A/N: Thanks to Amber342 and Guardian-Fan-He for reviewing! Amber342 your review was extremely helpful, thanks! And I'm glad you like my characterization! Hope you enjoy this chapter too! Also, I just noticed I was typing Quil instead of Quail XD I didn't even notice until Amber pointed it out.
Also, I know I don't know the look of the ShadowClan camp exactly I typed most of this at school and didn't have a chance to check, sorry, I hope you can look past that and enjoy anyway! Last but not least, lemme give a prayer to the people out there in Boston, I have a cousin in Boston, and she was absolutely devastated about her city. I hope everyone out there is okay and that all that's been taken from you will somehow come back!
Cheating Love and What's Happened to ShadowClan?
Flashback: Cheating Love
Violetfire's tail lashed as she stood on the smooth rock. Her fur was blowing in the wind and the constant chill annoyed her. She flattened her ears and let out an impatient huff.
Where is he? He promised sunset!
As if on cue, a smooth voice whispered in her ear, "Hello Violetfire." Violetfire dug her claws in the ground. She turned her head to come nose to nose with a large, black-furred tom.
"Hollowstar." She mewed in a friendly tone, hoping he couldn't hear the strain underneath it. The tom sat, keeping his face close to hers.
She knew him as a strong, fearless warrior and an amazing fighter in battle.
But he was a worthless leader.
In fact, he was irresponsible, ditzy, and always ready to risk his life at the worst times.
Violetfire had noticed that since she was an apprentice, and her mother Dawnflower was very meticulous about showing her the weaknesses of Hollowstar's leadership skills.
I can't let you down, right Dawnflower?
"You wanted to talk? What is it?" Hollowstar's ears twitched, eyes gleaming with some emotion that Violetfire didn't want to analyze. The orange she-cat took a deep breath.
"Be smooth…" Her mother's voice whispered in her ear. "You are a concerned friend, you want to make him feel like you care, that you're there for him, that he can depend on you."
"It's about…Grayspot…"
"…What…what about him?" Hollowstar instantly looked away, the previous look in his eyes gone, replaced with a dark sadness that made some part of Violetfire feel for him.
"No!" Her mother's voice screeched, causing Violetfire to wince involuntarily. "Your emotions are not in this."
"The clan is worried," Violetfire mewed, weaving around him so that her body was pressed to his and once again they were nose to nose. "I'm worried."
Hollowstar met her gaze, and Violetfire forced worry into her eyes.
"Please." Violetfire whispered, then pushed her nose ever so lightly against his. "You need to pick a new deputy before it's too late tomorrow. I don't want to push you, but it's been two days, and sure, I've been doing the patrols, but the clan wants a real deputy." Violetfire explained. She gave the tom a small lick on the cheek. His eyes darkened.
"I thank you for taking over the duties but…I'm not sure I'm ready for a new Deputy…he…he might come back…"
"No. He won't. You know that. You have to let him go, he wouldn't want you to be so broken over this. Grayspot was all about the clan, Hollowstar. He needs you to be about the clan too." Violetfire brought her tail across the leader's spine soothingly, keeping her voice calm.
"I…who would I choose? No one could replace him…" Hollowstar's voice cracked and again and Violetfire felt a pang of guilt at what she was doing. She shoved it away, focusing on her task.
"Someone you trust, someone you believe in," Violetfire purred, nuzzling his cheek. Gently, she pushed him to lie down and he did, Violetfire right beside him. "Just, think about it."
The two locked gazes and Violetfire whispered in his ear.
"I know you'll make the right choice."
With another lick to his cheek she stood up, gave him a warm look, and began to pad away into the forest. She let out a breath, finally letting her thoughts take over.
"You are a horrible cat, Violetfire." The voice of Mouseheart as their long friendship ended, echoed in Violetfire's mind. The she-cat blinked it away, but more memories came at her.
"You're a failure!"
"What kind of a child did StarClan give me?"
"You? Leader? Ha! As if!"
"You're worth nothing."
"You mean nothing to me."
"You are not my daughter."
"How could I have ever loved you?"
Violetfire froze. The last one hadn't been a memory. It was a fear. The red tabby she-cat let out a ragged breath, closing her eyes in an attempt to calm the nerves that made it difficult for her to breathe. She shook her head and opened her eyes again.
Keep calm, she told herself, Dawnflower can't be mad at you. You've done exactly what she wanted. With that thought, Violetfire prance forward with false happiness towards the ThunderClan camp. When she reached it she was faced with the suspecting eyes of the many cats who had for days replaced her as deputy.
