Shadow's of the Past

[-Frozen.- [Can't get away]]

Title..Shadow's of the Past
Inspiration..Warriors Series [Erin Hunter].
Chapter Count..Three

Chapter One:

A shaded figure stalked through the metal cans and across the black pavement. The shrill screeching of a monster drowned out the cat’s mew of fright as it raced past her, drenching her in an acrid stench. A small cough escaped the she-cat as she padded onward, making no noise as her paws fell silently on the gravel beyond the Blackpath. The she-cat padded into a small shaft of moonlight, the pale colors washing over her cream colored coat. Her nose, ears and paws were shadowed in chocolate, while her body was bathed in a creamy glow as the moon cast shadows along the ground. Faint, almost ghostlike blades of grass poked mournfully out of the acidic earth. The cat's whiskers twitched as she neared her home. She saw the nest looming high above her head, far brighter and more colorful than any nest around. The cat hissed in disgust and leaped through the cat flap. She trotted into the nest, filling the ground with dark stains from her asphalt-laden paws. She walked quietly into a dark room with the door ajar, scenting the air for any sign of her house folk. She sighed in half-content when she realized they were not present.
The cat scratched at her neck where a small pink collar held her nameplate, Shadow. Again, she tried to pry it off, but it was so strong. Shadow grunted and leaped onto the bed. She kneaded the soft down bedding and sat, curling her tail around her paws. Peace. Shadow thought as she curled up on the comfy feather blanket that covered the bed. She nudged her nose deep into her tail and drifted off into a sound, dreamless sleep.

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The pounding of little House folk and horns rang through Shadow's ears as she mewed in alarm. Her fur fluffed out to twice its size as she looked wildly around for the cause of the noise. She relaxed slightly as she realized it was just the kit-folk romping around. Something big was happening today. Shadow knew it from the scents in the air, the colors of the house, and the screaming of the kit-folk. Shadow irritably laid her ears flat against her head as the noise continued. The head she-folk poked her head into the room, rubbing Shadow's head as she frantically searched in her bed for something. Shadow sighed and arched her back, watching the noisy being bustle around. Shadow flicked her tail and leaped lightly off of the bed, and traveled down the dark corridors of her house folk’s nest. The screaming and banging became louder as Shadow entered the feeding room. Kit-folk romped around here and there with bright, shining cones on top of their small heads. A rather round kit-folk came up to Shadow and launched her into the air, then caught her by the paws and started swinging her around. Shadow yelped in fright, lashing out with her claws. The kit-folk let her go and she banged to the ground. Shadow hissed at it and it fell down, droplets of water streaming down its pink face. Shadow sniffed and haughtily walked away, her nose high in the air. That'll teach them to mess with me! Shadow thought angrily. She licked her paws where the little wretch had caught her. Her pads were sore and pink, swelling immensely from the roughhousing. Shadow perched herself on a window, staring past the large nests and smoke.
Her pale blue eyes found refuge out in the open woodlands beyond. How she dreamed of being there, away from all of the chaotic and sleepless days. Shadow pushed hard on the glass, wishing she could fly out of here. She sighed as she realized that would never happen. Her housefolk only let her out once in a blue moon, and, every day after, they locked the cat flap. Shadow’s only way out was to die, but she wouldn't give up life so readily. She hung her head as she paced the windowsill, looking out at the forest every now and again. Her house-folk came to her and stroked Shadow’s head, but she didn't even purr for her. She just curled up and gazed out the window at the dream world beyond, and fell asleep.

Chapter Two

Dark figures loomed above Shadow, speaking to one another. Their pelts glowed in the moon washed forest, making them almost star-like. Shadow's eyes opened wide in fright. "Who are you?" she hissed. The cats didn't even notice her. They kept on speaking, but Shadow wouldn't be thrown away that easy. She swiveled her dark ears towards the cats, catching their words.
"She would make a great clan cat!" one cried.
"No!" said another. His pale, crooked jaw twitched as he spoke. "It isn't her path yet. The stars read of independence and life of the lone!" Shadow's face became a quizzical stare. She wondered whom they were talking about, and why she had been brought here.
"Never the less, I think the medicine cats should be informed of her. A Prophecy has been revealed to me!" A pale blue/gray she-cat remarked. Shadow's jaws gaped as she saw the face of the cat. Deep blue eyes, full of wisdom and understanding gazed down at the others, holding some sort of authority. Her pale white whiskers trembled with a great sadness, as if there were no other way to go.
Shadow knew she shouldn’t have been eavesdropping. Any of these cats looked as if they could slice her in half and eat her for lunch! Shadow backed away into the woods. She padded along, still wondering where she was. A dark tabby figure raced past her, holding something in his jaws. "Wait!" Shadow cried. The figure didn’t stop, but kept moving through the woods, until he disappeared. A cold, a terrible cold that seeped through her very being took Shadow into a dark abyss. No light shone anywhere. No warmth or comfort. Shadow fell, deep into the unknown. She cried out and yelped. "HELP!"

