Trying to get these stories out of the way and finished before I start ripping out my hair in guilt, I hope you enjoy!
0o0o0o
Lightning Tail lagged behind as his thoughts turned towards his captured mate and kits, "How could I allow this to happen?" He thought, taking a peek behind him he saw his other kit, Lightning Storm as he padded a mouse-length away, walking side-by-side with Milkweed who was encouraging him onwards. His dark gray pelt and white tip ears standing out beside her splotchy-ginger and black pelt.
He swept his tail tip over one of his son's white ears, managing to gain his attention. "We'll get them back." He promised, making his son hold his head a little higher as he nodded to his father.
"What are we going to do about Dawn and the kits?" Lightning Tail inquired when he quickened his pace to match his friend, and leader.
"We'll think of something!" Thunder assured, looking to be in deep thought. "First let's get back in camp and inform the others." Lightning Tail hesitated, but looking back at his son he thought it was for the best.
It felt like moons before they arrived in camp, Lightning Tail taking his son from Milkweed who went to be with her own kits. Lightning Tail watched as Thunder stepped up on what Lightning Storm and his siblings dubbed the Highrock and stood beside his son.
"Let all cats gather around to listen!" He yowled. Making the remaining cats gather. Owl Eyes came to sit on the other side of Lightning Tail as Milkweed stood with her tail wrapped around Clover and Thistle and Leaf standing not to far away. Cloud Spots and Pink Eyes also came to sit at the bottom edge of the Highrock and Violet Dawn also stopped beside Lightning Storm, looking confused as the other's wondering what was going on.
"Dawn and her kits were attack," Thunder began, getting outraged cries. "They were taken by Slash and his cats, and we do not the condition of their wellbeing," He gazed down at the gathered cats, their eyes sparkling with rage and concern. Thunder's eyes met Lightning Tail whose green eyes blazed with a cold fire that shinned with fierce and determined motives. It made Thunder's pelt shiver at how his friend and adopted litter mate, looked ready to go through a hoard of foxes to regain his mate and adopted children.
"We have to get them back!" Violet Dawn burst out, getting similar cries.
"What are we going to do?" Lightning Tail demanded his tail lashing as he gazed up at his leader.
"I have a plan," Thunder continued. "We are going to trick Slash into handing over Dawn and the kits."
"And how do we do that?" Leaf asked, narrowing his amber eyes.
"We give up part of our territory for Dawn and the kits," Thunder said, being met with silence as his statement went through the minds of the shocked cats below.
"But if we give up our territory won't Slash just ask for more?" Owl Eyes questioned, looking like he was conflicted at the dilemma of choosing Dawn and the kits or their territory. If it was up to Lightning Tail he would give his own pelt to Slash if it meant Dawn and the kits were ok.
"It's a trick you see," Thunder explained. "We pretend to give Slash some of our territory, and when we have Dawn and the kits back then we can join up with the other Clan's and drive Slash out for good!"
Approving meows were given as they seemed to like their leaders idea, Lightning Tail seemed to calm at the solid plan. It was more then having nothing.
"I'll see to RiverClan, River Ripple and his group saved Dawn once and I'm sure that they would help now!" Lightning Tail exclaimed, jumping to his feet.
"That's a good idea; take Owl Eyes and Leaf with you in case you need backup. We shouldn't put it past Slash to attack a cat when alone." Thunder watched as Lightning Tail nodded his head, giving a flick of his tail to the two other cats as he stopped briefly to say something to Milkweed who nodded.
"I'll go to WindClan, Wind Runner wills surly help," Thunder announced. "Cloud Spots shall be in charge while I'm away." He finished, hopping down from the Highrock only to be met by the steady gaze of his mate.
"I'm coming with you." She said, lashing her tail as her amber eyes glistening in determination as well as slight anger at Slash.
"Ok," He said, touching noses as they set off in a brisk pace, their pelts brushing as they moves swiftly through the woods and onto the moorland.
"We should be arriving soon," Thunder advised his mate, looking up he saw the faint outline of a cat over looking a rolling hill. "Is that…Willow Tail!" Thunder exclaimed, watching the pale brown tabby she-cat come bounding towards them.
