Moonrush was curled up next to a dead ash tree stump, the gentle rise and fall of his body with each breath clearly visible. His eyes flickered but didn't open. A strange scent was in the air. Moonrush heaved in a deep breath. The scent was gone.
My mind must be playing tricks on me again, he thought as sleep tugged him into the peaceful darkness. There's nothing here…
Stormleap felt her father stir beside her. Her wide blue eyes opened as she swept a calculating gaze over him. No, he's fine. Storm smiled. He looked so peaceful… Moonrush's pelt was glowing bright white in the moonlight, standing out like a torch in a cavern.
She rose and pricked her ears. The faintest crackle of a leaf sounded from a few yards away. Aha- very clever. The wind was blowing toward the bush where the sound came from, which meant that she couldn't smell them, but they could smell her.
Stormleap peered at the bush, debating on whether she should approach the noise or stay put. Perhaps even get Blazestreak. But what if something happened to Moonrush while I was gone? she pondered. I can't risk that.
"Father," Stormleap whispered gently. "Father, wake up. There's someone over there."
"Hmm?" Moonrush's eyes snapped open. Clear blue and sparkling with love and passion as usual. "Well, might as well check it, right?"
"Right," Stormleap replied confidently. "I always love it when stuff like this happens."
Moonrush huffed. "Be careful what you say, dear. Adventure is very dangerous."
Stormleap turned her head so her father couldn't see her roll her eyes. "Yeah. C'mon."
The pure white cat padded over casually, Stormleap trotting close behind. Her charcoal grey fur glowed silver in the moonlight.
"Hello? Anyone there?" Moonrush stopped a few tail-lengths away from the bush, just to be safe.
A quick snap and a flash of black, then Moonrush was on the ground hissing.
"Father!" Stormleap screamed.
Moonrush lashed out at his attackers, claws extended, and bit down hard on one of the black cat's hindlegs. The feline gave a cry of pain and sunk her teeth into the loose fur above Moonrush's neck. He buckled beneath the weight of the five cats swarming over him and collapsed to the ground.
Fight to fend not to kill, her mother's words echoed around her mind.
Stormleap clawed off two of the cats and locked them into combat against herself. She spun around and pinned one of them beneath her massive paws. A quick flick of her claw ripped a gash in it's flank. It let out a yowl of agony and pelted away into the trees. Stormleap turned to face the second one, but it had disappeared. Retreated, no doubt, Stormleap thought grimly.
But when she turned around she found her father and the three remaining cats had gone. "No!" she screeched. "Father!"
Stormleap shook her head as if trying to physically clear her thoughts and tried to think about what to do. There was one real option. "Blazestreak!" Stormleap called for her best friend, knowing how fast he was able to run.
His voice drifted to her almost instantly. "I'm coming!"
Please hurry!
Blazestreak woke instantly to the sound of Stormleap calling for him. "I'm coming!" he yowled. His green eyes glistened with worry as he pounded his way through the forest, weaving in and out between trees and leaping over rocks.
"Keep shouting so I can follow the sound of your voice!" Blazestreak called.
"I'm here! Just hurry!"
The ginger cat adjusted his course based on Stormleap's voice and put on an extra burst of speed. "Almost there!"
He skidded to a stop in the clearing where Stormleap and Moonrush usually slept and flicked his tail for balance. "Fast enough?"
"Yeah, just listen!" Stormleap put a paw on his so he'd stop fidgeting. "Look, someone just-" she was cut off as a wolf leaped into the clearing as well.
The wolf's fur was pure white; not a speck of grey or brown on his well groomed pelt. A hat was propped squarely in between his ears, which were large and twitching. Two satchels were slung over his neck and waist, each containing different tools. A compass hung by a thin white string around his neck. He held his head up high and stood with a regal composure. He was far more large and old than both of them, and had to look down so he could meet their eyes.
The newcomer didn't even give them a chance to breath before saying, "I'm here to help. Please tell me everything that happened and I can help."
"Who are you?" Stormleap asked.
"Oh, forgive me. My name is Kaihō. I'm an explorer and you sounded like you needed help. So here I am."
"Yeah, we could do with help, but… where exactly did you come from?" Stormleap questioned.
