Vixenheart padded, tail up, towards the nursery. The pinkish sunhigh sky loomed above her, tainted with the familiar grey clouds. She threw down the vole that was clamped in her jaws and began to eat. She heard slow, heavy pawsteps, and knew instantly who it was.
"Oh, hello Nightpaw- or, Vixenheart, sorry." Fangpaw jeered.
Vixenheart fought to keep her temper under control. "Hello, Fangpaw." She meowed through gritted teeth.
"How are your kits?" She asked bluntly.
Vixenheart's neck fur bristled, and her claws instinctively unsheathed. "My unborn kits and I are doing just fine, thanks for your concern."
"I can't wait to see them. I hope they grow up just like you, then Fallen Angels certainly won't have the problem we have now; too few warriors." She hissed with a flick of her tail.
Now her fur stood straight up down her back, and she bore her fangs. Her tail was lashing back and forth as if it were trying to reach around and whip the mouse-brained black cat right in the whiskers.
"I'd watch your tongue, fox-dung." Vixenheart spat with fury.
"I'd watch your mate, vixen." Fangpaw replied coolly.
That was it. Vixenheart's claws dug into the soft earth and she lowered into a crouch, ready to spring at any moment, and Fangpaw copied the motions. Phantomsky approached the two warily.
"Don't fight, you two." She meowed calmly.
The younger cats took no notice, and Vixenheart hissed wordlessly. Fangpaw sprang, and Vixenheart rolled to the side to avoid her, kicking up dust. She turned and dug her claws into Fangpaw's flank, scraping down her side. The dark apprentice yowled in pain before turning around to sink her fangs into Vixenheart's leg.
Vixenheart let out a hiss of agony and kicked Fangpaw off, turning around to dig her fangs into Fangpaw's tail. She missed, getting clumps of black fur in her mouth. She spat with fury and launched herself at Fangpaw, bowling her over and sending both of them flying into the bushes.
Maplefur, the rogue pack's deputy, sprinted over. She grabbed Vixenheart's blueish scruff and dragged her away from Fangpaw. "What do you two think you're doing?" She said angrily.
Vixenheart shook her head, trying to clear her head. Her leg throbbed with pain and blood was seeping onto the ground.
Maplefur sighed. "Let's get you to Brokenpath, okay?"
The apprentices nodded and limped to the medicine den.