Fade into Shadow

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Moonlight flashed across unsheathed claws and bared teeth, as the cats slunk through the brush on either side of the clearing. The bracken rustled uneasily as pelts brushed it, and as two groups of cats silently moved towards each other, dark clouds began to cover the moon. Emerging into the clearing, the cats stared at each other with hostility in their eyes, and growls in their throats. From among their ranks, two cats stepped forward. One was a tabby tom with eyes the color of poison, and the other was a black tom with eyes the shade of blood. They stared at each other for a long time, until finally a bolt of lightning streaked the sky, causing the other cats to snarl and claw at the heavens in defiance. The tabby cat raised his head, his teeth bared and his eyes ablaze.

"How dare you turn against me! I, who raised you and taught you! Have you gone mad, Crimson!?" He yowled. The black tom, Crimson, smirked slightly and raised his head proudly.

"Have you not noticed, Claw, how the cats of our Tribe have not split evenly? I lead more then half, and if you do not back down and give me the leadership of the Tribe, then you will die along with your pitiful followers." Crimson growled menacingly. Claw's eyes widened. He had never expected this from his son, Crimson, whom he had raised. How could he betray him?

"You are mad if you think I would ever give my Tribe to you!" Claw snarled. His son smirked, and the way the moonlight bounced off his black fur made him seem like he was part of the shadows around him.

"Very well. And cats who follow Claw, this is your last chance to live. I will not spare you if you fight for him." The claws behind Claw seemed to stir. Then a delicate she-cat slowly emerged from them, slinking across to the other side. She paused and looked back at Claw, who stared at her with wide eyes.

"Dove? Why?" He mewed. Dove flinched, her creme fur seemingly white in the starlight.

"I am sorry, Claw. But I cannot risk the life of my kits, even if I loathe their father. But that's not their fault." She murmured. Claw looked down at his paws.

"No, I am sorry Dove. It is my fault."

"You were merely looking out for the future of your Clan. I understand. I hope..." She closed her head and sighed. Raising it proudly she stalked over to the other side, standing beside a dark tabby tom with pale blue eyes. Crimson stared at her longingly, his red eyes flickering with some strange emotion. Why couldn't she love him? Suddenly another cat broke out from behind Claw. The young tom's stony gaze rested on his leader a moment, then went to his paws.

"I also am sorry, Claw, but this is the way it must be." Claw's eyes filled with pain as cat after cat slipping through the grass to stand behind Crimson, until only five cats were gathered at his flank. His mate, Starwhisper, and his other kits, Tiger, Rain, and Fatesearch, along with his brother Orion.

"So, you will stay with me, my friends?" He murmured, his eyes sad as he gazed at Starwhisper. Tears welled in her eyes, but she brushed them away with her paw and met his gaze bravely.

"I will die by your side, my love." She meowed firmly. Orion smirked and flexed his claws.

"And I'll take a few of the traitors with me, bro. Don't you worry." He meowed confidently. Fatesearch trembled, her eyes wide. Beside her Rain gazed emotionlessly at the line of cats opposing them.

"Let our ancestors smile upon us as we meet our death this night." She meowed, closing her eyes and shaking her head. Beside her Tiger was sheathing and unsheathing his claws.

"So this is the end, huh? Well, at least I can say I went out like a true cat, instead of living up to the rougish ways of my brother." He meowed, staring into the ranks of the cats.

"The only thing I regret..." He closed his eyes and his shoulders trembled. Rain gently stroked his shoulder with her tail.

"She will live on, Tiger, and you may be sure hers are claws that will not be stained this night." Tiger raised his head and his dark amber eyes flashed as he glared at the cats who were slowly coming to meet them.

"Yeah." He murmured, casting his father a glance.

"Well, to the death, then?" He inquired. Claw turned and crouched, his tabby fur rippling. As the cats approached, his heartbeat began to hammer harder and harder against his chest.

"To the death." He yowled suddenly, throwing himself at the black cat with the eyes the shade of blood, as the yowls of his companions split the night.



