By the time the sun had set Raven and Amber were far away from Amber's old home. In the beginning they had been racing along, tumbling through green grass and climbing random trees. Raven hadn't had so much fun since the days she, Hawkpaw and Falconpaw had been kits. Back in those days she had her two brothers had been running around causing trouble like any other kit. She had always loved listening to the elder's stories, Hawkpaw too, but Falconpaw always lost interest pretty quickly.
Thinking about that, she also remembered the times she had played with Brackenclaw when he came back from patrol. After he became deputy his life got pretty hectic and he didn't have as much time as before. Combined with her apprentice duties they hadn't gotten to spend time with him very often, but he came whenever he could.
But those days were long gone now, and Raven sighed. Maybe if she found NightClan her life would be more like that again? Lost in thought, Raven started at a bird fluttering out of a bush. it screeched in alarm and disappeared up into the leafy trees.
Wait, trees?
Looking around she realized that the open landscape they had been traveling across had changed to a dense forest. The trees here were old and big, and leaves covered the ground and muted their paw steps.
I was so lost in my memories I didn't even see where we were going!
She glanced back at Amber, who had stopped. His was frowning, staring into the bush where the bird had come from. Raven padded back to him.
"Come on, why did you stop? Is something wrong?" she asked. Amber didn't reply, just beckoned her to be quiet. The dappled tom lifted his muzzle and scented the air, then his head snapped back to the wide trail they had been walking on. Following his gaze, Raven looked ahead. Amber crouched down low and tensed his muscles. Worried, Raven did the same and stared intently at the road ahead.
After a few heartbeats the bushes rustled again, but it wasn't any bird this time. a large slim creature with long legs and pitch black fur walked out. The tail was short compared to the body length, but thick and bushy. The long muzzle was scarred and the bright yellow eyes intent. Gazing around it stopped when it spotted the two cats.
Raven stared into the yellow eyes, and felt herself start to shiver.
It's like it can look into my soul... she thought. Suddenly, it felt like she was being dragged into the large creature. Images flashed past her eyes and scents filled her nose.
First there was a large group of the same creatures, all in different colors. The biggest one had thick gray fur, and was standing on a rock. A small black one was sitting at the edge of the crowd, gazing up at his leader. The scent of pine trees and snow wafted around Raven.
The next image was of the pack trekking through thick snow. Then there was the large gray wolf again, dangling from a small cliff. He fell with a snarl, and the pack rushed in against him and helped him up. The black wolf was gazing up at two small shapes peering over the edge, with glowing blue and green eyes.
Next there was just the black wolf, bigger now, standing alone. The limp shape of a reddish-brown wolf in front of him, stiff from ice and snow. Sadness flowed through Raven, even though she had no idea who the dead creature was.
Last there was... Her! She and Amber, crouching in front of the black one. Raven expected there to be hostility, but instead she felt just calmness, and even a trace of sadness. 3 words flashed through her mind, not from herself, but from the creature.
Wolf.
So there creatures are wolves.
Ember.
