stuck out of the top of the forest and latched on. The rock went straight up and his claws scaled the bare rock easily. At the top he collapsed and heaved a sigh, letting the warm sun heat his body. His eyes cleared and he relaxed, to see two cats climb up the rock and walk silently next to him.
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Riverhawk and Smallfeather shared a glance and lay down on opposite sides of their miserable friend. Riverhawk licked him gently on the face,
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“Now tell me what's wrong.” Her tortoiseshell fur brushed against his blue-gray pelt. Icetalon looked up puzzled,
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“What did I do?” he asked. Smallfeather looked puzzled as well and tilted his head feeling the cold heat surrounding him,
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“What <i>did</i> you do?” Riverhawk glared at him for his insensitive words then glanced back at Icetalon, “I must've done something to make Shortstar angry, he said I…” he felt Smallfeather's fur bristle, “I was not loyal.”
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Smallfeather stood up and lashed his tail angrily, “Are you mad? My father would never say anything like that!” Riverhawk stood also, but Smallfeather continued, “You did do something, you met Maplewind! You aren't loyal!” Icetalon stood up, the spell of peace broken. “You didn't tell him either, you weren't loyal!” he hissed angrily.
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“Maplewind?” a soft voice came from Riverhawk. “Oh no…” meowed Smallfeather, “I didn't mean to, I got so angry and it just…” Icetalon frowned and mewled, “I lost my temper I'm, sorry.”
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“Just tell me, who is Maplewind?” yowled Riverhawk. “Right,” mewed Icetalon, “A while back I had a dream,” the three friends sat down as Icetalon told his story, “It was about a she-cat.” He glanced at Riverhawk.
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“Do you remember that intruder cat we met with?” Riverhawk's jaws parted slightly, “It was her wasn't it?” she asked in a sorrowful voice,
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“Yes, she and I met last night. It turns out that there is another clan!”
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“Do you mean to say that her clan is the clan that has been attacking ours?” Riverhawk said, tasting each word like it was a vile rat.
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Icetalon looked genuinely surprised, “It… might… have… been… but, Windclaw told me about two other clans.”
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Smallfeather cut him off, “So that could mean one of the two other clans could have attacked us, and could still be near!”
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“Why didn't you tell me until now?!” Riverhawk rolled tiredly onto her back warming her pretty white underbelly.
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“I didn't think it mattered.” Lied Icetalon. Riverhawk rolled back over and gave him a facetious look, “Ice, for a warrior who does an awful lot of lying, you're bad at it.” Then she hopped up and batted both of his ears and rolled Smallfeather onto his back as a barrier between him and her.
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Smallfeather immediately hopped to his paws and began to be her cat shield. Icetalon pounced on him and Smallfeather couldn't get him off. Riverhawk dragged him off by his scruff and began to prance around him,
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“Can't catch me!” Icetalon gave her an irritated look,
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“You apprentice.” And the three warriors took off down the rock.
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******
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“Will all cats old enough to catch their own food please step up?” as Shortstar began his speech, Icetalon, Riverhawk, and Smallfeather mingled with the growing crowd of cats. Cold air nipped through Icetalon's fluffed coat, he ended up next to Twistedrose, Emberfur, and fully recovered Ashheart.
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“Chilly night, eh?” smiled Ashheart shivering a little and giving Icetalon a playful look,
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“Yes, those kits- I mean apprentices hopefully will not freeze before the ceremony.”
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“Whitekit, Twigkit, Pinekit, and Mousekit, please step forward. Whitekit come here.” the kit glanced around nervously with her blood red eyes. “Your mentor will be, Nightfrost.” Everycat congratulated him heartily as Nightfrost stepped foreword and rubbed his pitch-black fur against Whitepaw's snow-white fur. This kit was chosen to be the medicine cat's apprentice.
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Shortstar called, “Pinekit, you are now Pinepaw and your mentor will be Riverhawk.” Icetalon gaped. Riverhawk gaped. Smallfeather gaped. Then Riverhawk caught herself and grinned giving obvious pleasure to her new apprentice.
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“Mousepaw,” the apprentice's eyes gleamed, “Your new mentor is, Smallfeather.” Smallfeather paused for a moment to thank his proud father and congratulated his new apprentice.
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“Twigkit, your new mentor will be,” Shortstar paused and his crystal blue eyes stared at Icetalon for a moment skeptically. “Ashheart” he finished looking away to focus on the awestruck mentor beside Icetalon. He glanced at Icetalon uncomfortably the shouldered his way through the thick crowd to meet with his new apprentice who nuzzled him happily. Icetalon blinked, he looked up at the four new mentors to see Riverhawk and Smallfeather happily overlooking the crowd.
