15
" Could Smudge’s nest have been built right on top of the old SkyClan camp? That might explain why he had been dreaming so vividly about the fleeing cats. “Smudge,” he began, interrupting a discussion between his friend and Hattie about catmint, “is it okay if I stay with you tonight?” Smudge blinked in surprise. “Of course. But will it be okay with . . . with the other cats in your Clan?” His concern moved Firestar. Smudge might be a kittypet, but he was a true friend. “They’ll be fine, I promise. I just think this will help me figure out, you know, what we were talking about earlier.” “Oh, I see.” Smudge looked alarmed as he added, “But I’m not sure how easy it’ll be getting you inside the nest.” “I don’t need to come inside,” Firestar told him. StarClan forbid! “I’ll be fine in the garden, thanks.” The black-and-white cat nodded. “Okay. Well, come on over.” “I’ve got to find my Clanmates first and let them know I won’t be back tonight.” Firestar jumped down from the fence, back into the forest. Behind him, he heard Hattie meowing inquisitively, “Why does Firestar want to stay in your garden? Why doesn’t he want to stay in mine? "
― Erin Hunter , Firestar's Quest (Warriors Super Edition, #1)
19
" a wail sounded from behind Firestar. “Cinderpelt! Look at my paw!” “Great StarClan, what now?” the medicine cat muttered. Sorrelpaw, the smallest of the apprentices, lurched into the clearing on three legs, holding out her forepaw. “Look, Cinderpelt!” The medicine cat bent her head to examine the paw. Firestar could see that a thorn was driven deep into the pad. “Honestly, Sorrelpaw,” Cinderpelt mewed, “from the noise you were making I thought a fox must have bitten your paw off. It’s only a thorn.” “But it hurts!” the apprentice protested, her amber eyes wide. Cinderpelt tutted. “Lie down and hold your paw out.” Firestar watched as the medicine cat expertly gripped the shank of the thorn in her teeth and tugged it out. A gush of blood followed it. “It’s bleeding!” Sorrelpaw exclaimed. “So it is,” Cinderpelt agreed calmly. “Give it a good lick.” “Every cat picks up thorns now and again,” Firestar told the apprentice as her tongue rasped busily across her pad. "
― Erin Hunter , Firestar's Quest (Warriors Super Edition, #1)
