“Look out!” Lionpaw lashed1 his tail.“ShadowClan warriors4 behind us!”
Hollypaw whipped around, her black pelt6 standing7 on end. “I’ll take them!”
Lionpaw glanced at his brother. “Scent8 anything, Jaypaw?”
“More warriors coming!” the gray tabby warned. His blind, blue eyes were round with alarm. “Prepare for attack!”
“We’ll ambush9 them as they come through the camp wall!” Lionpaw ordered. He jerked his head toward Hollypaw. “Can you handle those three?”
“Easy!” Hollypaw rolled onto her back then sprung to her paws, claws glinting in the afternoon sun.
Lionpaw darted10 forward and crouched12 behind the prickly wall of thorns. “Quick, Jaypaw! Beside me!”
Jaypaw scooted over and dropped into an attack crouch11. “They’re coming!”
A tabby warrior3 trotted13 through the entrance.
“Now!” Lionpaw screeched14. He hurled15 himself at the warrior. Jaypaw scrambled16 between the enemy’s paws. With a grunt17 of surprise, the invader18 tripped and tumbled onto his side. Lionpaw was on him in an instant.
“Enough!” Squirrelflight’s sharp mew rang around the small clearing.
Lionpaw stopped pummeling Brambleclaw’s back with his hind5 legs and stared at his mother as she hurried through the gap in the bramble wall. “But we’re pretending ShadowClan are attacking!”
Jaypaw skidded20 to a halt. “We’d almost won!”
Brambleclaw got to his paws, shaking Lionpaw off. “Good ambush,” he purred. “But you know you’re not meant to be playing here.”
Lionpaw slid to the ground. “It’s the only good place to practice a surprise attack,” he mewed sulkily. He looked around the half-finished den21; its bramble walls jutted22 out from the side of the warriors’ den. Once branches had been pushed over the top to form the roof, an opening would be made to join the old den with the new one.
Hollypaw padded toward them, leaving her imaginary foes23 behind. “We’re not getting in anyone’s way,” she pointed24 out. She fluffed out her fur against the wind. Newleaf sunshine had taken the chill from the hollow, but the afternoon had brought with it a breeze from the mountains that reminded Lionpaw that leaf-bare was less than a quarter moon behind them.
“What if every apprentice25 decided26 to practice their battle moves here?” Squirrelflight demanded. “The walls would be broken in no time and all Birchfall’s and Graystripe’s hard work would be wasted.”
“We need to expand the warriors’ den before you and the other apprentices27 become warriors,” Brambleclaw added. “It’s already too crowded.”
“Okay, we get the point!” Jaypaw lifted his chin. His fur was ruffled28 and bits of leaves were sticking out of his pelt.
“Look at you!” Squirrelflight licked Jaypaw roughly between the ears. “You’ve made yourselves filthy,” she scolded, “and we’ll be leaving for the Gathering29 soon.”
Lionpaw began to wash the dried leaf-dust from his chest before his mother started on him.
Jaypaw ducked away from Squirrelflight’s tongue. “I can wash myself, you know,” he complained.
“Leave them be,” Brambleclaw meowed to his mate. “I’m sure they’ll smarten themselves up before we leave.”
“Of course we will,” Lionpaw promised. There was no way he was going to let the other Clans30 see him looking like a hedgehog. This would be the first Gathering the three of them had attended together. “We’ve been looking forward to this for ages. Haven’t we, Jaypaw?”
Jaypaw flicked31 his tail. “Yeah, right.”
Lionpaw flexed32 his claws. Why did Jaypaw have to be grumpy all the time? This would be his first Gathering ever. He mustbe looking forward to it. He had missed the last two, once as a punishment and once because his medicine duties had kept him in camp. Lionpaw knew his littermate well enough to know how important it was to be able to do what the other cats did, despite his blindness—and that included going to Gatherings33
“Hurry up! Out of here, before Firestar notices!” Squirrelflight ordered, herding34 her kits36 toward the gap in the wall. “Go and find something on the fresh-kill pile. You’ve a long night ahead.”
Lionpaw’s tail pricked37 with excitement at the thought of the Gathering. He could almost smell the pine scents38 of the island.
But Hollypaw’s eyes glittered with worry. “I hope the other Clans don’t pick on us again. Do you know if Millie’s coming? Perhaps she should stay behind this time.”
