Chapter 19

I was out in the forest hunting. I was super happy to have Silkshade at my side. A mouse was right in front of me. It didn't have a clue I was there. I got ready to pounce...

"Deathpaw, come on. It's time to train," Boulderfang said.

"Just a little longer," I said. Did he have to wake me up?

"Warriors don't sleep late," Boulderfang said.

"Good thing I'm not a warrior," I said.

"We can't spend all day discussing this," Boulderfang said.

"Fine," I said and stood up. "I was having a good dream."

"What about?" He asked as we headed to the entrance.

"Silkshade was back," I said. "I really miss her."

"Maybe she'll be back soon," Boulderfang said.

"I hope," I said.

"We are going to hunt today," he said. "You hunt over there. I'm going to be right here if you need me."

"Okay," I said and went over there.

I lay in waiting for prey to stray too far from it's home. A mouse scurried across the ground. I stalked it until I was close. I felt like I've already done this today. Then I remembered my dream. I was going to get this mouse without Boulderfang interrupting me. I pounced and nipped it's spine. I had caught it.

I buried it so nothing would steal it. I looked around for more. A rabbit hopped out of the underbrush. I was upwind. I would at least try.

I stalked it as close as I could. It looked around and I froze. It started to run. I pelted after it. I smelled something bad. I didn't know what it was, but I was too focused on the chase to care. I tripped and it ran out of sight.

"Mouse dung!" I muttered.

I heard the underbrush rustling. Was the rabbit coming back? No, it was too big.

"I caught a little piece of prey and a rabbit too," Flurrytail said dropping the rabbit she was carrying.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"This is NightClan territory. I'm allowed to be here as much as you," Flurrytail said.

"Okay, but I'm sure there's somewhere else you can be," I said.

"I actually have some business here," Flurrytail said. "Don't go calling for your mentor. We wouldn't want other cats intruding. Then things could get a lot worse."

"You know Boulderfang still cares about you. He doesn't want to be against you," I said.

"He doesn't have to be. I always knew they were too soft," Flurrytail said. "I've got better followers. Ones that aren't afraid of a little dirty work."

"They're a bunch of fox-hearts, just like you. I've got friends who aren't afraid to take you on," I said. If only they'd show up!

"You're right to be scared. I've got a message to send. Especially after that last little meeting of mine you attended," Flurrytail said. "Don't think I didn't notice you was there. It just helped me realize I need to remind your friends what they're up against."

"If you attack me here someone is bound to find you," I said.

"Every cat is over towards the SunClan border. On this side of the territory I stand a chance," Flurrytail said. "Boulderfang made it easy to get you alone. It was simple."

"This won't be as simple as you think," I said. Who am I fooling? I need help.

"You know it will be. What's the point in fighting? I've seen you train and know all your little moves," Flurrytail said.

How do I get Boulderfang over here? He's the only one who can help me. If Silkshade and her friends were here maybe I'd have a better chance of getting help. There's no way I can take her on. I need to keep her talking.

"Why are you doing this? Silkshade left. What else do you want to do?" I asked.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing. It won't matter what I'm doing if you die today," Flurrytail said.

"What's going on?" Limppaw asked.

What was she doing here? I wasn't risking her too!

"Just a training thing," I lied. She needs to leave now!

"It didn't sound like a training thing," Limppaw said.

"We like to make it more real," I lied.

"Isn't Boulderfang your mentor," my sister asked.

"We're switching apprentices for a day so we can teach them some of our tricks and such," Flurrytail said. "It's nice training with your sister."

"So you're the traitor in NightClan," Limppaw said to Flurrytail.

"What? Who told you?" Flurrytail asked.

"StarClan. I dreamt about a cat plotting to take over the Clans and get rid of Silkshade once and for all," Limppaw said. "Why Silkshade?"

"Because she doesn't belong!" Flurrytail answered. "Nobody here gets that!"

"Maybe your the one who's wrong," Limppaw said calmly. She didn't seem scared at all.

"You know what? I'm going to give that message, but I've got an easier way to do it," Flurrytail said.

"You're not touching me or my sister," I said. I got ready to fight.

I jumped at Flurrytail. She swatted me out of the air. I hit the ground, winded. I stood no chance against her. Flurrytail pushed Limppaw and she fell into a hole. Flurrytail hit the top of it and it collapsed.

"Limppaw!" I yowled. I ran forward only to be restrained by Flurrytail. "Let me help her, you fox-heart!"

"Help me!" Limppaw squealed. "There's a badger in here!"