Shadows in the woods

Part 6: Preparing for a game plan

Thawstar ear perked up as he slowly sat up, seeing himself in the medicine den and heard paw-steps. He poked his head out, eyes widening as he darted over and head nuzzled his deputy in relief upon seeing his clan here. After a head count, he sighed in relief.

Thawstar: *relief* Safe..all safe.

Fishspark: *tail swishing* Gonna take more than Ruinclan to break us even after a attack. We got some help from the Queens too.

He looked at the Queen, who bowed quietly. He returned the gesture and in a blink of an eye, they vanished into the woods to tell their fellow she-cats the news.

Marty: DANG-like ninjas.

Claw: Oh yeah, those girls got skills. Now then-the hard part. Tigress was close to Marty's cat form, a bit shy of seeing the clan.

Waspstar trotted over seeing her clan cats returned.

Waspstar: Thank goodness you all made it back. I saw that the Queens had accompany you?

Brightwillow: Yes mam'e, they are also joining us and know of the situation.

Waspstar: *smiling* Excellent.

Crowcloud: We also-got a rebel.

Waspstar eyes widen seeing Tigress next to Marty and being reassured by both him and Claw. Some of Stormclan had come over seeing her reaction.

Waspstar: *surprise* That's-suppose to be the next leader of Ruinclan right?

Tigersnout (orange, black stripes on muzzle): *smirks* Huh, more like a runner than leader for that poor excuse of a clan. She's more smarter than those blood suckers to run from the shred.

Waspstar: *awe* By the eye of the moon, what a stroke of fortune in the situation we're in.

.

Tigress: *nervous* Ahhh, I'm so nervous.

Claw: Your going to fine Tigress, just be honest with yourself okay.

At this, Waspstar and Thawstar trotted over.

...

Swiftshape thoughts: NERVOUS...I AM SO NERVOUS.

Marty thoughts: Same, it's up to her now though, just be by her side okay.

Swiftshape thoughts: Oh I'm not planning to at all kid.

...

Waspstar: Tigress, correct?

Tigress: *nervous* Uh Yes! Yes mam' I am.

Thawstar: And, from what my deputy has told me..your a rebel against your clan correct.

Tigress: *nervous* Yes...I'm lucky that I was not killed during my time alone.

Waspstar and Thawstar looked at eachother, then nodded, before turning to the three with gentle and warm smiles.

Waspstar: Will you accompany us to my den. I'm sure you all will feel more relax in a calm environment.


Meanwhile; Ruinclan...

The brown shaped claw cat slashed at the rock, darkly smirking as he saw the large and deep claw lines in the stone.

Claw: *dark smirk* So good, love the upgrade-*looks over* I take it she knows and she's TICKED that I was right.

A redish-brown tom appeared, a dis-satisfied look on his face as he sighed.

Tom: YES, Wicked is VERY TICKED for many reasons.

Claw: I told her Spider that weakling wasn't Ruin material.

Spider: *comes over* There that true, but now we have that Shadow in our domain and wants to take that two-leg down. And you know SHE DOES NOT WANT THAT BOONE TAKEN.

Claw sighed as shoke his head.

Claw: I know I know, no need to be a debby downer. Besides, I see this, as an advantage.

Claw sontered his way down the path followed by Spider.

Claw: I'll finally be able to rid that blue panther on my own grounds in that cat form.

Spider: Figure you would relish in this chance.

Claw: *dark chuckle* Why do you think I stayed longer for those upgardes, i got some extra's for being a VERY GOOD SUBJECT.

?: That explains your enhancements.

Both looked up to see a pitch black she cat with intense cold navy blue eyes, practically covered in scars. Both bowed at her presence.

Both: Wicked.

Wicked: Up toms. *both return to normal* As much as I am angered that you were right Claw..I must say, it will bring me much pleasure to see you face that being. We also cannot allow this draw-back effect us or our mission.

Both: Yes Wicked.

Wicked nodded as she looked at the sky.

