Chapter 14- Dustypaw
He had taken the kits behind a rock and left their blood. He had seen what happened to cats after they died. They faded away. He was going to tell Mapleshade the same thing. He saw a starry figure appear. "We can help you get them out, if you can get them to StarClan's border." Mosskit said. She was whispering and looking jumpy because she could be seen here. She was in just as much danger as a normal cat. "We're going to be able to send one other cat to help you. Who do you want?"
Not Troutleap, he would be fussing over the kits. What about Mosspaw? No, she would be fussing over the kits and be busy with them, not focused. That leaves Fernpaw and Snakepaw. Fernpaw has amazing speed but Snakepaw can be a shadow. "Get me Snakepaw." Dustypaw said as quickly as he could. Mosskit nodded and ran off.
Dustypaw glanced at the kits hiding spot and acted as if he was cleaning the blood off of his paws when Treadpaw came around. "You really took care of those kits." She said. Humor was in her voice.
I nodded. "It was like fresh kill." He sunk his claws into the ground.
Treadpaw nodded. "You know, Mosspaw, the little destined cat in my Clan?" Dustypaw nodded. "Watch out, she hasn't stopped talking about you, you, Snakepaw and that little no good Fernpaw. They all get on my nerves, praying to StarClan always. You and me, we're smart. We know when you can't depend on anyone else. We have to take care of ourselves, and eachother. Right?"
Dustypaw gulped. "Uh, yeah."
Treadpaw smiled. "I got the little white and silver she-kit. She tried to fight me but I simply clawed her a bit. She shut up real fast." She flicked her tail on Dustypaw's shoulder. "Hey I'm going to find Mapleshade. Want to come?"
Dustypaw shook his head. "I- I want to bask in my glory for a while. Is that okay?"
Treadpaw nodded. "See you around, Dustypaw. I can't wait to spar you."
Treadpaw ran off and Mosskit peered out from behind a bloodied bush. "Is it safe?" He nodded. "Good. I brought Snakepaw."
He stepped out from the bush, his brown tabby fur bristling. His blue eyes were like shards of ice. "What is going on here?"
"I was tempted by the Dark Forest because I was tired of the way I was treated because of my pelt so Mapleshade came, told me I could make myself silver, as you saw, and trained me instead of Mistystar and Mosskit. They then kidnapped Troutleap's kits and his father's kits and took them here. When they didn't die they told me to kill them. I didn't they are behind that bush. We have to get them back to StarClan so we can escape the Dark Forest and get back to saving the Clans." Snakepaw stood there, unflinching as he took in the scene around him.
"What do you want me to do?" He asked calmly.
"I want you to take the kits, one at a time to StarClan. I'll stand guard."
Snakepaw nodded. "Who is the weakest?"
Dustypaw lifted Willowkit from the hiding place. "Take her and come back quickly. Farley is almost as bad." Mosskit lead Snakepaw away as he disappeared with Willowkit. He came back for Farley, then Minnowkit, then Beetelkit then Farryn. He was about to let out a sigh of relief when he saw Mapleshade followed by Treadpaw and Dawnfire, a cream she-cat with ginger splotches and eyes to match them.
"Fish-dung." He hissed under his breath. "Hey, Treadpaw, Mapleshade and Dawnfire." He tried to say casually. He was shaking in his voice though.
Mapleshade nodded a greeting then stepped up. "I heard you killed those kits." Dustypaw nodded. She then took a step to the bush. "Mind if we look around?" She walked over to the bush and looked down, unsurprised. "Rushkit, hmm." She turned and sliced Dustypaw's cheek. "Liar!"
Rushkit leaped to his paws. "He is no liar! If you lie to save others then it isn't a lie! He saved all of us." Rushkit ran to Dustypaw and hissed at Mapleshade.
"Such a noble kit you are, Rushkit. Too bad we have to slaughter you. Treadpaw, take care of it." Mapleshade narrowed her eyes at Dustypaw. "Treadpaw, kill him." Rushkit stood up tall and proud as the she-cat stalked toward him. Dustypaw lunged to save him but he found himself being held down by Mapleshade. He couldn't save Rushkit. There was a flash of fur and a scream from Treadpaw. Dustypaw opened his eyes and saw Dawnfire holding her down.
