Chapter 2: To Find Windclan
After defeating Greystripe and Firestar a couple more days in a row, Longtail finally spoke up.
"We've figured out your base levels and compatibilities and will now switch partners until the end of your training."
Darkstripe had to sneak in a comment, "we had it figured out day one, but had to have some fun throwing you around. Can't let you go thinking it was a fluke and keep that overpowering ego in check."
Longtail gave Darkstripe a pointed stare.
"What? These two have a habit of diving into danger headfirst without thinking about the consequences. They deserve a little ribbing. Maybe it'll keep them from doing something mousebrained again."
Soon the first gathering was called after the defeat of Brokenstar. Darkstripe barely payed attention besides the idea to return Wind Clan. He instantly knew Bluestar's kittypet wonder would be sent to find them and he knew he had to make the first move. Darkstripe approached Bluestar just as the gathering got back.
"I know you are going to send your… apprentice and Grey to find Wind Clan and I think Longtail and I should go too."
"Darkstripe, you are a valuable warrior and we need as many warriors as we can to defend our borders at this time. What reason could you have to go on this mission with Fireheart and Greystripe?"
"First off, you have to admit they both are a bit headstrong. With some older warriors to guide them, they'll be much safer outside the territories. Second, Longtail and I can continue their training. Who knows what those two would forget in what little time we cut them loose."
Bluestar stopped to ponder Darkstripe's proposal. She knew Darkstripe and Fireheart weren't exactly friends. Darkstripe would likely do something to antagonize her prophecy cat if she were to send them, but the benefits outweighed the cons, so Bluestar relented with a nod.
"Fine. You and Longtail will accompany the pair through the mission to find Wind Clan, but I expect a full report on what occurs on the mission and I don't want to hear anything about infighting."
"Don't worry. Things will run perfectly smoothly. After all we wouldn't like seeing your kittypet get hurt," mewed Darkstripe with a smug grin.
Bluestar just shook her head as Darkstripe departed. I don't know what I've just condemned Fireheart to, but hopefully it isn't too much for the tom to bear. Darkstripe is an annoying piece of foxdung, but he's loyal to the code when he's with Longtail. Bluestar huffed as she asked Tigerclaw to call in her crew for the mission. Darkstripe returned with that smug look still plastered to his face as the rest of the cats sat to await Bluestar's instructions.
"I'm sending all of you to find Wind Clan and bring them home. Longtail is the head for this mission."
A look of fake shock covered Darkstripe's face before it drifted back into that knowing grin.
"I expect Riverclan and Shadowclan to be in the area, so keep a lookout and try to avoid their patrols."
Greystripe blurted, "but they agreed to Wind Clan's return. Why would they stop us?"
Darkstripe interjected, "they may use all the flowery words in the world but committing to action is a different story. They likely are stealing as much prey as they can before the territory isn't theirs anymore."
Bluestar visibly seemed to age as she had to agree to Darkstripe's statement. He may be annoying, but he has a good sense of instinct when he's not under pressure.
"Tigerclaw will prepare you for the journey. Just please don't fight the whole way there."
"I don't pick fights Bluestar."
"Really? And you haven't been trying to get me to skin you this entire conversation?"
Darkstripe looked utterly insulted until that tell all grin crossed his muzzle again. Darkstripe padded out of the den looking like he'd just gotten the best news. Tigerclaw and Bluestar just looked exasperated while Longtail rolled his eyes.
Fireheart heard Bluestar faintly ask Longtail and Tigerclaw, "how do you put up with him?"
"It's a talent," replied Longtail.
"He just won't leave me alone, "muttered Tigerclaw.
A new series of connections burst into Fireheart's mind. Darkstripe wasn't just rude to him! He annoyed everyone. Fireheart wandered out while trying to puzzle out what all these connections meant for how he thought about Darkstripe. After a minute of pondering, he settled on that he still did not like Darkstripe. He just didn't hate his quite as much as before.
The next day the group found their way to Wind Clan's moors.
"How does Wind clan stand the wind up here?"
"Maybe their masochists who like the grass whipping their pelt." Darkstripe jeered.
Fireheart's ears flattened. This was going to be a long trip with Darkstripe's presence the whole way. Soon the group smelled Riverclan.
"A River Clan hunting party! I count four of them!" hissed Greystripe.
"I smell a badger set! We can hide there!"
"No." replied Darkstripe. "Just take a quick roll in the dust and turn a bit. None of us are supposed to be here. They'll ignore us and only realize we're Thunderclan by the time we're half way across the moor."
Seeing as Darkstripe wasn't likely to take the other option, the group quickly rolled in the dusty soil before padding right past the River Clan patrol. It was like an act of Starclan! The River Clan patrol barely spared them a glance. Darkstripe didn't even look like he'd seen the patrol as they passed.
"How in all Starclan did that work?"
Darkstripe flashed a toothy grin.
"I am amazing at getting ignored! Just change your smell slightly and walk on by like you're supposed to be there. Works 90% of the time."
Fireheart didn't feel like that was something to brag about. Soon Greystripe spotted the Wind Clan camp.
"I found the camp! It'll be easy to catch their scent from here!"
Darkstripe mocked his ears being in pain.
"Do you know any volume besides yelling?"
Longtail, used to Darkstripe's antics, rolled his eyes and entered the camp. No bodies were found, but the camp was in utter disarray. Nests were shredded, herbs were scattered, and blood and fur were spattered everywhere.
For once a serious look crossed Darkstripe's face.
"Shadow Clan really did not hold back for this fight. It looks like you could make a whole cat with all the fur and blood scattered here. Lets see what we can find and move on. I'm starting to get nauseous."
Darkstripe waited at the entrance while the rest continued their investigation. Fireheart soon padded up to Darkstripe to throw his own jeer.
"I didn't take you for the queasy type."
Fireheart was unsettled by Darkstripe's candid response.
"Yeah… I mean I can handle seeing it in a real battle, but when I come across things like this… My imagination tends to run away from me."
Fireheart saw Darkstripe suppress a gag.
"Like what?"
"There's so much blood in there. It feels like someone had to have died, but there's no body. It's like some cat…" Darkstripe retched before continuing "ate them."
Fireheart retched himself at the idea before resting his tail across Darkstripe's shoulders.
"That didn't happen. Shadow Clan and Wind Clan fought, and Wind Clan retreated. Nobody ate anybody!" Fireheart said with conviction.
That seemed to settle the dark warrior.
"Thanks Firepaw. You aren't bad for a kittypet"
Fireheart was almost thrown off balance by Darkstripe almost calling him his proper name instead of just kittypet. He could feel it was progress. Fireheart's thoughts were interrupted as Longtail and Greystripe made their way out.
"We've found what we needed," Longtail mewed with authority before sinking himself to match Darkstripe's height. "You doing ok?" he asked quietly to hide Darkstripe's lack of composure.
"Yes! Lets just move on." Darkstripe mewed firmly before turning to move on. He did not spare a glance to the ruined camp.