The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

63. Finding Him

     The sky was dark, gray with rain-heavy clouds that threatened to weep at any moment. Scorchwing peered at the overcast with hope. He had a plan, after all. Nothing too daring though.  

     "We found MarshClan scent a fox-length into the border. Mouse scent was there, but no smell of blood or anything. My guess is that someone got caught up in the chase, realized they're mistake and turned back," Shadowclaw explained as he sat by Blackstar's den. 

     Blackstar huffed. "At least they stopped. I'm not in the mood to start a war with MarshClan. Not enough energy." 

     Scorchwing listened intently. Rogues were still wandering into the territory, only entering in small groups, as if to tease. DarkClan was stretched thin. Patrols had been increased into the middle of the night. 

     Scorchwing got to his paws and trotted up to Shadowclaw. "Am I needed for anymore patrols? I was thinking of hunting for a bit. The prey pile looks a bit low." 

     Shadowclaw glanced past the younger warrior and eyed the kill pile. "Rain is coming. Prey will be in hiding." 

     "If I don't go now, the chance of prey tomorrow may be even lower if the rain is still falling," Scorchwing argued.  

     "Go on. We need to stock up. Take someone with you," Blackstar grumbled. Scorchwing looked to the leader and nodded. Concern gnawed at him. Blackstar's eyes looked cloudy, his expression blank. His entire body drooped. He's exhausted. His leadership has been nothing but tragedy. 

     "Thank you. I don't want anyone going hungry tomorrow." Scorchwing forced a purr and padded towards the apprentice den. If he had to take anyone, it would be Poppy. 

     The she-cat was curled up in her nest, chewing on a small bone. When she looked up, her eyes widened. "Hey!" She said cheerily, sitting up. "You look better than you have been." 

     "I have a plan," Scorchwing said excitedly. It was nothing complex. "I'm going hunting." 

     "That's your plan?" Poppy tilted her head. "It's going to rain!" 

     Scorchwing felt smug. "It'll give me an excuse to be gone from camp for a while, since the prey will be hiding. I'm going to find Palemist." Poppy said nothing, and Scorchwing continued. "I'm supposed to take someone with me. I thought you'd come. I'm going to the twolegplace."
 
     Poppy blinked and turned her head, avoiding his gaze. "I'm not going to the twolegplace. I can't." 

     "We won't go near the rogues. We'll be careful," Scorchwing insisted. 

     "I'll go hunting with you, but I won't go near the twolegplace." Poppy stood and shoved past, and Scorchwing followed, stung by her cold tone.  

     The two met little resistance, only saying a greeting to Yellowfoot as he entered the camp. Scorchwing kept a quick pace, eager to begin his search for his friend. The sky was slowly darkening as heavy, rain-laden clouds skated overhead.  

     By the time they met the border, Scorchwing carried a crow and Poppy hauled a pair of mice. The two sat for a moment and watched the clouds roll. It was Scorchwing who broke the silence. "Thanks for coming to the border. Are you sure you don't-" 

     "I'm sure," Poppy interrupted, scraping dirt over her mice and Scorchwing's crow. "I think it's better for me to just forget it existed." 

     Scorchwing touched his nose to her cheek. "I'll be back as soon as possible." Poppy did not reply, and so Scorchwing knew it was time to go. He trotted across the border and broke into a run.