ALLEGIANCES
ALLEGIANCES
THUNDERCLAN
LEADER
BLUESTAR —blue-gray she-cat, tinged with silver around her muzzle
DEPUTY
TIGERCLAW —big dark brown tabby tom with unusually long front claws
MEDICINE CAT
YELLOWFANG —old dark gray she-cat with a broad, flattened face, formerly of ShadowClan
WARRIORS (toms and she-cats without kits)
WHITESTORM —big white tom
APPRENTICE, SANDPAW
DARKSTRIPE —sleek black-and-gray tabby tom
APPRENTICE, DUSTPAW
LONGTAIL —pale tabby tom with dark black stripes
APPRENTICE, SWIFTPAW
RUNNINGWIND —swift tabby tom
WILLOWPELT —very pale gray she-cat with unusual blue eyes
MOUSEFUR —small dusky brown she-cat
FIREHEART —handsome ginger tom
APPRENTICE, CINDERPAW
GRAYSTRIPE —long-haired solid gray tom
APPRENTICE, BRACKENPAW
APPRENTICES (more than six moons old, in training to become warriors)
SANDPAW —pale ginger she-cat
DUSTPAW —dark brown tabby tom
SWIFTPAW —black-and-white tom
CINDERPAW —dark gray she-cat
BRACKENPAW —golden brown tabby 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
NIGHTPELT —old black tom
DEPUTY
CINDERFUR —thin gray tom
MEDICINE CAT
RUNNINGNOSE —small gray-and-white tom
WARRIORS
STUMPYTAIL —brown tabby tom
APPRENTICE, BROWNPAW
WETFOOT —gray tabby tom
APPRENTICE, OAKPAW
LITTLECLOUD —very small tabby tom
QUEENS
DAWNCLOUD —small tabby
DARKFLOWER —black she-cat
TALLPOPPY —long-legged light brown tabby shecat
ELDERS
ASHFUR —thin gray tom
WINDCLAN
LEADER
TALLSTAR —black-and-white tom with a very long tail
DEPUTY
DEADFOOT —black tom with a twisted paw
MEDICINE CAT
BARKFACE —short-tailed brown tom
WARRIORS
MUDCLAW —mottled dark brown tom
APPRENTICE, WEBPAW
TORNEAR —tabby tom
APPRENTICE, RUNNINGPAW
ONEWHISKER —young brown tabby tom
APPRENTICE, WHITEPAW
QUEENS
ASHFOOT —gray queen
MORNINGFLOWER —tortoiseshell queen
RIVERCLAN
LEADER
CROOKEDSTAR —huge light-colored tabby with a twisted jaw
DEPUTY
LEOPARDFUR —unusually spotted golden tabby
she-cat
MEDICINE CAT
MUDFUR —long-haired light brown tom
WARRIORS
BLACKCLAW —smoky black tom
APPRENTICE, HEAVYPAW
STONEFUR —gray tom with battle-scarred ears
APPRENTICE, SHADEPAW
LOUDBELLY —dark brown tom
APPRENTICE, SILVERPAW
SILVERSTREAM —pretty slender silver tabby
WHITECLAW —dark warrior
CATS OUTSIDE CLANS
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
BROKENSTAR —long-haired dark brown tabby, formerly ShadowClan leader
BLACKFOOT —large white tom with huge jet-black paws, formerly ShadowClan deputy
CLAWFACE —battle-scarred brown tom
BOULDER —silver tabby tom
RAVENPAW —sleek black cat with a white-tippedtail
PRINCESS —light brown tabby with a distinctivewhite chest and paws—a kittypet
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
虎掌——个头高大的深棕色虎斑公猫，两只前爪特别修长。
巫医
黄牙——深灰色老年母猫，面部宽扁，曾经隶属于影族。
武士 （公猫和母猫均可成为武士。）
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。
长尾的徒弟是迅爪。
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。
火心——外表英俊的姜黄色公猫。
火心的徒弟是炭爪。
灰条——长毛、纯灰色公猫。
灰条的徒弟是蕨爪。
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。
沙爪——姜黄色母猫。
迅爪——黑白相间的公猫。
炭爪——灰色母猫。
蕨爪——姜黄色花斑公猫。
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
夜星——上年纪的黑色公猫。
副族长
灰毛——瘦骨嶙峋的灰色公猫。
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。
湿脚——灰色虎斑公猫。
小云——个头很小的花斑公猫。
猫后
曙云——小个子虎斑猫。
风族
族长
高星——黑白相间的公猫，长着一根修长的尾巴。
副族长
坏脚——黑色花斑公猫，一只脚残废了。
巫医
青面——短尾棕色公猫。
武士
泥掌——棕色公猫，身上长有黑斑。
裂耳——虎斑公猫。
一根须——年轻的棕色虎斑公猫。
猫后
灰脚——灰色母猫。
晨花——花斑母猫。
河族
族长
钩星——个头高大的灰白色虎斑猫，下颚扭曲。
副族长
豹毛——身上长有醒目的金黄色斑点的母猫。
巫医
泥毛——长毛、浅棕色公猫。
武士
黑掌——棕黑色虎斑公猫。
石毛——灰色公猫，耳朵在战斗中被撕裂了。
响肚——深棕色公猫。
银溪——容貌美丽、身材苗条的银灰色母猫。
白掌——黑色公猫，爪子为白色。
族群以外的猫
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。
断星——长毛、深棕色虎斑公猫，曾为影族族长。
黑脚——大个头白色公猫，四爪黢黑，曾为影族族长代表。
爪脸——棕色公猫，脸上伤痕累累。
石头——灰色公猫。
乌爪——瘦小的黑色公猫，尾巴尖儿是白色的。
公主——浅棕色宠物猫，胸脯和爪子均为白色。
云崽——长毛白色公猫，是公主的大儿子。
PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE
Orange flames lapped at the coldair, throwing sparks up into the night sky. The firelight flickered across a wasteland of ragged grass, making silhouettes of the Twolegs huddled there.
A pair of white lights appeared in the distance, heralding the approach of a monster. It roared past on a Thunderpath that rose high into the sky, filling the air with sour fumes.
At the edge of the wasteland, a cat moved, its eyes glinting in the shadows. Pointed ears twitched, then flattened against the noise. More cats followed one by one, onto the filthy grass. They carried their tails low and sniffed the bitter air with their lips curled.
“What if the Twolegs see us?” hissed one of the cats.
A large tom answered, his eyes like amber disks reflecting the firelight. “They won’t. Their night sight is weak.” As he padded forward the flames lit up the black-and-white fur on his powerful shoulders. He held his long tail straight up, sending a message of courage to his Clan.
But the other cats crouched low against the grass, trembling. This was a strange place. The noise of the monsters battered their sensitive ear fur, and the acrid stench stung their nostrils.
“Tallstar?” A gray queen flicked her tail uneasily. “Why have we come here?”
The black-and-white tom turned to the she-cat. “We’ve been driven from every place we’ve tried to settle, Ashfoot. Perhaps we can find some peace here,” he meowed.
“Peace? Here?” Ashfoot echoed in disbelief. She pulled her kit toward her and sheltered it beneath her belly. “With fire and monsters? My kits won’t be safe!”
“But we weren’t safe at home,” meowed another voice. A black tom pushed his way forward, limping heavily on a twisted paw. He held Tallstar’s amber gaze. “We couldn’t protect them from ShadowClan,” he spat. “Not even in our own camp!”
Anxious yowls rose from some of the cats as they remembered the terrible battle that had driven them from their home in the uplands, at the edge of the forest. A young apprentice wailed, “Brokenstar and his warriors may still be hunting us!”
The cry alerted one of the Twolegs around the fire. It stood unsteadily and stared toward the shadows. At once the cats fell silent, crouching lower; even Tallstar lowered his tail. The Twoleg shouted into the darkness and flung something toward them. The missile flew over their heads and exploded in a burst of thorn-sharp pieces on the Thunderpath behind.
Ashfoot flinched as a shard grazed her shoulder, but she stayed silent, curling her body around her terrified kit.
“Keep down,” hissed Tallstar.
The Twoleg at the fire spat on the ground, then sat back down.
The cats waited for a few moments before Tallstar stood once more.
Ashfoot stood too, wincing at the new pain in her shoulder. “Tallstar, I fear for our safety here. And what will we eat? I can’t smell any prey.”
Tallstar stretched his neck and rested his muzzle gently on the queen’s head. “I know you’re hungry,” he meowed. “But we’ll be safer here than back in our old territory, or in the Twoleg fields and woods. Look at this place! Even ShadowClan wouldn’t follow us here. There’s no scent of dogs, and these Twolegs can hardly stand.” He turned to the black tom with the twisted paw. “Deadfoot,” he ordered, “take Onewhisker and see if you can find anything to eat. If there are Twolegs, there must be rats.”
“Rats?” spat Ashfoot, as Deadfoot and a smaller brown tabby bounded away. “That’s no better than crow-food!”
“Hush!” hissed a tortoiseshell beside her. “Rat meat is better than starving to death!”
Ashfoot scowled and dipped her head to lick her kit behind its matted ears.
“We must find a new place to settle, Ashfoot.” The tortoiseshell went on more gently: “Morningflower needs to rest and eat. Her kits will be born soon. She needs to be strong.”
The lean shapes of Deadfoot and Onewhisker emerged from the shadows.
“You were right, Tallstar,” called Deadfoot. “There are rat scents everywhere, and I think I’ve found somewhere we can shelter.”
“Show us,” Tallstar ordered, gathering the rest of his Clan with a flick of his tail.
Cautiously, the cats padded across the wasteland after Deadfoot. He led them toward the raised Thunderpath, the firelight making their shadows loom against its huge stone legs. A monster roared overhead and the ground shook. But even the tiniest kit sensed the need for silence and trembled without crying out.
“Here,” meowed Deadfoot, stopping beside a round hole, two cats high. A black tunnel sloped down into the ground. A constant stream of water trickled into it.
“The water’s fresh,” Deadfoot added. “We’ll be able to drink it.”
“We’ll have wet paws day and night!” Ashfoot complained.
“I’ve been inside,” the black tom told her. “There’s some space away from the stream. At least we’ll be safe from Twolegs and monsters.”
Tallstar stepped forward and lifted his chin. “WindClan has traveled for long enough,” he declared. “It’s nearly a moon since ShadowClan drove us from our home. The weather is turning colder, and leaf-bare will be here soon. We have no choice but to stay.”
Ashfoot narrowed her eyes but said nothing. Silently she joined her Clan as, one by one, they filed into the shadowy tunnel.
引子
引子
漆黑的夜里，一堆大火熊熊燃烧，抛出的火星在橘红色的火焰上方乱舞。草地上，两腿动物的身影在火光映衬下飘忽不定。
远方出现两道白光，雷鬼路上，一个怪物正往这边接近，顷刻间呼啸而过，空气中顿时弥散着刺鼻的烟雾。
一只猫正行走在荒地的边缘，双眼在黑暗中闪闪发亮。他的耳朵抽动了一下，然后展平盖住耳孔以抵挡噪声。随后，一只接一只的猫出现在那片污秽的草地上。他们垂着尾巴，卷起上唇嗅着冰冷的空气。
一只猫悄声问：“两腿动物看见我们怎么办？”
一只健壮的公猫回答说：“它们看不见。到了晚上，它们的视力就会变得很弱。”在火光的映照下，他的眼睛看上去像一对琥珀色的光盘。随着他走到明处，火光照亮了他肩膀上黑白相间的皮毛。他高高竖起长长的尾巴，鼓舞大伙儿的士气。
他的这个举动效果并不明显，其他猫仍然战战兢兢地在草地上趴着走。这里真是个可怕的地方。怪物发出的噪声对他们敏感的听觉来说不啻响雷，而刺鼻的臭味也令他们的鼻孔痛苦不堪。
“高星，”一只灰色母猫不安地舔着尾巴，“我们为什么来这里？”
那只黑白相间的公猫转头对这只母猫说：“灰脚，我们想找一块落脚地，可是屡次遭到驱赶。也许我们能在这里找到住的地方。”
灰脚难以置信地说：“住的地方？这里？”她把她的幼崽拉到自己的肚子下面，“同火和怪物在一起，我的孩子没有安全！”
另外一个声音说：“但是在家里我们也不安全。”一只黑色公猫一瘸一拐地走过来，由于他的一只脚严重变形，所以跛得很厉害。他看着高星，恨恨地说：“眼瞅着影族欺负到家门口，我们却无力反抗！”
一些猫回想起那场可怕的战斗，顿时哭声一片。他们的家原本在森林边的那处高地上。一个年轻的学徒失声恸哭：“断星和他的武士们也许还在围剿我们！”
哭声引起了火堆旁一个两腿动物的警觉。它摇摇晃晃地站起来往这边瞅。群猫立刻安静下来，身子俯得更低。那个两腿动物冲着他们这边一边大声喊一边扔来几块东西。扔过来的东西飞过他们的头顶，落在雷鬼路上后炸开了，锋利的碎片四下里飞溅。
一块碎片擦伤了灰脚的肩头，她颤抖了一下，没敢出声，蜷缩着身体护住被吓坏了的幼崽。
高星悄声说：“别站起来。”
火堆旁的那个两腿动物往地上吐口唾沫，然后坐了回去。
过了一会儿，高星站了起来。
灰脚也站起身，肩膀疼得厉害。她说：“高星，这里太危险了。而且我们吃什么？我嗅不到任何猎物的气味。”
高星伸过脖子用他的鼻子轻轻抵住灰脚的头说：“我知道你很饿。但是无论是家里，还是两腿动物的地盘里或者森林里，都没有这里安全。想想看，即使是影族也不会跟来这里。这儿既没有狗的气味，那些两腿动物们也不会久留。”他转头对那只瘸脚的黑色公猫说：“坏脚，你带一根须去看看能否找点儿吃的。两腿动物出没的地方肯定会有老鼠。”
灰脚看着坏脚和一只个头稍小的棕色虎斑猫离去，恨恨地说：“老鼠？老鼠和腐肉一样难吃。”
她身边一只玳瑁色的猫小声说：“闭嘴吧！吃老鼠肉总比饿死强！”
灰脚愁容满面，低下头去舔幼崽的小脑瓜儿。
那只玳瑁色的猫声音变得柔和了一些，继续说：“我们必须找一个新的安身之地，灰脚。晨花需要食物和休息，她快要生宝宝了，必须养好身子。”
“说得对。”出去探路的坏脚回来了，“高星，这里到处都有老鼠的气味，我们可以在这里安顿下来。”
高星命令道：“带路吧。”他晃晃尾巴，将大家召集在一起。
这些猫小心翼翼地跟着坏脚穿过草地，向高高架起的雷鬼路走去。火光照过来，使他们的影子在雷鬼路的石头墩子上飘忽不定。一个怪物从头顶呼啸而过，地面一阵震动。大家都保持安静，即使是最小的幼崽，尽管吓得浑身颤抖也不敢哭出声。
坏脚停在一个圆洞口说：“在这边。”只见一条黑黢黢的隧道斜斜深入地面，还有小溪顺着斜坡流了下去。
坏脚说：“水是新鲜的，能喝。”
灰脚抱怨道：“我们的脚整天都得泡在水里！”
坏脚告诉她：“我进去看过，水边还有些空地。至少我们在这里不用担心两腿动物和怪物。”
高星走上前扬起下巴，说：“我们被影族赶出家园将近一个月，走得够远了。天气越来越凉，树叶很快就要凋零。除了留下来，我们别无选择。”
灰脚虽然心中不满，却没有再说话，随着大家一起走进黑暗的隧道里。
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER1
Fireheart shivered. His flame-colored fur wasstill greenleaf-light; it would be a few moons before it was thick enough to keep out cold like this. He shuffled his forepaws on the hard earth. The sky was finally growing light as dawn crept slowly in. But even though his paws were cold, Fireheart could not suppress a glow of pride. After many moons as an apprentice, he was a warrior at last.
In his mind, he replayed yesterday’s victory at the ShadowClan camp: Brokenstar’s glittering eyes as the ShadowClan leader backed away, hissing threats, before fleeing into the trees after his traitorous companions. The remaining ShadowClan cats had been grateful to ThunderClan for helping them to get rid of their cruel leader, and for the peace ThunderClan had promised them while they recovered. Brokenstar had not just brought chaos to his own Clan—he had driven the whole of WindClan from their camp, right out of Clan territory. He had been a dark shadow in the forest since before Fireheart had left his kittypet life to join ThunderClan.
But for Fireheart, there was another shadow troubling his mind: Tigerclaw, ThunderClan’s deputy. Fireheart shivered again as he thought of the great ThunderClan warrior who had terrorized his apprentice, Ravenpaw. In the end, Fireheart and his best friend, Graystripe, had helped the frightened apprentice to escape into the Twoleg territory beyond the uplands. Afterward, Fireheart had told the Clan that Ravenpaw had been killed by ShadowClan.
If what Ravenpaw said about Tigerclaw was true, it was best if the ThunderClan deputy believed his apprentice had died, for he knew a secret Tigerclaw would do anything to conceal. Ravenpaw had told Fireheart that the mighty tabby warrior had murdered Redtail, the old ThunderClan deputy, in the hope that he would become the new deputy .  .  . which, eventually, he had.
Fireheart shook his head to clear it of these dark thoughts and turned to glance at Graystripe sitting beside him. Graystripe’s thick gray fur was ruffled up against the cold. Fireheart guessed he was looking forward to the first rays of sunshine too, but he didn’t say this out loud. Clan tradition demanded silence on this night. This was their vigil—the night when a new warrior guarded the Clan and reflected on his new name and status. Until last night, Fireheart had been known by his apprentice name of Firepaw.
Halftail was one of the first cats to wake. Fireheart could see the old cat moving among the shadows in the elders’ den. He glanced toward the warriors’ den at the other side of the clearing. Through the branches that sheltered the den, he recognized the broad shoulders of Tigerclaw as he slept.
At the foot of Highrock, the lichen that draped the entrance to Bluestar’s den twitched, and Fireheart saw his Clan leader push her way out. She stopped and lifted her head to sniff the air. Then she padded silently out of Highrock’s shadow, her long fur glowing blue-gray in the dawn light. I must warn her about Tigerclaw, thought Fireheart. Bluestar had mourned Redtail’s death with the rest of the Clan, believing him to have been killed in battle by Oakheart, the deputy of RiverClan. Fireheart had hesitated before, knowing how important Tigerclaw was to her, but the danger was too great. Bluestar needed to know that her Clan was harboring a cold-blooded murderer.
Tigerclaw emerged from the warriors’ den and met Bluestar at the edge of the clearing. He murmured something to her, his tail flicking urgently.
Fireheart stifled his instinctive meow of greeting. The sky was growing light, but until he knew for sure that the sun was above the horizon, he dared not break his silence. Impatience fluttered in his chest like a trapped bird. He must speak with Bluestar as soon as he could. But for now, all he could do was nod respectfully at the two cats as they passed him.
Beside him, Graystripe nudged Fireheart and pointed upward with his nose. An orange glow was just visible on the horizon.
“Glad to see the dawn, you two?” Whitestorm’s deep meow took Fireheart by surprise. He had not noticed the white warrior approaching. Fireheart and Graystripe nodded together.
“It’s all right; you may speak now. Your vigil is over.” Whitestorm’s voice was kind. Yesterday he had fought side by side with Fireheart and Graystripe in the battle with ShadowClan. There was a new respect in his eyes as he looked at them.
“Thank you, Whitestorm,” Fireheart meowed gratefully. He stood and stretched his stiff legs one at a time.
Graystripe pushed himself up too. “Brrrrr!” he meowed, shaking the chill from his fur. “I thought the sun would never come up!”
A scornful voice mewed from outside the apprentices’ den. “The great warrior speaks!”
It was Sandpaw, her pale orange coat fluffed up with hostility. Dustpaw was sitting beside her. With his dark tabby pelt, he looked like Sandpaw’s shadow. He puffed out his chest importantly and mocked, “I’m surprised such heroes even feel the cold!” Sandpaw purred with amusement.
Whitestorm shot them a stern look. “Go and find something to eat; then rest,” he ordered Fireheart and Graystripe. The older warrior turned away and padded toward the apprentices’ den. “Come on, you two,” he meowed to Sandpaw and Dustpaw. “It’s time for your training.”
“I hope he has them chasing blue squirrels all day!” Graystripe hissed to Fireheart as they headed toward the corner where a few pieces of fresh-kill remained from last night.
“But there aren’t any blue squirrels,” Fireheart mewed in confusion.
“Precisely!” Graystripe’s amber eyes gleamed.
“You can’t exactly blame them. They did begin their training before us,” Fireheart pointed out mildly. “If they’d fought in the battle yesterday, they’d probably have been made warriors too.”
“I suppose.” Graystripe shrugged. “Hey, look!” They’d reached the fresh-kill pile. “One mouse each and a chaffinch to share!”
The two friends picked up their meal and looked at each other. Graystripe’s eyes suddenly sparkled with delight. “I suppose we take it to the warriors’side of the camp now,” he meowed.
“I suppose we do,” Fireheart purred, padding after his friend to the patch of nettles where they had often watched Whitestorm, Tigerclaw, and the other warriors share fresh-kill.
“Now what?” asked Graystripe, gulping down his last mouthful. “I don’t know about you, but I think I could sleep for half a moon.”
“Me too,” Fireheart agreed.
The two friends got to their paws and made their way toward the warriors’ den. Fireheart stuck his head through the low-hanging branches. Mousefur and Longtail were still asleep on the other side of the den.
He pushed his way inside and found a patch of moss at the edge. The smell told him it wasn’t a sleeping place already used by another warrior. Graystripe settled down beside him.
Fireheart listened as Graystripe’s steady breaths relaxed into long, muffled snores. Fireheart felt equally exhausted, but he was still desperate to talk to Bluestar. From where he lay, his head flat to the earth, he could just see the camp entrance. He stared at it, waiting for his leader’s return, but gradually his eyes began to close, and he gave in to his longing for sleep.
Fireheart could hear a roaring around him, like wind in tall trees. The acrid stench of the Thunderpath stung his nostrils, together with a new smell, sharper and more terrifying. Fire! Flames lapped at the black sky, throwing glowing cinders up into a starless night. To Fireheart’s amazement, silhouettes of cats flitted in front of the fire. Why hadn’t they run away?
One of them stopped and looked straight at Fireheart. The tom’s night-eyes glinted in the darkness and he lifted his long, straight tail, as if in greeting.
Fireheart trembled as a memory burst into his mind of the words that Spottedleaf, the former ThunderClan medicine cat, had said to him before her untimely death: “Fire will save the Clan!” Could it be something to do with the strange cats that showed no fear of fire?
“Wake up, Fireheart!”
Fireheart flicked up his head, startled out of his dream by Tigerclaw’s growl.
“You were mewing in your sleep!”
Still dazed, Fireheart sat up and shook his head. “Y-yes, Tigerclaw!” With a pang of alarm, he wondered if he had repeated Spottedleaf’s words out loud. He had dreamed like this before—dreams so vivid that he could taste them, and which had later come true. Fireheart certainly did not want Tigerclaw to suspect him of having powers that usually StarClan gave only to a medicine cat.
Moonlight shone through the leafy den wall. Fireheart realized he must have slept through the whole day.
“You and Graystripe will join the evening patrol,” Tigerclaw told him. “Hurry up!” The dark tabby turned and stalked out of the den.
Fireheart let the fur relax on his shoulders. Clearly Tigerclaw didn’t suspect anything unusual about his dream. But while Fireheart’s secret was safe, he was equally determined to expose the murderous truth about Tigerclaw’s role in Redtail’s death.
Fireheart licked his lips. Graystripe lay beside him washing his flank. They had just finished sharing a meal beside the camp clearing. The sun had set and Fireheart could see the moon, almost full now, gleaming in a cold, clear sky. The past few days had been busy. It seemed that every time they lay down for a rest, Tigerclaw sent them out on patrol or a hunting mission. Fireheart had stayed alert, looking for a chance to talk with Bluestar alone, but when he wasn’t on one of Tigerclaw’s missions, the ThunderClan leader always seemed to have her deputy at her side.
Fireheart began to wash his paw, his eyes flicking around the camp, searching hopefully for Bluestar.
“What are you looking for?” meowed Graystripe through a tongueful of fur.
“Bluestar,” Fireheart answered, lowering his paw.
“Why?” Graystripe stopped washing and looked up at his friend. “You’ve had one eye on her ever since our vigil. What are you planning to do?”
“I have to tell her where Ravenpaw is, and warn her about Tigerclaw,” Fireheart meowed.
“You promised Ravenpaw you’d tell them he was dead!” Graystripe sounded amazed.
“I only promised to tell Tigerclawhe was dead. Bluestar should know the whole story. She needs to know what her deputy is capable of.”
Graystripe lowered his voice to an urgent hiss. “But we only have Ravenpaw’s word that Tigerclaw killed Redtail.”
“Don’t you believe him?” Fireheart couldn’t help feeling shocked by his friend’s doubts.
“Look, if Tigerclaw lied about killing Oakheart in revenge for Redtail’s death, that means Redtail must have killed Oakheart himself. And I can’t believe that Redtail would have deliberately killed another Clan deputy in battle. It goes against the warrior code—we fight to prove our strength and defend our territory, not to kill each other.”
“But I’m not trying to make accusations against Redtail!” Fireheart protested. “It’s Tigerclaw who is the problem.” Redtail had been the ThunderClan deputy before Tigerclaw. Fireheart had never met him, but he knew Redtail had been deeply respected by all the Clan.
Graystripe didn’t meet Fireheart’s gaze. “What you are saying has implications for Redtail’s honor. And none of the other cats have a problem with Tigerclaw. It was only Ravenpaw who was scared of him.”
An uneasy shiver ran down Fireheart’s spine. “So you think Ravenpaw made the story up because he didn’t get along with his mentor?” he meowed scornfully.
“No,” mumbled Graystripe. “I just think we should be careful.”
Fireheart looked into his friend’s worried eyes and began to wonder. He supposed Graystripe did have a point—they had been warriors for only a few days, so they were in no position to start hurling accusations at the Clan’s most senior warrior.
“It’s okay,” Fireheart meowed at last. “You can stay out of it.” A twinge of regret flickered in his belly as Graystripe nodded and returned to washing. Fireheart believed that Graystripe was wrong to think it was only Ravenpaw who had a problem with Tigerclaw. Fireheart’s own instincts told him that the ThunderClan deputy should not be trusted. He had to share his suspicions with Bluestar, for her safety and the safety of the Clan.
A glimpse of gray fur on the other side of the clearing told Fireheart that Bluestar had emerged from her den—alone. He scrambled to his paws, but the ThunderClan leader leaped straight up onto the Highrock and called to the Clan. Fireheart lashed his tail impatiently.
Graystripe’s ears flicked excitedly as he heard Bluestar’s call. “A naming ceremony?” he meowed. “It must be Longtail getting his first apprentice. He’s been dropping hints for days.” He bounded over to join the cats gathering at the edge of the clearing, and, still itching with frustration, Fireheart followed.
A small black-and-white kit padded into the clearing. His soft paws made no sound on the hard earth. He walked toward the Highrock with his pale eyes lowered and Fireheart almost expected to see him tremble—there was something in the slope of this kit’s shoulders that made him seem too young and timid to be an apprentice. Longtail won’t be impressed!Fireheart thought, remembering Longtail’s scorn when Fireheart had arrived at the camp for the first time. The warrior had taunted him viciously on his first day with the Clan, mocking his kittypet origins. Fireheart had disliked him ever since.
“From this day forward,” Bluestar meowed, staring down at the kit, “until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice will be called Swiftpaw.”
There was no flash of determination in the eyes of the black-and-white kit as he looked up at his leader. Instead his amber eyes were wide with anxiety.
Fireheart turned his head as Longtail padded toward his new apprentice.
Bluestar spoke again. “Longtail, you were Darkstripe’s apprentice. He taught you well, and you have become a fierce and loyal warrior. I hope you will pass some of these qualities on to Swiftpaw.”
Fireheart searched Longtail’s face for an expression of disdain as he looked down at Swiftpaw. But the warrior’s eyes softened as he met his new apprentice’s gaze, and gently the two Clan cats touched noses. “It’s okay, you’re doing fine,” Longtail murmured encouragingly. Yeah, right,Fireheart thought bitterly. Just because he’s Clanborn. Longtail sure didn’t welcome me like that. He glanced around the rest of the Clan and felt a pang of resentment as the cats began to murmur congratulations to the new apprentice.
“What’s up with you?” whispered Graystripe. “That’ll be us one day.”
Fireheart nodded, suddenly cheered by the thought of getting his own apprentice, and pushed away his resentment. He was a part of ThunderClan now, and surely that was all that mattered?
The next night brought the full moon. Fireheart knew he should be looking forward to his first Gathering as a warrior, but he was still determined to find a chance to tell Bluestar everything he knew about Tigerclaw, and the thought of it lay like a cold stone in his stomach.
“Have you got maggot-gut or something?” meowed Graystripe beside him. “You’re pulling some very weird faces!”
Fireheart looked at his friend, wishing he could confide in him, but he’d promised to leave Graystripe out of it. “I’m fine,” he meowed. “Come on. I hear Bluestar calling.”
The two cats trotted over to the group assembling in the clearing. Bluestar dipped her head to acknowledge their arrival. Then she turned and led the cats out of the camp.
Fireheart paused while the other cats scrambled past him up the steep trail that led to the forest above. This journey might give him just enough time to speak to Bluestar, and he wanted to gather his thoughts.
“Are you coming?” Graystripe’s voice called down.
“Yep!” Firepaw flexed his powerful hind legs and began to leap from boulder to boulder, leaving the camp behind.
At the top, he paused to catch his breath, his sides heaving. The forest stretched away before him. Beneath his paws he could feel the crisp crackle of newly fallen leaves. Silverpelt glittered in the sky like morning dew scattered on black fur.
Fireheart thought of his first journey to Fourtrees with Tigerclaw and Lionheart. He felt a pang of sadness as he remembered Lionheart. Graystripe’s mentor, and ThunderClan’s deputy between Redtail and Tigerclaw, had been a warmhearted, golden warrior. He’d been killed in battle, and Tigerclaw had taken his place. On Fireheart’s first visit to Fourtrees, Lionheart had taken the apprentices on a roundabout route, through Tallpines, past Sunningrocks, and along the RiverClan border. Tonight Bluestar would lead them straight through the heart of ThunderClan territory. Fireheart could see her already disappearing into the undergrowth, and he charged after the party of cats.
Bluestar was at the front, next to Tigerclaw. Fireheart ignored Graystripe’s surprised meow and caught up with the Clan leader. “Bluestar,” he called, panting, as he drew up beside her. “May I talk to you?”
Bluestar glanced at him and nodded. “Take the lead, Tigerclaw,” she meowed. She let her pace slow, and Tigerclaw bounded past her. The other cats followed the dark tabby without question as he raced on through the undergrowth.
Bluestar and Fireheart dropped into a steady trot. Within a moment they were alone.
The path emerged from the thick ferns into a small clearing. Bluestar leaped onto a fallen tree and sat down, curling her tail over her front paws. “What is it, Fireheart?” she asked.
Fireheart hesitated, suddenly struck by doubt. Bluestar was the cat who had encouraged him to leave his kittypet life and join the Clan. Since then she had trusted him time and time again when other cats had questioned his loyalty to a Clan whose blood he didn’t share. What would she say when Fireheart told her that he had lied about Ravenpaw?
“Speak,” Bluestar ordered as the pawsteps of the other ThunderClan cats faded into the distance.
Fireheart took a deep breath. “Ravenpaw’s not dead.” Bluestar’s tail twitched in surprise, but she listened silently as Fireheart continued. “Graystripe and I took him to WindClan’s hunting grounds. I .  .  . I think he may have joined Barley.” Barley was a loner, not a forest cat but not a kittypet either. He lived on a Twoleg farm that lay on the route to Highstones, a sacred place for all the cats in the forest.
The ThunderClan leader stared past Fireheart into the depths of the forest. Fireheart searched her face anxiously, trying to read her expression. Was she angry? But he could see no anger in her wide, blue eyes.
After several long moments, Bluestar spoke. “I am glad to hear that Ravenpaw is still alive. I hope he is happier living with Barley than he was in the forest.”
“B-but he was born into ThunderClan!” Fireheart stammered, taken aback by his leader’s calm acceptance of Ravenpaw’s departure.
“That doesn’t necessarily mean he was suited to Clan life,” Bluestar pointed out. “After all, you aren’t Clanborn, yet you’ve become a fine warrior. Ravenpaw may find his true path elsewhere.”
“But he didn’t leave ThunderClan because he wanted to,” Fireheart protested. “It was impossible for him to stay!”
“Impossible?” Bluestar rested her blue gaze on him. “What do you mean?”
Fireheart looked down at the ground.
“Well?” Bluestar prompted.
Fireheart’s mouth was dry. “Ravenpaw knew a secret about Tigerclaw,” he croaked. “I .  .  . I think Tigerclaw was planning to kill him. Or else turn the Clan against him.”
Bluestar’s tail flicked from side to side, and Fireheart saw her shoulders stiffen. “Why would you think that? What was this secret that Ravenpaw knew?”
Fireheart answered reluctantly, meeting her stern expression as boldly as he dared. “That Tigerclaw killed Redtail in the battle with RiverClan.” Redtail had been the ThunderClan deputy before Lionheart. Fireheart had never met him, but he knew Redtail had been deeply respected by all the Clan.
Bluestar’s eyes narrowed. “A warrior would never kill another of his Clan! Even you should know that—you’ve lived with us long enough.” Fireheart recoiled at her words, flattening his ears. It was the second time tonight she’d referred to his kittypet roots.
Bluestar went on. “Tigerclaw reported that it was RiverClan’s deputy, Oakheart, who killed Redtail,” she meowed. “Ravenpaw must be mistaken. Did he actually seeTigerclaw kill Redtail?”
Fireheart nervously flicked his tail, stirring the leaves behind him. “He said he did.”
“And you know that by saying this, you are questioning Redtail’s honor, because he must have been the cat that was responsible for Oakheart’s death? One deputy would never kill another in battle, not if it could possibly be avoided. And Redtail was the most honorable warrior I have ever known.” Bluestar’s eyes clouded with pain, and Fireheart felt a pang of dismay that he should have hurt her memory of her former deputy, even if unintentionally.
“I cannot account for Redtail’s actions,” he murmured. “I only know that Ravenpaw truly believes Tigerclaw was responsible for Redtail’s death.”
Bluestar sighed and relaxed her shoulders. “We all know that Ravenpaw has a vivid imagination,” she meowed gently, her eyes sympathetic. “He was badly injured in the battle, and he left before the fighting was over. Can you be sure he didn’t fill in the parts he’d missed?”
Before Fireheart could reply, a yowl echoed through the forest, and Tigerclaw bounded out of the undergrowth. His eyes flickered suspiciously over Fireheart for a moment before he addressed Bluestar. “We’re waiting for you at the border.”
Bluestar nodded. “Tell them we’ll be there in a moment.” Tigerclaw dipped his head, turned, and raced back through the ferns.
As Fireheart watched him disappear, Bluestar’s words echoed in his mind. She was right; Ravenpaw did have a strong imagination. Fireheart remembered his first Gathering, when apprentices from every Clan had hung on Ravenpaw’s words as he described the battle with RiverClan. And he hadn’t mentioned Tigerclaw then.
Fireheart jumped up as Bluestar stood. “Are you going to bring Ravenpaw back to the Clan?” he asked, suddenly afraid he had caused even more trouble for his friend.
Bluestar gazed deep into Fireheart’s eyes. “He is probably happier where he is,” she meowed quietly. “For now, we will let the Clan carry on believing he is dead.”
Fireheart stared back at her, his eyes wide with shock. Bluestar was going to lie to the Clan!
“Tigerclaw is a great warrior, but he is very proud,” Bluestar went on. “It’ll be easier for him to accept that his apprentice died in battle rather than ran away. And it would be better for Ravenpaw, too.”
“Because Tigerclaw might go looking for him?” Fireheart dared to ask. Was it possible that Bluestar believed him, even just a little bit?
Bluestar shook her head with a flash of impatience. “No. Tigerclaw might be ambitious, but he is not a murderer. Ravenpaw will be better remembered as a dead hero than a live coward.”
Tigerclaw’s call sounded again, and Bluestar jumped down from the log and disappeared into the ferns. Fireheart cleared the tree trunk in one leap and raced after his leader.
He caught up with her at the edge of a stream. He watched while she crossed, jumping from stone to stone to the other side. Fireheart followed carefully, his mind whirling. The knowledge about Redtail’s death had been resting heavily on his shoulders for days. Now he had finally told Bluestar, but nothing had changed. The Clan leader clearly didn’t think Tigerclaw was capable of cold-blooded murder. And worst of all, Fireheart himself had begun to doubt whether Ravenpaw had been telling the truth. He leaped onto the far bank and charged on through the undergrowth.
Fireheart skidded to a halt behind Bluestar as they reached the other ThunderClan cats. The group had paused at the top of the slope that led down to Fourtrees, the giant oaks where cats from the four Clans of the forest met in peace at each full moon.
Fireheart’s fur prickled as he felt Tigerclaw watching him. Did the dark warrior suspect what had passed between him and Bluestar? Fireheart shook his head to clear his mind and tried to think like Bluestar. Of course Tigerclaw would be interested in what Fireheart had said to Bluestar: he was the Clan deputy, so he would want to know anything that might affect the Clan. Fireheart looked again at Tigerclaw; the dark tabby was staring down the slope, his ears pricked and alert. The cats around him shuffled their paws in anticipation. Tigerclaw glanced at each of them, silently rallying them with his steady amber gaze.
Bluestar lifted her nose and sniffed the air. Fireheart sensed a tightening of muscles and prickling of fur around him. Then Bluestar signaled with a flick of her tail, and the ThunderClan cats plunged down the slope toward the Gathering.
第一章
第一章
火心打了个寒战。他身上的毛还得再长几个月才能够抵御严寒。夜色渐渐褪去，天空终于亮了起来。尽管冻得要死，火心仍然压抑不住内心的得意。几个月的学徒生涯过后，他终于成为了一名武士。
火心回想起昨天发生在影族营地里的那幅胜利场景：影族族长断星同他的党羽骂骂咧咧地仓皇而逃，一双双充满嫉恨的眼睛消失在密林深处。雷族帮助影族赶跑了残暴的断星，并且承诺在影族恢复实力期间，双方维持和平状态。为此，影族对雷族是感恩戴德。
断星不仅将影族糟蹋得不成样子，而且还把风族驱逐出家园。早在火心加入雷族之前，断星就已经如同一片黑影笼罩在森林上空了。
在火心的心里，还有着另外一片黑影，那就是雷族的族长代表虎掌。一想起这位令乌爪怕得要死的族长代表，火心的心里便泛起一丝寒意。火心和他最好的朋友灰条帮助乌爪逃到两腿动物的地盘，然后编造了一出乌爪被影族杀害的故事。如果事情真相果真如乌爪所说，那就意味着乌爪知道了虎掌千方百计想隐瞒的秘密，为了避免虎掌灭口，最好的办法就是使他相信乌爪已经死了。火心从乌爪那里得知虎掌为了当上新的雷族族长代表而杀害了前任族长代表红尾，并且最终如愿以偿。
火心晃了晃头，尽力不去想这些不愉快的事情。他转头看看身边的灰条，灰条也冻得瑟瑟发抖。火心知道灰条此刻必定也是在期盼着太阳赶快出来，但他没有开口说话。依照规矩，今晚他们守夜时不得交谈。作为一名新武士，今晚必须一边看守营地大门，一边认真思考自己刚刚获得的武士名号和地位。要知道，直到昨晚，火心的名字还是火爪呢。
半尾是第一批醒来的猫，这只老猫此时正在老年巢穴的黑暗处走动。火心朝会场另一边的武士巢穴望去。透过巢穴四壁的树枝，他看到一个宽阔的肩膀。火心认出那是虎掌的肩膀。
高岩脚下，挂在蓝星巢穴入口处的苔藓动了一下，火心看见蓝星顶开苔藓走出来。她停下脚步，抬起头嗅嗅空气，然后悄无声息地从高岩的背阴处走出来。在清晨阳光的照耀下，蓝星的毛呈现出银灰色。火心寻思：“我必须提醒她提防虎掌。”蓝星和她的同胞们一样，对红尾的死感到非常痛惜，并且深信红尾是被河族的族长代表橡心杀害的。火心知道虎掌对蓝星的重要性，因此他一直犹豫着是否应该告诉她真相。可是，虎掌实在是太危险了，必须让蓝星知道，在她的族群里隐藏着一个冷血凶手。
虎掌从武士巢穴里走出来，与蓝星在空地边上相遇。他低声对蓝星说着什么，尾巴急促地来回晃动。
火心压制住自己上前打招呼的冲动。天虽然渐渐亮了，但在太阳升出地平线之前，火心仍不敢出声讲话。他越来越感到不耐烦，急得像热锅上的蚂蚁。必须尽快告诉蓝星真相！可是，当蓝星和虎掌从他身旁经过时，他只能尊敬地低头行礼。
身边的灰条用爪子轻轻碰了碰他，然后朝前方扬扬鼻子。一轮红日出现在地平线上。
“可把太阳给盼来了，是吗？两位。”火心冷不丁被走过来和他们说话的白风吓了一跳。他和灰条同时低头致意。
白风和善地说：“不用多礼，你们现在可以讲话了，守夜结束。”昨晚，他和火心、灰条曾并肩作战，共同对抗影族。白风看着他们两个，眼光中流露出惺惺相惜的神情。
火心感激地说：“谢谢你，白风。”他抖了抖身子，抖去毛里的寒气，“我还以为太阳永远也不会升起来了呢。”
这时，学徒巢穴外传来一声冷嘲：“嘿嘿，伟大的武士开口说话了！”
是沙爪，她正充满敌意地看着他们。尘爪坐在她的旁边，他身上的毛黑黢黢的，使他看起来仿佛是沙爪的影子。尘爪自负地长吁了口气，嘲笑说：“英雄们也会觉得冷，这可真稀罕！”沙爪跟着呜呜直笑。
白风瞪了他们一眼，对火心和灰条说：“去找些东西吃，然后休息一会儿。”他转身向学徒巢穴走去，对沙爪和尘爪说：“走吧，你们两个。该去训练了。”
“真希望白风让他们捉一整天的蓝松鼠！”灰条一边悄悄对火心说着，一边向堆放猎物的角落走去。
火心大惑不解地问：“根本不存在蓝色的松鼠啊？”
“太对了！”灰条琥珀色的眼睛发出了光。
火心大度地说：“别怪他们。他们比我们接受训练早，如果他们昨天参加战斗的话，也可能成为武士。”
灰条耸耸肩膀说：“希望如此。”他走到猎物堆前，“嘿，看！一人一只老鼠，两人分吃一只花鸡。”
两个好朋友衔起自己的食物，互相对视一眼。灰条的眼里闪着兴奋的光彩：“我们现在可以到武士的餐位用餐了。”
火心附和说：“没错。”他们走到白风、虎掌和其他武士们经常吃饭的地方。
灰条大口咽下最后一口食物，随声问道：“接下来是什么节目？不管你怎么想，反正我能接连睡上半个月。”
火心说：“我也一样。”
两只猫站起身朝武士巢穴走去。火心低头穿过低垂的树枝。鼠毛和长尾正在巢穴的另一边闷头大睡。
火心顶开树枝进去，看见巢穴的一处角落里有片苔藓。他过去嗅了嗅，发现这里还没有其他武士睡过，于是躺下来。灰条在他旁边也躺下来。
火心听着灰条平稳的呼吸声慢慢变成悠长、低沉的鼾声，也感到精疲力竭。可是他仍然急着想和蓝星谈谈。他把头趴在地上，从这里能看到营地的入口。火心凝望着入口，等待蓝星的归来。终于，他渐渐合上双眼，不顾一切地沉入梦乡。
周围一片呼啸声，好像是森林里起了大风。雷鬼路臭气熏天，中间还夹杂着一种从未闻过的气味，更刺鼻，更令人恐惧。是火！
熊熊火焰舔舐着夜空，燃烧的灰烬四散飞出，沉入漆黑的夜晚。火堆前，一群猫的身影一掠而过，火心感到很奇怪。他们为什么要跑开呢？
有一只猫停下脚步，朝火心这边望过来。那只公猫目光炯炯，高高地翘着尾巴，似乎向火心致以问候。一个念头闪过，火心打了个冷战，他想起雷族前任医生斑叶说的话。斑叶曾在死前告诉他：“火将拯救族群！”那些猫似乎并不害怕火，他们两者之间有什么关联吗？
“醒醒，火心！”
火心被虎掌的声音惊醒，猛地抬起头来。
“你刚才在说梦话！”
火心昏昏沉沉地站起来，晃晃脑袋：“是——是的，虎掌！”他忽然想起一件事情，顿时紧张起来：不知自己是否在睡梦中念出了斑叶说过的话。他以前也做过类似的梦——梦境生动逼真，犹如身临其境，最后这些梦都成为了现实。火心实在不愿让虎掌怀疑他拥有预知未来的能力，通常情况下，星族只把这种能力赐给族群的医生。
月光透过密实的巢穴四壁照射进来，火心这才意识到原来自己已经睡了一整天。
虎掌对他说：“今晚由你和灰条巡逻。动作麻利点儿！”说完转身走出巢穴。
火心放下心来，虎掌显然并没有怀疑他的梦有什么异常。虽然火心没有泄露出心中的秘密，但他依然决定要将虎掌杀害红尾的事情大白于天下。
在会场边吃完了饭，火心舔舔嘴唇，灰条则卧在一旁舔梳自己腹部两边的毛。夜幕降临大地，圆月发出阴冷的光，孤零零地挂在夜空中。这几天火心和灰条忙碌不停，只要有点儿空闲，虎掌就会下派任务，不是巡逻就是外出捕猎，搞得他们连喘息的时间都没有。
火心一直想找机会同蓝星单独谈谈，可是每当他从繁忙的任务中脱出身来的时候，总看见虎掌伴随在蓝星左右。
火心一边清理爪子，一边巡视营地四周，期盼能看到蓝星。
灰条满嘴是毛，含混不清地问：“在找什么？”
火心答了一声：“找蓝星。”他放下爪子。
灰条停了下来，抬起眼瞅着他，问：“为什么找她？守夜以来你就一直在找，有什么打算啊？”
火心说：“我必须告诉她乌爪在哪里，还要让她提防虎掌。”
灰条惊诧地说：“你答应过乌爪要让大家都以为他死了。”
“我说的是让虎掌以为他死了。蓝星应该知道事情的整个经过，我们应该把虎掌干的好事全都告诉她。”
灰条压低声音急切地说：“这些不过是乌爪的一面之词罢了。”
“你不相信他的话吗？”灰条这么说，令火心很是吃惊。
“你想，如果虎掌没有杀橡心，那就是说橡心是红尾杀的。我不相信红尾会在战斗中蓄意杀害另一族的族长代表，这是违犯武士法典的——法典教导我们，打仗是为了展示力量和保卫家园，而不是彼此相互残杀。”
火心辩解说：“我并不是要追究红尾的过错。虎掌才是问题的关键所在。”红尾是虎掌之前的雷族族长代表，虽然火心与之素未谋面，但他清楚红尾在族群当中享有很高的威望。
灰条避开火心的目光：“这件事牵涉到红尾的声誉。况且，除了乌爪，虎掌从未与别人有过什么过节儿。”
火心的脊背上感到一丝凉意，他讥讽说：“这么说，你认为乌爪编造一整套故事，全是他与虎掌不和的缘故？”
灰条小声嘟囔：“不，我只是觉得应该小心为妙。”
火心看着灰条忧虑的眼神，陷入了沉思。他了解灰条的真实想法——他们不过是刚入门的武士罢了，身轻言微，压根儿无法向雷族里最高阶层的武士兴师问罪。
火心最后说：“好吧，你可以置身事外。”灰条点点头，转过身去继续梳理。火心不由得心中隐隐作痛。他坚信事情并不像灰条所说的只是虎掌和乌爪有过节儿这么简单。他隐隐觉得这位雷族代表不可信。为了蓝星和全族的安危，他必须把事情的疑点向蓝星一一指出。
火心一瞥眼，看见蓝星独自一个从巢穴走出来。未等他移动脚步，蓝星已经跃上高岩，发出召集全族的号令。火心顿时急得尾巴打来打去。
听到蓝星的召集，灰条的耳朵兴奋地竖立起来，说：“有人要收徒弟了？一定是长尾要收他的第一个徒弟了，这几天他一直对外宣扬这个消息。”说着三蹦两蹦加入到会场边缘的猫群中，火心一脸沮丧地跟在后面。
一只白底黑条的小猫走进空地，柔软的小爪子轻轻落在坚实的土地上，低眉顺眼地向高岩走去。火心不用想就知道他在发抖——这使得他显得更加年幼而羞怯。火心想：“长尾不会满意的！”他回想起初到营地那天长尾对自己冷嘲热讽，取笑他的宠物出身。火心打心眼儿里不喜欢长尾。
蓝星凝视着那只小猫说：“自今天开始，在成为武士以前，你的名字就叫迅爪。”
迅爪仰起头望着蓝星，双眼里不是坚毅的神情，而是惊恐不安的目光。
火心一扭头看见长尾正向他的徒弟走去。
蓝星继续说道：“长尾，你曾是黑条的徒弟，他教徒有方，使你成长为一名勇猛、忠诚的武士。我希望你能将这些优良品质传授给迅爪。”
长尾低头看着迅爪，脸上一副不自在的表情。但是当他们的目光相对时，长尾的眼神顿时变得温和。两只猫轻轻对触了一下鼻子。长尾小声鼓励说：“嗯，好好干。”
火心心中一阵发苦，心想：“哼，没错。我怎么忘了，这只小猫可是族生猫呀。长尾绝对不会这样对待我。”他瞅瞅其他的猫，看见他们挨个儿向这位新学徒表示祝贺，心里不由得涌起一股愤愤不平之意。
灰条小声说：“你没事吧？我们也会有这一天的。”
火心点点头，想象自己将来收徒弟的场景，心中的郁闷立刻一扫而光，心情顿时开朗起来。他现在已经是雷族的一员了，那些陈年旧事还有什么大不了的。
第二天夜晚，满月生辉。虽然火心一心期盼着这次森林大会，但他仍在不停地寻找机会向蓝星汇报虎掌的事情。这个想法犹如一块巨石沉甸甸地压在他的心头。
灰条在一旁问：“吃着蛆了？脸色这么古怪！”
火心看着他的朋友，很想一诉衷肠。但是他答应过要让灰条置身事外，于是说道：“没事儿。走吧，我听见蓝星召唤我们了。”
两只猫走进集结在会场上的队伍里。蓝星略一点头示意，转身带领众猫出发。
火心停下脚步，其他的猫从他身边经过，踏上通往森林的陡峭小路。火心在路上有充分的时间与蓝星谈话，他要先理一下思路。
灰条低声问：“走吗？”
“走吧。”火心弯曲强健的后腿，从一块大石跳上另一块大石，渐渐地离营地越来越远。
到达小路顶端，他停下脚步大口喘气。面前是一望无际的森林。火心能听见爪子下面新落的树叶发出清脆的噼啪声。夜空里群星闪烁，就像一颗颗晶莹剔透的宝石镶嵌在一块巨大的黑幕上。
火心回想起他第一次随同虎掌、狮心前往“四棵树”的那次旅程。狮心是灰条的师傅，也是红尾之后虎掌之前雷族的族长代表，他心肠很好。在火心第一次去“四棵树”之前，狮心已经带领过一些学徒们穿越松林，经过太阳石，沿着河族的边界，按既定路线往返巡视。今晚蓝星则领着他们径直穿过雷族疆域。蓝星一闪身消失在灌木丛里，火心不敢怠慢，急忙快步跟上。
蓝星一马当先，虎掌跟随在后。在灰条惊讶的目光注视下，火心撵上蓝星，气喘吁吁地说：“蓝星，我能和您谈谈吗？”
蓝星看了他一眼，点点头，说：“虎掌，你来带队。”她放慢脚步，让虎掌从身边经过。其他猫不敢多问，跟着虎掌钻进灌木丛。
蓝星和火心放慢脚步，不一会儿就落在众猫后面。
继续沿着路走，厚密的金雀花丛中出现了一小片空地。蓝星跳上一棵倒在地上的大树坐下来，卷过尾巴覆盖住前爪。“什么事，火心？”她开口问。火心心里突然一阵迟疑。是蓝星鼓励他离开宠物猫生活加入到族群中，当别的猫因为他的出身而对他的忠诚提出质疑时，蓝星则一次又一次地对他显示出极大的信任。如果他告诉蓝星自己在乌爪的事情上撒了谎，蓝星会怎么想？
“说吧。”眼看其他的猫渐渐隐没于远处，蓝星命令道。
火心深吸了一口气：“乌爪并没有死。”蓝星吃了一惊，尾巴随之晃动两下，但她没有出声打断火心的话。“灰条和我将他带到风族的狩猎地。我……我想他正和巴利在一起。”巴利是一个独行者，既不属于任何族群，也不是宠物猫，他生活在两腿动物的农田里。农田位于去往高岩的路上。高岩对于森林里所有的猫来说，无异于一块圣地。
蓝星目不转睛地盯着通往森林的小路。火心惴惴不安地望着她的脸，试图从她的表情里揣摩出什么。她生气了吗？但她那对蓝蓝的大眼睛里没有丝毫愤怒的迹象。
过了半晌，蓝星才说：“听到乌爪还活着，我很欣慰。希望他与巴利住在一起比在森林里还要快活。”
“但——但他是雷族的呀！”火心结结巴巴地说。族长对乌爪的离去表现得如此镇静，令火心既吃惊又困惑。
“生于雷族并不必然代表适合雷族的生活，”蓝星解释说，“你并非出身族群，但却成长为一名优秀的武士。乌爪也许会在别的地方寻找到自己的生活方式。”
“但是，乌爪离开雷族，并非心甘情愿。”火心争辩说，“他是被情势所迫啊！”
“情势所迫？”蓝星注视着他，“你指什么？”
火心低头看着地上。
“说啊！”蓝星催道。
火心觉得口干舌燥，吞吞吐吐地说：“乌爪知道虎掌的一个秘密。我……我认为虎掌想杀掉他，或者使他在族群中无法立足。”
蓝星的尾巴晃动了一下，肩膀绷紧了：“你为什么会那样想？是因为乌爪知道的秘密吗？”
火心壮起胆子看着蓝星脸上坚毅的神情，硬着头皮回答说：“在那场同河族的战斗中，虎掌杀害了红尾。”红尾是在狮心之前的前任族长代表。火心从未见过他，但知道他在族群中享有崇高的威望。
蓝星眯起眼睛：“同族的武士们从不会自相残杀！你同我们相处的日子不短了吧，你应该懂得这一点。”火心两只耳朵贴在脑袋上，细细琢磨蓝星的话。她在今晚已是两次提到了火心的宠物猫出身。
蓝星继续说：“虎掌报告说是河族的族长代表杀害了红尾，乌爪一定是搞错了。他亲眼看见虎掌下的手吗？”
火心紧张地摇晃尾巴，身后的树叶也被带了起来：“他说是他亲眼所见。”
“依你所说，红尾就要对橡心的死负责了。在说这些话的时候，你知道自己是在损害红尾的声誉吗？一族的族长代表除非迫不得已，决不会在战斗中杀死另一族的族长代表。而红尾是我所认识的武士中最看重荣誉的一个。”蓝星眼里笼罩着痛苦的阴云。火心意识到自己破坏了蓝星对红尾的美好回忆，感到万分沮丧，当然他也不想这样。
他小声说：“我无法解释红尾这么做的原因，我只知道乌爪确信红尾是被虎掌杀害的。”
蓝星叹口气，肩头松弛下来，眼里充满了同情的目光。她温和地说：“众所周知，乌爪很富于想象力。他在战斗中严重负伤，未等战斗结束便离开战场。你敢保证他所说的场景不过是想象出来的吗？”
火心还没来得及回答，森林里传来一声吼叫，虎掌从灌木丛里跳了出来。他神色怀疑地盯着火心瞅了一会儿，而后才对蓝星说：“大家都在边界处等候呢。”
蓝星点点头，说：“告诉他们，我们一会儿就到。”虎掌低下头转身回去。
火心看着他离开，细想蓝星说的话。蓝星说得没错，乌爪的想象力的确丰富。火心记起自己第一次参加森林大会的情形：来自各个族群的学徒们围在一起，听乌爪讲述那次同河族战斗的故事，而那时他并没有提及虎掌。
蓝星站起身。火心跟着站起来，忽然害怕自己给朋友惹来了更大的麻烦，于是问道：“你要把乌爪找回来吗？”
蓝星怀有深意地看了他一眼，淡淡地说：“他在那边也许会更快乐些。我们要让大伙儿都以为乌爪已经死了。”
火心吃惊地睁大眼睛望着她。蓝星想对全族撒谎！
蓝星继续说：“虎掌是一名伟大的武士，只是他生性自负。他的徒弟没有逃走而是死于战斗，这会令他更有面子，同时也对乌爪更有利些。”
火心大胆地问：“你怕虎掌会找上门去吗？”也许他的话对蓝星起作用了，哪怕只有一点点？
蓝星不耐烦地摇摇头：“不，虎掌兴许怀有野心，但决不会做凶手。乌爪最好被看做是一位死去的英雄，而不是一个活着的胆小鬼。”
虎掌的呼唤声再度响起，蓝星从树干上跳下，闪身消失在金雀花丛里。火心越过树干，随后跟上。
他在一条溪流边撵上蓝星，只见蓝星踩着溪流中的石头跳到对岸。火心小心翼翼地跟在后面，心潮起伏不定。几天来，红尾的确切死因一直如大石般沉重地压在他的心口。如今他终于把这件事告诉给蓝星，但却于事无补。蓝星显然不相信虎掌会是一个冷血凶手。
最糟糕的是，连火心自己也开始怀疑乌爪的话的可信度了。他跳上对岸，冲进灌木丛里。
火心与蓝星先后来到边界处，与其他的猫会合。大伙儿停留在向下通往“四棵树”的小路顶端。所谓“四棵树”，是指四棵参天橡树，每当月圆之夜，森林里的四大猫族便会在这里开会。
火心感觉虎掌在一旁窥视自己，身上的毛不由得支棱起来。虎掌是否在怀疑他和蓝星的谈话呢？火心晃了晃脑袋，让自己清醒些，他努力用蓝星的眼光来看待这件事。虎掌对他们的谈话产生兴趣这没什么可奇怪的：作为族长代表，当然应当多了解些与本族事务有关的情况。火心又瞅了瞅虎掌，看见这只深棕色虎斑猫两耳竖立，警觉地注视着坡下。其他的猫则有些沉不住气，在虎掌周围走来走去。虎掌目光扫来扫去，坚定的眼神无形中将大家凝聚在一起。
蓝星扬起鼻子嗅嗅空气。火心感到十分紧张，身上的毛直立起来。蓝星随即晃动一下尾巴发出信号，雷族的勇士们昂首阔步顺着斜坡走进森林大会的会场。
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER2
Bluestar halted on the edge ofthe clearing with her Clan lined up beside her. Some of the cats from RiverClan and ShadowClan turned and acknowledged their arrival
“Where’d you disappear to?” Graystripe appeared at Fireheart’s shoulder.
Fireheart shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.” He was still troubled and confused by his conversation with Bluestar, and felt glad when Graystripe didn’t press him, turning his head instead to peer around the clearing.
“Hey, look,” he meowed. “The ShadowClan cats are looking stronger than I thought they would. After all, Brokenstar left them half-starved.”
Fireheart followed his gaze to a sleek ShadowClan warrior. “You’re right,” he agreed, surprised.
“Mind you, we did do most of their fighting for them!” scoffed Graystripe.
Fireheart’s amused purr was interrupted by Whitestorm. “The ShadowClan cats fought as hard as we did to chase out Brokenstar. We should honor their determination to recover,” he meowed sternly, before padding over to a group of warriors gathered beneath one of the great oaks.
“Oops!” mewed Graystripe with a guilty glance at Fireheart.
The young warriors stayed on the edge of the clearing. Fireheart could easily pick out the apprentices from the other Clans—their fur looked kit-soft, their faces round, and their paws plump and clumsy.
Two warriors approached Graystripe and Fireheart. A small brown apprentice tagged after them. Fireheart recognized the gray tabby tom from ShadowClan, but not the smoky black tom who walked with him.
“Hi!” meowed the gray tom.
“Hello, Wetfoot,” replied Fireheart. He glanced at the dark brown cat.
Wetfoot meowed, “This is Blackclaw of RiverClan.”
Graystripe and Fireheart nodded their greeting. The apprentice stepped timidly forward.
“And this is my apprentice, Oakpaw,” added Wetfoot.
Oakpaw looked up at Fireheart with wide, anxious eyes. “H-hi, Fireheart,” he mewed. Fireheart nodded his head in greeting.
“I hear Bluestar made you warriors after the battle,” meowed Wetfoot. “Congratulations! It must’ve been a cold vigil.”
“It was!” Graystripe agreed.
“Who’s that?” Fireheart broke in. A sleek she-cat with a mottled brown pelt had caught his attention. She was sharing words with Tigerclaw beside the Great Rock that stood in the center of the clearing.
“That’s Leopardfur, our deputy,” growled the RiverClan warrior.
Fireheart’s fur stiffened as he thought about the previous RiverClan deputy, Oakheart, and how he had died in battle with ThunderClan. He was saved from having to say anything by Bluestar’s bounding onto the top of the rock to start the meeting. Two other cats joined her, and one of them, an elderly black tom, sounded the call for all cats to gather beneath the rock. Fireheart recognized the black tom, and couldn’t help feeling surprised. Had old Nightpelt become ShadowClan’s leader since Brokenstar had fled?
When the cats had settled in front of the Great Rock, Bluestar spoke. “ThunderClan brings to this Gathering its new medicine cat, Yellowfang,” she announced formally. She paused while all eyes turned to the old she-cat with the thick fur and flattened muzzle. Fireheart noticed her shuffle her haunches on the hard ground. Early in his apprenticeship he had spent almost a whole moon nursing the she-cat back to health after she had come to the ThunderClan camp. Now he could tell by the way her right ear twisted slightly that she was uncomfortable under the gaze of the other Clans. Yellowfang had been medicine cat to ShadowClan, and cats hardly ever left one Clan to join another. She looked around the crowd slowly until she met the gaze of Runningnose, ShadowClan’s new medicine cat. There was a brief pause; then they exchanged a respectful nod. Yellowfang’s ear straightened and Fireheart relaxed.
Bluestar spoke again. “We also bring two newly named warriors—Fireheart and Graystripe.”
Fireheart held his head high, but as he felt all eyes turn to look at him, a surge of self-consciousness made his tail flick nervously.
Nightpelt stepped forward, brushing past Bluestar to stand on the highest part of the rock. “I, Nightpelt, have taken over the leadership of ShadowClan,” he announced. “Our former leader, Brokenstar, broke the warrior code and we were forced to chase him out.”
“No mention of the fact we helped them to do it,” Graystripe whispered to Fireheart.
Nightpelt continued, “The spirits of our ancestors have spoken to Runningnose and chosen me as leader. I have not yet traveled to Mothermouth to receive StarClan’s gift of nine lives, but I will make this journey tomorrow night while the moon is still full. After my vigil at the Moonstone, I shall be known as Nightstar.”
“Where is Brokenstar now?” called a voice from the crowd. It was Frostfur, the white ThunderClan queen.
“I think we can assume that he has left the forest, with the other banished warriors. He knows it would be dangerous for him to try to return,” answered Nightpelt.
“I hope so,” Fireheart heard Frostfur murmur to her neighbor, a plump brown queen.
RiverClan’s leader, Crookedstar, stepped forward. “Let’s hope Brokenstar has had the sense to leave the forest for good. His greed for territory threatened us all.”
Crookedstar waited for the yowls of agreement to die down before he went on. “While Brokenstar was ShadowClan’s leader, I allowed him to hunt in our river. But now ShadowClan has a new leader, and this agreement can no longer stand. The prey in our river belongs to RiverClan alone.”
Mews of triumph rose from the other RiverClan cats, but Fireheart saw with a feeling of alarm that Nightpelt was bristling.
Nightpelt raised his voice. “ShadowClan has the same needs as it did under Brokenstar. We have many mouths to feed, Crookedstar. You made an agreement with the whole of ShadowClan!”
Crookedstar leaped to his paws and turned on Nightpelt. He flattened his ears and hissed, and the cats below fell silent.
Quickly Bluestar stepped between the two leaders. “ShadowClan has suffered many losses recently,” she mewed softly. “With fewer mouths to feed, Nightpelt, do you really need RiverClan’s fish?”
Crookedstar hissed again, but Nightpelt held his gaze without flinching.
Bluestar spoke again, this time more forcefully. “You have just driven out your leader and several of your strongest warriors! And Brokenstar went against the warrior code when he forced Crookedstar to agree to share the river.”
Fireheart swallowed uneasily as he noticed Nightpelt unsheathe his claws, but Bluestar didn’t blink. Her icy blue gaze glinted in the moonlight as she growled, “Remember you have not even received your nine lives from StarClan. Are you so confident you can make these demands?” Fireheart tensed as he felt the bristling of fur around him. The whole crowd was waiting for Nightpelt’s response.
Nightpelt looked away angrily. His tail flicked from side to side but he said nothing.
Bluestar had won. Her voice softened. “We all know ShadowClan has suffered much these past few moons,” she meowed. “ThunderClan has agreed to leave you in peace until you have had time to recover.” She turned her gaze on Crookedstar. “I’m sure that Crookedstar will agree to show you the same respect.”
Crookedstar narrowed his eyes and nodded. “But only as long as ShadowClan is not scented in our territory,” he growled.
Fireheart relaxed, letting the fur lie flat on his shoulders. Now that he knew what it was like to fight in a real battle, he admired his leader’s courage even more in challenging these two great warriors. Muffled mews of relief and agreement sounded in the crowd as the tension on the Great Rock suddenly eased.
“You won’t scent us, Crookedstar,” meowed Nightpelt. “Bluestar was right—we don’t need your fish. After all, we have the uplands to hunt in, now that WindClan has left its territory.”
Crookedstar looked at Nightpelt, his eyes brightening. “That’s true,” he agreed. “This will mean extra prey for all of us.”
Bluestar drew up her head sharply. “No! WindClan must return!”
Crookedstar and Nightpelt looked at the ThunderClan leader. “Why?” asked Crookedstar.
“If we share WindClan’s hunting grounds, it will mean more food for all our kits!” Nightpelt pointed out.
“The forest needs four Clans,” Bluestar insisted. “Just as we have Fourtrees, and four seasons, StarClan has given us four Clans. We must find WindClan as soon as possible and bring them home.”
The ThunderClan cats raised their voices in support of their leader, but Crookedstar’s impatient yowl rose above them. “Your argument is weak, Bluestar. Do we really need four seasons? Wouldn’t you rather go without leaf-bare, and the cold and hunger it brings?”
Bluestar looked calmly at the warriors beside her. “StarClan gave us leaf-bare to let the earth recover and prepare for newleaf. This forest, and the uplands, have supported four Clans for generations. It is not up to us to challenge StarClan.”
Leopardfur, the RiverClan deputy, spoke up. “Why should we go hungry for the sake of a Clan that cannot even defend its territory?” she yowled.
“Bluestar is right! WindClan must return!” Tigerclaw spat back, drawing himself up so that he towered above the cats around him
Bluestar spoke again. “Crookedstar,” she meowed, turning to the RiverClan leader, “RiverClan’s hunting grounds are known for their richness. You have the river and all the fish it contains. Why do you need extra prey?” Crookedstar looked away and didn’t answer. Fireheart noticed how RiverClan murmured anxiously among themselves. He wondered why Bluestar’s question had ruffled their fur.
“And, Nightpelt,” Bluestar went on, “it was Brokenstar who drove WindClan from its home.” The broad-shouldered she-cat paused. “That is why ThunderClan helped you to chase him out.”
Fireheart narrowed his eyes. He knew that Bluestar was gently reminding Nightpelt of the debt he owed to ThunderClan.
The ShadowClan leader half closed his eyes. After a silence that felt like an age, Nightpelt opened his eyes wide and meowed, “Very well, Bluestar. We will allow WindClan to return.” Fireheart saw Crookedstar turn his head away in anger, his eyes black slits.
Bluestar nodded. “Two of us have agreed, Crookedstar,” she meowed. “WindClan must be found and brought home. Until then, no Clan should hunt in their territory.”
The Gathering began to break up as the cats prepared to travel back to their camps. Fireheart stayed where he was for a moment, watching the leaders on the Great Rock. Bluestar touched noses with Crookedstar and jumped down to the forest floor. On the rock, Crookedstar turned to Nightpelt. There was something about the look that passed between them that made Fireheart’s fur prickle. Could it be that Bluestar did not really have Nightpelt’s support after all? Fireheart looked quickly around. He could tell from the anger in Tigerclaw’s eyes that ThunderClan’s deputy had not missed this exchange either
For once, Fireheart shared Tigerclaw’s concern. This was a shift in Clan alliances he had not expected. After the risk ThunderClan had taken by helping ShadowClan to drive out Brokenstar, how could it side with RiverClan now?
第二章
第二章
蓝星在会场边停下脚步，雷族众猫在她身边呈“一”字形排开。河族和影族的猫们纷纷回过头向他们打招呼。
灰条走到火心身边问：“你去哪里了？”
火心正为刚才的谈话心烦意乱，当即摇了摇头说：“没什么事。”灰条没有再问，扭过头望向会场。
他说：“嘿，你看这些影族的猫们。原先断星当政的时候，他们个个饿得半死不活，没想到现在又长得这么强壮了。”
火心顺着他的目光瞧见影族武士精神饱满的样子，惊诧地说：“说的不错。”
灰条揶揄道：“别忘了，上次他们可全仗我们帮忙，才赶走了断星。”
火心莞尔一笑，忽然听白风淡淡地说：“上次的事影族也同样付出了艰苦的努力，我们应该钦佩他们复兴的决心才是。”说完，他朝着聚在橡树下的一群武士们走去。
“呼！”灰条吁了口气，不好意思地看看火心。
年轻的武士都围着场地边坐。哪个是学徒，哪个是武士，火心一眼便能认出——因为学徒们都长着柔顺的绒毛，圆圆的脸盘和胖乎乎的爪子。
这时，有两名武士带了一名学徒走到灰条和火心面前，那个学徒长了一身棕色的毛。
火心认出其中那只灰色虎斑猫是影族的武士，但另一只正在说话的棕黑色虎斑猫却很面生。
那只灰色的虎斑猫说：“嘿！”
火心答礼道：“你好，湿脚。”眼睛盯着那只棕黑色公猫。
湿脚说：“这位是河族的黑掌。”
灰条和火心点点头算是打招呼。那名学徒胆怯地走上前。
湿脚说：“这是我的徒弟橡爪。”
橡爪抬头瞧着火心，眯缝着双眼，一脸好奇的样子，说：“嘿，火心。”火心点点头。
湿脚说：“我听说上次事情之后，蓝星封你为武士。这真是可喜可贺呀！守夜那晚一定冻得要死吧？”
灰条大发感慨地说：“可不是吗！”
火心看见虎掌正和一只母猫在巨岩旁交谈，那只母猫身上长着金黄色斑点，毛色十分光鲜，于是问道：“那是谁？”
河族武士黑掌小声说：“噢，那是我们的族长代表豹毛。”
火心想起河族前任族长代表橡心，不由得背上泛起一丝寒意。这时蓝星跃上巨岩宣布大会开始，这下火心不必再费心应酬黑掌了。同蓝星站在一起的还有两只猫，其中年纪大点儿的一只黑色公猫大声招呼大伙儿在巨岩下集合。火心认出他是夜皮，心里感到十分诧异。难道夜皮当上影族族长了？
众猫来到巨岩前，各自寻找位子坐下。蓝星高声宣布说：“本次大会，我们雷族向大家引见我们的新任医生黄牙。”黄牙是一只老年猫，长着厚厚的皮毛，口鼻部扁平。黄牙投奔到雷族时，火心还在学徒期间。他花了一整月的时间照料黄牙的伤势。此时她正襟危坐，两耳微微蜷缩，在大家的注视下显得有些不习惯。她的目光在猫群中缓缓扫过，当迎上影族的新任医生奔鼻的目光时稍作停留。两只猫相互点头致意，黄牙的耳朵松展开来，火心也跟着松了口气。
蓝星又说：“我们还要引见武士队伍中的两个新面孔——火心和灰条。”火心昂首挺胸，看见众多目光集中在自己身上，紧张地来回摇晃尾巴。
夜皮上前几步，立在巨岩的最高处宣布：“我是影族的现任族长夜皮。我的前任——断星破坏了丛林法则，我们已将他赶下台了。”
灰条小声对火心说：“他没有提我们帮忙的事。”
夜皮继续说：“奔鼻从祖先神灵那里得到授意，选择我做影族族长。我还没来得及前往‘母亲嘴’接受星族赐予的九条性命，但也迟不过明晚月圆之夜。在月亮石边守夜后，我的名字就会改为夜星。”
猫群中一个声音问：“断星去哪儿了？”发问的是雷族武士霜毛，她是一只雪白的母猫。
夜皮回答：“我们权当他已离开丛林了，同他一起被流放的还有几名武士。他不会再回来了，因为他知道回来也是死路一条。”
火心听到霜毛对身旁一只体态臃肿的棕色母猫说：“希望如此。”
河族族长钩星走上前，说：“希望断星一去不复返，他的野心对大家都是个威胁。”
钩星等一片附和声沉息下去后接着说：“断星当政时，我答应他开放我们的狩猎地。但如今影族领导已换，该协议至此终止。我们河族的狩猎权不再对影族开放。”
河族猫群响起一阵欢呼，但火心注意到夜皮背上的毛竖了起来，不由得心中一阵紧张。
夜皮提高声音说：“断星虽然下台，可是影族的需要没有改变，我们食物短缺的问题依然没有解决。那份协议是你和影族全体订立的，可不是你们两位之间的私事。”
钩星一下子跳起来，转身对着夜皮。他的双耳紧贴脑袋，嘴里嘘了一声，显然十分不满。两只猫一时间均不再说话。
蓝星闪身来到他们中间，淡淡地说：“影族近来损失了不少的猫，食物不会再像以前那般短缺了。夜皮，你真的想要河族的鱼吗？”
钩星又嘘了一声，夜皮也毫不示弱地盯着他。
蓝星提高嗓门说：“断星和他的党羽已经被你们赶跑了！他强迫钩星交出捕鱼权，那是违背武士法典的。”
火心忐忑不安地在下面听着，注意到夜皮的利爪已经从脚掌的肉垫中伸了出来，但蓝星的眼睛眨都不眨一下，那双湛蓝色的眼睛在月光下显得更加清澈明亮。只听她厉声说：“别忘了，你还没有从星族那里得到九条性命，就敢提出这些要求吗？”
火心心中的弦绷得紧紧的，身上的毛都直立起来。所有的猫都在等待夜皮的反应。
夜皮怒气冲冲地移开目光，尾巴从一边晃到另一边，一句话也不说。
蓝星见他服软，也放缓语气说：“大家都理解过去数月来影族所经受的苦难，所以我们雷族才答应让你们休养生息。”她转头瞧着钩星，说：“我想钩星对此也不会有什么异议吧？”
钩星眯着眼说：“但前提是影族不能进入我们河族的领地。”
火心松了口气，身上的毛顺了下来。他知道此番较量无异于一场搏斗，蓝星竟然敢同时向两名强大的武士发出挑战，这令他越发感到蓝星了不起。随着巨岩上气氛的缓和，大家提到嗓子眼儿的心又放回肚里，猫群中响起七嘴八舌的附和声。
夜皮说：“好吧，钩星，我们不会进入你们的领地。蓝星说的不错，我们不需要你们的鱼。不管怎么说，风族已经离开了他们的领地，我们可以去高地那边捕猎。”
钩星眼睛一亮，附和道：“不错，我们都有更多的猎物了。”
蓝星猛然抬头说：“不行，风族必须回来！”
钩星和夜皮齐齐盯着蓝星，问：“为什么？”
夜皮提醒道：“如果我们共享风族的猎物，我们的幼崽就能填饱肚子了。”
蓝星坚持说：“这片森林需要四大猫族共同生存，就如同‘四棵树’是‘四’，‘四季’也是‘四’一样。这是星族的旨意。我们必须尽快找到风族，并把他们带回来。”
雷族猫群中响起一片赞同声。钩星说道：“蓝星，你的说法根本站不住脚。一年中并不是非得有四个季节不可。难道你愿意过万物凋敝，忍饥挨饿的日子吗？”
蓝星面色平和地说：“星族让树叶凋零，让我们忍饥挨饿，是为了土地能够休养生息，为下一轮的生发绿叶做准备。这片土地养育了四大猫族世世代代，不应当在我们这一代发生改变。”
河族族长代表豹毛大声嚷道：“凭什么要我们为了一个不能保卫自己领土的族群而忍饥挨饿呢？”
虎掌喝道：“我同意蓝星的话！风族必须回来。”他站得笔直，在猫群中尤为突出。
蓝星说：“钩星，河族领地的富饶多产是众所周知的事。你们已经拥有河流和其中的鱼，为什么还要多余的猎场呢？”钩星移开目光，没有回答。
火心发觉河族猫们听到这里时脸上都是一副焦虑的样子，不由得暗自诧异。
蓝星接着说：“夜皮，风族是被断星赶走的。”顿了顿后又说：“我们正是为此才帮助你们将他赶下台的。”
火心的眼睛眯缝起来，他知道蓝星是在含蓄地提醒夜皮要知恩图报。
夜皮双眼似闭非闭。时间似乎一下子慢了下来，那一刻就如一年般漫长。最后，他睁开眼睛说：“好吧，蓝星。风族可以回来。”火心瞧见钩星怒气冲冲地转过头去，眼睛眯成一条线。
蓝星点点头，说：“钩星，少数服从多数。我们必须找到风族并将他们带回家园。在此之前，任何族群不得在他们的领地里捕猎。”会议至此结束，众猫纷纷准备返回。火心待在原地，出神地望着巨岩上的三位族长。蓝星与钩星对触了一下鼻子后跳下巨岩。钩星转身看着夜皮，相互间交换了一个意味深长的眼神。火心身上的毛腾地竖立起来。难道夜皮同意风族回来，只是在和蓝星虚与委蛇吗？火心朝周围望了望，瞧见虎掌满面怒容，刚才的一幕显然也没有逃过他的眼睛。
一转念间，火心已知道虎掌的反应为何如此强烈了——部族间的力量对比出现了他没有预料到的变化。影族得到雷族的拼死相助方才赶走了断星，如今他们怎么能忘恩负义，和河族沆瀣一气呢？
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER3
Bluestar led the way swiftly backto camp. The noise of their return awoke the cats who had remained behind. As the group streamed through the gorse entrance, sleepy figures began emerging from the dens.
“What’s the news?” called Halftail.
“Was ShadowClan there?” asked Willowpelt.
“Yes, it was,” Bluestar replied gravely. She strode past Willowpelt and leaped up onto Highrock. There was no need for her customary call for a Clan meeting—the cats were already gathering below the rock. Tigerclaw jumped up beside her.
“There was much tension between the Clans tonight,” Bluestar began. “And I became aware of a possible new allegiance between Crookedstar and Nightpelt.”
Graystripe squeezed into the small space next to Fireheart. “What are they talking about?” he asked. “I thought Nightpelt agreed with Bluestar.”
“Nightpelt?” croaked One-eye’s ancient voice from the back of the crowd.
“He has been named as ShadowClan’s new leader,” Bluestar explained.
“But his name—hasn’t he been accepted by StarClan yet?” asked One-eye.
“He plans to travel to the Moonstone tomorrow night,” Tigerclaw told him.
“No leader can speak for their Clan at a Gathering without receiving StarClan’s approval first,” muttered One-eye, loudly enough for all the cats to hear.
“He has the support of ShadowClan, One-eye,” answered Bluestar, nodding at the old she-cat. “We cannot ignore what he said tonight.” One-eye gave a disgruntled sniff, and Bluestar lifted her head to address the whole Clan. “At the Gathering, I suggested we find WindClan and bring it home. But Crookedstar and Nightpelt don’t want them to return.”
“They’re hardly likely to join forces, though, are they?” called Graystripe. “They almost had a scrap over hunting rights in the river.”
Fireheart turned to his friend. “Didn’t you see the looks they were swapping by the end of the meeting? They’re both desperate to get their paws on WindClan’s territory.”
“But why?” asked Sandpaw, who was sitting beside her mentor, Whitestorm.
Whitestorm answered her. “I suspect ShadowClan is not as weak as we thought it would be. And Nightpelt seems to have more ambition than any cat expected.”
“But why does RiverClanwant to hunt WindClan’s grounds? They have always grown fat on the fish from their precious river!” yowled Willowpelt. “The uplands are a long way to go for a few windblown rabbits!”
The once-beautiful queen, Dappletail, spoke up in a voice cracked with age. “At the Gathering, some of the RiverClan elders spoke of Twolegs taking over part of their river.”
“That’s right,” added Frostfur. “They say Twolegs have been living in shelters beside the river, disturbing the fish. The RiverClan cats have had to hide in the bushes and watch them with empty stomachs!”
Bluestar looked thoughtful. “For now, we must be careful to do nothing that may bring ShadowClan and RiverClan closer together. Go and rest now. Runningwind and Dustpaw, you will take the dawn patrol.”
A cold breeze rattled the dying leaves in the trees overhead. The cats, still murmuring amongst themselves, went to their dens.
For the second night in a row, Fireheart dreamed. He was standing in the dark. The roar and the stench of a Thunderpath was very close by. Fireheart felt himself buffeted and blinded by the monsters that roared up and down with glaring eyes. Suddenly, through the din, Fireheart heard the pitiful cry of a young cat. The desperate wail sliced through the thundering of the monsters.
Fireheart awoke with a start. For a moment he thought that the cry had woken him. But the only noise was the muffled snores of warriors sleeping beside him. A growl came from somewhere near the middle of the den. It sounded like Tigerclaw. Fireheart felt too unsettled to go back to sleep, so he crept silently out of the den.
It was dark outside, and the stars dotting the black sky told him dawn was still far off. With the wail of the young cat echoing in his mind, Fireheart padded over to the nursery, his ears pricked. He could hear pawsteps beyond the camp wall. He sniffed the air. It was just Darkstripe and Longtail. Fireheart picked up their scents as they guarded ThunderClan’s territory.
The calm of the sleeping camp soothed Fireheart. Every cat must have nightmares about the Thunderpath, he told himself. He crept back into the den and circled comfortably back into his nest. Graystripe purred briefly in his sleep as Fireheart settled beside him and closed his eyes.
Graystripe’s nose woke him, prodding his side. “Leave me alone,” Fireheart grumbled.
“Wake up!” Graystripe hissed.
“Why? We’re not on patrol!” Fireheart complained.
“Bluestar wants to see us in her den, now.”
Fuzzy-headed, Fireheart scrambled to his paws and followed Graystripe out of the den. The sun was beginning to turn the sky pink, and there was frost on the trees around the camp.
The two cats bounded across the clearing to Bluestar’s den and announced their arrival with hushed mews.
“Enter!” It was Tigerclaw’s voice that answered from behind the draped lichen. Alarm swept through Fireheart as he remembered his conversation with Bluestar on the way to the Gathering. Had she told Tigerclaw about his accusations? Graystripe pushed his way into Bluestar’s den. Fireheart followed him uneasily.
Bluestar was sitting in her nest, her head up and her eyes bright. Tigerclaw stood in the middle of the smooth sandstone floor. Fireheart tried to read his expression, but the great tabby’s eyes were as cold and steady as always.
Bluestar began at once. “Fireheart, Graystripe, I have an important mission for you.”
“A mission?” Fireheart echoed. Relief and excitement swept away his anxiety.
“I want you to find WindClan and bring it back to its territory,” announced Bluestar.
“Before you get too excited, bear in mind this could be very dangerous,” Tigerclaw growled. “We don’t know where WindClan has gone, so you will have to follow what is left of their scent-probably into hostile territory.”
“But you’ve been through WindClan territory, when you traveled with me to the Moonstone,” Bluestar pointed out. “Their scent will be familiar, as will the Twoleg territory beyond the uplands.”
“Will it just be us?” asked Fireheart.
“Our other warriors are needed here,” meowed Tigerclaw. “Leaf-bare is coming, and we need to gather as much fresh-kill as possible. Many prey-poor moons lie ahead.”
Bluestar nodded. “Tigerclaw will help you prepare for the journey.” Fireheart’s paws prickled with unease. Bluestar had as much faith in her deputy as ever. Why was Fireheart the only cat in ThunderClan who didn’t trust Tigerclaw?
“You must leave as soon as possible,” Bluestar continued. “Good luck.”
“We’ll find them,” Graystripe promised.
Dragging his thoughts back to the journey ahead, Fireheart nodded.
Tigerclaw followed them out of Bluestar’s den. “Do you remember how to get to WindClan territory?”
“Oh, yes, Tigerclaw, we were there only—”
Fireheart interrupted Graystripe’s eager reply, “Only a few moonsago,” he meowed quickly. He flashed a warning glare at his friend. Graystripe had almost given away their journey several nights earlier with Ravenpaw.
Tigerclaw hesitated. Fireheart held his breath. Had he noticed Graystripe’s mistake?
“And can you recall WindClan’s scent?” the deputy meowed.
Fireheart sent silent thanks to StarClan.
The young warriors nodded, and Fireheart began to picture himself charging through the prickly gorse of the uplands in search of the lost Clan.
“You will need herbs for strength and to keep your hunger away. Fetch them from Yellowfang before you leave.” Tigerclaw paused. “And don’t forget that Nightpelt is planning to travel to the Moonstone tonight. Keep well out of his way.”
“Yes, Tigerclaw,” replied Fireheart.
“He’ll never know we’re out there,” Graystripe assured him.
“As I would expect,” meowed Tigerclaw. “Now, go!” Without another word, he turned and bounded away.
“He might have wished us good luck,” Graystripe complained.
“He probably thinks we don’t need it,” joked Fireheart as they crossed the clearing toward Yellowfang’s den. But at the same time, he reflected, Tigerclaw seemed to be treating them with as much respect as he would any warrior—was it possible that he wasn’t the traitor that Ravenpaw thought? It was still cold, despite the rising sun, but neither cat shivered—Fireheart could feel his fur beginning to thicken as the days grew shorter.
Yellowfang’s den lay at the end of a tunnel under ferns. A large split rock stood in a corner of a small shaded glade. Spottedleaf had lived here before Yellowfang. The memory of the gentle tortoiseshell medicine cat tugged at Fireheart’s heart. Spottedleaf had been killed by a ShadowClan warrior. He missed her desperately.
“Yellowfang!” Graystripe called. “We’ve come for traveling herbs!”
The two cats heard a hoarse mew from the shadow in the center of the rock, and Yellowfang squeezed out of the crack. “Where are you going?” she asked.
“We’ve got to find WindClan and bring it home,” Fireheart told her, unable to hide the pride in his voice.
“Your first warrior mission!” rasped Yellowfang. “Congratulations! I’ll fetch the herbs you will need.” She returned a few moments later carrying a small bundle of dried leaves in her mouth. “Enjoy!” she purred, laying them on the ground.
Fireheart and Graystripe chewed obediently on the unappetizing leaves. “Yuck!” spat Graystripe. “Just as bad as last time.” Fireheart nodded, screwing up his face. Spottedleaf had given them the same herbs when they’d journeyed with Bluestar to the Moonstone.
Graystripe swallowed the last mouthful and nudged Fireheart’s shoulder with his nose. “Come on, slow slug! Let’s get going! ’Bye,” he called to Yellowfang over his shoulder, as he sprinted out of the glade.
“Wait for me,” meowed Fireheart, chasing after his friend.
“Good-bye! Good luck, youngsters!” Yellowfang meowed after them.
As he raced through the tunnel, Fireheart heard the ferns rustling in the morning breeze. They seemed to be whispering, “Good luck! Travel safely!”
第三章
第三章
蓝星带领大家急急忙忙返回营地。留守后方的猫被他们的喧闹声吵醒。当蓝星他们穿过入口处的金雀花丛时，被吵醒的猫们睡眼惺松地纷纷走出巢穴。
半尾招呼说：“有什么新闻吗？”
柳带问：“影族也到场了吗？”
蓝星神色凝重地说：“是的，他们也在那儿。”她绕过柳带，跃上高岩。若在往日，她会高声招呼大家开会，但此时已无必要——众猫早已齐集在高岩下。虎掌也跳上去站在蓝星旁边。
蓝星说：“今晚，族群之间发生了点儿摩擦。我认为钩星和夜皮有可能结成新的同盟。”
灰条吃力地在火心旁边挤出一小块儿地方坐下，然后问：“这怎么可能？夜皮不是已经同蓝星达成一致了吗？”
“夜皮？”一只眼低沉的嘶声从猫群后方远远传来。
蓝星解释说：“他已经被选为影族族长。他准备在明晚前往月亮石。”
“没有事先得到星族的许可，谁都不能在森林大会上代表本族发言。”一只眼嘴里咕咕哝哝，但所有在场的猫都听见了。
蓝星向这位老年母猫点了点头，回答说：“他得到了影族的认可，一只眼。我们不能无视今晚他所说过的话。”一只眼鼻子里发出嗤的一声，显得很不满意。蓝星抬起头对大家说：“在大会上，我主张把风族找回来，不过钩星和夜皮对这个提议不以为然。”
灰条高声说：“他们不可能因为这个问题而结成同盟的，是吗？在捕鱼权的问题上他们双方几乎干起仗来。”
火心扭头对他说：“难道你没有瞧见他们在大会结束后交换眼色吗？他们都对风族的领地感到眼热。”
坐在白风身边的沙爪问：“这是为什么？”
白风回答：“我怀疑影族在有意隐藏实力。夜皮的野心超乎我们的想象。”
柳带大声说：“但是河族这么做有什么好处？河里的鱼足以使他们衣食无忧了。去高地捉善跑的兔子，路程可不近哟！”
斑尾是昔日族里最漂亮的猫，如今因上了年纪声音变得嘶哑低沉。她开口说：“在大会上，河族里有些老年猫说两腿动物占据了他们的部分河段。”
霜毛说：“没错。他们说两腿动物们在河边扎起帐篷，把鱼儿都吓跑了。他们也只能躲在灌木丛里，饿着肚子在一旁眼睁睁地瞧着。”
蓝星想了一会儿，说：“如今我们必须谨慎行事，不能采取任何可能拉近影、河二族的举动。奔风、尘爪，你们负责夜间巡逻。”
一阵冷风吹过，树上的枯叶发出喀喀的声响。众猫一边窃窃私语，一边返回巢穴。
夜晚，火心做了一个梦！梦里一片漆黑。不远处就是雷鬼路，那里轰鸣隆隆、臭气熏天。雷鬼路上的怪物们此起彼伏的尖啸声震耳欲聋，刺眼的灯光晃得他睁不开双眼。
突然，透过喧闹，他听见一只幼崽微弱的哭声。那撕心裂肺的恸哭声夹杂在怪物们发出的轰鸣声中。
火心猛然惊醒。那个哭声犹在耳畔，久久不能平息。寂静中只听得身边的武士们鼾声如雷。巢穴中央处不知谁在说梦话，听起来像虎掌的声音。火心心潮起伏，难以重返梦乡。于是他轻手轻脚走到巢穴外。
巢穴外伸手不见五指，天空中群星璀璨，此时正是深夜时分。幼崽的悲声恸哭仍回荡在火心的耳边，他朝医务室走去。空气中飘荡着黑条和长尾的气味，他们在值班。
火心来回走了几步，心情渐趋平静。他对自己说：“想必大家都在做雷鬼路的梦吧。”他信步回到巢穴，找到自己的窝躺下，合上双眼，只听灰条在梦中嘟嘟囔囔说梦话。
火心在熟睡中被灰条的声音唤醒，他发觉灰条在捅他，＆#9；火心不满地说：“别闹！”
灰条小声说：“快醒醒！”
火心问：“为什么？我们今天不用巡逻！”
“蓝星要见我们，就现在。”
火心拖着四肢跟随灰条走出巢穴，脑子昏昏沉沉的。天边已出现了一抹朝霞，营地周围的丛林间晨雾蔼蔼。
他们俩一路小跑，来到蓝星的巢穴前低声通报。
“进来！”巢穴内传出虎掌的声音。火心想到参加森林大会的途中和蓝星说的一番话，不由得提心吊胆。蓝星有没有告诉虎掌呢？灰条拨开挂在门口的苔藓走进巢穴，火心忐忑不安地跟在后面。
蓝星挺胸昂头端坐着，两眼闪闪发亮。虎掌站在光滑的砂石地中央。火心仔细观察他的表情，发现他的眼神如往常一样冰冷、淡漠。
蓝星开门见山地说：“火心、灰条，我有一项重要的任务交给你们。”
火心重复了一句：“任务？”心里的担忧一扫而光，立刻感到无比地轻松和兴奋。
蓝星命令说：“我要你们找到风族，并把他们带回家园。”
虎掌呵斥：“先别高兴得太早，这项任务可能很危险。我们对风族的去向一无所知，你们只能依靠他们留下的气味去寻找——也许还要进入敌人的领地。”
蓝星说：“上次你们随我一同前往月亮石的时候，途经的地方便是风族的领地，对于他们的气味你们应该不会陌生吧！另外，你们还熟知高地那边两腿动物地盘的方位。”
火心问：“只有我们两个吗？”
虎掌说：“其他的武士需要留在营地。落叶季节就要到了，我们要尽可能收集食物，未来几个月捕不到什么猎物。”
蓝星点头说：“虎掌会帮助你们准备这次出行。”火心如芒刺在背：蓝星一如既往地信任虎掌，为什么偏偏自己就不信任虎掌呢？
蓝星继续说：“你们要尽快出发，祝你们好运！”
灰条向她保证：“我们一定会找到风族。”
火心定了定神，点头称是。
虎掌陪他们一同走到外面：“你们还认得去风族领地的路吗？”
“哦，记得，虎掌。我们才刚刚——”
火心急忙插嘴打断灰条的话：“刚刚在几个月前去过那里。”他瞪了灰条一眼，提醒灰条小心说话。灰条差点儿就把几天前他们和乌爪去过那里的事情给泄露出去。
见虎掌没有做声，火心紧张得喘不过气来。虎掌有没有注意到灰条一时失口呢？
隔了好长一会儿，虎掌问：“你们还能回忆起风族的气味吗？”
火心暗暗吁了口气。
他们俩点了点头。火心心头浮现出一幅在金雀花丛中找寻风族的画面。
虎掌顿了顿，接着说：“出发前去黄牙那里取些草药。它能帮助你们增加体力、忍饥挨饿。别忘了，夜皮今晚要去月亮石，路上别撞见了。”
火心回答：“是，虎掌。”
灰条拍胸脯说：“我们决不会让夜皮发现行迹的。”
虎掌说：“希望如此，去吧！”他没再多说，转身走开了。
灰条不满地说：“连句祝福话都不说。”
火心半开玩笑地说：“也许他认为我们不需要。”两只猫经过会场朝医务室走去。火心暗自寻思：虎掌对待他们的态度与对待其他武士的态度并无差别——难道他并不像乌爪认定的那样是个阴险的家伙吗？已是晌午时分，天气仍很冷。不过随着白昼一天天缩短，火心身上的毛也越长越厚，因此也不觉得十分寒冷。
医务室位于香薇通道的尽头。尽头处是一片阴暗狭小的空地，在空地的一角有一块裂开的大石头，石缝中便是医务室了，斑叶以前就住在里面。火心想起那位温柔的玳瑁色的医生，心中隐隐作痛。自从斑叶死后，火心一直对她念念不忘。
灰条叫喊道：“黄牙！我们来取一些草药，出远门用！”
岩石的裂缝内响起低沉嘶哑的应答声，黄牙从裂缝中走出来，问：“你们要去哪里？”
火心美滋滋地说：“我们奉命去寻找风族。”
黄牙大声说：“成为武士后第一次执行任务吧？恭喜恭喜！我给你们拿草药去。”说着转身离开，不一会儿嘴里衔着一小捆干草叶回来了。她把草药放在地上说：“慢用！”
火心和灰条吃着这些草药，嘴里什么味都没有。灰条啐口唾沫，说：“味道还是这么难吃。”火心点点头，脸部轻轻抽搐了一下。上次他们随同蓝星前往月亮石的时候，斑叶给他们吃的也是这种草药。
灰条咽下最后一口草药，用鼻子顶顶火心的肩头说：“好了，细嚼慢咽的家伙！出发吧！”他同黄牙道了声别，从裂缝中冲了出去。
“等等我。”火心说着，也站起身往外走。
黄牙在身后喊道：“再见！祝你们好运，年轻人！”
夹道中，火心听见微风拂过金雀花丛，发出沙沙的声响，好像在悄声叮嘱他们：“一路顺风！多加保重！”
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER4
As they headed out of thecamp, the two young warriors nearly crashed into Whitestorm, who was leading Sandpaw and Runningwind into the forest for the dawn patrol.
