( 7200 words. Does not include note or tag. I might have gotten carried away. Sorry about that, WarriorzLove )

The lithe feline's heart was beating painfully against their chest, ears pinned flat against their skull and sky blue eyes screwed shut as tightly as they would allow. Their short black and white coat was standing on end, and small whimpers tumbled out of the tuxedo's slightly parted maw. Dark crimson stood out against the snowy white patches dotting their pelt, beading up from deep scratches and large bite marks.

Shadows stretched as far as the eye could see -- well, before being so violently ridden of their sight -- cast by a tall and thin object, made of thickly meshed briars that shined ever so brightly, even in this place.

The air that suffocated them, burned their throat and nose like a hot fire as they breathed, danced with the bitter tang of the black and white feline's own fear. It's like there was no escape from it. Like it would grip them in its vise, constricting tighter and tighter around their screaming body, until eventually, there's just nothing left.

A voice destroyed the almost silence that they had created, eerie and calm, like something one would expect to hear as they ever so intently listen to their mother's scary stories. However, veiled under its peaceful and stoic mask, was a minute hint of the malice this creature felt for the lithe feline. Hidden in plain sight, like a small mouse in a field of tall grasses. It dug past their pelt, though, and even past their flesh and bones to burrow itself deep into their beating heart, which was calling and begging its host to help it. To rid it of the pain and fear that this creature had so easily provided. "Where are you, my sweet little rabbit?"

The poor animal's breathing increased dramatically, their chest bobbing in and out -- almost too rapidly -- to keep up with the body's needy demands.

I can't let him find them.

Oh, StarClan above, please don't let him find me.

The quick succession of footfalls steadily drawing both closer and louder drew the tuxedo from his thoughts. Soft humming accompanied the sound, lacking any clear rhythm or tune, but familiar to the feline all the same. These noises floated in the still air, like the soft lilt of a leaf fluttering gently in the breeze would create.

Run. That's all they could think now, escaping from this plague that stalked them. Vanish into the numerous surrounding forests -- anything, really to leave its briar - like snare wrapped so tightly around them. Joining the pack of wild cats would be better than this is, and it taunted them with the thoughts of a pain - free life.

Brief flashes of light and dark pelts mocked their rampant thoughts, shaming the cowering feline for thinking of themselves for once. How could they even think of leaving their family in the deathly tight grip of this creature? Selfish, weren't they; wanting escape and security for once in their young life.

A dark chuckle drew the black and white feline from their clashing ideas, sending their blue eyes flying open and clenched jaws separating in shock. Their heart beat against their ribcage, picking up even more speed and drawing panicked gasps from the tuxedo's parted maw.

The dark - pelted tomcat towered above them, a bright fire blazing in his sunny yellow eyes as he stared down at them with a twisted expression smeared across the dark feline's face. His fur was uneven in places, standing out starkly against the painted backdrop the lithe feline had just noticed. A scar ran across his side, snaking its way to the bridge of his muzzle, the pale pink flesh a direct opposite of the fur that used to shield it.

"There you are, my little rabbit." His voice came out like it was lined with burrs, tangling their thick pelt and weighing them down. It held them there, paws rooted to the rough soil - like substance under them. They knew that they couldn't run now. It was too late.

The wet touch of a slick, tree - like surface brushed against their left side as they tried, in vain, to retreat. A quick glance in both directions confirmed their fears, eyes widening just a bit more at how long the dull grey wall ran behind them. It forced the lithe tuxedo to interact with their slightly larger predator, as well as confining the two in the small area.

The dark tomcat seemed somewhat pleased with the predicament, marked by the suspicious glint in his cold yellow eyes. It was hidden so well, though; any feline that happened to walk by would only see the scowl he wore so well, making him look more displeased or angry then anything.

They still tried to run, however, even with the odds stacked against them. The lithe feline shoved away the larger tomcat, who was sent onto the ground with a painful - sounding noise, his narrowed eyes dazed and angry. Noticing this, their heart soared and their paws moved faster, pushing the body's capabilities.

Maybe all of them could really get away.

Maybe I can finally get away --

Their celebratory thoughts were cut off with the sharp stinging sensation pressing into their shoulders, unconsciously letting out a high - pitched yelp as the black and white feline's body collided painfully with the ground. A heavy pressure above them kept their sore body pinned, and a brush of the other's whiskers against the sensitive tissue of their inner ear sent their frantic heart running away from here. At least one thing was able to get free for once.

