Murder in the Woods: A Warrior Cat Mafia

Round 2, Part 3

"It looks like Mosspaw's been voted innocent," Sparrowpaw announced, having counted the votes. The small apprentice let out a choked gasp, full of relief. He ran to Kestrelstorm and Mistpaw, who both welcomed him happily.

"We still need to stay alert, though. There are two murderers. There's no doubt that they'll strike again," Thrushpaw warned. The clan cats nodded, murmuring amongst each other.

"Alright, everyone. Go along with your day. We'll . . . we'll see what happens tomorrow," Stormwhisker mewed, voice shaky. He knew that when he woke up, another cat would be dead.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The murderer stood above Thrushpaw's sleeping body, watching as his side rose and fall. They weren't sad that he was the next target. He had been a pain in their side for as long as they could remember. Always watching . . . well, the murderers couldn't afford to be watched. With a silent movement, the murderer's claws came out of their sheaths. Just as easily as the first time, they sliced across the unsuspecting cat's throat. Thrushpaw didn't even have time to wake up.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Thrushpaw?" Mistpaw asked, nudging the brown tom. He had gotten up to go to the dirtplace, and Thrushpaw's nest was right in front of the exit. Then he noticed the red soaking the moss, and he realized what had happened. His head lowered, eyes downcast. "Oh". Then he leapt over the tom, heading for the warriors' den. Sparrowpaw didn't need to wake up to this.

"Larktuft? Darkblaze? Something happened," he mewed quietly, shaking awake the two cats closest to the exit. They knew what he meant. Without a sound, the two she-cats got up and followed him to the apprentices' den.

"Oh, Thrushpaw . . . you were so close to becoming a warrior . . . " Larktuft murmured, seeing the brown tom's motionless body. Darkblaze nodded solemnly, and the two lifted him onto their shoulders. Just as quietly as they'd come, the cats took Thrushpaw out to the center of camp, then laid him next to Lynxtail.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sparrowpaw woke up to Mistpaw staring down at her, face solemn. For a moment, she was confused. Why was he looking at her that way? Then she felt the cold liquid soaking her tail tip, and realized the truth. She shot up with a wail, and darted outside, only to see the rest of the clan circled around her brother's body.

"THRUSHPAW!" she wailed, collapsing down next to his body. Not her brother, anyone but her brother. But it was obvious that he was gone. The slash across his threat was proof enough.

"He was about to become a warrior . . . we can at least give him that," Leafheart mewed quietly, looking down at her dead son. Her eyes glittered with the light of unshed tears, as she sat down next to him. "Please".

"Darkblaze, you're the oldest out of all of us. Do you remember the death name ceremony?" Hollysong asked, looking at the black and white she-cat hopefully.

"I think . . . maybe," Darkblaze replied uncertainly, approaching Thrushpaw's body. She took a deep breath, then began. "I ask my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has learned the warrior code and given up his life in the service of his clan. Let StarClan receive him as a warrior. He will be known as . . ."

"Thrushwatcher," Leafheart choked out, when Darkblaze looked to her for a name. Sparrowpaw was too engrossed in her thoughts to notice. Memories flashed in front of her eyes, only visible to her. Playing with Thrushwatcher as kits, a moss-ball in her paws. Their first hunting lesson, first battle lesson, first patrol. All of it, together. But now, it wouldn't be. It was just her now.

"I'll never forget you, Thrushwatcher. I won't waste a minute of the time I have left, I promise. But I'll see you again, in StarClan," she whispered, loud enough for only her to hear. Then she buried her face in his blood-soaked pelt, and let out a sob.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"I think it's time to vote on someone. This won't end unless we exile the murderers. Does anyone have a suggestion?" Stormwhisker asked, looking around at the grieving cats. Leafheart and Sparrowpaw were too upset to answer.

"Darkblaze," Mistpaw announced, surprising everyone. He looked at the black and white she-cat, whose eyes widened in shock. "Her den is right by the exit. It would be easy to leave without being noticed".

"Okay, then Darkblaze it is. I guess we're voting now," Doestep replied. Darkblaze waited, breath held, for the voting to begin.

Murdered: Thrushpaw
Healed: Mosspaw
Accused: Darkblaze
Returned: No one
Revived: No one
Murderers Left: 2