Ghosts of the Clans (COMPLETED)

Chapter 20

Redwillow crunched the last bite of his mouse. Spotting the sun beginning to climb to the very top of the sky, he called, "Ratscar, Applefur! Coming to hunt?" The plan to meet with Beetlewhisker was starting.

"Sure." Ratscar got off the sunning rock and Toadfoot immediately scrambled on top, lying flat on his back while his kits, Dewkit, Mistkit and Sparrowkit clambered over him. "Wow, it's so warm!" Mistkit squeaked, kneading Toadfoot's belly with her small paws.

As they left, Redwillow noticed Applefur staring at Toadfoot with a flint-like glare before whipping around. Telling Ratscar to take the lead to the RiverClan border, he lagged behind to match her pace. "You're jealous of Toadfoot, aren't you?"

The mottled brown she-cat glanced up at him shortly. "Yeah. I just don't get the logic of Kinkfur's choices. I'm way better than him, and he has a mate and I don't get one? Seriously? Am I that much of a nobody?" 

Shocked, Redwillow touched the tip of his tail to her shoulder. "No, you aren't. The Dark Forest has made you a stronger, more skilful warrior than Toadfoot. And as long as you're an excellent warrior, you don't need a mate. Look at us! None of us do. Unless you like someone?" Applefur muttered something, and he caught the word 'Tigerheart' in it.

"What was that?" "Nothing! And maybe I do like a cat... but that doesn't matter. We're off to train, not talk about our private love lives." she dashed away, leaving him behind. "Hey!"

The rest of the trip was more cheerful, and soon they were at the RiverClan border.

"Over here!" A familiar dark brown head poked out of a bush nearby, and Hollowflight, Icewing and Beetlewhisker hared out. Redwillow also broke into a sprint, running after the RiverClan cats.

Soon, they reached a grassy area which lay in a dip. It was away from Clan territories, and cedar trees shrouded it. Applefur admired it with wide bright green eyes. "This is perfect!"

Beetlewhisker grinned. "Yeah. No cat will ever find us here!" Icewing let out a short purr. "Let's train, then."

Ratscar nodded. "Sure. How about one-on-one, then team fighting?" "Sounds good!" Redwillow whisked his tail through the air. "I'll go with Beetlewhisker, then."

Ratscar partnered up with Icewing while Hollowflight was with Applefur. "Begin!" Ratscar yowled.

Beetlewhisker sprung into action, leaping into the air with claws extended. Good. Redwillow also unsheathed his claws, swiping at his shoulders before rolling away. Beetlewhisker's claws, however, hooked on to his tail.

Pinned, Redwillow fought in a mess of claws in and teeth while Beetlewhisker scored his claws along Redwillow's flank and sprung away- just in time to catch his blow over the ear. "Nice one," the RiverClan tabby tom admitted ruefully before lashing out a paw, catching Redwillow on the chest. A spurt of blood flowed from the wound and he playfully hissed, rearing to swipe at Beetlewhisker.

Spurred, the brown-and-white tabby tom also reared, and for a moment the two battled, blocking and swiping in perfect rhythm. The Dark Forest's spirit flows through us! Redwillow thought, exhilarated.

Thinking quickly, Redwillow suddenly dropped down, avoiding Beetlewhisker's next blow, which could have struck him in the eye. He did a neat forward roll, bring Beetlewhisker down and ending the move with the other tom under him, with his pale blue eyes dazed. "Wow, you won. Good move in the end." The tom looked impressed.

"Thanks." Redwillow brushed muzzles with Beetlewhisker's bloody one. Icewing had won Ratscar, and Applefur was still locked in combat with Hollowflight. Redwillow and Beetlewhisker hurried over to look.

Ratscar turned when he scented the two of them, and brushed his tail over Redwillow's back. "I'm guessing that you won." "Yes, he did." Beetlewhisker sounded slightly disgruntled, and Icewing smirked. "Well, it all comes down to Applefur and Hollowflight." 

"I bet that Applefur will win." Ratscar boasted. Beetlewhisker smiled. "Well, I'm placing mine on Hollowflight!"

Ignoring the two toms, Icewing continued watching the battle, and Redwillow also averted the gaze.

Applefur leaped, but Hollowflight slid under her smoothly, kicking out with his hind legs. Applefur stumbled, and did a neat forward roll, knocking Hollowflight's legs from under him easily. She's going to win! Excitement pressed in Redwillow's chest, and he leaned forward.

To his surprise, not only did Hollowflight dodge, he also swiped at her head, causing Applefur to stagger, not fully recovered from the momentum from her roll. The dark brown tom promptly jumped on her and pinned her down with one paw on her neck and the other on her chest.

"No!" Ratscar groaned. Beetlewhisker nudged him, pale blue eyes sparkling with mirth. "The squirrel is due tomorrow, my friend." He laughed. Ratscar simply rolled his eyes.

"Alright. I think we can conclude that we all fought well in one-to-one, so lets do teams now!" Icewing announced.

Soon after, Redwillow crouched down, Applefur and Icewing at his side. "We can do this!" Applefur purred, eyes bright.

Redwillow nodded. "Yes, we can." Icewing kinked her tail over her back and they charged together.

Never have I felt so free... from the warrior code!