Chapter 19: Tall Pine

There was nothing Tall Pine loved more than the thrill of the hunt. He appreciated his skill with tracking mice across the forest. He enjoyed the meticulous practice of stalking an unsuspecting bird as if he was an enemy fighter getting ready for an ambush. But there was nothing he loved more than the chase. He relished the heaving of his chest and the thudding of his heart so quick it might burst out of his chest as he tore across the forest floor, buffeting up leaves in his wake. He savored the burning in his muscles as he rounded the thick trunk of an oak, wove through the delicate fronds of dried ferns, and bounded over a fallen log, never losing sight of the almond-brown shape in front of him. He loved how every part of him, from his whiskers to his claws, was awake and alert and alive.

This has got to be the most incredible feeling in the world. Tall Pine grinned giddily. Dashing through the forest, the blood roaring in my ears, as I hunt to feed my Clan. That rabbit is fast, but I am faster. I am going to catch it.

Lost in thought, the young tom didn't see a root protruding from the ground, partially camouflaged by treacherous fallen leaves. His paw caught it, sending him hurtling into head over tail into a clump of ferns, gasping in surprise. The instant he came to a stop, he righted himself and leaped to his paws. He scrambled back onto the path, shaking leaves out of his pelt. The rabbit's white-tipped tail vanished between the branches of an evergreen tree more than a dozen tail-length away.

Mouse-dung, Tall Pine cursed. I can't get distracted like that. We need this prey. He took off again, pushing his limbs harder and harder. He burst through a thicket of evergreens, the spiky branches scraping at his pelt, only to pull up short, shock echoing through him.

A silver tabby she-cat stood in the center of a glade, bending over as she delivered the killing bite to the rabbit pinned beneath her paws. Murmuring something under her breath, she lifted her head, a splash of blood staining her muzzle crimson. Her face lit up as she glanced in his direction. "Hey, Tall Pine."

The young tom's neck fur rose as he stalked over to her. "Fern Dapple, what in the stars are you doing? That was my catch."

Fern Dapple glanced down at the rabbit and then back at him, her eyes wide with mock innocence. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know that this was your prey." She shrugged. "I guess that means you'll have to be faster next time."

Tall Pine sighed. "Well, I would've been able to catch it had I not tripped over that stupid root in the path and gone flying into a clump of ferns," he mumbled.

Fern Dapple giggled, giving his shoulder a nudge. "You sure do look like you've been rolling around on the forest floor instead of hunting. Your pelt is covered with leaves."

"Hey," Tall Pine protested in mock indignation. "I was hunting. I just tripped and fell."

The hunter raised a brow. "Are you sure about that?"

"Yes," he insisted, pointing with his tail back the way he had come. "Do you want me to show you the root?"

Fern Dapple laughed but shook her head. "No, it's fine. I believe you." She swished her tail at him. "Come on; we should be getting back."

"That's well enough for you to say-you have something to show for your efforts," he muttered.

"Bye, Tall Pine," Fern Dapple called, her long silvery tail vanishing into the thicket.

Tall Pine started. Whoops. "Coming," he called back, hurrying to catch up with her.

Tall Pine and Fern Dapple padded side by side through the woodland, their paws crunching on the dried leaves. Fern Dapple kept her eyes focused on the ground ahead of her, lost in her own thoughts. The rabbit swung from her jaws, preventing her from talking anyway, which made Tall Pine extra-conscious of his empty paws, so he turned his attention on the forest instead. The frosty air nipped his nose, and his breath made little ghosts whenever he exhaled. The branches arching above their heads were almost bare of leaves, as well as most of the birds usually perched there, their songs drifting on the breeze, as they were gone as well, flown away to hide from the cold. Through the sparse canopy, the young tom could see that the morning sunlight had given way to a dull sky, smothered with a layer of smoggy gray clouds.

The branches thinned until the pair stepped out onto the open mountainside. The leaves turned to brittle grass, so tough it nearly hurt Tall Pine's pads as they toiled the slope a short way, halting before a small rocky plateau. Silhouetted against the pale sky, Soaring Hawk and Drifting Leaf stood on guard on top of it, their keen eyes scouring the sky and the land for threats. Quick Clouds and Willow Leaf were waiting at the base and looked up as the younger cats approached.

