Sorry this chapter took so long! I've been busy with sports and school and NO INTERNET!

Chapter 10

Scourge's eyes flashed at the acusation, but he didn't raise his voice to meow, "I know."

Before he could shut his mouth, I watched the tabby meow, "Why?"

His sudden outburst was met with gasps. Some cats I hadn't noticed suddenly gathered around us, four or five of them looking excited or scared.

Scourge seemed to have more to say, but he just turned his head and started in the direction of where we stayed. Or at least I stayed, because he's always disappearing to who-knows-where.

I wish I knew more about him.

Inturrupting my thoughts, Scourge called, "Beechpaw, come on. We're leaving."

Confused and worried at the thought of him and I being alone together, I walked after him stiffly and quietly. I listened as the cats started buzzing with sudden chatter, and sighed in relief when their voices faded away. What was with them anyway?

When we got back, Scourge didn't look at me as he said "I'll fetch us some fresh-kill."

I felt an unexpected rush of something at the word us. A chill ran along my spine as I sat down in our little alleyway,

He came back after a while with two mice hanging from his jaws by their tails, but the jagged outline of ribs showed they wouldn't be very appetizing. Even so, I ate without complaint, my mind was still trying to figure out what he might've said to that kittypet.

"Scourge,..." I tried to break the awkward silence.

He didn't answer, just kept eating. What a jerk.

"What happened back there?"

"...With that kitty pet?"

"...Yeah."

Silence.

He stepped away from his fresh kill and sat up and gave his ears a little wash. His eyes were closed, so I had no idea what he was thinking.

"I used to be a house cat- or a kittypet, when I was younger."

Well that was unexpected.

"I lived with my brother and sister- Ruby and Socks. They never seemed to like me. Maybe because I didn't play right, or was the smallest, or was favored by my mother. I don't know why they hated me so damn much... But one day, these new twolegs and their kits came. They played with Ruby and Socks, but ignored me like I wasn't even there. Then... Then they..."

He broke off for a moment, looking at the stars.

"Ruby told me that they were going to pick two of us, and whoever wasn't wanted, got thrown in the river."

Jeez.

"So I left my home, my momma, and my warm soft bed behind. I ventured into the forest and away from home. Suddenly though, I was attacked by clan cats- momma had told me stories about them. There were three of them- two 'warriors', and one 'apprentice.' I was so scared I didn't hear waht they said. But the youngest attacked me and left some nasty scars. Ones that would never heal."

Now I felt different, he and I really were the same. Hated by everyone, left out, and all our efforts to fit in were wasted. Nobody cared about us. Nobody wanted to. If we stood together and juggled on one leg, not one cat would bat an eye.

We didn't matter.