Every instinct, every scrap of logic, every hair on her body, had been constantly yowling at her, to keep away. To just stay away, that's all she needed to do and it was sealed deal. That piece of filth would be out of her life forever. Yet, she just couldn't. Every whiff of his rotten scent or a glimpse from distance gave Mapleshade a dreadful, painful reminder Bloomheart was still out there. Still breathing, still alive. And Mapleshade couldn't allow that. Every step he was allowed to take, was another injustice. He had to die, he deserved to die. Which would be happening tonight.
She'd absorbed his every movement since he'd left her with her father's killer. Seemly starting to set up a routine, his scent trail would linger up here every other day, mingled with another Thunderclan scent. Obviously, that of his son, the newly named, Nettlebreeze. Even exile couldn't keep the father and son apart. Using this rocky wasteland as their secret meeting place.
The limp Shykit dangled from her jaws like a dead rat, barely breathing as the ferns brushed against them while they moved silently past them. Without milk or rest, the kit had completely collapsed. What made it worse, every few heartbeats or so, Mapleshade thought she could make out the slight noise of a weak cough. White or greencough. Curse the Leafbare weather. If Reedshine had just given birth to the maggot earlier, she wouldn't be having those unnecessary problems. Not that it mattered too much. All she needed to do was the same thing as Patchpaw, ambush another Medicine cat at highstones and force them to treat the useless lump. Maybe she could give the Riverclan Medicine cat, Echopaw- if that was still her name, a visit. A sick warmth tingling through her matted fur, at thought of getting revenge on that little snitch. Just like her friend, Ravenwing.
A purr of satisfaction tumbled in her raw throat as the echo of a raging river meets the hollow carven of her ears. The Gorge River. Vicious waves slapping against the rocky cliffs with a furious hiss and an explosion of foam. Climbing up a cluster of steep boulders, only a few scrawny weeds and scrubs could grow amongst the cracks of the barren sloping cliff slide. Hardly a sign of life. Just falling short of Thunderclan's lush forest of oaks, teeming with plump prey.
Usually, no Thunderclan cat would have any reason to journey to this isolated corner of the borders. But the cats' scents that lingered around here like ghosts of the past, had very good reason to come here. After the wearing climb to the top, through the field of jagged stone teeth, Mapleshade made out a distant tree line, the beginning of Thunderclan territory. Despite it being unlucky for any patrolling warriors to spot her from this distance, Mapleshade descended down the hillside again, in search of a place to hide.
With the bursting torrent far below her, Mapleshade perched herself on a nearby ledge, narrowly avoiding the cliff's peak. Roughly dropping Shykit onto the bare rock, Mapleshade tucked her paws in for the possibly long wait. Forcing herself to constantly keep her senses as sharp as claws, struggling not to let her mind wander with the drifting clouds soaring high above. Though surprisingly, she wasn't forced to wait long, her prey already arriving.
She strained her neck, when she noticed the silhouette of bright orange tom, almost glowing gold, his figures washed out by the blinding sun. Standing tall, Nettlebreeze, barely a warrior, gazed at the rampaging waters from a protruding ridge. A gale echoing in the narrow valley, blasted Thunderclan scent into her face. Pressing herself against the stone to remain concealed, Mapleshade quietly grasped Shykit by the scruff, sliding up the sloop on her belly, like a slivering snake, never keeping her eyes off the ginger tom for a moment. One advantage of Shykit's sickness, meant the kit would shut up for once, ensuring she couldn't give Mapleshade's position away.
Gradually, she crawled onto the moss-covered peak, now able to the Thunderclan cat clear as snow in a green forest. Nettlebreeze, sitting peacefully with a fluffy tail settle around his paws, blissfully enjoying the wind as it ruffled his thick fur. Holding her breath, Mapleshade slipped behind a pile of pebbles, peering around it's crusty corners, Nettlebreeze still remained idle like a frozen tree. Mousebrain. Carefully, she swerved past the pebbles, spreading out her toes on each paw, making each paw step was as silent as motionless eerily night. Now just a few fox-lengths away. Lowering her head, Shykit's dangling legs began scraping against the hard ground. So laying Shykit down, shoving her behind her with her back leg, Mapleshade rose from her crouch, withdrawing her claws and teeth.
"Turn and face me!", Mapleshade challenged, corning Nettlebreeze on his narrow platform.
