Chapter 10: Tall Pine

Tall Pine's belly was empty, but his mind was overflowing. His head felt like it was full of sand—sluggish and heavy from a long day of hunting and stuffed full of worries. His paw steps were slow as he shuffled across the camp, lugging a plump rabbit over to the prey pile, though his mind was as frenzied as the rabbit had been before he'd caught it.

"Hey, watch it," a voice like rough tree bark snapped as Tall Pine's muzzle collided with a solid but fluffy form.

"Oh, sorry," he said hurriedly, his ear tips burning. His nose throbbed as he leaped out of the way. Smoke Pelt gave him another stormy-eyed stare as he padded away.

Tall Pine let out a breath before he bent down to pick up the rabbit that he had dropped. As he raised his head, he saw Spotted Owl and Sharp emerge from the passageway. Spotted Owl's pace was brisk as she led the way across the camp toward Sharp's den, her face a mask of tension. The black and white tom's neck fur rose as he glared at Sharp for a heartbeat before switching his gaze to his sister. His ears flattened against his head. Bewilderment twisted like a snake inside his belly. What is going on with you, Spotted Owl? Why are you pushing me away? Why did you agree to guard Sharp?

A long sigh escaped Tall Pine's lips as he started trekking across the camp again. He reached the prey pile and deposited his rabbit on top of the bulging heap of several mice, two voles, a few squirrels, another rabbit, and more birds than he could count, including a hawk's wing poking out of the bottom. His stomach rumbled like an angry metalbeast as the mouthwatering scents washed over his tongue, but he steeled himself and glanced over his shoulder. He scanned the camp, catching sight of Maple Sky and Soaring Hawk stretched out in front of the nursery, sharing a squirrel. Oh good. She's eaten. Now, what about the elders?

"Hey, Tall Pine," a cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts, making him jump. Amber Mist had trotted up behind him.

"Oh, hi."

"Guess what?" Her eyes sparkled like sunlight on a rippling brook.

"What?"

"Dawn Sky said that I have to feed the elders tonight. It's my first time doing it all by myself." Amber Mist's grin faltered, her ears pulling back slightly. "I hope I do well."

Tall Pine smiled, recalling his siblings and his first time doing trainee chores—and Spotted Owl's extreme aversion to them. "That's great." He flicked his tail at his rabbit. "Why don't you take my rabbit to the elders? It's fresh and plump."

Amber Mist brightened. "That's a great idea." She snagged it off the pile and scampered away. "Thanks, Tall Pine," she called over her shoulder.

Tall Pine smiled after her before he turned and grabbed one of the voles. Fantastic, now I can eat. He settled down a couple of pawsteps away and began to scarf down the vole with ravenous bites. He had nearly finished just a few heartbeats later as a patrol, consisting of Rising Water, Dewy Grass, and Sharp Wind, made their way across the camp past him.

"...can't believe the nerve of those cats," Dewy Grass was muttering as they came into earshot. Tall Pine's ears pricked, interest sparking inside him. He paused his chewing.

"This is the second time in three sunrises they've threatened us—even crossed the border," Sharp Wind said, his ear flattened.

"Why are they even picking a fight with us?" Dewy Grass asked, her ears twitching.

"Who knows." Sharp Wind rolled his eyes. "But if they continue to push us, Mossy Moon has to answer." He flexed his claws. "We can't look weak."

"But we will be weakened if we allow ourselves to be dragged into Gray Moon's quarrel when there is a much graver threat looming on the horizon," Rising Water reminded him. "We'll see what Mossy Moon has to say, but I think she'll retain the same position. We cannot afford to start a war with the Clan of the Flowing Waters right now."

Tall Pine bolted upright, sitting erectly as a rabbit that had heard the rustle of a predator in the undergrowth. His eyes stretched wide. The Clan of the Flowing Waters threatened another one of our patrols so soon? Oh stars, Gray Moon really is trying to provoke a fight. He must be angry that Mossy Moon and the other chieftains won't go along with his plan and pushed him to join ours. But you'd think he would have enough sense to know that this is not the time to pick a fight. Why is Gray Moon so intent on starting a war? He shook his head. I have no idea.

