Dustpaw threw himself at the first RiverClan cat he saw, and it ended up being the tom that he had met earlier that day. They collided in the air and fell to the ground in a bundle, rolling across the grass, locked together in a furious battle. Dustpaw clawed and bit whenever he got the chance, and he felt the claws and teeth of his enemy some too. At last, they hit the bottom of Sunningrocks and fell apart, now facing off with each other, snarling and ripping at the dirt. Dustpaw saw the attack a split-second before Owlfur suddenly leapt foward, and his claws slashed across Dustpaw's side. He let out a yowl of pain, staggered slightly, but turned and faced Owlfur again determinedly. Around them, he could hear his clanmates fighting other cats, but he couldn't hone in on individuals, because he had his own problem.

"What? They don't teach ThunderClan apprentices how to fight?" Owlfur sneered.

Dustpaw let out a snarl and launched himself at the other tom, catching him by surprise, and landing on his back. He lunged forward, sinking his teeth into Owlfur's scruff, clinging on and digging his claws deep into the cat's back. His opponent screeched, twisting back and forth, trying to throw Dustpaw off, but he wouldn't let go. After failing to throw Dustpaw off, the warrior rolled onto his back, squashing the apprentice under his weight. The brown tom released the other cat, but when they were both up again, he sent several harsh blows at Owlfur, sending the RiverClan warrior running back down the slope towards the river.

"And don't come back!" Dustpaw spat, before turning back into the battle.

Whitestorm was fighting Leopardfur and Oakheart, and Sandpaw fought beside of him, facing off with a large, black tom. Lionheart was nowhere in sight, but Dustpaw heard battle sounds from around Sunningrocks, and he guessed that was where the golden warrior would be. Bluestar was barely visible from where he stood, wrestling with a dark brown tom and a younger, silver tabby she-cat, clearly an apprentice. Dustpaw rushed forward to help his leader, tackling the silver apprentice and forcing her out of the fight with Bluestar. They tussled for a while, but then she had tackled Dustpaw to the ground and pinned him there, going for a sharp bite to the neck. Dustpaw closed his eyes tight, expecting the pain, but suddenly her weight was thrown off of him, and he opened his eyes to see Lionheart standing over him, eyes flashing. He scrambled to his paws hurriedly, spitting at the apprentice as she turned tail and ran back towards her own territory. Now, the fighting was equal. Whitestorm was now only fighting Leopardfur. Sandpaw was still battling with the large black tom, her pelt heavy with blood, whether it was all hers or not, Dustpaw couldn't tell at this point. The dark brown tom Bluestar had been fighting was gone now, and she surveyed the area for another enemy, when Oakheart slammed into her side.

Bluestar let out a cry of surprise, scrambling to her paws and turning to face her new opponent, and both warriors froze. Dustpaw, ready to jump in and help, stopped too, watching and waiting. Bluestar's eyes narrowed, with something like a challenge, while Oakheart's tail twitched, and he looked conflicted. What in StarClan's name… Dustpaw thought, watching the scene with confusion. He could still hear the sounds of the rest of his clanmates fighting, but he didn't turn to see. He was transfixed on his leader and Oakheart. Why were they just staring at each other? Finally, a decision settled with the RiverClan deputy and he lowered his head slightly, then turned and lifted his head again.

"RIVERCLAN RETREAT!" he yowled. The fighting ceased.

"Oakheart-"

"I said retreat!" Oakheart interrupted Leopardfur, tail lashing once. The spotted she-cat let out another hiss of contempt, sending it Whitestorm's way, then turned and started back to her territory. Before she go to the slope, she jumped back onto Sunningrocks and bent her head to pick up the vole, but Bluestar was there at once, ears back, hissing in warning. Leopardfur growled, but let it go, and disappeared back into RiverClan territory.

