[TB] STARLIGHT -- Chapter 18 (Patreon)

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Long grass brushed against Crowflight’s pelt. He kept himself as still as possible, not wanting the scrape of the dry fronds against his fur to alert the rabbit just a few tail-lengths away.

It was unaware of him, as far as Crowflight knew: He was doing everything right, staying downwind and keeping his pawsteps deliberate and light. His tail was bending with the grass instead of stiffly dragging, and his body was as low to the ground as possible to look like as unassuming as he could. The only giveaway there could possibly be was the puff of his breath, but with how still Crowflight was trying to be, breathing didn’t even seem like an option.

The rabbit twitched its nose, then resumed cleaning its face. Crowflight drew a step forward. The rabbit raised a hind leg and scratched behind its ears. Another step. It hopped forward to sniff at the earth. Crowflight paused. The rabbit scraped against the ground at the base of a tussock of grass.

Crowflight sensed his opportunity.

One step, then two, then three, and Crowflight was suddenly rushing the rabbit, catching it between his legs before it even realized what had happened. He thrust it to the ground and killed it quickly with a sharp bite to its throat, stopping its panicked squeal before it could pitch too loud.

Heart beating in his ears, Crowflight stood up, relaxing his muscles. The rabbit was leafbare thin, but around the lake it seemed like “thin” meant almost as plump as newleaf fresh-kill. He wondered how long that would last now that the Clans had formalized their borders and were here to stay.

“Good catch!”

Crowflight flicked an ear. Duskwhisker’s dark shape popped up from the grass a fox-length away, on the other side of where the rabbit had been. She approached and gave it a sniff.

“I was worried you might’ve moved too soon,” she admitted, “but it didn’t even see you coming! Hunting around here is so easy, compared to the old forest!”

Crowflight set the rabbit down at his paws. “The prey here just isn’t used to cats, that’s all,” he reasoned. He pushed the stiff rabbit with a paw. “Give it a few seasons, they’ll wise up.”

Duskwhisker’s tail flicked his ear. “Such a downer,” she complained. “I, for one, am going to enjoy the easy hunting, for as long as it lasts!”

Crowflight scraped earth over the rabbit, licking the blood from his lips as he worked. His stomach grumbled in protest, but Crowflight quieted it – he'd have all day to eat, once he was done. When the rabbit was covered, he glanced at Duskwhisker: “Where to next, then?”

Duskwhisker nodded towards the woods. “I thought we’d give it a go over there,” she meowed, her tail twisting around a stalk of grass. “Now that it’s ours again, you know.”

“Is that safe?” Crowflight asked.

“Ashfoot sent out a border party to mark it right away after the Gathering last night,” Duskwhisker reasoned. “If ThunderClan doesn’t get the message, we’re well within our rights to make sure they do!”

Crowflight curled his lip. “Not smart to pick a fight when it's just the two of us,” he pointed out.

“I’m not picking fights with anything!” Duskwhisker insisted. She narrowed her gaze at him. “But I am picking where we go – I’m leading this patrol, remember?”

Crowflight rolled his eyes. “Go on then, lead,” he groaned. “I want to be back in camp before nightfall, for once.”

Duskwhisker rolled her eyes and began trotting towards the woods. Crowflight followed, his tail low. He hadn’t wanted to be picked for Duskwhisker’s hunting patrol, and he’d definitely hadn’t wanted to be the only one going with her. It still felt too awkward to be around her, after Mudclaw’s night meeting.

Still, she and the other cats who looked to be on Mudclaw’s side seemed to be in better moods – perhaps Tinystar relinquishing the woods to them had eased their worries about Onewhisker’s leadership.

Crowflight certainly didn’t want to think about it the other way: That the medicine cats being unable to find a proper place to communicate with StarClan meant that Onewhisker was even more unfit for the job, or that he would be even easier to depose – one life was far easier to deal with than nine, after all.

Mudclaw had insisted that he didn’t want to kill Onewhisker, though, and that was the only reason why Crowflight didn’t have bile in his mouth at the thought. Mudclaw might be many things, but Crowflight just couldn’t see him going back on his word.

