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Disclaimer: Do not own Warriors! But the OCs, and story line, and Packs are mine.
Chapter Three
"Not again! Gross!"
Ravensoft tossed her head back and laughed as Brackensoft stepped out of yet another hidden puddle of mud. Ever since their group had entered Rain Pack territory, her friend had stepped into six moss-hidden mud puddles, and six times Ravensoft got to laugh at her friend as she picked her way out of the puddle and wash herself in a nearby stream, like she was doing now.
"I'll never understand how Rain Pack cats stand having so much water and mud in their territory!" Brackensoft mumbled, stepping into the stream. "Or so much light! It's too bright out here."
"You'll get used to it, Brackensoft," chuckled Amberblossom.
After her friend was done washing the mud off of her fur, they were back on their way, again. But, it wasn't long before Brackensoft's paws found another puddle. Ravensoft snickered, "If this keeps up, cats are going to start calling you Mudsoft." She darted behind a tree to avoid getting hit by a wad of black mud flung at her. "It was only a joke, Brackensoft!" she called from her hiding place.
"OK, that's enough, you two," said Sandystorm. "Brackensoft, finish up, we still have a ways to go until we reach the Rain Pack camp."
"And why, pray tell, are you all going there?" hissed a dark voice, it sent freezing chills racing down Ravensoft's spine, and made her fur stand on end. She quickly darted out from behind the tree and to her mother's side. Her mother sighed deeply:
"Blades, would stop scaring the small claws and show yourself already."
There was an irritated huff then a rustle of leaves, a moment later, a large, dark gray tabby tom stepped out of the bushes that were to the right of the tree Ravensoft had been hiding behind not just a second ago, followed by a silver-and-white she-cat and a darker gray tom. Ravensoft gaped, the tom was huge! He was probably bigger than Rowanfeather - and scarier, for that matter. And that's saying something since Rowanfeather's was the biggest cat in her Pack. She suddenly felt a jolting pulse shoot through her when Blades was almost muzzle to muzzle with her mother. The two of them stared at each for a few tense moments before Blades' eyes narrowed, and he stepped back.
"Why are you, and your pack mates, here, Sandystorm?" he repeated.
"Rowanfeather wishes to speak with Streamfeather," answered Sandystorm, returning Blades' narrowed expression.
"About what?"
Sandystorm shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't say. Rowanfeather's orders were for us to ask Streamfeather to meet with him."
Blades ears folded back, and for a moment, Ravensoft was afraid that he was going to attack. Then his stance relaxed minutely, and turned around, flicking his tail. "Fine. Let's go." Ravensoft let out a breath of relief.
The journey was relatively quiet, with only the scuffling of prey, chirping from birds, and the swishing of water over rocks being the only sounds heard. Fortunately, Brackensoft hadn't stepped in anymore mud puddles; unfortunately, the silence that fell over the group started to bother Brackensoft, so her friend started talking to one of their escorts, the gray tom who was walking beside her.
Amazingly, the tom - who introduced himself as Blacktail - didn't seem bothered by Brackensoft's chatty behavior and answered question after question, he even asked a few of his own, as well. Pretty soon, everyone in their little troupe started talking with each other, Blades even started conversing with her mother, and Bramblebelly and Amberblossom started talking with the silver-and-white she-cat (who seemed to stutter slightly whenever talking directly to Bramblebelly). Ravensoft eventually found herself engaging Brackensoft's and Blacktail's conversation.
"So, how long have you two been small claws?" asked Blacktail.
"We just got made small claws today!" answered Brackensoft, eyes sparkling and smiling widely. Ravensoft sighed and shook her head, her friend could act like such a goof.
Blacktail smiled. "Really? Who're your teachers?"
Brackensoft's smile was replaced with a pout. "I got Snowfall, the biggest bore in Panther Pack!"
Blacktail chuckled. "I can understand that." He then relaxed, a small smile on his face. "But trust me, once you get to know him, Snowfall won't seem as boring."
Ravensoft tilted her head in question. "Do you know Snowfall, Blacktail?" she asked.
Blacktail nodded. "I do. In fact, Snowfall's one of my oldest friends."
Brackensoft's ears perked up. "Really?!" she asked, surprised.
"Really." answered Blacktail. "Now, back on topic! Who did you get for a teacher, Ravensoft?"
"I managed to get my father, Shadowfur, as my teacher."
"So you're one of Shadowfur's kits, huh?" he said, looking her over. "I have to say, you look more like your mother, but you do have your father's pelt color."
Ravensoft nodded in agreement, and said, "That's what most cats say, too."
He was on the verge of losing it. Right now, all he wanted to do was jump down, and cleave Blacktail's head right from his body. That fish eater doesn't know anything! He snarled inwardly, digging his claws into the bark beneath his paws. Then, he took a deep breath, and relaxed. Now isn't the time. He told himself. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he continued to follow the cats below, careful not to lose his footing or make a sound. All the while, he kept his gaze on the small black pelt. When they stopped to let the young red small claw wash her paws clean of mud, he tucked his paws underneath him, closed his eyes, and listened in on the conversations below. But all too soon, his mind began to wonder towards the more darker areas of his mind.
"Y-You w-will fail, y-you m-mon-monster!" hacked the dying she-cat beneath his claws. He just snarled down at her.
"Don't bet on it, Sableheart!" He dug his claws deeper into the fur of her neck, drawing out a howl of pain. "You may have stopped me this time. But next time, I will succeed! Now, tell me! Where is she?!" He expected her to try and contradict him. But, surprisingly, she didn't. Her pale orbs just stared up at him, the light behind them dimming, and said:
"Neptune wouldn't have wanted this..."
Not wanting to hear anymore, he bit into Sableheart's neck, killing her. Standing up, he turned, and ran.
With a silent snarl, he jerked himself out of his memories. The past was the past. Besides, he knew that Sableheart was right: Neptune wouldn't have wanted this. But it was too late to turn back. He had come too far to turn back, not when he was so close to achieving his goals.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. :)
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