The mist clings to your paws, heavier and denser than usual. Most would find the fog troublesome, but you push your annoyance down. Right now, you're waiting for a new recruit, and you can't be caught off guard when he arrives.
You're excited to see him, but you're having no trouble containing your emotions. Ever since you died (murdered by a family member, to be exact), you've been taught to be cold and to be focused. No time for silly feelings like guilt, no reason to feel abandoned or…
…nostalgic? Is that what they call the ache in your stomach when you think of an old friend?
You quickly dispatch your thoughts with a shake of your head and curse yourself silently. Now is not the time for wishful thinking or wondering if you'd still be alive if you had taken his side instead of -
You squeeze your eyes shut until you see stars.
No, no, no. I can't be having these thoughts, not after so long. I'm loyal to my clan.
You release the breath you didn't know you were holding, open your eyes and turn your gaze skywards.
The tree tops here are intertwined with one another, obscuring the view of the forever-night sky. Not that there's much to see anyway, you think. Place Of No Stars… the name fits well.
For the third time since entering the clearing, you become caught in a dream-like trance, with your attention snapping back to reality only when you hear a cat leave the safety of the far side trees and call out your name.
"Darkstripe? I-Is that really you?"