Post by SpoodleDoodles on Jul 5, 2019 7:57:18 GMT -6
LeveretskyLeveret That Leaps HighThere was something off about the morning, though he couldn't put a paw on what it was. As far as he could see, everything was working perfectly. The sun was shining despite the scent of rain in the air, the clouds were in the distance up to the north and away from them, and he'd seen plenty of mice so their next meal would be easy. By some miracle that spark-furred loner Cana had disappeared, and with her disappearance his lovely mate had finally managed to convince the half-terrified Moonpaw to accompany them in the one direction they should have headed ages ago.
That was the reason he was up front though, in the lead; away from the protective mother and her half-grown youngsters. Halfface had finally made him understand they had a better chance of getting them home if he stayed out of the way, and so he had, bounding energetically ahead, hunting as he went and leaving the gifts on the path behind him for the others to pick up as they followed along. They weren't really spread out- it wasn't safe to be far apart- but Leveretsky was eager to please his mate so he maintained his distance, his bounding leaps carrying him ahead of the others easily. He should have been born in SkyClan, he'd have been right at home.
Home.
How sweet that single word sounded.
Home to see his kith and kin. The kits they left behind, probably hard-training apprentices by now. Saddness stabbed at his heart at the thought he'd been forced to miss out on their journey of growth; no doubt they'd be hard to recognise now. Would they even recall them? Would they wish to see them at all? They had been half-grown kits when they had left. And his mother, his father, his brother. He could see Cloudshadow's face now as they waltzed back into the camp, the missing Moonpaw and her kits in tow.
Of course, Greenstar might deem them unworthy to return, and banish them again. But at least they would show they were still alive, still healthy, still thinking of ThunderClan, and they would have that chance, surely, to see their kits before they left. The grin on his face grew. Halfface would have to physically drag him away if Greenstar tried to forbid him from seeing his kits. He wasn't ashamed of them, wasn't ashamed of breaking the code... though know he understood what it had meant to Halfface, and he was hurt and angry on her behalf. He had been stupid.
Would he change anything if he could?
No. Never.
The last few moons- seasons- out in the loner lands, spending patient hours coaxing Moonpaw, avoiding, fighting, and fleeing rogues, dogs and Two-legs had taught him exactly one thing.
How much he adored, worshipped, followed, loved Halfface. He'd go with her anywhere. No hesitation. Her feisty nature and good humour matched his own carefree heart and happy wit. He would never regret leaving the Clan with her. He regretted the pain it had caused her, but he could never be annoyed over the freedom, the daring, the danger, the adventure!
And here they were, heading back to who knew what kind of welcome... and he was skipping along and bounding in the sunshine. As long as Halfface was with him and they could see their kits, even if only for a heartbeat, he would remain happy. As he bounded along he was humming, skipping and dancing to a tune Halfface and he had invented for travelling. He loved the words and he knew that back with the main group Halfface would be humming it herself.
He bounded up the top of a small hill and paused, looking down in surprise. A deep river cut through a gully, though it looked shallow enough to cross. He eyed it with piercing blue eyes for a moment, noting its depth to be probably walk-able even for the young cats, before he sat down and glanced over his shoulder, calling out loudly as he did so. "Heads up! River crossing coming up!"
Even as he called the scent of distant rain became stronger, and wind in his thick fur felt cold, but there were no clouds overhead and despite his sense of something being off about the morning the river looked perfectly fine to cross over.
Ooc: The one, the only FEATHER! & Fleet
