Sorry it took awhile, this is another Flintfang chapter and unfortuently hard to write because ShadowClan hardly has anything in its territory..I had to think of stuff..but here we go! A new chapter! I hope you all enjoy!
"That's enough Spikepaw," Flintpaw hisses, wiggling underneath the dark brown tom who had him pinned.
"But Mousewing!" the dark brown tabby looks up with his copper eyes, "Foxheart told me that any Warrior who doesn't fight for their Clan is no better than a toy!"
The black tom sighs and shakes his head, "It was Flintpaw's first battle..you can't blame her. It is much different than battle practice..now why don't you let me handle it and joined your brother in hunting,"
Spikepaw grumbles about weaklings, getting off Flintpaw and ignoring her hiss before trudging through the mud. Flintpaw shakily got up and shook her pelt, flinging mud everywhere. Mousewing just chuckles, ignoring some of the mud that was now clinging to his thick fur, "You know…Raggedstar wanted you to take care of the Elders for the next three Moons for that stunt you did.." Flintpaw winces at that, looking down, "Can you tell me what happened? I know you Flintpaw..you take every lesson I took well like a River to water..especially battle training,"
"I..it's like you said Mousewing…" Flintpaw shuffles on her paws, "It's different than training..that was a real battle..I could actually die..why should I risk my life when all ShadowClan does is pick on me and my Kin for not knowing who our Sire is?"
Mousewing hums at that, nodding his head, "I guess I have another lesson to teach you..if you are willing to learn that risk could be very rewarding,"
Flintfang sighs looking up at the night sky, "I'm still trying to learn that lesson Mousewing," he mutters trying not to think the Stars were glaring down at him.
"Hey! Flintfang," the pale tortoiseshell looks down to see Russetfang with her new Apprentice, Beetlepaw by her side. Flintfang could feel disgust burning in his stomach when he sees how scared the little one was, "Mind helping me show Beetlepaw around? I think he'll feel better if another cat and one calm as yourself be around,"
Flintfang smirks, "Because only Tangleburr is able to calm you down," he leaps down, his paws making squishing sounds in the mud, spraying both Mentor and Apprentice. Russetfang chuckles when Beetlepaw squeaks at the mud that was splash onto him. Flintfang chuckles before looking up at the Burnt Sycamore, "I guess this would be a good place to start off," he looks to Russetfang who nods before he waves his tail at the tree, "This is the Burnt Sycamore, its roots run along our whole territory. You be training here a lot to learn how to hunt and stalk through the undergrowth. The roots help us when we slip into one of the deeper marshes on accident,"
"Wait..we can sink into the ground?" Beetlepaw cries before he grabs one of the roots, his tiny claws digging into the wood fearfully. Russetfang purrs and nuzzles the kitten.
"Its alright..you'll soon learn how to watch your step and even if you do start to sink you'll learn how to get out..and even before then I wouldn't let you sink," She then gently bites into his scruff, pulling him off the root and set him down, "Now come on, let's show you the territory,"
Beetlepaw looks shakily at the ground before following Russetfang. Flintfang sighs and follows, keeping an eye on the little brown and white tom. They waded through the mud, the stars shining down on them.
"It's so squishy," Beetlepaw complains as he slid into the mud, wiggling around trying to get out. Russetfang chuckles but doesn't help, watching him struggle to get out and purrs when he does so.
They soon came to the edged of the marsh and padded through a belt of pine trees. The trees grew more sparsely here, reddish, hard-edged shapes loomed beyond the last of them, as tall as the highest trunks.
"We're coming to the edge of ShadowClan territory," Russetfang explained, "Over there is the Settlement. We..usually don't go there. It's a place for dogs and Toys, not Warriors. Those are the dens where twolegs live,"
Flintfang watches as Beetlepaw looks through the metal border that blocked Settlement from ShadowClan's territory. Staring at the dens that some were high up while others were closer to the ground. The ones closer to the ground were many in this place, with holes in their walls. Flintfang could never understand why twolegs don't fix those holes. He watches as a white plump molly appears, balancing carefully on the metal barrier before jumping down to the other side.
"That cat is wearing something around its neck," Beetlepaw observed.
Flintfang nodded his head, "A collar. Most Toys have them..it signifies that they belong to Twolegs, and can never be free. Just be thankful you'll never have to wear one," Flintfang had to shudder at the thought of being a Toy, the whole thought of living anywhere near the Settlement disgusted him. It felt cold, hard and empty and he was glad when Beetlepaw quickly followed Russetfang, moving back into a more wooden area.
