Warriors: Bound To Stars

Chapter 16 || Wolf Howls

The night had dragged on for what seemed like centuries. Cypressfall didn't want to take many breaks so they wouldn't have the chance of getting attacked by another wolf, and water and food was hard to come by in the Darkening Forest. Not only that, but Batchaser could hardly keep his eyes open anymore. He was tired and injured. All he wanted to do was sleep.

⠀⠀The sky was much dimmer now, the red sun shifted into a darker crimson moon. A breeze blew through the trees and whipped Batchaser's whiskers back, but he enjoyed the wind. It reminded him of StarClan.

⠀⠀"Cypressfall?" The black tom heard Rushingpaw's exhausted croak. "H-How much longer?"

⠀⠀The calico she-cat's tail lashed behind her. "You've been asking me that all night. We'll rest when it's absolutely needed."

⠀⠀"It's absolutely needed." Batchaser shoved his way to the front and stopped in front of Cypressfall, his blue eyes dark. "We're resting here. Now. We haven't even seen a wolf for hours."

⠀⠀The she-cat's eyes narrowed. "That's a bad idea."

⠀⠀"If you're in such a hurry go ahead and leave," Batchaser growled. "We won't catch up to you unless you die, but really, either one is fine with me."

⠀⠀Cypressfall's eyes flashed with hurt but it was gone not a moment later. She shrugged. "Fine. Whatever. Do what you want." The calico trudged to one of the nearby trees and curled up beside it, closing her eyes and not making a sound.

⠀⠀Batchaser turned to Rushingpaw, who seemed to have not even heard he and Cypressfall's exchange. "Come on. We're resting," he grunted.

⠀⠀Just like the calico she-cat had, Batchaser stumbled over to a large tree and fell to the ground. He let out a heavy sigh and set his head down, almost getting pulled into a deep sleep.

⠀⠀Until Rushingpaw messed it up.

⠀⠀The gray apprentice walked over, not uttering a word as he laid next to Batchaser. The black tom's head snapped up, his blue eyes narrowing at the sight of the apprentice so close to him. Purposely.

⠀⠀The black tom used a weak paw to push Rushingpaw a few inches away. He turned his back on the apprentice, not wanting to be near anyone right now.

⠀⠀"B-Batchaser," Rushingpaw suddenly whispered, his voice scratchy as his teeth clattered together. "I-I'm cold."

⠀⠀"Deal with it," the black tom snapped.

⠀⠀Batchaser could imagine the look of rejection on the small gray tom's face but tried not to think about that. He needed to be alone or else he was going to blow up. And that's not something he wanted Rushingpaw and Cypressfall to deal with.

⠀⠀Cypressfall can shove her tail down her throat. I'm doing this for Rushingpaw, not her.

⠀⠀Was that true? Was Batchaser truly not doing something selfish for once? The black ShadowClanner knew he had a bit of an ego, but again, that was more of his mask... that snappiness was just for show. But it had become a part of him now. Ever since Lynxbite... the mask had come to him, and Batchaser had welcomed it. But now? He wanted it gone, though it was too late. It was always too late.

⠀⠀Suddenly, a low rumble made the black tom jerk back into reality. He stayed still, examining the dark terrain and looking for any sign of red eyes. Batchaser didn't see anything, but his heart felt like it was in his throat. Fear caused his pelt to spike up, but the ShadowClanner hoped that lying here without any movement would drive whatever creature was in the forest away.

⠀⠀"You heard it too?"

⠀⠀Cypressfall's mew nearly caused Batchaser to jump out of his skin. The black tom swiveled his head to the she-cat, brows furrowing as he nodded silently.