Chapter 10

"There's a rumor going around that I what?" Deathfire exclaimed.

"Believe me, it's a bunch of fox-dung," Tallblaze stated.

"I know that much!" Deathfire snapped. "I think I'd be aware if I had one mate, let alone two."

"Deathfire, calm down," Boulderfang told her. "It's just some rumors. We know they're false and that's all that matters."

"There's always been rumors about me and nothing's ever come from them. You're better off ignoring them," I told her.

"None of you are the tiny, traitorous, worthless, weak, fox-hearted, cheating, kit-killing, family-murdering problem with no impulse control, are you?" she asked. "None of you got blamed for killing your dad and sister, did you? None of you are at risk for getting exiled or executed for crimes you didn't commit, are you? Don't tell me to calm down. Don't tell me that they don't matter because nothing's going to come from them. I can't ignore them! I can't pretend I've never heard them talking about me! This probably isn't even the first rumor about me! Even if it has no physical impact, words hurt. Everyone seems to think I'm a bad cat. If so many cats think it's true, maybe—maybe it is." She was quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry for snapping, I just— I can't take this anymore. It's too much."

Everyone was quiet for a moment. "We need to do something about Flurrytail," I murmured. "Soon."

"We need to do something about a lot more than Flurrytail," Silentstorm stated. "There's Grasstail, Coldclaw, Wingstar, and who knows how many more. We don't even know if she started this rumor."

"Oh, I did," Flurrytail said. "I drew some inspiration from Grasstail's mate accusation a while back, but still."

"Where the Dark Forest did she come from?" I asked.

"Get out!" Tallblaze snapped.

"Rude! It doesn't matter if you like me or not, you are the medicine cat and I did get injured in that fight. Or would you rather I tell Wingstar you refuse to treat me?" Flurrytail asked.

Tallblaze sighed. "Fine. Just keep your muzzle shut."

"I thought you of all cats would be glad I'm spreading a mouse-brained false rumor rather than shedding some truth on the fox-heart," she stated. "I mean, come on. Not even everyone here knows the horrid cat she is. You'd think you should at least tell Boulderfang. After all, it has affected him so personally."

"I will send you to the Dark Forest right now if you don't be quiet," Tallblaze growled. "I don't care if it ends up being the last thing I do."

"We'll leave if you don't want any witnesses," I offered.

"I've said what needed to be said," Flurrytail said, leaving.

Everyone was quiet for a moment. "I'm tired, I'm going back to the nursery," Deathfire told us, leaving without another word.

"Is this something I should ask Deathfire about or just Flurrytail sticking her nose where it doesn't need to be?" Boulderfang asked.

"It's not actually anything you should worry about," Tallblaze promised him. "It's just Flurrytail trying to start drama."

"I'm so done with her!" I exclaimed, unsheathing my claws. "I know I've dealt with her since I was a kit, but I'm not sure how much longer I can go without ripping her throat out."

"At least Deathfire's safe," Boulderfang sighed.

"But for how much longer?" Silentstorm asked.

"Don't say that," I told her.

"Why not?" she asked. "I know you all just love looking on the bright side, but we need to be realistic here. What would've happened if Tallblaze wasn't impatient? What would've happened if Boulderfang hadn't noticed? What would've happened if they had just taken her?"

"Then she'd be dead," Tallblaze answered. "We'd have lost her."

"If they wanted to kill her, they would have already," Silentstorm responded. "Whenever they tried to kill Silkshade, Flurrytail didn't try to take her. She just tried to kill her. She hasn't taken anyone away to kill them. The first time, she definitely wanted to kill Deathfire. Now? She has another plan."

"Then what's their plan?" I asked.

"To kidnap Deathfire, of course," she answered. "After that? I don't know, but I do know it will come back to bite us. Though we keep edging closer and closer to failure. How long do we have before they get what they want? How long before Wingstar practically gives it to them?" She paused for a moment, giving us all time to soak in what she's told us. "I know you all don't want to hear this, but we won't be able to protect her forever. I'm not sure we'll be able to protect us forever."

I heard the molly stand up and pad out of the den. I followed her, trying to think of a way to tell her she's wrong. But the thing is, I'm not sure she is. Of all this time of saying how we can't fail, I've never really thought of how we could. We can fail and we might. But if they don't want to kill Deathfire, what do they want to do to her? Part of me wondered if Silentstorm actually did have an idea and didn't want to tell us. After all, I knew from experience there are worse fates than death. I shook my head. She was just being pessimistic as always. Right?

