Jaypaw felt a rise of panic well up in her chest. She didn't know what to do. Jaypaw walked in the direction of a tree. This could help; she might be able to see Mousepaw from the top. The tree was bone-white, slender, and leaf-less with a seemingly stable trunk and limbs. The pale gray tabby dug her claws into the bark, pulling up the tall tree. She went up each limb, carefully inspecting each one to see if it would support her weight. She got to the highest branch that would be safe and looked out to find Mousepaw.
"Mousepaw, where are you?" She called out hesitantly. She scanned the area before her, trying to find him.
"Right here, Jaypaw." A familiar voice mewed. Jaypaw rolled her eyes at Mousepaw. She scaled down the tree, greeting the light brown tom. She went to her rabbit and picked up, proudly showing it to Mousepaw. He nodded and Jaypaw smiled, dragging the rabbit to the white tree and buried her prey, mentally noting that she had prey here. She turned around to see that Mousepaw was still sitting.
"Do you know the way back?" She asked Mousepaw, feeling uncomfortable. She felt her ears grow warm due to the fact that she didn't know where they were. He looked around for a brief moment and return his gaze to her.
"I think so...I just saw you dash off and I followed to see where you were going." He mewed, unsure of himself.
"Well, we can try to head back in the meadow. Our mentors should see that we got lost." Jaypaw mewed, smiling at Mousepaw. She started padding back to the meadow with Mousepaw leading in the direction he thought was the right way. They walked together in silence, the only sound being the crunching of the grass.
"We're lost, aren't we?" She mewed, looking at Mousepaw seriously. The tom flashed a glance at her, eyes full of worry.
"Yeah, it's this meadow being the same color and I can't see in front of my nose!" He mewed, half-hissing. He sighed. Jaypaw looked sympathetically at Mousepaw.
"Well, let's get out of this meadow first, then we can find out where we need to go." She mewed confidently to him, believing in herself. Mousepaw nodded, walking with Jaypaw, pushing through the meadow. The sun seemed to be setting now, dark orange sky keeping their path lit. The grass from the meadow was thinning out now, becoming more like regular grass. Mousepaw saw a fat vole scrambling away from the two cats but before it could squeak in alarm, Mousepaw killed it swiftly.
"Wanna share? It doesn't seem that we'll be getting home tonight." He said light-heartedly. Jaypaw laid down in the dust.
"Sure. What warrior name do you think you'll get?" She asked, pushing her mind to other things. They were close to being warriors, Jaypaw knew it had to be true. The apprentice took a bite out of the plump vole and then replied.
"I don't know...maybe something like Mousefang for me and...Jaywing for you." He thought aloud. Jaypaw nodded eating a piece of vole.
"I was thinking your name could be more along the lines of Mousebrain!" She mewed, giggling. Mousepaw rolled his eyes, flicking his tail in annoyance.
"I walked into that one, didn't I?" He mused, showing that he wasn't angry. Jaypaw was still giggling.
"Yeah, you kinda did...Look!" She mewed, looking up at the darkening sky. Little white stars shimmered ever so slightly. No clouds seemed to be nearby and the moon was in a perfect crest. The air was a bit cold but it wasn't troublesome.
"Wow...Starclan must be looking after us..." Mousepaw breathlessly mewed. His eyes drooped and he blinked a few times. He looked down at his paws, clearing his throat.
"We should get some rest..." He mewed, walking to his make-shift den. Jaypaw frowned. Why did he change like that?
What is Mousepaw hiding? Will they ever get back to camp? Anyways, please review! Thank you Emily for reviewing.
