Staring Into Empty Space

[phantom]

Deerbound padded slowly through the forest, his paws making small rustling noises as he walked. The silent tom went his own way, never making not a single sound. Sure he could talk, but Deerbound had no reason to ramble uselessly. Why use up energy clacking your tongue when that same energy could save your butt in a fight? His tail flicked around his flanks as the tom broke into a trot. The wind pushed back his fur into strange rippling shapes as he moved. His long legs propelled him forward, barely watching where he was walking. Quite suddenly, the abyss opened up before his paws and Deerbound hit a sliding stop, his paws two inches from going over the edge. Deerbound stared at the unending abyss, his heart pounding like the Thunderpath.

[MOUSE << still around]

A hiss urputed from the back of his throat. Sending quivers through his bones as the wind ruffled his fur. The blue orbs of his narrowed, and he raced forward, battling agaisnt the wind, despratly trying to push him back.

"You Mousebrain!" the tom spat, his grey fur puffed out, eyes ablaze.

"You could have got killed!" He stalked forward at Deerbound, the deputies eyes filled with anger yet fear. "We are in Leaf-Fall now! We cannot afford to lose warriors, especially ones as good and loyal as yourself" Anger flared in the words of Stoneheart, he meant every word, but was just worried for the cats of the clan.