"Fern Dapple, Tall Pine," Quick Clouds greeted them. The smile faded from his face as his gaze landed on the rabbit. "Is that all you both caught?"

"Yes. I'm sorry," Tall Pine started. "I wasn't able to-"

"Unfortunately, yes, this is all we caught," Fern Dapple interrupted. She dropped the rabbit. "But it's not Tall Pine's fault that he doesn't have anything-this was rightfully his prey."

"That's all right," Quick Clouds meowed. "Neither Willow Leaf nor I had much luck either." He gestured at the ground between them with his nose.

Tall Pine followed his instructor's direction, his heart sinking. Between the two hunters, all they had caught was a mouse and a sparrow. Those, plus the rabbit-and it's pretty scrawny-are all we have to show for a morning's hunt. Prey is becoming scarce, and the Time of Frozen Earth isn't here yet. He had only been a kit during the last Time of Frozen Earth, but the images of the dwindling prey pile and the dull, skinny pelts and hollow eyes of his Clanmates were burned into his mind. Is my Clan going to survive?

Willow Leaf twitched her whiskers grimly. "This isn't much to take back to the Clan. It's troubling how scarce prey is already."

"Yes," Quick Clouds agreed. "I hope Waving Fern's patrol had more luck on the higher slopes. But still, I don't know we will have enough to feed the Clan." He glanced at the sky, his expression thoughtful. Behind the thick layer of clouds, the sun's lighter disk directly above them was just visible. "I know we were supposed to head back now, but maybe we should stay longer and see if we can catch more." He looked to Soaring Hawk. "Would that be okay with you two?"

Soaring Hawk tore his eyes away for a brief heartbeat to exchange a look with Drifting Leaf. "Falling Star did ask me to join a border patrol after sunhigh, but I'm sure it would be fine with her if we stayed longer. Feeding the Clan takes priority."

Quick Clouds nodded. "Thank you." He addressed the other hunters. "Let's spread out and try again. Try going to new spots where you didn't hunt before, and don't forget to check every hole and hollow. We need to do our best to find more food."

Tall Pine nodded dutifully. Turning, he strode back toward the forest, determination settling like a heavy layer of snow on his shoulders. I'm going to catch something this time.

"Hey, Tall Pine." The black and white tom paused, waiting as Fern Dapple bounded after him. "Do you want to hunt together? We might have a better chance of catching something if we work together, combining your nose and my speed."

"Oh, come on. I'm almost as fast as you." He complained. "But sure, I'd love to."

"Great." Fern Dapple fell into step beside him as they crossed the open slope. Once they reentered the forest, they fanned out to search for prey. Before they had gone far, Fern Dapple called over her shoulder, her eyes twinkling. "You're fast. But not quite as fast as me."

Tall Pine rolled his eyes but didn't respond as he focused intently. Stopping in his tracks, he stood as still as the mountains and opened all of his senses, reaching out for any traces of prey. His ears twitched as they picked up the muffled sounds of Fern Dapple's paw-steps and the groans of branches overhead. He could smell the musty dried leaves coating the earth like a withering blanket. He scanned the dull brown trunks around him, but he found not even a sniff of prey. Undaunted, he picked up his paws and kept moving, taking each step with deliberation. I need to find something. We have to make sure our Clan has enough to eat.

The sun inched across the sky as Tall Pine continued his search without fruition. Deep down, he grew anxious as the heartbeats crept by, but he pushed on. I have to make up for nearly losing the rabbit earlier. I have to catch something. My Clan needs food. But as time wore on, he began to have doubts. Maybe we should just go back. We haven't found anything, and we need to get back to camp. He was opening his mouth to call out to Fern Dapple when a scent washed over his tongue.

Tall Pine blinked, almost not believing nose at first. He bent down, drawing in a deep breath. Sure enough, there it was. Squirrel. His head snapped up, looking around until he met Fern Dapple's gaze through the trees. Frowning, she gave him a shake of her head. But he smiled in return, beckoning her with a sweep of his tail.

"What is it?" Furrowing her brow, she hurried over.

"I found a squirrel," Tall Pine whispered. "Sniff the air."

Fern Dapple lifted her muzzle, her eyes lighting up. "You did. It's faint, but it's there. Well done."

