Tribal Kitty: Chapter Eight:Black Paws

Chapter Eight:
Black Paws

I felt a sharp prick in my side and ignored it, burying my head in my soft nest, wishing I was a kit again. The pricking became more insistent, claws shaking my shoulders, faster and faster until I felt sick, I snapped my eyes open and smoothly lunged toward my attacker.
“Ow! Ebonypaw, calm down! We’ve been chosen for dawn patrol, Lucklife says she wants us to lead it! Isn’t that so cool?” Eaglepaw’s tail swished excitedly, whipping the air.
“Really? Does Vixentooth know that?” I ask thinking about our grumpy old mentor, amusement prickling through my pelt at the thought of her reaction.
“Nope, she’s snoring in her den like a badger with a cold!” His voice lowered to a hush, I laughed through my teeth and nodded.
“Who’s on our patrol?” I tilted my head, looking at the cats milling about camp.
“We have Lioncall, Rosescent, Blazeleap, and Jumpkick.” He mewed, quickly grooming his pelt.
I gave my pelt a shake, deciding I would take time to groom later. “My mom is coming?” I groaned, my face crinkling with distaste.
“At least it’s not your dad.” He rolled his eyes, I frowned and rested my head on my chest, “Oh, right, I’m sorry Ebonypaw, I forgot for a second, but if you want, we can share dads, Jumpkick can be your father too!” He purred, touching his nose to mine.
“And have both parents on our patrol, no thank you!” I head butted him with a purr, nearly knocking the huge apprentice over, I leaped out of the den, approaching the cats that were in our patrol, Eaglepaw quickly hopped after me, his paws thumping on the ground. “What do we do now?” I whispered to him as the older cats looked at with expectancy, pride, amusement, or a mixture of the three.
“You should announce where you’re patrolling and take the lead.” I jumped as Lucklife’s fluffy head appeared in between us.
“Where are we patrolling?” Eaglepaw asked, his voice hushed.
“By the Swift Tribe border, and I don’t need to tell you to be careful, right? You both know how strangely they’ve been acting.” She mewed, straightening and walking toward the leader’s den to greet Waterspirit, her kits trailing behind her, I felt a rush of pride that our deputy was so strong before straightening.
“Okay, we’re headed for the Swift Tribe border, remember, we don’t want any trouble, understand?” I gave my best Vixentooth impression, Jumpkick gave a mrrow of amusement, Lioncall and Blazeleap purred, keeping their laughter down, Rosescent narrowed her eyes and said nothing, I frowned but flicked my tail for them to follow us as Eaglepaw and I exited the camp.
“This is exciting, isn’t it?” Eaglepaw purred, I shrugged, glancing at him, his eyes were shining.
“Stop acting like such a kit, we’re leading a patrol, not leading our tribe into battle.” I sniffed, flicking my tail.
“But this means Lucklife wants to see if we’re warriors, I’ve been a fighter for seven moons, and you’ve been a fighter for six, you’re fifteen moons, and I’m sixteen, we’ve learned so much, we can’t have long to wait before we’re warriors!” He purred, flicking his tail happily. I opened my jaws to say something and froze, there was a distinct scent in the air, like wind and sunshine, Eaglepaw stopped, looking at me, “Ebonypaw, what’s-” he started, interrupted by a sleek shape erupting from the bushes next to him.
“Swift Tribe!” I heard my mother yowl, I felt an instant calm settle over me, my fur fluffed up, and my claws unsheathed.
“Rosescent! Go back to camp and get help!” I snapped, clawing the runner’s back in an effort to get him off my friend, I glanced up to see her frozen, the other cats had dispersed, “Now!” I yowled she quickly raced away, running toward camp. I turned toward the runner and growled, “Get off my friend you bag of bones!” I jumped on her back and kicked out with my powerful legs, raking them down in long red lines along her back, she yowled in pain and turned to face me, Eaglepaw squirmed out of her grip, there was a scratch on his chest, turning his ginger and black fur a malignant color, I shook my head and we quickly overpowered the cat, Fastswipe, once they were forced to retreat I turned to him, sniffing the would quickly, “You okay?” I asked, he nodded, and we raced toward Sandpaw and Floatpaw as they attacked Blazeleap as he grappled with Hurryscratch.