“Sorry!” panted Fireheart. He stopped, and Graystripe skidded to a halt beside him.
Whitestorm dipped his head. “I hear you two are going on a mission,” he meowed.
“Yes,” Fireheart replied.
“Then may you have StarClan’s protection,” meowed Whitestorm gravely.
“What for?” Sandpaw sneered. “You off to catch voles?”
Runningwind, a lean tabby, turned and whispered something into Sandpaw’s ear. Her expression changed and the contempt in her green eyes switched to guarded curiosity.
The patrol stepped aside to let Fireheart and Graystripe pass. The pair raced on and scrambled up the side of the ravine.
Fireheart and Graystripe shared few words as they followed the route through the forest to Fourtrees, saving their breath for the long journey ahead. They paused at the top of the steep slope on the far side of the oak-shaded clearing, their sides heaving from the climb.
“Is it alwayswindy up here?” grumbled Graystripe, fluffing out his thick fur against the blast of cold air that swept across the uplands.
“I suppose there aren’t any trees to block it,” Fireheart pointed out, screwing up his eyes. This was WindClan’s territory. As Fireheart sniffed the air, he detected a scent that all of his senses told him should not be there. “Do you smell RiverClan warriors?” he murmured uneasily.
Graystripe lifted his nose. “No. Do you think there might be some here?”
“Maybe. They might want to make the most of WindClan’s absence, especially since they know WindClan will be back soon,” Fireheart warned.
“Well, I can’t smell anything now,” whispered Graystripe.
The two friends padded watchfully along a frozen turf trail sheltered by heather.
A fresh scent stopped Fireheart in his tracks. “Can you smell that?” he hissed to Graystripe.
“Yes,” whispered Graystripe, flattening himself against the ground. “RiverClan!”
Fireheart dropped into a crouch, keeping his ears below the heather. Beside him, Graystripe lifted his dark gray head to peer over the bushes. “I can see them,” he murmured. “They’re hunting.”
Fireheart stretched up cautiously to look.
Four RiverClan warriors were chasing a rabbit through a patch of gorse. Fireheart recognized Blackclaw from the Gathering. The smoky-black warrior pounced, his claws unsheathed, but sat up again with nothing to show for the chase. The rabbit must have made it to the safety of her warren.
Fireheart and Graystripe dropped down again and pressed their bellies against the cold turf.
“They’re not good rabbit hunters,” Graystripe hissed scornfully.
“I guess RiverClan is more used to catching fish,” Fireheart whispered back. His nose twitched as he smelled the scent of a terrified rabbit coming nearer. With a pang of dread, Fireheart heard the pawsteps of the RiverClan warriors fast approaching after it. “They’re coming this way! We’ll have to hide!”
“Follow me,” whispered Graystripe. “I smell badgers this way.”
“Badgers?” Fireheart echoed. “Is that safe?” He’d heard the story of how Halftail had lost his tail in a fight with a bad-tempered old badger.
“Don’t worry. The scent is strong but stale,” Graystripe reassured him. “There must be an old set near here.”
Fireheart sniffed. His scent glands picked up a strong, almost foxlike scent. “Are you sure it’s abandoned?”
“We’ll know soon enough. Come on; we’ve got to get out of here,” replied Graystripe. He led the way quickly through the low bushes. The rustle of heather told Fireheart the RiverClan warriors were closing in.
“Here!” Graystripe shouldered aside a tuft of heather to reveal a sandy hole in the ground. “Get inside! The badger’s scent will disguise ours. We can wait till they’re gone.”
Fireheart slipped speedily into the dark hole, and Graystripe followed him. The stench of badger was overwhelming.
Pawsteps thudded on the ground overhead. Both cats held their breath as the steps halted and one of the RiverClan warriors yowled, “Badger set!” From the rasping mew, Fireheart knew it was Blackclaw.
A second voice answered: “Is it abandoned? The rabbit may be hiding inside.”
Fireheart felt Graystripe’s fur bristling beside him in the dark. He unsheathed his claws and stared at the entrance to the hole, ready to fight if the warriors came inside.
“Wait; the scent leads this way,” meowed Blackclaw. There was a scrabble of paws overhead as the RiverClan warriors charged away.
Graystripe slowly let out his breath. “D’you think they’re gone?”
“Perhaps we should wait a bit longer, make sure none of them stayed behind,” Fireheart suggested.
No more noises came from outside. Graystripe nudged Fireheart. “Come on,” he meowed.
Fireheart followed Graystripe cautiously out into the daylight. There was no sign of the RiverClan patrol. The fresh breeze cleared Fireheart’s scent glands of the badger stench. “We should look for the WindClan camp,” he meowed to Graystripe. “It’ll be the best place to pick up their scent.”
“Okay,” answered Graystripe.
They moved slowly through the heather, keeping their mouths slightly open to pick up the scent of any more RiverClan warriors. They stopped at the foot of a large flat rock that sloped up steeply, past the tops of the gorse bushes.
“I’ll climb up and have a look around,” offered Graystripe. “My pelt will blend better with the stone.”
“Okay,” Fireheart agreed. “But keep your head down.”
He watched his friend creep up the rock. Graystripe crouched at the top and gazed around the plateau, then skidded back down to Fireheart. “There’s a hollow over there, I think,” Graystripe puffed, signaling with his tail. “I can see a gap in the heather.”
“Let’s check it out,” meowed Fireheart. “It could be the camp.”
“That’s what I thought.” Graystripe nodded. “It’s probably the only place up here that’s sheltered from the wind.”
As they neared the hollow, Fireheart raced past Graystripe and gazed over the edge. It looked as if a StarClan warrior had reached down from the sky, scooped a pawful of peat from the plateau, and replaced it with a thick tangle of gorse that grew almost to the level of the ground on either side.
Fireheart sniffed. He could smell many scents, all WindClan, old and young, male and female, and, in the background, the faint odor of fresh-kill that had long since become crow-food. This had to be the abandoned camp.
Fireheart bounded down the slope and plunged into the bushes. The gorse tugged at his fur and scratched his nose, making his eyes water. He could hear Graystripe behind him, cursing as thorns snagged his ears. They pushed through into a sheltered clearing. The sandy ground had been trodden hard by generations of paws. At one end of the clearing stood a rock, worn smooth by many windblown moons.
“This is their camp, all right,” Fireheart murmured.
“I can’t believe Brokenstar managed to drive WindClan out of such a well-protected place!” meowed Graystripe, rubbing his sore nose with one paw.
“It looks like they put up a good fight,” Fireheart pointed out, realizing with a jolt how badly ravaged the camp was. Clumps of fur littered the ground, and dried blood stained the sand. Mossy nests had been dragged out of dens and torn apart. And everywhere, stale ShadowClan scents mingled with the smell of terrified WindClan cats.
Fireheart shuddered. “Let’s find the scent trail out of here,” he meowed. He began to sniff the air carefully and moved forward, following the strongest scent. Graystripe padded after him to a narrow gap in the gorse.
“WindClan cats must be even smaller than I remember!” grumbled Graystripe as he squeezed through after Fireheart.
Fireheart glanced at his friend, amused for a moment. The scent trail was quite clear now—definitely WindClan, but mixed and pungent, as if made by many frightened cats. Fireheart looked down. Drops of dried blood dotted the ground. “We’re heading the right way,” he meowed darkly. Two moons of rain and wind had failed to wash away the signs of suffering. Fireheart could clearly picture the defeated and injured Clan fleeing from its home. With a surge of anger he bounded after his friend.
The trail led them to the far edge of the uplands, where they stopped to catch their breath. In front of them the ground sloped away to the Twoleg farmland. Far in the distance, where the sun was beginning to set, loomed the towering shapes of Highstones.
“I wonder if Nightpelt is there yet,” Fireheart murmured. In a tunnel below Highstones lay the sacred Moonstone, where the leaders of each Clan shared dreams with StarClan.
“Well, we don’t want to find him down there!” Graystripe flicked his tail at the wide expanse of Twoleg land. “It’ll be hard enough dodging Twolegs, rats, and dogs, without meeting the new ShadowClan leader as well!”
Fireheart nodded. He thought back to their last journey across this land, with Bluestar and Tigerclaw. They had almost been killed by an attack of rats, and only the arrival of Barley, the loner, had saved them. Even so, Bluestar had lost one of her lives; the memory of it stung Fireheart like a wood ant.
“Do you think we’ll find any trace of Ravenpaw down there?” Graystripe meowed, turning his broad face toward Fireheart.
“I hope so,” Fireheart replied solemnly. The last he had seen of Ravenpaw had been the white tip of his tail disappearing into the storm on the uplands. Had the ThunderClan apprentice made it safely to Barley’s territory?
The two warriors started down the slope, carefully sniffing each clump of grass to make sure they stayed on the WindClan trail.
“It doesn’t look as if they were heading for Highstones,” Graystripe remarked. The trail took them sideways into a wide grassy field. They skirted the edge, staying near the hedgerow as WindClan had done. The scent led them out of the field and onto a Twoleg path through a small copse of trees.
“Look!” Graystripe meowed. Sun-bleached piles of prey bones lay scattered in the undergrowth. Mossy bedding had been gathered beneath the thickest patches of brambles.
“WindClan must have tried to settle here,” Fireheart meowed in surprise.
“I wonder what made them leave?” asked Graystripe, sniffing the air. “The scent is old.”
Fireheart shrugged and the two cats followed the trail onward to a thick hedge. With a bit of a struggle, they wriggled through onto a grass verge. Beyond a narrow ditch lay a wide earth track.
Graystripe leaped nimbly over the ditch and onto the hard red track. Fireheart looked around, stiffening as he recognized a hard-edged silhouette in the distance. “Graystripe! Stop!” he hissed.
“What’s up?”
Fireheart pointed with his nose. “Look at that Twoleg-place over there! We must be near Barley’s territory.”
Graystripe’s ears twitched nervously. “That’s where those dogs live! But WindClan definitely came this way. We’ll have to hurry. We need to get past the Twoleg nest before sunset.”
Fireheart remembered Barley telling them that the Twolegs let the dogs loose at night, and the sun was already sinking toward the craggy tops of Highstones. He nodded. “Perhaps the dogs chased WindClan out of the woods.” With an anxious twinge, he thought of Ravenpaw. “Do you think he found Barley?” he asked.
“Who? Ravenpaw? Why not? We made it this far!” meowed Graystripe. “Don’t underestimate him. Remember the time Tigerclaw sent him to Snakerocks? He came back with an adder!”
Fireheart purred at the memory as Graystripe leaped across the track and through the hedge on the far side. Fireheart chased after him, quickening his pace to match his friend step for step.
A dog barked furiously from the Twoleg nest, but its vicious snarling soon faded into the distance. The temperature plunged as the sun set, and frost began to form on the grass.
“Should we keep going?” asked Graystripe. “What if the trail takes us to Highstones after all? Nightpelt will definitely be there by now.”
Fireheart lifted his nose and sniffed the browning fronds of some ferns. The smell of WindClan, sour with fear, pricked at him. “We’d better keep going,” he meowed. “We’ll stop when we have to.”
The cold breeze carried another odor to Fireheart’s nose—there was a Thunderpath nearby. Graystripe screwed up his face. He’d smelled it too. The warriors exchanged a look of dismay, but pushed on. The stench grew stronger and stronger until they could hear the roar of Thunderpath monsters in the distance. By the time they reached the hedge that ran alongside the wide gray path, it was hard to make out the WindClan trail at all.
Graystripe stopped and looked around, uncertainty showing in his eyes. But Fireheart could just make out the fear-scent. He crept through the shadows beside the hedge until he reached a place where the hedge was less thick. “They sheltered here,” Fireheart meowed, imagining the terrified WindClan cats staring through the hedge at the Thunderpath.
“This was probably the first time most of them had seen the Thunderpath,” Graystripe remarked as he joined Fireheart by the hedge.
Fireheart looked at his friend in surprise. He had never met a WindClan cat—they had been driven out of their territory almost as soon as he had become an apprentice. “Didn’t they patrol their borders?” he asked, puzzled.
“You’ve seen their territory—it’s pretty wild and barren, and the prey’s not easy to catch. I guess they never thought any of the other Clans would bother hunting there. After all, RiverClan has their river, and, in a good year, our forests are filled with prey, so no cat needs their skinny rabbits.”
A monster roared past on the other side of the hedge, its night eyes glaring. Fireheart and Graystripe flinched as the wind buffeted their fur even through the wall of leaves. When the noise had faded away, they sat up cautiously and sniffed around the roots of the hedge.
“The trail seems to lead under here.” Fireheart squeezed onto the grass verge that lay along the Thunderpath. Graystripe scrabbled through behind him.
But on the other side of the hedge the scent trail stopped abruptly.
“They must have either doubled back or crossed the Thunderpath,” Fireheart meowed. “You look around here, and I’ll check out the other side.” He fought to keep his voice calm, but exhaustion was making him desperate. Surely they couldn’t have lost the trail now, after coming so far?
第四章
第四章
火心和灰条刚刚走出营门，迎面差点儿和白风撞个满怀。白风正带领尘爪和奔风前往森林里进行夜间巡逻。
火心停下脚步，喘着气说：“对不起！”灰条也停住脚步。
白风低头致意，说：“我听说二位要外出执行任务？”
火心回答：“是的。”
白风神情郑重地说：“愿星族保佑你们。”
尘爪调侃说：“你们去干什么？捉老鼠吗？”
身材瘦削的虎斑猫奔风附在尘爪耳边窃窃私语了几句。尘爪脸色微变，幽绿的眼睛里充满了好奇，而不再是原先的轻蔑神情。
巡逻队让开道路让火心和灰条通过，他们俩走过去爬上了沟。
他们朝着“四棵树”方向一路走去。由于这一趟是出远门，为了保存体力，火心和灰条都不多说话。他们在“四棵树”的斜坡上停下了脚步。
高地上刮起了刺骨的寒风，因为身上长有厚厚的毛，所以灰条并不觉得十分冷。他抱怨说：“这里是不是总刮风啊？”
火心朝周围望了望，说：“大概是因为没有树挡风吧。”这里虽是风族的领地，但火心却没有嗅到风族的气味。他心里惴惴不安，小声说：“你闻到河族的气味了吗？”
灰条扬起鼻子嗅嗅后说：“没有闻到。你认为他们会在这里？”
火心紧张地说：“也许吧。他们有可能趁风族不在趁机捞一把，特别是他们已经知道风族快回来了。”
灰条悄声说：“嗯，我现在什么都闻不到。”
两只猫全身戒备地走在一条被灌木遮蔽的小路上，拨开荆棘，地面上是冻结成块的泥煤。
火心嗅到一股新鲜的气味，他停下脚步，低声对灰条说：“你闻到了吗？”
“是的。”灰条悄声回答，身子几乎贴在地面上，“是河族！”
火心俯下身子，以免耳朵露出灌木丛。灰条抬起头从灌木丛上方望去，小声说：“我看见他们了。他们正忙活呢！”
火心小心翼翼地伸长脖子观望。
金雀花丛中，只见四名河族武士正在围捕一只兔子。火心认出其中一个曾在森林大会上见过，记得他叫黑掌。只见他张开利爪来回扑击，却被那只兔子成功地躲开。
火心和灰条赶紧俯低身子，腹部贴在冰冷的地面上。
灰条悄声讥讽：“他们可不怎么擅长抓兔子呀。”
火心说：“河族更善于捕鱼。”这时，那只惊慌失措的兔子突然朝他们这个方向跑来，接着，河族猫的脚步声也尾随而至。火心一下子慌了，说：“他们朝这边来了！我们快躲起来！”
灰条说：“跟我来！这边有獾的气味。”
火心说：“有獾？安全吗？”他记得半尾便是在同一只年老性暴的獾的搏杀中失去尾巴的。
灰条肯定地说：“别担心，气味虽然很浓但不新鲜，附近一定有个獾废弃的老巢。”
火心嗅了嗅，闻到一股浓烈的气味，和狐狸的气味很相似。他说：“你能肯定是废弃的巢吗？”
灰条回答：“我们很快就会知道了。快点儿，我们得离开这里了。”说着迅速穿过低矮的树丛。灌木丛里的沙沙声不绝于耳，河族武士正向他们靠近。
“在这里！”灰条用肩头顶开一簇灌木，地面上露出一个沙洞。“进去！獾的气味会遮掩住我们的气味。等他们离开，我们再出来。”
火心、灰条先后钻进洞里，洞内漆黑一片，到处都是獾的气味。这时头顶上响起爪子落地的砰砰声，他们知道河族武士此刻就站在头顶上，顿时吓得连大气都不敢出一口。只听一个河族武士叫道：“这里有个獾穴！”火心听出那是黑掌刺耳的声音。
另一个武士说：“是个废穴吧？也许兔子就藏在里面。”
黑暗中火心感觉到灰条的毛竖立起来。他伸开爪子，注视着洞口，准备和进来的河族武士拼上一拼。
忽听黑掌说：“等等！气味往这边去了。”头顶上方一阵嚓嚓的声响，河族的武士们终于远去。
灰条缓缓舒了口气：“你觉得他们走了吗？”
火心说：“我们再多待会儿，确保他们全都离开了。”
过了半晌，洞外再无动静，灰条顶顶火心说：“来吧。”
两只猫提心吊胆地走出洞穴，河族武士已不见踪影。微风拂过，吹去他们身上獾的气味。火心对灰条说：“我们去找风族大本营。那里是我们能够追踪到他们气味的最佳地方。”
“没错。”灰条回答。
他们在灌木丛中缓慢行进，嘴巴微张，以便尽可能嗅到风族武士的气味。他们来到一块高出金雀花丛的平滑巨石下停住脚步。
灰条自告奋勇地说：“我爬上去看一下。”
“好吧，别把头抬得太高。”
灰条攀上岩石，俯低身子观察了一下周围的情况后跳下来回到火心身边。他朝一个方向扬了扬尾巴，说：“我看见那边有一块地方没有灌木覆盖，应该是一处凹地。”
火心说：“走，看看去。那里有可能是风族的营地。”
灰条点点头：“我也是这么想的，那里是唯一能够避风的地方。”
他们来到凹地边。这片凹地就好像是被天上下来的星族武士们踩踏出来的一般，里面还长满了与地面齐平的金雀花。
火心闻到许多猫的气味，有老的有小的，有公的有母的，当中夹杂着猎物的气味，但是猎物早已被乌鸦们叼净吃光了。这块营地显然已经被废弃多时。
火心顺着斜坡跳进花丛里，金雀花从他的身上擦过，撩拨他的鼻子，令他直流鼻涕。
他听见跟在身后的灰条骂骂咧咧，似乎被花刺刺伤了耳朵。经过一番艰难行进，他们来到一片空地。空地里虽然是沙子地面，却早已被历代的风族猫们踩踏瓷实，空地尽头处有块岩石，由于经年的风吹日晒，岩石的表面十分光滑。
火心喃喃说道：“这里就是他们的大本营了，不会错的。”
灰条用爪子揉着火辣辣的鼻子说：“这里的天然防御这么好，我简直无法相信断星能把风族赶走！”
火心说：“看起来他们打了场恶仗。”营地的毁灭程度着实令他们感到震惊。地面上血迹斑斑，到处是打斗中掉落的毛。用苔藓铺成的窝被从巢穴内拖出来，撕成碎片。四处弥漫着陈旧的影族气味和惊惶失措的风族气味。
火心强抑住呕吐的欲望，说：“我们找找从这里逃离出去的气味痕迹。”说完，开始在空气中仔细搜寻，循着最浓烈的气味走来走去。灰条随他来到金雀花丛一处狭窄的裂隙。
他们挤过裂隙，灰条发牢骚说：“风族猫的体态必定比我记忆中的还要小。”
火心看着自己的好朋友，觉得十分好笑。气味的踪迹已越来越清晰——绝对是风族留下的，气味混杂刺鼻，猫的数量还不少。火心低头看到地上有多处风干的血迹，忧心忡忡地说：“是这个方向。”即使经历了两个多月的风吹雨淋，这场灾难的痕迹也没有被完全抹去。火心眼前浮现出一幅风族大败溃逃的景象，对影族的行为更是感到愤愤不平。
他们循着气味一直追到高地的远端，方才停下脚步歇息。再往下就是两腿动物的农田。太阳开始落山了，宝塔状的石林的影子映在地面上。
火心喃喃自语：“不知道夜皮在不在那里。”神圣的月亮石就在石林下的洞穴深处，猫族的所有族长都要在那里做一个梦，在梦里与星族会面。
“哼，我可不想去那里找他！”灰条说着，用尾巴朝着两腿动物的广袤农田晃了晃，“那里有许多两腿动物、老鼠和狗，所以不用担心会撞见夜皮！”
火心点了点头，回想起上次同蓝星、虎掌经过那里时，在老鼠的围攻之下几乎丧命的事。幸亏独行者巴利赶来相救。在那次战役中，蓝星失去了一条命。想起这件事，火心的心里就像针刺般隐隐作痛。
灰条问火心：“你认为我们在那里能找到乌爪的行迹吗？”
火心神情凝重地说：“希望能找到吧！”自从上次他在高地上目送乌爪消失在暴风雨中后，他就再也没有见过乌爪。乌爪在巴利的领地生活得是否安全呢？
两只猫顺坡往下走，仔细地搜寻每一寸地方，以确保不遗漏风族的踪迹。
风族的气味通往一片草地。灰条说：“他们不像是往石林那里去了。”两只猫沿着草地边缘走到一排树篱前，风族也曾在此处停留过。他们循着气味穿过草地，走到一条两腿动物铺的路上，这条路径直通向一片矮树丛。
灰条说：“看！”只见矮树丛里到处都是猎物白森森的骨头，最稠密的香薇丛下面还散落着苔藓铺成的窝。
火心惊诧地说：“风族一定是曾经想在这里住下来。”
“那他们为什么要走呢？”灰条嗅嗅空气说，“气味都很陈旧了。”
火心耸了耸肩膀，他们循着气味走到一片稠密的树篱中，经过一番努力，他们穿过树篱来到一块草地边，一道宽大的轮辙从一条窄沟上轧过。
灰条提身纵跃，从窄沟上跃过，落在那道轮辙上。火心四处张望，看到远处有一片黑黢黢的轮廓，悄声说：“站住！灰条！”
“怎么了？”
火心指了指前方：“看那边，那是两腿动物的地盘！巴利的领地一定离这儿不远。”
灰条的双耳紧张地扭动：“那里有狗啊！风族绝对是从这条路走的，我们得赶紧，必须在日落前通过两腿动物们的窝。”
火心想起巴利曾告诉他，两腿动物们会在夜间松开狗链，现在正是傍晚时分。他点了点头，说：“也许风族是被狗撵出了树林。”想到乌爪，火心顿感焦急不安，问道：“你想他能找到巴利吗？”
灰条说：“谁？乌爪吗？我们都能找到，他为什么找不到呢？可别低估了乌爪，还记得那次虎掌派他去蛇岩吗？他抓了一条毒蛇回来！”
火心回想起了往事，见灰条已从轮辙上跳了过去，于是加快步伐跟在后面。
两腿动物的巢穴里传出几声愤怒的狗吠声，然后便归于平静。太阳落山后，天气骤然转冷，草地上结起一层雾气。
灰条问：“我们还继续往前走吗？万一气味通向石林怎么办？夜皮现在绝对在那里。”
火心扬起鼻子嗅了嗅枯黄的香薇叶子，嗅到一股风族的气味，他的精神为之一振，说：“我们最好继续往前走，不到万不得已不要停下。”
寒风中夹杂着另一种气味——雷鬼路就在附近，灰条抬起头也嗅到了。两只猫面面相觑，均感困惑。随着一路前行，那股味道越来越浓，忽然他们听到远处传来雷鬼路上怪物们的尖啸声。他们加快脚步，一直走到雷鬼路两边的树篱边，不料风族的踪迹在这里突然消失了。
灰条停下脚步四处张望，心里犹豫不决，不过火心仍然能够依稀嗅到一股恐惧的气味。他在篱笆边的阴影里边走边嗅，走到一处树篱稀疏的地方，说：“是这里了。”眼前浮现出一幅心神疲惫的风族猫们透过树篱望着雷鬼路的景象。
灰条来到火心身边，说：“大多数风族猫很可能还是第一次见到雷鬼路。”
火心诧异地看看灰条，他从未见过风族的猫——早在他成为学徒之初，风族已被赶出森林。他迷惑地问：“他们不巡逻边界吗？”
“你见过他们的领地了——非常荒凉，不容易捕到猎物，我想他们大概从未想到会有别的族群去那里抢食。毕竟，河族拥有河流，遇到好年头的时候，我们树林里的猎物也很丰富，因此，谁也不稀罕他们领地里那些骨瘦如柴的兔子。”
在树篱的另一边，一个怪物打着灯光呼啸而过，风呼呼地透过树篱吹乱了他们身上的毛，吓得他们缩成一团。呼啸声逐渐远去，他们小心翼翼地站起身，在树篱底部嗅来嗅去。
“这下面有踪迹。”火心挤过树篱，树篱另一边是沿路播种的草地。灰条也挤了过来。
但是气味到这里又消失了。
火心说：“他们要么原路返回，要么就是穿过了雷鬼路。你往四周看看，我去路那边看看。”火心表面上还算镇定，其实心里早乱成了一团：他们走了这么远的路，无论如何不能无功而返。
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER5
Fireheart waited until the only soundhe could hear was the pounding of blood in his ears. Then he padded to the edge of the Thunderpath. It stretched ahead of him, wide and foul-smelling, but silent. Fireheart darted out. The ground beneath his paws felt cold and smooth. He didn’t stop until he reached the grass on the other side.
The air here was tainted by the acrid smell of the Thunderpath and its monsters, so Fireheart headed toward the hedge. Still, there was no trace of the WindClan cats. His heart sank.
Suddenly a monster tore past, making Fireheart leap into the air with terror. He scrambled underneath the hedge and crouched, trembling, frantically wondering what to do next.
Then he smelled it: the faintest trace carried on the wind that the monster had stirred up. WindClan had been here!
Fireheart called as loudly as he could to Graystripe. There was a pause, then the sound of paws pounding across the Thunderpath to join him.
“Have you found it?” puffed his friend.
“Not sure. I got a whiff, but I can’t pinpoint it.” Fireheart pushed his way through the hedge, Graystripe right behind him. He lifted his nose toward the open field ahead of them. “Have you any idea what’s over there?”
“No,” replied Graystripe. “I shouldn’t think any Clan cat has ever been this far before.”
“Except WindClan,” muttered Fireheart darkly. Away from the confusing fumes of the Thunderpath, the trail was suddenly clear. WindClan had definitely come this way. The two cats struck out through the long grass, straight across the field.
“Fireheart!” Graystripe sounded alarmed.
“What is it?”
“Look!”
Fireheart stopped and lifted his head. He saw a Thunderpath ahead of them arching high into the air on massive stone legs, illuminated by the eyes of the monsters that moved along it. Another Thunderpath ran below, veering off into the darkness.
Graystripe nodded toward a tall thistle. “And smell this!”
Fireheart inhaled the scent. It was a fresh WindClan marker!
“They must have settled somewhere near here!” Graystripe murmured in disbelief.
A pang of excitement twisted Fireheart’s stomach. Both cats looked silently at each other for a moment. Then, without a word, they moved on toward the stinking Thunderpaths.
Graystripe spoke at last. “Why would WindClan come to a place like this?”
“I guess not even Brokenstar would want to follow them here,” Fireheart answered grimly. He stopped. A thought was nagging at him.
Graystripe paused beside him. “What is it?”
“If WindClan is hiding so near the Thunderpaths,” Fireheart meowed slowly, “they must be fairly desperate not to be found. They’re more likely to trust us if we arrive in daylight than if we creep up on them in darkness.”
“Does that mean we can rest?” asked Graystripe, sitting down heavily.
“Just until it’s light,” meowed Fireheart. “We’ll find somewhere to hide and see if we can get some sleep. Are you hungry?” Graystripe shook his head. “Me neither,” Fireheart agreed. “I don’t know if it’s those herbs or because the stench from the Thunderpath is making me feel sick.”
“Where shall we sleep?” Graystripe looked around.
Fireheart had already noticed a dark shadow in the ground up ahead. “What’s that?”
“A burrow?” Graystripe sounded puzzled. “It’s too big for a rabbit. Surely there can’t be a badger set here!”
“Let’s take a look,” Fireheart suggested.
The hole was larger than a badger set, smooth and lined with stone. Fireheart sniffed it, then put his front paws on its rim and peered cautiously inside. A stone tunnel sloped away, down into the ground. “I can feel air flowing through it,” he meowed, his voice echoing away into the shadows. “It must come up somewhere over there.” He ducked back out and pointed his nose toward the tangle of Thunderpaths.
“Is it empty?” Graystripe asked.
“Smells like it.”
“Come on then.” Graystripe led the way into the tunnel. After a few fox-lengths, the slope leveled out.
Fireheart halted and sniffed the damp air. He could smell nothing but the fumes of the Thunderpath. A roaring noise rumbled overhead. Fireheart’s paws trembled as the stone floor vibrated. Was the Thunderpath abovethem? He fluffed out his coat against the relentless draft and felt Graystripe’s fur brush against him—his friend was circling, preparing to settle down to sleep. Fireheart crouched down and huddled beside his friend. He closed his stinging eyes and thought of the gentle forest breezes and the rustling of the leaves. Exhaustion fought briefly with a pang of longing to be at home in his den, before he gave in to the blackness that swam into his mind.
When Fireheart opened his eyes again, gray light was glowing at the end of the tunnel. Dawn must be near. Fireheart’s bones ached from the cold hard ground. He nudged Graystripe, who grunted. “Morning already?”
“Almost,” Fireheart answered, getting to his paws. Graystripe stretched and stood up too.
“I think we should head that way,” Fireheart meowed, craning his neck away from the light. “I think this tunnel leads right under a Thunderpath. It might take us nearer to the .  .  .” His voice trailed off; he had no words to describe the tangle of Thunderpaths they had seen last night. Beside him Graystripe nodded, and together they began to pad wordlessly into the darkness.
Before long Fireheart spotted light ahead of them. They quickened their pace until they were racing up a short, steep slope that led them into a world filled with gray dawn light.
They had come up near the edge of a patch of barren, dirty grass. Thunderpaths enclosed it on two sides, and another arched overhead. A fire burned in the middle of the grass. A few Twolegs lay around it. One of them stretched and rolled over, and another grunted angrily in its sleep, but the noise and stench from the Thunderpaths didn’t seem to wake them.
Fireheart watched them warily, then froze as something else caught his eye: dark outlines that flitted back and forth in front of the flames. Cats! Could it be WindClan? Fireheart looked at the fire and the cats, and his mind flooded with the memory of his dream—the noise of the Thunderpath, the sight of the flames and the cats, and Spottedleaf’s voice murmuring, “Fire will save the Clan.”
A surge of emotion made Fireheart’s legs feel weak. Did this mean that ThunderClan’s fate was bound up with the fate of WindClan?
“Fireheart? Fireheart!”
Graystripe’s voice jolted Fireheart back to reality. He breathed deeply to calm himself.
“We must find Tallstar and speak with him,” he meowed.
“Then you think it isWindClan?” asked Graystripe.
“You smelled their marker—who else could it be?” Fireheart replied.
Graystripe looked at him, his eyes shining with triumph. “We found them!”
Fireheart nodded. He didn’t point out that finding WindClan was only half their mission. They still had to convince them that it was safe to return home.
Graystripe braced himself, ready to leap forward. “Let’s go!”
“Hang on,” Fireheart warned. “We don’t want to startle them.”
Just then, one of the Twolegs sat up with a jolt and began shouting at the ragged cats around the fire. The noise roused the other Twolegs, who joined in with rough, angry voices.
The WindClan cats scattered. All caution forgotten, Fireheart and Graystripe raced after them. Fireheart could feel his fur prickle with fear as he and Graystripe ran straight toward the fire and the Twolegs. Every instinct told him to keep away, but he dared not lose sight of the fleeing WindClan cats.
One of the Twolegs staggered to its feet, looming up in front of him. Fireheart skidded, sending up a spray of dust. Something exploded beside him, pelting him with hard-edged splinters, but nothing pierced his thick coat. He glanced backward, checking for Graystripe. He was relieved to see his friend right behind him, his eyes wide with alarm and his fur standing on end.
They charged into the safety of the shadows beneath the soaring Thunderpath. Ahead, Fireheart watched the WindClan cats stop close to one of the Thunderpath’s great stone legs. And then, one by one, the cats disappeared into the ground.
“Where did they go?” meowed Graystripe in amazement.
“Another tunnel?” Fireheart suggested. “Come on, let’s find out.”
Cautiously, the two friends approached the spot where the WindClan cats had vanished. As they neared, they saw a hole in the earth. Like their resting place on the previous night, the entrance was round and lined with stone, sloping away into utter blackness.
Fireheart led the way, all his senses alert for a WindClan patrol. The floor beneath his paws felt wet and slimy, and the sound of trickling water echoed around them. As the tunnel leveled out, Fireheart pricked his ears and opened his mouth. The damp air smelled rank and bitter—worse than the tunnel they had slept in. Here the Thunderpath fumes mingled with the fear-scent of WindClan cats
It was too dark to see anything, but after a few paces Fireheart’s whiskers sensed a turning in the tunnel. Fireheart flicked his tail, touching Graystripe lightly with its tip. He couldn’t see his friend in the blackness, but Graystripe must have felt the signal, because he stopped beside Fireheart and together they peered around the corner.
Ahead of them, the tunnel was lit by a narrow hole in the ceiling that led to the wasteland above. Fireheart could see many cats huddled together in the gray light—warriors and elders, queens and kits, all pitifully thin. A cold breeze blew relentlessly through the hole in the roof, stirring the thin fur on the skinny bodies. Fireheart shuddered, for the breeze carried to him the stench of sickness and crow-food.
Suddenly the tunnel shook as a monster roared overhead. Graystripe and Fireheart, already tense, jumped, but the WindClan cats didn’t react. They simply huddled with half-closed eyes, numb to their surroundings.
The noise died away. Fireheart took a deep breath and stepped around the corner, out into the thin light.
A gray WindClan tom spun around, his fur standing on end as he yowled an alarm to the rest of the Clan. In one smooth movement, the WindClan warriors formed a line across the tunnel in front of the queens and elders, their backs arched, hissing fiercely.
With a feeling of dread, Fireheart saw the glint of unsheathed claws and thorn-sharp fangs. These half-starved cats were about to attack.
第五章
第五章
火心耐心等着，一直等到周围再无响动时才走到雷鬼路边。雷鬼路绵延伸向远方，宽阔的路面静静地散发出阵阵油味。火心向前疾奔，虽然地面又冷又湿，他还是一口气冲到路对面的草地上。
空气被雷鬼路和怪物们发出的气味搅得污浊不堪，火心强忍着走到树篱边，却仍未搜寻到风族的踪迹，他心里一沉。
这时，一个怪物忽然从这里经过，火心冷不丁被吓了一跳。他从树篱下爬过去趴在地上，身子不住地颤抖，心里又急又怕，不知下一步该怎么办。
方才那个驰过的怪物卷起一阵风，风里隐隐约约夹杂了一些气味，火心仔细嗅了嗅。
风族在这里！
火心急忙大声呼唤灰条，不一会儿，灰条穿过雷鬼路来到火心这边。
灰条气喘吁吁地问：“有什么发现吗？”
火心说：“还不能确定，我闻到一股气味，但不能确定它是从哪里传来的。”两只猫挤过树篱。火心朝他们前面的那片空旷地带扬了扬鼻子，问：“你熟悉那里吗？”
灰条回答说：“不熟。我想还没有哪个族群的猫能来这么远的地方。”
火心忧心忡忡地说：“希望风族可以。”避开雷鬼路上气味的干扰，踪迹顿时变得清晰起来，他们越发肯定风族绝对是从这条路走的。两只猫加快步伐穿过草地。
灰条忽然警觉地说：“火心！”
“什么事？”
“你看！”
火心停住脚步抬起头，在来往怪物的灯光照亮下，他看到前方的雷鬼路高高拱起，路下面是巨大的石头墩子。另一条雷鬼路则向另一个方向下行，消失在黑暗里。
灰条朝一株高高的蓟草点了点头，说：“闻闻这个！”
火心嗅了嗅，发现是风族刚留下不久的气味。
灰条说：“他们一定在附近某处逗留过！”脸上露出不可思议的神情。
这简直就是意外之喜。两只猫对视了一会儿，默不作声地向雷鬼路走去。
灰条问：“风族为什么要来这种地方？”
火心阴沉着脸说：“我猜是因为在这里不必担心断星的追捕吧。”这时他脑海里突然闪过一个念头，马上停住了脚步。
灰条问：“怎么了？”
火心缓缓说：“风族之所以躲藏在雷鬼路附近，一定是不希望被发现。如果我们在白天拜访，而不是在深夜里不速而至，会更容易获得他们的信任。”
灰条问：“你的意思是我们能歇会儿喽？”说着一屁股坐在地上。
火心说：“我们去找个地方睡上一觉，天亮后再走。你饿吗？”灰条摇了摇头。火心说：“我也不饿。不知是草药的缘故，还是雷鬼路臭气的缘故，我觉得有些恶心。”
灰条向四周望了望，问：“我们在哪里睡觉？”
火心早已注意到前方地面上有一块漆黑的阴影，便问：“那里是什么？”
灰条迷惑不解地说：“兔子洞吗？兔子住进去还凑合，不过可以肯定的是那里不会有獾！”
火心提议：“过去查看一下吧。”
走近些，却见那个洞其实比獾洞还要大。那个洞由石头堆砌而成，平整光滑。火心上前嗅了嗅，然后用前爪摸了摸洞的边缘，小心翼翼地伸进洞内，感觉到一条石头通道斜斜延伸入地下。他说：“我能感觉到有风。”漆黑里传来阵阵回音，火心冷不丁地吓了一跳，赶紧缩回爪子。
灰条问：“洞里是空的？”
“嗅起来像是空的。”
“走吧。”灰条在前头领路进入隧道。
向下前行没多远，隧道便折为平路。
火心停下脚步嗅嗅潮湿的空气，这里只有雷鬼路发出的臭味。这时头顶上响起一阵轰鸣声，爪下的地面一阵颤动。难道雷鬼路就在他们头顶吗？他抖了抖身上的毛，见他的朋友缩成一团躺在地上已准备睡觉了。火心挨着灰条蜷成一团，他闭上酸胀的眼睛，心里默想森林里轻柔的微风和树叶的沙沙声。这里虽然远远比不上家里的暖巢舒服，但疲惫之下也顾不得许多，不久火心便沉沉入睡了。
当火心再度睁开双眼的时候，隧道尽头已出现了一线灰蒙蒙的光亮。这一晚睡在冰冷坚硬的地上，睡得他浑身的骨头酸痛难忍。他撞了撞灰条，灰条咕哝说：“到早上了？”
火心回答：“快了。”说着站起身子。灰条伸了个懒腰也站了起来。
火心伸长脖子往光亮处瞅了瞅，说：“我认为应该朝那个方向去。这条隧道刚好从雷鬼路下穿过，走隧道也许更接近——”说到一半，火心的话音顿住了，他实在找不到合适的词来称呼昨晚他们见到的那团盘绕在一起的雷鬼路。身边的灰条点了点头，他们走在黑暗中，谁也不说话。
没走多久，火心便看见前方出现了一处亮斑。他们加快脚步，爬上一段陡峭的短坡就出了隧道。外面已是晨光微现。
隧道外是一片荒地，两边雷鬼路环绕，还有一条雷鬼路高高地架在半空。草地中央燃着一堆篝火，有几个两腿动物围着火堆睡觉，其中一个翻了个身子重又睡去，另一个则在说梦话发牢骚。尽管雷鬼路上噪声不绝、臭气熏天，却丝毫不影响两腿动物们酣睡。
就在火心紧张张望的时候，突然什么东西闯入了他的眼帘：火焰前有几个黑影来回蹿动。是猫的影子！会是风族吗？火心望着那堆篝火和那几只猫，梦里的情景一下子又浮现在脑海里——喧闹的雷鬼路、火焰、猫和斑叶的声音——“火将拯救雷族。”
想到这里，火心激动万分，腿脚都有些软了。那是否意味着风、雷两族的前途命运紧紧联系在一起呢？
“火心？火心！”
灰条的声音令火心回到现实中，他深吸了口气，让自己冷静下来。
他说：“我们必须找到高星，同他谈谈。”
灰条问：“你认为那是风族吗？”
火心回答说：“你闻过他们的气味——除了他们，还会有谁呢？”
灰条看着他，眼里充满了胜利的喜悦：“我们终于找到他们了！”
火心点了点头。找到风族只是完成了任务的一半，他们还得让风族相信影族已经从他们的领地里撤走了。
灰条迫不及待地说：“快走吧！”
火心说：“别着急，我们不要吓着他们。”
就在这时，一个两腿动物猛地坐起身，冲着火堆旁的那几只猫大喊大叫，它的叫声惊醒了其他的两腿动物，它们也高声叫骂起来。
风族的猫立刻四散开去，火心和灰条这时也顾不上谨慎小心了，急忙紧追过去。他们从两腿动物旁边经过的时候，火心身上的毛都竖了起来。虽然这里很危险，但他只能硬着头皮冒一回险，否则就追不上那些慌乱奔逃的风族猫了。
一个两腿动物摇摇晃晃地站起来，身前有火花闪动。火心脚下一滑，踢起一片沙尘。
忽然，不知什么东西在他身边突然爆炸，许多锋利的碎片从火心身边擦过，但没有击中他。他急忙往后瞅了一眼，看到灰条睁着大眼睛紧跟在后面，方才松了口气。
他们溜进雷鬼路下方的黑暗处，火心向前看见风族猫们正向雷鬼路的一个大水泥墩靠近。然后，那些猫接二连三地从地面上消失了。
“他们去哪儿了？”灰条惊诧地说。
“另一条隧道。”火心猜道，“快，找找去。”
他们全身戒备，向风族消失的地方奔去。跑到近前，看到了一个洞，就像他们昨晚借宿的洞一样，圆圆的洞口由石头堆砌而成，斜斜地伸入地下，里面黑黢黢的。
火心走在前面，时刻注意着风族的巡逻队。洞里的地面潮湿泥泞，竟然还有流水声。
走了一段斜坡后便是平路。火心竖起耳朵张开嘴巴，这里的空气臭烘烘的，潮气很重——比他们昨晚睡觉的那个隧道还恶心。到处弥漫着雷鬼路的臭味和风族猫们身上散发出的惊惧气味。
隧道里伸手不见五指，没走多远，火心的猫须感觉到隧道拐了个弯。由于黑暗中看不见对方，火心就用尾巴拍了拍灰条。灰条随即在火心身边停住脚步，两只猫一起转过拐角。
转过拐角，隧道里出现了一些光亮。原来这里的隧道顶部有一些小孔直通地面，光线就是穿过这些小孔照射进来的。昏暗中，火心看见许多猫聚集在一起——有武士、老年猫，还有母猫，个个瘦骨嶙峋。刺骨的寒风通过隧道顶部的小孔吹进来，将这些瘦猫身体上的那一层薄毛掀了起来。火心嗅到风里夹带的恶臭味，差点儿呕吐出来。
这时，一只怪物从头顶呼啸而过，隧道随之震动。火心和灰条本来脑子里就绷紧了弦，冷不丁被吓了一跳，但风族的猫们却没什么反应。他们聚成一堆，眼睛半闭半合，对周遭的动静全然麻木了。
等噪声远去，火心深吸了口气，顺着墙边走到光亮处。
一只风族公猫猛地转过身，发现了火心，立刻大声发出警报。顷刻间，风族的武士们站成一排，弓背屈腿，发出凶狠的低嘶声。
火心看着面前闪着寒光的尖牙利齿，心底冒起一股寒意。这群饥肠辘辘的饿猫们准备随时向他扑过来了。
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER6
Fireheart pressed his body warningly againstGraystripe, who had padded out to join him. They had to show no threat if they were to survive.
The WindClan warriors stood their ground without moving a muscle. They’re waiting for a signal from their leader!Fireheart realized. They still follow the warrior code, even though they have to live like this
From behind the line of warriors, a black-and-white tom weaved his way to the front. With a jolt, Fireheart recognized the long-tailed cat from his dream. This must be Tallstar, leader of WindClan.
Tallstar sniffed the air, but Fireheart and Graystripe were downwind, their scents carried away by the steady breeze. As the black-and-white cat walked toward them, Fireheart breathed in the rank odor of crow-food that hung on his coat. Like Graystripe, he remained perfectly still, his eyes down, as Tallstar circled them, sniffing their fur closely
Finally Tallstar returned to his warriors. Fireheart heard him murmur, “ThunderClan.” The warriors flattened their fur, but remained in a defensive line, shielding the rest of the cats.
Tallstar turned to face his visitors and sat down, curling his tail carefully around his paws. “I was expecting ShadowClan,” he growled. His eyes burned with hostility. “Why are you here?”
“We came to find you,” Fireheart meowed, feeling his voice crack with tension. “Bluestar and the other Clan leaders want you to return to your home.”
The WindClan leader’s voice was still wary. “That land is not safe for my Clan anymore,” he meowed. There was a hunted look in Tallstar’s eye that sent a pang of sorrow through Fireheart.
“ShadowClan has driven out Brokenstar,” he meowed. “He is no longer a threat.”
The warriors behind Tallstar turned and looked at one another. Murmurs of surprise rippled back through the Clan.
“You must return as soon as possible,” Fireheart urged. “ShadowClan and RiverClan are starting to hunt in the uplands. We saw a RiverClan hunting patrol near the old badger set while we were on our way here.”
Tallstar bristled angrily.
“But they are poor rabbit hunters,” Graystripe added. “I think they went home with empty bellies.”
Tallstar and his warriors purred with satisfaction. Their good spirits encouraged Fireheart, but he could see how weak they were. This Clan would find the journey back to the uplands long and hard. “May we travel with you?” he suggested respectfully.
Tallstar’s eyes flashed. He knew the question was a tactful offer of help. He looked steadily at Fireheart. “Yes,” he replied at last. “Thank you.”
Fireheart realized he hadn’t introduced himself. “This is Graystripe,” he meowed, dipping his head. “And I am Fireheart. We are warriors of ThunderClan.”
“Fireheart,” repeated Tallstar thoughtfully. Sunlight was flooding through the gap in the roof now, making Fireheart’s orange pelt glow in the dim tunnel. “The name suits you.”
Another monster roared overhead. Fireheart and Graystripe flinched. Tallstar watched them with amusement and flicked his tail. It must have been a signal, for the line of warriors behind him split up. “We shall leave at once,” he announced, standing up.
“Are we all fit for the journey?” Tallstar asked as the warriors began to move among the queens and elders.
“All except Morningflower’s kit,” replied a mottled brown warrior. “He is too young.”
“Then we must take turns carrying him,” answered Tallstar.
The WindClan cats shuffled forward, their eyes dull with pain and exhaustion. A tortoiseshell queen was holding a tiny kit gently by the scruff of its neck. The little creature’s eyes were hardly open.
“Ready?” called Tallstar.
A black tom with a misshapen paw looked around the Clan and answered for them. “Ready,” he meowed.
Fireheart and Graystripe turned and made their way back to the tunnel entrance and waited while the WindClan cats emerged blinking into the daylight. Some of the elders blinked so long, their faces screwed up against the weak sun, that Fireheart guessed they had not been outside the tunnel for some time. Tallstar padded out of the tunnel last of all and walked to the head of his Clan.
“Shall we take you back the way we came?” Fireheart asked him. “I believe it’s a shortcut.”
“Is it safe?” asked Tallstar. Fireheart saw the hunted look once more in the leader’s eyes.
“We met no trouble coming here,” Graystripe meowed.
Tallstar flicked his tail decisively, as though he were brushing away any doubt. “Good,” he declared. “You come with me, Graystripe. Show me the way. Fireheart, travel beside the Clan. Tell my deputy if you see trouble.”
“Which one is he?” asked Fireheart.
Tallstar nodded toward the black tom. “Deadfoot,” he meowed. The warrior turned at the sound of his name and pricked his ears.
Fireheart dipped his head in greeting. He left Graystripe with Tallstar and joined the other cats.
As the Clan made its way under the Thunderpath arch, Fireheart could still smell the fire, but when they padded out onto the patch of wasteland, the Twolegs were nowhere to be seen. Graystripe headed straight for the tunnel where he and Fireheart had spent the night. Tallstar entered first, while Fireheart waited at the back until all the Clan had disappeared inside. Only Deadfoot remained.
“Are you sure it leads to daylight?” the black tom meowed warily.
“It just leads under the Thunderpath. Have you never used this tunnel?” Fireheart asked, surprised.
“When our warriors cross the Thunderpath, they prefer to see where they’re heading,” growled Deadfoot. Fireheart nodded, and the deputy added, “You go first.”
Fireheart padded down into the dark hole. He emerged to find the WindClan cats staring across the field that led to the final Thunderpath. Fireheart saw Tallstar consult briefly with Graystripe before they set off into the long, frost-crisp grass. Fireheart walked with the rest of the Clan, flanking one side while Deadfoot limped steadily on the other.
Before they were halfway across the field, it was clear that many of the cats were having trouble keeping up the pace. “Tallstar!” yowled Deadfoot. “We need to travel more slowly!”
Fireheart looked over his shoulder and saw some of the cats falling farther and farther behind. Morningflower was among them, the kit swinging from her mouth. Fireheart bounded over to her. She was panting heavily. It couldn’t have been long since her kitting.
“Let me carry him,” Fireheart offered. “Just until you have caught your breath.”
Morningflower glanced warily at Fireheart, but her eyes softened when they met his. She put her kit down, and Fireheart took it gently and walked next to her so that she didn’t lose sight of her precious bundle.
Tallstar slowed the pace, but only a little. In spite of his obvious exhaustion, and the fact that every rib showed under his fur, he burned with a fierce energy that lent swiftness to his paws.
Fireheart could understand part of the reason for his urgency. The sun was steadily climbing above the horizon. Some of the WindClan cats were sick, some old, and all of them were weak from hunger. If they were going to cross the Thunderpath without losing any cats, they would have to do it quickly, before the monsters came in their swarms.
By the time Fireheart and Morningflower arrived at the hedge, WindClan was gathered around its leader.
“We cross the Thunderpath here,” Tallstar announced above the noise of a monster racing past. The WindClan leader squeezed under the hedge. Deadfoot, Graystripe, and a younger warrior followed him.
Morningflower leaned toward Fireheart and took hold of her kit. She had stopped panting now, and as she took the kit from Fireheart she brushed her cheek gratefully against his. He dipped his head to the tortoiseshell queen and followed Graystripe under the hedge.
Tallstar and Deadfoot sat staring wordlessly at the wide gray path. Graystripe stood beside them. He flicked his tail toward the younger warrior. “This is Onewhisker,” he told Fireheart.
A monster sped past, almost drowning out Graystripe’s words and whipping up stinging dust.
Through streaming eyes, Fireheart mewed a greeting to Onewhisker and turned his attention to the Thunderpath. “We should try to get the Clan over in small groups,” he meowed. “Graystripe and I will stay with any that need help.” He looked at the Clan leader. “If you agree, Tallstar,” he added.
Tallstar nodded. “The strongest group will go first,” he meowed.
The other WindClan cats began to appear through the hedge. Before long the whole Clan was clustered beside them, pressed against the sharp twigs, as far back from the Thunderpath as possible.
Fireheart and Graystripe moved to the edge, watching for a break in the line of monsters. The Thunderpath was much busier than it had been when they’d crossed last night.
Onewhisker led the first group forward.
“Do you want us to cross with you?” Fireheart offered. He could smell the young tom’s fear. The mottled brown tabby shook his head. The cats beside him peered along the Thunderpath first one way, then the other. All was quiet, and the group dashed safely over to the other side.
Two warriors came next, accompanied by a pair of skinny elders. “Now!” Fireheart ordered as a monster flashed safely past.
The four WindClan cats stepped out onto the empty Thunderpath. The elders winced as they padded across on paws raw from the damp tunnel. Fireheart willed them on breathlessly as they neared the other side. A monster was zooming toward them.
“Look out!” Graystripe yowled, and even the two elders bounded forward, fur bristling, and hurled themselves onto the other side a heartbeat before the monster raced past.
Two larger groups crossed, leaving just one more. Only once they were safely over would Tallstar and Deadfoot cross. Morningflower and her kit stepped up to Fireheart’s side. Behind her trembled three very elderly cats.
“We’ll cross with you,” Fireheart meowed. He looked at Graystripe, who nodded. “Tell us when it’s safe to go, Graystripe.” Fireheart leaned forward to take Morningflower’s kit, but she pulled back, her ears flat. Fireheart looked deep into her frightened amber eyes and understood. She and her kit would live or die together.
“Now!” At Graystripe’s yowl, Fireheart and Morningflower stepped out onto the Thunderpath. The elders crept out behind them with Graystripe beside them. Time seemed to stand still as the elders hobbled slowly forward on stiff, battle-scarred legs. If a monster comes now, we’re all fresh-kill, Fireheart thought. The other side was still several rabbit leaps away.
“Come on,” urged Graystripe. The elders tried to hurry, but one stumbled, and Graystripe had to nose him back onto his paws.
Fireheart heard the distant roar of a monster. “Go on ahead!” he hissed to Morningflower. “We’ll bring the elders.”
Morningflower stumbled forward. Her kit squealed as it bumped against the hard ground. Fireheart and Graystripe pressed themselves against the elders’ scrawny bodies, nudging them forward. The noise of the approaching monster grew louder and louder.
Fireheart grabbed the nearest elder by the scruff of the neck and dragged him forward, before turning to haul the second closer to the verge. The monster raced closer. Fireheart closed his eyes and braced himself.
There was a screech and an acrid smell that stung his throat, then a fading roar as the monster sped away. Fireheart opened his eyes and looked around. Graystripe was crouching in the middle of the Thunderpath, unscathed, but staring with eyes as wide as full moons. One elder cowered between them; the other two trembled near the verge. The monster was hurtling away from them, swerving across the Thunderpath. Thank StarClan!It had missed them all.
Fireheart took a shuddering breath. “Come on,” he meowed to the last elder. “Almost there.”
Tallstar bounded across with Deadfoot and gathered his trembling Clan around him on the verge.
Onewhisker touched Fireheart’s nose with his own. “You would have died for us,” he murmured. “WindClan will never forget that.”
Tallstar’s voice sounded behind them. “Onewhisker is right; we shall honor you both in our stories. We must keep going,” he continued. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”
As the cats prepared to move off, Fireheart padded over to Morningflower. She was busy licking her kit.
“Is he all right?” Fireheart asked.
“Oh, yes,” answered Morningflower.
“What about you?” asked Fireheart.
Morningflower didn’t answer.
Fireheart turned to a gray queen, who answered his unspoken question. “Don’t worry,” she meowed. “I’ll take the kit next.”
The Clan followed the hedgerow along the Thunderpath before turning away to join the track through the woods. The scents here seemed to soothe the WindClan cats, but the journey had taken its toll; they were traveling slower than ever. And when they reached the fence at the far side, it took all Fireheart’s strength to help the weakest cats over.
The sun had passed its highest point by the time Fireheart spotted the Twolegplace in the distance. He sniffed the air hopefully but there was still no scent of Ravenpaw. Fireheart felt a stab of grief, and tried to ignore the nagging thought that he should never have sent his friend here alone.
Clouds billowed up over Highstones, growing blacker as they covered the sinking sun. A cold wind ruffled the cats’ fur, bringing the first drops of rain.
Fireheart looked at the WindClan cats. There was no way they could travel through a long, wet night. He was tired too, and, for the first time since he’d eaten Yellowfang’s herbs, he was feeling the effects of hunger. A glance at Graystripe told him that his friend felt the same way. The big gray warrior’s tail drooped, and his ears were flattened against the spattering rain.
“Tallstar,” Fireheart called. “Perhaps we should stop soon and shelter for the night.”
The WindClan leader stopped and waited while Fireheart caught up with him. “I agree,” he meowed. “There’s a ditch here; we can shelter in that until sunrise.”
Graystripe and Fireheart exchanged glances. “We might be better sheltering in the hedgerow,” Fireheart suggested. “There are rats in these ditches.”
Tallstar nodded. “Very well.” He turned to his Clan and announced that they would be spending the night here. The queens and elders flopped down at once, despite the rain, while the warriors and apprentices gathered to discuss hunting patrols.
Fireheart and Graystripe joined them. “I don’t know how good the hunting will be here,” Fireheart meowed. “There are too many Twolegs.”
Graystripe’s stomach growled as if in agreement. The other warriors turned to him with amused but sympathetic eyes. Then they froze as the grass behind them rustled. The WindClan warriors bristled and arched their backs, unsheathing sharp claws, but Fireheart and Graystripe turned their heads joyfully. The wind carried a scent as familiar as their own den.
“Ravenpaw!” Fireheart gasped as a sleek black cat emerged from the long grass.
Fireheart raced over to his old friend and nuzzled him. “Thank StarClan you’re safe!” he purred. He stepped back and studied Ravenpaw in surprise. What had happened to the skinny, scared black apprentice? This cat was plump and sleek, and his fur, usually so dull before, now shed the rain like a holly leaf.
“Firepaw!” Ravenpaw meowed in delight.
“Fireheart,” Graystripe corrected him. He stepped forward and touched noses with the black cat. “We’re warriors now! I’m Graystripe.”
“Do you know this cat?” snarled Deadfoot.
The hostility in his voice made Fireheart flinch. He looked at the bristling WindClan cats and silently cursed himself for calling Ravenpaw’s name out loud. He just hoped Tallstar’s warriors had been too distracted to hear it. If WindClan mentioned it at a Gathering, it would spread through the Clans like a forest fire. Ravenpaw was supposed to be dead!
“Is he a loner?” asked Onewhisker.
“He can help us find food,” Fireheart meowed quickly, glancing at Ravenpaw.
The black cat nodded. “I know all the best places to hunt around here!” he meowed. His fur didn’t even bristle beneath so many hostile gazes. How much he has changed!Fireheart thought.
“Why would a loner help us?” demanded Deadfoot.
“Loners have helped us before,” Graystripe told him. “Another loner once saved us from a rat attack near here.”
Ravenpaw stepped forward and bent his head respectfully as he addressed the WindClan warriors. “Let me help you! I owe my life to Fireheart and Graystripe, and if they’re traveling with you, then you must be friends.” He lifted his eyes and let his gaze rest on the WindClan cats. They returned his stare, more weary now than hostile. The rain was falling harder and, with their fur bedraggled, they looked skinnier than ever.
“I’ll go and find Barley,” Ravenpaw meowed. “He will help, too.” He turned and disappeared through the long grass.
Tallstar’s eyes burned with curiosity, but all he asked Fireheart was, “Can we trust him?”
Fireheart met Tallstar’s gaze. “Completely.”
Tallstar nodded to his warriors. They let the fur lie flat on their shoulders, and settled down to wait.
Fireheart was almost wet through to his skin when Ravenpaw appeared again. This time Barley was with him. Fireheart greeted the black-and-white loner with a friendly mew. It was good to see him again.
Barley took one look at the dripping cats and meowed, “We need to find you some proper shelter. Follow me!”
Fireheart leaped forward at once, glad to move his stiffening legs. Graystripe was right behind him, but the WindClan cats hung back, fear and suspicion showing in their eyes.
Tallstar blinked at his Clan. “We have to trust him,” he growled, before turning to follow the loner. One by one, the WindClan cats fell in step behind their leader.
Barley and Ravenpaw led them through the hedge into another field. In an overgrown corner, among the brambles and nettles, stood an abandoned Twoleg nest. The walls were full of holes where stones had fallen out, and only half the roof was left.
The WindClan cats stared fearfully at it. “You won’t get me in there!” muttered one of the elders.
“Twolegs never come here now,” Barley reassured them.
“It’ll give us some shelter from the rain,” urged Fireheart.
One of the apprentices whispered loudly, “I’m not surprised he wants to hide in a Twoleg nest—once a kittypet, always a kittypet.”
Fireheart bristled. He hadn’t heard that insult for several moons. But the story that a kittypet had joined a Clan must have made rich gossip at any Gathering. Of course WindClan would know. He whipped around and glared at the apprentice. “You’ve spent two moons living in a Twoleg tunnel. Does that make you a rat?”
The WindClan apprentice drew himself up, ruffling out his fur, but Graystripe stepped between them. “Come on; we’re just getting wetter the longer we stand out here.”
Tallstar meowed, “We’ve faced worse than a Twoleg shelter these past moons. One night here will do us no harm.”
The WindClan cats murmured nervously among themselves, clearly reluctant, but with a glance at Fireheart, Morningflower picked up her kit and padded into the Twoleg shelter. The gray queen followed after her, nudging her own kit forward out of the rain. The other cats gradually followed until every cat was inside.
Fireheart looked around the gloomy shelter. The ground was bare except for patches where weeds had burrowed their way under the stone walls. The wind and rain found their way through the gaps in the walls and roof, but it was drier and more sheltered than anywhere outside. He watched the WindClan cats sniffing cautiously around. As they began to settle themselves away from the dripping holes and drafty cracks, he glanced at Graystripe, relieved. Only Tallstar and Deadfoot remained on their paws.
“What about food?” asked Deadfoot.
Barley spoke. “You should all be resting,” he meowed. “Raven—”
Fireheart interrupted him before Barley could finish saying Ravenpaw’s name out loud. “Why don’t you two show me and Graystripe the best places to hunt around here?”
“Deadfoot and Onewhisker will go with you,” meowed Tallstar. Fireheart couldn’t decide if the WindClan leader still didn’t trust these two strangers, or if he was determined to show that his Clan could look after itself.
The six cats ventured back out into the rain. Hunting would be hard, but Fireheart was starving. Hunger always made him a better hunter. Tonight the voles and mice wouldn’t stand a chance. “Just show me where they are!” he meowed to Barley and Ravenpaw.
The two cats led them into a small patch of woodland. Fireheart breathed in a lungful of the familiar scent. Then he dropped into a hunting crouch and began to stalk into the ferns.
When the hunting party returned, each cat carried a mouthful of fresh-kill. The WindClan cats shared a feast with their new allies that night. Every cat from the eldest to the youngest ate their fill, then curled up together to share tongues in mutual grooming, while outside the wind and rain lashed at the walls of the shelter.
As darkness settled in, Barley got to his paws. “I’m off. Rats to catch!” he meowed.
Fireheart stood and touched the loner’s nose with his own. “Thank you again,” he purred. “This is the second time you’ve helped us.”
“Thanks for sending Ravenpaw to me,” replied Barley. “He’s turning into a fine ratter. And it’s good to share a meal with a fellow cat from time to time.”
“Is he happy here?” asked Fireheart.
“Ask him yourself,” meowed Barley, and with that he turned and disappeared into the night.
Fireheart padded over to Tallstar, who was washing his paws. Fireheart couldn’t help noticing how swollen and painful they looked. “We’ll take it in turns to keep watch tonight, if you like,” he offered, flicking his head toward Graystripe and Ravenpaw.
Tallstar looked up at him gratefully, exhaustion clouding his eyes. “Thank you,” he meowed. Fireheart blinked respectfully at the WindClan leader and went to tell Ravenpaw and Graystripe.
His offer to Tallstar had been genuine, but it also meant he could be alone with his two friends. He was desperate to get Ravenpaw out of earshot of the WindClan cats and ask him what he had been up to. Graystripe and Ravenpaw bounded over to his side as soon as he called them.
Fireheart led them to a corner of the Twoleg nest, close enough to the entrance for them to keep watch, but far enough away from the other cats that they could talk in private. “So what happened after we left you?” he asked Ravenpaw as soon as the three friends had settled down.
“I headed straight across the WindClan territory, like you suggested.”
“What about the Twolegs’ dogs?” Graystripe put in. “Were they loose?”
“Yes, but it was easy to avoid them,” Ravenpaw told him.
Fireheart was surprised by how casually his friend dismissed the dogs. “Easy?” he echoed.
“I could smell them from a long way off. I just waited until dawn, and once the dogs were tied up again, I tracked down Barley. He’s been great. I think he likes having me around.” Ravenpaw’s expression suddenly clouded. “Which is more than Tigerclaw ever did,” he meowed bitterly. “What did you tell him?”
Fireheart recognized the hunted look in Ravenpaw’s eyes as he spoke about his old mentor. “We said you’d been killed by a ShadowClan patrol,” he answered quietly. Two WindClan apprentices were wandering toward them. Fireheart twitched his ears to warn his friends they had an audience.
“Oh, yes,” meowed Ravenpaw, raising his voice. “We loners eat Clan apprentices whenever we can catch one.”
The WindClan apprentices shot him a scornful look. “You don’t scare us,” they mewed.
“Really?” purred Ravenpaw. “Well, I guess your meat would be tough and stringy, anyway.”
“How come you’re such good friends with a loner?” one apprentice asked Fireheart.
“A wise warrior makes friends wherever he can,” Fireheart replied. “If it weren’t for this loner, we’d still be cold and hungry instead of dry and well fed!” He narrowed his eyes in warning and the apprentices slunk away.
“So ThunderClan thinks I’m dead,” meowed Ravenpaw when they had gone. He gazed down at his paws. “Well, it’s probably for the best.” He lifted his eyes and looked at Fireheart and Graystripe. “I’m glad I’ve seen you again,” he meowed warmly. Fireheart purred, and Graystripe prodded his friend affectionately with a hind paw. “But you look tired,” Ravenpaw continued. “You should get some sleep. I’ll keep watch tonight. I can rest tomorrow.” He stood up and gently licked each of his old friends on the head. Then he padded to the entrance of the shelter, sat down, and stared out into the rain.
Fireheart looked at Graystripe. “Are you tired?”
“Exhausted,” admitted Graystripe. The gray warrior rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes.
Fireheart took a final look at Ravenpaw sitting alone in the entrance. He knew now that he had made the right decision in helping Ravenpaw to leave ThunderClan. Perhaps Bluestar had been right when she’d said Ravenpaw would be better off without the Clan. Each cat has his own destiny, he thought. Ravenpaw was happy, and that was all that mattered.
When Fireheart woke, Ravenpaw was gone. It was past dawn. The gray rain clouds had begun to drift away. Tinged by the rosy glow of the rising sun, they looked like blossoms floating across a pond. Fireheart stared through a gap in the roof and watched them as the WindClan cats stirred and helped themselves to the leftovers of last night’s catch.
A short-tailed brown tom joined Fireheart and gazed up at the clouds with him. Fireheart jumped as a curious yowl suddenly escaped the brown tom’s throat. The noise brought the other WindClan cats crowding around them, murmuring and anxious.
“What is it, Barkface?” prompted Morningflower. “Has StarClan spoken to you?” Fireheart realized that this tom must be WindClan’s medicine cat. He tensed instinctively at the sight of Barkface’s bristling fur.
“The clouds are stained with blood!” rasped Barkface, his eyes wide and glazed. “It is a sign from our ancestors. There is trouble ahead. This day shall bring an unnecessary death.”
第六章
第六章
火心提心吊胆，和灰条紧紧贴在一起。如果他们还想活着走出去，就不能显露出丝毫的敌意。
风族武士们站在原地，等待族长的攻击命令！火心忽然发现，即使这些风族猫沦落到如此地步，仍然在严格遵守着武士法典。
一只黑白相间的公猫从武士中间走到队列前。火心猛然认出这只公猫就是他在梦中见到的那只长尾猫，猜想他一定便是风族的族长高星了。
高星嗅了嗅空气。但是火心和灰条处在他的下风向，他嗅不到什么气味。于是，他直接走过来，火心闻到他身上散发出一股腐肉味。火心和灰条大气都不敢出一口，低头看着地面，高星绕着他们走了几圈，鼻子不停地在他们身上嗅来嗅去。
最后，高星回到武士们的队伍当中，火心听见他小声说：“是雷族。”风族的武士们松了口气，敌意大减，但仍然没有撤除防线。
高星面对着火心和灰条坐下，卷过尾巴盖住爪子，恨恨地说：“我还以为是影族呢。你们为什么来这里？”
“我们是来找你们的。”由于过度紧张，火心的声音变得十分嘶哑难听，“蓝星和其他族的族长请你们回家去。”
高星疑惑地说：“我们的家被侵占了。”他眼里闪过一抹伤感，火心看了也不由有些悲哀。
火心说：“断星已被影族赶下台，他再也不能祸害你们了。”
高星身后的众武士你看着我，我看着你，都感到不可思议。
火心催促说：“你们要尽快赶回去，影、河两族已开始在高地捕猎了，我们经过那里时，看到旧獾穴附近出现了一支河族的捕猎队。”
高星的脸色一下子变得很难看。
火心急忙补充说：“但他们可真不善于捉兔子，我想他们要饿着肚子回家了。”
风族众猫们这才高兴起来。看到他们精神振作，火心也受到了感染。但他知道，对于这个已经虚弱到极点的族群，返回家园的旅程将是多么地艰难漫长。火心恭恭敬敬地说：“我们能结伴一起回去吗？”
高星眼睛一亮，明白这是婉转地提出帮助。他盯着火心瞅了一会儿，最后回答说：“好吧。多谢你了！”
火心这才想起他还没有介绍自己，于是说：“这位是灰条，我叫火心，我们都是雷族的武士。”
“火心。”高星若有所思地重复了一句。阳光从隧道顶部的小孔照射进来，使火心身上的毛在昏暗的隧道中俨然似火。高星称赞说：“这个名字很适合你。”
又一个怪物从头顶驰过，火心和灰条吓得缩成一团。高星莞尔一笑，晃动了一下尾巴。众武士们见到族长的信号后纷纷散去。高星站起来高声宣布：“我们马上离开。”
高星在年老者和怀孕者中巡查，问：“有谁不适于长途旅行吗？”
一名棕毛武士回答：“除了晨花的幼崽还太小之外，其余的都没问题。”
高星说：“那我们就轮流照顾他。”
风族的猫们个个疲惫不堪，饿寒交迫的生活磨去了他们眼里的神采。一只玳瑁色的母猫轻柔地咬住一只幼崽颈背的皮毛将他衔起，那只幼崽还不会睁眼睛呢。
高星大声问：“大家准备好了吗？”
一只跛脚的黑色公猫清点数目后回答：“准备好了。”
火心和灰条转身回到隧道入口，风族的猫们则因为久居洞中，还不能骤然走到光亮处。一些老年猫的眼睛适应了很长一段时间后，方才迎着微弱的阳光慢慢抬起头。火心估摸他们窝在隧道已有些时日了。高星最后一个离开隧道，走到族群前面。
火心问：“我们能带你们沿来的路返回吗？那是条近路。”
高星问：“那条路安全吗？”火心看见他眼里又闪过一抹伤感的神色。
灰条说：“我们来时没有遇到麻烦。”
高星晃了晃尾巴，似乎是在晃去内心的最后一点儿疑虑。他说：“好吧，灰条，你同我一组，给我领路。火心和族群一起走，遇到麻烦时告诉我的族长代表就行了。”
火心问：“哪一位是族长代表？”
高星冲那只黑色公猫点了点头，说：“坏脚。”那名武士闻声竖起耳朵。
火心低头致意，离开灰条加入到族群中。
当他们从高高架起的那段雷鬼路下经过时，火心仍能闻到火的气味。不过此时两腿动物早已全无踪影。灰条径直朝他和火心歇宿过的隧道走去，高星走在队首，火心和坏脚走在队尾。
坏脚警惕地问：“你确定这是条活路吗？”
火心惊奇地说：“这条路能从雷鬼路下穿过，你们没走过这条隧道吗？”
坏脚大声说：“我们的武士们看不清前方的情况是不会穿过雷鬼路的。”火心点了点头。坏脚说：“你先走。”
火心当即向漆黑的洞内走去。
当他从黑洞内出来时，看见风族的猫们都聚在草地前，过了这片草地就是最后一条雷鬼路了。高星同灰条商量了一会儿，便带着大家走进大草地。火心和坏脚分别走在队伍的两侧。
刚走到草地中央，便有许多猫落在了队伍后面。坏脚大声喊：“高星！我们需要放慢速度！”
火心转过头看见一些猫越落越远。晨花叼着幼崽也落在后面。火心寻思自从晨花生了幼崽之后，可能还没有走过这么远的路，于是急忙跑回到她身边。
他说：“让我来叼着幼崽吧，等你喘过来气后再给你。”
晨花气喘吁吁地看着火心，心里还有些疑虑，但当他们对视片刻后，她的目光渐渐柔和，最后她将幼崽放在地上。火心轻柔地叼起幼崽走在晨花的身边，以便她能时时刻刻看见自己的孩子。
高星急于赶路，因此只是放慢了少许速度。尽管他累得直喘粗气，但仍强打精神，尽力往前赶。
火心能够理解高星心急的原因：天亮后雷鬼路上的怪物会越来越多，风族中有老年猫也有病猫，所有猫都因为填不饱肚子而身体虚弱，要想他们在不发生任何伤亡的情况下通过雷鬼路，就必须赶在怪物们迎头撞来之前迅速地跑到雷鬼路对面。
当火心和晨花走出草地时，风族的猫们早已聚集在高星的周围。
一个怪物呼啸而过，高星顶着嘈杂的轰鸣声喊道：“我们从这里通过雷鬼路。”说完他从树篱下钻过。坏脚、灰条和一名年轻的武士跟在他的身后。
晨花这时已缓过气来，探出身子从火心嘴里接过幼崽。她感激地在火心的脸颊上蹭了蹭。火心向她低了一下头，然后跟在灰条后面钻过树篱。
高星和坏脚坐在宽阔的雷鬼路边，都没有说话。灰条见火心过来了，便朝那名年轻的武士扬了扬尾巴，告诉火心说：“他叫一根须。”
一个怪物疾驰而过，卷起迷眼的沙土。灰条的声音几乎淹没在巨大的噪声中。
借着那个怪物眼里发出的光，火心朝一根须打了声招呼，然后注意力又回到雷鬼路上。他说：“大伙儿应该分成若干个小组，我和灰条随那些需要帮助的小组一起通过。”他抬头看了看高星，补充了一句：“如果你同意的话。”
高星点了点头说：“身体最强壮的一组先过去。”
这时风族其他的猫都从树篱下一个个钻了过来，不一会儿整个族群便都聚齐在雷鬼路边。大家都不敢挨着雷鬼路站。
火心和灰条走到路边，观察驰过的怪物们之间的间隔。此时的雷鬼路上比昨晚他们通过时繁忙了许多。
一根须带领第一小组走上前。
火心闻到了一根须身上散发出的恐惧的气味，于是问：“你们需要我们两个和你们一起通过吗？”一根须摇了摇头，率领第一小组朝雷鬼路左右两边瞅了瞅，抓住路上没有怪物经过的空当，安全冲到路对面。
第二小组由两名武士和两只瘦骨嶙峋的老年猫组成。在一个怪物疾驰而过后，火心说：“过吧！”
四只猫踏上空旷的雷鬼路。在穿过隧道时，那两只老年猫曾划伤了脚底，此时走在雷鬼路上痛得他们直抽搐。看着他们就要走到路的另一边，火心在心里默默祷念。就在这时，一个怪物飞驰而至。
灰条大吼一声：“小心！”就在怪物驰过的千钧一发之际，两只老猫向前跳出，连滚带爬地摔在路边。
接着，又有两个小组通过了雷鬼路，最后只剩下一个小组了。高星和坏脚要等这个小组通过之后再走。晨花叼着幼崽走到火心身边，三只簌簌发抖的老年猫跟在她后面。
火心说：“我们陪你们一起过去。”说着瞅了灰条一眼，灰条点了点头。火心探出身子想从晨花嘴里接过幼崽，但晨花后退了一步，双耳贴在脑袋上。火心看到她眼里充满了惧怕的神情，顿时明白她要和自己的孩子同生共死。
灰条大吼一声：“走！”火心和晨花踏上雷鬼路。灰条陪着那三只老年猫跟在后面。老年猫们的腿上本就伤痕累累，再加上远途疲劳，因此走得很慢。那一刻，时间都好像停滞了。火心想：如果现在一个怪物撞过来，我们就都完蛋了。
眼看着再前进几步就要穿过雷鬼路了。灰条催促说：“加油啊。”老年猫们加快步伐，忽然有一只老年猫绊了一跤，灰条连忙赶过去扶他站起来。
这时，火心听到远处传来怪物的呼啸声。他对晨花说：“你往前走！让我们来照顾老猫。”
晨花跌跌撞撞，嘴下的幼崽不时碰到坚硬的路面，连连发出尖叫。火心和灰条走到老年猫们身后，用力推着他们往前走。怪物发出的呼啸声越来越近。
火心抓住距他最近的老年猫的后颈拽到前面，然后又将距他较远的那只老猫拖到路边。那个怪物飞驰而至，火心本能地闭上眼睛，身体缩成一团。
噪声隆隆，刺鼻的气味扑面而来。倏忽之间，呼啸声越来越远，只见怪物飞奔而去。
火心睁开眼睛瞅了瞅四周，见灰条睁着大眼睛趴在雷鬼路中间，竟然毫发未损。一只老年猫蜷缩在路中间，其余两只老猫则趴在路边发抖。原来是那个怪物急转弯绕开了他们。多谢星族保佑！他们才捡了条性命。
火心对趴在雷鬼路上的老猫说：“加把劲儿，就快到了。”心有余悸之下，他的声音有些颤抖。
高星和坏脚瞅准机会飞速通过。大家在雷鬼路边稍事休整。一根须和火心对触了一下鼻子说：“为了我们，你差点儿就没命了。风族永感大恩。”
他们身后响起高星的声音：“一根须说得对，我们要把这件事广为流传。”接着他对大家说：“我们必须上路了，前面还有很长一段路。”
大家纷纷站起来，火心朝晨花走过去。晨花此时正在舔她的孩子。
火心问：“他没事吧？”
晨花回答：“哦，没事。”
火心问：“你呢？”
晨花没有回答。
一只灰色母猫插嘴说：“别担心，我会照顾这只幼崽的。”
众猫沿着雷鬼路旁的树篱走了一段之后，走上那条穿过森林的小路。嗅到树林里的气味，大家的情绪渐渐稳定下来。路途依然遥远，而他们却比原先走得更慢了。当他们到达篱笆时，火心使出吃奶的力气才帮助那些最虚弱的猫们翻越过去。
此时已过了中午，火心看见两腿动物的地盘就在不远处。他抱着一丝侥幸的心理嗅了嗅空气，但没有嗅到乌爪的气味。他开始后悔起来，暗暗责备自己实在不应该将乌爪独自送到这里。他的心像针扎一样难受，于是他努力不去想这些烦心事。
森林上空乌云滚滚。一阵冷风吹过，第一滴雨水终于从天上落了下来。
火心瞅了瞅风族的猫们，估摸他们绝对无法在雨天赶路。他自己也非常疲惫，尽管吃了黄牙给的草药，此时，他也开始感觉到饥饿了。他看了看灰条，估计他的感受大约和自己一样。灰条此时正耷拉着尾巴，双耳紧贴脑袋以免雨水流进耳内。
火心喊道：“高星，我们应该找个地方避一避雨，休息一晚。”
高星停住脚步，说：“我没意见。这里有条沟，我们就进沟内避雨，等天亮再走好了。”
灰条和火心对视了一眼，火心建议说：“也许我们应该在树篱下避雨。这条沟里老鼠太多。”
高星点了点头说：“就照你们说的办吧。”他转过身向大家宣布在这里过夜。母猫和老年猫们早已耗尽了力气，这时也顾不得地上的雨水，纷纷躺下来休息。武士和学徒们则围在一起安排捕猎的事。
火心和灰条也参与进来。火心说：“不知道这里难不难捕到猎物，附近的两腿动物太多了。”
灰条肚子里咕咕作响，仿佛是在赞同火心的话。其他的武士们转过头看着他，都感到又好笑又同情。这时，他们身后的草地上传来沙沙的响声，众猫一下子紧张起来。风族的武士们竖起毛，弓起背，张开利爪。迎面的风吹来了一股气味，火心和灰条嗅到后顿时兴奋起来。
没过多久，一只修长的黑猫从草丛里走出来。是乌爪！火心激动极了。
他奔向乌爪，一边用鼻子顶着老朋友，一边说：“感谢星族，你还活着！”火心后退两步，惊讶地上下打量乌爪。所谓士别三日，必当刮目相看。当初那个瘦小、胆怯的乌爪来了个大变样。如今他体态丰满而匀称，原先那身黯淡无光的毛现在油亮油亮的，雨水打在上面纷纷滑落。
乌爪兴高采烈地叫：“火爪！”
灰条纠正他说：“是火心。”走上前用鼻子触了触乌爪说：“我们现在是武士了！我叫灰条。”
坏脚喝道：“你们认识这只猫吗？”
他语气中的敌意使火心猛然一惊。他看见风族的猫们身上的毛都竖立起来，情急之下差点儿说出乌爪的名字。他只希望这些武士们没有注意到他们刚才说过的话。如果风族在森林大会上提到乌爪，这个名字就会像森林里的火一般迅速传开。乌爪就死定了！
一根须问：“他是个独行者吗？”
火心朝乌爪使个眼色，飞快地说：“他能帮助我们找到食物。”
乌爪点点头说：“我知道附近所有能打猎的地方！”尽管面对着风族充满敌意的目光，他仍然显得神态自若。火心暗想：“他的变化可真大啊！”
坏脚问：“你是独行者，为什么要帮助我们？”
灰条告诉他：“我们以前也曾受过独行者们的恩惠。有一个独行者就曾在附近将我们从老鼠的围攻中解救出来。”
乌爪走上前，向风族武士们尊敬地低下头说：“请让我出一把力吧！火心和灰条对我有救命之恩，既然他们和你们在一起，那你们也一定是朋友了。”他抬起头看着风族其他的猫。众猫和他对视，眼里的忧虑更甚于敌意。雨越下越大，众猫身上的毛都被雨水淋透，使他们看上去比平时瘦了许多。
乌爪说：“我去找巴利，他也能帮上忙。”说完转身消失在草丛里。
尽管高星放心不下，但他只问了火心一句：“我们能信任他吗？”
火心看着高星的眼睛说：“绝对没问题。”
高星朝他的武士们点了点头，众武士肩头上的毛落了下来，坐下等候乌爪。
当乌爪回来的时候，火心几乎被雨浇透了。这次乌爪是和巴利一起来的。火心友好地同巴利打了个招呼，很高兴能够再次见到他。
巴利瞅了一眼被雨水淋成落汤鸡般的众猫，说：“你们需要一个更能避雨的地方。跟我来！”
火心的四肢早已十分僵硬，巴不得早点儿活动活动，听了巴利的话后便立刻撒开腿跑，灰条紧跟在后面，但风族的猫们却没有动静，眼里闪着惊疑不定的神色。
高星向众猫眨了眨眼睛，大声说：“我们必须信任他。”说完，他转身赶上巴利，风族其他的猫一个个紧跟在高星身后。
巴利和乌爪带领大家穿过树篱进入到另一片旷野。在一个长满荆棘和荨麻的角落里，有一个两腿动物废弃的巢穴。巢穴四壁残缺不全，露出一个个窟窿，屋顶也只剩下了一半。
风族众猫惊恐地望着这座巢穴，一只老年猫嘟囔着说：“我们可不进这里去！”
巴利拍着胸脯保证说：“两腿动物现在决不会来这里的！”
火心说：“在这里我们不会挨雨淋。”
风族的一个学徒小声说：“我就知道他想躲进两腿动物的巢穴里——一日为宠物猫，终身为宠物猫。”
火心的毛一下子竖立起来，他已经有好几个月没有听过这种侮辱性的称呼了。但宠物猫加入猫族的事情必定在森林大会上广为流传，风族当然也听说过这件事。他猛然转身瞪着那个学徒说：“你在两腿动物的隧道里住了两个月之久，你变成老鼠了吗？”
那个风族的学徒扎开架式就要动手，灰条急忙走到两只猫中间说：“好了，我们在这里耽搁得越久，身上就会被雨淋得越湿。”
高星说：“过去几个月里我们遇到的事情要比一个两腿动物的巢穴糟糕千百倍，在这里住一夜也算不了什么。”
风族猫们议论纷纷，显得极不情愿。晨花看了火心一眼，叼起幼崽走进两腿动物的巢穴内。那只一路上照顾她的灰色母猫也将自己的幼崽从雨中顶进巢穴。其他的猫见此情形这才逐个走了进去。
巢穴内甚是阴暗，地面上空荡荡的，只沿着墙根处长了几簇杂草。虽然四壁透风，屋顶漏雨，但仍能免除不少风吹雨淋之苦。风族的猫们行事小心，经过仔细探查后没有发现异常，这才分别寻找挡风避雨的地方安顿下来。火心看了灰条一眼，总算松了口气。此时群猫均已或坐或躺，只有高星和坏脚仍然站着。
坏脚问：“食物怎么办？”
巴利说：“你们先好好休息一下，乌——”
见巴利将要说出乌爪的名字，火心急忙插嘴说：“你们两个为什么不带我和灰条到附近打猎的地方看看呢？”
高星说：“坏脚和一根须同你们一起去。”火心感到无可奈何，这位风族族长似乎仍不信任巴利和乌爪，不过也许是他想向他们证明风族能够照料自己。
巴利等六只猫重又返回雨中。在这种天气打猎十分困难，但饥饿更能激发他们的捕猎技巧。今晚，那些老鼠们绝对没有侥幸逃生的机会。火心对巴利和乌爪说：“只需要告诉我哪里能捕到猎物就行了！”
巴利和乌爪带领他们进入一小片木场。火心深吸了一口熟悉的气味，接着他俯下身子开始在香薇丛间搜寻猎物。
当捕猎队回到巢穴的时候，每只猫的嘴里都叼满了猎物。当晚，风族和他们的新朋友们共同享用了一顿晚餐。从最年老的到最年幼的，每只猫都吃得饱饱的。填饱了肚子，他们聚成一堆开始为彼此舔梳。屋外，狂风暴雨正猛力地冲刷着墙壁。
夜幕降临，巴利站起身说：“我走了。祝你们好运！”
火心站起来和巴利对触了一下鼻子，说：“谢谢你，这是你第二次帮助我们了。”
巴利说：“谢谢你将乌爪送到我这里。他现在很能捕猎，我吃饭时也有个伴儿了。”
火心问：“他过得快活吗？”
“你自己问他吧。”巴利说完转身消失在夜色中。
火心走到正在舔爪子的高星身边，看到风族群猫疲态毕现，于是说：“如果你们愿意的话，今晚就由我们轮流放哨好了。”说着朝灰条和乌爪摆了摆尾巴。
高星正中下怀，他感激地看着火心说：“谢谢你。”火心向他尊敬地眨了眨眼睛，转身去告诉乌爪和灰条。
他之所以自告奋勇固然是因为心肠慈悲，但同时这也是他和两个朋友单独相处的好机会。他很想避开这些风族猫们，好问问乌爪的近况。听到火心的召唤，灰条和乌爪立刻跑了过来。
火心带他们走到两腿动物巢穴的一个角落，那里靠近入口，既能放哨，同时又离风族很远，说起话来不怕被他们听见。三只猫刚一坐下，火心就说道：“快把你的事给我们说说！”
“我按照你的指点，直接穿过风族的领地来到这里。”
灰条插嘴问：“那些两腿动物们的狗呢？它们被放出来了吗？”
乌爪告诉他：“放出来了，但要躲开它们很容易。”
火心听到他竟如此不把这些狗放在眼里，心里感到十分惊奇，不由得重复了一句：“容易？”
“我很远就能嗅到它们的气味。因此我等到天亮后它们被拴起来，方才过来找巴利。巴利很好，他喜欢我做他的伙伴。”接着，乌爪神色黯然，苦涩地说：“他对我的帮助比虎掌还多。你们后来是怎么对虎掌说的？”
火心看到乌爪在提到虎掌时眼里闪过一丝伤痛，他说：“我们说你被影族的巡逻队杀害了。”这时，两名风族的学徒向他们走来。火心朝灰条和乌爪动了动耳朵，提醒他们说话时注意。
乌爪提高嗓门说：“哦，是的。我们独行者一旦捉到猫族的学徒就要吃掉他们。”
那两个风族的学徒向他投来轻蔑的目光，说：“你吓不倒我们。”
乌爪说：“真的？哼，不管怎么说，我猜你们的肉一定又粗又臊。”
一个学徒问火心：“你怎么和独行者交上朋友的？”
火心回答：“聪明的武士无论走到哪里，都能交到朋友。如果不是遇上这位独行者，我们现在仍受饥饿寒冷之苦，而不是在干燥的巢穴里美美享用晚餐！”说着他眯缝起眼睛狠狠瞪了他们一眼，那两个学徒灰溜溜地离开了。
等他们走开后，乌爪低下头说：“这么说，大家以为我死了。唉，也许这样最好。”他抬起头看看火心和灰条，轻声说：“能再见到你们真高兴。”火心愉快地发出呜呜声，灰条则充满深情地用后爪轻轻戳了乌爪一下。乌爪继续说：“你们看起来很累，该好好睡上一觉。今晚我来放哨吧，明天我有时间休息。”他站起来在两位老朋友的额头上舔了舔，然后走到巢穴门口坐下，朝外面的大雨里望去。
火心看看灰条问：“你累了吗？”
灰条坦白说：“累得要死。”说着他将头枕在爪子上合上双眼。
火心瞅了眼独自守在门口的乌爪，觉得自己当初帮助乌爪离开雷族实在是个明智的决定。也许蓝星说得对，乌爪离开族群也许会生活得更好些。他想：每一只猫都有自己的命运，最重要的是乌爪活得很快乐。
当火心醒来的时候，乌爪已经离开了。黑夜过去，灰蒙蒙的云层开始消散。火心透过屋顶的裂缝仰天而望，只见云层在朝阳那玫瑰红色光芒的涂抹下，就像漂浮在海洋上盛开的花朵。这时，风族的猫们纷纷醒来开始吃昨晚剩下的猎物。
一只短尾棕色公猫走到火心身边，和他一起望天上的云彩。突然，那只棕色公猫发出一声吼叫，吼叫声中充满了焦虑，火心冷不丁吓了一大跳。叫声将风族其他的猫吸引过来，围着他们窃窃私语。
晨花急切地问：“出什么事了，青面？星族和你说话了吗？”听到这里，火心方才知道原来那只公猫是风族的医生。他看到青面身上的毛都竖着，心里也感到一阵紧张。
青面目光炯炯，倒吸了口凉气说：“这是从我们祖先那里传来的消息，我们将会遇到麻烦，今天将会有猫枉死。”
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER7
For a moment, none of thecats moved or spoke. Then Deadfoot growled, “Any of the Clans could see those clouds. We can’t be sure that the message is for us.”
Hopeful mews spread through WindClan. Tallstar surveyed his Clan, then meowed calmly, “Whatever StarClan has planned for us, today we return to our home. I can smell more rain in the air. It’s time we set off.” Fireheart felt relieved at the leader’s practical tone. The last thing they needed was hysteria at an ominous prophecy.
Tallstar led the way out into the chilly morning air. Fireheart and Graystripe followed. The WindClan leader was right: the wind carried the promise of more rain, and soon.
“Shall we scout ahead?” Fireheart offered.
“Yes, please,” replied Tallstar. “Let me know if you see dogs, Twolegs, or rats. My Clan is stronger this morning, but we had trouble with dogs on the way out. We must stay alert.” Fireheart could see from the worried look in the leader’s eyes that Barkface’s warning had disturbed him more than his confident words suggested. His Clan might be stronger, but it was in no state to fight off attackers.
Fireheart raced away with Graystripe at his heels. They took turns going back to the Clan, telling Tallstar that the way ahead was clear, or warning him to stay back while a Twoleg passed by with a dog. The WindClan cats wordlessly obeyed their leader, plodding on heavy paws in spite of their night’s rest.
By sunhigh dark clouds had gathered once more, and the first drops of rain were beginning to fall. The ground began to slope upward, and when Fireheart pushed his way through a hedge, he recognized the red dirt track that led away from Twoleg territory and into WindClan’s hunting grounds. His spirits soared, and he met Graystripe’s gaze with a look of triumph. Nearly there!
The muffled tramp of pawsteps sounded behind the hedge. Fireheart spun around and darted back into the field. The WindClan cats had caught up with them. Deadfoot was at the head of the group. He looked startled by Fireheart’s sudden appearance.
“This way,” Fireheart meowed, showing him the gap through the dripping leaves. He was eager to see WindClan’s reaction when they glimpsed the uplands on the other side. With Deadfoot leading, the cats began to file slowly through.
Fireheart followed close behind the last cat, but Deadfoot and two warriors had already leaped the ditch and crossed the track, and were pushing into the hedgerow on the other side. Their pace had quickened—they clearly knew where they were. Fireheart had to sprint to catch up. He followed them through the hedge and kept up with them as they bounded toward the long slope that led to the uplands, and their home.
At the foot of the slope, Deadfoot and his warriors paused to wait for the rest of the Clan. They closed their eyes against the rain but held their heads high. Fireheart could see their chests rising and falling as they breathed in the familiar scents sweeping from the uplands.
Fireheart ran back to the rest of the Clan, looking for Morningflower. He spotted her walking beside a tabby warrior who held her kit in his mouth. Every few steps the tortoiseshell queen stretched her head to sniff the wet little bundle. It would not be long now before she could settle her kit into the WindClan nursery.
Fireheart fell into step beside Graystripe at the rear. They glanced happily at each other but didn’t speak, too caught up in WindClan’s excitement at coming home. Even the elders were moving swiftly now, keeping their bodies low and their eyes narrowed against the rain. As the Clan joined Deadfoot at the foot of the slope, the deputy got to his paws and Tallstar took the lead. Without pausing, Tallstar began to follow a narrow sheep trail through the rough grass and heather.
As the Clan neared the top, some of the warriors raced ahead again. At the brow of the hill, they made proud silhouettes against the stormy sky, while the wind sent ripples through their fur. Ahead stretched their old hunting grounds. Suddenly two apprentices charged past Fireheart and bounded away into the familiar heather.
Tallstar stiffened. “Wait!” he yowled. “There might be hunting parties from the other Clans here!”
As soon as they heard him, the apprentices skidded to a halt and pelted back to join the Clan, their eyes still bright with exhilaration.
From a rock-strewn ridge Fireheart saw the dip in the ground that concealed WindClan’s camp. With a purr of delight Morningflower took her kit from the mouth of the tabby warrior and hurried toward the hollow. Tallstar flicked his tail and three warriors raced forward to escort her as she disappeared over the edge and down into the camp.
The WindClan leader paused while the rest of his Clan rushed into the sheltering bushes below. He turned to Fireheart and Graystripe, his eyes shining. “My Clan is grateful for your help,” he meowed. “You have both proved you are warriors worthy of StarClan. WindClan has come home, and it is time for you to return to yours.”
