Chapter 40-Bloodlust

Several moons later...

A fox had torn down the gorse barrier and was now wreaking havoc among the warriors. Its eyes were red with rage, and its lips were pulled back into a snarl as cats darted to and fro. I tried to help in any way I could, like transporting kits to safer areas and helping frail elders find places to hide. Even though I seemed calm on the outside, my heart was beating frantically inside me. It was only one fox in the middle of ThunderClan, but I didn't know if we would be able to defeat it.

Bramblestar, Squirrelflight, and the rest of the warriors were lunging at it and diving at its throat. It reared back and howled, biting at the cats and flinging them away.

It was awfully strong. Dewstep clawed at its face before leaping back. It swung its head around to snarl at him, but when it saw me, it quickly froze.

I bristled when its face twisted into an evil grimace.

"Shadefrost, it's coming your way!"

The fox crouched down and bounded toward me, its pink tongue lolling out of its mouth and its eyes intent on murder. Several cats darted in front of it, trying to distract it, but the canine easily bowled them over like leaves.

Dewstep yowled, "Shadefrost, RUN!"

I was surprised at how fast a fox could move. Without wasting anymore time, I scrambled to my paws and sprinted as fast as I could.

It was chasing me. I could sense its gaze prickling the back of my neck. I didn't dare look back.

The warriors and apprentices leaped onto its back, but the fox ignored them. Its attention was entirely on me.

I couldn't keep on running forever. I had to fight. My stomach lurched when I realized what I had to do.

I screeched to a halt, sending clouds of dust billowing everywhere, and turned to face my opponent. The scarlet hound stopped, surprised that I was actually willing to stand up to it. Then it growled and pounced.

I dodged its blow and quickly spun around to face it. With my claws extended, I jumped onto its back and held on for dear life, digging my claws deep into its flesh. It winced in pain and wiggled furiously, trying to throw me off. In response, I bit hard into its thick neck with a grip like iron. My teeth sank easily into its fur. There was no way I was letting go!

Snowstorm and Lionblaze dashed up to it and nipped at its heels, trying to aim for the vulnerable neck. The fox bellowed with rage and snapped at them, driving them backward.

Lionblaze called, "Come on, Shadefrost, you can do it! You already have it in your grasp, now finish it!"

I nodded and gulped. The fox swung its paws up at its shoulders, trying to tear me off, but I wiggled and dodged it. My eyes were fixed on its throat.

"Hey, you big fat mousebrain!" someone yelled. It was Streampaw. She was running around and waving her paws frantically, throwing insults at the beast.

Now that the fox was distracted, I could easily finish the task. With one fluid motion, as clean and swift as water, I sliced my teeth deep into its outstretched throat. Blood welled up quickly and bubbled from the wound like a scarlet river. I winced in disgust at the salty taste.

A gurgling yelp died at the back of the fox's throat as it slumped onto the ground. Its eyes hardened when it had its last look at me, and then it stopped twitching and lay still. I slid off of its back and cautiously prodded it.

It lay dead in a pool of its own blood. I looked down and saw that my paws were caked in the sticky red fluid.

The cats were silent as they gazed at the scene, and then cheers erupted from them. They grinned and nuzzled my fur, congratulating me for killing the fox. I smiled, but then it faltered when I looked back at the messy bundle of crimson and orange fur. It was a fox that had threatened my Clan, but I still felt a bit of sympathy for it. I had always been an animal lover.

When no one was looking, I decided to bury the body. It was the least I could do for it.

OoOOoOoOOoOoOOoOOoOoooOOOOooOooOoOoOoOooOOoOoOoOO

Ember yelped in surprise and shock when she saw a familiar limp body being dragged into the tunnels. Scarlet and Titus had their ears folded back, their shoulders sagging as they carefully carried the body into the den.

"Mother!" Ember wailed. She hurried toward the dead fox and buried her face in the fur, breathing in Lark's quickly disappearing scent. Mother...she thought sadly. Her mother had always supported her. She had always said that she would grow up into a strong and loyal fox who would help take their rightful territory back. Now that she was dead, how could she go on?

Ember's eyes hardened and she pulled back. "Who did this to her?" she snarled.

Titus replied coldly, "The cats murdered her. Her fur reeks of their vile scent."

Scarlet closed her eyes softly and murmured words into the dead fox's ears.

Ember clenched her teeth and looked away, trying to convince herself that all of this was just a dream. More foxes filed into the room and crowded around Lark's body, gazing on sadly.

The voices hushed when Fang stepped into the room. He radiated a strong and commanding aura, and his hazel eyes were piercing as he surveyed the others.

He barked, "Lark sneaked into the cats' territory even though she knew that she was not yet strong enough to fight them. She sacrificed her life for us, for our goal in getting our rightful home back. She will be dearly missed, but her loss will fuel our bright future."

Ember stared at her mother, numb to his words. She didn't notice when Fang padded up to her.

The pack leader said, "What will you do now, Ember?"

The young female jumped in alarm when she noticed him, but then forced her fur to lie flat.

She looked away and murmured, "I don't know."

Fang stared at her silently with his sharp hazel eyes, saying nothing.

Suddenly, Ember felt something flaring up inside her, a mixture of determination, grief, and hate. It was burning inside her, sharp as claws and as scalding as fire. She hated the cats for killing Lark. She hated them for stealing their homeland all those generations ago. She hated them for attacking her noble ancestor, Sunfire. Now, as she stared down at the battered body of the fox she once knew, she began to understand why the others despised the cats so much.

As Fang began to walk away, she looked up sharply and barked, "Wait."

The male stopped and turned to stare expectantly at her.

Ember growled coldly, "I know what to do. I have to avenge my mother's death and protect the pack. I have to defeat the Clans and get our territory back. I must become stronger and train harder, and when the time is right, I will rise and fight for everything that I've ever dreamed of."

Fang's eyes narrowed and he grinned. "I can see that we've taught you well," he replied. "You're not strong enough to attack yet. None of us are. But when the time is right, with a little luck, a little skill, and a little help, we will win."

Ember closed her eyes and snuggled up against Lark. As the body cooled, she dreamed that her mother was still alive. When she drifted off to sleep, she could almost hear Lark's soothing voice calling out to her.

"I will avenge you, Mother," she breathed softly. "I promise. I will follow Fang, and kill the cat that took your life. Your death will not be in vain."