A/N: Welcome everyone to Legends of DuskClan! These group of one-shots are based off of Kira's(IWalkBlindlyIntoDarkness) forum We Are The Night. These are based off of the RP Clan, DuskClan, and the different things within it. These chapters will be done by Kira and Amberstor233 for the time being. The first chapter is written by Amberstorm233. We hope everyone enjoys and checks out We Are The Night.
Bloodfang- DuskClan's word for murderer or one who killed a cat, even on accident, but was not exiled from the Clan
The camp was silent. Outside, crickets were chirping faintly, the moonlight bathed the camp in a silvery shine, and the stars shone brightly. Undisturbed, Kestrelheart laid in her nest, sleeping. Her comfort didn't last long though as a cry echoed through the clearing. Waking up, the she-cat heard a tom's voice.
"Wake up, everyone wake up," a tom shouted. Groggily, Kestrelheart and a few other cats began to awake.
"What is it Brackenflight," Mosspelt, Kestrelheart's sister, asked with annoyance. The light brown she-cat waited for an answer, but none came. All Brackenflight could let out was a feeble sob.
"H-He's dead. My brother is dead." At the mention of death, Kestrelheart saw what the tom was talking about. At his side was the limp body of Bumblestep, their deputy. Kestrelheart and Mosspelt gazed at each other in shock before turning their attention back to Brackenflight.
"Someone needs to get Gorsestar," a cat called from the back. Kestrelheart saw her sister nod before running off to do so. As Sunshade, Kestrelheart's and Mosspelt's mother and herb cat, guided Brackenflight to the herb cat den. As the other warriors prepared Bumblestep's body, a queen entered the clearing.
"Wh-What happened," Lilyshine, the deputy's mate, asked. Before anyone could explain, the queen let out a yowl, spotting her mate's body.
"Bumblestep, Bumblestep please wake up," she begged. As the queen mourned over her mate, two bundles pounced out of the nursery. One was a ginger tabby tom with white paws and the other was a grey spotted she-cat, much like her father.
"Lilyshine, what's wrong," the grey she-cat, Fernkit, asked while her brother, Ferretkit, caught up. Before the queen could reply, Fernkit spotted her father on the ground.
"Mama why isn't Bumblestep moving? Is he sleeping," the she-cat asked. Lilyshine held back a sob as she gazed at her kits.
"Oh Fernkit and Ferretkit. I-I'm sorry, but Bumblestep is…your father is gone. He's with the Star Watchers now," the queen replied. Kestrelheart sighed. Watching the kits made her feel sorry for them, they'd never grow up with their father. Padding away, the warrior sat by the camp entrance with a small sparrow. As she ate, she glance to her side to see two apprentices, Softpaw and Falconpaw, plus the newest warrior, Marshstrike, sharing tongues. Listening in on the conversation, Kestrelheart wondered what they were gossiping about.
"So, who do you think did it," Softpaw asked while glancing around nervously.
"Did what? K-Kill Bumblestep," her brother asked with a stutter. The apprentice nodded.
"Well I for one think it was some…passing loner. After all, who else could've done it? I bet none of our Clan mates could do such a thing," the tom replied, clearly hoping it was true. Marshstrike shrugged.
"I have to agree. It was obviously a c-cat, but I highly doubt it was one from our Clan," Marshstrike agreed, trying to convince the others. Or was it himself?
"Okay, if it was a loner, w…what happen to their scent," Softpaw half challenged.
"Well if you remember, there was a slight scent of mint on Bumblestep. W-W-When I was at the spot he was…murdered, you can smell mint there too. It smelled something like cat mint or another herb…," the warrior replied trailing off. Softpaw shrugged shakily.
"Okay that is an idea, but what about someone else? Like…someone from our Clan?"
"Like who," Falconpaw asked with a shutter.
"I-I don't know. Maybe someone like Sunshade. She's our herb cat who works and knows many kinds of herbs," Softpaw exclaimed. She seemed to hate the thought of it. Her brother gulped in fear of a killer herb cat while Marshstrike shook his head. "B-But she would never do anything like that. S-She doesn't have an apprentice, though she should get one soon, so that only leaves t-three possibilities and we can already rule out two of them. I believe it c-c-could be Mosspelt, Rabbitnose, or Kestrelheart." Both Marshstrike and Falconpaw were confused by her choices, but none the less fearful. Kestrelheart listened in stunned silence as the apprentices and warrior spoke.
"Can you explain," Falconpaw asked with worry planted on his face.
"You see, Mosspelt and Kestrelheart are the daughters of Sunshade. Rabbitnose was going to be Sunshade's apprentice, but he decided against it. I say it can't be M-Mosspelt because she doesn't have the heart for it and Rabbitnose doesn't have the intelligence. That only leaves…Kestrelheart," Softpaw concluded. The brown tabby let out a quiet gaps when she heard her name. Were the three young cats really accusing her of murder?