Fireheart felt a pang of disappointment. He’d wanted to see Morningflower settled in the nursery with her kit. But Tallstar was right: there was no need for them to stay here any longer.
Tallstar spoke again. “There may be hostile hunting parties around. Onewhisker and Deadfoot will escort you to Fourtrees.”
Fireheart bowed his head. “Thank you, Tallstar.”
Tallstar called to his warriors and gave them their orders. Then he turned his tired eyes once more to Fireheart. “You have served WindClan well. Tell Bluestar that WindClan will not forget it was ThunderClan who brought them home.”
Deadfoot padded away in the direction of Fourtrees. Fireheart and Graystripe walked after him with Onewhisker at their side. They stayed close together as they followed a narrow path through a solid mass of gorse that provided good shelter against the rain.
Suddenly Onewhisker stopped and sniffed the air. “Rabbit!” he called out joyfully before charging away into the gorse. Deadfoot stopped and waited. Fireheart could see a glint in the deputy’s tired eyes. There was a rush of pawsteps in the distance and the rustle of gorse, then silence.
A moment later Onewhisker returned with a large rabbit dangling from his jaws.
Graystripe leaned toward Fireheart. “A little better than the RiverClan warriors, eh?”
Fireheart purred in agreement.
Onewhisker dropped the fresh-kill on the ground. “Anyone hungry?”
They ate the rabbit gratefully. When he’d eaten his share, Fireheart sat up and licked his lips. He felt refreshed by the meal, but a weary coldness was beginning to nag at his bones, and his paws felt sore. If he and Graystripe followed the route they’d come, past Fourtrees, they still had a long way to go. What if they took a shortcut through RiverClan’s hunting grounds? After all, they were on a mission that had been agreed to, at the Gathering at least, by all the Clans. Could RiverClan really object if they passed through their territory? It wasn’t as if they were going to steal prey.
Fireheart looked around at his companions and meowed tentatively, “You know, it’d be quicker if we followed the river.”
Graystripe looked up from washing his paw. “But that would mean crossing into RiverClan territory.”
“We could follow the gorge,” Fireheart explained. “RiverClan doesn’t hunt there; it’s too steep for them to get down to the river.”
Graystripe gently rested a damp paw on the ground. “Even my claws ache,” he murmured. “I wouldn’t mind taking a shorter route.” He turned his yellow eyes hopefully to the WindClan deputy.
Deadfoot looked thoughtful. “Tallstar ordered us to travel with you to Fourtrees,” he meowed.
“If you don’t want to come with us, we’ll understand,” Fireheart answered quickly. “We’ll only be in RiverClan territory for a blink. I can’t see us meeting any trouble.”
Graystripe nodded, but Deadfoot shook his head. “We couldn’t let you go into RiverClan territory alone,” he meowed. “You’re exhausted. If you did meet trouble, you’re in no state to deal with it.”
“We won’t meet anyone!” Fireheart had convinced himself and was determined to convince Deadfoot too.
Deadfoot gazed at him with wise old eyes. “If we did go that way,” he mused, “it would let RiverClan know that WindClan is back.”
Fireheart pricked his ears in understanding. “And once they’ve smelled fresh WindClan scent, they might not be so keen to come rabbit hunting in your territory again.”
Onewhisker licked the last traces of fresh-kill from his lips and remarked, “It’ll mean we’ll be home before moonrise!”
“You just want to make sure you get a good nest in your den!” Deadfoot retorted. His voice was stern but there was a good-natured gleam in his eye.
“Then we’re going through RiverClan territory?” Fireheart asked.
“Yes,” decided Deadfoot. He changed direction and led the cats along an old badger trail that took them away from the barren uplands. Soon they were in RiverClan’s territory. Even through the wind and the rain, Fireheart could hear the roaring of the river as it crashed and thundered somewhere up ahead.
The cats followed the trail toward the noise. The path shrank until it was little more than a narrow strip of grass on the very edge of a deep gorge. On one side the land stretched upward, steep and rocky; on the other it plunged straight down. Fireheart could see the far side of the gorge only a few fox-lengths away. The space looked tantalizingly narrow, and Fireheart wondered if he could leap the gap. Perhaps if he weren’t so tired and hungry .  .  . His paws prickled with fear at the thought of falling, but he couldn’t resist peering over the side.
Beneath his paws, the ground dropped away in a sheer cliff. Ferns clung to tiny ledges, their leaves glistening, not from rain, but from the spray of the swollen torrent that foamed at the bottom of the gorge.
Fireheart pulled back from the edge, the fur along his spine bristling with fear. Ahead of him Deadfoot, Onewhisker, and Graystripe plodded steadily on, heads down. They would have to follow this path until they could cut away from it, through the small strip of forest that stood between them and ThunderClan territory.
Fireheart stumbled as he hurried to catch up. Deadfoot’s ears were pricked and his tail flattened so that it almost dragged along the ground. Onewhisker was clearly nervous too; he kept looking sharply up the slope beside them as if he could hear something. Fireheart could hear nothing but the roaring of the river. He glanced anxiously over his shoulder, his eyes darting from side to side. The WindClan cats’ wariness was making him uneasy.
The steep slope began to flatten out until they could move farther away from the cliff edge. The rain was still driving into their faces, and the darkening sky told Fireheart that the sun was setting, but it would not be long now before they reached the forest. There would be more shelter there. The thought of food and a dry nest cheered Fireheart.
Suddenly a warning yowl rumbled in Deadfoot’s throat. Fireheart stiffened and tasted the air. A RiverClan patrol! A screech sounded from behind them, and the cats spun around to see six RiverClan warriors charging toward them. Fireheart’s fur stood on end with horror. The deep gorge with its raging waters was still dangerously close.
A dark brown RiverClan cat landed on top of him. Fireheart rolled away from the gorge, kicking furiously with his back legs. He felt teeth bite into his shoulders and struggled under the weight of the hissing warrior. He scrabbled desperately on the sodden ground, trying to free himself. The RiverClan warrior raked his side with sharp claws. Fireheart twisted and bit into the fur of his attacker. He clamped his jaws tight and heard the warrior yowl, but the other cat’s claws only raked him more fiercely. “This will be the last time you set foot in RiverClan territory,” hissed the brown tom.
Around him Fireheart was aware of his companions struggling fiercely. He knew they were as exhausted as he was from the long trek. He could hear Graystripe yowling violently. Onewhisker hissed with pain and rage. Then, from the forest behind them, another sound reached Fireheart’s ears. It was full of fury—yet it filled Fireheart with a surge of hope. Tigerclaw’s war cry! Fireheart smelled the fast-approaching battle-scent of a ThunderClan patrol—Tigerclaw, Willowpelt, Whitestorm, and Sandpaw.
Yowling and spitting, the ThunderClan cats leaped into the fray. The brown tom released Fireheart and he quickly struggled to his paws. He watched as Tigerclaw pinned a gray tabby tom to the ground, giving a warning bite to the tom’s hind leg. The tom ran screeching away into the bushes. Tigerclaw whipped around and fixed his pale eyes on Leopardfur. The mottled RiverClan deputy was wrestling with Deadfoot. The lame warrior was no match for the ferocious RiverClan she-cat. Fireheart prepared to leap to the rescue, but Tigerclaw was ahead of him. The dark warrior dived forward and grasped Leopardfur’s wide shoulders. With a mighty yowl, he hauled her off the scrawny WindClan deputy.
Fireheart heard a vicious squeal behind him. He spun around to see Sandpaw locked in battle with another RiverClan she-cat. Twisting and tussling, the pair rolled over and over on the wet grass, spitting and clawing each other fiercely. Fireheart gasped. They were rolling toward the rocky edge of the gorge! One more roll and they would be over the side.
Fireheart sprang. With a mighty swipe he bundled the RiverClan warrior off Sandpaw and away from the edge. Sandpaw skidded away, closer to the drop. Fireheart lunged forward and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck with his teeth. She squealed with rage as he dragged her away from the gorge, her paws scrabbling on the muddy ground. She sprang to her paws as soon as he stopped and hissed at Fireheart, her eyes burning with fury, “I can win my own battles without your help!”
Fireheart opened his mouth to explain but a terrible howl made them both turn their heads. Graystripe was leaning perilously over the side of the gorge, his hind legs straining. Beside him, Fireheart glimpsed a white paw clutching at the edge. Graystripe leaned down with his mouth open, trying to get a grip on the paw, but it disappeared out of sight in a terrifying rush. Graystripe cried out after it, his wail echoing along the gorge.
All the cats stopped fighting at the sound of Graystripe’s agonized call. Fireheart froze, panting with shock and exhaustion. The RiverClan cats scrambled to the edge of the gorge. Slowly Fireheart followed them and looked over the side. Far below, through the deafening spray, he saw the dark head of a RiverClan warrior sink beneath the foaming water.
With a cold feeling of horror, Fireheart recalled the words of the WindClan medicine cat: “This day shall bring an unnecessary death.”
第七章
第七章
好一会儿都没有猫说话。还是坏脚最后大声说：“任何一个族群都能看到这些云彩，我们不能肯定这些信息就是针对我们的。”
风族的猫们心里又燃起一丝希望。高星扫视了大家一眼，平静地说：“无论星族怎样安排我们的命运，今天我们就要返回家园了。我嗅到空气中的潮气越来越浓，只怕又要下雨了。我们必须上路了。”火心见高星的头脑还算冷静，心里稍感轻松。此时此刻，大家决不能受到一个不吉利的预言的影响而自乱阵脚。
高星当先领路走出巢穴，清晨的空气冷飕飕的，火心和灰条跟在后面。这位风族族长说得对：从吹来的风判断，不久将要有一场更大的暴雨来临。
火心主动说：“让我们去前方探路吧。”
高星回答：“好的，有劳了。如果发现狗、两腿动物或者鼠群，就回来通知大家。虽然今天早上我的族群恢复了些元气，但我们在逃亡的路上曾被那些狗折腾得够戗，一时之间还难以完全恢复。我们必须保持警惕。”从高星担忧的目光里，火心看出尽管他表面上显得很镇定，实际上青面的预言也让他感到惴惴不安。风族也许真的恢复了些元气，但以现在的状态绝对无法抵御攻击。
火心和灰条离开队伍去探路，他们轮流返回来向高星报告前方的情况，有时遇上两腿动物牵狗经过时，便通知大家原地待命。风族的猫们默默服从族长的指挥，尽管休息了一夜，他们走起路来步子依然很沉重。
就在将要到中午的时候，乌云再次聚集，天上开始下雨。此时地势渐趋而上，火心穿过一道树篱后，立刻便认出那条从两腿动物地盘通往风族领地的泥沟。他顿时精神大振，和灰条对视了一眼，都看到对方眼里的喜悦。就要到了！
树篱后响起沉重的脚步声。火心转身钻回到原野里，只见风族的猫们在坏脚的带领下已经赶了过来。看到火心突然出现，坏脚吓了一跳。火心拨开树篱的叶子给坏脚指了指那条沟，说：“往这边走。”他急着想看到风族的猫们在看到高地时的反应。
坏脚领着大家钻过树篱。火心走在队伍的末尾，这时坏脚和其他两名武士已经越过泥沟，钻过了对面的树篱。他们加快步伐——显然已经认出了这里是什么地方。火心也加快步伐，钻过泥沟对岸的树篱，在通往高地、通往风族家园的斜坡处追赶上他们。
坏脚和其他武士们在斜坡下面停住等候族群里其余的猫。尽管在大雨里睁不开眼睛，但他们仍仰起头，大口呼吸着从高地吹来的熟悉的气味，胸口随之一起一伏。
火心跑回去寻找晨花，看到她的身旁有一只虎斑猫武士同行，那个武士嘴里叼着的正是晨花的幼崽。每走几步，晨花便伸过脖子嗅嗅浑身湿漉漉的小家伙。再过片刻，她就能将幼崽安置在风族的育婴室里了。
火心找到走在风族队尾的灰条，彼此间对视了一眼，他们没有说话，但都为重返家园的风族感到高兴。原先那些老年猫们在大雨中挺不起身子、睁不开眼睛，如今步伐也变得灵活起来。等大家聚齐后，高星立即带领全族沿着一条羊肠小道穿过荒草地。
将近坡顶时，一些武士忍不住冲到队伍前面。他们站在坡顶，冲着倾盆大雨仰天长嚎，一阵强风吹过，将他们的毛都吹乱了。有两个学徒经过火心身边，冲进他们熟悉的灌木丛。
高星急忙叫道：“等等！这里也许还有别族的狩猎队！”
在族长的呵斥下，那两个学徒乖乖停下脚步，溜回队伍中，但仍是一副喜不自胜的样子。
站在碎石坡上，风族营地所在的那处凹地遥遥在望。晨花欢呼雀跃，从那名虎斑猫武士嘴里接过幼崽，三步并作两步向营地冲去。
看着群猫纷纷奔进隐蔽营地的灌木丛，高星没有移动脚步，而是转过头，激动地对火心和灰条说：“我们风族非常感激你们的帮助。你们用行动证明了自己是真正的武士。风族已经到家了，你们也该回自己的家了。”
一股失望之情涌上火心的心头。他原想亲眼看着晨花和她的幼崽住进育婴室。但是高星说得对：他们没有必要再留在这里了。
高星又说：“周围也许还有些心怀叵测的捕猎队，就让一根须和坏脚陪同你们前往‘四棵树’吧。”
火心低下头说：“谢谢你，高星。”
高星叫来一根须和坏脚，向他们下达了命令，然后一脸疲倦地对火心说：“你们帮了风族的大忙。告诉蓝星，风族永远不会忘记是雷族带他们回到家园的。”
坏脚向“四棵树”走去，火心和灰条在一根须的陪同下跟在后面。他们挤在一起沿着金雀花丛下的一条窄路行走。金雀花长得很密，走在里面能很好地躲避大雨。
突然，一根须停住脚步嗅了嗅空气，欢快地大叫一声：“兔子！”然后便冲进金雀花丛里。坏脚停下等候，火心看到他眼里也充满了疲惫的神色。一阵脚步声和沙沙声过后，一切又归于沉寂。
不一会儿，一根须叼着一只大兔子回来了。
灰条斜过身子说：“比河族的武士们要强些，哦？”
火心嗯了一声表示同意。
一根须将猎物放在地上说：“有谁饿了吗？”
大家都不客气，大口享用美味。吃完了自己的那份，火心坐下来舔净嘴巴。填饱了肚子，体力也多少恢复了些，但身上却又开始冷了起来，爪子也又酸又痛。如果他和灰条沿着原路经由“四棵树”返回，那可是一段很远的路程。如果他们抄捷径从河族的领地里走呢？毕竟，他们执行的这项任务是在森林大会上经过所有的猫族同意的。如果借道河族的领地，他们当真会拒绝吗？自己这副样子不可能像是去偷猎啊。
火心看了看其他伙伴，试探性地说：“如果我们顺着河走，路程会短一些。”
正在舔净爪子的灰条抬起头说：“如果那样，我们就要从河族的领地经过了。”
火心解释说：“我们可以沿着山涧走。山涧很陡，从那里不能下到河里捉鱼，因此河族不会去那里打猎的。”
灰条将湿乎乎的爪子轻轻放在地上，小声说：“其实我也很累，走捷径倒也不错。”说完瞅了瞅坏脚，眼里充满期待的目光。
坏脚为难地说：“可是高星命令我们陪你们去‘四棵树’呀。”
火心急忙回答说：“如果你不想陪我们去，我们会理解的。我们只不过是经过河族的领地，不会待太久的。估计不会遇到什么麻烦。”
灰条点头称是。坏脚摇头说：“我们不能让你们独自去河族的领地。你们累成这个样子，如果遇到什么麻烦根本就应付不了。”
“我们不会遇到任何猫的！”火心既是在说服坏脚，也是在说服自己。
坏脚那双充满智慧的眼睛盯着他说：“如果我们走这条捷径，河族就会知道风族已经回来了。”
火心竖起耳朵，猛然省悟道：“一旦他们嗅到风族的新鲜气味，也许就不会再来你们的领地捉兔子了。”
一根须舔去嘴上最后一丝血迹，说：“这么说，我们能在天黑前回家喽！”
坏脚开玩笑说：“你现在脑子里就只有暖窝了！”虽然语含讥讽的意思，目光里却蕴藏着笑意。
火心说：“那么，我们就从河族领地里抄近道吧。”
坏脚一咬牙说：“好吧。”他改变方向，带领火心等循着一只老獾踩出的小路离开高地。虽然风高雨急，火心也能听到前方河水发出的怒吼声。
众猫沿着小路朝发出声响的方向走去。道路越来越窄，到最后山涧边仅余一条非常狭窄的小径。小径的一侧是碎石遍地的陡坡，另一侧则是壁立万仞的山涧。山涧两岸相距仅有几步之遥。就这么短短几步距离，火心琢磨着是否能一步跳过去。如果填饱肚子、体力充沛也许就能，不过万一跳不过去可就要掉到山涧里了，想到这里他打了个寒战。但他仍忍不住朝对岸看去。
脚下的路越走越窄。山涧两壁上长着香薇，香薇叶子上全是水，不过不是雨水，而是谷底的汹涌激流泼溅上来的水珠。
火心从山涧边后退两步，背上的毛吓得竖立起来。坏脚、一根须和灰条垂着头，拖着沉重的脚步走在他前面。只要沿着这条路走下去，然后再穿过一片狭长的树林就是雷族的领地了。
火心加快步伐追上大家。坏脚竖起双耳，尾巴耷拉着几乎拖在地上。一根须也显得很紧张，不停地仰头观察陡坡，总觉得发现了什么动静似的。火心除了河水的哗哗声外，听不到任何声音。他提心吊胆地左右张望，生怕河族的武士们会突然出现。
陡坡渐趋平缓，已不必再贴着峡谷边缘行走。雨仍旧下个不停，太阳开始落山，天色越来越暗。再走不远就是那片狭长的树林，树林里雨就不会这么大了。想到可口的食物和干燥舒适的巢穴，火心精神一振。
就在这时，坏脚忽然发出警报。火心紧张地嗅了嗅空气：是河族的巡逻队！他们身后传来尖叫声，火心转过身，看见六名河族武士向他们冲了过来。火心吓得毛一下子竖立起来。路边就是万丈深渊啊！
一只深棕色的河族猫跳到他的身上。火心一个翻身从山涧边滚开，后腿狂蹬。他感到肩头一阵巨痛，对方已经咬住了他，于是他拼命挣扎。绝望中，他在泥泞的地面上乱抓乱扒，试图摆脱对方。那名河族武士的利爪在他腹侧狠狠抓了一下，火心扭过身子死死咬住了对方的身体，只听对方疼得大叫。其他的猫攻势更加凶狠。那只棕色公猫面目狰狞地说：“这是你最后一次踏足河族的领地了。”
尽管长途跋涉之后大家都已经疲惫不堪，但在这生死存亡时刻，无不奋起抗争。火心听到灰条疯狂地怒吼，一根须则发出痛苦而愤怒的低嘶。接着，从他们身后的森林里又传来号叫声。这声音充满了愤怒——但火心听了却如遇救星。这是虎掌战斗的号叫！火心嗅到快速赶来的雷族巡逻队的气味——有虎掌，柳带，白风和沙爪。
吼叫和怒斥声中，雷族战士们纷纷加入战斗。那只棕色公猫放开火心，后者飞快地站起来。他看到虎掌正将一只灰色的虎斑猫按倒在地，在其后腿上狠狠咬了一口，那只公猫惨叫一声逃进了树丛。虎掌琥珀色的眼睛盯在豹毛的身上。只见那位河族的族长代表豹毛正同坏脚扭打在一起，瘸了腿的坏脚根本就不是豹毛的对手。火心正准备上前相助，虎掌已经抢在他的前面冲了过去，抓住豹毛宽阔的肩膀。虎掌大喝一声，将豹毛甩飞到一边。
这时，火心听到身后传来一声尖叫，转身看见沙爪正和另一只河族的母猫展开激烈的搏斗。两只猫打得难分难解，在潮湿的草地上滚来滚去。火心倒吸了一口凉气。她们正向峡谷边滚过去！再多滚两下就到山涧边缘了。
火心连忙跳了过去，用力将那名河族武士从沙爪身上拖开。沙爪摇摇晃晃地站起来，距离山涧更近了。火心冲上前咬住她的脖子把她往回拽。沙爪不明原因，愤怒地大声尖叫，爪子紧紧抓在地上。火心刚刚松开口，沙爪便跳起来瞪着他，嘴里发出低嘶：“不用你帮助，我也能打败她！”
火心正要张嘴解释清楚，突然听到一声可怕的惨叫。他们转过头，看见灰条站在山涧边上，后腿蹬紧刹住身体的前冲势头，情势十分危急。火心再仔细一看，一只白色的爪子扒在山涧边缘。灰条低下头想去叼住，却见那只爪子一滑，从大家的眼前消失了。灰条发出一声惨叫，在峡谷里久久回荡。
听到灰条的惨叫，所有的猫都停止了战斗。火心大口喘着气，吓得腿都发软了。河族的猫们走到山涧边。火心也缓缓走过去朝山涧内望去。山涧内水花飞溅，发出震耳欲聋的咆哮。只见那名河族武士的脑袋在水里冒出了几下就沉入河底，水面上泛起一片泡沫。
火心心里冷冰冰的，耳边似乎又响起了那位风族医生的话：“今天将会有猫枉死。”
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER8
Leopardfur lifted her head and yowledinto the wind, “Whiteclaw! No!”
Graystripe scrambled backward until all four paws were on safe ground. His wet fur was bristling and his eyes were wide with shock. “I tried to grab him .  .  . he just lost his footing .  .  . I didn’t mean to .  .  .” The words tumbled out breathlessly. Fireheart bounded across to his friend and pressed his nose into his flank for comfort, but Graystripe backed blindly away.
One by one, the other cats turned away from the edge and looked at Graystripe. The RiverClan cats’ eyes were narrowed with fury, their shoulders tense. Willowpelt and Whitestorm moved instinctively toward Graystripe, taking up defensive positions on either side of him.
Leopardfur growled deep in her throat, but it was a warning to her own cats. They were to stay back. The RiverClan deputy stared Tigerclaw straight in the eye. “This has gone beyond a border fight,” she murmured. “We shall return to our Clan. It has become a matter to settle at another time and in a different way.”
Tigerclaw defiantly returned Leopardfur’s stare. He showed no fear, but merely gave the smallest of nods. Leopardfur flicked the tip of her tail, then turned and padded away. The RiverClan cats followed her, and the whole patrol disappeared into the bushes.
Leopardfur’s menacing words made Fireheart shiver. A sense of foreboding settled over his heart like a cold shadow as he realized that this battle might have started a war.
“We should leave,” meowed Deadfoot, limping forward. “Your two young warriors served us well, and my Clan thanks you.” But the formal words of gratitude sounded hollow after the tragedy they had just witnessed. Tigerclaw nodded, and the two WindClan warriors began to head back toward their own territory. Fireheart meowed a quiet farewell to Onewhisker as he passed. Onewhisker glanced briefly at him, and walked on.
Fireheart noticed that Sandpaw was standing at the edge of the gorge, staring down at the torrent below. Her paws seemed frozen to the ground, and her eyes remained fixed on the steep drop. Fireheart guessed she had realized how close she had come to sharing Whiteclaw’s fate.
Fireheart started toward her but Tigerclaw growled, “Follow me!”
The tabby warrior charged away through the trees, and the rest of his patrol followed after him, but Fireheart hesitated beside Graystripe. “Come on,” he urged. “We should keep up!” Graystripe shrugged, his eyes dull and clouded with pain, and began to pad after the others, dragging his paws as if they were made from stone.
Soon the cats ahead of them were out of sight, but Fireheart was able to track them by their scent. Tigerclaw was leading them back toward ThunderClan territory, straight through RiverClan’s strip of forest. Fireheart guessed there was no need to worry about RiverClan patrols right now. The damage had been done. It would be pointless to take the long way around by Fourtrees.
Tigerclaw had halted the patrol and was waiting for Fireheart and Graystripe at the border of ThunderClan’s territory.
“I thought I told you to follow me,” he growled.
“Graystripe was—” Fireheart began.
“The sooner Graystripe gets back to camp, the better,” interrupted Tigerclaw.
Graystripe said nothing, but Fireheart bristled at the deputy’s harsh tone. “Whiteclaw’s death wasn’t his fault!”
Tigerclaw turned away. “I know,” he meowed. “But it’s done. Come on, and this time keep up!” He leaped away, crossing the scent markers that bounded ThunderClan territory.
Fireheart had been looking forward to this moment since leaving WindClan’s den among the Thunderpaths. Now he hardly noticed as he pounded past the markers, keeping one eye on Graystripe.
The rain eased as they followed the familiar trail to the camp. When the patrol emerged from the gorse tunnel, some of the other Clan cats bounded out of their dens, their tails held high in greeting.
“Did you find WindClan? Are they safe?” Mousefur called. Fireheart nodded absently, but felt too hollow to reply. Mousefur’s tail dropped. The other cats hung back at the edge of the clearing. The expressions on the faces of the returning cats told them that something serious had happened.
“Come with me,” Tigerclaw ordered Fireheart and Graystripe, leading them toward Bluestar’s den. Fireheart kept close to Graystripe so that his fur brushed against his friend. Graystripe just padded onward, neither drawing closer to Fireheart nor moving away.
A warm mew welcomed them from the shadows beyond the lichen. The three cats pushed their way into the snug cave.
“Welcome!” Bluestar leaped up, purring. “Did you find WindClan? Did you bring them back?”
“Yes, Bluestar,” Fireheart replied quietly. “They are safe in their camp. Tallstar told me to thank you.”
“Good, good,” meowed Bluestar. Her eyes darkened as she noticed Tigerclaw’s grim expression. “What has happened?”
“Fireheart decided to return home through RiverClan territory,” growled Tigerclaw.
Graystripe looked up for the first time. “It wasn’t just Fireheart who decided—” he began.
Tigerclaw interrupted him. “They were found by a RiverClan patrol. If my patrol hadn’t heard their yelps in time, they wouldn’t have made it home at all.”
“So you rescued them,” meowed Bluestar, relaxing. “Thank you, Tigerclaw.”
“It’s not that simple.” Tigerclaw snorted. “They were fighting beside the gorge. A RiverClan warrior who was battling Graystripe fell over the edge.” Fireheart noticed Graystripe flinch at Tigerclaw’s words.
Bluestar’s eyes widened. “Dead?” she asked, looking horrified.
Fireheart meowed quickly, “It was an accident! Graystripe would never kill a cat over a border fight!”
“I doubt Leopardfur sees it that way.” Tigerclaw turned on Fireheart, his tail lashing from side to side. “What were you thinking? Traveling through RiverClan territory! And with WindClan cats. You’ve sent a message that we are their allies, which will only drive RiverClan and ShadowClan closer together.”
“WindClan was with you in RiverClan territory?” Bluestar looked even more alarmed.
“Just two warriors. Tallstar gave us an escort home; we were tired.  .  .  .” Fireheart murmured.
“You should not have been in RiverClan territory,” Tigerclaw snarled. “Especially with WindClan cats.”
“It wasn’t an alliance. They were escorting us back home!” Fireheart protested.
“Does RiverClan know that?” spat Tigerclaw.
“RiverClan knew we were going to find WindClan and bring them back. They agreed to it at the Gathering. They shouldn’t have attacked us—it was a special mission, like the journey to Highstones.”
“They didn’t agree to let you travel through their territory!” spat Tigerclaw. “You stilldon’t understand Clan ways, do you?”
Bluestar stood up. Her eyes flashed as she looked around at the three cats, but her voice was calm. “You should not have entered RiverClan’s hunting grounds. It was a dangerous thing to do.” She looked sternly from Fireheart to Graystripe. Fireheart searched her eyes for a harsher reproach, but could find none. He felt torn between gratitude and guilt. He had caused a rift with RiverClan that might threaten the safety of his Clan for many moons.
Bluestar went on, flicking her tail uneasily. “At the same time, you did well to find WindClan and bring it back. But we will need to prepare ourselves for an attack from RiverClan. We need to start training more warriors. Fireheart and Graystripe, Frostfur tells me two of her kits are almost ready to begin their training. I want each of you to take a kit as your apprentice.”
Fireheart felt stunned. What an honor! He couldn’t believe Bluestar had suggested it—especially now. He glanced furtively at Tigerclaw. The deputy sat rigid as a rock.
Graystripe raised his head. “But none of Frostfur’s kits are six moons yet!”
“It won’t be long before they are. The divisions at the last Gathering troubled me, and today .  .  .” Bluestar’s voice trailed off, and Fireheart noticed Graystripe look down at his paws once more.
Tigerclaw was staring at Bluestar, his amber eyes hard. “Wouldn’t it be better to ask more experienced warriors like Longtail or Darkstripe to take on another apprentice?” he asked. “These two are hardly more than apprentices themselves!”
“I did consider that,” replied Bluestar. “But Longtail will be busy enough with Swiftpaw, and Darkstripe is getting Dustpaw ready to become a full warrior.”
“What about Runningwind?” Tigerclaw asked.
“Runningwind is a fine hunter and a loyal warrior,” Bluestar answered. “But I don’t think he has the patience for mentoring. ThunderClan has better use for his skills.”
“And you think these two have got what it takes to train ThunderClan warriors?” Tigerclaw meowed scornfully.
Fireheart flinched. Tigerclaw was eyeing him alone as he spoke. Does he think a kittypet is not fit to train Clanborn cats?he wondered angrily.
Bluestar stared back at her deputy. “We shall find out. Don’t forget, they brought WindClan home. And of course, Tigerclaw,” she added, “I am relying on you to oversee the training.” Tigerclaw nodded, and Bluestar turned back to Fireheart and Graystripe. “Get something to eat,” she ordered. “Then rest. We’ll have the naming ceremony for the kits at moonhigh.”
Fireheart led Graystripe out of the den, leaving Tigerclaw behind with Bluestar. The rain had eased to a fine drizzle.
“I’m starving,” meowed Fireheart. He could smell the warm scent of fresh-kill in the clearing. “Are you coming to get something to eat?”
Graystripe stood behind him, his eyes distant and sad. He slowly shook his head. “I just want to sleep,” he muttered.
Once his stomach was full, Fireheart pushed his way into the warriors’ den. Graystripe was curled up in a ball, his head tucked beneath his paws. Fireheart’s eyes felt heavy, but his fur was still soaked, and he forced himself to wash thoroughly before settling into his warm nest.
Willowpelt woke Fireheart with a gentle prod. “Time for the ceremony,” she whispered.
Fireheart lifted his head and blinked. “Thanks, Willowpelt,” he meowed as she ducked out of the den.
He nudged Graystripe. “Ceremony,” he hissed, then stood and stretched up on his toes until his legs quivered. He was about to become a mentor! Excitement tingled in his paws.
Graystripe stirred and uncurled slowly, like an old cat. Suddenly Fireheart’s paws seemed to remember their long journey and began to ache again.
At least the rain had stopped. In silence, Fireheart and Graystripe padded into the clearing. The moon shone above the trees, turning the wet branches silver.
“Well done for bringing WindClan home!” The cheery voice made Fireheart jump. He turned to see Halftail settling down beside him. “You must come and share the story with the elders one night.”
Fireheart nodded absently, then looked back into the clearing. Frostfur was already sitting below the Highrock. A kit sat on either side of her, one smudgy gray and one ginger. The white queen twisted her head and licked behind their ears. The little gray she-kit shook her head impatiently as her mother fussed over her.
Once more, excitement made Fireheart’s fur tingle.
Beside him Graystripe sat staring at the ground. “Aren’t you excited?” Fireheart asked.
Graystripe shrugged.
“Graystripe”—Fireheart lowered his voice—“Whiteclaw’s death wasn’t your fault. It was the worst place for an attack, and the RiverClan cats would have known that. Sandpaw nearly fell over the edge too,” he added.
He glanced at Sandpaw sitting nearby. Beside her, Dustpaw stared at Fireheart with raw jealousy in his eyes. Fireheart couldn’t blame him. He was about to become a mentor when Dustpaw hadn’t even been given his warrior name. But he flinched when Dustpaw leaned toward Sandpaw and whispered, loud enough for Fireheart to hear, “I feel sorry for Fireheart’s apprentice. Imagine a Clan cat being trained by a kittypet!”
But for once Sandpaw didn’t react. She just shot an uncomfortable glance at Fireheart.
Fireheart turned back to Graystripe. “Bluestar doesn’t blame you,” he insisted. “She knows you’re a good warrior. She’s giving you your own apprentice.”
Graystripe lifted his eyes and replied bitterly, “She’s just doing it because ThunderClan needs more apprentices. And why do we need them? Because I’ve given RiverClan an excuse to hate us!”
Fireheart was shocked by the harshness in Graystripe’s tone. Bluestar’s meow summoned them before he could say anything more. Fireheart padded toward his Clan leader, Graystripe trailing after him.
When they reached the center of the clearing, Bluestar gazed around at the assembly of cats. “This moonhigh, we gather together to name two new apprentices. Come forward, you two.”
The gray kit darted from her mother’s side into the clearing, her fluffy tail held high and her blue eyes wide. The ginger kit came forward more slowly. His ears were pricked, and he frowned with seriousness as he walked to the foot of the Highrock.
Fireheart’s heart began to pound in his chest—which one of these kits would he be given? He couldn’t help feeling that the solemn-faced ginger kit would be easier to train, but there was something about the gray kit’s clumsy enthusiasm that reminded him of himself when he had first joined the Clan.
“From this day forward,” Bluestar meowed, gazing down at the little gray kit, “until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be called Cinderpaw.”
“Cinderpaw!” The gray kit couldn’t help mewing her new name out loud. A quietening hiss came from Frostfur, and Cinderpaw ducked her head apologetically.
“Fireheart,” meowed Bluestar, “you are ready for your first apprentice. You will begin Cinderpaw’s training.” Pride swelled in Fireheart’s chest. “You are fortunate, Fireheart, to have had more than one mentor. I expect you to pass on everything I taught you to this young apprentice”—Fireheart suddenly began to feel a bit overwhelmed. Bluestar’s words carried a weight of responsibility he wasn’t sure he was ready for—“and share with her the skills you learned from Tigerclaw and Lionheart.”
At the mention of Lionheart, Fireheart pictured the golden warrior looking down on him from Silverpelt with warm, encouraging eyes. He lifted his head and returned Bluestar’s gaze as steadily as he could.
“And this apprentice”—Bluestar turned her gaze toward the ginger kit—“will be known as Brackenpaw.” Brackenpaw didn’t move or make a sound.
“Graystripe, you will train Brackenpaw. Our lost friend Lionheart was your mentor. I hope that his skill and wisdom will pass through you to your new apprentice.”
Graystripe lifted his head high at Bluestar’s words, and for a moment a gleam of pride showed in his eyes. He stepped forward and touched his new apprentice’s nose with his own. Brackenpaw returned the touch politely. Only his eyes, which shone like stars, gave away the fact that this young cat was as excited as his sister.
As soon as Fireheart saw the pair touch noses, he realized he should have done the same. He stepped forward quickly. Cinderpaw jerked her head up and their noses collided painfully. Cinderpaw touched his nose again, this time less awkwardly, but Fireheart’s eyes were beginning to water. He could see that Cinderpaw was trying to stop her whiskers from twitching with amusement, and a flush of embarrassment washed over him. I’m a mentor,he reminded himself.
Fireheart looked around at the rest of the Clan. Every cat seemed to be nodding approvingly. Then his eyes found Tigerclaw. From the edge of the clearing, the deputy’s amber gaze seemed to mock him.
Fireheart looked hastily down at Cinderpaw, who was staring at him with undisguised pride. Fireheart’s fur suddenly began to prickle. He wanted to be a great warrior and a good mentor more than anything else, but it seemed painfully clear that Tigerclaw was just waiting for him to fail.
第八章
第八章
豹毛仰天长吼：“白掌！不！”
灰条从悬崖边后退几步，身上的毛直立着，眼睛睁得大大的，喘着气结结巴巴地说：“我原本想抓住他的……他是失足掉下去的……我不是故意……”火心跳过去用鼻子轻蹭灰条的面颊以示安慰，但灰条却恍若无睹地避开了。
其他的河族猫们一只接一只地从悬崖边退回来瞪着灰条。这些河族猫的眼里都闪着怒火，肩膀上的肌肉绷得紧紧的。柳带和白风自觉地走过去站在灰条左右两边，保护着他，以防不测。
豹毛从喉咙深处发出一声低吼，命令河族众猫不许轻举妄动。她说：“这已不再是边界之争了。今天的战斗到此为止，我们将在另一个时间、以另一种方式来解决这件事情。”
虎掌轻蔑地盯着豹毛，没有表现出丝毫怯懦，只是略略点了点头。豹毛晃了晃尾巴尖儿，转身带领河族众猫离开了。顷刻间，河族的巡逻队消失在树丛里。
豹毛充满威胁的话使火心感到不寒而栗。一想到这次战斗也许开启了一场战争，一种不祥的预感就像阴云般笼罩在他的心头。
坏脚一瘸一拐地走上前说：“我们也该离开了。你们两位帮了风族的大忙，我们对此深表感谢。”这些原先表示感激的话在这场激战之后显得空洞无物。虎掌点点头，坏脚和一根须转身回家。当一根须经过身边的时候，火心向他轻声道别。一根须瞅了他一眼，继续上路。
火心注意到沙爪正站在峡谷边朝可怕的谷里望下去。她的四爪像是冻结在地面上，目不转睛地盯着汹涌的瀑布。火心估摸她已经意识到自己差一点儿就落得和白掌一样的下场。
火心正要向她走去，却听虎掌大声说：“跟我来！”
说完他当先领路走进树林，巡逻队跟在他身后。火心站在灰条身边犹豫了一下，催促说：“走吧，我们应该跟上去！”灰条耸了耸肩膀，两眼蒙着一层痛苦的阴云，目光黯淡。
他挪动脚步，四肢沉重得好像是石头做的一般。
巡逻队已经走出了他们的视线，但火心能凭借他们留下的气味跟在后面。虎掌领着大家径直穿过河族狭长的森林。现在已经没有必要担心河族的巡逻队了。造成的损失已无法挽回，再绕远路从“四棵树”回家毫无意义。
巡逻队在雷族的边界处停下脚步等候火心和灰条。
看到他们来了，虎掌呵斥说：“我想我告诉过你们跟我来。”
火心说：“灰条——”
虎掌打断他的话说：“灰条越早回到营地，事情便越好办。”
灰条没有吱声。但火心听了虎掌冷酷的话却气不打一处来：“白掌的死不是他的错！”
虎掌移开目光，说：“我知道，但事情毕竟发生了。走吧，这次别掉队！”说着，他经过边界处的气味标记走进雷族的领地。
自从离开风族的营地以来火心便一直在盼望着这一刻。但此时由于他关注着灰条，竟连什么时候走过边界都不知道。
雨停了。巡逻队沿着熟悉的道路回到营地，当他们出现在营门口时，一些猫从巢穴里跳了出来，翘着尾巴向他们致意。
鼠毛大声问：“你们找到风族了吗？他们都安全吗？”火心默默地点点头，心里空荡荡的不知道该说什么好。鼠毛的尾巴垂了下去，其他的猫也停在会场边没有再往前走。从回来的这些猫脸上的表情，他们看出大事不妙。
虎掌向火心和灰条命令说：“跟我来。”说完带着他们走向蓝星的巢穴。火心跟灰条走得很近，这样，他便能与他的朋友保持身体接触。灰条只顾走路，既没有靠过来，也没有避开。
蓝星的巢穴内传出温馨的问候声。三只猫走进洞内。
蓝星侧着身坐起说：“欢迎归来！你们找到风族了吗？你们把他们带回来了吗？”
火心平静地回答说：“是的，蓝星。他们现在已安全返回营地，高星让我转告他对你的谢意。”
蓝星说：“太好了，太好了！”当她注意到虎掌阴郁的表情时，她眼神一暗：“出什么事了？”
虎掌大声说：“火心擅自做主穿过河族的领地回来。”
灰条第一次抬起头，开口说：“这不是火心自己做的主——”
虎掌打断他的话说：“他们被河族的一支巡逻队发现了。如果不是我们听见他们的呼救及时赶到的话，他们也许再也回不了家了。”
蓝星顿时轻松下来，说：“这么说是你救了他们，谢谢你，虎掌。”
虎掌哼了一声：“事情没那么简单。他们在峡谷边打斗，和灰条战斗的一名河族武士掉进峡谷里了。”火心注意到，灰条听了虎掌的话后身体颤抖了一下。
蓝星睁大了眼睛，一副被吓坏的样子，问：“死了？”
火心飞快地说：“这件事纯属意外！灰条从不会为了边界之争而杀死任何一只猫！”
虎掌转头看着火心，尾巴左右摇晃：“我怀疑豹毛是否也如此看待这件事。你以为自己在干什么？你们是从河族的领地里通过，而且还和风族的猫在一起。你们传递出的消息就是我们是风族的同盟，这个消息只能使河族和影族走得更近。”
蓝星更加吃惊地问：“风族和你们一起出现在河族领地里？”
火心小声说：“只是风族的两名武士罢了。高星让他们护送我们回家，我们太累了——”
虎掌插言道：“你们根本就不该出现在河族的领地里，特别是跟风族的猫一起。”
火心争辩：“这不是什么同盟，他们是陪同我们回家！”
虎掌轻蔑地说：“河族知道这一点吗？”
“河族知道我们出来寻找风族，并将他们带回家园。他们在森林大会上同意了的。他们不应该袭击我们——因为我们是在执行一项特殊的任务，就如同去月亮石一样。”
虎掌斥责说：“他们并没有允许你们经过他们的领地！你仍旧不明白猫族处理事情的方式，是吗？”
蓝星站起身，目光闪烁地扫视了一眼这三只猫，平静地说：“你们不该闯入河族的领地，这么做非常危险。”她神情严肃地看着火心和灰条。火心看着她的眼睛，等待更加严厉的斥责，但蓝星没有再责备他们。他心里又是感激又是愧疚。他们和河族结下了深仇大恨，这将在未来很长一段时间威胁到雷族的安全。
蓝星不安地晃了晃尾巴继续说：“同时，你们又办了件大好事，找到了风族并将他们带回家园。但我们需要严加防备河族的袭击。火心、灰条，霜毛告诉我说她的两个孩子已经准备好参加武士训练了，我想让你们各带一个她的孩子。”
火心大吃一惊。这是多么高的荣誉啊！他简直不敢相信蓝星说的话——特别是现在这个时候。他偷偷瞅了虎掌一眼，虎掌看上去就像一块岩石般无动于衷。
灰条抬起头说：“但霜毛的孩子们都不足六个月啊！”
“过不了几天他们就有六个月了。在最后一次森林大会上，各族的意见大相径庭，这令我很不安。今天——”蓝星的声音越来越小，火心看到灰条又低下头去。
虎掌看着蓝星，目光十分冷漠。他问：“让更有经验的武士，比如长尾或者黑条，带另一个学徒是不是更好些？这两位自己本身就没比学徒强到哪里去！”
蓝星说：“我原先也是这么考虑的。但长尾教导迅爪已经够忙了，黑条则正在指导尘爪如何成为一名武士。”
虎掌问：“那么奔风如何？”
蓝星回答：“奔风是一位优秀的捕猎手和一名忠诚的武士，但我认为他没有当老师的那份耐性，族群还有别的事情要倚重他的才能。”
虎掌讥讽道：“你认为这两个够本领训练雷族的武士吗？”
火心打了个寒战。虎掌在说话时眼睛独独只盯着他，他愤愤不平地想：虎掌是否认为一只宠物猫没有资格去训练一只族生猫呢？
蓝星看着虎掌说：“我们会知道他们是否有这个本领的。别忘了，是他们将风族带回家园的。当然，虎掌，”她补充说，“我还要靠你去监管他们的训练。”虎掌点点头。蓝星转头对火心和灰条说：“去吃点儿东西吧，然后休息一下。月亮升起时我们要举行命名典礼。”
火心和灰条先后走出蓝星的巢穴，留下虎掌和蓝星在一起。
天上已经下起了毛毛雨。火心闻到会场上食物堆飘来的香味说：“我快饿死了。你要取些吃的吗？”
灰条意志消沉地站在他的身后，缓缓摇头说：“我只想睡一觉。”
吃饱了饭，火心走回武士巢穴。灰条卷成一团已经蒙头大睡了。火心的眼皮很沉重，但由于毛仍然湿淋淋的，他只好强迫自己在睡觉前将身体彻彻底底地清理了一遍。
柳带将火心轻轻捅醒，小声说：“到典礼开始的时间了。”火心抬起头眨眨眼睛说：“谢谢你，柳带。”
火心顶了顶灰条低声说：“典礼开始了。”然后他站起来伸了个大大的懒腰。要成为师父了！想到这里火心激动得爪子都有些颤抖。
灰条蠕动了一会儿，慢慢舒展开身体，动作活像一只老猫。突然，火心的爪子就像记起他们的长途跋涉一样，又开始酸痛了。
还好雨停了。火心和灰条走进会场，谁都没有说话。月光将树枝都涂上了一层银色的光彩。
“你们将风族带回家了，干得漂亮！”祝贺声吓了火心一跳。他转身看见半尾就坐在他身边，只听半尾又对他说：“今晚你一定要将整个过程给老猫们讲讲。”
火心心不在焉地点点头，扭过头又望向会场。霜毛已经坐在了高岩下，左右两边分别坐着一只幼崽，一只灰色，另一只姜黄色。霜毛正扭过头舔他们的脑门儿。那只灰色的小母猫怪她的母亲小题大做，不耐烦地抖了抖脑袋。
火心的毛又激动地竖立起来。
看见身边的灰条低着头，火心问：“你不感到兴奋吗？”
灰条耸了耸肩膀。
“灰条，”火心压低嗓门说，“白掌的死不是你的错。那是一场在错误的地点发动的攻击，河族会明白这一点的。沙爪也差点儿掉进峡谷里。”
他瞧了瞧附近的沙爪，看见尘爪就坐在她的旁边正朝这边瞪过来，目光中充满了忌妒。火心并不怪他。自己即将成为老师了，而尘爪却连武士还不是。只听尘爪凑近沙爪的耳边大声说：“我真替火心的徒弟感到遗憾。想想一名族生猫被一只宠物猫教导会是怎样一幅场景！”这些话令火心的心里一颤。
但这次沙爪听了没有反应，只是不安地看了火心一眼。
火心转过头对灰条说：“蓝星不会怪你的，她知道你是一位优秀的武士。她让你带徒弟了啊。”
灰条抬起头苦涩地说：“她这么做只是因为雷族需要更多的学徒罢了。并且我们为什么需要带徒弟呢？因为我给了河族一个痛恨我们的理由吗？”
灰条这些刺耳的话使火心非常吃惊。他正要说话，这时听见蓝星召唤他们。
他们走到会场中央。蓝星看着聚集在会场上的众猫说：“今晚，我们大家聚集在一起，来为我们的两名新学徒进行命名。你们两个，过来这边。”
那个灰色的幼崽从母亲的身边冲入会场，毛茸茸的尾巴高高翘起，蓝眼睛睁得大大的。那只姜黄色的幼崽动作则缓慢许多，他竖起双耳，皱着眉头，一副郑重其事的模样，走到高岩下面。
火心的心脏开始怦怦直跳——哪个幼崽会成为他的徒弟呢？他自然而然地感觉到那个严肃的幼崽教起来会容易些，但那个灰色幼崽身上的那股莽撞的热情，却使他联想起自己当初加入族群时的情景。
蓝星低头盯着那个灰色的小家伙说：“从今天开始直到她拥有武士名号为止，这名学徒的名字就叫炭爪。”
那只灰色的幼崽叫了出来：“炭爪！”霜毛赶紧小声让她安静，炭爪歉意地低下头。
蓝星说：“火心，你已经准备好了收你的第一个徒弟，就由你来训练炭爪吧。”火心胸中涌起一股自豪之意。“火心，曾有不止一位老师教导过你，这是非常幸运的事。我希望你能把我教你的每一件本领都传授给这个学徒……”——蓝星的话中赋予他的重任突然压得他有些喘不过气来，他不知道自己是否已经准备好了承担这份责任——“还要传授给她你学自虎掌和狮心的本领。”
听到狮心的名字，火心眼前好像出现了一幅那名金黄色武士从银河上用充满温情和鼓励的目光俯视着他的画面。他抬起头坚定地回视着蓝星的目光。
“而这名学徒，”蓝星将目光移向那个姜黄色的幼崽，“他的名字就叫蕨爪。”蕨爪既没有动也没有说话。
“灰条，就由你来训练他。我们的故友狮心曾是你的老师。我希望他的技艺和智慧能够经由你传授给这个学徒。”
听了蓝星的话，灰条高高仰起头，眼里闪着自豪的目光。他走上前用鼻子轻触他的新徒弟的鼻子。蕨爪彬彬有礼地做出回应，只不过他那双星星般闪亮的眼睛显示出他并不如姐姐那么兴奋。
火心看到这对师徒互触鼻子，突然意识到自己也应当这么做。于是他快步上前，炭爪也恰于此时伸长脖子，师徒的鼻子猛地撞在一起，都感到很疼痛。炭爪又顶了顶火心的鼻子，这次动作没有那么鲁莽，火心眼里顿时涌出激动的泪水。他看到炭爪正竭力忍住笑，感到一阵尴尬。他提醒自己说：我是老师了。
火心看看周围其他的猫，见众猫都在点头赞许。接着他的目光遇到了虎掌。虎掌站在空地边缘，那双琥珀色的眼睛似乎充满着讥讽。
火心连忙低头看看炭爪，后者正崇敬地凝视着他。火心的毛一下子竖立起来。他最想做的就是成为一名伟大的武士和一位优秀的老师，但事情看来注定要经历一番坎坷。此刻，虎掌正坐在那里等着看他的笑话。
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER9
Fireheart woke to find Graystripe sittingbeside him, hunched on his belly like a rabbit, his shoulders stiff and his fur fluffed out. “Graystripe?” he meowed quietly.
Graystripe jumped.
“Are you okay?”
Graystripe sat up straight. “I’m fine.” Fireheart suspected that his friend’s cheery mew wasn’t heartfelt, but at least he was trying to be more positive.
“It looks cold,” Fireheart meowed. Graystripe’s words had billowed out in clouds. Fireheart was still snuggled down among the warm bodies of the other warriors.
“It is!” Graystripe bent to lick his chest.
Fireheart sat up and shook his head. The air tasted of frost. “What are you going to do with Brackenpaw today?” he asked.
“Show him the forest,” answered Graystripe.
“I could bring Cinderpaw, and we could travel together.”
“It might be better if we travel alone today,” answered Graystripe.
Fireheart felt a bit hurt. They had been shown ThunderClan’s hunting grounds together as apprentices. He would have liked to do it together again as mentors. But if Graystripe wanted to be by himself, then Fireheart could hardly blame him. “Fine,” he mewed. “I’ll see you later. We can share a mouse and compare apprentices.”
“That’d be good,” Graystripe meowed.
Fireheart crept out of the den. The air outside was even colder. His breath swirled from his muzzle like smoke. He shivered, ruffling out his fur, and stretched one leg at a time. The ground under his paws felt like stone as he trotted over to the apprentices’ den. Cinderpaw was fast asleep inside, a fluffy gray heap that rose and fell as she breathed.
“Cinderpaw,” Fireheart called quietly, and the little gray cat lifted her head at once. Fireheart backed out, and in a moment Cinderpaw bounded from the den, wide-awake and enthusiastic.
“What are we doing today?” she mewed, looking up at him with her ears pricked.
“I thought I’d take you on a tour of ThunderClan territory.”
“Will we see the Thunderpath?” asked Cinderpaw eagerly.
“Er, yes, we will,” Fireheart replied. He couldn’t help thinking Cinderpaw would be disappointed when she saw what a dirty, stinking place it was. “Are you hungry?” he asked, wondering if he should tell her to eat first.
“No!” Cinderpaw shook her head.
“Oh, okay. We’ll eat later,” Fireheart meowed. “Well, follow me.”
“Yes, Fireheart.” The young cat looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. The pang of sadness that had been lingering in Fireheart’s stomach since talking with Graystripe was swept away by a warm feeling of pride. He turned and padded toward the camp entrance.
Cinderpaw raced past him and charged through the gorse tunnel. Fireheart had to break into a run to catch up. “I thought I said follow me!” he called as she scrambled up the side of the ravine.
“But I want to see the view from the top,” Cinderpaw protested.
Fireheart leaped after her. He overtook her easily, climbed to the top, and sat washing a forepaw, keeping an eye on her as she scrambled from rock to rock. By the time she reached the top of the camp ravine she was panting, but no less enthusiastic. “Look at the trees! They look like they’re made from moonstone,” she mewed breathlessly.
She was right. The trees below them sparkled white in the sunshine. Fireheart took a deep breath of cold air. “You should try to save your energy,” he warned. “We have a long way to go today.”
“Oh, yes. Okay. Which way now?” She kneaded the ground with impatient paws, ready to dart away into the woods.
“Follow me,” meowed Fireheart. He narrowed his eyes playfully. “And this time I do mean follow!” He led the way to a trail along the edge of the ravine, into the sandy hollow where he had learned to hunt and fight.
“This is where most of our training sessions will be held,” he explained. During greenleaf, the trees that circled the clearing filtered the sunshine into a warm dappled light. Now cold daylight streamed down onto the frozen red earth.
“A river ran here many moons ago. A stream still flows beyond that rise there,” meowed Fireheart, pointing with his muzzle. “It’s dry most of the summer. That’s where I caught my first prey.”
“What did you catch?” Cinderpaw didn’t wait for an answer. “Will the stream be frozen? Let’s look and see if there’s ice!” She charged down into the hollow and headed toward the rise.
“You’ll see it another time!” Fireheart called. But Cinderpaw kept running, and Fireheart had to race after her. He stopped beside her at the top of the rise and together they looked down at the stream. Ice had formed at the edges, but the speed of the water as it slid over its sandy bed had stopped it from freezing over completely.
“You wouldn’t catch much there now,” mewed Cinderpaw. “Except fish maybe.”
The sight of the spot where he had caught his first prey filled Fireheart with happy memories. He watched Cinderpaw stand at the edge of the stream and crane her neck to peer into the black water. “If I were you, I’d leave fishing to RiverClan,” Fireheart warned her. “If they like getting their fur wet, then let them. I prefer dry paws.”
Cinderpaw padded restlessly around in a circle. “What now?”
Her excitement, and his own apprentice memories, filled Fireheart with energy. He bounded away, calling over his shoulder, “The Owl Tree!” Cinderpaw charged after him, her short fluffy tail sticking out behind her.
They crossed the stream over a fallen tree Fireheart had used many times before. “There are stepping-stones farther down, but this is a quicker route. Be careful though!” The pale white trunk was stripped of its bark. “It gets slippery when it’s wet or icy.”
He let Cinderpaw cross first, keeping close behind in case she lost her pawhold. The stream wasn’t particularly deep, but it would be cold as ice, and Cinderpaw was still too small to cope with a soaking.
She crossed the log easily, and Fireheart felt a glow of pride as he watched his apprentice jump down onto the forest floor at the far end. “Well done,” he purred.
Cinderpaw’s eyes shone. “Thanks,” she mewed. “Now, where’s this Owl Tree?”
“This way!” Fireheart bounded away through the undergrowth. The ferns had turned brown since greenleaf. By the end of leaf-fall, they would be flattened by rain and wind, but now they still stood tall and crisp. Fireheart and Cinderpaw wove their way beneath the arching fronds.
Ahead, a massive oak towered above the surrounding trees. Cinderpaw tipped her head back, looking for the top. “Does an owl really live here?” she mewed.
“Yes,” replied Fireheart. “Can you see the hole in the trunk up there?”
Cinderpaw narrowed her eyes to peer through the branches. “How do you know it’s not a squirrel hole?”
“Smell!” Fireheart told her.
Cinderpaw sniffed loudly but shook her head, her eyes curious as she looked up at Fireheart.
“I’ll show you what squirrels smell like another time,” Fireheart meowed. “You won’t smell any around here. No squirrel would dare make its nest so near an owl hole. Look at the ground; what do you see?”
Cinderpaw looked down, puzzled. “Leaves?”
“Try burrowing under the leaves.”
The forest floor was carpeted with brown oak leaves, crisp with frost. Cinderpaw began snuffling among them and then shoved her nose in right up to her ears. When she sat up there was something the size and shape of a pinecone in her mouth. “Yuck, smells like crow-food!” she spat. Fireheart purred with amusement.
“You knew it was there, didn’t you?”
“Bluestar played the same trick on me when I was an apprentice. You’ll never forget the stench.”
“What is it?”
“An owl pod,” Fireheart explained. He remembered what Bluestar had told him. “Owls eat the same prey as us, but they can’t digest the bones and fur, so their bellies roll the leftovers into pods and they spit them out. If you find one of those under a tree, it means you’ve found an owl.”
“Why would you want to find an owl?” squeaked Cinderpaw in alarm. Fireheart’s whiskers twitched as he looked into her wide eyes, as blue as her mother’s. Frostfur must have told her the elders’ tale of how owls carried off young kits who strayed from their mother’s side.
“Owls get a better view of the forest than we do. On windy nights, when scents are hard to follow, you can look out for owls and follow where they hunt.” Cinderpaw’s eyes were still wide, but the fear had left them, and she nodded. She does listen sometimes!Fireheart thought with relief.
“Where next?” mewed Cinderpaw.
“The Great Sycamore,” Fireheart decided. They traveled through the woods as the sun rose into the pale blue sky, crossing a Twoleg path and another tiny stream. Eventually they arrived at the sycamore tree.
“It’s huge!” Cinderpaw gasped.
“Smallear says he climbed to the top branch when he was an apprentice,” Fireheart meowed.
“No way!” mewed Cinderpaw.
“Mind you, when Smallear was an apprentice, this tree was probably only a sapling!” Fireheart joked. He was still gazing up when a rustling sound behind him told him Cinderpaw had dashed off again. He sighed and chased after her through the bracken. His nose detected a familiar scent that made him nervous. Cinderpaw was heading toward Snakerocks. Adders!Fireheart picked up his pace.
He emerged from the trees and looked around anxiously. Cinderpaw was standing on a boulder at the bottom of the steep, rocky slope. “Come on; I’ll race you to the top!” she mewed.
Fireheart froze, horror-struck, as she crouched, ready to spring onto the next boulder. “Cinderpaw! Get down from there!” he yowled.
He held his breath as Cinderpaw turned and scrambled down again. She stood trembling, her fur on end, as Fireheart rushed over to her. “This place is called Snakerocks,” he puffed.
Cinderpaw looked up at him, her eyes huge. “Snakerocks?”
“Adders live up there. A bite from one of those would kill a cat as small as you!” Fireheart gave Cinderpaw a quick lick on top of her head. “Come on. Let’s have a look at the Thunderpath.”
Cinderpaw stopped shaking at once. “The Thunderpath?”
“Yep,” meowed Fireheart. “Follow me!” He led Cinderpaw through the ferns, along a trail that skirted Snakerocks and took them to the part of the forest where the Thunderpath cut through like a hard, gray river of stone.
Fireheart kept one eye on Cinderpaw as they peered out from the edge of the forest. He could see from her twitching tail that Cinderpaw was desperate to creep forward and sniff the Thunderpath ahead of them. A familiar roar was beginning to ruffle his ear fur, and he could feel the ground trembling beneath his paws. “Stay where you are!” he warned. “There’s a monster coming.”
Cinderpaw opened her mouth a little. “Yuck!” she mewed, screwing up her nose and flattening her ears. The rumbling noise was coming closer, and a shape appeared on the horizon. “Is that a monster?” she mewed. Fireheart nodded.
Cinderpaw unsheathed her claws to grip the earth as the monster roared closer. She shut her eyes tight as it charged past, stirring the air around them into a storm of wind and thunder. She kept her eyes shut until the noise had faded into the distance.
Fireheart shook his head to clear his scent glands. “Sniff the air,” he meowed. “Can you smell anything apart from the Thunderpath stench?” He waited while Cinderpaw lifted her head and took several deep breaths.
After a few moments she mewed, “I remember that scent from when Brokenstar attacked our camp. And it was on the kits he took, when you brought them home. It’s ShadowClan! Is that their territory, beyond the Thunderpath?”
“Yes,” Fireheart answered, feeling his fur tingle at the thought of being so close to hostile Clan territory. “We’d better get out of here.”
He decided to take Cinderpaw the long way home past Twolegplace, so she could see Tallpines and the Treecut place.
As they padded beneath the thin pine trees, the scents of Twolegplace made Fireheart uneasy, even though he’d lived in a place not far from there as a kit. “Stay alert,” he warned Cinderpaw as she crept along behind him. “Twolegs sometimes walk here with dogs.”
The two cats crouched under the trees to look at the fences that bordered the Twoleg territory. The crisp air carried a scent to Fireheart’s nose that stirred an odd feeling of warmth inside him, although he didn’t know why.
“Look!” Cinderpaw pointed with her nose at a she-cat padding across the forest floor. The light brown tabby had a distinctive white chest and white front paws. Her belly was swollen, heavy with unborn kits.
“Kittypet!” sneered Cinderpaw, her fur fluffed out. “Let’s chase her out!”
Fireheart expected to feel the familiar rush of aggression at the sight of a stranger on ThunderClan territory, but his hackles stayed flat. For some reason he couldn’t understand, he knew this cat wasn’t a threat. Before Cinderpaw could attack, Fireheart deliberately brushed against a stalk of crunchy bracken.
The she-cat looked up, disturbed by the crackling noise. Her eyes widened with alarm; then she whipped around and set off at a lumbering pace, out of the trees. Within moments she was heaving herself over one of the Twoleg fences.
“Rats!” complained Cinderpaw. “I wanted to chase her! I bet Brackenpaw will have chased hundreds of things today.”
“Yeah, but he probably didn’t nearly get bitten by an adder,” replied Fireheart, twitching his tail at her. “Now come on; I’m getting hungry.”
Cinderpaw followed him through Tallpines, grumbling about the pine needles pricking her paws. Fireheart warned her to keep quiet, since there was no undergrowth here to hide in and he felt every Clan cat’s discomfort at being in the open. They followed one of the stinking tracks gouged out by the Treecut monster and stopped at the edge of the Treecut place. It was silent, as Fireheart knew it would be until next greenleaf. Until then, only the track marks—deep and wide and frozen into the soil—would remind ThunderClan of the monster that lived in their forest.
By the time they arrived back at camp, Fireheart was exhausted; his muscles were still weary from the long journey with WindClan. Cinderpaw looked tired too. She stifled a yawn and padded away to find Brackenpaw.
Fireheart spotted Graystripe beckoning to him from beside the nettle clump.
“Here, I’ve got you some fresh-kill,” Graystripe meowed. He hooked a dead mouse with his claw and flung it toward Fireheart.
Fireheart caught it in his teeth and lay down next to Graystripe. “Good day?” he mumbled with his mouth full.
“Better than yesterday,” answered Graystripe. Fireheart glanced up at him, worried, but Graystripe went on: “I enjoyed it, actually. Brackenpaw’s keen to learn, that’s for sure!”
“So is Cinderpaw.” Fireheart went back to chewing.
“Mind you,” Graystripe went on with a sparkle in his eye, “I kept forgetting I was the mentor and not the apprentice!”
“Me too,” Fireheart admitted.
They shared tongues until the moon rose and the coldness of the night drove them into their den. Graystripe was snoring within moments, but Fireheart felt strangely awake. The image of the pregnant she-cat kept returning to his mind, and even though he was surrounded by the familiar smells of ThunderClan, her soft kittypet scent lingered in his nostrils.
He fell asleep at last, but his dreams all carried the same scent, until finally he dreamed of his days as a kit. He remembered lying beside his mother’s belly, curled in a bed softer than any forest moss with his brothers and sisters. And still the scent of the she-cat lingered.
Fireheart opened his eyes, suddenly jolted out of his sleep. Of course! The she-cat he had seen in the woods .  .  . was his sister!
第九章
第九章
火心醒来时发现灰条就坐在身边，像只兔子般蜷着后腿耸着肩膀，神情有些紧张。于是他轻轻地唤道：“灰条？”
灰条猛然一惊。
“你没事吧？”
灰条身体坐得笔直：“我很好。”火心怀疑他的朋友是在强打精神，不过至少灰条正努力振作起来，这一点令火心多少感到安慰。
几个纵跃之下，火心已赶到炭爪前面，跳上沟后，他坐在那里一边舔着前爪一边瞅着他的徒弟在石头间磕磕绊绊地蹦来蹦去。几番周折后，炭爪也爬上了沟，尽管她上气不接下气，仍是热情不减。她气喘吁吁地说：“快看那些树！它们就像是月亮石做的。”
她说的没错。那些树在阳光的照耀下都反射着白光。火心深吸了口冰冷的空气，提醒说：“你应该保存体力，今天我们还要走很长的路。”
“哦，是，好的。现在往哪边走？”她不耐烦地用爪子蹭着地面，跃跃欲试，准备冲进森林里。
火心觉得又好气又好笑，眯着眼睛说：“跟我来，这次别再跑到我的前面了！”他领着炭爪沿着沟边走，来到原先他学艺的沙坑。
他解释说：“今后我们要有大部分的课程在这里进行。”此时阳光正透过头顶树叶的间隙照进来，在地面上形成团团光斑。
“很久以前这里曾是一条河，再往那边还有一条溪。”说着火心用鼻子指了指方向，“那条溪在夏天的大部分时间里是干涸的。我的第一只猎物就是在那里捉的。”
“你捉的什么？”不等火心回答，炭爪又问，“那条溪会结冰吗？我们去看看溪里有没有结冰！”说着她跳进沙坑很快又冲上沙坑的另一边。
火心叫道：“你会在别的时候看到的！”但炭爪没有停下脚步，火心不得不追过去。他在溪流的岸边停下脚步走到炭爪身边，两只猫一起望着溪水。在溪水两侧靠岸的地方已经结冰了，但由于溪水流动的速度快，因此并没有完全上冻。
炭爪说：“你现在再也不能在那里捉到什么东西了，不过也许能捉到鱼。”
火心第一次捉到猎物的地方唤起了他美好的回忆。只见炭爪站在溪边伸长脖子往溪水里瞅。火心警告说：“如果我是你，就会把鱼留给河族。既然他们喜欢将毛浸湿，就让他们浸湿好了。我可是喜欢干燥的爪子。”
炭爪一刻不停地在原地转着圈说：“现在干什么？”
徒弟的兴奋以及自己对学徒生活的美好回忆，都使火心全身充满了能量。他一边撒开腿猛跑，一边回头喊道：“去猫头鹰树！”炭爪翘着毛茸茸的小尾巴紧紧地跟着火心。
他们从树干上过溪，这对于火心来说已经是轻车熟路了。“顺着溪往下走会有许多鹅卵石，可以踩着它们过溪，但是这条路更近些。小心点儿！那根树干的树皮都已经脱落了，上面有水或者结冰的时候就会很滑。”
火心让炭爪先过，自己则走在她身后以防其失足落水。虽然溪水不是很深，但却冰冷刺骨，而且炭爪还太小，不能处理落水的情况。
炭爪轻轻松松便走到对岸。看到她跳上对岸，火心感到很是自豪，称赞道：“干得漂亮。”
炭爪顿时两眼放光，说：“谢谢。现在，去那个什么猫头鹰树怎么走？”
“这边！”火心说着钻进灌木丛里。这些灌木已经开始渐渐变成棕色，在落叶季节结束前，它们将在风吹雨淋下变得稀疏，不过现在这些灌木仍旧繁茂。火心和炭爪在灌木丛里迂回穿行。
前方，一棵巨大的橡树卓尔不群地挺立在周围一片树林中。炭爪仰着脖子望着树冠问：“这里真的有猫头鹰吗？”
火心回答道：“是的，你看见树干高处的那些洞了吗？”
炭爪眯缝着眼睛透过树枝间隙往上看：“你怎么知道那不是松鼠窝呢？”
火心告诉她：“闻一下！”
炭爪大声地嗅了嗅，但却摇摇头：“我什么也没闻到啊！”然后好奇地看着火心。
火心说：“你在这里闻不到任何松鼠的气味，我会在别的时候让你闻。没有哪只松鼠敢在猫头鹰洞旁边筑巢。看看地上，看到什么了？”
炭爪低头看了看，茫然不解地说：“树叶？”
“在树叶下找找看！”
地上铺满了棕色的橡树树叶，叶子上结满了霜，变得很脆。炭爪开始在树叶上嗅来嗅去，然后将头拱进树叶堆里，只露出双耳。当她直起身子时，嘴里有个松果形状的东西。
她张口骂道：“呸，味道像腐肉！”火心看得扑哧一乐。
“你早就知道，是吗？”
“我还是一个学徒时，蓝星就是用同样的方法让我吃亏上当的。你永远也忘不了这种气味。”
“这是什么？”
“一块猫头鹰屎。”火心解释说，他回忆着蓝星当初的教导，“猫头鹰和我们吃同样的东西，但它们不能消化骨头和皮毛，因此就在肚子里将食物的残毛剩骨揉进粪便里排泄出来。如果你在一棵树下面找到这些东西，就说明你发现了一只猫头鹰。”
炭爪紧张地尖叫道：“你为什么要找猫头鹰呢？”火心抽动了一下猫须，看着他徒弟的那双大眼睛，炭爪的眼睛和她妈妈的眼睛一样。霜毛一定告诉过她那个代代相传的故事：
猫头鹰会叼走那些离开妈妈身边的小猫咪。
“猫头鹰的视力比我们好。在有风的夜晚，所有的气味都被风吹散了，我们便很难根据气味寻找猎物，这时我们就可以到猫头鹰捕猎的地方去碰碰运气。”炭爪的眼睛仍然睁得大大的，但她已经不再感到害怕，点了点头。火心松了口气，暗想：她有时还是蛮听话的！
炭爪问：“接下来去哪里？”
火心决定说：“去巨悬铃树。”太阳已升上浅蓝色的天空。他们师徒穿过树林，经过一条两腿动物的小路和另外一条小溪。最后，他们来到巨悬铃树下。
“真大啊！”炭爪赞叹道。
火心说：“小耳说他当学徒的时候曾爬到这棵树的树顶上。”
炭爪说：“不可能！”
火心开玩笑说：“别忘了，小耳做学徒时，这棵树也许还是棵小树苗呢！”就在他仰头望着巨悬铃树的时候，身后传来沙沙的声响：炭爪又跑了。他叹了口气，跟着她钻进灌木丛里。突然，他闻到了一股熟悉的气味，这股气味立刻令他提高了警觉。炭爪正向蛇岩奔去。有毒蛇！火心赶忙加快脚步。
他从树林中出来，焦急地四下张望，看见炭爪正站在那条陡峭、布满碎石的斜坡脚下的一块大石头上。她说：“快来，比比看谁先到坡上！”
火心吓得四肢都僵硬了。炭爪扎开架式正准备跳上另一块石头，火心连忙大喊：“炭爪！快从那里下来！”
炭爪转身从石头上爬下来，火心冲到吓得发抖的炭爪身边，告诉她说：“这个地方叫蛇岩。”
炭爪抬头看着他，眼睛睁得大大的：“蛇岩？”
火心飞快地舔了一下炭爪的小脑门儿，说：“毒蛇就住在这里。被它们咬上一口，你就死了。走吧，我们去看雷鬼路。”
炭爪立刻停止了颤抖：“雷鬼路？”
“没错。跟着我！”火心带着炭爪穿过金雀花丛，沿着一条小路绕开蛇岩，一直走到雷鬼路。只见那条石头铺砌的坚硬的雷鬼路就如同一条灰色河流从森林当中横穿而过。
他们从树林中出来向雷鬼路走去，火心死死地盯着炭爪。从炭爪晃动的尾巴上，他能看出她很渴望上前去嗅嗅雷鬼路的气味。一声熟悉的长鸣令火心有些紧张，他能感到脚下的地面在颤动，于是他警告说：“站在原地别动！有一只怪物过来了。”
炭爪稍微张开嘴。“呸！”她啐了口唾沫，卷起上唇盖住鼻孔，贴平耳朵遮住耳洞。那个震天动地的声音越来越近了，远方地平线出现了一个轮廓。炭爪问：“那个是怪物吗？”火心点了点头。
不一会儿，怪物从他们面前呼啸而过，炭爪张开爪子紧紧抓住地面。疾驰的怪物卷起阵阵强风，发出轰鸣的噪声，炭爪吓得紧闭双眼，直到怪物的声音逐渐远去。
火心晃晃脑袋，甩掉口腔里存留的刺鼻气味，说：“嗅嗅空气，除了雷鬼路的气味以外你还能闻到什么？”炭爪仰起脸大口地呼吸空气。
过了一会儿，她说：“断星袭击营地的时候我闻过这种气味。你将那些被他掳走的幼崽们带回来时，他们身上便是这种气味。是影族！雷鬼路那边是影族的领地吗？”
“是的。”火心回答。离敌人的领地这么近，使他心里有些紧张，“我们最好离开这里。”
他决定带着炭爪绕远路经由两腿动物的地盘回家，这样，她就能看看松林和伐木场。
虽然火心还是幼崽的时候住的地方距离松林并不远，但走在松林里，这片两腿动物地盘里的气味仍使火心感到很不舒服。他提醒跟在身后的炭爪说：“保持警惕，两腿动物们有时会牵着狗在这里散步。”
两只猫伏在树林里，向围在两腿动物地盘外的围栏望去，忽然，火心的鼻子从清新的空气中嗅到一股气味，也不知是什么原因，这股气味竟然在他的心里引起一种温馨的感觉。
“看！”炭爪朝一只走在林间的母猫扬了扬鼻子。那只母猫全身都呈浅棕色，唯有肚腹和四肢是白色，色彩十分鲜明。她的肚子鼓得大大的，因怀着孩子而显得行动十分笨拙。
看到雷族的领地里有一个入侵者，火心原以为自己会像往常般产生攻击的冲动，但他颈部的毛却始终没有竖起来。他也不知道为什么，反正知道这只猫没有威胁。就在炭爪出击之前，火心有意蹭过一簇灌木。
那只母猫听到噼啪声，立刻抬起头。她睁大眼睛，显然紧张不安，接着她转身撒腿就往树林外跑。一会儿工夫，她便拖着笨重的身体翻过了两腿动物的围栏。
“都怪老鼠！”炭爪抱怨说，“我原想把她赶走的！我敢打赌，今天蕨爪一定赶走了成百上千的东西。”
“是的，但他决不会险些被毒蛇咬住。”火心冲她摆摆尾巴，“现在咱们走吧，我开始感到饿了。”
炭爪跟着他走在松林间，一路上不停抱怨地上的松针太扎脚。火心警告她保持安静。
因为这里根本没有灌木可供躲避，他觉得无论谁走在这种空旷的地方都会不自在的。他们沿着一条伐木怪物碾出的轮迹走到伐木场边缘。这里静悄悄的，火心知道在树叶发绿的季节以前，这里都会很安静。此时，只有这些轮迹——深深的、宽宽的、印在土壤里——提醒着雷族，在他们的森林里还住着一个怪物。
他们回到营地时，火心累得要命。为了寻找风族，他没少走路，至今肌肉仍感酸痛。
炭爪看起来也累得够戗，她强忍住一个哈欠，离开火心去找蕨爪。
火心看见灰条正坐在荨麻丛旁招呼他。
灰条说：“来这边，我给你带了食物。”他叼起一只老鼠朝火心掷了过来。
火心用嘴接住，挨着灰条趴下，一边大口咀嚼食物一边含糊不清地问：“今天过得好吗？”
灰条回答：“总好过昨天呗。”火心担心地瞅了他一眼，灰条却继续说道：“说实话，今天过得还不赖。蕨爪很好学，这是毫无疑问的！”
火心又开始咀嚼食物：“炭爪也很好学。”
灰条两眼放光，继续说：“不管你怎么想，反正今天我都忘了自己不再是学徒而是师父了！”
他们彼此为对方舔梳，直到月亮升起，夜晚的寒气将他们逼进巢穴里。不一会儿，灰条便哈欠连连，但火心却是异常地清醒。那只怀孕的母猫的形象不停地浮现在他的脑海里，即使现在他周围都充斥着雷族的气味，但她柔弱的宠物猫的气息似乎仍然滞留在他的鼻孔里。
火心终于睡着了，但梦里始终都有那股气息，最后他梦见自己幼年时的生活。他梦见自己就躺在母亲的肚子旁边，和兄弟姐妹一起，在比森林里任何苔藓都要柔软的窝里蜷成一团。自始至终那只母猫的气味都挥之不去。
突然，火心从梦中一下子惊醒过来，睁大了眼睛。没错！他在树林里看见的那只母猫……竟然是他的姐姐！
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER10
Fireheart woke at dawn with theimage of his sister still clear in his mind. He pushed his way out of the den, hoping the routine of the day would distract him. It was another cold, frosty morning. Whitestorm and Longtail were waiting near the camp entrance, preparing to leave on patrol. Mousefur padded past on her way to join them and greeted Fireheart with a cheery mew. Whitestorm called for Sandpaw, who came racing out of her den just in time to follow the patrol as it pounded out of the camp. It was a scene Fireheart had watched many times, but for once he didn’t yearn to join them as they thundered away into the morning-fresh forest.
He padded across the clearing, wondering if Cinderpaw was awake yet. Brindleface was just squeezing out of the narrow nursery entrance. A speckled kit followed her, then one more. A third kit, pale gray with darker flecks like the other, tumbled out and fell onto the ground.
Brindleface picked it up by its scruff and placed it gently back on its paws. The tenderness of Brindleface’s action brought Fireheart’s dream flooding back. His mother had probably done the same for him. He knew that Brindleface’s fourth kit had died soon after it was born, and she seemed to love the remaining kits even more fiercely now.
Fireheart was overwhelmed by a pang of envy at the thought that the other cats here all shared something he did not—they were all Clanborn. Fireheart had always been proud of his loyalty to the Clan that had taken him in and given him a life he would never have known as a kittypet. He still felt that loyalty—he would die to protect ThunderClan—but no one in the Clan understood or even respected his kittypet roots. Fireheart felt certain the she-cat he had seen yesterday would. With an ache in his heart, he wondered what memories they might share.
Fireheart heard Graystripe’s heavy pawsteps behind him. He turned to greet his friend, stretching his head to touch Graystripe’s nose, and asked, “Could you take Cinderpaw for the day?”
Graystripe looked curiously at Fireheart. “Why?”
“Oh, it’s nothing important,” replied Fireheart as casually as he could. “I just wanted to check out something I saw yesterday. Watch out for Cinderpaw, though; she doesn’t listen to orders very well. Don’t take your eyes off her or she’ll be charging off in every direction.”
Graystripe’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “She sounds like a pawful! Still, it’ll be good for Brackenpaw. He never charges off anywhere without thinking about it carefully first.”
“Thanks, Graystripe!” Fireheart bounded away toward the camp entrance before his friend could remember to ask him where he was going.
As the Twolegplace came into view through the trees, Fireheart dropped into a crouch. He opened his mouth and breathed in the cold morning air. No sign of a ThunderClan patrol, and no Twoleg scents either. He relaxed a little.
Slowly he approached the Twoleg fence where he had seen the she-cat disappear. He hesitated at the bottom and looked around, sniffing the air once more. Then he leaped, landing on a fence post in one easy jump. No Twolegs to be seen—just an empty garden with its strongly scented plants.
Fireheart felt exposed on the post. The branch of a tree hung low overhead. Its leaves had gone, but it would be easier to hide there. Silently he pulled himself up and lay down to wait, flattening himself against the rough bark.
Fireheart could see a swinging flap in the entrance to the Twolegplace. He had used one just like it as a kit. He fixed his gaze on the flap, hoping his sister’s face would appear at any moment. The sun rose slowly into the morning sky, but Fireheart started to feel cold. The damp branch was drawing the heat from his body. Perhaps the Twolegs were keeping his sister shut in. After all, her kitting would be soon. Fireheart licked a paw and wondered if he should go back to the camp.
Suddenly he heard a loud clatter. Fireheart looked up and saw his sister pop out through the swinging flap. The fur along his spine rippled with anticipation, and Fireheart fought to stop himself from leaping down into her garden straightaway. He knew he would frighten her, as he had done yesterday. He smelled like a forest cat now, not a friendly kittypet.
Fireheart waited until his sister had reached the end of the grass; then he crept to the tip of the branch and slipped down onto the fence. Quietly he jumped into the bushes below. The she-cat’s scent brought his dream flooding back to him.
How could he get her attention without frightening her? Desperately he searched his mind, trying to think of the name his sister had been given. He could remember only his own kittypet name. Fireheart called softly from the bushes, “It’s me, Rusty!”
The she-cat stopped dead and looked around. Fireheart took a deep breath and crept out from the bushes.
The cat’s eyes widened with terror. Fireheart knew how he must appear to her—lean and wild, with the sharp forest scents on his pelt. The she-cat raised her hackles and hissed ferociously. Fireheart couldn’t help feeling impressed by her courage.
In a flash he remembered his sister’s name. “Princess! It’s me, Rusty, your brother! Do you remember me?”
Princess remained tense. Fireheart guessed she was wondering how this strange cat could know these names. He dropped into a submissive crouch, hope soaring in his chest as he watched his sister’s expression slowly change from fear to curiosity.
“Rusty?” Princess sniffed the air, wide-eyed and wary. Fireheart took a careful step forward. Princess did not move, so Fireheart edged closer. Still, his sister held her ground until Fireheart was standing only a mouse-length away.
“You don’t smell like Rusty,” she mewed.
“I don’t live with Twolegs anymore. I’ve been living in the forest with ThunderClan. I carry their scent now.” She’s probably never heard of the Clans, Fireheart realized, remembering his own innocence before he’d met Graystripe in the woods.
Princess stretched her nose forward and rubbed her muzzle cautiously along his cheek. “But our mother’s smell is still there,” she murmured, half to herself. Her words filled Fireheart with happiness, until her eyes narrowed and she took a step backward, her ears flat with distrust. “Why are you here?” she asked.
“I saw you yesterday, in the woods,” Fireheart explained. “I had to come back to speak with you.”
“Why?”
Fireheart looked at her in surprise. “Because you’re my sister.” Surely she must feel something for him?
Princess studied him for a moment. To Fireheart’s relief, her guarded expression lifted. “You’re very thin,” she mewed critically.
“Thinner than a kittypet, maybe, but not thin for a Clan—a forest—cat,” Fireheart replied. “Your scent was in my dreams last night. I dreamed of you and our brothers and sister and .  .  .” Fireheart paused. “Where is our mother?”
“She’s still with her housefolk,” answered Princess.
“What about .  .  . ?”
Princess guessed what he was going to ask. “.  .  .  our brothers and sisters? Most of them live near here. I see them in their gardens from time to time.”
They sat silently for a moment; then Fireheart asked, “Do you remember the soft bedding of our mother’s basket?” He felt a flicker of guilt about longing for such kittypet softness, but Princess purred, “Oh, yes. I wish I could have it for my own kitting.”
Fireheart’s discomfort faded. It felt good to be able to talk of such a tender memory without shame. “Will this litter be your first?”
Princess nodded, uncertainty showing in her eyes. Fireheart felt a wave of sympathy. Even though they were the same age, she seemed to him very young and naive. “You’ll be fine,” he mewed, remembering Brindleface’s kitting. “You look as if your Twolegs treat you well. I’m sure your kits will be healthy and safe.”
Princess moved closer to him, pressing her fur against his flank. Fireheart felt his heart swell with emotion. For the first time since he was a kit, he caught a glimpse of what the Clan cats must take for granted: the closeness of kinship, a common bond determined by birth and heritage.
Suddenly Fireheart wanted his sister to know about the life he led now. “Do you know about the Clans?”
Princess gazed at him, mystified. “You mentioned a ThunderClan.”
Fireheart nodded. “There are four Clans altogether.” He went on, the words tumbling out. “In the Clan, we take care of each other. Younger cats hunt for elders; warriors protect the hunting grounds from other Clans. I trained all greenleaf to become a warrior. Now I have an apprentice of my own.” Fireheart could see by her bemused expression that his sister couldn’t understand everything he was telling her, yet her eyes brightened with pleasure as he spoke.
“It sounds as if you enjoy your life,” she mewed in awe.
A Twoleg voice called from the house. Fireheart instantly darted under the nearest bush.
“I should go,” Princess mewed. “They’ll be worried if I don’t go back, and I have many tiny mouths to feed. I can feel them moving inside me.” She glanced at her swollen belly, her eyes soft.
Fireheart looked out from beneath the bush. “Go, then. I have to return to my Clan anyway. But I’ll come back and see you.”
“Yes, I’d like that!” Princess called over her shoulder. She was already trotting back toward her Twoleg nest. “Good-bye!”
“See you soon,” Fireheart called. His sister disappeared from view, and he heard the swinging flap slap shut behind her.
Once the garden was silent, Fireheart crept through the bushes to the fence. He jumped over it and ran into the forest. Memories of kithood scents crowded his mind, suddenly more real than the scents of the forest around him.
Fireheart paused at the top of the ravine and looked down at the ThunderClan camp. He didn’t feel ready to go back yet. He was worried that it would all seem strange to him. I’ll go and hunt, he thought. Cinderpaw would be safe with Graystripe for a while longer, and the Clan would welcome any extra fresh-kill. He turned away and headed back into the forest.
When he finally returned to camp, he carried a vole and a wood pigeon in his mouth. The sun was setting, and the Clan cats were gathering for their evening meal. Graystripe sat alone beside the nettle clump, a fat chaffinch at his paws. Fireheart nodded to him as he padded across the clearing to the pile of fresh-kill that had already been collected.
Tigerclaw was sitting below the Highrock, his amber eyes narrow. “I noticed that Cinderpaw spent the day with Graystripe,” he meowed as Fireheart dropped his catch onto the pile. “Where were you?”
Fireheart returned Tigerclaw’s gaze. “It seemed a good day for hunting—too good to waste,” he replied, his heart thudding in his chest. “The Clan needs all the fresh-kill it can get at the moment.”
Tigerclaw nodded, suspicion darkening his eyes. “Yes, but we also need warriors. Cinderpaw’s training is your responsibility.”
“I understand, Tigerclaw,” Fireheart meowed. He dipped his head respectfully. “I’ll take her out tomorrow.”
“Good.” The deputy turned his head and looked around the camp. Fireheart picked up a mouse and carried it over to eat next to Graystripe.
“Find what you were looking for?” asked Graystripe absently.
“Yes.” Fireheart felt a pang of sorrow for the pain in his friend’s eyes. “Are you thinking about that RiverClan warrior?”
“I do try not to,” answered Graystripe quietly. “It’s just when I’m alone I can’t help remembering Barkface’s prediction of an unnecessary death and trouble ahead—”
“Here,” Fireheart interrupted, and pushed his mouse toward Graystripe. “That chaffinch looks like it’ll be half feathers, and I’m not that hungry. Want to swap?” Graystripe shot him a grateful glance, and the two friends exchanged prey and began to eat.
As he crunched on the chaffinch, Fireheart scanned the clearing. He could see Sandpaw and Dustpaw outside the apprentices’ den. Dustpaw was busy ripping apart a rabbit. Fireheart caught Sandpaw’s eye but she looked away.
Cinderpaw lay beside the old tree stump where he’d shared many meals as an apprentice. She was chatting enthusiastically to Brackenpaw, who nodded from time to time while plucking the feathers from a sparrow. Seeing the two young cats—brother and sister—lying together, so at ease, reminded Fireheart once more of Princess, and for the first time the familiar sights of his clan made Fireheart feel uneasy. He had been careful to lick his sister’s smell from his fur before returning to camp, but it was her scent that lingered in his nostrils as the sun disappeared over the distant horizon. He had found the closeness he had missed, but it had given shape to a sense of loneliness that, until now, had lain vague and nameless in his heart. Were the deep-rooted memories he shared with Princess stronger than his loyalty to the Clan?
第十章
第十章
脑海里带着姐姐的倩影，火心一觉睡到天亮。他走出巢穴，希望新一天的日程安排能够分散他的注意力。又是一个冰冷、霜冻的早晨。白风和长尾正在营门口等候，准备外出巡逻。鼠毛走过去加入到巡逻队中，朝火心热情地打招呼。白风呼唤沙爪的名字，只见后者从巢穴里出来，在巡逻队走出营门的时候赶了上去。这个场面火心早已看过许多次，但是当巡逻队走进早晨充满清新空气的森林里时，他竟然头一回没有产生加入进去的冲动。
他走过会场，想去看看炭爪是否也醒了。纹脸正从育婴室里出来，后面跟着一个全身长满斑纹的幼崽，然后又出来一只。第三只则跌跌撞撞地刚一出来就摔倒在地上，这只幼崽的毛为浅灰色，和其他两只一样上面长着深灰色的斑纹。
纹脸将他叼起后轻柔地扶他站稳。她那温柔的动作一下子又使火心回想起昨晚的梦。
他的妈妈一定也曾这般对待他。他知道纹脸的第四个孩子刚出生便夭折了，因此她对其余幸存的幼崽更加呵护备至。
看到族里其他的猫们能享受到的东西而他享受不到，火心感到妒火中烧——就因为他们是族生猫吗？一直以来火心都以自己对族群的忠诚而自豪，这个族群收留了他并给了他做宠物猫时从不知道的生活。现在，他仍然对雷族忠心耿耿——为了保卫族群他不惜献出生命——但谁都不理解或是尊重他的出身。火心敢肯定，昨天他遇到的那只母猫一定能理解他。带着极度的渴望，他想知道他们能分享哪些回忆。
火心听到身后传来灰条沉重的脚步声，他转过头向灰条打了个招呼，触了触他的鼻子，问：“你今天能帮我带一下炭爪吗？”
灰条好奇地看着他：“为什么？”
“哦，没什么大事。”火心尽可能漫不经心地回答，“我只是想去探查昨天看到的一些事。看紧炭爪，她可不怎么听话。别让她离开你的视线，否则她就会到处瞎跑乱闯。”
灰条被逗得猫须直颤：“听起来她是个淘气鬼呀！蕨爪在这方面还挺乖，每做一件事之前他都会考虑清楚。”
“谢谢你，灰条！”火心趁他的朋友还没有想起询问他的去向，急忙朝营门口跑去。
走出树林，两腿动物的地盘便赫然在望。火心俯下身体，张开嘴呼吸早晨冰凉的空气。没有雷族巡逻队出没的迹象，也没有两腿动物的气味。他稍感放心。
他慢慢接近两腿动物的围栏，他看见的那只母猫就是从那里消失的。他在围栏下停留片刻，四处张望着又嗅嗅空气。然后他轻轻一跳就跳上了围栏的立柱。看不见两腿动物——花园里空荡荡的，只有芳香四溢的花草。
火心感到站在立柱上太过暴露。头顶处不高的地方悬着一棵树的枝杈。虽然树枝上的叶子都已经凋落，不过毕竟更容易隐蔽些。他悄悄攀住枝头爬了上去，趴在树枝上等待。
两腿动物地盘的入口处有一个门帘来回摆动。火心还是幼崽的时候曾见过类似的门帘。他盯着门帘，盼望着随时可能出现的姐姐。太阳缓缓升上天空，但火心却开始感觉寒冷。阴冷潮湿的树枝正在抽走他身上的热量。也许两腿动物把姐姐关起来了，毕竟她快要分娩了。火心舔了舔爪子，拿不定主意是否该返回营地。
突然，他听到啪嗒一声响。抬眼望去，火心看见姐姐顶开门帘出来了。火心强忍住跳进花园的冲动。有了昨天的经验，他知道自己贸然出现会吓坏姐姐的。现在他闻起来就像一只森林里的野猫，而不是友善的宠物猫。
火心等姐姐走到草地尽头，他爬到树枝末端从上面溜到围栏上，然后悄悄跳进围栏下的灌木丛里。那只母猫身上散发出的气味使他又回想起梦里的情景。
他怎样才能在不惊吓姐姐的同时引起她的注意呢？他在脑海里拼命搜索，试图回忆起姐姐的名字，但他只记得自己做宠物猫时的名字。火心在树丛里轻轻唤道：“是我，拉斯特！”
那只母猫刹住脚步向四周张望。火心深吸口气从树丛里走了出来。
只见她吓得睁大眼睛。火心知道自己现在是一副什么模样——精瘦、粗野，身上散发着浓烈的丛林气味。那只母猫竖起颈部的毛，嘴里发出凶狠的低嘶。火心不由得心里十分佩服姐姐的勇气。
突然姐姐的名字在他脑海里闪过：“公主！是我，拉斯特，你的弟弟啊！还记得我吗？”
公主仍很紧张。火心猜测她肯定很奇怪这只陌生的猫怎么会知道这些名字。他伏在地上，做出温顺的样子。看到姐姐脸上的表情从恐惧渐渐转为好奇，火心感到了一线希望。
公主全神戒备地睁大眼睛，嗅了嗅空气说：“拉斯特？”火心小心翼翼地向前迈出一小步。公主没有反应，于是火心慢慢走上前。他的姐姐仍然站在原地没有动，火心一直走到她面前。
她说：“你闻起来不像拉斯特。”
“我不再和两腿动物们一起住了，我和森林里的雷族生活在一起，现在我身上的气味就是雷族的。”火心回想起自己当初在树林里遇见灰爪之前对此也是一无所知，猛然省悟：她很可能从没有听说过这些族群。
公主伸过鼻子在他的脸上摩擦了几下，半是自言自语地说：“但你身上仍有我们妈妈的气味。”听了她的话，火心感到很高兴。公主眯起眼睛，贴平耳朵，将信将疑地问：“你从哪里来？”
火心解释说：“我昨天在树林里见到你了。我必须来和你谈谈。”
“为什么？”
火心惊讶地看着她说：“因为你是我的姐姐呀。”她会这么认为吗？
公主仔细端详了他好一会儿，让火心放心的是，她脸上戒备的表情渐渐消失了。她批评道：“你可真瘦。”
火心回答：“也许比宠物猫瘦些，但对于一只族群——一只森林——猫来说，不算瘦了。昨晚我梦到你的气味了，还有兄弟姐妹和妈妈。”火心顿了顿问道：“我们的妈妈在哪里？”
公主回答说：“她仍和她的主人住在一起。”
“那么……”
公主猜到他要说什么：“……我们的兄弟姐妹怎么样吗？他们大部分都住在附近，我时不时能在他们的花园里见到他们。”
他们俩默默无言地坐着，然后火心问：“你还记得妈妈篮子里的那张柔软的床垫吗？”想到自己这么向往那种宠物猫的柔弱生活，火心感到很是惭愧。公主说：“哦，记得。希望我在生孩子的时候也能有那么一张床垫。”
火心的心情渐渐平静下来。在不觉得羞愧的情况下能够谈论儿时的回忆感觉真棒。“你第一次产崽吗？”
公主点点头，眼里充满了迷茫。火心感到很同情。虽然他们同龄，但在他面前她似乎显得年幼无知。火心想起纹脸产崽时的情景：“不会有事的。看起来你的主人对你不错啊，我敢保证你的孩子们将会健康平安的。”
公主走近他，轻轻地摩擦他的腹侧。火心的心激动得怦怦直跳。自从他是幼崽以来，还是第一次有了这种感觉，而这种感觉那些族生猫们必定已习以为常，那就是：亲人间的亲密，一种血缘关系的纽带。
突然，火心想告诉姐姐他现在的生活：“你知道族群的事吗？”
公主看着他，感觉十分神秘：“你刚才提到什么雷族？”
火心点点头，语速很快地说：“一共有四大族群。在族群里，我们彼此照顾。年轻的猫为年老的猫捕食，武士们保卫领地免遭其他族群的掠夺。在整个叶子发绿的季节里，我一直在接受训练以成为一名武士。现在我都收徒弟了。”
看着公主发怔的表情，火心知道她并没有听懂他说的事情，但在火心说话的过程中她一直饶有兴趣地听着。
她怯生生地说：“听起来你很喜欢现在的生活。”
这时屋内传出两腿动物的呼唤。火心立刻钻进最近的灌木丛里。
公主说：“我该走了。如果我不回去，他们会担心的。而且还有好几张嘴等待我去喂养。我能感觉到他们在我的肚子里动呢。”她目光温柔地看着自己鼓胀的肚子。
火心从灌木丛里朝外看着她说：“走吧，反正我也该回去了。我还会来看你的。”
“好的，那太好了！”她朝两腿动物的巢穴走着，回过头喊，“再见！”
火心喊：“很快就会见面的。”他目送姐姐走到屋门前，顶开门帘进去了。
花园里再度陷入宁静。火心穿过灌木丛走到围栏下，轻轻一跳，跳过围栏，然后跑进森林里。一路上，他的脑海里都是对幼年时光的回忆，忽然间，四周森林的气味使他回到现实。
火心在沟边停下脚步，朝下俯视着雷族的营地。他还没有做好回去的心理准备，就这么贸然进去肯定会让其他猫们觉得奇怪。他想：我去打些猎物吧，炭爪和灰条多待一会儿不会有什么事，而族群也需要更多的猎物。他转过身，又重新奔回森林。
当他最终回到营地时，叼着一只水老鼠和一只鸽子。天渐渐黑了下来，族群里的众猫正聚在一起吃晚餐。灰条捧着一只燕雀独自坐在荨麻丛旁。火心朝他点点头，经过会场走到高高堆起的猎物堆边。
虎掌正眯着眼睛坐在高岩下，看到火心将猎物放在猎物堆里，他说：“我注意到炭爪一整天都和灰条在一起。你去哪里了？”
火心心里直打鼓，他对视着虎掌的目光说：“今天看起来很适于打猎——这么好的天可不能浪费了。族里需要尽可能多的猎物。”
虎掌将信将疑地点点头说：“是的，但我们也需要武士，训练炭爪是你的责任。”
火心低下头说：“我懂了，虎掌。明天我就带她出去。”
“很好。”虎掌转过头去巡视营地。火心叼起一只老鼠走到灰条身边。
灰条心不在焉地问：“找到你要找的东西了？”
“是的。”看着灰条痛苦的目光，火心感到一阵悲伤，“你又在想河族的那名武士了？”
灰条平静地回答：“我尽力不去想。但当我独处的时候我总忍不住想起那个预言，那个预言说会有猫白白死去，又说我们会有麻烦。”
火心把他的老鼠推到灰条面前，打断他的话说：“给你。那只燕雀看起来还没有长大，反正我也不饿。想交换吗？”灰条感激地看了他一眼，两个朋友相互交换猎物开始吃了起来。
火心一边嘎吱作响地咀嚼燕雀，一边拿眼瞅着会场。沙爪和尘爪坐在巢穴外面。尘爪正忙活着撕开一只兔子。火心发现沙爪在看自己时，她却移开了目光。
炭爪躺在那棵老树墩旁边，火心做学徒时便曾在那里用餐。她正兴高采烈地和蕨爪聊天，后者的头时不时一起一伏地从一只麻雀身上拔去羽毛。看到这两只年幼的猫——姐姐和弟弟——闲适地趴在一起聊天，火心又想起了公主。族群生活中这些熟悉的一幕幕景象第一次让他感到不舒服。虽然他在返回营地前曾仔细地舔去身上残留的姐姐的气味，但直到太阳消失在地平线上，他的鼻孔里仍存留着那股味道。他虽然找回了曾经失去的亲密关系，但那种模糊不清、难以言状的孤独感已经在他的心里留下了深深的烙印。难道他和公主共享的那段难忘的回忆比自己对族群的忠诚还要珍贵吗？
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER11
“Another day of sunshine!” Fireheart purredto Graystripe, feeling his flame-colored pelt glow in the weak morning sun. Thanks to the fine weather, he had visited Princess nearly every day recently, slipping away to see her between patrols, hunting, and training sessions. Now he walked with his friend along the short trail to the sandy hollow where Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw would be waiting.
