(Wait... Patchpelt was alive this whole time? O.O)
(oh. oops. 0_0)
Chapter 35: Betryal?
Tigerclaw returned with the rest of his hunting patrol close behind. He had ordered his raiding patrol to go out and hunt with him. Some cat has to take care of the clan.
After he and the patrol and set their prey down on the fresh-kill pile, Tigerclaw turned to see Bluestar talking to Dustpaw, Sandpaw, and Fireheart.
Padding over, Bluestar gave him a nod of thanks, before clambering up onto the Highrock.
"It makes me proud to know that ThunderClan has such fine warriors."
A warrior ceremony for Sandpaw and Dustpaw... It's about time. Tigerclaw spotted the two apprentice's standing up tall, eyes shining. They should've been made warriors long ago, unlike Fireheart. Why was that kittypet even accepted into the clan in the first place?
"It's time you both took your warrior names. We shall have the naming ceremony now, while the sun is setting, and then we can eat."
The ThunderClan leader fixed her blue eyes onto the stars above. "I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."
"Sandpaw, Dustpaw," Bluestar meowed as she looked back down upon the two cats. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Sandpaw dipped her head, "I do."
"I do." Dustpaw echoed, his voice calm and even, though his tail flicked with anticipation.
"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names:" Bluestar declared. "Sandpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Sandstorm. StarClan honors your courage and your spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Leaping down, Bluestar rested her muzzle onto the new warrior's head. Sandstorm licked the leader's shoulder in respect before backing away to sit with her mentor.
Bluestar beckoned the brown tabby apprentice forward. "Dustpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Dustpelt. StarClan honors your bravery and your honesty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
The leader and warrior touched muzzle's, and Dustpelt too gave her a respectful lick, before padding back to join the crowd.
"Sandstorm! Dustpelt! Sandstorm! Dustpelt!" The clan yowled into the darkening sky.
"In the tradition of our ancestors, Sandstorm and Dustpelt must sit in silent vigil until dawn, and guard the camp alone while we sleep." Bluestar meowed, raising her voice. "But before they begin their vigil, the Clan will share a meal. It has been a long day and we have reason to be proud of these cats who defended our camp against the rogues."
Tigerclaw felt a stinging blow of mixed jealousy and anger. It's not my fault I wasn't there to stay in camp.
"Fireheart, StarClan thanks you for your courage. You are a great warrior, and I'm proud to count you as a member of my Clan."
All the cats in the clan yowled their approval. Fireheart beamed.
Oh, so now he gets honourable praise from the leader. Just look at how stuck-up he is! Tigerclaw let out a growl that was lost in the clan's cheers.
• • •
Birds were chirping, singing their morning songs. Tigerclaw lifted his head, blinking in the soft morning light.
He pushed himself to his paws, stretching. Checking he den, he found that Whitestorm and a few other warriors had already gone, obviously just gone out on the dawn patrol.
Tigerclaw stepped out of the warrior's den. It had snowed, and there were only a few pawprints around the camp.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting."
Bluestar's call woke the clan up, and cats began padding into the clearing.
Tigerclaw sat down in the fresh snow, pelt prickling in the cold.
"I wanted to make sure you all know that Brokentail is in the camp." Bluestar told the clan.
No cat let out shocked exclamations, the rumour had spread through the camp like wildfire.
"He is blind, and harmless." Tigerclaw let out a quiet growl at her words, and was rather pleased to hear that some other cats snorted in disapproval.
"I am as concerned as you are for the safety of our Clan. But, StarClan knows, we cannot turn him out to die in the forest. Yellowfang will nurse him until his wounds heal. Once they have, we'll discuss this again."
There was no more complaints from the crowd, and Bluestar leaped off the Highrock. Tigerclaw turned to leave, but out of the corner of his eye saw Bluestar approaching Fireheart.
What does the clan leader want with a kittypet this time?! Tigerclaw lashed his tail in anger, and turned away.
He suddenly spotted Brokentail through the entrance of the medicine cat den,damaged eyes fixed on his paws that he could not see.
It was a terrible idea to let this cat in the camp! Cats can still fight when they're blind.
• • •
A few days passed, and it eventually stopped snowing, though all of the clan's territories were covered with layers of the cold, glittering snow.