"Don't congratulate me now. We haven't caught it yet." Despite his dismissive statement, Tall Pine's shoulders relaxed, relieved that they had found something. Putting his nose to the ground, he followed the scent trail, Fern Dapple close behind him. It led them for a ways, getting stronger before Tall Pine halted in front of a fallen log and dropped into a crouch, raising his tail for Fern Dapple to stop. The scent was fresh now. Twitching his ears, he caught the delicate skitter of paws over leaves. Slowly, he lifted himself, peering over the top of the log. Between the bowed fronds of ferns, he caught sight of a plump gray squirrel rummaging around the forest floor at the gnarled roots of an oak tree. He grinned. We found it.

Fern Dapple crept up beside him. She gave him a look, then tilted her head to their left, her brows raised in a question. Tall Pine nodded in answer. They dared not speak aloud less it alert the squirrel, but he didn't need words to know what she meant. As she slipped away into the undergrowth, he turned his attention back on the squirrel. It hadn't moved a paw-step as it was bent over, snuffling at something beneath a leaf.

Okay. Here it goes. The hunter trainee dropped back into a crouch and slunk along the side of the log, coming around its end where tangled roots stuck out in all directions like a strange spiderweb. Some of the tendrils scraped his side as he pushed through them until his muzzle poked out and the squirrel was in full view again. Now that he was in position, he sank even lower, his belly brushing the ground, his muscles tense. He scanned the trees opposite him, all the while keeping an eye on the squirrel.

The slightest wave of a low-hanging cedar branch caught Tall Pine's eye. Had it been any other time, he would've dismissed it as the wind, but he knew better. He pulled his legs in so close they hugged his sides. Anytime now.

The hush of the forest was shattered suddenly like a stone breaking the smooth surface of a pond as Fern Dapple burst forth from the trees, barring toward the squirrel. It froze for a heartbeat, stunned with surprise and terror before it wheeled around and scurried away. Its legs, although short, carried it with surprising swiftness and agility. With the distance between them, it would have escaped had it not been heading straight for Tall Pine's paws.

The young tom unsheathed his claws, a grin splitting his face. Here we go. Ready in three...two...one. As the squirrel drew close enough, he exploded from his hiding place, pouncing directly on it—or where it should have been. At the last heartbeat, the squirrel swerved, making a beeline for the tree behind him.

Mouse-dung! Tall Pine's paws hit the ground, empty. He dug his claws into the hard ground and spun around. I'm not letting this prey escape. Not when I failed last time. Not when my Clan needs it. Bunching his muscles, he let instinct take over as he pushed off the ground. Air whistled in his ears as he soared through the air. He crashed into the tree trunks so hard it rattled his bones, but his claws had pierced the squirrel's tail. He didn't bother scrambling for a hold as he let himself drop the three tail-lengths to the ground, dragging the squirrel with him. He landed on all four paws, pinned the squirrel, and delivered the killing bite.

"Tall Pine," Fern Dapple exclaimed, dashing over as he took a step back, his chest heaving and his mind scrambling to catch up with what had just happened. She skidded to a stop beside him. "That was an incredible leap you took. What an amazing catch."

"Yeah," he panted, blinking several times. "Wow. I just did that."

"Yes, you did." She nudged his shoulder with hers. "Now, I can say nice job."

"Thank you. I'm so glad that I managed to catch it so that we have more prey to take back to camp."

"I never doubted that you would." Fern Dapple's blue eyes glittered more brilliantly than sunlight on rippling water as she gazed into his eyes. Her soft smile was contagious, so Tall Pine couldn't help but smile widely in return. She stood not more than whisker's length away, her scent wreathing around him like a clear mountain brook and warm sunshine. His heart leaped in his chest. The heartbeats stretched on for moons before her lightness faded, and she glanced away and then back at him, whiskers twitching. "Tall Pine, there is something that I—"

But the black and white tom didn't hear her. His posture became erect as the breeze picked up, a scent tickling his nose like a cruel trick. He grew as still as an alert rabbit, and his brow furrowed deeply. Is that what I think it is? He tasted the air again.

"Tall Pine?" Fern Dapple peered at him in concern. "Are you—"

The blue-eyed she-cat didn't get to finish her sentence as he wheeled around and took off as if a fox was after him. Blood roared in his ears as his legs ate up the ground. He pushed himself faster and faster; his anxiety was spurring him on. Fern Dapple called his name, but he didn't slow, even when her paw-steps pounded after him in pursuit. He was only focused on one thing, his swirling emotions like circling vultures taking over, almost consuming him. Please, stars, let it not be what I think it is.

