An Ounce of Rest [C]

❒ Forestbreeze... had a lot to think about the moment he, and the rest of his clan, arrived back home. Home wasn't in the best state but they were making do. They were all busy rebuilding and restocking. It was an organized chaos of sorts. He was just happy to be back on Shadowclan soil. The whole flood debacle had been a harrowing experience for the anxious tom. He had nearly fallen apart a few times due to the stress of being separated from half of his clan and having to take shelter in another clan, even if said clan had been nothing but kind and generous. He had kept himself together with nothing but the thought that it would all be over and he could reunite with one of the most important cats in his life, Iceheart. Speaking of her, now that they were both together again, he felt more complete—the other third of him restored. Honeypaw had gotten the other third. In his eyes, the three were a family.

❒ As he traveled alongside Iceheart, he couldn't help but smile. This was the peace he'd been missing. He was startled as his companion spoke. "It was," he began. "They were hospitable and generous. It wasn't perfect but it was enough. They could've just left us to ourselves or could've chased us out. We probably looked like a sorry sight, all washed up and looking like drowned rats," he joked, laughing softly. "The first few days were all a blur to me. It was a bit stuffy in the camp with all of us extra cats taking up space. The moment we were allowed to join the Skyclan patrols, I took the invitations. I-I couldn't stay in their camp without getting homesick..." He trailed off and then shook his head. He needed to stop thinking negatively. He had to calm down. "The first patrols I was on had me losing my sense of direction. I also couldn't hunt birds for the life of me. I swear those feathered menaces laughed at me every time I failed," he huffed with a pout. "But after a while, I got used to it all, you know? I managed to learn the territory enough to be able to go out on my own. I even caught a few birds during my stay!" He looked on wistfully as he remembered the better parts of his stay in Skyclan. He cleared his throat, "I know what you mean. Poor Honeypaw would've gotten sick with worry if at least one of us wasn't with him. We... We spoke a lot. We kept each other company. He kept me sane, too. I was worried for you—I missed you every day—but I couldn't go out and search like I had wanted to. The waiting drove us all to become nervous wrecks by the end of it all, I think. The death of Froststar didn't help either. We were all ready to leave and have some peace to mourn and rest."

❒ He sighed and tilted his head up at the sky. "How about you? How was your stay in Thunderclan? Did you have any issues?"

❒ A thoughtful expression crossed his face as he regarded Iceheart's words before nodding slowly. He, too, wouldn't be so happy if his camp suddenly became cramped because they had to shelter half of another clan. Well, he wouldn't be unhappy per se but awkward and unsure of how to interact with said guests. "Mmm. Makes sense," he meowed softly. "At least there weren't any issues... At least we're finally back home..." he added with a hint of a smile.

❒ Then, his eyes gained a sorrowful look at the mention of their late leader. "Changes used to make me nervous but-" he paused then shook his head. "-but now, I know they're necessary at times. I, too, have confidence in Nightstalker. He's been a great deputy for our clan for moons. He'll be as great of a leader. Whoever he chooses as the new deputy will be a good one too. I can feel it."

❒ The grey-and-white warrior quieted down as he watched Iceheart sniff out a mouse before swiftly catching it with no hesitation. He blinked. He wished he was that good at hunting. He was so-so at best. He pouted internally. He needed to practice more. He snapped back to attention when the shorter warrior spoke again and nodded his head. "Let me try to find something."

❒ It took a minute or two of careful search and pausing to listen before he found a toad. Alright. Forest snuck up on the prey as soundlessly as he could and stopped just shy of a tail-length away. He breathed in deeply then out. Well, here went nothing.

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❒ He sighed in relief as his unsheathed claws made contact before trapping the lumpy creature just long enough so he could kill it. The moment he had delivered the killing bite, Forestbreeze got up onto his paws. He then couldn't help but shoot Iceheart a bright and giddy look. "Got it. Should we keep going?" He tilted his head as he waited for a response.

❒ Dread flooded him with no time to process it as a foul, fur-raising scent permeated the air. Iceheart, too, was aware of the impending danger as her talking had stopped midway. She barely had a second to warn him before two, snarling foxes came careening through the bushes. The beasts wasted no time in attacking the cats, both going for one cat each. Neither warrior was prepared.

❒ Forestbreeze felt a sharp pain at the base of his neck and he could see the fox's ugly mug right by his own face. Its teeth had gotten a hold of his scruff and began to shake him. He felt panic rise in his chest and he struggled with all his might to force the predator to let him go. All his movements proved successful when he was dropped. "Iceheart!" he gasped out as he did his best to steady himself. He was only slightly disoriented but he managed to refocus. A brown blur flooded his vision as Iceheart rammed the fox and sent it down, stunned. Forest's amber eyes widened before he schooled back his features. He needed to get his head in the game. Iceheart incapacitated one for the time being.