OOC: I want everyone to know that I got my idea for doing this by reading B-Claw's cool fanfic. She was my insperation for it, so thanks to B-Claw, and I hope you enjoyed!

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

"One... two... three... four..." The tom's voice seemed so far away. Dove's pale eyes watered as she struggled against the pain, her claws dug deep into the earth. Her limbs were spewed out and her eyes wide with horror, as she fought to bring her kits into the world. Beside her sat Fang, a young tom who had trained under a well-known healer called Shark. His fur was white and his eyes a pale amber, almost yellow. He had done this many times, and his calm state almost drove the young she-cat mad. She cried out in pain as she felt the contrations tear through her body, but she stopped when she heard Fang purr gently.

"That's the first one. Calm down, now,. you're doing fine." He meowed softly. Dove's mouth hung open as she struggled for breath, and her eyes searched out Fang's strong features. His stony expression softened as he turned and began to lick the kit Dove could not see. She laid her head back and struggled against the pain, fighting not only a phyiscal but an emotional battle as well. Her pale emerald eyes were filled with hurt, and she tried so hard to ignore the pain but with every contraction came a new wave, causing her to cry out. She could feel Fang's tail stroking her side gently.

"It's alright, almost there, Dove." He mewed softly into her ear. Dove relaxed slightly, and she heard another purr of approval as Fang moved off to clean the new kit. Dove's eyes closed and she sighed. She could still feel him beside her, and somehow with him next to her she didn't feel so much pain any longer. She could still feel his tail, its smooth tip stroking her creme fur with delicate, caring encouragement. Dove smiled softly and even through the pain she could feel happiness stirring within her.

"That's another one. One more to go, Dove." Dove's eyes opened and she blinked. One more? That was it? She sighed with relief, mustering all the strength she had left. She gritted her teeth, letting her mind wander as the pain faded away. She turned and saw Fang smiling.

"Good job, Dove." He meowed, crouching to clean off the last kit. Dove sighed softly and smiled at her kits. Suddenly she could feel pain tearing through her again.

"W-what's happening?" She stammered. Fang blinked, looking down at her. A confused expression crossed his face as he felt with his paw along her flank.

"Another one? But that's... impossible." He mewed, stunned. He shook his head and turned to Dove.

"Er, sorry about that but there's one more on the way." He meowed. Dove's eyes widened. Another one!? Great ancestors... She thought, exasperated. She tried to get up the strength to bear the pain, but she couldn't quite find it. The last was the worst of all, and she felt so weak as she struggled. Finally the fifth kit was born, and Dove sighed as she laid her head on her paws.

"You Ok, Dove?" She looked up at Fang, her emerald eyes shimmering.

"Yeah. Just tired."

"That's understandable. Why don't you get some rest?" He smiled down at her and Dove blushed to the roots of her fur. Without replying she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Fang stared down at the sleeping form of Dove. He gelt a pang of sorrow as he watched her kits stirring as they slept. They were beautiful, yes, but somehow he felt there was something... missing. Perhaps he was just being selfish. After all, Dove's mate was the leader of the Tribe. She would be proud of her kits, born with royal blood... but... Fang closed his eyes. That didn't make his pain any better. He looked down at her last born, the unexpected kit. It was pure black, unlike any of the others. It would look like Crimson, he just knew it. The one beside it, her fourth born, was dark grey but not exactly black. Her first was a tabby, like its grandfather... Claw. Fang felt a pang in his heart. He had heard of the battle, where five faced against nearly twenty... he had been gone, but he knew that if he had been there his carcass would lie with Claw and his kits. The only survivor was Fatesearch, Claw's youngest daughter. She had been spared for the sole reason that Crimson's second in command, a tom named Jet, had his eye on her and had managed to trap her during the battle. Fang shook his head. What had happened to this Tribe? He grimaced. Crimson had happened. The second born kit was creme, like Dove, and the third born was a tortoiseshell. He felt Dove stirring beside him, and he looked down at her peaceful face.