“Let’s hope it stays clear for the rest of leaf-bare,” Graystripe meowed. Fireheart knew how much his thick-coated friend hated rain—when Graystripe’s fur got wet, it clung to him and stayed damp long after Fireheart’s shorter fur had dried off.
The two warriors arrived at the edge of the hollow just as Cinderpaw pounced on a pile of frosty leaves, sending them flying in all directions. She leaped and twisted to catch one as it fluttered back to the ground.
Fireheart and Graystripe glanced at each other, amused.
“At least Cinderpaw will be warmed up and ready for today’s assignment,” Graystripe observed.
Brackenpaw jumped to his paws and looked up at his mentor, his eyes wide. “Good morning, Graystripe,” he meowed. “What istoday’s assignment?”
“A hunting mission,” Graystripe told him. He padded down into the hollow, followed by Fireheart.
“Where?” mewed Cinderpaw, dashing toward them. “What are we going to catch?”
“We’re going to Sunningrocks,” Fireheart replied, suddenly sharing her enthusiasm. “And we’ll catch whatever we can.”
“I’d like to catch a vole,” declared Cinderpaw. “I’ve never tasted vole.”
“I’m afraid everything we catch today goes straight back to the elders,” Graystripe warned. “But I’m sure if you asked one of them nicely, they’d be happy to share.”
“Okay,” mewed Cinderpaw. “Which way is Sunningrocks?” She bounded up one side of the hollow and peered into the forest, her tail sticking straight up.
“This way!” meowed Fireheart, leaping up the opposite side.
“Okay.” Cinderpaw raced down the slope, across the hollow, and up to Fireheart’s side, sending fallen leaves flying everywhere
Graystripe leaped up and caught one as it drifted past his nose. He pinned it to the ground with a purr of satisfaction and saw Brackenpaw staring at him. “Er, never miss a chance to practice your hunting skills,” Graystripe told him quickly.
The four cats made their way along the familiar scent trails to Sunningrocks. The sun was above the trees by the time they emerged into open territory. Ahead of them, a slope of rock rose out of the soft earth, its smooth surface lined with cracks. The cats had to narrow their eyes as they looked at it. After the shade of the woods, the flat rock face reflected the sun with dazzling glare.
“This is Sunningrocks,” Fireheart announced, blinking. “Come on!”
“Mrrrrr! It feels nice!” mewed Cinderpaw as she raced up the stone slope behind him. Fireheart realized she was right. The stone felt comfortingly warm and smooth after the ice-cold forest floor.
They rested at the top, where the far side fell away steeply to the forest. Fireheart listened for the gentle bubbling of the river that followed the RiverClan border, flowing down from the uplands. It touched the Sunningrocks before turning to run deeper into RiverClan territory. He could barely hear it—perhaps the water was low after the dry weather.
Fireheart stretched out, enjoying the warmth of the rock beneath him and the soft heat of the sun on his pelt. He closed his eyes, feeling proud to be lying here, a place where generations of ThunderClan cats had come to warm themselves, and which they had battled hard to keep.
Graystripe joined him. “Come on,” he meowed to the two apprentices. “Make the most of the sun while it’s here. There are enough cold, damp days ahead of us.” The two apprentices lay down beside their mentors and purred as the warmth seeped into their fur.
“Is this where Redtail died?” asked Brackenpaw.
“Yes,” Fireheart answered cautiously.
“And where Tigerclaw avenged his death by killing Oakheart?” Cinderpaw piped up.
Fireheart’s fur prickled as he remembered Ravenpaw’s account of the fight—that Redtailhad been responsible for Oakheart’s death and then Tigerclaw had killed Redtail, the deputy of his own Clan. Fireheart pushed away the disturbing thoughts and replied simply, “This is the place.” The two apprentices fell silent and looked down the slope in awe.
Suddenly Fireheart heard a noise. He pricked his ears. “Hush,” he hissed. “What can you hear?”
The two apprentices strained their ears forward.
“I think I can hear some scrabbling,” Brackenpaw whispered.
“It might be a vole,” murmured Graystripe. “Can you tell where it’s coming from?”
“Over there!” mewed Cinderpaw, leaping to her paws. The scrabbling noise became more furious and then disappeared.
“I think it heard you,” Fireheart remarked. Cinderpaw looked crestfallen. Brackenpaw purred with amusement at his sister’s clumsiness.
“Never mind,” meowed Graystripe. “Now you know that it’s better to creep up slowly, especially on voles. They’re fast!”
“Sit still and listen,” Fireheart advised. “Next time we hear something, work out where it is and then begin to move toward it very slowly. A mouse could probably hear even the rustling of your fur, so let him think it’s just the wind blowing across the rock.”
The cats remained where they were, no one daring to move until they heard the scrabbling sound again. His ears pricked, Fireheart rose and crept forward, placing each paw noiselessly in front of the other until he reached the edge of a small crack that ran across the rock face. He paused. The scrabbling noise continued. Fireheart lunged forward and reached down into the crack with a forepaw. He scooped out a fat vole that had been hiding in the shadows and flung it onto the bright stone. It squealed as it landed, but the hard ground stunned it and Fireheart finished it off quickly.
“Wow!” mewed Cinderpaw. “I want to do that!”
“Don’t worry; you’ll have plenty of chances. For now, let’s get back to the forest,” meowed Graystripe.
“Aren’t we going to catch anything else?” Cinderpaw protested.
“Did you hear that vole squeal?” meowed Fireheart. Cinderpaw nodded. “Well, so did every other creature around here. The prey will be hiding for a while. I should have caught it and killed it before it could make a sound.”
Graystripe’s whiskers twitched with amusement. “I wasn’t going to say a word,” he purred.
Fireheart picked up the dead vole in his mouth, and together the cats headed down the slope and began to trek onward through the forest. After the open warmth of Sunningrocks, the woods seemed chilly, even though sunhigh was approaching. Fireheart smelled fresh markers at the RiverClan border. Beyond them the ground sloped down to meet the river.
A leaf fluttered down toward Brackenpaw. The young cat immediately leaped up and caught it between his paws. He landed, looking pleased with himself.
“Well done!” called Graystripe. “You’ll have no trouble with voles!” Brackenpaw looked doubly pleased.
“Nice catch, Brackenpaw!” Cinderpaw mewed. She nudged her brother’s shoulder with her nose before turning to stare down the wooded slope.
“The river’s quiet today,” Fireheart mumbled through his mouthful of vole.
“That’s because it’s frozen,” mewed Cinderpaw excitedly. “I can see it through the trees!”
Fireheart dropped the vole. “Frozen? Completely?” He stared down the wooded slope. The river glittered at the bottom, frosty and still. Could Cinderpaw be right? Fireheart’s paws tingled with excitement. He had never seen the river frozen over.
“Can we have a look?” asked Cinderpaw. Without waiting for an answer, she bounded past the scent markers. Fireheart’s excitement turned to panic as he saw the small gray cat disappear into RiverClan territory. He couldn’t call after her—he didn’t want to alert any RiverClan patrols that might be in the area. But he had to get her back. He left the vole where he’d dropped it and tore after her, Graystripe and Brackenpaw close behind him.
They caught up with Cinderpaw at the edge of the river. It was almost totally frozen, apart from a narrow channel of dark water that flowed swiftly between two wide fringes of ice. Fireheart remembered Whiteclaw with a shudder. He was about to suggest they leave when he noticed Graystripe’s ears were pricked.
“Water vole,” the gray warrior hissed. Sure enough, a small vole was scampering along the ice, near the bank.
Fireheart glanced at Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw, afraid that they might try to catch this tiny piece of prey. But neither apprentice moved. Fireheart felt relieved for a moment, and then his heart lurched as Graystripe dashed out onto the ice at hunting speed.
“Come back!” Fireheart hissed.
It was too late. The ice beneath Graystripe’s paws gave a terrifying crack and broke. With a startled yowl, Graystripe fell into the water. He paddled madly for a moment before disappearing into the cold, dark depths of the river.
Brackenpaw stared in horror and Cinderpaw gave a desperate mew. Fireheart didn’t quiet her. He was rigid with fear, staring into the water after his friend. Was Graystripe trapped underneath the ice? Fireheart stepped onto the ice. It felt cold and slippery beneath his paws, impossible to run on. He jumped back onto the bank. Panic gripped him, then a blaze of relief as a drenched gray head appeared in the water farther along.
But relief turned to alarm as Fireheart saw that Graystripe was being carried downriver, turning and bobbing in the freezing waters. His paws thrashed helplessly, all his instincts to swim thwarted by the fierce current. Fireheart bounded along the bank, forcing his way through the bracken, but Graystripe was swept farther and farther away.
Suddenly Fireheart heard a yowl from the opposite bank and stopped. A slender silver tabby had leaped onto the ice farther downstream. She padded lightly over the frozen sheet and slid into the river ahead of Graystripe. Amazed, Fireheart watched the she-cat swim strongly against the current, holding her position in the icy water with confident churning paws. As Graystripe was swept past, the tabby grabbed a mouthful of his fur between her teeth.
But to Fireheart’s horror, Graystripe’s weight pulled both cats under. He started running again, his eyes fixed on the river. Where were they? Then a silver-striped head appeared amid the rolling waters, pushing through the waves. The tabby was swimming against the current, dragging Graystripe with her. Fireheart could hardly believe that such a slender cat could swim with such a weight. The tabby grabbed the ice on Fireheart’s side of the river with her forepaws, her neck craning awkwardly as she held Graystripe between her teeth. Slipping and sliding, she hauled herself out of the river. Graystripe hung limply in the water, twisting and turning as the current dragged at his fur, but the tabby kept a firm grip.
Fireheart slid down the bank, raced across the ice, and skidded to a halt beside her. Without a word he reached forward and took hold of Graystripe in his teeth. Together the two cats heaved his soaking body out of the water and dragged him to the safety of the riverbank.
Fireheart bent over his friend to see if he was breathing. He felt dizzy with relief as he saw Graystripe’s slick gray flank rising and falling. Graystripe coughed and spluttered and spat out a mouthful of river water. Then he lay still.
“Graystripe!” Fireheart meowed urgently.
“I’m okay,” wheezed Graystripe. His mew was breathless, but reassuring.
Fireheart sighed and sat down. He looked closely at the silver tabby. She carried the scent of RiverClan on her. After seeing her swim, Fireheart wasn’t surprised. The tabby returned his gaze coldly, shook herself, and sat down, her sides heaving as she got her breath back. Water streamed from her glossy fur as if her pelt were made from duck feathers.
Graystripe turned his head and looked at his rescuer. “Thanks,” he croaked.
“You idiot!” she spat, flattening her ears. “What are you doing in my territory?”
“Drowning?” replied Graystripe.
The silver tabby flicked her ears, and Fireheart saw a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. “Can’t you drown yourself in your own territory?”
Graystripe’s whiskers twitched. “Ah, but who would rescue me there?” he rasped.
There was a tiny mew behind Fireheart. He turned to see Cinderpaw crouching by a clump of grass farther up the bank. “Where’s Brackenpaw?” he asked.
“Just coming,” answered Cinderpaw, pointing with her nose. Her brother was creeping nervously along the bank toward them.
Fireheart sighed and turned to his friend. “Look, Graystripe, we’ve got to get out of here.”
“I know.” Graystripe pushed himself to his paws and turned to the silver tabby. “Thanks again.”
She dipped her head graciously, but hissed, “Hurry, go now!” She looked over her shoulder. “If my father knew that I’d rescued a ThunderClan intruder he’d shred me for kit bedding!”
“Why’d you save me then?” teased Graystripe.
The tabby looked away. “Instinct. I couldn’t watch any cat drown. Now go away!”
Fireheart stood up. “Thanks. I’d have missed this furball if he’d drowned.” He nudged Graystripe. His friend hadn’t even shaken the icy water from his fur and he was soaked to the skin. “Come on, let’s get back to camp. You’re freezing!”
“Okay, I’m coming!” Graystripe meowed. But before he followed Fireheart up the slope, he turned back to the silver she-cat. “What’s your name? Mine’s Graystripe.”
“Silverstream,” she replied, and bounded away, back onto the ice and over the channel of water to the far side.
Fireheart and Graystripe led their apprentices through the bracken, toward the border. Fireheart couldn’t help noticing that Graystripe looked back over his shoulder more than once.
Cinderpaw noticed too. The little gray cat glanced up, mischief dancing in her eyes. “What a pretty RiverClan cat she was!”
Graystripe gave her a playful cuff around the ear and she ran on ahead.
“Stay with us,” Fireheart warned in a loud hiss. They were still in RiverClan territory. He flashed Cinderpaw an angry look as she stopped and waited for them. If it weren’t for her, they wouldn’t be here at all, and Graystripe wouldn’t have nearly drowned. He looked at his wet friend. Even though the gray warrior had shaken as much of the water from his fur as he could, his coat was still dripping and ice was beginning to form on the ends of his whiskers.
Fireheart quickened the pace. “Are you okay?” he asked Graystripe.
“F-f-fine!” replied Graystripe, through chattering teeth.
“Sorry,” mewed Cinderpaw softly as she fell into step behind Fireheart.
He sighed. “It’s not your fault.” He felt weighed down with worry. How were they going to explain this to the Clan? No fresh-kill for the elders—there wasn’t time to go back for the vole now—and a soaked Graystripe. Fireheart shuddered as he thought how close he had come to losing his closest friend. Thank StarClan that Silverstream had been there to save him.
“The stream near the training hollow is still running with water,” Brackenpaw meowed thoughtfully from the back.
“What?” asked Fireheart, puzzled out of his gloomy thoughts.
“The Clan will probably assume that Graystripe fell in there,” continued the young apprentice.
“We could say he was showing us how to catch fish,” Cinderpaw added.
“I’m not sure any cat would believe Graystripe would get his paws wet on purpose in this weather,” Fireheart pointed out.
“Well, I don’t want the rest of the Clan to know I had to be rescued by a RiverClan cat!” meowed Graystripe with a flash of his old spirit. “And we can’t let them know we were in RiverClan’s territory again.”
Fireheart nodded. “Come on,” he meowed. “Let’s run the rest of the way; it’ll help Graystripe warm up.”
The cats raced across the RiverClan border and past Sunningrocks. As the sun began to dip behind the treetops, they arrived back outside the camp.
Graystripe’s fur had dried a little, but frozen droplets hung on his whiskers and tail.
Fireheart led the way through the gorse entrance. His heart sank when he saw Tigerclaw sitting in the clearing watching them.
The deputy fixed his sharp eyes on Fireheart. “No fresh-kill?” he growled. “I thought you were meant to be teaching these two how to hunt today. You look half-drowned, Graystripe. You must have fallen into a river to get that wet.” His nostrils flared and he drew himself up to his full height. “Don’t tell me you’ve been into RiverClan territory again!”
第十一章
第十一章
火心感到在微弱的曙光下自己火一般的毛在发光发热，于是对灰条说：“又是一个大晴天！”多亏了好天气，最近他几乎每天都利用巡逻、狩猎和训练课程的空隙偷偷溜去看公主。现在，他正和自己的好朋友灰条前往沙坑为炭爪和蕨爪上课。
灰条说：“希望在叶子凋落的季节里每天都有这样的好天气。”火心知道长着厚毛的灰条多么讨厌雨天——厚毛淋湿后就会贴在他的身上，火心的毛都干透了，他的毛却还湿漉漉的。
两位武士来到沙坑边，看见炭爪正在踢一堆结霜的树叶。树叶被踢得乱飞，炭爪跳起来一个滚打过去抓住一片将要落地的叶子。
火心和灰条对视一眼，均感好笑。
灰条说：“至少炭爪已经为今天的日程安排做好热身准备了。”
蕨爪跳起身，睁大眼睛抬头看着师父说：“早上好，灰条。今天有什么安排？”
灰条告诉他：“上捕猎课。”他和火心先后走进沙坑。
炭爪冲过来问：“去哪儿？捉什么？”
火心被她的激情所感染，回答说：“我们去太阳石。我们能捉什么就捉什么。”
炭爪大声嚷嚷道：“我要捉水老鼠。我还没有尝过水老鼠的滋味呢。”
灰条提醒说：“今天我们捕到的猎物要先给老年猫们带回去。但是我敢肯定，如果你乖乖地向他们提出要求，他们将很乐意和你共同分享。”
炭爪说：“那好吧。去太阳石怎么走？”说着，她跳上沙坑，一头扎进树林里。
“这边！”火心说着，跳上沙坑相反的一边。
“好的。”炭爪奔回沙坑，赶上火心，落叶被她踢得四处飞舞。
灰条跳起来抓住飘过头顶的一片叶子，将它按在地上，嘴里发出满意的呜呜声。看见蕨爪在看自己，灰条连忙说：“哦，决不放过任何练习捕猎技能的机会。”
四只猫沿着老路来到太阳石。太阳高挂在天上，在他们面前，一条石坡从松软的土地里拱出，坡面上密密麻麻布满了裂纹。习惯了森林里阴暗环境的他们，突然面对着这块反射出耀眼阳光的大石头，不得不眯起眼睛。
火心眨眨眼睛，宣布说：“这里就是太阳石。来吧！”
炭爪跟在他后面走上石坡说：“哇！感觉真棒！”火心知道她说得没错。在森林里冰冷的地面上走过之后，再在石坡上走走，便感到一种舒适的暖意。
他们爬上石坡休息，石坡的另一面陡峭得多。石坡边是从高地上流下的那条河流，也是河族的边界。这条河在太阳石这里打个转后，便蜿蜒伸入河族的领地。火心想听听轻柔的潺潺流水声，但却什么也听不到——也许干旱过后这条河变浅了。
火心舒展开身体，身下的石头暖洋洋的，太阳照在身上也是暖洋洋的，他舒服得只想大喊。他闭上眼睛，能够躺在这里使他十分骄傲。世世代代的雷族猫们曾在这里取暖，也为了保卫这块地方而进行艰苦卓绝的战斗。
灰条躺在他身旁，对两个学徒说：“快来呀，趁着晴天晒晒太阳，往后还有很长一段时间要挨冻呢。”两个学徒躺在老师们身旁，感受着渐渐透入皮毛的温暖，嘴里发出呜呜声。
蕨爪问：“这里就是红尾牺牲的地方吗？”
火心谨慎地回答：“是的。”
炭爪直起脖子问：“虎掌也是在这里杀了橡心为他报仇的吗？”
火心的毛竖起来，他想起乌爪对于那次战斗的描述——红尾对橡心的死负有责任，而虎掌则杀了本族的族长代表红尾。火心撇开这些令他心神不宁的想法，简单回答说：“就是这个地方。”两个学徒均不再做声，只是害怕地朝坡下望去。
突然，火心听到一个声音。他竖起耳朵，小声说：“嘘，你们听到什么了吗？”
两个学徒直愣愣地竖起耳朵。
蕨爪小声说：“我听到扒东西的声音。”
灰条小声说：“也许是一只水老鼠。你们能听出声音是从哪里传来的吗？”
“那边！”炭爪说着跳起身。只听那个扒东西的声音越来越激烈，然后突然就消失了。
火心说：“我想它听到你的声音了。”炭爪像只落秧的茄子，一下子蔫了。蕨爪被姐姐失落的样子逗得呜呜直乐。
灰条说：“没关系，现在你知道缓慢匍匐的好处了吧，捉水老鼠时尤其要注意。它们的行动太敏捷了！”
火心提出忠告：“老老实实坐在那里认真听。下次再听到什么情况时，要先搞清楚方位然后再慢慢接近。老鼠连你身上的毛发出的簌簌声都能听见，因此务必使它们以为那是风从石缝间吹过的声音。”
他们静静坐在那里谁都不敢再轻举妄动，直到那个扒东西的声音再度响起。火心站起身，竖着耳朵悄悄爬了过去，每一步都轻轻落地，神不知鬼不觉地走到一条石缝边停住。
那个扒东西的声音还在响。火心扑上前，伸出前爪朝里面一抄，将躲在暗处的一只胖水老鼠抓出来用力甩到石坡上。那只水老鼠吱吱尖叫，落在地上被摔得直发蒙，火心上前迅速结果了它的性命。
炭爪大喊：“哇呜！我也要试试！”
灰条说：“别着急，还有很多机会呢。现在我们回森林里去吧。”
炭爪抗议说：“我们不再捉点儿别的东西吗？”
火心说：“你听到那只水老鼠的尖叫声了吗？”炭爪点点头。火心告诉她：“那么附近其他的动物也都听见了，猎物们会暂时躲避起来。我应当在它发出声响之前就杀掉它。”
灰条乐得猫须直颤：“我可一句话都没有说。”
火心叼起那只死水老鼠，和其他猫一起走下石坡朝森林里走去。虽然现在是中午，但在太阳石上享受过阳光的温暖之后，走在森林里仍觉得冷。火心闻了闻河族边界处新留下的气味标记。他们面前是一片坡度平缓的河岸。
一片落叶从蕨爪面前飘落，他立刻跳起来捉住，高兴得不得了。
灰条说：“干得漂亮！捉水老鼠对你来说不成问题了！”蕨爪听了更加高兴。
炭爪说：“那一下真厉害，蕨爪！”她用鼻子顶了顶弟弟的肩膀，然后望着河岸。
火心嘴里衔着水老鼠含糊不清地说：“今天的河面很平静。”
炭爪兴奋地说：“那是河水结冰的缘故。我能隔着树林看见！”
火心放下水老鼠，望着长满树木的河岸说：“结冰了？全冻住了吗？”河的表面白蒙蒙一片，看不到河水流动。炭爪说得对吗？火心有些激动。他从未见过河面结冰的景象。
炭爪问：“我们能去看看吗？”不等火心回答，她便跨过河族的边界朝那条小河跑去。
看见炭爪跑进河族的领地，火心的兴奋立刻变为了恐惧。他不能大声唤她回来——这样会引起附近的河族巡逻队的注意。但他必须要拦住她。于是他一路狂奔追赶炭爪，灰条和蕨爪紧随其后。
他们在河边追上炭爪。只见除了小河中心以外，河面几乎完全冻住了。河水从两边冰岸间急速流过。火心想起掉进峡谷的白掌，不由打了个寒战。他正要招呼大家回去，这时灰条的耳朵突然竖了起来。
灰条一声低呼：“水老鼠。”一只小水老鼠正沿着河岸在冰面上爬行。
火心瞅了一眼炭爪和蕨爪，担心他们去捉那只小不点儿，但两个学徒都没有动。火心刚放下心，突然看见灰条冲上冰面去捉那只水老鼠，他的心一下子又提了起来。
火心急忙喊：“回来！”
太晚了。灰条脚下的冰面咔嚓一声裂开了，他一声惊呼掉进河里。只见灰条在河水里疯狂地挣扎着，不久就沉进冰冷的河里。
蕨爪吓坏了，呆呆地看着河水，炭爪则发出绝望的号叫。火心没有制止她，因为他自己也吓得不知所措，怔怔地看着他的朋友沉进河里。火心冲上冰面，脚下又冷又滑，根本跑不开脚步。他又跳回到岸上，他的心被恐惧攥得紧紧的。接着，他看见较远处的河面上浮出一颗湿漉漉的灰脑袋，他心里略微放松了一点儿。
但紧接着，他看见灰条在河水里一沉一浮地被冲着走，便又紧张起来。他几次想跳进河里救出灰条，但对汹涌的河流本能的惧怕，使他只能在河岸边急得直跺脚。虽然他沿着河岸追赶灰条，却只能眼睁睁地看着灰条被河水冲得越来越远。
忽然，火心听到河对岸传来一声吼叫，于是他站住脚步，接着，就看见一只身材苗条的银灰色虎斑猫跳上冰面，她在冰面上步履轻盈，抢在灰条的下游处钻进河水里。令火心吃惊的是那只猫的力气极大，在冰冷的水里划动四肢竟然就抵消了河水的冲力，没有被河流冲走。等到灰条被河水冲到身边的时候，那只虎斑猫张嘴咬住了灰条颈背处的皮毛。
但令火心害怕的是，灰条身体很重，连那只虎斑猫也被他带得沉入水里。于是火心又迈开步伐追赶，眼睛紧盯河面。他们在哪里？片刻之后，一颗银灰色的脑袋浮出水面。只见那只虎斑猫拖着灰条在河水中逆流而上。火心简直不敢相信那么一只苗条的猫竟能拖动灰条笨重的身躯。那只虎斑猫伸出前爪抓住火心这边的冰岸，因为嘴里咬着灰条的皮毛，所以脖子伸得很长，样子极其狼狈。她费尽力气先爬上冰面，灰条仍泡在水里，被河水冲得打转，但那只虎斑猫咬得很牢。
火心从岸上爬下来，一步一滑地走到她的身边。他探出身子咬住灰条的皮毛，两只猫合力将灰条从河里拖上岸。
上岸后，火心连忙探查灰条是否仍有呼吸。当看到灰条的腹部一起一伏时，他心里的石头才落了地。灰条一阵咳嗽，吐出一口河水之后，安静地躺在那里。
火心急切地唤道：“灰条！”
灰条喘着粗气说：“我没事。”他说起话来虽然上气不接下气，但已无大碍。
火心叹了口气坐下来，这时才抬眼看那只虎斑猫。她身上散发出河族的气味。由于见识过她的游泳技能，所以火心并不感到惊讶。那只虎斑猫冷冷地和他对视着，抖了抖身上的水，坐下来大口喘着气。她的皮毛就好像是鸭毛做的一样，根本不沾水。
灰条转过头看着他的大救星，用沙哑的声音说：“多谢。”
她两耳贴平，开口骂道：“你这蠢货！你在我们的领地里干什么？”
灰条回答：“你是指我落水这件事吗？”
那只银灰色的虎斑猫双耳动了动，火心看见她眼里含着笑意。“你就不能在你们的领地里落水吗？”
灰条猫须颤抖，粗着嗓门说：“哈，可以是可以，但谁去救我呀？”
火心听见身后响起轻微的喵喵叫声，他转过头看见炭爪远远地趴在一簇草丛上，于是他问：“蕨爪呢？”
炭爪用鼻子指了指方向，回答说：“马上就到。”这时她的兄弟正神情慌张地沿着河岸赶来。
火心叹了口气，转头对他的朋友说：“听着，灰条，我们得离开这儿了。”
“我知道。”灰条撑起身体转头对那只银灰色虎斑猫说，“再次感谢了。”
她和善地低下头，小声说：“快点儿，现在就走。”她扭头看了看说：“如果我父亲知道我救了一个雷族的入侵者，会把我撕碎给幼崽当床铺的！”
灰条开玩笑说：“那你为什么还要救我呀？”
那只虎斑猫移开目光，说：“出于本能吧。我不忍心看着任何猫淹死。快走吧！”
火心站起来说：“多谢相救。如果他淹死了，我会很想念这个毛球的。”说着他顶了顶灰条。灰条还没来得及抖去身上的水，害得火心的毛也沾湿了。“快点儿呀，我们回营地吧。你都快冻僵了！”
灰条说：“好了，这就走！”但在爬上坡岸前，他转身对那只银灰色的母猫说：“你叫什么名字？我叫灰条。”
“银溪。”她回答着，游向河对岸。
火心和灰条带着徒弟们穿过蕨丛，朝河族的边界处走去。火心注意到灰条不止一次地回头眺望。
炭爪也注意到了。这只小灰猫抬头看着灰条，眼里闪过顽皮的神色：“多漂亮的河族猫呀！”
灰条开玩笑装着要打她的头，炭爪连忙跑到前面躲开了。
火心大声呵斥说：“别乱跑！”他们仍然身处河族的领地里。他生气地瞪了炭爪一眼，炭爪只得乖乖停住脚步。如果不是她，他们根本不会到这里来，而灰条也就不会差点儿淹死了。火心看着浑身湿淋淋的灰条。尽管灰条费了好大的力气抖身上的水，他身上仍旧往下滴水，猫须都结冰了。
火心加快脚步，问他：“你没事吧？”
灰条冻得牙齿直打架，回答说：“很……很……很好！”
炭爪跟上火心的步伐，小声说：“对不起。”
火心叹了口气说：“这也不能全怪你。”他感到心里沉甸甸的。他们该怎么向族群解释呢？没有为老年猫捉到猎物——现在再回头取那只水老鼠已经来不及了——灰条还搞成了落汤鸡。一想到差点儿失去自己最好的朋友，火心就感到不寒而栗。星族保佑，让银溪及时赶到，救了灰条。
走在后面的蕨爪若有所思地说：“沙坑边的那条小溪里仍有水。”
火心还在闷闷不乐地想事情，一时没有回过神，问道：“什么？”
蕨爪继续说：“大伙儿很可能以为灰条掉进沙坑边的那条小溪了。”
炭爪补充道：“我们就说他在给我们演示怎样捉鱼。”
火心说：“我可不敢确保大伙儿能相信灰条在这种天气故意弄湿自己。”
灰条故态复萌，说：“唔，我可不希望大伙儿知道我竟然被一只河族猫给救了！并且我们也不能让他们知道我们又去河族的领地里了。”
火心点点头说：“走吧。剩下的路我们得跑步前进了，灰条还能热热身。”
四只猫穿过河族的边界，经过太阳石。当他们回到营门外时，太阳已经落上枝头了。
灰条的毛稍微干了一些，但须子和尾巴上还都挂着冰珠。
火心当先穿过金雀花通道，刚走进营地便见虎掌正坐在会场里望着他们，他心里一沉。
虎掌锐利的目光盯着火心问：“没有捉到猎物吗？我还以为你们带这两个学徒出去学习捕猎了。灰条，你的身上湿漉漉的，一定是掉进河里了。”他鼻翼翕动着，忽然一下子站了起来：“别告诉我，你们又去河族的领地里了！”
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER12
Fireheart lifted his head, about tospeak, but Cinderpaw beat him to it.
“It’s my fault, Tigerclaw.” She stared boldly up at the great tabby. “We were hunting on the frozen stream by the training hollow, on the bend by the deep pool. Even that bit was frozen. I slipped and Graystripe came to help me, but the ice wasn’t thick enough for him and it cracked and he fell into the water.” Tigerclaw looked into her clear, bright eyes as she added, “It really is deep there. Fireheart had to pull him out.”
Fireheart cringed, remembering how he had stood motionless with terror at the sight of Graystripe disappearing into the river.
Tigerclaw nodded and looked at Graystripe. “You’d better get yourself to Yellowfang before you freeze to death.” The ThunderClan deputy stood up and stalked away, and Fireheart breathed a sigh of relief.
Graystripe didn’t hesitate. The long run home hadn’t stopped his teeth from chattering. He bounded away to Yellowfang’s den. Brackenpaw glanced at Cinderpaw and padded off to his nest, his tail drooping with exhaustion.
Fireheart looked at Cinderpaw. “Aren’t you even a bit frightened by Tigerclaw?” he asked curiously.
“Why should I be?” replied Cinderpaw. “He’s a great warrior. I admire him.”
Of course, why shouldn’t she?Fireheart thought. “You lie very well,” he growled sternly, trying his best to act like a mentor.
“Well, I try not to,” mewed Cinderpaw. “I just thought the truth wouldn’t be very helpful here.”
Fireheart had to admit she had a point. He shook his head slowly. “Go and get warm.”
“Yes, Fireheart!” Cinderpaw dipped her head and charged after Brackenpaw.
Fireheart padded over to the warriors’ den. He was worried at how easily the story about Graystripe’s soaking had tumbled from Cinderpaw’s mouth. But he also believed she was a well-meaning and honest cat. He thought of Ravenpaw, another good cat. Had the story he’d told about Tigerclaw killing Redtail simply been just that—a story that tumbled from his mouth in the heat of the moment? Fireheart shook the thought away. Ravenpaw had been terrified when he spoke to Fireheart. He obviously believed his own story. Why else would he have been frightened enough to leave the Clan?
Fireheart chose a few pieces of fresh-kill and carried them over to the nettle clump. He settled himself beside it and began to gnaw thoughtfully on a mouse. The admiration in Cinderpaw’s voice when she had spoken of Tigerclaw worried him. It seemed as though he alone suspected there was more to the ThunderClan deputy than met the eye. Bluestar’s attitude toward Tigerclaw certainly hadn’t changed. She had been treating him with the same trust and respect that she had always shown him. With a flash of frustration, Fireheart ripped another mouthful from his meal.
A loud sneeze made him look up. Graystripe was heading toward him.
“How are you?” Fireheart asked as Graystripe arrived, smelling of one of Yellowfang’s herb concoctions.
Graystripe sat down heavily and coughed.
“I’ve saved you some food,” Fireheart meowed, pushing a plump thrush and a vole toward his friend.
“Yellowfang says I have to stay in camp. She says I have a chill,” Graystripe meowed thickly.
“I’m not surprised. What did she dose you with?”
“Feverfew and lavender.” Graystripe lay down and began to nibble at the thrush. “This’ll be enough for me,” he mumbled. “I’m not very hungry.”
Fireheart looked at his friend in amazement. That wasn’t something he had ever thought he’d hear Graystripe say. “You sure?” he asked. “There’s plenty here.”
Graystripe stared down at the thrush and didn’t reply.
“Are you sure?” Fireheart repeated.
“What?” Graystripe turned his faraway gaze on Fireheart. “Uh, yeah,” he meowed.
He must have a fever, Fireheart decided, shaking his head. Oh, well, at least he was still here, thanks to that RiverClan cat.
A few days later Fireheart woke to find the first fog of leaf-bare filling the den. When he crept outside, he could barely see the other side of the clearing. He heard pawsteps hurrying toward him, and Mousefur appeared out of the gloom.
“Tigerclaw wants to see you,” she meowed.
“Right, thanks,” answered Fireheart. Alarm shot through him. He’d slipped away to visit Princess yesterday. Had Tigerclaw noticed?
“What was that?” Graystripe’s voice wheezed behind him. He sat down beside Fireheart, sneezed, and yawned.
“Tigerclaw wants to see me.” Fireheart looked at his friend. “You should be asleep.” He was beginning to worry about Graystripe. He ought to have recovered by now. “Did you rest up yesterday?” he asked.
“As much as I could between coughing and sneezing,” complained Graystripe.
“Then why weren’t you in your nest when I got back from”—Fireheart hesitated, remembering he’d spent the afternoon talking with Princess—“training?”
“Do you think I get any peace and quiet in there?” Graystripe flicked his head back at the den. “Warriors trooping in and out all day! I found somewhere quieter, that’s all.”
Fireheart was about to ask where, but Graystripe spoke first. “I wonder what Tigerclaw wants?”
Fireheart’s paws prickled. “I’d better go and find out.”
He could just see the shapes of Tigerclaw and Whitestorm through the mist, sitting below the Highrock. As Fireheart padded over to them, they stopped talking and Tigerclaw turned to him. “It’s time Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw were assessed,” he growled.
“Already?” Fireheart meowed in surprise. The apprentices had not been training long.
“Bluestar wants to see how their training is progressing. Especially with Graystripe being too ill to train Brackenpaw. If Brackenpaw is falling behind, she needs to know so she can appoint another mentor for him.”
Fireheart’s tail twitched with annoyance. Surely Graystripe would recover soon. It would be unfair to entrust his first apprentice to someone else. “I’ve been taking Brackenpaw out with me and Cinderpaw every day,” he meowed quickly.
Tigerclaw glanced at Whitestorm and nodded. “Yes, but this is your first time as a mentor. It’s a lot for you to take on, and ThunderClan needs well-trained warriors.”
I know, and I’m just a kittypet, not a Clanborn warrior, Fireheart thought bitterly. He looked down at his paws, stinging with resentment. No one had asked him to take on Brackenpaw, and he’d been putting in a lot of effort with both apprentices.
Tigerclaw went on. “Send Brackenpaw and Cinderpaw on a hunting mission through Tallpines, as far as Twolegplace. Keep an eye on them, watch them hunt, and report to me. I’ll be interested to see how much fresh-kill they add to the pile.”
Whitestorm added, “If Cinderpaw’s skills match her enthusiasm, there should be plenty to eat tonight. I hear she is a keen apprentice.”
“Yes, she is,” Fireheart agreed, though he was barely listening. Tigerclaw’s words had set his heart racing. Why was Tigerclaw sending him to Twolegplace again?His own hunting assessment had been held over exactly the same route, and Tigerclaw had seen him sharing words with an old kittypet friend; he’d reported it to Bluestar and she had questioned Fireheart’s loyalty to the Clan. Fireheart felt the fur along his spine begin to prickle. Was this Tigerclaw’s way of warning him that he had been spotted talking to Princess?
Fireheart twisted his head and gave his back a quick lick, brushing his bristling hairs flat with his tongue. He sat up straight again and calmly suggested, “The Sunningrocks would be an equally good place to test their skills. The sun there might have burned away some of this mist, too.”
“No,” growled Tigerclaw. “The dawn patrol reported scenting RiverClan at Sunningrocks. They may have started hunting there again.” Anger flared in his eyes, and his lip curled to reveal sharp teeth. “They will need to be warned off before we do any more training there. For now, Tallpines would be much safer for the assessment.”
Whitestorm nodded in agreement while Fireheart’s ears twitched uncomfortably at this news. RiverClan at Sunningrocks! It was lucky they hadn’t been spotted by enemy patrols when Graystripe fell into the river.
“As for the fog,” Tigerclaw continued smoothly, “hunting in difficult conditions will make the test more interesting.”
“Yes, Tigerclaw,” meowed Fireheart, ducking his head respectfully to the two warriors. “I’ll tell Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw. We’ll get started right away.”
When Fireheart explained the assessment to the apprentices, Cinderpaw flicked up her tail and ran in an excited circle. “An assessment! Do you think we’re ready?”
“Of course,” Fireheart meowed, hiding his doubts. “You’ve been working hard and learning quickly.”
“But won’t the fog make hunting difficult?” asked Brackenpaw.
Fireheart replied, “There are advantages to the stillness of the air.”
Brackenpaw looked thoughtful, then his eyes began to shine and he mewed, “It’ll be harder to sniff out prey, but it’ll also make it harder for the prey to smell us.”
“Exactly,” Fireheart agreed.
“Shall we go now?” Cinderpaw asked.
“As soon as you like,” answered Fireheart. “But take your time; it’s not a race.  .  .  .” His words were wasted on Cinderpaw, who was already charging toward the camp entrance. “You’ve got till sunset,” he called after her. Brackenpaw glanced at Fireheart and turned to follow his sister with a small sigh.
Fireheart tracked the two apprentices through the Tallpines. The springy layer of pine needles underpaw felt strangely soft after the frozen ground in the rest of the forest. He followed Cinderpaw’s trail until he could see her stalking eagerly through the forest. Then he picked up Brackenpaw’s scent and followed that. The trails crossed here and there. Fireheart could smell where the apprentices had run fast, where they had sat down, even where they had lingered together at one point.
Before long Fireheart found a spot where Cinderpaw had made a kill. She had taken it with her—as he followed her trail, he could smell the scent of her catch mingling with her own. Then he discovered where Brackenpaw had caught a thrush. The feathers were scattered everywhere. The apprentices were hunting well. Fireheart knew this for sure when he detected a scent thick with fresh-kill. He dug down among the needles at the roots of a pine. There was a stash of prey hidden underneath it, left by Cinderpaw to pick up later. Fireheart felt a small glow of pride at her work. She had caught plenty, and now she was heading for the oak woods behind the Twolegplace.
Fireheart followed. Just beyond the edge of the pine forest, he picked up Brackenpaw’s scent. It was strong, which meant the apprentice was nearby. Fireheart crept forward and peered around a young oak. The apprentice was crouching beneath a tangle of brambles, well disguised among its shadows. Fireheart could just see his tail moving as it twitched from side to side.
Brackenpaw had his eyes fixed on a wood mouse that was scrambling around the roots of a tree. Brackenpaw was taking his time. Good, thought Fireheart. He watched Brackenpaw draw himself forward, one step at a time. The leaves beneath his paws hardly made a sound. He was as quiet as the mouse itself, which continued to hunt for food, suspecting nothing. Fireheart watched breathlessly, remembering his first hunting mission.
Brackenpaw closed in. The soft rustle of his paws on leaves melted into the background sounds of the forest. Fireheart found himself willing the apprentice on. Brackenpaw was only a rabbit-length away from the mouse now, his body pressed flat against the forest floor. The mouse scampered onto a root and looked around. It froze. Something was wrong.
Now!thought Fireheart. Brackenpaw sprang and landed on the mouse, grasping it in his front paws. The mouse didn’t have time to struggle. It was over in a single bite.
Brackenpaw raised his head. Fireheart saw the satisfied expression on the young cat’s face as he breathed the scent of his fresh-kill. Then Brackenpaw darted away between the trees. Fireheart realized he was looking forward to reporting back to Tigerclaw about his apprentices.
“Hi!” The small voice behind him made Fireheart jump into the air. He spun around.
“How are we doing?” asked Cinderpaw, looking up at him with her head to one side.
“You’re not meant to ask that!” Fireheart spat, and licked his ruffled fur. “You’re not supposed to speak to me at all. I’m assessing you, remember?”
“Oh!” mewed Cinderpaw. “Sorry.”
Fireheart sighed. He would never have dared to approach Tigerclaw during his own assessment. He didn’t want to scare Cinderpaw into obedience, as Tigerclaw had done with Ravenpaw, but he wouldn’t mind a little respect every now and then. Sometimes he didn’t feel like Cinderpaw’s mentor at all.
Cinderpaw looked at the ground for a moment, then glanced up at him, a puzzled expression on her face. “Were you really born over there, in Twolegplace?”
The question caught Fireheart off guard. He glanced nervously in the direction of the Twoleg fence, praying that the strange scents of Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw would keep Princess inside her own garden today. “Why d’you ask?” he mewed, stalling.
“Tigerclaw mentioned it, that’s all,” answered Cinderpaw. She seemed genuinely curious, but Fireheart felt a dark quiver of menace at the mention of Tigerclaw’s name. What else had Tigerclaw been telling Cinderpaw about him?
“I was born a kittypet,” Fireheart meowed firmly. “But I’m a warrior now. My life is with the Clan. My old life wasn’t bad, but it’s over, and I’m glad.”
“Oh, okay,” mewed Cinderpaw, sounding unconcerned. “See you later!” She spun around and charged off into the trees.
Fireheart stood alone in the woods, his heart thudding as he stared at the Twoleg fence. A moon ago, his words to Cinderpaw about being glad his old life was over would have been utterly true. Now he was not so sure. His fur tingled with the knowledge that some of his happiest moments recently had been spent sharing memories with his gentle kittypet sister.
第十二章
第十二章
火心抬起头正要说话，但炭爪偷偷撞了他一下，示意他先别出声。
她大胆地抬眼看着虎掌说：“这都是我的错，虎掌。我们原本在沙坑旁那条小溪的冰面上捕猎，即使是溪里的那个深潭上面也冻住了。我滑了一跤，灰条过来扶我，但冰面还不够厚，于是他就掉进水里了。”虎掌死死盯着她那双明亮、清澈的眼睛。她又补充说：“那里真的很深。要不是火心上去拽他，他根本就上不来。”
火心想起他满怀恐惧地眼睁睁看着灰条消失在水里，不由得打了个寒战。
虎掌点了点头，看看灰条说：“趁着还没有冻死，你最好去黄牙那里看看。”他站起身走开了。火心长长舒了口气。
尽管一路跑回营地，但灰条并没有感觉到暖和些，因此他直接奔向黄牙的医务室。蕨爪看了炭爪一眼，疲惫地耷拉着尾巴走回巢穴。
火心看着炭爪，好奇地问：“你一点儿都不害怕虎掌吗？”
炭爪回答说：“为什么要害怕？他是一位伟大的武士，我崇拜他。”
是呀，为什么不该崇拜他呢？火心想。他努力装作一副老师的模样斥责说：“你很会说谎呀。”
炭爪说：“哦，我也不想的。我只是觉得刚才说出事实对我们没什么帮助。”
火心点头同意她的想法。他缓缓地抖了抖脑袋，说：“去暖暖身子吧。”
“是，火心！”炭爪低下头，转身走回巢穴。
火心朝武士巢穴走去，想到炭爪脱口就能编造出个理由来解释灰条落水的事情，心里不由得暗暗担心。但他也相信炭爪是只心地善良的猫。他不由得想起了另一只——好猫，乌爪。他说的那个关于虎掌杀害红尾的故事只是随口编造的吗？火心抖了抖脑袋，想抛开这些想法。在乌爪告诉火心这个故事的时候，他一直在忍受着恐惧的折磨。很显然，乌爪说的应该是实情。除此之外，还能有什么别的事情吓得他离开雷族呢？
火心挑了一块食物走到荨麻堆旁，坐下来边吃边想。炭爪提到虎掌时的那种崇拜的语气使他很忧心，似乎只有他独自怀疑雷族的族长代表图谋不轨。蓝星对虎掌的看法显然不会有什么改变了，她一如既往地信任他、尊重他。火心沮丧地吞下一口食物。
一个很响的喷嚏声引得火心抬起头看，只见灰条正朝他走来。
灰条带着浓烈的草药味儿走到火心身边，火心问他：“你怎么样？”
灰条重重地坐下来开始咳嗽。
火心将一只鸽子和一只水老鼠推到他面前说：“我给你留了点儿食物。”
灰条鼻音很重地说：“黄牙说我必须待在营地里，她说我受凉了。”
“这不奇怪，她给你吃了什么药？”
“小白菊和薰衣草。”灰条趴在地上开始撕扯那只鸽子。“这个就够了。”他小声说，“我不太饿。”
火心惊讶地看着他的这位朋友，他从没想到这种话会从灰条的嘴里冒出来。他问：“真的不饿？这里有很多食物呀。”
灰条埋头吃着没有回答。
火心重复了一句：“真的不饿？”
灰条恍恍惚惚地看了火心一眼，说：“什么？哦，是的。”
他一定是烧糊涂了，火心想。他摇了摇头。唔，至少灰条还活着，多亏了那只河族猫。
几天后，火心醒来发现落叶季节的第一场雾下来了。他走出巢穴，几乎看不见会场的另一边。他听见一阵急促的脚步冲他走来，然后就看见鼠毛从雾里现出身形。
她说：“虎掌要见你。”
火心回答：“好的，谢谢你。”他心里很紧张，昨天他偷偷溜出去见公主了，难道虎掌注意到他了？
灰条的声音在他身后响起：“什么事？”他坐在火心身边又是打喷嚏又是打哈欠。
“虎掌想要见我。”火心抬起头看着灰条，开始担心灰条的身体，灰条早该痊愈了。“你应该再睡一会儿。你昨天休息好了吗？”他问。
灰条抱怨说：“又是咳嗽又是喷嚏的，根本休息不成。”
“那么，我从——”火心顿了顿，“训练课上回来的时候，你为什么没在巢穴里呢？”
灰条朝巢穴里晃了晃脑袋，说：“你认为我在这里能有片刻安宁吗？一整天武士们都在进进出出！我发现了一个清静些的地方，这就是我不待在巢穴里的原因了。”
没等火心问那个清静的地方在哪里，灰条先说：“不知道虎掌想干什么？”
火心一惊，说：“我最好去看看。”
大雾弥漫，他只能依稀看见虎掌和白风坐在高岩下。看到火心走过来，他们停止了谈话。虎掌转头对火心大声说：“到了评估炭爪和蕨爪的时候了。”
火心吃惊地问：“现在吗？这两个学徒训练的时间并不长啊。”
“蓝星想看看训练的进度。特别是灰条，他一直生病无法训练蕨爪。如果蕨爪落在后面，她就要给他另外指定一位老师了。”
火心愤怒地摇晃着尾巴。灰条很快就会痊愈的，将他的第一个徒弟托付给别的猫，这对灰条太不公平了。他飞快地说：“我每天都带着炭爪和蕨爪出去。”
虎掌看了一眼白风，点点头说：“是的，但你也是头一回当老师。对你来说，教一个徒弟便已很吃力了，而且雷族需要的是经过全能训练的武士。”
火心苦涩地想：我知道，我只是一只宠物猫，不是一名族生的武士。他低头看着爪子，心里愤愤不平。没有谁要求他训练蕨爪，而他在两个学徒身上花费了许多心血。
虎掌继续说：“带蕨爪和炭爪穿过松林，去两腿动物地盘附近捕猎。监视他们捕猎的情况，回来向我汇报。我很想知道他们能捕到多少猎物。”
白风补充说：“我听说炭爪是一个满腔热情的学徒。如果她的技能和她的热情相符，今天她应该能捕到很多猎物才是。”
火心心不在焉地说：“是的，没错。”虎掌的话把他的思绪给搅乱了。为什么虎掌又派他去两腿动物的地盘？当初对他进行评估时，便是这条路线。虎掌看见他和一个宠物猫老朋友谈话，于是将这件事报告给蓝星，蓝星因此还质疑他对族群的忠诚。火心感到脊背上的毛开始竖立起来。难道虎掌发现自己偷偷去见公主，因此用这种方式警告自己吗？
火心扭过头用舌头仔细梳理着竖起来的毛。然后他又坐直身体，平静地提出建议说：“去太阳石也能很好地测试他们的技能。那里的阳光也许还能驱散浓雾。”
虎掌大声吼道：“不！早班巡逻队报告说在太阳石发现了河族的气味。他们也许又开始在那里打猎了。”他眼里闪着怒火，龇牙咧嘴地说着：“我们要先把他们赶跑后才能去那里训练。而现在，去松林评估会安全得多。”
白风点头表示同意。听到这个消息，火心感到十分不安。河族在太阳石！灰条落水那天，他们没有被敌人的巡逻队发现真是万幸呀。
虎掌继续说：“至于这场雾嘛，在困难的条件下捕猎将更加有利于测试出他们的真实水平。”
火心尊敬地向两位武士低下头，说：“是，虎掌，我会告诉炭爪和蕨爪的。我们立刻出发。”
当火心将评估的消息告诉给两个学徒时，炭爪兴奋地翘起尾巴原地转圈：“评估！你觉得我们准备好了吗？”
火心掩饰住自己的怀疑，说：“当然了。一直以来你们都很努力，学起东西来又快又好。”
蕨爪问：“但这场大雾会不会给打猎增加难度呀？”
火心回答：“这种天气也有其优点。”
蕨爪想了想后眼睛亮了起来，说：“这种天气我们虽然很难嗅到猎物的气味，但猎物同样也很难嗅到我们的气味。”
火心同意道：“非常正确。”
炭爪问：“我们现在就走吗？”
“是的。但别着急，这可不是赛跑。”火心的话对炭爪简直就是白说，因为后者早已向营门口冲去。“在太阳落山前回来。”火心冲着炭爪的背影喊道。蕨爪看了看火心，轻声叹了口气后迈步追赶炭爪。
火心一路追踪着两个学徒的气味来到松林里。与丛林里结了冰的地面相比，走在富有弹性的松针上，能感觉到一种奇特的柔软。在松林里，火心先是嗅到了匆匆忙忙的炭爪，接着又找到了蕨爪的气味。仅仅凭借着气味，他就能判断出这两名学徒曾在哪里奔跑、在哪里逗留甚至在哪里会合过。
没过多久，火心就找到了炭爪捕杀猎物的地点。因为在那里她的气味中又多了一道猎物的气味。接着他又发现蕨爪捉到歌鸫的地点，在那里到处散落着歌鸫的羽毛。这两个学徒捕猎的收获不错。当他在一棵松树下的松针里找到埋在其中的猎物时，更肯定了自己的判断。猎物是炭爪埋在这里的，以便她返回时取走。看着自己徒弟的工作成果，火心感到很骄傲。炭爪向两腿动物地盘后面的橡树林走去，路上捉到了许多猎物。
火心一路跟踪，走出松林时，捕捉到了蕨爪的气味。蕨爪的气味很浓烈，这意味着他就在附近。火心匍匐前进，从小橡树林里朝外望去，看见蕨爪正趴在一簇灌木丛里，在灌木丛的阴影下隐蔽得很好。他只能看见蕨爪晃来晃去的尾巴。
蕨爪紧盯着前方树根间爬行的一只老鼠，并没有急于出击。火心不由暗暗叫好。他看见蕨爪身体逐渐向前挪动，每次只前进一步，脚下的树叶几乎不发出声响。那只老鼠仍在寻找食物，丝毫没有察觉。
蕨爪一步步地逼近那只猎物，脚下发出的些微声响完全被森林里的其他声音所掩盖。
火心觉得是蕨爪出击的时候了，因为他距离那只老鼠仅有一步之遥了。蕨爪的身体紧紧贴住地面。那只老鼠爬到一条树根上四处张望，突然僵住了身体，它感到大事不妙。
上！火心想。蕨爪向前扑出，用前爪捉住了它。那只老鼠连挣扎都没来得及，就被蕨爪一口结果了性命。
蕨爪嗅了嗅他的猎物，抬起头，一脸满意的样子。接着他便冲进树丛里离开了。火心此刻非常想立刻向蓝星汇报他的学徒们捕猎的情况。
“嘿！”身后传来的轻声招呼吓了他一大跳。他转过身，只见炭爪正歪着头看他，她问：“我们干得如何？”
火心边将竖起的毛舔下去边呵斥说：“这不是你该问的问题！你压根儿就不该和我说话。我正在对你进行评估，记得吗？”
炭爪说：“哦！对不起。”
火心叹了口气。当初虎掌对他进行评估的时候，他可不敢这么胆大妄为。他不想让炭爪也像乌爪面对虎掌时那样，出于畏惧而服从自己，不过他也并不介意自己时不时能够得到一些尊重，有时他根本感觉不到自己是炭爪的老师。
炭爪低头看着地上，过了一会儿又一脸困惑地抬眼望着他，问：“你真的是出生在那里吗？在两腿动物的地盘里？”
这个问题令火心猝不及防。他紧张地朝两腿动物的围栏张望着，暗自祈祷今天炭爪和蕨爪的气味能使公主老老实实地待在花园里不敢出来。他有些慌张地问：“为什么问这个？”
“虎掌曾提到过。”炭爪回答，脸上一副天真好奇的神情。但火心一听到虎掌的名字，就感到阴森森的直起鸡皮疙瘩。虎掌还告诉炭爪什么别的关于他的事情？
火心镇静地说：“我出生时是一只宠物猫，但我现在是一名武士，生活在族群里。我过去的生活并不坏，但那都是过去的事了，而且我现在生活得很快活。”
炭爪说：“哦，知道了。”听起来她对此毫不关心。“再见！”说着她转身冲进树丛里。
火心独自站在树林里，望着两腿动物的围栏，心里怦怦直跳。一个月前，他曾对炭爪说过很高兴结束了自己过去的生活，当时他说那番话是发自内心的。而现在他则不敢那么肯定了。想起最近常常和温柔的宠物猫姐姐促膝长谈时的快乐，他心潮起伏，久久不能平静。
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER13
As the sun sank into theforest, Fireheart waited beside the pine tree where Cinderpaw had buried her first lot of fresh-kill. He heard pawsteps and turned to see Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw padding toward him. Prey dangled from their mouths. Brackenpaw could barely hold his catch, it was so big. Fireheart felt a surge of relief. Even Tigerclaw couldn’t criticize the apprentices’ efforts.
“I’ll help carry this lot back,” Fireheart offered, flicking away the covering of pine needles from Cinderpaw’s stash. He dug it up, grasped the fresh-kill between his teeth, and set off back to the camp.
When they arrived in the camp clearing, some of the Clan cats were already taking their share of fresh-kill from the pile. Tigerclaw must have been looking out for their return, because he padded over to them as they dropped their catch near the rest.
“They caught all this themselves?” he asked, nudging the pile with a massive paw.
“Oh, yes,” Fireheart replied.
“Good,” meowed Tigerclaw. “Come and join me and Bluestar. Bring some fresh-kill for yourself; we’re already eating.”
Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw looked at Fireheart with admiring stares—it was a privilege to eat with the Clan leader and deputy. Fireheart didn’t share their excitement. He’d hoped that he would report to Bluestar alone. The last cat he wanted to share his meal with was Tigerclaw.
“By the way, have you seen Graystripe?” asked Tigerclaw. Fireheart felt a pang of concern as Tigerclaw continued: “He’s supposed to stay in camp while he has this cold, but I haven’t seen him since sunhigh.”
Fireheart shifted his paws. Had Graystripe gone off looking for peace and quiet again? “No,” he admitted. “Perhaps he’s with Yellowfang?”
“Perhaps,” echoed Tigerclaw, and padded away to where Bluestar was gnawing a fat pigeon.
Fireheart followed, trying to push away his growing worry about Graystripe’s disappearances. He selected a small chaffinch from the pile of fresh-kill as he passed, then wished he’d chosen a vole. How was he going to give his report with a mouthful of feathers?
“Welcome, Fireheart,” meowed Bluestar as Fireheart sat down in front of her. He placed the chaffinch on the ground, but decided not to start eating.
“Tigerclaw tells me your apprentices caught plenty of prey.” Bluestar’s gaze was friendly. Tigerclaw, sitting up beside her, glared at him more critically, making Fireheart’s tail twitch.
“Yes. They’ve never hunted in the mist before, but it didn’t seem to put either of them off,” Fireheart meowed. “I watched Brackenpaw catch a wood mouse. His stalking was excellent.”
“And what about Cinderpaw?” asked Bluestar.
Fireheart noticed a steely glint appear in her eyes. Was she worried about Cinderpaw’s abilities? Fireheart replied, “Her hunting skills are developing well. She has lots of enthusiasm, that’s for sure, and she doesn’t seem to be scared of anything.”
“Aren’t you worried that might make her reckless?” asked Bluestar.
“She’s quick and inquisitive, which makes her a good learner. I think that will make up for her”—Fireheart searched anxiously for the right word—“eagerness.”
Bluestar flicked her tail. “Her eagerness, as you say, worries me,” she meowed, flashing a glance at Tigerclaw. “She will need careful guidance in her training.” Fireheart’s spirits plummeted. Was Bluestar unhappy with his mentoring?
Bluestar’s eyes softened. “She was always going to be a challenge. But she is clearly turning into a fine hunter. You have done good work with her, Fireheart. With both of them, in fact.” Fireheart brightened immediately, and Bluestar went on. “I’ve noticed how you’ve taken over Brackenpaw’s training without being asked, and I want you to carry on mentoring them both for the time being.”
Tigerclaw turned his gaze away, but Fireheart didn’t miss the anger that flashed in his eyes. “Thank you, Bluestar,” he meowed
“I see your missing friend has returned,” Tigerclaw growled without turning his head.
Fireheart spun around to see Graystripe appearing from behind the nursery. “He was probably just getting some peace and quiet,” he suggested. “He’s still feverish, and it can’t be easy being stuck in the camp all day.”
“Easy or not, he should be concentrating on getting better,” meowed Tigerclaw. “Leaf-bare is no time for sickness in the camp. Mousefur was coughing on patrol this morning. I just hope StarClan protects us from greencough this season. We lost five kits to it last year.”
Bluestar nodded her gray head solemnly. “Let’s pray this leaf-bare isn’t as long or as hard. It’s never an easy time for the Clans.” She looked wistful for a moment, then told Fireheart, “Take that chaffinch and share it with Graystripe. He’ll want to know how his apprentice did in the assessment.”
“Yes, Bluestar. Thanks,” meowed Fireheart. He picked up the chaffinch and bounded over to the nettle clump where Graystripe had settled himself with a large wood mouse. Graystripe had eaten half of it by the time Fireheart arrived. Perhaps his cold was on the mend.
As Fireheart dropped the chaffinch beside his friend, Graystripe sneezed.
“Cold no better?” asked Fireheart sympathetically.
“Nope,” replied Graystripe with his mouth full. “I guess I’ll have to stay in camp awhile longer.”
Fireheart thought his friend sounded a lot more cheerful than he had before, but he didn’t want to betray his growing suspicion that Graystripe was up to something.
“Brackenpaw did really well in his assessment today,” he meowed.
“Really?” Graystripe took another bite of mouse. “That’s good.”
“Yeah, he’s a great hunter.” Fireheart started to eat his chaffinch. “Graystripe,” he meowed after a long silence, “have you been out of the camp the past few days?”
Graystripe stopped chewing. “Why do you ask?”
Fireheart’s tail twitched uncomfortably. “Well, you weren’t here when I got in from last night’s patrol, and Tigerclaw said he hadn’t seen you since sunhigh today.”
“Tigerclaw?” Graystripe sounded worried.
“I told him you were probably out looking for peace and quiet, or that you might be with Yellowfang,” Fireheart meowed. He took another bite of chaffinch. “Were you?” he asked through the feathers, suddenly desperate for Graystripe to say yes, to stop the suspicion that Graystripe might be keeping a secret from him.
But Graystripe ignored Fireheart’s query. “Well, thanks for covering for me.” He carried on chewing.
Fireheart didn’t ask any more questions, even though he was burning with curiosity. When Graystripe got to his paws and announced he was going to the den, Fireheart was still no wiser about what was on Graystripe’s mind.
“Okay,” he meowed. “I think I’ll stay here a bit longer.” Graystripe gave him a brief nod and padded away. Fireheart rolled onto his back for a long stretch, scratching the ground above his head with his claws. He lay on his back for a while, thinking. From the smell of him, Graystripe had given himself a good wash very recently. Was he trying to hide some scent? Fireheart realized that Graystripe had pretty much admitted he had left the camp. But where could he have gone that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, tell Fireheart? Suddenly his paws prickled—what about his own visits to Princess, in Twoleg territory, of all places! He’d washed himself thoroughly before returning to camp too, and never mentioned the meetings to Graystripe.
Fireheart flipped over and sat up. There was something caught under one of his claws. He lifted his paw and tugged out the piece of dirt with his teeth. It was a catkin, old and shriveled, but definitely a catkin. What was this doing here? Willow trees didn’t grow in ThunderClan’s part of the forest—in fact, the only willows Fireheart had ever seen grew close to the river, in RiverClan territory. Fireheart held his breath as his heart began to pound. Had this come from Graystripe’s coat?
He crept into the warriors’ den. Graystripe was already asleep. Fireheart lay awake beside him and wondered if Graystripe had really been foolish enough to return to RiverClan territory. The look in Leopardfur’s eyes after Whiteclaw’s death had shown that there was a score to be settled. Fireheart shuddered as he resolved to find out exactly where Graystripe was going and why.
When Fireheart awoke the den felt damp and chilled. One sniff of the air told him rain was on the way. He pushed his way outside, yawning. He hadn’t slept well, worrying about Graystripe. Even now, the thought of his friend alone in RiverClan territory sent a shiver through him.
“Chilly, eh?” Runningwind’s voice startled Fireheart. Fireheart looked over his shoulder, his tail twitching. The lean tabby warrior was padding out of the den.
“Er, yeah,” Fireheart agreed.
“Are you okay?” asked Runningwind. “Not caught your friend’s cold, have you? Mousefur’s streaming with it this morning, and Longtail said Swiftpaw sneezed all through training yesterday.”
Fireheart shook his head. “I’m fine. Just tired after yesterday’s assessment.”
“Ah. Bluestar thought you might be. That’s why she asked me to help you with Cinderpaw’s and Brackenpaw’s training today. Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah, thanks,” Fireheart meowed.
“Right, then,” Runningwind decided. “I’ll meet you in the hollow after I’ve eaten. If Swiftpaw’s coming down with a cold, we should have the place to ourselves. Are you hungry?” Fireheart shook his head, and Runningwind trotted away to pick through the leftovers from last night’s fresh-kill.
Fireheart went straight to the training hollow and waited for the others to arrive. His mind was not on training; he was still thinking about Graystripe. He felt sure his friend would slip out of camp again today.
A rain-laden wind was beginning to sway the leafless branches above the hollow when Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw arrived, followed by Runningwind.
“What are we doing today?” asked Cinderpaw, scampering down into the hollow. Fireheart stared at her blankly. He hadn’t thought about it at all.
“Hunting?” Brackenpaw mewed hopefully as he trotted after Cinderpaw.
Runningwind padded across the hollow and joined them. “How about practicing some stalking techniques?” he suggested.
“Good idea,” Fireheart agreed quickly.
“Not the old ‘rabbit hears you, mouse feels you’ lesson again!” Cinderpaw moaned.
Runningwind silenced her with a look and turned to Fireheart.
Fireheart realized with a jump that Runningwind was waiting for him to start. “Er, I’ll start by showing you the best way to stalk rabbit,” he stammered. He dropped into a crouch and began to move forward, fast and light, until he reached the end of the hollow. He stood and turned to find the other three cats staring at him quizzically.
“Are you sure that’d fool a rabbit?” mewed Cinderpaw, her whiskers twitching.
Fireheart felt confused for a moment until he realized he’d just demonstrated his best bird-stalking technique. A rabbit would have heard the swish of his fur through the undergrowth three fox-lengths away.
Fireheart looked at Runningwind, embarrassed. The tabby warrior frowned. “How about I show you two how to creep up on a shrew?” Cinderpaw turned her bright gaze from Fireheart to Runningwind. Fireheart sighed and padded over to watch.
By sunhigh, Fireheart was still finding it difficult to concentrate on the training session. He kept imagining Graystripe sneaking out of the camp, and longed to follow him. Eventually his restlessness overwhelmed him. He went over to Runningwind and spoke quietly into his ear. “I have a bellyache,” he meowed. “Can you take over the training for the rest of the day? I want to see if Yellowfang has anything for it.”
“I thought you seemed a little distracted,” Runningwind replied. “You go back to camp. I’ll take this pair out hunting.”
“Thanks, Runningwind,” meowed Fireheart, feeling a pang of shame that Runningwind had believed him so easily.
He limped across the hollow, trying to look as if he were in pain. As soon as he was safely among the trees, he broke into a run and raced back to the camp. When Graystripe had returned yesterday, he’d appeared from behind the nursery. Fireheart knew from experience that this was the best place to slip through the camp boundary without being noticed—it was where Yellowfang had escaped from the camp when the Clan had suspected the old medicine cat of Spottedleaf’s murder.
Fireheart padded around the outside of the camp and sniffed at the wall of bracken. His heart sank as he picked up Graystripe’s scent. Graystripe had definitely been sneaking out of the camp this way, and often, by the smell of it. At least the scent was stale, which meant he hadn’t been this way today.
Fireheart crouched behind a nearby tree and settled down to wait. The wood was growing darker as rain clouds began to push across the sky. The shadows hid him perfectly, and he made sure he was downwind so Graystripe wouldn’t detect him. His belly really was aching now, tense with guilt and apprehension. He half hoped Graystripe wouldn’t come, half hoped he would just lead him to some quiet spot within ThunderClan’s borders.
Fireheart’s heart lurched as he heard a rustling in the bracken wall. A gray nose was pushing its way through the fronds. Fireheart ducked his head as Graystripe looked around cautiously. After a few moments, the warrior leaped out and set off at a trot toward the training hollow.
Hope flared in Fireheart’s chest. Perhaps Graystripe’s cold was better and he’d decided to join the training session. He set off after him, keeping a safe distance behind, relying on scent rather than sight to track his friend.
But when the trail veered away from the path that led to the training hollow, Fireheart knew that his hope had been in vain. With an ominous sense of dread, he saw the distinctive gray rock loom ahead through the trees: Sunningrocks. Fireheart pricked his ears and opened his mouth, testing the breeze for the smell of enemy cats. At the edge of the trees, he caught a glimpse of a broad-shouldered gray cat slipping past the rocks, toward the RiverClan border. There was no doubt now where Graystripe was heading.
As soon as his friend was out of sight, Fireheart padded forward and peered down the slope to the river. By the swaying of the undergrowth, Fireheart could guess where Graystripe was. He just hoped there weren’t any RiverClan warriors watching too.
Fireheart made his way down through the fronds. The river wasn’t frozen anymore—he could hear the water lapping at the bank and splashing over the boulders. He slowed his pace as he reached the edge of the bracken and peered out at the open shore.
Graystripe was sitting on the pebbles. The gray warrior was looking around, his ears pricked, but Fireheart could tell from the relaxed slope of his shoulders that he wasn’t listening for prey.
A strange cat’s call sounded in the distance. A RiverClan patrol? Fireheart’s fur prickled and his muscles instinctively tensed, but Graystripe didn’t move. Then Fireheart heard a rustle in the bracken beyond the river. Still Graystripe stayed where he was. Fireheart held his breath as a face appeared on the far riverbank. With barely a sound, the silver she-cat emerged from the undergrowth and slipped into the river. Fireheart felt his heart miss a beat. It was Silverstream, the she-cat who had rescued his friend!
She swam easily across the river. Graystripe stood up and mewed with delight, kneading the pebbles with his paws in anticipation. Holding his tail high, he padded to the edge of the water as she climbed onto the shore.
Silverstream shook the drops from her fur, and the two gray cats touched noses gently. Graystripe rubbed his muzzle along her jaw and she lifted her chin happily. Then Silverstream stood on tiptoe and wound her slender body around his. For once Graystripe didn’t seem to mind getting wet at all, because he purred loud enough for Fireheart to hear as Silverstream pressed her damp fur against him.
第十三章
第十三章
火心坐在松林里炭爪埋藏猎物的地方，一直等到日落西山，方才听到脚步声响。他转过头看见炭爪和蕨爪嘴里叼着猎物正朝他走来。蕨爪捉到的猎物很大，以至于他叼着十分吃力。火心暗地里松了一口气，心想即使是虎掌，对他们的收获也挑不出毛病来。
火心主动说：“我帮你们拿埋在这里的这一批。”他扒开盖在猎物上面的松针，叼起猎物返回营地。
当他们到达营地时，一些猫已经开始吃饭了。虎掌看见他们将猎物放在猎物堆旁，于是向他们走过来。
他用一只爪子拨了拨他们打来的猎物，问火心：“这些都是他们自己打的吗？”
火心回答：“是的。”
虎掌说：“很好。走，和我一同去见蓝星。带上你自己的食物，我们已经开始吃了。”
炭爪和蕨爪羡慕地看着火心——同族长和族长代表一起进餐可是一项殊荣啊！火心可没有他们那么兴奋，他原想独自向蓝星汇报的。他最不愿一同进餐的猫就要数虎掌了。
虎掌说：“顺便问一句，你见到灰条了吗？”火心顿时紧张起来，只听虎掌继续说：“既然他着了凉，就该待在营地里，但从中午到现在我都没有见到他。”
火心有些局促不安。难道灰条又去哪里找安静了？他承认说：“我没有见到他。也许他和黄牙在一起吧？”
虎掌重复了一句：“也许。”说完朝正在吃鸽子的蓝星走去。
火心跟在后面，心里越来越担心灰条。从食物堆旁经过时，他挑了一只小燕雀，继而又后悔自己应该挑一只水老鼠。塞了一嘴的毛，怎么向蓝星汇报呀？
看着火心坐在面前，蓝星说：“欢迎共餐，火心。”火心将燕雀放在地上，决心先不去吃它。
“虎掌告诉我，你们的学徒捉到很多猎物。”蓝星的目光很柔和。虎掌则坐在她的旁边，那副挑剔的样子使火心很紧张。
火心说：“是的。他们此前从没有在雾天里捕猎，但这似乎并不影响他们今天的表现。
我看到蕨爪捉了一只森林鼠，他的匍匐动作很完美。”
蓝星问：“炭爪怎么样？”
火心注意到她的眼里闪过一丝严厉的神色。她是否在担心炭爪的能力呢？火心回答：“她的捕猎技巧也很好。可以肯定的是，她的热情很高，而且她似乎不惧怕任何事物。”
蓝星问：“你不担心那会使她做事鲁莽吗？”
“她行动敏捷，勤学好问，这些都使她将来能成为一位优秀的武士。我想这些优点能够弥补她——”火心极力想找一个恰当的词，“急躁的缺点。”
蓝星晃了晃尾巴，说：“就如你所说，她生性急躁，这一点令我很担心。”她瞥了一眼虎掌：“她需要在训练课程中加以仔细的引导。”火心心里一沉，蓝星不满意他的教导吗？
蓝星目光变得柔和：“教导她决不是一件容易的事，但现在看来，她是一位捕猎能手。
这都是你辛勤教诲的结果啊，火心。事实上，你教导了他们两个。”火心的心情豁然开朗起来。蓝星继续说：“我知道你主动接管了教导蕨爪的工作，我想让你在今后的时间里继续教导他们两个。”
虎掌移开目光，但火心注意到他的眼里闪着怒火。火心说：“谢谢你，蓝星。”
虎掌大声说：“我看到你那位消失的朋友回来了。”他说话时并没有转过头。
火心扭头看见灰条从育婴室后走了出来，于是猜测说：“他很可能去找清静的地方了。
他仍发着烧，整天待在营地里可不是件容易事。”
虎掌说：“不管容易与否，他都应该一心一意地养病。在叶子凋落的季节里，营地里出现任何的疾病我们都不能大意。今天早上巡逻时鼠毛咳嗽了一路。我只希望星族保佑我们别在这种季节得绿感冒。去年我们损失了五只幼崽。”
蓝星面色凝重地点点头说：“让我们祈求这个季节别那么漫长、那么艰难吧。所有的族群在这种季节里过得都不容易啊。”她出了会儿神，然后对火心说：“带上这只燕雀和灰条一起去用餐吧。他一定想知道自己的徒弟在评估中表现得怎么样。”
火心说：“是，蓝星。谢谢！”他叼起燕雀向灰条走去，灰条正趴在荨麻旁吃一只肥大的老鼠。火心到来时他已经吃下去一半了。也许他在逐渐恢复健康。
就在火心将燕雀放在灰条身边的时候，灰条打了个喷嚏。
火心同情地问：“还没见好吗？”
灰条边吃边说：“没有。看来我不得不在营地里多休息一段时间了。”
火心从他说话的语气中能感觉出他比原先精神好了许多，但却越来越怀疑灰条有什么事情在瞒着他。
他说：“蕨爪在今天的评估中表现得十分出色。”
“真的？”灰条又吃了口鼠肉，“太好了。”
“是的，他是把好手。”火心开始吃他的燕雀。“灰条，”他沉默了好长一段时间后才说，“最近几天你总外出吗？”
灰条咀嚼的动作停了下来：“为什么问这个？”
火心的尾巴不自在地晃了晃，说：“嗯，昨晚我巡逻回来的时候你不在，而且虎掌说他今天中午之后就再没有看见你。”
“虎掌？”灰条的声音听起来有些担心。
火心说：“我告诉他要么你是出去找清净了，要么你和黄牙在一起。”他又咬了一口燕雀，含着满嘴的羽毛问：“我说对了吗？”他忽然很希望能听到灰条说“是的”，这样他就不用再怀疑灰条有事瞒着他了。
但灰条却没有回答，而是继续吃着老鼠，说：“哦，谢谢你替我掩饰。”
虽然十分想知道答案，但火心没有再追问。灰条吃完后嚷着要回巢穴的时候，火心对灰条心里的秘密仍是不得要领。
火心说：“好吧，我想在这里多待一会儿。”灰条对他略一点头后走开了。火心翻过身仰面躺着伸了个懒腰，爪子在头顶前面的地上一通乱抓。他躺在那里想着心事。显然，灰条最近对自己身上的气味清理得很仔细。他究竟想隐瞒什么呢？灰条对自己外出的事情供认不讳，但他去哪里了？为什么不能，或者不愿告诉自己呢？突然，他心神剧烈震动——他想起自己去两腿动物地盘看望姐姐的事情！他在返回营地前也是对自己身上的气味彻底清理一遍，也没有把自己和姐姐会面的事情告诉灰条。
火心翻过身站了起来，突然发觉爪子下面有什么东西。他提起爪子在牙齿上一刮，是一缕柳絮，虽然已经枯萎，但的的确确是柳絮。这里怎么会有柳絮呢？雷族的领地里根本就没有柳树——事实上，火心只在河岸边见到过柳树，在河族的领地里。火心的心快要从嗓子眼儿里跳出来了：这些柳絮是从灰条身上掉下来的吗？
他走进武士巢穴，看见灰条已经睡着了。火心躺在他身边睡不着，很想知道灰条是否真傻得竟然去河族的领地。白掌的死使豹毛对他们恨之入骨。火心打了个寒战，暗下决心一定要找出灰条究竟去哪里了和去那里的原因。
火心醒来时，巢穴里十分阴冷。嗅到的空气告诉他天快要下雨了。他打着哈欠走出巢穴，昨晚他满脑子都是灰条的事情，睡得并不踏实。即使是现在，一想到他的朋友孤身进入河族的领地，他还是不由地打了个冷战。
“真冷，嗯？”奔风的声音吓了火心一跳。火心摇晃着尾巴，扭头看见奔风正往巢穴外走。
火心同意说：“哦，是啊。”
奔风问：“你没事吧？你朋友的感冒没有传染给你吧？鼠毛今早一个劲儿地流鼻涕，而且长尾说昨天训练的时候迅爪不停地打喷嚏。”
火心摇了摇头说：“我很好。只不过昨天进行完评估后有些累罢了。”
“哈，蓝星也是这么想的。难怪她要我今天帮你训练炭爪和蕨爪呢。你没有不舒服吧？”
火心说：“没有，谢谢关心。”
奔风说：“好的，既然这样，吃完饭后咱们沙坑见。如果迅爪感冒，我就不让他去了。
你饿吗？”火心摇了摇头，奔风走开去寻找昨晚吃剩的猎物。
火心径直走到沙坑等候其他几位的到来。他的心思根本不在训练上，他仍在想灰条的事。可以肯定，今天灰条必定又要溜出营地。
雨前的风将沙坑上方光秃秃的树枝吹得摇摆不定，这时奔风领着炭爪和蕨爪赶来了。
炭爪蹦蹦跳跳地跑进沙坑，问：“今天我们做什么？”火心茫然地看着她。他根本没有想过今天的安排。
蕨爪跟着炭爪走进沙坑，满怀希望地问：“捕猎吗？”
奔风也走了进来，建议说：“进一步练习匍匐技术怎么样？”
火心连忙同意说：“好主意。”
炭爪抱怨：“又是什么‘兔子听见你，老鼠感觉到你’这种老套！”
奔风瞪了她一眼让她闭嘴，然后转头看着火心。
火心突然意识到奔风是在等候他开始上课。“哦，我先给你们演示一下偷袭兔子的最佳方法。”他结结巴巴地说着，趴下身体开始向前移动，他的动作又轻又快，一直爬到沙坑边。他站起来，发现其他几位都一脸古怪地看着自己。
炭爪的须子直颤悠，说：“你确定那样能糊弄住兔子吗？”
火心愣了一下，随即意识到方才他演示的是捕鸟的动作。要是兔子，从很远就能听见他的皮毛摩擦周围灌木的声音。
火心看了看奔风，十分尴尬。奔风皱着眉头说：“我给你们演示一下捕捉兔子的技巧怎么样？”炭爪那双明亮的眼睛看看火心，又看看奔风。火心叹了口气，走到一旁观看。
直到中午，火心都难以将注意力集中在训练上，一直在想灰条偷偷溜出营地的事情，想要跟踪灰条的念头越来越强烈。最终，他走到奔风身边悄声地说：“我肚子疼。你能帮我在剩余的时间里训练他们吗？我去看看黄牙有什么治肚子疼的办法没有。”
奔风回答：“我说你怎么有些心不在焉呢。你回营地去吧，我教他们打猎。”
看到奔风如此轻易相信自己，火心反而感到很不好意思，忙说：“多谢了，奔风。”
他摇摇晃晃地爬出沙坑，竭力装出一副痛苦的样子。走进树林后，他便加快脚步往营地跑。火心记得昨天灰条是从育婴室后进入营地的。从以往的经验判断，火心知道那里是在不被注意的情况下溜出营地的最佳地点——当初雷族怀疑黄牙杀了斑叶的时候，她便是从那里逃出去的。
火心绕着营地外围打转，嗅着灌木围墙。当他嗅到灰条的气味时，心里一沉：灰条绝对是从这里溜出去的，而且还是经常性的。不过他闻到的气味都比较陈旧，这说明灰条至少今天还没有出去。
火心伏在附近的一棵树后静静等候着。乌云渐渐布满天空，树林里越来越黑。这种情况很利于火心隐蔽，而且他处在下风向，不怕被灰条嗅到气味。由于愧疚和忧虑引发情绪紧张，他的肚子现在真的开始疼了。他既希望灰条出现，又希望灰条要去的地方是在雷族领地的范围之内。
这时，只听围墙处沙沙作响，火心的心一下子缩紧了。只见一团灰影从围墙内钻了出来，不是别人，正是灰条。灰条谨慎地向四周望了望，火心连忙低下头。片刻之后，灰条迈开脚步直奔沙坑的方向。
火心胸中升起希望。也许灰条的感冒见好了，想去给徒弟们上课呢。火心远远跟在后面，凭借着气味跟踪。
走到半路，气味忽然转了方向，不再指向沙坑，火心顿感希望破灭。他透过树林望见前方的那块醒目的灰色巨石，心中不由产生一种不祥的预感。太阳石！火心竖起耳朵张开嘴巴从微风中搜寻着目标的踪迹。他一瞥眼看见灰条正经过太阳石向河族领地内跑去。不用问便知道灰条这是要去哪里。
火心等灰条走出视线后才慢慢上前，从小河的坡岸高处朝下张望。灌木的摇晃显示出灰条的方位。火心只希望不会有河族武士们看到那里的动静。
火心顺着坡岸往下走，穿行在灌木丛间。河里的冰都化了，他能听见河水轻轻拍打河岸和撞击鹅卵石的声音。将要走出灌木丛的时候，他放慢脚步，朝灌木丛外开阔的河岸望去。
只见灰条正坐在一堆鹅卵石上四处张望，但他肩膀处的肌肉很松弛，显然不是在搜索猎物。
远处传来一声陌生猫的呼唤。是河族的巡逻队吗？火心一下子紧张起来，肌肉本能地绷紧了，但灰条没有任何动静。接着火心听到对岸的灌木丛里传出沙沙声，灰条仍待在原地没有动。火心屏住呼吸，这时河对岸冒出一张脸，一只银灰色的母猫悄无声息地从灌木丛里走了出来，钻进河里。火心的心猛地一跳。是银溪，那只救过灰条的母猫！
银溪轻轻松松便游过河。灰条站立起来发出欢快的叫声，爪子揉搓着脚下的鹅卵石，一副期盼已久的样子。他翘着尾巴走到银溪上岸处。
银溪抖去身上的水滴，两只猫温柔地对触着鼻子。灰条伸出鼻子摩擦银溪的下巴，后者幸福地仰起面颊。接着银溪踮起脚尖将身体靠在灰条身上，灰条丝毫不介意身上的毛被沾湿，反而发出呜呜的欢叫声。
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER14
Fireheart’s hackles bristled with horrorHowcould Graystripe be so stupid? He was breaking every part of the warrior code by meeting this cat from another Clan.
“Graystripe!” Fireheart hissed as he sprang from the bushes.
The two cats spun around to face him. Silverstream’s ears flattened angrily. Graystripe just stared at him, startled. “You followed me!”
Fireheart ignored his stunned meow. “What are you doing? Don’t you know how dangerous this is?”
Silverstream spoke up. “It’s okay. There won’t be a patrol here till after sunset.”
“You can be sure of that, can you? As if you know all your Clan’s movements!” Fireheart growled.
Silverstream lifted her chin. “Actually, I do. My father is Crookedstar, the leader of RiverClan.”
Fireheart froze. “What are you playing at?” he spat at Graystripe. “Could you have chosen worse?”
Graystripe met Fireheart’s eyes for an instant, then turned to Silverstream. “I’d better go,” he mewed.
Silverstream blinked slowly and stretched her head forward to touch his cheek. They closed their eyes and remained still for a moment. Fireheart watched, his paws prickling with alarm. Silverstream whispered something into Graystripe’s ear and the two cats stepped apart. The RiverClan she-cat raised her head and stared challengingly into Fireheart’s eyes before slipping back into the river.
Graystripe bounded over to Fireheart’s side. The two friends didn’t speak as they raced out of RiverClan territory and back past Sunningrocks. As they approached the camp, Graystripe slowed his pace.
Fireheart slowed too. “You must stop seeing her,” he panted. His panic had lessened now they were well away from the RiverClan border, but he was still angry.
“I can’t,” replied Graystripe hoarsely. He coughed, his sides heaving.
“I don’t understand,” Fireheart meowed. “RiverClan is completely hostile to ThunderClan at the moment. You heard Leopardfur after Whiteclaw died.” Fireheart winced, knowing that the reminder would be painful for his friend, but he couldn’t stop now. “How do you even know you can trust this RiverClan cat?”
“You don’t know Silverstream,” Graystripe spat back. He stopped and sat down. His eyes glazed with pain. “And there’s no need to remind me about Whiteclaw. Do you think it’s easy knowing I’m responsible for the death of one of Silverstream’s Clan mates?” Fireheart snorted impatiently—Whiteclaw was an enemy warrior, not a Clanmate! But Graystripe went on. “Silverstream understands it was an accident. The gorge was no place for a battle. Any cat could have fallen there!”
Fireheart paced around him as Graystripe began to lick the scent of Silverstream from his fur. “It doesn’t matter what Silverstream thinks! What about your loyalty to ThunderClan?” he demanded. “You’re breaking the Clan code by seeing her!”
Graystripe stopped washing. “You think I don’t know that?” he hissed. “Do you doubt my loyalty to ThunderClan?”
“What else can I think? You can’t see her without lying to the Clan. And what if we have a battle with RiverClan? Have you thought about that?”
“You worry too much,” Graystripe snapped. “It won’t come to that. Now that Brokenstar’s gone and WindClan is back, the Clans will be at peace.”
“RiverClan doesn’t seem to be acting very peacefully,” Fireheart pointed out. “You know they’ve been hunting on Sunningrocks, in our territory.”
“They’ve been hunting on Sunningrocks since before I was kitted,” scoffed Graystripe, twisting to wash the base of his tail.
Fireheart carried on pacing. Graystripe just didn’t seem to understand what he was doing. “Okay. What if a RiverClan patrol catches you?”
“Silverstream won’t let that happen,” answered Graystripe between long licks along his bushy tail.
“For StarClan’s sake, aren’t you even a bit worried?” Fireheart burst out, exasperated.
Graystripe stopped washing and looked up at his friend. “You don’t get it, do you? StarClan must have planned this. Look, Silverstream wants to see me—even after what happened to Whiteclaw. We share the same thoughts; it’s as if we were born into the same Clan.”
Fireheart realized it was pointless to argue anymore. “Come on,” he meowed heavily. “We’d better get back before you’re missed again.”
Graystripe got to his paws. Side by side, he and Fireheart walked to the top of the ravine and looked down at the camp. Over and over, one thought echoed in Fireheart’s mind—how could Graystripe love Crookedstar’s daughter, but remain loyal to ThunderClan?
He glanced at Graystripe, and they began to climb down the steep slope home. They crept back into the camp the same way Graystripe had left it. Fireheart held his breath as he squeezed through the boundary wall, angry with Graystripe for making him sneak around like this. His heart sank as they rounded the nursery to find Whitestorm approaching them.
“Graystripe, you should be resting, not hanging around here. That cough of yours has already begun to spread. We don’t want it getting into the nursery!” warned the warrior. Graystripe nodded and padded back toward the warriors’ den. “And you”—Fireheart’s ears flicked nervously as Whitestorm turned to him—“shouldn’t you be training your apprentices?”
“I came back to get something from Yellowfang for a bellyache,” Fireheart mumbled.
“Well, go and get it then,” replied Whitestorm. “And once you have, you can make yourself useful and find some fresh-kill. It’s leaf-bare—we can’t have young warriors hanging around the camp doing nothing!”
“Yes, Whitestorm,” meowed Fireheart. He turned away, relieved to escape any more questions, and ran toward Yellowfang’s den.
Yellowfang was busy mixing herbs. There were several heaps of leaves gathered in front of her. Fireheart stood and watched her for a moment without speaking. He felt sad, drained after the row with Graystripe. He couldn’t help wishing it were Spottedleaf here mixing herbs instead of Yellowfang.
Yellowfang glanced up at him. “My supplies are running low. I might need help to restock.”
Fireheart didn’t reply. He was just wondering if he should confide his worries about Graystripe when she interrupted his thoughts.
“It looks like there’s whitecough in the camp,” she growled, prodding impatiently at a dried leaf. “Two cases this morning.”
“Swiftpaw?” asked Fireheart.
The old medicine cat shook her head. “Swiftpaw’s just got a cold. It’s Speckletail’s kit. And Patchpelt. Not serious at the moment, but we need to concentrate on getting the Clan strong. Leaf-bare always brings the threat of greencough.” Fireheart understood her concern. Greencough was a killer. Yellowfang looked up again. “What do you want?”
“Oh, nothing, just a bellyache, but it doesn’t matter if you’re busy.”
“Bad?” she meowed.
“No,” Fireheart admitted, unable to meet her gaze.
“Then come back when it is.” The medicine cat went back to her mixing. Fireheart turned to leave, but Yellowfang called him back. “Make sure Graystripe stays in his den, will you? He’s a strong young warrior. If he were resting, his cough would be better by now.”
Fireheart’s tail twitched nervously. Had she guessed that Graystripe had been slipping out of the camp? He waited, his heart thudding, in case she was going to say more, but Yellowfang was frowning at the herbs again, so he padded quietly away.
It was getting dark, and Fireheart knew he had only a short time left for hunting. He quickly caught a shrew, a chaffinch, and a mouse, but hesitated before returning to camp. His fears for Graystripe felt more important than anything Whitestorm might say if he didn’t add something to the fresh-kill pile in time. Fireheart came to a decision—if Graystripe wouldn’t listen to reason, maybe Silverstream would.
He stashed his catch beneath a tree root and covered it with leaves. For the second time that day, he turned toward Sunningrocks. The rain that had been threatening all day finally began to fall. It was drumming steadily on the bracken by the time Fireheart crept down the shadowy slope toward the river.
Even in the rain, Silverstream’s scent was easy to find. Fireheart followed the trail to the place where he had found Graystripe and Silverstream together. Hyper-alert, he padded onto the shore. The dark water rushed past relentlessly, sending a shiver down Fireheart’s spine. He had no desire to swim across. His fur did not have the oily protection from the water that that of the RiverClan cats had, and leaf-bare was no season to get a soaking.
Suddenly Fireheart froze. He smelled RiverClan warriors!
He dropped to a crouch and looked across the river to see Silverstream pushing her way through the trailing branches of a willow. Behind her came two of her Clan, one of them a warrior with massive shoulders and battle-torn ears. The warrior sniffed the air suspiciously and peered around.
Fireheart heard the blood roaring in his ears. Had the warrior picked up his scent?
