𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: 𝑨 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒕 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄

CHAPTER 22

Maplethorn's teeth dug into Briar's pelt, albeit only gently, so that she wouldn't face further repercussions for her actions. However, her claws, on the other paw, told a different story. Rivulets of blood streamed from where her claws dug into the she-cat's pelt. After a few shocked seconds, Briar gave forth a wailing yowl, one that sounded so painful that even Maplethorn hesitated, withdrawing her claws slightly, wondering if she had accidentally inflicted too much damage.

Another snarl rippled from behind her and Maplethorn whipped around, claws still attached into Briar's pelt as she faced her brother.

"Let go of her, you filthy beast!" he roared, charging towards Maplethorn, sprinting faster than she'd ever seen before.

Maplethorn used Briar as a springing board and leapt onto a tree, mere seconds before Shadepool would've probably killed her thrice over before throwing her off a cliff, if she was lucky.

From her position on the bough of the tree, she surveyed the pair again, green eyes glistening with apathy.

"You savage!" he snarled, curling around the whimpering golden she-cat. "This isn't a fight-to-the-death battle for victory!"

Maplethorn merely swished her tail, blinking slowly as she crawled a couple of tail-lengths down the bough of the tree. Shadepool snarled at every step she took and Maplethorn slowly came to a halt.

Well, daughter, Scorchflame meowed, the only solution when you're cornered is to strike fast and disappear faster.

I'm not stupid, Maplethorn rumbled, disgruntled. I know how to fight.

But you're not perfect, Scorchflame replied.

Maplethorn shut out her mother's voice as her eyes darted across this portion of MistClan's territory. She inhaled the scent of pine sap and looked up. Barely discernible streaks of soft pastel pink littered the sky as she smiled.

Briar wouldn't have long to locate her before the test was over.

And then she'd fail, Maplethorn gleefully thought to herself as she narrowed her eyes at the pair.

With a quiet swish, Maplethorn leapt forwards, off the tree and dug her claws into both cats' pelts before dragging them a little to inflict more damage and darted off into the dense undergrowth, leaving nothing behind, no trace of a trail.

"That bastard!" Shadepool screeched in both outrage and pain, Maplethorn grinned as she ran, the trees and foliage beside her turning into abstract streaks as she headed directly towards camp, soaring up another densely packed clump of trees and nestling on a thin branch that swayed and bobbed precariously underneath her weight.

After closing her eyes for a few moments, Maplethorn stretched her muscles and glanced upwards at the darkening sky, her tail swishing, partly in boredom and partly in joy as she counted down the seconds until Briar's second part of the assessment was over.

3...

2...

1...

Maplethorn's eyes glimmered with excitement as she soared into the crater of MistClan's camp. Her paws came into contact with the damp ground as she sauntered over to the High-Ledge to await judgement by Cinderstar.

Moments later, the MistClan leader scaled up the High-Ledge and declared,

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the High-Ledge for an announcement!"

Her clanmates streamed out from their respective dens and gathered under the High-Ledge, looking expectantly at their leader.

Maplethorn watched as Briar emerged, leaning onto Shadepool for support, much more than necessary, more for show than anything, she supposed. Maplethorn heard shocked murmurs rippling among her clanmates as she saw Briar's fur matted with blood, certain portions standing up vertically due to the amount of gore it had absorbed.