Wow, May already! Sorry for not updating. School is still pushing me away. I have ONE more track meet so that shouldn't be a problem for much longer. Hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 37

Patchfeather hissed and puffed out her fur, making her look bigger. Mud glared at her with brown eyes and bared his teeth. Patchfeather decided that she wasn't going to let him attack first, surprise might be the only advantage she had. With a screech of fury she leapt at him, paws outstretched, claws out as far as they would go. Mud barely had time to yelp when she barreled into him. He fell back from her weight and she slashed at him in fury, but it was short-lived, she felt hind paws on her stomach, the claws digging into her soft fur. She didn't have time to scramble away, she was thrown into the air. Mud was very strong, he had sent her up a few feet into the sky. Patchfeather twisted in the air and landed on her feet. But, Mud had tackled her, she gave a screech as he started to attack her with a furious onslaught.

She twisted in pain as claws raked through her. Finally she managed to wriggle free. Pain racked her body, blood dripped from her multi-colored pelt. But she refused to run. Dewdrop encouraged her from her spot on Flamewhisker. Mud hissed and lunged at her, she jumped out of the way, but landed hard on her injured leg. Her leg buckled, but she scrambled up. She slashed at Mud, leaping up and over him, landing on his back, she buried her teeth into his shoulder. He cried out and ran around, trying to fling her off. Finally he dashed for a tree, at the last second he folded his front legs and ducked his head. His shoulders and back slammed into the tree. But Patchfeather wasn't on them.

She had leaped off and was now crouched on a low branch. As Mud recovered she leapt down and scratched his flanks, digging her teeth into his ear. He yelped and rolled on his back. This time he got her. He snatched her by the neck as she tried to scramble to her paws. She hissed and scratched his chest, and muzzle. But he tightened his grip on her throat and she stopped. When she went limp Mud gave a triumphant grumble and started towards Dewdrop, still holding Patchfeather. But Patchfeather wasn't done she gave a fierce cry and wiggled free, then slid under his legs and scratched at his stomach. Mud yelped and leapt away Patchfeather hissed and ran at him, he swiped at her with a big paw, but she ducked under it and bit into his tail as she raced by. She didn't let go of his tail and was wrenched back painfully. Mud yowled in pain. Patchfeather raced at him again, this time she ducked under his legs and scratched his stomach.

Mud gave a loud yowl and tried to snatch Patchfeather as she darted away. He missed her narrowly, but as she came in for the third attack he tackled her, both of them rolled in the dirt. Mud ended up behind Patchfeather, his claws hooked into her back. She screeched as he raked his claws down. Then managed to dart away. But skidded to a halt, terror racing through her. In front of her, stood four Free Cats. One was big and strong, another fast and slim, then the other two had eyes that followed her, judging her every move. Even worse was the fact that she had strayed away from Streamfall, Dewdrop, and Willowfur's body. She sensed Mud coming up behind her, and tried to dart away. But the fast Free Cat grabbed her and she was met with five pairs of claws. Then darkness.

She was being dragged through the dirt. She opened her eyes groggily, and shut them tight as pain raced up every fur on her body. She felt her scruff in someone's mouth. She breathed in the scent, Mud. She tried to move, she kicked her legs. But Mud bit into her scruff, hard, and she stopped. Finally she was dropped, she fell into the dirt, and immediately tried to get up. But a large paw held her down. She opened her eyes, her head spun as she did, but she ignored it. Dewdrop and Streamfall were in front of her, each on pinning their enemies. Willowfur's lifeless body lay in between them. Patchfeather gave a feeble hiss as Mud started to speak.

"As you can see, we have defeated your useless warrior. You will come with us or we will kill her before you." He growled.

Streamfall looked at Patchfeather, her eyes full of pain, then she spoke her voice full of venom. "You didn't defeat her, you outnumbered her, one look at you, Mud, and I can see that she put up a valiant fight."

Mud dug his claws into Patchfeather. She hissed again, this time louder and fiercer. She may be hurt but she wasn't going to give up. "Outnumbering a foe is how you win." Mud said coolly. "Now tell me, are you coming or not."

Streamfall took a deep breath. "No. We are not coming with you." Patchfeather felt her body shudder as Mud gave a laugh.

"We'll make sure to make her death is as painful as possible."

That's when the thundering began.

Hey! Sorry for making Patchfeather get beat up there. But I wanted to make it so that the hero doesn't always win. You know? Anyways hope u liked it!