Blood Shadows || A Warrior Cats Mafia

R1 - Scene Three

Duskstar sighed in exasperation as Waveheart whispered the results to him.

"Shadeflight is has been voted innocent," he began, Wishtail, Lavenderpaw and Nightriver sighing in relief. "However, we still aren't any closer to finding the murderer," he grumbled in annoyance. "There will be no mentoring sessions until the murderer is found, and all cats are only to go out if need be around midday, where the sun is at its highest. There will be less risk of an attack." The apprentices all groaned in unison, but immediately went quiet after Waveheart tossed them all a firm glare.

"Senior warriors and Leafwhisper, please come into my den for a discussion on how to find this murderer. None of the previously accused cats are welcome though, we need to be careful, there's still no proof that they're fully innocent" he ordered, and the accused tom nodded miserably. 

The Clan dispersed, tension still present within the cats that walked away from the high rock and towards it for the meeting. Waveheart and Leafwhisper were the last to walk into the den and the talking could be distantly heard from the other dens.

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(The next day)

The apprentices were all lying in their den, still shocked over Shadeflight's accusation the day before. Lavenderpaw ducked her head unhappily, stance still shaken from the panic. "I c-can't believe they w-would think my f-father is a murderer," she whispered. Flamepaw gently ran his tail across her flank comfortingly, pressing against the she-cat's side. 

"It's alright, he's been voted innocent now," the tom reassured her kindly. Sunpaw shook his head. "There's still going to be suspicion though..." the tom rightfully pointed out. "Shut up, you're not helping!" Flamepaw hissed and the tom gulped, falling into silence. The young cats stayed like that for a while, before Puddlepaw leapt to her feet in frustration.

"I can't stand sitting around here all day!" she yowled. "I refuse to lie down and wait while my clanmates are murdered. If the senior warriors can conduct an investigation, then I'm going to make my own," the bi-coloured she-cat announced triumphantly.

Fernpaw looked up in terror at her angry sister. "I don't t-think getting involved is g-going to help, you'll put yourself in danger!" the she-cat whispered fearfully. Sunpaw nodded in agreement. Puddlepaw rolled her eyes. "By putting myself in danger, I'm protecting others, and that's what I always do. I might not like everyone in this clan," the she-cat began, glancing at Lavenderpaw. "However, I'm still loyal. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going murderer-hunting!"

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The sun was still rising as the apprentice headed out, filling the dark sky with bright light and making it slightly easier to see. Puddlepaw confidently marched out of the den, slipping past the sleeping cats in determination.

"Just because I'm an apprentice doesn't mean I'm any less capable than a senior warrior," she muttered to herself, amber eyes squinting due to the intrusive sunrays. The young she-cat began to pad towards the forest, where little Bumblekit and old Cloudstripes were killed. Her confidence waned slightly as the thought of their blood on the leaves broke into her mind, and she shuddered slightly.

A shadow followed her as she walked on, oblivious.

Puddlepaw eventually came to the horrific area of the forest and deathbed of her clanmates, blood soaking into the ground. There were still a few tufts of ginger and white fur from the kit and the warrior, as well as another colour that didn't belong to any murdered cat.

As she leaned in closer, she saw that the tufts without blood or claw marks were lighter in shade, while mixed in with a few thin, darker clumps. The shadow began a closer approach.

"That looks just like..." the she-cat began, eyes widening in horror, before stopping. "You're behind me... aren't you..." the apprentice whispered in fear, confidence vanishing in helpless terror.

The shadow laughed as it came closer, until it's sharp claw was stroking the poor she-cat's throat. "Clever girl... it won't help you now though."

A sharp, clearly aimed swipe.

Puddlepaw collapsed to the ground.

She exhaled, and didn't inhale again.

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Dashstrike smiled as she slowly padded through the leaves, absorbing the morning sun's pleasantly warm rays. "Ah... this is lovely. What a nice break from all the horror that's surrounded our clan recently. I couldn't care less about Duskstar's curfew, if an old cat like me wants to walk then she'll have a walk," the frail she-cat laughed.

She wandered for a while further, feeling the gentle wind brush against her blue fur, before frowning. That scent... it smelt like... blood. Dashstrike looked puzzled, and followed the revolting stench, before gasping in horror. 

The mangled, bloodied body of Puddlepaw came into her field of view, and the old she-cat nearly fell over. She let out a loud yowl for the still silent camp close by would hopefully be able to hear.

"Leafwhisper!"

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Wishtail desperately tried to comfort the sobbing apprentices as they were informed of their sister's fate, Sunpaw and Fernpaw shaking in horror. Lavenderpaw looked on miserably as Flamepaw buried his face in her pelt. 

Duskstar hesitantly walked into the centre of the camp, running his tail over his apprentice's flank as he walked past. The cats surrounded him as he stared at them solemnly, without the energy to climb to his usual place on the high rock.

"Puddlepaw has been killed, the latest victim of this mad murderers massacre on our Clan."

The warriors all dipped their heads, Dashstrike joining them. "If only I'd gotten there sooner..." she whispered to herself.

A cat's voice then cried out. "I accuse..."