Hello peeps! Today is kind of a solemn day for Americans, as I'm sure you know. But I spend it by exercising my freedom of print which so many Americans have fought and died for!
REVIEWS
"DNACat"- I don't know! It's pretty impressive! I've never done this well on a story before ^^
"Shadowhawk540-2"- The best way to a happy life is to avoid unnecessary drama! But, that's also why stories are so interesting, they go down the paths we wouldn't normally take.
"Maplebreeze of MountainClan"- It's very fun to plan big! I really love putting my ideas for groups down on paper for the first time, it gives you a special feeling.
"IncD"- It is the most sensible option~ I look forward to that too! This is going to be such a fun story!
Mistystream- Don't worry, we haven't heard the last of them! Also, I'm not taking in any more cats, I'm overflowing with kitties!
Jordan- I kind of wish it were later in the year so that school was broken up more. I'll have to remember to wish you a happy birthday next update when it's closer ^^ And I know how it feels when family is away on your birthday, my dad's been gone for work a lot this past few years too. But you'll have plenty more birthdays, I'm sure ^^
Brian- Haha, true enough. If she just watched everything happen, I suppose she'd be more of a narrator than a main character. In short, you're saying lots of stuff can happen, and I'm sure lots of stuff will happen ^^
"Uncommon. books"- Thank you! Aw~ How cute! Also about reviews, I always appreciate them (you'd be hard-pressed to find a writer who doesn't) but it is not a requirement if you'd just rather read the story.
Dawny- Yep, pretty lame, huh? But I'd rather sit and type my fingers raw then go to a mall or some other public place. We'll see soon enough!
"Brightmind"- Who says things weren't already starting when she left? and she just didn't realize it? Plus she's been gone for a while, look how fast America down-spiraled just because of a few leaders. Well, we'll just see what Jay does.
Pinefur of SC- Actually, I've considered doing a special chapter about that. Maybe later, that'd be fun.
"Sillymew"- I did! It was pretty good ^^
"Cherryblossom"- Better late than never, eh? True, but Jay is still kind of at an disadvantage because of all this. Well, we'll see how everything works out won't we.
Bubbles- I'm excited too! And thanks for the cat, but my alliances are full of cats, so there's no more room now, sorry.
Chapter 7: Ghosts
Did Jay believe in ghosts? Well, that depends on what you consider a ghost. If you are talking about the spirit of a cat long dead that wanders around and haunts cats for apparently no reason, than no, Jay did not believe in ghosts. But if by ghosts you meant lingering memories, dark thoughts that haunted your mind and tore your peace to shreds in empty, restless revenge, than yes, Jay would say that she did believed in ghosts, and if asked why, she would tell you that she had seen them.
These thoughts the dark gray she-cat kept to herself as she stared up at the stone and dirt ceiling of Midnight's den. Hazy light filtered in through the entrance as she lay on her back, surrounded by three elders and two black she-cats.
The night was almost gone, and she closed her eyes with relief. After returning to the den late in the afternoon yesterday, Amelia had pounced upon her, scolding her harshly for wandering around on her own while Midnight nodded gravely in agreement and reaffirmed that she thought there was something wrong with her.
However, Jay had been aware that Amelia didn't really care what she did, she just had to act the part of the two of them being close friends. And she admitted she was a little grateful for the she-cat who had given her prey and sent her to rest early, covering for her in front of the other cats by giving vague excuses for why she had left and returned abruptly.
It had given Jay plenty of time to scrutinize over all the information she had gathered. And plenty of time to consider what her next move should be. The gray she-cat winced as she felt her kits move in her belly, it was such an odd feeling, another creature living within her. But the thought of protecting tiny, frail heartbeats filled her with a surge of excitement, solemn duty, and passionate energy. For now, she had a duty, and a noble one at that, and she was sure she would do it well.
That was all she needed to set her straight. Everything else would only be a means to that end, she'd do whatever she had to to take care of her kits. But she needed to hurry, her kits wouldn't wait on her for forever. So the first thing she needed to do was settle herself in this valley.
Because of the apparent instability of it all, she wanted powerful allies. This, of course, would give her powerful enemies, but if she chose wisely, than she'd end up on the stronger side and no cat would challenge her. It would even be better if I could spin it so that I'm an ally of every cat...
