Chapter 13

I sat by Tallblaze outside the nursery, processing what Silkshade had told us she had learned from spying on Flurrytail. I wasn't going to lie, I was terrified. They wanted to kidnap me to use me against my friends? I was in the way again. The way they pulled both Boulderfang and Tallblaze aside and whispered something to them made me feel as if she was keeping something back as well. Trying not to alarm me too much. And then it struck me what Lightstar said. Two moons. That's was coming soon enough, wasn't it? Lightstar knew the moment they'd succeed. Two moons from then. Maybe I was wrong, maybe it was when they planned to take over the Clans, maybe they just had a big attempt planned. It didn't matter, I wasn't telling my friends this worry anyway.

If it was going to happen, it would happen. I'd have to accept it. Maybe I'll die before then if I'm lucky. Won't have to live knowing that I'm going to be used against my friends. Maybe even leave the Clans on my own. No, I couldn't. I'd promised Tallblaze I wouldn't give up. I guess I'd just have to deal with whatever was thrown at me. I leaned against Tallblaze, tired. Why was everything so difficult?

"Hey, do you know why my mom is glaring at you?" Tallblaze asked.

"Huh?" I questioned, looking up. Oh, Skyfang again. "Yeah, I dunno why she does that. It's a more recent development."

"I'm going to go ask her then," he said. He got up to go over toward her.

"You don't have to," I told him, getting up to follow.

"It's fine, I'm curious."

So the two of us went over there.

"Hey Skyfang!" Tallblaze greeted.

"Nice to see you, Tallblaze!" she responded, although her eyes never left me. "How's life as a medicine cat treating you?"

"It's great! I really enjoy it," he responded. "I'm helping cats and it feels good."

"That's lovely," she told him. "I know you were originally trained as a warrior, but I do hope you're following the medicine cat code." Oh, that's why she's been glaring at me. Great.

"I hope you don't believe that rumor going around," Tallblaze stated. "Shorty's like a sister to me."

"Really? Oh, I'm sorry Deathfire, I just thought... No, no matter. I shouldn't listen to rumors. I just didn't like the idea of someone playing with my sons' hearts and jumped to conclusions. I'm truly sorry," she apologized.

"It's fine, it's not like you're the only cat," I told her.

"No, it's not," she told me. "There's a rumor going around about my sons and their friend in not just our own, but several Clans. Wingstar needs to do something about this."

"You really don't need to go through the trouble," I reassured her. Please don't go to Wingstar about anything that concerns me.

"Nonsense," she told me as she headed to the leader's den. Tallblaze and I both looked at each other worriedly before taking off after her.

"Wingstar!" Skyfang called.

Wingstar exited the den and I drew to a stop. Fox-dung. "What do you need?" Wingstar asked.

"I was wondering if next Gathering you could put an end to the rumor going around," Skyfang answered.

"What rumor?" Wingstar questioned.

"The one about how Deathfire is secretly mating with both my sons and cheating on them," Skyfang responded.

"Why should I?" Wingstar asked. "Knowing that horrid she-cat, it's probably true."

"Rumors are seldom true, Wingstar, and I trust my son when he says that he isn't involved with her in that way," Skyfang told her. "Mouse-dung, I was surprised when I heard the rumor because I was pretty sure Tallblaze wasn't interested in she-cats in the first place!"

Tallblaze looked at his mom. "Huh?"

"You mean the medicine cat? The one this would be illegal for?" Wingstar asked.

"Well, yeah," Skyfang answered. "But why would Boulderfang be hiding it?"

"Deathfire is a master of manipulation; don't ask me, ask her," Wingstar responded, pushing past Skyfang toward me. I cowered away from her. "Next time you want something done, face me like a warrior and don't send someone else to do it. Don't act innocent, I know you're plotting the downfall of this Clan and all the Clans and just want to seem like an innocent soul when you're not. I can smell your lies. You killed Limppaw. You worked with Lightstar. You helped her kidnap Silkshade. You planned Duskpelt's death. You killed Puddlekit. You're a murderer and a liar and a fox-heart and someday I'll prove it, mark my words. Someday you'll die painfully and I can't wait for the day."

I was trembling, unsure how to respond. "Back off, Wingstar," Tallblaze snapped. "Leave her alone."

"It's not like the worthless runt ever did anything good for the Clan. All she's brought is trouble," Wingstar responded. "She's a disease to this Clan and she'll kill it if we don't cure said disease." She turned back towards me. "I'd be happy to do it right now, but unfortunately I don't have any proof. Now get out of my sight!" My legs were rooted to the ground. In a flash, she lashed out and clawed my cheek. I turned tail and ran, hearing Tallblaze and Wingstar arguing behind me.

My heart pounded as I left camp. I kept running just away for who knows how long until my legs collapsed out from under me. I attempted to calm my breathing as I laid there, alone. I was away. I was safe.

"Aw, aren't you just cute? Running away from conflict like a scared kit," Flurrytail sneered. Not safe apparently.

I jumped to my feet and turned to face her. My entire body felt heavy; possibly from exhaustion, possibly from the weight of all my problems.

"What? Are you going to try to fight?" Flurrytail asked. "Perhaps everything would be easier if you just disappeared."

"No, it would just put my friends in more danger," I murmured.

I launched myself at her, but she swatted me out of the air. I landed roughly on my side before fighting to my feet again. I had ran out of adrenaline from before and was just left with exhaustion. I was done for. Flurrytail then walked up to me, laughing.

"You really thought you stood a chance?" she asked. "Pathetic."

She pushed me to the ground before picking me up by the scruff from behind. I attempted to put up a struggle, but was failing dramatically. Flurrytail slammed my head against a tree and everything went dark.

Author's Note: Hey, it's certainly been a while. A lot has come up in my life and it's been hectic trying to balance it all. I hope to be more regular with my update schedule again. What better way to get back into this than with a cliffhanger though, am I right? Anyway, leave a review if you'd like; they are always appreciated. Anyway, hope to see you all here next week!

-Rowan W.