Instantly, the young tom twisted round to face his opponent, ears sticking up in shock. "Y-you shouldn't be here.", he stuttered, unable to find the proper words. His attention swiftly swerved to the insect wriggling on the bare stone behind Mapleshade, letting off soft yet weak mews. "Who that kitten?", Nettlebreeze questioned hurriedly, narrowing his eyelids to slits.
Mapleshade only chuffed with amusement, "She's mine.". Though it was clear as daylight that the Thunderclan warrior was unconvinced yet utter nothing, instead of lowering his head and tail, watching suspiciously. His lean muscles twitching uneasily.
Time dragged on and somehow, still, Mapleshade stood there, free of blood or injury. "What's wrong with you?", she accused, disgusted, "I murdered your mother! You should be killing me right now!". She just couldn't understand, it would be like Larchpaw not going to avenge if she'd ever be slain by the claws of the enemy.
Mapleshade took a step closer, spitting, forcing Nettlebreeze a step back, closer to the edge and a watery grave. Briefly, Nettlebreeze's deep blue eyes glared with anger like boiling water and tail swang like a low hanging branch, but was quickly replaced with infuriating signs of pity. Then he slowly shook his head, "I'm not fighting a sick cat.", he meowed calmly. "I'm not sick!", she growled. His expression then shifted to something unreadable. Then he went for a blow that hit Mapleshade right at the core, "You know after my Mum was killed, Tulipfur actually come up to me and apologized. She says wasn't angry at you, Mapleshade. Only disappointed in herself, that she couldn't save her own daughter.".
Mapleshade snapped like she was the one cornered, pelt spiking up like a field of pine needles. Fury pulsing through her veins. She backed up, straining her muscles, about to lunge forward. Though Nettlebreeze quickly reacted, spreading his paws evenly apart, into a defensive position, preparing himself for her imminent attack. At least he wasn't incompetent. Yet, she wasn't even able to lift off the ground, before the racketing of nimble paws against a stone, filled her senses. Then there a flash of brown as Bloomheart crashed into her. For a heartbeat, she'd thought she'd turn deaf as Bloomheart screeched like a bat directly into her ears, "We had a deal!".
The world span as they rolled, but Bloomheart managed to plant his foot on her stomach, finally gaining control and forcing her to the ground. "I couldn't care less about your pathetic deal!", Mapleshade spat up at him hatefully as he clawed at her face. Strangely, Bloomheart deceased with the contrast scratching, just staring at her blankly. He rose his head, hissing bitterly, "I don't understand- after everything I've done for you-"
"Done for me?!", Mapleshade interrupted, meeting his pale gaze, "Trying to killing my kits? Oh, that's is rich, Bloomheart. Just rich.". From afar, Nettlebreeze nervously circled the two struggling cats, his whiskers twitching.
Without Bloomheart responding, Mapleshade gave a wicked grin, exposing razor teeth, ready of ripping his flesh, "It's like we agreed, Bloomheart.", she taunted, "I went after your kit, so you can go after mine.". Arching her ears, she used them to point out the tiny bundle of Shykit, tightened up into a ball. That whining lump would die soon anyway of starvation or sickness, whichever came first. No Queen could grow attached to a kit who was gone so quickly. At least Reedshine had extra kits she could start over with.
Instead of instantly going for Shykit as she expected, Bloomheart just stretched out without releasing Mapleshade, sending the kit rolling down the rocks with a single kick, as if she was crowfood. "As I care about that hairball!", he dryly retorted, returning his attention to Mapleshade. "Hey!", Nettlebreeze exclaimed somewhere out of her line of vision. Then he came into a frame as he sped after the rumbling kit, hasty catching her between his forepaws, letting her flop against his fur, breathless.
She let off horrid gurgling noises as Bloomheart pressed his paw hard into her windpipe, choking her. "I'm not going through loops to get revenge on you, Mapleshade. I should've realised it sooner. You can't torture a cat who doesn't care anymore. The only thing that matters now, is killing you directly. You can't hurt anyone else as a lifeless corpse."
Mapleshade stared up at him, baring her long fangs. Bloomheart's words didn't stink in and she intended it to keep it that way. There was no way she was going to sympathise with her traitorous mentor. She refused to! Letting off a sigh, Bloomheart's expression was as bleak as a vast empty landscape rotting during leafbare, "To think I once your proud mentor. You really are a lost cause.", he mumbled, "Nettlebreeze- Let's finish her!".
Behind him, Nettlebreeze stayed firmly rooted to the floor like one of the stubborn weeds the grew there, shaking his head, "But you promised you wouldn't kill anymore.".