The news about Cloudkit sneaking off to catch prey with Brindleface's kits had spread through the camp very quickly. Tigerclaw had heard about it from Goldenflower.
The queen's round belly was bearing his kits, and Tigerclaw still didn't feel like the kits that were currently unborn were not his, nor did he feel any love or concern for his mate. In fact, he felt quite uncomfortable with Goldenflower, and tended to avoid her.
Idiot kit. Shame he didn't freeze to death.
Tigerclaw pushed his way out of the warrior's den, stifling a yawn. He, Willowpelt, Runningwind, and Longtail were going out on the dawn patrol. Willowpelt was grooming herself in the clearing, Runningwind was padding out of the warrior's den right now, and Tigerclaw had seen Longtail beginning to stir when he had woken.
Tigerclaw began to lick his tabby fur. Suddenly, a scent, smelling of fear and blood, hit him. He looked up and got to his paws.
WindClan! What does that weak clan want now? He bristled, fluffing his tail out to twice it's size, ready to fight.
A light brown tabby tom, bleeding heavily from scratches along his flank, stumbled as fast as he could into the camp. Tigerclaw arched his back, hissing furiously. Intruder!
He was about to launch himself at the warrior, when he gasped, "ShadowClan and RiverClan! They're attacking our camp! We're outnumbered and fighting for our lives. Tallstar refuses to be driven off this time. You must help or my Clan will be wiped out!"
So what? ThunderClan won't help you. Tigerclaw almost spit the words out aloud, but knew full well that Bluestar would disapprove of his words. Bluestar has to trust me!
Bluestar leaped out of her den. "I heard." She meowed briefly. She didn't bother climbing up the Highrock, but immediately yowled to gather the clan right outside her den.
Before the last cats had sat down, Bluestar immediately began to speak.
"There's no time to waste. It's as we feared —ShadowClan and RiverClan have joined together, and now they're attacking the WindClan camp. We must help them."
There were some disapproving murmurs at this, some determined nods, but mostly there were dismayed meows from the crowd.
Patchpelt stood up. "But we are leaf-bare–weak! We've taken a risk for WindClan once before. Let them take care of themselves this time."
Mews of agreement were heard at his words.
Tigerclaw glanced sideways at Bluestar who had her eyes narrowed, possibly trying to find the right contradiction.
She wants cats be loyal, not have cats who question her orders. I can give her the support she needs...
"You're right to be cautious, Patchpelt." Tigerclaw stepped forward so he put Bluestar behind him. "But if ShadowClan and RiverClan have united, it is only a matter of time before they turn on us. It's better we fight now, with WindClan, than later, alone!"
Patchpelt closed his eyes and lifted his tail, accepting his words. He glanced at Bluestar again, who's lips twitched in a slight smile, and looked approving and a little relieved.
Good. All I need is for Bluestar to think I support completely.
Yellowfang suddenly pushed her way to Bluestar, and murmured quietly in her ear. Tigerclaw, standing beside his leader, could just make out what the medicine cat had whispered.
"I think you should remain behind in camp, Bluestar. The fever from the greencough may have gone, but you'll still be weak." The she-cat's exchanged a strange look, full of meaning. Tigerclaw narrowed his amber eyes.
Bluestar still had four lives, and most leaders were advised by the medicine cats to stay behind in camp when they had, at the very most, three lives.
Maybe she did lose a life when she was ill with greencough... Tigerclaw mused satisfyingly.
"Tigerclaw," Bluestar ordered. "I want you to organize two parties, one to head the attack, one to back it up. We need to get there as fast as we can!"
"Yes, Bluestar." Tigerclaw gave a brief dip of his head. Finally, a real battle!
"Whitestorm, you'll head the second party; I'll head the first." Tigerclaw commanded.
Who should I take?
His gaze suddenly fell onto Fireheart. Ah yes... One less thorn out of my pelt if he dies in the battle.
"I'll take Darkstripe, Mousefur, Longtail, Dustpelt, and Fireheart."
The ginger warrior looked surprised, and delight flashed in his green eyes for a heartbeat.
Tigerclaw was about to lead his patrol on, when he noticed the WindClan warrior standing nearby, looking hugely relieved. "You! What's your name?"
The light brown warrior looked a little reproachful at his harsh tone. Tigerclaw heard Fireheart's voice meow, "Onewhisker."
