Chapter 14

I leave you for less than a day, and this is what happens to you!

Fang hung his head as the voice scolded him. He didn't have a reply, so instead he stared dazedly ahead, at the long fluffy brown tabby tail of the DawnClan warrior in the lead. Eagleswoop.

Aspenpaw's head was bowed low, and her tail skimmed the ground in shame as a white she-cat with flaming orange eyes pushed her forward. Haze was limping visibly, the poultice around her right eye barely holding on, Nightshade practically glued to her side. He snarled savagely when a black she-cat made towards her, as though about to offer help.

"I didn't realise you ever left my head," Fang mumbled in his mind as he trudged towards DawnClan territory.

I do have a lot to do, the voice purred. It takes a lot of time to build an army, Fang. But I'll always have time for you.

"An army?"

"Keep up!" A she-cat's mew snapped Fang out of his thoughts.

He turned to see a young brown tabby glowering down at him through narrowed yellow eyes. He blinked at her.

"S-sorry."

For a heartbeat, he expected her to try to land a blow on him like the other Midnights did when he tripped over their paws. But she just sighed, and urged him onwards.

Don't say sorry to them! The voice interjected smoothly. They're your enemies, Fang. If you're going to survive out here, you're going to have to be fierce. I loved watching you slit Cloverfang's throat, darling. It's what you were made to do.

Fang nodded as the memory of the dead she-cat flitted into his mind. Perhaps she was right; being strong was what had saved Claw's life... Or at least, it had saved it long enough for his friend to flee to safety...

She's dead, Fang, the voice murmered distantly.

Fang tripped over a root, and nearly fell head first into Eagleswoop. The tom jumped back when their fur brushed, almost as though he had received an electric shock. Fang lifted his chin. "See, look," he thought. "Not apologising."

Eagleswoop smiled weakly. "S-sorry," he said, staring into Fang's eyes for an uncomfortably long time.

Tell him that Windy wants to see him at dusk, the she-cat told Fang. Also... hmmm something subtle. No, we're going to have to spell it out for the birdbrain, aren't we? Say: Aye Ahem This Ol' Heart's Sun.

Eagleswoop was still staring at Fang. At this point, the whole patrol has begun to continue on without them. Fang was pretty sure Nightshade was giving him and Eagleswoop some weird looks.

"Windy wants to see you at dusk," Fang blurted. He blinked. Now what was the rest... "Aye ahem this ol' heart's sun?" No, that can't be right. "I'm this'll-heart's son?" No...couldn't be that either. "I'm Thistleheart's son?"

Fang wasn't sure whose fur fluffed highest into the air when he said that. Eagleswoop's pelt stood on end, and his eyes rounded in astonishment. At once, he was dipping his head to Fang, meekly staring into the dark grey rogue's bewildered expression.

"H-how nice," he squawked. "I'm Eagleswoop, deputy of DawnClan."

Fang was pretty sure that he was dreaming. And the young tom didn't yet understand the worst of it yet either.

Eagleswoop turned away. "Come on," he said at last. "We shouldn't keep the others waiting."

Fang bobbed his head up and down, and watched as Eagleswoop padded shakily back towards his clanmates. They had all stopped a little ways ahead, in a glade that would have looked magnificent in the sunlight.

Fang lifted his muzzle to the sky, tasting the scent of DawnClan's scent markers. They were on enemy territory now. He pricked his ears, and turned to follow the rest of the cats. When he caught up, Nightshade gave him a curious frown.

"What's up?" he asked from beside Haze.

Fang was surprised at how gently Nightshade sounded, considering how angry his eyes looked. He turned to glower at a young brown she-cat when she got too close, before turning back to Fang.

"I'm not sure," Fang admitted in a low voice. "Eagleswoop got really weird back there."

Then Fang suddenly realised that the black and white speckled tom had been a member of DawnClan in his youth. He hesitated, not sure how volatile Nightshade might be if he brought up the subject. But Nightshade's jawline was held firm, and there was a grim expression on his face, as though he was finally determined to face his father eye to eye.

Or, knowing Nightshade, claw to claw.

"What's our plan here?" he asked, glancing at Haze, who was stumbling across the uneven snow dusted terrain.

