The Daughter of Scourge (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

      The next morning went by very slowly. No one did much. Even the kits knew something bad had happened. “Where’s Grass, mom?” Aspen asked when he woke up. “Grass left, honey” Ginger murmured. “When will she be back? Why was I not allowed to go with her?” Aspen asked. “Grass isn't coming back, dear” Ginger whispered, holding back tears. “Why not, doesn't she like us?” Aspen asked, pushing onward. “She loves us all, but she had to leave us, it was her time” Ginger told him, tears slipping out of her eyes. “Why are you crying, mom?” Aspen asked. “Sweetie, Grass is dead” Ginger cried. Aspen looked at Ginger for a moment. “No! You're lying! Grass isn't dead!” Aspen yowled. “Why would I lie about something like that!” Ginger hissed, smashing her paw against Aspen’s flank. The little kit was sent flying into the other wall. Ginger growled and walked closer. “Ginger, stop!” Moor called as she stepped in between the mother and her kit. “I know you're upset, but don't take it out on Aspen” Moor whispered. Snow walked to Aspen and made sure he wasn't physically hurt.

    “It's okay, Aspen” Snow soothed. Aspen was whimpering and shaking. “W-why did m-mommy hurt m-me?” Aspen whimpered. Snow licked his head and pulled him close with a sweep of her tail. “She didn't mean to” Snow whispered. “You can't tell me what to do!” Ginger yowled. Snow whipped her head around to see Ginger tackle Moor. “Ginger, stop this right now!” A firm voice ordered from the outside. River walked in, fur bristling and her claws out. “Go ahead, kill me like you've killed all the others who have defied you. Your clan will become nothing but murderers” Ginger growled, not moving from her position. “Get off Moor, and we can settle this outside, there is no reason to scare the kits” River hissed. Ginger jumped off Moor and ran at River. “They deserve to see what kind of monster you are!” Ginger yowled. River stood on her hind legs and jabbed her front paws onto Ginger’s flank. “I will not kill you, not in front of the kits. If you have a death wish leave and go let the twolegs kill you” River told her. “I’ll prove you are a murderer!” Ginger hissed. She got up as River let her go. Ginger walked toward Aspen. “The kit stays, Ginger” River growled. Ginger glared at River. “I choose what becomes of my kit” Ginger said and proceeded to go toward to Aspen. Snow hissed and lashed out a paw at Ginger, shocking the gathering audience.

    “How dare you!” Ginger grumbled. River was about to intervene, but Snow leaped up at Ginger and threw her across the room. Moor inspected Ginger after she didn't get up. “Y-you killed her, Snow” Moor stammered. Snow looked at her, tears forming in her eyes. “Momma was right… you guys are murderers” Aspen cried out. Moor quickly hushed him and gripped him tightly with her tail. Snow walked up to River. “Tell me it isn't real” She whispered. River nuzzled her gently. “I’m sorry, I won't lie” River replied. Snow let out a silent cry of anguish. River led Snow out of the den. “Snake! Go inside and help Moor with something!” River called out. Snake nodded and rushed into the den. “Let’s take a walk together, okay?” River murmured. Snow nodded. They left the camp and wandered slowly around the woods. “Do you wanna talk about… that?” River asked. Snow shook her head. River acknowledged her response and kept quiet. “I don't understand why I did that” Snow whispered.

    “Not everything done has a reason” River said. “When did you get so smart?” Snow laughed slightly. River purred. “I guess you taught me something for once” River said. Snow smiled for a moment, before it faded and she looked away. “So, can you deal with it or do you need a while?” River asked. “Give me a little” Snow whispered. “No one else would be concerned, but I know you are suffering more than you want to admit” River said as they began the walk back to the clan. A startled hiss came from a nearby bush. River growled and walked toward the bush. “Who are you?” She asked. “Oh, the rouge is back. Scram. This is my home” A familiar voice called. “Actually, Heatherpaw, this is Bloodfang territory” River replied calmly. The cat stepped into view. Her golden fur gleamed in the fading light. “Now, leave or join” River growled. “Why don't you just kill me you murderers” Heatherpaw hissed. Snow flinched at the word ‘murderers’. “We only kill if we need to” River spoke, trying to make sure Heatherpaw didn't notice how Snow reacted. Heatherpaw sighed. “Why do clans always have to be around?” She growled. Heatherpaw stepped toward the two siblings. “Leave or join” River hissed.

     “Why should I join?” Heatherpaw laughed. “So, you don't want to be in a clan anymore?” Snow whispered. “I do. But, why should I join your clan?” Heatherpaw responded. “We haven't had any problems with twolegs yet” River replied. “I’ll join and see how it is. If I don't like it, I leave and you can't say anything about it” Heatherpaw told them. “If you want to join, your name becomes Heather” River said. Heatherpaw sighed. “Fine…” She grumbled. River nodded. “Welcome to Bloodfang, Heather” She said. The trio if cats walked back to the Bloodfang camp. “Heather, you can go and greet everyone” River told her. Heather sighed and walked away. “Who put ants in her nest” Snow muttered. “You have changed a lot” River whispered back. Snow grumbled and walked to the den. “Don't worry about her, she just shocked I suppose” Snake murmured. River looked at her,” I hope that's all it is”

     Snake said goodbye and went over to talk with Hope and Moor. River sighed and walked over to Buzzard and Davender. “Hi…” River whispered. Buzzard turned away and stalked off to the den for warriors. “What's with him?” River asked Davender. “No one trusts you and Snow much, not after what happened” Davender explained. “You still trust me, right?” River asked him. “I-I don't know” Davender stammered. He quickly followed where Buzzard had vanished. River glanced at the entrance to her den. She sighed quietly and walked to her den. “Leave me alone, River” Snow grumbled. River sat next to Snow. “Please, Snow, just tell me what's wrong” River murmured. “Leave me alone” Snow whispered, on the verge of crying. “Sis, you know I’m always here for you” River purred. “River… just leave me alone for a while” Snow said. River curled around Snow. “Go to sleep. We’ll talk later” She murmured. Snow adjusted her position and fell asleep. River rested her head on Snow and closed her eyes. ‘Why is the world against us?’ She thought. River was reluctant to sleep, but didn't want to go outside either. ‘Perhaps you want to walk with me, as in outside in this world’ Death said.

     River sighed. ‘I don't know. I feel like I have to protect Snow’ She replied. ‘She will be safe, Life still, unfortunately, watches over her’ Death replied. River stood up slowly and shook the grit and moss from her fur. ‘Let’s go!’ River said. Death appeared before her. “Yes, let us go” Death said as she walked out of the den. River followed her, trying to act like she wasn't looking at anyone. “Where are you going?” Hope asked River as she walked passed. “I’m going for a walk” River growled slightly. Hope nodded and backed away. ‘Keep that attitude and they all will hate you” Death grumbled. River sighed once she was out of earshot. River bound around the forest in anger. “So, you don't care if anyone sees you like this?” Death asked. “Let them think what they want!” River hissed.

     “You might want to change, or else your clan may kick you out, or kill you” Death warned. River stopped in her tracks. “Do you hear that?” She asked Death. “I don't hear anything but the birds” Death replied. “I swear I just heard a yowl” River muttered.

Me and my fucking cliffhangers...