Blackened Loyalties }{ UF, Violence, Romance, ...

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Title: Blackened Loyalties
Chapters: Unknown at the moment.
Author: Rhapsody
Pairing: There are no Canon Pairings. BUT, if you want to count regular pairings, There's ButterflyxDelirium. Kind of a RussetxButterfly thing too. :3
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: None
Summary: It has been many moons since the clans have arrived at their lake home. Firestar, and other cats from his generation are long dead, but their kin's kin lives on. All four clans have been at peace for many moons, with new leaders, and new revolutions. ShadowClan, for example are still the testy cats they've always been, but they aren't always looking to pick a fight. Butterflypaw, great granddaughter of Blackstar, is Medicine Cat apprentice for ShadowClan, and she is a great asset. One day, she goes off in search for healing herbs, a normal Medicine Cat duty, but she finds much more than herbs on her trip. She meets a handsome rogue, named Delirium. As she spends more time with the rogue, he reveals to her terrifying secrets that could destroy ShadowClan forever...
Warning: There will be a lot of gore in this, some romances, and many deaths.
Disclaimer: The WARRIORS Series is copyrighted to Erin Hunter, and I do not claim any general ideas laid down in the books.
Beta: Uhm. None
Cover: None

Author's Notes: Boy, BL is going to take awhile. ;3 In turn, as I write Butterflypaw's story, I hope you like it, and find it to be worth of reading in the first place. Oh! Over one hundred views! Huzzah! O____O' 200 page views! Thanks for reading everyone.

Chapter #1

Yarrow, Nettle, Poppy Seeds, Cobweb... These herbs ran through Butterflypaw's head as she attempted to remember them all. Inside the confines of the den, her face contorted into something of frustration. What cures a sore throat? She thought in angst, small black paws kneading the earth below. Honey! The medicinal remedy popped in her head, and a small purr arose in her throat with delight. Butterflypaw's blue eyes glanced outside. It was storming again, huge dark clouds looming overhead, rain spewing from their fat bellies, coming down as a torrent on ShadowClan. The apprentice's short white fur didn't insulate her nearly as much as she wanted it to, especially right now. Chilly winds seemed to always find their way through the cracks of the bramble den walls, reaching out like spindly fingers to her body.

Butterflypaw took in a deep breath, listening to the patter of raindrops outside. It was a peaceful thing, yet it could get so loud as the storm raged on. A sigh escaped the apprentice's maw. Where was her mentor, Nettlethorn? She couldn't be out collecting herbs, seeing as it was storming. But then, a sorrowful reminder crept into her thoughts. Reedstar, ShadowClan's elderly leader was slowly dying from greencough, and basic old age. Nettlethorn had asked her to stay away from the leader, and herself, because she feared an outbreak of the sickness might rise if anyone came in close contact with either of them. Butterflypaw frowned. The only thing she had to do all day was remember herbs, sort them, and treat an occasional scratch or two, nothing major. A clap of thunder sounded in the distance, making her flinch, stupid storm.

Rising to her paws, Butterflypaw slowly padded over to the den's entrance. Since she couldn't hear the fait patter of rain anymore, she was curious to see if the storm had passed. Her small frame crouched down, blue eyes sweeping over the landscape. The rain had stopped, leaving the earth even more wet and soggy than it usually was, also illuminating the labyrinths of needles above her head in beady water. Butterflypaw felt as if she could simply burst with joy. NOW, she could actually do something with her copius amounts of time. The smell of rain, and the feeling of moisture hung thick in the atmosphere, and various cats flooded out from their dens, stretching and murmuring amongst themselves. The she-cat payed them no mind as she padded out into the boggy camp, her small black paws sinking into the mud. Irritated, she forcibly yanked them out, and started off towards the edge of camp, BUT she was stopped short by a voice.

"Hey! Erm, Hi Butterflypaw!" The voice called behind her. The Medicine Cat Apprentice stopped dead in her tracks, her face lilted down in a grimace. Russetpaw, of course. From behind her, a young ginger tom padded up to her side, green eyes staring at the ground. Butterflypaw forced a smile, then looked at the tom, mewing a small reply. "Hi...Russetpaw." She mewed, then awkwardly shifted from one paw to the next. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, and she could see that Russetpaw was gathering the courage to ask her something. At this, she supressed a groan. Russetpaw had always taken a very keen interest in her, although he knew it was wrong, and she didn't even like him. She had to get out of this situation, and fast. "Listen, Russetpaw, I've got to go collect some herbs, see you later." She mewed quickly, then scurried off before Russetpaw could reply...

((There you have it, Chapter 1))

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #2

The pine forests of ShadowClan were one of the places Butterflypaw liked the most, especially after it rained. The scent was so wonderful, so energizing, so natural. You could barely smell the rank stench of the Thunderpath from here. The she-cat slowly padded through the forest, taking in the sights and smells. At the same time, her blue eyes searched for herbs, but that really wasn't her main focus. She just wanted to get away from Russetpaw...Butterflypaw's head lifted up, only to see massive pine trees, and many species of birds fluttering from tree branch to tree branch. At this, Butterflypaw grew wistful. What was it like to take wing, and soar within the air? Was it scary? Or was it simply enthralling? She desperately wanted to know. Things like that had always fascinated her, and yet, they scared her. That was the good thing about being a Medicine Cat, her curiosity was always fulfilled.

