Darkness Stalking-IronClan Part 4

Raggedheart waited patiently for Nightpaw. Ridgestar had been very specific with him about what he wanted, Nightpaw. It had been almost a moon since Raggedheart had last seen her and he was sad that she hadn't come to see him for so long, had she lost feelings for him? His ears fell back at the thought, never before had he loved someone, he always was so distant, but Nightpaw was different, and now she was going to be ripped from him just to be mates with his father.

"Raggedheart?" Nightpaw's sweet voice called through the forest, and all the bird songs stopped. What was it about her sweet voice that also filled him with fear, that sent a shiver down his spine? Without seeing her he could tell she was in a foul mood, as always.

"Nightpaw!" He called back and searched for her through the under-brush. His hazel eyes scanning everything that moved, but he looked right over her pitch black shape, right before she leaped onto of him with joy and had the same playful gleam in her eyes like a young kit.

"I missed you!" She purred happily to him. She looked so different! Her once fluffy pelt was gone, replaced by a sleek and slim one that showed every ripple in her power muscles. Her silver eyes gleamed with a new light to them. But what caught his eye was not her new beauty, but the danger to everything about her. Her teeth were longer and sharper than a normal cats, her eyes seemed to see every weakness in him, and her claws were out shimmering in the sunlight.

"My father has been watching you." He couldn't do this, stare at her and be terrified like this, but everything about her seemed to draw out every single one of cats ancient fears. What had happened to the soft face and eyes that he had grown to love? Now all he saw were sharp angled cheek bones and glittering ambition in her wolf-en hungry eyes.

"Really!" She smiled, she had told him about how handsome she thought his father was, so he guessed she was very exited.

"He thinks your beautiful and wants you to come to IronClan to be his mate." He spat it out, his father was defiantly loving her cruel beauty..

"REALLY?! LETS GO!" She yowled with amazement, and a sick feeling grew in Raggedheart's stomach, this was not how it was supposed to happen! She was supposed to stay the sweet-beautiful Nightpaw that he had first met, the one that wanted nothing but to please him and all the others. She was meant to be his mate, his sweet loving mate. But this is what jealousy has turned her into, he couldn't love her like this....

"Okay." He said and turned to run off with Nightpaw at his side. This was it, he knew that he was going to lose her, but not like this...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Poisonpoppy sat on the edge of the clearing. Her intense gaze saw every detail of every living and non-living thing in the clearing. She saw everything from Frightclaw's hatred of Ridgestar's newest mate, Nightfury. She let her lip rise in a angry snarl. Ridgestar had brought the beautiful she-cat to IronClan with help from his son a few moons ago. He had tricked this she-cat into loving him, and now Quiverbreeze was one of the she-cats that he USED for toms to mate with for kits. No love. But Nightfury wasn't the quit and obeying mate that Ridgestar wanted, anyone could see that. She constantly questioned him, and threatened Poisonpoppy. 

"Poisonpoppy!" Nightfury's angry hiss came from behind her. She spun to see the cruelly beautiful black she-cat behind her. Her eyes widened, with shock and fear.

"Yes Nightfury?" Her ears flicked, she casted every fear from her body and looked the she-cat in her piercing silver eyes.

"You're going to tell Ridgestar to attack ForestClan, a sign from StarClan told you to." She narrowed her eyes, daring Poisonpoppy to challenge her.

"But they didn't." She glared back with anger and fury. She would not lie!

"Then StarClan has to send the message..." Her eyes flickered with fury. Quick as a snake she flipped Poisonpoppy to the ground, claws on her exposed neck. "Fight or cats die. Starting with the medicine cat..." The claws dug deeper into Poisonpoppy's next, blood was flowing freely, was no cat in the clearing seeing this?! Help!!!! She screamed in her mind, but her mouth was unable to open.

"Nightfury." Airboom's voice sounded from around the corner. "Stop..." He kept talking but the words were like white-noise on her pounding ear drums. Her vision blurred, an ear splitting head-ache coming to her, right before she passed out...

