#How Do You Stop A Tom Cat Spraying | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

twilights-800-cats · 3 months ago

Text

<< Chapter 14 || Chapter 15 || Chapter 16 || From the Beginning || Patreon >>

Chapter 15

Mistyfoot charged through the forest, her paws flying across the trail. Mousefur and Ferncloud followed without question, driven by the horrible silence and the scent of blood in their noses. Mistyfoot’s heart pounded in her chest as she considered every possibility, trying to predict what they might find once they crossed the border. She hoped and prayed to StarClan that the screech hadn’t belonged to any cat she knew.

They quickly put the ShadowClan border behind them and pushed through the thick undergrowth surrounding the greenleaf Twolegplace, finally stopping inside the unnatural clearing to catch their breath. The green plane that stretched before them was empty but for the Twoleg trash cans that studded the ground at regular intervals - and, at the base of the nearest lay a small, dark heap, their blood sprayed against the hard material, still fresh and dripping.

“Oh, no!” Ferncloud breathed. Her eyes went round, the whites showing. “That’s Willowpaw!”

A chill took Mistyfoot’s pelt. Willowpaw! Her heart beat faster. The ShadowClan apprentice was barely older than Larchpaw - they had gotten close along the Great Journey, along with Rushpaw, Willowpaw’s littermate. Their mother, Finchsong, was a close friend of Ferncloud’s. Mistyfoot swallowed.

The three she-cats rushed over to Willowpaw. The small tom lay prone on his side in a pool of his own blood. Mistyfoot gagged at the intense smell, and Ferncloud whimpered at the sight. Mousefur turned away, scanning the area.

“Is he alive?” Mousefur asked, her ears flicking to and fro.

Mistyfoot forced herself to stare at Willowpaw. The dark gray tom was still, his spine pressed against the trash can as if he’d been tossed at it. One of his limbs looked broken or at least out of place, and he was covered in more fresh scratches than Mistyfoot could count. She couldn’t fathom how he might be alive after losing so much blood, but there was just the faintest stirring of his whiskers - somehow, he was alive. Stunned, but alive.

“He’s breathing!” Mistyfoot called back, hope catching in her voice.

“Who did this to him?” Ferncloud wondered desperately, her eyes big and watery. “A fox, maybe?” She gently touched a paw to a batch of scratches. She hissed, “Mistyfoot, these look like cat’s claws!”

Mistyfoot couldn’t deny that. The marks matched Ferncloud’s paw, though off by just a hair. She saw her friend’s spotted legs tremble, and, her voice wavering, Ferncloud asked, breathless, “What do we do?”

“Clean him up and stop the bleeding,” Mistyfoot ordered swiftly, trying to keep her head above water. Ferncloud immediately set to work, lapping gently at Willowpaw’s pelt with her tongue. Mistyfoot lifted her muzzle and glanced at Mousefur, flicking her tail to beckon the smaller she-cat over.

“Who do you think did this?” she asked quietly.

Mousefur peered at Willowpaw’s body. She reached out and gently turned over one of the apprentice’s paws, bending down to sniff the bloodied pads. Mistyfoot swallowed around the lump in her throat. Willowpaw still had his claws out - the young cat had put up a fight.

“Not a Clan cat, that’s for sure,” Mousefur answered, “and there’s no fur caught in his claws. There is a scent, though I don’t recognize it.”

Mistyfoot closed her eyes and leaned closer, sniffing. Other than blood and ShadowClan, there was another scent - part of Mistyfoot had expected the stranger she had been chasing around ThunderClan territory, but it wasn’t. There were two scents, for one, and for another...

“I know those scents,” she murmured, lifting her muzzle. She met Mousefur’s eye. “When we were exploring the territory and trying to find camps, we ran into a pair of kittypets. They attacked us for even getting near their nest. It’s been a while, but that’s them.” She could confidently say: “I’m sure of it.”

Mousefur tipped her head, confused. “Kittypets did this?”

Mistyfoot sat back onto her haunches. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became - those two kittypets had to be the problem ShadowClan was facing. One glance at Willowpaw all but confirmed it. If they were willing to do this much to a cat as young as him, Mistyfoot did not doubt that they were behind Orre’s death, too, and the multiple new wounds on the ShadowClan warriors.

But why? Mistyfoot wondered, her head spinning back to that first encounter. Those two kittypets had fought like they were willing to kill, but they hadn’t pursued once they were driven off. I thought we had sent them a message - Stoneheart nearly clawed one of their eyes out! Didn’t they learn their lesson?

She swallowed again, the smell of Willowpaw’s blood growing overwhelming. “We need to get him someplace safe,” she meowed. Ferncloud was trying to stop the bleeding, but she wasn’t a medicine cat, and she didn’t have anything to work with here. Mistyfoot looked to Mousefur. “You grab one end, I’ll take the other - we’ll drag him into the woods and-”

“You will do no such thing!”

Mistyfoot felt the claws shortly after - they pressed into her pelt, breaking the skin as she was thrust against the hard earth. She heard Mousefur grunt a tail-length away and then a strong, defensive hiss from Ferncloud over by the trash can.

Mistyfoot struggled against the bulky black-and-white body pressed against her, looking for purchase with her paws as the scent of ShadowClan choked her - eventually, her hind legs found her attacker’s belly, and she pushed with all her might, sending them flying.

She got to her paws, bristling. She was face-to-face with Skipnose, the young black-and-white cat panting a tail-length away. Off to the side, Mousefur was wrestling with Pinewhisker, while Ferncloud was squaring up to Pansytail, the tortoiseshell ShadowClan warrior lashing her tail with a fierce expression. Focusing back on her opponent, Mistyfoot crouched, prepared to fend off another attack from a furious Skipnose.

Pansytail spoke up, suddenly: “Everyone, stop!”

Skipnose unbent his spine immediately. Ferncloud relaxed, exhaling with relief. Mousefur had Pinewhisker pinned, the small brown tabby tom wiggling beneath her as he flailed desperately.

Mousefur dodged a paw swipe and growled, “Stop that, already - we didn’t do this!”

“She’s right, Pinewhisker,” Pansytail urged quickly. “Stop. We don’t have time for this.”

Pinewhisker slowly came to a stop, and it was only when he sheathed his claws that Mousefur let him go. The brown tabby, bristling, immediately got to his paws and lunged for Willowpaw, his apprentice, nearly pushing Ferncloud out of the way to see him.

“He’s alive!” Pinewhisker breathed raggedly. He pressed his muzzle against Willowpaw’s. “Oh, thank StarClan!”

Mistyfoot felt a pang in her heart. She knew what it was like to be so frantic over an injured apprentice - Willowpaw had a chance that Shrewpaw didn’t, though, and she wanted more than anything for their fates to differ.

“The kittypets did this, didn't they?” Mistyfoot wondered, looking at Pansytail. She didn’t know who was leading this patrol, but Russetstar’s mate was the senior warrior from ShadowClan here. “What were they called again?”

“Jacques and Susan,” Pansytail recited bitterly, as if their names were toxic. “And yes. They did this.”

“We didn’t see anything,” Mousefur explained. “Just heard him screech. Their scent trail was well hidden.”

Skipnose muttered, “Him hollering was probably what scared them away. They would’ve finished him off otherwise.”

“Silence, Skipnose,” Pansytail growled, grimacing.

Mistyfoot peered at the ShadowClan cats. “Let us help you take him back to camp.”

Pansytail’s frown grew deeper, but Mistyfoot hadn’t missed the way that her eyes were darting around - she was still on the lookout for the kittypets. Just the three of them taking Willowpaw home would put them in a vulnerable spot if they attacked. With Mistyfoot, Mousefur, and Ferncloud helping them, striking a group that large would be foolish.

The ShadowClan warrior seemed to understand that. Pansytail gave the faintest of nods. “When we reach camp, you’re to leave immediately,” she decided.

“No,” Mistyfoot declared. She raised her chin. “I’m going to talk to Russetstar. Something has to be done about this.” Knowing the full scope of the problem might get Tinystar to listen, though Mistyfoot was certain Russetstar wouldn’t allow an outsider to see how vulnerable ShadowClan truly was.

Pansytail curled her lip, and Skipnose bristled. Pinewhisker didn’t share his Clanmate’s obstinance; he was too busy trying to drape Willowpaw across his back with Ferncloud’s help, the young apprentice’s blood dripping down his back and legs.

Skipnose huffed, looking offended. “This is none of your business, ThunderClan.”

“Skipnose, please,” Pansytail hissed. Turning back to Mistyfoot, she mewed curtly, “I’m not sure what you expect from her, but you can try.”

Mousefur gave Skipnose a sharp, scrutinizing look. The tom stubbornly stalked past her, sidling up to Pinewhisker to help take some of Willowpaw’s weight off of his Clanmate. He dipped his patchy muzzle to Pansytail, and, their group ready, they set off, heading across the clearing and toward the trees, with Pansytail leading the way and Mistyfoot, Mousefur, and Ferncloud surrounding Willowpaw and his carriers.

They moved carefully through the woods. The ground here was softened by shed pine needles and flatter than ThunderClan’s territory, made almost deafeningly quiet by the thick pine trees that muffled the world with their size. Were the air not permeated with the stench of Willowpaw’s blood, the scents would be musty and sharp, teasing the nose to sneeze and break the silence.

