The First Battle

by Erin Hunter

  Thunder stiffened as the scent of death touched his nose.

  “Turtle Tail!” He hardly heard Lightning Tail’s cry as, numb with grief, he stumbled toward the lifeless body.

  CHAPTER 13

  Thunder’s throat tightened.

  Lightning Tail crouched over the she-cat, desperately lapping her cheek. “Wake up, Turtle Tail. It’s us! We’re here!”

  Thunder crept closer. Turtle Tail lay on the hard stone ground, her body strangely twisted. Her claw-tips were frayed and blood stained her mouth. Her eyes stared, dull and unseeing.

  “It looks like a monster got her.” River Ripple stopped behind Thunder.

  “How do you know?” Thunder stared at the rogue.

  “I’ve seen it before. Look at her claws. She’d have unsheathed them when the monster hit her, then shredded them as she skidded across the stone.” River Ripple gazed sadly at Turtle Tail’s body.

  “Come on, Turtle Tail!” Lightning Tail shook her with his forepaws. He glanced over his shoulder at Thunder. “We have to warm her up. Quickly!”

  Thunder crouched beside him. There was little heat left in Turtle Tail’s body. He could see that there was nothing to do. “She’s dead, Lightning Tail.” He felt distant, numb with shock, his words sounding in his ears like someone else’s.

  “No!” Lightning Tail nudged her shoulder with his nose. “She’s hurt, that’s all. Cloud Spots will be able to make her better. If we get her home, she’ll be okay.”

  The ground seemed to sway beneath Thunder’s paws as his thoughts swirled back to the camp. He remembered the time when he’d pressed against Turtle Tail and watched Wind Runner’s kits take their first gulps of air. Now she was dead. She’d never see the kits grow. She’d never see her own kits become full-grown cats. Grief swamped him until he could hardly breathe. “Turtle Tail.” The name came as a sob.

  As he spoke, a monster hared around a corner toward them. Terror flaring, Thunder leaped back, dragging Lightning Tail by the scruff. The black tom froze in his jaws as the monster swept past. Twoleg faces peered from inside, eyes wide, mouths moving as they pointed their paws at the cats. The monster’s stinking wind tugged Turtle’s Tail’s fur, so that for a moment she seemed to be moving. But as it disappeared into the distance, she lay still once more.

  “Let’s get her away from the Thunderpath.” River Ripple’s mew sounded softly in Thunder’s ear. The rogue pushed his muzzle beneath Turtle Tail’s flank. “Haul her onto my shoulders.”

  Lightning Tail backed away, eyes wide with disbelief.

  Numbly, Thunder nudged Turtle Tail’s body onto River Ripple’s back. As she hung there limply, he pressed his cheek to her flank, holding her clumsily in place while River Ripple staggered toward the bush outside the Twoleg nest.

  The rogue dipped his head and let her slip from his shoulders. She slumped onto the earth beside the bright pink flowers.

  Lightning Tail stared bleakly at her body. “She’s not going to wake up, is she?”

  Thunder pressed his muzzle to Lightning Tail’s cheek. Pain seared his heart so ferociously he could hardly breathe. They had known Turtle Tail since they were tiny kits, just a few moons old. And now she was dead.

  “No,” he whispered.

  “Help me push her out of sight,” River Ripple murmured.

  “No!” Panic lit Lightning Tail’s gaze. “You can’t just hide her. She deserves more than that.”

  Thunder met the tom’s gaze, his eyes pricking. “We can’t bury her here and it’s too far to carry her home. And if we bring the kits back this way, they mustn’t see her.” He shoved his nose under Turtle Tail’s shoulder and rolled her. She flopped heavily beneath the bush, her paws brushing the branches. As they quivered, petals showered over Thunder’s pelt. He shook them off, his heart aching. How would he ever explain this to Gray Wing?

  River Ripple caught his eye. “She’d want us to find her kits.”

  Thunder nodded. “It’s up to us to get them home now.”

  “But how?” Lightning Tail jerked his head around, his gaze flashing from one Twoleg nest to another. “We don’t know where they are.”

  “We know their scent.” Thunder lifted his muzzle.

  River Ripple narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “I know a kittypet who might help us. Follow me.”

  Hope flashed in Thunder’s belly as the rogue headed along the row of Twoleg nests, then turned down a narrow passage between the high stone walls. He followed, nudging Lightning Tail forward. The tom was stumbling, not focusing on where he was going. “You have to save your grief for later,” Thunder growled. “The kits need us. They’re not safe with Tom.”

