Falconblaze's Path (1): The Heart Of A Warrior, The Life Of A Rogue

Chapter 3: A Game to Die For

When Falcon got back to his families den, Misty was already there being soothed by Raven. But he could hear that behind his mothers calm mew, there was fear and worry. He could see it in her eyes. He limped into the small clearing, limping because he had tripped on his way home when blood from his ear had blinded him for a moment. Raven's head snapped up.

"Falcon!" she cried, and ran over to her son, leaving Misty crying behind her. Raven grabbed Falcon by the scruff and brought him over to Misty. "Are you ok? You ear!" She gasped. She looked around, and grabbed a leaf and a twig. Carefully she wrapped the leaf around his ear and used the twig to keep it in place.

"I'm fine." He mumbles. "I just want to sleep." Raven sighs with relief, and smiles faintly. "Come," she meowed. "Let's all get some sleep." She lead them into a shallow rabbit burrow they had found. Falcon sank down gratefully and fell asleep.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Falcon woke early the next morning. Misty was still asleep, but Raven had gotten up and was cleaning her jet black pelt. Falcon yawned, then got up and stretched. Raven smiled at him

"Good morning dear." she purrs

"Mornin'." Falcon replies then he hears his stomach growl. "Eh... Mommy?"

Raven laughs. "Ok, ok. I'll go and find something to eat. But you have to take good care of Misty and not leave until I come back, ok?" She looks at him, blue eyes into blue eyes. Falcon nods.

"Yes mama." Raven purrs and leaves the make-shift den. Not long after she had left, Misty woke up.

"Where's mommy?" She asks and stares around with wide eyes.

"Just out hunting." Falcon soothes his sister. She nods, and gets up.

"What do we do?" She asks. Falcon thought. He knew of many fun games, but he knew Misty wouldn't like them. He thought harder, then he came up with an idea.

"How about we see how far we dare to go out of the den?" He suggests, his mothers warning ringing in his head. Misty hesitated. "Oh come on," he insisted. It'll be fun!"

"Fine." She relented. "But you first!" Falcon laughs. Slowly he edges over to the entrance and sticks his head out. He looks around, takes 3 pawsteps out, then turns around and gets back in. "Your turn!"

Misty copies Falcon's movement, and takes 5 steps out. "Beat that!" She says as she comes back in. Here eyes shone with pride. Falcon snorts. I can do much better! He thinks. He takes 9 bold steps at first, then takes a leap. Misty glares at him, then runs out as well.

Falcon looks at her in surprise. Wow! Did she really do that? He narrows his eyes with determination, and jumps ahead of her. She does the same. Soon, they were running through the forest, laughing.

"OOF!" Falcon and Misty both crash to the ground as they bump into something big and furry. They look up, and stare right into the snarling face of a huge dark grey tom.