Caɾղaցe Ɱօօղ ~𝙰 𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚛𝚜 𝙵𝚊𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚌

36 🌙

The forest was brimming with interchanging songs of symphony. Huge tawny owls in the trees hooted back and forth to one another. Insects buzzed over the camp's edges, floating across the empty space between Thunderclan's hollow and then zig-zagging off into the forest beyond. Crickets scraped their teeth-like serrations against one other, producing a discreet chirruping sound.

A bullfrog croaked from somewhere deep in the forest. A bat shrieked in the night air, and then the wings of something swooping above the treetops blotted out some stars.

Even after sunfall, the territory beyond Thunderclan's camp was busy. There was abundant prey-scent on the wind. It smelled like it would've been a good night for hunting.

After Crescentpaw finished eating she dragged the squirrel into the den. All of the cats inside were curled up asleep, so she left the prey's half-eaten corpse laid close to Pepperpelt.

She then returned to Trufflefur and continued listening. The apprentice looked out several rabbit-chases, towards the cascade of darkness that was Thunderclan's stony floor.

Amongst all the habituated sounds of the forest, an eerie howl filled the cacophonous air. It sounded far-off but chilled her nonetheless.

I hope Darkflower decides to make her way to Riverclan with Plumetail. The tabby apprentice didn't want a Shadowclan elder dead for nothing, now that she had found a medicine cat.

But she had left the choice up to Darkflower, who had seemed protective of her last remaining clanmate. Maybe she'll turn up on Riverclan land after we get back. Or even before, if she changes her mind faster.

Trufflefur continued to sit across from her, not even his tail twitching. He stared at the camp entrance.

"If they come, they'll come from there." He echoed Sooftface's words.

Crescentpaw's eyes grew bloodshot from staring at the leaf-littered ramp for so long. She blinked then looked away, over at Trufflefur.

I don't think I can stay awake for much longer. I'm so exhausted... Her mind felt foggy. Crescentpaw's thoughts, too, were beginning to grow sluggish. And there was an anguished ache between her shoulders from walking all day.

She managed to stay awake for another hour, but when her eyes finally started closing Trufflefur spoke up.

"Alright, let's trade with Pepperpelt and Rainpaw."

Oh thank Starclan.

She felt a stab like stinging nettles as her paws struck down to get up and walk. As soon as the tabby-and-white apprentice got inside the den she flopped down with relief. Nest or no nest, she couldn't care less; and Crescentpaw immediately fell asleep.

🐈‍⬛

When the she-cat awoke she found her eyes bleary and hard to open. They were sticky with prolonged sleep.

"-keeps telling me that he's sorry about what happened. Can you believe that?!" Crescentpaw heard Jadestar's voice as she gradually woke up.

She rolled to her paws, stretching out stiff legs and turning her head towards the sunlit den-entrance.

It's so bright outside! What time is it? Sootface, Rainpaw, Trufflefur and the kits were still asleep on the den floor across from her.