9. The Kittypet

"Springstar!" Ashfall yowled at full volume as all three toms came crashing back into camp.

A couple warriors were in the clearing and froze as the three stormed in. They glanced to one another, but none spoke. Willowfur appeared shortly after, her green eyes darting between all three of them curiously. "Springstar went out on a border patrol. What's the matter?"

"No doubt she'll find out for herself," Ashfall growled. He could feel his heart thundering in his ears as the image of the twolegs and their treecutters was all too vivid in his mind. How could they get here so fast? Surely a patrol would have noticed them before now?

"What is it?" Dovetail bounded up and glanced between them all. She sat down beside Willowfur, her eyes hard and determined. "Well?"

"Twolegs are in our territory," Cinderpaw spoke up. Ashfall almost winced.

He needs to learn to speak when given permission.

"He's right," the grey tom spoke up in an attempt to divert any aggression from Cinderpaw. "When we went to retrieve their prey, we found a clearing without trees. They're going to scare away the prey before long."

The deputy's green eyes widened into two identical green pools as she took a moment to let that sink in. "Where?" Willowfur demanded in a hiss.

"Just up the river," Ashfall explained. "Over Fox Hill."

Willowfur straightened up and averted her gaze for a moment to glance at Dovetail. The she-cat nodded, her ears slowly lowering down to rest against her grey head. "We haven't been patrolling that area since the fox attack," Dovetail reminded as she turned her gaze back to Ashfall.

Ashfall felt like tiny claws were slowly creeping up his back.

"Perhaps it was a good thing, after all," Willowfur added. "If a patrol had accidentally run into a twoleg out there… and apprentices aren't allowed outside of the camp without their mentor or another warrior." Ashfall noted her gaze as it flashed to Stonepaw and Cinderpaw.

The small, brown tom obediently lowered his gaze. However, Cinderpaw just met her gaze as if they were littermates and Ashfall felt frustration boiling up inside of him. The tom should know respect by now. He'd been with the clan for several moons and still…? This wasn't ignorance. This was defiance. He attempted to quietly smack Cinderpaw with the tip of his tail and the apprentice blinked and turned to him with a smile.

Dammit, Kit. I swear, you'll be the end of us both.

"What's the matter?" Ashfall turned to see Sparrowwing standing before him. The handsome brown tom looked between everyone gathered and glanced to the others who stood with him.

Amberspeck hung back a little, her black and orange face contorted with fear as she looked about for another corpse in the camp. Beside her stood Icestripe. The silver tabby even looked worried, though Ashfall wasn't sure that was completely possible for the cocky, young tom.

"Is it Storm?" The small squeak came not from Icestripe, but from Leafpaw who stood behind the white tom, trembling, with wide yellow eyes that swam with pure fear one so young shouldn't have to suffer.

"No, no…" Ashfall purred. Dovetail immediately moved over to console her kit and nudge her away.

"I'll report when we have answers. For now, everyone get back to your dens before you start a panic!" Willowfur yowled. Only once the gathered cats began to grumble and rise to their paws did she turn her attention to Ashfall once more.

"Springstar will be returning soon. Do you think it's really that dire?" She hissed more softly to Ashfall so that cats wouldn't overhear again. "Perhaps we can just move camp for a little while? Surely they'll leave when the seasons change?"

"I don't know," Ashfall growled. "They're very close. And Cinderpaw believes they were talking of 'cat-catchers' as he calls them."

Willowfur then turned her attention to Ashfall's apprentice. "You can understand the twoleg speech?" She requested suspiciously. "They just make warbled jibes and chatter…"

"You learn some of the words if you actually bother to listen," Cinderpaw hissed with sudden fierceness that almost caused Willowfur to flinch.

Watch your tongue, Kit. You're a warrior now…

"Cat-catchers are common in the twolegplace. They run about with these big sticks and catch stray cats. I think they're trained for it, actually."

The deputy turned to Ashfall again with narrowed, green eyes. "Do you believe him?" She requested in a slight growl. Obviously, she wasn't the only one to notice Cinderpaw's defensiveness.

"I think I do," Ashfall leveled as he turned his gaze to the young tom. Cinderpaw just watched Willowfur defiantly and held his head high.

"Then we need to think fast," Willowfur hissed. "Stonepaw!" The brown apprentice sat up straighter and his eyes met hers. "I need you to find Springstar's patrol and bring them back immediately. Is that understood?"

"But what about Storm…?" The tom requested in a small voice. Ashfall saw fear flash before the young cat's eyes and he couldn't really blame him. Storm had beaten a battle-ready patrol. What could he do to one apprentice.

