War - Battles of the Wild - The Darkened Moon

CHAPTER TEN: DIRTCLAW

With the monster gone, I heard worried and angry conversations from the creatures around me, and I think I even heard someone start to cry. I started going to investigate, but then I heard my son's calming voice, stopping me from going any further and telling me it would be alright, someone else would handle it. So instead I turned around to find Mistcatcher. But she was gone... no matter where I looked or who I talked to I couldn't find her.

Strange... I thought she was around here. I turn back and shrugged my shoulders. With a sigh, I went back to my bed.

I woke up in the faint light of dawn, my son Poisoneye calling my name softly.

"What is it?" I asked with a stretch.

"It's Blackeye," he replied, glancing around in worry, "She's gone. That place she was talking about going... She finally went."

"Really?! What do you think we should do?"

"Well... I was thinking," Poisoneye paused, and lowered his voice, "Go find her?"

I thought for a moment. Something was stopping me from snapping at my son and telling him he was an idiot for thinking we should do something like that. Maybe it was the knowledge that I would travel across the world for Birdbeak, and would do almost anything to bring her back. I didn't want my son to never find out if his mate is alive or dead. I didn't want him to suffer through loss like I had.

With a sigh, I nodded.

"What's the plan?"

I said we should stop by Florence's den for some travelling herbs, which would help us stay awake longer and not need as much food, because hunting or sleeping is dangerous in enemy territory. We took them back to our den and stored them in a crack in the wall for later.

"So, should we tell Griffa that we're going?" asked Poisoneye as we stepped back out of our dens.

"Well, it's not against clan rules to leave your territory, but it's very dangerous and she probably won't like it. After all, we're risking our lives for someone who left on their own choice, and might not even be alive."

"Sooo... No?"

I nodded, then headed into the forest to catch some prey before we left tomorrow morning.

I had already caught a few rodents and shared some with Poisoneye, and discussed a little bit about how it would be best to travel, when I heard a voice from above us.

"So you're really going after her?" I quickly realized it was Mistcatcher's voice, and I stiffened. Hopefully she would understand. Hopefully she wouldn't hate me...

The silvery grey cat dropped from the trees, her light blue eyes skimming over mine.

"I... as much as I think it's a crazy idea... It is sweet, and I want to go with you. I won't tell anyone."

I couldn't even say anything. I was so happy she wouldn't rat us out, but I was worried she would get hurt coming with us... But it would be great to get to know each other better...

"Okay! The more the merrier, I guess," said Poisoneye as we headed back to camp.

"Go to your den and get some sleep. We have a long journey and I don't want to stop a lot," I said, "Remember to eat your herbs before we head out in the morning."

Then I walked away towards the entrance of the Warrior dens.

"Good dreams," said Mistcatcher, trotting off to find a place to sleep.

With a sigh, I curled up in my nest.

What had I gotten myself into.

Before you could even see the first rays of light stretching along the sky behind the mountains, we headed out. We earned a few confused glances, but they probably just passed it off as some early morning hunting.

"Well, there's no turning back now," I mumbled under my breath, stepping along the frost-coated leaves littering the ground.

"I'm tired," Poisoneye complained when the sun started to set.

We were incredibly lucky that we didn't run into any trouble yet, although I had scented multiple Leap Clan creatures that had passed by. We rolled in some earth and leaves to mask our own scent before we left our territory, but with the amount of groaning Poisoneye had done, it's a miracle that we're still alive.

"We are not stopping until we are about at the sight of the hills," I growled sharply at my son.

"Dirtclaw, be easy on him, it's his mate that ran away," said Mistcatcher, "You should let him lead."

"Fine, I guess you're right" I sighed. Turning to Poisoneye, I grumbled; "Okay, what do you want."

"I want nests made and a hunt patrol of two before the moon is at full rise," Poisoneye said all sassy like.

"No," I said flatly, "It's too dangerous to sleep or hunt in enemy territory. Those herbs were supposed to stop us from needing to eat or sleep for at least a couple days, but I think someone forgot to take them."

"I did take them!" whined Poisoneye, "But I'm still hungry! And I haven't had anything to drink in two hours! I'm tired, too! My feet hurt!"

"Let's at least find something to drink," said Mistcatcher reasonably, "Maybe we could rest for a few minutes and take turns keeping watch. My legs are a little tired as well."

"Yeah, let's rest," agreed Poisoneye. "That sounds like a wonderful plan."

I then rolled my eyes and commented, "Okay, almighty Poisoneye, whatever you say."