A Dark Path

Chapter Ten

Slugstripe stretched and got to his paws, pausing as he saw Blackstar on the Great Stone.
Blackstar lifted his chin. "Now that every cat's here, I have something to announce. Ravenleaf received information that there is a...rebellion."
Slugstripe's eyes widened as Blackstar continued, "Whoever is running this rebellion will be severely punished when I find out who it is. Clan dismissed."
Shock filled Slugstripe. He need to think about this. A rebellion in PineClan? Slugstripe got to his paws and padded out of the camp, deciding to take a walk. He was lost in a storm of thoughts when a crack broke the silence. "Hello?" He turned.
Skippersong stepped out of the forest, his tail lashing. "Hello, Slugstripe."
Slugstripe waved his tail in greeting, shaken by the depth of anger in Skippersong's gaze. "Is something wrong?"
"Slugstripe," Skippersong meowed, "Blackstar's new rule is absolute cowdung, and we both know it."
"What?" Slugstripe stared at him in shock. "What do you mean?"
"The rebellion," Skippersong snarled, "Is me. And if you don't join me, then I'll kill you."
"What?" Slugstripe backed up, his eyes wide. "I..Skippersong, I can't make this decision! He's my father!"
"And I was your friend!" Skippersong hissed, leaping at Slugstripe. Slugstripe yelped in pain as claws raked his chest. He pushed Skippersong away. "No!"
"You're either with me or against me!" Skippersong yowled.
"Well then I guess..." Slugstripe met his gaze, "I've made a new enemy."
"You'll regret that decision!" Skippersong lunged again but Slugstripe turned and jumped up a tree, hopping from tree to tree until he'd lost Skippersong.
He leapt down and almost crashed into Birchfrost, who yelped.
"Birchfrost!" Slugstripe gasped, scrambling back. "What're you doing here? Are you with Skippersong?"
"Oh.." Birchfrost looked down at her paws. "I'm sorry, Slugstripe. It's not that I don't like you, I love you both. Skippersong just-"
Slugstripe winced. "Skippersong is leading the rebellion!"
"Oh." Birchfrost looked away. "That."
"You knew?" Slugstripe stared at her in shock and horror. "You're on his side?"
"I'm on no-one's side!" Birchfrost snarled. "Both sides are wrong! I'm loyal to my Clan, that's all!"
"Really?" Slugstripe snarled, "Because according to Skippersong, you're either with him or against him."
Birchfrost recoiled. "He...He didn't say that..."
"He did." Slugstripe hissed. "He tried to kill me."
Birchfrost's eyes widened in shock and horror. "He wouldn't!"
"He did." Slugstripe showed her the scar on his chest. "I'm going to tell Blackstar."
"I don't know." Birchfrost shuffled. "I don't want any cat to get hurt, Slugstripe..."
"More cats will get hurt if the cats in the rebellion aren't caught and punished." Slugstripe growled. "They're going to attack Blackstar, and when they do, the Clan will defend him. Cats may die."
Birchfrost met Slugstripe's gaze. "I...I..."
"Can you tell me what cats are in the rebellion?" Slugstripe asked.
"Slugstripe, I..." Birchfrost trembled. "I don't want any cat to get hurt...I didn't want any of this!"
Slugstripe rested his chin on her head. "Shh...it's alright."
There was silence for a moment.
"Hollyfur." Birchfrost whispered, her voice filled with guilt. "Froststorm, Skippersong, Barleyheart, Campionwhisker, and Emberfoot. They forced Marigoldleg not to tell."
"Like Skippersong tried with me." Slugstripe guessed. "Thank you, Birchfrost. I promise that you won't be hurt."
"I don't want any cat to get hurt." Birchfrost mewed. "Not just me."
Slugstripe met her gaze. "That...is a promise that I cannot make."