Chapter 17: Reunited

It took us until midday to work out a series of signals for each other that didn't conflict with our existing knowledge of signals. It didn't help that one clan's rush signal could often be another clan's stop signal. There's only so many ways one can wave their tail to convey a thought. In the end, we ended up with an odd abomination of all four clan's signal systems. It was atrocious and no one was happy with it, but at least we were all equally discontent with it. At the very least, we got the signal for go and stop to be one simple motion, meaning we could send it quickly.

The moon began to rise once again, signaling the beginning for this night's leg of the journey. I planned to play it more cautiously tonight. Whether I liked it or not, that tom from before likely spread the news that we were in the area. Given Scourge's old stranglehold on the city, it was very likely that a few would want to pay me back for my past life's actions, even if their only proof that I could have been involved was the claw extensions. I looked down at them, feeling their bloodthirsty nature. They were exactly like Father described them, both a blessing and a curse. They gave me the means to defend us, but they also drew unwanted attention upon us. We'd either have to move quick or change our strategy to keep a low profile.

Tawnypelt padded up to me, giving me a kind smile. "Ready to go?" She queried.

I really didn't but that wasn't what they needed to hear. I could at least pretend I was in control of the situation and play it by ear for now. "Yes." I lied. "Let's get moving before some rogue gets any ideas."

All the cats stood and made to follow me. The navigation was the easy part. It was the city itself that was the challenge. Local rogue populations and factions, a general lack of information, and the need to progress through potential hostile territories was daunting. I was the only one that really had a clue how capricious the cats were in the city. One might meet an old molly willing to trade her day's prey for a piece of gossip just as often as they might meet a mad cat who'd somehow become addicted to eating cat flesh. I faintly shuddered at the memory. Even Scourge himself saw that cat as a vile thing needing to be put down. The very claws I wore on my paws had been the ones to take theirs.

We'd gotten a few blocks in, having to dodge only one rogue patrol when a molly approached us. I couldn't make out her fur pattern in the light, but that voice. It was familiar.

"Halt Blood remnant. This is Pulse territory. I'll give you one chance to turn before I sic the whole of the city on you." She declared.

I froze, trying to place where I'd heard that voice. It… was too familiar. I could somehow tell the memory didn't come from Scourge, so how did I, Darkpaw, know her? That's when it hit me. There's only one rogue female I knew from this life.

"Smoke?" I chanced out.

"How do you know my name?" She hissed back, her fur raising in a vicious arch.

"It's Darkpaw, or rather Darkkit. You gave me to Smudgefoot. I'm your kit." I answered back, hoping she'd believe it.

"Darkpaw?" She questioned as if tasting the name before realization hit her. "Darkpaw! You're really my Darkpaw? How? No. More importantly, what are you doing out here? I gave you to Smudgefoot to keep you safe. Did he abandon you?" She fussed.

The rest of the journeying cats looked on with confused interest as I was nuzzled by the rogue who'd just moments before threatened our lives.

"I'm ok mom. Really! As to why I'm out here, we've got some kind of warning that a great calamity is coming to the forest. Our only hope is to somehow meet someone called Midnight to get info on how to deal with it." I explained.

"Then what are you doing with those?" She grumbled, flicking her eyes at the claws.

"Father gave them to me in case of emergency. He did warn me that they may cause problems, but the risk is worth it if it means saving someone from a major threat." I answered.

Her eyes flicked down at the claws again as she seemed deep in thought. After a little while, she seemed to have come to a conclusion. "Fine. I see the point in carrying them. Though, I do have some advice for you lot. Cut towards the farms. The news of a potential Bloodclan remnant wandering the city has reached too many unsavory ears. The cats towards the edge of the city were generally unaffected by Bloodclan's rein, so it'll be much safer out that way. In fact, I should probably guide you out. I'm at least recognizable enough among the Pulse for most cats to let us go."

Crowpaw, seemingly in a spontaneous burst of kittishness teased me. "Looks like your mom is joining us. Got anyone else out here to carry you by the scruff?" He immediately realized what he just said and appeared to duck in preparation for someone to strike him. It was an odd thing to witness that was a worrying sign.

Brambleclaw, in an odd bit of support, countered Crowpaw. "At least it was a rogue he recognized. I trust that at minimum she wants to keep him safe."

Smoke, having listened in, decided to mess with Brambleclaw. "To be fair, I am dropping you off with another rogue to guide you the rest of the way. I've got to head back to the Pulse's headquarters to let Hattie know it was a false alarm. Then, I'm probably heading out to give Darkpaw's adoptive father a piece of my mind for sending you all out here. The cat I'm leaving you with is named Purdy. Best cat in the city when it comes to navigating. Just don't be put off by his age. He may be old, but he isn't stupid."

With that, my turn at leading our party came to an end. It was frankly quite a relieving thing to have happen. Smoke, mom, knew the lay of the city and where to avoid. I wouldn't need to bloody these claws further.

It was then that the temptation hit me again. Red. REd. ReD. I want red. I could feel it pounding in the back of my skull as the world began to tint towards monochrome. Red. Red was the cure. It'd only take one cat. I could feel ice freezing my veins. It would be so easy. I had the tools for the job. I raised them to inspect them, feeling their murderous nature infused into them. Each of them whispered sweet promises to spread as much red as I wanted. I could stain an entire alleyway.

No. This isn't me. I don't want to kill. I don't need red. This desire isn't mine. It's not me…

Squirrelpaw suddenly gave me a brush. "Are you alright? You look… I don't know how to say it, but it kind of scares me."

My stupor suddenly ended. The color returned to the world. The claws became inanimate objects again. I found myself panting, exhausted by the mental stress my episode just caused. "Yeah. I am now. Thanks for snapping me out of that."

Squirrelpaw tilted her head before asking. "Are you sure? I'm sure we can all take a break if you need it. I don't want you getting hurt if you fall into another one at a bad time."

I shook my head. "I promise you it is fine for now. If I feel it coming back, I'll let you know. For now, the mission takes priority over me having bad thoughts."

"Ok, but I'm stopping us if I see any signs that you're back in that state." Squirrelpaw dismissed before trotting ahead to go argue with Brambleclaw again. Honestly, it was like they were two elderly mates how they picked at each other but still came back for more.

I just had to keep my impulses under control. We'd be out of the city soon enough. Maybe once we were gone, I'd be free from the temptation.