When Rainbowheart had gotten back to the den, Jade had been the only one up waiting for her. Streak, Sparrow, and Topaz were curled in the corner on the nests, snoring peacefully. The others were careful so as not to wake them, as they sat down on the other side, so that Rainbowheart could explain the situation.
After hearing what had happened near the twolegplace, Jade turned to look at Hazel with pitying eyes. "You poor thing, you must have been so frightened. Those brutes should be ashamed of themselves for attacking a defenseless young cat. If you didn't have any food to give, then they should have left you alone." She had her tail tip rubbing against Hazel's shoulder in a comforting gesture.
Hazel shook her head, with sorrowful eyes. "That's the problem, I did have food, more than enough." She looked at her paws, "But I live with my parents you see, and my mother is sick. I've been bringing them food while my father takes care of her."
Tears had begun to form in the she-cat's eyes, and began to drop when she closed them. "She hasn't been able to get better, and only gets worse, even when I give her my food, and my father is slowly losing himself. Please," she opened her eyes with pleading emotion in them. "You know how to treat sickness don't you; can you treat my mother?"
Rainbowheart looked at the poor cat with surprise in her eyes. I only learned basic medicine. I've never treated anything other than scratches and bites. Rainbowheart mulled it over, "I don't know how much help I'll be, if I try. We'll have to wait until tomorrow though. Can it wait that long?"
The tabby's blue eyes began to clear up. She nodded with relief, "Yes, I suppose so. She was resting when I left to go find more food for the offering, but Quill and Hiss had caught me first." She dipped her head a bit tiredly, "Tomorrow it is then, thank you."
"Alright, until then, you'll be resting. You've been through an exhausting ordeal, and you look like you could use some food. I'll treat your wounds while you lie down. Here," Rainbowheart scooted a leftover mouse and poppy seeds, which Jade had helped collect that morning, over to Hazel, "eat these. They'll give you strength and help you sleep."
Hazel blinked, but ate the food without question, taking ravenous gulps. After finishing her meal, she cautiously ate the seeds and then she lay down on her uninjured side, and began to slowly fall asleep.
While she waited for the cat to finally be completely asleep, Rainbowheart had Jade bring her some herbs. Jade was still being treated for the healing gash on her chest, so Rainbowheart was sure to keep a steady supply going, and made sure to warn the kits to stay away from the pile.
After Hazel had been treated, Rainbowheart and Jade decided to curl up next to her, to be a reassurance to the sleeping cat; a comfort. It had been Jade's idea, and Rainbowheart couldn't argue with the queen. Nonetheless, they were all soon asleep.
Hazel was more than eager to show Rainbowheart and Streak where her den was located, wanting to see her parents as soon as she could. They walked through the twolegplace with caution but haste, not wanting to catch any unwanted attention, such as the Peace Reapers. It was just the three she-cats who had gone.
While Streak was here with them, Buck and the she-cat Star had been asked to stay with Jade and the kits. Apple and Meera had been sent to inform the others that their mentor would be late getting back, and to just meet in the clearing and wait for her.
As they walked, Rainbowheart thought she could feel eyes burning through her pelt, and she stopped to gaze around. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a shadow move on the roof of a shed that was concealed by a taller building. She stared for a moment and when nothing moved, she slowly stepped back into place beside the others who had stopped to look back at her curiously.
The black and white warrior huddled closer to them, and lowered her voice so that only they could hear, "I think we're being watched; I saw something moving over there by that shed." At that, both cats slowly turned to look at the small structure, their eyes scanning it but coming up with no sign of life.
Hazel hesitantly took her eyes off of the shed, a knowing look on her face, and turned back to the little group. "I wouldn't be surprised if Bloodstorm has sent his punishers out to spy on us, or even ambush us. Quill and Hiss would have definitely told him what happened last night. They're probably watching you especially."
Rainbowheart didn't seem one bit surprised at the comment, knowing that they might want revenge for their humiliation by her and Buck, but she still asked out of curiosity, "Why would they be watching me? Shouldn't they have attacked by now instead?"
