The Little Paws That Lead You Home

It felt like ages almost the petite she cat half hobbled  half moved as quick as she could as she realized she was in her home's territory. Now scraps or wounds would keep her from going home. It has been moons almost since she had been home. She missed her family her siblings. Though she still regretted going out on her own when she shouldn't have. The silver ish gray blue she cat her pelt ruffled and a long scraping wound on her side from her her escape where she had to squeeze through some twoleg mesh wall(metal fence) which took some fur and dug into her skin as she escaped not to mention the few rouge encounters she had left a few scratches on her. She sighed having to stop as much as she wanted to continue she had to stop. Littlepaw gave a frustrated sigh. Stopped because she was hurting and exhausted escaping the two legs that had found her and took her before she had a fighting chance. She just needed some rest yeah she wasn't far from camp and she didn't think the wound on her side was too bad despite the blood that clotted her pretty fur. She just hoped she could see her family even her father.

The Riverclan warrior led the patrol in silence, knowing the dangers of the forest now that Shade was free. Her father's decision was a mistake and he was facing the consequences of that. However, she didn't blame him. Jaystar was doing what he thought it was best for the clan and he was not perfect. Neither she was...

Hailsong sighed and lifted her head checking the land. But something strange caught her attention. A strange yet familiar scent reached her nose. It smelled like... family. With a flick of her tail, she said to her clanmates to stay behind her and ready for any encounter but deep inside... she knew this wasn't going to be a battle. It was something more... it was...

Her green eyes opened widely when she finally saw her: a small, silvery she-cat she knew since birth. She couldn't believe it and the words came out of her mouth as a doubting question of what her eyes were showing to her. "Li... Littlepaw?" She mewed, not entirely sure if this was a vision or reality. But as soon as the other she-cat moved and looked at her, she knew it was true.

With a happy mew, she rushed to her sister's side and greeted her with a flicking tail, a wide smile and eyes almost about to cry. "Oh, Littlepaw! We thought you were dead! I can't believe it! You're back!" She purred as she gently pressed her forehead against hers in a sisterly manner. Even though she didn't smell like Riverclan, it was impossible for her to not recognized that familiar smell that all her siblings had.

The petite she cat blinked as she heard someone coming her ear flicked quietly before she looked down trying to pull herself back up onto her paws. Just as she did she heard her name and looked up and was greeted by her sister. Tears welled in the small she cats eyes"I thought I was myself oh I missed you sis "She mewed about to move to her sister but was stopped as her sister pressed her for head against hers gently and she closed her eyes glad her sister recognized her. She took in her scent glad it was family who found her. "Its been a long trip"Little paw started to say"I should have never went out on my own just yet"She meowed her tail flicking."but I'll explain everything on the way....do you think they will let me return?"She needs looking up at her sister hopeful.

The she-cat batted her ear playfully and stepped back to see her better. She looked tired and she was clearly wounded but not counting all that, she was safe and healthy in general. Goldeneye would surely heal her in just a few days.

"Are you kidding me? Of course, they will. Oh, Jaystar is going to be so happy... And Cinderfall..." She started purring happily but at the thought of her maimed brother, she closed her mouth, gulping as she glanced away, in the direction of the camp. Hailsong lowered her head a little and then returned her gaze to her sister.

"Many things have happened while you were gone... there's a lot to explain but... short story... Riverclan is under a threat that it never faced before. A traitor of the clan is attacking clan cats. He was known as Shadefang but now he names himself as Shade. You were lucky if you didn't find him... but our brother... Cinderfall was badly maimed... don't be surprised when you see him..." She mewed sadly, remembering the blood on her own fur when she carried her brother to the medicine cat den. It was horrible. But at least... he could still be a warrior.

The calico she-cat shook her head and then made a sad, yet hopeful smile. "Your return is going to make everyone happy. Dad... Cinderfall... Stormstrike, Orchidpool and all of our siblings won't believe this. Come on." She mewed before making her way to the camp after explaining the members of the patrol what was going on.

The warrior kept a close distance to her sibling as they walked and when they finally made to Riverclan's camp, she gave her a gentle nudge before stepping in, to give her courage.

Littlepaw blinked and jumped slightly but gave a smile at her sister "I can't wait to see Jaystar and our siblings again"She purred smiling happy despite the wounds and exhaustion claiming her. She then fell silent not much expecting the next bit of news."maimed....but he's ok right?"She asked worried before she blinked and took a step towards her sister placed her tail on her sister as best she could in a comforting manner . She then gave a small nod and moved at a slightly slower pace pushing herself to keep up with her sister. Littlepaw's gaze looked around taking in the familiar territory. Her mind kept replaying what her sister had said about this Shade and what he did to her brother and it made her ruffled fur gave a small bristle. She was glad she hadn't encountered this tom cat. "I think they wouldn't believe it either I can't wait to see their face"She laughed quietly. As they reached the entrance ahe faltered nervous but as her sister nudged her she swallowed down her nerves and followed her in her ears lowering slightly.