keep me in your memory.

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Cheetahpelt

[/color][/center]

all you've ever wanted, was someone to truly look up to you...

[/color][/left]

... and six feet underwater I do.

[/color][/right]

Smokey clouds splattered across a graying sky, the wind whistling through the plains with enough force to knock over a young apprentice. Erratic raindrops fell from the sky, their size being that of a horsefly. In the distance, the rumbling sound of thunder could be heard, only slightly shaking the ground that the tawny and black fae stood on. Lightning ran across the sky like a claw, brightening the moors for a split second before the darkness returned. Cheetahpelt's amber eyes moved across her territory, taking in every sight, smelling every scent, listening to every sound. She'd known from the moment that she'd exited the camp that something was going to go wrong, and yet the young she-cat had ventured off anyway. She knew what was going; she'd dreamt about it every night for the past moon.

Her pelt was plastered against her from the rain. The already scrawny warrior looked almost as thin as a twig, so fragile, so easy to snap in half. In fact, she was. Her bones were hollow and weak, just like a cheetah, and were broken with ease. Cheetahpelt shuddered at the thought. Every movement that the grass made caused her to whip around to inspect it. She could feel another presence, though she couldn't see or scent it, she could feel it. Someone else was there. Cheetahpelt could feel a low, warning growl beginning to form in her throat, but when she let it out the thunder drowned out the growl. The skinny she-cat shook her head as a raindrop landed on her nose, her tall, rounded ears flattening against her head. Her tail lashed back and forth in a calm, swaying motion, keeping her senses alert.

Would she die today? Something told her that she would. Memories of her premonition flew into her mind. The terrifying loner cat appearing out of the bushes, seeing herself lying on the ground, her limbs snapped in half and blood covering her pelt. But recently, the dream had changed. She'd instead see the loner on the ground, blood coming from many wounds, some even reopened wounds. Did that mean that she could win, and possibly save herself? Or could it mean something else, something that Cheetahpelt didn't allow herself to think. Of course, she hoped that it was all ridiculous, that the dreams were a caused by stress or something of that sort. Still, at that moment, strands of fur started to rise warily, her large amber eyes darting back and forth.

Someone else was there. She'd heard the snapping of a twig, the irregular swish of grass that stood out from the rest, something that could only be caused by someone walking through it. Her claws unsheathed as she turned around, lightning flashing across the sky.

"Who's there?"

[/color] she growled, not able to keep the slight quiver out of her voice. Truth be told, she was frightened. If her dream were to come true, this was obviously the time it would happen. The setting was all too familiar, especially the stormy sky. Paws shaking, Cheetahpelt kept her eyes on the swishing grass, looking for a shape, and awaiting the creature to show itself.[/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

S T I T C H E S

{ HANG ON TO THE GLORY AT MY RIGHT HAND

[/color] }
{ HERE LAID TO REST IS A LOVE EVER LONGED[/color] }[/center]

The tom was a dark umbrage of the world as he rampaged across the plains, his eye burning holes into Mother Earth and his claws gouging at her flank. How dare Shard be so fickle; he had done so much for her, only to be tossed aside as her past lover returned to her. Stitches had seen it all; furious, he ran away without a word and decided that he would...have fun.

All of the horrid emotions built up in the raven beau like the storm clouds on the horizon. He had screamed and screamed until his voice became one with the howling wind, tearing his agony along with the wind currents. It wasn't until the rain started falling mercilessly that he grew silent and padded on, seeking comfort from the silence. But there was no silence as the rain slapped the ground and the thunder carried out an ancient drumroll.

" Stupid fae. Of course I thought she would be different; no, she had to be like everyone else. Leeching off of me until I was dry. Wicked, wicked Shard. "

A scent of windswept plains and heather drifted to Stitches, making the tom stop in his tracks and stare at the sky, his head c o c k e d to the side. Someone was out here with him.

All of a sudden, Stitches wanted to fight until his muscles screamed in agony; fight until his blood ran cold with exhaustion. The tom-cat lifted his muzzle to the heavens and took a tentative sniff, trying to pick up the phantom scent again. It was a she-cat, and that made Stitches hungrier for war and blood. The hideous yellow eye narrowed into a sliver of bloodshot amber, hunger burning in its depths. Every hair on his spine stood on end; not in fear, but in anticipation.

He was going to make everyone pay for Shard's mistakes.

Like a snake, the tom slithered among the clumps of braken with expertise; so lightly he tredded on his paws that he was almost silent. After cautiously peering over the tall, swaying grass, Stitches could see a small she-cat walked alone.

Alone.