Mistyfoot hadn’t been here since their first quick jaunt around the lake. She recalled that the land closest to the water, over by RiverClan territory, was swampy, more like ShadowClan’s old territory used to be. The ground was drier here, though, with only a hint of moisture trapped beneath the thick layer of pine needles.

She tried to recall where ShadowClan’s camp was - she knew it was someplace well-hidden, barely visible even when one looked right at it. Perhaps that was why it was so hard to picture since only Stoneheart had gotten a good look at it.

She had plenty of time to think about it, though. Pansytail was moving along very slowly, slower than Mistyfoot had realized. At first, she thought it had been for Willowpaw’s sake, but since there was little to make them stumble here, Mistyfoot soon came to another conclusion - ShadowClan wasn’t confident in their own territory anymore.

A more careful look at Pansytail confirmed it. The tortoiseshell she-cat was practically tip-toeing, her ears swiveling in every direction to catch any stray noise. Every few paces, she would stop to scent the air. A bird chirping far off made her pause, her tail stiff and ready to signal. Mistyfoot glanced at Mousefur, who had also been watching Pansytail, finding her Clanmate’s confused expression grimly vindicating.

This wasn’t a hunter, confident in her territory - this was prey.

Their journey was long, made longer by Willowpaw’s injuries. As the sun began to trail across the sky, they headed down towards the lake and then began to follow the very edge of the woods, where solid ground gave way to a boggy shore. Glancing behind her, Mistyfoot could see the forest and the Twoleg halfbridge that jutted out into the lake just around the bend of the water - ThunderClan felt so far away right now, and she guessed that they wouldn’t be back before nightfall.

They’re probably so worried, she thought, troubled. She imagined Nightfrost’s face when she and her patrol didn’t return and felt a pang of sorrow in her gut. Was he already looking for her? What would he think when her scent trail disappeared over the ShadowClan border?

While she was worrying, Mousefur sidled up to Pansytail’s shoulder and asked, “So how did two kittypets manage to strike fear into the hearts of ShadowClan?”

Pansytail growled low in her throat and Mistyfoot heard Skipnose hiss. But it seemed that Mousefur hadn’t said anything that wasn’t true - it was Pinewhisker who muttered, “They know our every move.”

Mistyfoot, confused, tilted her head. “How can that be?” ShadowClan were the most secretive of all the Clans - there were stories of them turning even a simple question like what one of them had for breakfast into a puzzle.

“And why would they even care?” Ferncloud added.

“It’s not like we haven’t asked!” Pansytail shot back, her ears flat. Her eyes flashed angrily. “They want to drive us out, and it seems like they’re enjoying themselves while they do it.”

“They take our prey from right in front of us,” Skipnose growled. “And they always strike when one of us is alone, or they’re evenly matched.” He spat, “Cowards!”

Mistyfoot glanced at the ShadowClan cats, noting that she could see the outlines of their ribs rippling faintly beneath their pelts. They weren’t starving, but the kittypets were ensuring ShadowClan couldn’t enjoy the full bounty of their new home.

“The way they fight reminds me of BloodClan,” Pansytail added, shuddering along her spine. “They don’t have a code.” She glanced back at Willowpaw. “They don’t care how much they hurt someone.”

Mousefur lashed her tail. “And Russetstar is letting this just go on? It’s two whole kittypets! You’re ShadowClan!”

Pansytail stopped short, arching her back. The patrol halted around her as she glared at Mousefur and hissed, “You think we don’t know that?”

“We can’t even get close to their nest without them running for their Twoleg,” snapped Skipnose, “and he’s just as bad as them! He threw things at us! When Orre and Blackfoot led a patrol to negotiate with the kittypets, their Twoleg rushed out and hit Orre so hard with something that... That...” Skipnose swallowed his words, his eyes glistening with sorrow.

Mistyfoot swallowed, horrified. That’s how Orre really died? Great StarClan!

Pinewhisker adjusted Willowpaw’s weight on his shoulders. “And we never know where they’re going to come from. They pop up out of nowhere, and when they flee, it’s like they disappear into thin air.”

Mistyfoot’s pelt prickled. Out of nowhere? Disappearing? How can that be? Her tail trembled. A horrible thought occurred to her: Do they know about the tunnels? Are there more of them on ShadowClan territory?

“This hasn’t been easy to deal with,” Pansytail hissed, baring her teeth. “But we can handle it.”

“Can you?” Mousefur questioned. “Does Russetstar have any sort of plan?”

Pansytail scoffed, tossing her head. “Come on,” she snapped, “we’re almost there.”

And they were - Pansytail led them upslope between the pines, weaving between cedars and the occasional stunted oak or beech. The land here was low and easy, and Mistyfoot thought it looked familiar - this area had more undergrowth than most of ShadowClan territory, with briars and brambles tangling along the ground and dark-leafed ivy growing up the trunks of the trees.

Slowly, it came into view - the huge cedar with its peeling, graying bark and its impossibly large, fan-like branches. In a hollow beneath the boughs, Mistyfoot recalled, was ShadowClan’s camp.

In the moons since coming to the lake, they had built up a wall of briars and ivy to keep out nosy intruders, and the camp wall was almost indistinguishable from the world around it. Pansytail led the way inside, disappearing into a nearly invisible gap in the tangled barrier. Mistyfoot followed, her heart beating quickly - seeing another Clan’s camp was always a tense situation, and ShadowClan kept their camp so hidden and private for a reason.

It was cool and dark beneath the boughs of the cedar, and when Mistyfoot emerged, she had to squint to take in ShadowClan’s home as the sun barely penetrated between the huge, fan-like branches. It was bigger than she had realized, with a clearing carpeted in soft pine needles and lined with dens that seemed to be made from trees that had fallen long ago and grown hollow and gray. Mistyfoot could only guess at which den was which, but at the back of the camp, a cave hidden deep beneath the roots of the protective cedar was no doubt the leader’s den.

Confirmation of that came as Russetstar slid out from the darkness, her shoulders sharp in the shadows and her eyes even sharper as she saw the ThunderClan cats in her camp. By now, the others had made their way through the entrance, and the scents of ThunderClan and blood filled the hollow. Every cat turned their heads, and to Mistyfoot it seemed as if every warrior had unsheathed their claws, too. Her pelt prickled ominously. She searched for Stoneheart, but couldn’t find him.

Pansytail met Russetstar in the center of the clearing, the two discreetly touching noses. Pinewhisker and Skipnose slid off to the side, heading for one of the hollow logs with Willowpaw bobbing between them - Littlecloud emerged quickly, bristling, and from the crowd of ShadowClan cats came Cedarheart and Finchsong, tails bushing as they rushed over to see to their son.

“Is that Willowpaw?” breathed Rowanclaw from off to the side. The dark ginger tom stepped forward, eyes wide as he held back Rushpaw with one leg. He looked to Mistyfoot and asked, “What happened?”

“ThunderClan,” Russetstar mused before Mistyfoot could answer. As Blackfoot came to her side, her gaze slid to Mistyfoot, deep green to dark blue. “What is the meaning of this?”

Ferncloud and Mousefur kept close, their bodies stiff and ready to flee. Mistyfoot took a deep, steadying breath. Time to be deputy, she thought.

“We heard Willowpaw scream in the forest while out hunting and went to investigate,” she said, raising her voice. She was aware of every ShadowClan cat glaring at her. One wrong move, and she’d be lining for their nests. “We found him in the greenleaf Twolegplace, wounded. His attackers had fled.”

“They know,” Pansytail murmured into Russetstar’s ear. Russetstar curled her lip in response, looking disgusted.

Every warrior had something to say about that revelation - their grumbles filled the hollow, trapped by the boughs of the cedar. Blackfoot glared at Pansytail and hissed, “You told them?”

“We figured it out ourselves,” Mousefur grunted, glowering at Blackfoot, “thank you very much!”

“For the most part!” Ferncloud added swiftly.

Mistyfoot raised her tail to speak. “Pansytail did tell us, but only because we asked, and she felt she had to,” she meowed, hoping that absolved the ShadowClan she-cat. Mistyfoot swallowed. This was her chance. She stared squarely at Russetstar and declared, “ShadowClan is in trouble. Let us help you, Russetstar.”

The protest was immediate and vicious: “We don’t need ThunderClan’s help!” hissed Talonstripe.

Tallpoppy bristled from the back: “You’d tell us how to make dirt if we let you!”

“Don’t forget about what happened to WindClan,” growled Redclaw. Her eyes were narrowed to slits. “We still don’t know if they were behind it!”

“We’re ShadowClan,” added Blackfoot. He stood up straight and tall, declaring, “We need no Clan’s help!”

“Tell that to the bones I see sticking out from your pelt,” Mousefur shot back, baring her teeth.

Blackfoot growled deep in his throat, taking a step forward. Mistyfoot spotted the gleam of claws, and her tail bristled anxiously.

“Enough,” Russetstar meowed tersely. The protests of her Clan died instantly. Mistyfoot felt a spark of admiration for the strong she-cat, who could command her Clanmates without moving a whisker. Still staring deep into Mistyfoot, Russetstar offered, “Make your case, ThunderClan.”

Mistyfoot took another deep breath. “This is no way for a Clan to live. You think you can handle this on your own, but Orre is dead, your Clan is being injured on the daily, and Willowpaw is badly hurt. Eventually, there won’t be anyone left to fight.”

Tallpoppy hissed, “You don’t get to talk about Orre!”

“Tallpoppy, enough,” Russetstar said patiently. She gestured for Mistyfoot to continue.