Would Duskwhisker go along with it, if Mudclaw did want to kill Onewhisker?

“If you don’t stop being grumpy, you’ll scare off all the prey,” Duskwhisker chided, flicking Crowflight’s nose with her tail. They had passed beyond the old ThunderClan markers, which would line the woods until snow or wind stomped them out.

The gesture drew him out of his thoughts. He pulled away from Duskwhisker, not meeting her eye. That horrible question hung unanswered in his mind, and he certainly wasn’t going to ask her to answer it, and not just because they were close to the new ThunderClan border, now.

It was somehow colder in the woods than out on the moor, probably because their scant branches blocked what little heat there was from the sun above. The shadows felt icy to touch, and Crowflight did his best to keep to the warmer patches of sunshine while also watching his footing for errant twigs that would scare the prey off.

They paused beside the water, dipping their muzzles down to grab a quick drink. The WindClan scent markers were strong and fresh here, lined up tight along the banks of the river.

Crowflight lifted his muzzle up and detected fresh ThunderClan scent. Had their border patrol just gone by? Seems like an odd time...

He glanced at Duskwhisker. From her gaze, he could tell that she had scented it, too.

“Do they just not know what borders mean?” she asked under her breath.

“We don’t know what it is, yet,” Crowflight meowed. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“I’m not,” Duskwhisker insisted, drawing herself up. She ran her tongue along her muzzle. “But you’ve got to admit that it just keeps happening! What’s going on over there that they think they can just get away with it?”

Together, they followed the fresh scent to its source. It came from upriver, and Crowflight’s heart skipped a beat as they drew closer – he knew that scent well.

It was Shadepaw.

The tortoiseshell she-cat was sitting at the base of the tree-bridge, on the WindClan side. She looked unsure about moving on, a paw raised hesitantly as if to take a step over the new border. Her ears pricked as Duskwhisker and Crowflight approached, their scents finally reaching her.

“Great,” Duskwhisker groaned. She glowered at Crowflight. “Is she here to see you?”

Crowflight’s pelt flashed hotly. “How should I know?” he snapped back, his voice low.

Duskwhisker gave him a look that made it clear that he definitely ought to know, but Crowflight was certainly not going to entertain her and her wild accusations here and now, and especially not in front of Shadepaw.

“What’s this about?” Duskwhisker demanded, stopping before the ThunderClan she-cat. Crowflight stood by his Clanmate’s side, trying not to stare too hard at Shadepaw – he was already sure he wasn’t going to hear the end of it, it was probably best not to exacerbate the issue.

Thanks to that, though, he noticed the packet of herbs at Shadepaw’s paws before she pointed it out to them.

“I’m on an errand, to see Mothwing,” Shadepaw explained. She looked relieved to see the WindClan cats. “I’ve some herbs for her.”

“Why not go through ShadowClan?” Duskwhisker asked, a brow raised. “That’s probably the quicker way.”

Shadepaw hesitated, glancing at Crowflight before meeting Duskwhisker’s eye again. “WindClan territory is clear of trees or swampland, and I don’t know ShadowClan land very well,” she explained patiently. “I realize that it’s technically a longer way to go, but I don’t want to risk losing my way.”

Duskwhisker looked as if she might challenge that. Crowflight himself knew that, while ShadowClan land might be difficult, all Shadepaw would have to do is ask for Stoneheart or Littlecloud for help – heart beating in his ears, Crowflight recognized that Shadepaw was here to see him.

That meant Duskwhisker saw it, too.

“Fine,” Duskwhisker meowed. “We’ll take you.”

Shadepaw blinked gratefully. “Thanks!” She picked up her herb packet and, around it, mewed, “I’m ready whenever you are.”

Duskwhisker turned about, budging Crowflight to his paws. With a chuckle, she sneered, “Seems like we’re not getting home before nightfall after all...”

———————————————————

The journey to the RiverClan border was agonizing.

Though he knew they were going at a good pace, Crowflight felt like it was going on forever – he was acutely conscious of both she-cats staring at him the entire time, each for different reasons. Duskwhisker seemed to be poised to strike with a mocking remark, her eyes gleaming with both amusement and annoyance, while Shadepaw looked at him so gently, and her demeanor was quiet and sweet.

