Cliffheart's spirits lifted as the LionClan cats raced away, but then Whitewhisker tackled Jaymask. He heard Thunderstep call for him, and he bolted to the two fighting cats. His jaws gaped and then slashed down on Whitewhisker's scruff. The metallic, sour taste of blood filled his mouth, but he kept yanking on the bigger tom, trying to pry him away from his LionClan clanmate. He raked his claws through Whitewhisker's back, watching as the white fur turned a deep crimson. "Let's see who's laughing now," he snarled.
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I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Thunderstep pulled Jaymask away from Whitewhisker as Cliffheart began to battle the large white tom. They were a good distance from the rest of the Tigerclan patrol so he was certain that Ottertail and Yelloweye couldn't see them. Quickly he pushed Jaymask away and turned to Cliffheart. He saw the Lionclan warrior draw blood from the twisted tom. "Cliffheart!" he yowled. Now their secret was certainly exposed. If he didn't somehow manage to come up with a lie, they were going to have to kill Whitewhisker in order to their secret safe. Certainly if Whitewhisker was allowed to speak then he would expose their leniency for the Lionclan patrol. With a frown on his face he approached Cliffheart and Whitewhisker, "That's enough! We already have the Lionclan apprentice, leave those dumb fox-hearts alone!" Whitewhisker turned his hateful eyes on Thunderstep. "Look, they got away. Chasing them in to their own territory is only going to get us killed. Do you think that'll make Darkstar happy? This is only a test. Save your dang strength for the real invasion!" Whitewhisker squirmed in Cliffheart's grasp, "Then why is he drawing my blood?!" A wicked grin pressed on Thunderstep's lips, "He's just been waiting for an excuse to kill you ya know. Don't give him anymore reason, because if he does Bearfur won't get the chance. That won't do now will it?" For the first time in Thunderstep's life, he saw fear in Whitewhisker's eyes. Never had death been so close to him. Of course he had killed before, but never had he been a possible victim. Now that Cliffheart had Whitewhisker's life held by a thread he was afraid. "I... I'll stop. Just get him off me!" Whitewhisker growled. Thunderstep turned his attention to Cliffheart, thankful that they had managed to dodge that proverbial bullet. "Well? Go ahead," Thunderstep sneered as best he could. He was secretly wishing that Cliffheart could end this sick cat's life but they needed him alive... For now.
Cliffheart reluctantly released Whitewhisker from his grasp, spatting the vile blood from his mouth and throat. He coughed a few times, then glared harshly at the large white tom. He was a menace. He didn't deserve to live. But, at the same time, Thunderstep was right. They needed him alive. If Thunderstep hadn't called Cliffheart off Whitewhisker, he would have killed him for his crimes against everything the clans stood for.
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I am Jaggedpine. Just thought I should let you know.
Thunderstep snorted at Whitewhisker, "Just let that be a lesson... We own you." He turned from the disturbed tom and trotted away. Well they had just managed to avert that disaster, barely but they had. The adrenaline dropped away from Thunderstep's veins and he was able to think a little clearer. As they three tom's approached the rest of the patrol, he observed that Ottertail and Yelloweye sat near Sablepaw. They kept an eye on the small black furred tom, neither showing interest or hate for the young cat. None of them knew exactly why Darkstar had made them capture the young cat, perhaps to make him join them. Thunderstep nodded to the rest of the group and mewed, "Alright, they're gone." Ottertail and Yelloweye exchanged a glance, "You mean..." Thunderstep shook his head, "No, we need them alive." Ottertail quirked his head, "Really?" A forced wicked grin appeared on Thunderstep's face, "Think about it. We let them run back and tell the tale of this defeat. If we let them live then they can strike fear in to the rest of their clan's hearts. If we kill them, then they'll never know." Yelloweye grinned, agreeing with the idea completely. Ottertail nodded slowly, deciding that this course of action had better results then killing them. Thunderstep then turned to Sablepaw, the young cat stared at the patrol with wide scared eyes. Without a word, Thunderstep turned and headed back for the camp.
Nightfang sat right beside Sablepaw, keeping him calm. She watched as Thunderstep walked away. Ottertail and Yelloweye stood and followed him without question. They respected him, and you could tell. They had not exactly liked the idea of following Whitewhisker, they looked more relaxed following their leader's son. Nightfang turned her eyes to see Cliffheart and Whitewhisker approach the group again. Her mentor's eyes were downcast, refusing to even get some satisfaction from tormenting her. A smile appeared on Nightfang's lips and she blinked gratefully at Cliffheart when she noticed the blood on Whitewhisker. She mouthed, "Thanks," as she turned and took Sablepaw with her.
Gingerpaw hid her fear and anger. She knew Icepaw was completely loyal to Darkstar and Tigerclan, and he probably knew she wouldn't agree with this task. Stealing a kit from it's mother? Why would any cat even think of doing something so terrible? It was repulsive. And that poor kit! To be separated from it's family? Her gaze drifted to Tigerpaw, she could just imagine those strong jaws around that poor kit. He'd end up hurting it. She padded forward to Icepaw, her voice steady and calm, "Icepaw, I have somewhat of a plan. I'll get the kit from it's mother, and I'll make sure it's the strongest of the litter. You all keep the mother out of the picture."
Icepaw glanced over to Gingerpaw. "I have thought about this. If we can get the mother away from the kits long enough to take one. My first priority is no heavy casualties. If things don't go right, we need to get the job done as fast as possible before we do too much damage." His tail flicked back and forth, interested in Gingerpaw's intentions. "I know what you are thinking, this is wrong. I know. But do we have any other choice in the matter?" His icey eyes stared down at Gingerpaw, though not in a threatening disposition. "We have to serve our clan, even if it isn't the best choice. But if Darkstar's intentions go too far..." Icepaw's words faded as he thought of the worst. He shook his head, dismissing the though. "Let us move on." He said, trying to encourage.
"I know." Gingerpaw said, even though being loyal to her malicious leader was not the first thing on her mind. The first thing on her mind was the poor innocent kit that they were stealing. "I'll get the kit, and you know very well that if you let me get it, it won't be harmed in any way. If you let a cat like Tigerpaw get it, you know it'll be injured. And that's not something we can afford right now. Darkstar wants a strong healthy kit, and that means getting it out of there without any form of injury." She glanced back at the others and then towards Icepaw again. "Just please, let me get the kit." She knew it was the only way to ensure the kit's safety. She hated that all of this was happening. But it was happening, and she had to accept that. But just because she accepted what was happening, didn't mean she needed to act ruthless. She'd get the kit safely away from it's mother. And hopefully reassure it, make it feel safe. Even though safe was the last thing it would be feeling.