Alone #3: Broken Amber

Chapter 2

Amberclaw fell into the river, automatically holding her breath. That cat is so stupid, she thought, anger flashing her mind. She swam to the edge and leapt out, dragging the black she-cat down into the river.

Both fully submerged underwater, Amberclaw lashed out with her forepaws, battering the she-cat's belly, almost catching her neck.

I'd kill her if I could.

The she-cat retaliated by using her hind legs to power up to the surface before diving down as effortlessly as a RiverClan cat. Surprised, Amberclaw knew she had lost her advantage, so she quickly climbed the bank and stood, dripping on the sand.

"You fight well," the black she-cat clambered up as well, nodding. "But not as well as me."

With a screech, the black she-cat grabbed onto Amberclaw's fur, knocking her down. Amberclaw kicked her hind legs, trying to beat her.

Suddenly, the black she-cat was dragged off her by Rustfern. The dark ginger tom had a few scratches down his belly and a large wound on his flank. Amberclaw winced but helped her Clanmate pound the black she-cat until she was covered with blood.

Satisfied, Amberclaw gave her a shove and she limped away, dripping blood.

As the two RiverClan warriors headed back to the clearing, the noticed lots of fur on the ground and lots of blood. The RevengeClan cats were gone and only the Clan cats remained.

Ravenflight was the least injured with only a few scratches that weren't even bleeding and a graze on her left forepaw's pad. Blackshine was probably the next least injured with a wrenched claw and a couple wounds. But they didn't even look like they would scar.

Ravenflight was already busy working on Dawnmist, who was injured the most. Her foreleg seemed to be broken and her eyes were closed, flickering with pain. Amberclaw headed over to Ravenflight, sensing her unease.

"Will she live?" Amberclaw broke the silence, touching her tail onto her sister's shoulder lightly.

"I think so," Ravenflight sighed, clearly exhausted.

Amberclaw surveyed the others: Ebonywind had evidently helped Blackshine for she bore marks from the huge tom's crushing. But everyone seemed to be fine.

Amberclaw let out a breath of relief before feeling the familiar anger fill her body.

How dare Ruthless and the others do this?

"Did we win?" Rustfern asked.

"We won," Ebonywind confirmed. "But it was really close."

"That was really fun!" Blackshine was probably the most energetic. "I was working really well with Ravenflight!"

"That's the point," Dawnmist cut in sharply. Talking was clearly hard for her.

"What do you mean?" Ebonywind questioned.

"We weren't working...together," she panted back. "Rustfern and Amberclaw fought together. Blackshine and Ravenflight fought together. Ebonywind, you were...only one. Fight as...team. Next time."

"I sure hope there isn't a next time," Amberclaw muttered darkly, Rustfern nodding in agreement.

"We should go listen to their plans," Blackshine suggested brightly. "I'm sure we could learn loads!"

"That's too risky," Ravenflight mewed immediately. "We don't need another fight."

"C'mon, it's a good idea," Amberclaw pleaded. "You have to admit this could be useful."

"Fine, but only cats who have a death wish will go." Ravenflight snarled. "I'm definitely not going, and neither is Dawnmist. She could die!"

Blackshine had the decency to look ashamed but Amberclaw stood straight and proud. "Well, who's coming?"

"I'm not," Ebonywind said.

At the same time, Rustfern mewed, "I'll go."

They looked at each other, shrugged before heading towards Ravenflight or Amberclaw.

"We'll meet you at our new camp. Just follow our scent," Ravenflight sighed, padding up to Amberclaw.

Amberclaw touched noses with the black she-cat before they separated. She led the patrol deeper into the forest, tracking Ruthless' scent. Finally, they reached some type of underground tunnel. Amberclaw took a deep breath before slipping in first, Rustfern and Blackshine following.

"This is so cool!" Blackshine beamed but his fur betrayed him.

All three cats' fur was bristling and fluffed out. They were all nervous of what they would find.

"Silence!" Amberclaw hissed, hearing pawsteps.

They ducked out of the main tunnel and ran into a smaller tunnel and watched the orange-red tabby tom, the dark brown tabby tom, Crowspirit and Nightfire leave the tunnel system.

They continued on in silence, not daring to twitch their whiskers. Finally, they found a tunnel that led to a cave. They crept closer and listened to what the cats inside were saying.

"That was useless!" Ruthless' voice was filled with anger.

"I'm sorry, Ruthless," a voice mewed.

"That's right, you should be, Splash. You let Amberclaw escape!"

Ah. Splash. Makes sense, I suppose.

"I'm sorry, Ruthless. I didn't expect her to be able to swim," Splash whimpered.

"Don't forget," Ruthless hissed. "We let you in when you were starving and homeless. Do not forget."

"I won't, Ruthless. I promise!"

"What about you, Falcon? Even those long claws couldn't help you."

Amberclaw imagined Ruthless creeping up towards the brown tom with long claws. That must be Falcon.

"Didn't you see them? They don't work as a team. Next time, we can crush them!" Falcon interrupted.

"The only cat who did relatively well was me." Ruthless spat before adding, "And Blue. That was good, Blue."

"What about our plan?" Falcon asked.

"Yes, we need revenge on them!" the only unknown voice added. This must be Blue.

"They stole everything from us!" Ruthless screeched. "I'll drive them out of their stone home and destroy them!"

Amberclaw flicked her tail quietly, signalling they should leave. Suddenly, the voice stopped.

"I thought I heard something," Ruthless' voice was deadly quiet.

"Me too," Splash agreed.

Pawsteps pounded towards them and Amberclaw gazed from Rustfern to Blackshine, all of them terrified.

"Run!" Rustfern yowled.

It was hard to run in the tunnels. Ruthless and the others caught up to them almost immediately.

"You thought you could eavesdrop?" Blue hissed.

From here, Blue's fur could be described as pretty, except for the fact it was stained with blood and her face wore a vicious scowl.

"Blue and Splash, get them," Ruthless drawled, turning back. "I'm sure they won't escape undamaged."

Ruthless and Falcon turned and left. Amberclaw's eyes widened. Was the black she-cat really that dumb? She had left the fight in Amberclaw's favour. Purring, she launched herself at Splash, only to bump into the tunnel roof.

Ouch!

Meanwhile, Blue darted around Rustfern, clawing Blackshine down the side before darting away again. Both of the toms' movements were too slow for the narrow tunnel.

Amberclaw flinched as Splash landed another wound on her and made her decision. "Retreat!" she called before backing away and running.