Dangerous Path

"Nightfrost! What's going on out there?" Redkit mewed, bounding to him. Nightfrost look up to Willowpelt, whose eyes flicker as she herd her own kits out of the nursery, Whitestorm by her side. Nightfrost turn back to his own kit.

"We'll be leaving camp, Redkit."

The kit's blue eyes widen with excitement. "I get to go out of camp?!"

Nightfrost let out sigh. "Yes, everybody needs to be out of camp today. There is much danger here." He nudged Redkit to the others waiting at the camp entrance. Fireheart padded to them with Darkstripe, Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw behind.

As he reached the other cats, he summoned Swiftfoot with a flick of his tail. "Swiftfoot," he meowed, "I'm making you responsible for these two apprentices. Don't take your eyes off them, whatever happens. And if Darkstripe so much as sniffs at them, I want to know about it."

"Yes, Fireheart," Swiftfoot mewed, looking bewildered. Nudging the two apprentices, he herded them away, among the other cats.

Seeing Whitestorm close by, Fireheart padded over to him and jerked his head at Darkstripe. "Keep an eye on that one," he ordered. "I don't trust a single hair on his pelt."

Then he addressed the warriors he had chosen-Mousefur, Longtail, Graystripe, Dustpelt and Sandstorm-to run ahead of the pack. "If you haven't eaten today, I suggest you eat now," he meowed. "You'll need all your strength. We'll go soon, but first I have to talk to Bluestar."

Fireheart headed to Bluestar's den. Redkit rolled in the dirt.

Bluestar soon headed out of the den. The bulk of the Clan—all the cats Fireheart had not chosen to come with him—were already huddled together near the entrance to the camp. As Bluestar went to join them, Fireheart flicked his tail to call Whitestorm. "Stay beside her," he mewed softly. "Look after her."

Whitestorm dipped his head. "You can rely on me, Fireheart." The glance he exchanged with Fireheart showed that he understood perfectly how fragile Bluestar's mind was. He padded at Bluestar's shoulder as she led the way out of the camp. Nightfrost took Redkit's loose nape and padded with the crowd.

The clan was silent, hurrying to Sunningrocks. After a long while of worries and fear, the rocks appeared. Bluestar stood at the center, her clan surrounding her on the rocks. Nightfrost put his kit near Willowpelt, who had her tail curled up around her kits protectively.

Nightfrost look around the rocks. Whitestorm was near Bluestar. Swiftfoot keep watch in Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw, making sure Darkstripe stay away, who watch the trio at a distance. The cats as close friends stay near each other, comforting themselves. Longtail was alone, with Dustpelt one of the warriors in the chase and Darkstripe watching Tigerstar's kits. Cinderpaw soon joined him, mewing gently to him.

A cat yowled out. "The dogs can still get us! Are we going to be sitting prey for them!"

Whitestorm turned around, and mewed loudly, addressing the whole clan.

"We will climb up the trees. Warriors and apprentices, help the queens and elders to the branches. Dogs cannot climb and we will be safe there."

Nightfrost picked up Redkit. Ravenwing and a warrior helped Willowpelt. They let Willowpelt climb a nearby tree first.

Ravenwing followed. Nightfrost unsteath his claws, climbing up the tree. Upon reaching the branch, he put Redkit with Willowpelt's kits. Nightfrost look around him. Apprentices and warriors alike help each other and the elders to the branches, far from the dogs' reaches.

Whitestorm was at the bottom, making sure an elder was helped, with Bluestar behind him. The gray she-cat turned around and raced off, following the riverside. Nightfrost widen his eyes, and slide down the tree trunk, leaving claw marks. He chased her, ignoring his friend's calls of return.

Nightfrost burst through the bushes, breaking the dead limbs. There, a massive dog had his brother by the scruff. Bluestar threw herself on the dog, letting out a yowl. The force made the dog leader drop Fireheart, but sent both leaders down the gorge with two dogs.

"Bluestar!" yowled a Fireheart.

Without their leader, the pack scattered. One dog race down towards Sunningrocks. Nightfrost grabbed onto the dog just as it ran up to him. He clawed up the dog, making it yelp. At the top of the dog, Nightfrost saw it a dark tabby at a distance. The dog quickly closed the distance, allowing Nightfrost to see who it is. Tigerstar.

The black tom curled his lip, digging his claws deep into the poor dog's pelt. The dog yelped again, causing Shadowclan's leader to twist his head back in surprise and served off the dog's path. Nightfrost growled, as much as he want to claw the tabby into bits, the dog needs to be taken care of first.

He dug his claws deep into the dog's neck, causing it to howl and stop it in it's tracks near the Sunningrocks. It swung it's massive head back and forth, trying to shake him off. Nightfrost refused to let go, landing blow everytime he could. A scratch to the ear, long claw marks to the side to the neck and scratching the mutt's face. Soon, his back claws struck hard at the bottom of the neck, a dangerous and strong blow for the dog.

The dog collapsed, wheezing, blood pouring from the injuries. Tigerstar race pass him. Nightfrost, however, felt exhausted, from the lack of sleep, food and fighting the dog. The warriors stood to engage the traitor. Tigerstar ignored them, padding quickly on the stepping stones. Graystripe burst through, chasing him. Ravenwing quickly followed.

I hope I didn't ruin anybody's Christmas.