Warrior Cats: Rainfall

Chapter Thirteen

   Sootpelt laughed softly to himself as he gazed at the stormy sky. Storm gloom has clouded the Clans for many quarter moons. Now, it was evident a large storm lay ahead. It added some sparkle to his plan. Finally, the night before the full moon has arrived.

   Snickering, he turned toward Ambersong and padded over to where she sat by the leader's den.

   "Ambersong," Sootpelt acted out of breath, "There is something odd about GloomClan's border. It seems that they are pushing into our territory."

   Ambersong flicked her ear, "Typical GloomClan. I will send a patrol to check it out."

   Sootpelt allowed his tail to twitch irritably, "I think you should see it. They're tail-lengths into our border."

   The deputy eyed him, "And how do you know this?"

   "I was out walking," Sootpelt didn't hesitate to cover this fake knowledge. "I needed to clear my mind. It was clouded with how I would help support the Clan once this storm arrives." He gazed back up at the sky for emphasis.

   "Very well," Ambersong turned around. "Who should come with?"

   "That is not necessary," He informed her.

   "A patrol is usually three or more cats, Sootpelt," she frowned.

   "You already sent out the border patrol," he noted. 

   "Bouncestep was on that patrol, he would've caught the change. . ."

   "I arrived after the patrol, and the border change was very fresh."

   Ambersong frowned at him again, "Fernpaw will come. He'll learn from this."

   Sootpelt wanted to argue but instead, he sighed, "Very well."

   Once Fernpaw joined them, they marched out the entrance and headed into the forest. Sootpelt's claws were tingling with impatience. Once they neared the border (but not by it yet), Sootpelt put his nose to the air. To his luck, he smelled a blackbird a little to his left.

   "Fernpaw, go catch that blackbird."

    "I'm not good at catching birds," Fernpaw stammered.

   "Go catch it," Sootpelt snarled lightly.

    With Ambersong, he neared the border. He waited patiently for her to bend down and survey it.

   Before standing back up she said, "It seems fine to me. . ."

   "Does it?" Sootpelt sniffed. "Odd."

   Without warning, Sootpelt bounded behind her then pounced on her back. With a yowl of surprise, Ambersong found it hard to fight back. She rolled on her side, however, they were on a hill and they continued rolling. Sootpelt grunted as they barrelled down the hill. Once they came to a complete stop, Sootpelt slashed his claws across the deputy's cheek and jumped back.

   "YOU!" Ambersong hissed. "Something has always been off about you, Sootpelt. I should've known."

   He laughed, "But you didn't know."

   "What is your goal. . .to kill me?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

   "Precisely," Sootpelt unsheathed his claws again.

   The deputy's fighting stance faltered as she realized she might die today. It was enough of a window for Sootpelt to leap at her again and throw her on her back to expose her vulnerable underbelly. Without wasting time, he churned his hind claws through her soft flesh. Then he clamped a paw over her muzzle to stifle her screams of pain. But she intercepted him and threw him off.

   "You won't get away with this!" She snarled and whisked away.

   Sootpelt growled, Ambersong was likely running back to camp. She wouldn't get far. He sprinted after her; with only a few bounds he was at her tail. He leaped on her lower back, gradually dragging her body to the floor with his claws. He shoved Ambersong's muzzle into the dirt and dug his claws into the back of her neck. She wailed into the dirt and frantically struggled to get away from him. He rolled her over and pinned her down triumphantly.

   "Stop! You're going to kill me!" She wailed. "I have a mate and kits! I have a duty to protect this Clan!"

   "And you're failing," he breathed before placing all his weight in his paws and on her throat, choking her.

   "Please!" She croaked while pawing at his forelegs.

   He jumped his weight onto her throat. The pressure caused her to cough up blood. 

   "Say hello to StarClan for me," Sootpelt winked.

   And just like that, she went limp. Her fur was only ruffled by the slight wind. As the rain started to fall, her fur became plastered to her body.

   A rustle in the bushes distracted him. Sootpelt grunted and padded over, hooked a claw in Fernpaw's scruff, and brought him into the open.

   "You k-killed her!" The apprentice shrieked.

   "She was a bad cat," Sootpelt shook his head. "She was planning to drive our Clan to ruins once she became the leader."

   "Does you killing her make you any better?" Fernpaw growled.

   "I just saved your furry rump!" Sootpelt hissed. "Do I not get a 'thank you'?"

   Before Fernpaw could reply, Sootpelt interrupted, "Don't speak of this to anyone else. Or I'll kill you myself."

   Fernpaw just shriveled back into a ball as Sootpelt surveyed the deputy's body, picking out any scraps of his fur. The rain would wash out his scent.

   With wide eyes and a gulp, Fernpaw nodded and solemnly followed the murderer back to camp. He watched as they left Ambersong's body, and he watched as the blood of the deputy washed off the warrior he once looked up to.