"That wasn't a very good idea, my frightened little rabbit," he muttered into the tuxedo's ear, his volume barely over a whisper. The words sent chills up their spine, made their fur bristle where his paws weren't pressing it ever so painfully into their skin.

Pitiful pleas tumbled from their opened maw of its own accord, begging for the black and white animal's freedom or for their release. Even if they knew that it wouldn't work, that their words wouldn't penetrate the tomcat's tough and scaly hide, the lithe feline still tried.

The dark feline 'tsked' with a shake of his broad head, frowning down at the panicked creature he had captured. "Where's the fu --"

Another feline, the third to enter the tomcat's trap of twisted briars and never-ending tree - like walls, cut him off with a rumbling growl. "Let them go, Spider. Now," the newcomer demanded, pausing a moment to wait for the feline's response. Seeing no change in his position, the smaller tomcat began stalking forward, hoping to scare off the former.

The new arrival was smaller than 'Spider' by a bit, but he still carried the tomcat's horribly unruly pelt and dark color. Thick - a lighter shade of smoky lilac - tabby stripes ran neatly through his chestnut - brown fur, and his bright amber eyes glowed with a determined sort of fire. Scars of various sizes littered his thick tabby pelt, the most prominent being a wide flash of pale pink dotted on his face, just below his right eye.

For being so small, so young, he was certainly very worn; maybe because of the many battles that the feral cats were fabled to have fought, or some other reason.

"I said," he hissed out, fur bristling and tail lashing as he took deliberately slow steps forward, "let them go."

'Spider' tossed his head back and laughed, a misplaced sound in this situation. "Why don't you run back to your precious Clan, you pesky little rodent? This is my catch." He brought his broad head back down to stare the Clan cat in the eyes, a small grin on his face as he awaited the tabby's reaction.

The black and white feline felt claws press into one of his shoulders, digging just a bit deeper into the tender flesh as the weight shifted above them. A pained yelp was pulled out of them when the tomcat's other paw traced down their upper body to their exposed throat, gently prodding against the soft tissue that it settled on.

"Why should I? This one's mine, and you know it, Stagpaw. There's nothing you - or he - can do to stop me." The larger tomcat carefully slipped off of the pinned feline, similar to a fox's graceful dance around its cornered prey; hiding such an array of fast and deadly reflexes under the calm, calculated movements.

The dark feline urged the significantly smaller tuxedo to their paws, coiling his long tail tightly around their throat as soon as the action was completed. It acted like a collar that all three of them had seen numerous times on various animals in their proximity, to keep their wild natures contained and desperate urge for freedom under control.

The Clan cat bared his teeth in an ugly snarl that marred his features, slipping into an unusual fighting stance, facing the other two with narrowed eyes and extended claws that scratched at the ground below them. A growl rumbled in his throat, calling the other tomcat to his challenge; to fight or to die.

Spider was ready to accept, but first, he must guarantee that the little rabbit couldn't run. He quickly turned, almost a blur to the startled feline, and sank his teeth into their front right leg. The tuxedo yowled in protest as his fangs were pressed deeper still, sending them to the ground with the growing waves of pain. Blood pooled around the wound and their leg, which had been bent awkwardly underneath them in the fall.

Spider, after ensuring that his prey was incapacitated, returned to his previous position facing the feral tabby, a large grin splayed on his stained maw. His tail was curled neatly around his paws, and his head was tilted to resemble some sort of mock innocence.

The Clan cat let out a fierce war cry and leaped at the larger feline, throwing him into the gritty earth. Spider's back collided against the surface, sending a cracking sound into the air, similar to when a hunter finishes a kill with a bite to the neck. However, the furious tabby didn't let up there; he ran his claws over the exposed stomach tissue, pulling up ribbons of flesh and dark fur.

Spider let out a loud caterwaul, yellow eyes blown wide at the sight of his once fully - intact underside. Now, streamers of bloody flesh were scattered around him, with the lifeblood slowly but surely pouring out of his numerous wounds. The glint of his pale innards was slight, and the stark white of his bones was clearly visible under the shredded mass of flesh and tissue. Paws flailed around in a pitiful attempt to stop anything from flowing out, pressing them desperately against the large wounds.

The victor of the skirmish - Stagpaw, if they remembered correctly - leaped away from the struggling tomcat, turning and running over to the lithe tuxedo curled up farther away.