Seeing that they were on the verge of an argument, Mapleshade attempted to use it as an opportunity to escape, twisting round under Bloomheart's weight, reaching out to his leg with her fangs. However, Bloomheart didn't even need to glance at her to sense it, gripping her head and slamming it into the floor, casually continuing the conversation with Nettlebreeze. She snorted under the pain. She was stronger than this!
"But this is too good- Please, son.", Bloomheart begged from above her, "This is the only way to end this. Once she's dead, this nightmare can finally be over.". In defiance, Nettlebreeze wrapped his fluffy ginger tail over the kit, tightening his grip and shuffling back. Giving his father the cold shoulder. "Fine, do what you want.", he huffed, "But I won't be a part of it. At least one of us should try to remain an honourable warrior".
The pain seemed to strike Bloomheart emotionally, his eyes flashing, "Forget honour. Forget the code. Those things are worthless now.", he explained, "Nettlebreeze- We both know I won't be joining you or your mother in Starclan. Those are our last few seasons together. So let Dawnfeather rest in peace, knowing her son has avenged her. And if not her- do it for me.".
Yet, Nettlebreeze wouldn't even acknowledge his existence.
"Be that way.", Bloomheart scoffed, an edge in his voice, "If you want to disappointment to me and your mother, that's your choice.".
With that, Bloomheart raised his paw high into the air, about to bring it down. Mapleshade felt like everything was caving in, her mind, her memories, her goals, at the face of death! She couldn't die here, not to his wretched claws! Suddenly, she began wildly kicking out at his belly and striking her front paws against his chest. Somehow, he didn't show a hint of pain, still bringing his claws down for the killing blow at an alarming rate, aiming for her exposed throat. It all a blur. Starclan help me!
Out of nowhere, there comes an enraged yowl from the distance, echoing amongst the deep valley and towering cliffs. Both Nettlebreeze's and Bloomheart's pelts ruffed like hedgehogs quills, as a small group of cats rushed towards, Mapleshade unable to tell who from her angel while pinned down. Steadily, Nettlebreeze retreated towards Bloomheart, dragging Shykit with him, their flanks brushes as they firmly stood side by side like a barrier. Just as newcomers clambered up the sloop into view, Mapleshade gasped in utter horror. With: Patchpaw, Appledusk, Petal and Myler ran up in a long stream of pelts.
Grief struck her as Patchpaw's pain-stricken gaze meet hers. Desperately, Mapleshade wanted to cry out to them, but the ground kept on being driven against her jaw, Bloomheart sealing it shut. The four cats pressed tightly together as they lined up in a flat rank, trapping their opponents onto the ledge. The kits protected in the centre. Either trembling, utterly terrified or burning with pure hatred. Everything was still and quiet, only the faint tumbling of growls breaking their silence, yet unable to form proper words. How could they? Faced with those cats that either ruined their lives or tried to kill them. "You!", Petal exclaimed towards Bloomheart, spitting, finally shaking the unmoving atmosphere.
Bloomheart stared at his victim, the kit he'd stared for life physically and mentally, and after awhile blinked several times with curiosity, "You're eye.", he absorbed the crusty green leaf over her face. Turning to look down at Mapleshade, his whiskers then twitched with amusement, "You did that to her, didn't you? You're own daughter.". Next, giving Petal a mocking purr, "So how does it feel, Petalkit? To have your eye ripped out by Mapleshade's claw? Certainly isn't pleasant, it is?.".
Hearing that, Appledusk let off an angered battle cry, lunging towards Bloomheart. However, Patchpaw and Myler rushed forward, using their own bodies to form a wall, blocking him. "Dad- don't.", Patchpaw warned. Appledusk swallowed back his anger. This was not a situation to be careless with, with his kit under the claws of the enemy, he had to tread carefully with every word and every action. A single hair out of place could mean the difference between life and death for his daughter and for Mapleshade. Clearly, struggling to hold back his fear, Myler stood squarely to the two toms, "Enough. The kit, that's all we seek. Hand her to us and we'll be on our way.".
Though from above her, Mapleshade heard Bloomheart sneer, "And who are you, kittypet?", glancing at Myler's thick dull brown collar, like strangling vine, "Clan business is far beyond you.". Appledusk bragged past ginger kit and the black loner, approaching the pair of Thunderclan cats. Nettlebreeze's fur bristled, but Appledusk ignored him, including Mapleshade, going nose to nose with the siamese cat instead, Bloomheart taller but Appledusk buckler. "Give me the kit.", he ordered with a harsh tone, his patience being pushed to its limits.
