Chapter 35: Spotted Owl
Excitement trilled inside Spotted Owl like a sparrow, making it difficult for her to stop herself from jumping up and down or from smiling like a mad fox. I am not even a fighter, yet I am already leading my first patrol. And not just any ordinary border patrol, a battle patrol. I mean, we are going to stop the Bands' plan and...whatever they're doing with the Star Falls, so it is a critical mission, but still, Mossy Moon trusted me with it.
She recalled the surprise jolted through her like a lightning bolt when Mossy Moon, in the midst of the crowd of cats she had summoned for the battle patrol, most of them skilled and strong fighters, but all much more experienced, had turned to the fighter trainee. "...and Spotted Owl, who was responsible for uncovering the Bands' plan, shall lead the patrol," the chieftain had announced.
Spotted Owl had sucked in a breath amid ripples of shock and confusion, but also amazement and respect through the throng. "Me?" She had squeaked, much more childishly than she would've liked. She'd cleared her throat. "You want me to lead the patrol?"
Mossy Moon had nodded. "Yes. Can you do it?"
Spotted Owl had bowed her head. "Of course. I will make sure we catch the Band cats and put an end to their plan," she vowed despite the excitement that had begun to course through her veins. Mossy Moon has entrusted me with this solemn responsibility. I'm leading the battle patrol. Lost in her memories, the dappled she-cat let out a little mrrow of enthusiasm. Snapping back to the present, she quickly looked around, her ears burning, praying no one had heard her. She strode at the head of the patrol, Yellow Sky close by with Cloudy Water a step behind and the other Clan of the Morning Sun cats streaming out behind them. But from their expressions, set with intense focus, it looked as though they hadn't heard. At least, she hoped.
Okay, Spotted Owl told herself. It's time to be serious. She focused her attention back on the dark terrain ahead, still shrouded in deep shadow though the sky was beginning to brighten behind the solid gray shape of the Dawn Mountain plastered against the sky behind them. Billowing clouds blotted out the sky ahead, and paired with the frosty breeze, it felt as though it was about to snow. I hope it doesn't start before we find the Bands cats. It'll be impossible to find their scents and track them.
Speaking of finding scents, I should be looking right now. The young she-cat lifted her muzzle, letting the scents of the forest wash over her tongue. When she could smell nothing save for dried leaves and frost, she put her nose to the ground, investigating a frond of brittle bracken before moving on to a low-hanging branch. Frustratingly, she could detect nothing but bark and stale leaves.
The Clan of the Morning Sun cats had been searching for the Band cats' scents ever since they'd left their camp. They knew where they should be headed—to the Star Falls—but they had to find the scents to be sure, and it was imperative to find them to stop them before they accomplished their plot. So, this complete lack either means they're very good at hiding their scents, we got here before them, or my intel is completely wrong. Worry twisted like a worm in Spotted Owl's stomach. I sure hope it's not the latter.
"Hey." Yellow Sky's hiss startled Spotted Owl of her thoughts. The senior fighter stood a few tail-lengths away, her smokey-gray pelt making it hard to tell where her pelt ended and where the shadows began. She tossed her head toward something behind her, careful to keep her voice low. "Dewy Grass found something."
Is it the scents? Hope sparked in Spotted Owl's chest as she hurried after Yellow Sky. Dewy Grass crouched beneath a hemlock tree, the low-growing branches nearly obscuring her from view. Cloudy Water, Dappled Fur, and Smoke Pelt stood beside the tree as Rabbit Nose, and Blossom Dust hurried over.
"What did you find?" Spotted Owl asked, poking her head under a branch.
"I think I found them," Dewy Grass said awkwardly, her haunches facing the dappled she-cat, unable to turn her head in such tight conditions.
Spiky needles scraped Spotted Owl's back as she scooted beneath the tree. Crawling up beside Dewy Grass, she poked her nose where the fighter was pointing. At first, all she could smell was frost and hemlock, but gradually, she detected something besides that, a smell like morning sunlight and evergreens, strangely akin to the Clan of the Morning Sun's scent. That's odd. What would one of our Clanmates be doing here? But then she found something more earthy, like soil and stale air that could only be found in caverns. What is the Clan of the Dark Caves' scent doing here, with my Clans' scent? Only then did it dawn on her as her nose sifted to something beneath that; the distinct aroma of several cats disguised by the pungent Clan scent. Oh, my stars. The Band cats must've rolled in both of our Clans' scent markers to help them pass undetected through the Valley. This must be how their patrol left scents in our territories when they came to the Valley the first time.
