Chapter 3

Nightpaw tore throught the underbrush, dodging brambles and fallen trees.Why does Shadepaw always have to choose these ' shortcuts '?Her thoughts were interupted by a loud cry.

" Watch out for the Briar Patch! "

Nightpaw's head jerked up. A tangle of briars loomed into view. She threw herself into the air, clearing the massive, thorn-filled pit. She gave a sigh of releif as she landed on the ground on the other side.

Finally they arrived at the entrance to a small tunnel. After crawling through, Nightpaw found herself in Sandrocks. She stood and scanned the sandy clearing, finally spotting Wolfclaw on a tall rock.

Wolfclaw ran his eyes over the crowd of apprentices and sighed. He had thought they had finally won all the battles for the territory. But he had to fight, he didn't want to have his clan to be driven from their home once again. His face suddenly straightened.

" A pack of foxes has invaded the Pine Clearing! Join the crowd of warriors at camp and prepare for battle! "

Wolfclaw leapt off the rock and raced towards the tunnel. Nightpaw gasped.

Foxes? I thought the attacks on our camp and territory had stopped! I guess we have not fully claimed this land yet...

Nightpaw padded through the silent underbrush. Dead silence had followed them since they had left camp. The patrol halted and Nightpaw picked up the scent of pine trees.

They were at their destination.

Nightpaw gulped. It had been a long time since she had fought foxes. When the Clan first moved into their territory, they were mauled by foxes, badgers, and wild dogs. Camp was destroyed countless times untill they finally claimed the territory. Possibly the patrols have not been making enough scent markings around the borders...

There was a deafening silence as Nightpaw poked her head into the brush. A pair of green eyes gleamed back at her through the darkness. The young apprentice shivered. She wanted to scramble up a tree and stay there forever, but she could not. She had to fight. There was no turning back. She was going to become a warrior and she had to help protect her clan. If those foxes found their way to camp, there would be not a kit or queen left in the nursery.

Nightpaw backed away, and the glowing eyes dissappeared. There was a loud yowl, and a crash of brambles. The patrol was moving! Nightpaw hesitated, then plunged down the hill.

Two large, doglike creatures burst from the circle of pine trees. Their red fur bristling, the two foxes snarled and growled.

Shadepaw was the first to respond. He leaped away from the crowd of warriors and sprang at the largest fox. He missed as the creature stepped out of the way. Shadepaw turned to face him. The fox dashed foward, expecting to sink his fangs into the apprentice's hind foot.

Shadepaw was too quick. He dashed foward and sunk his teeth into the bridge of the fox's nose. The fox shook his head hard and swung himself around. Shadepaw held on tight.

A furious battle was breaking out.

"Look out!"

Nightpaw ducked, avoiding a jaw full of teeth. Her head snapped around and she was suddenly face to face with a snarling, growling fox. There was an unnerving silence. Swiftly, Nightpaw delivered a swipe across the snout of her enemy. The fox growled and attacked again, and this time he did not miss. Thorn-sharp fangs dug into her back and she cried out. She sliced her claws across the turning muzzle of the fox once again. Her attacker let go. He yowled in pain before running across the clearing and hurling himself into the bushes.

Nightpaw got up and shook herself. She turned around. Nearby, Clearheart was battling a large red-pelted opponent. A giant leap landed her beside the young warrior. Clearheart turned to look at her and flashed a smile. They both turned to the fox in front of them.

Clearheart dived at the fox's muzzle, clinging to its face and trying to get a good swing at the neck. Nightpaw nipped at the heels of the fox. She tried to sink her teeth deep into its hind foot. A loud yowl told her she had succeeded.

The fox raised his head, shook himself free, and ran off. Nightpaw turned around to see the lead fox giving a retreat yowl to his companions. The foxes slunk noiselessly away.

Nightpaw smiled. They had won the battle for the forest once again and it was safe... for now.