"Explorer, remember? Now come quickly! If the cats who just took your friend are who I think they are, we haven't got much time."
Stormleap chased after Kaihō instantly.
Blazestreak snorted and trailed after Stormleap. "You're too trusting."
"Thanks. Now shush and concentrate on keeping up."
He frowned and followed the two brisk wolves. "If you weren't my best friend, I'd think you're insane. No wait- I do think you're insane!"
Stormleap didn't reply. Sometimes Blazestreak is just a pain in the neck.
Kaihō kept at a steady trot as Blazestreak, Stormleap, and himself followed the scent of the black cats. His gaze drifted to the canopy above. Few forests have trees as densely packed as these, he calculated. Good for hiding but not for fighting. These two are good; adventurous and daring. Although that grey one had a weird scent… Kind of like a cat and wolf mixed together.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Blazestreak grumbled.
"Yes. Those cats were forces of Carron, a cat from the Tunnels," started Kaihō. "You know, the Tunnels that run beneath this whole planet."
Stormleap sniffed. "No wonder. No natural cat could be born that dark colored."
Kaihō smiled. "You'd be surprised. By the way, what are you? Your scent is all jumbled… I can't pick out a specific species."
"Oh, I'm half cat and half wolf. My mother died when I was five moons old."
"I'm sorry. So, that was your dad that got snatched."
Stormleap forced a grin. "You could say that."
Blazestreak groaned. "Are you two gonna yammer all day or are we gonna actually hurry?"
"If you do not consider this fast, you are stronger than me. I applaud you," replied Kaihō. "And I do not believe you two have introduced yourselves yet."
"My name is Stormleap," the charcoal grey hybrid stated.
Blazestreak snorted. "You're gonna have to gain my trust before you earn the right to know my name."
"A smart policy. Giving out your name to random strangers is not wise. However Stormleap here is right to trust me. Either she is very trusting or she could sense the good in me right when I showed up at the clearing. So which was it?"
"I- I don't know. Something about you was just… Right. My instincts were screaming at me to trust you."
"I see. You are blessed with the gift of discernment, Storm. Use that gift wisely."
The trio walked briskly in silence for a while, just lost in their own minds.
Stormleap's head was just a swirling mass of clouds and stars and wonder. She was treating this as an adventure. In the back of her mind was a little bit of worry for her foster father, but she knew they'd get him back. I have to believe.
Blazestreak was mostly complaining, and if he wasn't grumbling to himself he was eagerly awaiting battle. And then there was Stormleap. About half his head was occupied by thoughts of his best friend and the most understanding being he'd ever met. I have to protect her.
Kaihō's thoughts consisted of well structured plans he was thinking about carrying out. Excitement rang clearly through his mind. I have to hurry.
Stormleap was the one who broke the silence. "So... Why do you have so much stuff?"
"A good explorer is prepared for at least three situations!" Kaihō responded, lifting his mirror into the air.
"But- how did you-" Stormleap stammered.
Kaihō tilted his head. "Oh! I forgot to tell you I have low level telekinesis."
Blazestreak scoffed and muttered, "Show off."
"Oh- here we are!" Stormleap stopped at a lake which sparkling as if crystals were hidden beneath the surface. "I have a few things I prepare for as well," Stormleap said. And without another word, she dove into the water. Clear droplets scattered and landed on Kaihō and Blazestreak.
Kaihō smiled. "I'm beginning to like you two! Come, then! No use in sitting here. Might as well get a head start. And don't worry about Storm. She'll be able to catch up no problem! She's a smart wolf."
"Sorry, but I'm staying here. Storm needs someone to watch her back," Blazestreak stated firmly.
"Very well then. I'll go up ahead." Kaihō turned and bounded off into the woods once more.
About half a minute later and Stormleap came up out of the water with a necklace with a blue crystal dangling from it and golden bracelet. She grinned at Blazestreak and exclaimed, "Right then! Let's go!"
He nodded and briskly ran up ahead. "Kaihō went ahead of us."
"Come on then! Hurry up!" Stormleap urged.
"What're you thinking, bringing your necklace? Do you think we'll go for a swim?"
Stormleap laughed. "You never know."