The ThunderClan patrol stood at the edge of their own territory, watching as the retreating cats jumped into the river and then into the reeds on the other side. Dustpaw looked over at Bluestar, wondering why Oakheart had suddenly decided to retreat when faced off with her. There wasn't anything he could imagine as to why that would have happened. Maybe he didn't want to face the leader of another clan? Maybe he knew she would beat him? Dustpaw couldn't make a fathomable reason for it. On his other side, Sandpaw was assuring her mentor that she was fine, and most of the blood soaking her ginger pelt was RiverClan, and Lionheart glared resentfully across the border, his sides heaving from the fight.

"We need to head back to camp. I'm going to get Redtail to increase patrol on this border. Let's go," Bluestar meowed, turning and slipping into the undergrowth back towards camp.

Dustpaw followed, and the others were close behind. The journey back was slow and painful, as all the cats supported nasty wounds, but there was an air of triumph as they stalked into camp, heads held high. They had fought, and for Dustpaw and Sandpaw, these were the first wounds they had received in service of their clan. He knew there would be plenty more to come, and many more scars to be remembered, but this moment would be remembered for the rest of his life. This was the first time he had really made his clan proud. As soon as they entered camp, cats began to gather around them, and Spottedleaf came running from her den, smelling the blood. Redtail's patrol was back already, and the deputy hurried over for the report.

"RiverClan were waiting for us." Bluestar explained. "We won. Your apprentice fought very well, and yours Whitestorm, but I don't need to tell you that."

"No. I saw her fight. Worthy of a warrior name, if she were a bit older. And you too, Dustpaw." Whitestorm praised, then looked at Redtail. "You should be proud."

"I am. Well done, Dustpaw." Redtail purred, touching noses with his apprentice.

Satisfaction and pride swelled up inside of the dusty apprentice, and he could hardly feel the stinging above his eye, or down his side where the silver she-cat and Owlfur had attacked him. After the news was passed throughout all of the cats, the gathered began to disperse, giving Spottedleaf space to treat the wounds. Bluestar looked tired, and Dustpaw watched after her with worry as Redtail helped her towards her den. Once they had disappeared inside, he turned his attention back to Spottedleaf, who was currently treating Sandpaw. Whitestorm and Lionheart had limped off to the fresh-kill pile, their wounds treated and ready to begin healing. He saw Tigerclaw approach him, and instantly looked around with Ravenpaw, but the black tomcat was nowhere to be seen, and Dustpaw let out a low growl. He never saw his brother anymore. With both their parents dead, Ravenpaw was all he had. Sure, he had his older sisters, but they had never been very close. What he wanted right now was a brother, and he wasn't even allowed that anymore.

"Don't growl at me," Spottedleaf meowed sternly, and Dustpaw twisted his head to see she had begun working on his side without him even noticing.

"Oh, sorry Spottedleaf, I wasn't growling at you." he promised.

"Good." was all she said, and then went back to her work. "There you are. I think you should skip training tomorrow, maybe stay in camp, let that side heal up. It's a nasty cut."

"Yes, Spottedleaf," Dustpaw dipped his head in thanks and then padded away towards the apprentices den, where Sandpaw was lying next to the tree stump.

Now that she was all cleaned up, there weren't too many scratches on her, meaning most of the blood that had splattered her pelt was from the RiverClan cat. Impressive, Dustpaw thought, looking at her in admiration. He'd gotten away with a scratch that took him out of training for a day, but she had held her own so well, she had a little sting and would be up and out again by sundown. He shifted and lay down beside of her, stretching out and wincing slightly. The two didn't speak, only lay there together, watching the rest of the camp activities. A few of the warriors came over to them to give praises, and they purred their thanks each time. Ravenpaw didn't show up until just before the sun began to go down, appearing from the elder's den, looking spritely, but when he saw Dustpaw, his expression changed.

"I heard about the battle!" he exclaimed as he came closer. Dustpaw growled.

"You been in there this whole time?"

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason. I'm tired, I think I'll go to sleep." Dustpaw muttered, standing up. "Night, Sandpaw."