After a few calming cooes and murmurs, the dark tabby scanned the smaller feline's body with a few gentle prods here and there, assuring both himself and the black and white animal that they weren't badly injured anywhere except for their twisted front leg.

After the quick examination, Stagpaw sniffed at the oozing wound on their foreleg, his nose wrinkling in disgust at the slight scent of pines that laced the puncture marks. Pushing his disgust away, the larger feline of the two lay back on his haunches, his amber eyes and face contorted to show his concern.

His maw parted and words sprung free, filling the air with the confusing lilt of his voice. It sounded like the Clan cat's head had been forced underwater, words barely understandable and far away.

"It's time to wake up, my precious Lotus."

Why was Stagpaw trying to wake them up? Didn't he think that they had suffered enough already, without having to be mocked as well? Why was he doing this to them?

***

Snowdrizzle shot up in his moss nest, panting heavily as his thick coat of black and white fur cling to his small frame, like the lithe tuxedo had gone for a swim in the nearby pond. His muddled mind was reeling, filled with an onslaught of various emotions, ranging from the bitter tang of fear that danced on his dry tongue and the lead - like sense of dread in his numb paws to innocent and kit - like confusion that flew like a trapped bird in his stomach and fiery, red - hot anger that burned ever so painfully in his chest. He couldn't think straight, couldn't wrap his mind around the dream.

It felt so familiar, like he's lived through it before, the strange feeling pecking at the back of his mind like a relentless bird determined for its prey. It made his head hurt, made everything ache, almost as if it were supposed to rain; it felt like his body was angry with him and his past decisions, criticizing and punishing the small feline for something he just couldn't remember. Oh StarClan, why couldn't he remember?

Above him was his friend and den - mate, who was perched on an unsteady (and uncomfortable) position on their back legs, ready to spring into action if necessary. His dark brown pelt was messy and unkempt, and his amber eyes wide and glassy. However, Snowdrizzle could sense the other's concern, feel it roll off of the tomcat in thick, suffocating waves.

"Good mornin', Stagfall," the black and white feline mumbled, shaking his head in small bouts to clear it of his previous thoughts. Whatever in StarClan's name that was could wait. Now, he needed to focus on his friend.

Snowdrizzle noticed how the other's shoulders sagged for a moment at his words, as well as how his sleepy eyes lit up before he pushed it away. The dark brown tabby, Stagfall, had slipped back into his tired mask, even if the worry was so unbearably noticeable.

"Morning, Lotus," the larger tabby cooed quietly, nuzzling the crook of the black and white feline's neck softly as a greeting of sorts. Snowdrizzle purred loudly in response, pressing closer to the warmth that radiated from his friend.

The small tuxedo made quick work of some out - of - place patches of fur that he could see while in that position, smoothing them down with deft laps of his barbed tongue. Stagfall had asked something too, but seeing as the lithe feline didn't catch it, he simply responded with a drowsy noise that rumbled deep in his throat.

The two feline's blissful morning peace was fractured by Curlstar's "summoning call" - a phrase to describe the way a leader would gather their Clan to them for meetings - who's strong voice bounced off of the broad tree trunks that sheltered the camp from attacks or other incidents. Stagfall sighed deeply as he slowly got to his paws, reluctantly pulling away from the smaller tomcat.

"I'll be back soon, Lotus." With those few simple words, the dark tabby left their shared den.

The thin barricade of leafy tendrils that hung in front of the entrance shook wildly still, even as the cause of their disturbance had left long enough ago for the nest beside the lonely feline to grow cold. Outside, he could still hear a debate and rabid, dog - like arguing, which had most likely sprung up from a stray crossing the border or the sight of one of SparrowClan's many warriors.

Snowdrizzle sighed softly, glancing down at the scarred flesh that haphazardly twisted across his foreleg. He grunted as he attempted to move the limb, but finding the mobility of the limb impossible, flopped back down into the soft confines of the mossy nest with a frustrated and angry cry. The lithe tuxedo used the other paw to nudge the useless limb back into a comfortable position, sinking further into the small amount of warmth that the soft nest held when the grueling process had been done.

***

As the tendrils of ivy clung to his dark brown pelt and mingled in with the strands of thick fur that covered his body, his amber eyes traveled up the hazardous pile of stones used by the Clan's two leaders -- Heronstar and Curlstar. His eyes widened at the sight of a broad - shouldered mollie with dark russet fur, who called herself Roseadder.

