Disclaimer: I do not own warriors. Erin Hunter does.

Chapter four

Hammerclaw woke tired from his dream; the fighting lesson with Hawkfrost had used his last bit of energy. "Hurry, Foxfire's assigned us to a hunting patrol. And you know he doesn't have the best tolerance level…" Ashcoat meowed in his ear. "Meet us by the fresh-kill pile." "Ok," replied Hammerclaw. "be right there." Hammerclaw stiffly rose, grooming himself as fast as possible. He was puzzled to discover a fresh scratch on his shoulder, but in a minute had joined Ashcoat and Runningstripe next to the fresh-kill pile. "Everybody ready? Ok, let's go!" said Runningstripe, and bounded out of camp.

"Ashcoat, you take the moor. I'll look near the river, and you can take the pines, Hammerclaw. Everyone meet back here before sunhigh." ordered Runningstripe, as he disapeared into the bushes.

Smells of prey wafted into Hammerclaws nose. "The pines are thick with food," he thought, as he buried the squirrel he had just caught besides a mouse and finch. "almost more so than in Greenleaf." Suddenly Ashcoats head popped out of the bushes."Hi Hammerclaw!" he said."Runningstripe wants us to meet him now, he sent me to get you." Why did Hammerclaw feel that he was always being looked out for? He was a full blown warrior for Starclan sake!
"Ok, I'll collect these later." said Hammerclaw, with a twitch of iratation, then started after Ashcoat.

They were nearly there when Hammerclaw heard his name being called.

"Hammerclaw."

Hammerclaw turned around, sighting no one.

"Hammerclaw!"

"I think I smell a mouse. Don't bother to wait for me, I'll catch up."

Hammerclaw sped into the bushes, following the sound of Tigerstars voice. It was getting louder and louder as he neared Leopardclan territory, he could hear the waterfall that marked the border. He trotted on, once in a while pausing to check his direction. Finally Tigerstar's voice was as loud as it would be if he were standing next to Hammerclaw.

"Hammerclaw, come here!"

Hammerclaw stepped past a tall pine tree, and then suddenly everything went black.

He woke to the splashing of water upon boulders, mist spraying into his face. The dying light warmed his coat, making the waterfalls spray sparkle rainbows as it flew into the air.
Wait, the dying light? He must be late!
Hammerclaw imediatly sprung up, but stoped when he felt his muscles refuse to move.
Looking at his pelt with horror, Hammerclaw understood why.
His fur, usally clean, was now matted with dried blood. He sported several new scraches along his ears, and had clumps of fur missing. He looked as though he had just been attacked!

Gingerly Hammerclaw put weight on his feet. One of his back legs was stiff, but he could walk.

About half an hour later

As he dragged himself into camp, Hammerclaw noticed the fear sent hanging in the air.

"Hammerclaw! Your back."

A very somber Palmtail stepped out of the medicine cat den.

"What happened?" asked Hammerclaw.

" Irisheart and Thornheart - have died. They were patrolling the border with Mintpaw when they were attacked." Palmtail stated sorowfully.

"Mintpaws in my den right now, she's alive, but in the paws of Starclan."

"Was it a LeopardClan patrol?" Hammerclaw bristled. He had always respected Thornheart, the ginger tom had been a faithful warrior, always ready for any catastrophe that might arise.

"No, I couldn't scent any LeopardClan on them. It looks like there were about four or five cats who did it, very strong too. Excuse me, I have to help Ricepaw." and Palmtail darted into the medicine cat den.

"Wait, Palmtail, did you say they were found near the border?"
No reply came. It was just pure coincidence that Hammerclaw found himself beaten near the border, it had to be. He had not, in his sleep, attacked the patrol single handedly. Besides, Palmtail said that four or five cats did it, not one.

Hammerclaw flopped down on a patch of moss inside the warriors den. Too much had happened, it was easier to sleep.

Silver mist swirled around his paws, sweeping him towards Tigerclaw. The huge cat nodded his greeting, as he jumped down from the large boulder he had been standing on. The Dark Forest was so thick with pine that Hammerclaw couldn't see the night sky.

"Tigerstar, guess what happened!" Hammerclaw began to tell Tigerstar about Thornheart, Irisheart, and Mintpaw.

"I thought you would have guessed, Hammerclaw. It was so simple. Just lure you to the right spot and then use you as a bridge to life. We then became mere shadows of ourselves, did our mission, then returned to the Dark Forest through you. So simple." Tigerstar replied.
"But then we could not finish that apprentice, our time ran out and we had to leave. She remains a danger to you, Hammerclaw. She is the only living witness and can use that information against you. She can tell any cat that she saw you attack her patrol and have you banished."

"Mintpaw? But I can't kill her! It's not her fault that she was in the patrol!" cried Hammerclaw.
He thought of the dark gray apprentice, lying in the medicine cat den. But then it would be so easy to kill her, she barely had any life left as it is.

"Do you want to risk your whole career because your to weak-hearted to kill a half dead apprentice? snarled Tigerstar. "Do it tonight!

Suddenly Bramblestar appeared. "Wait, Hammerclaw, don't -" but he was to late.
"Quiet!" meowed Tigerstar.
"Tonight." promised Hammerclaw.

Then the silver mist started guiding him away.

Hi! Wow, that chapter was too long. Oh well, the last was short. Again, thank you all for reviewing, but please feel to review even more!