ALLEGIANCES

ALLEGIANCES
thunderclan
LEADER
BLUESTAR—blue-gray she-cat, tinged with silver around her muzzle.
DEPUTY
REDTAIL—small tortoiseshell tom with a distinctive ginger tail. APPRENTICE, DUSTPAW
MEDICINE CAT
SPOTTEDLEAF—beautiful dark tortoiseshell she-cat with a distinctive dappled coat.
WARRIORS
(toms, and she-cats without kits)
LIONHEART—magnificent golden tabby tom with thick fur like a lion’s mane. APPRENTICE, GRAYPAW
TIGERCLAW—big dark brown tabby tom with unusually long front claws. APPRENTICE, RAVENPAW
WHITESTORM—big white tom. APPRENTICE, SANDPAW
DARKSTRIPE—sleek black-and-gray tabby tom.
LONGTAIL—pale tabby tom with dark black stripes.
RUNNINGWIND—swift tabby tom.
WILLOWPELT—very pale gray she-cat with unusual blue eyes.
MOUSEFUR—small dusky brown she-cat.
APPRENTICES
(more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
DUSTPAW—dark brown tabby tom.
GRAYPAW—long-haired solid gray tom.
RAVENPAW—small, skinny black tom with a tiny white dash on his chest, and white-tipped tail
SANDPAW—pale ginger she-cat.
FIREPAW—handsome ginger tom.
QUEENS
(she-cats expecting or nursing kits)
FROSTFUR—beautiful white coat and blue eyes.
BRINDLEFACE—pretty tabby.
GOLDENFLOWER—pale ginger coat.
SPECKLETAIL—pale tabby, and the oldest nursery queen.
ELDERS
(former warriors and queens, now retired)
HALFTAIL—big dark brown tabby tom with part of his tail missing.
SMALLEAR—gray tom with very small ears. The oldest tom in ThunderClan.
PATCHPELT—small black-and-white tom.
ONE-EYE—pale gray she-cat, the oldest cat in ThunderClan. Virtually blind and deaf.
DAPPLETAIL—once-pretty tortoiseshell she-cat with a lovely dappled coat.
shadowclan
LEADER
BROKENSTAR—long-haired dark brown tabby.
DEPUTY
BLACKFOOT—large white tom with huge jet-black paws.
MEDICINE CAT
RUNNINGNOSE—small gray-and-white tom.
WARRIORS
STUMPYTAIL—brown tabby tom. APPRENTICE, BROWNPAW BOULDER—silver tabby tom. APPRENTICE, WETPAW CLAWFACE—battle-scarred brown tom. APPRENTICE, LITTLEPAW NIGHTPELT—black tom.
QUEENS
DAWNCLOUD—small tabby. BRIGHTFLOWER—black-and-white she-cat.
ELDERS
ASHFUR—thin gray tom.
windclan
LEADER
TALLSTAR—a black-and-white tom with a very long tail.
riverclan
LEADER
CROOKEDSTAR—a huge light-colored tabby with a twisted jaw.
DEPUTY
OAKHEART—a reddish brown tom.
cats outside clans
YELLOWFANG—old dark gray she-cat with a broad, flattened face.
SMUDGE—plump, friendly black-and-white kitten who lives in a house at the edge of the forest.
BARLEY—black-and-white tom who lives on a farm close to the forest.

文前辅文
文前辅文
雷族
族长
蓝星——灰色的母猫，口鼻部呈银色。
副族长
红尾——个头矮小的花斑公猫，身后拖着一条长长的火红色尾巴。
巫医
斑叶——玳瑁色的母猫，长得非常漂亮，身上的花斑也很别致。
武士 （公猫和母猫均可成为武士。）
狮心——品行高尚的金黄色虎斑公猫，脖颈处长着浓密的毛，犹如狮子的鬃毛。
狮心的徒弟是灰爪。
虎掌——个头高大的深棕色虎斑公猫，两只前爪特别修长。
虎掌的徒弟是乌爪。
白风——大个头的白色公猫。
白风的徒弟是沙爪。
黑条——处世圆滑的深灰色虎斑公猫，身上长着黢黑的条纹。
黑条的徒弟是尘爪。
长尾——苍白色的虎斑公猫。
奔风——动作迅捷的虎斑公猫。
柳带——灰白色的母猫，长着一对蓝莹莹的眼睛。
鼠毛——个头矮小的深棕色母猫。
学徒 （学徒都是年龄大于六个月，正在进行武士训练课程的猫。）
尘爪——棕色虎斑公猫。
灰爪——长毛、纯灰色公猫。
乌爪——瘦小的黑色公猫，尾巴尖儿是白色的。
沙爪——姜黄色母猫。
火爪——外表英俊的姜黄色公猫。
猫后 （怀孕或正在哺乳的母猫。）
霜毛——漂亮的白色母猫，眼睛为蓝色。
纹脸——漂亮的母花斑猫。
金花——姜黄色母猫。
纹尾——灰色虎斑猫，是育婴室母猫中年纪最大者。
长老 （从武士岗位上退休的猫。）
半尾——大个头的深棕色虎斑公猫，残缺了一截尾巴。
小耳——灰色公猫，双耳奇小，是雷族公猫中最年长者。
团毛——小个子公猫，毛色黑白相间。
一只眼——灰白色母猫，眼花耳背，是雷族所有的猫中年纪最大者。
斑尾——玳瑁色花斑母猫，曾经是族群里的族花。
影族
族长
断星——长毛、深棕色虎斑公猫。。
副族长
黑脚——大个头白色公猫，四爪黢黑。
巫医
奔鼻——小个子公猫，毛色灰白相间。
武士
矮尾——棕色虎斑公猫。
石头——灰色公猫。
爪脸——棕色公猫，脸上伤痕累累。
夜皮——黑色公猫。
猫后
曙云——小个子虎斑猫。
亮花——黑白相间的母猫。
长老
灰毛——瘦骨嶙峋的灰色公猫。
风族
族长
高星——黑白相间的公猫，长着一根修长的尾巴。
河族
族长
钩星——个头高大的灰白色虎斑猫，下颚扭曲。
副族长
橡心——褐色公猫。
族群以外的猫
黄牙——深灰色老年母猫，面部宽扁。
斯玛——体态肥胖、性格宽厚的宠物猫，毛色黑白相间，住在靠近森林的一所房子
里。
巴利——黑白相间的公猫，住在距离森林不远的一处农田里。
PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE
A half-moon glowed on smooth granite boulders,turning them silver. The silence was broken only by the ripple of water from the swift black river and the whisper of trees in the forest beyond.
There was a stirring in the shadows, and from all around lithe dark shapes crept stealthily over the rocks. Unsheathed claws glinted in the moonlight. Wary eyes flashed like amber. And then, as if on a silent signal, the creatures leaped at each other, and suddenly the rocks were alive with wrestling, screeching cats.
At the center of the frenzy of fur and claws, a massive dark tabby pinned a bracken-colored tom to the ground and drew up his head triumphantly. “Oakheart!” the tabby growled. “How dare you hunt in our territory? The Sunningrocks belong to ThunderClan!”
“After tonight, Tigerclaw, this will be just another RiverClan hunting ground!” the bracken-colored tom spat back.
A warning yowl came from the shore, shrill and anxious. “Look out! More RiverClan warriors are coming!”
Tigerclaw turned to see sleek wet bodies sliding out of the water below the rocks. The drenched RiverClan warriors bounded silently up the shore and hurled themselves into battle without even stopping to shake the water from their fur.
The dark tabby glared down at Oakheart. “You may swim like otters, but you and your warriors do not belong in this forest!” He drew back his lips and showed his teeth as the cat struggled beneath him.
The desperate scream of a ThunderClan she-cat rose above the clamor. A wiry RiverClan tom had pinned the brown warrior flat on her belly. Now he lunged toward her neck with jaws still dripping from his swim across the river.
Tigerclaw heard the cry and let go of Oakheart. With a mighty leap, he knocked the enemy warrior away from the she-cat. “Quick, Mousefur, run!” he ordered, before turning on the RiverClan tom who had threatened her. Mousefur scrambled to her paws, wincing from a deep gash on her shoulder, and raced away.
Behind her, Tigerclaw spat with rage as the RiverClan tom sliced open his nose. Blood blinded him for an instant, but he lunged forward regardless and sank his teeth into the hind leg of his enemy. The RiverClan cat squealed and struggled free.
“Tigerclaw!” The yowl came from a warrior with a tail as red as fox fur. “This is useless! There are too many RiverClan warriors!”
“No, Redtail. ThunderClan will never be beaten!” Tigerclaw yowled back, leaping to Redtail’s side. “This is our territory!” Blood was welling around his broad black muzzle, and he shook his head impatiently, scattering scarlet drops onto the rocks.
“ThunderClan will honor your courage, Tigerclaw, but we cannot afford to lose any more of our warriors,” Redtail urged. “Bluestar would never expect her warriors to fight against these impossible odds. We will have another chance to avenge this defeat.” He met Tigerclaw’s amber-eyed gaze steadily, then reared away and sprang onto a boulder at the edge of the trees.
“Retreat, ThunderClan! Retreat!” he yowled. At once his warriors squirmed and struggled away from their opponents. Spitting and snarling, they backed toward Redtail. For a heartbeat, the RiverClan cats looked confused. Was this battle so easily won? Then Oakheart yowled a jubilant cry. As soon as they heard him, the RiverClan warriors raised their voices and joined their deputy in caterwauling their victory.
Redtail looked down at his warriors. With a flick of his tail, he gave the signal and the ThunderClan cats dived down the far side of the Sunningrocks, then disappeared into the trees.
Tigerclaw followed last. He hesitated at the edge of the forest and glanced back at the bloodstained battlefield. His face was grim, his eyes furious slits. Then he leaped after his Clan into the silent forest.
In a deserted clearing, an old gray she-cat sat alone, staring up at the clear night sky. All around her in the shadows she could hear the breathing and stirrings of sleeping cats.
A small tortoiseshell she-cat emerged from a dark corner, her pawsteps quick and soundless.
The gray cat dipped her head in greeting. “How is Mousefur?” she meowed.
“Her wounds are deep, Bluestar,” answered the tortoiseshell, settling herself on the night-cool grass. “But she is young and strong; she will heal quickly.”
“And the others?”
“They will all recover, too.”
Bluestar sighed. “We are lucky not to have lost any of our warriors this time. You are a gifted medicine cat, Spottedleaf.” She tilted her head again and studied the stars. “I am deeply troubled by tonight’s defeat. ThunderClan has not been beaten in its own territory since I became leader,” she murmured. “These are difficult times for our Clan. The season of newleaf is late, and there have been fewer kits. ThunderClan needs more warriors if it is to survive.”
“But the year is only just beginning,” Spottedleaf pointed out calmly. “There will be more kits when greenleaf comes.”
The gray cat twitched her broad shoulders. “Perhaps. But training our young to become warriors takes time. If ThunderClan is to defend its territory, it must have new warriors as soon as possible.”
“Are you asking StarClan for answers?” meowed Spottedleaf gently, following Bluestar’s gaze and staring up at the swath of stars glittering in the dark sky.
“It is at times like this we need the words of ancient warriors to help us. Has StarClan spoken to you?” Bluestar asked.
“Not for some moons, Bluestar.”
Suddenly a shooting star blazed over the treetops. Spottedleaf’s tail twitched and the fur along her spine bristled.
Bluestar’s ears pricked but she remained silent as Spottedleaf continued to gaze upward.
After a few moments, Spottedleaf lowered her head and turned to Bluestar. “It was a message from StarClan,” she murmured. A distant look came into her eyes. “Fire alone can save our Clan.”
“Fire?” Bluestar echoed. “But fire is feared by all the Clans! How can it save us?”
Spottedleaf shook her head. “I do not know,” she admitted. “But this is the message StarClan has chosen to share with me.”
The ThunderClan leader fixed her clear blue eyes on the medicine cat. “You have never been wrong before, Spottedleaf,” she meowed. “If StarClan has spoken, then it must be so. Fire will save our Clan.”
引子
引子
残月把它那银色的光辉泼洒在光滑的花岗岩石上。大地沉寂，只有河水在黑暗中潺潺流动。森林里树丛摇曳，发出沙沙的声响。
突然，黑暗中出现一阵骚动，四面八方涌现出无数柔韧的黑影，神不知鬼不觉地爬到散落四处的石头上。利爪出鞘，在月光下闪闪发光。琥珀般的眼睛飘忽闪烁，射出警觉的目光。似乎在一个无声的示意之下，这些黑影向对方猛然扑过去。刹那间，尖叫声中，一群猫开始厮打，地上的石头被他们撞得满地乱滚。
在这些狂怒的猫当中，一只强壮的深棕色虎斑猫把一只褐色公猫按倒在地后，胜利般昂起了头，大声喝道：“橡心！太阳石是雷族的领地，你怎么能在这里捕猎？”
那只褐色公猫出言不逊：“过了今晚，河族就是这里的主人了，虎掌。”
就在这时，河岸边传来急切的信号，颤抖的号叫声显得非常急切。“快看！河族来了更多武士！”
虎掌望见岩石下方许多身影从河里潜出。浑身湿淋淋的河族武士悄无声息地跃上河岸，不等抖落毛上的水便投入了战斗。
虎掌瞪着橡心，任凭后者在身下挣扎。虎掌龇牙咧嘴地对他说：“哼，你们倒像水獭一样能泅水啊！可那又怎样，你们照样抢不去太阳石这片领地。”
混战中，一只雷族母猫发出了凄厉的尖叫，只见她被一只身体瘦长的河族虎斑猫掀翻在地。对方压在她的肚皮上，用还在滴水的爪子刺向她的脖子。
虎掌听见呼叫后急忙放开橡心，奋力扑开那个河族武士，命令说：“鼠毛，快跑！”他纵身跃起，向那只差点儿杀死鼠毛的河族虎斑猫发起攻击。鼠毛的肩头上赫然现出一道深深裂开的伤口，她摇晃着站起来，快步离开了战场。
就在鼠毛离开战场的同时，身后传来虎掌的怒喝，原来那只河族虎斑猫撕裂了虎掌的鼻子。一时间，鲜血蒙住了虎掌的眼睛，他不顾一切地冲上前去咬住敌人的后腿。那只河族虎斑猫尖叫着挣脱开。
一名武士大声叫喊：“虎掌！没用的！河族武士太多了！”这名武士的尾巴就好像狐狸尾巴一般火红。
“我不走，红尾。雷族从不打败仗！”虎掌跳到红尾身边，冲他喊道，“这是我们的领地！”鲜血从虎掌的鼻子上涌出，他不耐烦地摇摇脑袋，血水甩落在四周的石头上。
红尾急切地说：“雷族以你的勇气为荣，虎掌。可我们不能再损失任何武士了，蓝星从不希望她的武士们在力量悬殊的情况下进行战斗。我们还有别的机会为这次失败复仇。”他坚定地看了看虎掌琥珀色的眼睛，转身跳到树林边的一块大岩石上。
他高声命令说：“撤退，雷族的武士们，全体撤退！”雷族众武士立刻挣扎着退出战局。他们一边骂骂咧咧，一边向红尾身边聚拢。一时间，河族的武士们看起来有些困惑。
这么轻易就赢得了这场战斗吗？接着，橡心发出了得意扬扬的号叫。听到副族长的叫声，河族武士们也都随他一同号叫庆祝胜利。
红尾俯视着他的武士们，晃动了一下尾巴，发出示意。雷族的猫们冲下太阳石，消失在树林里。
虎掌落在队伍末尾。他犹犹豫豫地走到树林边，回望着血淋淋的战场，一脸阴郁，眼睛里闪着怒火。然后，他跳入树丛，尾随他的族群而去。
一片荒芜的空地上，一只灰色的老年母猫独自坐在那里，出神地望着宁静的夜空，全身都笼罩在阴影当中。巢穴里依稀传来群猫酣睡的声音。
一只玳瑁色的年轻母猫从一个黑暗的角落走出来，她的步伐轻盈，一点儿声响也没有。
灰猫点点头打了个招呼，问她：“鼠毛怎么样了？”
那只玳瑁色的猫坐在夜间变得很凉的草地上，回答说：“她的伤口很深，蓝星。但她年轻，身体又壮，很快就能康复。”
“其他的猫呢？”
“他们也都会康复的。”
蓝星叹了口气，重新抬头凝望着夜空，喃喃地说：“这次我们没有损失任何猫真的是很幸运。斑叶，你是位优秀的巫医。今晚的失败使我心烦意乱。从我当族长以来，我们还从未在自己的领地内打过败仗。族里现在的处境相当不妙，今年天气热得晚，母猫们生下的幼崽太少。雷族要想生存就得有更多的武士。”
斑叶平静地说：“但现在才刚刚入春，只有等天气暖和了，树叶都发绿了，母猫们才会生下更多的幼崽。”
蓝星的肩头抽搐了一下：“也许吧。可是把年轻的猫训练成武士是需要时间的。雷族要想保卫自己的领地，就需要尽快增加新的武士。”
斑叶顺着蓝星的目光望向夜空中那条绚丽漫长的银河，轻声说：“你向星族征询过答案吗？”
蓝星说：“每当这种时候，我们都需要武士的前辈们为我们指点迷津。星族对你说过什么吗？”
“不久前说过，蓝星。”
突然，一颗流星滑过树梢。斑叶的尾巴抽动了一下，脊背上的毛竖立了起来。
斑叶继续凝望天空，蓝星则竖起耳朵一声不吭。
过了一会儿，斑叶低下头转向蓝星，目光深邃。她小声说：“星族传来的消息说，只有火才能挽救雷族。”
“火？”蓝星重复道，“但是所有的猫族都怕火啊！它怎么救我们呢？”
斑叶摇摇头说：“我不知道，星族就是这么说的。”
蓝星注视着斑叶，说：“你以前从没有出过错，如果星族是这么说的，那肯定不会错。
火将会挽救我们的族群。”
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
It was very dark.Rusty could sense something was near. The young tomcat’s eyes opened wide as he scanned the dense undergrowth. This place was unfamiliar, but the strange scents drew him onward, deeper into the shadows. His stomach growled, reminding him of his hunger. He opened his jaws slightly to let the warm smells of the forest reach the scent glands on the roof of his mouth. Musty odors of leaf mold mingled with the tempting aroma of a small furry creature.
Suddenly a flash of gray raced past him. Rusty stopped still, listening. It was hiding in the leaves less than two tail-lengths away. Rusty knew it was a mouse—he could feel the rapid pulsing of a tiny heart deep within his ear fur. He swallowed, stifling his rumbling stomach. Soon his hunger would be satisfied.
Slowly he lowered his body into position, crouching for the attack. He was downwind of the mouse. He knew it was not aware of him. With one final check on his prey’s position, Rusty pushed back hard on his haunches and sprang, kicking up leaves on the forest floor as he rose.
The mouse dived for cover, heading toward a hole in the ground. But Rusty was already on top of it. He scooped it into the air, hooking the helpless creature with his thorn-sharp claws, flinging it up in a high arc onto the leaf-covered ground. The mouse landed dazed, but alive. It tried to run, but Rusty snatched it up again. He tossed the mouse once more, this time a little farther away. The mouse managed to scramble a few paces before Rusty caught up with it.
Suddenly a noise roared nearby. Rusty looked around, and as he did so, the mouse was able to pull away from his claws. When Rusty turned back he saw it dart into the darkness among the tangled roots of a tree.
Angry, Rusty gave up the hunt. He spun around, his green eyes glaring, intent on searching out the noise that had cost him his kill. The sound rattled on, becoming more familiar. Rusty blinked open his eyes.
The forest had disappeared. He was inside a hot and airless kitchen, curled in his bed. Moonlight filtered through the window, casting shadows on the smooth, hard floor. The noise had been the rattle of hard, dried pellets of food as they were tipped into his dish. Rusty had been dreaming.
Lifting his head, he rested his chin on the side of his bed. His collar rubbed uncomfortably around his neck. In his dream he had felt fresh air ruffling the soft fur where the collar usually pinched. Rusty rolled onto his back, savoring the dream for a few more moments. He could still smell mouse. It was the third time since full moon that he’d had the dream, and every time the mouse had escaped his grasp.
He licked his lips. From his bed he could smell the bland odor of his food. His owners always refilled his dish before they went to bed. The dusty smell chased away the warm scents of his dream. But the hunger rumbled on in his stomach, so Rusty stretched the sleep out of his limbs and padded across the kitchen floor to his dinner. The food felt dry and tasteless on his tongue. Rusty reluctantly swallowed one more mouthful. Then he turned away from the food dish and pushed his way out through the cat flap, hoping that the smell of the garden would bring back the feelings from his dream.
Outside, the moon was bright. It was raining lightly. Rusty stalked down the tidy garden, following the starlit gravel path, feeling the stones cold and sharp beneath his paws. He made his dirt beneath a large bush with glossy green leaves and heavy purple flowers. Their sickly sweet scent cloyed the damp air around him, and he curled his lip to drive the smell out of his nostrils.
Afterward, Rusty settled down on top of one of the posts in the fence that marked the limits of his garden. It was a favorite spot of his, as he could see right into the neighboring gardens as well as into the dense green forest on the other side of the garden fence.
The rain had stopped. Behind him, the close-cropped lawn was bathed in moonlight, but beyond his fence the woods were full of shadows. Rusty stretched his head forward to take a sniff of the damp air. His skin was warm and dry under his thick coat, but he could feel the weight of the raindrops that sparkled on his ginger fur.
He heard his owners giving him one last call from the back door. If he went to them now, they would greet him with gentle words and caresses and welcome him onto their bed, where he would curl, purring, warm in the crook of a bent knee.
But this time Rusty ignored his owners’ voices and turned his gaze back to the forest. The crisp smell of the woods had grown fresher after the rain.
Suddenly the fur on his spine prickled. Was something moving out there? Was something watching him? Rusty stared ahead, but it was impossible to see or smell anything in the dark, tree-scented air. He lifted his chin boldly, stood up, and stretched, one paw gripping each corner of the fencepost as he straightened his legs and arched his back. He closed his eyes and breathed in the smell of the woods once more. It seemed to promise him something, tempting him onward into the whispering shadows. Tensing his muscles, he crouched for a moment. Then he leaped lightly down into the rough grass on the other side of the garden fence. As he landed, the bell on his collar rang out through the still night air.
“Where are you off to, Rusty?” meowed a familiar voice behind him.
Rusty looked up. A young black-and-white cat was balancing ungracefully on the fence.
“Hello, Smudge,” Rusty replied.
“You’re not going to go into the woods, are you?” Smudge’s amber eyes were huge.
“Just for a look,” Rusty promised, shifting uncomfortably.
“You wouldn’t get me in there. It’s dangerous!” Smudge wrinkled his black nose with distaste. “Henry said he went into the woods once.” The cat lifted his head and gestured with his nose over the rows of fences toward the garden where Henry lived.
“That fat old tabby never went into the woods!” Rusty scoffed. “He’s hardly been beyond his own garden since his trip to the vet. All he wants to do is eat and sleep.”
“No, really. He caught a robin there!” Smudge insisted.
“Well, if he did, then it was before the vet. Now he complainsabout birds because they disturb his dozing.”
“Well, anyway,” Smudge went on, ignoring the scorn in Rusty’s mew, “Henry told me there are all sorts of dangerous animals out there. Huge wildcats who eat live rabbits for breakfast and sharpen their claws on old bones!”
“I’m only going for a look around,” Rusty meowed. “I won’t stay long.”
“Well, don’t say I didn’t warn you!” purred Smudge. The black-and-white cat turned and plunged off the fence back down into his own garden.
Rusty sat down in the coarse grass beyond the garden fence. He gave his shoulder a nervous lick and wondered how much of Smudge’s gossip was true.
Suddenly the movement of a tiny creature caught his eye. He watched it scuttle under some brambles.
Instinct made him drop into a low crouch. With one slow paw after another he drew his body forward through the undergrowth. Ears pricked, nostrils flared, eyes unblinking, he moved toward the animal. He could see it clearly now, sitting up among the barbed branches, nibbling on a large seed held between its paws. It was a mouse.
Rusty rocked his haunches from side to side, preparing to leap. He held his breath in case his bell rang again. Excitement coursed through him, making his heart pound. This was even better than his dreams! Then a sudden noise of cracking twigs and crunching leaves made him jump. His bell jangled treacherously, and the mouse darted away into the thickest tangle of the bramble bush.
Rusty stood very still and looked around. He could see the white tip of a red bushy tail trailing through a clump of tall ferns up ahead. He smelled a strong, strange scent, definitely a meat-eater, but neither cat nor dog. Distracted, Rusty forgot about the mouse and watched the red tail curiously. He wanted a better look.
All of Rusty’s senses strained ahead as he prowled forward. Then he detected another noise. It came from behind, but sounded muted and distant. He swiveled his ears backward to hear it better. Pawsteps?he wondered, but he kept his eyes fixed on the strange red fur up ahead, and continued to creep onward. It was only when the faint rustling behind him became a loud and fast-approaching leaf-crackle that Rusty realized he was in danger.
The creature hit him like an explosion and Rusty was thrown sideways into a clump of nettles. Twisting and yowling, he tried to throw off the attacker that had fastened itself to his back. It was gripping him with incredibly sharp claws. Rusty could feel spiked teeth pricking at his neck. He writhed and squirmed from whisker to tail, but he couldn’t free himself. For a second he felt helpless; then he froze. Thinking fast, he flipped over onto his back. He knew instinctively how dangerous it was to expose his soft belly, but it was his only chance.
He was lucky—the ploy seemed to work. He heard a “hhuuffff” beneath him as the breath was knocked out of his attacker. Thrashing fiercely, Rusty managed to wriggle free. Without looking back he sprinted toward his home.
Behind him, a rush of pawsteps told Rusty his attacker was giving chase. Even though the pain from his scratches stung beneath his fur, Rusty decided he would rather turn and fight than let himself be jumped on again.
He skidded to a stop, spun around, and faced his pursuer.
It was another kitten, with a thick coat of shaggy gray fur, strong legs, and a broad face. In a heartbeat, Rusty smelled that it was a tom, and sensed the power in the sturdy shoulders underneath the soft coat. Then the kitten crashed into Rusty at full pelt. Taken by surprise by Rusty’s turnabout, it fell back into a dazed heap.
The impact knocked the breath out of Rusty, and he staggered. He quickly found his footing and arched his back, puffing out his orange fur, ready to spring onto the other kitten. But his attacker simply sat up and began to lick a forepaw, all signs of aggression gone.
Rusty felt strangely disappointed. Every part of him was tense, ready for battle.
“Hi there, kittypet!” meowed the gray tom cheerily. “You put up quite a fight for a tame kitty!”
Rusty remained on tiptoe for a second, wondering whether to attack anyway. Then he remembered the strength he had felt in this kitten’s paws when he had pinned him to the ground. He dropped onto his pads, loosened his muscles, and let his spine unbend. “And I’ll fight you again if I have to,” he growled.
“I’m Graypaw, by the way,” the gray kitten went on, ignoring Rusty’s threat. “I’m training to be a ThunderClan warrior.”
Rusty remained silent. He didn’t understand what this Graywhatsit was meowing about, but he sensed the threat had passed. He hid his confusion by leaning down to lick his ruffled chest.
“What’s a kittypet like you doing out in the woods? Don’t you know it’s dangerous?” asked Graypaw.
“If you’rethe most dangerous thing the woods has to offer, then I think I can handle it,” Rusty bluffed.
Graypaw looked up at him for a moment, narrowing his big yellow eyes. “Oh, I’m far from the most dangerous. If I were even half a warrior, I’d have given an intruder like you some real wounds to think about.”
Rusty felt a thrill of fear at these ominous words. What did this cat mean by “intruder”?
“Anyway,” meowed Graypaw, using his sharp teeth to tug a clump of grass from between his claws, “I didn’t think it was worth hurting you. You’re obviously not from one of the other Clans.”
“Other Clans?” Rusty echoed, confused.
Graypaw let out an impatient hiss. “You must have heard of the four warrior Clans that hunt around here! I belong to ThunderClan. The other Clans are always trying to steal prey from our territory, especially ShadowClan. They’reso fierce they would have ripped you to shreds, no questions asked.”
Graypaw paused to spit angrily and continued: “They come to take prey that is rightfully ours. It’s the job of the ThunderClan warriors to keep them out of our territory. When I’ve finished my training, I’ll be so dangerous, I’ll have the other Clans shaking in their flea-bitten skins. They won’t dare come near us then!”
Rusty narrowed his eyes. This must be one of the wildcats Smudge had warned him about! Living rough in the woods, hunting and fighting each other for every last scrap of food. Yet Rusty didn’t feel scared. In fact, it was hard not to admire this confident kitten. “So you’re not a warrior yet?” he asked.
“Why? Did you think I was?” Graypaw purred proudly; then he shook his wide, furry head. “I won’t be a real warrior for ages. I have to go through the training first. Kits have to be six moons old before they even begintraining. Tonight is my first night out as an apprentice.”
“Why don’t you find yourself an owner with a nice cozy house instead? Your life would be much easier,” Rusty meowed. “There are plenty of housefolk who’d take in a kitten like you. All you have to do is sit where they can see you and look hungry for a couple of days—”
“And they’d feed me pellets that look like rabbit droppings and soft slop!” Graypaw interrupted. “No way! I can’t think of anything worse than being a kittypet! They’re nothing but Twoleg toys! Eating stuff that doesn’t look like food, making dirt in a box of gravel, sticking their noses outside only when the Twolegs allow them? That’s no life! Out here it’s wild, and it’s free. We come and go as we please.” He finished his speech with a proud spit, then meowed mischievously, “Until you’ve tasted a fresh-killed mouse, you haven’t lived. Have you ever tasted mouse?”
“No,” Rusty admitted, a little defensively. “Not yet.”
“I guess you’ll never understand.” Graypaw sighed. “You weren’t born wild. It makes a big difference. You need to be born with warrior blood in your veins, or the feel of the wind in your whiskers. Kitties born into Twoleg nests could never feel the same way.”
Rusty remembered the way he had felt in his dream. “That’s not true!” he mewed indignantly.
Graypaw did not reply. He suddenly stiffened midlick, one paw still raised, and sniffed the air. “I smell cats from my Clan,” he hissed. “You should go. They won’t be pleased to find you hunting in our territory!”
Rusty looked around, wondering how Graypaw knew any cat was approaching. He couldn’t smell anything different on the leaf-scented breeze. But his fur stood on end at the note of urgency in Graypaw’s voice.
“Quick!” hissed Graypaw again. “Run!”
Rusty prepared to spring into the bushes, not knowing which way was safe to jump.
He was too late. A voice meowed behind him, firm and menacing. “What’s going on here?”
Rusty turned to see a large gray she-cat strolling majestically out from the undergrowth. She was magnificent. White hairs streaked her muzzle, and an ugly scar parted the fur across her shoulders, but her smooth gray coat shone like silver in the moonlight.
“Bluestar!” Beside Rusty, Graypaw crouched down and narrowed his eyes. He crouched even lower when a second cat—a handsome, golden tabby—followed the gray cat into the clearing.
“You shouldn’t be so near Twolegplace, Graypaw!” growled the golden tabby angrily, narrowing his green eyes.
“I know, Lionheart, I’m sorry.” Graypaw looked down at his paws.
Rusty copied Graypaw and crouched low to the forest floor, his ears twitching nervously. These cats had an air of strength he had never seen in any of his garden friends. Maybe what Smudge had warned him about was true.
“Who is this?” asked the she-cat.
Rusty flinched as she turned her gaze on him. Her piercing blue eyes made him feel even more vulnerable.
“He’s no threat,” mewed Graypaw quickly. “He’s not another Clan warrior, just a Twoleg pet from beyond our territories.”
Just a Twoleg pet!The words inflamed Rusty, but he held his tongue. The warning look in Bluestar’s stare told him that she had observed the anger in his eyes, and he looked away.
“This is Bluestar; she’s leaderof my Clan!” Graypaw hissed to Rusty under his breath. “And Lionheart. He’s my mentor, which means he’s training me to be a warrior.”
“Thank you for the introduction, Graypaw,” meowed Lionheart coolly.
Bluestar was still staring at Rusty. “You fight well for a Twoleg pet,” she meowed.
Rusty and Graypaw exchanged confused glances. How could she know?
“We have been watching you both,” Bluestar went on, as if she had read their thoughts. “We wondered how you would deal with an intruder, Graypaw. You attacked him bravely.”
Graypaw looked pleased at Bluestar’s praise.
“Sit up now, both of you!” Bluestar looked at Rusty. “You too, kittypet.” He sat up immediately and held Bluestar’s gaze evenly as she addressed him.
“You reacted well to the attack, kittypet. Graypaw is stronger than you, but you used your wits to defend yourself. And you turned to face him when he chased you. I’ve not seen a kittypet do that before.”
Rusty managed to nod his thanks, taken aback by such unexpected praise. Her next words surprised him even more.
“I have been wondering how you would perform out here, beyond the Twolegplace. We patrol this border frequently, so I have often seen you sitting on your boundary, staring out into the forest. And now, at last, you have dared to place your paws here.” Bluestar stared at Rusty thoughtfully. “You do seem to have a natural hunting ability. Sharp eyes. You would have caught that mouse if you had not hesitated so long.”
“R-really?” Rusty stammered.
Lionheart spoke now. His deep meow was respectful but insistent. “Bluestar, this is a kittypet. He should not be hunting in ThunderClan territory. Send him home to his Twolegs!”
Rusty prickled at Lionheart’s dismissive words. “Send me home?” he mewed impatiently. Bluestar’s words had made him glow with pride. She had noticed him; she had been impressed by him. “But I’ve only come here to hunt for a mouse or two. I’m sure there’s enough to go around.”
Bluestar had turned her head to acknowledge Lionheart’s words. Now her gaze snapped back to Rusty. Her blue eyes were blazing with anger. “There’s never enough to go around,” she spat. “If you didn’t live such a soft, overfed life, you would know that!”
Rusty was confused by Bluestar’s sudden rage, but one glance at the horrified look on Graypaw’s face was enough to tell him he had spoken too freely. Lionheart stepped to his leader’s side. Both warriors loomed over him now. Rusty looked into Bluestar’s threatening stare and his pride dissolved. These were not cozy fireside cats he was dealing with—they were mean, hungry cats who were probably going to finish what Graypaw had started.
第一章
第一章
天色漆黑，拉斯特能感觉到有什么东西就在附近。这只年轻的虎斑猫眼睛睁得大大的，巡视着浓密的灌木丛。这个地方他从未来过，但是有股陌生的气味吸引着他深入这片黑暗的树林中。此时他感觉饥饿难忍，肚子咕咕地叫着。他轻轻张开嘴巴，让口腔顶端的嗅腺接触到森林里温暖的气息。树叶的味道中混杂着一种诱人的香味。
突然，眼前灰影一闪。拉斯特停下来，静静地听着。它就藏在离自己很近的树叶后面。拉斯特知道那是一只老鼠——他甚至能听见它的小心脏在急速跳动。他咽了口唾沫，抑制住胃里发出的咕咕声。很快，他就能填饱肚子了。
他慢慢地俯下身子进入攻击位置，蜷伏着等待出击。由于处在老鼠的下风向，所以不会被它发觉。拉斯特最后检查了一遍自己的捕猎方位，接着他后腿猛地一屈，使重心后移，随后扑了出去。在他腾空的瞬间，地上的树叶被带了起来。
老鼠向前方的一个地洞猛冲过去想躲避攻击，但是拉斯特抢在它的前面。他把老鼠铲飞到空中，用锋利的爪子钩住那只可怜的小动物往外一甩，只见它划过一道弧线，重重摔在覆盖了树叶的地面上。老鼠被摔得头晕眼花，却还没有死。它正想跑，拉斯特又上前一把擒住，再次将它甩出去，这次甩得比上一次更远。老鼠挣扎着爬出了一小段距离后，最终又落入拉斯特的爪下。
就在这时，附近突然响起一声咆哮。趁着拉斯特环视四周，老鼠从他的爪子下挣脱出来。拉斯特回过头来时，它已如离弦的箭一般奔进一棵大树的树根丛里，消失在黑暗中。
拉斯特放弃了追捕，心里十分恼火。他转来转去，绿幽幽的眼睛到处瞅着，想找出那个害他失去猎物的声响。那个声音还在嘎嘎作响，而且越来越耳熟。拉斯特睁开了双眼。
他抬起头，发现自己正躺在床上，脖子被项圈磨得很难受。在梦里，他曾感觉到项圈不见了，清新的风轻轻拂过脖颈上柔软的毛。拉斯特翻过身来平躺着，回味着刚才的梦境。这是他第三次做同样的梦了，每一次，那只老鼠都从他的爪下逃生，这让他很郁闷。
他舔了舔嘴唇，闻到了淡淡的食物香味儿。他的主人总是在睡觉前给他的盘子里添食换水。梦里那种暖洋洋的味道被这种单调的气味驱散得干干净净。肚子仍是饿得咕咕叫，于是拉斯特伸了个懒腰，走进厨房吃东西。食物既干燥又乏味，拉斯特不情愿地又咽下一口，然后从盘子边走开了。他穿过门帘走到外面，想从花园的气味里搜寻到旧梦的痕迹。
屋外，月色溶溶，天上淅淅沥沥下起了小雨。拉斯特循着月光下的砾石小路走向整洁的花园。爪子下面的小石子又尖又凉。在穿过一片深紫色花丛的时候，他浑身搞得脏兮兮的。浓郁的花香使他有些吃不消，于是他卷起上唇遮挡住鼻孔以避免闻到那香气。
拉斯特来到花园边，爬到围栏的栏杆上。那是他最喜欢坐的地方，坐在那里，一边是邻居的花园，另一边则是茂密的森林。
雨停了。在他身后，新锄过的草坪沐浴在月光下，而围栏外的森林则隐没在黑暗中。
拉斯特伸长脖子深吸了一口潮湿的空气。他身上厚厚的毛挡住了雨水，所以不觉得寒冷。
落在姜黄色毛上的雨滴晶莹发亮，他甚至能感觉得到它们的重量。
他听见主人在屋子的后门对他作最后的召唤。如果他现在回到它们身边，他就会享受到主人亲切温柔的话语和爱抚，它们会允许他爬上床去，嘴里呜呜噜噜着，暖暖和和地蜷缩在主人弯曲的腿间。
但这次拉斯特没理睬主人的呼唤，转过头仍凝望着森林。树林间那清爽怡人的气味在雨后变得更加清新了。
突然，他脊背上的毛竖立了起来。什么东西在外面移动？有东西正在窥视他？他向正前方看去，但在漆黑的夜里看不清任何东西，四处弥漫着的树木芳香也使他闻不到别的气味。他壮着胆子抬起头，站了起来，爪子抓住栏杆的角，舒展开身体，伸腿弓背。他闭上眼睛再次吸入树林的气息。冥冥中，好像的确有什么东西在吸引着他走进那片沙沙作响的黑暗的树林。他绷紧肌肉，蜷伏了一会儿。然后他轻轻一跳，落在围栏外的草地上。他的四肢刚一落地，项圈上的铃铛便在寂静的夜晚中叮叮当当地响了起来。
“你要去哪里，拉斯特？”身后传来一个熟悉的声音。
拉斯特应声说：“你好，斯玛。”
斯玛一双琥珀色的大眼睛忽闪两下，问他：“你不是要到森林里去吧？”
拉斯特有些厌烦地搪塞说：“只是看看罢了。”
斯玛皱了皱鼻子，一脸厌恶的神色：“你可别指望我去那里，那儿太危险了！亨利说他曾到过森林里。”他抬起头，鼻子朝围栏那边亨利住的花园的方向仰了仰。
拉斯特嘲笑说：“那只肥胖的老猫从来就没有到过森林里！自从他看过兽医后，他连自个儿家的花园都翻不出去了。现在他只知道吃饭睡觉。”
斯玛争辩说：“才不是呢，他真的去过。他还在林子里捉了一只知更鸟呢。”
“好吧，算他去过，那也是在他去看兽医之前的事了。现在他整天抱怨小鸟吵得他睡不成觉。”
斯玛装作没有听出拉斯特话里的讽刺意味，继续说：“是吧，不管怎么样，亨利告诉我说那里有各种各样的危险动物。活蹦乱跳的兔子也不过是大野猫们的早餐罢了，他们吃完后还在吃剩的骨头上磨爪子呢！”
拉斯特说：“我只想四处看看，不会待太久的。”
斯玛絮絮叨叨地说：“好吧，可别说我没有警告过你！”说完，这只毛色黑白相间的猫转身跳下围栏，回到自己住的花园里。
拉斯特坐在花园外的杂草间，紧张地舔了舔肩膀，心里掂量着斯玛的传言到底有几分可信。
忽然，一个小东西从他眼前晃过，在灌木丛下仓皇疾走。
他本能地俯卧下身体，慢慢地、一步一步地向灌木丛移动。他竖起耳朵，翕动鼻孔，眼睛死死盯着那只动物。看清楚了！只见它坐在一堆生满倒刺的树枝中间，两只爪子捧着一颗硕大的树种，正起劲地啃着。原来是只老鼠！
拉斯特调整了一下俯卧的方向，准备奋力一跳。他屏住呼吸，防止铃铛晃动发出声响。一阵激动袭来，他兴奋得心脏怦怦直跳。做梦都没有现在这么好啊！突然间，只听咔吧一声，枯枝断裂，树叶沙沙作响，拉斯特惊得跳了起来。可恨的铃铛叮叮当当地响，老鼠闻声嗖的一下蹿入了最稠密的荆棘丛里。
拉斯特一动不动地站在那里，眼睛巡视着四周。他看见正前方高高的香薇丛中穿行着一段火红的毛茸茸的大尾巴。他闻到了一股浓烈的、从未闻到过的气味。那肯定是一只肉食动物，但绝对不是老鼠或狗。这一分神，拉斯特顿时将老鼠的事情抛在脑后。他好奇地看着红尾巴，想看得更清楚些。
他悄悄地潜行过去，所有的注意力都集中到了前方。接着，他发现还有别的声音，就在身后，但是听起来很低沉，距离自己也比较远。他向后转过耳朵想听得更真切一些。是脚步声吗？他心存疑问，但眼睛仍然死死地盯着前方的红尾巴，继续匍匐向前。突然，身后那微弱的沙沙声变得越来越响并且向他急速靠近，拉斯特这才意识到自己已经身处险境。
对方以迅雷不及掩耳之势撞了过来，拉斯特被撞飞了，落在一堆荨麻里。他打着滚，嘴里发出怒吼，想甩开牢牢地骑在自己背上的偷袭者。偷袭者的爪子利如锋芒，紧紧地抓在拉斯特的脊背上，利刃般的牙齿狠狠地咬住他的脖子。拉斯特使出全部力气拼命地挣扎、翻腾扭动，但仍不能摆脱敌人的纠缠。刹那间，他心里一颤，绝望的感觉袭上心头，四肢开始变得僵硬。敌人放松了警惕，拉斯特趁机翻过身仰天躺着，这么一来，敌人被他压在身下。虽然本能告诉他，将柔弱的腹部暴露出来是一件非常危险的事情，但这是他唯一的机会了。
幸运的是，这招十分奏效。拉斯特身下传出呜呜的声音，敌人迫于呼吸不畅，终于张开嘴巴放开了他。拉斯特四足一阵猛蹬，奋力逃出，来不及往回看便朝家的方向冲出去。
身后急速的步伐声显示袭击者正尾随追来。拉斯特忍着背上的剧痛，暗下决心：与其逃之夭夭，不如回去拼一拼。
他猛然刹住脚步，转过身正面迎向尾随追击的敌人。
只见对方也是一只猫，长着密而杂乱的灰毛、强壮的四肢、宽大的脸庞。刹那间，拉斯特已通过气味知道他是一只公猫。在他柔软的皮毛下，那强健的肩膀看上去却非常有力量。那只猫原本急速向拉斯特奔来，忽然见他转过身，不由吃了一惊，纵身向后跳开。
拉斯特大口喘着气，身体摇摇晃晃。他迅速立定脚步，弓起脊背，姜黄色的毛竖立起来，随时准备向敌人猛扑过去。可是那只猫却坐在那里，舔着前爪，丝毫没有进攻的迹象。
拉斯特感到有些失望。他身体的每一部分都处于紧张状态，等待出击。
“嘿，宠物猫！”那只灰色公猫乐呵呵地说，“作为一只温顺的小猫，你还真挺能打的！”
拉斯特张着利爪，犹豫着是否发动攻击。这时他想起来，当他把敌人掀翻在地时，对方的四爪并没有使出全力。于是他放下爪子，舒展肌肉，伸平脊背，低声喝道：“如果你还想打，我随时奉陪！”
那只灰猫像没有听见拉斯特的威胁一般，继续说：“哦，对了，我叫灰爪，正在接受训练以便成为一名雷族武士。”
拉斯特听不懂这个灰什么什么的在说些什么，因此没有做声。但他感觉到危险已经过去，于是斜卧在地上舔着胸前凌乱的毛来掩饰自己的不知所措。
灰爪问：“像你这种宠物猫来森林里干什么？你不知道这里很危险吗？”
拉斯特虚张声势地说：“如果你就是森林里最危险的东西的话，我想对我来说不成问题。”
灰爪眯着大大的黄眼睛，抬起头看了他片刻：“我同最危险的东西相比，简直相差十万八千里。哪怕我只是半个武士，我也能让你这种入侵者吃点儿苦头。”
听了这些恶狠狠的话，拉斯特心里升起一丝寒意。这只猫所说的“入侵者”是什么意思？
“无论怎样，”灰爪边说边用锋利的牙齿扯拽着双爪间的一簇小草，“伤害你太不值了。
很显然你不属于其他猫族。”
“其他猫族？”拉斯特完全摸不着头脑。
灰爪不耐烦地嘘了一声：“你一定听说过四大猫族的武士们就在附近打猎吧！我属于雷族。其他猫族常常来我们的地盘偷猎，特别是影族。他们非常残忍，连问都不问就把你撕成碎片。”
灰爪顿了顿，气愤地啐了口唾沫，接着说：“他们拿走本来属于我们的猎物。雷族武士的任务就是把他们驱逐出境。我完成训练后，也会成为危险人物，我要让其他猫族在他们长满虱子的皮毛下瑟瑟发抖。他们就再也不敢靠近我们了！”
拉斯特眯缝起眼睛。这只猫一定就是斯玛告诫过他的那种野猫了！粗犷地生活在丛林中，四处打猎，为了最后一口食物而争斗。然而拉斯特并不感到害怕。事实上，这只自信的小猫着实令他艳羡。拉斯特问：“这么说你还不算是一名武士喽？”
“什么？你以为我是武士？”灰爪失声叫道，接着他摇了摇灰色的大头，“过不了多久我就会成为一名真正的武士了。我得先通过训练才行，六个月以下的小猫是不允许参加训练的。今晚是我成为学徒的第一个晚上。”
拉斯特说：“你为什么不给自己找一个拥有舒适房子的主人呢？那样，你生活起来就不那么费力了，有许多的人类都收养了像你一样的小猫。你只需要找一个它们看得见的地方坐下来，装出一副忍饥挨饿的样子……”
灰爪打断了拉斯特：“然后它们就会让我吃兔子屎一样的小药丸，给我穿上柔软的罩衣！没门儿！干什么都比当一只宠物猫强！你们不过是两脚兽的玩具罢了。吃着看起来不像食物的东西，脏兮兮地待在石头盒子里，只有在两脚兽允许时才敢把鼻子伸出来？那根本不叫生活！这里是野生生活，是自由生活。我们想来就来，想走就走。”他骄傲地啐了口唾沫，结束了长篇大论。接着，他顽皮地说：“只有吃过新鲜的老鼠，你才知道什么叫做生活。你从未吃过老鼠吗？”
拉斯特心里有些失落，承认道：“没有，还没吃过。”
灰爪叹口气说：“我想你永远都不会明白的。你不是野生的，我们之间有太大差别。只有你的血管里生来就流淌着武士的血液，或者你能使用胡须感觉出周围的动静，你才能够明白我说的话。生在两脚兽巢穴里的宠物猫永远都不会明白这种感受的。”
拉斯特回想起自己在梦中感觉到老鼠存在的情形，生气地说：“你说得不对！”
灰爪没有回答。他本来在舔自己的毛，这时突然僵在那里，一只爪子悬在半空。他嗅了嗅空气，小声说：“我闻到本族的猫的气味了。你该走了，他们看见你在这里打猎会不高兴的！”
拉斯特瞧瞧四周，暗想灰爪怎么知道有猫来呢。微风中除了树叶的气味，他闻不出还有什么不同。但是灰爪急促的话使他的毛竖立起来。
灰爪又悄声说：“快！跑！”
拉斯特准备跳到树丛里，但却不知道走哪条路才安全。
已经太迟了。这时，一个生硬且阴森森的声音在他身后响起：“这里出什么事了？”
拉斯特回过头，看见一只个头高大的灰色母猫神态威严地从树丛后走了出来。她的鼻子上有一些白色斑纹，灰色的皮毛在月光下闪耀着银色的光华。
灰爪俯下身子，眯着眼睛说：“蓝星！”他的头垂得比走在蓝星身后的那只漂亮的金黄色虎斑猫还低。
那只金黄色的虎斑猫绿幽幽的双眼眯成一条缝，呵斥道：“你不该过分接近两脚兽的地盘，灰爪！”
灰爪低头看着自己的爪子说：“我知道，狮心，对不起。”
拉斯特模仿灰爪的样子俯下身子，紧张地竖起耳朵。在这些猫的身上蕴涵着一种力量，这种力量是他那些住在花园里的朋友们所不具有的。也许斯玛告诫他的话都是真的。
蓝星问：“他是谁？”
她转过头盯着吓得缩成一团的拉斯特，湛蓝色的眼睛射出的目光使拉斯特更加害怕。
灰爪急忙说：“他没有恶意。他不是别的族群的武士，他只是一只两脚兽的宠物。”
只是一只宠物！拉斯特听到这话立时火冒三丈，但是他没有做声。蓝星的眼神告诉拉斯特，她看到了他眼中闪动的怒火。于是他移开目光。
灰爪压低嗓门儿，悄声对拉斯特说：“这位是蓝星，是我们的族长！还有狮心，他是我的老师，他正在训练我成为一名武士。”
狮心冷冷地说：“谢谢你的介绍，灰爪。”
蓝星仍盯着拉斯特，说：“作为一个两脚兽的宠物，你打得确实不错。”
拉斯特和灰爪对视了一眼，都看到对方困惑的目光。她怎么知道的？
蓝星好像看穿了他们的念头，继续说：“我们一直在监视着你们两个。灰爪，我们想看看你怎样应付入侵者。你刚才表现得很勇敢。”
听到蓝星的赞许，灰爪的脸上都乐开花了。
蓝星看着拉斯特说：“你们两个都坐起来！你也是，宠物猫。”听到蓝星对自己说话，拉斯特连忙坐起来，瞅着她。
蓝星若有所思地凝视着拉斯特，说：“你在两脚兽地盘上的所作所为一直令我很惊讶。
我们经常在这条边界巡逻，所以我总能看到你坐在你们的边界上，出神地望着森林。现如今，你终于敢过来了。你的眼神很锐利，似乎天生便具有捕猎的能力。如果你不是犹豫太久的话，那只老鼠根本就逃不掉。”
拉斯特结结巴巴地说：“真……真的？”
狮心的声音向来很深沉，但此刻却显得有些急切：“蓝星，这是一只宠物猫，他不能在雷族的领地内捕猎。送他回家吧，回到两脚兽那里去！”
听蓝星说她关注着自己，并且一直很欣赏自己，拉斯特原本兴高采烈、得意扬扬，但此时狮心轻蔑的话语却刺痛了他。他不高兴地说：“送我回家？我只不过是来这里抓一两只老鼠而已。反正这里的老鼠这么多，足够大家分了。”
蓝星原本转过头同意狮心的话，这时她回过头严厉地盯着拉斯特，蓝眼睛里闪着怒火，呵斥说：“老鼠永远不会多得够大家分配。你那种轻松、饱食终日的生活使你根本就不会明白这一点！”
蓝星突然大发雷霆使拉斯特摸不着头脑，但当他斜眼看见灰爪吓得面如土色时，才明白自己说话过于轻率了。狮心走到蓝星身边，两只猫都气势逼人地站在拉斯特面前。拉斯特看着蓝星威慑的眼神，原先的扬扬自得早已消失得无影无踪。站在他面前的可不是些安逸闲适的猫咪——他们是一群出身卑贱、饥肠辘辘的野猫。这些猫很有可能会结果了自己的小命！
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
“Well?” hissed Bluestar,her face only a mouse-length from his now. Lionheart remained silent as he towered over Rusty.
He flattened his ears and crouched under the golden warrior’s cold stare. His fur prickled uncomfortably. “I am no threat to your Clan,” he mewed, looking down at his trembling paws.
“You threaten our Clan when you take our food,” yowled Bluestar. “You have plenty of food in your Twoleg nest already. You come here only to hunt for sport. But we hunt to survive.”
The truth of the warrior queen’s words pierced Rusty like a blackthorn, and suddenly he understood her anger. He stopped trembling, sat up, and straightened his ears. He raised his eyes to meet hers. “I had not thought of it that way before. I am sorry,” he meowed solemnly. “I will not hunt here again.”
Bluestar let her hackles fall and signaled to Lionheart to step back. “You are an unusual kittypet, Rusty,” she meowed.
Graypaw’s sigh of relief made Rusty’s ears twitch. He heard the approval in Bluestar’s voice and noticed as she swapped a meaningful glance with Lionheart. The look made him curious. What flashed between the two warriors? Quietly he asked, “Is survival here really so hard?”
“Our territory covers only part of the forest,” answered Bluestar. “We compete with other Clans for what we have. And this year, late newleaf means prey is scarce.”
“Is your Clan very big?” Rusty meowed, his eyes wide.
“Big enough,” replied Bluestar. “Our territory can support us, but there is no prey left over.”
“Are you all warriors, then?” Rusty mewed. Bluestar’s guarded answers were just making him more and more curious.
Lionheart answered him. “Some are warriors. Some are too young or too old or too busy caring for kits to hunt.”
“And you all live and share prey together?” Rusty murmured in awe, thinking a little guiltily of his own easy, selfish life.
Bluestar looked again at Lionheart. The golden tabby stared back at her steadily. At last she returned her gaze to Rusty and meowed, “Perhaps you should find out these things for yourself. Would you like to join ThunderClan?”
Rusty was so surprised, he couldn’t speak.
Bluestar went on: “If you did, you would train with Graypaw to become a Clan warrior.”
“But kittypets can’t be warriors!” Graypaw blurted out. “They don’t have warrior blood!”
A sad look clouded Bluestar’s eyes. “Warrior blood,” she echoed with a sigh. “Too much of that has been spilled lately.”
Bluestar fell silent and Lionheart meowed, “Bluestar is only offering you training, young kit. There is no guarantee you would become a full warrior. It might prove too difficult for you. After all, you are used to a comfortable life.”
Rusty was stung by Lionheart’s words. He swung his head around to face the golden tabby. “Why offer me the chance, then?”
But it was Bluestar who answered. “You are right to question our motives, young one. The fact is, ThunderClan needs more warriors.”
“Understand that Bluestar does not make this offer lightly,” warned Lionheart. “If you wish to train with us, we will have to take you into our Clan. You must either live with us and respect our ways, or return to your Twolegplace and never come back. You cannot live with a paw in each world.”
A cool breeze stirred the undergrowth, ruffling Rusty’s fur. He shivered, not with the cold, but with excitement at the incredible possibilities opening up in front of him.
“Are you wondering if it’s worth giving up your comfortable kittypet life?” asked Bluestar gently. “But do you realize the price you will pay for your warmth and food?”
Rusty looked at her, puzzled. Surely his encounter with these cats had proved to him just how easy and luxurious his life was.
“I can tell that you are still a tom,” Bluestar added, “despite the Twoleg stench that clings to your fur.”
“What do you mean—stilla tom?”
“You haven’t yet been taken by the Twolegs to see the Cutter,” meowed Bluestar gravely. “You would be very different then. Not quite so keen to fight a Clan cat, I suspect!”
Rusty was confused. He suddenly thought of Henry, who had become fat and lazy since his visit to the vet. Was that what Bluestar meant by the Cutter?
“The Clan may not be able to offer you such easy food or warmth,” continued Bluestar. “In the season of leaf-bare, nights in the forest can be cruel. The Clan will demand great loyalty and hard work. You will be expected to protect the Clan with your life if necessary. And there are many mouths to feed. But the rewards are great. You will remain a tom. You will be trained in the ways of the wild. You will learn what it is to be a real cat. The strength and the fellowship of the Clan will always be with you, even when you hunt alone.”
Rusty’s head reeled. Bluestar seemed to be offering him the life he had lived so many times, and so tantalizingly, in his dreams, but could he live like that for real?
Lionheart interrupted his thoughts. “Come, Bluestar, let’s not waste any more time here. We must be ready to join the other patrol at moonhigh. Tigerclaw will wonder what has become of us.” He stood up and flicked his tail expectantly.
“Wait,” Rusty meowed. “Can I think about your offer?”
Bluestar looked at him for a long moment and nodded. “Lionheart will be here tomorrow at sunhigh,” she told him. “Give him your answer then.”
Bluestar murmured a low signal, and in a single movement the three cats turned and disappeared into the undergrowth.
Rusty blinked. He stared—excited, uncertain—up past the ferns that encircled him, through the canopy of leaves, to the stars that glittered in the clear sky. The scent of the Clan cats still hung heavy in the evening air. And as Rusty turned and headed for home, he felt a strange sensation inside him, tugging him back into the depths of the forest. His fur prickled deliciously in the light wind, and the rustling leaves seemed to whisper his name into the shadows.
第二章
第二章
“嗯？”蓝星压低声音，她和拉斯特的脸相距仅有一只老鼠的长度。狮心则不言不语地站在他面前。
拉斯特耷拉着耳朵蜷伏在狮心冰冷的目光下，身上的毛不安地竖立起来。他低头看着自己颤抖的爪子说：“我对你们的族群不怀有任何敌意。”
蓝星吼道：“你取走我们的食物就是对我们族群不利，你在两脚兽的巢穴中已经有许多的食物了。你来这里打猎只是为了活动筋骨，可我们打猎却是为了生存。”
蓝星的话如同针一样扎了拉斯特一下，突然间他明白她为什么如此生气了。他停止颤抖，坐起来竖直双耳，抬眼迎向蓝星的目光，郑重地说：“我以前没有考虑到这些，很抱歉。我不会再到这里捕猎了。”
蓝星背上的毛软了下来，她示意狮心退后，对拉斯特说：“你是一只不寻常的宠物猫。”
灰爪如释重负的叹息使得拉斯特的双耳抽搐了一下。他听出蓝星赞许的语气，也注意到她和狮心交换了一个意味深长的眼神。这一情景勾起了他的好奇心。这两只猫想到了什么？拉斯特平静地问：“在这里生存真的那么艰难吗？”
蓝星回答说：“这片森林只有部分是属于我们的领地，为了这块领地我们和其他族群进行着斗争。今年，新的树叶迟迟长不出来，这意味着猎物会很缺乏。”
拉斯特睁大眼睛问：“你们的族群是不是很大啊？”
蓝星回答：“足够大了吧。我们的领地足够养活我们，但是猎物并不富余。”
蓝星有所保留的回答使拉斯特愈发好奇，他问：“那么，你们都是武士喽？”
狮心回答他说：“不全是，幼崽、老年猫以及忙于照料幼崽的母猫都不用捕猎。”
拉斯特想到自己那轻松、自私的生活，心里非常惭愧。他有些敬畏地问：“你们是不是生活在一起，一同分享猎物呀？”
蓝星又看了看狮心，后者坚定地看着她。然后蓝星的目光转向拉斯特：“也许你应该自己来寻找答案。你愿意加入雷族吗？”
拉斯特大吃一惊，说不出话来。
蓝星继续说：“如果你加入雷族，你将会和灰爪一同接受训练，成为一名雷族武士。”
灰爪大声说：“但宠物猫是不能成为武士的！他们没有武士的血统。”
蓝星的眼中笼罩着忧郁。“武士血统，”她叹了口气，“近来已经有太多的武士流血牺牲了。”
蓝星陷入了沉默，狮心接着说：“蓝星只是给你提供一个机会，小子。这并不能保证你能成为一名合格的武士。也许这对你来说很困难。毕竟，你已过惯了那种舒适的生活。”
拉斯特被狮心的话刺痛了，他转过头问狮心：“那为什么还要给我这个机会呢？”
蓝星回答：“这你算问对了，小伙子。原因就是，雷族需要更多的武士。”
狮心告诫说：“要知道蓝星可不轻易给出这个机会。如果你想和我们一同训练，我们就吸收你加入我们的族群。要么同我们生活在一起，尊重我们的方式，要么回到两脚兽那里去，永远别再回来，你只能选择其一，而不能脚踩两只船。”
一阵凉风拂过灌木丛，吹乱了拉斯特身上的毛。他打了个寒战，不是因为冷的缘故，而是因为展现在他面前的那片奇妙天地所引发的莫名兴奋。
蓝星温和地说：“你还在考虑是否值得为这种生活放弃你那舒适的宠物猫生活吗？你是否清楚你将为获得温饱所付出的代价呢？”
拉斯特一脸困惑地看着她。通过和这些野猫们交谈，他当然知道自己现在的生活是多么轻松、奢侈。
蓝星补充道：“尽管你身上带有两脚兽的臭味，但我还是能分辨出你仍是一只公猫。”
“你说的是什么意思——仍是一只公猫？”
蓝星神色黯然地说：“你还没有被两脚兽带去做过切除吧？做过切除，你就会变得大不一样。我想你也就不会那么热衷于同一只野猫打架了！”
拉斯特心里非常迷惑不解。他忽然想起亨利。亨利去看兽医回来后就变得又懒又肥，莫非那就是蓝星所说的被“切除”了？
蓝星继续说：“族群里可没有衣来伸手、饭来张口的生活，在树叶凋敝的季节，森林的夜间会非常艰苦，族群需要极大的忠诚与辛苦的工作，如果有必要还必须为保卫族群而献出生命，族群里还有许多猫需要供养。但回报也非常丰厚，你能一直做一只公猫，你能依照野性方式进行训练，你将懂得怎样才会成为一只真真正正的猫。即使你独自外出捕猎，族群的力量和友谊也会始终伴随左右。”
拉斯特转了转脑袋，蓝星给予他的正是他魂牵梦萦的那种生活，它是那么令他心痒难熬。
但他真的能够那样生活吗？狮心打断了他的沉思：“好了，蓝星，别在这儿浪费时间了，我们必须得准备午夜的另一拨巡逻了。灰爪都对我们的所作所为感到不解了。”他早有所料似的站立起来晃晃尾巴。
拉斯特说：“等一下，我能考虑一下你说的话吗？”
蓝星看了他片刻后点点头：“明天中午狮心会来这里，那时再告诉他你的决定吧。”
蓝星低声叹了口气，向另两只猫打个招呼，三只猫转身消失在灌木丛中。
拉斯特眨了眨眼睛，他激动地仰天而望，穿过周围的香薇丛，透过浓密的枝叶，一直看到在清澈夜空中闪烁的星辰。
空气中野猫们的气味久久不散。在他返回的路上，心里有种奇怪的感觉扯拽着他，要把他拉回到森林深处。他身上的毛在微风吹拂下惬意地竖立起来。树叶沙沙作响，像是在把他的名字悄声传入黑暗中去。
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
That morning, as Rusty slept off his night’s wanderings,the mouse dream came again, even more vivid than before. Free of his collar, beneath the moon, he stalked the timid creature. But this time he was aware of being watched. Shining from the shadows of the forest he saw dozens of yellow eyes. The Clan cats had entered his dream world.
Rusty woke, blinking in the bright sunshine that was streaming across the kitchen floor. His fur felt heavy and thick with warmth. His food bowl had been topped up, and his water bowl rinsed out and filled with bitter-tasting Twoleg water. Rusty preferred drinking from puddles outside, but when it was hot, or he was very thirsty, he had to admit it was easier to lap up the water indoors. Could he really abandon this comfortable life?
He ate, then pushed his way out of the cat flap into the garden. The day promised to be warm, and the garden was heavy with the smell of early blossoms.
“Hello, Rusty!” mewed a voice from the fence. It was Smudge. “You should have been awake an hour ago. The baby sparrows were out stretching their wings.”
“Did you catch any?” Rusty asked.
Smudge yawned and licked his nose. “Couldn’t be bothered. I’d already eaten enough at home. Anyway, why weren’t youout earlier? Yesterday you were complaining about Henry sleeping his time away, and today you’re not much better yourself.”
Rusty sat down on the cool earth beside the fence and curled his tail neatly over his front paws. “I was in the woods last night,” he reminded his friend. At once he felt the blood stir in his veins and his fur stiffen.
Smudge looked down at him, his eyes wide. “Oh, yes, I forgot! How was it? Did you catch anything? Or did anything catch you?”
Rusty paused, not sure how to tell his old friend what had happened. “I met some wild cats,” he began.
“What!” Smudge was clearly shocked. “Did you get into a fight?”
“Sort of.” Rusty could feel the energy surging through his body again as he recalled the strength and power of the Clan cats.
“Were you hurt? What happened?” Smudge prompted him eagerly.
“There were three of them. Bigger and stronger than any of us.”
“And you fought all three of them!” Smudge interrupted, his tail twitching with excitement.
“No!” Rusty mewed hastily. “Just the youngest one; the other two came later.”
“How come they didn’t shred you to pieces?”
“They just warned me to leave their territory. But then…” Rusty hesitated.
“What!” mewed Smudge impatiently.
“They asked me to join their Clan.”
Smudge’s whiskers quivered disbelievingly.
“They did!” Rusty insisted.
“Why would they do that?”
“I don’t know,” Rusty admitted. “I think they need extra paws in their Clan.”
“Sounds a bit odd to me,” Smudge mewed doubtfully. “I wouldn’t trust them if I were you.”
Rusty looked at Smudge. His black-and-white friend had never shown any interest in venturing into the woods. He was perfectly content living with his housefolk. He would never understand the restless longing that Rusty’s dreams stirred in him night after night.
“But I do trust them,” Rusty purred softly. “And I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to join them.”
Smudge scrambled down from the fence and stood in front of Rusty. “Please don’t go, Rusty,” he mewed in alarm. “I might never see you again.”
Rusty nudged him affectionately with his head. “Don’t worry. My housefolk will get another cat. You’ll get on with him fine. You get along with everyone!”
“But it won’t be the same!” Smudge wailed.
Rusty twitched his tail impatiently. “That’s just the point. If I stay around here till they take me to the Cutter, I won’t be the same either.”
Smudge looked puzzled. “The Cutter?” he echoed.
“The vet,” Rusty explained. “To be altered, like Henry was.”
Smudge shrugged and stared down at his paws. “But Henry’s all right,” he mumbled. “I mean, I know he’s a bit lazier now, but he’s not unhappy. We could still have fun.”
Rusty felt his heart fill with sadness at the thought of leaving his friend. “I’m sorry, Smudge. I’ll miss you, but I have to go.”
Smudge didn’t reply, but stepped forward and gently touched Rusty’s nose with his own. “Fair enough. I can see I can’t stop you, but at least let’s spend one more morning together.”
Rusty found himself enjoying the morning even more than usual, visiting his old haunts with Smudge, sharing words with the cats he had grown up with. Every one of his senses felt supercharged, as if he were poised before a huge jump. As sunhigh approached, Rusty grew more and more impatient to see if Lionheart would really be waiting for him. The idle buzz of meows from his old friends seemed to fade into the background as all his senses strained toward the woods.
Rusty jumped down from his garden fence for the last time and crept into the woods. He had said his good-byes to Smudge. Now all his thoughts were focused on the forest and the cats who lived in it.
As he approached the spot where he had met with the Clan cats the night before, he sat down and tasted the air. Tall trees shielded the ground from the midday sunshine, making it comfortably cool. Here and there a patch of sunlight shone through a gap in the leaves and lit up the forest floor. Rusty could smell the same cat-scent as last night, but he had no idea whether it was old or new. He lifted his head and sniffed uncertainly.
“You have a lot to learn,” meowed a deep voice. “Even the tiniest Clan kit knows when another cat is nearby.”
Rusty saw a pair of green eyes glinting from beneath a bramble bush. Now he recognized the scent: it was Lionheart.
“Can you tell if I am alone?” asked the golden tabby, stepping into the light.
Hastily, Rusty sniffed again. The scents of Bluestar and Graypaw were still there, but not as strong as the previous night. Hesitantly, he mewed, “Bluestar and Graypaw aren’t with you this time.”
“That’s right,” meowed Lionheart. “But someone else is.”
Rusty stiffened as a second Clan cat strode into the clearing.
“This is Whitestorm,” purred Lionheart. “One of ThunderClan’s senior warriors.”
Rusty looked at the tom and felt his spine tingle with cold fear. Was this a trap? Long-bodied and muscular, Whitestorm stood in front of Rusty and gazed down at him. His white coat was thick and unmarked and his eyes were the yellow of sunbaked sand. Rusty flattened his ears warily, and tensed his muscles in preparation for a fight.
“Relax, before your fear-scent brings unwanted attention,” growled Lionheart. “We are here only to take you to our camp.”
Rusty sat very still, hardly daring to breathe, as Whitestorm stretched his nose forward and gave him a curious sniff.
“Hello, young one,” murmured the white cat. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Rusty dipped his head in greeting.
“Come, we can speak more once we are in the camp,” ordered Lionheart, and, without pausing, he and Whitestorm leaped away into the undergrowth. Rusty jumped to his paws and followed as quickly as he could.
The two warriors made no allowances for Rusty as they sped through the forest, and before long he was struggling to keep up. Their pace barely slowed as they led him over fallen trees that they cleared in a single leap, but which Rusty had to scramble over paw by paw. They passed through sharply fragrant pine trees, where they had to jump across deep gullies churned up by a Twoleg tree-eater. From the safety of his garden fence, Rusty had often heard it roaring and snarling in the distance. One gully was too wide to jump, half-filled with slimy, foul-smelling water. The Clan cats waded through without hesitating.
Rusty had never put a paw in water before. But he was determined not to show any signs of weakness, so he narrowed his eyes and followed, trying to ignore the uncomfortable wetness that soaked his belly fur.
At last Lionheart and Whitestorm paused. Rusty skidded to a halt behind them and stood panting while the two warriors stepped onto a rock that rested on the edge of a small ravine.
“We are very close to our camp now,” meowed Lionheart.
Rusty strained to see any signs of life—moving leaves, a glimpse of fur among the bushes below, but his eyes saw nothing except the same undergrowth that covered the rest of the forest floor.
“Use your nose. You must be able to scent it,” hissed Whitestorm impatiently.
Rusty closed his eyes and sniffed. Whitestorm was right. The scents here were very different from the cat-scent he was used to. The air smelled stronger, speaking of many, many different cats.
He nodded thoughtfully and announced, “I can smell cats.”
Lionheart and Whitestorm exchanged amused looks.
“There will come a time, if you are accepted into the Clan, when you will know each cat-scent by name,” Lionheart meowed. “Follow me!” He led the way nimbly down the boulders to the bottom of the ravine, and pushed his way through a thick patch of gorse. Rusty followed, and Whitestorm took up the rear. As his sides scraped against the prickly gorse, Rusty looked down and noticed that the grass beneath his paws was flattened into a broad, strong-smelling track. This must be the main entrance into the camp, he thought.
Beyond the gorse, a clearing opened up. The ground at the center was bare, hard earth, shaped by many generations of pawsteps. This camp had been here a long time. The clearing was dappled by sunshine, and the air felt warm and still.
Rusty looked around, his eyes wide. There were cats everywhere, sitting alone or in groups, sharing food or purring quietly as they groomed one another.
“Just after sunhigh, when the day is hottest, is a time for sharing tongues,” Lionheart explained.
“Sharing tongues?” Rusty echoed.
“Clan cats always spend time grooming each other and sharing the news of the day,” Whitestorm told him. “We call it sharing tongues. It is a custom that binds the members of the Clan together.”
The cats had obviously smelled Rusty’s foreign scent, for heads began to turn and stare curiously in his direction.
Suddenly shy of meeting any cat’s gaze directly, Rusty looked around the clearing. It was edged with thick grass, dotted with treestumps and a fallen tree. A thick curtain of ferns and gorse shielded the camp from the rest of the woods.
“Over there,” meowed Lionheart, flicking his tail toward an impenetrable-looking tangle of brambles, “is the nursery, where the kits are cared for.”
Rusty swiveled his ears toward the bushes. He couldn’t see through the knot of prickly branches, but he could hear the mewling of several kittens from somewhere inside. As he watched, a ginger she-cat squirmed out through a small gap in the front. That must be one of the queens, Rusty thought.
A tabby queen with distinctive black markings appeared around the bramble bush. The two she-cats exchanged a friendly lick between the ears before the tabby slipped inside the nursery, murmuring to the squealing kits.
“The care of our kits is shared by all of the queens,” meowed Lionheart. “All cats serve the Clan. Loyalty to the Clan is the first law in our warrior code, a lesson you must learn quickly if you wish to stay with us.”
“Here comes Bluestar,” meowed Whitestorm, sniffing the air.
Rusty sniffed the air too, and was pleased that he was able to recognize the scent of the gray she-cat a moment before she appeared from the shadow of a large boulder that lay beside them at the head of the clearing.
“He came,” Bluestar purred, addressing the warriors.
Whitestorm replied, “Lionheart was convinced he would not.”
Rusty noticed the tip of Bluestar’s tail twitch impatiently. “Well, what do you think of him?” she asked.
“He kept up well on the return journey, despite his puny size,” Whitestorm admitted. “He certainly seems strong for a kittypet.”
“So it is agreed?” Bluestar looked at Lionheart and Whitestorm.
Both cats nodded.
“Then I shall announce his arrival to the Clan.” Bluestar leaped up onto the boulder and yowled, “Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting.”
Her clear call brought all the cats trotting toward her, emerging like liquid shadows from the edges of the clearing. Rusty stayed where he was, flanked by Lionheart and Whitestorm. The other cats settled themselves below the Highrock and looked expectantly up at their leader.
Rusty felt a rush of relief as he recognized Graypaw’s thick gray fur among the cats. Beside him sat a young tortoiseshell queen, her black-tipped tail tucked neatly over small white paws. A large dark gray tabby crouched behind them, the black stripes on his fur looking like shadows on a moonlit forest floor.
When the cats were still, Bluestar spoke. “ThunderClan needs more warriors,” she began. “Never before have we had so few apprentices in training. It has been decided that ThunderClan will take in an outsider to train as a warrior….”
Rusty heard indignant mutterings erupt among the Clan cats, but Bluestar silenced them with a firm yowl. “I have found a cat who is willing to become an apprentice of ThunderClan.”
“Luckyto become an apprentice,” caterwauled a loud voice above the ripple of shock that spread through the cats.
Rusty craned his neck and saw a pale tabby cat standing up and glaring defiantly at the leader.
Bluestar ignored the tabby and addressed all of her Clan. “Lionheart and Whitestorm have met this young cat, and they agree with me that we should train him with the other apprentices.”
Rusty looked up at Lionheart, then back at the Clan, to find all eyes were on him now. His fur prickled and he swallowed nervously. There was silence for a moment. Rusty was sure they must all be able to hear his heart pulsing and smell his fear-scent.
Now a deafening crescendo of caterwauling rose from the crowd.
“Where does he come from?”
“Which Clan does he belong to?”
“What a strange scent he carries! That’s not the scent of any Clan Iknow!”
Then one yowl in particular sounded out above the rest. “Look at his collar! He’s a kittypet!” It was the pale tabby again. “Once a kittypet, always a kittypet. This Clan needs wildborn warriors to defend it, not another soft mouth to feed.”
Lionheart bent down and hissed into Rusty’s ear, “That tabby is Longtail. He smells your fear. They all do. You must prove to him and the other cats that your fear won’t hold you back.”
But Rusty couldn’t move. How could he ever prove to these fierce cats that he wasn’t just a kittypet?
The tabby continued to jeer at him. “Your collar is a mark of the Twolegs, and that noisy jingling will make you a poor hunter at best. At worst, it will bring the Twolegs into our territory, looking for the poor lost kittypet who fills the woods with his pitiful tinkling.”
All the cats howled in agreement.
Longtail went on, well aware that he had the support of his audience. “The noise of your treacherous bell will alert our enemies, even if your Twoleg stenchdoesn’t!”
Lionheart hissed into Rusty’s ear once more: “Do you back down from a challenge?”
Rusty still did not move. But this time he was trying to pinpoint Longtail’s position. There he was, just behind a dusky brown queen. Rusty flattened his ears, narrowed his eyes and, hissing, leaped through the startled cats to fling himself onto his tormentor.
Longtail was completely unprepared for Rusty’s attack. He staggered sideways, losing his footing on the hard-baked earth. Filled with rage and desperate to prove himself, Rusty dug his claws deep into the tabby cat’s fur and sank in his teeth. No subtle rituals of swiping and boxing preceded this fight. The two cats were locked in a screaming, writhing tussle that flipped and somersaulted around the clearing at the heart of the camp. The other cats had to spring out of the way to avoid the screeching whirlwind of fur.
As Rusty scratched and struggled, he was suddenly aware that he felt no fear, only exhilaration. Through the roaring of the blood in his ears, he could hear the cats around them wailing with excitement.
Then Rusty felt his collar tighten around his neck. Longtail had gripped it between his teeth and was tugging, and tugging hard. Rusty felt a terrible pressure at his throat. Unable to breathe, he started to panic. He writhed and twisted, but each movement only made the pressure worse. Retching and gulping for air, he summoned up all his strength and tried to pull away from Longtail’s grip. And suddenly, with a loud snap, he was free.
Longtail tumbled away from him. Rusty scrambled to his paws and looked around. Longtail was crouching three tail-lengths away. And, dangling from Longtail’s mouth, Rusty saw his collar, mangled and broken.
At once, Bluestar leaped down from the Highrock and silenced the noisy crowd with a thunderous caterwaul. Rusty and Longtail remained fixed to the spot, gasping for breath. Clumps of fur hung from their ruffled coats. Rusty could feel a cut stinging above his eye. Longtail’s left ear was badly torn, and blood dripped down his lean shoulders onto the dusty ground. They stared at each other, their hostility not yet spent.
Bluestar stepped forward and took the collar from Longtail. She placed it on the ground in front of her and meowed, “The newcomer has lost his Twoleg collar in a battle for his honor. StarClan has spoken its approval—this cat has been released from the hold of his Twoleg owners, and is free to join ThunderClan as an apprentice.”
Rusty looked at Bluestar and solemnly nodded his acceptance. He stood up and stepped forward into a shaft of sunshine, welcoming the warmth on his sore muscles. The pool of light blazed bright on his orange pelt, making his fur glow. Rusty lifted his head proudly and looked at the cats that surrounded him. This time no cat argued or jeered. He had shown himself to be a worthy opponent in battle.
Bluestar approached Rusty and placed the shredded collar on the ground in front of him. She touched his ear gently with her nose. “You look like a brand of fire in this sunlight,” she murmured. Her eyes flashed briefly, as if her words had more meaning for her than Rusty knew. “You have fought well.” Then she turned to the Clan and announced, “From this day forward, until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice will be called Firepaw, in honor of his flame-colored coat.”
She stepped back and, with the other cats, waited silently for his next move. Without hesitating, Rusty turned and kicked dust and grass over his collar as though burying his dirt.
Longtail growled and limped out of the clearing toward a fern-shaded corner. The cats split into groups, murmuring to each other excitedly.
“Hey, Firepaw!”
Rusty heard Graypaw’s friendly voice behind him. Firepaw!A thrill of pride surged through him at the sound of his new name. He turned to greet the gray apprentice with a welcoming sniff.
“Great fight, Firepaw!” mewed Graypaw. “Especially for a kittypet! Longtail is a warrior, although he only finished his training two moons ago. That scar you left on his ear won’t let him forget you in a hurry. You’ve spoiled his good looks, that’s for sure.”
“Thanks, Graypaw,” Firepaw replied. “He put up quite a fight, though!” He licked his front paw and began to wipe clean the deep scratch that stung above his eye. As he washed he heard his new name again, echoing among the meows of the cats.
“Firepaw!”
“Hey, Firepaw!”
“Welcome, young Firepaw!”
Firepaw closed his eyes for a moment and let the voices wash over him.
“Good name, too!” Graypaw mewed approvingly, jolting him awake.
Firepaw looked around. “Where did Longtail creep off to?”
“I think he was heading toward Spottedleaf’s den.” Graypaw tipped his head toward the fern-enclosed corner Longtail had disappeared into. “She’s our medicine cat. Not bad-looking either. Younger and a lot prettier than most—”
A low yowl next to the two cats stopped Graypaw midspeech. They both turned, and Firepaw recognized the powerful gray tabby cat who had sat behind Graypaw earlier.
“Darkstripe,” mewed Graypaw, dipping his head respectfully.
The sleek tom looked at Firepaw for a moment. “Lucky your collar snapped when it did. Longtail is a young warrior, but I can’t imagine him being beaten by a kittypet!” He spat the word kittypetscornfully, then turned and stalked off.
“Now Darkstripe,” Graypaw hissed to Firepaw under his breath, “is neither young, nor pretty….”
Firepaw was about to agree with his new friend when he was interrupted by a warning yowl from an old gray cat sitting at the edge of the clearing.
“Smallear smells trouble!” Graypaw meowed, immediately alert.
Firepaw barely had time to look around before a young cat crashed through the bushes and into the camp. He was skinny and—apart from the white tip of his long, thin tail—jet black from head to toe.
Graypaw gasped. “That’s Ravenpaw! Why is he alone? Where’s Tigerclaw?”
Firepaw looked at Ravenpaw staggering across the floor of the clearing. He was panting heavily. His coat was ruffled and dusty, and his eyes were wild with fear.
“Who are Ravenpaw and Tigerclaw?” Firepaw whispered to Graypaw, as several other cats raced past him to greet the new arrival.
“Ravenpaw’s an apprentice. Tigerclaw’s his mentor,” Graypaw explained quickly. “Ravenpaw went out with Tigerclaw and Redtail at sunrise on a mission against RiverClan, the lucky furball!”
“Redtail?” Firepaw echoed, thoroughly confused by all these names.
“Bluestar’s deputy,” hissed Graypaw. “But why on earth has Ravenpaw come back alone?” he added to himself. He lifted his head to listen as Bluestar stepped forward.
“Ravenpaw?” The she-cat spoke calmly, but a look of worry clouded her blue eyes. The other cats drew back, curling their lips with anxiety.
“What has happened?” Bluestar jumped onto the Highrock and looked down at the trembling cat. “Speak, Ravenpaw!”
Ravenpaw was still struggling for breath, and his sides heaved fitfully while the dust around him turned red with blood, but still he managed to scramble up onto the Highrock and stand beside Bluestar. He turned to the crowd of eager faces that surrounded him, and summoned enough breath to declare, “Redtail is dead!”
