Okay I had TONS of messages (and reviews!) requesting that I continue this story. So many that I had to write up chapter two - In the middle of my hiatus, midterms, life issues, trying to get a Halloween costume and a family visit. Haha! XD So here you go, I hope you enjoy chapter two of Leopardstar's Path. Please ignore any errors, this was written when I was suppose to be studying at a friends.
:x Shhh.
Its a bit short, but I promise chapter three will be longer!
Enjoy~
-Sorrelpaw (remember to R&R! x3)
Chapter Two
Leopardstar grappled with a tortishell she-cat, her claws battering the enemy's belly. The scent of fear and blood coated WindClan's camp. TigerClan's surprise attack had worked well.
Perhaps even a little too well.
WindClan was no match for the combined forces of TigerClan. Her warriors were quicker and stronger then the half-starved WindClan cats. Her warriors were invincible.
And merciless.
Leopardstar snapped at her opponent, tearing through the fragile flesh of the she-cat's ear. Blood gushed from the wound, seeping down to stain the she-cat's fur. Though the she-cat's fur was ruffled and coated with blood (most of it her own.), Leopardstar still recognized her opponent from gatherings. Morningflower.
Morningflower snarled; in obvious pain. A thin wail pierced the air, causing the WindClan she-cat to look up, her features taunt. Leopardstar blinked as the she-cat suddenly streaked off.
The fighting had suddenly stopped. Leopardstar's fur prickled as she saw why.
Two ShadowClan warriors pinned a tiny apprentice beneath their paws. He was battered, and bloody, his green eyes stretched wide in horror as he struggled against his captors.
Tigerstar stood over him, long curled claws unsheathed.
A bad feeling prickled in the dappled leader's belly, as if she had eaten crowfood. This was not part of the plan. What's Tigerstar doing? Those words bounced around Leopardstar's skull as she stood, transfixed.
Tigerstar smiled mirthlessly at the WindClan warriors, who were obviously beaten. Their tails drooped and many were bleeding heavily. "Cats of WindClan," Tigerstar meowed. His voice was smooth, but dripping with malice. "Look around you! This is what happens when TigerClan attacks!"
Yowls of victory from TigerClan warriors echoed throughout WindClan's camp. The WindClan warriors seemed to shrink in their pelts.
"TigerClan is invincible! Nothing can challenge us and hope to survive." Tigerstar's claws scratched deep scars into the dirt. "Join us, and we will be unstoppable. No more hunger, no more fighting!"
Growls of outrage came from two or three WindClan warriors. An aging black and white tom stood tall, glaring straight at Tigerstar. The tom was Tallstar – WindClans leader. "Never. The forest has always had four clans, Tigerstar. That is the way StarClan intended it to be. Your 'TigerClan,'" Tallstar spat the word as if it had a bad taste to it. "Is wrong. We will never join you."
WindClan cats murmured their agreement. Leopardstar could see their eyes gleaming with renewed vigor. She looked to Tigerstar, expecting him to call a retreat. The battle was over, this was a TigerClan victory.
Tigerstar looked unconcerned. His amber eyes glinted and a small smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. "Then it must be demonstrated what will happen to those who will not join us." His gaze turned to the trapped apprentice. Tigerstar's once familiar amber eyes shone with bloodlust. To Leopardstar, his eyes looked terrifyingly strange. Those were not the kind eyes of the leader cat who had soothed her fears, who had promised her anything.
These were the eyes of a fox. The eyes of a killer.
No. Leopardstar's pelt prickled. Tigerstar couldn't be…
But he was.
With a swift movement, Tigerstar raked his claws down the small apprentice's spine, drawing thick streams of blood. The poor apprentice howled with pain, his green eyes frantic.
"Gorsepaw!" Morningflower shot towards her trapped kit, but was quickly pinned to the ground by Darkstripe.
No cat moved. It was as if a thick layer of frost had descended upon the camp and coated every cat, freezing them solid.
Leopardstar's heart beat fast and blood roared in her ears. Tigerstar smirked down at Gorsepaw.
How could this be happening? That sun-rise, Tigerstar had looked regretful, announcing that TigerClan would attack WindClan. The previous night he had persuaded her that this attack was the only way WindClan and ThunderClan would join them. His rich amber eyes had looked into hers, and the night had seemed to grow warm and comforting.
"Leopardstar, think about it. When all four clans are united, we will be at peace. Nothing could trouble us again." He had lowered his voice and his scent washed over her. "There would be no better place to raise kits…"
This was not the same kind, daring, brave cat. This was not her Tigerstar.
That cat, with his claws raised over Gorsepaw's trembling body, was a monster.
"Morningflower!" The trapped apprentice's cry seemed to restore motion to the camp. Onewhisker lunged forward to try and save his apprentice, but it was too late.
Far too late.
Tigerstar's jaws closed swiftly around Gorsepaw's throat. Gorsepaw struggled, eyes wild. "M-m-Morningflower! Help me please!" He coughed as Tigerstar's teeth tightened. Blood trickled from the apprentice's mouth.
No, no, no! Leopardstar silently urged Tigerstar to stop. To release the apprentice. Surely WindClan had learned their lesson.
Tigerstar's teeth snapped together with frightening ease and Gorsepaw's eyes glazed with death. His head flopped over, he went limp. He was dead.
"My kit! Gorsepaw! My precious kit!" Morningflower's caterwaul sent chills throughout Leopardstar's body. She stared blankly as Darkstripe released Morningflower. The tortishell warrior darted to her kit's body, nosing Gorsepaw's fur desperately.
Through her shock, Leopardstar realized she was murmuring quietly. "No, no…Stonefur…not again…"
Suddenly anger crashed over the spotted tabby. Rage coursed through her veins. Her fur bristled. No! I am a worthless leader! My Clan is slaughtered and I can't do a thing! Gorsepaw didn't deserve this! Morningflower didn't deserve this! This isn't right!
Leopardstar barely registered Tigerstar towering above the broken apprentice's body. She didn't hear his words as he addressed WindClan for the final time. She followed deafly as Tigerstar gathered his warriors.
"…WindClan should reconsider TigerClan's offer. If you don't…" Tigerstar was speaking. With a great effort, Leopardstar focused his eyes on him. "We will ensure what happened to that apprentice," Leopardstar followed Tigerstar's gaze to Gorsepaw's body.
Her stomach tightened.
"Happens to all of WindClan. WindClan will not live to see another sunrise." With that, the tabby tom stalked out of camp. TigerClan warriors poured after him.
This is wrong! Leopardstar urged to yowl, but the words refused to form. She ran along side her Clanmates, feeling isolated. They laughed, telling each other of wonderful moments of the battle. Gorsepaw's death hadn't affected them at all.
"Leopardstar." Leopardstar gasped, surprised to find Tigerstar running along side her. "Today was a victory. The forest will soon be ours."
I don't want the forest to be ours if it means all this death! Leopardstar wanted to growl, but she merely nodded.
Then Tigerstar was gone, vanishing into the swarm of TigerClan warriors.
And Leopardstar was alone.
Poor Leopardstar. D: And things only get worse...
If you'd like to see chapter 3, please review! I won't post the next chapter unless you do! x3
Thanks for reading!