"What's that!" Beetlepaw mew and soon Flintfang became aware of the arcid stenched that was now filling the air along with the dull roaring that grew and died away again. They came to the edge of the small patch of trees and halted. In front of them lay a narrow stretch of ground that curved like a snake. It was black and the acrid stench came from it, smothering all the other scents of the marshes. Across from it were mounds of hills that seem to almost reach the land of their Ancestors. Flintfang remembers hearing stories on how so many Warriors of ShadowClan had died on these hills..fighting to protect the forest from the vicious BloodClan.
He shivers at the thought of those cats, BloodClan was not a true Clan..one cat had betrayed all four Clans, even the one of his birth when he was not chosen to become Deputy. He had formed his own Clan, BloodClan with cats with the same ambition to rule all over the forest and had threatened their way of life. What they didn't take they burned to the ground. Those they couldn't enslave..they destroyed. Flintfang was lucky he was born after the Great War..when BloodClan was driven off deep into the Settlement.
"Keep back," Russetfang mutters to Beetlepaw, pulling Flintfang from his mind of the nursery tales that his mother told him just in time for his ears to twitch as the roaring sound began again. Tensing his body, as a scarlet creature with round black paws swept past them, splattering their noses with the stench of the path before them.
Beetlepaw coughs, "What..what was that!" he shrieked looking up at Russetfang and Flintfang.
"That's a Monster and this..is the Thunderpath..Monsters usually don't spot us, too busy carrying their Twolegs in their bellies,"
"They eat Twolegs?" Beetlepaw squeaks in fear, making both Flintfang and Russetfang chuckle.
"No..they get out..they seem okay each time. Our side of the forest seem to be cover with it," Russetfang swishes her tail to the left where another Thunderpath laid, "That one is much more dangerous but it keeps the Thunders away,"
"Then..what's over there?" Beetlepaw mews.
"The mines..us Shadows are known for finding the most precious jewels and iron that all the Clans use," Flintfang looks down at the cinnamon brown and white tom, "You may be picked to be a miner in face..you're small enough that you can fit in places that cats like Blackfrost and even Timberstar couldn't fit in,"
"Being a miner is a great honor to us Shadows," Russetfang purrs, "The jewels and metals that we dig get us the needed material that our land doesn't grow or warm pelts that we can't make,"
Beetlepaw blinks at that and Flintfang could see the confusion in his blue eyes.
"Anyway you won't have to worry about any Thunderpaths..we usually use the tunnels that are underneath them to get across..when you go to a Gathering, don't mention it at all to the other Clans, its a ShadowClan secret,"
Beetlepaw nodded his head at Russetfang before the three walked on, sticking close to the curvy Thunderpath as the slopes and hills faded into the trees behind them, "You already know where the Carrionplace is, so we won't go there…so we'll start heading back.." Flintfang smiles as Beetlepaw runs on his little legs to catch up with Russetfang, happy that the little tom was no longer afraid.
Eventually they veered away from the Thunderpath and headed into another batch of tree. Darker shadows loomed ahead and Flintfang took a deep breath, "This is the Burial Ground..this is where we buried those who passed..those who died protecting their Clan or were called to the Mother.."
He tried to ignore the feeling of someone watching him, but Flintfang couldn't help but shudder. He never liked walking through the Burial Ground, even though many said that it was great place to hunt, some saying that the spirits of Ancestors, family and friends were helping bring this place.
"What's that?" Beetlepaw mews, pointing his nose to the left.
"That's the old Twoleg den..Moons and Moons ago, a Twoleg lived here..but now it's been abandoned. Marshnose comes here to collect Soak Leaves, which is definitely useful for not only Trades but also during Leafbare," Russetfang explained pointing to the plants that were climbing up the walls of the Twoleg Den, "and many more kind of herbs that he will use to heal our Clanmates grow here as well," Russetfang looks up to see the sun about to rise, "Come on, we're almost back to camp now..you can pick out a piece of fresh kill and find yourself a nest in the Apprentice Den," Russetfang states as they walked towards the thorn barrier, "I don't know about you but I'm hungry,"
"This..this is it?" Flintfang mutters as he stares down at the measly rat that was in the fresh-kill pile..This was ridiculous, they will starve before Leafbare comes around.
"Timberstar's elite took all the food," Flintfang looks up to see Deerpounce walking over to him, the gray and brown tom sitting down next to him, licking at his white chest, "It..it's so quiet isn't it?"
