Hey guys! It's Swiftpaw of WindClan again, coming to you with Chapter 7 of Rainfall! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors. How long is this going to take? God!

Chapter 7

It was only after Birdwing tackled him that Stormpaw realized he had no idea how to fight.

The ShadowClan deputy pinned the scrawny apprentice down and held a paw at his throat. "You should teach you apprentice some manners, Amberdapple," he snarled loudly.

Amberdapple shot Stormpaw a scared look. She was too busy fighting the other cats to help him. Something was itching in Stormpaw's paws, begging him to let his instinct take over. As Stormpaw struggled in Birdwing's grasp, he realized he had no choice. So he closed his eyes and relaxed . . .

Birdwing yowled with triumph and swung a paw down at Stormpaw's head. His whole body weight was in the swipe, and that was his mistake. Quick as a snake, Stormpaw slithered out of his grasp and bit the ShadowClan cat on the hind leg. Birdwing shrieked with pain and rage as he went down with a heavy thud.

Stormpaw stood, panting, as he watched Birdwing slump. But he knew the deputy wouldn't stay dazed for long, so he hurried into the battle to help Amberdapple.

But his mentor's paw shot out. "Get help!" she growled, hitting the black tom.

Stormpaw nodded and pelted towards the ThunderClan camp. "Spottedpaw, get him!" yowled the golden shecat.

Stormpaw could hear the larger apprentice charging after him. The forest was rushing past him in a green and brown blur. Suddenly he heard a screech of triumph, and something crashed down on him.

"I've got you!" Spottedpaw hissed in his ear, clawing his shoulder.

Not for long, you don't, Stormpaw thought. He kicked up hard with his back legs and practically threw Spottedpaw off of him. The ShadowClan apprentice landed hard and didn't get up. His mind racing, Stormpaw bolted for the camp.

Poppyfur was speaking with Flamestream when she caught sight of Stormpaw. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"ShadowClan," Stormpaw panted. "Attacking at their border . . ."

"We're gonna need help," Poppyfur muttered. She yowled towards the dens, "Shadepaw! Longpaw! Fernleaf! Come on with me and Flamestream! Stormpaw, lead the way."

Stormpaw nodded and sprinted back towards the forest, hearing the other cats behind him. The sounds of battle grew louder as they grew closer.

Birdwing had Amberdapple pinned down, but he released her once Shadepaw yowled and sprung at him. Birdwing raised his paws up to defend himself, but Shadepaw had momentum. The toms fought each other in a whirling mass of teeth and claws.

Longpaw, Flamestream, and Fernleaf attacked the other ShadowClan cats. Stormpaw tensed as Spottedpaw leaped towards him, claws outstretched-but belly exposed.

Stormpaw unsheathed his claws and instinctively swiped at Spottedpaw's flank, then he neatly dodged so the ShadowClan apprentice landed hard on his side.

Spottedpaw scrambled up, spat at Stormpaw, then pelted back towards ShadowClan. "Go back to the nursery, SpottedKIT!" Stormpaw taunted after him, elated.

The ShadowClan cats had all ran off except for Birdwing. He seemed to realize he was outnumbered and snarled, "This isn't over!"

"Oh, I think it is," Poppyfur growled.

Birdwing spat at her paws, then vanished into the bushes.

"Everyone OK?" Poppyfur sighed, sheathing her claws.

"Great," Longpaw mewed, licking a gray paw.

"Nothing wrong here," replied Shadepaw. His fur was beginning to lie flat, but the light of battle hadn't died from his eyes.

"Bitten tail, but I'll be all right," Flamestream reported.

"A couple scratches," Fernleaf whispered.

Stormpaw had nothing to say. He had a couple scratches, a patch of fur missing from Spottedpaw, and a bleeding throat from Birdwing, but even that had basically stopped.

"Let's get back and see Reedtail," Poppyfur meowed. She started the way back. Flamestream brought up the rear.

All the way back to ThunderClan Stormpaw was thinking. He couldn't figure out he'd fought so well. But he had noticed one thing. As he'd been fighting, he'd seen another cat beside him—a big golden-furred, amber-eyed tom. He'd shown Stormpaw the right moves and Stormpaw had mimicked them. But who was he?

* * *

"I'm called Lionblaze."

Stormpaw blinked awake in the apprentices' den. "What?" he asked sleepily. The golden cat was staring at him, his amber eyes glinting.

Lionblaze started at Stormpaw. "You look just like him," he mewed. Then he turned and vanished into the stars.

Stormpaw shook his head. He rolled over and drifted back to sleep.

END OF CHAPTER 7

So, what did you think? I thought it was OK . . . just gimme a review! : ) Another update soon. Bye! Swiftpaw : D