When Graystripe had returned to the Clan2 two moons ago, he had brought with him his new mate, Millie, a kittypet whom he had met while the Twolegs held him captive. He had trained her as a warrior and in return she had helped him make the long, perilous39 journey to the lake in search of his lost Clan. Her kittypet roots made her an easy target for the other Clan’s jibes40, and she wasn’t the only ThunderClan cat who was taunted41 for not being Clanborn.
“Millie can take care of herself,” Squirrelflight pointed out.
“Besides, the contest seemed to have smoothed things over a bit,” Brambleclaw added.
“But for how long?” Hollypaw mewed. Lionpaw knew his sister had never been entirely42 convinced that the daylight Gathering would heal the rifts43 between the Clans. The four Clans had competed in friendly contests to test their skills, pitting their apprentices against one another in an effort to put aside growing distrust and border tensions. Lionpaw remembered the day for a different reason, though: He and the WindClan apprentice Breezepaw had fallen into an old badger44 set and nearly suffocated45 in choking sand before Jaypaw had found them.
“You’re always fretting46 about something,” Jaypaw snorted at Hollypaw. “It’s like living with an anxious owl47.”
“Newleaf is here now,” Squirrelflight pointed out. “There’s more prey48 running around, so the Clans should be less prickly.”
Hollypaw glanced at Jaypaw. “Some cats are still prickly even with a full belly49!”
“Hush.” Squirrelflight nudged her with her nose. “Go and eat.”
“I was only telling the truth!” Hollypaw started forward, but Jaypaw barged past her. She let out a yelp50, glaring after Jaypaw, who was already halfway51 to the medicine den. “He nipped me!”
Lionpaw’s whiskers twitched52. “You can fight off three ShadowClan warriors single-pawed,” he teased. “But one nip from your brother and you squeal53 like a kit35.”
Her soft tail flicked his nose. “You’d have squealed54, too!”
“I haven’t squealed since I left the nursery!”
Hollypaw narrowed her eyes mischievously55. “How about I nip you and see how brave you really are?”
“You’ll have to catch me first!”
Lionpaw darted away, Hollypaw pounding after him. “Here!” He skidded to a halt beside the fresh-kill pile and tossed a mouse at Hollypaw as she caught up. “Nip this instead.”
The full moon floated in a clear blue-black sky. Ahead, the island rose from the lake, its trees lifting brittle56 branches to the stars.
Lionpaw walked beside Hollypaw, following his Clanmates along the pebbly57 shore. He glanced at Jaypaw again. His brother was padding beside Leafpool, nose twitching58 as he scented59 the unfamiliar60 ground. Occasionally, Leafpool’s flank would graze Jaypaw’s, steering61 him around sharp stones or protruding62 roots.
Should he warn Jaypaw about the tree-bridge? It was surprisingly slippery; Lionpaw had almost fallen off on his first crossing.
Hollypaw mewed beside him. “It’ll be good to see Willowpaw.”
“Willowpaw?” he echoed distractedly. There was only one apprentice Lionpaw was hoping to see at the Gathering: Heatherpaw, the pretty WindClan apprentice with smoky blue eyes. He let out a small sigh.
“What are you thinking about?” Hollypaw nudged him. “You’re moons away.”
“Er, Jaypaw,” he mewed quickly. “I was wondering if he could make it over the tree-bridge.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Hollypaw warned.
Lionpaw suddenly felt cold water seep63 over his claws. Firestar had led them onto the marshy64 shore at the edge of RiverClan’s territory. Sandstorm picked her way after him. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight padded beside Millie and Graystripe while Birchfall and Dustpelt followed, talking quietly. Hazelpaw was listening to her mentor65 while Berrypaw dodged66 from side to side, sniffing67 among the clumps68 of grass as though any moment he might flush out prey.
“This is RiverClanterritory,” Hollypaw hissed69, reminding him that hunting on another Clan’s territory was forbidden.
“I know,” Berrypaw retorted. “But there’s no harm in looking.”
“So long as you just look.”
Graystripe let out a loud purr. “Firestar?” he called. “It sounds like Hollypaw’s preparing to challenge you for leadership.”