A paw prodded me, jerking me awake and knocking me off balance.

"I'm awake!" I exclaimed. The apprentices snickered.

"If it's starting to get too much, you can always run off to some twolegs," Darkpaw told me.

The apprentices had been having a mock battle as I apparently was falling asleep on my feet. I think that counts as a new skill. I had spent most the night pondering on what Silentstorm had said which is why you don't say things like that right before everyone goes to sleep. My eyelids drooped as I listened to Silentstorm lecture the apprentices about form. The next time I opened my eyes, I heard barking.

"Climb a tree," I ordered the apprentices.

"Why should we?" Darkpaw challenged.

"Now," Silentstorm growled.

The barking grew increasing nearer.

"What? You think we can't handle a dog?" Meadowpaw asked. "Hey, let go!"

"I'll get Meadowpaw up. I'll come back for Darkpaw," Silentstorm told me. "Make sure she doesn't die."

The barking was loud and constant. Paw steps thundered nearer. And was I hearing double? Then Darkpaw screamed.

"They're a lot bigger than I imagined," she stated, voice shaking.

"Hush unless you're dying or something! I've only got four senses to rely on here and you're distracting one of them!" I told her.

The dogs barking had turned to growling. I realized the fact Darkpaw made a visual observation about them meant they were here. Darkpaw's panicked breathing and some growling was a little too close for my liking. Oh, is that why she was panicking? For all the blind taunts she makes you'd think she'd remember the blind cat can't see when she's in danger.

Anyway, I ran toward her and leapt at the dog's face. It swung around wildly as I dug my claws in deep. I clawed both its eyes. Yeah, you'd think I'd have some sympathy, but I really don't. I jumped down as the dog yelped frantically.

"I've got Darkpaw," Silentstorm told me. "Follow."

I quickly followed them up the tree. Teeth buried into my leg.

"Fox-dung," I muttered.

I clung to the tree for dear life with my front claws while maneuvering my free back leg to bury it's claws in the dog's nose. The dog released its grip on my other leg. I jumped down on its face, leaving some scratches, before jumping to the tree and scurrying up, trying my best to avoid running into tree branches. I managed to find my way to the tree branch where Silentstorm and the apprentices were sitting.

"So now we wait," Silentstorm told them.

"Never seen any dogs on our territory before. Really hope they're passing through," I remarked.

"We can hope," she agreed.

Silentstorm and I made light conversation as the apprentices sat unusually quiet. Then again, they haven't faced any life threatening situations before. I was probably a little too used to those to be honest. At least we all got out unharmed. Well, mostly unharmed. My leg ached quite a bit. At least I'm better off than last time. And I know where a cat who can treat it is. Everything is a lot better than last time for sure. Though actually thinking about it, it's kind of creepy Hunter stalked Silentstorm like that.

"Hey Silkshade?" Darkpaw said hesitantly.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Thank you," she told me. "And I'm sorry for being so mean."

"You're welcome and I accept your apology," I responded.

"The way you attacked that dog head on was actually really cool," Darkpaw told me, starting to perk up. "I don't know how you kept so calm, especially when the one grabbed your leg."

"I've had a lot of experience with bad situations. I was definitely scared the first few times, and sometimes I'm still scared, but you just have to fight anyway because sometimes that's the only thing between you and death."

"I'm sorry too," Meadowpaw told me. "Flurrytail has always told us that you're a weak kittypet so I figured it was true and it doesn't change the fact I was mean but why would she say those things?"

"I accept your apology as well," I told her. "As for your mother, we've never gotten along. She's a bit biased against outsiders which is what I've always been considered by quite a few." And, unlike Flurrytail, I won't hate the cats close to her just because I hate her.

A twoleg eventually came for the dogs and led them out of the forest. The four of us headed towards camp. It had been a long day, but at least our apprentices didn't hate me anymore.

Author's Note: Doesn't Flurrytail love to lie to everyone, manipulate others, and just play other fun mind games? Such a relatable character. Not really, but she at least makes things interesting. Where would we be without the hatable antagonists after all? I may not like the antagonists, but I certainly have a respect for and interest in them. Though I just love to make fun of Grasstail. And Coldclaw too. What you're learning is I don't respect mouse-brained henchmen. They're funny though. Anyway, enough Grasstail and Coldclaw slander. Leave a review if you'd like. I'll see you all back here next week!

-Rowan W.