Flamepaw's Quest

Chapter 28

Flamepaw could feel herself growing closer to RiverClan with each step she took. For the past few days, the group of cats had been traveling through the woods, slowly retracing their steps. Unfortunately, with her retracting steps came terrible memories that Flamepaw did not want to reflect on.

At night she was haunted by the dead, bloody bodies of the cats around her that had died. She wanted to believe their deaths had been for a good cause, but Korosu was still on the prowl, and the deaths had been mostly meaningless.

Flamepaw tried to hide these nightmares as best she could, but Goldstar often eyed her, and even Barkpaw had asked if she normally tossed in her sleep. 

But Flamepaw wasn't the only one still recovering from the horrid memories. She was able to defect fear in Neko's eyes, as well as Rosepettle. Goldstar sometimes spoke out in her sleep, and though she acted brave, Snowheart at times seemed out of it as well.

The fact was they were all exhausted after a long and almost unnecessary journey. While Flamepaw wanted to feel like she'd completed her quest, she wasn't too sure. With Korosu still alive, Goldstar and RiverClan remained in constant danger. Perhaps only half of it had been completed.

Waking up in the morning, Flamepaw realized she was near the spot where Goldstar had been captured by foxes...where Daisyflower had died. She could tell by the disgusting stale fox scent and the still faint smell of blood.

Rising to her feet, Flamepaw felt almost queasy after taking a scent. Barkpaw stirred beside her and glanced at her in curiosity.

"Everything okay?" he wondered.

Flamepaw nodded. "Just a familiar spot," she noted. 

Barkpaw did not question her only further but pushed a freshly killed mouse toward her that Snowheart had so generously caught on her morning hunt with Runningkit.

"Thanks," Flamepaw replied, grateful for the tom's kindness. She still wasn't that hungry though and only nibbled slightly on the mouse. She offered the rest to Barkpaw and left him to speak to Goldstar, who anxiously paced around the forest floor.

"Goldstar," Flamepaw called, causing the golden tabby to stop in her tracks. She turned, her eyes fixing onto Flamepaw's. They were red and bloodshot from anxiety, and Flamepaw even noticed her pelt didn't seem to glow as brightly.

"Sorry, Flamepaw. Can I help you?" she wondered.

"I-I was just wondering how much longer it'd be until we got home," Flamepaw spoke quietly, images of her parents flooding through her mind. She felt she'd been gone far too long.

Goldstar was silent for a moment, glancing at the blue sky. "Perhaps another two sunrises. We know where we're going now, so it shouldn't be long."

"Thank you," Flamepaw replied, dipping her head and leaving the she-cat to return to her pacing. She found Barkpaw finishing the rest of his breakfast. He glanced up as he saw her and smiled warmly.

"Goldstar says we'll arrive to RiverClan in two days," Flamepaw told him excitedly.

Barkpaw grinned. "I can't wait! You've all spoken so much of it. It seems great."

Flamepaw nodded, but guilt filled her. Was it really all that great now that RiverClan was under the threat of Korosu?

"You're giving that look again," Barkpaw observed.

"What look?" Flamepaw wondered.

"That look where you doubt what you're saying or you're lying about your true feelings," Barkpaw stated openly.