Chapter 66: Debts Unhonored

It had been two days since we'd set up our emergency caches when my caution proved to be well founded. Ravenfeather, Ashpaw, and I were on our way back from a border patrol ending with the Riverclan border when the sound of conflict met our ears. Thankfully, we were close enough for Ravenfeather and Ashpaw to scale a nearby tree to get a peek into camp. They jumped down with panic clear in their eyes.

"The camp has been overrun! I saw Tallstar and Nightpelt too! We're outnumbered." Ravenfeather frantically reported.

I silently cursed to myself. I'd been counting on a small, coordinated invasion force. Their only goal was to kill one cat. Why did they attack with such force? I shook my head. There was no use pondering.

"We need backup. As much as I loath to say it, can you run to Riverclan and see if they would be willing to assist?" I ordered Ravenfeather.

"I'll do it, but what about you and Ashpaw?" He asked with concern.

"Right now every cat counts. Ashpaw, you'll be putting your battle training to use. Don't be afraid to duck out if you get overwhelmed. If they won't let you leave, come to me and I'll protect you." I ordered of my apprentice.

In response Ashpaw boisterously claimed, "Nobody hurts my clan!"

With that, Ashpaw and I rushed in. What we found was not just a raiding force or even two raiding forces. This was an invasion! Almost every able bodied Windclan and Shadowclan cat was here. These cats had no honor. We were so outnumbered that the invaders weren't just double teaming our warriors. No. These pathetic pieces of filth were going after any cat that looked like they could possibly put up a fight. Even the revered elders were forced to trade claws with these spineless aggressors. It put me into a rage.

How dare these two clans attack us! They owe us so much, and yet they deemed their debt not worth honoring! Pathetic! Filthy! Disgusting! They were breaking what I believed the most basic principle of life. Honor your debts. For once in my life, the cold in my bones was tempered by the fires of rage. I came pounding in with the mind of a destroyer.

I smashed through the horde with as much force as I could muster, tossing four cats with just my first charge. They were quick to recover, but the hatred in my eyes made them hesitate. That was their mistake. My strikes were thunderous and much more precise than usual. My rage made up for the gap in reaction speed. I would not give them an inch.

I had just sent two cats packing when I witnessed one Windclan cat give Ashpaw a nasty scratch across his face. Ashpaw tried to turn tail, but the 'warrior' did not let him retreat, grabbing him by the tail and pinning him. The look in that cat's eyes were ones of a killer. I don't know if it was just heat of the moment or if that cat was just determined to have some cat die today since his quarry was gone, but I was not going to let that happen!

I smashed in another charge, ignoring the new claw marks stretching along my coat. Opportunistic bastards didn't want me doing anything without paying for it in blood. Regardless, I was still running on adrenaline and rage. I pounded through their defenses to tackle the dangerous tom off my apprentice. He would not go unpunished for making the attempt. I did not have the time to break a limb or will to kill him, but I could put him through a lot of pain. I gripped his front leg in my jaws and flipped forward , using my back legs to push against his shoulder dislocating it. He cried out in pain, so I released him. A cruel humor crossed my mind as I watched him trip over his dislocated limb. Unfortunately, my adrenaline ran out.

I was forced out of my heightened state with extreme fatigue. I'd never pushed my body that hard for so long. The scratches I'd disregarded now burned. I had difficulty getting my eyes to focus. At the same time, Ashpaw retreated behind me, sure that I'd protect him and traumatized by the attempt on his life. My resolve hardened. He was my apprentice, and I would protect him at any cost. I planted my paws firmly, arching my back in a fearsome display and flashing my fangs. Whoever came next, I'd not have the option of mercy.

Then a yowl rang out from the camp entrance. A new force had arrived. A second wave. As they came charging in, I recognized one of the cats up front. It was Ravenfeather. It was reinforcements! With our newfound support, the invaders attack was curtailed. I heaved a sigh of relief, sitting down to keep myself from passing out. I'd definitely pulled a muscle or two given how much my body ached and protested even the most basic of movements. My usually white paws were stained red. My claws were also out of sorts. I was missing three, two on my right front paw and one on my left. The stubs that remained were oozing blood. I had to wonder how monstrous I looked at that moment, soaked in blood and wounds stretched across my form. I managed to maintain consciousness only long enough to hear Windclan and Shadowclan call their retreat. I heard fear in their voices. Serves them right.

As I regained cognition, I felt some cat dressing the missing claws on my paws.

"I can't believe how much you managed to hurt yourself." A voice I hadn't expected tutted.

"You're lucky we had extra supplies, seeing as you managed to use up half our stock." The voice I now recognized as Cinderpaw continued.

I opened my eyes to witness the grey molly carefully applying poultice to my wounded paws. She had this intense look of focus as she ensured that o crevice of the pulled claws would get infected. When she noticed me watching she briefly shuffled back in panic.

"You-you're awake." She stuttered.

"Alive and feeling it, the wounds I mean. I'm both surprised and proud to se you here Cinderpaw. Based on what I've seen so far, you have the makings of a great medicine cat." I replied with a gentle smile.

I could tell she was blushing as she faced away. "Thanks. I wasn't so sure this was my path until I saw all those cats hurt. Thankfully, not many were critically wounded, but we lost and elder in the battle. We don't know who did it or if it was on purpose. Their neck was broken from a strike against the high rock. It was mercifully instantaneous. We lost most of our camp stock of prey and they managed to destroy a small amount of our camp medicine, but our emergency supplies came in handy. Yours and another's lives were spared due to having the necessary herbs, but enough about the battle. You've got some cats waiting outside. I'm sure they're excited to see you alive and well. You aren't allowed on duty for a quarter moon. Those scratches should be gone pretty quick, but I don't want you agitating your paws. I want you to come in every other day so I can make sure the new ones grow in right." She commanded in the tone of a practiced doctor.

I stood, feeling the tension from having kept still far too long. I had no clue how long I was out, but it was likely a day or two given my stiffness. I slowly limped my way out, feeling my paws sting where my missing claws once sat. As I pushed my way out of the medicine den, I spotted two familiar cats instantly, one black with a white chest and the other pale grey with dark flecks. My apprentice in sheer joy near tackled me off my paws in aggressive affection. Ravenfeather was not long behind him, steadying me and putting in his own nuzzles. Fireheart saw me soon after and greeted me affectionately as well. Apparently, I'd pushed myself even further than I thought. Yellowfang was worried I'd given myself a heart attack. My wounds weren't all that deadly, but my pulse was all over the place. I'd have to be careful if I fought like that in the future. Of course, near every other cat congratulated me on my recovery and performance during the battle. Even Darkstripe who was known to keep his feelings either suppressed or lashing out voiced his relief. This… was what I'd been missing all my past life. This felt like my purpose, and I knew given the exact same scenario, I wouldn't have done a thing differently. My life would be a small sacrifice to keep what I valued safe.