Darkness Stalking-IronClan Part 3

Quiverbreeze let her paw steps fall into rhythm with her heart beat as she padded back to her own territory. She looked over her shoulder back at the ForestClan territory before her paws slipped into the freezing stream that marked the border. Her mind wandered, her eyes searches the forest that laid before her, it was dying, and it was thanks to her mate. He had disrespected StarClan and this was the result. He had spat on the Moon Moss and ripped it from its roots with rage, and this was StarClan's revenge, their forest was dying. She shook her head and closed her eyes, letting the icy river wash away her pain and worries, and letting it sooth her paws. Her ears pricked at the slightest noise, the scent of Forest mixed with Iron. It was Raggedheart! She bit her lip to keep from hissing as she scented her son with Nightpaw, the ForestClan apprentice that was just as important to Ridgestar as Cloudspinner was. She could taste the scent, she had to run, if she was seen she would have to explain what she was doing in ForestClan territory, and that could throw off Raggedheart's plans for Nightpaw! She felt her paws itch as the grew closer and closer, each moment she felt as if she would be seen, and then she could ruin everything! Her need to bolt finally took over, it burst out of her, almost wiping out the feeling of staying hidden. Her paws pounded against the dull looking ground, her claws keeping her stable as she ran. Her eyes were glued to the hedge that marked the halfway point back to camp. Her sides stung as she ripped through it, her paws kept pounding.
After running for what seemed like forever she came to the camp entrance and looked for Ridgestar. Her eyes searching every nook and hidden spot of the camp, but then he appeared from his den with Frightclaw, who looked like she was going to just wrap herself around Quiverbreeze's mate. No anger or jealousy flared in her but she saw an opportunity to have some fun. She padded to Ridgestar and licked his nose and purred loudly. Even though she couldn't see Frightclaw's face, she knew from the sparks that now seemed to fill the air that she had just made a point, showing her and Ridgestar's relationship clearly, stating her claim, and the deputy hated it.

"I have to talk to you." She muttered in his ear. Her eyes darting to the jealous face of Frightclaw. Ridgestar nodded and padded into his den, and Quiverbreeze followed.

"That was unusually mean of you." He commented his eyes a bit confused. "If you always acted like that I might love you." His eyes flashed.

"Not as long as Cloudspinner is alive, or Nightpaw." She hissed, she hated Ridgestar for using her in trying to find a new mate, one with a destiny or powers from StarClan. What what Quiverbreeze's destiny though? To wait on her un thankful mate who could get rid of her when ever he wanted.

"Cloudp-spinner is a warrior now!" He grinned and purred with delight. His eyes flashed with happiness and sadness. "But Nightpaw isn't..." He sighed and flicked his tail tip.

"But that has driven Nightpaw right to Raggedheart." She purred and looked for signs from Ridgestar. But his face only held rage now.

"How dare Wonderstar make Cloudspinner a warrior but not Nightpaw!" He growled and his eyes flashed again.

"Cloudspinner did-" She was cut off but a swipe to her cheek by Ridgestar, a trail of blood flowed down her cheek.

"Get out." He hissed. "You make me sick." She looked away, pain flared in her cheek and her eyes burned. But Ridgestar turned his back to her, shoulders haunched and she fled from the den, running into the forest.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Raggedheart stood, waiting for Nightpaw. He wished that she could just show up so that they could continue their training, he enjoyed being with her, she always had her ways of making him laugh....When she finally appeared two streams or tears were flowing down her cheeks. She saw Raggedheart and ran up to him, burying her face in his soft fur. He breathed in her scent, surprised about how much he wanted her to just stay here with him.

"What happened?" Sudden anger took hold of Raggedheart, he wanted to know who had hurt her so badly.

"Cloudspinner, she's a warrior now. Not me." She looked at her paws. Raggedheart's anger dulled more and more, he felt sorry for Nightpaw, but not enough to want to hurt someone. "I'm sorry I don't feel like training right now." She muttered through his fur and warm breath tickling his shoulder.

