Hi! Sorry I havent updated in so long. I have been literally DROWNING in schoolwork. DROWNING, I TELL YOU! Oh, and by the way, I changed my name. Im still shootforthestars, but with a different name. Just so you know. And I know theres more people reading than there are reviewing, and that pisses me off, so lets make this quite clear: IF YOU'RE GONNA READ MY STORIES, YOU MUST REVIEW, OR I WILL NOT POST ANYMORE! ...So, enjoy the chappie! :D Chapter 3: The Tribe
Talon led the way through the Path of Rushing Water and into the Tribe's cave, carrying the body of an eagle. The three cats had hunted after seeing to Smokepaw. Brook was carrying two mice, and Gray dragged a rabbit. It wasn't much, but along with what was on the fresh-kill pile, it was enough to give every cat a small meal.
Stoneteller, the Tribe's Healer, was just coming out of the Cave of Pointed Stones as Talon, Brook, and Gray dropped their prey onto the fresh-kill pile. "You are back," he rasped.
"Yes," meowed Talon, dipping his head to the Healer.
"Good," Stoneteller raised his voice. "Cats of the Tribe of Rushing Water, gather here in the cave for a Tribe meeting."
Cats with mud-streaked pelts began to slink out of the shadows of the cave, slowly forming a group in front of Stoneteller. The nursing queens gathered their kits together, sitting in the group but off to the side, while the cave-guards and prey-hunters congregated in the center. When every cat was settled, the Healer spoke.
"Cats of the Tribe," he began. "I have received a sign from the Tribe of Endless Hunting."
A mixture of anxious and excited murmuring filled the cave. Stoneteller waved his tail for silence.
"You all know of the strange cat that fell into our territory," he began again. "I asked the Tribe of Endless Hunting about him, whether he was friend or foe. And they have answered."
He paused. The cave was silent except for the roar of the waterfall.
"The Tribe of Endless Hunting told me that this cat is a friend. He comes from the Clans."
Sighs of relief echoed around the cave.
"Talon, you visited this cat today," meowed Stoneteller. "Come forward, and tell us what you found out. Brook, Gray, you too."
Talon padded up to the front of the group and stood next to Stoneteller. Brook and Gray joined him.
"The cat awoke today," Talon began. "We found out that he comes from ShadowClan, and his name is Smokepaw. He is only a Clan to-be."
Murmurs of sympathy spread throughout the cave.
"And his injuries?" meowed Stoneteller.
"Both his back legs are broken," whispered Brook, her tail drooping. Talon realized how much she cared about the young cat already. "He was sick when he woke, but was able to eat. He tore a claw on one of his front paws."
"We put herbs on his legs and rubbed some mud on him to keep him warm," Gray added.
"What about eagles?" asked Stoneteller.
"They will not see him," Talon reassured him. "We hid him under an overhang of rock. He will be sheltered from the snow as well as predators."
"Good." Stoneteller lowered his head. "We must decide what to do now that he is awake. How long until it is safe to move him to the cave?"
"I'd say at least a quarter moon, to be safe," said Gray. "We cannot risk damaging his legs while they heal. He wishes to return to his Clan."
"He's mad!" cried Night of No Stars. "Even fully recovered, a journey like that in the middle of leaf-bare? He is only a to-be!"
"He is strong," growled Talon. "If Clan kits could manage the journey, so can he."
"Night has a point," meowed Crag Where Eagles Nest. "The Clan kits had their kit-mothers and warriors to look after them. When Smokepaw is well enough to travel, he will have no one."
"Not if I can help it!" A muscular gray cat spoke from the back of the group, padding over to Brook. "Brook and I can bring him home once he's fit."
"No, you will not!" snapped Stoneteller. "Stormfur, you chose to stay with the Tribe instead of leave with RiverClan. You are now loyal to the Tribe. How can you stay loyal if you travel back to the Clans?"
"I will always be loyal to the Tribe!" growled Stormfur.
"Fine. If Stormfur cannot bring Smokepaw home, I will!" snapped Talon. This was getting ridiculous. Stormfur probably knew more about the Clans' instincts better than anyone in the Tribe. It would make sense for him and Brook to bring Smokepaw home. But whoever he traveled with, he couldn't go alone.
"Silence, all of you!" hissed Stoneteller, digging his claws into the earthy floor in frustration. "This is not all I have been told. The Tribe of Endless Hunting also said that more strange cats would come. They said these cats would not be from any known Clan or Tribe, and they will not be friends, either, no matter how peaceful we may act towards them."
The Tribe cats exchanged uneasy looks.
"When will they come?" asked Night.
"The Tribe of Endless Hunting did not give me a particular time," Stoneteller admitted. "They only said they will be here soon, and to be prepared."
"Well, we cannot prepare until we know what is threatening us," growled Crag. The other cats murmured in agreement.
"The only thing we can do is make sure we're fully fed," meowed Talon. "We must hunt as much as possible to make sure the Tribe is strong."
"Very well." Stoneteller closed his eyes. "May the Tribe of Endless Hunting watch over us all, and young Smokepaw." He turned and padded into the Cave of Pointed Stones, his tail dragging over the ground.
Talon and Crag divided up the fresh-kill. When every cat was fed, he sat down next to Brook.
"Are you okay?" he murmured.
Brook stared at her piece of rabbit. "I'm worried for him," she mewed. "Worried that he'll never get back to his Clan."
"He will," Talon vowed. "If no one else can bring him home, I will, even if Stoneteller forbids it. I cannot let him make the journey by himself."
"I'll come with you." Brook took a large bite of rabbit.
"Brook, it will be dangerous," cautioned Talon.
"I don't care," snapped Brook. "I cannot bear not knowing whether he made it home or not!"
Talon said nothing. He remembered when Stoneteller had banished him from the Tribe, telling him he could not come back until he had killed Sharptooth. Even though he had Bird and Jag with him, he still missed the rest of the Tribe terribly. Smokepaw had no one. Smokepaw was in this situation all alone. And Smokepaw had no idea where he had to go once he recovered.
Emotion burned in Talon's chest. Whatever the consequence, he would do his best to bring the young to-be home.
You likey? See, Talon and Smokepaw have some things in common and some differences. They were/are both outsiders to their Tribe/Clan, so Talon feels like he can relate to Smokepaw. But Smokepaw is going through this all by himself, and has no idea what to do, while Talon had other cats with him, and they knew EXACTLY what they had to do. So, as I said/threatened before...REVIEW!