She wondered and thought until her paws grew restless. She watched the sky through the thin slab of an entrance and as soon as the first golden sheen spread across the sky she was on her paws and pushing herself out of the stuffy den into the cool morning air.
The sun had not cleared the eastern mountains, but the sky was flushed in lovely shades of pink and gold. It reminded Jay of the soft colors on the first flowers when leaf-bare's cruel grip had been relinquished to the gentle pageant of spring.
The mountains were still cloaked in darkness, hazy blue gray shadows misting their peaks while down in the valley fog lingered, rolling from one patch of dark woods to the next, the lively creeks twisting and turning around it.
Jay took a deep breath and sighed, from this spot on the western mountains she had a fantastic view of the valley and would have probably been quite content to take up refuge nearby to raise her family. But the dark threat lingered in her mind. She couldn't rest her fate on chance, so she would play the games this valley had invented, and she would win. That's a promise, she vowed to her kits and as if in response, they kicked a little harder.
"It looks like it's going to be a nice day," Amelia mewed. The black she-cat had struggled out of the den and stood beside her, viewing the valley as well but focusing on the sky. "I certainly wouldn't be sad if the days got a little warmer," the black she-cat added.
"I want to talk about what I learned in the last two days," Jay murmured.
"I'm all ears," Amelia yawned, sitting down and curling her tail over her paws.
Jay sat down beside her, eyes focused on the valley. "There are four groups that we have to consider as enemies for now. One, Python and his cats. From what I could gather they're a group of warriors under Python's leadership. There aim is not completely clear to me yet, but they seem bent on opposing the Ivy cats and establishing peace and order. From their numbers and strength, I would wager they intend to do that by defeating any cat that opposes them," Jay mewed.
"That's good though," Amelia mewed, "If they're saying that they want to establish peace and order and good stuff like that, than it'll be easier to infiltrate them."
"I also have an acquaintance on the inside now. I can contact her and use her to wiggle myself in," Jay mewed. "The cats they want to fight, the ivy cats, are a bigger problem. I don't know much of them except that they live behind a cave with an ivy covering and they occupy about half the valley, the northern side," Jay mewed, pointing with her nose at the northern edge of the valley. "They seem to be well organized and patrol their borders to keep outsiders out, their reputation proceeds them, no cat dares to go near their border. There are also pretty bad rumors about them, but they also don't seem to start trouble."
"So we could probably disregard them as a threat as long as we don't trespass?" Amelia asked.
Jay nodded, "However, if we get involved with Python, that probably won't be much of an option. The third group is a bunch of rogues that run together and cause trouble. Steal prey, pick on cats, and such, though I think that these cats are the ones currently holding the pass hostage, so I don't think we have to worry about running into them right now," the gray she-cat mewed.
Amelia nodded and Jay continued, "The last group is the one I find the most worrisome. They aren't very well known so I suggest we keep what we know about them to ourselves," Jay mewed. "We'll call them the moon cats, for simplicity sake, since they seem to gather somewhere on the full moons and do occult things, though that's just a rumor. Personally, I'd prefer to stay away and disregard them. Since so few cats know of them, I don't think we can expect them to trouble us as long as we aren't too curious," Jay mewed.
Amelia stared at her, eyes glinting with amusement. "As long as we aren't curious, eh?"
Jay ignored her and continued, "I think I want to be friendly with Python," she mewed.
"Why that one?" Amelia asked.
"He's well known and the cats he's affiliated with seem to be gathered from everywhere, so it wouldn't seem odd for me to be one of his cats. Besides, that's where most of the action seems to be going on just now, so if that's where I am- even if I'm not active- I'll be able to keep an eye on things," Jay mewed.
"That seems pretty solid, but you'd also be taking quite a bit of risk," Amelia warned.
Jay twitched her ears, "I know. That's where you come in, are you up for it?" she looked at the black she-cat steadily.
Amelia stared at her, pleasure spreading over her face. "Use me however you wish. You're pretty intuitive, I wouldn't mind taking part in the fun. Just keep it interesting," Amelia purred, leaning over so that her breath stirred Jay's ear fur.
Jay continued looking out over the valley. She wondered if that's how it felt for prey when they were caught, to know that they were at the mercy of a completely merciless creature. To be let go again and again just to be ensnared once more, growing more and more weary until they had no choice but to give up their will to the monster hunting them.