Through all of her air-headed thinking, Butterflypaw had no idea that she was coming upon the secret murmurings of voices. Snapping back to reality, the Medicine Cat Apprentice scrambled to a stop. The voices were cats, of course, but she could hardly make out the exact words spoken. Suddenly, the murmuring stopped, and Butterflypaw's breath caught in her throat. Oh no, She thought, Maybe they know I'm here... Gulping, she practically dove into a thick patch of forest ferns, although they didn't give her much cover. Oh well, better than nothing. As she hid, she hardly breathed, because she thought if she did, she'd betray her own position in the foliage. Just when she thought the cats were gone, the murmurins started again, this time, they were louder. Who are these cats, rogues? She thought, and then something crossed her mind. Pushing away her own bad thoughts, Butterflypaw lay motionless in the ferns, listening to the conversastions.

"I say we get them at their weakest point..." She heard one voice say.
"I know what we could do..." Another voice said. "Capture all of their cats in power, you know, the leader and the deputy? That'll make them really squirm a-" The voice stopped, as if the cat who spoke knew she was lurking just outside their range of sight.
Butterflypaw felt her insides twist with fear, and she felt her breaths grow more shallow with every one she took. Oh no, oh no. They were going to kill her...or worse. Butterflypaw didn't even want to think what could be worse than that...Just then, she heard a rustle of leaves behind her, and her body locked, muscles freezing in sheer terror. Well, no cat wanted to see their demise, so she clamped her eyes shut, and waited for her fatal end. It was several seconds later when she realized that she wasn't dead yet. What were they waiting for? Gathering all of her courage, she sprung to her paws, whirling around, lunging into the cat behind her.

Before she could blink, she felt her body slam down on the boggy earth, and she yowled in pain. Even more pain came to her as she felt the endings of sharp claws dig into her underbelly. Yet another shriek of pain escaped her maw. "Let me g-" She tried to scream for help, but she felt a paw cover her maw. What Butterflypaw didn't realize, is that she had her eyes were closed the whole time. She had never saw her attacker. Daring to open them, what she saw took her breath away. There was a tom pinning her down to the earth, his front claws gripping into her belly. His broad shoulders completely shadowed her, and his silver tabby pelt stuck out sorely on his white one. "Shut. Up." He said, amber eyes glaring intesely at her. The tom's paw slipped from her mouth, and Butterflypaw felt obligated to speak.

"Who are you, why are there rogues on ShadowClan territory?" Her flurry of questions seemed to irritate the tom, and he quickly placed his paw back on her maw. Butterflypaw lay limp under the tom's weight, her blue eyes staring up at him. Her eyes widened with fear as the cat's head bent down, his maw come very close to her left ear. "You have to keep quiet," He whispered vehemently, his gaze momentarily glancing over his shoulder in the direction of the voices. "You could've gotten yourself killed, pulling something like that. You could've gotten me killed!" He continued, his breath brushing the tip of her ear. The tom removed his paw from her mouth again, signifying that she could speak. "Who are you?" She whispered meekly, wincing as she felt the tom's claws retract from her belly.

Butterflypaw felt utterly confused as the tom chuckled, craning his head down to whisper in her ear once more. "My name is Delirium, I'm a rogue, like them." His tail flickered towards the group. "But, I'm going to tell you something, clan kitty. They are planning to attack ShadowClan..." he pause, figuring out that she would probably have something to say.
"What!?" She almost screamed, but toned her voice down at the warning glance from Delirium. Butterflypaw noticed his muscular legs tighten as he heard the faint movements of his fellow rogues. Leaning down, he whispered once more. "I have to make this quick, but I don't know exactly what they're planning, all I know is that they're planning to attack your clan." His voice was breathy and feverent with raw passion as he told her this.

Butterflypaw could only nod at this statement. Delirium scrambled away from her, padding slowly into the shadows. The only thing she could see of the rogue now were his amber eyes, gazing out at her. "Go!" He hissed, and turned away, dissapating completley. Hearing the other rogues, Butterflypaw jumped up, sprinting off towards camp, paws trembling, the image of Delirium making her shiver with delight...

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #3

Butterflypaw was running as fast as her legs could take her, which wasn't very fast because of the slippery earth she trod. Her breath was heavy and labored, and when she finally made it to camp, she felt as if she could collapse. A burning feeling had placed itself inside her stomach, from running too much. Boy, she really needed to run a bit more. Her pace slowed to a stop as she entered the forum of camp, her blue eyes looking around for anyone whom she thought would listen to her story. Near the warrior's den on the other side of camp, was a gray tabby she-cat, and Butterflypaw exhaled with relief. If any cat would listen to her, it would be her. Butterflypaw bounded over to the den, sounding a little frantic as she said these words.

"Cinderstep, I need to talk to you!"
Cinderstep glanced up at the medicine cat apprentice, and smiled.
"Alright," She replied, then got to her paws, padding to the outskirts of camp with Butterflypaw following. As soon as the two she-cats got settled Butterflypaw dove right in with her story. She spoke of hiding, then being found by that gray tom. What was his name again? She struggled for awhile with his name. What was it? Something weird...Delirium! That was it. She spoke of him, how mysterious and handsome he was, yet how terrifying he was at the same time. Cinderstep just nodded and listened, her eyes widening as Butterflypaw spoke of the rogues' plot.

