Chapter 42

Hello friends! Please don't murder me for being absent! I was (and still am till Monday) on vacation! But I'm posting because I'm a very nice person :D. Agree now or leave. XD. Kidding my loves! Now onto the chapter! But first, guuuuuuuuys! I want to have a Q and A! So in the comments if you have any questions about me, my characters, for Keeper, or about the book and I'll do my best to answer them! Bye babes! POV: POUNCER!

Pouncer winced as he hauled himself from his nest. His gash had been treated, but was still quite sore. Majesty had patched him up, ordering him to his nest day after day. He had lost track of the days. Days became weeks, weeks became moons. "How long have I been here?" He would often ask. Frost would always snort and say, "Long enough for you to become a pain in my tail!"

He scoffed and started to limp over to Majesty. The dark ginger she-cat was sitting in the sun dappled grass, grooming her pelt quietly. She smiled when the gray tabby approached her. "Hello there!" She giggled. Pouncer offered her a half smile and settled next to her.

Majesty started to play with his ears. Moonfire used to play with my ears… He pulled away. "What's wrong?"

"My daughter used to play with my ears like that," he said sadly, gazing off into the distance. The desire to be with his kits nagged him like a tick. Though they're hardly kits! They all have kits themselves. I'm not my beautiful young self anymore. Pouncer got up and shook his gray pelt. "I need to find them!"

Majesty bolted up too, sadness flickering in her blue-gray eyes. "Don't leave. You were such good company," she whimpered. He licked her cheek.

"We'll meet again," he smiled, whispering softly. The she-cat nodded and nuzzled his flank before padding over to Frost. Pouncer looked back to see Keeper by the dead tree trunk, staring at him sternly. She looked agitated. His heart felt a longing to tackle her and snuggle her, but knowing the circumstances, he would probably loose an ear if he tried.

He let out a shaky sigh before almost running into Frost. "E-Excuse me, I was just leaving."

"Whoa, wait. Leaving?"

He nodded. "I need to find my family, t-they, I need them," he sighed. Frost nodded understandingly.

"Take care Pouncer, and stay safe. I feel this isn't the last time we'll meet," she chuckled, touching her tail tip to his shoulder.

He smiled at her. "Thank you for your hospitality, take care," he dipped his head. His gaze traveled to where Keeper was sitting. "I'll be on my way after this." He walked over to her, eyes dull yet watery.

She sat in front of him, beautiful as ever, emotionless. "Goodbye," he sighed. He leant in to touch noses with her, but stopped. His heart ached.

"Goodbye, don't get yourself killed," she replied quietly, moving away slightly. "I hope you find what you're looking for." Suddenly anger washed over Pouncer like a wave.

"You mean the family you abandoned? Then yes, I'll find what I'm looking for," he growled slightly. Keeper's hackles raised.

"It's not my fault I don't know them! And you have no authority to talk to me like that!" She snapped. He growled, claws digging into the soft earth.

"I'll say whatever I want to you! You broke my heart and our family! You are worthless! Some mother," he scoffed. To abandon your kits!" His fur started to fluff up twice his size. "You are sickening! I LOVED YOU! And you can't even remember all the love we shared. I loved you so much!" He screeched.

Her blue eyes bore into his pelt, like needles. "Shut up! I don't know who this family is! Leave me alone! And I'm glad I 'can't remember' you! Based on the way you are, you seem like a terribly mate and father! GET OUT OF MY LIFE!" She screeched. Keeper let out heavy breaths between snarls.

That was the moment.

The moment she completely broke his heart. All the emotions, all the love. It was as if it had all been washed away. He closed his eyes and nodded slowly. "What? You have nothing pathetic to say?" She challenged.

He opened his amber eyes, allowing tears to fall silently. He could tell she was unnerved by his silence. He walked away, pieces of his heart falling behind until there were no more. With that, he left Frost's camp.

…

As night started to fall, Pouncer kept walking till his pads ached. He stopped to rest in a tree and hunt. He kept walking. Determination burnt in his heart as strong as a forest fire. Suddenly, something caused him to trip. A small rock. He angrily growled at the rock. HAH LIKE SPARROWFLIGHT XD.

"Guide my paws Starclan. Guide me to my family, to my Nightfall," he wailed. Nightfall. He was so caught up in drama, he had forgotten about Nightfall. He loved her. Her beautiful sleek black pelt, dark as a raven's wing. Her dark blue eyes and gorgeous smile.

Pouncer crashed to the grass as sobs racked his body. So much love tossed and turned around. Tears burnt his eyes as they streaked down his gray cheeks. His heart felt utterly broken. I-I won't stop. I have to get back to my family…

…

Pouncer had been walking for a total of two days when his shoulder started to burn, but determination overpowered pain, and he kept going. As he entered marsh territory, scents started to fill his nose. His heart started to beat faster and faster as he recognized his clan mates.

He started to run, mud soaking his belly and leg fur. He suddenly approached a back. Panting, he stumbled into a camp, immediately recognizing his daughter. Moonfire! "Moonfire!" He wailed. She snapped her head in his direction. Letting out a cry of relief, she ran and tackled her father. Both cats started to purr loudly.

"Whiskershadow, Skyflower! Dad found us!" She choked out happily. Soon both her litter-mates greeted him with bursts of affection and love.

"I missed you so much," he whispered. Skyflower sniffed and nuzzled him.

"Don't leave us again dad," she sniffled, snuggling closer to him. His heart swelled with love for his kits.

"I won't," he swore.