But I'm not a helpless mouse. "Before I join Python, I want to know a bit more about him. And when I join, I want you to be my shadow. We'll be one cat; I'll be the surface image, what every cat sees. And you'll be my shadow, doing things in the night behind their backs," Jay mewed.
Amelia nodded, "Though, I wonder if this is your way of keeping your paws clean?" the she-cat teased.
Jay flicked her tail irritably, "Not hardly, my paws are already plenty dirty." She lifted up a clean, sleek gray paw. "But I just need every other cat to perceive them as clean. Also, a word of advice, don't mess with the orange tom with gray eyes," Jay growled, glowering at the valley.
"You don't seem to like him very much. But how will I know who he is?" Amelia asked, purring in amusement at her irritation.
"You'll know him when you see him. Be very careful around him, I don't know anything about him yet so I can't know how we should deal with him," Jay ordered.
"As you wish," Amelia mewed in a sing-song voice.
"And another thing, I want us to change names," Jay mewed.
Amelia looked at her in surprise, "Why? We've already introduced ourselves as Jay and Amelia, it'll just be suspicious if we suddenly change."
"No, not like that," Jay sighed. "We can still be Jay and Amelia to every other cat. But for when we refer to each other we need different names. Never did I mention you yesterday and aside from Midnight and those elders no cat knows we're friends. I want to keep it that way. As far as every other cat is concerned Jay and Amelia have no relationship. But our fake names can so that we don't have to fabricate a bigger fable," the gray she-cat explained.
"Ah," Amelia mewed, nodding her head gravely. "That's a very good idea. I think I'll call you Sunny, since you're always so happy," the black she-cat purred.
Jay narrowed her eyes, "That's fine, I'll just call you Black, because it's simple."
Amelia looked disconcerted, "That's not a very elegant name..." the black she-cat shuffled her paws, looking at the sky in silence for a few moments. Just wait for it, Jay thought, closing her eyes and listening to the roar of the mountain winds.
"How about we pick our own fake names?" Amelia suggested after a few moments. I knew it, Jay thought, watching the black she-cat ponder herself for the perfect name.
Jay suddenly realized she hadn't a clue what to call herself. Something inconspicuous that won't make cats think of me. But it wasn't easy, a name had always been a name and she'd always been Jay. Jaykit, Jaypaw, and now Jay. She considered using her brother's name, Rain, but her fur was the right color for it to remind some cat of her.
Hmm... "Ah! I got it!" Amelia exclaimed, "I want to be Echo."
"Why Echo?" Jay echoed.
"It sounds like a mountain name and no cat would think of me as an echo," Amelia purred, "And it sounds cool, so it's perfect!"
Jay sighed in agreement, "I don't care what my fake name is, so we can just go with Sunny."
But Amelia shook her head vigorously, "Echo wouldn't dare keep company with a cat named Sunny. I'll pick a new name," Amelia narrowed her eyes and scrutinized her for a few moments. "You'll be Rose, since it's such a pretty name no cat will think of you," Amelia purred.
Jay rolled her eyes, at least it's better than Sunny. "Alright, now we just need to gather information about Python, but I don't want to just go asking around again," Jay mused.
"Why don't you just go to his meeting?" Jay jumped as Midnight's voice sounded behind her.
"Excuse me?" Jay squeaked, her heart still beating rapidly from the fright.
"Sorry for sneaking up on you, I didn't mean to do it," the black she-cat apologized, her ice blue eyes round with sincerity. "I just heard that you want to know about Python. He holds a meeting every half-moon and sometimes on the full moon, and tonight's a half moon," Midnight mewed.
Jay exchanged a quick glance with Amelia. "Midnight, where does this meeting take place?"
…...
"That looks like it," Amelia mewed, tilting her head back to look up the mountain. They stood at the base of a trail that led up the side of the eastern mountain, the gray rock mingling with red to give a more colorful landscape.
"Must be," Jay grunted. A ways up the trail on the mountain side there was a gaping black hole and she was sure that was where the meeting was held. "You go on ahead first, we don't want to arrive together," Jay ordered.
Amelia shrugged, "As you wish, 'Rose.'"
Jay stood back as Amelia sprinted up the path, her black fur a lean streak, silent and graceful but full of power. Around the base of the mountain there was a grove of willows hanging over a babbling stream that had mini waterfalls as it was swept along the slope of the mountain.