"Are you positive?" Cinderstep asked her, licking a paw, drawing it over her ear. The medicine cat apprentice nodded feverishly.
"Positive."
"Do you know when any of this will happen...?" She asked.
"No," Butterflypaw admitted, ears drawing flat on her skull.
"Did the rogue say?"
"No, he didn't even know..."
After that, she and Cinderstep were quiet for a moment, both of them contemplating on what to do. Butterflypaw licked down her white chest fur, her black paws shuffling around nervously.
What should I do? She thought with a frown, looking at her surroundings at the edge of camp. A frog croaked in a guttural fashion from a pile of soggy leaves beside her, making her cringe with disgust. Some cats in ShadowClan actually ATE those things...After what seemed long HOURS of silence, Cinderstep spoke.
"Maybe you should find this rogue again. You know, meet him at intervals? That way, he could give you more information..."
Butterflypaw listened to this suggestion with a slightly closed mind. This idea could get her in trouble and him killed. Being a compassionate cat, Butterflypaw couldn't bare having a cat's death on paws.
"Er, I don't know, Cinderstep. He could get in a lot of trouble, or even killed for telling me that kind of stuff."
Cinderstep frowned, then got to his paws.
"You don't actually...care for this cat, do you?" She asked, a suspicious look on her face.
Butterflypaw was very quick to reply.
"NO! I mean...ahg. No. It's forbidden, and I know that." She mewed studiously. Cinderstep stared at her for a moment, as if staring right into her soul, digging out true feelings.
"Good," She said. "It would break poor Russetpaw's heart." The warrior teased. Butterflypaw groaned softly, glaring at the she-warrior. "Not funny," She murmured under her breath, then also rose to her paws.

The two she-cats padded back into camp, Cinderstep parting ways with the medicine cat, to go sit with a warrior named Windstorm. Now, Butterflypaw was in deep thought, her heart struggling with her mind. Her heart said, NO! Don't go, it's too much of a risk, and besides, you could be risking other things too...Her mind said something different. Go, yes, go. It's for the good of the clan. If you don't go, you'll risk ShadowClan's destruction! Her thoughts slowly drowned the rest of the clan out, and it took the voice of one cat to slowly pull her out.
"Hi, Butterflypaw! You're back!" Butterflypaw could recognize that voice anywhere.
"Hi Russetpaw..." She mewed softly, her voice trailing off. The orange tom seemed to be very pleased that she was back.
"Uhm, Larkflight said I can do whatever I want, since I finished my duties early. Do you want to go hunting?" Russetpaw's voice seemed to grow higher as he asked her this. Butterflypaw looked at him and noticed how nervous he looked. It must've taken a lot of courage for him to ask her this. Then, Cinderstep's idea came to her. This would be the opportune time to find Delirium.
"Sure, Russetpaw." She mewed, quickly padding past the tom. "Let's go!" She yowled, twisting her head over her shoulder. Butterflypaw could barely hear Russetpaw stumbling after her, crashing through the foliage.

A clap of thunder sounded in the distance, and Butterflypaw glanced up to see dark, melancholy clouds rumbling over her head. At this, she slowed her pace to wait for Russetpaw. Finally, the ginger apprentice padded up to her side, his eyes glancing around, then up at the sky.
"I think it's going to storm some more..." He mewed, then looked back down to Butterflypaw.
The Medicine Cat apprentice sighed. Thank you for pointing out the obvious, Russetpaw, she thought sardonically.
"Oh well, we'll be fine." She replied a little too quickly, then padded off in a hasten pace through a wet veil of ferns, Russetpaw following like a lost kit...

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #4

The storm clouds above the two apprentices' head were very dark now. Thunder rumbled more often, and Butterflypaw spotted flashes of lightning bolting down from the sky, their destination unknown to her. The storm was making Russetpaw extremely uneasy, and the ginger tom often stumbled over the most minuscule things, bumping into Butterflypaw. Nevertheless, the Medicine Cat apprentice was also quite spooked by the oncoming storm. Despite their fears, the two trudged on, Russetpaw often stopping to catch a mouse. She, on the other hand never even bothered to stop to scent the air. She was just heading straight over to the spot she met Delirium. Her small frame slipped under a thick bramble bush, the thorns catching her white pelt, tearing. It was many painstaking moments later, when Butterflypaw finally got out of the sharp maze of brambles. Russetpaw had found an alternate route and was now scrambling around her, a worried look on her face.
"Butterflypaw, your pelt! It's torn in so many different places! Maybe we should go back, b-because the storm is getting worse and..." The tom trailed off as Buterflypaw glared at him.

Twisting her head over her shoulder, she carefully inspected her wounds. She winced a little as she found a large cut on her shoulder, blood oozing from it. "This could get infect-" Butterflypaw was murmuring to herself, but stopped at the loud hiss from Russetpaw. The she-cat glanced up to see the ginger apprentice standing in front of her, his fur bristling, his eyes glaring at a single gray tom. Butterflypaw's jaw dropped. That was Delirium, and he was just standing there, dumbfounded, a look of suspicion and curiosity written on his face. Butterflypaw quickly jumped to her paws, forgetting her injuries. Russet paw stopped his feral hissing as Butterflypaw padded to his side, jaws still agape, her blue eyes staring straight at the rogue tom. Russetpaw looked confused for a moment, his eyes flicking from Butterflypaw to Delirium. A look of contemplation flitted its way on the ginger tom's face, but it quickly left as he furiously barreled into the gray rogue.

In seconds, the two toms were entangled with each other, and Butterflypaw watched on with frozen fear. She looked to Russetpaw. He was smaller, for lack of a better term, and fatter than Delirium. Then, she glanced to Delirium. He was tall and lithe, yet muscles were very clear in his legs. It was easy to see who would win this fight. The bodies of the two toms slammed upon the earth, loud yowls and hisses emitting from both of them, making the birds who dwelled in the trees above scatter in fright. Butterflypaw was helpless. Now the fight was intesifying, and she knew that words wouldn't cool these two toms down. Her blue eyes flickered from cat to cat, Russetpaw on the bottom, Delirium swiping a paw, claws unsheathed at his face. Russetpaw struck back, landing a blow to Delirium's right cheek, raking his claws down the rogue's face.