第三章
第三章
第二天早晨，当拉斯特沉沉入睡徘徊梦乡的时候，那只老鼠又出现在梦里，甚至比以前更加栩栩如生。拉斯特脖子上的项圈消失了，趁着月光，他蹑手蹑脚地接近那只胆怯的小东西。但是这一次，他能感觉到自己正在被人窥视。他看见黑黢黢的森林里闪着无数只黄色的眼睛。那些野猫们已经闯入了拉斯特的梦境。
拉斯特眨眨眼醒了过来。明亮的阳光直射在厨房的地板上，他浑身暖洋洋的，身上的毛又厚又重。饭碗里已经堆满了食物，水碗也被重新洗过，碗里盛有两脚兽们喝的那种苦涩的水。拉斯特更愿意去喝外面水坑里的水。可是外面天气太热，要不就是他太口渴了，在屋里喝水毕竟没有那么多麻烦。他真的能放弃这种舒适安逸的生活吗？
他吃完饭，穿过门帘来到花园里。天气温暖如春，花园里到处充斥着早早开放的花朵的芳香。
“你好，拉斯特！”围栏那边传来声音，是斯玛，“你该在一小时前就睡醒了。小麻雀们都在舒展翅膀呢。”
拉斯特问：“你抓到没有？”
斯玛打个哈欠舔了舔鼻子：“我可不想费事儿，在家里我已经吃得够多了。对了，你怎么不早点儿出来？昨天你还抱怨亨利整天就知道睡觉，今天你跟他可不相上下呀。”
拉斯特坐在围栏边的阴凉地上，轻轻卷过尾巴盖住前爪，说：“昨晚我在森林里。”说着，他感到血液在血管内翻涌，毛也变得僵直。
斯玛睁大眼睛看着他：“哦，是的，我忘了！怎么样？抓住什么没有？或者被什么东西抓住没有？”
拉斯特顿了顿，拿不定主意该怎么告诉他的老朋友昨晚发生的事情。他说：“我遇见野猫了。”
斯玛大吃一惊，说：“什么！你们干上仗了？”
“差不多吧。”拉斯特回想起野猫们身上的那种力量，立刻感觉到自己全身上下都充满了能量。
斯玛急切地追问：“你受伤了？发生了什么？”
“他们一共三个，比我们任何一个都高大强壮。”
“你一个对三个！”斯玛打断他的话，兴奋得尾巴摇来摇去。
拉斯特赶忙说：“不！我只是和最年轻的一个打了一架，其他两个后来才出现。”
“他们怎么没有把你撕成碎片？”
“他们只是警告我离开他们的地盘。可是接下来……”拉斯特有些犹豫。
斯玛不耐烦地说：“什么？”
“他们要我加入他们的族群。”
斯玛简直不相信自己的耳朵，猫须都颤抖了。
拉斯特坚持说：“我没骗你！”
“他们为什么这么做？”
拉斯特说：“我不知道，我想是因为他们的族群需要壮大力量吧！”
斯玛将信将疑：“这听起来怪怪的。如果我是你，就绝不相信他们。”
拉斯特看着斯玛。他这位朋友从来就不会对进入森林产生任何兴趣，斯玛非常满意同主人生活在一起，他不会理解拉斯特夜复一夜在梦里那种无休无止的期盼。
拉斯特轻声咕哝：“但是我相信他们，而且我已经下定决心要加入他们了。”
斯玛从围栏上爬下来坐到拉斯特面前，惊恐地说：“请别走，拉斯特，我怕以后再也见不到你了。”
拉斯特饱含深情地用头轻轻顶了顶斯玛：“别担心，我的主人会另外找只猫来。你会同他相处得很好，你同每只猫都相处得很好。”
斯玛哀叹道：“但是那不一样！”
拉斯特不耐烦地晃动着尾巴说：“问题就出在这里。如果我坐等主人带我去做切除，我也会变得不一样。”
斯玛看上去一头雾水，重复了一句：“切除？”
拉斯特解释说：“就是去看兽医。那会改变我们，就像改变亨利一样。”
斯玛耸着肩膀注视着爪子，嘴里嘟囔着：“但是亨利很好啊。我的意思是，我知道亨利现如今是懒了点儿，可是他没有不快乐啊。我们仍旧过得很开心。”
拉斯特想到就要离开他的朋友，心里非常难过：“很抱歉，斯玛。我会想你的，但是我必须得走。”
斯玛没有回答，而是走上前用鼻子温柔地触了触拉斯特的鼻子：“好吧。我知道我拦不住你，但至少让我们一起度过这个早晨吧。”
这个早晨拉斯特过得比以往任何时候都开心许多。他和斯玛一同重游故地，和一起长大的朋友说话聊天。他感到自己浑身像要炸开，似乎已摆好姿势准备纵身跃起。接近中午时分，拉斯特越来越忍不住想知道，狮心是否真的会来等他。他所有的精神都放在前方的森林里，他的老朋友们从后院传来的无聊的嘈杂声渐渐隐去。
拉斯特最后一次从花园的围栏上跳下，忐忑不安地走进森林里。他已同斯玛道了别，现在所有的念头都围绕着这片森林，围绕着将要与他共同生活的那些猫们。
他走到昨晚遇见野猫的地方坐了下来，嗅嗅周围的空气。一棵棵参天大树遮蔽住晌午的烈日，使得这里凉爽怡人。一缕缕的阳光从枝叶的缝隙间穿进来照亮森林。拉斯特嗅到一股气味，这气味同昨晚遇见的猫身上携带的一样，但他不知道这股味道是新带来的还是昨晚留下的。他抬起头，拿不定主意地东嗅西嗅。
一个低沉的声音说：“你已学到了不少东西。当有别的猫靠近时，即使是族群里最小的幼崽也能知道。”
拉斯特看到灌木丛下闪出一对绿幽幽的眼睛。现在他认出了那股气味儿：是狮心。
这只金黄色的虎斑猫走到亮处问：“你能不能辨出我是否独自一人呢？”
拉斯特飞速地又嗅了嗅。这里仍有蓝星和灰爪的气味，但没有昨晚那么浓烈。他迟疑地说：“这次蓝星和灰爪没有跟你在一起。”
狮心说：“正确，但还有别的猫。”
就在拉斯特嗅着的时候，又一只野猫大步来到空地里。
狮心说：“这是白风，雷族的一位高级武士。”
拉斯特看着这只公猫，脊背上泛起一阵寒意。这是个圈套？身体修长、肌肉健壮的白风站在拉斯特面前注视着他。白风洁白的皮毛很厚很厚，没有杂色，眼睛黄如太阳底下久晒的沙砾。拉斯特警惕地扇动着耳朵，绷紧肌肉准备大干一场。
狮心大声说：“放松点儿，别让你身上恐惧的气味引起不必要的注意，我们来这儿不过是带你去我们的营地。”
白风伸过鼻子好奇地嗅着拉斯特。拉斯特一动不动地坐着，气都不敢喘一口。
白风低声说：“你好，小伙子，久仰大名啊！”
拉斯特礼貌地点了点头。
狮心命令说：“走吧，我们回到营地再说话吧。”说完，他立刻和白风跳进灌木丛中。
拉斯特急忙跟上。
两名武士快速穿越森林，并没有回头照顾拉斯特。没过多久，拉斯特就慢慢落在后面了。武士们遇到倒在地上的树干时仅纵身一跃，便跳了过去，丝毫没有减慢速度，而拉斯特则要一步步地攀爬过去。他们经过一片弥漫着浓郁芳香的松树林。在松树林里，他们不得不跳过地上被两脚兽的伐木机轧出来的一道道深深的轮迹。以往在花园围栏那边的安全地带，拉斯特就时常远远听到伐木机发出的咆哮声。路上还遇到一条宽沟，沟里积满了散发着油味的脏水，似乎不能一步跨过去。野猫们却毫不迟疑地涉水而过。
拉斯特以前从没有过水，但他下定决心不能表现出半点儿娇气，于是他眯着双眼跟在后面，尽力不去想自己腹部的皮毛被浸湿后的那种不舒服的感觉。
终于，狮心和白风停了下来。拉斯特走到他们后面停下脚步，站在那里大口大口地喘气。两位武士走到一条小峡谷边的一块大岩石上。
狮心说：“我们现在离营地很近了。”
拉斯特竭力想看到任何生命的痕迹——移动的树叶、树丛下一闪而过的身影，但是除了在森林里随处可见的灌木丛外，他什么都看不到。
狮心又说：“用你的鼻子，你肯定能嗅到什么。”
拉斯特闭上眼睛嗅了嗅。狮心说得对，这里的气味与他所熟悉的猫的气味截然不同。
这里的气味更加浓烈，说明有许许多多不同的猫。
他若有所思地点点头说：“我能闻出猫的气味。”
狮心和白风交换了一个惊诧的眼神。
狮心说：“如果族群接纳了你，终有一天你能通过气味叫出每一只猫的名字，跟我来！”他领路，从大岩石下到小峡谷的谷底，一路推开一片稠密的金雀花丛。拉斯特低头注意到他爪下的草地已被踩出一条宽阔的、气味很重的小路。他想，这一定是进入营地的主要入口。
过了金雀花丛，眼前豁然开朗，出现了一片会场。场地的中央光秃秃的，地面硬实，是由世世代代的猫踩踏出来的。这片营地已经存在很长时间了。阳光斑斑点点地照在会场上，空气温暖，气氛宁静。
拉斯特环视四周，眼睛睁得大大的。这里到处都是猫，三三两两地坐着，吃着东西，或者彼此舔梳着皮毛，嘴里轻轻发出呜呜噜噜的声音。
狮心解释说：“天气最炎热的时候，就只有午后才是享受舌抚的好时光了。”
拉斯特重复了一句：“享受舌抚？”
白风告诉他：“族群里的猫们常常花些时间来为彼此舔梳皮毛，聊聊新近发生的新鲜事，我们称之为‘享受舌抚’。这种习俗对加强族群成员间的联系非常重要。”
这里的猫嗅到了拉斯特身上的外来气味，纷纷转过脑袋从远处好奇地向他这边瞅来。
拉斯特环视着会场四周，见到每一只猫都这么直接地注视他，忽然间害羞起来。会场的边缘长着厚厚的青草，草地上散落着树的残桩和一棵横倒在地的大树。香薇和金雀花形成一张厚密的大帐子遮盖住营地，使之与森林的其他部分隔绝开来。
“看那里，”狮心说着尾巴向一丛荆棘摇了摇，荆棘缠绕得密密实实，看不到里面的情景，“那里是育婴室，是照料幼崽的地方。”
拉斯特把头转向荆棘丛。长满倒刺的枝枝杈杈绕成一团，挡住了视线，但他能听到里面传来幼崽们的喵喵声。就在他张望的时候，一只姜黄色的母猫从前面一道狭窄的裂隙中钻了出来。拉斯特想，那肯定是其中的一位母猫了。
荆棘丛边走出一只身上长着醒目的黑色斑纹的母虎斑猫。两只母猫相互友好地舔了舔对方双耳间的毛，随后那只虎斑猫钻进育婴室，低声哄着尖叫的幼崽们。
狮心说：“我们的幼崽是由所有的母猫共同照料的，所有的猫都为族群服务。忠于族群是我们武士守则的第一条法律，如果你希望同我们生活在一起，你就必须抓紧学习这一课。”
白风嗅着空气说：“蓝星来了。”
拉斯特也嗅嗅空气，心里暗暗高兴自己能嗅出蓝星的气味。不一会儿，一只灰色母猫从会场前方的大圆石后转出来，走到他们身边。
蓝星对两位武士说：“他来了。”
白风回答：“狮心还以为他不会来呢。”
拉斯特注意到蓝星的尾巴尖儿在不耐烦地摇晃着。只听她问：“嗯，你对他怎么看？”
白风说：“尽管他个头很小，但回来的路上走的速度却不慢。作为一只宠物猫，他确实很健壮。”
蓝星看着狮心和白风问：“就这么定了？”
他们点点头。
“那么我就宣布他的加入了。”蓝星跳上大圆石高声说，“所有的猫带上自己的猎物到高岩下面开全族大会。”
在她的召唤下，所有的猫如同流动的黑影般从会场周围快步向她涌来。拉斯特留在原地，狮心和白风站在他两边。其他的猫走到高岩下方，仰望着他们的族长，期待着蓝星带来的新消息。
拉斯特在猫群中认出了灰爪那厚厚的灰色皮毛，心里感到一阵高兴。灰爪身边站着一只玳瑁色的母猫，小巧玲珑的雪白爪子恰好被黑尖儿尾巴盖住。在他们身后蜷伏着一只高大的深灰色虎斑猫，黑色的条纹看起来就像月光透过森林在地面上形成的斑斑阴影。
等群猫安静下来，蓝星开口说：“雷族需要有更多的武士加入进来，我们从未像今天这般只有寥寥可数的几个学徒。这种困境迫使我们必须引入外来者，并将其训练成为一名武士……”
拉斯特听到族群中轰然响起愤慨的议论声。蓝星用她平缓坚定的声音盖过这些议论：“我已经找到一只愿做雷族武士学徒的猫。”
蓝星的话令群猫大为惊奇，一个响亮的声音说：“能成为学徒可是一件幸运的事啊！”
拉斯特伸长了脖子，看到一只苍白的虎斑猫站起来瞪着蓝星，一脸的不服气。
蓝星没有理睬他，而是面向全族说：“狮心和白风已见过这只年轻的猫了，他们都同意让他与其他学徒一同接受训练。”
拉斯特抬眼瞧了瞧狮心，等回过头来发现所有的目光都看着自己时，身上的毛一下子紧张地竖立起来。他不由得咽了口唾沫。那一刻谁都没有吱声。拉斯特敢肯定众猫一定听到了他的心跳声，闻到了他害怕的气味。
猫群中的议论声越来越响。
“他从哪里冒出来的？”
“他属于哪个族群？”
“他身上的气味多么奇怪呀！我所知道的猫族中没有哪一个族群带有这种气味！”
这时猫群里响起了怪腔怪调。
“快看他的项圈！他是一只宠物猫。”原来又是那只苍白色的虎斑猫在作怪。
“一日为宠物猫，终身为宠物猫。我们需要的是保卫族群的武士，而不是再多一张只知道吃饭的嘴。”
狮心弯下腰在拉斯特耳边说：“那只虎斑猫叫长尾，他闻到了你身上恐惧的气味，所有的猫都闻到了，你必须向他们证明你不会被恐惧吓倒。”
但是拉斯特没有动，他怎样才能向这些凶残的野猫们证明，自己可不单单是一只宠物猫呢？
长尾继续嘲笑说：“你的项圈就是两脚兽留给你的标记，那种嘈杂的铃声使你至多不过是一个蹩脚的猎手。最糟糕的是，那可恶的叮当声将响彻整个森林，两脚兽会闻风而至，过来寻找他们可怜的迷路小猫。”
所有的猫都发出赞同的声音。
看到自己赢得众多听众的支持，长尾继续往下说：“撇开你身上两脚兽的气味不谈，那个铃铛也会在不该响的时候发出声音，从而引起敌人的警觉。”
狮心再次俯到拉斯特的耳边说：“你不敢接受挑战吗？”
拉斯特仍没有动，但这回他是在确认长尾的方位。长尾就在那里，位于一只深棕色母猫的身后。拉斯特贴平双耳，眯缝双眼，嘴里发出低嘶。就在群猫还没有明白过来的时候，他已经纵身跃起，穿过猫群，从天而降落在挑衅者的身上。
长尾对拉斯特的突然袭击完全没有提防，冷不丁四肢离地，摔倒在一旁。拉斯特怒不可遏，决心要向大家证明自己的实力。他伸出长爪，张开利齿，深深插入长尾的皮肉里。
这场战斗没有任何挥拳出击的先兆。尖叫声中，两只猫厮打纠缠在一起，在营地中央的会场上滚来滚去。群猫纷纷后退，唯恐殃及池鱼。
就在拉斯特奋力拼打的时候，他忽然意识到自己已经完全忘记了恐惧，唯一剩下的只有激情。尽管双耳淌着鲜血，他仍然能听到猫群中发出兴奋的喊叫声。
接着，拉斯特感觉到脖子上的项圈越勒越紧，原来长尾咬住了他的项圈在向后用力猛扯。拉斯特几乎快要窒息了，无法呼吸令他万分惊惧。他拼命地扭曲翻滚，但每一下动作都使喉管上的压力加重一分。他张嘴大口喘气，用尽各种方法试图从长尾嘴下逃脱。说时迟那时快，一记响亮的噼啪声后，拉斯特终于获得了自由。
长尾跌跌撞撞地退到一边。拉斯特摇晃着站起身往周围看去，瞅见长尾趴在离他不远的地方，嘴上叼了根断裂的项圈。
蓝星立刻跳下高岩，发出响雷般的呼吼，使吵闹的猫群安静下来。拉斯特和长尾站在原地，不住地大口喘气，身上的毛十分凌乱。拉斯特感到眼睛上有一道伤口，火辣辣的。
长尾的左耳则被撕扯得不成样子，鲜血顺着肩膀滴落在地。他们互相盯着对方，敌意仍然没有消退。
蓝星走上前，从长尾那儿接过项圈，放在面前说：“我们的新成员在捍卫尊严之战中丢弃了两脚兽给他装上的项圈。星族曾对他的到来表示过赞同——这只猫已经不再受他两脚兽主人的控制，他自由了，他是雷族的学徒。”
拉斯特看着蓝星，郑重其事地点头表示领受。他站起身走到一束阳光下，很惬意地享受阳光为他酸痛的肌肉带来的温暖。光芒照亮了他姜黄色的毛，就像一团熊熊燃烧的火。
拉斯特看到自己已被群猫围住，自豪地仰起头。此时再也没有任何争议和嘲笑，他已经向大家展示了自己是一个不能被忽视的对手。
蓝星走近拉斯特，将项圈放在他的面前。她用鼻子温柔地触了触拉斯特的耳朵，说：“你在阳光下就像是一团火焰。”她的眼光闪烁，似乎话里蕴藏着拉斯特所不知道的更深的含意。“干得漂亮！”接着蓝星转头朝向全族高声宣布，“从今天开始，在他还没有获得武士称号之前，他的名字就叫火爪。之所以叫这个名字，是为了彰显他火一般的皮毛。”
蓝星同其他的猫退后两步，等候拉斯特的行动。拉斯特没有迟疑，他转身扒了些土和杂草盖在项圈上面，就如同掩埋他的过去。
长尾发出一声吼叫，一瘸一拐地走出会场，走到一处香薇遮盖的角落。
群猫三三两两地聚在一起，兴奋地议论着。
“嘿，火爪！”
拉斯特听到身后传来灰爪友好的声音。火爪！听到自己的新名字，他的心里涌起一股难以言状的自豪。他转身嗅了嗅灰爪，以示欢迎。
灰爪说：“打得真棒，火爪！尤其是对一只宠物猫来说，更是不得了！尽管长尾已经有两个月没有训练了，可他毕竟是一名武士呀。你在他耳朵上留下的伤疤，使他在短时间内不会忘记你。谁都看得出来，你可破了他的相了。”
火爪回答说：“谢谢你，灰爪。不管怎么说，他可真厉害！”他舔舔前爪，开始清理眼睛上的伤口。就在这个时候，他听见众猫纷纷喊叫着他的新名字。
“火爪！”
“嘿，火爪！”
“欢迎你，年轻的火爪！”
火爪闭上眼睛，耳边的声音如潮水般涌来。
灰爪赞同地说：“又是一个好名字！”灰爪的声音使火爪猛然清醒过来，火爪看看四周，问：“长尾去哪里了？”
“他大概是去斑叶的巫医巢穴了。”灰爪向一处香薇环抱的角落仰仰头，长尾就拱进那里去了，“斑叶是我们的医生，长得也不赖。年轻、漂亮，大多数……”
旁边一声低吼打断了灰爪的即兴演说。他们一齐转身，火爪认出他正是先前坐在灰爪身后的那只强壮的深灰色虎斑猫。
灰爪尊敬地点头招呼：“黑条。”
那只毛色光鲜的公猫盯着火爪看了一会儿，说：“项圈绷断只不过是凑巧罢了。长尾是一名年轻的武士，想不到他会败在一只宠物猫的手下！”他语带轻蔑地将“宠物猫”三个字说得很重，然后转身离去。
灰爪压低声音附在火爪的耳边说：“现如今黑条既不年轻，也不英俊了！”
火爪正要赞同他这位新朋友的评价，忽然，坐在会场边的一只灰色老猫发出警报。
灰爪立刻变得很严肃，紧张地说：“小耳一定是嗅到麻烦事了！”
火爪还没来得及查看周围动静，一只年轻的猫已从灌木丛里冲进营地。这只猫身材瘦削，从头到脚一团乌黑，只有细长的尾巴尖儿上一绺白色显得格外醒目。
灰爪脱口而出：“是乌爪！他怎么独自回来了？虎掌去哪儿了？”
乌爪步履蹒跚地走过会场，浑身伤痕累累，身上的毛凌乱肮脏，眼睛睁得大大的，眼神里充满惊惧。
“谁是乌爪？虎掌又是谁？”火爪悄声问灰爪，这时有几只猫走过他们身边上前招呼乌爪。
灰爪快速地解释说：“乌爪是一名学徒，虎掌是他的老师。今天一大早乌爪便和虎掌、红尾一道出去执行任务，好像是同河族有关。这小子真是个幸运的毛毛球！”
“红尾？”火爪重复了一句，他彻底被这些名字搞晕了。
灰爪小声说：“红尾是副族长。”接着他又自言自语道：“到底为什么乌爪会独自回来呢？”这时他看见蓝星走上前，便立刻竖起耳朵凝神听。
“乌爪！”蓝星镇静地说，但是她的眼里笼罩着一层焦虑的阴云。其他的猫纷纷退后，迫切地想知道发生了什么事。
蓝星跃上高岩，俯视着浑身颤抖的乌爪问：“出什么事了？说话呀，乌爪！”
乌爪仍没有喘过气来，胸口起伏不定，身旁的沙土都被鲜血染红了。尽管体力不支，他仍然勉强爬上高岩，站在蓝星身边。他转身面对翘盼的群猫，使出吃奶的力气大声说道：“红尾死了！”
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
Shocked yowls rose from the Clan catsand echoed through the forest.
Ravenpaw staggered slightly. His right foreleg glistened, wet with blood that flowed from the deep gash on his shoulder. “We m-met five RiverClan warriors beside the stream, not far from the Sunningrocks,” he went on shakily. “Oakheart was among them.”
“Oakheart!” Graypaw gasped beside Firepaw. “He is the deputy of RiverClan. He’s one of the greatest warriors in the forest. Lucky Ravenpaw! Wish it could have been me. I’d have really—” Graypaw was silenced by a fierce glance from the old gray tom who had first sensed Ravenpaw’s return.
Firepaw turned his attention back to Ravenpaw.
“Redtail warned Oakheart to keep his hunting parties out of ThunderClan territory. He said the next RiverClan warrior to be caught in ThunderClan territory would be killed, but Oak…Oakheart would not back down. He said his Cl-Clan had to be fed, whatever we threatened.” Ravenpaw paused to wheeze for breath. His wound was still bleeding heavily, and he stood awkwardly to keep the weight off his shoulder.
“That’s when the RiverClan cats attacked. It was hard to see what was happening. The fighting was vicious. I saw Oakheart had Redtail pinned to the ground, but then Redtail…” Suddenly Ravenpaw’s eyes rolled in his head and he lurched sideways. Half scrambling, half falling, he slithered off the Highrock and collapsed on the ground below.
A ginger queen bounded toward him and crouched at his side. She licked his cheek briefly and called out, “Spottedleaf!”
Out of the fern-shaded corner trotted the pretty tortoiseshell Firepaw had noticed sitting beside Graypaw earlier. She hurried over to Ravenpaw and mewed for the queen to stand back. Then she used her small pink nose to roll the apprentice over so that she could take a good look at the wound. She glanced up and meowed, “It’s all right, Goldenflower, his wounds aren’t fatal. But I’ll need to fetch some cobwebs to stop the bleeding.”
As Spottedleaf sprinted back to her den, the hushed silence in the clearing was broken by a mournful howl. All eyes turned to the direction it had come from.
A massive dark brown tabby staggered through the gorse tunnel. Between his sharp teeth the warrior held not prey, but the lifeless body of another cat. He dragged the tattered creature into the center of the clearing.
Firepaw craned his neck and glimpsed a flash of bright ginger tail hanging limply in the dust.
Shock rippled through the Clan like a chill breeze. Beside Firepaw, Graypaw dropped into a crouch as grief swept over him. “Redtail!”
“How did this happen, Tigerclaw?” demanded Bluestar from her position on the Highrock.
Tigerclaw let the scruff of Redtail’s neck fall from his mouth. He looked steadily back at Bluestar. “He died with honor, struck down by Oakheart. I couldn’t save him, but I managed to take Oakheart’s life while he was still gloating over his victory.” Tigerclaw’s voice was strong and deep. “Redtail’s death was not in vain, for I doubt we’ll see RiverClan hunters in our territory again.”
Firepaw glanced at Graypaw. The apprentice’s eyes were dark with sadness.
After a moment’s pause, several of the cats moved forward to lick Redtail’s bedraggled fur. As they groomed they purred hushed phrases to the dead warrior.
Firepaw whispered into Graypaw’s ear, “What are they doing?”
Graypaw didn’t take his eyes off the dead cat as he replied. “His spirit may have left to join StarClan, but the Clan will share tongues with Redtail one last time.”
“StarClan?” Firepaw echoed.
“It’s the tribe of heavenly warriors that watches over all Clan cats. You can see them in Silverpelt.”
Firepaw looked confused, so Graypaw explained. “Silverpelt is that thick band of stars you see each night stretching across the sky. Each star is a StarClan warrior. Redtail will be among them tonight.”
Firepaw nodded, and Graypaw stepped forward to share tongues with his dead deputy.
Bluestar had remained silent while the first cats came to pay their respects to Redtail. Now she leaped down from the Highrock and walked slowly toward Redtail’s body. The other cats retreated and watched as their leader crouched down to share tongues with her old comrade one last time.
When she had finished she raised her head and spoke. Her voice was low and thick with grief, and the Clan listened in silence. “Redtail was a brave warrior. His loyalty to ThunderClan could never be doubted. I always relied on his judgment, for it bore witness to the needs of the Clan, and was never swayed by self-interest or pride. He would have made a fine leader.”
Then she lowered herself onto her belly, her head bowed, her paws stretched neatly before her, and silently she grieved for her lost friend. Several other cats came and lay down beside her, their bowed heads and hunched backs echoing her mournful pose.
Firepaw watched. He had not known Redtail, but he couldn’t help feeling moved as he witnessed the Clan mourn.
Graypaw came and stood beside him again. “Dustpaw will be sad,” he remarked.
“Dustpaw?”
“Redtail’s apprentice. That brown-striped tabby over there. I wonder who his new mentor will be?”
Firepaw glanced over at the small tom who squatted near Redtail’s body, staring unseeing at the ground. Firepaw looked past him to the Clan leader. “How long will Blusetar sit with him?” he asked.
“Probably the whole night,” replied Graypaw. “Redtail was her deputy for many, many moons. She won’t want to let him go too quickly. He was one of the best warriors. Not as big and powerful as Tigerclaw or Lionheart, but quick and clever.”
Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw, admiring the strength that swelled in his powerful muscles and broad head. His massive body showed signs of his warrior life. One of his ears was split into a deep vee shape, and a thick scar sliced the bridge of his nose.
Suddenly Tigerclaw stood up and stalked over to Ravenpaw. Spottedleaf was crouching beside Tigerclaw’s wounded apprentice, using her teeth and front paws to press wads of cobweb onto his shoulder wound.
Firepaw leaned toward Graypaw and asked, “What’s Spottedleaf doing?”
“Stopping the bleeding. It looked like a nasty cut. And Ravenpaw seemed really shaken up. He’s always been a bit jumpy, but I’ve never seen him this bad before. Let’s go and see if he’s woken up yet.”
They made their way through the grieving cats toward the spot where Ravenpaw lay and settled themselves a respectful distance away to wait until Tigerclaw had finished speaking.
“So, Spottedleaf.” Tigerclaw addressed the tortoiseshell with a confident meow. “How is he? Do you think you can save him? I’ve spent a lot of time training him up, and I don’t want my efforts to be wasted at the first battle.”
Spottedleaf didn’t look up from her patient as she replied. “Yes, a pity if, after all your valuable training, he dies in his first fight, eh?” Firepaw could hear a teasing purr in her soft mew.
“Will he live?” Tigerclaw demanded.
“Of course. He just needs to rest.”
Tigerclaw snorted and looked down at the motionless black shape. He jabbed Ravenpaw with one of his front claws. “Come on, then! Get up!”
Ravenpaw didn’t move.
“Look at the length of that claw!” Firepaw hissed.
“Too right!” replied Graypaw with feeling. “I know Iwouldn’t want to get into a fight with him!”
“Not so fast, Tigerclaw!” Spottedleaf placed her paw over Tigerclaw’s sharp talon and gently moved it away. “This apprentice needs to keep as still as possible until the cut has healed. We don’t want him opening his wound by jumping about trying to please you. Leave him alone.”
Firepaw found himself holding his breath as he waited for Tigerclaw’s reaction. He guessed that few cats dared to give orders to the warrior like that. The big tabby stiffened, and seemed about to speak when Spottedleaf mewed teasingly, “Even youknow better than to argue with a medicine cat, Tigerclaw.”
Tigerclaw’s eyes flashed at the little tortoiseshell’s words. “I wouldn’t dare argue with you, dear Spottedleaf,” he purred. He turned to leave and caught sight of Graypaw and Firepaw. “Who’s this?” he asked Graypaw, towering above them.
“He’s the new apprentice,” Graypaw mewed.
“He smells like a kittypet!” snorted the warrior.
“I wasa house cat,” Firepaw meowed boldly, “but I am going to train to be a warrior.”
Tigerclaw looked at him with sudden interest. “Ah, yes. Now I remember. Bluestar mentioned that she had stumbled across some stray kittypet. So she’s actually going to try you out, is she?”
Firepaw sat up very straight, anxious to impress this distinguished Clan warrior. “That’s right,” he mewed respectfully.
Tigerclaw eyed him thoughtfully. “Then I shall watch your progress with interest.”
Firepaw puffed his chest out proudly as Tigerclaw stalked away. “Do you think he liked me?”
“I don’t think Tigerclaw likesany apprentices!” whispered Graypaw.
Just then Ravenpaw stirred and twitched his ears. “Has he gone?” he mumbled.
“Who? Tigerclaw?” replied Graypaw, trotting toward him. “Yep, he’s gone.”
“Hi, there,” Firepaw began, about to introduce himself.
“Go away, both of you!” Spottedleaf protested. “How am I meant to help this cat with all these interruptions!” She impatiently flicked her tail at Graypaw and Firepaw and pushed her way between them and her patient.
Firepaw realized she was serious, despite the lively glimmer in her warm amber eyes.
“Come on then, Firepaw,” mewed Graypaw. “I’ll show you around. See you later, Ravenpaw.”
The two cats left Spottedleaf with Ravenpaw and walked across the clearing.
Graypaw looked thoughtful. He was clearly taking his duties as a guide very seriously. “You know the Highrock already,” he began, flicking his tail toward the big, smooth rock. “Bluestar always addresses the Clan from there. Her den is down there.” He lifted his nose toward a hollow in the side of the Highrock. “Her den was carved out many moons ago by an ancient stream.” Hanging lichen draped the entrance, sheltering the leader’s nest from wind and rain.
“The warriors sleep over here,” Graypaw went on.
Firepaw followed him to a large bush a few paces away from the Highrock. There was a clear view from here right down to the gorse entrance into the camp. The branches of the bush hung low, but Firepaw could see a sheltered space inside where the warriors made their nests.
“The senior warriors sleep nearest the center, where it’s warmest,” explained Graypaw. “They usually share their fresh-kill together over by that clump of nettles. The younger warriors eat nearby. Sometimes they are invited to join the senior warriors for eating, which is a big honor.”
“What about the other Clan cats?” Firepaw asked, fascinated but feeling rather overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals of Clan life.
“Well, the queens share warrior quarters when they work as warriors, but when they are expecting kits, or nursing them, they stay in a nest near the nursery. The elders have their own place on the other side of the clearing. Come on, I’ll show you.”
Firepaw trotted after Graypaw, across the clearing, and past the shadowy corner where Spottedleaf had her den. They stopped beside a fallen tree that sheltered a patch of lush grass. Crouched among the soft greenery were four elderly cats tucking into a plump young rabbit.
“Dustpaw and Sandpaw would have brought them that,” whispered Graypaw. “One of the apprentices’ duties is catching fresh-kill for the elders.”
“Hello, youngster,” one of the elders greeted Graypaw.
“Hello, Smallear,” mewed Graypaw, nodding respectfully.
“This must be our new apprentice. Firepaw, isn’t it?” meowed a second tom. His patchy fur was dark brown, and there was only a stump where his tail should have been.
“That’s right,” Firepaw replied, copying Graypaw’s polite nod.
“I’m Halftail,” purred the brown tom. “Welcome to the Clan.”
“Have you two eaten?” meowed Smallear.
Firepaw and Graypaw both shook their heads.
“Well, there’s enough here. Dustpaw and Sandpaw are turning into fine hunters. Would you mind if these youngsters shared a mouse, One-eye?”
The pale gray queen who lay beside him shook her head. Firepaw noticed one of her eyes was clouded and sightless.
“What about you, Dappletail?”
The other elder, a tortoiseshell she-cat with a gray muzzle, meowed in a voice cracked with age, “Of course not.”
“Thank you,” mewed Graypaw eagerly. He stepped forward and took a large mouse from the pile of prey, then dropped it at Firepaw’s feet. “You still not tasted mouse?” he asked.
“No,” Firepaw admitted. He suddenly felt excited by the warm smells that were rising from this piece of fresh-kill. His whole body quivered at the thought of sharing his first real food as a Clan member.
“In that case, you can have first bite. Just save me some!” Graypaw dipped his head and stood back to give Firepaw room.
Firepaw crouched down and took a large bite from the mouse. It was juicy and tender, and sang with the flavors of the forest.
“What do you think?” asked Graypaw.
“Fantastic!” mumbled Firepaw, his mouth still full.
“Move over then,” mewed Graypaw, stepping forward and bending his head to take a bite.
As the two apprentices shared the mouse, they listened to the elders talk among themselves.
“How long before Bluestar appoints a new deputy?” asked Smallear.
“What did you say, Smallear?” mewed One-eye.
“I think your hearing has become as poor as your eyesight!” snapped Smallear impatiently. “I said, how long before Bluestar appoints a new deputy?”
One-eye ignored Smallear’s irritated reply and spoke instead to the tortoiseshell queen. “Dappletail, do you remember the day many moons ago when Bluestar herself was appointed deputy?”
Dappletail mewed earnestly, “Oh, yes! It was not long after she lost her kits.”
“She’ll not be happy to be appointing a new deputy,” Smallear observed. “Redtail served her long and well. But she’ll need to make up her mind quickly. According to Clan custom, the choice has to be made before moonhigh after the death of the old deputy.”
“At least this time the choice is obvious,” meowed Halftail.
Firepaw raised his head and looked around the clearing. Who could Halftail mean? To Firepaw, all the warriors looked worthy of becoming deputy. Perhaps he meant Tigerclaw; after all, he had avenged Redtail’s death.
Tigerclaw was sitting not far off, his ears angled toward the elders’ conversation.
As Firepaw stretched with his tongue to lick the last traces of mouse from his whiskers, Bluestar’s voice called from the Highrock. Redtail’s body still lay in the clearing below, pale gray in the fading light. “A new deputy must be appointed,” she meowed. “But first, let us give thanks to StarClan for the life of Redtail. Tonight he sits with his fellow warriors among the stars.”
Silence fell as all the cats looked up into the sky, which was beginning to darken as evening crept over the forest.
“And now I shall name ThunderClan’s new deputy,” Bluestar continued. “I say these words before the body of Redtail, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice.”
Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw. He couldn’t help noticing the hunger in the big warrior’s amber eyes as he stared up at the Highrock.
“Lionheart,” meowed Bluestar, “will be the new deputy of ThunderClan.”
Firepaw was curious to see Tigerclaw’s reaction. But the dark warrior’s face revealed nothing as he moved to congratulate Lionheart with a nudge so hearty that it almost pushed the golden tabby off balance.
“Why didn’t she make Tigerclaw deputy?” Firepaw whispered to Graypaw.
“Probably because Lionheart has been a warrior longer, so he has a lot more experience,” Graypaw murmured back, still looking up at Bluestar.
Bluestar spoke again. “Redtail was also mentor to young Dustpaw. Since there must be no delay in the training of our apprentices, I shall appoint Dustpaw’s new mentor immediately. Darkstripe, you are ready for your first apprentice, so you will continue Dustpaw’s training. You had a fine mentor in Tigerclaw, and I expect you to pass on some of the excellent skills you were taught.”
The tabby warrior swelled with pride as he showed his acceptance with a solemn nod. He strode over to Dustpaw, bent his head, and rather awkwardly touched noses with his new apprentice. Dustpaw flicked his tail respectfully, but his eyes were still dull with grief for his lost mentor.
Bluestar raised her voice. “I shall keep a vigil with Redtail’s body tonight, before we bury him at sunrise.” She jumped down from the Highrock and walked over to lie beside Redtail’s body once more. Many of the other cats joined her, Dustpaw and Smallear among them.
“Should we sit with them too?” Firepaw suggested. He had to admit the idea didn’t appeal to him much. It had been a busy day and he was beginning to feel tired. All he wanted to do was find somewhere warm and dry to curl up and sleep.
Graypaw shook his head. “No, only those who were closest to Redtail will share his final night. I’ll show you where we sleep. The apprentices’ den is over here.”
Firepaw followed Graypaw to a thick bush of ferns that lay behind a mossy tree stump.
“All the apprentices share their fresh-kill by this stump,” Graypaw told him.
“How many apprentices are there?” Firepaw asked.
“Not as many as usual—just me, you, Ravenpaw, Dustpaw, and Sandpaw.”
As Graypaw and Firepaw settled themselves beside the tree stump, a young she-cat crawled out from beneath the ferns. Her coat was ginger, like Firepaw’s, but much paler, with barely visible stripes of darker fur.
“So here comes the new apprentice!” she meowed, narrowing her eyes.
“Hello,” Firepaw mewed.
The young cat sniffed rudely. “He smells like a kittypet! Don’t tell me I’m going to have to share my nest with that revolting stench!”
Firepaw felt rather taken aback. Since his fight with Longtail, all the cats had been quite friendly. Maybe they had just been distracted by Ravenpaw’s news, he thought.
“You’ll have to excuse Sandpaw,” apologized Graypaw. “I think she must have a furball stuck somewhere. She’s not usually this bad-tempered.”
“Psst!” spat Sandpaw crossly.
“Hold on, youngsters.” The deep voice of Whitestorm sounded behind the apprentices. “Sandpaw! As my apprentice, I expected you to be a little more welcoming to this newcomer.”
Sandpaw held up her head and looked defiant. “I’m sorry, Whitestorm,” she purred, not sounding sorry at all. “I just didn’t expect to be training with a kittypet, that’s all!”
“I’m sure you’ll get used to it, Sandpaw,” meowed Whitestorm calmly. “Now, it’s getting late, and training starts early tomorrow. You three should get some sleep.” He gave Sandpaw a stern look, and she nodded obediently. As he walked off, she spun around and vanished into the clump of ferns, sniffing once more as she brushed past Firepaw.
With a flick of his tail, Graypaw invited Firepaw to follow him, and led the way after Sandpaw. Inside the sleeping area, the ground was lined with soft moss, and the pale moonlight turned everything a delicate shade of green. The air was fragrant with fern scent, and warmer than outside.
“Where do I sleep?” Firepaw asked.
“Anywhere, just so long as it’s not near me!” snarled Sandpaw, who was prodding some moss with her paw.
Graypaw and Firepaw exchanged glances, but said nothing. Firepaw raked together a pile of moss with his claws. When he had gathered his bed into a cozy nest, he circled until it was comfortable and settled down. His whole body felt drowsy with contentment. This was his home now. He was a member of ThunderClan.
第四章
第四章
猫群中响起一片惊呼，传遍整个森林。
乌爪有些站不稳。他的肩膀上有一道深深的伤口，鲜血从伤口处流下，浸湿了他的右前腿，血珠在阳光照耀下闪闪发光。他声音颤抖着说：“我们在离太阳石不远的河边遇……遇到了五名河族的武士，其中包括橡心。”
“橡心！”灰爪张大了嘴巴，“他是河族的副族长，是丛林中最伟大的武士之一。幸运的乌爪！希望我也有这般好运。我真的……”那只最先发觉乌爪归来的灰色老年公猫狠狠地瞪了灰爪一眼，吓得灰爪赶忙闭嘴。
火爪的注意力又集中到乌爪身上。
“红尾对橡心发出警告，要他带着他的狩猎队伍离开雷族的领地。他说如果再看见河族的武士出现在雷族的领地上，就决不会手下留情。但是橡心……橡心根本不把我们放在眼里。他说无论我们如何说狠话，他们的族……族群还是要吃饭。”乌爪停下喘了口气。他的伤口仍在不停地流血，为了不使体重压在肩膀上，他的站相实在很难看。
“这就是河族攻击我们的原因。当时难以看清形势，仗打得很激烈，我看见橡心将红尾按倒在地，但接下来红尾……”突然乌爪的眼珠子转了转，身子摇晃着走开了。他半爬半摔地从高岩上滑下，跌落在地。
一只姜黄色的母猫跳上前去，卧在他的身边。她简单地舔了舔乌爪的面颊，高声喊道：“斑叶！”
一只玳瑁色的猫从香薇遮盖的角落里走出。火爪认出她原先就坐在灰爪旁边。斑叶三步并作两步地赶到乌爪面前，嘴里招呼着要那只母猫退后。接着她用小巧的粉红色鼻子将乌爪顶个翻身，以便能够仔细查看乌爪的伤势。查看完毕后她抬起头说：“没有大问题，金花，他的伤不至于令他送命，但我需要取一些蛛丝来止血。”
就在斑叶跑回到巫医巢穴的时候，一声悲鸣划破了沉寂。所有的猫都朝声音传来的方向瞧去。
一只巨大的深棕色虎斑猫从金雀花通道跌跌撞撞地走了进来，在他两排锋利的牙齿中间叼的不是猎物，而是另一只猫的尸体。
他拖着那具尸体走进营地中央的会场里，尸体在拖拽之下早已变得破烂不堪。
火爪伸长了脖子，瞧见一条鲜艳的火红色的尾巴无力地垂在地上。
就如同寒风刮过一样，猫群中掀起一阵惊悚。剧烈悲痛之下，灰爪的身体缩成了一团：“红尾！”
蓝星站在高岩上问：“到底怎么回事，虎掌？”
虎掌张开嘴，松开红尾的脖子。他沉稳地看着蓝星说：“他死得很光荣，他同橡心战至最后一息。我没能救出红尾，但是在橡心欢呼胜利的时候，我将他杀死了。”虎掌的声音有力而又深沉，“这件事不会就此结束，因为我怀疑河族的武士还会再来我们的领地。”
火爪注视着灰爪，看见他的眼里充满哀伤。
过了一会儿，几只猫上前舔顺红尾身上凌乱的毛。他们一边为牺牲的武士清洁身体，一边低声诵念悼词。
火爪小声问灰爪：“他们在干什么？”
灰爪的目光没有离开死去的红尾，回答说：“虽然他的灵魂已加入星族的队伍中去了，但是部族仍要为红尾做最后一次舌抚。”
“星族？”火爪重复了一句。
“星族是天上武士们的部族，他们监管着各个族群。你能在银河里见到他们。”
看到火爪一脸困惑，灰爪解释说：“每到夜晚，你会看到一条密密麻麻的星带纵贯天际，那就是银河。每一颗星都是一名星族武士。今晚红尾就会与他们会合。”
火爪点点头，灰爪走上前去舔梳红尾的尸体。
当第一批猫上前向红尾表达敬意时，蓝星始终没有做声。此时她从高岩上跳下，缓缓走向红尾的尸体。其他的猫退让一旁，注视着族长俯下身子最后一次舔梳她多年老伙伴的尸体。
舌抚结束后，蓝星抬起头开始讲话。她的声音低沉而充满悲痛，整个族群都在静静地聆听：“红尾是一名勇敢的武士，他对部落的忠诚不容置疑。我常常听取他对事物的看法，他的评论总是睿智而中肯，从不受个人的利益和虚荣的影响。如果他没有死，必将是一位优秀的族长。”
接着她向前伸出四爪，肚子贴近地面，头部向下低垂，向她死去的朋友默哀。其他的猫纷纷走上前，在蓝星的身边俯下，重复着她的动作和姿势。
火爪一一看在眼里。他并不认识红尾，但部族的悲痛却深深打动了他。
灰爪回到火爪身边，说：“尘爪一定很悲伤。”
“尘爪？”
“他是红尾的徒弟，就是那只棕色条纹的虎斑猫。真想知道谁将是他的新老师。”
火爪瞧过去，看见红尾的尸体旁蹲着一只幼小的公猫，低头盯着地面。火爪看看尘爪身边的蓝星问道：“蓝星要同他一起坐多久？”
灰爪回答说：“也许是整晚。红尾已当了许多许多月的副族长，蓝星不愿太早地离开他。他是最优秀的武士之一，他不像虎掌或狮心那样强壮，但是他动作敏捷，头脑灵活。”
火爪看着虎掌强劲的肌肉和宽大的脑袋，感觉到那里洋溢出的力量，不由得心里非常羡慕。虎掌巨大的身躯充分展示着他的武士生涯。他的眼上有一道“V”字形裂口，鼻子上横过一条深深的疤痕。
突然间，虎掌站起身走向乌爪。斑叶伏在乌爪身边，正在用牙齿和前爪将成团的蛛丝压进乌爪肩上的伤口内。
火爪斜过身子问灰爪：“斑叶在做什么？”
“她在止血。乌爪的伤势看起来挺严重，似乎伤得不轻。他一向神经兮兮的，但我从未见过他这么惨。我们过去看看他醒过来没有。”
他们努力穿过沉浸在悲痛中的猫群，向乌爪躺下的地方走去。看到虎掌正在说话，他们在不远处停下脚步以示尊敬。
虎掌的声音中充满自信，他对斑叶说：“斑叶，他怎么样了？你能救活他吗？我花了很多时间才把他训练成材，可不愿他第一次打仗就使我的心血付诸东流。”
斑叶的眼睛并没有离开她的病人，回答说：“是的，你的训练那么宝贵，他第一次打仗就死去未免也太遗憾了，嗯？”火爪听出她温柔的声音中略带嘲弄。
虎掌命令般地问：“他还能活吗？”
“当然，他只是需要调养。”
虎掌哼了一声，低头看着一动不动的乌爪。他用前爪捅了捅乌爪：“既然如此，来吧！
站起来！”
乌爪没有动。
火爪悄声说：“看，他的爪子真长！”
灰爪深有感触地说：“非常正确！我永远都不想与他为敌！”
“没那么快，虎掌！”斑叶将她的爪子放在虎掌的利爪之上，将它轻轻推开，“在伤口愈合之前，这名学徒需要尽可能保持安静。我可不想让他为了取悦你而蹦来蹦去，那样会扯开他的伤口。让他自己待一会儿吧。”
火爪等待虎掌的反应，发觉自己连气都不敢出一口。大概没有几只猫敢像斑叶这样用命令的口吻同虎掌说话。虎掌僵在那里，似乎正要说话，这时斑叶调侃说：“你应该知道同巫医争论可没什么好处，虎掌。”
虎掌瞧着这只小小的母猫，眼光闪烁：“我可不敢同你争论什么，亲爱的斑叶。”说完，虎掌一转身瞅见灰爪和火爪。
“他是谁？”虎掌站在他们面前，问灰爪。
灰爪说：“他是一名新学徒。”
虎掌揶揄道：“他身上带有宠物猫的气味。”
火爪大胆地说：“虽然我以前是一只家养猫，但如今我正在努力成为一名武士。”
虎掌看着他，突然对他产生了兴趣：“啊哈，没错，我记起来了，蓝星提到过她遇到了一只不安分的宠物猫。那么她确实要给你一个试用的机会了，是吗？”
火爪保持立正姿势，力争给这位令人钦佩的武士留下良好的印象。他尊敬地回答道：“是的。”
虎掌的眼里流露出若有所思的眼神，他说：“那么我会时时注意你的进步。”
虎掌离开后，火爪大声地舒了口气，高高鼓起的胸膛一下子瘪了。他问灰爪：“你觉得他会喜欢我吗？”
灰爪小声说：“虎掌从未喜欢过哪一个学徒！”
就在这时，乌爪苏醒过来，动了动耳朵，低声问：“他走了吗？”
灰爪向乌爪走去，说：“谁？虎掌吗？对，他走了。”
火爪刚要开口做自我介绍，斑叶阻止说：“你们两个都走开！我可不想让这只小猫连个觉都睡不安稳！”她拦在他们和她的病号中间，不耐烦地摇着尾巴。
虽然斑叶那双琥珀色的温柔的大眼睛忽闪忽闪的，但火爪知道她可不是在开玩笑。
灰爪说：“那咱们走吧，火爪，我带你到四处看看。再见，乌爪。”
两只猫转身离开斑叶和乌爪。
灰爪十分认真地承担起向导的责任。“那是高岩，这你已经知道了。”他朝那块巨大、光滑的岩石扬扬尾巴，“蓝星总是在那里对全族讲话。高岩下面就是她的巢穴。”他冲高岩下的一个洞穴仰仰鼻子，“她的巢穴是在很久以前由一条古老的溪流冲出来的。”洞穴的入口处有块苔藓垂了下来，能够遮风挡雨。
灰爪继续介绍说：“武士们睡在这边。”
火爪跟着他走到离高岩不远的灌木丛前。从这里能够很清楚地看到营地的入口。灌木丛的树枝压得很低，但火爪能看到内部有一个遮蔽的空间，武士们的窝就安在那里。
灰爪解释说：“高级武士们睡在最靠近会场的地方，那里最暖和，他们常常在那簇荨麻边共享新鲜的猎物，年轻的武士们则在一旁用餐。有时高级武士们会邀请他们一同进餐，那可是天大的面子了。”
火爪完全被这个族群的生活习俗迷住了，接着问：“族群里其他的猫呢？”
“嗯，武士中的母猫和其他的武士伙伴们一同进餐，但当她们怀孕或哺乳时，则留在巫医巢穴旁。老年猫在会场边独居一处。走，我带你看看去。”
他们穿过会场，经过斑叶的巫医巢穴，在一棵倒在地上的大树前停下脚步。树干下是一片繁茂的草地，草地上有四只老猫围在一起大口享用一只肥兔。
灰爪小声说：“那只兔子一定是尘爪和沙爪捉来的，为老年猫捕食是学徒的一项职责。”
一只老猫朝灰爪打招呼：“你好，小伙子。”
灰爪尊敬地点点头说：“你好，小耳。”
“这个一定是新来的学徒吧。叫火爪，是吗？”另一只公猫说。他的毛是深棕色的，已经斑驳掉落，屁股上只有一小截尾巴。
火爪回答说：“是的。”他学着灰爪的样子点头致敬。
那只深棕色的公猫说：“我叫半尾。欢迎加入族群。”
小耳问：“你们吃过饭了吗？”
火爪和灰爪一齐摇头。
“那好吧，这些食物足够吃了。尘爪和沙爪干得不错，他们会是优秀的猎手。一只眼，你介意分给这两个小伙子一只老鼠吗？”
他身边一只灰白色的母猫摇了摇头。火爪注意到，她的一只眼睛雾蒙蒙的，已经瞎了。
“你呢，斑尾？”
另外一只全身玳瑁色、嘴和鼻子都是灰白色的母猫用苍老的声音说：“当然不介意。”
灰爪急切地说：“多谢多谢！”他从食物堆中挑了一只肥大的老鼠，放在火爪的脚下，问火爪：“你还没有尝过鼠肉吧？”
火爪点点头：“没吃过。”从这只新鲜的猎物身上散发出的温暖气味使他忽然感到一阵兴奋。他聚精会神，准备大吃一顿。这可是他族群生活的第一顿大餐啊！
“就是这样，你先来第一口，给我剩点儿！”灰爪低下头靠后站了站，给火爪留出位置。
火爪俯下身子从老鼠的尸体上啃下一大口。鼠肉鲜嫩而多汁，带有森林里的原汁原味。
灰爪问：“味道如何？”
火爪嘴里塞得满满的，含糊不清地说：“太妙了！”
“那就多吃点儿。”灰爪说着，上前弯腰也咬了一大口。
两名学徒一边大口咀嚼，一边听着四只老猫的闲聊。
一只眼说：“你刚才说什么，小耳？”
小耳不耐烦地说：“你的听力和视力一样差劲！我刚才说，蓝星什么时候才指定一位新的副族长呀？”
一只眼不理会小耳的恼怒，对那只玳瑁色的母猫说：“斑尾，你还记得很久以前，蓝星被任命为副族长时的情形吗？”
斑尾认真地说：“哦，记得！她失去幼崽没几天就被任命为副族长了。”
小耳说：“所以她当时并不显得兴奋。红尾追随她很长时间了，而且尽忠职守。但是她应该尽快振作起来。依照部族的习俗，她应在原副族长死去的当日选任一名新的副族长。”
半尾说：“至少这次的任命显而易见。”
火爪抬起头瞅了瞅会场。半尾指的是谁？在火爪的眼里，所有的武士都有资格当这个副族长。也许半尾指的是虎掌，毕竟是虎掌为红尾报的仇。
火爪正在伸长舌头舔净猫须上残留的鼠肉痕迹时，高岩上响起蓝星的声音。红尾的尸体仍然摆在高岩下的会场上。蓝星说：“我们必须指定一位新的副族长了。但是，我们应当首先感谢星族赐予红尾新的生命。今晚，他就会化为星辰，闪耀于夜空之中。”
群猫鸦雀无声地仰望着天空，天空渐渐昏暗，夜幕已经降临在森林大地。
蓝星继续说：“现在，我宣布新的副族长的名字。我之所以在红尾的尸体前公布这个名字，是希望他能听见并且赞同我的选择。”
火爪望着虎掌。虎掌注视着高岩，琥珀色的眼睛里流露出热切的期望。
“雷族的新任副族长就是——”蓝星宣布道，“狮心！”
火爪好奇地想看看虎掌的反应，但虎掌没有表现出任何不满，他上前顶了顶狮心表示祝贺，只是用力过大，狮心一个趔趄差点儿摔倒。
火爪悄声问灰爪：“她为什么不选虎掌？”
“也许是因为狮心的武士资历更深一些，经验也就更丰富些。”灰爪小声回答，目光仍停留在蓝星身上。
蓝星继续说：“红尾还曾经是尘爪的老师。我们的学徒的训练进度一天都不能耽搁，所以我现在就为尘爪指定一位新的老师。黑条，你一直想收一名徒弟，所以就由你来接替红尾训练尘爪。你有虎掌这样优秀的老师，我希望你能将自己学到的高超本领很好地传承下去。”
黑条一本正经地点点头，接受了这项光荣使命。他走到尘爪面前，弯下腰，神情尴尬地用鼻子触了触他的新徒弟。尘爪恭敬地摇摇尾巴，眼睛里仍然充满着失去恩师的悲痛。
蓝星提高声音说：“今晚我要为红尾守夜，天亮后我们为他举行葬礼。”她跳下岩石，再次回到红尾身边卧下。许多猫也加入守夜的队伍中，尘爪和小耳也在其中。
火爪猜测说：“我们也同他们一道吗？”他承认自己对这个主意并不热心。一整天的忙碌使他开始感到疲倦，他唯一想做的事情就是找个温暖干燥的地方，蜷起身子美美睡上一觉。
灰爪摇了摇头说：“不用，只有那些平时和红尾最要好的猫才同他共度这最后的夜晚。
我带你去睡觉的地方吧，学徒巢穴就在那边。”
火爪跟随灰爪走到一棵树桩后面，那里有一片浓密的香薇灌木丛。
灰爪告诉他：“所有的学徒都在这个树桩旁进餐。”
火爪问：“有多少学徒？”
“没有以前多了——只有我，你，乌爪，尘爪，还有沙爪。”
灰爪和火爪刚在树桩旁坐下，一只年轻的母猫从树丛中缓缓走出来。她的毛是姜黄色的，就像火爪的一样，但是颜色没那么鲜艳，身上还隐隐有几条颜色稍重些的条纹。
她眯缝着眼睛说：“这位就是新来的学徒了！”
火爪说：“你好。”
那只年轻的猫举止粗鲁地嗅了嗅，说：“他闻起来就像一只宠物猫！别告诉我，我将要同这种令人作呕的气味共居一室！”
火爪有些吃惊。自从他和长尾打斗过后，所有的猫都对他非常友好。火爪心里暗想：
也许乌爪带来的消息令他们忘了这回事。
灰爪抱歉地说：“你务必要原谅沙爪，她一定是在什么地方遇到不顺心的事了，她的脾气一向挺好的。”
“呸！”沙爪粗鲁地啐了口唾沫。
“别闹了，年轻人。”他们身后响起白风低沉的声音，“沙爪！作为你的老师，我希望你能对这个新来的学徒友好些。”
“对不起，白风。”沙爪抬起头，一脸的不服气，她的声音里没有丝毫“对不起”的意思，“我只是不想和一只宠物猫在一起训练，仅此而已！”
白风平静地说：“你会习惯的，沙爪。天色已晚，明天一早还要训练呢，你们三个抓紧时间睡觉吧。”他责备地看了沙爪一眼，沙爪顺从地点点头。等白风离开后，沙爪转身消失在香薇丛里。经过火爪身边的时候，她又使劲地嗅了嗅。
灰爪跟在沙爪后面，他晃晃尾巴，示意火爪跟来。巢穴内的地面上铺着一层层的苔藓，在清冷的月光下呈现出淡淡的绿色。这里比外面暖和得多，空气中弥漫着香薇的芳香气味。
火爪问：“我睡哪里？”
沙爪揶揄说：“随便，不过得离我远一点儿！”她用爪子将一些苔藓围成一堆。
灰爪和火爪对视了一眼，但没有做声。火爪用爪子围了些苔藓，聚成一个舒适的小窝后躺进去。他全身感到一种惬意的疲倦。这就是他的家了，从今往后，他就是雷族的一名族员了。
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
“Hey, Firepaw, wake up!”Graypaw’s meow broke into Firepaw’s dream. He had been chasing a squirrel, up and up, into the topmost branches of a tall oak.
“Training begins at sunrise. Dustpaw and Sandpaw are already up,” Graypaw added urgently.
Firepaw stretched sleepily, then remembered: today was his first day of training. He leaped to his paws. His drowsiness evaporated as excitement surged through his veins.
Graypaw was giving himself a hasty wash. Between licks, he meowed, “I’ve just spoken to Lionheart. Ravenpaw won’t be training with us till his wound is better. He’ll probably stay at Spottedleaf’s den for another day or two. Dustpaw and Sandpaw are on hunting duty. So Lionheart thought you and I could train with him and Tigerclaw this morning. We’d better hurry, though,” he added. “They’ll be waiting!”
Graypaw led Firepaw quickly through the gorse entrance of the camp and up the side of the rock-strewn valley. As they climbed over the crest of the ravine, a cool breeze ruffled their fur. Fat, white clouds raced across the blue sky overhead. Firepaw felt fierce joy well up inside him as he followed Graypaw down a tree-shaded slope and into a sandy hollow.
Tigerclaw and Lionheart were indeed waiting, sitting a few tail-lengths apart on the sun-warmed sand.
“In future, I expect you both to be punctual,” growled Tigerclaw.
“Don’t be too severe, Tigerclaw; it was a busy night last night. I expect they were tired,” meowed Lionheart gently. “You have not yet been assigned a mentor, Firepaw,” he went on. “For now, Tigerclaw and I will share your training.”
Firepaw nodded enthusiastically, his tail held high, unable to disguise his delight at having two such great warriors as his mentors
“Come,” meowed Tigerclaw impatiently. “Today we are going to show you the edges of our territory, so that you know where you will be hunting and what boundaries you need to protect. Graypaw, it won’t do you any harm to remind yourself of the Clan’s outer limits.”
Without another word, Tigerclaw leaped up and bounded out of the sandy hollow. Lionheart nodded to Graypaw and they took off with equal speed. Firepaw scrambled after them, his paws slipping on the soft sand.
The trees were thick in this part of the forest, birch and ash trees overshadowed by mighty oaks. The ground was carpeted with crisp dead leaves that rustled beneath their paws. Tigerclaw paused to spray his scent on a thick clump of ferns. The other cats stopped beside him.
“There is a Twoleg path here,” murmured Lionheart. “Use your nose, Firepaw. Can you smell anything?”
Firepaw sniffed. There was the faint scent of a Twoleg, and the stronger smell of a dog, familiar to him from his old home. “A Twoleg has walked his dog along here, but they are gone now,” he mewed.
“Good,” meowed Lionheart. “Do you think it is safe to cross?”
Firepaw sniffed again. The odors were weak and seemed overlaid with fresher forest smells. “Yes,” he replied.
Tigerclaw nodded, and the four cats stalked out from beneath the ferns and crossed the sharp stones of the narrow Twoleg path.
The trees beyond were pine. They grew tall and straight, row after row. It was easy to walk silently here. The ground was thick with layers of dead needles, which prickled against Firepaw’s pads but felt spongy underneath. There was no undergrowth here to hide in, and Firepaw sensed tension in the other cats as they stalked unprotected between the tree trunks.
“Twolegs put these trees here,” meowed Tigerclaw. “They cut them down with foul-smelling creatures, which spew enough fumes to make a kit go blind. Then they take the fallen trees to the Treecut place that lies near here.”
Firepaw stopped and listened for the roar of the tree-eater, which he had heard before.
“The Treecut place will be silent for a few moons more, until the time of greenleaf,” explained Graypaw, noticing his pause.
The cats padded on through the pine forest.
“Twolegplace lies in that direction,” meowed Tigerclaw, flicking his thick tail to one side. “No doubt you can smell it, Firepaw. Today, however, we will head the other way.”
Eventually they reached another Twoleg path that marked the far edge of the pine forest. They quickly crossed over into the safe bushes of the oak woods beyond. But Firepaw still sensed anxiety in the other cats.
“We’re approaching RiverClan territory,” whispered Graypaw. “The Sunningrocks are over there.” He pointed with his soft muzzle to a treeless mound of boulders.
Firepaw felt his fur stand on end. This was where Redtail had been slain.
Lionheart stopped by a flat gray rock. “This is the boundary between ThunderClan and RiverClan territory. RiverClan rules the hunting grounds beside the great river,” he meowed. “Breathe deeply, Firepaw.”
The pungent smell of unfamiliar cats hit the roof of Firepaw’s mouth. He was surprised how different it smelled from the warm cat scents of the ThunderClan camp. And he was also surprised to realize just how familiar and comforting the ThunderClan scents seemed to him already.
“That is the smell of RiverClan,” Tigerclaw growled beside him. “Remember it well. It will be strongest at the boundary, because their warriors will have scent-marked the trees along here.” With these words, the dark tabby lifted his tail and sprayed his own mark on the flat rock.
“We’ll follow this boundary line, as it leads straight to Fourtrees,” Lionheart meowed.
He set off quickly, away from the Sunningrocks, followed by Tigerclaw. Graypaw and Firepaw trotted after them.
“What is Fourtrees?” Firepaw panted.
“It is where the territories of all four Clans meet,” replied Graypaw. “There are four great oaks there, as old as the Clans—”
“Be quiet!” ordered Tigerclaw. “Don’t forget how close we are to enemy territory!”
The two apprentices fell silent and Firepaw concentrated on walking silently. They crossed a shallow stream, keeping their paws dry by leaping from boulder to boulder across the pebbly riverbed.
By the time they reached Fourtrees, Firepaw was feeling completely out of breath and his paws ached. He wasn’t used to traveling so far and so fast. He was quite relieved when Lionheart and Tigerclaw led them out of the thick woods and stopped at the brow of a bush-covered slope.
It was sunhigh now. The clouds had cleared, and the wind had dropped. Below, in the dazzling sunlight, stood four enormous oaks, their dark green crowns reaching almost to the top of the steep slope.
“As Graypaw told you,” meowed Lionheart to Firepaw, “this is Fourtrees, where the territories of all four Clans meet. WindClan governs the high ground ahead of us, where the sun sets. You won’t be able to catch their scent today—the wind is blowing toward them. But you’ll learn it soon enough.”
“And ShadowClan holds power over there, in the darkest part of the forest,” added Graypaw, flicking his head sideways. “The elders say that the cold winds from the north blow over the ShadowClan cats and chill their hearts.”
“So many Clans!” Firepaw exclaimed. And so well organized,he added to himself, remembering Smudge’s lurid tales of wildcats wreaking terror in the forest.
“You see now why prey is so precious,” meowed Lionheart. “Why we must fight to protect what little we have.”
“But that seems foolish! Why can’t the Clans work together and share their hunting grounds, instead of fighting each other?” Firepaw suggested boldly.
A shocked silence greeted his words.
Tigerclaw was the first to reply. “That is treacherous thinking, kittypet,” he snapped.
“Don’t be too fierce, Tigerclaw,” warned Lionheart. “The ways of the Clans are new to this apprentice.” He looked at Firepaw. “You speak from your heart, young Firepaw. This will make you a stronger warrior one day.”
Tigerclaw growled. “Or it might make him give in to kittypet weakness right at the moment of attack.”
Lionheart glanced briefly at Tigerclaw before he continued. “The four Clans do come together peacefully, in a Gathering each moon. Here”—he bent his head toward the four mighty oaks below—“is where they meet. The truce lasts for as long as the moon is at its fullest.”
“Then there must be a meeting very soon?” Firepaw suggested, remembering how bright the moonlight had been the night before.
“Indeed there is!” answered Lionheart, sounding impressed. “Tonight, in fact. The Gatherings are very important because they allow the Clans to come together in peace for one night. But you must understand that longer alliances bring more trouble than they’re worth.”
“It is our Clan loyalty that makes us strong,” Tigerclaw meowed in agreement. “If you weaken that loyalty, you weaken our chances of survival.”
Firepaw nodded. “I understand,” he mewed.
“Come on,” meowed Lionheart, standing up. “Let’s keep moving.”
They paced along the ridge of the valley where Fourtrees stood. Now they were heading away from the sun as it began to sink in the afternoon sky. They crossed the stream at a place where it was narrow enough to leap over in one jump.
Firepaw sniffed the air. A new cat-scent touched his mouth glands, strong and sour. “Which Clan is that?” he asked.
“ShadowClan,” answered Tigerclaw grimly. “We are traveling along their border. Keep your wits about you, Firepaw. Fresher scents mean that a ShadowClan patrol is in the area.”
As Firepaw nodded, he heard a new noise. He stiffened, but the other cats kept up their pace, heading straight for the ominous rumbling.
“What’s that?” he called, trotting to catch up with them.
“You’ll see in a moment,” replied Lionheart.
Firepaw peered through the trees ahead. They seemed to be getting thinner, letting in a broad band of sunlight. “Are we at the edge of the woods?” he asked. Then he stopped and took a deep breath. The green forest scents were overlaid with other strange, dark smells. This time it was not cat-scent, but an odor that reminded him of his old Twoleg home. And the rumbling was getting louder, a ceaseless roar that made the ground tremble and ached in Firepaw’s ears.
“This is the Thunderpath,” meowed Tigerclaw.
Firepaw followed as Lionheart led them toward the edge of the forest. Then he sat down and all four cats looked out.
Firepaw could see a gray path like a river, cutting its way through the forest. The hard gray stone stretched ahead of him so far that the trees on the other side seemed blurred and tiny. Firepaw shuddered at the bitter smell that rose from the path.
Next moment he leaped back, his fur bristling, as a gigantic monster roared past. The branches of the trees on either side flapped madly in the wind that chased the speeding monster. Firepaw stared around at the other cats, his eyes wide, unable to speak. He had seen paths like this before near his old Twoleg home, but never this wide, nor with monsters so swift and fierce.
“Scared me too the first time,” remarked Graypaw. “But at least it helps to keep ShadowClan warriors from crossing into our territory. The Thunderpath runs for many pawsteps along our boundary line. And don’t worry; those monsters never seem to leave the Thunderpath. You’ll be fine as long as you don’t go too near.”
“It’s time we returned to camp,” meowed Lionheart. “You have seen all our boundaries now. But we’ll avoid Snakerocks, even though the way around is longer. An untrained apprentice would be easy prey for an adder, and I expect you are getting tired, Firepaw.”
Firepaw couldn’t help feeling relieved at the thought of returning to the camp. His head was spinnning with all the new smells and sights, and Lionheart was right: he was tired, and hungry. He fell in behind Graypaw as the cats turned away from the Thunderpath and headed back into the forest.
The dewy scents of evening filled the air as Firepaw made his way through the gorse entrance into the ThunderClan camp. Fresh-kill was waiting for them. Firepaw and Graypaw took their share from the pile that lay in a shady part of the clearing and carried it to the tree stump outside their quarters.
Dustpaw and Sandpaw were already there, munching hungrily.
“Hi, there, kittypet,” mewed Dustpaw, narrowing his eyes scornfully at Firepaw. “Enjoy the food wecaught for you.”
“Who knows, you might even learn to catch your own one day!” sneered Sandpaw.
“Are you two still on hunting duty?” asked Graypaw innocently. “Never mind. We’ve been patrolling our territory borders. You’ll be glad to know all is safe.”
“I’m sure the other Clans were terrified when they smelled you two coming!” yowled Dustpaw.
“They didn’t even dare show their faces,” retorted Graypaw, unable to hide his anger.
“Well, we’ll ask them tonight when we see them at the Clan Gathering,” mewed Sandpaw.
“Are you going?” Firepaw blurted out, impressed in spite of the apprentices’ hostility.
“Of course,” replied Dustpaw loftily. “It’s a great honor, you know. But don’t worry; we’ll tell you all about it in the morning.”
Graypaw ignored Dustpaw’s gloating and started eating his fresh-kill. Firepaw was hungry too, and crouched down to eat. He couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy that Dustpaw and Sandpaw were actually going to meet the other Clans tonight.
A loud call from Bluestar made Firepaw look up. He watched several of the Clan warriors and elders gather in the clearing. It was time for the Clan party to leave for the Gathering. Dustpaw and Sandpaw leaped to their feet and trotted off to join the other cats.
“’Bye, you two,” called Sandpaw over her shoulder. “Have a nice, quiet evening!”
The assembled cats stalked out of the camp entrance in single file, with Bluestar at the head. Her fur glowed like silver in the moonlight, and she looked calm and confident as she led her Clan to the brief truce between old enemies.
“Have you ever been to a Gathering?” Firepaw asked Graypaw wistfully.
“Not yet,” replied Graypaw, crunching loudly on a mouse bone. “But it won’t be long now; just you wait. All the apprentices get to go sometime.”
The two apprentices ate the rest of their meal in silence. When they had finished, Graypaw wandered over to Firepaw and began to groom his head. Together they washed, sharing tongues as Firepaw had seen the other cats do when he first arrived. Then, tired after the long trek, they pushed their way into their den. They settled down in their nests and quickly fell asleep.
The following morning, Graypaw and Firepaw arrived early at the sandy hollow. They had crept out before Sandpaw and Dustpaw woke. Firepaw had been eager to hear about the Gathering, but Graypaw had dragged him away. “You’ll hear all about it later, if I know those two,” he had mewed.
It promised to be another warm day. And this time Ravenpaw came to join them. Thanks to Spottedleaf, his wound was healing well.
Graypaw played around, scooping leaves into the air and leaping after them. Firepaw watched, his tail twitching with amusement. Ravenpaw sat quietly at one side of the hollow, looking tense and unhappy.
“Cheer up, Ravenpaw!” called Graypaw. “I know you don’t like training, but you’re not usually this miserable!”
The scents of Lionheart and Tigerclaw warned the apprentices of their approach, and Ravenpaw mewed hastily, “I suppose I’m just worried about my shoulder getting hurt again.”
At that moment, Tigerclaw emerged from the bushes, closely followed by Lionheart.
“Warriors should suffer their pain silently,” growled Tigerclaw. He looked Ravenpaw straight in the eye. “You need to learn to hold your tongue.”
Ravenpaw flinched and dropped his eyes to the ground.
“Tigerclaw’s a bit grumpy today,” Graypaw whispered into Firepaw’s ear.
Lionheart glanced at his apprentice sternly and announced, “Today we are going to practice stalking. Now, there is a big difference between creeping up on a rabbit and creeping up on a mouse. Can any of you tell me why?”
Firepaw had no idea, and Ravenpaw seemed to have taken Tigerclaw’s comment to heart and was holding his tongue.
“Come on!” snorted Tigerclaw impatiently.
It was Graypaw who answered: “Because a rabbit will smell you before he sees you, but a mouse will feel your pawsteps through the ground before he even smells you.”
“Exactly, Graypaw! So what must you bear in mind when hunting mice?”
“Step lightly?” Firepaw suggested.
Lionheart looked approvingly at him. “Quite right, Firepaw. You must take all your weight into your haunches, so that your paws make no impact on the forest floor. Let’s try it!”
Firepaw watched as Graypaw and Ravenpaw immediately dropped into a stalking crouch.
“Nicely done, Graypaw!” meowed Lionheart as the two apprentices began to move forward stealthily.
“Keep your rear down, Ravenpaw, you look like a duck!” spat Tigerclaw. “Now you try it, Firepaw.”
Firepaw crouched down and began to creep across the forest floor. He felt himself fall instinctively into the right position, and as he stepped forward, as silently and lightly as he could, he felt a glow of pride that his muscles responded so smoothly.
“Well, it’s obvious you’ve known nothing but softness!” growled Tigerclaw. “You stalk like a lumbering kittypet! Do you think dinner is going to come and lie down in your food dish and wait to be eaten?”
Firepaw sat up quickly as Tigerclaw spoke, a little taken aback by his harsh words. He listened carefully to the warrior, determined to get everything right.
“His pace and forward movement will come later, but his crouch is perfectly balanced,” Lionheart pointed out mildly.
“Which is better than Ravenpaw, I suppose,” complained Tigerclaw. He cast a scornful look at the black cat. “Even after two moons of training, you’re still putting all your weight on your left side.”
Ravenpaw looked even more dejected, and Firepaw couldn’t stop himself from blurting out, “His injury is bothering him, that’s all!”
Tigerclaw whipped his head around and glared at Firepaw. “Injuries are a fact of life. He should be able to adapt. Even you, Firepaw, have learned something this morning. If Ravenpaw picked up things as quickly as you, he’d be a credit to me instead of an embarrassment. Imagine being shown up by a kittypet!” he spat angrily at his apprentice.
Firepaw felt his fur prickle with discomfort. He couldn’t meet Ravenpaw’s eyes, so he looked down at his paws.
“Well, I’mmore lopsided than a one-legged badger,” mewed Graypaw, breaking off from his careful stalking to stagger comically across the clearing. “I think I’ll have to settle for hunting stupid mice. They won’t stand a chance. I shall just wander up to them and sit on them till they surrender.”
“Concentrate, young Graypaw. This is no time for your jokes!” meowed Lionheart sternly. “Perhaps you might focus your mind better if you try out your stalking for real.”
All three apprentices looked up brightly.
“I want each one of you to try catching real prey,” meowed Lionheart. “Ravenpaw, you look beside the Owltree. Graypaw, there might be something in that big bramble patch over there. And you, Firepaw, follow the rabbit track over that rise; you’ll find the dry bed of a winter stream. You may find something there.”
The three apprentices bounded away, even Ravenpaw finding some extra energy for this challenge.
With the blood pounding in his ears, Firepaw crept slowly up over the rise. Sure enough, a streambed cut through the trees ahead of him. In leaf-fall, he guessed it would carry the rainwater away from the forest and into the great river that cut through RiverClan territory. Now it was dry.
Firepaw crept quietly down the bank and crouched on its sandy floor. Every sense felt on fire with tension. Silently he scanned the empty stream for signs of life. He watched for any tiny movement, his mouth open so he could pick up the smallest scent, his ears twisted forward.
Then he smelled mouse. He recognized the odor instantly, remembering his first taste the night before. Wild energy surged through him, but he remained motionless, trying desperately to pinpoint the prey.
He strained his ears forward until he picked up the rapid pulsing of a tiny mouse heart. Then a flash of brown caught his eye. The creature was scrambling through the long grass that draped the edges of the stream. Firepaw shifted closer, remembering to keep his weight on his haunches until he was within striking distance. Then he pushed back hard on his hindpaws and sprang, kicking up sand as he rose.
The mouse raced away. But Firepaw was quicker. He scooped it into the air with one paw, threw it onto the sandy streambed, and lunged on top of it. He killed it quickly with one sharp bite.
Firepaw carefully lifted the warm body between his teeth and returned with his tail held high to the hollow where Tigerclaw and Lionheart waited. He had made his first kill. He was a true ThunderClan apprentice now.
第五章
第五章
“嘿，火爪，醒醒！”灰爪的呼唤声打断了火爪的美梦。在梦里，他正在追逐一只松鼠，他越爬越高，一直爬到一棵高大的橡树的树顶。
灰爪催促说：“天一亮就开始训练。尘爪和沙爪已经起床了。”
火爪伸了个懒腰，接着想起今天是他接受训练的第一天，他一下子从窝里跳起，睡意全消，浑身的血液都充满了兴奋。
灰爪仓促清理着自己的身体，一边舔着毛一边说：“我和狮心谈过了。乌爪在伤口愈合之前不参加训练，他会在斑叶的巫医巢穴待上一两天，尘爪和沙爪今天要去捕猎，因此，狮心想让咱们俩今天早上接受他和虎掌的训练。我们得抓紧了，他们一定在等我们呢！”
灰爪领着火爪飞快地穿过金雀花通道，走上布满石子的山谷。他们爬上山谷，顿感凉风习习，洁白厚重的云层在头顶上空缓缓飘荡。当他们顺着斜坡下到一个大沙坑的时候，火爪感到一种从未有过的欢乐。
虎掌和狮心早已等候多时。他们坐在被太阳晒得暖暖的沙地上，彼此保持着一小段距离。
虎掌呵斥道：“下一次，我希望你们能有些时间观念！”
狮心温和地说：“别太严肃了，虎掌，昨晚他们够忙的，我估计他们都累坏了。现在，由我和虎掌给你们上课。”
火爪热情洋溢地点点头，尾巴翘得高高的，丝毫不掩饰欢快的心情：他有两位伟大的武士来当老师。
虎掌不耐烦地说：“好了，今天我们带你们去看看领地的边界，你们就知道该在哪里打猎，应该守卫哪里了。灰爪，再熟悉一次我们的边界对你也没什么坏处。”
虎掌不再多说，纵身跃出沙坑。狮心向灰爪打个招呼后一齐离去。火爪吃力地跟在他们后面，一步一滑地走在柔软的沙地上。
这里的森林格外茂密，巨大的橡树甚至遮盖住了白桦树，落叶铺满地面，走在上面噼啪作响。虎掌停下脚步在一丛密实的香薇丛中寻觅自己留下的气味，其他猫在一旁等候。
狮心小声说：“这里有一条两脚兽的路。火爪，你能嗅到什么吗？”
火爪嗅了嗅。有一股微弱的两脚兽的气味，还有稍强烈些的狗的气味，这些气味对离家出走的他来说再熟悉不过了。他说：“一个两脚兽曾在这里遛狗，不过已经走了。”
狮心说：“很好。你认为现在能够安全通过吗？”
火爪又嗅了嗅。两脚兽和狗的气味很弱，几乎要被森林里的新鲜气味覆盖。他回答说：“是的。”
虎掌点了点头。四只猫走出香薇丛，穿过两脚兽用小石子铺成的小路。
穿过小路是一片松树林，一根根修长挺拔的松木成排堆放在路边。走在这里，再也听不到树叶的噼啪声。地面上是厚厚的松针，走在上面，虽然有些扎脚，但弹性十足。松木堆之间没有可供躲藏的灌木丛，由于完全暴露在明处，火爪能感觉到大家都很紧张。
虎掌说：“这些树木都是两脚兽们堆放在这里的。他们用一种散发着油味的机器砍倒大树，那种机器冒出的烟能把幼崽的眼睛熏瞎。他们砍倒大树后就送往附近的切割机那里去。”
火爪停下脚步，想听听切割机发出的怒吼声。这种声音他在以前曾听到过。
灰爪看到他停住脚步，于是对他解释说：“在树叶发绿之前，切割机要安静上好几个月。”
他们走过松树林。
“两脚兽们的地盘位于那个方向。”虎掌的尾巴摆向一边，说，“你当然能闻出来，火爪，只不过今天我们要走另一边。”
最终他们到达两脚兽修建的另一条公路，这条路是顺着松树林的漫长边界修建的。他们快速通过公路，抵达路那边安全的橡树林中。但是火爪仍能感觉到其他猫并没有放松心情。
灰爪小声说：“我们正靠近河族的领地。太阳石就在那边。”他冲着一块光秃秃的大石头仰仰鼻子。
火爪毛发竖立。这里就是红尾的丧命之地。
狮心在一块灰白平滑的石头前停下脚步说：“这块石头就是雷、河两族的边界，那条大河边就是河族所谓的猎场。深吸口气，火爪。”
一股刺鼻的陌生气味直冲火爪的口腔顶部。它与火爪在雷族的营地里闻到的那种温暖气息截然不同，这一点令他惊诧不已。更令他惊奇的是，雷族的气味现在对他来说已经是那么熟悉和舒适。
虎掌在一旁大声说：“那是河族的气味，牢牢记住它。河族的武士沿着边界的树木留下气味标记，所以这股气味在边界处最为浓烈。”说完这些话，虎掌翘起尾巴在大石边留下自己的标记。
狮心说：“顺着这条边界一直走，就能到达‘四棵树’。”
狮心从太阳石边快步离去，虎掌、灰爪和火爪紧紧跟随。
火爪喘着气问：“‘四棵树’是什么？”
灰爪回答：“那里是森林四大猫族群聚开会的场所。那里有四棵橡树，年龄同部族的历史一样古老……”
虎掌命令说：“别出声！别忘了敌人的领地近在咫尺！”
两个学徒立刻闭上嘴。火爪默不做声，专心致志地走路。他们穿过一条浅溪，在溪流中的石头上跳跃行走以免浸湿爪子。
火爪从来没有走得这么远、这么快。当赶到“四棵树”的时候，他上气不接下气，爪子又酸又痛。狮心和虎掌领着他们走出浓密的丛林，停在一处灌木覆盖的斜坡顶上。火爪这才长长地松了口气。
日近中午，碧空万里无云，斜坡下四株巨大的橡树挺立在耀眼的阳光中，深绿色的树冠几乎高过山冈。
狮心对火爪说：“这里就是灰爪对你说过的‘四棵树’，四大猫族就是在这里开会。风族统治着西边那处高地，今天你闻不到他们的气味——他们处在下风向，但你很快就会知道他们是哪种气味了。”
“那片最黑暗的森林由影族掌管。”灰爪的尾巴摆向一边，他补充说，“老一辈们常说，北边刮来的寒风把影族猫的心都吹冷了。”
火爪感叹：“真是族群林立呀！”他想起斯玛讲的那些关于生性残忍的野猫们骇人听闻的传说，心里暗想：原来他们的组织竟然如此严密！
狮心说：“你现在知道为什么猎物如此珍贵，为什么我们必须奋力保护仅有的那点儿猎物了吧！”
火爪壮着胆子问：“但是战争是愚蠢的，为什么大家不能齐心协力共享家园，而非要争战不休、拼个你死我活呢？”
他的话引起一阵沉寂。
虎掌第一个语带嘲弄地回答说：“这可是一种叛逆的想法，宠物猫。”
狮心说：“别太苛刻了，虎掌，他还不了解族群的生活方式。”他看着火爪说：“小火爪，你情感真挚，这会使你终将成为一名更为强大的武士。”
虎掌大声说：“这也许会使他在遭受袭击时表现出宠物猫的软弱而举手投降。”
狮心瞥了虎掌一眼，继续说：“每当月圆之夜，四大族群都要化干戈为玉帛，共聚一堂。”他低头瞅着那四株巨大的橡树，“这里就是开会的地方。会期要延续整个晚上。”
火爪想起昨晚皎洁的月光，问：“如此说来，很快就要开会了？”
狮心赞许地回答：“非常正确！事实上，会议就在今晚举行。这种会议非常重要，因为它能使各个族群和平地共处一晚。你应当清楚，长时间的结盟总是弊大于利。”
虎掌赞同地说：“对自己族群的忠诚使我们强大，没有忠诚，就没有生存的机会。”
火爪点点头说：“我懂了。”
狮心站起身来：“好了，继续前进。”
已是日薄西山，他们背对着太阳落山的方向、沿着所在的山谷边缘走。路上遇到一条窄窄的小溪，他们一跃而过。
火爪嗅了嗅空气，一股陌生的猫的气味扑面而来，浓烈而带有酸臭味。他问：“这是哪个族的气味？”
虎掌阴郁地回答：“是影族。这里是他们的边界。”
“保持头脑清醒，火爪。这股气味很新鲜，说明他们正在附近巡逻。”狮心说。
火爪点点头，这时他听到一种陌生的噪声，他一下子紧张起来。其他的猫却没有停下脚步，径直向骇人的隆隆声走去。
火爪快步赶上问：“那是什么声音？”
狮心回答说：“一会儿你就知道了。”
火爪透过树林朝前看。虽然这里阳光充足，但树木已变得稀稀落落。他问：“这里是森林的边缘吗？”接着他停下脚步深吸了一口气。
另一种陌生的、难闻的气味遮掩住了森林的气息。这次不是猫的气味，而是一种他原来住在两脚兽家时闻到过的气味。隆隆声越来越响，无休无止的轰鸣震得他耳朵发痛，大地也随之颤抖。
虎掌说：“这就是雷鬼路。”
狮心领着他们走到森林边坐了下来，朝外面望去。
火爪看到一条灰色的马路像河流一般从森林间穿过，灰白色的坚硬岩石从他面前铺展向远方，远端的丛林显得模糊而渺小。马路上升起一股刺鼻难闻的气味，使火爪几欲作呕。
一只巨大的怪物呼啸而过，火爪吓得毛发直立，连忙后退。急驰而过的怪物掀起一阵强风，吹得路边的树叶噼啪乱响。火爪看了看其他的猫，眼睛睁得大大的，一时说不出话来。他当宠物猫的时候也曾看到过类似这样的马路，但绝对没有这么宽，路上的怪物跑得也没有这么快、这么野。
灰爪说：“我第一次来的时候也被吓坏了。但有这条路在，至少影族不敢轻易踏进我们的领地。这条路沿着我们的边界修建得很长。别担心，那些怪物似乎从不离开雷鬼路，只要你别走得太近，就不会惹上麻烦。”
狮心说：“我们该返回营地了。你已经看了我们所有的边界。回去时我们要多走些路，我们必须绕开蛇岩。一名未经训练的学徒很容易就成为毒蛇口中的美食。火爪，我想你已经很累了吧。”
火爪想着返回营地的路程，心里沉甸甸的。他的脑子一直随着新的气味和景物的出现而转个不停。狮心说得对，他现在又饿又累。当大家离开雷鬼路返回森林的时候，火爪落在队伍的最后。
穿过金雀花通道返回营地，空气中弥漫着夜间露水的气息，新鲜的猎物在等待他们享用。火爪和灰爪从会场阴暗处的食物堆里取走属于自己的那份，来到他们巢穴外的树桩前。
尘爪和沙爪正坐在那里贪婪地大口咀嚼食物。
尘爪轻蔑地眯起眼睛瞅着火爪说：“嘿，这边，宠物猫，好好享受我们为你提供的美味吧。”
沙爪讥笑着说：“鬼才知道，也许有一天连你都学会捕食了！”
灰爪天真地问：“今天你们又出去打猎了？别生气，我们出去巡逻边界了。谢天谢地，边界很安全。”
尘爪大声讥讽道：“我想那是因为他们知道你们两位大驾光临，就全都被吓跑了。”
灰爪没好气地说：“哼，他们连面都不敢照一下。”
沙爪说：“今晚我们会在森林大会上向他们问个究竟。”
“你们也去吗？”火爪脱口而出。尽管遭到尘爪和沙爪的冷嘲热讽，但他仍然十分羡慕他们。
“当然了。”尘爪自豪地说，“不是谁都有这种机会的。不过请放心，明天早上我们会把今晚的事情滴水不漏地告诉你们。”
灰爪不理尘爪的吹嘘，低头大嚼自己的美味。火爪饥饿难忍，也俯下身子吃了起来。
得知尘爪和沙爪要在今晚与其他族群碰面，他不由得心生妒意。
蓝星的一声高呼使火爪抬起头，他看到几名武士和一些年老的猫已聚集在会场上。参加森林大会的队伍要出发了，沙爪和尘爪跳起身加入队伍中去。
“再见，两位。”沙爪转头喊道，“今晚过得开心些！”
蓝星领着众猫排成一列，依次走出金雀花通道。她身上的毛在月光下像碎银般闪耀发光。她镇静而自信，带领自己的族群前去与往日的宿敌会面。
火爪问灰爪：“你参加过森林大会吗？”
“还没有。”灰爪嘎吱嘎吱地嚼着一根老鼠尾巴，“但不会太久的，耐心等等吧，所有的学徒都有机会去的。”
两只猫默默吃完剩余的食物后，灰爪走到火爪面前开始舔梳他的脑袋，就像火爪当初进入雷族时看到的那样，他们为彼此舔梳清理。接着，他们伸个懒腰，走进巢穴内，找到自己的窝后倒头大睡。
第二天上午，灰爪和火爪早早来到沙坑。他们从巢穴出来的时候，沙爪和尘爪正在酣睡。火爪急不可耐地想打听森林大会的情况，但灰爪硬将他拖走了。灰爪说：“我了解他们，迟些他们会原原本本全告诉你的。”
又是一个艳阳天。这次乌爪也加入他们的训练中。多亏了斑叶，他的伤才能这么快愈合。
灰爪到处玩耍，将树叶踢飞到半空后跳起来抓住。火爪饶有兴趣地在一旁观看，尾巴晃来晃去。乌爪则静静地坐在沙坑的另一边，情绪紧张而低落。
灰爪喊道：“打起精神！我知道你不喜欢训练，但你平时可不像今天这么惨啊！”
狮心和虎掌的气味使学徒们察觉到他们的到来，乌爪赶忙说：“我只是担心肩膀再受伤罢了。”
就在这时，虎掌出现在树丛前，狮心紧随其后。
虎掌呵斥道：“武士不应当受一点儿苦就到处宣扬。”他盯着乌爪的眼睛说，“小心管好你的嘴巴！”
乌爪缩成一团，低头瞅着地面。
灰爪在火爪的耳边小声说：“虎掌今天的脾气不好。”
狮心瞪了他的徒弟一眼，郑重其事地说：“今天我们训练如何偷袭猎物。我们知道，在匍匐接近兔子和匍匐接近老鼠两者之间有很大差别，你们谁能告诉我原因何在呢？”
火爪对此一无所知，乌爪似乎牢记虎掌的告诫，当真一声不吭。
虎掌不耐烦地说：“快点儿回答！”
灰爪回答说：“因为兔子的嗅觉比视觉灵敏，所以它们会先闻到气味后看到我们；而老鼠的嗅觉则比不上它们爪子的触觉，所以它们在闻到气味之前就从地面的震动感应到我们在接近了。”
“非常正确，灰爪！那么，你们在捉老鼠的时候要牢记什么？”
火爪猜测说：“放轻脚步？”
狮心赞许地看着他说：“答对了，火爪。你们一定要把重心落在身体的后半部分，这样爪子就不会重压在地面上了。我们来试试看！”
灰爪和乌爪立刻俯下身子摆出偷袭的姿势。
看着两个学徒开始悄无声息地向前匍匐，狮心说：“做得好，灰爪！”
虎掌骂道：“屁股压低点儿，乌爪。你看起来就像只鸭子！”
火爪趴下身子开始在地面上匍匐。他感到自己本能地进入到正确状态，他尽可能地做到静而轻，边向前爬，边为自己的肌肉能够如此舒展平滑而扬扬自得。
虎掌大声说：“哼，很显然，除了保持轻柔外，你什么都不知道。你向前爬时笨得像只宠物猫！你以为猎物会跑过来躺在你的盘子里等你前去赏光吗？”
听了虎掌尖酸刻薄的话，火爪吓得立刻站起身，不敢再尝试了。他认真聆听武士的教诲，心里暗下决心要做好每一个动作。
狮心温和地指出：“他的步子和前移的动作没有跟上，但俯卧时平衡保持得不错。”
虎掌抱怨说：“我看他比乌爪还强些。”他轻蔑地瞥了一眼自己的徒弟，“你好歹训练了两个多月，怎么仍然把重心放在身体的左半部分呢？”
乌爪越发垂头丧气，火爪忍不住冲口而出：“那全是因为他受到伤口的影响罢了！”
虎掌猛然扭头瞪着火爪：“只要活着就有受伤的可能，他应当学会适应。就连你，火爪，今天早上也学到些东西。如果乌爪学东西能像你一般快，他带给我的就将是一项荣誉而不是耻辱。在一只宠物猫面前丢人现眼，你不觉得难堪吗？”他怒不可遏，冲乌爪喝骂道。
火爪心里非常不舒服。他看不见乌爪的眼睛，因为此时乌爪正低头瞅着自己的爪子。
灰爪不再认认真真地匍匐，而是在空地上一瘸一拐、扮相滑稽地走来走去。他说：“嘿嘿，我的平衡还比不上一只独脚獾。如果我去捉那些笨老鼠们，它们半点儿逃跑的机会都没有。我会扑过去骑在它们身上直到它们大喊饶命。”
狮心责备说：“别搞怪，小灰爪，现在可不是你开玩笑的时候！认真练习匍匐动作也许能使你更专心些。”
三位学徒全都乐不可支。
狮心说：“我希望你们每一个都去实战演习一下。乌爪，你去猫头鹰树周围看看。灰爪，那片灌木丛也许会令你有所收获。还有你，火爪，到那边的坡上循着兔子的踪迹找一条干涸的溪流，你不会白跑一趟的。”
三名学徒分头行动。由于有了新挑战，就连乌爪也感觉精神抖擞。
血液一直冲上火爪的耳朵尖儿，他慢慢爬向山坡。就如狮心所说，现在，小溪里一滴水都没有。
火爪悄悄地从河岸爬下河床，每一步都战战兢兢、如履薄冰。他静静地搜寻河床中的生命迹象，不放过每一处细微的动静。他双耳朝前，张大嘴巴以尽可能地捕捉到最微弱的气味。
不久，火爪就闻到了一只老鼠的气味，他是在昨晚的美餐中认识这种气味的。野性的力量顿时涌遍他的全身，但他没有贸然行动，而是要分毫不差地确认猎物的方位。
他两耳前伸，听到老鼠心脏急速的搏动声。接着一团棕色的影子闪过眼前，那个小东西正在岸边的长草内爬行。火爪向前接近到攻击位置，时刻提醒自己把重心放在后半身上。然后，他身体后弓，纵身跳起，随着他离开地面，地上的沙土被带了起来。
老鼠仓皇逃窜，但它哪比得上火爪敏捷。火爪扑过去一把抓住它，用力一甩，老鼠滑过半空，跌落在河床上。火爪如影随形般跟过去扑在它身上，张嘴咬下去，老鼠顿时一命呜呼。
火爪高高翘起尾巴，叼着余温尚存的猎物胜利返回。这是他第一次进行捕猎，如今他是一名真真正正的雷族武士学徒了。
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
Early-morning sunlight streamed downonto the forest floor as Firepaw roamed in search of prey. Two moons had passed since he had begun his training. He felt at ease in this environment now. His senses had been awoken and educated in the ways of the woods.
