Chapter 10

Minnowstream blinked. The cat who'd come to her rescue was a tom with thick ginger fur. Streaks of dirt and mud stained his pelt, which was matted and unkempt. She wondered when was the last time he groomed it. Regardless of his untidy appearance, the silver she-cat was wise enough to be grateful because she knew somehow with an absolute certainty that the black-and-white tom would've killed her if the flame-colored cat hadn't chased him off.

The tom looked at her and studied her carefully, as if trying to decide whether to shred her or let her go. His face was laced with scars and his right ear was torn. He seemed to have been in as many battles, if not more, than the average warrior. Is that a good sign or a bad sign? What if he only wanted to have the pleasure of killing me himself?

The most unnerving thing was his eyes. They were a frigid blue, like shards of ice, with a cold and calculating gleam in them that made Minnowstream back away. He had an aura about him, something that made her instantly think that there was something he wanted from her and that he had ulterior motives for rescuing her. She wasn't sure that he was any better than than the black-and-white cat.

Minnowstream managed to meet his icy blue gaze. "I asked you a question." She was surprised at how calm and confident she sounded. "Who are you? What's your name?"

Minnowstream got the feeling that the tom would only answer if he wanted to. Silence stretched on for several frustrating moments. "Well?" she demanded.

Amusement lit his icy blue gaze. "I suppose you can call me Spark. I apologize for Beetle's welcome. I..."

"Beetle?" she interrupted. "Was that the black-and-white cat?"

Spark nodded impatiently. "Yes. The fox-hearted fool attacks any cats he finds wandering through this forest. Except for me, of course. Even Beetle wouldn't be mouse-brained enough to do that. I'm afraid that one day he might kill a cat, though, StarClan forbid."

Minnowstream's eyes widened. Did he just say StarClan?

"Anyhow, I hope that I can..."

"Did you just say StarClan?" Minnowstream realized she had interrupted him yet again. "Sorry, Spark."

Spark sighed. "It's fine. I don't mind. I used to be a Clan cat, just like you. A WindClan cat."

"WindClan? You used to be a WindClan cat? But you aren't scrawny!"

Spark looked at her with disdain. "You are scrawny, and you're a RiverClan cat. If you're wondering how I know, it's because I'd NEVER forget that awful fishy scent of yours!"

Awful fishy scent? That's mean! He talks as if WindClan cats smell oh so wonderful!

"Hey!" she protested.

Spark shrugged. "What? It's true!"

Minnowstream glared at him. "At least RiverClan cats don't have that pungent rabbit smell!"

They stopped teasing each other at the sound of a desperate yowl to their left. What was that?

Something else unnerved her as well. She still felt uncomfortable around Spark, even if he was talking to her now and had once been a Clan cat. He's not a Clan cat anymore. That might mean he doesn't follow the warrior code. And if he doesn't follow the code...well, then, there's nothing stopping him from killing me without any warning.

Minnowstream hesitantly looked at Spark. The ginger tom's eyes were completely void of emotion, giving no hint of what his thoughts might truly be. The silver she-cat knew very well that a cat's actions and words didn't necessarily reveal what it was thinking in its heart. I cannot trust him, I'm afraid. But in this miserable forest, Spark may be the only help us traveling cats can find...that is, if he'll help us.

A thorn of guilt pricked her heart. Perhaps I shouldn't be suspicious of Spark. Maybe he doesn't want anything from me. After all, I am the one who is hoping for help from him.

"Did you hear that?" she asked.

Spark nodded. "Let's go see what it is."

Minnowstream crept cautiously through the undergrowth and narrowed her eyes, shocked to see a young she-cat with gorgeous fluffy white fur that looked as soft as clouds being pinned to the ground by Beetle. She wasn't surprised that Beetle had attacked another intruder. The shocking part was that the white-furred she-cat appeared to be expecting kits. Her enlarged stomach instantly revealed that to Minnowstream. Nonetheless, scarlet blood still flowed from a gash in her side. How could he attack a mother who is expecting kits? That's awful!

Spark curled his lip in distaste. "Beetle is a menace to this forest."

She exchanged a quick look with Spark before leaping out of the bushes with the ginger tom on her heels. In a matter of heartbeats, they had chased Beetle away. Minnowstream wished she had ripped out a little more fur in the quick blows she had dealt to his left cheek. He deserves to suffer.

The white she-cat looked at them in fear.

"What's your name?" she asked the she-cat gently.

"C-clover."

A/N: Bubblybluebananas and I are combining stories again! Clover is her character! Hoped you enjoyed!