Chapter two
Darktail
Firestar led his Clan home, but as he stepped into the camp, his ears flicked forward. Near his den, a lean, black tom was sitting flicking his tail back and forth. "Ravenpaw!" he exclaimed and bounded forward to nuzzle his freind. The deputy, Graystripe, came padding forward. He licked his freind's ears, purring loudly. "Hi, Fireheart, Graystripe!" he greeted. "Its Firestar now, Ravenpaw." the ginger tom corrected him, smiling. Ravenpaw flicked his tail and tackled his freind. A small ginger she-cat loped up to them, green eyes flickering with happiness. "Firestar." Sandstorm began, nodding a greeting to Ravenpaw. "I wish to speak with you, after you've talked." The she-cat smiled, and padded into Firestar's den to await him.
"I have a request, Firestar." Ravenpaw said, stepping away from the ginger tom, and sitting on his haunches. "Please, tell me you'll consider it." Firestar was beginning to get concerned. Whats wrong? Firestar thought to himself.
Ravenpaw continued,
"I am asking you to shelter somone. A rogue." Firestar stood up, neck fur bristling ever so slightly. "Where is he?" he asked, eyes flashing. Ravenpaw did not shrink away from him, nor did he flinch. "Darktail!" He growled, leaping up. A gray long haired tom came slinking out of the gorse, amber eyes flicking back and forth. Firestar watched as he lifted his head towards Ferncloud, who usherd her kits closer to her. "Firestar, this is Darktail. He is a freind of mine." Ravenpaw quickly explained. Sandstorm had come to watch. She took her place beside Firestar, fur standing on end. "H-hello." Darktail stammered, crouching low in the clearing. The rest of the clan had gathered around them. Once again, Firestar saw Darktail's eyes travel to Ferncloud, who hissed loudly. Birchkit and Larchkit mewled, and hid behind thier father, Dustpelt. The dark tabby hissed and took a swipe at Darktail, and planted himself in front of Ferncloud. Firestar spotted Hollykit, who had ventured forward. She stretched her nose to Darktail, sniffing curiously. With a jolt of fear, Firestar saw a glint of hate in Darktail's eyes. Luckily, Ferncloud leapt between them, hissing and spitting.
Darktail seemed to flatten completley, dusky gray coat blending almost perfectly with the darkening sky. "No, Ravenpaw...my Clan cannot afford to feed a rogue" Firestar hesitated, wondering if he should accept this cat into his Clan, like Ravenpaw had asked. "B-but, sir!" Darktail rasped, with a slight hint of fear in his old voice. "I can hunt for my own food. You won't have to spare your Fresh-Kill on an old rogue like me." Firestar still hesitated, should he really believe this old cat?
He couldn't possibly be a threat to us. He's not even that big...
Firestar thought, flicking hist tail and sitting on his haunches. "Firestar." The ginger tom turned to see Cinderpelt, ThunderClan's medicine cat, limping toward him. "I'd let him stay, Firestar. He can't be dangerous." It was as if Cinderpelt had read Firestar's mind. "I agree, Cinderpelt." he turned to Ravenpaw, who stood hopefully. "He may stay in ThunderClan." Ravenpaw bowed his head, smiling. "Thank you, Firestar. He will only be staying for a couple moons." Firestar nodded, as did Cinderpelt, Sandstorm and Graystripe. The gray tom looked suspicious of the new comer, but he held his tongue. Ravenpaw nudged his two freinds. "I should be going now. Barley's been alone long enough. Good bye, my freinds!" He called, and bounded into the forest.