Warriors: Blossomfall's Reign(Sequel to WBI)

Chapter Thirteen: Time to Strike

? POV

A quarter-moon after Foxleap had seen me, I peered through the thorn tunnel, seeing every cat acting normal and unafraid. Fortunately, it seemed that Foxleap had said nothing. I saw him sharing a thrush with Cherrystripe near the nursery. So my presence had yet to be discovered by the rest of ThunderClan. Perfect.

It was time to achieve my ultimate goal. I had been patient, waiting for the perfect opportunity. I believed I had succeeded in luring Blossomstar into a false sense of security. Of course, the key word was false.

I felt the hunger for blood deep in my bones. I imagined the terror shining in her green eyes and the silent scream written in that gaze as she drew in her last breath. The vivid images floated through my mind. I saw shudders passing through her body, her neck coated with blood as it poured out of a massive gash on her throat, and I felt the feeling of my sharp claws tearing open the soft skin. Warriors believed that they were strong and invincible, but in the end, they were as easily disposed of as mice. It was frightening, in a way, to know how fragile the body of a cat is, and that as soon as the light in the eyes was extinguished, all of the hopes and dreams of that individual were gone with one slice of the claws. But I had discovered that a clever mind would be victorious in a skirmish against a stronger opponent every time. One who had strength and wit? Now that would be the truly invincible one, something I strived to be.

They said that any cat who killed for pleasure had gone insane and had no sensibility left. Perhaps this was true, or perhaps insanity was just the method to unlock a cat's true nature inside themselves. Most cats hid it in their hearts, praying for one's death but never acting upon these wishes, or only allowing their good character to have control of their minds. But I was certain that every cat had two sides, one of evil and one of good. Anger and the desire for revenge were often the cause for unleashing the "bad side", and then shortly after, one realized that every cat owed them something. A cat's ambition whispered in their mind and convinced them that they could be a better leader than the current one. Tyrants were never liked, of course, but they were feared. That helped to crush any acts of disobedience and no cat would dare to question such a leader.

Blossomstar had decided to venture out into the forest and go hunting that morning, because she felt the need to leave the camp and escape the kits. Either that, or she was angry about the nursery's newest resident. She walked right past me out of the camp entrance and I crept after her, placing my paws down softly. I unsheathed my claws and prepared for the kill.

Blossomfall POV

I was furious when Cherrystripe moved into the nursery. My kits were in the elders den, listening to another story, as I stormed out of the bramble thicket. I decided that perhaps hunting would clear my mind, so I headed towards the thorn tunnel.

"Hey, Blossomstar!" Thornclaw hurried over to me. "Where are you going?"

"Hunting, and don't bother me about anything right now, " I snarled loudly, so that every cat in the camp could hear.

I paused for a moment to shoot a glare at Foxleap, and then stomped out into the forest.

From the moment I was outside of the stone hollow, I had that unnerving feeling that I was being watched. I shook my head, certain it was nonsense. I broke into a run and experienced again that exhilarating feeling of the wind ruffling my fur. It was wonderful to stretch my legs; I had despised being confined in the camp. I skidded to a halt, watching the leaves go flying up into the air and then slowly spiral back down. I sniffed the air and looked around, searching for prey. I didn't detect anything so I padded forward quietly until I spotted a mouse. I dropped into a hunting crouch and slid forward across the leafy ground, cautious not to alert it to my presence. I was about to pounce when I heard a sound behind me, like a twig snapping. The mouse scampered off and I whipped around, but saw nothing but trees and undergrowth. I scanned the perimeter for a shadowy shape, or eyes watching me from behind a tree. Still nothing. I must've snapped the twig myself and just thought someone else had. I needed to stop blaming my lack of practice on imaginary cats and try to focus more.

I saw a leaf moving and wasn't sure if it was just the wind or prey. I tasted the air and detected the scent of a shrew.

Suddenly, something barreled into my side. I tumbled to the ground and gasped for breath. I rolled out of the way just in time to avoid claws which had been aimed at my neck.

By the scent, I could tell it was a tom, and a rogue too. The scent was somewhat familiar, yet I couldn't identify it. I tried to make out my attacker's features, but his claws raked above my eyes. Blood blinded me. This cat was clearly trying to kill me. I anticipated that his next move would be to attempt to sink his teeth into my neck, so I twisted out of the way. I had apparently guessed right, because mere heartbeats later, I felt him bite my shoulder. I gritted my teeth as pain shot up my right forepaw. Claws sliced across my soft stomach and I yowled in agony. I kicked upward with my hindpaws and felt them connect with his stomach. I heard a muted gasp of pain as he staggered backwards a few steps. I scrambled to my paws and raced off in the direction of camp. I pictured him on my tail and tried to run faster, sprinting towards the stone hollow as if the whole of ShadowClan was after me. I was so grateful when the thorn tunnel came into sight. I glanced over my shoulder and slowed to a brisk walk when I realized he hadn't followed me. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to still be alive.

The question was, who had he been? It had been a deliberate ambush. What rogue would have reason to attack me? I could partially understand if he had had the scent of one of the other Clans, but he had clearly been a rogue.

"You will not kill me, whoever you are. I will kill you though, if it's the last thing I do," I vowed.

A/N: Who is it? :D WE WILL NEVER KNOW. THE SUSPENSE...except I already know for a fact who ? is. What did you think about how he attacked Blossomstar? And who do you think it is now that you know it's a he(NEW CLUE ALERT IN BRIGHT NEON LETTERS)