.all thats left of yesterday.

[Deadstar]

Cats of all shapes, sizes and ages milled around in the alley. It was a moonless night, cold and dreary. The cats who lurked in the alley, a mix of posse and Invidualists, talking amoungest themselves. Some toms teased a pretty she-cat, trying to woo her into letting them breed with her. over in a corner, a pair of cats were mating. Not one cat noticed the black tom sneaking ever closer.

The black feline's icy eyes slid around the alley silently, watching the parting cats with undisguised disgust. Acrome's boss stepped forward a few paces, walking with silent steps deeper into the alley. Finally, one tomcat noticed him. The arrogant brown tabby smiled at the leader, who stared back at him coldly. But the brown striped cat did not take the obvious hint and hissed at Deadstar. This got the other cats' attention. Almost all looked up, eager for a fight, hoping for one. But Deadstar was not here to fight this skinny cat.

The brown tom hissed again. We dont like Posse scum here. Unless you want your black ass whipped, leave. The cat looked pathetically small compared to Deadstar, who stood far taller than he did. The cat must have been drunk on the alcohol left by humans in the place. He stepped forward, grinning wickedly. He was weak, but he did not seem to realize that. He also made the mistake of lunging at Deadstar.

The black tom waited until the last second and lashed out, his claws ripping through flesh. He had clawed the tom's face and ears, managling his left eye. He listened with cruel sasticfaction as the brown tabby squealed in pain and ran off. The black cat smiled a smile that made the brown tabby's seem like a pretty little grin. The icy eyes flicked from one cat to another. Unless you have a deathwish, leave this alley and do not come back tonight.If you stay, you risk your life. he said softly, the evil in his tones making the other cats' fur stand up on the back of their necks. They fled.

Deadstar waited until the last cat had left, lashing out at them every now and then as they fled past him. Soon, his claws were soaked in blood. With another evil smile, he walked forward. His black pelt hid him from sight of all eyes. None would be able to see him, even when he moved. Only his ice blue eyes gave him away. The cat sat down in the middle of the alley, laying his tail over his paws. He looked quite serene, but his eyes glinted sadistically. One, hissed word slid from his lips, like a snake.

Joey...

[Basil<<]

Joey's eyes snapped open. His fur was standing on end. A wraith-like hiss had entered his mind, like a bad dream. From the darkness of his doorway in the alley, he stood and stretched, his dark fur blending in with the shadows. His icy eyes were glittering with curiosity.

The normal sounds of lovemaking and merry banter was absent from his alley. His ears flicked back. Some tom must have caused trouble. He dismissed it, glancing around. The whore he'd spent the night with had run off. That pissed him right off. He sat down, licking his already silky pelt, his temper flaring.

He stepped out into the alley, the harsh twoleg light making him blink a few times. He sat, glancing curiously around. He couldn't see a single cat anywhere in the alley, at least not close. A small orange cat was pelting past the entry to the alley, a worried look on it's maw. There was a dark aura to the alley as Joey sat.

He was imagining things, seeing shadows move and hearing dark voices. Fear crept up in him like claws digging in. He stepped farther out into the alley, his ears back. he could sense something, something dark. He spotted flecks of blood on the ground, only heightening his unease. Joey flicked his tail, his senses tuned to the darkest part of the alley. He was sure if anything was out there, it would seek refuge in the darkness.

[Deadstar]

Deadstar watched as a small orange cat fled, having gone the wrong way as the mass of cats fled from him. He whipped a paw out and tripped it, spilling its blood as well. Smiling, he watched the cat flee onward, away from the deadly cat sitting in the middle of the alley. The ice blue eyes closed for a moment, making him totally invisible. He would not been seen, no matter how sharp this 'Joey's' eyes were.

The black tom listened as foot steps drew nearer, timid and worried. They then turned and went the other way neared to the entrance of the alley. The orange cat was long gone. The wraith-like tomcat opened his eyes again, letting them fall onto a dark pelted cat looking around. That had to be Joey; any cat with a brain would have fled when Deadstar entered the alley. No one was foolish enough to challenge him head on.

Deadstar rose back to his fours, standing with utter silence. The blue eyes bore a hole into the cat's back who was looking the wrong way. Deadstar stood in a dark part, but not the darkest part of the alley. Smiling, he waited for the cat to turn around; Joey would feel the piercing gaze from the black tomcat. The death that awaited him was paitence, and loved toying with his prey.

