War - Battles of the Wild - The Darkened Moon

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: DIRTCLAW

It's been a day since Poisoneye became in charge, and we still didn't find Blackeye... but the scent of her was getting stronger.

Just as we hit the top of the hill, we saw a single Leap Clan Warrior out hunting, about halfway down and off to the right a little.

"Let's try to sneak behind him," Poisoneye stated, and I followed his lead. I wanted to argue, but I didn't because he's still in charge. So I just trailed him in silence with Mistcatcher behind me.

As we started down the hill the dog turned towards us. Poisoneye froze, then Mistcatcher bumped into him and I ran into her with a thud, which sent Poisoneye rolling down the hill towards the mottled brown Warrior.

Me and Mistcatcher leapt forward to try and get a hold of him, but he was going to fast and just pulled us with him. We were all tangled together and still tumbling down the steep hill, and when we finally came to a stop, heard a low growl. Well, at least I did, and knew it was the Leap Clanner, so I got untangled to face him, getting into a defensive stance, ready to spring forward or jump away.

When the other two were beside me we leapt into action. The dog slashed and bit, before getting a hold on Poisoneye's shoulder. The dog's fangs dug in deep, then started shaking him him really hard. He finally let go, tossing him towards a bush. Poisoneye crawled into it to get away from the fight.

Me and Mistcatcher continued our battle, until the dog finally ran to get reinforcements. Mistcatcher started to go after it, but I told her we probably didn't have a lot of time until the dog comes back, along with some other Warriors, and that Poisoneye is hurt. She headed back, casting a quick glance behind her, and we headed for the bush where we last saw Poisoneye.

As we got closer we heard fighting but not teeth and claws but words... We walked up cautiously and peeked in to see Poisoneye and Blackeye!

She was licking his wound, with him protesting the entire time.

"Stop, stop! Please stop, oh it stings," he cried.

I giggled while Mistcatcher walked up to Blackeye.

"Why did you leave?" asked the silvery cat, her blue eyes seeming to pierce through Blackeye like knives.

A startling thought suddenly flashed across my mind. What if Blackeye was a part of Leap Clan now? Leap Clan and Power Clan were enemies, so it would take a lot of convincing to join their ranks, assuming that the Leap Clanners didn't just kill her as soon as they saw her. However, there were a few rare cases of Warriors who changed clans. My sister, Fadingmoon, did it, which proved it was possible.

My sister.

I stayed back, frozen in memory of my sister's execution, even though she managed to escape. But that just made it worse when the memory of me killing her to protect my own life flashed through my mind. 

There was silence, then the pale cat with the black splotch around her eye spoke.

"Well... it's hard to explain..." she sighed then continued to speak again. "It started when I had my first litter... Poisoneye would play with the male, Blueheart, and excluded  the female, Fallingsun, and she wouldn't hang out with me... so I figured I'd leave because it seemed I wasn't wanted. I went off to do some soul-searching away from the camp and set out on my own path. As a loner." 

Good, so she's not part of Leap Clan. Yet, at least.

"Of course you're wanted," said Poisoneye, shocked. "Please come back. Everyone misses you, and I promise I'll treat you and Fallingsun better. I had no idea you felt this way, and I promise to make it right." 

Blackeye just looked at him with anger and began walking away, followed by Poisoneye who was still saying how he wanted her back and that she was wanted by the clan and by the kits.

I shook my head to get rid of the mental image of my lost sister and I saw they were just going over the top of the hill. Shaking myself, I ran up after them. 

Out of breath when I reached them, Poisoneye was still rejecting that he didn't want her and saying that she needs to come back for the kits because he can't do it alone... Mistcatcher was saying how the whole camp misses her, and that she needs to come back. 

Finally catching my breath, I decided to speak. "Blackeye, I know that you feel unwanted right now, but the clan truly does want you. Your kits want you, too. They've been worried about you everyday. Even if you don't want to come back for Poisoneye, at least come back for them."

Blackeye stopped, looking at the ground. 

"I can't go through what happened with my sister again. People like us always want to seek companionship, and so it's only a matter of time before you try to seek out a clan again. I don't want my son, or any of your former clanmates to have to face you in battle. Someone that we trusted, now resentful of the clan that raised you..."

"I want to come back," sighed Blackeye. "I still love Poisoneye, and I love my kits, too. And Power Clan. I just wanted some time alone. Some time to think and reflect on myself and those around me. I think... I'm ready to go home."

"Thank you," whispered Poisoneye, nudging Blackeye with his nose.

Then, together, we turned around and walked away over the hill and towards the place where we belong, Blackeye leaning on Poisoneye's shoulder. 

"Let's go home our kits are probably scared and waiting."

"Yes dear they probably are..." Poisoneye said with a chuckle. "Yes, they probably are..."