Claw Marks

Chapter 1: Midnight

Moon licked her sleek black fur and made sure to smooth it out with her white paws.

Perfect.

She thought looking into a puddle.

"Moon!" A voice came from behind her

Moon turned her head to see her sister Mint behind her.

"Yes?"

"Come quick! I've found something cool!"

Moon lifted herself up and looked into her sister's bright green eyes.

"This wont ruffle my fur will it?" Moon said with a hint of amusement.

"Probably will." Mint replied with the same humor.

" Lead the way Miss Sassy Pelt."

"Follow me, Miss Sassy Pelt, Miss Sassy for short." The white she cat said while darting into the forest

Moon ran after her sister.

After a short period of time they arrived in a small clearing full of small shrubs and bushes.

"Look isn't it awesome!" Mint said while gazing around the sunny patch of land

Moon picked up a scent instantly.

"Is that dog I smell?" Moon asked worriedly

"Its stale dummy! Get your nose cleaned."

"Hmm..." Moon mumbled while sticking her nose in every bush.

"Miss Nosy! Over here come play with me!" Mint yowled while batting her paws in the air at a butterfly.

"We should go..."

"No I wanna play! I'll stay here!"

"... Suit yourself."

"Well... then... I don't wanna play with you anyway!"

"Fine suit yourself." Moon ended the conversation with a tail sweep and leaving the clearing.

***

HOOOOOWWWWOOOOO

The sound of howling dogs played over and over again in the dark.

Moon ran, her heart heavy with fear.

"Mint!" She cried out desperately through the empty night.

Her paws pounded hard on the soft dirt. What did I do!? Why did I do that?! Moon shook her head and stopped running. She stood staring at her paws while catching her breath.

"Hello..." A deep voice came from behind her.

Surprised, the she cat jumped up and twisted around to face the voice. A tom stood in the tracks she had just made. His fur was grey and black, lightning bolt patterns were scattered across his fur along with a few scars. The tom's face was handsome yet stern.

"Hello..." He repeated, "I'm Dust."

"M-Moon." was all the she-cat could choke out.

Dust smirked and flicked Moon in the nose with his tail.

"Who are you chasing this late of night?" He spoke as if he had already known Moon for her whole life.

"Y-You don't know her." Moon tried her best to speak normally but still faltered.

"I will once we find her." His voice was strong and comforting.

"We?"

"I'm coming with you aren't I?"

"...Yes" Moon nodded while speaking her answer.

Moon pointed with her muzzle the direction. After a quick nod Dust took off. Moon was right on his trail. Mint cant be too far... We'll find her.

***

Moon ran, the wind was in her face, she felt free. Her paws continued in a steady beat. She new the exact path Mint had taken, there was a whisp of her scent in the air telling Moon where to go.

Why did I let this tom come with me? I don't even know him, ... What are his intentions? Moon couldn't help but wonder as she ran along through the thick forest.

Suddenly she skid to a halt. In front of her lay a sheer cliff, which met the ocean. A wave of salty sea breeze hit Moon's sensitive nose like an avalanche. Sneezing and trying to shake the scent away Moon turned to Dust who was also shaking his head to clear the smell.

"Ah- This smell is unbearable... Too much... ...ocean." Dust muttered and twisted his head at his last word. His eyes widened as he spoke "Wow... The ocean is... breathtaking"

After hearing his words Moon turned her head and finally got a good look at the sea. It was a sparkling mass of deep purple and blue. The silver moon was reflecting perfectly off the waves which crashed against the side of the massive cliff they stood on.

Moon gasped in amazement, "... C'mon we gotta go find Mint." She said softly even though she didn't really want to leave.

"Yeah..." Dust replied, still staring at the waves.

Moon nudged his shoulder and started walking towards Mint's scent. Dust trailed along behind her.

Moon and Dust walked into a small clearing. It was full of small shrubs and bushes. In the center lay a body. A cat to be precise. It was curled up, a white body with black paws and tail tip. Mint. She was laying in a puddle of blood.

Moon gasped in horror and shock.

"M-M-Mint!!" Moon's voice was drenched in guilt and pain.

Dust stood still as Moon ran over to the limp body and began pressing her paws against the white cat's body. The body was soaked in blood. It was almost shredded to pieces.

"G-Get O-Over here and h-help me!" Moon cried. Tears were welling in her eyes and her voice was thick with sadness.

Dust ran over and immediately began pressing his paws against Mint's body like Moon was.

"M...Moon..." A faint whisper came from the what seemed to be lifeless body.

"Mint!" Moon almost yowled "I'm so so sorry!, Please please forgive me, I love you... sister... Don't leave me." Moon said while choking on her tears.

Mint blinked slowly before saying, "I forgive you... I love you ... be ... strong." With her final word her eyes closed. Her final breath escaped.

Moon burst into tears and pressed her head against her sister's limp body.

"WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!" Moon lifted her head and yowled at the top of her lungs towards the stars. Tears streamed down her face and mixed into the blood her sister left.

Dust backed away and sat down.

Moon looked away into the forest, guilt beating her mind. "Its ... all ... my ... fault, If I didn't just...Why? Why me?" Moon blamed herself and pleaded to the spirits all in a whisper.

Moon sent a message with her mind towards the sky where her sister would now rest.

I'm so sorry