GhostClan(Closed)

"My name's Weaselstar." The other tom answered, flicking his ear. "But the 'star doesn't mean as much as it used to. How much do you know?"

Amriel didn't answer, her law moved so fast it was blurred as she hit him again and again, blood spattered her face but she didn't care. All she cared about was hurting the angel under her.

"Until about five minutes ago, I was dead." Weaselstar answered. "Tigertail and I, along with the ones who are still dead over there. All creatures were trapped in our world for a while, we met death, and it was actually the angels having a war." The explanation was insufficient, but it was the best he could be at the moment.

Amriel took a step back at last, breathing hard, and turned her back in him for a moment. "You think I give a rat's tail whether or not you're sorry?" She answered coldly.

"Now you have." Weaselstar nodded towards Amriel and Raziel. "Those two over there are angels. There was another one, but he died trying to protect us." The last words didn't reflect what Weaselstar might think of them, it was merely a statement.

Amriel closed her eyes tightly, letting out a low hiss as she swayed where she stood. The momentary energy her anger had given her was already subsiding, leaving her feeling weak and dizzy, but she pushed that to the back of her mind. "Angels, mortals, demons." She muttered, not looking at Tigertail. "Is there anyone I can trust?"

Falconstep was staring at the sky, a thoughtful look with a shadow of distress in his dark eyes. He glanced at his sister when she spoke, shaking his head as if shaking away an insect. "What is it?" He asked, trying to sound normal.

"Marblekit?" Flintfoot spoke quietly, sitting close to the kit but not close enough to touch. "How are you doing?"

Flintfoot shook his head, expression grim. "Never, but if it's loose I'm afraid we'll have more than one dead cat on our paws." He sighed, eyes resting on Fernleaf's grave softly. "She was a good hunter."

Falconstep nodded seriously, glancing upward again. "Did we make the right choice?" He wondered aloud, not looking at his sister. "Not telling?"

That got Flintfoot's attention. His head snapped down to the kit, and his back visibly tensed but for a moment he simply stared at his son. "A hunter?" He repeated at last, his hackles raised slightly. "No way. It's not the kind of life you choose, Marblekit, it's the kind of life that pulls you in and doesn't let you go. No one in their right mind chooses to be a hunter."

Falconstep nodded reluctantly, as usual bowing to Quickstrike's authority. "Yes, you're right. Just think we should go as soon as possible." He hesitated, then went on in a quieter tone. "I told Marblekit. About his father."

Weaselstar sighed, closing his eyes. "Let him go." He said in a low voice. "He's not welcome here."

Weaselstar's eyes narrowed slightly. "He's going to have to." He answered simply. "Whatever experience he's had, I've had more as far as paranormal goes. He needs us, and he knows it."

"He made me promise to tell him the truth." Falconstep explained miserably. "I couldn't lie to him. Besides, he's almost a 'paw, he deserves the truth."

Flintfoot flattened his ears. "You're too young to make that choice." He said coldly. "I won't let you throw your life away, damn it Marblekit think about your sister! What would she do if you died?"

"I'll talk to Riverstar, find out more about him." Weaselstar decided, eyeing the other leader as he would a mouse he was stalking. "I won't start a war, but I will fight back."

"Forget it." Flintfoot snarled after him, lashing his tail once. He knew he shouldn't be angry, he knew it wouldn't help anything, but he couldn't help it. He was angry at himself, not his son. Marblekit would not become a hunter, if he did everything Flintfoot had done would have been pointless. He regretted shouting at the kit as soon as it was done, but it was too late now.

Falconstep nodded seriously, wrapping his tail around his paws and glancing across the clearing as Flintfoot shouted. "Oh no."

"Marblekit?" Mintkit was awake, crouched uncomfortably by the entrance.

"I'll go tell him." Falconstep volunteered, walking hurriedly towards the leader. The sooner they could get on their way the better, he didn't like the look Weaselstar was giving his leader at all.

"I'm fine." Mintkit bit her lip, wrapping her small, almost rat-like tail around her as she gave a little shiver. "Fernleaf...she's really dead."

"What killed her?" Mintkit persisted, peering anxiously at Marblekit's turned head. "I asked, but no one will tell me."

Falconstep nodded, taking a deep breath. "Come one." He said to Riverstar, gesturing towards the exit to let the leader walk in front of him.

"We hope so." Falconstep said truthfully. "And there's a good chance we're right. It makes sense." He hesitated, before adding seriously, "and you need this now more than ever."

Mintkit's eyes widened. "But I didn't see a body...it got away? Is it still out there?" She squeaked, staring at her brother nervously.

Amriel approached Tigertail silently, stopping beside him. "I can't stay here." She said in a low, dark tone.

Falconstep nodded. "Do you believe them?" He asked. "That they were dead, I mean?"

"You don't know the universe like I do. Suriel was the only decent being I've ever met, angels, mortals and demons alike. Raz and Belial were alright..." A humorless laugh escaped her suddenly, a cold sound that had nothing resembling happiness in it. "It's heaven all over again, and I refuse to sit around with all these dumb mortals while Raziel is out there. I don't care if revenge isn't the answer, he's gonna pay."

"But what if it gets you?" Mintkit asked, moving closer to Marblekit. "I know I'm weak, but I'm not stupid. I know what happens to hunters."

"Don't try to lecture me." Amriel answered in the same cold, dark tone. "I know vengeance won't bring him back, and I know if he were here he would tell me not to. But he isn't here. Which is why I have to." She shook her head, glancing at him.

"They could be monsters." Falconstep mused. "But what can we do about it until we know for sure?"

A little smile appeared at the edges of Mintkit's lips, and despite herself she looked reassured. "Promise you won't go away and never come back?"

"I wasn't asking." Amriel replied, shrugging and standing up. Turning, she began to walk towards the exit without another word.

Falconstep nodded grimly, knowing how much depended on the outcome of this expedition. He could only hope they succeeded.

"Okay." Mintkit agreed, looking outside sadly. "I don't think Flintfoot's happy about it, though."