Caɾղaցe Ɱօօղ ~𝙰 𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝙵𝚊𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚌

34 🌙

Trufflefur began clawing his way backwards, practically sliding down the tree. When he came close enough to leap from the trunk with the squirrel in his jaws, Jadestar spoke again.

"Have any of your clanmates returned since we last heard from you?" The Skyclan leader's voice was gruff. She sounds like she doesn't want to ask him.

"No," Trufflefur still sounded out of breath when he answered, his thin brown tail waving. "I've still been here... hunting by myself."

"Why didn't you go with them?" Crescentpaw asked. Even after all eyes were turned on her she kept looking at the muscular brown tom. The Riverclan she-cat couldn't help it. Her curiosity was too much to bear.

"I don't want to discuss that... At least not right now," Trufflefur gave an apologetic half-shrug and carried on. "But as for why I haven't tried to leave and re-join them... Well, let's just say that I feel closer to Thunderclan's roots here. I feel like Starclan is still nearby and they haven't moved or left us."

Crescentpaw nodded. "That makes sense." She heard the kits begin to bicker behind her. Oatkit yowled "GET OFF MY TAIL!" and then she heard Cloverkit laugh.

"How many clanmates did you have left before they all fled, Trufflefur?" She felt no embarrassment in asking the question.

"Like almost none."

The dark tabby apprentice sighed. "Alright... I'm sorry for your losses."

He looked placid as he sat down. "It isn't your fault."

Lengthier shadows were gathering behind her. Crescentpaw looked up and caught a clear glimpse of the sky.

One end of the striated atmosphere was a deep rosy pink. Clouds laid in puckered waves across it, scenic and tranquil as the breeze loftily tugged them along.

However, one end of the horizon was dark as twilight began its descent.

"We've got to get going." A drag of wind lifted her tail-fluff. "Trufflefur, will you allow us to stay in the Thunderclan camp tonight? I've got some more things to explain, but I'd rather not stay exposed with the apprentices like this." She stood there with her two-toned eyes slanted against the dying light.

"My kits," Pepperpelt corrected, looking over at her with a confused glance. Crescentpaw ignored her, knowing she was acting delusional. Doesn't she know it's possible to have the title of both?

Rainpaw's blue-gray pelt twitched along her spine. She looked uncomfortable, exchanging a glance with the brown Thunderclan tom.

"Yeah, but... well I can't offer the best of sleeping conditions. Just follow me and I'll show you." Crescentpaw nodded and prepared to trail behind him.

🐈‍⬛

On the rest of the way to Thunderclan's hollow she told Trufflefur about the state of her clan. Crescentpaw eventually got to the part about her mission, and Riverclan's ultimate goal of reaching Starclan with the other clans help.

Upon hearing this the tom's eyes lit up. Crescentpaw noticed that the kits did as well, and they all gathered closer around her to listen. Their expressions were wide and open with the prospect of hope and wonder.