The russet mollie was originally a loner, confined to the outer territories when a harsh storm wiped out the nearby furless dwellings. She did try to return -- she had a family, loving owners -- but was chased away by new housecats or angry furless. Rosa, her name back then, had wandered into SlipClan territory completely by accident.

Picking up the names that the patrol had called each other on the way back to their camp, she quietly altered her name, scared of being forced to leave the first cats who didn't attack her.

Many names ran through her head, but Roseadder had a pleasant ring to her ears, and she hoped that the Clan cats thought the same. Roseadder was brought before Curlstar and Heronstar, the mollie being tested by the seasoned warriors in her fighting abilities before the two leaders begrudgingly accepted her.

She had a swift swing, sharp claws, and quick wits; the seemingly soft housecat had an edge, as well as a place in SlipClan.

The russet feline was as loyal a warrior as Stagfall's denmates; why would the mollie get as close to treason as she now was? The answer was revealed as she gave a large flourish of her tail, calling the gathered Clan to silence.

"I know that I neither of SlipClan's leaders, but I come to this sacred spot to speak of a large problem with roots deep within our ranks," she started, voice steady and loud. Her voice almost matched Curlstar's when he spoke.

The way her words came out so calmly and so clearly scared the brown tabby, made something flutter about wildly in the pit of his stomach. What was she planning?

"Snowy has been in SlipClan's care for a long enough time. The tomcat's physical wounds are healed, and Speckleface has done all she could for his fractured mind. I believe that it's time to return him to where he truly belongs; a cozy nest nestled deep in the furless territory, being cared for by the kinder of the creatures there." Here Roseadder paused, broad head turning to access the various ranges of emotions radiating from the crowd in waves.

Many conveyed some range of shock or awe, surprised at such a veiled accusation thrown at the injured feline. Stagfall, meanwhile, had to push the burning anger that was so desperately clawing itself to the surface. How could she even think of throwing him out?

"What are you scared of, mouse - heart?" The words danced teasingly in the air, weaving between each and every feline to carry their message. Many pairs of eyes turned to state at the perpetrator, who's maw was still parted, this time in some state of confusion. When had Stagfall even thought of speaking his mind? Why did he run his mouth?

The russet mollie merely rolled her green eyes and huffed. "Of course it would be you to speak against me. He's got you wrapped so tightly around his dainty little paws, I'm honestly surprised you're still breathing." Roseadder turned away from him to address the rest of the assembled Clan, voice calling over the nervous murmurs of her Clanmates.

"Snowy leeches onto our dwindling supplies! He can't hunt, and definitely can't fight. How is he supposed to earn his keep if he's stuck in the one den all day?"

No matter how much the words wretched his heart and tore at his innards, she had a point. Every feline here had to earn their place here, but how could the tuxedo do that with his wound? The bite in his left leg was deep and had no chance of healing, even if given off to the furless healers. Still, he tried. The warrior had to do something!

"You can't do that! It's not your place, Roseadder!" the thick - furred tomcat protested, his tail lashing angrily and usually warm amber eyes narrowed and cold.

However, his apt attention was torn away from the broad - shouldered mollie with a furious screech, only to be silenced suddenly by the sound of something hard hitting against the soft flesh of a feline's head. Ears pricked, Stagfall timidly padded over to the source of the sound, pushing past the tightly - packed crowd as he drew closer to the middle of the makeshift ring they had formed.

"Snowdrizzle?!" The dark brown tabby is surprised to see his friend's scruff secured tightly in a smokey grey mollie's jaws, writhing around desperately in the sandy earth as he tried, in vain, to escape her vise - like grasp.

The black and white feline stops struggling at the sound of his name - or rather, the name Stagfall gave him when the two were younger - blue eyes wide and pleading as he stared up at the brown warrior.

"I have brought the accused," his captor stated, releasing her hold on his scruff and taking a large step back. The crowd followed suit, backing up to form a loose circle around the lithe tuxedo, unusually quiet in this situation.

Meanwhile, Snowdrizzle turned to the best of his ability and hissed at the grey feline that had grabbed him, ears pinned to his skull and fangs bared. She laughed at him, a light and airy sound, before disappearing into the throng without another word.

Roseadder took a few steps forward, pausing just at the bend at the top of the circle to flash a quick smile down at the angry black and white tomcat. She then snapped her head up, green eyes scanning the sea of feline faces in search for the smokey grey mollie.