The father and son shared a glance, Nettlebreeze tightening his grip on Shykit, resting against his paws. "And Why should I?", Nettlebreeze questioned, "What makes you any better then Mapleshade?". I'm nothing like that fish-face! She thought bitterly, still unable to speak. As far as Nettlebreeze was concerned, blinded by the bias of Thunderclan, Appledusk was nothing but the murderer of Birchface and Flowerpaw.
"Because that kit-", Appledusk mewed quietly, "Is mine and Reedshine's daughter. The daughter that Mapleshade kidnapped from the Riverclan camp after she lured foxes to it. We're here to return her home.".
Nettlebreeze searched for his father's wisdom, "Should we?", he asked, tail gently swaying. After a pause, Bloomheart shrugged, "She's no use to us. Let them.". With that, Nettlebreeze nodded, grasping Shykit by the scruff, meeting Appledusk mid-way, dropping her onto the floor before ducking away while the cream cat leaned forward, taking her. Shykit flinched in her father's grip, unsure what was happening. Her heartbeat quicked so much, it pounded as if a deer's hoof was kicking at her ribs. No! Beginning to wildly thrash like stubborn prey, trying to get free. Yet, Bloomheart simply needed to dig his claws into Mapleshade unhealing gushes, causing a surge of agony. Again, Mapleshade's head was flat against the stone, mute. Let me talk! She screamed out in her head.
For the longest time, no one bared move, confusion on what to do next. Here stood Mapleshade, their abusive mother and Bloomheart, their attempted murderer. Were they really just going to let them go? Apparently, Appledusk and Myler seemed to think so, as they reluctantly gathered up the littermates with a sweep of their tails, trying to slowly guild them away, clear force in their movements. Don't leave me with those foxhearts! Patchpaw hesitantly followed, his eyes not leaving his pinned mother, yet unlike her brother, Petal refused to move.
"So we're just meant to leave them?", she exclaimed in disbelief. Hurriedly, Appledusk stepped in front of her, trying to nudge her away with his shoulder, before she could provoke Bloomheart to attack. Trying to explain to his rebellious kit, "Shykit's safety is more important. We're got her now, we can't risk any more conflict.".
Though Petal still wouldn't accept it, lashing her pale tail, " If we let Mapleshade go, there's nothing stopping her from just doing again.", she pointed out, hissing, "As long as she's out there, none of your kits will be safe.". It felt as if a wave of frost was spreading across her insides, hearing Petal's chilling words. What did she plan to do exactly? Her own daughter wouldn't actually-
Bloomheart's vile words broke into Mapleshade's storm of dark thought, remarking slyly like a fox, "I can personally ensure you, Petalkit, You're Mother won't be bothering you, because she'll be dead.". Instantly Mapleshade reacted, straining her muscles, feeling them tear under her pelt, gathering every remain of strength she still had. In the past, she could always rely on her inner survival instincts, to push her body beyond natural levels, until it was on the verge of breaking. But this time- this time it wasn't enough. She couldn't break free. The dreaded thoughts drained away into a pit, to replace it with an emptiness, a strange numbness. She just kept lying there.
Disgusted, they would speak about whether to kill her or not, so leniently while she was right there, listening to every word, as if she was nothing but an ant. Though, Petal gave her no notice, her focus solely on Bloomheart. Don't let him do this to me! Mapleshade begged helplessly to Petal, trying to stare at her.
Luckily, Patchpaw instantly rushed to his mother's aid, his ears arched back, "You're not killing my Mum!". From her littermate's side, Petal added onto Patchpaw's comment, edged with a hiss, "And I can say the exact same about you, Bloomheart. You can't be left just to roam free either.", she retorted, nerves gripped her, making her legs as frail as leaves as she faced her worst nightmare.
Briefly, Bloomheart seemed to be taken back by the kits' spirits, but it was quickly replaced with an amused chuckle, "Trust me, I have no interest in killing you anymore. It's only Mapleshade, I want. In fact, Why don't we just do it now?". No! Mapleshade silently screamed out, trying to wriggle away, get no matter what she did, she couldn't escape Bloomheart's grip. Nor, could call out for help, as her mouth failed to edge open against the floor. Even if she could, Mapleshade wasn't sure her family would notice her pathetic pleads for mercy.
Next to him, Nettlebreeze spat in his face from revolution, "Don't make them watch!". Calmly, Bloomheart flinched away from him and addressed his concerns, "Why wouldn't they want to watch? Mapleshade ruined their lives more than anyone!".
