Dive into the Wild

By Atlantica Stitch

Heartless Tiger

"Tigerstar!" Dirtfur spat, unsheathing his claws.

"Who?" Sora asked, confused.

You need to listen to the elders Sora. Paleface was talking about Firestar and Tigerstar last night!" Dirtfur sighed. Sora thought for a moment.

"Oh yeah! But…isn't he dead?" Sora meowed.

"That's what's worrying me." Dirtfur responded, looking at his paws. Sora leapt to his paws.

"He's a Heartless!" he cried, staring at the dark tabby. Before Dirtfur could respond, Tigerstar spoke.

"It seems introductions aren't necessary." The restored leader meowed, looking at the clusters of cats below him. One yowl ran gout clearly, followed by a deafening chorus of insults and yowls. "Murderer!"

"Murderer! Traitor! Rouge!" the cats leapt to their paws, screeching and yowling. Sora summoned Firestar's Fang and charged at Tigerstar. The Heartless tabby's eyes widened as Sora leapt at him, bringing the Keyblade down for a death blow. Tigerstar narrowly dodged; Sora lost his balance and went skidding off the rock. Dirtfur charged up, his battle cry rumbling in his throat. He leapt square on the tabby's massive shoulders. He moved to plunge his teeth into Tigerstar's neck, but the powerful Heartless threw Dirtfur off. He landed hard on his back, dazed.

Tigerstar stood, amber eyes glittering coldly. "Very well. Heartless! Charge!" he called over his shoulder.

Millions of Heartless plunged into the clearing, and Rock Hollow was suddenly full of hissing screeching cats. Dirtfur realized with a jolt that this was the battle Firestar had prophesized. He and Sora jumped up and charged into the fray. They all fought valiantly, but they were losing. Dirtfur saw a shadow reach into the chest of the EarthClan warrior Stonefoot.

Suddenly, the tides were turned. Dirtfur saw a golden tom with a spiky mane like Sora's and identical sapphire eyes strike out at the Heartless with two Keyblades. He heard Sora gasp next to him.

"Roxas!" Sora cried, staring at the new cat. Dirtfur was about to give a bewildered response when a Neoshadow tackled him. He heard Sora yell something and run towards him and felt the icy cold claws in his chest then blacked out.

Dirtfur slowly returned to consciousness, but didn't open his eyes. Every part of him ached and throbbed. He was dimly aware of Sora's voice.

"…and he passed out. I was lucky enough to have gotten there in time." Sora was explaining.

"Poor thing's lucky to be alive." It was Foxfur's voice.

Dirtfur opened his eyes then shut them against the bright sunlight flooding the den. He opened his eyes and they adjusted. "Sora?" he mumbled, his voice slurred.

"He's awake!" Sora cried in relief, racing over to Dirtfur. Riku hissed as Sora passed, making him and Dirtfur turn (Dirtfur moaned as the movement made his head throb).

"You're an idiot Sora! You were so busy watching Roxas, Dirtfur almost died!" Riku spat, his fur bristling. Sora looked down at his paws.

"Who' Roxas?" Dirtfur meowed, forcing himself into a sitting position. Sora scuffled his paws uncomfortably. Riku opened his mouth, closed it then prodded Sora who looked warily at Foxfur.

"This is obviously private. I'll go." She meowed, padding away. Dirtfur nodded as she passed.

"Well, I suppose we started from the beginning." Riku meowed thoughtfully. Sora nodded.

"It began about two years ago, when we lived on Destiny Islands." Sora began.

Dirtfur listened with wide eyes as they told their story, which continued well through the night and into the next day. When Sora had finished Dirtfur finally found the words. "Y-you're Twolegs?" Riku and Sora exchanged uncomfortable glances.


Next Chapter: Roxas the Loner Can Sora and Riku gain Dirtufr's trust back? And what the HECK is wrong with Roxas!