Willowfur's ears flattened. "You're fast. You'll be fine, Stonepaw," she coaxed. "We need them to get this message immediately or we could all be in danger. Please."

The tom hesitated and quickly licked the fur on his chest while his whiskers trembled. However, he rose to his paws and offered a resolute nod before he vanished through the reed tunnel.

"In the meantime, get Nettlebush and Foxtail ready to move," Willowfur barked to Dovetail and Cinderpaw. "Ashfall, go to Nightsky and make sure he and Featherpaw pack up plenty of herbs in case we have to move. Also make sure someone remembers the freshkill pile!"

"Of course," all the cats meowed in unison and parted ways to their individual jobs. Ashfall made a beeline for the medicine cat den and pushed his way in just as Shadowfrost was leaving with the thick stench of herbs on his pelt. The tom offered a slight nod, but that was all the formality Ashfall apparently warranted.

Inside the well-lit den, Nightsky was bent over a collection of berries. He rolled each over with his black paw and repeated the name to Featherpaw who watched with frightened, green eyes as she tried to repeat each one. Both looked up as Ashfall entered.

"What's going on outside?" The medicine cat requested as he stopped to wash his silky, black back. His ears, however, remained trained on Ashfall.

"Twolegs are nearing our camp. We might have to move," Ashfall explained in an apologetic tone. "Pack up all you can and we'll find warriors to carry whatever you need. We're just waiting for word from Springstar."

The black tom paused, tongue still partially out of his mouth as he paused and considered this. "Why would they come so close? Everyone knows the treecutterplace is near Thunderclan."

Ashfall shook his head. "They've come here and brought their monsters with them. I don't think they'll be stopping anytime soon," he explained as he kept his eyes locked on Featherpaw. The she-cat was shifting uncomfortably and watching her paws as if she had something to hide. Nightsky noticed as well as his green eyes fell on her.

"Something the matter?" He coaxed gently and nudged Featherpaw with his muzzle.

Featherpaw glanced up at him for just a second before her green eyes darted back to her paws and she shifted them more furiously as if participating in some bizarre kind of dance.

"You can speak. It's just Ashfall," Nightsky continued and nudged the she-cat again. He promptly licked her grey head which seemed to calm Featherpaw's fidgeting a little, but her eyes always darted about with the same fear they always had.

"There's a river," Featherpaw meowed. Ashfall had to strain his ears to pick up her soft voice even in the silence of the den. "The water's too deep. The current's too fast and cats can't swim," she continued and began to shuffle about again. "But there's a jump to the shore! On the shore, though, is a fox and he likes to eat the cats that jump onto the shore. But the cats that don't will drown…"

What?

Ashfall and Nightsky sat in silence. The medicine cat, however, seemed to make more of this than he did because Nightsky's green eyes narrowed and he glanced up to the stars. "Was this one of your dreams, Featherpaw?" He requested gently.

The she-cat nodded slowly. "The river's coming."

"And the fox is waiting," Ashfall finished and felt a prickle in his pelt. He hadn't noticed fresh fox scent in the forest, but he wouldn't put it past that fox from earlier to still be lurking. But they could handle one fox. At least, more so than they could handle twolegs.

All thoughts were cut short as a loud caterwaul echoed through the camp. All was silent for a moment before the cry was followed by one word, shouted at the top of Springstar's lungs.

"RUN!"

Nightsky was up in an instant and snatched what herbs he could in his jaws. Featherpaw whimpered and did her best to grab some as well. The poor apprentice was shaking, but Ashfall had bigger things to worry about at the moment. "Get with the others!" He commanded before he dashed back out into the clearing.

All hell had suddenly broken loose. Cats were running amuck. Sparrowflight nearly crashed into Ashfall, her calico pelt stood on end as she looked about. For a moment, Ashfall couldn't even figure out what the problem was. And then he saw the grey, dark, looming shapes moving through the trees towards their little island. The strides were larger than any fox or dog and the creatures walked on two legs, forcing their way through the dense undergrowth that had always protected the clan.

How did they find us so fast!?

There was barely time to think, but Ashfall remembered he had to keep himself together. He had to help the others. He dashed to the apprentice's den first and checked that everything was vacated. Owlpaw and Leafpaw dashed out the moment he neared it with Cinderpaw and Dawnpaw coaxing them on like two of a team and not mortal enemies.

Ashfall turned to the elder's den, but Icestripe and Hawkshade were already there, softly coaxing the irritable Nettlebush as he hobbled along as quickly as he could. "I haven't been this rushed since before any of you were born!" He hollered.