"F-Fang?" She stammered, blinking open her eyes. He started, turning his face away.

"I'm here."

"Oh. How are they?" She asked softly. Fang murmured something along the lines of them being just fine. Dove looked down at them, uncertainty shimmering in her eyes. She was so young, Fang knew. Only nine moons. Much too young to be a mother. He sighed softly as he looked down at the five kittens.

"Have you thought of names for them?"

"Do we know... you know...?" She looked up at him.

"Two she-kits and three toms." He mewed, motioning to each one as he spoke. Dove looked at them, her gaze thoughtful.

"The firstborn... I think I will call him Hawk. The second, I will call Light, the third... Lily... the fourth... Loner. And... the fifth... Pheonix." She mewed lovingly, gently licking Hawk on his small striped head. A flicker of sorrow passed Fang's face, and he trembled.

"Nice names. Fits each one, too, I think." He meowed doubtfully. Dove looked down at her kits, her expression soft.

"Yeah. Thanks for all your help." She meowed. Fang smiled.

"Don't mention it." He looked down at little Pheonix and his eyes darkened. Oh Dove... I wish that... I could tell you how I feel about you.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

"Ready... on your mark... get set... GO!!!" Little Pheonix darted forward, his amber eyes alight with excitement. I'm goanna win! He thought, casting his brother Hawk a fierce glance. Hawk's green eyes were trained on the finish line: the pile of freshkill that sat in a corner of the camp.

"Face it, Puny, you'll never win!" Pheonix glared at the other kit in the race, whose name was Flame. Her ginger fur flashed as she darted along, her pelt rippling with every stride. Pheonix flattened his ears, baring his teeth as he strived to pelt faster and faster. Suddenly he felt something hit his forepaws and he went crashing into the pile of freshkill.

"Clumsy paws!" Flame sneered. Pheonix leaped out of the prey, looking at Hawk, who was watching him with a smile on his striped face.

"Hey, you won, bro!" He exclaimed. Pheonix blushed. Well, there were better ways to win, but at least he'd done it at last.

"Nice runnin', Pheo." Loner meowed, his pale blue eyes shimmering.

"Thanks." Pheonix said happily. Loner was his best friend and closest sibling, and he always loved to hear praise from him. Hawk smirked slightly.

"Don't you want to take me on, too, Loner?"

"Nah, you're not my kind of competition." Loner meowed dismissively.

"What, you scared?" Flame sneered.

"Scared of what, Hawk kickin' my tail? No." Loner meowed indifferently.

"Maybe you'll face me?" She meowed boldly.

"Actually, I think Lily would rather face you." Loner said, still as unconcerned as ever.

"What, send your little sister to do your work?" Flame sneered. Lily, who had just come up beside Light. Light's pale red eyes flickered as she cast Lily a glance. The shy young cat blushed and hunched her shoulders. It was so easy to see when Lily was embarressed, Pheonix thought to himself. Light smirked slightly.

"You think you can beat Lily, Flame? Well, you've got another thing comin'." She flicked her tail.

"Go on, Lily, take her." Light meowed confidently. Lily hunched her shoulders.

"I... I don't want to s-show off." She stammered.

"Don't worry about it." Pheonix cut in. "Flame needs some humbling." Lily smiled, then turned and looked at Flame, who had a bored expression on her face.

"First to the nursery and back." Flame's eyes flew open.

"And back? But... that's farther than any race-"

"And?" Light cut in. Flame sneered.

"Fine, I accept." She turned and faced the nursery, her blue eyes sparkling. Lily stood beside her, a nuetral look in her green eyes. She closed them, then flicked her tail.

"And they're off!" Hawk exclaimed. Instantly Flame bolted forward, but Lily ran at a calm pace, her little body suddenly rippling with surprisingly strength. Flame whirled around as she reached the nursery, her tongue lolling slightly. Lily reached it nearly ten seconds after, then turned and bolted towards the freshkill pile. She gritted her teeth, digging her claws into the earth. Flame panted as she tried to run harder, but before she was even a foxlength from the pile and the finishline, Lily pelted past her and slid to a stop beside Pheonix.