A chill ran through Spotted Owl as she smelled one scent in particular. It was a scent like embers and birch bark, all too familiar now, so she couldn't believe that she'd missed it at first. Sharp is with them. But of course, he is; he's one of them. But still, it means I'll have to face him soon. The scent is fresh. We aren't far away.
With a deep breath, the black and white she-cat hauled herself out from under the tree. Dewy Grass emerged behind her as she took a deep breath and addressed the battle patrol. "Dewy Grass did, in fact, find the Band patrol's scents. They have disguised their scents by rolling in the scent markers of our Clan and the Clan of the Dark Caves scent. As we continue, watch out for a blend of the two and keep your guard up. The scent is fresh, so we're getting close."
The Clan of the Morning Sun cats nodded before they kept moving with Spotted Owl in the lead, trying to hide her burst of pride. They located the Band cats' scent several more times as they journeyed deeper into the Clan of the Dark Caves' territory, crossing the border a short while before. The shadows grew longer, and the sky grew brighter as they traveled, though the Clan of the Dark Caves' forest was every bit as spooky and ominous as she remembered.
There! Spotted Owl thought as she located another snippet of the scents, where one of the cats must've brushed up against the trunk of a gnarled oak tree. It's very fresh, not too old. We can't be far behind them now. Careful not to speak aloud, she signaled her Clanmates, so they all remained silent and dropped into crouches as they stalked their prey.
Spotted Owl knew it was Sharp long before she saw him. Once her nose had untangled his scent from the mess of others, it locked on to it. She detected the blend of birch and embers on a crumpled oak leaf discarded haphazardly on the forest floor, on a twig bending and waving in the breeze. When she scented it on the wind, she knew they were close and halted.
Yellow Sky halted beside her, her eyes narrowed as her nose twitched. "Sharp's scent is the freshest. He can't be more than a dozen tail-lengths ahead of us. But the other scents are staler, so they must be further away."
Just behind them, Cloudy Water titled his head. "We have to stop all of them, but if we capture Sharp first, we'll risk alerting the other. However, if we go after the rest of the patrol first, we risk letting him go free or having him discovering us. But I think that's our best option.
Rabbit Nose frowned. "I think it would be wiser to go after Sharp first."
"I don't care what we do, as long as we get those fox-hearts." Dewy Grass flexed her claws.
"I agree with Rabbit Nose." Yellow Sky glanced at Spotted Owl. "But what do you think, patrol leader?"
Spotted Owl gulped as she surveyed the expectant faces of her Clanmates. They are asking me to make the final decision as leader of the patrol. I have to make the right one. She frowned as she glanced over her shoulder toward Sharp. Her heartbeat quickened as she imagined him, his flame-colored pelt flashing in a beam of sunlight as he padded along, his green eyes downcast, ears probably pulled back. A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it, pushing aside the fear and anger that had bubbled up. I can't let my emotions get the best of me right now. They're trusting me to make a rational decision. Well, I guess… She hesitated, feeling the responsibility rest heavily on her shoulders. So, we don't know where the rest of the Bands cats are precisely right now, but we do know where Sharp is. And though we do need to find them as soon as possible, we can't just let him go.
"Okay," Spotted Owl turned back to the Clan of the Morning Sun cats, her decision ringing clear as birdsong in the morning in her mind. "Here's what we're going to do."
The cats listened attentively as the fighter trainee explained her plan. After she finished, they nodded their agreement and slipped back into the undergrowth. As they drew closer, Spotted Owl directed groups led by Yellow Sky and Cloudy Water to the left and right while the remaining cats stayed with her. A few more paw-steps and Spotted dropped into a crouch, her nose tingling with the scent of embers and birch bark. Ahead of her, a flame-colored pelt appeared between the trees.
Spotted Owl sunk lower as her stomach began to churn like rough water, and her chest tightened. She felt cold and hard all over as if ice was slowly encasing her. There's Sharp. As the world seemed to tilt, she sank her claws into the ground to steady herself. Although it felt as though moons had passed since then, she had discovered his treachery only that night before, and this her first time seeing him since. I don't know if I can face him after everything that's happened—
The light crunch of paw-steps on leaves sounded in her ear before she saw Rabbit Nose out of the corner of her eye. He touched his tail to her shoulder as his warm gaze steadying her. "It's okay. You don't have to do this," he mouthed.
Spotted Owl hesitated for a heartbeat. Then, with a nod, she stepped back, letting him take her place. She watched as Rabbit Nose waited a moment, following his gaze as he studied their target. Sharp was still close by, not appearing to be in a hurry to go anywhere. In fact, he trudged along with ears pulled back, dragging his paws with each step. After a heartbeat, Rabbit Nose straightened up, flicking his tail before he, Dappled Fur, and Smoke Pelt charged out into the open.
