Windstorm, Redfeather, Foxpaw, and Blackpaw have just met an interesting she-cat named Night...
CHAPTER 12
Windstorm looked thoughtful for a moment, "I think I've heard of him..." He murmured uncertainly.
Night yawned and nodded, "He was killed by another group of Clan cats that now live just beyond the mountains." She said, pointing with her tail to the very faint outline of the steep, craggy slopes.
"So they do exist!" Blackpaw exclaimed excitedly.
"Of course they do!" Night laughed at her enthusiasm.
"Our trip will definitely have to be postponed..." Windstorm murmured, nuzzling his brother's ear.
Redfeather sighed, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have tried go fight them... Now you all have to wait for me to get stronger again."
Foxpaw shook her head, "Don't apologize. You were very brave." She said, smiling.
Redfeather gave a weak smile in response and as if on cue, passed out. Windstorm chuckled, "Poor guy's so worn out."
Night smiled, "I know where an old fox den is that you all could safely stay in for the night."
Windstorm nodded once, looking happy to take any shelter and help they could find and hefted up Redfeather across his shoulders again.
The quietly made the short hike to the den and found that it was quite comfortable, "I'll go hunt for you all." Night said with a flick of her tail.
"No, you don't have to do that!" Windstorm exclaimed.
"It's fine, you all look like you can hardly stay on your paws!" She purred in amusement and darted off.
Blackpaw sighed and laid down, looking exhausted, "Yay... She's going to get us food!" She laughed a little.
Foxpaw purred and playfully batted her ears, "Do you only think about food?"
"Nuh uh! Food is just the thought that takes up the majority of my brain..." Blackpaw laughed, flashing a paw back at her.
Windstorm purred, "It's like I'm stuck in a den with a bunch of kits!"
Blackpaw let out a playfully growl and leaped onto Windstorm, bowling him over. Foxpaw laughed as they tousled on the floor and settled down beside Redfeather, tucking her paws beneath her chest. He was still out cold, but at least he was getting some well deserved rest, "What exactly happened to you two?..." Foxpaw asked hesitantly when Windstorm had finally pushed Blackpaw off.
He sighed and stared at his beaten brother, "Redfeather had gotten up a tree and as soon as I tried to follow one of the badgers grabbed me by the tail. The other one had run off already so he was alone. Well, Redfeather jumped out of the tree and landed on the badger and lets just say that the badger took more than he deserved..."
Windstorm held his tail up and for the first time Foxpaw had realized it was missing a big piece of it. She and Blackpaw gasped in horror, "How will you hunt?..." Blackpaw murmured.
"I'll learn to cope with it..." He sighed sadly, "I wonder if Redfeather's ear effects his hearing..." He said thoughtfully.
Foxpaw turned to see that Redfeather was missing half of his right ear and was now just a jagged nub. She whimpered and gently pressed her nose to the thin feverish skin, "Those stupid badgers... Fox dung!" She spat.
Blackpaw and Windstorm nodded in agreement and silence once again fell over the cats until, "I'm back!" A muffled yowl sounded at the entrance and Night came back, loaded down with a rabbit and a fat squirrel.
She plopped the prey down and went to a hole in the side of the cavern and pulled out an already dead mouse, "I like to keep prey down here because hardly any creatures can fit!"
Foxpaw smiled, "Thank you for catching us something to eat."
Night shrugged and tore into her mouse, "Eh, it's nothing! This forest is crawling with prey, even in Leaf bare."
Foxpaw nodded and nudged Redfeather gently, "Hey..."
He didn't budge, "You should probably just leave him to sleep, Foxpaw. I'll go catch something for him when he wakes up..." Windstorm smiled gently.
Foxpaw nodded and took the squirrel. It tasted great, but she found it hard to eat with Redfeather hurt and exhausted beside her.
She managed to eat half of it and then tossed the rest of it to Night, "You sure you don't want anymore?" She questioned, rolling it over with her paw.
Foxpaw nodded and Night gulped it down, "So, where are you all headed?" She questioned, licking her muzzle off.
"The Clan's on the other side of the mountain." Windstorm said, starting to wash himself.
Night grinned, "I know exactly where they are."
Blackpaw's ears perked up, "Will you take us?!"
Night's eyes flashes, "Of course I will... This will be a fun adventure."
Hey guys! Yay a new chapter, finally! :3 OK, so if I don't update on Christmas time, Merry early Christmas, and if you celebrate something else, merry/happy whatever you celebrate! :D Have fun!