Lostpath
Lostpath had been spending a lot of time going on border patrols lately. She wanted to see Split, to see if he had managed through the sickness. He didn't look sick when she'd seen him last, but she wanted to make sure he hadn't caught it. When she wasn't on border patrols, she was stuck to Bearjaw's side. Since the journey to find the catmint, they'd become closer. She still wore the small flower in her ear, though it looked considerably more wilted since she'd been given it. Bearjaw, she'd realized a while ago, was the cat she wanted to spend her entire life with. He made her feel safe and warm, even as the snow fell and ice froze over the river. Yet, there was one other tomcat that plagued her minds and it was that tomcat she always looked for at the borders.
Lately, she wondered if the reason he wasn't appearing was because she was with so many other cats for the patrols. So, she began to sneak off on her own. She'd slip away to "make dirt" and then be gone for longer and longer amounts of time. She'd leave in the middle of the night, claiming she couldn't sleep the few times she woke Bearjaw in the process, claiming she would ask Stonebelly for poppy seeds or that she just needed to stretch her legs.
Lying made her stomach feel like there were rocks in it, but she needed to make sure she saw Split. Needed to make sure he was alive and well and not dead. She didn't know where loners went when they died and neither did she. What if he needed her? She had to be there if he did. They were friends, after all. Whenever she thought of him needing help, her heart leaped into her throat. Whenever she thought of the way he would almost smile at her or the feather she'd given him, she felt as warm and fuzzy as she did when she would cuddle with Bearjaw.
So, she went to the border. It was coming up on dusk on that particular occasion. She'd slipped away while Rabbitleap was talking to her brother. Emotions pricking at her fur, she returned to the places they'd met previously, keeping her mouth open to taste the chilly wind. Maybe today would be different. She had to keep faith that eventually, he would come by the RiverClan border. So that she didn't charge off into the wilderness to find him herself.
Lately, she wondered if the reason he wasn't appearing was because she was with so many other cats for the patrols. So, she began to sneak off on her own. She'd slip away to "make dirt" and then be gone for longer and longer amounts of time. She'd leave in the middle of the night, claiming she couldn't sleep the few times she woke Bearjaw in the process, claiming she would ask Stonebelly for poppy seeds or that she just needed to stretch her legs.
Lying made her stomach feel like there were rocks in it, but she needed to make sure she saw Split. Needed to make sure he was alive and well and not dead. She didn't know where loners went when they died and neither did she. What if he needed her? She had to be there if he did. They were friends, after all. Whenever she thought of him needing help, her heart leaped into her throat. Whenever she thought of the way he would almost smile at her or the feather she'd given him, she felt as warm and fuzzy as she did when she would cuddle with Bearjaw.
So, she went to the border. It was coming up on dusk on that particular occasion. She'd slipped away while Rabbitleap was talking to her brother. Emotions pricking at her fur, she returned to the places they'd met previously, keeping her mouth open to taste the chilly wind. Maybe today would be different. She had to keep faith that eventually, he would come by the RiverClan border. So that she didn't charge off into the wilderness to find him herself.
Split
It had been some time since he had traveled this close to the RiverClan boarder. Caring for Spirit and Whisper had taken up all of his energy and time. His skills as a hunter had helped him keep the three of them fed so far. Unfortunately all of his hunting had driven the prey from his normal hunting spots.
Of all the other hunting spots he know of, he wasn't sure why he had chosen the one so close to the clan boarder. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that he had been thinking about Lostpath often recently. Spirit had also been kind to him and Split cared for her but he found himself resenting her from time to time for being so weak. He longed for the companionship of a cat who could care for themselves.
Edging the boarder, Split stopped to think. Was it possible that he had traveled this far just to try to glimpse Lostpath? With a sigh, Split admitted to himself that he missed her curious mind and kind words. He sat at the boarder of RiverClan, unaware of the she-cat approaching downwind of him.
Of all the other hunting spots he know of, he wasn't sure why he had chosen the one so close to the clan boarder. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that he had been thinking about Lostpath often recently. Spirit had also been kind to him and Split cared for her but he found himself resenting her from time to time for being so weak. He longed for the companionship of a cat who could care for themselves.
