Mintbreeze immediately tore from the undergrowth and to the den. Cries of protest erupted from behind her, but she barely acknowledged them as she came to the mouth of the dark cave-like structure. She couldn't see anything inside.
"Mintbreeze!" Tigerhear'ts voice sounded. "The fox isn't in there!" She pulled her head from the den and looked at him questionably.
"Then where-" A sound caused her to whip around, only to see the fox glaring at her. Jayfeather was being held by his scruff in the fox's large mouth, like a kit. Mintbreeze leapt out of the den, raking the fox's leg, then quickly running past it. She whipped around to face it. She watched Tigerheart, Tawnypelt, and Breezepelt run by the fox in turn and scratch it. The fox snapped back, nipping Breezepelt's tail. He yowled out in protest.
The cats went back and forth between scratching the fox, but after minutes the cats were almost as scratched up as there foe. This isn't working! She thought.
She recalled what the leaders had said. You are the only one who is a descendent of these colonies. You actually have every colony in you. Haven't you noticed your peculiar hunting and fighting skill? Don't you realize your carelessness when it comes to the water? Your speed? You have them all in you, Mintbreeze.
Power coursed through her veins. As quick as lightning she was in front of the fox again, dodging its attacks. While it was distracted, Reedwhisker picked up Jayfeather and hauled him from the clearing.
"Tigerheart! Swallowtail! Attack his flanks while he's aiming at me!" She yowled as she leapt out of the way of the fox's jaws.
The other cats did as instructed. They whipped around the fox and raked their claws down its side. It wheeled back and yowled in pain, giving Mintbreeze enough time to score its chest. The fox whipped around and clamped its jaws on Mintbreeze's foot. She yowled and thrashed as it scratched her ear, narrowly missing her head.
Tawnypelt hissed at the angry creature as she launched herself onto its back. It dropped Mintbreeze instantly, who backed up and got in a readied fighting stance.
Mintbreeze ran besides the fox, raking its left flank. Tawnypelt kept hold of the creature's back, biting down hard. The fox made a pained sound as it thrashed Tawnypelt back and forth. Mintbreeze ran in and bit down on its leg, giving Tawnypelt enough time to escape. Once Mintbreeze let go, the fox trotted off, limping away into the night.
Mintbreeze flicked her tail, signaling for the others to follow.
Back at their make-shift camp, Reedwhisker stood over Jayfeather's body. "How is he doing?" Mintbreeze asked, afraid for his answer.
"Well, I think I'm blind…" Jayfeather hoarsely joked. Mintbreeze laughed a little as she walked up to him. Sniffing his injuries, she could tell he was scratched up pretty bad.
"What can we do for you?" Icecloud asked.
"Find cobwebs, and poppy seed, if possible." Icecloud, Breezepelt, and Reedwhisker raced off in once direction, and Tawnypelt, Tigerheart, and Swallowtail went to the other leaving Mintbreeze alone with the injured medicine cat.
"What were you doing out so late? Alone?" She scolded him, locking her eyes with his.
He coughed, sending a few stray red dots out of his mouth. "I was looking for herbs. In case Icecloud needed them," He reasoned, lapping at a deep cut on his leg.
"She said she was fine." Mintbreeze argued, rolling her eyes. "That was an extremely mouse-brained thing to do, I hope you realize." She tried to sound angry, but couldn't help soften when his blue eyes met hers. She wondered how, considering he couldn't see.
"Why? Because I'm blind? I can get around just fine." He hissed, wincing against the pain.
As if on cue, Tigerheart, Tawnypelt, and Swallowtail broke through the undergrowth and raced toward them.
"We found what Jayfeather needed!" Swallowtail called, out of breath. Tawnypelt gently laid a bundle of leaves at Mintbreeze's paws. Mintbreeze opened it with her jaws, revealing a small pile of seeds.
"How much do I give you?" She asked Jayfeather.
"Four. Did anyone find cobwebs?"
Tigerheart stepped forward and lifted up his paw. Mintbreeze removed the fleecy webs and began to apply them to Jayfeathers lacerations, starting with the deepest one on his leg. Jayfeather looked at her, and said, "Thank you." before finally falling into a slumber.
"We should never have done this!" Swallowtail exclaimed, receiving looks from all the cats besides Jayfeather. "Look what has happened! Icecloud almost drowned, and Jayfeather was attacked by a fox! All in one day! This journey must be cursed by StarClan!" Swallowtail started to become hysterical.
Tigerheart shook his head. "Why would they cover the moon with clouds than?" He said.
Breezepelt interjected himself. "I agree with Swallowtail. Why are we risking our lives at the notions of a kittypet?"
"And the notions of StarClan!" Tawnypelt snapped. Everyone looked surprised at the ferocity in her voice. "Every one just stop arguing and get to sleep. We have a long day ahead."
Mintbreeze was thankful Tawnypelt stuck up for her, and was relieved every one of her doubters listened. It wasn't much of an argument, but Mintbreeze feared it would become something much more.
For a second it seemed a line had drawn. Just for a second, it was Tawnypelt, Tigerheart, and herself against Breezepelt and Swallowtail. Icecloud would agree with her, but what about Jayfeather? What if the other cats who wanted to leave left?
She shook these thoughts as the other cats curled around Jayfeather. Mintbreeze felt so unsafe, and so unprotected without a shelter. She began to curse herself for not having one made while it was still light.
"I keep guard first, then Swallowtail." Tigerheart's voice sounded from a few feet away. The other cats mewed in agreement as they curled up for the night.
Mintbreeze woke up to find the sun shining down. She didn't recognized this place, and was even more sure by the absence of the others. She was standing in the middle of the unknown clearing. She sniffed the air, hoping to identify where she was. Then powerful winds began to blow, almost yanking her off her paws. She smelt rain. What's going on? She thought, adrenaline beginning to pump through her.
The loud crack of a bolt of lightning made her jump…
And ripped her from her dream. Instinctively she perked up, scanning the world around her. The others were still fast asleep, so she laid back down.
Her mind was racing. It was the same dream as before, but only…clearer. Less vague than before. Is the dream from StarClan? What are they trying to tell me? she thought, finding herself getting a bit irritated with the clan's starry ancestors. Wether it was a warning or simply a nightmare, Mintbreeze couldn't help but be overcome with a foreboding feeling that more bad things were to come.