Chapter 9
Bramblestar peered out from his bracken-scented den, aroused by the screeching of cats. He heaved himself to his paws, wincing from the pain his father was causing him.
'Why can't you just leave me alone? Why can't you leave ThunderClan alone!' The thought pierced him, angering him like no end. 'They need me!' Bramblestar heaved himself up, using all the strength he could muster up. Weak with pain, Bramblestar hissed himself encouragement, and dashed into the clearing. Bright sunlight rushed into Bramblestar's eyes, The sunlit trees casting shadows that were looming over the ThunderClan camp, while cats snarled and hissed in the clearing. Desperate to protect his home, Bramblestar slashed at the first cat in his vision- a pale pink-gray she-cat. Snarling, he clawed at the she-cats flank, and kicked her away. Suddenly, a familiar scent rushed into his muzzle. But it was not Tigerstar's.
'Darkstripe!' Abandoning the she-cat he had been clawing at, he frantically scampered around ThunderClan camp, avoiding writhing cats. Out of nowhere, a cat pounced on top of Bramblestar, landing on top of him like he was just a measly piece of prey.
"Who are you!" He snarled. Reek scent flooded into his nose, responding to his fear-filled question.
"You should know." The cat's voice was menacing, rasping inside their throat. Obvious now, Bramblestar grit his teeth together, fury gripping at him. And half from fear, half from anger, Bramblestar pushed his hind legs, supported from his spine, and pushed the dark tabby off of him. Snarling in fury, Bramblestar raked his claws against Darkstripe's face, and blood splattered across the peaty forest floor, soaking leaves in a deep scarlet. But Bramblestar did not stop, and leaped on Darkstripe. The dark tabby hissed in fury, but Bramblestar claws his face once more, silencing him. Snarling his goodbye's, Bramblestar slashed Darkstripe's rump, and kicked him away with his hind leg.
"Leave. And never come back, or I will not forgive you." He snarled. To his surprise, the dark tabby let out a menacing laugh, and it sent shivers to Bramblestar's spine. Concealing his fear, Bramblestar glared at Darkstripe, meeting his gaze as fierce as Darkstripe's.
'I will protect ThunderClan, and destroy anything that endangers it.'
