Warriors: Bound To Stars

Chapter 20 || Memories

The memories flashing aside the maze were those Batchaser would rather not remember.

⠀⠀His blue eyes strained ahead, his ears pricked and his movements sharp and precise. He didn't want to hear the words he spoke to former Clanmates, or the screeches that wrenched from his throat every night after Lynxbite had died, or anything about his living life.

⠀⠀Those were memories better left stored away. But anxiety prickled in his chest and he felt growing fear based on the fact that he had oh-so-stupidly left his companions.

⠀⠀Mouse-brain, he cursed at himself, you shouldn't have even left.

⠀⠀Then again, Batchaser didn't regret seeing his mate. Even if she was in another place in the skies, she was still with him, in his heart. That's all that mattered.

⠀⠀Stop being a sappy idiot, the black tom snapped in his head. Find your. . . He caught himself on the word "friends." . . . Travel buddies.

⠀⠀That sounded a little better.

⠀⠀Lost deep within his thoughts, he didn't even see the blur of movement beside him. His breath caught in his throat when he tripped over a cat. Batchaser hissed and whirled around, claws unsheathing and his tail whipping furiously behind him. He was ready for a fight, until—

⠀⠀"BATCHASER!" Cypressfall yelled, but it wasn't one full of joy. The ShadowClanner hadn't expected it, anyway. No one ever enjoyed seeing him.

⠀⠀Except maybe Jackalstar, but that back-stabbing idiot meant nothing to Batchaser anymore.

⠀⠀Clearing his throat, the black tom rolled his shoulders forward. "Maybe you should watch where you're going."

⠀⠀Cypressfall's lip curled. "Maybe you should watch where you're going!"

⠀⠀Batchaser responded with the roll of his eyes. He turned around, narrowing his blue eyes. "Where's Rushingpaw?"

⠀⠀The calico was quiet for a few moments. "I don't know. He wandered away."

⠀⠀"Wow. Great job at keeping your companions together," the black tom accused.

⠀⠀"Hey!" she spat. "This is your fault, remember? You wandered away and that's when Rushingpaw scampered off like the—"

⠀⠀"Like the little rat he is, I know," Batchaser said in boredom, examining his claws. "Whatever. He'll turn up."

⠀⠀The ShadowClanner turned to continue on until he was stopped by Cypressfall's oddly quiet voice. "You saw it too, didn't you?"

⠀⠀Batchaser turned toward her, his tail flicking back and forth. What did she mean? Had she seen memories of her past as well? What had they been of?

⠀⠀Like he cared. Ripping his gaze away, the black tom idly nodded and went on without another word.

⠀⠀The two continued to walk in silence. There was no scent of Rushingpaw that Batchaser could pick up, but he wasn't too worried, to be honest. He knew the small gray tom would turn up eventually.

⠀⠀Unless he was eaten by some giant plant, oh, I hope. StarClan— AGH! I hate that word. Whatever, it would just be awesome to not have him around right now.

⠀⠀Did Batchaser really believe that? Or had he just convinced himself he truly didn't care?

⠀⠀I don't care.

⠀⠀That couldn't be true.

⠀⠀I. Don't. Care.

⠀⠀"Batchaser? Is that the end of the maze?"