[Jos]

RAVENFROST GALECLAN WARRIOR TAGS: Hellion

Finally, a mild day.

Ravenfrost had spent the last several days fretting over the state of her pelt due to the amounts of mud and rain and general nastiness that had befallen the valley since Newleaf began. It was nearly impossible to keep herself clean while still maintaining her duties to her clan. Hunting and patrolling became exercises in weathering storms. However, a new clan needed all paws, and Ravenfrost was not afraid of a little hard work. Today, however, was mild. The sun was out, the wind was gentle, and the air was soft. Even the plants seemed to be rejoicing in the break in weather for, as she and her patrol made their way towards the small pond, she could see little budding flowers poking out through the grass. This would make hunting much easier, which was good: Galeclan had many mouths to feed.



After a string of successful catches, the hunting patrol returned to their stashes and brought them to a covered spot near the pond, where they took a break to drink. Thistletongue and Harechaser were with her today, both had been former Lightningclan cats like herself. Ravenfrost hadn’t planned it this way, but these were the cats who were available when she went looking for volunteers. Harechaser stepped away from the pond and gave his pelt a shake,



“You know,” he meowed, “I thought I wouldn’t like living in a clan with so many new cats in it. But it’s been fun! A lot of work though.”



“You don’t miss Lightningclan?” Ravenfrost wondered, “I do, sometimes. It was familiar…maybe I just miss the way things used to be, but I think most cats do.”



Thistletongue nodded, “Change is hard. But at least we still have our clan, mostly.”



“Galeclan is way better than Lightningclan was! Think about it, all these new warriors who can hunt and fight differently? We’ll be unstoppable!” Harechaser declared, puffing out his chest.


“The other clans merged too you know, mousebrain, some even have old Lightningclan warriors who can teach them all our secret techniques.” Thistletongue chastised him, “Besides, the clans were fine before. But I guess there’s nothing wrong with there being three clans. Maybe there will be more prey all around?”

Ravenfrost took this opportunity to groom herself, “Well,” she said between licks, “At the very least we have clans again. The Tribe were very generous but we couldn’t have lived there forever. If we hadn’t come to some conclusion we would have all had to become loners and rogues!” she couldn’t imagine living as a loner or a rogue. It seemed improper. “I certainly wouldn’t have been happy.” The other two warriors nodded—loners and rogues could live however they liked, but these three were happy to have a clan again, even if it wasn’t really Lightningclan anymore.


"Shhh! Do you smell that?" Harechaser froze, sniffing the air. Thistletongue and Ravenfrost also tasted the air. It seemed a fourth cat had come to join them. The scent wasn’t clan scent, but it was familiar. They all knew this cat as a former clanmate turned loner. They relaxed a little, and Harechaser called out,

“We smell you Skyshadow!”

OWL

[Hellion]

I'll be there someday, I can go the distance. I will find my way if I can be strong.

Sky

He had to go, but it hadn't been easy. Once his mother was tended to and her missing leg looked after, he sat before his father and spoke the words he had practiced countless times since his apprentice moons.

"I'm leaving," It was short, curt even. Sky's ear flicked back, fearing his father's outrage that his son would speak such a phrase, but instead of anger Sky saw acceptance, a meager hint of approval.

"Remember, no matter how far you go, we will always be under the same stars," Sunnyheart's words warmed Sky's chest and gave him the secondary courage to do as he said.

It seemed like a dozen moons had passed since that day. His body reflected the difficult path of a loner. He had no clanmates to hunt for him when his paws ached. He hunted and did whatever it took to keep his belly full. Feast or famine became his way of life. Yet, no matter how far he traveled in one direction, his paws pulled him back to the valley. He watched from a distance as the valley healed. In rare moments he caught the fresh scent of the patrol but did not stray too far. It wasn't out of fear but a deep knowing that if he saw his family, he'd give up his wandering life and return home.

For his own sake of exploration, he needed to avoid them.

So he did.

Till he couldn't anymore. Thirst drew him near the small pond. It had been a few days since his last proper drink; it seemed water had become elusive. He did hesitate when he scented the fading but the familiar scent of LightningClan. His nose picked up on the cue that the clans had merged into what configuration; he was unsure.

Loner life had made him timid, so he stayed safe and avoided fights. When he caught the sense there was more than one cat, he nearly turned his tail to find a place to rest before trying the pond again. That was his plan until his former name was called out.

His shoulders dropped, tension escaping his body as the tomcat made himself known, ears forward and eyes bright.

"I go by Sky now," He corrected cooly, joining up with cats that he had known in his youth, former companions, allies. "Seems like a lot has changed," He commented, making a gesture to the air, a remark about the muddled scent. "Care to catch up while I drink my fill, been a while since I've found water that isn't half sludge or stinking of mud," His words were equally as casual, making his way over to the pool to take the first crisp sips of water, sighing in relief.

- ♥ -

I know every mile would be worth my while. When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong.

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