Chapter Twenty One – Abduction

The Clan was preparing for the worst as days seemed to drag on without incident. Nightpaw let out a sigh as anxiety washed over her.

She hated waiting like this. Part of her knew that the rogues wanted them to wait. It was all part of their plan. Yet some small part of her wondered if they really were satisfied with just scaring the Clans. None of the patrols had picked up any scents. That was what bothered her the most.

It's like they know how to hide themselves, she thought angrily. She had no doubt it was Ravenflight who taught them that trick. And to think, she used to be a trusted deputy.

"Nightpaw, we need more chervil and borage," Sagetail meowed, distracting her from her thoughts. Nightpaw flinched and looked at her mentor warily before nodding.

Fallowtail had taken most of the borage. With leafbare approaching they would need borage for the cold season. Sagetail had warned her that when cats got sick, they relied on their medicine cats more than ever. So Nightpaw had taken it upon herself to memorize whichever herbs were needed for those kind of sicknesses.

"Should I go out and collect them?" she asked. Sagetail only shook his head, and frustration swelled in Nightpaw. She hated being stuck in the den; Sagetail was only concerned about what the rogues might do to them if they were captured.

"No, it's too dangerous to go out alone," he told her. "If you do go out, you must take someone who can protect you."

Nightpaw only rolled her eyes and stalked out of the den. She could just as easily take care of herself! She didn't need some cat taking care of her while she was looking for herbs. But Sagetail did have a good point. With a sigh she stared across the clearing, wondering if anyone would be willing to go with her.

Stormpaw was out training with Mintspot. The only other apprentice available was Flarepaw, and Nightpaw was in no hurry to talk to her.

There was something about that cat Nightpaw didn't like. She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was jealousy over the fact that Stormpaw cared about her so much. But Flarepaw had been a little too willing to accept Clan ways. It was almost s if she knew what she was getting herself into.

She shook her head once more and finally stared at Furzepelt. He was the only other cat she could see at the moment. Yet another prickle of fear made her fur bristle slightly. She knew that he didn't like her or anyone else Leafstar had taken in. One wrong move and he'd flay them. Those were his exact words to her when she had become Sagetail's apprentice.

I don't have any other choice, she reminded herself. With a sigh she slowly approached him, ears flattening when the dark brown tom turned to glare at her.

"What?" he demanded, his voice gruff and harsh as always. Nightpaw only raised her chin and met his stare defiantly.

"I need someone who is willing to keep watch while I gather herbs," she explained, keeping her own voice from quivering with fear. Furzepelt's eyes widened in shock for a brief moment. Than he suddenly let out a rumble of laughter before swiping a paw across her muzzle. Nightpaw stumbled back in disbelief, feeling pain sear through her.

"I refuse to help some useless rogue, especially one who is related to a traitor!" he spat.

Nightpaw let her claws unsheathe as rage burned within her. She was tired of cats calling her 'some useless rogue'. As far as she was concerned, the Clan would never fully accept her or her brother. She hated them for that reason, but she had never let it get to her. Until now.

"Fine, the next time you come back with a wound, I won't be treating it," she hissed angrily. "Don't come crying to me when it becomes infected." She whipped around and left him before he could say anything else.

For a while Furzepelt had been quiet until now. She assumed it was from the shock of the news Leafstar had shared with the Clan. But seeing him now made her hate the useless furball even more, if that were possible.

All he ever does is complain about the decisions Leafstar makes, she thought bitterly. And when he isn't complaining, he's thinking of more insults for us.

She shook her head in frustration, deciding at that point that she didn't need any help. Furzepelt was just an annoying tick that could be gotten rid of with mousebile. She grinned to herself at the thought, wondering if something like that were possible.

The forest was surprisingly quiet when she padded through the tunnel entrance. Nightpaw's ears swiveled back and forth as she listened for signs of the rogues. So far none of the patrols had seen them. It was like they were biding their time. And with Ravenflight giving them guidance, she was sure to know the best time for an attack.

Nightpaw shook her head as she thought of the former deputy. What had happened to change Ravenflight so much? Why would she betray her own Clan? Part of Nightpaw already knew that answer. She wanted power, and with Leafstar leading the Clan, that certainly wasn't going to happen. So she opted for the rogues instead.

Her nose wrinkled as she picked up the scent of borage. They grew along a grove of trees and were easy to spot. She had learned quickly which plants she could and couldn't trust. Sagetail had told her that she was a natural. And now she understood why.

"Well lookie what we have here." Nightpaw stiffened at the sound of a new voice. Her eyes widened when she saw a pair of amber eyes gleaming through the undergrowth. "Looks like those mousehearts decided to let their kits out to play," the tom sneered.

"I'm not a kit!" Nightpaw snapped, letting her temper flare once again.

