Hello Feline Friends

Hazelpaw bristled angrily at the insult to her father, and the implied threat.

Treewhisker shook his head in disbelief. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

Foxfury almost immediately nodded, though he still seemed aggressive, growling angrily.

“Then I don’t have to waste my words. Come back to camp. You may be allowed to stay.” Replied the tom serving as leader.

Foxfury scoffed. “I won’t let you ruin my reputation, kittypet.”

Hazelpaw gently nuzzled her brother in an attempt to comfort him, glaring at Foxfury.

“I see the scratch marks, plain as day.” Snarled Treewhisker. “What Have you been doing to my son, Foxfury?”

The older tom looked decidedly unapologetic. “I am doing what it takes to motivate him. He is a sorry excuse for a clan cat.”

Graypaw pinned his ears back at the words coming from his mentor, pushing his side against Hazelpaw’s.

Hazelpaw hurried over to press against her brother's side, watching her father confront Foxfury.

Treewhisker had no qualms about stepping out of the undergrowth to confront his deputy. Graypaw saw this and scampered away, watching with wide eyes as his father got in Foxfury’s face.

Hazelpaw watched nervously, digging her claws into the ground. If Foxfury tried to hurt her brother, she would be rushing in despite the fact that there was likely little she could do.

Foxfury And Graypaw came into view a moment later. Graypaw was hunting and Foxfury was watching critically. The important part was that Graypaw’s wounds were clearly visible to Treewhisker, who let out a low, angry growl beside Hazelpaw.

Hazelpaw pricked her ears when she heard them, flowing down and becoming more stealthy. It wouldn’t do if Foxfury heard them coming, after all.

(Exactly!)

Treewhisker narrowed his eyes and slowed his running when he thought he heard his deputy nearby.

(He’s like only 25 moons lol)

Hazelpaw followed the freshest trail of Foxfury and Graypaw she could find.

Treewhisker kept up with Hazelpaw easily. She might only be an apprentice, but he wasn’t exactly very old himself either.

Hazelpaw hurried across the camp and out the exit, only occasionally glancing back to make sure he was still following.

Treewhisker nodded, standing up and following his daughter out of the den. It wasn’t like Hazelpaw to Act like this, so he believed she must be telling the truth, and genuinely worried about her brother.

Hazelpaw tried to tug him out of the den. “We’ll just have to search harder, then!”

Treewhisker nodded, albeit hesitantly. “I don’t know if I can do anything about it until I see Gryapaw’s injuries for myself. And if he’s out in the territory already there’s no telling where Foxfury took him.”

Hazelpaw stared up at her father earnestly. “You believe me, don’t you?” She pleaded.

Treewhisker scowled. Naturally he wasn’t happy about the idea of his son being abused by his mentor- the same cat he had been considering making the leader of the clan.

“He was in the den still when I left, but Foxfury’s likely dragged him out of camp by now.” Hazelpaw frowned.

Treewhisker narrowed his eyes at the entrance to his den, as if he could leer at Foxfury outside. “How could that be? He’s never been known to harm his clanmates before.” He didn’t necessarily disbelieve Hazelpaw, but he had to be sure before punishing his deputy for such a thing. “Where is Graypaw?”

Hazelpaw pulled away once she was sure Foxfury wasn’t eavesdropping. “Papa, Foxfury isn’t actually training Graypaw,” she said earnestly, worriedly. “He just yells at him and then when he doesn’t do what he wants he hurts him. I swear it’s true!”

Treewhisker let out a surprised noise, but soon pulled Hazelpaw close to him with a forepaw, covering the top of his daughter’s head in comforting licks.

Hazelpaw hurried forward and buried her face in her father’s fur.

Treewhisker nodded and looked to Foxfury, who dipped his head to his leader before stepping out.

Hazelpaw pinned her ears back, the only sign she gave that Foxfury’s stare was bothering her. “Alone? Please?”