Warriors: Poisoned Loyalty {COMPLETED}

Chapter 21

The air was tense, thick with barely concealed rage. Newtflake stood rigid at the entrance to the medicine den, his eyes narrowed and fiery as they locked onto Dusk, who cowered in their nest. Poppypool could feel the tension simmering between her apprentice and the young rogue, but she remained rooted to the spot, standing as a barrier between them.

"Are you out of your mind, Poppypool?" Newtflake's voice was low and venomous, each word a barely contained snarl. His claws dug into the dirt, his tail lashing behind him in sharp, angry flicks. "You brought a rogue into our camp? After everything they've done?"

Poppypool glanced over her shoulder at Dusk, whose wide, terrified eyes darted between them. The young rogue was clearly injured, their paws trembling and tail tucked under their body in fear. Barely older than an apprentice, the young cat was in no shape to be cast out alone to survive by themselves.

"They're just a kit, Newtflake," Poppypool said softly, though her tone carried the weight of her determination. "They didn't hurt anyone in the raid. They ran."

Newtflake's eyes blazed with fury. "That doesn't matter! They're one of them! The ones who killed Daisystep, who almost killed Cedarpelt–" His voice broke for a moment before it was laced with pure anger again. "And now you've brought them here like a sick, helpless kit? You're out of your mind!"

Poppypool felt her heart tighten at his words, but she refused to back down. "This isn't about vengeance, Newtflake. They're injured, they need help, and I'm not going to let a cat die just because of who they were born around." She held his gaze, her tone sharp now. "That's not what a medicine cat does."

Newtflake's breath hitched, and for a moment, she thought he might lash out at her. But he didn't. Instead, he turned his venom on Dusk. "The warriors should've finished you off the second you stepped onto the battlefield." He spat at the young rogue's paws. "You don't belong here. You'll never belong here."

Dusk recoiled, pressing further into the nest, shivering under Newtflake's fury. Poppypool's chest clenched with guilt and protectiveness. She stepped fully between them now, her body shielding Dusk from Newtflake's view.

"That's enough, Newtflake," Poppypool said, her voice steady but filled with warning. "You're upset, and I understand that, but this isn't helping anyone. Go for a walk, clear your head."

Newtflake's expression twisted in disbelief and hurt. "You're choosing a rogue over your own Clanmate? Over me?"

Poppypool shook her head gently, trying to ease the tension in her voice. "No, I'm trying to keep you from doing something you'll regret." She met his eyes with quiet intensity. "Please, just go. Cool off."

For a long moment, Newtflake stared at her, his chest heaving with pent-up frustration. His claws sank further into the dirt, his lips curling slightly as though he was battling the urge to say something truly cruel. Finally, he whipped around with a snarl. "Feather-brained," he muttered darkly, storming out of the den and into the camp, his tail lashing wildly behind him.

Poppypool closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She knew this wouldn't be the end of Newtflake's anger, but she couldn't let that cloud her judgement. When she turned back to Dusk, she could see the rogue trembling, eyes full of unshed tears.

"I–I didn't mean to cause trouble," Dusk whispered, their voice shaking. "I just... I didn't want to hurt anyone."

Poppypool gave them a soft, reassuring look. "I know," she said gently, crouching down to examine their wounds. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, but you have to trust me and do exactly as I say."

Dusk nodded weakly, clearly terrified but too exhausted to argue. Poppypool worked quietly, applying poultices to their injuries, cleaning their wounds, and wrapping their leg where the injury seemed more severe. All the while, her thoughts were with Newtflake and how broken he looked when he left. The rage in his eyes wasn't just about Dusk– it was everything. The attack, Daisystep's death, Cedarpelt's brush with death. It was all consuming him, and now he was lashing out in the worst way.