SageClan remembers the night when Rookstar disappeared. Later she was found dead, body slashed with clawmarks. Many assumed it had been a rogue's attack, or that of a rival Clan, and Heronstar was quickly thrown into leader position. The charismatic...
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Why did I do that? Why did I just tell him everything? Will he hate me?
"That's alright," Smokebird mewed, tail swishing. Flamepuddle drew in deep breaths, her eyes wide as she waited. That wasn't a very helpful comment.
She was jealous of Whisperfern. Why? She kept asking herself why. She shouldn't be, but she was. It almost made her hate the fluffy white she-cat, for doing nothing but stealing Palethorn's attention. She knew the lithe cat couldn't help it. It wasn't her fault. Though still, Flamepuddle couldn't stand her. It made her seem so stingy, hateful, and jealous, wanting Palethorn for herself.
Why am I like this?
"I'm not the best with words, I admit, so I'm not sure what to say," Smokebird meowed. His bright gaze bored into Flamepuddle as he looked at her. "But don't let this affect the way you view yourself. Plus, you don't know the whole story yet. You don't know Whisperfern or Palethorn's feelings about the situation. I'm sure Palethorn likes you as well..."
But not as much as she likes Whisperfern, Flamepuddle thought bitterly, although Smokebird was right.
"How about we go into the forest?" Smokebird piped up. "It might be nice. We'll get back before nighttime. It might refresh you."
Flamepuddle had to agree it was a good suggestion. She straightened up, Smokebird following. They headed towards the flattened brush where cats entered and exited camp, leaping into the thick woods. Tall grass and leafy bushes surrounded Flamepuddle as she headed into the territory.
The crickets had just emerged, and the faintest chirp could be heard as they walked. Flamepuddle inhaled the forest scents, the slight breeze caressing her pelt. Maybe things would be alright? Smokebird had brought up some good points. She wasn't sure of Whisperfern or Palethorn's thoughts on the matter.
"Do you know where we're going?" Flamepuddle asked, watching the trees pass by.
"Anywhere," Smokebird meowed. After a short pause, he added, "As long as we stay on the territory."
Flamepuddle's whiskers twitched with amusement. She followed the tom, weaving around trees. They cast long, pale shadows as the sun began setting behind the forest. The two took a path through the center of the territory, steering clear of Clan borders. Slowly darkness crept into the sky, the breezes becoming more frequent, and Flamepuddle fluffed out her fur.
Suddenly, Smokebird paused. "Should we head back?" the ginger and white she-cat asked quietly, glancing towards Smokebird. The white and gray tom's fur was on end as he stood silently, ears pricked and eyes wide.
"What's wrong?" Flamepuddle mewed, lowering her voice to barely a whisper. Smokebird gave his ears a flick in response, and Flamepuddle stood still, trying to absorb the forest sounds. Further in the woods she picked up the quiet meows of two cats who sounded like they were engaged in an argument.
Smokebird crouched, his body low to the ground. Flamepuddle frowned. What was he going to do? It can't possibly be a good idea to approach the cats! We don't know them! The tom was noiselessly stalking towards the voices, body tense. Flamepuddle copied her friend with a sigh, too anxious to try saying something. Together they crept forwards, paws stepping lightly across the forest floor. Flamepuddle's heart pounded with worry and fear as she followed her Clanmate.
Soon she could make out patches of fur behind the undergrowth. One pelt was very dark, and hard to see among the forest foliage. The other cat's fur was of a reddish hue, and Flamepuddle thought she saw a milky patch here and there. With a lurch she realized one of the cats was the rogue they had encountered on the patrol. She froze with fear. How had the cat not been scared off? And who was with her?
She couldn't make out the words of the cats. Their voices were extremely hushed, and they obviously didn't want to be seen or heard. Flamepuddle parted her jaws, trying her hardest to uncover a scent. The breeze carried the partly hidden stench of the rogue, as well as another hard-to-determine smell. It also seemed to be mingling with the forest aromas.
Flamepuddle noticed Smokebird stiffen beside her. Confused, she checked the air again, and this time caught the waft of a familiar cat. One of her Clanmates, a member of SageClan. Startled, Flamepuddle let out a squeak, recognizing the scent.
Both cats fell silent. Smokebird shot Flamepuddle an irritated glare. "Hush!" he hissed lowly, his eyes betraying fear.
"Who's there?" a voice called. It was the rogue, her voice laced with aggression. Both of the cats started forwards, and Flamepuddle righted herself, prepared to dash away.
"Wait," one of the cats meowed. "I know these cats."
Flamepuddle took in a quick gasp of air. Her muscles were bunched to run, but Smokebird didn't move beside her. He stood resolutely, waiting for the cats.
"Smokebird?" Heronstar shouted. "And Flamepuddle? Why are you here?" Suddenly the white and black tom pushed out of the bushes in front of them. The ginger and white rogue followed warily behind. Wounds the patrols had inflicted were still visible on her body and her eyes glowed with hatred.
"Sorry!" Smokebird yelped. "We were out for a walk! Nice to stumble upon you." His green-yellow eyes looked towards the rogue and he nodded. "Why are you in our territory!? I thought we told you not to come back!"
Heronstar sighed, shaking his head. "This cat isn't a threat," he mewed, flicking his tail at the rogue. Flamepuddle's eyes narrowed with suspicion. Weren't all rogues a threat?
"She doesn't have anywhere else to live or hunt. She's not doing any harm. We shouldn't let cats die, right?" Heronstar mewed sternly. Flamepuddle's frown deepened. Heronstar, what are you thinking? We can't let rogues live on our territory!
Heronstar almost seemed to read Flamepuddle's thoughts through her expression. "She's thinking about joining the Clan," he added quickly. "More cats are always welcome. She's still thinking about it, though. We're letting her check out the territory and observe Clan ways from afar until she's ready to make her final decision."
Smokebird nodded. "So you say..." he muttered. He glared at the she-cat. "You could have told us when we found you on patrol! Maybe we would have let you go with less violence. Were you trying a similar thing with HawkClan?"
"HawkClan?" the rogue meowed. "Was that where I was? I'm sorry. I guess I didn't notice the scent change." She cast her green eyes down shamefully. Heronstar rested his tail on her shoulder.
"It's okay," the leader mewed. "Just make sure to stay here next time. Other Clans won't be as lenient." The rogue nodded. He then fixed his gaze on Flamepuddle and Smokebird. "Come, let's return to camp. I'll talk to you on the way. There's things to explain, obviously."
