Ashwings legacy

Chapter 11

   It took some time for Ashwing to get used to the sounds and smells of the twolegplace, but after going scavenging with the others a few times, he felt a little more comfortable. He followed Scarlett, the reddish orange she-cat, through a narrow passage with the walls of twoleg nests on each side. Scarlett had explained that places like these are where they find most of their food. Today they had walked an unusually far distance from Kades camp. "We've looked for food all over that area, so we need to look somewhere new." Scarlett had said, but Ashwing felt that something was off.
   For now it was just him and Scarlett, as the others on the patrol with them had gone to look elsewhere. Ashwing didn't really feel comfortable splitting up but he didn't want to question Scarlett, who's done this way more than he has. She taught him how to knock over the shiny containers that usually held what these cats called "food". All they had to do was keep knocking them over and searching for anything they could eat. Scarlett walked up to one and expertly kicked it over. She began looking through the scraps and Ashwing saw her ears perk up. "Looks like we got lucky! Come over here and help me." She said.
   Ashwing hurried over to her and was suprised when something actually smelled good. It was a bunch of dark brownish, round shaped objects. Ashwing leaned down to smell it. It definitely smells like prey, but it also smells like... fire? He found it interesting that something that had been on fire could smell so good but didn't question it as he picked up as many as he could fit in his mouth. Scarlett did the same, but as they turned to leave they saw three cats standing there, hackles raised and claws unsheathed. Ashwing glanced at Scarlett who gave a quick look back at him just before turning and running. Before Ashwing could proccess what just happened he heard one of the cats yowl. "Get them! They're stealing our food!"
   Ashwing glanced back at them as he turned to follow Scarlett. He quickly realized they were heading for the main thunderpath. she had told them to avoid it because there are always twolegs walking beside it. Ashwing watched as Scarlett bolted out onto the stone beside the thunderpath. He strained to catch up, his claws struggling to grip the stone beneath him as he turned the corner. He was greeted by multiple twolegs walking towards him. He spotted flashes of Scarlett's reddish fur through the legs of the tall figures and bolted after her. He weaved around the various pairs of colored legs, occasionally glancing back to see their pursuers gradually getting farther away, until they were no longer in sight. Scarlett ran into another passage and stopped, putting her share of the food down to catch her breath. He did the same and gave her a questioning glare. "What was that about? Who were those cats, and why did they say we were stealing?" He let his irritation show in his voice and the way he lashed his tail.
   Scarlett turned, meeting his glare with one of her own. "Apologies, we were actually in Redclaw territory. Those cats were only defending what's theirs." she said, her strait face never breaking. She doesn't look very apologetic.
   Ashwing sighed. "You've exhausted all other options haven't you? Trespassing was the only way we'd find any food, am I wrong?"
   "That's correct." She responded somberly.
Ashwing softened his gaze, understanding the dilemma Kades group faced. They need enough food to feed Alphas pack and themselves...
"I'm not proud of it by any means," Scarlett started. "But even with this, we'll still have to ration..."
Ashwing gave her a confused look. "Why is that?" He asked.
"Because I don't want to risk going back to Redclaw territory... they'll be patrolling that area more often now that we were spotted."
She picked up the food again and started walking back towards camp without another word. Ashwing felt bad for her. She was forced to go against her morals for the sake of her group. "You're an honest cat Scarlett, you'd make a great warrior." He said before picking up his share of the food and following her.
She turned her head while walking to glance at him over her shoulder, looking unconvinced, but gave him a nod of acknowledgement. Ashwing had a lot more respect for her and the other scavengers now, knowing that they are willing to do what they must to provide for eachother, and those who can't provide for themselves.

—————————————————————————

Ashwing and Scarlett arrived back at Kades camp and put their food on the pile. The others on their group had already returned, not finding much of anything, though that was to be expected. Ashwing said his goodbyes to the scavengers and joined Firesoul and Owlnose in a shaded spot. "Hey, what have you two been up to?" He asked, sitting beside his traveling companions.
"A whole lot of nothing." Owlnose replied flatly.
Firesoul jabbed him with her paw. "Don't be like that, we did some interesting stuff today."
"Oh really? Like what?" Owlnose challenged.
Firesoul listed off some things she'd done and Owlnose would counter saying it was 'boreing' or 'mousebrained'. Ashwing enjoyed listening to his friends banter. Even in Starclan he would always laugh at Skystar and Thunderstars tiffs.
Suddenly he heard a few cats gasp loudly and looked towards the entrance. There was a white and gray she-cat in the leading with two cats behind her. She had a stone cold face and gave off a menacing aura that made his fur stand on end. There was a dust colored tom he didn't recognize on her right, but on her left was a cat he did recognize. That's the same cat from a few days ago!
It was the she-cat known as Shay, the one they had fought off after they tried to hurt a kittypet. These cats are from Alphas pack... he concluded.
   He turned his head as Kade emerged from his den to greet them. He had an anxious and scared look that made Ashwing certain something was wrong. He pointed his ears to listen to the conversation. "G-greetings Beta... to what do we owe this suprise visit?"
   Kades voice was shaky and not at all confident. This cat had clearly made an impression on him and his group. The she-cat, Beta, narrowed her eyes and lifted her chin. "You know why we're here Kade. We've never 'visited' you for anything else." She said, her voice cold but eerily smooth.
   He saw Kades eyes widen. "Y-you're collecting? B-but..." He was cut off by Scarlett, who bounded up beside Kade. "You're early! Our share isn't due for another three days!" She said, curling her lips in a snarl.
   Ashwing recalled her explaining that they had to give half of the food they collect to Alpha and his pack every half moon, and it was indeed three days until the next half moon. Beta rolled her eyes and waved her tail dismissively. "Well, you gathered such a pitiful amount of food last time that we are already in need of more. And to ensure that this doesn't happen again, we will be taking three quarters of the pile."
   Scarlett lashed her tail. "You can't do that! We agreed that you'd only take ha-"
   She was cut off mid sentence by Betas claws raking across her muzzle. She was sent sprawling backwards, and Ashwing heard almost every cat gasp in shock. This is bad! If she takes that much, there's no way we won't starve!
   Ashwing knew he had to come up with something fast. "Let this be a lesson." Beta said, glaring at a now terrified Kade, but raising her voice so all could hear. "Alphas will is to be carried out no matter what. Now, does anyone else wish to resist...?"
   Ashwing stood up to go confront her. "Ashwing, what are you doing!?" He heard Firesoul whisper beside him, but he didn't answer. He took a few steps forward before yowling. "Hey!" Grabbing the attention of every cat. He felt their eyes on him, but he was only focused on one set. "And who are you?"
   Her ice cold voice made him want to shiver, but he suppressed it. Before he could answer, the she-cat beside her spoke up with her hackles raised. "Wait, those are the cats that attacked Jett and I the other day!" She proclaimed.
   Betas eyes never left his, and he never let his eyes leave hers. They were locked in a stare down as she spoke once more. "Is that right... well then, I'll ask again, who are you?"
   "I am Ashwing. Warrior of the clans!" He exclaimed, straitening his stance and lifting his head high.
   Beta narrowed her eyes. "Clans? Never heard of it. Is that supposed to mean something to me?"
   Ashwing felt his anger bubbling inside him as he replied. "Don't worry... it will mean something to you real soon..." He saw a hint of anger flash in her eyes and continued. "I can't let you take that food."
   "And what exactly are you going to do to stop us, Ashwing of the clans?"
   He took a deep breath in preparation for his next words. This is all I can think of... it has to work!
   "Beta... I challenge you to a duel!"