Chapter Eight

Berrysplash kept a brisk pace as she led her leader through the dense foliage. The jungle was alive with the sounds of monkeys, birds, and the far away lap of the waves on the shore. The spirit walker could tell that Moonstar was wanting to speak with her, but right now she wanted to trot along in silence. Her pelt still crawled with anger that Moonstar had not discussed this journey with her before she called the meeting. It was her duty to speak with the Star Runners, if they were going to consult with them it was her right to know. Moonstar has been so odd lately, Berrysplash thought, even with the deaths of her camp mates she should be able to recollect herself and lead them efficiently. It was almost as if her emotions were taking control of her.

"Are you going to say anything to me," Moonstar huffed as she jumped over an exposed root in their path. Berrysplash could tell that her leader was feeling irritated at her silence. She wished that she could say something to Moonstar to maybe calm her fears or reassure her that things would be ok, but right now her emotions were too strong. She might say something she would regret.

Moonstar huffed angrily behind her, kicking loose earth with her paws as she trod along. They were only just passing by the badger hollow, a small lowered clearing that was pock marked with badger sets. "We should be careful around here," Moonstar called to Berrysplash, a small hint of a warning in her soft meow. The spiritwalker waved her tail in agreement, her pretty dappled fur reflecting the bright spots of sun that happened to make it through the jungle canopy. Even though the area was beautiful, it stank of the rank scent of badger.

Moonstar hurried to Berrysplash's side in a few long strides, shaking out her pristine white pelt as she neared. Berrysplash knew that even if it looked like her leader was scared, she was most likely more frightened for the safety of her trusted advisor. She really does care about me, Berrysplash thought for a moment. As they continued on passed the badger dens, she rested her slim tail across Moonstar's back, hoping to reassure her that she was not too angry.

"We might want to pick up the pace a little," Berrysplash mewed finally, her voice a little stronger than a whisper, "at this pace we will not make it to the pond in time to commune with the Star Runners."

Moonstar dipped her head, taking off into a sprint through the bushes and plants that crowded the path. Berrysplash sped off after her, feeling her misgivings dissolve with each thud of her paws on the leaf strewn ground. Soon, they would be arriving to their sacred place to speak with their ancestors; and she was just hoping that they were there to welcome them.

It was dusk when the pair finally reached the small meadow that held the Shimmering Pond in its center. The air was thick with fog, and the humidity was enough to make any cats' pelts feel a million times heavier. "I feel like the Star Runners are trying to send us a message," Berrysplash mewed fretfully as they padded up to the shore of the tiny pond. The fog was so thick that you could barely even see the surface of the water.

"I feel like I'm going to be ill," Moonstar whispered as she came to stand beside the other she-cat. The air was thick and clamy against her fur, making her feel suffocated. Berrysplash nuzzled her softly, willing her to hold on just a short while longer. If Moonstar were to pass out, Berrysplash knew that the Star Runners would not be willing to share with them.

"Has the moon made it over the tree tops yet," Moonstar asked shakily. She had already started to take huge gulps of air, telling the spirit walker that they had to get on with this very quickly. She turned towards the murky outline of the moon, just barely visable above the trees on the other side of the meadow. "We can begin," she mewed urgently, pushing Moonstar towards the water.

"Now press your nose to the surface," Berrysplash whispered in Moonstar's ear. "I've done this before, you know," her leader mummbled grumpily before touching her delicate, pink nose to the surface of thick, curling fog. In an instant, her eyes had closed and her breathing slowed to a comfortable rythym. Now it's my turn, Berrysplash thought as she crouched down next to the edge of the pond.

She still could not see the surface, but she closed her eyes and lowered her muzzle until she felt the strikingly icy touch of the water on the tip of her nose. In a flash, the choking heat of the jungle had vanished to be replaced with a refreshing breeze. Berrysplash opened her eyes, finding herself laying on the cool sand of the beach. A few paces away, Moonstar stood tall and proud facing her ancestors. Berrysplash stood and padded to her side, bowing to their kin and friends from seasons passed. "It is great to see you both again, in this time of uncertainty," meowed a deep voice from somewhere in the crowd.

Moonstar recognized it immediatly, letting out a tiny trill of happiness. The large, opaque shape of Shellstar stepped from the mass of star-studded pelts, his eyes shining with wisdom and guidance. Berrysplash could see that her leader's limbs were tight with restraint; this was the first time she has seen her father since his death so many moons ago.

"I have been trying to lead your group like you would want me," she blurted nevously, her claws sinking into the silky sand of the beach. Shellstar padded forward until he stood infront of his daughter, his head and tail held high. "I would not ask you to lead your group like me," he purred softly, "you should lead as you see fit."

Taking the last tiny step to bring herself closer to her father, Moonstar pressed herself into his chest, burrowing her muzzle into his shoulder. Shellstar wrapped his tail around her side and rested his chin on her head. Berrysplash stayed still and silent, watching the embrace. She knew that Moonstar needed this, to speak with her father and to have his guidance in these darkest of times.

"I know you have come to speak with me about the troubles you are facing," Shellstar began as he took a small step back. He looked down at his daughter, almost an identicle image of himself; his eyes blazing with love but also fear. "There is a darkness that stalks you, but I am not so sure you will be able to escape its grasp," he mewed.

"This darkness has a hold on you, and it will reap everything that you love," his voice shook as he continued. Suddenly, two small blurry shapes appeared behind Shellstar, infront of the massive line of their ancestors. They carried the same sickly sweet scent that Berrysplash could remember from her last vision, but there was also another quality about them as well.

"You have the ability to change the outcome of this fate, but we can not tell you anymore," Shellstar meowed regretfully. Moonstar bowed her head, absorbing all that her father had told her. Berrysplash still felt hopelessly confused, but her gaze remained on the two faded shapes slumped on the shore line. As she blinked, the vision faded and she was once more laying on the bank of the Shimmering Pond.

Moonstar was getting to her paws when Berrysplash looked over; the fog had cleared and they could see the space around them clearly now. The pond was also visible, a shining and shimmering blue hue. "I guess we should venture home now," Moonstar mewed firmly, looking a lot different than when they had arrived. Berrysplash felt relieved, it seemed that her leader was feeling like herself again, for the moment.

As they left, Berrysplash could not stop thinking of what Shellstar had told them. The darkness has a hold on you, and it will reap everything that you love. Somehow the darkness was upon them, and it already had its grips firmly on their beloved leader.