Chapter 5: Secrets
It was Owlkit's second times sneaking away from camp, but now he had a solid reason. His brother absences had already become to get longer. It drove on the little kit, he felt himself being watched more then once. He always looked over his shoulder to find no one. Following the strong scent of Shrewkit he quickly found himself veering ever so close to Darkclan's Border.
This worried him, Darkclan and Shrewkit would never be a good thing, but something inside warned him to be very cautious as he found himself looking down into a small ravine. There was a stream at the bottom of the ravine, it gurgled as he looked down on it. With water sliding smoothing over jutting rocks, gently putting each foot down Owlkit started down the ravine. Its muddy surface made it harder to keep his feet in place.
When reaching the bottom, he crouched low to the ground. He paused to find Shrewkit's trail again. When he came upon it, another scent was mixed it. The stench wrinkled his nose as he followed it, it would becoming soundly more fresh and strong.
Owlkit stopped and narrowed his eyes to see up ahead, a small grey cat was sitting high up on a mossy rock. Probably Shrewkit, but below was a rough looking Dark grey tomcat with fierce yellow eyes. He sat staring at Shrewkit; it looked like a game, Shrewkit playing the leader, and the grey cat playing a loyal warrior. But this did not look like a fun kit game; the grey tom was serious looking.
Owlkit lowered himself, a crusty layer of mud all around his fur. It blended with the muddy banks, stalking closer took precious time. The two grey cats didn't move they just stared at each other. It gave Owlkit to them to get closer to them.
He finally got close enough to here the few words they exchanged.
"Rockpelt, I will be an apprentice soon, the time is drawing nearer." Shrewkit meowed.
"It is, Bogstar will be pleased to have such a cat join his clan, and we are pleased that you chose us over the other clans."
Owlkit almost laughed out loud, Shrewkit being a great cat, it seemed impossible, but the look on the scarred toms face worried him that it was all true.
Shrewkit nodded, "I need a home of more brutal, battle ready warriors, unlike Serpentclan."
A smirk came to Rockpelt's face. "We are always ready."
Owlkit wanted to dig his claws into the face of that treasonous kit. He was thinking of joining the enemy, all of this angered Owlkit. Now the evil, clever self
was revealing it's self in Shrewkit. But now, Owlkit would have to be smarter, and rule him more closely.
Even if he didn't want to be seen, he growled under his breath. He cursed both Shrewkit and Rockpelt, and hoped them entry into the Dark Forest. He waited for either of them to speak.
"I must leave, lest my clan find me missing." Shrewkit meowed.
Rockpelt dipped his head, "I shall be here in two sunsets to grant you safe entry to Darkclan territory after you become an Apprentice!"
Shrewkit merely flicked his tail in response, and leaped off the rock. Owlkit eagerly followed. He hoped to swiftly punish Shrewkit for his wrong doings. Picking up speed he shadowed his smaller brother. Shrewkit occasionally stopped to check around. But never saw Owlkit coming closer, preparing to strike.
He moved like a phantom in the shadows. With swift movements he leaped on Shrewkit's back, and clawed him willingly. But not once did he let Shrewkit even glance at his face or dark ginger fur. To get his anger out on the traitor felt good to him. Using his greater size he gripped his little brothers' scruff and tossed him violently against a tree.
The move stunned him for a moment, but it was long enough for Owlkit to swiftly disappear into the shadows. Grinning to himself to started grooming himself very finely, not one scent of the forest could be on him as he returned. Finding himself pleasantly devoid of any forest smells, he clawed his way back through the barrier.
It was a relief to be back in safe ground, he wondered if Shrewkit had returned yet. Carefully he came out of hiding in his own camp. Everything seemed to be in perfect order. But from where he was he could smell fresh blood. Coming closer to the front of camp he saw Shrewkit coming into camp in plain sight.
His wounds were oozing slowly, but it didn't stop him. Some gasped, others just stared. But he kept walking towards Owlkit. Eyes set straight, his amber eyes were ablaze with cold fury.
When he came close enough he whispered into his ear.
"Your blood will be the first to stain my claws, dog-breath. And I will litter your entrails from here to the great lake, and you'll wish you were never kitted." He whispered the threat into his ear, so no one else could here.
Owlkit's dark green eyes widened with disbelief, but he knew it was true. He had just signed his death note, but he wouldn't go without a fight. The sinister grey Cat went into the healers den, and seemed to tell Pinekit the same threat, Pinekit scurried out unharmed. She went over to Owlkit's side.
Owlkit gently licked her to reassure, he lowered himself.
"Don't worry Pinekit, I always knew he was evil, but just wait, we will be rid of him in two sunsets."
Pinekit looked into his eyes, looking perplexed, but she trusted him so she let it be. Owlkit worried for her, he towered over her protectively, and he would never trust that cat again.