Sharp's ears pricked at the sound of pounding footsteps. He whirled around, his eyes wide as he saw them charging toward him before he fled as if a pack of dogs was after him in the opposite direction, right into their trap. He had barely gone a dozen tail-lengths when Cloudy Water, Waving Fern, and Blossom Dust leaped out of the undergrowth, blocking his path. He swerved to the left only for Yellow Sky, Dewy Grass, and Passing Storm to drop out of a cedar tree, boxing him in. Sharp wheeled back in Spotted Owl's direction, his pelt bristling and eyes filled wild as the Clan cats closed in.
"Surprise, fox-heart," Dewy Grass sneered, her lips curled in a snarl.
"Give up, Sharp," Yellow Sky ordered, eyeing his unsheathed claws. "The game is over. We uncovered your plot, and now we have you surrounded."
Sharp shook his head and shut his eyes as he sighed. He began to pace back and forth, muttering something Spotted Owl couldn't hear.
"What?" Dappled Fur took a step forward. Evidently, the others couldn't understand him either.
"...no!" Sharp burst out, swinging around. "No, no, no. I can't- I have to-"
"You're not making any sense." Blossom Dust furrowed her brow. "You need to calm down."
"No!" Sharp shouted, making all of the cats flinch. Spotted Owl caught sight of his eyes, wide and round and overflowing with fear. His movements were erratic, making the Clan of the Morning Sun cats jumpy, and his words weren't making any sense. He's afraid. Genuinely afraid. The fur on the young she-cat's neck began to rise. Something's not right here.
"Stop this—whatever you're doing—right now," Dewy Grass growled. She pulled her ears back as she slid her claws out.
"Wait!" Before she could stop herself, the flew out of her mouth like a startled bird taking flight. Before she could realize what she was doing, Spotted Owl had stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight. All heads turned toward her.
Sharp's mouth dropped open, his expression too shocked to be fearful. "Spotted Owl?"
Spotted Owl skidded to a halt two tail-lengths behind her Clanmates, her gaze transfixed on Sharp. Her heart clenched in her chest. Her mind urged her to flee, but her paws were rooted to the ground, legs as stiff as trunks. What in the stars am I doing? I was beginning to trust Sharp again. I leaned on him for support. But he lied, tricked me, and betrayed us to the Bands. Why do I feel like I should—
"Spotted Owl." Sharp's desperate cry sliced through her thoughts like a claw. "I can't do this. I can't be here. You have to let me go. If you don't, the Bands will-"
The dappled she-cat frowned. "What are you babbling on about?"
"I can't be here," Sharp repeated. He started forward, but Rabbit Nose blocked his path. Spotted Owl flinched. "You have to let me go, or my father will— Please, you understand, right?" He stared over the fighter's shoulder, his gaze begging.
Spotted Owl recoiled, disgust and anger churning inside her. "No, I don't."
"Sharp-" Yellow Sky started as Spotted Owl turned away.
"No—" The ginger tabby tom protested.
"Sharp, calm down," Yellow Sky tried again.
"Spotted Owl," Sharp yelled. "They threatened her. My father. I had to do it. Please."
Spotted Owl stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening like the brightening sky as everything fell into place. Oh, my stars. I was wondering why Sharp looked scared. I thought it might be because of us, but he looked frightened before he knew we were there. But it's not us; it's them. Her mind flew back sunrise after sunrise, recalling the skirmish against the Clan of the Flowing Waters where she'd first noticed his scars and how Sharp had reacted a few sunrises later when she'd asked him about them. To where he said he understood after she told him about her nightmares. It's not just the Bands; it's Thunderclap. He's commanding and ruthless, and he hurts Sharp. His own son. That's where he got the scars. That's why he understands my nightmares and why he reacted that way when I asked him. That's why he looks so terrified now. Sharp also just said, "they threatened her." Her mind flashed back even farther, to where she was standing on a tree branch in the Land of Shadowed Stars, watching Sharp laugh with a gray she-cat.
Oh, my stars. Spotted Owl's jaw fell open. What if "her" is his sister, Sage? Once it got going, her mind was like a boulder rolling down a hill—it couldn't stop. What if Sharp didn't betray me at all—or mean to betray me? What if he actually came here looking for asylum? Sharp certainly seemed genuine when he talked about it. What if Thunderclap found him and threatened his sister to force him into helping the Bands with their plan?