"Wait...did I do something?" Ravenpaw said, frowning. Sandpaw stood up stiffly, sending a fierce glare in the other apprentices' direction.

"Mouse-brain," she spat. Dustpaw sent her a grateful look, glad that at least one of his friends had his back. If he couldn't count on his own brother, at least he had a best friend that would take care of him. He pushed his way into the den, leaving a confused Ravenpaw behind, and curled up into his nest, hiding his face under his tail. There was no way he would get to sleep anytime soon, but it was better than sitting out there and being nice to Ravenpaw, his brother who couldn't be bothered to come check on him. Some brother he had.

…

Dustpaw woke up the next morning without realizing he had even fallen asleep. Sandpaw was still sleeping soundly next to him, but Ravenpaw's nest was empty, and cold. Tigerclaw had probably taken him out for the dawn patrol. But that doesn't matter to me. I don't care. He thought bitterly, determined to stay mad at his brother. Without disturbing Sandpaw's sleep, he slipped out of the apprentices den. It was still before sunhigh, but the clan was already active. Patrols came in and out of camp, Redtail was nowhere to be seen - probably with Bluestar - and one of the patrols that came into camp consisted of Tigerclaw and Ravenpaw, who held a decent-sized vole in his jaws. There came no praise from his mentor, however, who just grunted for him to throw it on the pile and stalked towards Bluestar's den. Dustpaw caught Ravenpaw's gaze, but when the black tom tried to wave his tail in greeting, he looked away and padded towards the nursery pointedly.

Frostfur and Brindleface were sitting outside the nursery, sharing a squirrel. Frostfur's belly was swollen with kits, and it wouldn't be very long now before she kitted. Brindleface hadn't joined the nursery yet, but it was already known throughout the clan she was expecting kits again, but no one knew whose just yet. That would probably be shared once the kits were born, and the father went to see them for the first time. No one dared ask Brindleface, as it was considered rude to do so. Goldenflower was expecting as well, but she had not yet joined the nursery either. Both she-cats had found out just a few dawns ago.

"Good morning, Dustpaw. How are you feeling?" Frostfur purred.

"Sore," Dustpaw admitted. "RiverClan have strong warriors."

"So does ThunderClan! And you and Sandpaw are well on your way to becoming very fine warriors. Whitestorm told me how well the two of you fought," Brindleface praised.

"I was protecting my clan." Dustpaw replied sheepishly, scraping his claws on the ground. "And my leader."

"Oh, you should visit the elder's some time, they've been dying to hear the whole story,"

"Maybe I'll go later. Spottedleaf says I'm restricted to camp today, because my side," he twisted slightly to show them the long scratch down his pelt. They looked at it almost in envy, perhaps they wished they had been on the fighting patrol, Brindleface more than the other, as she was still capable of fighting, since she was so early on in her pregnancy. He shifted uncomfortably as silence stretched out, and finally dipped his head.

"I think I'll go check on the elders now,"

"Take care!" Frostfur called after him as he headed towards the elders' den. Still, every time he neared it, there was a pang in his heart, from missing his father. Fuzzypelt should have been there now, enjoying life as an elder, with his clanmates. He hesitated at the entrance of the den, then pushed inside. Smallear was curled up on his own across the den, still snoring softly, but One-eye and Halftail were awake already, sharing tongues over the scraps of a vole. It looked like it might have been Ravenpaw's. Patchpelt was nowhere to be seen, maybe stretching his legs.

"Morning, Dustpaw," One-eye purred when she caught sight of him by the entrance. "What brings you to this side of camp today?"