They both kept quiet, and that only made things worse. The silence made the air feel thick and stifling, like Crowflight had buried himself in the snow. He had pulled ahead of them both, hoping to avoid meeting their expectant gazes as best he could.

I can’t take this, Crowflight groaned inwardly. StarClan, this is torture!

It was Duskwhisker who finally broke the silence: “You seem to know Mothwing well, then?”

“I do,” Shadepaw replied cordially, her voice only slightly muffled by the leaf wrap she carried. “I helped her out on the Great Journey, after Mudfur died and left her all alone.”

“What’s she like?” Duskwhisker wondered. “Being the kit of a Clan leader makes me think she’s rather full of herself...”

Crowflight glanced back at his Clanmate and saw her eyes sparkling, daring him to intervene. Crowflight had to keep the fur between his shoulders down. What is she playing at?

Shadepaw shook her head. “She’s definitely not!” she insisted. “Mothwing is very kind and patient, and a good medicine cat. She might seem a little airheaded, but she just lacks experience, that’s all!”

Crowflight flicked an ear. Were they just going to gossip this entire time? “The Gathering was last night,” he meowed over his shoulder. “Remember?”

“We’re talking about medicine cats, Crowflight, not Clan secrets,” Duskwhisker retorted.

Shadepaw, to Crowflight’s frustration, was nodding along: “There’s no harm in it!” she agreed.

Duskwhisker purred, “Did he act like this on your journey?”

“Like what?” Shadepaw wondered.

“Like he’s been bitten by a fox, of course,” Duskwhisker chuckled. “He’s always been so moody.”

Crowflight stiffened, suppressing a groan. I’m right here, you know. Walking right in front of you.

“At first he did,” Shadepaw responded. She was picking her words carefully, Crowflight sensed: “He warmed up, though, along the way. We came to know one another well on the journey here.”

“A warm Crowflight,” Duskwhisker sighed. “Imagine that!”

Her tone grated against Crowflight’s nerves, like he supposed she wanted it to. Discomfort crawled under his skin – he couldn’t tell her to stop without souring the situation for all of them.

“It must have been hard to be the only medicine cat on that journey,” Duskwhisker mewed. “I’m surprised you don’t have your full name yet, for that. You must have learned a lot.”

Shadepaw hesitated, and Crowflight didn’t need to glance back to know that Duskwhisker had touched a nerve in the young medicine cat.

“I did,” Shadepaw answered, her tone guarded. “But, well; I’ll earn my name when Brackenfur thinks I’ve earned it – not before. I’m in no rush.”

“Was it hard, though?” Duskwhisker asked again. “Were there a lot of injuries?”

“There were a few,” Shadepaw responded. “I don’t think any of us came back without a new scratch or scar... Stoneheart’s rat bite was the worst, though. I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it, and that he might lose the use of his leg. The Tribe helped a lot, thankfully – he made a full recovery!”

Duskwhisker sighed. “Rats are the worst,” she admitted. “Did you fight much?”

“Sometimes,” Shadepaw mewed. “I learned a lot from Stormfur, though my lessons were very basic. We’d take some time while we were resting to go over defensive moves for all the apprentices, just in case.”

“A medicine cat, fighting?” Crowflight imagined Duskwhisker’s eyes widening. “That’s so strange!”

“Well, according to Stoneheart, ShadowClan teaches their medicine cats how to fight!” Shadepaw pointed out. “It did feel strange, though. It’s hard to think about using my claws for hurting others. I feel like a mole – I'd rather be digging through dirt!”

“Even moles defend themselves,” Crowflight countered.

Shadepaw paused. “They do,” she murmured, “I suppose.”

The conversation grew quiet as they drew close to the RiverClan border. Sunhigh had long past, the air growing colder as evening crept closer. Snow and bits of ice cluttered the banks of the stream that Leopardstar had declared as RiverClan’s official border with the neutral territory, and Crowflight bent to take a sniff at the grass.

