"Banished?! I –the only thing I did was fall in love!" Mapleshade shouted. She glared at Oakstar rebelliously.
"With a murderer! Appledusk killed Birchface!
"He did what any Clan cat does when defending territory!"
.
An audible gasp sweeps through camp. Cats ominously chanted. "Traitor, traitor, traitor!"
Glowering and hissing, Mapleshade backs away. "I only lied because you were all so pushy on me being Birchface's mate! I was afraid-"
"You broke the warrior code!" Bloomheart seethed.
"Defending an enemy of ThunderClan is unforgivable!"
Mapleshade steered her kits close to her feet, wary of her Clanmates attacking them. "You're all a bunch of lunatics!"
"Never return," Oakstar puffed up with hostility. His order cut deep like crows piercing carcass bones. "If you do my warriors will chase you out."
.
Hurt and betrayed, the exiled warrior left ThunderClan. Would RiverClan let her and the kits stay? They must, right? The tiny bundles are part of Appledusk's bloodline. Who would deny a strong warrior into their ranks either?
.
How will she safely get past the river? The kits can swim well but not for such a long distance. A trickling dread sticks to Mapleshade's pelt, sinking below the flesh. What if Appledusk turned her away?
.
The normally undisturbed, clear surface now frothed and furiously stormed to and fro. Too perilous to traverse.
Unknown to her, two pairs of eyes observe them.
.
Appledusk noticed his mate. Was she stranded? Her dejected facial expression and slumped form worried him. Leaping into waves he swam over to Mapleshade.
.
"What's wrong?" The tom got onto sandy shore and sat beside her. Concern shined in Appledusk's green eyes.
Sobbing, she explained what happened.
Alarm crossed his face. "Seriously?! Oakstar and the others exiled you and the kits?!"
.
Heavy disheartened quiet weighed on their shoulders. A light rainfall manifested. Appledusk licked his mate's face lovingly. "Don't worry Mapleshade. I won't leave you, ever. We can do this together. I won't give you up, not for some dumb warrior code or what our Clanmates say."
A bright smile warmed her cold downcast expression. "Really? Oh Appledusk, I'm so happy that you're my mate! I couldn't ask for better!"
"You think so?" He proudly gazes at her brilliant honey-colored eyes. "I feel the same about you."
.
He picked up Petalkit. "Maybe Darkstar will let you guys stay. I'll carry the kits-"
"I won't let you enter RiverClan!"
"Reedshine?"
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Clear jealousy glows in her eyes. "I wondered why you've been vanishing so often. Is this what you've been up to?" Snarling, she crouched, ready to spring. Venom laced her words. "Is this why you rejected me?"
The pale tom stared at his Clanmate hard. "I love Mapleshade. Nothing can change that."
.
"Leave her."
"What?"
"Leave her or I'll get Darkstar to banish you!"
"You can't do that Reedshine! It's cruel!" Mapleshade exclaimed.
"Appledusk broke my heart for a mangy-pelt, foolish, disgusting ThunderClan cat!"
Bristling he roared, "Don't talk about Mapleshade that way. We were never together and I said so every time you asked me, Reedshine. Quit making up ridiculous fantasies!"
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Ears flickering, Mapleshade hears something crashing through shrubbery behind them.
A strong musky scent of ThunderClan hits her nose.
.
"Look out!" She jumped onto Appledusk as a cat flew overhead.
"Frecklewish!"
"Killer! You murdered my brother!"
Horror and melancholy flash in his light green eyes. "I never meant to kill any Clan cats. We were defending RiverClan territory!"
"Liar! All RiverClan cats are bloodthirsty, ruthless, fox hearted killers!"
"You're no longer welcome in RiverClan."
.
"W-What?! Only a leader or deputy can-"
"Not if I reveal all that you've done."
"For falling in love? Hmph. To think I believed my Clanmates were honorable."
"I'd say delusional." Mapleshade added.
"None of this should've happened," Frecklewish mewed. "But I'm going to fix it!"
.
Frecklewish leaps on Mapleshade. Claws dig into her sides. Reeling, she rolls. Clumps of fur fly. The exiled warrior hooks Frecklewish with a paw and pushes her away. The kits wail because they are startled by the sudden violent outbreak.
