Spottedfur walked through the camp. Silverpelt shined above. She kept her ears pricked and alert. When she heard a rustling from the bushes, she walked over to investigate. Suddenly she felt a huge body slam into her side. She felt the wind being knocked out of her as she hit the ground. She looked up and saw the big black tom that had snarled at her earlier. She looked up at him, eyes wide with fear. He bowled her over so she was laying on her back. He pinned her down with a powerful paw. She couldn't fight; she was still winded from the blow. Two other toms burst out of the bushes. "You've caught her, I see?" the smaller cat asked. The cat pinning Spottedfur nodded. "Got the rogue." Spottedfur was terrified. What were they going to do to her? The cat holding her down unsheathed his claws, and raked hem down her stomach, slowly. She yowled in pain as his claws sank deeper into her chest. She yowled again, and a new scent flooded her mouth. Another cat! Just please say they'll help me! The new cat burst into the clearing and slammed into the one on top of Spottedfur. "Rubblesky! What are doing with her!?" the cat said. "She's a rogue, why even keep her alive?"

"Her kits! Without her, what would they do?"

"Die"

"I rest my case" Spottedfur watched in horror as the two cats screeched and clawed and bit. Eventually, the friendly cat won, and the other cat- Rubblesky- yowled, and he and friends ran off. Spottedfur scrambled to her feet and the other cat came and pressed into her side. She leaned on him, blood dripping from her belly. She dug her muzzle into his fur, and started sobbing. "What did I do wrong…"

"Nothing… uh, what's your name?"

"Spottedfur…"

"I'm Alderfire"

Alderfire bent down to lick Spottedfur's wounds. She whimpered. She stumbled, and Alderfire got up and supported Spottedfur. "Whoa… we better get you to Spotflare" Spottedfur squeaked. He held her up as they walked together towards the medicine cat's den. At the entrance, Alderfire called out. "Spotflare…?"

"Huh? Oh, hey, Alderfire… it's so early…"

"It's Spottedfur! She was attacked by Rubblesky!"

Spotflare's head shot up, and she trotted towards the entrance. She took Spottedfur down to an empty nest, and made her lay down in it. "Alderfire, you may go now."

"Uh, Spotflare, can I stay with Spottedfur, please?"

"Well, I don't see why not…"

"Thank you!"

Alderfire sat down right beside Spottedfur, and licked her neck and back. she purred scarcely, and stroked his fur with her tail. Spotflare came out a moment later holding juniper berries. "here, eat these… they'll help with the shock."

Spottedfur nodded and ate the berries. She put her head down into the moss as Alderfire helped Spotflare apply cobwebs to the deep gashes Rubblesky had made, and eventually fell asleep. Alderfire smiled. He walked over to the nursery, picked up her kits, and went back to the medicine den. He put them by her, and they started to suckle from her belly. Alderfire smiled, and layed down next to her. Their tails intertwined, and they fell to sleep.