Back with the next chapter! I tried to make this one longer, so if this is how long you would like them, I can keep them this way, or make them shorter, but have faster updates...? Tell me what you think!
Shortfur lay in the grass under a pine tree nibbling hungrily on a sparrow. She had been walking for four days on a mountain, without so much as a mouse, and the sparrow filled her aching belly wonderfully.
As she finished the prey, she got up and buried it, leaving only the feathers scattered around where she sat. Her stomach growled, showing she was still hungry, but she decided against hunting again and figured she could hunt later that night since the forest was filled to the brim with prey everywhere. She walked through the forest, enjoying the beauty she has never been able to see on the mountain.
As she walked, she realized how much easier Clan life would be, living in the forest instead of on a mountain, were no more than hawks, eagles, stray mice or small birds are found. Here, you can smell prey sent with every paw step you take.
As she walked, prey sent filling her nose, she decided that hunting now wouldn't hurt anything, saying that here you could take ten steps and be on top of a mouse.
She lifted her nose in the air, opening her mouth, senting for prey. A little farther ahead of her, she caught sight of a squirrel, stuffing a stray acorn into its mouth.
She got down into the hunters crouch, her tail streaming behind her, as she inched forward, making sure not to tread on any branches or leaves. She went left, attempting to get behind a tree so that the back of the squirrel was facing her. As she was nearing the tree, the squirrel dashed into the bushes next to it. Shortfur hissed in frustration but gave chase anyway.
Shortfur ran, dodging trees and bushes as she kept her eyes locked on the squirrel. She was gaining on it and was only a few mouse tails away until it shot up a tree. Shortfur, who thought that letting prey escape without trying to catch it was a sign of weakness, jumped up, clawing at the branch where the squirrel disappeared. Shortfur hauled herself up, balancing on the branch, and once again locked her eyes on the squirrel.
It was at the end of the branch, about a fox length away, looking straight at Shortfur, but not moving. Shortfur judged the distance between her and the prey, then with a flick of her tail jumped the distance and landed squarely on the squirrel, who tried to jump down from the branch, unbalancing Shortfur. With her claws still in the squirrel, Shortfur fell off the tree branch, twisting on the air and landing neatly on her back paws, throwing the squirrel in the air and catching it again then killed it with a swift bite to the neck.
She picked up the squirrel and walked over to a nearby bush, but stopped as a cat walked up behind her.
"Nice catch," The tom said, walking closer to her, not hiding the surprise in his voice. She turned on him, the fur on her neck bristling. "More than enough for one cat," He continued as she didn't say anything. Shortfur dropped her catch, glaring at the tom.
"If you want to eat, you can catch your own prey." She growled, tail lashing behind her. The toms eyes winded at her hostility.
"What's got your tail in a knot?" He asked, concern and laughter shining in his deep green eyes.
"Well, first off, I got kicked out of my Clan, then walked four days on a mountain with no prey, and met two flea brained tom who don't know how to keep their noses in their own business." She hissed, rage filling her green eyes. The tom laid his ears flat on his head, looking at his paws./p
"I'm sorry to hear that," he mumbled, looking back up, his eyes full of sorrow. Shortfur glared at him.
"I don't want your pity," She said evenly. She stared at the tom, now only noticing the scars on his flank, bold against his showing ribs. His fur, that was a dark yellow with brown paws and ears, looked dull as if it hadn't been cleaned in a long time.
Shortfur fought back the pity that tried to form in her throat and kept her glare even as her eyes scanned the tom. He noticed, hanging his head.
"What's your name?" Shortfur asked, now wondering his background. He looked up, a new look in his eyes.
"When I was a kit my mother had to get rid of me, but I remember her calling me Striker. But now, the cat's around here call me Declan" Shortfur flicked her tail, wanting to know more.
"Ok Declan, why do you have so many scars?" She asked, narrowing her eyes. His eyes flickered to his flank, sorrow showing in his eyes.
"Well, least to say, some of the cat's around these parts aren't the nicest about their territory. You learn that pretty quick." He said as he sat down, picking up his paw to wash it. Shortfur nodded.
I'm guessing that this is your territory?" She asked, looking around. Declan shook his head, bringing his paw back down from licking it.
"No, I only have to look after myself and claiming territory and defending it by myself would be too difficult, considering how the cat's around here are." He said sniffing the air. "Speaking of cats, you should get going soon, I can smell Milo and Smoky," Declan said, concern shining in his eyes.
"No, I think I'll stay here, I want to meet them." She said, a slight glint of hatred for the unknown cat's in her eyes. Declan shook his head, eyes giving away what he wished he could say.