"Protect the kits and run! I'll fight these bee brained cats!"
Torn, Mapleshade complies. She wants to defend her lover but he's right. The kits are top priority.
.
Ushering them towards some foliage, she runs. Reedshine intercepts. In one swipe Mapleshade's ear is gone. Her opponent's stinky hot breath wafts into her face. "I'll make you suffer for taking Appledusk away from me!"
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The kits' squealing ignites Mapleshade's adrenaline. Scratching, kicking, and biting, she manages to wound Reedshine. Scars bloom on her neck and gut. Horrified, Mapleshade sees her lunge for Larchkit.
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Sprinting, Mapleshade saves her kit. Fangs pierce her eye. Blood spills down her muzzle and the metallic taste sharpens Mapleshade's senses. Recoiling, she then sinks her teeth into Reedshine's neck. Wildly she throws the cat. Her teeth shred deep before releasing her attacker.
.
Catching her breath, Mapleshade turns to see a lifeless RiverClan cat. Blood pools beside Reedshine. Frantically she counts her kits. Good, all there. No injuries. Nudging them with her nose Mapleshade leads them away from danger.
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Frecklewish tackles Appledusk. She ruthlessly claws at him.
"Just let us go!"
"No! You two have caused too much trouble! Banishment isn't enough!"
.
Fresh wounds appear on Appledusk's chest and sides. His endurance is waning. Pivoting, he kicks Frecklewish. She latches onto and crunches his leg. Limping badly he tries to flee.
Observing the fight, Mapleshade rescues her mate. Her slender muscles bunch up, and twirling upwards, she strikes Frecklewish. The warrior bounces and rolls backwards into the forest.
.
"The Clans are wrong," Appledusk called. "No warrior code should cause this much torment."
All five cats leave the forest. Mapleshade reassures she'll find them a safe place to stay overnight.
.
An old barn creaks in the distance. Is it empty? The frame looks sturdy. Though in ruins, it is the only shelter amid vast open fields.
Mapleshade bristles defensively when a cat exits the barn. The tom's eyes grow wide in alarm. "You're bleeding! Oooh, that looks really bad. And your eye! Go into the barn and rest. I'll fetch some herbs-"
"We don't trust-"
"Yes, please, thank you…"
"I'm Myler!" He drops a dead squirrel at their feet and smiles warmly. "I just caught this. Eat it. I'll be right back to help."
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"Myler is as fast as a rabbit!" Appledusk chuckled. He sat beside Mapleshade in a makeshift nest of hay.
"I guess he isn't bad." She shrugged.
Appledusk rest his head upon hers. "I'm sorry about your eye."
"It does hurt. But I can stay strong for you." She brushed noses with him.
"You're so brave! I'm so thankful I have you. Despite the outcome I think I made the right choice."
"So do I."
.
Appledusk sighed. "Staying in the Clans was wrong. All those rules, and for what?"
"Some of them kept us strong. Loners can't really fight a fox or badger."
"True but, it's so restrictive. Being a loner…that must be the path to take. On the bright side, we can do whatever we want now."
Mapleshade grinned. "You're right. It sounds like a peaceful life. As long as I have you and the kits, I can be anywhere."
.
Myler returns and frets over the pair. After healing their injuries he cheered up the kits by finding some feathers. Petalkit, Larchkit, and Patchkit happily chase the feathers. Leaping up they paw at them.
.
"Thank you for helping us, Myler."
"Of course! Clan cats are vicious. I'm glad you guys made it out of their territory safely."
Mapleshade and Appledusk exchanged glances.
Blinking, Myler stared at them.
.
The pair explained their story. Between pauses Appledusk thanked Myler again while Mapleshade answered questions. The kind loner offered to let them stay. He though the ex-warriors very fascinating! He also really liked sharing his knowledge of being a loner too.
.
Night slowly swaps the bright blue horizon. Among a starry sky is a single fluffy cloud. Appledusk and Mapleshade watch on as their kits sleep in another nest beside them. The violent aspects of Clan life melt away to something stunningly peaceful. No bloodshed, no rules to follow, their kits can grow up safely, and they have the whole world to explore. They're sure it'll be a serene life.