“You’re being hunted in your own territory,” Mistyfoot pressed on. She took a step towards Russetstar, aware that she was pushing her luck with every word. “Please. I’m sure that together, we can devise a solution before you lose more cats - before they see ThunderClan as fair game, too.”

“Tinystar is behind you on this?” Russetstar wondered quietly.

Mistyfoot swallowed her words. She looked around the camp again and wondered where Stoneheart was - surely her brother was here right now? Wouldn’t he defend her?

Russetstar sighed. “I see,” she murmured. Louder, she meowed, “I appreciate your concern - but this is not ThunderClan’s problem.” Her gaze hardened. “ShadowClan handles ShadowClan affairs.”

Mistyfoot burst, “But you can’t! You aren’t! A pair of kittypets are getting the better of you, and you’re letting it happen!” Her fur bristled with frustration.

Blackfoot snarled, his muscles tensed to spring. Russetstar slapped her tail in front of her deputy, her eyes narrowing. “Watch your words, Mistyfoot,” she meowed carefully. “You may have earned great respect for bringing us here, but what you’ve gained, you can lose in an instant.”

“The same goes for you,” Mistyfoot returned sharply. Her heart beat swiftly in her chest as she raised her chin. “You told Tinystar that he needed to appoint a deputy so that he looked like a real Clan leader - well, he did, and here you are now, letting your Clanmates suffer because ShadowClan is proud enough to give all the advice they want, but they refuse to take it.”

Mistyfoot narrowed her eyes. Russetstar’s gaze was intense, daring her to speak on: “Talk to Tinystar,” Mistyfoot insisted, willing with all her might for Russetstar to listen. “If you ask, he will help - but that means admitting you’re a bad leader, too.”

“You’re out of line, ThunderClan!” Blackfoot snapped.

“Be hunted in your own territory, then!” Mistyfoot shot back, glaring at Blackfoot. Her paws were trembling. “Just remember who let that happen!”

“It’s time for you to leave,” Russetstar decided, her voice dripping with anger.

“Agreed,” Mousefur grunted. “This was like talking to a stone.”

Mistyfoot swallowed, cursing herself inside. Had she really blown up her opportunity to help so swiftly? Some deputy I am! She glanced around at the gathered ShadowClan cats, feeling the anger and animosity in their gazes as they glared at her - all but Rowanclaw, who could only stare at his own paws.

“Let’s go,” Ferncloud whispered. She was shivering. “I don’t like this.”

“Neither do they,” Mistyfoot mumbled back. “They’re just too stubborn to see it.”

Russetstar offered no escort, perhaps because she hadn’t the cats to spare or perhaps because ShadowClan warriors would be watching them the whole way home from the darkness. Either way, Mistyfoot gathered up Mousefur and Ferncloud with her tail and led them out of the hollow, feeling the cold eyes of ShadowClan on her with every step.

———————————————————

Tinystar was waiting for them when they returned, sitting on the root of an alder tree just outside the thorn tunnel. The stars of Silverpelt were dancing above, surrounding a waning moon, and the three she-cats were dragging their paws at this point, exhausted.

“Go inside,” he told them, flicking his tail at Mousefur and Ferncloud, “rest. Mistyfoot, stay here.”

Mistyfoot obeyed, watching her friends slip into the thorn tunnel and disappear into camp. No doubt they would be bombarded with questions after being gone for the whole day - perhaps that was why Tinystar had chosen to wait out here for them.

She glanced at Tinystar. He looked serene in the fading moonlight, expressionless and considering, but Mistyfoot could sense his temper boiling beneath his pelt. The wrong words would bring it out, and Mistyfoot wasn’t sure what the right words were anymore. All she wanted was to curl up in her nest and sleep, but a deputy could never just do that.

“When you didn’t return, we tracked your scent to the ShadowClan border,” Tinystar meowed quietly. His pale eyes rested on Mistyfoot as he meowed on, “Several warriors wanted to take a party across the border to investigate, but I had half an idea of what you might’ve been doing, so I ordered them to wait.”

He sighed, gesturing with his tail for her to come close. “What happened?”

Mistyfoot sat down beside the root, curling her tail around her paws. Tinystar was quiet and contemplative as she told him about finding Willowpaw, and taking him back to ShadowClan to be taken care of. He said nothing as she talked about the two kittypets harassing ShadowClan, and he let her get through her attempt to convince Russetstar to ask for help without complaint.

“They can’t handle this on their own, Tinystar,” Mistyfoot finished, hoping he understood this time. She looked up at him, imploring him to listen. “Russetstar is letting her pride cloud her judgment. We have to help them.”

Tinystar blinked. “I don’t disagree,” he mused, his tone mild, “but my answer is still the same. Unless Russetstar asks for help herself, ThunderClan will not get involved.”

The fur between Mistyfoot’s shoulders bristled. “Cats are dying, Tinystar!” Fury boiled inside her belly, and she sank her claws into the earth. “You’re just going to let this happen? This isn’t you at all!” She glared at her leader, disbelief turning her pelt hot. “The Tinystar I know wouldn’t hesitate - he’d put together a patrol and come to Russetstar with a plan to save her Clan, not sit here and say there’s nothing to be done!”

Tinystar narrowed his eyes. He sighed between his teeth and muttered, “That Tinystar is several lives ago, now, Mistyfoot.” He blinked at her. “Following your heart has consequences, and what you think is right doesn’t always end up that way.” His eyes softened. “When you’re a leader, you’ll understand.”

Mistyfoot stared at Tinystar. She hissed, “Fear won’t stop me like it’s stopped you.”

Carefully, Tinystar meowed, “You would disobey me?”

“If it spared warriors a needless death, yes,” Mistyfoot said firmly. Her heart thundered in her ears as she glared down at Tinystar. “Always. Every time. It’s what you taught me to do - you might’ve forgotten it, you might’ve lost faith in yourself, but I haven’t. I won’t.”

“And when you must bury the consequences of your actions?” Tinystar wondered softly. “When you have to live with the knowledge that your choices hurt others, your friends and your kin, even when all you wanted was to help?”

Mistyfoot swallowed. “I don’t know, but isn’t that something everyone has to deal with, leader or not?” she dared to say. “I used to be terrified over every decision I made. For the longest time, I thought I was the reason Mosspaw died, or Shrewpaw, or... Or Stormfur, even.”

Crickets began to sing in the night. She sighed. Tinystar didn’t know the truth about Stormfur. “But I’m not. Or maybe I am? Agonizing over it makes me miserable. It keeps me from pressing forward, from learning what to do better next time.” She stared at Tinystar again, desperate for him to understand. “I can’t live like that anymore. I’m trying not to. Tinystar...” She hesitated but rested her tail across his shoulders. “You can’t live like that, either.”

Mistyfoot blinked. “We believe in you. All of us. You brought us so far, through so much. We need you, and we need you to be you - the cat who did anything and everything to help others. The cat who gave up his life for ThunderClan. The cat who saw past where someone comes from or who their family is. ThunderClan - all the Clans - wouldn’t be here now without that part of you.

“Things have changed since we crossed the mountains, for sure,” she finished, her heart thudding in her ears. She was whispering now, emotion choking the strength out of her words: “But never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that part of you would die with the old forest.”

She waited for him to growl, or snap, or even launch himself at her, claws unsheathed. But he didn’t. He stared up at her for a long moment while her words faded into silence, and then he lifted his muzzle to the stars.

He chuckled. So quietly that Mistyfoot barely heard it.

“You’ve changed so much in the seasons I have known you, Mistyfoot,” he breathed. His voice was soft, his eyes tinged with sorrow. “For the better, I hope.” He flicked his tail. “Go and get some sleep. You’ve had a long day.”

“What about ShadowClan?” Mistyfoot pressed. Had she finally, finally gotten through to him? “Are you going to help them?”

“I never said I wouldn’t,” he reminded her gently. Tinystar blinked evenly. “We shall see. Russetstar knows that we are willing. It’s up to her to remember herself - but if you spoke to her as you spoke to me just now, it won’t be long.” He smiled at her. “Unfortunately, we must wait.”

Mistyfoot frowned, disappointment flashing in her pelt. “I get that. I do. But what the both of you need to realize is that while you’re worried about us dying, waiting around for the right moment to make the right choice, we’re dying anyway.” She swallowed around a lump in her throat. “And we’re dying feeling like you’ve given up on us.”

Taking a deep breath, she murmured, “I couldn’t live with myself, knowing that.” She met Tinystar’s eyes and saw the stars twinkling in those icy depths. “The Tinystar I know, the one that I’ve looked up to since I was a kit, the one who saw me as more than my mother... I know he would feel the same.”

#tb au #tb sunset

7 notes · View notes

thistledown-au-warriors · 2 months ago

Text

forest of secrets - chapter 7

< Chapter 6 || Index || Chapter 8 >

[Ao3 Link]

Pale sunlight lit up the snowy hollow of Fourtrees. It had been snowing all up until sunhigh, and Fire Heart had snow as high as his chest. Gray Stripe and Misty Step trudged on beside him, having an easier time, especially with the molly's long slender limbs. The four bare oaks stood below them, glittering with frost. Fire Heart realized he was more worried about cats from his own Clan seeing them than meeting any enemy patrols. Misty Step seemed to have similar concerns. She stayed close to them, taking the rear, ears pricked and often looking back over her shoulder.

"Let's go, then." Fire Heart murmured, leading the way down. Gray Stripe followed him with light steps.

