Chapter 17: The Attack On The Cracked Tree
Amberleap? Why in Starclan's name is he here? Rainbrook thought as she saw Amberleap.
"Amberleap, what are you doing, so far out of our territory?" She whispered to the amber tom.
"This place, we're going to do it! Good cat, plenty of mice! You remember he's the one who got away the other day! Got a scar on his paw, perhaps a whole pile put away!" He mewed back, before padding back over to the gang that was walking their way over.
"Oh Starclan, somebody help me! My ancestors, what'll I do? He'll think this is an ambush! He'll think I'm in it too!" She meowed.
"What'll I do, what'll I say? I've got to warn them here! I've got to find a way!" She shook her fur and hid from the gang.
"This is his lair, I've seen the old fox around! He keeps himself to himself, he's staying close to the ground! I smell profit here! Ten seasons ago, he came and paid for Larkkit! I let her go for a song, it's time we settled the debt! This'll cost him dear.."A voice she recognized as Bramblesky laughed.
"What do I care, who you should rob? Give me my share, finish the job!" another voice, who seemed like Fire, growled.
"You shut your mouth! Give me your paw!" Bramblesky snarled.
They heard a yelp, and Fire turned towards it, "What have we here?"
"Who is this mousebrain?" His eyes were dark and cold, ready for an attack.
"It's your brat Rainbrook! Don't you know your own kit? Why's she hanging about you?" Snarl, a white tom asked.
"Rainbrook, get on home, you're not needed in this! We're enough here without you.." Bramblesky meowed.
"I know this place, I tell you! There's nothing here for you! Just an elder and the she-cat! They live a ordinary life!" Rainbrook snarled.
"Don't interfere, you're mouse dung! Take care, young cat, you've got a lot to say!" The light brown tabby of her father shot back.
"She's going soft." Fire mewed.
"Happens to all." Claw, a black tom nodded.
"Go home, 'Brook, go home, you're in the way!" Amberleap hissed.
"I'm gonna shriek, I'm gonna warn them here!" Rainbrook spat.
"One little shriek and you'll regret it for a year." Bramblesky threatened.
"What a palaver, what an absolute treat! To watch a warrior and her father fight out in the wood!" Claw snorted.
"Not a sound out of you!" Fire shot a glare at Claw.
"Well I told you I'd do it, told you I'd do it..." Rainbrook warned, then before any of them could cover her mouth, she let a shilling scream.
"Leave her to me, don't wait around! Make for the undergrowth, go underground!" Bramblesky meowed to his gang.
He then turned to Rainbrook. He unsheathed his claws, then snarled, "You waitm my cat, you'll rue this night! I'll make you yowl, you'll yowl all right!"
He swiped at her blue, fragile ear, drawing blood. "That was for screaming!" He hissed before turning tail.
Rainbrook went to go see Sparkheart and Larkwing. They were padding towards her, tails still twined. Rainbrook felt a claw pierce her heart, just at the sight.
"It was your cry sent them away! Once more 'Brook saving the day! Dearest Larkwing, my friend 'Brook, brought me to you, showed me the way!" Sparkheart meowed.
"Someone is near! Let's not be seen! Somebody's here..." Sparkheart and Rainbrook dived into the bushes.
Her father came rushing back, with a worried look upon his face. "My God, Larkwing! I heard a cry in the dark! I heard the shout of angry voices in the woods!"
Larkwing took a deep breath before she responded. "That was my cry you heard, Papa. I was afraid of what they'd do. They ran away when they heard my cry.." She mewed.
"Larkwing, my kit, what will become of you?" He asked.
"Five cats I saw beyond the bushes! Five cats in shadow moving fast!" The light brown she-cat nodded.
"This is a warning to us all.. These are the shadows of the past.." He said, then he realized.
"Must be Eaglestrike! He's found my cover at last! I've got to get Larkwing away before they return! We must get away from shadows, they will never let us be! Tomorrow to the moor, then to the big, far mountains!" He whispered.
"Hurry, Larkwing, prepare to leave and say no more! Tomorrow we'll away! Hurry, Larksong, it's time to close another den and live another day!"