Edging the boarder, Split stopped to think. Was it possible that he had traveled this far just to try to glimpse Lostpath? With a sigh, Split admitted to himself that he missed her curious mind and kind words. He sat at the boarder of RiverClan, unaware of the she-cat approaching downwind of him.
Lostpath
At first, she'd thought she had imagined it. The scent of a cat that wasn't apart of her Clan, but didn't carry the tree heavy scents that came from LightningClan. It's unfamiliarity was the sole thing that marked it as familiar and Lostpath's ears perked, her eye widening. Throwing caution and stealth to the wind, she surged forward. Was it Split? Or had some new loner come by? She'd heard rumors of a spotted she-cat loner in the area who spoke about trees? She hoped it was the former. She need it to be him, to ensure that he was okay. She rounded a bush and nearly collided with him. She skid to a halt, wobbling. A whisker-length further and their noses would've touched.
"You're here!" Lostpath purred at the sight of his striped pelt, his half-face and his floppy ear. "It's been ages since I've seen you. I didn't know what had happened-if you'd..." She couldn't allow herself to voice it. "I've missed you! Are you well? Are you getting enough to eat?" The last they'd talked, sickness was rampant in RiverClan. Now, the Clan had been cured, thanks to the messages from their warrior ancestors and the journey she and a pawful of cats had taken. The Clans had enough catmint, but did Split need any?
"I'm sorry." She said as she realized her close proximity to him and her eager, boundless words and took a half-step back. She was disinclined to move away from him. Maybe it was all the time she was spending with Bearjaw that loosened her worries about close proximities. "I don't mean to, erm, overwhelm you. I'd just... I've been worried about you. I know that you can take care of yourself... but it's been a rather harsh leaf-bare and..." She flicked her ears. "I'm glad you decided to stop by. What're you doing around here?" She looked sheepish. "Sorry, too, for all the questions. You're welcome to bombard me with questions, heh."
"You're here!" Lostpath purred at the sight of his striped pelt, his half-face and his floppy ear. "It's been ages since I've seen you. I didn't know what had happened-if you'd..." She couldn't allow herself to voice it. "I've missed you! Are you well? Are you getting enough to eat?" The last they'd talked, sickness was rampant in RiverClan. Now, the Clan had been cured, thanks to the messages from their warrior ancestors and the journey she and a pawful of cats had taken. The Clans had enough catmint, but did Split need any?
"I'm sorry." She said as she realized her close proximity to him and her eager, boundless words and took a half-step back. She was disinclined to move away from him. Maybe it was all the time she was spending with Bearjaw that loosened her worries about close proximities. "I don't mean to, erm, overwhelm you. I'd just... I've been worried about you. I know that you can take care of yourself... but it's been a rather harsh leaf-bare and..." She flicked her ears. "I'm glad you decided to stop by. What're you doing around here?" She looked sheepish. "Sorry, too, for all the questions. You're welcome to bombard me with questions, heh."
Split
The one standing ear on the tom perked and his head swiveled to look in the direction of soft paw steps heading his way. A moment later, Split was face to face with Lostpath, the loners only clan friend. At once she was a bright bundle of questions and Split instinctively leaned back from her. As Lostpath calmed down and stepped back, Split relaxed and sat down.
"Seeing you." Split replied to the energetic young she-cat's last question to him. "The question of whether or not you were okay brought me here, now that's answered." It was a great relief to know that Lostpath had still managed to avoid the sickness, she looked to healthy for a recovering cat. Foxkit, however, he hadn't seen since the day he tried to take her and especially now that he was a father, Split desperately wanted to know that she had recovered from the sickness she'd brought to his friends clan.
"Other than that my only question is, did you lose anyone to the sickness?" He hesitated slightly on anyone, hopping that Lostpath knew he was talking about Foxkit. Split had every intention of answering all of Lostpath's questions but first he needed to know if there was reason or not to hate her clan.
Not long ago, Split had scented Lostpath outside of her territory along with many other scents of cats, all belonging to clans. The trail they left was easy to follow and led all over the place. Knowing that one clan, if not both, was sick Split had assumed the cats were roaming around looking for something. Split had marked a territory while Spirit was kitting and the clan cats had not bothered him or his kind. Still, there where many questions the tom cat had for his friend about her adventure.