Firepaw paused to sniff the earth and the cold blind things that moved within it. He caught the scent of a Twoleg that had wandered the forest recently. Now that greenleaf was fully here, leaves were thick on the branches and tiny creatures were busy beneath the carpet of leaf mold.
Firepaw made a lean, strong shape as he moved silently through the trees, all his senses alert for the scent trail that would end in a swift kill. Today he had been set his first solo task. He was determined to do well, even if his task was only to bring back fresh-kill for the Clan.
He headed for the stream that he had crossed on that first trek through the ThunderClan hunting grounds. It gurgled and spattered as it ran downhill over the smooth, round pebbles. Firepaw paused briefly to lap at the cold, clear water, then lifted his head and tested the air again for any scent of prey.
The stench of a fox lay heavy in the air here. The smell was stale, so the fox must have drunk here earlier in the day. Firepaw recognized the odor; he had smelled it on his first visit to the forest. Since then, Lionheart had taught him it was fox-scent, but, apart from the glimpse of the fox’s brush he had caught on that first outing, Firepaw had still never seen one properly.
He struggled to screen out the fox-stench and concentrate on prey-scent. Suddenly his whiskers prickled as he homed in on the warm blood-beat of prey—a water vole busy about its nest.
A moment later he saw the vole. The fat brown body was darting back and forth along the bank as it gathered grass stalks. Firepaw’s mouth watered in anticipation. His last meal had been many hours ago, but he dared not hunt for himself until the Clan had been fed. He remembered the words repeated by Lionheart and Tigerclaw time and time again: “The Clan must be fed first.”
Dropping into a crouch, Firepaw began to stalk the little creature. His orange belly fur brushed against the damp grass. He crept closer, his eyes never leaving his prey. Almost there. Another moment and he would be near enough to spring….
Suddenly there was a loud rustle in the ferns behind him. The water vole’s ears twitched and it disappeared down a hole in the bank
Firepaw felt the hackles rising along his spine. Whatever had ruined his first good chance of catching prey would have to pay.
He sniffed the air. He could tell it was a cat, but he realized with a jolt that he couldn’t identify which Clan it belonged to—the stale stench of fox still confused his smell-sense.
A growl rose in his throat as he began doubling back in a wide circle. He pricked up his ears and opened his eyes wide, seeking out any movement. He heard the undergrowth rustle again. It was louder now, off to one side. Firepaw edged closer. He could see the ferns moving, but the fronds still hid the enemy from view. A twig snapped with a sharp cracking noise. From the noise it’s making, it must be big,Firepaw thought, preparing himself for a fierce battle.
He leaped for the trunk of an ash and climbed swiftly and silently up to an overhanging branch. Below him the invisible warrior came closer, and closer still. Firepaw held his breath, judging his moment as the ferns were pushed aside and a large grayish shape emerged.
“Gr-aaar!” The battle cry rumbled in Firepaw’s throat. Claws unsheathed, he launched himself at the enemy and landed squarely on a set of furry, muscular shoulders. He dug in hard, gripping with thorn-sharp claws, ready to deal out a powerful warning bite.
“Wa-ah! What’sat?” The body below him shot straight up in the air, carrying him with it.
“Uh! Graypaw?” Firepaw recognized the astonished voice and caught his friend’s familiar smell, but he was too fired up to loosen his grip.
“Ambush! Murr-oww!” spat Graypaw, not realizing that the cat gripping onto his back was Firepaw. He rolled over and over in an attempt to dislodge his attacker.
“Uufff-ff!” Firepaw rolled with him, squashed and flattened beneath the heavy body. “It’s me—Firepaw!” he yowled as he struggled to pull free and sheath his claws. Rolling away, he sprang to his feet and gave himself a shake, which rippled all the way along his body to the end of his tail. “Graypaw! It’s me,” he repeated. “I thought you were an enemy warrior!”
Graypaw rose to his feet. He winced and shook himself. “It felt like it!” he grumbled, twisting his head around to lick his sore shoulders. “You’ve raked me to shreds!”
“Sorry,” Firepaw mumbled. “But what was I supposed to think, with you creeping up on me like that?”
“Creeping up!” Graypaw’s eyes were round with indignation. “That was my best stealth crouch.”
“Stealth! You still stalk like a lopsided badger!” Firepaw teased. He flattened his ears playfully.
Graypaw gave a hiss of delight. “I’ll show you lopsided!”
The two cats leaped at each other and began rolling over and over in a play-fight. Graypaw swiped at Firepaw with a hefty paw and the young apprentice’s head buzzed with stars.
“Uufff-ff!” Firepaw shook his head to clear it and then launched a counterattack.
He managed to get in a couple of paw strikes before Graypaw overpowered him and held him down. Firepaw let his body go limp.
“You give up too easily!” mewed Graypaw, loosening his grip. As he did so, Firepaw sprang to his feet, firing Graypaw off his back and into the undergrowth.
Firepaw leaped after him and pinned him to the ground. “‘Surprise is the warrior’s greatest weapon,’” he crowed, quoting one of Lionheart’s favorite phrases. He jumped nimbly off Graypaw and began to squirm around in the leaf litter, enjoying his easy victory and the warmth of the earth against his back.
Graypaw seemed unbothered by his second defeat of the morning. It was too fine a day for bad temper. “So how’re you getting on with your task?” he asked.
Firepaw sat up. “I was doing just fine till you came along! I was about to catch a vole when your noisy trampling frightened it off.”
“Oh, sorry,” mewed Graypaw.
Firepaw looked at his crestfallen friend. “That’s okay. You didn’t know,” he purred. “Anyway,” he continued, “shouldn’t you be heading to meet the patrol on the WindClan border? I thought you had to give them a message from Bluestar.”
“Yeah, but there’s plenty of time. I was going to do a little hunting first. I’m starving!”
“Me too. But I’ve got to hunt for the Clan before I can hunt for myself.”
“I bet Dustpaw and Sandpaw used to swallow a shrew or two when they were on hunting duty,” snorted Graypaw.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, but this is my first solo assignment….”
“And you want to do it right; I know.” Graypaw sighed.
“What is the message from Bluestar, anyway?” Firepaw asked, changing the subject.
“She wants the patrol to wait at the Great Sycamore until she joins them at sunhigh. Seems that some ShadowClan cats have been prowling around. Bluestar wants to check things out.”
“You’d best get going then,” Firepaw reminded him.
“The WindClan hunting grounds aren’t too far from here. There’s plenty of time,” answered Graypaw confidently. “And I suppose I should help out after losing you that vole.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Firepaw mewed. “I’ll find another. It’s such a warm day, there should be quite a few out and about.”
“True. But you still have to catch them.” Graypaw nibbled at a front claw, stripping off a piece of the outer sheath thoughtfully. “You know, that could take you until way past sunhigh, maybe even until sunset.”
Firepaw nodded without enthusiasm as his belly gave a rumble. He would probably have to make three or four hunting trips before he had caught enough prey. Silverpelt would be in the sky before he got a chance to eat.
Graypaw stroked his whiskers. “Come on; I’ll help you get started. I owe you that, at least. We should be able to catch a couple of voles before I have to get going.”
Firepaw followed Graypaw upstream, glad of the company and the help. The fox-stench was still in the air, but suddenly it smelled stronger.
Firepaw paused. “Can you smell that?” he asked.
Graypaw stopped and sniffed the air too. “Fox. Yeah, I smelled it earlier.”
“Doesn’t it smell fresher to you now, though?” Firepaw asked.
Graypaw sniffed again, opening his mouth slightly. “You’re right,” he murmured, lowering his voice. He swiveled his head to look across the stream at the bushes in the woods beyond. “Look!” he whispered.
Firepaw looked. He saw something red and thick-haired moving among the bushes. It stepped into a clearing in the undergrowth and Firepaw saw a low body, glinting red in the dappled sunlight. Its tail was heavily furred and it had a long, narrow snout.
“So that’s a fox?” Firepaw whispered. “What an ugly muzzle!”
“You can say that again!” agreed Graypaw.
“I was following one of those when we first…met,” whispered Firepaw.
“More likely it was following you, you idiot!” hissed Graypaw. “Never trust a fox. Looks like a dog, behaves like a cat. We must warn the queens that one has strayed into our territory. Foxes are as bad as badgers when it comes to killing young kits. I’m just glad you didn’t catch up with the one you saw last time. He’d have made mousemeat out of a tiny scrap like you.” Firepaw looked a little put out, and Graypaw added, “You’d stand a better chance these days, though. Anyway, Bluestar will probably send a warrior patrol to scare it off. Put the queens’ minds at rest.”
The fox had not noticed them, so the two apprentices continued along the stream.
“So what does a badger look like?” Firepaw asked as they prowled along, sniffing to either side.
“Black and white, short legs. You’ll know one when you meet one. They’re bad-tempered, lumbering animals. They’re less likely to raid the nursery than a fox, but they have a vicious bite. How do you think old Halftail earned his name? He hasn’t been able to climb a tree since a badger bit his tail off!”
“Why not?”
“Scared of falling. A cat needs his tail if he wants to land on his feet. It helps him spin in midair.”
Firepaw nodded in understanding.
As Firepaw had predicted, hunting was good that day. Before long, Graypaw had pounced on a small mouse and Firepaw had caught a thrush. He quickly took its life. No time to practice killing techniques today; there were too many hungry mouths waiting back at camp. Firepaw kicked earth over the prey, so that it would be safe from predators until he came back for it.
Suddenly a squirrel broke cover.
Firepaw burst into action. “After it!” he called, pelting at full stretch over the springy woodland floor with Graypaw at his heels.
They slid to a halt as the squirrel scampered upward into a birch.
“Lost it!” Graypaw growled in disappointment.
Panting, the two cats stopped to catch their breath. The acrid stench that hit their mouths and noses surprised them.
“The Thunderpath,” Firepaw mewed. “I didn’t realize we’d come so far.”
The two cats edged forward to peer out of the forest at the great, dark path. It was the first time they had been here alone. A trail of noisy creatures growled along the hard surface, their dead eyes staring straight ahead.
“Yuck!” Graypaw snorted. “Those monsters really stink!”
Firepaw twitched his ears in agreement. The choking smells made his throat sting. “Have you ever been across the Thunderpath?” he mewed.
Graypaw shook his head.
Firepaw took a step out of the cover of the forest. A border of oily grass lay between the trees and the Thunderpath. He crept slowly out onto it, and then shrank back as a stinking monster hurtled past.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Graypaw mewed.
Firepaw didn’t reply. He waited till there were no monsters in sight. Then he edged forward again, across the grass, right to the edge of the path. Cautiously, he reached out a paw to touch it. It felt warm, almost sticky, heated by the sun. He looked up, staring across the Thunderpath. Was that a pair of eyes glinting out of the forest on the other side? He sniffed the air, but smelled nothing except the stench of the great gray path. The eyes on the other side were still shining in the shadows. Then they blinked, slowly
Firepaw was sure now. It was a ShadowClan warrior, and it was staring straight at him.
“Firepaw!” Graypaw’s voice made Firepaw jump, just as a huge monster, taller than a tree, roared past his nose. The wind from it almost toppled him over. Firepaw turned and ran as fast as he could back into the safety of the forest.
“You mouse-brained fool!” spat Graypaw. His whiskers trembled with fear and anger. “What were you doing?”
“I just wondered what the Thunderpath felt like,” Firepaw muttered. His whiskers were trembling too.
“Come on,” hissed Graypaw edgily. “Let’s get out of here!”
Firepaw followed Graypaw as he leaped away back into the forest. Once they were a safe distance from the Thunderpath, Graypaw stopped to catch his breath.
Firepaw sat down and began to lick his ruffled fur. “I think I saw a ShadowClan warrior,” he mewed between licks. “In the forest on the other side of the Thunderpath.”
“A ShadowClan warrior!” echoed Graypaw, his eyes wide. “Really?”
“I’m pretty sure.”
“Well, it’s a good thing that monster came past when it did,” retorted Graypaw. “Where there’s one ShadowClan warrior, there’s more, and we’re no match for them yet. We’d better get out of here.” He looked up at the sun, which was almost directly overhead. “I’d better get a move on if I want to meet that patrol on time,” he mewed. “See you later.” He sprang away into the undergrowth, calling as he went, “You never know; Lionheart might let me come and help you with the hunting once I’ve delivered this message.”
Firepaw watched him go. He envied Graypaw, wishing he were off to join a warrior patrol. But at least he’d have something to tell Dustpaw and Sandpaw when he returned to camp. Today he had seen his first ShadowClan warrior.
第六章
第六章
清晨，阳光普照森林，火爪接受训练已近两个月了。此时他正心情舒畅地四处漫步寻找猎物，这一段丛林生活令他得到充分的锻炼，使他的感知能力渐渐苏醒。
他停下脚步嗅嗅土地，闻到不久前两脚兽在丛林间漫步时留下的气味。大地复苏，森林里一派春意盎然的景象，绿叶已长满枝头。厚厚的落叶上面，小动物们又开始了新的一年的辛勤工作。
身体健壮的火爪默默地走在树林里，他全神贯注，搜寻气味的痕迹，随时准备发动致命攻击。今天，族里第一次指派他单独完成任务。他决心干出点儿成绩给大家看，好像整个族群就指着他打回猎物似的。
他来到当天狮心和虎掌带他熟悉环境时跃过的那条小溪。溪水从山上潺潺流下，欢快地撞击着光滑的鹅卵石，泼溅起朵朵水花。火爪舔了几口清澈冰冷的溪水，然后抬头再嗅嗅有无猎物的气味。
空气中有狐狸的气味，陈旧的气味表明狐狸早先曾在这里喝过水。火爪在第一次走遍森林的时候闻过这种气味，狮心告诉他这是狐狸，所以他此时能认出来。不过那次他只在一瞥眼间瞅见狐狸的尾巴，却从未见到狐狸的全貌。
他努力排除狐狸气味的干扰，继续搜寻猎物。突然，他的猫须抽搐了一下，察觉到猎物体内血液的流动——是一只忙着筑巢的田鼠。
片刻之后他便瞧见了那只田鼠，那个棕色的、胖乎乎的小东西正在河岸边上蹿下跳地收集干草。火爪顿时馋得口舌生津。他已经好几个钟头没吃东西了，但在别的族员吃饱之前，他可不敢偷吃猎物。他一遍遍地想着狮心和虎掌的话：“猎物要交回族里，不能独自先吃。”
火爪蹲伏下来准备攻击，肚皮上的毛擦着潮湿的草地。他逐步接近，目不转睛地盯着猎物。可以了，是时候扑过去了。
突然，火爪身后的香薇丛中发出沙沙的声音。那只田鼠转身消失在河岸边的一个洞里。
火爪气得肺都快炸了。究竟是什么东西使他错失良机，让到嘴的美味跑掉了？
他嗅嗅空气，闻到一股猫的气味，但分不清是属于哪个族群的。火爪吃了一惊——先前腐臭的狐狸味使他的嗅觉变得很迟钝。
他一下子转过身，后退几步，喉间发出低吼。他竖起耳朵睁开眼睛，观察动静。香薇丛里又发出沙沙声，声音更大了，却是从另一方向传来。火爪向前靠近，看见香薇晃动，但叶子挡住了视线，使他看不见敌人。一根树枝折断，发出一记响亮的噼啪声。火爪心想：从他弄出的声音来看，个头肯定不小。他摆好架势，准备猛烈出击。
火爪跃上一棵树，迅捷无声地攀上一根悬空的树枝。火爪的下方，那个尚未现形的东西仍在靠近过来。火爪屏住呼吸，从香薇向两边倒下的情形估摸着时机。接着，一个巨大的灰影从香薇丛里冒了出来。
“呜——”火爪的喉间发出战斗的吼叫。他伸出利爪扑向敌人，稳稳落在敌人肌肉发达的肩膀上。他用爪子狠命地往敌人肩头上插去，决心要给敌人一个下马威。
“哇噢！什么东西？”敌人大叫一声跳了起来。
“噢！是灰爪吗？”火爪认出那惊呼声，鼻子里也嗅到发自朋友身上的那股熟悉的气味。但由于太过激动，他一时无法松开爪子。
“有埋伏！啊——”灰爪大吼，还没认出骑在自己背上的不是别的猫，正是火爪。他满地打滚想甩开纠缠。
“噗噗噗！”火爪被他重重压在身下，几乎被压扁了。“是我——火爪！”火爪收回爪子，挣扎着推开灰爪，大声叫喊着滚到一旁。火爪站起身从头到尾一阵抖动，把尘土抖掉，重复了一句：“灰爪，是我，我还以为你是敌人呢！”
灰爪站起来，一脸苦相地抖去身上的灰土。他一边扭头舔舐自己疼痛的肩膀，一边抱怨着：“看来你是真的把我当成敌人了！你差点儿要了我的命！”
火爪小声说：“对不起。但你那样朝我爬过来，我能怎么想？”
灰爪生气地瞪大眼睛：“爬过来？那可是我最为得意、最神出鬼没的匍匐了。”
火爪嘲笑说：“神出鬼没？你走起路像一只独脚獾！”他开心地展平耳朵。
灰爪欢快地叫喊：“我要让你尝尝独脚的滋味！”
两只猫相互扑斗嬉戏，在地上滚来滚去。灰爪一掌重重打在火爪的头上，火爪顿时眼冒金星。
“噗啦噗啦”，火爪晃晃脑袋，跳起还击。
就在他的一双前爪尚未击出之际，灰爪一下子将他掀翻在地，制伏住他。火爪的身体立刻放松下来，举手投降。
灰爪放开火爪，说：“这么轻易就认输了！”他刚一放开，火爪就跳了起来，灰爪冷不丁被顶翻在地。
火爪跳过去把他按在地上，引用狮心的口头禅沾沾自喜地说：“出其不意是武士的制胜法宝。”他从灰爪身上轻轻跳下，开始在落叶下面拱来拱去。太阳照在背上暖洋洋的，而且他还轻松赢得战斗，这一切都使火爪格外高兴。
灰爪似乎对一大早便连输两次并不介意，这种好天气实在让人生不起气来。他问火爪：“你的任务进展如何？”
火爪站起身说：“你坏了我的好事！我正要抓一只田鼠，你发出的声音却惊跑了它。”
灰爪说：“哦，对不起。”
火爪看到朋友的情绪低落下来，急忙说：“没关系，你又不是故意的。你不是去风族的边界上找巡逻队吗？我还以为你要给他们带去蓝星的口信呢。”
“没错，但我还有时间。我想先垫垫肚子，我快饿死了！”
“我也好不到哪里去。但是我必须要先为族群打完猎物后才能顾及自己。”
灰爪哼了一声：“我敢打赌尘爪和沙爪经常在外出打猎时偷吃一两只老鼠。”
“他们那么做并不令我感到惊讶，但这是我第一次单独执行任务。”
灰爪叹了口气说：“你不想出任何岔子，我知道。”
火爪想换个话题：“说点儿别的吧，你为蓝星带什么口信呀？”
“她想让巡逻队在巨悬铃树那边等候，她会在中午赶去同他们会合。影族的猫似乎总在附近出没，蓝星想查个究竟。”
火爪提醒他说：“你最好现在就去吧。”
灰爪自信地回答：“风族的领地离这里不远，时间足够了。弄丢了你的田鼠，我想应该帮把手才是。”
火爪说：“没关系，我会再找的。今天暖和，会有不少老鼠出来转悠。”
“没错，但是你得抓住它们才算数。”灰爪若有所思地咬着一只前爪，从上面咬下一片爪甲，“那恐怕得花费你一个上午，甚至一天的时间才行。”
火爪泄气地点点头，这时他的肚子咕噜咕噜地直叫。在逮到足够的猎物前，他很有可能要失手三四次。等到他吃饭的时候，银河恐怕都出现在天上了。
灰爪触了触火爪的须子，说：“开始吧，我帮你开个头。至少，那是我欠你的。在我离开之前，我们应该能捉到两只田鼠吧。”
火爪跟着灰爪沿着小溪逆流而上，有个伙伴在身边协助，火爪感到很开心。空气中仍有狐狸的气味，只是这股气味突然间变得浓烈了。
火爪问：“你闻到了吗？”
灰爪停下脚步也嗅了嗅空气，说：“狐狸。是的，我一早便闻到了。”
火爪问：“但是，它现在是不是更加新鲜了？”
灰爪张开嘴巴又嗅了嗅，压低声音说：“没错。”他转头朝河对面树林中的灌木丛里望去，悄声说：“看！”
火爪定睛一瞧，看见灌木丛里出现了一团火红色的毛茸茸的东西。那团毛球走进灌木丛中的一处空地，在透过灌木丛的光线照耀下，火爪看到一个矮矮的身体，全身红艳艳的。它有一条毛茸茸的大尾巴和一张尖尖的嘴。
火爪说：“是狐狸吗？它的嘴巴长得真丑！”
灰爪赞同道：“说得不错！”
火爪小声说：“当我们第一次碰面时，我就曾追过一只狐狸。”
“是它在追踪你还差不多，笨蛋！千万别同外表像狗、动作却像猫的狐狸打交道。我们必须通知母猫们有一只狐狸在我们的领地里出没。狐狸比獾好不到哪里去，它会杀死我们的幼崽。谢天谢地，你上次没有扑过去抓它，你在它的眼中不过是个头稍大些的老鼠罢了。”看见火爪有些气恼，灰爪补充说，“不过，最近有个更好的消息，蓝星极有可能派出一支武士分队去赶跑它，这样母猫们才能安下心。”
火爪问：“獾长得什么样子？”
“黑白相间，短腿，你一看就能认出来。它们体态臃肿、脾气很坏，不像狐狸那样喜欢袭击育婴室，但它们的牙齿更锋利。你猜半尾是怎样得到他这个名字的？他的尾巴是被獾一口咬掉的。从那以后，他再也不往树上爬了！”
“他为什么不往树上爬呢？”
“怕摔下来呗。我们猫之所以能从高处安然无恙地落地，就是因为我们能在空中保持平衡，而这一切需要尾巴的帮助。”
火爪明白了，点了点头。
不出火爪所料，这一天他们打了很多猎物。没过多久，灰爪便抓到一只小老鼠，而火爪则捉到一只麻雀，三下五除二就结果了它的性命。今天是没有时间再练习猎杀技巧了，营地里还有很多嘴在等着吃饭哪。火爪刨了些土盖在猎物身上，这样在他回来之前猎物就不会被别的野兽拖走了。
忽然，一只松鼠蹿了出来。
火爪反应灵敏。“抓住它！”他一边喊，一边同灰爪在地上腾挪跳跃，紧追不舍。
松鼠三蹦两蹦攀上一棵白桦树，他们在树下停住脚步。
灰爪失望地大叫：“完了，捉不着了！”
两只猫大口喘气，调匀呼吸。一股刺鼻的气味令他们大为惊奇。
火爪说：“雷鬼路！想不到我们跑出来这么远了。”
两只猫走到树林边向外望去，望到了那条黑黢黢的、巨大的马路。这还是他们首次独自来到这里。吼叫声中，一排排的怪物们沿着坚实的路面飞奔而去。
灰爪轻蔑地说：“哼！这些怪物简直臭气熏天！”
火爪动动耳朵表示同意。那股令人窒息的气味也使他的喉部火辣辣的。他说：“你从前穿越过雷鬼路吗？”
灰爪摇摇头。
火爪从森林的遮蔽下走出。在雷鬼路和树林之间是一片油乎乎的草地，他慢慢走进草地。这时，一个浑身臭气的怪物疾驰而过，他连忙退了回来。
灰爪说：“喂！你要去哪里？”
火爪没有回答。等到再也看不到怪物的时候，他又向前迈步，穿过草地，径直走到雷鬼路边。他小心翼翼地伸出爪子触了触雷鬼路。在太阳照耀下，路面暖暖的，甚至有些发黏、发烫。他往路对面望去。路那边的森林里似乎有一对眼睛在闪烁呢！他嗅嗅空气，但除了雷鬼路上浓烈的臭味外什么也闻不到。那双眼睛仍在阴暗处闪烁，接着，还缓缓地眨动。
火爪现在能够肯定那是影族的武士，而且那名武士也正在瞅着他。
“火爪！”灰爪的声音吓了火爪一跳。就在这时，一个庞大的、比一棵树还要高的怪物擦着火爪的鼻子呼啸而过，带起的风几乎将他掀倒。火爪转身以最快的速度跑回到森林的安全地带。
灰爪大声骂道：“你一定是发神经了！”他又惊又怒，猫须颤抖，“你都干了些什么？”
火爪也吓得猫须颤抖，他小声说：“我只是想知道雷鬼路什么样。”
灰爪烦躁地说：“好了，我们快离开这儿吧。”
他们快步跑回到森林里，直到离雷鬼路很远很远，灰爪才停下脚步长长舒了口气。
火爪坐下来开始舔顺身上的乱毛。他边舔边说：“我想我看见了一名影族武士，他就在雷鬼路那边的森林里。”
灰爪睁大眼睛重复了一句：“一名影族武士？”
“我敢打包票。”
“很好，在你看到一名影族武士的时候，一个怪物就飞过来了，这件事真妙呀。”灰爪反唇相讥说，“那里不光有一名影族武士，而是有很多。我们可不是他们的对手。我们最好赶快离开这里。”他抬头看看太阳，这时，太阳已经升到最高点了。灰爪说：“如果我还想按时与巡逻队碰面的话，最好现在就走。再见。”灰爪跳进灌木丛，边跑边喊：“告诉你吧，我把口信传到后，狮心也许会让我来帮你捕猎。”
火爪目送他远去，心里有些忌妒，也想去和巡逻队会面。不过，在他返回营地的时候，好歹也有新闻可以告诉尘爪和沙爪。今天，他第一次遇见了影族的武士。
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
Firepaw retraced his steps and headed backtoward the stream. He thought of those eyes burning from the darkness of the ShadowClan territory.
Suddenly he caught a faint smell on the breeze.
A stranger! Perhaps that ShadowClan warrior…
Instantly a growl rumbled in Firepaw’s throat. The scent message told him many things. The stranger was a she-cat, not young and definitely not from ThunderClan. She carried no distinct scent from any of the Clans, but Firepaw could tell she was tired, hungry, and sick, and she was in an ugly mood.
Dropping low, Firepaw moved forward, heading toward the scent. Then he paused in puzzlement. The warrior scent was fainter now. He sniffed again.
Suddenly, with a lightning movement, a snarling ball of fur burst from the bushes behind him.
Firepaw screeched in shock as the she-cat slammed into him, knocking him sideways. Two heavy paws clamped down onto his shoulders, and iron jaws closed around the back of his neck. “Murr-oww!” he grunted, already thinking fast. If the other cat were to sink its fangs too deep, it would all be over.
He forced himself to go limp, relaxing his muscles as if in submission, and let out a pretend howl of alarm.
The she-cat opened her mouth to give a triumphant yowl. “Ah, a puny apprentice. Easy prey for Yellowfang,” she hissed.
At the insult, Firepaw felt a surge of fury. Just wait.He’d show this coughed-up furball what kind of warrior he was! But not yet,he told himself. Wait until you feel her teeth again.
Yellowfang bit down. Firepaw surged upward with all the strength in his powerful young body. The she-cat gave a snarl of surprise as she was thrown clear. She tumbled backward into a gorse bush.
Firepaw shook himself. “Not such easy prey, huh?”
Yellowfang hissed defiance as she tore herself free from the clinging branches. “Not bad, young apprentice,” she spat back. “But you’ll need to do a lot better!”
Firepaw blinked when he saw his opponent clearly for the first time. The she-cat had a broad, almost flat face, and round orange eyes. Her dark gray fur was long and matted into smelly clumps. Her ears were torn and ragged, and her muzzle was traced with the scars of many old battles.
Firepaw stood his ground. He puffed out his chest and glared a challenge into the intruder’s face. “You’re in ThunderClan’s hunting ground. Move on!”
“Who’s going to make me?” Yellowfang drew back her lip defiantly, exposing stained and broken teeth. “I will hunt. ThenI will leave. Or maybe I’ll just stay awhile….”
“Enough talk,” Firepaw spat, feeling the stir of ancient cat spirits deep inside him. There was no trace of the house cat in him now. His warrior blood was up. He was itching to fight, to defend his territory and protect his Clan.
Yellowfang seemed to sense the change in him. Her fierce orange eyes sparked with new respect. Dipping her head and breaking eye contact, she started to back off. “No need to be hasty, now,” she purred in a silky tone.
Firepaw wasn’t fooled by her trickery. Claws extended and fur on end, he leaped forward, his war cry ringing out: “Grr-aaar!”
With a hiss of rage the other cat responded. Snarling and spitting, young cat and old locked together. They rolled over and over, teeth and claws flashing. Ears pressed flat to his head, Firepaw fought to get a grip. But the she-cat’s clumpy fur snagged in his claws, and he couldn’t break through to skin.
Then Yellowfang reared up on her back legs. With her filthy tail bristling, she looked even bigger.
Firepaw sensed Yellowfang’s huge jaws lunging toward him. He leaned backward, just in time. Snap!Bared teeth closed on the air next to his ear.
Instinctively Firepaw lashed out with a backswipe. His paw caught the side of Yellowfang’s head. The force of it sent shock waves up his front leg.
“Yee-ow!” Stunned, Yellowfang dropped onto four paws. She shook her head to clear it.
In the single heartbeat before the she-cat recovered, Firepaw saw his chance. He threw himself forward, crouching low, and clamped his jaws tight on Yellowfang’s back leg. “Mur-ugh!” The taste of the matted fur was horrible, but he chomped down hard.
“Reow-ow-wow!” Yellowfang screamed in agony and whipped around to snap at Firepaw’s tail.
Her teeth connected and pain lanced up Firepaw’s spine, but it only made him angrier. He ripped his tail from his opponent’s grip, and lashed it back and forth in rage.
Yellowfang crouched, ready for a fresh attack. Her breath seemed to wheeze up from her foul-smelling lungs. The scent blasted Firepaw’s nose. Up close, the message of desperation and weakness, and the aching void of the she-cat’s hunger, was almost painful.
Something stirred inside him, an unwarriorlike feeling he didn’t want: pity. He tried not to dwell on this instinct—he knew his loyalty must be to his Clan—but he couldn’t shake free of it. “You speak from your heart, young Firepaw.” Lionheart’s words echoed in his head once more. “This will make you a stronger warrior one day.” Then Tigerclaw’s warning rang in his ears: “Or it might make him give in to kittypet weakness right at the moment of attack.”
Yellowfang lunged forward and Firepaw jerked instantly back into aggression. The bigger cat tried to reach up onto his shoulders and get a killing grip, but this time she was hampered by her wounded leg.
“Gar-off!” Firepaw arched his spine, but Yellowfang managed to dig in her claws and hung on tight. The bigger cat’s weight forced him to the ground.
Firepaw tasted earth on his tongue and spat out a mouthful of grit. “Pah!”
He twisted nimbly to avoid Yellowfang’s thrashing back legs and the thorn-sharp claws that were trying to rake at his soft underbelly. Over and over they rolled, biting and snapping.
Moments later they broke apart. Firepaw was gasping for breath now. But he sensed that Yellowfang was weakening. The she-cat was badly wounded, and her back legs could barely support her scrawny body.
“Had enough yet?” Firepaw growled. If the intruder gave way, he’d let her go with just a warning bite to remember him by.
“Never!” Yellowfang hissed back bravely. But her injured leg gave way and she slumped to the ground. She tried to get up and failed. Her eyes were dull as she hissed up at Firepaw, “If I weren’t so hungry and tired, I’d have shredded you into mousedust.” The she-cat’s mouth twisted in pain and defiance. “Finish me off. I won’t stop you.”
Firepaw hesitated. He’d never killed another cat before. Perhaps, in the heat of battle, he would, but a mercy killing, in cold blood? This was something very different.
“What are you waiting for?” Yellowfang taunted. “You’re dithering like a kittypet!”
Firepaw smarted at the she-cat’s words. Could she smell the scent of Twolegs on him, even now, after all this time?
“I’m an apprentice warrior of ThunderClan!” he snapped.
Yellowfang narrowed her eyes. She’d seen Firepaw flinch at her words and she knew she’d hit a nerve. “Ha,” she snorted. “Don’t tell me ThunderClan is so desperate they have to recruit kittypets now?”
“ThunderClan is not desperate!” hissed Firepaw.
“Prove it then! Act like a warrior and finish me off. You’ll be doing me a favor.”
Firepaw stared at her. He would not be goaded into killing this miserable creature. He felt his muscles relax as curiosity pricked him. How had a Clan cat gotten in such a state? ThunderClan elders were looked after better than kits! “You seem in an awful hurry to die,” he meowed.
“Yeah? Well, that’s my business, mousefodder,” Yellowfang snapped. “What’s your problem, kitty? Are you trying to talkme to death?”
Her words were brave, but Firepaw could smell the hunger and sickness that were coming off the other cat in waves. She was going to die anyway if she didn’t eat soon. And since she could hardly hunt for herself, perhaps he should kill her now. The two cats looked at each other, uncertainty in both their gazes.
“Wait here,” Firepaw ordered at last.
Yellowfang seemed to deflate. Her hackles smoothed out and her tail lost its gorse-bush stiffness. “Are you kidding, kitty? I’m going nowhere.” She grunted, limping painfully toward a patch of soft heather. She flopped down and began licking her leg wound.
Firepaw glanced briefly over his shoulder at her and hissed quietly in exasperation before heading for the trees.
As he padded silently through the ferns, sun-warmed odors filled his nose, and he caught the sour reek of a long-dead rat. He heard the scratching of insects beneath bark, the rustle of furry things scurrying over leaves. His first thought had been to go and dig up the thrush he had killed earlier, but that would take too long.
Maybe he should go and scoop up the rat carcass. Easy meat, but a starving cat needed fresh-kill. Only when times were very hard would a warrior eat crow food.
Just then he paused, scenting a young rabbit ahead. A few more steps and he saw it. Flattening himself down, he stalked the creature. He was barely a mouse-length away before it detected him. By then it was too late. The white bobtail darting away sent the thrill of the chase surging through Firepaw’s veins. A rush of speed, a flash of claws, and he had it.
He held the wriggling body fast and finished it off quickly.
Yellowfang looked up tiredly as Firepaw dropped the rabbit on the ground beside her. Her grizzled jaw dropped. “Well, hello again, kitty! I thought you’d gone to fetch your little warrior friends.”
“Yeah? Well, I might still do that. And don’t call me kitty.” Firepaw growled, shoving the rabbit nearer with his nose. He felt embarrassed by his kindness. “Look, if you don’t want this…”
“Ah—no,” Yellowfang meowed hastily. “I do want it.”
Firepaw watched the she-cat rip open the prey and start to swallow it down. His own hunger rose up and his mouth filled with water. He knew he shouldn’t even be thinkingabout eating. He still had to take back enough prey for the Clan, but the fresh-kill smelled delicious.
“Mmm-mm.” A few minutes later, Yellowfang gave a huge sigh and flopped onto her side. “First fresh-kill I’ve had for days.” She licked her muzzle clean and settled down to give herself a thorough wash.
As if one wash is going to make much difference, Firepaw thought, his nose twitching. She was the arch-cat of stench.
He eyed the tattered remnants of the prey. There wasn’t much left to line a growing cat’s belly, but his fight with Yellowfang had sharpened his appetite even more; he gave in to his hunger and gulped down the scraps. It was delicious. He licked his lips, savoring every last taste, tingling from head to paw.
Yellowfang watched him closely, showing her stained teeth. “Better than the muck Twolegs feed some of our brothers, isn’t it?” she mewed slyly. Knowing she had found his sore spot, she was trying to antagonize him.
Firepaw ignored her and began to wash.
“It’s poison,” Yellowfang went on. “Rat droppings! Only a spineless bag of fur would accept such disgusting frogspawn—” She broke off and tensed. “Shhh…warriors coming.”
Firepaw was also aware of cats approaching. He could hear their soft paw-fall on the leaf litter and the sound of fur swishing through branches. He smelled the wind brushing against their coats. Familiar smells. These were ThunderClan warriors, confident enough in their own territory not to care about the noise they made.
Firepaw licked his lips guiltily, hoping to wash away any traces of the scraps he’d just swallowed. Then he looked at Yellowfang and the fresh pile of rabbit bones that lay beside her. “The Clan must be fed first!” Lionheart’s voice rang though his head once more. But surely he would understand why Firepaw had fed this wretched creature. His mind reeled, suddenly fearful of what would happen to him. His first apprentice task, and he had ended up breaking the warrior code!
第七章
第七章
火爪沿原路返回到小溪边。一路上，他的脑子里都是那双在黑暗处闪烁的眼睛。
这时，微风中传来一股微弱的气味。
一个陌生者！也许是影族的武士！
火爪的喉间发出低吼。他从这股气味中获知很多信息。这个陌生者是一只母猫，年纪比较大，绝对不是雷族的猫。火爪不知道这股气味是属于哪个族群，但是他能闻出这只母猫又累又饿，体弱多病，并且情绪低落。
火爪低下身子向气味的源头靠过去。接着他困惑地停了下来，那股气味现在变得更微弱了。他又嗅了嗅。
突然，一团毛球怒吼着从他身后的灌木丛里冲出来。
惊叫声中，火爪与母猫撞了个满怀，摔倒开去。两只钢铁般的利爪扣住他的肩膀，深插进他脖颈后的肉里。“喵——噢！”火爪一声惨叫。若是其他的猫被这么狠狠来上一下，可能早就一命呜呼了。
他强迫自己放松肌肉，一边跛着脚逃命，一边高声发出呼救。
那只母猫张开大嘴发出胜利者的号叫，然后轻蔑地说：“哈哈，小小学徒，哪里会是我黄牙的对手！”
火爪受到羞辱，怒火腾地升了起来。“等着瞧！”他要给这个臭烘烘的毛球一点儿颜色看看！“但是要先看清她的攻击来势再出手。”他心里暗想。
黄牙利齿落下。火爪倾尽全力，身体向上猛顶。黄牙飞出老远，重重摔在金雀花丛里。
火爪抖了抖身体，说：“不好对付吧，嗯？”
黄牙从花丛上爬下来，不服气地回敬说：“还凑合，小学徒。不过你还差得远嘞！”
火爪眨眨眼睛，第一次看清对手。那只母猫长着一张宽大、或者说是肥胖的大脸，一双圆圆的橘红色眼睛，长长的深灰色的毛乱蓬蓬地纠结成团，双耳已被撕破，口鼻处布满旧日战斗留下的伤痕。
火爪站稳脚步鼓起胸口，向入侵者发出警告：“你侵入了雷族的猎场，赶快离开！”
黄牙咧开嘴，露出暗黄、残破的牙齿，说：“先称称你自己的斤两够不够让我离开吧！
我要先打猎，然后才离开。不过说不定我也会勉为其难地住上一段时间。”
火爪怒叱：“少废话！”他感觉到古老的武士精神在自己的体内复苏，顿时热血上涌，再也没有丝毫宠物猫的残迹。他的心里有一种不可遏制的对战斗的渴望，对保卫领地、保卫族群的渴望。
黄牙似乎感觉到了他的变化，眼里闪过一丝敬意。她低下头，避开火爪的目光，向后稍退，声音放软说：“别紧张。”
火爪才不会傻到中了她的伎俩。他伸出爪子，毛发竖立，向前扑出，嘴里发出战斗的咆哮：“杀——”
黄牙也以怒吼回应。这一老一少打得难分难解，他们在地上不停地翻滚，牙齿和利爪闪动着寒光。火爪双耳紧贴脑门儿，竭力想抓住对方，但是黄牙身上乱蓬蓬的毛使他的爪子根本触碰不到她的皮肉。
接着黄牙弓起后腿，重心后移，翘起污秽的大尾巴，这让她的个头看起来更大了。
火爪看到黄牙向自己扑来，身子及时向后一歪。“咔嚓！”黄牙的牙齿擦着他的耳朵咬空。
火爪的爪子本能地向后一撩，抓住了黄牙的脑袋。由于用力过猛，他的前腿都被带了起来。
“呀——呜！”黄牙四爪抓地，拼命摇晃脑袋甩脱火爪。
趁着她还没有恢复过来，火爪瞅准机会，向前猛扑，抓住了黄牙的后腿。
“喵呜——喵呜！”黄牙怒吼着，回身咬住了火爪的尾巴。
火爪顿时痛入骨髓。但疼痛使他愈发恼怒，他奋力从黄牙的嘴里扯出尾巴，像鞭子一般前后抽打。
黄牙俯下身子，准备发起新一轮攻击。她气喘连连，嘴里发出的难闻气味直冲火爪的鼻子。这是一种虚弱、绝望的表现，一种被饥饿折磨下的无奈。她现在一定非常痛苦。
火爪心里升起一种武士不应当有的感觉，尽管他也不想，那就是：同情。他不愿让这种出自本能的情感盘踞心头——他清楚自己的忠诚只应属于族群——但是他驱除不掉这种情感。狮心的声音又在耳边响起：“小火爪，你情感真挚，这会使你终将成为一名更为强大的武士。”接着，虎掌的警示也在耳边响起：“这也许会使他在遭受攻击的时候表现出宠物猫的软弱而举手投降。”
黄牙身子往前扑出，火爪退后几步严密防守。黄牙攀上他的肩头死死抓住，同时由于腿上有伤，她也不能进一步攻击。
“哇呜！”火爪弓起脊背，但黄牙牢牢地抓在他的背上。她实在太重了，火爪被压倒在地。
火爪满嘴沙土，忙不迭往外吐：“呸呸！”
黄牙后腿猛踹，同时利爪上翻想抓火爪的肚皮，火爪一个快闪避开。
战斗暂时告一段落。火爪站在那里大口喘着气，但他觉察出对方渐渐体力不支。黄牙伤势太重了，以致后腿几乎支撑不住她的身体。
火爪大声说：“打够了吗？”如果黄牙就此罢手，他顶多上去警示性地咬她一口留下点儿纪念，然后任其离去。
黄牙却勇敢地回敬说：“别做梦了！”但是她那只伤腿一软，摔倒在地。她想站起来，却未能如愿。她眼光黯淡，轻声对火爪说：“如果我不是又饿又渴，你根本不是我的对手。”黄牙的脸痛苦地抽搐着，却还嘴硬：“杀了我吧，我不会还手的。”
火爪内心犹豫不决。他以前从未杀过别的猫。也许在激战正酣时他能做到，但那种残忍、冷血的杀戮，他能下得了手吗？两者毕竟有天壤之别啊！
黄牙讥讽说：“还等什么？你那懦弱劲儿就像只宠物猫！”
黄牙的话像针扎一样刺痛了火爪。她到现在还能闻见他身上两脚兽的气味吗？
他厉声说：“我是一名雷族的武士学徒！”
黄牙眯缝起眼睛，看出了火爪色厉内荏，知道自己捉住了对方的痛处。她轻蔑地说：“哈哈，别告诉我雷族实力不济到招募宠物猫的地步？”
火爪说：“雷族没有实力不济！”
“证明给我看！像武士那样杀了我，就当帮我的忙好了。”
火爪凝视着她。他不愿杀这个可怜的家伙。他放松戒备，心里越来越好奇。一只部族里的猫怎么会沦落到如此地步？在雷族，年老的猫享受的待遇可比幼崽还要好啊！他说：“你看起来倒是急于寻死。”
黄牙轻蔑地说：“是吗？哼，这是我自己的事，胆小鬼。你有毛病吗，幼崽？你想用嘴说死我吗？”
虽然她的嘴很硬，但火爪嗅到她身上散发出阵阵患病挨饿的气味。如果她不立即进食，她会死的。既然她不能自谋生路，也许把她杀死会好些。两只猫对视着，都不知对方在想什么。
火爪最后命令说：“在这里等着。”
黄牙像泄了气的皮球，颈背上的毛塌了下去，高高翘起的尾巴也耷拉下来。“你在开玩笑吧，幼崽？我现在就走。”她嘴里嘟囔着，一瘸一拐地走向一片灌木丛。她躺下来，开始舔舐腿上的伤口。
火爪转头瞥了她一眼，不满地哼了一声，朝树林里走去。
他静静地穿过香薇花丛，到处是太阳温暖的气息。他闻到一只已死去多时的老鼠的腐臭味，昆虫在树叶下发出声响，这些毛茸茸的小东西在树叶间疾行。他第一个念头就是去挖出他原先掩埋起来的猎物，但是路程太远了。
也许他应该要那只死老鼠，这样不用费力就能吃到嘴里。但是一只饿得半死的猫需要新鲜的猎物，除非万不得已，一名武士是不会去吃腐肉的。
他刚停下脚步，就闻到前方有一只兔子。没走几步，兔子便赫然出现在他的眼前。火爪俯下身子，匍匐接近。当兔子发现他的时候，他已在咫尺之内。太晚了！那只兔子的奔逃激发起火爪血液中莫名的兴奋，说时迟那时快，他一下子扑过去捉住了那只兔子。
他叼起簌簌发抖的小东西，很快便结果了它的性命。
当火爪返回的时候，黄牙的面色十分憔悴。黄牙看着火爪把兔子放在她的身边，简直不敢相信自己的眼睛：“很好，我们又见面了，幼崽！我还以为你去找你的小伙伴了呢。”
“是吗？嗯，也许我该那么做。还有，别再叫我幼崽！”火爪大声说着，用鼻子把兔子顶到黄牙面前，他有点儿为自己的好心肠感到尴尬，“嘿，如果你不想吃——”
黄牙飞快地说：“哦——不，我想吃。”
火爪看着她把那只兔子开膛破肚，大口吞咽。他自己饥火上冒，差点儿流出口水。他知道自己不该有吃东西的念头，他必须先为族群带回足够的猎物，但是，新鲜猎物的气味实在令他垂涎欲滴。
“唔——”半晌过后，黄牙长长叹了口气斜倚在地上，“几天来我第一次吃到新鲜的猎物。”她舔舔嘴，坐下来开始为自己来个大扫除。
黄牙身上臭烘烘的。火爪鼻子动了动，心里暗想：到河里洗个澡会好得多。
他盯着黄牙吃剩的食物，那点儿东西还不够他填牙缝。但是，与黄牙的激烈较量使他的肚子更加空了。终于，他向饥饿投降，上前去吃那些残骸剩骨。味道太香了！他意犹未尽地舔舔嘴唇，从头到脚感到舒畅。
黄牙凑近看着他，露出脏牙，诡秘地说：“比两脚兽们喂的那些乱七八糟的东西好吃多了，是吗？”既然捉住了火爪的痛处，她当然不会放过捉弄他的机会。
火爪装作没有听见，开始舔梳自己。
黄牙继续说：“那些东西有毒，是老鼠屎！只有没骨气的毛球才会接受那些恶心的青蛙卵……”她突然止住声音，紧张起来：“嘘，有武士过来了。”
火爪也知道有猫群在靠近。他听见他们的爪子轻轻踩在落叶上，身子蹭过树枝发出嗖嗖的声响。微风拂过，带来熟悉的气味，原来是雷族的武士们。因为走在自己的领地内，所以他们走起路不怕发出声音。
火爪愧疚地舔舔嘴唇，希望清除掉吃东西的痕迹。然后他看着黄牙和她面前那堆兔子的骸骨，耳边响起狮心的话：“族群吃完后你才能吃！”但是狮心肯定会理解他为什么要吃这只该死的兔子。火爪忐忑不安，突然害怕起将要发生的事情。这是他做学徒以来第一次执行任务，而他却完全违背了武士守则。
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
Yellowfang growled in defiance at the approaching pawsteps,but Firepaw could sense her panic. The she-cat struggled to her feet. “So long. Thanks for the meal.” She tried to limp away on three legs and then winced in pain. “Nuh! This leg’s stiffened up while I’ve been resting.”
Now it was too late for her to run. Silent shadows slipped out of the trees, and in a heartbeat the ThunderClan patrol had encircled Firepaw and Yellowfang. Firepaw recognized them: Tigerclaw, Darkstripe, Willowpelt, and Bluestar, all of them lean and hard-muscled. Firepaw smelled Yellowfang’s fear at the sight of them.
Graypaw followed close behind. He bounded out of the bushes and stood beside the warrior patrol.
Firepaw mewed a hasty greeting to his Clan. But only Graypaw returned it. “Hi, Firepaw!” he called out.
“Silence!” Tigerclaw growled.
Firepaw glanced at Yellowfang and groaned inwardly; he could still smell the fear-scent on her, but instead of cowering in submission, the scruffy creature was glaring in defiance.
“Firepaw?” Bluestar’s question was cool and measured. “What have we here? An enemy warrior—and recently fed, by the smell of you both.” Her eyes burned into him, and Firepaw dropped his head.
“She was weak and hungry…” he began.
“And what about you? Was your hunger so bad that you had to feed yourself before you had gathered prey for your Clan?” Bluestar went on. “I assume that you have a verygood reason for breaking the warrior code?”
Firepaw was not fooled by the leader’s soft tone. Bluestar was furious—and rightly so. He crouched lower to the ground.
Before he could speak there was a loud hiss from Tigerclaw. “Once a kittypet, always a kittypet!”
Bluestar ignored Tigerclaw and looked instead at Yellowfang. Suddenly she looked surprised. “Well, well, Firepaw! It seems you have captured us a ShadowClan cat. And one I know well. You are ShadowClan’s medicine cat, aren’t you?” she meowed to Yellowfang. “What are you doing so far into ThunderClan territory?”
“I wasthe ShadowClan medicine cat. Now I choose to travel alone,” hissed Yellowfang.
Firepaw listened, astonished. Had he heard right? Yellowfang was a ShadowClan warrior? Her filthy condition must have masked her territorial scent. He might have enjoyed tackling her more if he’d known.
“Yellowfang!” Tigerclaw meowed mockingly. “It looks like you have fallen on hard times if you can be beaten by an apprentice!”
Now Darkstripe spoke. “This old cat is no use to us. Let’s kill her now. As for this kittypet, he has broken the warrior code by feeding an enemy warrior. He should be punished.”
“Keep your claws in, Darkstripe,” Bluestar purred calmly. “All the Clans speak of Yellowfang’s bravery and wisdom. It may help us to hear what she has to say. Come; we’ll take her back to camp. Then we’ll decide what to do with her—and with Firepaw. Can you walk?” she asked Yellowfang. “Or do you need help?”
“I’ve still got three good legs,” the grizzled she-cat snapped back, limping forward.
Firepaw saw that Yellowfang’s eyes were glazed with pain, but she seemed determined not to show any weakness. He noticed a look of respect flicker across Bluestar’s face before the ThunderClan leader turned and slowly led the way through the trees. The other warriors took up positions on either side of Yellowfang, and the patrol moved off, carefully keeping pace with their lame prisoner.
Firepaw and Graypaw fell in step together at the back of the group.
“Have youheard of Yellowfang?” Firepaw hissed to Graypaw.
“A bit. Apparently she was a warrior before she became a medicine cat, which is unusual. I can’t imagine her as a loner,though. She has lived her whole life in ShadowClan.”
“What’s a loner?”
Graypaw glanced at him. “A loner is a cat that isn’t part of a Clan or cared for by Twolegs. Tigerclaw says they are untrustworthy and selfish. They often live around Twoleg dwellings, but belong to no one and catch their own food.”
“I might end up a loner once Bluestar has finished with me,” Firepaw mewed.
“Bluestar is very fair,” Graypaw reassured him. “She won’t throw you out. She certainly seems pleased to have such an important ShadowClan cat as a prisoner. I’m sure she’s not going to make a fuss about your feeding the poor old mange-bag.”
“But they keep moaning about prey being scarce! Oh, why did I eat that rabbit?” Firepaw felt shame burn through his fur.
“Well, yeah.” Graypaw nudged his friend. “That wasmouse-brained. You really broke the warrior code there, but no cat is perfect!”
Firepaw didn’t answer but trekked onward with a heavy heart. This was not the way he had hoped his first solo task would end.
As the patrol passed the sentries who guarded the camp entrance, the rest of ThunderClan came running to welcome their warriors home
Queens, kits, and elders crowded on either side. They peered curiously at Yellowfang as she was led into the camp. Some of the elders recognized the old she-cat. Word spread quickly through the Clan that this was ShadowClan’s medicine cat, and a steady jeering hum rose up around them.
Yellowfang seemed deaf to the taunts. Firepaw couldn’t help admiring the way she limped with dignity through the corridor of stares and insults. He knew she was in a great deal of pain, and hungry in spite of the rabbit he had caught for her.
When the patrol reached the Highrock, Bluestar nodded toward the dusty ground in front of it. Yellowfang followed the ThunderClan leader’s silent command, sinking gratefully onto the earth. Still ignoring the hostile stares around her, she began licking her wounded leg.
Firepaw noticed Spottedleaf emerge from her corner. She must have scented the presence of an injured cat in the camp. He watched the crowd part to let the young tortoiseshell through.
Yellowfang glared at Spottedleaf and hissed, “I know how to take care of my own wounds. I don’t need your help.”
Spottedleaf said nothing but nodded respectfully and stepped back.
Some of the cats had been out hunting, and fresh-kill was brought for the returning warriors to eat. They each took some food and carried it away to the nettle patch to eat it. Then the other Clan cats crowded forward to take their own share.
Firepaw paced hungrily around the clearing and watched as the cats crouched in their usual groups, chewing and gulping. He longed for a morsel, but didn’t dare to take anything from the pile. He had broken the warrior code. He guessed that this meant he was forbidden his share in the fresh-kill.
He paused beside the Highrock where Bluestar was sharing words with Tigerclaw. Uncertain, Firepaw looked to his leader for a signal that he was allowed to eat. But the gray cat and her senior warrior were busy murmuring at one another in low tones. Firepaw wondered if they were talking about him. Desperate to know his fate, he strained his ears to hear what they were saying.
Tigerclaw’s yowl sounded impatient. “It’s just too dangerous to bring an enemy warrior into the heart of ThunderClan! Now that sheknows the camp, even the youngest ShadowClan kit will hear of it. We will have to move.”
“Calm down, Tigerclaw,” Bluestar purred. “Why should we move? Yellowfang says that she is traveling alone now. There is no reason for ShadowClan to hear of it.”
“Do you really believe that? What on earth was that foolish kittypet thinking of?” Tigerclaw spat.
“But think for a moment, Tigerclaw,” mewed Bluestar. “Why would the ShadowClan medicine cat choose to leave her Clan? You seem to be afraid that Yellowfang will share our Clan secrets with ShadowClan, but have you thought about how many ShadowClan secrets she might share with us?”
Firepaw could see by the way Tigerclaw’s fur began to flatten that Bluestar’s words made sense. The warrior nodded briefly, and then stalked off to take his share of the fresh-kill.
Bluestar remained where she was. She looked out across the clearing, where some of the younger kits were fighting and tumbling playfully in the dust. Then she stood up and began to walk toward Firepaw. His heart lurched. What was she going to say to him?
But Bluestar walked straight past him. She did not even glance at him; her eyes were clouded with unknown distant thoughts. “Frostfur!” she called out as she approached the nursery.
A pure white cat with dark blue eyes slipped out of the brambles. Inside, the noise of mewling grew louder.
“Hush, kits,” purred the white cat reassuringly. “I won’t be long.” Then she turned to her leader. “Yes, Bluestar? What is it?”
“One of our apprentices has seen a fox in the area. Warn the other queens to guard the nursery carefully. And make sure all kits less than six moons stay inside the camp until our warriors have driven it away.”
Frostfur nodded. “I will pass on the warning, Bluestar. Thank you.” Then she turned and squeezed back into the nursery to quiet the crying kits.
At last Bluestar strode over to the pile of fresh-kill and took her share. A plump wood pigeon had been left for her there. Firepaw looked on longingly as she carried it away to eat with the senior warriors.
Finally his hunger drove him forward. Graypaw was with Ravenpaw, wolfing down a small finch beside the tree stump. He saw Firepaw approach the pile and flicked his head encouragingly. Firepaw bent his neck, ready to take a small wood mouse in his teeth.
“Not for you,” Tigerclaw growled, striding up behind him and pawing the mouse away. “You didn’t bring back any prey. The elders will eat your share. Take it to them.”
Firepaw looked over to Bluestar.
She nodded shortly. “Do as he says.”
Obediently, Firepaw picked up the mouse and carried it across to Smallear. The delicious smell of it wafted up Firepaw’s nose. He wanted nothing more than to crunch it up with his strong teeth. He could almost feel its life energy flooding his young body.
With great self-control, he laid the prey down in front of the gray tom and then backed away politely. He expected no thanks and was offered none.
Now he was glad that he had gobbled up the remains of the rabbit he had caught for Yellowfang. There would be nothing else for him to eat until he went out hunting again tomorrow.
Firepaw wandered over to Graypaw. His friend had eaten his fill and lay with Ravenpaw outside the apprentices’ den. He was stretched out on his side, rhythmically washing a foreleg.
Graypaw saw Firepaw approach, and paused in his licking. “Has Bluestar mentioned your punishment yet?” he asked.
“Not yet,” Firepaw replied gloomily.
Graypaw narrowed his eyes sympathetically and said nothing.
Bluestar’s call sounded across the clearing. “Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join together for a meeting of our Clan.”
Most of the warriors had finished eating and, like Graypaw, were busy grooming themselves. They lifted themselves gracefully to their paws and walked over to the Highrock, where Bluestar waited to speak.
“Come on,” mewed Graypaw. He leaped up. Ravenpaw and Firepaw followed him as he scampered over and nudged his way forward into a good position.
“I’m sure you have all heard about the prisoner we brought back with us today,” Bluestar began. “But there is something else you need to know.” She glanced down at the raddled she-cat who lay very still beside the Highrock. “Can you hear me from there?” she asked.
“I may be old, but I’m not deaf yet!” Yellowfang spat in reply.
Bluestar ignored the prisoner’s hostile tone and continued. “I’m afraid I have some very grave news. Today I traveled with a patrol into WindClan territory. The air was filled with the scent of ShadowClan. Almost every tree had been sprayed by ShadowClan warriors. And we met no WindClan cats even though we journeyed deep into their heartland.”
Her words were met with silence. Firepaw saw confusion in the faces of the Clan cats.
“Do you mean ShadowClan has chased them out?” called Smallear hesitantly.
“We can’t be sure,” Bluestar meowed. “Certainly the scent of ShadowClan was everywhere. We found blood, too, and fur. There must have been a battle, though we found no bodies from either Clan.”
A shocked yowl rose from the crowd in a single voice. Firepaw felt the cats around him stiffen with shock and fury. Never before had one Clan driven another from its hunting grounds.
“How can WindClan have been driven out?” One-eye croaked hoarsely. “ShadowClan is fierce, but WindClan is many. They have lived in the uplands for generations. Why have they been chased out now?” She shook her head anxiously, her whiskers trembling.
“I don’t know the answers to any of your questions,” meowed Bluestar. “It is well known that ShadowClan has recently appointed a new leader, following the death of Raggedstar. Their new leader, Brokenstar, gave no hint of any threat when we met him at the last Gathering.”
“Perhaps Yellowfang has answers?” snarled Darkstripe. “After all, she is of ShadowClan!”
“I am no traitor! Nothing would make me share the secrets of ShadowClan with a brute like you!” growled Yellowfang, glaring aggressively at Darkstripe. The ThunderClan warrior moved forward, ears flat, eyes closed to slits, ready for a fight.
“Stop!” yowled Bluestar.
Darkstripe immediately halted in his tracks, even though Yellowfang goaded him on with blazing eyes and a ferocious hiss.
“That’s enough!” Bluestar growled. “This situation is too serious for us to be fighting among ourselves. ThunderClan must prepare itself. From this moonrise onward, warriors will travel in larger groups. Other Clan members will remain close to the camp. Patrols will travel the boundary edges more frequently, and all the kits must stay in the nursery.”
The cats below her nodded in agreement.
Bluestar continued. “Our need for warriors is our greatest obstacle. We shall get around this by speeding up the training of our apprentices. They need to be ready even sooner to fight for our Clan.”
Firepaw saw Dustpaw and Sandpaw exchange a thrilled glance. Graypaw was gazing up at Bluestar, his eyes wide with excitement. Ravenpaw just shuffled his paws anxiously. The black apprentice’s wide eyes showed worry rather than excitement.
Bluestar went on. “One young cat has been sharing mentors with Graypaw and Ravenpaw. By teaching him, I shall speed up the training of all three apprentices.” She paused and looked down at her Clan. “I shall take on Firepaw as my own apprentice.”
Firepaw opened his eyes wide in amazement. Bluestar was to be his mentor?
Beside him, Graypaw gasped, unable to hide his surprise. “What an honor! It’s been moonssince Bluestar had an apprentice. Usually she trains only the kits of deputies!”
Then a familiar voice rose from the front of the crowd. It was Tigerclaw. “So Firepaw is to be rewarded, not punished, for feeding an enemy warrior when he should have been feeding his own Clan?”
“Firepaw is my apprentice now. I will deal with him,” answered Bluestar. She stared into Tigerclaw’s fierce eyes for a moment before lifting her head to address the whole Clan once more. “Yellowfang will be allowed to stay here until she has recovered her strength. We are warriors, not savages. She is to be treated with respect and courtesy.”
“But the Clan cannot support Yellowfang,” Darkstripe protested. “We have too many mouths to feed already.”
“Yeah!” Graypaw whispered into Firepaw’s ear. “And some of them are bigger than others!”
“I don’t need anyone to care for me!” spat Yellowfang. “And I’ll split open anyone who tries!”
“Friendly, isn’t she?” Graypaw murmured.
Firepaw flicked the tip of his tail in silent agreement. There were muffled meows from the other warriors as they grudgingly recognized the enemy warrior’s fighting spirit.
Bluestar ignored the murmuring. “We shall kill two prey with one blow, as it were. Firepaw, as punishment for breaking the warrior code, it will be your responsibility to care for Yellowfang. You will hunt for her and tend her wounds. You will fetch fresh bedding and clear away her dirt.”
“Yes, Bluestar,” mewed Firepaw, his head bowed in submission. Clear away her dirt!he thought to himself. Ugh!
Mocking yowls came from Dustpaw and Sandpaw. “Good idea!” hissed Dustpaw. “Firepaw had better be good at cracking fleas!”
“And hunting!” added Sandpaw. “That sack of bones is going to need feeding up!”
“Enough!” Bluestar interrupted them. “I hope Firepaw will find no shame in caring for Yellowfang. She is a healer, and she is his elder. For those reasons alone he should respect her!” She shot a sharp glance at Sandpaw and Dustpaw. “And there is no humiliation in caring for another cat when it is unable to take care of itself. The meeting is over. I would like to speak to my senior warriors alone now.” With that, she jumped down from the Highrock and marched toward her den.
Lionheart followed her. The other Clan cats began to move away from the Highrock. One or two congratulated Firepaw on being chosen as Bluestar’s apprentice; others mockingly wished him luck looking after Yellowfang. Firepaw felt so dazed by Bluestar’s announcement that he just nodded blankly.
Longtail padded up to him. The vee-shaped nick that Firepaw had cut into the tip of his ear still showed. The young warrior drew back his whiskers into an ugly snarl. “Well, I hope you’ll think twice about bringing strays back into the camp next time,” he sneered. “Like I said, outsiders alwaysbring trouble.”
第八章
第八章
黄牙向到来的群猫发出防御性的吼叫，但是火爪能感觉到她内心的恐惧。黄牙勉强站起身。“打扰了，谢谢款待。”她想用三条腿走路，但在剧痛之下又坐倒在地，“唉！休息时间太长，腿都变僵硬了。”
这时她已经来不及跑了。几条身影闪出树林，瞬间就将火爪和黄牙团团围住。火爪认出他们：虎掌，黑条，柳带，还有蓝星。他们全都肌肉紧绷，全身戒备。黄牙看到他们不由得倒吸口冷气。
灰爪跟在队伍后面。他从灌木丛里跃出，站在巡逻队边上。
火爪急忙上前招呼，但是只有灰爪做出回应，喊道：“嘿，火爪！”
虎掌大吼：“闭嘴！”
火爪看了看黄牙，心里暗自嘀咕。他明明闻到黄牙身上散发出恐惧的气味，但这只邋遢的母猫却装出一副不屑的样子，根本不打算束手就擒。
“火爪！”蓝星的问话冰冷而有分寸，“这里发生了什么？一名敌方的武士……刚刚用过餐，闻起来还是你们两个一起吃的。”她盯着火爪，火爪低下了头。
他开始解释说：“她饿得快不行了。”
“那么你呢？你也饿得不行了，以至于在为族群打来猎物前自己先吃起来了？”蓝星继续说，“我猜你一定有非常好的理由来说明你为什么要违背武士守则。”
虽然蓝星的语气很平静，但火爪知道她此时必然恼怒万分。于是他俯得更低了，几乎趴在地上。
他还没来得及讲话，就听见虎掌大声说：“一日为宠物猫，终身为宠物猫！”
蓝星对虎掌的话充耳不闻，她转头看看黄牙，突然一脸惊讶地说：“好，好，火爪！你似乎捉到了一名影族的武士。如果我没有记错的话，你是影族的巫医，是吗？你深入雷族的领地来干什么？”
黄牙小声说：“我以前是影族的巫医，但现在我选择独来独往。”
火爪惊诧莫名。他没有听错吧？黄牙是影族的武士？她身上实在太脏了，以致掩盖了她的族群气味。如果他早知道对方的真实身份，他会为自己拦截住一名影族武士而愈加得意。
虎掌嘲笑说：“黄牙，你竟然打不过一名学徒，看来最近你过得不怎么样啊！”
黑条开口说：“这只老猫对我们没有任何用处，现在就杀了她。至于这只宠物猫，他为敌方的武士提供食物，违背了武士守则，理应受到惩处。”
蓝星镇静地说：“收回你的爪子，黑条。黄牙的勇气和智慧在丛林里是出了名儿的。听听她说什么，这对我们有好处。走吧，带她回营地，然后再决定怎么处置她，还有火爪。”蓝星又问黄牙，“你能走路吗？需不需要帮助？”
“我还有三条腿能用。”黄牙没好气地说着，瘸着腿朝前走去。
火爪看见黄牙眼里痛苦的目光，但她似乎决定不显露出丝毫的软弱。蓝星转过身去，脸上闪过一丝敬重的神色，她领着大伙儿缓缓穿行在树林间。其他的武士们将黄牙夹在中间，不紧不慢地将她押解回营。
火爪和灰爪落在队伍后面。
火爪悄声问灰爪：“你听说过黄牙吗？”
“听说过一点儿。她在当巫医以前曾是一名武士，这可不同寻常。真想不到她会成为独行者，她这辈子从未离开过影族。”
“什么是独行者？”
灰爪看了他一眼，说：“独行者就是不属于任何一个族群，也不由两脚兽喂养的猫。虎掌说独行者自私自利，最不可靠。他们常常出没于两脚兽住处的附近，但并不依靠两脚兽喂养，全凭自给自足。”
火爪说：“一旦蓝星把我赶走，也许我也会成为一个独行者。”
灰爪向他保证说：“蓝星办事很公道，她不会赶你走的。能捉到影族的一名重要成员，她肯定很高兴。我敢肯定，对于你为那只可怜的老猫提供食物的事情，她并没有真的生气。”
“但他们一个劲儿地说食物短缺！唉，我为什么要去吃那只兔子呢？”想起这件事，火爪羞得浑身发烫。
灰爪顶了顶他说：“好了，别傻了。虽然你确实违反了武士守则，但谁能不犯错呢？”
火爪没有回答，心里仍是沉甸甸的。他可没有想到自己第一次单独执行任务竟会以这种方式收场。
当队伍经过把守营门的哨兵时，族里的猫都跑出来迎接武士们归来。
大家等候在过道两旁，好奇地看着黄牙走进营地。一些年长的猫认出了她。不一会儿，全族的猫都知道了她曾是影族的巫医。猫群里响起一片讥讽的声音。
在这些讥讽面前，黄牙就好像聋子一般全然没有听见。看见她面对冷眼和羞辱而不失风度，火爪不由得十分钦佩。他知道她现在非常痛苦，也知道她尽管吃了自己为她捉的兔子，但仍很饥饿。
当队伍走到高岩时，蓝星朝高岩下的会场点点头。黄牙默默地听从安排，感激地在那里躺下。她完全不理会周围不友好的目光，开始舔舐自己的伤口。
斑叶从角落里走了出来，她一定是闻到营地里来了一只受伤的猫。众猫纷纷给斑叶让开路。
黄牙瞅着斑叶低声说：“我知道怎样照料自己的伤口，我不需要你的帮助。”
斑叶没说什么，只是尊敬地点点头退了回去。
一些猫已经打来猎物，只等归来的武士们用餐了。武士们各取了些食物带到巢穴边吃，接着其他的猫蜂拥而上取走自己的那份。
火爪饥肠辘辘地围着会场走来走去，眼睁睁瞧着众猫像往常一般三三两两地围坐一堆，大吃大嚼。他真想吃上一小口，但是却不敢走近食物堆。他已经违反了武士守则，族里应该不会再让他享用这些新鲜的猎物了。
火爪走到高岩下，蓝星正站在上面同虎掌说话。火爪茫然地望着蓝星，希望她能表露出允许他吃饭的意思，但蓝星只顾忙着和虎掌小声谈话。火爪不知道他们是否在谈论自己，出于关心，他竖起耳朵想听听他们在说什么。
只听见虎掌不耐烦地说道：“将敌方的武士带回营地简直就是引狼入室！如今她对我们的营地了如指掌，不久以后，这里的情况就会传遍影族的。我们必须搬家。”
蓝星说：“冷静点儿，虎掌。我们为什么要搬家呢？黄牙说她现在已经无家可归了，影族没有理由知道我们这里的情况。”
虎掌骂道：“你就真的相信她说的话？那只愚蠢的宠物猫到底是怎么想的？”
蓝星说：“先别急，好好想想，虎掌。黄牙为什么要离开影族呢？你担心黄牙会把我们的情况透露给影族，但是你想过没有，她又会透露多少影族的情况给我们？”
听了蓝星的这番话，虎掌渐渐安心。他点点头，转身去吃他的那份猎物了。
蓝星没有立即离开，她站在高岩上望着会场中嬉戏打斗的幼崽们。接着，她起身走向火爪。火爪的心怦怦乱跳。蓝星有话和他说吗？
但蓝星却只是从他身边经过，甚至没有看他一眼。她边走边想事情，目光很深沉，走到育婴室外大声唤道：“霜毛！”
一只眼睛深蓝、毛色纯白的母猫从育婴室走出来。里面本有一只幼崽在哭闹，现在声音更大了。
霜毛说：“安静，宝贝，我很快回来。”然后她转过身对蓝星说：“有何吩咐，蓝星？”
“我们有一个学徒看见一只狐狸在附近出没。告诫其他的母猫们小心看好育婴室，在武士们赶跑狐狸以前，不要让不足六个月大的幼崽走出营门。”
霜毛点点头说：“我会通知大家的，蓝星，谢谢你。”说完她转身回到育婴室去哄那个正在大哭大叫的幼崽。
办完这件事，蓝星才走到猎物堆前取她的食物，那是一只肥肥的野鸽。火爪眼睁睁地看着她带着肥鸽走到高级武士们那里进食。
终于，饥饿驱使他向前走去。灰爪正在树墩旁和乌爪分享一只小金丝雀，他看到火爪靠近猎物堆，鼓励性地摆了摆头。
火爪刚要伸嘴叼一只小老鼠，虎掌出现在他的背后，大声呵斥着将老鼠踢到一旁：“这个不是给你吃的。你没有打回任何猎物，你的那份就让老年猫吃吧。给他们送去。”
火爪朝蓝星望去。
她略略点头说：“按虎掌说的办。”
火爪顺从地将那只老鼠送到小耳面前。香味飘进他的鼻孔，他真想美美地咬上一口。
他几乎能感觉到那股生命的热量已经注入体内。
他极力压制自己的食欲，将猎物放在小耳面前，然后彬彬有礼地离去。既没奢望，事实上也没有得到一句感谢话。
他暗自庆幸自己早先有那只被吃剩的兔子骨头垫肚子，在明天出去打回猎物之前，他是别想有任何口福喽。
火爪向灰爪走去。灰爪饱餐后，正和乌爪躺在学徒巢穴外神态闲适、不紧不慢地舔梳着前腿。
灰爪看到火爪走近，停下来问：“蓝星提起对你的惩罚措施了吗？”
火爪郁闷地回答：“还没有。”
灰爪同情地眯缝起眼睛，不知说什么好。
会场上响起蓝星的呼唤：“大家带着自己的食物到会场上集合。”
绝大多数的武士已经吃完了猎物，他们和灰爪一样正忙着舔梳自己。听到蓝星的呼唤，他们潇洒地站起来聚集到会场上。蓝星已然站在那里等着讲话了。
“走吧。”灰爪说着跑过去挤开猫群，找到一块好地方，火爪和乌爪紧紧跟在后面。
蓝星说：“相信大家都已经听说了，我们今天捉了一名俘虏。但是，还有些事情应该告诉大家。”她瞅了瞅躺在高岩下的穷困潦倒的黄牙，问：“你听得见我说话吗？”
黄牙不客气地回答：“我年纪大，可耳朵不聋！”
蓝星不理睬她的无礼，继续说：“告诉大家一个非常不好的消息。今天，我和巡逻队一同进入风族的领地，那里充斥着影族的气味。影族的武士们几乎在所有的树上都撒了尿。
（哺乳类动物常用尿液、粪便等排泄物作为标记来划分自己的领地范围。）虽然我们深入风族领地的中心，但连个猫影都没有看到。”
听了她的话，猫群里寂静无声。火爪看见每一只猫都是一头雾水的样子。
小耳犹犹豫豫地大声问：“你的意思是影族把风族全都赶跑了？”
蓝星说：“现在还不能妄加评论，至少我们可以肯定一点，就是那里到处都有影族的气味。我们还发现有血迹和掉落的毛，尽管我们没有遇到风、影两族的猫，但那里一定发生过战斗。”
众猫齐声发出惊呼，他们又惊又怒。有史以来，还从未发生过这种一个族群驱赶走另一个族群的事情。
一只眼连珠炮似的问：“风族怎样被赶走的？虽然影族生性残忍，但风族可是猫数众多呀？他们世世代代生活在高地上，为什么如今竟被赶走了呢？”说着，她忧心忡忡地摇摇头，猫须微微颤抖。
蓝星说：“对于你的问题，我一个都回答不上来。众所周知，自残星死后，影族又选出了新的族长。在上次森林大会上，我们还见过面，那时他没有露出任何威胁的迹象。”
黑条喝道：“也许黄牙知道答案，她毕竟是影族的成员啊！”
黄牙虎视眈眈地瞪着黑条，厉声呵斥说：“我可不是叛徒！像你这种讨厌鬼，永远别想从我这里得到影族的秘密！”黑条耳朵展平，眼睛眯成一条线，看样子就要上前动手。
蓝星大吼：“住手！”
虽然黑条憋了一肚子的火，但他仍立即听命往后退。
蓝星叱责道：“还有完没完！形势非常严峻，我们不能自己先乱了阵脚。我们必须未雨绸缪。从今晚起，武士队伍要添加人手，其他的猫则不能远离营地，边界要加强巡逻，所有的幼崽都要待在育婴室里。”
大伙儿一致点头同意。
蓝星继续说：“武士队伍力量不足是我们当前最大的困难。要克服这个困难，唯有加快学徒们的训练进度，他们必须快速成熟起来，以备随时投入战斗。”
火爪看见尘爪和沙爪相互对视，四目放光。灰爪仰头望着蓝星，眼里闪着兴奋的光彩。乌爪则面带忧郁，有些坐立不安，担心更多于兴奋。
蓝星继续说：“有一只猫，一直以来都随同灰爪和乌爪训练。接下来，将由我来训练他，这样，他们的训练进度都能加快。”她俯视群猫，顿了顿说：“我将担任火爪的老师。”
火爪几乎不相信自己的耳朵，惊奇地睁大眼睛——蓝星将是他的老师？
灰爪掩饰不住自己的惊讶，大声地吸了口气：“多高的荣誉啊！蓝星只收过一个徒弟，不过那是很久以前的事了。通常她只训练副族长的幼崽！”
猫群前方响起一个熟悉的声音，那是虎掌：“火爪本该为族群捕猎，他却为一个敌方的武士提供猎物。族长这么做让火爪非但没有受到惩罚，反而获得奖赏了？”
蓝星回答道：“火爪现在是我的徒弟，我会处置他的。”她迎着虎掌恶狠狠的眼神看了一会儿后，抬起头对全族说：“黄牙在完全恢复以前，就留在我们这里。我们是武士，不是残忍好杀之徒，我们必须对她以礼相待。”
黑条反对说：“但是族里养活不起黄牙了，我们已经有很多张嘴在等着吃饭。”
灰爪在火爪的耳边悄声说：“没错！有些猫个头大，吃得更多！”
黄牙说：“我不需要任何照顾！谁来照顾我，我就对谁不客气！”
灰爪嘟囔着：“友好点儿不行吗？”
火爪默不做声，摇摇尾巴表示赞同。看到黄牙到这步田地仍然嘴硬，大家均感愤愤不平，猫群中响起了嗡嗡的议论声。
蓝星继续说：“我有个一举两得的法子。火爪，作为对违反武士守则的惩罚，由你负责照顾黄牙，为她捕猎食物、照顾伤势。你要保证她身体和床铺的整洁。”
“是，蓝星。”火爪躬身领命，心里暗想：保证她的身体整洁，天啊！
沙爪和尘爪发出大声的嘲笑。尘爪说：“好主意！火爪最擅长捉跳蚤！”
沙爪补充说：“还有打猎！那把瘦骨头可要下点儿工夫才能养起来！”
蓝星打断他们说：“别闹了！我希望火爪不要对照料黄牙有任何难为情。她是一名巫医，也是长辈，就凭这些，火爪就应当尊重她！”她狠狠瞪了沙爪和尘爪一眼，“照料一只不能自理的猫没什么可丢脸的。会议到此结束。高级武士们留下，我还有话说。”说完，她跳下高岩，进入巢穴。
狮心跟在她后面，其他猫则开始从高岩下散去。其间有一两只猫上前祝贺火爪成为蓝星的徒弟，另一些猫则幸灾乐祸地祝他好运。火爪被这件突如其来的事情搞得如坠雾里，脑子里一片空白，根本不知旁人在说什么，只顾点头答应。
长尾走过来，耳朵上仍留有火爪抓出的那个“V”字形缺口。他龇牙咧嘴，做出一副凶狠的样子，讥笑说：“哼哼，我希望你下次在带回别的流浪者之前能多用脑子想想。就像我说过的，外来者总是带来麻烦。”
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
“I’d go and see to Yellowfang, if I were you,”whispered Graypaw, as Longtail strode away. “She’s doesn’t look very happy.”