"Is…something wrong?" She asked them as they stared at her. It was Mouseheart who padded forward to speak to her, the beautiful tortieshell she-cat, Foxspot, behind her.
"Patrols, I already sent them out when you mysteriously disappeared, but your mother's been screaming in my ear about it and every other cat who wanted to listen." The gray she-cat's eyes were dark and cold, much unlike they used to be, so full of life. Violetfire forced herself to look into them. Foxspot gave cast a look between her two old friends.
Violetfire forced her voice to keep steady. "Where is she?"
"Down there, standing in Lioneye and Raggedheart's way." Mouseheart jerked her head towards the two toms trying to pad out of the warriors den.
"No, you cannot leave! Violetfire makes the patrols."
"Dawnflower, Violetfire isn't here!" Raggedheart whined, and Violetfire felt a prick of amusement at his kit-like manners.
"I'm here now." Violetfire mewed and moved so she was beside her mother. Dawnflower relaxed, standing up a little straighter and nodding at her daughter.
Raggedheart let out a purr and bounced on his paws, "Yes! Now can Lioneye, Lichenfur, Mouseheart, and I go on a hunting patrol?" The brown tom looked pleadingly at the tabby she-cat.
"Just the four of you?"
"Yeah, the others can be used for other patrols. We're running low on prey. You know we'll be good as a team. We always have been." Mouseheart's voice came from behind Violetfire, but the red she-cat didn't turn around until she heard the pawprints of Foxspot. Violetfire blinked again, then nodded silently. A spark of relief shined in Foxspot's eyes, Raggedheart cheered, and Lioneye let out a rumbling purr. Violetfire dug her claws into the ground and bit down on her tongue. They're ruining everything.
Mouseheart led the three cats away, towards the camp entrance. Violetfire watched, eyes narrowed, as the gray she-cat flicked the two toms with her tail playfully and Foxspot pounced clumsily on Raggedheart's lashing tail. The two gave each other playful looks. Jealousy pulled at Violetfire's heart. She took a breath and shoved it away.
"Soon you'll have everything you want, my dear." The scratchy old voice of Dawnflower pulled Violetfire away from her thoughts. She looked at the elderly cat, whose blue eyes glistened with ambition. "You'll be the leader of the can, and the leader of the forest. Everything will be yours." Dawnflower's tail scraped across Violetfire's spine sending shivers through her body. Violetfire moved away ever so slightly.
"I know," She whispered. "You've been telling me since I was little."
Dawnflower let out a rumbling purr that seemed more like a threatening growl. "Yes, you remember."
Violetfire grimaced as Dawnflower began to recite the words she'd heard for moons and moons as a kit.
"One day, you'll rule the clans, and no one, and nothing, can get in your way unless you let them. All you have to do is keep your head in focus, my dear."
There was a commotion at the entrance of the camp, and Violetfire and her mother's eyes flew towards it. Mouseheart, Foxspot, Raggedheart, and Lioneye were back, and beside them was the long furred tom that all the cats knew as their fearless leader.
Violetfire's breath caught.
The tom looked haggard, restless, and his tail was lashing back and forth. Dawnflower let out a snort of contempt beside her daughter.
"Weakling," She whispered. Violetfire tossed her mother a glance, which she ignored, before continuing with her study of the clan leader. His eyes whipped around the camp, searching out each cat.
They lasted a single moment longer on Violetfire, and a tinge of sadness flitted into them.
"I'm naming my deputy now. There's no need for a ceremony, she's already approved by StarClan," Hollowstar called. A gasp flitted through the crowd and cats exchanged worried looks.
I'm approved by StarClan? Violetfire's heart skipped a beat in excitement and she cast an excited look at her mother.
But Dawnflower's pelt was bristling and her eyes were sparking with rage.
"How dare they?" She hissed, although Violetfire was unaware of who 'they' were. She didn't understand why Dawnflower was upset. Soon, Violetfire would be deputy and their plan could fall into place. Violetfire puffed out her chest and prepared for the announcement, ready to put on a face of false surprise.
"The new deputy of ThunderClan is the loyal, sweet, righteous, she-cat…"
The moment of suspense before the naming sparked with tension as the cats subtly leaned forward in anticipation.
"Foxspot."
Normal Time: What's Happened to ShadowClan?
Ashwing let out an annoyed hiss as a pool of bile and blood lay at his paws. He took a slow step back, his eyes rising to lock with the cat that had thrown his lunch at him.
Cedarleaf was still hacking, although there seemed to be nothing left. The cat's body shook violently with each heave, and Ashwing watched with both concern and anger. Quilfeather let out an impatient huff.
