bloodsucker | a 1x1

It was obvious to any cat who knew Crowheart well that he wasn’t himself anymore. A week of trying to fight off vampiric traits and the voices had gotten to him. Berrystorm tried not to show alarm, but it was quite hard not to. The haunting voice must’ve worked its way into the straggly tom’s head as she tried to cuddle him.

Something felt off, something was not right with his behavior. His once stunning amber eyes glowed with hunger, an intensity she had never seen before. Fear crept up her back as if it were prepared to send her jumping out of her pelt. As she listened carefully to Crowheart, her worried gaze became fearful and lit up with shock. The voice and words… that wasn’t her confident, sweet mate that she knew. No. That was someone else, someone who was using him to get what they wanted.

Her throat became dry as she backed away from him slowly. To think he had come for assistance, Berrystorm was dead wrong. The kind of assistance he wanted… she wasn’t sure she could provide it. But her heart sunk, knowing that if she denied him, he would still suffer. Berrystorm couldn’t accept that, Crowheart deserved a painless life.

With a deep, shaky sigh, she met his crimson gaze. “I have Clan blood. If you choose to bite me, will it satisfy you enough?” she offered, her thick tail twitching at the thought. Part of her felt the need to risk one of her clanmates, but it was too predictable and dangerous. They weren’t mouse brained like their neighboring clan. “Either you bite me or we can visit the neighboring clan,” she added, her voice trembling with every syllable. “I-I don’t think they would expect much.”

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Crowheart's confusion and desperation tore at Berrystorm's heart with agony. It was clear that the vampiric abilities and the haunting voice were going to change him for the worse, but she didn't want to imagine it. Yet it was happening right before her very own eyes. The fear she felt inside wasn't right and the guilt that followed ate at her.

Even if the frail black tom had told her 'yes,' Berrystorm would have accepted his decision. He deserved serenity and to no longer suffer from the vampiric desires. She was more than willing to risk herself for his peace. As he backed away, the dilute calico realized that she too had done the same before. Their pelts were no longer touching which pained her– was this how things would be for the two? "You couldn't hurt me, Crowheart," she meowed, glancing over her shoulder for one of her clanmates. Surprisingly, none of them had come looking for her. "I know you wouldn't, you're a loving tom without an evil bone in your body."

Berrystorm's heart felt like it was shattering into pieces as Crowheart spoke. Her throat throbbed with sorrow, knowing that there wasn't much she could offer or do for him. Offering her own blood was already out of the question, but what about the neighboring clan? Surely BogClan wouldn't notice Crowheart in his current state and it was likely that they had no clue about ThicketClan's issue. The full moon had yet to arrive, so she and the former deputy had an opening, one that could provide him with what he needed. To satiate him.

"I would take your place in a heartbeat, Crowheart. You aren't a monster, the horrific creature that did this to you is the monster," she meowed firmly, her green gaze settling on him as it clouded with anguish. She could see the struggle in his crimson eyes that were trying to contain the hunger. "You don't deserve any of this, you deserve a life full of happiness– not this, not the vampiric tendencies. We'll figure this out, I promise you."

Even if Crowheart was a threat to her, the warrior was willing to put her life on the line. She would die for him without a single question asked as she loved him deeply, beyond anything she could describe. Although he didn't seem too keen on heading over to BogClan, they needed to. Berrystorm didn't want him to suffer much longer and if hurting another Clan cat helped Crowheart, she could force herself to do so.

"I-I know it's hard, but if you can't… go after the BogClan cat, I-I…" she meowed before stuttering and came to a pause. She felt her heart sink at the thought of killing another feline. It had to be done for Crowheart to survive, for them to be together. "I can do it. No, let me do it. If you can't hurt me, then I'll do anything to make sure you live."

After a moment of silence, Berrystorm placed her white front paws over the border, knowing that there was no going back. It felt morally wrong to trespass, but she had no choice and neither did Crowheart. "We can go now, no cat will come looking for me," she told him before turning to look at him with a soft expression. "I love you. You know that, right?"

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As conflicted as Berrystorm was with her emotions and morals, she knew she had to do something for Crowheart. Even if it meant disobeying the Warrior Code, her mind was already set. The two of them were headed to BogClan to find… well, what Crowheart needed so desperately. She noticed his body trembling as he stepped forward along with the torment in his eyes. Her heart ached for him, knowing that she couldn't do much but risk her own life and others'. "I may be brave, but I'm not in your paws, Crowheart. I wish I was. I will do anything for you, even if it means harming another Clan," she meowed to him quietly. Her tone was thick with emotion as she struggled to speak. "You're all I need, no matter if you're a danger to me or not. What happens from here on out is for you and us."