Flintfang knew what Deerpounce was talking about. When ShadowClan used to eat, they had always talked. He remembers being in the nursery and Hollyflower having to remind Fernshade, back then Fernkit to eat, she jabbered so much. But now..there was no sound beside the breaking of bones, or the cries of pain as kittens were trained too early.
Flintfang looks over to where Nutwhisker, Clawstripe, Blackfrost, Lizardstripe were sitting around with Timberstar. He blinks in shock at seeing Newtspeck laying beside the matted brown tabby, her black and ginger tail wrapped around his broken one.
"Yeah..shock me too..but Timberstar is courting Newtspeck," Deerpounce shrugs, "I mean..after the way some cats had treated her for having not name the Sire of her kits,"
"She allowed not to," Flintfang reminds him. But Deerpounce shrugs, making Flintfang shake his head. He looks over to the group, but his stomach churns at the thought of Newtspeck getting with Timberstar, "I thought she was finally getting over that stupid crush when she had her kits," he thinks to himself. But he couldn't fault her, even though Monarchs were allowed to not name the Sire of their kits, in ShadowClan many have the bad habit of saying that the Sire has to be a toy. Flintfang and his siblings had that thrown in their faces, Raggedstar and Scorchstrike as well..and now Littlepaw, Wavepaw and Ratpaw were having the same problem.
Flintfang jumps when Blackfrost suddenly appeared in font of him, "Flintfang, you're on the patrol for the kittens,"
Flintfang felt his mouth go dry, "Me..well.." he takes a step back, "What a great honor you..you gave me.." he look down which made Blackfrost snort.
"I know you don't like this..but this is for the greater good for all of ShadowClan..we need more Warriors.."
Flintfang sighs as he looks up when he feels a tail on his back. Turning his amber gaze to Deerpounce, he looks into the yellow eyes of his friend, "Just chill out my friend..with the way Timberstar fights..he'll hopefully lose all his lives,"
Flintfang chuckles, "Why do I think it's funny when you talk about our Leader's death?"
Deerpounce sits up, his tail going underneath Flintfang's jaw, "Cause you don't..you think I'm funny..or you think I'm cute," he purrs making Flintfang's ears burn.
"And now I'm outta here," Flintfang mutters, making Deerpounce almost drop to the ground, "Oh come on! You have to admit it was a good one!"
Flintfang rolls his eyes and walks over to where Nutwhisker, Lizardstripe, Wolfstep and Honeyberry waited.
Nutwhisker eyes him before he begins to talk, "So my group patrolled the Settlement and we found four kittens that will do well..three are too young but Brightflower has volunteer to to take them in..one is of age and is by himself..probably just got adopted by his twoleg, Honeyberry it will be your job to grab him..I will distract the mother of the three kittens while Flintfang, Wolfstep and Lizardstripe will grab the kittens…they will give hope and strength to the future of ShadowClan,"
While Flintfang, Wolfstep and Honeyberry mutter, Lizardstripe rolls her eyes as she pushes through the thorn tunnel, "Let get this fucking over with..I don't have time to kitsit for some fucking brats..I did enough of that with my own," she snarls in rage.
"Why in the Great Mother was she chosen to come on this mission," Honeyberry mutters, "She doesn't like kits at all..she'll probably scare them than comfort them,"
"She's just angry that she has to go on this patrol.." Wolfstep mutters, "She was out catching prey with Volepaw before the Dawn Patrol was even up and was hoping for a nap when Nutwhisker called her,"
"Is it me or is Nutwhisker always calling her?" Honeyberry mutters as they head into the forest. Once again there were no stars, the eyes of their Ancestors and the Eye of the Great Mother was blocked by the clouds that make up the Great Mother's spots. Their paws patter on the ground and Flintfang made a conscious effort to step lightly.
"You think he is trying to court her?" Flintfang asked in confusion, "I mean..sure her and Mudstep weren't..really official..but Lizardstripe definitely made sure everyone knew that the kits weren't planned and that she didn't want anymore.."
Wolfstep shrugs, "I don't really know what goes on in Nutwhisker's head..and I trained with him as an Apprentice,"
Flintfang straightens up when he hears a yowl of excitement and sees Ratpaw and Wavepaw hurling themselves over a branch. Rockclaw, Clawstrike, Spiketail along with Littlepaw was following them, moving more slowly. Rockclaw gives them an inquiring look as they pass and Flintfang just waves his tail at them.
When the harsh light of the Settlement appeared through the trees, Nutwhisker halted. Pointing his nose through the metal barrier, the Warriors gather could see a small light brown tom, mewing sadly at the Twoleg den. Flintfang couldn't help but wince at how small he looked, not because of his age..but because of the ribs he could see poking through the fur. Flintfang watches with his amber eyes as Nutwhisker nods his head at Honeyberry and she sighs, leaping over the fence.
