WarriorCats doesn't belong to me.
R&R please.
Firestar did his best not to lung at Fang. He was no match for her, that much he knew. She was far older and far more experienced than him. That and she had a certain order over him. As much as Firestar despised it, it was that way. When you created one of their kind, he shuddered to even think the word, when you created a Vampire, you had a certain control over those you did create. That meant, he would have to treat Fang with a small amount of respect, no matter what.
He'd never told any of his companions about this, except for Ravenpaw. The black tom didn't blame him for keeping it secret though. He knew Firestar wouldn't abuse this power.
Fang grinned at him sweetly though, reminding him of how all of this had even started.
Flashback
Firestar slid through a few bushes and flicked his ears, enjoying the silence of the nightly forest. In three days the clans would battle Tigerstar and his cats and Firestar needed some time to himself for it. He shivered at the thought of having to battle Tigerstar once more. So often they'd already stopped him, in many different ways, but he kept coming back. Firestar was so in his thoughts, that he didn't hear the rustling of bushes behind him, till it was too late.
Something collided with him, ending him against a tree. He cried out and struggled to his legs, only to find himself alone. He stayed tense and ready for an attack for a few more heartbeats, before he took a normal stand again. Yet he stayed alert. Something was not right here, and he would find out watch. You didn't just crash against a tree like this because of nothing. Suddenly he heard it.
A sorrowful wail reached his ears. Firestar spun to where it came from and listened a little longer, to be sure that this was no one of his clan-mates. Slowly he moved forward, alert for another attack. Finally he reached the source of the wail and gasped.
In front of him, in a limp heap, lay a pale-grey she-cat, her fur making her seem like a StarClan cat in the moonlight. She breathed heavily and in short gasps. Normally Firestar would've snarled at her, but he saw no danger in her, rather someone who needed help.
"Hey you", called the leader, not ready to give up his authority though. The she-cat winced, then slowly looked up at him. Her eyes were from a very pale blue and glazed over. "Who are you?", asked Firestar.
The she-cat tilted her head, studying him. For a while he allowed it, knowing any normal cat in her state would be intimidated by his appearance. This she-cat though seemed rather interested in him all in all. Finally she locked eyes with him and croaked out: "My name is Fang. I…I'm sorry if I intruded but…" She broke off and Firestar asked: "Did something attack you?" "No, I am a traveller and I haven't fed in quite some time", answered the she-cat, coming to her legs.
Firestar scanned her, then offered: "I can catch you some prey, but then you have to leave."
Her eyes widened and she asked: "You would do that for me, why?"
"I rather solve my conflicts without battles when I can. You don't seem to be a danger to my clan and I have no wish to fight you", answered Firestar.
The she-cat seemed even more impressed at that and tried to take a step forward, only to tumble. Instinctively Firestar rushed forward and steadied her with his shoulder. He found Fang freezing up and looked at her confused. What he saw shocked him. Her eyes weren't blue anymore, but a bright red. He tried to get away, but couldn't move. Something prevented him from leaving her. The next heartbeat, Firestar found himself pinned to the ground by the she-cat, belly and throat exposed.
With a yowl Firestar struggled to get away, but the she-cat wouldn't budge. How she had so much strength was beyond him, but she had it. She even giggled at his attempts to get away. "Such a feisty but noble fighter", murmured the she-cat, sniffing at his neck. Firestar frowned and once again tried to push her off. It wouldn't work. "You deserve a second chance if what comes takes live from you", continued the she-cat and gave a grin. Firestar frowned when he saw her fangs. Suddenly pain hit him and he cried out, realising she'd slashed her fangs into his shoulder. He wanted to scream once more, but couldn't. The pain faded, leaving him in a daze. H
e felt her sucking blood from his body, felt how his strength faded, but couldn't do anything to stop it. He didn't want to. Suddenly she pulled back and grinned at him, her fangs glistening with his blood.
"Mh, you taste wonderful, you know that. It's been ages since I met someone like you. An experienced fighter, not foolish through youth, but not old either. Noble, pure and powerful. You're much too valuable to be wasted." Firestar had no idea what she was talking about, but it honestly made him nervous. She simply continued. "Of course, it could also be that you're too strong. That you won't be fully under my order like some others. But respect should be enough at first, shouldn't it. Oh well, let's try it."
With that she raised one of her paws, having Firestar jerk up.
