If possible, I think I'm going to start naming my chapters. And the title of the story will probably change too, when I think of a better one.Chapter 5, Farewell
Crowpaw hissed impatiently. "Come on! We have been chatting forever! Aren't you ready to get out of here?"
Brambleclaw shot him a dirty glance. Ever since Feathertail had recovered, the apprentice had become his old self again. He almost missed th quiet, depressed Crowpaw. "Just wait a heartbeat! We have been here a long time, and we all have something to be grateful to the Tribe for. You
could show a little more thanks!"
Crowpaw lashed his tail in frustration, but he was beaten. He knew in his heart that he did owe much to the cats who had helped him, but he would never forget what they had done to Stormfur, trying to keep him and the rest of his friends prisoner. In his eyes, they were still greedy traitors.
The eyes of Stoneteller roved over Crowpaw, as if he could read the younger cat's mind. But he shrugged his shoulders and stepped back to address the whole group. "The Tribe of Rushing Water thanks you. We would never have survived without you, for Sharptooth would easily have killed us all. We are forever in your debt." He shifted his gaze to Feathertail. "More than any cat here, I thank you. You are the silver cat that brought us back from the brink of death."
Feathertail nodded warmly. "And thank you for healing me. I wouldn't be standing here before you without your healing prowess."
Stoneteller dismissed his praise with a nod and faced Stormfur. "Please forgive me for forcing you to stay against your will. Our desperation clouded our better judgment."
Stormfur hesitated before dipping his head. "I can understand. Perhaps I would have done the same thing if I was faced with the same choice for my Clan."
The healer shuffled his paws. "Well, it is time you left. All of your cats are finally in traveling condition. But I promise you that if you are ever in these mountains again, feel free to come to us for shelter and food. It is the least we can do to repay you."
The traveling companions padded to the entrance, their pelts sleek and shiny again, and their limbs filed with energy fueled by their new hope. It seemed a miracle that they were all here, and leaving the tribe. They had already neglected their clans too much, and every second was desperately precious.
As they padded out into the rock ledge behind the waterfall, their fur frosted in mist, Stormfur waved his tail to Brambleclaw. "You go ahead. I'll be with you in a heartbeat." Not waiting for the tabby's reply, he whirled around and scampered back into the cave. But he was stopped in his tracks by the cat he wanted to see. Brook's fur was groomed and shone as brightly as the water outside, touched by the sun.
"It seems too soon, Stormfur," she whispered.
His heart sank low. He didn't want to leave Brook. She had become a good friend, and leaving her was like leaving a piece of himself behind. "I know," he replied. "And I wish I could stay with you. But our Clans need our help, for they are in even worse danger than your Tribe was before Feathertail killed Sharptooth."
Brook's eyes flashed with sadness. "I always knew you would have to go. I just didn't know it would be this painful."
"Believe me, if I could change fate, I would. But my duty to my Clan comes first." In barely more than a croak, he added,"I'm sorry Brook, I really am." His yellow eyes met her brilliant amber ones, and in that moment, he longed to comfort her, to stay by her side forever.
She lurched forward as if she was going to rub against his side, but seemed to think better of it, and pulled back, misery apparent in her face. "As am I. Goodbye Stormfur. Good luck on your quest. I hope much happiness comes to your Clan. May the Tribe of Endless Hunting guide you." With an anguished sob, she turned and sprinted away farther into the cave.
"Wait..." Stormfur trailed away. It was no good. He would probably never see her again. He watched her red-brown tabby tail disappear around a corner.
"Stormfur, are you coming?" Squirrelpaw's voice called to him from the entrance to the cave.
The Riverclan cat wrenched his gaze away from where he had lost Brook and gazed at Squirrelpaw, her silhouette highlighted against the wall of water pouring relentlessly down behind her. But he no longer felt a swooping sensation in his stomach when he looked at her. "Yes, I am." And with one last glance at the tunnel the Tribe she-cat had vanished down, he picked up his already heavy paws and followed Squirrelpaw back out into the mist.
Finally, they are off again! ;D Now, I have to work on what is going to happen in the rest of my story. I don't really have anything else planned out!
Autumnstorm