Thornpaw rushed through the brush, rushing to get back to camp. He was late already! But, he got his paw stuck in the two legs' trap right beside Carrionplace. The stench burned his nose, and he mewed desperately to be freed.
Flowerpaw's sensitive ears pricked up as she tracked a familiar mewing. "Thornpaw!" She exclaimed and padded swiftly into the leader's den. The deputy, Thrushtail, was curled up next to Moonstar, the Natureclan leader. "I heard Thornpaw, I think he's in trouble!" Flower cried. She secretly loved Thornpaw but didn't want to admit it. Tears tore at her face, but she pushed them back and stayed strong. "You're an apprentice, go train with Lilychest." Flower bowed her head and walked away slowly, but then turned her head back and whispered, "Please save Thornpaw."
Lilychest was pacing around slowly, waiting to scold Flowerpaw for her lateness. Meanwhile, Scarpaw dashed around the forest to look for cats to save, and he came across a hissing, writhing mess of an apprentice. Who is this? He wondered to himself. Do I know him? This apprentice was a mess of blood and matted fur. Scarpaw walked up to the apprentice. His shoulders were held high, pretending to be an authorized figure, because he was the secret son of the clan leader, Moonstar. "Which clan are you from, apprentice?" He said the last word with a certain venom in his voice. He disapproved of this weakling apprentice in his territory, looking pathetic and helpless. The apprentice looked up and muttered, "Scarpaw, don't be stupid. I'm from Natureclan," Then sighed and lowered his head to the ground. Suddenly the bushes behind the two Natureclan apprentices rustled, and Lillychest and an elder named Badeye stepped out of the brush. Lillychest growled at Scarpaw and commanded, "That's enough, Scarpaw. The leader will want to see you back at camp." A scowl formed on Scarpaw's lips, but he shook it off and bowed his head both the warrior and the elder and sauntered off to the camp.
Lillychest bent over and looked at the wounded apprentice. She inspected his matted, bloody fur, his frail body, and his sad eyes. "Go get the medicine cat," Lillychest commanded to Badeye, "And I'll stay here and watch the apprentice. Also, bring some fresh-kill. He looks starving." Lillychest started pacing around the apprentice as Badeye went running back to the camp. Only then did Lillychest notice that she sent a weak elder to go on a medium-length trek back to the base, totally unprotected. But, she couldn't leave the apprentice, in case someone attacks him. She ran her teeth across her bottom lip (do cats have lips?) and bit it hard. She went and curled up next to the apprentice. "It's all going to be ok. Other cats will be here to help you soon," She comforted herself through gritted teeth. Thrornpaw shifted and muttered a shaky, "It is," and let out a rattly breath.
