Chapter 25

"Wait," Tinyclaw warned. He crouched at the edge of the tree line, looking out into the open field. Beside him, Cloudpaw tensed. "We're near Twolegplace. What do you smell?"

She raised her nose obediently. Cloudpaw was doing her best to prove she was the best apprentice ever, listening to every little thing Tinyclaw had to say and following his every pawstep. Tinyclaw wondered how long it would last and if her arrogance would return. Today was their first expedition into Clan territory, scouting the boundaries – now, Tinyclaw was rewarding Cloudpaw's good behavior with a visit to Twolegplace; her first since leaving in leaf-bare.

"Lots of cats," Cloudpaw offered quietly. Her nose was screwed up, lost in the smells. "I don't recognize anyone though."

"They're mostly kittypets," Tinyclaw told her. "Maybe a loner or two – no one that will bother us too much." He'd gotten a trace of Darkstripe's scent in the area as well, but didn't dare draw Cloudpaw's attention to it. He recalled the time he'd tracked Darkstripe here, not long ago, and found his scent mingled with many more, and wondered what it was the sneaky tom was up to.

What's that fool thinking, coming here? Tinyclaw wondered. He hates kittypets and anything to do with them… and what do those rogue scents have to do with it?

He shook his head of the thoughts – Cloudpaw was waiting expectantly, and he didn't want to worry her. Clearing his throat, Tinyclaw asked, "Do you smell dogs, or Twolegs?"

Cloudpaw shook her head. "Good," Tinyclaw meowed. "Then let's go."

He led the way out of the trees and into the clearing. It stretched many lengths before them, a clear swath of land between the Twolegplace and Tallpines where Twolegs and their kits sometimes wandered with dogs. It was in this place Tinyclaw had first discovered the Clans, and it was here that Cloudpaw had been born.

Tinyclaw led the way along the fences and eventually stopped at a familiar one. He leaped up to its top, waiting for Cloudpaw to scrabble her way up. With a grunt, she was by his side, and together they leaped off into the garden.

Snowmelt had changed this place drastically – Fiona's garden was growing lush and green, with lots of budded bushes and ferns. Briefly, Tinyclaw was reminded of his own old garden – but he shook the thought away. Fiona's Twolegs clearly loved their garden and the abundance of Twoleg tools near the nest made it clear.

He raised his tail, but Cloudpaw didn't need warning – she was sticking close to the fence, her eyes wide with wonder and caution. She'd never seen this place before in her waking memory, and it was strange to her. Tinyclaw took a few steps forward.

"Fiona!" he hissed. "Fiona, are you here?"

A moment later, the bushes near the house quivered. Out stepped the lovely white figure of Fiona, her plumy tail raised in greeting and blue eyes sparkling with surprise. "Tinyclaw!" she called. "It's you!"

She bounded over to him and touched her muzzle to Tinyclaw's. She purred, "It's been so long! It's good to see you're well!"

"I've brought someone else, too," Tinyclaw offered. He swept his tail over towards Cloudpaw, whose eyes were widening at the kittypet.

Fiona's breath caught in her throat. "Oh, Tinyclaw – that can't be Cloudkit! She's so… big!"

Cloudpaw took tentative steps forward. Her tail low, she asked cautiously, "Are… are you really my mother?"

Fiona's purr could have been heard in the ThunderClan camp. "I am," she breathed. "Oh," she sighed, "it's so good to see you, Cloudkit…"

Cloudpaw drew herself up, tail high. "It's not Cloudkit anymore – I'm Cloudpaw! Tinyclaw is my mentor… and I'm going to be the best warrior in ThunderClan!"

Fiona's eyes widened. "Oh are you now?" she purred. Whiskers twitching, she mewed, "I'm sure!"

The white she-cat padded forward and gave her daughter a lick between the ears. Tinyclaw could tell she was trying to restrain herself – but it didn't work. Bursting with purring, Fiona covered her daughter with licks, asking question after question whenever she got the chance: "Are you eating all right? Are you warm enough? Do you have friends? Do you listen to what Tinyclaw tells you to do? Do you…"

Cloudpaw didn't bother trying to answer the questions. She merely enjoyed the attention, purring louder than Tinyclaw had ever heard her purr before.

Finally, Fiona stopped. She pulled away suddenly, her eyes full of sorrow. "You'll have to be so brave…" she breathed.

Tinyclaw started. He had expected her to be emotional, but not like this. Was Fiona regretting giving Cloudpaw to ThunderClan? Was she imagining Cloudpaw coming to her again and again, each time with a new scar or nick? Fiona took a deep breath, steadying herself.