She quickly regretted that though as the tom suddenly lunged forward. Nightpaw held back a gasp of shock as he slammed his paw into her shoulder, sending her flying. She didn't have time to react as he jumped over her and placed a claw over her neck.

"You were saying, kit?" he growled.

Panic replaced the anger she felt earlier. Nightpaw struggled against her attacker, but he put all his strength into making sure she couldn't squirm out of his grasp. She was about to let out a warning cry when he suddenly slammed his paw against her vulnerable forehead. Pain exploded within her, and she began to see black spots at the edge of her vision.

"N-No, I can't—" Nightpaw stopped herself as she felt a pounding headache. The tom only chuckled and shook his head in amusement.

"You filthy forest rats really think you can defeat us?" he asked in a mocking tone. "I'm willing to bet that even if I hadn't beaten you, you still wouldn't have the guts to take me."

Nightpaw couldn't answer. Her lungs were burning along with her head. The tom just stood there and watched as the world went black around her. All Nightpaw could think about was asking for forgiveness by Stormpaw. She knew her brother wouldn't tolerate knowing that she was kidnapped, especially by these rogues.

...

The day had gone relatively normal. Stormpaw spent much of the afternoon hunting and training with Petalwind and Flarepaw. Mintspot was still helping Leafstar adjust to the shock of Ravenflight's betrayal. Though she had shown she was recovering, she still fell into what Stormpaw thought was some kind of shell.

He shook his head at the thought, wondering if she would ever fully recover. Leafstar was a strong and capable leader. Stormpaw had learned that when he first joined the Clan. But seeing her now made him realize just how vulnerable she really was.

"Tomorrow we should try hunting for squirrels," Petalwind suggested as they made their way back to camp. By now the sun was beginning to sink. Patrols were increased at this time of the day. Mintspot had made it so that all the borders were checked before moonhigh.

The rogues can't cross the border if they know we're watching them, he thought proudly.

"I'd like that," Flarepaw purred in response. "Back in the city we used to hunt squirrels like they were nothing, remember?" Flarepaw glanced at Stormpaw, but than her eyes narrowed in concern when he didn't respond. "Stormpaw?" she pressed, nudging him gently on the shoulder.

He looked at her in surprise before shaking his head once more. "Sorry, I was just thinking," he murmured.

"About what?" Flarepaw asked.

"Well, I'm just worried about these rogues," he admitted. "They've really shaken the Clan, in more ways than one. And Ravenflight, how could she betray the Clan like that?"

Flarepaw was silent for a moment. Petalwind seemed lost in her own thoughts as they returned to camp. Right now an eerie sense of calm seemed to fill the clearing when they arrived through the tunnel. But the moment was lost on them when Stormpaw saw Sagetail.

"What happened?" Stormpaw demanded, taking a step forward when he noticed how anxious Sagetail looked.

"It's... it's Nightpaw," Sagetail rasped. "She's disappeared."

Horror surged within Stormpaw when the medicine cat said that.

"What?" His voice was barely a whisper. All the anxiety from earlier returned in an instant. He thought she would have stayed in camp after the Gathering that had happened.

"She disappeared," Sagetail repeated himself. "I needed herbs collected out in the forest, and I assumed she would take someone with her. I didn't realize she would go alone."

Stormpaw could hear the grief and anger in Sagetail's voice. His claws suddenly unsheathed as he glared at the medicine cat. So technically this was all his fault! He was ready to attack when he felt a tail touch his shoulder.

"Don't," Flarepaw warned him. "You're only just getting on her good side; you won't want to make Leafstar angry again."

He let out a huff of frustration before realizing she was right. With a sigh he glared back at Sagetail, wondering just what had happened to his sister.

"Do you know where she would have gone?" he asked.

"She would have gone to a grove of pine trees a little away from camp," Sagetail told him. "I'm certain that's where she would go."

Stormpaw nodded and turned away, ignoring the look of confusion in Flarepaw's eyes.

"Where are you going?" she asked as she bounded after him.

"I'm going to look for my sister," he growled, determination clawing at his heart.

He wouldn't stop until he knew for sure that she was safe. The Clan had no idea just how much he cared for his sibling. If it came to it, he would die for her. And he knew that she felt the same about him. He sent a silent prayer to StarClan so that she would survive whatever ordeal she was now facing.

AN: Finally updated! Again it was another short chapter, but it is a major turning point in the story. Only a few more chapters are left before this is finished :) Than I'll be working on the sequel, and a few other stories I have planned.

QOTD: So, which game console do you play, if you own any? My favorite is either the 3DS or the XBox One :)

Snowfall16 - Yeah, she did kind of recover a little too quickly in that chapter, but I never said she made a full recovery ;) Plus it would be a bit boring if I spent the next few chapters just discussing how depressed and angry she was. And don't worry, I have something much more dramatic in mind for Stormpaw :P He's gonna be in for a nasty shock by the time this is over.