ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Chapter 29

The pair walked on for who knows how long. Holly, who was leading the way, seemed to have no intention of stopping, frustration seeming to carry her as she lumbered onwards. By now, the it was deep into the afternoon, and the sun was going to set soon. Mintpool didn't feel like walking through the night, since her paws were already completely sore and frozen.

"Holly." The gray tabby called her friend, and the golden she-cat finally halted. When she turned, green gaze meeting green gaze, Mintpool spotted sparks of hurt and frustration within them.

"How," Holly spat. "How could they think that I'd want to hurt Cobrastrike? Ivy's reasonings were completely and utterly stupid! Yet they believed her so easily!" Her tail lashed.

Mintpool felt sympathy rush through her. "I know," she murmured softly. "They're absolute idiots. But don't worry, Cobrastrike won't agree with them, I know it. Everything will be okay."

Holly's bristled fur flattened a little, although she was clearly still upset. "I know. I just... couldn't help but think of what the cats said."

"Ivy?" Mintpool trotted towards her friend, confused as to whom the golden tabby was referring to.

Holly shook her head. "No. I don't know who they were, just random cats in the crowd. But one of their reasonings was that I'm too nice." She directed her gaze to her paws, plopping herself down, tail wrapped around her body. "I just don't get it. Just because a cat's nice, it means that they're up to no good?"

"To them, apparently." Mintpool sat down besides the golden she-cat. "But you know how foolish and bloodthirsty they are."

Holly nodded. "Right. But I always try to be nice to them still. I keep hoping that our group might actually begin to trust each other, sort of like how the Clans work."

Mintpool's ears shot up with surprise. "Really?"

"Not with all their codes and stuff," Holly meowed, waving her tail to wave that idea aside. "Just working together as a group. I hate how the rogues act as if our enemies are each other rather than the Clans." Her green gaze flicked up, staring at Mintpool, eyes challenging. "Would you rather live in a group where every cat is mean to each other, where you might need to worry about if you'll be able to eat the next day, or if there will be any cat there to take care of you if you're sick? I just don't like how every cat is so stubborn, refusing to accept help or give any."

The gray tabby dipped her head in agreement. "I suppose so. I'm glad I have you then, in that case."

A small smile appeared on Holly's face. "Yeah. And same here. At least the two of us have a cat we can rely on."

A purr rose from Mintpool. "Mhm." She paused for a moment, choosing her next words carefully. "So by being nice to all those other cats, you're trying to be the cat that they're able to rely on? A cat to take care of them if they're sick?"

Holly sighed, stretching out a paw and pawing the dirt slightly. "Sort of? I just want to teach them, in that way, that we can trust each other. But I suppose that didn't work. What did it get me? Just a bunch of accusations."

Mintpool nodded, not sure of what to say next. Thankfully, the golden tabby rambled on.

"You know... I was never in a place where I could perfectly rely on other cats, either, like things are in a Clan." Holly spoke, her voice soft. Mintpool's ears pricked with curiosity. She only knew little of her friend's backstory. "Not even when I was a kittypet. My Housefolk were old, and rather... sick, I think. Sometimes they forgot to feed me for several days, or locked me out of the den, which was why I had to go catch things on my own. But... Mintpool, I do have a confession. I sort of lied to you."

"Lied?" The gray tabby felt her ears shoot up in surprise.

Holly ducked her head. "Yeah. I told you I learned how to hunt and fight by watching other cats. Well, that wasn't the entire truth. Before I was a kittypet, I was a loner, with my mother and brother-" Her voice hitched at those words. "My mother-" Holly blinked, pain flashing through her gaze, as if even mentioning her mom brought her agony. "She- she taught me to hunt and fight."

Mintpool flicked her tail. What happened to them? was the question wandering in the gray tabby's mind, but she felt as if it'd be insensitive to ask.

Holly studied Mintpool, seeming to be able to read her mind. "They're dead." The golden tabby's voice was unreadable, flat, although Mintpool could sense much pain in the way she held herself. "They died from a sickness."

"Oh." Mintpool didn't know what else to say. "I'm sorry."

Holly replied with a stiff nod. "So that's why I didn't tell you about them at first. I just don't really like talking about them."

Mintpool nudged the golden tabby softly. "Don't worry about it. I understand." She'd lost her mother and brother, too, although one of them had died at her claws.

Holly gave her a small smile. "You know why my mother named me Holly? I was born underneath a holly bush. She saw the way the spikes and poisonous berries on the bush kept predators away, and wanted me to be as dangerous as both those things. So that's why I was given my name.

"And I know I seem all nice, Mintpool, but if a cat gets on my bad side, I'm really not that kind." The golden tabby whisked her tail. "When a cat gets on my bad side... Well, let's just say I do live up to my name. And I hope that I make my mother proud when I do."

Mintpool blinked at her friend, a smile tugging its way onto her face. "Good. I'm sure that you make your mother very proud."

She was granted a purr from Holly at those words. The sun was setting at that time, orange streaking the sky; night was going to settle in soon. Clambering to their paws, the pair began to make the long journey back to the rogues' camp.

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Word Count // 1055

Not Edited

Hi guys!! What do you think of this chapter? There's not much action in it, but I found it very fun to write! I loved developing Holly's backstory more, and sharing more of it with you guys! I've been wanting to share her name reasoning in forever, as I'm quite proud of it, haha.

Also! I think that holly berries are deathberries? I'm not quite sure of that, but I'm not going to call them deathberries, simply for the symbolization & meaning.

Another thing I'd like to mention is that I'm doing this new weird updating thing. It's not really a schedule, but... it's a bit complicated to explain, but I made an announcement on it! If you like, you can read it to understand it better! Anywho, just know I won't be updating for a while after this!

A picture of a holly bush (I think) is on top!! Bye!