Chapter 7
Kallik tried not to lose her temper too often, but Toklo just made it so difficult! She glared at him. "What was that for? Ujurak wants us to do this, so we should!"
Toklo swung his head around. "If Ujurak wanted you to drown yourself, you would! But not me. I've got more sense."
Kallik sighed. "Look, Toklo. These cats are worth saving. I've only just met them, but I can tell they have brains like us, not like rabbits or pheasants. They have complicated rules and things, even their own ancestors. They'll be wiped out if we don't help them."
A dark brown cat with amber eyes padded toward them with wary eyes, pushing two rabbits toward them. Kallik blinked her thanks and the cat nodded. He looks like the leader of this group, she thought. Cats parted way for him, and bowed heads to him when he passed. He was obviously of some importance.
Kallik glanced at the offerings. Other cats had added some, so a total of five rabbits and two pheasants lay in a pile at their feet. Somehow, they must have known Lusa liked leaves because a branch full of bushy leaves was there too. Kallik stared at the cats' pile. A few mice and a starling. She turned to Toklo. "See? They'd even starve themselves to make sure we stay. We have to help them!"
The great brown bear heaved a sigh and snatched up a rabbit, bringing it over to a spot in the corner. Kallik took two rabbits for Yakone and her, and pushed the rest toward the cats. The leader glanced at her inquiringly, and when she nodded, the cats dove in. Kallik noticed the best pieces where given to the oldest members of the clan, a gray tom with long, shaggy fur, and a few others. A huge golden tabby had dragged a pheasant toward a den, from which Kallik could hear the sound of kits. She was right when she had told Toklo about the cats' behavior.
Now she turned her head to her prey and bit down. The rabbit was juicy and delicious, though Kallik missed seal meat more than anything. Yakone settled down beside her. "I think those cats are terrified of us."
"No kidding." Kallik agreed. "Did you see them run when Toklo roared?"
"Yeah." Yakone nuzzled her. "I'm sorry I got angry."
Kallik cuffed him lightly. "Never do that again."
He ducked his head. "Yes, ma'am"
After they had polished off their rabbits, they lay down to sleep, right in the middle of the clearing. Kallik lay awake, staring at the stars. Oh, Ujurak, tell us what to do!
When she opened her eyes, she was in a forest like the cats'. Dense undergrowth and leafy trees surrounded her, and sunlight poured through. She glanced around and saw a familiar shape. "Ujurak!"
The small brown bear bounded out of the bush he was hiding behind. "Hi, Kallik!"
Kallik nuzzled him. "Oh, I've missed you so much!"
Ujurak's eyes were glittering with happiness. "You've traveled so far! And now I have a gift for you."
Kallik tilted her head in confusion. Ujurak never gave gifts, just advice and encouragement. "What-what gift?"
Ujurak grew solemn. "I saw you had a bit of trouble understanding the cats. So I now give you the ability to speak their language."
Kallik sat up straight. "What? Wow. So I can talk to them now?"
Ujurak nodded. "The others will have it too, so I have to go now. But don't worry, you'll still be able to speak bear if you want to." He added, seeing the worried look on her face.
"Thanks, Ujurak!" Kallik blinked at him happily as her friend turned into starlight and disappeared.
The next morning, Kallik stretched and opened her eyes. Then she remembered. She could speak cat now! She prodded Yakone awake. The great white bear rolled over and nearly squashed a den. "What is it, Kallik?"
Behind her, a cat yowled in shock. "Bramblestar, the bear just said something!"
Kallik turned around. It was the golden tabby, the tom who she had seen carrying prey to the nursery. "Hello."
The cat flinched. " Um… hi. Wait, so you could speak cat the whole time?"
Kallik shook her head. "Our friend came to us in a dream and gave us the ability." As soon as she said it, it sounded ridiculous. But the cat peered at her with curious eyes. "Is your friend from Starclan?"
"What?" Kallik frowned. "No, he's a spirit now, but not Starclan. He's in the stars, with his mother Silaluk."
The cat beckoned her with his tail. "Okay, but since we can talk now, my name's Lionblaze. We should see Bramblestar."
Kallik prodded Yakone to his feet and followed Lionblaze to Bramblestar, who Kallik assumed to be the dark tabby last night. She was correct. His amber eyes flashed as Lionblaze led them into the den and tried unsuccessfully to squeeze in both of them in to the den.
Bramblestar purred. "It's alright, Lionblaze. Let's go to the forest to talk. From what I heard, Kallik, I assume you can speak to us now?"
Kallik nodded. "Our friend gave us the ability last night in a dream."
Bramblestar walked out, his tail high in the air. "Jayfeather!"
The gray blue tabby padded sleepily out from a den. Kallik wondered why he was staring blankly forward, then realized he was blind. The cat suddenly had an annoyed look on his face, like it had sensed what she was thinking. "What is it, Bramblestar? Can't a medicine cat get any sleep?"
"The bears can speak cat now." Bramblestar replied evenly. "We're going to the forest to talk. And" He turned to Kallik. "You'd better wake your friends."
Kallik nodded. She prodded Lusa awake, but hesitated to wake Toklo. The grumpy brown bear was more prickly than a bee's nest. Lusa didn't have such thoughts. She poked him in the belly, and Toklo sat up, grumbling. "What is it?"
"We're meeting in the forest with the cats." Kallik prodded him to his paws. "Come on."
Groaning in protest, Toklo stumbled in behind them as they started into the forest. Kallik followed the cats blindly to a small sandy clearing. Bramblestar settled into a comfortable spot and tucked his paws in. Lionblaze sat on one side and Jayfeather the other. Kallik and her friends took up most of the clearing.
Bramblestar cleared his throat. "So, how about we introduce ourselves first?"