The grass was green and soft and Jay laid down, tired from the day's journey. She had eaten not too long ago, but her paws ached from hauling herself all the way across the valley. And there's still the return journey. If I'm going to join Python for real, then I should move nearby. But I don't seem to have bee the first to think to do that.
As they had gotten closer to the eastern mountains, Jay and Amelia had both noticed that the cat scent had grown stronger and while on the western side they knew of no living cat besides Midnight, the elders, and the ruffians, they couldn't help but notice cats living here. It was a little disconcerting for Jay who had been hopeful that not too many cats had found this hidden valley yet.
"Oh, Jay," the gray she-cat looked up at the sound of her name and a groan formed in her throat.
In front of her stood Ash, his orange fur glowing in the rays of sunlight and his gray eyes as sterile as ever. "What are you doing here?" Jay grumbled.
"I'm going to the meeting, I have business with Python," Ash mewed pleasantly, as if he had not noticed her tone. "And you? Why are you here?" he continued cheerfully.
"The meeting, I wanted to see what sort of cat Python is, for all the attention he's given," Jay sniffed, leaning away as Ash sat down beside her.
"You won't be disappointed," Ash reassured her, and for the first time Jay heard something genuine in Ash's voice. Now her curiosity was piqued, what sort of cat could gather around him so many complacent rogues and even catch the interest of a creature such as Ash?
"I suppose I'll see for myself," Jay mewed coolly, not allowing her intrigue to permeate her voice.
"Then allow me to escort you up and introduce you, he's always happy to have new visitors," Ash offered, jumping to his paws and bowing low in front of her.
Jay's whiskers twitched at his enthusiasm. She almost felt like being pleasant with him. "Alright," she conceded, drawing in a breath and pushing herself to her paws, allowing Ash to guide her slowly up the mountain path. As they went Ash paused to point out which way was the easiest to take and then, motioning to the view they had over the valley, indicated where some things were.
"Over there is the sunken log, only half of it sticks out of the ground," Ash mewed, waving his tail over to the north west. "Then the briar path is over along the southern mountain, and the sinking-sand is over there, by the old oak," the orange tom mewed, motioning to the middle of the valley
"Sinking-sand?" Jay echoed.
Ash nodded, "You've been there, that's where you met Screech. It's a dangerous place so cats tend to avoid it," the tom explained. Makes sense, Jay thought, shivering as she recalled the heart-pounding fear when the ground had seemed to gobble her up.
Jay looked out over the valley and sighed in contentment, it was always so beautiful no matter how many times she looked at it. The wind roared through the mountains and the whistle reminded her of something. "The wind here sounds like ocean waves," she mewed, thinking of Rainstone. Was that why the mountain cat had felt drawn to the ocean?
Ash glanced at her, "What's an ocean?"
Jay waved her tail, "I'll tell you some other time."
They continued up the stony path together, the hum of voices flowing away from the cave they were heading for. The cave yawned into the mountain side, a large, round hole as if pawed out by a gigantic cat. It was dark, the stone a slate gray and the rays of the sun mostly blocked by the overhang that dropped down over the entrance and cast long shadows into the interior of the den.
"This is it," Ash mewed, stepping into the cave, his pelt instantly darkening. Jay felt as if she were stepping into a hole devoid of colors with just noise to distinguish the cats from the blackness. That's not to say there wasn't any light, once her eyes adjusted, she could see every cat fairly clearly, but there was no color- it was all shades of black and gray, even Ash's orange fur seemed gray.
"Most of these cats are Python's soldiers," Ash explained, nodding friendly at a gray she-cat who stood amidts a large of cats, chatting pleasantly. "That's Grass," he mewed, nodding after the gray cat, "She's kind of the unofficial second-leader of the group. She helps organize these meetings and informs and recruits cats, among other things."
Jay stared after the she-cat curiously, she didn't seem to be anything special as she greeted the newcomers cordially, pleasant and friendly in manner. "I didn't know there were so many cats in the valley," Jay grumbled as the cave filled up with pelts.
"Not all of them live in the valley," Ash explained, leading her around a group of four cats that were laughing and sharing stories. "In fact, most of them don't. A lot of Python's soldiers come from outside the mountains, gathered in expeditions searching for young, exuberant cats ready for an adventure. And a lot of the others that visit live deeper in the mountains somewhere and come in the warm weather for the sake of visiting."