"Nice race." He commented dryly, noting that even his shy sister wasn't dumb enough to fly into a pile of prey. Lily blushed slightly, smiling at Flame as she staggered up to them.

"You ran really well." She mewed. Flame stopped, her eyes wide. Then she looked at her paws.

"Thanks. You're really good."

"Thanks!" Lily mewed softly. Pheonix rolled his eyes, getting tired of their talking.

"Hey guys, why don't we go play somethin' else?" Hawk smiled slyly.

"Ok, I'm the leader! Light, you can be my second-in-command." He meowed, darting off. Loner padded after them, and Pheonix began to follow. He turned to see Lily hesitating as Flame sat by herself, sighing. Her brother, Jay, had been taken off by a fox when they were newborn kits. Pheonix knew that Lily felt sorry for her, and he got why. She was all alone, no one liked her. Suddenly Lily padded up to her.

"W-would you like to play, Flame?" She asked softly. Flame looked at her.

"But they won't want me-"

"I meant just the two of us." Pheonix knew at once, in that way that he always did, that the two were going to become good friends.

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

Crimson sat beside Dove, watching his kits with expressionless red eyes. He knew Dove was trembling; she always was. He smirked as Hawk leaped on Light, and the two wrestled. But something about Hawk unnerved him. He had so much of Claw, and even Orion, his great Uncle. Crimson closed hsi eyes. No, he would never be the heir. His blood red gaze sought out his next son, who Dove called Loner. He seemed weak, somehow. Small and insignifigant. Crimson curled his lip slightly, but then his eye caught the fierce autumn amber of the small black kit who was wrestling with one of Crimson's daughters. He was small, yes, but his fine pelt rippled as he leaped on top of Lily, showing the strength in his limbs. He would be a mighty cat one day. And his pelt... it was as dark as Crimson's own.

"Dove." Crimson growled. Dove turned to him, her eyes resting on his paws.

"Yes, Crimson?"

"What's that black one's name?" Dove started.

"The last born? His name is Pheonix-"

"That won't do." Crimson growled. Dove's eyes widened.

What do you-"

"It's not a name for the next leader of this Tribe." Crimson growled, turning on her with his fierce red eyes blazing. She cowered, her limbs shaking, looking too weak to even hold her up.

"B-but, what of Hawk?" She asked meekly.

"He's doesn't have what I want. No, but the black kit does. And I have the perfect name for him." Crimson growled as he watched the kit vanish into the shadows. He smirked.

"Fade."

~.*.~

"What do you mean I have to change my name?" Pheonix growled. He saw that she flinched slightly. Beside her Fang seemed preoccupied, so much that he almost drove the thorn that was stuck in Hawk's paw even deeper.

"Ow." Hawk protested, pulling his paw away.

"Wha- oh, sorry Hawk." Fang meowed, shaking his head slightly.

"Fade? That's what I have to be called? But why?"

"Because your father says that you are to be the next leader, and you must have... a name that suits a leader." Dove meowed akwardly. Fade sniffed.

"Well, whatever..." He growled.

"You are nearly three moons old now, so your father will begin training you..." She meowed, looking down at her paws.

"Mhmm." Fade muttered, flicking his ear in annoyance. Why was he singled out for this? Why couldn't Hawk be the next leader? Fade looked up at his mother. It was supposed to be an honor, right? Why didn't he feel honored? Perhaps it was because he knew it would never amount to anything. Everyone called him a loser, even Loner was embarressed sometimes by being around him. He bared his teeth and shook his head.

"I'll never be a leader." He meowed. Dove gently stroked his head with her tailtip.

"Yes, you will, Fade. Because I know you will never give up until you've made us all proud." She meowed. Fade started, looking up into his mother's loving green eyes. He fell silent, staring at his paws. Light suddenly bounded into the nursery, her eyes wild with excitement.

