RisenClan Book Two: Evermore

Chapter Nine

Ruinstar gave a quick glance behind her back as Soaringpaw headed out of camp. He must be going to hunt again. The little tom liked to do that on his own. Her eyes also caught Hallowstorm who was watching the tom leave with a smile plastered to his face. Ruinstar mistook it as though Hallowstorm was happy to see his apprentice putting his training to good use to feed his clan. Ruinstar turned her head back to her kits and Finchpaw who laid in the middle of them, pretending to be hurt by all the little paws that slammed into his tummy as her kits played with their friend. Risenspirit was not to far off, he was enjoying a mouse by the fresh kill pile. 

Ruinstar felt someone approaching all of a sudden and turned quickly to see Hallowstorm staring down at her. Ruinstar smiled and sat up, facing him. "Hello Hallowstorm, did you need something?" She asked sweetly, her tabby tail flicking passively.

"I was hoping you would be able to get away from the kits for a few moments so we could enjoy a hunt together." The tom purred as he stared directly into her eyes.

Ruinstar turned to look at Finchpaw and the kits who were focused on the game and not listening to her or Hallowstorm. "I am not sure I feel comfortable leaving them here without me yet." She meowed honestly and protectively.

"Looks like you have a pretty good kitsitter to me." He pointed with his tail at Finchpaw and then looked over to Risenspirit. "Plus the mate is not to far off. Come on, I know you miss the forest floor." He added.

Ruinstar thought about it for a moment and then gave a slight nod. "Yeah, okay." She turned to Finchpaw and spoke to him softly. "Finchpaw, do you think you can handle them for a short while. I am gonna go hunting."

"Of course Ruinstar!" Finchpaw meowed back as he rolled over and the kits bean to attack his back. 

"Alright. If they act up Risenspirit is just over there eating a mouse." She turned her attention to her kits. "Alright little ones." She spoke up. "Mama is gonna go out for a bit I will be back soon. Finchpaw and your Pa are in charge alright? Love you stinkers be good."

"Okay!" A few of them replied with bright smiles.

Ruinstar looked back over to Hallowstorm. "Alright let's go." 

The two headed out towards the south side of the forest and catch a little on the way. Ruinstar notices Hallowstorm is acting a little strange and fidgety. "Is everything okay Hallow?" The concerned cat asks him.

"No not really." Hallowstorm replies. "I did something wrong Ruinstar. Something against the code and I don't feel guilty."

Ruinstar purred at the tom. "Don't feel bad about the mouse we took a few bites out of on the way. The clan has full bellies so us eating was okay Hallowstorm."

"No Ruinstar." Hallowstorm meowed, his golden fur bristling. "That was not it. I am afraid what I did I am gonna have to do again too." The couple had stopped walking and now Ruinstar was staring at Hallowstorm, not understanding what he was speaking about. 

"I am sorry Hallowstorm I just don't underst-" Before she could finish Hallowstorm's strong paws had reached out and latched onto Ruinstar's sides, catching her off guard. She was in shock and that shock allowed for Hallowstorm to throw her to the ground and place his claws inside Ruinstar's underbelly. Ruinstar may not have been as strong as Hallowstorm but she did have quite a few pounds on him, she used that weight to hurl the tom off of her and she got up quickly, gritting her teeth at the pain that shot through her body. Ruinstar did not run. She would have to fight him because Hallowstorm would be faster.

"I killed Dawnpaw." He told her with an evil smile. "I pushed her right off that cliff over there." He bobbed his head over to the left as he stood his ground. She was holding on and I dug my claws right into her paws and watched her body break when she hit the ground." He laughed insanely. "Now I am going to kill you. I won't stop until I get revenge on everyone who has ever wronged me and I am going to start here." 

Ruinstar remained brave, standing and facing him. "What did Dawnpaw ever do to you?"

"Nothing. That's what made it all the more fun. She was just a test, a test to see if I was capable and by StarClan I was."

"You would kill an innocent kitten just for your own pleasure and self worth. You are sick and twisted and I should have seen this."

"Yes, but you didn't." Hallowstorm advanced on her, claws stretched and sharp. This would be an all out battle to the death and both of them would fight to live. There would be no honor, just dirty tricks and moves of survival. Hallowstorm aimed for Ruinstar's head and leaped up, Ruinstar was able to dodge it and lift her back leg to trip Hallowstorm on the way down. He fell and landed on his front legs awkwardly. It gave time for Ruinstar to turn and leap onto him, aiming right for a bite to his neck. Hallowstorm used his claws and caught Ruinstar's jaw, pulling the flesh away and avoiding the bite. 

Ruinstar cried and was able to get her paw onto Hallowstorm's face, running her black paws and gray claws down across his eye socket. He hissed and flew back, blood oozing from his eye socket that he now had closed. Ruinstar advanced on him again, quick and unforgiving on her paws. She missed him by a claw as he dodged out of the way and got ahold of her side, his claws raked all the way down her back, inches deep and Ruinstar's body hit the ground back first with Hallowsotrm latched on and not moving this time.

"I have you now don't I?" He asked. "You put up quite a fight but you are older and just not as strong or quick." He grinned, his eyes shinned as he tried to meet Ruinstar's gaze. "Face me Crow-food." He spat. Ruinstar would have but she was looking at something, or someone, more so, in the distance. Orange tinted and trembling in the bushes. She focused her eyes and caught sight of Soaringpaw, staring in disbelief. She mouthed 'Don't'  to him. She thanked StarClan a million times in her mind for the witness before looking up back too Hallowstorm. "Good." He purred to her as he raised his claw. "I will let you bleed out and I am going to leave, so you can remember dying slowly and lonely." He laughed and then traced his claw around her neck. "Sleep well and may StarClan light your path." He hissed before trotting back off in the distance. 

Soaringpaw walked over with his disbelief showing on his face. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he reached Ruinstar and noticed the extent of her injuries. "Don't speak, just listen." Ruinstar said as she gave a twitch. "Y-You can't tell anyone you saw Hallowstorm killing me. He is ruthless. He will stop at nothing to take over the clan. StarClan will know what to do I promise. T-tell my kits and Risenspirit and Finchpaw that I love them. You take care of those kits Soaringpaw. Never let anything happen to them. You have a bright future Soaringpaw. This is my last life, but don't be scared for me. I did all I was meant too. I can feel StarClan." She purred. It was almost as though she felt no pain anymore. She was smiling at him. She felt warm to the touch even when life drained from her. "What a blessing you were. You have saved our clan once and I bet you will do it again." She coughed and blood came out from her mouth but she still spoke. "I'm sorry you had to see this but I am glad I was not alone on my journey. I love you Soaringpaw. I can see them Soaringpaw. Do you see them?"

Soaringpaw looked over his shoulder for StarClan. They were not there as he continued to look, he squinted his eyes. "No." He turned back to look at her. Her expression was bare and no more breaths escaped her mouth. "I don't see them Ruinstar, please come back!" He nudged her softly tears were streaming his face. "Ruinstar tell me where to look tell me how to see them." He said. "Ruinstar please, please." It was useless. There was nothing. He used his tail and closed her lids shut and rasped his tongue over her ears. "I will do everything I can to avenge you Ruinstar. I will miss you." He said through tears. He felt a soft embrace as he looked down at her body and then it was her voice in his ear. "We have faith in you."