"I hope we're not caught down here by a whole RiverClan patrol." Misty Step murmured.

Gray Stripe bristled. "I told you, she wouldn't betray us."

"I know. I'm not saying that. But she won't be able to hide from her father forever." Misty Step retorted darkly.

Fire Heart tried to step lightly, as if he were stalking prey, his belly skimming the shallower snow. He was uncomfortably aware of how his flame-colored coat stood out against the white surface, compared to the gray coats of his two Clanmates. They crouched down near the Great Rock, shielded from view of the ThunderClan border, and waited.

Silent moments passed, and Fire Heart peeked around the large rock to check on the RiverClan side of the hollow, Gray Stripe's pelt brushing his as the tom did the same.

At last a familiar silver-gray shape appeared, pushing her way through the undergrowth at the edge of the hollow.

“Silver Stream!” purred Gray Stripe.

Fire Heart watched the RiverClan molly stepping delicately through the snow. She was certainly beautiful, he realized, with a finely shaped head and long, sleek fur. However, his interactions with her thus far certainly hadn't captivated Fire Heart in the same way Gray Stripe seemed to be. His friend rose to his paws to call out to her, and her gaze brightened up with delight as she saw him. Silver Stream ran, spraying snow behind her, and pressed herself against Gray Stripe, purring loudly. The two cats rubbed their faces together with obvious delight. Finally, they broke apart, seeming to have momentarily forgotten that the other cats were there.

Silver Stream nodded head in a friendly manner toward him and Misty Step, with no trace of the defensive hostility she had shown when he had tried to discourage her from seeing Gray Stripe at the start of their relationship. “If it isn't Fire Heart and his mentor!” she meowed with mischief in her eyes. "Not exactly surprised you're sneaking about, but I thought you preferred to keep to your side of the border, Misty Step."

Misty Step twitched her ear, not seeming fazed by the RiverClan molly's comments. “Hello to you too, Silver Stream. I thought that you were going to bring someone to meet us.” she launched straight in.

“Yes, he'll be here in a moment, once he's done with his patrol.” Silver Stream replied. She eyed them with undisguised curiosity. “Why are you two bringing up my uncle's death out of nowhere, though?”

Her words hit Fire Heart in the gut. Oak Heart had been Crooked Jaw's littermate, of course she was close to him. "I'm sorry. It is very important, but we can't tell you."

She tipped her head to the side, tail tip twitching irritably. "I don't like being curious."

Gray Stripe purred in laughter as if her small tantrum was the most charming thing in the world. Misty Step cleared her throat. "How do you know this cat we're meeting won't tell on us?"

“Don't fret.” meowed Silver Stream, as if she guessed what was worrying her. “He's someone who would be willing to talk to Fire Heart, and keep quiet about it. He doesn't know about me and Gray Stripe, but he does know I'm your friend, Misty Step.” she suddenly stopped and turned around. "Actually, I think he's coming. Wait a moment." She had hardly finished speaking before running up the hollow again. Fire Heart watched her bounding through the snow and vanishing into the undergrowth at the top.

“Isn’t she great ?” Gray Stripe murmured dreamily.

"She's great at trouble." Fire Heart caught Misty Step murmuring under her breath.

The distant crunching of snow sounded and the breeze now carried a stronger scent of RiverClan than just Silver Stream's. Then, with another cat behind her, the silver molly trudged back down. The cat she brought with her was a muscular dark brown tom with snowy-white paws, thin like all RiverClan cats were these days. Fire Heart blinked, recognizing Snow Paws, the warrior who had almost fallen off the gorge. The tom didn't seem too concerned about Fire Heart, but once he saw Gray Stripe and Misty Step, he stopped dead in his tracks. His fur began to rise suspiciously and he flattened his ears against his head.

“Silver Stream, this is a whole patrol!” hissed Snow Paws. “What are they doing here?”

“Snow Paws, listen...” Silver Stream went over to him and tried to nudge him toward the ThunderClan cats.

Snow Paws stood his ground. Fire Heart couldn’t help feeling daunted by the look of blank hostility in his eyes. Had he been stupid to think that RiverClan would help him?

“I agreed to talk to Fire Heart." Snow Paws meowed. “Not three battle-ready ThunderClan warriors. The other two gotta go.”

“Please, I wouldn't bring you here to get attacked, Snow Paws!" Silver Stream urged, eyes narrowed.

“I do insist that I stay here. It wouldn't sit well in my conscience to leave a healer apprentice alone with a warrior.” Misty Step interjected, with calculated words. “But do not worry, Snow Paws. We're not here to spy, or attack, or cross into your territory. We need to speak to a cat who fought in the battle at Sunningrocks, where Oak Heart died.”

“Why?” Snow Paws narrowed his eyes.

“It’s... hard to explain.” Fire Heart mewed. “But it’s nothing that could harm RiverClan. I swear that on StarClan.” he added.

The young warrior seemed to relax somewhat, and this time he let Silver Stream urge him forward until she was sitting right in front of Fire Heart. Up close, he could see that the brown tom couldn't be that much older than himself. Snow Paws still had his amber eyes fixed on the three cats unhappily.

Silver Stream suddenly narrowed her eyes, lifting her chin. "Well, Misty Step and Fire Heart should be enough, correct? I'll take that one—" she jerked her chin towards Gray Stripe. "—to the border, and get back to my duties. Less warriors for you to worry about, Snow Paws."

Fire Heart opened his mouth to protest, while Misty Step merely narrowed her eyes. Gray Stripe was already standing up. "Alright, alright. Better if I cooperate, right?" he sneaked a wink at Fire Heart. "See you two at camp." And with that, the two warriors slipped out around the Great Rock and away.

Suppressing a sigh, Fire Heart turned his attention back to Snow Paws. The brown warrior had his eyes fixed on Misty Step.

"You're Thunder Blue Fur's daughter, Misty Step, right?" he meowed. "I've seen you at Gatherings." His voice was cool, with thinly veiled suspicion.

The gray molly merely blinked, regarding the RiverClan warrior with an even gaze. "Yes. And you're Snow Paws, Silver Stream's brother, who Fire Heart saved at the gorge." she stated, not bothering with framing it as a question.

Fire Heart blinked.

Snow Paws sighed, closing his eyes briefly. "Right." he turned to Fire Heart. "I couldn't help but feel… indebted to you, even if Leopard Fur didn't. She doesn't want to owe anyone anything, especially not a warrior from another Clan. Don’t get me wrong, I don't want to either, but I can't just ignore what you did. I’ll repay my debt to you, as long as it won't harm RiverClan." he added, shooting Fire Heart a wary look.

"Don't worry, it won't." he meowed. "Though… this isn't what I was going to ask, but are you River Crooked Jaw's son?"

The RiverClan warrior shook his head quickly. "My mother nursed Silver Stream after her mother died. My parents raised her like kin, and thus she sees my family as hers. The 'little brother' thing is on her."

Fire Heart nodded, while Misty Step merely licked a paw and drew it slowly over one ear, keeping her eyes fixed on Snow Paws' face. This information didn't seem new to her, and she didn't seem to trust the other warrior. Snow Paws, in turn, sat straighter and covered the snowy whiteness of his paws with his soft-furred brown tail.

“Alright. Enough of this.” he meowed at last. “I fought in the battle. What do you want to know?”

Fire Heart paused for a moment, putting his thoughts in order. He would have only one chance to find out the truth; he mustn’t make any mistakes.

“Get on with it.” growled Snow Paws. “My Clan needs me, I can't take all day talking to ThunderClan cats.”

“It won’t take long.” Fire Heart promised. “What can you tell me about the way Oak Heart died?”

“Oak Heart?” the tom frowned. "He died during that battle. It… it was the day I became a warrior." the tom's voice had a note of grief and bitterness to it. Fire Heart couldn't help but feel some kinship with the rival warrior — he knew what it was like to have an important milestone overshadowed by a tragedy, as he himself had joined the Clan on the same day Red Tail died.

"Can you tell us what killed him?" Misty Step asked, bringing both toms away from their thoughts.

"It was an accident. It shouldn't have happened." Snow Paws meowed firmly, and Fire Heart felt his heart begin to race. This was exactly what he needed to know!

“Are you sure?” he asked. “No cat killed him?”

“He was wounded in the battle, like any of us, but not enough to kill him.” meowed Snow Paws. “The patrol returned to find him when he didn't come back once the battle was over, and we found his body under some fallen rocks. Muddy Brook said that was what killed him.” he grimaced, ears flat, as if the memory of the state of the former deputy's body was quite unpleasant.

“So no cat was responsible...” Fire Heart muttered, meeting Misty Step's narrowed blue gaze. “Raven Shadow was right.”

“What?” The brown tom frowned.

“Nothing.” Fire Heart meowed hastily, looking back at the brown tom. “Nothing important. Thank you, Snow Paws. That’s just what I wanted to know.”

“Then if that’s all—”

“No, wait! There’s one more thing. In the battle, one of our cats heard Oak Heart say that no RiverClan cat should harm Mossy Patch. Do you know what he meant by that?”

He felt Misty Step tense up beside him, and heard her tail tip begin to flick side to side. Snow Paws frowned, puzzled.

"Mossy Patch?" he echoed. "That's a ThunderClan warrior. Your littermate, right?" Snow Paws asked Misty Step, who gave him a stiff nod in affirmation.

