Chapter 53: The Dog Killers

Sandstorm found Darkstripe attacking a squirrel hole in a tree. He'd leap at it and lunge his paw into the hole before jumping off to try again. It looked insane from her perspective. The scratches around the hole implied not all the stabs had gotten in. She decided to silently watch him for a bit to see if there was any method to his madness. Despite how foolish it looked, Sandstorm could see he was putting his best effort into the task of sticking his paw in the nest. How he approached the nest was like he had just burst into an ambush before striking. That repeated dull thunk as he struck into the nest would sound every couple of heartbeats as he made another attempt. Sandstorm's curiosity had finally reached its breaking point, so she made her presence known.

"What did that poor squirrel nest do to you?"

Darkstripe almost leaped out of his fur. He hadn't caught her watching. The days prior still rung in his head as he could feel his embarrassment rising.

"Um. Er. Sandstorm. I was just… practicing."

Sandstorm let out an amused chuckle as she saw her previous teasing was still affecting him.

"Practicing what? I don't imagine it's a squirrel hunting technique."

"It's, well, a combat technique. I… Can you keep a secret?"

"I am close to you. As long as it wouldn't hurt anyone, I could."

Darkstripe was conflicted. He desperately wanted to not shoulder his secrets alone, but the last time he shared a secret with someone close, they'd revealed it publicly. He didn't want to risk it, but his lonely duty was too much for one cat.

"I was taught a technique to kill a large dog. I got wind that there is a pack of them close to breaking loose into the forest. I can't be sure I'm overreacting, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."

Sandstorm processed what Darkstripe said slowly. It is one thing to say you've been practicing a technique. It's another to give a clan threatening warning in the same sentence.

"Why are you practicing alone then? If this could kill the dogs, why not teach every cat it?"

Darkstripe hesitated before responding. "My source isn't what we'd call a good cat. Also, the technique only works once. Once the dogs have seen it, they won't fall for it again. Every other cat is so busy, I don't want to put even more worries on top of what we're currently going through."

It was true. The last couple moons had been a real trial for the clan. Tigerstar's shadow loomed ominously over the clan as they were still recovering from the fire. Worrying about dogs might push the clan too far. Luckily, Sandstorm was an optimist. She knew the clan could weather it, but a bit of precaution wouldn't hurt.

"Then can you teach me it? I think with my skills, we could take two dogs before the skill becomes useless."

Darkstripe was feeling a mixture of pleasure and guilt as he had just admitted his lack of faith in the clan. At least one cat would stand beside him.

"Ok. From what I saw, the goal of the attack is to shove a paw through the dog's eye up to the knee. I witnessed the technique and when it works, the dog dies instantly. From what I saw, it's hard to get out after executing the attack. It isn't something you can just jump out of. When the one who taught me did it, he had two cats bait the dog into range and roll it away from his side as it fell. It took him a minute to free himself afterwards."

Sandstorm started to picture what Darkstripe had been up to. The squirrel hole was a bit smaller than what she'd usually see, but it was about the size of a large creature's eye. It was also low enough to pretend it was a dog's eye. Sandstorm took a running start as she leapt to match Darkstripe's mark on the tree. Her paw shot forward and was just wide of her target. It struck with a thwack, but it left her paw numb and sore.

"Ow! I didn't think I'd miss."

Darkstripe let out a light laugh at her misfortune.

"Looks like miss perfect isn't so perfect after all."

Sandstorm huffed in false annoyance.

"You know that was only my first try. I bet I'll be better than you by the end of the day."

Darkstripe struck a fake contemplative pose.

"I don't know. Your paws are pretty wide."

Sandstorm took another leap at the tree and her attack was true. It struck the back of the hole and she freed herself before falling.

"How's that?"

"All hail our fair lady. Master of the hole. Queen of the hole." He replied, trying to get a rise out of her. His inuendo a sharp jab at her flirting.

Sandstorm felt herself flush as Darkstripe's joke registered. She leapt at the tom rolling him. He didn't back down as he moved with the roll to flip her. The two stood from where they had landed and traded light bats as they baited each other to make a move. Finally, Darkstripe overextended leading to Sandstorm shoving him to the ground and pinning him. Both their furs were wild with patches sticking up and twigs from the ground stuck in their pelts. Darkstripe has a genuine smile as he stared at Sandstorm.

"Ok. You win. I take it back."

Sandstorm laughed as she let him back up. It had been fun to play again. Warrior duties often meant such merriment was few and far between. She looked over to Darkstripe who still wasn't done smiling at what had happened.

"That was, dare I say it, fun. I never really got a chance to play as a kit. I wish I'd been a little braver then, so I could have experienced it. It was nice."

Darkstripe's off paw comment soured her mood instantly. Even though she was a hardened warrior, something about a kit who never played and a cat who didn't know what it was like to have fun struck a chord with her. She'd always had friends. She always had cats she could bother for a bit of amusement. There were enough cats in her age group that she had her choice of friends. It bothered her that Darkstripe made it so clear how different they were. He was so used to being alone and making his own way that he ended up isolating himself whenever he had free time. He had friends now, but he didn't know what friends meant. She resolved herself to teach him as he was teaching her.

"I wouldn't mind doing this again. You can teach me the dog killer, and I'll keep you from going off the deep end again."

"Fine. We can come out here again tomorrow, but you'll never be a better dog killer than me."

"Want to bet?"

The two returned to camp completely forgetting their messy pelts. They got some light teasing from the older warriors, but it was all in good fun. Darkstripe needed a break from his worries.