The young tom took another bite of his vole as he watched as Rising Water led Dewy Grass and Sharp Wind over to Mossy Moon's den. The three cats waited until Mossy Moon gave them permission to enter, and then they disappeared inside. He stared at the cave's mouth for a few heartbeats longer before his gaze wandered over the rest of the camp. Jagged Path, Dappled Fur, and Passing Storm, Falling Star and Rabbit Nose, and Raven Swoop and Waving Fern, along with more of their Clanmates, were scattered like fallen leaves across the gorge, talking as they shared their evening meals. The fading sunlight slanted over the gorge's rim, soon to vanish and leave the camp deep in shadow. His pelt prickled as an owl call echoed somewhere in the forest above the camp—the first one of the night.

I'm going to see Frosted Leaf again tonight, Tall Pine remembered with a jolt. A purr bubbled in his throat. I can't wait to talk to her. I want to tell her about everything that's happened, especially how I took down that hawk and passed my assessment. He sobered. I should probably also ask her about what's going on with her Clan.

. . .

Darkness cloaked Tall Pine in a veil of secrecy as he stole across the camp and through the passageway. He paused as he emerged and glanced back over his shoulder. Guilt twinged inside him. He hesitated, nearly turning around and heading back inside. Am I doing the right thing? Sneaking out of camp, lying to my friends and family, to meet with a cat from another Clan? But one whom I like. A lot. He turned his head, looking out into the dark forest. With a deep breath, he slipped into the woods.

Tall Pine moved swiftly and silently as a shadow between the trees, skirting around the pools of ghostly pale moonlight from the waning moon that dappled the earth. Once he was far enough away from camp, he broke into a run, the forest blurring around him. Excitement trilled inside him with every beat of his heart. I'm going to see Frosted Leaf. He kept up his exhilarating dash down the mountainside until the thick scent of mud told him he was close.

Mud squelched under Tall Pine's paws as he slid down the bank and slipped into the water. He winced as the night-black waves lapped around his feet, the water's chill from the recent cold nights piercing his flesh. He wrinkled his nose, but fluffed up his pelt and braced himself as he waded across the pool. Once he reached the other side, he dug his paws into the squishy bank and hauled himself up onto the little island.

The hunter trainee lowered his head, snuffling at the ground until he found the scent markers. He halted just shy of the border, and raising his head, peered into the shadowy reeds beyond. "Frosted Leaf? Are you here?"

"Tall Pine," a voice floated into his ears. Reeds snapped and waved as something crashed toward him. The towering stalks parted to reveal a pale gray and white she-cat dashing toward him, her eyes bright and sparkling like little stars. The moonlight illuminated her pelt, so she looked like a Clan of the Bright Stars spirit fallen to earth. Tall Pine gaped at her for a heartbeat that felt like it lasted moons. Then she rammed into him, toppling him over.

"Oof," Tall Pine as his back slammed into the earth, jarring his bones. Frosted Leaf collapsed on his chest, crushing his lungs. "Ow. That hurt," he wheezed.

Frosted Leaf scrambled off of him, her face contorted with concern. "Oh my stars, I'm so sorry, Tall Pine. Are you—"

"Aha." The young tom leaped to his paws. He swung out his foreleg, sweeping her feet out from beneath her. A playful smile danced across his face. "I tricked you."

The pale gray she-cat was sprawled out on the ground. She made a face up at him, her nose scrunched. "Ugh. I should've seen that one coming." She pulled herself to her paws and shook out her fur. Her eyes glimmered dangerously. "I'm going to get you for that." She wiggled her haunches as she readied herself to pounce.

Tall Pine sidestepped, his whiskers flattening against his face as she flew past him. "You're going to have to be faster than that if you're going to catch me," he taunted, sending a wink over as he raced away.

"You're a huge galumphing tom from the Clan of the Morning Sun. I could catch you with my eyes shut," Frosted Leaf called after him as she gave chase.

"Then, why don't you?" The black and white tom shot back with a grin. Excitement fizzled inside him, nearly escaping in a wild laugh, as he crashed through the thick clumps of reeds with intermittent clearings of soft mud. He could hear the softer patter of Frosted Leaf's paws close behind him, steadily gaining on him. Exhilaration pushed him nearly as fast as he could go, but he forced himself to slow down and focus on the tricky footing, so he didn't trip. After several heartbeats, he had to slow as his strength ran short, his sides heaving. His head jerked up when he realized he couldn't hear the pawsteps behind him anymore.

"Frosted Leaf?" Tall Pine turned in a circle, scouring the shadowy reeds around him. Where is she?

"I got you," Frosted Leaf shouted as she burst from a clump of reeds, stretching her paws out to grab him. Tall Pine ducked and tried to dodge, but his foot caught in a dip in the mushy ground. He fell, crashing into her, so they both crumpled to the ground in a tangle of legs and fur.