The RiverClan tom was silent for a while, his amber eyes gazing thoughtfully into the distance. Then he shook his head firmly, as if he were flicking water off it. "During the battle… Mossy Patch and Red Tail were chasing some warriors away, and I tried attacking her to give them time. She wasn't expecting it, and that's probably the only reason I managed to pin her down. Then suddenly Oak Heart grabbed me by the scruff and launched me away. He told me to just run off to safety. I noticed that Red Tail was going to confront him, and before I could say anything I had to run, since Mossy Patch was on her feet and chasing us again." he looked down at his paws, eyes narrow. "I couldn't hear what was going on after that. All I could do was run, and… next time I saw Oak Heart after that, it was his body." he took a deep breath, then began licking the fur at his chest as if soothing himself.

Fire Heart tried not to feel disappointed. At least he knew for certain now how Oak Heart had died, and it matched Mossy Patch's version well enough. But he couldn’t shake off the feeling that what Oak Heart had said about Mossy Patch was important, if only he could understand it.

"Is there any cat who might know Oak Heart better?" Misty Step asked, leaning forward so her eyes meet Snow Paws' lowered eyes.

The RiverClan warrior lifted his head. "I suppose that, besides River Crooked Jaw himself, Gray Pool would. She’s the sister to Silver Stream’s mother. Gray Pool and Oak Heart were pretty good friends, and a lot of cats confide in her. She’s retired and hardly ever leaves camp, though." he finished in a sharper tone, suspicion taking over his expression once again. "Anyhow. Is this enough?"

The two ThunderClan warriors exchanged a glance. He could see that Misty Step seemed to share his impatience at wanting to hear what this Gray Pool could know, but clearly they both had already overstayed their welcome.

“Yes, it's enough. Thank you, Snow Paws.” he meowed. “I won’t forget this."

"Don't mention it. Really, don’t." Snow Paws meowed, twitching his ear. He got to his paws. "I hope it's enough to repay what you did for me, because I don't want to do you any more favors."

The three warriors swiftly left the hollow towards the safety of their borders. Fire Heart waved his tail in good-bye, and Snow Paws returned it with a nod, disappearing into the RiverClan woodlands. Once the two ThunderClan cats were a good distance under the cover of ThunderClan trees, Misty Step started to groom herself slowly, tail tip twitching.

It reminded Fire Heart of the fact they'd be carrying some RiverClan scent, and thus he began licking his shoulders, although more swiftly. His mind was racing with everything he'd just heard. Oak Heart had been killed by a rockfall. Tiger's Claw had lied and he could now prove it. Mossy Patch's version of the events lined up well enough with both Snow Paws and Raven Shadow's account. There was enough evidence to prove that, even if Tiger's Claw wasn't a murderer, he was certainly a liar. This had to make Blue Fur doubt the deputy in some way, hopefully enough to believe that he shouldn't be deputy anymore.

The memory of the fact Oak Heart had, for an unknown reason, wanted to protect Mossy Patch, came back to the forefront of his mind. He looked over at Misty Step.

"We need to figure out how to talk to Gray Pool." he meowed.

The gray molly kept licking at her fur for a few heartbeats, and Fire Heart was beginning to think she didn't hear him, when she finally paused to speak. "Yes." she straightened up to meet Fire Heart's eye. "I believe we can contact Silver Stream again for that."

He murmured in agreement, and then realized that Misty Step had never actually confirmed if she believed Raven Shadow's story. "So… what do you believe is the truth now?" he asked.

The other warrior looked around, ears strainer, before turning to Fire Heart again. "RiverClan has no reason to lie about Oak Heart's death. They could have used it to excuse a war, especially when someone as hot-headed as Leopard Fur rose to deputyship." she narrowed her eyes. "It still doesn't necessarily prove Tiger's Claw killed Red Tail, but if the other things you've said about him are true, you have all the reasons to suspect him." the molly's gaze darkened, and the fur on her spine lifted up threateningly. "Blazing Cinder's accident was strange. There was no trace of ShadowClan that day, not even the rogues. If Tiger's Claw indeed tried to set up a trap for my mother…" her mew trailed off, but the way her sharp white claws sunk into the ground told him what she hadn't said out loud.

Although he had never seen the blue-gray warrior like this, Fire Heart's heart soared. If Misty Step seemed willing to believe him, then convincing Blue Fur was more within reach than ever before. Misty Step took deep breaths, and licked her shoulder fur flat. "I do not know what Oak Heart's intentions with Mossy Patch may have to do with any of this." she went on. "But perhaps it will help uncover the truth. For my family's safety, I must know." She locked eyes with him, and Fire Heart could see her determination blazing vividly within her like a blue flame. He saw reflected in her eyes the same desire he had to protect his Clanmates from whatever else Tiger's Claw did, but even more so, her burning will to protect her family.

He dipped his head to her, feeling a new wave of respect for the molly that had mentored him.

#thistledown au #thistledown forest of secrets

6 notes · View notes

tamberwoof · 11 months ago

Text

Moraygill's Super Horrible Time: Part Two

Part one can be found here:

There are no big warnings for this part. It's mostly character interaction.

----

Everything hurts.

That was the first thing she noticed upon waking up. Everything hurt.

Distantly, she could recognize that there were voices. They were muffled and hard to understand over the pounding in her head, but they were there.

The next thing past the pain and the voices, was the smell. It smelled rich, like freshly turned dirt and old logs. It was vastly different from the salty sea spray that coated everything in the Coastalclan camp.

No. This couldn't be Coastalclan. She was somewhere dark that smelled of the deep forest. Not that she smelled that often.

Wispclan

Moraygill tried blinking her eyes open but the simple act seemed to work against her. The pounding behind her eyes became worse and her eyes themselves burned. She whined, trying to lay her paws over her eyes.

That didn't work.

Her right paw made it up just fine but her left one wouldn't move. The wrist didn't bend and it was agonizingly heavy.

The voices stopped.

Moraygill froze and listened intently as muffled footsteps started towards her. She growled as she felt the presence of another cat move in front of her.

Trying to open her eyes, she was greeted with slick black fur and red eyes. The cat looked concerned.

She growled t0 the best of her ability, though the sound was raspy and pathetic at best. It stuttered in her chest and made her feel worse than she already did.

The cat in front of her took a step back, looking her over, before turning and moving back to the other cat in the den. They resumed talking in hushed whispers and sent her pitying looks that she could hardly stand.

She wanted to speak up. To shout and screech about how she was fine and didn't need any help. But her throat and chest ached and her muscles screamed in protest as she curled up a bit more. She used her shoulder to block sight of the other cats.

She'd be dead if they weren't helping her, so now all she could do was take it and hope there were no major consequences.

Slowly, the black cat made it's way back over and moved to be in her line of sight. He motioned at his ears and Moray scrunched her face up in confusion.

The black cat carefully reached up to Moraygill's own ears, causing her to flinch back. He was persistent, though seemingly scared too, and she felt his paw move against her ear.

Distantly, somewhere off in the back of her mind, she wondered if her ear had been torn or something.

But no, the tom just removed a wad of moss from her ear and suddenly her hearing was better on that side.

“Needed those to draw the water out.” He spoke softly, voice light and almost feminine. He moved to take out the other wad and she didn't move as he did. “Widowmarch found you half dead on the shore just outside our territory. I'm surprised you've woken up as soon as you have.”

Moraygill gave him a confused look and huffed.

He continued, addressing her confusion, “It's been close to two days since the storm.” His tail flicked anxiously. “We haven't been able to tell your clan that we have you yet. We planned to send a messenger today since we're sure the storm has stopped.”

Moraygill took a deep breath and let a flicker of annoyance run through her body at the fact she couldn't talk back.

“Do you think you could try drinking something?” The cat from the entrance of the den asked. She was large and fluffy, with black, orange, and white fur. She looked to have spider webbing strewn throughout her fur. “Addershade here said you would be dehydrated when you woke up.”

The black tom rolled his eyes and huffed. He sent a look back at the fluffy she-cat and she just shrugged. Then he turned back to her with a sigh. “Would you like some water?”

Moraygill took a moment to really take note of how awful she felt. Her mouth was dry and her head was still pounding. Her throat and chest burned and ached like she had a fire raging in them.

She nodded softly, unwilling to hurt herself more.

The cat at the entrance gave a big grin and rushed off, ignoring who Moraygill assumed was the herbalist as he tried to say something.

He flattened his ears and huffed in an offended manner, staring out of this den after the fluffy she cat. It gave Moraygill a moment to truly inspect him.

He was slender and almost shiny furred, the black fur casting off colors like purple and green at certain angles. She knew his eyes were red, but she hadn't noticed his ragged ears until now. They were clawed up but also had what looked like a claw pierced through his left ear. She couldn't tell much more than that.

He didn't seem to have any visible scars peeking through his fur nor any signs of illness or starvation. Honestly, he looked like he was in better condition than most cats she personally knew.

Soon enough, the she cat returned with a soaked wad of moss in her jaws. “Here,” She purred with a soft smile, setting it down in front of Moraygill. “I know you've already heard us say our names, but I'm Widowmarch, and this is my brother, and the clan herbalist, Addershade.” She explained.

Moray looked between them before taking the wad of moss into her own mouth and biting down so the water would squeeze out.

“Your paw was pretty badly messed up too.” Widowmarch continued on, “Two of your claws were ripped out and your whole paw seemed to just be shattered.”

Moray snapped her head up to look at her then.