Spotted Owl spun around, her whirlwind thoughts finally settling. She strode back toward her Clanmates, her gaze focused on Sharp and him alone. "What are you-" Yellow Sky tried to ask, but she held up her tail, interrupting her instructor. "Sharp, is Thunderclap holding Sage prisoner?"
Shocked and indignant gasps came from the Clan of the Morning Sun cats around her, but Spotted Owl ignored them. Her eyes didn't leave the green-eyed tom as he ducked his head and nodded.
"You actually did come here for asylum, didn't you?" The black and white she-cat kept going. "You didn't want to help Thunderclap, but he's using his sister as leverage against you, right?"
Once more, Sharp nodded. The Clan cats had hushed now, listening as silent as owls as he continued, his voice soft and sad. "Two moons ago, I finally worked up the nerve to do what I have secretly wanted to do for seasons, but I never dared to. After sunrises of waiting and planning, one night, I took Sage and left the Bands. We wandered around for a while, not knowing where to go and not feeling safe anywhere, but eventually, I realized that there was only one place we could ever hope to be safe. The Clans. Unfortunately, Sage and I got separated before we could make it." He released a shaky breath but pushed on. "I searched and searched for her, but I couldn't find her, so I continued to the Clans, hoping she'd found her way here. That's why I was always asking if you'd found any other rogues on your territory. But then, about half a moon ago, Thunderclap jumped me while we were hunting. He—he told me that he had Sage, showing me a tuft of her fur as proof, and threatened to kill her unless I helped him. I didn't want to—" he sobbed. "—but it was the only way I could protect my sister. I'm so sorry."
Spotted Owl took a step back, her legs unsteady as if a wave had crashed over her. Oh my stars, I was right. Her frenzied thoughts gave way to a deep sense of calm and relief as she released a slow exhale. I was right to trust him. Sharp has changed. He's a good cat who's being manipulated by evil ones. This must be what Bramble Foot meant—everything isn't always as it seems. The most straightforward answer for us was that Sharp was still bad, plain and simple, but it's a lot more complicated than that. Sorrow and empathy for what he had been through made her heart clench, but it fueled the flames of her anger. Sharp's been through so much because of Thunderclap. We have to stop him.
Spotted Owl's attention snapped back to Sharp, eyes brightening as an idea popped into her heart. She took a step forward, lifting her tail. "Sharp, will you help us fight the Bands?"
"What?" Sharp and several of her Clanmates all said at the same time.
"Why in the ancestors' name would we want this crow-food-eating fox-heart to help us fight other Band cats?" Dewy Grass hissed. "He murdered one of our Clanmates, in case you have forgotten."
"He's done nothing but tell us lies in the past." Waving Fern narrowed her eyes. "How can we know if he's telling the truth now?"
"Why should we trust him?" Smoke Pelt's ears were pinned back, his voice cold and gravelly.
With a sigh, Spotted Owl lifted her head to scan her Clanmates' faces. Her heart sank, and frustration flared as she saw hate, hostility, distrust, and skepticism echoed across their expression. We have to get moving. We don't have time for this. Yellow Sky's expression was hard, and her eyes were unreadable. Even Blossom Dust looked skeptical. Rabbit Nose stared at her, his expression carefully neutral, but he nodded once. Spotted Owl took a deep breath. "I know what Sharp has done to us better than anyone, and I understand why you all don't trust him. But you trust me. I am telling you that Sharp isn't lying. And if we want to stop the Band patrol, first, we cannot waste any more time discussing this, and second, we need his help."
The fighter trainee squared her shoulders, fixing her Clanmates with a firm glare until each of them affirmed their agreement. Thank the stars, she sighed internally but tried to give no indication of her relief exteriorly. With that settled, she turned to Sharp, padding close to him and motioning for her Clanmates to step aside. The ginger tom didn't look up as she approached; his head was ducked as he stared at his trembling paws.
"Sharp?" Spotted Owl tried to meet his gaze. When he didn't answer, she continued anyway, her tone as soft and gentle as the brush of a feather. "I am so sorry for what you've been through. I understand now why you did what you did, and it's okay. You did not have a choice. You had to protect your sister."
Sharp glanced up, his expression as timid as a mouse.
"But you don't have to do this any longer." Spotted Owl moved closer, so she stood barely a tail-length away, staring deep into his eyes. "My Clan can protect you and your sister. But we need your help first."
The green-eyed tom's eyes widened for a split-heartbeat before he shook his head. "No, you can't protect us. Thunderclap will always find us. He will always win."
