ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Chapter 3

Shock pummeled through Mintpool as she forced her paws to move and hurry after Mamba after the rogues' sharp gazes. Cobrastrike's the leader? No wonder the other rogues think so much of his opinion! She followed Mamba as the black she-cat took a sharp left turn, ducking under some prickly bushes. Anxiety pressed against the gray tabby's stomach, wondering if Cobrastrike was angry at her. If he was the leader, whether or not she joined would solely base on his decision. And, if he was truly upset at her, it wouldn't be very hard to convince the rogues to attack her...

"Here's Cobrastrike's den," Mamba announced with a wave of her tail. The two stood outside a rock wall, with a narrow entrance, guarded by a bushel of bushes pricked with thorns. She slid inside, her voice travelling out towards Mintpool. "Cobrastrike! There's someone here to see you."

The gray tabby took a deep breath, sliding in after Mamba. As soon as she pushed herself in, she came face-to-face with Cobrastrike's yellow-green eyes. The tom tilted his head, his gaze unreadable. 

Mamba swept her tail. "I'll go now. If you want her gone, make sure to call me." The black she-cat's claws slid out as her green eyes glowed with cold amusement. "I wouldn't want to miss out on killing a cat." Dismissing herself, she slid out of the den.

Mintpool felt anxiety press in her stomach as she lifted her muzzle, meeting Cobrastrike's gaze once more. She opened her jaws, wondering what to say, whether or not the tom was angry at her, when Cobrastrike's eyes warmed. 

"Hi, Mintpool!" Cobrastrike greeted with a purr. 

Relief seeped through the gray tabby as she ducked her head. "Hey, Cobrastrike." 

Cobrastrike flicked his tail. "Sorry about the cold look when you first came in," he meowed. "You can't show any emotions in front of rogues, or they take it as a sign of weakness." 

"Oh." Mintpool paused, an ashamed purr rising out from her. "Well, I'm certain I looked plenty frightened when they captured me."

The tom shook out his pelt, his eyes full of humor. "It's great to see you again!" he mewed cheerfully. "Even though we're on different sides." Suddenly, he blinked, as though a thought was flashing through his mind. "As long as you're not here to spy on us..."

"No!" Mintpool yelped. "Oh, no, I would never!" Cobrastrike still looked suspicious, and the gray tabby shook out her pelt quickly, adding, "I actually want to join your group."

"Join us?" Cobrastrike tilted his head. "Why?"

The gray tabby shook out her pelt. "Well, I want to get revenge on AirClan." She lifted her head, her paws curling with anger at the thought. "And you want to get revenge on the Clans as well."

"Why would you want to get revenge on AirClan?" Cobrastrike narrowed his eyes. "When I joined the rogues, wasn't it you who was scolding me about it? You were so loyal to your Clan. Now you want to join us?"

Mintpool twitched her pelt. "AirClan exiled me," she meowed with a hiss. "After everything I've done for them!" She quickly explained everything, about Leafwhisker, the kits, and Robinflight's argument that changed Thistlestar's mind, leading her to exile.

"And Echoleaf didn't say anything?" Cobrastrike asked, shock glimmering in his eyes. "Didn't she know those kits weren't yours?"

The gray tabby lashed her tail. "She was quiet the entire time. After Leafwhisker, I want my revenge on her!"

Cobrastrike ducked his head. "Leafwhisker was always a coward," he growled. "He can't even own up to his own mistake. I think I'd like to hurt him also." He paused for a moment. "But still, Mintpool, the other rogues wouldn't accept you. To them, you're just a Clan cat. You can't fight or hunt," he added, with an apologetic glance. "They'd just think you're an extra mouth to feed and can't contribute to our attacks."