CHAPTER21
Fireheart stared at the tiny kit1. “I never expected . . .” he began. He dragged his gaze away and stared wordlessly at his sister.
“My housefolk will choose where the rest will live,” Princess went on. “But this is my firstborn and Iwant to decide his future.” She raised her chin. “Make him a hero, please. Like you!”
The unsettling sense of loneliness that had been dragging at Fireheart for so long began to ebb2 away. He pictured the white kit among the Clan3, as he showed him the ways of the forest and hunted by his side through the thick ferns. At last, there would be another cat in ThunderClan who shared Fireheart’s kittypet roots.
Princess tilted4 her head. “I know how upset you were about your apprentice5. I thought if you had a new apprentice—one who’s your own kin6—you wouldn’t feel so lonely.” She stretched her neck and rested her nose against Fireheart’s side. “I don’t understand all your Clan ways, but seeing you, and hearing you talk about your life, I know I would be honored if my son was brought up as a Clan cat.”
As the first flare7 of happiness settled inside him, Fireheart thought of the rest of his Clan, and how desperately8 they needed fighting cats. Cinderpaw would never be a warrior9 now. And what if the greencough took more lives than just Bluestar’s? ThunderClan might need this kit.
He was suddenly aware of the rain clinging to his fur. The kit needed shelter, and soon. It looked strong, but it was still too small to withstand the cold and wet for long.
“I’ll take him,” he meowed. “This is a great gift you’ve given to ThunderClan. And I’ll train him to be the finest warrior the Clan has ever seen!” He dipped his head and scooped11 up the kit by his scruff.
Princess’s eyes shone with gratitude12 and pride. “Thank you, Fireheart,” she purred. “Who knows, maybe he’ll even become a leader and be given nine lives!”
Fireheart gazed fondly at her trusting, hopeful face. Did his sister really believe this might happen? Then a twinge of doubt pricked13 him. He was taking this tiny kit back to a camp infected by greencough. What if he didn’t even make it to newleaf? But the cozy14 scent15 of the kit under his muzzle16 soothed17 him. The kit would survive. It was strong, and it shared his blood. Fireheart took a deep breath. He must be quick—the kit was getting cold already. He blinked a farewell at Princess and raced away into the bushes.
The kit was heavier than he’d expected. It dangled18 from his mouth, bumping against his forelegs with faint protesting squeaks19. By the time Fireheart reached the top of the ravine, his neck was aching. He made his way down to the camp, putting one paw carefully in front of the other, wary20 of slipping on the fast-melting snow.
At the entrance, Fireheart hesitated. For the first time he wondered how he would explain this kit to the Clan—he was going to have to admit to visiting his kittypet sister. But it was too late now. He could feel the kit shivering. Fireheart squared his shoulders and padded through the gorse tunnel. The kit let out a deafening21 wail22 as a thorn tugged23 at its fur. Several pairs of eyes turned to look in amazement24 as Fireheart emerged into the clearing.
Both hunting parties had returned. Mousefur, Whitestorm, Sandpaw, and Brackenpaw were all in the clearing. Only Graystripe was missing. One by one the rest of the Clan were drawn25 out of their dens26 by the noise and the unfamiliar27 scent. None of the cats made a sound. They stared at Fireheart with hostile, puzzled eyes as though he were a stranger.
Fireheart turned slowly in the center of the clearing, the kit still dangling28 from his mouth, and looked at the ring of questioning eyes. His mouth began to feel dry. Why had he assumed the Clan would accept a kit that wasn’t even forest-born?
He felt a rush of relief when Bluestar emerged from Yellowfang’s den10. But her eyes widened in surprise as she saw him. “What is this?” she demanded.
A tremor29 of foreboding ran along Fireheart’s spine30. He placed the kit between his front paws and wrapped his tail over it to keep it warm. “It’s my sister’s firstborn,” he replied.
“Your sister!” Tigerclaw glared at him accusingly.
“You have a sister?” called Speckletail. “Where?”
“Is that true?” Bluestar asked, her eyes widening further.
“Yes,” Fireheart admitted. “My sister gave it to me to bring to the Clan.”
“And why would she do that?” Bluestar asked with menacing calm.
Fireheart stammered33 nervously34. “I told her about Clan life—how great it was. . . .” His voice trailed away under Bluestar’s incredulous gaze.
“How long have you been visiting Twolegplace?”
“Not long, just since leaf-bare began. But only to see my sister. My loyalty35 still lies with ThunderClan.”
“Loyalty?” Darkstripe’s yowl rang out across the clearing. “And yet you bring a kittypet here?”
“Trust a kittypet to find another kittypet!” snarled37 Dustpaw, ruffling38 his fur indignantly. He turned to Sandpaw and nudged her with his nose. Sandpaw glanced uncomfortably at Fireheart and then looked down at her paws.
“We need warriors40. . . .” The tiny kit squirmed beneath his belly41 as he spoke42, and Fireheart realized how ridiculous he must sound. He bowed his head as yowls of scorn met his words.