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A sudden cry of pain and distress broke from next to Icetalon making him jump up. Shocked whispers broke out and the cry came again, it was Twistedrose, she was about to have kits! Emberfur, who was at her side, yowled protectively standing over his beloved mate, “Nightfrost, come here, quickly!” Nightfrost began to make his way hastily through the crowd.
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He called to his apprentice, “Whitepaw, come, help Twistedrose to the nursery.” He glanced at his apprentice as the young cat scurried to his mentor's side, “This will be your first lesson.” Then Nightfrost disappeared into his den. Whitepaw helped the panting queen to the nursery, the other queens, Shadowface, never leaving their sides, and Dawnflower, preparing the nursery.
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The rest of the clan finished off the night with a meal, large, at least for Earthblanket. With Riverhawk and Smallfeather sharing night meal with their apprentices, Icetalon felt a loss at what to do. He sat next to Sparrowheart and began to eat a fat crow, but it was no use trying to talk, she was nervous to death about Twistedrose. She always got nervous when a queen gave birth. But as she jabbered on Icetalon found his thoughts wandering. <i>Why didn't I get an apprentice?</i> He wondered. <i>And why is Shortstar so mad at me?</i>
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But his thoughts were interrupted as Nightfrost came out of the nursery, supporting Whitepaw at his side, who was looking petrified. “Four healthy kits and a healthy mother!” He called as Icetalon stood and trotted toward bed. He would see the kits tomorrow, he was too weary to even think straight now.
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Dark thoughts curled and mixed with light ones making Icetalon feel strangely feeble. Suddenly his eyes shot open, he was in a sweat and panting. <i>It must have been a bad dream… </i> He thought, trotting lightly and wearily out of the cavern. A Fluffy white sheet covered the ground by two whole mouse's bodies! It was defiantly Earthblanket, the most dangerous time of the year. Mountain lions came out more often because of their hunger and the lack of food.
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Icetalon stepped onto the snow letting his feet sink in and then taking a bite of the cold, watery ice for a drink. Then he glanced around to see two other cats in the clearing, “Good morning!” his voice echoed mercilessly across the field of snow.
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The two cats looked up cheerily and called back, “Good morning, Icetalon!” Icetalon soon recognized Riverhawk, and Smallfeather, who as never up so early. He began to trot towards the two cats, who exchanged meaningful glances and looked up again quickly. The snow began to feel even colder as it collected on his broad shoulders. Then he shook and glared at them.
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“You two were talking about me weren't you?” Smallfeather's eyes grew big and round like two blooming flowers facing the sun, and shook his head vigorously.
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Riverhawk just gave Smallfeather an irritated look and coolly mewed to Icetalon, “No, we were talking about…”
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Smallfeather half-yowled-half- bawled, “No we were talking about, err, umm, mice,” He blurted out, trying for an innocent look, “They are <b><i>so</i></b> hard to catch these days!” Icetalon sighed, facilely looked him in the eyes and mewed.
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“I know you were talking about me.”
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“SOOO? You don't know what we were talking about, about you!” Then Smallfeather gave a puzzled look to Riverhawk.
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She whacked him upside the head and mewed, “Look, this was really important and it just, well happened to be about… you!” Icetalon cocked his head slightly and began to speak.
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Smallfeather cut him off, “It was only about a few things, like, Maplewind and you not having an apprentice for instance.” Then he gave a quizzical look to Icetalon, “I guess you know what we were talking about now.” At this point, Riverhawk looked as if she would blow a fuse. Icetalon began to speak again but Riverhawk cut him off.
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“I was wondering if I could come and meet Maplewind!” she mewed quietly. Icetalon sighed and began to speak again, but Smallfeather put his tail to Icetalon's mouth to signal for him to be quiet as a few more clan cats bounded into the clearing. “We'll talk later.” Said Riverhawk, walking toward an approaching cat in a casual way. Smallfeather stayed by his side and grinned uneasily scooting away on his haunches. Icetalon's ears drooped and he trotted away to the nursery.
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The tough, gnarly, cryophyte tunnel curled in sharply as Icetalon walked down the path, which he had not often been down. A fork in the road stopped him, <i>which way was it again? </i> He thought. Brashly he turned down the left way, hearing a few muffled mews from behind.
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The tom pricked his ears as he hid unnoticed in the shadows, “I will be the clan leader one day, and I should be now anyways.”
