A New Beginning: Book 1 Flamestar's Promise

Chapter 23

      I struggled as best I could, but Reedfur's rippling muscles weren't just for show. I cried hopelessly once again, but was only drowned out again.
      "Awe, so cute. The helpless little kit is trying to play leader! Well, might as well put an end to it's childish dreams." Reedfur teased.
His teeth glistened in the night. His amber eyes glowing with hatred and pride. He was just about to strike when a voice stopped him.
    "Reedfur? What are you doing? I said to bring her back safely, not dead!" Said the voice.
It was Timberstar. I opened my eyes as Reedfur let go of my throat.
"But..." He started, but Timberstar cut him off with a wave of his tail.
I looked into my leaders eyes, but only saw serenity. Catching Reedfur off guard, I was able to kick him off and leap onto my paws. I was a little wobbly at first, but my mind soon steadied. I glared at Timberstar, and raged swelled inside me. I yowled and toppled him over. I dug my claws into his shoulders, as Reedfur had done to me. I felt triumphant when I saw the fear in his green eyes. I prepared for the death bite, but stopped midway. I couldn't do this. This cat had been like a father to me my whole life, and I was about to kill him. I could not bring myself to do it, I would not become a murderer. I left him with a nasty scratch across the face, and stepped off of him. He sat there for a second, and finally struggled onto his paws. He never looked away from my eyes. He suddenly wobbled over, and touched my forehead with his nose. I flinched, but didn't back away, for I was aware of Reedfur's cold stare on the back of my neck. (Ok, I literally just realized that I technically created another Tigerclaw. But,I will never hate Reedfur as much as Tigerclaw.) Timberstar lifted his nose from my head, and began to speak.
    "I know what you are thinking. 'How could my leader possibly be so cruel to kill his own medicine cat, and then send an assassin to come kill me?' Well, that is not what happened. When you told me that Waspclaw was the darkness, I realized that we were wasting valuable herbs on a cat that was not worthy of our help. So, I told Oakfoot that she should stop wasting her herbs. She tried to reason with me on why that was a bad idea, but I was already angry at Waspclaw's betrayal.so, I threatened her. She still didn't obey me, but she instead lashed her claws toward my neck. I had to defend my self, so I did the same, except my claws met their mark. I didn't want to kill her, but I had to. And when I walked out of the den to announce what had happened, I saw you running out of camp. And with you being injured and all by that fox, I was worried. So I sent Reedfur to go and fetch you. Little did I know he would try and kill you." He meowed, glaring at Reedfur.
I looked in his eyes, but he was being sincere. He wasn't lying. I padded up to him, and rested my head on his shoulder.
    "I am so sorry for doubting you." I whimpered.
He purred lightly.
    "I forgive you. It was not your fault. All of your reasons seemed valid at the time." He meowed.
So, my worst fears had come true.
I would have to kill Waspclaw.