A/N: I know it's late, but happy Easter guys! It might not even be Easter anymore, but I'm putting this up on Easter so, it's Easter, okay?! Good. Anyways, here ya' go, hope you enjoy and as always, R&R!
Sun paced around in front of the opening to the cave, shaking her head nervously.
"You'll be fine, Sun," Ice said from where he was seated," You won't be alone this time, you'll be with us."
Sun stopped for a second, sighed, and continued pacing," It's not that I'm worried about. I haven't seen my family in years. What if Creamnose is dead? Or Foxfoot? Wh-what if Moonpaw is dead?"
Ice scowled slightly," I still can't believe you're still so worried about them, after what they did to you."
Sun whipped around, fixing Ice with a stern glare," They're my family, Ice. I can't help it."
Ice lowered his head, muttering.
Sun turned back around, her impatient gaze sweeping the cave for Branch and the rest of the patrol. After a few minutes, Fog and Dark emerged from the crowd, followed by Branch and Willow.
"There you are!" Sun exclaimed," Now, where's Honeyleaf?"
"Here," Honeyleaf said, walking up to the group.
Sun nodded at the smaller she-cat, before turning to face the rest of them," Is everyone ready?"
They all nodded, before Sun turned tail and walked out of the cave, leading the rest down the water-slick path. We're coming.
Moonclaw glanced outside of the den, it had been almost seven days since Fangstar had sent Honeyleaf, and she was worried for her former mentor. She sighed before turning around and poking Darkdawn with a claw.
"Huh? What?" He mumbled, sitting up, "Moonclaw?"
"Yeah," She said, "You want to go on a Hunting Patrol?"
Darkdawn nodded and stood up, stretching," Might as well, even if there's nothing, it'll be a good wake up call."
The pair padded out of the camp without even a morsel of food, and headed down alongside the now almost completely dry river. The dusty soil flew through the air, guided by a dry wind. They their noses close to ground, jaws slightly ajar to pick up any whiff of prey.
As they neared the once beautiful lake, a rustle of dry leaves being crumpled reached the ears of Moonclaw.
"Did you hear that?" she hissed, crouching closer to the ground.
Darkdawn said nothing, but nodded, joining Moonclaw near the ground.
Three cats emerged from the scarce undergrowth, so skinny to the point that you could count their ribs. A nearly black tom cat with a distinct ginger tail led, followed by a dark gold tabby she-cat with dark grey stripes, black paws, and black tail. Lastly came an obviously reluctant tom, with light cream fur and dark gold paws.
The young tom's dull amber eyes warily jolted around," I still say this is a bad idea…"
The she-cat huffed, irritated, and whipped around to face the young warrior," We've told you, smarty-paws, I don't like saying this, but if we don't get prey from here, our clanmates. Will. Die."
She said the last one slowly and forcefully, causing the tom to flatten his ear and stomp forward angrily.
"Fine," He growled," But when the patrol hiding in the bushes decides to come out, it's not my fault."
The older tom whipped around, looking alarmed, and cast his cerulean blue gaze across his surroundings.
Moonclaw glanced over at Darkdawn, and he nodded slowly, standing up. Moonclaw followed his lead, slowly rising and walking forward, out of the bush.
"I believe you're lost…"
The she-cat's eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape," W-we, um…"
The eldest tom padded forward, baring his tail across her, giving her a meaningful look. She stepped back, head bowed, to stand beside the young tom.
"Redsun," Moonclaw began, staring at him," I remember when you were a noble and honorable warrior."
Redsun's ears flattened against his head, ashamed of being scolded by a younger cat," You must understand, our cats are dying."
Darkdawn's nostrils flared," Excuse me?!"
His enraged cry rang through the area, causing the cats around him to flinch," Your cats are dying, while ours are already dead, and still dying!"
The she-cat dashed forward, hurrying to defend her clanmate," WE need the prey more than you, you fish-brains can live to spare at least one squirrel!"
Moonclaw dug her claws into the ground, holding back a growl and forcing her fur to lie flat," One squirrel now is like one pheasant during a normal leaf-bare!"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" roared the cream tom, glaring at his clanmates," Duskblaze, Redsun, I told you this was a bad idea! Moonclaw's right, imagine if Thunderclan came crawling to us asking for food!"
The two Shadowclan cats bowed their heads, ears flat against their heads once more.
"But, Soulheart,"Duskblaze began to whine, though she was quickly cut off by said tom.
"No buts," he snapped," Come on."
He disappeared into the foliage again, followed by a discouraged Redsun.
Duskblaze cast a glance at the two," I've never seen him this angry before, and I'm his littermate."
She sighed before continuing," Guess we're all coming to our wit's ends."
Duskblaze quickly bounded away, following after her littermate and clanmate, leaving a speechless Moonclaw behind.