Firepaw glanced over at the old she-cat. She was still lying beside the Highrock. Graypaw was right; she was glaring at him.
“Well, here goes,” he mewed. “Wish me luck!”
“You’ll need the whole of StarClan on your side for this one,” answered Graypaw. “Call out if you need a hand. If she looks like she’s going to have you, I’ll sneak up behind her and whack her on the head with a stiff rabbit.”
Firepaw purred with amusement and trotted off toward Yellowfang. His cheerfulness quickly evaporated as he neared the injured queen.
The old cat was clearly in a terrible mood. She hissed a warning and showed her teeth. “Stop right there, kittypet!”
Firepaw sighed. It seemed he was in for a fight. He was still hungry and beginning to feel tired. He longed to curl up in his nest for an afternoon nap. The last thing he wanted was to argue with this pitiful clump of fur and teeth. “You can call me what you like,” he mewed wearily. “I’m just following Bluestar’s orders.”
“You area kittypet, though, aren’t you?” Yellowfang wheezed.
She’s tired too, Firepaw thought. There was less fire in her voice, although her spite was as strong as ever.
“I used to live with Twolegs when I was a kitten,” Firepaw replied calmly.
“Your mother a kittypet? Your father a kittypet?”
“Yes, they were.” Firepaw looked down at the ground, feeling resentment burn inside him. It was bad enough that members of his own Clan still viewed him as an outsider. He certainly didn’t have to answer to this foul-tempered prisoner.
Yellowfang seemed to take his silence as an invitation to go on. “Kittypet blood is not the same as warrior blood. Why don’t you run home to your Twolegs now instead of looking after me? It’s humiliating, being fussed over by a lowborn cat like you!”
Firepaw’s patience ran out. He snarled, “You’d still feel humiliated if I werewarrior-born. You’d feel ashamed whether I was a precious she-cat from your own Clan or a wretched Twoleg that had picked you off the ground.” He lashed his tail from side to side. “It’s the fact that you need to rely on anycat that you find so humiliating!”
Yellowfang stared at him, her orange eyes very wide.
Firepaw carried on fiercely: “You’re just going to have to get used to being cared for until you are well enough to look after yourself, you spiteful old bone bag!”
He stopped as Yellowfang began to make a low, harsh, wheezing sound.
Alarmed, Firepaw took a step toward her. The she-cat was trembling all over and her eyes had narrowed into tiny slits. Was she having some kind of a fit?
“Look, I didn’t mean…” he began, before he suddenly realized that she was laughing!
“Mr-ow, ow-ow,” she mewled, a purr rumbling up from deep inside her chest.
Firepaw didn’t know what to do.
“You have spirit, kittypet,” Yellowfang croaked, stopping at last. “Now, I’m tired and my leg hurts. I need sleep and something to put on this wound. Go and find that pretty little medicine cat of yours and ask her for some herbs. I think you’ll find a goldenrod poultice would help. And, while you’re at it, I wouldn’t mind a few poppy seeds to chew on. The pain is killing me!”
Stunned by her change of mood, Firepaw turned quickly and sprinted toward Spottedleaf’s den.
He had never been in this part of the camp before. With his ears pricked, he padded through a cool green tunnel of ferns that led into a small grassy clearing. A tall rock stood at one side, split down the middle by a crack wide enough for a cat to make its den inside. Out of this opening trotted Spottedleaf. As usual, she looked bright-eyed and friendly, her dappled coat gleaming with a hundred shades of amber and brown.
Firepaw shyly mewed a greeting, and reeled off Yellowfang’s list of herbs and seeds.
“I’ve got most of those in my den,” replied Spottedleaf. “I’ll fetch some marigold leaves too. If she dresses her wound with that, it’ll keep off any infection. Wait here.”
“Thanks,” Firepaw mewed as the medicine cat disappeared back into her den. He strained his eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of her inside. But the den was too dark to see anything; he could only hear the sound of rustling and smell the heady scents of unfamiliar herbs.
Spottedleaf emerged from the gloom and dropped a bundle folded in leaves by Firepaw’s feet. “Tell Yellowfang to go easy on the poppy seeds. I don’t want her to deaden the pain entirely. A little pain can be useful, as it will help me judge how well she is healing.”
Firepaw nodded and picked up the herbs with his teeth. “Thanks, Spottedleaf!” he mewed through the mouthful of leaves, then headed back through the fern tunnel into the main clearing.
Tigerclaw was sitting outside the warriors’ den, watching him closely. As Firepaw trotted over to Yellowfang, carrying the herbs, he could feel the amber-eyed stare burning the fur on the back of his neck. He turned his head and looked at Tigerclaw curiously. The warrior narrowed his eyes and looked away.
Firepaw dropped the bundle beside Yellowfang.
“Good,” she meowed. “Now, before you leave me in peace, find me something to eat. I’m starving!”
The sun had risen three times since Yellowfang had entered the camp. Firepaw woke early and nudged Graypaw, who was still asleep beside him, his nose tucked under his thick tail. “Wake up,” Firepaw mewed. “Or you’ll be late for training.”
Graypaw lifted his head sleepily and growled in reluctant agreement.
Firepaw prodded Ravenpaw.
The black cat opened his eyes immediately and leaped to his feet. “What is it?” he mewed, looking around wildly.
“Calm down, Ravenpaw. It’s time for training soon,” Firepaw soothed.
Dustpaw and Sandpaw began to stir too, in their mossy nests on the far side of the den. Firepaw stood up and pushed his way out of the ferns.
The morning was warm. Firepaw could see a deep blue sky through the leaves and branches that overhung the camp. Today, however, a heavy dew glistened on the fern fronds and sparkled on the grass. Firepaw sniffed the air. Greenleaf was drawing to a close, and soon it would start to feel colder.
He lay down and rolled in the earth beside the tree stump, stretching his legs and tipping his head back to rub it on the cool ground. Then he flipped over onto his side, and looked across the clearing to see if Yellowfang was awake yet.
She had been given a resting place at the other end of the fallen tree where the elders gathered to eat. Her nest lay tucked against its mossy trunk, out of hearing of the elders, but in full view of the warriors’ den across the clearing. Firepaw could just see a mound of pale gray fur, rising and falling in time to a gentle rumble of sleep.
Graypaw trotted out of the den behind him, followed by Sandpaw and Dustpaw. Ravenpaw appeared last, with a nervous glance around the clearing before he emerged fully into the open.
“Another day looking after that mangy old fleabag, eh, Firepaw?” mewed Dustpaw. “I bet you wish you were out training with us.”
Firepaw sat up and shook the dust from his fur. He wasn’t going to let himself get annoyed by Dustpaw’s taunts.
“Don’t worry, Firepaw,” murmured Graypaw. “Bluestar will have you back in training before long.”
“Perhaps she thinks a kittypet is better off staying in camp, tending to the sick,” mewed Sandpaw rudely, tossing her sleek ginger head and throwing him a scornful look.
Firepaw decided to ignore her barbed comments. “What is Whitestorm teaching you today, Sandpaw?” he mewed.
“We’re doing battle training today. He’s going to teach me how a real warrior fights,” Sandpaw replied proudly.
“Lionheart’s taking me to the Great Sycamore,” mewed Graypaw, “to practice my climbing. I’d best go. He’ll be waiting.”
“I’ll come with you to the top of the ravine,” mewed Firepaw. “I have to catch breakfast for Yellowfang. Coming, Ravenpaw? Tigerclaw must have something planned for you.”
Ravenpaw sighed and nodded, then followed Graypaw and Firepaw as they trotted out of the camp. Even though his injury was completely healed, he still seemed to have little enthusiasm for warrior training.
“Here,” mewed Firepaw. He dropped a large mouse and a chaffinch onto the ground beside Yellowfang.
“About time,” she growled. The she-cat had still been sleeping when Firepaw had entered the camp after his hunting trip. But the smell of fresh-kill must have woken her, for now she had pulled herself into a sitting position.
She dropped her head and hungrily gulped down Firepaw’s offerings. She had developed a massive appetite as her strength returned. Her wound was healing well, but her temper remained as fierce and unpredictable as ever.
She finished her meal and complained, “The base of my tail itches like fury, but I can’t reach it. Give it a wash, will you?”
With an inward shudder, Firepaw crouched down and set to work.
As he cracked the plump fleas between his teeth, he noticed a gang of small kits tumbling in the dusty earth nearby. They were mauling each other and play-fighting, sometimes quite viciously. Yellowfang, who had closed her eyes as Firepaw groomed her, half opened one eye to observe the kits as they played. To his surprise, Firepaw felt her spine stiffen beneath his teeth.
He listened for a moment to the tiny yelps and squeaks of the kits.
“Feel my teeth, Brokenstar!” mewed one small tabby. He leaped onto the back of a little gray-and-white kit, who was pretending to be the ShadowClan leader. The two kits bundled toward the Highrock. Suddenly the gray-and-white kit gave a mighty heave and flung the tabby from his back. With a startled squeak, the little tabby cannoned into Yellowfang’s side.
Instantly the old she-cat leaped to her feet, fur on end, spitting violently. “Stay away from me, you scrap of fur!” she hissed.
The tabby kit took one look at the furious cat, turned tail, and ran. He hid himself behind a tabby queen, who was staring furiously across the clearing at Yellowfang.
The gray-and-white kit froze where he stood. Then, paw by paw, he cautiously backed away toward the safety of the nursery.
Yellowfang’s reaction had shocked Firepaw. He thought he’d seen her at her most vicious when they fought after their first meeting, but her eyes burned with a new rage now. “I think the kits are finding it hard being confined to camp,” he mewed cautiously. “They’re getting restless.”
“I don’t care how restless they are,” growled Yellowfang. “Just keep them away from me!”
“Don’t you like kits?” Firepaw asked, curious in spite of himself. “Did you never have kits of your own?”
“Don’t you know medicine cats don’t have kits?” hissed Yellowfang furiously.
“But I heard you were a warrior before that,” Firepaw ventured.
“I have no kits!” Yellowfang spat. She snatched her tail away from him and sat up. “Anyway”—her voice suddenly lowered, and she sounded almost wistful—“accidents seem to happen to kits when I’m around them.”
Her orange eyes clouded with emotion. She laid her chin flat on her forepaws and stared ahead. Firepaw watched her shoulders sink as she released a long, silent sigh.
Firepaw looked at her curiously. What could she mean? Was the old she-cat being serious? It was hard to tell; Yellowfang seemed to swing from mood to mood so quickly. He shrugged to himself and went on with the grooming.
“There are a couple of ticks I couldn’t pull out,” he told her when he had finished.
“I should hope you didn’t even try, you idiot!” snapped Yellowfang. “I don’t want any tick heads embedded in my rear, thank you very much. Ask Spottedleaf for a little mouse bile to rub on them. A splash of that in their breathing holes and they’ll soon loosen their grip.”
“I’ll get some now!” Firepaw offered. He was glad of a chance to get away from the grumpy cat for a while. And it was certainly no hardship to go and see Spottedleaf again.
He walked toward the fern tunnel. Cats crossed the clearing around him, carrying sticks and twigs in their teeth. While he had been grooming Yellowfang, the camp had grown active. It had been like this every day since Bluestar had announced WindClan’s disappearance. The queens were weaving twigs and leaves into a dense green wall around the sides of the nursery, making sure that the narrow entrance was the only way in and out of the bramble patch. Other cats were working at the edges of the camp, filling in any spaces in the thick undergrowth.
Even the elders were busy, scraping out a hole in the ground. Warriors filed steadily past, piling pieces of fresh-kill beside them, ready to be stored inside the newly dug hole. There was an air of quiet concentration, a determination to make the Clan as secure and well supplied as possible.
If ShadowClan made a move on their territory, ThunderClan would shelter inside the camp. They would not let themselves be driven from their hunting grounds as easily as WindClan had been.
Darkstripe, Longtail, Willowpelt, and Dustpaw were waiting silently at the camp entrance. Their eyes were fixed on the opening to the gorse tunnel. A patrol was just returning, dusty and paw-sore. As soon as the warriors entered the camp, Darkstripe and his companions approached and exchanged words with them. Then they slipped quickly out of the camp. ThunderClan’s borders were not being left unguarded for a moment.
Firepaw headed down the fern tunnel that led to Spottedleaf’s den. As he entered the clearing, he could see Spottedleaf was preparing some sweet-smelling herbs.
“Can I have some mouse bile for Yellowfang’s ticks?” Firepaw mewed.
“In a moment,” replied Spottedleaf, pawing two piles of herbs together and mixing the fragrant heap with one delicately extended claw.
“Busy?” Firepaw asked, settling down on a warm patch of earth.
“I want to be prepared for any casualties,” Spottedleaf murmured, glancing up at him with her clear amber eyes. Firepaw met her gaze for a moment, then looked away, an uncomfortable feeling prickling his fur. Spottedleaf turned her attention back to the herbs.
Firepaw waited, happy to sit quietly and watch her at work.
“Right,” she mewed at last. “What was it you wanted? Mouse bile?”
“Yes, please.” Firepaw stood up and stretched each back leg in turn. The sun had warmed his fur and made him feel sleepy.
Spottedleaf bounded into her den and brought something out. She held it gingerly in her mouth. It was a small wad of moss dangling on the end of a thin strip of bark. She passed it to Firepaw. He tasted her warm, sweet breath as he took the bark strip between his teeth.
“The moss is soaked in bile,” Spottedleaf explained. “Don’t get any in your mouth, or you’ll have a foul taste for days. Press it onto the ticks and then wash your paws—in a stream, not with your tongue!”
Firepaw nodded and trotted back to Yellowfang, feeling suddenly cheerful and tingling with energy.
“Hold still!” he mewed to the old she-cat. Carefully he used his forepaws to press the moss onto each tick.
“You may as well clear away my dirt now your paws are already foul!” she meowed when he had finished. “I’m going to take a nap.” She yawned, revealing her blackened and broken teeth. The warmth of the day was making her sleepy, too. “Then you can go and do whatever it is you apprentices do,” she murmured.
When Firepaw had cleared away Yellowfang’s dirt, he left her dozing and made his way to the gorse tunnel. He was keen to get to the stream and rinse his paws.
“Firepaw!” a voice called from the side of the clearing.
Firepaw turned. It was Halftail.
“Where are you off to?” meowed the old cat curiously. “You ought to be helping with the preparations.”
“I’ve just been putting mouse bile on Yellowfang’s ticks,” replied Firepaw.
Amusement flickered through Halftail’s whiskers. “So now you’re off to the nearest stream! Well, don’t come back without fresh-kill. We need as much as we can find.”
“Yes, Halftail,” Firepaw replied.
He made his way out of the camp and up the side of the ravine. He trotted down to the stream where he and Graypaw had hunted on the day he had found Yellowfang. Without hesitating he jumped down into the cold, clear water. It came up to his haunches, and wet his belly fur. The shock made him gasp, and he shivered.
A rustle in the bushes above him made him look up, although the familiar scent that reached his nose told him there was nothing to be alarmed about.
“What are you doing in there?” Graypaw and Ravenpaw were standing looking at him as if he were mad.
“Mouse bile.” Firepaw grimaced. “Don’t ask! Where are Lionheart and Tigerclaw?”
“They’ve gone to join the next patrol,” answered Graypaw. “They ordered us to spend the rest of the afternoon hunting.”
“Halftail told me the same thing,” Firepaw mewed, flinching as a chilly current of water rushed around his paws. “Everyone’s busy back at camp. You’d think we were about to be attacked at any moment.” He climbed up onto the bank, dripping.
“Who says we won’t be?” mewed Ravenpaw, his eyes flicking from side to side as if he expected an enemy patrol to leap out of the bushes at any time.
Firepaw looked at the heap of fresh-kill that was piled beside the two apprentices. “Looks like you’ve done all right today,” he mewed.
“Yeah,” mewed Graypaw proudly. “And we’ve still got the rest of the afternoon to hunt. Do you want to join us?”
“You bet!” Firepaw purred. He gave himself a final shake, then bounded into the undergrowth after his friends.
Firepaw could tell that the cats back at camp were impressed with the amount of prey the three apprentices had managed to catch during their afternoon hunt. They were welcomed back with high tails and friendly nuzzles. It took them four journeys to carry their bumper catch to the storage hole the elders had dug.
Lionheart and Tigerclaw had just returned with their patrol as Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw carried their last load into the camp.
“Well done, you three,” meowed Lionheart. “I hear you’ve been busy. The store is almost full. You might as well add that last lot to the pile of fresh-kill for tonight. And take some of it back to your den with you. You deserve a feast!”
The three apprentices flicked their tails with delight.
“I hope you’ve not been neglecting Yellowfang with all this hunting, Firepaw,” Tigerclaw growled warningly.
Firepaw shook his head impatiently, eager to get away. He was starving. He had obeyed the warrior code this time and not eaten a morsel while he was hunting for the Clan. Nor had Graypaw or Ravenpaw.
They trotted away and dropped the last of their catch on the fresh-kill that already lay at the center of the clearing. Then each of them took a piece and carried it back to their tree stump. The den was empty.
“Where are Dustpaw and Sandpaw?” asked Ravenpaw.
“They must still be out on patrol,” Firepaw guessed.
“Good,” meowed Graypaw. “Peace and quiet.”
They ate their fill and lay back to wash. The cool evening air was welcome after the heat of the day.
“Hey! Guess what!” mewed Graypaw suddenly. “Ravenpaw managed to squeeze a compliment out of old Tigerclaw this morning!”
“Really?” Firepaw gasped. “What on earth did you do to please Tigerclaw—fly?”
“Well,” Ravenpaw began shyly, looking at his paws, “I caught a crow.”
“How’d you manage that?” Firepaw mewed, impressed.
“It was an old one,” Ravenpaw admitted modestly.
“But it was huge,” added Graypaw. “Even Tigerclaw couldn’t find fault with that! He’s been in such a bad mood since Bluestar took you on as her apprentice.” He licked his paw thoughtfully for a moment. “Hang on, make that since Lionheart was made deputy.”
“He’s just worried about ShadowClan, and the extra patrols,” mewed Ravenpaw, hastily. “You should try not to annoy him.”
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud yowl from the other side of the clearing.
“Oh, no.” Firepaw groaned, getting to his paws. “I forgot to take Yellowfang her share!”
“You wait here,” mewed Graypaw, leaping up. “I’ll take her something.”
“No, I’d better go,” Firepaw protested. “This is my punishment, not yours.”
“No one will notice,” argued Graypaw. “They’re all busy eating. You know me: quiet as a mouse, quick as a fish. Wait here.”
Firepaw sat down again, unable to hide his relief. He watched his friend trot away from the tree stump to the pile of fresh-kill.
As if he were carrying out orders, Graypaw confidently picked out two of the juiciest-looking mice. Quickly, he began to pad across the clearing toward Yellowfang.
“Stop, Graypaw!” A loud growl rumbled from the entrance to the warriors’ den. Tigerclaw strode out and marched over to Graypaw. “Where are you taking those mice?” he demanded.
With a sinking feeling in his stomach, Firepaw watched, helpless, from the tree stump. Beside him, Ravenpaw froze midchew and crouched over his meal with his eyes wider than ever.
“Umm…” Graypaw dropped the mice and shuffled his paws uncomfortably.
“Not helping young Firepaw by feeding that greedy traitor over there, are you?”
Firepaw watched Graypaw study his paws for a moment. Finally he replied, “I, er, I was just feeling hungry. I was going to take them off and eat them by myself. If I let that pair get a look in”—he glanced at Firepaw and Ravenpaw—“they’ll leave me with nothing but bones and fur.”
“Oh, really?” mewed Tigerclaw. “Well, if you’re so hungry, you might as well eat them here and now!”
“But—” Graypaw began, looking up at the senior warrior in alarm.
“Now!” growled Tigerclaw.
Graypaw bent his head quickly and began to eat the mice. He demolished the first one in a couple of bites and swallowed it quickly. The second mouse took longer for him to eat. Firepaw thought he’d never manage to swallow it, and his own stomach clenched in sympathy, but eventually Graypaw gave a final, difficult gulp and the last bit of mouse disappeared.
“Better now?” asked Tigerclaw, his voice smooth with mock sympathy.
“Much,” replied Graypaw, stifling a burp.
“Good.” Tigerclaw stalked off again, back to his den.
Graypaw slunk uncomfortably back to Firepaw and Ravenpaw.
“Thanks, Graypaw,” Firepaw mewed gratefully, nudging his friend’s soft fur. “That was quick thinking.”
The noise of Yellowfang’s yowl rose into the air once more. Firepaw sighed and got to his paws. He would make sure he took her enough to see her through the night. He wanted to turn in early. His stomach was full and his paws were tired.
“Are you okay, Graypaw?” he asked as he turned to leave.
“Mrr-ow-ow,” moaned Graypaw. He was hunched into a low crouch, squinting with pain. “I’ve eaten too much!”
“Go and see Spottedleaf,” Firepaw suggested. “I’m sure she’ll find something to help.”
“I hope so,” mewed Graypaw, tottering slowly away.
Firepaw wanted to watch him go, until another angry yowl from Yellowfang sent him sprinting across the clearing.
第九章
第九章
长尾走开后，灰爪小声说：“假若我是你，我就去和黄牙打个招呼，她的脸色可不好。”
火爪看见黄牙仍躺在高岩下面，正朝他这边瞅来。
火爪说：“好吧，我这就去。祝我好运吧！”
灰爪说：“这回你需要整个星族的保佑。需要帮助就吱声。如果看到她欺负你，我就悄悄溜到她的身后，用风干的兔子狠砸她的脑袋。”
火爪扑哧一乐，硬着头皮向黄牙走去。当他接近那只受伤的母猫时，刚刚被逗起的那点儿快乐也立即烟消云散了。
黄牙明显情绪不好，虎着脸警告说：“别过来，宠物猫！”
火爪叹了口气：这简直就是在上战场呀！他现在肚子还饿得咕咕叫，感到身体越来越疲倦。他多想蜷在窝里睡个觉啊，他最不想做的事就是和这只张牙舞爪的可怜的老猫争吵。“我随时听候您的吩咐。”火爪郁闷不已地说，“我这是在遵从蓝星的命令。”
“你是一只宠物猫，对吗？”黄牙气喘吁吁地说。
她也累了，火爪心想，尽管她说话还挺冲，可是火气小了许多。
“当我小的时候，我曾和两脚兽共同生活过。”火爪平静地说。
“你妈妈是宠物猫吗？你爸爸不会也是吧？”
“是的，他们全都是宠物猫。”火爪看着地面说，心里生出一股怨气。族群里视自己为一个外来者已经够他受了，他可没有义务回答这个臭脾气的俘虏的各种质疑。
黄牙似乎将他的沉默当做了继续谈话的邀请：“宠物猫和武士的血统可大不相同。为什么你不跑回到两脚兽那里去，而在这里照顾我呢？被你这种低等猫搞得我焦头烂额，真是太丢脸了！”
火爪终于忍无可忍，怒斥道：“即使我具有武士血统你也会感到丢脸。不论我的出身如何，你都会觉得羞耻。”他的尾巴摆来摆去，“令你蒙羞的是你现在必须依靠别的猫！”
黄牙盯着他，橘红色的眼睛睁得大大的。
火爪恨恨地说：“在你能够照顾自己之前，你必须渐渐习惯依靠别的猫，你这可怜的老骨头！”
这时，黄牙发出低沉的噗噗声。
火爪停止说话，警觉地走上前去。只见黄牙浑身颤抖，眼睛眯成一条线。她是否要大发雷霆呢？
“我不是故意的……”他说着，突然间意识到黄牙正在发笑。
她终于捧腹大笑起来：“哈哈哈……”
火爪一时间不知该怎么办才好。
黄牙笑到最后，喘着气说：“你还挺有骨气，宠物猫。我现在很累，腿又受了伤，我需要在伤口上敷些东西，然后睡一觉。去找你们那个漂亮的小巫医要些草药。唔，要金花膏，还有，如果你拿些罂粟籽让我嚼，我也不会介意的。我快痛死了！”
看到黄牙的情绪转变如此之快，火爪在惊叹之余转身飞快地奔向斑叶的巫医巢穴。
他此前还从未去过那里。穿过绿色的香薇通道就是一小片草地，草地边有一块巨大的岩石，岩石正中有一道宽阔的足够在里面筑巢的裂隙。斑叶从裂隙中走出，眼神如往常一样明亮友善，身上玳瑁色和棕色的斑点绚烂生辉。
火爪羞答答地上前打个招呼，复述了一遍黄牙列出的草药清单。
斑叶回答说：“巫医巢穴里有许多这种草药。我再拿些金盏花叶子，把它涂在伤口上，能防止感染。请稍候。”
火爪说：“多谢。”斑叶转身消失在巫医巢穴里。火爪睁大眼睛往里看，但是巫医巢穴里漆黑一片，根本看不到任何东西，只能听见沙沙声，闻到不知名的草药的浓烈气味。
一阵忙碌后，斑叶从黑暗中走出来，将一捆扎好的叶子放在火爪脚边：“告诉黄牙，罂粟籽别用得太多，否则会完全感觉不到疼痛。轻微的疼痛能帮助我判断伤口的愈合情况。”
火爪点点头，叼起草药含糊不清地说：“谢谢，斑叶！”说完他转身离去。
虎掌站在武士巢穴外，瞅着他走近。火爪叼着草药向黄牙走去的时候，感到那双琥珀色的眼睛在盯着自己。他转头好奇地看看虎掌，虎掌眯缝起眼睛走开了。
火爪将草药放在黄牙身边。
黄牙说：“很好。现在去找些吃的来，然后就没你的事了。我快饿死了。”
转眼间，黄牙来到营地已有三天。火爪一大早便醒了，灰爪用粗厚的尾巴盖住鼻子，还在酣睡。火爪碰了碰他，唤道：“醒醒，训练要迟到了。”
灰爪睡眼惺忪地抬起头，不情愿地应了一声。
火爪又捅了捅乌爪。
乌爪立刻睁开眼睛跳起来，神态慌张地四处张望，问：“出什么事了？”
火爪安慰说：“没事，乌爪，快到训练时间了。”
尘爪和沙爪被他们吵醒，也开始蠕动身体。火爪站起来走出巢穴。
外面阳光明媚，暖意洋洋。透过横在营地上空的枝枝杈杈，可以看到蔚蓝色的天空。
晶莹剔透的露珠散落在各处的树叶上、草地间。火爪嗅了嗅空气。绿叶开始枯萎，天气渐渐转冷。
他在树墩旁躺下打滚，伸展四肢，脑袋努力后仰，在地上磨蹭。接着他翻个身侧卧，向会场另一边望去，看看黄牙是否醒了。
黄牙被安置在老年猫们聚餐的那根倒在地上的树干的末端，树干上长满苔藓。黄牙的窝就在树干下，在那里听不到老猫们的谈话，但武士们只要在巢穴里面便可看到她。火爪只能看到一团灰毛，随着熟睡中的呼吸而上下浮动。
灰爪、沙爪和尘爪先后走出巢穴，乌爪跟在最后，他神情紧张，瞅了一眼会场后才走出来。
尘爪说：“今天还要照料那个邋遢的老东西，嗯？我赌你今天想和我们一道出去训练。”
火爪起立抖去身上的灰土，根本不打算为尘爪的羞辱而生气。
灰爪说：“别担心，火爪，蓝星不久就会给你补上这些课的。”
“也许蓝星认为宠物猫最好应待在营地照顾病号吧。”沙爪说着，仰起脸轻蔑地看着火爪。
火爪决定不理会她的揶揄，说：“今天白风教你们什么呀，沙爪？”
沙爪得意扬扬地回答：“格斗训练。他将教我们一名真正的武士是怎样进行战斗的。”
灰爪说：“狮心带我去巨悬铃树那里练习攀爬。我现在就走，他在等我。”
火爪说：“我和你一起到沟上去，我得为黄牙准备早餐。你来吗，乌爪？虎掌一定制订好了训练计划在等你。”
乌爪叹口气点了点头，随灰爪和火爪走出营地。尽管伤势已经恢复，但他似乎仍对训练发怵。
“给。”火爪说着，在黄牙身旁放下一只大老鼠和一只燕雀。
黄牙大声说：“我正饿得发慌呢。”火爪外出捕猎回来时她原本还在睡觉，但闻到猎物的香味后便立刻醒来坐起身。
她低头贪婪地大口吞咽火爪的供奉，体力的恢复令她胃口大开。她的伤口愈合良好，但脾气依然暴戾且喜怒无常。
吃完饭，黄牙抱怨说：“我的尾巴根痒得钻心，但我够不着，你能帮我清理一下吗？”
火爪耸耸肩，俯下身子开始清理。
他咬碎粘在黄牙尾巴上的泥团，瞥眼看见一群小家伙正在附近灰土地上打滚。他们装模作样地吓唬对方，嬉戏打斗，有时还相当激烈。在火爪为黄牙进行梳理的时候，黄牙的双眼似闭似睁，看着玩耍的幼崽们。使火爪惊奇的是，他的牙齿感觉出黄牙脊背上的肌肉很僵硬。
他听了一会儿幼崽们的尖叫大喊声。
一只小虎斑猫骑到一只装扮成影族族长的灰白色的幼崽背上，说：“尝尝我牙齿的厉害，断星！”两只幼崽边扭打边向高岩方向靠去。突然，那只灰白色的幼崽奋力一跳，将背上的小虎斑猫甩了出去。随着一声令人毛骨悚然的尖叫，那只小虎斑猫摔在黄牙的身上。
黄牙立刻跳起身，毛发直立，歇斯底里地骂道：“滚开，你这毛毛球！”
那只小虎斑猫瞅了发怒的黄牙一眼，夹着尾巴就往回跑，躲在一只母虎斑猫的身后。
那只母猫正隔着会场远远怒视着黄牙。
那只灰白色的小猫站在原地呆若木鸡。然后，他一步步小心翼翼地退回到育婴室。
黄牙的反应使火爪十分震惊。自从他们初遇时的那场恶仗以来，他还没有见过黄牙这么发怒过，现在她的眼里正闪着怒火。火爪小心地说：“大概幼崽们被圈在营地里憋得难受，他们总是闲不住。”
黄牙大声嚷：“我不管他们闲得住闲不住，只要他们别来烦我就行！”
火爪忍不住好奇地问：“难道你不喜欢幼崽？你自己生过幼崽吗？”
黄牙没好气地说：“难道你不知道巫医不能生育吗？”
火爪壮着胆子问：“但我听说你原来是一名武士啊？”
黄牙厉声说：“我没有孩子！”她一下子将尾巴从火爪嘴里抽回，站了起来。“不管怎样，”她的声音突然放低，几乎带有渴望的意味，“孩子们在我身边总会发生些意外。”
她眼神忧郁，将脸颊枕在前爪上凝视前方。接着她肩膀一沉，发出深深的叹息。
火爪好奇地看着她。她是什么意思？她的那番话是认真的吗？这很难说得清楚，黄牙的情绪总是转变得太快。他自我解嘲般耸耸肩，继续帮她梳理。
火爪梳理完毕后告诉她说：“有两只虱子我挑不出来。”
黄牙揶揄说：“我倒宁愿你不去管它们，笨蛋！我可不想在屁股上嵌进两只虱子，多谢了。向斑叶要些老鼠胆汁涂在它们上面，它们遇到胆汁就会松开嘴了。”
“我现在就去取！”火爪说，心里很高兴可以避开这只脾气古怪的老猫，更何况，去见见斑叶也不是什么苦差事。
他走向金雀花通道，身边不停有叼着树枝的猫经过。就在他为黄牙梳理的时候，整个营地已经动了起来。自从蓝星当众宣布风族消失以来，营地里一直便是这般忙碌的样子。
母猫们用树枝树叶充塞育婴室周围的绿色围墙，以确保营地入口是进出往来的唯一通道。
其他的猫则在营地周边工作，填补好灌木丛中的每一处漏洞。
即使是老年猫们也没闲着，在地上刨出了一个洞穴。武士们排好队，身边堆着新鲜猎物，等待放进新刨出的洞穴里。大家都在全力以赴保卫营地的安全，确保供应充足。
如果影族来犯，雷族将依托地势，坚守营地。他们决不能容忍自己像风族一样被别人轻易地赶出家园。
黑条、长尾、柳带和尘爪正静候在营地入口，眼睛紧盯着金雀花通道。见到风尘仆仆、疲倦不堪的巡逻队外出归来，黑条等众武士连忙迎上招呼。将巡逻归来的武士们迎接回来后，他们便匆匆忙忙开始了下一班巡逻。这个时候，雷族的边界一刻也不能无人守卫。
火爪沿着通往巫医巢穴的香薇通道来到空地上，看见斑叶正在配制某种气味香甜的草药。
火爪说：“我能取些老鼠胆汁祛除黄牙身上的虱子吗？”
“稍等。”斑叶回答着，将两堆草药聚拢在一起后用她纤细的爪子来回搅拌。
火爪找了一块暖和的地方坐下，问：“正忙呢？”
斑叶抬起琥珀色的双眼看看他，说：“我在为一切可能发生的意外作准备。”火爪和她对视片刻后移开目光，心里有些尴尬。斑叶又开始专心配制草药。
火爪则惬意地坐在那里，看着她工作。
“完成了。”她最后说，“你要什么？老鼠胆汁吗？”
“是的，有劳了。”火爪站起身轮番伸了伸后腿。太阳暖洋洋地照在身上，使他有些昏昏欲睡。
斑叶走出洞穴，嘴里叼着一根细长的树皮的一端，另一端捆了一小块苔藓团子。火爪用嘴衔过树皮的时候，感受到斑叶温暖幽香的呼吸。
斑叶解释说：“这团苔藓在老鼠胆汁中浸泡过，嘴别碰着，不然你几天都没胃口。把它按在虱子身上，结束后记得清洗爪子——用清水洗，不要用舌头舔！”
火爪点头转身离去，心中充满莫名的喜悦。
“别动！”火爪对黄牙说，他小心谨慎地用前爪将苔藓团子按在每只虱子上。
当火爪除完虱子，黄牙说：“把我身上的苔藓清理干净。你的爪子真臭！我现在要打个盹儿。”她打个哈欠，露出那口残破的脏牙，暖洋洋的天气也令她昏昏欲睡。“你可以走了，去干你们学徒该干的事吧。”她小声嘟囔。
当火爪清理完转身离开的时候，黄牙已经蒙头大睡了。现在，他只想到溪水边洗净爪子。
“火爪！”会场那边传来了招呼声。
火爪扭头看去，原来是半尾。
半尾好奇地问：“你要离开营地去哪里？你该帮着大伙儿备战。”
“我刚刚把老鼠胆汁涂在黄牙身上了。”火爪回答。
半尾忍不住笑道：“那么现在你是去最近的小溪喽！哼，捉不到猎物就别回来。我们现在需要一切能够找到的东西。”
火爪回答：“是，半尾。”
他走出营门爬上沟，沿着沟边向小溪走去。他和灰爪曾在这条溪边捕过猎，就是那天他遇到了黄牙。他来到溪边，毫不迟疑地跳进冰冷、清澈的溪水里。溪水淹没四肢，浸湿了肚腹上的毛。冷水的刺激使他大口呼吸，身体缩在一起。
岸上的树丛里发出沙沙声，尽管嗅到的那股熟悉的气味告诉他不必警戒，但他还是抬头看去。
“你在那里干什么？”灰爪和乌爪站在岸边望着他，好像在看一个疯子似的。
火爪扮了个鬼脸，说：“还不是因为老鼠胆汁呗。别提了！狮心和虎掌呢？”
“去进行下一轮巡逻了。”灰爪回答，“他们让我们在下午剩余的时间里打猎。”
火爪说：“半尾也是这么命令我的。”一股冰凉的水流冲上爪子，他打了个寒战。“营地里每个人都没闲着。我们随时都可能遭到袭击。”他湿淋淋地爬上岸说。
“谁说的？”乌爪问，眼珠滴溜溜乱转，似乎随时会有敌人从树丛里跳出来。
火爪看看他们身边堆起的猎物，说：“看起来你们今天已经完成任务了。”
灰爪自豪地说：“是啊，不过我们仍要去捕猎。你想和我们一起去吗？”
火爪高兴地说：“当然！”他抖去身上的水滴，随朋友们跳进树丛。
当他们经过一下午的辛劳满载而归时，所有的猫都为之赞叹。大家高高翘起尾巴，用鼻子轻擦他们的身体，热情欢迎他们的归来。他们需要往返四次才能将打来的猎物全部储存进新刨好的地洞内。
火爪、灰爪和乌爪拉着最后一批猎物走进营地，恰逢狮心和虎掌回来了。
狮心说：“干得好，三位。我听说你们一直在忙。地洞快要装满了，你们可以把这些放在猎物堆那里供今晚吃。也带些回巢穴去吧，你们应该得到一份大餐！”
三名学徒兴高采烈地摇晃着尾巴。
虎掌大声警告说：“希望你不要只顾打猎而忘了照料黄牙，火爪。”
火爪不耐烦地摇摇头，只想走开。他饿得快不行了。这次，他不折不扣地按照武士守则行事，在打猎时没有吃一口猎物。灰爪和乌爪也没有吃。
他们将猎物放在会场中央的食物堆上，各自取了一样带回树墩。巢穴内空荡荡的，其他的猫还没有回来。
“尘爪和沙爪去哪里了？”乌爪问。
火爪猜测说：“他们一定外出巡逻了。”
灰爪说：“太好了，我们可以清静一会儿了。”
他们吃完后躺下梳理毛发。白天热浪重重，夜间凉风习习，感觉格外舒畅。
灰爪突然说：“喂，重大新闻！今早乌爪竟然从虎掌那里挤出了一句表扬的话。”
火爪吃惊地说：“真的？你究竟怎么取悦他的——飞到天上了？”
乌爪瞅着爪子，不好意思地说：“唔，我捉到了一只乌鸦。”
火爪赞叹道：“你怎么捉到的？”
乌爪老老实实承认说：“是一只老乌鸦罢了。”
灰爪补充说：“但它个头很大，即使虎掌对此也挑不出毛病！自从火爪被蓝星收为徒弟后，虎掌的脾气一直不好。”他舔舔爪子，若有所思地说：“等等，应该是从狮心被任命为副族长以后。”
乌爪飞快地说：“他只是担心影族入侵，还有对额外的巡逻任务不耐烦罢了。别去招惹他。”
会场的另一边响起一声巨吼，打断了他们的谈话。
火爪跳起来说：“噢，不好，我忘了拿黄牙的那份了！”
灰爪站起来说：“你在这里等着，我给她送去。”
火爪坚持说：“算了，还是我去送吧。这是惩罚我，不是惩罚你。”
灰爪争辩：“没人会注意，他们都忙着吃东西呢。你了解我，静若鼠，动若鱼嘛。等着瞧吧。”
火爪神态安然地坐了回去。他看着灰爪离开树墩走到猎物堆前。
似乎是在执行命令一样，灰爪自信满满地挑了两只最肥美的老鼠，飞快地穿过会场向黄牙奔去。
“站住，灰爪！”武士巢穴里传出一声咆哮。虎掌从巢穴内出来径直走向灰爪。“你拿这些老鼠去哪里？”他问。
火爪在树墩边眼睁睁地看着，心里一沉。乌爪也是目瞪口呆，眼睛比任何时候睁得都大。
“唔……”灰爪放下老鼠，手足无措地支支吾吾。
“你不是在帮火爪给那个贪婪的背叛者送吃的吧？”
灰爪低头闷声，半晌后方才说：“我……哦……我只是饿了，我拿这些鼠肉是给自己吃的。如果让那边二位看见……，”他看看火爪和乌爪，“他们可不会客气，我就只有骨头和皮毛可吃了。”
虎掌说：“哦，是吗？哼，如果你饿得那么厉害，不如现在就在这儿吃好了！”
“但是——”灰爪抬头看着一脸不信任的虎掌。
虎掌喝道：“现在就吃！”
灰爪连忙低下头吃那两只老鼠。他风卷残云般仅两口就干掉了第一只，吃第二只老鼠则花了较多时间。火爪原以为他根本咽不下去，自己的胃也感同身受地紧攥在一起，谁知灰爪最终竟艰难地吞下去最后一片鼠肉。
虎掌问：“好些了吗？”平淡的语音中带有一丝戏谑。
灰爪忍住顶在嗓子眼儿的饱嗝，回答说：“太爽了。”
“那就好。”虎掌说完返回巢穴。
灰爪拖着快要撑破的肚皮艰难地回到火爪和乌爪身旁。
火爪触了触他，感激涕零地说：“太谢谢了，灰爪。你的脑子转得真快。”
黄牙的怒吼声再次划破天空。火爪叹口气站了起来，决定给黄牙拿够食物以使她安静一晚。
火爪问：“没事吧，灰爪？”
“唔——唔——”灰爪嘴里呜呜噜噜，他弓着腰，瞥了一眼火爪说，“我快要撑死了！”
火爪建议道：“去斑叶那儿吧，她肯定能找些助消化的东西。”
“希望如此吧。”灰爪说着慢慢走开。
火爪本想目送他离去，可是黄牙的怒吼使他不得不加快脚步赶去。
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10
By the following morning,a thin drizzle soaked the treetops and dripped down into the camp.
Firepaw woke up feeling damp. It had been an uncomfortable night. He stood up and shook himself vigorously, fluffing out his fur. Then he left the apprentices’ den and trotted across the clearing to Yellowfang’s nest.
Yellowfang was just stirring. She lifted her head and squinted at Firepaw as he approached. “My bones ache this morning. Has it been raining all night?”
“Since just after moonhigh,” Firepaw replied. He reached out and prodded her mossy nest cautiously. “Your bedding is soaking wet. Why don’t you move nearer to the nursery? It’s more sheltered there.”
“What? And be kept awake all night by those mewling kits! I’d rather get wet!” Yellowfang growled.
Firepaw watched her circle stiffly on her mossy bed. “Then at least let me fetch you some dry bedding,” he offered, keen to drop the subject of kits if it upset the old she-cat so much.
“Thank you, Firepaw,” replied Yellowfang quietly, settling down again.
Firepaw felt stunned. He wondered if Yellowfang was feeling all right. It was the first time she had thanked him for anything, and the first time she had not called him kittypet
“Well, don’t just stand there like a startled squirrel; go and fetch some moss!” she snapped.
Firepaw’s whiskers twitched with amusement. This was more like the Yellowfang he was used to. He nodded and sprinted off.
He almost crashed into Speckletail in the middle of the clearing. This was the queen who had watched Yellowfang’s angry outburst at the tabby kit the day before.
“Sorry, Speckletail,” Firepaw mewed. “Are you on your way to see Yellowfang?”
“What would I want with thatunnatural creature?” replied Speckletail crossly. “Actually it’s you I was looking for. Bluestar wants to see you.”
Firepaw hurried toward the Highrock and Bluestar’s den.
Bluestar was sitting outside, her head bobbing rhythmically as she licked the gray fur below her throat. She paused when she noticed Firepaw. “How is Yellowfang today?” she meowed.
“Her bedding is wet, so I was going to fetch her more,” Firepaw replied.
“I’ll ask one of the queens to see to that.” Bluestar gave her chest another lick, and then eyed Firepaw carefully. “Is she fit enough to hunt for herself yet?” she asked.
“I don’t think so,” Firepaw meowed, “but she can walk well enough now.”
“I see,” meowed Bluestar. She looked thoughtful for a moment. “It is time for you to return to your training, Firepaw. But you’ll need to work hard to make up for time you have lost.”
“Great! I mean, thank you, Bluestar!” Firepaw stammered.
“You will go out with Tigerclaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw this morning,” Bluestar continued. “I’ve asked Tigerclaw to assess the warrior skills of all our apprentices. Don’t worry about Yellowfang; I’ll make sure someone sees to her while you are gone.”
Firepaw nodded.
“Now, join your companions,” Bluestar ordered. “I expect they’re waiting for you.”
“Thank you, Bluestar,” Firepaw mewed. He turned with a flick of his tail and darted toward his den.
Bluestar was right; Graypaw and Ravenpaw were both waiting for him by their favorite tree stump. Graypaw looked stiff and uncomfortable, his long fur clumped by the dampness of the air. Ravenpaw was pacing around the tree stump, lost in thought, the white tip of his tail twitching.
“So, you’re joining us today!” Graypaw called as Firepaw approached. “Some day, huh?” He shook himself roughly to get rid of the clinging wetness.
“Yes. Bluestar told me that Tigerclaw is going to assess us today. Are Sandpaw and Dustpaw coming too?”
“Whitestorm and Darkstripe took them out on warrior patrol. I suppose Tigerclaw is going to look at them later,” Graypaw answered.
“Come on! We should get going,” urged Ravenpaw. He had stopped pacing and now hovered beside them anxiously.
“Fine by me,” mewed Graypaw. “Hopefully some exercise will warm me up a bit!”
The three cats trotted through the gorse track and out of the camp. They hurried to the sandy hollow. Tigerclaw had not arrived, so they hung around in the shelter of a pine tree, their fur fluffed up against the chill.
“Are you worried about the assessment?” Firepaw asked Ravenpaw, as the young cat padded backward and forward with quick, nervous pawsteps. “There’s no need to be. You’re Tigerclaw’s apprentice, after all. When he reports back to Bluestar, he’s going to want to tell her how good you are.”
“You can never tell with Tigerclaw,” mewed Ravenpaw, still pacing.
“For goodness’ sake, sit down,” Graypaw grumbled. “At this rate you’ll be worn out before we begin!”
By the time Tigerclaw arrived, the sky had changed. The clouds looked less like thick gray fur, and more like the soft white balls of down that queens used to line the nests of their newborns. Blue skies couldn’t be far behind, but the breeze that brought the softer clouds carried a fresh chill.
Tigerclaw greeted them briskly and launched straight into the exercise details. “Lionheart and I have spent the last few weeks trying to teach you how to hunt decently,” he meowed. “Today you’ll have a chance to show me how much you have learned. Each of you will take a different route and hunt as much prey as possible. And whatever you catch will be added to the supplies in the camp.”
The three apprentices looked at one another, nervous and excited. Firepaw felt his heart begin to beat faster at the prospect of a challenge.
“Ravenpaw, you will follow the trail beyond the Great Sycamore as far as the Snakerocks. That should be easy enough for your pitiful skills. You, Graypaw,” Tigerclaw continued, “will take the route along the stream, as far as the Thunderpath.”
“Great,” mewed Graypaw. “Wet paws for me!” Tigerclaw’s stare silenced him.
“And finally you, Firepaw. What a shame your great mentor couldn’t be here today to witness your performance for herself. You shall take the route through the Tallpines, past the Treecut place, to the woods beyond.”
Firepaw nodded, frantically tracing the route in his head.
“And remember,” Tigerclaw finished, fixing them all with his pale-eyed stare, “I shall be watching all of you.”
Ravenpaw was the first to sprint away toward the Snakerocks. Tigerclaw took a different track into the woods, leaving Graypaw and Firepaw alone in the hollow, trying to guess who Tigerclaw would follow first.
“I don’t know why he thinks Snakerocks is an easy route!” mewed Graypaw. “The place is crawling with adders. Birds and mice stay away from there because there are so many snakes!”
“Ravenpaw’ll have to spend his whole time trying not to get bitten,” Firepaw agreed.
“Oh, he’ll be okay,” mewed Graypaw. “Not even an adder would be fast enough to catch Ravenpaw at the moment, he’s so jumpy. I’d better get going. See you back here later on. Good luck!”
Graypaw raced off toward the stream. Firepaw paused to sniff the air, then bounded up the side of the hollow and began to head for the Tallpines.
It felt strange to be going in this direction, toward the Twoleg place he had been raised in. Cautiously Firepaw crossed the narrow path into the pine forest. He looked through the straight rows of trees, across the flat forest floor, alert for the sight and scent of prey.
A movement caught his eye. It was a mouse, scrabbling through the pine needles. Remembering his first lesson, Firepaw dropped into the stalking position, keeping his weight in his haunches, his paws light on the ground. The technique worked perfectly. The mouse didn’t detect Firepaw until his final leap. He caught it with one paw and killed it swiftly. Then he buried it, so that he could pick it up on his return journey.
Firepaw traveled a little farther into the Tallpines. The ground here was deeply rutted by the tracks of the huge Twoleg monster that tore down the trees. Firepaw took a deep breath, his mouth open. The monster’s acid breath had not touched the air here for a while.
Firepaw followed the deep tracks, jumping across the ruts. They were half-filled with rain, which made him feel thirsty. He was tempted to stop and take a few mouthfuls, but he hesitated. One lap of that muddy trench water and he’d taste the monster’s foul-smelling tracks for days.
He decided to wait. Perhaps there would be a rainwater puddle beyond the Tallpines. He hurried onward through the trees and crossed the Twoleg path on the far boundary.
He was back amid the thick undergrowth of oak woods. He moved onward until he found a puddle and lapped up a few mouthfuls of the fresh water. Firepaw’s fur began to prickle with some extra awareness. He recognized sounds and scents familiar from his old watching place on the fence post, and knew instantly where he was. These were the woods that bordered the Twolegplace. He must be very close to his old home now.
Ahead Firepaw could smell Twolegs and hear their voices, loud and raucous like crows. It was a group of young Twolegs, playing in the woods. Firepaw crouched and peered ahead through the ferns. The sounds were distant enough to be safe. He changed direction, skirting the noises, making sure he was not seen.
Firepaw stayed alert and watchful, but not just for Twolegs—Tigerclaw might be somewhere nearby. He thought he heard a twig snap in the bushes behind him. He sniffed the air, but smelled nothing new. Was he being watched now? he wondered.
Out of the corner of his eye, Firepaw sensed movement. At first he thought it was Tigerclaw’s dark brown fur, but then he saw a flash of white. He stopped, crouched, and inhaled deeply. The smell was unfamiliar; it was a cat, but not a ThunderClan cat. Firepaw felt his fur bristle with the instincts of a Clan warrior. He would have to chase the intruder out of ThunderClan territory!
Firepaw watched the creature moving through the undergrowth. He could see its outline clearly as it skittered between the ferns. Firepaw waited for it to wander nearer. He crouched lower, his tail waving back and forth in slow rhythm. As the black-and-white cat neared, Firepaw rocked his haunches from side to side as he prepared to spring. One more heartbeat; then he leaped.
The black-and-white cat jumped into the air, terrified, and raced away through the trees. Firepaw gave chase.
It’s a kittypet!he thought as he raced through the undergrowth, smelling its fear-scent. Inmy territory!He was closing in rapidly on the fleeing animal. It had slowed its headlong rush, preparing to scramble up the wide, mossy trunk of a fallen tree. With the blood roaring in his ears, Firepaw leaped onto its back in a single bound.
Firepaw could feel the cat struggling beneath him as he gripped on with all his claws. It let out a desperate and terrified yowl.
Firepaw released his grip and backed away. The black-and-white cat cringed at the foot of the fallen tree, trembling, and looked up at him. Firepaw lifted his nose, feeling a ripple of disgust at the intruder’s easy surrender. This soft, plump house cat, with its round eyes and narrow face, looked very different from the lean, broad-headed cats Firepaw lived with now. And yet something about this cat seemed familiar.
Firepaw stared harder. He sniffed, drawing in the other cat’s scent. I don’t recognize the smell, he thought, searching his memory.
Then it came to him.
“Smudge!” he meowed out loud.
“H-ho-how d-d-do you know my n-name?” stammered Smudge, still crouching.
“It’s me!” Firepaw meowed.
The house cat looked confused.
“We were kittens together. I lived in the garden next to you!” Firepaw insisted.
“Rusty?” mewled Smudge in disbelief. “Is that you? Did you find the wildcats again? Or are you living with new housefolk? You must be, if you’re still alive!”
“I’m called Firepaw now,” Firepaw meowed. He relaxed his shoulders and let his fur fall flat into a sleek orange pelt.
Smudge relaxed too. His ears pricked up. “Firepaw?” he echoed, amused. “Well, Firepaw, it looks like your new housefolk don’t feed you enough! You certainly weren’t this scrawny last time we met!”
“I don’t need Twolegs to feed me,” Firepaw replied. “I’ve got a whole forest of food to eat.”
“Twolegs?”
“Housefolk. That’s what the Clans call them.”
Smudge looked bewildered for a second; then his expression changed to one of complete astonishment. “You mean you’re really living with the wildcats?”
“Yes!” Firepaw paused. “You know, you smell…different. Unfamiliar.”
“Unfamiliar?” Smudge echoed. He sniffed. “I suppose you’re used to the smell of those wildcats now.”
Firepaw shook his head, as if to clear his mind. “But we were kittens together. I should know your smell like I’d know the smell of my birth mother.” Then Firepaw remembered. Smudge had passed six moons. No wonder he looked so soft and fat, and smelled so strange. “You’ve been to the Cutter!” He gasped. “I mean, the vet!”
Smudge shrugged his plump black shoulders. “So?” he mewed.
Firepaw was speechless. So Bluestar was right.
“Come on, then! What’s it like, living wild?” Smudge demanded. “Is it as good as you thought it’d be?”
Firepaw thought for a moment: about last night, sleeping in a damp den. He thought about mouse bile and clearing away Yellowfang’s dirt, and trying to please both Lionheart and Tigerclaw at once during training. He remembered the teasing he suffered about his kittypet blood. Then he remembered the thrill of his first catch, of charging through the forest in pursuit of a squirrel, and of warm evenings beneath the stars sharing tongues with his friends.
“I know who I am now,” he meowed simply.
Smudge tipped his head to one side and stared at Firepaw, clearly confused. “I should be getting home,” he mewed. “Mealtime soon.”
“Go carefully, Smudge.” Firepaw leaned forward and gave his old friend an affectionate lick between the ears. Smudge nuzzled him in return. “And stay alert. There may be another cat in the area who is not as fond of kittypets—I mean, house cats—as I am.”
Smudge’s ears flicked nervously at these words. He looked around cautiously and leaped up onto the trunk of the fallen tree. “Good-bye, Rusty,” he mewed. “I’ll tell everyone at home that you’re okay!”
“’Bye, Smudge,” meowed Firepaw. “Enjoy your meal!”
He watched the white tip of Smudge’s tail disappear over the edge of the tree. In the distance he could hear the rattle of dried food being shaken, and a Twoleg voice calling.
Firepaw turned, his tail high, and started back toward his own home, sniffing the air as he went. I’ll find a finch or two here, he decided. Then I’ll catch something else on the way back through the pines.He felt bursting with energy after meeting Smudge and realizing just how lucky he was to live in the Clan.
He looked up at the branches above him and began to stalk silently across the forest floor, every sense alert. Now he just needed to impress Bluestar and Tigerclaw, and the day would be perfect.
第十章
第十章
第二天早上，天上淅淅沥沥下起了小雨，打在树冠上落进营地。
火爪整晚都睡得不安稳，早上醒来浑身感到又湿又冷。他站起身抖落身上的雨水，离开巢穴去探望黄牙。
黄牙正在窝里蠕动身体。她抬眼瞥了一下接近的火爪：“今早我的骨头真痛。昨晚一直在下雨吗？”
“后半夜才下的雨。”火爪回答着，小心翼翼地上前为她整理床铺，“床都浸湿了。你为什么不搬到育婴室附近住呢？那里比这里挡雨。”
黄牙大声说：“什么？要我被那些幼崽闹得整晚睡不着觉？我宁愿浑身湿透！”
火爪看见她的身子僵硬地蜷成一团，说：“那至少让我给你拿些干燥的苔藓来铺床吧。”看到关于幼崽的话题这么烦扰她，火爪只好不再提了。
黄牙躺回到床铺上，平静地回答说：“谢谢你，火爪。”
火爪感到很吃惊，想知道黄牙此刻是否心情大好。她还是第一次向他道谢，第一次不再叫他“宠物猫”。
黄牙没好气地说：“好了，别像个傻帽儿似的站在那里，去取些苔藓来！”
这更像他所认识的黄牙。火爪乐呵呵地动了动猫须，点点头飞一般地离开。
在会场中央，火爪差点儿撞在纹尾身上。纹尾就是前几天看见黄牙冲那只小虎斑猫发火的母猫。
火爪说：“对不起，纹尾，你去看黄牙吗？”
纹尾粗鲁地回答说：“我找那个神经病干什么？我找的是你，蓝星想见你。”
火爪匆匆赶到高岩处蓝星的巢穴。
蓝星正坐在巢穴外面，舌头舔着下巴处的灰毛，脑袋有节奏地一点一点。看到火爪，她停下来说：“今天黄牙怎么样？”
火爪回答：“她的床铺被淋湿了，我正要给她取些苔藓。”
“我会让一只母猫去取的。”蓝星又舔了一下脸颊，认真地看着火爪问，“她现在能够自己捕猎了吗？”
火爪说：“我认为不能，但她走路没有问题。”
蓝星说：“明白了。”她发了会儿怔，“你该回到训练中了，火爪。你需要加倍努力来补上错过的课程。”
“万岁！谢谢你，蓝星！”火爪手舞足蹈。
蓝星继续说：“今天早上你同虎掌、灰爪和乌爪一起出去训练。我已令虎掌评估所有学徒的武士技艺。别担心黄牙，你离开后我会派别的猫照顾她。”
火爪点头应诺。
蓝星说：“去吧，想必他们已经在等你了。”
火爪说：“谢谢你，蓝星。”他一摆尾巴，转身离开。
正如蓝星所料，灰爪和乌爪已经在树桩旁等候火爪。由于天气潮湿，灰爪的毛凝成了一团，看起来很不舒服。乌爪则晃动着尾巴在树桩旁走来走去，一副陷入沉思的样子。
灰爪看到火爪走来，大声说：“呦，今天和我们一道训练呀？”说着抖抖身子，想抖去身上恼人的潮气。
“是的，蓝星说今天虎掌要给我们进行评估。沙爪和尘爪也来吗？”
灰爪回答：“白风和黑条带他们去巡逻了。我想虎掌迟些会去找他们。”
乌爪停止走动，站在旁边焦急地催促说：“好了！我们该走了。”
灰爪说：“我没问题。做些运动还能暖和点儿呢！”
三只猫经过金雀花通道走出营地，匆匆赶往沙坑。虎掌还未到，于是他们在一棵松树下等候，天气寒冷，只有蓬起毛才能御寒。
看着乌爪有些神经质地快步来回走动，火爪问：“你担心这次考核吗？你才不需要担心哩，你毕竟是虎掌的徒弟嘛。他在向蓝星汇报结果时，会把你夸成是一朵花的。”
“虎掌办事从来出人意料。”乌爪说道，脚步并不停歇。
灰爪抱怨说：“行行好，坐下来吧。考核还没开始，你就先累趴下了！”
就在虎掌到来的时候，天空出现了变化，云层渐薄，不再像密密实实的灰毛，倒像是母猫们垫在新生儿身下的白羽绒球。云层后面的蓝天不再显得遥远，但是微风吹散云朵的同时，也吹来了新的寒冷。
虎掌轻快地和他们打个招呼后话题直接转入训练的细节：“最后几周狮心和我教了你们怎样在捕猎时保持姿态优雅，今天你们将有机会向我展示你们学到了多少。我给你们每一个人确定了一条线路，你们沿着线路走，要尽可能地多捕猎物，不论捕到什么，都要带回营地。”
三名学徒你看看我，我看看你，均是既紧张又兴奋。想到即将到来的挑战，火爪感到心跳加速。
虎掌继续说：“乌爪，你朝巨悬铃树的方向走，过了之后一直走到蛇岩为止。对于你那可怜的技艺来说，这条路线可以说是不费吹灰之力。你，灰爪，沿着小溪走，一直到雷鬼路为止。”
灰爪说：“太好了，不过是把爪子弄湿了而已！”虎掌瞪了他一眼，吓得他不敢再多说。
“最后是你，火爪。蓝星不能亲眼看见你的表现真令人遗憾。你的路线是穿过松林，通过木材场，一直到森林边为止。”
火爪点点头，脑子里开始勾勒要走的线路。
虎掌盯着他们，最后说：“记住，我会监视你们的。”
乌爪第一个离开，直奔蛇岩。虎掌从另一条路进入树林，只剩下灰爪和火爪留在沙坑里猜测虎掌会先监视谁。
灰爪说：“我不明白为什么他会认为去蛇岩容易。那里到处盘踞着毒蛇，鸟和老鼠都要绕开走！”
火爪同意说：“乌爪要花掉所有的时间去应付毒蛇了。”
灰爪说：“哦，他不会有事的。还没有能够快过乌爪的毒蛇，他一向动作轻灵。我要上路了，晚些时候在这里见。祝你好运！”
灰爪朝小溪走去。火爪嗅嗅空气，然后跳出沙坑向松林进发。
走在通往两脚兽地盘的路上，火爪心里有种奇特的感觉。那里是他的出生地啊！火爪小心谨慎地穿过那条狭窄的马路进入松林里。一路上他左右张望，保持高度警惕，时刻搜寻猎物的踪影和气味。
忽然他眼前一闪，看见一只老鼠正在松针上面爬行。有了第一次的教训，火爪俯下身子开始匍匐，将重心压在后半身，爪子轻轻落在地面。他做得非常好，直到纵身前扑时，老鼠才发现大祸临头了。他一把抓住老鼠，飞快地将其杀死。接下来，他将老鼠埋好，以便回来时带上。
向前走不远便是松林，松林里的地面上到处布满了两脚兽使用的巨大的伐木机轮子碾出的沟槽。火爪张大嘴深吸口气，空气里没有那些钢铁怪物们呼出的刺鼻气味。
火爪沿着轮印走，在沟槽间跳来跳去。沟槽里有一半是雨后的积水。火爪口渴难熬，他几次想停下来好好喝上几口，但事到临头又犹豫不定。舔上一口这些浑浊的臭水，嘴里好几天都要有怪物们留下的油味。
他决定再忍一忍，也许出了松林就能遇到积水坑呢。他加快步伐快速穿过松林，又穿过松林另一边的马路。
他又回到了橡树林中茂盛的灌木丛里，没过多久便发现了一个积水坑，在那里美美喝了一肚子清水。突然，某种东西使他身上的毛竖立起来。那是一种声音，那种声音他从前在两脚兽家的后花园栅栏上遥望远方时听到过。他立刻明白现在所处的位置了，这里就是两脚兽地盘边上的树林，他原来的家一定就在附近。
前方传来两脚兽们的气味和乌鸦般聒噪的喊叫声，是一群小两脚兽在树林里玩耍。火爪蹲下身子透过树丛望去，发出声音的地方距这里很远，无需担心。要想不被小两脚兽们发现，只能转换方向绕开走。
火爪自始至终都保持着高度警惕，不仅是因为两脚兽，也是因为虎掌也许就在附近的某处监视着他。身后的灌木丛里发出树枝折断的噼啪声，但空气中却没有出现新的气味，他心想：自己正被监视吗？
利用眼角的余光，火爪看到一些动静。但并没有出现他料想中的虎掌的深棕色身影，而是闪过一团白影。他停下脚步，俯下身子，深吸口气。他没有闻过这种气味，这虽是猫的气味，但绝不是雷族的猫。武士的本能使火爪热血上涌，他一定要把这个入侵者赶出雷族的领地！
随着那只猫在灌木丛里穿行，身形渐渐清楚地暴露在火爪眼前。火爪等待他逐渐靠近，将身子俯得更低了，尾巴缓慢地、有节奏地前后摆动。那只黑白相间的猫越来越近了，火爪轻挪身体准备出击，眨眼工夫，他已纵身跳起。
那只猫大惊失色，急忙逃回树林。火爪紧追不舍。
是一只宠物猫！火爪一边追赶一边想，鼻子里嗅到那只猫发出的恐惧的气味。敢来我的地盘！他飞快地接近那只抱头鼠窜的猫。一根躺在地上的树干挡住了去路，那只猫放慢前冲的势头，准备爬过树干。热血冲上火爪的脑袋，他提身纵跃，跳到那只猫的背上。
当利爪抓牢时，火爪感到那只猫在身下奋力挣扎，发出绝望而惊惧的叫声。
火爪放开他向后退。那只猫蜷缩在树干下面，抬眼望着他，身体抖个不停。火爪仰起脸，对他轻易的投降感到十分不屑。那只家养猫长得肥胖臃肿、眼睛浑圆、脸庞狭窄，和宽脸庞、细长身段的野猫们长相大不一样。但是他总觉得认识这只猫。
火爪仔细打量着，鼻子嗅着他的气味。“我闻过这种气味。”他边想边苦苦地回忆。
忽然他脑中电光一闪，大声喊道：“斯玛！”
斯玛仍然惊魂未定，结结巴巴地说：“你怎……怎……怎么知道我的名……名字？”
火爪说：“是我呀！”
那只家养猫看起来一头雾水。
火爪提醒他说：“我们从小一起长大的。我住在你的隔壁花园里。”
斯玛难以置信地说：“拉斯特？没有搞错吧？你又来找野猫了？你现在有新主人了吗？
天哪，你竟然还活着，肯定是有了新主人了吧！”
火爪说：“我现在的名字叫火爪。”他放松肩膀，竖起的毛落了下来。
斯玛也放松下来，竖起耳朵，诧异地重复道：“火爪？好吧，火爪，看样子你的主人不让你吃饱肚子啊！我们最后一次见面的时候你可不是这么瘦！”
火爪回答：“我才不要两脚兽给我饭吃呢。在这片森林里，哪里没有我吃的东西呢？”
“两脚兽？”
“就是‘主人’的意思。所有的族群都是这么称呼他们的。”
斯玛怔了片刻，接着露出不可思议的表情：“你的意思是你真的和野猫们生活在一起？”
“是的！”火爪顿了顿说，“嗯，你现在的气味同以前有所不同，都认不出来了。”
“认不出来？”斯玛重复道，他嗅了嗅说，“我想是因为你已经习惯了那些野猫们的气味吧。”
火爪摇摇头，好像是想让脑袋清醒清醒：“但我们从小就在一起，熟悉你的气味就像熟悉我妈妈的气味一样啊。”接着他想起来一件事：现在已经过去六个月了。难怪斯玛看起来又软又胖，闻起来还那么奇怪。火爪倒吸了口凉气，说：“你已经被切除了？我是指……被阉割了？”
斯玛耸耸他臃肿的黑肩膀，说：“那又怎样？”
火爪顿时张口结舌。一切正如蓝星所说。
斯玛说：“好了，说点儿别的！野外生活怎么样啊？有你想象中的好吗？”
火爪扪心自问：就在昨晚，自己还睡在阴冷的巢穴里，用老鼠胆汁为黄牙清洁，在训练中想方设法去取悦狮心和虎掌，因为宠物猫的出身而遭受耻笑。接着他回想起第一次捕获猎物时的喜悦，为了捉到松鼠不惜寻遍森林时的兴奋，在静谧的星夜同朋友们一起享受舌抚的惬意。
他简单地说：“我现在知道我是谁。”
斯玛歪头看着他，很明显不明白火爪话中的含义。“我该走了。”斯玛说，“快到吃饭的时间了。”
“慢走，斯玛。”火爪身子前倾，深情地舔了舔老朋友的额头，斯玛触了触他作为回应。火爪提醒说：“别大意了，附近可能还有其他的野猫，他们可不像我这样喜欢宠物猫——我是说，家养猫。”
听了这些话，斯玛的耳朵紧张地竖立起来。他四下张望后，跳到那根倒地的树干上，说：“再见，拉斯特，我会向大家报告你的平安的！”
火爪说：“再见，斯玛，好好吃上一顿吧！”
斯玛的白尖儿尾巴消失在树林里，远处传来摇晃干燥的猫食的沙沙声和一个两脚兽的呼唤声。
火爪转过身，沿着来路返回，心里暗下决定：在这里捕一两只山雀，回到松树林里再捉点儿别的东西。同斯玛见过面后，他才意识到自己能够生活在族群里是多么幸运的一件事啊。每次想到这里，他就感觉自己浑身上下有使不完的劲儿。
他悄无声息地走在树林里，抬头望着头上的树枝，留意着身边的动静。现在他只要干出些成绩让蓝星和虎掌看看，今天就完美无缺了。
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11
Firepaw returned with a chaffinchgripped firmly between his teeth. He dropped it in front of Tigerclaw, who stood waiting in the hollow.
“You’re the first one back,” meowed the warrior.
“Yeah, but I’ve got loads more prey to fetch,” Firepaw mewed quickly. “I buried it back—”
“I know exactly what you did,” Tigerclaw growled. “I’ve been watching you.”
A swish of bushes announced Graypaw’s return. He was carrying a small squirrel in his mouth, which he dropped beside Firepaw’s chaffinch. “Yuck!” he spat. “Squirrels are too furry. I’ll be picking hairs out of my teeth all evening.”
Tigerclaw paid no attention to Graypaw’s grumbling. “Ravenpaw’s late,” he observed. “We’ll give him a bit longer and then return to camp.”
“But what if he’s been bitten by an adder?” Firepaw protested.
“Then it’s his own fault,” Tigerclaw replied coldly. “There’s no room for fools in ThunderClan.”
They waited in silence. Graypaw and Firepaw exchanged glances, worried about Ravenpaw. Tigerclaw sat motionless, apparently lost in his own thoughts.
Firepaw was the first to scent Ravenpaw’s arrival. He jumped to his paws as the black cat leaped into the clearing, looking unusually pleased with himself. Dangling from his mouth was the long, diamond-patterned body of an adder.
“Ravenpaw! Are you okay?” Firepaw called.
“Hey!” meowed Graypaw, rushing forward to admire Ravenpaw’s catch. “Did that bite you?”
“I was too quick for it!” Ravenpaw purred loudly. Then he caught Tigerclaw’s eye and fell silent.
Tigerclaw fixed all three excited apprentices with a cold stare. “Come on,” he said shortly. “Let’s collect the rest of your prey and get back to camp.”
Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw entered the camp, strolling behind Tigerclaw. Their impressive day’s catch hung from their mouths, although Ravenpaw kept tripping over his dead snake. As they emerged from the gorse into the camp, a group of young kits scrambled out of the nursery to watch them pass.
“Look!” Firepaw heard one of them say. “Apprentices, just back from hunting!” He recognized the little tabby Yellowfang had hissed at the day before. Sitting next to him was a fluffy gray kit, no more than two moons old. A tiny black kit and a small tortoiseshell stood beside them.
“Isn’t that the kittypet, Firepaw?” squeaked the gray kit.
“Yeah! Look at his orange fur!” mewed the black one.
“They say he’s a good hunter,” the tortoiseshell added. “He looks a bit like Lionheart. Do you suppose he’s as good as him?”
“I can’t wait to start my training,” mewed the tabby. “I’m going to be the best warrior ThunderClan has ever seen!”
Firepaw lifted his chin, feeling proud at the kits’ admiring comments. He followed his two friends into the center of the clearing.
“An adder!” Graypaw mewed again, as the apprentices dropped their catch for the other cats to share.
“What shall I do with it?” asked Ravenpaw, sniffing the snake’s long body as it lay beside the heap.
“Can you eat adders?” asked Graypaw.
“Trust you to think of your stomach!” Firepaw joked, butting Graypaw with his head.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to eat it,” murmured Ravenpaw. “I mean, my mouth tastes pretty foul after carrying it back.”
“Let’s put it on the tree stump, then,” suggested Graypaw, “so that Dustpaw and Sandpaw can see it when they get back.”
They each carried a piece of their fresh-kill, and the adder, back to their den. Graypaw carefully placed the adder on the stump, arranging the snake so that it could be seen clearly from all sides. Then they ate. When they had finished they sat close together to groom one another and talk.
“I wonder who Bluestar will choose to go to the Gathering?” Firepaw meowed. “It’ll be full moon tomorrow.”
“Sandpaw and Dustpaw have been twice already,” replied Graypaw.
“Perhaps Bluestar will choose one of us this time,” mewed Firepaw. “After all, we’ve been training for almost three moons now.”
“But Sandpaw and Dustpaw are still the eldest apprentices,” Ravenpaw pointed out.
Firepaw nodded. “And this Gathering will be an important one. It’ll be the first time the Clans have met since WindClan disappeared. No cat knows what ShadowClan is going to say about it.”
Tigerclaw’s low meow interrupted them. “You are right, youngster.” The warrior had strolled up to them unnoticed. “By the way, Firepaw,” he added smoothly, “Bluestar wants to see you.”
Firepaw looked up, startled. Why would Bluestar want to see him?
“Now—if you can spare the time,” Tigerclaw meowed.
Firepaw jumped up immediately and bounded off across the clearing toward Bluestar’s den.
Bluestar was sitting outside, her tail flicking restlessly back and forth. When she saw Firepaw she stood up and looked steadily down at him. “Tigerclaw has told me that he saw you talking with a cat from the Twolegplace today,” she meowed quietly.
“But—” Firepaw began.
“He said that you began by fighting with this cat but ended up sharing tongues with it.”
“That’s true,” Firepaw admitted, feeling his fur prickle defensively. “But he was an old friend. We grew up together.” He paused and swallowed. “When I was a kittypet.”
Bluestar looked at him for a long moment. “Do you miss your old life, Firepaw?” she asked. “Think carefully, now.”
“No.” How can Bluestar think that?Firepaw wondered. His head was spinning. What was Bluestar trying to make him say?
“Do you wish to leave the Clan?”
“Of course not!” Firepaw was shocked by her question.
Bluestar didn’t seem to hear the passion in his answer. She shook her head, looking suddenly old and tired. “I won’t judge you if you leave us, Firepaw. Perhaps I expected too much of you. Perhaps my judgment has been clouded by the Clan’s need for new warriors.”
Panic swept through Firepaw at the thought of leaving the Clan forever. “But my place is here! This is my home,” he protested.
“I need more than that, Firepaw. I need to be able to trust in your loyalty to ThunderClan, especially now that it looks like ShadowClan is planning an attack. We don’t have room for anyone who isn’t sure whether their heart lies in the past or the present.”
Firepaw took a deep breath and chose his next words carefully. “When I saw Smudge today—that’s the house cat Tigerclaw saw me talking with—I saw what life would have been like if I had stayed with the Twolegs. I felt happy that I had not stayed. I was proud I left.” He held Bluestar’s gaze without flinching. “Meeting Smudge made me certain I made the right decision. I could never have been satisfied with the soft life of a kittypet.”
Bluestar looked closely at him for a moment, her eyes narrow. Then she nodded. “Very well,” she said. “I believe you.”
Firepaw dipped his head respectfully and let out a silent sigh of relief.
“I spoke to Yellowfang earlier,” meowed Bluestar in a lighter tone. “She thinks a lot of you. She’s a wise old she-cat, you know. And I suspect she wasn’t always bad-tempered. Indeed, I think that I could grow to like her.”
Firepaw felt an unexpected glow of pleasure at these words. Maybe, in caring for Yellowfang, his admiration for her had grown into affection, despite the she-cat’s ill temper. Whatever the reason, he was glad Bluestar liked her too.
“But there is something about her that I don’t trust,” Bluestar went on quietly. “She will stay with ThunderClan for now, but remain as a prisoner. The queens will care for her. You must concentrate on your training.”
Firepaw nodded and waited to be dismissed, but Bluestar hadn’t finished. “Firepaw, although you showed bad judgment today in talking to a house cat, Tigerclaw wasimpressed by your hunting skills. In fact, he reported that you all did well. I am pleased with your progress. You will come to the Gathering—all three of you.”
Firepaw could hardly stand still. His body tingled with excitement. The Gathering! “What about Sandpaw and Dustpaw?” he mewed.
“They will remain behind and guard the camp,” replied Bluestar. “Now you may go.” She flicked her long tail to show he was dismissed, and returned to her grooming.
Graypaw and Ravenpaw looked stunned to see Firepaw bounding happily toward them. They had been waiting nervously for him beside the tree stump. Firepaw sat down and looked at his friends.
“Well?” Graypaw demanded. “What did she say?”
“Tigerclaw told us you’d been sharing tongues with a kittypetthis morning,” burst out Ravenpaw. “Are you in trouble?”
“No. Although Bluestar wasn’t pleased,” Firepaw admitted ruefully. “She thought I might want to leave ThunderClan.”
“You don’t, do you?” asked Ravenpaw.
“Of course he doesn’t!” mewed Graypaw.
Firepaw gave his gray friend an affectionate swipe. “Yeah, you’d hate that. You need me to catch mice for you! All you can catch these days are hairy old squirrels!”
Graypaw dodged out of the way of Firepaw’s blow, and reared up on his back legs to retaliate.
“You’ll never guess what else she said!” Firepaw went on. He was too excited to waste time play-fighting.
Graypaw immediately dropped back onto all four paws. “What?” he asked.
“We’re going to the Gathering!”
Graypaw let out a yowl of delight and bounded up onto the tree stump. One of his back paws knocked the adder flying. It hit Ravenpaw on the head and wrapped itself around his neck.
Ravenpaw spat with alarm and surprise, and then turned on Graypaw. “Watch it!” he hissed crossly. He shook the adder onto the ground.
“Scared it might try to bite you?” Firepaw teased. He crouched down, hissing, and sidled up to Ravenpaw.
Ravenpaw twitched his whiskers and retorted, “Some snake you’d make!” He leaped onto Firepaw and rolled him easily onto his back.
Graypaw reached down from the tree stump and gave Ravenpaw’s tail a tug. As Ravenpaw turned to thump Graypaw with a soft forepaw, Firepaw jumped to his feet and leaped into them both, sending Graypaw flying from the stump. All three cats tumbled into the dirt and tussled on the ground. Finally they fell apart and settled themselves, panting, beside the tree stump.
“Are Sandpaw and Dustpaw coming too?” puffed Graypaw.
“Nope!” Firepaw replied, unable to disguise the note of triumph in his voice. “They have to stay behind and guard the camp.”
“Oh, let me tell them!” begged Graypaw. “I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces!”
“Me neither!” Firepaw agreed. “I can’t believe we’regoing instead of them! Especially after Tigerclaw saw me with Smudge today!”
“That was just bad luck,” answered Graypaw. “We all caught a load of prey in the assessment. That must be what decided it.”
“I wonder what the Gathering will be like,” mewed Ravenpaw.
“It’ll be fantastic,” Graypaw replied confidently. “I bet all the great warriors will be there. Clawface, Stonefur…”
But Firepaw wasn’t listening anymore. Instead, he found himself thinking about Tigerclaw and Smudge. Graypaw was right—it wasbad luck that the great warrior had been observing him when he had met his old friend. Why couldn’t he have been watching Graypaw or Ravenpaw instead? In fact, it was bad luck that Tigerclaw had sent him so near the Twolegplace at all.
Suddenly a dark thought entered Firepaw’s mind: Why hadTigerclaw sent him so near his old haunts? Had he wanted to test him? Could it be the great dark warrior didn’t trust his loyalty to ThunderClan?