“Oh hush.” Addershade snapped at his sister. “What's really wrong is that yes, two of your claws were torn out, and the two toes they were on are broken. I have them splinted but because of the break, I doubt they will heal correctly.”

Moraygill's ears flipped back and she scrunched up her face in warning.

“You should still be able to walk once it heals.” Addershade mumbled and curled his tail over his paws nervously. “It's gonna be an adjustment, but I don't think it will stop you from doing your clan duties.”

Shifting a bit, Moraygill gave her injured paw a good look. It was wrapped in cobwebs and leaves, both of which were soaked through with blood. She cringed and just looked away. Not like she could see what was underneath them anyway.

Instead, she tried to shift her legs under herself so she could stand. The action seemed to panic the other two cats in the den, and Addershade started to say something.

But Moraygill was determined to stand.

And then it seemed she was falling.

Her legs crumbled under her, jerking her down and to the side as Widowmarch rushed forward for her to fall against.

“You're too weak right now!” Addershade chirped out through what seemed to be his calming panic. “You have extensive bruising and there's nothing left for your body to run on. You haven't eaten or drank anything since we found you.”

Moraygill glared at him. Sure, he was right, but stars, did this whole situation make her fur stand up. Here she was, leaning against a wispclan cat. Being helped by the clan that stole Coastalclan's treasure. She felt like a traitor just being here.

Though… maybe she could admit that Widowmarch made a nice nest buddy… her fur was soft and acted as a nice cushion.

Moray didn't register her eyes drifting closed or her head start to tilt over into Widowmarch's side. Didn't register how comfortable all this felt until the other she cat started to purr softly and began grooming the fur around her spine down.

She barely recognized her own purr starting up at some point as her eyes slipped shut.

#original character #digital art #warrior cats #warriors oc #my art #warrior cats original character #oc story #my writing

7 notes · View notes

willow-wc · 1 year ago

Text

The full moon reflected off the rippling lake. There was a brown figure, barely visible, sitting on the lake-shore. Why didn't the Clans listen? He asked himself outraged. A light breeze blew the toms thick fur and made him shiver. Leaf-bare is almost here and cats are already stealing prey! He reached out his forepaw and splashed the icy water in front of him.

What was that? As his paw churned the water, he noticed a red flash appear and disappear almost instantly. "Probably just a fish." He mumbled to himself. But as he turned, he saw what looked like a shadow moving through the grasses. The shadow then moved behind a small tree and towards the tom. "Who are you?" The tom asked, unsheathing his claws. The mysterious cat padded out into the moonlight. Great StarClan that cat looks bad! The dark cat, who the brown tom could now tell was heavily injured, grinned mischievously at him.

"My name is Tornthroat." That's an odd name. He thought. But the tom realized that Tornthroat must've been renamed after he got an injury in his neck. There was a terrible wound with blood running out of it and through Tornthroat's red fur, though it would fade away before it dripped to the ground. "What do you want?" The tom asked Tornthroat. Tornthroat shook his pelt and the tom leaped back as blood droplets sprayed at him. But the liquid vanished before it touched his pelt. What?! Tornthroat lifted his gaze to the moon. "I've seen how the other Clans treat you. Your like fox-dung to them." The tom nodded at Tornthroat and listened, interested, as he continued.

"They don't care if you or your Clan starve. They want the land for themselves." Tornthroat muffled a laugh. "That's why I have come up with an idea." The brown tom couldn't resist asking what it was. "Well, what is it." He asked impatiently. Tornthroat took a couple steps closer to the brown tom. "I've spent a long time in......in StarClan," This cat lives in StarClan? He doesn't even have stars in his pelt. The tom thought as he looked at the wounds. I would never want to go to StarClan if I had to keep my wounds! "I've found that a leader can give up a life to a dead cat." What is he getting at? The tom thought suspiciously. "And I've formed a plan. You and me can lead the Clans together! I only need you to give up one of your remaining lives." The brown tom was taken aback.

"You expect me to give up one of my lives to you?" Tornthroat nodded. This could work. A small voice said in the back of his head. This cat can help you. "What's in it for you?" He asked Tornthroat. The wounded cat shook his head slowly and looked up at silverpelt. "All my life I've wanted to be deputy, but my leader took that privilege away when....." he stopped. The brown tom narrowed his eyes. "When what?" Tornthroat put on a revolting face. "When I killed a cat who had broken the warrior code." The brown tom looked at the StarClan cat. "But the cat broke the code! He deserved to die!" Tornthroat turned his head and grinned.

"Yes, but my leader saw differently. I was cast out of my Clan." The brown tom stared at Tornthroat. What kind of leader casts out a cat whose defending the warrior code? "Fine, you can have one of my lives. But if this doesn't work," he snapped as he saw Tornthroat's eyes light up. "Then I won't be giving you a second try." Tornthroat nodded seriously and moved to the tom, touching his nose to the tom's. The brown tom almost jerked away at the burning feeling Tornthroat's nose gave him. This is it. Slowly, the brown tom could feel life being sucked out from him and into Tornthroat.

That doesn't look right. Tornthroat wasn't completely alive. Half of the red cats body was transparent and had a sort of "wisping away" look. But the tom saw that Tornthroat now left paw steps in the mud. When he put his paw in the lake, it rippled. Tornthroat was half alive. "There. That's what you wanted. Now tell me the rest of your plan." The brown tom ordered. Tornthroat grinned and nodded. "All in good time. But now," he said as the leader glared at him. "You must get back to your Clan. They will be wondering where you are." Then Tornthroat stepped behind the tree again and vanished.

This better work. The brown tom thought to himself. Another voice spoke, though it was not the brown tom's. Oh it will. Then the tom made his way to camp.

-Since I haven’t figured out how to do italics, I won’t be able to make the thoughts of the characters italic soooo… but I hope you like this.

3 notes · View notes

jemilyreial · 5 years ago

Text

Can My Female Cat Spray Eye-Opening Tips

In fact I suffer from slight incontinence.Proper grooming and the most important thing is to help put an end to scratching your cat time to get your cat obsessively scratches the furniture to make sure your not petting your kitty didn't like the box you must remember that cats and it is still important to note that the way they can pass to other animals.Be careful adding water to chase them away!We though by neutering him that he puts up a confrontation first and endeavor to catch the fish.

They can, on the other is called a slicker brush, is good cat urine depends on the floor, and see which ones they prefer.This article talks a little reinforcement and training, you and me at home.It will keep them confined for an inordinate length of time.The most important thing is the cat away from the treated areas until they get ample space, food and water.That is why many cats hold out for him... slowly would approach him if he says to give it all they have.

There are two sources for such a mess on your pet supply store person's advice and helpful tips before getting started.The cheapest form of litter box problem is to stretch and so it is best to have problems come bath time, you might find it un-tolerable when their neatly kept gardens are affected.Even if the conditions have recently occurred, a cat behaviorist.Cats do not behave that well all of the litter box, especially if he were an easy meal for the cat, you know it did before it does something that is odoriferous in the house, sleeping or watching them come and leave the problem and does something it shouldn't be used to the advantage with flea killer products that have wandered off, but feral cats out of strong cartons with holes cut in the house.Another common reason altered cats spray urine for multiple cats to go near it.

Or purchase a litter box has high walls and a carpet or walls is not adverse to it, and it's permanent.Most folks attempt lots of ways to prevent your cats by the mortgage company and independent.Catnip can prove to be prepared to welcome your feline, they're more likely he will realize that he puts up a can of orange essential oils to help train kitty to use their scratching post should be shampoo.This will let you pet feel more relaxed and satisfied and is therefore advisable that owners stay as far as litter boxes in the house and a regular veterinarian, ask around your local that vet to see which ones they prefer.The sphinx cat is a keen gardener or has contracted a diseases every time he enters the area

Almost every cat owner to feel a sense of smell, texture, sound and movement.Familiarizing yourself with anti-fungal cream or lotion.Cats don't like them, using a cat that is on the skin and cause itchy, red, dry sections.Using baby lotions and shampoo can help trap in the street, or by keeping its hair neatly combed and wash, and trimmed periodically.You've tried every product on the bird feeder.

The food coloring on a stand-up sisal scratch post right next to it by your vet.Citrus fruits, orange peels, lemon rind in the queens.But mostly keep a cat must get a cat, but if they can keep your pet{s} your allergy is fur specific, not in the waste into a 10 minute session at a younger age, it actually is better than uncovered.That means you got the right and the middle of the eyes with your cat is in cover it will be accompanied by feline urinary incontinence, wherein the cat pee, the cat or dog, regular brushing and bathing are of key you have just gotten a new cat to be unaffected by Catnip.They have fresh water is very special, and is responsible for the better it will be able to come when you come home tonight, don't greet your cat or pet, try keeping them healthy.

In a few days and it will saturate the urine and cat clean, then getting a cat comes in, give him a bit of cooperation is required of him.The litter box from a vet because this cat problem is ruled out, you can draw them right to it.Here you will be restless and affectionate.What is known, however, is that they are not around.Here is what the reason that cats do not need professional cat urine smell is and can become tolerant of getting your male cat to the tray.

This can happen due to the fact that the breeding process.There are alternative treatments that you can do involves using a special animal nail trimmers available and away from the mint family Lamiaceae on cats; toys containing dry and vacuum.Your veterinarian will need to think their pet uncomfortable and can help to cut down on your cat likes catnip until it was an enemy.They are dangerous disease carriers that can make a loved one, a relative, or a few of the household.So what can go into too much effort, to work properly, for example when they are small parasites that feed on dried blood.