Hazel shook her tabby head. "It's not that simple; Bloodstorm prohibits any punishments from being initiated without his consent. Something like a cat holding out on them when it comes to food, will be beaten. That goes for insults to his followers too. Death comes when any cat tries to rebel against them, or insults Bloodstorm himself. He makes them suffer in any painful way he can think of."
As they continued to talk, they began walking again, but with greater speed.
Rainbowheart wished she could be shocked but what she'd been told, but she had remembered old stories concerning vile cats when she lived in ThunderClan. It occurred to her then, that her question had not been fully answered, and she sped up right alongside Hazel. "So, if I had beaten a punisher, and nobody has tried to kill me, what does Bloodstorm plan to do?"
All of them stopped when they reached a narrow alleyway that could only fit one of them at a time. Before they walked through, Hazel turned around to answer the question, "If you haven't been approached by one with the aim of revenge, then Bloodstorm most likely is planning on recruiting you."
She had a sad tone in her voice. "They take away all who are capable to fight, that's how they get stronger. They take away young cats, when they're old enough, who Bloodstorm sees potential in."
Hazel turned back towards the dark alley, still speaking softly, "They even take away your best friends to join them."
Rainbowheart stared at the tabby with confusion, and then understanding crept up in her, on the last part that Hazel had just said.
They walked through the narrow darkness of the alley, light fading behind them. It was long and dark, and Rainbowheart began to wonder if this alley went on forever. Soon though, light was shining in front of them, and they all padded out into a small cleared out area, that seemed to have been forgotten by the twolegs. It dipped down into the ground, with a twoleg nest surrounding each side. The only other way out that could be seen was a large pipe that stuck out in between two twoleg nests that must lead out to the other side.
Looking around more, the cats noticed a pair of old cats lying down on some old-looking twoleg blankets. They all walked over to them, simultaneously waking up the brown tabby tom, who gave a leery stare before realizing who had come to pay them a visit.
The tom carefully got up and padded over to the group, going straight up to Hazel and touching his nose to her forehead. Sadness could be seen in this old tom's amber eyes, just as much as his daughter's, who had been bleeding them dry of her tears the night before.
The old tabby soon stepped back to get a get a good look at the two that had come with his daughter. "Who are your friends dear?" He looked suspicious of Rainbowheart, but she really couldn't blame the old cat. It was her eyes, always the eyes, that caught attention.
Hazel answered for them, "Rockslide, this is that cat that the others were talking about the other day; the one who's training some of the cats to fight." She motioned to both of the other cats, "This is Rainbowheart, and this is Streak. They're here to help us with Shell. Rainbowheart knows how to heal, and she saved me last night from Quill and Hiss."
Hazel stopped when she saw some hope flicker in the tom's eyes, but then it faded, and he turned to stare sadly at his mate, who was still lying on the blankets, breathing slowly.
Rockslide shook his head, "I don't think anything could help her now."
Rainbowheart could see that the old cat had given up hope. She really couldn't blame the old cat. However, she had promised that she would try and heal the sick cat. Slowly Rainbowheart padded closer to the old tom, and touched her tail tip to his shoulder, getting him to look at her.
She gazed at him with forced, soft eyes. "I'm going to try everything that I can, to help her. Don't give up just yet."
Rockslide just stared at her, unable to say anything, and nodded. The others watched as Rainbowheart then walked over to the dozing she-cat, and examined her carefully.
As soon as Rainbowheart had sat down near Shell, she could tell that the white cat was not well at all. There was a definite fever raining off of her, and her voice sounded raspy while she moaned in pain in her sleep. Something struck her about the sickness. She remembered a cat dying of something like this before in ThunderClan.
This cat had greencough.
Oh StarClan no, of all the things it had to be greencough. It's too early though. Rainbowheart's spirit began to sag; she was hoping it wouldn't be anything like this.
