Elemental Claws: Cliff's Perspective

Plotting

As I collected my few belongings, I heard soft pawsteps approach behind me. I turned to see Ice staring up at me with her large, deep blue eyes. She looked distressed. I knew she didn't want me to leave, but it was too late for me.

"Please don't leave," Ice whimpered.

"You heard Nathan. I'm not part of the tribe anymore," I responded.

"Then I don't want to be either," she said defiantly. 

"It's safer for a kit in a tribe. The life of a rogue isn't a pleasant or easy one." 

"If you won't take me, I'll run away on my own. I don't want to be part of this tribe without you."

"Okay, okay," I sputtered, giving in. "When I leave, wait a few minutes before following me. Don't let anyone see you. I'll be waiting for you." 

She nodded and joined the group of cats watching my departure. I walked off into the forest, shouldering through the underbrush. I didn't look back. I had no reason to. Ice would follow. Nobody would judge her for lingering longer than the rest. 

Once I was a good distance away, I stopped and waited. It only took a few minutes for Ice to catch up. I hugged her and we continued on together. Once we found a good place to settle, we began organizing our limited supplies. 

"I've been thinking about how I'm going to find Juniper," I said.

"How are you going to do that now that we left the tribe?" Ice asked.

"Nathan is pretty gullible," I started. "If I apologize he'd let me in like nothing happened. Then, I could wait for Juniper's return so I could get my revenge."

Ice nodded. 

"I'll give it a few days, of course," I continued. "Let the anger burn out."

Those few days weren't as bad as I had expected. Food was plentiful. We never ran into any other rogues. Once they were up, I sent Ice back first to test the waters. She integrated perfectly fine. I decided it was safe to make my apology. 

As I entered the camp, cats began to stare. I continued going forward. One paw in front of the other. As I approached Nathan's rock, I watched his jaw drop. It took all my strength to not smile at his shock.

"What are you doing back here?" he snarled.

"I wanted to apologize," I said. 

He hesitated, not expecting this reaction. I wasn't one to apologize for my actions often.

"I did some things I shouldn't have," I continued. "You don't have to forgive me or let me back into the tribe." 

"How do I know your apology is genuine if you don't care about my response?" he asked.

"You know it's genuine because I'm not doing it for the response. I'm apologizing no matter how you react." 

"Fair enough. I forgive you, Cliff, but I can't say that for the other cats." 

"I don't need their forgiveness."

"I would actually like it if you joined the tribe again."

On the inside, I celebrated. On the outside, I kept my composure. 

"Thank you," I said. "Your offer is greatly appreciated, and I will accept it."

"Of course," Nathan nodded. "It's good to have you back, Cliff." 

Something in me changed. He had genuinely been upset by my departure. I felt guilty for deceiving him, but somehow I felt that I now genuinely meant my apology. I shook off the thoughts. I was here for revenge on Juniper. Yet I couldn't get the notion that I didn't quite want to leave again after that goal was achieved.