NOTE: I don't own anything warriors and only two of the characters. All credit given in the Allegiances section.
TheCrystallineWarrior: This sequel is primarily of my design, yes. However, my friend is the one to come up with character actions and personalities.
BooksRCoolYeah: I laughed when I read your review because this chapter was destined to be from Lightningfur's POV. Reviving Blood will switch between him and Forestclan.
AlexaMarrinDaughterofPoseidon and SilentLeap85: Thank you so much for your support in this and my other enterprises. You really make me want to finish these and get them out. Thank you!
Review and Enjoy!
Reviving Blood
Chapter 2: No Longer Me
Sunlight danced on Lightningfur's closed eyes. Slowly those eyes opened, revealing the deep blue color to the sun. He stretched his front legs. His back pressed into the back of his bed. Then he stretched out his left back leg. Dominic's fur pressed into his pads. The dog grunted as Lightningfur's other leg pressed into him. The dog's head came up. Brown eyes glared at the cat that was disturbing his sleep. The white tom ignored the glare. He rose and arched his back in a stretch. His right paw touched the cool stone. Dominic spun in his bed and slammed his snout into Lightningfur's side. The tom hissed as he went down. Those blue eyes glared at the dog.
"What was that for?" he hissed angrily.
Dominic studied him and growled softly, "You know master's commands. Leaving your bed before he approves will get you into a lot of trouble."
"And when do I care?" the tom snapped, starting to rise again.
Footsteps could be heard approaching from behind. Dominic batted the tom back down. Then he turned and curled up, laying his massive head on the edge of his bed. Lightningfur had managed to curl into a ball before Trenton appeared. The Twoleg was in his white nightshirt and brown trousers. Both were wrinkled from sleep. Lightningfur winced as the Twoleg's boots made a tapping sound. How he ever got used to that sound before was beyond him. He felt Trenton's blue eyes studying him. He didn't move an inch. Trenton did not approve of the cat waking up before him. Lightningfur snarled. He was not allowed to do many things. Hunting and fighting were forbidden. He was only allowed outside when Trenton took him and Dominic out for exercise. A track had been built for the tom to exercise on. If he tried to leave the track, Trenton would yell at him then lock him up for a week. Lightningfur was waited on hand and paw by everyone. Trenton refused to feed him mice, squirrels, rabbits, birds, or any forest prey. The only food he ate had to past his master's strict standards. Claws dug into the bed. It was getting annoying. He was a warrior of Forestclan.
That's when Lightningfur felt his heart twist. He had left Forestclan behind. He was no warrior. He was no deputy. Those eyes closed in agony. He could not even call himself a father. His ears briefly twitched as footsteps approached. Trenton's fingers scratched his exposed back. Food was placed at the bedside. Dominic barked in greeting. Their master fondled his ears and placed food beside his bed too. Then he went and sat in a comfortable chair. His blue eyes watched Lightningfur like a hawk. The tom pretended to stretch and yawn. Then he ate the meat. His stomach twisted at the smell. Since being dragged here, he had learned to hate the smell of cooked meat mixed with herbs. Quickly he started scarfing the food down.
Trenton's hand slapped the side of his face. He was calm but Lightningfur saw the annoyance in the Twoleg's gaze. Lightningfur swallowed the food in his mouth. He's narrowed eyes watched his master. Trenton must have sensed his defiant attitude. The Twoleg picked him up by the scruff. His other hand picked up the bowl of food. Lightningfur caught Dominic's eye roll. Trenton picked up a piece of meat. The tom felt the urge to reject the meat as his master held it in front of his nose. However, he knew such an action would only lead to being locked in cage for a month. He gingerly took the piece of meat. He chewed twice before swallowing. Trenton waited a few seconds before picking up the next piece.
Dominic was finished with his meal long before Lightningfur was. The tom leaped to the ground as soon as Trenton allowed him to. He shook his pelt. Quickly he turned and licked his tail fur flat. His master walked past him with the bowls. He opened the main door and landed the bowls out to a Twoleg servant. Lightningfur continued his bathing. Trenton paused in indecision. His eyes were narrowed as he watched his old friend. Then he shrugged and headed for his bedroom. Dominic approached once they heard the click of the lock.
