Chapter 40: Lost and Found

Cloudpaw as Lightning was running a deal with Fireheart's assistance. A cat from the Twoleg Place stashed a large amount of jerky stolen from the Twolegs in a Twoleg Nest that was seemingly abandoned. Unfortunately for Cloudpaw, the nest wasn't actually abandoned, but was being relocated. Fireheart saw Cloudpaw get grabbed and hauled off to a white monster. Fireheart followed it as far as he could, but the monster was too quick. It disappeared into the Twoleg place. Fireheart came back to camp distraught and alone.

Darkstripe was patiently waiting for Cloudpaw's return. He wanted to teach him a trick when it came to haggling. It was then he saw Fireheart enter camp alone. The look on his face was telling, but Darkstripe wanted confirmation. He stormed up to the ginger cat.

"Where is Cloudpaw?"

"I don't…"

"Where is he?! Where is my son?!"

"He got grabbed by the Twolegs. They took off in a monster. I wasn't quick enough."

Sandstorm made her way over to comfort the grieving tom. Meanwhile Darkstripe sat in angry silence. How dare Fireheart let Cloudpaw get grabbed and not even try to track him down!

"Where were you, and which way did they go?" Darkstripe asked in monotone.

"It was a nest that looked abandoneed. They took him deeper into the Twoleg Place."

Darkstripe made to leave before Fireheart stopped him.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to save him unlike you."

"I tried. They were too fast."

Darkstripe turned away saying, "I don't care. I will find my kit, and you can't stop me."

"You think I would just abandon him without trying?!"

Darkstripe stared him dead in the eyes. His anger had overcome his fear.

"Yes." He stated plainly after a tense pause.

It was like Fireheart's heart had been clawed. It hurt his soul to hear how little Darkstripe thought of him now. The hurt was soon changed into anger.

"You're wrong! He's my nephew! I wouldn't ever betray someone close to me."

"It wouldn't be the first time."

Shame started to replace that hot rage. Darkstripe wasn't wrong. He'd done it before. Darkstripe turned to leave.

"I'm coming with you."

"Then you better not slow me down kittypet." He spat.

In truth, Darkstripe didn't want Fireheart along, but something in him had to give him a chance, a tiny one.

"Then I guess I'll come too. I can't trust you two not to rip each other apart once you're out of camp." Mewed Sandstorm.

The three left in silence. Fireheart guided the group to where Cloudpaw was captured and showed them the way the monster had taken. Darkstripe recognized the area. It was Bloodclan territory. If any can could help them, it would be Tiny or Big. Darkstripe looked for the telltale signs of a Bloodclan outpost. They'd be denoted by scratches near a bird skull. The bird skull would point the direction to the outpost. It didn't take long for Darkstripe to spot one. He took charge silently. He didn't want to reveal Bloodclan secrets to the two cats following him since one was known to blabber secrets. Soon the trio were in an alleyway with two other cats. The others wore collars with teeth of cats and dogs studded in them. Darkstripe recognized one.

Bone had been waiting in the outpost. Scourge had ordered him here after setting up a plan. Scourge hadn't heard from Thunder or Spark in a while, so he decided to make a test to see if the clans truly valued their kin. If they did, he'd finally have proof Spark hadn't been spouting nonsense to seem better than him. If they didn't, he'd spring his nephew and bring him into Bloodclan. It was a brilliant plan to Bone with only one flaw. If the clan cats knew they had been set up, it could ruin their positive relations. Bone had never really cared for complexities like this. His loyalty was to Scourge alone. If Scourge turned on Bloodclan, Bone would follow without a doubt. The two had always shared an intimate relationship, but it always had been kept secret due to the rest of Bloodclan's desire for an heir. Bone knew Scourge would never make an heir even if he was into mollies. He wanted Bloodclan to die with him. Bloodclan was dependent on Scourge's continued existence.

Darkstripe saw Big in the outpost. He was too intent on his mission to realize how low the odds were that Big would be here at this time when he was hunting for his son.

"Its good to see you big, but I'm in a hurry. Did you see a white monster come by a while ago with a white cat possibly screeching inside it?"

The sight was a common one. Cats were often picked up off the streets unwillingly, but Thunder did not need to know that. He had watched the white monster as did several of Scourge's most trusted cats. He knew exactly where Scourge's nephew was located, but he had to play the part Scourge had given to him. He'd tip the cats off to roughly where they could find him and see if they were really as honorable as Spark had claimed.

"That monster stopped about two blocks down. It should still be visible."

"I'll pay you back for this."

"Just bring a mouse or something next time. It isn't a big deal."

Darkstripe did not like owing debts, so he led his group away in the direction Big had indicated. They son saw the monster resting outside the nest. Sandstorm was the stealthiest of the three, so she took point investigating the nest. Darkstripe spotted a window open a crack and managed to wedge a paw beneath it and wriggle it until he had a gap he could fit his head through. With some effort, he got the window open enough that it would only be a crawl to enter. The three entered to see Cloudpaw in a cage. Darkstripe immediately looked around before rushing to the cage.

"Cloudpaw!"

"Dad!"

"Listen. I'm going to get you out, but you have to tell me how the Twolegs opened the cage in the first place. You have to tell me exactly, and try to do it quietly."

Cloudpaw described in hushed mews how the two protruding bits of metal had to be squeezed together before the front would swing open. Darkstripe accomplished this with his jaws. It bit into his mouth wrong as cut at his gums, but he managed to pull the gate open. Cloudpaw rushed out glad to not be in that box any longer. Darkstripe released his grip tasting blood where the metal had scratched his mouth. It wasn't severe, but Darkstripe did not look forward to eating with those cuts still there. The four rushed out the window they entered from. They were ready to return to the clan. On the way back, Darkstripe didn't find Fireheart's presence repulsive anymore. He still did not rust him, but he could tolerate his presence.

Bone returned to Scourge's alley. The small tom was patiently waiting for him.

"How did it go?"

"Thunder, Spark, and a third cat came to find the missing cat. They asked me for directions and sprung him successfully."

"Good. Good. They've proven themselves honorable."

"About that sir… Thunder says he owes me for the help, but we caused the problem, so in truth we owe them. You are the one who is strict about the dealer code. What do we do about this?"

"Don't you see Bone? The deal is not done! This is just the opener for my biggest deal yet. We need to know the true nature of these clans to see how we will respond. Will we find them grand and defect, or will we find them loathsome and destroy them? This is the true deal we are making. Will Thunder be the cat that changes us into Forest cats or will we make him a Bloodclan cat? The Grand Deal deal has begun. Who will fall under the other's rule?"