Delirium yowled in pain, and Butterflypaw noticed something in the rogue. A feral rage burned in the tom's amber eyes as he scrambled away from Russetpaw, his face bleeding, his shoulder sagging as if it had been wrenched. The blank look of ferocity that he wore on his face, lip curled in an angry snarl. This look frightened Butterflypaw, making her shrink down, her underbelly brushing the grass. Oh no. Butterflypaw thought, watching the fight progress. I hope that... She forced herself not to think of what her thoughts were screaming. Hisses and yowls rang out like a somber rhapsody as the two toms faced each other off. Butterflypaw shivered as she glanced between the two. They were both injured, but not severely, but alas, that would change...

It was Delirium who broke the stand-off. The muscular gray tom lunged at Russetpaw, tackling him to the ground, snarling and spitting. This motion happened so fast, Butterflypaw barely had time to blink. Her eyes grew wide as she realized what was happening. Russetpaw shrieked horribly as Delirium held him down. Butterflypaw had no choice but to try and stop the madness that was taking place right before her eyes.
"Stop!" She yowled loudly, feeling hot rage and sadness bubble up inside her. "Please! Delirium, you're going to-" Butterflypaw felt like she was choking. The scene that she just witnessed took her breath away, like some cat knocked it right out of her lungs. Russetpaw's horrid yowling has ceased...Delirium was biting down with all his strength at the ginger tom's exposed throat. Russetpaw's eyes rolled back into his head, from obvious shock. His breathing had stopped, and blood started to seep from his jugular, staining the rogue's gray coat. Russetpaw's body began to seize up under Delirium's weight, but the rogue managed to hold it down long enough to completely choke the life out of the ginger tom.

Butterflypaw lost it then. She yowled in pain and burning hatred, but instead of attacking the gray tom, she turned, pelting through the forest as fast as her legs would take her. Her paws fumbled over a projected tree root, and she lost her footing, falling to the earth. And there she stay for a long period of time. From the dark clouds above came rain, falling not in sheets, but in light sprinkles. The white she-cat slowly got to her paws at this time, a shaky breath emitting from her maw. A cold feeling nestled itself in the pit of her stomach, slowly growing larger as she neared camp. Her blue eyes looked up, canopies of pine branches eclipsing the sky, but even a blind cat could tell that huge storm clouds gurgled in the sky, emitting strikes of lightning and bringing thunder to life. The storm didn't really matter now, all that mattered was the death of Russetpaw.

Butterflypaw's lip curled in a scornful snarl. A burning hatred replaced the icy feeling in her stomach. She felt as if her insides were were twisting. Delirium KILLED Russetpaw so wrongfully. Russetpaw was right to think that Delirium was hostile. He WAS a rogue after all. And then, what did she do about the situation? Nothing. She sat there like a scared kit, yelling only when Russetpaw was dead. Now infuriated with herself, the Medicine Cat Apprentice followed a boggy path on her way to camp...

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #5

By the time Butterflypaw slipped into camp, a dark blue color painted the sky, signaling night's approach. With the night came the moon, and with the moon came the stars, their warrior ancestors. She was very relieved when one star, the brightest of them all became visible in the dimming sky. Maybe that was one warrior guiding her path, helping her cope with what she would have to reveal. As the small she-cat padded into the confines of camp, some of the warriors, including Cinderstep eyed her wearily. It looked like they harbored a secret, and didn't want to tell her. Under their gazes, she shifted uncomfortably. Cinderstep was the first to approach her. Butterflypaw looked at the dark gray warrior, and saw sadness within the depths of her green eyes.
"What's going on?" Butterflypaw hissed in a low tone, her head craning over Cinderstep to the other warriors. It took the she-warrior some time to respond.
"Reedstar is in the paws of StarClan..." She mewed softly, her shoulders sagging with grief. At this reply, Butterflypaw felt as if she would shatter in one million pieces. Reedstar's death was inevitable, but no one knew he would pass so soon. Without answering, the white she-cat wandered over to the Medicine Cat's den. She still hadn't treated her wounds from earlier. As she slipped through the fern curtain, she spotted a black and white she-cat and immediately identified her as Nettlethorn, her mentor.
"Nettlethorn!" Butterflypaw breathed and scrambled over to her mentor's slumped over frame. "Are you okay?" She mewed gently, glancing over her mentor's shoulder. Nettlethorn's head was titled downward toward the ground, her green eyes staring blankly at the pool of blood that soaked the earth. At this, Butterflypaw grew worried. It seemed that her mentor had contracted greencough from Reedstar.
"Nettlethorn, you have to talk to me. Are you okay?"The apprentice repeated, forgetting all about her wounds and Russetpaw. She backed up a couple of steps as her mentor lifted her head, a look of pure grief, and a touch of insanity on her face.

"I killed him Butterflypaw! Killed him!" Nettlethorn wailed, making Butterflypaw scoot back even more. Nettlethorn continued her wailing, but this time her words were incoherent. Butterflypaw frowned.
"Nettlethorn, you didn't kill him. You did all that you could." She mewed gently, her tail lashing out to rest on her mentor's shoulder. A deep hiss rumbled in Nettlethorn's throat.
"But I did, Butterflypaw! I could've done s-" The Medicine Cat's rant was cut off by a ferocious cough that seized her, and the Medicine Cat crouched down to the ground, spitting up even more blood into the already large pool. Butterflypaw was grief stricken.
"Please Nettlethorn! Calm down!" She pleaded, then whirled around, trying to find the very small stock of catnip that they had. Finally, she found it, and she grabbed the herb in her jaws, then padded over to her ravaged mentor.
"Nettlethorn, you have to eat this. You're going to die if you don't! Please Nettlethorn!" She mewed, now begging with her mentor. Nettlethorn pushed her away with a growl.
"I deserve death." She whispered meekly, then padded to the back of the den, curling up in a ball. Butterflypaw felt her world crash around her. Her mentor was mentally insane, and sick with a terrible case of Greencough, Russetpaw and Reedstar were dead, and Delirium, the rogue she so foolishly trusted betrayed her.

