Wandering

The she-cat's yellow eyes glistened under the green-leaf sunlight. From her perch in the trees above, she watched the forest cats, her interest rolling like waves through her body.

The cats grew further and further from her view, until eventually, she needed to move to remain in sight. Unsheathing her hindclaws, Rachel nimbly leaped from branch to branch, her passage camoflauged beneath the rustling of a cool breeze.

It amused her whenever these foreign felines would pass underneath her. Though they claimed to be conquerors of the forest, senselessly attacking any 'trespassers', they failed the basics of forest-dwelling. And that was to take even a moment to look up.

When a passing stray had first told her of this, she'd taken it as folly. There was no way in the world the mysterious, vicious forest cats would be so foolish. But, when that stray had offered to take her into the woods, Rachel knew she'd have to give it a shot.

And the experience had completely opened her eyes.

Being stuck in the town whenever her owners would lock her out was always disappointing. Other cats, strays and housecats alike, would eat the food her owners left out for her, leaving her to fend for herself on the streets. Scavenging had futile offerings, and on the lonely nights where her stomach would pulse with hunger, she was stuck in measly rubbage with rolls of sodden paper for entertainment.

But the stray, a wanderer, they called themself, showed her that there was more beyond the fence. More than what the measly town had to offer. And though the forest cats had harmed her before, finding a hidden passage through the trees thrilled her.

Upon seeing her delight, the wanderer offered themself as a guide. A cat to tour her through the world, to seek unimaginable sights and adventures. Alas, she'd declined. She'd been too afraid.

It had been seasons since the encounter, and Rachel regretted every passing moment.

As her confidence grew with her age, she was only beginning to realize the flaws of her life. What other housecat was left on the street, stripped of her claws? She couldn't hunt, and she certainly couldn't fight. She was trapped and alone, simply put, and left at the mercy of those around her.

Rachel stopped in her tracks as the branches parted to reveal a road. The cats below her all glanced at each other as a truck roared by, sending a spray of black water against them. What are they doing? She wondered, lowering her belly to the branch, watching as one by one, the cats raced across. I've never seen them do this before.

She considered turning back. After all, she couldn't use the trees to cross the road, and on the other side, the forest appeared to thin out, oaks dispersing into scattered swamp cypresses with tall grass rising from the sodden ground. It was different from the forest, but beautiful in its own right and full of smells.

And so, on impulse, she decided to follow them. Why in the world not? She thought, lowering her forepaws along the trunk and using them to guide her while her hind claws kept her from falling. I'll only regret it if I don't. I can't pass up another opportunity like this.

Her paws touched the grass, and her breath hitched. Her heart twisted in her chest, hoping that none of the forest cats would catch her scent. She'd rolled in lavender as she usually did before entering the woods, but she was never sure if she smelt plant-like enough. They were all brutes, and she still bore the scars, though physically absent, of their hostility.

Slipping forward, she kept her ears alert. The road was busy at this time of day, vehicles thrumming past on their rolling black wheels. She waited for the perfect gap and launched forward.

It was only moments until she reached the other side, flicking her tail minutely and peeking up past the tall grass. Finally, she thought excitedly, I'm wandering further than the woods! The ground was sodden and muddy, and the air buzzed with insectlife. It was a curious place, indeed.

With energy behind each step, she bounded forward. Dragonflies whipped over her head in a mesmerizing dance, and between locks of grass, insects scuttled about. She purred as a butterfly flitted around her, wriggling her haunches and leaping after it. It kept just out of reach, it's beautiful orange wings twisting and twirling until at last, it fluttered away.

She smiled, bouncing in place to peer above the tall grass, wondering where the forest cats had gone. She'd completely lost sight of them, and tracking wasn't her strong suit, so she was torn between the temptation of exploring more, or heading back.

She flicked her tail, scanning the area within sight. "Oh, all right," she grunted to nobody. "I'll go!"

She raced into the grass, her tail waving over her head. She bobbed above the tall fronds whenever she had the chance, studying the scenery and creeping up on insects and critters alike. She even managed to pin a cockroach, but she let the poor thing free after a few moments, watching as it scuttled frightfully into the grass. She splashed a paw in puddles of mud, fascinated by the lack of a thorough ripple, while murky, yet still somewhat clear water delighted her with frogs and tadpoles.

Eventually, she stumbled across the forest cat's smell once again. It was strikingly fresh, and she found herself capable of tracking it due to a wake of fresh blood drizzled across the ground. Curiously, albeit cautiously, she trailed them back to the road. The group was ragged and injured, but they chatted amiably, clearly pleased by something.

That was, until they decided to cross.

