Chapter Fifteen

Brambleclaw unsheathed his claws and ordered, "Go!" Cloudtail ran off to where he came from, and all of the other warriors followed after him. Hollypaw, being the only apprentice there, struggled a little to keep up, but somehow managed. She kicked up dust as she moved forward, but she was determined to show her father—and all of the other cats—that she could handle herself.

Not long before the group reached the ThunderClan camp, they heard howls and cries of fury. Hollypaw's ears got hot with fear, and her whiskers began to twitch. She actually had to be in a battle… What would happen if she had to kill another cat? I must defend my Clan, she thought, and followed the cats as they ran faster.

When they reached the camp, Brambleclaw skidded to a halt. Almost all of WindClan seemed to be in the gorge! Berryfrost, Hazelpatch, and Mouseclaw were teaming up on Tornear, who fought with all of his heart. Daisy was fighting surprisingly well against Owlwhisker, who looked shocked. Ferncloud was standing outside of the nursery, defending her kits from Weaselfur. Whitetail and Nightcloud were tackling Dustpelt and Sorreltail. Ashfur, Brightheart, and Thornclaw were fighting off Ashfoot, who seemed to be having a hard time. Honeypaw and Poppypaw wrestled Breezepaw and Harepaw to the ground. Onestar was screaminf furiously as he rolled over on the ground with Firestar. Jaypaw and Cinderpaw fought side by side, with Birchfall behind them, challenging anyone who came by. The warriors on the edge of the gorge climbed down and into the camp.

Hollypawglanced around nervously for Lionpaw, and was astonished to him clawing at… Heatherpaw! But I thought that… Running over to her brother's side, she bared her teeth at the pretty WindClan apprentice.

"Go, I have this," he meowed, pinning her to the ground. Standing aside, Hollypaw watched for a second. Heatherpaw kicked at his stomach, and he fell to the side, giving Heatherpaw time to climb on top of him. She trapped him to the ground, and Hollypaw leapt in.

"No!" Lionpaw growled. "I have this!" Hollypaw backed up, and then dashed away to help anyone else who needed it. Lionpaw felt claws digging in to his shoulders as Heatherpaw stared down at him with strangely colored eyes. He flinched as he felt blood dribble down his arm.

"Why?" he whispered, just loud enough for her to Heatherpaw to hear him over the screaming cats.

"I have to prove my loyalty to my Clan again," she hissed, "… after I tried to help you." She raised one unsheathed paw, and almost brought it down to his throat, before a blur of black knocked her to the ground. Heatherpaw glared at Hollypaw with pure hatred burning in her eyes. Hollypaw locked her underneath her paws, and unsheathed her claws. Heatherpaw let out a yowl, and Lionpaw got to his paws, shakily. Heatherpaw tried to claw at Hollypaw's throat, but couldn't. Hollypaw raised her paw, and almost brought it down to her neck, when Lionpaw yelled, "Don't!"

Hollypaw flicked her head around, and felt Heatherpaw's frightened body limp underneath her.

"What?" she asked.

"I said don't," Lionpaw repeated. "Just leave her." Hollypaw stared at him shocked, and then got up slowly, afraid that Heatherpaw had tricked them. But Heatherpaw got up after Hollypaw and gazed at Lionpaw with a glitter in her eye.

"Thank you," she purred, and she touched her nose to the underside of his neck. Hollypaw's fur stood on end as she watched. What if Heatherpaw bit at his neck while he was distracted? After a few moments, she let her muscles relax, and saw that nothing was wrong. Heatherpaw bounded off into the fight, and Hollypaw knew she was after another ThunderClan cat, but why hadn't she killed Lionpaw when she had the chance? Hollypaw was shaken out of her thoughts as she felt a heavy load on her shoulders.

Hollypaw dropped to the ground, hitting her chin hard on the ground. She let out a scream, and tried to figure out who it was on top of her. She turned her head just enough to see over her shoulder—Breezepaw. Hollypaw let out a ground, and tried to wriggle out from his grip. He dug his claws in harder, making her howl with pain.

"You're not going to get away!" he growled. Hollypaw raised her tail and tapped him on the back of the leg. He spun his head around angrily, giving Hollypaw the perfect opportunity. She flipped over, crushing Breezepaw under her weight. He dug his fangs into Hollypaw's neck fur, and she felt a sharp pain that cause her to screech. Clawing at his head before he got them in too deep, he let go, making Hollypaw gasp for breath as a cut on the back of her neck bled. She rounded on Breezepaw and then Lionpaw rushed to her side.

"Want me to take this one?" he asked.

"No," Hollypaw replied. "But you can help." She winked and dove for a scared-looking Breezepaw. He kicked off her belly and she flew over his head on the ground behind him. Her breath got knocked out of her, and she felt something claw at her tail. She kicked out her hind paws and the pain disappeared, but then a new pain came. Not physical pain, but emotional, as she saw Jaypaw's back turned to Crowfeather who was ready to pounce. His eyes glowed with cold pride, as he jumped for the unknowing apprentice.

"Jaypaw" Hollypaw cried, as Crowfeather landed on top of her brother.