ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Chapter 20

A breeze fluttered through Mintpool's pelt, ruffling her fur, as she padded after Flowershine. The ginger she-cat hadn't said anything, staring straight ahead, not even bothering to check if Mintpool was following or not. Maybe that was because she was sure the gray tabby was. Her strides were confident, as if she knew exactly where she wanted to go. Mintpool's tail flicked. It looked as Flowershine had planned out this trip between the two of them for a while.

Finally, they reached the Upper Forest border. Mintpool's mind flashed back to when Robinflight had escorted her here, and her tail-tip twitched, the memory unwelcomed. She glanced around. Although the border was marked daily, it wasn't a place AirClan cats often went to; they were at the corner of the territory up north. The border was just marked, as its scent was strong, and there wasn't much prey up here, so no hunting patrol would come up, either.

Mintpool's gaze met Flowershine's, and she realized that the ginger she-cat had chosen this place specifically. No disruptions. Perfect.

"So," the gray tabby began innocently, "what did you want to talk about?"

Flowershine lashed her tail. "Don't play dumb! I know you're up to something!"

"Up to something?" Mintpool blinked, a look of shock coming across her face. "What in StarClan could I be up to?" The word StarClan tasted like bile on her tongue.

Flowershine's pelt bristled. "You were all angry in camp and now act all innocent here? How foolish do you think I am?"

Mintpool gazed at her coldly. "Would you like me to answer that question? Because I don't think you want to know the answer."

The gray tabby blinked at Flowershine, studying her, while the ginger she-cat's lips pulled back into a snarl. This wasn't like Flowershine. She was normally calm and collected. If she didn't like you, she'd distance herself as far, not speaking much; and when she did talk, it would be in snarky comments. But they'd all be collected. Right now she was acting... crazy.

Her kit, Mintpool realized. Her kit is my apprentice. I knew she was worried for Spotpaw, but apparently the fear that something's going to happen to her is killing Flowershine. The gray tabby's tail-tip twitched wryly. Not that I mind.

"Listen, Mintpool," Flowershine growled, "we're at the point where we can't go back to camp, pretending that everything's okay between the two of us. We're here at the edges of the territory, where no cat can hear us." Her yellow eyes narrowed. "I'll get the truth out of you somehow."

Mintpool scoffed. "What? Are you going to hurt me?"

"Why not?" Flowershine began pacing around her; her gaze was full of nothing but hatred and madness. "You won't tell me the truth willingly. So, I'll do what I have to to get the truth out. I'll tell Thistlestar what's actually going on, and you'll admit to it, too. Then, you'll be exiled, receiving the punishment you deserve."

Mintpool's whiskers twitched, trying to contain her amusement. Is she trying to threaten me right now? "And why do you think I'll agree to all that? Even after you get the truth, why should I admit it to Thistlestar?"

"Fear," Flowershine answered, raising a paw, her sharp claws extended as a show. "You'll be scared I'll hurt you again. Fear is a powerful thing, you know."

Oh, I know. Mintpool flicked her tail. Just look at you for an example. "Right. I'm terrified right now." Her voice was flat and bland, clearly mocking the ginger she-cat.

Fury flashed in Flowershine's eyes. "How dare you!" She jumped at the gray tabby, bowling her over, yellow eyes alight with madness.

Mintpool was shocked by the suddenness of Flowershine's attack, but she quickly recovered. Thrusting her hind legs forward, she kicked the ginger she-cat off, throwing her to the ground, scrambling back up quickly. As Flowershine began getting back up, her mind whirled.

With Holly's training, I think I should be able to at least put up a fight. Mintpool frowned. She'd planned to sneak attack Flowershine, and kill her then, as the ginger she-cat had much more battle training than she did. And, she'd lost another advantage to fighting a Clan cat; the honor. Rogues didn't care. They fought to kill. Warriors, on the other paw, had honor. They wouldn't kill a cat to prove their point. But at the moment, Flowershine looked as if she'd do anything. How deep does her love for Spotpaw even go?

Maybe I can use her madness as an advantage, Mintpool realized. She might be so furious she can't think or attack straight. Her point was proven correct, it seemed, as Flowershine lunged towards her. She collided with Mintpool, claws sinking into the gray tabby's pelt. The gray tabby shrieked with pain, but with one blow, she was able to knock Flowershine off.

If I can't defeat her, then I'll let her go along with the making me tell the truth plan, Mintpool thought as she clawed at Flowershine's pelt, drawing blood. When she brings me back, even if I do admit to the truth, Thistlestar won't believe it, because it sounds too crazy; he didn't even believe it when StarClan told him something was wrong. Why believe Flowershine? He'll probably think that she just made up a story. After all, he did see how much she hates me. Then, most likely, Thistlestar will exile Flowershine. It was good to have a backup plan.

Thunder rumbled through the air, making Mintpool stumble in shock. Taking the opportunity, Flowershine flipped them around, shoving the gray tabby off of her, thrusting her to the ground. Growing, Mintpool nipped at her paws, feeling Flowershine's other claws sink onto her back, letting out yowls of pain. Kicking hard, her hind legs collided with her opponent's chin, making the ginger she-cat tumble backwards as blood dripped down.

The first drops of rain began falling from the sky, going faster and faster, until it poured down on the two fighting cats. But neither seemed to notice, too furious at one another to care, even. Leaping towards Mintpool, Flowershine's claws dug into the tabby's flanks. Hissing in pain, the gray tabby sank her jaws into Flowershine's ears, forcing the ginger she-cat to pull away. Ignoring the stabbing pain of her wounds, she leaped onto Flowershine's back, claws flashing, forcing the ginger she-cat to the ground. But Flowershine wasn't going to go away that easily; she struck out, claws flashing at Mintpool's cheeks, barely missing her eyes. Grabbing her enemy by the scruff, Mintpool threw her away, tail lashing.

The two cats stared at each other, panting. Blood poured from their pelts, dying the ground in red. The rain drenched them, washing the blood away, leaving stinging pain on the fighting cats. Mintpool spotted Flowershine swaying, and she felt a smirk spread on her face, despite the pain. One last move to end it all.

Letting out a bloodthirsty yowl, she hurtled herself towards Flowershine, claws extended, aiming for her neck. Her paws tingled at the feeling, excited to collide with ginger fur. But, it didn't. Instead, it sank into a familiar black-and-white pelt.

დ

Word Count // 1177

Not Edited

Hi! Eep, I've been looking forward to writing this chapter for quite some time! Sorry about the battle scene; I suck at writing that. Which is unfortunate, considering most of this book will just be fighting. On another note, can anyone guess who Mintpool lunged into at the end of the chapter? ;)

Also, I hope most of the things make sense, of Flowershine going "crazy" and stuff. I have something else I want to explain, but that's for the next chapter. Flowershine is at the top! Goodbye!