Hello again readers! Here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors or its characters.

"What's the hurry? We just got here."

Sandstorm's fur prickled as she glanced down at the rough-looking cats surrounding the tree. She leaned back and balanced herself on her haunches.

"What are you doing?" Rain asked quietly.

"We can't stay up here, they could trap us. If we have any hope of escape or fighting back, we need to get on solid ground." Sandstorm whispered back. Rain nodded and mimicked her sister's position.

"When I say, jump down as far as you can. If we're lucky, we might clear them. Remember, start running as soon as you hit the ground."

"But why are we running like cowards?"

Sandstorm snorted. "I'm not a coward, but I don't want to shake Shadow's trust. I can't get into any fights or other trouble. But they will most likely go after us, so brace yourself just in case. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

Sandstorm glanced down once more, judging the distance of her jump. "Now!"

Both she-cats jumped down from the branch, clearing a couple of cats, but one lept up and knocked Rain out of the air. Sandstorm landed softly, but as soon as she hit the ground three cats surrounded her.

Sandstorm sighed. Did BloodClan cats have to make everything difficult?

Firestar walked through the forest, Sandstorm beside him and matching his paw steps. The moon was almost completely full, and the stars were out and as bright as ever. They talked about small things like how good hunting's been and Ferncloud and Dustpelt's new kits, as well as how far their apprentices are coming in their training, and that Firestar knows that soon Bramblepaw will be ready to become a warrior.

They continue talking until they get to Sunningrocks, one of their favorite spots. The two young cats sit there in a comfortable silence, enjoying the sound of the river and each other's company. Sandstorm leaned her head on Firestar's shoulder and purred.

Firestar opened up his eyes and let them adjust to the darkness. He shifted in his nest, not used to it feeling so cold and empty. He never realized how much he needed Sandstorm until now. He needed to whatever it takes to bring her back home.

The ginger tom shifted once more in his nest and closed his eyes.

'I just hope she's safe.'

The three cats circled Sandstorm. She followed them with her eyes, her muscles tense and ready to move at a moment's notice. Suddenly a black tom and a brown tabby she-cat jumped at her. She managed to dodge the she-cat, but her claws grazed the top of Sandstorm's head. Then the tom landed on her back, biting deep into her shoulder. Hissing in pain, she fell backwards and the tom yowled both in surprise and discomfort as he hit the ground. Sandstorm turned over and pinned his shoulders to the ground and raked her hind legs down his belly.

She jumped off him, but she felt a weight ram into her side. She rolled across the ground and when she finally stopped and looked up, her vision was blurred and red. She shook her head once more to clear the blood from her eyes. When she could finally see, she looked over st the she-cat. Sandstorm narrowed her eyes at her as she crouched low, but behind her she saw Rain locked in vicious battle with another cat. And the white tom, Demitrix, was sitting with his tail curled over his paws watching the entire thing.

And that really bothered Sandstorm.

While glaring at the tom, her attacker charged at her. Sandstorm's ears picked up the sound of fast paw steps coming towards her. But instead of dodging this time, she ran towards the she-cat and at the last minute, slid on her side and knocked her attacker's paws out from underneath her. While she was on the ground, Sandstorm ran over and bit into her shoulder. The tabby she-cat then ran off, cursing.

A purr of amusement came from behind Sandstorm. She turned around to see Demitrix looking at her. "Nicely done, I must say. But they aren't very good opponents. If you're looking for a real fight, then look no further."

"I don't have time for this. I need to help my sister, so move," Sandstorm hissed.

"Sorry, but you'll have to fight me first," Demitrix hissed wickedly. He got into a fighting position.

Sandstorm flattened her ears and crouched low, her body already starting to ache. But she had no other choice but to fight. So many lives besides hers depended on it.

She had to win.

Luckily school's been out for the past few days due to the weather, so I actually got to work on this. So I guess that's good.

I really wanted some excitement since the story's kinda slow, and I assumed most of you did as well, so I'm glad I got to add a battle scene. And this chapter was way better the first time I wrote it, but then I realized that I really screwed up on the time, so I had to replace a small chunk of the chapter with a sappy, angst-y scene between the battle scenes, so hopefully this doesn't suck too bad.

Please tell me what you think in a review! And thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, I appreciate your support.

-FC