第十四章
第十四章
火心颈背上的毛吓得竖立起来。灰条怎能这么愚蠢呢？他和外族猫的私会几乎违犯了武士法典的每一条戒律。
火心从灌木丛里跳出来压低嗓门喊道：“灰条！”
那两只猫猝不及防，吓了一跳，转身看他。银溪贴平双耳，一副怒气冲冲的样子，灰条则吃惊地看着他说：“你跟踪我！”
火心没有理睬他的惊讶：“你在干什么？难道你不知道这有多危险吗？”
银溪开口说话：“不会有事的。巡逻队在日落后才来这里。”
火心大声吼道：“你能担保不出意外吗，能吗？好像你知道你们族里所有的行动似的！”
银溪仰起脸：“事实上，我确实知道。我的父亲是河族族长钩星。”
火心听得目瞪口呆。“你在搞什么鬼？”他向灰条呵斥说，“还有比这更糟的吗？”
灰条和火心对视片刻，然后转头对银溪说：“我得走了。”
银溪缓缓眨动眼睛，向前伸头去碰触灰条的脸颊。他们都闭上眼睛静静享受了一会儿彼此的温情。火心在一旁看着，紧张得不得了。银溪在灰条耳边小声说了几句话后，两只猫分开了。那只河族母猫扬着脸挑衅地看了一眼火心，转身钻进河里。
灰条走到火心身边，彼此都没有说话。他们走出河族的领地回家。将要到营地的时候，灰条放慢步伐。火心也减慢速度，喘着粗气说：“你不能再和她私会了。”从河族领地里出来后，他的恐惧逐渐减轻，但却仍然余怒未消。
灰条粗鲁地回答：“我办不到。”说着，他咳嗽起来，胸口剧烈地起伏。
火心说：“我真不明白，河族现在完全把我们当成了敌人。你也听见白掌死后豹毛说的话了。”火心想起重提旧事无异于是在揭灰条的伤疤，不由得有些后悔，但此时他已是骑虎难下了：“你怎么能保证这只河族猫值得你信任呢？”
“你不了解银溪。”灰条厉声说，他停住脚步坐下，眼里闪着痛苦的光，“而且你也不必用白掌的事情来提醒我。我知道我对银溪的同胞的死负有责任，你以为我好受吗？”火心的鼻子发出不耐烦的声音——白掌是敌人，而不是什么“同胞”！但灰条继续说道：“银溪相信那只是一场意外事故。那片峡谷边根本不适合战斗，任何猫都有可能从那里掉下去！”
灰条开始从身上舔去银溪的气味，火心则绕着他走来走去，他问：“这不是什么银溪怎么想的问题！你把自己对雷族的忠诚置于何地？你和她的私会违犯了族规！”
灰条停下来低声说道：“你以为我不知道吗？你是在怀疑我对雷族的忠诚吗？”
“我还能怎么想？你要去见她就必须对族里撒谎。而且如果我们同河族发生冲突怎么办？你想过这些没有？”
灰条怒气冲冲地说：“你真是杞人忧天，这种事不会发生的。现在断星下台了，风族也回来了，四大猫族将会和平相处。”
火心大声说：“河族一点儿也没有息事宁人的样子。你知道他们一直在太阳石捕猎，那是我们的领地。”
灰条扭过头清理尾巴，嘲笑说：“在我出生前他们就一直在太阳石狩猎了。”
火心看到灰条似乎根本不理解自己在做什么，便继续说：“好。你要是被河族的巡逻队发现了怎么办？”
灰条一边舔着毛茸茸的尾巴一边回答：“银溪不会让这种事发生的。”
火心恼火之下脱口而出：“看在星族的分上，你就一点儿也不担心吗？”
灰条停下来抬头看着他的朋友：“你还不明白吗？这一切都是星族的安排。你看，银溪想和我约会——即使在发生白掌的事情之后。我们有着共同的观点，就好像我们出生于同一个族群。”
火心意识到再争论下去也没有什么意义，他心情沉重地说：“走吧。我们最好在他们发现你又消失了之前回到营地。”
灰条站起身，和火心肩并肩走到沟边向下俯视营地。火心忍不住一次又一次地想——灰条能够在与钩星的女儿相爱的同时，仍然保持着对雷族的忠诚吗？
他看了灰条一眼，两只猫顺着陡坡往家里走。他们从灰条溜出去的地方回到营地。当火心从围墙处挤进去的时候，连大气都不敢出一口。想起灰条害得自己不得不这样偷偷摸摸的，火心就气不打一处来。当他们从育婴室后面转到前面时，正看见白风朝他们走来。
火心心里一沉。
只听白风警告说：“灰条，你应该多休息，不要在这里瞎晃悠。你的感冒已经开始在营地里扩散了。我们可不想进医务室！”灰条点了点头，向武士巢穴走去。“而你——”听见白风转头对他说话，火心的耳朵一下子竖立起来，“此时不是应该在训练学徒们吗？”
火心小声说：“我回来向黄牙要些治肚子疼的药。”
白风回答：“嗯，那么去要吧。吃完药后，你还能为族里做点儿事情，去捕些猎物。现在是叶子凋落的季节——你们这些年轻的武士不能整天在营地里闲逛不干活。”
“是，白风。”火心说着转身朝黄牙的医务室跑去，以免白风进一步向他追问。
当他到医务室的时候，黄牙正忙活着配制草药，在她面前摆放着几堆叶子。火心默默地站在一旁观看。对灰条的事情气恼过后，他感到心情很沉重。他多希望此刻在他面前配制草药的是斑叶而不是黄牙啊。
黄牙瞪着他：“我的存货不够用了，我需要你帮我去采集些草药回来。”
火心没有回答，心里还在犹豫着是否该把灰条的事情告诉黄牙。
黄牙不耐烦地戳着一片干叶子，大声说：“看起来营地里出现白感冒了。今天早上出现了两起病例。”
火心问：“是迅爪吗？”
黄牙摇了摇头说：“迅爪只是着凉罢了，是纹尾的幼崽和鼠毛。现在还不严重，但我们不能掉以轻心。叶子凋落的季节正是绿感冒的多发季节。”火心理解她的担心，绿感冒是杀手。黄牙抬起头说：“你有什么事吗？”
“哦，没什么，只是肚子有点儿疼。如果你忙，就不打搅你了。”
“严重吗？”
火心不敢看她的眼睛，承认说：“不严重。”
“那么严重的时候再来找我。”黄牙走回医务室继续配制她的草药。火心转身正要离开，忽听黄牙在里面喊道：“让灰条待在巢穴里别乱跑，好吗？他身体那么强壮，如果好好休息，到现在应该好得差不多了。”
火心的尾巴紧张得晃了晃。黄牙是否猜到灰条最近偷偷溜出去的事了？他心里怦怦直跳，不敢走开，等了一会儿，看黄牙只是在那里鼓捣草药没再多说什么，于是他转身悄悄离开了。
天色渐晚，火心知道他只剩下很少的时间可以打猎了。他飞快地捉了一只燕雀和一只老鼠。他带上猎物正要返回营地，忽然犹豫起来。虽然他不及时捕回猎物会遭到白风的批评，但这与灰条可能遇到的麻烦相比根本算不了什么。火心做了个决定——如果灰条不听他讲的道理，也许银溪会听。
他将猎物藏在一棵树下用叶子盖好。这是他在一天内第二次前往太阳石。当火心顺着坡岸朝河边走去时，天上轰隆隆响起了雷。雨终于开始下了。
即使在雨里，银溪的气味依然清晰可闻。火心追随着气味来到他发现灰条和银溪私会的地方。火心站在河边，保持着高度警惕。看着奔腾不息的河水，火心背上掠过一丝寒意。他真不想游到河对岸去。他可不像河族的猫们那样，毛上有一层防水的油脂，而且现在也不是游泳的季节。
突然，火心的身体一下子变得僵直，他闻到了河族武士们的气味！
他赶紧趴在地上往河对岸瞅，看见银溪正推开柳树弯垂的枝条走过来，另有两只河族猫跟在她身后。其中一名武士长着宽阔的肩膀，双耳也不知是在哪次战斗中被撕裂了。那名武士一脸怀疑地嗅嗅空气，向四周张望。
火心感到血液涌到了耳朵上。那名武士闻到他的气味了吗？
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER15
Very, very quietly, Fireheart backed intothe bracken. The RiverClan warrior had stopped smelling the air, but he was still looking around.
Fireheart turned, still crouching, and began to creep away. He heard a small splash behind him. A cat had slipped into the river. Fireheart glanced over his shoulder, his heart pounding. Through the bracken he could see a silver head bobbing toward him. Silverstream! But where were the two other cats? He circled cautiously, tasting the air with an open mouth. No scent of them nearby. They must have moved on. He looked back at Silverstream, swimming determinedly across the river. For a moment Fireheart wondered if this was a trap, wondered if he should run, but his concern about Graystripe made him stay.
The silver tabby climbed onto the bank and hissed quietly, “Fireheart, I know you’re there. I can smell you! It’s okay, Stonefur and Shadepaw have gone.”
Fireheart didn’t move.
“Fireheart, I wouldn’t let anything happen to Graystripe’s closest friend!” She sounded impatient. “Believe me, for StarClan’s sake!”
Fireheart crept slowly from his hiding place.
Silverstream stared at him, her tail twitching. “What are you doing here?”
“I was looking for you,” he whispered, painfully aware he was in enemy territory.
Silverstream flicked her ears in alarm. “Is Graystripe okay? Has his cough gotten worse?”
Fireheart was irritated by her concern. He didn’t want to know how much this she-cat cared for his best friend. “He’s fine!” he growled, his caution swept away by anger. “But he won’t be if he carries on meeting you!”
Silverstream bristled. “I won’t let anything bad happen to Graystripe!”
“Oh, really?” Fireheart snorted. “And what could you do to protect him?”
“I am a Clan leader’s daughter,” meowed Silverstream.
“Does that give you the power to control your father’s warriors? You’re hardly more than an apprentice!”
“Like you!” she hissed indignantly.
“Yes, that’s true,” Fireheart admitted. “And that’s why I’m not sure I could protect Graystripe from the anger of his own Clan—or yours—if they find out you’re seeing each other.”
Silverstream tried to glare at him, but her eyes were clouded with emotion. “I can’t stop seeing him,” she meowed. Her voice softened to a whisper. “I love him.”
“But the tension between our Clans is bad enough already!” Fireheart was too angry to feel any sympathy. “We know RiverClan is hunting in our territory.  .  .  .”
The defiant gleam returned to Silverstream’s eyes. “If ThunderClan understood why, it wouldn’t begrudge what we catch there!”
“Why?” Fireheart flashed back at her.
“My Clan is hungry. Our kits cry because their mothers have no milk. The elders are dying for lack of decent prey.”
Fireheart stared, taken aback. “But you’ve got the river!” he protested. Every cat knew that RiverClan enjoyed the best hunting of all—fish from the river, as well as woodland prey in the fields beyond.
“It’s not enough. Twolegs have taken over our territory downstream. They built a camp there all greenleaf and stayed as long as the fish were plentiful. By the time they went, the fishing was scarce. And the damage they’ve done to the forest means that even woodland prey is harder to find.”
Fireheart felt a pang of pity in spite of his anger. He could guess how serious this must be for RiverClan. They were used to their rich diet of fish, and grew fat on it every greenleaf so that they could endure the harsh moons of leaf-bare. He stared at the she-cat with new eyes. She wasn’t slim, he realized—she was skinny. As her wet coat clung to her, he could see her ribs. Suddenly he understood Crookedstar’s hostility to Bluestar’s plan at the Gathering. “That’s why you didn’t want WindClan to come home!”
“Rabbits run on the moorlands all year round,” Silverstream explained. “They were our only hope of making it through leaf-bare without losing kits.” She shook her head slowly before lifting her gaze back to Fireheart.
“Does Graystripe know all this?” he asked.
Silverstream nodded. Fireheart looked at her, perplexed for a moment. But he couldn’t let these feelings get in the way of the warrior code—and neither could his friend. “Whatever problems your Clan has, you still have to stop seeing Graystripe.”
“No,” answered Silverstream, lifting her chin. Her eyes flashed. “How can our love do any harm?”
Fireheart returned her stare. Another shiver ran down his back as the cold rain seeped through his thick pelt.
Suddenly Silverstream hissed, making Fireheart jump. “You must leave, the patrol’s coming.”
Fireheart heard a faint rustle on the other side of the river. It would be pointless—and dangerous—to stay any longer. The rustling noise was growing closer. Without saying good-bye, he bounded back into the wet bracken and headed home.
He raced back toward the stash of fresh-kill he’d left beneath the oak tree. Halfway home, the scent of a fresh Twoleg trail stopped him in his tracks, reminding him of Princess. He wondered whether there was time to follow the trail back to Twolegplace. He wanted to know if she had kitted yet. But Princess would probably be safely tucked up in her Twoleg nest by now, and the Clan needed fresh-kill. With an uneasy twinge, Fireheart realized that Graystripe wasn’t the only one with divided loyalties.
Rain began to drip from the ends of his whiskers. He shook the drops away and bounded on toward his hoard of fresh-kill.
The camp was silent by the time he arrived, the cats sheltering in their dens. Fireheart crossed the muddy clearing and dropped his catch on the pile. Taking a piece for himself, he trotted toward the warriors’ den. There was no way he was eating outside tonight.
He pushed his head inside the den. Graystripe was dozing, to Fireheart’s relief. He might actually get better if he wasn’t charging through the forest, looking for Silverstream.
“Yellowfang hasn’t taken any fresh-kill yet.” Whitestorm’s meow sounded from the shadows. “She’s been too busy. I think she would appreciate that mouse you’re carrying.”
Fireheart nodded and backed out again. If Yellowfang was too busy to fetch food, it must mean the sickness in the camp was getting worse. Fireheart raced across the clearing, stopping only to pick up another mouse before hurrying through the fern tunnel.
A tabby kit lay in a nest of moss in the bracken at the edge of the clearing. Yellowfang crouched beside it, trying to persuade it to eat some herbs. The kit snuffled pitifully, blinking up at her with streaming eyes and nose. Fireheart realized this must be the kit with whitecough.
Yellowfang turned when she heard Fireheart arrive. “Is that for me?” she meowed, looking at the mice hanging from Fireheart’s mouth. He nodded and dropped them on the ground. “Thanks. Now that you’re here, why don’t you see if you can persuade this kit to take his medicine?” She padded over to the mice, moving stiffly from her old shoulder injury, and began to gnaw on one hungrily.
Fireheart approached the kit. It looked up at him, opening its tiny mouth in a rasping, painful cough. Fireheart gently pushed a small green herb toward it. “If you want to be a warrior, you’ll have to get used to swallowing these horrible things,” he mewed. “When you make your trip to the Moonstone, you have to eat herbs far worse than this.”
The kit looked wonderingly at him through half-closed eyes.
“Think of it as practice,” Fireheart urged. “Practice for when you become a warrior.”
The kit reached forward and took a tentative mouthful.
Fireheart gave it an encouraging purr.
Yellowfang appeared at his side. “Well done,” she meowed. She gestured with her nose, and Fireheart understood she wanted to talk to him. He followed her to the shelter of the tall rock where she slept. The rain was still falling, and Yellowfang’s matted gray fur was soaked, her sodden tail dragging in the dirt.
“Bluestar has whitecough,” she meowed gravely.
“But whitecough isn’t that serious, right?”
Yellowfang shook her head. “It came on very quickly,” she meowed, “and it’s affected her badly.” Fireheart’s stomach tightened as he remembered the dwindling number of lives left to the Clan leader. “I warned her to stay away from the other sick cats, but she wanted to see them,” Yellowfang went on. “She’s sleeping in her den at the moment. Frostfur is with her.”
The fear in Yellowfang’s eyes made Fireheart wonder if she knew the truth about Bluestar’s lives. Fireheart had assumed he was the only cat in the camp whom Bluestar had shared her secret with. The rest of the Clan thought she had four lives left, but perhaps a medicine cat could sense these things instinctively.
The truth was, if Bluestar lost this life, she would have only one more left.
第十五章
第十五章
火心小心翼翼，一步一步地慢慢退回到灌木丛里。那名河族武士不再嗅空气，但仍不停地向四处乱瞅。
火心转过身开始往回爬，这时身后传来一阵很小的溅水声，他回头看见一只猫钻进了河里。他心里怦怦直跳。透过灌木丛，他看见河面上一颗银灰色的脑袋一起一伏向他游来。是银溪！他谨慎地将身体蜷成一团，张开嘴嗅嗅空气。附近没有其他武士的气味。那两个武士一定是走开了。他看着银溪径直朝河这边游来。那一瞬间火心甚至怀疑这是否是个圈套，他是否应当逃走。但是对灰条的关心最终使他留了下来。
银溪爬上河岸轻声唤道：“火心，我知道你在这里。我能嗅到你的气味！放心吧，石毛他们都走了。”
火心没有动。
“火心，我不会伤害灰条最亲密的朋友的！”她的声音听起来有些不耐烦，“相信我，我以星族的名义发誓！”
火心慢慢地从藏身处爬了出来。
银溪盯着他，尾巴左右摇摆，说：“你在这里干什么？”
火心小声说：“我来找你。”想到自己和银溪是敌对双方，他心里有些伤感。
银溪紧张地动了动耳朵：“灰条没出事吧？他的咳嗽加重了吗？”
银溪的关切令火心十分恼火，他不想知道银溪是多么地关心他最好的朋友。他大声说：“他很好！但如果你们一直这么私会下去，他就会遇上大麻烦！”
银溪怒气冲冲地说：“我决不会让任何不好的事情发生在灰条的身上！”
火心鼻子里发出嗤的一声，说：“哦，真的？你准备怎样保护他呢？”
银溪说：“我是河族族长的女儿。”
“族长的女儿就有权力指使你父亲手下的武士们吗？你简直和学徒一样无知！”
她生气地说：“彼此彼此！”
火心承认说：“是的，你说的没错。所以说，如果我们族群——或者你们族群——发现你们秘密私会的事情后，我可不敢保证能将他从众怒中救出来。”
银溪虽然很生气，但仍禁不住有些焦虑。她说：“我不能不见他。”继而她柔和地小声说：“我爱他。”
“但是我们两个族群的关系已经够紧张的了！”盛怒之下火心一点儿也不同情他们，“河族一直在我们的地盘上！”
银溪眼里立刻充满了敌意：“如果雷族明白我们的苦衷，就不会嫉恨我们去那里捕猎了！”
火心马上问：“为什么？”
“我们一直以来都填不饱肚子。幼崽们整日哭闹，只因他们的妈妈饿得都没有奶水，老年猫们则因为吃不到像样的食物而相继死去。”
火心吃惊地看着她，争辩说：“但是你们拥有河流啊！”谁都知道河族享有最佳的猎物——河里的鱼，还有河岸那边陆地上的猎物。
“远远不够。两腿动物们侵占了我们下游的地盘，它们在叶子发绿的季节里在河边建起了一个营地，每当河里的鱼多起来的时候它们便住在那里。等到它们离开的时候，河里的鱼早已被捞光了。而且，它们还破坏了森林，使我们很难寻找到陆地上的猎物。”
尽管余怒未消，火心仍感到非常同情，他能想象出这种情况对河族来说有多么严重。
他们一向以肥美的鱼作为食物，每到叶子发绿的季节里便吃得很胖，因此能够忍受叶子凋落的季节里那段艰难的时日。他用全新的眼光打量着这只母猫。他忽然意识到，她不是苗条——而是瘦削。由于她的湿毛贴在身上，火心都能看到她的肋骨。他突然明白钩星为何竭力反对蓝星在森林大会上的提议。
“这就是你们不愿让风族回到家园的原因！”
银溪解释说：“高地上一年四季都有兔子。那些兔子是我们在叶子凋落季节里不损失幼崽的唯一希望。”她缓缓摇了摇头后抬眼看着火心。
火心问：“灰条知道这些吗？”
银溪点了点头。火心看着她，心情很复杂，但他不能因为这些感情而违犯武士法典——灰条也不能。“我不管你们族群遇到了什么问题，反正你都不能再见灰条了。”
“不。”银溪仰起脸，泪光闪烁，“我们相爱能有什么害处呢？”
火心看着她，冰冷的雨水渗透进皮毛里，使他又打了个寒战。
突然银溪嘴里发出低低的嘶吼，吓了火心一跳：“你必须马上离开！巡逻队来了。”
火心听见河对岸传来微弱的沙沙声。再留在这里也没有什么意义了，而且还很危险。
沙沙声越来越近，火心来不及说再见便跳进潮湿的灌木丛里往家赶。
他跑到那棵橡树下取回埋藏的猎物。走到半路的时候，一股新鲜的两腿动物的气味使他停下脚步。他想起了公主，不知道还有没有时间去两腿动物的地盘里，他想看看公主分娩了没有。但现在公主也许正舒舒服服地躺在两腿动物的巢穴里，而族群却需要猎物。当他意识到自己也同灰条一样不够忠诚时，心里感到非常愧疚。
雨水顺着火心的胡须滑到末端。他抖了抖脑袋，将雨水甩掉，然后带着猎物返回营地。
当他赶回营地时，那里静悄悄的，猫们都窝在巢穴里。火心走过泥泞的会场将猎物放在食物堆上，叼着自己的那一份向武士巢穴走去。今天想在外面吃饭是不可能了。
他走进巢穴，看见灰条正在呼呼大睡，不由得松了口气。如果灰条不去和银溪见面，对他的病情也许真有好处。
趴在巢穴阴暗处的白风说：“黄牙还没有吃饭，她一直忙个不停。如果你把捉来的那只老鼠送去给她，她会感激你的。”
火心点了点头走出巢穴。如果黄牙忙得连饭都顾不上吃，那就说明营地里的疫情正在趋于恶化。火心走过会场，带上另一只老鼠匆匆赶往医务室。
一只虎斑猫幼崽躺在会场边灌木丛下的一张苔藓床铺上，黄牙卧在他旁边正在劝他吃药。那只幼崽抽着鼻子，一把鼻涕一把眼泪地看着她，一副可怜兮兮的样子。火心猜到一定就是这只幼崽得了白感冒。
黄牙听到火心的脚步声，转过身看见他嘴里叼着的老鼠，说：“那是给我的吗？”火心点了点头，将老鼠放在地上。“多谢了。既然你来了，为什么不试试看你能不能劝动这只幼崽服药呢？”黄牙说着话走过来，肩膀上的旧伤使她走起路来仍然显得步履僵硬。她走到老鼠旁边开始狼吞虎咽。
火心走近幼崽。他抬起头瞅着火心，张开小嘴吸了口气后剧烈地咳嗽起来。火心轻柔地将一小片绿色的草药推到他面前，说：“如果你想成为一名武士，你就得习惯于吃这些可怕的东西。因为在你去月亮石之前，你还要吃比这个难吃百倍的草药呢。”
那只幼崽的眼睛半闭半合，惊讶地看着他。
火心催促说：“就把它当做是练习好了，为了成为一名武士而做的练习。”
那只幼崽伸出头尝试着吃了一口。
火心在一旁称赞着，鼓励他。
黄牙走到他身边说：“干得不赖。”她扬了扬鼻子，火心知道她有话对自己说。于是他跟着黄牙走到她睡觉的那块大石头下。雨还在下着，黄牙身上的毛都被雨水浸透了，湿乎乎的尾巴拖在泥地里。
她面色凝重地说：“蓝星得白感冒了。”
“但白感冒并不是大病，对吗？”
黄牙摇了摇头说：“病情发展得很快，她的身体都被拖垮了。”火心想起蓝星仅剩下两条性命，心里一沉。黄牙继续说：“我警告过她不要接近那些病猫，但她执意要去看望他们。她现在在巢穴里睡觉，霜毛陪着她。”
黄牙眼里的恐惧使火心怀疑她是否知道蓝星性命的事情，他一直认为只有自己知道蓝星的秘密。族群里其他的猫们都认为蓝星还剩好几条性命，不过这种事也许瞒不过一名医生的直觉。
真相就是，如果蓝星失去这条性命，那么她就只有一条性命了。
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER16
The rain continued through the nightand into the next morning. But by sunhigh, the clouds began to clear. A somber air hung over the clearing as the Clan waited for news of their leader.
Fireheart crept out from the patch of brambles by the boundary wall, where he’d sheltered since dawn. He padded over to Bluestar’s den in the side of Highrock. There was no sound from inside. As he turned away, he ran into Willowpelt carrying food to the nursery. She tipped her head questioningly to one side.
Fireheart knew she was hoping for news of Bluestar. “Nothing to report, I’m afraid.” He shrugged.
Fireheart had given Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw a day’s rest from training. He could see them now, lounging outside their den, looking bored. Fireheart knew he had let them down, but he wanted to stay in camp while Bluestar was sick. At least Tigerclaw wasn’t here to criticize his decision. The great deputy had taken out the dawn patrol.
Suddenly the lichen at Bluestar’s den twitched and Frostfur burst through. She raced across the clearing to Yellowfang’s den and reappeared within moments with the medicine cat behind her.
Fireheart bounded over to Bluestar’s den just as Frostfur and Yellowfang pushed through the hanging lichen. He stopped outside and sat down, his heart racing. Frostfur peered out.
“What’s wrong?” Fireheart asked, his voice trembling.
Frostfur closed her eyes. “She has greencough,” she told him bleakly. “Stand watch and make sure no one comes inside.” She ducked back inside.
Fireheart sat motionless as shock flooded through him. Greencough! Bluestar really was in danger of losing another life.
A sharp yowl outside the camp made him turn and look toward the gorse tunnel. Dustpaw exploded into the clearing and skidded to a halt beside Fireheart. “I’ve come from Tigerclaw,” he panted. “I have a message for Bluestar.”
“She’s sick,” Fireheart replied. “You can’t go in.”
Dustpaw flicked his tail impatiently. “Tigerclaw needs to see her at the Thunderpath. It’s very urgent.”
“What’s wrong?”
Dustpaw glared at him. “Tigerclaw asked for Bluestar,” he sneered. “Not some kittypet pretending to be a warrior!”
Fury shot through Fireheart and he unsheathed his claws. “Bluestar can’t leave the camp,” he growled. He flattened his ears and moved so that he blocked the entrance to his leader’s den.
“Fireheart is right.” Yellowfang’s rough meow sounded behind him. She had come out of Bluestar’s den.
Dustpaw looked at the medicine cat, shrinking beneath her orange gaze. “Tigerclaw has found evidence of ShadowClan warriors in our territory,” he meowed. “They’ve invaded our hunting grounds!”
In spite of his fear for Bluestar, Fireheart felt his lip curl in anger. How dared they? After what ThunderClan had done for them!
But Yellowfang wasn’t interested in Dustpaw’s report. She turned to Fireheart, her eyes filled with urgency. “Fireheart,” she meowed. “Tell me, do you know whether there is any catnip in the Twolegplace?”
“Catnip?” Fireheart echoed.
“I need it for Bluestar,” Yellowfang explained. “It’s an herb I haven’t used for moons, but I think it will help her.” The medicine cat had Fireheart’s full attention now. She continued, “It has soft leaves and an irresistible scent.  .  .  .”
Fireheart interrupted her. “Yes, I know where to find some!” He had never seen it in the woods, but as a kit he had rolled in a patch in his Twoleg home.
“Good,” replied Yellowfang. “I need as much as you can carry, and fast.”
“What about Tigerclaw?” demanded Dustpaw.
“Tigerclaw will have to deal with it on his own for the moment!” Yellowfang snapped.
Cinderpaw had been watching them from the tree stump. She bounded up. “Deal with what himself?” she mewed excitedly. Fireheart signaled her to be quiet with an urgent flick of his tail.
Dustpaw ignored the apprentice. “ShadowClan could be in our territory by now!” he hissed.
Cinderpaw’s eyes widened but she held her tongue.
Yellowfang paused to think. “Where’s Whitestorm?” she asked.
“Patrolling Sunningrocks with Sandpaw and Mousefur,” Dustpaw answered.
Yellowfang nodded. “With Bluestar sick and Fireheart fetching catnip, we can’t risk sending any more warriors out of the camp. If ShadowClan isin our territory, it might attack here. They’ve done it before,” she reminded him grimly.
“If I’m quick getting the catnip,” Fireheart put in, “I could meet Tigerclaw afterward and bring back his message for Bluestar.”
Dustpaw’s eyes flashed. “But he wants Bluestar to see the evidence for herself. ShadowClan has left the remains of fresh-kill on our side of the Thunderpath!”
Yellowfang silenced him with a growl. “Bluestar doesn’t need to see the evidence,” she rasped. “The word of her deputy ought to be enough.”
“Tigerclaw just needs to be told that Bluestar can’t come,” meowed Fireheart. “I’ll take the message to him after I’ve fetched the catnip. Where is he?”
“I’ll go!” Dustpaw spat. “Do you think you’re a better messenger than me because you’re a warrior and I’m just an apprentice?” He threw Fireheart a look of pure hatred.
But Yellowfang had no time for quarrels. “The Clan will need protecting while Fireheart is gone!” she hissed at Dustpaw, flattening her ears. “Isn’t that duty important enough for you? Now, where is Tigerclaw?”
“Beside the burned ash tree that overhangs the Thunderpath,” Dustpaw replied sulkily.
“Right,” Yellowfang growled. “Go now, Fireheart! Quickly!”
As Fireheart sped away across the clearing, he heard small pawsteps sprinting after him. “Fireheart, wait!”
“Go back to your den, Cinderpaw,” he meowed over his shoulder without slowing down.
“But I could go and give Tigerclaw the message while you get the catnip!”
Fireheart stopped in his tracks and turned to face his young apprentice. “Cinderpaw, if there are any ShadowClan warriors around, you need to stay in camp.” Cinderpaw looked crushed, but Fireheart didn’t have time to worry about her feelings. “Go back to your den,” he growled. Without waiting to see her reaction, he turned and charged out of the camp.
He raced through Tallpines and wove quickly through the undergrowth that backed onto Twolegplace. As he scrambled onto the fence that bordered his old home, the familiar smell of the garden filled his nostrils. Memories flooded his mind, making him dizzy for a moment. He thought of sunny afternoons playing in the garden with the toys his Twolegs held for him. He almost expected to hear them rattling his dinner and calling his kittypet name. Then he thought of Bluestar, fighting against greencough.
Fireheart leaped down into the garden and bounded across the lawn to the place where he remembered the catnip had grown. He inhaled deeply, his mouth open, and breathed out with relief. The enticing scent was still here somewhere.
Fireheart padded along the row of plants, sniffing the air. He couldn’t see the catnip, and all the time he was getting nearer and nearer to his old Twoleg nest. Fireheart’s steps grew slower. Scents of his kithood mingled with the catnip now, confusing him.
Fireheart shook his head to clear it, and concentrated on the catnip scent. He pushed his way under a large bush, still dripping from the overnight rain, and found a large patch of the soft, fragrant herb. The recent frost had killed some of the leaves, but the sheltering bush had protected enough for Yellowfang to use. Fireheart bit off as many leaves as he could carry. Their flavor seeped deliciously into his mouth, but he was careful not to chew, much as he wanted to. Bluestar would need every drop of their precious juice.
With his jaws full, he turned and raced back up the garden. He leaped over the fence and pelted back through the forest, ignoring the brambles that dragged at his coat. He felt as if his lungs would burst—with his jaws closed to hold the herbs, he could breathe only through his nose.
Yellowfang was waiting for him in the gorse tunnel. Fireheart dropped the catnip at her paws and took a long gulp of air, his sides heaving. With a grateful look, Yellowfang picked up the leaves and rushed away toward Bluestar’s den.
As he sat gasping for air, Fireheart realized he could smell Cinderpaw’s excited scent in the gorse tunnel. He sniffed the ground around him. Had Cinderpaw left the camp even after he’d warned her about the ShadowClan warriors?
Fireheart dashed to the apprentices’ den and stuck his head inside. Brackenpaw was alone, sleeping.
“Where’s Cinderpaw?” Fireheart meowed.
Brackenpaw lifted his head sleepily. “Uh, what?”
“Cinderpaw! Where is she?”
“Don’t know,” answered Brackenpaw, confused.
Fireheart withdrew his head and looked around the clearing. Frostfur was pacing outside Bluestar’s den, her coat ruffled with agitation.
Fireheart wondered what to do. He didn’t have time to find Cinderpaw himself, and he didn’t want to tell the other warriors that she was missing. Graystripe!he thought suddenly. Graystripe could look for her while he went to find Tigerclaw. Fireheart hurried to the warriors’ den and slipped inside.
Graystripe’s nest was empty. A flash of anger shot through Fireheart. Where was his friend when he needed him? As if he couldn’t guess! Fireheart snorted crossly. Cinderpaw would have to fend for herself until he had found Tigerclaw and told him Bluestar was sick.
Fireheart raced back through the gorse tunnel and began the journey to the Thunderpath. As he followed the trail up the side of the ravine and into the woods, he was aware that Cinderpaw’s scent hung in the air. She must have come this way. Of course! She had gone to meet Tigerclaw herself! The fur on Fireheart’s spine prickled with worry and frustration. How could she be so foolish?
As he skirted Snakerocks, Fireheart began to smell the Thunderpath and hear the roar of its monsters.
Suddenly a shrill, high-pitched squeal sounded from the edge of the trees. Fireheart felt the blood run cold in his veins. It was the same cry he had heard in his dream.
He raced out of the trees and skidded to a halt on the grass border beside the Thunderpath. He looked desperately up and down the verge and spotted an ash tree, charred by lightning. That must be the place where Dustpaw had said Tigerclaw wanted to meet Bluestar. But the deputy was still some way in the distance, padding calmly toward the ash.
Fireheart broke into a run. The verge was very narrow here, with scarcely room for a rabbit, but Fireheart kept going. He called out to Tigerclaw as he ran.
“Did you hear that cry?” But the roar of an approaching monster drowned out his words.
Fireheart shuddered as it passed, waiting for the noise to die away so he could call out again to Tigerclaw. Then he noticed something beside the ash, a dark shape on the thin strip of grass. With a sickening jolt, he recognized the small body lying motionless beside the Thunderpath. It was Cinderpaw.
第十六章
第十六章
雨下了一整夜。但在上午的时候，天开始放晴了。大伙儿都在等候蓝星的情况，会场上的气氛阴沉沉的。
火心从围墙边的刺藤下走了出来，一上午他都在那里避雨。他向高岩边的蓝星的巢穴走去。巢穴里没有任何声音传出来。火心一转身，正巧和带着食物回育婴室的柳带撞个满怀。她一脸疑问地歪过头去。
火心知道她想问蓝星的消息，于是耸了耸肩膀说：“恐怕我也无可奉告。”
火心昨天让炭爪和蕨爪休息了一天。他看到他们此时正在营地里闲逛，一副百无聊赖的样子。火心知道自己耽误了他们的训练进度，但在蓝星生病的时候他无论如何都不愿走开。至少虎掌不会在这里批评他。那位伟大的武士带着巡逻队上早班去了。
突然蓝星巢穴门前垂挂的苔藓被卷开，只见霜毛从里面走了出来。她经过会场径直走进黄牙的医务室，没过多久又和黄牙一起从医务室里出来了。
看着霜毛和黄牙向蓝星的巢穴走去，火心连忙跑了过去。他坐在蓝星的巢穴外面，紧张得不得了。这时霜毛走了出来。
火心声音颤抖地问：“出什么事了？”
霜毛闭上双眼，沉痛地说：“她得了绿感冒。你守在这里别让任何猫进来打扰她。”说完她扭头回到巢穴里。
火心不由得心头一震，一动不动地坐在那里。绿感冒！蓝星恐怕真的又要失去一条性命了。
营门外传来一声吼叫，火心转头朝金雀花通道望去。尘爪一阵风似的奔进营地停在他身旁，气喘吁吁地说：“虎掌派我回来给蓝星传个口信。”
火心回答：“她生病了，你不能进去。”
尘爪不耐烦地摇晃着尾巴说：“虎掌想让她去雷鬼路一趟，情况非常紧急。”
“出什么事了？”
尘爪瞪着他，挖苦道：“虎掌是向蓝星请示，而不是一只冒充武士的宠物猫！”
火心雷霆大怒，伸出利爪大吼：“蓝星不能离开营地！”他贴平双耳挡住门口。
“火心说的没错。”黄牙的声音在他身后想起，只见她从巢穴内走了出来。
在黄牙的逼视下，尘爪显得有些胆怯。他说：“虎掌在我们的领地里发现了影族的行迹。他们入侵了我们的领地！”
尽管尘爪敬畏蓝星，但火心仍能感觉到他心中的怒火。影族怎敢如此欺人太甚？简直就是忘恩负义！
但黄牙对尘爪报告的情况根本不感兴趣。她转过头，急切地看着火心说：“火心，告诉我，你知道两腿动物的地盘里有猫薄荷吗？”
火心重复了一句：“猫薄荷？”
黄牙解释说：“我需要用它给蓝星治病。我已经有好几个月没用过这种草药了，但我想也许能用它治好蓝星的病。”看见火心全神贯注地倾听，黄牙继续说：“它的叶子很柔软，气味香甜。”
火心打断她的话，说：“是的，我知道哪里能找到猫薄荷！”虽然他从未在森林里见过它，但小时候他在两腿动物的家里见过。
黄牙回答说：“太好了。你要尽可能快、尽可能多地采回猫薄荷。”
尘爪问：“虎掌那边怎么办？”
黄牙呵斥道：“在这种时候，虎掌必须自行处理情况！”
炭爪在树墩旁早已观察多时，这时她跑过来兴奋地问：“自行处理什么？”火心连忙冲她晃了晃尾巴示意她安静。
尘爪没有理睬炭爪，低声说：“影族现在仍有可能在我们的领地里！”
炭爪一下子睁大眼睛，但她没有做声。
黄牙想了想，问：“白风在哪里？”
尘爪回答：“和沙爪、鼠毛去太阳石巡逻了。”
“在蓝星生病、火心外出采药的情况下，我们不能再贸然派出任何武士了。如果影族在我们的领地里，他们一定会袭击这里，他们以前就干过这种事。”黄牙面色阴郁地提醒尘爪。
尘爪生气地说：“但虎掌想让蓝星亲自去看看影族留下的证据。他们把吃剩的猎物扔在我们的领地里！”
黄牙喝斥道：“蓝星不需要看这些证据。她的族长代表看看就足够了。”
火心说：“应当将蓝星不能去的事通知虎掌。我采回猫薄荷后去给他送个信儿。他在哪儿？”
尘爪生气地说：“我去通知！你是不是觉得你是武士而我只是学徒，所以由你去送信更合适呢？”说着，他用仇视的眼光看着火心。
黄牙没有时间听他们争吵，她恼火地对尘爪说：“火心不在的时候族群里不能缺了守卫！难道这个对你不重要吗？快说，虎掌在哪里？”
尘爪愠怒道：“在雷鬼路边那棵烧焦的白蜡树旁。”
黄牙大声说：“好了。走吧，火心！抓紧时间！”
火心朝营门口跑去，这时他听见身后传来脚步声。
“火心，等一下！”
火心没有减慢步伐，而是扭头说：“炭爪，回到你的巢穴里去。”
“但是，在你去采猫薄荷的时候，我可以去给虎掌送信呀！”
火心停下脚步转身对他的这个小徒弟说：“炭爪，如果附近有影族的武士出没，你就应该待在营地里。”炭爪的小脸涨得通红，但火心没有时间照顾她的情绪。他大声喝道：“回你的巢穴里去！”说完，不等看炭爪的反应，他便冲出营地。
火心穿过松林来到两腿动物的地盘。当他爬上原来两腿动物家的围栏时，花园里那股熟悉的气味扑鼻而来，儿时的回忆顿时涌上心头，使他在那一瞬间头晕目眩。他想起自己在阳光和煦的下午，在花园里玩耍两腿动物送给他的玩具的情景。他几乎还想听听两腿动物哗啦哗啦地摇晃着他的食物、呼唤他的那个宠物猫名字。接着，他想起正身患重病的蓝星。
火心跳进花园，穿过草坪直奔他见过猫薄荷的地方。他深吸了口气，那股甜美的气味仍然在这里。
火心沿着成排栽种的植物一路寻找也没有看见猫薄荷，与此同时他越来越接近他的老家了。火心放慢脚步，幼年的气息中夹杂着猫薄荷的气味，他心里一阵迷糊。
火心抖了抖脑袋醒醒神，将注意力集中在猫薄荷的气味上。他钻进一簇灌木丛里，灌木的叶子上仍有昨夜的雨水。在那里，他找到了那种柔软、芳香的草药。尽管最近的几次霜降冻死了一些猫薄荷，但在灌木丛的庇护下仍旧有一些残存下来。残存的这些猫薄荷足够黄牙用药了。火心尽可能多地采集。嘴里的猫薄荷渗出的汁液散发出诱人的香味，使火心费尽努力才抑制住咀嚼的强烈欲望，因为蓝星需要这些草药的每一滴汁水。
火心嘴里塞得满满的，转身回到花园边。他跳过围栏，一溜烟冲进了森林里，根本顾不上沾在身上的黑莓刺。由于嘴里塞着草药，他只能通过鼻孔呼吸，因此他憋得肺都快要炸了。
黄牙就守在营门口等着他。火心将猫薄荷放在她的爪子上，长长地喘了口气。黄牙感激地看了他一眼，捡起猫薄荷就往蓝星的巢穴里跑。
火心坐下来大口呼吸着空气，忽然闻到金雀花通道里有炭爪兴奋的气味。他嗅了嗅周围。难道炭爪不听他的警告离开营地了？
火心连忙跑到学徒巢穴门口伸长脖子寻找，却见蕨爪独自在睡觉。
火心问：“炭爪在哪里？”
蕨爪抬起头，睡眼惺忪地说：“哦，什么？”
“炭爪呢？她在哪里？”
蕨爪一脸迷茫：“我不知道啊。”
火心缩回头巡视会场四周，看见霜毛从蓝星的巢穴里慌慌张张地出来。
火心心里暗自犯嘀咕。他没有时间亲自去找炭爪了，而他也不想将炭爪失踪的事告诉别的武士。灰条！他忽然想起灰条能够在他通知虎掌的时候帮他找寻炭爪。于是他急急忙忙跑进武士巢穴里。
灰条的床铺上空空如也，火心顿时火冒三丈。在他需要帮助的时候，他的朋友到哪里去了？他甚至都不用猜。火心十分生气，鼻子里发出嗤的一声。在他向虎掌通报蓝星的病情以前，炭爪只能自己照顾自己了。
火心奔出营门朝雷鬼路跑去。就在他刚爬上沟的时候，他忽然闻到空气里也有炭爪的气味。她一定也是从这个方向离开的。百分之一百的事！她自己去找虎掌了！火心脊背上的毛竖立起来，心里又是担心又是沮丧。她怎么会这么愚蠢呢？
当他到达蛇岩时，他开始嗅到雷鬼路的气味，听到怪物们的咆哮声。
突然，他听见树林边传来凄凉的尖叫声。火心一下子感到血管里的血液几乎冻住，他在梦里也曾听到过这种哀号。
他走出树林在雷鬼路边的草坪上停下脚步。他在雷鬼路边急切地搜寻着，最后目光落在那株被雷电劈成焦炭的白蜡树上。那一定就是尘爪所说的虎掌想和蓝星会面的地方。但虎掌并没有在白蜡树旁等候蓝星的到来，而是远远地不慌不忙地正向白蜡树走去。
火心加快步伐跑了起来。雷鬼路的边缘非常狭窄，仅容得下兔子走在上面。但火心仍走了过来，一边跑一边冲虎掌大声喊：“你听到那个尖叫声了吗？”但是他的呼喊被淹没在疾驰而过的怪物的呼啸声里。
火心吓得浑身发抖，等到呼啸声远去后才又招呼虎掌。接着，他看到白蜡树下的草坪上躺着一只深灰色的猫。火心一下子认出那个幼小的体形来，顿时如遭电击。是炭爪！
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER17
Fireheart stared in horror. Ahead ofhim, Tigerclaw had reached the limp body and stood looking down at it, his massive shoulders rigid with shock. Fireheart forced himself nearer. Tentatively he stretched his head forward and sniffed Cinderpaw’s flank. She smelled of Thunderpath. One of her hind legs was twisted and glistening with blood. Fireheart was trembling so much he could hardly stand. Then he saw her side moving. She was still breathing! Speechless with relief, he looked up at Tigerclaw.
“She’s alive,” the deputy growled. He fixed his amber stare on Fireheart. “What was she doing here?”
“She came to find you,” Fireheart whispered.
“You mean you sent her here?”
Fireheart’s eyes widened with surprise. Did Tigerclaw think he would be so stupid? “I told her to stay in camp!” he protested. “She came by herself.” Because I couldn’t make her listen to me!he realized with dismay.
Tigerclaw snorted. “We must get her home.” He bent down with his mouth open, reaching for the small, crumpled body, but Fireheart dipped his head and picked up the apprentice by the scruff of her neck before Tigerclaw could touch her. He began to drag Cinderpaw into the woods as gently as he could, her body hanging limply between his front paws.
Darkstripe came bounding up to them. “I’ve checked Snakerocks again, Tigerclaw. There’s no sign of Shadow—” He broke off when he saw Cinderpaw dangling from Fireheart’s mouth. “What’s happened?”
Fireheart didn’t wait to hear Tigerclaw’s answer. He stumbled away through the trees with his precious burden. He could have prevented this accident! If only he’d made Cinderpaw listen to him; if only he’d been a better mentor. Now her body was damaged and bleeding and she made no sound as she dangled from his jaws. Her hind paws scored a shallow trail through the leaves as, carefully, Fireheart carried her home.
Yellowfang was not in her clearing. The two kits with whitecough were curled together in their shelter, fast asleep. Fireheart laid Cinderpaw on the cold ground, then made a nest for her in the bracken by circling around and around. When he had finished, he grasped Cinderpaw’s scruff and gently pulled her inside.
“Fireheart?” Yellowfang meowed from the clearing. Tigerclaw must have told her about Cinderpaw. Fireheart hopped out of the nest. “She’s in here,” he croaked, feeling weak with relief at seeing the medicine cat.
“Let me look,” Yellowfang ordered. She brushed past Fireheart and climbed into the bracken to examine Cinderpaw. Fireheart sat down and waited.
At last Yellowfang jumped out. “She’s hurt very badly,” she meowed, her eyes dark with concern. “But I think I might be able to save her.”
It was a tiny hope, like a single sparkling dewdrop clinging to his pelt. Fireheart felt it glisten for a moment before Yellowfang went on: “I can’t promise anything.” She looked deep into Fireheart’s eyes and murmured, “Bluestar is very sick and I can do no more for her. StarClan must decide her fate now.”
Fireheart felt his eyes cloud with emotion; he could hardly see Yellowfang’s face, but he heard her speak to him again, her voice gentle. “Go and sit with Bluestar,” she meowed. “She was asking for you earlier. I will take care of Cinderpaw.”
Fireheart nodded blindly and turned away. Bluestar had been his mentor, and more than that, there had been a bond between them since their first meeting. But he felt torn. He should be with Cinderpaw, too.
A shadow loomed at the far end of the fern tunnel. Tigerclaw was sitting at the entrance to Yellowfang’s den, his head held high as usual. Fireheart’s shoulders stiffened with anger. Why couldn’t the great warrior show some sign of sorrow? After all, Cinderpaw had come looking for him. And for what? There hadn’t been any evidence of ShadowClan fresh-kill that Fireheart had noticed! He walked past Tigerclaw without a word, and headed across the clearing toward Bluestar’s den.
Longtail was sitting on guard outside. He glanced sideways but didn’t try to stop Fireheart as the young warrior pushed through the lichen.
Goldenflower, one of the queens, was inside. Fireheart could see her eyes shining in the gloom, and the pale fur of Bluestar lying curled in her nest. Goldenflower leaned forward and gently licked Bluestar’s head to cool it, like a mother nursing her kit. Fireheart’s heart ached as he thought of Cinderpaw. Would Frostfur be at her daughter’s side by now?
“Yellowfang has given her catnip and feverfew,” Goldenflower murmured to Fireheart. “We can only watch and wait now.” She got to her paws and touched Fireheart’s nose with her muzzle. “Will you be okay to sit with her?” she asked gently. Fireheart nodded and Goldenflower padded softly out of the den.
Fireheart lowered himself onto his belly, stretching his forepaws in front of him so that they just touched his leader’s face. He lay very still, his eyes fixed on Bluestar’s limp body. She didn’t even have the strength to cough now. Fireheart could hear her breathing in the darkness, shallow and rasping, and he listened to the faltering rhythm as the night slowly passed.
Her breathing stopped just before dawn. Fireheart had almost dozed off when he realized the cave was silent. There was no noise from the camp outside either, just a deathly hush, as if the whole Clan were holding its breath.
Bluestar was completely still. Fireheart knew she was with StarClan, preparing for her remaining life. He had watched Bluestar lose a life before. He felt his fur prickle at the eerie peace that seemed to enfold her body, but there was nothing he could do, so he waited.
Suddenly Bluestar gasped. “Fireheart, is that you?” she meowed in a croaky voice.
“Yes, Bluestar,” Fireheart murmured. “I’m here.”
“I have lost another life.” Bluestar’s voice was weak, but the relief made Fireheart want to reach forward and lick her between the ears, as Goldenflower had done. “When I lose this one, I will not be able to return.”
Fireheart swallowed hard. The thought of the Clan losing its great leader pained him, but the thought of losing his mentor and friend hurt even more. “How do you feel? Shall I fetch Yellowfang?”
Bluestar shook her head slowly. “The fever has gone. I am well enough. I just need to rest.”
“Very well,” meowed Fireheart. Light was beginning to filter through the lichen, and his head swam from his wakeful night.
“You must be tired,” meowed Bluestar. “Go and get some sleep.”
“Yes.” Fireheart heaved himself up. His legs felt stiff from lying so long. “Is there anything you need?”
“No. Just tell Yellowfang what has happened,” answered Bluestar. “Thank you for sitting with me.”
Fireheart tried to purr but it caught in his throat. There would be time for more words later. He pushed his way out through the lichen.
Outside a harsh brightness made him blink. It had snowed in the night. Fireheart stared in amazement. He had never seen snow before—his Twoleg owners had kept him shut inside when he was a very young kit whenever it was cold. But he’d heard the Clan elders talk of it. He nodded to Darkstripe, who had replaced Longtail guarding Bluestar’s den, and stepped into the strange powder. It felt wet and cold, crunching loudly under his paws.
Tigerclaw was standing in the clearing. It was still snowing and the flakes settled on the tabby’s thick fur without melting. Fireheart could hear him giving orders for the nursery wall to be padded with leaves to keep out the cold. “Then I want a hole to be scraped out where we can store prey,” the ThunderClan deputy instructed. “Use snow to line it, and cover it with more snow once it has been filled. We may as well make use of the snow while it’s here.”
Warriors raced around Tigerclaw, following his orders. “Mousefur, Longtail! Organize some hunting parties. We need as much fresh-kill as we can get before the prey takes to their burrows for good!” Tigerclaw spotted Fireheart padding across the clearing. “Fireheart, wait,” he called. “Oh, I suppose you’ll have to rest. I can’t imagine you’ll be any use on a hunting party this morning.”
Fireheart stared at the dark warrior, hostility rising like bile in his throat. “I’m going to see how Cinderpaw is first,” he growled.
Tigerclaw held his gaze for a moment. “How’s Bluestar?”
Mistrust ruffled Fireheart’s fur like a cold breeze. He’d heard Bluestar lie to Tigerclaw once before about how many lives she had left. “I’m no medicine cat,” he answered. “I can’t say.”
Tigerclaw snorted impatiently, then turned away and went back to giving orders. Fireheart walked over to Yellowfang’s den, relieved to escape the frenetic bustle of the camp. His heart began to pound as he wondered what state he would find Cinderpaw in. “Yellowfang,” he called.
“Hush!” Yellowfang sprang from Cinderpaw’s bracken nest. “She’s sleeping at last. She’s had a hard night. I couldn’t give her poppy seeds to ease the pain until she’d recovered from the shock.”
“But she’s going to live?” Fireheart’s legs felt wobbly with relief.
“I can’t be for sure for a few days. She’s hurt inside, and one of her hind legs is badly broken.”
“But it’ll mend, won’t it?” Fireheart pleaded desperately. “She’ll be training again by newleaf?”
Yellowfang shook her head, her yellow eyes sympathetic. “Fireheart, whatever happens, Cinderpaw will never be a warrior now.”
Fireheart’s head spun. He was dizzy with lack of sleep, and this devastating news sapped the last of his energy. Cinderpaw had been entrusted to him for her warrior training. Memories of the naming ceremony pricked like cruel thorns—Cinderpaw’s excitement, Frostfur’s motherly pride .  .  . “Does Frostfur know?” he meowed, feeling hollow.
“Yes, she was here till dawn. She’s back in the nursery now; there are other kits to tend to. I’ll ask one of the elders to sit with Cinderpaw. She needs to be kept warm.”
“I can do that.” Fireheart padded over to the nest where Cinderpaw was sleeping and looked inside. She squirmed, and her blood-smeared sides heaved, as though she were fighting a battle as she slept.
Yellowfang gently nudged Fireheart with her nose. “You need to get some sleep,” she rasped. “Leave Cinderpaw to me.”
Fireheart stayed where he was. “Bluestar lost another life,” he burst out. Yellowfang blinked for a moment, then lifted her head to StarClan. She didn’t utter a word, but Fireheart could see the anguish in her orange eyes. “You know, don’t you?” he murmured.
Yellowfang lowered her chin and gazed into his eyes. “That this is Bluestar’s final life? Yes, I know. A medicine cat can tell these things.”
“Will the rest of the Clan be able to tell as well?” Fireheart asked, thinking of Tigerclaw.
Yellowfang narrowed her eyes. “No. She will be no weaker in this life than she was in any of her others.”
Fireheart blinked gratefully at her.
“Now,” Yellowfang ordered, “do you want some poppy seeds to help you sleep?”
Fireheart shook his head. Part of him longed for the deep, easy sleep they would bring. But if Tigerclaw was right and ShadowClan really was about to attack ThunderClan’s borders, he did not want to dull his senses. He might be needed to defend the camp.
Graystripe was back in the warriors’ den. Fireheart did not speak to him; his rage at finding him missing the night before lingered like a dull bruise. He padded silently to his nest, circled once, and settled down to wash.
Graystripe looked up. “You’re back, then.” He sounded edgy, as if he wanted to say more.
Fireheart stopped licking his forepaw and stared at Graystripe.
“You tried to warn Silverstream off,” Graystripe hissed furiously. Willowpelt, who was dozing on the other side of the den, opened one eye, then closed it again.
Graystripe lowered his voice. “Stay out of it, will you?” he spat. “I’m going to keep on seeing her, whatever you do or say.”
Fireheart snorted and flashed a resentful glance at his friend. His talk with Silverstream seemed so long ago, he’d almost forgotten it. But he hadn’t forgotten that Graystripe had been missing when he’d needed help finding Cinderpaw. He laid his head angrily on his muddy forepaws and closed his eyes. Cinderpaw was battling against her injuries and Bluestar was on her ninth life. As far as Fireheart was concerned, Graystripe could do what he liked.
第十七章
第十七章
火心盯着前方，内心充满了恐惧。只见虎掌走到炭爪身边低头探视，一副吃惊的样子。火心强迫自己走上前。他小心翼翼地伸出头去嗅炭爪的身体，嗅到了她身上有雷鬼路的气味。她的一只后腿淌着血，扭曲变形。火心浑身抖得厉害，几乎站不稳脚步。接着他看见炭爪的腹部在轻微起伏。她还有呼吸！火心无声地舒了口气，抬起头看看虎掌。
虎掌大声说：“她还活着。”接着他盯着火心说：“她来这里干什么？”
火心小声说：“她来找你。”
“是你派她来的？”
火心吃惊地睁大眼睛。虎掌怎么会把他想得这么愚蠢呢？他辩解说：“我让她待在营地里的！是她自己跑出来的！”因为她不听我的话！火心沮丧地想。
虎掌鼻子里发出嗤的一声：“我们必须带她回家去。”说着他向炭爪弯下身体。但火心抢先一步，在虎掌没有碰到炭爪的身体之前咬住了她颈背的皮毛，将她叼了起来。他拖着炭爪走进树林里，动作尽可能轻柔。炭爪的身体软软地搭在他的前爪上。
黑条跑了过来。“我又检查了一遍蛇岩，没有发现影族的踪迹——”突然他看见火心叼着炭爪，急忙问：“出什么事了？”
火心没有听虎掌的回答，径自拖着心爱的徒弟摇摇晃晃地走在树林里。如果他能让炭爪听话，如果他是一个更好的老师，他就能够阻止这场事故发生！而如今，炭爪受了这么重的伤，身上流着血，生死未卜。在回家的路上，炭爪的后爪拖在地上，划出了一道漫长的血迹。
黄牙并不在医务室，只有那两只得了白感冒的幼崽蜷成一团在呼呼大睡。火心把炭爪放在冰冷的地面上，然后采来蔓藤一圈圈地围起来，做成了一个小窝。他叼起炭爪的颈背，将她轻柔地推进小窝里。
“火心？”会场上传来黄牙的声音。虎掌一定是将炭爪的事情告诉她了。火心用低沉沙哑的声音说：“她在这里。”看到黄牙的出现，他感觉到稍稍松了口气。
黄牙说：“让我看看。”她走过火心身边爬进小窝里，开始检查炭爪的伤势。火心在一旁坐下来等候。
检查完后，黄牙从小窝里跳了出来，忧心忡忡地说：“她伤得很重，不过我也许能救活她。”
希望渺茫得就像是须子上挂着的一滴露水，不过毕竟也是有希望啊。火心刚刚感到有些宽慰，却听黄牙继续说：“我不能保证任何事情。”她直视着火心的眼睛小声说：“蓝星病情很危险，而我却没有什么更好的治疗方法。现在只能是听天由命了。”
火心的视线一下子变得模糊起来，他几乎看不清黄牙的面容，但他仍能听到这位医生柔声地对他说：“去看看蓝星吧，她早先问过你。我会照顾炭爪的。”
火心茫然若失地点点头后离开。蓝星曾是他的师父，而且还不止于此，自从他们第一次见面后，他和蓝星之间就存在着一种看不见的纽带。但他心里很矛盾，因为他现在也应该留下来陪着炭爪。
火心走出香薇通道，便见到虎掌正坐在通往医务室的入口处，他的头像往常一样高高仰起。火心顿时怒火中烧，虎掌为什么就不能表现出哪怕一点点悲伤呢？毕竟，炭爪是为了去找他才遭此大难的。而且，他为什么要通知蓝星去和他见面呢？在那里，火心根本就没有发现影族捕猎的踪迹！他默默地从虎掌身边走过，径直朝蓝星的巢穴走去。
长尾就守在蓝星的巢穴门口，但当火心推开挂在门口的苔藓进去的时候，他并没有加以阻止。
母猫金花也在巢穴里。火心能够看到她眼里忧郁的神色。蓝星就躺在她的窝里。金花探出身子舔她的头在为她降温，那神态就像一位母亲在照顾自己的孩子。火心想起炭爪，心里一阵疼痛。此时霜毛是否陪伴在女儿旁边呢？
金花小声对火心说：“黄牙给她吃了猫薄荷和小白菊，现在我们只能观察了。”她站起来和火心对触了一下鼻子，柔声问：“你能在这里陪她吗？”火心点了点头，金花蹑着脚走出巢穴。
火心趴了下来，伸出前爪以便能接触到蓝星的脸庞。他静静地趴着，眼睛盯着蓝星瘦削的身体。蓝星现在连咳嗽的力气都没有了。黑暗中，火心能够听到她微弱的呼吸。夜幕渐渐降临，火心就这么一直听着蓝星时断时续的呼吸声。
就在黎明到来前，蓝星停止了呼吸。火心正在昏昏欲睡，忽然意识到巢穴里完全安静了下来。此时，巢穴外也没有声音传进来，营地里死一般地寂静，就好像全族的猫都屏住了呼吸一样。
蓝星完全没有了动静。火心知道她正和星族在一起，为再次复活而做准备。他以前曾见过蓝星失去一条性命。他感到蓝星尸体的周围有一种令他毛骨悚然的气氛，但他什么都做不了，只能等待。
突然，蓝星深吸了口气，声音低沉沙哑地说：“火心，是你吗？”
火心小声说：“是的，蓝星。我在这里。”
“我又失去了一条性命。”蓝星的声音很弱，但火心仍然松了口气。他学着金花的样子，向前探出身子去舔蓝星的额头。“当我失去这条性命的时候，我就再也活不过来了。”
火心的嗓子眼儿堵得厉害。想到雷族将要失去伟大的族长，他心里十分痛苦。但是，再想到自己将要失去师父、失去朋友，这种痛苦变得更加剧烈。“你感觉怎么样了？要我去叫黄牙来吗？”
蓝星缓缓地摇了摇头说：“烧已经退了。我现在没事，只需要休息一下就行。”
火心说：“太好了。”亮光透过门口的苔藓照了进来。火心一夜没有合眼，此时脑子都快成了糨糊。
蓝星说：“你一定累了，去睡会儿觉吧。”
“是。”火心撑起身体站起来。趴了一夜，他的腿都发硬了。“你需要什么吗？”
蓝星回答说：“不，只需要把发生的事告诉黄牙就行了。谢谢你一直陪着我。”
火心张嘴想说话，但话到嘴边又咽了下去。往后说话的机会还有很多。他顶开苔藓走出巢穴。
外面白花花的一片，照得他眼睛都睁不开了。昨晚下雪了，火心惊讶地看着周围。他以往从未见过雪——小时候天一冷，两腿动物主人就把他关在屋里。但他听族里的老年猫们谈起过雪。他冲接替长尾值班的黑条点了点头，走进这片奇怪的白色粉末里。这些粉末又湿又凉，在他的脚下嘎吱作响。
虎掌正站在会场中央。天上还在下雪，雪花落在他的毛上厚厚地积了一层。火心听到他正在下令给育婴室的围墙上添加叶子以御寒。这位雷族的族长代表说：“我需要你们扒出一个洞来好存放猎物。用雪围住洞口，一旦雪融化了，就用更多的雪加固上去。既然下雪了，我们就要利用好它。”
武士们按照虎掌的吩咐前后忙碌不停。“鼠毛、长尾，组织几支捕猎队。我们要在他们挖好洞穴之前尽可能多地打些猎物回来。”虎掌看见火心正走过会场，冲他喊道：“火心，站住。哦，我想你现在必须要睡觉了。就算派你出去打猎，你也起不到什么作用。”
火心瞪着虎掌，大声说：“我要先去看看炭爪。”
虎掌瞪了他一会儿，问：“蓝星怎么样了？”
一种不信任的感觉顿时像寒风吹过一样，令火心的毛竖立起来。他记起以前蓝星在剩余性命数量的事情上对虎掌有所隐瞒，于是他回答说：“我不是医生，我不知道。”
虎掌很不耐烦，鼻子里发出嗤的一声，转过身去继续发号施令。火心向黄牙的医务室走去，心里巴不得早点儿离开这乱哄哄的营地。想到自己将要知道炭爪的生死，他心里开始怦怦直跳。“黄牙！”他喊道。
黄牙急忙从炭爪的小窝里跳出来，对他说：“嘘！她好不容易才睡着。昨晚她的病情很凶险。在她从昏迷中苏醒过来之前，我不能给她服用罂粟籽止痛。”
火心松了口气，腿一软，说：“她不会死吧？”
“几天之内我还不能肯定。她受的是内伤，而且一条后腿严重骨折。”
火心急切地问：“但那条腿会好起来的，是吗？她还能在叶子发绿的季节到来之前进行训练吗？”
黄牙摇了摇头，眼睛里充满同情：“火心，无论怎样，炭爪都不可能成为一名武士了。”
火心的脑袋里嗡的一声。由于睡眼不足，他原本就有些头昏目眩，而这个噩耗更抽走了他身体里的最后一点儿力气。炭爪是他收的第一个徒弟。当初命名典礼时的情景像无数根针一样刺痛他的心——炭爪的兴奋、霜毛作为母亲的骄傲——火心心里空荡荡的，说：“霜毛知道这件事吗？”
“知道，她一直待到天亮才离开，她现在回育婴室去了，还有其他的幼崽等着她照顾。
我去叫一只老年猫来陪炭爪，她需要保暖。”
“让我来陪她吧。”火心走到炭爪休息的小窝边往里瞅，只见她身体不停地扭动，呼吸十分急促，似乎睡梦当中也在进行着一场战斗。
黄牙轻轻地和火心对触了一下鼻子说：“你该去睡觉了。我来照顾她好了。”
火心站在原地没有动，脱口而出：“蓝星又失去了一条性命。”黄牙眨了一会儿眼睛，然后仰天望着星族。虽然她没有说话，但是火心从她眼中看到非常痛苦的神色，于是他小声说：“你知道了，是吗？”
黄牙低下头看着他的眼睛：“你是说蓝星仅剩一条性命这件事吗？是的，我知道。这种事瞒不过医生的眼睛。”
火心想起虎掌，问：“族里其他的猫也能看出来吗？”
黄牙眯缝起眼睛，说：“不能。她的这条命并不比前几条显得虚弱。”
火心感激地冲她眨了眨眼睛。
黄牙说：“你现在想吃些罂粟籽帮助你睡觉吗？”
火心摇了摇头。虽然罂粟籽能令他美美睡上一觉，但如果虎掌报告的情况属实的话，那么影族就真的是在准备对雷族的边界发动攻击。在这种时候，他不想使自己的头脑变得迟钝，也许营地还需要他来守卫。
灰条已经回到了武士巢穴里。火心没有理他，对他昨晚不辞而别的行为仍很生气。火心默不作声地走到自己的床铺旁，卧在上面蜷起身体开始清理。
灰条抬头看了看他说：“你回来了。”他话中意犹未尽，似乎还想多说什么。
火心停止舔前爪，看着灰条。
灰条低声质问他：“你去警告银溪，让她别和我见面了？”在巢穴另一边的柳带睁开一只眼睛瞅了一下，然后又合上了。
灰条压低嗓门，恨恨地说：“别插手这件事情，听到没有？无论你说什么做什么，我都要和她继续好下去。”
火心鼻子里发出嗤的一声，眼里闪过一丝怨恨的神色。他和银溪的谈话就像是很久以前的事，他几乎都忘记了。但他忘不掉自己在需要灰条帮忙寻找炭爪的时候，他却消失得无影无踪。火心气呼呼地将头枕在前爪上合上双眼。炭爪正在生死边缘上挣扎，而蓝星也只剩下一条性命，他已经做得仁至义尽了，灰条爱干什么就干什么吧。
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER18
Graystripe had already left his nestwhen Fireheart awoke the next day. He could tell it was sunhigh by the light that glowed through the branches. He rose, his body still weary with grief, and pushed his head out of the den. Snow must have been falling all morning, for it lay thick on the ground and had drifted against the den. Fireheart found himself gazing out over a white wall that was as high as his shoulder.
The usual bustle of the camp seemed muted. Fireheart could see Willowpelt and Halftail whispering on the far side of the clearing. Mousefur was picking her way laboriously toward the store of fresh-kill, a rabbit dangling from her jaws. She stopped and sneezed, then carried on.
Fireheart lifted one paw and rested it on top of the snow. It felt hard at first, but when he pressed down, the thin covering of ice cracked and he gasped as his leg plunged into the drift. Fireheart snorted as he found himself up to his muzzle in snow. Shaking his head and lifting his chin, he leaped forward, only to sink into more deep snow. He struggled on, alarm rising in his chest. He felt as if he were drowning in snow! Then, all of a sudden, there was solid ground under his paws. He had reached the edge of the clearing. The snow here was only a mouse-length deep, and Fireheart sat down with a soft crunch, relieved.
He tensed when he saw Graystripe plowing through the snow toward him. The gray warrior seemed unbothered by it, protected from its damp chill by his thick pelt. His face was shadowed with sorrow. “Have you heard about Bluestar?” he asked as he neared. “She lost a life to greencough.”
Fireheart flicked his ears impatiently. He could have told his friend that last night. “I know,” he snapped. “I was with her.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” mewed Graystripe, shocked.
“You weren’t exactly in a friendly mood last night, if you remember. Anyway, if you weren’t always off breaking the warrior code, you might know what was going on in your own Clan,” he snarled.
Graystripe’s ears twitched uncomfortably. “I’ve just seen Cinderpaw,” he meowed. “I’m sorry she’s so sick.”
“How is she?”
“She looked bad, but Yellowfang said she’s pulling through,” replied Graystripe.
Fireheart stared anxiously across the clearing and stood up. He wanted to see his apprentice for himself.
Graystripe meowed, “She’s asleep now. Frostfur’s with her, and Yellowfang doesn’t want anyone else disturbing her.”
Fireheart flinched involuntarily. How was he going to tell Frostfur that it was his fault that Cinderpaw went to the Thunderpath? Instinctively, Fireheart turned to Graystripe, seeking reassurance. But Graystripe was trudging across the snowy clearing toward the nursery. Off to see Silverstream, Fireheart guessed resentfully, sheathing and unsheathing his claws as he watched his friend disappear from sight.
Fireheart noticed Speckletail, the oldest queen from the nursery and the mother of the kit with whitecough, only when she stopped right in front of him. “Is Tigerclaw inside?” she asked, pointing with her nose to the warriors’ den.
Fireheart shook his head.
Speckletail mewed, “There’s greencough in the nursery. Two of Brindleface’s kits are sick.”
“Greencough!” Fireheart gasped, shaken from his anger. “Will they die?”
“They might. But leaf-bare always brings greencough,” Speckletail pointed out gently.
“Surely there’s something we can do!” Fireheart protested.
“Yellowfang will do what she can,” answered Speckletail. “But in the end, it’s up to StarClan.”
A new flash of fury flared in Fireheart’s belly as Speckletail turned away and padded back to the nursery. How could the Clan tolerate these tragedies? He felt overwhelmed by the need to leave the camp, to escape the gloomy air that the rest of the Clan seemed content to breathe.
He jumped up and raced blindly across the snowy clearing, through the gorse tunnel and out into the forest. He was startled to find himself heading instinctively for the training hollow. The thought that he should be there, teaching Cinderpaw, was more than he could bear. As he veered to avoid it, he heard the voices of Whitestorm and Brackenpaw. The white-furred warrior must have taken Brackenpaw for training while Fireheart had been sleeping. Had no cat stopped to grieve for Bluestar’s lost life? Fireheart’s throat tightened as he fought back his rage and ran on, desperate to put as much distance as possible between himself and the camp.
He finally stopped beneath Tallpines, his sides heaving with the effort of running through the snow. There was stillness here that calmed him. Even the birds had stopped singing. Fireheart felt as if he were the only creature in the world.
He didn’t know where he was going; he just padded on, letting the woods soothe him. As he walked, his mind cleared. He could do nothing for Cinderpaw, and Graystripe was out of reach, but he might be able to help Yellowfang fight the greencough. He would fetch some more catnip.
Fireheart turned his steps toward his old kittypet home, weaving through the brambles in the oak woods that backed onto Twolegplace. He leaped to the top of the fence at the end of his old home, nudging a ridge of snow into the garden below. It fell with a soft clump. Fireheart peered down into the garden. He could see tracks, smaller than a cat’s. A squirrel had been out hunting for its store of nuts.
It didn’t take Fireheart long to pluck a generous mouthful of leaves from the catnip bush. He wanted to take as much as he could. Its soft leaves might not survive this weather; this could be his last chance to gather it.
With his mouth crammed, Fireheart stared toward the swinging flap he had used as a kit. He wondered if his Twoleg housefolk still lived there. They’d been kind to him. He had spent his first leaf-bare cosseted in their nest, warm and safe from the cruelties of Thunderpaths and greencough.
The scent of this catnip must be going to my head, he thought sharply. He bounded up the garden and onto the fence with a single leap. He was unnerved by how much the thought of his Twoleg home had stirred him. Did he really want the safety and predictability of a kittypet’s life? Of course not!Fireheart shook the thought away. But the idea of returning to camp didn’t appeal to him yet.
Suddenly he thought of Princess.
Fireheart raced along the edge of the woods to the part of Twolegplace where his sister’s garden lay. When her fence was in sight, he dug down through the snow and buried the catnip beneath a layer of dead leaves to protect it from the cold. He was still panting from his run when he leaped onto the fence and called out to Princess. Then he scrambled back down into the woods to wait for her
The snow made his paws ache with cold as he paced restlessly under an oak tree. Perhaps she is kitting, he told himself, or shut inside. He had just persuaded himself he wasn’t going to see her today when he heard her familiar mew. He looked up to see her standing on top of her fence. Fireheart felt a shiver of anticipation. Her belly was no longer swollen. Princess must have kitted.
He breathed in her scent as she approached and felt it warm him. “You’ve kitted!” he meowed.
Princess gently touched his nose with hers. “Yes,” she mewed softly.
“Did it go okay? Are the kits all right?”
Princess purred. “It was fine. I have five healthy kits,” she meowed, her eyes glowing with pleasure. Fireheart licked her head and she mewed, “I didn’t expect to see you out in this weather.”
“I came to find some catnip,” Fireheart told her. “There’s greencough in the camp.”
Princess’s eyes clouded with worry. “Are many of your Clan ill?”
“Three so far.” Fireheart hesitated for a moment, then meowed sadly, “Our leader lost another life last night.”
“Another life?” echoed Princess. “What do you mean? I thought it was only an old she-cat’s tale that cats have nine lives.”
“Bluestar was granted nine lives by StarClan because she’s leader of our Clan,” Fireheart explained.
Princess looked at him in awe. “Then it’s true!”
“Only for Clan leaders. The rest of us have only one life, like you, and like Cinderpaw.  .  .  .” Fireheart’s voice trailed away.
“Cinderpaw?” Princess must have detected the grief in his voice.
Fireheart gazed into her eyes, and the thoughts that had been troubling him began to tumble out. “My apprentice,” he meowed. “She was hit on the Thunderpath last night.” His voice cracked as he remembered finding her broken, bleeding body. “She’s badly hurt. She might still die. And even if she survives, she’ll never become a warrior.”
Princess moved closer and nuzzled him. “You spoke so fondly of her last time you were here,” she mewed. “She sounded full of fun and energy.”
“The accident shouldn’t have happened,” Fireheart growled. “I was supposed to meet Tigerclaw. He’d asked for Bluestar, but Bluestar was ill, so I offered to go instead. I had to fetch catnip first, and Cinderpaw went in my place.” Princess looked alarmed and Fireheart added quickly, “I told her not to. But perhaps if I’d been a better mentor she’d have listened to me.”
“I’m sure you’re a good mentor.” Princess tried to soothe him, but Fireheart hardly heard her.
“I don’t know why Tigerclaw wanted Bluestar to meet him in such a dangerous place!” he spat. “He said there was evidence that ShadowClan had invaded our territory, but when I arrived there was no scent of them at all!”
“Was it a trap?” Princess suggested.
Fireheart looked into his sister’s questioning eyes and suddenly began to wonder. “Why would Tigerclaw want to hurt Cinderpaw?”
“It was Bluestar he asked for,” Princess pointed out.
Fireheart’s fur bristled. Could his sister be right? Tigerclaw hadsummoned Bluestar to the narrowest part of the Thunderpath verge. Surely even Tigerclaw wouldn’t deliberately put his Clan leader in danger? Fireheart shook the thought away. “I d-don’t know,” he stammered. “Everything’s so confusing at the moment. Even Graystripe’s hardly speaking to me.”
“Why?”
Fireheart shrugged. “It’s too complicated to explain.” Princess nestled next to him in the snow, pressing her soft fur against his. “I just feel like such an outsider at the moment,” Fireheart went on gloomily. “It’s not easy being different.”
“Different?” Princess looked puzzled.
“Being born a kittypet, when the other cats are all Clanborn.”
“You seem like a Clanborn cat to me,” mewed Princess. Fireheart blinked gratefully at her. She went on, “But if you’re not happy in the Clan, you can always come home with me. My housefolk would look after you, I’m sure.”
Fireheart pictured himself living his old kittypet life, warm, cozy, and safe. But he couldn’t forget how he’d watched the woods from his Twoleg garden and dreamed of being out in the forest. A breeze stirred his thick fur and carried the scent of a mouse to his nose. Fireheart shook his head firmly. “Thank you, Princess,” he meowed. “But I belong with my Clan now. I could never be happy in a Twoleg nest. I would miss the scents of the forest, and sleeping beneath Silverpelt, hunting my own food and sharing it with my Clan.”
His sister’s eyes gleamed. “It sounds like a good life,” she purred. She looked down shyly at her paws. “Sometimes even I stare into the forest and wonder what it feels like to live out there.”
Fireheart purred and stood up. “Then you understand?”
Princess nodded. “Are you going back now?”
“Yes. I must take the catnip to Yellowfang while it’s fresh.”
Princess stretched her head forward to press her muzzle into his side. “Perhaps my kits will be strong enough to meet you next time you come,” she mewed.
Excitement tingled in Fireheart’s belly. “I hope so!” he meowed.
As he turned to leave, Princess called, “Take care, brother. I don’t want to lose you again.”
“You won’t,” Fireheart promised.
“Good thinking, Fireheart,” purred Whitestorm. He had seen Fireheart pad back into camp with his jaws crammed with catnip.
Fireheart’s mouth had been watering all the way home, although he was beginning to think he’d be happy never to see another catnip bush again. But he was happier than when he’d left the camp. His sister had safely kitted and his head felt clearer.
He was heading toward Yellowfang’s den when Tigerclaw appeared at his side.
“More catnip?” observed the great tabby, his eyes suspicious. “I wondered where you’d gone. Brackenpaw can take that to Yellowfang.”
Brackenpaw was helping to clear away snow nearby.
“Come and take this catnip to Yellowfang,” Tigerclaw ordered the apprentice.
Brackenpaw nodded and bounded over at once.
Fireheart dropped the bunch of leaves onto the ground. “I wanted to visit Cinderpaw,” he meowed to Tigerclaw.
“Later,” growled the deputy. He waited while Brackenpaw picked up the catnip and carried it off to Yellowfang’s den. Then he turned back to Fireheart. “I want to know where Graystripe has been going.”
Fireheart felt the heat rising under his fur. “I don’t know,” he replied, holding Tigerclaw’s gaze.
Tigerclaw stared back at him, his eyes cold and hostile. “When you see him,” he hissed, “you can tell him he’s confined to the fallen oak.”
“Yellowfang’s old den?” Fireheart glanced at the tangled branches where the medicine cat had lived when she first came into the ThunderClan camp, when she was still considered a ShadowClan outcast. Swiftpaw was there, lying beside Speckletail’s dark tabby kit.
“Cats with whitecough are confined there until they are well again.”
“But Graystripe only has a cold,” Fireheart protested.
“A cold is bad enough. He’ll stay at the fallen oak!” Tigerclaw repeated. “Cats with greencough are to nest with Yellowfang. We must stop this sickness from spreading.” The deputy’s eyes flashed unsympathetically. Fireheart wondered if he thought of illness as a sign of weakness. “It is for the good of the Clan,” Tigerclaw added.
“Yes, Tigerclaw. I’ll tell Graystripe.”
“And keep away from Bluestar,” the deputy warned.
“But the greencough has left her,” Fireheart objected.
“I am aware of that, but her den still reeks of the sickness. I can’t afford to have any of my warriors falling ill. Whitestorm tells me that RiverClan warriors have been scented even closer to the camp. He also told me he had to train Brackenpaw today. I expect you to take charge of Brackenpaw’s training tomorrow.”
Fireheart nodded. “May I go and see Cinderpaw now?”
Tigerclaw looked at him.
“I doubt if Yellowfang has put her anywhere near the cats with greencough,” Fireheart added with a flash of irritation. “I won’t get infected.”
“Very well,” Tigerclaw agreed, and stalked away.
Fireheart met Brackenpaw in the middle of the clearing. “Yellowfang was very grateful for the catnip,” Brackenpaw mewed.
“Good,” answered Fireheart. “By the way, I’m teaching you how to catch birds tomorrow. I hope you’re ready for a bit of tree climbing.”
Brackenpaw’s whiskers twitched excitedly. “Definitely. I’ll meet you at the training hollow.”
Fireheart nodded and carried on to Yellowfang’s den. He spotted Brindleface’s poor kits straightaway. They lay quietly in a bracken nest, coughing, their noses and eyes streaming.
Yellowfang greeted him. “Thanks for the catnip; we’re going to need it. Patchpelt has greencough now.” She gestured with her nose toward another nest in the bracken. Inside, Fireheart could see the old tom’s matted black-and-white fur.
“How’s Cinderpaw?” he asked, looking back at the medicine cat.
Yellowfang sighed. “She was awake earlier, but not for long. She has an infection in her leg. StarClan knows, I’ve tried everything, but she must fight this one herself.”
Fireheart peered into Cinderpaw’s nest. The little gray cat was twitching in her sleep, her injured leg twisted awkwardly to one side. Fireheart shuddered, suddenly afraid she might yet lose this struggle. He turned back to Yellowfang, looking for words of encouragement, but the medicine cat sat with her head low. She looked exhausted.
“Do you think Spottedleaf would have been able to save these cats?” she meowed unexpectedly, raising her head to meet his gaze.
Fireheart shivered. He could still sense Spottedleaf’s presence here in the clearing. He remembered how efficiently she’d tended to Ravenpaw’s shoulder wound after the battle with RiverClan, and how carefully she’d advised him about caring for Yellowfang when the old she-cat had first come to the ThunderClan camp. Then he looked at Yellowfang, her shoulders weighed down with experience. “I’m sure there’s nothing Spottedleaf would have done differently,” he told her.
One of the kits cried out and Yellowfang sprang up. As she passed, Fireheart leaned forward and gently stroked the old cat’s side with his muzzle. She twitched her shoulder gratefully at him. Then, filled with sadness, he turned and padded toward the fern tunnel.
The white pelt of Frostfur appeared at the other end. She must be coming to see Cinderpaw. As he approached the queen, Fireheart lifted his head and looked into her blue eyes. The sorrow in them made his heart twist with pain. “Frostfur?” he began.
The queen stopped.
“I .  .  . I’m sorry.” Fireheart trembled as he spoke.
Frostfur looked confused. “What for?”
“I should have been able to stop Cinderpaw from going to the Thunderpath.”
Frostfur gazed at him, but her expression gave away nothing except her sadness. “I don’t blame you, Fireheart,” she murmured. Then she lowered her head and carried on toward her kit.
Graystripe was back, munching a vole beside the nettle clump.
Fireheart padded over to him. “Tigerclaw says you’ve got to move to the fallen oak, with the whitecough cats,” he meowed. With a prickle of resentment, he remembered how the deputy had questioned him about his friend.
“That won’t be necessary,” replied Graystripe cheerfully. “I’m better now. Yellowfang gave me the all-clear this morning.”
Fireheart looked closely at Graystripe. His eyes were certainly bright again, and his runny nose had dried to an unappealing crust. At any other time Fireheart would have teased him about how much he looked like Runningnose, the ShadowClan medicine cat. Now he spat crossly, “Tigerclaw has noticed your disappearances. You should be more careful. Why can’t you stay away from Silverstream, at least for now?”
Graystripe stopped chewing and stared angrily back at Fireheart. “And why can’t you mind your own business?”
Fireheart closed his eyes and snorted with frustration. Would he ever get through to his friend? Then he wondered if he even cared anymore. After all, Graystripe hadn’t asked about Cinderpaw.
Fireheart’s stomach growled to tell him he was hungry. He might as well eat. He took a sparrow from the pile of fresh-kill and carried it away to a deserted corner of the camp to eat alone. As he settled down, he thought of Princess, far away in Twolegplace, with her newborn kits. Lonely and anxious, Fireheart stared across the camp and longed to see her again.
第十八章
第十八章
第二天早上，阳光透过树枝间隙照进营地。火心醒来时灰条的窝里早已空空如也。由于昨日悲伤过度，火心起来时仍感到浑身疲惫。他朝巢穴外看去，只见积雪堵住了洞口，几乎与他的双肩齐平。
往日闹哄哄的营地此时鸦雀无声。火心看见柳带和半尾在会场的另一边小声交谈，鼠毛正叼着一只兔子在雪地里吃力地向猎物堆走去，她停下来打了个喷嚏，然后又向前迈出脚步。
火心抬起一只爪子放在略微结冰的雪面上。起先他还感觉到雪面挺结实，但稍加用力，雪面上的薄冰咔嚓一声裂开了，他的腿立刻便没进雪里，冷得他倒吸口凉气。他嗤的一声喷出鼻孔里的雪，抖了抖脑袋，仰起下巴向前跳。可这么一来他在雪里陷得更深了。
他拼命挣扎，内心充满恐惧，感觉自己好像就要被雪淹没了！忽然，他脚下踩到了实地，原来是到会场边缘了。会场上的雪仅仅到他的膝盖。火心浑身瘫软地坐在地上，松了口气。
当他看到灰条正向他走来时，心里又有些紧张起来。由于身上长了厚厚的毛，灰条似乎并不在意这阴冷潮湿的天气。他一脸悲伤地走过来对火心说：“你听说蓝星的事了吗？绿感冒夺去了她一条性命。”
火心不耐烦地竖起耳朵。他原本在昨晚就该把这件事告诉灰条的。他不客气地说：“知道，当时我就在她身边。”
灰条惊讶地问：“你为什么不告诉我？”
火心气呼呼地说：“你昨晚可是显得不怎么友好啊，你不会忘记吧。况且，如果你还把半点儿武士法典放在心上的话，你自然会知道本族里发生的事情。”
灰条的耳朵动了动，不自在地说：“我刚刚去看过炭爪了。我很遗憾。”
“她怎么样了？”
灰条回答：“看起来很糟糕。不过黄牙说目前仍不能轻易下结论。”
火心焦急地站起来，想要亲自去看望他的徒弟。
灰条说：“她现在睡着了，霜毛在陪着她。黄牙不想让别的猫再去打扰她。”
火心不由自主地心里发怵。他怎样对霜毛说炭爪之所以去雷鬼路都是由于他的疏忽呢？火心本能地将头转向灰条，想寻求一些心理慰藉，却看见灰条正踏着雪向育婴室走去。火心看着他的朋友消失在育婴室后面，恨得牙痒痒。
那只得白感冒的幼崽的母亲纹尾走到火心面前，用鼻子冲着武士巢穴扬了扬说：“虎掌在里面吗？”
火心摇了摇头。
纹尾说：“育婴室里流行绿感冒，纹脸的两个孩子都病倒了。”
“绿感冒！”火心倒吸了口冷气，一惊之下从愤怒中清醒过来，“他们会死吗？”
纹尾轻轻地说：“也许吧。绿咳症总是在枯叶季流行。”
火心争辩说：“我们一定能找出治疗的方法来！”
纹尾回答：“黄牙会尽她的最大努力，不过这种事最终还是要听凭星族的安排。”
看着纹尾转身回到育婴室里，火心感到肚子里升起一股难以言状的怒火。发生了这么多不幸的事，这个族群怎么能显得如此无动于衷呢？突然之间，他产生了一种强烈的欲望，想要离开这个营地，逃离出这片令族里其他的猫们麻木不仁的阴郁的空气。
他跳起身漫无目的地走着，走过会场，穿过金雀花通道进入森林。他吃惊地意识到自己正本能地向训练沙坑走去。他想到自己现在原本应该在训练炭爪，这种想法使他的内心受到难以忍受的煎熬。他正要转身换个方向，忽然听见白风和蕨爪的说话声。白风一定是在火心睡觉的时候带着蕨爪出来训练的。难道就没有谁停下手中的活儿为蓝星失去的那一条性命表示哀悼吗？火心感到嗓子眼儿里堵得厉害，他强压下怒火继续跑，只想离开营地越远越好。
最后，他在松林里停下脚步，大口地喘着气。在雪里奔跑可不是件容易的事。松林里的宁静使他的情绪渐渐平复。即使是鸟儿也停止了歌唱，火心感到自己似乎是这个世界唯一的生物。
他不知道要去哪里，只是漫无目的地走着，任凭一棵棵树从身边擦过。就在他走路的过程中，他的头脑开始逐渐清醒过来。炭爪的事他爱莫能助，灰条的事他也无能为力，但是他能够帮助黄牙击败绿感冒。他能再多采些猫薄荷回去。
火心换个方向朝他做宠物猫时的老家走去。他穿过橡树下的灌木丛来到两腿动物的地盘。他跳上围栏，将围栏上的一绺积雪碰进花园，积雪在地上摔成松松散散的一片。火心从围栏上往花园里瞅，瞅见一些脚印，那些脚印比猫的要小。想必是松鼠来这里觅食了。
没过多久，火心便采了一满嘴的猫薄荷。这些猫薄荷在雪天存活不了，他必须尽可能多采些，这也许是他最后一次采摘的机会了。
火心嘴里塞满了猫薄荷，朝两腿动物门口的门帘望去，想知道他的两腿动物主人是否仍然住在里面。它们一向对他很好。他出生后的第一个叶子凋落的季节就是在它们的屋里度过的。与残酷的雷鬼路和绿感冒相比起来，那里面温暖而又安全。
他暗暗自责：自己一定是被猫薄荷的气味搞昏头了。他穿过花园轻轻跳上围栏。虽然他的脑子里都是对两腿动物老家的回忆，但他并没有感到不安。他真的想要那种舒适安逸的生活吗？当然不会！火心尽力不去想这些事情，但此刻他也并不急于返回营地。
他忽然想起了公主。
火心顺着森林边向公主所住的花园走去。等远远能望见花园时，他在雪地里刨了一个小洞将猫薄荷放了进去，然后在上面覆盖些落叶。他气喘吁吁地跳上围栏呼唤姐姐的名字，接着就又跑回树林里静静等候姐姐的到来。
脚下的雪冻得他四肢生疼，因此他只得不停地来回走动。他告诉自己：也许她在临盆，要不就是被关在屋里了。几番激烈的思想斗争之后他好不容易说服自己今天先不见姐姐，这时姐姐的说话声传了过来。火心激动得打了个激灵。她的肚子已经瘪了下去，公主一定是生下幼崽了。
随着公主走近，他嗅到她身上的气味，感觉是那么地温暖。他说：“你生了！”
公主轻柔地和他对触了一下鼻子说：“是的。”
“顺利吗？孩子们都还好吧？”
公主嘴里发出呜呜的声音，眼里充满了喜悦，她说：“很顺利。我生下了五个健康的幼崽。”火心舔了舔她的额头。她又说：“我没想到能在这种天气里见到你。”
火心告诉她：“我来找些猫薄荷。营地里现在正流行绿咳症。”
公主担心地问：“是不是你们有许多猫都病了？”
“到目前为止有三个。”火心迟疑了一下，然后哀伤地说，“我们族长昨晚又失去了一条性命。”
公主重复了一句：“又一条性命？你说的是什么意思？我原来以为猫有九命不过是个传说罢了。”
火心解释说：“因为蓝星是族长，所以星族赐给她九条命。”
公主不可思议地看着他：“这么说，那个传说是真的？”
“只有族长们有九条命，其他的猫只有一条，就像你和炭爪一样——”说到这里，火心的声音戛然而止。
公主一定是听出他话音中的悲伤，她问：“炭爪？”
火心看着她的眼睛，开始向姐姐倾吐苦水：“就是我的徒弟，昨晚她在雷鬼路被撞伤了。”他回想起看到炭爪那血淋淋的身体时的情景，声音变得沙哑起来：“她伤得很重，有可能活不过来了。况且即使她能活下来，她再也不能成为一名武士了。”
公主凑近触了触他说：“上次你来说起她时，我就知道你非常疼爱她。她似乎活泼而又有趣。”
火心大声说：“这次意外本不该发生的。原本是我去和虎掌会面。他要蓝星去，但蓝星病倒了，所以我自告奋勇代替她去。但我先要采集猫薄荷，于是炭爪就代替我去了。”公主神色紧张，火心飞快地继续说：“我告诉过她不让她去。但如果我是一名更好的老师，她也许就听我的话了。”
“我敢保证你是一名好老师。”公主安慰他，但他根本听不进去。
他愤愤不平地说：“我真不明白虎掌为什么想和蓝星在那么危险的地方见面！他说那里有影族侵入我们领地的证据，但当我赶到时，那里根本就没有影族的气味！”
公主猜测说：“这会不会是个圈套呢？”
火心看着姐姐充满疑问的眼神，好奇地问：“为什么虎掌想伤害炭爪呢？”
公主指出：“他原先是叫蓝星去的。”
火心的毛一下子竖起来。他的姐姐会不会真说中了呢？虎掌原本是召唤蓝星去那条狭窄的雷鬼路边缘的。当然，即使是虎掌也不会故意要加害族长的！火心努力不去想这件事。他结结巴巴地说：“我不——不知道。现在的情况很混乱，甚至连灰条都不理我了。”
“为什么呀？”
火心耸了耸肩膀说：“事情太复杂，不太好解释。”公主挨着他的身子在雪地里卧下来。火心心情郁闷地继续说道：“现在我就像是个局外猫，差别并不是轻易就能抹除掉的。”
公主困惑地说：“差别？”
“我是宠物猫出身，而他们则是族生猫出身。”
公主说：“你在我眼里就像是一只族生的猫啊。”火心感激地冲她眨了眨眼睛。她继续说：“但是如果你在族群里生活得不快活，你就过来和我一起住。我的主人会照料你的，我敢保证。”
火心眼前浮现出一幅宠物猫生活的画面：温暖、闲适而又安全。但是他忘不掉自己当初从花园里眺望森林的景象和梦中森林里的情景：微风吹乱了他的毛，带来了老鼠的气味。他坚定地摇了摇头说：“谢谢你，公主。但我现在属于我的族群，生活在两腿动物的屋里我永远都不会快乐的。我会怀念森林的气息，在星河下的露宿，捕来猎物和族群共同分享时的乐趣。”
公主两眼放光。“听起来是一种很美的生活啊。”她害羞地低下头看着爪子说，“有时我也眺望森林，想象在里面生活会是什么样子。”
火心站起来：“这么说你理解我的话喽？”
公主点点头说：“你现在要回去吗？”
“是的。我必须趁着猫薄荷还新鲜，把它们交给黄牙。”
公主伸长脖子用鼻子顶了顶火心的侧腹说：“也许下一次你来的时候，我的幼崽们已经长大了，能够来见你了。”
火心激动地说：“希望如此！”
他转身离去，公主在他身后喊道：“多多保重，弟弟。我不想再次失去你。”
火心保证道：“不会的。”
白风看见火心衔着满嘴的猫薄荷走进营地，称赞他说：“想得真周到，火心。”
火心在回家的路上流了一路的涎水，以至于他生怕在半路上再看到地上长着猫薄荷。
不过，他现在比离开营地时心情好了许多。他的姐姐顺利产下幼崽，而他的头脑也恢复清醒了。
他向黄牙的医务室走去，这时虎掌走了过来。
虎掌一脸怀疑地说：“又去采猫薄荷了？我刚才还在奇怪你去哪里了。这些猫薄荷就由蕨爪送到医务室吧。”
蕨爪正在帮忙清扫会场上的积雪。
虎掌冲他喊道：“过来把这些猫薄荷给黄牙送去。”
蕨爪点了点头，立刻跑了过来。
火心将猫薄荷放在地上，对虎掌说：“我想去看看炭爪。”
虎掌大声说：“先等等。”等蕨爪叼起猫薄荷离去后，他对火心说：“我想知道灰条在哪里。”
火心感到皮毛下一阵发热。他看着虎掌的眼睛回答说：“我不知道。”
虎掌冷冷地和他对视着，眼里充满了敌意。他声音低沉而沙哑地说：“你看到他时，告诉他去那根橡树干那里接受隔离。”
火心望着那根倒在地上的橡树干说：“去黄牙原先的巢穴里面吗？”黄牙第一次来到雷族营地时，被看做是被影族驱逐的猫。雷族当时就安排她在那里居住。现在，迅爪和纹尾的那只虎斑猫幼崽正在那里接受隔离。
“得了白感冒的猫在病好之前都要去那里接受隔离。”
火心争辩说：“但灰条仅仅是着凉而已。”
虎掌回答：“着凉也够糟糕的。这件事就这么定了！得了绿感冒的猫都去医务室住了。
我们必须阻止这种疾病继续传播。”在虎掌的眼里看不到丝毫同情的表示，火心想知道他是否将生病当做软弱的象征。虎掌补充说：“这全是为了族群着想。”
“是，虎掌。我会通知灰条的。”
虎掌警告他说：“还有，别靠近蓝星。”
火心不服气地说：“她的绿感冒已经好了。”
“我知道，但她的巢穴里还残留有病菌。我不能让任何一名武士病倒了。白风告诉我说河族的气味距离营地这边越来越近了，他还告诉我今天蕨爪的训练是由他来代教的。我希望你明天能接手蕨爪的训练。”火心点点头说：“现在我能去看炭爪了吗？”
虎掌盯着他。
火心有些生气地补充说：“我怀疑黄牙是否将她和那些得了绿感冒的猫安排在一起住了。我不会被传染上的。”
虎掌点点头说：“很好。”说完，他转身离去。
在会场中央，火心遇见了蕨爪。蕨爪告诉他：“黄牙对猫薄荷的事情很是感激。”
火心说：“满意就好。顺便说一下，明天我教你捕鸟术，我希望你做好爬树的思想准备。”
蕨爪兴奋地说：“太好了。明天在沙坑见。”
火心点了点头，继续向黄牙的医务室走去，迎面便看见纹脸那两个可怜的孩子。他们躺在一个蔓藤围成的窝里，不停地咳嗽，又是鼻涕又是眼泪。
黄牙上来招呼说：“谢谢你采来的猫薄荷，我们正需要呢。团毛也得绿感冒了。”说着她的鼻子朝另一个窝扬了扬。火心看见那只黑白相间的老公猫赫然躺在里面。
他回头瞅着黄牙问：“炭爪怎么样了？”
黄牙叹了口气，说：“她早些时候醒过一次，不过没多久便又昏迷过去。她的腿化脓了。唉，我想尽了所有方法，剩下的就要看她自己了。”
火心走进炭爪的小窝，看见她在昏迷中还偶尔抽搐两下，那条伤腿软软地搭在一边。
火心打了个寒战，忽然害怕他的徒弟会因为忍受不住伤痛的折磨而死去。他转头瞅瞅黄牙，想从她那里得到一句踏实话，却见她只是垂着头坐在那儿，一脸筋疲力尽的样子。
黄牙突然抬起头看着他，说：“你认为如果斑叶在这里，她能治好这些猫吗？”
火心心里一颤。在他的潜意识里，似乎斑叶仍在这里，从来就没有离开过。他还记得乌爪在同河族战斗之后，斑叶是如何迅速治好他肩膀上的伤；还有，在黄牙刚来到雷族时，她是如何细心叮嘱他照顾好黄牙的。接着，他瞅了瞅黄牙，看见岁月的沧桑竟压低了她的肩头。他对黄牙说：“我敢肯定，即使斑叶在这里也没有更好的方法了。”
这时，一只幼崽哭了起来，黄牙连忙过去查看。火心探出身体，用鼻子顶了顶黄牙的侧腹。黄牙感激地冲他点了点头。于是，火心朝金雀花通道走去。
前来看望女儿的霜毛出现在金雀花通道的入口处。当两只猫接近时，火心抬头瞧了瞧她。霜毛悲伤的眼神使他心如刀绞，他唤道：“霜毛？”
霜毛停下脚步。
火心声音颤抖着说：“对——对不起。”
霜毛迷惑地问：“对不起什么？”
“我本该阻止炭爪，不让她去雷鬼路的。”
霜毛盯着他，脸上除了悲痛再没有别的异样神情。她小声说：“我不会怪你的。”然后她低着头向医务室走去。
灰条回来了，坐在荨麻丛边正津津有味地吃一只水老鼠。
火心走过去说：“虎掌让你和得了白感冒的猫们一起进行隔离。”他想起虎掌向他质疑灰条去向时的情景，心里不由得升起一股怒火。
灰条的情绪不错，回答说：“没有那个必要，我现在感觉好多了。今天早上黄牙彻底把我治好了。”
火心凑近灰条细看，看见灰条的眼睛又恢复了明亮，鼻涕也都结成了痂。如果在平时，火心肯定会取笑一番，说他的样子就像影族的医生奔鼻。但现在他则生气地说：“虎掌已经注意到你经常不在了，你好自为之吧。你就不能离那个银溪远一点儿，至少暂时别去见她不行吗？”
灰条停止咀嚼，怒气冲冲地盯着火心说：“你为什么不在自己的事情上多操点儿心呢？”
火心鼻子里发出嗤的一声，沮丧地闭上眼睛。他该拿他的这个朋友怎么办才好呢？他不由得想问灰条，问他除了自己的事情还关心别的吗！灰条还一直没有问过炭爪的伤势怎样。
火心的肚子饿得咕咕作响。他在猎物堆里拣了一只麻雀，走到营地的一个荒芜的角落独自进餐。他想起了远在两腿动物地盘的姐姐和她的孩子们。火心朝营门外望去，渴望着能够再次见到姐姐。
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER19
In the following days, Fireheart struggledagainst the urge to visit his sister. His yearning to be with his kittypet kin was beginning to make him feel uncomfortable. He kept himself busy hunting in the snowy forests, replenishing the camp store.
