Chapter 9: Loners
Nests surrounded her, prey was left near the entrance. However, Hawk didn't feel like eating. She stayed curled up in her chosen nest. Strange scents surrounded her as she felt trapped. Claws gripped her heart as her mind swam in endless thoughts. Her brother and sister were missing and she couldn't find them. She searched the den for any sign of a faded cat.
Finally, she gave in to her needs and rose from her nest. Stretching her legs in turn as she stepped out to the prey. Hunger left her belly feeling hollow as she approached the scrawny mouse. Flicking her ears, she started to gobble it up as though she were a starving dog. In a few quick bites it was gone, she was licking the last traces of it from her muzzle. Feeling a bit better, strength seeming to return to her tired limbs. The faded cat wouldn't return, yet she was safe for the time being.
She waited patiently for some cat to appear, but no one came. She was curled into herself, listening with fear and wonder. Voices murmured outside the den's gorse protected walls. Until she decided to sleep. Dreams plagued her, unknown and dark. She couldn't see what was happening, but she could hear it. The sounds of cats fighting raging louder and louder in the darkness. Until, at last, an ear splitting shriek jolted her from her slumber.
She listened intently, before another shriek sounded. It was much raspier than it was before. Blinking her eyes, Hawk realized that she had slept the day away. The sound was an owl, it was calling out into the gathering darkness. Shaken, she sat up and moved to peer out of the den's entrance. Could she leave? She sniffed, finding the scent of an unknown she-cat.
"Hello?" she mewed, earning a grunt as a response. "May I have a drink of water?"
"There is no source of water except by the river." the she-cat replied.
Hawk blinked, "Can't you take me there?" she pleaded, "I'm thirsty."
"Why, so your rogue friends can jump us?"
Flinching, she backed a step. "I don't know any other cats other then my brother and sister."
"So you say."
"Please, this is a misunderstanding!" Hawk meowed, exasperated. "I can prove it to you! Take me to the rogues and leave me in the open."
Silence met her pleas, frustrated, she turned to go back to her nest. There was no hope for her now, she was trapped and held captive. Just as she began to resign herself to where her fate has come. A mew broke into her silence, it was soft, but a faint whisper.
"She has come."
She looked into it's direction, seeing nothing. Yet, she knew she heard the voice. "Is someone there?" she mewed softly, a small spark of hope rekindling within her.
"Training. She needs training."
Training? Training for what? Hawk wondered, shaking her head as she felt the gentlest of fur brushing against her. The den seemed to be full of cats, their bodies pressed against her as they whispered as though in secrecy.
"Send the sign." One of the voices whispered.
"Send it swiftly." Another, much closer and masculine.
She stared around, trying to see the invisible cats, only to be left in silence. The bodies that pressed around her vanished. The leaves rustled as the night-black she-cat from before entered. Along with her, a very pale cream tom, and a dark ginger tom. Hawk straightened up, curiosity buzzing inside her. Hostility was in the black cats yellow gaze as she met it as bravely as she could.
"Brindlepond had sent word that you wish to see your rogue friends to prove something." she growled.
"They aren't my friends." Hawk insisted. "I want to prove that I don't know them."
"Watch your tongue, she-cat." snarled the dark ginger tom.
The black she-cat flicked her ears. "Easy, Poppyclaw." she mewed, before her gaze hardened. "State your name."
"Hawk."
"I am Nightstar, leader of BushClan. This is where you are." The she-cat before her growled. "You will show respect to earn respect."
"I'm sorry." She replied tersely.
"I am Morningpelt." The cream tom mewed. "I am the deputy of this clan, I am second in command. This is Poppyclaw, our medicine cat. He cares for the wounded and expecting she-cats as well as the older cats."
Hawk blinked quickly, unsure where this was going.
"I have a proposition for you." Nightstar began, her tail curled neatly around her paws. "We will take you to the Twoleg Bridge above the river. You will sit in wait where we leave you. If you truly do not know them, then you are no longer a prisoner."
"Very well." Hawk mewed softly.
"However, if a single one knows you," the leader began to snarl and unsheathe her claws. "You will be used as an example of our power."
Hawk stared, eyes widening at the threat laced like poison. She flicked her gaze to the toms who were exchanging a glance, but stayed silent. Her pale green eyes flicked back as a small voice mewed beside her. It sounded like a kit.
"Say it."
Chills ran down her spine, the fur rising as she finally understood. The faded cat had a reason to bring her into trouble. The voices belonged to invisible cats who were far more desperate. Meeting the cold yellow gaze, she felt calmer. The storm was before her and she could see the lightning flashing.
"I will do whatever it takes." Hawk mewed.
"Nightstar, we shouldn't drop to a rogue's level." Morningpelt mewed softly.
"We have no choice." she glared at him. "They intend to kill and so will we. It has been decided. We leave now."
"We are not prepared for a battle." Poppyclaw spat, "You foolish she-cat! Can't you see beyond your emotions? Your fear? They have already won the war!"