When the insults had died away, Runningwind spoke up. “The Clan has enough to worry about already without this.”
“It’ll be nothing but a burden,” Mousefur agreed. “It’ll be at least five moons before it’s ready to begin training.”
Whitestorm nodded his head in agreement. “You shouldn’t have brought this kittypet here, Fireheart,” he meowed. “It’ll be too soft for Clan life.”
Fireheart bristled43. “I was born a kittypet. Am I soft?” He thought that he’d begun to challenge the Clan’s prejudice against kittypets, but he was wrong. He couldn’t see one friendly face in the crowd.
A voice sounded from behind Whitestorm. “If it carries Fireheart’s blood, it’ll make a good Clan cat.”
Fireheart felt relief surge through his body. It was Graystripe! A brief flame of hope flared45 in Fireheart’s chest as Whitestorm stood aside and the other cats turned to look at the gray warrior. Graystripe stared around the circle of cats, meeting their gazes one by one with wide, steady eyes.
“Makes a change to see you speak up for your friend, Graystripe. Last night you wanted to shred46 him!” sneered47 Longtail.
Graystripe glared at the pale tabby, then whipped around as Darkstripe challenged him. “Yeah, Graystripe! How do you know Fireheart has blood worthy48 of ThunderClan? Did you taste it last night when you tried to take a chunk49 out of his leg?”
Bluestar stepped forward, her blue eyes clouded with worry. “Fireheart, I believe that you meant no disloyalty to the Clan by visiting your sister, but why did you agree to bring her kit here? It is not your place to make decisions like this. What you have done affects the whole Clan.”
Fireheart looked at Graystripe, hoping for more support, but Graystripe wouldn’t meet his eyes. Fireheart craned his head around, and every cat turned their gaze away from him. Fireheart began to panic. Had he endangered his own position in the Clan by bringing Princess’s kit here?
Bluestar spoke again. “Tigerclaw, what do you think?”
“What do I think?” meowed Tigerclaw. Fireheart felt his heart sink at the note of arrogant50 satisfaction in the deputy’s voice. “I think he should get rid of it at once.”
“Goldenflower?”
“It’ll have greencough by sunrise!” added Mousefur.
Bluestar dipped her head. “That’s enough. I must think about this.” She padded to her den and disappeared inside. The rest of the Clan slipped away, muttering darkly.
Fireheart picked up the bedraggled kit and carried him to the warriors’ den. The kit was shivering and mewling pathetically. Fireheart curled his body around the little scrap53 and closed his eyes, but hostile faces of the Clan swam around his mind, filling his heart with dread54. He thought he had been lonely before, but now it seemed as if the entire Clan had disowned him.
Graystripe pushed his way into the den and settled down into his nest. Fireheart glanced nervously at him. Graystripe had been the only cat to speak in his defense55, and Fireheart wanted to thank him. After an uncomfortable pause, in which the kit cried and cried, Fireheart mumbled56, “Thanks for sticking up for me.”
Graystripe shrugged57. “Yeah, well,” he meowed, “no one else was going to do it.” He twisted his head around and began to wash his tail.
The kit carried on mewling, his cries growing louder. Some of the other warriors padded into the den to escape the rain outside. Willowpelt glanced briefly58 at Fireheart and the kit, but she didn’t speak.
Fireheart licked the kit desperately. It must be very hungry by now. A rustle61 in the den wall made him lift his head. It was Frostfur. She crept over to Fireheart’s nest and looked down at the miserable62 kit. Suddenly she dipped her head and sniffed63 the kit’s soft fur. “He’d be better off in the nursery,” she murmured. “Brindleface has milk to spare. I could ask her to feed it.”
Fireheart stared at the queen in surprise.
Frostfur gazed back at him, her eyes warm. “I haven’t forgotten that you rescued my kits64 from ShadowClan.”
Fireheart picked up the kit yet again and followed Frostfur out of the warriors’ den. The rain was even heavier now. Together they padded quickly to the nursery. Frostfur disappeared through its narrow entrance, and Fireheart squeezed in after her. He paused inside the thicket65 of brambles, blinking until his eyes got used to the dim light.
Inside the dry, dark cocoon66, Brindleface was curled around her two healthy kits. She looked suspiciously at Fireheart, then at the kit that dangled from his jaws67.
Frostfur whispered to Fireheart, “One of Brindleface’s kits died last night.” Fireheart remembered the sick kits squirming beside Yellowfang and wondered, with a pang68, which one had gone. He put Princess’s kit down and turned to Brindleface. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.
The queen blinked at him, her grief raw in her eyes.
“Brindleface,” Frostfur began, “I can only guess at how much pain you feel. But this kit is starving, and you have milk. Will you feed him?”
Brindleface shook her head and shut her eyes tight as if to deny Fireheart’s presence in her den.
