Into The Untamed

{2} chapter two {2}

Ember trailed after his mentor, Fish, feeling slightly dejected after Elder Raindrop's story. The way Screech had reacted was... disappointing, to say the least. He let out a quiet sigh, about to ask Fish for advice when he crashed into the blue tom, who turned to hiss. "Pay attention and quit moping! We're going on a hunting trip."

"We just went on one," Ember groaned, tail lashing. "I caught a falcon! Isn't that enough?"

He ducked as Fish attempted to cuff him over the ear. "Be grateful, Ember That Gives Warm Light. This hunting trip is special; every To-Be that catches their first falcon gets to go on this trip, as well as all of the Prey Hunters. Stoneteller is calling a meeting to send us off. She'll explain then."

Excitement paralyzed Ember, the sudden burst of adrenaline coursing through his veins causing his paws to tremble and his claws to twitch in excitement. This had happened when Moss and Leaf took down an eagle together. Of course, since Ember was a younger, newer To-Be at the time he had to stay behind and perform cleaning duties during the time his mentor was away. Now, he was going to experience the legendary trip firsthand.

"All cats old enough to scale the walls of our cave and chase eagles during a hunt gather beneath the Crystal Outcrop to hear my words!"

Stoneteller's voice rang throughout the Tribe of Three Moons's cave, reverberating off of the walls and causing a few tiny, fragile rocks to fall to the ground. The tribe cats streamed out of their dens, turning away from whatever they were doing to gather beneath Stoneteller, who was sitting atop a large, glimmering crystal. She waited patiently for her cats to gather and get comfortable, smiling pridefully.

"The Tribe of Endless Hunting has decided that it is time for our wonderful Prey Hunters to embark on their journey through the mountain in search of a feast for our tribe. They have told us that the trip should be made by sending a young falcon into the forbearing claws of our only Prey Hunter To-Be; Ember That Gives Off Warm Light."

The cheers of the cats resonated through the tribe, sending waves of pride into Ember's head as he fought back happy tears. The Cave Hunter he was sitting next to playfully clapped a congratulating paw onto his shoulder, while a fellow Prey Hunter flicked her tail over his ear, whispering praising words in his direction. He could feel the tension and excitement in the air surrounding the hunters.

"The hunters will depart tomorrow to give them time to say their goodbyes and stock up on food, as they will only be allowed to eat the smallest of the prey they catch. They may sleep wherever they like to stay with family until they leave. They will not return for two moons, and when they return, dear Ember will be made a true Prey-Hunter."

The tribe cheered again and Ember held his head high, taking in the attention from his tribemates.

"During the time that the Prey Hunters are gone, the Cave Guards will hunt. You may disperse and return to whatever it is you were doing."

The tribe simultaneously dipped their heads to Stoneteller before padding away in different directions, chattering excitedly and murmuring wistfully about the feast that would happen in two moons' time after tomorrow.

Ember couldn't stop grinning when his parents approached him. "Ember!" His father, Morning roared, smiling giddily as he grabbed his son with his left foreleg and playfully rubbed his head with his right foreleg. "Dad!" Stop!" Ember chuckled, shrinking downwards and laughing.

Bird approached next, covering Ember in licks and nuzzles. "I'm so proud of you, Ember! You've earned us all a hunting trip! Two moons of exploring the mountains and chasing eagles... the tribe will eat well by the time we're through!"

Morning nuzzled his black-furred mate. "Aye. We won't need to hunt ever again! Our party of Prey Hunters is undoubtedly the best in all the lands. Hell, we'll probably 'ave so many feathers left over that the future kits of the tribe shall never be bored! That'll give their mums time to relax, eh?"

Bird laughed. "Bah, I wish we had feathers back when Ember here was a wee lad. Son, you would never stop botherin' me! I had to dump you with Miss Raindrop plenty of times when I needed a lil' peace 'n quiet. I still wonder how she could deal with ya!"

Ember blushed, playfully swatting his mom. "I don't think I was that annoying. Just energetic!"

"Good thing I didn't stop ya when you continuously pounced on m' tail. Now you're an amazing hunter!"

"Thanks, Mom," Ember said, smiling sheepishly. He glanced between his parents, tail twitching as he caught sight of a familiar face. Dipping his head to his mother and father, he trotted towards the cat. "Screech!" he said, butting his forehead against hers in greeting.

The amber tabby purred. "Congrats! Bring back a ton of food on the trip, okay?"

With that, Screech left. Something about the way she walked seemed hurried and slightly urgent. "Hey, wait! You seem nervous."

Screech turned around to face him, glancing to and fro. "I have to tell you s-something..."

Ember froze, blushing furiously. Would this be the moment?

Screech stepped towards him and time seemed to slow as the two locked eyes. Ember's heart thumped furiously in his chest, so hard he thought it was going to burst through his skin. He moved closer as well.

"Ember... I..."

"Y-yes?"

"I... I can tell you anything, right? You won't be mad?"

The black and ginger calico nodded. "Yes. Of course you can."

Screech still looked unsure and she sat down, moving close to where her muzzle was next to his ear.

"I'm leaving the tribe."

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"What?" Ember said, heart racing not because of how close she was, but because of how unreal the statement sounded.

"I'm leaving. I'm going to join the forest Clans. The ones that Raindrop talked about. I'm going to join ThunderClan and be a warrior, not a stupid Stoneteller." Screech looked eager, heterochromatic eyes practically glowing with excitement.

Ember's jaw dropped in horror. "You can't just... leave. What about your mother? What about the tribe? What... what about me?"

She chuckled. "You'll be fine! Mom will pick a heir and the tribe will slowly forget about me. I'm planning on leaving tomorrow night."

Multiple emotions flickered through Ember's mind. Horror. Fear. Sadness. Curiosity. Shock. And finally, anger.

"That... that's unfair. That's so unfair. You have everything going for you, Screech, and you're going to... to throw it all away like buzzard-rot? That's selfish. That's so... that... you're selfish, Screech."

The she-cat looked surprised, and then narrowed her eyes. "First of all, you promised you wouldn't be mad. Second of all, how am I being selfish? You're being selfish by trying to keep me in this awful, boring hellhole. Do you not want me to be happy or something?"

"You're twisting my words," Ember spat, voice raising. "Of course I want you to be happy. You'll be happy, but you'll make everyone else feel bad, especially your poor mother. She only wants the best for you. Have fun on your little trip. Bye."

Without another word, Ember stormed away, pushing past his parents who were staring at him in shock. "I'm going for a walk," he snarled, tail lashing to and fro. It was only until he got several cougar-lengths from the camp that the guilt started to weigh down onto his shoulders.

"Screech..." he whispered to himself, "I don't want you to leave because I won't ever see you again..."

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