Warriors: Riverclan's Fall Book 3

Chapter Three

Snowpaw trotted along the river bank, eager to find Sunpaw. Sunpaw had taken off with Tigertooth a while ago and never came back.

*FLASHBACK*

"Let all cats old enough to swim gather around for a clan meeting." Featherstar had called while her deputy, Badgerclaw sat below the highrock. Snowpaw sat beside Sunpaw, who was nervously licking her chest.

"Since Ambershine was exiled, we must appoint a new menor for Snowpaw. I say these words before Starclan, that Badgerclaw will train Snowpaw as a warrior apprentice." Featherstar's voice was taught, as if she were about to say grim news.

"Also, we have a traitor among our clan." She paused as yowls of shock rose, then silenced them by raising her tail. "That traitor is Tigertooth. He has been meeting with Thunderclan and has been planning an attack on RiverClan." Snarls and hisses rose from the crowd. "As leader of Riverclan, I exile you. If anyone is to see this traitor on our territory by sunhigh, you have permission to attack, and kill him."

"Kill me?" Tigertooth let out a throaty purr. "You actually think you can kill me?" He swung his massive head around to meet the glares from his ex-clanmates. "Ya'll are mouse-brained. You're gonna be dead when I'm finished with ya'll. Join me now." One cat moved towards him, her orange pelt sparkling in the sunlight. 'Sunpaw, no!" Snowpaw cried, rushing to meet her. Sunpaw looked up at her with sad eyes. "Snowpaw, I'm so sorry. But I love Tigertooth...and I'm expecting his kits..." She spoke quieter. She then walked out of the moss tunnel, never to be seen again...

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Snowpaw had become depressed, not talking to anyone. Whitepaw had tried to talk to her, but she shut him out. Today, she had decided to find Sunpaw 3 moons after she left. Breathing in a gasp of air, she pushed on harder, her lungs burning.

"Sunpaw!" she exploded into a clearing far outside RiverClan. "Sunpaw..?" Snowpaw asked, stepping closer. Sunpaw was huddled in a ball of orange fur, her throat sliced. Three tiny kits huddled at her side, their throats slit open too. "Sunpaw..!" Snowpaw cried, licking her fur.

Silently, she laid Sunpaw in a hole. She huddled her kits in the hole too. As she picked up the last kit, she noticed it was barely breathing. It was a cream colored she-cat. Quickly, Snowpaw ran through the clearing to an abandoned log. She bundled cobwebs in her paw and ran back to the kit.

Gently wrapping the cobwebs around the kits' neck, she picked it up by the scruff and carried it back to Riverclan. As she crossed the river, she heard a deep laugh behind her. Setting the kit on the opposite bank, she spun around.

Tigertooth was standing on the bank, his head lowered and his legs stiff. His ear was torn and crusted with blood. "Did you like the surprise I left for you?" He cackled.

"You're sick." Snowpaw whispered, standing protectively in front of the kit.

"Sunpaw was a fool. She thought I actually loved her. And when she had those...vermons, I slit her throat and their throats." Tigertooth growled.

"You'll pay for that." Snowpaw wailed. Anger bubbled up inside of her as she stared at the brown tom.

"Pay? Ha. I'd like to see that happen. What are you gonna do? W-"

Snowpaw let out a caterwaul and launched herself at Tigertooth. Surprised, Tigertooth rolled over. Snowpaw stood over Tigertooth, eyes burning with fire.

Tigertooth spat out a mouthful of dirt and hissed. "You're a kit. You've had no training."

"It's been 3 moons. Of course I've had training." She snarled, clamping her jaws around his torn ear.

Tigertooth let out a yowl of fury and threw Snowpaw off, his ear going with her. "You fight like a kittypet." He laughed and dug his claws into her flesh, making her white pelt turn red.

Snowpaw spat out his ear and stared at him. "Well you're as much use as a dead fox." She hissed.

Tigertooth gazed at her. "Watch out. Whitepaw may be ending up like Sunpaw." He got off of her and started walking away.

Snowpaw stared after him. "Don't touch my brother!" She howled. A red haze clouded her vision and she lost all control. She threw herself at Tigertooth and began tearing away anything she could reach of his.

Beneath her, Tigertooth was yowling in agony. After the red haze faded, Snowpaw gasped at the sight under her.

Tigertooth was panting on the sand beneath her. His flesh was torn and he stared at her with this terrored look on his face. Without saying anything, Snowpaw crossed back to where the kit was laying. It was still breathing, but barely.

Snowpaw grasped the kit in her jaws and looked at Tigertooth one last time. He stared at her, willing her to go on. Snowpaw turned back around and crossed the border into Riverclan territory.

Thoughts crowded her mind as she went deeper. That isn't the end, Tigertooth. That is the beginning. You will pay for taking Sunpaw away from me. And if you touch Whitepaw, you'll regret ever being born. I'll get revenge, and it will be when you least expect it.