Leafshade's Revenge

Chapter Nine

 'If you ever change your mind, I'll be waiting.' The tom's words rang in her head constantly as she cared for her kits, or ate some fresh-kill. She tried to push them out of her mind. I want to know who murdered Splotchpaw...but how could I possibly trust a Dark Forest cat? And what does he want me to do, even if he does know?

Leafshade looked out longingly at the sun as it began to peek through the clouds, spreading little rays of light across the camp, making the snow sparkle. Other cats were heading out of their dens, going on border patrols, or hunting ones. She sighed. If only there was another Queen in here! It's so lonely, just me and my kits.

She blinked down at her sleeping kits. A few of them were beginning to stir, yawning and squeaking, and then mewling because they were hungry. Leafshade sat up happily as she saw Slightstep, a white tom with small paws, and Thornfrost enter. Slightstep had acted like Thornfrost's dad, ever since his family died. She was glad that Thornfrost had some other people he could trust and love.

Slightstep bent down to look at her kits, his eyes warm. "They're beautiful," he whispered, licking Willowkit's head. The flame-clored she-kit sneezed, her fur fluffing up. She blinked sleepily at him, adjusting to the light coming through the cracks into their den.

"Well, I'll leave you two," Slightstep mewed, his voice kind. "I'm sure Leafshade's been awful lonely," he added on his way back. He turned and left the den, and Thornfrost waited beside her.

There was silence for a moment, until Thornfrost suddenly broke it, tilting his head. "Are you lonely, Leafshade?" he asked anxiously, his tail twitching. "I know I haven't visited you as often as I should...I just get so busy, and then—"

Leafshade touched her tail tip to his muzzle, silencing him. "I'm okay," she assured him, though really, she was feeling lonely. She gazed at him as his fur began to flatten.

Thornfrost nodded, and then pricked his ears as Clearfrost called his name. "Thornfrost, come on! We're going hunting, or had you forgotten?" She saw Thornfrost tense, and then he turned and padded away. Halfway across camp, he turned and mouthed "sorry" and then continue off.

Leafshade watched him, and then glanced down at her kits, now awake and mewling, suckling from her belly. The smallest tom, Wolfkit, was struggling to get a spot and started to cry harder, attempting to push his stronger siblings out of the way. She nosed Brightkit a little bit to the side, scooping Wolfkit closer with her paw. There, she thought. Now all of you can have some milk.

"I always loved kits," a voice said from behind her, and she snapped her head around to see the gray tom again. He went on, his voice smooth. "So vulnerable, and they could care less what you do to them...as long as they're safe."

"What do you want?" she hissed, curling her tail protectively around her squirming kits. She glared at the tom, her eyes blazing with anger.

"I hate BirchClan," he growled in a low voice. "With all my heart, mind, and soul. I want them to feel loss. Real loss. And what better way than to lose some kits?" He walked closer.

"Go! Go away!" she meowed, her voice hoarse. "Get away from my kits."

"Don't you want to know who killed Splotchpaw?"

Leafshade paused. She knew she shouldn't...but she couldn't help wondering if he knew what did happen to Splotchpaw. "Of course I do," she mewed quietly. "He was my brother." Her heart was beating so heavily, she wondered if it might burst in her chest.

"One kit. Just one. And I'll tell you everything you want to know." He held her gaze, waiting.

Leafshade sighed. I'm doing this for you, Splotchpaw. I'll find your murderer; I will avenge your death! "Tell me first," she muttered.

+++

Leafshade stood by the tom, carrying Squirrelkit in her jaws. She looked wearily at the river which separated the MistClan territory from theirs. It was frozen over now, with frost spread across it like roots from a tree.

"All you have to do is drop her in there," he hissed.

"It's frozen." Were Dark Forest cats so mouse-brained they couldn't see all the seasons? Her fur ruffled with the wind, and she started second-guessing herself. I should just go home. He might not even tell me anyway. She began to back up slowly.

"Hold it," he warned. "Follow me, there's a hole in the river right here." He didn't wait to see if she was following, but she was. She felt Squirrelkit squirm in her jaws, mewling with fright and discomfort. Its okay. She isn't really real anyway, right? She won't remember this...until StarClan. She shook, following him towards the cracked hole in the ice. I don't know if I can do this.

She looked up at the clouded sky. Can you see me, Splotchpaw? Am I doing the right thing? She set Squirrelkit down for a moment, swiping her tongue over her lips and relaxing her tight jaw. "Okay. Do it," she choked out.

"No," he growled. "If you want to know about Splotchpaw, you have to do it. Kill her. She's just one kit, anyway." He flicked his tail impatiently, his eyes sparkling like the ice below their paws. He lifted his chin, waiting.

Leafshade breathed in a ragged breath. Alright. I'm doing this for you, Splotchpaw. She picked up Squirrelkit, who was crying now, shaking and shivering. Leafshade padded closer to the hole, positioning Squirrelkit over it. StarClan help me, I don't know if this is the right thing. Leaning her head down, she let go of Squirrelkit.

+++

"You said you'd tell me! Come back!" she screeched at the tom as he ran off, but she stayed close behind him. You are not getting away. With each step, she became slower. Her legs were covered in frost and her muscles were tight and frozen. She limped after him, feeling snow surround her paws with every step. "Come back," she whispered.

And then darkness overtook her.