Sorry it took forever! I take a bit of a long time to update. Thankies to Florence Pinky-poo, my beta, and all of the people that reveiwed me so far. Three chapters and like, ten reveiws! 3

Web of Lost

Chapter Four

Persuasive

A small shape padded through the foliage, sunlight danced through the green canopy on her black pelt. Just because she had claws didn't mean she couldn't watch her friends play fight. She knew she was just teasing herself, but the days were so boring and long now, the least she could do was stand in the crowds. Her paws felt heavy against the twigs and long grass the carpeted the flloor of the backwoods.

How pathetic, Laney thought darkly to herself. I used to be the best, now I'm a reject.

It was rather easy to get out of the yard by her, and even if it wasn't her Housefolk would probably let her out anyway. All she had to do was sneak through the wooden fence, and that was relatively simple as the gaps between the planks of would were quite large. The sun found its way through gaps in the trees, and since black attracts heat you can believe that Laney was uncomfortable. Her pink collar did nothing in delivering her from the discomfort.

For a few seconds Laney imagined herself; a wild cat in the forest, stalking prey for her family. She was strong and vicious and feared. She wouldn't be pushed around by those less in power than herself. She could be strong, and hold true to her words. It was then that she realized someone was following her, and stopped moving.

Her heart froze.

She tried to sniff the air. She was terrible with scents; it was one of her weaknesses. And it certainly didn't help that she was in a rather foresty area.

"Velvet?" she tested. Her old friend had habit of sneaking up on her, but she hadn't seen the orange and white she-cat since the Operation.

A twig snapped. Behind her a lithe brown she-cat snuck out of the green bushes. In this close contact Laney could tell that this strange cat was from the forest, as her pelt stunk of ferns and trees. This cat seemed vicious, and all of the stories of Clan cats that were passed through the town ran through Laney's head. Did they really eat bones? And kill Housecats? Laney shivered.

"Wh-who are you?" she could barely mew. She felt like the smallest cat in the world, with large vicious cats and huge trees that swallowed her up. The brown tabby eyed her; a skeptical look was painted on her face.

"My name is Web. As you have probably guessed, I come from the forest," Web stated, trying to put on a friendly mask.

Laney stepped back, her eyes slammed shut, bracing herself for pain, and finally, death. "My name is Laney. If you're going to kill me, I would appreciate it if you'd hurry up," she squeaked.

Web did her best impression of a chuckle. "I'm not going to eat you, dear. I was just wondering if we could chat. I haven't talked with another cat in a long time." The sweetness in her own voice made Web sick.

"I dunno…." Laney trailed off, trying to calculate how she could get out of this situation alive. She could run under the the large she-cat. Or jump over her. No, scratch that. Her best chance would be to dart through the small ferns. It was a bit of a dead end from there.

"I promise I won't hurt you, love. You see, you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. I loved a good fight as well. And do you know who you remind me of even more?" Web hissed, trying not to let her excitement show. Years of tricking the innocent and not-so were really beginning to pay off. Laney's yellow eyes avoided Web's pale green ones. The little cat was no doubt trying to find a way to escape.

"Who…?" Despite her best efforts, the little black she-cat was curious. Besides, she couldn't lose the forest cat through the bushes, and where would she go if she could? The only way she could get back home was to stray on the road, or come back through the backwoods later.

"Why, my own daughter, of course." The tabby cat tried her best to make it seem like it was painful just to remember her non-existent daughter. Web thought she was doing a good job, she was nearly convinced she lost a child herself. The little black cat with so much potential's eyes stopped darted around nervously. That was good. They were definitely making progress.

"What happened to your daughter?" Laney asked, sitting down. It didn't seem like this strange cat would want to hurt her, and who really wanted to watch a bunch of inexperienced cats play-fight with each other, anyway?

"Oh, the Clans got her. They also got my mate." A rather real feeling of sorrow steam-rolled Web. She hadn't thought about Dark much, after she started killing. In an attempt to keep her mind off her long dead companion, Web tried to focus on Laney. She was sitting down, obviously showing a sign she was nearly at ease, or at the very least, a little comfortable. Maybe even trusting. This little cat was very, very gullible.

"Oh! I'm sorry!" Laney felt awkward. She was never good in situations like these, and this cat seemed pretty down. Pity began to develop at the pit of Laney's stomach.

"Laney, child, can I tell you something?" Web looked up, a sick gleam of happiness in her eye. Was she really going to go through with this? Yes, yes she was. A strange feeling of pride and regret began to tingle up Web's spine. She liked it.

"What is it?" she asked, puzzled. On a second thought, curiosity was probably getting the best of her. All the tales and warning she had heard from elder cats about perverted and sick felines who wanted to take advantage of younger ones, had disappeared for now.

"I had two kittens. And you're one of them." Her plan was so brilliant, how could it not work? Young Laney would be so caught up in trying too get to know her, she'll be completely blind to what'll be happening. Web felt like she was on top of the world. At this rate, the Clans would have two killers to fear.

Laney felt dumbfounded. Was what this cat saying true, or was she just insane? A shiver went up Laney's spine. "Wh-what?" she stuttered. The small black cat took a step back, and found it hard to keep herself stable. The world was spinning.

"The Clan cats killed your sister and father. I was able to protect you, but the No-fur's took you. I understand if you don't want to come home with your mother, since you seem settled in with your… your… new family," Web choked, looking down. She had to keep herself under control, or else she was sure her victory yowl would give her away.

Laney stared at Web. What was she see thinking? Was she seriously thinking that she could live in the forest with this… cat?! No. This cat was her mother, right? Right? "I'd love to, but I can't. You see, if I left I would break the Housefolk kit's hearts," she choked. Had she really known her real mother? Could she remember her real mother? Laney searched her thoughts a memories. She remembered nothing. She studied Web. Could this cat be told to be her mother? Maybe it was her last litter. Or her first and last.

"Do you really think they love you? They'll just give you up. You have no friends here. In the forest you'll have me. I can teach you the ways of the forest, and we can take revenge on the Clans for what they did to us!" Web hissed. I'm coming on too strong, she thought. But little Laney was actually believing the lies. Web twitched in a spasm of sick glee.

"Would my Housefolk really do that?" Laney wondered out loud. Lately, the kit had been a little reluctant when playing with her. And Laney had accidentally clawed her; it was just so hard not to when she couldn't fight with the other cats. And it did seem like the female kit was the only one that liked her. The male kit pulled her tale, and the older Housefolk yelled at her for rubbing against their legs, or sleeping on the couch.

"Of course they would. They'd do that and so much more. They might give you away if claw the kit again. Don't you want to catch a mouse, just to see what they taste like?" But who would ever choose mouse over kitten, Web thought sinisterly.

"I guess…" Laney looked with sad eyes back toward her home. "Okay. I'll come with you. But can I just have a night with them?" she pleaded. She couldn't believe she was doing this. But if what Web said was true and if her Housefolk would stop playing with her… she'd have nothing to do with herself.

Web couldn't help but purr deeply. "I'll be back here tomorrow at this time. If you aren't here I'll know you didn't have enough back bone to join me," Web hissed, before galloping off into the forest. She really hadn't expected it to be this easy and hoped that little Laney would show. Stupid cat. She ate the story right out of Web's paw.

The only problem now would be getting Laney to accept what she's agreed to. But that wouldn't be too hard, besides, Web longed to see a ruby red splatter of blood against Laney's jet black fur.