Chatper 6, Mallika

  "Oh jeez, now I guess you think hedgehogs will fly?" Mallika rolled her eyes, swaying her tail in dismay. "No, no, no, of course not." Shadow replied, flattening his ears in annoyance. "What makes you think that?" He added scornfully, narrowing his eyes in a displeased manner. "I'm not suppose to think you're crazy because you said there's some prophecy leading us to where we're going? I'm just following a path along this river, nothing serious." Mallika grunted, her black pelt silkily glowering among the reflection of the river. "Hey, I was just told by some cats who were traveling named Hawk and Cedar," he simply stated. "I ain't crazy." He paused, darting up beside his comrade. "Oh please, first you attack me--" "That was territorial instinct!" Shadow interrupted before Mallika could finish, flaring his nostrils. "Whatever," Mallika hissed, her brows furrowed into angered creases.

The duo were drawn to a halt, both scenting something unusual. "You smell that too?" Mallika asked, ears shoved forward anticipatively. "Yeah, I do." Shadow confirmed, lifting his skull to inhale the unfamiliar aroma. "You think it's another animal?" Mallika suggested, then lowered her scalp, looking at the sandy path beneath them. "Paw prints!" She cried, leaping backwards as she was referring to the sets of paw patterns that scattered across the path they were walking upon. "Oh my." Shadow commented wide-eyed, sniffing the prints. "Ah-hah! Smells just like Hawk and Cedar!" He quickly distinguished the scent, beginning to gallop forward. "Wait up!" Mallika grunted, bolting after her friend.
They began to shift into a walking state, soon to be forced to a stop as they came upon an enormous moss-covered rock. Mallika and Shadow blinked, baffled, as four cats atop the rock stared down at them; and they looked unsurprised by their presence.
A dark brown tabby turned to a light gray she-cat, eyes narrowed. Shadow knew what he whispered to the she-cat, apparently 'Thrush, are those more prophecy felines?', but he may be mistaken. Shadow then stepped forward, wincing his ears. "Cedar? Hawk?" He wondered, blinking warily. "Shadow?.." A pale she-cat replied; definitely Cedar. "We /told/ you the skies were right!" Cedar yelped, scuttling down the rock with Hawk. "Ey pal," Hawk meowed. "Nice to see you again. Whose your girly friend?" Hawk's icy blue eyes turned to Mallika, and she immediately flattened her ears. "We're not mates, barely even friends." She spat stubbornly, focusing her auburn eyes upon Hawk's, as if challenging him. "Hey, hey, alright." He muttered. "That's Mallika for ya!" Shadow chortled, nudging Hawk playfully. Two cats still remained on the rock, eyes narrowed at Shadow and Mallika. "Hey Thrush, Spider, get down here!" Cedar meowed cheerfully, urging them to meet the newcomers. At the offer, Thrush and Spider reluctantly sulked down the rigid rock, fixating their bright glance on Mallika and Shadow. "Hello Thrush and Spider," Shadow purred politely. "I'm Shadow, and this is my traveler-buddy-thing... Mallika." He introduced himself and the cat he was with, gesturing kindly. "I am quite capable of introducing myself!" Mallika snapped, swiping her paw across Shadow's head. "Don't gotta be rude," Spider cackled, examining Mallika's feisty features. "Quite the girl, ain't ya?" He snickered, then nudged Thrush. "Oh pff, I'm the only one for a beast like you." Thrush joked, nuzzling Spider's shoulder affectionately. "Gross." Mallika huffed, looking away. "Oh grow up, Mallika." Shadow grinned playfully, attempting to tackle her down. "Off me!" Mallika snarled. Clearly it wasn't a game for this irritated feline. She outstretched her claws, sending a light blow to his face. Shadow screeched, lunging backwards. "Jeez!" He hissed, licking his shoulder in annoyance. "You two, calm down. We've got a lot ahead of us." Hawk meowed strictly, breaking the two a part. "Best you two go get some sleep. There's just enough dens inside of the rock. Six currently, three left. Don't know who for though? Maybe the other cats who'll be a part of the prophecy. Now I suggest you two get some slumber, who knows what'll happen tomorrow?"