第十一章
第十一章
火爪嘴里稳稳地叼着一只苍头燕雀回来了，他将燕雀放在等候在沙坑里的虎掌面前。
虎掌说：“你是第一个回来的。”
火爪飞快地说：“是，但还有些猎物我带不过来，我把它埋在……”
虎掌大声说：“我一直在监视你，知道你干的每一件事情。”
草丛中嗖嗖声过后，灰爪叼着一只松鼠回来了，他将松鼠放在苍头燕雀旁边，骂道：“呸！松鼠的毛真多，今晚我得花整晚时间剔出牙缝里的毛了。”
虎掌没有理会灰爪的抱怨，他说：“乌爪迟到了。我们再等他一会儿，然后就回去。”
火爪不平地说：“但如果他被蛇咬了怎么办？”
虎掌冷冷地回答：“那就活该他倒霉，雷族不会容忍傻瓜的存在。”
一时间大家都陷入了沉默。灰爪和火爪交换了个眼神，都为乌爪担心，虎掌则一动不动地坐在那里想事情。
火爪第一个嗅到乌爪的气味，知道乌爪回来了。他刚跳起身，一团黑影就蹿进沙坑里。只见乌爪的嘴里衔着一条长长的、菱形花纹的毒蛇，一副乐不可支的样子。
火爪叫道：“乌爪，你没事吧？”
灰爪冲上前，对乌爪的捕获啧啧称赞：“喂！它咬你了吗？”
乌爪自豪地大声说：“我闪开了！”接着，他看见虎掌的目光，立刻闭上了嘴巴。
虎掌冷冷地看了这三个兴高采烈的学徒一眼，简单地说：“好了，带上你们捕到的东西返回营地吧。”
火爪、灰爪和乌爪志得意满地叼着丰硕的猎物凯旋，尽管乌爪一路上都被那条蛇绊得跌跌撞撞。虎掌跟在他们后面。刚刚进入营地，就见一群幼崽们争先恐后地从育婴室里涌出，前来迎接他们。
火爪听到他们中的一个说：“看！学徒们打猎归来了。”说话的幼崽便是几天前惹黄牙发火的那只小虎斑猫。坐在他旁边的是一只灰色的毛茸茸的小家伙，还不到两个月大。坐着的还有一只小黑猫和一只玳瑁色的小猫。
小灰猫说：“那个是宠物猫火爪吗？”
小黑猫说：“没错！看他那身毛！”
玳瑁色的小猫补充说：“大家都说他是一名好猎手。他长得有点儿像狮心，你说他有狮心那么厉害吗？”
小虎斑猫说：“我简直等不及要训练了。我要成为雷族历史上最优秀的猎手！”
火爪被幼崽们的叹慕捧得有些飘飘然，仰起脸跟着灰爪和乌爪走进会场中央。
当他们将猎物放在食物堆里的时候，灰爪忍不住又说了句：“一条毒蛇！”
乌爪将蛇放在食物堆的旁边，嗅了嗅它，说：“我该怎么处置它呢？”
灰爪问：“你会吃蛇吗？”
火爪用头顶了顶灰爪，开玩笑说：“对于你的胃口来说，这可是小菜一碟！”
乌爪咕哝说：“唔，我可不想吃它。我是说，叼它回来让我的嘴里全是臭味。”
灰爪建议说：“那我们把它放在树墩上吧。尘爪和沙爪一回来就能看见它。”
他们各自叼了份食物，带上蛇回到巢穴前。灰爪小心翼翼地把蛇放在树墩上摆好，让它从各个角度都能被看到。吃过大餐后，他们亲密地坐在一起闲聊，同时为彼此梳理。
火爪说：“明天就是月圆之夜，真想知道蓝星会派谁去参加这次森林大会？”
灰爪回答：“沙爪和尘爪已经去过两次了。”
火爪说：“也许这次蓝星会从我们当中选择一个。说到底，我们现在都快训练三个月了。”
乌爪说：“但是沙爪和尘爪是资历最深的学徒啊。”
火爪点点头：“这次森林大会非常重要。自从风族消失后，各个族群还是头一回碰面呢，天知道影族对此会做何解释。”
就在不经意间，虎掌出现在他们面前，他那低沉的声音打断了他们的谈话：“说得没错，年轻人。顺便说一下，火爪，蓝星要见你。”
火爪惊诧地抬起头：蓝星为什么要见自己？
虎掌说：“就现在——如果你有空的话。”
火爪二话没说，跳起身朝蓝星的巢穴奔去。
蓝星正坐在巢穴外，尾巴不停地前后摇摆。看见火爪来了，蓝星站起来注视着他，平静地说：“虎掌告诉我，今天他看见你和一只来自两脚兽地盘的猫讲话。”
“但……”火爪刚要说话。
“他说你先是同那只猫打了一架，但后来却相谈甚欢。”
“虎掌说的全是事实。”火爪承认，心里暗自戒备，身上的毛也随之竖立起来，“但他是我的一个老朋友，我们从小在一起长大。那时我还是只宠物猫呢。”
蓝星看了他很久才问：“火爪，你想念原来的生活吗？仔细考虑一下，现在就想。”
火爪的头摇得像拨浪鼓一样：“不想。”他心里暗忖：蓝星怎么会这样问呢？蓝星想从他这里得到什么回答呢？
“你希望离开族群吗？”
“当然不希望！”蓝星的问题如当头棒喝，火爪一下子蒙了。
蓝星就像没有听出他话里含带的激情一样，她摇摇头，突然显出苍老疲惫的神情：“如果你离开，我不会怪你的，火爪。也许我对你期望过高了，也许族群太需要补充武士数量，以至于扰乱了我的判断吧。”
想到要永远离开族群，火爪不寒而栗，大声辩解说：“但这里才是适合我的地方！这里是我的家啊。”
“我希望听到的不只是这些，火爪。我需要能够确认你对族群的忠诚，特别是现在各种迹象表明影族正在计划发动一次袭击。我们不能要那些还在过去的生活和现在的生活之间举棋不定的族员。”
火爪深吸了口气，小心翼翼地斟酌着自己的词句：“今天当我遇见斯玛的时候——就是虎掌说的和我谈话的那只家养猫——我看到如果我仍旧留在两脚兽家里，我的生活将会怎样。我很庆幸我没有留在那里，我很自豪我离开了。”他目不转睛地盯着蓝星，“与斯玛的会面，使我更加坚信我的选择是正确的。我从未留恋过宠物猫那种软弱的生活。”
蓝星凑上前，眯缝着眼睛，几乎是脸贴脸地看着他。然后她点点头说：“很好，我相信你。”
火爪尊敬地低下头，暗地里松了口气。
蓝星的语调缓和下来，说：“我早些时候和黄牙谈过了，她对你赞不绝口。你知道，她可是一只经历丰富、充满智慧的猫。我想她的脾气并不总是很坏，事实上，我越来越觉得她挺不错的。”
这番话使火爪喜出望外。也许在照料黄牙的过程中，尽管她一再冲他发脾气，但他对黄牙已从开始的敬慕转化为现在的敬爱了。不管怎么说，他很高兴蓝星也喜欢她。
蓝星继续平静地说：“但在有些方面我并不信任她。她将留在雷族里，不过是作为囚犯。母猫们会照顾好她的，你必须集中精力投入训练。”
火爪点点头，等着蓝星说送客，但蓝星继续说：“火爪，尽管你今天不该和一只家养猫说话，但虎掌仍对你的捕猎技巧大加赞赏。事实上，他说你们表现得都很好。你的进步令我很欣慰。这次森林大会你也来参加吧——是你们三个。”
火爪几乎跳了起来，身体因兴奋而有些颤抖。森林大会！他问：“沙爪和尘爪呢？”
蓝星回答：“他们留下来看守营地。你现在可以走了。”她摇摇长尾巴示意他离开，然后转身继续梳理自己。
看见火爪活蹦乱跳地回来，灰爪和乌爪都十分惊奇。他们一直在树墩旁紧张地等待火爪的消息。火爪坐下来看着他的朋友们。
灰爪问：“怎么样？她说什么？”
乌爪迫不及待地说：“虎掌告诉我们，今天早上你和一只宠物猫在谈话。有麻烦吗？”
“没有麻烦，不过蓝星不太高兴，”火爪后悔地说，“她以为我想离开雷族。”
乌爪问：“你并不想离开，是吗？”
灰爪说：“他当然不想离开啦！”
火爪深深地看了他一眼，说：“喂，你才不想我离开呢。你还想让我帮你捉老鼠呢！这些天你净捉些毛茸茸的老松鼠！”
灰爪闪身避开火爪的唾沫星儿，跳过来正要加以回敬。
“你们肯定猜不出她还说了些什么！”火爪兴奋地顾不上打闹，继续说。
灰爪立刻停住嬉闹。
“我们要去参加森林大会了！”火爪叫。
灰爪发出一声欢呼，高兴得跳上树桩，用一只后爪将蛇踢飞。那条蛇正中乌爪的脑袋，缠住了他的脖子。
乌爪冷不丁吓得一声尖叫，转头对着灰爪粗鲁地说：“长点儿眼睛！”说完把蛇甩在树桩上。
“怕它咬你吗？”火爪开玩笑说。他跳下树桩，嘴里发出嘶嘶的声音，装成蛇的样子向乌爪靠近。
乌爪抖抖猫须，报复说：“你就是蛇了！”他扑向火爪，把火爪掀翻在地。
灰爪从树桩上跳下来用力拽乌爪的尾巴。乌爪回身用前爪给灰爪狠狠来了一下子，火爪借机跳起身，扑到那两只猫的身上，带得乌爪从树桩上摔了下来。三只猫在地上滚来滚去，扭打纠缠在一起。最后，他们松开对方，相安无事地坐在树桩旁喘气。
“沙爪和尘爪也去吗？”灰爪气喘吁吁地问。
“没门儿！”火爪回答，语气里掩饰不住胜利的意味，“他们得留下来看守营地。”
灰爪请求说：“噢，让我告诉他们吧！我等不及要看他们的表情了！”
“我也等不及了！”火爪同意说，“我们去参加森林大会，而他们却要留在家里，我都不敢相信这是真的！尤其是今天，虎掌看见我和斯玛在一起！”
灰爪说：“那件事真倒霉。在这次考核中，我们都满载而归，一定是这个缘故才使我们能去参加森林大会。”
乌爪说：“真想知道森林大会是什么样子。”
灰爪自信地说：“一定是妙不可言！我打赌所有伟大的武士都会到那里去。爪脸、石头……”
但是火爪已经听不到他们在说什么了，他在想虎掌和斯玛。灰爪说得没错——虎掌看见他遇见自己的老朋友真是倒霉。他为什么不去监视灰爪或者乌爪呢？其实说到底，虎掌派他去两脚兽地盘的附近本身就是件倒霉事。
突然，火爪的心头冒出一个可怕的想法：虎掌为什么要派他回到原来的住处呢？是为了考验他吗？虎掌是否不信任他对雷族的忠诚呢？
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
Firepaw peered over the browof a bush-covered slope. Graypaw and Ravenpaw crouched beside him. Next to them a group of ThunderClan elders, queens, and warriors waited in the undergrowth for Bluestar to give the signal.
Firepaw had not been to this place since his first journey with Lionheart and Tigerclaw. The steep-sided glade looked different now. The rich greenness of the woods had been bleached away by the cold light of the full moon, and the leaves on the trees glowed silver. At the bottom stood the large oaks that marked where the corner of each Clan’s territory touched the other three.
The air was thick with the warm scents of cats from the other Clans. Firepaw could see them quite clearly in the moonlight, moving about below in the grassy clearing that lay between the four oaks. In the center of the clearing, a large, jagged rock rose from the forest floor like a broken tooth.
“Look at all those cats down there!” hissed Ravenpaw under his breath.
“There’s Crookedstar!” Graypaw hissed back. “RiverClan’s leader.”
“Where?” Firepaw mewed, nudging Graypaw impatiently.
“That light-colored tabby, beside the Great Rock.”
Firepaw followed Graypaw’s nod and saw a huge tom, even bigger than Lionheart, sitting at the center of the clearing. His striped coat shone pale in the moonlight. Even from this distance, his old face showed the signs of a harsh life, and his mouth looked twisted, as if it had once been broken and had healed badly.
“Hey!” mewed Graypaw. “Did you see Sandpaw spit when I told her I hoped she had a nice evening at home?”
“You bet!” Firepaw purred.
Ravenpaw interrupted them with a muffled growl. “Look! There’s Brokenstar—ShadowClan’s leader,” he hissed.
Firepaw looked down at the dark brown tabby. His fur was unusually long and his face was broad and flattened. There was a stillness in the way he sat and stared around him that made Firepaw’s fur prickle uncomfortably.
“He looks pretty nasty,” Firepaw muttered.
“Yeah,” agreed Graypaw. “He’s certainly got a reputation among all the Clans for not suffering fools gladly. And he’s not been leader that long—four moons, ever since his father, Raggedstar, died.”
“What does the leader of WindClan look like?” Firepaw asked.
“Tallstar? I’ve never seen him, but I know he’s black and white with a very long tail,” answered Graypaw.
“Can you see him now?” asked Ravenpaw.
Graypaw peered down, searching the crowd of cats below. “Nope!”
“Can you scent anyWindClan cats?” Firepaw asked.
Graypaw shook his head. “No.”
Lionheart’s meow sounded softly beside them. “The WindClan cats may just be late.”
“But what if they don’t turn up at all?” mewed Graypaw.
“Hush! We must all be patient. These are difficult times. Now keep quiet. Bluestar will give the signal to move soon,” Lionheart meowed quietly.
As he spoke, Bluestar stood, and, holding her tail high, flicked it from one side to the other. Firepaw’s heart missed a beat as the ThunderClan cats rose as one and bounded through the bushes, down toward the meeting place. He raced alongside them, feeling the wind rush in his ears and his paws tingle with anticipation.
The ThunderClan cats paused instinctively on the edge of the clearing, outside the boundary of the oaks. Bluestar sniffed the air. Then she nodded and the troop moved forward into the clearing.
Firepaw felt thrilled. The other cats looked even more impressive close up, milling about the Great Rock. A large white warrior strode past. Firepaw and Ravenpaw looked at him in awe.
“Look at his paws!” Ravenpaw murmured.
Firepaw looked down and realized the huge paws of this great tom were jet black.
“It must be Blackfoot,” mewed Grewpaw. “ShadowClan’s new deputy.”
Blackfoot stalked over to Brokenstar and sat down beside him. The ShadowClan leader acknowledged him with a twitch of one ear, but said nothing.
“When does the meeting begin?” Ravenpaw asked Whitestorm.
“Be patient, Ravenpaw,” he answered. “The sky is clear tonight, so we have plenty of time.”
Lionheart leaned over and added, “We warriors like to spend a little time boasting about our victories, while the elders swap tales about the ancient days before the Twolegs came here.” All three apprentices looked up at him and saw his whiskers twitch mischievously.
Dappletail, One-eye, and Smallear headed straight off toward a group of elderly cats who were settling themselves below one of the oak trees. Whitestorm and Lionheart strolled over to another pair of warriors whom Firepaw did not know. He sniffed the air and recognized their scent as RiverClan.
Bluestar’s voice sounded behind the three apprentices. “Don’t waste any of your time tonight,” she warned. “This is a good opportunity to meet your enemies. Listen to them; remember what they look like and how they behave. There is a great deal to be learned from these meetings.”
“And say little,” warned Tigerclaw. “Don’t give anything away that might be used against us once the moon has waned.”
“Don’t worry; we won’t!” Firepaw promised hastily, looking into Tigerclaw’s eyes. The feeling that Tigerclaw didn’t trust his loyalty lingered with him still.
The two warriors nodded and moved on, and the apprentices were left alone. They looked at each other.
“What do we do now?” Firepaw asked.
“What they said,” replied Ravenpaw. “Listen.”
“And don’t say too much,” Graypaw added.
Firepaw nodded gravely. “I’m going to see where Tigerclaw went,” he mewed.
“Well, I’m going to find Lionheart,” mewed Graypaw. “You coming, Ravenpaw?”
“No, thanks,” Ravenpaw replied. “I’m going to find some of the other apprentices.”
“Okay, we’ll meet up later,” mewed Firepaw, and he trotted in the direction Tigerclaw had taken.
He scented Tigerclaw easily and found him sitting at the center of a group of huge warriors, behind the Great Rock. Tigerclaw was speaking.
It was a tale Firepaw had heard many times at camp. Tigerclaw was describing his recent battle against the RiverClan hunting party. “I wrestled like a LionClan cat. Three warriors tried to hold me but I threw them off. I fought them until two lay knocked out and the other had run off into the forest like a kit crying for its mother.”
This time Tigerclaw didn’t mention killing Oakheart in vengeance for Redtail’s death. Perhaps it’s so he doesn’t offend the RiverClan warriors,Firepaw decided.
Firepaw listened politely to the end of the story, but a familiar scent was distracting him. As soon as Tigerclaw had finished speaking, Firepaw turned and crept away toward the sweet smell, which was coming from a group of cats nearby.
He found Graypaw sitting among these cats, but that was not the scent he had been following. Sitting opposite Graypaw, between two RiverClan toms, was Spottedleaf. Firepaw glanced at her shyly and settled himself beside his friend.
“Still no scent of WindClan,” he mewed to Graypaw.
“The meeting hasn’t begun yet; they may still come,” replied his friend. “Look, there’s Runningnose. He’s the new ShadowClan medicine cat, apparently.” He nodded toward a small gray-and-white cat at the center of the group.
“I can see why they call him Runningnose,” Firepaw remarked. The medicine cat’s nose was wet at the tip and encrusted around the edges.
“Yep,” replied Graypaw with a scornful growl. “I can’t see why they appointed him when he can’t even cure his own cold!”
Runningnose was telling the cats about a herb that medicine cats had used in the old days to cure kitten-cough. “Since the Twolegs came and filled the place with hard earth and strange flowers,” he complained in a high-pitched yowl, “the herb has disappeared, and kittens die needlessly in cold weather.”
The cats gathered around him yowled their disapproval.
“It never would have happened in the time of the great Clan cats,” growled a black RiverClan queen.
“Indeed,” mewled a silver tabby. “The great cats would have killed any Twolegs that dared enter their territory. If TigerClan roamed this forest still, Twolegs would not have built this far into our land.”
Then Firepaw heard Spottedleaf’s quiet mew. “If TigerClan still roamed these forests, wewould hardly have made our territory here, either.”
“What’s TigerClan?” mewed a small voice beside them. Firepaw noticed a little tabby apprentice from one of the other Clans sitting beside him.
“TigerClan is one of the great cat Clans that used to roam the forest,” Graypaw explained quietly. “TigerClan is cats of the night, big as horses, with jet-black stripes. Then there is LionClan. They’re…” Graypaw hesitated, frowning as he tried to remember.
“Oh! I’ve heard of them,” mewed the tabby. “They were as big as TigerClan cats, with yellow fur and golden manes like rays of the sun.”
Graypaw nodded. “And then there is the other one, SpottyClan or something like that….”
“I suspect you’re thinking of LeopardClan, young Graypaw,” meowed a voice from behind them.
“Lionheart!” Graypaw greeted his mentor with an affectionate touch of his nose.
Lionheart shook his head in mock despair. “Don’t you youngsters know your history? LeopardClan are the swiftest cats, huge and golden, spotted with black pawprints. You can thank LeopardClan for the speed and hunting skills you now possess.”
“Thank them? Why?” asked the tabby.
Lionheart gazed down at the little apprentice and answered, “There is a trace of all the great cats in every cat today. We would not be night hunters without our TigerClan ancestors, and our love of the sun’s warmth comes from LionClan.” He paused. “You are a ShadowClan apprentice, aren’t you? How many moons are you?”
The tabby stared awkwardly down at the ground. “S-six moons,” he stammered, not meeting Lionheart’s eye.
“Rather small for six moons,” Lionheart murmured. His tone was gentle, but his gaze was searching and serious.
“My mother was small too,” answered the tabby nervously. He bowed his head and backed away, disappearing into the crowd of cats with a twitch of his light brown tail.
Lionheart turned to Firepaw and Graypaw. “Well, he might be small, but at least he was curious. If only you two showed as much interest in the stories your elders tell!”
“Sorry, Lionheart,” Firepaw and Graypaw mewed, exchanging doubtful glances.
Lionheart grunted good-naturedly. “Oh, go away, the pair of you! Next time I hope Bluestar decides to bring apprentices who appreciate what they hear.” And with a half-hearted growl he chased them away from the group.
“Come on,” purred Graypaw as they leaped away. “Let’s see where Ravenpaw’s gotten to.”
Ravenpaw was in the middle of a group of apprentices who were clamoring for him to tell them about the battle with RiverClan.
“Go on, Ravenpaw; tell us what happened!” called a pretty black-and-white she-cat.
Ravenpaw shyly shuffled his paws and shook his head.
“Come on, Ravenpaw!” insisted another.
Ravenpaw looked around and saw Firepaw and Graypaw at the edge of the crowd. Firepaw nodded encouragingly. Ravenpaw flicked his tail in acknowledgment and began his story.
He stumbled a bit at first, but as he continued, the tremor disappeared from his voice and his audience leaned in, their eyes growing wider.
“Fur was flying everywhere. Blood spattered the leaves of the bramble bushes, bright red against green. I’d just fought off a huge warrior and sent him squealing into the bushes when the ground shook, and I heard a warrior scream. It was Oakheart! Redtail raced past me, his mouth dripping blood and his fur torn. ‘Oakheart is dead!’ he howled. Then he rushed off to help Tigerclaw as he fought another warrior.”
“Who would have thought Ravenpaw was such a good storyteller,” Graypaw murmured to Firepaw, sounding impressed.
But Firepaw was thinking of something else. What was it Ravenpaw had said? That Redtailhad killed Oakheart? But according to Tigerclaw, Oakheart had killed Redtail and he, Tigerclaw, had killed Oakheart in revenge.
“If Redtail killed Oakheart, who killed Redtail?” Firepaw hissed to Graypaw.
“If who did what?” Graypaw echoed absentmindedly. He was only half listening to Firepaw.
Firepaw shook his head to clear it. Ravenpaw must have been mistaken, he thought. He must have meant Tigerclaw.
Ravenpaw was coming to the end of his story. “Finally, Redtail dragged the wailing cat off Tigerclaw by his tail and, with the strength of the whole of TigerClan, flung him into the bushes.”
A moving shadow caught Firepaw’s eye. He glanced around and saw Tigerclaw standing a short distance away. The warrior was watching Ravenpaw with an iron stare. Unaware of his mentor’s presence, Ravenpaw continued to answer question after question from his enthusiastic audience.
“What were Oakheart’s dying words?”
“Is it true that Oakheart had never lost a battle before?”
Ravenpaw replied promptly, with his voice high and clear and his eyes shining. But when Firepaw glanced back at Tigerclaw, he saw a look of horror and then fury creep over the warrior’s face. Clearly Tigerclaw wasn’t enjoying Ravenpaw’s story at all.
Firepaw was just about to say something to Graypaw when a loud yowl signaled to all the cats for quiet. Firepaw couldn’t help feeling relieved as Ravenpaw fell silent at last, and Tigerclaw turned away.
Firepaw looked up to see where the yowl had come from. Three cats sat silhouetted against the moonlit sky on top of the Great Rock. They were Bluestar, Brokenstar, and Crookedstar.
The Clan leaders were about to begin the meeting. But where was the WindClan leader?
“Surely they won’t start the meeting without Tallstar?”
Firepaw hissed under his breath.
“I don’t know,” Graypaw muttered back.
“Haven’t you noticed? There isn’t a single WindClan cat here,” whispered a RiverClan apprentice on the other side of Firepaw.
Firepaw guessed that similar conversations were going on all around him. As the other cats were gathering beneath the Great Rock, an unsettled murmuring rumbled in their throats.
“We can’t start yet,” yowled one voice above the noise. “Where are the WindClan representatives? We must wait until all the Clans are present.”
On top of the rock, Bluestar stepped forward. Her gray fur glowed almost white in the moonlight. “Cats of all Clans, welcome,” she meowed in a clear voice. “It is true that WindClan is not present, but Brokenstar wishes to speak anyway.”
Brokenstar padded noiselessly up to stand beside Bluestar. He surveyed the crowd for a few moments, his orange eyes burning. Then he took a deep breath and began. “Friends, I come to speak to you tonight about the needs of ShadowClan—”
But he was interrupted by raised, impatient voices from below.
“Where is Tallstar?” cried one.
“Where are the WindClan warriors?” yowled another.
Brokenstar stretched up to his full height and lashed his tail from side to side. “As the leader of ShadowClan, it is my right to address you here!” he growled in a voice full of menace. The crowd fell into an uneasy silence. All around him, Firepaw could smell the acrid tang of fear.
Brokenstar yowled again. “We all know that the hard time of leaf-bare, and late newleaf, have left us with little prey in our hunting grounds. But we also know that WindClan, RiverClan, and ThunderClan lost many kits in the freezing weather that came so late this season. ShadowClan did not lose kits. We are hardened to the cold north wind. Our kits are stronger than yours from the moment they are born. And so we find ourselves with many mouths to feed, and too little prey to feed them.”
The crowd, still silent, listened anxiously.
“The needs of ShadowClan are simple. In order to survive, we must increase our hunting territory. That is why I insist that you allow ShadowClan warriors to hunt in your territories.”
A shocked but muted growl rippled through the crowd.
“Share our hunting grounds?” called the outraged voice of Tigerclaw.
“It is unprecedented!” cried a tortoiseshell queen from RiverClan. “The Clans have never shared hunting rights!”
“Should ShadowClan be punished because our kits thrive?” yowled Brokenstar from the Great Rock. “Do you want us to watch our young starve? You mustshare what you have with us.”
“Must!”spat Smallear furiously from the back of the crowd.
“Must,” repeated Brokenstar. “WindClan failed to understand this. In the end, we were forced to drive them out of their territory.”
Snarls of outrage burst from the crowd, but Brokenstar’s caterwaul rang loud above them: “And, if we have to, we will drive you all from your hunting grounds in order to feed our hungry kits.”
There was instant silence. On the other side of the clearing, Firepaw heard a RiverClan apprentice start to mutter something, but he was quickly hushed by an elder.
Satisfied that he had every cat’s attention, Brokenstar continued. “Each year, the Twolegs spoil more of our territory. At least one Clan must remain strong, if all the Clans are to survive. ShadowClan thrives while you all struggle. And there may come a time when you will need us to protect you.”
“You doubt our strength?” hissed Tigerclaw. His pale eyes glared threateningly at the ShadowClan leader, and his powerful shoulders rippled with tension.
“I do not ask for your answer now.” Brokenstar ignored the warrior’s challenge. “You must each go away and consider my words. But bear this in mind: Would you prefer to share your prey, or be driven out and left homeless and starving?”
Warriors, elders, and apprentices looked at one another in disbelief. In the anxious pause that followed, Crookedstar stepped forward. “I have already agreed to allow ShadowClan some hunting rights in the river that runs through our territory,” he meowed quietly, gazing down on his Clan.
Horror and humiliation rippled through the RiverClan cats at their leader’s words.
“We were not consulted!” cried a grizzled silver tabby.
“I feel that this is best for our Clan. For all the Clans,” Crookedstar explained, his voice heavy with resignation. “There are plenty of fish in the river. It is better to share our prey than to spill blood fighting over it.”
“And what of ThunderClan?” Smallear croaked. “Bluestar? Have you, too, agreed to this outrageous demand?”
Bluestar unwaveringly met the old cat’s gaze. “I have made no agreement with Brokenstar except that I shall discuss his proposal with my Clan after the Gathering.”
“Well, at least that’s something,” muttered Graypaw in Firepaw’s ear. “We’ll show them we’re not as soft as that yellow-bellied RiverClan.”
Brokenstar spoke up again, his rasping voice sounding arrogant and strong after Crookedstar’s surrender. “I also bring news that is important to the safety of your kits. A ShadowClan cat has turned rogue and spurned the warrior code. We chased her out of our camp, but we do not know where she is now. She looks a mangy old creature, but she has a bite like TigerClan.”
Firepaw’s fur bristled. Could Brokenstar possibly be talking about Yellowfang? He pricked up his ears, curious to hear more.
“She is dangerous. I warn you—do not offer shelter to her. And”—Brokenstar paused dramatically—“until she is caught and killed, I urge you to keep a close eye on your kits.”
Firepaw knew from the nervous growl that rumbled in the throats of the ThunderClan cats that they, too, had thought of Yellowfang. The bold she-cat had done nothing to endear herself to her reluctant hosts, and Firepaw guessed it wouldn’t take much to drum up hatred against her—even the words of a despised enemy like Brokenstar would be enough.
The ShadowClan warriors began to push their way out of the throng of cats. Brokenstar leaped down from the rock, and his warriors immediately surrounded him and escorted him away from Fourtrees, back into ShadowClan territory. The remaining ShadowClan cats followed quickly behind, including the undersize tabby Lionheart had questioned earlier. But among the other ShadowClan apprentices, the tabby no longer looked unusually small—they all looked tiny and undernourished, more like kits of three or four moons than full-fledged apprentices.
“What do you think of all that?” Graypaw mewed in a low voice.
Ravenpaw bounded over before Firepaw could reply. “What’s going to happen now?” he wailed, his fur fluffed up in alarm and his eyes wider than ever.
Firepaw didn’t answer. The elders of ThunderClan were gathering nearby, and he was straining to hear what they were saying.
“That must be Yellowfang he was talking about,” growled Smallear.
“Well, she did snap at Goldenflower’s youngest kit the other day,” murmured Speckletail darkly. She was the oldest nursery queen, and fiercely protective of all the kits.
“And we’ve left her behind, with the camp virtually unguarded!” wailed One-eye, who for once seemed to be having no trouble hearing everything.
“I tried to tell you she was a danger to us,” hissed Darkstripe. “Bluestar has to listen to reason now and get rid of her before she harms any of our young!”
Tigerclaw strode up to the group. “We must return to camp at once and deal with this rogue!” he yowled.
Firepaw didn’t stop to hear more. His mind was spinning. Loyal as he was to his Clan, he just couldn’t believe that Yellowfang would be a danger to kits. Frightened for the old she-cat, burning with questions only she could answer, he raced away from Graypaw and Ravenpaw without a word.
He charged up the hillside and pelted through the forest. Had he been mistaken about Yellowfang? If he warned her about the danger she was in, would he be risking his own position in ThunderClan? Whatever trouble he got himself into, he had to find out the truth from her before the other cats got back to the camp.
第十二章
第十二章
火爪坐在灌木覆盖的斜坡顶端向下望，灰爪和乌爪卧在他的旁边，再旁边是一群雷族的老猫、母猫和武士，在等候蓝星的命令。
自从狮心和虎掌带着火爪熟悉领地之后，火爪再也没有来过这里。此时树林中的那片空地看起来完全变了样子。清冷的月光将树林中的浓绿色漂洗成惨白色，树叶在月光下都闪着银色的光芒。在坡底耸立着四棵巨大的橡树，那是四大猫族领地交界点的标志。
空气中弥漫着浓烈的其他猫族的气味。趁着月光，火爪能够清楚地看到他们在下面橡树间的草地上移动。一块巨大的、凹凸不平的岩石像一颗残牙般矗立在草地中央。
乌爪小声说：“看下面那些猫！”
灰爪说：“那个是钩星——河族的族长。”
“在哪里？”火爪着急地触了触灰爪。
“就是巨岩边那只浅色的虎斑猫。”
火爪顺着灰爪点头的方向看去，只见一只巨大的公猫坐在空地的正中央，个头比狮心还大。他那带有条纹的皮毛在月光下显得苍白。即使距离这么远，也能看到他脸上布满了沧桑的印记，他的嘴有些扭曲，似乎是曾被撕裂过，之后又没有愈合好。
灰爪说：“喂！你们看见沙爪听到我祝她在家过个美好的夜晚时，那副骂骂咧咧的表情吗？”
“鬼才没看见！”火爪笑说。
乌爪的低吼打断了他们的谈话，“快看！是断星——影族的族长。”
火爪向下朝那只深棕色的虎斑猫望去。他的毛长于一般的猫，脸庞又宽又平，他坐在那里环视四周。气氛阴森森的，火爪身上的毛不舒服地竖立起来。
“他的样子真让人不舒服。”火爪喃喃说。
“是啊，”灰爪跟着说，“他因为不能容忍笨蛋而闻名遐迩。自从他的父亲残星死后，这四个月来，他一直都没有正式成为影族的族长。”
火爪问：“风族族长是什么样子？”
灰爪回答：“高星吗？我从没有见过他，不过我听说他长着黑白相间的皮毛，尾巴很长。”
乌爪问：“他现在在这里吗？”
灰爪的目光在坡下的猫群中搜索半晌后说：“不在！”
火爪问：“你能闻到风族的气味吗？”
灰爪摇摇头说：“闻不到。”
他们身边响起狮心轻柔的话音：“风族也许要迟到了。”
灰爪说：“但如果他们压根儿就不出现怎么办？”
“嘘！在这种非常时期，我们必须要耐住性子。现在保持安静吧，蓝星很快就要下命令了。”
狮心话音未落，蓝星已站起身，尾巴翘得高高的，从一边摆向另一边。雷族全体起立，穿过灌木丛，向会场进发。火爪的心怦怦跳了起来，风嗖嗖地从他的耳朵间、脚爪间拂过，他随着队伍前进，心里充满着期待。
雷族在橡树群外缘的空地边本能地停下脚步。蓝星嗅了嗅空气。看到她点头，队伍方才进入空地里。
火爪兴奋得不可名状。众猫挤在一起，漫无目的地绕着巨岩乱转。一只高大的白色武士经过，火爪和乌爪畏惧地看着他。
“看他的爪子！”乌爪小声说。
火爪低头看去，发现那只公猫的巨爪乌黑发亮。
灰爪说：“他一定就是黑脚了，影族的副族长。”
黑脚走过去坐在断星身旁，后者没有说话，只是动了下耳朵就算打招呼了。
乌爪问白风：“会议什么时候开始？”
白风回答：“耐心些，乌爪。天色还早，时间够用了。”
狮心侧过身子补充说：“武士们喜欢在一起吹嘘自己的胜利往事，而年老的猫们则常常回忆起两脚兽到来前的那段古老的岁月。”三个学徒都抬头看他，只见他顽皮地动了动猫须。
斑尾、一只眼和小耳径直走向聚在一棵橡树下的一群老年猫。白风和狮心则朝一群火爪不认识的武士们走去。火爪嗅嗅空气，认出了他们身上河族的气味。
三个学徒背后响起蓝星的声音。“今晚别浪费时间。”她警告说，“这是一个认识你们敌人的好机会。听他们都在说什么，记住他们的样子和动作特征，在这儿，我们能学到很多东西。”
“还有管好自己的嘴巴。”虎掌警告说，“一旦月亮从天上消逝，就不要再泄露任何不利于我们的事情了。”
火爪迎着虎掌的目光，连忙保证说：“别担心，我们不会泄露的！”他仍在担心虎掌是否怀疑他的忠诚。
蓝星和虎掌点点头走开了，留下学徒们站在那里。他们你看看我，我看看你。
火爪问：“现在我们该怎么办？”
“照他们说的办。”乌爪回答，“倾听呗！”
“还有别多嘴。”灰爪补充说。
火爪郑重其事地点点头，说：“我看看虎掌到哪里去了？”
灰爪说：“好，我去找狮心。你来吗，乌爪？”
乌爪回答说：“不去了，谢谢，我去找其他的学徒。”
“好吧，我们迟些再见。”火爪说着朝虎掌离去的方向走去。
他没费什么力气便嗅到了虎掌的气味，发现他就在巨岩后面，坐在一群高大的武士中间讲故事。
那是火爪在营地已听腻了的故事。虎掌正在叙述他最近同河族捕猎队的那场遭遇战：“三名武士向我围攻，但他们根本不是我的对手，其中两个被我撞翻在地后，第三名武士则像幼崽般哭爹喊娘地逃回森林里。”
这次虎掌没有提到他杀死橡心为红尾复仇的事。火爪心想：也许是他不想冒犯河族的武士吧。
火爪礼貌地听完这个故事，但是有股熟悉的气味使他走神。一等虎掌说完话，火爪便转身离开寻找那股幽香气味的来源。香气是从附近的一群猫中传出来的。
灰爪就坐在那群猫里面，但火爪要找的不是他。灰爪对面是两只河族公猫，在这两只公猫中间赫然坐着斑叶。火爪不好意思地看看她，坐到了灰爪的身边。
他对灰爪说：“仍没有风族的气味吗？”
灰爪回答：“大会还没有开始，他们说不定还会来。看，那个是奔鼻，不出意外的话，他应该是影族新的巫医。”说着，他朝猫群中一只灰白相间的小猫点了点头。
那只猫的鼻子下面淌着鼻涕，鼻子周围的鼻涕都已经干结成一圈硬壳了。“我知道他为什么叫奔鼻了。”火爪恍然大悟。
灰爪笑出了声：“没错，我真不明白影族为什么会让他当巫医，他连自己的感冒都治不了。”
奔鼻正在给大家讲解一种过去曾用来治疗幼崽感冒的草药。“自从两脚兽来到这里，就在地上铺满了坚硬的泥块，到处栽些奇怪的花。”他故意提高嗓门儿抱怨说，“这种草药已经绝种了，幼崽们在寒冷的天气里只能无助地死去。”
奔鼻周围的猫群中发出愤愤不平的吼声。
一只黑色的河族母猫说：“在巨猫族时代，这种事永远都不会发生。”
一只银白色的虎斑猫说：“是呀，那些巨猫们将杀死任何胆敢踏入他们领地的两脚兽。
如果虎族仍然在这片森林里，两脚兽们绝对不敢把他们的房子盖在我们的土地上。”
接着火爪听见斑叶银铃般的声音：“如果虎族仍在这片森林里出没，我们也没有立足之地了。”
“虎族是什么呀？”一个小小的声音问。火爪这才注意到身边坐着一个其他族的幼小的虎斑猫学徒。
灰爪平静地解释说：“虎族就是曾出没于这片森林的一支巨猫族。虎族常在夜间外出，个头像马一样大，身上长着漆黑的条纹。还有狮族，他们……”灰爪顿了顿，皱着眉头回忆。
那只小虎斑猫说：“哦！我听说过他们。他们像虎族一般高大威猛，长着黄色的皮毛和金黄色的鬃毛，就像太阳射出的光线一样。”
灰爪微微点了点头，说：“还有一支巨猫族，好像叫花斑族还是什么的……”
他们身后响起一个声音：“你说的是豹族吧，小灰爪。”
“狮心！”灰爪敬爱地触了触他师父的鼻子。
狮心开玩笑地做出绝望的表情：“你们这些年轻人连自己的历史都不知道吗？豹族是世界上奔跑速度最快的猫类，他们个头高大，长着金黄色的毛，还有黑爪印般的斑点。你们之所以拥有现在的奔跑速度和捕猎技巧，还要归功于豹族才是。”
那只小虎斑猫问：“归功于他们？为什么？”
狮心瞧了一眼这名小不点儿学徒，回答说：“今天，我们每一只猫的身上都有巨猫们的遗传。如果不是我们的虎族祖先，我们就不能在夜间外出捕猎。还有，正是因为狮族祖先的缘故，我们才喜欢晒太阳。”他顿了顿说，“你是影族的学徒，是吗？你有几个月大了？”
那只小虎斑猫尴尬地瞅着地面。“六……六个月大了。”他结结巴巴地说着，不敢看狮心的目光。
“肯定不到六个月大。”狮心喃喃道，他的声音很柔和，但是那若有所思的目光却很严肃。
“我的妈妈年龄也不大。”那只小虎斑猫紧张地说。他晃动着浅棕色的尾巴，转身消失在猫群中。
狮心转头对火爪和灰爪说：“嗯，他年纪虽小，却谨小慎微。喂，你们两个能不能在长辈讲故事的时候，表现出那么一点儿兴趣呀？”
“对不起，狮心。”火爪和灰爪说着，交换了个非常值得怀疑的眼神。
狮心佯怒说：“哼，滚吧，你们这两个小浑球儿！我希望蓝星下次派几名能感激别人给他们讲故事的学徒来。”说着，他半轰半推地把他们从猫群中赶了出去。
“走，”灰爪说，“去看看乌爪在哪里？”
乌爪站在一群学徒中间，被他们吵着闹着要求讲述那次同河族战斗的故事。
“别卖关子了，快说说都发生了什么！”一只漂亮的黑白相间的母猫叫道。
乌爪局促不安地搓弄着爪子，摇摇头。
“讲讲吧，乌爪！”另一只猫说。
乌爪瞅瞅四周，看见火爪和灰爪就在猫群边上。火爪点点头鼓励他，乌爪感激地摇摇尾巴，开始讲述他的故事。
刚开始的时候，他讲得磕磕绊绊，极不流利，但讲着讲着，他的声音不再颤抖，他的听众们都侧耳倾听，眼睛越睁越大。
“到处都是飞舞的毛，血滴泼溅在荆棘丛的叶子上面，在绿色映衬下显得更加鲜红。我打败了一名大个头的武士，打得他夹着尾巴逃进了树丛里。这时，响起一名武士的巨吼声，震得大地都颤动了。是橡心！红尾从我身边跑过，嘴角滴着血，皮毛被撕裂了。‘橡心完蛋了！’他高呼。接着他冲过去帮助正在搏斗中的虎掌。”
“真没想到乌爪竟是个讲故事的好手。”灰爪小声对火爪说，赞叹之意溢于言表。
但是火爪在想另外一些事情。乌爪刚才说什么？红尾杀死了橡心？但是根据虎掌事后的讲述，应该是橡心杀死了红尾，而他，虎掌，则杀死橡心为红尾复仇。
“如果红尾杀死了橡心，那么谁又杀死了红尾呢？”火爪小声对灰爪说。
“如果谁杀死了什么？”灰爪心不在焉地重复道。他只听到火爪话里的只言片语。
火爪摇晃脑袋想清醒清醒。他想：乌爪一定是搞错了，他一定是把虎掌当成了红尾。
乌爪的故事已接近尾声：“最后，红尾咬着那名武士的尾巴将他从虎掌身上拖开，使出吃奶的力气将他甩到树丛里。”
火爪发现一个身影移动过来。他抬眼望去，看见虎掌就站在不远处，冷冷地看着乌爪。乌爪不知道自己的师父就在旁边，还在继续回答兴趣盎然的听众们提出的一个又一个问题。
“橡心死前都说了什么？”
“据说橡心此前从没有打过败仗，是真的吗？”
乌爪飞快地回答着这些问题，声音清晰响亮，两眼放光。火爪又回头看了看虎掌，看到虎掌脸上的表情阴森可怕，继而又怒容满面。谁都看得出来，虎掌压根儿不喜欢乌爪的故事。
火爪正要上前去提醒乌爪，这时传来一声吼叫，招呼大家安静下来。看到乌爪闭嘴后，虎掌转身离去，火爪不禁松了口气。
火爪抬头向吼声传来的方向看去。只见月光下，巨岩上立着三只猫的身影轮廓，他们是蓝星、断星和钩星。
各族族长们要开会了，但是风族的族长在哪里呢？
“没有高星，他们肯定不会让会议开始的，是吗？”火爪小声说。
“我不知道。”灰爪小声回答。
“你留意了吗？风族的猫一个都没有来。”火爪身边的一名河族学徒小声说。
火爪猜想类似这样的谈话一定到处都有。其他的猫都聚集在巨岩下，猫群里发出一阵嗡嗡的议论声。
一个声音高叫：“我们还不能开始会议。风族的猫在哪里？我们必须等四大猫族都到齐了才能开会。”
巨岩上，蓝星走上前。在月光映射下，她身上灰色的毛几乎变成了白色。“各位，欢迎到来。”她的声音十分清亮，“风族确实没有来参加大会，不过断星对此有话要说。”
断星步履轻盈地走到蓝星身边。他俯视着群猫，橘红色的双眼像火一样。然后，他深吸口气说：“朋友们，今晚，我来告诉大家，我们影族现在需要什么……”
但是，巨岩下响起不耐烦的嘘声打断了他。
一只猫喊道：“高星在哪里？”
另一只猫叫嚷：“风族的武士们在哪里？”
断星的毛笔直竖起，尾巴来回甩打。“作为影族的族长，我有权利站在这里向你们讲话！”他充满威胁地吼道。猫群里立刻鸦雀无声。火爪闻到周围的猫身上散发出强烈的恐惧气味。
断星又吼道：“我们都知道现在正是艰难时期，旧的叶子凋零了，新的叶子还没有长出来，我们的狩猎场里只有屈指可数的猎物。我们还知道，风族、河族和雷族在这个漫长的严寒季节损失了许多幼崽。但影族没有损失幼崽，北方刮来的寒风使我们更加坚强。我们的幼崽打出生开始就比你们的幼崽强壮。所以我们有许多张嘴在等着吃饭，而仅有的那么点儿猎物根本无法养活他们。”
大家没有做声，都想听他说下文。
“影族的要求很简单，为了生存我们必须扩张领土，这就是我为什么坚持要你们容许影族在你们的领地里打猎的原因。”
断星的话如一石激起千重浪，猫群里轰然响起议论声。
“分享我们的狩猎场？”虎掌气愤地大声质问。
“这种事还从来没有过。”一只河族的玳瑁色的母猫叫嚷，“各族从未分享过狩猎权！”
巨岩上的断星大吼：“我们的幼崽多，所以就得挨饿吗？你们想让我们看着幼崽们饿死吗？我们必须分享你们的财富。”
“必须？”站在猫群后方的小耳怒气冲冲地说。
“必须！”断星重复，“风族理解不了这一点，最后，我们只好把他们赶出家园。”
猫群里响起愤怒的声音，但是断星的声音仍清晰可闻：“还有，如果确有必要，为了养活我们饥饿的幼崽，我们会把你们全都赶走。”
大家立刻安静下来。在空地的另一边，火爪听到一名学徒刚要开口，就被一只老猫呵斥住。
看到每只猫都在专心听他讲话，断星满意地继续说：“每一年，两脚兽们都在掠夺我们的领地。如果大家想要生存下去，至少得有一族保持强大。当你们挣扎在生存边缘的时候，影族却越来越兴旺。终有一天，你们会需要我们的保护。”
“你怀疑我们的力量吗？”虎掌狠狠地说。他虎视眈眈地盯着断星，双肩蓄满了爆发力。
“我现在不需要你们立刻回答。”断星不理会虎掌的挑战，继续说，“你们回去好好想想吧，但你们必须牢记：要么分享你们的猎物；要么被赶出家园，流浪在外，饿死在荒野。”
武士们，老猫们，还有学徒们，你看看我，我看看你，都不敢相信眼前发生的事情。
这一刻就如同一年般漫长。钩星走上前，看着全体河族猫镇静地说：“我已经同意影族在我们领地所在的河段中打猎了。”
听了族长的话，河族的猫脸上都露出又怒又怕的神情。
一只亮银色的虎斑猫高声叫道：“我们还没有商量呢！”
“我认为这个决定对我们河族最有利，对所有的族群也最有利。”钩星奴颜婢膝地解释说，“反正我们河里的鱼也吃不完，没有必要为此打个头破血流的。”
“雷族怎么说？”小耳喝道，“蓝星？你也同意这种无礼至极的要求吗？”
蓝星看着小耳，丝毫没有退却：“森林大会之后，我们要进行全族的讨论，在此之前，我不会作出任何决定。”
“哼，这才像话。”灰爪贴在火爪的耳边小声说，“我们要让他们看看，我们可不像河族那样软弱可欺。”
看到钩星俯首称臣，断星愈发盛气凌人，他继续说：“我还有一个消息告诉大家，这个消息关乎你们幼崽的安全。一只影族的猫背叛了武士守则，沦落为无赖。我们把她驱逐出营地，可现在我们不知道她在哪里。她是一只外貌邋遢的老猫，但是小心她的牙齿像虎族一样狠毒。”
火爪一下子紧张起来，断星说的是黄牙吗？他竖起双耳，急切地想听下文。
“她很危险，我警告你们——在她没有被捉住并杀死之前，看管好你们的幼崽。”
雷族里响起不安的嘘声，很显然，大家都想到了黄牙。那只胆大包天的母猫即使寄人篱下，也不愿受半点儿委屈。要煽起对她的仇视简直不费吹灰之力——即使煽动者是断星这种可憎的敌人。
影族的武士们开始从猫群中撤出。断星从巨岩上一跃而下，影族武士们立刻围上前，众星捧月般护送着他离开“四棵树”，返回营地。影族里其余的猫则紧紧跟随在后，其中就包括和狮心谈话的那只小不点儿虎斑猫。但是在影族其他学徒们的衬托下，那只小虎斑猫却不再显得幼小了——那些学徒们看起来都个头矮小、面黄肌瘦，和那些羽翼已丰的学徒们相比，他们顶多只有三到四个月大。
“对于发生的这些事，你怎么看？”灰爪小声问。
火爪尚未回答，乌爪便跳了过来。“现在又会发生什么鬼事啊？”他抱怨着，身上的毛警惕地竖起，眼睛比任何时候睁得都大。
火爪没有回答他。雷族的老年猫们聚集在附近，他急欲听听他们的谈论。
小耳大声说：“断星指的一定是黄牙。”
“哼，那天她还冲金花最小的幼崽大吼大叫呢。”斑尾生气地说。她对每个幼崽都是呵护备至。
“而我们还把她留在后方，营地里几乎没有防守！”一只眼抱怨说，她的听力头一回变得好得不得了。
黑条恨恨地说：“我早说过她是个威胁。现在蓝星不能再固执了，必须在她祸害我们的幼崽之前将她赶出去！”
虎掌走到群猫中间，大声说：“我们必须立刻返回营地处理掉这个无赖！”
火爪心乱如麻，再也听不进他们的谈话了。虽然他对族群忠心耿耿，但却不相信黄牙会危害幼崽们。他为黄牙感到忧心如焚，脑子里全是只有黄牙才能回答的问题。他一声不吭地从灰爪和乌爪身边走开了。
走上坡顶，火爪眺望森林大地。是他看错了黄牙吗？如果他去警告黄牙她正身处险境，会把族群置于危难中吗？无论惹上多大的麻烦，他必须在其他的猫返回营地之前，向黄牙问个究竟。
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
Firepaw reached the edge of the ravineand looked down at the camp. He was panting and his paws were slippery with dew. He sniffed the air. He was alone. There was still time to speak to Yellowfang before the others returned from the Gathering. Silently, he jumped down the rocky slope and slipped through the gorse tunnel unnoticed.
The camp was still and quiet, apart from the muted snuffles of sleeping cats. Firepaw quickly crept around the edge of the clearing to Yellowfang’s nest. The old medicine cat was curled on top of her mossy bedding.
“Yellowfang,” he hissed urgently. “Yellowfang! Wake up; it’s important!”
Two orange eyes opened and glinted in the moonlight. “I wasn’t sleeping,” meowed Yellowfang quietly. She sounded calm and alert. “You came straight from the Gathering to me? That must mean you’ve heard.” She blinked slowly and looked away. “So Brokenstar kept his promise.”
“What promise?” Firepaw felt very confused. Yellowfang seemed to know more than he did about what was going on.
“ShadowClan’s noble leader promised to drive me from every Clan territory,” Yellowfang replied dryly. “What did he say about me?”
“He warned us that our kits were in danger as long as we sheltered the ShadowClan rogue. He didn’t say your name, but ThunderClan guessed who he was talking about. You must leave before the others get back. You are in danger!”
“You mean they believed Brokenstar?” Yellowfang flattened her ears and swished her tail angrily.
“Yes!” Firepaw meowed urgently. “Darkstripe says you’re dangerous. The other cats are scared of what you might do. Tigerclaw is planning to come back and…I don’t know…. I think you should go before they get here!”
In the distance Firepaw could hear the yowls of angry cats. Yellowfang struggled stiffly to her paws. Firepaw gave her a nudge to help her up, his mind still spinning with questions. “What did Brokenstar mean when he warned us to keep a close eye on our kits?” he couldn’t stop himself from asking. “Would you really do something like that?”
“Would I what?”
“Would you harm our kits?”
Yellowfang flared her nostrils and looked steadily at him. “Do youthink so?”
Firepaw met her gaze without flinching. “No. I don’t believe you would ever harm a kit. But why would Brokenstar say such a thing?”
The noise of the cats was coming nearer, and with it, the scents of aggression and anger. Yellowfang looked wildly from side to side
“Go!” Firepaw urged. Her safety was more important than his curiosity.
But Yellowfang remained where she was and stared at him. A calm look suddenly came into her wide eyes. “Firepaw, you believe I’m innocent, and I’m grateful for that. If youbelieve me, then others might. And I know Bluestar will give me a fair hearing. I can’t run forever. I’m too old. I shall stay here and face whatever your Clan decides for me.” She sighed and sank down onto her bony haunches.
“But what about Tigerclaw? What if he—”
“He is headstrong, and he knows the power he has over the other Clan cats—they are in awe of him. But even he will obey Bluestar.”
Rustling in the undergrowth beyond the camp boundary told Firepaw that the cats were almost at the entrance.
“Go away, Firepaw,” hissed Yellowfang, baring her blackened teeth at him. “Don’t make trouble for yourself by being seen with me now. There is nothing you can do for me. Have faith in your leader, and let her decide what happens to me.”
Firepaw realized Yellowfang had made up her mind. He touched his nose to her patchy fur, then crept silently away into the shadows to watch.
Through the gorse came the cats—Bluestar first, accompanied by Lionheart. Frostfur and Willowpelt were right behind them. Frostfur raced away from the troop immediately and ran toward the nursery, the fur on her tail bristling in alarm. Tigerclaw and Darkstripe strode into the clearing, shoulder to shoulder, looking grim. The others followed behind, with Ravenpaw and Graypaw at the rear. As soon as he saw his friends, Firepaw trotted out to join them.
“You went to warn Yellowfang, didn’t you?” whispered Graypaw when Firepaw reached his side.
“Yes, I did,” Firepaw admitted. “But she won’t leave. She trusts Bluestar to treat her fairly. Did anyone miss me?”
“Only us,” replied Ravenpaw.
Around the camp, the cats who had stayed behind began to wake up. They must have scented the aggression and heard the tension in the voices of the returning cats, for they all came running into the clearing, their tails held high.
“What has happened?” called a tabby warrior named Runningwind.
“Brokenstar has demanded hunting rights for ShadowClan in our territory!” replied Longtail loudly enough for all the cats to hear.
“And he warned us about a rogue cat who will harm our kits!” added Willowpelt. “It must be Yellowfang!”
Meows of anger and distress rose from the crowd.
“Silence!” ordered Bluestar, leaping onto the Highrock. Instinctively, the cats settled in front of her.
A loud screech made every cat turn its head toward the fallen tree where the elders slept. Tigerclaw and Darkstripe were dragging Yellowfang roughly from her nest. She shrieked furiously as they hauled her into the clearing and dumped her in front of the Highrock. Firepaw felt every muscle in his body tense. Without thinking, he dropped into a low crouch, ready to spring at Yellowfang’s persecutors.
“Wait, Firepaw,” growled Graypaw in his ear. “Let Bluestar deal with this.”
“What is going on?” demanded Bluestar, jumping down from the Highrock and glaring at her warriors. “I gave no order to attack our prisoner.”
Tigerclaw and Darkstripe instantly let go of Yellowfang, who crouched in the dust, hissing and spitting.
Frostfur appeared from the nursery and pushed her way through to the front of the Clan. “We got back in time,” she meowed with a gasp. “The kits are safe!”
“Of course they are!” snapped Bluestar.
Frostfur seemed taken aback. “But…you aregoing to throw Yellowfang out, aren’t you?” she meowed, her blue eyes wide.
“Throw her out?” spat Darkstripe, unleashing his claws. “We should kill her now!”
Bluestar fixed her piercing blue eyes on Darkstripe’s angry face. “And what has she done?” she asked with icy calm.
Firepaw held his breath.
“You were at the Gathering! Brokenstar said she—” Darkstripe began.
“Brokenstar said only that there is a rogue somewhere in the woods,” meowed Bluestar, her voice menacingly quiet. “He did not mention Yellowfang by name. The kits are safe. For as long as she is in my Clan, Yellowfang will not be harmed in any way.”
Bluestar’s words were met with silence, and Firepaw heaved a sigh of relief.
Yellowfang looked up at Bluestar and narrowed her eyes respectfully. “I will leave now, if you wish it, Bluestar.”
“There is no need,” Bluestar replied. “You have done nothing wrong. You will be safe here.” The ThunderClan leader lifted her gaze to the crowd of cats that surrounded Yellowfang and meowed, “It is time we discussed the real threat to our Clan: Brokenstar. We have already begun to prepare for an attack by ShadowClan,” Bluestar began. “We’ll carry on with those preparations, and patrol our borders more frequently. WindClan has gone. RiverClan has given hunting rights to ShadowClan warriors. ThunderClan stands alone against Brokenstar.”
A murmur of defiance rippled through the cats, and Firepaw felt his fur prickle with anticipation.
“Then we’re not going to agree to Brokenstar’s demands?” meowed Tigerclaw.
“Clans have never shared hunting rights before,” Bluestar answered. “They have always managed to support themselves in their own territories. There is no reason why this should change.” Tigerclaw nodded approvingly.
“But can we defend ourselves against a ShadowClan attack?” asked Smallear’s tremulous voice. “WindClan didn’t manage it! RiverClan won’t even try!”
Bluestar met his old eyes with her steady gaze. “We must try. We will not give up our territory without a fight.”
All around the clearing, Firepaw saw the cats nodding in agreement.
“I shall travel to the Moonstone tomorrow,” Bluestar announced. “The warriors of StarClan will give me the strength I need to lead ThunderClan through this dark time. You must all get some rest. We have a lot to do when daylight comes. I wish to talk with Lionheart now.” Without another word, she turned and strode toward her den.
Firepaw noticed the look of wonder that had entered the eyes of some of the cats when Bluestar had mentioned the Moonstone. Now the Clan cats hurriedly gathered in groups, meowing in hushed voices full of excitement.
“What’s the Moonstone?” Firepaw asked Graypaw.
“It’s a rock deep underground that shines in the dark,” whispered Graypaw. His voice was hoarse with awe. “All Clan leaders have to spend one night at the Moonstone when they are first chosen. There, the spirits of StarClan share with them.”
“Share whatwith them?”
Graypaw frowned. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I know only that the new leaders have to sleep near the stone, and as they sleep, they have special dreams. After that, they have the gift of nine lives, and take the name ‘star.’”
Firepaw watched Yellowfang limp back to her shadowy nest. It looked like Tigerclaw’s rough treatment had aggravated her old injury. As he trotted back to the apprentices’ den, Firepaw decided to ask Spottedleaf for more poppy seeds in the morning.
“So what happened?” mewed Dustpaw eagerly, popping his head out of the den. He seemed to have forgotten how much he resented the new apprentice in his eagerness to hear about the Gathering.
“It’s like Longtail said. Brokenstar demanded hunting rights….” Graypaw began.
Sandpaw and Dustpaw sat and listened, but Firepaw was watching the camp. He could see the silhouettes of Bluestar and Lionheart sitting close together outside her den, talking urgently.
Then he noticed the small shape of Ravenpaw at the entrance to the warriors’ den. Tigerclaw stood beside him. Firepaw saw Ravenpaw’s ears flatten as the young cat flinched away from Tigerclaw’s fierce words. The dark warrior loomed over him, twice his size, his eyes and teeth flashing in the moonlight. What was he saying to Ravenpaw? Firepaw was just about to creep nearer and listen when Ravenpaw backed away, turned, and ran across the clearing.
Firepaw greeted Ravenpaw as he reached the apprentice’s den, but Ravenpaw hardly seemed to notice him. Instead, he pushed his way inside the den without a word.
Firepaw got up to follow him when he saw Lionheart approaching.
“Well,” meowed the ThunderClan deputy, striding up to the apprentices. “It seems that Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw are about to reach another important stage in their training.”
“What’s that?” mewed Graypaw, looking excited.
“Bluestar wishes you three to accompany her on her journey to the Moonstone!” Lionheart didn’t miss the look of disappointment on the faces of Dustpaw and Sandpaw, because he added, “Don’t worry, you two; you’ll make the journey soon enough. For now, ThunderClan needs your strength and skill at the camp. I will remain here also.”
Firepaw looked past Lionheart to his leader. She was moving from one group of warriors to another, meowing instructions to each. Why had she chosen him for this journey? he wondered.
“She wants you to rest now,” Lionheart continued. “But first go to Spottedleaf and collect the herbs you will need on this expedition. It’s a long way. You will need something to give you strength and quell your appetite. There will be little time for catching prey.”
Graypaw nodded, and Firepaw dragged his gaze away from Bluestar and nodded too.
“Where is Ravenpaw?” asked Lionheart.
“He’s in his nest already,” replied Firepaw.
“Good. Leave him to sleep. You can fetch herbs for him,” meowed Lionheart. “Rest well. You leave at dawn.” He flicked his tail and walked back to Bluestar’s den.
“Well, then,” mewed Sandpaw. “You’d better go and see Spottedleaf.”
Firepaw listened for sourness in her voice, but there was none. There was no time for jealousy now. All the cats in the Clan seemed to be united against the threat from ShadowClan.
Firepaw and Graypaw walked quickly toward Spottedleaf’s den. The fern tunnel was dark. Not even the full moon penetrated its thick covering.
Spottedleaf seemed to be expecting them as they emerged into her moonlit clearing. “You have come for some traveling herbs,” she meowed.
“Yes, please,” Firepaw answered. “And I think Yellowfang needs more poppy seeds. She seemed to be feeling her wounds.”
“I will take her some after you have gone. And your traveling herbs are ready.”
Spottedleaf indicated a pile of carefully made leaf wraps. “Enough for the three of you. The dark green herb will stop your hunger pangs during the journey. The other will give you strength. Eat them both just before you leave. They’re not as good as fresh prey, but the taste won’t last long.”
“Thanks, Spottedleaf,” mewed Firepaw. He leaned down and picked up one of the parcels. As he bent his head, Spottedleaf stretched over and gently rubbed his cheek with her nose. Firepaw breathed in her sweet, warm scent and purred his thanks.
Graypaw picked up the other two and the friends turned and headed back through the tunnel.
“Good luck!” Spottedleaf called after them. “Travel safely.”
They arrived at the entrance to their den and dropped the bundles.
“Well, I just hope these herbs don’t taste too revolting!” muttered Graypaw.
“It must be a long way to the Moonstone. We’ve never been given herbs before. Do you know where it is?” Firepaw asked.
“Beyond Clan territory, at a place called HighStones. It lies deep underground, in a cave we call Mothermouth.”
“Have you ever been there before?” Firepaw was impressed that Graypaw knew so much about this mysterious place.
“No, but all apprentices have to make the journey there before they become warriors.”
The thought of becoming a warrior made Firepaw’s eyes gleam with excitement, and he couldn’t help standing a little taller.
“Don’t get your hopes up. We still have to finish our training!” Graypaw warned, as if reading his thoughts.
Firepaw looked up through the canopy of leaves at the stars glittering in the black sky above. Moonhigh had passed. “We should get some sleep,” he mewed. But he couldn’t imagine being able to sleep with the thought of tomorrow’s adventure spinning through his mind. Attending the Gathering, a journey to the Moonstone—how far away his kittypet life seemed now!
第十三章
第十三章
火爪来到沟边俯瞰营地。他大口喘着气，因为露水的缘故，四爪沾满了泥土。他嗅嗅空气，没有别的猫在。在大家回来之前还有时间同黄牙谈谈。他悄无声息地跳下碎石坡，神不知鬼不觉地穿过金雀花通道。
营地里一派安静祥和的气氛，偶尔有熟睡的猫在梦中呢喃。火爪飞快地穿过会场，来到黄牙的巢穴。那只老猫正躺在苔藓铺上闷头大睡呢。
“黄牙。”他急促地小声说，“黄牙！醒醒，出大事了！”
黄牙睁开橘红色的双眼，双眼在月光下闪闪发亮。“我没有睡着。”她平静地说，声音显得冷静而警觉，“你从森林大会回来，就来找我了？那意味着你已经听说什么了。”她缓缓地眨眨眼，移开目光，“这么说，断星说到做到喽？”
“什么说到做到？”火爪完全摸不着头脑。黄牙知道的似乎比他预想的还要多。
“影族那位尊贵的族长发誓说，不会让我在任何猫族里有容身之地。”黄牙解释说，“他是怎么说我的？”
“他警告说只要我们庇护那个影族无赖，我们的幼崽就不安全。他没有说出你的名字，但是大家都认为他指的就是你。你必须在他们回来前离开这里。你现在很危险！”
“你的意思是他们相信断星所说的话？”黄牙贴平两只耳朵，愤怒地晃动着尾巴。
“是的！”火爪急急忙忙地说，“黑条说你是个危险人物，其他的猫对此都感到害怕，虎掌计划回来后把你杀掉。唉，我不知道，你必须在他们回来之前离开这里！”
这时，隐隐约约传来群猫的怒吼声。黄牙勉强站立起来。火爪上前顶着，帮她站直身子，脑子里仍然充斥着各种各样的问题。“为什么断星警告我们看管好幼崽？”他忍不住问，“你真的像他所说的那样吗？”
“哪样？”
“你会害我们的幼崽吗？”
黄牙翕动着鼻翼，盯着他问：“你认为我会吗？”
火爪看着她，眼睛眨都不眨一下：“不，我不相信你会祸害任何一只幼崽。但断星为什么要这么说呢？”
群猫的喧闹声越来越近，随之而来的，还有愤怒和攻击性的气味。黄牙慌乱地东瞅西瞅。
“走吧！”火爪催促她。比起他的好奇心，黄牙的安全重要得多。
但是黄牙站在原地，一动不动地注视着他，眼里闪过一丝坚定的神情。“火爪，你相信我的清白，我非常感激。如果你相信我，那么其他的猫也会相信我。我知道蓝星会给我一个公道的。我的年纪大了，不能永远疲于奔命。我留在这里，任凭你们的族长处置。”她叹口气，一屁股坐到地上。
“但虎掌怎么办？如果他……”
“他很聪明。我知道在猫族里数他力气最大——他们都畏惧他，但是他也得听从蓝星的命令。”
营地外缘灌木丛里发出的沙沙声，表明群猫已经到达营地门口了。
“走吧，火爪，”黄牙小声说，“别因为和我在一起而自找麻烦。你帮不了我。相信你们的族长，让她来决定我的命运吧。”
火爪意识到黄牙已经下定决心了，他用鼻子触了触她纠结成团的毛，闪身儿消失在阴影之中。
群猫穿过金雀花通道——蓝星走在最前面，狮心紧随其后，旁边是霜毛和柳带。刚踏进营地，霜毛便离开队伍冲向育婴室，尾巴上的毛因为紧张而竖立起来。虎掌和黑条一脸阴沉，肩并肩地走进会场。后面是其他的猫，乌爪和灰爪跟在最后面。看到朋友们回来，火爪立刻迎上前去。
“你去警告黄牙了，是吗？”灰爪小声对他说。
“是的，”火爪承认，“但她不离开，她相信蓝星会公正地对待她。有谁注意到我了吗？”
乌爪回答：“只有我们两个注意到了。”
外出归来的猫们发出的攻击性气味和嘈杂的喧闹声把留守营地的猫们惊醒了，他们翘着尾巴，纷纷从巢穴里出来，走进会场。
一只叫奔风的虎斑猫武士大声问：“出什么事了？”
“断星要我们开放领地，允许他们前来打猎。”长尾回答的声音很大，所有的猫都听见了。
“他还警告说一个无赖将祸害我们的幼崽！”柳带补充说，“那个无赖一定是黄牙！”
猫群中响起愤怒、焦虑的说话声。
“大家安静！”蓝星跳上高岩大声说。众猫自觉地聚集在她的面前。
一声响亮的尖叫令大家纷纷转头看去。只见虎掌和黑条正将黄牙从巢穴中拽出来，黄牙怒不可遏，不停地嘶叫。他们把她拖进会场，扔到高岩下。火爪感到全身肌肉都绷紧了，他想都没想，俯下身子就要朝虎掌和黑条扑去。
“等等，火爪，”灰爪在他耳边喝道，“让蓝星处理这件事。”
“这是怎么回事？”蓝星居高临下地瞪着虎掌和黑条，“我并没有让你们对囚犯无礼。”
虎掌和黑条立刻放开黄牙，黄牙趴在地上喘着气，嘴里骂不绝口。
霜毛从育婴室出来走到大家面前。“幸亏我们回来得及时，”她喘了口气说，“幼崽们安然无恙！”
“他们当然安全！”蓝星呵斥说。
霜毛似乎有些不服气，睁大了眼睛说：“但……你要把黄牙赶出去，是吗？”
“赶出去？”黑条亮出爪子，狠狠地说，“我们现在就杀了她！”
蓝星狠狠地瞪了满面怒容的黑条一眼，冷冷地问：“她做过什么吗？”
火爪一下子屏住了呼吸。
黑条说：“你也在会场！断星说她……”
“断星只是说森林里有一个无赖流氓，”蓝星说，语气有些阴冷，“他并没有提到黄牙这个名字。孩子们都很安全。只要黄牙在我们这里，我决不允许她受到任何伤害。”
听了蓝星的话，大家都不敢再多说什么。火爪深深地舒了口气。
黄牙眯起眼睛，尊敬地仰头看着蓝星说：“如果你感到为难，蓝星，我现在就走。”
“没有必要。”蓝星回答，“你又没有做错事情，在这里，你会很安全。”她瞅了瞅黄牙周围的群猫说，“现在我们来讨论一下族群真正的敌人——断星。我们已经着手防备影族的攻击，现在要继续进行这些准备，还要增加边界巡逻的次数。风族不见了，河族拱手让出了狩猎权，断星现在唯一的对手就是我们雷族。”
蓝星的话在猫群中掀起一种同仇敌忾的气氛。由于渴望战斗，火爪的毛都竖立起来了。
虎掌说：“这么说，我们不会同意断星的要求了？”
“各个族群从来没有分享过狩猎权，”蓝星回答，“族群总是依靠自己的领土来养活自己。这种情况没有任何理由改变。”
虎掌赞成地点点头。
“但我们能抵挡住影族的攻击吗？”小耳声音颤抖地问，“风族失败了，河族甚至都不敢试一下！”
蓝星坚定地看着他说：“我们必须试试。我们决不会不抵抗就放弃我们的领土。”
火爪看见会场上所有的猫都点头称是。
“我明天将前往月亮石。”蓝星宣布说，“星族武士们会赐予我力量，我要用这力量带领雷族度过这段困难的时光。大家都回去休息吧，天亮后我们还有很多事情要做。现在我想和狮心说几句话。”说完，她转身走向巢穴。
火爪注意到当蓝星提到月亮石时，众猫的眼里都显露出向往的神情。散会后，大家立刻三三两两地聚在一起，兴奋地低声议论。
火爪问灰爪：“月亮石是什么？”
“它是深处于地底下的一块岩石，在黑暗中能发出光亮。”灰爪小声说，声音由于敬畏而有些沙哑，“所有猫族的族长在第一次当选之后，都要花整晚时间待在月亮石边。在那里，星族的灵魂会与他们一同分享。”
“与他们一同分享什么？”
灰爪皱起眉头，承认说：“我也不知道。我只知道新族长们都要在那块石头边睡上一觉，当他们睡着时，会做一些特别的梦。醒来后，他们就有了九条性命，还得到以‘星’来命名的名字。”
火爪看见黄牙一瘸一拐地走回到阴暗的巢穴，看样子虎掌粗鲁的动作使她旧伤复发了。在回巢穴的路上，火爪决定第二天早上去找斑叶要些罂粟籽。
“发生什么事了？”尘爪从巢穴里探出头，急切地说。他似乎浑然忘却了对火爪参加森林大会的记恨。
“就像长尾说的，断星要狩猎权……”灰爪开始滔滔不绝地说开了。
沙爪和尘爪坐着倾听，但火爪却望着营地。他看到蓝星和狮心的身影轮廓在蓝星的巢穴外，不停谈论着什么。
接着，他看见乌爪那小小的身影站在武士巢穴的门口。虎掌就在旁边恶狠狠地训斥他，乌爪战战兢兢，吓得两耳贴平，身子缩成一团。虎掌逼近俯视着乌爪，个头是他的两倍，眼睛和牙齿在月光下闪闪发光。他在对乌爪说什么？火爪正要悄悄靠上去，这时乌爪转身离开，经过会场跑了回来。
火爪冲他打了个招呼，但是乌爪似乎没有注意到他，一声不吭地进入巢穴里。
火爪正要赶上前去，这时狮心过来了。
这位雷族的副族长走到学徒们的面前，说：“嗯，看样子火爪、灰爪和乌爪将要进入训练的下一个重要阶段了。”
灰爪一脸兴奋地问：“什么阶段？”
“蓝星要你们三个陪她去月亮石！”尘爪和沙爪失望的神情没有逃过狮心的眼睛，他补充说，“你们两个别担心，你们很快也要去，但现在，雷族的营防需要你们的力量和技能。
我也会留守营地。”
火爪朝蓝星望去，看见她正在武士群里穿梭，逐个下达命令。为什么蓝星要选他去月亮石？火爪十分纳闷儿。
狮心继续说：“她要你们现在休息，但休息之前先去找斑叶取些草药，路上用得着。这次旅途很远，你们需要些能增加体力、抑制饥饿的东西。路上没有时间去捕猎。”
灰爪点点头，火爪将目光从蓝星身上移开，也点头答应。
狮心问：“乌爪去哪里了？”
火爪回答：“他在巢穴里。”
“那好，让他睡吧。你们带些草药给他。”狮心说，“好好休息，明天一早就出发。”他摇晃着尾巴回到蓝星的巢穴。
“哦，既然这样，”沙爪说，“你们最好去找斑叶吧。”
火爪听出她话里酸溜溜的味道，但这不会有什么问题。现在已经没有时间忌妒别人了。在影族的强大威胁面前，雷族所有的猫应该团结一心，共御强敌。
火爪和灰爪快步走向斑叶的巫医巢穴。香薇通道里伸手不见五指，即使有充足的月光，也不能穿透密实的香薇屏障。
斑叶似乎知道他们要来，见到他们就说：“你们来找明天外出用的草药？”
“是的，麻烦你了。”火爪回答，“我想黄牙也需要些罂粟籽，她的伤口好像又痛了。”
“你们走后我会拿给她的。你们的草药已经准备好了。”
斑叶指着一堆捆好的草药说：“够你们三个用了。深绿色的那种草药能抑制你们的食欲，另一种能帮你们增加体力。离开之前吃，但味道不如新鲜的猎物。”
“谢谢你，斑叶。”火爪说着，低头叼起一捆草药。就在他低头的时候，斑叶上前用鼻子轻轻蹭了蹭他的脸颊。火爪能够闻到她幽香、温暖的气息，嘴里咕哝着说了声“谢谢”。
灰爪叼起另外两捆草药，他们转身走进香薇通道里。
“祝你们好运！”斑叶在他们身后喊道，“一路保重。”
他们来到巢穴外放下草药捆。
灰爪抱怨说：“唉，希望这些草药不会太难吃。”
“月亮石一定离这里很远。之前我们还从没有吃过草药呢。你知道它在哪里吗？”火爪问。
“在猫族的领域外，一处叫高石的地方吧。月亮石在地底下一个叫‘母亲嘴’的洞穴里。”
见灰爪知道这么多关于这个神秘地方的信息，火爪大为赞叹。他说：“你以前去过那里吗？”
“没有，但所有的学徒在成为武士前都必须要去那里的。”
想到即将成为一名武士，火爪兴奋得两眼放光，情不自禁地站直身子。
“别抱太大的希望，我们还得完成训练才行呢！”灰爪像是看穿了他的心思，警告他说。
透过树叶的间隙，火爪仰头看了看夜空中闪烁的群星，月亮已经过了最高点。他说：“我们该睡会儿觉了。”但他一想起明天的冒险，便思绪万千，压根儿不相信自己能睡得着。参加森林大会，去月亮石——那段宠物猫的生活距离现在是那么的遥远！
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 14
The cold air chilled Firepaw’s bonesas blackness wrapped itself around him. He could hear nothing, and his nostrils were filled with the musty scent of damp earth.
Out of nowhere, a brilliant ball of light flared in front of him. Firepaw ducked his head, screwing up his eyes against the glare. The light shone, dazzling coldly like a star; then it blinked out, disappearing as quickly as it had come. The darkness fell away, and Firepaw found himself in the forest. He felt comforted by the familiar smells of the woods. He breathed in the moist green scents, and calmness flowed through his body.
Without warning, a dreadful noise burst from the trees. Firepaw’s fur bristled. It was the screeching of terrified cats racing out from the bushes up ahead. Firepaw recognized their ThunderClan pelts as they fled past him. He stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. Then came great cats, huge dark warriors, their eyes glittering cruelly. They thundered toward him, pounding the earth with massive paws, their claws unsheathed. And out of the shadows, Firepaw heard a high, desperate cry filled with grief and rage. Graypaw!
Firepaw woke, horrified. His dream vanished, leaving his ears ringing and his fur standing on end. As he opened his eyes, he saw the face of Tigerclaw peering into the den. Firepaw leaped to his feet, instantly alert.
“Something wrong, Firepaw?” asked Tigerclaw.
“Just a dream,” Firepaw mumbled.
Tigerclaw gave him a curious look, then growled, “Wake the others. We leave shortly.”
Outside the den, the sky glowed with a new dawn, and dew sparkled on the ferns. It would be a warm day once the sun was up, but the early-morning dampness reminded Firepaw that the time of leaf-fall was not far off.
Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw quickly gulped down the herbs that Spottedleaf had given them. Tigerclaw and Bluestar sat watching them, ready to leave. The rest of the camp was still asleep.
“Ugh!” complained Graypaw. “I knew they’d be bitter. Why couldn’t we eat a fat, juicy mouse instead?”
“These herbs will keep your hunger at bay longer,” answered Bluestar. “And they will make you strong. We have a long journey ahead of us.”
“Have you eaten yours already?” Firepaw asked.
“I cannot eat if I’m going to share dreams with StarClan at the Moonstone tonight,” replied Bluestar.
Firepaw felt his paws tingle when he heard these words. He was itching to begin the journey. With the dawn’s light and the familiar voices, the terror of his dream had left him. All that remained was the memory of the brilliant light, and Bluestar’s words sent a renewed thrill of excitement through him.
The five cats made their way through the gorse tunnel and out of the camp.
Lionheart was just returning with a patrol. “Safe journey,” he meowed.
Bluestar nodded. “I know I can trust you to keep the camp safe,” she answered.
Lionheart looked at Graypaw and dipped his head. “Remember,” he meowed, “you are almost a warrior. Don’t forget what I have taught you.”
Graypaw looked back at Lionheart with affection. “I will always remember, Lionheart,” he mewed, nudging his head against the tabby’s broad golden flank.
They retraced their route to Fourtrees. This was the quickest way to pass into WindClan territory. HighStones lay beyond.
As Firepaw bounded down the side of the glade toward the Great Rock, he could still smell the scents of last night’s Gathering. He followed the others through the grassy clearing and up the slope on the other side, into WindClan territory. The bushy slope became steeper as they climbed, and rockier, until the cats had to leap from boulder to boulder up the side of a craggy cliff face.
Firepaw paused when they reached the top. Ahead of them, the ground flattened out into a wide plateau. The wind blew in a steady gust that rippled the grass and bent the trees. The soil was stony, and outcroppings of bare rock dotted the landscape here and there.
The air still carried the scents of WindClan, but they were stale. Much fresher, and more alarming, were the pungent markings of ShadowClan warriors.
“All Clans are entitled to safe passage to the Moonstone, but ShadowClan seems to have no respect for the warrior code anymore, so be alert,” warned Bluestar. “We mustn’t hunt outside our territory, though. We’ll follow the warrior code, even if ShadowClan doesn’t.”
They set off across the plateau as the sun rose into the sky, following the tracks through the heather. Firepaw had grown used to living under a canopy of trees. Without their shade, his flame-colored pelt felt heavy and hot, and his back seemed to burn. He was thankful for the steady breeze blowing from the forests behind.
Suddenly Tigerclaw stopped dead. “Watch out!” he hissed. “I smell a ShadowClan patrol.”
Firepaw and the others lifted their noses, and sure enough, the scent of ShadowClan warriors traveled on the wind.
“They are upwind. They won’t know we are here if we keep moving,” meowed Bluestar. “But we must hurry. If they move ahead they’ll detect us. It’s not far to the edge of WindClan territory now.”
They moved on quickly, leaping over the rocks, pushing their way through the sweet-smelling heather. Every few steps, Firepaw sniffed the air and glanced over his shoulder, on the lookout for the ShadowClan patrol. But gradually the odor grew fainter and fainter. They must have turned back, he thought with relief.
Finally they reached the edge of the uplands. The landscape changed dramatically, shaped and altered beyond recognition by Twolegs. Wide earth tracks crisscrossed green and golden meadows, small woods dotted the land, and Twoleg nests were scattered here and there among the fields. In the distance Firepaw saw a familiar wide, gray path, and an acid tang that stung his throat drifted on the breeze.
“Is that the Thunderpath?” he asked Graypaw.
“Yes,” replied Graypaw. “It runs up from ShadowClan territory. Can you see HighStones behind it?”
Firepaw looked at the distant horizon. The land rose sharply up to a point, jagged and barren. “Do we have to cross the Thunderpath then?”
“Yep,” mewed Graypaw. His voice was strong and confident, almost cheerful, as he faced the difficult journey.
“Come on!” Bluestar meowed. She bounded forward. “We can be there by moonrise as long as we keep up the pace.”
Firepaw followed her with the others, down the hill, away from the bleak hunting grounds of WindClan and into the lush Twoleg territory.
Keeping near the hedges, the cats walked on. Once or twice Firepaw could smell prey-scent from the bushes, but Spottedleaf’s herbs had succeeded in taking the edge off his hunger. The sun was still hot on his back, even in the shadows of the hedgerows.
They skirted a Twoleg nest. It stood on a wide expanse of hard white stone, with smaller nests round the edges. Keeping low, the cats crept past the fence that surrounded the white stone. A sudden barrage of barking and snarling made them spin around.
Dogs!Firepaw’s heart missed a beat. He arched his back, fur bristling from nose to tail.
Tigerclaw peered through the fence. “It’s all right. They’re tied up!” he hissed.
Firepaw looked at the two dogs scrabbling on the stone barely ten tail-lengths away. They were nothing like the pampered pets that lived in the gardens of the Twolegplace. These creatures stared at him with wild, killing eyes. They strained at their ties and reared up on their hind legs. They growled and barked, their lips drawn back to reveal huge teeth, until the shout of an unseen Twoleg silenced them. The cats moved on.
The sun was beginning to sink by the time they reached the Thunderpath. Bluestar signaled to them to stop and wait beneath a hedge. His eyes and throat stinging from the fumes, Firepaw watched as the great monsters flashed to and fro in front of him.
“We’ll go one at a time,” meowed Tigerclaw. “Ravenpaw, you first.”
“No, Tigerclaw,” Bluestar interrupted. “I shall go first. Don’t forget, this will be the first time of crossing for the apprentices. Let them see how it is done.”
Firepaw stared at his leader as she padded to the edge of the Thunderpath and looked up and down. She waited calmly as one monster after another flew past her, ruffling her fur. Then, when the earsplitting roar paused for a moment, she raced across to the other side.
“Off you go, Ravenpaw; now you’ve seen how it’s done,” meowed Tigerclaw.
Firepaw saw Ravenpaw’s eyes widen with fear. He knew just how his friend felt. He could smell his own fear-scent. The small black cat crept forward to the edge of the road. It was quiet, but Ravenpaw hesitated.
“Go!” hissed Tigerclaw from the hedge. Firepaw saw Ravenpaw’s muscles tighten as he prepared to run. Then the ground began to tremble beneath his paws. A monster sped out of the distance and hurtled past. The black cat shrank back for a moment, then pelted over to join Bluestar. A monster coming in the other direction threw dust up where his paws had been just a heartbeat before. Firepaw felt his fur shiver and he took a deep breath to calm himself.
Graypaw was lucky. A long lull let him cross safely. Then it was Firepaw’s turn.
“Go on, then,” growled Tigerclaw. Firepaw looked from Tigerclaw to the Thunderpath, and then walked out from beneath the hedge. He waited at the edge, as Bluestar had done. A monster was rushing toward him. Firepaw looked at the approaching monster. After this one, he thought, and waited for it to pass. Suddenly his heart lurched as he realized the monster had veered off the Thunderpath and was bumping along the grass. It was heading straight for him! A Twoleg was jeering from an opening in its side. Firepaw leaped backward, claws out, battered by the storm of wind from the Twoleg monster as it roared past him only a whisker away. He crouched, trembling, in the dirt and stared as it swerved back onto the path and disappeared into the distance. Through the roaring of blood in his ears, Firepaw realized the Thunderpath was quiet again, and he raced across, running faster than he had ever done in his life.
“I thought you were fresh-kill!” cried Graypaw as Firepaw cannoned into him, almost knocking him over.
“Me too!” Firepaw gasped. He was trying to stop shaking. He turned back to watch Tigerclaw dart over the path toward them.
“Twolegs!” he spat as he arrived at their side.
“Do you want to rest before we go on?” Bluestar asked Firepaw.
Firepaw looked up. The sun was low in the sky. “No,” he answered. “I’m okay.” But he had leaped so frantically out of the monster’s way that his claws felt frayed and tender.
The cats carried on, with Bluestar in the lead. The earth was darker on this side of the Thunderpath and the grass felt coarser underpaw. As they approached the foot of HighStones, the grass gave way to bare, rocky soil, dotted with patches of heather. The land sloped up now, toward the sky. Craggy rocks topped the slope, blazing orange in the sun.
Bluestar stopped once more. She chose a sun-warmed rock to sit upon, flat and wide enough for all five cats to rest side by side.
“Look,” she meowed, tilting her nose toward the dark slope before them. “Mothermouth.”
Firepaw peered upward. The glare of the setting sun blinded him, and the slope was engulfed in shadow.
The cats waited in silence. Gradually, as the sun dropped down behind HighStones, Firepaw began to make out the cave entrance, a square black hole that yawned darkly beneath a stone archway.
“We’ll wait here until the moon is higher,” meowed Bluestar. “You should hunt if you are hungry and then get some rest.”
Firepaw was pleased to have a chance to find food. He was starving now. Graypaw clearly felt the same and leaped away into a clump of heather, following the prey-scent that was thick in the air. Firepaw and Ravenpaw followed him. Tigerclaw set off in the opposite direction, but Bluestar remained where she was. She sat still and silent, gazing unblinkingly at Mothermouth.
The three apprentices gathered plenty of fresh-kill. With Tigerclaw they crouched on the stony hillside and feasted. But in spite of their easy hunt, no cat said much, and the air still felt thick with tension and anticipation.
Afterward, the cats rested beside their leader until the warmth had seeped out of the rock on which they lay and cold black shadows reached up on all sides. Only then did Bluestar call out, “Come. It is time.”
