You have no idea how much my heart is breaking knowing that this fic is going to be ending soon... I really wish it didn't have to...
12. No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
It was three moons after Python's arrival. Rabbitleap could feel the former kittypet watching him on every patrol. The tom's amber eyes burned into his pelt with hatred. Yet, the cream and brown warrior could never spot him. Even though the war with ThunderClan didn't end yet, it was one of those times he felt a little less trapped by the tension of war. As he returned to camp, he saw Hazelear's only kit sitting by himself. He approached the pale brown and dark brown tabby kit and sat next to him.
"What's wrong, Sparrowkit?"
"Mintkit and Bramblekit are being mean to me. They think I'm weird because my tail is longer then a normal cats." The young kit gave his white chest a lick as his unnaturally long tail wrapped around his little paws. Rabbitleap frowned lightly. He knew what it was like to have no kin to spend time with, kin to understand he was different, but even still he had friends.
"Well, at least you're doing better then me. I hardly have a tail." Sparrowkit looked as Rabbitleap as the cream and brown warrior swayed his stumpy tail. The kit purred and pounced on what little tail he could catch.
"I got your tail!" He declared. Rabbitleap purred and swiped the kit's ear.
"Hey, just because I have a stumpy tail doesn't mean you can catch it." Nightfoot padded up to the warrior and the kit before anything else could happen.
"Rabbitleap, I need you for an extra border patrol. Apparently Yellowstar is accusing us of being kit-snatchers and both Mottlestar and Hollowstrike think there might be a fight." The warrior nodded before looking back to Sparrowkit.
"I'll be right back, okay?" Sparrowkit nodded and Rabbitleap left with the deputy. With the two traveled Willowshade, Doetail, and Longfur, as well as the apprentices of Doetail and Longfur. Pinepaw was bounding ahead of the group, going on and on about how she had no doubt that the two ShadowClan patrols will win. Beepaw, however, kept silent. Rabbitleap could see the anger for the golden tabby leader burning in Beepaw's eyes. As they got closer, Rabbitleap could pick up on the argument between Yellowstar and Hollowstrike.
"I know we don't have Breezekit back at camp. Why would we even need to steal ThunderClan kits?"
"Because I know you crow-food eaters are desperate for warriors. Why else would you have apprenticed four of them before they were even six moons?"
"It was a mistake, and we learned from it."
"Once a fox-heart, always a fox-heart." Yellowstar spat, her eyes narrowed into slits. Her claws were unsheathed and she looked ready to pounce. She probably would have if she hadn't spotted the back up patrol. She glared at each of the warriors, lingering on Rabbitleap the longest. The tom felt his throat go dry. Could ShadowClan really afford this battle if she did attack? However, the leader stepped down.
"I'll keep an eye out, and if I scent Breezekit anywhere near this border line, you're all as good as mouse-meat." With a flick of her tail she lead her warriors away. There was no fight and Rabbitleap relaxed. The patrols turned their backs and padded away as well. When the cream and brown warrior got back to camp, the first thing he noticed was the two queens searching around desperately.
"What's wrong?" He walked up to Hazelear, who he felt safer asking.
"Sparrowkit's missing." The worry in the queen's voice set Rabbitleap into action. The cream and brown tom bounded off into the forest. He memorized the kit's scent as he searched around the outside of camp for clues. Near the dirt place he caught a scent that brought a growl to his throat. Python. The warrior raced after the scent trail all the way to the twoleg nest. For a heartbeat Rabbitleap hesitated. He didn't want to go near it, but the loner's scent was so close. He slunk quietly to the nest and followed Python's scent. It lead all the way to a small opening that lead to under the twoleg nest. He squeezed through and fell onto a large pile of bark brown lumps that collapsed under his weight. He shakily got to his paws as he heard Sparrowkit's cry.
"Rabbitleap!" The light brown kit with darker brown splashes bounded up to the warrior. Rabbitleap let out a sigh of relief.
