Rise of the kittypets by (Cinderstar) Snakepaw

Fanfiction → Warriors (cats) by Erin Hunter

Can also be read on: riseofthekittypets . tumblr . com

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Chapter Two: Taunt

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"You're not listening, guys!" I'm telling you: This cat is a lunatic!" yowled a dark tabby tom with a green collar, urgency in his wide eyes, but his companions did not flinch, most of them showing their interest by licking absentmindly their furry tails or dusty paws. The group of cats went silent at once, under the huge gray shelter that humans built every snow season to protect their nest from the melting cold white fluff. Their eyes were reflecting the moonlight and looked like the flight of eerie luminous bugs in the night. Sitting in a circle at their usual location, they were relating the day's news, most of them with a bored expression, perhaps wishing they were sleeping in their warm beds.

Chopin worked on washing the white spot on his chest, not impressed at all by that stripped pelt idiot. And he was not only one. Even the oldest cats around were not giving a single mouse crap about that so-called-savage from the town next to their homes. Only his gray pal, wearing the same tabby coat as he, but a shade darker, and the younger toms were excited or scared by the prospect, possibly imaginary, of an evil feline tyrant. Considering the cowardice of his twin-in-looks, it was easy to guess that his uncaring expression was only a disguise to hide his fear, while he was not surprised to find that the ginger half-wit beside him was not part of the latter. His pelt was itching with all that mystery.

"There's no such thing as a kit going around decorating his collar with teeth of his victims. You're so gullible", snorted mockingly a muscular brownish black tom.

"Yeah!", cried another, a mottled black and white fat cat, arching his back to appear bigger, "What a joke! With dog fangs as upgraded claws?! Are you kidding me?!"

"It's true!" The dark tabby defended himself, "A cat I know went to stay at his owner's mother's house and he told me all about it! He's not a kit, he's just very small, but deadly. With his black fur he's fast and light as a shadow. He fights dogs larger than the Guardian!"

The Guardian was a tall golden and brown canine with a long tail and pointed ears, the type the humans uses to protect their territories. They were also used to assist human warriors, trained to fight other human along side them. The one Green Collar was referring to lives on the other side of Chopin's territory, beyond a locked metal fence. Annoying that stupid dog was one of their best games to prove themselves and dare the youngsters have to pass through to be worthy of the street life.

"That one is retarded. It doesn't count." meowed Chopin's friend, irritated, with fake bravery, thought he was right about that mutt. He was not the brigthess of its species.

"Scourge is real! He's the fierce leader of an army of homeless cats. They call themselves: BloodClan."

"Seriously?" asked the one with black and white fur, skeptical.

"I bet your friend is dumb and that Scourge-guy is not half as incredible as you claim", called another.

The dark tabby's patience was fading rapidly, angry that nobody would believe him. The fur on his neck began to rise upward as he suddenly stares at the silver tom, who add not uttered a word yet, with challenge in amber eyes:

"Oh yeah? Not scared, huh? What about you, Chopin? Think you can beat him? Since you're so strong and all!"

He glared back at him with his pale green eye reduce to narrow slits, not falling for his obvious two of them have fought many battles, duels, for fun or for real, and Chopin was always victorious, being slimmer and agile than his short-tempered and hostile rival. Green never stopped provoking him for the smallest reason on every occasion he had. He was nothing but a jealous piece of human junk.

"Chopin would totally win!" cheered the youngest in the circle of felines, the orange fool.

The green collar cat scoffed loudly for everycats to hear, defiant, spitting the words right into his face:

"Nonsense! Scourge would open you like a fish and let your insides lay on the street for the crows to feast!"

"He would make paté of you, Green. That's for sure." Chopin retorted, losing his patience too. Standing up, he readied himself to pounce, the rusty bell on his light blue collar tinkling in the silent night. If he was looking for trouble, he would gladly scrap his ears off to teach the dark tabby some respect.

"Maybe we should go and see for ourselves. Don't you think, big brother?" asked eagerly the young white cat with pale ginger tabby spots and the silver tom sighed with renewed annoyance.

First of all, he was NOT his big brother. He could actually be his grandfather as a matter of fact, but that notion was completely elusive to that imbecile. Secondly, this bearly-not-a-kit-anymore loved him so passionately it bordered on creepy, worshiping him like some admirable hero... Chopin was not sure how he felt about him.

Sometimes he would beat the fur out of his back because he was getting on his nerves, and other times, he would tolerate his noisome presence and appreciate his praising. He definitely still disliked him, though. Just to be clear.

The entire round meeting of cats turned toward him, awaiting his decision, longing to see if he'll be daring enough to defy the dark tabby with the green collar of his challenge and put that infamous self-proclaimed Scourge in his place.

He could do it. Couldn't he? He will show them!

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To be continued...