Tall Pine lay on his side, his flanks rising and falling in rapid succession as he caught his breath. Beside him, he could hear Frosted Leaf panting heavily in his ear. Her foreleg was strewn across his back, and their tails were knotted together.

"Well, I still got you," the Clan of the Flowing Waters she-cat said between quick breaths. "And now that you're down—" She sprang lightly to her paws and pinned him to the ground before he could move a paw-step. She flashed a smile down at him. "I really got you."

"Not for long," Tall Pine smirked. Remembering a battle move that Spotted Owl had once shown him, he pulled his forelegs to his chest and then thrust them upward into Frosted Leaf's belly, dislodging the petit she-cat easily. He pushed himself to his paws just as she recovered her balance and, with a bubbly laugh, launched herself at him again. He reared up on his hind legs to meet her. They grappled with each other, rolling over and over, flattening reeds as they went. The young tom ducked as the pale gray she-cat swung a blow at his ears, and then battered her muzzle with soft paws.

One heartbeat, Tall Pine was gazing into Frosted Leaf's bright eyes, and the next, he was hurtling through the air, the wind streaming through his whiskers. For a heartbeat, he felt as though he was suspended midair, and then he plunged into the water. The sudden chill of the water shocked him, seeming to pierce him right to the bone. He flailed violently, trying to find the bottom or the surface or anything, helpless as a newborn kit in the raven-black water. He gasped for air but instead breathed in gulps of water. His lungs screamed. Fear thrummed through him with every pound of his heart. Panic ignited like dry brush in humid weather. I can't swim. I'm going to drown.

A muffled cry came from above. Through the distortion of the water, Tall Pine heard a splash. Water buffeted his back as someone swam with powerful strokes toward him. He yelped, releasing a cloud of bubbles, as teeth sank into his scruff, but quickly clamped his jaws shut as water rushed into his mouth. He writhed, trying to free himself from the grip, but he quickly realized that he was being tugged upward. I'm being saved. His head broke the surface, and he coughed, spitting out practically a river of water. As his coughs subsided, Tall Pine drew in greedy gulps of air. I never thought I would be so grateful for air.

"Tall Pine," Frosted Leaf panted, her breath hot on his ear. She paddled around to his front, legs swishing back and forth, churning the water beneath her and keeping her floating well above the waves. The black and white tom flailed his legs, trying to keep his chin above the water. Frosted Leaf looked him in the eye. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," He gasped, pausing as he coughed again. "I'm okay."

"Good." She looked visibly relieved, her furrowed brow relaxing. "We should get you to dry land. Watch how I paddle with my legs, and try to copy me."

Tall Pine dared a glance down into the water and did his best to imitate Frosted Leaf's sure strokes. He felt like a pathetic half-drowned mouse as he floundered toward the shore, Frosted Leaf's tail guiding him. Once he could touch, he put his paws down and hauled himself onto the island. His fellow hunter trainee followed him, and they both collapsed on the ground, gasping.

"Well," Frosted Leaf said after several long heartbeats, "at least now you don't have to get wet to wash off the scent."

A giggle built up in Tall Pine's throat and burst out like water freed from a dam. He had no clue why he found it so funny, given the fact that he had almost died, and that at any other time he wouldn't have found it funny, but he couldn't help it. Frosted Leaf joined in. Her laugh was a high and melodious tune that he wished he could listen to forever. The pair lay there, laughing until their sides ached.

The hunter trainees quieted as their laughter died out. Tall Pine stilled, content to lay on his back with the comfort of Frosted Leaf's close proximity. His lips tugged upward into a smile as her sweet scent wreathed around his nose. He titled his head back, gazing up at the sky, speckled with stars like bright fireflies ensnared in the web of crisscrossing branches high above his head. I love spending time with Frosted Leaf, he thought, a purr rumbling in his throat. We get along so well, and we have so much fun together. She's a great friend, and she really understands me. If only we were members of the same Clan-

Tall Pine bolted upright, his jaw hanging ajar. Oh stars, that's right. Our Clans. The conflict. I completely forgot that I meant to ask her about what's going on.

Frosted Leaf sat up as well, peering at the black and white tom with her brow furrowed. "Is everything okay?"

"What? Oh-yes. I mean, no," Tall Pine sputtered, startled out of his thoughts. He cocked his head. "I mean yes, but not really."

