NOTE: I don't own any of the characters from Ranger's Apprentice! I just own Will's family and Quarize.

Follow-up doctor appointment delayed the posting of this chapter. Then I got an S.O.S. call from one of my friends. Nearly had a heart attack because of it. What did she want? To talk with me about a story idea! I nearly had a heart attack over this? was my thought process. Decent idea over all. However, she's not a writer so just had a rough idea. Asked me if I could write it out for her…as a fanfiction. Don't know why I said yes…

Anyways, it a fanfiction for Warriors. I'm asking that my lovely fans read it, at least the first few chapters that I promised. If any of you don't know the Warriors series, don't worry! Only terminology and basic Clan structure is from the Warriors. That's it and I will do everything I can to explain it. If it's not clear and you like it, then ask for a terminology section. I'll make one.

So please read it (not forcing, just asking to get my excited friend off my case). It's called Cracking Hearts. You can find it under "Fanfiction" – "Books" – "Warriors". It will be up TOMORROW. Thank you.

Now that I did as promised…Review and Enjoy!

Unknown Blood Chapter 22

Bruce felt his blood freeze in his veins. It could not be! It was impossible! Yet as the whistle echoed over the land, it made him freeze. So familiar. Instantly recognizable. A whistle he had taught to his eldest son, a signal whistle. He started to turn to his brother. Maybe someone had copied the whistle without realizing it. Tyler was gone. Bruce's eldest son died in his arms. It could not be him sounding the whistle. Could it? Could he really be alive…

Will's bow slammed into jaw full force. Bruce had never felt a blow as strong as that one. Wordless he collapsed to the ground. His paint horse reared. It was trained to defend its master. Tug, however, was far faster. This small horse had been an outcast. The other horses had rejected him. He knew that these men had hurt his master. Bruce and Othon had been keeping Will locked up, away from Tug. Normally calm and peaceful, Tug showed how truly violent he could be. And precise. His right hoof slammed into the paint's left eye. The left hoof missed the jaw as the paint reared. Turning his head, Tug put his shoulder into the paint's chest. A shrill cry rang out as the horse toppled over. Bruce just barely able to escape.

The lord turned to call for his brother, his king. His voice stopped dead in his throat. Othon was backing his horse away from a black cloaked rider. The grey stallion he rode snorted, striding forward for the kill. Tyler's emblem was sewn in the cloak's right shoulder, gold thread against the black fabric. Will and Tug advanced on Bruce. The man glanced desperately between them. It was the cloaked figure drew his sword and pointed it at the pair of rulers. Tug did not hesitate as Will spurred him into a charge. The other chased after Othon as the king turned and fled.

Tyler's first sword flashed right over Bruce's head. The lord had barely manage to duck and dive. Will did not bother to use his advantage on Tug. Quickly he dismounted as he saw his father head for a ditch. Rocks clattered loudly as he slid after his father. The ditch was a waterway for when the Tarbus River flooded. It wound and curved sharply ahead of him. The young man could see his father's tracks. No one but a Ranger could hide from him. Silently he sheathed his sword. Tyler had brought him a bow and a quiver of arrows. He had handed them to his brother as he rode up. Now Will walked forward, an arrow ready to fire. That would be the perfect revenge: kill his father by using the weapon he never approved of.

"Come out, murderer! You can't hide from me," Will snapped angrily.

Bruce's voice came from up ahead, "Will, what are you doing? I'm your father. You used be fighting beside me, not against me."

"I can't stand beside a man who makes his son bleed. I can't love a man who took my heart and tore it to shreds," the son replied angrily.

Carefully the lord stepped from his hiding place. The arrow was aimed for his chest. At this range, even the recurve bow would send the arrow clean through. Bruce's hands came up in surrender. Those brown eyes stared at his son. All he could see was the hate, the rage. Something had happened to his son. He wanted to know what it was. He wanted to know who had hurt him.

His voice came out gentle and soothing, "Son, calm down and think. Tell me what happened. Tell me who hurt you…"

"You did!" Will shouted. Bruce actually recoiled a step, "Gilan, Halt, Horace, Sir Rodney, and Alyss are dead because of you. Why couldn't you just leave well enough alone?"

Genuine shock appeared on Bruce's face as he spoke, "Will, they are all alive. I know it…"

"Liar!" Will cried.

The arrow shot away. Bruce side-stepped away but his son compensated for it, like he would do one day in the future. Unfortunately for Will, the wind was against him. It pushed his arrow to far out the way. Bruce hissed in pain as the arrow slid through his left arm. Like all Rangers, Will knew his shot was bad the moment he released. Therefore, he had charged almost instantly. What he did not know was that Bruce was skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Easily he caught his son's right hook. Then leaned out of the way of the left jab. Quickly his right hand smacked into Will's cheek, sending the young man reeling. Recovering quickly, Will snarled at the man who had torn his heart to pieces. Yelling with pure rage, he charged again. Again Bruce blocked, deflected, or dodged every blow. Even with both arms, Will could not hit him.

