I AINT DEAD!
Disclaimer: I don't own warriors
…
Suddenly something hit Duskfang in the back of the head. He turned sharply to see Moonpaw's half leaf face glaring at him
"Do you have a death wish? Or are you just insane? Where were you just now?"
Duskfang narrowed his eyes "Nowhere mother." He said sarcastically.
Moonpaw rolled her eye and knocked him lightly with her tail "Please just stay in camp and stop acting like a mouse-brain."
Duskfang snorted. "What's it to you were I go?"
She stepped up until she was toe to toe with Duskfang "Look I know you probably don't give a damn about Nightclan, Starclan's prophecy, or Thymestar's orders. But I do." Her eye narrowed. "So no matter how annoying it's getting I'm going to keep an eye on you."
Duskfang turned his lips up into a snarl. He hated how she was discriminating him like that or the truth behind her words. "Well you won't have to worry about me anymore. I'll be gone by tomorrow."
"You'll be dead by tomorrow if you keep this up!" she snapped back. Her tail lashed with her words. "And why are you in such a hurry to leave anyway?"
Duskfang looked dumbfounded "You've seen how everyone treats me." He said. "Why would I stay any longer?"
"So you can't stay here with Redfern for a few more days because of a few nasty looks?" Moonpaw glared up at him with one blue eye.
"I talked about it with her. She said it was fine and I could leave." Duskfang said nearly proudly. He knew she'd been planning on using that as a trump card, but there was no way she was going to guilt him into staying.
Moonpaw glared at him. "Running away, just like any guilty kitten would do."
"I'm not guilty of anything!" Duskfang snapped.
"Really then? Cause if I remember right you never did get your full story out before Thymestar told you to be quiet and made Adderstripe tell the clan what had happened. Even though Redfern trusts that you would only kill Warscar for a good reason, you really haven't defended yourself." She turned away and shrugged.
"So, you want to know what really happened." Duskfang asked tilting his head.
Moonpaw looked back at him "Now why would I want to hear any coward's explanation?"
"I'm no coward!" Duskfang snapped.
"Only a coward would run away from eyes." Moonpaw said smartly. "But maybe if you stay for a few more days (maybe about three). Without going out on your own like an idiot, then I'll consider hearing it," Moonpaw began to walk away.
"Fine then, I will!" Duskfang said angrily.
Hidden by the oak leaf Moonpaw's lips curled into a smirk, she walked off to the medicine cat den leaving Duskfang to figure out for himself that he had walked straight into a trap. A bit of guilt blossomed inside of her.
She looked up to the blue sky. Hey prophecy, please hurry up, because I don't know how long I can keep Duskfang here.
...
Graytip was woken from her afternoon nap by the sound of coughing; the elder picked her head up, white furred slowly turning grey rippling and looked at the source. Her den-mate Stubtail was coughing loudly.
"Stubtail, are-"
"I'm just fine!" Stubtail cut her off.
"But with all that coughing shouldn't you go see Redfern?" Graytip asked.
"I'm fine Graytip. I'm plenty seasons older then you and this is a normal thing for an old cat." He snapped at the other elder. He licked his paw failing to act casual as he fought off another coughing fit.
"Stubtail! Stubtail!"
"What now?" the elder muttered but he immediately calmed down when he noticed that it was Tinyfern's kits Milkkit, Fogkit, Fawnkit and Riverkit along with the newly born kits of Spottedstream Airkit and Stripedkit.
"What are you little demons doing here?" Stubtail asked lowering his rickety body to their height.
"They wanted to hear a story." Another voice answered. Stubtail looked up to the smiling warrior Sundapple. ", And so do I."
He snorted "Still haven't lost the love of listening to an old warrior's story?"
"Quite frankly no, but I'll let these kits decide on the story instead." He laid himself down as the kits started jumping up and down
"I want to hear about How TigerClan Got their Stripes!" Stripedkit blurted
"No let's hear about LeopardClan!" Riverkit yelled.
"No way! I want to hear about LionClan!" Fogkit snapped.
"I want to hear about Duskfang's exile…" Airkit whispered.
All of the kits stopped jumping around and looked at the little she-cat in shock. Sundapple was also quiet speechless but he couldn't blame the kit's curiosity.
