Second verse, same as the first [closed]

Gouge

Gouge was out patrolling the area outside of camp one fateful evening.
The sun was sinking below the distant mountains, turning the sky a striking tapestry of deep violet and crimson hues. The first stars were just revealing themselves, and the thick layer of snow that had fallen the previous night reflected the sky brilliantly. Ice clung to the branches high above his head. The forest was dark, and Gouge had paused at the edge of a familiar clearing, his massive frame looming just inside the treeline. He wasn't sure what had brought him this way again, but he always seemed to come here when he was making his rounds. Perhaps it was the nostalgia. Perhaps it was loneliness. This clearing was haunted with memories.

So much has changed, Gouge reminisced as the forest's shadows grew longer.
Suddenly, as his eyes focused, Gouge made out a familiar silhouette on the far side of the clearing. The ferns parted, giving way to the broad, muscular figure of a massive tom cat. The air seemed to still around him as he locked eyes on the figure near his old nest, and a mixture of emotions stirred within him.

For a moment, Gouge stood as frozen as the forest, as if caught in the currents of time that connected the present with his past. The sight of his brother, Scorch, after at least two whole moons, sent a ripple through Gouge's stoic exterior.

Gouge took a tentative step forward, the twinge of uncertainty evident in his deep, rumbling voice as he called out, "Scorch? Is that really you?" The words carried a hint of hope, tinged with a touch of apprehension, as Gouge grappled with the complexity of emotions stirred by his brother's unexpected arrival.

Gouge

Gouge's deep, penetrating amber eyes softened with recognition as he approached his brother from across the clearing, the snow crunching underpaw with each step. There was a confidence in the way he held himself, his head and tail held high, his steps deliberate and sure-footed. His glossy dark tabby fur layered over hard muscle. His massive frame moved with an assurance that spoke of experience and maturity of many moons more beyond his age.

"I knew you'd return," he meowed warmly as he reached Scorch's side. Gouge recognized the emotion in his brother's face as he neared him, and felt a familiar thorn in his heart at the mention of their parents. The air seemed charged with the weight of untold stories and the passage of time.

"Do I?" he asked, tilting his head to one side and imagining what his father might look like. He had been much too young to remember either of his parents, but Scorch was from an older litter. He would remember them. All Gouge knew was Blue, and she was gone, now, too.

"It's been quite a journey," Gouge began, his voice a deep rumble. "I'm sorry, Scorch, but Blue is no longer with us," he added severely. "He was killed nearly three moons ago." His muscles tensed as he searched Scorch's green eyes. Images of blood filled his mind, and he felt his heart thumping in his chest as the violent memory stirred. He narrowed his eyes.

Gouge

Gouge sat silently as his brother processed the news. He had dreaded this moment for moons, and the worst was yet to come. He knew what kind of a path Scorch had been on since their parents' murder eight moons ago, and he felt it in his heart that this news would only add more fury to his brother's storm.

"I'm sorry, brother," Gouge mewed sadly. "Blue meant everything to both of us. She died protecting me." He swallowed down the stone of grief that welled up in his throat and blinked slowly at Scorch. "She saved my life."

"But you don't have to worry about me anymore," he continued, "I have much to tell you. Please, come walk with me. I will take you to my camp, where it's safe." He turned his back to his brother and padded slowly back towards the treeline where he had appeared, beckoning Scorch with a flick of his tail, and with a glance over his shoulder, he pushed his way into the brush, scattering snow from the bare branches as they tugged at his fur. The forest was growing darker, and with the darkness came larger predators.

Perhaps we can revisit that place, Gouge pondered, in the morning, after we have both had a warm meal and rest. I can explain everything on the way.

Gouge

Gouge dipped his head to his brother, a gesture of acknowledgement and respect. Under normal circumstances, he would have been elated to see his brother, but it was difficult to express the storm of emotions inside of him now. Inside of both of us, he silently bet. He wondered what kind of news his brother had for him, but it could wait.

"Yes, brother," he rumbled, and with a friendly flick of his tail he beckoned Scorch to follow him into the woods. "The camp is in one of the old twoleg structures on the lakefront. I have a few friends there, you'll see. They're all wonderful cats, and we've made a good home there. I hope you will like them as much as I do," he added hopefully to himself, and maybe this time around, you'll stay with us. He picked up his pace as he followed a well-trodden track, the woods here as familiar to him as his own whiskers.

After a while of traveling in silence, Gouge cast a glance at his brother.
"I'm glad you've come back, Scorch," he purred. "Would you like to see if we can find some prey on our way back?"

Gouge

Gouge blinked appreciatively at his brother. He knew Scorch wasn't one for groups. He knew why, too. But he still wished things could have been different. Certainly as siblings, it is better if we stick together? he had always caught himself thinking during his brother's visits. We are all we have left of our family.

Shaking out his pelt to ground himself, he glanced around.
"I'm sure they have been out hunting too," he explained to Scorch, "But I've been investigating the area all day, so I haven't had a chance to check in on them. Best try and find prey before we head back, just in case. It may be leafbare, but these woods tend to be richer in prey than other areas recently," he explained, "ever since those large cat groups have arrived." He flicked his tail. "We should split up and cover more ground. I'll head in that direction, and perhaps you can go over there," he gestured, "and meet back here by moonhigh at the latest."

Sudden realization struck him. I'm directing my brother as if he's one of The Brotherhood. "If... if you think that's best, of course," he quickly backtracked, his pelt burning slightly, his eyes apologetic and uncertain.