"Where did you get that fly-brained conclusion," Falconpaw challenged angrily.
"Well Kestrelheart is amazing, but I-I honestly think she killed him. After all, we all know she was an option for deputy. By getting rid of Bumblestep, she now has that option back. In fact she-," Softpaw was intruppted while stating in her frightening theory.
"You three stop it! How dare you accuse one of your Clan mates of committing such an awful crime?! As punishment, Falconpaw and Softpaw you are to take care of the queens and elders for the rest of the day. Marshstrike you have to hunt until dusk, understood," a senior camp guard, Dawnfern, scolded.
"S-Sorry Dawnfern. We-We're just so scared, it was the only way to-"
"Shut-up Softpaw! You dare accuse your own Clanmate of committing such an awful thing?! Just go before you get in even more trouble," the senior camp guard spat. Looking ashamed, the three cats padded away. After they left, the creamy she-cat spotted Kestrelheart and padded up to the brown she-cat.
"Did you hear what they were talking about?" The brown tabby nodded and the older warrior sighed.
"Don't let them get to you, okay? They're just stupid, young cats wanting to cause trouble," Dawnfern tried to comfort. The tabby nodded, but still wasn't convinced.
"Hey, the new deputy is going to be called soon. Why don't we share some prey while we wait. Are you up for that?"
"Sure," Kestrelheart sighed with a shrug. The two she-cats padded to the fresh-kill pile and pulled out a rabbit. Oh Star Watchers, I hope Softpaw, Falconpaw, and Marshstrike still don't believe it's me. That's the last thing I want; for my Clanmates to fear me, the she-cat prayed silently.
The brown tabby awoke with a yawn. Blinking her golden eyes open, she padded out of the patrol guards' den. The new deputy, Dawnfern, was calling out patrols.
"Brackenflight, you will lead a hunting patrol with Spiderfoot, Rowansong, and Softpaw. Finally, Kestrelheart, Minnowpelt, and Nightfeather, you three will go on patrol with Weaselclaw, Mintnose, and Ivyfoot. Nightfeather you will be leading the patrol," the new deputy concluded. The dark tabby nodded, then padded towards the other patrollers and patrol guards.
"Everyone ready," Nightfeather asked. The cats gathered nodded and the black she-cat lead them out. There was nothing interesting on the patrol. Borders were quickly checked and marked, no scents of loner, rouge, or kittypet were found, and it had no trace of badger, fox, or even dog. They even went back to camp with no problem. When she got back into camp, Kestrelheart spotted Lilyshine watching her kits. Though it had been more than seven sunrises since Bumblesteps' death, the queen was still mourning the loss of her mate. She had begun to drift away from her kits and was looking too thin. Kestrelheart sighed. She hated seeing anyone like that, but still didn't do anything to help. Sitting herself down, the patrol guard picked at a small robin. As she ate, the she-cat spotted Dawnfern going out. What is she doing, the camp guard thought. Shrugging, the brown tabby went on eating. Until Sunhigh, Kestrelheart rested in the warm, sunlight. Soon however, she grew bored and went for a walk. The brown she-cat enjoyed the quiet and calm of the forest. As she walked around, the brown tabby heard a voice.
"No I-I'll never join you! We...This was never meant to happen," Dawnfern hissed. Kestrelheart pricked her ears. Following the voice of the deputy, she tried to stay silent. She stopped and tried to listen for any other sound. There was none. For a few moments, the patrol guard sat still and tried to listen around. When no more voices were heard, she turned and padded back to camp.
"Wh-What are you…ahhh," Dawnfern screamed. Kestrelheart gasped.
"Dawnfern," she called, her voice echoing. No reply. Rushing through the forest, the she-cat tasted in the air in hopes of finding the deputy. Thankfully she caught a scent though it was faint. Chasing the scent, Kestrelheart didn't think about where she was going. Finally, she reached the deputy. All she could do was stand there, gaping in horror. The scene was covered in crimson blood. Dawnferns' blood. A shiver rolled down Kestrelheart's back. Another dead cat. Another dead deputy. The tabby shook her head and padded over to the body. Why did you have to die, she thought. Kestrelheart began to drag the cream she-cat back. Soon she entered camp and everything was still as they watched her.
"What happened," the leader, Gorsestar, demanded.
"I-I don't know," the she-cat replied nervously.
"What do you mean," the tom questioned while glancing at Kestrelhearts' bloodied paws.
"Well I-I herd Dawnfern and another cat talking. I-I d-didn't know who t-the other cat was. Before I knew what was g-going on, I heard her…scream. By the t-time I got to Dawnfern she was already…like this. Dead," the patrol guard replied, retelling the haunting tell of her walk. The camp was unnaturally still and silent, not one DuskClan cat making a sound. As Kestrelheart waited for someone to speak, she saw disapproving glares from her Clanmates.
