Greysight stomped angrily across camp and sat down in patch of grass, glaring at the warriors den. The rogue had refused to come out.
Sunstar ordered Darkpelt to guard her until she decided to come out. Until then, she would get no fresh kill or be let out of the den.
Greysight didn't know what that cat's problem was. Did Sunstar really believe they could take a rogue into their clan? The very idea was ridiculous.
Greysight had gone to check on Mintpaw, but the young apprentice had yet to wake up. Roseclaw assured her everything was going to be alright, but Greysight doubted her words.
Her claws tightened in anger, that rogue had hurt Mintpaw.
'She has to come out sometime.'
Lostheart sat quietly in the shadows of the camp, relaxing after a long hunting patrol. Thinking over the recent events.
Was Sunstar really making a wise move? To her knowledge no outsiders had ever been taken into the clans before, how were they even supposed to trust a stranger? One who obviously wanted nothing to do with them.
She glanced towards the warriors den where Darkpelt sat stiffly at the entrance, making sure the rogue wouldn't try to escape.
She had never met another cat with separately colored eyes. Although Moonpaw's eyes were a normal color, Lostheart was still pretty surprised. Up until this point, she had thought she was the only one.
'I wonder if she has any problems seeing.'
Lostheart frowned at the warriors den. It wasn't right, to keep a cat locked up like that.
Standing up with intent, Lostheart strode across the clearing towards Darkpelt. The dark warrior's firm gaze met her own as she stood before him.
"I want to see her."
Darkpelt's eyes narrowed at Lostheart. He didn't like it when cats stepped out of their place, let alone her. She was supposed to be avoided, a disgusting creature, bad luck.
"No one is allowed to enter right now." His voice came out as a low growl, but Lostheart wasn't fazed.
"I am the deputy of DarkClan, I have superiority. Move aside." she meowed emotionlessly.
For a second she thought the tom would protest, but he merely dipped his head with a scowl and stepped to the side.
Lostheart didn't even glance at him as she stepped inside the warrior's den. Upon her entry, Moonpaw's head shot up from where she lay in the very back of the den and she immediately started to glare daggers at the newcomer.
Moonpaw recognized the she-cat from yesterday and swallowed back the small feeling of anxiety in the back of her throat. Lostheart's red eye glinted in the light as she approached the silver cat, mouth set into a thin impassive line.
The black she-cat padded up to her and sat a couple of tail-lengths away. Moonpaw flattened her ears and stood to face the she-cat defensively.
"What do you want?" she growled, trying to sound braver than she felt.
The she-cat didn't even blink. "I just wanted to talk."
The cold, emotionless voice sent shivers down her spine. Something about this cat screamed unapproachable, her very presence was unnerving, and Moonpaw wasn't sure why.
There was just something about her that made her fur stand on end.
Lostheart could see the way Moonpaw had tensed up upon her entry, and although she was trying to sound threatening, Lostheart could see the fear and anxiety in her eyes.
Inside, Lostheart idly felt a strange twinge of something. It was depressing that she could scare someone so easily, without even trying.
"My name is Lostheart." she greeted, "I'm the deputy of this clan."
Moonpaw said nothing and continued to glare at her.
"You should come out, you must be hungry. After all, you were out there hunting in the first place and to be honest, you look like you could use it."
It was true. From the minute she laid eyes on Moonpaw as a rogue, she could see how tired and thin the she-cat was. Her fur had become matted and covered in dust as it clung to her bones.
"Life as a rogue can't be easy, and here, we support each other. Being with the clan means you will be taken care of. Besides, where will you go?"
The rogue remained silent, her own heterochromic eyes staring at her paws. Lostheart blinked as her head suddenly snapped up.
"Look, I don't need anyone's help! I'm fine being on my own, it's nothing new to me." she growled. Lostheart's ear twitched as she heard a low grumbling sound.
Moonpaw only seemed to become angrier and soon huffed in submission, padding toward the entrance.
"I'm only doing it because I'm hungry ok. Don't think I'll ever stay here with this clan."
Lostheart said nothing and turned around, walking back towards the den entrance. She could hear Moonpaw's pawsteps following behind her.
The two she-cats stopped when Darkpelt turned to look at them. His face contorted into anger and Lostheart could see him beginning to open his mouth in protest.
She stopped him with a cold look. "She's with me. Surely you can keep an eye on her from out here."