At the nursery, Dovetail had already escorted Foxtail out. Both had met up with the apprentices and were the first to squeeze through the hole behind the nursery. Ashfall had never thought they'd have to use his favorite hideaway to escape.

The bellowing of the twolegs could now be heard as they rushed upon their little island, brandishing their massive sticks.

"Let's go!" Finally, Ashfall caught sight of Springstar side by side with her apprentice as both corralled the remaining warriors on their retreat. Riverclan raced past Ashfall on both sides as he found himself unable to look away from the looming figures of the twolegs as they came closer. Something just felt… wrong.

"Ashfall!" Teeth grasped at Ashfall's thick, grey scruff and the tom whirled around to see Sparrowwing watching him with wide, golden eyes. "We've got to go!"

"We have to wait for Featherpaw and Nightsky!" Ashfall spat back as he returned to the medicine cat den. He could hear the thunderous clapping of the twolegs feet against the ground and then, splashing. They were wading the river.

Nightsky and Featherpaw popped their heads out of the medicine cat den just as Ashfall arrived. Nightsky dipped his head appreciatively but could not speak through his mouthfuls of herbs. Featherpaw had a wad about as big as her head. Both went dashing for the exit and Ashfall followed with Sparrowwing close by his side.

"I think that's everyone," the tom panted, his eyes wild with fear as he shoved his way through the hole first. On the other side, the river was alive with frantically splashing cats as the twolegs began to gain.

"We can outrun them," Ashfall hissed as he threw himself into the water and waded along. He'd never been a fast swimmer due to his long fur dragging with the current, but it was enough to keep him ahead of the shadows that were looming closer.

The clan began to run as one, headed for Fourtrees, Ashfall noticed. He hoped that someone capable was leading, but the line of cats was so thin and stretched so far that he couldn't even make out half the clan as they dipped between bushes and dashed down the slope. One question, however, still lingered in his mind.

How did they find us? Did they always know? Did we lead them here?

Before his mind could be cleared, a familiar scent struck Ashfall nostrils and a white flash struck him and bowled him over. He was so caught off guard that he slammed against a tree and took several seconds to clear his head. Before him stood a pure white tom. On closer inspection, the tom had one grey paw and mismatched eyes filled with a fiery hatred unlike anything Ashfall had ever seen.

The tom lunged for Ashfall's throat, but the older warrior ducked aside and slashed at the white tom's cheek, wondering where he came from. He reeked of twolegs, but he surely didn't come with them?

Ashfall didn't have long to wonder as a stick crashed down near his head and he had to duck away, the stench of twolegs wafting about him as the twoleg raised the stick and attempted again to strike his head with it. The grey tom ducked and ran for it, as did his attacker, deeper into the forest.

The sounds of screeches could he heard throughout and Ashfall finally pinpointed the familiar scent from earlier which had also clung to the white attacker's pelt. Storm was here.

Ashfall burst through a collection of bushes and into a clearing in turmoil. Cats were rounding on the few rogues and driving them back, but just before any true harm could be done, the twolegs came in and swung at every cat close by them. In one corner, the beautiful she-cat Ashfall had fought with earlier was being driven back by Icestripe, Hawkshade, and Nettlebush, but then a twoleg came down upon them, shouting his warbled speech.

The cats scattered, but Nettlebush's old limbs wouldn't carry him fast enough and a thin rope caught around his neck and tightened as he tried to pull away. He cried out in a fury and clawed at the twoleg who remained safely at the other end of the stick. Ashfall let out a caterwaul and rushed to the elder's aid, but he was stopped as the white tom from earlier tackled him again and bounced off just as quickly.

The warrior whirled on his attacker as his white tail vanished into a flurry of fleeing cats. Yowls and shouts were drowning out Ashfall's very thoughts as he desperately tried to think of a way to restore order. Cats were running around without reason now, their only desire to escape the attacks that seemed to come from all sides.

And then Ashfall heard the distinct wail of Springstar, nearly drowned out amidst all the clamor. The tom dashed off towards the noise without regard for anything else, though his heart broke as he heard Nettlebush's desperate cries, but his leader was more important.

Around a bend, Ashfall found Springstar on her side. Her throat was torn and her eyes were wide, sightless. Her sides did not rise. Above her stood the hulking, grey shape of Storm, his claws poised to tear into Springstar's exposed stomach when another cry could be heard and a white shape crashed into the rogue and bowled him over.

Storm cried out in surprise as Snowstorm fell upon him with an unspeakable fierceness. He cried out and slashed at the rogue's face and snapped at his neck to drive Storm away from his mate. Ashfall rushed in to help and crashed into Storm's haunches so that the rogue twirled about and slammed to the ground. His green eyes flashed with fury as he kicked Ashfall in the face so hard Ashfall's head snapped back violently.

