Ashes

Chapter Three

Ashley sighed, knowing that the strange ginger cat wouldn't be able to talk his way out of this one. But oddly enough, Lucky and the large tabby shared anxious glances and flexed their claws nervously. Even Raccoon twitched her tailtip, her green eyes shifting back and forth.
"Fox." She purred lowly. The grey shecat was clever, Ashley had to admit as Raccoon subtly unsheathed her claws. The tom, however, was not fooled and his dark eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"Raccoon." He nodded curtly. His gaze then travelled up to Ashley and the kits, and suddenly his solemn expression broke into a wide smile. "Ash! How great to see you again!"
"Um, its Ashle-"
"Yes, yes. I know. Now! You three fine BloodClan cats wouldn't mind if I took Ash and her companions safely home, would you?" Fox was still smiling, but you could hear the tension in his voice and his hard expression. Lucky swallowed and Raccoon seemed speechless.
"U-uh, Steel wouldn't approve-" she stammered. Bad move.
Fox growled and stalked right up to her.
"What did you say?" He asked, dangerously quiet. The usually violent shecat faltered under his withering gaze and sheathed her claws.
"Very well..." She mumbled, clicking claws together.

The BloodClan cats let Ashley, Fox, and the kits pass unharmed and when the party reached Jubilee and Midnight's Twoleg den, Fox waited until the two kits were safely inside until he whirled on Ashley.
"Mouse-brain!" He hissed as he grabbed her scruff with his teeth and dragged her into an alley. "Did you want to kill yourself?!" The red cat exclaimed, releasing the kittypet. Ashley, in turn, growled lowly.
"I was just walking the kits home! How was I to know that there would be BloodClan cats hanging around the area!" She mewed angrily.
Fox sighed, his tail drooping.
"You're right, I'm sorry."
"It's fine... I'm sorry for making a rabbit-brained choice." Ashley responded. Fox attempted to smile.
"You'd better head home."
Ashley nodded.
"Goodbye, Fox "