"You're safe."
"Are you hear to save us?" Mewed a quiet voice. Rabbitleap looked to see a silver tabby tom watching him with weary blue eyes. The ThunderClan scent on the kit told him that this was probably the missing Breezekit. Rabbitleap was about to say he was only there for Sparrowkit, but Silverwing and Duskfoot's voices rung in his ears.
Choose carefully.
Remember the code.
"Yes." The words came out before Rabbitleap knew it. He thought hard. Did the code say anything about kits? He shrugged and grabbed Sparrowkit by the scruff. "I'll get you next." He told the ThunderClan kit. He jumped onto the odd brown shapes. However, they kept collapsing under him. He put the kit down for a moment and looked over the dark room. Near the entrance was a long, flat branch-like thing protruding out of the wall. Surely that would help them get out. He looked around and spotted a tall chunk of tree being held up by thick sticks. He grabbed Sparrowkit again and jumped up on it. He then moved to his next destination. The window was right next to him now. He stretched out and placed Sparrowkit on the little bit of ground he could reached and nudged the kit forward.
One kit out, another one to go. He jumped down and approached Breezekit. The tom looked frightened.
"Don't worry, I'm a friend."
"I thought all ShadowClan cats were bad."
"Not all of us." He informed the kit as he grabbed him by the scruff. He jumped all the way back to the opening and squeezed him and the kit through. "Now let's get both of you back home."
He carried Sparrowkit, the younger of the two, and Breezekit padded next to him. As they neared ShadowClan's camp, he nudged Sparrowkit.
"Go on. I need to get Breezekit home." Sparrowkit gave a nod before taking off towards the entrance. As he picked the ThunderClan kit by the scruff he could hear the rejoice of his Clanmates. He continued on until the scent of ThunderClan came closer. There was also another scent nearby. Right as Rabbitleap turned around Python was already pouncing on him, knocking Breezekit out of his jaws. Rabbitleap took a front paw and whacked the loner's jaw, stunning him. With a yowl Rabbitleap kicked Python off of him. The loner landed on his side, but quickly started to pick himself up.
"Why did you take this kit, Python?" Rabbitleap hissed, his pelt bristling.
"Revenge." Gasped Python as his narrowed eyes never left the warrior.
"Revenge?"
"Yes. You fought unfairly against me, so I decided to do the same. I've watched, you know. I've seen how your "Clan" and the golden she-cat's interact. I knew if I stole the kits, they would think you did it and you would think they did it." His amber eyes were burning with hatred. "But if I have to kill you myself, I will."
A yowl sounded, but it was from nether of the toms. From ThunderClan's border crashed Vinestripe, Heavyleap, and Dappleflame. The three ThunderClan warriors stood between the two. Their eyes were narrowed on Python.
"So you're the kit-thief?" Hissed Vinestripe, lashing her tail and ordering her two warriors forward. Python, realizing the odds were against him took off into ShadowClan territory. The deputy stopped her warriors from giving chase and turned towards Rabbitleap. "Are you the one who saved this kit?"
"Yes." Rabbitleap made himself relax. Once again Python had fled. Breezekit bounded over to Rabbitleap.
"He saved me from that mean cat, Python!" Announced the silver tabby. The three ThunderClan cats whispered among themselves before turning their attention back to the ShadowClan warrior. Vinestripe bowed her head.
"Thank you very much. We are grateful for your help. From this day on ThunderClan has nothing more to do with ShadowClan."
"Just like that?" He was confused. This war had gone on for moons. Were these ThunderClan cats that ready to stop.
"Yes. We've been searching for a reason to stop this war. We finally have a reason. If Yellowstar insists on war, we will banish her." With that the three cats left, Dappleflame grabbing Breezekit as she passed by. As exhaustion set in from what all just happened, Rabbitleap padded back to camp, where he was greeted with thank yous and congratulations as well as endless questions. He purred quietly to himself. For once he felt completely welcomed.