One, a russet tom with a limp, couldn't move swiftly enough as a yellow car plowed forward. The two collided with a sickening thump, sending the cat skidding lifelessly across the asphalt as the vehicle kept moving.

Rachel's ears flattened in dismay. That's no way for a cat to die, she thought pitifully. Such a passing was a near constant in the town, and no matter how many times she bore witness to similar tragedies, it was never any less devastating.

She backed swiftly away, sorrow clenching its teeth around her chest. She remained crouched in the tall cordgrass, watching to ensure the remaining cats safely made it to the other side. Once they collected their deceased companion, she realized she'd spent her luck and turned to return home from a different angle. She kept her body close to the ground in case the forest cats had noticed her presence, looping back into the marsh. She periodically glanced over her shoulder until she reached the road again, which she expertly darted across.

When she reached the trees, she decided to keep to the forest floor this time, drinking in the sights and smells. The feeling of dirt and grass under her paws was delightful, if not for the nervous flutter in her chest. The forest cats must be long gone. They were too busy tending to their wounded.

A bush shook violently, alerting her to another's presence. She whipped around, crouched in a stance ready to run, her eyes scanning the foliage behind her.

There.

A pair of towering green eyes stared at her amid a thick, tortoiseshell pelt. And goodness, the cat was tall. Fear dwindled to curiosity as Rachel straightened out. The cat smelt nothing of the forest, and more of the marsh she'd just explored.

The stranger snarled, jerking her pelt, which Rachel now acknowledged was stuck. This only confirmed the lack of her forest heritage. Rachel couldn't resist a small giggle.

"Do you need any help?" She offered, taking the slightest step forward.

The cat looked uncomfortable, her green eyes darting along as she yanked herself again. "No," she replied roughly. "I don't need your help, prey-thief." The she-cat bared her teeth and looked around, as if searching for something.

Rachel tilted her head curiously. "Prey-thief?"

The tortoiseshell fell silent. Rachel took this time to study her. Her pelt was a mess; covered in mud and debris from the marsh, while a newer coat of leaves and twigs stuck out. It took the entirety of her willpower to resist an amused purr, but she kept her lips pursed. It would be unwise to antagonize such a large feline.

"Didn't you... catch something?" The cat said at last, drawing herself taller.

Rachel blinked up at her. She was awkwardly tilted due to her tangled fur, and while the position looked uncomfortable, from Rachel's point of view, it was hilarious.

Catch something, she echoed. Like a frog? "No, I was just passing through."

The cat growled and fought the bush more, her frustrated expression a blend between worry and irritation. Rachel sighed.

"I can help, if you'd like," she offered yet again, keeping her voice steady. She inched closer and stopped an arm's length away, just in case. She kept her eyes glued to the tortoiseshell.

The tortoiseshell returned her studying gaze. She appeared conflicted, her mouth bobbing open and shut every time her large head appeared to think of something, until at last, she grunted, "All right. You can help."

Rachel analyzed the pretty she-cat for a heartbeat longer, then carefully, she crept forward. Thoughtfully, the mysterious cat turned her head away with her approach.

Rachel lifted her paws and began delicately attacking the mess of knots, using her teeth to bite away at any thick areas that couldn't be unwound. The she-cat's pelt was surprisingly thick, and had caught astoundingly well. It took a good few minutes until the mass finally came undone, at which point, she backed swiftly away, as the large cat appeared to be growing more disgruntled with each passing moment.

"You're free now," she mewed, shifting nervously on her paws.

The stranger exhaled a shaky breath, visibly relaxing as she moved away from the bush. Her green eyes, formerly stormy with frustration, softened as she cast her gaze to Rachel. "Thank you. I'll be heading home now. You should, too. ThunderClan doesn't take kindly to strangers."

Rachel's ears twitched, and her own tension released. She must be talking about the forest cats. "Thanks, but I'll be fine," she laughed. She looked the tortoiseshell up and down. "I live just over here," she tossed her head, indicating towards the forest, and beyond that, the town.

The tortoiseshell's eyes narrowed. "You already passed through there without being caught?"

Rachel nodded, turning and approaching the trunk of a nearby tree with a light smirk. "Yeah. Forest cats never look up."

Flicking her tail, she darted up the tree and perched lightly on a branch. She crouched low as she struggled to keep back an amused grin at the stranger's baffled expression. What an interesting cat, she thought to herself, her golden eyes narrowed to lazy slits as she studied the tortoiseshell she-cat.

Lingering for a heartbeat longer, she turned around and disappeared into the vast forest canopy, her thoughts drifting to the stranger as she made her way home.