He wasn't sure that fighting was the best idea, especially because of how weak and starved they were. But surely they could run with a head start. Fang glanced up at the sky, shrouded in darkness overhead, and the fresh layer of frost across the undergrowth.

"We'll survey our options," Nightshade said stiffly. "Hopefully I can corner Sparrow. The ideal is we fight, and you two flee in the chaos."

Fang nodded uneasily. "And Nightshade- who's Thistleheart?"

Nightshade's fur spiked. He whirled around to make sure no cat could hear him and Fang, then, he dropped his voice to a low growl.

"Dangerous," he muttered at last. "Didn't know her very well, but she was cunning and deadly as a viper. Robin's mentioned her in her nightmares, but I've never pressed."

Fang was about to ask another question, but Nightshade had gone back to muttering angrily to himself. Their brief moment of camaraderie was gone, and Nightshade was back to brewing in his fury.

Haze shot him an apologetic glance, and Fang returned it with a rueful smile. At least she was alive and well. That was one thing he was thankful for.

Fang, the voice in his head was dangerously quiet. Remember, you AREN'T supposed to ask questions.

"Sorry," Fang thought, but he didn't feel all that sorry. "But you just asked me to tell a stranger that I'm Thistleheart's kid. Questions sort of come up, if you know what I mean."

Firstly, the voice growled as Fang tried to focus on his surroundings. DawnClan's oak trees sure were imposing. Don't say sorry all the time. And secondarily, your mother IS THISTLEHEART. I thought Robin TOLD you that. But APPARENTLY NOT!"

Fang winced at the shrill noise in his head.

I'm sorry, the voice said gently. It's just that it's not everyday I learn that such a formerly close friend neglected to tell you about me. About our plan for you. About your future.

Fang stared grimly ahead. He could see DawnClan camp in sight. Warriors were yowling and hissing as his patrol of ragged rogues came into their sight. He could see the scornful eyes of the cats.

His enemies.

"Alright, Thistleheart," Fang thought darkly. "I'm ready to protect my home."

Don't call my Thistleheart, the voice purred. I'm your mother, Fang. I know what's best for you. And I'll make sure you and your friends are safe-

"Get away from me!"

Fang jumped back in surprise as Nightshade's savage snarl rang in his ears. He glanced up to see the black and white spotted tom thrashing wildly as the black and white she-cat leapt onto his back.

He writhed and snapped like a fox in a fit, claws reaching up for her throat. She held on firmly to his back as he bucked and swayed, digging her own claws into his flesh.

"You won't take me back there!" Nightshade yelped like a starved kit.

Fang saw the madness gleaming in his eyes. Seeing DawnClan camp had set the rogue off. He glanced at Haze, just in time to see a warrior digging its fangs into her scruff and forcing her to the ground.

"You won't take me!" Nightshade's high pitched yelp rang around the clearing.

Fang glanced up to see more warriors racing from DawnClan camp to see what the trouble was. He took in their ruffled pelts, tired eyes, and thick muscles. The odd shadowy mist above the camp gleamed in the forest, illuminating the venom in their eyes.

"Rogues," a small brown tom's eyes widened in horror.

"Stay back, Ridgepaw," a pale brown and white tom muttered. He turned to face Fang, voice trembling. "Get down on the ground with the rest of your kind."

He whisked his tail, indicating Haze, who was laying on the ground below a warrior. She had her fangs bared. Only a cat who knew her well, like Fang, would be able to see how terrified she truly was.

Nightshade had fallen beneath the she-cat. His black pelt was scratched and bleeding, as was hers. Fang was keenly aware of how different they looked, despite having similar pelt colours. One, a graceful, sleek warrior, the other, a bleeding, broken rogue.

Fang couldn't see where Aspenpaw was. In spite of his attempts to be kind with her, he couldn't feel a flash of fury, convinced that she had run back to her clanmates.

"Don't threaten me."

If Thistleheart had given Fang powers, he wouldn't need to be afraid of these cats. He needed to be strong, the cat who would protect Haze and Nightshade. He lifted his chin to the brown tom.