"Tend to the worst of the wounded." Nightstar replied icily. "We still have fresh warriors to follow us."
Morningpelt dipped his head as his leader slipped out. "Hawk, follow me." He slipped through after Poppyclaw's grumbling form. Hawk obeyed, becoming greeted to the evening sky. Stars were fighting to break through the fake-sun's light. She blinked, wondering if there was ever a time the stars were ever as vivid and beautiful as they are now.
Blinking slowly, she looked to Morningpelt who was waiting for her. She followed him, ignoring the hostile glares sent her way. Nightstar was already in the middle of the clearing, summoning her cats with a powerful yowl. There wasn't many, some where obviously smaller than the others. She flicked her tail, unsure if any of them were ever ready for what was to come.
"Cats of BushClan, I call upon Jaggedcloud and his apprentice, Foxgaze, Gingerstrike, Pidgeonstream and his apprentice, Applemist, Gorsethorn, and Leaftail to come with me to the Twoleg Bridge."
"Why bother?" Foxgaze yowled back.
Nightstar's eyes flashed. "Hawk wishes to prove that she has no connection with those cats. Now let's get moving. The sooner we find out she is a liar the sooner we can prove to those rogues that we will not give into fear!"
"We leave at once." Morningpelt meowed loudly, "We will escort Hawk to the bridge and leave her there and wait in the brush close by. From the shadows we will strike when and if needed."
Hawk watched as the night-black she-cat pushed her way through the throng of cats and out of the camp. Soon, she was circled and escorted to the entrance. Just as quickly, she was outside among the heather and grasses. The group of cats surrounding her as they lead her away. The small tortoiseshell and white she-cat padded beside her, legs stretching as far as they could go to keep up. On the other side of her a brown and tan tabby lightly trotted.
She was given no room to escape, not that she would want to. If the voices were correct she would be kept safe. She had to believe them as she padded within the strange group, a clan they called themselves. Suddenly, she was plunged into the hazy memories of her kit-hood at several moons old. Her mother had said something about clan cats that left the forest.
Hawk blinked, looking around her. Could it be? Could mother have been wrong? she thought as she padded with the cats. Their gazes fixed on the path ahead of them, each step bringing them closer and closer to a place she could not see. Yet, she could hear the roar of water. Ears pricked, she could feel how dry her throat was. Perhaps she can get a drink after this ordeal?
At last, Nightstar stopped the group and allowed Morningpelt to lead her the last stretch. The other cats went into hiding as she padded onto the rough, uneven surface of wood. The cream tom waited beside her, tasting the air briefly before looking to her.
"Someone is nearby, make noise and see if you will live." he meowed before retreating to the brush.
Hawk looked ahead, a familiar black tabby was padding into view. Beside him an unknown brownish-gray tabby. She flicked her ears in astonishment. It was Shadow and his pale green eyes caught sight of her. Dread filled her veins with ice as the black tabby raced towards her. The she-cat close behind with a spark of anger in the bright green eyes.
"Who is she?" The she-cat demanded.
"This is my other sister, Hawk." Shadow chirped, looking her over. "Are you alright? You smell different."
"She has the scent of those mouse-hearts known as clan cats." The she-cat snorted. "Did they send you to spy on us?"
Hawk shook her head. "No. They think I'm on the rogues side. I'm their prisoner."
"Cedar, you were right. They are awful." Shadow mewed.
"We'd better take her in, knowing them they would kill her like foxes." the she-cat, Cedar, mewed.
"Not so fast." Hissed Nightstar, she padded up to them, yellow eyes flashing.
Hawk looked to the clan leader, fear making her paws feel like stones.
"Nightstar, such a welcomed surprise." Cedar purred warmly, "Such a shame I couldn't rip your throat out for what you did to my beautiful coat."
Nightstar ignored Cedar, glaring at Shadow. "You know Hawk, tom?"
"I'm her brother." Shadow answered, his fur fluffing up. "If I have to, I'll fight you to get her back."
"If it's only you and Cedar than I have nothing to worry about. I came to make a statement." At those words, the BushClan warriors slipped out of their hiding places, each one ready to fight.
Hawk felt a jolt of fear, without warning she got in front of Nightstar and faced her brother. "The clan cats are going to war with her."
"I know, but only because they betrayed them." Shadow explained.
"Betrayed?" Nightstar sneered as Hawk blinked, staring into the hostile starw of her brother. "That she-cat murdered many of ours and Bushstar!"
"Shadow, you can't stay with her." Hawk mewed softly. "Please, can't you feel it?"
"Feel what?" He replied, a shocked expression on his face. "You mean, you believe those mouse-brained lies?"
"What cat would lie about death?"
"Any cat who betrays blood." Shadow mewed. "Bushstar left Cedar and broke her heart. It was time for her to strike back and give him what he deserved."
Hawk stood still, tail tip twitching as a voice murmured into her ears. She knew where she stood now. "I understand." she mewed, hurt.