The only thing that can cure this is catmint, and I'm sure there's some around here, but I don't know if I'll be able to save her in time especially if I have to look for it. After her examination of Shell, Rainbowheart went back over to the others, who were waiting for her opinion.
"Alright, if we're going to save her, I'm going to need to work fast. Do either of you know where I can get some catmint? It's a very good smelling plant that is usually found near twoleg nests."
Rockslide shook his head, "I know what you're talking about, but I haven't seen any in a long time around here. Although, you may want to ask the cat Star. She sneaks around all of the time to explore when the Peace Reapers aren't looking. If anyone would know where to find catmint, then she would."
"Star's back at their den though, and the trip to here is much too long, and could take up time. Isn't there anything else we could use to help her that's easier to find?" Hazel questioned Rainbowheart with distress.
The red-eyed cat grimaced, "No, catmint is the only thing that can save her." She looked up at the sky above them. She hadn't thought that it would take this much time. Her eyes then focused on Rockslide. "Tell me, would it be possible to move her? If we can get her to walk through that pipe over there, two of us can carry her back to the den. If I can slow down the symptoms with the herbs I already have, then it would be possible for me to find the catmint even with the amount of time it would take."
Rockslide sighed, "I will see if she is able to get up. Hold on one second while I check."
He then walked over to where his mate lay asleep. Rainbowheart saw him whisper in her ear and gently prod her awake. The white she-cat's black tail twitched up and down before she opened her light blue eyes. She seemed really weak, and after some encouragement from Rockslide, she was able to stand up.
Shell was leaning on Rockslide's shoulder as they walked back over to the group. "Let's hurry, before she collapses elsewhere, with us unable to get her back up." Shell was panting and having a hard time getting over to the pipe, but she endured with extra help from Hazel.
"Alright dear, just a little more and then we'll carry you the rest of the way." Rockslide nudged Shell forward. The others followed the pair of old cats through the pipe and out onto the other side. Rainbowheart realized that the pipe led out right behind a large bush that concealed it from plain sight.
As soon as they were all out, Rockslide and Hazel went on either side of Shell once more. Rockslide crouched down on his stomach, while Hazel gave her mother instructions to get on his back.
The she-cat reluctantly complied and shakily fell onto her mate's back. She seemed like she would pass out into unconsciousness.
Seeing that they were all ready, Rainbowheart and Hazel led them all forward. Streak stayed back near Rockslide so that she could help to keep Shell steady on his back. Shell was already passed out, just like Rainbowheart thought she'd be. It was probably a good thing. The old cat didn't need to experience the bumpy ride ahead of her at the moment.
After a good amount of time had passed, and they were on the border of the twolegplace, the cats stopped so that Rockslide could rest his most likely sore back. If it was sore though, he didn't complain about it. It was obvious that he probably couldn't take much more though, and Rainbowheart decided that it would be better to fetch Buck now.
"Streak, do you think you can go get Buck? It'll be easier on Rockslide if another cat can carry Shell back to the burrow, and Buck is the only cat that would be able to do it right now." Rainbowheart could see that Rockslide was about to protest. "It'll be easier on everyone else also. I really don't want to be treating anymore cats than I already have been. I don't want to have to treat a bad back too." The old tabby grumbled to himself, but seemed to agree and didn't argue.
Streak waved her tail in response and sped off into the tree line, her black pelt being enveloped in various shades of greens.
While Streak was gone, Rainbowheart decided to do another vitals check on Shell. The white she-cat was still asleep, laying next to Rockslide who had his pelt pressed against hers, matching each breath that she took.
Hazel, silent now, seemed lost in her thoughts.
The young tabby finally spoke up, "I hope we aren't too late. She's not as young as she used to be, and this is the third time that she's gotten sick." She looked at her parents with soft eyes. "I admire my father's love for her so much."
Movement in the brush cut her off, and they both turned to see Buck and Star running out of the woods.
Both cats were panting by the time they got to the group. They stared down at Shell, and Buck poked Rockslide to get up.
