Redpaw pressed against Dewpaw. "Why do you think ShadowClan are attacking?" Her voice shook.
Dewpaw looked down at her. "They probably want more territory. ShadowClan's territory is bad enough as it is."
"Will you two be quiet?" Amberpaw glared at them from where she and Bloodpaw had taken their places near the den entrance.
Dewpaw gazed back at his sister. "No need to be stressy." His flicked his tail irritably.
Lilypaw and Seedpaw giggled nervously. Hollypaw stalked around the back of the den, away from the rest of the apprentices.
"Shush!" Bloodpaw turned and stared at Lilypaw and Seedpaw. "This is a battle," she straightened. "Battles are no playfights. We need to watch out for each other. If any of you are ever in trouble call for another one of us."
Amberpaw nodded seriously. "Yes. This will be our first battle for all of us." She seemed to have secured the place of Bloodpaw's best friend.
"That's a lie." Dewpaw narrowed his eyes and strode across the den to stand in front of Amberpaw. "We were in the battle against the Dark Forest."
"You were kits." The apprentices turned and stared at Hollypaw. She carried on. "Kits didn't fight in that battle. So, because we are all fighting, it is our first battle."
Redpaw was surprised as Bloodpaw backed up their sister. "She's right, Dewpaw. You didn't fight in that battle. But you will fight in this one."
The she-cat opened her mouth to speak to Bloodpaw, but she was interrupted by Bramblestar's yowl. "ThunderClan, attack!"
The seven young cats rushed out of the den. Redpaw came to a halt as she saw the bloody carnage that had already arose.
"Redpaw, fight with me!" Dewpaw pounded past her and leapt onto a ShadowClan tom's back.
Redpaw shot towards the tom and slid under his belly. Her claws raked through his fur and came away red.
She skidded out from underneath him and rose next to Dewpaw, who was now on the floor, fighting blindly as blood dripped into his eyes. Redpaw slammed her paws into the tom's face the same time as Dewpaw. Slash. Slash. Slash.
The ShadowClan warrior let out a shriek and turned and leapt across the camp. He ran through the thorn barrier.
Dewpaw turned to Redpaw. "Thanks. I needed help just then."
Redpaw purred. "I saw. Can you still see out of that eye?" She indicated to his bloody eye.
He shook his head violently and looked up at the night sky. "Yeah. I can see great."
Redpaw turned her head and gazed around at the battle. She saw Bloodpaw and Amberpaw fighting two she-cats who were trying to get into the nursery. "Bloodpaw and Amberpaw need help!"
Dewpaw and Redpaw plunged across the now blood soaked clearing, dodging wailing cats locked in vicious battles.
They arrived just as one she-cat struck Amberpaw across the face. Amberpaw spun away, shaking her head as she came to a halt in the dust.
Bloodpaw reared, exposing her belly to attacks, and started smashing her paws into one warrior's eyes, whilst the other let out a snarl and lashed unsheathed claws at Bloodpaw's stomach.
Redpaw leapt onto the warrior that had counter attacked her sister. She clung on like a burr, raking claws through her back fur and slashing at ears.
She managed a glance in Bloodpaw's direction to see she was helping Amberpaw to her feet. Redpaw shot a look at Dewpaw to see he was shrieking fiercely, and matching blows with the other warrior.
As Redpaw began to tire, and the sun began to rise, she heard a yowl. The ShadowClan warriors stopped fighting and regrouped.
The ThunderClan warriors paused as a bright ginger tom stepped forwards. "Bramblestar," he began. "I suggest you hand over your territory from the old badger set to your two-leg nest."
Bramblestar stalked towards the enemy warriors. "Why would I do that, Rowanclaw?" His voice was a mere hiss.
"Because I told you so, Bramblestar." He cast a glance around the camp. A small, motionless body lay next to the apprentice's den. "And it's Rowanstar now."
"I don't care what you're called. I want to know why you come here and attack my cats all for the sake of territory."
Rowanstar smiled coldly. "If it's only territory why don't you let us have it?"
Bramblestar flattened his ears but didn't reply. He gazed around at the ThunderClan warriors, once so tall and mighty, now defeated.
"Very well. We'll be back in a few moons." The new ShadowClan leader flicked his tail and his warriors flooded out of camp, into the new dawn light.
"Cowards!" Bloodpaw yowled after them. "You'll have to do more than that to threaten ThunderClan!"
"Bloodpaw." Lionblaze's mew was tired and defeated. "Don't make it any worse."
"But," Bloodpaw faltered. "You said ThunderClan would never lose a battle again."
Her father turned his head and walked to Jayfeather's den, not replying.
Redpaw turned to stare at her sister. "We'll never be defeated in spirit, Bloodpaw."
Amberpaw and Bloodpaw surveyed the tattered camp and cats. It was as if they couldn't believe they had lost the battle.
The silence was broken by Sorreltail's wail. "Seedpaw!" She raced to the crumpled shape beside the apprentice's den and collapsed. Brackenfur and Lilypaw crept up behind her.
Redpaw's throat seemed dry as she sat down next to Dewpaw. Bloodpaw and Amberpaw huddled close to them. She spotted Hollypaw creeping towards the medicine den where Snowpaw was peering out at them in horror.
Bramblestar heaved a sigh. "Check your wounds and wait for Jayfeather and Snowpaw to treat you."
I'm ill and at home alone so I might as well write you guys another chapter. 3: I'd also appreciate it if you pointed out any spelling or grammar mistakes I may have made. Thank you.
Tigerstar767 – Ah, yes. Bloodpaw doesn't quite know what is happening. I doubt she knows she's even in the Dark Forest.
Puppygirl2012 – Thank you.
Moonlight141 – Hollypaw is evil, but Bloodpaw may have an evil part to play in later chapters.
Moonlight142 – Hollypaw doesn't know who she hates, but she definitely feels pressured by Bloodpaw.
Midnight scream – Good to hear! :3
Silentlily – Thanks about the grammar and storyline. :3 I doubt Bloodpaw will like Frostpaw back, but Frostpaw does have a little crush on Frostpaw. No, Dovewing isn't Frostpaw and Dewpaw's mother. Pinenose is their mother.
Spottedmask12 – Good to hear and here's your update.
See you guys. :3