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“Well, I… err.” An unsure voice came from one of the two emerging cats. Then a cat's gleaming eyes turned the corner. Laughing uneasily the same cat's voice came, trying to change the subject, “Oh, umm… which way do we go?” suddenly the cats' scents drifted into Icetalon's nostrils as he parted his jaws. Leadtail and Emberfur the two were best friends as well as rivals for Twistedrose's attention, but since she had taken Emberfur as her mate, things had cooled off between them.
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A thought occurred to Icetalon; what if they chose the wrong way and found him spying on them? He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and stepped out in front of them, “Oh, hi! I went the wrong way, can you believe that?” Trying to sound cheery, he stepped off into the right tunnel, “Well, good day.” He meowed as he walked seemingly happily down the walkway.
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“We were a little lost too, glad you came along.” Emberfur's cheeriness sounded just as fake as Icetalon's.
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Leadtail's shoulders stiffened for a moment and then relaxed, “Yes, lead the way.” He gave Icetalon an alarmingly happy gaze and nodded to the tunnel. After a silent walk, light suddenly broke into the path and the nursery sat before them.
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Twistedrose and Shadowface lay next to each other. Shadowface nodded a hello and whispered gently into the sleeping queen's ear. Twistedrose twitched and lifted her head; her face was full of exuberance at seeing the three visitors. Emberfur gave out a quiet purr and lay down next to her, thoroughly washing her and her kittens. Icetalon noticed that all of the kittens were striped ginger and orange like flames. That is, all except for one, one was grey, like Leadtail, but Leadtail showed no emotion at the kits or Twistedrose. Emberfur did not seem to notice, or if he did notice he didn't seem to care. As he watched the kittens mewl, searching for their mother's milk and kneading her belly in delight, he smiled softly, almost forgetting his predicament, “Do they have names yet?” he asked gently.
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Twistedrose shook her head unhappily and looked up at him tiredly, “I get to name them?” Icetalon gave a bewildered look to Emberfur who whispered something into her ear. She nodded her head understandingly and smiled, “Well then… maybe, well I never thought about it!” She gave a thorough look to each cat in the room, “Will you all help me?” she questioned hesitantly. Each cat nodded their head and began to look thoughtful.
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Icetalon, however was thinking about other matters, what was Leadtail talking about earlier, owning the clan? Why did Twistedrose not know about naming her kits? Then a thought rolled into his head like tumbleweed out of nowhere; was Twistedrose from another clan? Why couldn't it be? After all, there were four clans; maybe she was a spy from another clan! But then why would she have kits at this clan?
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Icetalon shook the thoughts from his head as Shadowface's voice drifted into his ears, “What about Moonkit? You are always talking about t he moon!”
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Twistedrose twitched her ears and mewed passionately, “The grey one will be Moonkit.” Icetalon caught a secret glance between Leadtail and Twistedrose that left the tom's eyes sparkling. Then she glanced at Emberfur happily and meowed, “Right, sweetie?” Emberfur nodded and gave the oddball a quick lick on the head so that it bawled.
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“He likes it.” Leadtail's deep voice surprised Icetalon; he hadn't spoken since entering the nursery.
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Shadowface mewed abruptly, “I think it is time for you cats to leave, It is time for moon-meal.” Then she cast a glance from her paws to the cats, “Get going then!” she urged them to the exit of the cave. Emberfur looked a little startled at Twistedrose's brash farewell, but got up soundlessly to follow the other toms.
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******
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“Maplewind!” Icetalon bounded onto the stone slab in Tallmeadow, mewing his friend's name with a touch of satisfied purr at seeing her. When he reached her side he touched her nose with his politely and sat down next to her happily.
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She twitched her whiskers uneasily, “Umm, I don't know how to say this but…”
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Icetalon's happiness seemed to dissolve quickly and he gave an uneasy grin, “I have to tell you something too, you go first…”
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With that, Maplewind yowled an unfamiliar name, “Sparkpelt, Lilytail, come out!” Two shadowy silhouettes slipped from the grass on the far side of the meadow. They gave him an aggressive snarl.
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Icetalon half stood up and let his hackles raise, “Riverhawk, Smallfeather, come here!” he yowled; taking comfort in his two friend's aggressively raising their hackles too. Smallfeather's powerful muscles tensed and Riverhawk's mouth curled into a snarl, letting a nasty hiss escape her mouth. “There was only supposed to be one cat!” promised Icetalon in alarm, then he stepped forward, “Enough!” He gave each cat that had just come into the clearing an angry look. Riverhawk stayed as close to his side as she could, Smallfeather cast a shadowy glance across the row of cats,
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