Pretty Little Kittens Who Lie (Warriors (cats) Fanfiction)

Chapter Three: A black and white shadow

Chapter Three: A black and white shadow

The next day, it was time to tell the three other leaders. Firestar had charged Ravenpaw with the task of warning WindClan, and Graystripe of RiverClan, so it was up to him to travel to ShadowClan. He had asked Ashfur that morning, who was part of the dawn patrol to the ShadowClan border, to give a message to a passing rival patrol that he wanted to meet their leader at Fourtrees at sunhigh. Once the request successfully delivered, Ashfur reported to him and the ThunderClan leader went on his way to the Gathering place. The journey did not take him very long, and he arrived early to discover that his fellow leader was already waiting.

“This better be important.” growled Blackstar, obviously not thrilled about this impromptu rendezvous, as Firestar appeared out of a thick bush, the sunlight illuminating his coat of flame. He settled himself on a warm rock next to the unhappy ShadowClan leader. Tired of repeating the same tale over and over, the ThunderClan leader went straight to the point: “I’ve seen Tigerstar.”

The white tom with the black paws blinked at him.

“Are you completely mad?”

He flinched a little at the hard tone used by Blackstar, even though he had expected such  reaction from the obnoxious cat.

“I… I know it sounds unbelievable…” Firestar began, but was cut short by the white cat’s mumblings.

“That does not even begin to describe it.”

Nonetheless, he continued more confidently, as if he hadn’t heard the other: “But, I thought it was my duty to report it to you. It's your choice to trust me or not.”

“You’re insane.” concluded the unpleasant ShadowClan leader.

“My loner friend Ravenpaw and his acquaintances could vouch otherwise.”

Seeing that the ThunderClan leader was adamant about his crazy tale, the black and white cat sighed audibly and shook his head with strong disapproval. Nothing would convince him, thought Firestar.

“I had to warn you. And, now, I have. So, what you do now with this information is your business.”

“We were there, Firestar! Or have you forgotten?” spat Blackstar, furious and disgusted by the lies perturbing the orange tom’s mind.

No, he hadn’t. Of course not. How could he? That scene will be forever engraved in his memory and in his heart. Tigerstar’s death. He had a disgraceful death. A reckless death. Far from the noble fight between grand Clan leaders that he would have preferred. There were no words to describe the way that tiny savage black cat just sliced him open in front of every living cat of the forest. As easily as a RiverClan cat would claw the belly of a fish. He would never forget that day. And neither would any cat who was present.

“Good day, Blackstar.”

And the ThunderClan leader left as he had come, leaving the fuming tom to ponder alone on his disbelief of his former leader’s unimaginable resurrection.

***

“Tawnypelt, you're coming with us for the evening patrol.” snapped the ShadowClan leader, passing in front of the warriors’ den, where the she-cat was napping peacefully.

Instead of being grumpy for the brisk wake-up, she yawned and stretched, content to be chosen for the task. She was always pleased to be part of missions and patrols so she can prove herself to her adopted Clan. Even better if their leader himself was present to witness her efforts.

As the trio of ShadowClan cats walked along the mud covered path, the sun was disappearing and the moon rose in the darkening sky. Blackstar had wondered all afternoon if he should share Firestar's insanity with Tawnypelt. He might not trust the ginger tom, but it was not his place to deny the daughter of the defunct Tigerstar the right to know about the possibility of his return. Now, watching her prowl the shadows of their territory, her tortoiseshell coat turning gray by the night, he didn’t feel like telling her anymore. She would probably think that he was as mouse-brained as the ThunderClan leader for even mentioning it.

“Something wrong?” she asked, puzzled at the strange way he was peering at her since they had left camp. “You…”

She was about to accuse him of unfairly suspecting her of charges she was innocent of, again, and that he was wrong to even consider it, when a sound broke the silence of the sleeping forest. The three cats stopped abruptly in their tracks and listened carefully. Blackstar went rigid, focusing on a spot far away in front of them. The fur on his back rose up and he unsheathed his claws from his black paws. The noises came from different directions: pawsteps. They could make out the soft padding of at least three animals, perhaps five. Cats? The ShadowClan leader gestured quietly with his nose to Tawnypelt to the right, to the other cat to the left, then, he took the front, advancing in a low crouch.

She nodded and followed the sound to her right, distancing herself from her Clanmates. A couple of foxlengths away, twigs were crushed and she drew her head up, scanning the dark trees. There, she saw the silhouette of a cat, too far from her to identify its scent, but definitely a cat. It had seen her too. No longer needing to be stealthy, she darted through the trees, ignoring her surroundings, dashing at full speed on the cold muddy soil.

Further away, the shadow walked slowly, turning around to make sure she was still on its track, until it entered a small clearing, disappearing into the black foliage. Tawnypelt jumped into the empty clearing, only to realize her careless mistake when it was too late.

Oh, no! Was it a trap? Could she have been more stupid!? The she-cat braced herself for an ambush of rogue cats, but instead, only one was present, the same she had chased. It was a male, huge. He remained shaded by low branches, hidden in the dark.

“Show yourself!” she demanded, bravely.

A deep meow resonated. He was laughing, mocking her.

The she-cat let out a furious yowl, threatening, ready to fight off the insolent intruder. The large tom laugh louder and swaggered his way out of hiding, revealing a dark brown tabby pelt, muscular shoulders and a chipped ear. His bright orange eyes, so familiar, flashed at her like burning ember.

“Tigerstar?”

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To be continued...

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