Warriors: Echo of Darkness

Chapter 29

Feather was out of her hiding spot and tending to injured cats. Everyone had injuries, only five or so had major ones. We did however, have one fatality. Blue and Basil sat over Shepherd's body, crying. They had come here together. Lang looked over at them, understanding the pain they felt of loosing a friend. 

Skars was crouched next to Riki as Feather tended to her. It was cute, but I couldn't smile. We fought a battle today, it wasn't fun. I didn't feel victorious, I felt like a monster. But I knew, that was the feeling that separated me from my father, and I came to peace with it.

I approached Enek, who was cleaning his wounds with Nova and Snake. The black and white tom went back to his quiet old self, only nodding to me. I sat down in front of them, "The dog, what was that all about? I thought I was going to be Pyro food." 

"That was Erak, he was a border collie at my old farm. He was a mentor to me, in sorts. I guess you can say I was raised as a dog, I helped herd chickens and such," he explained. 

"That's where you ran off to cous, Patch always wondered where your mother took you," Snake meowed, trying to ignore his pain.

I left them to clean their wounds in peace. I sat on my tree's roots, then was soon joined by Ranger. "How's Blue coping?"

"She's doing all right, her, Shepherd, and Basil were like siblings," Ranger murmured. 

I watched as my mate and Ranger's son went cat to cat treating injuries. My second in command let out a long sigh, "How many more battles will we have to fight?" 

"That's all life is, battles and struggles," I replied curling my tail over my paws. 

Ranger gave me a friendly shove, almost knocking me off the root, "Are you trying to sound wise now, kit?"

"I grew bigger than you like two moons ago!" I argued. 

"Yes, your mouth surely grew," he opened an eye with a grin, "but so has your maturity." 

I sat back on my haunches, "Yeah, thanks Ranger... for everything. LunarClan wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for your guidance. You were like a father-figure to us- me, Eve, and Riki." 

Ranger gazed at our Clan with a grin. He placed a paw on my head, "No kit of mine would be as arrogant as you." 

I shot him an annoyed glare. His tabby tail swished, "Kidding of course, I thought of you as a son as well." He looked at his mate and kits, "Coming here was worth it, no matter how many struggles we face. I have my friends and family, they make it worth it." 

I nodded in agreement, "Everything happened for a reason, for once, I will admit, I'm glad it did."