Silently, the apprentice turned away from the den, and her mentor. If that was what Nettlethorn wanted, so be it. Butterflypaw exited the den through the fern curtain, a remorseful expression clear on her face. When she came out, a rush of warriors padded over to her, spouting off questions.
"How's Nettlethorn? What's wrong with you?" She pushed all the questions away. A hunger pang tore through her belly, and she realized she hadn't ate since morning. Sulkily, Butterflypaw padded over to the fresh-kill pile, and picked out a quite emaciated vole. For a moment, she debated on whether or not she should go back over to the Medicine Cat's den. Nettlethorn might kill her or something...With a twitch of her ears, Butterflypaw decided to sit about four foxlengths away from the den. The apprentice picked aimlessly at her meal, although she was hungry, she didn't feel like eating. Flashbacks and the screams of Russetpaw were louder than ever in her subconsciouses mind. Was Russetpaw trying to tell her something? That she was completely guilty for his death? She certainly felt that way.

Well, it didn't matter now. Russetpaw was dead. Time to move on, but life wasn't always that easy, she knew. How would she tell the rest of the Clan that not only Reedstar was dead, but so was Russetpaw.
"Cats old enough to catch their own prey, please gather under Highbranch for a Clan Meeting." The voice of the deputy, Redfeather rang out across the clearing. As if a hollow frame, Butterflypaw got to her paws, padding over to the low hanging branch in which the brown tabby deputy sat upon. Cats of all ages swarmed out of their dens into the stormy twilight to hear what the deputy had to say, settling down just below the branch, sorrowful yet anxious.
As soon as every cat was accounted for, Redfeather continued on with his speech.
"As we all know," He mewed, his voice faltering slightly. "Reedstar has lost his last life to Greencough. As custom dictates, I will have to travel to Moonpool to receive my nine lives and my name from StarClan."
As a response to this, whispers broke out among the crowd. Ignoring that fact, Redfeather continued.
"I will be leaving tomorrow at dawn." This concluded his speech, and the tom lept down from the branch, and the ShadowClanners returned the their previous spots in their dens. As did Butterflypaw, her gait dragging as she approached the Medicine Cat's Den. Did she really want to go in there? Then, she was reminded of what he father always told her. You can't run way from your problems, Butterflykit. You must face them head on. With that quote in mind, the Medicine Cat Apprentice slipped through the fern curtain. The she-cat held her breath, expecting Nettlethorn to claw her ears off. That was certianly not the case. Yes, the apprentice heard her mentor's voice from the depths of the den, but it was very quiet and hushed.

"Butterflypaw, get out..."

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #6
Author's Note: First of all, I wanna thank everyone for reading BL! I didn't think it would get this long in the first place. oo; Anyway, I'm sure everyone wants to kill my face for that cliffhanger. ;3 Just read on to find out.

Butterflypaw was terrified. A voice in the back of her mind was screaming as loudly as the thunder that groaned outside. Delirium, it's Delirium! Back for even more! She knew that her thoughts were correct as she padded forward ever so lightly. She heard Nettlethorn mumbling in soft, terrified tones.
"Nettlethorn?" Butterflypaw whispered her head craning forward, ears flat. There was no reply. Breathing deep, she slowly inched forward one black paw stepping forward, yet another, yet another until she was at the back of the den, a small sliver of dying sunlight exposed what was happening in the den. Delirium had Nettlethorn pinned to the earth, his amber eyes staring straight at Butterflypaw.

The Medicine Cat apprentice froze under his burning gaze.
"L-let her go!" Butterflypaw mewed, but the mew was more like a croak. She watched as Delirium moved away from Nettlethorn, padding toward her, his wrenched shoulder sagging a little. Butterflypaw felt her whole body wretch itself into violent shaking attacks as the rogue moved closer to her, their bodies only a whisper away. Her blue eyes focused in on the gray tom as his muzzle inched forward, about an inch away from hers.
"Calm down, I just want some answers, and I want to tell you something." He mewed in a ghostly tone, his amber eyes flickering around to Nettlethorn as she coughed. Butterflypaw must've looked horrified, because the rogue merely smirked.

