The Way Home

Bluejay's pads were a tad sore, and bleeding slightly. His head ached and his breathing was rapid and shallow. His pelt was matted with blood and mud, and you couldn't tell it was him. But, he could see the ravine now. The ravine meant camp. Camp meant home. So, he straightened up and padded to the ravine, following it's courses to the camp. He came into the camp just as the sun began breaching the horizon, washing him, any other cats, and the whole camp in a rosy shade. It was wonderful. He knew he was home. But, he didn't want to wake anyone. "Did anyone miss me? Did they even notice I was gone?" he whispered. Thoughts of no on even caring for his absence coursed through his mind. Did know one realize he was gone? Did anyone miss him? Did anyone even care? He shook the thoughts away and slumped down in the middle of camp.

OOC- Now, remember, no one recognizes him because he smells like twolegs and that band-aid. When he claws the band-aid off and shakes the mud off, everyone recognizes him. Yea, he's all brown because of mud right now.

Cloudpaw tiredly came out of the medicine cat den. He had been running around all day, collecting herbs and etc.
Cloudpaw turned and saw Bluejay, although he didn't notice his dad. "Intruder!" The apprentice yelled to his Clan, dropping his herbs and running to Rainstar's den.

Brackenpaw burst out the apprentice den, leaping claw-first towards the weak cat. She hovered above him, lips pulled back a a ferious snarl.

"C..Cloudpaw! Brackenpaw!" Bluejay said weakly. His voice was thick and raspy, and sounded nothing like his usual self. To them, he was a complete intruder.

OOC- I wanna wait till Ivy posts to reveal Bluejay.

Brakenpaw dug her claws deeper, raising one paw. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you for trespassing." she growled.

Cloudpaw came out of Rainstar's den and looked at Bluejay. Something seemed oddly... farmiliar about this intruder, but he didn't know why. Dad? No... it couldn't be...

Ivyfire stepped out and rushed over to the cat "Who are you and what are you doing in our camp?" she snarled, fluffing up her fur and wrapping her tail around the apprentices.

Cloudpaw leaned up to Ivyfire's ear, and whispered. "I... think that could be dad..."

Bluejay's eyes glimmered with hope, nodding, but just slightly. The nod sent pain coursing through him. Then he blinked. He stood weakly, shaking the mud off and out of his fur except for a few clumps. He then began writhing and twisting, until the bandage came into site. Clawing it until it dropped off, he looked at his three Clanmates, eyes pleading for them to remember him. Then he realized something. Besides Ivyfire and Cloudpaw, there was only one cat he wanted to see in the whole world. Deadpaw.

Cloudpaw ran up and pressed his nose into Bluejay's fur. "Dad!"
The apprentice hadn't noticed how much he missed his father.

Mintleaf poked her head out of the warriors' den. "Bluejay?" She breathed in alarm. She rushed over to the apprentice den. "Deadpaw! Wake up." She whispered, nosing the apprentice.

Deadpaw looked up at Mintleaf, still half asleep. "What?"

"You need to see some one. Come outside." She replied quietly, disappearing out the den entrance.

Deadpaw walked outside, eyes fixed on Mintleaf. "What?"

Mintleaf simply flicked her tail at Bluejay. "Your father is home. He wants to see you." She mewed. She hadn't been asked to get Deadpaw, but remembering the talk her, Ivyfire, and Bluejay had before he was catnapped, she could easily guess that Deadpaw was one of the cats he wanted to see most.

Bluejay smiled at Cloudpaw and licked the top of his head and then looked up. "Deadpaw? Deadpaw!" he said, running over to his son by-blood and placing his chin on the top of his sons head. "I love you, Deadpaw.." he whispered, quiet as a mouse.

Deadpaw went stiff. No, he won't get off that easily.

Mintleaf looked at Deadpaw. "He really does miss you. Not did. Does." She murmured in his ear.