Cursed Division - Kindred Whispers book 2)

Chapter 7

The snow had eased when CrookedTail padded into the dimly lit clearing. Though it was past sunrise, many cats still dozed. Today was a quiet day. Not many duties were to be performed in this bad of weather. The main thing done on days like this was hunting and the Guardian usually sent patrols out at dawn. Right now, most cats dozed in their warm dens. But CrookedTail had other plans.

He had taken a few days to recover from the wolverine attack and MoonPebble's wrath. Now his wounds barley ached at all and while he was still furious at the healer trainee, he made no attempt to communicate with her again. He wasn't done with MoonPebble. He'd make another attempt on her soon, but not today. Today he had a something to take care of, something he should of taken care of long ago.

Sinking cautiously behind the PeaceLeaf fighters den, he brushed his way through the camp's snowy barrier. He made sure to keep low as he lurked in the forest shadows. He was just emerging from the camp when he heard the sound of paws. Thinking quickly he leapt into a nearby bush and peered out, watching as a patrol headed into the camp, each cat carrying a morsel of prey. Leandro in the lead, carrying the biggest which was a chaffinch. The others were carrying more scrawny creatures such as bony mice and gaunt squirrels. Once they were gone, CrookedTail emerged from his hiding place and continued more cautiously through the forest.
Luckily, he didn't meet any more cats. Instead, he lifted his nose, jaws parted to taste the air for that familiar scent. Last he heard, Crow told him she was living in a remote part of PeaceLeaf in a small hollow.

Once he was sure he was safe away from camp and away from any wandering cats who might question him, CrookedTail bounded more quickly. He leapt over dead and twisted branches and fallen bark. He rounded several corners and leapt frozen streams. He brushed past snow covered brambles and changed directions several times, rounding abandoned animal sets and other cat's small private territories where independent PeaceLeaf cats settled if they so chose to. This was the same case for the cat he was searching for. She had always been independent. No wonder she neglected him. The thought made CrookedTail hiss and become more determined. He quickened his stride, more eager to reach her hollow now.

That wish came all too true when it came into sight. He had never seen the place but it was exactly as Crow described. He briefly hesitated at the top of the hollow. He knew what he was about to do was wrong and that it may not relieve the pain in his heart but holding it in even longer only increased that hurt. Building up courage, he skidded down the icy hollow and gazed at her shadowy den.
Slowing his pace now, he crouched, making his way over as silent as a mouse. The den grew larger as he drew closer. When he was close enough, he could make out a beautiful light brown tabby female sleeping soundly. Her snores filled the small den and her chest rose in a steady rhythm. He almost hated to disturb her and hurt her like this. Deep down though, he felt he had no choice.

He made his way silently in the den, blocking out the natural light that was filtering through snow covered leaves that were dangling from the top of the den. Thin icicles hung above him. They were thorn sharp, sharp enough to impale through a cat's flesh.
Suddenly, the light tabby opened her eyes. She lifted her head, blinking at him in confusion. "Greetings. How can I help you?"
She didn't recognize him. Of course she didn't. He stood to full height, puffing out his chest and fluffing out his fur to appear twice his size and twice as intimidating. When he had done that, the tabby widened her eyes, a sudden realization plastering across her face.

She rose clumsily to her paws, meeting his gaze. "You," she whispered. "I recognize you."
CrookedTail lashed his tail, baring his teeth in the beginning of a snarl. "I should think so, Mother."
The tabby froze. She took a slight step back and her expression was nearly unreadable as it seemed to change emotions so quickly. It finally rested on one: disappointment.
"Oak.. No.. Crooked... Crooked something."
"CrookedTail!"
His mother dipped her head. "Right. I remember now. You changed your name after your... Unfortunate accident."
CrookedTail huffed. "It suits me better."
His mother's expression turned to an amused grin, one she couldn't suppress. "That it does, CrookedTail. Your tail is clearly bent in all the wrong places."
He flexed his claws. "What is that supposed to mean, Tabitha?"
His mother shrank back in fake horror as if he had struck her with a fatal blow. "That's mother to you, CrookedTail."
"You don't deserve that Title!"
Tabitha snickered, circling him and brushing her tail across his ears. "So irritable, just as you've always been."
CrookedTail felt his throat tighten up with hurt. His mother hadn't lost any of her cruelty. That wicked grin she gave him was enough to get his blood boiling, to send his spiraling over the edge.
He finally managed to nudge her away and glare at her with the most menacing glower he could muster. But she didn't move. She didn't flinch. She met his gaze.
"Absent parents make their kits unstable." He growled.
Tabitha rolled her eyes. "Don't be overdramatic. Surely another PeaceLeaf queen fostered you."
"I shouldn't have to be fostered!" he spat. "My own mother should be able to take care of me!"
Tabitha's fur ruffled. "You're mad at me. Your father left you too, don't forget."
It took everything in his power not to claw at Tabitha's smug expression. He would of liked nothing more than to rip her pelt off.
"How's Crow?" she asked after a moment, her voice softening. Her eyes showed longing. It was no secret. Crow was always the favorite. He never had an unfortunate accident and he had always tried his best to make their mother proud.
"Crow is fine. He trained to be a PeaceLeaf fighter and he is now. You would know if you didn't leave."
She didn't reply to his last comment but only closed her eyes, a relieved expression on her face. "I'm glad one of my kits made me proud."