Deadstar decided to have some fun with this. He spoke again, his voice low and quiet, an evil hiss coming from seemingly no where. Joey... It trailed off evilly. Deadstar closed his eyes, knowing the cat would whip around to see where the noise was coming from. Deadstar would sneak around again to call his name once more, to hieghten the sense of fear the cat had to be feeling. Death was near.

[Basil<<]

Joey could feel a presence, a dark one. A sense of someone watching him washed over him, and he stood still, scenting for the enemy.

Joey...

Joey whipped around, his eyes searching wildly. fear gripped him now like an iron vise. Someone was toying with him, he hoped. He thought of all he had done wrong in his life. There was too much to count. The voice, it had the ring of death to it, and that scared him. Scared him more than any nightmare.

Joey searched the darkness, but it seemed whatever was there, it was circling him. It was like some dark game. Well, Joey wasn't going to fall for it.

Who's there? Come out, cat, and fight like a real tom.

Alright, the words were tinged with fear. He didn't care. He wanted to see his adversary. he wondered what he'd done to piss this one off. He usually tried not to mess with any toms, just messed with the ladies...maybe this was yet another angry mate. He got those alot.

He snorted and sat, the fear ebbing away to be replaced by foolish indifference. He set his features into cool boredom, waiting for his adversary to finish with his childish game. His senses were focused, not on in front of him, but behind him. He knew, whoever it was, would not be foolish enough to stay in the same place. He was sure the cat would move, undoubtedly behind him where he would most likely be most vulnerable.

[Deadstar]

Clearly, Deadstar's games were not going to work. The tom was too attentive, to careful, for Deadstar to sneak around behind him to startle him. This was clearly Joey, for he turned when he heard his name hissed. Deadstar smiled inwardly, lips not moving. The icy eyes snapped open, staring straight at the tom. Joey was clearly afraid.

'Who's there? Come out, cat, and fight like a real tom.'

Deadstar did not move. The words held fear in them, made them tremble like a leaf in the wind. Deadstar removed his tail from his paws, showing that his claws were out, still soaked in blood. These and his eyes were all that could be seen. Until he smiled. Teeth stained red as well showed.

The massive black tomcat took a single step forward, eyes like frozen water in the winter. Hello, Joey. he said softly, walking forward on silent paws until he was within six inches of the other tomcat. He knew he could still not be fully seen; his coat was too black. But his eyes, teeth, and claws showed. Do you know who I am? His voice held soft death, a promise of a fate soon to come.

[Basil<<]

Joey was startled at the sudden appearance of a pair of ice-blue eyes, only a few lengths away from him. he shook the surprise away. He knew this tom was trying to scare him, he had to keep calm. Then the appearance of bloodstained claws startled him. So this tom was the one to attack his alleycats. Mild anger rose like bile in his throat, but he would sit there in silence until this cat decided to show all of himself.

The tom smiled, bloody teeth glimmering in the night. So this cat was all black. how fortunate. He felt the shift, the stir of the air, and the wraithlike cat stood. The parts of the cat he could see, they seemed to float toward him. He smiled. This tom was doing a good job at being intimidating.

Hello, Joey.

Joey grunted. He wondered how this cat knew him. He didn't much care. He obviously had something against Joey. Joey was sure he would soon find out. He smiled, not trying in the slightest to be intimidating.

Hello.
he said, mildly mocking.
He waited for the tom before him to do something.

Do you know who I am?

Joey flicked one ear back, sarcasm radiating from his voice.
A foolish tom would call you Death, or maybe redemption. I would call you someone important. however, as you are trying to intimidate me by showing only your so scary teeth, claws and eyes, I would not know.

He lifted a paw and flicked his claws out, licking them with nonchalance. He was playing a dangerous game, but he figured if he was going to have to fight, he might as well have fun before. He took a step back, under the harsh light of the alley's lone lamp. He waited there.
You may choose to remain under the shroud of darkness like a dark wraith, tom. I agree that you make a much more intimidating figure there than any cat. he drawled, sighing with feigned boredom.

[Deadstar]

Fear. It radiated off of the cat like poison. Deadstar licked his lips, drinking in the fear. The tomcat was c.ocky and calm, but Deadstar was cold and cruel. A deadly combo for this cat. The black cat watched his opponent with unblinking eyes, This was one of his techinques to scare a cat out of his fur; locking gazes and never looking away.

'Hello.'

The tone was mocking, self-confident. Bad idea. Clearly this cat did not know who he was talking to. If only he knew.

