Post by Ki on Mar 16, 2010 21:10:52 GMT -6
My sister warned me against it.
Perhaps I should have listened...
Perhaps I should have listened...
Leopardheart knew that it was a risky move to begin with. RiverClan and WindClan had not been pleased when ShadowClan had taken over ThunderClan. Now they had complete control over ThunderClan's entire territory. RiverClan and WindClan feared that they would soon advance on them as well. Because just as their territory grew, so did the Clan. Somehow it managed to grow even more. Specklestar, Leopardheart's older sister, had to ban all mating and kits. If they weren't careful they might very well have to dip into RiverClan's territory. All the same, Leopardheart loved the new territory. Especially the Sunning Rocks. The prey was always plentiful there, whether it was greenleaf or leafbare. So when she got a chance she slipped off to be alone and think.
As she padded away from camp on that fateful day, Leopardheart considered going to see Frisbee. Now that they had control of ThunderClan's territory it was quite easy for her to go visit her old friend. But that would mean going back to the Twoleg Place. Last time her old Twoleg had almost caught her. No, she wouldn't risk it today. Instead she sprinted towards the Sunning Rocks. How she loved it here! It was different from the warm muggy ShadowClan territory. There she could always feel the mud squish underneath her paws and splash her sister in the marsh water. A symphony of frogs croaking had become sweet music to her ears. Here, however, she could feel the cool grass underneath her. Feel the ferns and bushes brush against her fur. Leopardheart loved being in the wild, no matter where it was.
The soft sounds of the river lapping against the shore soon reached her ears. The greenleaf sun bathed her in its golden light as she stepped out from the trees. Leopardheart purred briefly and padded towards the sun-heated rocks. Somewhere nearby a bird began to sing. It was very easy to forget how dangerous this area was. ShadowClan and RiverClan patrols had clashed more than once in this area. Yet she was perfectly at ease in this open enviroment. For a short period of time she lay there peacefully. Dark green eyes scanned the forest. Once again she considered visiting Frisbee. The Twoleg Place wasn't far. If she hurried, she could go and be back before the night hunting patrol needed her. Leopardheart rose to her paws now, flicking her tail excitedly. It would be nice to see Friss-
"Mrrrow!"
A loud yowl came from the river. Leopardheart unsheathed her claws and turned around. There was a whole patrol of RiverClan cats standing on ShadowClan's side of the river. She barely recognized any of the cats, because she mostly stayed near ShadowClan at the tense Gatherings. But she did recognize a young ThunderClan warrior. He was one of the ones that had taken refuge with another Clan after ShadowClan had scattered and killed most of ThunderClan. There was also Twistedclaw. He'd left shortly after their old Medicine Cat Feathercloud had been banished. ((Yes, I went this route. SHOOSH. XD)) It was only after he left did his brothers confess that the kits had been his all along. His eyes were narrowed at her and were blazing with fury.
Run. That was her first thought. But something wouldn't let her. Pride, maybe? Or the fact that the noon hunting patrol was near. They were sure to hear and come to her aid very quickly. So she leapt from the rock she was perched on and dug her claws into one of the warriors. She landed square on their back. That managed to knock the wind out of him, leaving her free to swipe at a senior warrior. Leopardheart yowled purposefully. The patrol had to come soon or she wouldn't have a chance. The senior warrior lunged at her with her claws aimed at her throat. Leopardheart jumped away. Twistedclaw let out a yowl and ran at her. Leopardheart reared up to slam her paws down on him. He'd been one of the cats to train her in battle, and it was one of the advantages he'd taught her of being tall: you could crush your opponent. Twistedclaw was faster though. He leapt at her and sank his fangs into her throat. Blood gushed into his mouth as Leopardheart began to claw at him. With a growl he released her and stepped back.
"That was for banishing Feathercloud, Specklestar!" he spat as Leopardheart toppled over.
Leopardheart simply stared up at him. A small trickle of blood ran from her mouth, and her dark green eyes became glassy. The patrol waited in anticipation for the she-cat they believed to be the ShadowClan leader to be healed and awaken. But nothing happened. After many agonizing moments, the patrol grew confused. It should have healed by now. Then Twistedclaw remembered Specklestar's long lost sister. When Specklestar had trained her in battle and the two had fought, it was close to impossible to tell them apart. Leopardheart had often wandered off on her own to daydream...what if they'd made a terrible mistake?
"SHADOWCLAN! ATTACK!"
