Chapter 5: Rescue.

Breadpaw had been having a great day, he had managed to catch 20 pieces of prey in a day, his personal record. Although it was quiet... Nobody had been there to speak of it. They must all be on patrol, except Monkeytail, who was caring for Budlight. He was just about to leave when a patrol of eight cats walked into camp. Moonshine and Budlight's kits had been apprenticed the day before, they must be returning from the territory tour. Salmonpaw with Stevehawk, Hardpaw with Brightlight, Palepaw with Shiningbeauty, and Scotchpaw with Llamablaze. It was only then did Breadpaw realize that Thunderclan didn't have many warriors, what would happen if someone had a four kit litter again soon? There would be almost no warriors to train unless they took on two apprentices at once. Geez, he should talk to Goodstar about making Ricepaw a warrior soon.

An hour of nothingness followed soon after, and Breadpaw decided to walk through the territory. It was peaceful this time of the day, the night slowly creeping in through the horizon. The colors of the sky were beautiful, a nice orange or pink. His thoughts were soon interrupted by a small voice. "Hey, Mr. Bread!" In a bush nearby was Scotchpaw, who probably had followed him. She was red in the face, but it didn't show much due to her ginger fur. "Scotchpaw, why did you follow me?"
"To protect you against danger!"
"You didn't have to do that, I can defend myself."
"But what if you can't?"
Scotchpaw had a stubborn face, Breadpaw decided to stop arguing. "Fine, come on, but don't expect too much-"
His sentence was interrupted by Scotchpaw scenting the air and dashing off, looking like a blur as she ran. Breadpaw stood wide-eyed for a second before taking off after her. He froze as he saw and recognized two bodies of fur. It was Lizardkit and Cutekit, most likely apprentices now. He thought they were dead for a second judging by the bloody wounds they had. He sighed in relief as Cutepaw awakened. "Guys, guys! Are you okay, speak up!" Breadpaw asked, tossing Scotchpaw aside as he stood by the two apprentices, checking their wounds. Cutepaw couldn't speak, the only thing was terror in her eyes. Breadpaw locked eyes with Scotchpaw, who looked horrified at the sight. "Come on, we need to take them to camp, now."

Breadpaw was pacing around the entrance of the medicine cat's den, anxious with worry for the two cats he and Scotchpaw had carried to camp. The she-cat had tried to comfort him, but failed. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Monkeytail arose from the den entrance. "You can see them now, Breadpaw."

The light brown tom walked towards the two cats, Cutepaw was sleeping. It was Lizardpaw who spoke first, his voice having more emotion than last time Breadpaw had seen him. "So, you actually helped us?"
"Yes, what happened?"
"I'd rather not-"
"What. Happened."
Lizardpaw looked a little shocked at the hostility in Breadpaw's voice, and answered reluctantly.
"Me and Cutepa-... We started meeting each other at the border two moons ago when we saw each other at the gathering. I was at the border to see her again, but her mentor had followed. It's new, but Windclan has recently been at war with Riverclan, so obviously he wasn't too friendly. He screamed curses at Cutepaw and I, eventually starting to attack me. She attacked her mentor to defend me, and almost got killed in the process." Lizardpaw looked like he was going to cry, Breadpaw set his head on the apprentice's head, trying to comfort him. "You don't have to-"
"No, I started it and now I'm going to finish it. As we were walking away from the border, near where you found us, I believe, Cutepaw collapsed. I tried to drag her myself to safety, but I fell as well. I failed to protect her... But, as we were dying, Cutepaw told me that she was going to change her name if she was leaving her clan. I asked to what.

"She said to Newpaw. For a new start, or a new life in Starclan."