When her bright eyes settled upon her stocky form, she gave the warrior a brief nod before parting her maw to speak. "So you have, Stormdance. Thank you."

The russet feline raised her head, jaws parted to speak to the assembled Clan. "Since Stagfall, a loyal warrior, asks us to spare this housecat, we'll have a vote. Anyone with the warrior and Snowy, stand beside him," Roseadder quickly gestured towards the dark brown tabby before continuing. "Anyone with me, you shall come to stand beside me."

The voting sequence that followed was a quick one, a painful process to watch. Dread had gathered in Stagfall's stomach at the sight of so few supporters. There were about three in total; a pale grey tabby with a few scars crisscrossing their pale throat, a lithe calico with long legs, and a chocolate tortoiseshell, who had the black and white feline clamped in their jaws, dragging him away from the crowd.

The tortoiseshell flashed him an apologetic smile as she grew closer, and the dark tabby now noticed the few wounds that peppered her body and coat, the gashes steadily oozing with dark blood.

Mudthorn, the mollie, gently lied the smaller tomcat at the dark warrior's paws and shuffled over to where she was standing between the other two, a mollie aptly named Featherfang - for her sharp hunting abilities - and the calico called Brindlespring - for their swift running and high leaps.

The broad russet mollie leapt back into the loose pile of rocks, catching the attention of the buzzing felines below with a loud yowl. "You have cast the vote, and the decision is your own. Do any of you wish to change your vote?"

She scanned the assembled Clan for a moment before continuing. "As you wish, SlipClan. Due to a majority rule, the housecat is to return to his home. Any final objections?"

Seeing none but his own, one that dug deep into his bones, Stagfall called out, fruitlessly wishing to away the crowd. "It's against the Clan code to turn away an able cat!"

"Yes, but he is not able. He can't hunt or fight, and is unable to care for the Clan within its walls," Roseadder pointed out, her sharp features softening a small bit at his panicked expression. "We all know you care for this housecat, Stagfall. If you wish to leave with him to guarantee his safety, you may."

A quick glance over to Snowdrizzle showed only his slightly bristling fur and narrowed blue eyes. There was no sounds of protest, no desperate movements to prolong this exile. Why was Stagfall so worried for him? It looked like the situation at paw didn't even bother his injured friend.

Then a realization clawed him across the muzzle. Where was either of the leaders, and why weren't they the ones talking about it?

Roseadder wasn't even SlipClan's deputy. However, Sparkbee and Bramblefrost, the two deputies, were in the proximity; he caught a few scarce glimpses of their pelts in the crowd. "Why isn't Curlstar telling us this? Or Heronstar?" he called up to her, whiskers twitching anxiously.

Confused muttering rose up from the assembly. The mollie shook her wide head parting her jaws to speak. A hush fell over the assembled felines as they looked at her, eager for an explanation. "At the moment, both Heronstar and Curlstar are dealing with a more impending problem that has fallen at the camp's entrance. They asked me to handle this matter in any way I see fit. And so, I am."

The russet warrior wrapped up her explanation with a short and brief wave of her thin tail, then turning back to the small group of the housecat's supporters. "The Clan has decided the furless pet's fate. He will leave immediately."

Stagfall moved to protest even more, to do something about this. She had to be lying; the leaders wouldn't allow exile, especially Heronstar. He was stopped, however, by a feathery black and white tail loosely wrapping around his tense shoulders.

"There's really not a point anymore, Stagfall. The Clan's mind is made up, and that is something that I'll have to live with," Snowdrizzle murmured gently before attempting to get to his shaky paws, then crumbling to the ground, the collision followed by a high - pitched, pained yelp slipping out of his slightly parted maw as he landed on the twisted leg.

"Take me to the shared border and leave me there. One of the furless will pick me up eventually."

How could Stagfall even think of leaving the smaller feline? He was defenseless, and would be left alone from anywhere between a day to a long pawful of moons. "I can't --"

Snowdrizzle cut off the dark brown tabby with a shake of the head. "You will, you silly Mockingbird," he demanded sternly. "And while we're on the topic of leaving, we might want to head out."

With that, Brindlespring hoisted the lithe tomcat atop the broad shoulders and back of the tabby warrior, and the two set out for the shared furless border.

***

The lithe black and white tomcat slipped off of his breathing perch, only to collapse in a messy pile at Stagfall's side. The tabby warrior's ears flattened involuntarily at the sound of the smaller's body hitting against the hard soil.