Stitches purred deep in his chest and licked his cracked lips, running his tongue over his razor-sharp fangs. He would fight until his pelt was soaked in blood. He would strike until all he could see was ribbons of skin caked in red.

" Who's there? "

The wicked smile on Stitches's face grew wider. Oh pleasant, a Clan cat, of all things. This would be a battle worth the pain. Clan cats were ones to worry about; their skills in battle techniques and sharpness of reflexes were hard to overcome. The midnight-black tom shrugged his shoulders and continued to pad forward, belly to the ground. The beginnings of a snarl grew in his chest as he slowly stalked a few fox-lengths in front of Cheetahpelt, his lips pulled back in a growl.

" Who else? " he countered. The tom took a few more steps and stopped, his claws flexing. " What would a pretty she-cat such as you be doing out here in such a storm? " he purred tauntingly. " After all, the bogey-man might get you. "

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Cheetahpelt

[/color][/center]

all you've ever wanted, was someone to truly look up to you...

[/color][/left]

... and six feet underwater I do.

[/color][/right]

Cheetahpelt recoiled at the sight of the midnight black tom stalking out of the bushes. Her neck fur rose like needles and her amber eyes grew wide. Knowing that if she appeared frightened that the tom could easilly harm her, the thin fae stood tall, raising her chin and glaring at him through narrowed slits. She returned his snarl just a strongly, the tom's words making a chill roll up her spine, though. Something tells me that I've just met the boogeyman

[/color][/i] Cheetahpelt thought to herself. The tom's appearance wasn't the only thing that scared her. His eye. It pierced through her soul enough to cause her legs to shake, and not from the cold. This cat could snap her in half if he wanted, at least, that was what his eyes said.

The rage displayed on the tom's face was the scariest thing about him.

Something had happened to him, something bad. And he looked mad enough to cause any cat that stood in his way unbelieveable pain. Cheetahpelt made sure that her gaze was unflinching as she looked at the loner, digging her claws into the soggy ground as she opened her mouth to growl. Lightning flashed again, illuminating the cat in front of her so his eye glistened. Cheetahpelt could feel her growl die in her throat. She couldn't help it. For once, she was actually scared. The rage in this cat's face was something that she'd never seen before, and she feared what the tom would do to her just out of something that she had no part of.

"I need no protection from "the boogeyman,"[/color] Cheetahpelt hissed, lashing her long, skinny tail. "Now you should be the one worried, alone on Clan territory. Why don't you just scurry on back to the loner terras so I won't have to rip you to shreds." Mousebrain!![/color] she thouht to herself, her heart pounding like that of a rabbit's feet as it fled away from a pursuing warrior. When she'd started talking, she just hadn't been able to stop. And she had a feeling that she'd regret. She should've known not to say anything to set the tom off. Not taking her eyes off the loner, Cheetahpelt crouched low to the ground, preparing to fight if needed.[/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

S T I T C H E S

{ YOU WENT OFF TO SCAR THE ARMADA

[/color] }
{ LIKE JESUS PLAYED MARTYR, I'LL DRILL THROUGH YOUR HANDS[/color] }[/center]

Only one word could describe Stitches as he was caught up in his rage and insolence: demon. His eye burned like a thousand coals and his black claws stretched until they pulled at the tender fibers that attached them to his paws. The one eye that had been sewn tight--shut away from the world--pulsed demonically under his eye lid, seeping pus and eye fluids. His lips pulled back until you could see every tooth and fang displayed along with the decaying gums. For years he had rotted away, now he was truly falling apart.

Lightning was now flashing erratically across the sky every second, lighting up the plains like the inside of a haunted house. The black tom appeared to be a skeleton as he slowly advanced on Cheetahpelt, feinting side to side like a serpent. His mouth was open wide in a broken cackle, as fragmented as his heart and sympathy.

" I need no protection from 'the boogeyman.' Now you should be the one worried, alone on Clan territory. Why don't you just scurry on back to the loner terras so I won't have to rip you to shreds.

[/color] "

Perfect... Just what he was waiting for her to say.

Stitches stood tall as he glared down at the thin she-cat with a burning eye. His thin, crooked tail lashed in the air like a whip; every deformity about him was more hideous than ever before.
" Now, now, there's no need to be all hasty, " he crooned in an almost motherly voice. Feeling no emotion but the thirst for comfort from war, the tom padded forward until he was right in front of the she-cat. Chuckling lightly, he flicked a bit of braken off of Cheetahpelt's shoulder with his bony tail.
" I have learned to be a very patient man. Life has taught me to wait until the time is right. " The tom grew silent and he examined his claws, enjoying the way rainwater was slowly caressing them. The she-cat's blood would soon replace the rain, though. " You can try to 'rip me to shreds,' but I have the feeling that you'll be the one that's in shreds by the time I'm done with you. "

Snarling suddenly, the raven tom lifted a clawed paw. Lightning struck quite close to the cats, illuminating Stitches from below, making his face look nothing but a ink-black skull. His ferocious snarls turned into wicked laughter as he lashed out with claws of misery.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Cheetahpelt

[/color][/center]

all you've ever wanted, was someone to truly look up to you...

