Warrior Cats: A Looming Darkness (Book 2) HIATUS

Chapter 2 (Sagepaw)

A blood curdling yowl pierced the air, sending shivers down Sagepaw's back. Sagepaw's pelt pricked with unease, that must be Featherpaw!

"Lets go, ThunderClan!" Maplefrost growled and bolted into the forest, towards the noise. The rest of the ThunderClan patrol followed, their paws pounding against the cold ground. Sagepaw's mind raced. Why did I send her back! This is all my fault!

The sound of yelps, snarls, and jaws snapping got louder, the ThunderClan cats were getting closer. Sagepaw pressed harder, trying to keep up with the rest of the warriors.

Sagepaw's eyes widened in relief when he saw Featherpaw standing in a clearing. But his spirits quickly abandoned him. Featherpaw's ears were flattened against her head, her lips were drawn back in a vicious snarl, and a bloody gash cut through her shoulder. In front of her, with blood dripping from its muzzle was a dog. No, it wasn't a dog, it was a fox. Its bright ginger fur was matted with blood and mud soaked its white underbelly. It glared down at Featherpaw with eyes full of malice and hunger.

The ThunderClan patrol let out a battle cry and ambushed the fox. Maplefrost was the first to get at the fox. Her claws snagged onto its ear and tore it off, leaving a bloody stump in its place. Sagepaw hissed and unsheathed his claws. He dug them into the hind leg of the fox and bit down. The fox yelped, turned, and aimed to snap its jaws around Sagepaw's throat. Sagepaw closed his eyes, there was no way he could move out of the fox's way fast enough. When nothing happened, he reopened his eyes and let go.

Cinderdapple had charged the ginger beast. She was clamping her jaws down on its scruff and raking her claws along its shoulder blade. The fox easily shook the silver tabby off and turned to Blazetail who was now getting a few, hard scratches in.

The fox seemed to realize it was outnumbered because it turned and fled away into the forest in the direction of ShadowClan. Sagepaw's sides heaved, he had never battled a fox before!

"Is everyone all right?" Maplefrost meowed once the bushy ginger tail of the fox had disappeared into the gorse.

"I think Cinderdapple and Featherpaw were the only ones injured," Sagepaw said.

Cinderdapple limped towards the patrol, "I'm quite all right. Just a bit sore, that's all."

"And Featherpaw?" Maplefrost turned to the silver apprentice.

Featherpaw was trembling again and her eyes were wide with fear. Her fur was fluffed out and her claws were still unsheathed. Sagepaw sympathized with her, no doubt that facing a fox alone would be terrifying. Luckily, the rest of the hunting patrol had arrived just on time.

"Featherpaw?" Sagepaw mewed and took a step towards her.

Featherpaw shook herself then blinked. "I'm okay," she meowed, "it just sting a little."

"We'd best get you to Sweetscent," Maplefrost said. "She'll fix your wounds right up."

Blazetail padded over to her apprentice, "You were very brave, Featherpaw. Do you have any prey gathered around here?"

Featherpaw nodded and padded over to a stump where two mice had been buried. The rest of the patrol padded off back towards the Ancient Oak. Sagepaw was relieved to find all the prey they had caught still there. He picked up his catch and waited for the others. The hunting party turned towards camp and headed home.

"You did very good today, Sagepaw," Cinderdapple mewed to him through a mouthful of squirrel.

A purr rumbled in the back of Sagepaw's throat.

"I think," Cinderdapple began, "since Featherpaw probably won't be able to train today, I can ask Blacknose to give Nightpaw and you an assessment. What do you think about that?"