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<span style="font-family: French Script MT; font-size: 32px; color: #028EE2; text-shadow: 2px 3px 6px #7F7F7F">'''part one'''</span>
A rat scurrying out from under the cover of a massive rusted monster caught
She pounced, landing directly over it, but she was far from finished. Hardly any bigger than the rat, she felt it fight back and struggled to keep her grip on it. “Not eating crowfood tonight,” she promised herself through gritted teeth. Sharp claws grazed her leg, but with all her strength she kept it pinned down so she could bury her teeth in its neck. It squeaked and squirmed, but she clamped her jaw down as hard as she could until she felt the crunch of bones before the animal went limp.
Feeling beyond pleased with herself, the young she-cat ravenously tore at her fresh kill. She continued her small feast until her belly was full, then headed a short ways into the forest in search of shelter for the night.
The scents of unfamiliar cats unnerved her, but she assured herself they were stale and there was no risk. Besides, she lacked the energy to look elsewhere for a place to sleep and knew she wouldn’t have the strength to fight off any rat attacks at the Carrionplace.
A tall pine tree was the only shelter
Strong, foreign scents startled her into waking. Three grown toms with muscles rippling beneath their well groomed pelts were huddled over her, surveying her like a stupid piece of prey they weren’t sure whether to kill or let free out of pity.
An old battle-scarred tom stood in the center, and as she opened her eyes wider, she saw his lips curl into a snarl as he thrust his face toward hers. The other two stood slightly farther behind, eyes narrowed.
The silver tom nodded in silent agreement.
Practically spitting on her, the scarred cat hissed, “We should take her prisoner. Could use her as an expendable sparring partner for the apprentices.”
“Clawface!”
Without turning to look back,
“She is on ShadowClan territory,” came the growl directly behind
She collapsed as a huge weight fell on her back. Sharp claws dug into her shoulders, and she could feel blood soak into her fur. The stinging pain only grew as she struggled beneath Clawface’s grip. Her own claws scratched across the earth in an attempt to regain her footing.
He released her only when she stopped struggling. Knowing he could easily outrun her again, the younger cat leapt to her feet with all the grace she could manage. She growled as she lifted a paw to swipe at the tom’s muzzle. Dwarfed in size by her attacker, and injured already from his claws, she knew she had no hope unless he let her go.
He was startled by the shallow scrape, but regained his composure with ease. Narrowing his eyes, he dropped into a crouch. Before she could react, the pale tabby flung himself at her attacker. They were now staring at each other, the kitten momentarily forgotten by Clawface whose teeth were bared instead at his own companion. The third tom moved to stand next to
The tabby snarled. “I won’t let you kill a kit,” he hissed. “She’s likely only just left her mother’s side. We should let her go; I’m sure she’s learned her lesson.”
Clawface didn’t make a move to fight back. “You’re still a new member to ShadowClan, Boulder,” he growled at his companion. “We’ll see who Brokenstar agrees with.” Turning to the third member of their party, he said with authority, “Stumpytail, see that the kit doesn’t run. If she makes any attempt at escape, you’re to hold her back. No need to be gently, it’s up to her whether we take her to Brokenstar alive or dead.”
The two other toms, Boulder and Clawface, walked ahead while Stumpytail kept up
Her injuries stung and slowed her down, but she remembered Clawface’s words and knew she couldn’t fall too far behind. However, when she stumbled, she found Stumpytail at her side, looking down with concern as opposed to impatience. He glanced ahead to where Clawface and Boulder were, both unnoticing of the increasing space between them.
“Move faster,” Clawface’s growl moved her from her thoughts and she saw the two other toms watching from their position far ahead.
By the time they stopped walking,
“Never seen so many cats,” she mused to herself.
He replied, “This territory belongs to us. We hunt in it, and we fight for it.” There was an uneasy pause before he asked, “You didn’t come from BloodClan?”
Before Boulder could respond—though something in his gaze told her he wouldn’t have if he could—Clawface reappeared, trailing behind a massive dark brown tabby.
“Brokenstar.” Boulder acknowledged the huge tom with a nod.
“We found her sleeping on ShadowClan territory,” Boulder explained, and with a light of defiance added, “Clawface refused to let her leave.”
“I won’t let a dirty rogue escape with their life,” the scarred tom snarled in response, thrusting his face forward so he was almost nose-to-nose with Boulder.
Brokenstar’s eyes flashed between the two quarreling toms. “Both suitable morals, but if she has learned her lesson—” He glanced down at the quivering young she-cat “—and it appears that has. Surely one as young as herself can be left with another chance.”
Clawface bared his teeth and hissed at
Brokenstar leaned in closer while she fought the urge to step back or look away.
“She walked all the way back here?” he asked, directing the question at Boulder, to Clawface’s obvious dismay.
“Yes, she kept the pace surprisingly well.”
“A rogue we found on our border patrol,” Boulder reported.
“I—I’ll see to her.” Runningnose’s eyes flickered back and forth between Brokenstar and
Boulder nodded, but Brokenstar spoke before he could move. “She can walk.” Then he turned away, dismissing the small gathering.
The den Runningnose led
“Why weren’t you with your mother?” the tom asked her as he began chewing leaves into a poultice. “Where is she?”
“Don’t know,”
“I guess you’re not familiar with medicine,” Runningnose mused. “I have some dock to put on your wounds. It’ll help them heal faster and keep them from becoming infected. Before I do that, you’ll need to clean them.”
“Of course,” Runningnose muttered. “Rogues have no concern for anyone but themselves.”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “Brokenstar should have made up his mind soon, though, and you’re safe right now.”
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