Once again back with another chapter of this totally-not-a-one-shot-anymore-but-im-in-denial fic!! I hope you review, favorite, follow and most of all, enjoy!
Also this chapter is in honor of; Popping cat
Because regardless if they have realized or not. They have inspired me to add this one!!
Please review! I need reviews to feel validated!!
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Tigerclaw could hardly keep his fur lying flat. One of his apprentices had run off into unfamiliar territory, the apprentice was blinded by panic and not thinking clearly, and worst of all, dogs were currently on the loose. There was a high chance that he could get lost or hurt if they didn't find him quickly.
If anything were to happen to Cedarpaw then Tigerclaw would never stop blaming himself. And Russetfur would be sure to enact some form of punishment on the patrol if they fail to retrieve the missing apprentice.
The massive, dark brown tabby growled in frustration before turning to face the others to give out orders, "We'll all need to move quickly, and stay together. Cedarpaw is out there on his own and we need to find him." None of the other cats gave any protest to the order. They were just as concerned with getting the ShadowClan apprentice back safely as fast as possible.
Tigerclaw naturally took the lead, everyone else trailing behind but on high alert. They kept an eye out for the missing dark gray tom, nothing, nothing but open fields populated by hedges and Twoleg nests. As the group was skirting the edge of another hedge they heard the distinct sound of barking, it made the patrol freeze and strain their ears to hear where it was coming from.
"Tigerclaw, maybe-"
Bark! Bark!
A giant, hulking beast of a dog suddenly tore out through the surrounding hedge and right between the middle of the group of cats. They had no other choice but to scatter inorder to avoid being caught by the massive, dumb, slobbering brute. Half the patrol went one way, and the other half ran in the opposite direction. Thankfully, or perhaps unthankful, the dog chose to chase after Tigerclaw's portion of the patrol.
On either side of him, Runningnose was trying to get ahead but was just barely keeping up, Fireheart on his other side, kept casting glances over her shoulder, judging the distance between them and the dog every so often. Tigerclaw wanted to turn around and face the dog, but that unfortunately might put the other two in danger. At times like these it was frustrating to think of others instead of himself.
"We need to lead it away." Fireheart meowed, looking over their shoulders at the dog that still chased them. "Maybe-"
A black blur cut through in front of them. They were lithe, agile, and appeared to be running…in their direction! Tigerclaw's pale amber eyes stretched wide in wonder as the cat nimbly leaped over all their heads. The action caused the group to skid to a stop and whip around to watch in amazement as the unknown cat caused the dog to fall all over itself in order to stop.
The unknown cat let out a hiss of warning. Which seemed to intimidate the dog into submission. The dog then turned, running off in the opposite direction, its paws kicking up dirt in the cats faces as it ran off whimpering.
It was the single most horrifically amazing thing Tigerclaw had ever witnessed.
"Wow! That was amazing."
Tigerclaw whirled around to see Cedarpaw emerge from the hedge. The apprentice appears to be in relatively good health. Which was a great relief to Tigerclaw. Now his pelt would be saved from becoming lining for Russetfur's nest.
The small dark gray tom walked over towards the group. His small body quivered still with excitement from the whole ordeal. The apprentice's yellow eyes glimmered and shined with marvelous wonder.
"Cedarpaw, we found you." Runningnose meowed, breathing hard and sitting down heavily on his hunches. Tigerclaw noted that perhaps he should get his medicine cat into some active exercises. It would do the medicine cat some good to get out of that hole of his.
"Cedarpaw! You're okay!"
The rest of the patrol had finally found them. Joining back together all were accounted for and though they were shaken, they were all unharmed. Already his Clanmates had started gathering around the previously missing apprentice.
"You frightened our fur off, toad-brain!"
"I was starting to think the dog had gotten you!"
"I'm so glad you're alright. But just wait till Russetfur hears about this."
"Hey wait. Who is he?"
Attention shifted away from the found apprentice. Their unknown rescuer stood calm and poised. Even under the scrutiny of about three warriors, three apprentices, and one very out of shape medicine cat.