"Seeing you." Split replied to the energetic young she-cat's last question to him. "The question of whether or not you were okay brought me here, now that's answered." It was a great relief to know that Lostpath had still managed to avoid the sickness, she looked to healthy for a recovering cat. Foxkit, however, he hadn't seen since the day he tried to take her and especially now that he was a father, Split desperately wanted to know that she had recovered from the sickness she'd brought to his friends clan.
"Other than that my only question is, did you lose anyone to the sickness?" He hesitated slightly on anyone, hopping that Lostpath knew he was talking about Foxkit. Split had every intention of answering all of Lostpath's questions but first he needed to know if there was reason or not to hate her clan.
Not long ago, Split had scented Lostpath outside of her territory along with many other scents of cats, all belonging to clans. The trail they left was easy to follow and led all over the place. Knowing that one clan, if not both, was sick Split had assumed the cats were roaming around looking for something. Split had marked a territory while Spirit was kitting and the clan cats had not bothered him or his kind. Still, there where many questions the tom cat had for his friend about her adventure.
Lostpath
Lostpath's eye widened and her tail curled in clear delight when Split revealed his reason for being there. He'd been worried about her? A short purr emerged from throat, before it quieted at his next question to hear it better.
"No! We had some close calls, but everyone's fine. Foxkit, well, Foxcry now, she was just recently made into a warrior." She glanced down. "We were able to find the cure to the sickness. She's... turned into a strong warrior." She looked back at Split with a half-smile. "She's made a friend, too. Fadingsky. They seem really close, since she only really tends to hang around Barkfang, that was her mentor, and him. She's fitting in." Lostpath hoped this was true. She tended to stay away from the ginger warrior. Despite all that she'd gone through to see that the catmint was found... That Foxcry could come out so bitter and resentful. She didn't want Split to know about that. She didn't want him to resent her for how Foxcry turned out.
"Anyway, everything's fine with RiverClan now and LightningClan too, since we were both able to find the cure. It was such a wild experience... so much has changed since we went." She thought of how her relationship with Bearjaw had changed and she felt her cheeks warm pleasantly. "But what about you? It's been an age since I've seen you last. It's finally starting to warm up, with the sun poking out more... but you have been finding enough to eat, right?" She asked.
"No! We had some close calls, but everyone's fine. Foxkit, well, Foxcry now, she was just recently made into a warrior." She glanced down. "We were able to find the cure to the sickness. She's... turned into a strong warrior." She looked back at Split with a half-smile. "She's made a friend, too. Fadingsky. They seem really close, since she only really tends to hang around Barkfang, that was her mentor, and him. She's fitting in." Lostpath hoped this was true. She tended to stay away from the ginger warrior. Despite all that she'd gone through to see that the catmint was found... That Foxcry could come out so bitter and resentful. She didn't want Split to know about that. She didn't want him to resent her for how Foxcry turned out.
"Anyway, everything's fine with RiverClan now and LightningClan too, since we were both able to find the cure. It was such a wild experience... so much has changed since we went." She thought of how her relationship with Bearjaw had changed and she felt her cheeks warm pleasantly. "But what about you? It's been an age since I've seen you last. It's finally starting to warm up, with the sun poking out more... but you have been finding enough to eat, right?" She asked.
Split
The relief Split felt was instant and almost overwhelming, much to his surprise. He hadn't realized just how worried he'd been about the sick loner kitten in riverclan. Of course Split knew he had no claim to Foxcry, as she was called now, but it had not stopped him from worrying about her.
As Lostpath mentioned finding a cure, Split nodded, figuring that was the reason for the trail left by the clans. So he had been correct in his assumption that both clans were sick.
"I've had enough prey, shelter, and warmth this leaf bare." Split replied, answering her last question. Before Lostpath could question his source of warmth, Split tried to get her talking again. "I thought I caught your scent I'm my neck of the woods. How was your adventure off your territory?"
As Lostpath mentioned finding a cure, Split nodded, figuring that was the reason for the trail left by the clans. So he had been correct in his assumption that both clans were sick.