Even though the brown feline knows that Snowdrizzle wouldn't want the help, he had to control the dull sting buried deep in his paws, needed to ignore the want rush over and help the smaller tuxedo up.

Sometimes though, actually ignoring the urge was definitely harder than he had originally thought.

"You know that I'm not leaving you here alone, don't you." It was less of a desperate question and more of a finalizing statement, the contents of which are common knowledge to the two felines.

Both knew that Stagfall didn't have the heart or a strong enough willpower to leave his friend of many moons alone. In his raging mind, as it pulled thoughts and memories for explanations, in framed Snowdrizzle as a defenseless kitten, unable to care for itself as it cried out for a meal.

Snowdrizzle, picking up on his friend's anxious ticks and pleading actions, tried his best to brush against the larger feline's side. The tuxedo needed to disagree with him; the tomcat had a life back in SlipClan, one she shouldn't have to give up.

"You know that you can't do that," he murmured softly. "If not for your Clan, go back for your family! I can definitely promise that they'll miss you dearly."

The thick, dark tabby pelt of Stagfall bristled out in response, shocked at the housecat's words. He shook his broad head frantically, hoping to change his friend's mind; he knew it wouldn't work, but he had to try. "No! You know that I can't leave, Lotus!"

The small black and white tomcat muttered something under his breath, the inaudible words barbed and sharp. "You can, Stagfall, and you will!" he hissed out, unsheathed claws pricking at the soil under them. "Some furless will pick me up, and I'll grow old with them. I'll be safe."

Stagfall wished to protest more, but knew that there was no trying. Snowdrizzle had a point, and a good one at that. The injured housecat will most likely be taken within a day or two, brought into a safe and warm place to live out the remainder of his days. If he stayed here, The tuxedo's safety would never be guaranteed. "As you wish, Lotus."

Those last uttered words marked the start of the warrior's travel back to SlipClan's camp, where he would be greeted by his family and friends. Many moons would pass until the two would meet again, drawn out with the birth of Wrenleap's three kittens - Rookkit, Dawnkit, and Cypresskit.

***

Sky blue eyes watched the quivering foliage, marking where his friend had vanished with a simple utterance of a sentence. Stagfall had given up and left, leaving him here alone. Regret bubbled angrily in his throat, making his tongue bitter and mouth dry. Why did he want him to leave? Why did he have to do that?

The immense feeling of total isolation crashed down upon him all at once, drowning his heart in the painful sting of promised loneliness. Oh StarClan, how it hurt. It took his feelings and pulled at them, twisting them and breaking them apart.

Who would take in a useless housecat? Snowdrizzle - no, his name is Snowy, always has been - should have known. He couldn't hunt, was unable to fight; the injury left him at a major disadvantage.

He shook his head to chase away the thoughts. If nothing picked him up, he'd just have to survive on his own.

The black and white feline has heard stories of three - legged cats, ones who flourished in good conditions. He wasn't allowed to give in just yet.

A grunt pulled itself out of his throat as Snowy positioned all four legs underneath him, to where the small tuxedo wasn't laying on his side anymore.

The feline pushed his three good paws steadily into the ground, attempting to heave himself to some form of a standing position. The limbs held their form for a moment before buckling in, sending Snowy back to the earth.

The tomcat sighed and tried again. He wouldn't let it not work, he really needed to. For his sake. What if he encountered some hostile felines? Or a fox? He needed a chance to escape.

Every painful push up, every moment his sensitive stomach spent atop the freezing soil, made him try harder than before. Snowy wouldn't allow himself to be this exposed to the elements. Over and over he went, pushing himself into strange contortions, trying to add another second in his short record time.

Soon enough, the small tuxedo could hold the position for a few minutes, a small purr rumbling deep in his throat at the achievement.

Now, all he had to do was walk. It couldn't be anymore difficult, could it? It was just like standing up, only this time, he needed to move his legs.

Forcing his aching body back into a standing position, Snowy began to move his paws. The injured one lay safely tucked on his underside while he made his hind legs cooperate with his desire. A yelp flew from his parted maw as he is sent tumbling to the ground.

He had time, he knew that well. Time to kill, time to waste. Not like he had anything better to do.

***

FIVE MOONS LATER

Panting, gasping breaths shattered the silence in the small hollow, quick steps and pleading calls joined in to create a messy cacophony of noise. The voice was of someone he recognized; how could he not?