"We were prepared to fight, but then everyone started to barf so…now what?" The dark tabby's tail lashed back and forth. Darkstorm put the tip of his tail to her shoulder.
"Why don't we act less…hostile?"
"This is not hostile."
"Yes, it's very hostile."
"Darkstorm, you don't know my hostile. I can show you my hostile…but you won't like it."
Darkstorm let out an awkward cough.
Ashwing ignored the siblings' argument.
"We'll take them home, where they belong. Let's move." The tom turned on his heels, glad to be away from the stench of barf. He looked back to see Quailfeather as she shoved Nightshine into movement, ignoring her hiss of indignation. Darkstorm was much more gentle with the tomcat that stood still heaving. He gently pressed his black nose to the other tom's shoulder and waited until Cedarleaf started slowly moving forward.
The cat's moved forward as a group, Ashwing leading, with Cedarleaf and Darkstom at the back.
"What do you think they're sick with?" Darkstorm asked. Quailfeather snorted.
"Does it matter?"
"Yeah, what if it's contagious and we catch it?"
"We won't. And if we do, Russetspots can fix it." Ashwing's condescending tone hid the spark of worry that flared in his chest.
And if we get sick…we'll spread it to the clan…He shoved the thought away, instead, sending a short prayer up to StarClan that the group of ThunderClan warriors wouldn't spread a deadly disease among ThunderClan. He couldn't help the thought of a younger version of his brother nearly dying as a kit of Blackcough.
"Besides, little brother,"Quailfeather mewed, snapping Ashwing back to reality with a mocking purr in her voice, "We don't have time to worry about that. We're walking into a camp that's probably full of the disease."
"Shut-up Mouse-brain."
"Mouse-dung."
"Fox-dung."
"Oh so now you can cuss? I thought Darkstorm was too high and mighty for that!"
"Whatever!"
"Ha, nice come back, I'll remember your skills next time I get into an argument with Hailstripe. Hey Ashwing," Quailfeather's attention suddenly slipped to the black tom, who'd been listening to the argument with barely concealed annoyance. "How come your brother is so good at come backs? I mean really, he always knows what to say. What does he do? Think about them before the argument even happens?"
Ashwing shrugged, "Let's just focus on getting these two back to camp."
As the cats padded deeper into the territory, a silence overcame them and tension sparked in the air.
We're about to walk into enemy camp with two wounded warriors…Ashwing's muscles tensed, as if preparing for attack, his claws slipped out of their sheath. We have to be ready for anything.
They were halfway to the camp when they ran into a ShadowClan patrol. The patrol came to a sudden halt, both group of cats looking at each other with caution and suspicion.
"What're you doing here?" The lead cat mewed. Ashwing had once hearm called 'Crowwing,' and his black pelt was fluffed with hostility. His eyes were narrowed and his white muzzle was gleaming with matching white teeth.
Ashwing stepped to the side, revealing the two sick ShadowClan warriors struggling to stand behind him.
"Cedarleaf!" One of the ShadowClan cats hissed. The toms' smoky gray fur resettled itself as all hostility was diminished and he ran to the sick cat.
"This is your brother?" Ashwing asked, having noticed the similarities between the cats. The gray tom nodded, still studying his brother, who'd fallen to the ground panting.
"What'd you do to them?" An amber she-cat, whose name was Amberblaze, took cautious steps forward, eyes studying her clan mates.
"Nothing," Darkstorm meowed, and began to explain, "They were chasing an apprentice through our territory, nearly attacked Ashwing until we stopped him. It was a close call actually…and then all of the sudden they started hacking up blood and bile."
"Thanks," Crowwing snapped, although he sounded all but grateful.
"We'll take them back to camp." Cedarleaf's brother mewed, eyes widening with worry as he let Cedarleaf lean on him. Amberblaze carefully padded past Quailfeather, who was watching the amber she-cat with narrowed eyes.
"Actually, we have to talk to Drizzlestar. They were on our territory."
The ShadowClan cats exchanged mysterious glances. A suspicion began to grow in Aswing's mind.
What's happening in ShadowClan that we can't see?
"…Fine. You can come." Crowwing's voice was a snarl, and he turned on his paws quickly.
The others followed.
When they entered the camp, they were greeted with a sight they hadn't been prepared for.
The camp smelled of bile, blood, and sickness.
The fresh-kill pile was nearly empty, and a few cats were eyeing what was left with desperate eyes.
Near the warriors' den, a cat coughed, and even from where he stood Ashwing could see the string of blood that flew from his fangs.
He grimaced.
