Goldstar's past

Chapter 16: "'Don't kill him!'"

Goldpaw froze as Fernpaw kissed her. Her eyes wide. Butterflies fluttered in her belly. But somehow, it didn't feel right. A yowl suddenly pierced the air. Goldpaw yelped as Fernpaw was rammed into a tree. Her fur bristled in fear. But then, she recognized that bronze fur. Bronzepaw! He was holding Fernpaw up against the tree. It was weird because Fernpaw was three times bigger than Bronzepaw was.

"W-what are you doing, Bronzepaw?!" Goldpaw squeaked.

"What do you think you're doing with Goldpaw?!" Bronzepaw snarled in Fernpaw's face. He was ignoring Goldpaw! His eyes gleamed with anger. Bronzepaw looked furious. Goldpaw didn't like that look. It was scary.

"Oh, you know..." Fernpaw smirked. "Just showing her the right tom to love."

"Shut up!" Bronzepaw hissed. "She will never love a tom like you!"

"She-cats like bad toms." Fernpaw teased. "Not sissy toms like you." Bronzepaw screeched and slashed Fernpaw's face. Goldpaw wailed in protest, but a sudden clap of thunder drowned her wail. Blood trinkled down Fernpaw's face. Furious, Fernpaw kicked Bronzepaw off of him. At that moment, it began to rain. It poured down on the three cats. Goldpaw was soaked instantly, but she stayed where she was. She didn't know if she should go get help, or stay here and break it up herself. Bronzepaw landed on his side. He layed there, obviously winded from the impact. Fernpaw stood over him.

"Now, now..." Fernpaw chunkled. "A little apprentice like you shouldn't be taking on a warrior." He unsheathed his claws.

"But you're an apprentice too!" Bronzepaw growled.

"Oh, you haven't heard?" Fernpaw mewed deeply. "Well, I'm going to be a warrior tomorrow."

"At least I won't have to deal with you anymore!" Bronzepaw hissed.  Fernpaw held his claws up to Bronzepaw's neck.

"If I were you..." Fernpaw threatened. "I'd think twice before speaking. Look at the situation you're in. I have my claws ready to slice your neck open." Bronzepaw gulped. The two cats sat there for a moment. Lightening struck, showing Fernpaw's insane look on his face. Goldpaw gasped.  He looked as if he was planning to kill Bronzepaw!

Suddenly, Bronzepaw raked Fernpaw's stomach.  Fernpaw yowled in pain as Bronzepaw jumped up and prepared to attack. Bronzepaw lauched himself at Fernpaw, but Fernpaw dodged his attack. His claws raked deeply across Bronzepaw's flank. Goldpaw shrieked and flew herself at Fernpaw instictively, claws unsheathed. Without thinking,  Fernpaw swung his massive paw and raked his claws across her flank. Goldpaw yowled and fell to the ground. Bronzepaw and Fernpaw froze. Goldpaw's flank throbbed. It burned as the rain fell into it. Blood oozed out of her wound.

"I..." Fernpaw's eyes where wide with shock as he looked down at his paws, which was covered in Goldpaw's blood.

"You fleabag!" Bronzepaw yowled and flung himself on Fernpaw. He slashed Fernpaw's shoulder. Fernpaw yelped in pain and rolled on his back, squishing Bronzepaw. Fernpaw jumped up and glared down at Bronzepaw. Bronzepaw stood up and glared back. Suddenly, as lightening struck, Fernpaw rammed Bronzepaw into a tree, holding him by the neck.

"Any last words?" Fernpaw growled.  Bronzepaw struggled for a moment, then spit it Fernpaw's face. "Ack!"

"You wouldn't dare!" Bronzepaw hissed. "You know Saphirestar will find out you killed me, and she will exile you!"

"It'll be worth it." Fernpaw snarled. "I mean, Goldpaw loves me enough to go into exile with me." Fernpaw pulled back his claws, ready to strike Bronzepaw's neck. Goldpaw couldn't take it. She just couldn't. Fernpaw swung with claws toward Bronzepaw's neck.

"Wait!" Goldpaw screeched. Fernpaw froze, with his claws a whisker from Bronzepaw's neck. "Don't kill him! Please don't!" Fernpaw hesitated as Goldpaw got up. She started to tremble. Her wound burned.

"But I..." Fernpaw began.

"It's not going to prove anything!" Goldpaw snapped. "I can't believe you would kill him! And for what?!" Fernpaw didn't respond. "To impress me?! Huh?!"

"Well... Goldpaw..." Fernpaw tried to explain himself. "I... I really like you. But he's in the way. I want you. But I can't have you with this weak flebag in the way!"

"He's not a weak fleabag!" Goldpaw spat. "Put him down now!" Fernpaw hesitated. "Now!" Fernpaw immediately let got of Bronzepaw. Bronzepaw slumped down to the trees roots, gasping for air. Fernpaw stepped toward Goldpaw.

"Goldpaw..." Fernpaw mewed gently.

"Get away from me!" Goldpaw snarled. Fernpaw's eyes widened in shock. "I don't want anything to do with you! Fox dung!" Fernpaw looked hurt, but Goldpaw didn't care. He was going to kill Bronzepaw.

"But... But I love you!" Fernpaw meowed desperately.

"Well I don't love you!" Goldpaw spat. Fernpaw looked even more hurt. Tears began to trickle down his face. "You tried to kill Bronzepaw! That's rediculous!" Goldpaw began to realize what that feeling she felt around Bronzepaw was. Bronzepaw shakily got up and stumbled over to Goldpaw. She let him lean on her. Fernpaw's ear folded back as tears streamed down his face. He didn't look as scary now.

"I-I know who I love." Goldpaw meowed strongly. But, inside, she was a nervous wreck.

"M-me?" Fernpaw sniffed.

"No." Goldpaw mewed and looked at Bronzepaw. "I love Bronzepaw."