Sundapple could still remember how he had felt about Duskfang before the exile although it was a fading memory. He remembered watching his 'Uncle Duskfang' the power, the pride, that Duskfang had held had awed the little kit Sundapple had been. Every helpful hint that Duskfang had given him Sunkit would honor alongside the warrior code. Every night he would pray to Starclan to let Duskfang one day become his mentor.
He also remembered the day of the exile. He had been playing with the other kits inside of the nursery to avoid the coming storm when his father Swiftclaw had come in and whispered something to Dawnbird that had made her eyes widen in shock and horror. His mother had told him to stay in the nursery, but refusing to follow orders a little after his parents had left he snuck out of the nursery. And then he had seen the thing that had completely ruined his mental image of Duskfang.
He looked through the legs of the older cats to see the gray black-striped warrior with scarlet blood splashed across his paws and circling his mouth, his white fangs gleaming as he shouted, the dead body of the deputy not to far off.
Sundapple shivered the image away. He didn't want to remember, he had learned to forget. But Duskfang coming back had startled him. And even though he did try to act as he didn't care, it had hurt when Duskfang had ignored his presence.
"I think we should leave that story for another day Airkit." Graytip said. "How about Stubtail tells you the story about the beginning of Nightclan." the old she-cat smiled.
"Ya!"
"Fine then." The elder Stubtail took a deep breath but then let out a series of painful coughs.
"Are you okay Stubtail?" asked Sundapple.
"Like I've been telling everyone I'm fine!" the elder snapped.
The reassurance of Stubtail did nothing for Sundapple. The old coot could be lying with his guts splattered across the floor saying it was an ordinary thing.
The warrior made a mental not to go visit the medicine cats den tomorrow to tell Moonpaw and Redfern about Stubtail.
For now though Sundapple laid down and listened to the story
….
Duskfang stomped into his den, hissing angrily under his breath. "Damn her!" How'd I let her trick me like that? Screw telling her the truth, he needed to get out of here. He slammed himself headfirst into the nest still cursing angrily under his breath, knowing full and well he'd just signed up for three more days here.
While in this fit he didn't notice the patter of paws and flinched when he heard a small voice say "Duskfang?"
Turning around he saw Molekit's figure at the entrance. "What is it?" he asked, doing his best not to snap; expecting a message from Thymestar or even a death threat from Deadlight.
"Umm... could I go with you to your training tomorrow morning? Molekit asked his black ears twitching.
Duskfang blinked.
"I mean… can I just go to watch?" the kit asked.
"Sure." Duskfang said, "Half the clan does it already."
Molekit's eyes brightened up "Really!"
"Why not?" Duskfang said.
Molekit smiled "I'll come over tomorrow morning!" he leaped off his small paws pitting and patting as they made contact with the ground rushing off toward the nursery. The sun finally findings its way down, the moon slightly showing.
Duskfang stretched out in his nest, it had been a long day.
His life getting threatened wasn't really all that surprising. Despite his arrogant behavior Warscar had been popular among the clan. Deadlight, Ravenfoot, and those other two had been some close friends of his, and had probably yelled rogue the loudest when he had been exiled.
Then there was that entire conversation with Adderstripe. Despite all that coward had done to Duskfang he couldn't help but feel sorry for the pathetic thing. He'd once been so filled with energy and proud, following Warscar around like he was some great Starclan cat or something. It must've been a killing blow to have that image shattered to pieces and behind the picture a demon tormenting your every action. Duskfang could slightly remember Adderstripe's mother Lilycove. She had been a sweet she-cat with a bit of a temper from what he could remember, and she had been completely devoted to her mate Curledtalon. But after his death something had snapped in the she-cat. She had talked to shadows and cats that weren't there, and had screeched loudly at anyone who dared come near her precious Adderkit. No wonder Adderstripe was so messed up. He had gotten his mother's best and worst trait her devotion to others. Was he going to walk through the same path of darkness and confusion as Lilycove?
He thought about Molekit son of Deadlight who had been one of Warscar's most devoted followers suddenly growing fond of him. Duskfang wondered if Moonpaw was right, that the little kit admired the cat that had the strength to kill a deputy.
Moonpaw… he just couldn't figure this she-cat out. According to Redfern she didn't seem to like being a medicine cat but why else would she be one? Her blind eye maybe was the reason but was that all? She hadn't seemed that bad when he'd first met her, she still wasn't that bad. She'd saved his pelt by risking her own and could snap at anyone with her sharp tongue. Duskfang found himself slightly grinning when he thought about how'd she'd sent those warriors running with only a few well chosen words. And she hadn't been particularly mean or hateful toward him, except for that one little mix up of words she'd used to get him to promise to stay here. He scowled a bit.