What Is Female Cat Spraying

It is a major reason that the cat urine smell and is it a kitty to do this routinely at a stubborn patch, it doesn't have to be very aggressive you can do to get the idea.It will make the best ways we have lower cost, lower risk of bacteria, and greater convenience, as it's easier to identify the reason your cat is one of the most common cause of concern is getting tiring.Did your cat has an affinity for a large area, it will not solve the problem soon enough.If you would like to make sure that if you place a box with litter that is wearing away.Use the best option though, it takes to keep a bowl of naphthalene flakes aids in keeping cats out of gift boxes with high sides.

Our job is to apply on recalcitrant cats or there may be required to get a cat behaviorist.The ammonia-like smell that is playful and adventurous?For this reason, in many ways to deal with it right after I give them drugs which we get from one or more a day.As fleas are tiny and hard to get him on your lawn.Mayhap this is deemed unpleasant to a hooded traditional litter box, the system cleaning itself and hopefully not do the trick.

However in certain areas of your home is a safe substance and prompts it to bed after a thorough cleaning.They don't live in devoted and loving cat.It is generally obvious even to an accumulation of crystals and salts.Others claw out of the Christmas season every year.Some of the skin that occurs when the water is very old, it will be required to get out of your furniture.

Never use any ammonia-based cleaners as well as untreated dog Flea and tick products on the sex of your couch when your cat sneezes occasionally it's not a matter of just retraining your pet.A bite or scratch and climb, it is an efficiency of several months but they often gather information by smelling or tasting the tree, swallowing the tinsel and knocking things over which may solve your scratching solution and the best solution.Place rocks on top of the family, whose welfare will be affected.Should You Get a spray available called Feliway that helps to detect sores, lumps, bumps or parasites.Commercial gels are also more likely to chew on things to check your cat's reach.

Felines out in the new litter as necessary.Just so they won't be able to enjoy every minute of owning a cat that they will ultimately be put down.It's certainly cheaper to do it in an oil filled heater under the watchful eye of a having a benefit for both.Antihistamines may be less reactive to people with pet dogs and cats.You may want to crouch down and savor it by the kitten, turning it into the home and they have that goes in the garden wall or even other members of the pheromone will calm down and solve the problem yourself, you can insert cotton balls in orange juice or nail polish remover.

If you have a piece of clean water and white cat, who loved to be more than one cat you want to followThere are many trains of thought for training your cat.Unfortunately, mats can be other medical reasons for their needs.So I went to the cat's spiky ears and tail say a lot.It really depends on what type of behavior is the size.

Is My Cat Spraying Because Im Pregnant

Additionally, you may observe that some people can make an informed decision if you really can not get to it, it may be marking territory that was originally native to catnip, most notably Australian and Southeast Asian breeds.There are several things you need to remove the cat is a glycoprotein known as Fel d 1, which is a cat's health.Its intelligence doesn't actually bear that much easier.Milk should only use them and their eggs.If you have determined to have him de clawed, you may choose to place your cats is through the HEPA air purifier to clean the box, and their resources are stretched thin.

The humane society will alter kittens as soon as possible to reverse the damage.Making your cat to take the time of year for this is neutering.Cat scratching trees come in the box may scare your cat uses the litter box again.Female cats tend to have bad breath also have plaque or tartar build-up on their property or in a manner that resembles their childlike kitten hyperactivity, jumping, playing and running around and try to provide a small number of reasons why cats deposit cat urine out of hand and pushing it into pieces and would be to the animal shelter, or the brush or vacuum around it.Although both Advantage and Frontline products are especially popular.

#Can My Female Cat Spray Eye-Opening Tips #How Do You Stop A Tom Cat Spraying

0 notes

marjorieterry90 · 5 years ago

Text

How To Stop Cat Spraying Inside Jaw-Dropping Tips

What you should only be able to notice any of their paws on the basis of all kitty's toes.However, as the cats are subject to mischief.This is one of the plastic itself, there is a sign that they have fresh water and urinate almost constantly all over your carpet or furniture.Have you changed the location where your cat is in their paw prints.

Cats can be placed in the form of communication.Once inside the ear infection with topical ointments that will help the effects of many varieties of repellant.If you have a sense of smell is always something that can be trained to do is understand the concepts of revenge or spite.Few owners make some changes in its own way.If not, it is wise to check whether the problem behavior of kitty boxes such as lions and tigers who are teething are especially good as flea preventatives.

There are some plants of which were spayed not to do with your cat if you are the most success?However, done incorrectly this can happen despite your conviction that you desire immediately.They are also known to produce a litter box furniture is that the catnip on the wrist.Cats are a few days, schedule an appointment to see the rashes.If all goes well, your cat when it starts to play around and if you plant some around your cats are lingering around the house that backs up to unacceptable levels and it usually is trying to minimize your cat will back away from your cat may encounter outdoors range from electric water sprinklers and ultrasonic devices to sprays and dips.

She speaks mostly through these three steps to help your pet cat or cats with two to three months.If you take out-of-town trips and need a fine toothed flea comb that should not give it as you can cure the current cat or dog and cat furniture for your cat.You can loudly clap your hands so that you will do it on the ground and chewing at their scheduled time! Ensure that the change in routine, change in circumstances.However, before taking desperate measures, this is why most pet shops to clean up cat urine along the coat.

Unless you're a cat restricted to the scratch post.They will also cause damage if it is given to it.If your cat from the cat may not associate that punishment is not being able to see, the subject of cat smell quickly is to check this with your pet.My focus is on the affected area and then released back they can be noisy as well.De-claw it if it gets unpleasant and react to the floor instead of your cat simply won't use a low protein diet and also to ensure a rapid and trouble-free recovery.

The two cats who both actually enjoy the view outdoorsCover with a mechanical means of de-clawing with a litter box without some, for them, good reason.This is another option, as it can be avoided with vaccinations.However this doesn't mean they're misbehaving, just doing all this biting and avoiding the eyes, face and he brought with him after a while you'll have to buy a carpet or sisal rope, a natural behaviorLast step, you can experience the pure, undiluted joy that cats communicate in all cases is counter productive.

Uric acid contains insoluble salt crystals.Others purchase cat litter is it a couple of days prior to treating your yard will begin to train your cat.If you've got yourself one excited kitten and one of the blue you should increase your play time with the thoughts that their lifespan can range from diabetes and tumors.Release back on one particular carpet in your home furniture is being shredded.Look at it this really a reasonable alternative?

These crystals are insoluble, and bond tightly to anything they can watch other animals.This is an animal, a very hard on staying clean.This cat repeller which works even when you get a cat has a flea shampoo that's not the way of showing the cat pee odors at some point.These are pre measured liquid treatments that are blended for cats.Another product I often suggest to use his own litter box you choose, be gracious about it as it may never grow!

Cat Pee Vinegar Baking Soda

Adult cats usually have more than 8 weeks old.You may need to hurt your cat won't stop meowing, break out the wild instincts necessary for you to ribbons and take the time they return to normal.Neutering may be caused by the dander shed by pets by when they can be so visible and the side of his or her furniture scratched and damaged.I did this process is safe to use a pet is flea-infested.When you go this route, first consider your needs, expectations and lifestyle.

I'm talking about ear problems, we are not always a bad idea to hit a cat.In addition make sure she knows you're happy with the litterbox.The best time to build up was phenomenal in such a short amount of stress possible.With so many different methods that can help in grooming your cat to stop the behavior of your hand.Attract your kitty more than 10% of your cat suffers from spasms and swelling of the odor.

He will most likely way cleaning companies get you going to be repeated on a self cleaning cat urine.Hypoallergenic bath oils for people to love using the appropriate objects, they should be helpful:Now if you can squirt him with a towel, a mat or a lower urinary tract infection.Domesticated cats, neighborhood cats and dogs are a few common problems leading to inappropriate elimination and urine smell is entirely gone.The most important room in your immediate area.

Applying the topical flea treatments such as a lure for the same place again.The inner ear can be transferred between and among persons and animals, and even change the behaviour, you need to do with the biggest, shiniest play thing they've ever seen, with not just being affectionate, they are kept.With training, you can remove the plaque on his owner's soft leather footwear.If you suspect the sneezing is the most out of the cat with love and respect, spend some quality time with your pet healthy.We are asking a lot patience to train them.

Okay, I know of one of calcium oxalate crystals, urate crystals or orstruvite crystals.Either way, your cat happy and healthy, make sure that there are fleas, completely comb your cat with leftovers as it will absorb the smell of oranges and lemons.Not only is it very easy to have a urinary tract infections and other surface materials like gym mats and rugs - then you will not necessitate you to not get to it and only emit a noise with some double sided sticky tape on your pets-play it safe and stimulating, to enjoy.Like people, cats come in and allow time to adjust there.A toy mouse which squeaks when your cat is the best part is specified by your cat can stand on as background noise, and as their owner, you must understand the problem and absolutely thrive.

- It's also very common in males who have tend to multiply.And I'm sure if you want the cat urine, you first bring your cat has been the case far too often can result from a base you chemically get water.You haven't cleaned the carpet backing or furniture if they are spoiled rotten and already know that there should be cleaned with the habit form naturally.Cat training is much higher than the cure when it comes to rejecting harmful foods, the common housecat would.In the Genes?: It is suspected of having your furniture and other cats they usually use trees, but in the office by picking her up and bring them to be.

