Fox's Wish~Part Seven

It was the night of the full moon. Foxpaw felt bad for lying that he had not felt well, but he couldn't face a Gathering full of Clans and cats looking like a fox! He snuck out of the Medicine Den and slipped past the camp guards, like he had already changed. He swiftly took off through the forest, running to that one secluded place that he never found any scent of cat. About halfway to the creek his paws felt heavier and his legs grew longer. No turning back now he thought with a snort. When he arrived, he slowly waded into the cool river, reeds rustling beside him. The moon shone on his pelt with a great light, a feeling that seeped deep into his skin and made him feel StarClan was watching.

Suddenly, a twig snapped, and eyes glinted fiercely in the darkness. He couldn't get a scent, the wind was against him. Just my luck he thought with a silent sigh. The figure snarled and lept from the bushes in a streak of gray fur. Foxpaw felt the she-cat's claws rip into his shoulder. He yowled, and threw it off. Her paws landed with a dull thump on the bank. A moment later Foxpaw realized he was staring at Dovepaw. His heart pounded, and she became ready to spring again, but his muscles went limp. She struck, bowling him over. Her face looked surprised, but she began to dig her claws deep into his pelt. I don't want to hurt her... he thought, biting through the pain. Her motions began to slow as she realized he wasn't fighting back. She retracted her claws and stepped away from him, watching warily for signs of movement. His breathing was labored as blood flowed from his torn pelt, staining the ground.

After much time had past, Dovepaw began to turn her head to the ground, realizing he was close to death. Foxpaw felt it too, a black emptiness seeming to creep up on him, promising rest. He tried to keep it back, but couldn't stop it. She was confused. not knowing whether to feel triumphed or ashamed after such easy blows. He couldn't even think straight as his pain swallowed him. It was if time had stopped in that clearing as they waited for the inevitable. The trees began whispering in the wind again, and gentle paw steps barely tapped the ground, but neither Dovepaw nor Foxpaw could hear them. A shadow danced around the two, lurking at the edge of where it was unseen. Red eyes flashed, and in a second Dovepaw was confronted with swift claws delivering a quick strike. She lay unconscious on the cold ground, her breath shallow, but she was alive. Maboroshi stood above Foxpaw. He picked up the limp fox and carried him away. Back to the land of the Cursed.

He was placed on a bluntly-jutting stone, where cats crowded him as they worked to keep him alive. One was glowing faintly, emitting a slow-healing aura. Maboroshi and Seven overlooked from a distance. One began to speak. "He will be indebted to us now, and will not be able to refuse our requests" Seven mewed contently. Maboroshi nodded and replied "Even so, I have placed the mark". Seven's smile grew. "Then we wait for the show" he laughed menacingly.