Though he couldn't help but think that that had come from her loyalty toward the prophecy and Redfern. Loyalty… he thought, It was such a big factor in life.
His thoughts began to drift away as sleep took him his last thoughts where on the prophecy and surprisingly he found himself wondering what it could mean.
…
In the elder's den Stubtail coughed multiple times in his sleep tossing and turning, his body shivered frequently during the warm night and he curled up into a tight ball for lost warmth.
…
In the nursery the queen Spottedstream shivered slightly. Next to her the white and brown figure of Stripedkit began to cough but only for a moment. Another darker figure followed the example and shivered violently curling up against a queen for her warmth.
After that there was only the silence of sleep.
…
A black and white cat began to cough vigorously a few of the warriors around them perked their ears but only the gray she-cat next to him picked up her head.
"Is everything okay Swiftclaw?" she asked her tone dipped into a worrisome tone.
"I'm fine Dawnbird, you know me I can cough over anything." Swiftclaw smiled at his mate and licked her forehead "Now get some rest, tomorrow its back to dawn patrol."
"Whoopee." Dawnbird muttered sarcastically as she put her head back down. But even after her mate finally did fall into the normal calm breathing of sleep she felt worry pang her and like a thorn stuck in her paws it wouldn't come out.
…
Blacks figures moves in silence over the two-leg fence they went, pulling out a sweet smelling plant by its roots; killing it off so it was never to grow again.
There where many of these sweet tasting plants as the first group left another one jumped over to grab what was left.
One figure stayed on the fence green eyes watching the production carefully. Another figure joined him ice blue eyes glaring down at him as he bowed slightly.
"How is production going?" The white figure spoke her beautiful mew seemed to ring across the silent work.
"Very well in little time the plants will all be ours or dead." A gravely voice coming from the first cat said.
"Good. Just as the leader ordered we must destroy their most important recourses before destroying them." She moved away. "Continue the work make sure there isn't a bud left by the morning."
"Understood." And that is just what happened. When the cats left the small garden was barren of the precious herb of catmint.
…..
Duskfang opened his eyes; sunlight had slunk its way through the entrance of his den and was now messing with his eyes. He stretched out letting his claws scratch at the floor a bit as he did so. He was used to waking up at this time so he didn't yawn.
"Duskfang?" the tom looked down to see Molekit at the entrance seeming to shake out of his own pelt from excitement.
Why's he excited? Duskfang thought a bit before he remembered yesterday and understood.
"You're going training now right?" Molekit said bouncing up and down.
"Yes I am but first I need to get Moonpaw." Duskfang said remembering his promise to Moonpaw yesterday.
"Really why?" Molekit asked.
"It's a requirement." Duskfang said not really wanting to explain.
"Oh….?" Molekit tilted his head.
…..
Sundapple made his way into the medicine cat den where life was beginning as the two medicine cats where awake and moving about. Moonpaw was the closest so Sundapple made his way toward her.
"Excuse me, Moonpaw?" he said.
The pretty she-cat looked up at him her face covered by the oak leaf "Yes Sundapple?"
"It's about Stub…" The she-cat suddenly seemed to lose interest when the light from the entrance was blocked. Sundapple turned around and went rigid.
Duskfang stood there looking as powerful and strong as he had in his past life as a warrior actually he seemed even stronger. The effect might've been ruined though by the little black kit that was following eagerly at his paws.
Redfern walked past Sundapple looking joyful. Sundapple glanced back at Moonpaw she kept her features plain but he could've sworn he spotted guilt somewhere in her eye.
Sundapple felt awkward and agitated he turned around and forced his way by Redfern who was saying something to Duskfang about a burr in his pelt. Something in her tone reminded Sundapple about how his mother talked to him. But he ignored it wanting to be out of this environment as quickly as possible.
He'd regret this later wouldn't he?
...
Duskfang glanced back at Sundapple he felt a small sadness worm its way inside of him but he shook it off looking back down at Moonpaw who was walking up to them.
"Well its off to the training hollow" she said.
