Challenge for CotS! This one is a little gory, I'll warn you.

Enjoy...

/

The sounds of battle raged in Pinestripe's ears. The WindClan-ShadowClan border was always a touchy subject, as there was a stretch of territory that both wanted, and it had finally led to a full-on fight. ShadowClan had pushed WindClan back to their camp, on the side where the favourable peace of land lay, but WindClan was now holding a steady defence.

Yowls, screeches, caterwauls and other horrid sounds split the air. Pinestripe winced as cats fell, fought, and looked on with fearful eyes.

Why must this always lead to bloodshed? The WindClan deputy looked around, seeing rage and death at every turn.

The tom was suddenly shoved to the ground by a ruthless-looking ShadowClan she-cat. "This land belongs to ShadowClan, crow-food!"

She hissed, clawing at his exposed belly and snapping at his neck with gusto. He snarled in return, slamming a dark, clawed paw into her muzzle. She stumbled backwards, stunned, and Pinestripe took the opportunity to lunge towards her, sinking his teeth into her neck.

The calico writhed and screamed, as her blood ran onto her pelt and stained his paws. Her breath became jagged and irregular, until it was no more.

Breathing heavily, Pinestripe stepped back, trying not to think about what he'd just done. The smell of death was strong in the air. The border and surrounding area was littered with bodies. But the battle went on.

Both clans wanted the unclaimed land, and both sides were willing to fight to the death.

Pinestripe couldn't understand why they had to fight about it, but he was loyal to his clan, and would fight to the death.

Leaf-bare was near as well, and tensions were high. It only added to the heat of the fighting.

The dark grey tabby scanned the battlefield. His green gaze landed on a heart-stopping sight.

His mate, Robinrunner, was defending two injured apprentices against three oncoming warriors, who were taunting her. Robinrunner spat out a harsh reply and the three cats advanced. No! I have to help her, or she'll die!

He charged towards the scene, barreling through cats. His only concern was to get to his mate and the apprentices. I'm coming!

But as he unsheathed his claws, ready to leap in and fight, another battle caught his eye.

Foxstar was growling, facing off with another cat. Pinestripe thought nothing of it until he looked closer. The leader, who was on his last life, was bleeding heavily from his left flank. He wouldn't survive another battle. StarClan, he wouldn't even survive another blow!

Pinestripe was caught between the two cats. Save his mate, whom he loved to the end of the earth? Or save his leader, who had served his Clan so well?

A choice had to be made, or both would die.

I...choose Robinrunner. I'm the deputy anyways, and Foxstar is as good as dead. Gorsepaw and Ravenpaw are worth saving too. Three healthy cats? Or a old, grizzled leader?

Pinestripe was never really built for being emotional, but now...A part of him shriveled up in horror and guilt at the decision, but it was a done deed. Pinestripe wasted no more time, running and jumping in front of the three ShadowClan warriors, and helping his mate fight them off. "I've got you, Robinrunner."

His ginger and white mate shot him a grateful glance. I will always love and protect you...even if there is a...dire consequence.

After two were slain, and one fatally wounded, Pinestripe risked a glance to where his leader was last seen. A triumphant grey tom stood over the ginger leader, who was dead. Another ShadowClan cat approached the fallen leader and his killer. It was Sandstar.

The muscular tom wore a mixed expression. Victory and grief clashed on his muzzle. The death of a leader was something that had an effect on every clan, but ShadowClan always took pride in winning.

Sandstar barked out nine words, and the battle stopped.

"Your leader is dead, WindClan...We have beaten you!"

Angry, horrified and shocked cries erupted from the WindClan warriors. Sandstar bowed his head. While he was an ambitious cat, he was respectful as well.

"We will retreat, and give you time to heal. But the problem with the border needs to be sorted out. I expect the new leader to resolve this issue as soon as possible."

With this, the tan tom gathered his warriors, and they returned to the ShadowClan camp, leaving WindClan on the bloodstained territory.

/

Pinestripe had promptly journeyed to the Moonpool, to receive his lives. But to his dismay, Foxstar had not yet reached StarClan. His leader ceremony was lacking the flaming tabby.

Putting his own feelings aside, Pinestar trudged back to his home. His own turmoil could wait. WindClan needed a leader more than ever. The battle had nearly wiped the clan out.

Pinestar still couldn't believe what a simple border dispute could turn into, and the toll it could take on both sides.

Now, he sat on a rock, watching as WindClan began to take the first steps towards healing.

The medicine cats, Whitefeather and Nettlefur were busy tending to the wounded cats, while he new deputy, Owltail, and any relatively wound-free cats helped rebuild the wrecked camp.

In the centre of camp, the fallen cats were laid out, ready to be hauled away and buried. Elders sat quietly, paying their respects before the took them away.

Pinestar's whiskers quivered with emotion. He looked for Robinrunner, who was busy repairing the apprentice den with the two 'paws she had saved, Gorsepaw and Ravenpaw.

Pinestar decided he needed to solve the border problem before anything else happened.

The grey tabby notified Owltail of his plan, and set off for the ShadowClan border.

As he left camp, he shot a glance at the lifeless, bloodied form of Foxstar.

"I am so sorry...Foxstar, I didn't save you. I chose my mate instead. " this came out as a whisper, too quiet for even the prey in the bushes to hear. He closed his eyes and looked away from the scene behind him, the guilt was too much.

He didn't know if it was the greif messing with his head, but he could've sworn that a whisper replied in his ear, "Do not worry. It is your time to lead now."

Foxstar?

Up in the darkening sky, a faint star blinked.

And in his heart, he knew that his choice was the right one. It may have been painful, but it was right. Foxstar said so.