Spotted Owl's stomach flip-flopped, but she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "Yes, we can. With your help, we will find Thunderclap, stop the plan, and drive the Bands out of our home tonight. We can rescue Sage, and Mossy Moon can give you both asylum in our Clan." She felt a few of her Clanmates shift uncomfortably at the huge promises she was making, some of which weren't hers to make, but she plowed on anyway. "You will have an entire Clan of cats between you and the Bands, and we will stop Thunderclap if he ever tries to come back for you."
"He will." Sharp's gaze was hard with certainty. "If you do this, Thunderclap will come back, and he will hurt you all if you try to protect us. I can't ask you all to put your lives on the line."
"You're not asking. I'm offering. The Clans are strong, united, and have our ancestors on our side. We've beaten the Bands twice before. We'll do it again." Spotted Owl lifted her chin, imbuing her words and her square-shouldered stance with a confidence that did not reach all the way inside. She ignored the fear twisting in her stomach and the deep-seated sentiment that she was lying.
Sparks of hope began to shine in Sharp's eyes, but his expression was still tentative as he asked, "but how will we get Sage? Thunderclap has her under heavy guard in the middle of the patrol. He'll have her killed before we can even unsheath our claws."
Spotted Owl thought for a heartbeat. "I have a plan. Will you help?"
After a heartbeat of hesitation, Sharp nodded. "Yes, I will."
"Do you trust me?"
This time, he didn't hesitate. "I do."
. . .
"I can't believe we're trusting that fox-heart," Passing Storm muttered.
What? Spotted Owl's ears pricked. She turned her head, tearing her attention away, though all of her senses screamed at her not to. Passing Storm crouched nearby, on Yellow Sky's other side. Now is not the time to be voicing disagreements, she thought irritably. We have to focus on the mission.
"Passing Storm, hush," she hissed. The dark gray tom's eyes widened as if he was embarrassed to be caught, but Spotted Owl didn't miss the dark look that passed between Cloudy Water and Smoke Pelt, who stood a few tail-lengths to her left.
Although they haven't said anything, I can tell most of my Clanmates agree with Passing Storm, Spotted Owl thought, her heart sinking as she turned her attention back to the mission. She crouched next to Yellow Sky and Passing Storm behind a fallen log for cover. The other patrol members clustered in small groups as well, fanning out in a half circle on either side of her. They don't like this plan. They don't think it'll work. The only way I could get Yellow Sky to go along with it was if I agreed that we would attack at the first sign of trouble, no matter if Sharp is in position or not. She sighed inwardly. They don't trust him.
The young she-cat paused her thoughts as she spotted a ginger form emerging from the trees. There he goes. She held her breath as Sharp strode into the open, his step purposeful and strong, though she could see the hesitance in the telltale twitch of his tail. Please, Clan of the Bright Stars, let my Clanmates be wrong. Let me be right for trusting Sharp. We are risking everything by doing this, trusting him. My Clanmates are trusting me. Don't let me be wrong.
The Clan of the Morning Sun cats watched with bated breath as Sharp drew closer to a knot of shapes in the shadows of the early morning. A cloud shifted, and sunlight broke through, illuminating a frost-bitten glade of grass and a cluster of cats against the backdrop of a looming black abyss. The group rippled to allow a huge ginger tabby tom to emerge. Spotted Owl's blood froze at the same time as Sharp stopped in his tracks. Thunderclap.
"Sharp," Thunderclap drawled, his voice ringing out. "There you are. I was concerned when you disappeared for a little while. You're holding us up. The plan is in motion, and we are about to start the most important part. I certainly hope nothing has gone wrong, for your sister's sake."
Sharp ducked his head and murmured something in reply as Spotted Owl felt her blood boil. She leaned forward, trying to make out more of their conversation, but being over a tree-length away, with them speaking at normal volume, she couldn't make out anything. Frustrated, she tried to read their body language, but Sharp's bent head and Thunderclap's forceful stance gave nothing out of the ordinary away. Oh, stars, what if I was wrong? What if Sharp is standing there, right now with all of us watching, telling Thunderclap everything that happened? We will lose our advantage and possibly this battle. My Clanmates will be furious, and rightly so. What was I thinking?
After a heartbeat, Thunderclap and Sharp seemed to finish whatever they were discussing. Spotted Owl blinked as Thunderclap turned back to the patrol, and Sharp slipped among the cats. Okay, so maybe I wasn't wrong. She tried to calm her breathing. Now, if everything went right, we just have to wait until the signal.
A shrill shriek went up from among the Band cats, making several of them jump and a few birds take flight from the trees. Spotted Owl's fur stood on end. What in the stars? She blinked. Oh, that must be Sharp. What a fur-brain. I told him to cause a distraction when he was ready, not scream like a kit that's afraid of the dark. Oh, mouse-dung. That was the signal.
