Path of Stars/Chapter 21

Chapter Summary
 Gray Wing's PoV 
 * Slash's words make Gray Wing's heart lurch. He blinks at his brother, Clear Sky, and wonders where Star Flower was, or the kits, or whether or not Slash was planning to kidnap her again. Fear sparks in Clear Sky's eyes, and he wails his mate's name, then races for the slope. Acorn Fur, Birch, and Nettle streak after him, their fur bristling. Gray Wing looks back at Slash, who is watching the shocked cats with delight, his whiskers twitching. He starts to threaten the mangy tabby, but Slash cuts him off. He asks the gray tom why he should bother with Clear Sky and his group, since he's making the pale gray tom suffer enough. With a hateful gaze, Slash hisses at Gray Wing, stating that it was he who took his cats away.


 * Gray Wing's pelt is stabbed with claws of fear, and demands to know what he means. The brown tabby [Leader|leader]] doesn't answer, and only beckons for his rogues to follow. He jumps off the rock, and slinks into shadow. Gray Wing starts trembling, since Slash had blamed him. Wind Runner's panicked voice snaps Gray Wing from his thoughts, and she mentions Slate and her kits. He stares across the clearing, replying that Spotted Fur was with the queen. But even though the golden-brown tom was with Slate, he couldn't beat Slash's gang all by himself.


 * The dark gray tom exclaims that they have to get home, and turns to leave. However, invisible jaws clamp his chest, and his breathing becomes difficult. Wind Runner bounds over to her friend, and glances over to River Ripple, ordering him to get back to his camp, and protect Drizzle and Pine. The silver tabby tom agrees with a nod, and the wiry brown she-cat turns to Thunder now. She issuses out orders to the big ginger tom, and while it's said that Clear Sky had alreay left, Sparrow Fur remains. The tortoiseshell's pelt pricks.


 * Thunder lifts his chin, claiming that he'll stay with Gray Wing, and help Slate. He tells Lightning Tail to take his cats back to camp, for the black tom was in charge until Thunder returned. Leaf protests, mentioning that Slash wants his revenge. Thunder lowers his voice, and to Lightning Tail, meows that if he doesn't return, he has to take over. Lightning Tail blinks, asking if he will return, but before Thunder can reply, Violet Dawn hurries over. She firmly says he has to come back, and presses her nose to Thunder's cheek. The ginger leader stays like there for a moment, and promises that he'll be home.


 * Gray Wing desperately looks up the slope, and thinks of Slash being in his camp now. Struggling forward, he makes for the bracken. Pebble Heart supports the gray tom, before looking back at Tall Shadow. He tells the black she-cat he'll be back soon. His leader dips her head, and sends Sun Shadow with them. Owl Eyes calls that he'll help also, and rushes forward. When the young cat presses against him, Gray Wing is briefly surprised, then remembers how tiny he had been, clambering over Turtle Tail while she'd watched fondly. Now Owl Eyes' muscles were strong in comparison to Gray Wing's bony frame.


 * Wind Runner crashes through the bracken, her campmates with her. Moth Flight and Dust Muzzle follow, kicking up snow. Sparrow Fur pleads to come, which startles Gray Wing. After a heartbeat, he swells with gratitude, because all Turtle Tail's kits want to help. Willow Tail threatens Slash, her tail lashing, saying she'd kill him. Fern Leaf hisses, and tells the pale tabby that she'd help. As the Early Settlers move through the orange fronds, Owl Eyes and Pebble Heart guide the weak dark gray tom up the slope. He blinks, as a cold wind buffets him at the top of the slope. He winces as snow stings his eyes.


 * The camp hollow shows in the distance, shadowy in the moonlight. Wind Runner and the other cats run for the camp, and Gray Wing struggles to keep up. Struggling through the deep snow, Owl Eyes and Pebble Heart still guide him, but press even closer. Darkness edges his vision as he fights for breath, but he can only think of Slate and his kits, and he prays that they're safe. He ponders if Slash had been bluffing, just to scare them. His campmates streak ahead, reaching the camp. He gets frustrated, and snaps at his companions to hurry. Both the toms whisk Gray Wing towards the camp, while his paws churn helplessly.


 * They manage to reach the gorse tunnel, but the others had alreasy disappeared inside. Gray Wing picks up the scent of blood, and his heart quickens.