Crookedstar’s Promise полностью

WindClan cheered, ShadowClan’s voices joining them in welcoming the Clan’s newest warrior.

“That’s my brother,” Crookedpaw told Bluepaw.

She blinked at him. “Who?”

“Oakheart,” Crookedpaw explained. “He’s my littermate.”

Bluepaw stretched up to get a better view.

“He’s great,” Crookedpaw purred proudly. “He caught a fish on his first day as an apprentice.” The day I ran away. He pushed the memory away. “He says that when he becomes leader, he’ll make me deputy.” Should I warn him I plan on being leader first?

“I have a sister,” Bluepaw shot back. She nodded toward a snowy she-cat sitting a tail-length away. “She’s a brilliant hunter, too.”

“Maybe if they both become leader we could be deputies together,” Crookedpaw mewed politely.

Bluepaw frowned. “Deputy? I want to be leader!”

Yeah! Me, too!

Bluepaw’s tortoiseshell Clanmate flicked her ear with a paw. “Hush!” The warrior sounded cross. “How many times do you have to be told?”

“Sorry.” Bluepaw dipped her head.

Crookedpaw turned back to the Great Rock. Cedarstar was speaking. “It is with sadness that I must announce our deputy, Stonetooth, is moving to the elders’ den.”

A thin gray tabby, standing at the foot of the rock, nodded solemnly as his Clan called his name.

“He doesn’t look so old,” Bluepaw whispered.

The gray tom’s teeth curled from under his lip like claws. Crookedpaw choked back a purr. “Just a bit long in the tooth.”

Bluepaw nudged Crookedpaw, purring, too. “He can’t help it.”

“Raggedpelt will take his place,” Cedarstar went on.

A dark brown warrior stalked from the crowd of ShadowClan cats into a pool of moonlight below the rock. Crookedpaw noticed the fur lifting along Bluepaw’s spine as Raggedpelt’s Clanmates yowled his name. She was watching the ShadowClan cats gathered at the foot of the rock through narrowed eyes. She doesn’t trust them at all. Was it just because they were ShadowClan? Maybe there would be time to ask her later.

As the leaders jumped down from the Great Rock, he watched the Clans melting into their separate groups. He tasted the air, collecting scents as he memorized as many pelts as he could.

“Come on.” Cedarpelt nudged him. “Let’s go. It’s too cold to hang around and share tongues.” He threw a look at WindClan as they climbed the other side of the hollow, heading up to the moors. “And I don’t think any Clan would want to share tongues tonight, even if it was greenleaf.”

Crookedpaw followed his mentor. “Are the Clans always so angry with one another?”

Cedarpelt twitched his ears. “Leaf-bare makes bellies hungry and tempers short.”

Oakheart’s mew made Crookedpaw jump. “What did you think?”

Crookedpaw purred as his brother fell in beside him. “It was great,” he replied. “I met a ThunderClan apprentice. She’s so much like us.” He lowered his voice. “She wants to be leader, too.”

“Doesn’t every apprentice want to be leader one day?” Oakheart answered airily.

“Does that mean you’ve changed your mind about wanting to be leader now that you’re a warrior?” Crookedpaw teased.

“Never.” Oakheart’s eyes flashed and he quickened his pace, skimming the snow with long strides as he followed his Clanmates up the slope. “Come on, I’ll race you back to camp!”

Crookedpaw blinked open his eyes. He stared into the dark forest, surprised to find himself dreaming. After the Gathering, too excited to sleep, he’d stared for ages through a small crack in the den wall at the moonlight sparkling on the snowy clearing. His mind was whirling with new pelts and scents and possibilities.

“So you’ve moved among the other Clans.” Mapleshade’s mew sounded through the mist. She slid from the shadows and faced him. “What did you think?”

Crookedpaw swished his tail. “It was great!” His paws itched with excitement. “I talked to a ThunderClan apprentice. It was like talking to a Clanmate.”

Mapleshade’s eyes blazed. “Don’t ever say that!”

“But she was just like me.” Crookedpaw tipped his head to one side. “I wonder what it’s like to live in a forest and eat mice?”

Mapleshade’s breath bathed his nose. Her muzzle was a whisker from his as she snarled, “RiverClan is the only Clan that should concern you! The other Clans are no more than dust and beetles. Did you forget your promise?”

Crookedpaw shook his head, startled by her fury. “Of course not,” he mewed. “I’ll always put my Clan above everything.”

“Then start practicing your moves!” She backed away and watched as Crookedpaw reared and began to swipe at the air.

“Reach!” Mapleshade called.

Crookedpaw staggered as he stretched farther with each swipe.

“Stay up!” Mapleshade growled as he started to falter, his legs aching with effort.