No matter how many times Commander Moon tossed and turned in her den, she couldn’t find a comfortable position to sleep. She kept having a feeling that Grayfoot was going to try and find some way to have his brother Thornfire break up with this Blaze Family molly. Shaking the moss off her fur, she decided to go investigate.
Maybe if I see that there’s nothing, my conscience will calm down, Commander Moon thought blinking sleep from her blue eyes. Just as she walked out, she spotted several pieces of fur at the camp entrance. These belong to Bushy’s pups…
Which meant Grayfoot did send someone to go keep his brother in check. Lowering her ears and keeping back a growl, Commander Moon bolted out of camp to find those troublesome kids before they caused too much trouble. Why did that stupid tom have to make such a big deal out of this?!
I’m so having a talk with Grayfoot later about this, Commander Moon thought as she followed the Baffles’ scent trail.
***
As Commander Moon continued following the scent trail, she stopped for one moment to see Hairy carrying a bloody ragged rogue on his back. Guess he knows how to fight, Commander Moon thought rolling her eyes as she avoided the questionable tom’s path.
Sounds of purrs could be heard and Commander Moon quietly followed it only to find Winnia, Winston, and Willow hiding behind some bushes watching Thornfire and a black molly with bright green eyes chatting near the ocean that led to the island Blacky’s companions had visited. Nothing seemed shady about this girl.
“Your brother sounds like a handful,” the black Blaze Family molly purred in amusement.
Thornfire smirked as he purred back. “Eh, I think he worries too much about my safety.”
So, you’re aware of your brother’s crazy worries, Commander Moon thought with relief. Grayfoot must’ve voiced his concerns with his light gray brother before telling Commander Moon. She then rested her gaze on the three puppies. Alright, time for their bedtime.
“Psst,” she meowed in a low whisper.
“Crap it’s the Commander!” Winnia growled loud enough to startle Thornfire and his what Commander Moon presumed to be his mate. She tried shushing the puppies, but they started yapping as they ran back to camp.
Are you serious? Freaking puppers, Commander Moon thought with frustration. When she met gazes with Thornfire, she gave a reassuring smile to let him know that she had no ill-will like Bushy Plant’s children.
“I-I have to go,” Thornfire mewed quickly, and his mate nodded in understanding.
As Thornfire walked towards her, she opened her mouth to comfort him, but he avoided her gaze and kept padding towards camp. She did one face paw as she sighed with more frustration.
Kids…, she muttered under her breath.
***
Early next morning, Commander Moon approached Grayfoot who was chatting calmly with Chanan and Hawkheart. Seeing her serious look, Hawkheart prodded Chanan and the Chinese-Crested Dog blinked with confusion before following the brown tom’s lead.
“Can I kindly ask you to leave Thornfire alone?” Commander Moon asked lashing her tail out.
“I don’t know, ‘Can I?’” Grayfoot meowed and shrunk back with surprise when Commander Moon started hissing at him. He then turned his head away from her. “Jeez, I was only looking out for him.”
“No need to worry, I think she’s okay,” Commander Moon told the rose tabby. Grayfoot managed to at least give her a smile though Commander Moon could still see worry in his purple eyes. Was he worried about the issues with long term relationships? Then again, she’s never met their father before.
Before Grayfoot made anymore response to their conversation, there was some coughing and the two looked to see Browntop at their camp with an exhausted cream-colored molly carrying an identical kit in her jaws. Who was the molly?
“Who’s this?” Commander Moon asked.
“Sorry for late notice, but can Sweetie join?” Browntop asked keeping her tail straight up. Her friend could barely keep her ruby red eyes open as she stood beside the Dachshund.
Grayfoot casted an empathetic glance at Commander Moon who was pondering over the decision. They already have Bushy Plant who’ll be leaving soon as some enthusiastic kid named Maccus helped speed up repairs caused by Bayle and then there was Tick and his mate Mara-lu who still hadn’t found a place to go.
“How long?” Commander Moon asked with all seriousness in her tone.
Sweetie placed her kitten down. “I just need to prepare for the move,” she meowed shakily. She then shook her fur out as she glanced at Browntop who frowned instantly. “Flowerseed has been looking for members.”
“Why not just go there?” Grayfoot asked cluelessly and Commander Moon rolled her eyes. Waltzing into Flower Meadow will earn Foxsoul the right to chase you right out.
At once Browntop charged toward Grayfoot and roughly placed her paw to his throat. “Give me three months or I’ll blackmail your secrets,” she woofed making the rose tabby shiver.
“S-sorry,” Grayfoot mumbled, and the dachshund backed away.
Sweetie picked her kitten up. “This is Sweets, her two brothers didn’t make it out the fire,” she meowed with sorrow as Grayfoot took charge in leading her to where the other refugees stayed. The pit Braveleaf and Lillian stayed in had been renovated into something any refugee could find comfort in.
“Thank you so much,” Sweetie purred as she settled beside Mara-lu who opened one eye to see who was beside her before closing them. Sweets squeaked before huddling close to her mother as she stared at Commander Moon and Grayfoot with wide eyes.
Hopefully Flowerseed can accept them, Commander Moon thought.
***
Later that day, Commander Moon woke with a jolt when she heard her Campmates making a bit of a ruckus outside. Peeking her head outside, she noticed Cynthia enter their camp with two black dogs following behind her. She groaned at the thought of having more refugees in just one day.
“Woah didn’t think so many cats lived here,” Darkflower woofed admiring the scowling cats. Black wrinkled his nose as he stuck close to his mother who waved a paw at Lionpool and Stormwing who quickly turned their attention to Commander Moon.