Wicked: Tomorrow when that two-leg comes we shall warn him. WE CANNOT ALLOW SUCH INTERFERENCE TO BE AT PLAY, ESPECIALLY FROM A RUSHER AND A UNKNOWN CAT.


Back with Rushclan...

Tigress: -And I ran into Swiftshape and here we are.

Waspstar and Thawstar nodded as Tigress finished her story. Marty took this time to mentally talked to Swiftshape, taking this moment to allow him to take over.

Marty (and Swiftshape): She's all alone now in this world. That clan will kill her with this betrayal. Not to mention she was never happy there to begin with. So-can we please let her stay? I'll help her as much as I can..so, please, Waspstar-

Waspstar: Easy Swiftshape, we are not throwing her to the jaws of death. I have heard rumors of a Ruinclan cat that was never to be born there.

Thawstar: Yes, my brother told me you were not there at the attack upon our clan either-

All four (Claw;Marty; Swiftshape; Tigress): BROTHER?

Thawstar: *Chuckled* Yes, Fishsparks. He's actually my adopted brother. My mother, bless her star soul, passed bring me to the world. His mother, my adopted mother, took me in as Fishsparks was born around that time as well. When I became leader, I had to make the tom who was by my side through thick and thin.

Waspstar: *gentle smile* I always wondered how you were related, given our clan meetings.

Claw: He's a great brother too...*takes a breath* now, what do we do with what we know.

Tigress: *more confidant* We know that two-leg will find out about this soon, so we might need a counter plan when that time comes.

Waspstar: The clan meeting is very close, we must get in contact with them fast as well as our allies in Swirling winds.

Marty (and Swiftshape): The kin to the Tribe of Rushing Waters. They will certainly would want to help us given our ancestors history together.

Thawstar: Yes, a very good point and deduction. Word will spread fast to the other clans that we are currently staying here in Rushclan.

...

Swiftshape thoughts: So, how am i doing?

Marty thoughts: For both things. Well, you defiantly made your point and mark on the leaders here, might want to think about joining Rushclan when all is said and down. As for Tigress, DUDE you so are killing it. You got her attention.

...

Thawstar: Well, we have a plan for preparations.

Waspstar: Indeed we do. *to Tigress* As for you, Ms. Tigress.

Tigress looked up in worry, Marty's cat body placing a paw on her's for reassurance...Waspstar made a kind smile.

Waspstar: My dear, you are fully welcomed in my clan for such bravery against Ruinclan, your old clan. I assure you I will assign Claw and Swiftshape to help you adapt to this, less stressful clan life.

Tigress eyes widen with tears as she smiled, hugging Marty's cat body as they all smiled (Swiftshape beaming).

Tigress: Thank you! *Breaks the hug* THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! i will do my best for this and the other clans i promise!

Waspstar: *chuckles* I know you will. Swiftshape, Claw, please inform the clans of the news and rest for the day. You all earned it.

Marty and Claw: *Smiling* Yes mam'.

With that they trotted off with Tigress. Thawstar gave a sly chuckle.

Thawstar: It appears we also have a cassanove among us with Shiftshape.

Waspstar: *giggle* Oh Thawstar, why did you think I assigned him to her.

...

JOY. ABSOLUTE JOY. IT HAPPENED, IT WAS HAPPENING. Marty couldn't help but laugh at the amount of joy. And the reason-

Swiftshape: *JOY* SHE HUGGED ME! SHE HUGGED ME!


Meanwhile...

Wicked trotted down the dark path with her Claw, stopping at the shadows as blood red eyes appeared.

?: Let me guess...you were wrong and we have Rusher in a cat's body?

Wicked: -groans- YES Ebonydark...the situation has indeed escalated to those points.

Claw: Which is why we need your assistance once again OLD FRIEND.

A pitch black tom appeared sighing.

Ebonydark: Not surprise, really. It was in-edible to happen anyway given the amount of allies those energy beings have. My question is this-

-HOW MUCH BLOOD SHALL WE SPILL?

..With that in his head, he licked his lips.

To Be Continued...