"You sick rouge!", Nettlebreeze snarled with hatred as his Bloomheart wasn't even his father.
Out of nowhere, the warrior's head snapped forward like a broken branch, latching his jaw around the grey tom. Despite being taller and heavier, in a great display of strength, Nettlebreeze hauled Bloomheart away. His overwhelming weight was rippled from Mapleshade, the piercing pressure lifted, now able to breathe, gasping to fill her lungs.
Bloomheart skidded across the ground, barely able to get control in time as his claws scraped against the smooth wet stone, narrowing missing the edge, which leads to the watery depths.
Now free, all instincts took over, her lust for revenge suddenly rediscovered. Turning on Appledusk who held Shykit, who stared at her in shock. "Shykit belongs to me!", she yowled, pouncing like a Leopardclan warrior. In mid-air, Mapleshade felt sharp fangs dig deep into her scruff, as Nettlebreeze threw her towards the stumbling Bloomheart. Wind struck her face as she flew, dangerously close towards the gorge river. They landed painfully in a tough heap, unable to untangle themselves from flailing legs and lashing tails. "Mama!", Shykit's cries hit Mapleshade's ears. Trying to get away, Bloomheart held her down in response, taken over by blood thirst, wild like a savage beast.
"Get off of me!", she snarled at Bloomheart as she tried twisting out of his grip, slashing his muzzle. Planting her paws onto the ground, just as she was about to break away, she instantly froze. The loud gushing of water, now suddenly apparent.
Petal and Nettlebreeze stood directly in front of them, but their expressions were- different. Something darkened in their young eyes like a corrupting haze. Without needing to utter anything, they shared a glance, neutral understanding washing over them.
With a single nod, Mapleshade's entire world comes crashing down. They wouldn't-
Abruptly, with the speed of a deer, they charged forward, in less than the blink of the eye. Bloomheart and Mapleshade were powerless to do anything, as they were rammed into, knocked off the side of the cliff. How could her own daughter kill her?!
Air swirled around, Mapleshade left weightless, almost felt as if she had wings, yet of course, Starclan would grant her no such luxury. Finding herself drifting away from Bloomheart, as he screamed, mixed terror and anger, filling her skull. The last sound she ever hears. Wildly she twisted and span as she fell an increasing speed, trying to guild herself to the rock face- Maybe to grab onto it and save herself. But it was hopeless.
Before Mapleshade knew it, she slammed onto river's surface, with a massive crush with an explosion of foam.
The depths rapidly swallowed her under. Weighed down by the river sulking into her bones, like carrying boulders.
Flailing, twisting, turning, spinning.
Swift currents instantly grabbed her, trashing her from side to side, pain in every point in her body. No idea which direction it was taking her.
From the corners of her blurry vision, she catches a flicker of wild movements from above. Bloomheart fighting for his life against the watery demon.
Rapidly they were separated, as he was sucked down into the shadowy river floor, terrified.
Gasping, straining, tightening, choking.
Forcing her blazing amber eyes open, all directions were just gloomy murk, an empty blue void.
Unexpectedly, Bloomheart emerged from the darkness, thrown upwards, crushing into her. Using everything in her not to open her mouth to cry out in pain.
As soon as he arrived, Bloomheart was gone, out of sight.
A sudden spark of hope, when the flaring sun broke through the surface, high above, sending dim beams down, breaking up the blackness.
Closing her eyes again as the salty sting overwhelmed her, she kicked out against nothing, like a flailing fish, reaching out.
Overwhelming, hopeless, defenceless, nothingness.
But the cruel river didn't care, instead of edging up, she dragged down by an arm formed of shadows, a storm of bubbles like fireflies, dancing around her, mocking her.
Then, in her final moments, Mapleshade got one final betray, herself. With her lunges on the verge of bursting, aching with unbearable torture.
Defenceless to do anything as her mouth slipped open, in an effect to breath one final time. But there was no air to breathe.
Instantly, dirty water forced it's way down her throat, feeling it borrow down into her lunges and stomach.
Draining, Dimming, Dying.
Adding to her weight, heavier and heavier, sickening, further and further.
Until, all she felt inside her was water, consuming her insides. Now drifting aimlessly, as a purple fog edged over her vision.
Strange numbness coming over her.
Not fear, not sadness, only emptiness.
She was hollow now, all her organs now flushed out.
Letting the George river claim, letting herself sink like a pebble, into the vast deep.
And the unknown.