path of stars: part two

Gray Wing, Lightning Tail, Leaf, and Reed meet with Fern, who tells them where Star Flower is being kept. While Lighting Tail and Leaf distract the guards Gray Wing and Reed recuse a half-starved Star Flower. The rogues quickly realize what is happening and attack. One of the knocks Star Flower down roughly. Gray Wing tells Reed to get Star Flower out of there. During the fight Gray Wing has a hard time breathing but manages to get away. He hears a cry and realizes it is Star Flower. He races to her and Reed, where Reed tells him the kits are coming - far too soon.

Even though Gray Wing can barely breathe he races to Tall Shadow's camp for help. Mouse Ear, Sun Shadow, Holly, and Pebble Heart help. They reach Star Flower and bring her back to camp while Gray Wing searches for Clear Sky. He finds him with the other leaders. Wind Runner returns with the cats so she can help Star Flower. The kits are born safely and it is agreed that Star Flower should stay for a few days until it is safe to move the kits. 

Thunder goes to visit the kits and finds Clear Sky's camp under guard to make sure Slash doesn't attack again. Clear Sky won't let him see the kits as they are still too young, but he is happy to see Thunder. Despite this Thunder feels a bit sad over how protective of these kits Clear Sky is. He worries that Clear Sky will retaliate against Slash but Clear Sky assures him he won't. However, Thunder feels they haven't seen the last of Slash. Back at his camp Thunder finds his cats arguing - Slash and his rogues stole prey from the hunting patrol. Lighting Tail suggests they train to fight and everyone is happy with this decision. 

Gray Wing heads towards the meeting that Thunder has called with his group. Wind Runner is upset that Slash has been stealing their prey and Gray Wing believes it is probably happening to all of the groups. At the meeting it is revealed that everyone but River Ripple's group has been stolen from. It is also decided that everyone is going to practice fighting moves and that Gray Wing will spy on the rogues. Gray Wing reaches Slash's territory and talks with Fern who tells him that Slash won't stop and while he is full most of the cats in their group go hungry. She also tells him that if it comes down to a fight some of the rogues will fight on the side of the mountain cats. Gray Wing returnshome, struggling to breathe, and reports to Wind Runner.

Clear Sky and some camp mates are out hunting when they run into Slash, who takes their prey. Clear Sky won't let his cats fight him and his rogues. Slash mockingly let's Clear Sky keep a rabbit and leaves. Clear Sky brings it to Star Flower but she refuses to eat it until everyone else has eaten. Another patrol comes back with a little more food so Star Flower trades the rabbit for something smaller so there is enough food for everyone. 

I'm glad Star Flower's kits seem to be doing fine - and that she is turning into a real warrior cat. Refusing the prey so the group can eat was very good of her.

I'm also glad to see so many things falling into place. The full moon meetings, warrior training, patrols, etc. When will they become clans? When will they discover the Moonstone that Pebble Heart has dreamed of?