Finally Fang got thrown off and stared at him in shock. Clearly she'd not expected him to still find strength to get away. Firestar spun around and raced off. Of course leading her to camp would be dangerous, but she was strong, he couldn't fight her alone. Suddenly something jumped in his path. It was Fang. He collided with her at full speed, but her body wouldn't budge and inch.
The force of the blow left Firestar dizzy and he fell down in a heap. He heard Fang chuckle darkly, before something was shoved between his jaws. Confused Firestar gazed up at the red-eyed she-cat, to see her grinning. Then he also saw what was in his mouth. It was her right forepaw. The ThunderClan leader was about to spit it out, when he tasted it.
Her blood. It tasted incredible.
Losing himself, he swallowed it and a purr worked its way up his throat and he gulped down more of it. Suddenly the paw was yanked out of his mouth and a hiss escaped the ThunderClan leader, before Fang pinned him down once more.
"Almost done", purred the she-cat and rubbed her cheek against his. In a flash Firestar's mind cleared up and he bit her. How dare she do this? He had a mate! Fang hissed when his fangs dug into her shoulder, but then laughed and yanked it free. He hadn't even managed to bite through her skin. "Mated already I see", laughed Fang. "Very well, we shall end this soon then."
Once again she bit into his shoulder and again pain flared through the ginger tom. However this time he didn't even have time to scream before numbness overtook him once more. After a while, the numbness turned to a cold sensation that spread over his whole body, gripping his every cell. Firestar shivered and gasped in surprise when Fan pulled back.
Warmth seeped into the wound, having him grimace. It felt wrong now that his whole body was so cold.
"Sleep tight noble fighter", hissed Fang into his ears. "You'll need all your strength for what is about to come."
End of Flashback
After that Firestar had passed out. When he'd woken up again, the sun had been starting to rise. He had clearly remembered what happened the night before, but found nothing wrong with him. He hadn't felt different and found not even a scratch where Fang had bitten him twice. In the end, he'd settled for the idea that he'd just imagined Fang and had knocked himself out with a tree.
It was embarrassing, but the best he could come up with. Although, the next few days Sandstorm had constantly dragged him to Jayfeather, claiming he was freezing up. Jayfeather had agreed with her, but hadn't been able to pinpoint anything wrong with the leader, so he was left alone about it.
"Well, well, well, you've been busy too, haven't you my dear", laughed Fang.
Firestar's attention snapped back to her. He growled at her and hissed back: "Against to you, I gave a choice!"
"Did you now? Well, I always knew you were noble. Even after what you became, this trait remained with you. Really, it's a shame you are this strong-minded. I would've loved to have you."
A loud growl rose from deep within Firestar's chest and he shouted: "You've forced something upon me I never wished to have!"
"Ah but it also gave you another chance, didn't it?" Fang gave Tigerstar, who watched as confused as anyone else, a pointed glance. Rage burst through Firestar and he dug his claws into the ground. Starting a fight now, would only bring harm to the clans.
"That may be", snarled the ginger tom. "But that does not mean I'm happy with this."
"Still keeping your curse theory", asked Fang with a faked yawn.
"We would not die if we weren't meant to", argued Firestar back. "What we are is not supposed to exist. No one should live forever Fang."
Fang gave him a glance, her red eyes blazing. "That is your opinion my dear noble fighter."
At this Firestar cracked a smirk and stated: "You know, though you say you're so interested in me, you never bothered to find out my name."
"I saw no need in it", stated Fang and slid into a slight crouch. Firestar tensed immediately. The crouch was slight, slight enough for no one but the Vampire's to see it. "Since I would've given you a name if I would've gained order over you."
An enraged growl echoed over the clearing at this and Firestar tensed even more when he recognized Sandstorm's voice. He glanced at the pale-ginger she-cat, who glowered at Fang, her green eyes blazing in rage. Fang laughed at this, then suddenly rocketed forward, towards Sandstorm. With a cry Firestar rushed forward as well and slithered to a stop in front of his mate, just to have Fang colliding with him, sending them both through the trees and into the lake.
In the lake, it was cold and wet and dark. Firestar had lost direction completely, having no idea were up or down was. The only thing he was glad about, was that he didn't need to breath. Yet he still started to panic after a while. Fang obviously had often battled under water, since her claws easily found his shoulders, slashing into them, drawing his blood.