"Murder," Brackenflight called out in anger. The tabby whipped around.
"What? I-I didn't kill Dawnf-"
"You did! You killed my brother and now you killed the other deputy! Just look, there are blood on your own paws! Her blood," the tom accused. Kestrelheart backed away, fear piercing her pelt. Soon more of DuskClan began to hiss in agreement with the tom. Gorsestar growled. "Enough," the large ginger leader ordered. Everyone was silent once more. Turing to face the leader, Kestrelheart gulped.
"Kestrelheart the Clan has spoken. The evidence is obvious and there's no other way you can't have committed the crimes. Kestrelheart, I hereby exile from DuskClan. You are no longer welcomed here. If anyone sees you by sunset, they have every right to kill you," Gorsestar growled. The tabby stumbled back, feeling as though everything was taken from her and that she just died ten times. Mosspelt and Sunshade ran to Kestrelhearts' aid.
"I-I didn't do it," was all the golden eyed she-cat could say.
"K-Kestrelheart, there's nothing we can do," Mosspelt replied quietly. Sunshade didn't say anything. The herb cat stood there with sorrow in her eyes.
"Kestrelheart, go now and never return," the ginger leader hissed. Angry yowls came from her Clanmates as she padded out of camp. Turning her back to her friends and family, the she-cat ran off, not looking back once.
The brown tabby awoke with a yawn. Her vision was dimmed and she couldn't see any of her Clanmates around.
"H-Hello," Kestrelheart dared to call out. No answer. Getting up, the she-cat shook her fur and blinked her golden eyes. As she stumbled out of the den, Kestrelheart remembered the events of the night before. The former camp guard hung her head in shame. She hadn't committed the crime or even thought of it. And yet, she was framed somehow. The rouge scuffed the dirt around her paws wishing things could've been different. Getting up, Kestrelheart knew she needed food which meant hunting. Of course, she use to be a patrol guard and didn't know how to hunt. Sniffing around for some prey, Kestrelheart thought she'd give it a try. As she searched around, the scent of rabbit drifted to her. Licking her jaw hungrily, Kestrelheart made her way towards the prey. Slowly she stalked it, trying her best to mimic the moves of a hunter. Finally she pounced on the unsuspecting mouse and missed.
"Foxdung," the former warrior hissed. The tabby dug her claws into the earth in anger. Letting out a long sigh, Kestrelheart decide to try again. She tasted the air for prey like before. This time, she caught scent of a bird. Following the scent, the loner reached an old hickory where the bird-a sparrow–was perched. The she-cat slowly clawed up the tree, ready to catch the sparrow. Steadily, Kestrelheart entered onto the branch, quietly she stalked the bird. Moving forward, the tabby finally pounced and missed once more. Startled, the sparrow flapped away leaving a growling Kestrelheart. The she-cat lashed her tail as she climbed down the old hickory.
"I had them both and they escaped my claws," she hissed to herself. As the sun went down, the tabby padded back to her den.
It had been three moons since Kestrelheart was exiled. She survived on whatever crowfood she found and the occasional insect, the she-cat was getting weaker and slowly giving up. The brown tabby hadn't even gotten out of her nest yet. What's the point, she thought, I'm not with my Clan and they believe I'm a killer. Kestrelheart sighed wishing she was back with her Clan. Why would you want to go back?! They're the ones who exiled you, a voice replied growling. The brown cat shook her head. No, if they stood up they-they could've been exiled as well, Kestrelheart countered. The voice didn't give up though. They were scared and cowards! How can you stand up for something like that?! Face it, the Clan hates you, your friends hate you, and even your family hates you! Kestrelheart nothing can change. You're already framed and no one will believe you, the voice in her head hissed back.
"Why should I listen to you," the she-cat finally yowled.
"Why? Because I'm the only one out here with you Kestrelheart. It's just you and me. Think about it though. What did that Clan do for you? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. You see, you need to get revenge on them. If they think you're a murder, why don't you prove it," the voice tempted. The tabby shook her head.
"No! I will not betray my Clan, friends, or family," the she-cat defied. The cats simply laughed.
"Oh Kestrelheart why do you still stand for them? What did they ever do for you? They didn't stand up for you when you needed them most. The same thing applies to your friends. If any of the actually cared, then why didn't they stand with you," the cat asked. Kestrelheart was ready to reply, but no words came out. The tabby began to think of a comeback, but she thought of nothing. Giving up, Kestrelheart finally responded.
"Y-You're right," she breathed. The cat laughed.
"Of course I am. Now you need revenge Kestrelheart. What will you do," the voice tempted. The she-cat smiled wickedly.
"I-I'll make them pay. I'll have my revenge and they will feel the full force of my fury," Kestrelheart yowled. The strange cat laughed knowing she had won.
