Blossompaw's Escape
Part Three: The Clan
All the warriors slept that night in the den, Braveheart occupied the middle and sent off waves of heat. The apprentices were settled in their own den, keeping everyone awake with snoring. Whisperpaw was in the medicine cat den by himself, and Blossomfang decided her first mission was to find him an apprentice. Her blue eyes were just starting to close when she saw a figure get up from the tangle of cats - and dog - and leave the den. Blossomfang looked at her clan mates to make sure they were still asleep before following the cat out of camp.
Squinting through the darkness she could make out the frame of Flintmask. His orange and ash colored fur ruffled with the breeze. He had his head angled upward, watching the moon drift higher into the sky. Blossomfang hung back and watched him, but the breeze changed and he caught a wiff of her scent. She saw his muzzle curl into a lopsided smile.
"Following me now?" he laughed and glanced over his shoulder at her, his green eyes were bright and mischievous. Blossomfang flushed under her pelt before stepping forward and sitting next to him.
"Did I disturb you?" she asked quietly.
"No, it's nice to have company," he assured her and resumed watching the moon.
"If you don't mind my asking...what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"
"I'm just appreciating the forest Flowerfeet...er Blossomfang."
"Shiverspots, Rabbitleap, and Whisperpaw seem to really be settling into clan life," Blossomfang observed.
"My sister has always been more of a group cat," Flintmask acknowledged.
"And you?" Blossomfang questioned. She pricked her ears to hear his response.
"Don't worry about me, I'll go wherever Ashclan does," he promised after a minute of silence. He had really changed a lot since she rescued him and his sister from Shane's prison lair. Blossomfang thought maybe he had even grown to respect her in the time that followed. She knew she had also grown up quite a bit, no longer was she a spit fire apprentice. She was a warrior, and she would protect Ashclan until her last breath.
Blossomfang wanted to say more but instead left Flintmask to his own devices. Returning to the warmth and comfort of the warrior den she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the moss.
"The city is dangerous, don't forget it. I'm not sure where we stand with Niko but Shane won't hesitate to have us killed if we are seen on his terf," Blossomfang addressed the cluster of cats standing before her. She was taking Fawndapple, Foxtooth, and Rabbitleap into the city. Braveheart would take care of the camp while they were gone. She would have loved the safety his size and force brought but he would be a dead giveaway to the group, Shane would be on them before they set foot on a thunder-path. Shiverspots and Flintmask were also staying behind for that reason. But Blossomfang was confident Whisperpaw would keep them occupied fetching herbs.
"It will be a day's trek there, we'll make camp on the outskirts of the city. The next day we will search for recruits and on the third night we head home."
"Be good while were away," Foxtooth smiled as he looked down at his three kits. Fawndapple licked each of their heads and they squirmed away from her fussing. The two cats said their final goodbyes before joining Blossomfang and Rabbitleap and they headed toward the city. Blossomfnag dully realized that night was the full moon, marking half of her allotted time to convince Foxtooth and Fawndapple to become a clan. They would have to skip their first gathering.
The group slowly headed out of Ashclan's territory, the smell of the ocean and cherry tree's faded into pines and undergrowth. They didn't encounter any loners as they got closer to the city, which was odd. Rabbitleap seemed to have the same thought.
"The city can't be too far now, it's sun high and we've been walking for hours. I haven't seen any cats at all," he said suspiciously. Blossomfang had a vague inkling as to why.
"Shane is calling in forces," she whispered softly. "He's been recruiting loners and rogues to prepare for our return, or to come after us himself."
"All the more reason we need to build up our numbers," Fawndapple pointed out. Blossomfang was thankful the dappled she cat had sided with her in her plan to build up Ashclan. Maybe the idea of clan life was growing on her, her kits were certainly enthusiastic about company. Fawndapple was still cold and distant towards most of the group besides her mate, but she saw the sense and safety clan life brought. She would put her family before all else, and if she thought they were safer as a clan then Ashclan might be saved after all.
Foxtooth on the other paw was a little hot headed. He wanted to believe he could be the sole provider for his mate and kits and didn't take kindly to outsiders. Although he too seemed to thrive in a group environment, whether he'd admit to himself or not. Blossompaw just hoped she could prove to them in time that their Ashclan heritage was important and these cats needed their territory.
Blossompaw's train of thought changed course as they got even closer to the city, the fur on her shoulders elevated with foreboding. She was trying to recall everything he new about the city bosses. Shane and Niko had been mates once long ago, but now were bitter enemies. Niko controlled the North end of the city which was mostly she cats. Shane had the South end with his gang of tom cats.
"We should definitely avoid Shane's South side of the city, and lay low around Niko as well," Blososmfang suggested. The group let out murmurs of agreement. Blossomfang could tell already they were going to jump at every shadow for every second they spent in the city. If Shane wasn't planning to come after them already he certainley wouldn't hesitate to fight if he caught them stealing his cats.
Not long before night fall the lights of the city came into view. Blossompaw was chilled by the echoing shouts of twolegs and the roar of cars zooming along thunder paths. Bright lights illuminated each structure and a cloud of smog hovered over the whole expanse.
The small group made camp under a holly bush, just barely inside of the forest. In the morning they would be looking for cats willing to give clan life a try. Blossompaw mulled over their plan of action as she tried to fall asleep. They would need Tom cats too...which would only be found in Shane's territory. She thought maybe if she split the group up, Foxtooth and Rabitleap go to the South side and Blossompaw and Fawndapple go to the North side. It would be risky but would draw less attention to them.
She let out a sigh and forced the thoughts from her mind, she needed rest if she wanted to make it through tomorrow. As her eyelids became heavy she thought she saw a glimpse of a dark gray cat with amber eyes, the faintest hint of stars in his paws. He was shaking his head slowly. But whatever she had seen was disregarded as she drifted off into oblivion.
Thanks to a helpful idea from Maplesong I want all of you to enter your rogue OC's for this story! Just fill out this idea thingy down below and comment! I may change some things about your OC to fit with the story, but I'd love for some unique cats! Please no Mary sue's or Gary stue's. Keep in mind that male cats are in the South side with Shane and She cats are in the North side with Niko. Plan their personality accordingly. :D
Name:
Age (moons/years):
Gender:
Appearance (eye color, pelt, markings, height/size, etc):
Personality (odd quirks and characteristics):
Background (How did they end up in the city under either Niko or Shane):
Family (mate? Kits? No-one loves them?):
Other:
