3. Chapter 3
Spiderleg, Lionheart, Eagle, and Falcon stared into each others eyes. Amber and green eyes of the rogues locked with the clan cat's two pairs of amber eyes.
"More? Why doesn't the whole of this ThunderClan come," Falcon spat. True, he admired their strength and he always wanted to live with a Clan, even if it was temporary, but right now he seemed to forget that dream.
Sunpaw snarled. "You have something against that?" he flicked his tail at the fresh-kill Falcon had caught. "You are stealing prey from ThunderClan! I wouldn't be surprised if they did come and chase you out."
"I would," Lionheart growled. "That is not the way things work. Above all the warrior code. You have to evaluate the situation and size up the beast involved. Have you learned nothing, Sunpaw?" Sunpaw bowed his head, ashamed. 'He must be Lionheart's apprentice,' Eagle thought. She had no idea how that thought came into her head. ThunderClan. Hasn't she heard that name before? A different meow shattered her thoughts.
"Eagle? Falcon? Who are your friends?" Dove stepped out of the shadows with a mouthful of herbs.
"Watch out, Dove. You're stealing ThunderClan plants." Falcon warned. A slight smile showed on Eagle's muzzle.
"Come on, Falcon. Get off their case. We did trespass on their territory. We should have known better."
Falcon snorted. "Right. And fish walk on four legs. We didn't know there were territories. Besides, we must have been in every territory the way we move." Silverpaw blinked.
"You mean…you don't have a home?"
Dove dropped the leaves she was carrying. "Well, yes. That's why we don't have any scent you know of." Eagle licked her paw.
"And I did tell you young ones I'm not from a Clan." Spiderleg narrowed his eyes.
"Has it ever occurred to you that you might be killed? There are some cats I can name that aren't very merciful." Dove widened her eyes. Eagle nodded. It has crossed her mind every now and then. Perhaps that was the reason they tried dearly to avoid the Clans. Yes, they could have been caught, but they have done a pretty good job so far, haven't they?
"You can't wander forever. Sooner or later, you have to settle down." Lionheart paused. "Come with us back to the Clan. Maybe we can find you a place there." The three rogues stared, speechless. Allowing the words to sink in for a moment, Spiderleg then said,
"A trying offer, Lionheart, but I agree. We will wait for your answer." With those words, the four ThunderClan cats went just outside the bushes. Falcon turned to his sisters.
"Did you hear that? They are offering us a place to stay. For good." There was so much excitement in his voice that Eagle felt her heart being pierced. What if this doesn't work out? Before she could form them into words, Dove took the burden off Eagle's shoulders.
"They said maybe. It isn't permanent. It might not work out." Falcon's tail drooped. Eagle couldn't stand his sorrow any longer.
"We could try." They both looked at her.
"What," Dove asked. Eagle took a deep breath.
"We could try it out. See how life is, and if they will accept us." Dove glanced at Eagle and Falcon. Then she sighed reluctantly.
"Worth a shot, I guess." Excitement shone in Falcon's eyes as he fetched the two fresh-kills he had dropped leaping at Sunpaw, and sped off through the bushes. Eagle and Dove followed more slowly, each carrying their own bundle of either prey or herbs.
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Along the way, the dawn patrol met up with a hunting patrol and walked the rest of the time back to the ThunderClan camp with them. Of course, Eagle nor Dove and Falcon knew who they were. Silverpaw pointed out all the cats to them.
"Talking to Lionheart is his mother, Squirrelflight, one of the senior warriors. And then there's her apprentice, Robinpaw, one of the senior apprentices. The white she-cat is Whitefur, and the golden brown tom is Brackenfur, another senior warrior. He is going to join the elders soon. He has seen many battles, and his mate, Sorreltail, is going to join him after her two kits are apprenticed."
Eagle looked at Sunpaw and Robinpaw whispering in each others ears. "Is Sunpaw your brother?" Silverpaw nodded. "When are you to be a warrior, Silverpaw?"
"Not for a while. I barely was apprenticed two and a half moons ago."
Dove smiled. "Strange. It would seem that you have been an apprentice for longer and that. You acted very much like a warrior that I imagine." Silverpaw's eyes shone with the praise, but replied modestly,
"I wasn't that good. I just sat there." Eagle turned to Dove, amusement showing in her eyes. 'She is humble. That must be a good trait for a warrior.' Eagle's kithood was adventurous and wild. She got in so much trouble with her brother, while Dove was more serene. Eagle got around to discipline and patience when she was a bit older, but they all still had their wildness inside of them.
Squirrelflight had dropped back from the main group. "It's good to make new friends, Silverpaw, but don't get too attached. They might not stay." Silverpaw looked at her defiantly.
"They will stay, you'll see." She raced off to join her brother and Robinpaw.
"That's an impressive catch you've got there," Squirrelflight said, glancing at Eagle's and Falcon's load. Eagle looked at her apologetically.
"We are sorry. We wouldn't have taken them if we had known." Squirrelflight laughed quietly.
"It's not your fault. How were you supposed to know?" Dove looked relieved, and she turned away. "Anyway, I hope you find a place in the Clan. You three look strong and friendly." Squirrelflight then trotted off. Falcon shot an exasperated glance at his companions.
"That seems to get us all the time," he said through a mouthful of fur.