“Hey Sandpaw!” Eaglepaw yowled as he slammed into the large tom, “Why don’t you pick on some cat your own size?!” I smiled to myself and leaped on top of the startled Floatpaw.
“How’d you like to be deaf like your mother?” I growled in his ear, the excitement of battle keeping me from feeling guilty about my comment as I bit down hard into his ear, he yowled in pain and tried to shake me off, I felt his ear rip and felt a sick satisfaction ripple through me, Floatpaw hissed in agony and staggered near a tree, starting to run toward it, I adjusted my weight and as he ran into the tree I leapt off his back, pushing down hard on his spine, landing on a low branch.
I tested my shoulders as I watched him get up and look around, as he began moving toward Eaglepaw, I leapt onto his back, he gave a yowl of surprise and rolled over, crushing me, he quickly turned over and dug his claws into my shoulder blades, kicking at my stomach with sharp claws, I struggled to get free but he reared up and slammed his unsheathed paws into my chest, winding me, before I could catch my breath he did it again, and again until I felt my lungs ache for air and thought that my chest would break. He reared up again but before he could slam into my chest, he was bowled over by a ginger flash, I laid on the ground, choking on the fresh morning air, when I opened my eyes, Vixentooth was looking at me with a worried expression.
“Go back to camp.” She said, I shook my head, coughing.
“I’m fine, I can fight.” I breathed.
“A good warrior knows when to quit, besides, I need you to guard the nursery.” She whispered so low that I could scarcely hear her.
“They have Snowflurry, Fireflower, and Lucklife…” I shook my pelt scanning the battle for an opening, she blocked me with her tail.
“They’re fighting here, go back, organize the remaining cats, keep my grand-kits safe, that’s your job, do you understand?” she pleaded, for once a soft emotion entered her eyes but it was dispelled and turned into a ferocity that made my pelt prickle.
“I don’t know, I can’t…” I started, she grabbed my scruff.
“You must!” She snapped, turning me toward camp and letting go, pushing me forward, “Do as you’re told!” She yowled, attacking an older she-cat, I hesitated for a second before pelting toward camp, as I ran I found Eaglepaw, he was panting, his wounds bleeding gently but steadily.
“Come on!” I urged him, helping him stand, he leaned against me heavily.
“I’m so tired, Ebonypaw… I don’t hurt so much now… I’m sorry I woke you up, but let me sleep…” his voice murmured sleepily.
I felt my heart skip and beat and shook my head violently, “No! Come on, we’re almost there, we’re going to be warriors, together, we’ll be the best fighters in all of the tribes!” I murmured, but I felt him relax and become dead weight, I tried to drag him but he was too big. “Leaf Tribe! Help me!” I called, nudging my friend helplessly.
I heard pounding footsteps and opened my eyes to see Flamechance and Whitenose coming toward me, “Ebonypaw, what’s wrong?” Flamechance asked, tilting his head.
“Vixentooth told me to organize camp, I want you two to carry him back, I have to go ahead, don’t let him fall asleep!” I pleaded, they both nodded, shaking Eaglepaw and supporting him as they walked, his angry muttering followed me to camp, worried cats milled about, I narrowed my eyes at what was left, jumping on top of the announcement tree, “Leaf Tribe… Come here, okay, Vixentooth put me in charge, sort of… Fernpush, Flowerpetal, I want you to listen for them, don’t let them see you if they get this far, do not attack them.” I ordered, they nodded and disappeared, “Rosescent, I want you to quickly check any holes in the camp wall, Softheart and Curledwhisker, you two check the defenses as well.” The three cats immediately began sniffing the edges of the camp, Whitenose and Flamechance walked in, Eaglepaw dragged between them, Vinetail quickly appeared from her den and she helped them drag Eaglepaw inside, when they reappeared, Mole-eyes was with them, his blind eyes looking at me expectantly. “Whitenose and Flamechance, guard the healer’s den.” I ordered, Mole-eyes took a hesitant step forward.
