Gilafang's Resentment (Book 4)

Chapter 14

Gilapaw sat down, listening to Snowtip's sobs as she said goodbye to her mate's broken and bloody body. Badgerfang sighed, burying his nose into his pelt, grieving just as if he were dead.

"Goodbye, old friend. I hope you're new life is happy and comfortable," he whispered sadly, closing his eyes. "StarClan light your path..."

Gilapaw lowered his head solemnly, as did Turtleface. They stayed like this until Sam came running back, his eyes wide. Turtleface jumped up excitedly, a sad smile forced onto her lips. Or was it...? Gilapaw shook his head. Stop it. Focus.

"My twoleg is behind me, don't be alarmed." He explained. Just as he spoke, a female twoleg with long, flowing dark brown head-fur came running into view, her eyebrow furrowed with concern. She garbled something to Sam, as if to praise him, and reached out to touch Ryeflight. Snowtip hissed, and Badgerfang quickly held her back, mumbling soothingly to her as the twoleg picked Ryeflight gently up. Turtleface hung her head sadly.

Sam nodded to the group. "Come on, y'all can come too, its alright!" He called and bounded after his twoleg, leaping without hesitation into the belly of a large blue monster.

"Sam! No!" Gilapaw heard Turtleface cry, her eyes wide in terror. "It'll eat you!!"

Sam poked his fuzzy cream head out of a window with a warm, happy smile. "Come on, slowpokes!" His muffled mew laughed. Gilapaw exchanged looks with Badgerfang.

"Should we trust it?" He wondered aloud. Turtleface stepped forward.

"Well, we are trusting him with the life of one of our warriors... Soo...?" She prompted, and without a heartbeat of hesitance, leaped inside after Sam. Badgerfang took a deep breath and followed, helping Snowtip to her paws and pulling her up inside. Gilapaw was the only cat who remained. He summoned up all of his courage and leaped in a heartbeat after the monster turned itself alive with a menacing growl. Gilapaw screamed and crouched in the soft, squishy floor underpaw, unsheathing his claws to pull on the soft fabric, his fur rising. The entrance to the monster's belly slammed shut, and Badgerfang growled.

"It was a trap! You traitor!" He growled, leaping at Sam. Sam's eyes widened and he dodged, and Turtleface held him back.

"Your such a mousebrain!" She cried, scolding him. "It's just a transportation device! Calm down!" She said, obviously annoyed and on the end of her rope. "Just shush!"

Badgerfang gave her a glare, but backed away, staring at Sam. He sat down reluctantly and Sam straightened up. The monster began to jerk forward, and the roar grew louder. Snowtip looked anxiously over the felted wall that served as a backrest for the twoleg in front of them, desperately trying to see Ryeflight.

It seemed only heartbeats until the roaring of the monster stopped, and the walls opened, leaving the clan cats free to jump out whenever they pleased. Badgerfang didn't hesitate, followed quickly by Gilapaw, then Turtleface. Snowtip hung back, waiting for the twoleg to hurry around to the other side of the monster and gently take the injured Ryeflight in her arms, cradling him as if he were a delicate butterfly. It was only then that she jumped down, following the twoleg's every move.

"Follow me," Sam instructed. "My twoleg'll fix him up, y'all can't disturb her while she's working." He explained. "Come on, you lot are such slowpokes!" He trotted in a different direction, heading towards a gap in a long shiny tendril wall, and wriggled through it. "Don't y'all wanna meet my buddies?!"

This seemed to rouse Badgerfang and he ran after Sam, wriggling inside the wall. Turtleface followed suit, then Gilapaw, looking back at Snowtip.

"You coming?" He asked. Snowtip stared at her paws, hesitating. When he saw how much pain she seemed to be in, he stopped, padding over to her. "Whats wrong?" He asked gently.

Snowtip sighed. "I-I think I'll stay here, Sam. I want to wait for Ryeflight." She whispered. Sam nodded and she smiled a smile that seemed to not quite reach her eyes, and trotted half-heartedly after the twoleg. After she was gone, Gilapaw dove through the tendril fence, coming up on the other side.

"Who's next?" He queried, shaking his fluffy head to sort the hair sticking up in spikes all around him. Sam giggled and gave his fur a pat-down before answering.

"I'll take y'all to see my bud, Weasel!" He said cheerfully. "Hes a brown tom that lives in the barn with a few other loners, Mouse and Claw. They aren't too nice to strangers, but once you get to know them they are real knee-slappers!" He said with a grin.

Gilapaw cocked his head. "Knee-slappers?"

Sam spun around, his ears red. "Oops. I forgot y'all aren't from 'round here. It means funny. My twolegs say it all the time." He explained. "Sorry!"

Turtleface laughed. "Its alright!" She giggled. Gilapaw watched the she cat smile warmly at Sam. She's been friendly... He thought with a bit of resentment. He missed Wishkit, she was probably already an apprentice by now. Her pretty sparkling tabby pelt and blue eyes occupied his mind and he sighed.

Badgerfang shoved Gilapaw jokingly on the back, jolting him from his thoughts. "Come on, slowpoke!" He smiled and trotted ahead, and Gilapaw hurried to catch up as they headed across the grassy field.