Tigerclaw gave a nod that was more of a twitch of his head. I don't need kittypets to answer my questions. "Onewhisker, you'll be in my party. The rest of the ThunderClan warriors will join Whitestorm. You too, Brackenpaw."
Tigerclaw padded over to the entrance until he was the closest cat to it. "Are we all ready?" He roared, power and authority rushing through him.
Behind him, all the battle ready cats yowled as one, and as Tigerclaw charged, he heard the rest of the battle patrol following right behind him.
He and his clanmates continued to sprint towards the WindClan camp. There were no holdups, until Willowpelt called—
"Tigerclaw!"
The deputy skidded to a stop and whipped around.
"We're being followed!"
What?!
Tigerclaw instantly crouched in the snow. "Wait." He hissed.
He could hear three sets of pawsteps. They were coming from the log.
Not caring whether they were allies or enemies, Tigerclaw crept towards the back of the patrol.
The moment he saw a flash of fur, he reared up, bristling and hissing.
There were high-pitched squeals of terror, and Tigerclaw suddenly realized who they were. Dropping back on all fours, he stared.
Cloudkit!
The two other kits behind the white furred kit were Brindleface's. Tigerclaw unsheathed his claws. "What are you doing here?" He spat furiously.
"We wanted to join the battle." Cloudkit mewed innocently.
Don't act so rude talking to the deputy you stupid kit!
"Fireheart!" Tigerclaw snapped. "You brought this kit into the Clan; you deal with it."
The ginger tom appeared by his side, looking up into Tigerclaw's burning gaze.
Which will you choose Fireheart, your little kittypet nephew, or a real battle?
Fireheart gave a swift look at the cats around him. "Brackenpaw," he meowed, "Please take these kits home!"
Why couldn't you just choose your kittypet kin? Brackenpaw would be more help then you.
The apprentice's tail drooped, and he looked very subdued.
"There'll be plenty more battles for you to fight." Fireheart assured him. Brackenpaw sighed and padded forward.
Cloudkit wailed. "But Fireheart, you said one day we'd fight side by side!"
Tigerclaw shot Fireheart a smug and mocking look. 'Fight side by side!' You aren't filling this kit's head with false hopes are you?
He saw the warrior's fur prickle with embarrassment, though he kept his voice steady. "One day we will, but not today!"
Cloudkit's head drooped. Brackenpaw herded the kits back the way they had come, looking almost as disappointed as the kits did.
"I'm surprised by your choice, Fireheart." Tigerclaw sneered. "I didn't expect you to be so keen to fight this battle." He briefly wondered if the warrior would give anything away about whatever he knew about the ThunderClan scent in RiverClan territory.
But Fireheart didn't give away anything, but instead spat, "If only you were keen too! You'd give the battle cry instead of keeping us here while WindClan warriors die!"
Rage crashed into Tigerclaw like a wave. Wanting nothing more than to rip Fireheart to shreds right now, he yowled, putting all his hatred for Fireheart into it, and charged ahead through the thick snow.
Soon, the WindClan scent markers could be smelled. Tigerclaw suddenly realized that he didn't know the way to the WindClan camp. And I don't trust Onewhisker one bit!
As much as he hated it, he had to admit that the only cat that could lead them there was...
"Fireheart! You know the way to the WindClan camp! Lead us there!"
With a flash of bitterness, he allowed Fireheart to pass him and lead.
Soon enough, they reached a dip in the ground. The ginger warrior paused at the rim to yowl to the deputy, "Down there!"
Shrieks and the sounds of fighting cats were heard from the camp. Tigerclaw turned around to order quietly as he could while still being heard by his clanmates, "Whitestorm, wait until you hear my battle cry! Onewhisker, you lead us through the camp entrance; we'll take care of the rest."
Onewhisker led the way, until they finally burst into the camp. Tigerclaw immediately flung himself into battle.
He sunk his teeth into a ShadowClan warrior's flesh. She yowled and tried to shake him off. A RiverClan tom came to help, but Tigerclaw kicked him aside.
He let go, and the cat scrambled away. The dark tabby deputy leaped onto another RiverClan warrior, pinning her down and slashing at her.