A growl rumbled in Spotted Owl's throat as deep as thunder as she sprang to her paws and leaped out of her hiding place. The forest around her exploded with flashing claws and blazing eyes as the Clan of the Morning Sun cats followed her, racing toward their enemies. The Band cats reeled around, widened eyes quickly narrowing to slits as they dropped into crouches. There was a brief heartbeat of silence as Spotted Owl and her Clanmates hurtled toward them, then the two groups clashed, and chaos broke loose.
Spotted Owl ducked swipes and returned blows, weaving through the battle as if she was racing through the forest. To her left, Waving Fern launched herself at a gray tabby she-cat with a fierce yowl. Rabbit Nose wrestled with a familiar reddish-brown tom nearby, blood staining both of their brown coats a deep scarlet. A strike came out of nowhere, catching the young she-cat by surprise and clawing her ears. Spotted Owl whirled around, retaliating with a blow to the shoulder that made her opponent stumble before she even saw who it was. A white she-cat with gray patches was steadying herself, the long cut in her ear flashing in the sunlight as she did so.
Icicle. Recognition sparked in Spotted Owl's mind, bringing with it a wave of old disgust. She eyed the wound to the Band she-cat's ear. Thunderclap did that to her and all of the patrol members after they failed to start the war between our Clans. He's a horrible cat. And yet she's still here, fighting for him?
Spotted Owl jolted out of her thoughts as Icicle lunged at her, then ducked and rolled to the side. She leaped to her paws and seized the opening in the gray and white she-cat's defenses to land a blow on her flank. Icicle swung around, swatting at her ears, but she ducked again and struck out, narrowly missing the enemy cat's chest. Icicle dodged, slipping to the side and landing a blow on Spotted Owl's shoulder. The young she-cat stumbled with a hiss of pain, feeling the blood begin to ooze out of the claw marks across the long scar on her bad shoulder. Her breath began to quicken as unwanted memories sprouted up, but she pushed them down, wrestling back control.
The dappled she-cat dropped to the ground and rolled to the side as Icicle leaped at her, careful to protect her tender injury. She pushed herself to her paws, a tail-length from where Icicle crashed down, eyes wide, as she struck out again, this time making contact with the she-cat's forelegs, sending her sprawling. With a few more blows, Spotted Owl finished the Band cat off.
Icicle saw my old injury as a weakness she could exploit, Spotted Owl thought with satisfaction as she watched the gray and white she-cat vanish into the fray. While my leg will never be the same as before, I am stronger because of my injury, not weaker. I just bested a high-ranking Band cat.
A high-pitched screech made Spotted Owl's fur stand on end. She whipped around, her gaze darting about until it landed on flashes of a golden-brown patched pelt struggling against a midnight-black she-cat. It's Blossom Dust. She's fighting one of Thunderclap's vicious Captains. Alarm shot through Spotted Owl, fueling her paws as she dashed across the clearing. As the Band Captain raised her foot to strike the fighter trainee, Spotted Owl rammed head-first into her side, catching her by surprise and bowling her over. Blossom Dust seized those few heartbeats to recover before delivering a few harsh blows that sent the she-cat running.
"Blossom Dust," Spotted Owl exclaimed as she leaped to her paws. She rushed to her sister's side as the small she-cat wobbled, her flanks heaving.
"I'm okay," Blossom Dust said from between ragged breaths.
"Are you sure?" Only half-believing, Spotted Owl anxiously nosed her all over but was relieved to find only a few shallow scratches.
"I'm okay, really," Blossom Dust insisted. "It just took a lot out of me. Those Band cats are fierce. Thanks for the help."
Warmth coalesced in Spotted Owl's chest. "Of course." She gazed deep into her sister's eyes. "I'll always have your back."
Blossom Dust smiled. "I know—" She cut herself off as she suddenly went stiff, staring at something over Spotted Owl's shoulder.
The young she-cat frowned as she turned. "What's—" Then she went stiff all over as well. Not too fox-lengths away, a massive ginger tom was battling Passing Storm—or beating was a better word. With a powerful swipe, he sent the hunter sprawling, blood welling on several fresh scratches. Powerful muscles rippled as the enormous tom turned, his mouth half-open with a barely exerted pant, revealing bloodstained teeth. His eyes, as cold and hard as river pebbles, met Spotted Owl's, making her feel as though ice had encased her entire body.
Oh, stars. No. Oh, stars, no. Spotted Owl's heartbeat increased, her breath becoming ragged as unwanted and unbidden memories careened through her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut, devoting all of her strength and awareness to pushing them away, shutting them down, saying no, like she had been able to almost every time before. But this time was different. Thunderclap, the source of all of her hurt and pain and trauma, stood not even two fox-lengths away.