Jay nodded slowly, a little overwhelmed by the sheer number. The only other time she had seen so many cats together was during the full-moon gatherings back among the Clans. "This is a large force, how many are with Python?" Jay asked, wondering if she was getting in over her head.
"Only about a fourth of them are officially with Python. But others, like me, work with him," Ash mewed.
"Oh?" Jay turned her attention on him, "And what exactly do you do?"
Ash glanced at her, his eyes locking with hers for a moment before looking away, "I'm an informant of sorts. I gather information and I trade it with him for things."
"What sort of things?" Jay pressed.
"That's my business,' Ash mewed with a tone of finality, so Jay dropped the subject. With a cat like Ash, being straight-forward wouldn't get her very far.
They wandered around for a bit, stopping to talk with a couple of different cats. Jay was aware of Amelia's presence, the black cat seemed blacker than the rest, but Jay never once glanced at her, she wouldn't dare with Ash beside her.
"Where's Python?" Jay asked as they stood on the edge of the cats, looking around for the leader.
"Can you guess?" Ash asked.
Jay gave him a quick, sharp look. He was testing her skills after bringing her guard down. With her nose in the air she surveyed the cats and her eyes settled on a copper-brown tom with white paws, the only thing that glowed in the dingy place, and bright blue eyes that seemed full of intelligence and energy. It was the light of desire that really brought him to her attention and she knew who he must be.
"No, I can't tell," Jay mewed, looking at Ash's annoyed face and purring, "You're going to have to tell me."
Ash sighed, and pointed with his nose at the copper-brown tom, "That's Python," Ash mewed.
"Ah, I see he's surrounded by a lot of cats. Maybe we should wait until we go talk to him," Jay mewed, now she was testing him. How close was he to Python?
"Nonsense," Ash mewed, taking the bait, "He's always happy to see me."
Jay twitched her tail unhappily, it didn't seem like he was trying to be discreet about their relationship. She followed the orange tom as he slipped between the cats as easily as water slips through rocks. "Python, it's a pleasure, as always," Ash mewed, dipping his head low in respect. With his back to her, Jay couldn't tell what expression he had, but his tone was that of deep reverence underlined with excitement.
Jay stood behind Ash, watching the leader closely. Python nodded at Ash in a dignified way and seemed pleased to see him, but had the grace to not be clumsy about it. "Your job is much harder than mine, glad to see you're still in one piece," Python mewed, excusing himself from the group and leading Ash toward the back of the cave where cats avoided going. Jay followed at a distance, close enough to hear and observe without imposing on their conversation.
"Oh, my job isn't that hard. And I enjoy it, so that makes it easier. But I have some more news about that cat..." Ash's voice dropped lower and he glanced at her sharply.
Jay sighed and turned away for a few moments, wandering around and growing bored of the idle chatter, the full ring of voices in her ear. Now she remembered why she had been so happy to leave the Clans and all this behind. This fakeness every cat shared as they pretended politeness, tripping over their words to sound smart or respectful. More worried about how they were perceived than who they really were. It was exhausting to listen to.
She returned to see Ash and Python finished with business and joking about some trivial manner, amusement creating a light atmosphere around them. "Oh! Jay, come here," Ash called, signaling with his tail. Jay trotted forward, dipping her head courteously to Python.
"Jay, Ash was just telling me about you," Python mewed pleasantry, "He says you are very interested in our cause."
Jay nodded her head warily, "That's true," she admitted, giving Ash a sharp look. She hadn't told him what she had intended, how could he have known? Please tell me he can't read thoughts. The orange tom was looking at her with a satisfied look on his face.
"He vouched that you could be useful to us. But I'm a bit worried since you are carrying kits, are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" Python mewed.
"Do what exactly?" Jay asked tersely.
"Well, help with the recruitment. Ash says you're not much of a fighter, so there isn't much else you could do. It would be a lot of traveling in and out of the mountains to gather cats, so it would be difficult with kits. But Ash says you have experience with traveling long distances," Python mewed.
Jay nearly bristled. So this was how he had chosen to deal with her! Try to shove her right back out of the mountains! Suppressing the urge to hiss at Ash she slowly, but firmly, shook her head, "I also think it would be difficult with kits. But I'm willing to help inform the cats around here, and perhaps when the kits are older I won't mind so much, " she mewed.