With a deep growl, he blindly lunged forward and dug his fangs into her. He honestly had no idea where he'd hit, but even so, his ears picked up a muffled screech, so he figured it was painful for her. He bit harder, to get yanked off her and thrown upwards. Breaking the surface, he flew about a tail-length into the air, before he came down again.
This time though, he was ready for the water and dived in cleanly. Deciding battling in the deep water was too dangerous, Firestar swiftly swam up to the shore. The moment he was out far enough, so his belly-fur got still soaked, Fang leaped onto his back, digging her fangs into his scruff. With an enraged cry Firestar rolled over before she got the chance to behead him. Fang gasped when he flattened her under him and her grip on him loosened slightly.
Taking his chances, he jerked his back upwards. The she-cat's fangs ripped out of his scruff, tearing the flesh and ripping of some fur. It would take a while to heal and would cost him much blood, but Firestar rather took that than death. Again Fang leaped at him, blurred with speed. Firestar reacted in the last second and backed off.
The two leaped at each other for a while, with a speed even Firestar's companions would've trouble to follow. Yet the loss of blood affected him greatly. His movements slowed down, his strength shrunk a bit. He had never been a match for Fang, but this made matters worse. Growling at himself, Firestar restored to retreat and defence.
If he could hold on long enough, he could beat her.
Fang was much like all of their kind. She despised the sun. It did not harm her, but blinded her for a while. It even weakened her.
Firestar on the other hand drew strength from the burning he felt through it. It reminded him of life, of what he once had, of the strength of each of his nine lives.
He just needed to make sure the battle lasted long enough. Once again he evaded her and managed catch a glimpse at the dry shore.
Mistystar, Onestar and Tawnypelt had gathered there, watching the battle anxiously. Firestar frowned and returned his attention to Fang. As much as he disliked the control Vampires had over those they created, he couldn't deny he'd used it by himself though. Yet only once and that had always been right after the new additions had hunted for the first time. He'd strictly forbidden them to interfere in any battle he could ever start with Fang. Most of them probably didn't even remember he did that, but the order was rock-solid and buried into their sub-consciousness.
"When you just continue to dodge me, this battle will end in my favour", taunted Fang suddenly. "You're weakened already. Don't tell me your injuries aren't draining you."
Firestar ignored her and tried to occupy his tired mind with questions. One particularly kept him busy. What was with the clans? At least ThunderClan would be watching the battle by now, except if someone stopped them from it. He just hoped it were his cats, and not Tigerstar's that did just that. With a yelp he rolled to the side, getting a little deeper into the lake. The wound on his scruff had stopped bleeding, but the dry blood had gotten washed out now and ran down his shoulders in pale-red streams.
He shook himself, then rushed forward. Firestar honestly did not feel comfortable in such deep water. Fang smirked and leaped at him. Unfortunately for her, that was what Firestar had planned on. He leaped into the air and managed to run his claws over her face before he raced on, getting closer to the shore. The water now only went slightly over his paws. Fang turned at him, snarling furiously.
Blood seeped into her right eye from where he'd partly slashed her face open. Still, she sprang forward, claws stretched forward to take a hold of his shoulder, when he dodged her again. Suddenly a familiar scent hit him and his head jerked to the shore. There were the clans. Even the Dark-Forest-Cats watched their battle in shock.
He saw how Sandstorm and Greystripe tried to rushed forward to help him, when Jayfeather blocked their path. After a few such moves from different cats, the clan-cats gave up on trying to interfere with the fight. Firestar turned his head back to Fang, who was in mid-leap once more. He raced forward and allowed himself to fall down. The ginger tom slid under her and spun around, facing her once more.
Blood and water dripped from his belly and he started to wonder how much blood the two of them had already lost in this battle.
Suddenly he scented it.
The sweet yet spicy aroma of fresh blood. Out of instinct his head snapped to the source, and he gasped. Tigerstar had slashed Cloudtail's shoulder open. With an enraged cry, Brightheart, followed by Whitewing and Lionblaze had flung themselves at the dark tabby.
Yet he didn't stop grinning.
