Chapter 2

All of the cats watched as Barkstar leapt down and slipped into his den. After a brief pause, all the cats stood up and went back to their dens in huddled, whispering groups. When everyone had gone, Icetail and Shadedpelt led Ghostface towards a small, unkempt den that looked as if it hadn't been used or cleaned in several moons. Icetail left and returned with two other cats, a white and black patched she-cat and a smallish ginger tom.

"Take this shift, Shrubfoot and Woodpaw, then go fetch two others at dawn." The cats nodded. Ghostface ignored them and curled up.

Shrubfoot turned towards him and asked, "Do you have any cuts or wounds? I'm the medicine cat."

"Well, actually, I've got a tick the size of a mouse on my back." Ghostface said, glad for her kindness.

"Woodpaw, go fetch the mouse bile." Shrubfoot told the young apprentice as she leaned over to inspect his back.

"Ew… but, but, I'm supposed to be helping you guard. I can't leave my post." The young apprentice said, puffing out his chest.

"Just go get it, I don't think he'll run away." Shrubfoot said firmly, glaring at Woodpaw until he turned and walked towards Shrubfoots den, which was near Barkstar's. "Ugh, this tick is huge!"

"I told you so." Ghostface said. Woodpaw returned and Shrubfoot removed the tick with the vile liquid.

"You know, you've created quite a commotion here." Said Shrubfoot, scrubbing her paws in the sand of the den. Ghostface just nodded.

Barkstar paced his den, his mind filled with confusion. He felt as if Ghostface wasn't lying, how could anyone make something like that up? What would the clan think if he let the cat join their clan? What would the clan think if he killed him, or banished him? The troubled cat collapsed in the farthest back corner of his den.

Suddenly the voice of his deputy floated into the den, "Barkstar?"

"Come in, Shadedpelt." Barkstar said. Shadedpelt obeyed and slid into the den, appearing from the bushes that lined the entrance.

"The prisoner is in the old sick den, Woodpaw and Shrubfoot are guarding. Shadedpelt reported. When Barkstar didn't say anything, he sat still. After a minute or two, Barkstar looked at his deputy and then asked, "What do you think of all this Shadedpelt?"

Shadedpelt looked unsure, then said, "I don't know. He's a total and complete stranger, but how would he know of Highstar? Was he spying on us?"

"I don't think he could've been spying on us, we would have smelled him." Barkstar said, a distant look on his face. "Would you say he is telling the truth?"

"I don't know, Barkstar. But… perhaps you should sleep and maybe Starclan will reveal something." Shadedpelt said tentatively.

"I can't sleep though." Barkstar said, continuing to stare off into the distance.

"Shall I get some herbs from Shrubfoot?" The black tom suggested.

"Yes… Go get some herbs." Shadedpelt nodded and padded out of the den.

The brown cat closed his eyes for a moment and whispered, "Starclan, are you watching up there and laughing?"

The deputy returned with a mouthful of herbs. Dropping it in front of Barkstar. "Here, some poppy and a little chamomile."

Barkstar nodded and said, "Thank you, Shadedpelt, you may go." When the deputy left, Barkstar ate the mixture and was soon asleep.

Barkstar opened his eyes and he was still in his den. The bold scent of a familiar cat tickled his nose and he turned. There, lying by the den entrance was Highstar. His silver gray fur shone as if under the moon light, but there was no opening of light anywhere in the den.

"Highstar! I've missed you. We all miss you." Barkstar exclaimed, but Highstar shook his head.

"I am not here to talk of me. I am here to talk of Face of a Ghost." He said with a neutral tone.

Suddenly Barkstar remembered all of his duties. "Yes, this troubles me. I don't know what to do. Can you help me?"

"All I can say is that he speaks from his heart. I have talked to him."

"So you are from his tribe? You are his kin?"

"No more. I must go." Highstar stood up and stepped out of the den. Barkstar stood to follow, but he found that he couldn't, it was as if he was glued to the sand floor. Suddenly another cat stepped in. It was a pale gray tom that Barkstar did not know.

"Hello, Barkstar. I am Darkest Corner of a Cave." He said, his voice was deep and sad sounding.

"Who are you?" Barkstar asked, in awe of this strange character.

"I am the leader of the former Tribe of Stones. One of your greatest leaders came from our tribe. Now we send you another. Do you deny our gift?" Before Barkstar had time to reply, he had left the den also.

Sighing, Barkstar closed his eyes and laid his head down.

"Barkstar! Wake up! It's nearing dusk!" Said Icetail, dropping a plump mouse in front of him, "Here, eat."

Barkstar leapt up and said, "Fur balls and mouse brains! Why wasn't I awaken earlier?"

"We tried, you sort of hissed at us in your sleep…" Icetail said, taking a step back. He pointed to the mouse in front of him, "You should eat."

"Oh. No matter then. Call the cats to deadtrunk. I'll be out soon then." Barkstar said. He smoothed down most of his ruffled fur, and then gulped down the mouse hungrily. He finished and then stepped out of his den and padded towards deadtrunk.