Author's Note : Here's chapter two which, I must say, has been somewhat eagerly anticipated. As always, enjoy!
Chapter Two
Rainpaw stood in front of his Clan leader, the focus of the attention of all of his Clanmates. Right now he really wished that he had not decided to take this stranger back to camp, but knew that even if he could relive that moment, he would not have done a single thing different. He cleared his throat in preparation to answer his leader's question, and then meowed, "I was just about to take the moss back to the camp when Lakepaw came and knocked me over, scattering the moss." Lakepaw burned hot underneath her dark blue-gray fur and her blurry black spots appeared more blurred than usual as the gaze of every cat present swung to face her, but then Rainpaw continued and they all shifted their attention back to him. "She explained that she wasn't paying attention to where she was going because she was rushing back to camp to tell you that she had found this intruder," he jerked his head back to indicate his prisoner, "on our territory. I told her to show me where she had found him, and she did. When I first saw him he looked as if he had died, so went to go check, and he attacked me. I beat him however and forced him back here for you to pass judgment on." When he finished he nodded his head curtly at her, and was silent as he awaited her decision.
Brookstar contemplated his words, glancing from the earnest, slightly embarrassed face of Lakepaw, to the tired, worn face of the stranger, and finally to the sure, steady, even gaze of Rainpaw. She then looked up and gazed upon the silent faces of her Clanmates, who were looking upon her for a decision. Finally, she turned to face the stranger and meowed, "You, what's your name?"
The ginger tom glanced up when he realized it was him being addressed and answered, "Brick."
"Hmm." The brown tabby she-cat thought for a little while longer, and then said, "Brick, you can stay, but you're going to be a prisoner of RiverClan. As for you two," she shifted her gaze to Lakepaw and Rainpaw, "you will have the honors of taking care of our prisoner, as well as keeping up with your apprentice duties. Now get to it!" With that she turned and went back inside her den, leaving her cats to murmur among themselves at the new developments and to sneak glances at the three cats still left standing at the entrance to Brookstar's den. Lakepaw looked around then turned to Rainpaw, asking, "So, what now?"
"What do you think?" snapped her fellow apprentice. "You heard Brookstar. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some moss that needs gathering." With that he turned and exited the camp, leaving Lakepaw and Brick staring after him.
"A regular twister, that one," commented Brick after a few moments of silence.
"Oh be quiet!" snapped Lakepaw, turning on him, completely fustrated. "Why did you have to come to our territory? Everything was fine before you showed up!"
"Well sorry," replied Brick sarcastically, "for getting beat up and starving and ruining your perfect little life."
Lakepaw sighed, "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I'm just fustrated. Come on, prisoner. I'll go show you to your cell." She led him through the throng of gossiping cats, who separated before them and stopped talking as they passed by, and across the clearing, to an old wooden log near the warriors den. "Stay there," she commanded, and headed toward the fresh-kill pile. Selecting a mouse, she picked it up and headed back to where Brick waited in his den. "Eat," she commanded, dropping it unceremoniously at his paws.
Brick started in on the mouse, and within a few bites it was gone. Licking his lips, he turned to Lakepaw and meowed, "Thanks." Then, as if nothing of any great importance had happened, he fell asleep. Lakesong sighed and settled down, gazing up at the cloudless blue sky, to wait for Rainpaw to come back and relieve her.
Author's Note: Sorry it's so short, but that just leaves you wanting more. Anyway, please tell me what you think.