Chapter 12

Lionblaze walked beside Moleclaw as Bramblestar led them on the moonhigh patrol, the moon invisble through the canopy of the trees though its light guided them along. It had almost been two whole moons since the dogs had mysteriously shown up in their territory and Onestar was now fully recovered.

With all the time that had passed, Lionblaze realized with a jolt that Spottedkit and Willowkit would be apprentices soon. Only around two or three moons now and they would receive their mentors and start training. His daughters would be apprentices! But would Spottedkit, with her previous and forgotten life, want to be a warrior? He then realized that if she chose the path of a medicine cat, Jayfeather would be her mentor.

I don't know if that's good...or bad, he thought as a snapping Jayfeather came to his mind.

Suddenly, Moleclaw stopped in his tracks. After a small pause, he started forward again, only to give a quick cry of surprise and pain. The two older warriors swiftly stopped and turn to the other warrior who was examining one of his forepaws.

"Moleclaw, what is it?" Bramblestar asked while Lionblaze strained to inspect his paw curiously.

"My claw got snagged on something." Moleclaw replied through gritted teeth.

"Did it come out?" Lionblaze asked. "Is it bleeding?"

"Its bleeding alright." Moleclaw answered, sliding out his claws to find one missing.

"You better head back to camp and have Jayfeather look at it." Bramblestar advised, eying the blood oozing from his paw.

"Are you sure you don't still need me?" Moleclaw asked out of what looked like obligation. He clearly didn't want to stay out here with his throbbing claw.

"There's only a little more to go, me and Lionblaze can manage." Bramblestar said. "Now go before you get some sort of infection."

"Okay." Moleclaw said, sounding relieved. He hobbled away to camp, leaving the two to finish up.

"Alright then." Bramblestar said, turning around and continuing towards the outer part of their territory.

Lionblaze walked soundless beside the ThunderClan leader and as they came closer to the end of their territory, remembering that this was exactly where the dogs had come from. Though there was much speculation about them, mostly everyone had come to the conclusion that these were just wild dogs passing through the area. As strange as the idea was, Lionblaze had come to believe that that was really all there was to it.

They were only fox-lengths away from the very edge when they heard a sound. Someone or something was rushing towards them and they were not trying to go unnoticed. Lionblaze quickly looked to Bramblestar who did just the same. Lionblaze immediately thought back to the dogs, but that was quickly replaced when her heard the voices that came with the running. There were intruders approaching.

"Just stand your ground for now and let me speak." Bramblestar told him. "Be prepared to fight if it comes to it."

Lionblaze nodded and crouched down, facing the direction of the intruders, Bramblestar doing the same. He could hear them now. One of them, a female by the sound of it was hissing curses and names furiously, "If weren't for those stupid apprentices-" her words stopped short as they came to a stop in front of the two ThunderClan warriors.

There were four of them- an orange she-cat with thick black stripes covering most of her body with a black underbelly and a fluffy tan chest and tail, a small red she-cat, a white spotted black tom, and a muscular dark brown tom- all of whom were in horrible condition, covered in scratches and blood. They looked they had just been in battle and had in no way been on the winning side.

"Who are you?" The orange she-cat hissed angrily, narrowing her eyes at them in disgust.

"You are on ThunderClan territory. Leave now or we will be forced to drive you out ourselves." Bramblestar said, his own eyes narrowed.

Lionblaze could see the hatred radiating from these cats. There was no way they were going to leave quietly, that much was clear. But why after it looked like they had already been defeated? Quite harshly too, by the look of their still bleeding wounds.

"We will not back down!" She spit, the three behind her snarling. "Not again!"

"Go!" Bramblestar yelled to Lionblaze just as the group of rogues leapt at them.

Lionblaze tried to fight alongside Bramblestar, but they were instantly separated. The small red one and the black and white one went for Lionblaze while the other two attacked Bramblestar. As bad a shape these cats were in, they were most definitely skilled fighters. Though he felt like the black and white tom that was fighting him beside the she-cat was holding back.

"Roscoe! Fight, you coward!" The orange she-cat that was obviously leader yelled from where she was battling Bramblestar with the other tom.

"Yes, Windie." The black and white tom complied quietly, suddenly attacking Lionblaze full force. As Lionblaze dodged their blows and gave them his, he thought he saw not cowardice in Roscoe's eyes, but sorrow and regret.

As they battle went on, Lionblaze feared for Bramblestar. Lionblaze might able to fight forever, but Bramblestar couldn't, even with his nine lives.

Lionblaze decided then that maybe Bramblestar should just leave him to go and get help. He could withstand the four of them. At least he thought he could. When there was a small break in his scuffle he yelled to him, "Bramblestar-"

"Star?" Windie interrupted, a smirk forming on her muzzle as she eyed the ThunderClan leader. Everyone seemed to stop in that moment, the battle on hold. "Dakarai, leave him to me."

"Of course." the brown tom said, padding backwards and away from Bramblestar.

"I may have let her get away from me, but I won't let you." She said quietly, stalking towards Bramblestar, who readied himself once more.

"Bramblestar!" Lionblaze called, panicked as he saw the wicked gleam in Windie's eyes, the sadistic smile crawl back on her face. He tried to run to help him, but his path was blocked by the three other rogues.

"Not so fast!" The red she-cat beamed. "You don't want to see her when her kill is interupted. The last time that happened-"

"Now, Mira, don't give him hope." Dakarai said next, the three of them moving towards Lionblaze all the while.

"So, sorry, Daka." She continued, turning back to Lionblaze, looking at him as if he were a piece of fresh kill. "There is no hope for you. Neither of you are getting out alive."

Before Lionblaze could react, they simultaneously jumped him. He struggled to get out as they clawed him from all sides. Never had he felt so overwhelmed. Then, amidst the suffocation of the unfair odds, Lionblaze heard Bramblestar grunt in pain.

Using all his strength, he rose to the surface, sending his attackers flying, only to see Bramblestar with Windie's fangs in his throat.

A/N: Cliffhanger! But yeah, I was cruising through this chapter and had it half way done and my computer deleted it. I feel like this was is horrible compared to the first one but oh well. This was definitely a chapter I've been looking forward to write.