OH MY. I FEEL SO BAD.
I HAVE NOT UPDATED IN SO LONG.
*hides in corner*
I AM ASHAMED.
On the bright side, I have planned TWO sequels for this story! :D
I also finally planned out the rest of this story on paper. It's not going to end soon. ;)
BUT ANYWAYS. I HAVE BEEN PROCRASTINATING BECAUSE *spoiler alert- don't read on unless you want to* SOMEONE MAY OR MAY NOT (There is always that may not) DIE SOON. I ALSO HAD A HUGE TEST AND HAVE THREE MORE. LUCKY ME.
AHEM.
ON WITH THE CHAPTER.
Oh, and review replies! Almost forgot *whacks self*
LakeStream- Ha ha same XD Sorry I haven't been very active for so long :'(
Dawnlight25- You'll have to see ;) and your OC will come in this chapter! Speaking of which, I hope you don't mind, but I changed her name to Golden Hawk. There is already a member of the Tribe named Hawk, so things might get confusing. And also, Thrushpaw already falls in love with someone else, but there is another cat that comes in the story that she can have a crush on. Sorry if this is all confusing XD :D I am SOOOO sorry for not updating! I had a huge test and also have three more, ugh :,( But I will update more! I am so glad you're still reading this ;)
Celtic Silver- You got that correct! I am so sorry I haven't been active- I had a huge test and have three more. School is such a fear-based system!
gms14- Sorry I didn't get to the "soon" part :'( Thank you though ;)
Rainstorm of ShadeClan- Thanks! Ugh yes, I had a choir thing that I really didn't want to go to, but I had to anyways. I also had a huge test, and have three more and it's crazy XD
Hairy Tail- Yup.
Shira the Mage- Yes she is! Runningpaw needs to, like, go sit on a chair or something! (No idea where that came from XD)
Snowfall16- You were one of the few who got that certain cat led certain cat into an ambush ;) The questions are something to find out soon ;)
Zion the Cookie Empress- You got that right! :D You're welcome ;)
Mapleshade Returns- Yes I do! ;) I'm not very normal at all... FLUFFY FABULOUS PINEAPPLE (first noun that came to mind XD)
Warriorcatfan 3- Thank you so much!
Wood Cats- You'll have to see ;)
Ruby- Thanks?
AnonFanboy- You will find out who the cat was soon in the next chapter, I think. Or this one. It depends XD Runningpaw actually was not the cat who attacked Rainpaw, she was just somewhere hiding XD Sure! *gives cookies*
ZM- Thanks!
Ciara1214- XD
Doglovermastiff- Ha ha, and even 5ever! That made me laugh XD
Rainpelt- Well, that wasn't exactly correct, but parts were! ;)
xXxXxXx
The answer to the question was:
Talon's sister is Brook, whose mate is Stormfur, whose mother is Silverstream whose father is Crookedstar, whose brother is Oakheart whose daughter is Mistystar, whose son is Reedwhisker. Whew, that was a lot!
Just have to say this, sometimes I feel bad that some people get longer review replies than others, but it depends on the length of the review. I just don't want people thinking I'm showing favoritism, because I think you all are awesome ;)
Anyways, actual chapter time!
Chapter 25
Ashwhisker watched in horror as Runningpaw backed away from the cliff with wide, scared eyes. There was just enough light to see Rainpaw's face vanish as she plummeted to the ground with a wail that quickly faded. At once he sprang into action.
"Runningpaw, get back here!" he barked, ignoring the startled look that flashed across the she-cat's face. "Hawk, where are you?!"
"Over here," Hawk replied quietly, stepping out of the bushes. Blood stained his pelt from a long scratch down his side.
Ashwhisker nodded curtly, narrowing his eyes leaf-green eyes. "Take Runningpaw back to the cave, and tell Stoneteller what happened."
Hawk waved his tail and began to climb up the steep slope in front of them, pausing only to look back and ask, "Where will you go?"
"Down there," Ashwhisker peered past the shadows that hung near the bottom of the cliff. "I'm going to get Rainpaw." He began to edge closer.
"Wait!" Runningpaw hissed. "What if it's a trap?!"
He turned around. "Turn around, and do not come back." Quietly, he added under his breath, "It probably is a trap." (A/N Did anyone get that reference? :D)
Not waiting for a response, he cautiously lowered himself over the edge of the cliff. His paws slipped on loose pebbles with every step, and he let out a puff of air before moving his paw to another pawhold. The dark sky made it almost impossible to see where he was going, and he when he tried to peer into the rest of the cliff below him, he saw only darkness.
