War - Battles of the Wild - The Darkened Moon

CHAPTER NINETEEN: LUNA

"The new moon is coming in a few days," said Alena, pawing at a patch of grass as she looked for beetles. 

"Ugh, I hate the new moon," I muttered. "It's creepy, and too damn dark. Can't see a hokka thing." 

"Wow, tell me how you really feel," Alena replied with a slight chuckle.

I trotted on ahead, sniffing at the ground in order to catch a whiff of any prey. My sense of smell was still kind of bad thanks to my injury, but soon I would finally be able to take my bandages off. Alena suggested that I should get Coal or Coppertooth to make me a half mask to cover it afterwards. It would be a good idea, it would both protect my injury and hide that I have a blind side. 

Plus it would look cool. That's always a plus. 

I stopped when I caught the scent of a bird. A starling to be exact. 

I crept forward, then sprang. 

The bird chirped as I pinned it under my paws, then went silent with a quick bite.

"Nice catch," said Alena, a mouse in her own jaws.

"I'm not ready to head back to camp yet," I said.

Alena thought for a moment. "How about we visit the pond? It's been awhile since we've gone there."

"Probably because it's so close to Leap Clan territory."

"Yeah, but don't worry. If any Leap Clanners attack, I'll protect you." She puffed out her tan and white chest fur with mock vanity. 

"Mhm." I rolled my eyes with amusement, brushing past her. 

It wasn't long before we arrived at the serene little pond. I flopped down at the bank and began to eat my catch. Alena settled down beside me, chewing on her own prey.

I had just finished up my starling when I felt Alena ram me from behind, and with a yelp of shock I tumbled into the pond with a splash.

I paddled in the cool water, sputtering, as Alena laughed from the banks. 

With a playful growl, I lunged forward and grabbed her scruff, dragging her in with me.

We laughed and splashed in the clear water, racing each other across the pond. Alena was a stronger swimmer than me, but somehow I still beat her a couple times. She thought she was being sneaky, but I knew she was letting me win.

We were just pulling ourselves back onto the banks when Alena went still, raising her twitching nose to the air.

"What is it?" I whispered, sweeping my gaze over the surrounding woods. I tried to scent something, but my senses weren't what they used to be after my injury. I don't think they'd ever go back to normal.

Alena's lip curled, exposing her fangs. "Leap Clanners."

We stayed still a moment longer, before we spotted movement in the trees. Two Leap Clanners, both mid-sized, with one being a cat and the other a dog. 

Alena rushed forward, and I followed after her. 

"Hey!" she yelled. "You're intruding on Power Clan territory! Leave now or die!" 

The two Leap Clanners turned toward her. 

"Stand down!" called the dog. "We come with a message from Leap Clan. Let us talk to your leader. It's of utmost importance."

Alena narrowed her eyes. I turned to cover her back, scanning for any enemies that might be coming up behind us in case this was a trap. 

The forest stayed strangely silent. 

"I don't see anyone," I whispered to Alena. 

"Me neither," she replied. "I don't scent anyone else either. D'you think we should bring them to Griffa?"

"If it's just the two of them..."

Alena turned her eyes to the Leap Clan intruders, raising her voice to address them. "Alright, follow us. If you try any tricks, we won't hesitate."

Alena and I flanked the two, and led them to camp. The trip back to the camp was tense, but we arrived soon enough.  

All the animals at camp turned to look at us as we arrived, eyes wide or angry as they whispered to each other. The Leap Clanners seemed unfazed.

"Fetch Griffara!" I called. "These two bring a message from Leap Clan!"

A group ran off, returning a few seconds later with Griffara trailing behind them.

"What is it," she said, arriving to the Leap Clanners. She looked down her beak at them, drawing up to her full height. "Speak, intruders."

"We are messengers from Leap Clan," said the dog. His lips peeled back subconsciously. "We've been sent to propose a battle to settle our fighting once and for all."

"Go on." 

"Let us end this," the messenger snarled. "Meet us at the border, the prairie of no clan's land north of here. Meet us at the rising of the new moon. Accept this challenge, or we will come for you regardless."  

Griffara's ears flattened. I could see her contemplating her options, before she finally let out a hiss and nodded. "Fine. Go. Tell your Clan that we accept your challenge."