Private Thread Shadows in the Sunlight

The sound of scratching caught Heronsong’s attention right away. Her head whipped around, her stare narrowing in immediately on the large, grizzled cat just a few bounds away. So that was the scent she was catching.

The fur along her shoulders bristled, though she kept herself from letting out a hiss. This wasn’t the cat she was warned about. But were they colluding?

“Who are you?” she called out, unsure of whether she should really try to chase him off. If he wasn't working with that rogue...perhaps he could be some help. “You’re getting close to the territory of Shadowclan.”

Heronsong’s tail waved in the grass, her fur not fully relaxing. So he was after the rogue as well. “Heronsong,” she responded as he climbed down from the tree.

She still kept her distance, not entirely sure if she could trust him. “Alright…yes, I know of that whole mess. And how do you know about that cat?”

Heronsong frowned at his answer. Her fur had started to flatten out very slowly, but she was anything but relaxed just yet. “There have been more killings,” she replied quietly. “More attacks. Whoever this is has attacked our elders, our holy cats…I don’t know how they haven’t been found yet.”

She looked the large tom up and down. Nothing about him seemed familiar, nor could she even take a guess where he came from. “Have there been similar killings where you live?”

Heronsong heaved a long sigh. She had often asked herself the same question--she knew some of the cats in the area were bitter about their stake of territory. But it had never boiled over to the point of killing elders. 

"Not that anyone's been aware of. If the killer has a reason, it hasn't been explained." She shook her head. "Honestly, it seems like she's just taking whatever opportunity she can, and that she just doesn't care who it is."