Warriors: Sounds of the Forest

Chapter Forty-Seven: Blackheart

I sat, sharpening my claws on a stone. Other cats watched me though I no longer cared. I kept my eyes focused on my claws as they struck the stone, each strike led to the roll of thunder in the distance and the sky to darken a bit further. 

I let my ears strain as I listened to Tigerfangs conversation in the clearing just behind the rock I sat in front of.

No more then five moon rises had past since we had entered this tribe, having had left Amberstar and Nettleblossom in the den we had sheltered in.  

While the two shecats had been 'hunting', a group of battle ready cats stumbled upon us, fresh scars showing on their pelts, where fur had once been. 

They had attacked, and I had been easily beaten, had it not been for Tigerfang they would have killed me... 

I shivered at the thought of these cats long stone hardened claws, and how they had been readily poised on my throat, prepared to kill only moments before that same cat was fallen. His fur pricked with static and his body shivering in paralyzed agony.

But now we prepared for a new battle, one with these strange cats and not against them.  

The sound of paw steps drew nearer behind me as the two toms had finished their meeting.

Tigerfangs forest green eyes glistened slightly with a dark joy, which brought the same shivers of worry through me that it had the day id been found in the dark forest.

The leader padded past me, not making any eye contact as he made his way to the clearings center.  

"Tribe-mates!" He called loudly enough for all in the clearing to hear. "We leave at nightfall for what may be our final battle for what will be ours! Tigerfang has promised us a victory that we have longed for all these past moons.  

The tribe of Rushing Water will be forced to flee, join us, or die at our power!" His claws flashed as he said the last option.

My eyes widened, these cats wanted to kill the other tribe and chase them from their own land? It had been clear to me since the first attack that these strange cats held blood on their claws, but Tigerfang! How could he, my mate, choose to do something of this sort?  

I turned quickly away from the leader as my eyes met Tigerfangs once more, how could he choose that path? Only Riversong was meant to die in revenge for the murder of my kits.

His eyes had changed once more, recognizing my mental defiance. I had challenged his opinion and even without speaking it he was able to realize that I disagreed with entirety.

"Tigerfang." I hissed quietly to him, "I need to speak with you in private."

Anger flashed quickly in his eyes before he hid it, static sparked through his pelt as he replied with a worrisome calmness.  

"If you wish." He said, though reluctance glinted in his forest green eyes.

Once out of reach of unwanted ears I spoke, attempting poorly to keep my disagreement from my tone. 

"What did he mean? Why are we helping them drive out an entire tribe?!"

Tigerfangs eyes squinted slightly as he thought of a reply, "it's the only way to get them to help us, by promising to help them."

"So we are going to kill innocent cats?" I snapped

"I never said we were going to go through with it." The black striped Tom said, turning slightly, hid wing his eyes. "I only said to him what would get him to help you."

Part of me wanted to purr for his apparent loyalty, but my mind realized that while he had lied to someone, I could sense that it had not been the leader of this horrid tribe. 

Grunting I turned away to pad back to the tribe, "just so long as I know your on my side." 

And with that I joined the others, keeping speed in my pace, for the moment Tigerfang returned as well, moments after myself, we all began a steady paced rush to battle.