"Father's going to announce all of our teachers today!" She exclaimed. Fade blinked, looking over at Flame and Lily. They were talking together beside Flame's mother, Angel. The off-white she-cat with a mask of grey over her face seemed sad, watching Flame with gentle blue eyes. Fade recalled hearing she was the mate of his Uncle, Tiger, making Flame his cousin. Wow, that seems unlikely in every way. He thought, smirking slightly. He turned to Loner, who was staring at his paws thoughtfully.

"What is it, Loner?"

"There is something uneasy in the air." He meowed gravely. Fade pricked his ears. Suddenly Loner's eyes met his in a glare, causing chills to run up Fade's spine.

"Like... what?" He asked, concerned. Loner shook his head.

"Nothing good. That's for sure." He meowed. Light looked at them, her eyes narrowing.

"Will you guys stop being so depressing?" She meowed impaitently.

"Sure, why not?" Loner said indifferenlty, shrugging. Hawk squeaked suddenly as Fang pulled the thorn out.

"Ow." He meowed.

"Oh, knock it off you crybaby." Light mewed playfully. Fang smiled.

"Well, I'm off then." He set the herbs he had prepared onto the wound and smiled at Dove. She smiled back. Fade could see something in their eyes he had never seen before, and he pricked his ears curiously.

"Thanks." Dove murmured. Fang inclined his head slightly, exiting into the camp. Hawk twitched his whiskers slightly, then smiled.

"So, Light, what's this about finding out who our teachers will be?"

[.:-Aikoa-:.]

"Let the cats of this Tribe gather in the clearing!" Loner slowly padded into the clearing, his pale blue eyes staring emotionlessly at the ground in front of his paws. Something in the air told him that death was on the way, and he couldn't imagine what could cause it. He saw a few cats looking at them, whispering among themselves. An uprising? He thought, feeling his gut clench. He saw his brothers and sisters, and cousin, gathering at the foot of Crimson's Stone. Fade seemed distant, his amber eyes glaring into nothingness. Light and Hawk seemed excited, while Lily was just blushing like usual. Flame was sitting beside her, whispering into her ear. The two had become such close friends so fast, it amazed him. The cats in the clearing all quieted down so that Crimson could speak.

"These three kits are ready to begin their training. Hawk, you will be taught by my very own second, Jet. Light, you will be taught by Kill. Lily, by Fang. Loner, you will be..." Loner's eyes flickered as he looked up at his father. "Scar." He closed his eyes. Great. He thought, sighing. Of all the cats to get.

"And last of all, I will mentor Fade, preparing him for his title as leader when I am gone." Shocked murmurs ran through the clearing. Loner knew Fade well enough to know that the young kit was hurt by this, but he stood there looking defiant and stony. Looking at the grey tom who was going to train him, Loner felt a pang in his heart. Suddenly he heard whispering, and turned to look at a young she-cat named Brittle, who was talking to a stout tom named Bracken.

"Then he'll be sorry for what he's done." Loner looked up at his father, who was gazing down at the Tribe coldly. He sighed soflty.

"This is going to end badly." He whispered before following his denmates towards the student's dens. Light was whispering something to Hawk, and Lily was giggling at something Flame had said. Everyone seemed so normal, but Loner knew something was up... something bad.

*.*.*

Brittle bared her teeth, lashing her tail as she crouched.

"You were a foolish cat to asume I would be surprised." Crimson spat at her. She curled her lip and lashed her tail again.

"You won't be sayin' that when I claw your face off, tratior!" She yowled.

"The raven calling the crow black, eh?" Crimson sneered, easily dodging the attack of the young she-cat. He lashed out with his paw, ripping a gash from beneath her eye to her throat. She gasped, turning to attack but meeting only black claws. She screeched as she felt claws digging into her shoulders and teeth her throat. She gasped, trying to claw but only managing to lash her paws feebly as the life was sucked out of her. She could feel the others of her small resistance shrieking in horror, and though blood seemed to pour out of her right eye she could still see with her left. She saw a black cat with amber eyes watching her with a stony expression on his face.

