Rogue - Part 3: Chapter 7

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Chapter 7

Froststar followed Gethin out into the open, after Tigerstorm. She glanced back at Faithfulheart. The silver she-cat was focusing on the snow beneath her paws. The SkyClan leader fell in pace beside her. She wrapped her tail delicately around the silver she-cat's shoulders. "Are you okay?" she whispered.

Gethin shot an annoyed glance over his shoulder at them. He looked back to the path, catching her eyes, and rolling his own. Froststar bit back a hiss. She didn't believe one word of that stupid accuse of his. [i]"I am so over you! You wanna know the only reason why I saved you? Because you looked like my mate! Okay? Happy? It's not always about you, you conceited snake-tongue!" Yeah right. Nice excuse. Like I'd believe that fox-hearted badger-face![/i] she thought with contempt.

Faithfulheart looked at her leader and managed a weak smile. She nodded and looked briefly at Gethin, then away. Froststar growled and ran up so she was in pace with Gethin. "Why are you so mean to her?" she demanded.

Gethin stopped, looking at her, insulted. "What is your problem? What do you want me to do? Do you think I care? News flash, I care about myself and my family; and I have no family!" he snarled. "So get used to it!"

Froststar flinched a little, then swallowed her fear; or was it pain? This wasn't the Gethin she thought he was. Maybe he was telling the truth. She still met his gaze, wondering if she looked defiant or agonized. "You still have no right to… criticize her for something she has no control over."

"Are you talking about the mute one or are you talking about yourself?" he countered. "You're right though. I shouldn't criticize the either of you. I can't help that she's mute and you're too self-centered to think that I actually like you."

Without another word, the bronze-colored tomcat whipped around and pelted silently off toward the cluster of rocks. Froststar started after him, but a tail on her shoulder stopped her. She looked back to see Faithfulheart watching her. She shook her head. Froststar sighed. "I'm sorry. Go home. Tell the others—wait, scratch that! Sorry," she whimpered.

Faithfulheart shrugged but looked defeated.

"I'll be back soon," she mewed and bounded after Gethin. She followed his paw-prints in the snow, feeling a mixture of annoyance and hurt. She couldn't believe Gethin said that to her. [i]Stop it! You're the leader of SkyClan! Stop letting toms control your life![/i] she thought angrily at herself. She saw Gethin crouching behind one of the rock pillars. His tail was in line with his spine; it was positioned in a straight line out from the base. His ears were pricked, and his muscles bunched and ready.

Froststar mimicked his form and snuck up beside him silently. When he saw her he swore under his breath and shook his head. "Don't blame me if anything happens to you," he muttered. "I have enough curses placed on me already."

The two cats peeked through the rocks to see the alpha wolf looking down at Tigerstorm. The large tabby tom gazed impassively at him. "You have had more than enough time to consider my offer, Rune," he reminded the grayish-black dog. "I say give up your hunt for that worthless crow-food and help me take what is rightfully mine. I've worked way too hard—I've killed for leadership and still it has not come."

Rune's lips curled back into a snarl, his pointed teeth glinting in moonlight. "Do not rush me, Tigerstorm. You said one moon, but it has been but only ten sunrises. I am no fool, and I will not state and answer until I've had time to think."

"Then think!" the warrior snarled. Tigerstorm must have been brave to snarl at a wolf. Compared to the wolf, Tigerstorm was mouse-sized.

Rune turned away and consulted with his pack. Froststar heard the conversation. "The decision is not hard, Rune," the russet-colored female informed. "We agree to help him and kill off that cat Clan or we don't and follow Gethin some more."

"I know, Marra," Rune agreed. "Decisions, decisions."

A gray male let out an angry snarl. "I am so sick of sitting here listening to you ponder over every little detail, Rune! Make up your mind! If it was I, I would kill them all!"

Rune swiped a paw across the gray male's face. "Silence Erol!" Rune snarled at his subordinate. "I am Alpha. [i]I[/i] make the decisions!"

"Then decide, brother," a white wolf with various brown markings urged. He came up to stand beside him. He gave him a faint smile. "We'll follow you."

Rune dipped his head. "Thank you, Balder…" he replied then turned back to Tigerstorm. "Very well, Tigerstorm," he said. "We shall help you gain your leadership."

Froststar's eyes widened in fear at his words. She glanced at Gethin. The bronze tom remained un-phased and was watching the scene carefully. His emerald eyes were trying to absorb everything. Froststar watched him. She turned and silently bounded away. She had to warn her Clan.

A/N: Review?