"I've had enough prey, shelter, and warmth this leaf bare." Split replied, answering her last question. Before Lostpath could question his source of warmth, Split tried to get her talking again. "I thought I caught your scent I'm my neck of the woods. How was your adventure off your territory?"
Lostpath
Lostpath nodded contentedly when he explained to say that he had plenty of all the necessities that came from survival out on your own. She wasn't certain how he came by the warmth he mentioned, but he'd asked her a question before she could inquire. With a look of something close to nostalgia, she reflected on the journey.
"Honestly? It was really overwhelming and stressful. All the cats that were meant to go got this dream from one of our warrior ancestors, telling us that if we didn't go find this herb, catmint, it's called that many cats would die." She shuddered.
"So we all snuck out of camp and met together, both RiverClan and LightningClan. Then we set off. We didn't exactly know where we were going and there was a lot of arguing on the way. ForestClan and StarClan weren't the most helpful either. In the end, it lead us further into the marshes, up into the mountain, back around the forest and finally to a Twolegplace!" She shook her head. "If Tailchaser wasn't there-he's a former kittypet that's in LightningClan now-well, we would've never found the catmint in the Twolegplace. He was the real hero of the trip."
She mewed, and then remembered another important part of the trip. "Oh and on the way back, one of my Clanmates, Owlheart, nearly got hauled off by a hawk! It was so scary. His brother, Bearjaw, leaped into action and saved him. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would burst out of my chest. Thank ForestClan-and Bearjaw- because Owlheart lived through the encounter, thanks to his brother's quick thinking and bravery."
Licking down the fur on her chest which had begun to raise, she relaxed with a sigh.
"I used to imagine that if I ever left RiverClan's camp for any reason, it would be to run off with you for a night or a few. Find out what it's like to be a loner and such." She looked wistfully at Split. "I guess it's too late for such dreams like that now, hm?"
"Honestly? It was really overwhelming and stressful. All the cats that were meant to go got this dream from one of our warrior ancestors, telling us that if we didn't go find this herb, catmint, it's called that many cats would die." She shuddered.
"So we all snuck out of camp and met together, both RiverClan and LightningClan. Then we set off. We didn't exactly know where we were going and there was a lot of arguing on the way. ForestClan and StarClan weren't the most helpful either. In the end, it lead us further into the marshes, up into the mountain, back around the forest and finally to a Twolegplace!" She shook her head. "If Tailchaser wasn't there-he's a former kittypet that's in LightningClan now-well, we would've never found the catmint in the Twolegplace. He was the real hero of the trip."
She mewed, and then remembered another important part of the trip. "Oh and on the way back, one of my Clanmates, Owlheart, nearly got hauled off by a hawk! It was so scary. His brother, Bearjaw, leaped into action and saved him. My heart was beating so fast I thought it would burst out of my chest. Thank ForestClan-and Bearjaw- because Owlheart lived through the encounter, thanks to his brother's quick thinking and bravery."
Licking down the fur on her chest which had begun to raise, she relaxed with a sigh.
"I used to imagine that if I ever left RiverClan's camp for any reason, it would be to run off with you for a night or a few. Find out what it's like to be a loner and such." She looked wistfully at Split. "I guess it's too late for such dreams like that now, hm?"
Split
Split settled in and lowered himself to the ground as Lostpath spoke about the adventure she had taken. He had never really put much thought into the after life clans but it seemed like they took an active roll in protecting the living. As Lostpath mentioned finding a Twolegplace, Split nodded. He knew about the place she spoke of but had never been inside either of the nests past the fence.
"Sounds like you had quite the adventure. Running off with me for a night or few wouldn't be near as exciting. The life of a loner seems to be rather boring compared to your life in the clan." Split replied to Lostpath. "Though I must ask, why is it too late? I didn't realize being a runaway had a time limit." He gave his paw a thoughtful lick. Lostpath lover her clan, that had always been very obvious by the way she talked about it, but would they really be okay with her running away with a loner for a night? Wouldn't they send someone after her? Would she really risk that just to see what his life is like?
Insecurity hit him like a monster. Her life was so structured and full of adventures. His life was nothing like that. All he ever really did was hunt and sunbathe. What if she did run away with him for a night and all he did was bore her? What if afterwards she'd never want to see him again? Split's tail lashed a few times as his thoughts began to spiral.