"I beg your pardon?" the tom seemed unnerved by Fang's small size and defiant air.

"I don't want to go down on the ground," Fang said calmly. "Don't you think I'm far enough below you as is?"

That's right, Fang thought. We know you warrior cats have won this time. But we won't stand for your cruelty for much longer.

He smiled slightly, while a ripple of unease passed through the DawnClan cats. Thistleheart was right, it felt good not to be the coward. And though Fang was terrified out of his mind, he felt stronger than ever before. He was going to protect his family from the warriors.

"You're the leader, little guy?" A russet tom stepped forward.

"H-he certainly is, Pineclaw," Eagleswoop added from where he cowered in the shadows.

Fang glanced at Nightshade, but the tom had fallen silent. His eyes had rolled into the back of his head. It seemed as though he had passed out. The warriors around Fang gave him space as he glared up at them. I guess it's up to me then...

"Right," Pineclaw said. "'Suppose Sparrow'll be wanting to see you then."

"It's Sparrowstar," Eagleswoop hissed in Pineclaw's ear.

The russet tom shifted his hostile gaze towards Fang. "Once these mangepelts tell us what they've done with Blazestar, you might rethink that." He nodded to Fang. "Follow me, son."

The rogue hesitated. A young brown cat shoved him forward. All of the DawnClan cats remained silent, watching him like a burrow of baby mice huddled together. Right, Fang thought when none of them reacted to Pineclaw's words. He is not my father. Thank the stars not everyone is weirdly related.

So... I wonder who my dad really is? If Thistleheart was clanborn, is he clan too?

Fang felt his head drooping as he made his way through the thorn tunnel into camp. He couldn't help but spare a glance back at Haze and Nightshade. He couldn't see them, which made his anxiety sharpen.

"You're a Midnight, huh?"

Fang blinked at the brown she-cat beside him. Her eyes were narrowed warily. Tentatively, he nodded at her, and shifted his gaze ahead.

Once they exited the thorn tunnel, DawnClan's scent permeated Fang's nostrils. It was stifling and unpleasant, nothing like the fresh earthy tang that clung to his own fur.

The camp was nearly deserted; most cats were outside the camp, either outside goggling at the newcomers, or out doing warrior-y things. The only cats in sight was a rather harassed looking young she-cat hanging out herbs, and two kits a couple moons younger than Haze, playing moss ball.

"Got your tail!" One of them squealed. "Mangy rogue!"

The other tom blinked nervously. "Uhm," he said quietly. "Grrr?"

Fang felt a scrap of warmth towards the innocent little furballs turning to his escort. He couldn't help but believe that they weren't as far gone as the rest of the DawnClan warriors. Perhaps they could learn not to hurt outsiders.

Fang heard a scoff from somewhere behind him while the kits tussled on the ground. He turned to see the dark brown she-cat rolling her eyes.

"What?" Fang asked, worried that he'd said something aloud.

"Nothing," the she-cat muttered. She whisked her tail in irritation. "Look, Pine's nearly reached Blazestar's den, come on!"

Fang hastened after Pineclaw before the she-cat could shove him forward. He bounded up a rocky slope which led to the entrance of a den. When he glanced over his shoulder, he could see Brackenpaw staring up at him from the base of the ridge, an unreadable expression on his face.

A tail tip flicked across his shoulder. Fang whirled around to see Pineclaw padding out of the den.

"He's ready for you," the tom said. He dropped his voice, and growled in Fang's ear. "Don't do anything to get Sparrow mad, rogue."

Fang nodded uneasily as Pineclaw leaped down the ridge. He hesitated, staring at the entrance of the den. I have to be strong, Fang reminded himself, trying to shove his emotions inside him.

Then, he padded into the den.

His eyes wasted no time adjusting to the gloom. At the back of the den, was a black and white tom. Fang instantly recognised characteristics of Nightshade in his amber eyes and spiky fur.

" H-Hello," the rogue squeaked nervously.

"Rogue," the tom growled quietly. "Sit. Now."

Fang remained standing. He padded a little further into the den, then, slowly got himself into a seated position. His legs quivered as he did. He was petrified.

