Making his way to the glade where One-Eye had faded, Hickorypelt's nerves began to swell. What would Dandelionshade say? Would she react well to what he had to beg? She may be his great grandaughter but she wasn't like him.
Another thought crossed his mind: it was highly unlikely that she would leave Starflame's side, and although her best friend had forgiven her the last time she went evil, how would she react this time?
He shook his head to clear the troubling questions, though a gnaw of guilt passed through him as he remembered using Dandelionshade's schizophrena to advantage and forcing her to kill Starflame.
It didn't take long to reach the border, and when he did, a stab of longing jabbed through him; why had he killed Rowanpaw? Sure, his brother had been rude about him only having three legs, but that had given him no excuse.
Unaware of him, Jackdawstar, Amberstar, Bravespirit, Frisspaw and Corntail were fishing nearby. A wave of saddness passed over him as he remembered his leaders and their mates. They were fading.
It doesn't matter now. Although he wanted to call out a greeting, he would be unable to talk to Dandelionshade if caught.
I'll be waiting here forever...and even if Dandelionshade comes along, she won't come within fox-lengths of the border.
The task was almost impossible. But he had to try. For the sake of Ashwing and if not, the sake of the Dark Forest.
Narrowing his eyes, Hickorypelt searched for his kin's pelt amongst the unfamiliar star-speckled fur. Finally, he saw a white pelt.
If Starflame's here, Dandelionshade can't be far off.
Straining his ears, he caught a familiar meow,"I don't understand. If you loved her, why would you be so mean to her best friend?"
His heart skipped a beat.
"Oh, Dandelionshade. You'll never understand love,"
With a stab of amusement Hickorypelt realised what the convosation was about. There was a purr. Rashpelt.
Rashpelt had been crushing on Starflame and Dandelionshade had only just found out.
A risky idea hit him.
Heart heavy with guilt, he whispered,"Dandelionshade. Dandelionshade come to the border,"
He was using both of their weeknesses against her; if his tone had been the right pitch, only she'd have been able to hear him.
She stiffened as her ears flattened.
It worked.
"Anyway,"Rashpelt mewed convinently,"We have to go and talk, don't we Starflame?"
"Yeah we do! You'll be fine on your own for a bit, won't you, Dandelionshade?"Starflame asked.
"Of course!"Dandelionshade purred.
Hickorypelt watched Starflame and Rashpelt's pelts brushing as they disappeared over the rise and wished it of he and Ashwing. He glanced back with a sigh. Oh no! Dandelionshade was gone!
"Give me one good reason that I shouldn't rip your throat out!"some cat snarled.
"Dandelionshade!"Hickorypelt gasped, releif washing over him,"Because I need your help," Quietly, he explained everything that had happened recently, and that they needed her back to cleanse Ashwing. He'd only just realised how stupid it sounded.
Her eyes hardened with anger that he'd never seen in her before.
"What?"she screeched,"What the- Argh! I'm not some puppet anymore, Hickorypelt. You can't expect me yo do this willingly or to give in to your torture!"
"You know I wouldn't do that to you, Dandelionshade. B-but...you're my Great Grandaughter...so you have to help her..."
"No, I don't I-"
"I'm disappointed in you, Hickorypelt,"someone meowed.
He froze and glanced behind him.
Eyes unfocused, Ashwing stood.
YOU ARE READING
Bloody Claws
Short Story(This is a Warrior Cat story set between Dying Whispers and Soundless Voices, the unwritten sequel) After Dandelionshade's defeat, Hickorypelt struggles to find where his loyalties lie. Of course they were with The Dark Forest, but if he had to choo...