Shadow's bright blue eyes opened with fear. She was back at her nest, sleeping on the windowsill. Her whole body was shaking like a leaf on a crisp yellow-grass day. She then knew she must've been dreaming. Shadow’s she-folk came in, carrying her newest kit-folk on her hip. She didn't notice Shadow, even when she rubbed her head vigorously against her housefolks leg. Shadow mewed loudly, finally getting her housefolk’s attention. The housefolk looked down and stroked Shadow’s head for a minute, then returned to her bustling and frantic cries. Shadow's tail twitched in annoyance. She sniffed and padded, with her chest high, into her feeding room. A small bowl of milk and pellets were laid out for her. Shadow noted that she had less and less food each day. It was as if her house-folk had forgotten her. Shadow forced down the rank food and quickly gulped down the milk. Even that tasted bad. It was like it had been out for days. Shadow's eyes drifted towards the cat flap. Maybe it wasn’t locked! If only... Shadow looked around, scanning the clean nest with her piercing eyes, then quietly padded out the cat flap. It wasn’t locked! Shadow couldn’t believe her luck. Her paws carried her swiftly over the pavement and to the edge of a large Blackpath. A monster zoomed past, making Shadow shiver in disgust. She had grown a little used to the stench, but it still sent her fur crawling for help. Shadow batted at her noisy bell collar. It just wouldn’t stop ringing! Shadow huffed, disappointment deep within her bones as she realized prey would be so hard to catch. Shadow hissed in renewed fury as a kit-folk of the neighbor's ran past her, kicking up dirt and rocks as he went. One pebble hit Shadow square in the shoulder, making her yowl in pain.
Shadow darted across a small blackpath, her paw pads ripping and leaving blood trails along the coal black surface. She reached the other side, panting. Shadow made her way through the blinding lights and dark corners of the small neighborhood of house folk. She glided soundlessly through a garden, her paws feeling relief as she walked on the soft soil. Her heart thudded as she wound through the endless maize of nests. She thought she would never make it out of there! After endless walking and searching, Shadow decided she had to try a different direction. She peeked her head around a corner, only to find herself face to face with a dog. The dog was huge, its mouth dripping with foamy saliva. It’s barking shredded the peaceful night into pieces as it gave chase after Shadow. Shadow darted away, weaving through as many things as possible in order to lose the hungry animal at her paws. She wound up staircases, across busy blackpaths, and through wire fences, but she couldn't lose the ravaging demon behind her. Finally, as she crossed another blackpath, she heard a squeal and a yelp. The dog lay sprawled on the black-trail, its leg twisted into abnormality by a passing monster. Shadow lay down in a patch of prickly yellow grass, her tongue lolling out of her mouth, gasping for air. She watched as the sky turned a velvety black, the moon rising full into the black depths. Shadow's eyes lulled back, and the grip of sleep drew her into the calm.

