post script // a warriors novel

mini-chapter 2 > her claws

my big paws thundered across the space between the territories. spottedspider would die, so me and poppybloom could be together. i liked that idea.

my claws unsheathed as their clean and reflective surface shimmered in bright and blinding sun. i ruffled out my thick pelt as i clambered closer to the barkclan entrance. i looked back at my sleek pelt, grooming my chest fur and cleaning my claws. poppybloom would need to see my proper self.

i cleared my throat, as i casually strutted into camp. as soon as my whiskers came into the camp's territory, a pearly white she-cat shot towards me and stopped me in my tracks. "hi, pearlwish. i'm here for poppybloom."

pearlwish hesitated for a moment, then smirked evilly, in her cantankerous way. "oh, i can't do that for you... didn't she block you from writing letters to her? besides, she had no time to write anyway. she's been helping out around camp." the leader smiled.

i snarled. "i want to see my mate."

the she-cat had a dumbfounded look. "you're not her mate. spottedspider is. those two are so, so close, y'know.." the she-cat lapped at her paw, drawing it over her whiskers.

i nodded. "okay. let me see spottedspider. i want to wish him luck, for i want poppybloom to be safe." i replied calmly. pearlwish widened her eyes. "so calm to give up your mate. good lion, indeed. come here. spottedspider is that dark brown tom with black dapples on him, eating at the fresh-kill pile. hurry it up."

as calmly as possible i nodded, and my broad frame strutted up to spottedspider, who was smaller than i. the tom gulped, looking up at me. "o-oh.. hi. are you lionmask? poppybloom told me a lot about you. she said she misses you a lot. i'm such a lucky tom, y'know. we're mates now-- and we're so happy." his purrs were explosive.

i kept my cool, disguising the ever boiling rage and fury to sink my fangs into his neck. "that sounds great. take care of her. hey, can i whisper you something?" i drew my head closer to his, as he perked his ear near my muzzle. what a fool.

i opened up my jaws wide, spottedspider unable to see and still thinking i was telling him something. my jaws were around his neck, and a few cats started to yowl, but quickly i whispered. "you're about to die," is what i told spottedspider, as i shut my jaws and tried to kill him.

this tom took away everything i had. i want him to die.

i sunk my jaws in, but quickly i was bowled over by a smaller figure. blood ran over one of my eyes as my vision blurred. what i saw was bizarre. i was so shocked. i never thought i would come to the day i would see this.

"p-poppybloom.. wh-why.. i-i lo-ove you.." my voice croaked. poppybloom had a flash of sorrow in her gaze. "i loved you once. but you were obsessed. and if you're nothing without me, as you always told me, you don't deserve to have me. spottedspider was just like you-- except had somewhere to go if i left him. you kept on pestering me, even when i made it obvious i didn't want you. good-bye." in shock, i didn't move.

poppybloom's jaws opened wide, and i spoke up before she leaned down and killed me. "good-bye, my little poppy. your big lion is so scared. but he'll see you soon."