"You should have seen him, he was amazing, he jumped right in front of me and fought off the dog that's three times his size, single pawed!" Cedarpaw gushed, in complete awe of this stranger that had saved them.
Tigerclaw would have rolled his eyes at the young apprentice's enthusiasm. That is, if not for who the stranger turned out to be. Because the stranger turned out to be someone very familiar to Tigerclaw.
Tigerclaw was in shock. The soon-to-be ShadowClan leader knew that his former apprentice was alive. Fireheart had revealed that bit of information when exposing all his misdeeds during his exile. However seeing Ravenpaw in the flesh once more, was like seeing a whole other cat altogether. Ravenpaw seemed completely transformed. Gone was the anxious ridden apprentice that hid under his own tail and in their place was a confident, strong warrior that held his head high and wasn't afraid of taking on a full sized dog on his own.
However some of that newfound confidence waned when meeting Tigerclaw again. The sleek-furred black tom visibly froze, green eyes stretching wide as they landed on his would-be killer.
Their awkward staring contest was interrupted by Fireheart. Who let out a sound of surprise, but still padded forward to happily touch noses with her old friend.
"Ravenpaw! It's so good to see you. I thought we'd be dog food for sure if you hadn't come and saved us."
Ravenpaw's eyes shifted to Fireheart. Instantly warming towards the flame-colored she-cat and softly replying, "when I saw your friend running from that dog, I knew I couldn't allow them to face it on their own, so I intervened. I'm glad I did. It's good to see you too, Fireheart."
Fireheart purred, then launched into a hushed conversation with the loner. Tigerclaw turned his attention away in order to gather back his Clanmates, all who seemed exhausted, especially Runningnose. They still had daylight left, so Tigerclaw opted for a bit of rest before carrying on. His cat's laid down where they had stood, taking a breather as Tigerclaw gathered himself. Already his leadership ceremony was in shambles, had StarClan really chosen Tigerclaw to lead the Clan. Had Runningnose made a mistake and misinterpreted his dream. Was the dog attack a sign he wasn't the one truly to lead ShadowClan. Tigerclaw began to get frustrated, on edge and now questioning himself.
Suddenly a sleek-black pelt drew his attention and Tigerclaw was turning his head to see Ravenpaw nodding towards the bushes. It appeared that the small, jet-black tom with a tiny white dash on his chest wanted to speak with him, alone.
Tigerclaw felt alarmed for a few mouse-heartbeats. The thought of this being a trap crossing his mind for only a moment, before he chastised himself for such a ridiculous notion. Not everyone had devious intentions. The dark brown tabby needed to stop projecting himself on to others.
Tigerclaw rose and padded after Ravenpaw who disappeared into the surrounding hedge, his companions seeming unaware of his departure.
Tigerclaw very much hoped that Ravenpaw didn't try and murder him in the bushes. And there he goes, projecting himself on to others again. When Tigerclaw pushed his way through the small, prickly branches, he found Ravenpaw already waiting for him. Sitting with his back straight, head held high, long, thin, white-tipped tail wrapped around his paws.
The massive, broad chest and shoulders, dark brown tabby tom with paler belly fur, came to sit across from the smaller cat. His thick-furred tail was also wrapped around his own massive paws. And the soon-to-be ShadowClan leader was forced to crouch to avoid scratching his ears on the branches overhead. Both cats stared at one another for a long moment, not saying anything, it made Tigerclaw uncomfortable and he was thankful for Ravenpaw breaking the silence first.
"Fireheart says you are trying to change." Ravenpaw meowed, sounding almost thoughtful.
"You don't have to speak to me," Tigerclaw remarked, a bit baffled as to how the former ThunderClan apprentice could be so earnest in the face of seeing the cat who plotted his death. "If Fireheart put you up to--"
"No, I wanted to speak with you." Ravenpaw interrupted, appearing determined. "I need to know for myself if you truly have decided to change."
Tigerclaw shuffled around awkwardly. The soon-to-be ShadowClan leader never imagined he would be having such an intimate conversation with his former apprentice. Neither did the amber eyed warrior think of how much more mature Ravenpaw was being. Tigerclaw would never be able to handle having a conversation with a cat that had once not so long ago wanted him dead so calmly.
