Tallstar's Revenge/Chapter 12

==Chapter description==
:Tallpaw bounds after Dawnstripe into camp. The entire Clan is awake, gathered around the strange cats. A black-and-white she-cat is pacing beside a gray tom, while a ginger-and-white she-cat stands near the Meeting Hollow with bright eyes. A big, creamy-brown tom and a tawny colored tom are with her. Wide eyed, Barkpaw asks who they are, and Tallpaw responds they're the visitors. Shrewpaw pushes past the gathered cats to give the strangers a sniff, but is blocked by Redclaw, who tells him that they are their guests and will be treated with respect.
:Shrewpaw demands what they are doing here and his father answers they've come to share stories and food. Heatherstar dips her head to the black-and-white she-cat, mewing that it's good to see her again, calling her by the name Bess. Her gaze flicks over the rest of the cats, and she asks where Wee Hen is. Shaking her head, Bess softly meows that it was a cold season, but she passed full-fed and warm.
:Heatherstar's tail droops, and Whiteberry rushes over, hopefully asking if Wee Hen had any words for him. Bess answers that she asked that he share her stories with the young ones. Whiteberry mews of course, and turns to the creamy tom, whom he calls Algernon. Feeling unnerved and uneasy by the newcomers, Tallpaw shifts his paws. He half murmurs to himself that he didn't think they would actually come. Barkpaw jerks, asking if he knew about them already.
:Tallpaw wonders if Hawkheart had warned him, and Barkpaw narrows his eyes, asking who these cats are. Tallpaw shrugs, saying all he knows is that they're rogues and they come to spend greenleaf with WindClan every year. When the medicine cat apprentice wonders why, Tallpaw repeats Dawnstripe's words, that they always have. He is still unsure why this makes it okay for the Clan to share food and nests with rogues.
:Larksplash bounds over to the ginger-and-white she-cat, calling out her name, Reena. She exclaims that she has grown, and Reena looks surprised, noting how she has as well. Meadowslip and Brackenwing join them, asking how leaf-bare was and if they found warm shelter. Reena assures them they stayed cozy, then asks Larksplash if she has been given her warrior name yet.
:Larksplash purrs that she's been a mentor, which leaves Reena impressed and she asks who her apprentice was. Ryestalk pads forward and introduces herself and they touch noses with each other. Barkpaw growls he hopes they haven't brought whitecough with them, and Tallpaw responds that they smell healthy to him. Scowling, Barkpaw meows that he would like to look them over before they start mixing with the Clan.
:Aspenfall greets the tawny rogue, who's name is Sparrow. The gray tom, named Mole, mews that he hopes leaf-bare was kind to WindClan. Aspenfall meows that it was long, but the prey kept running and their nests stayed warm. Cloudrunner greets Bess, and Palebird slides next to Tallpaw, murmuring that it's good to see old friends. He wonders how long she's known them, and his mother answers that they have been visiting since before she was born, at least Algie and Bess. She meows that Reena is their daughter, and Sparrow and Mole joined them later.
:Tallpaw remarks that they have strange names, and Palebird explains that Bess and Algernon were once kittypets, and Bess named Reena after her sister. Bess notices Palebird and pads over with Reena. Her eyes are round with concern and she notes how thin she looks. Palebird sighs she hasn't been well, and Bess stares at Tallpaw. Palebird's voice is warm with pride when she introduces her son, and Bess purrs that he's a fine one.
:Palebird mews that she had another, but lost her, and Bess presses her cheek against hers. Reena stands quietly behind her as they share a moment of grief. Barkpaw nudges Tallpaw, letting him know he is going to join Hawkheart in the medicine den. The elders cluster around Algernon and Sandgorse purrs to tell them more. Tallpaw notices that Mistmouse, Hickorynose, and Woollytail watch and mutter under their breath and he realizes not everyone wants the visitors here.
:Bess mews that Tallpaw is a thoughtful one, and his attention shifts back to her. He quickly says he was just watching the Clan, and Bess meows that it will take a while to get used to them again, but once they've proved they can catch their own food, the icy ones will thaw. Bess winks at Whiteberry, adding they may even catch extra for the elders. Tallpaw admits that they would be grateful, and he would too, since it can be difficult to catch enough with just him and Shrewpaw.
:Heatherstar then lifts her muzzle and meows that it's late and they should rest, then asks who will be sharing their dens with their friends. Palebird and Meadowslip let Bess stay in the nursery, and Flamepelt suggests that Mole stay in the elders den. Redclaw meows there are extra nests for Algie and Sparrow, and Tallpaw surprises himself, saying there's enough room for Reena in the apprentice's den.
:Reena thanks him and they head into the den. Shrewpaw glares from the entrance, wondering what she's doing there, and Tallpaw explains she's using one of the spare nests. Shrewpaw snaps they're apprentice nests, not for rogues. Reena peeks over the top of her nest with twinkling eyes, mewing they're only rogues until he gets to know them, and until then, why not just pretend she's an egg waiting to hatch. She says there's no point in killing prey before it's worth eating. Shrewpaw blinks, echoing to pretend she's an egg.
:Reena agrees, burrowing her nose under her paw and peeps out and catches Tallpaw's eye, her gaze glittering with laughter. Swallowing a purr as Shrewpaw climbs into his nest with a frown, Tallpaw goes to his own nest and thinks that maybe having the visitors around might be fun.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
fr:La vengeance d'Étoile Filante/Chapitre 12
Category:Tallstar's Revenge
Category:Super Edition arc
Category:Chapter subpages