"Frostfur says you wall wanted to hear about the battle yesterday, and since I can't leave camp for a day…"

"I remember the days when I didn't need to hear the story, because I would have been in the midst of the fight, ripping the ears off of every RiverClan cat-"

"Yes, yes, we know, Halftail," One-eye interrupted him with a small mrrw of amusement. "Go on, Dustpaw,"

As Dustpaw explained the story of the battle, which he embellished only slightly for dramatics, he decided to leave out the part where Oakheart had refused to attack Bluestar. Though he had finally settled on it being nothing but respect for the leader of another clan, he wasn't sure if telling what he had seen would start unnecessary rumors amongst the clan. Bluestar was a great leader, and she would never do anything to betray her clan, he knew she wouldn't, so mentioning this weird scene was to be his little secret. Instead, he told them that Oakheart had seen so many of his warriors fleeing, he'd called retreat. The elders' praised him, as the rest of the clan had done so far, and then began making remarks about how weak RiverClan was if they'd give up so easily. Compared to their last battle with RiverClan, this one was a mere argument. No cats had come close to death with this encounter, which was good, but it caused a pang in Dustpaw's chest. He had no parents left, and now it seemed even his brother was disappearing on him.

After listening to the elders' joke around about the opposing clan for a little while, Dustpaw's stomach began to growl, and he decided to go have something to eat. As he left the den, he saw Redtail nearby, leaving Bluestar's den, his eyes heavy with some sort of emotion. Dustpaw glanced briefly at the fresh-kill pile, then hurried to meet his mentor, surprising the bushy-tailed tom at his sudden appearance. A feeling of dread made his belly feel like lead, and he was almost too nervous to ask what was wrong. Coming from Bluestar's den looking like someone had died was never a good sign, especially for Redtail, who was usually so stern and regal. It meant there was something wrong.

"What's wrong?" he wondered, forcing the question out.

"Oh, Dustpaw," Redtail sighed, sending one more look over his shoulder in the direction of their leader's den. "It's Bluestar. Her wounds from yesterday made her weak, and now she's caught a cough. Spottedleaf fears it is whitecough,"

"Can't she do something to help her?" Dustpaw asked, eyes widening.

"She is trying. She has already given her a bit of catmint, to stop the sickness before it grows, she hopes."

"Does she-"

"Before you start trying to be the hero you want to be," Redtail interrupted gently, laying his tail across Dustpaw's back. "there is nothing you - or any of us - can do for Bluestar."

"I don't think I'm a hero, I just want to help!" Dustpaw defended himself, his fur flashing with sudden heat.

"I know you do, but you must realize, you cannot help everyone. Sometimes, you need to leave things to those who understand it better," with that, Redtial turned and padded away, calling to Mousefur and Runningwind and leaving camp with them on a patrol. Dustpaw watched after him, frowning, wondering if his mentor was right. He was so worried about contributing to the clan, maybe he did overstep his bounds sometimes, and Spottedleaf probably did get annoyed with him always butting in, acting like he could save everyone. He was pulled from his thoughts when Graykit suddenly appeared in front of him, head cocked to one side.

"What're you thinking about?" the grey kit asked.

He was almost the age of an apprentice now. Less than a moon, and his apprentice ceremony would be held. Well, it would have been. If Bluestar got any sicker, who knew if the kit would get his ceremony anytime soon. Dustpaw sent a desperate look towards his leaders den, then remembered what Redtail had just told him, and he looked quickly back at Graykit, who was still waiting for an answer patiently, tail waving slightly behind him.

"Nothing important. Why don't you go chase Ravenpaw's tail?" Dustpaw replied, growling lightly.

"Now, Dustpaw, he's only trying to play," Willowpelt meowed sternly, coming up behind her kit.

"Sorry, Willowpelt, I'm not feeling too good at the moment," Dustpaw apologized, dipping his head to her respectfully.

"Don't take it out on everyone else," she snapped, sweeping Graykit away with her tail and glaring at Dustpaw. "he just wants to be friends with you, you know,"

Dustpaw watched her stalk away, neck fur slightly bristled, and he sighed. He obviously wasn't doing any sort of service to his clanmates right now, he might as well take a walk. Sure, he wasn't supposed to go out without telling a warrior, and Spottedleaf had told him to stay in camp for a day, but what could a little walk do to hurt anyone? He'd be back before anyone even noticed he had gone missing.