"I'm so proud of you," Fiona decided, looking upon her daughter. Glancing at Tinyclaw, she added, "Both of you."

Cloudpaw drew herself up again, clearly enjoying the attention. She turned and lapped at her spiked coat, trying to flatten it. While she was distracted, Tinyclaw nudged Fiona.

"Fiona," he asked quietly, "have you seen any strange cats around lately?"

Fiona gave him a hard look, then she replied, just as quietly, "Yes, occasionally." She swallowed. "They yowl a lot, and my Twoleg sometimes gets up to shout at them."

Tinyclaw felt his heart pounding in his ears. "Have you seen a really dark tabby around? Or a pale she-cat with fur that's almost blue?"

Fiona seemed to think – but quickly she answered, "No." She added, "I've only heard them, not seen them. I don't go out at night very often."

"Has Rusty seen anything?" Tinyclaw wondered.

"You'd have to ask him," Fiona replied. She glanced at Cloudpaw, then looked back to Tinyclaw. "I worry about him, getting into fights with those nasty cats all the time."

Tinyclaw stiffened. His half-brother Rusty had never been popular with every cat; but if Rusty encountered these cats, Tinyclaw had a feeling Fiona would have known.

"If you do see them," Tinyclaw offered, "stay away from them. They're bad news."

Fiona swallowed, looking as if she wanted to ask more – but she knew better. Fear flashed in her eyes, encouraging Tinyclaw to change the subject. He asked Cloudpaw to talk about her apprentice ceremony, and her life as a Clan cat so far. The fear fled Fiona's eyes, and she listening intently until the sun was high in the sky.

When sunhigh had passed, Tinyclaw had to take his leave. He ushered Cloudpaw away, but not before she asked if Fiona wanted to come with them. "I'd catch you mice," she said, "and I'll clean your nest every day!"

Fiona purred. She meowed, "Oh, Cloudpaw… that life is yours, not mine." She smiled wryly. "I'm much happier here, where I don't have to worry about anything else but you two. You'll have to come and see me again soon – I'll try to get your father to come, too."

Cloudpaw's eyes brightened. "R-Really?" she breathed. "Tinyclaw's told me a lot about him!"

Fiona nodded. "Be good for Tinyclaw and we'll see," she offered.

Tinyclaw smiled at that. He hadn't seen Rusty for some time, and he wondered how his brother was doing. But time was ticking by, and Tinyclaw urged Cloudpaw up and over the fence. He turned to Fiona before she left, his jaws open – but she interrupted him.

"I'll let you know if I see anything," she promised. Her eyes were hardened with determination, not fear. "Now go, before you're missed."

Tinyclaw spent the way back to camp hunting with Cloudpaw. By the time they'd reached the ravine, sundown was casting red light upon the forest, shining through the budding trees.

Cloudpaw was carrying a shrew, which she seemed more than proud of. Tinyclaw was glad it was stuffing her mouth – all the way back, she couldn't seem to stop talking about everything. Fiona, Rusty, the forest, hunting… Tinyclaw was honestly surprised she'd managed to catch the shrew instead of scare it off.

Yet she's brave, and smart, Tinyclaw thought, glancing at her. She'll make a good warrior, if she just learns to be a little more humble.

As they slipped down the ravine, heading for camp, a strange scent crossed Tinyclaw's nostrils. He stopped Cloudpaw, raising his head to breathe it deeper. Cloudpaw dropped the shrew to sniff, too; and she managed to identify the smell quicker than Tinyclaw.

"RiverClan!" she hissed. Her hackles bristled. "You showed me them earlier!"

"Very good," Tinyclaw praised tersely. He swung his head around. The smell was close by, but not strong enough for a large party of cats. He looked up the ravine and spotted them – three cats picking their way carefully through the forest. Tinyclaw recognized a pair of broad shoulders and frowned.

He nudged Cloudpaw. "Go warn Tigerstar we have visitors," he meowed, "but don't get the camp in a flurry. I don't think they're here to fight."

Cloudpaw opened her mouth to protest, but she filled it with the shrew soon enough. She trotted through the thorn tunnel, tail bushing out, while Tinyclaw planted his paws at the bottom of the ravine. The RiverClan patrol picked their way down and as they did, Tinyclaw identified them: Leopardfur, Tawnypelt, and Brambleclaw.

"RiverClan!" he called as they tackled the ravine. "This is ThunderClan territory – what is it you want?" He did his best not to sound hostile – he didn't want any more undue trouble with RiverClan.

Leopardfur stopped before him, Tawnypelt and Brambleclaw just behind. She eyed him evenly, though there was impatience in her eyes. "We come in peace," she offered. "Crookedstar has sent us to speak with your leader."