The feline's teasingly recognizable scent was of the sharp tang of drying grasses, with an underlying dash of something easy on the lithe tomcat's nose.

The thundering steps came to an abrupt halt in front of the hollowed - out bush Snowy took shelter in, a surprised gasp taking their place soon after. Looking up, the tuxedo almost yowled. In joy or in some other emotion, he did not know.

In front of him stood a few felines, three if he needed to be exact. One was a light grey tabby, almost white, with a few ugly scars crisscrossing their pale throat. The next, standing beside the grey tabby, was a lean calico with long legs, their muzzle twitching anxiously. On the far end and nearest to the exit, stood a dark brown tabby with a long pink scar running across one side.

Snowy still couldn't fathom the swirling pit of pain in his stomach, or if he should even greet his guests. He decided that he should, and hopped into an awkward stance.

His teeth gritted as a sharp, stinging sensation raced up the twisted limb, but no noise to show this escaped his clamped jaws. "Brindlespring, Featherfang. It's been a while, has it not?"

The small black and white feline ignored the perplexed look painted across their faces as he nodded towards them in acknowledgement. He did notice, however, when their guilt - filled eyes became downcast, felt the uncomfortable feeling that they tried, in vain, to hide.

"We're so-" Brindlespring started, her soft voice scratchy and quiet. Her ears were flattened against her skull, paws anxiously kneading the ground below them.

He cut the long - legged calico off, a smile stretched widely across his muzzle. "Nothing to be sorry about, Brindlespring." He quickly gestured to the other two when the sound of shuffling paws hit his ears, and with a flick of his thin tail, added another set of reassuring words in a similarly quiet tone. "That goes for all of you. I understand that the Clan is more important."

Then Stagfall spoke. His voice was unusually plain and flat, almost the exact opposite of a bird's song. If anything, the tabby warrior sounded tentative, a strange thing to hear from him. "We, uh, we need your help. There's been an incident."

Snowy's ears perked in interest, mouth running before his mind could catch it. "What type of incident?" The lithe tuxedo hopped around the makeshift den he was staying in, tail waving about behind him like grass in the wind. Finally, a change in anything!

Amber eyes flew wide at the question, the dark brown tomcat began to mumble words incoherently. What was he hiding, exactly? "Well, speak up! You don't have all day!"

"When did you start walking again, Snowdrizzle?" Stagfall asked instead, digging his claws into the ground. Fur bristling slightly, the tabby warrior's eyes darted around the den.

"A few moons ago. That's definitely not it, though, Stagfall, so tell me what's wrong," the lithe black and white tomcat demanded firmly, plopping himself down in front of the jittery warrior.

"Do you remember Spider?" he asked, words tinged with his hesitancy on the question.

The mention of his father was a sore subject, as everyone present knows. After all, that's who caused the wound on his leg. "Yeah, I do. Kinda hard to forget him, isn't it?" he replied, pushing out the limp leg for an emphasis on his statement.

Stagfall chuckled nervously, ears flattening and bristling fur becoming wilder and wilder. "He's at camp. He's, uh, he's been asking for you."

"What?" The shock hit the small tuxedo across the chest like the flick of a paw, one of which was equipped with sharp, white claws. It couldn't be. It just couldn't.

Featherfang spoke up, dragging the black and white feline away from his thoughts. "Please help us, Snowdrizzle."

Against the tense pull of his better judgement, Snowy answered them. "I will. Just stop calling me Snowdrizzle, please."

***

The camp was quiet, and not a soul rushed out to greet them. Dens lay desecrated, their thick reed walls shredded and pulled apart. The prey pile had been scattered across the whole of the camp, the bitter scent of their decay making his nose shrivel in disgust. Small splashes of dried crimson dotted the sandy grey soil, adding an eerie flash of color to the landscape.

"Where is everyone?" Snowy muttered softly out of the corner of his mouth, eyes drawn to a particularly large rust - colored stain painting the leader's pile of rocks. No movement, no sounds. What had happened?

"We aren't sure. We fled when this had first started, around a moon and a half ago." It sounded like Stagfall had responded to him, but the lithe tuxedo wasn't too sure. He was more focused on locating another breathing creature. There had to be one.

The rustle of reeds and fur sounded off from one side, to Snowy's left. He gave a flick of the tail and turned towards it, the three other felines trailing behind him cautiously.