He had had a successful hunt this afternoon, returning to camp with two mice and a chaffinch as the sun dipped behind the trees. He buried the mice in the snow store and took the chaffinch for his own supper.
As he finished his meal, he noticed Whitestorm padding toward him. “I want you to take Sandpaw out on the dawn patrol,” the great white warrior meowed. “ShadowClan has been scented as close as the Owl Tree.”
“ShadowClan?” Fireheart echoed in alarm. Perhaps Tigerclaw really had found evidence of an invasion after all. “I was planning to take Brackenpaw out again tomorrow.”
“Isn’t Graystripe better now?” asked Whitestorm. “He can take Brackenpaw.”
Of course!thought Fireheart. And perhaps training his apprentice would keep Graystripe away from Silverstream for once. But that meant he would have to go on patrol with Sandpaw. And Fireheart couldn’t help thinking of the furious look Sandpaw had given him when he’d interrupted her fight with the RiverClan warrior beside the gorge. “Just me and Sandpaw?” he asked.
Whitestorm looked at him in surprise. “Sandpaw’s almost a warrior, and you can take care of yourself,” he replied.
Whitestorm had misunderstood Fireheart’s concern. He wasn’t afraid of being attacked by enemy cats; he was afraid Sandpaw hated him as much as Dustpaw did. But Fireheart didn’t correct him. “Does Sandpaw know?”
“You can tell her,” meowed Whitestorm.
Fireheart’s ear twitched. He didn’t think Sandpaw would be too thrilled by the idea of patrolling with him, but he didn’t argue.
Whitestorm nodded briefly and bounded away toward the warriors’ den. Fireheart sighed and padded over to where Sandpaw was sitting with the other apprentices.
“Sandpaw.” Fireheart shifted uneasily. “Whitestorm wants you to patrol with me at dawn tomorrow.”
He waited for a resentful hiss, but Sandpaw merely looked up at him and meowed, “Fine.” Even Dustpaw looked surprised.
“O-okay,” echoed Fireheart, taken aback. “Meet you at sunrise then.”
“Sunrise,” agreed Sandpaw.
Fireheart decided to share the good news about Sandpaw’s lack of hostility with Graystripe. It might be a chance for them to start talking to each other again. Graystripe was sharing tongues with Runningwind by the clump of nettles.
“Hi, Fireheart,” Runningwind meowed as Fireheart approached.
“Hi.” Fireheart looked expectantly at Graystripe. But Graystripe had turned his head away and was staring at the boundary wall. Fireheart’s heart sank. He dropped his head and turned back toward his nest. He couldn’t wait to be out on patrol tomorrow and away from the camp.
The sky glowed palest pink above Fireheart’s head as he pushed his way out of the den the next morning.
Sandpaw was waiting for him outside the gorse tunnel.
“Er, hi,” Fireheart meowed, feeling a bit awkward.
“Hi,” Sandpaw answered quietly.
Fireheart sat down. “Let’s wait for the night patrol to get back,” he suggested.
They sat in silence until they heard the familiar rustle of bushes heralding the return of Whitestorm, Longtail, and Mousefur.
“Any sign of ShadowClan?” Fireheart asked.
“We definitely picked up some ShadowClan scents,” answered Whitestorm grimly.
“It’s strange,” meowed Mousefur, frowning. “It’s always the same group of scents. ShadowClan must be sending the same warriors each time.”
“You two had better check out the RiverClan border,” suggested Whitestorm. “We didn’t get a chance to patrol there. Be careful, and remember, you don’t want to start a fight. You’re just looking for signs they’ve been hunting on our land again.”
“Yes, Whitestorm,” meowed Fireheart. Sandpaw nodded respectfully.
Fireheart led the way. “We’ll start at Fourtrees and work our way along the border to Tallpines,” he meowed as they climbed out of the camp ravine.
“Sounds good,” replied Sandpaw. “I’ve never seen Fourtrees in the snow.” Fireheart listened for sarcasm in her voice, but she seemed to be sincere.
They reached the top of the ravine. “Which way now?” Fireheart decided to test her.
“Do you think I don’t know the way to Fourtrees?” Sandpaw protested. Fireheart began to regret acting like a mentor until he noticed a good-humored gleam in her eyes. She charged away through the woods without another word, and Fireheart pelted after her.
It felt good to be running through the woods with another cat again. He had to admit Sandpaw was fast. She was still two fox-lengths ahead when she leaped over the trunk of a fallen tree and disappeared.
Fireheart followed, taking the tree in a single bound. As he landed on the other side, something hit him from behind. He skidded in the snow, rolled over, and sprang to his paws.
Sandpaw faced him, her whiskers twitching. “Surprise!”
Fireheart hissed playfully and leaped on top of her. He was impressed by Sandpaw’s strength, but he had the advantage of size. When he finally held her down in the snow, she protested, “Get off, you great lump!”
“Okay, okay,” meowed Fireheart, letting go of her. “But you asked for it!”
Sandpaw sat up, her orange coat dusted with snow. “You look like you’ve been caught in a snowstorm!” she mewed.
“So do you.” They both shook the flakes from their fur. “Come on,” Fireheart meowed. “We’d better get a move on.”
They raced side by side, as far as Fourtrees. By the time they reached the top of the slope that overlooked the valley, the sky was milky blue. Pale sunlight lit up the snowy hollow. The four bare oaks stood below them, glittering with frost.
Sandpaw stared down, her eyes wide. Fireheart waited, touched by her enthusiasm, until she turned to leave.
“I didn’t know the snow would make everything look so different,” she mewed as they began to follow the RiverClan border toward the river. Fireheart nodded in agreement.
Their pace was slower as they traveled in silence along the line of scent markers, alert for any fresh smells of RiverClan this side of the border. Fireheart paused every few trees to leave a new ThunderClan scent mark.
Suddenly Sandpaw stopped dead. “Fancy a little fresh-kill?” she whispered. Fireheart nodded. The apprentice dropped into a hunting crouch and pulled herself forward through the snow, one slow pawstep after another. Fireheart followed her gaze and saw a young rabbit hopping underneath some brambles. With a quick hiss, Sandpaw pounced, diving into the brambles and pinning the rabbit down with a strong forepaw. In one smooth movement she pulled it toward her to finish it off.
Fireheart bounded over. “Great catch, Sandpaw!”
Sandpaw looked pleased. She dropped the warm fresh-kill to the ground. “Share?”
“Thanks!”
“That’s one of the best things about patrols,” remarked Sandpaw between mouthfuls.
“What?” Fireheart asked.
“You can eat what you catch instead of having to take it back to the Clan,” Sandpaw replied. “I don’t know how many hunting missions I’ve nearly starved on!”
Fireheart purred with amusement.
They set off once more, skirting Sunningrocks to follow the trail into the woods again, close to the RiverClan border. As they reached the top of the bracken-covered slope above the river, Fireheart sent a silent prayer to StarClan that they wouldn’t find Graystripe here.
“Look!” meowed Sandpaw suddenly. Her body stiffened with excitement. “The river—it’s frozen.”
Fireheart’s heart lurched as he remembered Cinderpaw saying the same words before Graystripe’s accident. “We’re not going down to look!” he meowed firmly.
“We don’t have to. You can see from here. Let’s get back and tell the Clan.”
“Why?” Fireheart couldn’t understand Sandpaw’s excitement.
“A patrol of our warriors could cross the river now!” Sandpaw meowed. “We can invade RiverClan’s territory and steal back some of the prey they’ve taken from us.”
Fireheart felt a cold chill ripple the fur on his spine. What would Graystripe think about that? And could Fireheart bring himself to go into battle against the starving RiverClan?
Sandpaw circled him impatiently. “Are you coming?”
“Yes,” replied Fireheart heavily. He leaped after Sandpaw as she raced off into the woods, back to camp.
Sandpaw tore through the gorse tunnel just ahead of Fireheart. Tigerclaw glanced up as they skidded to a halt in the clearing.
Fireheart heard a noise behind him. Graystripe was padding through the camp entrance with Brackenpaw.
A call sounded from below the Highrock. “Fireheart, Sandpaw, how was your patrol?”
Fireheart felt a flood of relief when he saw Bluestar looking like her normal self, sitting with her chin high and her tail tucked over her front paws.
Sandpaw bounded over to the Highrock. “The river’s frozen,” she burst out. “We could cross it easily right now!”
Bluestar gazed thoughtfully at the apprentice. Fireheart flinched when he saw the ThunderClan leader’s eyes gleam. “Thank you, Sandpaw,” she meowed.
Fireheart leaned over and murmured into Sandpaw’s ear, “Come on, let’s tell the others.” He guessed that Bluestar would want to discuss the frozen river with her senior warriors.
Sandpaw glanced at him, understanding, and followed him back to the center of the clearing. “This has been such a great day!” she meowed. Fireheart just nodded and glanced anxiously at Graystripe.
“You two look like you had fun!” Dustpaw had emerged from the apprentices’ den. “Drowned another RiverClan cat?” he sneered at Fireheart.
Dustpaw looked at Sandpaw expectantly. Fireheart guessed he was waiting for her to agree with him, like she used to, but Sandpaw wasn’t listening. Fireheart felt a small prickle of satisfaction at the irritated look on Dustpaw’s face as she meowed breathlessly, “We found out that the river’s frozen. I think Bluestar’s planning a raid on RiverClan!”
At that moment their leader’s call sounded from the Highrock, and the Clan began to gather in the clearing. The sun had reached its high point, which in leaf-bare meant that it was barely above the treetops.
“Sandpaw and Fireheart have brought good news. The river is frozen over,” Bluestar announced. “We will take this opportunity to make a raid on RiverClan’s hunting grounds, to send the message that they must stop stealing our prey. Our warriors will track down one of their patrols and give them a warning that they’ll remember for a long time!”
Fireheart winced as he remembered what Silverstream had told him about her starving Clan. Around him, the other cats raised their voices in eager yowls. Fireheart had not heard the Clan this excited for many moons.
“Tigerclaw!” Bluestar called above the din. “Are our warriors fit enough for a raid on RiverClan?”
Tigerclaw nodded.
“Excellent.” Bluestar lifted her tail. “Then we shall leave at sunset.” The Clan yowled with delight. Fireheart’s paws prickled. Was Bluestar going too? Surely she wouldn’t risk her last life on a border raid?
Fireheart looked over his shoulder at Graystripe. He was staring up at the Highrock, the tip of his tail twitching nervously. As the yowls died away, Graystripe called out, “It feels warmer today. A thaw would make the ice too dangerous to cross.”
Fireheart held his breath as the other cats turned to look curiously at Graystripe.
Tigerclaw stared down at Graystripe, his amber eyes puzzled. “You’re not usually reluctant to fight,” the dark warrior meowed slowly.
Darkstripe craned his neck and added, “Yes, Graystripe—you’re not afraid of those RiverClan fleabags, are you?”
Graystripe fidgeted uncomfortably as the Clan waited for an answer.
“Looks like he’s scared!” hissed Dustpaw from Sandpaw’s side.
Fireheart’s tail flicked angrily, but he managed to keep his voice light as he called, “Yes, of getting his paws wet! Graystripe’s fallen through the ice once this leaf-bare; he’s not keen to do it again.”
The tension in the Clan dissolved into amused purrs. Graystripe looked down at the ground, his ears flat. Only Tigerclaw kept his suspicious frown.
Bluestar waited until the murmurings had died away. “I must discuss the raid with my senior warriors.” She leaped down from the Highrock, landing so lightly that it was hard to believe that she had been fighting for her lives just days ago. Tigerclaw, Whitestorm, and Willowpelt followed her to her den, and the rest of the Clan broke away into groups to discuss the proposed attack.
“I suppose you expect me to thank you for embarrassing me!” Fireheart heard Graystripe’s angry hiss in his ear.
“Not at all,” he snapped. “But you could at least be grateful I’m still covering up for you!” He bounded away to the edge of the clearing, his fur bristling with fury.
Sandpaw ran over to join him. “It’s about time we showed those RiverClan cats that they can’t hunt in our territory whenever they like,” she meowed, her eyes shining.
“Yes, I suppose so,” Fireheart answered absently. He couldn’t take his eyes off Graystripe. Was he imagining it, or was the gray warrior edging farther and farther toward the nursery? Was Graystripe planning on slipping away to warn Silverstream?
Fireheart got slowly to his paws and began to pad toward the nursery. Graystripe glared at Fireheart as he approached, but before either warrior could speak, Bluestar’s call sounded once more from the Highrock. Fireheart stopped where he was but didn’t take his eyes off Graystripe.
“Willowpelt agrees with young Graystripe,” Bluestar declared. “A thaw is on the way.” Graystripe lifted his chin and flashed a defiant look at Fireheart, but Fireheart didn’t care. Bluestar was going to call off the raid! Now Graystripe wouldn’t have to choose between his Clan and Silverstream, and Fireheart wouldn’t have to join a raiding party against a Clan he knew was already suffering.
But Bluestar hadn’t finished. “So we will attack at once!”
Fireheart glanced sideways—Graystripe’s look of triumph had turned to one of sheer horror.
Bluestar continued, “We will leave a patrol of warriors here to guard the camp. We have to remember the possible threat from ShadowClan. Five warriors will make the raid. I will remain here.”
Good, thought Fireheart. She wasn’t planning to risk her final life after all. “Tigerclaw will lead the raiding party. Darkstripe, Willowpelt, and Longtail will go with him. That leaves one more place.”
“Can I go?” Fireheart burst out. Even though his heart felt heavy at the thought of attacking hungry RiverClan cats, it meant that Graystripe wouldn’t have to make a choice.
“Thank you, Fireheart. You may join the patrol.” Bluestar was clearly pleased by her former apprentice’s eagerness. Tigerclaw didn’t look so happy. He narrowed his eyes at Fireheart, gazing at him with undisguised suspicion. “There’s no time to lose,” Bluestar yowled. “I can smell the warm winds myself. Tigerclaw will brief you as you travel. Go now!”
Darkstripe, Longtail, and Willowpelt sped after Tigerclaw. Fireheart followed them as they thundered through the gorse tunnel and headed up the ravine, toward RiverClan territory.
They charged past Sunningrocks and reached the enemy border as the low leaf-bare sun began to dip toward the forest. Fireheart sniffed the air—Graystripe and Willowpelt had been right; he could smell warmer winds, and rain clouds were already pushing in over the treetops.
As they raced down the slope toward the river, Fireheart felt a deep sense of disquiet. Silverstream’s desperate story rang in his ears, and he fought to push away his feelings of sympathy.
The ThunderClan warriors emerged from the bracken and skidded to a stop at the edge of the river. The sight that greeted them made Fireheart weak with relief. The shining sheet of ice that Fireheart had seen earlier with Sandpaw had broken up into a rushing flow of cold, black water.
第十九章
第十九章
接下来的几天里，火心一直在与自己想去拜访姐姐的念头做斗争。他十分渴望能和他的宠物猫亲戚在一起，这种想法令他坐立不安。为了抑制这种想法，他将全部的精力都用来捕猎，增加食物的储备。
这一天下午他颇有收获。在傍晚返回营地时，他一共捉到了两只老鼠和一只燕雀。他将老鼠埋进雪窖里，那只燕雀则留下来当做晚餐。
吃完饭后，他看见白风向他走过来说：“明天早上我想让你和沙爪一同巡逻。我们嗅到猫头鹰树附近有影族的气味。”
火心紧张地重复了一句：“影族？”也许虎掌确实发现入侵者的踪迹了。“明天我还要带蕨爪出去训练呢。”
白风说：“现在灰条不是好些了吗？他能带蕨爪去训练。”
火心想：对呀！也许训练徒弟能使灰条顾不上再去找银溪了。不过如此一来，他就得和沙爪去巡逻。火心忍不住想起当初他阻止沙爪和那个河族武士在峡谷旁搏斗时，沙爪怒视他的目光。火心问：“就我和沙爪吗？”
白风惊讶地看着他，回答说：“沙爪比一名武士差不了多少，而你也能照顾自己。”
白风显然是误会了火心的忧虑。火心不是害怕敌人的攻击，而是害怕沙爪像尘爪那样恨他。但他没有加以辩白，而是问道：“沙爪知道吗？”
白风说：“你去通知她吧。”
火心暗暗叫苦不迭。他可不觉得沙爪会高高兴兴地听这个消息，但他没有再做争辩。
白风略一点头后转身返回武士巢穴。火心叹了口气向沙爪走去，沙爪和其他几个学徒正坐在一起。
火心不自在地说：“沙爪，白风让我们明天早上去巡逻。”
他等着沙爪发出愤恨的嘶声，谁知她却只是抬头看了他一眼说：“好的。”这一下，即使是尘爪脸上都露出了吃惊的表情。
火心惊讶地说：“那——那好，明天早晨见。”
沙爪说：“早晨见。”
火心决定把沙爪不再敌视他的好消息告诉给灰条听，这也许是他和灰条言归于好的机会。此时，灰条正在荨麻丛旁和奔风说话。
奔风冲走近的火心打招呼说：“嘿，火心。”
“嘿。”火心期待地瞅了瞅灰条，却见他将头转向一边去看营地外的围墙。火心心里一沉，他低着头回到自己的小窝。他简直现在就想离开营地去巡逻了。
第二天清早，火心走出巢穴，看见天空在朝阳的映衬下显出淡淡的粉红色。
沙爪正在金雀花通道外等他。
“哦，嘿。”火心打了个招呼，感觉有些尴尬。
沙爪平静地回答：“嘿。”
火心坐下来，建议说：“我们等夜班巡逻队回来再走吧。”
他们默不作声地坐着，直到听见巡逻队归来时发出的沙沙声。是白风、长尾和鼠毛回来了。
火心问：“有没有影族的踪迹？”
白风忧郁地回答说：“我们绝对发现了影族的气味。”
鼠毛皱着眉头说：“事情很奇怪，总是同一股气味。影族每次派出的巡逻队肯定都是由那几只猫组成的。”
白风建议说：“你们两个最好检查一下河族的边界，我们没有顾得上去那里。多加小心，记住，不要和他们发生冲突。你们的任务只是检查他们是否又来我们的领地里狩猎了。”
火心说：“是，白风。”沙爪尊敬地点点头。
火心带着沙爪爬出沟，他说：“我们先去‘四棵树’，然后沿着边界去松林。”
沙爪说：“听起来不错。我还没有见过雪后的‘四棵树’呢。”听她的语气似乎是认真的，不是在挖苦火心。
他们爬到沟上，火心决定考考她：“现在该往哪边走呢？”
沙爪不服气地说：“你以为我不认识去‘四棵树’的路吗？”火心顿时后悔不该用老师的口吻对她说话。他看见沙爪的眼睛里并没有显露出愠色，才稍稍放心。沙爪不再多说，径直跑进树林里，火心急忙跟在后面。
再次和别的猫在树林间奔跑使火心感到十分惬意。他不得不承认沙爪的速度确实很快，她一直领先火心几步远。这时，有一棵树倒在地上挡住去路，沙爪一跃而过，消失在树后。
火心跟在后面也是轻轻一跃跳了过去。他刚一落地，就发觉身后有一股很大的力量撞来。火心被撞得在雪地里连打了几个滚才站起来。
沙爪站在他面前笑嘻嘻地对他说：“吓吓你！”
火心童心大起，嘴里发出嘶嘶声向她扑了过去。虽然沙爪的力气很大，可火心在个头上占优势。最终，他把沙爪牢牢地按倒在雪地里。沙爪向他抗议道：“快起来，大块头！”
“好的，好的。”火心放开她，“是你先挑起战争的！”
沙爪坐起来，身上沾满了雪。她说：“你的样子就像刚刚遭遇了一场暴风雪。”
“彼此彼此。”他们抖去身上的雪。火心说：“走吧，我们继续赶路吧。”
他们肩并肩来到“四棵树”所在的盆地边。天空呈现出一片乳蓝色，淡淡的阳光照亮了盆地，四棵光秃秃的橡树站在盆地里，树枝上挂满了冰霜，在阳光的照耀下璀璨生辉。
沙爪俯视着盆地，眼睛睁得大大的。火心受到她的热情的感染，静静地候在一旁，直到她转身离开。
他们开始沿着河族的边界向河流走去，沙爪对火心说：“真没想到雪能使周围的一切产生如此巨大的变化。”火心点点头。
他们放慢脚步，仔细搜寻界内河族新留下的气味。每经过几棵树，火心便停下来留一些新的雷族气味标记。
沙爪走在前面，忽然刹住脚步，小声说：“想吃些点心吗？”火心点点头。沙爪俯低身子，开始在雪地里匍匐。她一步一步缓慢地挪动身体。火心顺着她的目光看见灌木丛里有一只活蹦乱跳的小兔子。随着一声低嘶，沙爪跳了起来，扑进灌木丛里将那只兔子按在地上。接着她将兔子向前一推，一口便结果了它的小命，动作干脆利落至极。
火心跳过来夸道：“干得漂亮，沙爪！”
沙爪满心欢喜，将余温尚存的猎物丢在地上说：“一起吃吧！”
“多谢了！”
沙爪边吃边说：“这就是出来巡逻的好处。”
火心问：“什么？”
沙爪回答：“你可以享受捉到的猎物，而不必带回族里去。不知道有多少次，我外出打猎的时候差点儿就饿死在外面！”
火心被她逗得呵呵直乐。
吃完后他们继续上路，绕过太阳石又进入到树林里。当他们来到长满灌木的坡岸上时，火心暗暗祈祷别让他们遇见灰条来这里。
沙爪突然兴奋地说：“看！河水——结冰了。”
火心想起灰条落水前炭爪说的也是这句话，连忙斩钉截铁地说：“不能下去看！”
“没那个必要。在这里一样看得清楚。我们回去把这件事向族里汇报吧。”
“为什么？”火心不清楚沙爪何以如此兴奋。
沙爪说：“我们的巡逻队现在能够去河对面了！我们能进入河族的领地里也偷一些猎物回来，大家有来有往嘛。”
火心感到脊背上掠起一阵寒意。灰条会怎么想呢？而他又怎么忍心攻击忍饥挨饿的河族呢？
沙爪不耐烦地围着他转圈圈：“咱们走吗？”
火心心情沉重地回答：“走吧。”他跟在沙爪后面奔回营地。
沙爪跑在火心前面穿过金雀花通道。他们在会场中停下脚步，虎掌抬眼看着他们。
火心听到身后有声音，回头去看，是灰条和蕨爪正从营门口进来。
高岩下传来招呼声：“火心、沙爪，巡逻发现什么了吗？”
火心看见蓝星高高地仰着下巴，尾巴卷过来盖住前爪，神气十足地坐在那里，心里感到一阵轻松。
沙爪跑过去，脱口说道：“河面冻住了，我们现在能轻轻松松地渡过河去！”
蓝星若有所思地看着她。火心看到蓝星眼睛一亮，心里暗叫不妙。蓝星说：“谢谢你，沙爪。”
火心猜测蓝星想要和她的高级武士们讨论这件事，于是他走上前对沙爪小声说：“走吧，我们去告诉其他的猫。”
沙爪心领神会地看了看他，跟着他回到会场中。她说：“今天过得真不错！”火心只是点点头，忧虑地看了灰条一眼。
“你们两个看起来过得很开心呀！”尘爪从学徒巢穴里走出来，“又淹死了一只河族的猫吗？”他冲火心嘲笑道。
尘爪说完便满怀期待地瞅着沙爪。火心知道他是在等沙爪像往常一样出声附和他，但沙爪似乎没有留意尘爪的嘲笑。看见尘爪脸上闪过一丝怒色，火心感到小小的满足。沙爪说：“我们发现河面结冰了。我想蓝星正在策划对河族发动一次突袭！”
这时，高岩处传来召集声，雷族众猫开始往会场集合。此刻已经是中午了，但在叶子凋落的季节，太阳很少能够升到树顶。
蓝星宣布道：“沙爪和火心带回来一些好消息，河面冻住了。我们要抓住这个机会向河族的领地发动一次突袭，对他们的偷猎行为以示警戒。我们要袭击他们的队伍，给他们一个难忘的教训！”
火心想起银溪曾告诉他河族吃不饱的事情，心里左右为难。在他的周围，其他的猫们扯着嗓门大声欢呼。火心已经很久没有看到族群有这么兴奋了。
嘈杂中，蓝星高声唤道：“虎掌！我们武士的状态是否能够对河族发动一次突袭呢？”
虎掌点了点头。
蓝星翘起尾巴说：“很好。我们在日落时分出发。”族群发出一片欢呼声。火心一下子紧张起来。蓝星也去吗？她不会冒着失去最后一条性命的危险参加这次偷袭吧？
火心回头看了看灰条，见他正望着高岩，尾巴紧张地晃来晃去。等欢呼声停息下去，灰条大声说：“今天天气似乎转暖了。河面上的冰一旦融化，我们走在上面会很危险。”
其他的猫都转过头好奇地看着灰条，火心紧张地屏住呼吸。
虎掌迷惑地俯视着灰条，慢慢悠悠地说：“你以往可不像这样不愿意打仗啊。”
黑条伸长脖子补充说：“是的，灰条——你不会是怕那些河族的混蛋们吧？”
众猫都在等灰条如何应答，只见他烦躁不安。
尘爪低嘶着说：“看起来他害怕了！”
火心的怒火腾地冒了起来，他尽量保持声音的平和：“是的，他害怕弄湿了爪子！前不久灰条掉进了冰窟窿里，他不想重蹈覆辙。”
紧张的气氛立刻变成闹哄哄的一团。灰条低头看着地面，只有虎掌在那里满腹疑问地皱着眉头。
蓝星等大家安静下来后说：“我要和高级武士们商量一下这次行动。”说完她从高岩上跳下，动作轻盈灵便，任谁都难以相信就在几天之前她还挣扎在死亡边缘。虎掌、白风和柳带跟着她走进她的巢穴，其他的猫们则聚在一起议论纷纷。
火心听见灰条在他耳边恼怒地说：“我猜你现在正等着我感谢你羞辱了我呢！”
火心不客气地说：“我没有那么想。不过至少你该感激我仍在为你隐瞒！”他生气地走到会场边，身上的毛都竖立起来。
沙爪跑过来，忽闪着眼睛对他说：“我们该给那些河族的猫们一点儿颜色看看了，让他们再也不敢随心所欲地来我们领地打猎。”
火心心不在焉地回答：“是的，够他们受的。”他一直盯着灰条。是他的幻觉，还是灰条确实在向育婴室靠近？灰条是不是想溜出去给银溪通风报信呢？
火心慢慢站起来向育婴室走去。灰条瞪着走近的火心。他们正要开口说话，就听高岩处传来蓝星的召唤。火心停下脚步，但目光始终盯在灰条身上。
蓝星大声说：“柳带同意灰条的看法。河面就要化冻了。”灰条扬起下巴挑衅地看了火心一眼，但火心对此并不放在心上。蓝星准备取消这次突袭！现在灰条不用在本族和银溪之间选择了，而火心也不用被迫攻击一个多灾多难的族群。
然而蓝星的话并没有说完：“所以，我们将立刻发动攻击！”
火心朝四周看去——看见灰条脸上的胜利转眼间变成了恐惧。
蓝星继续说：“我们要留下一支队伍守卫营地，我们不能忘记可能来自影族的威胁。这次突袭由五名武士来完成。我留下来坚守营地。”
太好了，火心想。毕竟，她还是不准备拿自己的最后一条命冒险。“虎掌将指挥这次行动。现在已经有黑条、柳带和长尾，还少一名武士。”
火心脱口而出：“我能去吗？”虽然他极不情愿攻击连肚子都填不饱的河族，但这样一来，灰条就没有可能被抽调去参加这次行动了。
“谢谢你，火心，你可以参加这次突袭。”蓝星看到自己的旧徒如此热心，感到十分高兴。虎掌则看起来并不十分乐意。他眯着眼睛瞅着火心，毫不掩饰自己的怀疑。蓝星大声说：“时间紧迫，我能嗅到暖风的气息。路上虎掌会给你们指示。出发！”
虎掌带领着黑条、长尾、柳带和火心气势汹汹地穿过金雀花通道爬上沟，直奔河族的领地。
他们经过太阳石到达敌人的边界时，太阳开始落山了。火心嗅了嗅空气——灰条和柳带说得没错，他也嗅到暖风。此刻，乌云开始在天空散布开来。
他们顺着坡岸向河边走去，火心感到越来越不安。银溪讲述的那个绝望的故事又在耳畔响起，他尽力不使自己产生同情。
雷族的武士们从灌木丛里钻出来到河边停下。眼前的景象使火心稍稍松了口气。早先火心和沙爪看到的冰面已经破裂，呈现在面前的是湍急、冰冷的河水。
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER20
Tigerclaw turned to his warriors, hispale eyes flashing with frustration. “We’ll have to wait,” he snarled.
The patrol turned and began to trudge home. Fireheart sent up a wordless prayer of thanks to StarClan, but there was a bitter taste in his throat. Now he would never know if he could have gone through with the raid. It wasn’t only Graystripe he didn’t trust; he didn’t even trust himself.
Fireheart kept silent all the way home. Every now and then he saw Tigerclaw flash a glance at him over his massive brown shoulder. It was a slow journey. The light of the short leaf-bare day was fading when they finally reached the top of the ravine. Fireheart waited for the other warriors to pick their way down first. By the time he padded through the gorse tunnel, Tigerclaw was already explaining to the disappointed Clan that the river had thawed.
Fireheart skirted the edge of the clearing, looking for Graystripe. He needed to know if his friend had slipped out of the camp. Instinctively he headed for the nursery. As he approached the tangled mass of brambles, he heard a familiar meow. “Fireheart!”
Fireheart felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Graystripe was actually grateful he had offered to take the final place in the raiding party? He followed his friend’s voice into the shadows behind the nursery.
Fireheart mewed quietly into the gloom, but he couldn’t see Graystripe anywhere. Suddenly something crashed into his side with a mighty thump. Fireheart spun around, all his senses alert. He saw Graystripe with his hackles raised, silhouetted in the dimness.
Graystripe lunged again. Fireheart ducked just in time as Graystripe swung a wide gray paw at his ear.
“What are you doing?” Fireheart spluttered.
Graystripe flattened his ears and hissed, “You didn’t trust me! You thought I would betray ThunderClan!” He aimed another swipe. This one caught the tip of Fireheart’s ear.
Pain and fury shot through him. “I just wanted to save you from having to make a choice!” he spat. “Although it’s true that I’m not sure where your loyalties lie right now.”
Graystripe flew at him and knocked him backward. The two cats tussled, claws unsheathed. “I make my own choices,” Graystripe snarled.
Fireheart struggled free and leaped onto Graystripe’s back. “I was trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need protecting!”
Blinded by anger, Fireheart dug his claws into Graystripe’s pelt, but Graystripe flipped Fireheart over and together they rolled out from behind the nursery.
The cats in the clearing sprang out of the way as the two young warriors bundled into them. Fireheart yowled with rage as Graystripe bit his foreleg. He thrust upward with a claw and raked Graystripe above his eye. Graystripe retaliated by lunging downward and sinking his teeth into Fireheart’s hind leg.
“Stop this at once!” Bluestar’s stern yowl made Fireheart and Graystripe freeze. Fireheart released his grip on Graystripe and shuffled painfully sideways. Graystripe backed away, his fur bristling. Out of the corner of his eye, Fireheart saw Tigerclaw sneering with barely suppressed delight, curling his lip back to reveal his teeth.
“Fireheart, I want to see you in my den—now!” Bluestar growled, her blue eyes flashing fire. “Graystripe, go to your nest and stay there!”
The rest of the Clan melted away into the shadows. Fireheart limped after Bluestar to her den. He kept his eyes fixed on the ground, feeling worn out and confused.
Bluestar sat down on the sandy floor and stared at Fireheart in disbelief for a moment. Then she meowed angrily, “What was that all about?”
Fireheart shook his head. As furious as he was, he could not reveal his friend’s secret.
Bluestar closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I realize feelings are running high in the camp right now, but I never expected to see you and Graystripe fighting. Are you hurt?”
Fireheart could feel his ear and hind leg stinging, but he shrugged and murmured, “No.”
“Are you going to tell me what this is about?”
Fireheart met her gaze as steadily as she could. “Bluestar, I’m sorry. I can’t explain.” At least that much is true, he thought.
“Very well,” meowed Bluestar at last. “You two can sort it out on your own. The Clan is facing a difficult time, and I won’t tolerate this sort of infighting. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Bluestar,” Fireheart answered. “May I go?”
Bluestar nodded and Fireheart turned and slunk out of her den. He knew he had let his old mentor down. But there was no way he could confide in her. Last time he’d done that, about Ravenpaw’s accusation against Tigerclaw, she hadn’t believed him. And if she believed him this time, he would be betraying his best friend.
Feeling sick with worry, Fireheart crept across the clearing and slipped inside the warriors’ den. He settled into his nest beside Graystripe and curled himself into a tight ball. He lay there, unmoving, aware of Graystripe’s tense body beside his, until sleep finally overcame him.
Fireheart awoke early the next morning. The sun hadn’t risen yet and the clearing was empty as he padded across to Yellowfang’s den. He wanted to see Cinderpaw.
Yellowfang was asleep, curled up beside Brindleface’s sick kits. They squirmed quietly in their nest, their eyes closed. Yellowfang was snoring loudly. Fireheart didn’t want to wake her, so he crept over to Cinderpaw’s nest and peered in.
The little gray cat was asleep too. The blood had been washed from her fur. Fireheart wondered whether she had cleaned it herself or whether Yellowfang had washed it off. Fireheart crouched beside Cinderpaw and watched her breathe. There was something calming about the way her sides rose and fell. She seemed much more peaceful than when he last visited.
He stayed with her until the dawn light filtered through the ferns and he heard the Clan begin to stir. Fireheart got to his paws. He leaned into Cinderpaw’s nest and touched her side softly with his nose.
As he turned to leave, Yellowfang stretched and opened her eyes. “Fireheart?”
“I came to see Cinderpaw,” he whispered.
“She’s doing well,” meowed Yellowfang, pushing herself up.
Fireheart’s eyes clouded with relief. “Thank you, Yellowfang.”
When he reached the clearing, Tigerclaw was addressing a group of warriors and apprentices. He spotted Fireheart straightaway. “Nice of you to show up,” he growled. “Graystripe’s just joined us, too. He’s been having a word with Bluestar.” Fireheart glanced at his friend, but Graystripe was staring at the ground. The other warriors watched in silence as Fireheart hurried over and sat down beside Sandpaw.
“During this thaw, the woods will be alive with prey,” Tigerclaw meowed. “They’ll be hungry after sheltering in their burrows. This will be a good chance to catch as much as we can.”
“But there’s still fresh-kill in the snow store,” Dustpaw mewed.
“It’ll be crow-food soon,” Tigerclaw told him. “We need to take every opportunity to hunt. As leaf-bare goes on, the prey will start to disappear, and what stays around will be too thin.” The warriors nodded in agreement.
“Longtail”—Tigerclaw turned his eyes on the pale tabby warrior—“I want you to organize the hunting parties.” Longtail nodded, and Tigerclaw got up and padded toward Bluestar’s den. As Fireheart watched him disappear through the lichen, he couldn’t help wondering if the leader and deputy would discuss his fight with Graystripe.
Longtail’s voice summoned him away from his thoughts. “Fireheart! You and Sandpaw can join Mousefur. Graystripe can hunt with Whitestorm and Brackenpaw. It’s probably best if I don’t put you two in the same group.”
Amused purrs rippled through the group, but Fireheart narrowed his eyes angrily. He comforted himself by studying the nick he had left in the pale tabby’s ear when Longtail had taunted him on his first day in the camp.
“Good fight last night,” Mousefur rasped beside him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “It almost made up for missing out on a battle.”
Fireheart scowled as Dustpaw added, “Yeah! Nice moves, Fireheart—for a kittypet.” Fireheart gritted his teeth and looked at the ground, sheathing and unsheathing his claws.
The two groups left the camp together. As the hunters filed up the trail out of the ravine, Fireheart looked at the sky. The rain clouds he had seen rolling in last night had covered the sun, and the snow underpaw was turning to slush.
Mousefur led Sandpaw and Fireheart through Tallpines. “I’ll take Sandpaw with me,” the brown warrior told Fireheart. “You can hunt alone. Meet us back at camp at sunhigh.”
Fireheart couldn’t help feeling relieved at the thought of being alone. He stalked away through the trees, still hardly able to believe that he and Graystripe had fought so bitterly. Fireheart felt lost and alone without his old friend, though he barely recognized him anymore. He wondered if they could ever be friends again.
It wasn’t until he felt the softness of leaves beneath his paws that Fireheart realized he’d wandered all the way to the oak woods that backed onto the Twolegplace. Instantly he thought of Princess, and wondered if his paws had carried him to her Twoleg nest for a reason.
Fireheart made straight for her fence and called softly down into the garden. Then he jumped back into the woods and waited in the undergrowth for his sister to come looking.
He didn’t have to wait long before there was a scrabbling noise on the fence and he smelled her distinctive scent. Fireheart was about to leap out to meet her when he smelled a second, unfamiliar scent.
The bracken rustled, and Princess appeared. In her mouth she carried a tiny white kit. As Fireheart pushed his way out to meet her, she mewed a warm greeting through the bundle of fur in her teeth.
The kit was very small; Fireheart guessed it would not be weaned for another moon. Princess cleared away some slush with her paw and laid it gently down on the leaves. Then she sat down and wrapped her thick tail around it.
Fireheart was overwhelmed with emotion. This was his own kin, kittypet born like he had been! He walked quietly over to Princess, nuzzled a greeting, then bent down and sniffed the kit. It smelled of warmth and milk—strange but somehow familiar. Fireheart gave it a tender lick on the head and it mewled, opening its pink mouth to reveal tiny white teeth.
Princess looked at Fireheart, her eyes shining. “I have brought him for you, Fireheart,” she meowed softly. “I want you to take him back with you to your Clan so that he can be your new apprentice.”
第二十章
第二十章
虎掌沮丧地冲武士们吼道：“我们又得等待时机了。”
大家转身返回营地。火心暗暗感谢星族，但同时他又是一肚子苦水。现在他永远也不会知道自己是否能坚决执行完这次突袭任务。他不仅不信任灰条，甚至不信任自己。
火心一路上一言不发。他注意到虎掌时不时回过头来扫他一眼。大家走得很慢，当他们最终到达营地时，天色渐渐暗了下来。火心让其他的猫先进，等他穿过金雀花通道时，虎掌正在向失望的族群解释取消行动的原因。
火心沿着会场边缘寻找灰条。他想知道他的朋友是否偷偷溜出去了。他不由自主地向育婴室走去，就在他接近育婴室时，他听见一个熟悉的声音：“火心！”
火心心中产生一线希望，也许灰条确实感激他自告奋勇地填补突击队的空缺。他顺着声音的方向走到育婴室后面的黑暗处。
火心一声不吭地走到育婴室后面，但他没有看到灰条。突然，一股很大的力量撞向他的身体。火心猝不及防被撞倒在地。他看见灰条怒气冲冲地站在阴暗处。
灰条再度跳起。火心及时闪过他挥向自己耳朵的一爪。
火心气急败坏地说：“你在干什么？”
灰条双耳贴平，低嘶着说：“你不信任我！你以为我会背叛雷族！”他挥爪又是一下，这一次划中了火心的耳朵。
火心又痛又怒，喝道：“尽管我确实不能肯定你现在对谁忠诚，但我只是不想让你难于选择罢了！”
灰条冲过来将他撞得向后退。两只猫在地上滚来滚去，灰条咆哮着说：“我的事情我能做主。”
火心挣脱出灰条的束缚，翻身跳到他的背上：“我是在保护你。”
“我不需要保护！”
火心盛怒之下，不顾一切地将爪子插进灰条的皮肉里。灰条用力一顶，将火心顶翻在地，两只猫一起从育婴室后面滚了出来。
他们滚进猫群，众猫纷纷跳跃闪避。火心一声怒吼，原来是灰条咬住了他的前腿。他伸出利爪向上一撩，在灰条的眼睛上抓了一把。灰条向后跳开，又一口咬住了他的后腿。
“住手！”蓝星严厉的声音使火心和灰条害怕起来。火心松开灰条，忍着痛退到一旁。
灰条也怒气冲冲地向后退。通过眼角的余光，火心看见虎掌正龇牙咧嘴，一副幸灾乐祸的模样。
蓝星怒吼道：“火心，去我的巢穴里——现在就去！灰条，回你的巢穴待在那里！”
大家渐渐散去。火心灰溜溜地跟着蓝星走进她的巢穴。他低头盯着地面，又是疲惫又是紧张。
蓝星坐下来，难以置信地看着火心好一会儿才说：“说说看，这是怎么回事？”
火心摇了摇头。恼火归恼火，他可不会泄露朋友的秘密。
蓝星合上双眼长长出了口气：“我知道现在营地的气氛非常紧张，但我从没想到你和灰条会打架。你受伤了吗？”
火心感到耳朵和后腿火辣辣的，但他却耸了耸肩膀小声说：“没有。”
“你能说说你和灰条为什么打架吗？”
火心看着蓝星的眼睛说：“蓝星，对不起。我不能解释。”他心想：至少我没有说谎。
蓝星最后说：“好吧，我相信你们两个能自己解决。我们的族群正处在艰难时刻，我不容许有任何内斗的行为。你明白吗？”
火心回答说：“明白，蓝星。我可以走了吗？”
蓝星点了点头，火心转身走出她的巢穴。他知道自己令蓝星很失望，但他决不能向她吐露心事。上次他把虎掌的事情告诉蓝星之后，她没有相信。而如果这次她相信了他的话，他就把自己最好的朋友给出卖了。
火心忧心忡忡地走过会场进入到武士巢穴里。他在灰条旁边躺了下来，身体紧紧地蜷成一团。他能感觉到灰条的身体也绷得紧紧的。火心一动不动地躺在那里，最终沉沉睡去。
第二天早晨火心醒来时，太阳还没有升起来，营地里静悄悄的。他向黄牙的医务室走去，想看望炭爪。
黄牙趴在纹脸的两个幼崽旁边，还在睡觉。那两只幼崽闭着眼睛，不出声地蠕动不安，黄牙则是鼾声大作。火心不想叫醒她，于是他走到炭爪的小窝边朝里面看去。
小炭爪也在熟睡中。她身上的血迹已经被清理干净，也不知是炭爪自己清理的还是黄牙帮忙清理的。火心趴在炭爪身边，看着她呼吸。她的腹部一起一伏，使火心产生一种平静的感觉。与他上次来探望时相比，炭爪安静了许多。
火心陪着她，直到旭日透过香薇丛照了进来。他听到营地里渐渐有了声响。火心站起来探出身子，用鼻子轻轻触了触炭爪的侧腹。
就在他转身离开之际，黄牙伸着懒腰睁开眼睛：“火心？”
他小声说：“我来看看炭爪。”
黄牙撑着身体坐起来说：“她的伤势正在好转。”
火心松了口气：“谢谢你，黄牙。”
当他来到会场时，虎掌正站在一群武士和学徒们面前训话。看到火心到来，他大声说：“终于出现了。灰条也是刚来，他一直在和蓝星谈话。”火心瞅了眼他的朋友，但灰条只是低着头。于是他跑到沙爪身边坐下。
虎掌说：“既然天气转暖，森林里的猎物必定都出来了。在洞穴里躲了这么长时间，它们一定都饿坏了。现在正是捕捉它们的好时机。”
尘爪说：“但我们的雪窖里还有猎物呀。”
虎掌对他说：“那些猎物很快就会腐烂。我们要抓住每一个捕猎的机会。一旦天气转冷，猎物们就又不见了，到时我们只能捉到些骨瘦如柴的东西。”众武士们点头称是。
虎掌转头对长尾说：“我要你来组织狩猎分队。”长尾点了点头，虎掌站起身朝蓝星的巢穴走去。火心看着他消失在巢穴入口处，忍不住猜想蓝星是否在和他谈论自己和灰条打架的事情。
长尾的声音将他从沉思中惊醒：“火心！你、沙爪和鼠毛一组，灰条和白风、蕨爪一组。我最好还是不把你们分到同一组。”
众猫哄然大笑，但火心却恼火地眯起眼睛。他努力将注意力集中在长尾耳朵上的裂口上，使自己心里好受些——那个裂口是火心刚进雷族时，不堪长尾的羞辱而在他耳朵上留下的标记。
火心身旁的鼠毛捉弄他说：“昨晚的战斗非常精彩。虽然我们没能突袭河族，不过这下全都补回来了。”
火心阴沉着脸，只听尘爪补充说：“对！打得不错，火心——对于一只宠物猫来说。”火心盯着地面，竭力压制住自己的怒火。
两支捕猎分队一起离开营地。众猫轻车熟路爬上沟，火心抬头看看天空。昨晚出现的乌云已经遮住了太阳，地上的积雪开始融化。
鼠毛带着沙爪和火心来到松林。她对火心说：“我带上沙爪，你能独自捕猎。中午时咱们在营地见。”
想到自己能够独自待一会儿，火心感到一阵轻松。他在树林里穿行，脑子里都是刚刚发生的事情，他仍然难以相信自己竟然和灰条打得那么激烈。尽管他现在几乎认不出灰条了，但灰条毕竟曾是他最好的朋友，失去这位老朋友，火心既感到迷茫，也感到孤独。他不知道他们还能不能重归于好。
火心漫无目的地在树林里走着，直到他感觉到脚底下变成了柔软的树叶，方才发觉自己竟然来到了两腿动物的地盘。他立刻想起公主，于是决定去看望姐姐。
火心径直走到姐姐住的花园的围栏外，他冲着花园里呼唤着姐姐的名字。接着他回到树林里，藏在灌木丛下等候姐姐。
没过多久，他就听到爬围栏的声音，也闻到姐姐的气味。火心正要跳出去，这时他嗅到了另一股陌生的气味。
灌木丛里一阵沙沙声过后，公主出现了。她嘴里还叼着一只白色的小幼崽。看到火心从灌木丛里走出来，她亲切地打了个招呼。
那只幼崽非常小，火心猜测他还没有断奶。公主扒开积雪，将幼崽轻柔地放在落叶上。然后她坐下来用尾巴围在幼崽周围。
火心激动得几乎晕过去。这是他的亲戚，就像他一样是宠物猫出身！他轻手轻脚地走到公主身边，用鼻子触了触她，然后低头去嗅这只幼崽。他身上散发出一股暖暖的奶味——陌生但却似曾相识。火心温柔地舔了一下他的小脑瓜儿，他喵喵叫着，露出白白的乳牙。
公主看着火心，双眼闪动着光彩，她柔声道：“我把他交给你了，火心。我想让你把他带回你们族里去，这样，他就能做你的新学徒了。”
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER21
Fireheart stared at the tiny kit. “I never expected .  .  .” he began. He dragged his gaze away and stared wordlessly at his sister.
“My housefolk will choose where the rest will live,” Princess went on. “But this is my firstborn and Iwant to decide his future.” She raised her chin. “Make him a hero, please. Like you!”
The unsettling sense of loneliness that had been dragging at Fireheart for so long began to ebb away. He pictured the white kit among the Clan, as he showed him the ways of the forest and hunted by his side through the thick ferns. At last, there would be another cat in ThunderClan who shared Fireheart’s kittypet roots.
Princess tilted her head. “I know how upset you were about your apprentice. I thought if you had a new apprentice—one who’s your own kin—you wouldn’t feel so lonely.” She stretched her neck and rested her nose against Fireheart’s side. “I don’t understand all your Clan ways, but seeing you, and hearing you talk about your life, I know I would be honored if my son was brought up as a Clan cat.”
As the first flare of happiness settled inside him, Fireheart thought of the rest of his Clan, and how desperately they needed fighting cats. Cinderpaw would never be a warrior now. And what if the greencough took more lives than just Bluestar’s? ThunderClan might need this kit.
He was suddenly aware of the rain clinging to his fur. The kit needed shelter, and soon. It looked strong, but it was still too small to withstand the cold and wet for long.
“I’ll take him,” he meowed. “This is a great gift you’ve given to ThunderClan. And I’ll train him to be the finest warrior the Clan has ever seen!” He dipped his head and scooped up the kit by his scruff.
Princess’s eyes shone with gratitude and pride. “Thank you, Fireheart,” she purred. “Who knows, maybe he’ll even become a leader and be given nine lives!”
Fireheart gazed fondly at her trusting, hopeful face. Did his sister really believe this might happen? Then a twinge of doubt pricked him. He was taking this tiny kit back to a camp infected by greencough. What if he didn’t even make it to newleaf? But the cozy scent of the kit under his muzzle soothed him. The kit would survive. It was strong, and it shared his blood. Fireheart took a deep breath. He must be quick—the kit was getting cold already. He blinked a farewell at Princess and raced away into the bushes.
The kit was heavier than he’d expected. It dangled from his mouth, bumping against his forelegs with faint protesting squeaks. By the time Fireheart reached the top of the ravine, his neck was aching. He made his way down to the camp, putting one paw carefully in front of the other, wary of slipping on the fast-melting snow.
At the entrance, Fireheart hesitated. For the first time he wondered how he would explain this kit to the Clan—he was going to have to admit to visiting his kittypet sister. But it was too late now. He could feel the kit shivering. Fireheart squared his shoulders and padded through the gorse tunnel. The kit let out a deafening wail as a thorn tugged at its fur. Several pairs of eyes turned to look in amazement as Fireheart emerged into the clearing.
Both hunting parties had returned. Mousefur, Whitestorm, Sandpaw, and Brackenpaw were all in the clearing. Only Graystripe was missing. One by one the rest of the Clan were drawn out of their dens by the noise and the unfamiliar scent. None of the cats made a sound. They stared at Fireheart with hostile, puzzled eyes as though he were a stranger.
Fireheart turned slowly in the center of the clearing, the kit still dangling from his mouth, and looked at the ring of questioning eyes. His mouth began to feel dry. Why had he assumed the Clan would accept a kit that wasn’t even forest-born?
He felt a rush of relief when Bluestar emerged from Yellowfang’s den. But her eyes widened in surprise as she saw him. “What is this?” she demanded.
A tremor of foreboding ran along Fireheart’s spine. He placed the kit between his front paws and wrapped his tail over it to keep it warm. “It’s my sister’s firstborn,” he replied.
“Your sister!” Tigerclaw glared at him accusingly.
“You have a sister?” called Speckletail. “Where?”
“The same place as Fireheart was born, of course,” Longtail hissed with disgust. “Twolegplace!”
“Is that true?” Bluestar asked, her eyes widening further.
“Yes,” Fireheart admitted. “My sister gave it to me to bring to the Clan.”
“And why would she do that?” Bluestar asked with menacing calm.
Fireheart stammered nervously. “I told her about Clan life—how great it was.  .  .  .” His voice trailed away under Bluestar’s incredulous gaze.
“How long have you been visiting Twolegplace?”
“Not long, just since leaf-bare began. But only to see my sister. My loyalty still lies with ThunderClan.”
“Loyalty?” Darkstripe’s yowl rang out across the clearing. “And yet you bring a kittypet here?”
“Isn’t having one kittypet in the Clan enough?” croaked one of the elders.
“Trust a kittypet to find another kittypet!” snarled Dustpaw, ruffling his fur indignantly. He turned to Sandpaw and nudged her with his nose. Sandpaw glanced uncomfortably at Fireheart and then looked down at her paws.
“Why have you brought it here?” Tigerclaw growled.
“We need warriors.  .  .  .” The tiny kit squirmed beneath his belly as he spoke, and Fireheart realized how ridiculous he must sound. He bowed his head as yowls of scorn met his words.
When the insults had died away, Runningwind spoke up. “The Clan has enough to worry about already without this.”
“It’ll be nothing but a burden,” Mousefur agreed. “It’ll be at least five moons before it’s ready to begin training.”
Whitestorm nodded his head in agreement. “You shouldn’t have brought this kittypet here, Fireheart,” he meowed. “It’ll be too soft for Clan life.”
Fireheart bristled. “I was born a kittypet. Am I soft?” He thought that he’d begun to challenge the Clan’s prejudice against kittypets, but he was wrong. He couldn’t see one friendly face in the crowd.
A voice sounded from behind Whitestorm. “If it carries Fireheart’s blood, it’ll make a good Clan cat.”
Fireheart felt relief surge through his body. It was Graystripe! A brief flame of hope flared in Fireheart’s chest as Whitestorm stood aside and the other cats turned to look at the gray warrior. Graystripe stared around the circle of cats, meeting their gazes one by one with wide, steady eyes.
“Makes a change to see you speak up for your friend, Graystripe. Last night you wanted to shred him!” sneered Longtail.
Graystripe glared at the pale tabby, then whipped around as Darkstripe challenged him. “Yeah, Graystripe! How do you know Fireheart has blood worthy of ThunderClan? Did you taste it last night when you tried to take a chunk out of his leg?”
Bluestar stepped forward, her blue eyes clouded with worry. “Fireheart, I believe that you meant no disloyalty to the Clan by visiting your sister, but why did you agree to bring her kit here? It is not your place to make decisions like this. What you have done affects the whole Clan.”
Fireheart looked at Graystripe, hoping for more support, but Graystripe wouldn’t meet his eyes. Fireheart craned his head around, and every cat turned their gaze away from him. Fireheart began to panic. Had he endangered his own position in the Clan by bringing Princess’s kit here?
Bluestar spoke again. “Tigerclaw, what do you think?”
“What do I think?” meowed Tigerclaw. Fireheart felt his heart sink at the note of arrogant satisfaction in the deputy’s voice. “I think he should get rid of it at once.”
“Goldenflower?”
“It certainly looks too small to survive until newleaf,” the ginger queen remarked.
“It’ll have greencough by sunrise!” added Mousefur.
“Or it’ll eat our fresh-kill until next snowfall and then die of cold!” spat Runningwind.
Bluestar dipped her head. “That’s enough. I must think about this.” She padded to her den and disappeared inside. The rest of the Clan slipped away, muttering darkly.
Fireheart picked up the bedraggled kit and carried him to the warriors’ den. The kit was shivering and mewling pathetically. Fireheart curled his body around the little scrap and closed his eyes, but hostile faces of the Clan swam around his mind, filling his heart with dread. He thought he had been lonely before, but now it seemed as if the entire Clan had disowned him.
Graystripe pushed his way into the den and settled down into his nest. Fireheart glanced nervously at him. Graystripe had been the only cat to speak in his defense, and Fireheart wanted to thank him. After an uncomfortable pause, in which the kit cried and cried, Fireheart mumbled, “Thanks for sticking up for me.”
Graystripe shrugged. “Yeah, well,” he meowed, “no one else was going to do it.” He twisted his head around and began to wash his tail.
The kit carried on mewling, his cries growing louder. Some of the other warriors padded into the den to escape the rain outside. Willowpelt glanced briefly at Fireheart and the kit, but she didn’t speak.
“Can’t you shut that thing up?” complained Darkstripe as he prodded the moss in his nest.
Fireheart licked the kit desperately. It must be very hungry by now. A rustle in the den wall made him lift his head. It was Frostfur. She crept over to Fireheart’s nest and looked down at the miserable kit. Suddenly she dipped her head and sniffed the kit’s soft fur. “He’d be better off in the nursery,” she murmured. “Brindleface has milk to spare. I could ask her to feed it.”
Fireheart stared at the queen in surprise.
Frostfur gazed back at him, her eyes warm. “I haven’t forgotten that you rescued my kits from ShadowClan.”
Fireheart picked up the kit yet again and followed Frostfur out of the warriors’ den. The rain was even heavier now. Together they padded quickly to the nursery. Frostfur disappeared through its narrow entrance, and Fireheart squeezed in after her. He paused inside the thicket of brambles, blinking until his eyes got used to the dim light.
Inside the dry, dark cocoon, Brindleface was curled around her two healthy kits. She looked suspiciously at Fireheart, then at the kit that dangled from his jaws.
Frostfur whispered to Fireheart, “One of Brindleface’s kits died last night.” Fireheart remembered the sick kits squirming beside Yellowfang and wondered, with a pang, which one had gone. He put Princess’s kit down and turned to Brindleface. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.
The queen blinked at him, her grief raw in her eyes.
“Brindleface,” Frostfur began, “I can only guess at how much pain you feel. But this kit is starving, and you have milk. Will you feed him?”
Brindleface shook her head and shut her eyes tight as if to deny Fireheart’s presence in her den.
Frostfur stretched her head forward and pressed her muzzle gently against Brindleface’s cheek. “I know he won’t replace your son,” she whispered. “But he needs your warmth and care.”
Fireheart waited anxiously. The kit’s cries grew louder. It could smell Brindleface’s milk and began to squirm blindly toward her soft belly. It nuzzled its way between Brindleface’s other two kits. Brindleface looked down as it wriggled forward, following her milk-scent. She watched, without resisting, as he latched onto her belly and began to suckle. Fireheart ached with relief and gratitude as he saw Brindleface’s eyes soften and the white kittypet began to purr, kneading her swollen stomach with tiny paws.
Frostfur nodded. “Thank you, Brindleface. Can I tell Bluestar that you will care for the kit?”
“Yes,” replied Brindleface quietly, not taking her eyes off the white kit. She nudged him closer to her belly with one hind paw
Fireheart purred and bent his head to nose her shoulder. “Thank you. I promise I’ll bring you extra fresh-kill every day.”
“I’ll go and tell Bluestar,” meowed Frostfur.
Fireheart looked up at the white queen, stirred by her kindness. “Thank you,” he mewed.
“No kit deserves to starve, Clanborn or not.” Frostfur turned and pushed her way out of the brambles.
“You can go now,” Brindleface murmured to Fireheart. “Your kit will be safe with me.”
Fireheart nodded and followed Frostfur out into the rain. He thought about returning to his den, but until he’d heard Bluestar’s decision about the kit, he knew he could not settle.
As he paced around the clearing, his fur matting into wet clumps, he saw Frostfur slip out of Bluestar’s den and hurry back to the nursery.
Willowpelt was preparing to lead evening patrol out of the camp when Bluestar finally came out of her den. Fireheart stopped, his heart pounding so fast he thought his legs would give way under him. Bluestar leaped onto the Highrock and began the familiar summons. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below the Highrock.”
The patrol turned away from the camp entrance and padded after Willowpelt, back toward the Highrock. The rest of the Clan began to leave their dry nests, grumbling about the rain. Tigerclaw leaped onto the rock beside Bluestar, his face grim.
They’re going to make me take him back, thought Fireheart. His breath began to come in shallow gasps. Darker thoughts pushed their way into Fireheart’s mind. What if Bluestar asks Tigerclaw to abandon him in the forest? He’ll never survive. Oh, StarClan, what am I going to say to Princess?
When all the cats were settled, Bluestar spoke. “Cats of ThunderClan, no cat can deny that we need warriors. We have lost one cat to greencough already, and there are many moons until newleaf. Cinderpaw has been gravely injured, and she will never be a warrior. As Graystripe rightly pointed out .  .  .”
Fireheart heard Dustpaw whispering nearby, “Graystripe’s turning into a kittypet himself these days!” He turned his head sharply, but a warning hiss from one of the elders silenced Dustpaw before Fireheart could say anything.
“As Graystripe pointed out,” Bluestar repeated, “this kitty-pet carries Fireheart’s blood. There is every chance the kit will make a fine warrior.” Some of the Clan glanced at Fireheart, who had barely heard Bluestar’s compliment. Hope was surging in his chest, making him dizzy.
Bluestar paused for a moment to survey the cats in front of her. “I have decided we will take this kit into the Clan,” she declared.
No cat made a sound. Fireheart wanted to yowl his thanks to StarClan, but he held his tongue. He took his first deep breath since sunhigh. His own kin was going to be part of ThunderClan!
“Brindleface has offered to nurse it,” Bluestar went on, “so Fireheart will take on the duty of providing for her.” The Clan leader met Fireheart’s eyes, but he couldn’t read her expression. “Finally, the kit should have a name. It shall be known as Cloudkit.”
“Will there be a naming ceremony?” Mousefur called from the crowd.
Fireheart looked eagerly up at the Highrock. Would his sister’s kit be granted this privilege, as he had been when the Clan had formally accepted him?
Bluestar looked down at Mousefur, her eyes cold. “No,” she answered.
第二十一章
第二十一章
火心看着这只小幼崽：“我从没想过——”他移开目光，默默地看着姐姐。
“我生的其他孩子将由我的主人决定他们住在哪里。但他是我的长子，我想自己决定他的未来。”公主仰起下巴，继续说：“请把他培养成一位英雄，就像你一样！”
长期以来折磨火心的孤独感开始渐渐消失，他脑海里浮现出这只幼崽在族群里生活的画面：自己带着他游历森林，和他一起在密林间捕猎。最后，雷族里多了一位新武士，这名武士和自己来自于同一条血脉。
公主说：“我知道你为徒弟的事很难过。我想如果你有一位新徒弟——一个和你有血缘关系的徒弟——你就不会感到那么孤独了。”她伸长脖子将鼻子抵着火心的侧腹，接着说：“我并不完全了解你们族群的生活方式，但看到你，以及听到你谈论你们的生活，我想如果我的儿子能够成为一名武士，我会感到无比地骄傲。”
最初的兴奋过后，火心想起了他的族群，他们是多么需要武士啊。炭爪永远也当不成武士了，而且，如果绿感冒再夺去更多的生命怎么办？雷族也许需要这个幼崽。
他突然感觉到落在身上的雨滴。这只幼崽需要避雨，而且要快。虽然他看起来很健壮，但他仍旧太小，不能长时间忍受寒冷和潮湿。
火心说：“我把他带走了。你送给雷族一份大礼。我将把他训练成为森林里有史以来最优秀的武士！”他衔着幼崽颈背上的皮毛将他叼起。
公主眼里充满了感激和骄傲，她说：“谢谢你，火心。谁知道呢，也许他还会成为一位族长，拥有九条性命呢！”
火心深情地看着姐姐那张充满信任和希望的脸庞。他的姐姐真的相信这一切会发生吗？接着，他想起一件事，不由得心里产生疑问。现在族里正在流行绿感冒，如果他活不到叶子发绿的季节怎么办？但当他嗅到幼崽身上散发出的惬意的气味时，他渐渐产生信心。这只幼崽不会死的，他那么健壮，还和他来自同一血脉。火心深吸了口气。他必须抓紧时间——这只幼崽已经在挨冻了。和姐姐道别之后，他冲进灌木丛里。
这只幼崽比他想象的要沉，他在火心的嘴下晃晃悠悠，使火心不能完全迈开前腿。等火心到达沟边的时候，他的脖子酸痛得要死。他顺着陡坡下到沟里，每一步都小心翼翼的，生怕摔跤。
来到营地门口，火心迟疑起来。他突然想起自己该好好想想应当怎样向族群解释这件事情——他将不得不承认自己拜访宠物猫姐姐。但时间已容不得他多想，他能感觉到这只幼崽在打寒战。火心走进金雀花通道里。幼崽被一根刺扎了一下，立刻发出响亮的哭闹。
当火心走进会场时，一道道惊讶的目光朝他射来。
两支捕猎分队都已回到营地，鼠毛、白风、沙爪和蕨爪正站在会场里，只有灰条不见踪影。受到哭闹声和陌生气味的吸引，族里其余的猫一个接一个从巢穴里出来了。大家都不做声，他们看着火心，眼里充满了敌意和困惑，似乎是在看一个陌生者。
众目睽睽之下，火心叼着幼崽缓缓走到会场中央。他感到自己口干舌燥。他为什么会以为族群能接纳这只幼崽呢？
当他看到蓝星从黄牙的医务室走出来时，心里感到一阵轻松。但黄牙却睁大了眼睛，吃惊的程度丝毫不逊于其他的猫。她问：“这是怎么回事？”
火心的脊背上掠过一丝寒意。他将幼崽放在前爪上，卷过尾巴盖在他的身上，这才回答说：“这是我姐姐的孩子。”
虎掌瞪着他喝道：“你姐姐？”
纹尾喊道：“你还有个姐姐？在哪里？”
长尾厌恶地说：“当然在火心出生的地方喽。两腿动物的地盘！”
蓝星的眼睛睁得越发大了。她问：“是真的吗？”
火心承认说：“是的，我姐姐让我把他带回族里抚养。”
蓝星问：“那她为什么要这么做？”她的声音透出一种可怕的平静。
火心紧张极了，结结巴巴地说：“我告诉她族里的生活——如果……”在蓝星怀疑的目光逼视之下，他的声音越来越小。
“你去两腿动物地盘的事持续多久了？”
“没有多长时间，只是从叶子凋落的季节开始的。但我只是去看姐姐，我仍然忠于雷族。”
“忠于雷族？”黑条的声音响彻整个会场，“而你却带了只宠物猫来这里？”
一只老年猫讥讽说：“族里有一只宠物猫还嫌不够吗？”
尘爪厉声叱责道：“信任一只宠物猫的结果就是多了另一只宠物猫！”他转身用鼻子顶了顶沙爪。沙爪不安地瞅了瞅火心，然后低下头去。
虎掌大声说：“你为什么把他带到这里？”
“我们需要武士……”在他说话的过程中，那只幼崽开始在他的肚皮下蠕动。火心意识到自己的话是多么地荒唐。他的话引来更多轻蔑的叫嚷，火心只得低下头去。
等指责声渐渐停息，奔风开口说：“族群里的烦心事已经够多了，这分明是在添乱嘛。”
鼠毛同意道：“他至少要等五个月才能够进行训练。这会给我们带来负担。”
白风点头说：“你不应该把这只幼崽带来这里，火心。他太过柔弱，不适应族群生活。”
火心一下子火了：“我出生时也是宠物猫，我也柔弱吗？”他觉得整个族群都在和他作对，他没有看见族群里还有一张友善的面孔。
白风身后响起一个声音：“如果他带有火心的血统，那他将来必定会成为一名优秀的武士。”
火心感到身体顿时放松下来。是灰条！火心眼前看到一线希望。白风让到一旁，其他的猫纷纷转头向灰条看去。灰条挨个扫视了一眼周围的猫。
长尾讥讽说：“竟然帮火心说起话来了，变化可真大呀。昨晚你还想把他撕成碎片呢！”
黑条在一旁帮腔说：“喂，灰条！你怎么知道火心的血统配得上雷族呢？是不是你昨晚咬他的腿时尝到他的血了？”
蓝星走上前，她的眼神里充满了忧虑：“火心，我相信你去拜访姐姐并不是对族群不忠，但你为什么要同意把她的孩子带回来呢？你不能这样自作主张。你的所作所为影响了整个族群。”
火心看着灰条，希望能从他那里再次得到支持，但灰条并没有看他的眼睛。火心转着脖子张望四周，看见所有的猫都避开他的目光。火心开始感到惶恐：他将公主的幼崽带过来，是否危及到他在族群中的位置了。
蓝星问：“虎掌，你怎么看？”
虎掌说：“我怎么看？”火心听出来他的语气中充满了得意扬扬的味道，心里一沉。“我认为火心应当立刻除掉他。”
“金花呢？”
金花说：“他太小了，还没等叶子发绿的季节到来就会死掉。”
奔风不客气地说：“他会消耗我们的猎物，然后等下雪时被冻死。”
蓝星低下头：“够了，我必须认真考虑考虑。”说完她走进巢穴。其他的猫在小声谈论中逐渐散去。
火心叼起湿漉漉的幼崽走进武士巢穴。那只幼崽打着寒战，发出可怜的叫声。火心蜷起身体围住幼崽，合上双眼。那一张张充满敌意的面孔浮现在他的脑海里，使他感到畏惧。他原以为在此之前他只是孤独罢了，现在看起来似乎整个族群根本就没有接受过他。
灰条走进巢穴在他的窝里趴下。火心紧张地瞅了瞅他。灰条是唯一一个站出来帮他说话的猫，火心想对他说声谢谢。在幼崽的哭闹声中，火心不自在地等了片刻，方才小声说：“谢谢你为我说话。”
灰条耸了耸肩膀说：“哦，是的。不会有别的猫来做，我只好出面了。”他扭过头开始舔尾巴。
那只幼崽哭闹的声音越来越大。这时，一些猫走进来避雨。柳带看了火心和那只幼崽一眼，没有说话。
黑条走到他的窝旁抱怨说：“你就不能让那个东西闭嘴吗？”
火心无助地舔着幼崽。他现在一定很饿。一阵沙沙声过后，霜毛走过来低头看着这个可怜的小家伙。她突然低下头嗅了嗅他的毛，小声说：“他最好去育婴室里，纹脸还有多余的奶水，我可以求她喂养这只幼崽。”
火心惊讶地看着霜毛。
霜毛温和地看着他说：“我忘不了是你把我的孩子们从影族的手里救了出来。”
火心叼起幼崽跟着霜毛走出巢穴。雨下得更大了，他们一起快步赶往育婴室，先后挤进育婴室狭窄的入口。育婴室里的光线很弱，火心猛然进来，什么都看不见。
等他渐渐适应过来后，他看见纹脸卧在干燥的窝里，两个健壮的幼崽依偎在她身边。
她疑惑地看了看火心，然后又看了看他嘴里叼着的幼崽。
霜毛小声对火心说：“昨晚纹脸的一个孩子死了。”火心想起住在医务室的那两个幼崽，不知道死的是其中的哪一个。他将公主的幼崽放在地上，轻声对纹脸说：“我很难过。”
纹脸向他眨了眨眼睛，眼里充满了悲痛。
霜毛说：“纹脸，我能感受到你的痛苦。但这只幼崽快要饿死了，而你又有奶水，你愿意喂养他吗？”
纹脸摇了摇头合上双眼，似乎压根儿拒绝火心出现在她的巢穴里。
霜毛探出身体用鼻子轻擦她的脸颊，小声说：“我知道他无法代替你的儿子，但他需要你的温暖和关心。”
火心焦急地等在一旁。幼崽哭闹的声音变得更大了。他嗅到纹脸奶水的气味，开始闭着眼睛蠕动着向她柔软的腹部爬去。他拱进纹脸的两只幼崽之间。纹脸低头看着他扭动身体爬过来，没有加以阻止。那只幼崽扒住她的奶头开始吮吸。看见这只小东西将小爪子搭在自己的肚皮上开始吃奶，纹脸的目光渐渐变得柔和。
霜毛点点头说：“谢谢你，纹脸。我能告诉蓝星你愿意抚养这只幼崽吗？”
纹脸的目光没有离开这只白色的幼崽，轻轻回答说：“可以。”说着，她用爪子将这只幼崽拉得离自己更近些。
火心高兴地低下头用鼻子触了触她的肩膀说：“谢谢你，我保证每天都给你捉来额外的猎物。”
霜毛说：“我去告诉蓝星。”
火心抬头看着霜毛，被她的好心肠深深感动。他说：“谢谢你。”
“不论是否族生的，都不应当饿死幼崽。”说完霜毛转身走出育婴室。
纹脸悄声对火心说：“你现在可以走了。你的幼崽和我在一起很安全。”
火心点点头，跟着霜毛走出育婴室。他本想回到巢穴里，但他知道在没有听到蓝星的决定前，自己根本躺不下去。
他在大雨里绕着会场转来转去，浑身上下都湿透了。不久之后，他看见霜毛从蓝星的巢穴里出来，急急忙忙地赶往育婴室。
柳带领着夜间巡逻队正要出发，这时蓝星从她的巢穴里走了出来。火心停下脚步，心里怦怦直跳，腿脚都有些发软。只见蓝星跃上高岩召唤道：“大家带上猎物在高岩下集合。”
柳带领着巡逻队拐回来走进会场。其他的猫们一边抱怨着这场雨，一边离开他们干燥的巢穴。虎掌跳上高岩，阴沉着脸在蓝星身边坐下。
火心想：他们要让我把他带回去了。他的呼吸开始变得急促。忽然，一个更可怕的念头出现在他的脑海里：如果蓝星让虎掌把他丢在森林里怎么办？噢，星族啊，我该怎么向公主交代啊！
等大家到齐后，蓝星说：“各位同胞，谁都不否认我们需要武士。我们已经被绿感冒夺去了一条生命，而且，现在距离叶子发绿的季节还有很长一段时间。炭爪受了严重的外伤，她永远也不能成为一名武士了。正如灰条所指出的——”
火心听到尘爪在旁边小声说：“这些天灰条都快变成宠物猫了！”他猛地转过头，但就在他开口之前，一只老猫向尘爪发出嘘的一声，让他安静。
蓝星说：“正如灰条所指出的那样，这只幼崽身上具有火心的血统。所以，他将来一定会成为一名优秀的武士。”一些猫向火心看过来。火心很少听到蓝星如此的赞许，他胸中涌出一股热流，顿时感到头晕眼花。
蓝星顿了顿，俯视着族群宣布道：“我决定，我们将收养这只幼崽。”
大家听了都没有做声。火心只想向星族大呼感谢。他长长地舒了口气，雷族里终于有一个自己的亲戚了！
蓝星继续说：“纹脸主动要求抚养这个幼崽，因此，火心将负责为她提供膳食。”她低头看着火心，“最后，我们该为这个幼崽起个名字。他的名字就叫云崽。”
鼠毛在猫群中大声说：“需要举行一个命名仪式吗？”
火心期待地望着高岩。姐姐的孩子也会像他当初加入雷族时获得这项殊荣吗？
蓝星俯视着鼠毛，冷冷地回答说：“不必了。”
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER22
The days leading up to thenext full moon dragged by slowly for Fireheart. It already seemed ages since the last Gathering. Rain clouds had kept the moon covered the last time, and the Clans had stayed away from Fourtrees. Meanwhile patrol after patrol reported scenting RiverClan warriors at Sunningrocks, and ShadowClan scent had been discovered again by the Owl Tree.
When he wasn’t hunting or patrolling, Fireheart divided his time between Cloudkit, Cinderpaw, and Brackenpaw. Even though Graystripe had resumed his role as Brackenpaw’s mentor, Fireheart soon began to notice the young apprentice at loose ends from time to time, his mentor nowhere in sight. “Hunting,” was all Brackenpaw would say when Fireheart asked where Graystripe had gone.
“Why didn’t you go with him?” meowed Fireheart.
“He said I could go tomorrow.”
Fireheart felt the usual prickle of anger at Graystripe’s stubbornness, but he shrugged it away. He’d given up trying to make Graystripe see sense—they’d hardly spoken since Fireheart had brought Cloudkit into the camp—but he made an effort to take Brackenpaw out whenever Graystripe went missing, just to keep the apprentice out of sight. Fireheart knew that Tigerclaw wouldn’t accept Brackenpaw’s answers so easily.
Finally the full moon appeared in a cloudless sky. Fireheart came back from hunting early. He passed the fallen oak, deserted now that Swiftpaw and Speckletail’s kit had recovered. He dropped his catch on the pile and headed toward Yellowfang’s den to visit Cinderpaw. Even the threat of greencough had left the camp, for now. Only Cinderpaw remained with the medicine cat.
As Fireheart padded through the tunnel he could see the small gray she-cat in the clearing ahead. She was helping Yellowfang prepare some herbs. Fireheart winced as he watched Cinderpaw limp heavily toward the split rock with a mouthful of dried leaves.
“Fireheart!” Cinderpaw spat out the herbs and turned to greet him as he emerged from the tunnel. “I could only just scent you through these disgusting things!”
“Those disgusting things helped cure your leg!” growled Yellowfang.
“Well, you should have used more,” retorted Cinderpaw, but Fireheart was relieved to see she had a mischievous glint in her eye. “Look at this!” She twitched her twisted hind leg. “I can hardly reach my claws to wash them.”
“Perhaps I should give you a few more exercises to loosen it up,” meowed Yellowfang.
“No, thanks!” mewed Cinderpaw quickly. “They hurt!”
“They’re meant to hurt! It shows they’re working.” The old medicine cat turned to Fireheart. “Perhaps you’ll have more luck persuading her to do them. I’m going into the forest to dig up some comfrey roots.”
“I’ll try,” Fireheart promised as Yellowfang padded past him.
“You’ll know if she’s doing them right,” the medicine cat called over her shoulder, “because she’ll complain!”
Cinderpaw limped over to Fireheart and touched her nose to his. “Thanks for coming to see me.” She sat down and grimaced as she tucked her bad leg under her.
“I like coming to see you,” Fireheart purred. “I miss our training sessions.” He regretted his words as soon as he’d uttered them.
A wistful look clouded Cinderpaw’s eyes. “Me too,” she meowed. “When do you think I’ll be able to start again?”
Fireheart stared at her, his heart sinking. Clearly Yellowfang hadn’t told her yet that she would never be a warrior. “Perhaps if we try some of your exercises, it’ll help,” he meowed evasively.
“Okay,” mewed Cinderpaw. “But just a few.”
She lay on her side and stretched out her leg till her face was twisted with pain. Slowly, her teeth clenched, she began to move it backward and forward.
“You’re doing really well,” Fireheart meowed, hiding the sorrow that lay like a rock in his stomach.
Cinderpaw let her leg drop and lay still for a moment; then she pushed herself up. Fireheart watched her quietly as she shook her head. “I’m never going to be a warrior, am I?”
Fireheart couldn’t lie to her. “No,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.” He stretched his muzzle toward her and licked her head. After a few moments, she gave a long sigh and lay down again.
“I knew it really,” she mewed. “It’s just that sometimes I dream about being in the forest, hunting with Brackenpaw, and then I wake up and the pain in my leg reminds me I’ll never hunt again. It feels too much to bear. I have to pretend that maybe, one day, I’ll be able to hunt.”
Fireheart couldn’t bear to see her in such low spirits. “I’ll take you out into the forest again,” he promised. “We’ll find the oldest, slowest mouse in the woods. It won’t stand a chance against you.”
Cinderpaw looked at him and purred gratefully.
Fireheart purred back at her, but there was a question that had been nagging at him since the accident. “Cinderpaw,” he began, “can you remember what happened when the monster hit you? Was Tigerclaw there?”
Cinderpaw’s eyes clouded with confusion. “I d-don’t know,” she stammered. Fireheart felt a pang of guilt as he saw her flinch away from the memory. “I went straight to the burned ash where Dustpaw said Tigerclaw would be, and then there was the monster and .  .  . I don’t really remember.”
“You wouldn’t have realized how thin the verge was there.” Fireheart shook his head slowly. “You must have run straight onto the Thunderpath.” Why wasn’t Tigerclaw where he said he’d be?he thought with a flash of rage. He could have stopped her from running out!Princess’s words rang ominously in his head. Was it a trap?He pictured Tigerclaw, crouching downwind, hidden among the trees, staring out at the verge, waiting—
“How’s Cloudkit?” Cinderpaw’s mew cut short his thoughts. She clearly wanted to change the subject.
Fireheart was happy to oblige, especially if it meant talking about Princess’s son. “Getting bigger every day,” he meowed proudly.
“I’m dying to meet him. When are you going to bring him to visit me?”
“As soon as Brindleface lets me,” Fireheart answered. “She won’t let him out of her sight at the moment.”
“She likes him, then?”
“She treats him just like her other kits,” Fireheart meowed, “thank StarClan. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if she’d take to him. He looks so different from her other kits.” Even Fireheart couldn’t deny that Cloudkit’s snowy pelt of soft fur looked out of place beside the other kits, with their forest-colored coats of short, mottled fur. “At least he gets on well with his nursery mates.  .  .  .” Fireheart’s voice trailed away. He stared at the ground, feeling a twinge of anxiety.
“What’s the matter?” Cinderpaw prompted gently.
Fireheart shrugged. “I’m just sick of the way some of the other cats look at him, like he’s stupid or worthless.”
“Does Cloudkit notice these looks?”
Fireheart shook his head.
“Well, don’t worry then,” Cinderpaw mewed.
“But Cloudkit doesn’t even know he was born a kittypet. I think he just assumes he’s from a different Clan. But if they keep giving him these dirty looks, he’s going to realize there’s something wrong with him.” Fireheart looked at his paws fretfully.
“Something wrong with him?” echoed Cinderpaw in wonder. “Youwere born a kittypet and there’s nothing wrong with you! Look, by the time Cloudkit works out where he comes from, he’ll be able to start proving that a kittypet can be as good as any Clanborn warrior. Just like you’ve done.”
“What if someone tells him before he’s ready?”
“If he’s anything like you, he was bornready!”
“When did you get so smart?” Fireheart meowed, rather surprised by his apprentice’s sharpness.
Cinderpaw rolled onto her back with a dramatic moan. “Suffering can do that to a cat!” Fireheart prodded her stomach with a paw, and Cinderpaw squeaked before scrambling back onto her side. “No, really,” she mewed. “Look who I’ve been hanging out with lately!”
Fireheart tipped his head on one side questioningly.
“Yellowfang, you dope,” Cinderpaw scoffed. “She’s one sharp old cat. I’m learning a lot.” She sat up. “Yellowfang said there’s a Gathering tonight. Are you going?”
“I don’t know,” Fireheart admitted. “I’m going to ask Bluestar later. I’m not exactly popular with the Clan at the moment.”
“They’ll get over it,” Cinderpaw promised. She nudged his shoulder. “Shouldn’t you go and find out if you’re going, then? They’ll be leaving soon.”
“You’re right,” Fireheart replied. “Will you be okay till Yellowfang gets back? Do you want me to fetch you some fresh-kill?”
“I’ll be fine,” Cinderpaw assured him. “And Yellowfang’ll bring me something. She always does. I’m going to be the fattest cat in the Clan by the time she’s finished with me.”
Fireheart felt a burst of happiness to see his former apprentice recovering her spirit. He was tempted to stay and keep her company, but she was right—he should find out if he could go to the Gathering. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” he meowed. “There should be plenty of news from the Gathering.”
“Yeah, and I want to hear it all,” Cinderpaw mewed. “Make sure Bluestar lets you go! Quick!”
“I’m going, I’m going,” Fireheart retorted, getting to his paws. “’Bye, Cinderpaw.”
“’Bye!”
Fireheart stopped at the edge of the clearing and looked around for Bluestar. She was talking with Willowpelt outside her den. Fireheart reached them just as Willowpelt stood up to leave. The slender gray warrior nodded to Fireheart as she padded away.
Bluestar gazed at Fireheart with knowing eyes. “You want to go to the Gathering,” she meowed. Fireheart opened his mouth to speak, but Bluestar interrupted him. “All the warriors want to go tonight, but I can’t take every cat.”
Fireheart felt disappointed. “I wanted to see WindClan again,” he explained. “To find out how they’ve been getting on since Graystripe and I brought them home.”
Bluestar narrowed her eyes. “I don’t need reminding of what you did for WindClan,” she meowed sharply, and Fireheart flinched. “But you’re right to be concerned,” Bluestar went on. “You and Graystripe may come to the Gathering tonight.”
“Thank you, Bluestar,” Fireheart meowed.
“It’ll be an interesting Gathering,” Bluestar warned him. “RiverClan and ShadowClan have much to explain.”
Fireheart felt his ears twitch nervously, but he couldn’t help feeling a thrill of excitement as well. Bluestar clearly meant to challenge Crookedstar and Nightstar about their invasions into ThunderClan territory. He dipped his head respectfully to Bluestar and padded away.
As he collected two voles for Brindleface from the pile of fresh-kill, Fireheart noticed Yellowfang trudging into the camp. Her paws were muddy and her mouth was crammed with fat, knobbly roots. Her search for comfrey had clearly been successful.
Fireheart carried the fresh-kill over to the nursery. Brindleface was curled up inside feeding Cloudkit. The other kits had recently given up their mother’s milk, and soon Cloudkit too would have his first taste of fresh-kill.
Brindleface looked up as he entered, her eyes shadowed with concern. “I’ve just sent for Yellowfang,” she mewed.
Fireheart was instantly alarmed. “Is there something wrong with Cloudkit?”
“He’s been a little feverish today.” Brindleface leaned down and licked the kit’s head as he stopped feeding and began squirming restlessly. “It’s probably nothing, but I thought I’d see what Yellowfang thought. I .  .  . I don’t want to take any chances.”
Fireheart remembered that the dappled queen had recently lost a kit, and he hoped she was just being overcautious. But Cloudkit did look uncomfortable. “I’ll come and see you after the Gathering,” he promised.
He ducked out of the nursery and headed back to the pile of fresh-kill to pick out his own food. Brindleface’s news had spoiled his appetite, but he knew he should eat something before the journey to Fourtrees tonight.
Longtail and Dustpaw were already standing over the pile. Fireheart sat down and waited for them to leave.
“Haven’t seen the Cloudchick today,” meowed Longtail. Fireheart felt a familiar ripple of frustration at Longtail’s snide comment.
“He’s probably realized how silly he looks and decided to hide in the nursery!” mewed Dustpaw.
“I’d like to be there when he tries hunting for the first time. The prey’ll spot him coming a tree’s length away with all that white fluff,” Longtail sneered.
“Unless they mistake him for a puffball mushroom!” Dustpaw’s whiskers twitched as he threw a sideways glance at Fireheart.
Fireheart flattened his ears and looked away. He watched Yellowfang hurry into the nursery with a mouthful of feverfew. Unfortunately Longtail and Dustpaw noticed too. “Looks like the kittypet’s caught a chill. What a surprise,” meowed Longtail. “Goldenflower was right—he won’t last through leaf-bare!” The tabby warrior turned and stared at Fireheart, waiting for a reaction, but Fireheart ignored him and walked over to the pile of fresh-kill. He chose a thrush and carried it away to eat, feeling drained by the endless spite.
Graystripe was sharing his meal with Runningwind by the nettle clump. “Hi, did you have a good hunt?” Runningwind called as Fireheart passed.
“Yes, thanks,” Fireheart replied.
Graystripe didn’t look up.
“Bluestar said you could go to the Gathering,” Fireheart told Graystripe.
“I know,” Graystripe answered, still chewing.
“Are you going?” Fireheart turned to Runningwind.
“You bet! I wouldn’t miss this one for anything!”
Fireheart padded on and found a quiet spot at the edge of the clearing. Longtail’s words echoed in his head. Would the Clan ever accept the little white kit? Fireheart closed his eyes and began to wash himself.
As he turned to lick his side, his whiskers brushed against something. He opened his eyes to find Sandpaw standing beside him. Her orange pelt glowed silver beneath the rising moon. “Thought you might like some company,” she mewed. She sat down and began to wash Fireheart’s back with long, soothing strokes.
Through half-closed eyes, Fireheart caught a glimpse of Dustpaw staring from outside the apprentices’ den, unable to disguise his envy and amazement. Dustpaw wasn’t the only one surprised by Sandpaw’s gesture—Fireheart hadn’t expected such friendliness from the fiery young she-cat, but her warmth was welcome, and he wasn’t going to question it. “Are you going to the Gathering?” he asked.
Sandpaw paused. “Yes. You?”
“Yes. I think Bluestar’s going to challenge Crookedstar and Nightstar about their hunting.” He waited for Sandpaw to reply, but she was staring up at the darkening sky.
“I wish I were going as a warrior,” she murmured. Fireheart tensed, but for once there was no hint of jealousy or bitterness in her mew.
Fireheart felt awkward. He knew his training had started after Sandpaw’s, and he had been a warrior for more than two moons already. “It can’t be long till Bluestar gives you your warrior name,” he meowed, trying to sound encouraging.
“Why do you think it’s taking so long?” Sandpaw asked, turning her pale green eyes on Fireheart.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Bluestar’s been ill, and there’s RiverClan and ShadowClan causing trouble. I guess she’s got other things on her mind.”
“You’d think she’d need warriors more than ever!” meowed Sandpaw.
Fireheart felt a stab of sympathy. “I suppose she’s just waiting for the .  .  . the right time.” He knew it didn’t sound very helpful, but it was all he could think to say.
“Maybe by newleaf.” Sandpaw sighed. “When do you think you’ll get a new apprentice?”
“Bluestar hasn’t said anything yet.”
“Perhaps she’ll give you Cloudkit when he’s old enough.”
“I hope so.” Fireheart stared across the clearing at the nursery, wondering if Yellowfang had finished treating Cloudkit. “If he makes it that far.”
“Of course he’ll make it!” Sandpaw meowed confidently.
“But he has a fever.” Fireheart let his shoulders sag with worry.
“All kits get fevers!” Sandpaw retorted. “With his thick fur, he’ll recover in no time. That coat’s going to be handy in leaf-bare, perfect for hunting in the snow. The prey’ll never see him coming, and he’ll be able to stay out twice as long as thin-pelts like Longtail!”
Fireheart purred and felt himself relax. Sandpaw had lifted his spirits again. He stood up and gave her a brisk lick on the head. “Come on,” he meowed. “Bluestar is calling the cats for the Gathering.”
They joined the other cats beside the camp entrance, a silent, purposeful group.
Bluestar signaled to them with a flick of her tail, then led them through the gorse tunnel and out of the ravine. The forest glistened in the cold moonlight as they sprinted toward Fourtrees. Clouds of breath billowed from Fireheart’s muzzle, and the forest floor felt frozen beneath his paws.
For the first time since Fireheart had joined the Clan, Bluestar didn’t hesitate at the ridge above Fourtrees to prepare herself for the meeting. Instead her cats followed their leader wordlessly as she plunged straight down the slope into the clearing.
