CHAPTER 2
"Meadowclan?" The cats said together. "What is Meadowclan? There is only Thunderclan, Shadowclan, Windclan, Riverclan, and Starclan…"
"They aren't worth words, rogue scum!" The pale gray tom extended his arm to claw them, when the black cat stepped forward.
"You two know of Starclan?" He mewed pleasantly, "These other clans of which you speak, are these not the same clans who formed Lionclan to fight the cats from the city?" Rowanclaw stepped back uneasily.
"How could you know about that?" Brackenfur swallowed loudly. He peered out of the corners of his eyes to Rowanclaw who was doing the same.
"News travels fast. Bloodclan's wrath was spread to even out here. After the battle they were weakened. Some are individual rogues now. If you truly are a part of the clans that fought as Lionclan… We owe you a great deal. Please stay tonight in our camp." He turned to walk off, and they followed. The gray cat made a snarling face but remained silent.
"There are many clans," explained the black cat, "This is Meadowclan. I'm the Deputy, Ivyclaw. This is Smokepaw and Sharpfoot, except his tongue is sharper than anything else." Sharpfoot grunted something under his breath to his apprentice, Smokepaw, which made her laugh. They continued to walk through a meadow until they came to a place that resembled a clan's camp. An abundant amount of cats were wondering around.
"Ivyclaw," yelled a strong voice from behind them, "I see that you're making our visitors feel at home." A silver she-cat stood there her yellow eyes glowing intensly.
"Moonstar, these cats fought in the battle of Lionclan. We are in their debt so much…" He said to her hopefully. The she-cat looked at the cats doubtfully.
"You escorted them here so nicely," she mewed, "that I'm sure you can escort them out."
"Moonstar. Do not be heartless. These cats are good, I am sure. Perhaps Starclan have truly sent them."
The leader stood upright and stared into Brackenfur and Rowanclaw's eyes. The entire camp entered a complete ringing silence. Moonstar turned to her deputy. She cocked her head,
"Fine. We shall let them stay until Dewwhisker returns and see what he thinks."
Then she turned to her warriors and uttered, "Watch them like hawks." They all nodded.
Brackenfur and Rowanclaw were confined to one quarter of the camp. They were given a couple of mice to share.
"I hope we get home soon. Just think what could have happened while we were gone. What will Thunderclan say, when Ashfur tells them?" Brackenfur thought aloud.
"There are worse cats to be stuck with… I suppose." Rowanclaw commented.
"Hey!"
"I'm joking," she teased, and then ate hungrily at her food. "You know I love you." As Brackenfur listened to Rowanclaw, his fur bristled. Though he was hungry, his appetite only became increasingly lost, as he realized that sooner or later someone would find out about Rowanclaw… and what would happen then? He pushed the thought away, though it still lingered in the back of his mind.
He stayed up that night. Morning came. He nudged Rowanclaw to wake up. She rose and yawned wearily.
"Come on, sleepyhead, time to get going." She nodded to him through the shadows.
"How long have you been up, Brackenfur?"
"Not long," he lied, "something is odd around here, though."
"What makes you say that?"
"At night, there were no stars."