“A patrol’s been by,” he reported, “but the wind is blowing our scents right at them. I can’t imagine it’ll take too long for us to be noticed.”

Even as he spoke, he spotted three dark shapes moving upstream. It was the patrol, doubling back to investigate the scent. Crowflight scooted himself away from the stream, definitely wanting to avoid any sort of situation that might involve three Clans getting into a scuffle.

It was Falcontail at the head of the patrol, flanked by Mackarelshine and Frostsplash. The gray tabby peered at the strange group from across the stream with a perplexed look in his yellow eyes. His Clanmates fanned out around him, their tails held steady and their shoulders tense.

“What is this, then?” Falcontail asked. His eyes rested upon Duskwhisker first, then Crowflight, and then lastly on Shadepaw. He guessed with a grunt, “An escort?”

“Yes,” Duskwhisker responded, stepping forward. “She has herbs for Mothwing.”

Falcontail frowned, and behind him Frostsplash and Mackarelshine glanced at one another. They waited for Falcontail’s order, thankfully, though Crowflight’s heart was beating in his ears. It was too cold to quibble over details, and he hoped that Falcontail wouldn’t ask too many annoying questions.

“Alright, we’ll take her,” Falcontail mewed. Glowering at the WindClan cats, he added, “You two can wait here.”

Crowflight glanced at Shadepaw. “Are you alright with going alone?” he asked.

“I’ll be fine,” Shadepaw said. “It’s just a quick visit, don’t worry.”

Crowflight’s pelt prickled. He could feel Falcontail’s eyes on him – the tabby warrior’s gaze was implacable, but Crowflight couldn’t imagine him ignoring the gentle tone that Shadepaw was speaking in.

“You can hop over easily just over here,” Frostsplash mewed, nodding downstream. The white warrior, at least, seemed oblivious. “Don’t want to get wet in this weather!”

Shadepaw obeyed with a nod, trotting down to where Frostsplash had indicated. The RiverClan warrior waited on the other side, poised to grab Shadepaw should her leap fall short – but clambering about in the mountains had strengthened Shadepaw’s jump, and she cleared the stream with ease.

“We’ll be back,” Falcontail meowed. His eyes raked over Duskwhisker and Crowflight. He settled his pale gaze on Duskwhisker and insisted, “Don’t let me catch WindClan scent on this side.”

“You won’t,” Duskwhisker promised mildly.

Falcontail led his patrol away, with Mackarelshine and Frostsplash surrounding Shadepaw. Crowflight watched them go, heading through the long grass towards RiverClan’s camp. Anxiety pulsed at his paws – would she be all right, all alone?

Of course she will, he thought, chiding himself. She’s not helpless!

“You’re ridiculous,” Duskwhisker sighed. “Just ridiculous!”

Crowflight glowered at her. “Don’t start,” he grumbled.

“She’s a medicine cat, for yowling out loud,” Duskwhisker pointed out. “What, do you think Falcontail is going to hurt her or something?”

“You never know!” Crowflight retorted. The fur between his shoulders rose. “Is it so wrong to be concerned, friend or not?”

Duskwhisker curled her lip, and then turned her attention to cleaning out the pads of one of her forepaws.

“Besides, how do you know that Falcontail is trustworthy?” Crowflight tossed out. His ears flattened. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you two chatting quite a bit recently!”

Duskwhisker rolled her eyes. “Don’t get your tail in a twist, he approached me,” she defended. “Was I supposed to just tell him to go away? It was harmless conversation.”

“I’m sure,” Crowflight grunted. “He doesn’t fool me – he was quick to put his paws all over RiverClan’s deputyship back in the old forest, and he wasn’t very pleasant then.”

“He gave it up when Tawnypelt came back,” Duskwhisker pointed out, “and those were difficult times! I can’t imagine I’d act much differently.”

Crowflight’s neck fur bristled. He recalled the way Feathertail had spoken about Falcontail, and how ill at ease she’d seemed with her own Clanmate. Crowflight wasn’t sure he should even care, but he would bet a dozen rabbit’s feet that Falcontail had been part of the reason why Leopardstar hadn’t wanted to leave the forest.