'A foolish tom would call you Death, or maybe redemption. I would call you someone important. however, as you are trying to intimidate me by showing only your so scary teeth, claws and eyes, I would not know.'

Deadstar smiled again, the icy voids glinting amusement. The tom had made a brave attempt at sarcasm, but Deadstar was unfooled. He watched the cat lift a paw and lick it, playing a deadly game with Acromatic Eclipse's leader.

'You may choose to remain under the shroud of darkness like a dark wraith, tom. I agree that you make a much more intimidating figure there than any cat.'

Joey stepped into the harsh light of the streetlamp. As he drawled these words, Deadstar let a sinister chuckle escape from his lips. The jaws parted and the huge tomcat stepped into the lamp, throwing his massive body into relief. The muscles under his pelt were taunt with eagerness for a fight.

Death woud be a nice name. But no; it is not mine. My name is Deadstar, of Acromatic Eclipse. he smiled again; he towered over the other tomcat. Excuse me, but you spoke of a fight...are we fighting? I see us only talking, unless my eyes decieve me.

The picture of calm, Deadstar sat down, looking totally in control of the situation. Another sinister chuckle escape him. Do you remember the she-cat called Desiree? I'm sure you do. Deadstar smiled cruelly. A black paw lifted, the blood-red claws shining in the harsj light. If you dont...I can always help your memory.

[Basil<<]

Joey kept his eyes just below his opponent's eyes. He knew of cats who could render a tom useless just by staring into his eyes long enough. He snorted as the other tom let out a sinister chuckle. Joey watched as a big black cat stepped into the light of the alley's lone lamp, a formidable beast. Joey c.ocked his head to the side, a lazy grin on his maw. Hey, he had nothing to lose but his life, he might as well have some fun. He knew this day would come, some large cat would come, one who was too much for Joey to handle.

My my, aren't you a formidable creature.
there wasn't much sarcasm in those words, just a tinge of humor.

Death woud be a nice name. But no; it is not mine. My name is Deadstar, of Acromatic Eclipse.

Joey nodded, realization dawning in him. He was lucky he hadn't kept his eyes on Deadstar's. He sat silently, sure this tom had some noble thing to say before he killed Joey.

Excuse me, but you spoke of a fight...are we fighting? I see us only talking, unless my eyes decieve me.

Joey chuckled, not the slightest bit sinister. He didn't even bother.
I cannot see you just wanting to chat, my friend. If so, you would not have went through all this trouble to intimidate me. Joey said, a lazy grin still present on his handsome face.

Do you remember the she-cat called Desiree? I'm sure you do. Deadstar smiled cruelly. Deadstar's black paw lifted, the blood-red claws out and shining in the lamp's light. If you don't...I can always help your memory.

Joey racked his brains, sure this was important. Desiree was an odd name, he was sure he remembered it, from..a very very long time ago. A dawn of realization washed over him, and he grinned.
Ah, yes, I remember that little one. She was great. Could have been better if she hadn't been so damn in love with me...
Joey licked his paw, chuckling. That little whore had been fun to mess with. Good times.
Joey turned his attention back to the big tom in front of him.
Why are you here? Don't tell me that stupid little bitch has been complaining about something that happened so long ago? he asked, sighing with exasperation. He wasn't sure why he always chose these insecure little whores. They always complained after it was over.

[Deadstar]

Deadstar sat still, continuing to look silently at the tomcat. Joey was smart; he was keeping his eyes down, not looking the boss-cat straight in the eye. Smart cat, Deadstar thought, but not smart enough. The black cat's face was emotionless, only his eyes glittering with cruelty. Deadstar ignored the tom's words for a moment, forming what he was going to say in his mind before putting words to it. The silence extended, stretching to a break point. Surely the tom would be squirming in his seat.

To Deadstar's soft words, the tom replied this: 'I cannot see you just wanting to chat, my friend. If so, you would not have went through all this trouble to intimidate me.'

The black cat felt his fur begin to bristle and he relaxed to stop it from doing such. He would not lose control over his situation; he could not. So, he let a lazy smile to match Joey's rest on his black lips. Let me assure you, tom, I do not see you as a friend. the slight friendlyness that had been in his voice before was gone. The patience that he had was gone.

The other cat spoke once more. 'Ah, yes, I remember that little one. She was great. Could have been better if she hadn't been so damn in love with me...' Deadstar's unfathomable gaze did not move away from his opponent as the cat licked his paw. 'Why are you here? Don't tell me that stupid little bitch has been complaining about something that happened so long ago?'