Mistystar pushed Mapleshade off of Dustypaw. "Run!" She called. The she-cats stood fighting. Rushkit smiled and ran off. Dawnfire let Treadpaw up and ran after the kit.
"Hurry Mistystar!" He lunged at Mapleshade and bit her shoulder. Mistystar ran to the border, followed quickly by Dustypaw. He could hear the vulgar words Mapleshade was calling them.
Rushkit pranced into the starry clearing. "We showed them!"
"What happened?" Snakepaw was running over to Dustypaw.
"We ran into a bit of trouble with Mapleshade and Treadpaw. None of us would be alive if it wasn't for Dawnfire."
Dawnfire shyly ducked away. "It was nothing."
"Nothing? Dawnfire, you saved a StarClan leader, an apprentice and a kit. That is more than nothing. I'm so glad I can call you my Clanmate." Snakepaw paused. "How are you going to stop going to the Dark Forest?" He said to both Dawnfire and Dusypaw.
Dawnfire smiled at her younger Clanmate. "Easy. Just don't go. If you really don't want to go you won't."
Dustypaw looked at the kits. "Let's get them home, they have to be tired."
Mosskit and Mistystar lead them down a slope that landed on the island. The kits that were hurt were now healed by the miracles of StarClan. They were lucky. They had been touched by stars. They started by padding to the barn. Cast and Bell were sitting outside looking upset. "Looking for them?" Dusypaw caught the attention of the cats.
"Farryn! Farley!" Bell ran and licked each one of them frantically.
Cast smiled and his eyes were full of joy. "Thank you so much, Dustypaw, and Snakepaw and, I don't know your name."
"I'm Dawnfire." She purred. There was a spark of something in the air. They stood looking at each other until Snakepaw spoke.
"Dawnfire, we have to go."
"Oh yes, of course." She looked back at Cast who had padded over to Bell, Farryn and Farley. "Let's go."
The group of cats walked until they reached the camp of RiverClan. "This is where we part, Dustypaw. I'll see you soon." Snakepaw and Dawnfire ran off. They entered the camp where the eyes of RiverClan widened in shock at the sight of the lost kits.
Okay, since I had so many reviews last chapter, I decided to update early! You're welcome! Now let's keep those reviews coming! Special thanks to the creators of the following:
New ThunderClanners!
Treadpaw (dark brown she-cat with bright yellow eyes) *submitted by Sightless Silver Eyes*
Whitewhisker- big white tom with blue eyes *submitted by XxShinyeeveexX*
Raveheart- jet black she-cat with amber eyes *submitted by XxShinyeeveexX*
New ShadowClanners!
Billowfur- dark gray tom with amber eyes *submitted by Sightless Silver Eyes*
Skyblaze- handsome golden tom with ginger streaks along his back and tail with amber eyes *submitted by XxShinyeeveexX*
Crowflight- dark gray almost black tom with hints of dark brown *submitted by XxShinyeeveexX*
Dawnfire- Cream she-cat with ginger splotches all over. She has blazing orange eyes. *submitted by Megan Pinescar*
Spottedpelt- tortoiseshell she-cat with white, ginger and golden splotches, expecting Skyblaze's kits *submitted by XxShinyeeveexX*
New WindClanners!
Cinderleaf- light gray tabby she-cat with striking golden eyes *submitted by spicegirl324*
Whisperfeather- light gray tabby she-cat with wide blue eyes *submitted by Sightless Silver Eyes*
Silvertail- gray tabby tom *submitted by XxShinyeeveexX*
Rainfall- pretty gray and white striped tabby she-cat *submitted by XxShinyeeveexX*
Thanks to all of you. You saved my life! I dedicate this chapter to you lovely folks and all my awesome reviewers! Only a few more chapters, but I have a prequel and sequel planned out! And *hinthint* more reviews means faster chapter posts.
Songstar of MaskedClan, Warriors Challenge Forum