Lionpaw glanced at his sister. Was this the gray warrior’s gentle way of telling her not to be so bossy70?
“She can challenge all she wants,” Firestar purred back. “I don’t think I have to worry until she gets a bit bigger.”
“Hey!” Hollypaw fluffed out her fur indignantly. “I was just telling him!”
Firestar halted among the snaking roots of the fallen tree that crossed the water between the shore and the island. The scents of WindClan and ShadowClan were fresh on the bark; they must be here already. Lionpaw pricked his ears. Faint mews drifted from the island. Sandstorm jumped up nimbly and wove her way between the stumps71 and knots until she reached the other side. One by one, the others followed. Lionpaw stood back as Hollypaw leaped after Hazelpaw.
“Aren’t you coming, Lionpaw?” she mewed, steadying herself
“Of course,” Lionpaw hissed back at her.
“He’s waiting to make sure I don’t fall in,” Jaypaw mewed from behind him.
“Only because I nearly fell in the first time,” Lionpaw explained quickly. “It’s tricky72 if you don’t know where to put your paws.”
Jaypaw reached up into the tangle73 of roots, feeling his way with his forepaws.
“Here,” Leafpool meowed, jumping up past him onto the trunk. “It’s not too high.”
Jaypaw lifted his nose and sniffed74, judging how far away his mentor was. Then he pushed up with his hind legs and clawed his way onto the trunk beside her. Instantly, his forepaws slid from under him.
Lionpaw’s heart lurched as Jaypaw shot sideways. Leafpool darted toward him but Jaypaw had already dug his claws into the rotting bark and steadied himself, his tail lashing75 as he fought to regain76 his balance. Beneath him the dark water lapped at the shore. Lionpaw fought the urge to jump up and help as Jaypaw began to pad past his mentor and along the trunk. Leafpool crouched, tense and silent, ready to spring if Jaypaw slipped again. One slow paw step at a time, the blind apprentice felt his way along the bridge.
“Jump this way, Jaypaw!” Hollypaw called from the shore on the far side. “The sand’s a bit soft, but it’s clear.”
Jaypaw leaped down, landing a little clumsily, but straightened up at once.
Lionpaw felt a wave of relief.
“Hurry up, Lionpaw!”
Berrypaw was trying to push past him. Lionpaw leaped onto the trunk to block his way, but the tree trembled as Berrypaw leaped straight up after him.
“Come on!” Berrypaw urged.
Lionpaw felt his denmate’s breath on his heels, hurrying him forward. Clutching tightly with his claws, he scrambled along the tree.
“There’s no need to rush.” Brackenfur’s warning mew sounded a tail-length behind them. But Berrypaw kept pressing up behind Lionpaw.
“Stop hanging arou—”
The apprentice’s mew suddenly turned to a yelp. Lionpaw glanced back to see him sliding off the trunk, his cream pelt plummeting77 toward the black water.
Brackenfur lunged forward and grasped Berrypaw by the scruff. Berrypaw jerked and dangled78, his paws churning the air, the tip of his thick, cream tail rippling79 the surface of the lake
“Hold still,” Brackenfur grunted80 through clenched81 teeth. Muscles straining beneath his pelt, the golden warrior heaved Berrypaw up onto the trunk. “I told you not to rush!”
Lionpaw blinked. Thank StarClan it wasn’t me!He turned and padded the rest of the way, glad that Berrypaw wasn’t still trying to shove past him. The fresh scent of RiverClan drifted from the shore; their patrol must have been heading down to the lake. Lionpaw scanned the edge of the water but saw no sign of them.
“Is everyone ready?” Firestar called as he, Berrypaw, Brackenfur, and finally Ashfur jumped down onto the beach.
The cats nodded. Firestar signaled with his tail, and the party began to head into the trees.
Lionpaw watched Hollypaw’s black pelt disappear into the bracken. His paws tingled82 with excitement as he prepared to spring after her. But Jaypaw wasn’t moving. He was just staring into the trees. Is he nervous?
“It’s only bracken,” Lionpaw reassured83 him. “Just push through. The clearing’s not far.” He rested his tail on Jaypaw’s flank and felt his brother’s muscles, strong and lean, beneath his pelt.
“Come on, you two!” Hollypaw came crashing back through the bracken. “Why are you dawdling84?”
