Bright sun twinkled like stars between the leaves of the trees as the three cats passed underneath, unbothered by the last of the winter chill left their forest home. Duststar couldnât believe how much time passed when she became leader. It was bittersweet knowing this is what she was meant for but losing her leader in order to get here. She felt guilt in these feelings, but it was what Starclan wanted, right?
Shaking the doubt out of her fur, she bounded forward to mark the border and watch for any dangers as the rest of her patrol marched after her. It was an easy winter and newleaf was giving a promising start. The trees were past budding and leaves threatened to burst into full, beautiful wings of green any day now. Warmth of sunlight pierced her fur and she couldnât help but breathe in and let it out in a heavy relaxed sign.
âAnything to report, Duststar?â Firegaze asked, bringing Duststar back to her patrol. They caught up to her and her loyal deputy and friend was watching her with a fierce passion. She knew the lengths Firegaze would go for her.
âNot currently, Firegaze. But we still have a lot of border to check.â Duststar mewed happily. She pointed forward, where the trees thinned to bushes. âWe should make sure the WhimsyClan border is also properly marked as well.â
Charfeather snorted. âI guess. Not like theyâd care if we just strayed a bit here and there.â
Duststar hissed in disappointment. âYou may be young, Charfeather, but I know youâre not stupid enough to do that. Weâll respect the borders as always, understood?â
Charfeather rolled his eyes but flattened his ears when Firegaze growled at him. âI understand. No need to get all haughty with me.â He trudged forward, keeping to the PythonClan side and marking occasionally.
Duststar sighed. Firegaze shook her head. âDonât pay attention to that cotton-brained tom. Heâs got adventure on his mind and thereâs nothing to curb that.â
Duststar nodded, a little glum. âIâŠ.suppose.â She shook her head to clear her thoughts. âNo matter! We have a task to do! Letâs get this done before dark. Letâs hope Piperstripe and Ghostpaw manage to find some Newleaf prey by the time we get back.â She bounded forward before Firegaze could say anything.
As the sun rose higher and higher and the chill became a comforting warmth surrounding them, the patrol relaxed more and became more lax in the border marking. They were just here to make sure there was no danger after all. Firegaze and Charfeather started a conversation about badgers and how to find a set while Duststar pulled forward to sniff around.
Duststar opened her mouth to call the others when a rancid hot stench wafted over her tongue making her nose wrinkle. Charfeather and Firegaze mustâve scented it as well as they both fluffed up their pelts in alarm. âDog?â Duststar said, worry edging her voice. âItâs too cold for Twolegs to be patrolling with them yet.â
âMaybe it escaped?â Charfeather suggested. Immediately the three shuddered. A dog with a Twoleg is alright, the tall creature will usually just call them back if they dared venture too far. However, an escaped or wild dog is unpredictable.
âWe canât let it just wander in our territory, â Duststar mewed. She turned to Firegaze. âLetâs follow the scent and make sure it leaves. Whether it goes home or to another clanâs territory, itâs far too early for us to be dealing with a dog this season.â
Firegaze nodded dutifully and started following the scent. Duststar and Charfeather followed closely behind, letting the capable tracker do her work. The scent was so strong, they must be right on itâs tail, but they didnât dare get any closer than they needed. It veered into their territory to the border and then back within the territory. This dog seemed to just be wandering and Duststar took note of the lack of Twoleg smell.
The thing must be escaped, Duststar thought grimly. This could turn dangerous really quickly if the wind ever changed or if it somehow finds them stalking it.
They walked in silence for so long, passing over rocky terrain where few trees grew to under the Thunderpath where unknown lands sprawled out like a wide green sea. Duststar didnât realize her paws hurt until Firegaze flicked her tail, signaling to stop. Duststar and Charfeather looked at her then followed to where her intense orange gaze was pointed at. There! A large yet wiry brown creature loped over the valley, sticking its nose into holes and bounding through the grass, so carefree like a kit on its first day out of a nursery.
âItâs far enough away it shouldnât be a bother now,â Firegaze stated. She looked back at Duststar, pride in her eyes. âHopefully if it knows whatâs good, it wonât come back.â
âHopefully.â Duststar murmured. A pit in her stomach grew. âItâs only been a few weeks and this is what my leadership is offered? Iâm concerned this might be an ill warning.â
âDonât think too much of it, Dusty.â Charfeather gave her a friendly nudge. âAll clans deal with dogs. Theyâre not a big deal.â He stretched his back legs, his chest fur puffing out more than usual. âAh, my paws are killing me! Letâs head home before Skyspore sends a patrol of kits and apprentices to find our bodies!â
Firegaze purred in tense amusement. Duststar chuckled, still feeling that pit, but decided Charfeather was right. All clans deal with dogs. Together the three cats raced home. Their paws may be tired, but their legs certainly needed a stretch.
By the time they reached camp, the sky was a violet hue and stars were blinking into existence. Duststar could see Ghostpaw and Piperstripe hauling a large amount of prey to the pile and Cloverkit and Wolfkit excitedly bouncing up and down as they watched.
Skyspore was dutifully keeping guard on a tall rock and sat up when the three cats entered camp. He lept down to meet them and touched noses with Duststar. âTook you long enough,â he drawled. âCame down with an issue, Dust?â There was a tang of disrespect there, making Duststar want to wrinkle her nose.
âNo issues, Skyspore,â Duststar said with a forced purr to sound friendly. The older warrior narrowed his eyes slightly and she hurriedly continued. âJust a dog. We scented it along the border and decided to shadow it out of our territory. We should be safe for a while until the weather warms up more.â
âVery well. If you say so.â The white tom didnât sound too thrilled. He started to walk past her but stopped to look back. He looked a little more concerned now. âBe careful out there. We donât need any more leaders dying on us.â
Duststar nodded, proud to have been chosen to lead this clan. She can't wait for what the future holds.
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