"It's come to my attention that you and your little gang have gotten quite far," Sparrowstar said through slitted eyes. "Well, your game is up now. It's over, rogue.

Fang tried not to wince away as Sparrowstar glowered at him. His eyes were raw, his fur unkempt. There was a sort of brutish dignity in the way he held himself. Fang had to think very hard about his next words.

"My game," he said, trying to stop his voice from shaking. "There is no game, DawnClan cat. You attacked my gang when we came across your gathering place. Now, there are rumours you plan to slaughter us. I assure you, there is no game."

Did that sound mousebrained? I said 'game' too many times, didn't I? Makes us sound weak, like freshkill. What would Robin do? I wish Claw were here...

The memory of Fang's friend, her laughing amber eyes and broad shoulder, made him suck in his next breath. She had only been gone for a day, and yet it felt like moons. He hoped that, wherever she was, Claw was safe and healthy. Again, he felt that familiar guilt of his cowardice creep in.

"Have you been listening to me at all?"

Sparrowtstar spat the next few words in Fang's face. The grey tom recoiled as the drool splattered against the cold stone floor.

"N-no."

Sparrowstar's lip curled into a sneer. "Your kind are all the same. Stupid, mangy, ferals. Well, listen here: Some of my cats are...upset... that you stole Blazestar from us."

He glanced around furtively before continuing in a whisper. "But not me." Sparrowtalon flicked his ears as though dismissing a troublesome fly. "He was getting too soft, too weak. My brother, Silverstar, trained him to be a monster of a leader, but he started thinking too hard. Now, I'm in charge, and I'm going to make DawnClan stronger than any other clan."

Fang's felt his ears pin back against his skull as Sparrowtstar continued, eyes gleaming with delight.

"DawnClan is the truest of all the clans. The other clan cats are weakened by poor leadership and weak rules. They need to join us. I will make them strong again. DawnClan will rule the forest, our light casting its shadows on rogues like you."

Fang felt terrified by Sparrowstar's conviction, but he listened raptly all the same. The false clan leader was evidently convinced of his cause. And he doesn't even care that the sun has disappeared!

"That's...nice..." he commented when the silence dragged on.

"Exactly prove my point!" Sparrowstar's tail lashed the ground excitedly. "Rogues are so very dull and heartless. When I was a young warrior... I falsely mated with a rogue. She wronged me. She killed my sister, and then, she had the audacity to try to keep my kits away from me."

Once Sparrowtstar fell silent, Fang had no trouble meowing in an empathetic tone, "that's...horrible..."

Nightshade had to grow up with this cat who refused to accept him because he was even part rogue, yet tried so desperately to keep him around.

Sparrowtstar nodded sagely. "You understand that your kind are heartless. Perhaps you are smarter than I give you credit for?"

Fang remained silent. He sensed movement out of the corner of his eye. Some cat was listening to their conversation. An icy trickle ran along his spine. So many lies...

"Please don't kill my cats," Fang implored.

"Why shouldn't I?" Sparrowstar looked interested. "Pineclaw tells me there is a particularly vicious cat among you... Nightshade, wasn't it? He also told me that he bore a striking resemblance to my lost son. Pity."

You know he's your kin. Fang could see bitterness swirling in Sparrowstar's eyes before the leader suppressed it.

"There's also that Aspenpaw," Sparrowstar continued nonchalantly. "I heard from my sources that she's gone rogue. Even going as far as to kill the sun. I suppose it was in her blood, though. Lightsong certainly didn't mate with any DawnClan tom I knew. She was only really close with Blazestar, and he already had a mate... Ah well, she'll be dealt with with the rest of your lot."

"We could help you make DawnClan strong," Fang tried. At least until we escape.

"Rogues working under warriors..." Sparrowstar's eyes gleamed. "An intriguing idea." He paused. "Very well, Fang. I think we may have a deal."

——————

A/N

For those who are just reading now, here is the link to the interlude which bridges the gap between chapter 12 and 13 (for those wondering, interludes are short chapters from another character's perspective that help bridge the gap between parts or that occur after major events)

https://www.wattpad.com/1407300339-shadowed-dawn-warrior-cats-interlude-sparrowtalon 

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