“Just planning our entrance.” Jaypaw flicked his tail and padded forward.
The brittle fronds85 of bracken scratched Lionpaw’s nose as he followed his littermates toward the clearing, but he could feel soft baby fern leaves curled under his paws. New leaves for newleaf.
“ShadowClan and WindClan are waiting in the clearing,” Hollypaw called over her shoulder. “But RiverClan haven’t arrived yet.”
“They’re on their way,” Lionpaw mewed. “I smelled them from the tree-bridge.”
Jaypaw lifted his nose. “You’re right.” His whiskers twitched. “But there’s something odd…”
Lionpaw opened his mouth and tasted the fresh scent of RiverClan again. It seemed the same as usual to him. “Probably just been eating too much fish,” he guessed.
“Let’s make sure we beat them.” Hollypaw urged them through the bracken and out onto the edge of the clearing.
As they emerged into the open, Jaypaw stiffened86. “Are there always so many cats?” he whispered.
Lionpaw gazed at the warriors, apprentices, and medicine cat who crowded the clearing. It looked like an ordinary Gathering to him. Was Heatherpaw here?
“Hey! Kittypet!”
Whitetail, a WindClan she-cat, was rushing toward Millie. Whitetail’s apprentice, Breezepaw, hurried after her, ears flattened87. Lionpaw unsheathed his claws, ready to defend his Clanmate.
“Hi, Millie!” Whitetail rubbed muzzles89 with Millie and twined her tail with hers as if they were old friends.
Lionpaw let his claws slide back in.
“Do they know each other?” Hollypaw gasped90.
Lionpaw shrugged91.
Breezepaw stared wide-eyed as his mentor stepped away from Millie and blinked warmly at her. “Thanks for the rabbit you gave us at the contest,” she purred. “You share like a Clan cat.”
Millie dipped her head. “It was a day for sharing,” she meowed.
“It looks like the contest did some good after all,” Hollypaw whispered to Lionpaw.
But another WindClan warrior, Tornear, was staring at Millie through narrowed eyes. He clearly didn’t like the sight of his denmate talking with a kittypet. Russetfur was watching, too, pelt bristling92 as she leaned forward to whisper something into a Clanmate’s ear.
Breezepaw didn’t say anything, just padded away from his mentor and pushed his way through the busy clearing. Berrypaw and Hazelpaw were chatting with a crowd of ShadowClan and WindClan apprentices. As Breezepaw joined them, Lionpaw’s pelt bristled93 with expectation. Was Heatherpaw’s pale tabby fur anywhere among the jumble94 of pelts95?
He couldn’t see her.
“What are you so disappointed about?” Jaypaw asked.
Lionpaw stared at him. “D-disappointed?” Jaypaw always had an uncanny way of guessing what he was feeling. “I’m not disappointed!”
“A mouse on the moor96 could have heard your tail hit the ground,” Jaypaw mewed.
“I was hoping to see someone,” Lionpaw admitted.
Hollypaw flicked her ears anxiously. “Heatherpaw?”
“Well, youwant to see Willowpaw!” he retorted, his fur bristling at her accusing tone.
“It’s not the same.”
“Yes, it is!” Lionpaw protested. “We’re just friends.” As he spoke97, he smelled a warmly familiar scent. Heatherpaw was racing98 across the clearing toward him.
“Lionpaw! You’re here!”
He felt his heart skip, then glanced nervously99 at Jaypaw. Was he listening to his heartbeat, too? As though burying prey ready to taste later, Lionpaw pushed his excitement away. “Hello, Heatherpaw,” he mewed coolly.
“You don’t sound very pleased to see me.” The WindClan cat’s ears twitched. “I’ve been on my best behavior all moon so that Crowfeather couldn’t possibly leave me behind.”
Lionpaw felt a flash of guilt100 about his lack of enthusiasm. Then anger pricked his paws. Why should he feel guilty? She was just a friend. “I’m glad you made it,” he mewed.
Hollypaw stepped in front of him and lightly brushed muzzles with Heatherpaw. “StarClan have given us fine weather again,” she mewed politely.
“You brought your brother!” Heatherpaw’s eyes shone as she noticed Jaypaw. Jealousy101 ran like cold water along Lionpaw’s spine102. He wished she hadn’t been around to watch Jaypaw rescue him from the collapsed103 badger set.