“And me? I can help, I’m sure of it.” He insisted. I thought for a moment before hopping down.
“Mole-eyes, I want you to guard the kits, but the nursery won’t do, the rain put a lot of holes in it, Redkit! Breezekit! The rest of you! Come here!” I called, the kits scampered into the clearing their tiny bodies huddled together, “I want you to all hide together, I want you to all support the tribe, picture us winning, that’s what I want you to do.” I mewed quickly.
“How do we do that? Redkit asked, curiosity glittering in his red eyes.
“Well, first, you all go into the old deputy den, and close your eyes, picture us celebrating and making fun of those old rabbit-hearts.” I purred, Redkit looked at his den mates and nodded.
“Okay.” He mewed, I watched them as they scrambled over one another to hide in the roots of the stump, and there was just enough room for Mole-eyes to fit.
“Mole-eyes, I want you to crawl under there with them, protect them and tell them it’ll be alright, if a cat makes it in camp and they go after those kits, give them a nasty surprise.” I growled, he nodded sharply and squeezed underneath the roots, the kits would be kept warm and reassured, they also wouldn’t be able to escape around him, I sat in the middle of camp, my paws tucked underneath me as I remembered every move I had learned. Suddenly a cold nose touched my ear and I sat up, Fernpush and Flowerpetal stood side by side.
“We pushed most of them out, but two cats are headed this way, they’ll get here before the rest of our tribe will.” Fernpush mewed.
“The rain did a number on the defenses, but it won’t matter too much I hope.” Softheart mewed behind me, I stood up and nodded.
“Fernpush, Softheart, and Flowerpetal, stand near the stump and help protect the kits, Curledwhisker stand beside the healer’s den and help protect it, Rosescent, stand by me.” I ordered, they nodded and did and I said.
“Ebonypaw, I’m no fighter, you don’t want me here.” Rosescent shook her head.
“Your mother was Longclaw, your half brother and sister are Vixentooth and Jumpkick, your daughter is Ebonypaw, you can fight, claws out and don’t stop moving. Use your weight against them. They’re quick, but they’re light weights, knock ‘em over and keep them that way.” I mewed quickly. “Curledwhisker, Softheart, when I give the signal, I want you to rush toward them, okay?” I ordered, both of them nodded. We waited for several tense moments, Rosescent shifted beside me.
“Maybe they’re not coming…” She started but I hissed at her under my breath, she opened her jaws to say something, but two cats burst into camp, I rushed toward them.
“Leaf Tribe, attack!” I yowled, Softheart and Curledwhisker charged forward, Rosescent behind us. We attacked them before they even knew what hit them. But as I struggled with them, I realized the two cats were Lightningstrike and Flashface, great fighters, and I wondered if we were any match for them, but a surge of pride flared through me and I felt as though I hadn’t been fighting all morning, I took a breath and almost froze, the scents around me were all correct, except one, one scent reminded me of my father. I felt fury surge through me as I remembered how he died, a Swift Tribe cat killed him.
I hissed, lunging toward Flashface, my claws raking over his ears and spine, Curledwhisker was worrying his tail. Flashface gave a yowl of fury and shook me off, fleeing from camp, I turned toward Lightningstrike to see her have my mother by the throat, I yowled and raced toward her, she dropped my mother like a piece of prey, her wiry fur matted with blood as I barreled into her, ducking under her legs and attacking her stomach, leaping over her and kicking her down with my powerful legs, turned around and raked my claws along her flank and she gave a weak hiss and glared at me.
“Finish me, if that’s what you want.” She breathed.
“I don’t need to kill you to know I’ve won, can you walk?” I asked, feeling my beating heart settle down.
“Not if I want to keep my blood.” She mewed.
