Alone #3: Broken Amber

Chapter 3

Amberclaw recounted to Ravenflight and Dawnmist what they had heard Ruthless say.

"I believe they want revenge on the Tribe. It can't be a coincidence," Amberclaw mewed. "Anyway, they won't dare come back. I've fought Splash twice and I'm sure she knows her match when she sees them."

"And that match is you?" Dawnmist mewed dryly.

Dawnmist was recovering but they could be slowed down. She definitely wasn't going to be travelling for at least a moon.

"Everyone! Come over here!" Ravenflight suddenly called out.

Rustfern and Blackshine padded over from where they had been lying in the sun, recovering from the battles. Ebonywind looked up from her rabbit and headed over.

"I believe we should practice our skills. We weren't sharp enough and I don't like it. During the fight, we weren't working together, like Dawnmist said. Just with our Clanmate." Ravenflight explained.

"Yeah!" Blackshine exclaimed excitedly. "We should practice!"

Despite his numerous wounds, his spirit wouldn't be crushed.

"Alright," Ravenflight nodded. "Dawnmist and I will sit out. I want Ebonywind to work with Rustfern and Blackshine to work with Amberclaw."

Amberclaw dragged out a sigh. Why do I have to work with Blackshine? Can't I work with Rustfern?

"Can't I work with Amberclaw?" Ebonywind asked, rolling her eyes.

"Because I'd beat you in a second, obviously," Amberclaw boasted.

"Yeah? You wanna bet?" Ebonywind shot back.

"Sure!" Amberclaw growled.

"Enough!" Ravenflight glared at both of them. "Just go and practice!"

Amberclaw huffed before stalking away, Blackshine padding behind her.

"WindClan has a really really cool move!" Blackshine beamed. "It's a slash and duck, then we twist."

"We have that move too." Amberclaw growled flatly, sitting down.

"Oh," Blackshine mewed. "Okay! Cool! I didn't know that! You learn something new every day!"

"Yes, I've learnt that you are very annoying!" Amberclaw growled, her fur bristling.

One oath. Two trees. Three ThunderClan thieves. Four fish. Five foxes. Six salmon. Seven...what was it? Seven...aha! Seven salmon. Eight eagles. Nine needlefish. Ten tomcats.

Amberclaw turned away, striding back towards the camp. Ravenflight met her there, anger in her eyes. "Go practice!" she snarled.

Amberclaw took a step back, mentally running through all her exercises to keep calm. "Fine!"

Pacing back to Blackshine, the tom was still undeterred and happy to begin again. It was as if her insult hadn't even pierced his thick fur.

"Alright, we'll practice," Amberclaw growled. "But I'll win."

A blur of black fur leapt at Amberclaw and she dodged easily, pivoting in a quick circle, grabbing onto Blackshine's neck as he sped past. Unbalanced, Blackshine staggered to a halt, tripping over. Amberclaw flattened herself on the black tom and he gasped for air.

"I win," Amberclaw mewed flatly, stepping off and stalking back to camp.

"Finished training!" Blackshine called to Ravenflight, bounding behind her. "Amberclaw is such a good fighter!"

Amberclaw purred. "It's true," she mewed smugly.

Ravenflight glanced at her sharply before turning back to Blackshine. "Don't worry, you'll beat her someday. Maybe she'll fall over her stupid ego."