Suddenly he heard a voice below him. He froze, glancing down. The tip of a tail rose from the "blackness," and he heard a raspy meow.
"Ah, yes!" It gurgled. "Master will be pleased! He told us to go look for the cat, and it looks like I've found her!" The cat grunted, and Ashwhisker saw his head- ugly and matted, covered with scars- lift a familiar tortoiseshell cat off the ground by her scruff.
He clenched his jaws in anger, every muscle in his body urged him to move faster, but he forced himself to creep slowly down the cliff.
The cat stopped and sniffed the air, staring hard in his direction. Ashwhisker tensed, not daring to move, at once thankful for his tabby gray pelt which blended in with the rock and dust around him.
"Hello?" The cat called, sniffing the air suspiciously. "Anyone there? Tangle, me for once, gots the little kitty for the Master!" Pausing, he added, "If that's Hunter, keep yer filthy little paws off! I found 'er first!"
He continued on, muttering something about this Hunter "always trying to steal the spotlight."
Ashwhisker saw his chance. He pushed himself off the cliff, cannoning into Tangle with a yowl. Claws outstretched, he ripped them down the cat's side, leaving deep score marks.
"Wha-" shocked, Tangle staggered and fell into the leaf-mold, allowing just enough time for Ashwhisker to pounce on him.
Tangle stared up at him with angry eyes. "Hey you! What do ya think yer doin'?"
Ashwhisker didn't answer, but stuck his claws into his flank.
"Hey, hey- Ow! Put yer claws away, ya mangy excuse of a cat!"
Ashwhisker bushed up his fur, trying to look as threatening as possible. "I'm not letting go- unless you give me the she-cat." He hissed.
"Never!" Tangle spat. "Tangle caught this kitty, so Tangle keeps this kit- OW!" Ashwhisker had swiped him over the ears.
"Either you let her go, or you can feel my claws again."
Tangle paused, seeming to consider this. "Fine, fine, ye can have yer kitty back. Just let me get up..."
Ashwhisker backed away, turning around for the slightest moment when he caught a flash of movement in the corner of his eye. Spinning around, he lashed his paw out, claws meeting fur and flesh. Tangle shrieked and fell to the ground, blood welling across his stomach. He cast one terrified look at Ashwhisker, and fled wailing into the bushes.
xXxXxXx
Runningpaw trudged up the hill behind Hawk, narrowing her eyes against the cold wind. A foul, crowfood scent blasted in her face, and she shuddered, speeding up.
"Hawk, when will we get back to the cave?" She did not want to be around when Ashwhisker found Rainpaw- Wait, if he found Rainpaw. The thought comforted her, and she smirked.
"Hawk, did you hear me?"
"Runningpaw, be quiet." He muttered.
She stuck her tongue out and crossing her eyes as he turned away. "Be quiet, hmph."
Without any warning, he turned around and barreled her underneath a nearby thornbush that was growing out of a crack in the steep hill.
"What is you problem-" she began, only to cough as his tail came crashing into her mouth.
"Shh..." Hawk crept forward and peered out of the bush, beckoning with his tail for her to do the same.
Six or seven cats crept out from behind a boulder. Their leader scanned their surroundings, then stamped on the ground with a heavy paw. Six more appeared and replaced those six, who had gone on ahead. They repeated the steps of the first group, and more cats kept coming, more than Runningpaw had ever seen at a Gathering.
As soon as the last cat had dispersed, Hawk leaped out of the bushes with lightning speed, yowling, "Come on!"
Runningpaw sped after him, long legs easily catching up. "Hawk, what was that?!"
Hawk wasted no time in replying, "Shadow's group! They're headed in the direction of the camp!"
Runningpaw's mind froze, and as her paws kept moving thoughts raced in her mind. This is all my fault.
"We have to warn them!"
xXxXxXx
Ashwhisker dragged Rainpaw over to a nearby puddle, dunking her head in it several times before she awoke, spluttering, "Hey! Don't you know it's dangerous to get wet in the mountains?!"
"You're welcome," Ashwhisker muttered, fur pricking on his spine.
Rainpaw glanced at him curiously. "Did I miss something?"
He sighed, replying, "Not much. You just fell off the cliff, knocked yourself out, and I had to fight off this rogue that was trying to take you to Shadow. Just the normal."
"Oh," she meowed slowly. "Thank you, then."
Ashwhisker shook his head. "It was nothing-"
He was cut off by a loud yowl. "There they are!"
He spun around, spotting Tangle with about five other rogues behind him.
"Oh, great," he groaned. "He's back."