The light brown tom turns to her and puffs his fur up, hissing and narrowing his green eyes at her. "Kit got some spunk for facing off Honeyberry without fear," Nutwhisker meows while Lizardtstripe snorts.
Honeyberry soon returned, carrying the small kit by the scruff. He blinked at them with curiosity in his green eyes as Honeyberry looked at Nutwhisker, "Take him back to camp. And tell Timberstar we will be coming back soon,"
Honeyberry narrows her eyes but soon she turns away and walks back into the shadows of the forest, gently purring to the small scrap hanging from her mouth.
"Come on..let's get this over with I would like to have some sleep this time today!" Lizardstripe growls, looking at Nutwhisker in annoyance. Nutwhisker just smiles and soon leads them along the fence.
Flintfang's belly lurched in dismay as they stop at the Twoleg Den that they he and Russetfang passed when showing Beetlepaw the territory. Looking through the metal fence, Flintfang could see the whilte molly laying in the grass, purring up a storm, having taken a break from caring for her kitten.
Nutwhisker kinked his tail before he leapt over the fence, launching himself at the molly. Said molly screeched in fright, trying to shove Nutwhisker off balance. Flintfang shakes his head before he follows Lizardstripe and Wolfstep over the fence. Hot shame filled him as he runs into the Twoleg Den, across their weird ground towards a basket.
Three kits laid snuggle against each other, all having the same white fur as their mother. One had longer fur than the others..two mollies and one tom..he watches as Lizardstripe and Wolfstep pick up the two mollies, Wolfstep more gently than Lizardstripe.
Closing his eyes in defeat, Flintfang gently picks up the white tom by the scruff and follows Wolfstep and Lizardstripe out of the den, "My kits! They're stealing my kits!" the mother screeches, her green eyes wide in anger and fear at the sight of her kits being taken. To Nutwhisker's surprise she kicks him in the belly with her back legs, sending stumbling to a tree stump. He tried to leap at her but he tripped over a tangle of tree roots and falls on one side.
Before Flintfang could climb up the fence he was tackled by the molly, screeching in rage as she bites into his shoulder. He yowls in pain, dropping the kit onto the ground by accident. The kit let out a loud shriek as he lands on the pile of rocks, one scratching him so badly it cut him from his belly to the tip of his ear.
The molly screeches in horror, "You hurt my baby! You hurt my baby!" she then yowls as Nutwhisker bites her hard on the scruff and pulling her off of him. Rearing up onto his hind legs, he bufflets his ears, sendung her crumpling to the ground. He turns to Flintfang and snarls.
"Grab the runt and get out of here!" Flintfang nods his head and gently grabs the wailing kit and climbs over the fence, Nutwhisker following him. His ears pin to the back of his head as the wails of the molly echo through the night.
Flintfang and Nutwhisker were the last to get into the camp, Brightflower was already cooing over the two mollies, introducing Mintkit to his new sisters as Flintfang ran to Marshnose's den. The small gray and white tom looked up as the scent of blood hit his nose, he walks over just as Flintfang slipped between the boulders that formed the entrance of the den and place the mewing kit on a nest made of moss and fur.
"Poor thing," Marshnose mutters as he gently turns the kitten onto his back, Flintfag couldn't help the grimace at the sight of the long cut, the blood soaking into the kitten's fur. Marshnose looks up to Flintfang, "What happened?"
"The mother didn't take too kindly of us taking her kits," disgust filled his whole body at what he had just done as he watched Marshnose pull out some Nimbus Petal and Lynx Roots. He watches as the Warlock chews them up, spitting the mixture onto his paws before placing it onto the kitten's wound.
"I'm not surprise..even though she is a toy..all mothers have the strength of Gwynata when protecting their kits," Flintfang looks up nervously to Marshnose as he begins to cover the wound with cobwebs, "the little one will be ok..but this wound will scar," he sighs, licking the little tom's ear to comfort him, "Can you tell Brightflower I'm going to keep this little one in the Healer Den to make sure this wound doesn't get infected?"
Flintfang nodded his head, swallowing dryly as he storms out of the Healer's den, feeling like the whole forest was spinning, brushing pass Deerpounce, who was waiting.