Butterflypaw was silent, yet stupefied. How did he manage to sneak in here while the clan was at the meeting? Somecat had to have seen him, or at least scented him!
"How...how did you get in here?" She murmured her violent shaking tapered down to slight trembles. The apprentice glanced over Delirium's shoulder to spy her mentor laying down, her wheezy breaths growing shallow. With a frown, the white she-cat turned back to Delirium, who now had a serious look on his face. The rogue replied to her earlier question.
"It was easy. The whole clan was busy listening to that other cat, and when you're a rogue, infiltrating a camp is as easy as catching a dead rabbit."
Butterflypaw listened to the rogue's words, shame raging in her body. Were ShadowClan so clueless to outside dangers? Did they really think that they were invincible? The thought trouble the Medicine Cat greatly. Delirium went on.
"I also have another thing to tell you," His voice was a hushed whisper, now. Butterflypaw nodded, straining forward to hear him.
"The rogues are coming...or at least they will be. You know that thing you cats go to, every full moon?" He whispered, amber eyes staring intensely into her blue ones. She nodded.
"Well, they're planning to attack your camp. All of the kits, and their mothers, and every other cat in camp will be dead." The raw tone crept back into his voice. Butterflypaw could only nod at this. She wasn't sure to even believe him. A skeptical expression morphed Butterflypaw's face, followed by extreme rage.
"WHY SHOULD I EVEN BELIEVE YOU?! YOU MURDERED RUSSETPAW, and YOU WERE GOING TO KILL NETTLETHORN, LUCKILY I CAME IN HERE." Her voice was laced with hate filled rage, and her whole body was shaking with that same fury. Delirium seemed taken aback. Nettlethorn, who wheezed feebly in the corner, glanced up.
Butterflypaw expected the rogue to shoot back with a yell, but she was surprised when he replied in a calm manner.
"First of all, that Russetpaw got what was coming to him, and secondly, I was not going to kill her. It was only a bribe." His voice was even, his gaze equal with hers. Butterflypaw, now at a loss for words just lifted her lip in a snarl. After a few moments of silence, a head poked through the fern curtain, and Butterflypaw identified the cat as Redfeather, and when she did, her heart began to pound uncontrollably. The deputy was silent, his eyes glancing from her, to Delirium. It seemed that he was in slight shock.

Butterflypaw felt that the deputy deserved an explanation.
"Redfeather, I-" Before she could even finished her sentence, the deputy lept into the den, springing upon Delirium who snarled as the deputy pinned him. The rogue didn't move as the deputy held him down. Butterflypaw was horrified.
"Redfeather, please!" She pleaded, scrambling over to the two toms. Redfeather glanced up, his eyes narrowing to deadly slits.
"What is the meaning of this, Butterflypaw?" He hissed venomously, making her flinch. From below Redfeather's paws, a deep purr rumbled in Delirium's chest.
"Your name is Butterflypaw?" He mewed, obviously amused. He was quickly silenced by Redfeather's claws digging into his chest. Butterflypaw frowned, glancing down at the rogue.

"I'll tell you everything, Redfeather, but please, let him go." She mewed softly, shifting from paw to paw. Redfeather contemplated for a moment, his tail lashing with both fury and thoughtfulness.
"I will take the rogue as a prisoner, and you will tell me every little detail under Highbranch." He mewed coldly, then beckoned two warriors that were waiting outside the entrance with his tail. The two warriors padded in as if nothing had happened, then forcibly shoved Delirium to his paws, wincing as his shoulder was jammed upward. Butterflypaw couldn't help the rogue...even if she wanted to. Okay...maybe she did just a little bit. Pushing her thoughts away, her gaze followed the warriors, flanking Delirium, padding out of the Medicine Cat's den. Redfeather lagged behind, though, his green eyes burning into her pelt.
"Come," He said, then turned, slipping out through the ferns. Butterflypaw shivered. What punishments would await her? Breathing deep, the apprentice turned to face her mentor, who watched the scene silently. The Medicine Cat's tail flickered toward's the fern curtain.
"Go on," She croaked. Feeling empowered by hearing her mentor's voice, Butterflypaw nodded, then dissapeared into the ferns...

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #7

Butterflypaw knew she was dreaming when she found herself padding through ShadowClan's forests. The scents of moisture and pine needles were thick in the air. It was a gloomy, chilly day, the sun being eclipsed by large clouds above. Besides the scents of moisture and pine, a tangy, metallic scent was thrown into the mix. The scent of blood. Alarmed, she quickened her pace, and slowed it down again soon as she came about an all too familiar patch of ferns. Her heart crashed inside her chest as she approached the ferns. This was the exact spot where she met Delirium. Butterflypaw tried to be discreet, for she heard the faint rustling of the fronds. Her breath grew shallow as the movement transferred from in front of her, to behind her. With a sharp intake of breath, she slowly padded forward, and as soon as she did, she regretted it. She spotted Russetpaw's dead body laying limp and cold.
With a small squeak, the she-cat turned away, but when she did, she was looking straight into Delirium's face. A somber smile was on his face, and he looked from her, to Russetpaw.
"I love you, Butterflypaw." He mewed, then vanished right before her eyes.

Before she could react, she found herself waking up with a start, sunlight filtering through the cracks in the ceiling. Her sharp breaths were interrupted by Nettlethorn, entering the den, an odd look on her face. Butterflypaw's eyes followed her mentor as she padded to the back of the den, gathering some herbs in her jaws. As soon as she padded back up, Butterflypaw looked away, getting to her paws. Outside, the day seemed bright, erased of the melancholy of yesterday. Butterflypaw gathered the necessary herbs to treat Delirium's wounds before she turned, padding out of the den. She was greeted by a blast of bright sunshine, making her wince slightly. A cool breeze ruffled her fur, and Butterflypaw could tell today would be pleasant.

Her mood was light...well as light as it could be for a soon to be exiled cat as she padded across camp to the Prisoner's Den. Delirium was up, waiting for her with a smile on his face that made Butterflypaw nervous. He watched her closely as she dropped the herbs from her jaws, sorting them with a small black paw. She felt so nervous under his gaze that she accidentally sorted the marigold with the poppy seeds. Scolding herself inwardly, the she-cat looked up.
"Do you hurt anywhere?" She asked, clearing her throat. He shook his head.
"Well, there's a large cut on your side so...uhm, I'll treat it then." She mewed nervously, then retrieved the marigold from its pile. Delirium's amber gaze seemed to study her every move as she moved to his side, gently patting the golden petals into his wound. As she did this, her mind began to wander back to her dream. Delirium said that he loved her. Could that possibly be why he killed Russetpaw? No, that'd be completely idiotic, because after all, they had just met during that time...

