Lost Creek Hollow remembered the way

AW to those in Riverclan. A little bit of a meet and greet. He is technically trespassing, just at the edges.

For the second time in his life, the stone prince left his home surrounding the stone circle.

In the early hours of the morning he slowly extricated himself from the family den. Tip toeing around his mother and siblings as they slept. He waited outside the mouth of the den in case he roused any of them. Once satisfied with how stealthy he had been, he left with a brisk step. A moment of guilt tugging at his heart at the thought of the extra draft his absence would leave in the den.

Much like the first time he left his family home, he made his way to Riverclan.

The boy had grown since October. Adolescence bringing him closer to his adult height. Broadly built like his father before him, he avoided his reflection. Scared to see if he resembled Gunnar more than Taktuq.

A gaunt hare swung from his jaws. A measly prize that he would have missed had it not slipped in the snow. A pang sounded from his belly and it took great effort not to drool all over his catch. It was a gift.

Winter had changed the landscape since he last visited with Skáld. Ujurak's ears splayed to the side of his head. He was in the right place wasn't he? Prey blood clouded his nose. Was there wolf scent beyond that? Had he missed a marker?

Ujurak stopped his wandering with a groan. He should have asked for help with this.

“Hey! You’re not supposed to be here!” Shadowpaw barked a demand as she marched towards the stranger.

As a teenager of seven months, Shadowpaw’s body was gaunt and reedy. Long, oily hackles made her winter pelt look sparse and the grisly proportions of her face looked very plain, if not unbecoming. As her skull grew, the bridge of her nose ad developed a Roman arch, framed by large bat-like ears.

On the other hand, the wolf who stood at their borders was a strapping young lad with a prized hare in his jaws.

Despite this, she commanded herself with authority.

“Have you been hunting on Riverclan land?” she accused. After all, she was an apprentice now! It was her responsibility to help protect their clan, although she was completely overzealous.

A stern bark commanded his attention and Ujurak froze in place. Eyes rounded at the Riverclan girl as she strode forth. Ears now flattening fully against his skull, Ujurak's demeanor shrunk. Head lowered to the point that the hare's legs brushed the snow. Dark tipped tail tucking against his thigh as she chastised him. A hard lump formed in his throat. His previous doubts turned into guilt as he grappled how he was going to answer.

He was in trouble.

He made a mistake coming here.

His móðir and nornir were going to be upset.

Then came the accusation of theft. Panic swelled in his chest and bubbled into his throat. His answer came not from careful thought but haste, muffled by the hare. No! I—

Prey was dropped unceremoniously to the ground between his paws. I didn't hunt it here! I caught it on the way here from my home. I-I just. I just...

His head lifted slightly as he looked to the girl's sunflower eyes. A flash of pink as he licked his lips before tentatively continuing, I wanted to give it to someone who lives here. He tried to help my dad and I... I just wanted to thank him I guess.

He thought of the man that came to Kvarsheim. Long limbed and ravenlike pelt. The girl before him looked similar. Perhaps they were kin?

So sorry for my delay!!

When the boy cowered, Shadowpaw's pride and ego grew exponentially.

It didn’t matter if he was physically bigger or stronger. Shadowpaw, foolishly, did not fear that! She looked down her crooked nose upon his cowering body and thought him small. The word thief echoed in her mind.

“Hrmph!” she snorted at first, dismissing the boy. With a mean mug, she watched him (enjoying her superiority) as the boy tried to collect his words for a meaningful explanation.

“Who tried to help? Why was he helping?” Shadowpaw interrogated with an arched brow to get the full story. “Spit it out!”

Apparently his answer wasn't satisfactory to the girl. She pushed and pried for more. His voice cracked as he flustered. I don't know his name!

He shifted his weight between his paws, looking away from the girl. You look a lot like him. Black fur and yellow eyes. His voice trailed away. He had the answer to her remaining questions, but it sat in his mouth with a sour note that lingered like bile.

I'm from Kvarsheim. A little while ago my father was suddenly very ill. My older brother and I came here for help. The man came out of the woods and went with us to go help him.

His gaze did not return to the girl, instead he stared off into the trees. His body tensed as he skirted around the subject of his father. The wound was still tender.

I brought the hare as a gift for the man.

Sorry for the delay, @Ujurak ! Hope you don’t mind if I wrap and archive this. I’m sending Shadowpaw off the board to give myself a bit of a break :-)

Black fur. Yellow eyes.

Was it her father, @Crowfeather?

Shadowpaw’s nettled expression dialed down a few levels to a skeptical neutral. It was within her Papa’s character to help others. He had a much softer heart than her own.

The girl’s lips twisted as she thought.

“Okay, I’ll escort you to Crowfeather,” she said in a sharp and rigid tone. This would be a good test to prove if Ujurak was telling the truth. “But if I find out you lied I’ll turn you to mincemeat,” she threatened – as if a skinny teenager like Shadowpaw could do any real harm.

“This way,” she gestured with a swish of her tail. The girl would lead the Kvarsheim boy to Riverclan's leader, but she would not take her eye off of him.