Growing tired of dealing with Will, Bruce made a feint for his son's stomach. Will pulled away, not realizing the position he was in. Then his father's elbow took him in the throat. A gargled cough came out. The young man sagged to his knees. His right hand was wrapped protectively around the injury. His breath was coming in ragged gasps. The throat hurt horribly. Every breath felt like fire. Every gulp sent shockwaves of pain through every inch of his body. Bruce grunted as he broke the arrow shaft and pulled it out of his arm. A kerchief, quickly tied, started to soak the blood. Then Bruce approached his son.

Anger seethed in his body. Bruce stood over his son and snapped, "I don't know who lied to you but your friends are still alive. After this battle, however, they will die at your hand. Because of this little rebellion, I won't even spare Alyss. Maybe then you'll straighten out."

"I…doubt…it," Will wheezed slowly.

Tyler's sword flashed yellow in the noon light. Bruce barely registered that it was going to be a killing blow. The tip was aimed for his stomach. Nothing would be able to save him from such a grievous injury. Then he isolated a sound that he had heard. Humming. The tip was so close to his stomach, ready for blood. Next moment, something heavy slammed into the blade. It struck with such force that it sent the sword flying from Will's grasp. The young man stared after it with absolute shock. Bruce blinked with his own shock…

A fist made his head snap sideways.

Stumbling a few steps, Bruce turned to face the new threat. He was faced with a petite, blond-haired and green eyes young woman. At Will's side, tears of joy running down her face, was a tall, willowy woman. It was then Bruce knew who they were: Cassandra and Alyss. Will stared dumbly at the woman he loved deep down. At the moment he did not know the word for those feelings. Then a smile of joy appeared on his face. The two former Wardmates shared a hug. Cassandra stalked between them and Bruce, green eyes blazing. They had stopped Will from killing his father. That did not make Bruce a friend. If Cassandra had choice, she would tear Will's entire family apart. Well…this part of his family.

"How…?" Will managed to croak.

Alyss pressed her hands to his cheeks, "How do you think, idiot? We survived. It wasn't easy."

Bruce then made a step forward, "Get away from my son, witch!"

"One more step and I'll show you just how mad I am," Cassandra spat, her sling starting to rock threateningly.

"Why wait for another step?" a gruff voice snapped.

Another punch Bruce practically flying. Will stared in utter, joyous shock at the scene before him. Halt crouched where he had landed. Horace was returning to a standing position, rubbing his sore hand. Gilan was slightly above Halt on a ledge. His longbow was slightly drawn. Two arrowheads shined brightly in the light. The dark look in Halt's eyes told Bruce and Will that he would fire without hesitation. Gilan and Horace would be right on his heels. Then the tears of joy and pain blocked Will's sight. All he could feel was Alyss' presence at his side. And he knew the truth…

It had all been a lie.

Bruce never told him the truth…

Tyler had used him and his friends…

Everything Will had ever known had been a trick…

An illusion…

He had no family.

No. I have one family.

Will rose shakily to his feet. He stepped forward and joined Horace's side. The young knight smiled warmly at him. Gilan gave him a nod, accepting an apology that Will never had to utter. Halt stood beside his apprentice, pride rising in his chest. Bruce stood before them, defiant. Then he signaled for Will to join him. His son shook his head slowly.

That's when a trumpet was sounded. King Othon was dead. Tyler had been successful. Will looked in that direction. He knew he was partially responsible for all of this. It broke his heart. All he had ever wanted was a family that would love him, care about him. Now he realized that the family he wanted as standing at his side. They were fighting off Quarize. And yet…he also had his blood family.

"Father?" Will asked, his throat still raw. Tentatively he took a step forward. "It's not too late. Call the retreat. Make peace with Araluen."

The look in his father's eyes said it all. However, Bruce decided to make it clear, "I never want to see you again, Will. As long as I breathe, you won't be welcome in Quarize's borders."

With that, the man turned on his heels. He sounded the retreat whistle. As soon as he found a trumpet, he would make a louder call. Until then, he hope whoever heard him would pass it on. Quarize had lost a war for the first time in generations. It was all thanks to his son.

Rage boiling over, he could not help but snap over his shoulder, "I hope your happy Will."

"Tyler will be somewhat happy," Will replied. Bruce spun around as Will continued, "His plan worked to perfection. He played Quarize and Araluen into a war. King Othon is dead by his hand. Soon the enemies of Quarize will march on your land."