Stepping into the destroyed den revealed a dark - furred tomcat with piercing yellow eyes, his tail wrapped neatly around his paws. A sinister grin overtook his features, a strange (and savage) glint in his brightly shining eyes. "Hello, Snowy. Such a pleasure to see you again."

A snarl obliterated the previous expression that rested on Snowy's face, lips drawing back to show off needle - sharp fangs. Claws slipped free of their casing on his paws, pressing lightly against the soil. His limp paw was tucked safely against his underside, the flexing claws brushing against the soft fur there. A loud growl rumbled deep in his throat, offering his father a challenge; to fight or to run.

The dark tabby tilted his head back and laughed, the sound flat and emotionless. "I've taken down a whole Clan of able - bodied cats, my little rabbit. You can't expect to beat me, especially with that leg of yours."

Here Spider paused a moment, taunting the four felines as he paced ever so slowly around them. "But, I'll be willing to make a compromise. Your pretty little mate should fight in your stead. At least then, there's some sort of challenge."

Snowy was quick to shoot down the offer. He couldn't risk getting his friends hurt, or maybe even killed. There would be blood on his paws, their blood, that he couldn't just wash off with a trip to the stream. But he had to plan his attack accordingly.

The lithe black and white tomcat knew his disadvantages, and a fair fight against his father would lead to his demise. Taunting him seemed like the best bet, as angering him would make Spider snap like a twig.

"Has mother left you yet? What about my sisters Marshmallow and Rook, or my brother Crane?" The shocked look splayed across his father's muzzle urged him to continue pressing forward, but to tread lightly. "We used to be a happy family, but I would be surprised if you remembered those times. All of us used to play down by the creek, catching fish and making up those silly little make - believe games."

Spider glared at him through narrowed yellow eyes, fur bristling at his obvious discomfort. Seeing that he had invoked even more of a reaction, the smaller pushed farther. "Tell me where we all went wrong, where we fell apart. Why did we let such a happy moment in our lives die?"

"You abandoned us! Left us for this pathetic Clan of fools and cowards! How could you leave the cats who shaped who you've become?" Spider hissed back, tail lashing wildly as he got to his paws. "You don't even bother anymore. You've never actually cared about us, about them, have you? All you could focus on was that little tomcat that came frolicking into our lives."

"You were selfish, Spider! Thoughtless! You punished us because you couldn't stand something that we really couldn't help. You were drowning in the dark, alone and screaming." Snowy let his mouth run before his mind again, apparent by the outraged look in Spider's yellow eyes.

He didn't even realize that he had spoken at first. Where was this sudden bout of courage springing up from? Had it been here all this time? Who knows for sure, though.

Spider hissed something out in response to his kit's words, but the meaning and words themselves were lost as Snowy's back collided with the marshy, wet ground underneath him. Claws pressed into the small tuxedo tomcat's exposed throat tissue, and a heavy weight kept him from squirming about. "You wouldn't know much about that though, would you? With how much you left us in the dead of night, you couldn't actually know anything. You were never there, little rabbit."

Snowy used his hind legs to shove the larger tomcat away, watching through narrowed blue eyes as he was thrown against something solid. He then turned towards the others, telling them to find someone.

They agreed begrudgingly and left as he hobbled forward towards his father, pushing away the uneasy feeling in his stomach as he grew closer to the still tabby. It wasn't a trap, was it?

His question was answered as he was launched backwards, a yelp tugging itself free of his throat as claws pulled away fur and flesh. Spider now towered over him, panting as a trail of blood dribbled from his parted maw, the life - fluid splashing rhythmically against Snowy's face below. His paw reached out and connected with Spider's throat at the same time the other's same limb buried itself deep into his stomach.

The larger tabby fell, collapsing limply atop his son's body, blood pooling like waterfalls from the wound and painting the younger's fur. Snowy's vision began to dance, and black spots flecked the little sight that he had left. His ears ringed, his body felt weighted down by stones.

The feline forced his maw to work, even at the desperate pleas of both his aching body and his newly - gathered friends. "I guess that it's time to hear my swan song, hmm?"

The frantic call of what appeared to be Sparkbee sounded so far away, like it was underwater. Her words were barely audible, but what he did catch carried his soul away with it in the wind.

"As a leader of SlipClan, I give you your warrior name. Snowdrizzle, may StarClan welcome you into their hunting grounds."