  Lightning Tail stared bleakly at Thunder. “I can’t believe she’s dead.”

  Thunder glared at him. “I need you to be strong. The kits need you to be strong.”

  “Are you coming?” River Ripple’s mew echoed from the shadows.

  Lightning Tail nodded. “Yes.” He hurried after the rogue.

  Relieved to hear determination edge his friend’s mew, Thunder followed.

  “Flower lives here,” River Ripple told them, padding into sunshine at the back of the Twoleg nest where bushes surrounded a wide stretch of grass. “She’s a sweet little tabby and very nosy. Nothing happens without her knowing about it.” He nodded toward a small hole in the back of the Twoleg nest. It looked like a tunnel entrance, screened by a sheet of ice. “I’ll see if she’s in.”

  He crept across the patterned stone outside the nest and stopped outside the tunnel. Lifting a paw, he tapped the ice sheet.

  It rattled and he backed away.

  Thunder blinked at him. “What now?”

  “We wait.” River Ripple glanced at him. “Stay out of sight. You’ll scare her.” He nodded toward a large shiny cylinder standing beside the nest wall.

  Thunder wrinkled his nose. It smelled of carrion. He ducked behind it.

  Lightning Tail slid in beside him. “I never imagined we’d hide from a kittypet.”

  A moment later the ice sheet rattled again and he heard a mew.

  “River Ripple? Is that you?” A gentle purr sounded outside the Twoleg nest.

  River Ripple purred back. “Hi, Flower.”

  “What are you doing here?” Flower asked. “I thought you didn’t like coming to Twolegplace.”

  “I don’t,” River Ripple told her. “But I’m on an important mission.”

  “Really?” Flower sounded impressed. “What?”

  “I’m with some friends.”

  “Who?” Flower’s mew was guarded.

  “They’re from the moor.”

  Thunder leaned forward impatiently. Hurry up!

  River Ripple went on. “They’ve never been here before, but a kittypet has stolen some of their kits and they’re here to get them back.”

  “Stolen their kits?” Flower sounded horrified. “Where are they?”

  Thunder glimpsed the plump tabby-and-white kittypet from his hiding place as she padded further into the sunshine. She scanned the bushes, nose twitching. She froze as she caught Thunder’s gaze. “Is that one of them?” she hissed to River Ripple.

  Thunder padded out. “We’re sorry to disturb you.” He lifted his tail amiably.

  Flower backed away, her hackles lifting as Lightning Tail followed him out. She glanced toward her tunnel.

  “Please don’t go,” Lightning Tail begged.

  “It’s important we find the kits.” Thunder blinked at her. “They’re in danger.”

  Flower tipped her head. “Really?”

  Thunder nodded. “A kittypet stole them from their mother.” His throat tightened as he thought of Turtle Tail, alone beneath the bush. “We want to take them home.”

  Flower frowned. “Which kittypet?”

  “His name’s Tom. He’s a copper-colored cat. Very sleek.”

  Flower’s gaze hardened. “I know Tom.” There was contempt in her mew. “He’s a bully.”

  Thunder nodded. “That’s wh
y we have to get the kits back.” Hope pricked in his paws. “Can you help?”

  Flower was already stalking past him, heading for the shadowy gap between the nests. “Come with me.”

  Thunder bounded after her. He heard Lightning Tail and River Ripple walking behind as he followed Flower along the gap and out into the sunshine. She padded to the edge of the Thunderpath, glanced both ways at the empty stone and raced across. He didn’t hesitate, pushing the memory of Turtle Tail from his thoughts. Flower was leading him to the kits. He sensed it. Her head was high, her paw steps purposeful. She knew exactly where she was going.

  Lightning Tail’s pelt brushed his as the tom fell in beside him and they ducked into a passage beside a Twoleg nest. High wooden walls edged each side. The path was cracked. Grit jabbed Thunder’s pads. He glanced over his shoulder. River Ripple was keeping up.

  The passage split into two. One opened onto a wide grassy slope, the other curved away between two rows of nests. Flower chose the curving path, following it until it split again. She headed on, choosing one split after another until Thunder wondered how they would ever find their way back. His pelt bristled as strange scents touched his nose. Beyond the wooden walls, Twoleg kits shrieked. Suddenly, a dog’s bark exploded a tail-length away. Claws scrabbled at the other side of the wall. Thunder froze, terror ripping though his chest.

