Read Online The Blazing Star by Erin Hunter - Free Book Online

time. I’ve defeated cats in moments with this move.”
    Thunder’s pelt prickled with excitement from ears to tail-tip. He slid out his claws, imagining himself sinking them into One Eye or Tom. Then he winced as he remembered the reek of blood and the shrieks of the cats who died in the battle at the four trees.
    â€œEven Jagged Peak could do this,” Holly continued. “Actually, especially Jagged Peak. With his limp, attacking cats will think he’s vulnerable. If he lies on his back and shows his belly, it will make them overconfident. But you can still leap, even with three legs—can’t you, Jagged Peak?”
    Jagged Peak gave a vigorous nod, his eyes glowing with pleasure at Holly’s confidence in him.
    â€œCome on, then,” Holly mewed. “Let’s practice together. The rest of you, divide into pairs and do the same. But, remember—no claws!”
    Thunder watched as Shattered Ice padded up to Owl Eyes. “Come on, young one,” the gray-and-white tom meowed. “See if you can trick me.”
    Owl Eyes flung himself enthusiastically into the exercise, though Thunder was glad to see that Shattered Ice was being gentle with his smaller opponent.
    Feeling a touch on his shoulder, Thunder turned to see Lightning Tail. “Get out of our camp, filthy invader!” his friend snarled, though his eyes were sparkling with amusement.
    â€œWho’re you calling filthy?” Thunder retorted.
    Lightning Tail batted at him with his claws sheathed, and Thunder immediately fell to the ground and rolled over. “Got you!” Lightning Tail exclaimed. “You must find it so hard, being so big and all. Don’t you trip over those massive paws?”
    â€œTry me!” Thunder meowed.
    As Lightning Tail leaped at him, Thunder brought up his hind legs as Holly had shown them, and gave Lightning Tail a hard blow in his chest, throwing him to the ground. While Lightning Tail was struggling to get up, Thunder launched himself onto his back. “See?” he growled into his friend’s ear. “I can move as fast as any cat.”
    He leaped away, and Lightning Tail gave his pelt a shake, panting hard and scattering the bits of debris that had clung to his fur. While he was recovering, Thunder glanced around to see that Gray Wing was sparring with Tall Shadow, and Mouse Ear was training with Pebble Heart.
    Mouse Ear is trying too hard not to hurt him, Thunder thought. They’ll never get the move right that way.
    Before he could make any suggestions, Pebble Heart let out a wail of distress. Mouse Ear sprang back, his eyes wide with alarm. “I didn’t touch him!” he exclaimed as all the cats raced over to see what was happening.
    Then Thunder noticed Mud Paws. He had been standing nearby, watching the other cats train, but now he was crouched over something small on the ground, his whiskers trembling. Curious, Thunder padded up to him and saw that he was staring at the body of a mouse.
    Owl Eyes padded up, then halted, clawing at the ground with anxiety. “Pebble Heart—do you know what’s wrong?” he asked.
    Pebble Heart crept up, his pelt fluffed up with apprehension, and Thunder realized that the small cat had sensed something amiss before any cat had spotted the mouse. He gave the body a quick sniff, then backed away again, his eyes wide and scared.
    Thunder peered over Pebble Heart’s shoulder, examining the body closely for the first time. The mouse’s belly was horribly swollen and there were flecks of white foam around its mouth. Its eyes, open wide in death, were oozing pus, and there was an open sore on its tail.
    â€œGet back, all of you!” Thunder ordered.
    â€œSickness,” Pebble Heart murmured, looking up at him. “Sickness too powerful for healing herbs.”
    Thunder nodded. “Go back to the hollow,” he told the other cats, who had retreated a few paw steps and stood waiting