Joey stressed 'you' sharply, but Deadstar showed nothing. My friend, he stressed this heavily. Desiree is a member of my posse. And it was only a few weeks ago. Or is your brain so addled you cannot tell day from day? Deadstar smiled cruelly, almost sneering. The black tom rose to his paws, tail and head high.

You are lucky I drove away everyone; surely the great Joey, king of the alleys, would not want anyone seeing him die. Deadstar hissed, suddenly looking deadly. He stalked forward, low to the ground now, moving in a slow circle around the other cat. The sarcasm in these words were like poison.

You, cat, are all thats left of Desiree's yesterday. If I get rid of you, she can forget the past and live for today and tomorrow. The black cat smiled again, thorn-sharp teeth glinting in the harsh light of the lamp.

((And that is why I chose that title xD))

[Basil<<]

Joey waited as the silence stretched. This tom sure was going to a lot of trouble for one wench.

Let me assure you, tom, I do not see you as a friend.

Joey sighed, rolling his eyes. This was tedious. He was pretty sure he wouldn't get out of this one alive. He wasn't scared, much, just impatient for it to be over. Finally he'd get some quiet.

My friend,

Joey snorted. I thought you just said you don't see me as a friend. Contradicting yourself. he muttered, light enough as not to interrupt Deadstar's little tirade.

Desiree is a member of my posse. And it was only a few weeks ago. Or is your brain so addled you cannot tell day from day?

Joey grinned, fangs bared in humor.
She was so insignificant. A tiny fleck. You know how many wenches I go through? A lot of them. My life is busy enough as it is to worry about time. It seems like forever ago to me.
He looked exasperated. One wench was not his problem. She was the only one to complain after. He should have known better. She'd looked too weak...but she had been so damn hot. He was remembering her now.

You are lucky I drove away everyone; surely the great Joey, king of the alleys, would not want anyone seeing him die.

Joey looked up, smiling. So you do want to kill me. So much for just chatting, eh?

You, cat, are all thats left of Desiree's yesterday. If I get rid of you, she can forget the past and live for today and tomorrow.

Oh, damn, does that mean I won't get to see her again? She was dead sexy. Tell me, how is she?
His words were sick, twisted, like snakes slithering on the floor. His eyes glittered like fire, and his tail lashed. More evil than Deadstar could ever manage, just...in a different way.
Joey glanced up, his fangs bared.
It's worth it, to die now. She was so great. I raped her, did things that would make even the mighty Deadstar shudder. And I loved it. I'd do it all again if I could get ahold of her.
He didn't feel any remorse, none at all. This cat was evil's plaything.

[Deadstar]

'She was so insignificant. A tiny fleck. You know how many wenches I go through? A lot of them. My life is busy enough as it is to worry about time. It seems like forever ago to me.'

Deadstar smirked coldly, amused at the tom's foolhardy words. The blood-tinted claws flexed against the cobblestones of the alley; it would not be long until they were sinking into flesh and muscle, ripping the skin to spill warm blood. The light of eagerness began to seep into the black cat's cold eyes, revealing his first emotion since the stand-off began.

He did not speak; there was no need to. He'd let the tom finish talking then he would begin. The tom flicked his ear, eyes narrowing slightly as he waited, listening to the tom's words.

'So you do want to kill me. So much for just chatting, eh?'

Another smile slid across poisoned lips. Of course he wished to kill the tom; the large claws flexed again, the blood glinting in the light cast by the streetlamp. Deadstar rose to his paws again, looking more menacing than ever before.

'Oh, damn, does that mean I won't get to see her again? She was dead sexy. Tell me, how is she?'

Thed black tail flicked back and forth, like a timer counting down the moments til Deadstar's claws sank into the cat's fur. Like a time bomb, really. The muscles under the skin tensed, showing under the ebonite fur. Oh yes, Deadstar was ready.

'It's worth it, to die now. She was so great. I raped her, did things that would make even the mighty Deadstar shudder. And I loved it. I'd do it all again if I could get ahold of her.'

Deadstar stepped forward as his name was spoke; he towered over the tom, the menacing figure of death himself. The gleaming, cold icy eyes flashed, slivers of blue against a jet black face.

Tell me, cat, do you want me to just kill you now, or do you want to actually fight against me? Either way, you die tonight.

A sick grin, much more evil than Joey could do, twisted Deadstar's face. He took another step forward, the fur along his back rising slowly, making him seem even larger than he ws already.

