Beyond the Mountains | A Warrior Cats Fanfiction

꧁ ✧ Chapter 25 ✧ ꧂

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Willow padded inside the cave. All the sounds were muffled, and cats lagged, leaving a trail of fur behind them briefly.

She peered at them confusedly, before her head jerked up at the sound of a voice.

''Branch.'' A voice called. The voice echoed, the lower notes laying heavy in the air. Her vision turned to Leaf.

''I know you're upset, but you have to let it go. You can't change it.''

His voice growled in her mind.

''I can try. Why would Stoneteller do this? Knowing the truth? Knowing what will happen? It's not fair, Leaf. It's not fair on her, Leaf. She doesn't deserve this. Why don't you get it?'' He asked her desperately, and Willow felt a strong emotion run through her pelt as she looked at him.

''Stoneteller knows what she's doing.''

Branch snarled, his eye still squinting from where Dandelion had slashed him earlier. He stormed out of the cave, Leaf calling his name. He ignored her, wanting to cool off. Willow trotted quickly after him.

He walked down the mountain, the wet mud sloshing under his paws. He walked with his ears flat, and head low against the rain.

Willow felt sadness and frustration, emotions that weren't hers.

She sighed.

''Branch, I-'' She ducked her head as she heard a rustle in a bush. Her gaze darted to Branch, who was pacing, fuming.

''Branch.'' He didn't turn to her. A twig snapped, and so did her nerve. She leapt towards him, standing in front of him. He had stopped pacing, stood still with his head low.

''Branch, there's something there, I-'' She paused. He doesn't know I'm here. He lifted his head slowly, for a moment leaving a drowsy trail of eyes and ears. This is a memory. She stepped away, looking at him sadly. Suddenly, Sharptooth exploded out of the bush from behind her, in front of Branch. She ducked low automatically. Crouching she looked up in time to see Sharptooth leaping over her, and Branch's terrified gaze. He gaped as he desperately tried to scramble out of the way, baring his teeth in petrified anger. Sharptooth landed on him, crushing his spine with its huge paws. He screeched in agony, a strangled and terrible cry for help that would never come. Willow wanted to look away, but her eyes were stuck as Sharptooth leaned down and ripped out his throat. Blood bubbled at his mouth, and he made a guttural groan as his eyes glossed over. Willow looked sadly at his corpse. Blood drained from Sharptooth's canines, and walked away. She gazed at his, her mouth wide in anguish at his gruesome end. She collapsed in a heap infant of his stiffening anatomy, heat seeping out of it as his energy returned to nature.

Branch stirred, and Willow looked back at him suddenly. A glowing image of him pulled itself up from his body, which fell still as his spirit stepped away, panting.

He bowed his head, sadly looking upon his body. A bright light cast itself over the night, and Wind appeared, her fur flowing in a non-existent breeze.

''Branch.'' Wind called him softly.

''Wind!'' He purred, and Willow looked at her desperately, hoping she could see her. She ignored her. It was only a memory after all.

''No time for greetings, I'm afraid, Branch. Willow and Dandelion are in danger. Sharptooth is heading for them. Go, save them. Willow must live!'' Her voice spoke urgency, and Branch looked worriedly up at her.

''But... I'm dead. aren't I?'' He mewed sadly.

''Yes. But you can still make a difference. Go!''

Branch nodded firmly, and bolted out of the clearing, leaping over his broken and bloody body without a blink. Willow darted after him, following close behind. He sped ahead of her, and he seemed happy. He flew over any obstacle, his paws barely touching the earth. It was heavenly. A screech caught their attention, and he swerved towards the sound.

''Run Dandelion, run!'' Willow heard her own voice, and she pricked her ears. She saw her own shape through the trees, running as fast as she could, Sharptooth yowling close behind. She watched as she tripped, and looked desperately up at Sharptooth.

I'll never get away now. She heard her own voice in her head.

She and Branch sped up. Sharptooth grabbed Willow, ripping her body and throwing her around. Sharptooth chased after the unconscious body like it was a toy, and was rearing, ready to bite her throat out when Branch burst from the trees, letting out a blinding blue-white light. Branch screeched wildly at Sharptooth, his legs spread apart and fur fluffed up as he flashed sharp, translucent teeth. Sharptooth squinted and glared at him, before snarling and running away from the body. Branch cantered forward towards her still body, crouched, and pressed his nose to her head. His nose slipped into her cranium, and he leaned back sadly. A silence-shattering whoosh blew their fur as a bright blue-white light lit up the clearing. They turned away, squeezing their eyes shut until it died down to a soft glow, and Wind appeared again.

"You did all you could." She murmured.

"Did I save her? Will she live?" He questioned softly, looking at Willow's reddened body. Wind didn't reply, just walked away, flicking her tail for him to follow.

"Come on, it's time to go."

"Go? Where?"

"The Tribe Of Endless Hunting, of course."