“Besides, it’s not like I’m in love with him, or anything,” Duskwhisker mewed. She stuck her tongue out at the thought. “Imagine that – RiverClan! Ugh.”

Crowflight’s hackles rose. “I’m not in love with Shadepaw,” he growled.

“That’s not what I said,” Duskwhisker pointed out, narrowing her eyes.

“You didn’t have to say it,” Crowflight muttered. “It’s pretty obvious what you think.”

“Yes, because I’ve already told you what I think,” Duskwhisker hissed. Her tail fluffed, slapping against the frosty ground. “That it’s risky and fluff-brained for a start, but even worse that you’ve got your head stuck so far into a rabbit’s warren of denial that you’re going to get clawed!”

Crowflight stiffened, the fur along his spine lifting.

“Is this really a conversation worth having at RiverClan’s border, anyway?” Duskwhisker grumbled, looking cross. “Just hush up for now; when we get Shadepaw back to ThunderClan we can go on snapping at each other over nothing.”

Crowflight’s words caught in his throat. Fur fluffed, he flopped onto his haunches. He imagined Shadepaw coming upon him now, bristling and arguing with his own Clanmate, his friend. One of the few he could even say he had. Shame washed over him.

“I’m sorry,” he grunted. “For being... grumpy.”

“It’s okay,” Duskwhisker replied. Her tail thumped against his shoulder, as if to push it all away. “Don’t worry about it.”

———————————————————

It was night when Crowflight watched Shadepaw hop up onto the tree-bridge that spanned the river between their territories.

The journey back had been quiet, with every cat tired and cold and wanting nothing more than to head home and warm up in their own nests. Duskwhisker had left Crowflight to take Shadepaw home, offering to round up their fresh-kill from that morning and take it back to camp before it went totally stiff and inedible. Crowflight had been grateful for that, and he was sure Duskwhisker knew it.

I don’t know if she’s right, Crowflight thought, about Mudclaw or Falcontail or Shadepaw... but she’s still my friend. I think.

I hope.

“She seems nice,” Shadepaw mewed.

Crowflight blinked out of his thoughts. He looked up at Shadepaw, meeting her eyes in the dark. “Who?” he asked, distracted.

“Duskwhisker.” Shadepaw shifted her weight. “You two seem to do a lot together.”

Crowflight shrugged. “We’re friends. We trained a bit together when we were apprentices.”

“That’s nice,” Shadepaw mewed, her eyes softening. “You never talked much about your friends in WindClan.”

“I didn’t have many,” Crowflight told her simply. “Or any, really.”

Shadepaw hesitated. Her tail flicked in the moonlight. “I’m glad you have one now,” she decided, her tone quiet.

Crowflight’s ears twitched. There was something in Shadepaw’s gaze, in her voice, that made Crowflight worried. She wasn’t quite meeting his eye, and her body language felt nervous, lacking her usual gentle confidence.

He stretched out his muzzle to touch his nose to hers. Shadepaw accepted the gesture, but that strange feeling persisted, and he could feel it even more in the way she quickly drew away.

“I should go,” she said. “Brackenfur will be missing me.”

“Y-Yeah,” Crowflight agreed, hesitantly. He put his forepaws on the tree bridge, hoping to catch her attention. “Shadepaw, I...”

“Yes?” Her head turned to him, her eyes brightening just a bit.

The words were stuck in his throat, though Crowflight wasn’t sure he ever knew what he was going to say. He was just happy to see her looking his way, that her body language had changed and uncurled.

“... I... I hope to see you again. Soon,” he said. “If you can?”

“If I can,” Shadepaw promised. She bent down and touched her muzzle to his ear. “And... maybe next time, we can be alone?”

Her words send a thrill of warmth through his pelt. Crowflight dug his claws into the wood, hoping to keep himself from melting into a little puddle.

“Yes,” he agreed, without a thought. “Of course!”

He watched her go, a dark shape in the night. His heart felt warm and light, his paws tingling and fuzzy when he placed them back on the earth.

As he pelted back to camp, he felt like his paws had wings.