The first light of dawn came through the entrance of the warrior's den, awaking a solid brown tom. His pale green eyes still blurry from sleep.
"Stupid sunlight. Can't I sleep past dawn?" He growled
He got up and yawned on top of his nest. He glanced at the tortoiseshell she-cat who was in deep sleep next to him. Her fluffy fur was matted from sleep, but she still smelled like herbs. It's nice having her back here. He thought. She had been injured from twisting her paw from hunting about a half-moon ago. He walked out of the den and found Littlewhisker sitting near the Tallrock. The pale brown tabby she-cat was sitting with Shadowstorm, Jaywhisker, and Wolfsong.
"Wolfsong?" He asked as he approached the group of cats.
She sighed, "Yes Stagfur."
"Why aren't you in the nursery right now? You're due soon."
She rolled her eyes as she padded up to him.
"I'll be fine. Blackfeather knows I'm going on the dawn patrol this morning. Also, I've got at least another moon."
He shrugged as Littlewhisker stood up.
"Okay then." She said, "We're going to the Thunderclan border since the dusk patrol checked the Riverclan border two sunrises ago."
Stagfur nodded as they walked out of camp. He glanced at Wolfsong again and nodded. She'd be fine. Blackfeather knows better than I do about kits. He smiled at the patrol. His energy had awoken again and looked toward Littlewhisker.
"Littlewhisker?" He asked
"What is it Stagfur.." Asked the tired she-cat
"Mind if I go hunting?"
"Oh! I'll go with him!" Shadowstorm exclaimed
"Fine. Meet us by the border once you have caught a piece of prey. Just one. You two can share one of them since leaf-bare is coming."
"Yeah fine let's go!" The young tom shouted
Stagfur rolled his eyes as he bounded ahead of the group. Shadowstorm joined him shortly at his side
"So, are we hunting anything in particular?" He asked
"No."
He sped up, not in the mood to talk to his former apprentice. I'll never understand how he has this much energy now. He's acting like a kit! Stagfur froze as the scent of a mouse came toward him. Better than nothing. He thought angrily. He got into a crouch and eyed the small mouse. His tail itched to lash back and forth from the anticipation of the hunt. He crept forward and took a large leap, startling the mouse. It squeaked and started to run. However, Stagfur was much faster. He gripped the mouse in his jaws and slid across the moor about a tail-length.
"Nice."
Shadowstorm had a small thrush at his paws as he looked up from it. His pale blue eyes shone with happiness.
"Excellent catch." He meowed
Stagfur sat down and began to eat the mouse. He still remembered Littlewhisker's instructions, but all they had was a small mouse and a thrush. Sharing these would be ridiculous. Shadowstorm's ears perked up as he got up, abandoning his prey.
"Shadow-"
"Shhh." He hissed
His eyes were focused ahead of them as he began padding in that direction. Stagfur got up and the two ran. What is going on...?
"H..He..Help..m..me!"
He spotted a pure black tom ahead with blood pouring from multiple wounds.
"Nightflame!" Shadowstorm yowled
His son ran toward him as Stagfur ran behind him.
"H..Help!" Nightflame grunted
His dark amber eyes were half closed and his rear, right leg was crooked along with a bend in his tail. His ears were shredded along with scratches across his shoulders and belly.
"What happened?"
"H..Help.."
His eyes closed as Stagfur turned to face Shadowstorm. The tom was hyperventilating as he looked at Stagfur.
"Get back to camp! Ge..Get Fennelpool! Or..I don't know..Get someone! Don't let him die!" He growled
Stagfur nodded and raced back to camp. What could have done something so horrible to Nightflame?
...
"He's..He's gonna be alright, right?" Shadowstorm asked
Fennelpool was over Nightflame's body. The long furred tortoiseshell was moving as fast as the wind itself with different herbs being placed on top of him. His eyes were still closed and Brindlestar was inside there as well, her eyes wide as she watched Fennelpool maneuver through the different bundles of herbs.
"I..I think he'll live." She meowed
Shadowstorm sighed in relief as his father's breathing began to steady out. His eyes were still closed, but he was alive.
"Thank Starclan." Brindlestar said
"Yes..Nightflame was lucky to survive that. But, I'm afraid his leg won't heal properly." Fennelpool told them
"What do you mean?" Stagfur asked
"His leg was to badly injured to ever heal correctly. All the herbs in the world won't do anything to heal it."
"What's he supposed to do then?"
Fennelpool sighed, "Well, he would have to retire early. He won't become my apprentice and it's wrong to kill him with any deathberries."
Stagfur looked down. Nightflame had been one of his best friends. Although he was moons older than him, he had been like the father Stagfur never had. He was also Shadowstorm's own father!
"Very well then. Please, come get me when he awakes." Brindlestar meowed
She left the den and Stagfur followed. Shadowstorm remained in the den. Stagfur noticed Gorsewing by the den. Her pale gray eyes were wide with fear.
"Wh..What happened?" She asked
"Nightflame survived. But, he'll have to retire." He answered
"Oh Stagfur. I know how much of an impact he's had on your life." She mewed gently
She nuzzled his fur and he purred happily. At least you're okay...He and Gorsewing walked toward the den, but Brindlestar's call interrupted it.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the Tallrock!"
He walked over and sat next to Stonefur. Gorsewing joined him shortly as did the rest of the clan.
"As we all know, Nightflame has been attacked by something-"
"Or someone!"
"No.."
Fennelpool had come out of the den and was sitting by it.
"Those weren't cat claw marks. Also, no cat wouldn't not bite it's enemy. No bite marks and there was so much damage. It couldn't have been a cat."
"So..Something attacked him." Brindlestar announced. "I want no cat to be out without another until we find this demon who nearly killed Nightflame!"
Stagfur yowled in approvement with his clanmates. Whatever demon did this will be sorry!