[/color][/left]

... and six feet underwater I do.

[/color][/right]

Cheetahpelt glared up at the tom, slightly flinching away as his bony tail brushed her shoulder, flicking off a small piece of bracken. She shuddered visibly, not caring if the tom saw or was offended by her obvious dislike of him. Her amber eyes studied Stitches the same way he studied his claws, taking in every feature. Though the cat from her dream hadn't been visible, Stitches matched the basic description, and that scared her even more. Was her premonition really going to come true? Her tall, rounded ears flattened at the frightening thought. Cheetahpelt watched as the rainwater ran smoothly down Stiches' claws, and she imagined him ripping through her flesh with them. Immediately she shook her head, ridding her mind of those thoughts. You're being paranoid, just be ready to fight.

[/color][/i] she thought to herself, when Stitches' words rang in her ears.

" You can try to 'rip me to shreds,' but I have the feeling that you'll be the one that's in shreds by the time I'm done with you. "

It all happened very quickly after that. Stitches' furious snarl, his raised paw illuminated by the threatening lightning, the sudden wicked laughter, and the lunge of a paw. Cheetahpelt had barely managed to take it all in when she jumped out of the way, Stitches' claws grazing her shoulder, tearing her flesh only slightly. She hissed, sucking in a breath from the sudden pain. Her blood was flowing from her leg now, mingling with the rain water as it slid toward the grassy ground. Cheetahpelt snarled furiously at Stitches, lashing her tail once as she crouched low, circling the tom with a slight limp to her step. She'd have to fight. Alone. For a moment she allowed her gaze to wander across the plains, looking for a Clanmate, but of course she saw none. No one would be so mouse-brained as to walk out in the storm.

The moment she stopped circling did Cheetahpelt lunge forward, aiming to land on Stitches' back and rip her claws into his shoulders. Thunder roared in the distance, and the wind picked up, causing the light she-cat to sway as she leapt. What a perfect scenario for a fight, huh? The rain was pelting the two cats now at a blistering speed, making Cheetahpelt appear even smaller then she was. She was an easy target; any cat could tell that she was, although extremely swift, not the strongest cat in the forest. Stitches had the advantage of strength, while Cheetahpelt was just, well fast. Who would win in a battle when agility and muscle were paired to fight? For now that was unclear, but Cheetahpelt could only hope that she'd managed to land on Stitches' back.[/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

S T I T C H E S

{ YOU WENT OFF TO SCAR THE ARMADA

[/color] }
{ LIKE JESUS PLAYED MARTYR, I'LL DRILL THROUGH YOUR HANDS[/color] }[/center]

The wind roared and howled in the tom's ears as his claws slid through flesh and spattered blood on his nose and in his eyes, blinding him momentarily. A vicious snarl was ripped out of Stitches' chest as Cheetahpelt sprang away, her amber eyes wide in fear. This gave the tom some relief and he turned his head, trying to track the she-cat's movements.

Stitches' was caught off guard by the sudden weight on his shoulders. The WindClan fae had moved too quickly and had moved out of his range of vision as she sprang at him from the right side; Stitches cursed the fact that he was blind there.

An alien cry of fury emanated from the tom's open maw as Cheetahpelt's claws raked his shoulder. Gritting his teeth in agony, the tom turned his head to glare at the femme, his eye as cold as ice. His legs went slack and Stitches rolled over, dragging Cheetahpelt with him. Hopefully his weight would crush the she-cat and leave her vulnerable enough for him to slice at her exposed underbelly.

" You will regret that, " he snarled.

The midnight cat's facade contorted at the burning sensation that brushed up and down his back. Deep, mangled gouges created erratic patterns on his back; Stitches swore. The pain was almost too much.

He loved it. All of the agony chased away his heartbreak and Shard.

Feeling new strength trickle into his limbs, Stitches sprang to his paws and turned to once again attack at Cheetahpelt.

[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Cheetahpelt

[/color][/center]

all you've ever wanted, was someone to truly look up to you...

[/color][/left]

... and six feet underwater I do.

