Confusing Twists | A Warrior Cats AU

Chapter 24

: Suspicions :

Brambleclaw looked around the warriors den. Ashfur was nowhere to be seen.
That's weird. . . Ashfur never gets up before me. Brambleclaw remarked silently.
He walked out of the warriors den, there was still no sign of Ashfur. Brambleclaw was beginning to get worried.
Thornclaw padded over to Brambleclaw. “Hey, have you seen Ashfur?”
Brambleclaw bit his lip. Now he was really starting to worry. “No. . . I haven't.”
Thornclaw's expression shifted. “Well he's not in camp then. . .”
“Maybe Firestar knows where he is, he was on guard last night.” Brambleclaw suggested.
Thornclaw nodded.
The two walked over to Firestar. ThunderClan’s leader looked up at them. “Can I help you with something?” he asked.
“Yes actually, we were wondering if you know where Ashfur is.” Brambleclaw dipped his head respectfully.
Firestar flicked his tail dismissively. “I can't imagine why you want to know, but no I don't know where he is.”
Brambleclaw’s tail fell. Firestar definitely wouldn't want a search party.
I can take Rain with me and Thornclaw. He's the only other cat I can think of that would want to make sure Ashfur is ok.

The three toms trecked through ThunderClan territory. They hadn't been able to get a scent of Ashfur.
Rain wasn't as attached to Ashfur as Thornclaw or Brambleclaw, so he was the first to voice something negative. “Either he ran away or something attacked him. Most likely the ladder.” he grumbled.
Brambleclaw winced. The thought of his mate getting hurt pained him.
Thornclaw sighed. “Ashfur would never run away. Not without his mate at least. And Brambleclaw would never agree to run away with him.” he pointed out.
Rain shrugged. “Well I didn't know that, but then I guess he was was attacked.”
Thornclaw suddenly froze. “I smell blood.” his words were barely a whisper.
Brambleclaw’s blood turned to ice. The three cats looked at each other then rushed towards the scent.
There was a tree, it was soaked in blood. Ashfur's blood.
Brambleclaw was frozen. He felt like his paws were rooted to the ground.
No! This can't be happening!
Rain tipped his head. “There are three other scents here. . . I recognize one of them.” he sounded confused.
Brambleclaw was still too shocked to respond. Thornclaw spoke instead. “Who’s scents?” he asked.
“I don't know their names. But they also have fear scent, chances are they didn't attack him. The third one though. . . It's ThunderClan. . . But I don't know which cat.” Rain answered.
Brambleclaw hardly heard him. He was studying two tufts of fur. A tuft of white and thick brown tabby fur lay on the ground.
Those look awfully familiar. . . Brambleclaw narrowed his eyes.
Something strange was going on. And there was a ThunderClan cat involved in it.

Brambleclaw was surveying the clearing. He had focused all his energy on finding out who had attacked Ashfur. He needed to distract himself from his grief.
Who could have done it? Definitely not any of my kits, Ashfur saved Hollyleaf and Jayfeather. Squirrelflight isn't a possibility either. She would never do anything so vile. The newcomers have no reason to risk getting thrown out just to attack Ashfur. . . Dustpelt might have done it. He hates Ashfur.
“Maybe we could ask Tom if he knows anything?” Toad suggested.
Brambleclaw turned to him. “Who?”
“Tom, he's a former kittypet.” Toad replied.
“There’s a tom. . . Named Tom?” Brambleclaw asked, unsure how he was supposed to feel about that.
Toad shrugged. “Maybe two-legs don't call toms toms?” he offered.
“That doesn't even make any sense.” Brambleclaw flicked his tail.
Darktail shrugged. “We might as well try.”

The three toms led Brambleclaw to a clearing.
Darktail stepped forward. “Tom! Are you there?” he called.
A ragged ginger tabby tom stepped out of the gloom, he wore a tattered green collar, his ears were torn, there was a large scar along his throat. His tail was half torn of and he was missing a toe. “Yes? What- who is he?” Tom’s gaze fixed on Brambleclaw warrily.
“Not important, anyway we were wondering if you've seen any. . . Strange cats?” Darktail inquired.
Tom raised a brow. “You mean other than M- actually I was told not to answer that question if it was asked. Sorry young ones.” Tom skittered away.
“He most likely hasn't seen Ashfur.” Rain sighed.
Brambleclaw let his tail fall. “It was worth a try.”

A cat watched from the shadows. Come on Brambleclaw you're not that stupid. It's obviously Firestar! Who else would be able to avoid suspicion so easily? The cat swished their fluffy tabby tail. Hopefully Marigold wouldn't let them down this time.