Soon enough, she was thrust back into reality by Delirium's mew.
"Ah, it's feeling better already." Butterflypaw just laughed nervously. The gray rogue just chuckled along with her. Butterflypaw now turned away from the rogue, then slowly inched forward, contemplating on whether or not she should leave. Delirium caught her in her thinking process though.
"Where are you going?" He asked curiously, getting to his paws, making his guards flinch. Butterflypaw jumped. He had caught her, foxdung.
"I...erm. I'm...hungry!" She concluded finally. This little outburst made Delirium laugh.
"Okay then..." He mewed, a fleeting look passing over his eyes.
Butterflypaw sighed. He was probably starving.
"I bet you're hungry too, so I'll get you something." At that, she turned, padding towards the fresh-kill pile. As she left him, a sense of embarrassment came over her. Why was she overreacting about a simple dream that she had? In her daydreaming, Butterflypaw almost collided with Cinderstep, who 'mrrowed' with delight.
"Butterflypaw!" She exclaimed, then quickly dropped her prey off in the pile. Butterflypaw blinked. What was Cinderstep so worked up about. The gray warrior was breathing heavily.
"I'm so glad I caught you! I see the rogue is in camp now," She said, flickering her tail to Delirium who had a very confused look on his face.

Butterflypaw merely nodded. Cinderstep looked very excited to see her. It was obvious she didn't know the news yet.
"Listen, Cinderstep. I've got to take some prey to him, so I'll talk to you later, okay?" She said, and before the warrior could reply, Butterflypaw had already seized two mice and was heading back over to the Prisoner's Den...Delirium looked very pleased as she dropped the mouse in front of him.
"Thank you," He murmured, then bent down, slowly taking bites of his meal. Butterflypaw nodded, then mimicked him, although she did it much more slowly. After they both were finished, Butterflypaw felt compelled to stay here with him to talk. It was the only thing she could do, seeing as she wasn't really a Medicine Cat anymore.

"Did you sleep well last night?" The rogue asked, now laying down, looking up at Butterflypaw who was sitting. At this, Butterflypaw froze, eyes widening.
"I...erm. Yes." She lied, whiskers twitching. Delirium smirked, his tail waving in a leisurly fashion.
"Really? I think you're lying." He mewed in a matter-of-fact tone.
At this, Butterflypaw shook her head.
"No, I'm not."
He laughed. "Just tell me."
Butterflypaw frowned, glaring at him.
"Why should I tell you anything?"
He seemed taken aback.
"No need to be so hostile."
Butterflypaw scowled.
"You're one to talk." She snapped.
Delirium frowned. "Fine, don't tell me."

There was a long pause between the two cats. Butterflypaw stared down at her black paws the whole time. She felt bad, being so mean to him. Gathering her courage, the she-cat decided to tell him what happened in her dream.
"You said you loved me." She whispered, blue eyes glancing over to him to see his reaction. Delirium looked shocked.
"What?"
"You said you loved me, in my dream. I found Russetpaw, dead, and then you came up behind me and said you loved me." She repeated, extremely embarrassed. Delirium shifted, amber eyes avoiding her. After a moment, laughter escaped his maw, and Butterflypaw looked up.
"What?" She asked, a sharp edge in her voice.
The tom spoke through laughs.
"Love...you?" He mewed, adding a yet another laugh.

This offended her.
"What's so funny about loving me? Does it sound that blasphemous to you?" She hissed, smoldering.
Delirium stopped his fit as soon as he saw she was angry.
"Of course not, don't think t-" He said, but Butterflypaw cut him off.
"Really? Then why are you laughing?"
Delirium blinked, all traces of laughter gone now.
"I...I didn't mean it that way..." He murmured, sounding sincere.
Butterflypaw refused to buy this. Getting to her paws, she stormed out of the den, scathing, leaving Delirium shocked...

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #8

Butterflypaw knew she was dreaming when she found herself padding through ShadowClan's forests. The scents of moisture and pine needles were thick in the air. It was a gloomy, chilly day, the sun being eclipsed by large clouds above. Besides the scents of moisture and pine, a tangy, metallic scent was thrown into the mix. The scent of blood. Alarmed, she quickened her pace, and slowed it down again soon as she came about an all too familiar patch of ferns. Her heart crashed inside her chest as she approached the ferns. This was the exact spot where she met Delirium. Butterflypaw tried to be discreet, for she heard the faint rustling of the fronds. Her breath grew shallow as the movement transferred from in front of her, to behind her. With a sharp intake of breath, she slowly padded forward, and as soon as she did, she regretted it. She spotted Russetpaw's dead body laying limp and cold.
With a small squeak, the she-cat turned away, but when she did, she was looking straight into Delirium's face. A somber smile was on his face, and he looked from her, to Russetpaw.
"I love you, Butterflypaw." He mewed, then vanished right before her eyes.

Before she could react, she found herself waking up with a start, sunlight filtering through the cracks in the ceiling. Her sharp breaths were interrupted by Nettlethorn, entering the den, an odd look on her face. Butterflypaw's eyes followed her mentor as she padded to the back of the den, gathering some herbs in her jaws. As soon as she padded back up, Butterflypaw looked away, getting to her paws. Outside, the day seemed bright, erased of the melancholy of yesterday. Butterflypaw gathered the necessary herbs to treat Delirium's wounds before she turned, padding out of the den. She was greeted by a blast of bright sunshine, making her wince slightly. A cool breeze ruffled her fur, and Butterflypaw could tell today would be pleasant.