"Thunder! Violet Dawn! What are you doing here?" Willow Tail asked in shock, looking relaxed and even happy to see them.
"We need to speak with Wind Runner, its urgent!" Their must have been a desperation in his voice because Willow Tail bacon them forwards and took off at a brisk pace.
"Wind Runner! Thunder and Violet Dawn are here to see you!" Willow Tail called out as they came into the hollow. Thunder saw Wind Runner rise from where she was speaking to Slate. With a pang Thunder wondered what the news will do to the thick-furred gray she-cat who had looked after Cream Fur without hesitation.
"Thunder, what are you doing here? Not another dog I hope!" Wind Runner said, padding up to Thunder with Slate by her side.
"No, no dog but its worse then a dog," Thunder stuttered on his words. "Dawn and the kits have been kidnapped." He rushed out, watching Slate and Wind Runner's face's turn to shock then horror.
"What happened?" Wind Runner demanded, her fur bristling slightly.
"It was Slash; he came and stole Dawn and two of her kits, Hawk Wing and Cream Fur." Violet Dawn spoke, making Slate's fur prickle at Slash's name.
"If he hurt one hair on their pelts…" Slate's words trailed off, but their was a deep and promising threat if the baring of her teeth and anger evident on her face said anything.
"What do you plan to do?" Wind Runner broke in, her yellow eyes flashing.
"We plan to trick Slash into handing over the kits and Dawn by promising to give up part of our territory, but we need help stopping him when things don't go his way." Thunder advised, hoping that Wind Runner would agree.
"I'm willing to help in anyway I can." Wind Runner said, looking determined.
"Thank you!" Thunder said relieved, feeling assured that they had WindClan's help.
"Any time, we are more then happy to help." Wind Runner replied, dipping her head in respect one leader to another. "Ill take Fern Leaf and Moth Flight—" "And me!" Slate cut in, her paws ripping up the spiky grass under her paws, looking ready to run into Slash's camp and rip off his pelt like she was doing to the grass.
"No, you stay here you have your kits to worry about." Wind Runner said cutting off any protest as Slate's kits poked their heads out of their den.
"Fine, but make sure they are safe." Slate said begrudgingly, looking torn between her kits and Dawn who she hardly even knew.
"We plan to." Thunder replied, turning to run out of the hollow with the WindClan group and Violet Dawn just behind him.
Thunder and his group managed to meet Lightning Tail, Leaf, Owl Eyes, River Ripple, Dawn Mist, and Moss Tail. Making their numbers swell to eleven in total.
"I think this should be enough?" Thunder was a little unsure but didn't voice his concerns, watching the determined stares of the assembled cats making him sure that no matter what they will come out victories.
"Let's move out!" Thunder ordered, skirting through the forest at a fine pace and cautiously moves across the Thunder path. They managed to find themselves in Carrionplace or at least outside of it. But Slash seemed to be expecting them as a row of his cats guarded the only entrance, he could make out Bee, Ember, Snake, Splinter and Beetle to name a few, yet there was others that he couldn't place. And by the raised hackles that Lightning Tail had spotted Harvey.
"Don't do anything unless necessary," Thunder advised his friend, though Lightning Tail was to busy glaring at Harvey to hear him. "Slash you know why we're here," Thunder spoke up, staring coolly at the evil tyrant.
"We want Dawn and her kits and in return we are willing to give up some of our territory." He said, holding his head high hoping to seem convincing and sincere, which was hard in front of a cat like Slash.
"Interesting proposal," Slash said, shrugging as if he didn't care. "But not as interesting as giving up a part of your hunting grounds from each Clan." He retorted, making Wind Runner hiss quietly, while River Ripple gazed at him stone faced.
"If that is what it takes to get them back, then so be it." Thunder retorted, his pelt pricking as Slash took a moment to think it over.
"You shall have the kits, but Dawn is Harvey's mate and shall remain with him." Slash stated, making Lightning Tail step in front of Thunder to address Slash directly.