第二十二章
第二十二章
距离森林大会召开的日子越来越近，在火心的眼里，时间似乎越走越慢了。上次森林大会就像是很久以前的事。上次大会，乌云遮住了月亮，各个族群彼此间都闹得很不痛快。从那之后，河族的气味时常出现在太阳石附近，而巡逻队也在猫头鹰树那里两次发现影族的踪迹。
这些天，火心除了打猎和巡逻之外，就是奔走在云崽、炭爪和蕨爪之间。虽然灰条表面上训练蕨爪，但火心很快就发现他时常不知去向，只留下蕨爪独自练习。每次火心向蕨爪问及灰条的去向，蕨爪总是回答说：“去捕猎了。”
火心问：“你为什么不和他一同去呢？”
“他说明天再带我去。”
虽然火心对灰条的固执行为很是恼火，但他也无可奈何。他已经放弃在灰条的耳边敲警钟了——自从火心将云崽带回营地后，他们几乎没有说过话——但每次灰条不见的时候，火心总是尽量将蕨爪带出营地，以免被别的猫发觉灰条失踪。火心知道虎掌可不会轻易相信蕨爪的回答。
森林大会这一天，天空中万里无云。火心一早打猎回来，经过橡木的时候，他看见迅爪和纹尾的那只幼崽已经恢复了健康。他将猎物放在食物堆上后，便直奔黄牙的医务室去探望炭爪。现在，绿感冒已经离开了这片营地，因此只有炭爪还和黄牙住在一起。
火心穿过香薇通道，看见炭爪正在医务室前的空地上帮助黄牙配制草药。看到炭爪衔着草药一瘸一拐地走向医务室，火心心里非常难受。
炭爪看见火心来了，急忙吐出嘴里的草药向他打招呼说：“火心！虽然衔着这些恶心的东西，但我仍能嗅出你的气味！”
黄牙大声叱责说：“正是这些恶心的东西治好了你的伤！”
炭爪还嘴说：“好了好了，你应该多给我用一些。”看到炭爪调皮的样子，火心感到心里一阵轻松。她扭着那条因折断而变形的后腿说：“看看！我都舔不着它。”
黄牙说：“也许你多做些练习，你的腿就能舒展开了。”
炭爪连忙说：“不用了，多谢。练习太疼了！”
“练习本来就会使你感到疼痛！这说明它起作用了。”黄牙转头对火心说，“也许你运气好，能够说服她进行练习。我要去森林里挖一些紫草根。”
火心对从身边经过的黄牙说：“我试试吧。”
黄牙说：“你能分清她做的对不对，因为如果她做对了，她就会抱怨太疼了！”
炭爪瘸着腿走到火心身边和他轻轻对触了一下鼻子：“谢谢你来看望我。”她坐下来将那条坏腿收到身下，扮了个鬼脸。
火心说：“我喜欢来看你。我很怀念我们以前训练时的日子。”他几乎是话刚出口便后悔了。
炭爪眼里流露出回忆的神情，她说：“我也是。你认为我什么时候才能开始训练呢？”
火心凝视着她，心不住地向下沉，黄牙显然还没有将事实真相告诉她。他搪塞说：“也许我们该多做些练习，对你会有帮助的。”
炭爪说：“好吧，但是只做一会儿。”
她侧躺在地伸展坏腿，直到她疼得龇牙咧嘴。她咬紧牙关，开始缓缓移动坏腿做前后运动。
火心的心里像堵了块大石头，强忍着不让脸上露出悲哀的表情，说：“做得好极了。”
炭爪放下腿休息了片刻，然后站起来摇了摇头说：“我永远也成为不了一名武士了，是吗？”
火心不忍心骗她，小声说：“是的，我很难过。”他伸过脖子舔了舔她的脑袋。过了一会儿，炭爪长长叹了口气，又躺了下来。
她说：“其实我知道。有时我会梦见自己和蕨爪在森林里捕猎，醒来后腿很痛，我就意识到自己永远也不能捕猎了。只是这种感觉令我很难忍受。于是我不得不欺骗自己：也许有一天我还能捕猎。”
火心不忍心见她如此悲伤，保证说：“我还会带你去森林里的。我们找一些最老的、行动最缓慢的老鼠，你一定能捉到它们的。”
炭爪感激地看着他。
火心也看着她。自从那次事故之后，他心里始终存有一个疑问，如骨鲠在喉，不吐不快。于是他开口说：“炭爪，你还能记起上次发生的事吗？当时虎掌在那里吗？”
炭爪一脸困惑，结结巴巴地说：“我不——不知道。”看到炭爪被那段回忆引发了内心的恐惧，火心感到非常愧疚。“尘爪说虎掌在那棵烧焦的白蜡树旁边，我就直接去了，接着那个怪物……我真的不记得了。”
火心缓缓摇了摇头说：“你应该不会知道雷鬼路的边缘有多么狭窄。你一定是直接跑上雷鬼路了。”虎掌为什么不在约好的地点等候呢？一想到这里，火心便心头火起。他原本能够阻止炭爪去的！公主的话犹如噩兆般在他耳边响起：这是个圈套吗？他眼前出现了一幅场景：虎掌找了个下风向的地方趴下来，躲在树林里，眼睛直盯着雷鬼路边缘，静静等待——
“云崽怎么样？”炭爪的话打断了他的思路，显然她是想转换话题。
提到公主的儿子，火心便感到高兴。他自豪地说：“云崽每一天都在长大。”
“我很想见见他，你什么时候能带他来看我呀？”
火心回答说：“只要纹脸同意就行，她现在简直寸步不离云崽。”
“这么说，她很喜欢云崽了？”
“她对云崽视同己出，感谢星族。老实说，我原来还不确定她是否接受他。他的样子和她其他的幼崽长得大不相同。”即使是火心也不得不承认，与那些长着短短的、带花纹的幼崽相比，云崽那身雪白的皮毛实在显得与众不同。“至少他和其他的幼崽们相处得还不错——”火心的声音越说越小。他盯着地面，心里感到很焦虑。
炭爪轻声问：“出什么事了？”
火心耸了耸肩膀说：“我只是对一些猫看云崽时的眼光感到不舒服罢了，似乎在看一个笨蛋或者是一只无足轻重的猫一样。”
“云崽注意到这种眼光了吗？”
火心摇了摇头。
炭爪说：“嗯，那就不用担心了。”
火心烦躁地说：“但云崽甚至连自己是宠物猫出身都不知道。我想他大概只是以为自己来自于另一个族群吧。但如果他们一直用这种可恶的眼光看他，他迟早要意识到自己有什么不对劲的地方。”
“有什么不对劲的地方？”炭爪惊讶地说，“你就是宠物猫出身，你就没有什么不对劲的地方！听着，等到云崽能够分辨出自己出身的时候，他将会证明自己和其他族生的猫一样能成为优秀的武士。就像你做过的那样！”
“如果别的猫在他准备好之前告诉他怎么办？”
“如果他身上有你的血统，那他应该在出生时就准备好了！”
火心对他的徒弟看问题的敏锐程度感到十分惊奇，他问：“你什么时候变得这么聪明？”
炭爪翻个身仰天躺着，发出夸张的呻吟声说：“苦难能够激发智慧！”火心用爪子捅了捅她的侧腹，炭爪咯咯笑着侧过身去：“别闹，我是认真的。也不看看最近我一直是和谁出去的！”
火心歪着头看她，眼里充满了询问的目光。
炭爪嘲弄道：“是黄牙呀，笨蛋。她是一只很有智慧的老猫。我向她学习了很多东西。”她说着坐了起来：“黄牙说今晚要举行森林大会，你去吗？”
火心承认说：“我不知道，我正要去问问蓝星。现在我在族群里不怎么吃香。”“时间会冲淡一切的。”炭爪顶了顶火心的肩膀，“你现在还不去问问吗？他们马上就要出发了。”
火心回答说：“你说的没错。黄牙回来前你能照顾自己吗？你需要我帮你带些猎物吗？”
炭爪对他说：“我很好。依照习惯，黄牙会给我带猎物的。在离开她的时候，我恐怕要成为族群里最胖的猫了。”
看到自己的徒弟又振作起精神，火心感到由衷地高兴。他真想待在这里陪陪她，但她说得对，他应该去问问自己是否去参加森林大会。他说：“那么，明天见吧。森林大会上一定会有许多新闻。”
炭爪说：“太好了，我要听到所有的新闻。一定要让蓝星带你去！快去呀！”
“这就去，这就去。”火心说着站起来，“再见，炭爪。”
“再见！”
火心在会场边停下脚步，向四周张望寻找蓝星，看见她正在巢穴外和柳带谈话。火心走过去时柳带恰好站起来要离开，她从火心身边走过，冲他点了点头。
蓝星似乎看穿了火心的意图，她说：“你想去参加森林大会？”火心张嘴正要说话，蓝星截住他的话头说：“所有的武士都想去参加今晚的森林大会，但不能每个都去。”
火心很是失望，他解释说：“我想去看看风族。自从我和灰条把他们带回家园以来，也不知道他们现在怎么样了。”
蓝星眯缝起眼睛严厉地说：“我不需要谁来提醒我你为风族做的事情。”火心吓得一颤。蓝星继续说：“但你的关心不无道理。今晚你和灰条可以去参加森林大会。”
火心说：“谢谢你，蓝星。”
蓝星对他说：“这次的森林大会一定非常有趣，河族和影族会有很多事情需要解释。”
火心虽然很紧张，但同时却又感到很兴奋。蓝星显然是要对河族和影族在雷族领地里偷猎的行为提出质问。他尊敬地向蓝星低下头，转身走开。
火心去猎物堆上帮纹脸挑了两只水老鼠，这时他看见黄牙走进营地。黄牙的爪子上沾满了泥土，嘴里塞满了草根，看来她找到不少紫草根。
火心衔着猎物走到育婴室里，看见纹脸正在给云崽喂奶。其他的两个幼崽最近刚刚断奶，而云崽很快也要第一次品尝猎物的美味了。
纹脸抬头看了看火心，忧心忡忡地说：“我刚刚去找黄牙了。”
火心立刻紧张起来：“云崽出什么事了？”
“他有点儿发烧。”纹脸低头舔了舔停止吃奶开始四处蠕动的云崽，“可能没什么事情，但我想知道黄牙怎么看。我不想有任何意外发生。”
火心想起她最近失去了一个幼崽，他希望纹脸只是过虑罢了。但云崽看起来的确不太舒服。他说：“参加完森林大会，我就来看你们。”
他钻出育婴室去猎物堆取自己的食物。纹脸说的话令他没什么胃口，但他必须在晚上去“四棵树”之前吃点什么。
长尾和尘爪正站在猎物堆前，火心只好坐下来等他们离开。
长尾说：“今天没看见云崽呀。”听到长尾不怀好意的话，火心感到有些生气。
尘爪说：“他可能意识到自己有多愚蠢，于是躲在育婴室里不敢出来了！”
长尾讥讽说：“我真想看看他第一次捕捉猎物的模样。猎物一定大老远就能看见他那身白毛。”
尘爪瞥了火心一眼，颤抖着须子讥笑说：“除非它们把他当做长满白毛的蘑菇了。”
火心生气地将目光移向别处。他看见黄牙衔着小白菊急匆匆地跑进育婴室里。不幸的是，这一幕也被长尾和尘爪看见了。长尾说：“看起来那只宠物猫着凉了。真令我感到惊奇呀。还是金花说的对——他不会活过落叶季节的！”说完他转头看着火心，想看看火心有什么反应。但火心没有理睬他，而是走到猎物堆前挑了一只麻雀，走到一边开始进食，他感觉自己在这种无休无止的恶语相加中都变得麻木了。
灰条正在荨麻丛旁边和奔风一起进餐。奔风朝走过来的火心说：“喂，今天捕猎收获还不错吧？”
火心回答：“是的，谢谢。”
灰条没有抬头。
火心对灰条说：“蓝星说你可以去参加森林大会。”
“知道了。”灰条仍然低头咀嚼。
火心对奔风说：“你去吗？”
“这还用说！什么事都不能阻挡我去参加这次森林大会。”
火心转身走开，在会场的一个角落找到一块安静的地方。长尾的话犹在耳边回荡。族群会接受这个小家伙吗？火心闭上双眼开始给自己清理。
就在他转头去舔腹侧的时候，他的须子碰到了什么东西。他睁开眼睛，看见沙爪就站在他的身边。在月光映衬下，即使是她那身姜黄色的毛也闪着光芒。她说：“你也许需要个伴儿。”她坐下来开始舔梳火心的脊背。
通过半张半合的眼睛，火心瞅见尘爪正从学徒巢穴里往这边看，眼神里充满了忌妒和惊讶。并不是只有尘爪对沙爪的态度感到吃惊——火心从没有想过她会对自己这么友善，但是他很喜欢沙爪带给他的温暖，对此他并没有加以怀疑。他问：“你去森林大会吗？”
沙爪停下来说：“去呀，你呢？”
“我也去。我认为蓝星准备向钩星和夜星质问他们的偷猎行为。”他等待沙爪的回答，却见她仰头望着夜空。
她喃喃说：“真希望我能以一名武士的身份参加森林大会。”火心有些紧张，但这一回沙爪的语气里并没有丝毫忌妒或者苦涩的迹象。
火心感到很尴尬。沙爪在他之前便开始武士训练，而他却已经成为武士两个多月了。
他试着鼓励她说：“不会等多久的，蓝星很快就会赐给你武士的封号。”
沙爪那双浅绿色的眼睛转到火心身上，问：“你说，这件事为什么拖了这么久？”
火心承认说：“我不知道。蓝星一直在生病，而河族和影族也不断制造麻烦，我猜她是忙于应付其他的事吧。”
沙爪说：“可你也说过，她比任何时候都需要武士啊！”
火心同情地说：“我想她只是在等——等一个合适的机会吧。”他知道这种话起不到什么作用，但他只能想起这句话。
沙爪叹了口气说：“也许要等到绿叶季节。你什么时候收新徒弟呀？”
“蓝星还没有说。”
“也许等云崽长大时，她会让你做他的师父。”
“希望如此。”火心隔着会场向育婴室望去，想知道黄牙是否已经给云崽看完病了，“如果他还能活到那个时候的话。”
沙爪自信地说：“他当然能活到那个时候！”
“但是他发烧了。”
沙爪不屑一顾地说：“所有的幼崽都发烧！他长了那么厚的毛，很快就能康复的。他身上毛的颜色在落叶季节里很占便宜，特别是在雪天捕猎时尤其如此。猎物根本不会发觉他在靠近，而且，他将比皮毛稀疏的长尾更耐冻！”
火心嘴里发出呜呜声，感觉自己轻松下来。沙爪使他又打起了精神。他站起身在她的脑袋上舔了一下说：“走吧，蓝星在招呼大家上路呢。”
他们走到营地入口处与其他的猫们会合。
蓝星晃动了一下尾巴，带领大家穿过金雀花通道爬上沟。月光照亮了整片森林，众猫开始向“四棵树”进发。火心鼻孔里呼出的气结成了白雾，脚下的地面又冷又硬。
火心还是头一回没有见到蓝星在“四棵树”盆地边停留休整，而是带着大家直接下坡走向空地。
第二十三章
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER23
RiverClan and ShadowClan had not yetarrived, but WindClan was already there. Tallstar greeted Bluestar with a respectful nod.
Fireheart spotted Onewhisker and bounded over to meet him. “Hi!” he meowed. It had been over two moons since he’d last seen the small brown tabby warrior who had battled beside him at the gorge. For the first time in ages, Fireheart recalled Whiteclaw’s death and felt the familiar bristle of horror as he pictured the RiverClan warrior disappearing beneath the rushing river.
“Where’s Graystripe?” Onewhisker asked. “Is he okay?”
Fireheart could see from the concern in his eyes that the WindClan warrior was thinking about Whiteclaw’s death too. “He’s fine,” Fireheart answered. “He’s over there with the others.” Fireheart remembered the WindClan queen whose kit he’d helped to carry. “How’s Morningflower?”
“Happy to be home,” replied Onewhisker. “Her kit is growing quickly now.” Fireheart purred with pleasure. “The whole Clan is well,” Onewhisker added. He glanced at Fireheart with an amused gleam in his eyes. “It’s great to eat rabbit again. I hope I never have to taste another rat as long as I live!”
Fireheart detected a fresh scent on the night air. RiverClan was coming. He could smell ShadowClan, too. He scanned the ridge that ran around the edge of the hollow. Sure enough, RiverClan cats were streaming down one side. On the opposite ridge, Fireheart saw ShadowClan cats poised at the top, their coats gleaming in the moonlight. The lean figure of Nightstar stood at the head of the group.
“At last,” growled Onewhisker. He’d spotted them as well. “It’s too cold to be hanging around tonight.”
Fireheart nodded absently. He was searching the crowd of RiverClan cats as they entered the clearing, looking for Silverstream. He recognized the pale gray she-cat easily. She skidded to a halt at the bottom of the slope, then followed her father as he exchanged reserved greetings with the warriors from the other Clans.
Nervously Fireheart scanned the growing throng of cats for Graystripe. Would he dare speak to Silverstream tonight? The gray warrior had his back to Silverstream while he talked with a WindClan warrior.
Fireheart was watching Graystripe so closely that he didn’t hear Deadfoot approach. “Good evening, Fireheart,” meowed the WindClan deputy. “How are you?”
Fireheart turned. “Hello,” he meowed. “I’m fine, thank you.”
Deadfoot nodded. “Good,” he meowed, and limped away.
Onewhisker gave Fireheart a friendly nudge. “You’re privileged!” Fireheart felt a small glimmer of pride.
Bluestar’s yowl sounded from the Great Rock. Fireheart turned and looked up, surprised. The leaders didn’t usually call the meeting so soon. Crookedstar and Nightstar were standing close together on the rock. Bluestar waited beside Tallstar for the cats to gather beneath them. It was the first time Fireheart had seen the WindClan leader at a Gathering, he realized with a jolt.
Fireheart and Onewhisker followed the other cats as they settled themselves beneath the rock. Fireheart looked up expectantly, waiting for Bluestar to welcome Tallstar and WindClan back, but the ThunderClan leader was clearly in no mood to waste time on friendly words.
“RiverClan has been hunting at Sunningrocks,” she began angrily. “Our patrols have scented your warriors many times, Crookedstar. Sunningrocks belongs to ThunderClan!”
Crookedstar met Bluestar’s gaze steadily. “Have you forgotten how recently one of our warriors was killed defending our territory from ThunderClan?”
“You had no need to defend your territory,” Bluestar answered. “My warriors were not hunting there. They were returning home after finding WindClan. It was a mission we all agreed on! According to the warrior code, they should not have been attacked.”
“You speak of the warrior code?” spat Crookedstar. “What about the ThunderClan warrior who has been spying on our territory since then?”
Bluestar was caught off guard. “Warrior?” she echoed. “Have you seen him?”
“Not yet,” Crookedstar hissed. “But we find his scent so often, it won’t be long before we do.”
Fireheart glanced at Graystripe in alarm. He knew only too well which warrior had been detected in Crookedstar’s territory. Would any of the RiverClan warriors recognize his scent tonight?
Graystripe sat motionless, not taking his eyes off the leaders on the Great Rock.
Tigerclaw’s deep growl sounded from the crowd. “We have scented ShadowClan in our territory as well as RiverClan this past moon. And not just one warrior, but a whole patrol, always the same cats.”
The ShadowClan leader’s eyes flashed indignantly. “ShadowClan has not been in your territory. Clearly your warriors can’t tell the difference in the scents of cats outside their own Clan. You have been smelling the scent of rogue cats. They have been stealing prey from our territory as well!”
Tigerclaw snorted in disbelief and Nightstar glared down at him. “Do you doubt the word of ShadowClan, Tigerclaw?” The crowd murmured uncomfortably as Tigerclaw stared back at Nightpelt with unconcealed distrust.
For the first time, Tallstar spoke, his tail twitching uncertainly. “My warriors have also found strange scents in WindClan territory. They seem to be ShadowClan.”
“I knew it!” Tigerclaw snarled. “RiverClan and ShadowClan have united against us!”
“Us?What do you mean by us!” spat Crookedstar. “I think it’s you and WindClan that have formed the alliance! Is that why you were so keen to bring them back? So you can use them to invade the rest of the forest?”
Tallstar’s fur bristled. “That’s not why we returned, and you know it. We have kept to our own hunting grounds these past moons.”
“Then why have we found strange warrior scents in our territory?” Crookedstar growled.
“They don’t belong to WindClan!” hissed Tallstar. “They must be rogue cats, as Nightstar says.”
“But rogue cats would be a convenient excuse for invading our territories, would they not?” Bluestar murmured. She stared dangerously at the RiverClan and ShadowClan leaders.
Crookedstar raised his hackles and Nightstar arched his back. With a flash of alarm, Fireheart saw Tigerclaw stand up and stalk toward the Great Rock, every muscle tensed. Would the leaders really fight at a Gathering?
At that moment a shadow fell over the valley. The cats fell silent as they were plunged into blackness. Fireheart looked up, trembling. A cloud had covered the full moon, completely blocking out its light.
“StarClan has sent the darkness!” Fireheart recognized the meow of Halftail, a ThunderClan elder.
The ShadowClan medicine cat yowled in agreement, “StarClan is angry. These meetings are meant to be held in peace.”
“Runningnose is right!” It was Yellowfang. “We shouldn’t be fighting among ourselves, especially during leaf-bare. We should be worrying about keeping our Clans safe!” Her voice echoed in the frightened silence. “We must listen to StarClan.”
第二十三章
第二十三章
河族和影族还没有到，但风族已经到了。高星尊敬地向蓝星点头致意。
火心看见一根须，于是跑过去和他说话：“嘿！”自从他们在峡谷边并肩作战以来已经有两个多月了。激动过后，火心想起白掌的死，那位河族武士跌落峡谷时的可怕一幕，使他至今想起来仍感到后怕。
一根须问：“灰条在哪里？他还好吗？”
火心知道他是在担心白掌的死对灰条造成的消极影响。火心回答说：“他很好，他和其他的猫在那边。”火心想起他曾经帮其携带幼崽的那只风族母猫，问道：“晨花过得怎么样？”
一根须回答：“能回到家里她感到很幸福。她的幼崽现在长得很快。”火心嘴里发出高兴的呜呜声，一根须补充道：“全族都很好。”他看着火心，调皮地说：“能再吃到兔子肉真是太妙了。在我有生之年，我希望再也不要被逼着去吃老鼠了！”
火心嗅到夜晚的空气中飘来一股新鲜的气味，是河族来了。他还嗅到了影族的气味。
他向盆地周围扫了一眼，看见河族正从坡上下来。与之相对的另一边，影族的武士们站在盆地边缘，他们的皮毛在月光照耀下璀璨生辉。身材瘦削的夜星站在队伍的最前面。
一根须也看见了他们，不满地说：“终于来了。今晚太冷了，可不能等太久。”
火心心不在焉地点点头。他的目光在进入空地的河族猫群里搜寻，一眼便认出了银溪。她从坡上下来后停下脚步，然后跟在父亲身后走过来。钩星边走边和别族的猫们简短地打招呼。
火心紧张地在不断涌入的猫群中寻找灰条的身影。他今晚敢和银溪说话吗？此时，灰条正背对着银溪和一只河族的猫谈话。
火心只顾注意灰条，以至于没有发现坏脚朝他走过来。这位风族的族长代表对他说：“晚上好，火心。你还好吗？”
火心转过头：“噢，我还好，多谢关心。”
坏脚点点头说：“很好。”然后一瘸一拐地走开了。
一根须友善地撞了撞他说：“你挺有面子啊。”火心微微感到得意。
巨岩上传来蓝星的招呼声。火心惊讶地转头向上望去，往常族长们可不这么急于开会啊。钩星和夜星肩并肩站在巨岩上，蓝星在旁边等候高星召集大家在巨岩下集合。火心还是第一次在森林大会上看见高星。
他和一根须随同大家一起汇集在巨岩下。火心仰起头，等待蓝星向高星和风族致欢迎辞，但蓝星却显然不想将时间浪费在说这些友好的话上。
她怒不可遏地说：“河族一直在太阳石捕猎，我们的巡逻队已经多次嗅到你们武士的气味。钩星，太阳石是雷族的地盘！”
钩星直视着蓝星说：“你忘了最近我们的一名武士在我们的领地里抵御雷族入侵时牺牲了吗？”
蓝星回答说：“你们不需要‘抵御雷族入侵’，我的武士们不是去那里打猎，他们只是在找回风族后路过那里。这项任务是经我们一致同意的！根据武士法典，他们本不应当遭到攻击。”
钩星不客气地说：“你说武士法典？那么你对那名一直在我们领地里进行刺探活动的武士又怎么说？”
蓝星愣住了：“武士？你看到他了吗？”
钩星低嘶着说：“还没有，但我们经常发现他的气味。不久我们就会找出他的。”
火心紧张地看了灰条一眼，他当然清楚是谁在河族的领地里活动。今晚他的气味会被河族的猫认出来吗？
灰条坐在那里，一动不动地望着巨岩上的族长们。
猫群中响起虎掌阴沉的声音：“我们不仅在自己的领地里嗅到河族的气味，在过去的这个月里，我们也嗅到了影族的气味。而且不仅仅是一名武士，而是一群武士，每次都是同一批猫。”
夜星生气地说：“影族从没有去过你们的领地里打猎。显然，你们的武士除了能分清自己本族的气味以外，对别族的气味辨别能力是一塌糊涂。你们嗅到的气味是那群泼皮猫留下的，他们也时常在我们的领地里偷猎！”
虎掌鼻子里发出嗤的一声，表现出一副不相信的神情。夜星从高处瞪着他说：“你怀疑影族所说的话吗，虎掌？”虎掌对视着夜星，丝毫不掩饰自己的怀疑，猫群里响起不安的议论声。
高星晃了晃尾巴，不能确定地说：“我的武士们也在我们的领地里发现了一些特殊的气味，这些气味似乎是属于影族的。”
虎掌气急败坏地嚷嚷：“我就知道！河族和影族已经联合起来反对我们！”
钩星喝道：“我们？你的‘我们’指什么？我认为你指的是你们和风族早就结成的同盟吧！这就是你们急于把他们找回来的原因吗？这样你们就能利用他们来侵略其他族群了？”
高星的毛竖立起来：“那不是我们返回家园的原因，你很清楚这一点。在过去的这些日子里，我们一直安分守己，只在自己的领地里打猎。”
钩星大声说：“那为什么在我们的领地里会出现陌生武士的气味呢？”
高星低嘶着说：“那不是风族的气味！正如夜星所说，一定是那些泼皮猫留下的。”
蓝星喃喃道：“但是所谓的泼皮猫，只是为入侵我们领地的行为提供了一个方便的借口而已，不是吗？”她瞪着河族和影族的族长，眼里充满了威胁的目光。
钩星颈背上的毛竖立起来，夜星则弓起了背。虎掌站起来走到巨岩上，每一块肌肉都绷紧了。现场的气氛紧张极了。这些族长们要在森林大会上大打出手吗？
这时，一片阴影盖住了盆地。黑暗将这群沉默的猫笼罩在其中。火心仰望天空，不由得打了个寒战。只见浑圆的月亮已被云层密密实实地遮蔽住，不露一丝月光。
“是星族降下这片黑暗！”火心认出那是雷族的老猫半尾的声音。
影族的医生也大声附和：“星族发怒了。森林大会应当在和平的气氛里进行。”
“奔鼻说的没错，我们不应当自相残杀，特别是在落叶季节里更应和平相处。我们应当操心的是要让我们的族群生存下去！”黄牙开口说话了，她的声音在可怕的寂静中回荡着，“我们必须遵从星族的旨意。”
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER24
Tallstar spoke up, a dim silhouetteon top of the Great Rock. “This Gathering is over, by the will of StarClan.” The crowd murmured in agreement. The air was thick with the scents of fear and hostility.
“Come, ThunderClan.” Fireheart could barely see Bluestar as she leaped down from the Great Rock and headed for the edge of the clearing. He pushed his way through the other cats and hurried after her. He saw the massive outline of Tigerclaw as the deputy fell in step beside his leader, and the pale gray shapes of the other ThunderClan cats as they gathered behind the two great warriors. No cat spoke as they trekked solemnly up the slope toward home. Fireheart glanced over his shoulder. The other Clans were withdrawing too. By the time he reached the top of the slope, Fourtrees was deserted.
The Clan ran silently through the forest, following the familiar scent-lined trail. Fireheart spotted Graystripe at the back and he slowed his pace. Maybe Graystripe would be more prepared to talk about Silverstream, now that it was clear how tense things were between the Clans. His scent had been detected in RiverClan territory! Graystripe was putting himself and the Clan in danger with his secret meetings.
Fireheart searched for the right words but Graystripe hissed first, “I know what you’re going to say. And I won’t stop seeing her!”
“You’re a mouse-brained fool!” Fireheart spat back. “They’ll soon work out it’s you. Bluestar will guess, or some cat from RiverClan’ll recognize your scent. Tigerclaw’s probably guessed already!”
Graystripe shot Fireheart an anxious glance. “Do you really think so?”
“I don’t know,” Fireheart admitted, relieved to hear a note of fear in Graystripe’s voice. Graystripe had been acting as if he had no idea what might happen if the Clan found out about his affair. “But once he starts thinking about it .  .  .”
“Okay, okay!” spat Graystripe. He was silent for a moment. “What if I promise we’ll meet only at Fourtrees? That way our scent will be hard to detect, and I won’t have to go into RiverClan territory. Will you leave me alone then?”
Fireheart felt his heart sink. Graystripe was not going to give up Silverstream that easily. Then he nodded. This had to be better than creeping into hostile Clan territory to see her.
“Satisfied?” Graystripe’s eyes flashed in the gloom, but his voice sounded shaky. Fireheart felt a pang of regret for their lost friendship, and a rush of sympathy for the gray warrior. He stretched his head forward to nuzzle Graystripe’s flank, but Graystripe ran on ahead, leaving Fireheart alone at the back of the group.
Even though the cats were tired from the journey, Bluestar called a meeting as soon as they were home. Most of the Clan was still awake anyway. The Gathering had been shorter than usual, and the sudden cloud cover had alarmed even the cats left in the camp.
While Bluestar and Tigerclaw settled themselves on the Highrock, Fireheart hurried over to the nursery. He wanted to know how Cloudkit was. He poked his head through the entrance. It was pitch black and warm inside.
“Hello, Fireheart,” Brindleface whispered, a faint shadow shifting in the gloom. “Cloudkit’s much better. Yellowfang gave him feverfew. It was just a chill.” The queen sounded relieved. “What happened at the Gathering?”
“StarClan sent clouds to cover the moon. Bluestar’s called a meeting. Can you come?”
Fireheart listened to Brindleface sniffing her kits. “Yes, I think I can,” she answered finally. “My kits will sleep for a while.”
Fireheart withdrew his head, and together they joined the cats gathered in the clearing. Fireheart felt fur brush against him, and Cinderpaw glanced up at him with wide, worried eyes.
Bluestar had already begun. “The greatest threat seems to be from RiverClan and ShadowClan. We must be prepared for the possibility that these two Clans have united against us.”
Shocked meows rippled through the Clan.
“Do you really think they’ve joined together?” Yellowfang rasped. “RiverClan has the best sources of prey, but I can’t imagine they’d want to share with ShadowClan.” Fireheart remembered Silverstream’s words about RiverClan’s hunger after the Twoleg invasion, but he held his tongue, fearful that Bluestar would want to know where he’d heard such a story.
“They didn’t deny it,” Tigerclaw pointed out.
Bluestar nodded. “Whatever the truth, we must be on full alert. From tonight, each patrol will have four cats, at least three of them warriors. The patrols will be more frequent, two each night, and one during the day, as well as the dawn and dusk patrols. We must put a stop to RiverClan’s and ShadowClan’s raids on our territory, and since they have chosen to ignore our words, we must be prepared to fight.”
The Clan yowled their agreement. Fireheart joined in even though he was worried about what this open hostility might mean for Graystripe. He looked around at the other cats. He could see all their eyes shining—except Graystripe’s. The gray warrior sat with his head bowed in the shadows at the edge of the clearing.
When the noise died away, Bluestar spoke again. “The first patrol will leave before dawn.” She jumped down from the Highrock. Tigerclaw followed, and the rest of the Clan broke up into small groups. Fireheart could hear them murmuring nervously as he padded to the warriors’ den.
Fireheart settled into his nest, kneading the moss with his paws to make it comfortable. An owl hooted at the top of the ravine. He knew he would not sleep yet. His mind was racing with the accusations that had flown around the Gathering. He understood RiverClan’s anger. They had picked up the scent of ThunderClan cats in their territory, and they were hungry now that their prey had been depleted by the Twoleg invasion.
But what about ShadowClan? It was smaller since ThunderClan had helped them to chase out their tyrannical former leader and his band of followers. Brokenstar had even admitted to killing Raggedstar, his own father, to become Clan leader. But the Clan had been left in peace to recover from Brokenstar’s bloody rule. And Fireheart couldn’t help thinking that, with fewer mouths to feed, ShadowClan had no need to raid ThunderClan’s hunting grounds, or anyone else’s.
As he puzzled over these thoughts, Whitestorm and Darkstripe pushed their way into the den. Before Whitestorm went to his nest, he stopped beside Fireheart. “You’re to join me with Sandpaw and Mousefur on patrol at sunhigh,” he meowed.
“Yes, Whitestorm,” Fireheart answered before resting his chin on his paws. He had to get some sleep—his Clan needed him to be fit and ready to fight.
The clouds that had covered the moon had rolled away by the next morning. Fireheart enjoyed the faint warmth of the sun on his back as he washed himself in the clearing. Cloudkit jumped out of the nursery entrance opposite him, looking bright and happy.
Fireheart thanked StarClan that he had recovered so quickly. Sandpaw had been right about the kit’s resilience. He looked around to see if Longtail and Dustpaw were there to see it too, but the clearing was empty.
Fireheart crossed over to the nursery. “Hi, Cloudkit,” he meowed. “Feeling better?”
“Yep,” squeaked Cloudkit. He spun around in a circle, grasping for his tail with his tiny jaws. A small ball of moss that had been sticking to his fur fell off and rolled along the ground. Cloudkit leaped on it and pawed it into the air. It bounced onto the ground beside Fireheart.
Fireheart knocked it back toward the kit, and Cloudkit sprang up to catch it in his teeth.
“Well done!” Fireheart was impressed. With one paw he scooped the moss ball high into the air, sending it flying across the clearing.
Cloudkit raced after the moss and grabbed it. He rolled onto his back, threw the ball up with his forepaws, and kicked it away with his hind legs. It landed next to the nursery. Cloudkit scrambled up and scooted after it. He crouched a rabbit leap away, his hindquarters bunched in the air.
Fireheart watched as the kit prepared to pounce. Suddenly his fur prickled. A long, dark foreleg was reaching toward the moss ball from behind the nursery.
“Cloudkit,” Fireheart called, “wait!” Shadowy images of rogue cats were still fresh in his mind.
Cloudkit sat up and looked around at him, puzzled.
Tigerclaw emerged from behind the kitten, holding the moss ball between his teeth. He carried the ball over to the kit and dropped it by Cloudkit’s fluffy white paws. “Be careful,” he growled. “You wouldn’t want to lose such a precious plaything.” As he spoke, the dark warrior stared at Fireheart over Cloudkit’s head.
Fireheart shivered. What did Tigerclaw mean by that? He seemed to be talking about the moss ball—but did he really mean that Cloudkitwas a plaything? An image of Cinderpaw flashed into Fireheart’s mind, a wounded huddle beside the Thunderpath. Was that another playthinghe had lost? A cold feeling of dread seeped into his heart as once more he wondered if the ThunderClan deputy was somehow responsible for his apprentice’s accident.
第二十四章
第二十四章
高星站在巨岩上，黑暗中只能看到他模糊的轮廓。他说：“按照星族的意愿，本次大会到此结束。”众猫一致赞同。空气中弥漫着浓重的恐惧和敌意。
“走吧。”火心几乎没有注意到蓝星是什么时候从巨岩上下来的，只见她下来后便往空地边走去。火心急忙挤出猫群跟上。虎掌和蓝星走在一起，仅相距一步之遥，雷族其他的猫则跟在他们后面。大家均默不作声。火心扭过头看见其他族的猫也在撤离。当他爬出盆地时，所有的猫都离开了“四棵树”。
大家默默地穿行在树林里。火心看了看身后的灰条，放慢了脚步。既然现在各族之间剑拔弩张，灰条应该对他和银溪的事情说点儿什么。灰条留在河族领地的气味已经被发现了！由于他和银溪的私会，他将自己和族群置于危险的境地。
火心还在寻找适当的措辞时，灰条先说话了：“我知道你要说什么，但我不会与银溪断绝来往的！”
火心气呼呼地说：“你真是个榆木脑袋！他们很快就会发现你的。不是蓝星猜出来，就是河族认出你的气味。可能虎掌都已经猜到了！”
灰条焦虑地看了火心一眼说：“虎掌真的猜到了吗？”
火心承认说：“我不知道。”一直以来，灰条对于族群可能发现他的秘密行为都表现出毫不担心的样子。此时看到他也害怕起来，火心多少松了口气：“但是，一旦他仔细考虑……”
灰条烦躁地说：“好了，好了！”他沉默了一会儿，“我保证我们只在‘四棵树’见面如何？那样我们的气味很难被察觉，而我也不用进入河族的领地了。这么安排，你以后能别再来烦我了吗？”
火心感到心里一沉。灰条仍不想轻易放弃他和银溪的关系。但不管怎么说，这总比灰条偷偷溜进敌人的领地里强。火心无奈地点了点头。
灰条说：“满意了？”虽然他一脸郁闷的模样，但火心能从他颤抖的声音中听出他很害怕。看到他和灰条之间的亲密关系沦落到如此地步，火心感到非常懊悔。他忽然很同情灰条。他伸长脖子想要用鼻子触碰灰条，但灰条却加快脚步向前跑开了，只留下火心独自落在队伍后面。
回到家里，蓝星不顾一路上的辛苦，立刻召集开会。由于这次森林大会时间短暂，留在族里的大部分猫还没有睡着。而且，即使是留守营地的猫，也看到乌云遮月的景象，营地里的气氛十分紧张。
趁着开会前的空当，火心急匆匆地赶往育婴室去看望云崽。他站在育婴室门口探头进去，里面又黑又暖和。
纹脸小声说：“你好，火心。”黑暗中，火心只能看到她模糊的身影在晃动。“云崽好多了。黄牙给他服用了些小白菊，他只是有些着凉而已。”听起来她已经不再忧心了，“森林大会上发生什么事了？”
“星族降下乌云遮住了月亮。蓝星正在召集开会，你来吗？”
纹脸嗅了嗅她的幼崽们，回答说：“好的，我想可以。孩子们还能够安静地再睡上一会儿。”
火心缩回头，和纹脸一起走进会场。
会议已经开始了，只听蓝星说道：“现在看来，河族和影族是我们最大的威胁。我们必须早做准备，以防他们联合起来对付我们。”
大家都吃惊地望着她。
猫群中响起黄牙铿锵刺耳的声音：“你真的认为他们已经勾结在一起了吗？河族虽然拥有上等的猎物，但我以为他们不会和影族分享的。”火心想起银溪说过，由于两腿动物入侵，河族捕不到足够的猎物。但他害怕此时说出来，蓝星会问他从哪里得知这些事情的，因此紧紧闭住嘴巴不敢吱声。
虎掌说：“他们没有否认。”
蓝星点了点头：“不论事实真相如何，我们都要保持高度的警惕。从今天晚上开始，每四只猫组成一支巡逻队，每一支至少要有三名武士。巡逻力度要加大，晚上两次，白天一次，清晨一次以及傍晚一次。我们一定不能让河族和影族再侵入我们的领地，既然他们不把我们的警告放在心上，我们就必须准备战斗。”
群猫发出一片赞同的呼声。火心虽然担心这种公开表露的敌意，会给灰条造成极大的心理负担，但他仍忍不住也跟大家一起高呼起来。他环顾四周，看见大家都两眼放光——除了灰条之外。灰条低着头，坐在会场边一个阴暗的角落里。
当呼声渐渐平息后，蓝星说：“第一班巡逻要在天亮前出发。”说完，她从高岩上跳了下来。其余的猫则三三两两围在一起。火心向武士巢穴走去，当他经过他们身边时，听到他们在紧张地小声议论。
火心躺在窝里，用他的爪子将苔藓堆得更紧密一些，这样他会更舒服。火心听着营地外一只猫头鹰的叫声，翻来覆去怎么也睡不着，脑子里都是森林大会上各族剑拔弩张的紧张景象。他能够理解河族当前所处的困境。由于两腿动物的入侵，河里面的鱼类资源日渐枯竭。而如今，他们又在自己的领地里发现了雷族猫的气味。
但是影族呢？既然雷族帮助他们赶走了断星及其同伙，他们的数量便减少了许多。断星曾当众承认其为了夺取族长之位，杀害了自己的父亲残星。在断星被赶走之后，影族和雷族约定彼此和平相处，以便影族在这段时间内恢复断星的血腥统治所造成的破坏。火心忍不住想：既然猫数减少了，影族其实根本不需要再到雷族或者其他族群的领地里打猎。
就在他百思不得其解的时候，白风和黑条走进巢穴里。白风过来对火心说：“太阳升起后，你、我、沙爪还有鼠毛，咱们四个出去巡逻。”
“是，白风。”火心说完将下巴枕在前爪上。他必须要睡一觉了——他需要养足精神以备战斗。
第二天上午，天高气爽。火心趴在会场中边晒太阳边给自己进行清理。云崽蹦蹦跳跳地从他对面的育婴室里跑了出来，样子活泼可爱。
看到云崽恢复得这样快，火心暗暗感激星族。还是沙爪说得对，这个小家伙的生命力很强。他张望四周，想让长尾和尘爪也看一看，可惜他们两个都不在这里。
火心走到育婴室旁边说：“喂，云崽，感觉好些了？”
云崽尖叫着说：“好多了。”他在原地转着圈子，张开小嘴去咬自己的尾巴。他毛上粘着的一小团苔藓掉落下来，在地上滚动。云崽跳过去，抓住苔藓球把它抛到半空中。苔藓球从空中落下来，落到火心的身边。
火心将它踢给云崽，小家伙一个箭步冲上来咬住了苔藓球。
火心称赞道：“干得漂亮！”他抓住苔藓球用力一抛，将它扔到会场的对面。
云崽冲过去抓住了它，他打了个滚仰天躺着，前爪将苔藓球扔起来，紧接着后腿一蹬将苔藓球踢飞。只见苔藓球落在了育婴室旁边，云崽爬起来又撵了过去。在距苔藓球不远处他趴了下来，屁股高高撅起。
火心看着这小家伙准备起跳。突然，他的毛一下子竖立起来。只见育婴室后伸出一只长长的黑爪子抓向那个苔藓球。
火心以为是泼皮猫们来犯，急忙大声喊：“云崽，快停下！”
云崽站起来迷惑不解地扭头看着他。
只见虎掌抓着苔藓球从云崽的身后现身出来。他走到云崽身边将苔藓球扔到他的爪下，大声说：“小心点儿，别失去这么可爱的玩物。”他一边说一边拿眼瞅着火心。
火心打了个寒战。虎掌说这话是什么意思？表面上他似乎是在说那个苔藓球——但他的真实意思是指云崽吗？火心想起受伤的炭爪躺在雷鬼路的景象。炭爪也是他失去的玩物吗？他心里泛起一丝寒意，再一次怀疑虎掌是否与炭爪的不幸遭遇有着某种联系。
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER25
“Cloudkit!”
Fireheart heard Brindleface calling from inside the nursery. Tigerclaw turned and padded away. Cloudkit gave the moss ball a final shove and ran over to the nursery entrance. “’Bye, Fireheart,” he mewed before he disappeared inside.
Fireheart looked up at the sky. It was almost sunhigh, time to join his patrol. He was hungry, but no fresh-kill had been gathered yet. Perhaps he might find something while they were out. He hurried across the clearing and out through the gorse tunnel, frozen leaves crunching beneath his paws.
Sandpaw and Mousefur were already waiting at the foot of the slope. Fireheart raised his tail in greeting, unexpectedly happy to see Sandpaw.
“Hi,” meowed Sandpaw. Mousefur nodded to him.
Whitestorm emerged from the gorse tunnel. “Is the dawn patrol back yet?”
“No sign of them,” answered Mousefur. But as she spoke, Fireheart heard the rustle of undergrowth above them. Out of the bushes came Willowpelt, Runningwind, Darkstripe, and Dustpaw.
“We’ve patrolled the entire RiverClan border,” Willowpelt reported. “No sign of any hunting parties so far. Bluestar’s patrol will check the area again this afternoon.”
“Good,” replied Whitestorm. “We’ll take the ShadowClan border.”
“Hopefully they’ll have the same good sense as RiverClan and stay away,” meowed Darkstripe. “After last night, they must know we’ll be looking out for them.”
“I hope so,” growled Whitestorm. He turned to his patrol. “Are you ready?” Fireheart nodded. Whitestorm flicked the tip of his tail and leaped away into the bracken.
Fireheart followed Mousefur and Whitestorm. They kept up a fast pace as they climbed out of the ravine. Sandpaw was right behind Fireheart; he could feel her warm breath as she scrambled up the boulders.
They had not even reached Snakerocks when Fireheart picked up a sinister, familiar scent. He opened his mouth to warn the others but Mousefur spoke first. “ShadowClan!”
The four cats stopped to smell the rank stench.
“I can’t believe they’ve come back already!” Sandpaw murmured. Fireheart noticed the fur quiver along her spine.
“The scent is recent.” Whitestorm’s eyes glittered with fury. “I had hoped Nightstar might bring some honor to his Clan. But I suppose the cold winds beyond the Thunderpath blow over every ShadowClan cat’s heart.”
Fireheart turned away and began pushing his way into a thick patch of bracken. He rubbed his teeth along the fronds to pick up the scent that hung there. It was ShadowClan all right. The smell was familiar. Veryfamiliar. Fireheart paused. The scent belonged to a ShadowClan warrior he had encountered before, but which one?
Fireheart pushed onward, hoping more scent-markings might jog his memory. Now he could smell something else. Fireheart looked down. On the ground, among the bracken stems, lay a pile of rabbit bones. Clan cats normally buried the bones of their prey as a sign of respect for the life they had taken. Suddenly aware of what this might mean, Fireheart picked up a mouthful and wove back through the bracken. He dropped them at Whitestorm’s paws.
Whitestorm stared at the bones in fury. “Rabbit bones? The warriors who left these want us to know they’ve been hunting on our land! Bluestar must know about this immediately.”
“Will she send a battle party against ShadowClan?” asked Fireheart. He had never seen Whitestorm so angry.
“She should!” hissed the great white warrior. “And I’ll lead it myself if I can. Nightstar has betrayed our trust, and StarClan knows he must be punished.”
“Bluestar!” Whitestorm flung the rabbit bones down in the middle of the camp clearing.
“Bluestar has already left on patrol,” Tigerclaw told him, stepping out from the shadows.
Halftail and Frostfur came hurrying from their dens to find out what was going on.
Whitestorm stared at Tigerclaw, still furious. “Look at these!” he spat.
Tigerclaw didn’t need to be told what they meant; their scent carried the whole story. His eyes began to burn with anger.
Fireheart hung back at the edge of the clearing and watched the two great warriors. The evidence was certainly ominous, but the discovery of the bones had filled his mind with questions, not anger. It was only three moons since ShadowClan had driven out their cruel leader, with the help of ThunderClan. How could that same Clan possibly be ready to risk war with ThunderClan?
Tigerclaw clearly had no such doubts. Already he was calling Darkstripe and Runningwind to him. “Willowpelt and Mousefur will join us too!” he announced. “We’ll find a ShadowClan patrol and leave them with some wounds that’ll remind them to keep out of our territory in the future.”
Whitestorm nodded.
“Can I come?” Sandpaw meowed. She had been pacing excitedly behind the white warrior. Now she stopped and looked at him with glittering eyes.
“Not this time,” Whitestorm told her.
Frustration flickered across her face. “But what about Fireheart?” she meowed. “He found the bones.”
Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes, his hackles raised. “Fireheartcan stay here and tell Bluestar when she arrives,” he hissed contemptuously.
“You’re going to leave before she gets back?” Fireheart asked.
“Of course,” Tigerclaw spat. “This needs to be settled now!” He turned to Whitestorm and flicked his tail. Fireheart watched as the two warriors charged out of the camp, Darkstripe, Willowpelt, Runningwind, and Mousefur close behind. He could hear their paws pounding the frozen earth as they headed for the side of the ravine.
Fireheart was suddenly aware how empty the camp was. As Frostfur and Halftail came forward and began sniffing the rabbit bones, he meowed, “Who went with Bluestar?”
Frostfur looked up. “Graystripe, Longtail, and Swiftpaw.”
A cold wind ruffled Fireheart’s fur. He hoped that was what made him shiver. He was the only warrior left in camp. “Will you check the apprentices’ den to see if Dustpaw’s there?” Fireheart asked Sandpaw.
She nodded, bounded across the clearing, and poked her head into the den. “He’s there,” she called back, ducking out again. “Asleep, with Brackenpaw.”
Yellowfang came padding out of her den and lifted her head. Fireheart relaxed a little at the familiar sight of the old medicine cat. He narrowed his eyes, ready to greet her. But as Yellowfang tasted the air, her eyes clouded with fear. With slow, stiff steps, she approached the rabbit bones and carefully sniffed each one.
Fireheart watched her, wondering why she was so interested in the old bones.
At last she looked up and stared into Fireheart’s eyes. “Brokenstar!” she rasped, in a voice choked with horror.
“Brokenstar?” Fireheart echoed. Then it hit him. That was why the scent in the bracken had been so familiar. It was Brokenstar’sscent. “Are you sure?” he meowed urgently. “Tigerclaw has already left for ShadowClan territory.”
“ShadowClan isn’t to blame for this!” cried Yellowfang. “This is Brokenstar and his old warrior friends. I was ShadowClan’s medicine cat. I was there at their kitting. I know their scents as well as I know my own.” She paused. “You must find Tigerclaw and stop him. He will be making a terrible mistake if he attacks them!”
The blood roared in Fireheart’s ears, making him dizzy. What should he do? “But I’m the only warrior left!” he meowed breathlessly to Yellowfang. “What if Brokenstar attacks the camp while I’m gone? He’s done it before. He might have left the bones as a trap so that our camp was left unguarded.”
“You musttell Tigerclaw before he—” Yellowfang pleaded, but Fireheart shook his head.
“I can’t leave you all alone.”
“Then I shall go!” Yellowfang hissed.
“No! I’ll go!” meowed Sandpaw.
Fireheart looked from one cat to the other. He couldn’t afford to send either—their strength and training were needed here to protect the Clan. But Yellowfang was right; innocent blood couldn’t be shed. Brokenstar was the invader here; ThunderClan had no quarrel with ShadowClan. He would have to send another cat. He closed his eyes and thought hard. The answer came in a moment. “Brackenpaw!” Fireheart hissed, opening his eyes wide. He called the apprentice’s name out loud.
The young cat pushed his way out of his den and padded across the clearing toward Fireheart. “What is it?” he asked, blinking the sleep from his eyes.
“I have an urgent mission for you,” Fireheart told him.
Brackenpaw shook himself and stood taller. “Yes, Fireheart,” he mewed.
“You must find Tigerclaw. He’s taken a raiding party to attack a ShadowClan patrol. Stop him and tell him that it was Brokenstar who has been invading our territory!” Brackenpaw’s eyes widened with alarm, but Fireheart went on: “You might have to cross the Thunderpath. I know you haven’t been trained.  .  .  .” Images of Cinderpaw’s broken body flashed in Fireheart’s mind, but he forced them away. He looked deep into Brackenpaw’s eyes. “You must find Tigerclaw,” he repeated, “or there will be a war between the Clans for no reason!”
Brackenpaw nodded, his eyes calm and filled with purpose. “I’ll find him,” the tabby apprentice promised.
“May StarClan go with you,” Fireheart murmured, reaching forward to touch Brackenpaw’s flank with his nose.
Brackenpaw turned and sprinted out through the gorse tunnel. Fireheart watched him go, struggling to keep calm. Cinderpaw .  .  . the Thunderpath .  .  . the images kept flashing back. Fireheart shook his head to clear it. There was no time to worry now. If Brokenstar was in ThunderClan territory, the camp had to prepare for an attack.
“What’s happening?” Dustpaw had emerged from the apprentices’ den. Fireheart glanced at him, ran to the head of the clearing, and scrambled up onto the Highrock. The clearing seemed a long way below his trembling legs. He swallowed hard and began the customary call. “Let all cats old enough to .  .  .” But the words were taking too long! “The camp is in danger. Come here now!” he yowled urgently.
The elders and queens rushed from their dens, followed by their kits. They looked bewildered when they saw Fireheart on top of the Highrock. Cinderpaw limped out of the fern tunnel and looked up at Fireheart with a strong, bright gaze. When Fireheart saw her, the camp suddenly stopped swaying beneath him.
“What’s going on?” demanded One-eye, the oldest ThunderClan cat. “What do you think you’re doing up there?”
Fireheart didn’t hesitate. “Brokenstar is back. He might be in ThunderClan territory right now. All our other warriors are out of the camp. If Brokenstar attacks, we must be ready. Kits and elders stay in the nursery. The rest of you must be ready to fight—”
A menacing yowl from the camp entrance cut short Fireheart’s speech. A lean dark brown tabby with matted fur and torn ears strode into the camp. His bristling tail was bent in the middle like a broken branch.
“Brokenstar!” Fireheart gasped, instinctively unsheathing his claws as every hair on his body stood on end.
Four mangy warriors prowled in behind their leader, their eyes glittering with hatred.
“So you’re the only warrior left!” Brokenstar hissed, his lips drawn back in a snarl. “This will be easier than I thought!”
第二十五章
第二十五章
“云崽！”
火心听见育婴室里传出纹脸的呼喊声。虎掌转身走开了，云崽恋恋不舍地又踢了一脚苔藓球才向育婴室跑去。“再见，火心。”他说着消失在育婴室的入口处。
火心抬头望了望天空。天已经大亮，是他外出巡逻的时候了。他肚子很饿，但捕猎队还没有回来，所以他只好先饿着肚子。也许在外出巡逻时他能找些什么吃的东西。他急急忙忙向金雀花通道跑去，落叶在他的脚下发出嘎吱声。
沙爪和鼠毛早已等候在营门外。火心翘着尾巴向她们打了个招呼，能见到沙爪使他感到有些喜出望外。
沙爪说：“嘿。”鼠毛则朝他点了点头。
白风从金雀花通道里走了出来：“早班巡逻队还没有回来吗？”
鼠毛说：“还没见到他们。”但就在她说话的时候，火心听到沟外的灌木丛里传来沙沙的响声。不一会儿便见柳带、奔风、黑条和尘爪从树丛里钻了出来。
柳带报告说：“我们巡查了河族全部的边界，到目前为止还没有看到任何异常迹象。今天下午蓝星那一班巡逻队会再去探查一遍。”
白风回答说：“好的，我们去巡查影族的边界。”
黑条说：“希望他们和河族一样，乖乖地离咱们的领地远一点儿。经过昨晚，他们应当知道我们正在加紧戒备。”
白风说：“希望如此。”他转身说道：“你们准备好了吗？”火心点了点头。白风晃动了一下尾巴，然后在前头开路。
白风和鼠毛走在最前面，火心走在中间，沙爪走在最后。他们彼此间隔得很近，火心甚至能感觉到沙爪呼出的热气。
快到蛇岩的时候，火心嗅到了一股熟悉的气味，心里升起一种不祥的感觉。他正要张嘴向同伴们发出警告，鼠毛先说了出来：“是影族！”
大家停下脚步认真地嗅着空气。
沙爪小声说：“真不能相信他们还敢再回来！”火心注意到她脊背上的毛都竖立起来了。
白风的眼里闪着怒火：“这些气味是刚刚留下来的。我原希望在夜星的带领下影族能够通情达理，谁知他们竟然这样蛮横。看来雷鬼路那边吹来的寒风，吹得影族的猫们都变成了铁石心肠。”
火心离开大伙儿钻进身旁一簇浓密的灌木丛里。他仔细搜寻着残留在那里的气味。是影族，没错。他熟悉这股气味，非常熟悉。他忽然发现这股气味一定是他曾经见过的一位影族的武士留下的，但是哪一个呢？
火心继续往前走，希望嗅到更多的气味以便能唤起他的回忆。接着他又嗅到其他的什么东西。火心低下头，看见灌木丛里的地上摆放着一堆兔子的骨头。森林里各个族群的猫通常都会将猎物的骨头埋进土里，以示对被他们捕杀掉的生命的尊重。火心忽然意识到摆在这里的骨头意味着什么，他衔了几根转身走出灌木丛，来到白风面前将骨头放在地上。
白风看着这些骨头顿时大发雷霆：“兔子的骨头？他们把这些骨头放在这里，摆明了是想让我们知道他们一直在我们的领地里捕猎！我们必须马上将这件事情汇报给蓝星。”
火心从来没有见过白风如此发怒，他问：“蓝星会派出队伍攻击影族吗？”
白风低嘶着说：“她应该这么做！如果可以的话我将带领这支突击队。夜星辜负了我们的信任，他应当为此付出代价。”
“蓝星！”白风将兔子骨头扔到会场中心。
虎掌从暗处走了出来告诉他说：“蓝星出去巡逻了。”
半尾和霜毛急急忙忙从巢穴里跑出来看个究竟。
白风怒气冲冲地对虎掌说：“看看这些！”
不用他多说，虎掌已经明白了这些骨头意味着什么，他们的气味说明了一切。虎掌的眼里开始闪现出怒火。
火心站在空地边望着这两位伟大的武士。这些兔子骨头虽然不是什么好兆头，但他却对这件事充满了疑问，而不是愤怒。此时距影族赶走断星仅仅三个月，他们怎么可能敢冒这么大的风险来挑起和雷族之间的战争呢？
虎掌显然没有他想的这么多。他大声将黑条和奔风召集过来后又喊道：“柳带和鼠毛跟我们一起去！我们去找影族的巡逻队，给他们点儿苦头吃，让他们今后离我们的领地远远的。”
白风点了点头。
沙爪兴奋地跑了过来，两眼放光，问白风：“我能去吗？”白风告诉她说：“这次不行。”
沙爪立即蔫了下来。她说：“那火心呢？是他发现的这些骨头。”
虎掌眯缝起眼睛轻蔑地说：“火心就留在这里，等蓝星回来后向她通报一声。”
火心问：“你们不等她回来就出发吗？”
虎掌说：“废话，兵贵神速！”
他向白风晃动了一下尾巴，他们一起冲出营地，黑条、柳带、奔风和鼠毛紧跟在后。
火心看着他们消失在视线之外，他们的脚步声渐渐远去。
火心突然意识到现在营地是多么地空虚，这时霜毛和半尾开始上前嗅那些兔子骨头。
火心问他们：“都有谁和蓝星在一起？”
霜毛抬头看着他说：“有灰条、长尾和迅爪。”
一阵寒风拂过火心身上的毛，他打了个寒战，也就是说现在他是唯一一名留守营地的武士了。他问沙爪：“你去学徒巢穴看一下尘爪是否在里面。”
沙爪点了点头，跑到学徒巢穴外探头进去看了看，然后又缩回头来高喊道：“他在这里，正在睡觉，蕨爪也在。”这时黄牙从医务室走了出来，火心看到她心里稍微松了口气。
他正要向她打招呼，却看见黄牙嗅了嗅空气后眼睛里充满了恐惧，她慢慢走到那堆兔子骨头前仔细地闻着，每一根都不放过。
火心望着她，不知她为什么对这堆骨头这么感兴趣。
黄牙最后抬起头盯着火心的眼睛说：“是断星！”恐惧之下她的声音变得刺耳。
火心重复了一声：“断星？”接着他恍然大悟，怪不得他对灌木丛里闻到的那股气味那么熟悉呢，原来是断星的气味。他急忙说：“你确定吗？虎掌已经向影族发动进攻了。”
黄牙叫喊道：“这件事不怪影族！这是断星和他的同伙干的好事。我曾经是影族的医生，从小看着他们长大，我熟悉他们的气味就像熟悉自己的一样。”她顿了顿，接着又说，“你必须找到虎掌并且阻止他，如果他向影族发动进攻，他将铸成大错！”血一下子涌上火心的脑袋，使他感到头昏目眩。他该怎么做呢？他喘着粗气对黄牙说：“但我是唯一一名留在营地里的武士！如果在我离开的时候断星袭击营地怎么办？之前他就这么做过。这也许是个圈套，他把这些骨头丢弃在那里就是想引我们离开营地，使营地处于空虚之中。”
“你一定要通知虎掌，趁他还没有——”黄牙乞求道，但是火心摇了摇头。
“我不能把你们独自扔在这里。”
黄牙低嘶着说：“那我去通知虎掌！”
沙爪说：“不！还是我去吧！”
火心看了看黄牙，又看了看沙爪。无论是谁，他都不想派她们出去——营地的防守还得仰仗她们出力。但黄牙说的没错，不能打毫无来由之仗，断星才是始作俑者。雷族和影族之间并没有冲突，他必须派另一只猫去。他闭上双眼，冥思苦想该派谁去。片刻之后他便有了答案，火心睁开眼睛叫道：“蕨爪！”
蕨爪从巢穴里跑了出来，睡眼惺忪地看着他问：“出什么事了？”
火心告诉他：“我有一项紧急任务交给你。”
蕨爪抖了抖身体说：“是，火心。”
“你必须找到虎掌，他正带领着一支队伍去攻击影族的巡逻队。你去告诉他入侵我们领地的是断星！”蕨爪吃惊地睁大了眼睛。火心继续说：“你也许要从雷鬼路上穿过，我知道你还没有接受过这项训练……”炭爪的惨状又浮现在火心的脑海里，他极力不去想这件事。
他深深地看着蕨爪的眼睛，重复说：“你必须要找到虎掌，否则族群之间将要发生一场无谓的战争！”
蕨爪点了点头，语气坚定地说：“我一定能找到他。”
“愿星族保佑你。”火心小声说着伸出脖子，用鼻子轻轻蹭了蹭蕨爪的脸颊。
蕨爪转身冲向金雀花通道。火心望着他远去，竭力使自己保持镇静。炭爪，雷鬼路，那一幕幕不断地在他的脑海里回放。火心使劲摇了摇头将那些景象从脑海里驱逐出去。他现在没有时间担心。如果断星此时正在雷族的领地里，营地必须要防备遭到突然袭击。
尘爪从学徒巢穴里走出来问：“发生什么事了？”火心瞥了他一眼，跑到会场的尽头，爬上高岩。他腿脚发软，虽然是这么一小段路程，在他眼里也变得十分漫长。他咽了口唾液大声喊道：“所有成年的猫……”句子太长了！他急切地大声呼喊道：“营地里有危险。大家赶快过来！”
老年猫和母猫们从巢穴里冲了出来，身后跟着幼崽。他们看见火心站在高岩上都感到糊里糊涂。炭爪一瘸一拐地从香薇通道里走了出来，仰着头望着火心，眼里闪动着坚定的目光。大家迅速地集结在高岩下。
老年猫一只眼问：“出什么事了？你在那上面干什么？”
火心毫不迟疑地说：“断星回来了，他此刻也许就在雷族的领地里，除了我之外，所有的雷族武士都离开营地了。如果断星在此时发动攻击，我们必须要有所防备。幼崽和老年猫们待在育婴室里，不要外出。其他的猫必须要准备战斗——”
火心话未说完，就听营门外传来一声阴森森的吼叫。一只瘦削、深棕色的虎斑猫蹿进了营地，他身上的毛乱成了一团，双耳残破不全，尾巴像一根折断的树枝从中间垂落下去。
“断星！”火心吸了口冷气，他张开利爪，身上的每一根毛都竖了起来。
四只雄壮的武士尾随断星而至，他们的眼里都闪着仇恨的目光。
断星龇牙咧嘴低嘶着说：“看来你是唯一一个留下来的武士了！事情比我预想的要顺利！”
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER26
Yellowfang, Dustpaw, and Sandpaw rushed forwardin a defensive row, and the queens lined up behind them. Fireheart saw Cinderpaw hobbling to join them, but Dustpaw spat angrily at the small gray cat as she neared, and Cinderpaw scrabbled clumsily away, ears flat, back into Yellowfang’s den.
The elders grabbed the kits, bundled them into the nursery, and squeezed inside after them. Brindleface picked up Cloudkit in her jaws and pushed him in last. She tugged at the brambles with her paws, ignoring the thorns, and covered the entrance before turning to join the rest of her Clan in the clearing.
Fireheart leaped down from the Highrock and raced to Yellowfang’s side. He arched his back and hissed at Brokenstar, “You lost the last time we fought, and you’ll lose again!”
“Never!” Brokenstar spat back. “You might have taken my Clan away from me, but you can’t kill me—I have more lives than you!”
“One ThunderClan life is worth ten of yours!” Fireheart growled. He gave a warrior’s yowl and the clearing exploded into battle.
Fireheart leaped straight for Brokenstar and grasped the dark brown tabby with his claws. Life as an outlaw had treated the former Clan leader harshly—Fireheart could feel the ribs of the flea-bitten tom beneath his fur. But Brokenstar was still strong. He twisted around and sank his teeth into Fireheart’s hind leg. Fireheart yowled and hissed with rage, but kept his grip. Brokenstar struggled forward, scrabbling with his paws on the frozen ground. Fireheart felt his claws raking along Brokenstar’s bony flanks as the rogue warrior ripped himself free. Fireheart lunged after him, but other claws were grasping at his hind leg. He looked over his shoulder to see who it was. Clawface crouched there, staring at Fireheart with narrowed, mocking eyes.
Fireheart looked back at him in disbelief. He had never expected to see this cat again. He forgot Brokenstar instantly. It was Clawface who had killed Spottedleaf six moons ago; he had murdered the ThunderClan medicine cat in cold blood so that Brokenstar could steal Frostfur’s kits. Rage roared in Fireheart’s ears. As he twisted around and threw himself on top of the scrawny brown tom, Fireheart glimpsed a flash of tortoiseshell fur out of the corner of his eye, and the sweet scent of Spottedleaf hit the roof of his mouth. He felt her spirit beside him. She had come to help him avenge her death.
Fireheart hardly noticed the pain in his leg as he tore it free from Clawface’s grasp and flew at him. The tom reared up and flailed his wide front paws. Thorn-sharp claws caught Fireheart behind his ear. Pain ripped through him like fire, and he staggered. Clawface was on him in an instant, pinning Fireheart to the ground and sinking his teeth into the back of his neck.
Fireheart screeched in agony, “Help me, Spottedleaf! I can’t do it!”
Suddenly the weight was wrenched off his back. Fireheart sprang to his paws and spun around. Graystripe! The gray warrior stood motionless, his eyes filled with horror. Clawface’s body hung limply from his jaws. Graystripe opened his mouth and Clawface fell to the ground, dead.
Fireheart took a step forward. “He killed Spottedleaf, Graystripe!” This was no time for remorse. “Is Bluestar with you?” he went on urgently.
Graystripe shook his head. “She sent me back to fetch Tigerclaw,” he replied. “We found bones. Bluestar recognized Brokenstar’s stench and guessed he must be leading the rogue cats.”
A hiss sounded nearby and two cats crashed into Fireheart. He leaped out of the way. It was Frostfur battling with another of the attacking cats. The queen was fighting with all the power of StarClan. These were the cats who had stolen her kits. Hate shone in her eyes as she struggled. Fireheart held himself back—Frostfur didn’t need his help. A moment later the rogue warrior was sent screeching away, through the bracken camp wall.
Frostfur chased after him, but Fireheart called her back. “You have given him enough wounds to remember you!” The queen skidded to a halt by the bracken wall and turned, her sides heaving and her white fur stained with her enemy’s blood.
Another rogue warrior screeched past Fireheart and headed for the camp wall. Dustpaw chased after him and managed to give the mottled tabby a fierce bite before he let him scrabble out of the camp. Only Brokenstar and one warrior left, Fireheart thought.
Sandpaw had the rogue warrior pinned to the ground. The tom was lying motionless beneath her. Watch out!thought Fireheart, remembering his favorite trick of letting an enemy think he had won. But Sandpaw was not deceived. When the tom leaped to his paws, she was ready. She sprang off him, and then lunged, grasping the warrior with her claws to flip him over and rake his belly with her hind legs. Only when he squealed like a kit did she let go of him. The rogue tore out of the camp entrance, still wailing.
There was an eerie moment of stillness. The ThunderClan cats stood in silence and stared at the blood and fur that was scattered around the clearing. In the middle lay Clawface’s body.
Where was Brokenstar?Fireheart spun around in alarm, scanning the camp. Could he have broken into the nursery? He was about to spring toward the bramble den when a wretched howl from Yellowfang’s den tore the air. Fireheart tore across to the fern tunnel. Cinderpaw! He raced into the den, expecting the worst, but saw instead Brokenstar lying in a heap on the ground. The old medicine cat stood over him.
Brokenstar’s eyes were closed and bloody. Fireheart saw his sides heave once, and stop moving. He recognized from the deep stillness in the rogue warrior’s body that Brokenstar was losing a life.
Yellowfang’s claws were unsheathed and glistened red. Her face was twisted and her eyes glazed.
Suddenly Brokenstar gasped and began to breathe again. Fireheart waited for Yellowfang to lunge at him with another killing bite, but she hesitated. Brokenstar didn’t get up.
Fireheart ran to the medicine cat’s side. “Is this his last life? Why don’t you finish him off?” he urged. “He murdered his father, banished you from your Clan, and tried to kill you.”
“It’s not his last life,” she rasped, “and even if it were, I couldn’t kill him.”
“Why not? StarClan would honor you for it.” Fireheart could not believe her words. The name Brokenstar had always made this old she-cat bristle with rage.
Yellowfang dragged her gaze from Brokenstar and looked at Fireheart. Her eyes clouded with pain and grief as she murmured, “He is my son.”
Fireheart felt the ground lurch under his paws. “But medicine cats are forbidden from having kits,” he blurted out.
“I know,” answered Yellowfang. “I never intended to have kits. But then I fell in love with Raggedstar.” Her voice was thick with sorrow. Suddenly Fireheart thought back to the battle when Brokenstar was driven out of the ShadowClan camp. Just before he fled, the cruel leader had told Yellowfang that he had murdered his father. Yellowfang had been devastated, and now Fireheart understood why.
“There were three kits in my litter,” Yellowfang went on. “But only Brokenstar survived. I gave him to a ShadowClan queen to bring up as her own. I thought that losing two of my kits was punishment from StarClan for breaking the warrior code. But I was wrong. My punishment wasn’t that two of my kits died. It was that thisone survived!” Yellowfang looked in disgust at Brokenstar’s bleeding body. “And now I cannot kill him. I must accept my fate, as StarClan wishes it.”
Yellowfang staggered, and Fireheart thought she was going to collapse. He pressed his body against her flank to support her and whispered, “Does he know you’re his mother?”
Yellowfang shook her head.
Brokenstar began to wail pitifully. “I can’t see!” Fireheart realized with horror that the rogue cat’s eyes had been scratched beyond repair.
Fireheart cautiously approached him. Brokenstar lay still. Fireheart poked him with a forepaw and Yellowfang’s son moaned again. “Don’t kill me,” he whined. Fireheart backed away, feeling a shudder of revulsion at the warrior’s fear.
Yellowfang took a deep breath. “I will see to him.” She walked over to her wounded son, grasped him by the scruff of his neck, and dragged him to the nest that Patchpelt had left.
Fireheart let her go. He wanted to check that Cinderpaw was all right. He caught sight of a dark shape moving inside the split rock where Yellowfang slept. “Cinderpaw?” he called.
Cinderpaw poked her head out.
“Are you okay?” Fireheart asked.
“Have the rogue cats gone?” she whispered.
“Yes, except Brokenstar. He’s badly injured. Yellowfang’s seeing to him.” He waited for Cinderpaw’s shocked reaction, but she just shook her head slowly and stared at the ground.
“Are you okay?” Fireheart repeated.
“I should have fought alongside you.” Cinderpaw’s voice was choked with shame.
“You would have been killed!”
“That’s what Dustpaw said. He told me to go and hide with the kits.” The small cat’s eyes were full of despair. “But I wouldn’t have minded being killed. What good am I like this? I’m just a burden on this Clan.”
Fireheart felt a thorn-sharp pang of pity. He searched for words to comfort her, but before he could speak, Yellowfang’s rasping mew sounded from the bracken.
“Cinderpaw,” she called. “Fetch me some cobwebs, quickly!” Cinderpaw turned at once and disappeared inside the rock, returning a moment later with one paw wrapped in a swathe of cobwebs. As quickly as she could, she scrambled awkwardly over to Yellowfang and thrust the cobwebs inside the nest.
“Now get me some of that comfrey root,” ordered Yellowfang.
As Cinderpaw limped back to the split rock, Fireheart turned to leave. There was nothing more he could do here. He must find out how the rest of the Clan was.
Hardly any cat had moved in the camp clearing. Fireheart padded straight to Dustpaw and meowed, “Yellowfang is tending to Brokenstar’s wounds. Cinderpaw’s helping her.” He ignored Dustpaw’s gasp of disbelief. “Go and guard him.” Dustpaw ran to the tunnel and disappeared inside.
Fireheart went over to Graystripe. The gray warrior was still staring at Clawface’s body. “You saved my life,” Fireheart murmured. “Thank you.”
Graystripe lifted his gaze to Fireheart. “I would give my life for you,” he answered simply.
Feeling choked, Fireheart watched his friend turn and walk away. Perhaps their friendship was not over after all.
The sound of paws pounding through the gorse tunnel broke into his thoughts. Bluestar came rushing into the camp, followed by Longtail and Swiftpaw. Fireheart felt his shoulders droop with relief at the sight of his Clan leader. She looked around at the blood-spattered clearing, her eyes wide, until her gaze rested on Clawface’s body. “Brokenstar attacked?” she meowed.
Fireheart nodded.
“Is he dead?”
“He’s with Yellowfang,” Fireheart answered, forcing out the words in spite of his exhaustion. “He’s been wounded—his eyes.”
“And the other rogue warriors?”
“We chased them off.”
“Are any of our Clan badly hurt?” Bluestar demanded, looking once more around the clearing. The cats shook their heads. “Good,” she meowed. “Sandpaw, Swiftpaw, take this body out of the camp and bury it. No elders need be present. No rogue deserves to be buried with the honor of StarClan ritual.”
Swiftpaw and Sandpaw began to drag Clawface toward the tunnel.
“Are the elders safe?” Bluestar asked.
“They’re in the nursery,” Fireheart told her. As he spoke a rustling sounded from the bramble den, and Halftail appeared, followed by the other kits and elders. Fireheart saw Cloudkit tumble out and scamper excitedly across the clearing to Brindleface. She greeted him with a brisk lick, and the kit turned to watch Clawface’s body as it disappeared away through the tunnel.
“Is he dead?” Cloudkit asked curiously. “Can I go and see?”
“Hush,” whispered Brindleface, tucking her tail around him.
“Where’s Tigerclaw?” Bluestar asked.
“He’s taken a party to attack a ShadowClan patrol,” Fireheart explained. “We found bones on our patrol. They smelled of ShadowClan so Tigerclaw decided to attack. I sent Brackenpaw to stop him when Yellowfang realized it was Brokenstar’s scent on them.”
“Brackenpaw?” meowed Bluestar, narrowing her eyes. “Even though he might have to cross the Thunderpath?”
“I was the only warrior left in camp. There was no one else I could send.”
Bluestar nodded, the concern in her eyes giving way to understanding. “You didn’t want to leave the camp unguarded?” she meowed. “You did well, Fireheart. I think Brokenstar hoped to lure all our warriors away from the camp. We found bones, too.”
“Graystripe told me.” Fireheart looked around for his friend, but Graystripe had disappeared.
“Send Yellowfang to me when she’s finished with Brokenstar,” Bluestar ordered. She pricked her ears at the noise of more paws in the gorse tunnel. Tigerclaw came racing into the camp, followed by Whitestorm and the rest of the raiding party. Fireheart craned his neck to peer around the warriors until he saw Brackenpaw, right at the back. The young apprentice looked exhausted but unhurt. Fireheart let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“Did Brackenpaw reach you before you found a patrol?” asked Bluestar, walking over to her deputy.
“We hadn’t even entered their territory,” Tigerclaw answered. “We were just about to cross the Thunderpath.” His eyes narrowed. “Was that Clawface they were burying?”
Bluestar nodded.
“Then Brackenpaw was right,” meowed the deputy. “Brokenstar was planning to attack the camp. Is he dead too?”
“No. Yellowfang is tending to his wounds.”
“Surely not!” Mousefur exclaimed, exchanging a glance with Runningwind beside her.
Tigerclaw’s face darkened. “Tending to his wounds?” he snarled. “We should kill him, not waste time making him better!”
“We’ll discuss that once I’ve spoken to Yellowfang,” meowed Bluestar calmly.
“You can discuss it with me now, Bluestar.” Yellowfang padded into the clearing, her head drooping with exhaustion.
“Have you left Brokenstar alone?” growled Tigerclaw, his amber eyes flashing.
Yellowfang raised her head and looked at the dark warrior. “Dustpaw is guarding him. And I’ve given him poppy seeds, so he’ll sleep for a while. Brokenstar is blind now, Tigerclaw. There’s no way he’ll try to escape. He’d die of hunger in a week, if a fox or a gang of crows didn’t kill him first.”
“Well, that makes it easier,” Tigerclaw snarled. “We won’t have to kill him ourselves. We can let the forest deal with him.”
Yellowfang turned to Bluestar. “We cannot let him die,” she meowed.
“Why not?”
Fireheart held his breath as he watched the leader’s eyes flick from Yellowfang to Tigerclaw and back again. He wondered if Yellowfang was going to tell Bluestar that Brokenstar was her son.
“If we did, we would be no better than he is,” replied Yellowfang calmly.
Tigerclaw’s tail flicked in anger.
“What do you think, Whitestorm?” Bluestar meowed before Tigerclaw could speak.
“It will be a burden on our Clan to look after him,” Whitestorm answered thoughtfully. “But Yellowfang is right—if we send him out into the forest, or kill him in cold blood, StarClan will know we have stooped as low as he.”
One-eye stepped forward. “Bluestar,” she meowed in her croaky old voice. “In the past we have sometimes kept prisoners for many moons. We could do it again.” Fireheart remembered that Yellowfang herself had been a prisoner when she first came to the camp. He waited for the medicine cat to remind Bluestar of this, but she said nothing.
“So you would really consider keeping this rogue inside our camp?” Tigerclaw’s eyes blazed with rage as he challenged his leader. With a pang, Fireheart couldn’t help agreeing with the dark warrior’s words. The thought of killing Brokenstar appalled him—he knew better than any of these cats what that would mean to Yellowfang—but Brokenstar was a fearsome enemy, even without his sight. Keeping him in the camp would be difficult and dangerous for all the members of the Clan.
“Is he really blind?” Bluestar asked Yellowfang.
“Yes, he is.”
“Has he other wounds?”
Fireheart replied this time. “I clawed him pretty badly,” he admitted. He looked over to Yellowfang and was relieved when the old she-cat dipped her head just enough for him to know she forgave him for wounding her son.
“How long till they heal?” asked Bluestar.
“About a moon,” Yellowfang answered.
“Then you may nurse him till then. After that we will discuss his future again. And from now on, he will be known as Brokentail, not Brokenstar. We cannot take away the lives that StarClan gave him, but this cat is no longer a Clan leader.” Bluestar looked questioningly at Tigerclaw. His tail twitched, but he didn’t speak.
“It is decided,” Bluestar meowed. “He stays.”
第二十六章
第二十六章
黄牙、尘爪和沙爪冲上前去站成一排护住身后的母猫们。火心看见炭爪也要上前帮忙，却见尘爪冲她大声喝斥，炭爪只好一瘸一拐地回到黄牙的医务室里。
老年猫们带着幼崽躲进育婴室。纹脸最后叼起云崽将他塞进育婴室，她拽了一些荨麻，不顾上面的小刺将它们堆在育婴室的入口处，然后转过身回到会场上。
火心从高岩上跳下来，跑到黄牙的身边，弓着背愤怒地对断星说：“上次较量你输了，这次你仍然赢不了！”
断星说：“别做美梦了！虽然你把我的族群从我的手里夺走了，但是你绝对杀不死我，我的命比你多！”
火心大吼道：“雷族猫的一条命抵得上你十条！”他发出一声号叫，会场里立刻打成了一团。
火心直接扑向断星，抓住了他。火心甚至触摸到他的肋骨，看来断星离开影族后日子过得很艰苦。但断星虽然瘦削，身体却仍然强壮。他扭过身一口咬住火心的后腿，火心一声怒吼，爪子抓得更紧。断星抓住地面，挣扎着向前爬，火心感到他的爪子在断星骨瘦如柴的侧腹划出长长的口子。断星最终摆脱了火心的利爪。火心跳起来就要追上去，但这时另外有只爪子抓住了他的后腿。他扭过头去，看见爪脸正抱着他的后腿，眯着眼睛看着他，眼里充满了讥讽的神色。
火心不敢相信自己的眼睛，没想到在这里又见到了爪脸。他立刻将断星抛诸脑后。六个月前，正是爪脸杀死了斑叶。他故意将那位雷族的医生杀死，使断星偷走了霜毛的孩子。仇人相见分外眼红。火心转过身扑到了爪脸的身上，就在这时，他眼前一花，似乎看到一个玳瑁色的身影一闪，同时鼻子里嗅到了斑叶那股甜甜的气息。他感到斑叶的灵魂就在他的身边，她来帮助火心为自己复仇。
火心忍住剧痛，将腿从爪脸的爪下硬生生地抽了出来，翻过身向爪脸扑去。爪脸后腿直立，前爪扒住火心的头。头顶传来的剧痛使火心站不稳脚步。爪脸趁机上前将火心按倒在地，狠狠咬住他的脊背。
火心痛苦地喊着：“斑叶，帮帮我！我快不行了！”
忽然，他背上一轻，连忙跳起来转身看去。是灰条！只见灰条满脸惊恐，站在那里一动不动。爪脸软软地吊在他的嘴下。灰条一张口，爪脸落在地上，死了。
火心走上前说：“灰条，就是他杀了斑叶！”现在不是自责的时候，他急促地问灰条：“蓝星和你在一起吗？”
灰条摇了摇头说：“她派我回来找虎掌。我们发现了一些骨头，蓝星认出上面有断星的气味，猜到这些泼皮猫一定是以他为首。”
附近响起一声低嘶，两只猫滚了过来。火心连忙跳开闪避，只见霜毛和一只泼皮猫正打得难分难解。正是这些猫偷走了她的孩子，霜毛使出吃奶的力气，下手时毫不心软。火心向后退，知道霜毛不需要他帮忙。不一会儿，那只泼皮猫就惨叫着，一头扎进周围的灌木丛里逃走了。
霜毛正要去追，火心急忙叫住她：“你已经让他吃足了苦头！”霜毛在围墙边停下来转过身，大口喘着气，身上沾满了对方的血。
有一只泼皮猫从火心身边跑过，钻进围墙。就在他正要钻出去时，尘爪赶了过来，在他的屁股上狠狠地来了一口。火心想：只剩断星和他的一名手下了。
那名断星的手下已被沙爪按在地上，躺在那里一动不动。火心想起自己最拿手的诱敌之计，暗叫：不好！但沙爪并没有轻易上当，那只公猫跳起来时，她早已成竹在胸。只见沙爪轻轻一跳避开锋芒，接着扑到对方身上将其撞翻在地，然后对着对方的肚皮就是一通猛抓。直到对方像幼崽一样发出尖叫时，她才放手。那只泼皮猫惨叫着逃走了。
营地里一片毛骨悚然的寂静。雷族众猫默默地看着会场上的血迹，会场中央是爪脸的尸体。
断星在哪里？火心一下子紧张起来，急忙向四处张望。他闯进育婴室了吗？他正要跑过去查看，这时医务室那边传来凄惨的号叫。炭爪！他急忙冲向医务室，原以为会看到一幅惨不忍睹的景象，却见到断星躺在地上，黄牙正站在他的身上。
断星双眼紧闭，眼里流下两道鲜血，胸口已经停止了起伏。火心看着断星那安静的躯体，知道他正在失去一条性命。
黄牙目光呆滞，面容扭曲，爪子上沾满了血。
断星突然深吸了口气，又恢复了呼吸。火心等着黄牙再次夺取断星的性命，但她却犹豫起来。断星没有再站起来。
火心急忙跑到黄牙身边说：“这是他最后一条命了吗？你为什么还不杀了他？他杀害了自己的父亲，把你赶出族群，还企图要你的命。”
黄牙声音沙哑着说：“这不是他的最后一条命。即使这样，我也下不了手。”
火心不敢相信自己的耳朵：“为什么下不了手？你是在替天行道啊！”过去，每当别的猫提到断星的名字，黄牙都要发一次火。
黄牙将她的目光从断星身上移向火心，眼里充满着悲伤和痛苦。她小声说：“他是我的儿子。”
火心大吃一惊，脱口而出：“但医生是禁止生育的。”
黄牙说：“我知道。我从没有想过生幼崽，但那时我爱上了残星。”她的声音里流露出浓重的哀伤。火心突然想起在那次影族驱逐断星的战斗中，断星逃走前曾告诉黄牙是他杀害了自己的父亲。黄牙当时几乎精神崩溃。现在火心明白其中的原因了。
黄牙继续说：“我头一胎便生了三个孩子，只有断星活了下来。我将他托付给影族的一只母猫照料。我原以为死去的那两个孩子就是星族对我违犯武士法典的惩罚。但是我错了，对我的惩罚不是那两个死去的孩子，而是这个活下来的！”黄牙厌恶地看着断星血淋淋的躯体，说：“而我现在不能杀他。我必须按照星族的意志，接受自己的命运安排。”
黄牙的身体摇摇晃晃，火心知道她的精神快要垮了。他上前撑住她不让她摔倒，小声说：“他知道你是他的母亲吗？”
黄牙摇了摇头。
这时断星开始发出阵阵哀号：“我看不见了！”火心看着断星的眼睛，心里泛起一阵寒意。断星的眼睛被抓得稀巴烂，再也治不好了。
火心小心翼翼地靠近他，只见断星静静地躺在那里没有丝毫反应。火心伸出前爪捅了捅他，断星又呻吟了几声，苦苦哀求说：“别杀我。”火心看着他害怕的样子，心里感到阵阵厌恶。
黄牙深吸了口气说：“我会看着他的。”她走过来抓住儿子颈背后的皮毛，将他拖进团毛曾经住过的窝里。
火心心系炭爪的安危，没再说什么。他看到医务室里有一团黑影在晃动，大声喊：“炭爪吗？”
炭爪从医务室里伸出头。
火心问：“你没事吧？”
她小声说：“那些泼皮猫都走了吗？”
“是的，除了断星以外都逃走了。他受了重伤，黄牙正在查看他的伤势。”他原以为炭爪会大吃一惊，却见她只是缓缓地摇了摇头。
火心重复问了一句：“你没事吧？”
炭爪羞愧地说：“我原本该和你们并肩作战的。”
“你会没命的！”
“尘爪也是这么说的，他要我和幼崽们躲在一处。”炭爪的眼里充满了绝望的目光，“但我根本不在乎生死。我这样活着还有什么意思呢？我只会给族群带来负担。”
火心心如刀绞，对她产生深深的同情。他正要安慰炭爪，却听见黄牙沙哑的声音响起。
她喊道：“炭爪，拿些蛛丝来，快！”炭爪立即转身消失在医务室里，不一会儿，她脚上缠着一团蛛丝走了出来，一瘸一拐地向黄牙走去，将那些蛛丝放在断星身边。
黄牙命令说：“再去取一些紫草根。”
看着炭爪回到医务室，火心转身离去。他留在这里也帮不上什么忙，倒不如去看看其他猫的情况怎么样。
火心径直走到尘爪身边说：“黄牙正在照料断星的伤势，炭爪在协助她。”他不理会尘爪不相信的神情，继续说：“去看住断星。”尘爪立即向医务室跑了过去。
火心走到仍在凝视爪脸尸体的灰条身边说：“谢谢你，你救了我的命。”
灰条抬起头看着火心：“为了救你，即使付出生命我也在所不惜。”
火心看着灰条转身离去，喉头间像被堵住了。也许他们的友谊根本就没有破裂。
金雀花通道处传来的脚步声打断了他的思路。只见蓝星第一个冲进营地，身后跟着长尾和迅爪。火心看到族长归来，心里的石头一下子落了地。蓝星望着血迹斑斑的会场，吃惊地睁大眼睛。最后，她的目光停留在爪脸的尸体上，说：“断星来袭击了？”
火心点了点头。
“他死了？”
火心极度疲惫地勉强回答说：“他和黄牙在一起。他受伤了——伤在双眼。”
“其他的泼皮猫呢？”
“我们将他们赶走了。”
蓝星再一次环顾会场，问：“族里有谁严重受伤了？”大家摇了摇头。她说：“很好。沙爪、迅爪，将尸体拖出营地埋了。老年猫们不用去，这些泼皮猫不配享受葬礼。”
沙爪和迅爪拖着尸体开始向营门口走去。
蓝星问：“老年猫们都安全吗？”
火心告诉她：“他们都在育婴室里。”就在火心说话的时候，育婴室里传来沙沙声，只见半尾从里面钻了出来，接着其他的老年猫和幼崽也跟着钻了出来。火心看见云崽从里面磕磕绊绊地钻出来后，便蹦蹦跳跳着向纹脸跑去。纹脸飞快地舔了一下云崽。小家伙转过身望着消失在金雀花通道的爪脸的尸体。
他好奇地问：“他死了吗？我能去看看吗？”
纹脸用尾巴围住云崽，小声呵斥道：“别说话。”
蓝星问：“虎掌在哪里？”
火心解释说：“他组织一支队伍去袭击影族的巡逻队了。我们巡逻途中发现了一些骨头，上面有影族的气味，所以虎掌决定发动攻击。后来黄牙认出那是断星的气味，我就派蕨爪去阻止虎掌了。”
蓝星眯缝起眼睛说：“蕨爪？他是不是还要穿过雷鬼路呀？”
“这也是没有办法。我是唯一一名留守营地的武士，除了他，没有别的猫可供调派了。”
蓝星点了点头，眼光里的忧虑变成了理解，她说：“你留下来防守营地，做得很好。我们也发现了一些骨头。我想断星正是想把我们都骗出营地。”
“灰条已经告诉我了。”他四处寻视想找灰条，谁知灰条早已消失得无影无踪。
蓝星命令说：“黄牙处理完断星后让她来见我。”这时金雀花通道传来一阵喧闹。虎掌冲进营地，身后是白风和突击队的其他成员。火心伸长了脖子，看见蕨爪走在队伍的末尾。虽然他看起来很疲惫，但却没有受伤的迹象。火心暗地里松了口气。
蓝星走到虎掌身边问：“蕨爪是不是及时赶到了？”
虎掌说：“我们还没来得及进入影族的领地，他就赶到了。他们埋的是爪脸吗？”
蓝星点了点头。
虎掌说：“那么蕨爪没有谎报军情，是断星图谋袭击营地了。他死了吗？”
“没有死。黄牙正在料理他的伤势。”
鼠毛和旁边的奔风交换了一个眼神，喊道：“不会吧！”
虎掌黑着脸说：“照料他的伤势？我们应该杀死他，别再浪费时间医治了！”
蓝星镇静地说：“我已经通知了黄牙，让她处理完后一同商议此事。”
“你现在就可以和我商议此事，蓝星。”黄牙走进会场，疲惫地垂着头。
虎掌眼光闪烁，大声说：“你让断星独自留在那里？”
黄牙抬起头看着他说：“有尘爪在看管。而且，我已经给他吃了罂粟籽，一时半会儿他还醒不了。虎掌，断星现在是个瞎子，不可能逃走的。即使逃走，就算不被狐狸或者乌鸦杀死，也会在一个星期之内饿死。”
虎掌鼻子里发出嗤的一声，说：“哼，那倒省心了。我们不必亲手杀他，把他放到森林里，让他自生自灭。”
黄牙转头对蓝星说：“我们不能让他死掉。”
“为什么不能？”
蓝星看了看黄牙，然后又看了看虎掌，最后目光又回到黄牙身上。火心紧张地屏住呼吸，不知道黄牙会不会将断星的身世之谜告诉蓝星。
黄牙平静地回答说：“如果我们让他死掉，我们就和他是一路货色了。”
虎掌愤怒地晃了晃尾巴。
蓝星不等虎掌开口，抢先问：“白风，你怎么看？”
白风想了想，说：“照顾他会给族群带来负担。但黄牙说得对——如果我们将他赶进森林，或是硬起心肠将他杀死，星族会认为我们和他一样自甘堕落。”
一只眼走上前，用她那苍老沙哑的声音说：“蓝星，过去我们曾多次关押过囚犯长达数月，再做一次又有何妨？”火心想起黄牙最初便曾经是雷族的囚犯。他以为黄牙会用这件事提醒蓝星，谁知她却一声不吭。
虎掌不顾上下礼仪，盯着蓝星怒气冲冲地喊：“这么说，你真想让这只泼皮猫留在营地里吗？”此时，连火心都赞同虎掌的意见。虽然他不忍心杀死断星——他比其他任何猫都了解断星对黄牙的意义——但断星实在是个可怕的敌人，即使他现在双目失明。让他留在营地里，对族群里的所有成员来说都是个威胁。
蓝星问黄牙：“他真的瞎了吗？”
“是的，他是个瞎子。”
“他身上还有其他的伤吗？”
火心回答了这个问题，他承认说：“我把他抓得够戗。”他望着黄牙，看见她向自己点了点头，知道她已经原谅自己伤害了她的儿子，顿时放下心来。
蓝星问：“那些伤口多长时间才能愈合？”
黄牙回答：“大概要一个月。”
“那么在这一个月内就由你来照料他。等他伤好之后我们再讨论他的去留。从现在开始，他的名字改为断尾，而不是断星。我们虽不能取走星族赐予他的性命，但他也不再是一族之长了。”蓝星看了看虎掌，征询他的意见。虎掌晃了晃尾巴，但没有说话。
蓝星说：“这件事就这么定了，让他留下来吧。”
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER27
Fireheart limped over to the clumpof nettles and began to lick his wounds. He would go and see Yellowfang later, when she had finished tending to the other cats.
The weak rays of the setting sun threw long shadows across the clearing. Dustpaw had been relieved from his guard duty by Longtail. Tigerclaw had taken the rest of his unscathed raiding party out in search of fresh-kill. Fireheart’s stomach growled. He looked up at the sound of pawsteps, but it was only Sandpaw and Swiftpaw returning from their burial duty.
The two cats padded over to Bluestar, who was sitting beneath the Highrock with Whitestorm. Fireheart pushed himself to his paws and walked over to join them. With a flick of his tail he beckoned to Dustpaw, who was licking his own scratches beside the tree stump. Dustpaw flashed him a doubtful look but got up wearily and followed him.
“We’ve buried Clawface,” meowed Sandpaw.
“Thank you,” Bluestar replied. The ThunderClan leader looked directly at Swiftpaw. “You may go.” The black-and-white apprentice dipped his head and headed for his den.
Fireheart signaled to Dustpaw again to come closer. The tabby apprentice narrowed his eyes and padded forward to stand beside Sandpaw.
“Bluestar,” Fireheart began hesitantly, “Sandpaw and Dustpaw fought like warriors when Brokentail attacked. We would have been in much more trouble without their strength and courage.” Dustpaw’s eyes widened and Sandpaw looked at the ground as Fireheart spoke.
A purr rumbled from Whitestorm’s throat. “It’s not like you to be shy,” he meowed to his apprentice.
Sandpaw’s ears twitched uncomfortably. “Fireheart’s the one who saved the Clan,” she burst out. “He was the one who alerted the camp so that we were ready for Brokentail’s attack.”
It was Fireheart’s turn to feel embarrassed. He was relieved when Tigerclaw and the hunting party trotted into the camp at that moment, carrying plenty of fresh-kill.
Bluestar nodded at Tigerclaw and then turned to face Dustpaw and Sandpaw. “It makes me proud to know that ThunderClan has such fine warriors,” she meowed. “It’s time you both took your warrior names. We shall have the naming ceremony now, while the sun is setting, and then we can eat.”
Sandpaw and Dustpaw looked excitedly at each other. Fireheart lifted his chin and purred. Bluestar called to the Clan, and Fireheart felt even happier when he saw Graystripe appear from the warriors’ den. He hadn’t left the camp after all.
The Clan gathered around the edge of the clearing. Elders and queens sat with the apprentices and kits on one side; Fireheart waited with the warriors on the other. He looked at Cloudkit nestled beside Brindleface. The kit’s eyes shone with excitement, and Fireheart felt a rush of pride that his kin-kit could see him sitting with the Clan warriors. Bluestar stood in the center with Sandpaw and Dustpaw.
The last arc of sun glowed pink on the horizon. The Clan waited silently as it dipped out of sight, leaving the darkening sky pricked with stars.
Bluestar looked up and fixed her eyes on the brightest star in Silverpelt. “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 code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn.” She gazed down at the pair of young cats in front of her. “Sandpaw, Dustpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
Sandpaw stared back, her eyes gleaming. “I do,” she replied.
Dustpaw echoed her words, his voice strong and low. “I do.”
“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names: Sandpaw, from this moment you will be known as Sandstorm. StarClan honors your courage and your spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.” Bluestar stepped forward and rested her muzzle on top of Sandstorm’s bowed head.
Sandstorm licked Bluestar’s shoulder respectfully before she turned and walked toward Whitestorm. Fireheart saw her eyes flash proudly at her mentor as she settled down beside him in her new place with the warriors.
Bluestar turned her eyes to the dark brown tabby. “Dustpaw, from this moment you will be known as Dustpelt. StarClan honors your bravery and your honesty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.” She touched his head with her muzzle, and he too gave the leader’s shoulder a respectful lick before joining the other warriors.
The voices of the Clan rose in tribute, sending clouds of misty breath into the night air. As one they chanted the new warrior names. “Sandstorm! Dustpelt! Sandstorm! Dustpelt!”
“In the tradition of our ancestors,” meowed Bluestar, raising her voice, “Sandstorm and Dustpelt must sit in silent vigil until dawn, and guard the camp alone while we sleep. But before they begin their vigil, the Clan will share a meal. It has been a long day and we have reason to be proud of these cats who defended our camp against the rogues. Fireheart, StarClan thanks you for your courage. You are a great warrior, and I’m proud to count you as a member of my Clan.”
The cats meowed again. A purr burst from Fireheart’s throat as he looked around at his Clan. Only Tigerclaw and Dustpelt eyed him with hostility, but for once he felt untouched by their jealousy. Bluestar had praised him, and that was enough.
One by one the cats stepped forward to take some of the fresh-kill Tigerclaw’s party had brought.
Fireheart walked over to Sandstorm. “We can eat together as warriors tonight,” he meowed happily. “If that’s okay with you?” he added. Sandstorm purred at him and Fireheart felt a prickle of pleasure.
“Choose something for me,” she called as Fireheart dashed away to the pile of fresh-kill. “I’m starving!”
Fireheart picked out a mouse for Sandpaw, temptingly plump for so late in leaf-bare. He took a bluetit for himself and turned to carry his catch back to Sandstorm. Then his heart sank—Dustpelt, Whitestorm, and Darkstripe had joined her. He’d been foolish to expect they would share their meal alone. This was a time for the whole Clan to share together in celebration.