"Does WindClan need ThunderClan to fight their battles?" She hissed. Her hiss turned into a shriek of pain as he fastened his teeth into her throat. She managed to wriggle away, gasping for breath.
Suddenly, more ShadowClan and RiverClan warriors came out of nowhere. They were outnumbered.
Mousefur was bleeding from a long scratch on her side, and though Longtail was steadily clawing at a RiverClan cat, he stumbled and fell.
Tigerclaw spotted Darkstripe fighting with Onewhisker, but they were both overpowered when two more enemies attacked.
The ThunderClan deputy launched himself at the cats who had ambushed Darkstripe and the WindClan warrior, and at the same time, he gave a loud yowl as the signal for Whitestorm's patrol to attack.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the rest of clanmates rush down to join the fight.
He slashed his front claws viciously down his enemy's side, and kicked out with his hindlegs when he scented another ShadowClan cat approaching behind him. A third attacker sprinted up, and Tigerclaw sank his teeth into her neck.
Confident he had injured all three cats, he let go of all of them and raced off to find another warrior to fight.
The metallic scent of blood filled the clearing, and Tigerclaw welcomed it, along with the familiar and refreshing sound of battle and cries of his enemies.
He spotted Fireheart at the other end of the camp. He wasn't in the thickest of the fighting like Tigerclaw was. Scared, kittypet?
"Fireheart!" He yowled. The flame coloured warrior looked up. He raced towards him and began to enter the thickest of the battle.
He had almost made it to him when the RiverClan deputy, Leopardfur, fastened her teeth into his leg, making him fall to the ground.
Tigerclaw watched as Fireheart tried to throw her off by flipping onto his back. Mousebrain! He had exposed his soft belly fur, and Leopardfur instantly rammed her claws harshly into him.
Fireheart screamed. His unfocused eyes, filled with pain, found Tigerclaw. "Tigerclaw, help me!" He screeched.
The deputy glared with cold eyes. Yes, kill him for me! A twinge of respect touched him as he watched the spotted, golden she-cat tear at the cat he hated without mercy.
Tigerclaw suddenly stiffened as he saw a change in Fireheart's agonized expression.
Fireheart gritted his teeth and kicked hard, sending Leopardfur flying with a force that seemed almost impossible. Tigerclaw stared. He was so sure that Leopardfur would kill him, or at least he would die of his injuries, but Fireheart was already back on his paws.
The ginger tom glared at him with green eyes burning with agony and fury. Tigerclaw felt his own amber eyes blaze with hatred.
Spitting into the ground, he flew at a ShadowClan warrior and ripped viciously. It didn't relieve his rage completely, but as he bit hard and slashed at another enemy, he felt the flame of battle burn in him once more.
"Silver.. No!"
Tigerclaw whipped his head around when he hard Greystripe's shriek of horror. He didn't hear the cry very clearly, and couldn't easily see the grey warrior either. However, he was able to catch a glimpse of Fireheart's pelt, clear against the snowy clearing, pinning a light grey tabby pelt down, and part of Greystripe's tail blocked by the fighting cats nearby Fireheart and the tabby warrior.
More cats obscured his sight. Suspicion flooded through him, but he turned away to fight some more cats.
Suddenly, he heard Nightstar's howl of retreat. The ShadowClan warriors stopped fighting before following their defeated leader away from the camp.
Tigerclaw gave Wetfoot, the ShadowClan warrior he had been battling, another blow on the ear before letting him run away.
Cowards! Tigerclaw saw Crookedstar shaking blood from his pelt not too far away. He launched himself at the leader, and caught by surprise, the RiverClan cat was bowled over by him.
Clawing at his face, Tigerclaw saw and avoided Crookedstar's attempt to slash at his shoulder.
They broke apart, glaring at each other, tails lashing. "Go ahead. Attack me first." Tigerclaw taunted in a soft hiss.
Crookedstar gave a low growl in his throat before he leaped. Tigerclaw side-stepped easily and turned while the leader tripped on his paws. Sinking his long, sharp claws into his fur, Tigerclaw pinned him down, back facing him.
The leader went limp, defeated, but Tigerclaw didn't let go. He gave a vicious bite on his neck.
Blood welled up and Crookedstar jerked and shrieked in pain. Releasing him, the RiverClan leader struggled to his paws before racing out of camp, the rest of his warrior's following him.
