Warriors: Echo of Darkness

Chapter 18

Sleetstorm laughed and looked down at me, "Are you sure you want to kill me? We have prisoners that we are more then likely to kill. A black she-cat and a little she-kit."

I dug my claws into the bark and froze. "Felidae! They have Blue and Riki..."

Sleetstorm purred in delight, "We seem to be missing Tigerlily, we can't cure her if we can't find her. Do be a good kit, and tell us where she is. Unless that is, you want her and your clan mates to die."

"I say we silence him right now," Lang growled.

"If I don't return, the prisoners will be killed." he replied licking a paw. 

I narrowed my eyes, "Alright we kill him, get the leaf, then bring his corpse back," I hissed scrambling up the tree. 

Sleetstorm's eyes opened and he ran further up the tree. "You can't do that!"

"Oh really? I have high doubts Sandstar would allow the killing of a kit and pregnant she-cat. Why should I believe anything you say now?" I hissed and began to climb faster. Blue had told us she was expecting Ranger's kits just before we left. It must be ripping Ranger apart to have her kidnapped, "Don't worry, we will get them back."

I was going to enjoy ripping into the flesh of the smug tom. I would hang his corpse in a tree outside of their territory. I was bigger now, I was going to take on Sandstar. Sleetstorm snaked around to the edge of a branch, "They will kill you! They will send an entire kill party just for your pathetic 'Clan'." 

"I don't care, I'll give them hell." I growled stalking forward. I lunged forward but was slammed down by something. I heard Lang yowl my name and the sound of several claws raking the bark. I saw a black and white flash as my breathing got harder and harder. I saw the arrogant eyes of Sleetstorm before my vision started to blur.

                                                                               ***

I gasped and snapped my head up. I saw lots of pairs of gleaming eyes over me. I flinched back and looked at everyone, "Where's Sleetstorm?"

"Him and the tom that ambushed you took off with the leaves," Enek meowed.

I staggered to my paws and looked at the worried expressions. Nova walked up to me and dropped a bright red leaf, "We got one for you, just in case."

"H-How did they find the tree?" I asked. I saw a bright light in the distance, "Fire!"

"There were more warriors, along with rogues. After you got knocked out they lit it on fire with a branch," Tails explained. 

I stared, "What if more cats get red cough!?! Are they completely mouse-brained!?" I yelled.

Crystal nudged me, "Nightmare, isn't your friend sick? You've been out for a while. I don't think the warriors know where she is."

I leaped up then broke into a run. Nora grabbed the leaf then ran after the others. "We need to get back, now," I growled. 

We cut diagonally through a field and went to the plains on the other side of Riki's farm. We were still far away from out territory, from Tigerlily, "She promised she would hold on until I got there, she better keep that promise."

"They must have been working with my fathers run away group members," Crystal groaned shaking her head.

"It's not your fault," Tails meowed gently. 

I cursed my size. If I had been small and lithe, I could run faster. I was powerful, but I was slightly clumsy running long distances. "What if I give it to another cat? No... Sleetstorm and his rogues might attack them."