Tall Pine skidded to a stop just in time, so he did not go tumbling off the side of a cliff. His fur puffed up, alarm pulsing through him. Great stars. As he caught his breath, he dared to peer over the side. The rocky outcrop, littered with crags and loose rubble, stretched down many tail-lengths below him to a babbling brook winding through the trees. But the alarm only flared higher inside him when he saw who was standing on the bank beside it. Spotted Owl and Sharp stood so close they could almost touch, murmured words too soft for him to hear over the burble of the brook as they gazed deep into each other's eyes.

Spotted Owl is with Sharp again, alone in the middle of the forest. And not just that, they're looking very friendly, quite close. What in the Clan of the Bright Stars is she thinking? Why would she spend time with Sharp and let her guard down after everything that he's done to her? I know Frosted Leaf said just last night that I should trust her, but I can't fathom why she would be doing this. He straightened up, squaring his shoulders. I have to talk to her when we get back to camp. I have to know why. I have to help her.

. . .

Tall Pine lay with his belly on the dusty earth, gnawing at the mouse at his paws. With the addition of his squirrel and two more pieces of prey caught by Quick Clouds and Willow Leaf, the patrol had had enough prey to make a sufficient, though meager, contribution to the prey pile. There had been plenty to feed the elders and Maple Sky and enough to go around, so he had claimed the mouse, but he hadn't missed the older cats' concerned looks around the prey pile. But despite his stomach's growling, he wasn't paying any attention to his food.

The young tom tore off another mouthful, not even tasting the tender meat as he chewed and swallowed, keeping one eye trained on the camp. He lay near the camp wall not far from the trainee's den, so he had an excellent view of what was happening around him. Outside the healer's den, Red Maple was examining Tumbling Stone, who was most likely complaining of aching joints again. Across the camp, Willow Leaf, Dawn Sky, and Waving Fern lay near the hunter and fighters' den, talking, as Sharp Wind and Raven Swoop padded over to join them. Sage Fur and Quick Clouds shared a piece of prey nearby, catching one of the last rays of sunlight as the sun set. Further away, Jagged Path and Dewy Grass had tucked themselves in a corner of the camp, their heads bent together, deep in conversation.

Tall Pine looked up as Fern Dapple padded across the camp, heading toward the prey pile. Almost as if she sensed the weight of his gaze, she paused and turned her gaze on him. Their eyes met for a heartbeat, hers unreadable before she looked away and kept moving. He frowned. Fern Dapple was quiet and distant for the entire way back to camp. It's so unlike her. I hope she's okay. I'll ask her about it sometime soon, he decided, returning to his search. Now, where could Spotted Owl be? I've checked most of the cave, even the healer's den, but she's not in any of them. Yellow Sky said that she saw her come back to camp a while ago and hasn't seen her leave again. His gaze strayed to the corner of the gorge where Falling Star sat on guard beside a narrow entrance to a cave. Sharp's in camp, so she's not with him. Where could she be?

Tall Pine huffed in frustration but returned to his mouse. I'll just have to wait and see. Twilight was falling like a thick gray mist as he finished his mouse when a flash of black and white fur caught his eye. He sat up, his ears pricking, as he saw Spotted Owl emerge from Mossy Moon's den. There she is.

The hunter trainee pushed himself to his paws and jogged across the camp toward his sister. She had paused and was looking back over her shoulder toward the chieftain's den. He halted a fox-length away. She hadn't heard him approach. His gaze flitted over her tightly knitted brow, her glazed-over gaze like a layer of ice over a pond, and pensive expression. He flicked his tail at her. "Spotted Owl."

Spotted Owl started, shaken out of her thoughts. She turned toward him, her ears pricking, smiling lopsidedly. "Oh, hey, Tall Pine. I didn't see you there."

"Hey, Spotted Owl." He stepped forward, touching noses with her in greeting. Stepping back, he jerked his head toward a more secluded corner of camp between the healer's den and the trainee's den. "May I speak with you?"

His sister's smile faded. Her gaze traveled over his face, scrutinizing it with a stiff, cautious air. "Okay."

