UNTOLD TALES: warriors cats one-shots

boredom

There would be no escaping this time.

A small tortoiseshell cowered in the shelter of shades lining her den. The gentle trickle of the cavern's stream filled the hollow rocks with a gentle patter. Tawnymask usually found the sounds of her home comforting, but the dropping of water only ironed out the anticipation twisting her chest. True perhaps, that she'd been thrust against the rocky walls during the chaos, but she had no doubt that Thunderstripe would have told Sagestar of her treason by now. As useful as the she-cat was, she didn't think it past the blathering fool to strike her down. She could steal the Fogclan apprentice - rumor had it Sagestar planned on said attempt anyway. Tawnymask had thus far avoided gaining an apprentice, simply because the cats Sagestar saw of importance were skilled in combat.

A few warriors had come to her - specifically, a she-cat torn to pieces by the cats meant to retrieve Swiftriver and his escaping partner. Through the whispers of the victorious, albeit disgruntled Shiverclan cats, Tawnymask had gathered quickly that Swiftriver and Wildpaw had been felled. She found some small peace in the fact that she had not been conscious for the terrible end of the fluffy apprentice.

One might think the cat would've feared for her own self, sitting there, waiting for Sagestar to pay her an inevitable visit. Instead, she stared at the moonlit stream at her paws, wondering if Blackstorm had returned with minimal injuries. The death of a clanmate was difficult - let alone that of an apprentice. Her paw stretched over the lucid water, creating a small ripple as she broke the surface with no relent. How strange water was - so breakable, yet unwavering.

Her suspicions were confirmed shortly after the moon had begun its descent. The words fluttering through the few remaining patrons in the camp informed of the death of one of their own. Otterclaw had been killed by Swiftriver and so Foxheart, Otterclaw's mate, had killed him. Shadowfang, the she-cat they'd dragged back to camp with them, had suffered terrible wounds. Tawnymask could only do so much for her - given the warriors would not allow her to stay in Tawnymask's care overnight. She'd been forced back into the den they were captured in, guarded now by four unhappy warriors.

She watched the shadows twitch and churn until they formed a figure. Sagestar's hasty lope made the darkness she immeted bounce across the floor of Tawnymask's den. It vanished for a brief second, before the tabby cat emerged from the black mouth of rock, drawing to a slow stop across the small puddle of water from her medicine cat. Tawnymask met her knowing eyes without so much as a hint of fear. She had nothing to be afraid of. Tawnymask rose clumsily, still dizzy from the damage done when Thunderstripe had tossed her away so carelessly. No words needed to be exchanged between the she-cats for Sagestar to receive her answer.

Yes, Sagestar, I did help them.

"I did not take you for a traitor, Tawnymask," Sagestar began, sheathing and unsheathing her claws. The she-cat wore a blatant look of fury, but she stood still, reining in the anger boiling inside of her veins. She needed Tawnymask - both of them knew it. "I thought medicine cats were meant to serve their clan unconditionally."

"I am a medicine cat, Sagestar," she told her calmly. "My duty is not to you."

Sagestar pulled back her lips, revealing a row of threatening, pearly teeth. Tawnymask lifted her muzzle at the show. Her fur began to prickle, sensing the rising storm building inside of Sagestar's chest.