"Dawn's not his mate," Lightning Tail growled, glaring at Slash with such intensity that Thunder swore Slash's pelt would catch fire. "She's mine and I have a right to her and the kits!"
Slash shoes away his rant as if Slash was listening to a small kit whine, with a flick of his tail to Bee and Splinter who went into a dime box den. A moment later they emerged with Dawn and the two kits.
Lightning Tail and everyone else was shocked to see the state they were in, malnourished, dirty and looked ill care of. Lighting Tail growled lowly in his throat at seeing the nick on his son's ear.
"How can you treat them like this?" Thunder spat, glaring at Slash with hate.
"Whatever do you mean?" Slash faked innocence. "They are being taken great care of."
"Lying Fox!" Lightning Tail yowled, beginning to throw himself at Slash with a paw raised to lash out at him, only to be winded as he was pushed roughly to the side by Wind Runner.
"Keep your head!" She hissed at him, letting him scramble to his feet as she let him up where she was pinning him down. He lashed his tail in anger as he continued to glare at Slash and his cats.
"It's not as bad as it seems!" Dawn called out to him, but not convincing him in the least.
"Quite!" Harvey snapped at her, making her flatten her ears as she snarled back at him. Harvey came to stand at Slash's side, making Lighting Tail snort as he caught Harvey's missing ear.
"What's with your head, looks a little lump sided there?" Lightning Tail says sarcastically. Harvey glared at him hotly, but kept his tongue as Slash continued talking.
"You can have the kits but we keep Dawn, if you don't like the arrangement we can always keep them all and make great use of them." Slash said darkly, making the Clan cats glare at him in anger.
"That's not—" "Fine." Lightning Tail whipped his head around to stare in shock as Thunder once again takes the lead, pushing Lightning Tail behind him and gave him a stern look not to say anything.
"We agree to your terms, give us the kits and we'll hold our end of the bargain." Thunder replies, staring Slash in the eyes.
Without even looking, Slash gave a twitch of his tail allowing Hawk Wing and Cream Fur hesitantly walks over to their Clan's. Once they came safely back Lightning Tail curled his tail protectively around their small forms while glaring at Slash the whole time.
Harvey's eyes flash with regret as his kits walked past him, their gaze set on the cat that they seem to prefer more as their father then their real one. Slash seemed to see the upset and weak look on his face.
"You have your mate; you can always have more kits." Slash told him, watching as Harvey distractedly nod along, but his eyes stay solemnly on his kits.
"Remember your agreement!" Slash warned, glaring hard at the Clan cats as he dismisses them with a wave of his tail.
0o0o0o
Everyone slowly and with regret left the Carrionplace, looking dejected as they left Dawn behind, a mother and mate and good Clan mate. Cream Fur was the most upset, she lagged behind the rest of them all. Her spirit broken as her head was lowered and shoulders slump in defeat.
"This is my entire fault!" Cream Fur spat in self loathing, her head snapped up as an angry look plastered on her face. "I wish I was never born, then this wouldn't have happened!"
Lightning Tail's head whipped around, his eyes narrowed in anger as he stalked up to the tiny she-kit. "How can you say that?" He demands. "You shouldn't be saying things that aren't true!"
"If I and my brother's weren't born then Dawn would have a better life! She would have met you and had your kits!" Cream Fur yelled at him, her fur spiking in anger as a wail bubbled in her throat and was ready to be released.
"If something would ever happen to you then it would hurt not just Dawn, but also me! We care more about you then ourselves! You're more important then the air I breathe! You're my kits and I wouldn't allow anything to happen to you!" Lightning Tail yowls over her. Making Cream Fur freeze in shock for a moment, and stare at Lightning Tail until the wail broke out of her throat and threw herself on Lightning Tail.
"Its ok, we'll get Dawn back. So don't you worry" Lightning Tail reassured, holding her tightly to him as he wrapped his tail around her small form.
The rag-tag group made their way to ThunderClan's camp, but as they neared the entrance they were met by a frantic looking Milkweed.
"What's wrong?" Violet Dawn asked before Thunder or anyone else could.
"Its Lightning Storm….He's gone!"