He was almost grateful when Jaypaw snapped at her hotly, “Nobody broughtme! I came with my Clan!”
“Of course,” Heatherpaw mewed at once. “I’m sorry. I know you can travel by yourself. It’s just—”
“Jaypaw!” Leafpool’s call rescued Heatherpaw from her flustered104 apology. “Come and join us!” She was sitting with Barkface and Mothwing.
Lionpaw watched Jaypaw weave his way over to the other medicine cats. “Take no notice of Jaypaw,” he mewed to Heatherpaw. “He’s as grumpy as a badger.”
“Who’s grumpy?”
Lionpaw jerked around to see who had spoken. His heart plummeted105 when he saw Breezepaw padding toward them.
“You’re not going to waste your time chatting to these two, are you?” The black-pelted WindClan apprentice sat down beside Heatherpaw. “Ivypaw and Owlpaw have just challenged Berrypaw to a competition to see who can jump the highest.” He licked a forepaw and drew it over his ear.
“Why don’t you go and watch it, then?” Heatherpaw replied.
“Why don’t you come with me?” A challenging glint sparked in Breezepaw’s eye.
Lionpaw heard the ferns rustling106 and smelled a familiar tang. “RiverClan is here,” he mewed.
Hollypaw stretched up on tiptoe beside him to watch RiverClan file into the clearing.
Something seemed wrong. Their tails were down and their ears were flat back. Jaypaw’s words buzzed in Lionpaw’s ears. There’s something odd….
Hollypaw narrowed her eyes. “Leopardstar doesn’t look very happy.”
The golden tabby she-cat was touching107 muzzles with Firestar, but her tail flicked impatiently, her gaze flitting around the clearing.
“Hollypaw!” Willowpaw broke away from her Clanmates and hurried to greet Hollypaw. “I can’t stay.” The RiverClan medicine cat apprentice was out of breath. “I have to join Mothwing. But I just wanted to say hello.”
“Is everything okay?” Hollypaw asked. “With your Clan, I mean. It’s just that you all seem a bit—”
At that moment, Crowfeather padded over to join them. Lionpaw’s whiskers twitched with frustration108. Would he never get a moment alone with Heatherpaw?
“Heatherpaw,” the WindClan warrior greeted his apprentice briskly. “Why don’t you go and talk to some of the apprentices from the other Clans? This is a good chance to get to know different cats.” His gaze flickered109 over Lionpaw and Hollypaw.
“Come on,” Breezepaw urged. “Let’s see if Ivypaw out-jumped Berrypaw.”
Heatherpaw glanced at Lionpaw, then shrugged. “Okay, then.”
Lionpaw’s tail stirred the needle-strewn earth behind him as he watched Crowfeather and Breezepaw guide her away.
“Let all the Clans gather beneath StarClan!”
Blackstar’s loud meow sounded from the Great Oak. The four leaders were lined along the lowest branch, silhouettes110 in the moonlight, their eyes shining in the dark. Lionpaw hurried after Hollypaw as she pushed her way in among her Clanmates and sat down beside Brackenfur. Lionpaw squeezed in front of her and sat beside Ashfur.
“Hey!” Hollypaw hissed. “Keep your head down. I want to see.”
Lionpaw ducked, suddenly realizing that he was larger than his sister now, outpacing her in size if nothing else as they grew with the passing moons.
“ShadowClan brings happy news,” Blackstar announced. “We have three new kits born to Tawnypelt.”
Meows of congratulations rose from the crowd, the loudest from Squirrelflight. “Well done, Tawnypelt!”
Blackstar went on. “They are named Flamekit, Dawnkit, and Tigerkit!”
The meows died in the throats of the older warriors at the name Tigerkit. Lionpaw blinked. How could Tigerstar still frighten them when he was nothing but a memory from long ago and far away? They were as superstitious111 as owls112!
“If they’re Tawnypelt’s kits,” he whispered over his shoulder to Hollypaw, “they’ll be our kin19!” It felt odd to have kin in another Clan. For the first time he tried to imagine how his father must feel about Tawnypelt. She was Brambleclaw’s sister, yet she had found her destiny with another Clan. Had he ever had to face her in a fight?
