Outcast Read Free Page B

his place so he could spend more time in thenursery. Jaypaw thought Spiderleg seemed awkward around his kits, as if he couldn’t adjust to the idea of being a father.
    In any case, Jaypaw thought, the nursery was pretty crowded. Icekit and Foxkit, Ferncloud’s latest litter, were still there, though they were nearly old enough to become apprentices. And Millie, who was expecting Graystripe’s kits, had just moved in. Jaypaw knew that Firestar was proud of how strong ThunderClan was becoming, though he sometimes worried about how they would all be fed.
    More rustling came from the thorn tunnel and Lionpaw staggered into the camp with his mentor, Ashfur, just behind him.
    â€œTwo mice and a squirrel!” Ashfur meowed. “Well done, Lionpaw. That’s the sort of hunting I expect from you.”
    In spite of the words of praise, Ashfur didn’t sound enthusiastic. Jaypaw thought that his brother and Ashfur had never gotten on as well as mentor and apprentice should. There was something there that puzzled him, and something in Ashfur that he couldn’t read.
    But it was probably unimportant. Jaypaw dismissed the question from his mind as his brother flopped down beside him, a mouse in his jaws.
    â€œI’m worn out!” Lionpaw announced. “I thought I’d have to chase that squirrel all the way to ShadowClan.”
    â€œWhy bother?” Jaypaw asked. “It’s not your assessment today.”
    â€œI know,” Lionpaw mumbled around a mouthful of fresh-kill. “But that’s not the point. A good warrior will always do as much as he can to feed the Clan.”
    And Lionpaw wanted to be the best warrior he could. Jaypaw knew that, and he knew how tense and determined his brother had been ever since they found the kits in the tunnels. He knew the reason, too, even without reading Lionpaw’s mind: His brother had decided to concentrate on his training to make up for meeting the WindClan apprentice Heatherpaw in secret.
    Jaypaw’s whiskers twitched in sympathy. As a medicine cat, he was allowed to have friends outside his Clan, though he couldn’t imagine wanting to. How could anyone trust a cat from a different Clan?
    The patter of a falling pebble alerted him that Firestar was bounding down from the Highledge. His voice came from close to the warriors’ den.
    â€œWe need a border patrol. Which of you—”
    Beside Jaypaw, Lionpaw leaped to his feet. “I’ll go!”
    For a moment Jaypaw wondered why Firestar was organizing a patrol, until he remembered that the Clan deputy, Brambleclaw, was out in the forest giving Berrypaw his assessment.
    â€œThanks, Lionpaw,” Firestar meowed, “but I can see you’ve been working hard today.”
    Lionpaw sat down again; Jaypaw could tell he was disappointed.
    â€œI’ll go.” Graystripe spoke as he pushed his way out of the warriors’ den.
    â€œSo will I.” Squirrelflight was just behind him.
    â€œAnd I’ll come with Honeypaw.” Jaypaw heard Sandstormpadding up from the direction of the apprentices’ den, with her apprentice at her side.
    â€œGood,” meowed Firestar. “I think you should take a look at the border with WindClan. Everything’s been quiet since the kits were found, but you never know.”
    â€œWe’ll make sure the scent marks are fresh,” Graystripe promised. “And if we see—”
    He broke off at the sound of excited meows and loud rustling from the thorn tunnel. Jaypaw sat up, jaws parted to distinguish the different scents of the newcomers. Berrypaw was first into the clearing, with Hazelpaw and Mousepaw bundling just behind him. They were followed by their mentors, Brambleclaw, Dustpelt, and Spiderleg.
    â€œWe did it!” Berrypaw’s triumphant yowl echoed around the stone hollow. “We all passed our assessment, and now we’ll be warriors!”
    â€œBerrypaw.” Brambleclaw sounded