Warriors AU: Into the Wild

Chapter 8

Raggedpelt growled in defiance at the approaching pawsteps, but Sandpaw could sense her panic. The she-cat struggled to her feet. "So long. Thanks for the meal." She tried to limp away on three legs and then winced in pain. "Nuh! This leg's stiffened up while I've been resting."

Now it was too late for her to run. Silent shadows slipped out of the trees, and in a heartbeat the Thunderclan patrol had encircled Sandpaw and Raggedpelt. Sandpaw recognized them: Goldenflower, Darkstripe, Willowpelt, and Oakstar, all of them lean and hard-muscled. Sandpaw smelled Raggedpelt's fear at the sight of them.

Silverpaw followed close behind. He bounded out of the bushes and stood beside the warrior patrol.

Sandpaw mewed a hasty greeting to his Clan. But only Silverpaw returned it. "Hi, Sandpaw!" he called out.

"Silence!" Goldenflower growled.

Sandpaw glanced at Raggedpelt and groaned inwardly; he could still smell the fear-scent on her, but instead of cowering in submission, the scruffy creature was glaring in defiance.

"Sandpaw?" Oakstar's question was cool and measured. "What have we here? An enemy warrior—and recently fed, by the smell of you both." Her eyes burned into him, and Sandpaw dropped his head.

"She was weak and hungry..." he began.

"And what about you? Was your hunger so bad that you had to feed yourself before you had gathered prey for your Clan?" Oakstar went on. "I assume that you have a very good reason for breaking the warrior code?"

Sandpaw was not fooled by the leader's soft tone. Oakstar was furious—and rightly so. He crouched lower to the ground.

Before he could speak there was a loud hiss from Goldenflower. "Once a kittypet, always a kittypet!"

Oakstar ignored Goldenflower and looked instead at Raggedpelt. Suddenly she looked surprised. "Well, well, Sandpaw! It seems you have captured us a Shadowclan cat. And one I know well. You are Shadowclan's medicine cat, aren't you?" she meowed to Raggedpelt. "What are you doing so far into Thunderclan territory?"

"I was the Shadowclan medicine cat. Now I choose to travel alone," hissed Raggedpelt.

Sandpaw listened, astonished. Had he heard right? Raggedpelt was a Shadowclan warrior? Her filthy condition must have masked her territorial scent. He might have enjoyed tackling her more if he'd known.

"Raggedpelt!" Goldenflower meowed mockingly. "It looks like you have fallen on hard times if you can be beaten by an apprentice!"

Now Darkstripe spoke. "This old cat is no use to us. Let's kill her now. As for this kittypet, he has broken the warrior code by feeding an enemy warrior. He should be punished."

"Keep your claws in, Darkstripe," Oakstar purred calmly. "All the Clans speak of Raggedpelt's bravery and wisdom. It may help us to hear what she has to say. Come; we'll take her back to camp. Then we'll decide what to do with her—and with Sandpaw. Can you walk?" she asked Raggedpelt. "Or do you need help?"

"I've still got three good legs," the grizzled she-cat snapped back, limping forward.

Sandpaw saw that Raggedpelt's eyes were glazed with pain, but she seemed determined not to show any weakness. He noticed a look of respect flicker across Oakstar's face before the Thunderclan leader turned and slowly led the way through the trees. The other warriors took up positions on either side of Raggedpelt, and the patrol moved off, carefully keeping pace with their lame prisoner.

Sandpaw and Silverpaw fell in step together at the back of the group.

"Have you heard of Raggedpelt?" Sandpaw hissed to Silverpaw.