“Anything else to report?” Firestar’s voice jolted113 Lionpaw from his daydreaming114.
“Did I miss anything?” Lionpaw glanced back at his sister. She shook her head, but her eyes were shaded with worry.
Blackstar had tucked his tail over his paws and was looking satisfied. Onestar turned his head from the ThunderClan leader, signaling he had nothing to say.
Firestar nodded. “All has been well with ThunderClan, too.” He turned to the RiverClan leader. “Leopardstar? You’ve shared no news.”
“There’s no news to share,” she meowed curtly115. “The fish are returning to the edge of the lake. Hunting is good. My Clan is well.”
“I’m pleased to hear it,” Firestar replied.
“Then the Gathering is over,” Leopardstar declared.
The Clans began to pad away from the Great Oak as their leaders bounded down from the low branch. Lionpaw stretched, feeling cold from sitting still.
Hazelpaw nudged him with her muzzle88. “Three new ShadowClan cats!” she mewed. “We’re going to have to train harder than ever!” She began to follow her Clanmates across the clearing.
Lionpaw hurried after her. “But they’re only kits.”
“Kits become warriors!” Hazelpaw reminded him.
Lionpaw felt Hollypaw pressing beside him. Her pelt was bristling. “Do you think we’ll ever have to fight them?” she whispered anxiously.
“Let’s not talk about fighting now.” Squirrelflight had joined them and overheard. “Three kits are a blessing116 to any Clan.” She was clearly pleased at Tawnypelt’s news.
Leafpool caught up, Jaypaw at her side. “I noticed Tawnypelt was expecting last time I saw her.”
Squirrelflight looked surprised. “You never mentioned it.”
“It was not for me to say when it still lay in the paws of StarClan,” Leafpool answered.
“Besides, it was none of your business!” A gruff mew startled the cats.
Lionpaw turned to see Rowanclaw, a ginger117 ShadowClan warrior, staring at them with narrowed eyes. He must be the father.
Squirrelflight returned his gaze. “Congratulations, Rowanclaw. You are blessed to have three healthy kits.”
Rowanclaw curled his lip. “Three healthy Clanbornkits,” he growled118.
“That is only a blessing if they remain loyal to the Clan they were born to,” Squirrelflight pointed out sharply, letting her temper flare120.
Rowanclaw let out a low growl119.
Leafpool stepped between the two warriors. “There’s no need to argue.”
“He was only speaking the truth.”
Who said that?Lionpaw snapped his head around. Breezepaw!
The WindClan apprentice was standing beside his father.
Crowfeather was staring at Leafpool, his eyes glittering. “Don’t forget, Breezepaw, ThunderClan actually celebratesmixed blood.”
Leafpool jerked her head backward as though Crowfeather had raked his claws across her muzzle. She turned quickly and hurried away.
“He’s acting121 like there’s something wrong with ThunderClan!” Lionpaw unsheathed his claws, then felt his mother’s tail run along his flank.
“Come along, Lionpaw. Don’t forget the truce122.” She pressed against Lionpaw and padded toward the edge of the clearing, steering him away from Crowfeather, Breezepaw, and Rowanclaw.
Lionpaw glared over his shoulder at the three cats, wishing he could ignore the stupid truce and rip a piece of fur from each of them.
“Lionpaw!” Heatherpaw was bounding toward him.
“What?” Lionpaw stopped and faced Heatherpaw. Squirrelflight paused beside him.
Heatherpaw gazed up at her. “Can I speak to Lionpaw, please?”
Squirrelflight’s ears twitched, but she nodded. “Don’t be long.” She padded into the bracken after Leafpool, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw.
“Please don’t be angry,” Heatherpaw begged. “Crowfeather’s always bad-tempered123. It’s just his way. And Breezepaw thinks he’s a warrior already.”
“But you heard what they said about mixed blood in ThunderClan! They just can’t let it go, can they?”
“Maybe they can’t, but can we forget it?” Heatherpaw’s eyes were shining. “I’ve got a plan.”
“To get back at them?”
Heatherpaw’s eyes widened. “Of course not! They’re my Clanmates!” She flicked her tail. “My plan is something else entirely.”
Lionpaw tipped his head to one side. “What, then?”
“Instead of waiting till the next Gathering, why don’t we meet up before?”
