They passed through the main den, Burn and Ash ate together. “Streak,” Burn pricked her head towards her, “Would you like to eat with us?”
Streak’s mouth watered at the prey scent but she didn’t need to respond; Flame stepped in for her, “She’ll eat later.” Flame said warmly and continued out of the camp. Streak gave one last glance at Burn who met her eyes and kept staring until she had left the den.
The sun lowering had painted the sky in a red hue and the river’s reflections looked like bright fire. Streak peered over the side, the ledge itself gave her chill bad enough to run up into the nearest tree but Flame peacefully lied down. Streak assumed that the wolf must’ve had spent many nights here.
By the time the stars shown up above, Streak had found it in herself to relax and lie down next to her leader. Tucking her feet under her warm belly, she noticed the weather was quite cold, a chill ran through her but she didn’t budge. It was a nice kind of coolness, yet she doubted she could sleep. “Are you tired?” Streak quietly interrupted the silence.
“Not particularly.” Flame answered, “But it’s easier for Nightpire to speak to us through dreams.” Streak gazed at her, her red eyes seemed to glow warmly through the cold light of the moon, “I found this place when I was barely a puppy.” She explained, “A previous Firepire member had met me in a dream-” She was cut off by Streaks perked ears, the cat’s eyes went wide and her jaw dropped slightly.
“Previous Firepire member?” Questioned Streak, needing to know more.
The massive creature let out a small giggle, “Yes,” she explained, “Many years before both of us were born there was Firepire, the strongest empire of the time.” She sighed, “Have any of the others told you about blessings?” Streak shook her head no. “Nightpire will give us blessings once we are an empire ourselves, each full grown member will receive powers of fire.”
Streak looked to the rock beneath her. Though Flame seemed so calm, Streak’s stomach felt to be twisting in a not as she fought her hair from rising on her back. The thought of being near fire, close enough to control it or to use it to harm others made her want to run right back to the nofur’s land. Just the idea of using the dreadful power to harm another made her want to cough up a hairball.
Flame turned her head to watch the sun that now barely appeared over the river, “Kittens and puppies will have to train before they’re blessed; we’ll be able to share our powers with the students as they learn.”
Streak opened her mouth to speak, objecting to the idea of allowing young creatures near something so foul but she heard a ruffle in the bushes a few paces behind Rise Cliff, her head whipped around to see nothing out of the usual. “What was that?” Streak mumbled.
“Probably just some prey.” Flame said, tilting her nose towards it to smell. Her red eyes widened, “It’s a cat.” Concern grew in her eyes, she mustn’t recognize the smell as one of the other members.
Streak sniffed as well, drinking in the scent, “I’ll go and check it out.” she offered, looking to her leader for confirmation. Flame nodded and Streak stood to face towards the smell. She ducked behind the bush to see two wide green eyes staring back at her.
Streak analyzed it for a moment, the kitten- no, it’s not old enough to be a kitten, the kit was a pure fluffy black cloud. It’s eyes filled with fear, “I-I’m sorry.” she forced out, starting to tremble, “This is your territory, isn’t it?” she worried.
Streak realized that the kit must’ve smelled the territory's scent markers. Streak pondered what to say, “Yes,” she sat down, “But we won’t hurt you. You’ve no need to worry.” The hair on the kitten’s back laid down slowly, even when she was calm she was still very fluffy though her fur wasn’t as long as Streak’s.
Her black face continued to worry, she flicked her tail lightly and locked eyes with Streak, “I can’t find my brother,” her voice was frantic although it was clear she was trying to stay calm, “We came to the forest together, I was running; I only stopped when I realized he wasn’t beside me and I-” Streak swiped her tail over the kit’s mouth, remembering her own sister and how much she worried for her.
She shook off the thought quickly, “I have a friend who can help,” she explained, “but she’s big and I don’t want you to get scared.”
The black kit pondered for less than a moment before her eyes filled with grief, “I just want to find my brother, anything will help.” she pleaded.
Streak drew closer, she wrapped her tail around the kit and reached her forepaw across her sleek black shoulders, fearing that the tiny ball of fur would turn tail and run off at the sight of the big wolf. “Flame,” she called, “We need your help.” she explained, the gray she-wolf came closer and rounded the corner to appear behind the bush with the two cats.
“I heard.” Flame spoke, “Nice to meet you.” Flame looked at the black fluff and then bent her head down to search the ground for a scent.
Streak noticed the kit’s fur was standing up again. “Her nose is much stronger than ours.” She pressed her snout against the kit’s ear, she instinctively felt the need to care for the kit just like her sister cared for her long ago, “She’ll find him.”
Flame wandered a few wolf-lengths away and then perked up, freezing in place as she breathed in looking for the second cat. Within a moment she dashed off.
There was a long heavy moment when the two cats were alone, Streak gave the black kit’s ear a comforting lick as hey waited. Soon the wolf returned with a white ball of fluff in her mouth, this one with terrified blue eyes. He let out a light meow as Flame set him down, “Mallow!” the black kit mewed loudly as she dashed over to him. He was petrified of the she-wolf who still stood behind him but his breaths became calmer and his neck fur laid down when his sister gave him furious and loving licks.
“Where are you two from?” Flame asked softly after the siblings greeted each other.
The black kit looked up at her wearily, “Nofur’s land.” she said, “We’re strays.” A tiny bit of pride glowed in her voice.
“Mom’s probably looking for us.” The white one shivered.
Flame and Streak glanced at each other, silently agreeing on what to do. Flame is a kind leader; especially when there weren’t many members for her to lead, Streak knew what she’d offer. “Why don’t you stay with us for the night,” the wolf cooed, “You’re quite far from Nofur’s land and we’ll help you find your mother in the morning.”
Mallow glanced around and pushed himself close to his sister, “I don’t know-”
“Alright!” the black kit exclaimed, seeming to have lost all fear. Her brother’s ears laid flat but he didn’t say anything, he just followed sheepishly as they traveled the short distance to the Firecamp den.
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