Chapter 2
When they stopped at the entrance to call inside, they heard Barkstar say, "Come in." They looked at each other before they stepped inside.
Whitefang and Darkcloud walked in through the moss hanging over the den's entrance and looked over at the leader.
He was a strong, yet lightweight, dark tabby tom, lean and powerful muscles in his legs and deadly claws hidden away. He was lying down on a soft bed of moss, but when his leaf green gaze looked upon them he sat up and bowed in acknowledgement to Whitefang.
Whitefang and Darkcloud put down the unconscious cat onto the ground gently, and Barkstar looked the sleeping body over. His eyes flashed as he asked the question that both Whitefang and Darkcloud knew he couldn't help but ask:
"And what do you have hear, Darkcloud, Whitefang?"
Whitefang stepped up and bowed his head in respect. "Barkstar, Darkcloud has, well, let her impatience get the better of her." Darkcloud scowled. Whitefang glanced at her, feeling her glare burrow deep into his pelt and burn like the Thunderpaths of the Twolegs on his padded paws. He looked back at Barkstar and continued, "She left the nursery, leaving the kits to be taken care of by Darkflower and Mossfur, and wished to walk through the forest."
Before he could say more, however, Darkcloud interrupted him. "I was just going out to stretch my weary limbs, Barkstar!" She defended herself, stubborn as usual. "I couldn't take staying cramped up in that small Nursery – "
Barkstar raised his tail to stop her argument, and she fell silent. She bowed in respect as he asked the same question Whitefang had brought up before in the forest, "And what would you have done if you were caught in any danger?"
Darkcloud looked down and didn't answer. Barkstar smiled as Whitefang stepped up to defend his mate, an instinct that was unavoidable. "She has been in there since she was told she had kits, and it is almost time for them to become apprentices." He looked at the black she-cat with reassuring warmth as he said, "It seems she couldn't wait for that day to come, but she does have a point. It's almost leaf-fall again."
Barkstar nodded, still smiling. He looked over the lump of fur in front of him and opened his mouth. She smelled soggy, a scent of Darkcloud that was older than Whitefang's, which meant she found the kit, with the Twolegs stench drowning his senses until his mind hissed for her to be taken out of the den immediately. But he remained serious as he said, without taking his eyes off of the sleeping kit before him, "What shall we do with this young cat, Darkcloud? Have you a reason for bringing her here?"
Darkcloud looked down at the small cat, the one she couldn't carry because of her weak legs that were numb from laying down many moons, and sighed. "The poor kit was drowning in the river at the border of MeadowClan's territory. I saved her, but when I was going to interrogate the kit she passed out from exhaustion. She seemed to have come a long way, from seeing the sores on her pads. She needs to be taken care of, Barkstar." She looked straight into Barkstar's emerald eyes. "She needs a home."
Everyone was quiet as Barkstar stared at her, reading into her eyes and, ultimately, into her heart. She wished for the kit to stay; she saved her, and now she can't let it go. He chuckled. 'Her motherly instincts are acting up… such a caring and sweet she-cat.' He looked at Whitefang staring at him tensely, holding his breath. 'You're a very lucky cat, Whitefang, to have her as a mate and companion.' He smiled at them both and chuckled again. "I see you have taken a liking to the young kit, Darkcloud." He paused for a moment, thinking. "…Very well. We shall keep her." He smiled at the triumphant look on Darkcloud's face and the relieved expression on Whitefang's. "And we shall see if she's ready for the clan."
Darkcloud bowed deeply in respect, greatly for her leader's kindness. "Thank you, Barkstar; I will not let her be as soft as her heritage." Whitefang bowed as well before they left the den, leaving behind a content leader and a quiet kit.
Barkstar looked down at the small, frail creature. Her paws seemed to move as if she was running, her breathing was increasing in speed, and her tail flicked as if something troubled her.
Barkstar lie down beside her and put his head on his paws. He closed his eyes and sighed. "StarClan must be consulting with her now…"
Well? How was that? Not really long, I think this might be a long book chapter-wise, but I still like it! Don't you wonder what that cat's dreaming about right now? Well, you'll find out in a moment! …As soon as I type it, that is! ;;