The dark she-cat awoke with a wicked smile. Today was the day she'd begin her revenge. Shaking her fur off, Kestrelheart began to make her way towards her old territory. With her claws unsheathe, she tasted the air trying to find an unlucky cat. She caught a scent and grinned. Perfect, she thought. The tabby padded towards the scent getting closer and closer by the second. Finally she reached her former Clanmate. The crunch of leaves crackled through the dense forest. As they did, Rowansong turned from her hunt.
"W-Who's there," she asked fearfully. No reply. The ginger tabby glanced around the clearing once more.
"I-I'm warning you. Step out now and we'll just see if I spare your life," the she-cat hissed. Chuckling softly, Kestrelheart stepped out. Rowantsong gasped when her former Clanmate revealed herself.
"K-Kestrelheart," she stuttered out. The tabby nodded slowly, but kept her silence.
"Wh-What are you doing here? You were exiled remember," the hunter hissed. Kestrelheart laughed.
"Oh I know I was Rowansong, but revenge is needed. Thank you for being the first," Kestrelheart laughed. The ginger tabby was confused.
"What's so funny," the hunter challenged.
"Oh nothing much, but goodbye!" Before Rowansong had time to react, Kestrelheart pounced on the dark tabby. The brown she-cat began to claw madly at her former Clanmate hitting flesh at every blow. With a wicked smile and a new love for bloodlust, the tabby had stopped with Rowansong clinging to life.
"Wh-Why are you doing this," the hunter asked, begging for an answer. Kestrelheart shook her head.
"You know why. Goodbye Rowansong, you are the first victim of me, Bloodfang," the tabby yowled into the sky. Quickly, she delivered the final blow, instantly killing the ginger cat. Chuckling to herself Bloodfang padded away to clean up in the stream.
Another moon had gone by since the murder of Rowansong. Already, Bloodfang had killed five more cats; Rabbitnose, Ferretkit, an elder named Streamberry, the herb cat apprentice Leafpaw, and a queen Flowertail. The brown she-cat was growing crazier as the days rolled by, but it never stopped her. She still killed even if she was diving deeper into the unknown corners of her mind. Even with her skillfully killing, every killer makes mistakes.
The brown she-cat quietly stalked her prey. In front of her was an all too familiar gray figure. Mosspelt. Wickedly, Bloodfang stalked her sister, not caring if she made a sound. That was her first mistake. While Bloodfang nosily made her way through the forest, the hunter was prepared for whatever came at her. Mosspelt, like the rest of her Clan, knew of the violent killings and was ready. The tabby began to get closer to her sister, ready to tear at her like she did with the other killings. Bloodfang was blinded by the need for bloodlust. That was her second mistake. Finally, the brown tabby leaped at the hunter with a need to kill. The two she-cats struggled each trying to hold her own. Bloodfang, like before, clawed blindly at her victim, wanting nothing more but to have the crimson liquid rushing down her claws. The she-cats tussled a bit more before breaking apart, leaving a moment to catch their breaths. As Mosspelt prepared to go at Bloodfang again, she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Kestrelheart," the hunter gasped. The tabby snarled.
"My name is not Kestrelheart! It's Bloodfang," the brown cat hissed angrily. Mosspelt growled.
"What happened to you Kestrelheart? Why did you change," the hunter asked. Bloodfang ignored her sister. That was her third mistake. As the littermates glared at each other, voices began to echo through the forest getting louder by the second. Finally the faces of her former Clanmates surrounded the clearing.
"Mosspelt are you alright," Gorsestar asked clearly worried as the leader padded towards the she-cat.
"Yes, don't worry," the hunter purred. The ginger tom nodded before padding towards Bloodfang. He gasped when he recognized her.
"K-Kestrelheart is it really you," the tom asked shocked. Bloodfang growled.
"No it's not Kestrelheart anymore foxdung. It's Bloodfang," the former Clan cat hissed. Gorsestar growled.
"Bloodfang, have you been behind all these killings," the leader demanded. The she-cat laughed.
"Should we tell them," Bloodfang asked.
"Yes, yes we should. They need to know why we needed revenge. Why we did it," the voice replied. As the voice and Bloodfang spoke to each other, the Clan cats gazed in horror as the former Kestrelheart spoke to herself! Gorsestar, though astonished, stepped closer to the lost rouge.
"Bloodfang what kind of revenge are you talking about?"
"Revenge on the Clan! You exiled us, blamed us for something we didn't do, and you still didn't care, so we needed revenge with any means necessary," the she-cat replied.
"Even if it meant killing my mate, your own sister," Gorsestar asked. Bloodfang didn't respond, only laughed with it slowly getting louder and louder. She didn't stop, so someone did it for her. That'd be last time Bloodfang would ever laugh. At least when she was alive.