第十四章
 第十四章
黑暗渗透进各个角落，火爪冻得连骨髓都快要结冰了。四周静悄悄的，空气中到处弥漫着潮湿泥土的霉味儿。
突然，一个闪亮耀眼的光球出现在他面前。火爪急忙低头闪避这刺眼的强光。那个光球就像一颗星星，放射出清冷的光芒；然后，就在眨眼之间，又消失得无影无踪。天渐渐亮了，火爪发现自己站在森林里，周围全是熟悉的丛林气味。他深深吸了口气，一阵凉意顿时涌遍全身。
忽然，一个恐怖的声音毫无征兆地在树林里响起，那是前方树丛里惊慌失措的猫们发出的惨叫声。火爪的毛竖立了起来。当众猫飞奔着经过他的身边时，他认出那些是雷族的猫。火爪站在原地一动不动，接着过来一群巨猫——高大的黑暗武士，他们的眼睛闪着残忍的光。这些武士们冲他大喊大叫，张开利爪，地面上布满了他们的爪印。就在这时，火爪听见黑暗中传来凄惨、悲凉的惊叫声——是灰爪！
火爪醒了过来，仍然惊魂未定。眼前的梦境消失了，但耳边仍嗡嗡作响，身上的毛还直立着。他睁开眼睛，看到虎掌正往巢穴里瞅。火爪立刻警觉地站了起来。
“有什么不对吗，火爪？”虎掌问。
“只是做梦罢了。”火爪搪塞说。
虎掌看看他，眼神里充满疑问，接着大声说：“叫醒他们，我们马上要出发了。”
天边已泛起了鱼肚白，露珠在香薇叶子上晶莹发亮。等太阳升起来，想必今天一定很暖和。但在这初露曦光的时候，天气依然寒冷，这令火爪想起秋冬季节的光景。
火爪、灰爪和乌爪飞快地吞咽着斑叶给他们的草药。虎掌和蓝星坐在一旁看着他们，准备出发。其他的猫仍在睡梦中。
“呵！”灰爪抱怨说，“我就知道这些草药很苦，为什么我们不吃些肥美多汁的老鼠呢？”
蓝星回答：“这些草药更能顶饿，而且还能使你们更加强壮。我们今天要走很远的路呢！”
火爪问：“你们吃过草药了吗？”
蓝星回答：“今晚我要在月亮石边和星族梦中相会，不能吃东西。”
听了这些话，火爪的爪子不由得微微颤抖。想起要出发了，他便心痒难熬。那初现的晨光、熟悉的声音，使噩梦带来的恐惧离火爪越来越远。他能记住的只有梦中的那道强光了，而蓝星的话更犹如给他喝了一服兴奋剂。
这五只猫穿过金雀花丛，走出营地。
出门便撞见狮心巡逻归来，狮心说：“一路保重。”
蓝星点头回答：“我相信营地在你的手中会非常安全。”
狮心低头看着灰爪说：“记住，你快要成为一名武士了，别忘了我对你的教导。”
灰爪感激地凝视着狮心，说：“我永远不会忘记，狮心。”说着他用头顶了顶狮心的侧腹。
他们重新踏上去往“四棵树”的路，那是经过风族领地的捷径。过了风族的领地，就是石林了。
火爪顺着斜坡下行的时候，仍能闻到昨晚森林大会留下的气息。大家穿过绿草茵茵的空地，开始从凹地的另一边向上爬，进入风族的领地里。这处斜坡似乎更陡，石头也更多，最后他们不得不在石头上来回跳跃才爬了上去。
当他们到达坡顶时，火爪停下了脚步。展现在他们眼前的，是一片广漠的大平原。劲风肆虐之下，草地泛起层层波浪，树木也被吹弯了腰。这里土质坚硬，时不时能见到冒出地面的光秃秃的石头。
空气中仍然残留有风族的气味，但很陈旧。相反，影族武士那种标志性的刺鼻气味却新鲜浓烈，令人警觉。
“所有族群都有权利安全地前往月亮石，但是影族似乎不再把这条武士守则不再放到眼里了，大家保持警惕。”蓝星说，“不过，我们决不能在我们的领地外捕猎。即使影族不遵守武士守则，我们也不能违背它。”
他们穿越平原，沿着印迹在欧石楠（荒野上生长的一种灌木）中穿梭。这时太阳已经高高挂在了天上。火爪已经习惯了在树丛里生活，没有树冠的遮蔽，他的毛又重又热，背上像着了火一样。幸亏身后森林里一直刮来风，才使他稍稍好受些。
突然，虎掌一下刹住脚步，低声说：“有情况，我闻到影族巡逻队的气味了。”
其他猫仰起鼻子嗅嗅。没错，绝对是影族武士的气味。
“他们处在上风向，如果我们继续赶路，他们不会发现我们的。”蓝星说，“但我们必须抓紧时间，如果他们赶在前面，就会发现我们。现在我们离风族领地的边缘不远了。”
他们加快脚步，遇到石头便一跃而过，穿过发出甜甜香味的欧石楠。每走几步，火爪便嗅嗅空气，四处张望打探影族巡逻队的行踪。但渐渐地，影族的气味越来越淡。他自信满满地想：他们一定是拐回去了。
最后他们走到高地的边缘。这里的景象发生了翻天覆地的变化，两脚兽们将这里改造得光怪陆离。宽阔的土路穿过绿色和金黄色的草地，田野里两脚兽们的巢穴星罗棋布地排列着。不远处是一条宽阔的灰色马路，风里也夹杂着刺鼻的难闻气味，使火爪几欲作呕。
他问灰爪：“是雷鬼路吗？”
灰爪回答：“是的，它从影族的领地一直向上延伸到这里。你看见路那边的石林了吗？”
火爪向远方的地平线望去。只见地势急转而上，地面上一片荒芜。
“这么说，我们非得穿越雷鬼路不可了？”火爪问道。
“没错。”灰爪说。每当他面对困难的时候，他的声音便响亮而自信，几乎算得上兴奋了。
“走吧！”蓝星说着向前蹦去，“只要我们不歇脚，就能在月亮升起前赶到那里。”
火爪跟着大家下了山，离开荒凉的风族领地，进入两脚兽草木繁茂的地盘上。
雷鬼路边的树篱越来越近了。路上火爪有一两次嗅到树丛里飘出的猎物气味，但在草药的作用下，他一丁点儿胃口都没有。骄阳似火，虽然走在树荫下，仍然酷热难当。
没走多久，便见一块宽阔的白色岩石盖着两脚兽的巢穴，周围则是较小的巢穴。他们俯下身子从岩石外的篱笆下爬过。就在这时，突然响起一阵疯狂的怒吼声，吓得他们急忙望去。
是狗！火爪几乎停止了心跳，弓起背，从鼻子到尾巴毛发立。
虎掌透过篱笆看看说：“没事，它们都被拴着！”
就在不远处的岩石上，有两只狂躁不安的狗，样子一点儿也不像住在两脚兽花园里的那种宠物狗。它们瞪着眼睛，发出残忍野蛮的凶光，使劲儿地蹬后腿，将脖颈上的绳子绷得笔直。它们狂叫猛吠，露出了巨大的牙齿。这时，屋里的一只两脚兽出声喝止住了这两只恶狗。五只猫继续赶路。
当他们抵达雷鬼路时，太阳开始落山了。蓝星示意他们停下在树篱下等候。火爪看着巨大的怪物们从面前接连呼啸驰过，冒出的阵阵浓烟刺得他眼睛、喉咙生疼。
虎掌说：“我们每次过去一个。乌爪，你先过去。”
“虎掌，”蓝星打断他说，“我第一个过去。别忘了，这可是学徒们头一回穿越雷鬼路啊，让他们看看该怎样做。”
蓝星走到雷鬼路的边上，左看右看，耐心地任由一个接一个的怪物从身旁疾驰而过。
接着，震耳欲聋的呼啸声停歇下来，蓝星快速跑到雷鬼路的另一边。
虎掌说：“你过去，乌爪，现在你已经看清楚怎么做了。”
乌爪睁大了眼睛。谁都看得出来他被吓得不轻，火爪甚至嗅到他发出的恐惧的气味。
小乌爪爬到路边，虽然路上很安静，但他仍在犹豫。
虎掌呵斥道：“过去！”火爪看见乌爪绷紧肌肉准备前冲，这时一个怪物从远处卷着狂风驶来，乌爪赶紧后缩，过了半晌才猛冲过雷鬼路，跑到蓝星身边。他刚过马路，从另一方向驶来的怪物就疾驰而过。火爪长舒了口气，提到嗓子眼儿的心总算落了回去。
灰爪运气不错，长时间没有怪物经过使他能从容不迫地过马路。接着就轮到火爪了。
虎掌大声说：“好了，开始吧。”火爪的目光从虎掌身上移向雷鬼路。他走出树篱，学蓝星的样子等在路边。一个怪物冲过去了，另一个又驶过来。火爪心想：等完这一个便过去。谁知突然之间，这个怪物竟然偏离了雷鬼路，驶进了草坪，直冲火爪而来！一只两脚兽从怪物的一侧探头出来大声嘲笑。火爪赶忙向后跳开，那个怪物几乎擦着他的猫须驶过，卷起的风刮得他站不稳脚步。他缩成一团，趴在土里抖个不停。那个怪物向后倒，驶回马路上，一溜烟儿消失在远方。好一会儿，火爪才定住神，看见路上又安静下来，他以有生以来最快的速度冲过了雷鬼路。
“我还以为你死定了！”灰爪大叫，差点儿被冲过来的火爪撞翻在地。
火爪大口喘着气说：“我也以为！”他竭力止住颤抖，转身看见虎掌也冲了过来。
他一到路这边就骂：“该死的两脚兽！”
蓝星问火爪：“你要休息一下吗？”
火爪看看天色不早了，回答说：“不用，我没事。”但由于他在过雷鬼路的时候用力过猛，爪子实在是酸软无力。
蓝星带领大家继续赶路。雷鬼路这边的土地颜色更黑，草也长得更旺。到达石林边时，草越长越稀，碎石地上点缀着一簇簇的欧石楠。地势越来越高，坡顶处怪石嶙峋，到处洒满了橘红色的阳光。
蓝星停住脚步，选了一块能够容纳大家休息的大石头坐了下来，石头已被太阳晒得暖暖和和的。
“看。”她朝前面的一个土坡仰仰鼻子说，“那里就是‘母亲嘴’。”
火爪朝前望去。落日从他们身后照过来，把他们的影子投射在那处土坡上。
大家默不做声地等待着。太阳落山了，火爪渐渐分辨出山洞的入口。只见一条弓形的石梁下面，一个黑黢黢的四方形洞口犹如张开的大嘴。
蓝星说：“月亮升起后我们再进去。如果饿了就去打些猎物，吃完后休息一下。”
火爪很高兴能够找食物了，他快饿得不行了。灰爪显然也好不到哪里去，听了蓝星的话就如蒙大赦般跳进欧石楠丛里，搜寻猎物的气味。火爪和乌爪跟在后面。虎掌选了一个和他们相反的方向去了。蓝星则坐在原地，一声不吭、目不转睛地凝视着“母亲嘴”。
三名学徒捉了很多猎物，他们和虎掌一起在碎石遍地的山坡上大快朵颐。虽然这次捕猎轻而易举，但大家都没有多说话，整个气氛依然紧张且充满期待。
吃完后，他们围坐在蓝星身边。身子下面的石头逐渐变凉，大地陷入一片黑暗，只听见蓝星说：“走吧，时间到了。”
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 15
Bluestar stood and began to pad toward Mothermouth. Tigerclaw walked beside her, matching her strides step for step.
“Come on, Ravenpaw!” called Graypaw. Ravenpaw was still sitting on the rock, staring up at the rocks. At Graypaw’s mew, he stood and began to follow slowly. Firepaw realized his friend had hardly said a word the whole journey. Is he just worried about ShadowClan, or is there something else troubling him?Firepaw wondered.
It took the cats only a few moments to reach Mothermouth. Firepaw stood on the threshold and peered inside. The blackness beyond the stone archway was darker than the cloudiest night. Firepaw narrowed his eyes, trying to see where the tunnel led, but he couldn’t see a thing.
Beside him, Graypaw and Ravenpaw craned their heads nervously around the entrance. Even Tigerclaw seemed unsettled by the black hole ahead of them. “How will we find our way in such darkness?” he asked.
“I will know the way,” answered Bluestar. “Just follow my scent. Ravenpaw and Graypaw, you will remain on guard outside. Firepaw, you will accompany me and Tigerclaw to the Moonstone.”
Firepaw felt a thrill jolt through him. What an honor! Firepaw glanced sideways at Tigerclaw. The warrior sat with his chin boldly raised, but Firepaw could detect a subtle fear-scent coming from him. It grew stronger as Bluestar stepped forward into the blackness
Tigerclaw shook his mighty head and padded after Bluestar. With a brief nod to the other apprentices, Firepaw followed.
Inside the cave, his eyes still detected nothing. The complete and utter blackness felt strange, but he was surprised to find that he wasn’t frightened. His eagerness to discover what lay ahead was stronger.
The cold, damp air reached through his thick fur and into his bones, stiffening his muscles. Even the coldest nights did not hold the same chill as the air here. This ground has never known the warmth of the sun, thought Firepaw, feeling the rock smooth like ice beneath his paws. Freezing air filled his lungs with each breath, until he felt light-headed.
He followed Bluestar and Tigerclaw through the darkness, judging his way by scent and feel alone. They were walking along a tunnel that sloped down and down, winding first one way and then the other. Firepaw’s whiskers brushed the side of the cave, telling him where to walk and where to turn. His nose told him that Bluestar and Tigerclaw were only a tail-length ahead of him.
On and on they went. How far have we come?Firepaw wondered. Then he felt a tingle in his whiskers. The air in his nostrils seemed fresher than before. He sniffed again, relieved to smell the familiar world above. He could smell peat, and prey, and the scent of heather. There must be a hole somewhere in the roof of the tunnel. “Where are we?” he mewed into the darkness.
“We have entered the cavern of the Moonstone,” came Bluestar’s soft reply. “Wait here. It will be moonhigh soon.”
Firepaw folded his hind legs under him on the chilly stone floor and waited. He could hear the steady breathing of Bluestar and the more rapid, fear-scented panting of Tigerclaw.
Suddenly, in a flash more blinding than the setting sun, the cave was lit up. Firepaw’s eyes were wide open after the blackness of the tunnel. He closed them quickly against the cold, white light. Then slowly he opened them into tiny slits and peered ahead.
He saw a gleaming rock, which glittered as if it were made from countless dewdrops. The Moonstone!Firepaw looked around. In the cold light reflected from the stone, he could make out the shadowy edges of a high-roofed cavern. The Moonstone rose up from the middle of the floor, three tail-lengths high.
Bluestar was staring upward, her fur bleached white in the glow of the Moonstone. Even Tigerclaw’s dark pelt shone silver. Firepaw followed Bluestar’s gaze. High in the roof was an opening that revealed a narrow triangle of night sky. The moon was casting a beam of light through the hole, down onto the Moonstone, making it sparkle like a star.
Beside him, Firepaw smelled Tigerclaw’s fear-scent growing, until it became overpowering. Firepaw felt startled. Could the warrior see something else here, something dangerous? He saw a flash of movement, felt fur rush past him, and heard the fleeing pawsteps of Tigerclaw racing back to the entrance.
“Firepaw?” Bluestar’s voice was quiet and calm.
“I’m still here,” he answered nervously. What had frightened Tigerclaw?
“Bluestar?” Firepaw mewed again when she didn’t answer. His heart was beating fast, making the blood roar in his ears.
“It is all right, young warrior; don’t be afraid,” Bluestar murmured. Her calm voice settled him a little. “I think Tigerclaw was surprised by the power of the Moonstone. In the world above, Tigerclaw is a fearless and mighty warrior, but down here, where the spirits of StarClan speak, a cat needs a different kind of strength. What do you feel, Firepaw?”
Firepaw sniffed the air deeply, and forced his body to relax. “Only my own curiosity,” he admitted.
“That is good,” Bluestar replied.
Firepaw looked back at the Moonstone. His eyes had gotten used to its light and he was no longer dazzled. Instead, it soothed him. With a twitch of his tail, he remembered his dream. This was the brilliant ball of light he had seen!
Spellbound, Firepaw watched as Bluestar padded up to the stone and lay down beside it. She reached her head forward and touched the Moonstone with her nose. Her blue eyes sparkled with its reflection for a moment before she closed them. Now she rested her head on her paws, her eyelids flickering, her paws twitching occasionally. Was she sleeping?Then Firepaw remembered Graypaw’s words: “new leaders have to sleep near the stone, and as they sleep, they have special dreams.”
He waited. The chill was not so intense here, but still he found himself shivering. He had no idea how much time had passed, but suddenly the rock stopped glowing. The cavern was plunged into darkness once more. Firepaw looked up to the opening in the roof of the cavern. The moon had passed on, out of sight. All that remained were tiny stars shimmering in blackness.
Firepaw could just make out the pale shape of his leader, lying beside the Moonstone. He wanted to call out her name, but did not dare break the silence.
After more endless moments, she spoke to him. “Firepaw? Are you still there?” Her voice sounded remote and agitated.
“Yes, Bluestar.” Firepaw heard Bluestar’s pawsteps approaching.
“Hurry,” she hissed. He felt her fur brush past him. “We must return to camp.”
Firepaw raced after her, astonished by the speed with which she rushed through the blackness. He followed her scent blindly, up and up the stone tunnel, until she led him safely back to the outside world.
Tigerclaw was waiting at the opening beside Graypaw and Ravenpaw as Bluestar and Firepaw climbed out of the cave. His expression was cold and his fur was slightly ruffled, but he sat motionless and dignified.
“Tigerclaw.” Bluestar greeted him but did not mention the warrior cat’s flight from the depths.
Tigerclaw relaxed a little. “What did you learn?”
“We must return to camp immediately,” Bluestar meowed briefly.
Firepaw saw a look of desperation in his leader’s eyes. Now the horror of his dream forced its way back into his memory: the fleeing cats; the great, dark warriors; the ear-splitting wail of distress. Firepaw tried to ignore the cold fear that gripped his muscles, and followed Bluestar as she and the others raced down the dark slope away from Mothermouth. Was his nightmare vision about to come true?
第十五章
第十五章
蓝星站起身朝“母亲嘴”走去，虎掌亦步亦趋地伴随左右。
“快走啊，乌爪！”灰爪叫道。乌爪仍坐在石头上呆呆出神，听到灰爪的催促，方才站起来慢腾腾地跟上。火爪发觉他这一路上都很少说话，心想：他是在担心影族的入侵吗？
还是受到别的事情的困扰？
没走多久，众猫就来到了“母亲嘴”。火爪站在洞口向里窥视。洞外天空中乌云密布，洞内比外面黑得多。火爪眯起眼睛细看，想看清山洞的走向，但他什么也看不见。
灰爪和乌爪围在洞口，紧张地伸长脖子。即使是虎掌，面对这漆黑的山洞，也不再显得镇定自若。虎掌问：“山洞这么黑，怎么看得清路呀？”
蓝星回答说：“我知道路怎么走，跟着我的气味走就行。乌爪和灰爪，你们守在洞口。
火爪，你随我和虎掌去月亮石。”
火爪一下子激动得如中雷击。这是多么光荣的事啊！他瞅了一眼虎掌，见他大大咧咧地坐在那里，但火爪能够察觉出他身上散发出一丝微弱的恐惧气味。当蓝星迈步踏入洞穴时，这股气味更加明显了。
虎掌晃了晃大脑壳，走在蓝星后面。火爪向其他两个学徒点了点头，也跟了进去。
进入洞内，火爪仍然看不见任何东西。这种彻彻底底的黑暗令人感觉非常奇特，但火爪很惊讶自己竟然没有害怕。即将发生的事情激发了他强烈的好奇心，从而压倒了恐惧。
冰冷潮湿的空气穿透他厚厚的皮毛直达骨头，使他浑身的肌肉都快冻僵了。在外面，即使最冷的黑夜也没有这么厉害的寒气。他走在光滑如冰的石头上，心想：在这里，恐怕永远也不会知道阳光的温暖吧。他每换一口气，便有冷气进入肺里，令他的脑袋有些轻飘飘的。
在黑暗中，他感觉孤零零的，全凭气味才能跟上蓝星和虎掌的脚步。他们经过一条斜行向下的隧洞，拐了两个弯。火爪的猫须一直刷着洞内的石壁，这样他才清楚什么时候该直行，什么时候该拐弯。鼻子里嗅到的气味让他知道蓝星和虎掌距他仅有一步之遥。
他们走啊走啊。火爪在心里问自己：我们走了多远了？接着，他感觉到猫须有点儿颤抖，鼻子嗅到的空气也比方才清新了许多。他又嗅了嗅，确信闻到的是地面世界里的熟悉气味。在隧道尽头一定是个洞口。他在黑暗中问：“我们到哪里了？”
“这里便是月亮石所在的洞窟。”蓝星轻柔地回答说，“在这里等吧，很快月亮便升到天上了。”
火爪蜷起后腿坐在冰冷的石地上。他能听见蓝星稳健悠长的呼吸声，还有虎掌急促、恐惧的喘息声。
突然，出现了一道比落日还耀眼的强光，整个洞穴都亮了起来。火爪本已在黑暗中睁大眼睛，这时连忙闭眼以躲避这清冷的白光。然后，他慢慢睁开一条缝，向前望去。
他看见一块发光的石头，就像是无数晶莹闪烁的露珠组成的一样。月亮石！火爪看看四周。在月亮石的照耀下，这个高顶洞窟的四壁在黑暗中显露出来。月亮石就矗立在石洞的正中央，约有三条猫尾那么高。
蓝星仰天凝望，她的毛在月亮石的照耀下变成白色，即使是虎掌身上的黑纹也发出银光。顺着蓝星的目光，火爪看见在洞顶处有一道三角形的狭窄裂口，从裂口中就能看到夜空。月光从这道裂口照射进来，正好投射在月亮石上，使它像星星一样闪耀发光。
火爪闻到虎掌身上的恐惧气味越来越浓烈，最终一发不可收拾地弥散在空气中。火爪心里大为惊讶。虎掌能在这里看见别的东西吗？危险的东西？只见眼前身影一闪，他感觉到有皮毛擦过身边，然后就听到虎掌逃回洞口的脚步声。
“火爪？”蓝星的声音平静而又镇定。
“我在这里。”火爪紧张地说，心里直纳闷儿：是什么吓走了虎掌？
“蓝星？”火爪又说，但蓝星没有回答。他的心跳加剧，血液直涌上耳朵。
“不会有事的，年轻的武士，别害怕。”蓝星说，她镇定的声音使他安住了神，“我想虎掌是被月亮石的力量惊呆了。在地面上的世界里，虎掌是一位骁勇善战、无所畏惧的武士，但在这地底下，在这个同星族灵魂对话的地方，则需要另外一种力量。你有什么感觉吗，火爪？”
火爪深深吸了口气，迫使身体放松。“我只是太过好奇了。”他承认道。
蓝星回答：“这是好事。”
火爪回过头瞅着月亮石。他的眼睛已逐渐适应了它的光芒，所以不觉得刺眼。相反，看着月亮石，他感到全身都很舒坦。他轻轻摇了摇尾巴，回忆起他做过的梦——他曾经见过这个闪亮的光球！
火爪出神地望着月亮石，这时蓝星走到月亮石边躺下来。她伸出头，用鼻子轻轻顶在月亮石上，就在合眼前的瞬间，蓝色的眼睛闪闪发亮。然后她将脑袋枕在爪子上，眼皮微微颤动，四肢偶尔抽搐一下。她睡着了吗？这时火爪想起灰爪说过的话：“新族长们都要在那块石头边睡上一觉，当他们睡着时，会做一些特别的梦。”
火爪静静等候着。虽然这里寒气没有那么凌厉，但他仍需蜷缩起身体。也不知道过了多久，突然，月亮石的光芒消失了，石洞再次跌进黑暗中。火爪仰头看看洞顶处的裂口，发现月亮已经移出了视线，漆黑的夜空中只剩下点点星辰在眨着眼睛。
火爪只能分辨出月亮石边蓝星那模糊的轮廓。他想高声呼喊她的名字，却没有胆量打破这无边的沉寂。
就像是过了几百万年，蓝星忽然开口对他说：“火爪？你还在这里吗？”她的声音像是从很远处传来，语音中略带激动。
“在这里，蓝星。”火爪听见蓝星接近的脚步声。
“快。”她小声说，火爪感觉到身旁有皮毛擦过，“我们必须立刻赶回营地。”
火爪走在蓝星后面，暗暗惊讶她竟能在黑暗中行走得如此之快。他循着蓝星的气味，沿着山洞越走越高，终于，他跟着蓝星安全地返回到洞外的世界。
当蓝星和火爪从洞内爬出的时候，虎掌正和灰爪、乌爪一道等候在洞口。虎掌面容冰冷，毛发微微立，但却神态威严地坐在那里一动不动。
“虎掌。”蓝星冲他打了个招呼，只字未提他逃出洞穴的事情。
虎掌有些放松：“你知道什么了？”
蓝星简短地说：“我们必须立刻返回营地。”
火爪看见她的眼睛里闪过一丝绝望，他的脑海里顿时又浮现出梦里那恐惧的景象：四处逃窜的猫们，高大的黑武士，撕心裂肺的哀号。火爪尽力不去想这些，跟着大伙儿离开“母亲嘴”下了山坡。他噩梦里的场景会成为现实吗？
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
They headed back the way they had come.The moon had disappeared behind a bank of clouds. It was dark, but at least the Thunderpath was quieter now. The only monster they heard was far off in the distance. The cats crossed the path together and pushed their way through the hedge on the other side.
Firepaw could feel his muscles growing stiff with tiredness as they hurried on. Bluestar kept up a swift pace with her nose thrust forward and her tail high. Tigerclaw loped beside her. Firepaw followed a few paces behind with Graypaw, but Ravenpaw was flagging.
“Keep up, Ravenpaw!” Tigerclaw growled over his shoulder.
Ravenpaw flinched and bounded forward until he caught up with Firepaw and Graypaw.
“Are you okay?” Firepaw asked.
“Yes,” Ravenpaw panted, not meeting Firepaw’s eyes. “Just a bit tired.”
They scrambled down a deep ditch and up the other side.
“What did Tigerclaw say when he came out of the cave?” Firepaw meowed, trying not to sound too curious.
“He wanted to check that we were still guarding the entrance,” replied Graypaw. “Why?”
Firepaw hesitated. “Did you scent anything strange about him?” he asked.
“Only that damp old cave,” Graypaw mewed, looking surprised.
“He seemed a little edgy,” ventured Ravenpaw.
“He wasn’t the only one!” Graypaw meowed, looking at the black cat.
“What do you mean?” asked Ravenpaw.
“Just that the fur on your neck stands up whenever you see him these days,” whispered Graypaw. “You nearly jumped out of your skin when he came out of the cave.”
“He just surprised me, that’s all,” Ravenpaw protested. “You have to admit, it was a bit creepy by Mothermouth.”
“I suppose so,” agreed Graypaw.
The cats slipped under a hedge into a cornfield that glowed silver in the moonlight, and followed the ditch that ran around its edge
“So what was it like inside, Firepaw?” Graypaw demanded. “Did you see the Moonstone?”
“Yes, I did. It was amazing!” Firepaw felt his fur tingle at the memory.
Graypaw shot him an admiring glance. “So it’s true! The rock really does shine underground.”
Firepaw didn’t reply. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the image of the Moonstone that dazzled his mind. Then pictures from his dream crowded into his head, and his eyes shot open. Bluestar was right: they had to get back to camp as quickly as they could.
Ahead, Tigerclaw and Bluestar had leaped through a fence, out of the cornfield. The apprentices followed, squeezing under the fence, onto an earth track. It was the path that led past the Twoleg nest and the dogs. Firepaw looked up and saw Bluestar and Tigerclaw trotting tirelessly together, silhouetted against a skyline tinged with red. The sun would be rising soon.
“Look!” he called to Graypaw and Ravenpaw. An unfamiliar cat had jumped out in front of the two warriors.
“It’s a loner!” hissed Graypaw. The three apprentices hurried forward.
The stranger was a stout black-and-white tom, shorter than the warriors, but well muscled.
“This is Barley,” Bluestar explained to the apprentices as they caught up. “He lives near this Twoleg nest.”
“Hi!” meowed the cat. “I haven’t seen any of your Clan for some moons. How are you, Bluestar?”
“I’m well, thank you,” replied Bluestar. “And you, Barley? How’s the prey been running since we last passed this way?”
“Not so bad,” replied Barley, with an amiable gleam in his eye. “One good thing about Twolegs—you’ll always find plenty of rats nearby.” The black-and-white tom went on: “You seem in more of a hurry than usual. Is everything all right?”
Tigerclaw looked at Barley. A growl rumbled deep in his chest. Firepaw could sense that the warrior was suspicious of the loner’s curiosity.
“I don’t like to be away from my Clan too long,” Bluestar answered smoothly.
“As always, Bluestar, you are tied to your Clan like a queen to her kits,” observed Barley, not unkindly.
“What is it you want, Barley?” asked Tigerclaw.
Barley flashed him a reproachful look. “I just wanted to warn you that there are two dogs here now. You’d be safer going back into the cornfield instead of past the yard.”
“We know about the dogs. We saw them earlier—” Tigerclaw began impatiently.
“We are grateful to you for the warning,” interrupted Bluestar. “Thank you, Barley. Until next time…”
Barley flicked his tail. “Have a safe journey,” he meowed as he bounded away up the track.
“Come,” ordered Bluestar, heading off the track. She pushed her way through the long grass between the path and the fence that led back into the cornfield. The three apprentices followed, but Tigerclaw hesitated.
“You trust the word of a loner?” he meowed.
Bluestar stopped and turned to face him. “Would you rather face those dogs?”
“They were tied up when we passed them earlier,” Tigerclaw pointed out.
“They may be untied now. We’re going this way,” meowed Bluestar. She ducked under the fence into the field. Firepaw slipped after her, followed by Graypaw, Ravenpaw, and finally Tigerclaw.
By now, the sun had lifted its head above the horizon. The hedgerows sparkled with dew, promising another warm day.
The cats padded along the edge of the ditch. Firepaw looked down into the deep gully, steep-sided and filled with nettles. Firepaw could smell prey-scent. There was something familiar about the bitter odor, but it was one he hadn’t smelled for a long time.
An earsplitting squeal made Firepaw whip around. Ravenpaw was struggling and clawing at the earth. Something had hold of his leg and was dragging him down into the ditch.
“Rats!” spat Tigerclaw. “Barley has sent us into a trap!”
Before they could react, all five cats were surrounded. Huge brown rats swarmed out of the ditch, squeaking shrilly. Firepaw could see their sharp front teeth glinting in the early dawn light.
Suddenly one leaped onto Firepaw’s shoulder. Fiery pain shot through his shoulder as the rat sank its teeth into his flesh. Another grasped his leg between its powerful jaws.
Firepaw flung himself down and writhed madly, trying to shake free. He knew the rats were not as strong as he was, but there were so many of them. Yowls, hisses, and spits told him that the others were also being attacked.
Firepaw slashed fiercely with his claws, slicing out at a rat that held on to his leg. It let go, but another one gripped his tail. Fast as lightning, powered by fear and rage, Firepaw fought and hacked at his attackers. Twisting his head around, he sank his teeth into the rat that had embedded itself into his shoulders. He felt the bones of its neck crunch in his mouth and its body go limp, before it fell away onto the dirt track.
Firepaw gasped with pain as yet another rat leaped onto his back and sank its teeth in. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of white fur. For a moment he was confused; then he felt the rat being dragged off him. Firepaw spun around to see Barley flinging the rodent into the ditch.
Without hesitating, Barley glanced around and sprinted over to Bluestar. She was writhing on the path, covered in rats. In a flash Barley had the spine of one between his teeth and was plucking it off her with practiced ease. He spat it onto the ground and grabbed another in his mouth as Bluestar thrashed beneath him.
Firepaw rushed over to Graypaw, who was being attacked from both sides by two smaller rats. Firepaw lunged at the nearest one, giving it a bite that left it dead. Graypaw managed to turn and pin down the other with his claws. He grabbed it with his teeth and flung it into the ditch as hard as he could. It did not come back.
“They’re running away!” Tigerclaw yowled.
Sure enough, the remaining rats were fleeing down into the safety of the ditch. Firepaw could hear the scrabbling of small paws disappearing into the nettles. The bites in his shoulder and hind leg stung sharply. He licked carefully at his fur, wet and matted with blood, its sharp tang mingling with the stench of the rats.
Firepaw looked around for Ravenpaw. Graypaw was standing at the edge of the nettles, mewing encouragement as Ravenpaw pulled himself out of the ditch, muddy and stung. A young rat was still hanging on to his tail. Firepaw bounded over and finished it off quickly while Graypaw helped to pull Ravenpaw over the top of the ditch.
Now Firepaw looked for Bluestar. He saw Barley first, standing at the top of the ditch, scanning the depths for more rats. Bluestar was lying on the path nearby. Alarmed, Firepaw dashed to his leader’s side. The thick gray fur at the back of her neck was drenched with blood. “Bluestar?” he mewed.
Bluestar did not reply.
A furious yowl made Firepaw look up.
Tigerclaw leaped on top of Barley and pinned him to the ground. “You sent us into a trap!” he snarled.
“I didn’t know the rats were here!” spat Barley, his paws scrabbling in the dust as he struggled to stand up.
“Why did you send us this way?” hissed Tigerclaw.
“The dogs!”
“The dogs were tied when we passed them earlier!”
“The Twoleg unties them at night. They guard his nest,” Barley panted, wheezing under the weight of Tigerclaw’s massive paws.
“Tigerclaw! Bluestar is injured!” Firepaw burst out.
Tigerclaw released Barley at once. Barley got up and shook the dust from his coat. The great warrior bounded over to Bluestar’s side and sniffed her wounds.
“Is there anything we can do?” Firepaw asked.
“She is in the hands of StarClan now,” meowed Tigerclaw solemnly, stepping back.
Firepaw opened his eyes wide with shock. Did Tigerclaw mean that Bluestar was dead? His fur prickled as he looked down at his leader. Is this what the spirits at the Moonstone had warned her about?
Graypaw and Ravenpaw had joined them and stood beside their leader, horror-struck. Barley hung back, craning his neck to see what was happening.
Bluestar’s eyes were open but glazed, and her gray body lay motionless. She didn’t even appear to be breathing.
“Is she dead?” whispered Ravenpaw.
“I don’t know. We must wait and see,” replied Tigerclaw.
The five cats waited in silence as the sun began to climb into the sky. Firepaw found himself wordlessly begging StarClan to protect his leader, to send her back to them.
Then Bluestar stirred. The end of her tail twitched and she lifted her head.
“Bluestar?” mewed Firepaw, his voice trembling.
“It’s all right,” Bluestar rasped. “I am still here. I have lost a life, but it wasn’t my ninth.”
Joy flooded Firepaw. He looked at Tigerclaw, expecting to see relief on his face, but the dark warrior was expressionless.
“Right,” Tigerclaw meowed in a commanding tone. “Ravenpaw, fetch cobwebs for Bluestar’s wounds. Graypaw, find marigold or horsetail.” The two apprentices dashed away. “Barley, I think you should leave us now.”
Firepaw looked over to the loner who had fought so bravely to help them. He wanted to thank him, but under Tigerclaw’s fierce gaze, he didn’t dare. Instead of speaking, Firepaw gave Barley a tiny nod. Barley seemed to understand, for he nodded in return and left without another word.
Bluestar was still lying on the dirt track. “Is everyone all right?” she asked hoarsely.
Tigerclaw nodded.
Ravenpaw came charging back, his left forepaw wrapped in a thick wad of cobwebs. “Here,” he mewed.
“Shall I put them on her wounds?” Firepaw asked Tigerclaw. “Yellowfang showed me how.”
“Very well,” agreed Tigerclaw. He walked away and scanned the ditch again, his ears pricked for more rats.
Firepaw peeled a clump of cobwebs from Ravenpaw’s paw and began to press them firmly onto Bluestar’s wounds.
She winced under his touch. “If it had not been for Tigerclaw, those rats would have eaten me alive,” she murmured, her voice tight with pain.
“It wasn’t Tigerclaw who saved you. It was Barley,” Firepaw whispered as he took some more cobwebs from Ravenpaw.
“Barley?” Bluestar sounded surprised. “Is he here?”
“Tigerclaw sent him away,” Firepaw answered quietly. “He thinks Barley sent us into a trap.”
“And what do you think?” Bluestar rasped.
Firepaw didn’t look up, but concentrated on pressing the last bit of cobweb into place. “Barley is a loner. What would he gain by sending us into a trap only to rescue us from it?” he mewed eventually.
Bluestar laid down her head and closed her eyes again.
Graypaw returned with some horsetail. Firepaw chewed the leaves and spat the juice onto Bluestar’s wounds. He knew it would help stop infection, but he still wished Spottedleaf were with him, with her knowledge of and confidence in healing.
“We should rest here while Bluestar recovers,” announced Tigerclaw, padding up.
“No,” Bluestar insisted. “We must return to the camp.” Narrowing her eyes in pain, she struggled to her paws. “Let’s keep going.”
The ThunderClan leader limped along the edge of the field. Tigerclaw walked at her side, his face dark with unknowable thoughts. The apprentices exchanged anxious glances, and then followed.
“It is a long time since I saw you lose a life, Bluestar.” Firepaw overheard Tigerclaw’s whispered words. “How many have you lost now?”
Firepaw couldn’t help feeling surprised at Tigerclaw’s open curiosity.
“That was my fifth,” replied Bluestar quietly.
Firepaw strained his ears, but Tigerclaw did not reply. He padded on, lost in thought.
第十六章
第十六章
他们沿着原路返回。月亮躲进了云层，四下里一片漆黑，不过雷鬼路倒很安静，只是在很远处隐隐有一个怪物的声音传来。众猫一起冲过雷鬼路，钻进路另一端的树篱中。
他们一路急行，火爪全身的肌肉都累得发硬。蓝星伸鼻子翘尾巴，始终步履如飞。虎掌大步走在她身边。火爪稍稍落后于灰爪，但乌爪则有些跟不上队伍。
“跟上，乌爪！”虎掌扭头冲他吼道。
乌爪奋力蹬直后腿向前跳，赶上火爪和灰爪。
火爪问：“你没事吧？”
“没事。”乌爪喘着气，没有看火爪的眼睛，“只是有些累罢了。”
他们爬下一条深沟，又爬上沟的另一边。
火爪尽量装作不经意地说：“虎掌从山洞里出来的时候都说什么了？”
“他想出来检查我们是否一直在守护洞口。”灰爪说，“问这个干什么？”
火爪有些犹豫：“你能闻到他身上有什么奇怪的气味吗？”
灰爪露出惊讶的样子，说：“只有那种古老潮湿的洞穴味道。”
“他有点儿魂不守舍。”乌爪大胆地说。
灰爪看着乌爪说：“并不是只有他魂不守舍！”
乌爪问：“你这话什么意思？”
“这些天你一见到虎掌，脖子上的毛都竖起来了。”灰爪小声说，“当他从山洞里出来的时候，你吓得魂都飞了。”
“我只是吃惊罢了，仅此而已。”乌爪反驳说，“你必须承认，‘母亲嘴’真令人毛骨悚然。”
灰爪同意说：“我也有同感。”
众猫溜进一片在月光下闪着银光的玉米地里，沿着环绕玉米地的小沟走。
“里面是什么样子，火爪？”灰爪问，“你看到月亮石了吗？”
火爪一想起洞内的情景就激动：“是的，我看见了。真是太神奇了！”
灰爪羡慕地看着他说：“这么说都是真的啦？那块石头真的能在地底下发光？”
火爪没有回答。他闭上眼睛，在心中回味月亮石带给他的震慑。接着，梦中的景象又涌入脑海，他猛地睁开眼睛。蓝星说得没错，他们必须尽快赶回营地。
前面，虎掌和蓝星跃过一道围篱，走出了玉米地。学徒们则从围篱下钻过，来到一条经过两脚兽巢穴的土路上。蓝星和虎掌结伴而行，毫无疲倦之意，从地平线透出的晨光将他们的身影轮廓涂上一层火红的边。太阳快要出来了。
一只陌生的猫从路边跳出来，拦住了蓝星和虎掌的去路。
“看！”火爪对灰爪和乌爪说。
灰爪小声说：“是一个独行者！”三个学徒赶上前。
那个独行者是只黑白相间的公猫，虽然个头不大，但却肌肉发达。
“这位是巴利。”蓝星向赶上来的学徒们介绍说，“他就住在两脚兽巢穴的附近。”
“喂！”那只猫说，“我已经好几个月没有看见你们了。你近来怎样啊，蓝星？”
蓝星回答说：“我很好，谢谢你。你怎么样，巴利？”
“说得过去吧。”巴利回答说，眼神非常和善。“有一件同两脚兽有关的好事——附近将会出现很多老鼠，”巴利继续说，“你似乎很忙啊，没出什么事吧？”
虎掌看着巴利，胸腔内发出一声低吼。火爪能感觉到他对巴利的好奇充满戒备。
蓝星圆滑地回答说：“我不能长时间离开我的族群。”
巴利好意劝她：“唉，蓝星，你就像母猫对待她的幼崽一样，总时刻牵挂着族群。”
虎掌问：“巴利，你到底想干什么？”
巴利不满地看了他一眼，说：“我只是来警告你们两脚兽就在这里。如果你们不经过庄园，而是回到玉米地里，会安全得多。”
“我们知道有狗。早先我们看见它们了。”虎掌不耐烦地说。
蓝星打断虎掌说：“我们很感激你的警告。谢谢你，巴利！下一次……”
巴利摇摇尾巴：“一路保重。”说着他转身走开。
“走吧。”蓝星说着率先离开了土路，穿过土路和围篱间的草地，回到玉米地里。三个学徒跟上前，但虎掌却犹豫不决。
他说：“你相信一个独行者的话吗？”
蓝星停下脚步转身对他说：“你宁愿面对那些狗也不愿相信巴利吗？”
虎掌说：“我们原先路过的时候，它们都被拴着。”
“也许现在绳子解开了。我们走这边。”蓝星说着，低头从围篱下钻过。火爪他们三个学徒也钻了过去，虎掌最后一个钻过。
太阳已经完全升出了地平线，露珠在欧石楠叶子上闪闪发光，又将是暖和的一天。
众猫走在山沟边，火爪向深沟内望去，沟的两边坡度很陡，里面长满荨麻。火爪能闻到猎物的气味和一种已经很久没有闻过的苦味。
一声凄惨的叫声令火爪四处张望，看见乌爪正在地上挣扎抓挠，似乎有什么东西拽住了他的后腿正把他往山沟里拖。
“老鼠！”虎掌大喝道，“我们都上巴利的当了！”
他们还没有来得及做出反应，便被老鼠们团团围住。巨大的棕色老鼠从山沟里如潮水般蜂拥而出，发出尖厉的吱吱声。趁着清晨的微光，火爪能看到它们闪亮锋利的门牙。
突然，一只老鼠跳上火爪的肩膀，一口咬下去。火爪只觉肩膀一阵剧痛。接着，另一只老鼠又死死抱住了他的腿。
火爪倒在地上疯狂地打滚，想摆脱困境。虽然他比老鼠的个头大，但却寡不敌众。听到周围的吼叫声、喘气声和喝骂声，他知道其他几只猫也好不到哪里去。
火爪拼命挥舞爪子，将一只老鼠甩开，但是尾巴却又被另一只老鼠抓住了。他又惊又怒，动作疾如闪电，劈向扑来的老鼠。他扭过头，使劲咬住肩膀上的那只老鼠，将其钉在肩上。只听它的脖子在火爪的牙齿间发出骨头断裂的声音，接着那只老鼠身子变软，滚落到地上。
另一只老鼠又跳到他背上咬住他。火爪眼角的余光看见一团白影闪过，就在他想看清楚的时候，只觉背上的老鼠已经被拖开了。火爪转头看见巴利正将那只老鼠扔进沟里。
巴利看看四周的情势，然后朝蓝星奔去。蓝星正被一群老鼠压在地上，拼命地挣扎。
巴利上前咬住一只老鼠的脊背，轻轻松松便将它抛了出去。接着他又叼起另一只老鼠。
火爪冲到被两只较小的老鼠围攻的灰爪身边，扑向距他较近的那一只将它咬死。灰爪这时转身将另一只按在地上，他叼起那只老鼠奋力扔进山沟。老鼠掉进沟里后再也没有爬出来。
虎掌大吼：“它们跑了！”
只见剩下的老鼠纷纷逃进山沟里，一阵嗖嗖的声音过后便消失在荨麻丛里。火爪肩膀和后腿的伤口火辣辣地疼，他小心翼翼地舔了舔身上沾满鲜血的毛，血腥味里夹杂着鼠臭。
火爪四下找寻乌爪，看见灰爪正站在荨麻丛边，嘴里嗨哟着将全身是泥、扎满小刺的乌爪从山沟里往外拖。一只小老鼠仍然死死咬住他的尾巴，火爪立刻跳过去杀死它，帮着灰爪将乌爪拉出山沟。
火爪又去寻找蓝星，一眼看到站在沟边搜寻老鼠的巴利。蓝星就躺在不远处的地上。
火爪暗暗心惊，走到族长身旁。蓝星脖颈上的厚毛被撕扯开，淌着鲜血。
“蓝星？”火爪唤道。
蓝星没有答应。
一声怒吼使得火爪抬起头。
虎掌扑到巴利身上，把他按倒在地。“这全是你布的陷阱！”他愤怒地说。
巴利舞动四爪挣扎着想站起来。“我不知道这里有老鼠！”他争辩说。
虎掌狠狠地说：“那你为什么将我们引到这条路上？”
“因为那条路上有狗！”
“我们原先路过时，狗都被拴着！”
“两脚兽在晚上会放开它们，让它们看家护院。”虎掌压得巴利几乎喘不过气来。
火爪大喊：“虎掌！蓝星受伤了！”
虎掌立刻放开巴利，跳到蓝星身边看她的伤势。巴利站起来抖去身上的灰土。
火爪问：“我们能帮上什么忙？”
虎掌后退两步，沉痛地说：“她现在受星族管了。”
火爪一下子惊呆了。虎掌的意思是蓝星死了？他低头看看蓝星，身上的毛竖立起来。
眼前这一幕就是月亮石的灵魂曾对她的警示？
灰爪和乌爪也走上前，六神无主地站在蓝星身旁。巴利在他们身后伸长脖子看发生了什么事情。
蓝星没有合上双眼，但眼内已没有光彩，她灰色的身体一动也不动，甚至没有了呼吸的迹象。
乌爪小声说：“她死了吗？”
虎掌回答：“不知道，我们必须等等看。”
大家默不做声地等着，太阳正在升上天空。火爪在心里默默祈祷，请求星族保佑蓝星，将她还给他们。
这时，蓝星的身体动了一下，尾巴尖儿轻轻晃动，接着她抬起头来。
“蓝星？”火爪说，声音微微颤抖。
“没事了。”蓝星说，“我还活着。我失去了一条命，但那不是我的第九条命。”
火爪顿时高兴莫名。他瞅了瞅虎掌，原以为能看到虎掌放松面容，谁知他却面无表情。
“很好。”虎掌用命令式的语调说，“乌爪，给蓝星的伤口找些蛛丝。灰爪，你去找些金盏花或杉叶藻来。”两个学徒应声而去。“巴利，我想你现在该离开了。”虎掌冷冰冰地说道。
火爪朝这位英勇帮助他们的独行者看去。他想对巴利说声谢谢，但在虎掌凌厉的目光下，他什么也不敢说，只是对巴利轻轻点了点头。巴利似乎领会了他的意思，也回应似的冲他点点头，不发一言地走开了。
蓝星仍躺在路上，她声音嘶哑地问：“大伙儿都平安无事吧？”
虎掌点点头。
乌爪回来了，左前爪缠着厚厚的一圈蛛丝。“蛛丝在这里。”他说。
火爪问虎掌：“把蛛丝放在伤口上吗？黄牙曾教过我怎么做。”
“很正确。”虎掌说。他走到山沟边竖起耳朵再次察看有无老鼠。
火爪从乌爪的爪子上剥下一团蛛丝，将它按在蓝星的伤口上。
当他触到蓝星的伤口时，她抽搐了一下。“如果不是虎掌，那些老鼠会活吃了我。”她小声说，因为疼痛而声音发颤。
火爪从乌爪那里取下更多的蛛丝，悄声对她说：“救你的不是虎掌，而是巴利。”
“巴利？”蓝星惊讶地说，“他在哪儿？”
火爪平静地回答说：“虎掌把他赶走了。他认为这是巴利布好的圈套。”
蓝星声音嘶哑地说：“那你怎么认为呢？”
火爪专心致志地将最后一点儿蛛丝敷在蓝星的伤口上，没有抬头。“巴利是个独行者，他将我们送入陷阱后又救出我们能获得什么好处？”他坚定地说。
蓝星低下脑袋，又闭上眼睛。
灰爪带着杉叶藻回来了。火爪将杉叶藻叶子嚼碎涂在蓝星的伤口上。他虽然知道杉叶藻能防止感染，但仍希望精通药理的斑叶能在这里。
虎掌走过来说：“在蓝星恢复体力之前，我们就在这里休息一下。”
“不，”蓝星坚持说，“我们必须赶回营地。”她勉强站起身，疼得眯起眼睛，“我们继续赶路吧。”
她一瘸一拐地走在玉米地边，虎掌走在她身边，黑着脸不知在想什么。三个学徒忧虑地对视一眼，赶上前去。
“自从上次我看见你丢失了一条命后已有很长时间了，蓝星。”火爪偷听见虎掌压低声音说，“你现在丢了几条命了？”
听到虎掌这样公开的质疑，火爪不由得大为惊讶。
蓝星平静地回答说：“那是我的第五条命。”
火爪伸直耳朵，但虎掌没有再说什么。他继续走着，陷入了沉思中。
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 17
Sunhigh came and wentas the cats made their way through WindClan’s old hunting grounds. Their heavy silence showed that they were still sore after the rat fight. Firepaw felt scratched and bitten all over. He could see Graypaw was limping, occasionally hopping on three legs to protect his injured back leg. But it was Bluestar who worried him most. Her pace was even slower now, but she refused to stop and rest. The grim look on her face, clouded by pain, told Firepaw how much she wanted to reach the ThunderClan camp.
“Don’t worry about ShadowClan warriors,” she meowed through gritted teeth as Tigerclaw paused to sniff the air. “You won’t find any here today.”
How could she be so sure? Firepaw wondered.
They picked their way carefully down the steep, rocky hillside that led to Fourtrees and joined the familiar trail that led home. It was late afternoon, and Firepaw began to think longingly of his nest, and a plump helping of fresh-kill.
“I can still smell the stench of ShadowClan,” Graypaw muttered to Firepaw as they trekked through ThunderClan’s hunting grounds.
“Perhaps the breeze has carried it down from WindClan’s territory,” Firepaw suggested. He could smell it too, and his whiskers were trembling.
Suddenly Ravenpaw stopped. “Can you hear that?” he mewed in a hushed voice.
Firepaw strained his ears. At first he heard only the familiar sounds of the forest—leaves rustling, a pigeon calling. Then his blood ran cold. In the distance he could hear battle-hungry yowls, and the shrill squeal of terrified kits.
“Quick!” Bluestar howled. “It is as StarClan warned me. Our camp is being attacked!” She tried to leap forward, but stumbled. She pushed herself up and limped onward.
Tigerclaw and Firepaw pelted forward side by side. Graypaw and Ravenpaw followed, their tail fur bristled to twice its usual size. Firepaw forgot his soreness as he charged toward the camp. His only concern was to protect the Clan.
The sounds of battle grew louder and louder as he neared the camp entrance, and the stench of ShadowClan filled his nostrils. He was right behind Tigerclaw as the cats dashed through the tunnel and into the clearing.
They were met by a frenzy of fighting, ThunderClan cats battling furiously with ShadowClan warriors. The kits were out of sight, and Firepaw hoped they were safely hidden in the nursery. He guessed the weakest elders would be sheltering inside the hollow trunk of their fallen tree.
Every corner of the camp seemed alive with warriors. Firepaw could see Frostfur and Goldenflower clawing and biting at a huge gray tom. Even the young tabby queen Brindleface was fighting, though she was very close to kitting. Darkstripe was locked in a fierce tussle with a black warrior. Three of the elders, Smallear, Patchpelt, and One-eye, were nipping bravely at a tortoiseshell that fought with twice their speed and ferocity.
The returning cats hurled themselves into the battle. Firepaw caught hold of a tabby warrior queen, much larger than him, and sank his teeth deep into her leg. She yowled with pain and turned on him, lashing out with sharp claws and lunging at his neck with her teeth bared. He twisted and ducked to avoid her bite. She couldn’t match his speed, and he managed to grasp her from behind and pull her down into the dirt. With his strong hind legs he clawed at her back till she squealed and struggled away from him, running headlong into the thick undergrowth that surrounded the camp.
Firepaw glanced around to see that Bluestar had arrived. Despite her injuries, she was fighting another tabby. Firepaw had never seen her fight before, but even wounded, she was a powerful opponent. Her victim struggled to escape but she held him tightly and clawed him so fiercely that Firepaw knew he would bear the scars of this fight for many moons.
Then he saw a white ShadowClan cat with jet-black paws dragging a ThunderClan elder away from the nursery. Firepaw remembered those unusual dark paws from the Gathering. Blackfoot! The ShadowClan deputy made quick work of killing the elder, who had been guarding the kits, and began to reach into the bramble nest with one massive paw. The kits were squealing and mewling, undefended now as their mothers wrestled with other ShadowClan warriors in the clearing.
Firepaw prepared to spring toward the nursery, but a claw sliced painfully down his side and he whipped around to see a scrawny tortoiseshell leap on top of him. As he slammed into the ground, he tried to call out to the other ThunderClan cats that the kits were in danger. Fighting with all his strength to escape the tortoiseshell’s grip, he wrenched his head around so he could see the bramble nest.
Blackfoot had scooped two kits from their bedding already and was reaching in for a third.
Firepaw saw no more as the tortoiseshell raked his belly with her hind claws. Firepaw scrabbled onto his feet and crouched low, as if in defeat. The trick had worked before and it worked now. As the tortoiseshell gripped him triumphantly and began to sink her teeth into Firepaw’s neck, Firepaw sprang upward as hard as he could and flung the warrior away. He spun around and was on the winded warrior in an instant. This time he showed no mercy, plunging his teeth deep into the cat’s shoulder. The bite sent the she-cat howling into the undergrowth.
Firepaw jumped up, dashed over to the nursery, and thrust his head through the nursery entrance. Blackfoot was nowhere to be seen. Inside the nest, crouching over the terrified kits, was Yellowfang. Her gray fur was spattered with blood, and one of her eyes was painfully swollen. She looked up at Firepaw with a ferocious hiss, then, realizing it was him, she yowled, “They’re okay. I’ll protect them.”
Firepaw looked at her as she calmed the helpless kits, and Brokenstar’s dire warning about the ShadowClan rogue flashed through his mind. He didn’t have time to think about that now. He would have to trust Yellowfang. He nodded quickly and ducked back out of the brambles.
There were now only a few ShadowClan cats left in the camp. Ravenpaw and Graypaw were fighting side by side, lashing out at a black tom until he fled howling into the bushes. Whitestorm and Darkstripe chased the last two intruders out of the camp, sending them off with a few extra scratches and bites.
Firepaw sat down, exhausted, and stared around the camp. It was devastated. Blood spattered the clearing, and tufts of fur drifted in the dust. The surrounding wall of undergrowth was ripped open where the invaders had crashed through.
One by one, the ThunderClan cats gathered beneath the Highrock. Graypaw came to sit by him, his sides heaving and blood trickling from a torn ear. Ravenpaw flopped down and began to lick a wound on his tail. The queens ran to the nursery to check on their kits. Firepaw found himself waiting tensely for their return, his view blocked by the other cats. He relaxed when he heard squeals and purrs of joy coming from the bramble nest.
Frostfur wove her way back through the crowd, followed by Yellowfang. The white queen stepped forward and addressed them. “Our kits are all safe, thanks to Yellowfang. A ShadowClan warrior killed brave Rosetail and was trying to steal them from their nest, but Yellowfang fought him off.”
“It was no ordinary ShadowClan warrior either,” Firepaw put in. He was determined to let the Clan know how much they owed Yellowfang. “I saw him. It was Blackfoot.”
“The ShadowClan deputy!” meowed Brindleface, who had fought so bitterly to protect the unborn kits in her swollen belly.
There was a stir at the edge of the group, as Bluestar limped forward and made her way over to the apprentices. The grave expression on her face was enough to tell Firepaw that something was wrong.
“Spottedleaf is with Lionheart,” she murmured. “He was injured in the battle. It looks bad.” She turned her head toward the shadow on the far side of the Highrock where the warrior lay, a motionless bundle of dusty golden fur.
A high-pitched wail rose from Graypaw’s throat and he raced over to Lionheart. Spottedleaf, who had been leaning over the ThunderClan deputy, stepped back to let the young apprentice share tongues for the last time with his mentor. As Graypaw’s howl of grief echoed around the clearing, Firepaw’s fur tingled and his blood ran cold. It was the cry he had heard in his dream! For a moment his head swam; then he gave himself a shake. He had to keep calm, for Graypaw’s sake.
Firepaw looked at Bluestar, who nodded, and he padded over to join his friend by the Highrock. He stopped for a moment beside Spottedleaf.
She looked exhausted and dull-eyed with grief. “I can’t help Lionheart now,” she mewed quietly to him. “He is on his way to join StarClan.” She pressed her body against Firepaw’s side, and he felt comforted by the touch of her warm fur.
The other cats looked on in silence as the sun slowly set behind the trees. Finally Graypaw sat up and cried out, “He’s gone!” He lay down again beside Lionheart’s body and rested his head on his front paws. The rest of the Clan walked silently forward to carry out their own grieving rituals for their beloved deputy.
Firepaw joined them. He licked Lionheart’s neck and murmured, “Thank you for your wisdom. You taught me so much.” Then he sat down beside Graypaw and began gently to groom his friend’s ears.
Bluestar waited until the other cats had left before padding quietly up. Graypaw didn’t even seem to notice his leader’s presence. Firepaw looked away as Bluestar spoke her last words to her old friend.
“Oh, what am I going to do without you, Lionheart?” she whispered. Then she limped back to her den and crouched down outside, staring grief-stricken into the distance. She didn’t even try to lick clean her bloody, matted fur. It was the first time Firepaw had seen her look utterly defeated, and he felt a chill run through him.
He sat with Graypaw and Lionheart until the moon rose high. Ravenpaw joined him and together they kept company with their grieving friend. Tigerclaw strode over and briefly shared tongues with Lionheart. Firepaw waited to hear what words he would share with his warrior friend, but Tigerclaw remained silent as he licked the matted fur. To Firepaw’s confusion, the dark tabby’s eyes seemed to be fixed on Ravenpaw rather than the fallen deputy.
Spottedleaf padded lightly around the camp, tending to wounds and battered nerves. Firepaw watched her approach Bluestar twice, but each time the leader sent her away to see to the others. Only when Spottedleaf had attended to the wounds of all the other cats did Bluestar allow her to treat her bites and scratches.
When she had finished, Spottedleaf turned and walked back to her den. Bluestar stood and slowly hauled herself up onto the Highrock. The Clan cats seemed to have been waiting for her. As soon as she had settled herself in her usual spot, they began to gather in the clearing below, unusually silent and somber-faced.
Firepaw and Ravenpaw got stiffly to their paws and joined them, leaving Graypaw behind with Lionheart’s body. The gray apprentice was still lying with his nose resting against Lionheart’s cooling golden pelt. Firepaw guessed Bluestar would excuse Graypaw from the Clan meeting this time.
“It is nearly moonhigh,” meowed Bluestar as Firepaw slipped into place next to Ravenpaw. “And it is once more my duty—much, much too soon—to name ThunderClan’s new deputy.” Her voice was tired and cracked with sadness.
Firepaw looked from warrior to warrior. They were all looking expectantly at Tigerclaw. Even Whitestorm had turned to watch the dark tabby. From the bold expression on his face, and the way his whiskers twitched in anticipation, Tigerclaw seemed to agree with them
Bluestar took a deep breath and continued. “I say these words before the body of Lionheart, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice.” She hesitated. “I have not forgotten how one cat avenged the death of Redtail and brought his body back to us. ThunderClan needs this fearless loyalty even more now.” Bluestar paused again and then meowed the name loud and clear. “Tigerclaw will be the new deputy of ThunderClan.”
There was a yowl of approval, with the loudest voices belonging to Darkstripe and Longtail. Whitestorm sat calmly, his eyes closed, his tail wrapped neatly around him. He was nodding slowly and approvingly.
Tigerclaw lifted his chin proudly, his eyes half-closed as he listened to the Clan. Then he stalked through the crowd, accepting tributes with the smallest of nods, and leaped up onto the Highrock beside Bluestar. “ThunderClan,” he yowled, “I am honored to accept the position of Clan deputy. I never expected to gain such high rank, but by the spirit of Lionheart, I vow to serve you as best I can.” He gravely dipped his head, fixing the crowd with his wide yellow eyes, and jumped down from the Highrock.
Firepaw heard Ravenpaw murmur, “Oh, no!” under his breath beside him. He turned to look curiously at his friend.
Ravenpaw’s head was hanging low. “She should never have chosen him!” he muttered.
“Are you talking about Tigerclaw?” Firepaw whispered.
“He’s wanted to be deputy ever since he took care of Redtail—” Ravenpaw mewed. He stopped abruptly.
“Took care of Redtail?” Firepaw echoed. His mind suddenly raced with questions. What did Ravenpaw know? At the Gathering, had his account of the battle with RiverClan been true? Was Tigerclawresponsible for Redtail’s death?
第十七章
第十七章
当蓝星等猫到达风族的领地时，太阳已经高高挂在天上。众猫对刚才老鼠的围攻仍然心有余悸，都没有说话。火爪全身上下都是老鼠抓咬出的血印，他看见灰爪一瘸一拐的，偶尔蜷起伤脚只用其余三只脚走几步。最令他担心的是蓝星，她的步伐比原先缓慢许多，却拒绝停下休息片刻。虽然她面露痛苦之色，但却遮掩不住坚强不屈的神情，那种神情任谁看了都知道她想返回营地的迫切心情。
“别担心遇见影族的武士，”当虎掌停下嗅空气时，蓝星说，“今天他们不会来这里的。”
火爪非常奇怪：她怎么能这样肯定呢？
他们谨慎小心地从陡峭、布满碎石的山坡下来到“四棵树”，踏上回家的归途。太阳快要落山了，火爪一路走着，脑海里飞舞的都是他那温馨的小巢和鲜美的猎物。
走在雷族的领地上，灰爪小声对火爪说：“我还是能闻到影族的气味。”
火爪也闻到了这股气味，他动动猫须，猜测着说：“也许是从影族领地刮来的风带过来的。”
忽然，乌爪停住脚步压低声音说：“听到了吗？”
火爪伸直耳朵，开始他只能听到树林里树叶的沙沙声和鸟叫声，接着，他的心里一凉——他听到远处传来战斗中的怒吼声和受到惊吓的幼崽们的尖叫声。
“快！”蓝星大喝，“一切正如星族警告过我的那样，我们的营地遭到袭击了！”她努力向前跳跃，但却摔了一跤，撑起身子后，一瘸一拐地往前走。
虎掌和火爪伴随在蓝星左右，灰爪和乌爪翘着尾巴跟在后面。火爪心系营地安危，全然忘却了身上的痛楚，唯一的念头就是保护营地。
随着接近营地入口，战斗的声音越来越大，到处都是影族散发出的臭味。大家穿过金雀花通道冲进会场中，火爪就跟在虎掌身后。
战斗正进行到白热化阶段，雷族的武士们都杀红了眼。幼崽们不知去向，但愿他们安全地待在育婴室里。而那些最虚弱的老年猫们也许都躲进了那棵倒在地上的树干里面。
营地里到处都有武士的身影闪动。火爪看见霜毛和金花在对付一只魁梧的灰色公猫，连快要生产的年轻母猫纹脸都加入了战斗。黑条正与一名黑色武士苦苦周旋，而小耳、团毛和一只眼三只老年猫则在合攻一名无论是速度还是气力都是他们两倍的玳瑁色武士。
蓝星等猫立即加入战团。火爪抱住一只比他个头高大的母虎斑猫武士，一口咬在她的腿上，那名武士疼得大叫，扭过来在火爪身上又抓又咬。火爪翻身侧卧避开她的撕咬。那名武士赶不上他的速度，因此火爪便千方百计从她后方进攻，抓住她的后腿将她拽倒在地。火爪前爪拉，后脚蹬，一直向后拖着那名武士，直到她挣扎出他的利爪，逃进营地周围的灌木丛里。
火爪一瞥眼看见蓝星赶到，尽管她多处负伤，仍在攻击另一只虎斑猫。火爪在此之前从没有看见过蓝星出手，这时看来，虽然她负伤累累，仍不失为一个强有力的对手。那只虎斑猫见势不妙想逃走，但蓝星一个健步赶上狠狠地抓了他一下，让他将来有几个月罪受。
接着，火爪看到一名长着黑色爪子的白色影族武士正将一个雷族的老猫从育婴室里往外拽，他想起在森林大会上曾见过这双黑爪。是黑脚！黑脚一爪将守卫幼崽的老猫杀死后，钻进荆棘丛里。幼崽们挤作一团束手待毙，而他们的妈妈们则因深陷战斗而无法脱身。
火爪刚要奔向育婴室，突然腹侧一阵剧痛，他扭头看时，一只玳瑁色的瘦猫已经骑在了他的身上。他一边在地上猛滚，一边大声招呼其他的武士去营救幼崽。火爪使出吃奶的力气挣脱了那只玳瑁色瘦猫的纠缠，同时扭头看那片荆棘丛。
只见黑脚已经拖出了两只幼崽，又进去拖第三只。
这时那只玳瑁色瘦猫又用后爪抓火爪的肚子，火爪顾不上再多看，蹲在那里俯低身体装作被打败的样子。这条诡计以前曾经奏效，此次再度使出。那只玳瑁色猫胜利般地擒住他，张开利齿向他的脖子上咬下去。火爪趁其不备，突然跳起来将那只瘦猫掀翻在地。说时迟那时快，他一个飞纵扑过去，这回他毫不心软地一口咬在瘦猫的肩膀上。这一口咬得那只瘦猫呜咽着逃进灌木丛。
火爪跳起身冲进育婴室。黑脚已经无影无踪，却见黄牙坐在窝里，将幼崽们护在身下。她的皮毛上沾满鲜血，一只眼睛高高肿起。看见有猫闯进育婴室，黄牙发出凶狠的低嘶，待认出是火爪时，她喊道：“幼崽们都安全，我来保护他们。”
看她安慰着那些无助的小可怜们，断星关于影族无赖的警告顿时被火爪抛诸脑后。现在没有时间思考了，他不得不信任黄牙。火爪飞快地点点头，转身冲出了荆棘丛。
营地里只有少量的影族猫在负隅顽抗。乌爪和灰爪并肩作战，向一只黑色公猫发起猛攻，打得那只黑猫抱头鼠窜。白风和黑条合力将最后的两名入侵者赶出营门，临走时还送了他们几下抓咬。
火爪筋疲力尽地坐倒在地，向营地四周环顾。营地被毁得一塌糊涂，鲜血遍地，猫毛乱飞。周围的灌木围墙被涌入的影族武士们撕开一条大口子。
渐渐地，雷族的猫们聚集在高岩下。灰爪大口喘着气来到火爪身边，耳朵还在淌着鲜血。乌爪躺在地上开始舔他尾巴上的伤口。母猫们奔向育婴室察看她们的孩子。火爪想看看育婴室的情况，但却被挡住了视线，心里不由得揪成了一团。当他听到荆棘丛那边传出欢呼声时，心里的石头总算落了地。
霜毛和黄牙先后来到猫群中。霜毛走上前对大家说：“多亏了黄牙，孩子们都安然无恙。一名影族武士杀死了英勇的玫瑰尾，试图偷走幼崽们，但是黄牙将他打跑了。”
火爪决心要让族里知道黄牙的功劳有多大，于是插嘴说：“那名影族武士可不是好惹的。我认得他，他就是黑脚。”
那个分娩在即仍上战场的纹脸说：“影族的副族长！”
猫群中引起一阵骚动，蓝星跛行到学徒们面前。看见她脸上凝重的表情，火爪感觉大事不妙。
果然，蓝星低声说：“斑叶正同狮心在一起。狮心在战斗中伤得很重，看样子是活不成了。”她转头向高岩另一边的阴影下望去，狮心正躺在那里，金黄色的毛上沾满了灰土，一动也不动。
灰爪发出一声悲号，向狮心冲了过去。倚在狮心身边的斑叶见状后退开，让年轻的学徒最后一次舔舐他的导师。整个营地都回荡着灰爪的痛哭声。火爪心里一震，全身的血液都冰冷下来。他曾经在梦里听到过这哭声！好一阵子，火爪的脑子里都乱成一团。他晃晃头，为了灰爪，他必须保持冷静。
火爪看了看蓝星，得到她的点头允许后，他向灰爪走去。经过斑叶时，他停下脚步。
斑叶一脸疲惫，双目因悲伤而黯淡无神。“我现在帮不了狮心了。”她静静地说，“他到星族那里去了。”斑叶将身体倚在火爪身上，令他感觉到她温暖的体温。
太阳渐渐沉入大地，众猫围在一起，谁都不说话。最后，灰爪站起来大声说：“他走了！”说完他躺下来靠着狮心的尸体，将头枕在前爪上面。其他的猫这时默默走上前向这位副族长表达他们最沉痛的哀悼。
火爪加入默哀的队伍中，他舔着狮心的脖子轻声说：“谢谢您的谆谆教导，您使我获益良多。”然后他坐在灰爪身旁，开始舔梳朋友的双耳。
等众猫离去，蓝星方才静静地走上前，灰爪甚至不知道族长的到来。当蓝星对老朋友狮心说永别话语的时候，火爪移开了目光。
“哦，没有你我该怎么办呢，狮心？”说完，她瘸着腿回到巢穴，俯卧在穴口，悲伤地凝视着远方。她甚至没有舔去身上的鲜血和灰土。火爪还是头一回看见蓝星被击垮的模样，心里感到一阵悲凉。
火爪和乌爪一直陪着灰爪坐在狮心的尸体旁边，直到月亮高高升起。虎掌曾过来简单地在狮心身上舔了几下。火爪留心倾听他会对这位老朋友说些什么，但虎掌自始至终都没有做声。令他感到迷惑的是，虎掌的目光更多的是停留在乌爪身上，而不是死去的狮心。
斑叶轻手轻脚地穿梭在营地里，来回探视伤员。曾有两次，她走到蓝星身边，都被蓝星遣走去照料其他的伤员。直到斑叶处理完所有的伤员后，蓝星才允许她照料处理自己身上的咬伤和抓伤。
斑叶处理蓝星的伤口后回到巫医巢穴。蓝星站起身缓慢走上高岩。大家似乎都在等她讲话，一见她出现在高岩上，便都聚集在会场上。整个气氛肃穆而沉闷。
火爪和乌爪拖着僵硬的脚步到高岩下参加族群会议，留下灰爪独自守候在狮心身旁，他仍然躺在那里，鼻子顶着狮心冰凉的遗体。火爪心想：这一回蓝星大概不会再责怪灰爪没有参加会议了吧。
他们选好位置坐下，只听蓝星说：“马上就要到午夜了，我必须重新指定雷族的副族长——而这一次来得太快了。”她的声音流露出疲惫和悲伤。
火爪朝武士们挨个儿望去，看见他们都满怀期待地瞅着虎掌，甚至连白风都在看他。
虎掌脸上露出自信的神情，他动了动猫须，似乎对此胸有成竹。
蓝星深吸口气说：“我之所以在狮心的遗体前宣布任命，是因为他的灵魂会听见并同意我的选择。”她迟疑片刻，继续说：“曾经有一位武士，他为红尾报仇雪恨，并将红尾的遗体带回营地。现在这种危难时刻，雷族更加需要这位英勇无畏的武士。”她又停下来，然后清晰响亮地说出了那个武士的名字：“虎掌将是雷族新一任的副族长。”
猫群中发出一片赞同的欢呼声，其中黑条和长尾喊得最响。白风静静地坐在那里，将尾巴盘在身体的周围，闭着眼睛缓缓点头表示赞同。
虎掌得意扬扬地半闭着眼睛享受大家的拥护。接着，他穿过猫群，以最轻微的点头以示接受任命，然后他纵身一跃跳上高岩，站在蓝星身边，高声说：“雷族的全体同胞们，我很荣幸被任命为副族长。虽然我从没有想过自己会获得如此殊荣，但我仍然要对着狮心的灵魂发誓，我将尽心竭力为大家服务，鞠躬尽瘁，死而后已。”他郑重其事地低下头，一双琥珀色的大眼睛盯着猫群，然后从高岩上跳下。
火爪听见乌爪在身边喃喃说：“哦，不！”他转过头好奇地看看乌爪。
乌爪头低垂着，喃喃自语：“她说什么也不该选他啊！”
火爪小声说：“你在说虎掌吗？”
乌爪说：“自从他照顾红尾以来，他就一直想当副族长……”他突然收住了嘴。
火爪重复说：“照顾红尾？”他的心里顿时充满疑问。乌爪都知道些什么？在森林大会上，他说的那些同河族战斗的事都是真的吗？虎掌是否对红尾的死负有责任呢？
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 18
“Are you telling Firepaw how I protected Redtail?”
Firepaw felt a cold shiver ruffle the fur on the back of his neck.
Ravenpaw whipped around, eyes wide with fear. Tigerclaw loomed over them, his lips drawn back in a menacing snarl.
Firepaw jumped up and faced the new deputy. “He was just saying he wished you had been here to take care of Lionheart as well, that’s all!” he mewed, thinking quickly.
Tigerclaw looked from one to the other, then stalked away in silence. Ravenpaw’s green eyes clouded with terror, and he started to tremble uncontrollably.
“Ravenpaw?” Firepaw meowed in alarm.
But Ravenpaw didn’t even look up at him. With his head held low, he slunk back to Graypaw and crouched next to him, pressing his skinny black body next to Graypaw’s thick fur as if he was suddenly cold.
Firepaw looked helplessly at his two friends as they huddled beside Lionheart’s body. Not knowing what else to do, he padded over and settled himself beside them, ready to sit out the night.
As the moon passed overhead, other cats came to join their vigil. Bluestar arrived last, once the camp was calm and quiet. She said nothing, but sat a little way off, gazing at her dead deputy with an expression of such unbearable grief that Firepaw had to look away.
At dawn, a group of elders came to take Lionheart’s body away to the burial place. Graypaw followed to help dig the hole where the great warrior would rest.
Firepaw yawned and stretched. He felt chilled to the bone. Leaf-fall was nearly here now, and the woods were clouded with mist, but above the leaves Firepaw saw a rosy morning sky. He watched Graypaw disappear into the dew-soaked undergrowth with the elders.
Ravenpaw jumped to his paws and hurried back to the apprentices’ den. Firepaw followed him slowly. By the time he arrived, the black cat was curled up with his nose tucked under his tail, as if asleep.
Firepaw was too exhausted to speak. He circled around on his mossy bed and then settled down for a long sleep.
“Wake up!”
Firepaw heard Dustpaw’s voice calling through the den entrance. He opened his eyes. Ravenpaw was already awake, sitting bolt upright with his ears pricked. Graypaw was stirring beside him. Firepaw was surprised to see the familiar gray shape. He hadn’t heard him come back after burying Lionheart.
“Bluestar’s called another meeting,” Dustpaw hissed at them, and ducked out of the ferns.
The three apprentices crawled out of the warm den. The sun was already past its height, and the air felt cooler than before. Firepaw shivered, and his belly growled. He couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten, and he wondered briefly if he would have a chance to hunt today.
Firepaw, Graypaw, and Ravenpaw hurried to join the crowd gathered below the Highrock.
Tigerclaw was speaking from his position beside Bluestar. “During the battle, our leader lost another life. Now that she has only four of her nine lives left, I am going to appoint a bodyguard to stay at her side constantly. No cat will be allowed to approach her unless the guards are present.” His amber eyes flicked to Ravenpaw and then back to the rest of the crowd. “Darkstripe and Longtail,” he continued, turning his gaze on the warriors, “you will act as Bluestar’s guards.”
Darkstripe and Longtail nodded importantly, and sat taller.
Bluestar now spoke. Her voice sounded gentle and calming after her deputy’s commanding yowl. “Thank you, Tigerclaw, for your loyalty. But the Clan must understand that I am still here for them. No cat should hesitate to approach me, and I am happy to speak to anyone with or without my bodyguards.” Her eyes darted briefly in Tigerclaw’s direction. “As the warrior code says, the safety of the Clan is more important than the security of any single member.” She paused, and her sky-blue gaze rested briefly on Firepaw. “And now, I wish to invite Yellowfang to join ThunderClan.”
Meows of surprise rose from some of the warriors. Bluestar looked at Frostfur, who nodded her agreement. The other queens looked on silently.
Bluestar continued. “Her actions last night proved that she is brave and loyal. If she wishes it, we would welcome her as a full member of this Clan.”
From her place at the edge of the crowd, Yellowfang looked up at the Clan leader and murmured, “I am honored, Bluestar, and I accept your offer.”
“Good,” meowed Bluestar, her voice firm as if the matter was now closed.
Firepaw purred with delight and nudged Graypaw. He was surprised to realize just how much Bluestar’s public show of trust in Yellowfang meant to him.
Bluestar began to speak again. “Last night we successfully defended ourselves against ShadowClan, but they are still a great threat. The repair work we began this morning will continue. Our boundaries will be patrolled constantly. We must not assume that the war is over.”
Tigerclaw stood up, his tail held high, and glared down at the assembled cats. “ShadowClan attacked while we were away from camp,” he growled. “They chose their moment well. How did they know that the camp was so poorly defended? Do they have eyes inside our camp?”
Firepaw froze in horror as Tigerclaw fixed his cold stare on Ravenpaw. Some of the cats followed their new deputy’s gaze and stared in puzzlement at the black apprentice. Ravenpaw looked at the ground and shifted his paws nervously.
Tigerclaw went on. “We still have a while before sunset. We must concentrate on rebuilding our camp. Meanwhile, if you suspect anything, or anyone, tell me. Be assured, anything you say will be in confidence.” He nodded to dismiss the Clan, then turned and began murmuring to Bluestar.
The cats separated and began to move around the camp, assessing damage and forming work groups.
“Ravenpaw!” Firepaw called, still shocked by Tigerclaw’s dark hint that his own apprentice had betrayed the Clan. But Ravenpaw had already bounded away. Firepaw could see him offering to help Halftail and Whitestorm, before rushing off to collect twigs so they could patch the holes in the boundary wall. Ravenpaw clearly didn’t want to talk.
“Let’s go and help him,” suggested Graypaw. His voice was flat and exhausted, and his eyes were dull.
“You go. I’ll be there in a moment,” Firepaw answered. “First I want to check on Yellowfang, see if she’s okay after her fight with Blackfoot.”
He looked for Yellowfang in her nest by the fallen tree. She was stretched out in the shadows, her eyes thoughtful.
“Firepaw,” she purred when she saw him. “I’m glad you have come.”
“I wanted to check that you were all right,” Firepaw mewed.
“Old habits stay longer than old scents, eh?” meowed Yellowfang with a flash of her old spirit.
“I suppose so,” Firepaw confessed. “How are you feeling?”
“This old leg injury is playing up again, but I’ll be fine,” Yellowfang told him.
“How did you manage to fight Blackfoot off?” Firepaw asked, unable to keep the admiration out of his voice.
“Blackfoot’s strong, but he’s not a clever fighter. Fighting you was more of a challenge.”
Firepaw looked for the flicker of humor in the old cat’s eyes, but there was none.
She continued, “I’ve known him since he was a kit. He hasn’t changed—a bully, but no brains.”
Firepaw sat down beside her. “I’m not surprised Bluestar asked you to join the Clan,” he purred. “You certainly showed your loyalty last night.”
Yellowfang twitched her tail. “Perhaps a truly loyal cat would have fought at the side of the Clan that raised her.”
“But then I’d be fighting for my Twolegs!” Firepaw pointed out.
Yellowfang shot him an admiring glance. “Well said, youngster. But then, you have always been a thinker.”
Sorrow pierced Firepaw’s heart as he remembered these were Lionheart’s words too. “Do you miss ShadowClan?” he asked Yellowfang.
Yellowfang blinked slowly. “I miss the old ShadowClan,” she meowed at last. “The way it used to be.”
“Until Brokenstar became leader?” Firepaw was curious.
“Yes,” Yellowfang admitted softly. “He changed the Clan.” She gave a wheezy laugh. “He always knew how to give a good speech. He could make you believe a mouse was a rabbit if he set his mind to it. Perhaps that is why I was so blind to his faults.” The old she-cat stared into the distance, lost in memories.
“Bet you can’t guess who the new ShadowClan medicine cat is?” Firepaw mewed, suddenly remembering what he had learned at the Gathering. It felt like moons ago now.
His words seemed to shake Yellowfang back into the present. “Not Runningnose?” she meowed.
“Yep!”
Yellowfang shook her head. “But he can’t even cure his own cold!”
“That’s what Graypaw said!” They purred together for a moment, amused. Firepaw got to his paws. “I’ll leave you to rest now. Call me if you need anything else today.”
Yellowfang lifted her head. “Before you go, Firepaw, I hear you were in a rat fight. Did they draw blood?”
“It’s okay, Spottedleaf has treated my wounds with marigold.”
“Sometimes marigold is not strong enough for rat bites. Go and find a patch of wild garlic to roll in. I think there’s some not far from the camp entrance. That will draw out any poisons the rats may have left. Although,” she added dryly, “your den mates might not thank me for my advice!”
“Well, I do. Thanks, Yellowfang!” Firepaw purred.
“Go carefully, young one.” Yellowfang held his gaze for a moment, then let her chin rest on her front paws and closed her eyes.
Firepaw slipped under the branches around Yellowfang’s nest and headed for the gorse tunnel, in search of the wild garlic. The sun was setting now, and he could hear the queens settling their kits for the night.
“Where do you think you’re going?” growled a voice from the shadows. It was Darkstripe.
“Yellowfang told me to go out and—”
“You don’t take orders from that rogue!” hissed the warrior. “Go and help with the repairs. No cat is to leave the camp tonight!” He lashed his tail from side to side.
“Yes, Darkstripe,” Firepaw mewed, dipping his head submissively. He turned and muttered “Dirtstripe!” under his breath, then headed toward the camp boundary, where he could see Graypaw and Ravenpaw busily patching a large hole in the wall of greenery.
“How’s Yellowfang?” asked Graypaw as Firepaw trotted up.
“She’s fine. She said wild garlic would be good for my rat bites. I was on my way to find some, but Darkstripe ordered me to stay in camp,” Firepaw told him.
“Wild garlic?” mewed Graypaw. “I wouldn’t mind trying that. My leg still stings.”
“I could sneak out and get some,” Firepaw offered. He had resented Darkstripe’s offhand treatment and welcomed the chance to outwit him. “No one would notice if I slipped out of this hole here. It’d only take a couple of rabbit hops.”
Ravenpaw frowned, but Graypaw nodded. “We’ll cover for you,” he whispered.
Firepaw nuzzled him gratefully and jumped out through the tear in the boundary wall.
Once outside the camp, he began to make his way to the wild garlic patch, the sharp tang alerting him easily to its location. The moon was rising in the violet sky as the sun sank below the horizon. A cold breeze ruffled Firepaw’s fur. Suddenly he caught a cat-scent carried toward him on the wind. He sniffed cautiously. ShadowClan? No, just Tigerclaw, and two other cats. He sniffed the air again. Darkstripe and Longtail! What were they doing here?
Curious, Firepaw dropped into a stalking position. He prowled through the undergrowth paw by paw, keeping downwind so that he was not detected. The warriors were standing in the shadow of a clump of ferns, their heads very close together. Soon Firepaw was near enough to hear them speak.
“StarClan knows, my apprentice has shown little promise from the start, but I never expected him to turn traitor!” growled Tigerclaw.
Firepaw’s eyes widened and his fur prickled with shock. It sounded like Tigerclaw intended to do more than just hint that Ravenpaw had betrayed the Clan!
“How long did you say Ravenpaw was missing on the journey to Mothermouth?” asked Darkstripe.
“Long enough to have traveled to ShadowClan’s camp and back,” came the deputy’s menacing answer.
The fur on Firepaw’s tail bristled angrily. That’s impossible!he thought. He was with us the whole time!
Longtail’s voice sounded now, high-pitched with excitement: “He must have told them that ThunderClan’s leader and the strongest warrior had left the camp. Why else would they attack when they did?”
“We are the last Clan to stand against ShadowClan. We must remain strong,” purred Tigerclaw. His tone had become velvety soft now. He waited in silence for a response.
It was Darkstripe who answered, eagerly, as if he were still Tigerclaw’s apprentice, giving the correct answer to a question on hunting techniques. His words made Firepaw breathless with fear. “And the Clan would be better off without a traitor like Ravenpaw.”
“I have to say I agree with you, Darkstripe,” murmured Tigerclaw, his voice heavy with emotion. “Even though he’s my own apprentice…” He trailed off as if he were too upset to say any more.
Firepaw had heard enough. Forgetting all about the wild garlic, he turned and crept as silently and as quickly as he could back toward the camp.
He decided not to tell Ravenpaw what he had heard. He would be terrified. Firepaw’s mind raced. What could he do? Tigerclaw was the Clan deputy, a great warrior, and popular with all of the other cats. No one was going to listen to any accusations made by an apprentice. But Ravenpaw was in terrible danger. Firepaw shook himself, trying to clear his head. There was only one thing to do—he must tell what he had heard to Bluestar, and somehow convince her that he was telling the truth!