[/color][/right]

Satisfaction coursed through her veins as she felt her claws rip through the tom's flesh. Stitches' furious cry made her flinch, though, her eyes growing wide with fear. It was unlike anything she'd ever heard before, and Cheetahpelt was distracted long enough for Stitches to flip over on top of her. The breath shot out of her lungs, stunning Cheetahpelt momentarilly. That was all Stitches needed to rip his claws across her underbelly. Eyes watery, pain shooting up and down her body, Cheetahpelt could only shriek in pain, her cries drowned out by the thunder. Pain, pain, pain! The blood leaked dangerously from the wounds, the pain like a fire raging through her body. Cheetahpelt groaned, squeezing her eyes shut.

She couldn't just lie down and die, though. The femme staggered slowly back to her paws, her legs weak from exhaustion, and she glared up at Stitches, digging her claws into the earth as she plotted her next move. Every movement would hurt her. Every step she took as she drew closer to the tom burned. Lashing her tail once, Cheetahpelt did a fake-out move, looking at Stitches left side as she actually leapt again for the right, lashing out her claws to swipe across his chest and tackle him to the ground. She knew that, at that moment, she was losing, but Stitches wasn't exactly winning. He was injured as well, she could see it, but there was something odd about it.

He enjoyed the pain. Cheetahpelt feared that most of all about the tom. She feared what he would do to her, knowing now that the pain didn't bother him. Cheetahpelt wasn't sure how long she'd be able to endure the firey pain going through her limbs. How long would she really be able to keep up this fight? Would back up ever come?

[~All I Need]

{ I HOPE THAT YOU MISS ME, PUT ME DOWN ON HISTORY }
{ YOU STORMED OFF TO SCAR THE ARMADA

[/size] }[/center]

" Hummingbirdpaw! "

The fae's screech was lost in the tempest as she stalked across the plains, paw-weary and soaked. Why was it that she was out with Blackpaw or Farsight (sometimes both) whenever she needed to be home, warm and safe in her den. No matter, the only objective the apprentice was thinking of right now was getting home.

Home. . .

[/color]

A whip of lightning flashed across the sky and a deafening toll of thunder followed. Hummingbirdpaw's short pelt shot on end and she cowered against the ground, her muzzle tilted upwards to the sky to stare at the stormclouds.
" I hate rain, " she hissed. Another clap from the sky and she jumped to her paws and shot through the grass like a rocket.

Soon, the femme could see land marks that depicted the WindClan camp was close by. Paws pounding in a quick tempo, Hummingbird was moving gracefully in the gale.

That is, until she burst into a clearing where a gory battle was taking place.

Her breath caught in her throat and a silent scream emitted from her open maw. Trembling, Hummingbirdpaw watched as a black tom's deadly claws dug into Cheetahpelt's underbelly. Her Clanmate was already wounded with a nasty cut in her leg. Cheetahpelt's rival, on the other hand, wasn't in as bad shape. Though Hummingbirdpaw found it hard to tell due to the numerous scars and wounds from his past life.

" CHEETAHPELT![/blockquote][/blockquote]

----------------------------------------

Stitches laughed as his rival's eyes clouded over in pain. If he wasn't completely overjoyed by his own pain, then watching someone else's agony made him feel like he could battle forever. But then again, someone would have to fall. Whether it be him or Cheetahpelt, he didn't care.

The tom leapt back to let the WindClan warrior rise slowly to her paws. Blood dripped on the ground from the cats' numerous wounds and Stitches watched it with glee. He looked back up at the fae with a sadistic smile on his cracked and bleeding lips. " I know you can do better than that, Clan cat, " he taunted, raising his voice enough to be heard over the wind and rain. It pelted down with tremendous force and worked its way through his short pelt and on his skin, drilling holes in it. Stitches chuckled but then grew silent as he heard a scream other than Cheetahpelt's.

Turning his head to stare at the silver apprentice, Stitches was distracted long enough for Cheetahpelt to leap at him and flash her claws across his chest, splitting the skin open and letting blood gush forth. Groaning in agony, Stitches lunged forward and fell to the ground, his eye closed shut. A red curtain fell to replace the darkness behind his eyelid and the tom screamed, his teeth flashing in the darkness. Heaving himself slowly to his paws, Stitches glared at Cheetahpelt, his breath ragged. Luckily, the fae's claws hadn't gone past his breast bone and punctured a lung or an artery.

" MAKE.IT.STOP! " he screeched. The pain was now too much for him to take. It pulled at his heart to slow it down and made his legs as heavy as lead. The numerous stitches embedded in his skin pulsed in agony and the one eye that had been shut away for eternity pulled at the thread that kept it closed. Like a drunken sailor, Stitches lurched at Cheetahpelt with a plethora of profanities spilling from his mouth. Claws extended and maw like a black hole lined with knives, the tom aimed for Cheetahpelt's throat. He hoped to end it all right here.

