Damaged

Chapter Four

"Briarclaws, Greytooth, Rosethorn, Strangehunt, Moonstalk, Deathprowl, Berryheart,Wolfypaw, Lightningpaw, Swiftypaw and Tulippaw. Everyone I have chosen please report to the entrance at sundown." Venomstar leaped off the high rock and padded into his den.

"I can't believe we've been chosen to go!" Swiftypaw mewed, excitedly.

"Our first gathering." Wolfypaw purred.

"Ahhh I'm so excited." Tullippaw sped over to them a large grin on her face.

"So am I! And Strangehunts coming too!" Wolfypaw mewed, happily.

"I'll have my eye on him." Growled Swiftypaw.

"What do you mean? He won't do anything bad!" Wolfypaw asked, confused.

"We can't trust him! He deserted us once and he might do it again!" Swiftypaw blurted.

"He won't betray us. He knows better than that." Wolfypaw growled.

"Think what you want Wolfypaw, I'm going to get some rest." Swiftypaw mewed tiredly. He walked away.

She hissed quietly to herself. Why wouldn't anyone trust Strangehunt? He was nice!

"Hey, is everything okay?" A familiar mew sounded in her ears.

She turned to see Strangehunt staring at her with a concerned expression.

"Everything's fine." She sighed.

He narrowed his eyes. "If everything's fine as you say, why did Swiftypaw look so mad?" He pressed.

"Why is everything you're business?" She exploded. "You don't need to know every little thing that happens in my life! Just leave me alone!" She snarled. She turned and ran, trying to get as far away from everyone as she could.

Tears rolled out of her eyes and she didn't know why. But it felt good to let it out instead of keeping it bottled up inside of her.

"You okay?" A voice questioned her.

She whipped her head to the side and saw that Tom that she had fought not too long ago.

"What are you doing back on my territory?" She growled.

"Um excuse me? You're the one that's trespassing here. You're on BlossomClan turf." He mewed, a frown settling on his face.

"What do you mean-" she inhaled and could only taste the scents of BlossomClan cats.

She leaped up and backed away, unsure if she could get away without getting clawed.

"Hey, it's okay. I won't tell anyone." His tone was reassuring.

"Why though? I mean, I clawed you pretty badly." She gestured to a scar on his neck which she had inflicted.

"Because it was our fault in the first place. We shouldn't have come onto your territory." He mewed gently. "Also I never got your name."

"My name's Wolfypaw." She mewed just as softly.

"Nice name. Mines Zephyrpaw." He smiled.

She felt herself smile back at him.

"Zephyrpaw! Zephyrpaw! Where are you?!" A loud meow interrupted the two.

"I'd better go. It was nice meeting you, Wolfypaw." He shot her one last smile before he disappeared.

She peeked through the bushes and saw his blue and white pelt walk up to a dusty brown one.

"There you are! Hang on, I smell VenomClan." The she-cat hissed.

Wolfypaw turned and fled back onto her own territory. She was not looking for a fight.

She ran back to camp and bumped into someone.

"Sorry." She murmured.

"Where. We're. You?" The voice hissed dangerously.

She looked up and saw Strangehunt standing over her, anger flaring in his eyes.

"Somewhere." She mewed, coolly.

"Don't show me attitude." He snarled.

"Oh sorry. I didn't realise that Venomstar had died and made you leader." She spat.

"You're gonna regret that kit!" He growled.

***

"Cross over to the island using the log." Greytooth instructed.

"Okay doke." Swiftypaw went first balancing gracefully. Finally he made it to the other side.

"Wolfypaw, your turn." Mewed Deathprowl. She stood up feeling her leaders eyes burn into the back of her pelt. She placed one paw on the log and gave it a small shake, testing it.

Then she slowly walked across, gingerly placing one paw step in front of the other. She stumbled onto the island and purred when she felt Swiftypaws pelt brush against her.

"Hey, I'm sorry for before." He apologised.

"All good. I'm sorry too." Wolfypaw mewed. Tails twining, they watched the rest of the cats cross the river.

"Now, try not to say much and don't make us look weak." Venomstar hissed. "Also this is a good opportunity to know your enemies. And if a fight breaks out find one of us immediately." He instructed the apprentices.

"Come on! Let's explore!" Swiftypaw mewed, practically bouncing on his paws.

Wolfypaw laughed. "Alright let's go." Together they ran around, gawking at older and more battle scarred warriors.

"Hey! Wolfypaw!" A new interrupted her and Swiftypaw.

She turned and saw Zephyrpaw smiling at her.

"Uh how does he know your name?" Swiftypaw whispered.

Zephyrpaw heard him and mewed, "oh, we met on a border patrol. I heard her mentor say her name." He lied smoothly.

"Oh um okay." Swiftypaw mewed, in confusion.

"Do you mind letting Wolfypaw and I talk? Privately." Zephyrpaw mewed.

"Sure. Call me if you need anything." He added to Wolfypaw. He turned and padded away into the bushes giving them some privacy.

"So how are you feeling?" He asked her.

"Fine. You're a pretty good liar." She mewed accusingly.

"Well what can I say? I'm good at everything." He boasted.

"Okay okay but why did you call me back here?" She narrowed her eyes.

"Just wanted to see how you were doing."

"Sure that makes things alright." She mewed sarcastically. Suddenly, a loud yowl broke through the air.

The scary part was, she recognised the yowl.

"Swiftypaw."