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❒ The large warrior wasted no time in lunging at the downed fox, unleashing a barrage of strikes using his unsheathed paws. He gave it a few extra slices for good measure before moving to press himself close to Iceheart. They both needed reassurance and strength. They only had each other and their skills to overcome this. Perhaps, this was all they needed. He found his strength in her and felt like it went both ways.

❒ He glanced at her from his peripheral vision and gave her a nod. "I'm fine. I'll be fine," he murmured breathlessly. He paused before asking, "Are you?" He eyed the second fox with disdain and high alert while waiting for her reply. That one was still in perfect condition and it made him anxious. They needed to bring it down as soon as possible. Hopefully, as a team, this time.

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❒ Forest would be lying if he said that he wasn't absolutely terrified and that everything was going to be alright. They were up against foxes—not just one but two! Two of those snarling, vicious beasts had ambushed them and they only had each other to rely upon. They were too far from the camp and it wouldn't be a good idea to lead two fully-grown foxes to the heart of their home while they were being snapped and chomped at. The whole situation was getting grimmer and grimmer and Forestbreeze felt the familiar feeling of panic starting to settle in. However, he pushed it down so as to not lose his head. They couldn't afford to panic. He sent a silent prayer to the stars above for help and guidance. They needed to get out of this in one piece but most importantly, alive.

❒ The grey-and-white warrior sharply glanced at Ice's direction. She didn't sound so alright. He refrained from commenting, though. Now was certainly not the time. He just hoped she wasn't too injured and that she wouldn't be in any more pain. He loathed the idea of Iceheart in pain but seeing such a thing happen made his blood boil like nothing he's ever experienced. He wanted to shred the foxes to bits but they were just too strong. They were experienced warriors and even they were having a tough time. It was going to be a rough fight but they needed to hold onto themselves and their hope. The tom hyped himself up. He needed the energy desperately.

❒ His adrenaline kicked into high gear at the right time because not a moment later, there was a blur of orange then a sharp, agonizing pain on his front left limb. A stuttering gasp left him as the world around him blurred due to the pain. Oh Starclan, he prayed that his limb wasn't broken. He barely noticed Iceheart throw herself at the other fox to try and kill it before it was back onto its paws. He furiously shook his head to shake off the stars in his vision before he hastily yanked his leg from the fox's grasp. He bit his tongue to keep from crying out but couldn't quite stop a small whimper from escaping him. The smell of blood wafted into his nose and he gave his injured limb a brief lookover. It didn't look so good but at this point, it should be the least of his worries.

❒ He turned his wary attention back to the fox that had attacked him. A blinding fury suddenly overcame him and he hissed viciously before using his weight and momentum to barrel over the beast. He shoved his whole weight atop the fox and sunk his claws as deep as they could go. It helped that he was on the bigger side. His anger and adrenaline helped him pin the thing down.

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❒ To Forest's relief and satisfaction, the fox couldn't quite budge out of his iron hold. He made sure to press down on the struggling creature so he could keep his full weight on it. "I've got it pinned," he panted out. He shivered as the pain began to course through his body but he kept steady. He needed to keep steady. His injured leg was the main culprit but he needed to ignore it for now. The adrenaline was kind enough to help with that.

❒ Both foxes were momentarily incapacitated and hopefully, it'll be enough to give both warriors the desperately needed win.

❒ His rapidly beating heart was calmed just a bit at Iceheart's reassurance. She seemed sure that her fight would be over and that she'll help him soon. He spared a moment to glance down at Iceheart's fox and noticed that it seemed to be weakening even further but at the same time, it looked just about ready to recover from its stun. He bit his inner cheek in a worried fashion but quickly soothed himself so he wouldn't lose focus. Iceheart was a strong warrior. He'll hold on for her. He would've held on even if she wasn't nearly able to assist. He'd do anything for her. He'll do anything to give them both a chance.

❒ Forest turned his attention back to the fox beneath him. He growled at it as it struggled, paws pressing it down into the earth even further. He occasionally glanced over to Iceheart, curious to see how she was fairing. So far, she seemed to have things under control. He breathed a sigh of relief. Her second reassurance made him give a firm nod. He believed her. "I will. I'll hold on. I'll do my best." He turned away with a shaky breath and tightened his hold. He can do this. They can do this.

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