Chapter 12

Long claws packed dirt over a shallow grave. A dark tabby tom shoved the powdery dirt over the hole he had dug, pushing it in with ever-weakening muscles. After spreading grass over the hole, the rogue sat back, admiring his work. No one passing by would guess what was buried in the grave.

That was my easiest kill yet. She put up quite a fight, but she was no match for me, the tom thought to himself. His latest victim had been somewhat smaller than his previous kills. The ragged tom knew the cat must have been an apprentice. Now ThunderClan will be even more afraid. They know that I'm not just taking their warriors- I'm taking their apprentices, too.

The tom padded back into ThunderClan territory. He had buried his three victims just outside the border so the bodies would never be found. So far, his plan had been successful. With a glance at his own pelt, the tabby realized that only his plan for revenge was working. His plan to stay strong and healthy was failing, however. The tom was skinnier than he had ever been, his back bone jutting out awkwardly. His hip bones were clearly outlined by his patchy, matted fur. Even the tom's sharp amber eyes had lost their gleam. Though still a formidable force, the starving cat worried about how much longer he would be able to survive on his own.

A rustle in the bushes startled the tom. He hurriedly moved to a cluster of brambles for shelter, not wanting to be seen by ThunderClan warriors. Peering out from his hiding place, the dark tabby saw four cats padding through the cluttered forest floor. The tom recognized the tortoiseshell tom apprentice that had confronted him before. The apprentice had grown quite a bit, and the rogue realized that the well-muscled cat would now be trained to fight. With the tortoiseshell were a black-and-white tom and a silvery gray she-cat that were the same size as the first cat. A slightly larger, black tom was with the three apprentices. He was clearly a warrior and there to protect the three younger cats.

Can I really fight four of them? The apprentices by themselves, yes, but three apprentices and a warrior? Maybe I should just stay hidden this time.

"I smell something!" the gray she-cat mewed, pausing in her steps.

The back warrior nodded. "You're right, Featherpaw," he growled. "The rogue is here."

The dark tabby sighed. He hadn't had time to disguise his scent. Realizing these cats were all too young to recognize him, the rogue decided to confront the ThunderClan cats. They would find him anyway, so why allow them to have that advantage? Pushing through the brambles, the tom stood in front of the now startled cats.

The tortoiseshell tom seemed to regain some sense of bravery before his companions and stepped forward. "What did you do to Frostwing?" he growled, scanning the rogue with cold amber eyes.

"I don't know any cat by that name," the brown tabby responded coolly.

The apprentice narrowed his eyes, unsheathing his claws. "She was the tabby and white she-cat that disappeared recently. I know you took her."

The rogue flicked his tail dismissively. "I haven't seen any cat with that description. I am a loner, you know. I try to stay away from other cats."

The black warrior stepped up to the front of the patrol. "That cat was my sister. You will tell us what you did with her. I can smell her scent on you."

"Your sister?" the rogue laughed. "You think that because your precious sister went missing means I had something to do with it?"

"I can smell her," the warrior hissed, baring his teeth. "If you don't tell me where she is, I swear I'll rip you to shreds."

The tabby kneaded the ground with his paws. Could he really fight four cats? He would if he had to. "Fine. I'll tell you where your sister is."

"Good. Tell me now!"

"She's dead," the dark tom meowed, showing no emotion.

The warrior's amber eyes widened his horror. He stood still for a moment, thinking. After a brief hesitation, he leaped at the rogue, slashing at him with sharp claws. The tabby twisted around, knocking the warrior to the ground. He got back up to his paws quickly, raking the rogue's nose.

The three apprentices watched with terrified expressions on their faces. They stood frozen to the ground, unable to help their Clanmate. After a long hesitation, the tortoiseshell tom charged at the rogue, closely followed by the other two.

The tabby writhed under the weight of four healthy cats. He knew he was not strong enough to win this battle. If he didn't get away, the fight could cost him his life. Suddenly, the tom had a brilliant idea. Twisting his body so that he could slither out from under his attackers' grasp, he grabbed the scruff of the silver she-cat and hauled her away from the pile of fighting fur. The three toms fell back in surprise, giving the rogue time to drag his prisoner away. He didn't really want to take another cat so soon, but it was his only hope for escape. Besides, he didn't have to murder her now. The rogue could use her as leverage against ThunderClan.

Realizing the ThunderClan cats would follow him, the tabby tom turned back to the attackers. "If you try to rescue her, I swear I'll kill her!"

(Revision date- March 25, 2014)