"Sounds like you had quite the adventure. Running off with me for a night or few wouldn't be near as exciting. The life of a loner seems to be rather boring compared to your life in the clan." Split replied to Lostpath. "Though I must ask, why is it too late? I didn't realize being a runaway had a time limit." He gave his paw a thoughtful lick. Lostpath lover her clan, that had always been very obvious by the way she talked about it, but would they really be okay with her running away with a loner for a night? Wouldn't they send someone after her? Would she really risk that just to see what his life is like?
Insecurity hit him like a monster. Her life was so structured and full of adventures. His life was nothing like that. All he ever really did was hunt and sunbathe. What if she did run away with him for a night and all he did was bore her? What if afterwards she'd never want to see him again? Split's tail lashed a few times as his thoughts began to spiral.
Lostpath
Lostpath gave a small laugh at Split’s remarks.
“Too exciting for my tastes.” She explained and shook her head. “There’s bound to be some excitement in being a warrior. Fighting over what you believe to be right, or driving off badgers or foxes that threaten your Clanmates, but I could due without all the clamor that comes with it. There’s so much responsibility in being a good warrior. There’s respect, too, if you manage to do it right, but it’s a lot of pressure. I can only imagine the freedom that you feel as a loner, not being tied down to anything and being guided through your day by your own choice.” There was a light in her eye as she imagined it and then turned to Split.
“I...” For a moment, she hesitated before admitting. “I wasn’t sure if you would want me along. If you’d see me as a burden rather than a friend. And I wouldn’t want to go along only to annoy you. I care so much for you, Split, I wonder if you-“ She stopped, looking away in embarrassment. He was friendly with her and she had grown up meeting with him at the borders over the course of her life, but she hadn’t spent so much time with him before. Would he find her repetitive? Tedious? Would he deem her another horrible Clan cat and chase her away?
But... she wanted to be closer with him. She wanted to know him better, to know his life and understand him in a way her Clanmates couldn’t. A flash of possessiveness she wasn’t familiar with slid through her.
I want to be able to understand him like no one else can. Not my Clanmates, or even another loner. She thought and so she looked back to him, finding him lashing his tail.
She moved over to him slowly, reaching out her tail to brush against his flank.
“If you will have me, I will gladly go with you now.” She told him with a soft purr.
“Too exciting for my tastes.” She explained and shook her head. “There’s bound to be some excitement in being a warrior. Fighting over what you believe to be right, or driving off badgers or foxes that threaten your Clanmates, but I could due without all the clamor that comes with it. There’s so much responsibility in being a good warrior. There’s respect, too, if you manage to do it right, but it’s a lot of pressure. I can only imagine the freedom that you feel as a loner, not being tied down to anything and being guided through your day by your own choice.” There was a light in her eye as she imagined it and then turned to Split.
“I...” For a moment, she hesitated before admitting. “I wasn’t sure if you would want me along. If you’d see me as a burden rather than a friend. And I wouldn’t want to go along only to annoy you. I care so much for you, Split, I wonder if you-“ She stopped, looking away in embarrassment. He was friendly with her and she had grown up meeting with him at the borders over the course of her life, but she hadn’t spent so much time with him before. Would he find her repetitive? Tedious? Would he deem her another horrible Clan cat and chase her away?
But... she wanted to be closer with him. She wanted to know him better, to know his life and understand him in a way her Clanmates couldn’t. A flash of possessiveness she wasn’t familiar with slid through her.
I want to be able to understand him like no one else can. Not my Clanmates, or even another loner. She thought and so she looked back to him, finding him lashing his tail.
She moved over to him slowly, reaching out her tail to brush against his flank.
“If you will have me, I will gladly go with you now.” She told him with a soft purr.
Split
He blinked slowly as her tail brushed over him.
"Lostpath, you are one of the three cats I can tolerate." There was almost humor in his tone. His mismatched eyes, lacking their normal narrowed annoyance look, starred into Lostpath's good eye. "You have shown me a kindness I didn't know existed in clan cats, or most cats for that matter. If you would like to run off from your clan and duties, I will gladly encourage you to do so." His insecurity was fading with every second of Lostpath's purr. If he could get his favorite clan cat to leave the clan, he was going to do it, or at the very least encourage it.