The ground was death-cold beneath her paws. She pressed her belly to the earth, trying to make herself small— Spotted Owl's entire body trembled like a leaf in a torrential stream as she let out a whimper. No, she told herself. No. But still, a long shadow fell over her. A deep voice thundered, echoing in the cave—
"No," Spotted Owl moaned. I'm not in the cave; I'm in the forest, in the Valley of Hidden Stars, with my Clanmates. I'm not in danger, I'm— But that wasn't true. She wasn't safe. And as she sank her claws into the ground to steady herself, she felt not frozen soil but cold stone. The memories crashed over her like a waterfall. The voice rang in her ears as heavy paw-steps advanced toward her, demanding answers. Scratches burned across her shoulder as if hot coals had been kicked into her fur. Her legs buckled. She fell to the ground, curling up in a ball. In the corner of her eye, she saw long, curved claws glinting in the half-light. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Then the pain came.
"No!" Spotted Owl burst out. Above her, narrowed green eyes blazed. She blinked, staring up into the same green eyes. Thunderclap towered above her, his long claws from one mighty paw shining in the morning light. All at once, her dreams and reality tore to shreds and melded into one another until she could no longer tell which was which. Her chest collapsed in on itself like a rotting tree. Tears came from nowhere, obscuring her vision and shaking her body though she was numb to it. She couldn't breathe, couldn't move, couldn't think. She could duck her head, steel herself, and wait for what was to come.
I'm going to die here. It has finally caught up with me. All the nightmares, suppressed memories have become a reality. It's too much. I'm too broken. And I'm going to die…
No. Out of nowhere, the single word pierced her mind like a claw, slicing through the fog of terror, confusion, and doubt. With it came a tiny sprout of warm strength, frailer than early Time of Thawing Earth shoots, but Spotted Owl clung to it all the same. No. She said again, repeating it over and over to herself. With each one, she felt stronger. No, I refuse to let this happen to me. I have lived with these traumatic memories and nightmares of my interrogation by Thunderclap for moons now. I have pushed them down, locked them away, told my friends and family that I'm fine. She drew in a deep breath of cold air, but despite its bitterness, it felt like breaking the surface after nearly drowning.
But I'm not fine. With that statement, the tightness in her chest eased. I have to stop lying to myself. I'm not fine. I went through a traumatic experience, and it scarred me, both inside and out. My leg might be better, but I'm not healed. The only way I'm going to get better is if I stop hiding these memories and face them head-on.
Spotted Owl shifted her body, highly aware of each limb as she moved into a more comfortable position. Keeping her eyes squeezed shut, she did what she had been fighting not to do for moons. She let go.
The memories washed over her. She was transported back to the cold cave, with the roaring voice, the sharp claws, the green eyes that all belonged to Thunderclap as he hurt her for refusing to give up any information. She felt her body tremble, and tears spill down her cheeks. But the voice was a little quieter, the eyes a little softer, the stone a little warmer. Yes, she thought as she took in a gasping breath. That's it. The fear lessened, little by little, still there, but better. Something horrible happened to me. That experience is a part of me. But the memories do not make me who I am. The fear does not control me any longer. I am not broken. I am strong.
Spotted Owl's eyes snapped open as she realized that Thunderclap's blow had never come. Looking around, she started when she saw that he was now several tail-lengths away, blood streaming down his heaving flanks as Yellow Sky and Blossom Dust worked as a team to drive him back. A familiar scent wreathed around her nose, and she turned her head to see Rabbit Nose crouched beside her, his tail resting on her back. His eyes were round and dark, an equally haunted reflection of what she imagined hers looked like but concerned nonetheless.
She gave him a nod in response to his unasked question. "I will be." For once, she believed it was true.
A fierce growl followed by a familiar yelp made Spotted Owl's ears prick up. She swung around to see that Sharp was cornered by two bristling Band cats. He stood with his back arched, haunches pressed up against the rocky rise a short ways from the cave as he half-shielded a thin gray tabby she-cat. Sharp and Sage are in trouble. Alarm pulsed through the black and white she-cat. Darting out from Rabbit Nose's safe embrace, she raced across the glade, fury brewing like a thunderstorm inside her. Sharp and his sister have been through enough. I won't let the Bands hurt them anymore.
"Loyal Band soldiers." A booming call echoed through the trees. "To me."
