NOTE: I don't own anything warriors other than two of the characters. All credit is given in the Allegiances section.

Ugh. This took forever to copy and paste. However, it's here and will hopefully post.

Falachen says hi to everyone! She's doing better but the doctors say it's still touch and go.

Review and Enjoy!


Reviving Blood

Chapter 17: A Happy Day

Yips and whines made Lightningfur groan. A gentle voice cut through the sharp cries. Slowly the cat looked up from his bed towards the small den. Crystal was gently licking each of her five pups. Dominic padded over and whispered to her. A soft chuckle was Crystal's way of reassuring him that everything was alright. Lightningfur felt his heart twist for the young dog. He could see the bags of exhaustion under her eyes. Since Chloe's escape, Trenton had tightened his grip on the female. She didn't deserve the restrictions, the orders to remain in his quarters at all times. The white dog had done nothing wrong. Both Dominic and he had mentioned this to their master. Trenton never changed his mind, never loosened the noose around her neck.

Dominic padded over to the white tom and whimpered, "I'm worried about Crystal. She's cooped up here all the time with the puppies. It's wearing her out."

"I understand, Dominic," Lightningfur meowed. He reached out a paw and touched his friend's wet nose, "There's not much to be done. Trenton won't allow her outside. He's afraid she'll run off like Chloe did."

The dog shifted uncomfortably, "I know the reasons why. But Crystal isn't like Chloe. She…we…have accepted our fate. Master has nothing to worry about."

"Maybe he'll bring her with us to the festival," Lightningfur suggested with a weak smile.

The annual festival was only seven days away. Already the castle was filled with lords and ladies waiting for the festivities to begin. Poorer families were pitching tents by the castle walls. Still others were staying at Feldom's inn, a large wooden structure designed and built for these special occasions. All were looking forward to the festival. It was a fun occasion and it gave some the chance to catch Trenton's eye. Lightningfur knew that two of Trenton's trainers had retired due to age. Another had been killed by Flash's cats. That left three empty spots that needed to be filled by someone. Many would be looking to step in, if they could only succeed at the tournaments.

Lightningfur looked down at his paws. This would be the first festival where he wouldn't fight. Usually he was Trenton's final test. Any cat or dog who could stand against him were welcomed into the army's ranks. Any trainer who could help a cat or dog outmatch him were rewarded with a position. Now…now Lightningfur didn't know what his role would be. Deep blue eyes glanced towards his master's office. A frown pulled at his lips before he lowered his head to his blankets. Dominic had collapsed in his bed with a huff of annoyance. His dark eyes were also looking in the direction of their master. The tom felt his ears flatten in anger. So many things were changing. So many lives were being turned upside down. Chloe, Dominic, and Crystal were only a pawful. All of Forestclan had been harmed by Trenton's decisions. His family had been torn apart, broken and separated by distance. Claws dug into his bed. When would it end? When would Trenton see what his choices were doing to others?

Footsteps made the tom perk up. Trenton entered the living room with papers in his hands. Blue eyes glanced up as he checked on the animals. Quickly he noted how Lightningfur and Dominic were in their beds but not asleep. Sharp ears caught the sound of the puppies trying to play in the cramped den. Crystal grunted as they climbed over her sore and battered body. Silently he handed the papers through the door to a waiting servant before turning to them. The cat and male dog raised their heads, waiting for a command. Trenton signaled for them to stay in their beds.

The Twoleg leader went to one knee and whistled softly. Instantly the puppies went silent. Five pairs of eyes looked out at the leader. A smile spreading over his lips, the Twoleg reached out a hand towards them, "Come here, young ones. There's more room to play out here."

None of the pups made a move to leave. Dominic lifted his head and let out a deep, low bark. Crystal shifted until she could nudge each of them in the rear. With a curious whimper, the oldest pup stepped out of the den. His dark eyes reminded the tom of his father. The white pelt was patched with various browns and black. Folded ears were pricked as he listened to Trenton's voice. Unsteady paws padded over to the Twoleg leader. He was greeted by a scratch behind the ears before getting flipped over. An indignant yip came out of his mouth. That's when another two barks rang out. His younger brothers came racing to their brother's aid. One, the third born, was an identical copy of his father's coat but with his mother's lean, swift body. The other, the last born, was a black dog with a white belly. Lightningfur had been shocked by his coloring but Crystal explained how her father had been black. The tom smiled as both males jumped at Trenton's legs. A chuckle escaped the Twoleg as they slid back to the marble floor with grunts of frustration. Then his left hand came in and flipped them over as well, getting more indignant yips. Yawning, Lightningfur noticed how the two female pups were slowly stepping out. Unlike their adventurous brothers, these two were timid and shy. He frowned with worry, knowing that those personalities didn't match well with Trenton's lifestyle. The eldest female resembled a husky, taking after her grandmother (Crystal's mother), with a brown top and white underneath. The other was larger thanks to her father and pure white except for a spot of brown on her muzzle. Both cautiously approached the Twoleg leader as he played with their brothers.

Trenton chuckled as the oldest pup tried another unsuccessful attempt to leap onto his leg. Both blue eyes rose to look at Dominic as he smiled, "Your pups are getting stronger every day, my friend." Each hand gingerly scooped up the largest female pup as he continued, "You and Crystal should think of naming them soon."