"I just..." Split was hesitating now. He did want her to come with him away from the Riverclan boarder but was she really sure about all this? "I don't want you to make a decision you'll regret. Being a loner means you're on your own and only get once chance. Have you really thought it over?" She had already risked a lot (he felt anyway) just talking to him. Running off with him for a night, was it really okay?
"Lostpath, you are one of the three cats I can tolerate." There was almost humor in his tone. His mismatched eyes, lacking their normal narrowed annoyance look, starred into Lostpath's good eye. "You have shown me a kindness I didn't know existed in clan cats, or most cats for that matter. If you would like to run off from your clan and duties, I will gladly encourage you to do so." His insecurity was fading with every second of Lostpath's purr. If he could get his favorite clan cat to leave the clan, he was going to do it, or at the very least encourage it.
"I just..." Split was hesitating now. He did want her to come with him away from the Riverclan boarder but was she really sure about all this? "I don't want you to make a decision you'll regret. Being a loner means you're on your own and only get once chance. Have you really thought it over?" She had already risked a lot (he felt anyway) just talking to him. Running off with him for a night, was it really okay?
Lostpath
Lostpath wasn’t entirely certain his initial comment had been a compliment, but she chose to take it as one. She did wonder who the other two cats were, but perhaps that was a question for later that evening. Her cheeks warmed at his mention of her kindness. She was ready to leave with him. After all, she doubted Shadowstar would send out a patrol over one warrior. She may be saddled with apprentice duties for a moon, but to understand Split better, to grow closer to him... She would pick ticks off of elders for the rest of leaf-bare!
But then, she thought of Bearjaw. She felt bad lying to him. But how could she return to camp now, to ask him to cover for her while she went off on her own to..to what? Find herself? Become closer with a loner tomcat he didn’t know? She couldn’t ask that of him. And... she hoped that he would be understanding when she returned. If he needed to find out about it in the first place.
She had wanted to find out what it felt like to be a loner for so long, before Bearjaw and she even became close. Surely he would want to encourage her dreams and goals. It wasn’t like she was abandoning RiverClan forever.
“So long as I’m back by dawn tomorrow, there shouldn’t be any cause to really worry.” She mewed in reply, trying to reassure herself as much as she was for Split. “If we were in green-leaf, maybe I could have stayed out longer, but with leaf-bare, we need all the paws to go out hunting that we can.” Even when she was thinking of running away, Lostpath was still worried about the mouths to feed at home. “But as it is now, I want to go with you. Split. I’ve been thinking of this since I met you.” She smiled at him. “And I’m ready for our adventure together, if you’ll have me.” She said and brushed her flank against his. She looked at the territory beyond the RiverClan border and smiled in anticipation. “Lead the way.” She suggested, looking at him with a kit-like excitement in her eye.
But then, she thought of Bearjaw. She felt bad lying to him. But how could she return to camp now, to ask him to cover for her while she went off on her own to..to what? Find herself? Become closer with a loner tomcat he didn’t know? She couldn’t ask that of him. And... she hoped that he would be understanding when she returned. If he needed to find out about it in the first place.
She had wanted to find out what it felt like to be a loner for so long, before Bearjaw and she even became close. Surely he would want to encourage her dreams and goals. It wasn’t like she was abandoning RiverClan forever.
“So long as I’m back by dawn tomorrow, there shouldn’t be any cause to really worry.” She mewed in reply, trying to reassure herself as much as she was for Split. “If we were in green-leaf, maybe I could have stayed out longer, but with leaf-bare, we need all the paws to go out hunting that we can.” Even when she was thinking of running away, Lostpath was still worried about the mouths to feed at home. “But as it is now, I want to go with you. Split. I’ve been thinking of this since I met you.” She smiled at him. “And I’m ready for our adventure together, if you’ll have me.” She said and brushed her flank against his. She looked at the territory beyond the RiverClan border and smiled in anticipation. “Lead the way.” She suggested, looking at him with a kit-like excitement in her eye.
Split
Split nodded and rose to his paws. There was no need for any more questions now. It seemed her mind was made up and that was good enough for Split. Being back by dawn tomorrow should be very doable and was a reasonable request.