The dilute calico had never seen herself so determined, so willing to bend the rules for any cat. She wouldn't do it for herself yet Crowheart's situation had changed that– she was willing to put herself in harm's way to save him, to protect him. She felt safe around him despite the vampiric tendencies although she was afraid that they would lose that feeling with each other. Berrystorm knew she couldn't prevent it, but she was going to try her hardest to keep it. "You deserve safety as much as I do," she finally mewed, her gaze meeting his. Her heart pounded in her chest with determination as she noticed the gratefulness and sorrow in his gaze. She could fix this. "No matter what happens, Crowheart, you've given me the best moons in my life. No cat's love can compare to yours, I hope you'll remember that. We're going to find a way to make this right and escape the darkness together."

"For the both of us," she repeated slowly. As they crossed over the border together, Berrystorm felt some relief although anxiety quickly filled the void. She kept her eyes on Crowheart's, watching him as they moved through the swampland. BogClan's territory wasn't that far away and she was certain that there would be felines hanging around. If they were alone, it would be ideal yet it seemed so cruel to think that way. She had no choice, Crowheart didn't have much of a choice either. The warrior's gaze shifted to BogClan's side of the swamp as she flicked her tail to the east. There was a fallen birch log with some tall grasses surrounding it. "Should we go through here?" she asked, glancing at the log then at Crowheart for input. "There has to be some cat lurking around on their own, right?"

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Berrystorm's determination was growing by the minute yet the anxiety still lingered. What if they came across a patrol of cats? How could they explain the situation without seeming like a threat to BogClan? As they waded through the swampland, her white paws slowly moved like they were weighed down by the thick undergrowth. Once Crowheart's tail brushed against hers, she felt reassured that they were going to do this together. They were a strong team, one that would overcome anything in their way.

"Great, at least we have a way in that isn't too suspicious," the dilute calico she-cat responded, glancing at the birch log intensely. She turned her head to look at Crowheart, the tips of her ears growing warm with embarrassment. She was more than glad to assist her mate. After all, it was her job to help him in any way she could. She had never seen herself as brave, but it was clear that the black tom thought so. "You're welcome, love. I know not many cats would risk everything for someone else, but I want to. I will always help you, no matter what. Your kindness means everything to me."

Her thick tail brushed gingerly against his with affection. Berrystorm paid close attention to the tom's deduction as the BogClan's scent filled her airways. The scent was unmistakable and like no other. It was musky with a bitter tang to it. She held her breath, trying to ignore the strong scent. It was disgusting. "For StarClan's sake, they smell terrible," she murmured, shaking her head. The warrior raised her voice a bit. "I understand. What should our cover story be then? I'm hoping they won't suspect us if we run into them, but you're right– being cautious is best."

As her green gaze met his, Berrystorm's ears perked up making sure she understood Crowheart's plan. She knew sticking to the plan was significant unless they wanted to get caught by any BogClan cats. "I trust you too. I'll follow your lead," she replied as she followed the black tom, keeping her eyes peeled and ears open for anything suspicious or anything that could risk their safety.

Once they reached the tall grasses, her pale ears swiveled at the sounds of rustling grasses and the distant sound of water flowing. She moved closer to Crowheart's back, making sure she followed him intently. "We're a team. We can accomplish this together, no matter what comes our way," she whispered back, treading carefully behind him. Hope swelled in Berrystorm's chest, knowing that she and Crowheart could accomplish their goal. It wasn't the easiest nor ordinary task around, but with his knowledge as a former deputy, they would be safe.

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Berrystorm tried her best to push the anxiety and the countless thoughts out of her mind. She wasn’t sure how she was going to handle attacking another cat without a reason. Well, a reason that fell under the warrior code. But the warrior code was no more and she needed to realize that sooner than later. Her gaze followed Crowheart, knowing that he knew what needed to be done. At least she had him to keep her afloat, to stop her from spiraling.

As soon as he motioned for her to stay close, the dilute calico obliged. The silence bothered Berrystorm yet she kept quiet while listening to the sound of the rustling grass and crickets chirping. She too noticed the strange silhouette of a BogClan cat moving through the long grasses. The cat reminded her of the one that had attacked Crowheart, but was it a vampire cat just like him? Or was it a BogClan cat that was a part of the nearby patrols? There wasn’t any time to deduce it.

With the feline distracted by other surroundings, she paid close attention to Crowheart’s tail flick. Berrystorm let the black tom burst out of the grass first and she quickly leapt after him. Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched her mate attack the other feline. Her immediate response was to stop him, but Berrystorm ignored it as much as she could. Instead, she froze in place, her eyes widening while she gaped at the two felines. She didn’t need to do anything— Crowheart’s impressive yet powerful attack left the BogClan cat subdued for long enough. She was speechless, her eyes unable to move from Crowheart.

Berrystorm slowly came out of her motionless state and padded towards the black tom. The warrior gave him a quick nod, in awe of his vampiric skills. “Well done. I didn’t realize…” she murmured before trailing off. It wasn’t necessary for her to point out what Crowheart had done. She shook out her pelt before speaking again. “Let’s find the others, shall we?”

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