[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

tag; cinder!
muse; decent
notes; i brought hummingbirdpaw into this even though she won't be much help.
lyrics; hummingbirdpaw--loud and clear by the cranberries
stitches--welcome home by coheed and cambria

[/right]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Cheetahpelt

[/color][/center]

all you've ever wanted, was someone to truly look up to you...

[/color][/left]

... and six feet underwater I do.

[/color][/right]

The taunts of the other tom rang loud and clear in Cheetahpelt's ears. The femme was bloody, bruised, and completely losing in this fight. She was barely standing up now, her legs shaking with exhaustion and screaming for it all to stop. She wouldn't come out of this alive, she'd already figured this out. But she wasn't going to let Stitches come out of it still standing either. She felt a small feeling of pride when she felt her claws tear through Stitches's skin, when she heard him scream to end the pain. The femme let out a ragged breath, suddenly hearing the scream of another cat. She turned her head, and there she saw a light silver femme that she knew as Hummingbirdpaw.

The apprentice was like a spark of fire in a fierce snowstorm: she was hope. Maybe she was what Cheetahpelt needed to make it through this. Suddenly hearing Stitches screaming profane curses at her, Cheetahpelt turned, quickly moving out of the way as the tom lunged. She'd managed to keep him from hitting her throat, but his claws had scraped across her chest. Because of how close the lunge was the claws went in deep, and Cheetahpelt couldn't help but let out a scream. The tom may have missed his target, but he'd hurt and weakened Cheetahpelt even more. Her pelt was sticky with blood, cuts all around her belly and chest area. The femme groaned, bracing her legs to keep from collapsing onto the cold, wet ground.

"H-Hummingbirdpaw,"

[/color] Cheetahpelt wheezed, her voice coming out strained. "Help, please. Get more warriors, or stay and fight if you prefer, just do something!"[/color] Cheetahpelt shot the fae a desperate glance before turning her attention to Stitches again. Her previous blow had clearly weakened him a bit; they were both hanging by a thread. Cheetahpelt's limbs protested as she crouched low again. Every movement she made sent shots of pain up her legs and chest. It was unbearable. If Hummingbirdpaw didn't hurry, Cheetahpelt would be dead in a matter of moments.

I still have a bit of fight in me,[/color][/i] She thought to herself. She was standing behind Stitches now. This was the last move she had in her, and she hoped that she'd at least hinder Stitches so that Hummingbirdpaw could finish him off. With a furious screech Cheetahpelt lunged, aiming to land on the tom's back. Her teeth were bared, prepared to bit right into Stitches' neck and hopefully break it and end this whole thing. The wind whistled in her ears as she lunged with a new speed and new hope. If this didn't work, she knew that she was finished. Maybe she was finished either way. Cheetahpelt didn't know.[/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

{ I HOPE THAT YOU MISS ME, PUT ME DOWN ON HISTORY }
{ YOU STORMED OFF TO SCAR THE ARMADA

[/size] }[/center]

Hummingbirdpaw was wondering if she was going to have a panic attack.
The fae's emerald eyes were wild as she continually glanced from her Clanmate to the mysterious tom; though her fur was soaked to the skin, it stood on end as if she had been shocked. The silver femme stood with her paws glued to the ground and her legs trembling. Many times before, Hummingbird pictured herself fighting off hordes of rogues and loners to defend her loved ones and her Clan...but now, all she could do was just stare and not act on what her feelings screamed at her to do. But then, she pictured everyone in her Clan counting on her. Windstar... Snifflepaw and Mothpaw... Badgersoul... Even that annoying and arrogant apprentice, Flurrypaw. hummingbirdpaw's luminous orbs flickered up towards the sky momentarily, continuing to imagine her loved ones at the mercy of Stitches; Autumnbreeze... Blackpaw...

Farsight.

[/color]

" H-Hummingbirdpaw. Help, please. Get more warriors, or stay and fight if you prefer, just do something! "

Something inside the she-cat snapped. I'm not going to lose anymore of my family!![/color] With a mighty roar, Hummingbird sprang high in the air using her back legs. The sound of rushing blood was in her ear and the call of the battle sang in her beating heart.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

¤~

Stitches laughed madly when he heard the cry of agony erupt from Cheetahpelt's maw. For a moment, Stitches worried about the newcomer. The way his enemy and the silver fae spoke to each other sent anxious shivers up and down his spine. This battle was his and Cheetahpelt's! No one else was to interfere!