He can't get rid of me if he tried. And, besides that, I'm dying to meet these cats. Shortfur thoughts were interrupted by heavy pawsteps in some bushes nearby.
"Smoky, do you smell that?" Shortfur strained her ears to listen to a deep and raspy voice of who she believed belonged to Milo.
"Yea, it smells like Declan and a she-cat. Let's go show them not to stray on our hunting grounds." Another voice, much deeper than the first sounded. Shortfur snorted as Declan lowered his ears as if he could block them out.
Shortfur twisted around to see an ash-grey and white tom pad out of a juniper berry bush, with a black and brown tom following. Shortfur looked them over, noticing the muscles under their pelt and how they were much larger compared to her.
"Look what we have here?" They ash grey one said, flicking his tail over at them. Declan cowered under the toms stare, but Shortfurs eyes didn't waver.
"What business do you have here?" Shortfur asked, still staring at the grey tom. He smirked, looking at the fat squirrel at her feet.
"I believe that that belongs to us." He said, eyes glancing back up to hers, avoiding her question.
"Oh, you mean this, fat, nice squirrel I caught?" Shortfur said rolling the prey with her paws, malice shining in her eyes. The brown and black tom nodded. Shortfur lifted an eyebrow then bent down and took a bite of her catch. She heard a surprised gasp from Declan and deep growls from Milo and Smoky.
"Who do you think you are, stealing prey from us?" Milo hissed through clenched teeth.
"Stealing? The only cat's stealing around here is you, trying to take the prey I caught!" Shortfur hissed after she finished the bite of juicy prey. The toms stared at her, shocked at being stood up to. She bent down and took the squirrel in her jaws and set it in front of Declan.
"Eat it." She told him as she tapped his head with his tail. He looked up at her, fear showing clear in his eyes as he looked from Shortfur to the furious toms. He feebly shook his head, not meeting Shortfurs blazing eyes.
"Do you want to be a coward for the rest of your life?" Shortfur hissed in Declan's ear. He looked up, shaking his head, words seemingly not forming. "Then take a bite, and stand up for yourself, I shouldn't have to do this for you." She said, voice calmer, but with an edge.
A growl rumble somewhere behind Shortfur. She turned around to see the two toms flexing their claws into the soft forest ground, glaring at Declan as he bent down to take a bite.
"Eat it and your crow food," Smoky growled before Declan took a bite.
"Learn to pick your battles," Declan said as he bent down to take a bite of the delicious squirrel. Milo let out a yowl and charge forward with heavy paws at Shortfur. She smirked as she easily dodged him to the left, landing a hard blow, claws unsheathed, as he flew by, only to fall in the claws of Declan who swiped the paws from underneath him, making him fall on his nose. Shortfurs ear twitched as she heard Smoky run up behind her. She turned around as he was a few tail-lengths away and waited for the heavy-set tom to charge right into her claws.
As expected, Smoky ran straight for Shorfur, hoping to use his weight as an advantage. She dodged him and spun around to land a few blows on his hindquarters. Smoky kicked up at Shortfur, but she expertly dodged his flailing paws and slithered underneath of him, throwing him sideways as he came crashing down from the missed kick.
He landed a few mouse lengths away, winded. Shortfur didn't hesitate as she ran over and dug her claws into his side. His paws flailed as he let out a painful cry. She retracted her claws out of his flesh only to sink them in his ear, shredding it into nothing, blood spilling from the now stub of what was an ear. He let out a yowl of pain, but rolled over and kicked up hard with his hind legs, finally connecting with the she-cat and sent her flying a fox tail away.
She twisted in the air and landed on her front paws, stepping as her back legs touched the ground. She turned around and saw Smoky staring at her. She stalked over, fur flat as she stared at him with hateful eyes.
"I think this battle is won. Go now, or I will kill you and your friend without a second thought." She hissed as she looked past to see Declan holding Milo down and looking over, a deep scratch above his eye bleeding down his face, blinding him.
"This is not over, do not ever think it is, because I have many more followers and they will track you down and kill you," Smoky growled, his voice scratchy.
"Ah, but this is over, and now I will make sure it is," Shortfur said evenly as she leaped forward, paws outstretched aimed at his throat. She tackled the tom before he could move and laid her claws on his throat.
"This will teach you to pick your battles." She whispered in his ear as she slowly dug her claws in his throat.
"No!" Shortfur heard Milo screech and looked over to see him flinging Declan off and charging at Shortfur. He collided into Shortfur's side before she could move, and the two went tumbling to the side. Shortfur let out a raged hiss and dislodged herself from Milo's claws.