Ash looked disappointed but not surprised and Python nodded, "I agree, but I already have Grass for that. I don't know what else there is for you to do." Jay pretended to look disappointed and Python went on hurriedly. "But don't worry about that, I'm sure we can find someway for you to help, after all, this is a big job and even the tiniest things could help."
Jay nodded happily, "If there is anything you need me to do, please ask," she mewed, friendly establishment, complete. Python nodded and talked to her extensively throughout the evening. Although Jay hadn't quite known exactly what Python's aim was, she did now.
They were a force bent on destroying the Ivy cats and establishing a communal society throughout the entire valley. Cats would be neighbors and there would be no boundaries. There would be a few rules to keep order and a guard to protect the valley and its inhabitants. Peace and prosperity, that's what Python believed he would achieve.
A lovely but ultimately fruitless ideal. He may be able to keep things in check while alive, but his plan is to put all the power in the guard, no doubt some cat will come to power and abuse this system, all you need is one bad spot and the whole things rots...
As the evening lengthened cats began disappearing, Amelia left early and Jay relaxed, glad that the black she-cat hadn't done anything unnecessary to attract attention. Eventually midnight came and the pale moonlight lined the black stone with silver, silhouetting the quiet cats against it.
"We're the last two visitors," Ash mewed, coming to her side as she stared out the entrance at the sky beyond.
Python padded up to them with a familiar small gray and white she-cat. Screech, Jay recognized her but wasn't sure if the she-cat had mentioned her and she didn't pay her any attention. "The meeting was successful," the leader purred and Screech nodded, her blue eyes as wide and unnerving as Jay remembered.
"Did you get any recruits?" Ash asked. Jay waited to listen to the reply.
"No, but several did seem interested in supporting us. And besides that, Leaf and Spark should be coming back any day with some more recruits," Python added to which Ash nodded.
Jay nearly choked on her saliva, though she managed to suppress it to a slight shudder. Please tell me they aren't talking about those cats... "Where did they go to get new cats?" she asked.
Python looked at her curiously, "They went out of the mountains, I think they decided to head west. It was nearly six moons ago so I bet they've had a lot of success," he mewed happily.
Jay glanced at Ash, did he not know about the rogues holding the pass? It seemed unlikely, but he clearly hadn't said anything to Python about it. However, it would be in her best interest as well to keep those particular cats out of the mountains.
"Actually, I think I heard something about the pass between the mountains," Ash mewed slowly. Jay froze for a second, but then she unassumingly turned and looked at him with little interest on her face. Please, just don't tell me you knew what I did!
Ash's eyes were on her, the gray lighting up slowly as he found that he had her trapped. "Go on," Python encouraged.
"I don't know the particulars," Ash mewed modestly, but clearly eagerly, "But I think I heard that there were rogues holding the pass captive."
"If that's true, then Leaf and Spark may not be able to return, that would explain their prolonged absence," Grass mewed, coming up to stand beside Python's other shoulder. Jay almost bristled, was every cat coming to hear of this?
"Ash, how long have you known about this?" Python mewed sternly. Jay looked at him in surprise, he was rather sharp to ask such a question. Not that Ash was going to be honest about it.
But the orange tom seemed to shrink under the stifling blue gaze and he dipped his head, "I heard about it a while ago, but I never had time to look into it," he admitted. Jay looked at him coldly, he was waiting for a time when it would be useful to him, and now it is.
But still, she was amazed that Ash had answered somewhat truthfully. She had thought that when Ash said he was working with Python, that he was using the copper leader as she planned to. But maybe he really was working with him, giving his loyalty and strength to this cat because they shared a common ideal. No, best not to assume anything.
"Well, if that's settled, if you'll excuse my rudeness," he dipped his head courteously, "I'll have to ask you two to leave. Members only meeting."
Jay agreed, not willing to get on his bad side if he could keep Ash in line. The orange tom was eager to make himself scarce as well and led her quickly from the den. Jay paused outside of the den as Ash continued on his way, "We aren't going to stay and listen to what he says?" Jay mewed, incredulous as the tom stepped lightly down the path.
Ash looked back at her, his gray eyes shone silver in the moonlight and his tone was surprised, "Didn't you hear him? It's a members only meeting, which means it's only for the soldiers."
Jay flicked her tail and padded after him, "I know that," she hissed, "But that doesn't mean we can't disobey, after all, he has no authority over us. And the more we know about this the better." How strong is your loyalty?