Shadow awoke to the roar of the Blackpath. A monster hurtled past, making Shadow shiver. She slowly got to her paws, but a yelp escaped her as she realized how sore they were. She carefully turned over her paw. The skin was scorched and torn, with caked blood surrounding the once soft pad. Shadow tried to lick it, but yowled as a sharp pain seared up her paw. Shadow's eyes clouded with pain as she made the painful trudge out of the last Housefolk garden.
She leaped over the fence and landed on soft, green grass. Her paws felt soothed and she gingerly padded across the earth in a circle, welcoming the coolness. The grass was so tall; it brushed up far against her belly fur, making her stomach tickle. A soft breeze rushed over the hills, making the tiny grass blades shiver. Shadow couldn't hold in her delight. She'd made it out! She was free. She smiled inwardly, her joy bubbling her over. She walked through the grass, enjoying the warmth on her back as she padded on. A small bird flew above her, oblivious to the fact that the little cat below it was VERY hungry. Shadow crouched down, stalking the bird. Her mouth watered as it landed in front of her. Perfect. She lunged, but the bird knew she was there before she even did so, and flew away. Shadow landed hard on her brown face, a deep disappointment clouding over her eyes. She immediately knew what the problem was. Her collar. That stupid bell would make a ruckus anytime she moved. Shadow took a claw up to the tiny bell, and yanked as hard as she could. The bell just jingled merrily, not even budging. Shadow seethed in agitation, trying again. Nothing. Shadow leaped in fury, digging her claws into the ground. Something snagged her collar, and a small jingle made Shadow look down. It was the bell! Shadow couldn’t believe it! She sat, staring at the small, round ball of silver. A scent flooded over her, so familiar that she had to turn. She spotted a mouse not to far away, and remembered all of the mice she had caught back at home. They could feel an ant crawling. Shadow tried to step as light as she could, trying to pinpoint it. A harsh wind blew over her from behind, ruffling her fur. The mouse pricked its ears up, and scurried away. Shadow was doubly disappointed, not to mention hungry, now. She sat down, anger and frustration rising in her. She cried out, lashing a stick in half. Shadow sat there a while, panting from her spent rage. She calmed down, a little, and tried to figure out why she couldn't catch any prey! She remembered the wind. I was in the wrong direction! The mouse could EASILY smell me! She thought. "Next time, I will stay downwind,” she told herself.
Shadow kept on walking, trotting at times, when she noticed the sun was at its highest point, and she STILL hadn't caught anything to eat. She sat down awhile, closing her icy eyes. She listened to everything, opened her scent glands to the world around. Everything was so strange. It would take some time getting used to this. She tried to pick out different scents, but the scents of the forest still clouded her scent glands. "This will take some getting used to, that’s for sure,” she muttered.

Shadow searched for a place to rest her sore paws, and spotted a nearby bush. She found some long grass underneath it, and curled her tail around her nose. Her breathing deepened as sleep called to her in a voice of honey.

Wind and rain pelted the land as four shadowy figures strode out of the cover of the trees. Shadow's eyes widened as she recognized the cat with the wise blue eyes. The pale tabby with a twisted jaw was also familiar. Shadow crouched, hissing as she flattened her ears. But again, the cats did not notice her. The two familiar ones were deep in conversation. Shadow's eyes fell on the others. They looked like twins! Both had pale silvery pelts with dark stripes. They looked almost like mother and daughter. Shadow's fear grew as she realized she wasn't anywhere near her little bush, but somewhere unknown and distant. She gazed at the cats, wondering if they would offer help or destruction. Again, she caught their words.
"No!" the crooked jawed cat yelled, sitting down on his haunches. "It is not time yet, Bluestar! She must wait."
The blue/gray she-cat smiled gently. Shadow took her to be Bluestar. "I never said it was,” she said evenly. "We just need to find a way to contact her. She seems so close to us, I can almost feel her, but when I try to give her a dream, her mind goes somewhere I cannot reach!" Her deep blue eyes looked sad and grief stricken.
One of the silver cats spoke, "Bluestar, maybe if we contacted Gorsepe.."
"No, Feathertail." Bluestar cut her off. "He wouldn't listen to us. He wants nothing to do with us,” she said, her voice getting as icy as her eyes. The other silver cat spoke, trying to comfort Bluestar.
"He will HAVE to listen. HE must help her with her survival." she gently licked Bluestar across her forehead.
"Thank you Silverstream." Bluestar replied, shaking her pelt. "If anyone should contact him though, it should be Waterose, your dear friend Feathertail." she said, staring at the younger of the silver wisps. Shadow saw no more as she again plunged into an icy chamber of black.

