Chapter 54: The Denmate

Ash woke up in a hole. He remembered Treebranch tackling him in the forest. Crazy dream, he thought. He blinked the sleep from his eyes, to find the den was deserted.
"Airia? Charlotte? Rusty...?" Ash called into the den.
No response.
So it wasn't a dream, Ash told himself, growling. When I find Treebranch, I am gonna-
Something hit him in the side. Ash stumbled, but didn't fall. He turned on his attacker. A black she-wolf was standing there.
"Who ar-are you?" She stuttered. She seemed brave, but a bit nervous at the same time.
"I'm a normal Waterbending apprentice, who was trying to get to the Water Tribe, but I got hit by some Tribe wolf for no reason, and now I'm stuck here," Ash growled.
The black female wolf rolled her eyes. "What's your name?"
"Ash," mumbled Ash.
"My name is Nightgale. Pleasure to meet you," nodded the she-wolf.
"Not so pleased," Ash mumbled. He wasn't trying to be mean to Nightgale; he was just angry at Treebranch.
"What?" Nightgale sounded worried.
"Sorry, I'm just in a bad mood," Ash sighed, "I only knew the Tribe for two days and they already wolf-napped me."
"Hmm," Nightgale said. "What'd you do?"
"Nothing," Ash snapped, "maybe they want me to join the Tribe or something. Why'd they take you?"
"I was 'on their territory' and wouldn't leave," Nightgale explained, "so they put me in here."
"That's all?" Ash tilted his head.
"Yeah," Nightgale shrugged.
"Well, I was in a group of animals," Ash began, "I tried hunting, but Flyingbird got to me and scolded me. They put us in an underground den, then released us the next day, because Leafclaw and Treebranch both offered us shelter. So we went out today, and then Treebranch wanted to see me. She said sorry, then jumped on me." Ash growled. "I hate this Tribe."
"Well, they provide food," Nightgale commented.
"How long have you been in here?" Ash asked.
"At least 5 moons," Nightgale nodded.
"And they never released you?" Ash grew wide-eyed.
"Nope," Nightgale sighed.
Just then, a white wolf with black streaks on his back came in. He was followed by a smaller black she-wolf - she had yellow flecks all over her.
"Why did you take me?" Ash growled.
"Prophecy reasons," the white wolf glared.
"Say what now?" Ash pricked his ears.
"There was a prophecy saying-" the black wolf began. The white wolf put his tail up, telling her to stop.
"Quiet, Star, he'll find out later," he snapped.
"Since he doesn't know why, he deserves to know, Warriormoon!" Star growled.
"Don't talk to your mentor that way," Warriormoon said coldly. He turned to Ash and Nightgale. "Anyways, we brought some prey." He turned his back and grabbed two magpies. He slid one to Ash, and the other he slid to Nightgale.
"Bye," Star sighed, "good luck, it's horrible being in here." With that, she followed Warriormoon out of the den.
How does she know it's horrible to be in here? Ash thought.
Nightgale seemed to read his mind. "Star was taken in when she was a pup - one of our mothers was out for a stroll and found her. The mother felt so sorry that she had to take Star in."
"At least the mother was nice enough to take the poor pup in," Ash commented, like Goldwing took me in.

Author's Note:
So due to a prophecy, Ash has to stay in a hole with Nightgale. Curse you, prophecy, for making Ash stay with the Tribe. XD Nightgale belongs with Athenscami, thanks for the character Athen!