His voice was filled with worry, "Your attitude is going to cause a lot of issues. Trenton's patience with you is running thin."
"I don't care," Lightningfur growled between licks.
Dominic looked at him, "I care. You won't like Trenton's ultimate punishment. He won't hurt you due to his debt but it won't be pretty either."
"He can do whatever he wants with me. There is no pain he can cause that I haven't already felt," the white cat hissed. The claws on his front right paw unsheathed. He snarled, curling them, "He's already tore my heart out."
The dog flattened his ears and grumbled, "He gave you the option of bringing them with us."
"What kind of choice is that?" Lightningfur suddenly snapped, fur rising. "Forestclan doesn't belong here. My kits and mate don't belong here. You think this life is driving me crazy? All of Forestclan would be climbing up the walls insane if they were here. And how often would I get to see those that were allowed to stay in the forest? If this is any indication then the answer is never."
Dominic actually took a step back from the snarling cat. Lightningfur realized this and looked away. Guilt made his fur feel hot. The dog wasn't at fault. He only did as Trenton commanded him to. That cold, wet nose pressed into his fur. Deep blue eyes met the dog's brown gaze. He understood the pain Lightningfur could feel. Sighing, the white tom hauled himself to his feet. Those white paws carried him towards the back of Trenton's den. A step up and an open doorway separated the dining area from the living area. Beyond the wall, before the dining area, was a long hallway. To the left was Trenton's private office. A public one was attached to the living room. To the right was Trenton's quarters. Lightningfur padded past the hall and dodged among the table and chair legs. There, surrounded by the gray stone, was a large window. A seat with comfortable blankets and pillows was set beneath it. Lightningfur leaped onto the seat and looked out.
The castle yard below was bustling with soldiers. Cats were bathing in the morning sunlight while dogs patrolled the walls and castle grounds with their Twoleg handlers. Those deep blue rose as he looked beyond. Unlike most castles in his territory, Trenton's castle was free standing. The nearest village was Feldom, a three hour journey on horseback. Forests and open plains separated the village from the castle. The trees blurred in and out of focus. Lightningfur didn't bother to stop the tears from sliding down his cheeks. His eyes focused on his reflection. Sitting with him were his family. A snarl of pain appeared on his face. Those blue eyes squeezed tightly shut.
They were gone. All of them. He was alone. He had abandoned them! What kind of father and mate did that!?
Trenton's voice cut through his thoughts, "Poppy?"
Both hands pressed into the fur on his sides. Lightningfur refused to look at the Twoleg. From the reflection, he saw that Trenton was watching him with a worried frown. Then those blue eyes went to the forests surrounding his castle. A look of understanding cleared away the frown. His fingers started scratching Lightningfur's pelt. The tom still refused to give the Twoleg his attention. Trenton was the one at fault. He made him choose. He made Lightningfur leave his only family behind. A sigh escaped his mouth. The white tom had to be honest.
He was the only one to blame.
Trenton gently picked him up, being careful not to press into the cat's stomach, as he spoke, "I was planning on going hunting tomorrow with some of my knights. Do you want to join us?"
"Can I hunt or am I just watching?" the tom asked.
A frown touched Trenton's face. To allow Lightningfur the right to hunt could end up with the tom being hurt. However, he knew that the tom would elect to stay locked up in the castle if he was only going to watch. With a nod, Trenton gave his permission. If Lightningfur came along, he could hunt. That drew a weak purr from the cat. There would be conditions and rules but at least he could do something. Trenton gently scratched his ears and back as the Twoleg headed down to the throne room. Dominic padded at the Twoleg's feet. As always, there was a lot to be done today.