The thought reminded Fireheart of Cinderpaw. He looked around and realized that he hadn’t seen her at the naming ceremony. She must still be in Yellowfang’s clearing. He bounded over to Sandstorm and dropped the fresh-kill beside her. “I’ll be back in five rabbit hops,” he meowed. “I want to take something to Cinderpaw.”
“Sure.” Sandstorm shrugged.
Fireheart quickly collected a vole from the fresh-kill pile and carried it across the clearing. He was surprised to see Yellowfang sitting in her den. She’d been at the naming ceremony, so she must have come straight back afterward.
“I hope that’s not for me,” she growled as Fireheart approached. “I’ve already had my share.”
Fireheart dropped the vole on the ground. “I brought it for Cinderpaw,” he answered. “I thought she might want something. She wasn’t at the naming ceremony.”
“I’ve given her some mouse meat, but you’re welcome to give her that as well.”
Fireheart looked around the fern-shaded clearing. Brokenstar’s brown fur was just visible through the stems of Patchpelt’s old nest. The warrior was not moving.
“He’s still asleep.” Yellowfang’s tone was brisk, the voice of a medicine cat rather than a mother. Fireheart couldn’t help feeling relieved. He wanted to believe Yellowfang’s loyalties still lay with ThunderClan. He picked up the vole and carried it to Cinderpaw’s nest. “Hey, Cinderpaw,” he meowed softly into the bracken.
The gray cat stirred and pushed herself to a sitting position. “Fireheart.”
Fireheart stepped through the fronds and sat in the small space beside her. He dropped the vole at her paws. “Here,” he meowed. “Yellowfang’s not the only one trying to fatten you up!”
“Thanks,” Cinderpaw mewed. But she left the vole lying beside her paw and didn’t even bend down to sniff it.
“Are you still thinking about the battle?” Fireheart asked gently.
Cinderpaw shrugged. “I amjust a burden, aren’t I?” She looked up at Fireheart with sad, round eyes.
“Who’s a burden?” Yellowfang’s growl interrupted them as the old gray medicine cat poked her head into the nest. “Are you upsetting my helper?” she meowed at Fireheart. “I don’t know how I would have coped today if it hadn’t been for this one.” She looked warmly at Cinderpaw, her yellow eyes soft. “I even had her mixing herbs this evening!”
Cinderpaw looked down shyly and dipped her head to take a bite of the vole.
“I think I might keep her with me awhile longer,” Yellowfang went on. “She’s becoming more useful every day. Besides, I’m getting used to her company.”
Cinderpaw glanced up at the old medicine cat, a teasing glint in her eyes. “Only because you’re deaf enough to put up with my chattering!” Yellowfang pretended to spit crossly at the young cat, and Cinderpaw added to Fireheart, “Well, that’s what she keeps telling me, anyway.”
Fireheart was surprised to feel a pang of envy at the close bond these two cats had developed. He’d always thought of himself as Yellowfang’s only real friend in the Clan, but now it looked like she had another. But at least Cinderpaw had somewhere to stay—if she couldn’t train to be a warrior, she’d feel out of place in the apprentices’ den.
Fireheart stood up. It was time he went back to Sandstorm. “Will you be okay here with Brokentail?” he asked.
Yellowfang gave him a disdainful look. “I think we can manage, don’t you, Cinderpaw?”
“He wouldn’t dare cause trouble,” she agreed confidently. “And Longtail’s here to help.”
Yellowfang ducked her head out of the nest, and Fireheart squeezed out after her. “’Bye, Cinderpaw!” he called.
“’Bye, and thanks for the food.”
“No problem,” he meowed. He turned to Yellowfang. “Have you got anything for this bite on my neck?”
Yellowfang looked closely at his wound. “Looks like a nasty one,” she growled.
“It’s from Brokentail,” Fireheart confessed.
Yellowfang nodded. “Wait there.” She padded quickly to her den and returned with a bundle of herbs wrapped in leaves. “Can you manage them yourself? Just chew them up and rub the juice into the wounds. It’ll sting, but nothing a brave warrior can’t handle!”
“Thanks, Yellowfang.” Fireheart picked up the bundle in his teeth.
Yellowfang led him to the tunnel entrance. “I appreciate your coming,” she meowed, glancing at Cinderpaw’s nest. “She was feeling pretty low, I think. She felt bad after the battle, and then the naming ceremony.”
Fireheart nodded. He understood. He gave a last wary glance at where Brokentail lay. “You sure you’ll be safe?” he asked again through the bundle of herbs.
“He’s blind,” meowed Yellowfang. She sighed, and then added more brightly, “And I’m not thatold!”
Fireheart woke the following morning to find dazzling white light streaming through the den wall. He guessed it had snowed again. At least his wounds had stopped aching. Yellowfang had been right—the herb juice hadstung, but he felt much better after a good night’s sleep.
Fireheart wondered how Sandstorm and Dustpelt had managed their vigil. It must have been bitterly cold in the snow. He got to his paws and stretched his forelegs, arching his back and curling his tail up over his head. ThunderClan’s two newest warriors were bundled up, fast asleep on the far edge of the den. Whitestorm must have sent them in when he left on the dawn patrol.
Fireheart padded out into the snow-covered clearing. He could just make out Frostfur’s white pelt skirting the nursery as she slipped out to stretch her legs. There were two bare spots in the center of the clearing, where Sandstorm and Dustpelt had spent the night. Fireheart shivered at the thought, but still he envied them as he remembered the thrill of his first night as a warrior. It had filled him with a warmth not even the hardest frost could have chilled.
The sky was thick with snow-heavy clouds. Flakes were still falling, softly and silently. There would be plenty of hunting to do today, Fireheart realized. The Clan would need to stock up if the snow was going to get deeper.
He heard Bluestar call from the Highrock. The Clan cats began to creep from their dens and pick their way through the snow to hear their leader’s words. Fireheart settled himself into one of the bare spots. It smelled of Sandstorm. He noticed Graystripe sitting on the other side of the clearing, looking tired. Fireheart wondered if he’d slipped out last night to tell Silverstream about the rogue cats.
Bluestar began to speak. “I wanted to make sure you all know that Brokentail is in the camp.” None of the cats uttered a noise. They knew already. The rumor had spread through the camp like a forest fire.
“He is blind, and harmless.” A few cats snorted their displeasure, and Bluestar nodded to acknowledge their fears. “I am as concerned as you are for the safety of our Clan. But, StarClan knows, we cannot turn him out to die in the forest. Yellowfang will nurse him until his wounds heal. Once they have, we’ll discuss this again.”
Bluestar looked around, listening for voices from the crowd, but no cat spoke, so she leaped down from Highrock. As the cats dispersed Fireheart noticed that the leader was walking toward him.
“Fireheart,” she meowed. “One thing concerns me. You still haven’t settled things with Graystripe. I’ve not seen you eat together for days. I told you before, there’s no room for fighting within ThunderClan. I want you to hunt together today.”
Fireheart nodded. “Yes, Bluestar.” That was fine by him. And after yesterday’s battle, he felt hopeful that Graystripe would like the idea too. As Bluestar walked away, Fireheart scanned the clearing, hoping that Graystripe hadn’t disappeared again. No, there he was, helping to clear the snow from the nursery entrance.
“Hey, Graystripe,” Fireheart called. Graystripe carried on with his work. Fireheart bounded over to him. “Do you want to go hunting this morning?”
Graystripe turned to face him, his eyes cold. “Are you making sure I don’t disappear again?” he snarled.
Fireheart was startled. “N-no, I just thought .  .  . after yesterday .  .  . Clawface .  .  .”
“I would have done the same for any ThunderClan cat. That’s what Clan loyalty is about!” Graystripe’s meow was harsh with anger as he went back to pushing snow.
Fireheart’s hopes plummeted. Had he lost his friend’s trust forever? He turned away, tail down, and began to trudge through the snow toward the camp entrance. He called over his shoulder, “Bluestar told me to go hunting with you this morning, actually, so you can explain to her why you’re not coming.”
“Oh, I see, you were just trying to please Bluestar, as usual!” Graystripe hissed. Fireheart stopped and whipped around, ready to throw back a retort, but he paused when he saw that Graystripe was crossing the clearing toward him, shaking snowflakes from his wide shoulders.
“Come on, then,” Graystripe growled, leading the way through the gorse tunnel.
It was a slow climb out of the ravine, with the boulders covered in snow. When they reached the top, the icebound forest stretched before them. Graystripe charged away at once, his face set with grim determination. Fireheart followed him. As he tracked a mouse around the roots of an oak tree he saw Graystripe racing after a rabbit that had been foolish enough to stray from its burrow. Graystripe pelted furiously after the creature until he finished it off with a well-aimed pounce. Fireheart sat and watched as Graystripe padded back to him and dropped the rabbit at Fireheart’s paws.
“That should feed a kit or two.” He grunted.
“You don’t have to prove anything to me,” Fireheart told him.
“No?” Graystripe answered bitterly. His eyes met Fireheart’s, cold and angry. “Maybe you should start acting as if you trusted me, then.” He turned away before Fireheart could reply.
By sunhigh Graystripe had caught more than Fireheart, but both cats had done well. They returned to the camp, their jaws heavy with fresh-kill. They padded into the clearing and dropped their prey in the usual place. The spot had been empty so far.
Fireheart wondered if they should go out again. The snow was heavier now, and a cold wind was beginning to blow through the ravine. Fireheart was studying the darkening sky when he heard Brindleface’s worried meow near the nursery. He bounded over to see what was wrong. “What’s the matter?”
“Have you seen Cloudkit?” she demanded.
Fireheart shook his head. “Is he missing?” His paws prickled as Brindleface’s rising panic began to infect him.
“Yes. So are my other kits. I only closed my eyes for a moment. I just woke up and I can’t find them anywhere! It’s too cold for them to be out. They’ll freeze to death!” The queen swayed on her paws.
Alarm shot through Fireheart as he pictured the last time a young cat had disappeared from the camp. It had been Cinderpaw.
第二十七章
第二十七章
火心一瘸一拐地走到荨麻丛旁边，坐下来开始舔自己的伤口，他想等黄牙处理完其他猫们的伤势后再去找她。
落日的几绺余辉照进会场。长尾已经接替尘爪看守断尾，虎掌则带着无功而返的突击队外出打猎。火心饿得肚子咕咕直叫。他听见脚步声，抬头看去，却是沙爪和迅爪掩埋完爪脸后回来。
两只猫向坐在高岩下和白风说话的蓝星走去。火心站起来也走了过去，他朝坐在树墩旁舔伤口的尘爪晃了晃尾巴。尘爪迷惑地看了他一眼，不耐烦地站起来跟在他的身后。
沙爪说：“我们将爪脸掩埋好了。”
蓝星回答：“谢谢你们。”她盯着迅爪说：“你可以走了。”迅爪低下头转身回到巢穴。
火心又向尘爪打了个招呼，示意他走近些。尘爪眯缝起眼睛，上前几步走到沙爪身边。
火心开口说：“蓝星，沙爪和尘爪在这次战斗中表现出色，完全像武士一样。如果没有他们，我们会遇上大麻烦。”听了火心的话，尘爪睁大了眼睛，沙爪则低头看着地面。
白风对他的徒弟沙爪打趣说：“害羞可不是你一贯的作风呀。”
沙爪双耳不安地动了动，脱口而出：“是火心拯救了族群，是他发出警报，才使我们对断星的袭击有所防范。”
这下轮到火心不好意思了。这时虎掌和捕猎队带着猎物回来了，火心暗暗松了口气。
蓝星向虎掌点头招呼后对沙爪和尘爪说：“知道雷族拥有这么优秀的武士们，我感到非常自豪。现在是你们获得武士称号的时候了。太阳快要落山了，我们立即召开命名典礼，开完了会再吃饭。”
沙爪和尘爪兴奋地看着对方。火心仰起下巴嘴里发出高兴的呜呜声。当蓝星召集大伙儿开会时，火心看到灰条从武士巢穴里走出来，心里感到更加愉悦。他总算没有溜出营地。
大家聚集在会场边。学徒和幼崽坐一边，中间夹着老年猫和母猫，火心和其他武士们坐在另一边。他看见云崽坐在纹脸旁边，小家伙眼里闪着兴奋的光彩。能够在自己亲戚面前和武士们站成一列，火心感到无比自豪。蓝星和沙爪、尘爪一起站在会场中央。
橘红色的晚霞绚丽无比。随着夕阳渐渐沉降在地平线下，夜幕降临，天空中出现点点繁星。
蓝星仰天长望，凝视着银河中那颗最璀璨的星辰。“我，雷族族长蓝星，请诸位武士祖先们从天上俯视这两名学徒。他们经过刻苦训练，终于掌握武士法典的要旨。在此，我请求诸位祖先赐予他们武士的荣耀。”她低下头看着面前这两名年轻的学徒说：“沙爪，尘爪，你们能够保证将不折不扣地遵行武士法典，努力保卫族群，即使付出生命也在所不惜吗？”
沙爪眼内神采飞扬，看着蓝星的眼睛说：“我保证。”
尘爪的声音低沉而有力：“我保证。”
“那么，凭借着星族的力量，我赐予你们武士的名号。沙爪，从现在起你的名字叫做沙风。你的勇气和精神为星族带来荣耀，欢迎你成为雷族的武士。”沙风垂下头，蓝星走上前将鼻子轻轻抵住她的头顶。
沙风尊敬地舔了一下蓝星的肩膀，转身走到白风面前。火心看到她自豪地坐在老师身边，坐在武士的位置上。
蓝星转头看着尘爪说：“尘爪，从现在起你的名字叫做尘毛。你的勇敢和忠实为星族带来荣耀，欢迎你成为雷族的武士。”她用鼻子触了触尘毛的头，尘毛也像沙风一样尊敬地舔了一下蓝星的肩膀，加入到武士的行列中。
整个族群欢声雷动，大家呼出的雾气混迹于冰冷的空气中。他们齐声呼喊着新武士的名字：“沙风！尘毛！沙风！尘毛！”
蓝星提高嗓门说：“依照祖先的传统，沙风和尘毛在守夜期间不得开口说话。但是在他们开始守夜之前，大家要先享用晚餐。今天是漫长的一天，我们有理由为那些赶跑侵略者、护卫家园的同胞们感到自豪。火心，星族感谢你的勇气。你是一位伟大的武士，你能成为我们当中的一员，我感到由衷地骄傲。”
大家再次欢呼。火心环顾周围的伙伴们，心情激动万分。只有虎掌和尘毛眼里饱含敌意。但这一次火心并没因为他们的忌妒而感到难过。蓝星对他赞不绝口，这就足够了。
众猫一个接一个地上前领走自己的晚餐。
火心走到沙风身边，高兴地说：“今晚我们能作为武士一同进餐了。你愿意吗？”沙风冲他发出呜呜的叫声表示接受，火心顿时感到内心充满了喜悦。
她朝着已冲向猎物堆的火心喊道：“给我也拿一些吃的，我快要饿死了！”
火心为沙风挑了一只肥大的老鼠。在深冬季节，这么肥美的老鼠实在不多见。他自己要了一只蓝雀。就在他转身往回走时，他心里一沉——尘毛、白风和黑条已经坐在了沙风身旁。他刚才竟然蠢得以为自己和沙风能单独进餐，却忘了今晚全体成员都要在一起共享盛宴。
想到这里，他忽然意识到在整个命名典礼中他一直没有见到炭爪出现。她一定还在黄牙的医务室里。火心走到沙风身边，将猎物放在地上说：“我给炭爪拿点儿吃的东西，一会儿就回来。”
沙风耸了耸肩膀说：“当然可以。”
火心飞快地从猎物堆里拣了一只水老鼠后赶往医务室。他惊讶地看见黄牙坐在医务室里，他记得刚才在命名典礼上还见到她，所以她一定是在举行完仪式后直接回来了。
她对走近的火心说：“希望那个不是给我的，我已经吃过饭了。”
火心将水老鼠放在地上说：“这是给炭爪的，她也许饿了。我没见她参加命名典礼。”
“我已经给她拿了些老鼠肉，但你给她那个，她也会感激你的。”
火心四处打量这片香薇遮盖的空地，看见断尾没有移动位置，仍然躺在团毛的老巢里。
黄牙轻松地说：“他还在睡觉。”这不像是母亲的口气，倒更像是医生的。火心一直在担心黄牙是否仍忠于雷族，此时听到她这么说，心里不由得松了口气。他捡起水老鼠走到炭爪的窝边柔声唤道：“喂，炭爪。”
炭爪蠕动着坐起来：“是火心啊，你来啦。”
火心跨进去和她一同坐在狭小的窝内，他将水老鼠放在炭爪的爪子上说：“给你，可不是只有黄牙想把你喂胖哟！”
炭爪说：“谢谢你。”但她没有动食物，甚至都没有低头嗅一下。
火心轻声问：“你还在想这场战斗？”
炭爪耸了耸肩说：“我就是个负担罢了，是吗？”她抬头看着火心，圆圆的眼睛里充满了悲伤。
黄牙忽然将头探入窝内，截断他们的谈话说：“谁是负担呀？”她对火心说：“你是来打击我的助手吗？如果不是她，我真不知道该怎么处理今天的乱局。”她温和地看着炭爪，目光变得柔和起来，“今天早上她甚至还帮助我配制草药呢！”
炭爪害羞地低下头，在那只水老鼠上轻轻咬了一口。
黄牙继续说：“我想让她和我多住一段时间。她一天比一天变得有用。而且，我也开始舍不得她这位伙伴了。”
炭爪抬头看着这位老医生，打趣说：“只不过是因为你的耳朵不灵，听不见我的唠叨罢了！”黄牙假装生气地啐了口唾沫。炭爪对火心说：“哦，反正她对我就是一直这么说的。”
火心看到这两只猫的关系发展到如此亲密的地步，心里感到有些忌妒。他总是认为在雷族里只有他才是黄牙真正的朋友，现在看来，她又多了一个。不过至少炭爪有地方待了——如果不能接受武士训练，她在学徒巢穴里会感到格格不入的。
该回去和沙风吃饭了。他站起来问：“你们和断尾住在这里没有事吧？”
黄牙不屑地说：“我想我们还能应付，是吗，炭爪？”
炭爪自信地说：“他不敢再惹麻烦了，况且有长尾在这里帮忙。”
黄牙将头从窝内缩了回来，火心跟着走出来说：“再见，炭爪！”
“再见，谢谢你给我带食物。”
火心说：“小事一桩。”他转身对黄牙说：“我的脖子被咬了，你能帮忙处理一下吗？”
黄牙凑近看他的伤口，说：“看起来咬得不轻啊。”
火心实话实说：“是断尾咬的。”
黄牙点了点头：“等着。”她快步走进医务室里，拿出来一捆草药：“你自己能行吗？只需将它们嚼烂把汁涂在伤口上就行了。你会感到火辣辣的，不过没有什么困难是我们勇敢的武士克服不了的！”
火心说：“谢谢你，黄牙。”说着他叼起那捆草药。
黄牙陪他走出香薇通道后说：“我很感激你能来看她。”她望着炭爪的巢穴：“她很消沉。先是不能参加战斗令她很伤心，接着又是命名典礼。”
火心点了点头，完全理解黄牙的话。他担心地朝断尾躺着的地方又瞧了一眼问：“你能肯定你们安全吗？”
黄牙说：“他是个瞎子。”她叹了口气，然后开玩笑说：“而我也没那么老！”
火心第二天早上醒来时，看见耀眼的白光透过巢穴四壁照射进来。他猜测外面大概又下雪了，不过还好，至少他的伤口不大痛了。黄牙说得没错——草药汁淋在伤口上的确火辣辣的，但经过一夜的充分休息后，他感觉好多了。
火心想知道沙风和尘毛是否还在守夜。在雪天守夜，他们一定冻得够戗。他站起来，舒展前腿，弓着背，伸了个大大的懒腰。雷族的两名新武士扎成一堆儿正在巢穴的角落里呼呼大睡。一定是白风在早班巡逻时叫他们回来的。
火心走进白雪皑皑的会场，只看到在育婴室周围溜达的霜毛在舒展四肢。会场上有两处没有积雪覆盖，不用说是沙风和尘毛昨晚守夜的地方。火心一想到大雪天守夜的滋味儿，就感到浑身冰冷。不过想到自己当初守夜时的兴奋心情，他又感到有些忌妒。那种激动的心情使他即使遭遇霜雪也不会觉得寒冷。
天空中布满了厚厚的云彩，天上仍有雪花无声无息地飘然而下。火心知道今天的捕猎任务将会十分繁重。随着积雪的不断加厚，族群需要更加充足的猎物储备。
这时，高岩上传来蓝星的召唤声。大家纷纷从巢穴里走出来，踏雪来到会场上听族长讲话。火心走到那处没有积雪的地方，那里仍残留有沙风的味道。他看见灰条一脸疲惫，坐在会场的另一边。火心不知道他昨晚是否去见银溪了，告诉她泼皮猫的事情。
蓝星开口说：“我要告诉大家的是断尾就住在我们的营地里。”众猫均已知道这件事，因此没有谁感到意外。消息就如同森林大火般早已传遍整个营地。
一些猫鼻子里发出嗤嗤的声响以示不满。蓝星知道他们担心什么，于是朝他们点点头说：“他是个瞎子，不会对我们造成危害。我和你们一样关心族群的安全。但是凭良心说，我们不能将他赶走，让他死在森林里。在他伤好之前黄牙会照顾他。等他的伤痊愈后，我们再进一步讨论这个问题。”
蓝星来回扫视，看还有谁要说话，但是没有猫再做声，于是她从高岩上跳了下来。火心正要跟着大伙儿散去，这时他看见蓝星朝他走过来。
她说：“火心，有一件事让我很担心。你和灰条之间还在闹不愉快吗？这些天我从未看见你们两个在一起吃饭。之前我告诉过你，雷族里不允许有内讧。我要你们两个今天一起外出打猎。”
火心点了点头说：“是，蓝星。”这样安排正合他的心意。而且经过昨天的激战，他觉得灰条也有可能会喜欢这个主意。蓝星离开后，火心站在会场上四处乱瞅，希望灰条别又消失了。还好，他没走，正在帮忙清扫育婴室门前的积雪。
火心喊道：“喂，灰条。”灰条只顾清理积雪，没有理会他。火心跑过去说：“今天早上你想去打猎吗？”
灰条转身冷冷地看着他说：“你能保证我不会又消失吗？”
火心吃了一惊，结结巴巴地说：“不——不会，我只是想——经过昨天——爪脸——”
灰条不客气地说：“换了谁我都会那样对他的。这是我对族群的忠诚！”说完他转身继续扫雪。
火心的希望顿时破灭。他永远失去了朋友的信任吗？他垂着尾巴转身离去，走到营门口时，他扭头喊道：“其实是蓝星让我们两个今天早上一起出去打猎，你可以向她解释你不去的原因。”
灰条生气地说：“哦，我明白了，原来你和往常一样是在讨好蓝星呀。”火心停下脚步，转过身去正要反唇相讥，却见灰条抖了抖肩膀上的雪，向他走了过来。
灰条大声说：“既然这样，那就走吧。”说着他率先走出金雀花通道。
沟内的积雪很深，几乎没及他们的肩膀。他们爬上沟时，眼前呈现出一派冰雪世界的景象。灰条阴沉着脸，一声不吭地向前走，火心跟在他的后面。火心在一棵橡树的树根之间嗅到老鼠的气味，他正要进一步查找，这时灰条发现了一只找不着地洞的兔子。他健步如飞赶了过去，一个飞扑捉住了那只兔子，结果了它的性命。火心看着灰条拖着兔子走过来把它扔到地上。
灰条咕哝着说：“这只兔子可以喂饱一两个幼崽。”
火心说：“你不必向我证明什么。”
灰条苦涩地回答：“是吗？”他冷冷地看着火心，生气地说：“也许你该装出一副信任我的样子，我就不用煞费苦心地证明什么了。”说完，他不等火心回答便走开了。
到中午时分，两只猫都表现得不错，不过灰条捉到的更多。他们叼着沉重的猎物返回营地，将猎物放在会场中央。到目前为止，他们是最先带回来猎物的猫。
火心拿不定主意是不是应该再出去捕猎一次。地上的积雪更厚了，寒风也吹进营地。
火心仰头看着渐渐阴沉下来的天空，这时他听到育婴室附近传来纹脸焦急的声音。他连忙跑过去问：“出什么事了？”
纹脸说：“你看到云崽了吗？”
火心摇了摇头：“他不见了吗？”看见纹脸惊恐的样子，他也有些慌了神。
“是的，我其他的孩子也不见了。我才闭眼一小会儿，醒来时就找不到他们了！天气这么冷，他们出去会被冻死的！”纹脸说话的工夫，脚都软了，摇摇晃晃的，有点儿站不稳。
火心想起上次炭爪私自离开营地的事情，一下子紧张起来。
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER28
“I’ll find them,” Fireheart promisedHeautomatically looked around for Graystripe. The wind was rising and the snow was growing thicker—he didn’t want to search alone. Fireheart rushed to the warriors’ den and pushed his way inside, but Graystripe wasn’t there.
Sandstorm was just waking up. “What’s wrong?” she meowed, seeing Fireheart peering around the den.
“Brindleface’s kits are missing.”
“Cloudkit too?” Sandstorm scrambled to her paws, instantly awake.
“Yes! I was looking for Graystripe so we could look for them together, but he isn’t here,” Fireheart meowed, his words tumbling out in a rush. He felt a stab of rage that Graystripe was missing yet again—right after accusing Fireheart of not trusting him!
“I’ll come with you,” Sandstorm offered.
Fireheart blinked. “Thanks,” he meowed gratefully. “Come on. We should tell Bluestar before we leave.”
“Dustpelt can tell her. Is it still snowing?”
“Yes, and it’s getting heavier. We’d better hurry.” Fireheart looked at Dustpelt’s sleeping form. “You wake him. I’ll tell Brindleface we’re going and meet you by the entrance.” He bounded away, back to the nursery. Brindleface was still sniffing around in search of scents.
“Any sign?” Fireheart asked.
“No, nothing.” Brindleface’s voice was trembling. “Frostfur’s gone to tell Bluestar!”
“Well, don’t worry. I’m going out to look for them,” he reassured her. “Sandstorm’s coming with me. We’ll find them.”
Brindleface nodded and carried on searching.
Fireheart and Sandstorm arrived at the gorse tunnel together and hurried out into the woods. Outside the camp, the wind felt even fiercer. Fireheart narrowed his eyes and hunched his shoulders against the blizzard.
“It’s going to be hard picking up a scent through the fresh snow,” he warned Sandstorm. “Let’s start by checking to see if they’ve climbed up to the forest.”
“Okay,” meowed Sandstorm.
“You take that side.” Fireheart pointed with his nose. “And I’ll take the other. Meet you back here. Don’t be long.”
Sandstorm bounded away, and Fireheart leaped over a fallen tree, heading toward the trail the Clan followed most often. The sides of the ravine were even more thickly coated than they had been that morning, and slippery now where the snow had frozen into ice. Fireheart stopped and lifted his head, his mouth open, but he could find no scent of the kits. He looked in vain for pawsteps—would their trail already be covered by fresh snow?
He trekked along the bottom of the slope but found no sign of any cats, let alone lost kits. The wind blew until Fireheart could hardly feel the tips of his ears. No kits could survive in this weather, and it wouldn’t be long before the sun began to set. He had to find them before nightfall.
Fireheart raced back to the camp entrance. Sandstorm was waiting for him, her fur striped with small ridges of snow. She shook them off as she saw him coming.
“Any sign?” Fireheart meowed.
“No, nothing.”
“They can’t have gotten far,” Fireheart pointed out. “Come on, let’s try this way.” He headed toward the training hollow.
Sandstorm battled after him. The snow was getting deeper, and she sank up to her belly with every step.
The training hollow was empty.
“Do you think Bluestar realizes how bad the weather is out here?” asked Sandstorm, raising her voice against the wind.
“She’ll know,” Fireheart called back to her.
“We should go back and get help, join up with another search party,” meowed Sandstorm.
Fireheart looked at the shivering warrior. It was not just the kits who might freeze out here. Perhaps Sandstorm was right. “I agree,” he meowed. “We can’t do this by ourselves.”
As they turned toward camp, Fireheart thought he heard a tiny squeal through the wind. “Did you hear that?” he called.
Sandstorm stopped and began sniffing the air furiously. Suddenly she lifted her head. “That way!” she meowed, pointing with her nose to a fallen tree.
Fireheart leaped toward it with Sandstorm right behind him. The squealing grew louder until Fireheart could make out several little voices. He scrambled up onto the log and looked down the other side. Huddled in the snow were two small kits. Fireheart felt a rush of relief until he realized Cloudkit was not with them. “Where’s Cloudkit?” he yowled.
“Hunting,” squeaked one of the kits. Her voice trembled with cold and fear, but there was a note of defiance in it.
Fireheart lifted his head. “Cloudkit!” he called, peering through the snowflakes.
“Fireheart, look!” Sandstorm was on top of the log. Fireheart spun around. A bedraggled white shape was struggling through the snow toward them. Cloudkit! Every step was a massive leap for the tiny kit—the snow was as high as he was. But he kept coming, and in his mouth he carried a small, snow-encrusted vole.
A surge of relief and fury shot through Fireheart. He left Sandstorm with the others and bounded through the snow to scoop up the kit by the scruff of his neck. Cloudkit grunted in protest but refused to drop the vole that dangled from his mouth.
Fireheart turned to see Sandstorm nudging the others toward him. They stumbled ahead of her, sinking up to their ears in the deep snow, but she kept pushing them on.
Cloudkit squirmed in Fireheart’s mouth. Fireheart dropped him back into the snow. Cloudkit looked up at him, proudly holding his catch. Fireheart couldn’t help feeling impressed. In spite of the snow and wind, Cloudkit had caught his first prey!
“Wait there,” he ordered, and dashed back to help Sandstorm. He picked up a tiny she-kit who was mewling pitifully, and began nosing the other one forward.
The bedraggled group struggled back to the camp. Brindleface was waiting outside the gorse tunnel. Bluestar stood beside her, her eyes narrowed against the driving snow. As soon as they spotted Fireheart’s party, they rushed forward to help. Bluestar scooped up Cloudkit and Brindleface grabbed the other kit; then they turned and raced into the shelter of the camp with Fireheart and Sandstorm hurrying behind.
Once in the clearing, the three cats dropped their frozen bundles onto the ground. Fireheart shook the snow from his fur and looked down at Cloudkit, who was still stubbornly clinging to his catch.
Bluestar glared at the three kits. “What did you think you were doing out there? You know it’s against the warrior code for kits to hunt!”
Brindleface’s two kits shrank under their leader’s angry gaze, but Cloudkit looked back at her with round blue eyes. He dropped his vole and mewed, “The Clan needed fresh-kill, so we decided to catch some.”
Fireheart flinched at his boldness.
“Whose idea was it?” Bluestar demanded.
“Mine,” Cloudkit announced, his head still unbowed.
Bluestar fixed her eyes on the defiant little kit and yowled, “You could have frozen to death out there!”
Cloudkit was startled by the anger in her voice and dropped into a crouch. “We did it for the Clan,” he mewed defensively.
Fireheart held his breath as he waited to see what Bluestar would do next. Cloudkit had broken the warrior code. Would Bluestar change her mind about letting him stay?
“Your intention,” Bluestar meowed slowly, “was good. But it was a foolish thing to do.” Fireheart felt a flicker of hope. Then he cringed as Cloudkit piped up again.
“I caughtsomething, though.”
“I can see that,” replied Bluestar coldly. She gazed at all three kits. “I shall leave it to your mother to decide what to do with you. But I don’t want to find you doing anything like this again. Do you understand?”
Fireheart relaxed a little as Cloudkit nodded with the others. “Cloudkit, you may add your catch to the fresh-kill pile,” Bluestar added. “Then all three of you go straight to the nursery and get yourselves dry and warm.” Fireheart felt surprised. Was that a motherly tone he detected in the ThunderClan leader’s voice?
Brindleface’s kits stumbled toward the nursery, followed by their mother, while Cloudkit picked up his vole and trotted off toward the pile of fresh-kill. The proud tilt of his head made Fireheart’s paws prickle with worry, but as Bluestar watched him go, Fireheart thought he detected a glint of admiration in his leader’s eyes.
“Well done, you two,” she meowed, turning her attention to Sandstorm and Fireheart. “I’ll send Longtail out to retrieve the other search party. You should go to your den and try to warm up too!”
“Yes, Bluestar,” Fireheart answered. He turned to leave with Sandstorm but Bluestar called him back. “Fireheart,” she meowed, “I want to talk to you.” Her tone made Fireheart feel apprehensive. Perhaps he’d relaxed too soon.
“Cloudkit showed some fine hunting skills today,” Bluestar began. “But all the skill in the world is worthless if he can’t learn to obey the warrior code. It may be for his own safety now, but in the future the safety of the whole Clan will depend on it.”
Fireheart stared down at the ground. He knew Bluestar was right, but he couldn’t help feeling that she was expecting too much of the young kit. Cloudkit was still very young, and he’d been with the Clan only a short time. Fireheart swallowed a pang of resentment as he thought of how shamelessly Graystripe, a Clanborn cat, was disobeying the warrior code. He looked up at the Clan leader. “Yes, Bluestar,” he meowed. “I’ll make sure he learns.”
“Good.” Bluestar sounded satisfied. She turned away and padded to her den.
Fireheart made his way to the warriors’ den even though he no longer felt cold. Bluestar’s words had made him burn. He pushed his way inside, settled into his nest, and began to wash. He stayed in his nest all afternoon, brooding about Graystripe and Cloudkit. He knew that Bluestar was right. The pride and defiance he’d seen in the white kit’s eyes made Fireheart wonder if he really would be able to adjust to Clan life.
As evening came, hunger drew Fireheart from the den. He picked a thrush from the pile of fresh-kill and settled down by the nettle clump to eat it. It was dark now, and the snow had eased. Once his eyes had adjusted to the night, Fireheart could see the camp entrance clearly.
He spotted Graystripe as soon as he appeared, and watched him walk to the pile of fresh-kill. The gray warrior was carrying prey. Perhaps he’d just been hunting after all.
Graystripe dropped most of his catch onto the pile. He kept a large mouse for himself and took it to a sheltered spot near the camp wall. Fireheart’s brief hope faded. The distracted look in Graystripe’s eyes told him that his suspicions were right—Graystripe had been with Silverstream.
Fireheart got to his paws and padded into the den. He had no trouble falling into a deep sleep. And as he slept, he dreamed again
The snowy forest spread out around him, glowing white beneath the cold moon. Fireheart stood on a tall, jagged rock. Beside him stood Cloudkit—a fully grown warrior, his thick white pelt rippling in the wind. Frost sparkled on the stone beneath their paws.
“Watch!” Fireheart hissed to Cloudkit. A wood mouse scuttled around the frozen roots of a tree. Cloudkit followed his gaze and leaped silently from the rock onto the forest floor. Fireheart watched the white tom prowl toward the prey. Suddenly he smelled a scent so warm and familiar, his fur quivered. He felt warm breath on his ear and turned sharply. Spottedleaf was standing beside him.
Her dappled pelt shone in the moonlight as she touched her soft pink nose to his. “Fireheart,” she whispered. “I have a warning for you from StarClan.” Her tone was somber and her eyes burned into his. “A battle is coming, Fireheart. Beware a warrior you cannot trust.”
The squeal of a mouse made Fireheart jump and look around. Cloudkit must have made his kill. He turned back to Spottedleaf but she had disappeared.
Fireheart woke up with a start and turned to the nest beside him. Graystripe was curled up, fast asleep, his nose tucked under his thick tail. Spottedleaf’s words echoed in Fireheart’s mind: “Beware a warrior you cannot trust!”
He shivered. The bitter cold of the forest seemed to cling to his fur even here, and the sweet fragrance of Spottedleaf lingered in his nostrils. Graystripe stirred beside him, muttering in his sleep, and Fireheart flinched. He knew he wouldn’t go back to sleep again, but he stayed in his nest and watched his friend sleeping until the dawn light began to shine through the walls of the den.
第二十八章
第二十八章
火心安慰纹脸说：“我一定能找到他们。”他下意识地四处张望寻找灰条。风越刮越大，雪越下越厚——他不想单独去找幼崽们。火心奔进武士巢穴里，灰条没在。
沙风醒来时，看见火心在巢穴里乱瞅，便问：“出什么事了？”
“纹脸的孩子们不见了。”
沙风一惊，立刻清醒过来，爬起来问：“云崽也不见了？”
火心急急忙忙地说：“是的！我在找灰条，让他和我一起去寻找幼崽们，但他不在这里。”看到灰条又消失了，他简直气不打一处来！
沙风自告奋勇说：“我和你一起去。”
火心眨了眨眼睛，感激地说：“太谢谢了。走吧，出发前我们告诉蓝星一声。”
“让尘毛通知她吧。外面还在下雪吗？”
“是的，积雪更厚了。我们最好抓紧时间。”火心看了看仍在熟睡的尘毛，“你去叫醒他，我去和纹脸说一声，咱们在营门口会合。”他跑回育婴室，看见纹脸仍在四处探寻幼崽们的气味。
火心问：“有什么发现没有？”
纹脸声音颤抖着说：“什么都没有。霜毛已经去向蓝星报告此事了！”
他安慰道：“哦，别担心。我出去找他们，沙风和我一起去，我们会找到他们的。”
纹脸点了点头。
火心和沙风匆匆忙忙跑出金雀花通道。外面的风更加猛烈了，火心不得不眯起眼睛、缩紧双肩以抵御严寒。
他对沙风说：“大雪天要想找到气味的痕迹会越来越难。我们先看看他们是不是进入森林了。”
“好的。”
火心的鼻子扬了扬说：“你去这边，我去另一边，我们在这里会合。时间不要太长。”
火心跃过一根木头，一路寻找下去。沟两边的雪更加厚了，而在那些雪冻成了冰的地方，走起路来也更容易滑倒。火心停下脚步，抬起头张开嘴，但是嗅不到幼崽们的气味。
他也没有找到幼崽们的足迹——难道他们的脚印已经被新下的雪盖住了吗？
他沿着沟底寻找，连一根猫毛都没找到。寒风呼呼地吹到火心的脸上，吹得他双耳几乎都麻木了。太阳很快就要落山了，在这种天气里，幼崽根本活不了。他必须在天黑前找到他们。
火心回到营地入口时，沙风正在那里等候他，她的身上已经积了薄薄一层雪。看到火心回来，沙风抖去身上的积雪。
火心问：“找到什么没有？”
“什么都没找到。”
火心说：“他们不会走得太远的。走，去这边找找。”说着他向训练沙坑跑去。
沙风踩着厚厚的雪努力跟上。雪越积越厚，每走一步，她的腹部都要陷进雪里。
训练沙坑里也空空如也。
沙风顶着风大声问：“你认为蓝星知道外面的天气有这么恶劣吗？”
火心也喊着回答：“她会知道的。”
沙风说：“我们应该回去多找些帮手，组成一支搜寻队。”
火心看着冻得发颤的沙风，别说幼崽，就是武士，在这种天气里也会被冻死。也许沙风说得对。他说：“我同意。单纯依靠我们自己的力量不可能找到他们。”
就在他们转身返回营地时，火心忽然听到吹来的风中夹杂着一些微弱的尖叫声。他大声问沙风：“你听到了吗？”
沙风停下脚步嗅着狂暴的寒风。她猛地抬起头，用鼻子指着一棵倒在地上的木头说：“在那边！”
火心和沙风先后向那根木头跑了过去。尖叫声越来越响，火心已能听出是几个声音混杂在一起。他爬上木头向下看，只见有两个小家伙在雪地里缩成一团。火心刚松了口气，忽然发现其中没有云崽，他急忙大声喝道：“云崽在哪里？”
一只幼崽细声细气地说：“在打猎。”她又冷又怕，声音直发颤，但语气中明显包含着不满。
火心环顾周围，到处是白茫茫的一片，他大声喊道：“云崽！”
沙风站在木头上说：“火心，快看！”火心回头望去，看见一团白影正顶着风雪朝他们走来。是云崽！那个小家伙每走一步都不得不跳起来——地上的积雪几乎和他一般高。但他仍然拖着一只已被雪裹成一团的小老鼠走了过来。
火心终于放下心，可同时他又感到十分生气。他急忙跑过去，一口咬住云崽颈背上的皮毛，将他叼了起来。小家伙嘴里咕哝着发出抗议，却不肯放下嘴里那只小老鼠。
火心转身看见沙风正赶着其他两只幼崽朝他走过来。幼崽们在她前面磕磕绊绊地爬着，整个头都快扎进雪里，沙风只好不停地将他们拽出来。
云崽在火心的嘴下一阵乱动，于是火心将他放回到雪地里。云崽叼着他的猎物，骄傲地抬头看着火心。火心忍不住暗暗称赞。虽然又是刮风又是下雪的，云崽仍然捉到了他的第一只猎物！
火心命令说：“在这里等着。”他跑回去帮助沙风。他叼起一只可怜的喵喵直叫的小母猫，又用鼻子顶着另一只幼崽帮他前行。
这几只猫一路艰难跋涉，最终狼狈不堪地回到营地。纹脸正等候在营门外，蓝星坐在她身边，被风雪刮得睁不开眼睛。看到火心他们回来，立刻冲上前帮忙。蓝星叼起云崽，纹脸叼着另一只幼崽，转身跑进灌木遮盖的营地。火心和沙风紧赶慢赶地跟在后面。
回到会场上，他们将三个冻僵的小毛球放在地上。火心抖去身上的雪，低头向云崽看去，只见他仍然倔犟地叼着他的猎物。
蓝星瞪着这三只幼崽训斥道：“你们去外面想干什么？你们知道，幼崽捕猎可是违犯了武士法典的！”
在蓝星的怒视下，纹脸的两个孩子吓得缩成一团，但云崽却将他的小老鼠放在地上，小眼睛睁得圆圆的，看着蓝星说：“族群需要猎物，所以我们决定去捉些回来。”
火心被他的大胆行为吓了一跳。
蓝星问：“这是谁的主意？”
云崽的头仰得高高的，直言不讳道：“我的主意。”
蓝星盯着这个桀骜不驯的小家伙大声吼道：“你们在外面可能会被冻死！”
云崽见她如此动怒，有些软了下来，但他仍然不服气地说：“我们是为了族群才这么做的。”
火心吓得屏住呼吸，不知道蓝星下一步会如何处置他。云崽违犯了武士法典，蓝星是否会改变初衷，不再容许他留在族群里呢？
蓝星缓缓地说：“你的本意是好的，但这么做非常愚蠢。”火心看到一线希望。但他见云崽又挺起胸脯时，心一下子又悬了起来。
“不过，我捉到一些东西。”
蓝星冷冷地说：“我看见了。”她瞪着这三只幼崽说：“我让你们的妈妈来决定怎样处置你们。我不希望你们再犯同样的错误，你们听清楚了吗？”
看到云崽和其他两个幼崽一起点头，火心稍稍放下心来。蓝星补充说：“云崽，你可以将捕到的猎物放在猎物堆里。然后，你们三个给我乖乖地回到育婴室去，把身上的水舔干，好好暖暖身子。”火心感到很惊讶。他是不是听错了？蓝星竟然在用母亲的口吻说话。
纹脸的孩子们跌跌撞撞地向育婴室走去，纹脸跟在后面。云崽则叼起猎物走向猎物堆。那副得意扬扬的样子着实让火心替他捏了把汗。但蓝星看着他离去，没有再说什么，眼睛里反而闪过一丝赞许的神色。
她的注意力转向沙风和火心，说：“你们两个干得漂亮。我会派长尾去将其他的搜寻队员叫回来。你们也应该回到巢穴里去暖和暖和！”
火心回答：“是，蓝星。”他和沙风正要转身离去，蓝星却将他叫回来说：“火心，我有些话要对你说。”她的语气让火心提心吊胆，也许他高兴得太早了。
蓝星开口道：“今天云崽显露出一些优秀的捕猎技能。但是如果他不懂得遵守武士法典，就算学会全天下的技能也毫无用处。现在，这也许只关系到他自己的安全，但在将来，这将关系到全族的安危。”
火心低头看着地面。虽然他知道蓝星说的没错，但仍觉得蓝星对这个幼崽的要求过高了。云崽还是个孩子，他才刚来族群不久。火心想起灰条这只族生猫一再违犯武士法典，不由得感到怨恨难消。他抬起头看着族长说：“是，蓝星。我会教他遵守武士法典的。”
蓝星满意地说：“很好。”她转过身，朝自己的巢穴走去。
蓝星的一席话让火心浑身发烫。尽管大雪纷飞，他甚至都不觉得寒冷。他走进巢穴躺在窝内开始清理身上的毛。整个下午他都待在窝里，脑子里不是灰条就是云崽。他知道蓝星说得对。他从云崽的眼里看到了桀骜不驯。他不知道云崽是否真的能够适应族群生活。
晚上，雪停了，火心出来找些吃的。他走到猎物堆前拣了一只燕雀，坐在荨麻丛旁狼吞虎咽。随着他的眼睛慢慢适应黑暗，营地里的景物渐渐清晰起来。
他看到灰条叼着猎物从外面回来，走到猎物堆旁。也许他一直在外面打猎吧。
灰条将捕回来的大部分猎物放在猎物堆里，自己则留下一只大老鼠。他走到营地围墙边独自进食。火心燃起的希望之火渐渐熄灭。看见灰条那副恍惚的神态，火心就知道自己猜得没错——灰条一直和银溪在一起。
火心站起来走进巢穴，躺在窝内不一会儿便睡着了。在熟睡中，他又进入了梦境。
漆黑的森林，清冷的月光，皑皑的白雪。火心站在一块大石头上，云崽站在他的身边——他已经完全成长为一名武士。寒风吹过，在他的毛上掀起阵阵波纹，脚下大石头上的冰霜闪闪发亮。
火心小声对云崽说：“看！”一只老鼠在暴露于地面上的树根间仓皇疾走。云崽盯着它，神不知鬼不觉地从石头上跳到地上。火心看着他向猎物潜行过去，突然闻到一股温暖熟悉的气息。他感到耳畔有谁在呼吸，募然回首，看见斑叶就坐在他的身边。
月光下，斑叶全身都被光辉笼罩。她伸过柔软的粉红色鼻子和火心的鼻子触了触，小声说：“火心，星族让我给你提个醒。”她目光忧郁，和火心的目光交融在一起：“大战就要来临。火心，注意提防那个你不能信任的武士。”
一只老鼠的尖叫声吓了火心一跳，他急忙朝四处张望。一定是云崽捉住了那只老鼠。
等他回过头来时，斑叶已经不见了。
火心一惊，醒了过来。他翻身看看旁边，见到灰条蜷成一团，鼻子被盖在大粗尾巴下面正在酣睡。斑叶的话又在他的耳边响起：“注意提防那个你不能信任的武士！”
他打了个寒战，即使在温暖的巢穴里，他似乎仍感到十分寒冷。他的鼻孔里残留有斑叶身上那股甜甜的芳香。灰条动了一下，咕哝了几句梦话。火心知道自己再也无法入睡，他看着身边熟睡的朋友，直到清晨的阳光照进巢穴。
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER29
As the den grew lighter, Willowpeltwoke up. Fireheart watched as she rose and stretched, then pushed her way out of the den. He gave a last glance at Graystripe’s sleeping form, and followed her.
“It’s stopped snowing,” he meowed, desperate to break the ghostly silence that enfolded the snowbound camp. His voice echoed around the clearing, and Willowpelt nodded.
A rustling noise accompanied the scent of Tigerclaw and Runningwind as they emerged from the den. They settled themselves beside Willowpelt to wash. Ready for the dawn patrol, Fireheart thought. He wondered if he should offer to join them, since he could do with a run through the woods, but part of him wanted to stay behind and keep an eye on Graystripe. Spottedleaf’s words still lay heavy in his heart. He couldn’t shake off the idea that Graystripe was the warrior he could not trust. Graystripe insisted his relationship with Silverstream didn’t change his loyalty to the Clan, but how could it not? He was breaking the warrior code just by seeing her!
Suddenly Tigerclaw lifted his head as though he had smelled something. Fireheart tensed. His ears twitched—he could hear paws crunching through the snow in the distance, moving fast. The breeze carried the scent of WindClan. The pawsteps grew louder. As one, the warriors stiffened—a cat was rushing toward them through the gorse tunnel. Tigerclaw arched his back and hissed as Onewhisker burst into the clearing.
The WindClan warrior skidded to a halt in front of them, his eyes filled with dread. “ShadowClan and RiverClan!” he gasped. “They’re attacking our camp! We’re outnumbered and fighting for our lives. Tallstar refuses to be driven off this time. You must help or my Clan will be wiped out!”
Bluestar bounded out of her den. All eyes turned from Onewhisker to her. “I heard,” she meowed. Without mounting the Highrock, the ThunderClan leader gave the yowl she used to call the Clan together. Onewhisker’s fear-scent filled the clearing as he watched the cats emerge into the morning light.
As soon as the Clan had gathered, Bluestar began. “There’s no time to waste. It’s as we feared—ShadowClan and RiverClan have joined together, and now they’re attacking the WindClan camp. We must help them.” She paused and looked around at the faces staring back at her in dismay. Onewhisker stood beside her, listening silently with wide, hopeful eyes.
Fireheart was appalled. After the rogue cats had been discovered, he’d thought Nightstar could be trusted. Now it seemed the ShadowClan leader had broken the warrior code after all by uniting with RiverClan to drive WindClan from their home yet again.
“But we are leaf-bare-weak!” protested Patchpelt. “We’ve taken a risk for WindClan once before. Let them take care of themselves this time.” A few murmurs of agreement rose from the elders and queens.
It was Tigerclaw who answered him, stepping forward to stand beside Bluestar. “You’re right to be cautious, Patchpelt. But if ShadowClan and RiverClan have united, it is only a matter of time before they turn on us. It’s better we fight now, with WindClan, than later, alone!”
Bluestar looked at Patchpelt, who closed his eyes and lifted his tail, accepting Tigerclaw’s words.
Yellowfang pushed her way forward and spoke quietly to the leader. “I think you should remain behind in camp, Bluestar. The fever from the greencough may have gone, but you’ll still be weak.” The two cats exchanged a look that Fireheart understood with a jolt. Bluestar was on her ninth and final life. For the sake of the Clan, she could not afford to risk it in battle.
Bluestar nodded briskly. “Tigerclaw, I want you to organize two parties, one to head the attack, one to back it up. We need to get there as fast as we can!”
“Yes, Bluestar.” Tigerclaw turned to the warriors. “Whitestorm, you’ll head the second party; I’ll head the first. I’ll take Darkstripe, Mousefur, Longtail, Dustpelt, and Fireheart.” Fireheart lifted his head as Tigerclaw called his name, feeling a thrill run through him. He was to join the lead party!
“You!” Tigerclaw called to Onewhisker. “What’s your name?” The WindClan warrior looked startled by Tigerclaw’s tone.
Fireheart answered for him. “Onewhisker,” he meowed.
Tigerclaw nodded, barely pausing to look at Fireheart. “Onewhisker, you’ll be in my party. The rest of the ThunderClan warriors will join Whitestorm. You too, Brackenpaw.”
“Are we all ready?” called Tigerclaw. The warriors raised their heads and let out a battle cry. Tigerclaw charged for the gorse tunnel and they raced after him.
Up the ravine they climbed, into the forest. They were heading for Fourtrees and the uplands beyond. Fireheart glanced over his shoulder as he ran through the trees. Graystripe was near the back, his face grim, his eyes staring blankly ahead. Fireheart wondered if Silverstream would be at the battle. Fireheart felt a pang of sorrow for his friend, but this time he had no doubts about his own readiness to fight. After bringing WindClan home, he couldn’t help feeling responsible for them. He would not let any Clan drive them back to those Thunderpath tunnels.
Spottedleaf’s fragrance filled his nostrils once more, and Fireheart’s fur prickled. “Beware a warrior you cannot trust!” This was going to be a difficult battle in more ways than one. Graystripe would have no choice about proving his loyalty now.
Even though the snow had stopped falling, it was hard work getting through the drifts. An icy crust had formed over the top of the snow, but the warriors were heavy enough to break through and sink into the softer snow underneath.
“Tigerclaw!” Willowpelt’s yowl sounded from the rear. The deputy halted and turned.
“We’re being followed!” Willowpelt called.
Her words sent a quiver of alarm through Fireheart. Had they run into a trap? Quietly the patrol retraced its pawsteps, alert and suspicious. A snow-laden branch creaked above, making Brackenpaw jump.
“Wait,” hissed Tigerclaw.
The cats crouched in the deep snow. Fireheart could hear the noise of pawsteps heading toward them. They sounded light, like small paws stepping delicately over the top of the ice crust. With a sinking heart, Fireheart guessed who it was a heartbeat before Cloudkit and Brindleface’s two kits appeared from behind a log.
Tigerclaw reared up at them and the kits squealed in fright. The warrior recognized them instantly and dropped down onto all four paws. “What are you doing here!” he spat.
“We wanted to join the battle,” mewed Cloudkit. Fireheart winced.
“Fireheart!” called Tigerclaw. Fireheart hurried forward, and the dark warrior spat impatiently, “You brought this kit into the Clan; you deal with it.”
Fireheart looked into Tigerclaw’s blazing eyes. He knew that the deputy was trying to force him to choose: Fireheart could either join the battle party and fight for the Clan or take care of his kittypet kin. The whole patrol waited in silence for Fireheart to speak.
Fireheart knew he would choose to fight for the Clan, but he couldn’t sacrifice his sister’s kit. Cloudkit and the others must be taken home safely by another cat. But which warrior could the raiding party do without?
“Brackenpaw,” Fireheart called to Graystripe’s apprentice. “Please take these kits home!” Fireheart waited for Graystripe to object, but the gray warrior remained silent as Fireheart ordered his apprentice back to camp.
Brackenpaw’s tail drooped and Fireheart felt a stab of guilt. “There’ll be plenty more battles for you to fight,” he promised
“But, Fireheart, you said one day we’d fight side by side!” Cloudkit’s protest rang through the trees. Tigerclaw shot Fireheart a mocking look. Fireheart felt his fur prickle uncomfortably as amusement rippled through the patrol at the tiny kit’s words. But he refused to show his embarrassment. “One day we will,” he meowed. “But not today!”
The white kit’s shoulders sagged and Fireheart let out a sigh of relief as he watched Cloudkit reluctantly join the other kits following Brackenpaw back to the camp.
“I’m surprised by your choice, Fireheart,” Tigerclaw sneered. “I didn’t expect you to be so keen to fight thisbattle.”
Fireheart stared at Tigerclaw and felt the blood pulse through him, so that his whole body throbbed with rage. “If only you were keen too!” he retorted. “You’d give the battle cry instead of keeping us here while WindClan warriors die!”
Tigerclaw flashed him a look of loathing, threw back his head, and yowled to the sky before charging on toward the WindClan camp. Fireheart and the others raced after him, past Fourtrees to the steep slope that led to the uplands. They bounded up, their paws made noiseless by the snow.
When they reached the top, Fireheart was battered by a howling wind that turned his ears inside out. The WindClan hunting grounds looked more barren than ever, the gorse hidden by a layer of snow.
“Fireheart! You know the way to the WindClan camp!” yowled Tigerclaw above the wind. “Lead us there.” He slowed to let Fireheart pass. Fireheart wondered if the deputy didn’t trust Onewhisker enough to let the WindClan warrior guide them. He looked back at Graystripe, hoping for some help, but the gray warrior had his head bowed low and his shoulders hunched miserably as the wind buffeted his thick fur. There would be little help there. Fireheart turned his eyes to StarClan and sent up a prayer for guidance.
He was surprised to find that he recognized the shape of the land even beneath the snow. There was the badger set and the rock Graystripe had climbed to get a better view. He followed the contours he remembered from his journey with Graystripe until he reached the dip in the land that marked the WindClan camp.
Fireheart paused at the rim of the hollow. “Down there!” he yowled. For a heartbeat the wind dropped, and from below they heard the sounds of battle—screams and howls as cat furiously fought with cat.
第二十九章
第二十九章
随着巢穴内逐渐明亮，火心看见柳带醒了。她站起来伸了个懒腰，然后走出巢穴。火心最后看了一眼尚未醒来的灰条，跟在柳带后面走了出去。
营地中白茫茫的一片，透着一种死一般的沉寂。火心感到很不自在，刻意要打破沉寂：“雪停了。”他的声音回荡在会场上，柳带点了点头。
这时只听沙沙声过后，虎掌和奔风也从巢穴里走了出来。他们一屁股坐在柳带身边，开始清理自己身上的毛。火心知道他们在为早班巡逻做准备，但却拿不定主意是否和他们一起出去，不过同时他又隐隐觉得应该时刻注意灰条的动向。斑叶的话已经深深铭刻在他的心里，因此他认定灰条就是那个他不能信任的武士。虽然灰条固执己见，认为自己和银溪的关系不会影响到他对雷族的忠诚，但这怎么可能呢？仅仅是他和银溪私会这一条便违犯了武士法典。
虎掌忽然抬起头，似乎嗅到了什么东西。火心也跟着紧张起来。他动了动耳朵——听到远处传来嘎吱嘎吱的踩雪声。吹来的风中夹杂着风族的气味。脚步声越来越近，武士们都严阵以待。不一会儿，一只猫穿过金雀花通道向他们直冲过来，原来是风族的一根须。
虎掌弓起背，嘴里发出低嘶。
一根须来到他们面前，刹住脚步气喘吁吁地说：“影族和河族，他们袭击了我们的营地！他们猫数太多，我们寡不敌众。这次高星决意坚守营地，拒绝撤出。求你们火速支援，否则风族就要灭亡了！”
蓝星从巢穴里跑了出来，所有的目光一下子都从一根须转移到她的身上。她说：“我都听到了。”蓝星没有像往常一样跳上高岩，而是立刻高声召集族群开会。大家纷纷从巢穴里走了出来，都嗅到了一根须身上散发出的恐惧的气味。
看到大家到齐，蓝星开口说：“情况紧急，我长话短说。真是怕什么来什么——影族和河族已经结盟，现在他们沆瀣一气攻击风族的营地。我们必须施以援手！”蓝星顿了顿，看着惊慌失措的群猫。一根须站在她的身边，一声不吭地倾听，眼睛里充满期待的眼神。
火心感到身上泛起阵阵寒意。在得知那些泼皮猫才是罪魁祸首之后，他原以为夜星值得信任，谁知事态发展到如此地步，夜星竟然违犯武士法典和河族狼狈为奸，要将风族再次赶出家园。
团毛反对说：“但我们还没有恢复元气！我们已经冒险帮助过风族一次了，这一回让他们自己应对吧。”有几只老猫和母猫随声附和。
虎掌上前几步站在蓝星身边说：“如果影族和河族已经同流合污，那么他们将矛头对准我们便只是早晚的事。现在与风族一起同仇敌忾，总强过日后腹背受敌！”
团毛眯缝着眼睛翘起尾巴，接受了虎掌的意见。
黄牙分开众猫走上前对蓝星说：“你应当留在营地里，蓝星。虽然你的病已经好了，但身体仍然很虚弱。”她和蓝星交换了一个目光。火心冷眼旁观，立刻明白了黄牙的真实意图。蓝星只剩下最后一条性命了，为了全族大局着想，她不能再冒打仗的风险。
蓝星点了点头，飞快地说：“虎掌，我要你组织两支队伍，一支打头阵，另一支后援。
我们必须抓紧时间行动！”
“是，蓝星。”虎掌转身面对众武士，“白风，你带领预备队。我带领黑条、鼠毛、长尾、尘毛和火心去打头阵。”火心听见虎掌提到他的名字，内心激动不已。他要去打头阵了！
虎掌对一根须说：“你！你叫什么名字？”那名风族的武士听虎掌的语气如此无礼，吃了一惊。
火心代他回答说：“他叫一根须。”
虎掌点了点头，眼睛都不瞅火心一下，说：“一根须，你加入到我的队伍。雷族其他的武士就由白风率领。蕨爪，你也去。”
虎掌大声问：“大家都准备好了吗？”众武士昂首挺胸，齐声发出战斗的呐喊。虎掌当先冲出营地，众武士们紧紧跟随。
大家爬上沟，直奔“四棵树”那边的高地而去。在路上，火心注意到灰条跟在队伍的末尾，他阴沉着脸，眼睛直勾勾地盯着前方，眼神空洞茫然。火心不知道银溪是否也参加战斗了，他为灰条感到悲伤。但火心这一次毫不犹豫，决心拼死一战。是他把风族带回家园的，他感到自己对他们负有责任，决不能坐视他们再次被赶回到雷鬼路的那些隧道里去。
火心的鼻孔里似乎又闻到斑叶的芳香，他的毛一下子竖立起来。“注意提防那个你不能信任的武士！”从各个方面看，他们面临的都将是一场恶战。灰条是不是忠诚于雷族，届时一看便知。
雪已经停了，但在雪地里行走丝毫不觉得容易。虽然雪面上结了一层冰壳，不过一脚踩下去仍会踏破冰壳陷进雪里。
“虎掌！”柳带的声音从队伍后方传来。虎掌停下脚步转过身。
柳带大声报告说：“我们被跟踪了！”
她的话在猫群中引起一阵骚动。他们中圈套了？大家沿着来时的脚印往回走，保持高度的戒备。一根树枝不堪积雪的重负，咔嚓一声折断，吓了蕨爪一大跳。
虎掌小声说：“站着别动。”
众猫伏在厚厚的积雪里。远处传来脚步声。脚步声很轻，好像是小脚丫踩在雪面的冰壳上发出来的。火心心中一动，猜出是谁来了，顿时心里一沉。果然，不一会儿，便见云崽和纹脸的两个孩子从一根木头后爬了过来。
虎掌冲了过去，他们尖叫着摆开大战的架式。虎掌立刻认出他们，刹住脚步骂道：“你们在这里干什么？”
云崽说：“我们要参加战斗。”火心暗暗叫苦。
虎掌大声喊道：“火心！”火心连忙上前。虎掌不耐烦地说：“你把这些幼崽带回营地，交由你来处置。”
火心盯着虎掌的目光，知道他是在逼自己做出选择：要么为了族群而参加战斗，要么照顾他的宠物猫亲戚。大家都在静静等待着火心的回答。
火心想选择战斗，但他不能为此而牺牲掉姐姐的孩子。必须让别的猫将云崽和那两个幼崽安安全全地带回营地。但是谁在这支突击队中无关紧要呢？
“蕨爪，”火心对灰条的徒弟喊道，“请将这三个幼崽带回营地去！”火心以为灰条会反对，但在火心发号施令的过程里，灰条始终一声不吭。
看到蕨爪的尾巴耷拉下来，火心感到有些愧疚，他向蕨爪保证说：“今后还有很多打仗的机会。”
云崽抗议：“但是火心，你说过终有一天我们会并肩战斗的！”虎掌嘲笑地瞥了火心一眼。火心感到非常尴尬，大伙儿则被这个小家伙的话逗得哈哈大笑。火心说：“会有那么一天的，但不是今天！”
云崽顿时像泄了气的皮球一样蔫了下去。火心看着云崽不情愿地和其他两个幼崽在蕨爪的看护下返回营地，不由得暗暗舒了口气。
虎掌揶揄道：“我对你的选择感到十分惊讶，火心。我还以为你对这次战斗并不那么热心呢。”
火心勃然大怒，感到整个身体都在怒火中熊熊燃烧。他瞪着虎掌反唇相讥：“只要你热心于此，我甘愿奉陪！你最好带我们立即出发，而不是让我们在这里傻站着，眼睁睁地看着风族武士们死去。”
虎掌厌恶地瞟了他一眼，仰天长啸一声，一马当先向风族的营地奔去。火心和其他武士追随其后，经过“四棵树”所在的盆地来到风族的领地。他们一路奔行，脚下的积雪被踩得嘎吱作响。
高地上疾风吼叫，火心的双耳都被吹得由里向外翻了过来。大雪将金雀花丛层层覆盖，使高地显得更加贫瘠。
虎掌顶着风大声说：“火心！你熟悉去风族营地的路！你在前面带路吧。”由于摸不清虎掌的真实意图，火心不知道是否该请一根须来当向导。他回过头去看灰条，希望能从他那里得到帮助。却见灰条低着头，身上的毛被大风吹得乱成一团，他在大风中缩着肩膀，瑟瑟发抖。火心只能仰望天空，默默祈祷星族指点迷津。
当他依稀辨认出大雪后高地的地形时，连自己都觉得惊奇。他看见那个獾洞，还看见灰条曾经登高望远的石头。他凭借着对上次经历的模糊记忆带着大家走到风族营地的附近。
火心走到大坑边，大喊一声：“就在下面！”那一瞬间风停了下来，他们听到下面传来战斗的声音——那是群猫混战时所发出的怒吼声和号叫声。
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER30
Tigerclaw addressed the warriors in afierce hiss that carried through the blizzard. “Whitestorm, wait until you hear my battle cry! Onewhisker, you lead us through the camp entrance; we’ll take care of the rest.”
Onewhisker began to race down the slope toward the snow-covered bushes. Tigerclaw thundered after him, Darkstripe at his heels. Fireheart charged behind the sleek gray tabby, through the narrow tunnel that led into the WindClan camp. The gorse was as dense and sharp as he remembered. Graystripe and the other warriors stayed at the top of the slope, a fresh wave of attack ready to strike after the initial barrage.
Fireheart skidded to a halt, reeling at the sight that greeted him in the camp clearing. Last time he’d been here, in search of the scent trail that would lead them to the missing Clan, the place had been deserted and silent. Now the clearing swarmed with writhing, screeching, fighting cats. Onewhisker had been right—the WindClan cats were hopelessly outnumbered. A fresh party of ShadowClan and RiverClan warriors waited at the edge of the clearing, but WindClan could spare no backup group. The whole Clan was fighting, apprentices and elders, warriors and queens.
Fireheart spotted Morningflower wrestling with a ShadowClan warrior. The WindClan queen looked exhausted and frightened, her fur standing in ragged clumps. Still, she nimbly turned and scratched her attacker, but he was much bigger and knocked her easily to the ground with a heavy blow.
With a howl, Fireheart leaped and landed squarely on the shoulders of the ShadowClan tom. He clung on while the surprised warrior spun and tried to shake him loose. Morningflower raked the tom with her claws as Fireheart dragged him to the ground. The ShadowClan warrior screeched and ripped himself free. He ran into the prickly camp wall and pushed his way through. Morningflower shot a grateful glance at Fireheart and turned back to the battle.
Fireheart looked around, shaking drops of blood from his nose. The fresh patrols of ShadowClan and RiverClan cats had joined the fight now. ThunderClan’s arrival had evened the numbers for a while, but now the second party was needed. Fireheart heard Tigerclaw’s battle cry ring out, and a moment later Whitestorm exploded into the clearing, followed by Graystripe, Runningwind, and the rest of the ThunderClan warriors.
Fireheart grabbed a RiverClan warrior, tripping him with one paw and holding him down with another. He rolled the tom over and thrashed at his belly with his hind claws. The RiverClan cat leaped away and crashed into a WindClan warrior. The warrior turned in surprise. Fireheart recognized Onewhisker straightaway and watched as he reared and attacked the RiverClan tom without a moment’s pause. Fireheart could see the fire in Onewhisker’s eyes. He could leave him to finish this fight.
A familiar hiss caught Fireheart’s attention. Graystripe was battling with a gray ShadowClan cat. It was Wetfoot, a warrior who had helped them fight to rid ShadowClan of Brokenstar. The two warriors were well matched. Graystripe thrust Wetfoot away with his back legs and spun around, looking for another cat to attack. Fireheart could see a RiverClan cat right behind Graystripe. Above the din of battle, he heard the blood roar in his ears. Would Graystripe attack one of Silverstream’s fellow warriors?
Graystripe leaped, and Fireheart held his breath. But instead of jumping onto the RiverClan cat, Graystripe sailed over him and landed instead on the back of another ShadowClan warrior.
Fireheart heard Tigerclaw call his name. He twisted his head and saw the warrior at the other end of the clearing. The fighting was thick up there, with cats from all Clans battling together.
As he charged through to the ThunderClan deputy, Fireheart felt Leopardfur grasp his hind leg, pulling him down.
“You!” hissed the RiverClan deputy. They had last met at the gorge, where Whiteclaw had died.
Fireheart threw her off and flipped over onto his back. Too late, he realized that he’d exposed his soft belly. Leopardfur didn’t waste a moment. She reared up and came down on Fireheart with all her might. Fireheart felt the wind knocked out of him before the thorn-sharp claws dug into his belly. He screamed in agony. As his eyes rolled he saw Tigerclaw at the side of the clearing, watching him with cold, expressionless eyes.
“Tigerclaw,” Fireheart howled. “Help me!”
But Tigerclaw didn’t move. He just stared as Leopardfur clawed Fireheart again and again.
Sheer rage gave Fireheart the strength he needed. He fought through the pain, drew back his hind legs, and pushed up against Leopardfur’s belly as hard as he could. Fireheart saw a look of shock on the deputy’s face as his kick lifted the warrior and flung her halfway across the clearing. Fireheart struggled to his paws and glared at Tigerclaw, burning with pain and rage. Tigerclaw met his gaze with a look of undisguised hatred, and leaped away into the thick of the battle.
A blow on the back of his head knocked Fireheart off balance. He staggered and turned to see Stonefur. The RiverClan warrior was preparing to aim another swipe. Fireheart ducked out of the way and shoved Stonefur straight into Whitestorm. The ThunderClan cat whipped around and grasped Stonefur by the scruff of his neck. Fireheart tried to dart forward and help the white-furred warrior, but claws held him back, digging into his haunches. He twisted to see who it was and glimpsed gray fur. It was Silverstream.
The she-cat’s face was twisted with battle rage as she reared up at him. Blood was dripping into her eyes, and Fireheart could tell that she hadn’t recognized him. She drew back a paw and he saw her long claws flash as she prepared to swipe him. As Fireheart screwed up his eyes, bracing himself for the blow, he heard an achingly familiar yowl. “Silverstream! No!”
Graystripe, thought Fireheart.
Silverstream hesitated, shook her head, and recognized Fireheart with a muted gasp. She dropped back down to all four paws, her eyes wide with shock.
Fireheart reacted instinctively, his blood aflame with battle. Without thinking, he leaped onto the back of the RiverClan she-cat and pinned her to the ground. She didn’t struggle as he drew back his head and prepared to give her a vicious bite on her shoulder. But as Fireheart raised his head he felt Graystripe’s eyes boring into him. The gray warrior was watching in horror from the edge of the battle.
The look of pain and disbelief in his friend’s eyes brought Fireheart to his senses. He stopped, sheathed his claws, and loosened his grip on Silverstream. The she-cat slipped away from him and disappeared into the surrounding gorse. Fireheart stared, still in shock, as Graystripe raced after her.
Fireheart felt as if he were still being watched. He looked around and his eyes met Darkstripe’s on the other side of the clearing. Fireheart flinched. Graystripe’s affair had forced him into disloyalty to ThunderClan after all—he had let an enemy warrior go! How much had Darkstripe seen? Just then Fireheart heard Runningwind yowl for help. The tabby warrior was grappling desperately with Nightstar, ShadowClan’s treacherous leader. Fireheart darted through the throng to Runningwind’s side.
Without pausing to think, Fireheart leaped, grabbing Nightstar from behind. The black warrior howled in rage as Fireheart pulled him backward and sank his claws deep into Nightstar’s fur. He had fought side by side with this warrior only a few moons ago to help him drive out Brokenstar. Now he sank his teeth into Nightstar’s shoulder with the same ferocity he had used against the former ShadowClan leader.
Nightstar squealed and twisted in Fireheart’s grip. This tom had not been made leader for nothing, thought Fireheart, struggling to hang on. Nightstar scrabbled free, but Runningwind was ready. He pounced, and together the two warriors rolled across the frozen clearing. Fireheart watched them struggle and twist, timing his moment perfectly so that when he finally leaped, he landed squarely on Nightstar’s back. He grasped him more firmly this time, ready for the warrior to wriggle free. But Runningwind also had a grip. Together they scratched and bit the ShadowClan leader till he screeched out loud. Then they released him, springing backward with their claws still unsheathed.
Nightstar leaped to his paws and spun around, hissing. Fireheart saw the fury in his eyes, but the ShadowClan leader knew he was beaten. He backed away, his eyes darting around the clearing where his warriors were suffering similar treatment from the other ThunderClan warriors. He gave the yowl of retreat. Instantly his warriors stopped fighting and, like their leader, backed into the gorse that surrounded the camp. The RiverClan warriors were left alone to fend off ThunderClan and WindClan.
Fireheart paused to catch his breath, blinking blood from his eyes. Whitestorm was grappling with Leopardfur now, with Mousefur at his side. Sandstorm was battling with a RiverClan warrior almost twice her size. But her opponent was only half her speed. Fireheart watched Sandstorm nip and twist around him until the RiverClan warrior looked overwhelmed.
Dustpelt was fighting a smoky-black tom nearby. Fireheart recognized Blackclaw, the RiverClan warrior he had seen chasing rabbits in the uplands. Dustpelt was stubbornly refusing to be cowed by the blows and bites aimed at him. Each time he was struck, the young warrior turned and gave as good as he got. It looked as if he didn’t need any help, and Fireheart guessed Dustpelt would not thank him for interfering in this fight.
Where was Crookedstar? Fireheart searched the clearing for the RiverClan leader. It wasn’t hard to find him. Now that ShadowClan had run away, the clearing was less crowded. Fireheart soon spotted the light-colored tabby with the twisted jaw. He was crouching low, face-to-face with Tigerclaw. The two warriors stared at each other, their tails thrashing menacingly. Fireheart’s blood pounded through his veins as he waited for one of them to make a move. It was Crookedstar who leaped first, but Tigerclaw jumped nimbly aside and Crookedstar missed. Tigerclaw was more accurate; he turned and lunged at Crookedstar’s back. The ThunderClan warrior grasped the RiverClan leader with his long claws, and Crookedstar went limp beneath him. Fireheart watched breathlessly as Tigerclaw bared his teeth, lunged forward, and sank them deep into Crookedstar’s neck.
Fireheart gasped. Had Tigerclaw really killed the RiverClan leader? Crookedstar’s pained screech told Fireheart that Tigerclaw had missed the spine. But it was a blow to win the battle. Tigerclaw released his opponent and let him race, yowling, toward the camp entrance. As soon as Crookedstar’s tail shot out of sight, his warriors struggled free and pelted after him.
In a heartbeat, the WindClan camp fell silent apart from the howling of the wind above the gorse. Fireheart stared around him. The ThunderClan warriors were tired and battered, but the WindClan cats looked far worse. Every one of them was bleeding, while some lay unmoving on the frozen ground. Barkface, their medicine cat, wasted no time in rushing from one cat to another, attending to their injuries.
Tallstar limped toward Tigerclaw, blood dripping from his cheek. As he watched the WindClan leader, Fireheart remembered his dream from moons ago—Tallstar had been silhouetted against a bright fire, like a warrior sent from StarClan to save them. “Fire will save the Clan,” according to Spottedleaf’s prophecy. But looking at the WindClan cats, exhausted and beaten, Fireheart wondered if his dream had misled him. How could these cats represent the fire that StarClan promised would save his Clan? Surely it was ThunderClan that had just saved WindClan—again?
Tallstar spoke quietly to Tigerclaw. Fireheart couldn’t hear the words they shared, but he could guess by Tallstar’s bowed head that the WindClan leader was acknowledging the debt he owed to ThunderClan. Tigerclaw sat up straight and accepted the thanks with his chin held high. Fireheart felt a wave of revulsion at the dark warrior’s arrogance. He would never forget that Tigerclaw had stood by and watched while Leopardfur had nearly ripped him to shreds.
“Here.” Fireheart was shaken from his thoughts by the soft voice of Willowpelt offering him a mouthful of the medicine cat’s herbs. Fireheart purred his thanks as Willowpelt began squeezing juice from the herbs into the bite marks on Fireheart’s shoulders. The juice stung, but the smell took him straight back to another time, with Spottedleaf. She had given him the same herb to treat Yellowfang so many moons ago. As the odor of the herbs wafted up, Fireheart remembered his dream from the night before. “Beware a warrior .  .  .” Spottedleaf had warned him. Beware a warrior?
The truth washed over Fireheart like a chill wind—it wasn’t Graystripe he should have been wary of, but Tigerclaw! How could he have suspected his friend, when he knew what Tigerclaw was capable of? Suddenly Fireheart was sure Ravenpaw had been telling the truth, whatever Bluestar had said. Seeing the dark warrior’s performance today, Fireheart realized that Tigerclaw could easily have killed Redtail and walked away without remorse.
“You fought well, Fireheart!” Runningwind interrupted his thoughts. The brown tabby blinked warmly at Fireheart as he promised, “I’ll make sure Bluestar hears about it!”
“Yes,” agreed Willowpelt. “You’re a fine warrior. StarClan will honor you for this.” Fireheart looked at them both, his ears twitching with pleasure. It was a relief to feel part of the Clan again.
Suddenly Fireheart’s fur prickled. Darkstripe was stalking across the clearing toward Tigerclaw. He sat down behind Tallstar and waited until the WindClan leader walked away; then he leaned forward and whispered urgently into Tigerclaw’s ear. The two warriors kept glancing toward Fireheart.
He saw, thought Fireheart, feeling dizzy with horror. He saw me let Silverstream go
“Are you okay?” asked Willowpelt.
Fireheart realized he’d shivered. “Er, yes, sorry. Just thinking.” Tigerclaw was stalking toward him, his eyes shining with spiteful satisfaction.
“Well, if you’re sure, I’ll go and see to some others,” meowed Willowpelt.
“Yes—fine,” meowed Fireheart. “Thanks.”
Willowpelt picked up her herbs and padded away. Runningwind followed her.
Tigerclaw flattened his ears and drew back his lip in a snarl as he looked down at Fireheart. “Darkstripe says you let a RiverClan she-cat escape!”
Fireheart realized there was nothing he could say. No matter how difficult Graystripe had made things for him, there was no way he was going to betray his friend to this warrior. He longed to yowl back that Tigerclaw had stood and watched while a RiverClan warrior tried to kill him. But who would believe him? Darkstripe padded up to stand beside Tigerclaw. Fireheart longed for the wisdom and fairness of Bluestar, but she was far away, back at the ThunderClan camp.
He took a deep breath, preparing to speak as Tigerclaw stared menacingly down at him. Then it dawned on Fireheart that any disloyalty he had shown on Graystripe’s behalf meant nothing to this great warrior. That wasn’t the real reason for Tigerclaw’s persecution of him. The deputy was still afraid of what Fireheart might have learned from Ravenpaw about Redtail’s death all those moons ago. But unlike Ravenpaw, Fireheart wasn’t going to give in to fear. His eyes challenged the dark deputy, and he growled, “She escaped, yes, like Crookedstar escaped from you. Why? Did you want me to kill her?”
Tigerclaw’s tail lashed the cold ground. “Darkstripe says you didn’t even scratch her.”
Fireheart shrugged. “Perhaps Darkstripe should chase after the she-cat and ask her if it’s true!”
Darkstripe looked ready to spit, but he remained silent as Tigerclaw spoke. “He doesn’t need to. Darkstripe tells me your young gray friend chased after her. Perhaps he’llbe able to tell us how badly she was scratched.”
For the first time since they’d entered the battle Fireheart felt the chill of the wind. The gleam in Tigerclaw’s eye hinted at a veiled threat. Had the dark warrior guessed about Graystripe’s love for Silverstream?
Fireheart was still searching for words when Graystripe appeared, squeezing through the camp entrance.
“Look who’s back,” sneered Tigerclaw. “Do you want to ask him how the she-cat is? No, wait, I can guess his answer. He’ll just tell me he didn’t manage to catch up with her.” Not bothering to disguise the scorn in his eyes, Tigerclaw stalked away with Darkstripe behind him.
Fireheart looked over at Graystripe. His friend’s face was lined with exhaustion and worry. Fireheart padded across the clearing to meet him. Would Graystripe still be resentful of Fireheart’s interference? Would he be angry that Fireheart had tried to attack Silverstream, or grateful that he’d let her go?
Graystripe stood silently, his broad head hanging down. Fireheart reached forward with his nose and gently touched his friend’s cold, gray flank. He felt Graystripe’s rumbling purr and looked up. Graystripe gazed back at him. His eyes were sad, but there was no trace of the anger that Fireheart had seen in them lately.
“Is she okay?” Fireheart asked under his breath.
“Yes,” whispered Graystripe. “And thanks for letting her go.”
Fireheart blinked at him. “I’m glad she wasn’t hurt,” he meowed.
Graystripe held his gaze for a moment, then meowed, “Fireheart, you were right. The battle wasn’t easy. It felt like I was fighting Silverstream’s Clanmates, not enemy warriors.” He lowered his eyes, ashamed. “But I still can’t give her up.”
The gray warrior’s words filled Fireheart with foreboding, but he couldn’t help sympathizing with his friend. “This is something you have to work out by yourself,” he meowed. “It’s not my place to judge you.” Graystripe looked up as Fireheart went on. “Graystripe, whatever you decide to do, I will always be your friend.”
Graystripe stared at him, his eyes clouded with relief and gratitude. Then, without speaking, the two warriors lay down, side to side, in the unfamiliar clearing. For the first time in moons, their fur was pressed together in friendship. Above them, the snow-heavy gorse offered them a brief shelter from the storm that raged over their heads.
第三十章
第三十章
虎掌凶狠地对众猫说：“预备队，你们等在外面，听到我的信号再冲进来！一根须，你带着我们冲进营地，让我们来收拾残局。”
一根须冲下坡，向灌木覆盖的营地奔去，虎掌八面威风地也跟着冲杀进去，黑条和火心紧随其后。盆地里的金雀花和火心上次来时一样密实。灰条和其他武士们留在坡上，等待进行第二轮攻击。
火心冲进风族的营地，里面的激烈场面令他触目惊心。上一次他来这里的目的是为了寻找失踪的风族，那时这里是一幅凄惨荒凉的景象。而如今，这里却变成了一个大角斗场。一根须说的没错——风族确实是寡不敌众。影族和河族尚有一支预备队在营地边随时待命，而风族却倾巢而出，无论武士或学徒，老猫或母猫，都上了战场。
火心看见晨花正在和一只影族的猫对决。她惊恐万分，疲惫至极，身上的毛都被扒得不成样子了，不过转身跳跃还算灵活。无奈对方身强体壮，只是一记重拳就将她击倒在地。
火心不敢怠慢，一声厉吼跳上去骑在那只影族武士的背上。那名武士猝不及防，被火心掀翻在地，他抖动身体想摆脱火心，但火心却死死抓住不松爪子。晨花这时也趁机在那名武士身上一通猛抓。那名武士一阵惨叫，狼狈逃窜进营地周围的灌木丛里。晨花感激地瞅了火心一眼后又回身加入战斗。
火心将鼻子上的血甩掉，向四周看去。此时那支影族和河族的预备队已经加入了战斗。雷族的到来使得双方兵力大致相当，现在是召唤预备队的时候了。虎掌发出一声长啸，不一会儿，白风便率领灰条、奔风等雷族武士们冲了进来。
火心伸出一只爪子将一名河族的武士绊倒，另一只爪子将其按住。他将这名武士翻过身，用两只后爪蹬抓他的腹部。河族武士疼痛难忍，急忙跳开，撞在一名风族武士的身上。那名风族武士正是一根须，他转身看见撞他的原来是一名河族武士，于是他后腿站立用前爪向对方发动攻击。看情形，河族武士不是一根须的对手。
一声熟悉的低嘶传入火心的耳朵，原来是灰条正在对付一名灰色的影族武士。那名武士叫湿脚，曾和他们一起将断星赶下台。两名武士的实力在伯仲之间，打得旗鼓相当。最后，灰条一记后蹬脚将湿脚逼退，转身寻找下一个敌手。火心看到一名河族的武士就站在灰条的身后。在战场的喧嚣声之外，火心听到自己的耳朵里嗡嗡作响。灰条会攻击银溪的同胞吗？
火心屏住了呼吸观看。灰条终于跳了起来，却不是扑向那名河族武士，而是隔过他向另一位影族的武士发起攻击。
这时，火心听到虎掌在喊他的名字。他扭头看去，瞧见会场另一边的战斗形势格外紧急。
就在他奔向虎掌的半路上，豹毛冲出来抓住他的后腿将他拖倒。
豹毛恨恨地说：“是你！”他们上一次见面是在白掌跌落的峡谷边。
火心躺在地上后腿猛踹，将豹毛蹬开。但这样一来，火心的腹部就暴露在外面。豹毛哪会错过这般良机，她立刻后腿站立，然后以泰山压顶之势压在火心的身上。火心只听耳畔呼呼风响，接着肚皮就被对方的利爪狠狠地抓住。他发出一声怒吼，转眼却看见虎掌面无表情地站在对面冷冷地看着他。
火心喊道：“虎掌，救救我！”
但虎掌只是站在那里冷眼旁观，眼睁睁看着豹毛在火心的身上抓了又抓。
惊怒之下，火心忽然感到体内涌出一股强大的力量。他后腿弯曲，奋力蹬出，将豹毛踹飞。豹毛落在地上时，眼睛里仍有难以置信的目光。火心摇摇晃晃地站起来，身上火辣辣的疼，心里愤恨不已，眼睛直勾勾地瞪着虎掌。虎掌瞟了他一眼后又加入战斗。
火心的脑袋上突然挨了一记重捶，他摇摇晃晃转过身，发现偷袭他的是河族的石毛。
石毛再度挥爪，火心闪身避开，用力一撞，将石毛撞到白风的身上。白风回身一口咬住石毛的脖子。火心正要冲上前相助，突然后腿不知被谁拖住。他扭头一看，原来是银溪。
银溪打得性起，脸部完全扭曲，她后腿直立向火心扑来。火心看见她的双眼被鲜血蒙住，知道她没有认出自己。银溪稍退一步后再度挥爪，火心来不及闪躲，只得护住眼睛，身体蜷成一团任其宰割。就在这危机关头，火心听到一声熟悉的惊呼：“银溪！不要！”
是灰条。
银溪犹豫了一下，抖了抖头，立刻认出了火心。她吃了一惊，急忙后退。
激战中火心来不及细想，出自本能地跳起来扑到银溪的背上将她按倒。银溪没有挣扎。火心缩回头正要向银溪的肩膀狠狠咬下去，一抬眼却与灰条焦急的目光相遇。灰条站在会场对面正惊恐地望着他们两个。
灰条的目光使火心渐渐恢复了理智。他停止攻击，松开爪子。银溪立即跳开，消失在周围的金雀花丛中。火心惊魂未定，一瞥眼看见灰条追随银溪而去。
火心感到有谁好像在盯着自己，一扭头瞧见黑条在会场对面朝他这边望过来。火心心里一沉。因为灰条的关系，他刚才的行为无异于背叛了雷族——他将敌人放走了！黑条看到了多少？这时，火心听到正在和夜星打斗的奔风发出呼救。
形势紧急不容火心多想，他急忙冲过去从后面抱住夜星，将夜星往后拖。就在数月前，火心还和这名武士齐心协力将断星赶出影族。此时，他却死死咬住对方，其勇猛程度丝毫不逊于当初他们并肩作战时的表现。
夜星在火心的爪下拼死挣脱。火心暗想：这位影族的族长倒也不是寻常之辈。夜星刚刚挣脱出来，早已守候在一旁的奔风随后就扑过来，两只猫抱作一团在地上打起了滚。火心在旁边瞅准时机，跳上前骑在夜星的背上，这一次他为防止夜星再次挣脱，抓得特别紧。于是三只猫扭打在一起，直到夜星发出惨叫，火心和奔风才放开了他。
夜星站起来瞪着他们，两只眼睛直冒火。他环顾四周，看见本族的武士们在雷族的猛烈攻击下节节败退，知道大势已去，于是发出撤退的号令。影族的武士们听到族长的号令立即退出战斗，随夜星一起钻进营地周围的金雀花围墙。这样一来，营地中的河族顿时变成了孤军奋战。
火心好不容易得到喘息的时间，眼睛淌着鲜血。白风正在和鼠毛夹攻豹毛。沙风则与一名体积是其两倍的河族武士作战。她虽在个头上不占优势，但论速度却大大优于对方。
几个回合下来，沙风便将对手转得头晕眼花，摸不着方向。
尘毛的对手是河族的武士河掌。只见河掌吼声阵阵，爪爪凶狠，但尘毛却不露丝毫怯意，总能在关键时刻巧妙避开对方的攻击。看情形他不需要任何帮助。即使火心贸然上前相助，恐怕多半是件出力不讨好的事。
钩星在哪里？火心寻遍整个营地查找这位河族族长的下落。如今影族逃之夭夭，营地内已不太混乱，要找到钩星并不困难。火心很快就发现钩星四肢弯曲伏在地上，与虎掌面面相对。两位武士四目对视，尾巴缓缓摆动，都力图先从气势上压倒对方。火心候在一旁观看，心情十分紧张。钩星抢先出手，但虎掌闪身避开令他扑了个空。虎掌的动作则比钩星精准许多，一转身便跳到钩星的背上死死抓住对方，他紧接着张开利齿狠狠地咬住钩星的脖子。
火心看得口干舌燥，倒吸口凉气。虎掌会杀了河族族长吗？就在这时钩星发出一声惨叫，火心才知道虎掌没有咬到他的颈椎。不过这声惨叫说明了钩星已然落败。虎掌松开爪子，任其逃出营地。看到族长逃离，河族众武士也无心恋战，纷纷撤离战场。
营地很快便恢复了宁静，只有金雀花丛上方的风还在呼呼地刮着。营地内一片狼藉，雷族的武士们疲惫不堪，身上都受了伤。风族的武士们情况更惨，所有猫都在流血，有的还躺在地上不能活动。风族的医生青面在伤员之间往来穿梭，忙碌不停，为大家诊疗伤势。
高星的脸上也淌着血，和虎掌在一起说话。火心看着这位风族的族长，想起几个月前梦中的情景——高星的身影耸立在熊熊大火前，仿佛是星族派遣的前来拯救大家的使者。
斑叶曾经预言：“大火将会拯救族群。”可是看着眼前的这些风族猫，一个个伤痕累累、疲惫不堪。火心不知道是不是被自己所做的梦误导了。这些风族的猫怎么会是星族所说的拯救雷族的大火呢？明明是雷族再一次拯救了风族啊！
高星正在同虎掌小声交谈，从高星低头的姿态看，他是在感谢雷族的援助。虎掌昂头挺胸地接受了高星的致谢。火心在一旁冷眼旁观，对虎掌这种居功自傲的态度十分反感。
他永远也忘不了在自己将要被豹毛撕成碎片的危难关头，虎掌却袖手旁观，摆出一副事不关己的模样。
这时柳带衔着满口草药走过来对他说：“给你。”火心猛然惊醒，急忙连声道谢。柳带小心翼翼地将草药里的汁液挤出来涂在火心肩膀处的伤口上。汁液涂在伤口上，使火心感到火辣辣的疼痛，他不由得想起很久以前斑叶就是给了他同样的草药，让他给黄牙治伤的。药香阵阵，火心回忆起早先的梦：“注意提防那个你不能信任的武士。”斑叶就是这么警告他的。注意提防哪个武士呢？
突然，火心仿佛掉进了冰窟窿里——他应当提防的决不是灰条，而是虎掌！在他见识了虎掌高超的身手之后，怎能再怀疑自己的朋友呢？在那一刹那，火心忽然觉得不论蓝星如何说，乌爪透露的一定是真相。从虎掌今天的表现来看，他完全能够轻轻松松地杀死红尾，然后若无其事地离开。
“你打得很好，火心！”奔风的话打断了火心的思路。这只棕色的虎斑猫温和地看着火心说：“我保证蓝星将听到这句话！”
柳带附和说：“是啊，你是一名优秀的武士。星族会以你为荣。”火心看着他们两个，心里乐滋滋的。他感到自己又成为这个族群的一员，心里如释重负。
就在这时，火心看到黑条向虎掌走去，顿时紧张起来。黑条坐在高星身后，等高星说完话离开后，他探着身子在虎掌的耳边小声嘀咕。两名武士的目光都往火心这边瞅过来。
他看见了，火心想着，恐惧使他感到一阵头晕目眩——他看到我放走了银溪。
柳带问：“你没事吧？”
火心这才意识到自己在发抖：“哦，没事，不好意思，我刚才在想事情。”虎掌走了过来，眼里含着怀疑的目光。
柳带说：“嗯，没事就好。我去看看其他猫怎么样了。”
火心说：“噢——好的。多谢。”
柳带叼起草药和奔风一起离开了。
虎掌面目狰狞地低头俯视着火心说：“黑条说你放走了一只河族的母猫！”
火心知道自己决不能说出实情。无论灰条给他带来多么大的麻烦，他都不能向虎掌出卖自己的朋友。他很想大声质问虎掌为什么坐看自己将要被一名河族武士杀死，也不上前施加援手。可谁会相信他的话呢？黑条走过来站在虎掌旁边。火心渴望蓝星的智慧和她公正的态度，但此时她正留守在营地里，远水解不了近渴。
在虎掌威胁的目光下，火心深吸口气，正要开口说话。忽然，他脑中一下子清醒过来，意识到对方根本不关心自己对雷族是否忠诚，那根本不是虎掌诘难他的原因。虎掌真正害怕的是他从乌爪那里得知红尾死亡的真相。乌爪已经被吓跑了，但火心却不是胆小之辈，他直视虎掌的目光大声说：“她是逃走的，没错，就像钩星从你的爪下逃走一样。你问为什么吗？难道你想让我杀了她不成？”
虎掌的尾巴鞭打着地面：“黑条说你甚至没有出爪抓她！”
火心耸了耸肩膀说：“也许黑条该追上她去问个究竟！”
黑条正要张口喝骂，但听到虎掌先于他开口，于是只得将嘴边的话咽了回去。虎掌说：“没这个必要吧。黑条告诉我说你的那位好朋友追出去了。也许他能告诉我们，那只母猫被你抓得多惨。”
自他们展开战斗到现在，火心第一次感觉到吹来的寒风。虎掌的目光阴森森的，难道他猜出灰条正与银溪恋爱吗？
火心正在想该说些什么的时候，灰条出现在营地的入口处。
虎掌讥笑说：“看看谁回来了。你不想问问他那只母猫怎么样了吗？哦，等一等，我能猜到他的回答。他肯定会说自己没有追上她。”虎掌和黑条丝毫不掩饰自己轻蔑的目光，一道转身离去。
火心望着灰条，见他脸上挂着疲倦和担忧的神色，于是向他走过去。灰条还会怪他插手他们之间的事情吗？他恼怒自己攻击银溪吗？
灰条站在那里低着头，一声不吭。火心伸长脖子用鼻子轻轻地蹭了蹭灰条冰凉的面颊。他感觉到灰条在颤抖，于是抬起头。灰条看着他，眼里充满了悲伤，已没有火心近来时常看到的那种愤恨。
火心低声问：“她没事吧？”
灰条小声说：“没事，谢谢你放了她。”
火心眨眨眼睛说：“很高兴她没有受伤。”
灰条凝视着他，半晌后方才说：“火心，你是对的。和河族翻脸不是件容易的事，就好像我是在同银溪的同胞们作战，而不是敌人。”他羞愧地低下头：“但我仍舍不得和她分手。”
灰条的话使火心产生了一种不祥的预感，但他仍十分同情这位好朋友的遭遇。他说：“这件事最终还要靠你自己来解决，我无权去评价。”灰条的头抬了起来，火心继续说：“灰条，不管你做什么，我都是你的朋友。”
灰条舒了口气，感激地看着他。然后，这两名武士肩并肩地在这片陌生的会场上趴了下来。几个月来，他们头一回如此亲密地挨在一起。在他们的头顶上方，密密实实的金雀花丛将肆虐的狂风挡在营地之外。