Stitches hadn't expected his impact with the ground to be so hard. He wheezed breathlessly as his legs folded beneath him, already able to stand his own weight. It was here that he realized that he wouldn't live. Yes, he had survived much torment before...but a cat couldn't live with their chest bleeding profusely like his was doing. Stitches swore; he might as well attack with all he had in him.

A furious screech made the black tom turn his head to see the mottled femme lung at his back. The wounds she had inflicted upon him burned at the memory of those claws digging into his flesh. He was planning on flipping onto his back and spearing Cheetahpelt with his claws as she landed, but the strength had ebbed out of Stitches' body and he found it nearly impossible to move.

Agony burned as hot as an iron brand at the claws that dug into his shoulders. The femme's labored breathing tickled his ear fur as she prepared to break his neck. " It won't be that easy, " he chuckled. The tom stood up, unsteady on his paws, and flipped over so he could yet again crush Cheetahpelt under his weight; hopefully, he would crush her thin, fragile bones.

A howl of victory started to spill from the midnight cat's open mouth but was then stopped as Hummingbirdpaw flashed into his vision. Her green eyes were wild with fury and her small--yet exceedingly sharp--claws were extended for his throat. Forgetting Cheetahpelt, Stitches found enough the dying strength in him to rise up on his hind legs and lash at the she-cat with dripping claws. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he hissed at Hummingbirdpaw with malice.

The silver she-cat was not quick enough to completely evade his claws and was hit square in the face, a horrible rift opening from the top of her right eye all the way down the bridge of her nose and to the corner of his mouth. Her scream pleased Stitches and he lashed out again while falling back to all fours. This time, though, Hummingbird was faster and sprang away before he could hurt her again.

Surprised and confused, Stitches looked around for the WindClan apprentice, pondering whether she ran away or was planning a surprise attack. The tom snorted; these querilla tactics weren't going to defeat him.

A loud screech of fury made him turn to see the silver cat spring out of the heather, a determined fire in her green orbs. Her small body crashed into him and brought him down in the mud. A small, unsheathed paw laid upon his neck and he glared up at Hummingbird, a challenge in his eyes. All of the muscles in his body screamed...and he listened. Stitches knew he was either going to die from sanguination or at the claws of this WindClan apprentice.

" Go ahead, I dare you, " he wheezed, a small snicker in his voice.

The she-cat looked down at him with uncertainty contorting her pretty face. Her right eye was swollen shut and blood masked half of her face, making her appear to be the goddess of war. " I-I...I just c-c-can't... " she whispered, barely heard over the screaming wind and the raging storm. Though indecision made her voice tremble, her deadly claws were still held at his throat, waiting to rip the life out of him.

[/size]

tag; cindsah!
muse; amazing! wait, did it just...fly away?!
notes; do you want Hummingbird or Cheetah to kill Stitches?
lyrics; still the same... ( /sigh )

[/right]

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Cheetahpelt

[/color][/center]

all you've ever wanted, was someone to truly look up to you...

[/color][/left]

... and six feet underwater I do.

[/color][/right]

((Uhmmm, would it be alright if Cheetahpelt does? Sorry for the slight powerplaying on Stitches in this one, and if you want I can change it.))

" It won't be that easy, "

That chuckle was the last thing she heard before Stitches flipped over again. Snap, snap, snap, snap.... Cheetahpelt heard her bones bend practically in half before she felt the unbearable pain. She screamed a loud, bloodcurling scream. Cheetahpelt couldn't even open her eyes as she just lay there on the ground, her body shaking from the unbelieveable pain. Her heart was racing, the sound of its pounding in her ear. Cheetahpelt wouldn't even try to move, knowing that it was impossible at this point. Her legs were broken, probably permanently by the way that they were bent. The warrior was completely vulnerable at this point. If Hummingbirdpaw didn't do something soon, Cheetahpelt would be dead.

Then she heard her Clanmate's screams. Cheetahpelt felt agony rip at her heart. Hummingbirdpaw was getting hurt because of her, because she couldn't finish her own fight. She'd never forgive herself if Hummingbirdpaw died as well that day. Cheetahpelt's eyes still remained closed, her body convulsing with the pain she felt, but her heart ached at the thought of her Clanmate's pain. Hummingbirdpaw was a great apprentice of the Clan, one that deserved a warrior name more then many of the cats in the Clan. At that moment, Cheetahpelt made it her final goal to keep the WindClan apprentice safe at all costs.

