Path of Stars by Erin Hunter

right. He’d suggested to Reed that he shelter with Spotted Fur and the kits in Wind Runner’s den for the night. If the rogues did cause any trouble, its narrow entrance and thick walls would make it easy to defend.
    Wind Runner glanced over her shoulder, her eyes flashing in the silver moonlight. “Why can’t the rogues leave us alone?”
    Gray Wing could understand Wind Runner’s frustration. Twice in the past half-moon, rogues had come onto their land. Once, they’d hunted rabbits on the high moor. The second time, they’d simply swiped prey from Moth Flight and Dust Muzzle, leaving the two young cats shaken.
    Slate glanced at him. “Do you think Thunder has a plan?” she whispered.
    â€œI hope so.” Gray Wing swished his tail-tip along her spine. “We can’t keep losing prey like this.” Rabbits had started venturing farther from their burrows in search of grazing, which made them easier to catch. But Gray Wing knew that the more rabbits they killed now, the fewer there’d be when leaf-bare really began to bite. He was thankful that snipe and grouse still roamed the moor. At least they wouldn’t starve. Unless the rogues kept taking their food.
    The oaks loomed ahead, their ancient branches reaching above the rim of the hollow. Bare now, they stretched like claws toward the star-speckled sky. Gray Wing tasted the air and smelled pine and river scents. “Tall Shadow and River Ripple are here,” he told Slate softly.
    â€œWhat about the others?” Her nostrils twitched.
    â€œI’m not sure.” Thunder’s and Clear Sky’s musky scents were masked by the damp forest smell drifting from the trees beyond.
    He followed Wind Runner and Gorse Fur over the rim of the hollow and squinted into the shadows below. Shapes moved between the trees. As he threaded his way down the bracken-covered slope, he heard the murmuring of voices. Gradually, more scents touched his nose.
    â€œWe’re the last to arrive,” he told Slate.
    Minnow growled from the back. “Unless the rogues are planning to join us. We can’t seem to go anywhere these days without tripping over them.”
    â€œWind Runner!”
    Gray Wing heard Thunder greet Wind Runner as she padded into the clearing.
    He followed her out of the bracken, blinking as icy air bathed his face.
    Thunder was standing between Leaf and Milkweed in the shadow of the great rock, while Lightning Tail walked the edge of the clearing, sniffing warily at the undergrowth. Clear Sky paced in a pool of moonlight beside Blossom and Nettle. River Ripple was sitting in the middle of the clearing, Shattered Ice beside him. Gray Wing dipped his head in greeting, noticing how calm the river cats seemed, so still beside the restless pacing of the others.
    Tall Shadow, Jagged Peak, and Mouse Ear stayed near the edge of the clearing, weaving around one another, their ears pricked, their gazes darting to any small stirring of thebracken on the slopes. Tall Shadow lifted her tail as Wind Runner approached. Thunder moved from the shadow of the great rock to join them as they stopped beside River Ripple.
    Thunder glanced around at the cats. “Our prey is being stolen by rogues.”
    â€œOurs too!” Wind Runner’s eyes shone angrily in the dark.
    â€œThey’ve taken half our prey since Star Flower was rescued.” Tall Shadow sounded weary.
    Clear Sky blinked at her sympathetically. “In the past few days, they’ve attacked two of our hunting parties. We’re all suffering.”
    River Ripple’s tail swished over the ground. “They haven’t stolen our prey yet. Perhaps they don’t like fish.”
    â€œOr getting their paws wet,” Shattered Ice added, a glint in his eyes.
    Wind Runner turned on the gray-and-white tom. “This is no joking matter! Cats are going hungry, and leaf-bare is only just beginning!”
    Shattered Ice dipped his head