Lightningfur shifted slightly in his bed. It was shortly after the noon meal and he was taking a nap. Trenton was sitting on his throne, a table moved in front so he could work. Dominic was on the other side. A loud snore came from his bed. The tom snarled then flinched. So far he hadn't made a sound that would alert his master to a problem. But he was far from sleeping peacefully.
The flames towered above him. His fur stood on end in fright. Several pairs of cat eyes open and looked at him from within the flames. A hiss escaped his throat. Then he heard a yowl of pain. Spinning around, Lightningfur felt his heart stop. He knew that yowl. Those white paws sprinted into the dark trees. That had been Nightfur's yowl! He let out a powerful yowl. He was coming. He was almost to her.
He slid to a halt as another cry rang out. Those blue eyes went left. Leafshine! A thunderous screech came from his right. Blizzardsky! Jayflight's voice rang out from above. Nightfur's cry of pain was now joined by Forestclaw's. Falconstar's hiss made the tom's heart leap into his throat. Crackling made him look behind. The fire had followed him into the forest. He couldn't go that way. His kits, mate, and brother were all in different directions. He couldn't possibly get to all of them in time. Not even his speed could outrun the wall of heat that chased him.
"Daddy!" Leafshine cried out.
"Father!" Forestclaw added.
Blizzardsky and Jayflight's cries of agony filled his ears.
Falconstar let out a yowl, "Lightningfur! Where are you?"
"Hold on! I'll find you! Just hold on!" he cried back.
The smoke filled his lungs at that moment. Making him cough and gag. Desperately he made a run for Leafshine. The flames continued their constant advance forward. The tom raced through the forest. Branches slapped him in the face. Roots tried desperately to trip him. The voices of his family continued to rise. More and more of Forestclan were adding their voices to the cry for help. Crackling sounds were getting louder as the fire caught up. Heat snapped at the tip of his tail. Panting hard, Lightningfur pushed himself harder. He had to find his family. He had to!
Then all was black.
Looking around, still panting, Lightningfur desperately sought his family. He yowled as loudly as he could. No answer. His long tail beat into the ground as he called for Jayflight. Still no answer came. Heart starting to break, he called again. And again. And again. Finally his throat could take no more. Tears poured down his cheeks. Light slowly revealed the world around him. Ash floated through the air. Tiny rivers of blood were turned black. A burned forest surrounded him on every side. His paws carried him forward. Desperately he stuck his nose in every hole, every possible hiding spot. No one could be found. There weren't even any scents!
"How could you leave us?" Snowkit's voice hissed.
Ravenkit yowled, "We loved you! Trusted you!"
"You abandoned us!" Cloudkit spat.
Dapplekit's sweet meow entered his ears, "We needed you and you weren't there. This is all because of you!"
"Where are you?" the tom yowled, pain making his voice shake. "Please, tell where you are. I'll keep you safe. Where are you!?"
"Where you should be," Snowkit growled.
"Where you left us," Cloudkit yowled.
"Where we will grow up without you," Ravenkit hissed.
"Where you decided we were no longer family," Dapplekit snarled.
Trenton's voice cut in, "Poppy, wake up!"
Lightningfur jolted up. His eyes were wide with horror and fear. His breathing was coming in fast, ragged gasps. Trenton was kneeling beside his bed. Worry shined in his blue eyes. Dominic whimpered as the Twoleg held the cat down. Desperately Lightningfur twisted around. He had to find his kits. Something had happened to them. Something had happened to his family. He had to find them. He had to be there for them. Then he remembered where he was. A spike of pain and guilt stabbed through his heart like a hot sword. He couldn't be there for them. If they were in trouble, he couldn't save them.
All because he chose to follow Trenton.
All because he was moons away.
"Because I'm no longer the cat they loved and respected. Because I'm just a worthless traitor," he thought as Trenton picked him up and held him close.
Not one saw the faint brown tom with black and red splashes hiding in the shadows. A cruel smile touched his lips. Then he faded away. His work was doneā¦
For now.
Thanks all for the support. I'm having serious writer's block and perfectionist issues with my other stories so I figured I would finish this.