To late Firestar realised his actual intension in the attack. When he tried to react, it was too late. Fang barrelled into him, sending both of them through the water once more, before she pinned him down. It had only been a distraction. Tigerstar hadn't necessarily decided to attack Cloudtail. It could've been anyone. Cloudtail had just been the closest to him. Tigerstar had realised that Fang was as much Firestar's enemy as he was and had used this to his advantage. How Tigerstar had figured his reaction to blood, Firestar didn't know, but Tigerstar had always been observant. It couldn't have been too hard for him.
With a low growl, the ginger tom struggled under Fang, but she wouldn't budge. "Ready to truly die", asked the she-cat sweetly. "Or have you changed your mind and rather join me?"
Firestar looked at her, before a smirk spread over his face. "Neither!", hissed the ginger tom and with a mighty push, he threw her off. Fang leaped up again and was about to lunge once more, when it came.
The sun rose over the horizon, drawing hisses of pain from Firestar's followers and Firestar himself. Yet Fang's reaction was worse. She cried out in utter agony and stumbled backwards. The former ThunderClan leader had positioned them in a way that he would have the sun in his back, effectively having Fang look at it. The she-cat took another step back, and Firestar pushed himself forward. Water splashed when he leaped into the air. He hit Fang head-on and pushed both of them deep enough into the lake, to have the water reach their shoulders.
"How?!", hissed the she-cat, who writhed in the grip he held her in with his claws and fangs.
Firestar didn't budge an inch, yet growled through her fur: "While you fear the sun, I cherish it Fang. It hurts, but it gives me strength!" His growl got deeper and louder and with all of his remaining strength, he pulled back, ripping Fang's head off her shoulders. He let go of it immediately, to silently curse himself when he heard shocked shrieks from the shore. Apparently the head had landed in the group of watching cats. With a disgusted snarl, he whipped his body around, flinging Fang's head-less body directly in front of Ravenpaw. He stalked up to the black tom and stated: "You know what to do with it. Be fast, but thorough. I never want to see her again. She started this whole mess after all."
Ravenpaw nodded in understanding and gave him an encouraging smile. No one but him and Barley knew the full story of what had happened to Firestar that night he'd been attacked by Fang. Ravenpaw nodded to Barley, who picked up Fang's head, before both raced off.
Firestar shook himself and drew more energy from the burning he felt from his nose till his tail-tip. He coldly ignored the frightened gazes he got from the clan-cats and turned his burning red-eyes on Tigerstar. The tabby-tom took an uncertain step back, having Firestar grin evilly and hiss: "Oh you better be afraid. You saw what we can do to one of our own kind. Just imagine how much worse it can be for someone with a body as fragile as yours."
"Fragile?!", roared Hawkfrost and unsheathed his claws.
"Fragile", agreed Mistystar, stalking up to the blue-eyed tom. "Or can you walk away from being flattened under a tree just like that?" Everyone stared at the she-cat, who growled at Bramblestar's half-brother. Firestar knew they all lusted for a fight, but not here, especially not with Cloudtail being injured and bleeding. The ginger tom already fought against every fibre in his body. Everything in him screamed to leap at his nephew and take his blood.
The urge had been easier to ignore while fighting Fang. His instincts had registered her as a true danger, so he'd focused more on her. Yet in Tigerstar his instincts saw more of a play-thing than an actual enemy, leaving much of his mind free to thirst for the white tom's blood. He bit back a growl and checked the rows of watching clan-cats.
Finally his red eyes locked on Bramblestar's amber ones and he prayed the gentler tabby would get the meaning. Bramblestar seemed to understand, since he rose up and hissed at his cats to leave. Most protested, only to have him hissing something back Firestar couldn't hear. His eyes had locked on the wound on Cloudtail's shoulder. It had stopped bleeding, but the scent still came. With all his mental strength, the ginger tom ripped his gaze away from it and gave the same pointed look he'd given Bramblestar to the three other leaders.
Each of them seemed to get and, having seen what he'd done to Fang, was quick to follow his demands. Tigerstar's cats hissed at them to remain where they were, they threatened them, but obviously their fear of what Firestar could do was bigger. The ginger tom kept a good eye on Tigerstar, while he had swivelled his ears to the log, listening to how the clan-cats passed it. Once he heard the last cat crossing the log and leaping down on the other side, he gave Tigerstar a wicked grin.
He flicked his tail and glanced at his companions.
"Well my dear friends, play-time has come", snarled Firestar, faking the sweetness, yet not the amusement in his voice.
StarClan it felt good to finally give into his instincts.
