Warriors: Beyond the River (SOB prequel) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 16

Iceslide awoke to a paw prodding his shoulder. He blinked up and saw Bone Shred standing over him, looking down at him through the empty eye sockets of the skull. "It's dawn," He meowed. "Shall we leave now?"

With a start, he remembered the events of last night. I told Bone Shred's cats that I'd take them to a patch of woodland outside RiverClan territory. He yawned and arched his back as he stretched. "Yes, of course."

Many cats were already standing near the door, waiting for them. The three kits were bouncing around their mother's legs excitedly.

"I can't wait!" Skipper squeaked excitedly. "What do you think it'll be like?"

"It'll be awesome!" Scrappy exclaimed.

Iceslide purred and got to his paws, and he and Bone Shred padded over to the others. The kits will be much happier there.

"Is everyone here?" Bone Shred scanned the group with his empty gaze.

Iceslide glanced behind him. The room looked empty. He suddenly noticed that the elderly tom was still laying against the wall, his bony flank heaving as he breathed. He looked back at Bone Shred. "What about him?"

The rogue leader paused, glancing back at him. "He's going to die, remember? He'd never make the journey anyway."

I guess... Iceslide watched the old cat sadly. He shouldn't be left here to die alone... But What can I do about it? With a sigh, he turned away. "Alright... Let's go."

***

The sun was rising as they traveled through twolegplace along the sidewalk. Iceslide was leading the group with Bone Shred alongside him. So far, the journey was going well, and every cat was keeping up well, even the kits.

"How far is it?" Bone Shred asked.

"Not too far," Iceslide meowed. "But it'll take some time to get there. We'll have to go around the clan territories." The cats paused as they prepared to cross a road.

Poisoned Sap padded to Iceslide's side. "I can't wait to taste some juicy forest prey." She licked her lips, and her amber eyes gleamed. "You're very generous to help us, Iceslide."

"I'm happy to help," Iceslide replied warmly. "I think you'll like it there."

"I'm sure we will." Poisoned Sap waved her tail.

They were almost at the outskirts of twolegplace when three cats appeared from around the corner of a fence. Bone Shred hissed and arched his back, and several others did the same. 

Juicy, Violet, and Parrot looked alarmed, and Iceslide looked at Bone Shred anxiously. "No, it's okay! I know them."

"Iceslide?" Violet stared at him, then looked past him at the bristling strangers. "W-who are they?"

Parrot gulped and lowered himself to the ground, his eyes wide and afraid. "That's a skull!" Beside him, Juicy looked frozen.

"There's nothing to be afraid of," Iceslide promised his friends and looked at Bone Shred. The black tom's fur was slowly flattening. "This is Bone Shred. I'm taking he and his cats to a new place to live."

"Greetings," Bone Shred rumbled. "We're just passing through."

The kittypets didn't respond, looking nervous. At last, Parrot broke the silence. "Why are you hanging out with such a shady group?"

Some of the cats took offense to that and hissed, while others lashed their tails. Bone Shred looked over his shoulder and growled a warning, and they quieted.