Cheetahpelt heard Hummingbirdpaw's furious screech while she was lifting herself to her paws. It was nearly impossible; her front leg was completely twisted backwards, and her frontn left one was bent in half. Cheetahpelt could feel her back legs were the same way, bent in half and pretty much immobolized. She'd have to support herself on her front right leg and drag the rest of her body. The femme was completely broken without her legs; she needed her legs just to be a WindClan warrior. Never again would she run the plains if she even survived this. Blood dripped from her belly and her scratches stung from the wind that whistled into them. Rain made the blood flow faster, and Cheetahpelt could feel it manuevering through her paws from where she stood. Well, not exactly stood.

She trembled as she dragged herself toward Hummingbirdpaw and Stitches. She heard Hummingbird's trembling whisper and knew that she'd have to end the loner's life. Tears dripped from her eyes from the burning pain that shot through her limbs, and it felt like ages before she reached the other two cats. Cheetahpelt looked at Hummingbirdpaw and nearly flinched. A permanent scar was placed on the young apprentice's face, sealing her eye shut. Cheetahpelt shot her a grateful glance, and also apologetic. Without Hummingbirdpaw Cheetahpelt would've died much earlier on, but if it weren't for Cheetahpelt, that scar wouldn't be placed on Hummingbirdpaw's face.

"You don't have to,"

[/color] Cheetahpelt murmured in response to Hummingbirdpaw's whisper. At that moment Cheetahpelt lunged forward and sank her teeth into Stitches' throat, feeling the loner's metallic blood pour into her mouth. Cheetahpelt pulled back, sent the dying loner a dominating, proud look, before she collapsed. Her legs permanently gave out under her and she let out a whoosh of air as she hit the ground. Her vision was fading, her heartbeat slowing down. She was dying, she knew that. The bloodloss was too much. Cheetahpelt barely had the strength to keep her eyes open anymore.[/blockquote]

[~All I Need]

{ WHEN YOU'RE GONE, THE PIECES OF MY HEART ARE MISSING YOU }
{ WHEN YOU'RE GONE, THE FACE I CAME TO KNOW IS MISSING, TOO

[/color] }[/center]

Before, Stitches could hear the blood roaring in his ears; it was now growing quieter and calmer as his heart steadily slowed down. The black tom bared his cracked teeth at Hummingbirdpaw and spat in her face, laughing quietly at the way she flinched away from him. Her green orbs were sad; Stitches mocked her by slightly pouting. " Why wait, Hummingbirdpaw? You know you want to kill me. You know you want to have the burden of my death on you for the rest of your life. And when judgement day comes, they will make you suffer for killing another feline in cold blood. "

The silver femme's small shoulders tensed and she glared at him, her eyes blazing. She bared her teeth at him in a snarl, " I DON'T WANT TO! "

" You don't have to.

[/i] "

Stitches's one eye flickered to the side in time to see Cheetahpelt's teeth before the pain hit him in the throat. The tom tried to cry out, but a bloodied gurgle made the red liquid trickle from his mouth. Stitches convulsed as his eyes rolled back in their sockets. His limbs jerked feebily as he felt the life seeping out of him; but, oddly, he felt calm and peaceful on the inside. It felt like someone gave him a dose of sedative drugs to relieve him of the agony of heartbreak. For the last time, Stitches opened his scarred maw and whispered almost incoherently " Thank you. " The loner's eye closed and his paws twitched once again before his body fell still and cold, still slowly bleeding on the ground.


Hummingbirdpaw watched in horror as this cat died. Her mouth slightly parted but no sound came out; she was too horrified and shocked to speak. She blinked slowly, trying to rid herself of the image of the dead cat and the blood in her damaged eye.

With a cry of alarm, the she-cat tore her gaze away from Stitches's broken body to stare at Cheetahpelt's. Oh, no!

The warrior's legs were laying all around at awkward angles, showing the strain her broken bones had against her taut skin. The she-cat's eyes were closed, making it hard for Hummingbird to tell if she was dead or not. If it wasn't for the unsteady rise and fall of her flank, Hummingbirdpaw would have thought her to be dead. She fought for the sake of everyone... the silver fae thought numbly. Her limbs had gone ice-cold as she padded up next to the fallen warrior and pressed her small body next to her as she laid down. Though she knew that Cheetahpelt was dying, Hummingbirdpaw was trying to convince herself that she would live. " You fought like all of TigerClan, " she whispered with fake cheer, trying her best to brighten the mood. " That loner deserved it. " When Cheetahpelt failed to answer, the apprentice felt panic welling up inside of her. " Come on, Cheetahpelt... It's okay. I'll get you to Badgersoul and he'll fix you up to be as good as new. After all, he's the best medicine cat in the forest. "