((A.k.a how bad do you want him to suffer?))

[Basil<<]

Joey watched Deadstar as he spoke, noting he grew more eager and more deadly as time wore on. He was on his paws now; standing over Joey like Death itself. He watched Deadstar's flicking tail, finding that his black heart was slowing to match it's beat.

Tell me, cat, do you want me to just kill you now, or do you want to actually fight against me? Either way, you die tonight.

On Deadstar's black-furred face was a grin to envy even Joey's sick grins. He smirked, twiddling his claws in the air. His heart began to beat faster. Alright, so he was a coward, but there was no need to admit that. Deadstar, if anyone, would know that already. Deadstar would know how he ran instead of killing that wench when he had the chance.

He looked up -yes, up- at Deadstar, a mocking grin on his maw.
When are you actually going to strike? We have been chatting for an awful long time, Deadstar.

He glanced down at his paws, laughably, mockingly demure.
I will wait for your mighty righteous blow, Deadstar.

He seemed to have lost it, even he himself didn't know why he wasn't already running for his life.

(( He must suffer. Die slowly, a painful horrible death. A coward's death.))

[Deadstar]

'When are you actually going to strike? We have been chatting for an awful long time, Deadstar.'

The cat had to look up to Deadstar. Smirking, The tomcat crouched low, readying himself to leap at the other, to rip him apart, to shred his throat, to pull out pawfulls of fur until his body lay naked at Deadstar's paws.

'I will wait for your mighty righteous blow, Deadstar.'

Deadstar laughed; it was a laugh that held all the chill of winter, all the evil of Satan himself. Ice blue voids flashed as he stepped forward. This will not be over soon. he murmured, voice a soft hiss. I will not make this easy on you. By the time I am done with you, the alley will be a river of blood.

His voice trailed off as he stepped closer. A paw flashed out suddenly, claws flashing; it was meant to take off the cat's right ear. It he made contact, Joey would be minus an ear and his blood would be flowing down.

[Basil<<]

Joey noted Deadstar crouching, panic fluttering in his chest. His panic rose as Deadstar laughed, and he lifted his head at the exact wrong moment. Deadstar's maw was inches from his own, and a deadly dark his was escaping it, full of words that sent a chill down his spine.

This will not be over soon.

Joey couldn't help but let out a soft whimper.

I will not make this easy on you. By the time I am done with you, the alley will be a river of blood.

Joey panicked completely, rising to his paws at the same moment Deadstar threw out a paw, claws out, to send a blow directly to Joey's head. The results were worse than he could have imagined; Deadstar's horrible sharp claws had taken his ear clean off, and also, because Joey had stood, continued down his face, taking out his eye and leaving a gash down his cheek.

Joey screeched, holding a paw to his face, trying to hold in the blood. It trickled through his paw, running along his leg to drip on the ground as he writhed on the spot. He turned, sudden fear overcoming his pain. He put his paw down, the ghastly sight of his mangled face surely horrifying to any but Deadstar.

Don't..Leave me be..surely you don't care about her..she's only one cat, I didn't kill her..why kill me?

His tone was wheedling, desperate. He was taking steps back, blood dripping in a grim trail in front of him. He was breathing fast, his heart rat-tatting in his chest faster than was healthy. He was looking around, desperate for something to save him. A ladder only a few pawsteps behind deadstar caught his view; if he could jump up and get up that ladder, then he could escape though the open window into the dilapidated apartments. He could then sneak out a window into a different alley and then get away.

In his plans, desperate as he was, he'd become distracted.

[Deadstar]

Deadstar's claws had done far more damage than he had planned. Not only had his ear been managled and ripped off, but his riht eye was gone, and his right cheek gashed open. Deadstar grinned a horrible grin, looking demented. He leaned forward and licked the blood away, almost gently. Had he changed his mind?

'Don't..Leave me be..surely you don't care about her..she's only one cat, I didn't kill her..why kill me?'

Deadstar looked at his face without flinching. Why should he be scared? A soft, sinister laugh escaped his maw. The tom was a coward; Deadstar could smell his fear perfectly. You're blood tastes...wonderful. Deadstar murmured, stepping closer.

He watched the other tom look behind him. Deadstar looked behind himself once, noting the ladder. Perhaps her would let the cat have a chance at freedom,then he would grab him and do more damage. The paw shot out again, claws extended to their fullest; this would rip Joey's shoulder open, perhaps to the bone.