~ Chapter 2: Uncover ~
~*~
Gusty, Breezey, Patch, and Pitch pad cautiously into the forest. The sun shone down between the leaves and the floor was full of pretty plants and new creatures to discover. The four friends began to relax and explore.
Breezey raced through the leaves, giggling happily, and having a blast. Gusty began to climb a tree, using his claws to scramble, clumsily, up higher and higher. Pitch's black pelt ruffled in the breeze as he stayed on the ground, taking in the scents silently. Patch also stayed on the ground, but furrowed deep into the undergrowth. Her blue eyes sparkled as she tried to recall the scents of the herbs in her dreams, and pick them out of the forest scents all around her.
Suddenly, Gusty, Patch, and Pitch heard a frantic yowl!
"Breezey!" Gusty exclaimed from his vantage point in the tree. He began rushing down as fast as he could while Patch and Pitch streaked over to where Gusty had pointed. They burst into the clearing in time to see Breezey being hauled out of a rabbit hole by a young tabby tom, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
The last one to enter the clearing, Gusty immediately burst into laughter. Patch smiled, hiding a giggle. Pitch says nothing but watches the newcomer warily.
The tabby tom smiles at them all, his lean muscles rippling under a long-furred pelt. He was larger than most of them and had a hard gleam in his forest green eyes as if he was used to being cold. Breezey licked her pelt self-consciously and there was an uncomfortable silence in the clearing.
"Well... I'm Harepaw" the tabby tom says, breaking the awkward silence with his light tone.
"Thank you, Harepaw" Breezey smiles brightly at him.
Gusty calmed down enough to ask, "Breezey, what do you think you were doing?" he purrs in amusement.
"I was trying to catch a rabbit… But I didn't see it was headed for its home" she explains, looking at her paws.
Patch's eyes sparkled but she said nothing. "You're not hurt, are you?" Patch mews.
"I'm fine" Breezey answers, still embarrassed.
Pitch sizes up Harepaw. "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you around the neighborhood?" Pitch says, his voice had a tinge to it that sounded oddly threatening.
Harepaw gave Pitch a quick glance, green eyes striking. "I don't live in the 'neighborhood', I live here. I'm training to be a warrior!" Harepaw says proudly, puffing out his chest.
Patch pricked her ears and Breezey's moss-colored eyes widened.
"A warrior?!" Gusty asked excited, "The ones that live in groups in the wild, hunting and fighting for their lives?"
The four house-cats had lived on that same street all their lives. They had grown up with the cats in the homes around them. One of those cats was the oldest cat they knew, Riley. Riley was a big gray tom with one sightless eye that he swore he lost fighting a warrior cat. He always told stories of those fierce warriors, during which the four young friends were entranced by his words.
Breezey gasped, "But Riley said they had all left! He had looked for them, to join, but they were gone!" she mews, leaning towards Harepaw instinctively, wanting to know more.
Harepaw nodded, figuring he would ask who Riley was later. "They did all leave. But my mother, a rogue named Lady, came across the very last one left, the one too old to make the long journey they were going on. His name is Badgerstep. He told my mother how the clans, that's what the groups they live in are called, that the clans had left because more Twolegs were on their territory.
Badgerstep explained how right after the clans left, the Twolegs did too. He didn't know where they went though, so he had no choice but to stay here alone. My mother wanted me to have a good life though, so she left me in the care of Badgerstep while she went off to live her life as a rogue. He has been training me in the ways of clan life. He wants me to start my own when I'm ready" Harepaw explains.
He was breathless, happy to be sharing this with someone. His only company, for a few moons now, had been Badgerstep.
Gusty and Breezey's eyes were wide with awe. Pitch looked disbelieving and Patch looked a bit wary. She knew what was coming next.
"Let's become warriors!" Breezey bursts out.
Gusty leaps to his paws, "I'm in!" he mews right away.
Harepaw brightened, his green eyes lighting up with excitement. "Really?! I'm sure Badgerstep will be overjoyed!" he mews.
Pitch growled deep in his throat. "How can we trust this cat?" he asked, stepping protectively in front of his friends, eyes never leaving Harepaw's. "Riley has always told us the truth; that the clans left."
Patch looks from Pitch to Harepaw, who was bristling now. "Please, can't we all just think logically?" she mews softly.
They turn to her. "Well, do you think we could go talk to Badgerstep? Pitch, this Badgerstep sounds very wise. Maybe he can help us think of a solution that everyone likes." her milky blue eyes are gentle, wanting to soothe everyone at once.
Breezey bounced up and down on her pads. "C'mon Pitch! It will be fun! Learning how to fight, hunt, we could lead clans!"
Her voice pierced straight to the house-cat's hearts.
Gusty flinched visibly, remembering his dreams of fighting cats, blood, and pain. Pitch's amber eyes gleamed at the thought of leading a clan of his own; of having the power. Patch's eyes widened at the possibilities. Maybe this Badgerstep would know the herbs she craved! Each of them found their own courage one by one, Gusty last this time.
Harepaw's ears twitched, sensing a change in his companions. "So, shall I take you to Badgerstep?"