“Then you’re our prisoner until you can make it back to camp.” I mewed, walking toward my mother on nub legs. “Rosescent? We did it, you fought…” I mumbled, curling up beside her still form.
“We’re proud of you…” I heard her breathe, taking a shaky breath I felt myself drifting off.
“Ebonypaw, come on, wake up.” I heard some fuzzy voice urge, I shook my head. “Come on, you’re going to sleep through the vigil.” The fuzzy voice became clearer and I felt my head become clearer.
“Who died?” I croaked, my voice sore.
“Just… come on.” I opened my eyes to see my sister, Ivypaw, there was a nick in her ear and she had some scratches but she looked fine.
“Who is it?” I insisted, following her on stiff legs.
“You should see for yourself…” She sighed, I flattened my ears and hurried past her, when I emerged from the den, I was surprised by how dark it was, the moon was high, I looked around and saw Vixentooth jumping down from the announcement branch, Flowerpetal and Fernpush replaced her, I tilted my head and pushed my way through the cats. I stumbled when I saw her, curled up as if she were sleeping.
“Ebonypaw, you were the last one with her, would you like to tell us about your final moments with Rosescent?” Lucklife asked, I looked at her blankly, feeling sick and strained at the same time.
“She said that they were proud of me, I didn’t know she meant… I should have done something different…” I curled into a ball beside my mother, “I’m so sorry.”  I mewed.
“It’s not your fault, Ebonypaw.” I pricked my ears and looked around, the cats around me parted so I could see her, Lightningstrike. “It’s not your fault, nor is it my fault, though it may seem that way. It’s Slowdrift’s fault, I didn’t want to believe it, he’s my grandson for Zephyr’s sake! But Honeylight was right… That’s why we came here, she went missing…” Her clear voice trailed off and her eyes became pained and blank before clearing again as she raised her head, the same fierce intensity in her eyes as Vixentooth’s, “If he tries to destroy my tribe, I’ll kill him, I can’t let him destroy everything I love!” She snapped, trying to stand, Icefrost walked toward her and made her eat some herbs, the old cat closed her eyes and sighed, falling asleep.
“You don’t need to kill a cat to know you’ve won. Every fighter knows that…” I murmured, sitting up to look down upon my mother.
“But Slowdrift is no fighter!” Jumpkick growled, whipping his tail through the air.
“He’s turning war into a game for kits!” Vixentooth stood beside her brother, agreeing with him for once.
“We can’t let him continue doing this, Waterspirit!” Mole-eyes cried.
“We have been too lenient with those moon-heads!” Fireflower growled.
“Remember what they did to you?! We never even threatened them for it!” Hailwater hissed.
“We mustn’t let them walk over us!” Vixentooth yowled.
I looked at Waterspirit, he shared a glance with Lucklife, she nodded, “Cats of my Tribe, at the next gathering, I will announce our new warriors,” he meowed, his voice echoing in the camp as he jumped onto the announcement tree, “ and that Swift Tribe better watch out, we’re declaring war!” He yowled, I felt my fur prickle and my tail curl.
“Did I miss anything?” I jumped, turning to see Eaglepaw.
“You’re okay!” I purred, touching noses with him.
“Yeah, I’m fine, thanks for saving me, sorry about Rosescent.” He murmured. I nodded at him glancing at my mother’s body.
“Eaglepaw, Ebonypaw, join me underneath the announcement branch,” Waterspirit mewed, we shared an excited glance and stepped forward, our leader turned his gaze toward the stars, “I call upon Forest, the beginning of our tribe, and I call upon every cat that follows him, look upon these brave apprentices.” He looked at us, catching our eyes, “Lioncall, how did they fight well?” he asked, Lioncall looked up, his eyes wide but he nodded.
“They fought like foxes, and without them, I might be…” he ducked his head.
“If I may add, Ebonypaw was especially brave, and I believe it was the right decision for Vixentooth to put her in charge, one day, she could be lead fighter.” Flamechance mewed, I felt my fur grow hot and I felt Eaglepaw purr beside me.
