Эрин Хантер - A Forest Divided

Instinctively, he looked toward the gully his father had led him along on their last patrol together, but Clear Sky’s scent drifted from the other direction. Thunder followed it. Keeping low, he brushed past a clump of bracken and slid beneath a branch.

“He’s heading for the river,” Lightning Tail whispered from behind.

Thunder’s tail twitched. There was a boundary at the river’s edge. Clear Sky didn’t patrol it very often. He believed that the river, which flowed between River Ripple’s marshes and the oak woods, was enough to keep inquisitive rogues and kittypets from crossing into their territory.

Perhaps he was hoping to find some new recruits, just like he’d found Milkweed, Pink Eyes, and Blossom. Was that the purpose of his patrols? As Thunder pushed through a stretch of long grass, he wondered again at the change in his father. The leader who had fought so hard to defend his borders was now happy to open them to any cat.

The thought cheered him, and he leaped the last few clumps of grass and began to follow the forest floor as it sloped upward. He hurried onward watchfully. He didn’t want Clear Sky to see that he’d followed him. Once he’d caught up to his father, he would only make his presence known if there was trouble—an unfriendly rogue or a hungry fox.

“Can you see him?” Lightning Tail fell in beside him as they neared the top of the ridge.

“No, but he can’t be far ahead.” Clear Sky’s scent trail was fresh, his paw prints easy to make out on the damp forest floor. Beyond the crest, flattened grass showed where Clear Sky had bounded down to the river. Thunder scanned the slope, looking for Clear Sky’s pale gray pelt. He could see the river glimmering beyond the trees, but no sign of his father other than the trail of crushed grass. He broke into a run, leaping down the slope, slowing only as he approached the tree line. The river flowed beyond, babbling lazily as it washed the stony bank.

Lightning Tail pulled ahead and peeked out from the trees. “He’s not on the shore,” he hissed over his shoulder.

Thunder pointed his nose downstream. “His scent leads that way, along the river.”

“He must be heading for the flat rocks,” Lightning Tail suggested.

The flat rocks were large boulders that rose above the river farther downstream. The first time Thunder had come to live with his father, they’d sunned themselves there, relishing the warmth of the sun-blanched stone. Now he sniffed the grass, picking up Clear Sky’s scent. “Let’s see,” he told Lightning Tail. “Come on.”

Keeping to the shelter of the trees, he headed for the boulders. The rain had eased, and sun was breaking through the thick, gray clouds. Before long, light glimmered beyond the trees as sunlight flashed on the rain-washed stone.

Thunder stopped and tasted the air. Clear Sky’s scent was stronger here. He peered out from the trees at the wide expanse of stone. A light breeze whispered through the treetops above him, and the river gurgled somewhere far below the edge of the rocky outcrop.

“There he is!” Lightning Tail’s whisper sounded in Thunder’s ear.

Stiffening, he followed his friend’s gaze.

Clear Sky was sitting in the middle of the flat rocks, his ears pricked. He was scanning the forest that crowded the edges of the stone, tail twitching excitedly. Thunder narrowed his eyes. Had Clear Sky spotted prey?

A familiar mew sounded from the trees beyond. “So, you decided to take me up on that hunting lesson?”

Thunder froze as Star Flower stalked from the trees and crossed the stone. She stopped just in front of Clear Sky and raised her bushy tail. The sun’s rays flashed through the clouds and turned her golden pelt to fire.

Lightning Tail stiffened beside Thunder. “What’s she doing here?”

Thunder didn’t answer. Jealousy was scorching through his chest as he watched the she-cat weave around Clear Sky. A low growl rumbled in his throat. No wonder he didn’t want me to patrol with him.

“I’m not here for hunting lessons.” Clear Sky blocked Star Flower’s path.

She stopped, her eyes glittering playfully. “Then why are you here? I invited you to meet me so I could teach you the ways of the forest.”

Clear Sky brushed around Star Flower, his eyes never leaving hers. He stopped close to her muzzle. “You don’t need to teach me anything,” he meowed. “I’ve learned all I need to know. And I’ve learned it the hard way.”

“I told you,” Star Flower purred throatily. “We have more in common than you think.”

Clear Sky half closed his eyes. “Perhaps we do.”

Star Flower let her tail slide beneath Clear Sky’s chin.

Thunder curled his claws deep into the soft earth, imagining its softness flowing beneath his muzzle. She had used the same gesture when talking to him.

He stared at his father, willing Clear Sky to step away from the treacherous she-cat. But Clear Sky stood still while Star Flower padded slowly around him.

“You were going to give me some lessons in leadership,” she murmured.

“Not yet.” Clear Sky’s eyes flashed. “Before you can lead, you must learn how to follow.”

He’s encouraging her! Rage surged beneath Thunder’s pelt. Then fear. He knew better than any cat how Star Flower could turn against those she pretended to care for. She’d once convinced him that she wanted to join his group—that she wanted to be his mate. But she’d only been spying for One

Eye. She’d told him she truly cared for him, but only after One Eye had died.

The anger burned in his belly. Why had she told him that? When she’d reappeared last half-moon, a tiny hope had sparked in his heart that she’d returned to the forest for him.

He watched, his pelt bristling, as Star Flower lay down, her tail swishing over the stone. She looked up at Clear Sky, her radiant green eyes catching the light. “Enjoy the sunshine with me.”

Thunder turned away and marched through the forest, growling under his breath.

Lightning Tail bounded after him. “Thunder!”

“I should have known,” Thunder snarled. “She never felt anything for me.”

Lightning Tail barged across his path. “Wait!”

Thunder glared at him. “Are you going to say that you told me so?”

Hurt sparked in Lightning Tail’s gaze, and Thunder felt instantly guilty. “I’m sorry.” He hung his head.

“I’m just glad you saw this before you did something mouse-brained like telling her you loved her.” Lightning Tail suddenly leaned closer. “You didn’t, did you?”

“No!” Thunder snapped. “I’m not that dumb.”

Lightning Tail glanced back toward the rocks. “It looks like Clear Sky is.”

Thunder’s heart lurched. He’d been so wrapped up in his own feelings, he hadn’t considered his father. “She’s using him!”

“What for?” Lightning Tail’s eyes darkened with worry.

“Because she can,” Thunder growled bitterly. “Because he’s the leader, and becoming his mate would give her power and influence.”

“But he knows she’s treacherous,” Lightning Tail reasoned. “He must realize what she’s doing and why. Perhaps he’s just seeing how far she’s willing to go.”

Thunder nodded slowly. Clear Sky’s main goal had been bringing the cats together, not finding a mate. “Of course. He’s letting Star Flower play her stupid games, making a fool of herself.” He stared blankly at Lightning Tail, his gaze clouding. Was that all it was with me too? A stupid game? Pain seared his heart. He shook out his pelt, fighting grief. “Leave me alone, Lightning Tail. I need to think.”

Lightning Tail stared at him anxiously. “You’re not going back there to confront them?”