Jaypaw padded across the floor of his den in frustration. No matter what he tried he hasn't been able to come in contact with Aimana or StarClan. He lashed his tail, he hadn't been thinking of anything but StarClan since he went herb hunting with Keyanu and it was beginning to drive him mad.

Jaypaw stopped pacing and shook his head. This wasn't good for him or anyone else. Not being able to contact StarClan was bad but obsessing over it was worse. He ducked outside of his den, maybe a walk would help him clear his mind.

Sandstorm, Shallowpaw, Squirrelflight and Fearapaw left stale scents lingering in the air. They had probably left as part of the sun high hunting patrol. He caught some words of the rapid-fire conversation Hazeltail, Barker, and Lionpaw were having which was punctuated by clusters laughter. Jaypaw quickly made his way across the clearing not stopping to chat, he didn't want to be distracted. He ducked out of the tunnel and paused as a pitiful gust of wind brushed across his nose. He paused and listened to the breeze. It was a combination of light whispers and deep hollow sounds, almost like a conversation between parent and child. Jaypaw had noticed wind going through the tunnels before but thought nothing of it. Maybe there is something in the tunnels that can help me. Jaypaw recalled the story Fearapaw had mentioned back when they first arrived. Perhaps there was some merit to tale?

The wind was coming from all directions. He knew for a fact that the left continued on to a small dark tunnel as Hollypaw had explained after her run in with the Bear. He quickly concluded that he would not be going that way.

He padded to the right slowly, taking care to avert the many pits in the ground. It was a few minutes before the wind picked up. From it were three district tones, two deep, one light. One of the deeps sounds made the fur raise on his shoulders and he promptly decided to avoid wherever it led. Jaypaw sniffed the air, through the murky and damp scents in cavern. His ears perked. Couldn't be? The breeze carried the crisp scent of outside.

His curiosity peaked, he turned towards the source of the scent that was coming from somewhere in the lighter tunnel. He padded into the tunnel in pursuit of the scent. He quickened his pace as the scent became stronger. Jaypaw could feel a small tinge of excitement in his heart. He slid to as the scent took a sharp change in direction. He turned his head upwards, it was pouring in from somewhere above him. He placed his paws on the wall near his flank and rising on his hindlegs. The scent was getting closer! He could feel his paws clutch a ledge. He could feel a warm breeze graze his toes. Almost there. He dug his claws in and tried to hoist himself up but there was not enough space for him to get a proper grip. After a few fruitless attempted he fell back onto all fours.

"Mousedung." He cursed softly.

"Jaypaw?"

He almost leapt out of his pelt.

"Ah, I did not mean to frighten you," Miranda said apologetically.

"Are you following me?" Jaypaw demanded. How could he have missed her? Her paw steps weren't particularly graceful, and she had a scent like any other creature. He made a mental note to be more observant of her in the future.

"It is unwise to travel alone."

Jaypaw scowled. "You didn't answer me."

"No, I was returning from a patrol and noticed your scent." Miranda replied padding towards Jaypaw. "Are you trying to get up to this hole?"

"Why do you want to know?" Jaypaw replied.

"Because," Miranda started. "It's easier to get up with a boost." She padded behind Jaypaw.

Jaypaw stiffened. "A boost?" Miranda slide underneath Jaypaw and rose on her hind legs. Jaypaw bit back a yowl instead focusing on holding onto to Miranda.

"Can you reach?" Miranda asked apparently unaware of the young cat clinging to her.

Jaypaw took a deep breath. He could feel wind from outside brushing against him. He loosened his grip on Miranda and slid onto the ledge. He pushed his muzzle forward and found himself met by a tunnel that narrowed considerably. He frowned.

"Anything interesting?"

Jaypaw slid backwards narrowly missing Miranda on landing.

"The ledge narrowed to tunnel," Jaypaw replied. "I couldn't get through."

"Ah that's disappointing, I suppose we should try another."

"Shouldn't you be doing something else?" Jaypaw wasn't being rude he was actually curious Miranda returned to camp for only moments everyday only settling down when it was time to sleep.

"Sandstorm suggested I take a break before joining another patrol." Miranda said matter-of-factly. "So, I'm helping you."

Jaypaw opened his mouth to say something however he felt Miranda brush past him. She took several loud whiffs.

"Ah the outside." Miranda concluded. "We must go this way." Her tail brushed against Jaypaw's shoulder.

Jaypaw's lip curled. He didn't remember inviting her along on his search. However, she did help him up to the tunnel and he would no doubt benefit from her presence if something dangerous lay ahead. He resigned himself to her company and fell in step behind her.

The air was heavy with a mix of scents. A moss he couldn't place, a dust that made his nose dry, and a staleness that seemed to cloak his body. Jaypaw's fur rose on his shoulders, the tunnel might have been spacious but it seemed to clamp down around him all the same. He began feeling more and more grateful for Miranda's presence.

"I can see light." Miranda called.

A heated breeze slipped past Miranda's large frame. The air began loosening and the familiar scent of grass wafted through the air. Jaypaw relaxed his movements. He scolded himself for being frightened by a harmless tunnel.

"Ah so that's where it leads." Miranda exclaimed over her heavy paw steps as she surged forward. Jaypaw swiftly followed half running half dragged by the wind. It became grassy underfoot and was surprisingly soft.

"You can see the entire plains." Miranda's voice was filled with awe. "Jaypaw we're on the side of the volcano."

Jaypaw caught the scent of the river and its cool springs to his left. From the right was the sparse trees and bushes.

"Jaypaw!"

Jaypaw flinched at Miranda's voice. She bounded towards him tail wagging like a feather caught in the wind.

"You have found something amazing. We could see threats for deer strides up here." She cried so close to his face that Jaypaw could feel the heat of her maw.

"Yeah" taking a step back. He froze. Wait she was right, he did indeed find something amazing.

"You're right." He replied. "I did find something amazing." Now if only he could find StarClan.