Legacy (Book 1)

Chapter 32: Escapade

Chapter 32: Escapade

Rainstone slipped between the bushes, rocks, and other stunted objects on the hills. Once she had run through here with almost a carefree lightness, now every muscle was alert for possible danger.

But all was silent as she slowly made her way back to Nightwing's camp that was nestled in the rock hollow. She hoped that no cat had connected Needlepine to being her accomplice, but her heart sank at how unlikely that was.

They were always talking, sharing meals, and they had even shared the same den. If they were going to ask any cat for answers, it'd be him. For the first time in a while, she thought of her dead kits, she hadn't been able to save them, but she could help Needlepine.

Her heart ached and her eyes yearned to see his laughing green eyes framed by fading black fur. He just made her feel happy and loved; she could almost forget her nightmarish past when she was with him.

Now she was approaching the rock hollow and she could hear loud, angry yowls. She sniffed the air and let her gaze run across the flat area. She couldn't see any cat and the smell of anger and fear was definitely concentrated in the rock hollow.

Steadying her breath, she sniffed at her fur which smelled of crushed flowers, she'd made sure to mask her scent before coming here. But hiding while spying down would be a difficult task, as the hollow rim was bare and any figure could be seen against the cloudy sky.

Lucky for her, it was sun-high and with the clouds there were little or no shadows. She sucked in her breath and, flattening herself to the ground, slithered to the edge of the hollow, keeping her ears pressed against head, trying to make herself as small as possible.

She peered down and narrowed her eyes. Nightwing and Pinefur were murmuring together under Cleft Rock, while a circle of black cats had surrounded Needlepine, yowling and jeering.

Rainstone swallowed, throat tight, he was scratched and battered and his fur looked ragged. But he faced the cats with a stolid expression and seemed oblivious as they clawed at him and insulted him. Gosh, they found him fast, though; I hadn't expected him to be able play the situation to his own advantage anyways.

She felt a rotten mirk on her face at his ignorance; he had no idea how to deal with this. He was a warrior, honor and truth were his light and he didn't know how to play in the shades of gray. He just couldn't even imagine playing cats to his advantage, it was sweet, in a naïve way.

But now she had to figure out how to get him out of there. Her mind was already planning it out as she watched Nightwing and Pinefur face Needlepine, stone-cold expressions on both faces.

"Where is she?" Nightwing snarled, slamming his paw brutally against Needlepine's left eye. Rainstone winced; he was getting beaten, for her. It would have been more touching if she wasn't racked by guilt.

"I don't know," Needlepine answered steadily, seemingly unnerved.

"Liar!" Pinefur spat, slamming his paw on top of Needlepine's head so hard that his chin hit the ground.

"I am not lying," Needlepine mewed, blood dripping out of his mouth and staining his black fur red.

Rainstone wriggled uncomfortably, in front of Needlepine stood a former Clan-mate and archenemy, how long before they recognized him and really started getting into it? In fact, she was surprised they hadn't recognized Needlepine yet. Did changing his fur really do so much? I guess he would have been younger last time they saw him as well... but still.

"Why did Pepper run away? What was her intent?" Nightwing growled, glaring at Needlepine through a flinty gaze.

"I'm not sure," Needlepine mewed hesitantly and Rainstone pricked her ear, than dropped them again.