A Forest Divided Read Online Free Page A

against the blinding snow. He strained to make out his father’s pelt, and felt relieved as he spotted a dark shape moving ahead. Ducking low, he raced after it.
    â€œClear Sky!” The wind whipped his mew away. He pushed harder, digging his claws through the thickening layer of snow. Clear Sky disappeared into a swath of heather.
    Thunder headed after him, ducking along a stale rabbit trail. He caught sight of his father’s tail ahead. “Clear Sky!” Sheltered now, his call echoed along the heather tunnel.
    Clear Sky stopped. “What?” He glanced back warily.
    Thunder scrambled to a halt, his lungs burning from the cold. “I wanted to make sure you got home safely,” he puffed.
    â€œIs that all?” Clear Sky kept walking.
    Thunder swallowed back guilt. “I know the moor better than you,” he meowed firmly. “You could easily get lost in this storm.”
    Clear Sky flicked his tail.
    Thunder followed. “I’m sorry about what I said.”
    Clear Sky didn’t answer.
    Thunder’s belly tightened. Why should I feel bad? He’s the one who made the boundaries. Now he wants to abolish them. He followed Clear Sky, flattening his ears.
    The trail opened into a small clearing between the bushes, and Clear Sky halted. The wind gusted above the heather. Thunder’s pelt pricked as his father turned to face him.
    â€œI don’t want more cats to boss around.” Clear Sky’s blue eyes glittered with hurt.
    Thunder glanced at the ground. “Well, there was a time when you did,” he mumbled.
    â€œNot anymore.” Clear Sky’s shoulders drooped. “I just want us to be together, like we used to be. Fluttering Bird wants it too.”
    Thunder felt a surge of sympathy. Was his father still grieving for the young sister he’d lost? “What if you’re wrong?”
    â€œI’m not.” Clear Sky gazed at him for a moment. He nodded toward a rabbit trail opening onto the clearing, then flicked his muzzle toward another. “Which one?”
    Thunder brushed past him and ducked into the nearest tunnel. “This way.” He led Clear Sky along the familiar track until it opened onto the hillside. Snow battered his face as heemerged, and he braced himself against the wind. It was bitter enough to freeze prey.
    Clear Sky slid out beside him and stared through narrowed eyes. “Where’s the forest?”
    Thunder strained to see but the blizzard was thicker than fog. “If we follow the slope, it should lead us down to the forest’s edge.”
    â€œI’ll go first.” Clear Sky pushed past him. “I know the scents of the forest better than you. I’ll know when we’re close.”
    For a cat who doesn’t want more cats to boss around, you’re awfully good at it. Thunder bristled but held his tongue and followed Clear Sky, keeping so close that his father’s tail-tip brushed his nose. The wind roared in his ears. Cold pierced his pelt, and he fought not to shiver. “Maybe we should find a tunnel and take shelter till it passes.”
    â€œWe’re nearly there,” Clear Sky called over his shoulder. “I smell fresh earth. The forest must be close.” The gray tom quickened his pace. Thunder hurried after him, alarm pricking in his paws as his father’s tail disappeared. “Clear Sky!” They mustn’t be separated. Not in this weather. He blinked against the snow, relieved as he made out Clear Sky’s pelt once more.
    An angry roar exploded ahead.
    Fear flashed through Thunder. What is it? Pelt bushing, he surged forward. “Clear Sky?”
    A large, dark shape lunged toward Clear Sky from the blinding whiteness.
    Clear Sky shrieked.
    Thunder raced forward, the tang of blood hitting his nose, followed by the fierce stench of badger. His heart seemed to explode in his chest. “Clear Sky!” He heard the thump of hard muscle on the frozen