Warriors: Frecklesky's Heart

[ 7 ]

Frecklesky emerged back into the clearing. The worst of the mud was gone, but mats still clung to her fur here and there, pulling fiercely at her pelt. She trudged across the camp and inspected the fresh-kill pile.

There were still no new additions. There was a small mud crab—she avoided it like the plague, as they were terribly difficult to chew—a plump muskrat, her frog, a vole, and a scrawny newt. She grabbed the muskrat. It was fresh and round, mouth-wateringly delicious as she sank her teeth into it. Though the rest of the prey was significantly smaller, she was certain the queens would be fine with eating less for a day. She was hungry.

She carried the large rodent over to the corner of the clearing, collapsing to her side and studiously nibbling on the meat. The musky flavor was tasty as it flooded over her tastebuds, and though she tried to savor it, it wasn't long until she was gnawing the last bits of meat from the bones.

A sheen of clouds flitted about the sky, inching intimidatingly towards the sun. She whisked her tongue over her whiskers, relishing in the last morsel. Once her whiskers were washed, she twisted her neck around and began lapping at her fur before the sunlight would disappear, basking up the warmth as she cleaned away as much mud as she could.

Time passed as slowly as a column of slugs, and finally, Firewatcher trudged into camp behind Chiveclaw, with Crabheart at his tail.

His paws were dragging on the ground and it looked as though his hopes and dreams had been crushed. Frecklesky paused in her grooming, buried the remains of her meal, and reluctantly padded over to meet her friend.

Talking gently wasn't her strong suit, but she knew that Fallowstep would want that.

"How are you feeling?" She meowed, drawing him away from their Clanmates.

Firewatcher sighed, his tail flicking absently back and forth. "I'm all right, I guess."

"Still blaming yourself?" She quirked a brow.

Firewatcher was silent.

"You know, it isn't your fault," she commented idly. "Beetleflight was old. She's been an elder for so many moons, it was about time she finally went off to StarClan."

Firewatcher shot Frecklesky a sour glance. "Right."

Frecklesky bristled. "What? It's true, isn't it?"

Firewatcher huffed, licking a paw and drawing it over his ears, painstakingly slowly in an attempt to calm himself. "She would've lived for many moons longer."

"You can't know that," Frecklesky retorted. "Besides, if it's anybody's fault... it's my fault. I made," she wrinkled her nose, "you go with me. Got it? So quit blaming yourself, you thistle-fluff."

Firewatcher sighed. "Thanks, I guess."

Frecklesky nodded curtly, curling her paws beneath her form as the sun shifted out from behind the cover of clouds, shining merrily on her fur. It was inching towards the horizon, and with the number of clouds on the sky, she knew that it would make for a pretty sunset.

Firewatcher settled down, shuffling closer to her side and letting his eyes narrow to lazy slits as they quietly sunned themselves together. Eventually, he leaned over and began lapping at her fur, quietly cleaning away the dried mud. She purred her thanks, shutting her eyes peacefully.

Since they had been apprentices, the two were close. They'd often clean the mud out of each other's fur after a training session, but for once, it felt... wrong. She felt a surge of guilt, her mind flashing to Thunderpath.

But why? She wondered, hurt wrenching at her heart. Why can't I enjoy this, like I always have?

Her green eyes slowly opened, and she turned to stare at Firewatcher as, while still in the process of washing her pelt, he closed his eyes and dozed off, leaning his head against her shoulder.

She swallowed uncomfortably. He appeared so comfortable, so full of tranquility in this moment, yet she felt as though she were the complete opposite. Her breath caught in her throat as she leaned forward and nudged him away, flinching as his head crashed against the earth.

Firewatcher stirred, blinking wearily up at her. "What—"

"I need to go," she mewed quietly.

"Go? Go where?"

She shook her head, standing to her paws. "I just need to."

Firewatcher's brow furrowed together in confusion, and he stumbled to his paws. "But Frecklesky, what's the matter?"

She didn't answer, and pushed away, the dazzling golden glows of sunlight beaming off her fur as she pushed towards the warrior's den, her thoughts at war with her heart.