  “Don’t worry,” Flower called over her shoulder. “It can’t get over the fence.”

  She quickened her pace, following another passage until it opened onto a wide stone path. A long row of low Twoleg nests lined one side. The other was walled by stone.

  “Tom hangs around in one of those.” Flower nodded toward the nests.

  “With his Twolegs?” Thunder frowned. “Isn’t it too small?” The nests they’d seen so far had been huge.

  “His Twolegs live in the big nest behind it.” Flower nodded toward the larger den rising beyond the line of small ones. “The low ones are where Twolegs keep their monsters. Tom’s Twolegs don’t have one so he hangs out there instead.” She turned and began heading back along the passage.

  Thunder blinked after her. “Aren’t you going to show us which one?”

  Flower glanced back. “You can work it out.” Unease glittered in her gaze. “If Tom knew I brought you here, he’d be very angry. Good luck.” She nodded, then hurried back down the passage and disappeared around the corner.

  Thunder ignored the fear sparking through his pelt as he stared at the row of dens. He lifted his muzzle. “Come on.”

  Padding across the stone, he swiveled his ears, listening for monsters growling. He could only hear distant rumbling from beyond the large stone dens. Lightning Tail fell in beside him. River Ripple flanked his other side.

  Thunder opened his mouth. He tried to ignore the sour Twoleg fumes coating his tongue, searching for a hint of Tom’s scent.

  Lightning Tail froze beside him. “I smell something!”

  “What?” Thunder halted.

  Lightning Tail’s tongue showed pink below his nose. “Kit scent!” He quickened his pace.

  “Wait!” Thunder hurried to keep up. “Those are monster dens!” What if one leaped out without warning?

  River Ripple caught up. “Don’t worry. You’ll hear them if they’re awake.”

  Lightning Tail headed past the first monster den, picking up speed as he reached the next. He broke into a run. Thunder bounded after, River Ripple at his heels. He opened his mouth. Tom’s scent drenched his tongue.

  “Here!” Lightning Tail pulled up sharply. Thunder and River Ripple scrambled to a halt at his heels.

  Ahead, an open den yawned onto the wide stone path. Lightning Tail crouched beside it and peered in.

  “Do you see him?” Thunder crept forward.

  Lightning Tail stretched until he was peering through the wide opening. “Yes.”

  Thunder’s heart raced.

  A kit’s mew echoed from inside. “I’m hungry!”

  Owl Eyes! Thunder sucked back a gasp.

  “Me too.” Sparrow Fur joined in. “Are you going hunting soon?”

  Thunder slid past Lightning Tail and stared inside. Sunlight spilled in through the wide, square entrance, glinting off the clutter that crowded the den. Strong scents wafted out. Tom was pacing around the kits near the back wall. “We don’t have to hunt,” he told them. “Food will come soon.”

  “Don’t we have to catch it?” Sparrow Fur asked.

  “How soon?” Owl Eyes mewed.

  “We can’t stay here long.” Pebble Heart’s eyes were round. “Turtle Tail will be worried.”

  “She knows you’re with me,” Tom told him sharply.

  Liar! Thunder’s blood burned beneath his pelt.

  Tom went on. “Besides, you don’t want to go home. This is exciting, isn’t it?”

  “I don’t like it here.” Owl Eyes was staring at the clutter, his nose wrinkling.

  Tom froze. His ears swiveled toward a corner of the back wall. He’d clearly heard something.

  Thunder strained to listen. Heavy paw steps were approaching the den.

  Tom lifted his tail. “Why don’t you three hide and see how long it takes me to find you?”

  Sparrow Fur began running for the entrance. “You’ll never find me!”

  Thunder stiffened. “Let’s snatch the kits,” he hissed to Lightning Tail and River Ripple. “I’ll grab Sparrow Fur. You get the others.”

  Sparrow Fur was hurtling closer. He hunkered down, heart racing.

  “Sparrow Fur! Stop!” Tom’s yowl was edged with panic. “Stay in the den!”

  Sparrow Fur skidded to a halt.

  Foxdung! Thunder pressed River Ripple and Lightning Tail back. “Wait.”

  “Why can’t I go out?” Sparrow Fur turned, blinking at Tom.