The dark warrior shut his mouth and moved aside, letting the she-cats pass. Moonpaw watched him from the corner of her eye as she stepped by, his dark eyes never leaving her own and she felt a slight shiver.
Now that they were in the clearing, Moonpaw headed straight for their fresh kill pile.
She a grabbed a squirrel off the top and instantly sat down and began to eat, ravenously devouring it. She paused and looked to the side warily where Lostheart sat watching her.
Trying to ignore the foreboding she-cat, Moonpaw's eyes danced around the camp. It wasn't so bad, but admittedly it was kind of a dump.
From what she could see, the entire territory was slowly dying, and there wasn't much prey to go around. Her eyes narrowed when they fell on the blind cat from the other day.
She was just sitting there, across the clearing, watching her with a deadly glare. How did she even know she was here? Moonpaw snorted, she could care less if the she-cat didn't like her.
Roseclaw stepped out of the medicine cat den and sat beside Greysight. Noticing her friend giving off a deadly aura, she followed Greysight's gaze to where the rogue sat in the clearing.
Roseclaw was about to try and awkwardly broach the subject with her, but was stopped when Browneyes appeared in front of the pair.
Greysight didn't move and Roseclaw smiled kindly.
"Hello Browneyes, anything I can do for you?"
The silver tabby cleared his throat and nodded, "Yes, I was wondering if you could-"
The tom was cut off as a cough escaped from his chest and he quickly turned to the side. "Sorry," he meowed after a moment's pause turning back to Roseclaw, "I was wondering if you could give me some of that poultice from before to coat my throat. I think my cough is getting worse."
Roseclaw blinked her large blue eyes and immediately stood up, "Of course!" she meowed and hurried into the medicine cat den.
Browneyes stepped past the glaring, blind she-cat and followed Roseclaw inside. Greysight could hear as Roseclaw moved about her den, preparing the poultice for Browneyes.
"Could you make some extra as well? Longtail's cough has been bugging her as well, I don't think the stress is helping much either."
Greysight's ear twitched as she caught part of their conversation. Instantly guilt and worry rushed over her, she knew Longtail hadn't been feeling well, but she had completely forgotten about it when Mintpaw was attacked.
Not only that, but knowing her mother, Longtail was probably stressing herself out worrying over Mintpaw.
Making her decision, Greysight stood up and made her way towards the elder's den. She frowned as the sound of light coughing drifted from inside.
"Mom?' Greysight asked quietly as she poked her head into the den.
She could hear Longtail shift in surprise at her sudden appearance, but smiled when she heard Longtail's purr.
"Greysight, finally coming to visit me I see."
Greysight walked into the den and sat down with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry Mom, I was just so worried about Mintpaw..."
Her words instantly caused Longtail to deflate and the siamese looked at the ground with a heartbroken expression.
"I know." she whispered. "Roseclaw says she'll be alright..."
Longtail let out another small cough and he eyes fell, suddenly making her appear more tired. She could see Greysight's conflicting expressions, and the shaking in her paws.
"It's not your fault." Longtail meowed.
Greysight clenched her eyes shut and dug her claws into the ground.
"Yes it is. I promised myself I would never let anything happen to her. Not only that, but I've let you down too."
Her voice was shaking now and Longtail watched her sympathetically.
"What happened to her isn't your fault, things happen, Greysight. Things that neither you nor I have any control over. I have never been more proud of you, Greysight, I love you. You could never let me down."
Greysight's eyes slowly opened and she offered a small smile.
"Thanks, Mom."
Longtail smiled and watched her daughter leave the elder's den in silence. Greysight had always been such a determined kit, Longtail remembered when she would spend all day out by herself practicing her fighting moves. Saying she couldn't "fall behind the other apprentices".
The memory made Longtail smile. No, she had never been more proud of Greysight. Through all her hardships, she had managed to become a formidable warrior whose name was already spreading amongst the clans. She had done what every cat had thought impossible and accomplished her dream.
Longtail knew that she was destined for greatness.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
:] I completely forgot what I was going to write in here. Ah well. Check out my profile to vote on my new poll on the dark prophecy! Kind of a filler chapter, but necessary as always. And yes, everything is entirely planned out. Even the last book is. Heh heh, you guys are always good thinker ;P We shall see what events approach us in the future.
Lost Out
P.S As always, I accept art requests. Just throwing that out there. As well as any questions you may have! :) Reviews are loved.