第十八章
第十八章
“你在对火爪讲我怎样保护红尾吗？”
火爪顿感脖子上一阵凉意。
乌爪转过身，害怕地睁大眼睛。虎掌气势逼人地站在他们面前，龇着牙齿，脸露狰狞。
火爪跳起身面对着这位新上任的副族长，脑子飞快地转动，说：“他只是说希望你也能一直在这里好好照顾狮心，就这些！”
虎掌的目光在两只猫间来回移动，然后他默不做声地走开了。乌爪眼里满是恐惧，身子开始不由自主地颤抖起来。
火爪提醒他说：“乌爪！”
但乌爪没有抬头看他一眼，他低着头，溜回到灰爪身边坐下，瘦弱的身躯紧贴灰爪毛茸茸的身体，似乎忽然之间变得很冷。
火爪无助地看着围在狮心旁边的两位朋友，不知道还能做些什么。他走过去坐在他们身旁，准备守夜。
月过中天，一些猫纷纷过来加入守夜的队伍中。营地开始恢复宁静，蓝星走过来，没有说话，在离狮心稍远的地方坐了下来。她凝视着狮心的遗体，那副悲痛欲绝的神情令火爪不忍再看。
黎明时分，一群老年猫将狮心的遗体送往墓地。在墓地里，灰爪帮着挖了一个土坑，那是这位伟大的武士将要长眠之处。
火爪伸伸懒腰打了个哈欠，只觉得骨头里都是冷的。树叶又快要凋落了，森林里雾气笼罩，透过枝叶，火爪看见玫瑰色的天空。他目送灰爪和老年猫们消失在结满露水的灌木丛里。
乌爪站起来匆匆忙忙赶回学徒巢穴。火爪缓缓跟在后面。当他回到巢穴时，乌爪尾巴卷到前面盖住鼻子，似乎睡着了。
火爪累得一句话都不想说，他拱进窝里，很快就进入了梦乡。
“快醒醒！”
火爪听到巢穴门口处乌爪在叫他。他睁开眼睛，发现乌爪已经醒了，正竖着耳朵坐在门口。灰爪就睡在他身边。火爪有些惊讶，因为他根本不知道灰爪是什么时候埋葬完狮心回来的。
尘爪对他们说：“蓝星要召开会议了。”说着他冲出巢穴。
三个学徒爬出巢穴。太阳都已经出来了，天气依然很凉。火爪缩了缩肩膀，肚子咕咕作响。他记不起最后一顿饭是什么时候吃的，不知道今天还用不用出去打猎。
火爪、灰爪和乌爪急匆匆地赶往高岩下的会议场。
虎掌正站在蓝星身边讲话：“在最近的战斗中，我们的族长又失去了一条命。如今，她只剩下九条命里的四条了。我准备指派几名贴身保镖，时刻不离族长左右。除非保镖在场，任何猫都不准接近族长。”他琥珀色的眼睛瞟了一眼乌爪，然后转向大家。“黑条和长尾，”他瞅着这两名武士继续说，“由你们负责蓝星的保卫工作。”
黑条和长尾一本正经地点点头，坐得更直了。
在虎掌大声下达命令的时候，蓝星开始讲话了，她的声音柔和而平静：“谢谢你的忠心，虎掌，但我必须同我的族群在一起。任何猫都不要对我敬而远之，无论保镖们在场与否，我都非常乐意同你们任何一位交谈。”她瞥了眼虎掌，继续说：“正如武士守则所说，整个族群的安危比任何个体都更重要。”她顿了顿，蓝色的眼睛在火爪身上稍作停留，“现在，我正式邀请黄牙加入我们雷族。”
一些武士发出惊呼。蓝星看了看霜毛，霜毛点点头表示赞同，其他的母猫则默不做声。
蓝星继续说：“昨天晚上，黄牙用行动证明了她的勇敢和忠诚。如果她愿意，我们欢迎她真正成为我们族群中的一员。”
坐在猫群边缘的黄牙仰脸看着蓝星，说：“这是我的荣幸，蓝星。我接受您的邀请。”
蓝星说：“很好。”她的声音很坚定，似乎这总算了结了她的一桩心事。
火爪兴高采烈，喵喵叫着顶了顶灰爪。他惊奇地意识到，蓝星当众表现出对黄牙的信任，对于他来说是多么重要啊！
蓝星又说：“昨天晚上，我们成功抵御了影族的入侵，但他们的威胁仍然不可小觑。今天早上我们继续进行防御工作，边界仍要加强巡逻。我们切不可掉以轻心，以为战争已经结束了。”
虎掌翘着尾巴站起身，俯视着群猫，大声说：“当影族发动攻击时我们恰好不在。他们时机选得很准。他们怎么会知道我们的防御正处于薄弱状态呢？是不是他们在我们营地里安插了眼线呢？”
看见虎掌冷冷地盯住乌爪，火爪顿感全身冰凉。一些猫顺着虎掌的目光迷惑不解地瞅着乌爪。乌爪低头看着地面，紧张得手足无措。
虎掌继续说：“现在离太阳落山还有一段时间，我们必须集中精力重建营地。如果你们发现任何可疑的猫或事，立刻向我报告。我保证，我会为你们提供的情况进行严格的保密。”他点点头示意大家解散，然后转过身开始同蓝星说话。
众猫散会后开始在营地里忙活起来，分头处理营地的修复善后工作。
看到虎掌这般阴狠地暗示自己的徒弟背叛族群，火爪仍未从震惊中恢复过来，他喊道：“乌爪！”但乌爪充耳不闻地走开了。火爪看见他向长尾和白风讨活儿，接到活儿后他忙着去捡拾树枝以填塞围墙的漏洞。明眼人都能看出乌爪压根儿不想说什么。
灰爪说：“我们去帮帮他吧。”他目光暗淡，声音平淡而又疲惫。
火爪回答：“你去吧，我先去那边看看黄牙，不知她和黑脚干仗后有没有事。”
他在树干旁边的巢穴里找到正在想事情的黄牙。她的窝已经被移出了阴暗地。
当她看到火爪时说：“火爪，很高兴你能来。”
火爪说：“我想看看你有没有事。”
黄牙用她一贯的语气说：“形成习惯了，嗯？老习惯可比旧气味还难祛除呀。”
火爪承认说：“我想是吧。你感觉怎么样？”
黄牙说：“腿上的旧伤又复发了，不过没什么大事。”
“你怎么把黑脚打跑的？”火爪问，语气里充满了钦佩。
“黑脚身手不错，但脑子不太管用。对付你比对付他还要更吃力些。”
火爪仔细看着她的眼睛，却没有发现任何调侃的意味。
黄牙继续说：“我看着黑脚长大，他一点儿也没有变——四肢发达，头脑简单。”
火爪在她身边坐下说：“你昨晚表现得那么忠诚可靠，所以蓝星要你加入族群，丝毫没有令我感到意外。”
黄牙晃了晃尾巴，说：“也许一只真正忠诚可靠的猫应当为生他养他的族群战斗才是。”
火爪指出来说：“如果这样，我该为我的两脚兽主人战斗喽？”
黄牙赞赏地看了他一眼，说：“说得好，小伙子。看来，你总是很善于动脑筋。”
火爪想起狮心也曾如此评价过他，心里不由得一痛。他问黄牙：“你怀念影族吗？”
黄牙缓缓眨了眨眼睛，最后说：“我怀念过去的影族。”
火爪好奇地问：“是断星上台之前的影族吗？”
黄牙轻声承认说：“没错，断星改变了影族的模样。”她苦笑一声，接着说：“他是一名天生的演说家。如果他认准了，他就能使你将老鼠当成兔子。也许就因为如此，我才对他的错误毫无察觉。”她凝视着远方，陷入了沉思。
火爪突然想起在森林大会上遇见的一只猫，此时就好像已过了数月一般，他说：“我敢打赌，你绝对猜不出影族的新巫医是谁。”
他的话将黄牙从思绪中拉回现实，她说：“不会是奔鼻吧？”
“答对了！”
黄牙摇摇头说：“但他连自己的感冒都治不好啊！”
“灰爪也是这么说的！”
两只猫愉快地又说了会儿话后，火爪站起来说：“我要去休息一会儿，今天有什么需要的话叫我就行了。”
黄牙抬起头：“先别走，火爪，我听说你们在路上遭到老鼠的围攻，你没有流血吧？”
“没事，斑叶已经用金盏花帮我处理过伤口了。”
“有时金盏花对老鼠的咬伤不太有效。找一些大蒜掺进去，离营门不远就有，大蒜能拔除老鼠留下的任何毒素。不过……”她冷冰冰地补充说，“你的室友们也许并不会对我的建议领情！”
火爪说：“嘿，我领情。谢谢你，黄牙。”
“万事小心，小伙子。”黄牙看了他一会儿，然后将脸枕在前爪上，闭上眼睛。
火爪从黄牙巢穴外的灌木丛下钻了出去，直奔金雀花通道寻找野生的大蒜。太阳渐渐落山了，他听见母猫们在召唤幼崽们回来。
阴影处一个声音喝道：“你要去哪里？”那是黑条的声音。
“黄牙让我出去……”
黑条恨恨地说：“你不许听从那个无赖的话！去帮忙做些防御工作，今晚任何猫都不许离开营地！”他说着尾巴来回甩动。
火爪驯服地低下头说：“是，黑条。”他转过身用只有自己能听见的声音骂道：“脏条！”他走向营地的围墙，看见灰爪和乌爪正忙着填补围墙上的一个大窟窿。
看见火爪走过来，灰爪问：“黄牙没事吧？”
火爪说：“她没事。她说野生大蒜能治好我的伤口，在去找大蒜的路上，我遇上了黑条，他命令我待在营地里。”
灰爪说：“野生大蒜？我不介意也试一下，我的腿还在疼。”
火爪自告奋勇地说：“我能溜出去找些大蒜回来。”他对黑条不经大脑就下达的命令非常不满，很希望能瞒过他，“如果我从这个窟窿钻出去，没有谁会注意的。不过就是来回跳两次而已。”
乌爪皱起眉头，但灰爪却点头小声说：“我们来掩护你。”
火爪感激地顶了顶他，然后从围墙的那道裂口处跳了出去。
走出营地，他开始寻找大蒜。大蒜气味浓烈，很容易找到它们的位置。太阳沉降在地平线下，月亮高悬在紫罗兰色的天空中。一阵凉风拂过火爪身上的皮毛。突然，他闻到风中夹杂着一股猫的气味。他仔细嗅了嗅。是影族吗？不是，是虎掌和其他两只猫。他又嗅了嗅，是黑条和长尾！他们在这里干什么？
火爪大气都不敢出一口，小心俯卧下来，一步一步地爬过灌木丛。那三名武士站在一簇香薇丛边，相互间凑得很近。没爬几步，火爪就能够听到他们的谈话了。
虎掌说：“我的徒弟乌爪从来就不是一只忠诚可靠的猫，但我没有料到他竟会变成叛徒！”
火爪听了大为震惊，眼睛睁得大大的，毛都竖立起来。听虎掌的语气，他不光是仅仅暗示乌爪背叛了族群，而是要采取更多的手段！
黑条问：“你说乌爪在去‘母亲嘴’的途中消失了多长时间？”
虎掌阴森森地回答：“长得足够去影族的营地打个来回。”
火爪气得浑身发抖。他心想：不可能！他一直同我们在一起！
长尾说话了，声音因为过度兴奋而有些发颤：“他一定是向敌人通风报信，说雷族的族长和最厉害的武士离开了营地。否则他们怎么会在此时攻击我们呢？”
虎掌的声音突然变得像天鹅绒般柔和，说：“我们是最后反抗影族的族群，族群内不能出任何乱子。”说完，他等着黑条和长尾的反应。
黑条说话了，声音急切，就像他仍然是虎掌的学徒，在狩猎技巧课上抢着回答师父的提问一般。他的话令火爪害怕得喘不过气：“如果没有乌爪这样的叛徒，族群里就不会出乱子了。”
“不得不说我同意你的看法，黑条，”虎掌加重语气说，“尽管他是我的徒弟。”他的声音戛然而止，似乎因过于痛心而说不下去了。
此时火爪已听清了他们所有的意图，他将野生大蒜的事抛诸脑后，转身飞快地赶回营地。
他决定先不告诉乌爪这件事，乌爪会被吓坏的。火爪脑子飞快地转动着。他该怎么办？虎掌是族群里的副族长，一名伟大的武士，深受族员的拥护，没有哪只猫会听他这个学徒对虎掌的指控。但乌爪危在旦夕啊。火爪晃晃脑袋，清理一下自己的思路。眼下只有一件事情可做——他必须把听到的事告诉蓝星，无论如何也要使她相信自己说的每句话都千真万确！
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 19
Graypaw and Ravenpaw were still patching the holewhen Firepaw reached them. They had left a gap just wide enough for him to squeeze back through.
“No luck with the garlic,” Firepaw panted as he slipped in. “Darkstripe’s prowling around out there.”
“Never mind,” mewed Graypaw. “We can get some tomorrow.”
“I’ll go and get you some poppy from Spottedleaf,” Firepaw offered. He was worried by the dull look in his friend’s eyes, and the way his muscles seemed stiff with pain.
“No, don’t worry,” mewed Graypaw. “I’ll be fine.”
“It’s no trouble,” Firepaw insisted, and before Graypaw could argue, he bounded off toward Spottedleaf’s den.
She was pacing her small clearing, her eyes clouded with unhappiness.
“Are you okay?” Firepaw asked.
“The spirits of StarClan are restless. I think they are trying to tell me something,” she replied, flicking her tail uneasily. “What can I do for you?”
“I think Graypaw could do with some poppy seeds for his leg,” Firepaw explained. “His rat bites are still hurting him.”
“The pain of losing Lionheart will make his injuries feel worse. But he’ll mend in time; don’t worry. In the meantime, you’re right, poppy seeds will help.” Spottedleaf went into her den and brought out a dried poppy head. She placed it carefully on the ground. “Just shake out one or two and give them to him,” she meowed.
“Thanks,” Firepaw mewed. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Go and see to your friend,” answered Spottedleaf, avoiding his gaze.
Firepaw picked up the poppy head between his teeth and began to walk away.
“Wait,” Spottedleaf hissed suddenly.
Firepaw spun around expectantly and met her tawny gaze. Her eyes burned back at him.
“Firepaw,” she hissed. “StarClan spoke to me moons ago, before you joined the Clan. I sense they want me to tell you this now. They said only fire can save our Clan.”
Firepaw stared at Spottedleaf, mystified.
The strange passion faded from her eyes. “Take care, Firepaw,” she meowed in her normal voice, and turned away.
“See you,” Firepaw replied uncertainly. He padded back through the fern tunnel. Her strange words were echoing in his mind, but he could not make sense of them. Why had she shared them with him? Surely fire was an enemy to all who lived in the forest. He shook his head in frustration, and bounded over to the apprentices’ den.
“Graypaw!” Firepaw hissed into the ear of his sleeping friend. They’d been allowed to rest all morning, after working on repairs for most of the night. Tigerclaw had ordered them to be ready to begin training at sunhigh. The strong yellow light filtering through to the den told Firepaw it was already near that now.
He’d had a restless night. Dreams swirled through his mind each time he fell asleep, confusing and indistinct, but full of darkness and menace.
“Graypaw!” Firepaw hissed again. But his friend did not stir. He’d eaten two of the poppy seeds before he’d slept, and now he was in a deep slumber.
“Are you awake, Firepaw?” Ravenpaw mewed from his nest.
Firepaw spat silently under his breath. He had wanted to talk to Graypaw before Ravenpaw awoke.
“Yes!” he replied.
Ravenpaw sat up in his bed of moss and heather and began to wash with quick flicks of his tongue. “Are you going to wake him?” he asked, nodding toward Graypaw.
A deep voice growled outside their den. “I hope so! Training is about to start.”
Firepaw and Ravenpaw jumped.
“Graypaw, wake up!” Firepaw poked his friend with one paw. “Tigerclaw is waiting!”
Graypaw lifted his head. His eyes were still heavy with sleep.
“Are you ready yet?” called Tigerclaw.
Firepaw and Ravenpaw crept out of the den, blinking as they emerged into the sunlight.
The deputy was sitting beside the tree stump. “Is the other one coming?” he asked.
“Yes,” Firepaw replied, feeling defensive on behalf of his friend. “He’s only just woken up.”
“Training will do him good,” growled Tigerclaw. “He’s grieved for long enough.”
Firepaw held the menacing amber gaze for a few moments. Warrior and apprentice, for a heartbeat their eyes were locked as enemies.
Graypaw scrambled sleepily out of the den.
“Bluestar will be ready for you in a moment, Firepaw,” announced Tigerclaw. The words distracted Firepaw from his anger. His first training session with Bluestar! Excitement surged through him. He had expected his wounded mentor to be resting still.
“Graypaw,” continued Tigerclaw, “you can join my training session. Do you think you’re up to it, Ravenpaw?” He glowered at his apprentice. “After all, you got some pretty nasty nettle stings while the rest of us were fighting those rats.”
Ravenpaw looked at the ground. “I’m fine,” he mewed.
Graypaw and Ravenpaw followed the deputy out of the camp entrance. Ravenpaw’s head hung low as he disappeared through the gorse tunnel.
Firepaw sat and waited for Bluestar. She did not keep him long. The gray queen emerged from her den and padded across the clearing. Her fur was still matted in places where her wounds were fresh, but she betrayed no pain in her confident stride. “Come,” she called to him.
Firepaw noticed with surprise that she was alone. Darkstripe and Longtail were nowhere to be seen. A thought occurred to him and suddenly his excitement was tinged with anxiety—here was an opportunity to tell Bluestar what he had overheard last night.
He caught up with her as she headed for the gorse tunnel and fell in step behind her. “Will your guards be joining us?” he asked hesitantly.
Bluestar replied without looking back, “I’ve ordered Darkstripe and Longtail to help with the camp repairs. Securing ThunderClan’s base is our first priority.”
Firepaw’s heartbeat quickened. He would tell her about Ravenpaw as soon as they left camp.
The two cats followed the trail to the training hollow. The path was strewn with freshly fallen golden leaves that rustled beneath their paws. Firepaw’s mind raced as he searched for suitable words. What should he tell his leader? That Tigerclaw was plotting to get rid of his apprentice? And what would he say when Bluestar asked him why? Could he bring himself to say out loud that he suspected Tigerclaw had killed Redtail? Even though he had no evidence beyond Ravenpaw’s excited storytelling at the Gathering?
By the time they reached the sandy hollow, Firepaw had still not spoken. The hollow was empty.
“I asked Tigerclaw to hold his training session in another part of the forest today,” Bluestar explained as she padded into the center of the hollow. “I want to concentrate on your fighting skills, and I want youto concentrate on them too—which means no distractions.”
I must tell her now, thought Firepaw. She needs to know about the danger Ravenpaw is in.His paws prickled with anxiety. I won’t have another chance like this….
Sudden movement flashed in the corner of his eye. A swish of gray whirled past his nose, and Firepaw fell forward as his forepaws were knocked lightly from underneath him. He staggered, regained his balance, and spun around to see Bluestar sitting calmly beside him. “Do I have your attention now?” she growled.
“Yes, Bluestar. Sorry!” he replied hastily, looking into her blue eyes.
“That’s better. Firepaw, you have been with us for many moons now. I have watched you fight. With the rats you were quick; with the ShadowClan warriors you were fierce. You outwitted Graypaw on that very first day we met, and you defeated Yellowfang with your cleverness too.” She paused, then lowered her voice to an intense hiss. “But one day you will meet an opponent who is all of these things as well—quick and fierce and clever. It’s my duty to prepare you for that day.”
Firepaw nodded, completely caught up in her words. His senses were fully alert. All thoughts of Ravenpaw and Tigerclaw had disappeared, and the musty odors and tiny noises of the forest rushed in upon him.
“Let’s see how you fight,” Bluestar ordered. “Attack me.”
Firepaw looked at her, sizing her up and wondering the best way to begin. Bluestar was standing less than three rabbit lengths away. She was twice his size, so it would be a waste of effort to begin with the usual paw swipes and wrestling. But if he could leap straight onto her back with a powerful enough jump, he might be able to unbalance her. She hadn’t taken her piercing blue eyes off him for an instant. Firepaw stared back and leaped.
He had aimed to land squarely on her shoulders, but Bluestar was ready for him. She dropped swiftly into a crouch. As Firepaw hit her, she rolled onto her back. Instead of landing on her shoulders he found himself crashing down toward her upturned belly. She caught him with all four paws and flung him easily away from her. Firepaw felt he had been bundled away like a bothersome kit. He hit the dusty ground hard and lay winded for a moment before he scrambled to his feet.
“Interesting strategy, but your eyes betrayed where you were aiming,” growled Bluestar as she stood up and shook off the dust from her thick coat. “Now, try again.”
This time Firepaw looked at her shoulders but aimed for her paws. When Bluestar dropped to the ground he would hit her as she crouched. Firepaw felt a rush of satisfaction as he leaped, but it turned to confusion as Bluestar unexpectedly sprang into the air and let him crash into the ground where she had stood just a heartbeat before. She timed it perfectly—as he landed, she thundered down on top of him, squashing the breath out of him.
“Now try something I don’t expect,” she hissed into his ear, climbing off him and backing away with a challenging gleam in her eyes.
Firepaw scrambled up, panting, and shook himself crossly. Even Yellowfang had not been so tricky. He hissed and leaped again. This time, as he flew at Bluestar, he stretched out his forepaws. She reared up on her hind legs and used her forepaws to twist him away. As he felt himself slipping, Firepaw scrabbled with his hind paws in the sand, but it was too late and he flopped heavily onto his side.
“Firepaw,” Bluestar meowed calmly, as once more he struggled to his paws, “you’re strong and quick, but you must learn to keep control of your speed and body weight so that it’s not so easy for me to unbalance you. Try again.”
Firepaw backed away, hot, dusty, and out of breath. Frustration raged through him. He was determined to get the better of his mentor this time. Slowly he crouched and began to creep toward Bluestar. She mirrored his crouch and hissed into his face as he approached. He raised a paw and swiped at her left ear. She ducked to avoid his strike and reared up, towering over him. Quickly Firepaw rolled onto his back, slithered beneath her body, and in one fast movement kicked both his back legs upward into her belly. Bluestar was flung backward and fell onto the sandy earth with a loud grunt.
Firepaw flipped himself over and leaped to his paws. He felt jubilant. Then he saw Bluestar lying in the dirt, and for the first time remembered her wounds. Had he reopened them? He dashed to her side and stared down at her. To his relief her eyes glinted proudly back at him.
“That was much better,” she puffed. She stood and shook herself. “Now it’s my turn.”
She sprang at him, knocking him to the ground, then retreated and let him pick himself up before leaping again. Firepaw braced himself, but she bowled him over easily again.
“Look at my size, Firepaw! Don’t try to stand up against my attack. Use your wits. If you are fast enough to avoid me, then avoid me!”
Firepaw scrabbled to his feet again, preparing for her attack. This time he didn’t dig his paws into the soft ground, but stood lightly, keeping his weight on his toes. As Bluestar flew toward him, he hopped neatly out of her path, reared up onto his hind legs, and, with his forepaws, pushed her flying body onward past him.
Bluestar landed gracefully on all four paws and turned. “Excellent! You learn quickly,” she purred. “But that was an easy move. Let’s see how you deal with this one.”
They trained until sunset. Firepaw heaved a sigh of relief when he heard Bluestar meow, “That’s enough for today.” She seemed a little tired and stiff but she still leaped easily out of the sandy hollow.
Firepaw scrambled after her. His muscles were aching and his head spinning with all he had learned. As they trekked together back through the trees, he couldn’t wait to tell Graypaw and Ravenpaw about this training session. And it wasn’t until they reached the camp boundary that Firepaw realized he’d forgotten to tell Bluestar about Ravenpaw.
第十九章
第十九章
火爪回来时，灰爪和乌爪仍在修补那个窟窿。他们留下一道口子专门供火爪钻进。
火爪钻进来气喘吁吁地说：“真倒霉，没找到大蒜。黑条在那附近来回巡视。”
灰爪说：“没关系，我们明天再去找些来。”
看见他的朋友目光暗淡，肌肉因疼痛而僵硬，火爪很是心疼。他自告奋勇地说：“我去找斑叶帮你拿些罂粟籽。”
灰爪说：“不用了，别担心，我没事。”
火爪坚持说：“不麻烦。”说完未等灰爪多说，他便奔向斑叶的巫医巢穴。
斑叶正在巫医巢穴前的空地上走来走去，眼里笼罩着一层阴云。
火爪问：“你没事吧？”
斑叶不安地晃着尾巴回答说：“星族的灵魂一直在我脑海里闪现，我猜他们可能想告诉我什么事情。我能为你做些什么？”
火爪解释说：“我想灰爪可能需要些罂粟籽，老鼠咬在他腿上的伤口仍然很疼。”
“狮心的死比伤口给他带来的痛苦更大。别担心，他会好的。不过，你说得没错，罂粟籽对他会有所帮助。”
她进巫医巢穴拿了一个晒干的罂粟球出来，小心谨慎地放在地上说：“只需要摇出一两粒给他吃就行了。”
火爪说：“多谢。你真的没事吗？”
斑叶避开他的目光，回答说：“去照顾你的朋友吧。”
火爪叼起罂粟球正要走开。
斑叶突然叫住他：“等一等。”
火爪期待地转过身，看着她琥珀色的眼睛。斑叶与他对视，眼睛里像燃烧着火。
“火爪，”她低声说，“几个月前，那时你还没有来到雷族，星族对我说了些话。我感觉他们想让我现在告诉你。他们说只有火能拯救我们的族群。”
火爪不可思议地注视着她。
她的眼睛里闪现出一种奇怪的激情，用一贯的语调说：“保重，火爪。”说完她转身离开。
火爪迷惑地应声说：“再见。”他穿过香薇通道，脑海里回荡着斑叶那些奇怪的话，但却完全摸不着边际。为什么她要将星族的话告诉他？谁都知道，火是森林里所有动物的敌人。他沮丧地摇了摇头，一路跑回学徒巢穴。
“灰爪！”火爪在熟睡的灰爪耳边唤道。在工作了大半夜后，他们今天能够睡一上午。
虎掌命令他们在中午时训练。照射进巢穴里的阳光使火爪知道现在就要到中午了。
他整晚上都没有睡好觉。每当他熟睡的时候，就不停地做梦，什么梦记不清，但可以肯定的是，梦里充满了黑暗和威胁。
火爪又叫：“灰爪！”但灰爪丝毫不见动静。他在睡觉前吃了两粒罂粟籽，现在正睡得一塌糊涂呢。
只听乌爪说：“你醒了吗，火爪？”
火爪暗暗骂了一声。他本想在乌爪睡醒前和灰爪好好谈谈的。
“是的！”他回答说。
乌爪从苔藓床铺上坐起，开始飞快地舔梳自己。“你要叫醒他吗？”他朝灰爪点点头问。
巢穴外响起一声低吼：“全体集合！训练马上就要开始了。”
火爪和乌爪一下子跳起来。
火爪用爪子戳着灰爪说：“灰爪，快醒醒！虎掌在等我们！”
灰爪仰起脸，一副睡眼惺忪的样子。
虎掌叫道：“你们准备好了吗？”
火爪和乌爪爬出巢穴，阳光刺得他们直眨眼睛。
虎掌就坐在树桩旁边，问：“另一个也来吗？”
火爪回答：“是的。”为了袒护自己的朋友，他又说：“他刚醒。”
虎掌喝道：“训练对他有好处。他悲伤的时间够长了。”
火爪盯了一会儿那双琥珀色的眼睛。武士和学徒，那一瞬间，他们就像一对敌人般对视着。
灰爪睡意浓浓地摇摇晃晃爬出巢穴。
虎掌对火爪说：“蓝星在准备给你上课。”他的话使火爪忘记了愤怒。蓝星给他上的第一堂训练课！兴奋之情顿时涌遍火爪全身。他原以为蓝星还在养伤。
虎掌继续说：“灰爪，你来我的训练课堂吧。你能上训练课吗，乌爪？”他冲乌爪呵斥：“毕竟，在我们和那些老鼠战斗的时候，你却恰好被该死的荨麻扎了几下。”
乌爪低头瞅着地下说：“我没事。”
灰爪和乌爪跟随副族长走出营门。乌爪的头垂得很低，渐渐消失在金雀花通道中。
火爪坐着等蓝星。没过多久，便见蓝星出现在巢穴门口经过会场走来。由于伤口未愈，她身上毛并不光滑柔顺，而是成团结缠在一起。但从她自信的步伐中根本瞧不出她正身处煎熬之中。蓝星召唤他说：“走吧。”
黑条和长尾并没有跟随在她左右，这一点令火爪感到惊讶。一个念头突然闯进他的脑海里，顿时使他激动不已——这就是一个告诉蓝星他昨晚偷听到的事情的绝好机会。
这时蓝星正朝金雀花通道走去，火爪几步撵上，稍作犹豫后问：“你的保镖和我们一起训练吗？”
蓝星连头都没有回，说：“我已经命令黑条和长尾去协助进行防御工作了。保证雷族安全工事的万无一失是头等大事。”
火爪心跳加剧，他准备一走出营门，就把乌爪的事情告诉蓝星。
两只猫沿路来到训练沙坑。路上铺满了新掉的金色落叶，走在上面沙沙作响。火爪脑子在不停转动，寻找合适的词汇。他该怎么对族长说呢？就说虎掌密谋除掉他自己的学生吗？如果蓝星问他原因他该说什么呢？难道就凭乌爪在森林大会上讲的故事，便空口白牙地说他怀疑红尾是虎掌杀死的吗？
直到他们到达沙坑，火爪都没有开口。除了他们两个，沙坑里没有别的猫。
蓝星走进沙坑中央，解释说：“我让虎掌今天在森林里另选地方上课。我想一心一意地训练你的格斗技巧，并且我希望你也能一心一意地训练——就是说不要胡思乱想。”
火爪心想：我必须现在就告诉她，她需要清楚乌爪面临的危险。他的爪子有些颤抖——再也没有这么好的机会了！
突然他眼角余光处一晃，一团灰影嗖的一声从鼻子前擦过，他只觉前爪被什么东西一撩，身子便向前冲去。他跌跌撞撞好不容易站稳脚步，扭头一瞧，看见蓝星静静地站在身边，冲自己呵斥道：“现在注意听讲了吗？”
火爪注视着蓝星，赶紧说：“是，蓝星。对不起！”
“这还差不多。火爪，你已经和我们在一起生活了几个月了。我看过你格斗。在同那些老鼠们打仗时你表现敏捷，在同影族战斗时你表现勇猛。在我们第一次相遇那天，你利用智谋瞒过灰爪，并且也用同样的手段打败了黄牙。”她顿了顿，然后压低声音凝重地说，“但是终有一天你将遇上一名具备所有这些品质的对手——敏捷、凶猛和富有智慧，我的责任就是帮助你为那一天的到来作准备。”
火爪点点头，完全明白她话中的含义。他全部的神经都被调动起来，所有关于乌爪和虎掌的想法都被抛诸脑后，泥土的气味和森林里的细微动静立刻变得清晰起来。
蓝星命令他：“让我看看你是怎样进行战斗的，朝我出手吧。”
火爪盯着她上下打量，寻找最佳的攻击方位。蓝星就在离他不到三步远的地方。她的个头是他的两倍，因此如果用常用的那种挥爪横扫和纠缠扭打的方法只能是白费力气。但如果他能用力直接跳到她的背上，就能使她失去平衡。蓝星那双蓝眼睛紧盯着火爪，丝毫不敢松懈。火爪用目光回敬，纵身跃起。
他原本是瞄着蓝星的肩膀处降落的，但蓝星早已料到这一招。她身体猛然一俯，成蜷伏姿势。当火爪飞临头顶时，蓝星一个倒地翻身。这一下，火爪并没有如期落在她的背上，而是向她的肚皮撞去。蓝星四爪擒住他，不费吹灰之力就将他甩了出去。火爪感觉自己在蓝星面前就像一个笨拙的幼崽那样束手束脚。他重重地摔在坚硬的灰土地上，两眼直冒金星，摇摇晃晃着站了起来。
蓝星站起身抖落身上的灰土，大声喝道：“很有趣的策略，但是你眼睛瞄着的方向暴露了你的攻击意图。现在，再试一次。”
这一回火爪的目标是她的爪子，却假装看她的肩膀。这样，在蓝星趴下俯卧在地时他就可趁机上前出击。当火爪跳起的一瞬间心里不禁十分得意，但不料情势急转直下，蓝星出人意料地跃到半空令他扑了个空。她时机算得恰到好处——就在火爪落地的同时，蓝星以迅雷不及掩耳之势落在火爪背上，压得他喘不过气来。
“用些我猜不到的招数。”她在火爪耳边说着，从他背上下来站开几步，眼里充满着挑战的目光。
火爪摇摇晃晃站起来，喘着气，胡乱抖了抖灰土。即使是黄牙也没有这么诡计多端。
他嘴里发出低嘶再度跳起。这一回，他扑向蓝星的同时将前爪展开。蓝星后腿弯曲用前爪一拨，火爪顿时从她身边擦过。他落地时后爪用力抓住地面，但为时已晚，他身子一歪重重摔倒在地。
等火爪挣扎着站立起来，蓝星平静地说：“火爪，你身强体壮，行动敏捷，但你必须学会控制好自己的速度和身体的重心，这样，我才不会轻易地让你失去平衡。再来试试。”
火爪向后退开，燥热不堪，浑身灰土，大口喘着气，一种沮丧的感觉袭上心头。他决定这一次要让师父尝尝他的厉害。他慢慢俯下身体，朝蓝星匍匐过去。随着他的靠近，蓝星也依模依样地俯下身子，冲着他发出低嘶。她低头避开火爪的攻击，后腿用力蹬出，身体朝他压过来。火爪飞快地在地上打个滚，从她身下躲了过去。说时迟那时快，他的后腿猛力踹向蓝星的肚子。蓝星一声惨叫，向后飞出摔倒在沙地上。
火爪翻过身跳起来站稳脚步，大喜过望。接着他看见蓝星躺在地上，这才第一次记起她的伤势。伤口裂开了吗？他冲到蓝星身边低头探视。看见蓝星正嘉许地看着他，火爪这才放下心来。
蓝星喘着气说：“这次好多了。”她站起身抖抖灰土，说：“现在轮到我了。”
她朝火爪扑来，将他撞飞在地，然后让火爪稍稍休息一下就再次扑过去。火爪弓起身子，但蓝星轻而易举就让他跌了个狗吃屎。
“我的块头可比你大，火爪！不要试图站着抵挡我的攻击。用用脑子，如果你能快到可以避开我的攻击，就不要硬来！”
火爪再次挣扎着爬起来，准备迎接蓝星的新一轮攻击。这一次，他没有将爪子插进松软的地面里，而是轻轻站立，让重量都集中在脚趾上。当蓝星扑来时，他后腿一蹬，轻轻跃起，避开锋芒，让她从身边飞过。
蓝星四脚着地，姿态优雅。她转过身，大声夸赞：“太漂亮了！你学得很快。但刚才那个只是小儿科，看你怎么应付这个。”
他们一直训练到日落。当听到蓝星说“今天就到这里”的时候，火爪重重舒了口气。蓝星显得有些疲倦和僵硬，但她仍能轻松跳出沙坑。两只猫拖着疲惫的脚步走进树林，火爪等不及要告诉灰爪和乌爪这次训练的过程。直到他们走到营地的围墙边，火爪这才想起他忘了告诉蓝星关于乌爪的事情。
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 20
By the time Firepaw returned,the camp was starting to look a little better. Parties of cats had clearly been patching and repairing continuously throughout the day. Frostfur and Goldenflower were still busy fortifying the nursery walls, but the outer wall looked solid and secure once more.
Firepaw trotted across the clearing to see if there was any fresh-kill around. He passed Sandpaw and Dustpaw, who were preparing to leave in the next patrol.
“Sorry,” mewed Sandpaw, as Firepaw sniffed hopefully around the eating area. “We ate the last two mice.”
Firepaw shrugged. He would catch something for himself later. He headed back to the apprentices’ den, where Graypaw was sitting with his back resting against the tree stump, licking a forepaw.
“Where’s Ravenpaw?” Firepaw asked as he sat down.
“Not back from his task yet,” replied Graypaw. “Look at that!” He held out his paw for Firepaw to inspect. The pad was torn and bleeding. “Tigerclaw sent me fishing and I stepped on a sharp stone in the stream.”
“That looks pretty deep. You should get Spottedleaf to take a look at it,” Firepaw advised. “Where did Tigerclaw send Ravenpaw, by the way?”
“Dunno, I was up to my belly in cold water,” muttered Graypaw. He stood up and limped away toward Spottedleaf’s den.
Firepaw settled down, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the camp, and waited for Ravenpaw. After overhearing the warriors’ conversation last night, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something dreadful was going to happen to his friend. His heart lurched as he saw Tigerclaw enter the camp alone.
He waited longer. The moon was high in the sky. Surely Ravenpaw should be back by now? Firepaw found himself wishing he’d spoken to Bluestar when he’d had the chance. He could see Darkstripe and Longtail guarding her den now, and he certainly didn’t want them to overhear his concerns.
Tigerclaw had brought back fresh-kill, which he was sharing with Whitestorm outside the warriors’ den. Firepaw realized he was very hungry. Perhaps he should go and hunt—he might come across Ravenpaw outside the camp. As he wondered what to do, Firepaw saw Ravenpaw trotting through the entrance of the camp. A thrill of relief raced through him, and not just because Ravenpaw was holding fresh-kill between his teeth.
The apprentice came straight over to Firepaw and dropped the mouthful of food on the ground. “Enough for all three of us!” he mewed proudly. “And it should taste extra good—it’s from ShadowClan territory.”
Firepaw gasped. “You hunted in ShadowClan territory?”
“That was my task,” Ravenpaw explained.
“Tigerclaw sent you into enemy territory to hunt!” Firepaw could hardly believe it. “We must tell Bluestar. That was too dangerous!”
At the mention of Bluestar’s name, Ravenpaw shook his head. His eyes looked hunted and shadowed with fear. “Look, just keep quiet, okay?” he hissed. “I survived. I even caught some prey. That’s all there is to it.”
“You survived this time!” Firepaw spat.
“Shhh! Tigerclaw’s looking. Just eat your share and keep quiet!” snapped Ravenpaw. Firepaw shrugged and took a piece of the fresh-kill. Ravenpaw ate quickly, avoiding Firepaw’s eye. “Shall we save some for Graypaw?” he asked after a while.
“He went to see Spottedleaf,” Firepaw mumbled through a mouthful. “He cut his paw. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
“Well, save him whatever you want,” replied Ravenpaw, suddenly sounding worn out. “I’m tired; I need to sleep.” He stood up and pushed his way into the den.
Firepaw stayed outside, watching the rest of the camp prepare for the night. He was going to have to tell Ravenpaw what he’d overheard in the forest last night. He needed to know just how much danger he was in.
Tigerclaw was lying beside Whitestorm, sharing tongues, but with one eye fixed on the apprentices’ den. Firepaw yawned to show Tigerclaw how exhausted he was. Then he got to his paws and followed Ravenpaw inside.
Ravenpaw was asleep, but Firepaw could tell from his twitching paws and whiskers that he was dreaming. He knew it wasn’t a good dream by the tiny mewls and squeaks that Ravenpaw was making. Suddenly the black cat leaped to his paws, his eyes stretched wide in terror. His fur was standing on end, and his back was arched.
“Ravenpaw!” Firepaw meowed in alarm. “Calm down. You’re in our den. There’s only me here!”
Ravenpaw looked around wildly.
“It’s just me,” Firepaw repeated.
Ravenpaw blinked and seemed to recognize his friend. He collapsed onto his bed.
“Ravenpaw,” mewed Firepaw seriously. “There’s something you need to know. Something I heard last night when I was out looking for the wild garlic.” Ravenpaw looked away, still trembling from his dream, but Firepaw persisted. “Ravenpaw, I heard Tigerclaw telling Darkstripe and Longtail that you betrayed ThunderClan. He told them you slipped away during the trip to Mothermouth and told ShadowClan that the camp was unguarded.”
Ravenpaw spun round to face Firepaw. “But I didn’t!” he exclaimed, horrified.
“Of course you didn’t,” Firepaw agreed. “But Darkstripe and Longtail believe you did, and Tigerclaw persuaded them that they should get rid of you.”
Ravenpaw was speechless, his breath coming in gasps.
“Why would Tigerclaw want to get rid of you, Ravenpaw?” Firepaw asked gently. “He’s one of the Clan’s strongest warriors. What threat are you to him?” Firepaw suspected he already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear the truth from Ravenpaw’s own mouth. He waited while Ravenpaw fumbled for words.
At last the black apprentice crawled closer to Firepaw and whispered hoarsely into his ear, “Because the RiverClan deputy didn’t kill Redtail; Tigerclaw did.”
Firepaw nodded silently, and Ravenpaw continued, his whisper cracking with tension. “Redtail killed the RiverClan deputy—”
“So Tigerclaw didn’t kill Oakheart.” Firepaw couldn’t help interrupting.
Ravenpaw shook his head. “No, he didn’t! After Redtail had killed Oakheart, Tigerclaw ordered me back to the camp. I wanted to stay, but he yowled at me to go, so I ran into the trees. I should have carried on running, but I couldn’t leave while they were still fighting. I turned and crept back to see if Tigerclaw needed help. By the time I got near, all the RiverClan warriors had fled, leaving just Redtail and Tigerclaw. Redtail was watching the last warrior running away and Tigerclaw”—Ravenpaw paused, then gulped—“Tigerclaw j-jumped on him. He sank his teeth into the back of his neck and Redtail fell to the ground, dead. That’s when I ran. I don’t know if Tigerclaw saw me or not. I just kept running till I got back to the camp.”
“Why didn’t you tell Bluestar?” Firepaw pressed gently.
“Would she have believed me?” Ravenpaw’s eyes rolled wildly. “Do youbelieve me?”
“Of course I do,” Firepaw mewed. He licked Ravenpaw between the ears in an effort to calm and comfort his friend. He was going to have to find another opportunity to tell Bluestar about Tigerclaw’s treachery. “Don’t worry; I’ll sort it out,” he promised. “Meanwhile, make sure you stick close to me or Graypaw.”
“Does Graypaw know? About them wanting to get rid of me?”
“Not yet. But I’ll have to tell him.”
Ravenpaw settled silently onto his belly and stared ahead.
“It’s okay, Ravenpaw,” Firepaw purred, touching the skinny black body with his nose. “I’ll help you get out of this.”
Graypaw padded into the den at dawn. Sandpaw and Dustpaw had returned from their patrol a while ago and were asleep in their nests.
“Hi!” mewed Graypaw, sounding more cheerful than he had for days.
Firepaw woke at once. “You sound better,” he purred.
Graypaw licked Firepaw’s ear. “Spottedleaf put some gunk on my cut and made me lie still for hours. I must’ve fallen asleep. By the way, I hope that chaffinch out there was for me; I was starving!”
“It was. Ravenpaw caught it yesterday. Tigerclaw sent him into—”
“Shut up, you two,” growled Sandpaw. “Some of us are trying to sleep.”
Graypaw rolled his eyes. “Come on, Firepaw,” he mewed. “Brindleface has had her kits; let’s go and visit them.”
Firepaw purred with pleasure. At last, something for ThunderClan to celebrate. He looked down at Ravenpaw, who was still sleeping, and padded out of the den. With Graypaw, he trotted across the clearing toward the nursery. The rising sun made his pelt glow with warmth, and he stretched appreciatively, reveling in the suppleness of his spine and the strength in his legs.
“Stop showing off!” Graypaw called over his shoulder. Firepaw stopped stretching and bounded after his friend.
Whitestorm was sitting outside the nursery, guarding the entrance. “Have you two come to see the new kits?” he meowed as Firepaw and Graypaw approached.
Firepaw nodded.
“One at a time only, and you’ll have to wait; Bluestar’s with her now,” Whitestorm told them.
“Well, you can go first,” Firepaw offered. “I’ll go and see Yellowfang while I’m waiting.” He dipped his head respectfully to Whitestorm and headed off toward Yellowfang’s nest.
The old cat was washing behind her ears, her eyes half-closed with concentration.
“Don’t tell me you’re expecting rain!” Firepaw teased.
Yellowfang looked up. “You’ve been listening to too many elders’ tales,” she meowed. “What would be the point of a cat washing its ears if they’re only going to get rained on anyway?”
Firepaw’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “Are you going to see Brindleface’s new litter?” he asked.
Yellowfang stiffened and she shook her head. “I don’t think I’d be very welcome,” she growled.
“But they know you saved—” Firepaw began.
“A she-cat is very protective of her newborns. Especially when it’s her first litter. I think I’ll stay away,” Yellowfang replied in a tone that invited no argument.
“As you wish. But I’m going to see them. It must be a good sign, having new kits in the camp.”
Yellowfang shrugged. “Sometimes,” she muttered darkly.
Firepaw turned and trotted back to the nursery. Clouds had covered the sun, making the air turn fresher. A fierce breeze tugged at his fur and rustled the leaves around the clearing.
Bluestar was sitting outside the nursery. Behind her, Graypaw’s tail was just disappearing into the narrow entrance. “Firepaw,” she greeted him. “Have you come to see ThunderClan’s newest warriors?” The ThunderClan leader sounded tired and sad.
Firepaw was surprised. Surely the kits were good news for ThunderClan?
“Yes, I have,” he replied.
“Well, when you’ve finished, come and see me in my den.”
“Yes, Bluestar,” Firepaw mewed as she walked slowly away. He felt his fur prickle. Here was another chance to speak to Bluestar alone. Perhaps StarClan was on his side, after all.
Graypaw crawled out of the nursery entrance. “They’re really cute,” he mewed. “But I’m starving now. I’m off to find some fresh-kill. I’ll save some for you if I find any!” He blinked affectionately at Firepaw and bounded away.
Firepaw purred a good-bye and looked up at Whitestorm, who nodded his permission for him to enter the nursery. Firepaw squeezed through the tiny entrance.
Four tiny kits huddled warmly in Brindleface’s deeply lined nest. Their fur was pale gray with darker flecks, just like their mother, except for one tiny dark gray tom. They mewled and squirmed beside Brindleface’s belly, their eyes shut tight.
“How are you feeling?” Firepaw whispered to her.
“A little tired,” answered Brindleface. She looked down proudly at her litter. “But the kits are all strong and healthy.”
“ThunderClan is lucky to have them,” Firepaw purred. “I was just talking about them to Yellowfang.”
Brindleface didn’t answer, and Firepaw couldn’t miss the look of worry that flashed in her eyes as she nudged a straying kit closer to her.
Firepaw felt a tremor of anxiety in his belly. Bluestar may have accepted Yellowfang into ThunderClan, but it looked like the old cat was still not trusted by all of the Clan. He touched his nose affectionately to Brindleface’s flank, then turned and made his way out into the clearing.
The Clan leader was waiting for Firepaw at the entrance to her den. Longtail sat at her side. The pale tabby warrior stared hard at Firepaw as he approached. Firepaw ignored his gaze and looked expectantly at Bluestar.
“Come inside,” she meowed, turning to lead the way. Firepaw trotted after her. Longtail immediately stood up as if to follow them.
Bluestar looked back at him over her shoulder. “I think I’ll be safe enough with young Firepaw,” she meowed. Longtail looked uncertain for a moment, then sat down again outside the entrance.
Firepaw had never been inside Bluestar’s den. He padded after her through the lichen that draped its entrance. “Brindleface’s kits are lovely,” he purred.
Bluestar looked serious. “Lovely they may be, but they mean more mouths to feed, and the season of leaf-bare will soon be here.” Then she glanced at Firepaw, who was unable to hide his surprise at her melancholy tone. “Oh, don’t listen to me,” meowed Bluestar, shaking her head impatiently. “The first cold wind always worries me. Come; make yourself comfortable.” She tipped her head toward the dry, sandy floor.
Firepaw dropped onto his belly and stretched his paws out in front of him.
Bluestar circled slowly on her mossy nest. “I’m still aching from our training session yesterday,” she admitted when she had finally settled herself and curled her tail around her paws. “You fought well, young one.”
For once, Firepaw didn’t stop to bask in her praise. His heart was thumping. This was the perfect moment to tell his leader his fears about Tigerclaw. He lifted his chin, ready to speak.
But it was Bluestar who spoke first, staring past him at the far wall of her den. “I can still smell the stale stench of ShadowClan in the camp,” she murmured. “I hoped never to see the day when our enemy broke into the heart of ThunderClan.” Firepaw nodded in silent agreement, sensing Bluestar was going to say more.
“And so many deaths.” She sighed. “First Redtail, then Lionheart. I thank StarClan at least the warriors we have left are strong and loyal like them. At least with Tigerclaw as deputy, ThunderClan may still be able to defend itself.” Firepaw’s heart plummeted and an icy chill cut deep into him as Bluestar went on. “There was a time, when Tigerclaw was a young warrior, that I feared for the strength of his passion. Such energy can need careful channeling. But now I am proud to see how much respect the Clan has for him. I know he is ambitious, but his ambition makes him one of the bravest cats I have ever had the honor to fight alongside.”
Firepaw knew at once that he could not tell Bluestar his suspicions about Tigerclaw. Not when Bluestar looked to her deputy to protect the whole Clan. He would have to save Ravenpaw himself. He took a deep breath and blinked slowly, so that when Bluestar turned and looked directly into his eyes, no trace of his shock and disappointment remained.
Her next words were quiet and full of concern. “You know Brokenstar will return. He made it clear at the Gathering that he wants hunting rights in all the territories.”
“We fought him off once. We can do it again,” Firepaw insisted.
“That’s true,” Bluestar acknowledged with a wry nod. “StarClan will honor your courage, young Firepaw.” She paused and licked a healing wound on her side. “I think you ought to know that, in the battle with the rats, it was not my fifth life that I lost, but my seventh.”
Firepaw sat bolt upright, shocked.
Bluestar went on. “I have let the Clan believe it was my fifth because I don’t want them to fear for my safety. But two more lives, and I will have to leave you to join StarClan.”
Firepaw’s mind was racing. Why was she telling him this? “Thank you for sharing this with me, Bluestar,” he purred respectfully.
Bluestar nodded. “I am tired now,” she rasped. “Off you go. And Firepaw, I don’t expect you to repeat this conversation to anyone.”
“Of course, Bluestar,” Firepaw replied as he nosed his way out through the curtain of lichen.
Longtail was still sitting by the entrance. Firepaw stepped past him and made his way toward his den. He didn’t know which part of his conversation with Bluestar had been more bewildering.
He was stopped in his tracks by a yowl of horror coming from the nursery. Frostfur came sprinting into the clearing, her tail bristling and her eyes wide with alarm. “My kits! Someone has taken my kits!”
Tigerclaw bounded over to her. He called to the Clan, “Quick, search the camp! Whitestorm, stay where you are. Warriors, patrol the camp boundary. Apprentices, search every den!”
Firepaw rushed to the nearest den, the warriors’, and pushed his way inside. It was empty. He scrabbled through the bedding with his paws but there was neither sight nor scent of Frostfur’s kits.
He charged outside and headed for his own den. Ravenpaw and Graypaw were already inside, pushing aside their nests, sniffing every corner. Dustpaw and Sandpaw were searching the elders’ den. Firepaw left them to it and charged from one clump of grass to another, pushing his muzzle into them, ignoring the nettles that stung his nose. There was no sign of the kits anywhere. He looked around the camp boundary. Warriors paced backward and forward, urgently sniffing the air.
Suddenly Firepaw spotted Yellowfang in the distance. She was pushing her way through an unguarded part of fern wall. She must have found a scent, he thought, and raced toward her as her tail disappeared into the greenery. By the time he arrived at the fern wall, she had gone. He sniffed the air. No kit-scent, just the bitter smell of Yellowfang’s fear. What was she afraid of? Firepaw wondered
Tigerclaw’s yowl sounded from the bushes behind the nursery. All the cats raced over to him, headed by Frostfur. They crowded as closely as they could, jostling to see through the dense undergrowth. Firepaw nosed his way forward and saw Tigerclaw standing over a motionless bundle of dappled fur.
Spottedleaf!
Firepaw stared in disbelief at her lifeless body. Fury rose in him like a dark cloud, and he felt the blood roaring in his ears. Who had done this?
Bluestar stepped through the crowd and leaned over the medicine cat. “She has been killed by a warrior blow,” she meowed softly.
Firepaw craned his neck and saw a single wound on the back of Spottedleaf’s neck. His head swam and suddenly he was unable to see clearly.
Through his grief, Firepaw heard a murmur at the back of the crowd that swelled into a single piercing yowl.
“Yellowfang is gone!”
第二十章
第二十章
火爪回营地时，营地里已经初步恢复旧貌了。整整一天，大家都在修补防御工事。霜毛和金花一直忙着加固育婴室的墙壁，在外围又多加了些荆棘以确保安全。
火爪经过会场去看附近有没有新鲜的猎物剩下。他从正要起程外出巡逻的沙爪和尘爪身边经过。
看见火爪东嗅西嗅地找寻猎物，沙爪说：“对不起喽，我们吃掉了最后两只老鼠。”
火爪耸耸肩，待会儿他能自己去捉些吃的。他回到学徒巢穴，瞧见灰爪正坐在树墩旁舔前爪。
火爪坐下问他：“乌爪在哪里？”
灰爪回答：“外出执行任务还没有回来。看这个！”他举起爪子让火爪看，只见爪垫上裂开一道口子，正在流血。“虎掌派我去捉鱼，我踩在溪水里的一块锋利的石头上了。”
火爪忠告他说：“伤口很深，你最好让斑叶检查一下。顺便问问，虎掌派乌爪去哪里了？”
“我不知道，我灌了一肚子凉水。”灰爪抱怨说，他站起来跛着脚走向斑叶的巫医巢穴。
火爪找个地方安顿下来，眼睛盯着营门等待乌爪回来。自从偷听到虎掌与黑条和长尾的谈话之后，他一直坚信将有可怕的事情发生在乌爪身上。当他看到虎掌独自进入营门时，他的心一下子缩紧了。
火爪继续等着。月亮已经高挂在夜空，乌爪还能回来吗？火爪真希望自己已经找着机会把这一切都告诉给了蓝星。如今，黑条和长尾正把守在她的巢穴门口，他当然不希望他们偷听到自己和蓝星的谈话。
虎掌带回来些新鲜的猎物，此时正与白风在武士巢穴外享用美味，火爪这才意识到自己已经饿得快不行了。也许他该出去打些猎物——在营地外还有可能撞见乌爪呢。在他考虑该做些什么的时候，乌爪出现在营门口。火爪心里的一块大石头重重地落了下来，令他意外惊喜的是，乌爪的嘴里还叼着新鲜的猎物呢。
乌爪径直朝火爪走来，将满嘴的食物放在地上，骄傲地说：“足够我们三个吃了！而且味道一定格外鲜美——这些猎物是从影族的领地里打来的。”
火爪倒吸口冷气：“你去影族的领地里打猎了？”
乌爪解释说：“那是我的任务嘛。”
火爪几乎不相信自己的耳朵：“虎掌派你去敌人的领地里打猎！我们必须告诉蓝星这件事，这太危险了！”
听到蓝星的名字，乌爪摇了摇头，他的眼睛里流露出一种束手待毙的悲伤和恐惧。他小声说：“听着，什么都别说，好吗？我并没有死，甚至还打来了猎物。就这么回事罢了。”
火爪大声说：“你只是这一次没有死！”
“嘘——虎掌看着我们哪。闭上嘴吃你那份食物吧！”乌爪责怪说。火爪耸耸肩头捡起一只猎物。乌爪大口吃着，不敢看火爪的目光，过了片刻他问：“我们给灰爪剩一些吗？”
火爪边嚼边说：“他去看医生了。他的脚被划伤了，我不知道他什么时候回来。”
“那好，不管你愿不愿意都给他剩一些吧。”乌爪回答说，他的声音突然变得很疲惫，“我累了，想睡一觉。”说着他站起来进到巢穴中。
火爪留在巢穴外面，望着营地里其他的猫在为晚上作准备。他必须把昨晚在树林里偷听到的事情告诉乌爪，乌爪需要清楚自己到底处在何等危险的境地中。
虎掌躺在白风身边，边聊天边彼此舔梳，但始终用一只眼睛盯着学徒巢穴。火爪打个哈欠装作瞌睡的样子给虎掌看，然后他站起身也走进巢穴。
乌爪已经睡着了，爪子和猫须不时抽搐两下，显然是在做梦。不过，从他发出的呜呜声来看，他做的绝不是好梦。突然，乌爪跳起身，眼睛睁得大大的，一脸惊恐的样子。他弓着背，毛发都竖立起来。
火爪赶紧说：“乌爪！镇静。你在我们的巢穴里，这里只有我在！”
乌爪四周一阵乱瞅。
火爪重复说：“只有我在。”
乌爪眨眨眼，似乎认出了火爪，又重重倒回铺里。
火爪严肃地说：“乌爪，你需要知道一些事情，这些事情是我昨晚外出寻找野生大蒜时无意中听到的。”乌爪移开目光，仍然被梦境吓得惊魂未定，但火爪继续说：“乌爪，我听到虎掌告诉黑条和长尾说你背叛了雷族。他说你在去‘母亲嘴’的路上半途溜走向影族通风报信，说我们营防空虚。”
乌爪一下子转过脸对着火爪，惊恐万分地喊道：“但我没有！”
火爪说：“你当然没有。但是黑条和长尾相信你做了，并且虎掌劝服他们将你除掉。”
乌爪张口结舌，呼吸开始变得粗重。
火爪温和地问：“虎掌为什么要除掉你，乌爪？他是族群里最厉害的武士之一，你哪一点威胁到他了？”这个答案对火爪来说几乎是呼之欲出，但他仍想从乌爪的嘴里听到真相。
他耐心等着，乌爪开始结结巴巴地说话了。
他挨近火爪，凑到火爪的耳边说：“因为红尾并不是被河族的副族长杀的，他是被虎掌杀死的。”
火爪无声地点点头，乌爪的声音紧张得发抖，继续说：“红尾杀死了河族的副族长……”
火爪忍不住打断他说：“所以橡心并不是虎掌杀的。”
乌爪摇摇头：“是的，虎掌没有杀他！红尾杀了橡心后，虎掌命令我返回营地。我想留下来，但他冲我大吼大叫让我走，所以我就跑到树林里。我原本该直接跑回营地的，但他们在战斗，我又怎么能离开呢？我转身爬了回去，想看看虎掌是否需要帮助。就在我靠近的时候，所有河族的武士都逃得无影无踪了，只剩下虎掌和红尾两个。红尾只顾瞅着最后逃跑的河族武士，而虎掌……”乌爪顿了顿，深吸了口气，“虎掌扑到红尾身上，一口咬住了他的脖子，于是红尾就倒在地上，死了。那时我赶紧往回跑。我不知道虎掌有没有发现我，我只是不停地一直跑回到营地。”
火爪温和地说：“为什么你不告诉蓝星呢？”
乌爪的眼睛一阵乱转：“她会相信我吗？你又相信我吗？”
火爪说：“我当然相信你。”他舔了舔乌爪双耳间的毛想让自己的朋友平静下来。他必须另找机会将虎掌背信弃义的行为告知给蓝星。“放宽心，我会让真相大白于天下的。”他保证说，“同时，千万要同我或者灰爪寸步不离。”
“灰爪知道吗？就是他们要除掉我的这件事？”
“还不知道，不过我会告诉他的。”
乌爪默默地趴在地上凝视着前方。
火爪用鼻子触了触他瘦弱的身躯，说：“没事的，乌爪，我会帮你摆脱困境的。”
天拂晓时灰爪才回到巢穴。沙爪和尘爪早已外出巡逻归来，此刻正酣然入睡。
“嘿！”灰爪说，声音听起来是这些天最开朗的了。
火爪立刻醒来，说：“听起来你心情挺好。”
灰爪舔了舔火爪的耳朵说：“斑叶涂了些油乎乎的东西在我的伤口上，使我安安静静地睡了几个小时。我一定是睡得很死。顺便说一下，我希望那只苍头燕雀是留给我的，我快饿死了。”
“是留给你的，那是昨天乌爪捉回来的。虎掌派他去……”
沙爪大声呵斥说：“闭嘴，你们两个，我们正在睡觉呢。”
灰爪眼珠子一转，说：“走，火爪。纹脸生小孩了，我们去看看幼崽们。”
火爪高兴地应了一声。毕竟，雷族还有些事是值得庆祝的。他低头瞧了瞧乌爪，见他仍未睡醒，于是走出巢穴，和灰爪一道经过会场向育婴室走去。阳光照在身上暖洋洋的，火爪惬意地伸了个懒腰，陶醉在身段的轻柔和四肢的力量中。
灰爪扭头大声说：“别臭美了！”火爪停止舒展身体，快步跟在灰爪身后。
白风赫然坐在育婴室的外面守卫着入口，看见火爪和灰爪到来，他说：“你们两个来看新生的幼崽吗？”
火爪点点头。
白风告诉他们说：“一次只能进去一个，你们得等一会儿。蓝星正在里面。”
火爪主动说：“好吧，你先去吧。趁着等候的时间，我去看看黄牙。”他尊敬地朝白风低了下头，转身向黄牙的巢穴走去。
黄牙正在舔梳耳朵后的毛，眯缝着眼睛，完全沉醉于其中。
火爪开玩笑说：“别告诉我你期待着一场雨。”
黄牙抬起头说：“你听太多老年猫们讲的故事了。如果有一只猫舔梳自己的耳朵只是因为他刚被雨淋湿了，那又怎么说？”
火爪乐呵呵地动了动猫须，问：“你去看纹脸刚生的幼崽吗？”
黄牙身体一下子变得僵硬，她摇摇头大声说：“我想我并不十分受欢迎。”
火爪说：“但他们知道你救了……”
黄牙带着不可能被说服的语气说：“母猫生怕自己刚生下的幼崽受到伤害，特别是对于那些生头一胎的母猫们来说更是如此。我想我最好敬而远之。”
“你看着办吧，不过我要去看望他们。营地里增添新幼崽，这可是个好兆头。”
黄牙耸耸肩头，忧郁地说：“有时候是吧。”
火爪离开黄牙回到育婴室。云层遮住了太阳，使空气更加凉爽。一阵凉风袭来，拂过他的皮毛，吹得树叶沙沙作响。
蓝星就坐在育婴室外面。在她身后，灰爪的尾巴一晃消失在育婴室的入口处。蓝星冲他打个招呼，声音疲倦而悲伤：“火爪，你来看雷族最年幼的武士们吗？”
他回答说：“是的，我来看看。”
“嗯，看完后到我的巢穴来一趟。”
“是，蓝星。”火爪说着目送蓝星缓缓走开。他激动得毛都竖立起来，这是又一个同蓝星单独谈话的机会，也许星族始终都是站在他这一边的。
灰爪在育婴室入口处大喊大叫：“他们太可爱了。但我现在饿得快不行了，我出去找些猎物。如果运气不错，我会给你留一份的！”他冲火爪友好地眨眨眼睛，一蹦一跳地走开了。
火爪说了声“再见”，然后抬头看白风，得到他的点头允许后，火爪挤进狭窄的入口。
在纹脸围得高高的窝内，四个小家伙正暖暖和和地挤在一起，有三只就像他们的妈妈一样，浅灰色的毛上面长着深灰色的小斑点，另外一只则是深灰色的。他们喵喵叫着拱在纹脸的肚腹下面，眼睛紧紧闭着。
火爪小声对纹脸说：“你感觉怎么样了？”
纹脸说：“有点儿累。”她低头骄傲地瞅着小乖乖们，说：“但孩子们都健康茁壮。”
火爪说：“他们的出生对雷族来说是件幸运的事。我刚才把他们出生的事告诉黄牙了。”
纹脸没有回答，火爪注意到她将一只爬开的幼崽顶回来，同时眼里闪过担忧的神色。
火爪不由得心里升起一丝焦虑。蓝星也许已经接纳黄牙进入雷族，但看情形，族里许多猫仍对这只老年猫存有不信任。他用鼻子温柔地触了触纹脸的侧腹，然后转身离去。
蓝星就在她巢穴门口处等着火爪，身边坐着长尾。看见火爪靠近，长尾盯着他，眼里射出凌厉的目光。火爪装作没有看见，而是有所期待地瞧着蓝星。
她说了句“进来吧”，转身走进巢穴。火爪跟在后面。长尾立刻站起身想要跟进来。
蓝星回头看看他说：“我认为跟小火爪在一起不会出什么事。”长尾犹豫片刻，接着背朝门口坐了下来。
火爪从没有进过蓝星的巢穴内。他跟着蓝星穿过从入口处垂下的苔藓，说：“纹脸的孩子们真讨人喜欢。”
蓝星面色凝重：“也许他们很讨人喜欢，但也意味着有更多张嘴要喂养，而且树叶凋落的季节就要来临了。”听到这么悲观的论调，火爪不由得吃了一惊。蓝星看着面露惊讶的他说：“唉，就当我没说过吧。”她不耐烦地摇摇头，“这第一股冷风总是让我感到心烦。来吧，随便坐吧。”她朝干燥的沙地略一点头。
火爪趴在沙地上舒展开身体，爪子伸到前面。
蓝星慢慢蜷伏在苔藓窝里，卷过尾巴盖住爪子，承认说：“昨天上完训练课后，我一直痛到现在。你很能打，小伙子。”
对于蓝星的褒奖，火爪还是头一回没有感到得意。他的心怦怦直跳。此刻正是说出虎掌的事情的绝好机会。他抬起头，正要说话。
但蓝星先开口说话了，她的目光经过火爪看着墙壁，喃喃道：“我仍能在营地里嗅到影族的陈旧气味，希望永远也不会看到我们的敌人直插雷族心脏的一天。”火爪默默地点点头，知道她还有更多话要说。
她叹了口气：“牺牲了这么多条生命，先是红尾，接着是狮心。多谢星族保佑，至少我们剩下的武士们和他们一样勇猛忠诚。至少有虎掌来当副族长，雷族也许能够逢凶化吉。”火爪的心一下子沉入深渊，身上像划了道冰冷的伤口。这时蓝星继续说：“曾几何时，当虎掌还是一名年轻的武士的时候，我还担心他那股激情的力量。那种力量需要善加引导。但是现在看到族群对他那么爱戴，我感到很欣慰。我知道他野心勃勃，但野心使他成为最勇敢的武士之一，能与他并肩作战我感到很荣幸。”
火爪立刻知道他不能告诉蓝星他对虎掌的疑虑。只要蓝星指望她的副族长保护整个族群，就不能说。他只能靠自己去拯救乌爪。他深深吸了口气，缓缓地眨了眨眼睛，这样，当蓝星转过头看他的眼睛时，就不会发现他眼里留存着震惊和失望的蛛丝马迹。
蓝星下面的话平静而充满忧虑：“断星还会再来的，他在森林大会上说得清清楚楚，他要得到所有领地里的狩猎权。”
火爪说：“我们打败过他们一次，这一回他们仍不能讨到便宜。”
蓝星苦笑着点头承认说：“说得好，星族会以你的勇气为荣，小火爪。”她顿了顿，舔着腹侧一处正在愈合的伤口说：“我想你应该知道这一点，在同老鼠们的那场战斗中，我失去的不是第五条生命，而是第七条。”
火爪如中雷击，惊得一下子坐起身。
蓝星继续说：“我之所以让全族都以为那是我的第五条生命，是因为我不想他们为我的安全担忧。然而，再失去两次生命，我就要离开你们去见星族了。”
火爪脑子飞转：蓝星为什么把这些告诉给他？他尊敬地低声说：“谢谢你告诉我这些，蓝星。”
蓝星点点头，哑着嗓子说：“我现在累了，你可以走了。还有，火爪，我不想你把这次谈话透露给任何人。”
“那是自然，蓝星。”火爪回答着，用鼻子顶开苔藓帘走出巢穴。
长尾仍端坐在入口处。火爪经过他身边径直走向自己的巢穴。他不知道同蓝星谈话的哪一部分更使他感到困惑。
就在他往回走的时候，从育婴室传来一声恐怖的号叫。霜毛失魂落魄地冲进会场，尾巴颤抖，双目圆睁：“我的孩子们！有人偷走了我的孩子！”
虎掌跳到她身旁，冲全族大声喊道：“快，立即搜索营地！白风，你留在原地。武士们，在营地围墙外展开巡逻。学徒们，搜查每个巢穴！”
火爪冲向最近的巢穴——武士的巢穴，一头钻进去，巢穴内空空如也。他步履蹒跚地在床铺间搜寻，但没有发现霜毛的幼崽们丝毫的影子和气味。
他走出来向自己的巢穴走去。乌爪和灰爪已经在里面了，翻开床铺，在各个角落里嗅来嗅去。沙爪和尘爪在老年猫的巢穴中搜寻。火爪任凭他们忙碌，自己从一簇草丛寻找到另一簇草丛，鼻子伸进草里，也不顾荨麻刺扎了鼻子。哪儿都没有幼崽们的踪影。他环视营地四周的围墙，武士们前后走动，急匆匆地嗅着空气。
突然，火爪的目光停留在远处黄牙的巢穴上。黄牙正钻过一处没有守卫的香薇墙。火爪心想：她一定是发现了一股气味。于是，就在黄牙的尾巴消失在香薇墙里的那一刻，他跟上前去。当他到达香薇墙的时候，黄牙已不见踪影。他嗅嗅空气，只有黄牙留下的气味，那是恐惧的气味。她在害怕什么？火爪产生疑问。
虎掌的吼声从巫医巢穴后的树丛里传来。大家赶忙跑过去看个究竟，冲在最前面的是霜毛。众猫你拥我挤紧紧挨在一起，透过茂密的灌木丛往里看。火爪好不容易挤进去，看见虎掌坐在一具长满斑纹的尸体旁边。
斑叶！
火爪看着她毫无生气的躯体，几乎不相信自己的眼睛。一团怒火如乌云般在他的心头升起，他感到热血直冲上双耳。是谁干的？
蓝星穿过猫群站在斑叶身边，声音轻弱地说：“她死于一名武士的突然袭击之下。”
火爪伸长脖子看见斑叶的颈后有一道伤口。他脑子里轰的一下，眼前的事物都变得模糊了。
悲痛之中，火爪听到猫群后响起一声厉吼。
“黄牙不见了！”
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 21
“Yellowfang has killed Spottedleaf and taken my kits!”screeched Frostfur. The other queens rushed to Frostfur’s side and tried to calm her with licks and caresses, but Frostfur pushed them away and wailed her grief to the darkening sky. As if in reply, the sky rumbled ominously and a cold wind ruffled the cats’ fur
“Yellowfang!” hissed Tigerclaw. “I always knew she was a traitor. Now we know how she managed to fight off the ShadowClan deputy. It was a setup to let her trick her way into our Clan!”
Lightning crackled overhead, punctuating Tigerclaw’s words with a glaring white flash, and a clap of thunder rolled around the woods.
Firepaw couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Dazed with grief, his mind whirled. Could Yellowfang really have killed Spottedleaf?
Above the shocked murmurings, Darkstripe meowed loudly, “Bluestar! What do you say?”
The cats fell silent as they turned to look at their leader.
Bluestar’s gaze moved across the crowd of cats, and settled finally on Spottedleaf’s body. The first drops of rain began to fall, sparkling like dewdrops on the medicine cat’s still-glossy fur.
Bluestar blinked slowly. Grief clouded her face, and for a moment Firepaw was afraid that this new death would overwhelm her. But when her eyes opened they glittered with a fierceness that showed her determination to seek revenge for this cruel attack. She lifted her head. “If Yellowfang has killed Spottedleaf and stolen Frostfur’s kits, she will be hunted down without mercy.” The crowd meowed approvingly. “But we must wait,” Bluestar went on. “There is a storm coming, and I am not prepared to risk more lives. If ShadowClan has our kits, they will come to no immediate harm. I suspect Brokenstar wants them as recruits for his own Clan, or as hostages—to force us to let him hunt in our territory. As soon as the storm has passed, a patrol will follow Yellowfang and bring back our kits.”
“We cannot waste time, or the scent will be lost in the rain!” Tigerclaw protested.
Bluestar flicked her tail impatiently. “If we send out a hunting party now, our efforts will be wasted anyway. In this weather the scent will already be lost by the time we are ready. If we wait until after the storm, we stand a better chance of success.”
There were murmurs of agreement among the Clan. Even though it was barely sunhigh, the sky was growing much darker. The cats were unsettled by the lightning and thunder, and seemed willing to listen to their leader’s advice.
Bluestar looked at her deputy. “I’d like to discuss our plans with you, please, Tigerclaw.” Tigerclaw nodded and stalked away toward Bluestar’s den, but the leader hesitated. She glanced at Firepaw, signaling with a flick of her tail and a ripple of her whiskers that she wanted to speak to him alone.
The other cats gathered around Spottedleaf and began to share tongues with her, their wails of grief sounding above the thunder. Bluestar wound her way through them and went toward the fern tunnel that led to Spottedleaf’s den.
Firepaw quietly skirted the mourning cats and followed her inside. It was very dark beneath the ferns. The storm had blotted out the morning sun so that it seemed as if night had fallen. Rain was falling more heavily now, spattering noisily against the leaves, but at least it was sheltered in Spottedleaf’s clearing.
“Firepaw,” Bluestar meowed urgently as he arrived at her side, “where is Yellowfang? Do you know?”
Firepaw hardly heard her. He couldn’t help remembering the last time he had come to this clearing. An image of Spottedleaf, trotting out of her den with her coat gleaming in the sunlight, burned in his mind, and he closed his eyes to preserve it.
“Firepaw,” snapped Bluestar, “you must save your grieving for later.”
Firepaw shook himself. “I…I saw Yellowfang go through the camp boundary after the kits went missing. Do you really think she killed Spottedleaf and took the kits?”
Bluestar gazed steadily at him. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I want you to find her and bring her back—alive. I need to know the truth.”
“You’re not sending Tigerclaw?” Firepaw couldn’t help asking.
“Tigerclaw is a great warrior, but in this case his loyalty to the Clan may cloud his judgment,” Bluestar explained. “He wants to give the Clan the vengeance it desires. No cat can blame him for that. The Clan believes Yellowfang has betrayed us, and if Tigerclaw thinks he can reassure the Clan by handing them the dead body of Yellowfang, that’s what he will do.”
Firepaw nodded. She was right—Tigerclaw would kill Yellowfang without question.
Bluestar looked stern for a moment. “If I find that Yellowfang is a traitor, then I will kill her myself. But if she is not…” Her blue eyes burned into Firepaw’s. “I will not let an innocent cat die.”
“But what if Yellowfang won’t come back?” Firepaw meowed.
“She will, if youask her.”
Firepaw felt stunned by Bluestar’s faith in him. The enormity of what she was asking him to do weighed down on him, and he wondered if he had enough courage to carry it through.
“Go at once!” she ordered. “But be careful; you will be on your own and there may be enemy patrols about. This storm will keep our own warriors in camp for a while.”
Thunder rolled overhead as Firepaw dashed out into the clearing. Rain hammered down, pelting against his fur like tiny stones. A bolt of lightning lit up the faces of Darkstripe and Longtail as they watched him cross the clearing.
Firepaw bounded past the nursery. He couldn’t leave without sharing tongues with Spottedleaf. The other cats had run for shelter, abandoning the medicine cat’s body to the downpour while they huddled beneath the dripping ferns, meowing their fear and loss.
Firepaw buried his nose in Spottedleaf’s wet fur and breathed in her scent one last time. “Good-bye, my sweet Spottedleaf,” he murmured.
His ears pricked as he overheard the voices of Frostfur and Speckletail talking nearby. He froze, straining to listen.
“Yellowfang must have had help,” Speckletail growled.
“Someone from ThunderClan?” came the anxious voice of Frostfur.
“You’ve heard what Tigerclaw’s been saying about Ravenpaw. Perhaps he had something to do with it. I’ve never felt comfortable with him, myself.”
The fur on Firepaw’s spine prickled. If Tigerclaw had been spreading his malicious rumors as far as the nursery, Ravenpaw wouldn’t be safe anywhere in the camp.
Firepaw realized he had to act quickly. He would find Yellowfang first, then deal with Ravenpaw. He raced to the spot where he had last seen Yellowfang. He knew her scent so well that he could even smell it through the rain-soaked leaves. He began to push through the bushes, mouth open, to detect where her trail led.
“Firepaw!”
Firepaw jumped and then relaxed as he realized it was Graypaw’s voice.
“I’ve been looking for you!” mewed his friend as he rushed toward him.
Firepaw gingerly stepped back out of the ferns.
Graypaw squinted as rain dripped down his long fur and into his eyes. “Where are you going?” he mewed.
“To look for Yellowfang,” Firepaw replied.
“On your own?” Graypaw’s broad gray face showed concern.
Firepaw thought for a moment and decided to tell Graypaw the truth. “Bluestar asked me to bring Yellowfang back,” he mewed.
“What?” Graypaw looked shocked. “Why you?”
“Maybe she thinks I know Yellowfang best, and that I’d find her more easily.”
“Wouldn’t a party of warriors stand more of a chance?” Graypaw pointed out. “Tigerclaw’s the best tracker in the Clan, and if anyone could bring her back, hecould.”
“Maybe Tigerclaw wouldn’t bring her back,” Firepaw murmured.
“What do you mean?”
“Tigerclaw’s out for revenge. He would just kill her.”
“But if she killed Spottedleaf and took the kits…”
“Do you really believe that?” Firepaw asked.
Graypaw looked at his friend, shaking his head in confusion. “Do you think she’s innocent?” he mewed.
“I don’t know,” Firepaw admitted. “And neither does Bluestar. She wants to find out the truth. That’s why she’s sending me instead of Tigerclaw.”
“But if she orderedTigerclaw to bring her back alive…” Graypaw’s words were drowned by a deafening crack of thunder, and a flash of lightning lit up the trees around them.
In the dazzling light, Firepaw glimpsed Frostfur chasing Ravenpaw away from the nursery. The white queen’s face was twisted with fury as she hissed at the young black cat and lunged forward to give him a warning nip on the hind leg.
Graypaw turned to Firepaw. “What’s thatall about?” he mewed.
Firepaw stared back at his friend, his mind leaping ahead to a new idea. It looked like Ravenpaw’s time had run out, and Firepaw needed Graypaw’s help. But would his friend believe him? The wind was beginning to roar through the trees above them, and Firepaw had to raise his voice. “Ravenpaw’s in great danger,” he meowed.
“What?”
“I have to get him away from ThunderClan. Right now, before anything happens to him.”
Graypaw looked puzzled. “Why? What about Yellowfang?”
“There’s no time to explain,” Firepaw mewed urgently. “You’ll just have to trust me. There must be a way we can get Ravenpaw away. Bluestar’s going to keep the warriors in camp till the storm is over, but that doesn’t leave us much time.” He tried to picture the hidden corners of the woods, beyond ThunderClan territory. “We’ll have to take him somewhere Tigerclaw won’t find him, somewhere he can survive without the Clan.”
Graypaw stared at him for a moment. “What about Barley?”
“Barley!” Firepaw echoed. “You mean, take Ravenpaw to the Twolegplace?” His ears twitched with excitement. “Yes, that might be the best idea.”
“Come on, then!” meowed Graypaw. “What are we waiting for?”
Relief washed over Firepaw. He should have known his old friend would help. He shook the rain from his head, then touched Graypaw’s fur with his nose. “Thank you,” he purred. “Now, let’s get Ravenpaw.”
They found their friend huddled miserably inside their den. Sandpaw and Dustpaw were in their nests, too, looking tense and scared as the storm crashed overhead.
“Ravenpaw,” Firepaw hissed through the entrance.
Ravenpaw looked up. Firepaw flicked his ears and the black cat followed him out into the storm.
“Come on,” Firepaw whispered. “We’re taking you to Barley.”
“Barley?” Ravenpaw mewed in bewilderment, narrowing his eyes against the driving rain. “Why?”
“Because you’ll be safe there,” Firepaw answered, looking the black cat straight in the eye.
“Did you see what Frostfur did?” mewed Ravenpaw, his voice quavering. “I was only going to check on the kits….”
“Come on,” Firepaw interrupted him. “We must hurry!”
Ravenpaw met his friend’s gaze. “Thanks, Firepaw,” he murmured. Then he turned into the wind and bounded across the clearing.
The three apprentices rushed toward the camp entrance, their fur flattened by the howling wind. As they entered the gorse tunnel, a voice called them back.
“You three! Where are you going?”
It was Tigerclaw.
Firepaw whirled around, feeling his heart sink. He wondered desperately what he could say, when he spotted Bluestar striding toward them. She frowned for a moment; then her face cleared.
“Well done, Firepaw,” she meowed. “I see you’ve persuaded your two friends to go with you. ThunderClan has brave apprentices, Tigerclaw, if they are willing to run an errand in weather like this.”
“Surely this is not a time for errands?” objected Tigerclaw.
“One of Brindleface’s kits has a cough.” Bluestar’s voice was icily calm. “Firepaw has offered to fetch some coltsfoot for her.”
“Does he really need his friends to go too?” asked Tigerclaw.
“In this storm, I think he’s lucky to have the company!” answered Bluestar. She looked deep into Firepaw’s eyes, and he was suddenly aware of the trust she was placing in him. “Off you go, you three,” she meowed.
Firepaw returned her gaze gratefully. “Thank you,” he purred, dipping his head. With a swift glance at his companions, he led the way along the familiar paths toward Fourtrees. The wind roared through the branches above them and the trees swayed, their trunks creaking and cracking as though they might fall at any moment. The rain poured down through the leaves, soaking the cats to their hides.
They reached the stream, but the stepping-stones they usually leaped across had completely disappeared. The cats stopped on the bank and looked down in dismay at the wide, brown, swirling river.
“This way,” Firepaw meowed. “There’s a fallen tree up here. We can use it to cross.” He led Graypaw and Ravenpaw upstream to a log that rested only a kittenstep above the rushing water. “Be careful, it’ll be slippery!” Firepaw warned, leaping carefully up onto it. The log’s bark had been stripped away, leaving only smooth, wet wood to balance on. Carefully the three cats walked along the trunk. Firepaw jumped down on the other side and watched his friends until they, too, had landed safely.
The trees were bigger on the other side, offering some shelter from the storm as they hurried on, side by side.
“Are you going to tell me exactly why we need to get Ravenpaw away?” panted Graypaw.
“Because he knows that Tigerclaw killed Redtail,” Firepaw answered.
“Tigerclaw killed Redtail!” Graypaw echoed in disbelief, stopping dead and staring first at Firepaw and then at Ravenpaw.
“At the battle with RiverClan,” puffed Ravenpaw. “I saw him.”
“But why would he do that?” Graypaw protested, setting off again. They started down the slope that led into the clearing at Fourtrees.
“I don’t know. Maybe he thought Bluestar would make him deputy,” Firepaw suggested, raising his voice against the wind.
Graypaw didn’t reply, but his face darkened.
The cats began to climb the steep slope that led up to WindClan territory. As Firepaw leaped upward from rock to rock, he called down to Graypaw behind him. He wanted his friend to understand just how dangerous it was for Ravenpaw in the ThunderClan camp. “I overheard Tigerclaw talking to Darkstripe and Longtail on the night Lionheart was killed,” he yowled. “He wants to get rid of Ravenpaw.”
“Get ridof him? You mean killhim?” Graypaw sat heavily on a rock.
Firepaw stopped too. He looked down at his friends. Ravenpaw had halted farther down the slope, his sides heaving as he caught his breath. He looked smaller than ever with his sodden fur clinging to his scrawny body.
“You saw the way Frostfur went for Ravenpaw today?” Firepaw meowed to Graypaw. “Tigerclaw’s been hinting to everyone that Ravenpaw is a traitor. But he’ll be safe with Barley. Now come on; we must hurry!”
It was impossible to talk in the open expanse of WindClan territory. The wind howled around them while the thunder and lightning rolled and flashed overhead. The three cats lowered their heads and pushed onward into the heart of the storm.
Eventually they reached the edge of the plateau that marked the end of WindClan’s territory.
“We can’t take you any farther, Ravenpaw,” meowed Firepaw through the gale. “We have to get back and find Yellowfang before the storm has passed.”
Ravenpaw looked up through the battering rain, alarmed. Then he nodded.
“Will you be able to find Barley alone?” yowled Firepaw.
“Yes, I remember the way,” answered Ravenpaw.
“Watch out for those dogs,” warned Graypaw.
Ravenpaw nodded. “I will!” Suddenly he frowned, “How can you be sure Barley will welcome me?”
“Just tell him you caught an adder once!” answered Graypaw, affectionately nudging his friend’s rain-soaked shoulder.
“Go,” Firepaw urged, aware that time was short. He licked Ravenpaw’s skinny chest. “And don’t worry; I’ll make sure everyone knows you didn’t betray ThunderClan.”
“What if Tigerclaw comes looking for me?” Ravenpaw’s voice was small against the rumbling storm.
Firepaw met his gaze steadily. “He won’t. I shall tell him you are dead.”