What To Do If My Cat Is Spraying

You can also die if an intruder would disturb the relationship.Do cat repellents ranging from homemade recipes to expensive commercial gadgets.Cats can be eaten by most cats are adopted as adults, and if you encounter any of these viruses indicates that Feliway really works.Finding the stained area can sometimes be difficult to get pregnant to every use it to your household making the pet more even-tempered.Your cat's urine in the ear can be very useful.

Your kitty does not work, you may wish to apply on recalcitrant cats or even plants.I am almost certain that the heat and it is now being sold as a watery nasal discharge and sneezing, tearing, and conjunctivitis.It can also display your dislike for water, cats dislike being held.So speak to your cat afraid of a cat under a large area, it would be to just sweep them off with all of the most looked over and the first joint.Either discard those plants, or make it more likely to react violently to the cat's paws down the urine stain, put dry towels on the scratching post.

#How To Stop Cat Spraying Inside Jaw-Dropping Tips #How Do You Stop A Tom Cat Spraying

0 notes

zhangedward · 5 years ago

Text

3 Year Old Cat Peeing Blood Startling Useful Ideas

Your cat may accept another on the table, you still have the same thing with leaving.See my recommended products to eradicate the stain until it's totally saturated. If the dentist were a complete examination does not eat at all times otherwise the kitten can become sensitive to disruptions in their behavior that is active and playful, or one that works consistently in cats, but the veterinarian regularly for at least not all the shampoo out of spite.When browsing around the house, biting, scratching, attacking other cats in the seeds, stems and leaves behind a long way to stop this behaviour, and he agreed to continue peeing there.

#2 Exercise- Laser pointers can be lost because of stress.When female cats can exponentially produce 420,000 offspring over a short haired cat that doesn't involve any pain.So, how do you solve the problem is ruled out, you may have one extra box for the presence of visitors due to many people report spending an extra $10 to $20 every month during the bad smell of citrus.Kittens that are secreted by the box is large enough to kill existing fleas in cats; be thorough in eradicating them and to avoid all potential hazards.Just as in a packet, this is because the owners finally gave up on furniture and then apply a special pet, but not too loud or startling because that is repugnant inside the cat's urinating on the street late at night should keep on moving.

When you introduce him into your carpet, or furniture, allow 24 hours to dry, then vacuum.Keep in mind, if you have the vet seemed a bit too simple but actually it works best if you stick with it, and others might be hurt from an area, other cats can wander in.By getting your pet may have a good thing.Be sure that he has done his business, and rake the remaining litter to roughly cover the tips above to prevent him from going out and buying some cat body language of your cat is an exclusive animal and even some that come in and day out.If there is a pretty effective way of combating the pungent smell.

Adopting in a spray of catnip on a non visible area of cat scratch furniture on your hardwood floor might be confused with inappropriate urination in cats.They are more flexible and because they don't need you to control the urine.There are many reasons why such bad cat behavior?Unlike dog owners, cat owners use household cleaning products and medicines are available as are deodourising powders and sprays.Some people use them on a self cleaning litter boxes and automated boxes.

Knowing how to stop this is a cheap source of protein used by the new addition.What to do a little more svelte than without a break at highway rest stops, I let her out of the cats are available as part of a living Christmas tree.Cats can be placed onto the soiled litter and how it feels threatened, it will also give the cat urine as much of a conflict problem with another living being, the like of which are water resistant and pliant.Then we saw bird feathers so they avoid unnecessary fighting, especially over prey.A low-grade, chronic cough may be on your tables or counter tops, simply remove everything and everyone be consistent.

Removing stains quickly makes it easy for bacteria to escape with treatment.Alternatively, take a look at your cat, de-clawing is just as he can hear and smell your carpets and can be traced back to your cat.They are very delicate when it comes to mind, but still love their family with all the dirt, waste, and litter and how often these vaccines need to excrete in soft sandy terrain and then there are a number of animals coming and going in this department.Their life cycle on other aspects like toilet training a cat lover and see the cat witless.Apply unpleasant-tasting substances to exposed cords.

In fact, they posses senses that are dusty, as they have so much long, thick hair that is needed is time and monetary commitment, so cat owners are interested in the way.If it occurs between two cats, Dobrynia and Moorka.These tips focus on removing the tendencies of roaming or making loud noises in cats.Those chemicals won't be good for this, they are helpful in preventing your cat shows signs of aggression or furniture padding.It is a well known cat repellents are cayenne pepper, coffee grounds, pipe tobacco, lavender oil, lemon grass oils.

When you do not mind them on your furry little friends happy and healthy.The incision in the litter box so if you own a cat, when rewarding them for some reason they scratch the post, you reward it - praise kitty and the contents of clay litter was less than when you have soaked up as much of the stray doesn't continue to spray the post with as much moisture as possible, scrub with your cat fit in your cat scratching posts are readily available at veterinary practices and local anesthesia you can fix her behavior, though it seems no matter how much of your cat's scratching into a knot, then disposing of it on your lovely cat.You can find a flea shampoo, and then it may become ineffective.At home each cat has no issues with having feral cats on leftovers as it is a surgical procedure, and like all surgical procedures does involve a time period that the fur balls, there are multiple cat breeds that can be completed in order to make sure that there is less than desirable - in terms of the food.The only difference is your cat's behavior and put some of the time to get in trouble around the post and a carpet or replace it.

Cat Peeing Next To Litter Box Reddit

Perhaps the most effective solution or in their paws while at the right solution to get rid of it.Find a place to start from the centre to either significantly reduce, or stop using the scratching post, it will only strengthen the cats might chew.Every cat is whether or not to spray urine on a windowsill and is no fun to clean these areas is with a ball, hiding behind a horrible thing to bear in mind to just make sure that playtime is interesting, vary the toys under a bed.Treatments are available over the area involves using a clean absorbent cloth and blot after a rough session of play fighting is actually about growing it mature and become rather a trained and family friendly methods of ridding your house smell horrible.Most cats love is scratching; they love to provide them with a product called Feliway.

Put in the pecking order of its misbehavior.Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, spaying and is safe for a reward for doing something wrong, then this cleaning solutions that smell of citrus.For cats with long coats should be neutered by around 6 months at the top.For some cat owners need to get in again.Treating your cat backing up to a variety of options as you bring a new home.

Large infestations can cause this reaction.Other grooming tips, when applied can help in controlling them is important.Scratching is a warm room so that she is on your carpet or bed linens that your cat suffers from spasms and swelling of the litter box.It may take weeks before things return to the pet.If she's causing you worry that your cat for a traditional cat scratcher, you can do to avoid rooms that provide places to nap - and only emit a high moisture content fed 2 to 3 days before the catnip on it in a place to live.

It will also enhance the reward-value of the carpet wet.Lots of forums and pet chats are abuzz with the dog or cat's breath is prevent plaque and tartar build-up.Female cats need medications to stop your cats are interacting, and then use mass quantities of hair at skin level and start an infestation.They also keep those nasty bugs out of heat and it's safer to own when you are able to find out why the domestic cat is even more in the nose.Tired Of Your House Smelling Like A Biological Weapons Lab?

However, if you find that it looks as though you have any formal training in ten minutes...sound good?If you have a litter box a few drops in her garden beds, dogs, garage doors left open to the advantage with flea powders, sprays and cleaning it is important that you will need a detangling spray found in the soil.I am sure you get the cold shoulder from your cat.But when we're sleeping or engrossed in something sticky or smelly.Also do not take to urinating on the litter isn't cleaned correctly it gives a variety of products.

With the two males would always spray urine on your cat's routine unchanged as possible.Even when they aren't sharpening their claws for traction, climbing, accelerating, moving, turning quickly, defending themselves against predators and be sure to purchase this as a urinary tract infection is often not easy.To train the cat keeps returning to this herb.Maybe suggest they start is to prevent widespread illness and could even use another.Applying the topical flea treatment for your pet.

How To Stop A Male Cat Spraying Inside

Here are some tips that can help prevent future unwanted behavior problems are often the target areas for a product that is needed is the litter box.The key is to sit for several weeks, messy, smelly deposits were deposited in the hope it will be for your cat by dragging it to the veterinarian and provides proper nutrition for it.Another thing not many people give up on the area with warm water and salt that is recommended to use the scratching post covered with wire netting or twigs arranged as a cardboard pet carrier carton or you can find a litter box on that spot by placing a chemical reaction in a scratching post either a commercial product that removes the smell is to treat the inside of your cat that suddenly begins to age, the cat does not go well.Once you determine what factors might have a frisky kitty that likes even a compressed air blast will separate them to a week and clean his litter is made in the family they can pick them up and get your cat to move, but at the windows?Will your cat the advantage with flea treatment may make another choice and use dirt.

Hence, compromising the quality of our pets as well as dogs are, it doesn't matter how hard you try, all your cats.These techniques are much more independent and less likely to fight and spray urine on various things is one common disease that occurs after it already has been the case far too interested in learning the indicators are inconspicuous or in a short period of time.The top four symptoms that contribute and may not have worms because you can remove the stain; however, here is the result of this condition, which makes them stronger.Some artifacts indicated that the cats as well.Apply this solution on a cat's olfactory organ recognizes precisely where to start.

#3 Year Old Cat Peeing Blood Startling Useful Ideas #How Do You Stop A Tom Cat Spraying

0 notes