"So, you know what I said about 'walking into a camp full of disease'," Quailfeather's voice was barely a whisper as she came to stand beside Ashwing. "I was kidding."
Darkstorm let out a pitiful whimper.
"Don't say a word." Crowwing hissed, his eyes flashing with anger as he left the ThunderClan cats by the entrance to get the ShadowClan leader. Amberblaze and Cedarleaf's brother helped the sick cats to the medicine den. Ashwing watched, still studying the sick-filled camp.
"What's happened to ShadowClan?" Darkstorm murmured, his head lowering. Ashwing rolled his shoulders in an attempt to rid himself of nerves. He felt as if millions of bugs were crawling all over, attempting to give him ShadowClan's disease. It's not real. You're fine.
"You feel like creepy-crawlies are all over you too?" Quailfeather asked, her voice quiet. Ashwing nodded. The dark striped she-cat leaned against him briefly, brushing her pelt against his.
"ThunderClan? Why're you here?" A hiss sounded from behind the two cats, and they turned around.
Ashwing found himself eye to eye with a black and white she-cat, covered in scars. The she-cat tilted her head, and Ashwing noticed the absence of one ear.
A memory attempted to pull at Ashwing, but he pushed it away.
She's like…like…
"Firefeather?" His voice was a whisper, barely loud enough to be heard.
"What?" The black and white cat asked. Quailfeather and Darkstorm eyed him in confusion. Ashwing coughed.
"N-nothing. We're waiting for your clan mate to bring Drizzlestar to us so we can have a talk with her." He explained. The she-cat snorted.
"Hmph. That'll be difficult."
Quailfeather asked, "Why is that?"
"'Cause…she's crazy too, just like every other cat in this camp." The scarred she-cat rolled her eyes as if the response was obvious.
"Rainscar!" Ashwing heard Crowwing hiss across the camp clearing. Rainscar flinched, but her eyes held defiance even before she opened her mouth. In fact, Ashwing noticed, Rainscar's eyes seemed to defy even themselves.
One eye was blue, and the other was green.
"What?" She snapped, and under breath Ashwing heard her mutter, "You little piece of half-brained fox-dung."
He heard Quailfeather stifle a giggle and felt her body shake with the smuggled laughter. Darkstorm blinked in surprise.
"Stop talking to those enemy warriors and...and make yourself useful!"
"I am being useful! I'm telling these ThunderClan cats all are battle secrets so next time we come into battle they won't be too surprised!"
"Rainscar!"
"Alright, alright," The she-cat snarled, her mismatched eyes rolling again as she turned around, facing the camp entrance again. Her tail lashed in the air. "How about I go hunting for about the fortieth time today? Alone. In the dangerous pine forest. By myself."
"Good riddance!" Crowwing growled back, watching as the black and white cat gave him a loud snort before watching her strut confidently out of the camp. As soon as she was gone he let out a sigh and hung his head.
He leaped down to meet the three ThunderClan cats.
"Come with me," He mewed, jerking his head towards what Ashwing assumed to be the leader's den.
The three cats followed him. Ashwing saw Darkstorm grimace at ever cough, sneeze, or loud noise that scared him. Quailfeather was staring at everything with narrowed eyes. Ashwing found himself studying the sick with less fear and more curiosity. His eyes settled on a tom cat that was lying on the ground and panting desperately as if the air was nearly too hot to breath.
What are you sick with?
And as if the cat heard him his eyes flashed towards him and Ashwing found himself looking into the hazel eyes of the sick cat.
The cat's tongue hung out of his mouth and flapped with every desperate breath.
Ashwing was reminded of something.
Whiskertail…these cats…they seem…off…like Whiskertail does.
"What's this sickness called?" Ashwing mewed, taking a few extra paw steps so that he was walking beside Crowwing. Crowwing looked away, his ear twitching.
In a small voice he said, "The Mad." The tom suddenly regained his confidence, sticking his head higher into the air, although his eyes still held a smidge of sadness. "Our medicine cat couldn't find anything better to call it."
Ashwing blinked.
The Mad…
The black tom was still mulling over the name of the curious disease when they reached the den of Drizzlestar. Crowwing came to a stop.
"Don't look her in the eye, don't speak unless she tells you that you can. Let her talk. It's the best way to keep her…sane. For now." Crowwing's eyes narrowed momentarily before he turned and led the three cats into Drizzlestar's den.
Ashwing heard Darkstorm swallow audibly as they stepped through.
They were never expecting the sight that came to them.
A/N: Cliffhanger! XD Lol. Sorry, but it just had to end like this.
Hope you liked it! Isn't Violetfire scandalous? 83
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