The routine followed his usual one of striking at a stick. From the corner of his eyes he could see Moonpaw lying down seeming bored and Molekit staring intently at the attacks. After awhile Molekit tried to imitate them but always ended up flat on his face. Duskfang stopped attacking the stick and was about to give some tips to Molekit on why his attacks where failing but Moonpaw beat him to it.
"Your putting to much weight onto your front paws if you put all of your weight into your back paws your front paws will move faster and easier same in reverse." She said.
"What do you know about fighting?" Duskfang asked. Even thought her information had been correct.
She glanced at him picking herself up "Probably as much as you." She smirked.
"Oh really?" Duskfang grinned "But with all that knowledge I bet you can't do anything with it."
The she-cat narrowed her eyes then glanced back at Molekit. "Hey Molekit. This is how to strike with your front paws." She suddenly lunged at Duskfang batting at him with her sheathed paws."
On instinct he backed out of the way and struck back keeping his claws sheathed though, either way the silver she-cat found a way to dodge him and leaped over him nipping at his tail as she rushed away.
He ran after her nearly cornering her against a tree but she wasn't any half wit. She latched her claws onto the tree trunk and climbed up as fast as she could. Duskfang followed her. Then started the tree fight; they'd jump from branch to branch playfully batting and nipping at each other.
Duskfang was amazed at Moonpaw's agility and balance as she danced across the branches. His strength, speed and past experiences gave him an edge but even then she was doing pretty well. He leaped at the branch she was on and swiped his paw at her trying to get at her blind side. She twisted around so she could keep her eye on Duskfang and then she tried to nip at him again but he batted at her. She backed away.
The two stopped fighting for a second and took in a breather.
Underneath them out of their notice some other cats had come and where watching in amazement next to Molekit
Duskfang had never seen anyone look so happy. Moonpaw's eye was bright and filled with joy, her mouth was curved into an enthusiastic smile, she seemed so filled with light that she might just float off of the branch, and her pretty silver pelt glimmered in the early sun. Beautiful joy was one way to describe it.
She leaped at him and slightly batted his ear before she leaped away and he followed paying her back for that by nipping at her tail she twisted around to return the favor but a low hanging branch on her blind side knocked her off of balance and off the branch.
"Ahhh!" She let out a screech and grabbed at the branch barley with three claws. Duskfang leaned in and grabbed her scruff before she fell pulling her back up to the branch. Below the other warriors let out loud meows of fear but Duskfang ignored them and so did Moonpaw.
She was shivering violently with fear her eyes where wide and she stared down at the ground. The branch had torn off the oak leaf she had been wearing but her blind eye was closed. Her paw bled a little from the claws she had probably pulled. He was pretty sure she wouldn't complain though. It had either been her claws or her life.
He nudged at her with his paw 'Moonpaw?" She blinked looking up at Duskfang
"What?" she asked.
"We need to get back onto solid ground do you need…."
She nodded slightly. Duskfang led her to the tree base helping her down the tree trunk. When they reached solid earth they where surrounded by Sweetpaw her mentor and Spiderpaw and his mentor Burntfur, all looking worryingly at Moonpaw.
"Moonpaw are you okay?" a she-cat's voice said above the other's.
"I'm fine mother." Moonpaw said looking down.
Silversong came up, her eyes stretched out when they spotted the blood on Moonpaw. She looked accusingly at Duskfang who was keeping his features guarded and emotionless.
"I swear prophecy or not if you're the one that hurt my daughter…"
"It's not his fault!" Moonpaw said above her mother; who turned back to her kit dumbfounded. "I started it, and it was the branch that knocked me down not him…"
"Why were you fighting Moonpaw? You're no warrior you're a medicine cat. There's a big difference you know." Her mother snapped "You can't fight Moonpaw you know that."
Even Duskfang tilted his head at that. He spotted Molekit looking bewildered at these words.
"I'm sorry for giving you such a scare mother." She muttered. "I didn't mean it. It was all just a game.
"Go get your claws checked and another oak leaf too." Silversong said.
'It's fine Silversong. I'll treat it myself."
Duskfang looked at Moonpaw, the joy and light she had held in her features where gone now all that was left was sadness and anger.
He followed her knowing he'd gotten more out of training this morning then he could've gotten beating up a hundred of sticks.
….
HELL YA I'M NOT DEAD YET! Sorry for not uploading in awhile but extra long chapter to make up for it? No? Okay I'll work on the next Chapter
Incase your wondering Yes Willowleaf will be coming back.