The Aftermath of Dawn to Dusk

Chapter 2

Two cats padded into camp, their fur brushing against each other. The bigger of the two, a tom, gazed around at the empty camp.

 "It's so empty, now," he mewed staring at his paws. The other cat, a she-cat padded up to what may have used to be a fresh-kill pile.

 "Even all the prey was taken, I wonder who did that." she sighed. "I miss how this place used to be, Creekstar," she wailed. "I know you do, Cranberrypaw," Creekstar replied. The cats walked around the camp, sticking their heads into dens to look for anything useful. "Maybe there's some herbs left?" Cranberrypaw asked, hopefully.

 "I doubt it, but it's worth a try." Creekstar sighed, stepping lightly into the Medicine Den. The scent of herbs was stale and didn't get anymore recent as he turned the corner to look for herbs.

"Nothing." Creekstar said, his eyes darkening as he padded from the den. 

"Whoever was here last was in a rush, they took everything that was left."Cranberrypaw let out a small whimper.

 "Don't worry, Cranberrypaw, we will find our lost clanmates." Creekstar mewed, although Creekstar did not know if he was lying to the apprentice or not.

~Timeskip~

Cranberrypaw threw herself into the river after the cod. Creekstar was watching her intensely as she popped out of the water, the cod in her jaws.

 "Nicely done, Cranberrypaw! I'm sure you'll make a fine warrior one day!" Creekstar purred. "You really think so?" Cranberrypaw asked with a proud glint in her eyes."I know so!" her mentor mewed enthusiastically. Cranberrypaw's eyes fluttered open.

 A dream ! she thought to herself. Why can't it be real, she wailed silently to herself like the kit she felt like, but she didn't want to wake Creekstar, who was sleeping next to her.

She let out a quiet whimper as she closed her eyes, trying to get some sleep. Her stomach growled loudly underneath her. Cranberrypaw opened her eyes, it was hard to sleep on an empty stomach. 

When was the last time I ate? she thought to herself, her gaze shifting over to Creekstar. When was the last time either of us ate?she paused and poked her head outside the den. Maybe I can find something! she thought cheerfully to herself. Creekstar would probably appreciate something to eat as well.

Cranberrypaw carefully padded out of the den, making sure to not step on Creekstar's tail. As Cranberrypaw stepped outside the den, she felt a soft breeze ripple across her fur. Just a remaining chill of the previous leaf-bare she assumed. She looked around the dark camp for the exit. 

It's so dark around here, she thought to herself. It took her a few moments, but she eventually found the camp entrance.

When Cranberrypaw finally padded out of the camp, she could smell the soft, distant scent of mouse. Cranberrypaw sighed in relief, she wouldn't have to go too far. She crouched down, her body low to the ground. She started to stalk forwards, in the direction of the previously scented mouse. The scent of prey suddenly got overwhelmingly strong. In fact, it made Cranberrypaw's mouth water. Cranberrypaw heard a scurrying noise to her left, she turned her head towards the sound. 

It was then that she saw that mouse. One issue though, it had smelled her. Cranberrypaw couldn't believe her own stupidity as the mouse that was just a tail length from her started to scurry away. Cranberrypaw didn't give up there though, tonight she really needed a win.

Cranberrypaw sprung towards the mouse, she missed, yet she didn't give up. She started to chase the mouse at a high speed, it had to have been the fastest she ran in awhile. 

She didn't have to go at this speed for long, thankfully, because with one final leap she landed on the mouse. She bit its neck to quickly kill it.

"Yes!" Cranberrypaw yelled to herself, "Finally!" Cranberrypaw realized her mistake then there, she just alerted all other prey that she was there. She didn't care though, this mouse was a good enough meal for both her and Creekstar. Cranberrypaw bent down to pick up the mouse and started to head back to camp, her face donned with a cheerful expression.