As he turned away from the Riverclan boundary Split realized he hadn't really thought this part though. The day had started off with him coming just to make sure she was okay, now he was leading her into his territory (or lack thereof). Where was he going to take her? His favorite den was still occupied by Spirit and Whisper and he had hunted most of the land around the den clean. Annoyance flared up in him but he did his best to hide it.
After what seemed like forever in his head but was really only a few long moments, Split had a plan. First things first, they needed to get away from the clan boarder. Without looking to see if she was following, Split began making his way back the way he came.
"You know, while we're out here, you'll be hunting for only yourself." He called over his shoulder to her as he picked his way through the snow, following his old steps.
As he turned away from the Riverclan boundary Split realized he hadn't really thought this part though. The day had started off with him coming just to make sure she was okay, now he was leading her into his territory (or lack thereof). Where was he going to take her? His favorite den was still occupied by Spirit and Whisper and he had hunted most of the land around the den clean. Annoyance flared up in him but he did his best to hide it.
After what seemed like forever in his head but was really only a few long moments, Split had a plan. First things first, they needed to get away from the clan boarder. Without looking to see if she was following, Split began making his way back the way he came.
"You know, while we're out here, you'll be hunting for only yourself." He called over his shoulder to her as he picked his way through the snow, following his old steps.
Lostpath
Lostpath was still scanning the horizon, wondering where they would go, when Split started off. She hurried after him, though made an effort to keep her paws light and let her tail sweep behind her, lest any paw prints appear on the snow. So focused in this task was she that she almost missed what had been said.
Hunting for herself? The idea seemed so foreign. She had always hunted for other cats, had at least been willing to hunt for Split, out of courtesy, but this concept. It would be something to wrap her head around for certain. In fact, she was certain that she would learn quite a lot about the differences between her usual routine and what it would be like to be a loner, on this little outing.
“Thank you, for telling me.” She said, before she fell silent again, unsure of what to say next. She picked up her pace a little, so that she could walk beside him, rather than behind him. Feeling more at ease with silence for the time being, she remained quiet, but shot him a smile any time he looked in her direction.
Hunting for herself? The idea seemed so foreign. She had always hunted for other cats, had at least been willing to hunt for Split, out of courtesy, but this concept. It would be something to wrap her head around for certain. In fact, she was certain that she would learn quite a lot about the differences between her usual routine and what it would be like to be a loner, on this little outing.
“Thank you, for telling me.” She said, before she fell silent again, unsure of what to say next. She picked up her pace a little, so that she could walk beside him, rather than behind him. Feeling more at ease with silence for the time being, she remained quiet, but shot him a smile any time he looked in her direction.
Split
To say it was nice to have Lostpath along was an understatment. It was so relieving to have someone who knew how cover their own tracks and hunt their own food. For the first time that he could remember, he wasn't cosntantly peeking over his shoulder to make sure his follower hadn't managed to find trouble. Split realized that Lostpath was able to keep up with him at his normal pace, he didn't have to slow down for her.
Split led the clan cat on a winding path through the bare forest away from her clan. Occasionally he would stop and scent the air. They weren't the only hunters in this part of the forest but Split was determined not to meet any of the others. A few times when he stopped, he saw Lostpath smiling at him and began to feel nervous that his life wasn't impressive or exciting enough.
It was nice to travel in peace and silence but soon Split began to miss the questions that sprouted from the inquisitive mind of his friend. The smell of a rabbit hit his nose and he froze. Perhaps Lostpath would be inclined to talk over dinner? He gave her a questioning look to see if she had also caught the smell.
Split led the clan cat on a winding path through the bare forest away from her clan. Occasionally he would stop and scent the air. They weren't the only hunters in this part of the forest but Split was determined not to meet any of the others. A few times when he stopped, he saw Lostpath smiling at him and began to feel nervous that his life wasn't impressive or exciting enough.
It was nice to travel in peace and silence but soon Split began to miss the questions that sprouted from the inquisitive mind of his friend. The smell of a rabbit hit his nose and he froze. Perhaps Lostpath would be inclined to talk over dinner? He gave her a questioning look to see if she had also caught the smell.
(pt 1)