Chapter nine
Tallsky sat at the base of the Leaders Ledge glaring suspiciously at the new comers. Fawnpaw felt her pelt bristle. How would this go? Without the actual leader there to speak, would Tallsky know what to say? Ripplepaw had said her goodbyes and stalked off into the medicine den leaving Fawnpaw to watch alone.
"Greetings Meadowstar. If you've come to speak with Hawkstar, I'm afraid..."
"Oh yes, I know. She is expecting kits therefore she is unavailable," She cut him off abruptly,"I've come to speak with you about these two cats." Her tailed pointed to a dark gray and black tom and a white and ginger she-cat.
"Why do these cats concern HawkClan?" His voice was low.
"For about a moon now they have resided in BreezeClan. But the sharp winds and rushed hunting seems unfit for them. And they were wondering if they would be allowed to live in HawkClan." A cross look appeared on Tallsky's face.
"And why in the name of StarClan would I allow two strange cats to live in my Clan?" As he finished his question, a noise came from the apprentice den.
"Father!" Darkpaw and Shadowpaw came flying out of them den and piled themselves on top of the gray tom. With a dazed confusion, Fawnpaw watched as the strange cats huddled around them.
"Oh my dear kits! Oh! Dark, what happened to your leg?" The she-cat gasped. Glancing at Tallsky, they exchanged knowing looks. As if they both knew something was not quite right.
"Darkpaw, Shadowpaw, what is going on here? Do you know these cats?" They sure act like they know them. She nodded to herself. Shadowpaw stood clumsily, shaking to debris from his black pelt. His eyes were sparkling with happiness.
"Tallsky, this is my father, Smoke. And this is my mother, Iris. They've been missing for moons!" Tallsky shot them a quizzical stare. Their father and mother? The same father and mother who left them all alone in the forest? Fawnpaw did not like what she heard.
"Meadowstar, is what Shadowpaw says true? Have they been missing for moons?" The gray tom took a small step forward and tilted his head up in a friendly manner.
"Yes. What my son says is in fact true. My mate and I sent Dark and Shadow away from the place we had been living due to harsh conditions. We were supposed to meet up with them a few days after, but we were turned around and became lost."
"Oh yes. We were lost for moons. I thought we were going to die in the wilderness. But then one day, we stumbled upon Meadowstar and her Clan and they took us in." Iris chimed in enthusiastically,"But we are not fit to hunt in the open like they do. We prefer hunting in the shelter of trees." Smoke ran his tail along Iris's back.
"And that is why we have come. Would HawkClan be willing to take in two extra cats? I'm sure Dark and Shadow wouldn't mind." His voice lowered. A shiver ran through Fawnpaw. Why had his voice suddenly lowered at the mention of his kits? Whatever it may be, this tom have her an unsettling feeling. Tallsky grunted and huffed as he thought deeply before giving a final decision.
"I suppose if you want to stay in HawkClan...you may. But for the next half-moon, you and your mate are to be watched by my warriors. If you try anything with us, you will be asked to leave. Oh, and one more thing. Your kits names are now Darkpaw and Shadowpaw." With that he turned away and padded into the leaders den.
xXx_xXx
The day had been cold and snowy. No cat had been outside camp due to the fear of catching a cold. Fawnpaw sat in the corner of the nursery giving her paws a lick.
"So Tallsky just let them stay? What if they're dangerous?" Sagepaw questioned. Fawnpaw and Sagepaw has grown bored of the snow so they decided to visit Hawkstar in the nursery. She layed in her nest while fidgeting with a ball of moss.
"Tallsky knows what he's doing. If he allowed them to stay then they probably don't pose as a threat." Fawnpaw smoothed down the fur on her shoulder before moving on to her hind leg.
"Have you and Tallsky chosen names for the kits yet?" The thought of having a litter of new kits in the camp sent a sweltering ripple of joy through her. Maybe Hawkstar will let me give them a badger ride! Oh that would be fun! Hawkstar Gabe an excitied huff and rolled over.
"We have talked about it briefly and I think we're going with Rosekit and Tulipkit." Her tone radiated with pride that only a mother would have.
"I think those names are wonderful." Sagepaw replied.
"Why don't you two go and check on Shadowpaw and Darkpaw. See how they're getting along with their parents." Sagepaw nodded and finished his conversation while Fawnpaw shifted on her haunches uncomfortably. Something about this Smoke character gave her an uneasy feeling that churned in the pits of her belly. Would he follow the rules Tallsky layed down for him? Would he do something to harm them? She stood and silently huffed.
"Only time will tell...come on Sagepaw. Let's go see about Smoke and Iris."