The Blazing Star Read Free Page A

night.
    Just like the rest of us.

C HAPTER 2

    â€œNow it’s time for all of us to go home,” Tall Shadow announced. “To the forest, or the hollow on the moor. Every cat is free to choose.”
    â€œI don’t live in either camp,” River Ripple put in. “But any cat is welcome to come with me to my island home.”
    Thunder watched as the cats padded to and fro, still looking uneasy. Gradually they began to gather into two groups, one around Tall Shadow, Wind Runner, and Thunder, the other around Clear Sky.
    Acorn Fur was drifting closer to the cats who surrounded Clear Sky, and Thunder’s pelt prickled apprehensively at the sight. He took a step forward, but before he could do any more Lightning Tail was beside him, his green eyes wide with shock as he gazed at his sister.
    â€œShe can’t be thinking of leaving us!” he exclaimed.
    Acorn Fur must have heard him, or spotted the two toms watching her, because she came padding over to them. “I’m not sure I want to go back to the hollow,” she meowed, blinking apologetically. “Too much has happened. I’d keep expecting to see Hawk Swoop and Jackdaw’s Cry. . . .” Her voice trailedoff with a choking sound.
    As she spoke, Clear Sky emerged from his group of cats and came to join them. “I’ll happily take Acorn Fur with me into the forest,” he declared. “If that’s what she wants.”
    Acorn Fur didn’t respond, just stared mutely at the ground. With an unpleasant jolt, Thunder realized that was exactly what she wanted. And there’s nothing I can do about it. We’ve all agreed to live in peace with one another. Besides, he added to himself, what Tall Shadow said is true: Every cat should be allowed to choose where they want to live.
    He drew a long sigh. Once again it was clear that nothing would ever be the same.
    But Lightning Tail clearly wasn’t able to accept that. “How can you leave me?” he yowled at his littermate.
    â€œI won’t be far away.” Acorn Fur brushed her brother’s shoulder with her tail. “The forest is very close. Would you like to come with me?” She gazed at him hopefully.
    Lightning Tail hesitated for a heartbeat, opened his mouth as if to reply, but then looked away, as if unable to find the words. He gave a sad shake of his head.
    A great surge of warmth and affection swept through Thunder for his loyal friend. He stepped up to Lightning Tail and pressed his muzzle gently into the younger cat’s flank. “Acorn Fur is right,” he mewed. “She won’t be far away. And if the battle has proved one thing, it’s this: We shouldn’t think of ourselves as two separate groups, but one big group, split into two.”
    Lightning Tail gave a nod of understanding, but he still didn’t look happy.
    Of course he isn’t, Thunder thought. I’ll make sure to look after him in the future.
    The two groups gradually drew away from each other, one toward the moor, the other up the slope that led farther into the forest. Only River Ripple didn’t move. He gave a twitch of his ears as Thunder faced him with a questioning look.
    â€œI’m happy that you seem to have settled your differences,” the silver-furred tom began.
    His words pierced Thunder, as if a different cat was calling to him from among the trees. I’ve always felt more comfortable in the forest, he reflected, remembering how natural it had felt to stalk prey in the undergrowth. He could see that other cats, too, seemed to be pondering River Ripple’s words. But it looks like I belong on the moor, for now. Gray Wing and Lightning Tail both need me to take care of them.
    Dipping his head in a polite farewell to River Ripple, Thunder padded over to Tall Shadow and Wind Runner. Clear Sky approached them, embarrassment in his eyes.
    â€œI suppose this is good-bye, for now,” he meowed awkwardly.