He let out a heavy breath as Shortfur slammed her paws onto his stomach when he stopped rolling. He slashed out with false paws, connecting only to her ear, chipping the top. She let out a growl and swipe at his face, slicing his eyes, making blood drip into them, blinding him.
"Stop!" Milo cried, his voice pained. "Stop! I give in, just please don't kill me." He pleaded softly. Shortfurs ears twitched as she considered the toms cry for mercy.
"Why should I show mercy to someone who doesn't understand what that is?" She hissed, laying her claws on his neck. Milo whimpered, ears laying flat on his head.
"Then kill me, you ruthless beast." He hissed, not struggling to get out of her blood-stained claws. Shortfur pricked her ears as she heard a heavy set of paws from the side. She turned to see Smoky padding over, head hanging.
"If you do not kill me or Milo, I promise we will never hurt your again." He said looking up, pleading in his eyes. Shortfur narrowed her eyes.
p dir="ltr""Hurt me? You couldn't if you had five more of your mouse-brained followers with you!" The raged she-cat said, digging her claws into Milo's neck. "Your time is up. You have messed with the wrong cat today, and now all the cat's here will thank me for what I will do." She said as she dug her claws farther into Milo's neck. The brown and black tom let out a faint whisper, something Shortfur couldn't make out, as the blood pooled from his neck.
"You killed him…" Smoky said his voice tight with an unseen emotion as his weak voice trailed off.
"I did indeed, and now you will be going next." She hissed as she retracted her claws from dead cat's neck. She launched herself at him, tearing at his eyes as soon as she connected with the broad tom. He buckled under the weight he couldn't balance and fell on his side, Shortfurs claws already piercing his skin.
"You will pay for this!" Smoky's voice dripped with malice as the life ebbed away from him.
"Dead cats can't hurt the living." She hissed as she dug her claws into the black tom's neck, now stained with his blood. A gurgling growl left Smoky's throat as he took his last breath, eyes staring at Shortfur who paid no attention to the dead cat's, now focussed on Declan. He looked scared for his life, shaking in his pelt.
"You killed them." He said, the words new on his tongue. Shorfur nodded, already forgetting the two toms, whose blood was splattered all over her pelt and turned her claws red. She padded over to the squirrel that killed two cats, and picked it up and brought it over to Declan. He flinched as she neared, but she said nothing, instead dropping the prey next to his brown paws.
"Eat, I will come back shortly with more prey." She said as she raised her eyes to meet Declans. She turned around to go hunt.
"Shortfur." Declan called softly. She stopped but didn't turn around.
"Thank you," He said after a moment's hesitation.
"Anytime," She said as she headed into the forest.
XXXXXXXX
Shortfur crouched low as a finch fluttered down from a tree a few fox-lengths away. She slowly crept forward, paws light on the ground. Her tail that was streaming behind her flickered on a bush and made a slight crackle sound. The bird looked in her direction, then jumped into the air, wings spreading out.
Shortfur growled at her foolishness as she bolted forward at the bird. It was about a tail length off the ground as she pounced up snagging her front claws into the bird's outstretched wings. She came down neatly on her paws and slammed the bird on the ground, killing it.
She picked up her catch carefully as she padded back to where she stored her other prey. She had managed to catch two mice, three finches, including the one she just caught, and three water voles down at a stream she found.
She picked up her catch, laying some on her back as her mouth filled with prey. She made her way back to where she left Declan and the two dead toms.
As she entered the clearing she set her prey down and called his name softly. A slight rustle sounded ahead of her, and Declan padded out, a wad of moss hanging from his mouth. His eyes lit up as he scanned the prey, and he set his moss down and padded over.
"Good hunting, I suppose?" He inquired as he rolled a mouse under his paws.
"Excellent, actually." She answered. "Way better than in the mountains," She finished, a slight hint of sorrow flashed in her eyes but it was gone as soon as it came. "What are you doing?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Oh, I'm m-making nests, over in that b-bush." He stuttered, tail flicking over to the bush where Shotfur had originally wanted to sit to eat her squirrel. She nodded, amusement gleaming in her eyes and bent down to pick up the prey once more then walked over to the bush.
She dug a hole in the corner of inside the bush, which was more spacious than she first thought. In the back were two moss nests, lined with feathers. Declan had also covered the lining of the bush with moss to keep the cold out. He walked in and sat in the nest closest to the outside, giving Shortfur the nest closer to the middle of the bush.
"Preys over there," She said, flicking her tail over to the corner where she stored the prey. Declan flicked his ear, standing up to walk over to the prey hole.
"Want anything?" He asked picking out two mice for himself.
