RECAP: A few seconds went by until someone finally raised a paw. It was a fluffy, ginger cat with one ear that spoke up. “I, Woodclaw, heard the conversation between the two cats. Skullfur walked angrily into the room and asked Gingerleaf what she wanted. She explained that they couldn’t travel with kits in her stomach, and Skullfur insisted that they do. That is all that I heard when I was walking past.” “Thank you, WoodClaw. Your help is truly appreciated in this investigation.” Oceanstar gave an appreciating nod and Woodclaw sent one back. With that, the meeting was dismissed. CONTINUED: Earlier the next day, Saltail took me hunting for practice, now that I was a real warrior. The walk seemed longer than it should. After a long time of walking, she finally said something, breaking the silence that had filled the air. “I went this way to show you the creek. I think it’s beautiful and worth the extra walking,” she said enthusiastically. After a few short minutes, they arrived at the creek, and she hadn’t lied one bit. The creek was miraculous. With small waterfalls pouring into the mainstream, and as we stepped into the water, little tadpoles nibbled and tickled our paws. The rocks shined in the glorious sunlight, making it all the more beautiful. Saltail, not paying attention as she carelessly hopped on the stones, slipped and dropped into the water, which was exceptionally clear for a creek. “Ah! Curse those stones!” she said, not being able to control her laughter. I decided to join her, so I pretended to fall into the water, making a big splash around me. I felt the water go through my thick layer of fur, a sensation that I hadn’t felt since I was back home. It reminded me of a time when Avery had given me a bath because I had gotten into a bucket of paint. She was spraying me with the shower nozzle, her beautiful laughter filling the room as I squirmed and swatted as she tried to grab hold of me. I had my claws sheathed, of course. I would never hurt her. I missed her so much that I couldn’t bear it, and tears started welling up in my eyes. I stopped and got out of the water, shaking myself off. Saltail must have picked up my body language, because she followed me out of the water with concerned eyes. “Are you okay? Is there something bothering you?” she mewed gently. “I-” I trailed off, looking in the distance. I would rather avoid this conversation, even if it meant I didn’t answer her question. “Where are we supposed to be going now?” I asked, trying not to start tearing up again. I started towards the trail we were on before we arrived, but she stopped me. “If there’s something bothering you, the hunt can wait,” she said confidently, lying down in the thick grass that surrounded the creek. She looked like she wasn’t going to move an inch. I began to protest but found no worth in it. I didn’t know what way to go to get home. Or, at least what I now call home. I hesitated before sitting down in the shaded bushes, careful to avoid thorns and burrs. I explained how much I missed Avery, and how worried I was about her, how I wondered if she would ever think to look here. Saltail understood it all. She didn’t understand from experience, but I felt like she did anyway. As we walked away from the creek, its beautiful, singing waterfall faded away, leaving us in unpleasant silence that I almost couldn’t bear. When we got to the hunting grounds, Saltail stopped and crouched down, looking intently at the bushes. I waited until I was wondering why she hadn’t pounced yet when she scrambled toward the bushes. “Mouse dung! I lost it!” she meowed furiously, and she turned to me again. “Give it a go. I hear some prey in the bushes over there,” she said, flicking her tail in the direction of the prey. “The only reason I didn’t get it was because of my leg,” she added to herself, glancing at the leg that was still injured from the fight with Spottedtaill.
