War - Battles of the Wild - The Darkened Moon

CHAPTER TWO: DIRTCLAW

   Blood glistening scarlet on the field of pines. Animals hiding behind trees trying to keep the children safe. Battle cries ring out full of pain, anger, and loss. I feel more regret and loss than anyone else... I lost my mate Birdbeak, just as soon as the battle began.

The Warriors of Leap Clan- I could tell from the scent of them- had positioned themselves in front of the Armory and Warrior's Den, to keep Power Clan away from their armor. But we weren't called Power Clan for nothing. Even though we didn't have any armor, our enemies were wearing light protection, both for jumping and to avoid it reflecting too much for their sneak attack, so we were almost evenly balanced.

"NO!" the piercing shriek rang out, and it was like the whole clearing where the battle raged went still, went silent, when Fallingsun cried out as her best friend Crookedclaw fell into a pool of blood and pine needles, her eyes glazed over as a dead stare cradled her into the void. Her killer stood over her limp body, a triumphant look in the pure white cat's icey eyes, and crimson staining her claws.

All around me, Warriors were fighting. I saw Firelash, who had somehow found a place to light the whip attached to her tail, and was swinging it wildly at her attackers. Alena was fighting two other dogs, and both were about half her size.

I suddenly wondered where the two highest ranking animals in Leap Clan were, Switch and her twin, Blade. No matter where I looked, I couldn't spot the almost identical twins, so I supposed this must be some kind of distraction, or something to weaken us.

Then I felt a sharp pain in the back of my spine as I'm pushed to the ground. Pine needles and dirt goes up my nose and in my mouth. I screw up my eyes so debris on the ground won't stick in them and make me blind. I turn on my attacker and scramble at his unarmored belly.

"AUGH!" he screamed, then the weight of my enemy seemed to fold off quickly.

"Dirtclaw!" said Frozenfire, "The battle's over, for now, anyway."

I gazed at the cat I just killed. I then thought about the first thing Frozenfire told me to take my mind off it. The battle did seem to be finished. Our enemies were retreating. Although it didn't look like everyone that came in, even with all the killing...

I watched as they ran... one hundred feet, one hundred fifty feet... I took a moment to admire their speed. Although Swift Clan creatures are the fastest in the forest, Leap Clan sprang across the terrain, covering at least eight feet in each bound.

As My Clan turned to check on our injured friends, the remaining Leap Clan Warriors jumped on us from behind the bushes, scattering leaves. I knew that wasn't all of them! But how did no one scent them?! Then I quickly took a whiff of the air. It was thick with the smell of death and heavy with the rank odour of blood.

"The battle's not over, idiots!" cried Hazel, a well known Warrior of the opposing clan.

"No, I think its the other way around! You're the idiot shmruts!" snapped Frozenfire as she and Hazel crashed into each other. And just as they made contact the roar of the battle started again like a lion versus a tiger. It was claws against teeth and paws against metal. The first cry rang out as I was hit in the chest. Quickly I turned on my attacker. Scrambling back to my paws, my claws unsheathed just about ready to slice their muzzle off, when I saw who it was... I was standing face to face with my closest littermate; Fadingmoon, and... and she chose to fight me? Why? What did I do to her? But we used to be clanmates! When I was about to say my thoughts to her, I was hit again and again, over and over I was struck. Finally I had a chance, a breath to ask her...

"Why are you doing this? Why? We were so close back then, and now you choose to fight me... why?...."

She snapped, growled at me saying; "Because you were part of my execution! I escaped, but that barely changes a thing! You didn't stand up or fight for me! I... I... I felt abandoned and betrayed... so this is what you deserve, Dirtclaw, to you and your clan. This is my time. I practiced 'til I had all your strategies down, and I learned more, and then I was ready. I'm stronger, and my new clan is stronger, so now I will beat you in our life and death playfight, so... shall I say prepare to DIE!!!"

"NEVER!!!!" I scream as I launch myself at her, catching her by surprise. 

I land a few hits at her face and soft belly until she throws me off. I lunged back at her, and we exchanged blows at each other in a tangle of claws, teeth and fur. Blood spat in my face, blinding me. Grass, pine needles and soil tangled in my fur. 

The weight of my attacker suddenly disappeared, and I got up to see the limp body of my sister in a pool of blood. Then I heard a Leap Clan Warrior scream the call of retreat, and they fled from the battlefield, from our home, running to find a safe place. 

Someday we will come to them and fight, but for now we will just have to wait. For now we will have to protect the place where we have raised our kits, raised our pups, to become Warriors, and keep the clan alive... this is a place for Warriors to find their WAR!