Free A Forest Divided by Erin Hunter Page A

Gray Wing and the kits! Gray Wing felt a prick of resentment. Jagged Peak was talking like he was one of them!
    Storm Pelt tipped his head. “Why can’t Gray Wing hunt with you? He’s a great hunter.”
    â€œGray Wing’s not as fast as he used to be,” Jagged Peak answered.
    Holly nodded. “He’ll be safer if he stays with you.”
    Eagle Feather puffed out his chest. “I’ll look after him!”
    Jagged Peak looked fondly at his kit. “Gray Wing will be grateful to have such a strong kit watching over him.”
    Gray Wing flattened his ears. “I don’t need anyone watching over me!” he snapped at Jagged Peak. “Just because you saved my life doesn’t mean you get to treat me like a useless kit!”
    Dew Nose bristled. “Kits aren’t useless!”
    Tall Shadow stepped between them. “I’m sure Jagged Peak didn’t mean anything, Gray Wing,” she soothed.
    Jagged Peak dipped his head. “Of course not. But we all know that the fire damaged your breathing. You’re not the cat you used to be.”
    Anger surged though Gray Wing. He flexed his claws, wondering if he had enough breath to scratch his young brother’s ears. How dare he?
    Tall Shadow flicked her tail. “Perhaps you should hunt, Jagged Peak,” she suggested diplomatically.
    Gray Wing frowned. Love hadn’t made Jagged Peak confident; it had made him arrogant! “Be careful,” he muttered. “Don’t forget that you don’t know what’s out there.” Perhaps I should warn them about Fern and Slash. This wasn’t the perfect home they believed it was. There was danger lurking in the shadows. Then he glanced at Tall Shadow, worry darkeningher gaze for the first time since she’d set paw in the forest, and swallowed back his anger. He wasn’t going to spoil her moment. “I’m sorry.”
    He’d warn them about Slash when the time was right. Perhaps he wouldn’t need to. He might be able to find Fern and talk to her. The rogue didn’t seem to be a bad cat. She was just scared of Slash.
    Gray Wing felt suddenly tired. They hadn’t even found a new camp, and trouble was already stalking them. “Come on.” He heaved himself to his paws. “Let’s find somewhere sheltered to build nests.”
    As they set off, Eagle Feather scampered ahead. “Can I have my own nest?”
    â€œWhen you’re older,” Holly called after him.
    Gray Wing scanned the shadows beyond the kit warily. “Stay close, Eagle Feather. Until we’re sure it’s safe here.”

C HAPTER 5

    A blustery wind shook the branches overhead. Thunder tucked his forepaws closer to his belly.
    Beside him, Clear Sky huffed. “Are you cold?”
    â€œNo,” Thunder lied, bunching his muscles to hide his shivers.
    They were sitting at the edge of a small clearing, not far from the camp, watching Acorn Fur train Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur how to hunt in their new woodland home. Clear Sky wanted to see how well his recruits were adapting to forest life.
    Thunder bushed out his fur. The sharpness of the leaf-bare chill had eased in the past days, but snow clouds had turned to rain, and dampness dug deep into his thick pelt.
    It wasn’t raining now, but the trees still dripped from the last downpour. Fallen leaves were matted into wet clumps, making the forest floor slippery.
    â€œTry again, Owl Eyes.” Acorn Fur had laid a dead mouse near the edge of the clearing. “You need to reach it in one pounce. There are no second chances in the forest, with so many hiding places for prey.”
    As Owl Eyes crouched behind the roots of an oak, Thunder saw that the gaze he fixed on his quarry was anxious.
    Sparrow Fur paced back and forth impatiently a tail-length behind him. “Hurry up!”
    Acorn Fur glanced at the brown she-cat with annoyance. “Keep still, Sparrow Fur. Let your brother