Good. She might be willing to listen to what I have to say, Tall Pine thought, a hopeful bounce in his step as they padded side by side over to the shadow of the towering camp wall, out of earshot of any of their Clanmates for some privacy. Tall Pine took a deep breath as he took a seat, Spotted Owl facing him. I have to do this right. I don't want to make her angry or defensive; I just want her to hear my concerns and understand that I'm here for her. His ears twitched, the image of Sharp and Spotted Owl standing close together surfacing in his mind. No matter what is going on.

Tall Pine cleared his throat. "Spotted Owl, first of all, I need to say that you are my sister, and I love you. You are one of the most important cats in the world to me. No matter what happens, I will always be here for you."

A faint smile brushed her lips, but her eyes were sad. "Thank you. I love you too, Tall Pine."

He smiled briefly in return. "It is because I care for you that I asked you to talk with me. I know I've said this before, perhaps not in the best way, but I am really worried about you, Spotted Owl." Her posture stiffened. He swallowed, but he continued. "We both know how much Sharp and the Bands have done to our Clan. We both know how much he hurt you. There is no doubt in my mind that Sharp is here as a part of the Bands' revenge plan. I don't know what Mossy Moon is thinking, letting him stay with our Clan. He is just going to betray and harm us again." He leaned forward, staring deep into her eyes. "I don't want you to get hurt again."

Spotted Owl broke off their connection, shifting her paws, so she turned partially away, averting her eyes. Her tail tip flicked like a restless fly.

Mouse-dung. Why can't I get through to her? Tall Pine wondered. What is going on? I'm losing her. I need to say the rest, or I probably won't get the chance again. "Spotted Owl, please talk to me. I don't believe that you volunteered to guard Sharp. But I can't fathom why you would do that to yourself. Whatever is going on for you, whatever is happening, you can talk to me about it. I'm here. I want to help you."

"You can't help me." The words erupted from Spotted Owl's throat with the fury of a lion. She surged to her paws, the fur on her neck rising, tail lashing the air. Tall Pine sat back, his eyes widening. She rounded on him, her gaze as chilling and hard as the icy depths of the lake in the Time of Frozen Earth. "You can't help me. I don't need your help." Words flew from her mouth like pointed ice shards, flying every which way, finding their way into soft targets. "I need you to mind your own business if that is at all possible for you. You are such a nosy, know-it-all, stuck-up furball who thinks he can meddle in everyone's business under the guise that you care for them. You worry so much, you don't know how to do anything else, so you make something up when there is nothing for you to worry about. You love to play the hero and swoop in to save cats who don't need your help. I don't need your help. What is going on between Sharp and me is my business; keep your nose out of it."

Oh, my stars. What just happened? He blinked in utter shock. Could my fear…? His breath quickened, his ears pulling back. Oh, no. He blinked, realizing that his chance was slipping away as his sister began to walk away. In less than a heartbeat, he was on his paws, blocking her path. "I saw you with Sharp today."

Spotted Owl's eyes widened for a split-heartbeat before narrowing. She glared at him with such fury and contempt, the likes of which he had never seen before. He didn't recognize her. "I don't know what you think you saw, but you're wrong." She bared her teeth at him. "Never speak to me about this again."

Spotted Owl shoved past him, jostling his shoulder. Tall Pine turned to watch her stalk away, cold shock washing over him. Spotted Owl, what in the stars has happened to you?

Whoa, what an end to a chapter! Things between Tall Pine and Spotted Owl are sizzling and it does not bode well with the two of them. The tension is definitely rising! We'll just have to see how it plays out.

Reviews:

HarryPotterNerd (Guest) - Thank you so much! If you're reading this, it means you've read the entire book so far, so I hope you've enjoyed it.

Theoneandonlyloneypotato - Thank you very much! Yeah, I think that that chapter was a good balance of dialogue and action. I think I know what you're really hoping for now ;)

Fun Fact: Dawn Sky and Willow Leaf are sisters. They had another sister, Bright Feather, who died as a kit from sickness. Their father is Tumbling Stone and their mother was named Bird Wing. She was one of the elders who died from greencough last Time of Frozen Earth. Hawk's Cry, the siblings' grandfather, Quiet Sun's mate, and Tall Pine's Spirit Guardian, was the other.

- A Warrior At Heart