“Thank you, Ebonypaw, Eaglepaw, do you promise to uphold our code and continue to be the best fighters you can be?” He asked us.
I felt a fierce certainty fill me, “Until the day I die.” I said quickly, there were a few murmurs from the tribe, but I kept my eyes locked on Waterspirit.
“Yes, Waterspirit.” Eaglepaw bowed his head respectfully.
Waterspirit paused for a second, studying us for what seemed like moons, “Then by the power given to me by the Tribe that Knows All and Sees All, I give you your full names.” He hopped off of his branch and stood before us, he looked at each of his, his eyes revealing nothing but pride, “Eaglepaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Eagleshriek. Forest’s Tribe honors your strength and ferocity in everything you do.” Waterspirit purred, touching his nose to Eagleshriek’s, Eagleshriek bowed his head and licked Waterspirit’s shoulder. The new warrior then stepped back to sit beside our former den mates.
“Ebonypaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Ebonyheart. Forest’s Tribe honors your quick thinking in battle and your bravery.” Waterspirit touched his nose to mine, I bowed my head and licked his shoulder and turned to join my den mate.
“With those two out of the way, Ivypaw, Gingerpaw, Sunpaw, and Dovepaw, come stand underneath the announcement branch.” He mewed, the apprentices shared a hesitant look as they stepped forward, “Come on, you didn’t think I was going to leave the rest of you out, did you?” He purred, “I call upon Forest and all of his tribe, to look down on these apprentices,” he glanced upward before looking at each apprentice, I felt a quiver of excitement in my stomach as his gaze swept over them, “Whitenose, Hailwater, are these apprentices ready to named?”
“They have trained well, I am very proud of them.” Whitenose bowed his head.
“They’re as good as they’re going to get.” Hailwater huffed, Fireflower nudged his shoulder, nearly toppling him over.
“Thank you. Ivypaw, Sunpaw, Dovepaw, Gingerpaw, do you promise to be uphold our code and be the best tribe member you can be?” He asked, looking each of them in the eyes.
“Yes, Waterspirit.” Dovepaw was the first to speak, her gentle voice breaking the silence.
“I do, Waterspirit.” Ivypaw mewed, glancing at me, her eyes shining.
“I can’t think of doing anything else.” Sunpaw said quickly, giving Ivypaw a quick glare before turning to Waterspirit.
“Of course, Waterspirit.” Gingerpaw bowed his head.
Waterspirit took a deep breath, closing his eyes, I could feel the tension rising from the apprentices pelts, I purred in amusement as they kneaded the ground impatiently. Our leader opened his eyes and leaped off the announcement branch, “Then by the power given to me by the Tribe that Knows All and Sees All, I give you your full names.” He approached Ivypaw, touching her nose to his, “Ivypaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Ivycover. Forest’s Tribe honors you for your dedication and calm head.” Ivycover bowed her head and licked his shoulder. She then took a step back to sit beside me.
“Dovepaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Doveflutter. Forest’s Tribe honors your kindness and patience.” Waterspirit touched his nose to hers, she bowed her head and licked his shoulder. She ducked her head in embarrassment as she turned around, every eye on her, she quickly sat beside Ivycover, licking her chest fur as she watched her brother.
“Gingerpaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Gingerpelt. Forest’s Tribe honors your courage and imagination.” Our leader touched noses with the new warrior and Gingerpelt licked his shoulder before joining his sister.
Waterspirit stood before my brother, his tail flicking with pride as he said, “Sunpaw, from this moment forward, you will be known as Sunstripe. Forest’s Tribe honors your bravery and curiosity.” He touched noses with Sunstripe, the young warrior licked our leader’s shoulder before sitting beside Gingerpelt.
Waterspirit leapt onto the announcement branch, “We have six new warriors, in two moons, we will have several new apprentices to replace them, that is all!” he yowled, leaping down.
“Ebonyheart! Eagleshriek! Ivycover! Doveflutter! Gingerpelt! Sunstripe!”