Blood Shadows || A Warrior Cats Mafia

R1 - Scene Two

Duskstar's defensive stance fell back into a reserved appearance, and he settled down on the high rock. 

"Littlewhisker has been voted innocent. But we must still be wary, there is a murderer in our Clan and no matter what it is imperative we find out who it is, while staying safe. Be vigilant. Now, we need the evening hunting patrol, Waveheart has chosen Sunpaw, Fernpaw, Marshstep and Cloudstripes. Clan dismissed," the tom murmured. He leapt down, linking tails with Wishtail and padding off to comfort his distraught mate. Waveheart followed them vigilantly, the deputy dipping her head in respect.

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Sunpaw and Fernpaw were already waiting by the entrance as the two older warriors walked over, smiling as the toms arrived. Marshstep gave them a nod as Cloudstripes took the front.

"Come on then, remember what Duskstar said though, stay close to us," Marshstep ordered the young cats, who nodded eagerly and dashed into the forest. Cloudstripes shook his head grumpily. "Young cats, they never listen..." he mumbled. Marshstep gave him a nudge. "Oh drop the tough exterior you old grump," the tom teased. "You were a lot more fun in our apprenticeship days. Anyway, as long as they're working, and they're safe, I don't mind. I'm going to go ahead, you look after them!" he called.

"Wait, why do I have to-" Cloudstripes began, but Marshstep had already raced off ahead. The tom groaned, and reluctantly padded off to find the elusive apprentices.

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The sun set further as Cloudstripes and the others walked through the forest, the tom continuing to complain. "I hate evening patrols, you can't see a thing in this light," he muttered. Marshstep turned to him from the front. "Your sight is failing you in your old age! Perhaps you should retire to be an elder soon," he laughed. "Anyway, I'm just going to get the last bit of prey, I saw a squirrel in this tree earlier." The tom set off, strong claws easily helping him up the trunk.

The apprentices nudged him. "Cloudstripes, can I try tree-climbing? Please! I'm tired of having to hunt mice," Sunpaw begged. Fernpaw nodded quietly as her brother spoke. The old tom grumbled, "Fine, if it'll give me some peace and qui-"

"Thanks Cloudstripes!" the apprentices dashed off into the trees.

"I'm tired Cloudstripes, I'm bored Cloudstripes," the tom mimicked to himself. "Youth! I don't know why Dashstrike likes them so much."

Suddenly, the tom heard the slight crunching of fallen leaves, and he stopped, trying to find where the noise came from. "I swear, if its those apprentices again, I'm going to-" 

Cloudstripes was suddenly thrown to the ground by a heavy mass, being pinned down. He hissed furiously, kicking his hind legs and throwing the shape off of him. "What on earth, you weren't inv-" he growled, before the cat in front of him tried to bowl him over again. He unsheathed his claws, drawing blood and the attacker groaned in pain. "You must be the murderer! Wait until I tell Duskstar..." the warrior hissed, although his breath had started to become laboured, his old age slowing him down.

"You won't be telling anyone anything!" the murderer yowled, kicking up in the same way Cloudstripes had, and quickly swiping at him with their claws. The warrior, becoming weaker by the second gave a half-hearted attempt at defending himself with his sharp teeth, but the attacker dodged easily.

Oh boy, I should've retired...

"Goodnight, Cloudstripes." The murderer swiped a claw, and Cloudstripes' world plunged into darkness.

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Marshstep hopped down from his tree, cheerfully looking around as he tried to find his friend. "Cloudstripes! Cloudstripes? Come on you grumpy little tom, where are you?" His attempts proved to be futile as he received no reply. The black and white cat looked around confused, until his paw stepped in something sticky... and red.

Marshstep gaped in horror, beginning to sprint. "Cloudstripes?!" 

In front of him lay the dripping, now scarlet body of his dear friend. Cloudstripes had been attacked. The tom started to shake. "No... no..."

The apprentices slowly walked over, hearing the commotion. "Whats-" Sunpaw began, before staring at the body in front of him.

"Get help!" Marshstep ordered, and they nodded running off.

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Leafwhisper miserably approached Marshstep and the others as she walked out of the medicine den. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't save him..." the she-cat murmured apologetically, and the tom hung his head. 

Waveheart padded over tentatively. "How is he?" the deputy asked hopefully. Then, staring at Marshstep and Leafwhisper's dejected looks, her tail dropped, voice dropping to a whisper. "I'll tell Duskstar," she murmured in sympathy, head dipped in mourning of her older brother.

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The ginger tabby was devastated. "My son, now one of my strongest warriors?! This is a nightmare," he muttered miserably. Leaping onto the high rock without hesitation, he addressed the clan in front of him.

"The murderer has struck again, and Cloudstripes has sadly been taken from us."

Lavenderpaw began to weep, and Flamepaw rushed to her side as she choked out "No... StarClan why is this happening to us?" Jaystorm looked shocked at the announcement of his brother's fate, and his legs looked like they were about to buckle underneath him. Marigoldsun wrapped her tail protectively around Mousekit within the nursery. Shadeflight gently comforted Wishtail as she sat in a corner, watching the clan numbly. 

Duskstar watched them with sympathy as he continued. "Please, if you see anything, report to myself or Waveheart. We must find this fox-heart!" the leader cried, and the clan all began to nod in agreement, before dissolving into silence as a clear voice rang out.

"The murderer, I think it was..."