"What DO you want to do?" He looked down at her.

"Walk?" She looked up at him, with her beautiful eyes. His heart skipped a beat, did he just think that her eye were beautiful? He blinked to clear his mind and nodded to her. He could scent his mother near by but he didn't utter a word or even show interest in going towards where she was. He just wanted to be with Nightpaw, who may or may not be his fathers future mate, but as his mind wandered he realized something. He loved her.

Darkness Stalking-IronClan Part 2

Pitchedvoice gazed around the camp and saw and handsome young tom looking at her welcoming, she also noticed little Cloudpaw looking at the same tom with admiration. She stifled a snicker before just smiling back and padding off. This clan was disorganized, and just plain lazy, why all the cats did was just lay there on the ground like someone else was going to do all the work for them! She laughed meanly on the inside, why none of them would last a day with Ridgestar as their leader! She flicked her tail, spying on them was going to be all to easy.

She looked over to Wonderstar who was cowering at her older brothers feet, looking like a kit who had broken the rules, waiting for her punishment. It was actually sad to watch. Was anyone else seeing this? She looked around  quickly, but no one either cared enough or noticed to see that their leader was not entirely safe in her own clan. Just as quickly as she had noticed it she saw Freezestone slash his little sister with his claws, but to Pitchedvoice's surprise Wonderstar didn't yell out in pain, or cry from the long slash that was now in her cheek, she stood there and took it. Pitchedvoice watched Wonderstar as she merely dipped her head at her older brother and slunk off into the shadows, like a wound was not only in her face but a dagger in her heart.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raggedheart stood on the edge of the territory, waiting, watching. His brown eyes unwavering. He was waiting for poor Nightpaw, the pretty jet black she-cat that everyone knew hated Cloudpaw. And Raggedheart was fixed on exploiting this. He looked for the black she-cat intently. His eyes never overlooking the smallest movement, and finally she came.

"Why am I here?" She meowed from behind Raggedheart, her soft voice took him off guard, he turned quickly, whipping her in the face with his tail.

"Sorry!" He said quickly, he wouldn't ruin this. "I just needed to talk to you." He smiled at her with his ever-so-charming smile.

He was sure she saw her sneer, something that looked awfully bad to be on her soft face. "Are you sure you wouldn't want to see one of 'ForestClan's most promising warriors'?" She said in a voice that Raggedheart guessed was supposed to sound like Wonderstar. "Because I can get Cloudpaw for you." She flicked her tail with jealousy and anger.

"Maybe I want to talk to you, and not a little-miss-perfect." He purred lightly back to Nightpaw.

"Why not? Shes pretty, smart, all the toms love her." She sighed, she had left out and that she never loses but oh well.

"But she doesn't know what its like to loose, and maybe its time someone taught her." He smiled at Nightpaw, wondering if she understood what he meant by it.

"Well..." She shuffled her paws. She looked very uncertain.

"You have a destiny Nightpaw." Raggedheart promised her kindly. "And Cloudpaw will barley compare to you, even in a toms eyes." He lifted her chin with his tail tip, so that her eyes met his. "I will train you, if you trust me." He whispered.

Raggedheart could see the conflict in her eyes, but the her anger towards Cloudpaw took over, and she nodded fiercely.

"Good, than show me your stalk." He nodded to his 'apprentice' and she did as she was told, and so began their training.

Darkness Stalking-IronClan Part 1

Ridgestar looked at his clan with power hungry eyes, they gleamed their usual pale blue, but there was something darker behind them that could send a shiver down your spine. He saw his sons, Airboom and Raggedheart 'playing' with a young kit. He saw his daughter coming back from a patrol. But where was his worthless mate? He bared his teeth at the thought of Quiverbreeze, he had always hated her so much, but she was strong and had good ties to the clan, so it seemed right to pair up with her. He flicked his tail, he didn't care for love, if he wanted that he would have been with Frightclaw, who adored him and hung on his every word.