"Will you come with us then?" Shadow's eyes gleamed in hope.
"No." Hawk meowed, almost cracking. "My senses scream that she is a bad cat and shouldn't be trusted. I can see it in her eyes. I feel it in my bones. I was worried all day about you and Dusk."
"We're fine and it's fine. Cedar's really nice." Shadow begged.
Hawk looked away, "If she was, why does Nightstar want to use me as an example if she or her cats knew me?"
"She what?"
She didn't answer and instead looked to Nightstar. "I knew Shadow, but I don't know the she-cat he is with. Kill me if you must, I know I have nothing left to worry about now."
The black she-cat was silent, her gaze unreadable before meowing. "Why give up so easily?"
"I'm a wander, not a rogue." Hawk answered her. "My parents are kittypets. I left my Twolegs seasons ago. I have no home. I only follow what I see and hear."
Morningpelt padded up beside Nightstar. "It's best we leave now. We still have a fair war to prepare for."
The leader was silent, staring deeply at Hawk before nodding. "Then you will be a show of our strength as you vowed."
"Nightstar, don't!" The tom pleaded, but it was too late. Nightstar was prepared to spring.
Hawk closed her eyes, prepared to be taken off the existing plane of existence. Her paws rooted where they were as she waited for a weight to be upon her. Claws hooked into her long fur as she toppled over. Shadow screeched wildly, paws thrummed around her as her brother yowled for her to fight back.
"Stop it! Leave her alone!" He yowled.
Yellow eyes stared at her, jaws were parted as Nightstar prepared to bite down and end her life. Just as the BushClan leader leaned forward an ear splitting screech sounded high above. Hawk blinked as she spotted the shape of a hawk dart over them, clutching a mouse in it's talons. A few feathers had been whisked their way, landing gently on the bridge.
Nightstar stared at the feathers, her tail tip twitching. While Hawk stared as the hawk was shrieking into the distance. She cloud recall the voices she had heard before. She breathed slowly as a faded cat came into view. in the growing darkness she couldn't make them out clearly. They were looking to the feather, she could feel them staring at it as well.
"The sign." Hawk mewed.
"The what?" Nightstar blinked, "Did you say sign?"
"They said to send a sign. Is that a sign?" Hawk meowed, staring at the faded cat.
It nodded.
"It's the sign." She mewed, "I'm... I'm supposed to be here?"
The cat looked towards the distant gray peaks in the direction of the setting sun. She followed it's gaze. She couldn't see it, but she could feel it's pull. It wanted her to go there, but why? Confusion filled her before Nightstar meowed above her.
"What are you meowing about?"
Morningpelt was following her gaze, golden eyes curious.
"What's in that direction?" Hawk asked.
"Highstones." Morningpelt answered her, "Why?"
"I need to go there."
"Only leaders and medicine cats go there." Nightstar snapped, getting off of her. "Now what was this about a sign?"
"There is no sign, only your stupid superstitions!" Cedar hissed.
Shadow was silent, "It doesn't matter. Hawk, you're coming with us."
Hawk sat up, shaking out her fur. "I can't, I'm needed for Highstones." Suddenly, she felt alone as his gaze turned cold. "You wouldn't understand." She whispered.
"Just tell me and I can try." He told her sourly.
"A faded cat looked over there so I did too."
He snorted, "Again with this nonsense?"
"It's not nonsense!" She mewed, before hissing. "I knew you wouldn't understand! You never did! You say it's just my imagination, but they are there! I can't hear them when I see them, but when I can hear them I can't see them. But I know that they are real!"
"She's as mouse-brained as those clan cats." Cedar hissed, curling her tail around Shadow. "Come, we have no need to wait for her. If she wants to be feather-brained, let her. We don't have room for a cat like that in our midst."
"Agreed." Shadow growled.
Hawk held her ground, bristling. "Go ahead and leave. At least I know what I see and hear is real."
"Says you and your imagination!" Shadow spat.
Hurt, she turned away, looking to BushClan who watched quietly. Blinking, she started to pad back the way they had come. She could go alone then. She didn't need Shadow or Dusk. She was going to figure out what was going on all on her own!
"And where do you think you are going?" Nightstar meowed.
"To Highstones." She mewed, without looking over her shoulder.
"It's a sacred place and not for loners."
"So you don't believe me either?" Hawk snarled.
Nightstar padded up beside her. "I never said that. I will send Poppyclaw there to speak with StarClan and see if what you see and hear is what I think it is."
Hawk looked to Nightstar, her pale green eyes wide in confusion and wonder. Star...Clan? She thought, perplexed. Now, she had never heard of that clan before.
Author Note:
An extra long chapter to show the path of where Hawk is destined to go!
This actually took a while to figure out.
Only because it took forever to think of how to make this chapter work with a captive character.
Another thing, no character has their future set in stone. I still have no idea how long this will be, so we shall see altogether. - Nightsky