Chapter 3
(Anybody know at roughly what point in their lives apprentices become warriors?)
Eclipsepelt, Blueblaze, and Smokepaw walked finished marking the border. They'd gone farther back than ever before, extending the territory. And since they weren't intercepting any of the other clans it was alright.
"Well, this border's good." Blueblaze said.
"As are the other borders. No trespassers around." Dragonflame said, walking over to patrol.
"Dragonflame!" Eclipsepelt hissed. He didn't say anything else, but Dragonflame was getting good at reading faces, she knew what he meant. 'You're too close to having kits to be out. It's dangerous.'
"I'm also the deputy of this clan." Dragonflame reminded him. "I have to take care of it."
'You have to take care of our kits.' Eclipsepelt's face said.
Dragonflame sighed and opened her mouth.
"Shh!" Smokepaw hissed. "I hear something."
The others stopped talking and listened. Blueblaze sniffed the air. "It smells like-" He was cut off as a fox came dashing towards them, blowing Blueblaze off his feet.
Dragonflame let out a yelp and jumped out of the way as the fox came towards her. It missed her and started for Eclipsepelt. "No!" Dragonflame kicked it in the head. The fox whirled back to her and this time, she couldn't get away fast enough. She let out a yowl as the fox sunk its teeth into her stomach.
Eclipsepelt let out what sounded an awful lot like a howl and leapt onto the fox, attacking it near the head and neck for all he was worth. Smokepaw joined in, clawing its underbelly.
The fox writhed around, kicking Smokepaw and throwing Eclipepelt off balance. Eclipsepelt gave it a kick to the eyes and jumped off. The fox took off running. "Get Brokenclaw!" Eclipsepelt orderd. "Now!"
Blueblaze ran off towards camp. Smokepaw ran into the forest shouting, "I'll find cobwebs!"
"Eclipsepelt . . . the kits. . ." Dragonflame mewed weakly.
"Don't worry, the kits will be fine." Eclipsepelt told her.
She was no fool though. She could see the worry in his eyes. "No. The kits . . . are coming."
Now Eclipsepelt was defineatly worried. 'No. Not now.' His eyes said. He ran over and gave her a stick, and Smokepaw came running out and places cobwebs on her wounds.
Then Brokenclaw showed up. "Out of the way!" He shouted.
Dragonflame felt the kits coming, but she was so weak, she could barely push. "Dragonflame, come on." Brokenclaw urged. He set his paw on her stomach and pushed at himself. Dragonflame let out a yowl muffled by the stick as her first kit came out. "Start licking!" Brokenclaw ordered to no one in particular.
Eclipsepelt came over and started licking the kit. But it was so weak, and he could taste blood as he licked. Brokenclaw meanwhile was having difficulty with the next kit. Dragonflame's breath grew ragged, but she pushed as hard as she could. Another kit came out. "Lick." Brokenclaw said. "There's one more."
Blueblaze started licking the next kit. Dragonflame let out a groan. "Come on Dragonflame. Just one more kit. You're doing great."
Dragonflame nodded even as tears sprang to her eyes. She kept trying, but it hurt so much. Brokenclaw began to put herbs and more cobwebs on her wounded stomach. Without stopping his licking, Eclipsepelt gave Brokenclaw a look that said, 'What about the kits?'
"I know what I'm doing." Brokenclaw said. He finished putting the herbs on Dragonflame. She took a deep breath and gave one more push and another kit came out. But this one wasn't moving at all. Brokenclaw walked up to the kits. The first kit was still moving weakly and Brokenclaw moved him over to Dragonflame. Then he looked at the other two for a long time. So long Eclipsepelt knew what was going to happen before it did. Brokenclaw turned around slowly, and shook his head sadly.
Eclipsepelt's eyes grew round and wet with sorrow. He turned around and walked away from the others. "Eclipsepelt!" Brokenclaw called after him. He didn't show any response at all.