He's lucky I didn't break his spine in two! Tigerclaw thought contemptuously.
Tallstar was limping towards Tigerclaw. What kind of leader are you, needing to beg for help from ThunderClan? We shouldn't waste our warriors on a weak clan like yours.
"WindClan," the leader rasped, "will forever, be grateful to ThunderClan. We owe you one. I am sorry we had to ask this of you, and I thank you."
You'd better be sorry, you feeble old cat. Tigerclaw lifted his chin higher. "Of course. You're welcome," he added rather grudgingly, "We would never leave you to fight alone."
Tallstar dipped his head low, his long black and white tail resting in the snow that had some pink patches in it from the blood from the battle.
Darkstripe suddenly padded forward. Tigerclaw glanced at him. "Yes?" He asked.
The warrior slid a sideways look at Tallstar, who was turning away from them. Once he was out of earshot, he leaned closer to him.
"I saw that kittypet"— Darkstripe shot a look at Fireheart—"release some RiverClan she-cat. He didn't even try to claw her."
"Oh really..." Tigerclaw narrowed his eyes to look at the warrior. Some cat from RiverClan eh? He remembered Greystripe's cry he had faintly heard earlier. Could it be connected with this news that Darkstripe had told him?
Out of the blue, he abruptly recalled how Fireheart had been so angry about him watching Leopardfur attack him.
Like how I killed Redtail?...
All his misgivings from moons ago came back. Ravenpaw. He hadn't thought about the small tom since he had died. He must've told Fireheart. He remembered how easy it was to keep Ravenpaw silent with a few menacing words.
That didn't stop him from telling Fireheart...
"So where is this RiverClan warrior now?" Tigerclaw asked quietly. Darkstripe jerked his head in the direction of the camp exit. "I saw Greystripe chasing after her."
Ha! Cruel satisfaction filled him.
Tigerclaw stalked off in the direction of where the tom was, and Darkstripe followed. Fireheart almost looked like he had been bracing himself for this. He knows what he's done.
"Darkstripe says you let a RiverClan she-cat escape!" He snarled. Will you be scared off with a few words like your dead little apprentice friend?
Fireheart glared defiantly at him. "She escaped, yes, like Crookedstar escaped from you. Why? Did you want me to kill her?"
Don't try to play smart with me! "Darkstripe says you didn't even scratch her." Tigerclaw lashed his tail.
"Perhaps Darkstripe should chase after the she-cat and ask her if it's true!" Fireheart retorted.
The tabby warrior beside Tigerclaw growled at his words. But Tigerclaw remained unfazed.
"He doesn't need to." He jerked his head towards the exit. "Darkstripe tells me your young grey friend chased after her. Perhaps he'll be able to tell us how badly she was scratched."
Tigerclaw saw Greystripe pad into the camp just as he finished his sentence.
"Look who's back." Tigerclaw sneered. "Do you want to ask him how the she-cat is? No, wait, I can guess his answer." The deputy spat, voice dripping with scorn. "He'll just tell me he didn't manage to catch up with her."
Tigerclaw padded away. Darkstripe followed, but he flicked his tail to send him away. "Get yourself clean, and then we'll leave. Spread the word to the rest of the clan."
Darkstripe nodded, before walking away.
Once Tigerclaw was sure he had really gone, he began to lick his fur clean, making sure most of the blood was washed off.
How much does Fireheart know? He asked himself, with a glance at the flame-coloured tom, who was sitting alone with Greystripe.
Pushing Fireheart to the back of his mind, he continued to wash himself clean of his enemy's blood.
Once he was done, he yowled, "ThunderClan! It is time we head home."
Tallstar padded over to him once more. "WindClan thanks you. We owe you so much."
Yes, you do, don't you? Tigerclaw sneered silently. He nodded, accepting his thanks, before gathering up the ThunderClan warriors with a sweep of his tail.
Fireheart and Greystripe were murmuring to each other, and Tigerclaw wondered if they were discussing the RiverClan she-cat, or perhaps Fireheart was telling Greystripe about Leopardfur and him.
There will be other chances to kill this kittypet. Tigerclaw promised himself. I just need to wait for the right moment.
Woo, we got past "Fire and Ice"!
Check out my other Fanfiction, Raining Feathers!
Review!