“Before?” Lionpaw echoed in surprise. Wasn’t it against the warrior code to meet with cats from another Clan without permission?
“Tomorrow night,” she whispered.
“But how? Where?”
“At the boundary in the woods. Near the yew124 tree. We can slip away while our Clanmates are sleeping.”
“But—”
Heatherpaw’s whiskers twitched. “Come on! It’ll be exciting. And it’s not like we’d be hurting anyone.”
Lionpaw felt guilt and worry tug125 at his belly, but Heatherpaw’s blue eyes were sparkling at him hopefully. It did sound like fun. He could always say he’d been practicing his night hunting. And Heatherpaw was right. They wouldn’t be doing any harm, like stealing prey or spying. No cat would even know if they were careful about it. I’ll still be loyal to my Clan and I won’t fall behind in my duties.
He blinked at Heatherpaw. “Okay.”
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收听单词发音
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lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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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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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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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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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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11
crouch
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| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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17
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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invader
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| n.侵略者，侵犯者，入侵者 | |
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19
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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skidded
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| v.（通常指车辆） 侧滑( skid的过去式和过去分词 )；打滑；滑行；（住在）贫民区 | |
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21
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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jutted
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| v.（使）突出( jut的过去式和过去分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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23
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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24
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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25
apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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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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apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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29
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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30
clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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31
flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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32
flexed
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| adj.[医]曲折的，屈曲v.屈曲( flex的过去式和过去分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
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33
gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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34
herding
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| 中畜群 | |
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35
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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36
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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37
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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38
scents
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| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
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39
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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40
jibes
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| n.与…一致( jibe的名词复数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配v.与…一致( jibe的第三人称单数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配 | |
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41
taunted
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| 嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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42
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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43
rifts
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| n.裂缝( rift的名词复数 )；裂隙；分裂；不和 | |
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44
badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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45
suffocated
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| （使某人）窒息而死( suffocate的过去式和过去分词 )； （将某人）闷死； 让人感觉闷热； 憋气 | |
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46
fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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47
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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48
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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49
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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50
yelp
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| vi.狗吠 | |
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51
halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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52
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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53
squeal
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| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
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54
squealed
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
mischievously
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| adv.有害地；淘气地 | |
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56
brittle
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| adj.易碎的；脆弱的；冷淡的；(声音)尖利的 | |
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57
pebbly
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| 多卵石的，有卵石花纹的 | |
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58
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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59
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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60
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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61
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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62
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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63
seep
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| v.渗出，渗漏；n.渗漏，小泉，水（油）坑 | |
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64
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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65
mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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66
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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67
sniffing
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| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；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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68
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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69
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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70
bossy
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| adj.爱发号施令的，作威作福的 | |
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71
stumps
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| （被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分 | |
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72
tricky
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| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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73
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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74
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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75
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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76
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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77
plummeting
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| v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的现在分词 ) | |
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78
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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79
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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80
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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81
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
tingled
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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84
dawdling
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| adj.闲逛的，懒散的v.混（时间）( dawdle的现在分词 ) | |
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85
fronds
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| n.蕨类或棕榈类植物的叶子( frond的名词复数 ) | |
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86
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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87
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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88
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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89
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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90
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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91
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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92
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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93
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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94
jumble
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| vt.使混乱，混杂；n.混乱；杂乱的一堆 | |
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95
pelts
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| n. 皮毛，投掷, 疾行 vt. 剥去皮毛，（连续）投掷 vi. 猛击，大步走 | |
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96
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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97
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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98
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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99
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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100
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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101
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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102
spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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103
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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104
flustered
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| adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词) | |
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105
plummeted
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| v.垂直落下，骤然跌落( plummet的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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106
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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107
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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108
frustration
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| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
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109
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
silhouettes
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| 轮廓( silhouette的名词复数 )； （人的）体形； （事物的）形状； 剪影 | |
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111
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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112
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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113
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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114
daydreaming
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| v.想入非非，空想( daydream的现在分词 ) | |
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115
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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116
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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117
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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118
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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119
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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120
flare
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| v.闪耀，闪烁；n.潮红；突发 | |
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121
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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122
truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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123
bad-tempered
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| adj.脾气坏的 | |
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124
yew
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| n.紫杉属树木 | |
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125
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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