Impact (OPEN)

Echosteps| Warrior| Thunder Clan

“What do you mean she’s missing?!” A cry of panic raised over the roar of the monsters. White paws wandered forward, both curious and anxious to see what was causing such a commotion.
~~~~~

That afternoon Echosteps had returned from the mornings border patrol and followed his usual routine of peeking into the medicine den. On most days, he would find his sister, Sweetwater, fast asleep in the sunlight of sun-high, exhausted from being up for most of the night; herbs laid out beneath her paws. But today was not like one of those days. Today, the small black tom had found the den empty. While it was unusual not to find the little caliby asleep before him, it was not unheard of. The days that his sister did manage to get a decent nights sleep at the proper hour often led to her ventures into the forest searching for more herbs.

After a quick sniff to be sure she wasn’t hidden among the storage of dried leaves, the tom padded off; satisfied that Sweetwater was not there. Echos stomach growled in response. He had not eaten yet today, being on the dawn patrol all morning. A bite of mouse was sure to cure that though. Carrying himself over to the fresh kill pile, he noted it was rather low. Either the hunting patrol had not gotten back yet or everyone had eaten already.

Picking out the smallest mouse he could find, he scarffed it down. It would satisfy him enough to do a little hunting of his own. It would have to.

The day was bright and beautiful, a light breeze gently rusting the leaves of the forest. Pushing his way through the brambles, Echosteps stepped lightly across the forest floor. Hunting near Sunning Rocks and River Clans boarder was ideal at this time of year. Prey flocked to the water like flies to a carcass. However, the hunting patrol had probably already started their search for food there, and Echo did not was to intrude on their catches.

Heading in the opposite direction, the forest sang. Birds flitted above, singing as they made their way from branch to branch. It was peaceful and beautiful. That was, until nature begun to go silent. Echo paused, aware of the un-natural air around him. Black ears pricked, straining to hear anything unusual. In the distance, the roar of the Thunder Path became clearer. Thunderstar had warned the warriors not to venture too close and apprentices were forbidden. Echo, however, was curious. He had crossed many a Thunder path as a kit, living amongst the two-legs nests.

His paws carried him closer, winding nimbly over the tangled roots of the trees. The brush became thicker the closer he got, and the noise roared and echoed in his ears. Then, the sound of voices. Just barley at first, like whispers carried in the wind. But the closer he got, the louder they became, making it clear to him that they were not only talking, but arguing; loudly!

Echo stopped, trying to decide if it was wise to continue toward the duo. The foul scent of Thunderpath made it impossible to tell if they were of Thunder Clan or not. If it were the later, he could be in for a fight and a huge heap of trouble. But curiosity drew him near. What were two cats doing so close to, not only the edge of Thunder Clan territory, but the giant monsters that roamed the area?
His black form crouched low, he silently made his way forward; the shade of the brush hiding his dark colored pelt.

“Why are you here?” The voice held the hints of annoyance, but was soft.

“Because I was told to find you.” The second voice was stated but cautionary. It seemed…hesitant, as if the speaker was unsure of where this conversation was going.

“I thought you left, with the others. You will not be welcomed back so easily you know.”

“Im not here….to rejoin you. I came looking for you.”

There was a pause; a moment of thought and calculation as these words sunk in to the listener. “Then why are you here Boulder?”

The name hit Echo like a rock. Boulder was his brothers name. Well, adoptive brother anyway. But Echo had grown up with the tom and knew little else than his love and affection. Even if not by blood, he was still kin.
But after joining the wild clans, Boulder had left with the rest of Echo and Sweets adoptive family. For them, clan life was to containing. Sparrow, who had lived on the streets all her life, was to accustom to traveling and going where she pleased. And as she left, her children had gone with her. Echo would have followed them, if Sweetwater had not decided to stay with the clans.

“What do you mean she’s missing?!” Sweetwater’s voice rang though the trees, breaking off the toms thoughts. This time, Echo could tell it was his sister. He flinched at her sharpness. “Then why aren’t you out there looking for her?! Why are you here? And where are the others?” There was anger, alarm, and grief all mixed in to the little she-cats cries.

“Sweet!” Boulder tried to cut her off, “She told me if she didn’t come back I was to find you! The ot-“
“No, Boulder! You go back right now and find her. And don’t you dare leave the others alone again!”
“Bu-“ A thud and rustling of fur against the ground was all Echo needed to join in. Emerging from the bushes he saw Sweetwater’s small body pinning their brother’s large orange form to the ground. The tom could have easily over-powered her but the look in his eyes said it all.

“Sweet,” Echo bounded over to the two wresting cats and carefully pulled the caliby from their brother. There was a sadness in her green eyes as she held back tears; her body ridged and fur ruffled. Echo turned to look at his brother who was carefully pulling himself off the ground.

The toms exchanged cautious looks but Echo knew what his brother wanted to say. Sparrow was gone. A missing cat in the forest of two-leg nest often meant one thing only. And it was unlikely they would find her.

“Boulder,” Echo could now see the tears begin to fall around his sister’s feet, her body shaking with over-whelming emotion. “I think it’s best if you go back to the others. Take care of them. They will need you now more than ever.”

The orange tom nodded and turned. His wordless departure was hard, for Echo did not know if he would see his brother again. “If you ever want to re-join us,” Echo called over the monsters roars. “You know where to look!”

With a flick of his tail, the orange form bounded out of sight. Echo looked down at the trembling form that sat next to him. He stroked Sweets back with his tail, hoping to calm her. But true to character, she darted back into the brush. Sweetwater had never been one to let her siblings see her break; and now especially. And after a moment, still absorbing the grief himself, Echo jumped into the foliage after her.