"Get me a mouse and vole." She finally said. He picked out the last mouse and vole and gently set it in front of her. She muttered a thanks as she starting eating the mouse.
"Why did you leave the mountains?" He suddenly blurted, ears laying flat on his head as if he wanted to take away the words.
"I killed two pieces of worthless mouse dung that I was supposed to call my Clanmates." She said evenly, going back to her mouse.
"Why?" Declan asked, now not able to keep his mouth shut. Shortfur shot him a glare but answered anyways.
"My mate cheated on me with an apprentice when I wanted to wait to have kits until after snowfall. I went crazy and I couldn't help myself. It's funny how some cats get with love, you know?" She said, finishing her mouse and moving on to her vole. Declan nodded and didn't push the subject any farther.
"They ate in a peaceful silence as the moon made its way into the sky, pushing the sun back.
"I'm going to go for a walk, I'll be back before high moon." Shortfur said, picking up her remains of prey and walking out of the bush, hearing a slight "ok" from Declan.
She walked by a tree and dug a hole to bury her prey in and set it in, covering it after. She walked straight, not caring where her paws led her.
Shortfur lifted her nose hoping she could find the scent of any prey but lowered it when she remembered the load she had just caught.
She soon broke the cover of the trees and found herself at a stream lit with moonlight. She stared at it, amazed at how beautiful it looked. The stars dances on it surface as the slight wind sent ripples through it.
She lifted her gaze, settling it on the other side of the stream, wherein the distance, you could see the mountains. She felt her chest get tight as she tried not to think about what she had done, but closed her eyes with no luck as her mind sent her spinning back to her unwanted memory.
Shortfur padded out of her cave, claws scraping the hard rock as she walked over to the apprentices clearing at the top of the mountain. She jumped up the rocks that led to the top, paws easily gripping the rock with mastered perfection. As she made it to the top, she scanned the moss lined floor for the familiar dark red, black and white pelt of Redpaw.
She crept over, making sure to step lightly to ensure she didn't wake up any of the apprentices and stopped next to Redpaw, who had made her nest in the far corner of the cave.
"Redpaw, wake up!" She said, trying to keep her rage out of her mew. The apprentice sturred, one golden and one amber eye, opened at the call of her name
"Shortfur? What would you like?" Redpaw said, unaware of the hatred she had brewed in the yellow and grey she-cat.
"I'm going for a walk and wondered if you would like to come," Shortfur said, meeting her mitch matched eyes with her brilliant green ones, blinded with unseen hatred. Redpaws eyes lit up, and she carefully got to her paws, making sure not to make any noise. Shortfur smiled, showing her perfectly white fangs to the apprentice as she made her way to Shortfurs side.
The two jumped down to the main floor of the cave and walked out past the waterfall, the cold water seeping into their pelt as they made their way into the frosty air. They padded to the far side of the mountain that led to the mere forest area in which they caught most of their prey.
As they made their way farther away from the caves, Shortfur's anger brewed over and it was all that she could do to not stop and kill her right there on the spot. As soon as Shortfur knew they were far out of earshot from the caves, she turned on Redpaw with a furious hiss.
"Who do you think you are, stealing my mate?" She growled lips pulled back in a snarl. The small apprentice was taken aback, recoiling from the raged she-cat.
"W-what do y-your mean? I-I-no- Ashfeather and me- Were not-" She said, stumbling on her words.
"Don't think I don't know what's going on between your two!" Shortfur sneered, laying her ears flat on her head. "And you are going to pay," She said, narrowing her eyes as she jumped for the small apprentice's throat.
"Stop!" Redpaw screeched as she was tackled, Shortfurs fangs inches away from her neck. "I-I promise we w-will stop, j-just ple-p-please don't kill m-me," She pleaded, regret showing in her eyes.
"You can't change what you have done, and I can't change my mind," Shortfur said evenly, taking no mind to Redpaws pleads.
Shortfur lunged forward, taking Redpaws neck in her mouth, sinking her fangs into her soft flesh.
Shortfur was thrown out of her memory as the bushes across the stream quivered, opening up to show a grey she-cat with yellow patches.
"Shortfur!" She screeched, hopping over the stream.
Ha, you thought I was going to tell everything that happened? Ah, not quite yet, or that will ruin the whole story! -Annndd now I have you confused :)- I try to update again within the next two weeks, but I'm starting school next week, so I don't know when I will be able to get the time to write so sorry if I don't update for a while.
Oh, and thanks Tocotoucan for favoriting my story! And, thank you Dappledleafthebootieful for your reviews! The support really means a lot :)
~Duskpool