West Woods: Sliverstone's Destiny

15 -- The Fight

It was not long before Sliverstar was spotted and taken in by a FireClan patrol. The two toms beside her had hostility in their eyes and their fur was filthy with negligence. The russet tom eyed her suspiciously, but Sliverstar held her head high, confidence in her step.

Every cat turned their attention to the newcomer until they had reached the clan camp. Their leader, Firestar, had early heard of their arrival and was watching the silver she-cat hungrily. His dark ginger fur seemed to glow with energy.

His brother creeped beside him, his fur even brighter yet his eyes were burning with the same hatred. "You're trespassing in our land, Bramble-brains!" The cruelty that came from Firestar's voice startled the new leader, but she locked her gaze with his and spoke without hesitation.

"You don't belong here, Firestar," she said coolly. The FireClan cats tensed, thirst for blood lighting their eyes.

Firestar didn't budge. "And who told you that. You're nothing but a crow-food-eating rogue."

"Hm. I'm not the one eating crow-food here." Sliverstar flicked her tail towards a kit nibbling on the bones of a skinny rodent. "And it was The Place of Cold Waters that sent me to save these cats."

Firestar snorted, "The Place of Cold Waters? You believe that elder's tale? Such a pity you were the best they had to offer. Besides, my cats are happy here. Isn't that right?" He glared at his emaciated clanmates and they nodded enthusiastically, some even calling their leader's name. "So why don't you scram off to where you came from before my claws get to you?"

"How about you scram off back to the dog's nest you came from, Firestar?" Sliverstar retorted. Firestar had had enough with the intruder, and without warning, he launched himself onto the silver leader, claws unsheathed. The clan cats backed off, only cheering for their strong leader.

Sliverstar was pinned flat on her back with her hind legs raised to protect her belly. She kicked off Firestar who landed effortlessly on all paws. Scrambling up, Firestar took this time to ram into his opponent and send her stumbling through the dirt.

Every limb stung as Sliverstar tried to stand up again, but Firestar was already at her side. He slashed a large gash into her side and she yelped in pain. The cats of FireClan chanted on their leader to end it. And with experience and no hesitation, Firestar slammed his outstretched forepaw into the leader's stomach. Sliverstar winced as blood leaked from her jaws. Then she went still, and her eyes clouded over.

Firestar stood back with satisfaction and began to lick his paws clean. Two warriors went to work, carrying the limp Sliverstar on their backs toward the river border. They dumped her into the water, and she sank like a stone.

The gray tom glanced around to make sure no one was in ear shot. Then he whispered to his partner, "The Place of Cold Waters has given up on us, haven't they, Littlebird?"

The brown she-cat sighed, "There's not much left for us, Shallowstripe." Suddenly a ripple caught the cats' attention. They looked back into the water and saw two blue eyes staring right back.

"FIRESTAAAR!"

"FIIIIRESTAR!"

The cats ran with all the strength left in them as they heard angry pawsteps behind them. Firestar turned to their calls, and saw something from his worst nightmares. "WHAT IN—" His voice was cut off into an ear splitting screech as Sliverstar tore out his throat, leaving him still on the dusty ground.

His only life escaped him quickly, his clanmates stunned with his sudden death. A few older cats shook their heads in sadness as if they knew something the others did not.

"You killed him..." A gray she-kit walked up to Sliverstar, her cloudy blue eyes wide with interest.

"Crescentkit! Get back here," her mother coaxed, worry and hope on her face.

"Who's the deputy here?" Sliverstone asked. The cats glanced at each other.

Finally, a scarred brown tom spoke for them all, "We have none. Firestar wanted all the power for himself, so... he killed our last one."

"Who will lead us now?" a voice called from the crowd.

"I will." Sliverstar jumped. Breezesong had made her way into the camp while everyone was distracted by the fight.

"Breezesong?"

The cream she-cat smiled at her friend, wisdom in her eyes. "Don't worry. The Place of Cold Waters is on my side."

Sliverstar smiled back. "FireClan is in good paws." She looked past Breezesong at the russet tom that had escorted her earlier. Two ghostly figures followed him, one still a kit. Without a word, Sliverstar trotted up to him. He heard her and turned around.

Sliverstar looked into his familiar red eyes and felt his warm scent bathe her tongue as if she knew him all along. "Father?"

The russet tom seemed to recognise the cat in front of him, but his eyes sank in grief. "I have no kits. Hawkfeather can't have any." He grunted and padded away to his den.

The brown she-cat called Littlebird moved in beside the leader. "Don't be too hard on Ryeheart. He's been through a lot. He was never able to forgive himself from loving a BrambleClan cat."

Although it hurt more than the wounds Firestar had inflicted on her, Sliverstar sighed, "It's alright."