Snowstorm had his back, though. The beautiful, white tom fell upon Storm and slashed at him with enough fervor to drive the tom back. Storm's lips parted in a snarl and he lunged again, catching the side of Snowstorm's face with his claws with a blow so powerful it bowled Snowstorm over. Ashfall readied to leap when the familiar grey flash of Mapleclaw smashed into him and clawed at his face.

Ashfall hissed and reared, powerful paws striking at Mapleclaw's lithe frame, but the she-cat managed to duck away in time and dash about to latch onto Ashfall's back. Instantly, the grey tom slammed down on his side and rolled, but Mapleclaw's claws only dug deeper into his grey fur and held on tight despite his bucking and kicking.

"I'll make you all pay," she hissed in Ashfall's ear and he felt her teeth sink into the back of his neck.

"Ashfall!" Ashfall almost expected to hear Copperblaze's voice, but he saw the flick of a black tail as Mapleclaw was ripped from Ashfall's back and thrown to the ground.

Ashfall whirled around to see Shadowfrost standing there. The black tom looked exhausted and thin, still not fully recovered from his last battle, but his eyes were hard and determined as he turned on Mapleclaw.

"You're not so tough without daddy protecting you," Mapleclaw hissed and lunged for Shadowfrost. The tom jumped back, but his paws were unsteady and Ashfall knew he had no the to had no chance without help. He bounded forward to strike Mapleclaw away.

She danced back with ease, not even seeming particularly interested in harming either of them. Ashfall stiffened as he remembered the other fight he'd been a part of. He glanced behind him in time to see Storm snatch Snowstorm by the neck and slam the tom into the ground as the grey rogue's teeth sank deeper into Snowstorm's neck, dotting his pristine white fur with red.

Ashfall rushed forward in a blind fury and slammed his shoulder into Storm's. The rogue released, looking startled and stumbled back. Ashfall swung a blow that stroke Storm across the side of his head and slammed him into the ground. His claws flashed again, missing the underbelly and striking at Storm's chest when he heard more hollering and was forced to remember that these rogues weren't the only problem they had to deal with.

The twolegs had caught up and crashed down upon them. One reached down for Ashfall and Storm. Both cats scattered away from the hand. Ashfall's eyes flickered to Springstar, laying lifeless on the ground and Snowstorm lying beside her. There was no way he could possibly carry both.

He growled and rushed forward to snatch his leader's scruff in his jaws and dance away from the twoleg's great stick. He turned abruptly and made a run for it. Nearby, he saw a flash of black as Shadowfrost disentangled himself from Mapleclaw and followed after, but the tom's pace lagged and a twoleg stick snagged his neck.

The tom let out a petrified wail as he found himself unable to escape and writhed against the contraption, desperately trying to pry himself free. Ashfall stopped dead, unable to tear his eyes away as Shadowfrost stared after him with frightened, golden eyes. He didn't even plea for help, but just seemed quietly resigned that no help would come.

And then it did.

A small, cream shape Ashfall knew all too well came out of nowhere. Instead of rushing into battle as Cinderpaw always did, however, the young tom bounded forward and meowed earnestly to the twolegs who all seemed temporarily disarmed. They turned their attention to Cinderpaw and cooed back. One even crouched down and offered a hand as he continued his peculiar, cooing noises.

Cinderpaw purred and padded forward despite the bewildered stares he received from Shadowfrost.

Once a kittypet, always a kittypet.

The thought stung, but Ashfall could think of no other explanation as his apprentice stalked up to the twoleg's outstretched hand and rubbed against it before he made his way over to Shadowfrost's captor and meowed earnestly. The tom rubbed against the twoleg's leg as if he was kin and the twoleg cooed back at him affectionately.

And then Cinderpaw changed. The tom suddenly leaned back on his haunches and lunged for the twoleg's face as he bent over slightly to get a good look at him a delivered one remarkably precise slash to the twoleg's eyes. The twoleg screeched and pulled back to grasp at his eyes, releasing his stick.

Instantaneously, Cinderpaw and Shadowfrost both ran and Ashfall went with them while the twolegs hollered in pure rage and pursued on their ungainly, long legs.

The three didn't address each other and didn't speak. Cinderpaw did his best to ensure the stick still hanging from Shadowfrost's neck did not snag on anything as it dragged behind him while Ashfall did his best to gingerly crane his neck and carry Springstar onward.

He couldn't shake the horrid feeling of parallelism between this and only hoped that Springstar would fare better than Copperblaze had.