Ash shook his head quickly, "You're new to the mountains, but respect is key here. If you're working with someone, then you have to be respectful and show your respect. I do this by being obedient to the one cat I can trust and respect," the orange tom mewed.
Jay sniffed, "And every other cat is fair game I suppose?"
Ash grinned, "You catch on quickly."
Jay sighed and plodded down the slope with him. The sky was dark with the light of stars and the moon sprinkling across the heavens. The valley below them was hidden in soft shadows with the gleam of silver reflecting off the open fields and dozens of streams.
"It isn't as cold tonight," Jay murmured, the air wasn't warm either, but it was comfortably cool.
"Jay, did you learn everything you wanted to know at the meeting?" Ash mewed abruptly.
Jay looked at him, his eyes were back to that underlying sharp, calculating look with the facade of blankness. "Of course not. It was only one meeting," Jay sniffed. That wasn't exactly true, she had learned everything she needed. But there was more she wished to know.
"Well, there will more chances," Ash mewed.
"Hey, Ash, are we allies or enemies?" Jay asked abruptly. Right now, even though they were trying to trip the other up, the atmosphere between them was friendly.
Ash tilted his head, "I don't know. What do you think?"
Jay scoffed, "Perhaps a bit of both. It might be fun though, I admit you're growing on me a little We can be friends and enemies at the same time, I suppose? ."
Ash smirked at her, "You're the only one who thinks so."
"What was with trying to kick me out of the mountains? Like I'd fall for something so obvious," Jay mewed angrily.
Ash shrugged, "I'm sure you're aware, but you're a bit of a nuisance in my world. Things were going so well until you arrived."
"Sorry that my presence is do disrupting," Jay snorted.
"But you'll be taken care of pretty soon," Ash mewed cheerfully.
Jay looked at him sharply, "Is that so."
Ash nodded, "When your little ones come, you won't have time to mess with me. Speaking of which, I wanted to ask, is your mate in the valley? I sort of supposed that was the reason for your coming here and immense interest in everything."
Jay nearly toppled over herself, he couldn't be more wrong! But was it a bad idea to have him think that? "Think what you like," she mewed curtly.
"Did he lie to you? Hide himself away? If you wish, I can help you out, but you'd have to do something for me in return," Ash offered.
"I can take care of things myself," she scowled.
Ash's eyes lit up and he curled his tail over her shoulders, "You're a marvelous liar, you know that?" Jay nearly froze, he had seen through her? "And that bit about Leaf and Spark, making it look like you were an observer to hide your own part in the matter. If your kits don't take care of you, that will."
Jay felt her heart beat grow painfully loud and hard in her chest, for a moment she could see the horror on Silver's bloody face again, then the absolute disgust. Her mouth grew dry and her paws went cold. It was a wonderful feeling really, the adrenaline in her veins the fear battling with glee in her heart.
"But don't worry, I'm sure you took good care of them, so there won't be anything to worry about when they mention you," Ash continued.
Jay almost groaned to herself, of course they were going to find out! Why didn't she just run and disappear like Amelia? then Silver wouldn't have seen her and they'd have nothing on her. What to do... She was so focused on this new dilemma that she almost didn't notice when Ash stopped stock still beside her. Glancing at him she saw his gray eyes locked on something between the trees.
Jay raised her head and followed his gaze. All her previous thoughts melted away. Right there, between the trees, stood a white cat. The moonlight gleamed off the fur and it simmered silver as if stars were caught in its fur and it seemed to radiate with light and beauty. It looked at them with eyes as white as its fur and it slowly blinked before it turned and whisked away into the shadows, seeming to take all the light away with it.
Jay slowly pulled her gaze from the spot and looked at Ash who looked as astonished as she felt, his eyes wide and mouth agape. Jay felt as if she had just seen something rare, something that would effect her entire life while not changing anything at all.
"Hey, Jay," Ash mewed hoarsely after a few minutes of silence, "You never did tell me. Do you believe in ghosts?"
Jay looked back at the spot where the white cat had been standing, she swallowed, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. "Yeah, I guess I do."
...
It's always a nice feeling to get a chapter up. Unfortunately, I feel like I've trapped myself in a web. All the strings are crossed! This isn't how it was supposed to happen... Oh well, I'll be figuring it out real soon.
Please Review!