He had seen new cats feeding into ForestClan territory, seeking the 'compassionate' Wonderstar who they all respected so well. He sneered at the thought of it, ForestClan being RESPECTED! They were to be hated of all things, they were too perfect. So instead of charging into battle he had sent Pitchedvoice to spy on the enemy clan. He really didn't care about the actual information that she brought back more that she was just gone. The tiny she-cat had a voice that drove through you like nails, she was just plain annoying and he wanted to be rid of her. He closed his eyes with hate at the she-cat.

"Ridgestar?" It was Quiverbreeze, her too sweet voice purred from behind him. She padded up to him and wound herself around him with her long thin body in her friendly greeting. Though he hated her e couldn't help but purr loudly, she had a knack for charming others.

"Yes?" He said in a thin voice, showing that he was impatient for her just to spit out what ever in StarClan she had to say.

"I have news on that Cloudpaw that your so interest in." She sneered with a bit of anger, Ridgestar guessed that even his mate was jealous of the young cats beauty.

"And?" He growled through gritted teeth. He knew about the pretty white she-cat, he knew more about her than most others. They had been friends oh so long ago, before Ridgestar realized that ForestClan was evil, he had even loved her. She was a kit then, she doesn't remember him probably.

"You were right, and she has a little crush." She purred with a giggle to her voice.

"And what's this toms name?" He turned to her with eyes inflamed. but Quiverbreeze knew what he would do if he learned the toms name, he would go and kill him.

"I don't know." She lied with a perfectly sweet smile. She stood and padded away, leaving with a flick of her tail onto his cheek, teasing him.

He dug his claws into the ground, they hit rock that was hidden beneath the earth. He turned to leave camp when he saw Poisonpoppy running to the nursery, someone must be kitting. He thought with a chuckle, maybe the kits would do for new warriors, maybe they wouldn't. He saw his three kits sitting together, they were all so perfect, far from their mother. He licked his front claw before stalking out of camp.

He gazed around the forest that he called home, his eyes looked at each tree, he absorbed each scent. He let his gaze wonder as he padded on through the forest. Pine needles stuck in his pads, brush scraped passed him, causing minor creases in his smooth pelt. He heard a snap behind him and he whipped around to see a pretty black and white she-cat with pale green eyes staring at him with pure shock on her face. She took a step back and ran for her life, knowing  that it wouldn't end well if Ridgestar were to catch her. He raced after her with long and very powerful strides, his claws dug into the forest floor with speed that threatened to rip them from his paws. He lost her in the thick brush, but he still scented her, and he scented KITS!

He gazed through the now thick bracken, he saw a flash of the white pelt that he had been chasing through the forest. He leaped at it, a yowl of astonishment rippled in the once silent air. There was a black flash as a massive weight hit his side, the next thing he knew he was on the forest floor with a massive black and white tom on top of him. The black tom gazed down with pale yellow eyes, and when Ridgestar looked passed him he saw a she-cat with three kits.

"Don't touch my family!" The rouge yowled at Ridgestar with sudden rage that shook even the she-cat he was protecting. Ridgestar shook the large tom off of him, sending the rouge staggering back.

"Shut up fox-dung!" He spat back with a snarl ripping from his chest. He was about to attack again when he saw two of the rouges sons, they were BIG and looked like they would make fine warriors. An idea sparked in his mind. "I won't touch them on one condition."

Ridgestar's grin faded as the she-cat stepped in front of her two tom kits, leaving the little she-kit exposed still.  He eyed all three kits before he attacked again, he knocked the tom rouge down with one heavy swing to the head, knocking him out. Ridgestar looked at the she-cat.

"Give me the kits." He said with fierceness that shocked the she-cat into standing still. He growled and grabbed the three kits, taking them, back to his home, where they would stay away from their true parents forever. And the three followed him, as if in a trance, with their mother screaming for them from behind. The kits padded on, as if they couldn't hear their mother's screams. He had decided that the kits would be too young to remember this day, he would lie to them, forever. Their names were now Quickkit, Darkkit, and Coonkit. They would grow up to be fine warriors, under his watchful eye.