Dominic flattened his ears and looked towards a nervous Crystal, "We thought you were going to name them, like you named us."

A frown touched Trenton's lips, "You're their parents so it's your responsibility to name them. Remember, Dominic, that you were sold to me without a name and I found Crystal abandoned on the streets after her mother died. That's why I named the two of you."

The male dog dipped his head to his master, accepting the rebuke. Lightningfur had to smile at that. He knew his friend and Crystal had picked out several names when the pups were born but avoided naming them for fear of Trenton's wrath. Now they could name them. Slowly he lowered his head back down. Both eyes closed as he prepared to go back to sleep. His smile grew as he remembered two of the names. They would be perfect for the female puppies.

"Lightningfur, incoming!" Crystal suddenly yipped.

The tom's eyes snapped open, fur fluffing outward. Ears perked as pawsteps could be heard charging him. They were light and uneven. That told him what was about to happen. Instantly he lifted his head and opened his mouth to tell them no. It was too late. Both of the female puppies, who liked the male cat that played with them, slammed into him. Their combined weight pinned him down. Desperately his back paws kicked at the blanket that covered them. The husky looking pup snapped at his ears, her left front paw draped over his face. He grunted as the other jumped onto his back, desperately seeking to bite his long tail. Quickly he rolled over, throwing both pups off. Then he was up and racing for the couch. There he would be safe as the pups couldn't jump that high. Pawsteps sounded behind him as the females gave chase. Reaching the couch, the tom planted his paws firm before leaped upward. He had almost pulled himself up when sharp, little teeth snagged his tail. Yelping, he felt himself slipping. Claws latched themselves into the fabric-covered wood.

"Crystal! Dominic! Help!" he meowed desperately as his grip weakened.

Both back paws lost their grip. Several strands of fabric snapped as puppies' weight pulled him further down. His tail began twisting and lashing as he tried to shake the puppies off. The tom didn't want to fall and hurt them. Not to mention the spikes of pain coming from his poor tail. Yet the more he tried to free his tail, the harder the puppies held on. They enjoyed tugging pieces of rope between themselves. Wasn't this the same game? Lightningfur winced as several more fabric strands snapped. Silently cursing Dominic, who had both paws over his nose as he tried not to laugh, the tom planted both back feet against the couch side. As his front paws lost their grip, he pushed off and twisted in the air. Soon all four paws landed heavily on the marble floor. Lightningfur let out a sigh…

Right before getting tackled by the female pups.

This time the cat simply laid there. Deep blue eyes glared at Dominic, who had given up trying not to laugh. Crystal was half in, half out of her den. Ice blue eyes were locked on him as she made sure neither pup was hurting him. Another grunt escaped him as a heavier weight pounced on him. It was oldest of the litter. The second oldest male pounced on his face. Lightningfur just managed to flick his tail out of the way of the last pup. Growling, the pup leaped again and missed again. A shadow fell over them, making the tom look up around the second oldest male. Trenton stood there with his hands on his hips. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to help me?" Lightningfur meowed dryly.

That got Trenton to start laughing.

In all, it was happy day in the apartment…

Even if one spent most of it running from the oversized puppies that wanted to play.


Cats (in order of experience/training):

Lightningfur: pure white tom with deep blue eyes, long legs that make him tall, and a long, flexible tail. Nightfur's mate. Father of Blizzardsky, Forestclaw, Leafshine, Jayflight, Cloudpaw, Ravenpaw, Dapplepaw, and Snowpaw.

Adder: tan tom with dark brown paws and green eyes. Long scar left shoulder to right haunch (going over his back).

Tom: long-furred black tom with a white muzzle and hazel eyes. Three scratches crossing his face.

Bridget: white she-cat with black rings on her tail and amber eyes. Right ear is missing.

Dagger: storm gray tom with blue eyes and a black muzzle. Half of his tail is missing and front left paw is badly burned.

Silver: a silver she-cat with white ears and green eyes. Scars striping her back from a whip.

Range: orange tom with pale yellow stripes, white paws, and amber eyes. Blind in left eye and a torn right ear.

Misty: dark gray she-cat with a silver muzzle, white paws, and green eyes. Scratch scars on her shoulders.

Chloe: silver she-cat with light blue eyes.

Red: red-orange tabby tom with black stripes, white paws, white tail tip, and green eyes.

Hymn: white she-cat with black and brown patches along her back and sides, hind paws are black, and green eyes.

Jackal: light tan tom with dark brown ears, dark brown top of tail, and amber eyes.

Many more.


Dogs (in order of experience/training):

Dominic: massive dark brown male with large folded ears and brown eyes. Faint pale scars cover his entire body. Black collar around his neck.

Reaper: golden male dog with brown pointed ears and striking blue eyes. Scar crossing his chest.

Scarlet: dark ginger female with brown eyes and a black right front paw. Both ears have been bitten to small stubs.

Collie: mottled black, gray, brown, and white female with brown eyes flecked with green. Three scratches on muzzle crisscrossing each other.

Crystal: fluffy pure white female with icy blue eyes and floppy ears. (Mistleaf)

Many more.