smart-cat-incopy-533029935

My entry for Wraith’s level-up! [WARNING FOR VIOLENCE]

Wraith sat beside the lake, quietly watching the rippling water. Maybe she’ll understand, he thought. Maybe it won’t have to be this way.
She arrived within a few minutes, warily moving to sit across from him. “Why did you want to meet with me?”
He smiled mirthfully. “Leaf! What, no ‘hello, Wraith, it’s so good to see you’?”
She glared. “Why am I here?”
His smile fell as quickly as it had arrived. “I’m…concerned.”
“What’s wrong now?”
“You are. You need to leave.”
She huffed. “This again? River is his own cat. You’re not kits anymore. You don’t get to control the game, Wraith. We love each other and we’re staying together.”
Wraith’s ears flattened. “Then stay out of my way. No more of this ‘let’s pack up the whole group and move’ garbage. You aren’t one of us. You didn’t fight for this. Leave the decisions to me!”
Leaf’s whiskers twitched in amusement. “To you, huh? Not to you and River? All you do is try to manipulate him.”
His lips curled into a snarl. “I am helping him! He doesn’t know how to lead by himself, clearly. And let’s not pretend you aren’t trying to leverage your way into power,” he hissed.
Her gaze hardened. “I’ve had enough of this. I’m speaking to River and we’ll be gone by tomorrow.” She turned away, tail lashing.
Wraith reluctantly sighed before springing forward, sinking his claws into her back. She yowled in protest, flinging him away, and slashed at his throat. Dodging deftly, Wraith shoved her into the lake. Her eyes widened as she broke through the surface, gasping. “What are you—” she spluttered, cut off as his paw shot into the water, pinning her throat to the sandy floor. He ignored the stinging pain as her claws raked his sides, blood welling up into what would surely scar him.
Leaf thrashed wildly, water sloshing against the shore. “I’m sorry,” Wraith growled, applying more pressure. “That it had to be this way.” His eyes were cold. The struggling began to lessen, and her face was locked in a silent scream when she took her last breath. Wraith exhaled slowly as he released her. “Why’d you have to be so difficult?” he said softly. “How am I supposed to find time to dispose of your body and keep all of my appointments? So inconsiderate,” he muttered.
A voice shocked him out of his reverie. “Wraith?”
He sheathed his claws and turned. “River!” he said cheerfully. “What are you doing out and about? You’re supposed to be back in there speaking with our fearless subjects. If you leave for even a minute, the world will end without you,” he added with a wink.
River caught sight of Leaf’s body and froze. “W—What have you done?”
Wraith glanced at the drenched fur of his friend’s mate. “Resolved a dispute, of course,” he said, a hint of annoyance in his tone. “We’re leaders now, River. Everybody has to make sacrifices.”