Moons Ago... Stone and Flower part 3/3

“Can we please stop for a moment?” Stone pleaded, dropping to the muddy, grassy ground.

Flower could only nod. After traveling for days, a stop by the river would be refreshing. Birds twittered and flew into the grey sky at the arrival of the duo. Flower drooped to drink. The water was deliciously cold and gave her a new mind-set. It also spelled freedom.

“So what do we do now?” Flower questioned after they had drunk to their tounge’s content.

“I don’t know! We probobly should keep ourselves moving, though!” Stone answered, gazing at the ready-to-rain sky. The clouds were gathering, and thunder rumbled in the distance.

“We really ought to find shelter, Flower, follow me!” Stone mewed.

Flower followed, racing against the storm. A flash of lightening nearly blinded her and she bumped into a fallen log. A hollow log.

“STONE!” Flower yowled over the rain. “OVER HERE!”

The grey cat burst out of the river, panting. Stone limped over to Flower’s shelter, and they snuggled in together. Flower felt her body returning to warmth. Stone slowly dried from her dip in the river. Flower felt nearly at home. The last thing she remembered was the comfort of not being alone.

“Stone! Where are you?” Flower yowled, clawing her way out of the branch.

Sunlight was streaming through the branches of a nearby tree. Birds again were dominating the skies. Flower scrambled up. She arched her back and yawned.

“Over here! Come quick!”

Stone’s voice sounded excited and worried. Flower raced over to the voice. Leaves crunched under her unsheathed claws. Tail swishing, she agilely avoided the brambles blocking her way. Flower stopped suddenly. She smelt a stranger. Growling softly, she advanced carefully toward Stone. And by the shivering cat, there lay another cat. It was a she-cat, light grey with dark jet grey stripes. It lay limply by the banks of the river. She coughed, and sputtered. Green eyes opened. Flower felt as if she knew this cat, but she turned away that obsurd possibility.

“What do we do, Stone?” Flower whispered, glancing around.

She didn’t see any helpful herbs around. She was partially trained in medicine, but all thoughts of her training blurred her already-confused mind.

“Isn’t it obvious?” Stone snorted.

The cat rolled over, and tried in vain to stand, growling. Flower rolled her eyes.

“Sit down! It won’t do you any good to be moving about when we fished you out of the swamp.” Stone scolded, padding into the clearing with a mouthful of herbs. “Flower, talk some sense into her!”

“It’s ok,” Flower mewed softly. “Stone, get the herbs.”

Flower gazed at the stranger. She wondered again, why she seemed so familiar. The cat groaned. She watched the duo with piercing green eyes. Then she uttered a word and fell back into sleep.

“Flower!” Stone mewed excitedly. “It is Beestripe’s kit!”

“Really?” Flower mewed inrediculously, “How can you tell?”

For Beestripe had been attacked with her mate long ago by Luna’s clan. The whole clan had heard stories of the strength with which she fought.

Stone rolled the limp form over carefully. A claw-mark appeared on her left hind paw. As Flower gazed at it, visions of starry cats filled her mind and beyond. She staggered backwards, and whispered in awe, “This cat has been to the Cave of Stars.”