A Forest Divided Read Free Page B

him.
    That long ago? Clear Sky’s thoughts flitted back to the dream. We grow tired of waiting. They had promised to spread and grow like the Blazing Star. He caught Gray Wing’s eye. “We have to talk about what we saw.” He scanned the clearing. “Is Tall Shadow here?”
    â€œPebble Heart’s treating a scratch on her paw.” Thunder nodded toward a jutting stretch of gorse. “In Cloud Spots’s den.”
    â€œI can get her if you like.” A mew sounded behind Clear Sky.
    He jerked around. It was Owl Eyes. The young tom had broadened across the shoulders. His forehead was nearly as wide as Gray Wing’s. “You’ve grown!” Clear Sky exclaimed.
    â€œSo has Pebble Heart.” Owl Eyes stalked away and called into the gorse. “Tall Shadow, Clear Sky is here.”
    â€œI know.” The black she-cat’s familiar mew sounded from the shadows. “I can smell his scent.” The bush quivered as Tall Shadow slid out.
    Pebble Heart followed. “I’ll put fresh ointment on it tomorrow,” he mewed.
    â€œThanks.” Tall Shadow stopped beside Clear Sky. “What do you want?”
    Clear Sky hardly heard her. He was gazing across the snowy clearing. Jagged Peak nuzzled Eagle Feather near the edge. Pebble Heart followed Owl Eyes across the grass.
    Sparrow Fur called to them from the broom. “Shelter under here!”
    Gray Wing’s gaze shone proudly as he watched. “She’s so like her mother,” he purred. “And Jagged Peak is turning out to be a great father.”
    Clear Sky glanced guiltily at Thunder. Would his son ever truly forgive him for driving him away? He looked back toward Jagged Peak, who’d crouched low to let Eagle Feather scramble onto his back. Jagged Peak is a far better father than I was. He shifted his paws, feeling the cold pierce his fur. And Gray Wing raised another tom’s kits while I wouldn’t even raise my own.
    â€œWell?” Tall Shadow’s sharp mew jerked him back to the present. “Why did you come?”
    He met her eye. “I saw you in my dream last night.”
    â€œAnd we saw you.” Tall Shadow tipped her head.
    Clear Sky leaned forward, his heart quickening. “What did the spirit cats tell you?”
    â€œTo stop thinking and act,” Tall Shadow told him. “That we’ve delayed too long.”
    â€œThat’s what they told me too!” Clear Sky trembled withexcitement. “They want us to join together.”
    â€œJoin together ?” Tall Shadow stared at him, eyes wide.
    â€œAre you sure you heard them right?” Thunder tipped his head, curious.
    â€œThey told us to spread ,” Gray Wing snapped.
    Clear Sky’s belly twisted with frustration. They’ve misunderstood the spirit cats’ message. “We’ll be stronger together, especially with prey so scarce and bad weather coming.” He lifted his face to the thickening snow. “We’re more likely to spread and grow if we join forces.”
    Gray Wing narrowed his eyes. “But don’t you remember what I said after the last dream? The Blazing Star has five petals, so I think we should split into five groups.”
    â€œWe didn’t agree on that,” Clear Sky reminded him. “That’s only what you think. I think the spirit cats want us to join together!”
    Tall Shadow’s ear twitched. “Lovely, it’s another battle between the two of you,” she growled. “When the time comes, I won’t be joining your group. I want to make my own camp in the pine forest.”
    Clear Sky stared at her. “You can’t!” His mind raced. What were they talking about? This was the opposite of what Fluttering Bird wanted!
    â€œTall Shadow’s not the only cat who wants to move on,” Gray Wing murmured.
    Clear Sky jerked around to stare at his brother. “What do you mean?”
    Gray Wing dropped