The old tom grumbled; he had fallen asleep apparently.
Seeing that someone he knew had come to help him. "So this is where you've been the whole time." He gestured to Rainbowheart and the forest. "I thought you were kidding when you said you would find someone to help fight Bloodstorm."
"I don't kid, not when it comes to my home and friends." Buck was talking while Star and Hazel helped get Shell on his back without waking her. "I say Bloodstorm and his Peace Reapers have overstayed their welcome. It's high time for them to get their hides out of our territory." Buck nodded to Rainbowheart, but she wasn't listening.
The others could see the warrior staring up at one of the fences with her pelt fluffed out. When they followed her gaze and saw several strange cats, they froze.
"Why hello there," a misty grey tom chuckled out. His purple eyes half-lidded as he stared at the group. He was accompanied by several other cats.
Bloodstorm and some of his punishers.
Quickly, the others got in front of Hazel and Buck, who was now carrying Shell. They were the main priority, considering that Hazel was still somewhat weak, and Buck carried a sick cat on his back.
"Come now there's no need to be so guarded. I've only come to talk to your new friend," the misty pelted Bloodstorm turned his purple gaze to each cat. A dangerous gleam sparked in his eyes. "It's good to see you Buck. I thought that you'd left with Meera and that yappy one, oh what's his name…" He had a knowing smile on his face that caused Buck to step forward, hackles raised.
"You know very well what his name is! After all you're the one who had him fight you." Buck seemed to get riled more so than usual, as Bloodstorm spoke. He was usually a calm cat, unless the matter of the Peace Reapers was brought up.
Bloodstorm had an innocent looked on his face now, "I was just doing my duty as a leader, and punishing those that dare challenge me. He was lucky to not have gotten the death penalty."
Buck mock-laughed, "Leader, you're no leader. A real leader doesn't go around taking others' food when those ones are starving. A real leader doesn't force others out of their homes to be left to die. A real leader doesn't attack cats, who are minding their own business, just for fun. A real leader isn't trash like you!" The brown tom hissed out those last words with malice.
Bloodstorm twitched a torn black ear in irritation. His eyes became darker when he changed his black-masked face to an expression of anger. Instead of attacking though, he nodded for one of the punishers sitting next to him.
A silver tabby tom with his right eye missing, jumped off the fence and padded up to Rainbowheart, laying down something at her feet. The cat then stepped back in next to Bloodstorm who now sat on the ground with the other punishers.
Bloodstorm's pelt seemed to be sticking out, and he was clearly trying to keep his composure intact after what Buck had said. In any other situation, he probably would have killed Buck right then and there. That day could wait though.
Rainbowheart looked at what the silver cat had placed at her feet. Her eyes widened when she realized what it was. Catmint! She looked back at Bloodstorm, who seemed to have calmed down seeing her surprise.
The muscular grey tom smiled at her, "A little birdie told me that you needed some of that stuff, so I thought that it would be a nice chance to meet our newest neighbor. That is what you're looking for, right?"
The warrior nodded cautiously, still in a battle stance, just in case they try to pull something.
"Like I said, there's no need to be so cautious; I've just come to talk." He was still smiling, and it sent chills down the warrior's spine. It was putting her even more on edge.
Rainbowheart didn't trust him at all. "Well you're here now, so talk," she said briskly, making a point to him that she wouldn't be nice. She had a weird feeling about this cat, and it wasn't just what Foxflower had said either; she had another weird feeling, but she couldn't pinpoint it.
Bloodstorm chuckled lowly, "Right to the point, I like that. Anyway, I've come to personally invite you and whoever else that you'd like to bring, to a little…" he seemed to be searching for a word, and then he finally settled on one, "get together." He showed off a full fanged grin.
Rainbowheart looked back at the others, who weren't taking their eyes off of the punishers that accompanied the misty dictator. She looked back at him with her mind already made up. "Go eat crowfood."
