Warriors: Ashfur's Insanity

Chapter 16

"Jaypaw, you will now be known as Jaywing. StarClan honors your strength and skill," Ashstar rested his muzzle on her head, and she licked his shoulder in response.

Jaywing watched as Ashstar turned towards Stonepaw. 

"Stonepaw, you will now be known as Stoneheart. StarClan honors your loyalty and courage," Ashstar did the same to Stoneheart. 

"Jaywing! Stoneheart! Dovepaw! Ivypaw! Rosepaw! Toadpaw!" The Clan cheered.

"I can't believe it!" Jaywing purred. "We're warriors!" She mewed.

Stoneheart flicked his tail. "That means that it's twice as fun!" He meowed. "In hunting, battle-"

"Battling?" Jaywing cut her brother off. She lashed her tail. "Since when has battling been fun?" 

Stoneheart dipped his head. "I...uhhh," He began.

"Guys!" Cinderheart called. "Do you not realize what's happening?" 

Jaywing looked down towards her Clan. She saw Blackstar with his deputy Russetfur. Both of the ShadowClan cats were arguing with Ashstar.

"Does he need help?" Jaywing asked. She flicked an ear towards her mother.

"No," Cinderheart told her. "But lets go down there."

"We've caught ThunderClan scent on our territory!" Blackstar hissed to Ashstar. 

Ashstar staggered back a bit. He narrowed his eyes and looked around his Clan. 

"Did any cat set paw on the ShadowClan border?" He asked.

The clearing fell silent. 

Ashstar turned to Blackstar. "Then no. My cats haven't been on your territory."

Blackstar narrowed his eyes. "You've lied once," He said, unsheathing his claws. "And you'll see what happens if you lie again."

Ashstar narrowed his eyes and flattened his ears. "What do you mean?" He asked. He lashed his tail.

"Oh I'll show you what I mean," Blackstar meowed. As fast as lightning, he struck Ashstar's throat with his claws. 

Blood gushed out of the wound, but Ashstar didn't collapse. Instead, he struck out at Blackstar. The huge white tom let out a moan of horror, but before he could fight back, Ashstar lashed out again. He stood his ground, no matter if his blood spilled out on his paws.

Blackstar thrashed slowly on the ground, then fell limp.

Russetfur gasped with horror. "This wasn't supposed to happen! Blackstar was supposed to kill you!"

Ashstar turned to her with hard effort. "This was a set up?" He asked.

Russetfur turned on him. "Yes! Blackstar was supposed to kill you! But you killed him and that was his last life!" She cried. 

Shocked gasps echoed around the clearing.

Ashstar bared his teeth at her. "He was old. He was a traitor and killed Stonefur," Ashstar told her.

"No. You are actually the murderer!" Russetfur snapped. "Now it's time you paid!"

Before she could leap, Ashstar's Clanmates hurled themselves at Russetfur and drove her back towards the Thorn-barrier.  

"Leave my camp and Clan alone. Have fun becoming ShadowClan's new leader," Ashstar told her. He let Russetfur drag Blackstar's dead body back to ShadowClan.

Ashstar could've died if he hadn't of killed Blackstar, and Russetfur didn't understand that, Jaywing thought. 

"Well then, it looks like Ashstar isn't the only murderer around," Jaywing told herself.