Tree Chasers // Turtleshade fanfic // Tribes

{ Epilogue }

Word count: 800

Our story begins in the crashing waves tribe. It was a cold leafbare night, the prey had long retreated into their dens, and the cats of the tribe lay resting in their beds. Snoring away with dreams of chasing prey and dark shadows. The kits cuddled up in sheeps warm fur, and the tribe leader greyshade asleep outdoors once again.

The camp was covered in little black stones and large boulders, what struck outward from the ground in large piles. The cracks between the Rocks opening up into small dens and herb stores. The top of the boulders were covered with snow and icles. Vines drapped over the den openings. And the floor was a mixture of grass and more smoother black rocks molded by the sea centuries ago.

It was so open that large wind often flowed though the camp entrance when it rained. But tonight it seemed peaceful enough. The head of a young tabby tom-cat made its way out of the apprentice den. The fluffy tom-cat sniffed the air to find no other cats around. A smile creasing his lips. He quietly walked out into the camp opening under the moonlight.

He turned over his shoulder to the den behind him and whispered aloud, "Come on out inkpaw, the wind's stopped blowing". Behind him came the smaller figure of inkpaw out from the vines, the grey tom's blue eyes glowed as he gazed up at the wonderous glowing circle in the sky. It was almost a full moon, the gathering would be in a few sunrises.

"I'm coming, don't rush me" he complained, but the other simply rolled his eyes. His skinny body coming over to stand beside his companion. "Be quiet till we get to the entrance arch, i don't wanna wake up Greyshade" the tabby tom whispered to inkpaw. His gaze flickering over to the grey tom-cat asleep in his usual spot just outside the leader's den. Inkpaw nodded firmly and followed his lead as they tip toed past their leader.

The two apprentices managed to walk across the clearing to the camp entrance without awakening him. Inkpaw sighed with relief. The two were heading out for a midnight stroll while the air settled. The tribe was perfectly safe and wasn't under any threat, so there were no guards posted at the entrance.

It was easy for the two toms to slip in and out as they pleased though the rocky arch. "Sorry for rushing you, my paws are just itching for some excitement" the fluffy tabby apologized. Moving though the entrance carefuly to avoid touching the cold walls on both sides of him. Inkpaw followed close behind him outside the camp walls. He gave him a warm smile, allthough it was hard to see in the dark of the night.

"Its allright featherpaw, no need to apologize" he whispered, his ears twitching as he listened for any other movement. "I'm glad that you invited me to join you" he commented as they moved on. Once they were far away from the camp they started to raise their voices to a normal level and talked more.

Outside the camp stretched the crashing waves territory. It was a massive rocky plains, populated by penguins and seagulls galore. There were small patches of snow here and there, unsure of how deep they could be, the two treaded carefully around them as they made their way to a large grouping of trees and fauna close to the border.

The fishpond was in the centre of the canopy, relecting the stars across its watery surface. Small trees, reeds, grass and other fauna surrouned it. This was the only place in the territory with trees. So it was a popular hunting ground for the tribe cats. They sat on the black pebbles by the shore and looked across the reflective water's surface. The stars before their paws.

"Wow, this is really.." inkpaw trailed off. Finding it hard to discover the words what best described the beauty of it all. His eyes were alight with fascination and wonder. He felt like a kit in the nursery all over again. "Its stunning isn't it? I allways come here when the moon is almost at it's fullest" featherpaw said. His eyes watching inkpaws reaction a nervous smile on his face, allthough inkpaw was unaware of it.

"Yeah.. its amazing" Inkpaw whispered in reply. His eyes were caught up in the view that he didn't notice featherpaw shuffling closer. Feather's paws rocked back and forth against the stones anxiously. "I wanted to tell you something.." he said. His voice cracking a little as he spoke, but he still managed to keep his posture straight. Allthough his eyes were now stuck on his paws.

"Inkpaw, i-i think i-" "wait do you see that" inkpaw cut him off. Featherpaw looked up at inkpaw's face to see his ears strained foward toward the water. "W-what is it?" Featherpaw asked. Following where the other apprentice was looking, his gaze concerned. A look of shock and fear settling over his face.

"Is it a ghost?" He asked, not knowing what it was. Inkpaw shook his head. A shiver shiffling though his pelt, and his whiskers twitching. "I-i think it's smoke.. and its coming from the cloud hunter's territory"