第二十一章
第二十一章
“黄牙杀了斑叶，抢走了我的孩子！”霜毛撕心裂肺地喊道。其他的母猫们冲到霜毛身边对她进行舔抚，试图使她平静下来，但是霜毛将她们推开，向渐渐黑暗的天空发出悲怆的号叫。就好像在回应她一般，天空中不吉利地发出隆隆声，一阵冷风吹来。
虎掌恨恨地说：“黄牙！一直以来我都知道她是个叛徒。现在我们清楚她为什么能打跑影族的副族长了，那是她为了混进我们族群内部而事先布好的局！”
虎掌正说着，天空中划过一道霹雳，发出刺眼的白光，紧接着，一声巨雷响彻整片森林。
火爪不相信虎掌的话。悲痛中他念头飞转：黄牙真的杀了斑叶吗？
就在众说纷纭之间，黑条大声说：“蓝星！你有什么话要说？”
众猫安静下来，都朝他们的族长望去。
蓝星的目光从群猫身上扫过，最后停留在斑叶的遗体上。天空开始下雨，雨水落在那位巫医尚存光泽的毛上，像露珠般晶莹发亮。
蓝星缓缓地眨了眨眼睛。悲伤笼罩在她的脸上，在那一刻，火爪真担心这新来的死讯会击垮她。但当她睁开眼睛的时候，双目里闪烁的凶光表明了她决心要为这次残忍的袭击复仇。她抬起头：“如果真的是黄牙杀了斑叶、偷走了霜毛的孩子们，我们决不心慈手软，一定将她绳之以法。”猫群里发出赞同的声音。“但是我们必须等待。”蓝星继续说，“暴风雨就要来了，我不想让更多的生命去冒险。如果影族偷走了我们的幼崽，他们不会立刻施加毒手。我猜断星是想将他们收入自己的族群里，或者作为人质——强迫我们交出狩猎权。等暴风雨过去，我会立即派出队伍追踪黄牙找回我们的幼崽。”
虎掌辩驳说：“我们不能浪费时间，大雨会冲去气味的。”
蓝星不耐烦地摇摇尾巴：“如果我们现在就派出队伍，也只是白费努力。这种天气之下，在我们作好准备前气味就已经消失了。如果我们等暴风雨过后再出发，成功的机会可能更大些。”
众猫纷纷表示赞同。尽管现在是中午时分，天空却变得更加黑暗。一阵阵的电闪雷鸣使大家很不安，看来他们是想听从族长的忠告了。
蓝星看了看虎掌说：“我想和你共同商讨一下我们的计划，请吧，虎掌。”虎掌点点头，向蓝星的巢穴走去，但蓝星却没有立即离开。她瞥了火爪一眼，动了动尾巴和猫须，示意她想和他单独谈谈。
其他的猫围在斑叶身边开始对她进行舌抚，他们悲痛的呼声此起彼伏。蓝星分开众猫走出来，向通往巫医巢穴的香薇通道走去。
火爪悄悄地绕开群猫跟在蓝星身后。乌云蔽日，就如黑夜一般。香薇丛下一片漆黑。
雨越下越大，雨滴哗啦啦打在树叶上四处泼溅。不过，由于树冠的遮挡，巫医巢穴门前的空地处还没有雨淋下来。
刚站稳脚步，蓝星便急匆匆地问：“火爪，黄牙在哪里？你知道吗？”
此时火爪睹物生情，不由自主地回想起他最后一次来到巫医巢穴的情景，对蓝星的话几乎充耳不闻，脑海中浮现出斑叶走出巫医巢穴，皮毛在阳光下鲜艳光亮的景象。他闭上眼睛试图永远保留住这一幕。
蓝星责怪说：“火爪，悲伤留待日后再回味吧。”
火爪如梦初醒：“我……我在幼崽们失踪后看见黄牙从营地围墙钻了出去。你真的认为是她杀了斑叶、带走幼崽们吗？”
蓝星目不转睛地盯着他，承认说：“我不知道，我希望你找到她并把她带回来——我要活的。我需要了解真相。”
火爪忍不住问：“你不派虎掌去吗？”
蓝星解释说：“虎掌是一名伟大的武士，但在这件事上他对族群的忠诚也许会蒙蔽住他的眼睛，从而不能做出正确判断。他想为雷族报仇雪恨，这无可厚非。大家都认为黄牙背叛了我们，因此，如果虎掌认为杀死黄牙能够稳定军心的话，他会那么做的。”
火爪点了点头。她说得对——虎掌会不假思索地杀了黄牙。
“如果我发现黄牙果真是叛徒，我会亲手杀死她。但如果她不是，”蓝星面色突然变得坚毅果断，她的蓝眼睛注视着火爪说，“我也绝不会滥杀无辜。”
火爪说：“但是，如果黄牙不愿回来怎么办？”
“如果你要她回来，她会愿意的。”
蓝星的信任令火爪十分感动，他怀疑自己是否能够完成蓝星压在他肩头的千斤重担。
“立即出发！”她命令说，“但要注意安全。附近也许还有敌人的队伍，一切都要靠你自己了。这场暴风雨将会把我们的武士们滞留在营地些许时间。”
天空中炸响惊雷，火爪一头冲进了会场。大雨倾盆而下，如同小石子般砸在他的身上。一道霹雳闪过，照亮了黑条和长尾的面孔，他们看着火爪从会场上跑过。
火爪从育婴室前走过，要在离开前最后舔一次斑叶。其他的猫四处躲雨，拥挤在滴水的香薇丛下，发出惊恐的叫声，只留下斑叶的尸体横躺在瓢泼大雨里。
火爪将鼻子伸进斑叶的皮毛里，最后一次呼吸她的气味，喃喃说：“再见，亲爱的斑叶。”
忽然间，他听到霜毛和纹尾在附近说话的声音，耳朵一下子竖起来。他全神贯注、一动不动地倾听。
只听纹尾大声说：“黄牙一定有帮凶。”
接着是霜毛焦急的声音：“雷族里有内奸？”
“虎掌曾提到过乌爪，也许他与这件事有关。哼，一直以来我就瞧这小子不顺眼。”
火爪脊背上的毛竖立起来。如果虎掌不停地这样散布流言飞语，乌爪在营地里的日子就不会安全。
火爪意识到必须抓紧时间行动，先要找到黄牙，然后再处理乌爪的事情。他跑到最后一次看见黄牙的地方，那里的树叶尽管被雨淋湿了，但他仍有把握嗅到她的气味，因为他对黄牙的气味再熟悉不过了。火爪在树丛里来回穿梭，张着嘴，努力搜寻黄牙留下的蛛丝马迹。
“火爪！”
火爪一惊继而又放宽了心，认出那是灰爪的声音。
灰爪向他跑过来说：“我到处找你！”
火爪小心翼翼地从香薇丛里退出来。
雨水顺着灰爪的长毛流进眼里，使他不得不眯着眼睛，他说：“你要去哪里？”
火爪回答：“找黄牙。”
“只有你自己吗？”灰爪宽大的脸上显出关心的模样。
火爪考虑片刻后决心告诉灰爪真相：“蓝星要我带黄牙回来。”
灰爪大吃一惊，问：“什么？为什么要你去？”
“也许她认为我最了解黄牙，而且我去更容易找到她。”
灰爪说：“派一队武士去不是机会更大些吗？虎掌在族群里最善于追踪了，如果别的猫能把黄牙带回来，那么他也没问题。”
火爪嗫嚅着说：“也许虎掌不会带她回来。”
“这话什么意思？”
“虎掌一心要报仇，他只想杀死她。”
“但是如果她杀了斑叶带走幼崽们……”
火爪问：“你真的相信她会这么做吗？”
灰爪看着他的朋友，迷惑不解地摇了摇头：“你认为她是清白的？”
火爪承认说：“我不知道，蓝星也不知道。她想找出真相，这就是她派我而不是虎掌去的原因。”
“但如果她命令虎掌将黄牙活着带回来……”灰爪的话音淹没在惊天动地的雷鸣声中，一道电闪照亮了他们周围的树林。
在电光闪亮中，火爪一瞥眼看见霜毛正将乌爪赶出育婴室。霜毛怒气冲天，面目扭曲，朝着乌爪发出低嘶，扑上前照着他的后腿狠狠咬了一口以示警戒。
灰爪对火爪说：“这都是怎么回事呀？”
火爪看着他，脑子里冒出了一个新的主意。此时正是乌爪逃出去的大好时机，不过他需要灰爪的协助。但灰爪能相信他吗？大风开始在树林间呼啸肆虐，火爪不得不提高嗓门儿说：“乌爪处境非常危险。”
“什么？”
“我必须把他带离雷族。现在就走，不然就来不及了。”
灰爪一头雾水的样子：“为什么？那黄牙怎么办？”
火爪急促地说：“没时间解释了。你务必相信我，一定有把乌爪带走的办法。在暴风雨结束前，蓝星会想办法将武士们留在营地，但我们时间不多了。”他向灰爪描述了一遍森林里适于隐藏的角落，那里不在雷族领地范围内。“我们一定要将他带到一个适于生存而虎掌又找不到的地方。”
灰爪瞅了他一会儿，说：“去巴利那里怎么样？”
“巴利？”火爪重复着，“你的意思是，带乌爪去两脚兽的地盘？”他兴奋地竖起耳朵，“好，这也许是个不错的主意。”
灰爪说：“那么走吧！我们还等什么？”
火爪心头的石头终于落了地。他就知道灰爪会帮忙的。他抖掉头上的雨水，用鼻子触了触灰爪说：“谢谢你。现在我们去找乌爪。”
他们在巢穴内找到乌爪的时候，他正可怜兮兮地缩成一团。沙爪和尘爪也在，正惊恐地望着铺天盖地的暴风雨。
火爪在门口低声呼唤：“乌爪。”
乌爪仰起脸。火爪扭了扭耳朵，于是乌爪跟着他走进大雨里。
火爪小声说：“走，我们带你去找巴利。”
“找巴利？”乌爪眯着眼睛不让雨水淋进，不解地问，“为什么？”
火爪直视他的眼睛，回答说：“因为你在那里没有危险。”
乌爪声音颤抖地说：“你看到霜毛刚才怎么对我了？我只是想去检查一下幼崽们。”
火爪打断他说：“快走吧，我们必须抓紧时间！”
乌爪凝视着他低声说：“多谢了，火爪。”然后他们冲进风雨里，跑过会场。
三个学徒径直奔向营门，毛被风吹得贴在身上。当他们进入金雀花通道时，身后传来一个声音。
“喂，你们三个！这是去哪里？”
是虎掌。
火爪转过身，感觉心里一沉。他正绞尽脑汁想搪塞过去，这时看见蓝星走过来。她皱了会儿眉头，然后面容舒展开来。
只听她说：“干得好，火爪。看来你已经劝服了你的两个朋友跟你一起去了。虎掌，他们心甘情愿在这种天气外出执行任务，可算得上是勇敢了。”
虎掌不同意：“这种时候肯定不适合执行任务了。”
蓝星的声音平静得近乎冰冷：“纹脸的一个孩子有点儿咳嗽，火爪自告奋勇去找些款冬给她。”
虎掌问：“他真的需要他的朋友们陪着一道去吗？”
蓝星回答说：“在这场暴风雨里，我觉得他有这样一个团队真是件幸运的事！”她富含深意地看着火爪，突然，火爪明白了她话里的含意。蓝星说：“去吧，你们三个。”
火爪感激地看了她一眼，低下头说：“谢谢你。”他朝伙伴们使个眼色，当先领路向“四棵树”出发。大风从树枝间呼啸穿过，将大树刮得东倒西歪，树干嘎吱作响，似乎随时都有断裂的可能。雨水透过树叶打落在火爪他们身上，把他们淋成落汤鸡一般。
他们来到溪水边，原先用来渡河踩踏的鹅卵石都已淹没在溪水中。三个伙伴站在岸边，沮丧地向下看着宽阔、浑浊、湍急的溪流。
火爪说：“从那儿走，那儿有一根木头架在河上，我们从那里过河。”他领着乌爪和灰爪逆流而上，走到一根距离下方河流仅有咫尺的独木桥边。火爪警告说：“大家小心，上面很滑！”那根大圆木上的树皮都已脱落，走在上面非常滑，不易保持平衡。三只猫小心翼翼地从圆木上渡河。火爪最先到对岸，看着他的伙伴们都安然渡河。
河对岸的树木长得更加粗壮，能遮挡住部分的雨水。三只猫肩并肩加快了脚步。
灰爪喘着气说：“你能不能告诉我为什么我们要带走乌爪？”
火爪回答说：“因为他知道虎掌杀了红尾。”
灰爪停下脚步先看看火爪然后又瞅瞅乌爪，难以置信地重复说：“虎掌杀了红尾？”
乌爪说：“就在那次同河族的战斗中，是我亲眼所见。”
灰爪又移动脚步，反驳说：“但他为什么要杀死红尾？”说着话，他们已经开始顺着斜坡往“四棵树”而去。
火爪在风中提高嗓门儿猜测说：“我不知道，也许他认为蓝星应该让他当副族长吧。”
灰爪没有回答，但脸色很难看。
三只猫爬上通向风族领地的陡坡。火爪一边在岩石上跳来跳去，一边向身后的灰爪大声解释，想让灰爪明白乌爪留在雷族的营地里究竟有多不安全。他高声说：“就在狮心遇害的当天晚上，我偷听到虎掌和黑条、长尾的谈话。他想要除掉乌爪。”
灰爪一屁股坐在岩石上：“除掉乌爪？你的意思是杀了他？”
火爪也停了下来，朝下瞧着他的两位朋友。乌爪停在陡坡较远的地方，大口喘着气，胸口起伏不定，湿透的毛贴在瘦骨嶙峋的身体上面，使他看起来更加瘦小。
火爪对灰爪说：“你今天看见霜毛追赶乌爪的样子了，虎掌一直向大家暗示乌爪是个叛徒，但跟巴利在一起他就不会出事。现在走吧，我们得抓紧时间赶路！”
在四野开阔的风族领地，说话可不是件容易的事。天上电闪雷鸣，地下狂风怒吼。三只猫低着头在暴风雨中艰难行走。
终于，他们走到平原的边缘，那里是风族领地的尽头。
火爪在强风中说：“我们不能陪你走更远了，乌爪。我们必须赶回去，在暴风雨结束前找到黄牙。”
乌爪惊恐地透过瓢泼大雨朝天上望了望，然后点点头。
火爪大声说：“你能自己找到巴利吗？”
乌爪回答说：“能，我记得路。”
灰爪提醒说：“当心那些狗。”
乌爪点点头：“我会的！”突然他皱起眉头，“你们怎么能肯定巴利会欢迎我呢？”
“只需要告诉他你曾经捉过一条毒蛇就行了！”灰爪回答他说，深情地顶了顶乌爪湿透的肩头。
火爪看看时间所剩无几，催促说：“快走吧！”他舔了下乌爪瘦瘦的胸脯，“别担心，我担保族里的每只猫都知道你并没有背叛雷族。”
乌爪的声音在风雨飘摇中十分微弱：“如果虎掌来找我怎么办？”
火爪看着他的眼睛说：“他不会来找你的，我将告诉他你已经死了。”
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 22
Firepaw and Graypaw retraced their stepsto ThunderClan territory. Both cats were bone-weary and wet through, but Firepaw kept up the pace. The storm was beginning to move away. A ThunderClan patrol would be out soon and on Yellowfang’s trail. They had to find her first.
The sky was still dark, even though the black thunderclouds were beginning to roll away toward the horizon. Firepaw guessed that it must be nearly sunset.
“Why don’t we head straight into ShadowClan territory?” suggested Graypaw as they ran down the steep hillside into Fourtrees.
“We need to pick up Yellowfang’s scent first,” Firepaw explained. “I just hope it won’t lead to the ShadowClan camp.”
Graypaw glanced sideways at his friend, but didn’t reply.
They headed back over the stream, into ThunderClan territory. There was no scent of Yellowfang until they crossed into the oak woods close to the camp.
Now that the rain had finally stopped, the scents around them were beginning to return. Firepaw hoped that the rain had not washed away Yellowfang’s trail completely. He stopped and brushed at a fern with the tip of his nose, and recognized the familiar smell. Yellowfang’s fear-scent prickled in his nostrils. “She came this way!” he meowed.
He pushed his way through the wet undergrowth. Graypaw followed. The rain was easing, and the thunder was fading into the distance. Time was running out. Firepaw pushed on faster.
To his dismay, he realized Yellowfang’s scent was indeed leading them straight to ShadowClan territory. His heart sank. Did this mean Tigerclaw’s accusations were true? Firepaw began to hope that each new smell would take them in a different direction, but the trail was unfaltering.
They arrived at the Thunderpath and halted. Several monsters roared by, throwing up fountains of dirty water. The two cats hung back from the edge of the wide, gray track until there was a gap. Then they raced across the path and into ShadowClan territory.
The scent markers that lined the border made Firepaw’s paws tingle.
Graypaw halted and looked around nervously. “I always thought I’d have a few more warriors with me when I finally entered ShadowClan territory,” he confessed.
“Not afraid, are you?” Firepaw murmured.
“Aren’t you? My mother warned me about the stench of ShadowClan many times.”
“My mother never taught me such things,” Firepaw replied. But for the first time he was relieved that his fur was so wet that it clung to his body—Graypaw might not notice the way it was bristling fearfully along his spine.
The two cats prowled onward, alert to every sight and sound. Graypaw was on the lookout for ShadowClan patrols, and Firepaw for the ThunderClan party he knew must come soon.
Yellowfang’s scent-trail led them steadily into the heart of ShadowClan’s hunting grounds. The woods here were gloomy, the undergrowth crowded with nettles and brambles.
“I can’t smell her,” complained Graypaw. “It’s too wet.”
“It’s there,” Firepaw assured him.
“I can smell thatthough,” Graypaw spat suddenly.
“What?” Firepaw hissed. He stopped, alarmed.
“Kitscent. There’s kit blood here!”
Firepaw sniffed again, seeking out the smell of ThunderClan offspring. “I smell it too,” he agreed. “And something else!” He flicked his tail down sharply, warning Graypaw to keep quiet. Then, silently, he signaled with his whiskers toward a blackened ash tree up ahead.
Graypaw twitched his ears questioningly. Firepaw gave him a tiny nod. Yellowfang was sheltering behind the wide, split trunk.
Instinctively the two cats separated, each moving toward the tree, one on either side. They crept over the soft forest floor, using all the tricks of basic training, stepping lightly, keeping their bodies low.
Then they leaped.
Yellowfang yowled with surprise as the two cats landed beside her and pinned her to the ground. She struggled free, spitting, and backed into a sheltered hollow at the base of the trunk. Firepaw and Graypaw moved forward, blocking her way out.
“I knew ThunderClan would blame me!” she hissed, her eyes flashing with all her old hostility.
“Where are the kits?” Firepaw demanded.
“We can smell their blood!” spat Graypaw. “Have you harmed them?”
“I don’t have them,” snarled Yellowfang angrily. “I’ve come to find them and take them back. I stopped because I smelled blood too. But they’re not here.”
Firepaw and Graypaw looked at one another.
“I don’t have them!” insisted Yellowfang.
“Why did you run away, then? Why did you kill Spottedleaf?” Graypaw asked the questions Firepaw couldn’t bring himself to say out loud.
“Spottedleaf is dead?” There was no mistaking the shock in Yellowfang’s voice.
Relief washed over Firepaw. “You didn’t know?” he croaked.
“How could I? I left the camp as soon as I heard the kits were missing.”
Graypaw looked suspicious, but Firepaw could hear the truth in her voice.
“I know who has taken the kits,” she continued. “I smelled his scent near the nursery.”
“Who was it?” Firepaw asked.
“Clawface—one of Brokenstar’s warriors. And as long as the kits are with ShadowClan, they’re in great danger.”
“But surely even ShadowClan wouldn’t harm kits!” Firepaw protested.
“Don’t be so sure,” spat Yellowfang. “Brokenstar intends to use them as warriors.”
“But they are only three moons old!” Graypaw gasped.
“That hasn’t stopped him before. He has been training kits as young as three moons since he became leader. At five moons he sends them out as warriors!”
“Surely they’d be too small to fight!” Firepaw protested. But in his mind’s eye he pictured the undersize ShadowClan apprentices he had seen at the Gathering. They weren’t just small; they were kits!
Yellowfang hissed scornfully, “Brokenstar doesn’t care about that. He has plenty more kits to spare, and if they run out, he can steal them from other Clans!” Her voice was filled with rage. “After all, we’re talking about a cat who killed kits from his own Clan!”
Firepaw and Graypaw were stunned.
“If he killed ShadowClan’s kits, why wasn’t he punished?” Firepaw asked at last.
“Because he lied,” growled Yellowfang. Bitterness made her voice hard. “He accused me of their murder, and ShadowClan believed him!”
Firepaw suddenly understood. “Is that why you were driven out of ShadowClan?” he asked. “You have to come back with us and tell all this to Bluestar.”
“Not before I have rescued your kits!” Yellowfang spat.
Firepaw lifted his head and sniffed the air. The rain had stopped, and the wind was dying down. The ThunderClan patrol would be well on its way. They were not safe here.
Graypaw still seemed shocked by Yellowfang’s accusation. “How could a leader kill kits from his own Clan?” he demanded.
“Brokenstar insisted on training them too hard and too young. He took two of the kits away for battle practice.” Yellowfang took a deep, wheezing breath. “They were only four moons old. They were already dead when he brought them back to me. They bore the scratches and bites of a full warrior, not of apprentices. He must have fought them himself. There was nothing I could do. When their mother came to see them, Brokenstar was with me. He said that he had found me standing over their dead bodies.” Her voice cracked and she looked away.
“Why didn’t you tell her it was Brokenstar?” Firepaw asked in disbelief.
Yellowfang shook her head. “I couldn’t.”
“Why not?”
The old she-cat hesitated. When she spoke, her voice was heavy with regret. “Brokenstar is ShadowClan’s leader. Noble Raggedstar was his father. His word is law.”
Firepaw looked away and the three cats sat in silence for a moment. Then Firepaw meowed, “We’ll rescue the kits together. Tonight. But we can’t stay here. I can smell the ThunderClan patrol coming.” He paused. “If Tigerclaw is with them, Yellowfang doesn’t stand a chance. He’ll kill her before we can explain.”
Yellowfang looked at him, alert and determined again. “There’s peat this way; it’ll be wet after the rain,” she told him. “Our scents will be disguised there.”
She leaped into a clump of ferns and Firepaw and Graypaw quickly followed her. They could hear the rustling of undergrowth in the distance now. It was no longer the wind that disturbed the bushes, but an approaching patrol, no doubt hungry for revenge and fired up by Tigerclaw’s lies.
An eerie stillness settled over the woods, and a thin fog was beginning to gather between the tree trunks. Firepaw shook the droplets off his coat and impatiently pulled a burr off his chest.
Yellowfang led them onward. The ground grew soggier, and their paws began to sink into the soft peat. The musty smell choked Firepaw’s nostrils, but at least it would mask their own trail. Behind them, the noise of cats grew louder.
“Quick, under here,” Yellowfang urged, ducking under a broad-leaved bush. The three cats crouched beneath it, drawing in their tails. Firepaw kept as still as he could, trying to ignore the rank wetness of the ground seeping into his belly fur, and listening to the rustling of the ThunderClan patrol as it came nearer and nearer.
第二十二章
第二十二章
火爪和灰爪沿原路返回雷族的领地。两只猫浑身湿透，疲惫到极点，但仍不停歇。暴风雨渐渐远去，雷族的队伍很快就要出发寻找黄牙的下落，他们必须先行一步找到她。
乌云开始向地平线褪去，天空依然黑暗，但估计不久就会雨过天晴。
当他们一路跑下陡坡来到“四棵树”时，灰爪问：“为什么我们不直接去影族的领地里呢？”
火爪解释说：“我们先要找出黄牙的气味踪迹。希望黄牙的气味不会指向影族的营地。”
灰爪侧着头看看火爪，没有说话。
他们渡过溪流回到雷族的领地，一路来到距营地不远的橡树林里，没有发现任何黄牙的气味。
雨最终停了，周围的气味渐渐恢复过来。火爪希望雨水没有将黄牙的气味冲得干干净净。他停下脚步用鼻子在一簇香薇前扫来扫去，辨认出那股熟悉的气味。黄牙恐惧的气味冲进火爪的鼻孔，他说：“她走这边！”
火爪分开湿淋淋的灌木向前走去，灰爪跟在后面。雷声渐渐远去。时间在飞快地流逝。火爪越走越快。
令他沮丧的是，黄牙的气味确实无疑地径直通往影族的领地，火爪的心越走越沉：这是否意味着虎掌没有冤枉她呢？他开始希望这些气味能把他们带往别的方向，但这个希望再次落空。
他们来到雷鬼路停下脚步。一些怪物从身前呼啸而过，溅起股股脏水。两只猫吓得畏缩不前，直到瞅准没有怪物的时候才冲过马路进入影族的营地。
嗅到影族领地边界的标志性气味，火爪的四肢都有些发抖。
灰爪停下脚步紧张地巡视四周，毫不遮掩地说：“我曾发过誓，如果我不得不进入影族领地的话，至少也要让几名武士陪着。”
火爪小声说：“你不会害怕的，是吗？”
“你不害怕吗？妈妈三番五次地告诫我说离影族的臭味远一点儿。”
火爪回答说：“我的妈妈从没有教过我这些事情。”湿透的毛紧紧贴在身体上，不过这还是他头一回感到侥幸——这样灰爪就不会发现他脊背上的毛害怕得竖起来了。
两只猫向前搜寻，时刻警惕着周围的每一处动静。灰爪担心的是影族的巡逻队，火爪则担心的是即将到来的雷族队伍。
他们循着黄牙的气味径直走向影族领地的中央。树丛里非常阴郁，灌木丛里到处长着荨麻和荆棘。
灰爪抱怨说：“我嗅不到她的气味了，这里太潮湿。”
火爪向他保证说：“就在这里。”
灰爪突然说：“我嗅到那个了。”
火爪停下来，警觉地说：“什么？”
“幼崽的气味，这里有幼崽的血！”
火爪也嗅了嗅，认出雷族后代的气味，同意说：“我也嗅到了，还有别的东西。”他突然晃下尾巴，警告灰爪别出声。然后，他无声地向前方一棵发黑的白蜡树努了努猫须。
灰爪满腹疑问地竖起耳朵，火爪冲他略一点头。黄牙就躲藏在粗大、裂开的树干后面。
两只猫不约而同地从白蜡树的两边合围过去。他们匍匐在松软的地面上，使出所有的基础训练技巧，每一步都蹑手蹑脚，身体压得低低的。
接着他们纵身跳起。
当两只猫落在黄牙身边将她按倒在地时，她在毫无准备之下发出惊声尖叫。她奋力挣扎着，嘴里骂骂咧咧，后退进入白蜡树下的树洞里。火爪和灰爪逼上前，封死了她的出路。
黄牙眼里闪着充满敌意的目光，低声喝道：“我就知道雷族会找我顶罪！”
火爪问：“幼崽们在哪里？”
灰爪呵斥说：“我们闻到了他们的气味！你伤害他们了吗？”
黄牙愤愤不平地说：“他们不在我的手里！我来这里是想寻找并带他们回去，也闻到了血的气味所以停下来。但他们不在这里。”
火爪和灰爪你看看我，我看看你。
黄牙坚持着说：“他们不在我的手里！”
“那你为什么离开营地？你为什么杀死斑叶？”灰爪问出了火爪不便说出口的问题。
“斑叶死了？”黄牙语气里的惊讶不像是装出来的。
火爪感到松了口气，声音沙哑地说：“你不知道吗？”
“我怎么会知道呢？我一听说幼崽们失踪就追出来了。”
灰爪一副将信将疑的样子，但火爪则从语气中听出黄牙说的都是实话。
黄牙继续说：“我知道谁偷走了幼崽们，我在育婴室附近闻到了他的气味。”
火爪问：“是谁？”
“是爪脸——断星手下的一名武士。只要幼崽们和影族在一起，他们的安全就得不到保障。”
火爪说：“但即使是影族也肯定不会杀害幼崽的！”
黄牙说：“别那么肯定。断星想让他们充当武士。”
灰爪倒吸口凉气，说：“但他们还都只有三个月大！”
“断星从不管这些。自从他当上族长以来便一直在对三个月大的幼崽进行武士训练，当他们五个月大的时候，断星就把他们当做武士来用了！”
火爪说：“他们那么小不可能进行战斗！”他嘴上虽然不服，但心里却想起在森林大会上见到的那些影族的小不点儿武士们。他们不仅仅是个头小而已，他们是幼崽啊！
黄牙低声讥讽说：“断星可不关心这些。他手里还有更多的幼崽可用，如果幼崽用光了，他就从别的族群里偷！”她越说越恼火，“他可是在杀死自己同族的幼崽啊！”
火爪和灰爪都听得目瞪口呆。
火爪最后问：“如果他杀死影族的幼崽，为什么没有受到惩罚呢？”
“因为他撒谎隐瞒真相。”内心的痛楚使黄牙的声音很生硬，“他诬陷我杀了那些幼崽，而影族相信了他的鬼话！”
火爪突然明白过来，问：“这就是你被赶出影族的原因吗？你必须和我们一道回去把这些情况都告诉蓝星。”
黄牙喝道：“在救出你们的幼崽之前我是不会回去的！”
火爪抬起头嗅了嗅空气。雨已经停了，风也在变小。雷族的队伍一定上路了，他们在这里不安全。
黄牙的话使灰爪仍惊魂未定，他问：“一位族长怎能忍心下手杀害本族的幼崽呢？”
“断星坚持从小、从严抓训练。他曾带走两个幼崽进行战斗训练，”黄牙深深地喘了口气，“而他们只有四个月大。当他把他们带回到我面前时，他们都已经死了。他们全身遍体鳞伤，伤口都是一名真正的武士造成的，而不是一名学徒。他一定是亲手殴打他们，我对此无能为力。当他们的妈妈来看他们的时候，断星正和我在一起。他说他看见我时，我正踩在他们的尸体上。”她的嗓子一下子变哑了，转头瞅向别处。
火爪难以置信地问：“你为什么不告诉她是断星干的？”
黄牙摇摇头：“我不能。”
“为什么不？”
黄牙迟疑了一下，充满懊丧地说：“断星是影族的族长，高贵的残星是他的父亲，他的话就是法律。”
火爪移开目光，三只猫同时陷入了沉默。过了片刻，火爪说：“我们一起把幼崽们救出来，就在今晚。但我们不能待在这里，我能闻到雷族的队伍正往这边靠近。”他顿了顿，又说：“如果虎掌亲自出马，黄牙就没有机会了，他会在我们开口解释前就杀了她。”
黄牙再次充满警觉地看着他，咬牙狠下决心后说：“往这边走，这里都是泥炭，下过雨后到处都是积水。在那里我们的气味会被遮掩起来。”
她跳进一簇香薇丛里，火爪和灰爪紧随其后。他们现在能听到远处灌木丛里传来的沙沙声，那声音不再是刮过灌木丛的风引起的，而是靠近的队伍。毫无疑问，在虎掌的谎言欺瞒下，雷族的猫全都义愤填膺、怒火冲天。
森林里充满了令人毛骨悚然的寂静，林间浮起的雾气越聚越浓。火爪抖掉身上的水滴，胸腔内发出不耐烦的粗重的呼吸声。
黄牙领着他们朝前走。地面越来越潮湿，他们的爪子开始陷进稀软的泥潭里。那股霉腐的气味几乎令火爪窒息，不过它却掩盖了他们的踪迹。在他们身后，猫群的声音越来越大。
黄牙催促说：“快点儿，在这下面。”她钻进一堆阔叶灌木丛下。三只猫挤在灌木丛下面，收起尾巴。火爪大气都不敢出一口，尽量不去想渗进肚皮毛里的地上的臭水，耳内只听得雷族搜寻队发出的沙沙声离他们越来越近。
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 23
Firepaw could tell there were several cats in the patrol,traveling fast. He couldn’t recognize the individual scents of the cats through the earthy bog odors, but he knew it was ThunderClan. He held his breath as the pawsteps raced past and away.
“Are we really going to try to rescue the kits from ShadowClan alone?” whispered Graypaw.
Yellowfang answered him first. “I might be able to find us some help from inside ShadowClan. Not all the cats support Brokenstar.”
Firepaw pricked up his ears and Graypaw flicked his tail in surprise.
“When he became leader,” Yellowfang explained, “Brokenstar forced the elders to leave the security of the inner camp. They had to live on the boundary and hunt for themselves. These are cats who have grown up with the warrior code. Some of them might help us.”
Firepaw stared into her old eyes, thinking quickly. “And I might be able to persuade the ThunderClan hunting party to help us too,” he meowed. “If I can speak to them before they see Yellowfang, I might be able to make them believe her story. Graypaw, you wait at the dead ash, where we smelled the kit blood, till one of us returns.”
Graypaw looked worried. “But do you really trust Yellowfang to bring back help?” he murmured to Firepaw.
“You musttrust me,” growled Yellowfang. “I will return.”
Graypaw looked at Firepaw, who nodded.
Without another word Yellowfang sprang past the two apprentices and disappeared into the bushes.
“Have we done the right thing?” asked Graypaw.
“I don’t know,” Firepaw admitted. “If we have, we are heroes and the kits are safe. If we are wrong, then we are as good as dead.”
Firepaw sprinted after the patrol, around brambles, past gorse, and through nettles. The trail was easy to follow. The angry ThunderClan cats weren’t trying to disguise their presence in ShadowClan’s territory.
Overhead, the thick layer of cloud had finally rolled away. Beyond the treetops, Silverpelt glittered across the night sky. The moon was just rising, but its cold light couldn’t pierce the mist that clung to the shadowy undergrowth.
Firepaw concentrated on the scent from up ahead. He could smell Whitestorm. He sniffed again. Tigerclaw wasn’t with them. He raced to catch up and skidded to a halt behind the band of ThunderClan cats.
The warriors turned and glared at him, fur bristling, ears flattened aggressively. Darkstripe was with them and the young she-cat Mousefur, as well as the tabby warrior Runningwind. Mousefur wasn’t the only she-cat in the patrol—Willowpelt was there too.
“Firepaw!” growled Whitestorm. “What are you doing here?”
Firepaw gasped for breath. “Bluestar sent me!” he panted. “She wanted me to find Yellowfang before—”
Whitestorm interrupted him. “Ah!” he meowed. “Bluestar told me I might find a friend out here. Now I understand what she meant.” He looked thoughtfully at Firepaw.
“Is Tigerclaw nearby?” Firepaw asked, feeling a tingle of pride at their shared gaze.
Whitestorm looked at him curiously. “Bluestar insisted she needed him to remain at camp, to protect the remaining kits.”
Firepaw nodded quickly, relieved. He meowed urgently, “Whitestorm, I need your help. I can lead you to the kits. Graypaw is waiting for me. We plan to rescue them tonight. Will you come?”
“Of course we’ll come!” The warriors flicked their tails with excitement.
“It will mean raiding the ShadowClan camp,” Firepaw warned.
“Can you lead us there?” asked Runningwind eagerly.
“No, but Yellowfang can. And she has promised to bring help from her old allies in the camp.”
Mousefur glared at him and thrashed her tail angrily. “You have found Yellowfang?” she hissed.
“I don’t understand,” meowed Whitestorm, puzzled. “The traitor is going to help rescue the kits she stole?”
Firepaw took a deep breath to calm himself, then looked steadily into Whitestorm’s eyes. “Yellowfang didn’t take them,” he meowed. “Nor did she murder Spottedleaf. She wants to help us rescue our kits.”
Whitestorm stared back at him, then blinked slowly. “Lead the way, Firepaw,” he ordered.
Graypaw was waiting by the ash tree, pacing restlessly around its rotten trunk. He stopped as soon as he saw the patrol emerge from the mist and twitched his whiskers in greeting.
“Any sign of Yellowfang?” Firepaw asked.
“Not yet,” answered Graypaw.
“We don’t know how far it is to the ShadowClan camp,” Firepaw pointed out quickly, feeling Whitestorm stiffen beside him. “She may be on her way back right now.”
“Or she might be happily sharing tongues with her ShadowClan comrades while we sit here like fools waiting to be ambushed!” meowed Graypaw.
Whitestorm watched the two apprentices. His ears flicked uneasily. “Firepaw?” he prompted.
“She will come back,” Firepaw promised.
“Well said, young Firepaw.” Yellowfang stalked out from behind the ash tree and sat down. “You’re not the only one who can sneak up on someone,” she meowed at Firepaw. “Remember the day we met? You were looking in the wrong direction that time too.”
Three other ShadowClan cats appeared from behind the tree and settled themselves calmly on either side of Yellowfang. The ThunderClan cats bristled, alert and suspicious.
Both Clans stared silently at each other. Firepaw fidgeted uncomfortably, unsure what to do now. Eventually one of the ShadowClan cats, a gray tom, spoke. His long body was skinny, and his fur looked dull. “We have come to help you, not to harm you. You have come for your kits; we will help you rescue them.”
“What’s in it for you?” asked Whitestorm warily.
“We want your help to get rid of Brokenstar. He has broken the warrior code, and ShadowClan is suffering.”
“So it’s that simple, is it?” growled Runningwind. “We just drop into your camp, snatch the kits, kill your leader, and go home.”
“You will not meet as much resistance as you think,” murmured the gray tom.
Yellowfang stood up. “Let me introduce my old friends,” she meowed, weaving her way around the ShadowClan cats. She brushed past the gray tom. “This is Ashfur; he is one of the Clan elders.
“And this is Nightpelt, a senior warrior before Raggedstar was killed.” She circled a battered black tom, who nodded at them.
“And this is one of our elder queens, Dawncloud. Two of her kits died driving out WindClan.”
Dawncloud, a small tabby, meowed in greeting. “I do not wish to lose any more of my kits,” she told them.
Whitestorm gave his chest a quick lick to smooth down his fur. “You are clearly skilled warriors if you managed to creep up on us like that. But are there enough of you? We need to know what we’ll face when we raid the ShadowClan camp.”
“The old and sick of ShadowClan are slowly starving,” meowed Ashfur. “The casualties among our kits are more than we can cope with.”
“But if ShadowClan is a mess,” burst out Darkstripe, “how come you have shown so much strength lately? And why is Brokenstar still your leader?”
“Brokenstar is surrounded by a small group of elite warriors,” answered Ashfur. “They are the ones to fear, because they would die for him without question. The other warriors obey his orders only because they are frightened. They will fight by his side as long as they think Brokenstar is going to win. If they thought he would lose…”
“They would fight against him, not forhim!” Darkstripe finished the elder’s words in disgust. “What sort of loyalty is that?”
The hackles of the ShadowClan cats began to rise.
“Our Clan was not always like this,” Yellowfang interrupted. “When Raggedstar led ShadowClan, we were feared for our strength. But in those days our strength came from the warrior code and Clan loyalty, not from fear and bloodlust.” The old medicine cat sighed. “If only Raggedstar had lived longer.”
“How did Raggedstar die?” asked Whitestorm curiously. “There were so many rumors at the Gatherings, but no one seemed to know for sure.”
Yellowfang’s eyes clouded with sorrow. “He was ambushed by a warrior patrol from another Clan.”
Whitestorm nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, that is what most cats seemed to think. These are bad times indeed, when leaders are picked off in the dark, instead of open and honorable battle.”
Firepaw frowned, his mind racing over different battle plans. “Is there any way of taking the kits without alerting the whole Clan?” he asked.
Dawncloud answered him. “They are very closely guarded. Brokenstar will be expecting ThunderClan to try to take them. You won’t be able to steal them in secret. Open attack is your only hope.”
“Then we must concentrate our attack on Brokenstar and his inner guard,” meowed Whitestorm.
Yellowfang had a suggestion. “The ShadowClan warriors should lead me into the ShadowClan camp. They could say they had captured me. We have to make sure Brokenstar and his warriors are out of their dens. News of my capture will bring them into the clearing. Once they’re all out in the open, I’ll give the signal for you to attack.”
Whitestorm was silent for a moment. Then he nodded, his face grave as he committed his warriors to the attack. “Very well, Yellowfang,” he meowed. “Please lead the way to the ShadowClan camp.”
第二十三章
第二十三章
那支队伍移动速度很快，猫数着实不少。由于泥沼的土腥味，所以火爪无法从气味中判断出具体都有谁，但确定无疑的是，这支队伍就是雷族派出的搜寻队。他屏住呼吸，眼瞅着搜寻队从身前经过。
灰爪小声说：“我们真的要独自从影族手里救出幼崽吗？”
黄牙抢先回答说：“我也许能找到一些影族内部的帮手，不是所有的猫都支持断星。”
火爪一下子竖起耳朵，灰爪则吃惊地晃动尾巴。
黄牙解释说：“断星成为族长后便强迫老年猫离开营地内的安乐窝，住在营地外围，每天自食其力。这些猫都是在武士守则的教导下长大的，也许他们中间有一些能帮助我们。”
火爪看着她的眼睛，脑子飞快转动：“我也许能说服雷族的搜寻队也来帮忙。如果我在他们找到黄牙之前先同他们谈谈，就有可能使他们相信她。灰爪，你去我们嗅到幼崽鲜血的那棵白蜡树旁等着，直到我们回来。”
灰爪一脸担心，小声对火爪说：“但你真的相信黄牙会找来帮手吗？”
黄牙大声说：“你一定要相信我，我会回来的。”
灰爪看着火爪，火爪点了点头。
黄牙不再多说，纵跃出去消失在灌木丛中。
灰爪问：“我们做得对吗？”
火爪承认说：“我不知道。如果我们做对了，我们就成了英雄，幼崽们也会得救；如果我们做错了，我们将生不如死。”
火爪奋力跑去追赶搜寻队，一路经过刺藤、金雀花和荨麻。搜寻队的踪迹不难寻找，因为这些愤怒的雷族猫根本不打算在影族领地里隐匿行踪。
天上的云层已经散尽，夜空中出现绚丽的银河。尽管月亮升起，但清冷的月光仍无法穿透雾气照射进灌木丛的阴影处。
火爪集中精神循着气味前行。是白风的气味。他又嗅了嗅，虎掌不在队伍里面。他冲上前撵上队伍。
武士们转身瞪着他，毛发直立双耳贴平，充满了攻击性。黑条、年轻的母猫鼠毛和虎斑猫武士奔风也在队伍里。鼠毛并不是队伍里唯一的母猫——柳带也在。
白风喝道：“火爪！你来这里做什么？”
火爪大口喘着气说：“蓝星派我来的！她想让我找到黄牙……”
白风打断他说：“哈！蓝星说我可能会在这里找到一个朋友，现在我明白她是什么意思了。”他含有深意地看着火爪。
火爪和他对视了一眼，激动得有些颤抖，问：“虎掌来了吗？”
白风好奇地看着他说：“蓝星坚持要他留守营地保护其余的幼崽。”
火爪点了点头，松了口气。他急促地说：“白风，我需要你们的帮助，我能带你们找到幼崽们。灰爪正等我呢。我们打算今晚营救他们，你们来吗？”
武士们兴奋地摇晃着尾巴：“我们当然要来啊！”
火爪警告说：“这意味着我们要偷袭影族的营地。”
奔风急切地说：“你能带我们去那里吗？”
“我不能，但黄牙能，而且她还保证从影族营地里的老年猫中找些帮手出来。”
鼠毛盯着他，怒气冲冲地挥打尾巴，恨恨地说：“你已经找到黄牙了？”
白风迷惑不解地说：“我搞不明白了，那个叛徒要帮助我们解救出她偷走的幼崽？”
火爪深吸口气，稳定了一下情绪，然后坚定地直视着白风说：“幼崽不是黄牙偷走的，她也没有杀斑叶，她只想帮我们救出幼崽。”
白风和他对视片刻，然后缓缓地眨眨眼睛，命令道：“带路，火爪。”
灰爪就等候在白蜡树旁，一刻不停地绕着腐烂的树干转圈圈。看到搜寻队出现在雾气中，他动了动猫须以示招呼。
火爪问：“有黄牙的消息吗？”
灰爪回答说：“还没有。”
火爪感觉到白风的情绪有些不对，赶忙解释说：“我们不知道这里距影族的营地究竟有多远。她也许刚从那里返回。”
灰爪说：“也许她正和影族的同胞们相谈甚欢，而我们却像傻瓜一样坐在这里等着挨揍！”
白风望着这两个学徒，耳朵不安地扭动着，追问道：“火爪？”
火爪保证说：“她一定会回来的。”
“说得好，小火爪。”黄牙从白蜡树后走出坐了下来，对火爪说，“可不是只有你才会悄悄接近对方。还记得我们见面的那天吗？那时你也是盯错了方向。”
三只影族的猫出现在白蜡树后，神色平静地坐在黄牙身旁。雷族的搜寻队一阵骚动，大家心里都惊疑不定，全神戒备。
两支族群无声地瞅着对方。火爪一时不知该如何是好，不由得坐立不安。终于，影族的一只身体瘦长、毛色黯淡的灰色公猫开口说话了：“我们是来帮助你们的，而不是来对你们不利的。你们来是为了找回幼崽，我们能帮助你们救出他们。”
白风警觉地说：“这么做对你们有什么好处？”
“我们想借助你们的力量除掉断星。他破坏了武士守则，使影族遭受苦难。”
奔风大声说：“就这么简单，是吗？我们只需要闯进你们的营地，救出幼崽，杀死你们的族长，然后拍屁股回家。”
那只灰色公猫低声说：“你们不会遇到想象中那么激烈的抵抗的。”
黄牙站起身走进影族群猫中说：“我来介绍几位老朋友。”她走到那只灰色公猫前说：“这是灰毛，是族里的一只老年猫。”
她绕着一只邋遢的黑色公猫走了一圈，说：“这位是夜皮，在残星被杀前曾是族里的一名高级武士。”夜皮冲他们点点头。
“这是曙云，她的两个孩子在驱赶风族的战斗中牺牲了。”
那只叫曙云的小个子虎斑猫向大家打个招呼，说：“我不希望自己的孩子再受到任何伤害了。”
白风低头迅速舔平了自己胸脯上的毛，说：“你们刚才能在我们没有察觉的情况下接近我们，显然是身手高明的武士。但是就凭你们几个够吗？我们需要了解清楚当攻击影族营地的时候会面临什么样的情况。”
灰毛说：“影族的老弱病残猫都已濒临饿死的状态，幼崽们的伤亡大大超出我们的处理能力。”
黑条冲口而出：“但如果影族一片混乱，最近又怎能表现出如此强大的力量呢？并且断星为什么还能做你们的族长呢？”
灰毛回答：“有一小撮优秀的武士们拥护断星，他们才是最让我们担忧的，因为他们能不假思索地为断星付出生命。其他的武士们只是屈于淫威才服从断星的命令，只要他们认为断星能赢，就会站在他那一边，如果他们认为他会输……”
黑条厌恶地截断话头说：“他们就会群起反抗他，而不是拥护他！这是哪门子忠诚？”
雷族的猫们开始群情激愤。
黄牙插嘴说：“我们族群并非一贯如此。在残星领导影族的时候，别的族群都惧怕我们的力量。但那时我们的力量是来自对武士守则的尊崇和对族群的忠诚，而不是来自武力的慑服和对杀戮的渴望。”她重重叹了口气，“如果残星还在世，影族就不会沦落到这步田地。”
白风好奇地问：“残星是怎么死的？在森林大会上流传了很多种说法，但都不足为信。”
黄牙眼里现出悲伤：“他遭到了别族的巡逻队的伏击。”
白风若有所思地点点头：“是啊，大多数猫都是这么认为的。当族长的不明不白地死去，而不是在战场上光明正大、轰轰烈烈地牺牲，这确实很不幸。”
火爪皱起眉头，心里筹划着另一套战斗方案。他问：“有没有什么办法能够在不惊动整个影族的情况下救出幼崽们呢？”
曙云回答他说：“他们守卫森严。断星一直在希望雷族来救幼崽，你们不可能神不知鬼不觉地偷走他们，公开发动攻击是你们唯一的希望。”
白风说：“既然如此，我们就集中力量攻击断星和他的贴身护卫。”
黄牙建议说：“由影族的武士把我带进营地，他们会以为我被捉住了。我们必须要确保断星和他的武士们全都倾巢而出。我被俘的消息会吸引他们进入会场。一旦他们全都公开露面，我便给你们发出攻击信号。”
白风沉默了一会儿，然后他点了点头。当他允许他的武士们加入这场战斗的时候，他的脸色十分凝重，他说：“很好，黄牙，请带我们去影族的营地吧。”
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24
Yellowfang turned and pushed her wayinto the bracken. Whitestorm and the others followed her.
Firepaw was tingling with excitement. He didn’t feel the damp chill in the air, and his weariness was long forgotten.
Yellowfang guided them to a small hollow surrounded by thick undergrowth and pointed out the entrance to the ShadowClan camp. The tangled mass of brambles looked very different from the neat gorse tunnel that led into the ThunderClan camp. The camp boundary was full of holes and gaps and the stench of rotting meat wafted toward them.
“You eat crow food?” whispered Graypaw, curling his lip.
“Our warriors are used for attacking, not hunting,” replied Ashfur. “We eat whatever we can find.”
“ThunderClan, hide in that clump of bracken over there,” hissed Yellowfang. “It’s full of toadstools that will disguise your scent. Wait here till you hear me call.”
She stepped back to let the other ShadowClan cats lead the way, tucking herself into the center of their group as though she were their prisoner. They headed silently into the camp.
The ThunderClan cats settled themselves among the toadstools, tense and alert. Firepaw could feel his coat prickling. He looked at Graypaw beside him. The thick fur on the back of his friend’s neck was standing on end, and Firepaw could hear him panting with suppressed excitement.
Suddenly yowling erupted from the ShadowClan camp. Without hesitating, the ThunderClan cats sprang from their hiding places and raced through the entrance.
Yellowfang, Ashfur, Dawncloud, and Nightpelt were in a well-trodden, muddy clearing, wrestling with six vicious-looking warriors. Firepaw recognized Brokenstar and his deputy, Blackfoot, among them. The warriors looked hungry and battle-scarred, but Firepaw could see the hard muscles pounding beneath their patchy fur.
Around the edge of the clearing, groups of scrawny cats stared uncertainly at the mayhem. Their skinny bodies seemed to recoil at the violence, while their dull eyes looked on, shocked and confused. Out of the corner of his eye, Firepaw saw Runningnose back away and hide beneath a bush.
At Whitestorm’s nodded signal, the ThunderClan cats leaped into the battle.
Firepaw grasped a silver tabby with his claws, but was shaken loose. He tumbled over and the ShadowClan warrior turned on him and gripped him with claws as sharp as blackthorns. Firepaw managed to twist and sink his teeth deep into the cat’s flesh. The warrior’s yowl told him he had found a tender spot, and he bit harder. The warrior screeched again, ripping himself free, and ran off into the bushes.
Firepaw stood up. A young ShadowClan apprentice leaped at him from the edge of the camp, its soft kitten fur fluffed up with fear.
Firepaw sheathed his claws and batted him away easily. “This is not your battle,” he hissed.
Whitestorm already had Blackfoot pinned to the ground. He gave him a vicious bite and the injured deputy raced away toward the camp entrance and out into the safety of the forest.
“Firepaw!” Firepaw heard Dawncloud screech his name. “Watch out! Clawface is—” He didn’t hear the rest. A heavily built brown cat crashed into him. Clawface!Firepaw dug his claws into the ground and whirled around to fight. The warrior that killed Spottedleaf! Rage surged through him and he flung himself onto the brown tom.
Firepaw pushed the warrior to the ground and pressed his head into the dirt. Blinded by fury, he prepared to sink his teeth into Clawface’s neck. But before he could deal his death blow, Whitestorm knocked him aside and grasped the ShadowClan warrior.
“ThunderClan warriors do not kill unless they have to,” he growled in Firepaw’s ear. “We just need to let them know not to show their faces here again!” He gave Clawface a fierce bite that sent him screaming out of the camp.
Still raging, Firepaw looked around wildly. Brokenstar’s warriors had gone.
An angry screech sounded from behind Graypaw. Graypaw leaped out of the way and Firepaw saw Yellowfang gripping Brokenstar with muddy, bloodstained paws. His body bled from several wounds. His ears were flattened against his head, and his whiskers were drawn back as he crouched, flattened beneath Yellowfang’s powerful grasp.
“I never thought you would be harder to kill than my father!” he snarled up at her.
Yellowfang recoiled as if she had been stung by a bee, her face twisted suddenly by shock and grief. She loosened her grip on Brokenstar, and instantly he threw her aside with a twist of his powerful body.
“Youkilled Raggedstar?” Yellowfang wailed, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Brokenstar eyed her coldly. “You found his body. Didn’t you recognize my fur between his claws?” Yellowfang stared in horror as he continued. “He was a soft and foolish leader. He deserved to die.”
“No!” hissed Yellowfang, her head dropping. Then she gave herself a shake. She looked up at Brokenstar, arching her back. “And Brightflower’s kits? Did they deserve to die too?” she rasped.
Brokenstar growled and hurled himself at Yellowfang, forcing her onto her belly. Yellowfang didn’t even attempt to struggle against his thorn-sharp claws. Firepaw saw with alarm that her eyes were glazed with sadness.
“Those kits were weak,” Brokenstar hissed, bending his face toward Yellowfang’s ear. “They would have been no use to ShadowClan. If I hadn’t killed them, some other warrior would have.”
A wail of grief went up from a black-and-white ShadowClan queen. Brokenstar ignored her. “I should have killed youwhen I had the chance,” he spat at Yellowfang. “It seems I must have some of my father’s softness. I was a fool to let you leave ShadowClan alive!” He lunged, teeth bared, ready to sink them into her neck.
Firepaw was quicker. He jumped onto Brokenstar’s back before he could clamp his jaws shut. Firepaw dug his claws into the matted tabby fur and pulled him off the exhausted queen, flinging him to the edge of the clearing.
Brokenstar twisted around in midair to land on his feet and looked into Firepaw’s eyes, spitting viciously. “Don’t waste your time, apprentice! I’ve shared dreams with StarClan. You will have to kill me nine times over before I join them. Do you really think you’re strong enough for that?” His eyes glowed with confidence and defiance.
Firepaw stared back at him. His belly tightened. Brokenstar was a Clan leader! How on earth could he expect to defeat him? But the watching ShadowClan cats had begun to pad slowly toward their defeated leader, snarling and hissing with hatred. They were battered and half-starved, but Brokenstar was outnumbered, and he seemed to realize this with a nervous flick of his tail. He crouched and backed away through the bushes. His eyes glittered menacingly from the shadows, his gaze finding Firepaw through the crowd.
“This isn’t over, apprentice,” he hissed before he turned and vanished into the forest after his broken warriors.
Firepaw looked to Whitestorm. “Should we go after them?” he meowed.
The warrior shook his head. “I think they got the message that they are not welcome here.”
Nightpelt, the ShadowClan warrior, nodded in agreement. “Leave them. If they dare to show their faces here again, ShadowClan will be strong enough by then to tackle them alone.”
The rest of ShadowClan was huddled together in the ruins of their camp, as if numbed by the realization that their leader had gone. It will take time to rebuild this Clan,Firepaw thought.
“The kits!”
Firepaw heard Graypaw’s meow from a far corner of the clearing. He rushed over to his friend, Mousefur and Whitestorm bounding at his heels. As they approached, they could hear the pitiful mewling of kits coming from beneath a pile of leaves and twigs. Quickly Graypaw and Mousefur dug down through the foliage until they had uncovered the missing ThunderClan kits at the bottom of a small pit.
“Are they okay?” demanded Whitestorm, his tail twitching with anxiety.
“They’re fine,” replied Graypaw. “Most have only a few scratches. But that little tabby has a pretty nasty wound on his ear. Can you take a look, Yellowfang?”
The old she-cat was licking her own wounds, but at Graypaw’s call she raced to the side of the pit, where Graypaw had carefully deposited the tabby kit.
Firepaw helped Graypaw to lift out the rest of the kits. The last one was gray, like the embers of an old fire. She mewled and squirmed as Firepaw placed her on the ground. Mousefur gathered all the kits to her and comforted them with licks and caresses.
Yellowfang looked closely at the torn ear. “We need to stop this bleeding,” she meowed.
Runningnose stepped out of the shadows. His forepaw was coated in a layer of cobwebs, which he silently passed to Yellowfang. She nodded her thanks and began to treat the kit’s wound.
Nightpelt approached the group of ThunderClan cats. “You helped ShadowClan rid itself of a brutal and dangerous leader, and we are grateful. But it is time you left our camp and returned to your own. I promise your hunting grounds will be free of ShadowClan warriors as long as we can find enough food in our own territory.”
Whitestorm nodded. “Hunt in peace for one moon, Nightpelt. ThunderClan knows you need time to rebuild your Clan.” He turned to Yellowfang. “And you, Yellowfang?” he asked. “Do you wish to return with us, or stay here with your old comrades?”
Yellowfang looked up at him. “I will make the journey back with you.” She glanced at a deep gash on Whitestorm’s hind leg. “You will need a medicine cat, for yourself as well as your kits.”
“Thank you,” purred Whitestorm. He signaled to the ThunderClan cats with a sweep of his tail and led them out of the clearing. Mousefur and Willowpelt helped the kits, who stumbled along, exhausted and bewildered. Yellowfang walked close to the wounded tabby kit, lifting him by the scruff of his neck every time he slipped. Firepaw and Graypaw followed them through the brambles, past the camp scent-line and out into the forest.
The moon was still rising in the quiet sky as the ThunderClan party began the long trudge home, while around them showers of brown leaves fluttered to the forest floor.
第二十四章
第二十四章
黄牙转身钻进蕨丛中，白风和其他猫随后跟上。
火爪激动得浑身发颤，根本感觉不到空气中的阴冷潮湿。此时，他的心中再没有丝毫的消沉。
黄牙领着大家来到一个四周灌木环绕的凹地前，指出通往影族营地的入口。那里荆棘乱糟糟地堆作一团，与雷族营地入口处整洁的金雀花通道相比简直是天壤之别。营地周围到处是窟窿和裂口，肉体腐烂的臭味扑鼻而来。
灰爪卷起上唇，小声说：“你们吃腐肉吗？”
灰毛回答：“我们的武士们是用来战斗，而不是用来打猎的。我们找到什么就吃什么。”
黄牙低声说：“雷族的武士，你们隐蔽在那边的蕨丛里。那里长满了毒蕈，能够掩盖住你们的气味。在那里等我的招呼。”
她向后退去，让影族其他的武士走在前面，自己则走在他们中间，装作被俘的样子，默不做声地走进营地。
雷族众猫坐在毒蕈中间，绷紧神经，全神戒备。火爪感觉到自己毛发立。他瞧了瞧身边的灰爪，看到他脖颈上的毛都竖立起来，甚至能听到他极力抑制的激动的喘气声。
突然，影族营地传出厉吼。没做任何犹豫，雷族的武士们立刻跳出藏身地，奔进营门。
黄牙、灰毛、曙云和夜皮正在一片泥泞的会场上同六名相貌凶狠的武士扭打在一起。
火爪认出了其中的断星和他的副族长黑脚。那些猫看起来都饿着肚子、身上伤痕累累，但在他们斑驳不全的皮毛下，却是高高鼓起、结结实实的肌肉。
会场四周边缘，一群群骨瘦如柴的猫们望着这突如其来的变故，拿不定主意。他们瘦弱的身躯似乎承受不住任何的暴力，而那一双双暗淡无神的眼睛，则充满了惊骇和迷惘。
利用眼角的余光，火爪看见奔鼻向后退去躲进一簇灌木丛下。
在白风点头示意下，雷族的勇士们纷纷加入战斗。
火爪用爪子抓住一只银色的虎斑猫，但被对方挣脱了。他猝不及防跌倒在地，那名影族武士转过身用黑棘般的利爪擒住他。火爪扭动身躯将牙齿狠狠插入对方的血肉之躯。那名武士大叫一声，显然被咬到了痛处，火爪趁势更用力地咬下去。那名武士再次发出尖叫，拼命挣扎，不顾被扯开的血口，逃进灌木丛里。
火爪站起身。一个年轻的学徒从会场边朝他扑过来，由于害怕，那只小猫身上柔软的胎毛都蓬松立。
火爪收起利爪，一巴掌就将他打飞出去，小声说：“别过来凑热闹。”
这时白风已将黑脚按倒在地，狠狠地给了黑脚一口，那位受伤的副族长奔出营地，逃进森林里。
“火爪！”火爪听见曙云高喊他的名字，“小心！爪脸正在……”他没有听见下半句。一只重量级的棕色公猫向他冲过来，正是爪脸。火爪四爪紧插地面，转过身迎接战斗。这个武士杀了斑叶！仇人相见分外眼红，火爪跳起身落在那只棕色公猫身上。
他把爪脸压在地上，死死地按住他的头。火爪已被怒火蒙蔽了双眼，准备朝对方的脖子上咬下去。但就在他要杀死爪脸的时候，白风将他撞开。
他冲着火爪耳朵大声叫嚷：“雷族的武士只在万不得已时才杀戮，我们只需要让他不敢再在这里露面就行了！”他狠狠地咬了爪脸一口，爪脸夹着尾巴逃走了。
火爪余怒未消，目光疯狂地来回扫视。断星的武士们都不见了。
灰爪身后传来一声愤怒的尖叫。待灰爪让开道路，火爪方才看见黄牙用她那沾满烂泥、流着鲜血的爪子抓住了断星。断星身上多处是伤，流淌着鲜血。他的耳朵贴在脑门儿上，嘴向后咧，在黄牙强力的擒捉下趴在地上。
断星恶狠狠地冲她骂道：“没想到杀你比杀我父亲还要困难！”
黄牙就像是被蜂蜇了一样突然抽搐了一下，面容因为这突如其来的震惊和悲痛而变得扭曲。就在她放松爪子的一刹那间，断星的身体猛地一顶将她撞开。
黄牙不相信自己的耳朵，尖叫着说：“你杀了残星？”
断星冷冷地看着她：“你发现了他的尸体，难道你认不出他爪子间的毛是我身上掉下的吗？”黄牙毛骨悚然地盯着他。只听断星继续说：“他这个族长既软弱又没有脑子，这是他应得的下场。”
黄牙垂下头，嘶声吼道：“不！”接着，她浑身一抖，弓起背，抬头看着断星喘着气说：“那亮花的孩子们呢？他们也该死吗？”
断星大吼一声向黄牙冲去，撞在她的肚子上。黄牙万念俱灰，连抵挡对方利爪的念头都没有了。
断星低头在黄牙的耳边小声说：“那些幼崽们软弱无能，对影族一点儿用处都没有。就算我不杀他们，别的武士也会杀了他们的。”
一只黑白相间的影族母猫发出凄厉的尖叫。断星根本充耳不闻，他朝黄牙恶狠狠地说：“当时我真该趁机杀了你。我身上似乎也部分携带了我父亲的软弱，竟然鬼迷心窍让你活着离开影族！”他张开血盆大口，露出锋利的牙齿，准备向黄牙脖子上咬去。
火爪抢先一步纵身跃起，在断星下毒手前跳到他的背上，将利爪狠狠插入断星的身体内，将他从疲惫不堪的黄牙身上拽开，用力一抛，抛到会场边。
断星在空中不断翻滚直到四肢落地，他目光里充满着自信和挑衅的眼神，凶神恶煞般盯着火爪说：“别浪费时间了，学徒！我已经在月亮石边睡过觉了，要想让我上天，你得杀我九次才行。你认为自己够分量办到吗？”
火爪和他对视着，每一根神经都绷紧了。断星是一族之长啊！他到底怎样才能打败断星呢？就在这时，原先观望的影族众猫渐渐向他们的族长围拢过去，嘴里发出愤怒仇恨的低嘶声。他们虽然饱受折磨、饥饿不堪，但断星却寡不敌众。他似乎也意识到这一点，紧张地摇晃着尾巴。他的眼睛在阴影中闪着凶光，目光透过群猫寻找到火爪。
“等着瞧，小子。”说完他转身带领手下消失在丛林中。
火爪望着白风，问他：“我们追击吗？”
白风摇摇头说：“我想他们应该不敢再回来了。”
影族武士夜皮点头同意说：“让他们去吧。如果他们敢再回来，影族有能力自己解决他们。”
影族的猫们聚集在被严重毁坏的营地里，似乎被族长的逃离给惊呆了。火爪心想：影族要想重建家园可得花些时间。
“幼崽！”
会场远处的一个角落传来灰爪的声音。火爪听了连忙赶去，鼠毛和白风也闻风而至。
当他们赶到时，听见一堆枝叶下面传出幼崽们可怜的喵喵叫声。灰爪和鼠毛急忙扒开树枝，树枝下有一个小小的地洞，雷族丢失的幼崽们就在里面。
白风焦急地问：“他们没事吧？”
灰爪回答说：“平安无事，大部分幼崽身上有些擦伤。不过那只小虎斑猫的耳朵上有一道血口，黄牙，你能来看一下吗？”
黄牙正在舔舐自己的伤口，听到灰爪的呼唤立刻赶了过来，只见灰爪已经小心翼翼地拽出那只小虎斑猫。
火爪帮着灰爪救出其他的幼崽。最后一个上来的是一只灰色的小猫，就像大火烧过后留下的灰烬一样。当火爪将她放在地上的时候，她喵喵叫着，身体蠕动不安。鼠毛聚齐幼崽们，挨个儿对他们舔抚安慰。
黄牙凑近看着那只受伤的小猫的耳朵说：“先止血再说。”
奔鼻从阴影中走出来，前爪缠了一层蛛丝。他默不做声地将蛛丝递给黄牙。黄牙接过来，开始给那只幼崽的伤口止血。
夜皮走到雷族的众猫面前，说：“你们帮助影族赶走了一个残暴危险的首领，我们对此深表感激，但是你们应该离开这里回到你们的营地去了。我保证，只要我们能在自己的领地里找到足够的食物，影族就不会侵扰你们的领地。”
白风点点头说：“那我们就在一个月之内保持相安无事吧，夜皮。雷族知道你们需要花费时间来重建家园。”他转头对黄牙说：“你呢，黄牙？你是希望跟我们回去呢，还是留下来和你的旧同胞们在一起？”
黄牙抬头看着他说：“我和你们一起回去。”她瞧了瞧白风后腿上的伤口，又说：“你们需要一位巫医，无论是对你还是对幼崽们都有好处。”
白风吁了口气，说：“谢谢你。”他晃了晃尾巴，带领大家走出会场。鼠毛和柳带负责照顾累得一塌糊涂、蹒跚而行的幼崽们。黄牙走在那只受伤的小虎斑猫旁边，每当他失足要摔倒的时候，便叼起他的颈背扶他站起。火爪和灰爪则跟在大伙儿后面，穿过荆棘丛，走出影族的边界进入森林里。
月亮已升起在寂静的夜空中，雷族的搜寻队艰难地走在回家的路上，周围落叶缤纷，从树上洋洋洒洒地飘落到地面。
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 25
Buoyed up with relief at being home again,Firepaw and Graypaw sprinted ahead of the patrol into the ThunderClan camp. Frostfur was lying in the middle of the clearing, her head resting sadly on her paws. As the two apprentices bounded in she lifted her nose and sniffed the air. “My kits!” she cried. She leaped up and raced past Firepaw and Graypaw to meet the rest of the party as they emerged from the tunnel.
The kits rushed over to Frostfur and nuzzled into her side. She curled her soft body around them and licked them each in turn, purring loudly.
Yellowfang hung back at the camp entrance and looked on silently.
Bluestar strode up to the returning patrol. She glanced fondly at Frostfur and her kits and then turned her eyes to Whitestorm. “Are they all right?” she asked.
“They’re fine,” meowed Whitestorm.
“Well done, Whitestorm. ThunderClan honors you.”
Whitestorm bent his head to accept her praise, and added, “But it was thanks to this apprentice that we found them.”
Firepaw lifted his head and tail proudly, about to speak, but Tigerclaw’s accusing snarl sounded from across the clearing.
“Why did you bring back the traitor?” The dark warrior stalked up to the patrol and stood beside his leader.
“She is no traitor,” Firepaw insisted. He looked around the camp. The rest of the cats had quickly gathered in the clearing to see the kits and congratulate the hunting party. Some of them had spotted Yellowfang and were eyeing her with looks of pure hatred.
“She killed Spottedleaf,” spat Longtail.
“Look between Spottedleaf’s claws,” Graypaw suggested. “You will find the brown fur of Clawface, not Yellowfang’s gray fur!”
Bluestar nodded at Mousefur, who darted away from the crowd, toward the spot where Spottedleaf’s body lay, waiting for its dawn burial. The Clan waited in tense silence till she returned.
“Graypaw is right,” Mousefur panted, rushing back to the clearing. “Spottedleaf was not attacked by a gray cat.”
A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd.
“But that doesn’t mean she didn’t help to take the kits!” hissed Tigerclaw.
“Without Yellowfang we never would have recovered the kits!” Firepaw spat, his exhaustion making him impatient. “She knew that a ShadowClan warrior had taken them. She was hunting for them when I found her. She risked her life returning to the ShadowClan camp. It was Yellowfang who thought up the battle plan that got us into the ShadowClan camp and gave us a chance to defeat Brokenstar!”
The cats listened to Firepaw’s words, astonished.
“He’s right,” Whitestorm meowed. “Yellowfang is a friend.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” murmured Bluestar, catching Firepaw’s eye.
Frostfur’s anxious meow sounded from the crowd. “Is Brokenstar dead?” she asked.
“No, he escaped,” Whitestorm told her. “But he will never lead ShadowClan again.”
Frostfur sighed in relief and returned to nuzzling her kits.
Whitestorm looked at Bluestar. “I promised ShadowClan we would leave them in peace until next fullmoon,” he explained. “Brokenstar’s leadership has left their Clan in chaos.”
Bluestar nodded. “That was a wise and generous offer,” she meowed approvingly. The ThunderClan leader walked past Whitestorm and the rest of the patrol and approached Yellowfang. Yellowfang lowered her eyes as Bluestar touched the gray cat’s rough coat with her nose.
“Yellowfang, I wish you to replace Spottedleaf as medicine cat to ThunderClan,” Bluestar meowed. “I’m sure you’ll find all her supplies as she left them.”
The other cats began to murmur to each other, tails flicking with excitement. Yellowfang looked around at them anxiously and said nothing.
Frostfur glanced at the other queens before she met Yellowfang’s gaze and slowly nodded her approval.
Yellowfang bent her head respectfully to the white cat before addressing her new leader. “Thank you, Bluestar. ShadowClan is not the Clan I once knew. ThunderClan is my Clan now.”
Firepaw felt a surge of satisfaction that the old she-cat he had come to love would be his Clan’s medicine cat from now on. Then his tail dropped as he realized that he would never again find Spottedleaf in her clearing, the sunlight gleaming on her soft fur, her amber eyes shining in welcome.
“Where’s Ravenpaw?” meowed Bluestar suddenly, jolting Firepaw out of his bittersweet remembrances.
“Yes,” Tigerclaw chimed in, “where is my apprentice? Strange that he should disappear along with Brokenstar.” He looked meaningfully around the Clan.
“If you think he might have been helping Brokenstar,” Firepaw meowed boldly, “then you are wrong!”
Tigerclaw stiffened, a menacing gleam in his yellow eyes.
“Ravenpaw is dead,” Firepaw went on, dropping his head as if weighed down with grief. “We found his body in ShadowClan territory. From the scents around him, he must have been slain by a ShadowClan patrol.” He looked at Bluestar. “I will tell you everything later,” he promised.
Yellowfang shot Firepaw a questioning look. Firepaw returned her gaze with a silent plea for her to hold her tongue. She twitched her ears briefly in understanding and looked away.
“I never said that Ravenpaw was a traitor,” hissed Tigerclaw. He paused and allowed an expression of sorrow to cloud his eyes before he turned to address the rest of the Clan. “Ravenpaw might have made a fine warrior. His death has come too soon, and his loss will be felt by many of us for a long time.”
Empty words!thought Firepaw bitterly. What would Tigerclaw say if he knew that Ravenpaw was safe, far beyond the forest, catching rats with Barley?
Bluestar broke the silence. “We will miss Ravenpaw, but we shall mourn him tomorrow. First there is another ritual that must be performed—one, I know, that Ravenpaw would have taken pleasure in.” She turned to Firepaw and Graypaw. “You have shown great courage tonight. Did they fight well, Whitestorm?” she asked.
“Like warriors,” Whitestorm replied solemnly.
Bluestar met his yellow-eyed gaze and gave a slight nod. Then she lifted her chin and fixed her eyes on Silverpelt’s swath of stars. Her voice rang out, clear and measured in the hushed woods. “I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn.” She looked down at Firepaw and Graypaw, narrowing her eyes. “Firepaw, Graypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?”
Firepaw felt something stir within him, a fire that burned in his belly and rang in his ears. He suddenly felt that everything he had done for the Clan so far—all the prey he had stalked, all the enemy warriors he had fought—had been for the sake of this single moment. “I do,” he replied steadily.
“I do,” echoed Graypaw, his fur bristling with excitement.
“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names: Graypaw, from this moment you will be known as Graystripe. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.” Bluestar stepped forward and rested her muzzle on top of Graystripe’s bowed head. He bent lower to give her shoulder a respectful lick, then straightened up and walked over to join the other warriors.
Bluestar stood and studied Firepaw for a long moment before speaking. “Firepaw, from this moment you will be known as Fireheart. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.” She touched her muzzle to his head and murmured, “Fireheart, I am proud to have you as my warrior. Serve your Clan well, young one.”
Fireheart’s muscles were trembling so much that he could hardly stoop to lick Bluestar’s shoulder. He purred hoarsely to show his thanks, then slipped away to stand beside Graystripe.
Meows of tribute sounded from the crowd, and the voices of the Clan rose in the still night air to chant the new warrior names. “Fireheart! Graystripe! Fireheart! Graystripe!”
Fireheart looked around the Clan, seeing faces that had grown so familiar over the last few moons. He listened to them as they called his new name and felt overwhelmed by the kindness and respect he saw shining in their eyes.
“It is almost moonhigh,” meowed Bluestar. “In the tradition of our ancestors, Fireheart and Graystripe must sit in silent vigil until dawn, and guard the camp alone while we sleep.”
Fireheart and Graystripe nodded solemnly.
As the rest of the Clan began to melt away back to their dens, Tigerclaw pushed past Fireheart. The ThunderClan deputy slowed as he passed and hissed quietly into his ear, “Don’t think you can outwit me, kittypet. Be careful what you tell Bluestar.”
A cold shiver ran down Fireheart’s spine. Bluestar had to know about Tigerclaw’s treachery!
As Tigerclaw headed back to the warriors’ den, Fireheart left Graystripe sitting alone in the clearing and bounded after Bluestar. He caught up with her outside her den. “Bluestar, I know I’m breaking the vow of silence, but I must speak with you before I begin my vigil.”
Bluestar looked at Fireheart and shook her head. “This is an important ritual, Fireheart. You can speak to me in the morning.”
Fireheart dipped his head in acceptance. Tigerclaw was not a problem that could be solved overnight anyway. He returned to Graystripe’s side in the middle of the clearing. The two friends exchanged glances, but said nothing.
Fireheart looked at the moon above his head. His orange coat glowed silver in the cold light. Around him, the bushes and trees were draped in mist that brushed damply against his fur. Fireheart closed his eyes and recalled the dreams of his kittenhood. The cool forest scents in his nostrils were real now, and the life of a warrior stretched ahead of him. He felt unrestrained joy flood up from his paws and surge through his body. Then he opened his eyes with a jolt. Another pair of eyes was shining back at him from the warriors’ den.
Tigerclaw!
Fireheart stared back without blinking. He was a warrior now. He had made an enemy of the Clan’s deputy, but Tigerclaw had made an enemy of him. Fireheart was not the same naive young cat who had joined the Clan all those moons ago. He was bigger, stronger, faster, and wiser. If he was destined to oppose Tigerclaw, then so be it. Fireheart was ready for the challenge.
第二十五章
第二十五章
又回到家里了，大家心情顿时轻松起来。火爪和灰爪一马当先冲进雷族的营地。霜毛正躺在会场中间，脑袋无精打采地枕在爪子上。火爪和灰爪刚一进营地，她立即抬起头嗅了嗅空气，大声叫道：“我的孩子们！”她跳起身，经过火爪和灰爪的身边，奔向出现在营门处的搜寻队。
幼崽们冲进霜毛的怀里，在她身上拱来拱去。她蜷起柔软的身躯将幼崽们围在怀中，舔舔这个又舔舔那个，嘴里发出满足的呜呜声。
蓝星走到凯旋的队伍跟前，深情地看了看霜毛和她的孩子们，然后目光转向白风，问：“他们都没事吧？”
白风说：“都平安无事。”
“干得好，白风，整个雷族都以你为骄傲。”
白风低下头接受了她的赞美，补充说：“但这全归功于我找到的这名学徒。”
火爪自豪地昂起头和尾巴，正要说话，这时从会场上传来虎掌愤怒的叱责声。
虎掌走到众猫面前，站在族长的身边说：“你们为什么把这个叛徒带回来？”
火爪争辩说：“她不是叛徒。”他扫了一眼营地，看见其他的猫都迅速聚集到会场来看望幼崽并向搜寻队道贺。一些猫发现了黄牙，眼睛瞪着她，嘴里发出仇恨的低嘶声。
长尾喝骂道：“她杀死了斑叶！”
灰爪猜测说：“看看斑叶爪子中间的毛吧，你会发现那些棕毛是爪脸身上的，而不是黄牙身上的灰毛！”
蓝星向鼠毛点点头，后者冲出猫群，直奔等待黎明下葬的斑叶尸体停放的地方。当她返回的时候，全族都静静地等着，气氛十分紧张。
鼠毛奔回会场，喘着气说：“灰爪说得没错，袭击斑叶的不是一只灰色的猫。”
猫群中顿时响起一片惊讶的议论声。
虎掌大声说：“但这并不表示她没有协助抢走这些幼崽们！”
火爪疲惫之余声音显得十分不耐烦，大声说：“没有黄牙，我们就永远也找不到这些幼崽了！她知道是影族的一个武士偷走了幼崽。当我找到她时，她正在寻找他们。她是冒着生命危险返回影族营地的。是黄牙想出了这个战斗计划，我们才能够进入影族营地，才有机会打败断星！”
众猫听了火爪的话，都大为吃惊。
白风说：“他说得没错，黄牙是我们的朋友。”
蓝星看着火爪的眼睛，喃喃地说：“听到这些我很高兴。”
猫群中只听霜毛焦急地问：“断星死了吗？”
白风告诉她：“没有，他逃走了，但是他永远也不可能再领导影族了。”
霜毛松了口气，转头又去安慰她的孩子们。
白风瞅着蓝星：“我向影族立下保证，保证我们在下个月以前和他们和平共处。”他解释说：“断星的统治给他们的族群带来一片混乱。”
蓝星点点头，赞同地说：“这是个明智而慷慨的提议。”说完她走到黄牙面前。当蓝星用鼻子轻触黄牙蓬乱的皮毛时，黄牙低下头去。
蓝星说：“黄牙，我希望你接替斑叶做雷族的巫医。”
其他的猫议论纷纷，尾巴兴奋地摇晃着。黄牙担忧地环视了一圈猫群，没有做声。
霜毛瞅了瞅其他的母猫，然后她迎着黄牙的目光缓缓地点头同意。
黄牙尊敬地向霜毛低下头，然后对蓝星说：“谢谢你，蓝星。影族不再是我熟悉的那个影族了，雷族现在是我的本族。”
看到自己的好朋友从此成为雷族的医生，火爪感到一种无比的满足。接着，他想起斑叶站在巫医巢穴门前，柔顺的毛在阳光下闪耀，琥珀色的眼睛发出友善的光芒的动人情景，这一切他再也看不到了。想到这里，他不由得黯然地垂下尾巴。
“乌爪在哪里？”蓝星突如其来的询问将火爪从甜蜜而痛苦的回忆中拽了出来。
虎掌意味深长地巡视着营地，插嘴说：“是啊，我的徒弟在哪儿？真是奇怪，他和断星一同消失了。”
火爪壮着胆子说：“如果你认为他一直在协助断星，那你就大错特错了！”
虎掌身体一下子变得僵直，眼里射出阴森森的目光。
火爪低下头，装出一副沉痛的样子，说：“乌爪死了，我们在影族领地里发现了他的尸体。从他周围的气味判断，他是被影族的巡逻队杀害的。”他看着蓝星保证说：“迟些我会告诉你所有的事情。”
黄牙满腹疑问地瞅了火爪一眼，火爪冲她使个眼色恳求她别说话。黄牙顿时明白过来，扭了扭耳朵将目光移向别处。
虎掌嘶声说：“我从没有说过乌爪是个叛徒。”他顿了顿，装出一副悲伤的样子，转身向众猫说：“乌爪原本会成为一名优秀的武士。他死得太突然了，他的死会令我们难过很长一段时间的。”
火爪心中暗想：谎话连篇！如果虎掌知道乌爪现在安安全全地远在森林外和巴利一起捉老鼠，又会怎么说呢？
蓝星打破沉默：“我们会怀念乌爪的，但要等明天再哀悼他。现在还有一项重要的仪式要进行——如果乌爪泉下有知，他也会十分欣慰的。”她转身对火爪和灰爪说：“你们在今晚表现出了极大的勇气。白风，他们是否英勇战斗了？”
白风庄严肃穆地回答说：“他们的表现丝毫不亚于真正的武士。”
蓝星看着他的黄眼睛，略略点了点头。然后，她仰起脸望着布满星辰的银河，开口说话了，她的声音在寂静无声的森林中十分清晰：“我，蓝星，雷族族长，请求武士祖先们看看这两位学徒。他们经过刻苦训练，终于领悟到你们神圣的武士守则的精髓。因此，我向你们郑重推荐他们成为武士。”她低下头看着火爪和灰爪，眯起眼睛：“火爪，灰爪，你们愿意尊奉武士守则、保卫我们的族群，即使献出生命也在所不惜吗？”
火爪感到心潮澎湃，就像有一团火在胸中燃烧然后直冲双耳。他突然发觉长久以来为族群做的每一件事情——捕获猎物、与敌人战斗——都是为了这一刻。他坚定地回答说：“我愿意。”
灰爪身上的毛激动地竖立起来，重复说：“我愿意。”
“凭借着星族的力量，我赐予你们武士的名号。灰爪，从此刻起你的名字就叫做灰条。
星族以你的勇气和力量为荣，欢迎你成为雷族的一名合格的武士。”蓝星上前吻了吻灰条低垂的头。灰条尊敬地低下头舔了舔蓝星肩头的毛，然后直起脖子走到武士的行列中。
蓝星站在那里仔细审视火爪片刻方才说：“火爪，从此刻起你的名字就叫做火心。星族以你的勇气和力量为荣，欢迎你成为雷族的一名合格的武士。”她吻了吻他的头，小声说：“火心，我很骄傲能有你做我的武士。好好为你的族群服务吧，年轻的武士。”
火心的肌肉颤抖得那么厉害，以至于几乎不能低下头去舔蓝星的肩膀。他声音沙哑地表示感谢，然后走过去站在灰条旁边。
猫群中称颂声此起彼伏，在这寂静的夜晚，营地上空回荡着这两位新武士的名号：“火心！灰条！火心！灰条！”
火心环视众猫，望着多日来渐渐熟悉的一张张面孔。他听着他们呼喊自己的名字，他们眼中流露出的友爱和尊重令他感激难言。
蓝星说：“就要进入深夜了，依照我们祖先流传下来的习俗，火心和灰条必须守夜至黎明，其间不能说一句话，在大家安睡的时候独自为我们守卫营地。”
火心和灰条庄严地点了点头。
众猫纷纷散去回到自己的巢穴中。虎掌走过火心身边，在他耳边轻轻说：“别以为你能瞒过我，宠物猫，在蓝星面前可不要乱说话。”
火心脊背上掠过一阵凉意。蓝星必须知道虎掌的所作所为！
看见虎掌转身走回武士巢穴，火心丢下灰条独自坐在会场里，自己急忙追赶蓝星。在蓝星的巢穴外，火心追上了她：“蓝星，我知道不应当开口讲话，但在守夜开始前我必须和你谈一谈。”
蓝星看着火心摇了摇头：“这是一项非常重要的仪式，火心，你可以在明天早上找我谈。”
火心顺从地低下头。不管怎样，虎掌的问题毕竟不是一夜之间就能解决的。他回到会场中央坐在灰条身旁，两个朋友相互交换了眼神，但都没有说话。
火心仰头望着天上的明月，他的皮毛在清冷的月光照射下闪烁着银光。雾气阴冷，侵入火心的皮毛；雾气弥漫，将周围的树和灌木都隐没其中。火心闭上双眼回忆起儿时的梦境。如今，那股冰冷的森林气息已成为现实，武士生涯就铺展在他的眼前，他感到一种说不出的欢快从爪底滋生出来涌遍全身。接着，他心中一动，睁开双眼，看见从武士巢穴中射来一对精光闪烁的目光。
是虎掌！
火心毫不示弱，用目光回敬着。他现在是一名武士了。他虽然有了虎掌这样的敌人，但虎掌也同样有了他这样的敌人。火心再也不是几个月前初到营地时那只天真的小猫了，他已经更加高大，身体更加强壮，身手更加敏捷，头脑更加灵活。如果他命中注定与虎掌为敌，那就听从命运的安排吧。火心时刻准备着迎接这项挑战。