Frosted Leaf swished her tail as she shifted closer to him. "What's wrong?"

He scuffed his paws on the moist earth. "Recently, there has been tension between our Clans and some disputes at our border. One of your patrols crossed into our territory, and your Clan's patrols have been hostile to our patrols. I wanted to ask you about what's going on in your Clan."

The pale gray and white she-cat's gaze dropped like a stone in water to her paws. Her voice was soft. "Oh, yeah, that's right."

Tall Pine instantly felt terrible. His stomach flip-flopped with nerves. Oh, no. I said the wrong thing and ruined it. I shouldn't have brought this up. I'm such a mouse-brain. "I'm sorry. I'm putting you in a bad position. I shouldn't have asked-"

Frosted Leaf's gaze jerked up, wide and apologetic. "N-no, it's fine," she said hurriedly. "To be honest, I don't really know what's going on. Some of my Clanmates are frustrated and angry with the other Clans, though some think we should have gone with the plan to attack the Bands. However, since Gray Moon is the chieftain, he's in charge of any action that would have been taken, but trainees like me aren't privy to his discussions or his decisions. I just follow orders."

Tall Pine's ears pricked. "Wait, so the hostility is intentional-on Gray Moon's orders-and not of your Clanmates' own accord?"

Frosted Leaf twitched her ears. "I think so." She shrugged. "But then again, Gray Moon hasn't made any official announcement to my Clan, and I'm a hunter trainee, so I'm not on any border patrols."

"But to what end? To start a war between our Clans?"

She thought for a moment, her expression becoming grave. "That would make sense."

Oh, stars. Shock spiraled through Tall Pine, though it shifted quickly to serious contemplation. What my Clan feared is true; Gray Moon is ordering his border patrols to be hostile to us because he wants to provoke a fight. "But why?" he asked aloud. "Is it because we wouldn't follow his plan?"

The slender she-cat nodded. "That's most likely the reason."

The young tom furrowed his brow. "It's a big leap, though; going from being frustrated with the other Clans' uncooperativeness to trying to start a war."

"That's true," Frosted Leaf acknowledged. "Gray Moon is a very private cat, and so even his own Clanmates don't know him that well. I can only speculate, but I think that that is the reason. But I agree, it is a big jump, so maybe there's another reason underlying it that even my Clanmates don't know. But what do I know for sure is that Gray Moon is determined to protect our Clan from being hurt at any cost. I guess even if it means starting a war."

Tall Pine leaped to his paws, his tail lashing the air like a branch in a ferocious wind. "But Frosted Leaf, can't you see that that's the problem? I understand that Gray Moon wants to protect your Clan, but so do the rest of the chieftains. That's all they're trying to do-protect all of the Clans. The Bands are coming for revenge. We have to unite to stop them; we cannot afford to be fighting amongst ourselves over minor disagreements."

"It isn't a minor disagreement. It's my Clanmates' lives at stake." Frosted Leaf's pelt bristled slightly, but she smoothed it, and took a deep breath. "But yes, I understand where you're coming from. I know that there is a greater need right now and that the Clans need to work out our problems, and fast-or we'll all die."

"Yes." Tall Pine nodded gravely. "We cannot afford to fight a war right now. Somehow the Clans need to get over their grudges and put aside their grievances to work together before it's too late. Maybe that can be done by figuring out exactly why Gray Moon is doing this."

"But who is going to do that?" Frosted Leaf asked, her head cocked.

Tall Pine was silent for several heartbeats as he wracked his brain. His eyes widened slowly as an answer dawned on him. "Maybe we should?"

Hi everyone, I'm back with another chapter! This one wasn't as emotional as the last two, but we did get some fun times with Tall Pine and Frosted Leaf, as well as some information that sets up later parts of the story. So, I'm "headed" back (sort of) to school very soon (anyone else?), and I'm probably going to be pretty busy, but I hope to keep getting chapters out in about this much time. Hopefully, I'll also be able to come up with more of a schedule.

Reviews:

Guest - That is true; the patrol did beat the Bands, but that was only one camp of cats, and there are many more. Also, it was less of a victory and more of a semi-successful escape as they were rescuing prisoners and many cats died during the battle. There is a larger scale confrontation to come in a later book. Yes, Spotted Owl has become a very strong and persevering cat. And no, she did not break.

Fun Fact:

Frosted Leaf's mother died when she was born, along with her two siblings. Her father is still alive, but he has practically abandoned her because she reminds him too much of her mother.

- A Warrior At Heart