Shadow Warriors

Chapter Eighteen

Sagepaw's heartbeat was thumping away in her chest as she swerved around a pine tree, ears pricked and alert for any hint of the RiverClan warriors. ShadowClan was named for a reason—they were cats who could hide in the shade, lurk in the night, and remind undetected throughout it all. But RiverClan was built for splashing around in the water, not for the pine forest. And it was this disadvantage that would set them up for a loss.

"I hear them!" hissed a voice from in front of Sagepaw, not distinguishable in the silent forest. Frustrated that she hadn't gotten the chance to help her Clan, the apprentice concentrated, focusing on the sounds around her. Pawsteps... breathing... faint mewing! She could hear them in the distance as well.

Growing slightly more confident, Sagepaw broke away from the pack, padding to the front of the group and helping guide them in the right direction. She could almost feel the fish-scented flesh bending beneath her claws, the blood pouring out like the river they slept by. She was ready to fight.

Sagepaw glance at the cat who was next to her—Pinebark. His brown-and-white pelt didn't exactly blend into the shadows, but neither did her white one. Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't dare to speak to him. They both were too focused on following the rustling in the distance. 

"Attack!"

But the call wasn't Finchfur's voice—it was Sleekstar, the leader of RiverClan. The gray tom leaped out of the bushes, with a large patrol behind him, and the fighting exploded around Sagepaw faster than she could blink.

Rainpelt had been attacked by a hefty-looking apprentice, who easily battered back the surprised gray she-cat. Growling, Sagepaw leaped in front of her Clanmate, sinking her claws into the RiverClan apprentice's flank. The ginger tom let out a snarl, forgetting about Rainpelt, who quickly fled into the bushes for a moment of peace. "Run away like your Clanmate, frog-eater," hissed the RiverClan cat.

"Why don't you do the same, fish-breath," returned Sagepaw as she dodged his glimmering fangs. I've never fought a cat who dodges like this... The apprentice growled, dropping low to the ground to avoid the white she-cat's blow.

But just as the RiverClan cat ducked, Sagepaw exploded over him, digging her claws into his back. She pinned him done, blood spilling quickly onto the ground. A yowl of agony rang in her ears. The tom writhed in her grasp. 

She could hear a voice crying out from the bushes. "Mudpaw!"

She stepped back, only realizing that she had sliced open his belly. "Now tuck your tail between your legs and run," growled the she-cat, blinking as her cheeks flushed with warmth. I was a paw-step away from killing him. Sagepaw swallowed her concerns and turned back to her battle, seeking for any cat who she could defeat. She was itching to find a new opponent.

And she was anxious to find a cat with actual skill—one she could try possession on. If Sleekstar hadn't been busy batting Sootstreak and Addernose, she would've given her shot at the RiverClan leader. Sagepaw could see a few of her Clanmates hiding in the bushes, tending their wounds or limping back to camp. That won't be me, she thought fiercely. I'm not going to surrender till I die. Her gaze went back to the field of fighting cats. There was no one to attack.

The small brown tabby that leaped in front of her solved that problem. 

Her heartbeat picked up again, pounding loudly in her ears. What if I do something wrong? It's a lot harder to possess a cat when I'm surrounded by chaos! But there was hardly any time to worry, because the RiverClan apprentice launched at the ShadowClan apprentice, claws extended and fangs bared. Sagepaw barely managed to side-step the attack and spun around, a grin flickering in her eyes. Finally a cat who doesn't fight like a kit. The other she-cat growled, rearing onto her hind paws as Sagepaw attempted a front blow, claws sheathed.

I need to make Viperfang proud. Her eyes grew steely as the RiverClan cat swiped her ear, a trickle of blood flowing down toward her eyes now. I don't know what happens if I get him mad. She shook her head, red spraying across her vision as she swiped at the tabby's shoulder.

"C'mon, what kind of leader lets a kit out of the nursery?" taunted the brown she-cat, batting at Sagepaw. "Yarrowstar, that's his name right? And what are you—Smallkit?" Her vision was growing red again, but it wasn't from the wound above her eye.

"My name's Sagepaw, and that's the last name you'll ever here!" roared the apprentice, her patience growing thin. She quickly dodged a few of the opposing blows, ducking beneath the cat and raking her claws against the RiverClan cat's belly. A hiss exploded from above her, but the other apprentice managed to wiggle away before Sagepaw could continue her assault. "What are you, Bloodkit?" The other cat was splattered in blood, as Sagepaw had now realized, from what appeared to be several flank wounds and some from her previous opponent. 

She's willing to kill me, Sagepaw realized with a jolt. She's willing to kill me because I'm willing to kill her. That's against the Warrior Code, though. But if Sagepaw could defeat her... she wouldn't have to worry about that if she won the battle for her Clan. But her thoughts were interrupted when the she-cat leaped over her, pinning her down just like she had done to Mudpaw.

"You nearly killed my brother. Don't act like I should take mercy on you. My name's Salmonpaw, and that's the last name you'll ever hear."

Salmonpaw's claws sliced into Sagepaw's flanks, and her vision was spotted with black. She struggled to breath as fangs sunk into her cheek, spraying red over her eyes. But Sagepaw didn't stop pushing back; she didn't give up.

I'm not going to die.

I can't.

By Rio. ⛈