With that, Will watched as his father strode off. As soon as his father could not be seen, he collapsed to his knees. Tears ran down his cheeks. Halt's powerful, peaceful presence enveloped him. Horace, Gilan, Alyss, and Cassandra pressed closer. There was nothing any of them could do for their friend. Will just needed time to mourn. Everything he had ever wanted laid shattered at his feet. He had suffered greatly at the hands of his family. Those were wounds that he would not forget soon.

At the castle, everyone was celebrating. Every Ranger clapped Will on the back or wrapped him in hugs. Crowley gave him his bronze oakleaf back. Will was a Ranger, through and through. Duncan, Baron Arald, and Sir Rodney welcomed the young man back home. Surrounded by familiar faces, Will realized that Araluen was truly home. Nothing and no one would ever change that. He was just happy that things were dying down. Maybe one day he and Bruce could meet eye-to-eye. Will hoped so. Until then, there was one more thing to clear up…

Tyler snarled as he ran through the trees. King Othon, the cowardly ruler, had died on his own sword. Quarize was supposed to break. Then he had seen Bruce calling the retreat. His father, alive!? Had not Will done his job? How could that brat let Bruce live? It just did not make sense. All of Tyler's friends had died in the war. It did not matter if it had been by Quarize's hand or Araluen's. All that mattered was that Tyler was alone. He gave a rueful smile. They at least did their jobs.

Reaching his base, Tyler headed inside. He could spare a few winks. At dawn he would leave for the seaside towns. Maybe he would make his way to Celtica. Once he was out of the country, Araluen would stop hunting him. Back to Quarize he would run. There he would begin new plans to discredit and eliminate his father. What Will could not do, Tyler would be there to clean up.

"Hello, brother." A cold voice cut like a whip through Tyler's thoughts.

Spinning around, Tyler found himself facing Will, Halt, and Crowley. The three of them looked far from happy. So much for a few winks of sleep. His brown eyes darted for his emergency exit. As if on cue, Gilan stepped through the secret door. Another Ranger appeared in the main entrance. Tyler was willing to bet that the others were somewhere outside. A ball of ice grew in his stomach. They had been waiting for him. But this fox had a few more tricks up his sleeves.

He smiled warmly at his brother, "I see your friends are still breathing. As is our father."

"I won't kill an innocent man. I won't let you destroy a country full of innocent people just to satisfy your petty revenge," his brother snapped.

Tyler's smile only grew, "Planning to stop me, are we now? Too bad for you. You can't contain something that doesn't exist."

Four black balls appeared in his hands. Instantly the five Rangers dove for him. Striking the ground, the balls exploded, releasing a thick black smoke. Then Tyler vanished into a tunnel. This was the secondary escape route. Quickly he squirmed and wriggled through the crawl space. He was like a goffer. By the time the Rangers found the exit point, he would be long gone. Reaching the end, Tyler shoved the covering rock out of the way. He stood, stretched, and started walking.

Then felt a hand grab his shoulder.

He spun around in time to accept a punch to his nose.

Blood flew in all directions from the flattened nose.

Reflex tears clearing, Tyler found himself facing Will. The young man had followed Tyler into the trap door. Will knew enough of his brother to know that he always had more than one exit. It's what made his brother so slippery. Tyler dipped his head to his clever brother. Only the smartest could have immediately figured out where he had gone. However, the dark look in Will's eyes told him that he was not looking for praise. He was sick of his blood family. Even still, he could not bring himself to kill any of them with his own hands. Will's next words confirmed it.

"Get out of Araluen. Because of you, I nearly lost everything I ever loved. I won't risk trusting you again," Will snapped.

Tyler titled his head and replied, "Understandable, brother."

"Don't ever call me that again," Will growled, holding up a warning finger. "You say you're different than father, Tyler. You're actually more similar to him than you would imagine."

That made Tyler's eyes flash with an angry light. Before he could speak, Will continued.

"We are family but I will never welcome you into my home or my life. Stay away from my loved ones. And beware. Father knows you're alive now. I told him your plans." (Tyler flinched at this) "Don't come asking me for help in battling father. I won't help you. One day I hope that father and I can love each other without him attacking my family. I suggest that's what you do. Find another life. Forget about father. Forget about your war with him. It's never going anywhere."

A bloody snarl appeared on Tyler's face, "Never forget our blood, brother. Never forget what father did to us. One day you will see that there is no reasoning with him. Until then, be safe."

"Like you really care," Will snorted at Tyler's last words. Then he sighed after his running brother, "Stay safe, brother. I can't lose any of you, regardless of our differences." He turned to leave, glancing once more over his shoulder.

"Maybe one day I can reason with you. Then there will be hope for us all."

Would you guys like one more chapter? If not, I'll start right into Dripping Blood. It doesn't matter to me either way.

Please read Cracking Hearts! It will be up bright and early TOMORROW!