Laying her head on her paws, Hummingbirdpaw started to silently cry. Cheetahpelt fought for her Clan; she was going to die for it! She did nothing wrong! She doesn't deserve this!![/color]

" Please don't die, Cheetahpelt! I've already lost too much of my family; my Clan is my family! If you were to d-d-d... " her voice gave out and she choked on the tears that cascaded from her eyes, making the damaged one burn like fire. Hummingbird sobbed hysterically, her throat and chest burning from the force of it. Not caring about the blood that coated Cheetahpelt's fur, Hummingbirdpaw pressed closer to the mangled she-cat; the silver femme closed her eyes and let the grief overwhelm her.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

tag; cinder! noooo, i don't want cheetahpelt to die!
muse; nice =3
notes; i don't mind that at all, cinder. it actually made it easier for me.
lyrics; when you're gone by avril lavigne

[Cinder.and.Flightfall]

Cheetahpelt

[/color][/center]

all you've ever wanted, was someone to truly look up to you...

[/color][/left]

... and six feet underwater I do.

[/color][/right]

Cheetahpelt could feel Hummingbirdpaw lie down beside her, but the apprentice's words were hard for her to make out. She was fading, her senses beginning to fail her. The fae couldn't open her eyes. Her legs still hurt more then imaginable, but the pain was beginning to lessen. She knew that Hummingbirdpaw's cheery tone was forced; she could hear the slight quiver in the apprentice's voice. Cheetahpelt let out a weak purr, though she was unable to force a smile. "I don't think that even Badgersoul can help me now,"

[/color] she murmured, her voice quiet. Thunder rumbled in the distance, contributing to the already forlorn mood of the setting.

The fae forced open her bright amber orbs that were already growing dull. She looked at Hummingbirdpaw who was crying silently beside her. It hurt her to see her Clanmate so upset. Cheetahpelt gently nudged Hummingbird, though the gesture hurt her even then. "Be proud of yourself, you fought like a true warrior. If it weren't for you that loner would've walked away without justice being served."[/color][/b] She laid her head back down, feeling Hummingbirdpaw's tears fall onto her pelt like the rapidly falling raindrops. The sound of the apprentice's sobs tore at Cheetahpelt's heart. She wished that it didn't have to work out this way; Hummingbirdpaw didn't deserve any more grief, especially after all that she'd gone through. But there was no hope for her. She could already feel the life draining out of her.

"It's going to be fine,"[/color] Cheetahpelt whispered shakily. "Now you need to be strong for the rest of your family, for the rest of the Clan. They all need you to behave like the warrior you truly are."[/color] She let out a ragged breath, the pain nearly gone now as she felt herself drifting away. "I'll always be with you, with all of you. Thank you, Hummingbirdpaw. I'll see you in the future, though I hope it'll be no time soon."[/color]

With her strength dwindling, Cheetahpelt found herself reminiscing. She thought of all the cats that she'd never get to say goodbye to. Creek, her best friend, mentor... She remembered the badger attack that happened when they'd first met, and how Creek had saved her and brought her to Badgersoul, then Badgerpaw. Badgersoul... Cheetahpelt had just been made an apprentice when she'd first met him. What about Spook? Would she ever learn of Cheetahpelt's death? Spook had been one of Cheetahpelt's first friends when she was in the Clan, living by the name of Sparrowpaw. Cheetahpelt couldn't help but wonder where her good friend was, and if she was okay. And what about Singedsoul? A soft smile graced her lips at the thought of the tortie tom. They'd hated each other upon first meeting, but Cheetahpelt had grown to truly love him. Mothkit, like a little sister to Cheetahpelt, would be grieving, but she knew that Snifflekit would be by her side through it all. And lastly, Hummingbirdpaw. Cheetahpelt couldn't have felt more proud of the fae that lay crying beside her. She had such a big heart, and Cheetahpelt felt awful that she had to witness this. Though they may not have known each other amazingly well, they were family, the whole Clan was. She cared for her as much as the rest of the Clan.

"Goodbye,"[/color] she breathed, not just to Hummingbirdpaw, but to the rest of the Clan. Her senses had completely faded now, and Cheetahpelt found herself walking the starry path to the neverending sky. Walking... her legs were healed, in fact every wound was. Nothing hurt her anymore, except seeing her Clanmate and friend grieving on her dead body below her. Cheetahpelt looked out across the plains one more time, taking in every strand of grass, every creature that scurried for shelter in the rain, and finally at Hummingbirdpaw before she turned away and walked to the starlit sky.

[/blockquote]

((Ahhhh D: I cried writing this! My last Cheetahpelt post... ): -cries))[/size]