War - Battles of the Wild - The Darkened Moon

CHAPTER SIX: DIRTCLAW

The clans were always at war. Ever since I was a pup, war was all I could remember. All we ever seemed to do was train for battle, plan for battle, and eventually die in battle. This vicious cycle is starting to get to me. 

Clawing at the dirt, I huff and walk out of my den. The dead from the recent battle were already buried at the edge of camp grounds. I remembered it all too clearly. Watching as Birdbeak, was slowly swallowed up by the earth, eyes unseeing as they disappeared forever. I could never visit my sister, Fadingmoon's grave. She swore her loyalty to Leap Clan, and so she was taken back and buried on their land. I could never try to make amends to her, even if I'm just speaking to the spot where her body lays beneath the ground.

I lift my gaze only to see the rest of the clan gathered around, hanging lanterns made of bright orange leaves and chatting amongst themselves excitedly.

They're celebrating. 

I choke back a sound halfway between a sob and a growl. How could they celebrate at a time like this? My mate, Birdbeak, just died in the recent battle. My sister Fadingmoon. The young Warrior Crookedclaw. Them, along with countless others.

Hot tears spring into my eyes and I rush away before anyone can see. Soon enough, I find myself subconsciously walking the trodden path toward the graveyard.  

Birds call softly to each other across the trees, and sunbeams stream through the leaves and seem to light the way to the freshly turned dirt, falling like a golden spotlight on the stone marking the graves. 

I sat at the edge of Birdbeak's grave, the smell of wet dirt and cut grass filling my nose. The tears fell freely now, despite the few other animals visiting the resting place of their loved ones.

"I miss you so much..." I muttered, biting back the tremor in my voice, "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you, I should've been there, I-"

I shook my head, closing my eyes and laying down in the soft green grass. I sigh, still hearing the  party behind me. 

I may as well head back. The party doesn't seem like it'll be ending anytime soon. 

With one last look at the fresh graves, I turn around but instantly collide with a mass of black fur and muscle.

"Hey, watch it," I snap.  

"You watch it," snarled a familiar sour voice. Blackwisp.

I looked up at the huge black pitbull. I never interacted with Blackwisp much, not that the fact made me upset. He always seemed to be in a bad mood. Best not to get him angry.

"Oh... sor-sorry," I manage to get out.

After a tense second, Blackwisp's posture eased ever so slightly. "I heard about Birdbeak."

"Yeah..." I mumbled, unsure of where the standoffish pitbull would take this. 

"I'm-" a small hesitation, as though being nice pained him- "sorry for your loss." 

I look up, my eyes wide with shock. I could feel the tears pricking at the back of my eyes, once again threatening to fall. I quickly look away. "Thank you..."

I lower my head and slowly walk away, confusion clouding my gaze. Usually Blackwisp didn't bother to offer condolences to those who lost their loved ones. Then again, maybe I was just making assumptions, and really didn't know that much about him.

"Hey, Dirtclaw, wait up!" a different voice called after me. A female voice.

I turned, a solemn gaze covering my features.  "Wh-what."