"Fade..." She murmured as the life drained from her eyes. "Deliver us..."

*.~.~.*

Fang leaped into battle, fighting side by side with Dove. They were among the rebels, outnumbered by the cats who were afraid of their leader, and so fought their own comrades. Fang turned to Dove, trying to see her through the masses of writhing cats.

"Dove!" He cried, thrusting his weight against a large tom who had taken Crimson's side.

"Fang?" Fang turned, his eyes wide. Dove was lying on the earth, a horrible gash running along her side. Blood was trickling from the wound onto the earth, and there was a clouded look in her young, pain-filled eyes.

"Dove!!" He cried, pelting to her side.

"Don't leave me." He begged softly. Dove looked up at him, smiling slightly.

"I'm glad I could die for my Tribe... perhaps it makes up for the horrible thing I had to do that night... I should have fought alongside Claw. But I didn't." Fang's eyes began to grow moist as he looked at her beautiful face.

"Dove... I... I love you." He whispered softly, burying his muzzle in her fur. He could feel her tremble beneath him as she fought for her last breaths.

"I... love... you... too... Fang..." She whispered, and with that gave her last breath and died. Fang raised his head to the sky, letting out a horrible wail of grief.

^.*.~.*.^

Light stumbled into the clearing, her eyes wide with horror as she saw cats throwing themselves at eachother. Blood suddenly splattered against her pelt, and Light turned just in time to see a large she-cat tumbling towards her, teeth bared against death. Light shrieked as the cat's claws scoured her throat. She gasped, stumbling forward. Suddenly she saw a tortoiseshell pelt darting in front of her.

"Lily..." She gasped. Lily growled at the warrior, her hackles raised. The she-cat raised her paw and struck the young she-kit on the side of the head, throwing her against a rock. Blood welled around Lily's head as she lay there in the dust. Light gasped, but she couldn't move. Her limbs were so weak... she turned to the she-cat, her eyes wide.

"Now die, you wretched little-" Suddenly the she-cat gasped, falling on her side. Beside her stood Fang, his teeth bloodied and his eyes sorrowful as he stared down at the slain cat.

"Light, are you alright...?" His voice faded as Light felt darkness consume her. She closed her eyes, her limbs trembling and her body swaying slightly.

"I'm so tired..." She mewed, and with that collasped.

<*.-.-.*>

Loner started awake, his eyes flying open as he heard a shriek split the night. He stumbled outside to see what was happening, and he suddenly felt something warm and sticky covering his paws. He looked down at nearly choked. There, lying at his paws, was Light... she was dead. He looked up in horror, and his pelt prickled when he saw Lily's form not too far off.

"Lily..." He murmured, stumbling forward. He crouched beside her, gently prodding her with a paw.

"Wake up, Lily." He sobbed softly. But she was hard and cold. He turned, looking at the cats that shrieked as they battled it out. Suddenly Hawk and Fade came racing out of the dens, their eyes wide. Fade tripped over Light's body, falling into the puddle of her blood. Loner turned away, feeling his heart would break.

"Light! Lily! NO!!" Hawk shrieked, suddenly leaping into battle. Fade leaped after him, his pelt covered in blood. Loner looked desperately after them, and suddenly he noticed that the fights were breaking up. So many cats... lay dead... he shivered. He padded forward, seeing Crimson standing amongst the bloodied cats.

"You all fought well. It is hard to have to kill cats who were your friends, but traitors are traitors." The cats around him looked at what they had done, horrified. Hawk and Fade stood staring down at the slain body of Dove, and their eyes were filled with sorrow. Not too far off Fang's body lay prone in the dust, his claws fixed in the heart of the cat who had killed their mother. Loner shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. He turned away. This place was full of death. He cast one look over his shoulder, then with tears in his eyes pelted out of the camp... never to be seen again.