Chapter Two, Part Four

That proves it. Sorreltail and Brackenfur spend so much time together, he’ll be just like her! Poppyfrost and Cinderheart will be fretting over kits with their obnoxious mates, grown or unborn, Seedpaw spat to herself. I’m leaving. Wasn’t there a tribe somewhere?

            Seedpaw ran up into non-Clan territory before gazing up at the towering mountains, outlined blue against the darkening sky. I’m going up there, and no one can stop me!

*          *          *

            Back in camp a sunrise later, there was no sign of Seedpaw. A search party was sent out to look for the apprentice in all ThunderClan territory.

            WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan territory were searched as well, much to the dismay of the rival Clan cats.

            Patrols went as far up as non-Clan territory to find her, but it was too late. Seedpaw was already treading in the mountains.

            Seedpaw roused with only one thing on her mind: her destination. She wanted to see that waterfall the cats that had visited the mountains described. She wanted to walk the same paths the warriors traveling on the Great Journey had taken. At some point, Seedpaw was pretty sure she glimpsed a faint paw print from long ago. Or perhaps, she wondered. Perhaps it’s a sign I’m close to the Tribe of Rushing Water?

            She trotted out of the forest she slept in, never feeling as light and happy as she did at the moment. Seedpaw was content and pleased to be away from her Clan. She knew for a fact that the tribe was much different from the Clans. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll like it better there!

            The forest she stopped at would be the last forest Seedpaw would lay her ornery eyes on for a good moon. And as Seedpaw trotted away, relieved to not be around any other cats, she had no idea of the future.

            The ginger apprentice glanced up at the sky. It was pale blue, and clouds were streaked and smeared across the sky, predicting a clear day ahead. Good.

            Life seemed great at the time. Seedpaw wasn’t aware of her fate. The Tribe of Rushing Water cats were nice cats, but they were having a battle of their own: cats were disappearing from the great cave, from kits to cave-guards to prey-hunters.

            It wasn’t good at all.