“Are they refugees?” Lionpool sniffed. “Won’t having too many raise suspicions?”
“No harm asking Cynthia,” meowed Commander Moon as she approached the dark-skinned woman who was tapping one foot on the ground as Black strayed off to sniff at Dovetail’s one month old kits Dream and Starry before being shooed away by Sheep. “New members or refugees?”
“Me-” Cynthia started before Darkflower hopped in the air.
“Members!” Darkflower exclaimed. Standing tall, she took a deep breath as she slowed her tail wagging and pulled her son to her side when he tried wandering towards the Nursery again. “I was thinking joining some cats might be interesting after hearing Savageclaw’s report.”
“S-Savageclaw?” gulped Commander Moon remembering the large dog snapping at her not keeping Enki’s promise. She never figured out why Enki chose such an aggressive dog to monitor her. “He tried murdering me.”
Darkflower gave a “yikes” look as she took a step back. “Yeah, he was acting weird for a couple days until after that night,” she barked trying to keep a smile on her face. Would Enki have been behind that? “Guess his Yunlae friend pulled a trick or something.”
“Enki…?” muttered Stormwing causing Commander Moon’s fur to itch. She was not feeling having her Campmates start a riot about how terrible Enki was especially since she was already tired of recruiting more refugees. “Why be friends with him?”
Commander Moon stepped in front of her mate when she noticed a bewildered gaze on Darkflower’s face. “You and your son are accepted!” She purred. Her ears twitched when she heard a light gasp from Stormwing. “Um, I would like to hear more about this Yunlae.”
Darkflower yawned. “Sure, honey, after I get some sleep.” She picked Black by the scruff and padded towards the Nursery where Heartfur and Iceheart greeted the mother.
“I thought she would be useful in figuring out about Enki.”
Commander Moon stared straight at Cynthia to see a stern look when they locked gazes. Her heart sink at the truth that Darkflower was only brought here as some info dog. “What do you mean?”
“She speaks as if he’s friendly,” Cynthia explained breaking eye contact. She narrowed her eyes as she stared at the clouds covering the sun. “Can’t agree after he threatened my child and Raiden.”
“I have to agree,” Lionpool meowed. She placed her tail Commander Moon’s back who stared at her with narrowed eyes. How could her friend agree with Cynthia? “Something’s not right with that guy.”
“Could we please drop the subject?” Commander Moon hissed. She couldn’t handle having this be brought up with the same arguments going about. Maybe she should find Epic Supreme and ask for his opinion.
Cynthia sighed as the purple molly padded away from her Campmates and headed to her den. She stopped when she noticed Imani hop into camp with desperation in her eyes as she started panting hard. “Why are you here?” Cynthia asked.
“I have several terrible news!” Imani exclaimed. She then kicked over a box towards Flowerpelt who sniffed at with curiosity. “And one good news.”
Seriously? Why now? Commander Moon thought with irritation. “Please, just tell us,” she mewed with exhaustion edging her voice.
Imani nodded her head and hopped onto the tree stump Commander Moon would use for Family Meetings. This is either serious news or the girl just wanted to feel important. “One, Braveleaf ran away!” She exclaimed.
“Huh? Are you sure she didn’t move away?” Brightpool asked trying to sound positive.
“No, I found out a personal secret and she made a big fuss as she fled,” Imani explained placing one hand on her cheek. Commander Moon tilted her head, there was probably more to that story than what Imani was comfortable sharing. She was too tired to ask.
Brightpool lowered her ears. “Oh, I’ll see if I can make contact with her later,” she roared softly, and the others agreed with the idea. Hopefully, they could find the indigo molly soon. Was she upset about Bluebell leaving after all?
“And what’s the other bad news?” Stormwing asked.
Imani cleared her throat before putting on a face that was supposed to show some sort of eerie vibe from what Commander Moon guessed. “Redfur was told a vision that someone in Misty Family wants all Families gone,” she explained in a creepy voice.
“Why is it always Misty Family, dear?” Cynthia asked and Imani shrugged. Commander Moon wondered if it was that jerk Commander Purple who always talked like they knew each other.
“Dunno, guess the dude’s prejudice towards them with his vision?” Imani guessed. She then hopped off her tree stump and started patting the box she was struggling to move earlier. “Some weirdo named Fulor heard it too and had some medicine prepared in case this guy’s successful or something.”
“He sure is…serious,” Flowerpelt mewed in a quiet voice when she gazed at the different plants and medicine bottles this Fulor had prepared. How would Riverbird and Trainee Feather begin to figure out using a bottle?
“Thank you, Imani, for the info,” Commander Moon purred. She wondered if it were Epic Supreme who gave Redfur the vision, but she wasn’t sure if he could see visions like Enki. If only it was her who had met him and not Redfur.
Maybe I’ll try searching for him by the next Monthly Meeting, Commander Moon thought as she yawned. She was exhausted by all the events that occurred today and hoped nothing like this was going to happen for the next couple days.
***
And just as Commander Moon feared, there was a lot going on in the next day as two Treasure Hunters named Rattle Doberman and Dalmatianpaw forged an alliance with Moon Family to find things that could help them in the long run.
And not only that, Blacky had brought his owner’s cousin Sloane and her daughter Sejal to visit as well which nearly ended up badly when the toddler tried pulling Rattle Doberman’s ears off. She was thankful Sloane took the child away from their camp.
Now, Dalmatianpaw approached Commander Moon while her and Stormwing were going on their evening walk with a beagle that wore a crown on her head. “May I assist Moon Family?” Princess Pip asked. “As I search for something precious.”
“Why not?” Commander Moon purred while Stormwing stared with doubt. After all, she doesn’t mind more Treasure Hunters.
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