Ravenpaw had put him on the spot and Tigerclaw didn't have a clue as to how he should respond, should he apologize? Would an apology even matter to the cat he had tormented for the duration of his apprenticeship? Where could Tigerclaw begin to make up for all he has done to his former apprentice.
"I won't mince words, I'll get to the point." Ravenpaw meowed, relaxing his posture. "I don't hold anything against you, Tigerclaw. At one point in my life, I had admired you just like everyone else. After leaving ThunderClan, having gone through the things that I did, I had begun to pity you. You've fallen so far from the respectable, strong, brave, loyal warrior that everyone saw you as. Who I once saw you as. Though perhaps this new life of yours, becoming ShadowClan's leader, maybe it can bring about a reality where you are better."
"I don't deserve a lot of those things." Tigerclaw pointed out, meaning what he said. Tigerclaw didn't deserve any form of forgiveness, kindness, or respect, nothing can make up for what he had done. "Neither do I deserve forgiveness for all I've done to you."
"You're right, you don't." Ravenpaw meowed, "but I wish to move on with my life. Doing so is leaving past grudges where they belong, in the past, and that's where you belong, Tigerclaw. You belong to my past and I need to look at my future."
"Ravenpaw, I-"
Ravenpaw interrupted once again. "And so should you."
"I-"
"I never again want to hear about murder plots, hostile takeover, or manipulating others. This is it. No more. I won't stand for it, and neither will Fireheart, so you best stay true to your word."
Ravenpaw wouldn't allow Tigerclaw a moment to get a word in edgewise.
The sleek-furred black tom simply stood up and brushed past Tigerclaw, and pushed his way out through the hedge. Leaving Tigerclaw to remain stunned in silence, before rising to his own paws, and followed.
The tabby made it out in time to see that Ravenpaw had stopped to speak with Fireheart for only a few rabbit-beats before continuing on. Disappearing around the hedge and out of everyone's sight.
Tigerclaw turned his head as Runningnose approached, looking anxious. "We need to go now, otherwise we won't make it in time." The medicine cat exclaimed.
Tigerclaw dipped his head in agreement, "we've wasted enough time. Let's be off."
Tigerclaw called his cats back together as they headed once again in the direction of Highstones. Taking the lead once again, but this time having Fireheart joining him at the front.
"Is everything alright between you two?" Fireheart asked nervously, stealing glances over in the direction Ravenpaw had left in. "You didn't say anything or do-"
"No." Tigerclaw shook his head, not allowing Fireheart to go down that train of thought. "We just had a talk about the past and Ravenpaw told me that he wanted to let everything go and to allow him to live in peace."
"And you are, aren't you?" Tigerclaw would have felt hurt at Fireheart's skepticism if not for the fact that he understood where the mother of his kit's concern was coming from.
"I'm no longer who I once was." Tigerclaw replied, and left it at that.
If Tigerclaw walked away with a little less guilt on his shoulders than that was nobody's business but his own.
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Well there you go!!! Got inspired from reading my last book in my Heart of Fire series!!! Where Tigerclaw and Ravenpaw go off alone to talk but we never really know what they said to each other.
Fun Facts:
Originally I was never going to do a chapter like this. It was supposed to just skip over a very boring journey and then reach Highstones and the Moonstone and Fireheart having a quick conversation with StarClan and then Runningnose. But then I got to thinking about Barely (because I'm also working on the journey scene for Heart of Fire; into the wild) and it made me think of Ravenpaw and his reaction to what's going on.
Never really thought about how Ravenpaw and Tigerclaw's conversation would turn out because I never expected myself to actually write it:)
Ravenpaw took that dog by surprise. That's why it ran away.
Ravenpaw basically steamrolled over Tigerclaw and I love it!!!
Pretty sure this is my longest chapter yet for this fic!
Remember, Tigerclaw is trying to change. But he's still in limbo and still has some of his past thoughts and behavior!!! (Though he tries to be nicer)
Though he is a medicine cat, Runningnose is physically incompetent.