What in the stars? Spotted Owl skidded to a halt, watching open-mouthed as the two Band cats that had been advancing toward Sharp and Sage halted abruptly, hesitating for a heartbeat, before turning and fleeing past her. What are they doing? She gaped at them for another heartbeat before shaking herself. With a swift glance at where Sharp was comforting his sister, she turned and gave chase.
Across the battlefield, the Band cats were picking themselves up off the ground or disentangling themselves from their opponents, leaving the Clan of the Morning Sun cats staring after them with confusion matching to Spotted Owl's. They streamed through the trees toward where a massive ginger tom stood on a fallen log—the same one Spotted Owl had been hiding behind a short while before. The morning sun broke between two branches, turning the tom's scarlet-streaked pelt into a raging fire. The same fire seemed to burn in his gaze as he swept the glade, alighting for a split-heartbeat on Spotted Owl. The young she-cat froze, forgetting how to breathe for a heartbeat under Thunderclap's intense glare. Then he turned with a swish of his tail and vanished into the shadows of the trees at the head of his patrol.
For heartbeats that felt like entire moons, the Clan of the Morning Sun stood in shocked silence. The dawn turned to morning, the golden sunbeams softening the ground and the breeze. A lone bird twittered in the whispering branches.
"My stars," Waving Fern breathed, breaking the stillness. Her eyes were wide with astonishment. "Those fox-hearted cowards finally got what they deserved."
"We did it," Passing Storm crowed, beaming despite his rather severe injuries. "We won." Dappled Fur joined him as he cheered.
Nearby, Spotted Owl overheard Cloudy Water murmuring a thankful prayer to their ancestors. Once he finished, the senior fighter gave a nod. "We did well today. Our Clan is safe. Mossy Moon will be pleased."
Yellow Sky let out a low chuckle, making Spotted Owl turn to see that the smoky-gray she-cat had come up next to her without her noticing. "We still have to make sure that they leave the Valley, but yes, it appears as though we sent them running. I'll admit, it felt good to sink my claws into Thunderclap's fur." She glanced at her trainee. "You okay?"
Spotted Owl nodded in response as a smile crept across her face. We did it. My plan worked. Everything I have sacrificed and worked for in the past moon has paid off. We foiled the plan and defeated the Bands. Our Clan—all of the Clans and our home—is safe. A brilliant joy like a blazing star spread throughout her, though it was tempered by her aching scratches and exhausted muscles. What's more— She found herself smiling even wider as she glanced over her shoulder. —I finally know the truth about Sharp. I can trust him. Everything that has happened between us, everything that we have, is true.
"Spotted Owl," a quiet voice said from beside her.
The young she-cat turned, her brow furrowed as she saw Blossom Dust standing beside her with a frown on her face and a swishing tail. "Is everything okay? Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine," the small she-cat said quickly. "But—" she hesitated, her ears pulling back. "—I'm not sure if everything's okay. I have a strong feeling that something isn't right here. This…this feels too easy. We need to go after them and make sure—"
"Of course, we're going to go after them," Spotted Owl interrupted. "We need to make sure they leave the valley. But don't worry." She gave her sister a reassuring smile. "We stopped the Bands. We won. Everything's going to be okay."
"Yes, of course." Blossom Dust nodded quickly, her ears twitching.
Everything's going to be okay now, Spotted Owl assured herself as she lifted her head to bask in the warmth of the sunlight before they moved on to the next task at paw. Right?
Wow, it has been a long time again since I last posted. But this time I wasn't struggling with writer's block—I was writing a very loooong chapter. So, here it is, the second part of the climax! I hope you enjoyed reading it! What do you think? It took me forever to write it, especially Spotted Owl's internal struggle and all of the twists, but I'm very happy with the final product. I am also happy with how I wrapped up the little character arcs for Spotted Owl with her struggles with her injury and her trauma. Writing this books as a whole, but especially this chapter, made me realize how many larger messages I put into my writing by accident that make my stories much more than just fantasy cats fighting each other. I hope you all have taken something away like this, and maybe even had Spotted Owl's struggle and triumph help you. I am also very pleased to now say that Sharp is, in fact, "good" now, and he and Spotted Owl will be together in the Clan of the Morning Sun. I have been waiting for so long to reveal this twist, and I am so glad you all know now! As for where their journey goes from here, we'll have to wait and see. After this, there are only a few more conclusion chapters left to wrap up the story, but there are a few more surprises in store, so sta tuned!
Reviews:
Nightshadow - Thank you so much!
Theoneandonlylonelypotato - Thank you! I'm glad you liked it!
Fun Fact: Blossom Dust got her strong intuition from her grandmother, Quiet Sun.
- A Warrior At Heart