Mean~59

Instructions

Vineripple slipped silently through the trees, the pawsteps of the ShadowClan cats soft behind her. Her paws were itching with excitement as they got closer and closer to camp. The tabby she-cat glanced over her shoulder, feeling her heart soar with pride at the Clan following her lead willingly. If only ThunderClan had done the same. The camp entrance now came into sight just as the first rays of sun began to peak over the horizon. She slowed, holding her tail up as she stopped a little ways away. The tabby turned, her amber eyes flashing. “Remember: get in and get back /out/.” She glared at the cats in turn, making sure they heard her. “Get as little injuries as possible, even if that means being on the defensive the entire time. This isn’t the real battle. Understood?” Vineripple saw a few of the cats nod their heads in agreement and she smirked. “Well then, good luck everyone.” Her eyes flashed dangerously before she turned, running at full speed into the place she once called her home. “ATTACK!!!!” Vineripple was the first to enter the camp, and it was just as she hoped. Cats were sitting and laying in the clearing, their eyelids drooping as they held back their yawns. When they saw her their eyes widened and they jumped to their paws, claws unsheathing. But, they were still tired. With a screech, Vineripple barreled into Sandstep, pinning her down and pressing a paw to the throat of her old mentor. “Will you or will you not support me?” She snarled, spit flying in her face. “Support me in raising this Clan up and leading it to greatness, allied strongly with the Clan that used to be our greatest enemy? What will it be, Sandstep?” The pale she-cat glared into Vineripple’s amber eyes, rage simmering beneath her pelt. “Never.” She hissed darkly, pummeling her back legs into Vineripple’s stomach and throwing her off. The light brown she-cat hit the ground with a thud before scrambling to her paws, bristling as she lashed out. Sandstep hissed as Vineripple’s claws slashed her face, just beneath her eye. The pale cream she-cat reared up with a snarl, claws glinting in the morning light as she prepared to crush Vineripple under her. Sandstep grinned viciously. Suddenly a red ball of fur barreled into Sandstep, throwing her to the side. Vineripple watched in surprise as Russettail screeched, tearing at her old mentor’s stomach. Sandstep screamed, writhing to get away, but the red tom held on tight. Finally though, Sandstep managed to skip out of his grasp and stood, hissing at them. “I support you, Vineripple.” The tom panted, his eyes glinting with bloodlust and paws covered in the sticky liquid. Vineripple smirked, padding to his side and turning her attention back to Sandstep, who was beginning to back away now that she was outnumbered. “Glad to have you on board, Russettail.” They both grinned, slowly approaching the she-cat with their eyes sparkling and claws glinting. Sandstep hesitated a moment more before her face contorted into disgust. The pale she-cat spat at their feet before turning and bouncing off, her tail streaming out behind her. Vineripple smiled and turned to Russettail. “Keep up the good work.” Spotting a white ball of fluff behind him, Vineripple slipped past and hurtled herself at Sheepstep. The white tom turned with a yowl, class unsheathed. He froze when he saw her, his usually narrowed yellow eyes going wide. “V-Vineripple?” He gasped. Then he shook his head. “I-I-I didn’t want to believe it-“ The tabby bristled, cutting him off. “Do you support me in this or not? I’m trying to make this Clan better, Sheepstep.” Her eyes narrowed. “Stronger.” He faltered. “I-I-Vineri-“ The tom paused, taking a deep breath and seeming to clear his mind. “Of course I do. I just wish you had /told/ me about this.. I could have helped you...” Vineripple’s shoulders relaxed and she smirked. “Next time.” Still smiling she turned, her heart lifting when she saw ShadowClan slowly beginning to overpower the ThunderClan cats. But, she knew the ThunderClan cats tiredness was waring off, their blows spurred by loyalty to their Clan. Plus, if ShadowClan got /too/ far ahead, it would be suspicious.