"Are..are you ok?" Deerpounce called, trotting after him. He shrugs as he headed over to the thorn bush that covered up the hollow that was the Nursery. Poking his head in, he nods his head to Darkflower, Ashpetal and Poppyheart, who both had their tails curled around their kits. He turns his head to Brightflower who looks up at him with her orange eyes, "Have you come in to see ShadowClan's newest kits? They're two moons old so I can give them names..this is Icekit and Frostkit,"
Flintfang swallows but he purrs, "Those are beautiful names..Marshnose told me to tell you that the tom is going to stay in the Healer's Den for a while..to make sure the wound heals right," Brightflower blinks at him and nods her head before nuzzling her two new kittens along with Mintkit. The little tom looked up at Flintfang in confusion but there was happiness in his green eyes.
"Mama told me they're my new siblings!" Mintkit mews in excitement, "And tha I..gotta protect them since they're younger…" he hisses a bit at Blossomkit and Swampkit who tried to get a closer look.
Flintfang couldn't help the chuckle at that but he exits the den. He blinks as the clearing seemed to be full of cats, growling at Volepaw who tried to ask him where he got the bite mark on his shoulder.
"Stuck up fur ball," Volepaw mutters to Nightpaw as Flintfang stalks off to the Warriors Den. He was about to enter and hoped to just sleep through the horrible feeling when Blackfrost stops in front of him.
"Leave me alone Blackfrost," he mutters and tries to push through but Blackfrost stops him.
"I'm worried for you Flintfang," Blackforst mutters, "You weren't badly hurt in the fight but I can tell that something is wrong,"
"You can tell huh?" Flintfang snaps, glaring his amber eyes into Blackfrost's blue gaze, "I'm surprised since you can't tell that all of this is wrong! I just stole kits from a mother..I will now be hearing her wails of grief for the rest of my life..we drove out a whole Clan from their territory..Badgerfang died because I couldn't say no! This is not the ShadowClan I vowed to protect!"
Blackfrost sighs, "I know this is hard..but this is the will of the Gods..Timberstar has been blessed by the Messengers of our Gods and his word is their word.,"
"Maybe he is listening wrong!" Flintfang takes a step back when Blackfrost glared at him.
"You will listen to your Leader, Flintfang..that is what makes us different from Rogues. WindClan deserved to be destroyed for the death of Raggedstar, Cloudbreeze and Marigoldkit.." Blackfrost sighs and shakes his head, "Once we have more territory and the other Clans understand our reason for driving out WindClan we will become less Warlike..we'll be able to welcome back our Elders..it just takes time..soon ShadowClan will be strong and the other Clans will leave us alone..you heard what they whisper about us..how the cold north winds freeze our hearts..how we don't belong here..Timberstar is trying to prove that those are lies..that we belong here..we must do everything to keep us strong. Our enemies are always working against us,"
"The enemies that you and Timberstar are making?" Flintfang thought to himself as he watches his brother walked back to Timberstar and his elites. He closes his eyes in grief..thinking of the wails as WindClan was chased out..the yowl of grief as he stole kits from the Toy mother..Badgerfang's blue eyes gazing at him, full of death..
"Some cats think you;ll be doing the Rite of Leadership,"
"Are you willing to learn that risk is quite rewarding?"
Opening his amber eyes, Flintfang looks around and he spots Russetfang sitting beside Rockclaw and Honeyberry. Standing up he walks over to them, "So I told Oakpaw to make a nest and talk to the other Apprentices..poor thing is so confused but I think he has potential once he gets some food in him," Honeyberry mews but stops when she sees Flintfang walking over.
"Hey you.." Russtefang blinks her green eyes, seeing a certain light shining in his amber gaze.
Flintfang's ears twitch making certain that none of Timberstar's followers were near, "What do you say..if I was planning to overthrow Timberstar," he mews quietly. Rockclaw blinks at him in shock while Honeyberry just stares at him, curling her bushy tail over her paws.
Russetfang smirks, sitting up, "Only just what change you mind?"
Flintfang sighs, "If I don't fight..who else will help ShadowClan..if I don't take the risk my spirit is weak..I could never go to Silverpelt and face Badgerfang if I don't do something about this..its time I show some courage and what it really means to be a ShadowClan Warrior…a cat that has been blessed by Cysgalis,"
Honeyberry stoods up, Flintfang could see the pain in her eyes and she nods her head, "So…what do we need to do?"
So I guess you already know who the white tom is but his sister Icekit is Whitewater and Frostkit is Snowbird..the little brown tom that they stole is oakfur now oakpaw and instead of being apprenticed to Wetfoot (wavepaw in this) he is mentor to Honeyberry..
Anyway I hope you all enjoy and please leave a a comment..please?
