Alleycats book 1: thunderstorm

chapter 3

     Arrow pounced onto thunder, pushing down hard against his throat. Thunder wriggled, struggling under the white Tom's weight, a paw pressed against his own neck, so he could barely breathe. Finally, after fighting, Thunder's vision grew fuzzy, the world was getting dark. At this, Thunder panicked, his whole body thrashing like a fish out of water, but Arrow's paw kept firmly.

Then, Thunder's vision failed completely. Arrow was trying to suffocate him! Thunder gasped, and blacked out...

* * * * * * * *

Suddenly, the pressure was removed from Thunder's neck, and his vision was gradually returning, he took long gulps of air, so strongly that it hurt. Thunder looked up, to see Rusty, wrestling with Arrow, growling wildly.

Thunder staggered forward, to help his brother. His mother stopped him.

"It's okey," Flower soothed," I taught Rusty all he needs to know." She looked back at Fox.

"But meanwhile-"

Instinctively, they slipped into place, back to back Flower and Thunder dealt several blows, striking in unison. Finally, Fox had had enough! She fled, only to be ambushed by Silver, who jumped onto her.

Nearby, Arrow scrambled out from under Rusty, and bolted away. Rusty licked his peach shoulder, he froze in shocked recognition as their gaze locked.

For the first time since they were kittens, Thunder looked into his brother's green eyes. Not knowing where to start, Thunder stammered,feeling stupid.

"Er, um, you fight well Rusty." He dipped his head. Rusty gazed at him in admiration.

"As do you brother."

For a moment, they gazed at each other, then, Rusty dove after Fox.

Then, suddenly, Thunder remembered. "Fluffy!"

Rusty pinned Fox down, and joined them.

"What about Fluffy?" He queried.

Thunder quickly explained and, they all dashed forward.

They finally made it to Fluffy's side. Spirit shot over to them and helped Flash to a pair of bushes. Fluffy stared gratefully, then, Clawface leapt over Thunder's head, grabbed Fluffy by the shoulders and barreled him over. Spirit and Flash stared in horror, from the bushes, eyes wide.

Thunder froze, as he heard a gurgled cry. And body slammed Clawface with all his might.

Stunned, Clawface teetered away.

"Do you not remember." Thunder roared, dark with fury, " the no killing rule!" He Swatted Clawface, hard, and turned back to Fluffy.

Bile rose in his throat, when he saw the ginger old male, lying on the ground.

Fluffy had been torn open in several spots, the golden grass turning scarlet, beneath him. For the first time, besides being choked, a feeling of helplessness swept over him.

Though he didn't want to accept the truth, Thunder knew it.

Fluffy was bleeding to death.

Though Fluffy's flanks rose and fell, his breathing was becoming weaker, and he struggled with every breath."F-F-F-F- Flower?" Fluffy lifted his head and weakly licked his mate's paw. He gazed at her with such love, it made Thunder's gut twist with pity, for Fluffy.

Flower swallowed. "Fl-luff-f-fy, I..." Flower started, then broke off, in a sob, pushing her nose in Rusty's pinkish fur. Fluffy blinked slowly.

"Flower, you raised such lovely kitts. Rusty, you learned we'll."

Rusty dipped his head." Th-th-thank you Father."

Fluffy continued." Thunder, stay strong, you are a great leader, but your destiny isn't with us, it lies beyond the borders you must leave the gangs. Though you and Spirit weren't mine, Flower couldn't have had better children. I love you all. Goodbye." He rasped.

A rasping purr rumbled, in Fluffy's throat, he closed his eyes.

Then, before Fluffy lay down, he shouted, eyes full of terror.

"There's a dark hearted cat among us! One of Swift gang will betray you. Beware Thunder, The darkness is coming to wipe out the storm, Beware!"

Fluffy's voice rang out clear, and they all felt the truth in his words, so he hadn't gone mad.

Thunder backed up, a pace. Disbelief surged through him.

Fluffy's yellow eyes rolled, and his head fell back. Fluffy was dead....