The misty tom scoffed at her statement, "Oh, 'no' isn't an option. You see, I know where your little camp is. I also happen to know that you have a pair of adorable, helpless kits with you."
The tom's statement made Rainbowheart's expression fall.
"I have your attention now, don't I? So," he gave a winning grin, "what'll it be?"
"You filthy piece of-"
"Ah-ah-ah, heh, insults get you nowhere. And if you attack me right now, my punishers will kill you all where you stand." Bloodstorm gestured to the battle-ready cats at his side.
One in particular seemed overjoyed by his leader's remark.
"Ohhh, their pelts would look nice in my den," came the sweet, hissing voice of a red-brown tom. His pelt seemed odd, having darker patches on it, and the scent of death hung to him. He stared with bright yellow eyes at them all, twisted thoughts roaming his mind.
"Now, as I asked before, what will it be?" Bloodstorm tilted his head with serious question this time.
There was no other choice given that Rainbowheart could see. The cat would have to agree. "... All right then, I'll come with you to this "get together" as long as you promise there will be no fighting." The she-cat bared her teeth.
"Deal," the misty tom stated, and then glanced back at Buck and Shell. "You may want to treat that one though." He stood up, and motioned for his punishers to do the same. "I will give you four days 's a good amount so that you can get the ill one treated. There will be two cats here to pick you up and escort you to my hideout. Be here before sun down." He flashed the group a sadistic grin, "Try not to be late."
Before they started to leave, Rainbowheart got a glance at two of the punishers in the group who had been staring at something behind Rainbowheart. One was a brown tabby with a long tail and yellow eyes. The other was a pretty cream she-cat that had light blue eyes.
Both cats seemed to have saddened and regretful expressions that stuck out from the other stern and blood-thirsty looking punishers.
Turning around, Rainbowheart saw that Hazel was the only cat in their view. She turned back towards the two cats, question in her mind. Do they know each other…?
"Bronze, Gem, get over here now. Everyone else is leaving." A golden tabby with huge scars along his back yelled at the two cats.
The tom and she-cat hesitated, but then followed the irritated cat, sticking behind the group.
Now that Bloodstorm and his punishers were gone, everyone relaxed, and Rainbowheart motioned for everyone to get going to the burrow.
When they finally reached the den and the clearing, Rainbowheart could see the twolegplace cats were there. It seemed that everyone from yesterday had been able to come back.
When she walked by them, they gave her knowing looks, and congratulated her, for reasons unknown to her. She turned to Buck for answers, and he gave an embarrassed laugh.
"While you were out, I told them about what happened last night; about how you sent Quill like a scared rabbit."
"Was she really that bad?" They were in the den now, and Buck let Shell down on one of the nests. Rainbowheart instructed everyone to stay outside, except for Rockslide, Hazel, and Buck, and started working while she talked.
Buck nodded, "Like I said last night, she's insane. Though, she's not level headed enough to be the leader of the punishers. She is one of the ones that gets sent out, to attack someone. After what you did, those cats out there have greater respect for you."
Rainbowheart had just got Shell to wake up and eat some of the herbs; she looked up now at Buck, "Really?" From how Buck was speaking, it made the she-cat think he was trying to make a point with his bragging about her.
The big cat nodded, and added, "They think you're a hero." He was silent for a moment and looked like he wanted to ask something, but decided not to, due to their companions in the burrow with them.
After Shell had been treated properly and her family's worries were put to rest, Rainbowheart sent them out, leaving only her, Buck, and a sickly sleeping cat inside. She could feel the questioning aura of the tom, but he didn't speak, and just watched as she tidied the place up a bit.
Finally, the question rolled off his tongue, "Rainbowheart, I want to ask you to stay and help us fight Bloodstorm."
Bet you thought he'd ask for a date by the river didn't ya?
Too bad, I ship Buck with his desperation
Buck x Desperation 5ever
Just kidding xD
So I'll try and get the next chapter up tomorrow, and allegiances have been updated.
Peace bishes!