Firestar's Quest by Erin Hunter Read Free Book Online Page A

starlit shapes were weaving among the forest cats, close enough for their pelts to brush. The forest cats passed them without a glance, calling out to their Clanmates as they prepared to leave. The other three leaders leaped down into the midst of the strangers like water voles leaping into a pool. Leopardstar almost landed on top of a shimmering white warrior, and bounded away without even a twitch of her whiskers.
    Firestar shivered. None of the others can see them!
    His gaze was drawn to one cat among the starry shapes: the gray-and-white cat he had seen twice before. He was staring directly at Firestar, his jaws open in a silent plea, but before Firestar could respond, Mudclaw of WindClan passed in front of him and the gray-and-white cat vanished.
    Firestar knew these were the same cats he had seen leaping in the river, the same cats that had appeared to him indistinctly through the mist in his dreams. Who are they?And what are they doing here?
    â€œHey, Firestar!” Graystripe called from the foot of the Great Rock. “Are you going to stay up there all night?”
    Firestar gave himself a shake. He couldn’t go on like this. These cats had stalked him through his dreams, and now they were haunting him in the waking world as well. He had to find out why, and if Cinderpelt couldn’t help him, there might be other cats who could.
    He leaped down to where Graystripe was waiting for him with Sandstorm, Brambleclaw, and the rest of the ThunderClan warriors. “Graystripe, I want you and Sandstorm to lead the Clan back to camp.”
    â€œWhy, where are you going?”
    Firestar took a deep breath. “I need to go to the Moonstone. I have to share tongues with StarClan.”
    Graystripe looked surprised, but Sandstorm’s green gaze met Firestar’s with a look of understanding.
    â€œI knew something’s been troubling you,” she mewed quietly, brushing her pelt against his. “Maybe you’ll feel better after you’ve spoken to our warrior ancestors.”
    â€œI hope so,” Firestar responded.
    â€œShall I come with you?” Graystripe offered. “The rest of the Clan don’t need me to take them home, and you never know what might be lurking on the moors. What if that fox has come back?”
    â€œNo, thanks, Graystripe,” Firestar meowed. “I’ll go with WindClan as far as their camp, and after that I’ll be fine.”
    â€œOkay.” Graystripe gathered the rest of the ThunderClanwarriors together with a sweep of his tail. “When you pass Barley’s farm, say hi to Ravenpaw for me.”
    â€œI’ll do that.” Firestar turned to Sandstorm and touched his nose to hers. “Good-bye. I’ll be back soon.”
    â€œGood luck.” Sandstorm blinked at him. “I hope you find some answers. It feels like you’re a long way away just now.”
    Giving her ear a final lick, Firestar plunged into the bushes up to the top of the slope on the WindClan side of the hollow. Tallstar was already leading his cats onto the moor: small, dark shapes outlined against a wash of moonlight. Firestar raced after them until he overtook the cat who brought up the rear.
    â€œHi, Onewhisker,” he panted. “Is it okay if I travel with you? I need to go to Highstones.”
    â€œSure. No trouble, I hope?”
    â€œNothing to worry about,” Firestar replied, hoping that was true.
    He said good-bye to the WindClan cats on the slope above the hollow where they camped. Dawn was breaking as he set out for Highstones, the pointed mass of rock dark against the pale sky. A chill wind ruffled the short, springy grass, pressing Firestar’s fur against his sides. Up here the sky seemed huge, without any trees for cover. The scents were unfamiliar, too: a mixture of gorse, heather, and rabbits, with a sharp tang of peaty earth.
    A small, reed-fringed stream crossed Firestar’s path. He leaped it easily, startling a