Chapter Three

Gorsepelt crouched low to the ground, his belly fur brushing the coarse grass underneath him. He slowly padded foreword, keeping his jaws parted to pinpoint the scent of mouse coming his way. He chuckled slightly, leaping towards the mouse. He caught it with a razor sharp claw and killed it instantly, and puffed out his brown chest in triumph, carrying off his prey towards his cave. The cold floor was a comfort after the many hours in the yellow, prickly grass. He flung his catch onto a slab of stone, and leaped to it, devouring his lunch. The mouse was gone in seconds with Gorsepelt swiping his tongue across his mouth. "What a day!" he purred, stretching his claws out and scraping them across the stone. The wind ruffled his fur as it whistled through the cave, and Gorsepelt thought, Too bad the clan cats couldn't experience such wonderful solitude! His mind flew over his territory, pacing the route to the first clan territory. Whew, good thing it is so far away! Gorsepelt leaped down, padding across into the deepest part of his cave. His eyes beamed up at the cave ceiling, glowing in the darkness. Then, he stopped, his ears flicking towards the entrance. Something, or Some cat, wasn't supposed to be here. He slowly turned, only to see a dark shape at the mouth of his cave. He scented the air. A female, but not of the other clans! A loner perhaps? Whoever it was, it shouldn't be here. Gorsepelt crouched, stalking towards the figure. He saw her head turn as she pelt out. He gave chase, a thrill coursing through his body. He tried to over run her, but she evaded him for a great while. Yikes she's fast! He thought, his amber eyes gleaming. She started to slow, her pink tongue lolling. "But I have more stamina!" he said out loud. She turned her head at his voice, and stumbled. She flew head over paws into a wild berry bush, spitting leaves from her strangely colored mouth. Gorsepelt skidded to a halt, chuckling as she tried to get out. He watched her struggle, and sat down. Gorsepelt examined the cat before him with his amber gaze. She had a pale, creamy coat with dark brown paws, tail, and nose. This puss seemed all too strange to be a clan cat, let alone a loner. As Gorsepelt was looking his opponent over, a small band of pink around her neck caught his attention. "A Kittypet? Oh you have GOT to be kidding me!" he howled, a great burst of laughter escaping him.
"What do you mean, a kittypet?" the she-cat spat, finally free. Her fur fluffed up, but Gorsepelt could see her strong muscles and lithe form. If she was a kittypet, she had been away from her nest for quite some time.
"You know, they live in those steel bars over there with the smoke and monsters?" he laughed again, noting the ferocity in her blue eyes. She seemed almost feral, besides the fact that she had a kittypet collar on. "So," he said, pausing to lick his chest, "what brings a street wise kittypet like you out here? You do know you are trespassing, right?" He leaped back as she lunged.
"Trespassing? I couldn't scent your markers!" A confused look crossed the cat’s face.
"Then you obviously have some work to do if you can't pick out a strange scent!" He paused as she snarled. "Ok, then what ARE you?” He asked
"A cat! You are REALLY dull aren't you?" She hissed, bending low to the ground. Gorsepelt could only laugh again. He was sure getting a kick out of this she-cat.
"What I meant to ask was; Are you a kittypet? Or aren't you?" He watched as the cat stopped, thinking.
"Neither!" she finally spat.
"Then you are a Loner like me eh?" He said, swiping his tongue over his paws. The cat gave him a quizzical look.
He sighed, "A loner is one who has no clan, no twoleg owner, no allegiance what so ever! We live our lives in solitude. We hunt for ourselves, defend our territories, and watch over our food and possibly family, if you chose to have one." He watched the cat carefully as her eyes grew wide with amazement.
"Really? So, you’re saying no one takes care of you? No housefo---twoleg tries to pamper you and sick her kits on you?”
Gorsepelt chuckled, "Of course, but you need to learn how to survive first!" He drew back as the she-cats ice-like eyes bore into him.
"Ok, ok, bad joke, I get it!" he slowly turned around, heading back to his cave. He gave out a howl of alarm as he felt claws on his back. He flung himself to the ground, trying smothering whatever was on him. The cat was too quick, and jumped off before she could be smothered.
"How's that?" the she-cat asked.
"You?" Gorsepelt felt shocked. "Ok, fine. So you can do something. I applaud your brilliance. Or maybe it was just luck! Try again." He said, watching her every move as she crouched down. She looked him over carefully, sizing him up. Gorsepelt was just about to attack when she dove for his paws. At the last second, he jumped, but her head caught his front left paw, making him collapse. He quickly turned as she swiped at his ear. He bit into her leg, but let go as soon as she clawed at his face. He finally tackled her to the ground, laying his paw on her throat. "Dead." he said, getting up. He trotted towards his cave, feeling the presence of the she-cat beside him. She was matching his stride step for step. "I'm Shadow,” the she-cat said quietly. Gorsepelt stopped; his amber eyes following her every move. "What's your name?" she asked, her blue eyes looking him over. Gorsepelt delayed, wondering if her could truly trust this cat. He knew he probably couldn't, but introduced himself anyway. "Gorsepelt." He said, vanishing into his cave.

Helpful criticism is welcome, flames are not.