  “Because I said so!” Tom’s glance flitted nervously toward the back of the den, where the paw steps were growing louder. “Just hide inside the den. Quickly!”

  Pebble Heart scampered behind a pile of clutter. Owl Eyes squeezed under a massive stained pelt that lay crumpled on the ground. Sparrow Fur gazed quickly around before sliding behind a tall slice of wood. As her tail flicked out of view, an opening appeared in the back of the den.

  A Twoleg appeared, framed by daylight, which streamed in behind.

  Tom looked up. “Hi,” he meowed.

  The Twoleg meowed back, then mumbled as it crossed the den and started stroking Tom.

  Tom lifted his tail and purred loudly.

  “Yuck!” Lightning Tail shuddered beside Thunder.

  River Ripple squeezed in beside him, peering around the entrance. “Why’s he hiding the kits from his Twoleg?”

  “He obviously doesn’t want it to know he has them.” Thunder narrowed his eyes. Why take them if he had to keep them secret? Had he just done it to torture Turtle Tail? Rage churned in his belly. His act had killed her!

  Tom was weaving around the Twoleg as it bent to pour rattling berries into a small hollow stone at the end of the den.

  “Is that food?” Lightning Tail asked, his nose twitching.

  “Yes.” River Ripple curled his lip. “I’ve tried kittypet food. It tastes horrible.”

  When the Twoleg stopped pouring, Tom yowled pitifully, reaching up to tug desperately at the Twoleg’s pelt.

  The Twoleg mumbled again and poured more berries into the bowl.

  He’s getting extra food for the kits. A growl rumbled in Thunder’s throat. He doesn’t even know how to hunt for them. He has to beg!

  He watched as the Twoleg headed for its small entrance at the back and disappeared.

  “You can come out now!” Tom called to the kits.

  Owl Eyes ducked out from under the stained pelt. “But you didn’t even look for us.”

  Pebble Heart padded from behind the pile of clutter. “Why was there a Twoleg here?”

  “It brought us food,” Tom explained. “Just like I promised.”

  “You were so brave!” Sparrow Fur
hurried out from behind the thin wood. “You didn’t even look scared!”

  Tom shrugged. “Nothing scares me.”

  Arrogant mouseheart! Thunder exchanged glances with Lightning Tail. “Are you ready to grab them?”

  “Let’s go.” Lightning Tail strode past him into the den.

  Thunder followed, ears flat.

  River Ripple padded to the center of the opening and waited, hackles up.

  “Thunder!” Sparrow Fur’s excited squeak echoed around the den as she spotted him. “You’ve come too!”

  Owl Eyes blinked. “Is Turtle Tail with you?”

  Thunder swallowed back the pain rising in his chest. “No,” he told Owl Eyes. “We came by ourselves. Turtle Tail and Gray Wing wanted us to bring you home.”

  Tom stepped forward, ears flattening. “They are home.”

  Pebble Heart’s gaze sharpened. “If this is home, is Turtle Tail coming to live here?”

  Tom growled. “You don’t need Turtle Tail. You’re my kits and you’re living with me.”

  Sparrow Fur’s eyes clouded. “But Turtle Tail promised I could see Wind Runner’s kits!”

  “I told you!” Tom snapped. “You’re my kits. This is where you belong!”

  Thunder’s pelt rippled with sudden cold. Tom had told them he was their father. He glanced at Lightning Tail. The black tom’s gaze was dark. If the kits knew that Tom was their father, they couldn’t snatch them back. The kits wouldn’t understand.

  Thunder sheathed his claws. They would have to use reason. “How are you going to look after them?” he challenged. “You can’t hunt.”

  Tom flicked his tail toward the hollow stone filled with berries. “I got them food, didn’t I?”

  “But your Twoleg didn’t know it was feeding three hungry kits as well as you,” Thunder argued. “It doesn’t know they’re here, does it?”

  Tom glared at him. “So?”

  “You can’t keep them secret forever.” Lightning Tail stepped forward. “And when your Twoleg finds out, what will it do with them?”

  Owl Eyes’s fur spiked. “What do you mean?” He looked anxiously toward the Twoleg entrance.

  Thunder forced himself to ignore the frightened kit. He had to convince Tom that keeping them here was impossible. “They’re half wild.” He paced around Tom, gazing at him beseechingly. “They don’t belong here. They belong on the moor. With cats who love them.”