Frostfur stretched her head forward and pressed her muzzle gently against Brindleface’s cheek. “I know he won’t replace your son,” she whispered. “But he needs your warmth and care.”
Fireheart waited anxiously. The kit’s cries grew louder. It could smell Brindleface’s milk and began to squirm blindly toward her soft belly. It nuzzled its way between Brindleface’s other two kits. Brindleface looked down as it wriggled69 forward, following her milk-scent. She watched, without resisting, as he latched70 onto her belly and began to suckle. Fireheart ached with relief and gratitude as he saw Brindleface’s eyes soften71 and the white kittypet began to purr, kneading her swollen72 stomach with tiny paws.
Frostfur nodded. “Thank you, Brindleface. Can I tell Bluestar that you will care for the kit?”
“Yes,” replied Brindleface quietly, not taking her eyes off the white kit. She nudged him closer to her belly with one hind44 paw
Fireheart purred and bent73 his head to nose her shoulder. “Thank you. I promise I’ll bring you extra fresh-kill every day.”
“I’ll go and tell Bluestar,” meowed Frostfur.
Fireheart looked up at the white queen, stirred by her kindness. “Thank you,” he mewed.
“No kit deserves to starve, Clanborn or not.” Frostfur turned and pushed her way out of the brambles.
“You can go now,” Brindleface murmured to Fireheart. “Your kit will be safe with me.”
Fireheart nodded and followed Frostfur out into the rain. He thought about returning to his den, but until he’d heard Bluestar’s decision about the kit, he knew he could not settle.
As he paced around the clearing, his fur matting into wet clumps74, he saw Frostfur slip out of Bluestar’s den and hurry back to the nursery.
Willowpelt was preparing to lead evening patrol out of the camp when Bluestar finally came out of her den. Fireheart stopped, his heart pounding so fast he thought his legs would give way under him. Bluestar leaped onto the Highrock and began the familiar summons. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey75 gather below the Highrock.”
The patrol turned away from the camp entrance and padded after Willowpelt, back toward the Highrock. The rest of the Clan began to leave their dry nests, grumbling76 about the rain. Tigerclaw leaped onto the rock beside Bluestar, his face grim.
They’re going to make me take him back, thought Fireheart. His breath began to come in shallow gasps77. Darker thoughts pushed their way into Fireheart’s mind. What if Bluestar asks Tigerclaw to abandon him in the forest? He’ll never survive. Oh, StarClan, what am I going to say to Princess?
When all the cats were settled, Bluestar spoke. “Cats of ThunderClan, no cat can deny that we need warriors. We have lost one cat to greencough already, and there are many moons until newleaf. Cinderpaw has been gravely injured, and she will never be a warrior. As Graystripe rightly pointed78 out . . .”
Fireheart heard Dustpaw whispering nearby, “Graystripe’s turning into a kittypet himself these days!” He turned his head sharply, but a warning hiss31 from one of the elders silenced Dustpaw before Fireheart could say anything.
“As Graystripe pointed out,” Bluestar repeated, “this kitty-pet carries Fireheart’s blood. There is every chance the kit will make a fine warrior.” Some of the Clan glanced at Fireheart, who had barely heard Bluestar’s compliment. Hope was surging in his chest, making him dizzy.
Bluestar paused for a moment to survey the cats in front of her. “I have decided79 we will take this kit into the Clan,” she declared.
No cat made a sound. Fireheart wanted to yowl his thanks to StarClan, but he held his tongue. He took his first deep breath since sunhigh. His own kin was going to be part of ThunderClan!
“Brindleface has offered to nurse it,” Bluestar went on, “so Fireheart will take on the duty of providing for her.” The Clan leader met Fireheart’s eyes, but he couldn’t read her expression. “Finally, the kit should have a name. It shall be known as Cloudkit.”
“Will there be a naming ceremony?” Mousefur called from the crowd.
Fireheart looked eagerly up at the Highrock. Would his sister’s kit be granted this privilege, as he had been when the Clan had formally accepted him?
Bluestar looked down at Mousefur, her eyes cold. “No,” she answered.
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1
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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tilted
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| v. 倾斜的 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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flare
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| v.闪耀，闪烁；n.潮红；突发 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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scooped
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| v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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cozy
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| adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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dangled
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| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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squeaks
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| n.短促的尖叫声，吱吱声( squeak的名词复数 )v.短促地尖叫( squeak的第三人称单数 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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43
bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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Flared
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| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
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shred
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| v.撕成碎片，变成碎片；n.碎布条，细片，些少 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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chunk
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| n.厚片，大块，相当大的部分（数量） | |
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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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ginger
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| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
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spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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scrap
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| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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prodded
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| v.刺，戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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kits
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| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
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thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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cocoon
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| n.茧 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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latched
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| v.理解( latch的过去式和过去分词 )；纠缠；用碰锁锁上（门等）；附着（在某物上） | |
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soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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grumbling
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| adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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