A much larger ShadowClan patrol surged out from within the trees. The RiverClan patrol, heavily out-matched, turned and ran towards the river. The patrol followed them to the water's edge, hissing and yelling curses at them as they went. Specklestar stood by and watched with icy eyes. She could have sworn she'd heard her sister yowl from here. Perhaps she was mistaken? Then the scent of blood hit her. The leader turned her head and let out a yowl of dismay. In a flash she was at her sister's side.
"Leopardheart! Sister!" she cried desperately. She nudged her sister repeatedly and licked at the wound on her throat. Some part of Specklestar told her that it was a fatal wound. That her sister was already dead. But Specklestar didn't want to believe it. The leader kept trying to rouse her sister. Everytime she spoke her sister's name or licked at the blood on her pelt, more tears came. Finally Specklestar collapsed beside her sister and began to sob. "Damisi! Sister! My sister!" Her only kin in the whole Clan was gone. Her only kin was gone. The ShadowClan cats stayed back. Far back. They'd never seen Specklestar like this before. Each cat kept their eyes turned down towards the ground. They waited in silence for their leader to regain her composure.
Finally Specklestar sat up and looked towards the other warriors. "T-Take...take the body back to camp. We will give her a proper burial come sunset. But...someone else must be present first." Her expression was unreadable. The cats nodded and moved towards their fallen Clanmate's body. Specklestar watched them disappear into the trees. She shuddered and bounded towards the Twoleg Place.
Frisbee was sitting on his cushion out in his garden. The warm sun felt great on his skin. He knew, though, that he would have to be careful. It was easy for him to burn. The tom was half-asleep when someone jumped on to his fence and balance there cautiously. Frisbee sat up at once. At first he mistook the she-cat for his best friend, Nala. Or Leopardheart. Damisi? Whatever. She would always be Nala to him. But then he realized this wasn't his friend. This she-cat was a bit too short, had a slightly darker colored pelt, and and a more serious expression on her face. Nala never looked serious. She was always smiling and laughing. This could only be Nala's sister, Specklestar.
"You're Nala's sister." he said. His eyes searched hopefully for his old friend.
"I'm glad some cats can tell the difference." Specklestar replied as she hopped into the garden. She saw his searching gaze and winced inwardly. "I...I have some terrible news."
Frisbee's eyes widened. "What's wrong?" Fear stabbed through him. "What's wrong with Nala?"
A low sigh was his only reply for a few moments. Finally she said, "Dead. Leopardhe...Nala was killed by a RiverClan patrol." Fury flashed through her eyes. "And if I'm not mistaken, I know just who the cat that did it is." The look faded quickly, though. "You...you may come to see her one last time if you like. I know you were her friend." Specklestar obviously wasn't thrilled to have a kittypet come into her territory. But Leopardheart had cared greatly for him. Specklestar still wasn't sure how deeply their affection for one another had run. Her sister would have wanted Frisbee there.
Frisbee could sense that Specklestar really didn't want him there. She was inviting him for the sake of her departed sister. Without a word he nodded deftly and followed her into the forest.
When Specklestar returned with Frisbee Tawnywing was murmuring the ceremonial words to Leopardheart's body. The sun was sinking below the horizon. The leader moved forwards with Frisbee to share tongues with her sister for the last time. Those that had made friends with Leopardheart moved forward as well. Frisbee felt their glares and scornful looks as he rasped his tongue over Leopardheart's cooling fur. Tears seeped into his eyes. His best friend was gone now. They stayed with her throughout the entire night. The night hunting patrol that Leopardheart was supposed to lead stayed in camp and watched the ritual quietly. When the sun began to rise Specklestar rose to her paws. Frisbee was nearly asleep now. His head was resting on Leopardheart's shoulder. As Specklestar rose to her paws the others did as well. This startled Frisbee and he rose to his paws. Specklestar stepped back and let the elders take Leopardheart's body out of camp.
"Where are they taking her?" Frisbee was the first to break the silence.
"Just outside of camp. All bodies are buried near camp so that cats are never forgotten." Specklestar said quietly.
Frisbee let out a sigh. He knew if he stayed much longer, he wouldn't be welcome. Not to mention that his Twolegs were bound to be worried about him by now. With that, the hairless kittypet turned and ran back towards his home.
Specklestar looked towards the rising sun. One by one the stars seemed to go out. But there was still one shining brightly. It reminded her of her sister's smile, always so bright and uplifting. The leader sighed. I hope you found your way, my sister...