Her mood was light...well as light as it could be for a soon to be exiled cat as she padded across camp to the Prisoner's Den. Delirium was up, waiting for her with a smile on his face that made Butterflypaw nervous. He watched her closely as she dropped the herbs from her jaws, sorting them with a small black paw. She felt so nervous under his gaze that she accidentally sorted the marigold with the poppy seeds. Scolding herself inwardly, the she-cat looked up.
"Do you hurt anywhere?" She asked, clearing her throat. He shook his head.
"Well, there's a large cut on your side so...uhm, I'll treat it then." She mewed nervously, then retrieved the marigold from its pile. Delirium's amber gaze seemed to study her every move as she moved to his side, gently patting the golden petals into his wound. As she did this, her mind began to wander back to her dream. Delirium said that he loved her. Could that possibly be why he killed Russetpaw? No, that'd be completely idiotic, because after all, they had just met during that time...

Soon enough, she was thrust back into reality by Delirium's mew.
"Ah, it's feeling better already." Butterflypaw just laughed nervously. The gray rogue just chuckled along with her. Butterflypaw now turned away from the rogue, then slowly inched forward, contemplating on whether or not she should leave. Delirium caught her in her thinking process though.
"Where are you going?" He asked curiously, getting to his paws, making his guards flinch. Butterflypaw jumped. He had caught her, foxdung.
"I...erm. I'm...hungry!" She concluded finally. This little outburst made Delirium laugh.
"Okay then..." He mewed, a fleeting look passing over his eyes.
Butterflypaw sighed. He was probably starving.
"I bet you're hungry too, so I'll get you something." At that, she turned, padding towards the fresh-kill pile. As she left him, a sense of embarrassment came over her. Why was she overreacting about a simple dream that she had? In her daydreaming, Butterflypaw almost collided with Cinderstep, who 'mrrowed' with delight.
"Butterflypaw!" She exclaimed, then quickly dropped her prey off in the pile. Butterflypaw blinked. What was Cinderstep so worked up about. The gray warrior was breathing heavily.
"I'm so glad I caught you! I see the rogue is in camp now," She said, flickering her tail to Delirium who had a very confused look on his face.

Butterflypaw merely nodded. Cinderstep looked very excited to see her. It was obvious she didn't know the news yet.
"Listen, Cinderstep. I've got to take some prey to him, so I'll talk to you later, okay?" She said, and before the warrior could reply, Butterflypaw had already seized two mice and was heading back over to the Prisoner's Den...Delirium looked very pleased as she dropped the mouse in front of him.
"Thank you," He murmured, then bent down, slowly taking bites of his meal. Butterflypaw nodded, then mimicked him, although she did it much more slowly. After they both were finished, Butterflypaw felt compelled to stay here with him to talk. It was the only thing she could do, seeing as she wasn't really a Medicine Cat anymore.

"Did you sleep well last night?" The rogue asked, now laying down, looking up at Butterflypaw who was sitting. At this, Butterflypaw froze, eyes widening.
"I...erm. Yes." She lied, whiskers twitching. Delirium smirked, his tail waving in a leisurly fashion.
"Really? I think you're lying." He mewed in a matter-of-fact tone.
At this, Butterflypaw shook her head.
"No, I'm not."
He laughed. "Just telled me."
Butterflypaw frowned, glaring at him.
"Why should I tell you anything?"
He seemed taken aback.
"No need to be so hostile."
Butterflypaw scowled.
"You're one to talk." She snapped.
Delirium frowned. "Fine, don't tell me."

There was a long pause between the two cats. Butterflypaw stared down at her black paws the whole time. She felt bad, being so mean to him. Gathering her courage, the she-cat decided to tell him what happened in her dream.
"You said you loved me." She whispered, blue eyes glancing over to him to see his reaction. Delirium looked shocked.
"What?"
"You said you loved me, in my dream. I found Russetpaw, dead, and then you came up behing me and said you loved me." She repeated, extremely embarresed. Delirium shifted, amber eyes avoiding her. After a moment, laughter escaped his maw, and Butterflypaw looked up.
"What?" She asked, a sharp edge in her voice.
The tom spoke through laughs.
"Love...you?" He mewed, adding a yet another laugh.

This offended her.
"What's so funny about loving me? Does it sound that blasphemous to you?" She hissed, smoldering.
Delirium stopped his fit as soon as he saw she was angry.
"Of course not, don't think t-" He said, but Butterflypaw cut him off.
"Really? Then why are you laughing?"
Delirium blinked, all traces of laughter gone now.
"I...I didn't mean it that way..." He murmured, sounding sincere.
Butterflypaw refused to buy this. Getting to her paws, she stormed out of the den, scathing, leaving Delirium shocked...

[. r h a p s o d y .]

Chapter #9

Several cats had noticed the scene Butterflypaw and Delirium were making. Most of them just sat there, shocked. Others were snickering away, mostly the apprentices' who called out to her.
"Hey Butterflypaw, come here!" She heard a voice say as she stalked away.

[Shadowstar]

This is good, continue.

[rabbitclaw]

it good write more please

[Visitor]

Please finish this is soooooooooooooooooo good!!!! i really like it!!

[Morning]

Wowmygosh! Rhapsody!!!
Rhapsody. I. Love. This. Fic!!!!! lol, it is ah-maazing! It was just a little weird when chapters 6, 7 & 8 were completely identical! Was it a re-occurring dream? What happened to Russetpaw's body? Why was chapter 9 so short?
Woaah, questionnssss!
lol! My only advice is to review your grammar a little =).
Keep writing, Rhapsody.
~Morning