"Well, don't just stand there!" Rainpaw hissed. "Run!"
They both took off through the trees, swerving around bushes and tree trunks. Ashwhisker caught sight of Rainpaw leaping over a log and whacking her face in the low-hanging leaves above, and he couldn't suppress a mrrow of amuesment despite the situation. (A/N Seriously guys, imagine a tortoiseshell cat leaping over a log and whacking their face in a cluster of leaves and then continuing to run. You may proceed to read now.)
Voices from the rogues echoed behind Ashwhisker. They were getting closer.
Suddenly Ashwhisker saw something shining up ahead. He sped towards it, yowling at Rainpaw to follow him.
As they neared it, Ashwhisker could make out what it was- an iced-over river.
"Get over it!" He cried, hoping it was strong up to support his and Rainpaw's weight. His paws slipped as the terrain changed from snow and rock to ice.
Finally they made it across, and Ashwhisker glanced back, fear throbbing in his heart. The rogues were still concealed by the bushes, but he could hear their heavy pawsteps pounding on the ground.
"Keep moving!" he hissed, nudging Rainpaw further up down the mountain.
Suddenly a voice hissed, "Over here!"
Ashwhisker stopped, and hesitantly loped to the source of the voice.
A golden-ginger tabby face peered out of a crack below a boulder. He stopped, glancing back at the treeline. The rogues had just stopped at the ice and suspiciously testing it.
"Well, what are you waiting for?!" The mysterious cat hissed. "Come on!"
"We don't know you!" Ashwhisker protested. "What if you're leading us to a trap?!"
She rolled her eyes. "If you value your freedom, you'll do as I say." (A/N Anyone get that reference?)
Rainpaw rushed past Ashwhisker and into the crack in the rock. He had no choice but to follow.
xXxXxXx
Hidden, the three cats watched the rogues run past their hiding spot, kicking up dirt and snow in their wake.
Ashwhisker relaxed his tensed muscles and turned back to the young she-cat getting a close look at her. She had long, golden-ginger tabby fur, with white paws. Her tail-tip was also white. Her eyes were a deep, intelligent green, sparking with emotions beyond Ashwhisker's comprehension. She was very young- around Rainpaw's age. She might have been an apprentice in ThunderClan.
Realizing he had not introduced himself, he began, "Umm... hello. I'm Ashwhisker of ThunderClan, and this is-"
"Rainpaw of ThunderClan!" Rainpaw chirped.
"And we'd like to thank you for rescuing us."
"Not a problem," the she-cat answered. "I'd help anyone being pursued by Shadow. And yes, I know who he is," she added, catching the shocked look on Ashwhisker's face. "My name is Golden Hawk. I used to be a part of Shadow's group."
Casting a look at him, she replied, "He took me in when my parents died." Her voice became bitter with rage as she continued, "Later, though, I found out he was the one who killed them."
Ashwhisker lowered his gaze. "Oh... I'm so sorry."
Rainpaw nodded, eyes burning with hate. "Shadow is horrible," she agreed. "A horrible, fox-dung eating selfish badger-heart."
Golden Hawk raised her chin. "I'm going to avenge their death someday." A moment of silence passed, before she spoke again. "You two are some of the cats that went to help the Tribe, aren't you." Catching their nods, she added, "You'd best be getting back. I overhead some of Shadow's group. They were plotting to attack the Tribe as soon as the sun sets."
"What?!" Rainpaw gasped. "My brother is back there! And my friends and my mother! Ashwhisker, we have to go back!"
"You're right," he tried to suppress the worry in his heart. "Come on, Rainpaw. Thank you for helping us, Golden Hawk, but we have to go."
As he turned around to bound out, she called, "Wait! You can't! There are too many of them, even with all the Clan cats!"
"We've got to try," Ashwhisker whispered.
She padded up to them. "I know another group of cats, fairly close. If we manage to convince them to fight, you may be able to win this battle."
He hesitated, fear for his family and friends and agreement with Golden Hawk overwhelming him.
Finally, he meowed in a hushed voice, "Show us the way to the other group, please."
xXxXxXx
Runningpaw and Hawk burst into the cave. "Shadow's group!" he yowled. "They're coming!"
I will try to update sooner! Fact: The mysterious cat in the previous chapter was, in fact, Runningpaw. She was bargained with Shadow and told him that if he captured and "got rid of" Rainpaw, then she would fight on his side. She lied when she said she would fight on his side, though. They knew it was her because Runningpaw described Rainpaw for them.
Next chapter is the last chapter in the mountains! :D
