The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

5. Trespassers

Adrenaline rushed through Scorchpaw's veins and made his paws shaky with anticipation. He could hear the yowls just ahead, through the spindly brush that quivered in the breeze. His blood pumped quickly, heart beating hard as he shot through the undergrowth. He could hear his father's heavy breathing beside him and his mentor's swift paws behind him, and he felt a wave of power like never before.

A real battle!

The patrol crashed through the brush and refused to pause, all except for Scorchpaw. He took in the scene of the fight for a moment, eyes flitting over the battling cats. He saw Shadowclaw trying to stand, his leg torn into by a brown and white rogue she-cat. He caught a glimpse of Froststrike raking at a young white and brown she-cat, hardly old enough to even be fighting.

The thing that made Scorchpaw's fur bristle the most was the gray she-cat facing his best friend, ready to strike the already bleeding tom with angry claws. Scorchpaw bellowed with rage, hoping to startle the cat, and he jumped onto her back and wrapped his claws around her face. She shrieked and rolled, crushing him under her body. He gasped for air as she laid there, writhing until she could get to her paws, and he yelled as she snapped at his face. He curled and kicked her, and he scrambled to stand, but the unfazed she-cat was on him a second later. He felt her claws rake his leg and her paw knock his balance away, and he fell. Pain rippled through his neck as her teeth sank into the flesh of his scruff.

"Retreat!" A cat shouted, and the burning pain in Scorchpaw's scruff became a faint sting. He was dropped, and he groaned as he hit the ground and watched as the rogue cats began to sprint across the border. He kept still for a few seconds, taking in every breath. His Clanmates were shaking away their wounds around him, some worse than others.

"Get up," hissed a cat, and Scorchpaw pushed himself up and looked at Redwing, who glowered at him. "That was pitiful. I thought I trained you better than to let-"

"Scorchpaw!" Palepaw chirped cheerfully, trotting towards Scorchpaw. Scorchpaw felt his heart rise in his chest at the sight of his friend in such well condition. His ear was ripped apart and his shoulders were scratched, but otherwise, he seemed fine. "I thought that cat was going to blind me before you all showed up." He purred loudly, shoving rudely past Redwing

Scorchpaw managed a breathless laugh and glanced at his leg. It was only scratched along the surface. I'll be fine.

"I'll be back," Palepaw mewed, and Scorchpaw watched as the gray and black tom padded towards his own mentor. Shadowclaw sat with his front left leg held in the air, blood reaching down to his paw. He looked exhausted and worried, his green eyes flicking from tree to tree across the border. When Palepaw approached, the deputy's head dropped, and he said something quietly before standing. Froststrike was quickly at his side.

I wonder if they could have won without us. Scorchpaw jumped when he felt a tail touch his side, and he looked left and saw his mother. Goldstreak was unharmed, though a bit ruffle. "We should all get back to camp."

"Agreed," Shadowclaw said gruffly. He put weight on his leg, and Scorchpaw flinched when the warrior staggered.

"It was the same cat that hurt Rainfall's leg," Patchback muttered nearby. "And she's still not over it." His features were heavy with concern, and Scorchpaw's high spirit faltered.

"Let's go," Shadowclaw ordered, slowly limping into the undergrowth.

Scorchpaw hurried after Palepaw, who padded along solemnly. He watched his friend out of the corner of his eye and wondered just what the young cat was thinking. He's probably worried about Shadowclaw. I know I'd be if he was my mentor. His mind wandered quickly to the cats that had attacked. I know they were rogues. They didn't have a Clan scent to them. Why would they attack us?