Several sunrises had passed since Falconstar’s prank, and the clan had returned to their regular duties. The three new warriors had become accustomed to everyday life and the commitments of a warrior, and bore these with pride and the excitement of youth. Their mentors were adjusting themselves to having more free time, and being on their own; it seemed like it was even difficult for them to go throughout the day without even having to think about their apprentices. Falconstar marveled at the sense of responsibility this bond between mentor and apprentice created, and how lasting it truly was.
Today was rather laid-back as usual, with most cats hunting or on patrol, including Falconstar. Along with him he had taken Cloudpaw, Holacanolafur, and Honeyflower. Surprisingly, Spottedleaf had volunteered to come with them, saying she needed some fresh air and time away from her cramped little medicine den.
Spottedleaf padded beside Falconstar at the head of the patrol, and already it felt like old times. They all were enjoying the mild warmth of the day and the falling leaves, golden from the rays of the setting sun, splashing beams of pink onto everything that their path came across as they met with the golden circle in the sky, becoming a silhouette for a moment, and then sending on the gorgeous fall-like colors all around the clearing and forest until they finally met the ground.
In the midst of this beautiful scenery Falconstar realized how little time he and Spottedleaf had spent together, due to his new responsibilities. He turned his head to look at his old friend, who smiled and mewed,
“What a nice day. You don’t see sunsets like this very often.”
Falconstar nodded, peering at the shuffling trees and the sudden scuffle of vole across the falling leaves. Inwardly he almost agreed.
“Taking a nice walk through the forest like this and feeling the breeze in my fur…” continued Spottedleaf, “it almost makes me feel alive.”
Falconstar tipped his head to one side.
“So are you dead?”
“No.”
Deciding not to worry about how confused Spottedleaf was about her nature, Falconstar shifted his thoughts to other things and turned his emerald-green gaze upon the forest floor, peering at the leaves that had lived only in contentment and thus fell to the ground, stuck and fluttering with the wind, as if while mid-air they had believed they would be carried away to some place of an inevitable destiny, but instead were left to ponder what their true purpose had been.
He closed his eyes for a moment, then let out a deep sigh, finding that he needed to let some things off his chest. He looked at Spottedleaf with almost a tired look in his eyes.
“Clan life has been calm lately,”
He murmured after a moment of pause.
“While it wasn’t that was all you wanted,” Spottedleaf replied, turning her head to look at him curiously.
“Things are changing, Spottedleaf,” Falconstar whispered.
Spottedleaf looked back at the path in front of them, almost scanning the surroundings, her expression unreadable.
Falconstar added nearly inaudibly,
“How much will?”
---
Soon the patrol was nearing the territory that had been forbidden to cross ever since the attack so many moons ago, when Falconstar was appointed leader. Not only had they struck the camp, but the edges of territory as well. The presence of Falconstar’s Clan had always managed to help the areas grow and thrive, especially by hunting; prey had always been plentiful, which was one of the reasons why it had been such a target of the attack. As Falconstar drew closer to the territory he found many of the plants were overgrown, with different herbs being choked by weeds, and trees climbed with vines and unfriendly green, and the grasses dark and dying. Because this place was not only plentiful in prey but in herbs, the medicine cat would have always placed moss around the area to hopefully cause it to grow. This had contributed to the life of the territory.
“Stop,”
Falconstar ordered quietly, and the patrol halted with him, all shifting a little curiously, as well as uncomfortably. They knew they weren’t supposed to be so close to this place. He turned to face them, eyes wide.
“I know that ever since the other clan invaded, this territory has been off-limits,” he mewed, “but maybe we should start investigating.”
Every cat but one was shocked by the suggestion. It was Holacanolafur who meowed,
“Why do we always call them ‘the other clan’? Can’t we just say their name?”
“Holacanolafur,” Falconstar muttered, “their name is literally TheOtherClan. I’ve told you this before. Maybe we need to discuss your brain issues later.”
“Shut up, water alone to save our clan.”
“Was that sass I heard?”
“You lead and I sass. Let us both do our duties.”
“You know wha--”
Spottedleaf flicked her tail across Falconstar’s muzzle to silence him quickly, then darted a glare at Holacanolafur. Then she turned her head and spoke to her leader whilst removing her tail,
“Falconstar, I don’t know if that is wise.”
“It’s been so long,” Falconstar urged, “we can’t let TheOtherClan boss us around anymore. It’s time we stuck up for ourselves and tried to get the territory back, if possible.”
“Falconstar,” Spottedleaf said in a hushed tone, but still very firm, “I know you’ve been feeling a little out of place lately, but that isn’t any reason to-”
“As clan leader, I’m ordering you all to follow me. Understood?”
Falconstar broke in matter-of-factly, his tone commanding and almost intimidating.
Every cat dipped their head, while Spottedleaf’s eyes flashed for a moment, then she turned and looked at the incoming territory, evidently irritable.
“Boy this got dramatic quick,” Holacanolafur meowed.
---
---
Starring
spottedleaf as herself with her first featuring appearance
With guest appearance of
Rainbow The Albino Serval as Cloudpaw
Also featuring
~~Honeyflower~~ as Honeyflower