The Blazing Star by Erin Hunter Read Free Book Online

One Eye hissed.
    Clear Sky thought that Tom was right to look shocked. What is he thinking, hanging around like this?
    Tom sat down and started to groom his pelt, his pride clearly ruffled. Meanwhile, Clear Sky watched One Eye as he circled languidly, his tail high in the air. He was becoming more and more intrigued to hear what the rogue had to say for himself.
    â€œI remember this forest when all the trees were saplings,” One Eye began. “I lived here before any of your group were even born.”
    So how old is he? Clear Sky asked himself. If he’s as old as these trees, he should hardly be able to walk!
    While Clear Sky was trying to decide how to respond, One Eye whipped around and confronted him. “Are you the leader, then?” he asked.
    Surprised by the direct question, Clear Sky raked the ground with his forepaws. “Well . . . of this part of the forest, yes.”
    â€œThen you’re the cat I want to speak to,” One Eye continued. “Tom’s told me all about you. I’m here to offer my services to your group of cats, and trust me, this is not an offer that you want to turn down.”
    Momentarily stunned, Clear Sky was acutely aware that he had to take control of this situation. “What do you think you can bring to my group?” he asked.
    One Eye looked thoughtful for a moment. Before he could reply, the sound of fluttering wings in the tree above distracted all three cats. A plump pigeon had alighted on the lowest branch.
    â€œExcuse me,” the mangy rogue drawled.
    With a massive leap he hurled himself into the tree,his claws sinking into the body of the pigeon. It struggled wildly, its feathers falling like snow, then went limp. One Eye thumped back to the ground and dropped the prey at Clear Sky’s paws as if shaking dirt from his fur.
    â€œWill that do?” he asked.
    Clear Sky gazed down at the dead bird, impressed in spite of himself.
    â€œI’ll show you my hunting and fighting techniques anytime you like,” One Eye offered.
    â€œWe don’t need to learn any fighting techniques,” Clear Sky retorted sharply. “Just the hunting skills will do.” For a few heartbeats he hesitated, then added, “Have either of you ever heard of the Blazing Star?”
    One Eye and Tom glanced at each other. Tom shook his head, but after a moment One Eye muttered, “It could be a plant.”
    It could be anything, Clear Sky thought, disappointed not to have discovered any useful information. I guess it was a bit of a long shot.
    â€œOkay. You can follow me back to camp,” he meowed to One Eye and Tom, some instinct telling him it was better to have these cats as friends rather than enemies.
    But as Clear Sky turned to head toward home, One Eye padded ahead of him, leading the way as if he already knew where the camp was. The pigeon dangling from his jaws, Tom brought up the rear.
    Why do I feel as though they always knew they’d be coming back with me? Clear Sky thought. There was more to these cats than they were letting on.

C HAPTER 6

    A stiff breeze was blowing, whipping dead leaves from the trees. Leaf-fall is nearly on us, Clear Sky thought as he headed along his border with Tom and One Eye by his side. Acorn Fur padded in their paw steps a couple of tail-lengths behind.
    Privately Clear Sky held on to his reservations about admitting the mangy rogue and smelly kittypet to his group. But he had to admit that, so far, they were contributing. One Eye was a ruthless hunter, and was helping to keep the cats well fed—even if most of them were still a little wary of him.
    They’ll probably get used to him in time, Clear Sky told himself. And isn’t it better to have a cat like One Eye by my side rather than wandering free?
    The sound of crackling behind him made Clear Sky halt and turn, his shoulder fur beginning to bristle at possible danger. The sound reminded him too clearly of the flames that had